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The Skinny on Love
Thirty-seven-year-old fitness fanatic and gym owner John Moorcroft has always known he was gay, and he has always had a problem admitting it, even to himself. After a failed attempt at a relationship with Roslyn, his long-time female BFF, he knows he must take a hard look at himself. The first thing John does is to try to find out what happened to his mother, who disappeared when he was four years old. Roslyn recommends Sky Cook Investigations to help him. The first time John meets Sky he finds himself extremely attracted to the man’s bear-like physique and eager-to-please manner.
Sky Cook, thirty-six years old, is sweet, mild mannered, and desperately in need of a health regime. He knows he needs to lose weight but is thwarted by issues from his childhood. Sky also wants a loving, yet dominant man to direct him, so when John suggests they barter services, the perfect storm for a relationship unfolds.
Sky Cook, thirty-six years old, is sweet, mild mannered, and desperately in need of a health regime. He knows he needs to lose weight but is thwarted by issues from his childhood. Sky also wants a loving, yet dominant man to direct him, so when John suggests they barter services, the perfect storm for a relationship unfolds.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2014
2 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Fyn Alexander
21 books215 followersI love to write and I always welcome comments from readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 26, 2014
How did a book that started out being about a man being not only in the closet, but also in denial turn out to be so touching? I would've never guessed it would turn out that way based on the beginning.
John was a specimen of bodily perfection with the personality of a hypocritical, judgmental asshole. Not being perfectly proportioned myself, his words struck a nerve, pissed me right off to the point of wanting to DNF, but John's words really made me hurt for Sky.
Sky had demons of his own, but instead of being angry at the world, he was gentle, kind, loyal, accepting, and incredibly forgiving. The two of them struck up a bartering deal in which Sky would do some PI work in exchange for John helping him with his weight and health. After John's sexuality is confirmed in an undeniable way (although John continues to deny...) a relationship of sorts is birthed and their journey begins.
What was surprising to me was how deep this book was, touching on both emotional eating issues and social issues. What I thought would be a light, fun read was not light at all, but it was moving. Although John remained somewhat detached for most of the book, Sky's warmth was beautiful. It was a great reminder that the package often hides pain regardless of what shape, size or fitness level you are. We are so quick to judge someone based on their looks. Both John and Sky were broken in ways, but it took looking beyond the external things to begin healing. In reality, I don't think Sky was handling things any better than John. They just had a different approach and John's was more socially acceptable even though Sky had better character. I'm rambling now...just read the book. :)
John was a specimen of bodily perfection with the personality of a hypocritical, judgmental asshole. Not being perfectly proportioned myself, his words struck a nerve, pissed me right off to the point of wanting to DNF, but John's words really made me hurt for Sky.
Sky had demons of his own, but instead of being angry at the world, he was gentle, kind, loyal, accepting, and incredibly forgiving. The two of them struck up a bartering deal in which Sky would do some PI work in exchange for John helping him with his weight and health. After John's sexuality is confirmed in an undeniable way (although John continues to deny...) a relationship of sorts is birthed and their journey begins.
What was surprising to me was how deep this book was, touching on both emotional eating issues and social issues. What I thought would be a light, fun read was not light at all, but it was moving. Although John remained somewhat detached for most of the book, Sky's warmth was beautiful. It was a great reminder that the package often hides pain regardless of what shape, size or fitness level you are. We are so quick to judge someone based on their looks. Both John and Sky were broken in ways, but it took looking beyond the external things to begin healing. In reality, I don't think Sky was handling things any better than John. They just had a different approach and John's was more socially acceptable even though Sky had better character. I'm rambling now...just read the book. :)
dnf
July 14, 2014Bailed at 17%.
John is just so unlikable! I'm sure he's all hurt and shit, and will redeem himself, but reading is supposed to be pleasurable. Nuh uh.
John is just so unlikable! I'm sure he's all hurt and shit, and will redeem himself, but reading is supposed to be pleasurable. Nuh uh.
March 23, 2020
An absolute pleasure to read. I love the way Fyn Alexander builds a story - we learn each character's story slowly, and as they evolve we see their relationship evolve. It's just spectacularly done.
April 28, 2014
Ugh. Just ugh. I hated one of the MCs (John) in this. The other MC (Sky) had me thinking he was either tstl or just didn't give a f*ck about himself for the first half of the book. The 2nd half I just felt sorry for him.
John owns a gym. He's ex-military and now spends his days as a personal trainer. He's a hard-ass take no prisoners sort which I could have been perfectly okay with. Unfortunately he's also rude, condescending, hypocritical, and not only closeted but in deep denial.
Sky is a private investigator. He is the very antithesis of John and the author seems to press that fact throughout the book.
I was turned off by the book almost from the beginning. Not only because of John, but I had an issue about the first time John and Sky are together. I am all for safe/sane/conscentual play but the situation just didn't sit right with me. I'm not sure if the author was going for naughty and sexy, but all I felt was skeeved and squicked out.
After this, their interactions almost immediately take on a master/slave dynamic. WTF? This is after having spent maybe a total of two hours together??? And after Sky has already learned what a bastard John can be because of their first face to face meeting.
I could say more but overall I just didn't enjoy this. John was too much of a prick and I felt his change of heart was too little too late. What we find out about Sky and his past only makes the situation sadder. He was obviously and deeply affected by his childhood and needed help and love. I think he deserved better than John.
John owns a gym. He's ex-military and now spends his days as a personal trainer. He's a hard-ass take no prisoners sort which I could have been perfectly okay with. Unfortunately he's also rude, condescending, hypocritical, and not only closeted but in deep denial.
Sky is a private investigator. He is the very antithesis of John and the author seems to press that fact throughout the book.
I was turned off by the book almost from the beginning. Not only because of John, but I had an issue about the first time John and Sky are together. I am all for safe/sane/conscentual play but the situation just didn't sit right with me. I'm not sure if the author was going for naughty and sexy, but all I felt was skeeved and squicked out.
After this, their interactions almost immediately take on a master/slave dynamic. WTF? This is after having spent maybe a total of two hours together??? And after Sky has already learned what a bastard John can be because of their first face to face meeting.
I could say more but overall I just didn't enjoy this. John was too much of a prick and I felt his change of heart was too little too late. What we find out about Sky and his past only makes the situation sadder. He was obviously and deeply affected by his childhood and needed help and love. I think he deserved better than John.
September 8, 2016
3.5 Stars
You take the good, you take the bad, and there you have...
John's a good character. He's an ass, and frankly deserves to be a fucking miserable git--so out of line with Sky I'd have taken a swing at him. He becomes less offensive as the story goes on, but does he really deserve a happy ending? O_o
Sky. Good natured and instinctively kind he's an easy target for asshats and bullies, which he's managed to find plenty of over the years. He's so lovely that all I want is for him to be happy--even if it is with a fucktard like John.
Beginning to see a trend? Yeah, John's not my favorite person. And I find it really hard to truly enjoy a book when one of the protagonists sets me on edge. So that affected my rating.
I was less interested in the particulars of the kink and far more interested in the emotions and motivations which really appealed to me here. They rang all the right bells. On the other hand, some of the story elements are melodramatic and I would have preferred to have it dialed back a tad and still been invested, too much pushing toward the extremes for me.
Favorite quote:
You take the good, you take the bad, and there you have...
John's a good character. He's an ass, and frankly deserves to be a fucking miserable git--so out of line with Sky I'd have taken a swing at him. He becomes less offensive as the story goes on, but does he really deserve a happy ending? O_o
Sky. Good natured and instinctively kind he's an easy target for asshats and bullies, which he's managed to find plenty of over the years. He's so lovely that all I want is for him to be happy--even if it is with a fucktard like John.
Beginning to see a trend? Yeah, John's not my favorite person. And I find it really hard to truly enjoy a book when one of the protagonists sets me on edge. So that affected my rating.
I was less interested in the particulars of the kink and far more interested in the emotions and motivations which really appealed to me here. They rang all the right bells. On the other hand, some of the story elements are melodramatic and I would have preferred to have it dialed back a tad and still been invested, too much pushing toward the extremes for me.
Favorite quote:
Two family members were a few fries short of a Happy Meal, one was a dwarf, yet they bustled around the kitchen, smiling at one another, not afraid of body contact, hugging and touching.
Want to read
August 27, 2016A Bear MC?
Roar!!!
Roar!!!
May 7, 2014
This was a sweet and redemptive story. John starts out as a fitness obsessed closeted ass, but he takes steps to get over himself. Even before meeting Sky, he was maybe starting to come to some self-realization, and Sky is just a lovely gentle submissive man. I liked that John doesn't change who he is, even after he acknowledges that he's gay (I know a lot of fitness fanatics and I don't think you can lose that obsession). I like that Sky doesn't instantly become fit and healthy. If you look past John's intense unlikability in the beginning, this story will reward you.
May 17, 2014
I’m not gay. I’m not gay. I’m not gay. That’s the only tune that MC John Moorcroft seems to know. Problem is that he is gay, and he just can’t bring himself to admit it to anyone. This 37-year-old former Army Captain is the proud owner of a gym, a goal he’s had for years, and he’s very happy with his life, or so he thinks. When his best friend, Roslyn, points out his inability to have sex with women, and his need to find out what happened to his mother over thirty years ago, he first rebels, then capitulates, and contacts Sky Cook, the PI she recommends. He doesn’t capitulate on admitting to her that he’s gay, but that’s not even necessary as far as she’s concerned.
When he meets Sky, he thinks at first that Sky is a client who’s come for a tour of the facility so he starts him on a training regimen while demonstrating the equipment, making it increasingly more brutal. Just when Sky is ready to collapse, John admits that his receptionist has clued him that Sky is not a potential client. When he finds out who he really is, John tells him he changed his mind and won’t hire anyone who can’t be honest. He also makes cruel and demeaning remarks about Sky’s weight and body size, and Sky leaves there feeling humiliated.
Not a good start to any relationship, business or personal. However, Rosalyn convinces John to give Sky another try, and when John sees how very sore Sky is from the workout he put him through the day before, he starts to feel a little guilty about how hard he worked him. Later that night, while Sky is at a private BDSM club getting a flogging and loving it, a Master steps up behind him and gives him everything he desires. When Sky is released from his bonds and turns around, both men are shocked to see that it is John who was the Master in the scene. John denies that he had any idea of what the club was about, and quickly tries to convince Sky that it was just an accident that he stumbled in there. This is the pattern throughout the beginning of the story. John is attracted to Sky and vice versa, but John continually hides behind the lies and denial. The two end up working together, deciding to barter services. Sky will search for John’s mother, and John will whip Sky into shape with diet and exercise.
Sky is a very sweet man, polite and courteous, very respectful of other people, and he lives by the ideal that you can get more flies with honey. When Sky eventually admits to being in love with John, whom he always calls Sir or Master, John reacts by telling him that nothing can come of it but a bit of fun. Sky, being Sky, simply says, “Yes, Sir. I’ll accept whatever you have to offer.”
As a child, Sky was adopted into a family of very loving, yet very bizarre and unique individuals. On one of the trips he and John take to discover the truth about John’s missing mother, John gets to meet the family, and he’s welcomed with open arms. It’s also on this trip that John starts to come to grips with the fact that he is not only gay, but he’s starting to care for Sky. He also realizes he’s a Dominant, and wants more of the BDSM scene with Sky, who is definitely a submissive.
It was easy to love Sky throughout this story. The way he treated his elderly office manager, the way he interacted with his family, the way he tried so hard to please John— everything about him made him a loveable, fuzzy, teddy bear personality. But John? John was difficult to like, never mind love. An ex-Army captain, beaten by his father when he was spotted at a gay bar at eighteen, abandoned by his mother when he was four, driven with the ambition to make something of himself so that his father can be proud of him, this man did not want to allow for any imperfections in his own personality. He strove to be the perfect specimen of manhood, both on the outside and in, where he maintained tight control over his emotions. But I actually did like him. I think the author gave us enough clues, via John’s skewed internal dialog, for us to see that when he was cruel or nasty to Sky or anyone else, he was just lashing out in the only way he knew how, and we got to hear his inner voice as he berated himself. I always felt like there was so much hope for him, especially if he continued to be with Sky. At one point, when they finally discussed what happened at the BDSM club that night, Sky admitted that he goes there because no one is judgmental. He’s among other big men and bears, and no one cares about his size. That’s when the light bulb goes off for John and he realizes how he’s been behaving toward Sky, damaging Sky’s sense of self. He finally admits, “I’ve always been attracted to big men like you. I like bears.” And then he apologizes to Sky for having called him fat and hurting his feelings. My hopes for John increased tenfold at this point.
And the humor in this story, especially in the beginning, was outrageous! I found myself laughing out loud or chuckling after ever few pages. On the flip side, the author took us to some very dark and painful places when we finally learned about Sky’s past. But watching the awakening of John’s psyche as he comes to terms with being gay, and finally with the abandonment of his mother, was very moving. Seeing the outcome of their search for her, and hearing John’s inner voice as he realized that he truly did love Sky, were all hills and vales on the emotional roller coaster the author provides in this story.
I want to re-read it again, maybe tomorrow. I don’t want to part from the guys at all. Sky just touched a secret place in my heart, and I want to revisit him so that I can wrap him up and protect him from harm. And John, well he’s not so soft and fluffy, but John’s a good guy on the inside and he might not be fluffy where we can see it, but inside? Inside he’s got a gooey center, and it’s all for Sky. Don’t miss this story. Highly recommended.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
When he meets Sky, he thinks at first that Sky is a client who’s come for a tour of the facility so he starts him on a training regimen while demonstrating the equipment, making it increasingly more brutal. Just when Sky is ready to collapse, John admits that his receptionist has clued him that Sky is not a potential client. When he finds out who he really is, John tells him he changed his mind and won’t hire anyone who can’t be honest. He also makes cruel and demeaning remarks about Sky’s weight and body size, and Sky leaves there feeling humiliated.
Not a good start to any relationship, business or personal. However, Rosalyn convinces John to give Sky another try, and when John sees how very sore Sky is from the workout he put him through the day before, he starts to feel a little guilty about how hard he worked him. Later that night, while Sky is at a private BDSM club getting a flogging and loving it, a Master steps up behind him and gives him everything he desires. When Sky is released from his bonds and turns around, both men are shocked to see that it is John who was the Master in the scene. John denies that he had any idea of what the club was about, and quickly tries to convince Sky that it was just an accident that he stumbled in there. This is the pattern throughout the beginning of the story. John is attracted to Sky and vice versa, but John continually hides behind the lies and denial. The two end up working together, deciding to barter services. Sky will search for John’s mother, and John will whip Sky into shape with diet and exercise.
Sky is a very sweet man, polite and courteous, very respectful of other people, and he lives by the ideal that you can get more flies with honey. When Sky eventually admits to being in love with John, whom he always calls Sir or Master, John reacts by telling him that nothing can come of it but a bit of fun. Sky, being Sky, simply says, “Yes, Sir. I’ll accept whatever you have to offer.”
As a child, Sky was adopted into a family of very loving, yet very bizarre and unique individuals. On one of the trips he and John take to discover the truth about John’s missing mother, John gets to meet the family, and he’s welcomed with open arms. It’s also on this trip that John starts to come to grips with the fact that he is not only gay, but he’s starting to care for Sky. He also realizes he’s a Dominant, and wants more of the BDSM scene with Sky, who is definitely a submissive.
It was easy to love Sky throughout this story. The way he treated his elderly office manager, the way he interacted with his family, the way he tried so hard to please John— everything about him made him a loveable, fuzzy, teddy bear personality. But John? John was difficult to like, never mind love. An ex-Army captain, beaten by his father when he was spotted at a gay bar at eighteen, abandoned by his mother when he was four, driven with the ambition to make something of himself so that his father can be proud of him, this man did not want to allow for any imperfections in his own personality. He strove to be the perfect specimen of manhood, both on the outside and in, where he maintained tight control over his emotions. But I actually did like him. I think the author gave us enough clues, via John’s skewed internal dialog, for us to see that when he was cruel or nasty to Sky or anyone else, he was just lashing out in the only way he knew how, and we got to hear his inner voice as he berated himself. I always felt like there was so much hope for him, especially if he continued to be with Sky. At one point, when they finally discussed what happened at the BDSM club that night, Sky admitted that he goes there because no one is judgmental. He’s among other big men and bears, and no one cares about his size. That’s when the light bulb goes off for John and he realizes how he’s been behaving toward Sky, damaging Sky’s sense of self. He finally admits, “I’ve always been attracted to big men like you. I like bears.” And then he apologizes to Sky for having called him fat and hurting his feelings. My hopes for John increased tenfold at this point.
And the humor in this story, especially in the beginning, was outrageous! I found myself laughing out loud or chuckling after ever few pages. On the flip side, the author took us to some very dark and painful places when we finally learned about Sky’s past. But watching the awakening of John’s psyche as he comes to terms with being gay, and finally with the abandonment of his mother, was very moving. Seeing the outcome of their search for her, and hearing John’s inner voice as he realized that he truly did love Sky, were all hills and vales on the emotional roller coaster the author provides in this story.
I want to re-read it again, maybe tomorrow. I don’t want to part from the guys at all. Sky just touched a secret place in my heart, and I want to revisit him so that I can wrap him up and protect him from harm. And John, well he’s not so soft and fluffy, but John’s a good guy on the inside and he might not be fluffy where we can see it, but inside? Inside he’s got a gooey center, and it’s all for Sky. Don’t miss this story. Highly recommended.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
July 27, 2014
After having problems getting into the story, from some point on it turned out to be a very gripping read. Yes, John was obnoxious at the beginning and I felt with Sky. Poor guy. The change in John was believable and it was nice following along. In the end it got more serious, but not over the top. Very well done.
Yes, in the end it was a great read.
Yes, in the end it was a great read.
January 14, 2023
3.5 Stars ~ Part of my interest in reading 'The Skinny on Love' is my own recent lifestyle changes in diet and exercise. I wanted to see the transformation of Sky, that I hoped would happen, and to get a little more inspired for myself. The other part of my interest, of course, is that Fyn Alexander is a new author, to me, and I really enjoy reading new voices, plus this book is set in England which meant I might get some dry humor. All in all, excellent reasons to read this book.
I adored Sky from the moment I met him. John? Not. So. Much. He's arrogant, a jerk, views anyone with a less than perfect physique as lacking, and is majorly in denial about being gay, even though he's had numerous hookups with men in the past eighteen years. John is also a snob. One of those people who believes everything has to look "just so" or else it's not worth his time. Ugh. Sky, on the other hand, is a big teddy bear of a guy. He knows he should get into shape, but does that mean giving up his morning McDonald's "brekkies" with his office manager, Gladys? Gladys is eighty-three, has outlived three husbands, smokes like a chimney, and eats whatever makes her happy. She and John didn't care for one another when they met. *snort* Sky has a heart as big as the rest of him, and his office might be unconventional, but he's an excellent private investigator and he gets the job done. Just who John needs to find out what happened to his mother all those years ago.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
I adored Sky from the moment I met him. John? Not. So. Much. He's arrogant, a jerk, views anyone with a less than perfect physique as lacking, and is majorly in denial about being gay, even though he's had numerous hookups with men in the past eighteen years. John is also a snob. One of those people who believes everything has to look "just so" or else it's not worth his time. Ugh. Sky, on the other hand, is a big teddy bear of a guy. He knows he should get into shape, but does that mean giving up his morning McDonald's "brekkies" with his office manager, Gladys? Gladys is eighty-three, has outlived three husbands, smokes like a chimney, and eats whatever makes her happy. She and John didn't care for one another when they met. *snort* Sky has a heart as big as the rest of him, and his office might be unconventional, but he's an excellent private investigator and he gets the job done. Just who John needs to find out what happened to his mother all those years ago.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
May 25, 2014
At the beginning of this story, I started to dislike one of the characters, John, who seemed too judgmental and extremely disciplined with a streak of cruelty and intolerance which annoyed me.
On the other side of the equation we have a teddy bear of a man, kind and sweet, overweight, unhealthy, and addicted to food. Talking about extremes, this was not a match in heaven. Yet Fyn manages to show through this story that we are the sum of all parts, past, present and future, and that these tortured men had dealt with their traumatic childhood in different directions, and maybe because of that or in spite of that, they'd make the perfect couple. Never had "lean on me" on a story matter so much.
I loved this story. It is not a simple story, though at times it seemed to be. It is the story of two traumatized men who found each other, and by connecting to their past, and learning to lean on each other, found their happily ever after.
On the other side of the equation we have a teddy bear of a man, kind and sweet, overweight, unhealthy, and addicted to food. Talking about extremes, this was not a match in heaven. Yet Fyn manages to show through this story that we are the sum of all parts, past, present and future, and that these tortured men had dealt with their traumatic childhood in different directions, and maybe because of that or in spite of that, they'd make the perfect couple. Never had "lean on me" on a story matter so much.
I loved this story. It is not a simple story, though at times it seemed to be. It is the story of two traumatized men who found each other, and by connecting to their past, and learning to lean on each other, found their happily ever after.
July 16, 2014
(Second review)When one suppresses his natural inclination towards something, it will still manifest out in ways they don't notice.
John Moorcroft is in deep denial of his desire for other men. When his best friend, Roslyn, points out all the ways he swings the other way, especially the location of his business, it forces John to take a look at himself. Not happy with this line of thought, Roslyn further aggravates John when she points out that something in his past must have had some impact on him. Specifically, he needs to determine what happened to his mother.
This is where Sky Cook comes into the story. Sky is a detective who gets the job done, but he's a bit eccentric. Sky does not fit the current business mold of efficiency, good client presence and awesome website. When Sky and John meet, it's a classic "Odd Couple".
Fyn Alexander does a good job of showing how two characters can benefit from each other. Neither is wrong or right. What it does show is how a relationship where two people who are so different and value different things can work towards an understanding. Sky's character moves me most; his character is amazing. This is a young man who is always kindhearted and looks at the best in people. He may seem like a pushover, but in reality, he's more like water. Water in the way he smooths a rock's rough edges and yet with the strength to carve through a mountain. Sky demonstrates this over and over again with his ability to work with people. For this, I admire and it is a good reminder for myself that there are other ways to gain agreement or produce results. One does not have to use force every time.
Another interesting plot device here is how the past shapes a person's current behaviour. John's denial of his sexuality is directly correlated to a defining moment in his teen years. It's sad when it is revealed. Sky's past as an orphan explains his current interaction with food. Sky's touches me more because it's something I experienced in a similar fashion. For the longest time, I couldn't understand why I would allow food to spoil and have to be thrown away. That never happened when I was growing up. I couldn't understand why I wasted money on food that ended up in the garbage. After some self-reflection, I realized that I hoard food because I'm always afraid I'll be hungry and not have food to eat. As a child who did frequently go hungry due to lack of food, it shaped how I behave as an adult. As an adult who earns enough money to have most anything I want to eat at any time, I overbuy food. Sky goes through a very similar realization and this impacts John more because it helps John become more understanding. John's preconceived notions about Sky are wrong because he didn't take the time to see the deeper causes and Sky's motivations.
The way the story develops as John becomes a more humane and compassionate soul is beautiful to see. It is also a subtle way of how the author teaches her readers not to judge a book by its cover. Well done! This is a lovely 3.5 star story involving personal growth, romance and forgiveness. It even includes delicious BDSM with a newbie Top and a loving submissive. The way BDSM is blended into this story is superb. It enhances the story and creates another dynamic to this beginning relationship.
This m/m romance is recommended for those who enjoy characters who experience paradigm shifts and painful epiphanies.
May 8, 2014
A review by The Blogger Girls.
I’m a bit torn about this story. There were certain aspects I enjoyed and others I couldn’t stand, almost to the point of not wanting to keep reading. Most of that negativity surrounded the one MC, John. He is pretty awful most of the time, so I will start with him.
John is in the closet and in major denial. The story opens up with him attempting to have sex with his long-time friend, Roslyn. She tries to get John to admit he is gay, but John’s is steadfast in his denial of anything gay. There are reasons which somewhat explain this, but, unfortunately, it’s only one of John’s issues.
John meets Sky after Roslyn recommends his investigative services to help John find some closure with his mom who left him when he was a child. Sky is really sweet, but has a few issues of his own, mainly overeating. He is in a bit of denial himself where this is concerned. They end up agreeing to barter Sky’s services for John’s as a personal trainer to get Sky into better shape. This is all well and good, but John is completely horrible to Sky on more than one occasion. Meanwhile, even though they have sex a few times, John remains adamant about his being straight. Sky then keeps the mindset that he will just take what he can get and be happy about it.
Their “relationship” takes on more that of a dom/sub which seemed to work well for the most part, as Sky truly enjoys being submissive and having someone provide structure for him. John remains fairly cold and unfeeling but does make an effort to be the dom Sky needs. It isn’t until closer to the end that John truly realizes how special Sky is, and by then, I was just happy to see things improve in that area.
I didn’t have any issues with the actual writing style or execution. I simply couldn’t seem to get behind these characters for the reasons stated above, and it really affected my overall enjoyment of this story.
May 30, 2019
Re-read May/19
Rating: 2.5 stars
I just couldn't take John's denial, even though he was NEVER, NOT EVEN A LITTLE, attracted to women. And there were so many clues about Sky that John completely ignored because he was so wrapped up in himself and his view of how everyone should be.
3 stars
synopsis:
john is a former soldier, a fitness trainer and gay, although he doesn't admit it to himself. he figures that if he can find his mother, who abandoned him when he was young, he might be able to resolve his supposed issues with women, and he won't be attracted to guys anymore. he is directed to sky cook as an investigator. sky comes to talk to john and is mistaken as a new client who wants to lose weight. he initially goes along with it, and john puts him through a particularly hard workout because he is angry that sky is trying to fool him. when john finally decides that he will use sky to find his mother, he tries to talk himself out of being attracted to sky, especially since he is out of shape and overweight and doesn't eat properly, but he can't deny the attraction.
what i liked: i liked that sky seemed to be unprofessional, but that he got the job done. i also liked that he had a unique personality as his front office person. i liked that sky was comfortable with himself, but wasn't averse to improvement, either.
what i didn't like: john. not only did he deny that he was gay and kind of run sky down for it, he constantly thought that sky was too fat and out of shape to attract someone like him...even though he WAS attracted to sky.
Rating: 2.5 stars
I just couldn't take John's denial, even though he was NEVER, NOT EVEN A LITTLE, attracted to women. And there were so many clues about Sky that John completely ignored because he was so wrapped up in himself and his view of how everyone should be.
3 stars
synopsis:
john is a former soldier, a fitness trainer and gay, although he doesn't admit it to himself. he figures that if he can find his mother, who abandoned him when he was young, he might be able to resolve his supposed issues with women, and he won't be attracted to guys anymore. he is directed to sky cook as an investigator. sky comes to talk to john and is mistaken as a new client who wants to lose weight. he initially goes along with it, and john puts him through a particularly hard workout because he is angry that sky is trying to fool him. when john finally decides that he will use sky to find his mother, he tries to talk himself out of being attracted to sky, especially since he is out of shape and overweight and doesn't eat properly, but he can't deny the attraction.
what i liked: i liked that sky seemed to be unprofessional, but that he got the job done. i also liked that he had a unique personality as his front office person. i liked that sky was comfortable with himself, but wasn't averse to improvement, either.
what i didn't like: john. not only did he deny that he was gay and kind of run sky down for it, he constantly thought that sky was too fat and out of shape to attract someone like him...even though he WAS attracted to sky.
June 3, 2014
Two men scarred by their childhoods clash over weight issues in this poignant love story.
When 36-year old private detective Sky Cook gets a call from 37-year-old former British Army captain (now gym owner) John Moorcroft about finding his long lost mother, Sky thinks the case will be a slam dunk.
But when the tall, overweight Sky shows up at John's gym and realizes how much he despises flabby, unfit people, Sky's skeptical about being able to work with him. However, they agree to barter services. John will help Sky lose weight and get in shape while Sky will find John's mom who left when he was a boy.
Sky is skeptical when John, while showing signs of being gay, adamantly keeps telling everyone around him that he's straight. When Sky meets John's acerbic father, who beat John after he'd seen his son in a gay neighborhood when John was a teen, the detective isn't surprised that John is hiding so far in the closet or that John's mother left the volatile man.
As Sky and John get to know one another better and Sky succumbs to John's masterful personality, they not only discover the mother's secrets but also something else...
Read the rest of my review at The Romance Reviews: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
When 36-year old private detective Sky Cook gets a call from 37-year-old former British Army captain (now gym owner) John Moorcroft about finding his long lost mother, Sky thinks the case will be a slam dunk.
But when the tall, overweight Sky shows up at John's gym and realizes how much he despises flabby, unfit people, Sky's skeptical about being able to work with him. However, they agree to barter services. John will help Sky lose weight and get in shape while Sky will find John's mom who left when he was a boy.
Sky is skeptical when John, while showing signs of being gay, adamantly keeps telling everyone around him that he's straight. When Sky meets John's acerbic father, who beat John after he'd seen his son in a gay neighborhood when John was a teen, the detective isn't surprised that John is hiding so far in the closet or that John's mother left the volatile man.
As Sky and John get to know one another better and Sky succumbs to John's masterful personality, they not only discover the mother's secrets but also something else...
Read the rest of my review at The Romance Reviews: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
May 23, 2014
Fyn Alexander is an automatic buy for me but, even so, I was a little unsure about this book during the first few chapters. My feelings changed very quickly and very dramatically for me though as I became more involved with John, a fitness fanatic and gym owner/instructor and Sky, the overweight, bear-like private detective who is hired by John to find his missing mother.
John is gorgeous, in denial about his sexuality and a dom while Sky is in obvious need for a health regime as well as someone to master him. There are BDSM elements in The Skinny on Love but these are not in your face. There are also sex scenes as well including one in the opening pages which is heterosexual.
I really enjoyed watching the developing relationship between John and Sky and I was really cheering them on by the end of the book. We are taken through painful family histories as John looks for his mother and Sky faces his past.
If there is no sequel planned for this book I really hope that Fyn allows us to see a little of their future as I definitely want to know more about what happens to them.
Definitely recommended.
John is gorgeous, in denial about his sexuality and a dom while Sky is in obvious need for a health regime as well as someone to master him. There are BDSM elements in The Skinny on Love but these are not in your face. There are also sex scenes as well including one in the opening pages which is heterosexual.
I really enjoyed watching the developing relationship between John and Sky and I was really cheering them on by the end of the book. We are taken through painful family histories as John looks for his mother and Sky faces his past.
If there is no sequel planned for this book I really hope that Fyn allows us to see a little of their future as I definitely want to know more about what happens to them.
Definitely recommended.
May 30, 2014
I really didn't like this one. John was a fckin dick. And not the good kind either. I was really hoping Sky would be the top, but he ended being such a pushover bottom boy I couldn't stand it. The title Sir could only be said so many times in one Damn sentence and was way over used. He was a bear man, I woulda loved him as a top. Shit for all the teaching he had to do, might as well.
The Sky being Fat issue wasn't a problem for me, johns fckin problem with sky being chubby was my problem. He was so mean about it. He could have gone a better way about it.
I also hated the opening scene, when John is giving had to his female best friend. That was unnecessary and He coulda stayed with the bitch for all I cared. They were perfect for each other and sky coulda found someone better suited for him. If only.
The Sky being Fat issue wasn't a problem for me, johns fckin problem with sky being chubby was my problem. He was so mean about it. He could have gone a better way about it.
I also hated the opening scene, when John is giving had to his female best friend. That was unnecessary and He coulda stayed with the bitch for all I cared. They were perfect for each other and sky coulda found someone better suited for him. If only.
April 24, 2014
Fyn Alexander is an automatic buy as a favorite author and I have never been disappointed until now. I struggled to finish this book and while it had a HEA, the book did not flow for me and I felt disconnected as the MCs seemed so mismatched. John was a douche and not deserving of Sky. While he got a clue at the end it was too late for me. I also thought Sky was a doormat to John. I gave it 2 stars for the HEA or I would have given it 1 star. I will continue to buy from Fyn but this will be one of his books I cannot see myself ever reading again.
May 21, 2014
I just loved it. We all have things that hold us back or makes us not have the life we think we should John learnt a lot about himself on this journey.
February 9, 2018
spoilers may be included!!
Sorry, I tried. But I always expected Sky to finally leave John and let John know how he doesn't deserve Sky. It was too sad to have John deny Sky again and again, and the sudden change of John's attitude towards Sky doesn't help at all; it feels really forced.
I was really frustrated throughout the reading, and it even gave me a nauseous. I was truely pissed off when John insulted/denied Sky. And I was more pissed off when Sky accepted everything John gave him, even the insults and sadness. I can't really handle this. The power between them doesn't feel balanced. John should have worked his ass out to have Sky back... but instead he just spoke a few words of love and Sky forgave him. What? Really!?
Sorry, I tried. But I always expected Sky to finally leave John and let John know how he doesn't deserve Sky. It was too sad to have John deny Sky again and again, and the sudden change of John's attitude towards Sky doesn't help at all; it feels really forced.
I was really frustrated throughout the reading, and it even gave me a nauseous. I was truely pissed off when John insulted/denied Sky. And I was more pissed off when Sky accepted everything John gave him, even the insults and sadness. I can't really handle this. The power between them doesn't feel balanced. John should have worked his ass out to have Sky back... but instead he just spoke a few words of love and Sky forgave him. What? Really!?
April 25, 2020
Omg . So adorable and heart breaking !
May 5, 2014
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
3.75 Stars
I have a bit of a quandary with this review and I couldn’t decide whether the rating should be 3.5 or 4 stars, so I split the difference and went for 3.75.
The story itself is enjoyable but John Moorcrofts personality and attitude left me wanting to stick pins in his eyes.
John was raised by his father after his mother vanished suddenly when he was 4 years old. His upbringing wasn’t particularly happy or loving and he endured enforced religion as his father was an ultra strict Catholic. After his father beats him badly at the age of 18 for going to a gay bar John signs up for Military Service and leaves home for the last time. He now owns a popular and successful gym in London but his personal life is a mess.
Following the suggestion of his best friend he decides to try and find out what happened to his mother all those years ago and hires a private detective. This is where we meet Sky Cook. Sky also has issues from his childhood but he tends to keep them to himself. He is loving, gentle and sees the best in everyone, a very different character to John. In return for trying to track down his mother John agrees to help Sky get fit and lose some weight.
John is in the closet and initially uncomfortable around Sky who is openly gay. Being in the closet or constantly telling people he isn’t gay however does not give him the right to treat people the way he does. His treatment of Sky throughout the book was demeaning and cruel. He pokes fun at him about his need to lose weight, about what and how he eats, about having self control, about being gay in fact just about everything Sky does is met with derision.
Even when they start having sex John is still telling himself he is not gay and it leaves you with a feeling that Sky is being used. Sky on the other hand has little self esteem and is happy and willing to take John for as long as he can. It’s kind of an uncomfortable way to start a relationship.
Sky has awful issues with food but won’t acknowledge the reason for it. Every time he hits a crisis in his life his first comfort is eating. As you get to know him you will fall in love with this gentle giant of a man. His family are as adorable and compassionate as he is and have certainly played a large part in making him the man he is. They literally rescued him as a child and gave him back his life.
Both John and Sky are interested in BDSM and Sky thrives as a sub. Again John comes across as being cold and it is difficult to feel the connection between them. Towards the end of the book when the search for Johns mum is coming to a conclusion John realises what a true gem he has in Sky and also becomes aware just how harrowing his childhood was. This is the first time he shows any real compassion or love for him and finally starts to make things right.
Overall this was a good story and I absolutely fell in love with Sky, I just though John was too self absorbed and a douche!
3.75 Stars
I have a bit of a quandary with this review and I couldn’t decide whether the rating should be 3.5 or 4 stars, so I split the difference and went for 3.75.
The story itself is enjoyable but John Moorcrofts personality and attitude left me wanting to stick pins in his eyes.
John was raised by his father after his mother vanished suddenly when he was 4 years old. His upbringing wasn’t particularly happy or loving and he endured enforced religion as his father was an ultra strict Catholic. After his father beats him badly at the age of 18 for going to a gay bar John signs up for Military Service and leaves home for the last time. He now owns a popular and successful gym in London but his personal life is a mess.
Following the suggestion of his best friend he decides to try and find out what happened to his mother all those years ago and hires a private detective. This is where we meet Sky Cook. Sky also has issues from his childhood but he tends to keep them to himself. He is loving, gentle and sees the best in everyone, a very different character to John. In return for trying to track down his mother John agrees to help Sky get fit and lose some weight.
John is in the closet and initially uncomfortable around Sky who is openly gay. Being in the closet or constantly telling people he isn’t gay however does not give him the right to treat people the way he does. His treatment of Sky throughout the book was demeaning and cruel. He pokes fun at him about his need to lose weight, about what and how he eats, about having self control, about being gay in fact just about everything Sky does is met with derision.
Even when they start having sex John is still telling himself he is not gay and it leaves you with a feeling that Sky is being used. Sky on the other hand has little self esteem and is happy and willing to take John for as long as he can. It’s kind of an uncomfortable way to start a relationship.
Sky has awful issues with food but won’t acknowledge the reason for it. Every time he hits a crisis in his life his first comfort is eating. As you get to know him you will fall in love with this gentle giant of a man. His family are as adorable and compassionate as he is and have certainly played a large part in making him the man he is. They literally rescued him as a child and gave him back his life.
Both John and Sky are interested in BDSM and Sky thrives as a sub. Again John comes across as being cold and it is difficult to feel the connection between them. Towards the end of the book when the search for Johns mum is coming to a conclusion John realises what a true gem he has in Sky and also becomes aware just how harrowing his childhood was. This is the first time he shows any real compassion or love for him and finally starts to make things right.
Overall this was a good story and I absolutely fell in love with Sky, I just though John was too self absorbed and a douche!
September 17, 2014
Written for mmgoodbookreviews http://nblo.gs/ZY6ij
I was skeptical about reading a book that flowed around the issue of eating disorder/weight management, but this book really surprised me and hit a much deeper note. The issues John tangles with are mistrust and hiding from himself, which his ex manages to find a perfectly good solution for…Sky Cook.
Sky is happy to avoid hard truths, and his own past. The issues of his eating are much deeper than we expect and the author does an excellent job at examining the psychological and physical reasons behind over eating or binge eating in Sky’s case.
The BDSM elements seem to be a perfect fit in this situation, because Sky needs discipline and safe controls, and John needs to be able to control something if not his own love life.
So many interesting twists and turns in this plot. There’s the mystery of John’s mother, and Sky’s past, the D/s scenes, and the obvious attraction the two have for each other.
I don’t want to give away big reveals because this book grabbed my attention and held it through as each secret was unveiled. Well written, this book moves along at a steady clip with a unique plot and very intense scenes. The Skinny On Love really evoked may reactions in me; I bit my nails, I wanted to grab a snack, I wanted to cry, I wanted to go run a few miles, I wanted to throttle both MCs at different points, and I certainly enjoyed the steamy scenes.
Very hot, very surprising, this book really impressed me!
I was skeptical about reading a book that flowed around the issue of eating disorder/weight management, but this book really surprised me and hit a much deeper note. The issues John tangles with are mistrust and hiding from himself, which his ex manages to find a perfectly good solution for…Sky Cook.
Sky is happy to avoid hard truths, and his own past. The issues of his eating are much deeper than we expect and the author does an excellent job at examining the psychological and physical reasons behind over eating or binge eating in Sky’s case.
The BDSM elements seem to be a perfect fit in this situation, because Sky needs discipline and safe controls, and John needs to be able to control something if not his own love life.
So many interesting twists and turns in this plot. There’s the mystery of John’s mother, and Sky’s past, the D/s scenes, and the obvious attraction the two have for each other.
I don’t want to give away big reveals because this book grabbed my attention and held it through as each secret was unveiled. Well written, this book moves along at a steady clip with a unique plot and very intense scenes. The Skinny On Love really evoked may reactions in me; I bit my nails, I wanted to grab a snack, I wanted to cry, I wanted to go run a few miles, I wanted to throttle both MCs at different points, and I certainly enjoyed the steamy scenes.
Very hot, very surprising, this book really impressed me!
December 22, 2014
4.5 stars.
I genuinely loved this book in the end in spite of it's flaws. Yes, John was rather repellant at first but it quickly became obvious that he had formed a thick emotional shell and so was unaware that his words could cause real damage. Clearly he was ripe for redemption and I was looking forward to it. My real problem was the author's descriptions of Sky. I got the impression the F.A. rather despises people who are unfit/overweight. As a result, in spite of the frequent comments about his lovely eyes and bear like qualities, I had a hard time picturing him as even remotely sexy. Since I absolutely loved him to death, I couldn't help feeling rather robbed by that.
Did this story feel realistic? Not really, but I didn't mind because it caught me up and carried me away. As usual for this author, there's some harsh moments that add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the budding romance.
Overall not my favourite F.A. Book but definitely amongst my general favourite and one that I will revisit.
I genuinely loved this book in the end in spite of it's flaws. Yes, John was rather repellant at first but it quickly became obvious that he had formed a thick emotional shell and so was unaware that his words could cause real damage. Clearly he was ripe for redemption and I was looking forward to it. My real problem was the author's descriptions of Sky. I got the impression the F.A. rather despises people who are unfit/overweight. As a result, in spite of the frequent comments about his lovely eyes and bear like qualities, I had a hard time picturing him as even remotely sexy. Since I absolutely loved him to death, I couldn't help feeling rather robbed by that.
Did this story feel realistic? Not really, but I didn't mind because it caught me up and carried me away. As usual for this author, there's some harsh moments that add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the budding romance.
Overall not my favourite F.A. Book but definitely amongst my general favourite and one that I will revisit.
September 4, 2014
Title: The Skinny on Love
Author: Fyn Alexander
Cover Artist: Ginny Glass
Publisher: Loose ID
Reviewer: Jay
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Novel
Heat Rating: ♨♨♨♨
Book Rating: ★★★¾
This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This is a story of finding love in the most unlikely places. It is a story of redemption. It is a story of love that may not work for everyone but does for these guys. It is about family and forgiving the sins of the past and moving on. I will admit it took me quite a while to like John but you find out things about both these guys and how truly amazing they really are.
Complete Review at WoDF - The Skinny on Love
Author: Fyn Alexander
Cover Artist: Ginny Glass
Publisher: Loose ID
Reviewer: Jay
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Novel
Heat Rating: ♨♨♨♨
Book Rating: ★★★¾
This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This is a story of finding love in the most unlikely places. It is a story of redemption. It is a story of love that may not work for everyone but does for these guys. It is about family and forgiving the sins of the past and moving on. I will admit it took me quite a while to like John but you find out things about both these guys and how truly amazing they really are.
Complete Review at WoDF - The Skinny on Love
December 2, 2014
Hated John with the intensity of a thousand burning suns. He had a single moment of self-awareness at the end where he realised he, in fact, didn't win the shittiest childhood award, but it took him learning that Sky had lived in poverty and oppression for his first four years before being given away to an orphanage where he suffered even worse abuses for another four years and, as a result, now suffered from an eating disorder and non-existent self esteem for him to come to this awareness. Sky deserved better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2014
I liked the book but not quite as much as other books written by Fyn Alexander. I thought John was a bit of a cock to be honest and for the first half of the book I really wondered why Skye liked him as he didn't really seem have any redeeming qualities at all. But, as I read on I think I "got" John a bit more and by the end of the book I realized I actually enjoyed it quite a lot.
July 20, 2016
This book brought together so many elements that irked me that I just can't bring myself to giving it another star. First of all the writing is all over the place and most of the time reads like the work of a middle schooler. The relationship described is extremely fishy by all standards. The final chapters are just absolutely out of character for John. And I could go on and on and on.
May 1, 2014
Why is the age of both the MCs mentioned in the blurb? I havent read the book as yet but finding this quite ridiculous. Unless both their ages were super significant to the plot, why would you mention it in the blurb? Makes me not want to read the book.
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