Glitter

by Kayla Halleur

Stupid workplace lunch thief. Stupid upper management for not helping. Stupid me for not getting more than my gorgeous rescuer’s first name when I had the chance. How will I find him now?

~

Blue
There’s a lunch thief on the loose in my office, except he only seems to be stealing my lunch. Oh, I know who it is… But for “reasons,” management refuses to do anything about it.

When things escalate one Friday night, an attractive stranger comes to my rescue.

A cute, teddy bear of a stranger that is making me want to cuddle and call him my own.

I only have a first name to go on, but surely I’ll be able to track him down with enough determination.

Henry
His unique design sense, bright colors, sparkly jewelry, and colorful hairstyles grabbed my attention from the moment I first saw him a year ago. He’s held it ever since.

When I interrupted a nasty confrontation in the men’s restroom on a Friday evening, I finally learned his name and discovered that he’s even more beautiful up close than from a distance.

Waiting one weekend to see him again feels like forever, but I’ve waited this long, and I already know that he’ll be worth it.

Now if I can just manage to help him vanquish his bully, maybe he’ll notice me in return.

~

Glitter is a standalone story featuring an outgoing scientist who loves experimenting with his creative style, a quiet engineer who loves building creative things, and a love story that blooms in an office lunchroom. Oh, and one very important cat who thinks the whole tale is about him.

~

Tags:
Blue gets his lunch stolen yet again; upper management can go and get bent; Henry is a workaholic but is okay with it, even if it is a Friday night; suspicious bosses have perfectly valid reasons to be suspicious; Blue loves to get dressed up; Henry loves to see Blue dressed up; color and jewelry and accessories, oh my; the less said about the antagonist, the better; Henry finds something new to obsess over; Blue feels like an idiot, but he’s determined and a researching wizard, so this should be child’s play (it’s not); Blue is stubborn about shipping (he shouldn’t be); Sir Cattus deigns that Blue is an acceptable new servant (as it should be); lasagna competition; impromptu and versatile sleepover; lace is pretty and smells delicious; pocket bears and angels; phone calls that turn into something more; nervous dates with creative solutions; overprotective brothers and best friends; overly engineered things of beauty; revenge truly is the sweetest thing

Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary Romance, Novella

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2025

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 2.5 stars ⭐️

Fast-paced, opposites attract romance.

I was very much enjoying this cute & short romance — extrovert vs introvert, lots of sexy times, a pretty kitty, a bit of drama — but I really did not like that epilogue.
One of my reading pet peeves: an abrupt time skip followed by an epilogue that is just a recap of what happened in said time skip, so all loose ends are tied off. Really unsatisfying.

Apart from that, this was simple and nice, but nothing special. Rounded up for, as always, Sir Cattus.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Homophobia
- Sexism
- Bullying
- Mild violence
- Anxiety
- Phone sex
- Vers MCs
- Rimming
- Panties
- Frotting
- Flip-fuck

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this!
Blue was just adorable and sparkly, and Henry was absolutely lovely.
The whole thing was OTT, but I didn't care.

Once again, give me a pretty boy in lace panties, and I'm a happy girl.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blue & Henry
Rating: 3.4⭐

- Opposites Attract
- Workplace Romance
- Revenge Plot
- Research Scientist/Engineer
- Hurt/Comfort
- Found Family
- All the Glitter
- Size Difference
- Cute Nicknames
- Cat Dad
- Caretaker Vibes

Overall, this is a cute and short romance. The parts with these two together are sweet and a little steamy. Blue has been dealing with a workplace bully for a while now and has been unable to get the man fired or even reprimanded. Blue needs proof of the harassment, so now he has to come up with a plan. One night after work Blue ends up in an altercation with his bully and Henry is a witness. Please read the content warnings for this because the altercation is on-page and could possibly trigger some readers. When these two see each other again days later, they start to formulate a plan on how to catch the bully with solid proof. Enter the glitter!

This is definitely a little bit OTT and you have to suspend some reality in a few areas, because there's no way a best friend that does Jiu Jitsu is just going to let you be assaulted or be held back like that. That's just my opinion, but hey who knows. The last chapter is like an epilogue, but it's a time jump that spends the first part summarizing what happened right after the altercation instead of that being it's own chapter or part of the prior chapter. Just a heads up on those items. It looks like Henry's twin brother is up for the next book in this series and it looks interesting.

Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
- Graphic homophobia and sexism
- Graphic verbal and physical bullying and violence
- Mild to moderate anxiety
- Office lunch thievery
- Office politics (including nepotism)

I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Verse: Yes, flip scene
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheat: No
OM/OW Drama: No, but Blue has a bully that Henry helps with
Ages: Unknown (Early 30's maybe) & 36

[Dani (Daniiireads)]

Love a good revenge plot, even if this was a little OTT 🤣

What to expect:
- research scientist + engineer
- workplace romance
- opposites attract
- cute nicknames
- revenge plot
- ✨ GLITTER ✨

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - cute, short novel with a scientist and an
Engineer. Loved the cute premise and Blue’s fem self. The MCs gravitated to each other very quickly, but when you know, you know, right? There’s def some on page homophobia(and an altercation). There’s also a bit of steam and a cute cat. Nice, quick read.

[S B · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

I LOVE a me some feminine energy—and what I love even more is a curly bear being all lovey-dovey with his gorgeous, gorgeous love interest. There was something so domestic about these two that really clicked for me. The first 50% flew by; I was nearly done in just a few hours, and it was so good. The chemistry? Through the roof!! 🥰🥰 I was literally kicking my feet because these two were made for each other. And on top of that, an adorable cat with a silly name?? talk about greedy 🥴

Also—finally!—some good switch representation. Hell yes. I have nothing against the typical top/bottom dynamics (and I know some readers have strict preferences), but it was so refreshing to see a feminine switch paired with a more masculine-presenting switch. They both showed zero toxic masculinity, were super comfortable and vulnerable with each other, and communicated so openly. It was wholesome in the best way.

If it weren’t for the glitter bomb thing, I would’ve given this five stars. The last 30% dragged a little for me. I was still cheering for the relationship, but that whole glitter bomb subplot felt a bit cringe. Honestly, I don’t think someone would act that vile in front of others and then be dumb enough to pull something like that in a work office. It just didn’t feel realistic, and it pulled me out of the story a bit.

However, the first part of the book was so strong that I’m willing to overlook that and say: read it for the comfort, the joy, and the genuinely great representation.

To sum this up: This book was all about the character. I absolutely adored them. We finally got a well-communicative, healthy, slightly chubby, tattooed short guy who’s confident and open with a taller, more feminine man—and I think that dynamic is so cute. So often we see rigid gender or heteronormative roles projected onto queer couples, and while those stories have their place, it was really refreshing to see something different here. The characters were so well-sketched, and the relationship just worked.

And as a fan of domestic vibes and found family? This book hit the spot. That little lace moment had me blushing. Their chemistry was just beautiful.

I’d definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for a quick, wholesome read with a happy ending, strong queer representation, and a romance that feels both cozy and real (even if the last third gets a bit too dramatic) 😄

[Kati *☆･ﾟ]

***no rating***
dropped @20%


Story unfortunately could neither grab nor hold my interest. But the book cover is really gorgeous.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

I loved Henry and Blue, such great characters. I enjoyed how open they were with each other, no messing around or miscommunication. I loved how different they were to each other but how well they fit together. They both had some hang-ups from the past to work on but with support from each other they can get past them. The side characters were great too and I'm looking forward to catching up on some of the back stories of those and reading the new ones.

This was my first read by Kayla Halleur and I've already downloaded another of her books to read.

[Julia Toth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a very interesting premise and I loved how it played out. It felt fast paced and was a fun read. I feel like we got all of things packed into 190 pages, and we also got to know a great amount about the main characters.
I really enjoyed Blue and Henry! I loved Henry's descriptions of Blue and how smitten he was with him. I loved how he helped Blue catch his lunch thief with his invention. I really enjoyed their connection and loved their nicknames for each other.
Sir Cattus was such a fun character, and I loved that Blue was looking at outfits for him.
The epilogue provided such a great end for this story, and now I'm excited to read Daniel's story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

You know what, this was great. So much fun, like a Carry On film, overly dramatic and entertaining. I’m not sure if it’s meant to be? It does have some serious topics in there, but the whole thing is lightened up by the glittering takedown of Travis. I think it’s nice to keep that balance. Bring attention to difficult subjects but offset that with some fun. I hate bullies, so watching Travis get his comeuppance was a joy to read.

The characters were loveable. The outgoing Blue with his inner demons and the introverted Henry with his quiet confidence in looking after people. It was very insta-love, extremely sweet, and a little dark at times too. Although I really liked both leads, we aren’t really given much on them, a quick past update, and then focus on the here and now. This was a short story though, so I think it focuses on the right things, to be honest, it was a revenge plot after all.

Yeah, I mean I think if the author wanted to make it last longer and fill in all of those missing pieces, it might have made the book more serious when it was trying to be. However, I enjoyed it how it was. Just fun.

————-
I received an ARC of this from GRR, and this is my honest review.

[Toddles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bully-revenge mm romance will not be what you expect.

This light hearted, yet, Emotional story centers on Blue, a feminine gay man that is beyond pretty and with a heart of glitter, and Henry, a coworker out to help and care for Blue in anyway possible. They team up to prove a point by making a bully shine.

The story moves lightning speed and with heat! Don't expect it to drag at all. Even with the speed, you will get to know all the characters very well. The ensemble is flushed out phenomenally and really adds to the plot while teasing connections to other books the author has written. (See TWISTER about Henry's twin and SUNFLOWER where Blue's boss appears).

The spice was really good! 4/5🌶! And the climax of the plot is both gut-wrentching and satisfying. The grand finale will have you wondering what's up the author's sleeve next...

💜Happy Reading🫶

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.5 stars

For the last few months, some asshole at work has been stealing Blue’s lunch. Not every day, and not always on the same days; here a Wednesday, here a Friday, but it’s every single week. And every single week, Blue complains to his boss who finally has to admit that there’s nothing he can do about it, no matter how much he wants to. That’s because the asshole, whose name is Travis, is the boss’ nephew, which means without hard, incontrovertible proof, it will all come down to Blue’s word against Travis’.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Elise H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

Sweet but a little too fast

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glitter bombs for the win! While it doesn't have that much happening plot-wise, it was still a cute story with a very creative approach to office bullying. I enjoyed that bit a lot.

[Susi June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great book!
I seriously loved every minute with it. Even before reading the first chapter, I had a good feeling about it and it was proven true super quickly.
Blue and Henry are a great couple. I loved that they became obsessed with each other basically immediately, I know insta love is not everybodies cup of tea but I sure love it.
It has some triggering themes but overall it's a total feel good story and made me smile a lot! Cute fuzzy love story plus diva cat? Sign me up.
I never read a book by Kayla Halleur but I'm intrigued and want to read more!

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

It was a cute book. Everything happened a little too fast but I enjoyed it all the same.
Henry had a crush on Blue for over a year and when he finally had an opportunity to get to know his crush better, he ran with it. Everything he did, was with Blue in mind. He just want the person he loved happy.
Blue was who he was and f*ck anyone who didn't like him. He had been bully his whole life so he was used to it. Thank God he met Henry that showed him that he was more than lovable and he deserved so much more.
I liked them together, I really did, they fitted together so nicely

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's Kayla Halleur's "Glitter."

["Stupid workplace lunch thief. Stupid upper management for not helping. Stupid me for not getting more than my gorgeous rescuer’s first name when I had the chance. How will I find him now?

Blue
There’s a lunch thief on the loose in my office, except he only seems to be stealing my lunch. Oh, I know who it is… But for “reasons,” management refuses to do anything about it.
When things escalate one Friday night, an attractive stranger comes to my rescue.
A cute, teddy bear of a stranger that is making me want to cuddle and call him my own.
I only have a first name to go on, but surely I’ll be able to track him down with enough determination.

Henry
His unique design sense, bright colors, sparkly jewelry, and colorful hairstyles grabbed my attention from the moment I first saw him a year ago. He’s held it ever since.
When I interrupted a nasty confrontation in the men’s restroom on a Friday evening, I finally learned his name and discovered that he’s even more beautiful up close than from a distance.
Waiting one weekend to see him again feels like forever, but I’ve waited this long, and I already know that he’ll be worth it.
Now if I can just manage to help him vanquish his bully, maybe he’ll notice me in return."]

And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Blue gets his lunch stolen yet again; upper management can go and get bent; Henry is a workaholic but is okay with it, even if it is a Friday night; suspicious bosses have perfectly valid reasons to be suspicious; Blue loves to get dressed up; Henry loves to see Blue dressed up; color and jewelry and accessories, oh my; the less said about the antagonist, the better; Henry finds something new to obsess over; Blue feels like an idiot, but he’s determined and a researching wizard, so this should be child’s play (it’s not); Blue is stubborn about shipping (he shouldn’t be); Sir Cattus deigns that Blue is an acceptable new servant (as it should be); lasagna competition; impromptu and versatile sleepover; lace is pretty and smells delicious; pocket bears and angels; phone calls that turn into something more; nervous dates with creative solutions; overprotective brothers and best friends; overly engineered things of beauty; revenge truly is the sweetest thing"]

Um, yes. All the yes.

I looooved these two. I loved their friendship and instant chemistry. I loved their communication. I loved their love. It was simple and easy. They bonded over shared obsessions of lasagna and cuddles. They were wonderful. And adorable. Did I say how adorable they were?

And the office bully got off easy in my opinion, all things considered.

And (x2), I LOVE how Kayla interwove her previous books into this books, making her works one big universe. It makes me so happy when authors do that!

Trigger Warnings: derogatory speech against women and men who like to wear make-up, earrings, etc; homophobia; workplace harassment and bullying (detailed verbal threats and minor physical assault/violence); and more.

#grr #arcs #arcteammember
#glitter #kaylahalleur #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I really enjoyed the start of this book. Quite apart from anything else, it had a floorplan. I don't know why, but I love floorplans, and I hardly ever see them. Was it necessary? Nope. But I appreciated the hell out of it anyway.

The author really tried to make this cute. But maybe it was too cute? Is that even a thing? Just the author seemed to spend way more time describing Blue's (admittedly fabulous) outfits than doing anything to show either MC's personality. Actually, I think this book lost me quite early on, when Henry wanted to protect Blue but stayed hidden because Blue gestured that he should. And Henry actually thinks 'I'd have stopped it if it went too far' when Blue was shoved against a wall, repeatedly slapped, and spat on. My dude, it already went way too far. This was only one incident where it felt like the plot was taking precedence over reasonable reactions from characters. Later on, a lady tries to get involved in a fight, again to protect Blue, but she is held back by a man. Which is bizarre enough given said man is supposed to be one of the good guys, but also, the lady is literally a black belt, which she later demonstrates to great effect. Do you honestly expect me to believe she couldn't slip out of his grasp to prevent her friend from being assaulted? Again? If they'd put a little thought into it, they could have had the plot AND have the characters acting reasonably consistently, but alas, they decided the plot-- which was already overblown, unrealistic and frankly silly-- was more important than the characters, who could have been really great if they'd been given a little more time and development.

I was also a little disappointed when the MCs getting to know each other turned into a sexfest. I'm all for on page action, but frankly it seemed more gratuitous than anything. I appreciate they were vers, but it all seemed to move hella fast and didn't really reveal anything new about them except that Henry likes twinks in lingerie. Fair enough, so do I, but it was so lavishly described it was frankly overwritten.

I really wanted to love this. Everything about it sounded great, but the characters were very surface level. Even with being silly and predictable, the basic premise should have made for a great story, but somehow I didn't connect to the characters the way I wanted to. This is still a newish author, so hopefully things will improve over time. They definitely have potential, and I hope it comes to fruition.

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year I've been determined to read authors I'm not familiar with, and Kayla is another new to me author! And after reading this book, I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for more of their stories.

Blue and Henry have such a cute relationship, I can't say they had a meet-cute moment, but the way that they met ended adorably. I absolutely ADORED Blue, he was so confident in himself and enjoyed being creative with his own self expression, it was really refreshing reading about a character who's free to be themselves. While he puts on a certain outward personna, he has a lot going on emotionally and mentally, he's not as rich as others assume and he's struggling with the constant bullying his co-worker puts him through. He needed to figure out a way to get proof of the bullying and in walks his Pocket Bear with a genius idea.

Henry is just as fantastic as Blue. He is such a sweetheart and a total teddy bear, Blue's nickname for him is so fitting. He has had his eye on the colorful and bright young man for quite some time but has been too hesitant to make a move. Once he finds out Blue's been getting bullied at his workplace, he immediately comes up with an idea to help. And thus begins the Glitter revenge scheme!!

The writing of this book was extraordinary, there was such a nice flow, wonderful premise, fantastic dialogue, and terrific characters! As soon as I started this I was immediately invested and wanted to keep reading, and then after Henry mentioned his plan I NEEDED to know how that situation was going to turn out. I don't want to spoil much but I will say that I loved the way the conflict got resolved, it was absolutely fitting and worked so well with how the story itself was written and what occured leading up to that moment.

Blue and Henry's relationship is so, so, sweet. I just love them both, their relationship developed naturally and just felt so realistic. I think some might say things developed too fast between them but I think it worked for how this story was written. The side characters were absolutely amazing and contributed SO much to the story! Amy, Matthew, Roman, Ruben, Bev, Daniel, Rose, and of course Sir Catteus were just wonderful additions!

At the end of this book there was a glimpse into Daniel and Rose's story and I am really looking forward to reading that when it comes out. It sounds SO good! I'd also love it if Ruben gets his own story at some point, I'd like to know what happens to him.

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I grabbed this ARC, I knew there were two very distinct possibilities waiting for me. I was either going to fucking LOVE it and it would kill the game, or I’d absolutely hate it with flammable passion and want to riot. There is never an in between with the way “femme” guys are treated in any form of storytelling, and anyone who says different is lying to cover their own bullshit.

I am tickled as shit that I loved it. I loved it so much. It was cheesy, OTT, improbable as fuck, and the added balance of relatable/realistic elements was exactly enough to make it work perfectly. The HEA alone was the textbook definition of the phrase, and that just felt like everything. Such immaculate vibes. 🤌

Again, let me praise the following louder for the ones in the back: No fetish fodder here. No way exchanging a gender would keep the same energy or story. It’s exactly what a good MM romance should be.

The MCs were hella likable, and for a shorter format they had some real depth to them. It made me wish this had been a longer-format creation because I genuinely wanted to get to know them better. The satellite characters were just as good, and the baddie was a baaaaaddddddie. I’m glad the boss made up for his complicity, too, and that was also done well.

Nothing about this book was off or off-putting. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. It’s beautiful and it’s wonderful and I’m so glad I had the chance to discover it and a new author. I’ll be checking out the backlog for sure and can’t wait to get more into the world being created and expanded.

5/5. You deserve these stars, have them. They’re yours, not as a little treat. Thank you for being awesome and making my week. This was lovely. I’d read bonus content about these guys for sure and be grateful to see them again and know more about them.




(—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.—)

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me say I got this book from gay romance reviews and this is me leaving my honest review.
Blue was being bullied at work by a guy that thought he was untouchable. He had been stealing his lunches for months now and blue couldn’t afford to buy lunches every day but when he spoke to his boss, he was told he needed proof. On Friday after work blue was getting ready to go out in a rest room at work. A gorgeous man comes in and goes straight to the stalls. Then his bully walked in drunk and started on blue straight away he was homophobic. He was foul mouth and he was aggressive. The man open the stalls to see if he could help but blue shook his head.
Henry’s boss was forcing him out of work at 7 o’clock on a Friday night. He had got in his head with an idea and he lost all track of time which Henry did most days. When he quickly went to the restroom on his way out, he came across the man he called Angel in his head. He was singing a lovely tune. They made eye contact and Henry panic and went to the stalls. That was when he heard somebody else come in and he was being nasty to his Angel. You see Henry had had a crush on this guy for over a year but never acted on it and now hearing somebody talk to him like he is a bit of dirt on his shoe Angered him. He came out to help but his angel shook his head so he had to watch and listen to this ugly human hit and spit at his Angel. When the body left Henry and blue spoke for the first time and it was in that moment that there was a fierce attraction going on.
I have got to say I really enjoyed this book. This is a brand-new author to me and I will be looking out to see what comes next for Henry’s twin brother Daniel.
All the bullying aside, the magic of this book is the attraction between Henry and blue. I think I fell for Henry within the first couple of chapters, What a brilliant guy and blue is just perfection for him. This really is a love story.

[Theresa Derwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All that Glitters

Glitter

Kayla Halleur

Harkaway Publishing

Blue and his work-wife Amy - they both work at a science and technology lab - have been best friends for a decade, but even Amy doesn't know all of Blue's secrets.

It's June - Pride month - and it's hard for Amy and her actual wife to get a babysitter, along with the rest of the community.

Their regular lunchtime gossip is interrupted when Blue discovers his lunch has been stolen; again!

By his horrible, grinning, bully, Travis Hafler. A man hired through nepotism, and without proof, HR won't do anything.

That night, Blue is getting his glamorous self ready in the toilets when Travis strikes again, but this time, quiet and adorable Henry overhears from his toilet stall.

He's been crushing on Blue for a year, but never thought he'd have the chance to interact. He's also horrified at what Blue is going through and that no-one can stop Travis.

But Henry is no quitter and he has a plan.

As well as dealing with a seemingly innocuous and minor stealing of lunches, Henry and Blue become closer and we learn about the hidden fears and pain that Blue's glitter hides.

Disowned as a teen for being gay, living in poverty for reasons that are explained and dealing with homophobic abuse, Henry is the balm for Blue's soul.

There's also the funny parts, such as scenes with Sir Cattus, and watching Amy knock someone down a peg.

Henry has his own vulnerabilities too and they are a perfect match.

I want to know more about the actor mentioned who has a brief cameo and I hope we get more stories in this world. I definitely want to know more about Daniel.

I loved it; the humour, the spice, the emotion, Henry's nickname which is so cute and the dark parts too.

Terrific.

[Bluemoonchild · Rating 4 out of 5]

An offbeat, office romance that sparkles with charm, color and heart. Blue is delightful, and his refusal to dim his light when targeted by a bully is inspiring. When management continues to ignore his reports of his lunch getting stolen, Blue's frustrations are relatable. As happens with bullying, eventually it becomes physical. But, this time, it is witnessed by Henry who becomes determined to find a way to expose the bully. I will admit to being frustrated that he didn't step in when Blue was being victimized, even though Blue was the one to stop him. But that's just me.

Blue and Henry are instantly lovable—Blue with his vibrant fashion and fierce determination, and Henry with his quiet steadiness and teddy bear appeal. Their is endearing, and I especially loved how their personalities complement each other so naturally. There is mutual admiration and nerdy affection, and I loved their playful banter. Henry and Blue's dynamic is sweet, and it's pretty close to being insta-love, but watching their connection grow into something deep and meaningful was sweet.

One star off only because the resolution felt a little too neat in places, and I would’ve loved a bit more emotional depth in some of the heavier moments. But overall, this book was a joy—fun, cozy, and sparkling with personality. Perfect for readers who love a little glitter with their romance and a hero who won’t let anyone steal their lunch (or their heart) again.

[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was absolutely ridiculous that Blue was having to deal with bullying at his workplace because his co-worker Travis was a bad actor with connections. Travis kept finding ways to mess with Blue because he was flamboyant in his style and the latest in the things he was having to endure was Travis intermittently stealing his lunch and hanging around to gloat. Henry had been noticing Blue for a while and he was interested. But Henry is shy and was trying to find the courage to approach him. That changes when Henry witnesses Travis abusing Blue and decides to intervene. That brings them finally into each other's orbit and Henry supports Blue and is eventually a part of the solution to the Travis problem. But even better, they find a synergy with one another and being with Henry also over time brings Blue back to family. His family threw him out for being gay. Henry's family embraces Blue and though Travis meant his shenanigans for mischief his actions bring both Blue and Henry to the attention of the big boss and that was good for them both socially and for Henry creatively and professionally. This couple was adorable and it was just sad that they had to deal with the bad actor at work but then again, it wound up working in their favor and they got each other out of the situation. I am looking forward to reading the next story about Henry's brother.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This was a delightful read, I loved both MCs and their connection. Henry is a creative engineer in the same company that Blue works for. After overhearing an obnoxious bully attacking Blue in a company bathroom after hours, he takes it upon himself to check in on the young man to be certain he is okay. Henry has noticed Blue for over a year, but had never had an occasion to interact with him before. He showed his instinctive caring for Blue and his intuition for what Blue was thinking and feeling before he could even say anything. Blue is an outgoing, flamboyant scientist working as a cancer researcher, leaning toward his fem side with makeup, jewelry, heels and a distinctive wardrobe beyond the typical for office wear. He has had an ongoing problem with his bully, and once Henry finds out, he is on a mission to help solve the problem for Blue while moving his romance with the man forward.

Two engaging and relatable characters with a strong connection physically and emotionally, a strong supporting cast of friends, an insensitive and obnoxious bully, lunch boxes, glitter bombs and a cat with early morning hour zoomies makes for an entertaining and satisfying read. This is a new author to me, but one I will follow and watch for upcoming works, especially Daniel’s story. An enjoyable read, one I would recommend.

I received an advance copy and this is my voluntary review.

[Elaine Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue and Henry’s relationship is heartwarming and beautifully developed. While they didn’t have a conventional meet-cute, the way they connected was still utterly charming. Blue is a confident and expressive character, unafraid to be himself, but beneath his vibrant exterior, he struggles with financial difficulties and workplace bullying. When he needs proof of the bullying, Henry—his "Pocket Bear"—steps in with a brilliant idea.
Henry is a lovable, caring character who has admired Blue from afar. Once he learns about Blue's struggles, he immediately devises a creative way to help, thus beginning the infamous Glitter revenge scheme! Their relationship unfolds naturally; some might find the pacing quick, but it fits perfectly within the story’s structure.
The book’s writing is exceptional, with a compelling premise, strong dialogue, and characters that truly shine. From the main duo to an incredible supporting cast—including Amy, Matthew, Roman, Ruben, Bev, Daniel, Rose, and the delightful Sir Catteus—each character adds depth and warmth to the narrative. The resolution of the conflict was satisfying and seamlessly integrated into the story’s progression. Overall, it’s an engaging and immersive read that keeps you hooked from start to finish!

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between an ingenious revenge plot arc and Sir Cattus Weatherington the third, I absolutely loved this story. Once a week for the last six months, an evil coworker at Eckersley Institute, Travis, has stolen Blue's lunch. Complaints have no consequences. Travis is the nephew of Roman Eckersley, owner of the company. Without hard proof, it would just be 'he said, he said'. The night Travis assaults him in the restroom, there's a witness. Teddy is an engineer at Eckersly and he offers his genius to a revenge plot.
Henry is a gentle Teddy bear of a man, including cuddling. Blue was a bit more difficult. His sunny, fashionista personality is just a facade. He's a ball of tension, at the end of his rope emotionally and financially. The heat between the pair sizzles. They start out as awkward coworkers and end up as lovers.
This was a quick read. Fun but also thoughtful. Some angst, Blue had a truly awful childhood. He's also had extreme bad luck with relationships, and finds it hard to trust. Henry and Sir Cattus are there for him, supportive and protective.... Well Sir Cattus is just there for the petting.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my review.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This was a cute standalone with the FAB-U-LOUS yet sweet and sensitive Blue (his real name—he chose it himself!) and the more earthbound Henry.

It broke my heart, the bullying Blue had to put up with but he rarely let it get to him and when it did, Henry was always there to strengthen and support him which was the sweetest thing ‘cause he LOVED spoiling Blue. And the bully, he got EXACTLY what he had coming!

It wasn’t all about the drama though, it was actually a really fun read with LOTS of steamy times. You can tell, the author has a hilariously dry sense of humor, the kind that will have you grinning and seeking out more of her books (I’m speaking from experience—this was my first read by this author but as soon as I finish this review I plan on seeing wha else she has out there. I already know I want to read Henry’s brother Daniel’s book!) Bottom line: the book features a difficult topic but it also doesn’t take itself too seriously, ensuring readers will enjoy it and remember it for days after. Easy 4.5 star read!!!

I received a copy of this book for free from GRR but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Precious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly? Yes. I did not know that all I was missing in my life was glitter.

Now, this book had my mind in a twist. The characters aren't your typical characters. Heck their personalities contradict their appearance. Blue looks all glamours and shimmering but can be hella dominant while Henry looks all macho with tattoos but is such a shy ball of fluff. Don't get me wrong, Henry also has some dominance in him which was such a pleasant surprise.

These two get tangled in each other's orbits based on fate alone. I mean what are the chances of running into your crush in the bathroom and comforting them after an incident that leaves them a bit shaken up? Slim to none. But that's how Henry and Blue first meet. Now throw in glitter, hunting down a thief and a questionable cat into the mix and there you have one heck of a story.

Expect:

size difference
opposites attract
interesting undergarments
science and engineering
teddy bear tendencies
spicy spice
glitter
hurt/comfort
found family

//ARC Review//

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standalone. Coworkers. Hurt/comfort. Quick read. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.

Dealing with a workplace bully is stressing Blue out, until a coworker helps him out one night and Blue wants to learn more about Henry. Helping his crush out becomes Henry’s priority, and as their chemistry is off the charts and as well as they get along, Henry knows Blue is the one for him.

This story has a little insta-love feel, but for the reader, Blue and Henry are given enough backgrounds to make them interesting and likable characters, and they feel right together from the very start. There are supportive secondary characters, a fun little revenge plot, and some steamy times between Blue and Henry that really solidify their connection. I really enjoyed that there is never any hesitation for Henry when it comes to caring about Blue, and their shared honest communication was really important. An entertaining and mostly light book, the ending certainly gives found family vibes, and a sweet HEA. 4.25