A seasoned reporter chasing a comeback story. A rising internet star hiding a big secret. Professional boundaries blur in this delightfully sexy age gap, bi-awakening short story.
Sawyer I need a big story, and I need it now. And what could be bigger than profiling one of the hottest social media stars in the world—Kynan Parker-Gillis?
Kynan is the quintessential guy next door and ultimate unattainable bad boy rolled into one with his old-school charm and innocent sexiness combined with muscles, tattoos, and smoldering looks. He's also straight and waaay too young for me. I need to keep things professional.
I can't get distracted by our almost kiss in the back seat of the car…
Or how we almost REDACTED in the restroom…
Or the way we mauled each other when we got stuck in the elevator.
I have to stay focused because there's a story beneath Kynan's perfectly curated surface, and I'm determined to find out what it is. My entire career depends on it.
Kynan I've never been attracted to a guy before, so why am I so nervous and fluttery around Sawyer Bannister?
Sure, he's a respected and successful reporter, but it's more than that.
I wanted him to kiss me in the car…
I wanted him to go further in the restroom…
And when we got trapped in that elevator, I wanted him to ravage me.
But I'm not alone anymore. Ashton may have come into my life unexpectedly, but I'm determined to be the best father I can be to my six-month-old.
As much as I want Sawyer, I'll do everything in my power to protect my image—and my son.
KU Read 75ish pages MM Romance Age Gap Bi-Awakening Workplace Romance (kinda) HEA
It's a short novella that packs a lot in. I love how these books focus on the love story even though there is a little bit of spice. Casey Cox has a way of building feeling in a short space of time, characters are always endearing and you find yourself rooting for them from the get-go. I use novellas as pallete cleansers between bigger books or as a little reset, when I'm indecisive and don't know what to read next. Happy little books like this keep me engaged and stop me from getting in a reading slump. They are great and I recommend this story cos it has the happy feels that made me smile.
I know it's a novella, but we get almost no time with them together. Most of the book is the older MC's internal monologue about why they can't be together. Then they decide to date and the book is over, with only an epilogue (set three months later) to wrap things up (sort of).
It is time to discover the Bad Boy Academy, or for those of you who love acronyms, BBA! I promise you will not be alone in many of the discoveries this amazingly addictive short story has to offer.
Sawyer, 48, an Australian journalist with a genuine work ethic, a man who loves to tell the true stroy, feels that his career is in a slump. His solution? A big story, to give his sons something they can be proud of. The story is going to take him to LA where he is going to spend two weeks shadowing Kynan, one of the BBA, one of the hottest social media stars on the planet.
Kynan, 23, dropped out of college after posting a video of his anxiety-reducing task of laundry, went viral and he was bombarded by contracts. It might be more than tips about laundry that sells his work, the tattoos, muscles and long hair could have some influence too. But he, along with his friends who make up BBA want to bring honest content which means he wants any interview or deep dive with Sawyer to be honest.
The pair click instantly. Sawyer knows he is bi-sexual, Kynan has never questioned being straight but is entirely open to the fluidity of his own sexuality and he knows he is attracted to Sawyer. Age doesn't factor into it. They are both attracted to the other because the man under the hype is so very beautiful. But can they keep it professional for two weeks and can Kynan keep his big secret hidden. Will he want to?
These men come from two very different places and are truly an opposites attract case but oh the sparks that fly - amazing. Not only do we have a romance to enjoy, one which builds slowly-ish over a few days before exploding, but we have real life, an insight into social media and its creators, an insight into the harsh world of journalism and a peek at people who apparently can't be tolerant. This short story packs in a lot of story, it is super sexy too. I read it in one sitting because it gave me so many reasons to smile and it filled my heart with so much love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I'd give this story a solid 4.5*. It's really short, but the story itself is fun and sweet, and I love the idea of a new series of friends with social media presence, as it's such a popular topic nowadays. We're not given too much initial information about GDL in its blurb beyond the characters, so really learning the reasons behind GDL and the BBA men is a fun experience because it really identifies the many misconceptions and misunderstandings media and the public foist on content creators.
Sawyer & Kynan aren't very complex characters, but I imagine the large age-gap between them might not appeal to many. I had no issues with it, because the men had such complimentary personalities and clicked so well that it was seemingly a minor issue for the beginning of their relationship. I was happy to hear that both sides of their families were supportive of the relationship, despite the fact that Kynan is younger than both Sawyer's grown sons.
GDL was an enjoyable story, and I'm looking forward to the fun antics the next few BBA members get up to. I love learning about new friends, and if the other BBA members have more unique content creations like Kynan has with GDL, all the better.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
What a lovely read I’ve got to say I absolutely adore this story. It left me with a warm heart and a smile on my face. We have got Sawyer who is a 50-year-old man who is very well known for his reporting. He’s from Australia and he’s brought up two children after the death of his wife. Now he has come to America to interview a very hot social media star called Kynan. Kynan is famous online for a GDL guys doing laundry. Now his world has turned upside down because the last month he had told he had a son who he is now bringing up but he doesn’t want this reporter to find out about him. But what Kynan wasn’t ready for was the strong feelings he had for Sawyer as soon as he saw him. And Sawyer was very attracted to this man who is younger than his youngest son but he wanted to make sure the story got out and he kept it professional. But sometimes you just can’t. I absolutely adored the main characters in this book it was such an easy book to read because it made me happy. The passion, the connection and the chemistry that these two share is off the charts. I can’t wait to read more from Casey Cox.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars This nice novella is the start of a new series by Casey Cox. Kynan, Silas, Rocky, Beckett, Tanner and Patrick are internet stars who made their success with different kind of videos (Kynan does laundry) and they founded BBA, Bad Boys Academy, to help and protect each others after they got too much attention from the press. Sawyer is a 49 years old Australian reporter, very good at his job, who's trying to do a good comeback story. After losing his wife, he raised his 2 children alone (one of them is the MC of Nothing Special).
Kynan and Sayer meet because the reporter is interested in telling the young man's story and their mutual attraction is instant. But Sawyer is worried about their age gap, while Kynan has a secret he wants to protect and reveal in his own time.
This story is very very low angst, I liked both the men and how committed they were to each other. I liked Knyan's eagerness towards Sawyer and his tenderness for his son; I also liked very much how Sawyer was protective of both Knyan and little Ash.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate: This story is very short so it all happens pretty fast, but I would have loved to see more about Sawyer and Ashton bonding as father/son.
I'm very interested in reading all the other guys' stories.
I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout and this is my honest review
Seeing the rapid approach of his 50th birthday, journalist Sawyer Bannister is looking to leave traditional media platforms and become a content creator on his own platform. Toward that end, he meets much-younger content creator, Kynan Parker-Gillis, whose “GDL” (Guys Doing Laundry) content is wildly popular. Kynan’s life was recently upended by him discovering he had a child, and taking full custody of the infant.
There’s a lot here with Sawyer and Kynan circling around one another. Sawyer is definitely attracted to Kynan, Kynan is wondering if he might not be as straight as he’s always thought; both are concerned about professional boundaries, especially as Kynan is keeping his child’s existence a secret while he gets used to being a parent. Sawyer’s accurate identification of a stain on Kynan’s shirt as baby vomit is a turning point.
I enjoyed the story, and would like to see more from Sawyer and Kynan.
I’m not going to say much about this book due to it was short which I kinda like because I’ve been reading books that have 40 plus chapters sometimes takes me awhile to finished if it’s not all that page worthy (turning pages, not wanting to stop reading) !!
But with this short read. I enjoyed it, I was glad that both Kynan and Sawyer didn’t let either of their job stop them for going for what they wanted (each other) and friends and family accepted their relationship even with the big age difference between the two.
Plus I was sooo curious to why Kynan son Ashton mom wasn’t in his life and he finally mention it when he was talking to Sawyer. When Sawyer count on to why Kynan was acting certain ways like his car etc due to him having a son and hiding it to the world.
A definitely favorite book. I just loved it so much and wished it would be longer. I wanted to know more about these amazing men and hear about their future. Sawyer, a reporter, and Kynan, a hot social media star, meet when Sawyer is shadowing Kynan writing about him. There is an instantly spark between them from both sides, and they have difficulties to keep things professional. This story is happening over a short time span and things move quickly, but if you know why waist you're time. So if you love a bi-awakening, age gap, singel father and a HEA you will love this! I highly recommend that you dive into this story. And if you don't have a lot of time to read you will still manage to get through this book quite quickly, and it's definitely worth your time.
GDL is the first part in the BAD BOY ACADEMY series and is a short but sweet age gap romance between ‘bad boy’ content creator and a reporter in search of a comeback story as he nears his half century birthday. Kynan who has something major going on in his life at the moment in the form of unexpected fatherhood. That materialises when his unknown six month old son is dumped in his lap. That needs to be kept secret until the time is right. When that coincides with agreeing to do an in depth interview with Sawyer there are clouds on the horizon. Sawyer proves to be a deadly attractive mature man, one who unexpectedly gives Kynan the hots.
This is a delight to read and the characters are wonderful.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an age gap romance, featuring Sawyer and Kynan, and is book one in the BBA: Bad Boys Academy series.
This little novella was pure gold. The writing was hilarious - it was full of witty banter and sweet moments, and these two men falling head over heels.
I absolutely loved Sawyer’s bestie too, my poor hubby had to hear me reading out all of the funny banter between Sawyer and Grayson because I just had to share it all. I wish this novella was longer, it was amazing.
Ps. I love what GDL stands for and the whole BBA.
Things to expect in this book are: Book 1 in series MM romance Novella Low angst Age gap (49/23) Influencer x reporter Neurodivergent themes Forced proximity Insta attraction Curiosity Bi awakening Some spice Secret revealed Found family Witty writing HEA
Sawyer, a seasoned reporter chasing a career-defining story, profiles Kynan, a rising social media star with charm, tattoos, and a carefully curated image. Despite their age gap and Kynan's presumed straightness, sparks fly between them, blurring professional boundaries. Kynan, navigating newfound attraction and his role as a father to six-month-old Ashton, struggles to balance his feelings for Sawyer with protecting his image and son. As their connection deepens, both must confront their desires and the challenges of their intertwined lives.
I enjoyed this short story with the two men who had a considerable age gap but couldn't stop the attraction between them. Easy to read and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
I loved this book! Kynan and Sawyer’s story is absolutely incredible and filled with all the things that make a story great - love, laughter, great friends, good natured teasing and a happy ending! I love how Sawyer keeps his word to Kynan that the interview they are doing will only tell the world what Kynan wants them to know. The chemistry between the two is off the charts and I love how their story unfolds!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fun quick read. Kynan and Sawyer are at different stages in their lives but have an instant attraction that neither can ignore. What began as a working relationship quickly turns into much more when Kynan's curiosity gets the best of him. The chemistry between Kynan and Sawyer is amazing and I love how comfortable they are together. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the characters develop in further books.
I love this story! It just left me feeling warm and happy inside, something I really needed. It was short, so we didn’t have to live through a lot of negative push and pull and angst. I do think that this was a great book idea with wonderful characters that could have been fleshed out more with many more endearing scenes into a regular length book. But I’m not complaining! I look forward to the rest of the series.
Age gap of 15+ years. Single new dad / social influencer in LA Widowed Australian reporter with two grown sons. Alternating POV. Novella, under 100 pages.
100 pages or 300 pages, it would not have mattered. I enjoyed the cast and their dynamics. It did not feel rushed, and though I'd love for it to have been a little longer, I'm afraid it would have felt drawn out then. It was well-written, and I am hoping that Cox writes the rest of the BBA boys' stories.
I’m obsessed with these novellas. This is one of the better ones I have read so far. It just like a little book treat; straightforward concept, swift progression, minor/brief conflict and… voila! … they lived happily ever after!
And this one has a hot, tattooed nervous boy who loves to do laundry! Win!
This was really a sweet romance between Kynan, a young social media content creator, and Sawyer, a much older Australian journalist who comes to interview him. It's has everything...bi awakening, age gap, found family. They are so sweet and right together. I really enjoyed reading their love story.
Sawyer, a journalist who wants to continue his career by using social media. His 2 weeks interviewing the young, tattooed Kynan of Guys Doing Laundry fame will be an intriguing test of his professional skills. Enjoy how Sawyer and Kynan connect on many levels, especially private ones!!!
Sawyer wants to make a comeback. So he is interviewing content creator Kynan. Kynan is half Sawyer’s age, younger than his sons. He films himself doing laundry to relieve his anxiety. During the course of the two weeks Sawyer is following Kynan around, they fall in love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
GDL is the first book in the Bad Boy Academy and it was a wonderful short story. This is an age gap, sexual awakening, sweet read about bad boy Sawyer and single dad Kynan. I really enjoyed reading this and can't wait for what comes next.
I really need Casey to start making his stories a bit longer. I feel like I’ve only just fallen in love with the characters and then it’s all finished.
This one has the modern twist of social media and influencers. And I loved it.
Never in a million years would I have guessed what GDL stands for, but this is very cute and has the perfect amount of spice and pining for the length.