Summer Lessons: A Taboo MM Romance

by Jason Pound

He needed a job. His dad’s oldest friend needed a lover. Now their secret could destroy both their families—if their hunger doesn’t destroy them first.

My parents think this summer job is babysit my dad’s best friend’s kids, earn some cash, stay out of trouble.
They don’t know James is divorcing his wife.

They definitely don’t know what he asked me to do after the kids went to bed.

I’m a virgin. He’s twice my age. He tells me he’s spent years mastering how to build walls. I’m the first thing he’s ever wanted to tear down. He says he wants to teach me—about life, about desire, about what it means to belong to someone. I say yes.

But secrets this big don’t stay hidden. When his ex walks in on us, and our parents find out? There’s no hiding from the fallout. Not from the betrayal in my dad’s eyes, or the way my body still craves James’s touch.

Some lines, once crossed, can’t be uncrossed.

Genres: M M Romance

97 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2025

Reviews

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig needs a summer job and James needs someone to watch the kids. It seems like a win-win, especially when you consider Craig has known James for what seems like forever, after all the man is his father's best friend. He knows the kids too, loves spending time with them.

His first day however, it sets off alarm bells. James' wife, Rachel, seems very off. Then the kids start asking questions that Craig can't answer, others he knows their parents need to answer. It seems James wasn't entirely honest. Yes he needs someone to watch the kids but his relationship is in trouble and he has a secret.

Craig has a secret too and it is getting harder to keep it the more he sees of James. Would it really be so wrong for something to start between them? Craig is at College, is 20, knows his own heart and mind. James is 18 years older but his marriage has been failing for a while now and he truly does like Craig...

In our world, the one outside stories and books, there are many things that are still considered taboo. Same sex relationships are, in some places around the world. Step-sibling relationships. Age-gap relationships. Daddy relationships. If I were to get on my soap box I could tell you all the reasons I think these taboos are wrong. I won't do that here but the fact I chose to read, am reviewing this book should tell you I don't agree with those taboos. And the book, I loved it!

Jason Pound creates great characters, plausible situations, gives us a real life situation, makes it perfectly realistic and doesn't try to hide the taboo, he shows us that there are two sides to the story, with the emphasis on the romance of course, but he makes sure we are aware of the opinions of others. It is well-rounded, great writing which delivers honesty along with a good story, plenty of anticipation and some great steam!

[Louisa Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason does write some very steamy books and this one brings the steam and a sweet story with Craig's dad's best friend, James.

Craig is having no luck finding a job for the summer so when his dad's best friend asks him to Manny for his kids it's a great opportunity because they already know him and the pay is great. The only downside to the summer is having to spend time with the man who made him question if he was gay in the first place, the object of his desires.

When Craig finds out that James's wife is divorcing him and James gives him a sign he might be interested in men the sparks between these two fly and they both feel their moments together have a sense of rightness.

A brilliant engaging read with lots of love and steam.

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

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'James had been one of the first men who made me wonder about my sexuality... I'd caught myself staring more than once at the way his hands moved when he talked, the definition in his arms, the sharp line of his jaw.'

I loved this book. It was a fun, quick read. And the best friend's father/son trope really has that exciting layer of tension of what will happen and how things will work out when the family finds out that always fascinates me. I really liked both Craig and James and the way their relationship develops. Craig's been attracted to James for a while. James and his wife both work long hours and their marriage was rocky enough that she served him with divorce papers shortly after Craig began working for them. The kids were really sweet. I was very hooked to this story. I liked the pacing, but almost wished it was longer so I could read about this couple more. 5 stars

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - I enjoy this author's books very much. This is a forbidden romance (boss/employee + Dad's best friend) with a large age gap (18yrs). Craig becomes the manny for James & Rebecca, who are getting divorced. Rebecca has moved out, so Craig sometimes stays there very late or even spends the night in order to supervise the kids. First times and an awakening ensue! The spice is hot! Rebecca was a pretty good side character, too. I enjoyed this and look forward to the next book from this author.

I received a complimentary copy and am leaving this review voluntarily

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig and James’ story
Book Title-Summer Lessons: A Taboo MM Romance
Author-Jason Pound
MMC/MMC-Craig and James
Genre-MM Romance
Length-Novella
Spicy level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5 peppers
Series-Book 1 of The Manny
What I liked-This is a forbidden romance (boss/employee + Dad's best friend) with a large age gap (18yrs). It is a good, quick easy read with great characters and a lot of steam. This is a fun and short read about two people having awakenings that are eager to find out what the future holds.

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

[Anya Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔆ARC Review🍪

Summer Lessons by Jason Pound is an ägë-gäp, employer/employee, vïrgïn hërọ, teacher/student vibes, §ëxƴ A.F., some family drama, §pïcƴ explorations story that takes place during the summer. 😏 Craig is the young college student looking for a summer job, James is the older family friend in need of a manny for his 2 kids. We have pining & lü§t on both sides...when Craig & James are together... 🥵🔥💋

[Shannon Janssen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Summer Lessons" by Jason Pound is a steamy age gap, parents friend story. It is a good, quick easy read with great characters and a lot of steam. This was my first book by this author and I'm looking forward to reading more.

I received a advance copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Insert_Creative_Name · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book Despite Inconsistencies

I love Jason Pound’s writing as always. I did notice a fair amount of inconsistencies which can definitely be confusing, but overall good book

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Lessons is a steamy, age gap, fathers best friend, employee/boss read about James and Craig. Sexy book that was fun to read.

[Liza Broadaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exactly what it says it is. A short HFN dad’s best friend romance. It read quick and spicy but also all the good consent you’d want!