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Must Loathe Norcross
When it comes to love, there’s no such thing as traveling light.
Born wealthy and ambitious, Grady once worked hard and played hard—so hard, it brought him to the brink of ruin. Now, after a five-year retreat into the contemplative life, he’s dipping a toe back into the real world.
Assigned to write a series of articles about a Connecticut valley’s small towns, Grady checks into a local hotel. And meets a bellhop who seems determined to show him around…and maybe indulge in a more intimate tour later on.
When Josh’s boss half-jokingly suggests he get on a first-name basis with the writer who could make or break their town’s reputation, Josh jumps at the chance. He dreams of seeing the world, but the man he thought might be his ticket out turns out to be less influential—and more attractive—than he expected.
Together they uncover a strange plot to detour Norcross’s tourist dollars, a plot that leaves Grady bruised and angry. Now they’ll have to decide how far they’ll go to save the town…and how far they’ll fall for each other.
Product Warnings
Steaming-hot room service, delivered by a cute bellboy in uniform. Stolen towels will not be tolerated, but stolen hearts? Help yourself!
Born wealthy and ambitious, Grady once worked hard and played hard—so hard, it brought him to the brink of ruin. Now, after a five-year retreat into the contemplative life, he’s dipping a toe back into the real world.
Assigned to write a series of articles about a Connecticut valley’s small towns, Grady checks into a local hotel. And meets a bellhop who seems determined to show him around…and maybe indulge in a more intimate tour later on.
When Josh’s boss half-jokingly suggests he get on a first-name basis with the writer who could make or break their town’s reputation, Josh jumps at the chance. He dreams of seeing the world, but the man he thought might be his ticket out turns out to be less influential—and more attractive—than he expected.
Together they uncover a strange plot to detour Norcross’s tourist dollars, a plot that leaves Grady bruised and angry. Now they’ll have to decide how far they’ll go to save the town…and how far they’ll fall for each other.
Product Warnings
Steaming-hot room service, delivered by a cute bellboy in uniform. Stolen towels will not be tolerated, but stolen hearts? Help yourself!
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2014
2 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Summer Devon
62 books226 followersSummer Devon is the pen name writer Kate Rothwell often uses. Whether the characters are male or female, human or dragon, her books are always romance.
You can visit her facebook page, where there's a sign up form for a newsletter (she'll only send out newsletters when there's a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).
Her blog is available here.
She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It's mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.
You can visit her facebook page, where there's a sign up form for a newsletter (she'll only send out newsletters when there's a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).
Her blog is available here.
She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It's mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 2, 2014
*2.5 stars*
If I'm being perfectly honest with myself, this story was just in the "okay" to "good" range. And I'm bummed because I really wanted to love it! I was expecting a light story filled with humor about a small town, kind of like an L.B. Gregg. While this story was sort of like that, it just didn't connect with me.
I think my main problem with the story was how fast Grady and Josh got together. I wasn't really feeling the chemistry and all of the sudden it was like, BAM! I like lots of slow burn in my stories and this was too insta-attraction for me. Also the sex scenes seemed awkward and didn't delver on the heat-factor.
I also didn't quite get Grady's faux monk-hood vibe and how quickly he morphed out of it. I never got a good handle on his character and what he was all about. He was too many things for me. Past fast lane living guy, sometime slick, sometimes socially awkward, sometimes asexual, sometime a bossy top... I couldn't nail him down. I think his character needed more work.
I also didn't quite connect with the plot. It seemed a little over-the-top and outlandish, and not in a fun way. I can't see that kind of stuff happening in real life, to be honest, but maybe that's just me.
Though I'm being a Negative Nancy over here, at times I thought the story was very cute. I really enjoyed Josh and his travel-lusting character. He was fun and interesting for me. The story also reads very pleasantly and easily, and it was a light read for those that are looking for something on the fluffy side.
Not bad but not great, I was underwhelmed by this one.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
If I'm being perfectly honest with myself, this story was just in the "okay" to "good" range. And I'm bummed because I really wanted to love it! I was expecting a light story filled with humor about a small town, kind of like an L.B. Gregg. While this story was sort of like that, it just didn't connect with me.
I think my main problem with the story was how fast Grady and Josh got together. I wasn't really feeling the chemistry and all of the sudden it was like, BAM! I like lots of slow burn in my stories and this was too insta-attraction for me. Also the sex scenes seemed awkward and didn't delver on the heat-factor.
I also didn't quite get Grady's faux monk-hood vibe and how quickly he morphed out of it. I never got a good handle on his character and what he was all about. He was too many things for me. Past fast lane living guy, sometime slick, sometimes socially awkward, sometimes asexual, sometime a bossy top... I couldn't nail him down. I think his character needed more work.
I also didn't quite connect with the plot. It seemed a little over-the-top and outlandish, and not in a fun way. I can't see that kind of stuff happening in real life, to be honest, but maybe that's just me.
Though I'm being a Negative Nancy over here, at times I thought the story was very cute. I really enjoyed Josh and his travel-lusting character. He was fun and interesting for me. The story also reads very pleasantly and easily, and it was a light read for those that are looking for something on the fluffy side.
Not bad but not great, I was underwhelmed by this one.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
November 29, 2014
3.5--Things That Make You Go Hmmm--Stars!!
Well....
I really don't know what else to say about it! I felt like the book started in the middle of the story or something.
A former wild-child-turned monk-turned writer. A bellhop/bartender/major. Some crazy mystery/competition between two neighboring towns. A bunch of weird town folk. Some blackmail and mayhem.
I didn't NOT like it but I'm not so sure I liked it!
There were parts I liked.....but something about the writing didn't click for me. I didn't really connect with either of the main characters!
It was quirky.....yes, that's it!
Well....
I really don't know what else to say about it! I felt like the book started in the middle of the story or something.
A former wild-child-turned monk-turned writer. A bellhop/bartender/major. Some crazy mystery/competition between two neighboring towns. A bunch of weird town folk. Some blackmail and mayhem.
I didn't NOT like it but I'm not so sure I liked it!
There were parts I liked.....but something about the writing didn't click for me. I didn't really connect with either of the main characters!
It was quirky.....yes, that's it!
February 13, 2015
If I used one word to describe this book, it would be 'charming.'
The small town, Norcross, is charming. The MCs, Grady and Josh, are charming. The slightly eccentric townspeople are also charming. You get the point.
'Must Loathe Norcross' is a fun and fairly light read. Grady Michaels is sent to Norcross to write articles about the town, and surrounding towns, for his cousin's travel magazine. Grady has just recently come out of a monastery, where he spent five years in seclusion and contemplation after he was involved in a tragic car accident. Back in the real world, he's determined to leave behind his old life in the fast lane. However, things start going awry after his cousin tells him that he "must loathe Norcross."
Our second MC, Josh Turner, is the bellhop at Grady's hotel. Josh is tired of living in the small town, and dreams of travelling the world. Josh is immediately attracted to Grady, and wouldn't mind getting to know him a little better. Grady seems to be on the same page, so the two don't waste much time on that end. I was hoping for some bellboy-kink, but that didn't happen. Which is okay, because they were steaming in any case.
What causes problems for Josh and Grady is the plot that Grady's cousin is involved in. Grady doesn't understand why he's supposed to hate Norcross, but eventually he begins to piece things together. The small-town politics were a bit ridiculous, but it was a fun ride to see how our two MCs deal with the issue. The townspeople of Norcross were exactly the type of folks you see in small-town movies. There were weird characters, bored youngsters, everyone was related in some way and nobody knew how to mind their own business. It was great!
Overall, this was a fun book with a very sweet romance. I'd recommend this for anyone looking to read something relaxing and entertaining!
The small town, Norcross, is charming. The MCs, Grady and Josh, are charming. The slightly eccentric townspeople are also charming. You get the point.
'Must Loathe Norcross' is a fun and fairly light read. Grady Michaels is sent to Norcross to write articles about the town, and surrounding towns, for his cousin's travel magazine. Grady has just recently come out of a monastery, where he spent five years in seclusion and contemplation after he was involved in a tragic car accident. Back in the real world, he's determined to leave behind his old life in the fast lane. However, things start going awry after his cousin tells him that he "must loathe Norcross."
Our second MC, Josh Turner, is the bellhop at Grady's hotel. Josh is tired of living in the small town, and dreams of travelling the world. Josh is immediately attracted to Grady, and wouldn't mind getting to know him a little better. Grady seems to be on the same page, so the two don't waste much time on that end. I was hoping for some bellboy-kink, but that didn't happen. Which is okay, because they were steaming in any case.
What causes problems for Josh and Grady is the plot that Grady's cousin is involved in. Grady doesn't understand why he's supposed to hate Norcross, but eventually he begins to piece things together. The small-town politics were a bit ridiculous, but it was a fun ride to see how our two MCs deal with the issue. The townspeople of Norcross were exactly the type of folks you see in small-town movies. There were weird characters, bored youngsters, everyone was related in some way and nobody knew how to mind their own business. It was great!
Overall, this was a fun book with a very sweet romance. I'd recommend this for anyone looking to read something relaxing and entertaining!
November 21, 2014
I was contemplating the rating between 3.5 and 4 stars (there is a difference!) but then decided, heck, I enjoyed it a whole lot, so solid 4-stars it is!! The truth is, if you ask me about what the story is all about, I will be quite confused *LOL*. I didn't exactly pay attention to the blurb when I started reading this. But there is sometimes a joy of exploring the unknown, to reading a book without any expectation at all.
If I could sum it up for my own sake, I would say that the story was about a small town in Connecticut, called Norcross, and how a travel writer Grady, ended up falling for the small town (and its problems) AND one of the residences, the hotel bellhop slash temporary mayor, Josh. It was like one of those Hallmark TV movies I guess.
Grady came to Norcross replacing his cousin to write about the town. But his cousin, Geoffrey (never "Geoff") told him that he must LOATHE Norcross. Meanwhile arriving to the hotel, Grady found the bellhop to be too eager to show Grady the wonder about town, and well, probably offering himself to Grady. It turned out there was more to the reason why Geoffrey seemed to be so adamant to smear the town's reputation and Grady was determined to uncover it and save the town.
For me the charm of this story came from Josh. There was something endearing to him -- Josh was known as a trouble maker when he was younger, but now he was Josh Version 2.0 who wanted to do good for the town. I found Josh amusing ... especially because he didn't want to actually ho himself for the town but he did find Grady attractive.
Grady was a little 'dead' to the world -- like he was lost before coming to Norcross. He partied hard when he was younger and ended up in an accident that killed someone. So Grady had been doing repentance by joining a retreat in a monastery for the past five years. But meeting Josh made Grady felt alive again. So there was a HUGE case of instant-attraction here, which I usually find annoying, but somehow Josh made it light and fun, and I had a great time reading about their interaction.
That was basically it, the story *lol*. I would love to read more about the people of Norcross actually. I like small-town stories where everyone seem to know everybody's business ... and for me, it's that kind of meddling from others towards the main characters that brings joy. So I wish there are more interactions between Grady and Josh and the colorful Norcross people. Plus the ending seemed to be moving too fast. How about the Norcross Day?!? I would love to read about that!
So yeah, this was one of the case where the story worked for me because I had ZERO expectation about it and just enjoyed the flow. It definitely worked :)
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
If I could sum it up for my own sake, I would say that the story was about a small town in Connecticut, called Norcross, and how a travel writer Grady, ended up falling for the small town (and its problems) AND one of the residences, the hotel bellhop slash temporary mayor, Josh. It was like one of those Hallmark TV movies I guess.
Grady came to Norcross replacing his cousin to write about the town. But his cousin, Geoffrey (never "Geoff") told him that he must LOATHE Norcross. Meanwhile arriving to the hotel, Grady found the bellhop to be too eager to show Grady the wonder about town, and well, probably offering himself to Grady. It turned out there was more to the reason why Geoffrey seemed to be so adamant to smear the town's reputation and Grady was determined to uncover it and save the town.
For me the charm of this story came from Josh. There was something endearing to him -- Josh was known as a trouble maker when he was younger, but now he was Josh Version 2.0 who wanted to do good for the town. I found Josh amusing ... especially because he didn't want to actually ho himself for the town but he did find Grady attractive.
Grady was a little 'dead' to the world -- like he was lost before coming to Norcross. He partied hard when he was younger and ended up in an accident that killed someone. So Grady had been doing repentance by joining a retreat in a monastery for the past five years. But meeting Josh made Grady felt alive again. So there was a HUGE case of instant-attraction here, which I usually find annoying, but somehow Josh made it light and fun, and I had a great time reading about their interaction.
That was basically it, the story *lol*. I would love to read more about the people of Norcross actually. I like small-town stories where everyone seem to know everybody's business ... and for me, it's that kind of meddling from others towards the main characters that brings joy. So I wish there are more interactions between Grady and Josh and the colorful Norcross people. Plus the ending seemed to be moving too fast. How about the Norcross Day?!? I would love to read about that!
So yeah, this was one of the case where the story worked for me because I had ZERO expectation about it and just enjoyed the flow. It definitely worked :)
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
November 15, 2014
I was able to beta this one and I really had fun with it. I love Summer/Kate's writing and it always pulls me right through from start to finish. Recommended.
December 1, 2014
3.5 stars...
On the whole, this was a rather sweet, enjoyable read. Characters needed more fleshing out, storyline seemed to be resolved all too tidily and quickly but it was a fun read. It needs a sequel or something!
On the whole, this was a rather sweet, enjoyable read. Characters needed more fleshing out, storyline seemed to be resolved all too tidily and quickly but it was a fun read. It needs a sequel or something!
October 13, 2014
Great fun, a lot better than I was expecting (what was I expecting ?)
Josh is just the perfect small town boy, knows everyone, liked by all really wants to see the world. Does 3 jobs, open honest, affectionate.
Grady let his passions almost ruin his life, and has been on a retreat for 5 years, a little more guarded, needs to find a balance in his life. He arrives in Norcross under a slight false pretence initially.
Josh + Grady have immediate chemistry, it's not insta love exactly, but it's more than just sex, and combined with the 'why is this happening' element makes for a light but really enjoyable read.
Full review closer to publication at http://www.scuttlebuttreviews.com/
Josh is just the perfect small town boy, knows everyone, liked by all really wants to see the world. Does 3 jobs, open honest, affectionate.
Grady let his passions almost ruin his life, and has been on a retreat for 5 years, a little more guarded, needs to find a balance in his life. He arrives in Norcross under a slight false pretence initially.
Josh + Grady have immediate chemistry, it's not insta love exactly, but it's more than just sex, and combined with the 'why is this happening' element makes for a light but really enjoyable read.
Full review closer to publication at http://www.scuttlebuttreviews.com/
January 23, 2016
Must Loathe Norcross is the story of Grady Michaels and his trip to Norcross, a small town on Connecticut. His cousin has assigned him the job of writing an article about the town, but Grady ‘must loathe Norcross.’ Josh Turner is the bellhop at the local hotel where Grady stays and becomes the guide concerning everything, Norcross. The story is told in third person through both Grady and Josh’s eyes.
4.5 Stars
4.5 Stars
November 26, 2014
4 star review by Dan
Having grown up in a valley in New England, with lots of little towns all painted white with red barns and serious competition between them, I thought this book would be a perfect fit for me. It was. I very much enjoyed the book and the main premise of the story.
The town of Norcross Connecticut, like many small towns in New England was dependent on a central mill where most of the town’s residents were employed. When the mill closed, the town lost vital resources and sources of both tax and payroll dollars.
Grady Michaels is sent to Norcross to write an article on the small town at the request of his brother Gregory. The entire town is expecting Gregory, so when Grady checks into the hotel as “Michaels”, a case of mistaken identity occurs.
Josh Turner is the bell hop at the hotel (along with several other jobs which we learn about throughout the book). He is the person who checks Grady in. Over the next couple days Josh, at the encouragement of the town council and his bosses, takes Grady all over town showing him the highlights. The town would like to pimp him out to Michaels, because they are both gay, so why not? There is a lot of sexual tension between the two from their first meeting, so it might work. But what about the other gay guy in town, Corky, where does he fit in?
Through the course of the book we discover that all is not as it would seem in the small town of Norcross. Who is the crazy, leather-clad man on the BMW motorcycle who attacks Grady with a paint ball gun? Why does Grady’s brother insist that Grady “must loathe Norcross”? Who is the spy in Norcross reporting all Grady’s actions and activities to his brother?
This was an entertaining read. I highly enjoyed it because it truly did sound like some towns near where I grew up and their infighting for tourist dollars and state and federal funding. I recommend the book. If you’re looking for a good read on a fall day, pick it up.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Having grown up in a valley in New England, with lots of little towns all painted white with red barns and serious competition between them, I thought this book would be a perfect fit for me. It was. I very much enjoyed the book and the main premise of the story.
The town of Norcross Connecticut, like many small towns in New England was dependent on a central mill where most of the town’s residents were employed. When the mill closed, the town lost vital resources and sources of both tax and payroll dollars.
Grady Michaels is sent to Norcross to write an article on the small town at the request of his brother Gregory. The entire town is expecting Gregory, so when Grady checks into the hotel as “Michaels”, a case of mistaken identity occurs.
Josh Turner is the bell hop at the hotel (along with several other jobs which we learn about throughout the book). He is the person who checks Grady in. Over the next couple days Josh, at the encouragement of the town council and his bosses, takes Grady all over town showing him the highlights. The town would like to pimp him out to Michaels, because they are both gay, so why not? There is a lot of sexual tension between the two from their first meeting, so it might work. But what about the other gay guy in town, Corky, where does he fit in?
Through the course of the book we discover that all is not as it would seem in the small town of Norcross. Who is the crazy, leather-clad man on the BMW motorcycle who attacks Grady with a paint ball gun? Why does Grady’s brother insist that Grady “must loathe Norcross”? Who is the spy in Norcross reporting all Grady’s actions and activities to his brother?
This was an entertaining read. I highly enjoyed it because it truly did sound like some towns near where I grew up and their infighting for tourist dollars and state and federal funding. I recommend the book. If you’re looking for a good read on a fall day, pick it up.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
December 14, 2014
More like Must Love Norcross. I adored this book. Grady and Josh are such fantastic and fun characters. The book doesn't have the usual high level of angst that can be good, but instead is a perfect blend of oh no- oh okay, they have COMMON SENSE! So rare in a m/m romance I tend to find.
Both Grady and Josh are unexpectedly complex characters. Both have secrets they keep hidden, but when they find out what each other is hiding, instead of being accusatory, they take it in stride. I love Josh's unpaid job. When Grady finds out, I laughed so hard. I don't want to say what it is as it could ruin the story, but it's fantastic.
And Grady! He has quite the mean streak, especially at the end!
I would love another book with these characters. I also enjoyed that it was set in Connecticut, as that is my home state! As I read, I imagined myself trying to figure out where exactly Norcross is. I haven't figured it out, but that's okay.
I look forward to the next Summer Devon book, because this was just an awesome contemporary read.
Both Grady and Josh are unexpectedly complex characters. Both have secrets they keep hidden, but when they find out what each other is hiding, instead of being accusatory, they take it in stride. I love Josh's unpaid job. When Grady finds out, I laughed so hard. I don't want to say what it is as it could ruin the story, but it's fantastic.
And Grady! He has quite the mean streak, especially at the end!
I would love another book with these characters. I also enjoyed that it was set in Connecticut, as that is my home state! As I read, I imagined myself trying to figure out where exactly Norcross is. I haven't figured it out, but that's okay.
I look forward to the next Summer Devon book, because this was just an awesome contemporary read.
Read
November 25, 2014I loved writing this. Some books are just fun to write -- this one was.
I based it on a couple of visits we made to Western Massachusetts and Connecticut and so I have particularly fine memories associated with it.
I based it on a couple of visits we made to Western Massachusetts and Connecticut and so I have particularly fine memories associated with it.
February 12, 2015
3.5 stars
It started rather slow - for about 30% I had the feeling of wading through quicksand or being in the middle of fog, for me there was no common thread. But then more and more it became clear - yes, I'm slow, I know:)
Nevertheless, the more I got into the story the more I liked it.
It started rather slow - for about 30% I had the feeling of wading through quicksand or being in the middle of fog, for me there was no common thread. But then more and more it became clear - yes, I'm slow, I know:)
Nevertheless, the more I got into the story the more I liked it.
Read
November 30, 2014Doesn't this guy look the same as the one on Voinov's Return On Investment??
December 5, 2014
This kept reminding me of Hot Fuzz, with less mur-dur and more gay sex.
December 28, 2017
4.75 Stars
June 30, 2018
3.75 stars
April 5, 2024
3.25 stars
January 16, 2015
About Norcross and its citizens. Well, this is one those small towns you either love or you hate. In the beginning, I was firmly in the hate department. None of the side characters were amiable or sympathetic, and their views awfully insular. Then I began to see the light shining on the dung heap, as it were. There were some positive aspects to the town and its people. But, all in all, I didn’t warm up to the town much.
I liked the main couple, so the problems this book had were overlooked. Grady’s life lessons were intriguing to follow, and Josh was just a lovable man, practically in every sense. Their scenes, whether talking or making out, were a pleasant read.
I liked the main couple, so the problems this book had were overlooked. Grady’s life lessons were intriguing to follow, and Josh was just a lovable man, practically in every sense. Their scenes, whether talking or making out, were a pleasant read.
October 18, 2015
3.5, roughly. A relaxed and quite charming read, well written, but I felt too many issues and/or personality traits were introduced and then never used to their full potential, or even just dropped. The characters had an interesting premise, but in the end their idiosyncrasies didn't *really* affect the way the relationship played out, and I was a little disappointed by that. Still, it was entertaining and funny, and fluffy enough without crossing into sugary, and I was pretty pleased with the MCs' communication and how the author deliberately made them NOT go down the Big Misunderstanding route. Overall a fun story, and a good choice if you want some lighthearted and stress-free reading.
July 4, 2015
A little bit of a romcom style romance, this was cute and fluffy. Not super memorable, but it was an easy read and I enjoyed it. Enjoyable, not complex plot with a mild mystery but the best thing was that the chemistry between the MCs was strong and their connection believable and kind of adorable.
August 3, 2016
There was just something about the writing that made me disconnect. :(
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews