Mr. Popsalos

Mr. Popsalos #1-2

by Lisa Worrall

Advertising executive and single parent Luke Fisher has grown painfully aware he becomes less dateable the minute he reveals he has a son. Not entertaining any hope of finding love is difficult, but after six years of failed romances, he’s resolved it doesn’t matter. He has all he needs in beautiful son, great job, supportive family.

Until two weeks before Christmas, he believed he needed nothing and no one, but that was before he met Jamie Papadopoulos. Jamie is the most attractive man Luke’s ever seen, and one look into his eyes confirms the feelings are mutual. After one amazing night, Luke’s doubts cloud his reasoning, and, deciding to pre-empt heartache, he throws away Jamie’s number, sure he’ll never see him again.

Luckily for Luke, Jamie knows they could be good together, and he is persistent, eventually wearing Luke down. As their one year anniversary approaches, Jamie knows exactly what he wants to give Luke. The platinum wedding bands have been burning a hole in his suitcase in the attic for two months. But before he can say those four life-changing words, an accident throws their well-ordered lives into disarray.

First and Second Editions published by Silver Publishing, 2011

Genres: M M Romance, Holiday, Romance, Contemporary, Anthologies

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 24, 2014

About the author

I live in Leigh on Sea, a small seaside town just outside London on the coast of Essex, about ten minutes from Southend, which boasts the longest pier in the world. I live with my husband and two ever-growing children, who I let think are the boss of me; along with two dogs who actually are.

As the wonderful Beatrix Potter said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a new story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” I know exactly what she means.

Reviews

[Otila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is divided into 2 stories. I enjoyed the first one but I felt the second one was rather pointless.

Story 1: Mr. Popsalos -- 3 Stars
Luke is a single father who hasn't had much luck dating. He's not into hookups but a relationship seems impossible when every guy he goes out with disappears when he mentions his son. When he meets Jamie, the hot guy who hits on him at the coffee shop, he figures that it will just be the same so he throws out his number. When he keeps bumping into Jamie, Luke figures what the hell, a one night stand might not be so bad.

It was short, fun and cute. I liked it.

Story 2: The Perfect Gift--1 Star
This is the sequel that I really didn't need. A year after story 1, Jamie and Luke are living their HEA. They're having dinner, talking about promotions, going to the school play... it was BORING. Even the sex was ho-hum. By the time they got to the drama I really didn't care. The drama was really predictable so I just ended up skimming the rest of it and it ended exactly how I thought it would.

I do have to say that I have the attention span of a gnat so others may appreciate seeing what happens with this couple after the happy ending much more than I did.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two stories in this book both contain all the ingredients I love seeing in Christmas tales, and since they follow the same couple from one Christmas to the next, I even get a sequel within the same book. I loved rereading them and enjoyed Luke, his son Reggie, and Jamie’s adventures as much now as I did in their original incarnation. Maybe more, because they feel like old friends now.


Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first short story in this series a number of years ago, and enjoyed it immensely. I was very happy to discover the author was re-releasing it, along with the second story, in a bundle. I knew I was in for a sweet, and funny, set of stories.

Story 1: Mr. Popsalos

Luke has a single parent life. Meaning, he works, and takes care of his five year old son, Reggie. Dating has become non-existent since Reggie was born, as most men run the other way when they find out Luke has a son. It doesn’t stop his mom, or his friends, from setting Luke up on blind dates. Too bad none of the dates they find for him, are as gorgeous, and sexy, as Jamie, the guy who gives Luke his number at the coffee shop. Trying to stave off the inevitable rejection, Luke loses Jamie’s number, only to end up meeting in a bar. Which, by the way, results in a seriously hot hookup. But, again, Luke ditches his number, only to find Jamie in a most unlikely place.

I adored Luke. He’s an honest, upstanding, man, who loves his son. He’s never been that guy – the kind who did multiple hookups. Luke has mainly had relationships, in the past, anyway, and I had so much respect for him, as a father, and a man. Jamie is too cute for words. When it turns out that Jamie Papadopolous is Mr. Popsalos, who Reggie has been raving about…..well, not only is Jamie cute, but he’s also perfect for Luke, and Reggie.

A wonderful beginning to what is sure to be a delightful, holiday romance.

Story 2: The Perfect Gift

A year has passed, and it’s the holiday season again. Jamie and Luke are now living together, and along with Reggie, have cemented a strong family unit. I loved seeing their life, their interactions, their laughter, and their joy. Jamie has an idea of how he wants to celebrate Christmas Eve, in fact he’s been prepared for it since the second day after he moved in, and he can’t wait. Unfortunately, the darker side of life intrudes, and reinforces to both men, how important every moment of every day is.

This was the perfect ending to this series. I loved that it came full circle back to Christmas. I felt as if I got a better idea of who Luke and Jamie were, not just individually, but as a couple, also. Thank you, Lisa, for a wonderful holiday story I will read many times over.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreampinner Press for the purpose of a review on Christy Loves 2 Read.

[Funzee Shu · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Did you stay up praying again last night?”

“Praying?” Jamie asked with a frown. “What do you mean praying?”

“I heard you the other night. You know…. Daddy kept saying oh God and you shouted Jesus a lot. You even said Jesus Luke,” Reggie said with a shrug. “I dunno why. Everyone knows it’s Jesus Christ.”

“Sorry, kiddo.” Jamie cleared his throat as his voice cracked on the second word. “We’ll try not to pray too loudly in the future.”

That...was a very hilarious & memorable dialogues from this book !

You know what best part of reading a Christmas holiday story is ?

It'll warm your heart and theres always be a miracles, and things that makes you smile....

I love the first part of the book, but...not the second part, but yes...it's touching enough when things happened to little Reggie.

Family is not based on DNA, it is based on love. ~ Angelina Jolie

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME!!!!!

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bitter sweet story.
Sweet, but when a child involved and there's tears in the picture, it's kinda bitter to me.
I loved the story, I adored Jamie and Reggie, they're really great together.
Luke is very lucky to have them both.
The issue with Reggie was breaking my heart and I hope, Reggie and Jamie have a long happy life in the future with their fragile condition.
Words of advice for you guys... please try to slow down a bit, okay?
I'm kinda loved you guys... :)

Very well done Lisa Worrall!

[Marlobo ♥ epilogues · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a duet.

The first story is Mr. Popsalos, and I loved it. Is charmingly light, sweet and funny; it deserved 4 stars.

The second story, The Perfect Gift, wasn't nothing special but it was going well until Chapter IV, where it turned on a very predictable tear-jerker with unlikely traits as to the exacerbation of some feelings and a somewhat fast pace. Therefore this story only deserved 2 stars as far as I'm concerned.

Therefrom the average rating is 3 stars.

[Manfred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately there was too much of everything in this story, sap, drama, nonsense and for a holiday story the accident and its outcome was too much as well.
This is not a bad book per se, I enjoyed reading it, but most of the time I was extremely aware, that I was reading a romance novel, the main characters, the setting, the action, none of it was really genuine and when (spoiler ahead) Jamie turned out to be the perfect donor, it was really getting ridiculous.
So the story is about a single father and his son meeting the new teacher, who it turnes out was the guy whose number he threw away repeatedly, because he didn't think a date could handle him being a father - even after a night of incredibly hot sex and a deep connection.
That was the first time I wanted to throw the book in the corner.
The story had some really sweet and beautiful moments, as I said, it wasn't all bad, but overall I can only give it 2.5 stars.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first book we get to meet Luke and his son Reggie. We get to see the wonderful relationship between them. The way they interact is adorable and you can feel the love they have for each other. Then Reggie starts to talk about a teacher, what he says...ADORABLE. Then Luke meets a hot guy in a coffee shop. Sparks fly..BIG sparks. I don't want to say more except this, this book gave me ALL kinds of warm fuzzies .
The first book is a great read which then leads to book 2.
All the emotions that the second brings out ...a few times I had to step away from it. It REALLY got a hold of my feelings..twisted, pulled and beat them up. There are some hot moments between Luke and Jamie was..whew! I do not want to give anything away but have kleenex ready.

[Tailtiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Popsalos and The Perfect Gift

[Morgan Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke meets Jamie again and again, the chemistry is hot, but Luke is afraid, due to past rejections. Jamie gives Luke his number 3 times before they finally manage a drunken hook up around Christmas. Luke slinks out before morning – again, allowing fear to drive his actions.

When Jamie turns out to be Luke’s child’s assistant teacher, suddenly the world seems like a brighter place.

From here forward, time moves quickly and the couple quickly become deeply involved with one another (and let me say the sex is super hot!). But… tragedy strikes near the end and it becomes imperative that everyone involve do their utmost to protect their new family.

**

This was a tear jerker – fair warning. But absolutely wonderful! If you aren’t a big “kid” fan, there is not a lot of Reggie in the story, but enough to warm your heart. I really was on pins and needles at the end and was grateful for the amazing HEA we are left with.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. 4.5 of 5 hearts.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 2 book collection with the first story from Luke's pov.
Luke, dad to voracious Reggie, keeps meeting the devastingingly handsome Jamie - and then running away. I enjoyed their meets and flirts. I also enjoyed Luke's disaster dates too! Jamie's identity as regards Reggie is fairly obvious but still enjoyable seeing Luke flabbergasted.
Book 2 is from Jamie's pov and takes up the guys story a year on. It quickly moves from their developing family unit to an all out physical and emotional mess. It is then how they hang together through the tough times and become stronger. I liked how they did band together even when they both had their self blame moments. I wanted to know who and why of the accident and to know they were punished.
A few excessive descriptions, but generally a nice, light, feel good read. Both books are quite short but together make a decent length quick read.

Reread 9.5.17 : quick and easy read. Luke's disaster dates still amusing though I found the dialogue in part one a bit simple this time. I still enjoyed part two more.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The marketing blurb made this sound like a sweet love story. It was that and a whole lot more. In Part 1, Luke and Jamie meet, tease, and finally have a shot at being together. It sucked me in and made me root for these two as well as Luke’s son Reggie. Then I got to Part 2 and WHAM, the author hit me with a startling drama. I was hooked. I couldn’t have stopped reading if a bomb went off. Okay, well maybe if a bomb went off, but not much would have made me put the book down.

It’s so gripping and intense and yet…the ending is sweet and perfect and so Luke & Jamie.

I would have given it more if it was possible. As it is, 5 big stars for Mr. Popsalos.

Though I do wonder why, after we find out what Mr. Popsalos’s real name is that they still called him that. But that’s a never mind. This was one fantastic, tear-inducing, wonderful love story.

Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
**Copy provided for review**

[Ashley D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke Fisher is used to guys running for this hills when they find out he has a son, so he doesn’t expect anything different from the hottest man he has ever seen. After a night of passion Luke, throws Jaime’s number away, figuring he will never see him again. Boy does Luke get the shock of a lifetime.

After being together for a year, Luke and Jaime are put through the ultimate test, what would you do for your child. How do you overcome something so horrible so close to Christmas?

Each of the characters had issues that you see in the real world and they both seem to handle them in a normal way. Overall, this was a cute read about a cute coming together to overcome adversity story, that was sweet in places and hot in others.

[Secretly Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good romance but I didn't love that the author choose to tell the romance in three different segments. So part one ends at a pivotal point...only to have part two pick up a year later. I feel like I missed all sorts of good stuff. Still, the characters, including plot-moppet boy, were wonderful in this gentle story of family building.

[Rinkyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! Truly enjoyed this and the twist was well done. Lol I kind of want Reg to grow up and end up having a male lover and have his own story. Basically I want a sequel! :D will look out for more of this author's future books ^^

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Loved it!

[Brandielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

First story is good. Second was ok. Don’t ever love ‘like a girl’ or ‘like a mom’ used negatively.