Roleplay at Randy's

by Rikki Leighton

How many times am I going to give my heart to someone who will inevitably break it?



MATTY



Three years ago, Riley Easton broke my heart. I've been careful to keep it mended since. Which isn't hard given I'm working myself to the bone just to afford rent and hormones. Love isn't part of the program.



But of course, here comes Elias all sweet dimples, lonely smile, and oh, he's a dancer like me—or like I used to be.



I couldn't cut it at the big production company I moved here for, but when Elias drags me to the house he shares with his son and accidentally volunteers me to be his date to his sister's wedding, the passion and love I thought I'd lost for dance begins to creep back in.



Why oh why do I keep falling for emotionally unavailable rays of sunshine?



ELIAS



My dating life is abysmal. I can name the amount of hookups I've had in the last five years on one hand. It's hard to find time between taking care of my son and working late into the night to afford all of his medical needs.



When I run into Matty Nichols—literally—at Randy's Diner, I'm slapped in the face with so much attraction that I can't help but seek him out again and again. I don't have time for a relationship, but when Calum takes a liking to him and I find out his studio apartment is covered in black mold, of course I have to offer up my couch.



I don't mean for my sister to get the bright idea that he's my boyfriend and insist I bring him to her wedding.



Even if Matty was interested and I wasn't a hot mess, being with me comes with more baggage than I'd ever ask him to put on his shoulders.



Roleplay at Randy's is a low angst, fake relationship, MM romance between a hard-of-hearing trans man who falls hard and fast, and the single dad stripper who never stood a chance.



Love beyond the binary, serving up low angst trans romances at Randy's Diner.

Genres: M M Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

Reviews

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

RTC

[Billy ⋆｡･☽･⋆* (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I was completely gobsmacked with Elias generosity. He's a wonderful human being, and an exceptional friend. The dedication and devotion he has for Calum, for his friends. He's simply one of the most impressive person.

I loved the care-free moments he had with Matty, dancing around, just feeling the moment. Truly heartwarming. They are so cute together, just the absolute cutest. I really had a great time reading this wonderful book. And there were many funny moments, also the side characters were great, Hannah was just fantastic. Miya and Roxy?? Just three little words: I loved them! Oh to be back at Randy's 🩷🤍🩵 the vibe I get when I read the descriptions of that lovely dinner, the immediate spontaneous smile plastered on my face. Randy's feels like a sweet loving cozy hug around my queer heart. ❤️



M: "I know how to make pancakes, and I might be short, but I’m no stranger to hopping onto counters to search through cabinets."

^ Incredibly relatable! Love making pancakes, I'm short, And my go-to when it comes to high cabinets is "hopping onto counters".

M: "... it becomes glaringly obvious that Elias’ love language is physical touch. It’s his default form of communication.
A hand on my knee when it starts to bounce. Fingers trailing my neck and back as if they have a mind of their own while he talks about something completely unrelated. An arm around my shoulder when he laughs, rubbing his nose into my hair.
I’ve never met another human this casually affectionate, and it sends my body and heart all kinds of mixed signals.
When was the last time someone held me for the hell of it?"

^ their connection starts immediately as soon as they get their eyes on each other.

[laura cabezas · Rating 3 out of 5]

elias & matty - 3.5 stars 🤍 this was sweet!! i wasn’t sure what to expect going in but i really did end up enjoying it. both our MC’s were so loveable and sweet, as well as little cal and i enjoyed the pacing.

the angst was definitely fair, each MC had their own reasons for being hesitant to being all in, but i really do love the fake dating trope when everyone knows they’re literally dating lol. sometimes im hesitant in reading romances that involve kids especially if it’s in order for them to be meddling but cal was lovely and welcome in the story. he was there just enough without being interfering or meddling and it was sweet to see his relationship with matty developed and watch matty love cal just as much as he fell for elias.

the epilogue was super sweet too and was a satisfying ending

I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review :)

[San Lemonade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diner Days Series: All Trans Romance
Roleplay at Randy’s by Rikki Leighton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

My first book by Rikki Leighton and I loved it!
⬆️ Ebook ARC

💙💓🤍💓💙
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans/Bi-Curious Contemporary Romance With A Focus On Queer Joy & Self-Acceptance

MC’s:
💞🎧👉 Matty Nichols (24, trans man, he/him)
✨ Lithe body, dark hair, chocolate-colored eyes, and a voice like sunshine (the two last one corte).
🩰 Soft-hearted former dancer turned content creator ("Matty’s Midnight Musings") and part-time worker at a themed butler café.
📸 Writes and posts sensual, romantic fantasies online - part art, part heart, part therapy.
🦻 In his 20ish years old because of an accident he became hard-of-hearing.
💫 He’s been alone for three years, guarded but full of quiet hope and 🥹 he craves connection but fears heartbreak.

😏🔥👉 Elias Lee (30, bi-curious, he/him)
💪 Stripper at “Breathless Desires” (stage name: Voltage ⚡️).
🧁 Single dad to the sweetest autistic 6-year-old, Cal.
😌 Kind, patient, gentle... with a body built for sin and a soul made for love.
🌏 Korean heritage on his mother’s side. 🇰🇷
💛 Dyed blond hair streaked with teal, deep dark eyes, and those dimples that could ruin anyone. 🫠
🧸 Been alone for five years, focused on his son, until Matty bursts into his life like light through a storm.
🥰 He falls fast, hard, and completely.

🔀 Dual First-Person POV
💞 Tender, Flirty & Deliciously Spicy
🤌 Heartwarming & Steamy Balance
📖 Pure Comfort Read 💕
🐕x🐕 Full-on Golden Retriever Vibes
🧸 Single Dad x Former Dancer
🎶 Stripper x Spicy Content Creator 🎥 + Zero Self-Control 😳
💘 Attraction At First Sight
🤌 Roommates To Lovers
😏 Fake Boyfriends... yeah, we know how THAT goes!
💬 Flirty Texts & Late-Night Calls 📱🔥
🧲 Touch-Starved x Love-Starved
🩰 Dancing As A Love Language
🎭 Roleplay Turned Real

🧡 Six-Year Age Gap
🤌 Size Difference
😈 Horny Little Devil w/ a Box Full of Toys
🥵 Medium-Burn w/ Hot Steamy Moments 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

👉 Low Angst Trans
⚠️ Content Warnings:
⚠️ Abandonment by Parents (due to sexuality)
⚠️ Past Homelessness
⚠️ Dysphoria (minor, emotional reflection)

💫 Found Family
🦻 Hard-of-Hearing Rep & Disability Positivity
🥹 Autistic Rep (MC’s child, adorable Cal 🧸)
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Joy
👏 Excellent Disability & Neurodivergent Representation
💪 Character Growth & Healing
💯 Lovely Side Characters (Cal is a star!)
👉 Can Be Read As A Standalone
😍 HEA + Comfort + Safe Space Vibes

Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

💭 My Thoughts:
👉🏳️‍⚧️ 📖 This book is phenomenal - a true safe space for queer people!! It's a perfect mix of heart, heat, and hope.

✨️ Matty and Elias are pure magic together... two people who didn’t expect to fall, but somehow found exactly what they needed in each other.
Their chemistry? Obscenely good. 🤌🔥 Their connection? So soft it made my heart melt.

💆 I loved how they communicate through touch, movement, and quiet understanding... even more than words.
Both are touch-starved, both crave love but fear being too much. Watching them learn to be held was beautiful.

💞 I adored how Elias’ son, Cal, instantly accepted Matty. Their bond is one of the sweetest parts of the story.
And seeing Matty embrace his hearing loss and rebuild his confidence... that meant so much. Representation done right! 👏

🌶 These two are an absolute wildfire together… playful, teasing, and dangerously perfect. Every glance, every touch is electric… and holy hell, it’s so spicy. 😈🔥
They can’t keep their hands off each other, their bodies magnetically drawn, teasing and tempting… and oh, the way they push each other’s limits… I couldn’t get enough.
🥵 These two are sinful, swoony, and completely addictive.

☕️🍟 Like every story set at Randy’s, this one feels like a warm meal and a tight hug with a side of delicious heat. 🥵

▪︎FAV QUOTES▪︎

■ 💭Matty: "Elias sees me. All of me. Every piece. Every crack. He sees it, and he embraces it—embraces me." 🥹💞

■ Matty:“You’re not weirded out? You know what it means, right? That I was born … that I’m not …”
...
“I know what it means, Matty,” he whispers with a sort of mild amusement. “It doesn’t change anything. I still want you here.
...
I’m still super silly attracted to you.” 😳❤️🥹 🫠

■ “You sound ridiculously sexy when you go all Dad mode.” 😏🔥

🥰 This story made me laugh, blush, and tear up in the best ways. Soft, spicy, and full of love. Perfect for anyone who believes in second chances and love without limits.

😉 Thanks for reading, hope this helps you out!
I received this book as a gift from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.

StoryGraph Review
BookBub Review
Reviews On Goodreads
My Socials

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st person, present tense, dual PoV
Matty Nichols (24), content creator, occasional worker at a themed butler cafe
Elias Lee (30), dancer at Breathless Desires strip club

It was so nice to revisit the Randy's universe with a new story. Both Matty and Elias were rich and compelling characters. Hearts battered and bruised but with cores of strength and steel, I loved the gritty realness of them. I adored their meet-cute and the way their orbits overlapped when they weren't sure they were ready for more, but helpless to fight against their attraction. Their push-pull was so good and the way they slotted into each other's lives was so satisfying.

I don't typically gravitate towards stories with kids, I find the inclusion of a precocious kid can be fun every once in a while, but they often come at the expense of the greater story, stealing scenes with their sage advise and adorable, angelic demeanor, but Calum was a perfect addition to this book. He brought these two together and moved the story forward without overshadowing it, but by the same token his absence would have been felt.

I loved the acceptance throughout the story and the connection felt between Matty and Elias. More than their chemistry, I loved the casual touching, the dancing, and the comfort and support they provide to one another. I also loved that these were just two people falling in love, one who happened to be trans and hard-of-hearing, while the other was a single father to an autistic son. At no point did I feel any of these aspects became their whole personality or the sole focus of the story, which was lovely.

While the entire series is billed as being low-angst, that didn't serve this story as well as it did others in the series, and I'm not sure this quite hit the mark here. There were actually major issues and relationship impediments that would have benefitted from embracing just a smidge more angst. As it was, by avoiding it things felt more dramatic and hollow, as real issues were swept aside or resolved without delving into the work needed to make the reader feel secure in the staying power of the couple.

I did find the synopsis didn't really match the story, which created a bit of dissonance for me as a reader. I couldn't quite buy into the fake dating trope part of the story, I just didn't feel it at all, it felt shoehorned in and was the least interesting part of their story. I'd have enjoyed more exploration of other aspects of their story more, but it was still good and I would still recommend it.

There is an epilogue available with newsletter sign-up - I'm well on record with how much I dislike being forced to jump through these hoops to get the whole story - but, it's a sweet and steamy moment that gives a peek into Matty and Elias' future and actually feels like a bonus in which we get a fun-to-read follow up that didn't feel like it was critical to the main story.

I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[isthisakink · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5. I’m so happy this one finally got its moment. I liked it.

I found Matty to be a very true-to-life character and I hella approve. A lot of my transmasc homies are quite similar in their vibes. I also loved how things weren’t all sunshine and roses, but rather more realistic on the love front—meaning I loved how even at their sappiest, it showed them needing to do/doing the hard work to develop/nuture/maintain. You know, like reality. This book gave the mess a respectable seat at the table.

I enjoyed how Calum’s ‘tism was written/handled, as it was a very accurate portrayal. Another book where the kid wasn’t an accessory or a prop on a shelf, which I will always be here for. The way the grind of parenting was repped was too real, too. All full-existence exhaustion, yet all love, all the time. Again, another respectable place setting.

The thing that is gonna bug the shit out of me forever is the fact that low angst? We don’t know her. This was literally almost ALL angst, tension, boys being fucking dumb as shit, the will they/won’t they energy was thicccccc, and the TAA wasn’t exactly low, but it was for sure giving “dramatic asf” and that totally tracks because—as I mentioned up there—boys are fucking dumb. It drove me a tish bonkers trying to figure out where the low angst was supposed to be. It didn’t have anything to do with the story, which—like I said—I enjoyed, but that niggle of “this is not that” threw me off because of how my brain is wired.

And here we are, with a me problem, is anyone surprised. Fuck my whole brain istfj.

ANYWAYS 👏🙃

All in all, any and all gripes my brain could make mountains out of considered, it was a sweet story with some down-low soulmates energy and healing vibes. Did I have issues? Yeah. Did any of them matter in the end? Not enough to make me not happy I read it. I love good trans stories that don’t make it seem like the whole book is just a Beginner’s Guide to Trans Stereotypes and Misconceptions. I hate that shit. I spend hours bothering the homie conclave when I get got with those. This series finally wraps up with one more goodie to add to the pile. We stan. (The homies will also hear me talk it out positively, just like they’d listen if I got my soapbox out in a rage.)





—I received an ARC from the author. All ratings, reviews, and unwanted opinions are my own.—

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I awaited this one eagerly since the whole series was announced. I did receive an ARC of this, I'm so sorry it took me so long after the release to actually review despite having read it so quickly.

But as for the actual review, this was long awaited and to me it was worth every second. I'm never often sold on stories including parents/single parents/kids etc but this one was definitely one of those exceptions. I adored it. and my favourite part? Calum, the child in this sweet story. I never expected to love him so much, but I felt such a big connection with him, I wanted to protect him and I just really loved his moments.

Matty and Elias were a huge love for me too though, and Miya, Elias's sister was a great joy as well. I loved these two so much both as a couple but also as characters by themselves. I felt a massive connection to Matty too and adored seeing him become so confident and sure of himself as a person, a partner and a caregiver for Calum. Elias was quite a surprise for me, I did not expect him to be sure of himself as a dancer somehow but he was and it was awesome to read and to see his walls slowly breaking down and falling so hard for Matty's bright self.

I really enjoyed their entire story, their growing love, them building a new family together and it was really nice to see a story where they don't just give up the work that they do once they have a partner. Not that there's anything wrong with that but it seems so many people who work in the industries these two do, stop their work once they have a partner and it was just really nice to see these two not just immediately doing this. It just made the story that bit more enjoyable to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this story and would happily read again.

[TeeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I had so much fun with this one. This is the first book by Rikki Leighton that I have read and I suspect it won't be the last. Matty and Elias are such amazing and loveable characters and the story, while being very low key and having zero angst, was also interesting. This story is very character driven, not super heavy on plot, but has a lot of character development. The rep here was also very well done in my opinion. Leighton touched on a few sensitive subjects, but really focused more on joy and community, which I really loved. AND Leighton wrote a very positive portrayal of SW (Matty cams and writes a spicy blog and Elias is a stripper) and I always love that. AND AND Elias is a single dad to Calum, who is non-verbal and autistic, which is portrayed in a very realistic way. It was so amazing and sweet, and I don't often enjoy the whole single parent trope very much. All in all, I really enjoyed this. The story is interesting, the characters are well written, and the rep was well done. My only small issue was some of the pacing. Certain parts felt like they dragged on a bit and could have been trimmed down just a touch. Still a super enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shyandmoodreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨

Omg 🥹🥹 I can't tell y'all how much I adored this book! It was so sweet and yet so spicy 🥵🔥. I'm sure we have all been patiently waiting for this book and let me tell you that the wait was worth it 😈. Matty & Elia are perfection 🥰 and it was also so nice to revisit Riley from Cherry Picking again through Matty's eyes 😍.

Matty is such a strong character and I fell for him instantly, thankfully it seems Elias also fell for him pretty fast 😏. He's been through insurmountable odds and still remains pretty positive and keeps his head up high, even with his hearing difficulties. Elias sees the beauty in him both the outside and the inside and he himself is such a sweet cinnamon roll character 🥹. Him being a single dad just made this whole story even more wonderful because it gave Matty the family he craved and justly deserved 🫶🫶💜.

The whole cast of characters were amazing and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it. The entire dynamic between Matty & Elias was breathtakingly beautiful and the tension was soooo electric 💥. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their friendship bloom and lines blur until they fell into one another 🫠😘. Well done! Such an amazing story and so great to see Matty's healing journey AND Elias own struggles being overcome as well 🥰😍.

[Shasta C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review.. 3.5⭐️
Starting with saying this is the first Trans book I've read, so that plays into my rating just because I didn't understand a lot of the terms (I had to read the book twice because the first go I was looking things up to see what they meant to give me a better understanding.)

*I feel like you will spend half of this book with questions and then it all starts flooding in in like the span of 2 chapters about 3/4 way through.
*I personally was confused why Mattys ex was such a major part of his story and kept being brought up and then a little let down when you reach basically the end of the book and finally hear their story.
*Elias is a protector, which I absolutely loved!
*I didn't love how in the span of one paragraph Matty refers to Elias by first name and also by Lee (his last name which he calls him a lot through the book) - I know they are the same person but that kept throwing me off.
*I was also confused with the epilogue and why Elias was still in school 4 years later, I feel like I missed something with that one.

Overall, such a good story. 👍

[Dannye Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Maybe we could dance together sometime.”

Matty’s a dancer with a broken heart. Elias is a single dad trying to keep his life together. When they meet at Randy’s Diner, something flares between them, passionate enough to scare their shaky hearts. But once Matty meets and bonds with Elias’s adorable son, they begin to wonder if it might be worth it to try again.

This entry in the Randy’s series is sexy and emotional. Past heartbreak has given Matty and Elias painful lessons in setting boundaries and communication, and it’s very sweet to watch them realize how good they are for each other, and how much they want to fight for this new chance at happiness. I loved that author Rikki Leighton was able to weave their experiences as a transmasc and hard-of-hearing writer into Matty’s character. Check out "Roleplay at Randy’s" for a fun twist on fake dating, an incredibly sensual dance on stage, and some very hot smut.

[Reading Rommance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute read! I had a lot of fun with it. Matty is great. He's confident and goes for what he wants. I love that he is unashamed of who he is and what he does and likes. Elia is great, too. He's thoughtful and kind. He's a great dad. I loved being able to see him explore this part of his sexuality despite being nervous. His sister was great, too. I enjoyed watching them pine after each other and finally get together, although there were times I was unsure why they were hesitant. Also, Matty's whole backstory with Riley didn't make complete sense to me. Maybe if it was told all at once? I'm not sure, but he felt a little hung up on Riley still. Overall, very fun!

Notes: 2/5 spice levels, cam boy mc, trans rep, single dad, autism rep (son), roommates, stripper mc, hard of hearing mc, dancer mcs

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roleplay at Randy’s is a sweet and easy-going read with plenty of charm. Matty and Elias make a lovely pair — both navigating life’s challenges while trying to find space for love again. I really enjoyed their chemistry and how naturally their connection developed, especially with Elias’s son adding such warmth to the story. Matty’s confidence and honesty were refreshing, and I liked how Elias’s quiet vulnerability balanced him out.

There were a few moments where I wished for a bit more depth, particularly around Matty’s past with Riley, which felt slightly unresolved. Still, the fake-dating setup and low-angst tone made this a really enjoyable comfort read. It’s heartfelt, hopeful, and has just the right amount of steam and sweetness.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julia Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this! I have been excited to read Matty's story since I read Riley's one. This was so beautifully written and it had me in my feels right from the start. I was teary eyed quite a bit of times, but I just couldn't help it, this story made me emotional.
I loved Elias and Matty's meet cute and the instant chemistry that I felt between them. I loved all of the pining and longing. Their road to their HEA is twisty and bumpy, but both of them had their own issues they needed to work through to be able to fully commit and give themselves to a relationship. I totally understood why they held back and were more cautious. In truth everything was at stake, and being hurt in the past does not help you be fearless when jumping into something that you feel could be special.

This story touched me and I cannot stop recommending it!

[Traci S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the book, here is my honest opinion:
Back to Randy’s diner! Randy’s is a fabulous setting a highlight for me across the books and authors. The characters here are very well crafted, layered and real. I also think you get a very realistic portrayal of parenting, I don’t generally love kids in my romance reads, but Cal and Elias were a wonderful exception. While this couple get a lovely HEA, I never connected with the romance side of the plot. I also wouldn’t consider this low angst. It’s actually quite fraught with tension and inner struggles. Matty feels quite stuck in his past, still recovering from the end of his relationship with Riley. It just goes on so long, so much energy spent on Riley and the past.

[Haven Lockeby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ughhhhhhh! This book was so sweet! Matty, Elias, and Cal have my freaking heart ❤️

These two were so clearly attracted to each other, but they each had their own issues to work through before they could fully commit themselves to their relationship. It’s such a realistic depiction as well. When you’ve been hurt before, it’s hard to open yourself back up to that type of potential pain again. It’s especially difficult when you have fears about being loved exactly as you are. When you’re a single parent, it’s so easy to lose yourself to the needs of your child.

The representation in this book was top tier. I love that it’s an Own Voice novel. This is my second book by this author, and needless to say there will be more.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Matty, a gay trans man with hearing problems, Elias, a singe dad to an autistic child and is a stripper, are such an adorable couple, and the way that Elias easily accepted Matty being a trans man, and Matty takes to being in Elias and his autistic son Cals life is just inspiring. Not that both characters have a lot to go through and learn from each other and others. Note as a trans man myself who hasn’t had top surgery like Matty has it gave me some dysphoria, but I was able to keep going because I loved the story and characters that much. But never push yourself to read anything you can because mental health is the most important.

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Roleplay at Randy's" is a contemporary fake dating romance. It is a little bit angsty but if you enjoy hurt/comfort you're really going to enjoy it, I know I did, and the happy ending was absolutely heartwarming.
Both Elias and Matty were wonderful people, very likable and relatable and they had fantastic chemistry, really explosive.
I also liked the relationship between Elias and his twin sister. Elias's son, Cal, was adorable and very well written. The book had great representation.
I loved following Elias and Matty's journey.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elias is so sweet. Not only is he an amazing dad but the sweet way he loves Matty was everything.
Both Matty and Elias have insecurities and sometimes those clash but the way that they both realize they messed up and talk about it with eachother is something more couples need to do.
Matty thinks he has to many "issues" for people to stay and love him for who he is but Elias loves him from the start because of all those things and it was so cute to read. I loved these two and i want to hug Cal to pieces.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. I haven’t read all of the books that center around Randy’s, but I have read most of them. Matty and Elias are very good together. Elias is so determined not to bring anyone into Calum’s life that will just eventually leave that he almost misses what is right in front of him. Matty is convinced no one can love him exactly as he is. They both have walls so high, it takes some work to get around them, but with a little patience, some help from friends, and one adorable 6 year old, these two figure out how to make it work.

[Molly Otto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im sorry for me this one didnt hit the right Randys Diner feel that I loved with the previous installments. Matty and Elias worked slowly at their friendship yet when they live with each other the push and pull through me off like they wanted and didnt want each other at the same time. The relationship they both had with Callum was sweet snd appreciated the effort in making the child important. for the life of me I couldn't understand why the ex seemed such a major role like do they want them back or not. One of those went in hoping for more than it ended up being.

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about this book, so here is a stream of consciousness type review.

When I read it, there were so many parts that just struck me. It is so emotional, so angsty and yet so full of love. Like why is there all this angst when it is so clear that they love one another. That’s life though. We all have trauma, we all have a past, and this was theirs.

Man, all I could think of as I moved through this story was a song. Roberta Flack’s Killing me Softly. I feel author Rikki Leighton has written an amazing book with Roleplay at Randy’s. It is for me a must read in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and engaging read. When Matty and Elias cross paths at Randy’s their adventure begins. As they spend time together the two find themselves with emotions coming to the forefront and choices to be made.
The characters are written well and their story was interesting. The pacing was slow in a few parts but overall, it is a nice book. Matty and Elias are good together and add in Callum and they make a sweet family. It was nice to see these two begin to connect and find their way to a happy ever after.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read, and it was nice to return to Randy’s for a bit! Matty and Elias were just precious, and I loved their dynamic, their pet names, and their absolute sweetness. Calum and Miya were great side characters, and I loved the time jump in the epilogue. I always love seeing characters in the future. Moderate angst, high heat, HEA.

This is my honest review of an advance reader copy.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elias is a single father of an autistic son and a male dancer. He is attracted to Matty a hard of hearing transmasc and cam boy. First they become friends, then Elias invites Matty to live with them platonically and babysit his son. All along he has wanted Matty but he has never been with a guy before. With good intentions they live together and try for something more. I received a copy of this and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Lindsay Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how these two fools thought they wouldn’t fall in love… silly silly boys! A baby bi/stripper single dad and a struggling/part-time cam-boy/trans guy who first think they can keep things platonic, then think they’ll be able to keep feelings out of it… But these two and Elias’ mostly non-verbal son make the sweetest family and the spice be spicing as these two explore each other—on and off screen.

[J K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book with wonderful representation - it was steamy and sweet while still dealing beautifully with some complicated life situations. Elias and Calum are doing fine but with the addition of Matty, everyone flourishes. The chemistry was palpable and the communication set a great example of all of us that struggle with it. Really great read - I love this series!

[Akasha721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about finding love for the first time with a man. Elias finds Matty attractive even though he has only been with women. The two fall in love and share a home with Elias's son for a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done book of coming to terms with love and sometimes complicated changes in one's life. The chemistry was easily relatable and the ease to which each character comforted the other is story unto itself.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it extremely strange that Matty kept his subscription service active after he started coaching kids in dance. I would've deleted that so fast out of fear a parent might find it.