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Nights Like These
Starting over sucks. At forty, Miles Koprowski thought he had life all figured out. He had a nice car, a hot young lover, and a cushy job… and then he didn’t. Call it fate, or karma, or a downturn in the market, but this opinionated cynic is now forced to play rent-a-cop in a dying office building in the burbs just to make ends meet. Throw in an unhinged ex, a coworker who hates him, and a hot new boss, and suddenly everything is uncertain.
Miles doesn’t plan on liking the night shift or becoming embroiled in a mystery that reawakens old passions and puts him in danger. And he certainly doesn’t plan on falling for the overbearing head of security, Colton Decker, former soldier and doting dad. But nights like these can change a man, make him start to believe there’s more to life than a high-paying job and a warm body in his bed. With a thief on the loose and his new job in jeopardy, Miles will have to decide what’s truly important. He might discover things he never knew he wanted… as long as he makes it through the night.
Miles doesn’t plan on liking the night shift or becoming embroiled in a mystery that reawakens old passions and puts him in danger. And he certainly doesn’t plan on falling for the overbearing head of security, Colton Decker, former soldier and doting dad. But nights like these can change a man, make him start to believe there’s more to life than a high-paying job and a warm body in his bed. With a thief on the loose and his new job in jeopardy, Miles will have to decide what’s truly important. He might discover things he never knew he wanted… as long as he makes it through the night.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2015
About the author
Chris Scully
19 books149 followersCHRIS SCULLY lives in Toronto, Canada. She grew up spinning romantic stories in her head and always dreamed of one day being a writer even though life had other plans. Her characters have accompanied her through career turns as a librarian and an IT professional, until finally, to escape the tedium of a corporate day job, she took a chance and began putting her daydreams down on paper.
Tired of the same old boy-meets-girl stories, she found a home in M/M romance and strives to give her characters the happy endings they deserve. She divides her time between a mundane 9-5 cubicle job and a much more interesting fantasy life. When she’s not working or writing (which isn’t often these days) she loves puttering in the garden and traveling. She is an avid reader and tries to bring pieces of other genres and styles to her stories. While her head is crammed full of all the things she’d like to try writing, her focus is always on the characters first. She describes her characters as authentic, ordinary people—the kind of guy you might meet on the street, or the one who might be your best friend.
Although keeping up with social media is still a struggle given her schedule, she does love to hear from readers.
Connect with Chris:
Website: chrisscullyblog.wordpress.com
Facebook: facebook.com/chris.scully.author
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6152322.Chr...
Email: cscully@bell.net
Tired of the same old boy-meets-girl stories, she found a home in M/M romance and strives to give her characters the happy endings they deserve. She divides her time between a mundane 9-5 cubicle job and a much more interesting fantasy life. When she’s not working or writing (which isn’t often these days) she loves puttering in the garden and traveling. She is an avid reader and tries to bring pieces of other genres and styles to her stories. While her head is crammed full of all the things she’d like to try writing, her focus is always on the characters first. She describes her characters as authentic, ordinary people—the kind of guy you might meet on the street, or the one who might be your best friend.
Although keeping up with social media is still a struggle given her schedule, she does love to hear from readers.
Connect with Chris:
Website: chrisscullyblog.wordpress.com
Facebook: facebook.com/chris.scully.author
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6152322.Chr...
Email: cscully@bell.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 23, 2018
This hit the spot! This is what I want from contemporary m/m romance:
Just two regular guys -- not two tormented souls who've been fiendishly abused or tormented or maimed or brutalized, or who are in a weirdly creepy submissive relationship to the birth family from which they've failed to properly individuate despite being grown men.
There's no such melodrama here -- just two regular guys who are (mostly) mature, (mostly) sensible, and (mostly) capable of communicating with each other. Miles is mouthy and funny and contrary. He's also struggling with having been downsized right out of his comfy white-collar career at the age of forty. Single father Colton is a veteran with a kind heart and a weakness for a man who can make him laugh.
Together they're caught up in a mystery involving possible theft at the company where they work. Colton is executive head of security; Miles is a brand-new security guard, his last-ditch employment opportunity after having been unable to hack it at McDonald's for more than a single shift. Fraternizing could cost Miles this desperately-needed job, but he's finding Colton, aka "Mr. Perfect," a temptation too difficult to resist.
The mystery is solid, the sparks fly -- and I even liked Colton's kid. *GASP* Yes, you heard it here first. I'm only sorry that I let this book languish on my wish list for such a long time before finally buying it. I am on my way now to check out Chris Scully's backlist.
Just two regular guys -- not two tormented souls who've been fiendishly abused or tormented or maimed or brutalized, or who are in a weirdly creepy submissive relationship to the birth family from which they've failed to properly individuate despite being grown men.
There's no such melodrama here -- just two regular guys who are (mostly) mature, (mostly) sensible, and (mostly) capable of communicating with each other. Miles is mouthy and funny and contrary. He's also struggling with having been downsized right out of his comfy white-collar career at the age of forty. Single father Colton is a veteran with a kind heart and a weakness for a man who can make him laugh.
Together they're caught up in a mystery involving possible theft at the company where they work. Colton is executive head of security; Miles is a brand-new security guard, his last-ditch employment opportunity after having been unable to hack it at McDonald's for more than a single shift. Fraternizing could cost Miles this desperately-needed job, but he's finding Colton, aka "Mr. Perfect," a temptation too difficult to resist.
The mystery is solid, the sparks fly -- and I even liked Colton's kid. *GASP* Yes, you heard it here first. I'm only sorry that I let this book languish on my wish list for such a long time before finally buying it. I am on my way now to check out Chris Scully's backlist.
March 12, 2015
The delicious, delicious snark here. I loved it.
Miles is just one of those characters whose head I love to live in. He’s so sarcastic and witty and bitchy and he’s having a run of bad luck. Dumped by his boy toy and out of work for a year he’s been living off his savings and moving from one dead end job to another. He lands a security job at a corporate office building at what should be a dull night shift and ends up being so much more than that.
He meet-cutes his bosses boss at a Tim Hortons and begins a delicate dance of attraction with the former soldier and now head of building security, Colton.This had such an interesting art world mystery that was uncovered that featured a lot of up and coming as well as prominent Canadian artists. I found myself Googling the artists and their work and that added a lovely visual aspect to the read and really drove home the work that Miles was doing. This story had a nice Canadian angle to it that was authentic and fun and really added to my enjoyment of the story.
I think would have jumped even more in my ratings if I had gotten a peek into Colton’s head as well as much as I loved Miles being exclusively in his head meant that Colton’s characterization was lighter. He had a great meaty backstory I would have loved dipping into his thoughts. He was wonderful though and I loved his interactions with Miles and with his daughter, Hayley. I just can’t help wanting more.
I’d love to read a sequel to this book. I think there’s more story to tell here with these characters and their lives. As it was though this was a tremendously satisfying read that had me laughing.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Miles is just one of those characters whose head I love to live in. He’s so sarcastic and witty and bitchy and he’s having a run of bad luck. Dumped by his boy toy and out of work for a year he’s been living off his savings and moving from one dead end job to another. He lands a security job at a corporate office building at what should be a dull night shift and ends up being so much more than that.
He meet-cutes his bosses boss at a Tim Hortons and begins a delicate dance of attraction with the former soldier and now head of building security, Colton.This had such an interesting art world mystery that was uncovered that featured a lot of up and coming as well as prominent Canadian artists. I found myself Googling the artists and their work and that added a lovely visual aspect to the read and really drove home the work that Miles was doing. This story had a nice Canadian angle to it that was authentic and fun and really added to my enjoyment of the story.
I think would have jumped even more in my ratings if I had gotten a peek into Colton’s head as well as much as I loved Miles being exclusively in his head meant that Colton’s characterization was lighter. He had a great meaty backstory I would have loved dipping into his thoughts. He was wonderful though and I loved his interactions with Miles and with his daughter, Hayley. I just can’t help wanting more.
I’d love to read a sequel to this book. I think there’s more story to tell here with these characters and their lives. As it was though this was a tremendously satisfying read that had me laughing.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
May 29, 2026
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
I loved and laughed at the snarky banter between 40yo lowly security guard Mediocre Miles Koprowski and the head of security, the unflappable Mr. Perfect Colton Decker, strong and masculine as his name suggests - this was a man you noticed. 😳 From their cliché but adorkable meet-cute to their heated nightly teamwork cracking the case behind the recent art thefts at his corporate office, it was sweet. 😊
Their chemistry was endearing and believable. I enjoyed seeing how long Miles could maintain his stubborn and cynical demeanor against Colton's flirtatious, irresistible charm until he slowly fell victim to him. A man could only take so much temptation. 💘 For his boss was just as stubborn in his patience for breaking down his self-imposed walls - who didn't shy away from expressing how much he was attracted to him.
The steam was hot when it sizzled, although it didn't really heat up the kitchen to full throttle, but I'll let it slide. 🥰 It also would have been nice to have Colton's POV, considering his own backstory with his daughter, Hayley. But Miles' own internal emotional turmoil dealing with the flood of happiness that swept over him from Miles' patience and acceptance carried the narrative nicely enough.
“Earlier… you said ‘If you were serious about me…’” I raised my eyes. “Are you? Serious?”
The gaze he leveled at me made my whole body tingle. “If you knew how serious I was, you’d be out that door.”
The mystery aspect was less than suspenseful or even delved deep enough into it to make it compelling that had me wanting to put on my detective hat to figure out who the culprit actually was. 🤷🏻♀️ But I figured this is one of those lighthearted romances where the true mystery is whether love will triumph against all odds. 🥺
Or that's me being a romantic. 😆
Still, it's the lonely Nights Like These that Miles had spent alone for so long that when he finally found - or rather stumbled into - the arms of someone, it was a happy, fortunate accident; it would be one belonging to someone more than happy and ready to fill the empty space in his home and his heart. 🫂
“I don’t expect you to be perfect. Nobody is. But you’re perfect for me. And that’s all that matters.”
I loved and laughed at the snarky banter between 40yo lowly security guard Mediocre Miles Koprowski and the head of security, the unflappable Mr. Perfect Colton Decker, strong and masculine as his name suggests - this was a man you noticed. 😳 From their cliché but adorkable meet-cute to their heated nightly teamwork cracking the case behind the recent art thefts at his corporate office, it was sweet. 😊
Their chemistry was endearing and believable. I enjoyed seeing how long Miles could maintain his stubborn and cynical demeanor against Colton's flirtatious, irresistible charm until he slowly fell victim to him. A man could only take so much temptation. 💘 For his boss was just as stubborn in his patience for breaking down his self-imposed walls - who didn't shy away from expressing how much he was attracted to him.
The steam was hot when it sizzled, although it didn't really heat up the kitchen to full throttle, but I'll let it slide. 🥰 It also would have been nice to have Colton's POV, considering his own backstory with his daughter, Hayley. But Miles' own internal emotional turmoil dealing with the flood of happiness that swept over him from Miles' patience and acceptance carried the narrative nicely enough.
“Earlier… you said ‘If you were serious about me…’” I raised my eyes. “Are you? Serious?”
The gaze he leveled at me made my whole body tingle. “If you knew how serious I was, you’d be out that door.”
The mystery aspect was less than suspenseful or even delved deep enough into it to make it compelling that had me wanting to put on my detective hat to figure out who the culprit actually was. 🤷🏻♀️ But I figured this is one of those lighthearted romances where the true mystery is whether love will triumph against all odds. 🥺
Or that's me being a romantic. 😆
Still, it's the lonely Nights Like These that Miles had spent alone for so long that when he finally found - or rather stumbled into - the arms of someone, it was a happy, fortunate accident; it would be one belonging to someone more than happy and ready to fill the empty space in his home and his heart. 🫂
January 23, 2015
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed the writing style.
I don't typically mind a first person POV if the character is one that I find believable and am not totally put off by being in his head. Miles is one of those characters. He's 40, penniless, and in a bad situation. Having been laid off from his career job and bled dry by his younger lover, he's now an hourly, low-paid, night-shift security guard. I kinda liked how Miles was a bit distant and not the type to get close to people. There's something attractive to me about a bristly, closed-off character. I'm not sure why (mirror? projecting?)
Miles runs into "Mr. Perfect", Colton, the head of security for the company that his company contracts for. Colton is dreamy and alpha and gets past Miles defenses. I like the two of them together. I like stories where one guy gets under another's skin and breaks down the barriers. Reading about the relationship between Miles and Colton was fun. Unfortunately, it was only about 20% of the book itself, and I wanted MORE.
The rest of the story is a corporate art theft plot that was "meh" in my mind. I called it from the beginning and was bored with it by the end. Not awful...just predictable. And overshadowed the romance I was hoping for.
The handful of side characters were not bad, interesting enough...but just not enough of them.
All in all the book was ok, but didn't blow my socks off.
January 29, 2015
3.5 stars
Chris Scully is one of my go-to-for-comfort authors. I have read all of her short stories and novellas so far and I love them all. Her writing style and storytelling fit my taste perfectly. So when I first found out that she would be releasing her first novel-length story, I didn't hesitate to pre-order, even without reading the blurb.
" Nights Like These " is a light romance-mystery fiction that I found quite enjoyable. The narrator (in 1st person POV) is 40-year-old Miles Koprowski, who lands a job as a night-shift security guy after being laid-off and unable to find decent work for the past 10 months. But just within the first few days, Miles stumbles into something more mysterious in this dead corporation building, when he discovers that some of the paintings decorating the building have been forged.
Miles is probably the prickliest characters I've ever read from Scully's books. He's stubborn, he can be a little self-deprecating with his wry humour, and he pushes people when they get to close. But it makes him entertaining to read. I have always have soft spot for grouchy distant characters -- probably because sometimes I feel like I'm one of these people in real life.
Miles's love interest -- though don't say that L word to Miles, will you? -- is the company's head of security, Colton Decker, a thirty-something single dad (with a teenager daughter) who Miles nicknamed as "Mr. Perfect". Colton is attractive and he gets under Miles's skin because he doesn't easily back down when Miles raising his inner-walls against possible closeness. It was really enjoyable reading their back and forth attraction. As always, Scully's romance falls into the sweet category rather than scorching, but I still found their sexy times as entertaining. Mainly because Miles still acting a bit surly even in bed.
The mystery part, unfortunately, is the weakest element of this story. Scully is not even attempting to weave complex twists and turns or offer red herrings for the answer of the mystery. The clues were glaringly obvious from quite the beginning, including the motivation for the forgery. For a mystery fan who gobbled up her Agatha Christie's novels in her teenager years, this reader is quite disappointed. Not to mention that art-theft mystery could be quite tedious, in my humble opinion, compared to a more urgent/thrilling crime cases like murder, for example. Though detectives working on art-theft/white-collar crime may not agree with me on that.
All in all, I still really liked it ... but not exactly my favorite from hers so far. I still look forward for her next books though.
Chris Scully is one of my go-to-for-comfort authors. I have read all of her short stories and novellas so far and I love them all. Her writing style and storytelling fit my taste perfectly. So when I first found out that she would be releasing her first novel-length story, I didn't hesitate to pre-order, even without reading the blurb.
" Nights Like These " is a light romance-mystery fiction that I found quite enjoyable. The narrator (in 1st person POV) is 40-year-old Miles Koprowski, who lands a job as a night-shift security guy after being laid-off and unable to find decent work for the past 10 months. But just within the first few days, Miles stumbles into something more mysterious in this dead corporation building, when he discovers that some of the paintings decorating the building have been forged.
Miles is probably the prickliest characters I've ever read from Scully's books. He's stubborn, he can be a little self-deprecating with his wry humour, and he pushes people when they get to close. But it makes him entertaining to read. I have always have soft spot for grouchy distant characters -- probably because sometimes I feel like I'm one of these people in real life.
Miles's love interest -- though don't say that L word to Miles, will you? -- is the company's head of security, Colton Decker, a thirty-something single dad (with a teenager daughter) who Miles nicknamed as "Mr. Perfect". Colton is attractive and he gets under Miles's skin because he doesn't easily back down when Miles raising his inner-walls against possible closeness. It was really enjoyable reading their back and forth attraction. As always, Scully's romance falls into the sweet category rather than scorching, but I still found their sexy times as entertaining. Mainly because Miles still acting a bit surly even in bed.
The mystery part, unfortunately, is the weakest element of this story. Scully is not even attempting to weave complex twists and turns or offer red herrings for the answer of the mystery. The clues were glaringly obvious from quite the beginning, including the motivation for the forgery. For a mystery fan who gobbled up her Agatha Christie's novels in her teenager years, this reader is quite disappointed. Not to mention that art-theft mystery could be quite tedious, in my humble opinion, compared to a more urgent/thrilling crime cases like murder, for example. Though detectives working on art-theft/white-collar crime may not agree with me on that.
All in all, I still really liked it ... but not exactly my favorite from hers so far. I still look forward for her next books though.
January 18, 2015
Displaced, mature man coming to grips with a newer, less affluent reality. After giving up pride and the sweet, young tail he'd been keeping, Miles lands a corporate security job which turns out to be way more exciting than he ever would have imagined.
There's murder, repeated thefts and a slew of suspects--including the smoking hot Mr. Perfect he collided with recently.
The mystery portion was well done since the blame kept getting shifted along through various characters and did a good job making you doubt and wonder. This is more of a cozy mystery in that Miles stumbles into something and recognizes things no one else does. Cue the art geeking, yep, there's babbling about Canadian artists and works, which even if you don't go for art is smooth enough to glide over.
The characters were likable, but not perfect. Colton and Miles both have enough background and baggage to be a bit dented in spots. There were a few character shifts that didn't seem to jive with previous actions, almost like Colton and Miles switched places. The secondary characters were amiable and the suspects were more questionable than dislikable.
The romance is hot and steamy when they get the chance. Kinda wish they'd gotten the chance to go full in, but the opening acts were satisfying. The story is a satisfying mystery with a romance featuring a more mature couple.
The ending: Big aaahhhh...
Overall, an amateur sleuth finds himself and love after he thinks he's given up.
Favorite passage:
Guest reviewed:
There's murder, repeated thefts and a slew of suspects--including the smoking hot Mr. Perfect he collided with recently.
The mystery portion was well done since the blame kept getting shifted along through various characters and did a good job making you doubt and wonder. This is more of a cozy mystery in that Miles stumbles into something and recognizes things no one else does. Cue the art geeking, yep, there's babbling about Canadian artists and works, which even if you don't go for art is smooth enough to glide over.
The characters were likable, but not perfect. Colton and Miles both have enough background and baggage to be a bit dented in spots. There were a few character shifts that didn't seem to jive with previous actions, almost like Colton and Miles switched places. The secondary characters were amiable and the suspects were more questionable than dislikable.
The romance is hot and steamy when they get the chance. Kinda wish they'd gotten the chance to go full in, but the opening acts were satisfying. The story is a satisfying mystery with a romance featuring a more mature couple.
The ending: Big aaahhhh...
Overall, an amateur sleuth finds himself and love after he thinks he's given up.
Favorite passage:
“Uh, in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not really a relaxed kind of guy.”
That made him smile. “You are a bit tightly wound.”
Guest reviewed:
January 29, 2015
Great read, have to think about what to write
February 6, 2015
Really enjoyed this light mystery romance. Miles is just the kind of hero I like - smart, feisty and a little sassy. So I found his first person POV narration entertaining and funny. The mystery was interesting and I had no idea who the perpetrator was going to be. I was actually pathetically grateful that the author wrote a mystery plot that didn't include a serial killer or a crazy ex! The romance was slow paced and there was good chemistry between the MC's. I could definitely read more about these two.
February 12, 2015
So much heat, and so many grins :D
I loved Miles' voice. And the tension between him and Colton. And all those little moments that showed something about the MCs. *hugs ereader*
One thing...I need Nico to be okay, will we get his story or do I need to make up my own?
I loved Miles' voice. And the tension between him and Colton. And all those little moments that showed something about the MCs. *hugs ereader*
One thing...I need Nico to be okay, will we get his story or do I need to make up my own?
January 30, 2015
3.5 rating
3 stars for the story and an extra .5 points for the likable characters, the snappy dialogue and the entertainment value of the story.
I smiled my way through this story. The dialogue was priceless, especially because Miles seemed to have a case of verbal diarrhea whenever he was in the presence of the oh-so-sexy Colton, and the way they flirted with each other was a kind of verbal duel from the very beginning that they met.
Don't read this story for the suspense -it's not that kind of story. Read it for well crafted characters, the example of a well turned phrase, turned into fun dialogue and the entertainment value, defined by slow burn, turning into hot chemistry.
Verdict: I had a lot of fun with this story. Don't make me wait for the next story, Scully. Get going!
3 stars for the story and an extra .5 points for the likable characters, the snappy dialogue and the entertainment value of the story.
I smiled my way through this story. The dialogue was priceless, especially because Miles seemed to have a case of verbal diarrhea whenever he was in the presence of the oh-so-sexy Colton, and the way they flirted with each other was a kind of verbal duel from the very beginning that they met.
Don't read this story for the suspense -it's not that kind of story. Read it for well crafted characters, the example of a well turned phrase, turned into fun dialogue and the entertainment value, defined by slow burn, turning into hot chemistry.
Verdict: I had a lot of fun with this story. Don't make me wait for the next story, Scully. Get going!
January 30, 2015
Any book that starts out in a Tim Horton's is going to earn major points with me. Because, hello, Canadian! The promise of that beginning (the adorkableness of Miles, the nice-guy alpha of Colton, and the gentle humour throughout) is certainly realized through the rest of the book. Miles' journey toward allowing himself to be loved and figuring out who he is, even at the age of 40, is well worth reading. And Colton is exactly the sort of alpha male I like to read — he's not overbearing or unavailable emotionally, just very confident in who he is and what he wants.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who likes a gentle mystery, a sweet romance, a bit of humour, and older characters figuring themselves out and finding love in the process.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who likes a gentle mystery, a sweet romance, a bit of humour, and older characters figuring themselves out and finding love in the process.
June 30, 2017
Si Back to You me pareció preciosa, debo confesar que ésta es, en mi humilde opinión, una mandanga de mucho cuidado. No puedo recomendarla, a no ser que estés muy interesada en los entresijos de la vida de las guardias de seguridad :/
January 30, 2015
I really liked Miles and Colton. However, I wanted more of them together. Miles, I laughed so hard at the things he would say and Colton would just go with it. I guess I wanted them to do things together besides solving the mystery. I wanted to see them together just being themselves. I didn't miss the sex in this story, at all. I just wanted more togetherness, more couple-time. Hell, even family time.
Overall, Miles won me over with his prickliness.
Overall, Miles won me over with his prickliness.
February 3, 2015
1.5 Disappointed Stars
This book did not work for me. Why? One word: Miles. I didn't care for his character. He was prickly, contrary, and unappealing. He was too chick-with-a-dick for my tastes, giving the book a re-purposed m/f feel. Blech! It was unfortunate because I really dug Colton Decker and the other characters. The "mystery" was meh and I didn't care for the resolution.
Bottom line: Nuh-uh.
This book did not work for me. Why? One word: Miles. I didn't care for his character. He was prickly, contrary, and unappealing. He was too chick-with-a-dick for my tastes, giving the book a re-purposed m/f feel. Blech! It was unfortunate because I really dug Colton Decker and the other characters. The "mystery" was meh and I didn't care for the resolution.
Bottom line: Nuh-uh.
March 12, 2015
This was really nice and romantic with a little bit of mystery thrown in. Lovely.
January 3, 2015
Reviewed for 
Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4 1/2 hearts
Have you ever read a book and almost instantly been able to identify with the main character because everything described feels so realistic that you can empathize, or relate to what they are thinking/experiencing, or have stood in their shoes? Miles was one of those characters for me. And while I haven’t literally experienced what he went through, it was easy to visualize through his eyes (or words) and I felt this unexplained instant connection. Part of the appeal was that he wasn’t perfect and his situation was unconventional – older, mostly a loner, down on his luck, and disgruntled in life and love – yes, Miles felt like an ordinary kind of guy with real life struggles.
There was plenty of tension and angst in different forms in this book to appeal to a variety of reader tastes. First, we have the down on his luck Miles who really needs his newest job as a security guard to keep afloat. He’s pinching pennies after being complicit in his own downfall by not keeping a closer eye on his money grubbing ex. Next, we have the multiple forces that seem to conspire to threaten Miles’ tenuous job security which include a co-worker who doesn’t show much love, and a boss (indirectly) who is perhaps showing too much love (well okay, not really love, but definitely some flirting and fraternization which is against policy, and most definitely mixed signals because he’s straight, and married with a kid – right?). And speaking of the boss (otherwise known as Colton – the guy he inadvertently met (tripped over) at a coffee shop and later found out is the head of security at the client office he’s contracted to work at), he gets Miles caught up in a little sideline mystery (going around his direct boss) when Miles happens to mention an observation or two about odd things around the office. And last, but not least, did I mention that Miles’ predecessor was killed and that creepy things start to happen to Miles such as anonymous phone calls and a slashed tire (not to mention that feeling of being watched)?
The romance between Miles and Colton is super slow burn. Miles has been alone for most of his life, has a bit of a self-image issue, and has built some pretty sturdy walls around his heart. Lucky for him, Colton is pretty perceptive, not to mention determined. Colton is able to see through the thinly disguised protection and burrow under Miles’ skin ever so slowly. On the one hand, the anticipation was sweet and the little bits of romance and lust felt like appetizers prior to the main dish. On the other hand, the only two things I craved more of were to be a witness to the fulfillment of the promise extracted for their first “real” date, and a little more than HFN ending – their relationship still felt very much in that “new and scary” phase at the end of the book. Everything else – the characters, the humor, the mystery – had me happily engaged and loving it! Chris Scully was a “new to me” author, but now that I’ve started, I’m looking forward to checking out more of her work!!
Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4 1/2 heartsHave you ever read a book and almost instantly been able to identify with the main character because everything described feels so realistic that you can empathize, or relate to what they are thinking/experiencing, or have stood in their shoes? Miles was one of those characters for me. And while I haven’t literally experienced what he went through, it was easy to visualize through his eyes (or words) and I felt this unexplained instant connection. Part of the appeal was that he wasn’t perfect and his situation was unconventional – older, mostly a loner, down on his luck, and disgruntled in life and love – yes, Miles felt like an ordinary kind of guy with real life struggles.
There was plenty of tension and angst in different forms in this book to appeal to a variety of reader tastes. First, we have the down on his luck Miles who really needs his newest job as a security guard to keep afloat. He’s pinching pennies after being complicit in his own downfall by not keeping a closer eye on his money grubbing ex. Next, we have the multiple forces that seem to conspire to threaten Miles’ tenuous job security which include a co-worker who doesn’t show much love, and a boss (indirectly) who is perhaps showing too much love (well okay, not really love, but definitely some flirting and fraternization which is against policy, and most definitely mixed signals because he’s straight, and married with a kid – right?). And speaking of the boss (otherwise known as Colton – the guy he inadvertently met (tripped over) at a coffee shop and later found out is the head of security at the client office he’s contracted to work at), he gets Miles caught up in a little sideline mystery (going around his direct boss) when Miles happens to mention an observation or two about odd things around the office. And last, but not least, did I mention that Miles’ predecessor was killed and that creepy things start to happen to Miles such as anonymous phone calls and a slashed tire (not to mention that feeling of being watched)?
The romance between Miles and Colton is super slow burn. Miles has been alone for most of his life, has a bit of a self-image issue, and has built some pretty sturdy walls around his heart. Lucky for him, Colton is pretty perceptive, not to mention determined. Colton is able to see through the thinly disguised protection and burrow under Miles’ skin ever so slowly. On the one hand, the anticipation was sweet and the little bits of romance and lust felt like appetizers prior to the main dish. On the other hand, the only two things I craved more of were to be a witness to the fulfillment of the promise extracted for their first “real” date, and a little more than HFN ending – their relationship still felt very much in that “new and scary” phase at the end of the book. Everything else – the characters, the humor, the mystery – had me happily engaged and loving it! Chris Scully was a “new to me” author, but now that I’ve started, I’m looking forward to checking out more of her work!!
January 30, 2015
Miles hits 40 and loses his well-paid professional IT job. Yeah, I can relate to that because the same thing happened to me. Unlike Miles though, I did not take up a security guard post and get to investigate a rather intriguing art theft whilst becoming obsessed with the security director. Oh well, life cannot be as interesting as a novel.
Anyway, Miles was a compelling character, and easy to sympathize with as he gets himself together again after being depressed for a year or two. There was something admirable about seeing him go to work in a low paid manual job, swallowing his pride etc. And I enjoyed the whole work politics going on with his new colleagues.
The relationship that developed between Miles and Colton seemed, to me, a little too formal. I know they had a working relationship and that made it awkward, but at times I felt they could have done with a bit more chemistry. However, the idea that Colton may be a suspect in the theft, along with all the other staff, including Miles, gave great tension and kept me reading.
Poor Nico! I actually felt sorry for Nico, and I liked the way the author intimated that the younger guy was really in love with Miles and just didn’t know how to cope with his older boyfriends’ demotivated state after he lost his job. So that made me question the idea that Nico was only into Miles for his money and made me think that younger guys in a relationship may not have the maturity or experience to deal with an older guy’s moods, and so cannot always be blamed for drifting away. I was hoping Miles would ditch Colton and get back with Nico at one point because it seemed kind of sad that it didn’t work out for them in the past.
All in all, I’d say this is a well written crime mystery with a light dose of romance that keeps the reader intrigued enough to sail through the book.
Hopefully Chris Scully has more novels on the way.
Anyway, Miles was a compelling character, and easy to sympathize with as he gets himself together again after being depressed for a year or two. There was something admirable about seeing him go to work in a low paid manual job, swallowing his pride etc. And I enjoyed the whole work politics going on with his new colleagues.
The relationship that developed between Miles and Colton seemed, to me, a little too formal. I know they had a working relationship and that made it awkward, but at times I felt they could have done with a bit more chemistry. However, the idea that Colton may be a suspect in the theft, along with all the other staff, including Miles, gave great tension and kept me reading.
Poor Nico! I actually felt sorry for Nico, and I liked the way the author intimated that the younger guy was really in love with Miles and just didn’t know how to cope with his older boyfriends’ demotivated state after he lost his job. So that made me question the idea that Nico was only into Miles for his money and made me think that younger guys in a relationship may not have the maturity or experience to deal with an older guy’s moods, and so cannot always be blamed for drifting away. I was hoping Miles would ditch Colton and get back with Nico at one point because it seemed kind of sad that it didn’t work out for them in the past.
All in all, I’d say this is a well written crime mystery with a light dose of romance that keeps the reader intrigued enough to sail through the book.
Hopefully Chris Scully has more novels on the way.
May 19, 2015
Good story with some heat to it, and many, many laughs. I was crying with laughter more than once, Miles' snark was just so good.
The story itself was interesting enough to hold my attention, the mystery was compelling, and I loved how the Miles and Colton's relationship was approached with some maturity due to their ages, but also inexperience and vulnerability due to their respective histories.
Last year I was considering majoring in art history, so that's a bonus too ;)
Read it in one sitting and never felt a dull moment. Definitely recommended!
The story itself was interesting enough to hold my attention, the mystery was compelling, and I loved how the Miles and Colton's relationship was approached with some maturity due to their ages, but also inexperience and vulnerability due to their respective histories.
Last year I was considering majoring in art history, so that's a bonus too ;)
Read it in one sitting and never felt a dull moment. Definitely recommended!
January 12, 2017
Story had potential, but main pov character is aggressively unlikeable. It's impossible to understand what the other guy sees in him.
Should have been a home run: Toronto setting, DVP, Tim Horton's, double-double, Group of Seven, Jewish MC--these are some Delores-nip ingredients. But the book is dry and meh.
Should have been a home run: Toronto setting, DVP, Tim Horton's, double-double, Group of Seven, Jewish MC--these are some Delores-nip ingredients. But the book is dry and meh.
February 3, 2015
Review Available Now @ Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
October 16, 2018
3.5 stars
Enjoyed this. Straightforward plot (not too incredible), interesting MCs, fair amount of snark. Would definitely read more by Chris Scully.
Enjoyed this. Straightforward plot (not too incredible), interesting MCs, fair amount of snark. Would definitely read more by Chris Scully.
August 3, 2020
3.75 rounded up!
I liked it! I wasn't in love with it, and at times reading it was a little tedious, but it was enjoyable none the less!
The MC, Miles Koprowski, talks us through the fall of his most recent relationship (unfulfilling at best) and the tedium of his new job as a security guard for an office supplies and services company, while trying to uncover a corporate art heist.
Lots of introspection on Miles' part, with most of the internal dialogue and half of the external dialogue revolving around him admitting how much of a crap person he is.
Some people didn't like the fact that he's a big ol' bitch 99% of the time, but I thought it was refreshing!
Not all MC's have to be knights in shining armour riding upon a steed doing valiant things, gallivanting around town saving princes. His attitude seemed real and fleshed out and genuine; someone who went through what he went through wouldn't be prancing around like Julie Andrews.
As far as the plot...meh. Super predictable, and as I mentioned earlier, a little tedious.
What I mean by that is: the writing wasn't productive. For 200 pages, I expected a bit more action both romantically (not necessarily sex, just more time with Colton, the other MC) and plot-wise. There just wasn't enough advancement, with most of the scenes being re-iterations of things that just happened a few pages ago.
The setting was great though! Being a fellow Torontonian and reading about Timmies, the book felt like home. I didn't have to extensively research what the locale looked like, and Scully managed to capture the overall vibe of Toronto in a very discreet, almost intimate way.
Anyways, I agree with most people and think that Colton should have had his own POV in the novel. It would've given more opportunity for character development, building the romance between him and Miles, and also giving us more action, as a lot of the action happened off-page which was unexpected and slightly saddening. T.T
Other than that, if you're looking for a light read with some snarky sass and a great locale, then this is the book for you!
Till (Til?) next time!
Muah!
-M
I liked it! I wasn't in love with it, and at times reading it was a little tedious, but it was enjoyable none the less!
The MC, Miles Koprowski, talks us through the fall of his most recent relationship (unfulfilling at best) and the tedium of his new job as a security guard for an office supplies and services company, while trying to uncover a corporate art heist.
Lots of introspection on Miles' part, with most of the internal dialogue and half of the external dialogue revolving around him admitting how much of a crap person he is.
Some people didn't like the fact that he's a big ol' bitch 99% of the time, but I thought it was refreshing!
Not all MC's have to be knights in shining armour riding upon a steed doing valiant things, gallivanting around town saving princes. His attitude seemed real and fleshed out and genuine; someone who went through what he went through wouldn't be prancing around like Julie Andrews.
As far as the plot...meh. Super predictable, and as I mentioned earlier, a little tedious.
What I mean by that is: the writing wasn't productive. For 200 pages, I expected a bit more action both romantically (not necessarily sex, just more time with Colton, the other MC) and plot-wise. There just wasn't enough advancement, with most of the scenes being re-iterations of things that just happened a few pages ago.
The setting was great though! Being a fellow Torontonian and reading about Timmies, the book felt like home. I didn't have to extensively research what the locale looked like, and Scully managed to capture the overall vibe of Toronto in a very discreet, almost intimate way.
Anyways, I agree with most people and think that Colton should have had his own POV in the novel. It would've given more opportunity for character development, building the romance between him and Miles, and also giving us more action, as a lot of the action happened off-page which was unexpected and slightly saddening. T.T
Other than that, if you're looking for a light read with some snarky sass and a great locale, then this is the book for you!
Till (Til?) next time!
Muah!
-M
June 6, 2015
Cool story! This is truly a great light romance between Miles and Colton. I liked them as a coupled pair. The dialogues between those two, were full of humor. So yeah enjoyable, light romance. I wouldn't mind reading a sequel.
There is one paragraph, I really liked in this story:
“I’m not, you know… perfect.”
“I know. I don’t expect you to be. Nobody is.
But you’re perfect for me. And that’s all that matters.”
I totally agree!!!
There is one paragraph, I really liked in this story:
“I’m not, you know… perfect.”
“I know. I don’t expect you to be. Nobody is.
But you’re perfect for me. And that’s all that matters.”
I totally agree!!!
February 15, 2015
Chris Scully has become one of my favorite authors.
Loved this one too!
Great job. Those guys were lovely! And the mystery well fun! :)
Loved this one too!
Great job. Those guys were lovely! And the mystery well fun! :)
February 7, 2015
It was a easy read...I laughed and smiled and there was romance too
February 14, 2021
I did have some issues with this book, and was between three and four stars for my rating. But it has stuck with me after reading it (I read a lot of books and not all of them are memorable, where as this one was), and I found it hard to put down, so I decided on four.
My issues mostly had to do with the narrator's immature behavior and stupidity. Miles is supposed to be 40 years old, but seemed a lot younger than that to me. I am similarly aged, and consider myself an immature person as well, but still have more emotional maturity than the he did. I think it would have been more believable if Miles was around 30. It also got my nerves how he acted too much like a spoiled brat sometimes.
I liked the love interest Colton, even if he was a bit too perfect. Miles points that out though, and even nicknames him "Mr. Perfect". I also liked the chemistry between Colton and Miles, even though it was a bit hard to understand what Colton saw in Miles. Miles doesn't think of himself as good looking, I actually had a hard time picturing what Miles looked like and could visualize Colton much easier. Colton can't resist Miles and even acts recklessly around him because of the attraction and lust. I actually like the fact that Miles might not be traditionally attractive and still gets the hot guy he wants, but it still would have been nice if I could have pictured his appearance better. In general, I thought the romance felt too rushed, even though I did enjoy it. I actually would have liked to have seen even more intimacy between the MCs since the chemistry we did see was hot.
I was also a bit weirded out by the relationship Colton had with his teenaged daughter. It wasn't incestuous or anything like that, but it did strike me as strange that he wasn't embarrassed at all when his daughter caught him making out with Miles. Not because he was making out with a man, but because a kid walking in on their parent in that kind of situation is uncomfortable. Especially since it was later stated that Colton hadn't brought other lovers home for his daughter to meet, so that was the first time she'd seen him making out with someone other than her mother. Colton's wife had passed away five years earlier, but he was still wearing his wedding ring at that point. I would have found it more believable if the daughter needed more time to get used to her father's new relationship, instead of instantly accepting it.
The mysteries in the book were predictable and it wasn't very suspenseful. I think of it as a romance with some light mystery/suspense, and not vice versa. I found the romance more engaging than the mystery, and wish it had been better developed. Miles and Colton's relationship felt too rushed to me at the end, and I think another scene or two of them becoming more intimate would have helped.
This is the third book I've read by this author. I previously read Inseparable and When Adam Kissed Me, which are two novellas about the same characters. I enjoyed those stories, but as with Nights Like These, I wished that the romantic relationship was developed more. I only gave those novellas 3 stars each since they were too short, and think I would have liked it better if Scully had turned them into a longer and more fleshed out book. I realize now that those are the first two stories she ever had published. They are good for a beginning author and show that she has potential to be even better. I think Night Like These was an improvement over those earlier novellas, and plan on checking out other books by Scully as well. Her writing style might not be perfect, and I might take issue with certain character behaviors and/or plot points. But I still find her books very engaging, and she knows how to keep my interest.
My issues mostly had to do with the narrator's immature behavior and stupidity. Miles is supposed to be 40 years old, but seemed a lot younger than that to me. I am similarly aged, and consider myself an immature person as well, but still have more emotional maturity than the he did. I think it would have been more believable if Miles was around 30. It also got my nerves how he acted too much like a spoiled brat sometimes.
I liked the love interest Colton, even if he was a bit too perfect. Miles points that out though, and even nicknames him "Mr. Perfect". I also liked the chemistry between Colton and Miles, even though it was a bit hard to understand what Colton saw in Miles. Miles doesn't think of himself as good looking, I actually had a hard time picturing what Miles looked like and could visualize Colton much easier. Colton can't resist Miles and even acts recklessly around him because of the attraction and lust. I actually like the fact that Miles might not be traditionally attractive and still gets the hot guy he wants, but it still would have been nice if I could have pictured his appearance better. In general, I thought the romance felt too rushed, even though I did enjoy it. I actually would have liked to have seen even more intimacy between the MCs since the chemistry we did see was hot.
I was also a bit weirded out by the relationship Colton had with his teenaged daughter. It wasn't incestuous or anything like that, but it did strike me as strange that he wasn't embarrassed at all when his daughter caught him making out with Miles. Not because he was making out with a man, but because a kid walking in on their parent in that kind of situation is uncomfortable. Especially since it was later stated that Colton hadn't brought other lovers home for his daughter to meet, so that was the first time she'd seen him making out with someone other than her mother. Colton's wife had passed away five years earlier, but he was still wearing his wedding ring at that point. I would have found it more believable if the daughter needed more time to get used to her father's new relationship, instead of instantly accepting it.
The mysteries in the book were predictable and it wasn't very suspenseful. I think of it as a romance with some light mystery/suspense, and not vice versa. I found the romance more engaging than the mystery, and wish it had been better developed. Miles and Colton's relationship felt too rushed to me at the end, and I think another scene or two of them becoming more intimate would have helped.
This is the third book I've read by this author. I previously read Inseparable and When Adam Kissed Me, which are two novellas about the same characters. I enjoyed those stories, but as with Nights Like These, I wished that the romantic relationship was developed more. I only gave those novellas 3 stars each since they were too short, and think I would have liked it better if Scully had turned them into a longer and more fleshed out book. I realize now that those are the first two stories she ever had published. They are good for a beginning author and show that she has potential to be even better. I think Night Like These was an improvement over those earlier novellas, and plan on checking out other books by Scully as well. Her writing style might not be perfect, and I might take issue with certain character behaviors and/or plot points. But I still find her books very engaging, and she knows how to keep my interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2019
I've been a fan of Scully's work ever since I read the "Inseparable" duology and this book affirmed my love of it. The way she develops her stories and her immensely likeable characters definately make her one of my favorite authors in the genre.
"Nights Like These" is such a sweet and honestly comforting story, and Miles, the MC, is incredibly relatable. The narrative is told from Mile's POV, gracing it with a hefty amount of wit and sarcasm, making us love him all the more for it. The plot, containing both romance and mystery, is pretty well developed, with no insta-love nor with a big poorly created reveal of the criminal at the end; but, I must say, things do get pretty cheesy. Although some might argue that it has a fairly simple plot, I would insist that it's just part of the charm.
All in all, it's a story that'll make you smile, laugh and feel warm when you've finished. It has relatable and likeable characters, a decent plot and dimples. What more could you ask for?
"Nights Like These" is such a sweet and honestly comforting story, and Miles, the MC, is incredibly relatable. The narrative is told from Mile's POV, gracing it with a hefty amount of wit and sarcasm, making us love him all the more for it. The plot, containing both romance and mystery, is pretty well developed, with no insta-love nor with a big poorly created reveal of the criminal at the end; but, I must say, things do get pretty cheesy. Although some might argue that it has a fairly simple plot, I would insist that it's just part of the charm.
All in all, it's a story that'll make you smile, laugh and feel warm when you've finished. It has relatable and likeable characters, a decent plot and dimples. What more could you ask for?
August 6, 2017
A nice simple read. Not a lot if sex but some sweet chemistry.
November 2, 2017
3.5 stars
July 31, 2019
Another addition to my 'Must Read' shelf! Loved it!
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