Something Unbelievable

by Rory Maxwell

JAMIE CABOT thought this adulting stuff would be a lot easier. He’s got a job—well, two, really—and his very own apartment. Not needing to share a bedroom with his brothers anymore might be the best part. Life is good. So why does it feel so overwhelming? Like every time he turns around, he’s faced with another disaster that he has no idea how to fix. Luckily, his landlord is super helpful—and also super hot. If only Jamie wasn’t just as bad at flirting as he is at adulting.

CHRISTIAN HALE has always been good with his hands. After making a lifestyle change, he needed a project. Buying and renovating an outdated apartment building seemed like a great idea. In reality, he’s spending more time fixing the stuff his disaster-prone tenant breaks than he is on his to-do list. Chris would be irritated—except the boy is too damn adorable to get upset with. He’d rather give Jamie a hug and tell him not to worry—Daddy will take care of everything. But hitting on his tenant would be crossing a line, right?

Something Unbelievable is a novella in the Split Rock Ranch universe. It takes place chronologically between books 6 and 7 but can be read as a stand-alone. It was previously available on Bookfunnel and no changes have been made to the content.

Genres: M M Romance, Novella, Romance

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2024

About the author

Rory Maxwell discovered romance novels on her mom’s bookshelf when she was probably too young to be reading them—the reward for being a nosy kid with great reading comprehension. The magic of a dial-up internet connection led her to the wonderful world of MM fanfiction a few years later and she fell in love with the genre. In 2019 she woke up with a plot bunny, opened a word doc, and started trying to figure out how this writing stuff worked.

Rory grew up outside of Washington, DC, moved away, and then came back for reasons she doesn’t fully understand. An artist and writer, she always has too many exciting ideas and not nearly enough free time. One day, she hopes to escape to the mountains and open an LGBTQIA+ friendly bed and breakfast where she can work from home and write as much as she wants. In the meantime, she splits her time between her day job and writing MM romance with heart, heat, and happy endings.

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Reviews

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie is a walking disaster that is in desperate need of a daddy. Christian cannot help bit wonder is this boy causing this mayhem on purpose or just that unlucky. You cannot help but laugh with each interaction until they stop fighting their attraction and go for something real. Rory does as Rory does in writing a beautifully balanced daddy boy romance and shows they are able to do it a novella as well as they do in their longer works. These two just play off of one another so well with so many lol and aww moments blended together beautifully.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie is a walking disaster waiting to strike. He really does need someone to take care of him. His new landlord Chris is the perfect man for the job. It has been such a long time since I read the other books in this series. I need to go back and read them again. I enjoyed these two. Jamie has a heart of gold. He can’t help it if he is just accidental prone.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Unbelievable by Rory Maxwell is a Split Rock Ranch Novella and takes place in Split Rock, North Carolina. It is the story of an accident-prone young man who is desperately in need of a Daddy and finds one in owner of his apartment building. Chris Hale had always enjoyed visiting Split Rock while growing up and when the opportunity came for him to relocate and work remotely, he bought the building that housed his family’s apartment. Unfortunately, it hasn’t had many upgrades since the 1970’s so he spends a lot of time working to fix things and make upgrades. That is where he literally runs into his tenant, Jamie Cabot. Jamie grew up in Split Rock but moved out of his family’s house because he wanted a place of his own and to get away from his brothers’ teasing. He found the apartment because it was cheap and he was subletting it. He worked two jobs, one as a barista and the other delivering items from the general store. He was also the biggest clutz around and if something could go wrong, it was going to if Jamie was involved. Luckily people liked him and knew this about him so they were wary around him but also forgiving. Jamie met Chris when his key broke in his lock at his apartment and he was late for work. Chris said he will fix it while he is gone and tells him to tie his shoes, Jamie’s first clue that Chris might be a Daddy. Jamie is intrigued and would like to get his attention but doesn’t know how. Chris also thinks Jamie is adorable but refuses to get involved because he is the landlord and Jamie is his tenant. After several more “incidents” involving both of them, things come to a head when it is extremely hot out and Chris needs to get an air conditioner for their apartments. He finds a very scantily clad Jamie running ice cubes up and down his body as he installs it and then he runs away. His friends tell him that Jamie was giving him clues that he wanted him, especially when he called him Daddy. One other big thing brought on by Jamie’s clumsiness is the final straw when he goes running to Chris for help and tells him he wants him. They kiss and Chris sets about fixing what went wrong and takes him to a B & B where they have several hot love scenes and when Daddy takes care of things they know they are going to fall in love. Jamie’s luck doesn’t really change much but Chris helps him find ways to focus more and work on his real love of writing and to make friends with Chris’s buddies and their boyfriends and they do indeed fall in love. I really enjoyed this short story. I have never heard of a person who had as much bad luck as Jamie did but everyone knows about it and still likes him. It was his bad luck that brought him to Chris. Chris was a Daddy and protective and was good at fixing things, which was necessary when dealing with Jamie. He thought he was cute and adorable and wanted to make things better for him, which he did. Jamie’s family and Chris’s friends played a small part in the story but everything revolved around their growing attraction and love. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like Daddy/Boy stories without age play, a Boy who has a penchant for causing accidental disasters, and a Daddy who knows just how to fix everything as they fall in love.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is an absolute delight—sweet, spicy, and filled with the kind of soft-hearted warmth that makes it impossible to put down. Jamie is the sort of character you can’t help but adore from the moment he stumbles onto the page: earnest, accident-prone, and trying so desperately to figure out adulthood one mishap at a time. His knack for turning everyday tasks into small-scale disasters should make him frustrating, but instead it just renders him irresistibly charming.

Chris, meanwhile, is the perfect foil. Steady, patient, and endlessly capable, he’s the kind of man who can fix a broken appliance with one hand and soothe a flustered boy with the other. His quiet attraction to Jamie simmers so beautifully—restrained only by good intentions and a solid sense of responsibility. Watching him try to maintain professional boundaries while Jamie keeps looking at him like he hangs the moon is half the fun.

Their chemistry is instant but tender, blending playful flirtation with the budding promise of a proper Daddy/boy dynamic. The age gap is handled thoughtfully, and Chris’s protectiveness never feels overbearingmore like the grounding presence Jamie didn’t realise he’d been missing. And Jamie’s transformation from timid cinnamon roll to bold, eager flirt is both adorable and wickedly entertaining.

Despite its short length, the story packs in plenty of emotion, intimacy, and heat, all wrapped up in a cosy slice-of-life atmosphere that fits perfectly within the Split Rock Ranch universe. A quick, heartwarming read with just the right amount of spice—this pairing is a joy, and I’m already itching to dive further into the series. Loved it!
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Ashley Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell absolutely in love with both Chris and Jamie. Jamie my poor baby is accident prone and a klutz. He makes lots of messes and has some really bad luck but he's oddly super charming and I don't think anyone could hate him. He may be a little cinnamon roll but when he meets Chris and almost immediately has the urge to call him "daddy" it's all over and the little cinnamon roll turns into a naughty seductive boy determined to get his daddy to notice him even if it doesn't always go the way he planned. What he doesn't know is that Chris noticed him from the first moment they spoke but with him being about 16 years older than him plus his new landlord he didn't want to make him uncomfortable so he kept quiet. But in the face of such chaos in human form he can't help but feel a protective instinct in him to take care of Jamie and to have him trust him to fix all his messes because he can't help but want to nurture his boy. They were beautiful, hot, tender and absolutely sweet together. Definitely made to be and I really enjoyed their story. Chris was so patient and understanding and that's something Jamie needed. And it doesn't help that his daddy gives him a competency kink to boot. This was a fun, quick sweet and spicy story. The author really packed a punch with only a little over 80 something pages and that says alot. I'm excited to read their other books in this series!

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what a delightful story this was!!

You want a feel-good story? Stop right now. This is it!

Christian Hale is the new owner of the apartment building where Jamie Cabot lives.
Chris has his hands full with renovations. There’s so much stuff to fix.
Stuff Jamie is involved with. Jamie is a walking disaster, but extremely adorable.

Jamie tries to flirt with the new owner because dang, the man is Daddy material and hot af. But it seems he’s not good at it. Chris keeps him at arm’s length, even though he has his hands full with everything that goes wrong with clumsy Jamie.

Chris is hugely charmed by the adorable guy who’s always in trouble. Chris is a Daddy, and Jamie is exactly what he loves in a boy. But he can’t act on it, the guy is his tenant.

What follows is too cute to describe. It’s just EVERYTHING!!
I laughed out loud. The situations Jamie got into, he is such an adorable, clumsy, walking disaster, oblivious, and chaotic, you can only love him. And gosh did Chris love him!

I love this series!! This addition was absolutely amazing!

Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

his adorable novella serves now as the prequel to the Split Rock Ranch series. 24yo Jamie is holding down 2 jobs in order to afford his run down apartment in a building which now has a new landlord. Christian wanted to make some changes in his life and so he decided to buy a building that holds some fond childhood memories and fix it up. One fine day they run into each other - literally! - when Jamie trips over Christian's toolbox and Christian keeps Jamie from getting hurt. Jamie is a bit of a disaster, but absolutely the cutest one! He needs a Daddy to help get him out of trouble and Christian is the right one for the job! I love how these bumble and tumble into love! I enjoyed reading this so much! Jamie realizes that a competent Daddy who can fix anything is the hottest thing around and Christian realizes that he just wants to care for Jamie and praise his good boy...swoon! Great intro to the universe and characters of Split Rock Ranch!

What to Expect:
*landlord + tenant MCs
*age gap
*highly competent/fix it all MC
*accident prone MC
*Daddy kink
*praise/good boy
*some spice
*HEA

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is part of the author’s Split Rock series but can be read as a complete standalone. It features an accident prone Jamie and Chris, his hot, older, PATIENT landlord.

This book was super short but it was hilarious with all of the trouble Jamie got himself into. I even caught myself cringing at some of the things he did. It’s a wonder the poor guy hadn’t already seriously hurt himself or someone around him. None of it was intentional though, he was completely earnest in everything he did which just made me love him to bits… the s3xy Daddy talk didn’t hurt none either.

This book was a quick and easy read, only taking around an hour to finish but it was tons of fun and had loads of steam once Chris finally let himself have what he wanted. It contains a mild Daddy/boy relationship with no age play that was as fun as it was adorable. Not sure yet if you want to read it? Let’s see, it’s quick and easy to read, funny and hot, what more could you want? Seriously, check it out; I loved it! 4.5 stars

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Christian Hale returned to Split Rock, North Carolina he came with a plan to set down roots and refurbish the apartment building he recently purchased. He did not plan on Jamie Cabot running into him and basically knocking down everything around him. Despite being twenty-four years old Jamie is just making it with two part time jobs and living in an outdated apartment. He is a walking accident waiting to happen and if something is going to go wrong, it usually does. He would love an older daddy to love him but he has not found one.
Christian is equally frustrated and enchanted by Jamie. His life has been a lot more dangerous since he met his renter but he cannot seem to stay away from the sweet, younger man. Jamie needs a hand to guide him and Christian wants to be the daddy to do it.
This is a sweet novella that takes place in the Split Rock Ranch universe but is not involved in the ranch series. Rory Maxwell writes a great story that is charming, funny, and sweet.
I received an ARC for my honest review

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, fun, quick read.
Jamie is definitely in need of a Daddy. He isn't little, but simply struggles with day to day things that have to do with adulting.
Christian tries his best to keep away from Jamie because he is the landlord, but Jamie doesn't make it easy, he's too adorable and trouble has a way of finding him.
They both feel instantly attracted, and thanks to Jamie having so many situations arise and causing them to be together frequently, it isn't long before they become boyfriends and Daddy/boy. They fit together very well, all their personal likes and interests found in the other, and leading towards love and HEA.
The only angst found in this book is from Jamie's mishaps.

I received an ARC from GRR, this is my honest opinion.

[GreenwingReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so cute, I almost couldn't stand it.

Jamie is an adorable ball of chaos. He tries his best, he really does, but he needs a keeper. Luckily for him (and us readers), Chris is up for the job. There is not a single negative thing I can say about either of these characters. They are both so kind, sweet, and swoony together. Chris is steady and patient and Jamie brings some much needed color and chaos into his life. In return, Chris grounds Jamie and slows him down (or tries to). And he's always ready to step in when his boy needs him.

For being such a short story, it felt longer (in a good way!) because every sentence and scene was used to further the story and make an impact. There was no dragging, no lag, just lots of swoon and steam. I loved every word.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable little novella was the most fun I've had in ages, and I'm kinda sad it's over already. Unquestionably five stars and a really lovely read. This had a lot of funny moments and sweet moments, and amazing chemistry to boot. I really like Daddy kink when it's done well, and this author
does a fantastic job. Daddy Chris is super patient and protective, Jamie is beyond adorable and 100% disaster-twink, and this little novella was just everything I wanted and nothing I didn't. It was great to get glimpses of other familiar characters. Definitely recommend to anyone as a funny, cute and hot romance read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and cute novella from the Split Rock Ranch world. This one is a standalone that takes place in town. Jamie is an accident-prone young man who is often overwhelmed with his life. When he meets his new landlord Chris, he quickly gets Daddy-vibes, but he's not sure if it would be reciprocated.

Chris finds Jamie to be so darling, but he is Jamie's landlord, so he decides Jamie should be off-limits. Over weeks of trying to keep his distance, he learns resistance is going to be futile because Jamie is irresistible. This low-angst story has a lot of mishaps, shameless flirting, high-heat, and a beautiful forever love.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

black-eyed Susans, nose boop, black eye, metronome, rainbow hair, slutty baby bird, no zipper accidents!, wall banging, laundry porn

"Something Unbelievable" is a novella that occurs between Book 6 & Book 7. Jamie is chaos and trouble personified. He is an accident waiting to happen. Jamie is renting an apartment from Chris. Chris is a patient Daddy who quickly learns that Jamie is bad luck on legs. It just so happens that Jamie is a boy who checks all of Chris's Daddy's boy boxes.

It's an adorable and entertaining novella with some steam. Jamie makes the cutest boy. Chris is an admirable person and Daddy. I enjoyed reading this quick 2-hour book. I recommend it with glee.

[Helen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely delightful! I've wanted to read the Split Rock Ranch series for a while now but had only read the first book before this. Jamie is a walking disaster ... calling him "trouble" doesn't even cover half of it. Chris is his perfect Daddy ... patient and charmed by Jamie's many, many mishaps. I laughed my way through every single page of this entertaining story. Highly recommended!

[bubblegumpopper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute little nibble of a story set in the Split Rock Ranch universe. Jamie is an endearing klutz in want of a Daddy and Chris is infinitely charmed by Jamie's rotten luck and constant catastrophes. It was quite amusing to read all the outlandishly bad luck scenarios that Jamie finds himself dropped into. This had me chuckling out loud quite a few times.

***

I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Ella Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie was funny. Bless his heart he really did need to be wrapped in bubble wrap and have someone help him manage some of the finer point of adulting - but he was such as cutie. And Chris was happy to step into that role for him. This made me laugh, and I loved them together. Jamie's internal monologues killed me, but he's such a sweetheart. Genuinely, life just doesn't seem to want to work out for him in a non-potentially harmful way. Short, fun, happy read.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet short love story in the Split Rock Ranch series. I feel hard for Jami and Chris. Jamie is a klutz--always breaking something that his hot landlord, Chris has to repair. Of course each interaction is filled with sexual tensions and humor with the soon settling into the daddy/boy roles. I love how we are not sure if Jamie is breaking things to interact with Chris or if just a klutz. Whatever they are simply perfection resulting in me smiling during the entire book.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age gap, Daddy/boy

Jaime is a cute, chaotic mess and it seems the universe is out to get him.
Christian is his landlord and Jaime's exactly the type of boy he'd love to care for and keep in bubble wrap.
The only problem is he feels it isn't appropriate because he's his landlord.
Thankfully his defenses don't stand a chance against Jaime's impending doom.
I loved Jaime's inner diaologe, he was so cute.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book. I thought the author did such a beautiful job with this book. I would have loved a lot more of this book. The characters in this story are going to make you fall in love with them. I really hope we get a whole lot more books in this series just like this one only hopefully a lot longer I know this was just the beginning and the novella but I could have just sat there and read this book all day.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The absolute best part about this quick read novella is the characters. Jamie is just an unintentional walking disaster who really really needs a daddy and Chris is his round about landlord. Chris is also a daddy and absolutely can’t help himself with the cutie who constantly gets himself in a bind. Do I think anyone can truly be that accident prone? I would say no, but I’ve certainly had “days like that”. Well written novella and a great fit into the series.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie is Christian's tenant. He also breaks a lot of things, needs a Daddy and wants it to be Chris. Chris is good at fixing things, is a gorgeous silver fox, finds Jamie adorable and wants him for his Boy. It's a match made in heaven, this intro to the Split Rock Ranch series. It's a sweet, funny novella and it's very steamy. I received a copy of this through GRR and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Mir Jak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just loved loved loved this story !! Cute novella with an absolute disaster of an adorable MC, who has a really really big crush on his landlord, which is MC#2. How they meet and then each interaction, it's sooo funny and very cute. And that staged seduction, bahahahahaha .....I've not read the others in the series and yes, there are cameo's, you can so read this as standalone. Now, I'm curious enough to check out the rest of the Split Rock Ranch....

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one and see if you don't totally agree with Jamie that there are lots of days you just wish you could give up on the adulting thing. Or at least, find someone to share it with. Fortunately, his apartment manager/owner is an all around handyman and he's also taken a fancy to Jamie and is happy to help his adorable tenant with repairs both to the apartment and in more personal areas. A sweet, fun romance.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this for free to review.

This is a cute short and spicy read with an accident prone 24 y/o twink and his 40 y/o landlord who becomes his Daddy.
It relays heavily on Daddy kink, praise kink, and the Daddy wanting to take care of his man.

It’s a prequel to the Split Rock Ranch series that I haven’t read yet but this novella definitely makes me want to start it.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted, cute Daddy/boy short story. Jamie is an accident waiting to happen, anything he does can & will go wrong. He's moved into a new apartment. Chris is his landlord and although he should be staying neutral, can't help thinking how cute & accident prone Jamie is. I received an ARC from GRR, this is my honest opinion.

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short prequel novella for the Split Rock Ranch series. I've read several of those stories and really enjoyed them. I can be a bit of a walking disaster myself, so I loved Jamie. And Christian was absolutely wonderful as the Daddy Jamie wanted, needed, and deserved. A sweet little novella, I recommend to this and the full series!

[Chrystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

I have this through another app and I keep going back to it simply for the comment "I recommend signing up for better insurance. If you keep that one around, you're going to need it" 10/10 highly recommend for thr laughs and sweet romance

[Thurman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good book. Jamie and Chris were a great couple. I'm not sure what else to say. It was a good, short, no-angst read.
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
angst .5/5
heat 3/5
story 4/5
POV dual
break up no

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, but I have to honestly say this novella was one of the best. I love me a walking disaster and Jamie was beyond one! I adored everything about him. And well turns out so did Chris. This one left me just so happy and smiling.