Checking Out Love

by R. Cooper

Alternate cover version available here

Jeremy is a grad student with a quick mind and insatiable thirst for knowledge. What he’s currently most curious about is the infamously strict librarian at the small private library attached to his university. He has a weakness for devastatingly clever jerks, so despite his looming thesis, Jeremy decides to pay the famous special collection—and its curator—a visit. But instead of an intimidating beast of a librarian, he finds the librarian’s soft-spoken assistant, Benj.

Quiet, shy, guys with pretty eyes and handmade cardigans are not Jeremy’s type. Jeremy is too smart, and weird, for anyone so sweet. He’d walk all over them, or find them boring after five minutes. Which doesn’t explain why he keeps coming back to the library, despite never once encountering the notoriously protective special collections librarian. Perhaps if he weren’t so distracted by Benj’s surprisingly impressive shoulders and the absolutely charming library he runs, he’d notice there’s more to Benj than knitted sweaters.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, College, LGBT, Short Stories, Fiction

46 pages, ebook

First published February 4, 2015

About the author

I'm R. Cooper, a somewhat absentminded, often distracted, writer of queer romance. I'm probably most known for the Being(s) in Love series and The Suitable 'Verse stories. Also the occasional story about witches or firefighters in love.

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Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is ADORKABLE!



And too short by far.

Jeremy's brain, and his mouth, never slow down, and growly, angry Benji is a sight to behold.

GAWD, I love geeks.

But I love cute, geeky college Asian boys with brilliant minds and motorcycles MORE.

GAH! Be still my beating heart.



Features: lavender cardigans, sticky licorice hands, and judgmental cats named Persephone.

This needs a sequel yesterday! Hell, Jeremy's already hearing wedding bells

[Exina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy is a nerd with a rapid-fire brain, a big mouth and insatiable thirst for knowledge. He visits the illustrious Barrett Library in Four Oaks but not only for its special collections. He is also very curious about the so-called Beast, the mercilessly strict guardian of the library, feared with good reason.

But he finds there only the shy and quiet Benj, who is sporting knitted cardigans and distractingly broad shoulders. Jeremy believes him an assistant and though shy is not his type, he can’t stay away from him.

He’d never had detailed library sex fantasies before, and didn’t know what was hotter, the idea of getting pastel sweater vest here to blush while he blew him by the almanacs, or the idea of the Beast catching them and showing Jeremy how devastating he could be.

I loved Jeremy, his curiosity and his unfiltered mouth. The story is told from his viewpoint, in third person, and his character is thoroughly drawn. Benj is more of a mystery, but after all, it’s kind of the point.



Adorable nerds and hot library sex. Recommended!

The idea that Jeremy had been turned on by Benj enforcing—heck, creating—the library’s rules, seemed to be a new one for Benjamin. He took a moment, then narrowed his eyes, deliberately. “I don’t scare everyone away. Just the miscreants.”
“Miscreants, oh my God.” Jeremy clutched at the shelves behind him to stay on his feet.

My favorite quotes.

[☆ Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, for those of you who have read Nash Summers' "Maps" books, I only have one thing to say:

Jeremy is totally an Asian version of Maps.



He's weird and blurty (which I love) and his mind just fucking 'goes there,' in spite of himself.

Jeremy probably sounded like a kid during finals operating on caffeine and no sleep. Sadly, he was like this all the time, although he usually tried to control it around it people who didn’t know him.

And no, that rarely actually works in Jeremy's world.

"I get excited sometimes. And when I get excited, I get enthusiastic, and then I cannot stop talking. It’s left me alone and dateless on Valentine’s Day since… pretty much puberty. I will shut up now.”

But when Jeremy meets Benj, the quiet, overly-serious, yet slightly scruffy librarian, and the two (eventually) begin to click? Trust, you will snort more than once.

[Jeremy] realized his volume was going up and leaned in to whisper the rest while staring into wide eyes of misty green. “I’m really excited. More so because you haven’t told me to shut up and usually someone has by now—and that’s even when I’m not in a library."

This one was adorable, funny and oh so awkward. I loved it.

We do get one short sexy scene, but the story is too short to even really achieve a believable HFN. Instead, we're left with Jeremy agreeing to go over to Benj's house for coffee.

"Or whatever."



But after witnessing just how bizarre these two act around one another, believe you me, I'll take that as them being well on their way. ;- )

At only $0.99 for 46 pages on Amazon, I feel that this short story is correctly-priced and well worth the price of admission, so this twisted little gem ranks a solid 4 *damn-judgy-cat* stars.

[Otila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Librarian!Derek Benj and Nerd!Stiles Jeremy are adorable and sweet.

I knew that this novella was like a Sterek. That’s one of the reasons I bought it. What I didn’t expect was for it to be a Sterek. Benj has Derek’s eyebrows and stubble. He’s frowny and hot. Jeremy has Stiles’ beautiful lips and non-stop mouth. Benj and Jeremy are Derek and Stiles. Only names and race have been changed to protect the innocent.

I liked the author's writing and I did enjoy it but it was distracting when everything they said or did--from Jeremy's blabbering to Benj's ears turning red--made me feel like I was reading the wrong names. I kept waiting for Benj and Jeremy to develop their own personalities but it just never happened. I also kept filling in the blanks with Sterek canon. When Derek is nothing more than a frowny face and a hot bod in fanfic (which happens a lot) it’s ok because I know his reasons and I also know that he's so much more than that. I don't know much about Benj besides his frowns and the ripped bod under his cardigans but my mind happily filled his whole backstory with Derek’s. His sister didn’t even get a name but Laura seems to fit well for me.

And is it just me or was that hand job completely out of place?

So, I had a difficult time rating this so I guess it's a 4 star Sterek but -1 star for distracting me with the wrong names.

(Obligatory Sterek pic)

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This. Story. Is. ADORABLE.

I love you story.

I want you to be mine forever and always.

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

If I had to stamp this short story with a one word descriptor, I'd use the word adorable.

I really liked both MC's, Jeremy and Benj. I love reading about characters with a thirst for knowledge and a deep respect for books. Whether in books or in real life, I admire when people are passionate about the things they love. Jeremy was one such character.

When he loved something, he loved it, and that was all there was to it. He also tended to express that devotion the way he thought, in random, fast, seemingly disconnected ways.

I know I've got Sterek fanfiction on the brain but the two MC's here are remarkably reminiscent of Stiles and Derek. It almost reads as an AU Sterek fic, just with different names and one happens to be an Asian dude. So, I definitely recommend this shorty to my Sterek GR's buddies because regardless of whether it's all coincidental, one can never get enough of this type of paired personality combo!

If I'm to have one complaint, it would be that it's too short. I wanted more. I'll just have to placate myself by exploring more works by R. Cooper!

[Sun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this one was adorable.

What I liked about this novella:

Jeremy, quirky, talks too much, thinks too much, confident in ways, totally self-deprecating in others. Chinese (yay! POC!), smarty-pants. Big crush on the sexy librarian.

Benj, big grouchy librarian, in hand knit sweaters, with a cat, who softens up a tad whenever Jeremy is around.

Awesome library setting.

Adorable interactions.

I like the voice & style of this author. Looking forward to reading more.



What I didn't love about this novella:

Reading right along, 2 interactions between Jeremy & Benj, waiting for the BIG reveal...and suddenly realize I'm already at 90%. Ummm...oh yeah...it's only 40+ pages. Bummer

Also...it read like a galley proof w/ a bunch of errors. I, erm, paid money (ok, only $0.99...but still!) for this on Amazon, so things like "...he usually tried to control it around it people who didn't know him..." (huh?) particularly stand out to me and are distracting.

Really sweet and quirky, but left me a tiny bit unsatisfied at the end. Felt incomplete and that bummed me out! Otherwise, adored it.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am happy today I just read this and I loved this little short and also discovered an author who’s style clicks with me. Want to try more.

And Oh I fell in love with the Painted Lady – if I had that porch hmmm – my kindle and I would love that. I can just imagine Jeremy and Benj there.

[drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute and decidedly well-written but it ended just as things were getting interesting. 3.75 stars rounded up.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to start by saying I absolutely love 'R. Cooper' stories. One of my favorite stories 'A Wealth of Unsaid Words' is by R. Cooper. So needless to say I'm not really surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It was sweet, cute, funny, adorable and so many other make me smile words. Unfortunately it was also short at less than 50 pages. I am going to make absolutely no bones about this I WANT MORE!!!!

Jeremy and Benji are fabulous together and this story was just the beginning of things for them. So I am desperately hoping and praying that Ms. Cooper has more planned.

It's a short story, it's a wonderful story, it's set in a library I mean really other than maybe a book store could it get any better?

Oh wait a book...another story?

Please...something...anything?

Please...I know, I know, I have no pride, I am grovelling and if it works, I make no apologies and if not, well I tried :-)

[Tara♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Adorable, sugary sweet goodness.

Exactly what was needed.

Yes, this felt very Sterek like and yes, it was rushed, but all I know is I want more please!

A full book of these two might cause a toothache but it would be so worth it. Benj knits his own sweater vests FFS!!

[Meep · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story but engaging and full of personality. There's no surprises to the story yet it's sweet, happy reading set in a place where books are too be respected.

Jeremy is a smart, hyper pov character who is fun to get to know. Sterek fans will be seeing Stiles.

As Emma Sea commented in her review it was also refreshing to have an Asian narrator noticing the white people instead of usual race assumption.

I enjoyed it immensely. A snack sized smile.

[Emma Sea]

It was nice to find a book that states outright a character is white, instead of that being the default setting: white unless otherwise specified.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** CUTE,SEXY M/M STORY ***



Loved this short story and especially loved Jeremy, but I wanted more.....no full on sex..but it was just a perfect quick M/M read

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars.
Sweet novella.
I loved A Suitable Consort, and enjoyed Jericho Candelario's Gay Debut a lot, but although this was cute as well, I wasn't as charmed by it as I had been with the former books.
Nevertheless, this is a quick and lovely read (with better editing than the other 2 books I mentioned).

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, aside from it being way too short, this was just pure bliss.

As others have mentioned, it for sure had a Sterek feel and yes, I did picture the characters that way, but I do that anyway, even if the book doesn't have a Sterek feel, because I am obsessed.

I really loved this. It was predictable but in the best of ways. Just a perfectly pretty Saturday evening read.

Thanks for the rec Meep! You were right!

[BWT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This whole story totally struck me as Sterek fan fiction, only with the names changed. Seriously. I'm recommending to any Sterek lovers.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This was ridiculously quirky cute.

Jeremy. Oh Jeremy. Too smart for his own good. He's a tornado of talk and factoids and he makes no apologies for his outspokenness. Loved his active imagination as he ponders if the hottie librarian has what it takes to keep up with him intellectually.

Poor Benj - he really doesn't know what hit him as he's confronted with this force of nature. He's actually struck speechless. A lot.

This was very endearing and sweet - total fluff!

[Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Is it possible to read too much Sterek fanfic? Have I reached the saturation point where every thing I read I relate it to Stiles and Derek? That's a question I need to explore further.

This was fun with just the right amount of snark.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't stop grinning :D

Absolutely adorable. Sweet, quirky, fun...exactly what I needed.

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, but geeky, story. I really loved how watching Benj be stern with library patrons really did something for Jeremy.

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fluff is strong with this one. A babbling overly-exicitable geek meets an apparently quiet and shy librarian. So cute you could die cuteness ensues. It's entirely predictable, and a little insta-everything, but the fluff overload softened the annoyance factor. The sex scene was rather improbable though given what we know about Benj. Do authors think they have to throw in a sex scene before readers will believe the MCs are a real couple? I don't get it, but if you're one of those readers who must have a sex scene, you shouldn't be disappointed. There were a few random typos and extra words, but nothing that made me stop to figure out what the sentence was supposed to be.

[Maiko-chan [|] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and so, so sweet! A few typos, but I loved every word of this. I agree that the only bad thing about this book is how short it is, how much that ending makes you crave a sequel so you can get more of Jeremy and Benj, all the beautiful pastel colors of their world. Besides that I also just want more of that cat and the library because who doesn't like cute, judging cats and books?

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

**** Gentle, slow burn, lovely tale of a Librarian, Benj, all decked out in handmade sweaters, glasses and intelligence. Along comes genius Jeremy, a bit taller, tattooed, with a rambling mind, and snarky mouth, that doesn't stop working. His rants are so adorable, and his we see his thought process as he rambles on. It's cute. It's also sweet how Jeremy just stares as Jeremy rambles and he's speechless. He gets a few words in, and they are meaningful. This well written tale has us liking our characters immediately, and with hot sexiness and our interest held, what more could we want? It is a terrific bedtime read that leaves you smiling. Thoroughly liked this short story, and I wanted more.
Highly recommend this quick read. ENJOY it !!!

[namericanwordcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is an utterly charming book and knowledge lovers delight. I adore it.

I am not completely happy with where we left the characters as both are complex enough for me to want to see them really wrangle a relationship and an HEA. And I don't trust it fully yet where we stop.

[Jilrene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet, totally adorable story.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintessential R. Cooper - Geeks in Love. Full of awkward and sweet and oh so charming it had me wearing a goofy grin throughout. A little sprinkle of magic at the end of my rather shitty day. :)

Love your work Ms Cooper! mwah!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Cute as hell short story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars.

This one felt too Instalust for me.

And it ended way too quickly.

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, nerdy and adorable!