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Blowing It #1
Blowing It
Owen Barnes never expected writing to make him rich, much less with a YA novel written for a bet. Being nominated for the Carnegie Medal, the most prestigious award a children’s author can win, is a dream come true. But Owen’s newfound fame comes at a price, and not just changing his surname to Black.
Gruff, gentle building surveyor Magnus Cassidy is the first man to catch Owen’s interest in almost two years. Owen’s agent, Max, might be trying to control his image, but Magnus sees the real Owen: the eyeliner, drainpipe jeans, and sexy underwear, not the Young Conservative in a tweed jacket Max is turning him into.
When a photo of Owen and Magnus appears online, just weeks before the Carnegie ceremony, Max starts damage limitation. Out and proud since he was fourteen, Owen isn’t going back into the closet without a fight, and he refuses to let his agent erase Magnus from his life. Encouraged by his friends, Owen lashes out, not realising his behaviour could hurt the man he’s doing it all for. Can Owen find a way to reconcile his public and private lives, or has he already blown it?
Gruff, gentle building surveyor Magnus Cassidy is the first man to catch Owen’s interest in almost two years. Owen’s agent, Max, might be trying to control his image, but Magnus sees the real Owen: the eyeliner, drainpipe jeans, and sexy underwear, not the Young Conservative in a tweed jacket Max is turning him into.
When a photo of Owen and Magnus appears online, just weeks before the Carnegie ceremony, Max starts damage limitation. Out and proud since he was fourteen, Owen isn’t going back into the closet without a fight, and he refuses to let his agent erase Magnus from his life. Encouraged by his friends, Owen lashes out, not realising his behaviour could hurt the man he’s doing it all for. Can Owen find a way to reconcile his public and private lives, or has he already blown it?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2015
59 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Kate Aaron
37 books339 followersBorn in Liverpool, Kate Aaron is a bestselling author of the #1 LGBT romances What He Wants, Ace, The Slave, and other works.
Kate swapped the North West for the Midwest in October 2015 and married award-winning author AJ Rose. Together they plan to take over the world.
Kate swapped the North West for the Midwest in October 2015 and married award-winning author AJ Rose. Together they plan to take over the world.
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March 8, 2015DNF @ 68%
No rating
I may come back to this some day, but I made a resolution to stop being so anal about finishing books that I'm lackluster about and this is one of those books.
I'm not in love with either of these characters.
The story is uneventful.
The dialogue is great and Aaron seems to have a feel for portraying characters in relatable situations. I will read something else by her, but if I have to read anymore publishing antics and/or the daily life of a writer I'm going to LOSE. IT.
Last, but certainly not least, do not be fooled by this amazeballs cover. The MANTIES are scarce.
Sad day when Cupcake realized the scarcity of said MANTIES. Sad day indeed.
No rating
I may come back to this some day, but I made a resolution to stop being so anal about finishing books that I'm lackluster about and this is one of those books.
I'm not in love with either of these characters.
The story is uneventful.
The dialogue is great and Aaron seems to have a feel for portraying characters in relatable situations. I will read something else by her, but if I have to read anymore publishing antics and/or the daily life of a writer I'm going to LOSE. IT.
Last, but certainly not least, do not be fooled by this amazeballs cover. The MANTIES are scarce.
Sad day when Cupcake realized the scarcity of said MANTIES. Sad day indeed.
July 26, 2015
When you realize what you've forgotten.
So, this is a very sedately paced read for a quiet moment when you just want to observe. First person narrative from Owen on his life and how making it big in publishing eroded away at his life without him noticing. He didn't care until he had something to care about.
Homebody Owen isn't what he used to be. Then again, he didn't necessarily like everything he had before. When he meets Magnus, his world stutters and realigns. Realignment is not smooth, but when the parties are committed they can be made to work. It's all about priorities. And Owen reassesses his.
I enjoyed the story a lot. The pacing felt a bit too slow in places, but I really enjoyed the characters, including the secondary characters who added a great deal to the atmosphere and plot. I was very content reading it, but don't think I'll reread it. A nice little bite.
3.5 Stars
Overall, a sweet romance for quiet times.
So, this is a very sedately paced read for a quiet moment when you just want to observe. First person narrative from Owen on his life and how making it big in publishing eroded away at his life without him noticing. He didn't care until he had something to care about.
Homebody Owen isn't what he used to be. Then again, he didn't necessarily like everything he had before. When he meets Magnus, his world stutters and realigns. Realignment is not smooth, but when the parties are committed they can be made to work. It's all about priorities. And Owen reassesses his.
I enjoyed the story a lot. The pacing felt a bit too slow in places, but I really enjoyed the characters, including the secondary characters who added a great deal to the atmosphere and plot. I was very content reading it, but don't think I'll reread it. A nice little bite.
3.5 Stars
Overall, a sweet romance for quiet times.
January 4, 2019
This was a real feel-good, funny and I suspect intensely personal story from Kate, beautifully written and edited (thanks Fen). ALL the characters were wonderfully warm and believable...well, everyone except that workaholic Max, but we can’t all be perfect, can we?? 4.5 stars, and a big smile from me.
Owen Barnes, or to give him his literary nom-de-plume Owen Black, is wasting his time away writing stories and waiting tables in a coffee shop until the day he strikes lucky with his YA story. That day arrives, and his agent (Max) advises him to change his surname AND keep his sexuality a secret…after all, being gay COULD potentially affect his sales and neither Max nor his publisher Squire wants that...tough if Owen doesn’t like it, every aspect of Owen’s life is taken over by the agency, and he feels almost like a whore, selling himself to promote his first book, even though all he wants to do is concentrate on writing the second.
Owen has not been lucky in his relationships; in fact his last serious lover Carl gave Owen a very nasty infection indeed, so for the last 2 years it’s just been Owen and his right hand. One evening at a book reading/signing of his latest book, Owen is approached by a young girl Abigail and her very handsome escort Magnus, who turns out to be Abi’s uncle. One thing leads to another, and Owen and Magnus agree to meet for coffee after the signing, and a tentative friendship starts which could hopefully lead to something more.
Owen’s bestie Ryan and his hubby Sameer are thrilled to bits for Owen; the only spanner in the works is that Owen is not to be seen in public with a boyfriend, heaven forbid that he should have an actual relationship with someone of the same sex!! The social media gossip would be working overtime; there would a frenzy of activity...surely?? WHAT. EVER. Owen is not allowed to even contemplate that, he’s been out of that closet since the age of 14, but he has to go back INTO the bloody thing for the sake of his writing career. Owen is not a happy bunny, not a happy bunny AT ALL, but what can he do, the agency has him by the balls...or do they?? Magnus has introduced him to his family but is getting unhappy at the lack of action on Owen’s part, and when Max expects Owen to mentor a new female writer, Becky, that the agency is trying to hook, things go dangerously off the rails. I’ll leave you to discover what happens by reading this seriously good book yourselves, enjoy...oh and these
may figure in the story somewhere, hehe.
Owen Barnes, or to give him his literary nom-de-plume Owen Black, is wasting his time away writing stories and waiting tables in a coffee shop until the day he strikes lucky with his YA story. That day arrives, and his agent (Max) advises him to change his surname AND keep his sexuality a secret…after all, being gay COULD potentially affect his sales and neither Max nor his publisher Squire wants that...tough if Owen doesn’t like it, every aspect of Owen’s life is taken over by the agency, and he feels almost like a whore, selling himself to promote his first book, even though all he wants to do is concentrate on writing the second.
Owen has not been lucky in his relationships; in fact his last serious lover Carl gave Owen a very nasty infection indeed, so for the last 2 years it’s just been Owen and his right hand. One evening at a book reading/signing of his latest book, Owen is approached by a young girl Abigail and her very handsome escort Magnus, who turns out to be Abi’s uncle. One thing leads to another, and Owen and Magnus agree to meet for coffee after the signing, and a tentative friendship starts which could hopefully lead to something more.
Owen’s bestie Ryan and his hubby Sameer are thrilled to bits for Owen; the only spanner in the works is that Owen is not to be seen in public with a boyfriend, heaven forbid that he should have an actual relationship with someone of the same sex!! The social media gossip would be working overtime; there would a frenzy of activity...surely?? WHAT. EVER. Owen is not allowed to even contemplate that, he’s been out of that closet since the age of 14, but he has to go back INTO the bloody thing for the sake of his writing career. Owen is not a happy bunny, not a happy bunny AT ALL, but what can he do, the agency has him by the balls...or do they?? Magnus has introduced him to his family but is getting unhappy at the lack of action on Owen’s part, and when Max expects Owen to mentor a new female writer, Becky, that the agency is trying to hook, things go dangerously off the rails. I’ll leave you to discover what happens by reading this seriously good book yourselves, enjoy...oh and these
may figure in the story somewhere, hehe.
January 3, 2016
Kate is my friend, and I received a free review copy of this book. 4.5 rounded up.
Nevertheless, as ever, very British, a wonderfully slow and cadenced pace, time to look at the characters, and dang, I love me some silken knickers...
Nevertheless, as ever, very British, a wonderfully slow and cadenced pace, time to look at the characters, and dang, I love me some silken knickers...
February 23, 2015
There’s something magical about Kate Aaron’s writing. When I read the Free Men trilogy a few months ago I fell in love with Kate’s words, her characters and her descriptions of the world they live in. Since Free Men is a fantasy while Blowing it is a contemporary romance, there are an endless amount of differences between the stories. There are powerful similarities as well though. Both books contain characters so clearly drawn you can see and hear them. The descriptions in both books are so well worded the surroundings are easy to picture. And both stories draw you in from the first paragraph and refuse to let you go again until you’ve read the last word.
I love that Kate Aaron isn’t afraid to write flawed characters. It is because neither Owen nor Magnus is perfect they work so well. They were real and beautiful, smart and silly, stubborn and forgiving, understanding and unreasonable and totally recognisable because of it.
Although this story does contain its share of angst, this is for the most part a light-hearted, sweet and at times very funny story, yet it deals with a serious subject. How sad is it that we live in a world where people are made to hide who they are because being true to themselves might mean the end of their career. And that is NOT a fictional problem and it is not only a reality for people in the public eye. Only the other day a lesbian teacher entered a competition to win a dream wedding here in Ireland and felt the need to pixilate her image on her video entry.
Kate Aaron spins a web with her words and getting caught in it is a pure pleasure.
I love that Kate Aaron isn’t afraid to write flawed characters. It is because neither Owen nor Magnus is perfect they work so well. They were real and beautiful, smart and silly, stubborn and forgiving, understanding and unreasonable and totally recognisable because of it.
Although this story does contain its share of angst, this is for the most part a light-hearted, sweet and at times very funny story, yet it deals with a serious subject. How sad is it that we live in a world where people are made to hide who they are because being true to themselves might mean the end of their career. And that is NOT a fictional problem and it is not only a reality for people in the public eye. Only the other day a lesbian teacher entered a competition to win a dream wedding here in Ireland and felt the need to pixilate her image on her video entry.
Kate Aaron spins a web with her words and getting caught in it is a pure pleasure.
August 26, 2015
I don't now why I put off reading this book for so long. I picked it due to a MM challenge and finally had to read it.
What a little gem. A light easy to read book. No angst and quite funny in places.
Owen, a YA writer is held to a clause in his contract where he isn't allowed to tell the world he is gay. He is given a beard in the form of Becky, an aspiring author wanting to sign with the same company.
At first, Owen's boyfriend Magnus is ok with not being able to be seen with Owen on public but in the end admits he is jealous.
What I also enjoyed about this book is it is set in London in the borough that I live in, so I was able to recognize places that were talked about.
What a little gem. A light easy to read book. No angst and quite funny in places.
Owen, a YA writer is held to a clause in his contract where he isn't allowed to tell the world he is gay. He is given a beard in the form of Becky, an aspiring author wanting to sign with the same company.
At first, Owen's boyfriend Magnus is ok with not being able to be seen with Owen on public but in the end admits he is jealous.
What I also enjoyed about this book is it is set in London in the borough that I live in, so I was able to recognize places that were talked about.
November 8, 2017
The first 75% of this book is boring.
Blocks and blocks and blocks and blocks and blocks of description. It could have been taken from a tourist guide book. Blech.
Tediously painfully detailed small talk. Good god, small talk is bad enough in real life. You want me to read about it too? No thanks.
And that awful pet peeve that I wish I could dip in acid and defenestrate from a high rise building into an ocean filled with sharks.
A writer writing about a writer's writing process.
UGH Kill me now.
Also the main character's head is lodged firmly up his own ass for that entire first 75%.
How boring is it? Well, there's sexy underwear and somehow even that winds up being boring. The character is wearing sexy underwear and the other character sees it, really likes it, then.... he takes the underwear off, tosses them on the floor, and they have a mediocre frot. I am all the disappoint.
I kept reading because someone said that it gets better around 80%. They weren't wrong. Stuff actually happens from about 75% onward. So I'll add a star for the final ditch effort to have something notable actually happen in the book, but my personal opinion was that the first 75% was not worth the last 25% and there just seemed to be something missing throughout the whole thing. Emotion, maybe? Regardless, I just didn't care about 3/4 of this book, and so I can't really recommend it.
Blocks and blocks and blocks and blocks and blocks of description. It could have been taken from a tourist guide book. Blech.
Tediously painfully detailed small talk. Good god, small talk is bad enough in real life. You want me to read about it too? No thanks.
And that awful pet peeve that I wish I could dip in acid and defenestrate from a high rise building into an ocean filled with sharks.
A writer writing about a writer's writing process.
UGH Kill me now.
Also the main character's head is lodged firmly up his own ass for that entire first 75%.
How boring is it? Well, there's sexy underwear and somehow even that winds up being boring. The character is wearing sexy underwear and the other character sees it, really likes it, then.... he takes the underwear off, tosses them on the floor, and they have a mediocre frot. I am all the disappoint.
I kept reading because someone said that it gets better around 80%. They weren't wrong. Stuff actually happens from about 75% onward. So I'll add a star for the final ditch effort to have something notable actually happen in the book, but my personal opinion was that the first 75% was not worth the last 25% and there just seemed to be something missing throughout the whole thing. Emotion, maybe? Regardless, I just didn't care about 3/4 of this book, and so I can't really recommend it.
October 3, 2015
Great fun read. I really liked this. I smiled a whole bunch while reading. It was just fun and light and low angst (until the end). Magnus was just dreamy, while not being so perfect that it's insufferable. Owen was pretty great, I loved his flair for the dramatic. But he also started to get annoying when it came to having a backbone and standing up to Max. That got tiring after a bit. Loved the supporting characters (except Max of course). Can't wait to read book 2!!!
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January 4, 2019Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Blowing-Kate...
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I have tried finishing this book more than once, and it is just not working for me!
I don't care for Owen at all, but maybe I will give this book another try again later...
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I have tried finishing this book more than once, and it is just not working for me!
I don't care for Owen at all, but maybe I will give this book another try again later...
March 6, 2015
DNF 65%
2.5 Stars, just not doing it for me!
2.5 Stars, just not doing it for me!
October 24, 2015
This is the story of novelist Owen Barnes who changed his name to Owen Black when his publisher got him a contract for a YA novel, and eventual series featuring his hero, best friend and, of course, female sidekick. There's actually quite a few references to J.K. Rowling in order to show readers where Owen's career is heading.
He meets Magnus, a building surveyor/inspector, and the two form a romantic relationship, but an author of a children's series should not be gay so Owen's agent arranges a beard for him-- a beard who becomes his ally in helping him defy the agent so that he and Magnus can find their HEA.
It's a fairly simple story with a lot of self-inflicted angst and improbably situations thrown in but it was okay. To be honest, I bought the book for the cover. Manties stories attract my attention. Owen did wear his manties in the story but they weren't used quite the way I was hoping for so I was a bit disappointed. I am moving on to the next story, because of what is supposed to happen in it and because it has a good number of Scavenger Hunt points. We shall see.
He meets Magnus, a building surveyor/inspector, and the two form a romantic relationship, but an author of a children's series should not be gay so Owen's agent arranges a beard for him-- a beard who becomes his ally in helping him defy the agent so that he and Magnus can find their HEA.
It's a fairly simple story with a lot of self-inflicted angst and improbably situations thrown in but it was okay. To be honest, I bought the book for the cover. Manties stories attract my attention. Owen did wear his manties in the story but they weren't used quite the way I was hoping for so I was a bit disappointed. I am moving on to the next story, because of what is supposed to happen in it and because it has a good number of Scavenger Hunt points. We shall see.
February 7, 2017
This was just ok for me. Not sure I bought that a publisher, unless it's a Christian pub, being so worried about an author's personal life, to the point of hiring a woman to play his beard in public. Maybe 20 years ago, but today? Nah, I don't see it. So long as he's not out causing a scene every night, I don't see the issue. Because of this, I just didn't engage in the plot. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's just how I see it.
March 17, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It was slow at times, but very cute and lovable. I had no issues with it. It just need more oomph sometimes.
3/3.5 stars
3/3.5 stars
October 28, 2020
Reread no. 4? 5? Honestly no idea, but I LOVE this book so much. <3
If you haven't read it yet, I don't understand what you're waiting for. ;)
If you haven't read it yet, I don't understand what you're waiting for. ;)
April 10, 2018
4 enjoyable stars!
I really enjoyed this. Even when some of the side characters were pissing me off. I truly wanted to throw Max under a bus or run him over with a truck. But alas, he’s just a side character 😬
I liked Magnus and Owen’s meet-cute. You don’t see many meet-cute scenarios in MM romance so this was sweet. I also appreciated the struggle Owen faced about the moral and principle of being out and proud and not letting anyone suppress you.
I don’t know what else to say. I just really liked the pace and the unraveling of the plot line and the side characters are awesome. Except Max. Lol
I really enjoyed this. Even when some of the side characters were pissing me off. I truly wanted to throw Max under a bus or run him over with a truck. But alas, he’s just a side character 😬
I liked Magnus and Owen’s meet-cute. You don’t see many meet-cute scenarios in MM romance so this was sweet. I also appreciated the struggle Owen faced about the moral and principle of being out and proud and not letting anyone suppress you.
I don’t know what else to say. I just really liked the pace and the unraveling of the plot line and the side characters are awesome. Except Max. Lol
February 23, 2015
I am a huge fan of Kate Aaron and of course when I heard about this book I HAD to get in on it! I had the great honor of prereading this story and was blown away. It's hugely entertaining, wildly fun, and wickedly hot! What more can you ask for in a book? Kate's versatility as a writer makes all her books feel like a reward for the reader. Owen and Magnus are such fabulous characters on their own, when Kate brings them together it's just perfection. This is, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable books I've read so far in 2015! You want to grab it!
March 13, 2015
Certainly not a bad book, but not my favorite either. I guess I'd call the story reliable, like your favorite pair of jeans on a day when you're feeling...not svelte.
TBH, I wish there'd been more play/background about the panty-wearing MC, because: hot. :D
At any rate, the writing is super solid, and I'll read this author again.
TBH, I wish there'd been more play/background about the panty-wearing MC, because: hot. :D
At any rate, the writing is super solid, and I'll read this author again.
March 23, 2015
3.5 starts. I thought the story was cute, not really earth shattering or anything, but good. I didn't really "feel" anything until around 80%. Then things really clicked n for me. I may have been shed a few tears with Owen.
Good if you want a light, fluffy read
Good if you want a light, fluffy read
March 3, 2015
Quite enjoyed this. My first story by Kate Aaron. I really loved the MC's in this one, and the literary angle of the storyline. Can't wait to check out more by this author.
March 3, 2015
While there were parts of this set up that I liked, the whole thing had an unfinished and unedited feel to it. I felt like the first half meandered, then we found the real plot once Becky showed up. There was a lot I liked about the characters, and I particularly liked Magnus's enthusiastic support for Owen's effeminate ways, but it seemed like an abrupt departure for such an understanding character to snap so close to the end of the book. The sex was ok, but lacked that special spark for me (I can cop to this being a style preference but I like my sex scenes to be a bit longer and more detailed). While this makes me think Kate Aaron has talent, she needs the hand of a professional editor to reach her full potential.
June 29, 2015
I started this, then put it aside, but then picked it back up, and really got engaged.
It has a thoughtful tone, with MC Owen, depicted as reflective and almost resigned to a hidden life, now his YA novel has made him a public figure. I loved the references to the Carnegie Medal, a Lit award I with which I am familiar. I know Patrick Ness (a gay author) has been up for it (& won) a couple of times, so this was familiar territory.
Once Magnus appears, Owen's passive stance is tested, and this created the final climactic moment. I enjoyed watching him develop courage to stand up for his relationship and cheered them both on.
Very enjoyable.
It has a thoughtful tone, with MC Owen, depicted as reflective and almost resigned to a hidden life, now his YA novel has made him a public figure. I loved the references to the Carnegie Medal, a Lit award I with which I am familiar. I know Patrick Ness (a gay author) has been up for it (& won) a couple of times, so this was familiar territory.
Once Magnus appears, Owen's passive stance is tested, and this created the final climactic moment. I enjoyed watching him develop courage to stand up for his relationship and cheered them both on.
Very enjoyable.
March 5, 2015
I wanted to love this book but I couldn't. There was something missing. Owen's feminine kinks were what the cover promised, but he never touched my heart. I know he was hiding his true self but even when he was with his friends he was not a compelling character. I so wanted him to capture my imagination. He did not. Magnus was also a two dimensional character.
The opening paragraphs held so much promise. I was intrigued. After such a good start, the story drug only to hurry the ending. I did love the underwear.
I think this writer can do better.
The opening paragraphs held so much promise. I was intrigued. After such a good start, the story drug only to hurry the ending. I did love the underwear.
I think this writer can do better.
January 30, 2019
5*****Stars
Book: Blowing It
Series: Blowing It #1
Author: Kate Aaron
Publisher: Croft House
Release: Feb 22, 2015
Pages: 317
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rated: Mature: M/M
Sometimes you just search out an author that you enjoyed and lost touch with. Strolling thru my kindle and seeing my copies of the Slave Series by her, I wondered what was I missing since, soooo seeing the cover of this series Blowing It …making me buy it immediately…It looked fun and I certainly was not disappointed!
Ms Aaron has written a delightful story of a YA author who has ‘made it’ in his art and is now tested to either remain in the closet as his publisher requires or ‘come out’ and be who he is. A hard test for anyone…easier to do before he fell in love with Magnus.
So this contemporary romance is written only as Ms, Aaron can ….with plenty of hot sex, with plenty of angst and plenty of fun characters ! I simply loved it and was glad I decided to look her up again….Now here is even another for me. Part two which I plan to read next!
Book: Blowing It
Series: Blowing It #1
Author: Kate Aaron
Publisher: Croft House
Release: Feb 22, 2015
Pages: 317
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rated: Mature: M/M
Sometimes you just search out an author that you enjoyed and lost touch with. Strolling thru my kindle and seeing my copies of the Slave Series by her, I wondered what was I missing since, soooo seeing the cover of this series Blowing It …making me buy it immediately…It looked fun and I certainly was not disappointed!
Ms Aaron has written a delightful story of a YA author who has ‘made it’ in his art and is now tested to either remain in the closet as his publisher requires or ‘come out’ and be who he is. A hard test for anyone…easier to do before he fell in love with Magnus.
So this contemporary romance is written only as Ms, Aaron can ….with plenty of hot sex, with plenty of angst and plenty of fun characters ! I simply loved it and was glad I decided to look her up again….Now here is even another for me. Part two which I plan to read next!
February 10, 2018
A lovely, light-hearted good read. Looking forward to hearing more of Magnus and Owen.
4 stars
4 stars
June 14, 2015
For me this was a light but thoroughly entertaining read. Owen Barnes is now a popular author after writing a YA novel after a bet with a friend that he couldn’t do it. It’s not what he ever wanted to write but it gives him a very popular lifestyle. The only problem with such a lifestyle where you are more or less public property of your agent and always in the public eye means that he has had to go back into the closet and bang the door firmly shut. the public knowing that he’s gay doesn’t fit the image of a YA novelist. I must admit to thinking how difficult this must be and for stars alike. Having to hide yourself because of the media and press. For someone like Owen who is actually very open this must have excruciating living a double or undercover life. It takes a lot of courage, even today, to come out and then to have to go back into the closet must have been a nightmare. Owen copes with this although his rebellious self is always lurking under the surface.
Both MCs were in poisonous relationships before and carry the emotional scars from that time. I loved this aspect where not only are they under pressure to make their own relationship work considering the circumstances, but also have to learn with each other’s help to leave the baggage of their previous relationships behind them. You could really feel how this previous experiences have also affected their behaviour and the people they are today. After I all we are all a product of our experiences and this is evident here with Owen and Magnus.
His world is thrown for a loop when he meets Magnus, a building surveyor, at one of his public readings who is there with his niece who is a big fan of Owen and loves his books. Magnus I loved, he is down to earth, caring, understanding and even when he lets himself into a relationship with Owen realises due to Owen’s public profile what he is letting himself in for. However, even as perfect as Magnus is this would put a strain on anyone’s relationship and inevitably does. Owen is now in a dilemma and wishes nothing more than to be with Magnus in the public eye. However, his agent has other plans and sets Owen up so at least the media thinks he has a girlfriend. I found this a really dirty and rotten trick from his agent and hated the man straight away. Someone who really doesn’t care about Owen’s own happiness but only thinks about the sales and image of his prized author.
This becomes too much for Owen and in an act of defiance he goes out one evening and lets the whole world know through the press that he is gay. Oh my! Talk about the proverbial hitting the fan. A media scandal of the best type. This had me laughing as if you’re really going to come out to the world then I guess there are no half measures and boy did Owen do this in style. Causing a shit-storm for his agent and publisher. But people are more understanding than you think thank goodness and doesn’t affect Owen’s popularity as much as you would think.
He has to write the third and last book in his trilogy but is having a problem doing it. I loved the parallel that Kate draws here. Owen struggling with his book because he isn’t allowed to write the ending he feels in his heart he needs to, but having to bow to the commercial side of editors, agents and publishers. But once he throws caution to the wind then the HEA can happen and the book becomes a roaring success. A huge middle finger salute to his agent – YES!!!!
This is book for me that shows how difficult it is to lead two lives in one. The public and the private but once the flood gates break then all’s well that ends well.
Both MCs were in poisonous relationships before and carry the emotional scars from that time. I loved this aspect where not only are they under pressure to make their own relationship work considering the circumstances, but also have to learn with each other’s help to leave the baggage of their previous relationships behind them. You could really feel how this previous experiences have also affected their behaviour and the people they are today. After I all we are all a product of our experiences and this is evident here with Owen and Magnus.
His world is thrown for a loop when he meets Magnus, a building surveyor, at one of his public readings who is there with his niece who is a big fan of Owen and loves his books. Magnus I loved, he is down to earth, caring, understanding and even when he lets himself into a relationship with Owen realises due to Owen’s public profile what he is letting himself in for. However, even as perfect as Magnus is this would put a strain on anyone’s relationship and inevitably does. Owen is now in a dilemma and wishes nothing more than to be with Magnus in the public eye. However, his agent has other plans and sets Owen up so at least the media thinks he has a girlfriend. I found this a really dirty and rotten trick from his agent and hated the man straight away. Someone who really doesn’t care about Owen’s own happiness but only thinks about the sales and image of his prized author.
This becomes too much for Owen and in an act of defiance he goes out one evening and lets the whole world know through the press that he is gay. Oh my! Talk about the proverbial hitting the fan. A media scandal of the best type. This had me laughing as if you’re really going to come out to the world then I guess there are no half measures and boy did Owen do this in style. Causing a shit-storm for his agent and publisher. But people are more understanding than you think thank goodness and doesn’t affect Owen’s popularity as much as you would think.
He has to write the third and last book in his trilogy but is having a problem doing it. I loved the parallel that Kate draws here. Owen struggling with his book because he isn’t allowed to write the ending he feels in his heart he needs to, but having to bow to the commercial side of editors, agents and publishers. But once he throws caution to the wind then the HEA can happen and the book becomes a roaring success. A huge middle finger salute to his agent – YES!!!!
This is book for me that shows how difficult it is to lead two lives in one. The public and the private but once the flood gates break then all’s well that ends well.
January 19, 2016
Reviewed for From Top to Bottom Reviews.
First off I have to say that I really shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. And I’m really sorry I did that, Ms. Aaron!
I could have read this book a lot sooner had I not decided that this book probably wasn’t for me based on the cover! =( Boy would I have missed out! Because not only did I like this book, I asbolutely fell in love with Owen and Magnus, with the writing and EVERYTHING! There’s just something magical about the authors writing that draws you in and doesn’t let you go. The characters feel so real and alive, like you could just go out and meet them for a coffee or something.
Owen Barnes only became an author because a friend of his bet him he couldn’t write a YA novel. But turns out he can and he’s really successful at it too! The only problem with being a famous author is that Owen is always in the public eye, which means for him, that he has to go back in the closet or forget about being an author because the public knowing that he’s gay doesn’t fit into the perfect image of a YA author. He’s signed a contract for a 5 book series containing a clause regarding his personal life so if he wants to continue writing his books he has to be straight for the public eye. When he signed the contract he didn’t think that it would ever be a problem for him.
That changes when he meets Magnus at one of his book signings.
Magnus attends the book signing with his niece who’s a really big fan of Owens book and when they meet they immediately form a connection and agree to meet for a coffee after the signing.
Of course Owen’s agent Max hears of the new relationship so he decides to use a newly signed-author, Becky, to make it look like Owen and to the public that she’s Owens girlfriend. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is going to put a strain on even the most perfect relationship and eventually it does.
What really saddened me while reading Blowing It was that even though it’s 2016 we still live in a world where people are made to hide their true self because being who they are might cost them their career. I can only imagine how hard that must be, and Ms. Aaron did a wonderful job in portraying Owens struggle with being back in the closet again after being out before.
This book has so many great characters, that really add to the story and make it more real. I loved all except for Max. But Magnus was my favourite. I absolutely adore him! He’s such a sweetheart and I loved that he’s a family-man, so loving and caring, and understanding of Owens job. He knew what he was getting into when he met Owen and was okay for them to secretly lead their relationship. I really wish he was real!
Blowing It is a great read. It’s thoughtful and hot (MANTIES!!) but mostly a light and beautiful story with beautifully flawed and relatable characters.
I’ve read this book twice already and I know I’ll read it many more times.
First off I have to say that I really shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. And I’m really sorry I did that, Ms. Aaron!
I could have read this book a lot sooner had I not decided that this book probably wasn’t for me based on the cover! =( Boy would I have missed out! Because not only did I like this book, I asbolutely fell in love with Owen and Magnus, with the writing and EVERYTHING! There’s just something magical about the authors writing that draws you in and doesn’t let you go. The characters feel so real and alive, like you could just go out and meet them for a coffee or something.
Owen Barnes only became an author because a friend of his bet him he couldn’t write a YA novel. But turns out he can and he’s really successful at it too! The only problem with being a famous author is that Owen is always in the public eye, which means for him, that he has to go back in the closet or forget about being an author because the public knowing that he’s gay doesn’t fit into the perfect image of a YA author. He’s signed a contract for a 5 book series containing a clause regarding his personal life so if he wants to continue writing his books he has to be straight for the public eye. When he signed the contract he didn’t think that it would ever be a problem for him.
That changes when he meets Magnus at one of his book signings.
Magnus attends the book signing with his niece who’s a really big fan of Owens book and when they meet they immediately form a connection and agree to meet for a coffee after the signing.
Of course Owen’s agent Max hears of the new relationship so he decides to use a newly signed-author, Becky, to make it look like Owen and to the public that she’s Owens girlfriend. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is going to put a strain on even the most perfect relationship and eventually it does.
What really saddened me while reading Blowing It was that even though it’s 2016 we still live in a world where people are made to hide their true self because being who they are might cost them their career. I can only imagine how hard that must be, and Ms. Aaron did a wonderful job in portraying Owens struggle with being back in the closet again after being out before.
This book has so many great characters, that really add to the story and make it more real. I loved all except for Max. But Magnus was my favourite. I absolutely adore him! He’s such a sweetheart and I loved that he’s a family-man, so loving and caring, and understanding of Owens job. He knew what he was getting into when he met Owen and was okay for them to secretly lead their relationship. I really wish he was real!
Blowing It is a great read. It’s thoughtful and hot (MANTIES!!) but mostly a light and beautiful story with beautifully flawed and relatable characters.
I’ve read this book twice already and I know I’ll read it many more times.
March 4, 2015
I loved this so much. First, the whip-smart humour was fantastic, I heartily chuckled my way through this. The engaging dialogue was what tipped it toward five-star territory for me. The connection between Owen and Magnus was magnetic and very natural. I genuinely liked these characters because they were instantly familiar. It was lovely to see them grow and change as well. And the locale was beautifully described. I've never been to London but the descriptions made me simultaneously want to book a ticket to go and feel like I've lived there for ages. The insight to the literary/publishing world was brilliantly done too. Honestly, every aspect of this book was truly lovely. Read it.
March 4, 2015
What a sweet fun story with just the right amount of angst. Kate’s writing is, as always clean and crisp with wonderful relatable characters. There’s nothing but real in this story, none of the ridiculous “everything will work out because we’re so in lurve” that is unfortunately present in too many books. Owen and Magnus have real world problems and real world personality flaws so watching them come together and work them out is all the more sweet.
You can’t go wrong with a Kate Aaron book, pick this one up and be ready to enjoy.
You can’t go wrong with a Kate Aaron book, pick this one up and be ready to enjoy.
December 6, 2015
Owen is a newly successful children's fiction writer. His new status has essentially put him back in the closet. This makes for some difficulties when he meets and starts dating Magnus.
I really liked this story! In fact, after I finished it I saw that there's a sequel, and it's about the same couple and it didn't even make me mad like such things normally do!
Owen and Magnus are believable characters. I really enjoyed their friends and I look forward to more.
I really liked this story! In fact, after I finished it I saw that there's a sequel, and it's about the same couple and it didn't even make me mad like such things normally do!
Owen and Magnus are believable characters. I really enjoyed their friends and I look forward to more.
March 3, 2015
Fun!
Characters well defined especially MC Owen. I love the fun loving type of stories with a touch of angst and Kate Aaron delivered. Very well written and edited beautifully. I'm not good with reviews but trust that this book is fun, great wit all around great read and I've read hundreds of books including this genre.
Characters well defined especially MC Owen. I love the fun loving type of stories with a touch of angst and Kate Aaron delivered. Very well written and edited beautifully. I'm not good with reviews but trust that this book is fun, great wit all around great read and I've read hundreds of books including this genre.
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