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Magpie
He’s my father’s best friend. My protector. My forbidden obsession.
For as long as I can remember, Kittredge Evers has been my anchor—the powerful CEO who never let me down, the man who called me Magpie and filled my childhood with treasures. My father's best friend. But when one drunken confession shattered our careful boundaries, I learned how dangerous it was to want him.
Ten years later, I’m grown. I’m no longer the sweet kid he swore to protect—I’m a man with desires of my own. And Kit? He’s still the most compelling man I’ve ever known. Stern, gorgeous, untouchable… and the one person I can’t seem to let go.
Every stolen glance and slip of the tongue drags us closer to the line we swore we’d never cross. But once we do? There’s no turning back.
Magpie is a scorching, age-gap, father’s-best-friend MM romance filled with slow-burn tension, forbidden desire, and the kind of devotion that sets the world on fire.
For as long as I can remember, Kittredge Evers has been my anchor—the powerful CEO who never let me down, the man who called me Magpie and filled my childhood with treasures. My father's best friend. But when one drunken confession shattered our careful boundaries, I learned how dangerous it was to want him.
Ten years later, I’m grown. I’m no longer the sweet kid he swore to protect—I’m a man with desires of my own. And Kit? He’s still the most compelling man I’ve ever known. Stern, gorgeous, untouchable… and the one person I can’t seem to let go.
Every stolen glance and slip of the tongue drags us closer to the line we swore we’d never cross. But once we do? There’s no turning back.
Magpie is a scorching, age-gap, father’s-best-friend MM romance filled with slow-burn tension, forbidden desire, and the kind of devotion that sets the world on fire.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2026
About the author
Lucy Lennox
100 books4,570 followersI write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 17, 2026
A great story but due to my personal preferences it didn't make all 5 stars😊. The angst and longing were expected. But for me, the passing years just feel empty and full of missed opportunity. Not to mention the self induced barriers were annoying. But still, a wholesome HEA.
At least they didn't wait until they were too much older 🙃😊🤣
*Funeral bingo😎😎😎genius🤣🤣🤣🤣
At least they didn't wait until they were too much older 🙃😊🤣
*Funeral bingo😎😎😎genius🤣🤣🤣🤣
won-t-read-bc-nopes
June 17, 2026Just another second chance where they're pining for each other but dating other people all the while. And it takes 10 years to get together after the first admission of feelings...why? TSTL. Icky for me.
Love so many of Lucy Lennox's books though, so, you second chance fans, check it out!
Love so many of Lucy Lennox's books though, so, you second chance fans, check it out!
June 16, 2026
Cute catch up with Robbie, who was a side character in Grounding Griffin.
This has a fabulous age gap romance coupled with a dad's best friend plotline and covers a decade and then some during which time Robbie pines for the older Kit Evers and Kit tries to ignore his attraction to his best friend's son.
Lots of good things and a fair bit of angst for a Lucy book, also very steamy once things kicked off.
I bought my copy directly from Lucy so I also got the really sweet bonus second chance romance between Jason, another of the Grounding Griffin roommates, and his former best friend Rex.
Rex is a single dad who never forgot his best friend and it was lovely to see them reconnecting after Jason comes back to his home town to help out following his dad's heart scare.
Cute teenager who acts his age and doesn't take over the story just added to the great vibes.
This has a fabulous age gap romance coupled with a dad's best friend plotline and covers a decade and then some during which time Robbie pines for the older Kit Evers and Kit tries to ignore his attraction to his best friend's son.
Lots of good things and a fair bit of angst for a Lucy book, also very steamy once things kicked off.
I bought my copy directly from Lucy so I also got the really sweet bonus second chance romance between Jason, another of the Grounding Griffin roommates, and his former best friend Rex.
Rex is a single dad who never forgot his best friend and it was lovely to see them reconnecting after Jason comes back to his home town to help out following his dad's heart scare.
Cute teenager who acts his age and doesn't take over the story just added to the great vibes.
June 23, 2026
Sigh :(
The first 15% of this book was very promising, especially since I had my reservations going into this book because it’s so short. So I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I was enjoying the first 15/20% of it. And then it just fell off!
The lack of communication in this book is so infuriating, especially considering that one of the men is 32, and the other one is 50. I’m not really sure why they were so hesitant in getting into a relationship with each other. They were both of age. Yes, it was a large age gap, but it wasn’t like they were 50 and 18, so it didn’t seem that monumental to me. And Robbie‘s dad was dead, so it wasn’t like he was there to stir up any drama. And also, I’m not really sure why Kit even cared what Robbie‘s dad thought in the first place because he said multiple times in the book that he did not like Robbie‘s dad. The only reason why he stayed friends with him was because of Robbie in the first place. So even if his dad was alive, I feel like it wouldn’t have been that big of an obstacle for them.
But a lot of this book is just an event happens, and then there’s a time jump. And then another event happens, and then there’s another time jump. Every time I felt like the book was getting somewhere with them and something interesting would happen, it ended, and we immediately went into a time jump. It was very choppy and unsatisfactory and I do think that this book would have benefited from an extra 100 to 150 pages. Because we don’t really see much of a connection between Robbie and Kit. We’re told a lot that they are drawn to one another, and why they feel this way about each other, but we don’t really get to see it.
A lot of their interactions are bogged down by other happenings in the book. Like Robbie‘s dad‘s death or Robbie being in a whole other relationship with another man. We don’t have a lot of scenes of them together when something else isn’t happening and they’re just being together and connecting, and it was hard for me to fully support them as a couple because I’m not really into them as a couple.
And I might be in the minority here, but I found Robbie to be much more frustrating than Kit. He never told Kit how in love with him he was, and yet he expects that Kit is supposed to just know that he is and assumes that Kit is playing with his feelings. Oh yeah, Kit should have said that he wanted something serious with him too instead of just assuming that he knew what was best for Robbie and I can understand why that’s frustrating, but Robbie just assumed that Kit didn’t want to be with him during their first sexual encounter, even though that wasn’t true. Kit literally very plainly says that they’re too drunk to be making decisions like these and yet Robbie just kicks him out and doesn’t talk to him for a long time.
And he blames all of their miscommunication and them not being in a couple solely on Kit. Because Robbie is also the one that decides to have angry/hate sex with Kit and doesn’t give a chance to tell him anything before he just storms off again. And then for the last like 10% of the book he kind of lords this over Kit and says that Kit was the reason why they weren’t together for so long and he needed to get his head out of his ass, etc., etc. I didn’t find that funny or cute. I found that very annoying because Robbie was just as responsible for the miscommunication and the reason why their relationship took so long for them to actually become a thing.
I’m sure this was meant to be a very lighthearted read and because it was so short, maybe I shouldn’t take it as seriously as I did. But what was a very interesting/promising premise just did not deliver to me. And I wish I could’ve enjoyed this more because it has everything that I enjoy in a book, but it did not come together for me.
The first 15% of this book was very promising, especially since I had my reservations going into this book because it’s so short. So I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I was enjoying the first 15/20% of it. And then it just fell off!
The lack of communication in this book is so infuriating, especially considering that one of the men is 32, and the other one is 50. I’m not really sure why they were so hesitant in getting into a relationship with each other. They were both of age. Yes, it was a large age gap, but it wasn’t like they were 50 and 18, so it didn’t seem that monumental to me. And Robbie‘s dad was dead, so it wasn’t like he was there to stir up any drama. And also, I’m not really sure why Kit even cared what Robbie‘s dad thought in the first place because he said multiple times in the book that he did not like Robbie‘s dad. The only reason why he stayed friends with him was because of Robbie in the first place. So even if his dad was alive, I feel like it wouldn’t have been that big of an obstacle for them.
But a lot of this book is just an event happens, and then there’s a time jump. And then another event happens, and then there’s another time jump. Every time I felt like the book was getting somewhere with them and something interesting would happen, it ended, and we immediately went into a time jump. It was very choppy and unsatisfactory and I do think that this book would have benefited from an extra 100 to 150 pages. Because we don’t really see much of a connection between Robbie and Kit. We’re told a lot that they are drawn to one another, and why they feel this way about each other, but we don’t really get to see it.
A lot of their interactions are bogged down by other happenings in the book. Like Robbie‘s dad‘s death or Robbie being in a whole other relationship with another man. We don’t have a lot of scenes of them together when something else isn’t happening and they’re just being together and connecting, and it was hard for me to fully support them as a couple because I’m not really into them as a couple.
And I might be in the minority here, but I found Robbie to be much more frustrating than Kit. He never told Kit how in love with him he was, and yet he expects that Kit is supposed to just know that he is and assumes that Kit is playing with his feelings. Oh yeah, Kit should have said that he wanted something serious with him too instead of just assuming that he knew what was best for Robbie and I can understand why that’s frustrating, but Robbie just assumed that Kit didn’t want to be with him during their first sexual encounter, even though that wasn’t true. Kit literally very plainly says that they’re too drunk to be making decisions like these and yet Robbie just kicks him out and doesn’t talk to him for a long time.
And he blames all of their miscommunication and them not being in a couple solely on Kit. Because Robbie is also the one that decides to have angry/hate sex with Kit and doesn’t give a chance to tell him anything before he just storms off again. And then for the last like 10% of the book he kind of lords this over Kit and says that Kit was the reason why they weren’t together for so long and he needed to get his head out of his ass, etc., etc. I didn’t find that funny or cute. I found that very annoying because Robbie was just as responsible for the miscommunication and the reason why their relationship took so long for them to actually become a thing.
I’m sure this was meant to be a very lighthearted read and because it was so short, maybe I shouldn’t take it as seriously as I did. But what was a very interesting/promising premise just did not deliver to me. And I wish I could’ve enjoyed this more because it has everything that I enjoy in a book, but it did not come together for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2026
I started this book, loved it, and fell into a sense of complacency. Started thinking ‘why was Lucy talking about this being a lil angsty? It’s so sweet’ and then I got it.
I still loved this book, but this one was very second-chance-adjacent and, as we know, I don’t love second chance romances because a majority of the time, our characters spend years apart from each other despite being in love purely because of some miscommunication of other. And this one was no different!
Of course this influenced my rating purely on personal preferences and not on Lucy’s writing because I’ll always love her writing style. But reading about how Kit had been in love with Robbie for a decade but decided FOR HIM that Robbie deserved better than a ‘jaded and old’ man committed to his business just made me sad. They could’ve been together for the last ten years, but weren’t all because of these stupid, self-placed barriers.
I still loved this book, but this one was very second-chance-adjacent and, as we know, I don’t love second chance romances because a majority of the time, our characters spend years apart from each other despite being in love purely because of some miscommunication of other. And this one was no different!
Of course this influenced my rating purely on personal preferences and not on Lucy’s writing because I’ll always love her writing style. But reading about how Kit had been in love with Robbie for a decade but decided FOR HIM that Robbie deserved better than a ‘jaded and old’ man committed to his business just made me sad. They could’ve been together for the last ten years, but weren’t all because of these stupid, self-placed barriers.
June 26, 2026
sweet magpie
This was exactly the palate cleanser I needed after finishing such a heavy read.
Magpie is a short, sweet, slightly angsty novella about Robbie, who we first met in Grounding Griffin. It’s a father’s-best-friend romance with plenty of longing, stolen glances, and years of unresolved feelings before everything finally comes to a head.
Because it’s a novella, I flew through it in one sitting. I do wish we’d gotten to spend a little more time with Robbie and Kit throughout the years instead of jumping between them, because I think that would’ve made the emotional payoff hit even harder.
That said, I still had a great time. The tension was delicious, the chemistry was there from the very beginning, and when things finally turned steamy… whew. It was absolutely worth the wait.
Overall, this was sweet, romantic, and ridiculously easy to binge. If you’re looking for a quick, low-angst read with a satisfying slow burn, this one is definitely worth picking up.
This was exactly the palate cleanser I needed after finishing such a heavy read.
Magpie is a short, sweet, slightly angsty novella about Robbie, who we first met in Grounding Griffin. It’s a father’s-best-friend romance with plenty of longing, stolen glances, and years of unresolved feelings before everything finally comes to a head.
Because it’s a novella, I flew through it in one sitting. I do wish we’d gotten to spend a little more time with Robbie and Kit throughout the years instead of jumping between them, because I think that would’ve made the emotional payoff hit even harder.
That said, I still had a great time. The tension was delicious, the chemistry was there from the very beginning, and when things finally turned steamy… whew. It was absolutely worth the wait.
Overall, this was sweet, romantic, and ridiculously easy to binge. If you’re looking for a quick, low-angst read with a satisfying slow burn, this one is definitely worth picking up.
August 19, 2026
Magpie gave me exactly the kind of forbidden MM romance I love age gap, father’s best friend, slow-burn tension, and two men who probably should NOT be looking at each other the way they are…which obviously means I needed them together immediately.
Robbie and Kit’s chemistry had me hooked. There’s this push-and-pull between them because Kit knows all the reasons he should keep his distance, but Robbie is absolutely not interested in making that easy for him. And once those walls start coming down? Whew.
What I really enjoyed was that underneath all that forbidden attraction and spice, there was a tenderness to Robbie and Kit’s relationship. Watching their connection deepen from something they shouldn’t want into something neither of them is willing to walk away from was SO satisfying.
And then there’s Michael Dean.
At this point, he and Lucy Lennox are just a combination that WORKS for me. He gave Robbie and Kit distinct voices, brought out all that tension and emotion, and once again made it way too easy for me to disappear into the story.
The tropes:
❤️ Age Gap
🔥 Father’s Best Friend
🚫 Forbidden Romance
🐌 Slow Burn
🏳️🌈 MM Romance
💘 He Falls Hard
🌶️ Plenty of Chemistry
🥹 Sweet + Spicy
If you like your MM romance with forbidden tension, an older man trying desperately to be responsible, and a younger man basically saying “yeah…good luck with that,” Magpie is definitely one to add to your audio TBR.
Robbie and Kit’s chemistry had me hooked. There’s this push-and-pull between them because Kit knows all the reasons he should keep his distance, but Robbie is absolutely not interested in making that easy for him. And once those walls start coming down? Whew.
What I really enjoyed was that underneath all that forbidden attraction and spice, there was a tenderness to Robbie and Kit’s relationship. Watching their connection deepen from something they shouldn’t want into something neither of them is willing to walk away from was SO satisfying.
And then there’s Michael Dean.
At this point, he and Lucy Lennox are just a combination that WORKS for me. He gave Robbie and Kit distinct voices, brought out all that tension and emotion, and once again made it way too easy for me to disappear into the story.
The tropes:
❤️ Age Gap
🔥 Father’s Best Friend
🚫 Forbidden Romance
🐌 Slow Burn
🏳️🌈 MM Romance
💘 He Falls Hard
🌶️ Plenty of Chemistry
🥹 Sweet + Spicy
If you like your MM romance with forbidden tension, an older man trying desperately to be responsible, and a younger man basically saying “yeah…good luck with that,” Magpie is definitely one to add to your audio TBR.
June 17, 2026
MAGPIE
I’m so glad Lucy decided to give us more of Robbie and Kit! I love the age gap, dad’s best friend tropes so much and this one hit the perfect spot.
Kit’s devotion to Robbie was absolutely sweet. He took better care of him than his own father did. He was there for Robbie when he needed him the most and would go out his way to make sure he was safe. You’d have to dead not to fall in love with someone like that.
It was impossible for Robbie not to be head over heels in love with Kit when he was everything he ever wished for. Kit set the bar too high for anyone else and nobody else would do. But no matter how hard Robbie wished Kit could be his, he never saw him as anything but his best friend’s kid.
Kit thought that Robbie was better off without him. He thought that Robbie deserved someone better, not a man nearly two decades older and married to his job.
But Robbie knew what he wanted since he was a teenager. He wanted Kit. He tried to move on but Kit ruined him for other men.
It took many of Robbie’s failed attempts at a relationship for Kit to finally understand that HE was the right man for Robbie. HE was the only one who really knew him and appreciated his need for lowkey but memorable moments. Once he got his head out of his butt, he understood that that was all Robbie ever wanted. A life with HIM.
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓿𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮. 𝓜𝔂 𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓵𝓮𝓯𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓸𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓲𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽. 𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓳𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓫𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓭, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼.”
Robbie’s dream finally coming true was the best thing ever. After losing so much, he finally got the one person he’s been dreaming about for half his life.
RECLAIMING REX (ONLY AVAILABLE IF YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED TO LUCY’S NEWSLETTER)
Aww, what a sweet second chance story! I always have mixed feelings about second chance stories because most of the time their separation is due to miscommunication or a bad decision.
Rex and Jason were best friends who eventually fell in love with each other. At a time where being gay was highly frowned upon, they fell hard and deep. It was the kind of love that took your breath away and one that even time couldn’t erase.
But that love was stunted when Rex chose to do the right thing by marrying the woman he got pregnant. He knew this decision would cost him the love of his life but he just could not be the responsible man he was raised to be.
Fifteen years later and the man he never got over came back into his life reminding him how much he loved him. Jason was the only man Rex ever loved and nobody else could ever measure up.
Being back in the place he swore to never come back was harder than Jason was expecting. Not only because he’d have to face the man who broke his heart but also because he still loved him after all those years.
Finding out that things weren’t what he thought was a shock to the system. Finding out that all these years him and Rex could have been together if he’d come home, hit him hard.
But things happened exactly the way they were supposed to. The years apart helped them both grow into the men they were today. Now they had the life experience and strength to face whatever came their way.
“𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒. 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃… 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓃’𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒. 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒. 𝐼 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉… 𝐼 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊.”
I loved this book so much. It made want to read Made Marian and Forever Wilde again 🥰
I’m so glad Lucy decided to give us more of Robbie and Kit! I love the age gap, dad’s best friend tropes so much and this one hit the perfect spot.
Kit’s devotion to Robbie was absolutely sweet. He took better care of him than his own father did. He was there for Robbie when he needed him the most and would go out his way to make sure he was safe. You’d have to dead not to fall in love with someone like that.
It was impossible for Robbie not to be head over heels in love with Kit when he was everything he ever wished for. Kit set the bar too high for anyone else and nobody else would do. But no matter how hard Robbie wished Kit could be his, he never saw him as anything but his best friend’s kid.
Kit thought that Robbie was better off without him. He thought that Robbie deserved someone better, not a man nearly two decades older and married to his job.
But Robbie knew what he wanted since he was a teenager. He wanted Kit. He tried to move on but Kit ruined him for other men.
It took many of Robbie’s failed attempts at a relationship for Kit to finally understand that HE was the right man for Robbie. HE was the only one who really knew him and appreciated his need for lowkey but memorable moments. Once he got his head out of his butt, he understood that that was all Robbie ever wanted. A life with HIM.
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓿𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮. 𝓜𝔂 𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓵𝓮𝓯𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓸𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓲𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽. 𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓳𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓫𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓭, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼.”
Robbie’s dream finally coming true was the best thing ever. After losing so much, he finally got the one person he’s been dreaming about for half his life.
RECLAIMING REX (ONLY AVAILABLE IF YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED TO LUCY’S NEWSLETTER)
Aww, what a sweet second chance story! I always have mixed feelings about second chance stories because most of the time their separation is due to miscommunication or a bad decision.
Rex and Jason were best friends who eventually fell in love with each other. At a time where being gay was highly frowned upon, they fell hard and deep. It was the kind of love that took your breath away and one that even time couldn’t erase.
But that love was stunted when Rex chose to do the right thing by marrying the woman he got pregnant. He knew this decision would cost him the love of his life but he just could not be the responsible man he was raised to be.
Fifteen years later and the man he never got over came back into his life reminding him how much he loved him. Jason was the only man Rex ever loved and nobody else could ever measure up.
Being back in the place he swore to never come back was harder than Jason was expecting. Not only because he’d have to face the man who broke his heart but also because he still loved him after all those years.
Finding out that things weren’t what he thought was a shock to the system. Finding out that all these years him and Rex could have been together if he’d come home, hit him hard.
But things happened exactly the way they were supposed to. The years apart helped them both grow into the men they were today. Now they had the life experience and strength to face whatever came their way.
“𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒. 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃… 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓃’𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒. 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒. 𝐼 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉… 𝐼 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊.”
I loved this book so much. It made want to read Made Marian and Forever Wilde again 🥰
June 17, 2026
Hmm. Both main characters were likeable enough, but I really didn't see why it had to take so long for them to get together. That it didn't happen after Robbie's drunken confession at 22, okay, but why did he have to spell it out again and again for Kit to finally get on board, even when he loved Robbie all along? So annoying. And this is a personal preference, but I just really dislike it when the main characters are obviously in love with each other, but are constantly dating other people. I sort of get it in Robbie's case, since he thought (with reason) that Kit didn't want him, so he tried to seriously date other people to find his happy ever after, but I still didn't like to read about a bunch of other guys (or women, in Kit's case). Give me lonely pining people, please.
July 20, 2026
This is a dad’s best friend to more romance novella, featuring Robbie Warren and Kittredge Evers, and is a standalone book.
Kit has spent years protecting his best friend’s son, but after a long-buried confession resurfaces, the attraction they’ve both tried to ignore becomes impossible to deny. Reunited a decade later, they must decide if risking everything is worth a chance at love.
This was a great addition to the Marion Universe. Robbie and Kit try to fight their attraction to together but eventually they give in. We get lots of Marion Legacy cameos, which of course makes me want to reread the series all over again.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone
Related to series
Novella
MM romance
Dad’s best friend
Age gap
CEO x teacher
Mutual crush
Unrequited love
Protective MC
Pining
Calls him magpie
Spicy times & dirty talk
Hook up to more
Hate s*x & Office s*x
Breeding kink
Push / pull
Hurt / Comfort
HEA
Kit has spent years protecting his best friend’s son, but after a long-buried confession resurfaces, the attraction they’ve both tried to ignore becomes impossible to deny. Reunited a decade later, they must decide if risking everything is worth a chance at love.
This was a great addition to the Marion Universe. Robbie and Kit try to fight their attraction to together but eventually they give in. We get lots of Marion Legacy cameos, which of course makes me want to reread the series all over again.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone
Related to series
Novella
MM romance
Dad’s best friend
Age gap
CEO x teacher
Mutual crush
Unrequited love
Protective MC
Pining
Calls him magpie
Spicy times & dirty talk
Hook up to more
Hate s*x & Office s*x
Breeding kink
Push / pull
Hurt / Comfort
HEA
June 19, 2026
4.25 stars. Angsty, short story.
June 22, 2026
Seriously? Communication is such a wonderful thing... if only people would take advantage of it! 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would!!! 🥰
Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would!!! 🥰
June 20, 2026
Very sweet but there wasn’t much happening here. (I mean, apart from the main characters having relationships with other people…)
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 stars
This novella was sweet and lovely, exactly what I needed right now.
Robbie appears in Grounding Griffin, as one of Sam's roommates and finally he gets to have his own overdue HEA.
Since he was 16 years old, he has been in love with his father's best friend, the man who has been a constant in his life, the one who's always protected him, cherished him and supported him when his own father didn't.
Kit is a businessman, he devoted his life to his company and never felt the need to settle down with anyone, man or woman. He's always been there for his "Magpie" especially after his mom died.
But the night of Robbie's graduation, when he drunkenly confessed to be in love with him, Kit realises he's in love too and the thought scares him. They have an 18 years age gap, Robbie's father wouldn't approve and moreover, Kit is no "husband material" for anyone because he's too focused on his work.
I loved their breaking point: at 32, Robbie is tired of waiting for Kit. He knows his love for him held him back his entire life and even when he met a wonderful man, he couldn't truly commit because of Kit.
I really really liked that he decided to finally live his own life, the life he's always dreamed of, in a small town, working with children and appreciating the small things. That time for himself allowed Robbie to stay strong and ask for what he really wanted. I think he also stopped seeing the romanticised version of Kit he always craved, the hero and the protector who has always been there for him. Now Kit is a partner and they're equal in their relationship.
It was fun to see handsome, powerful, always put together Kit almost brought to his knees and begging for a chance: it's clear that he stopped considering his Magpie like someone to protect and making decisions for and that he finally acknowledged that Robbie is a determined man who doesn't need to be saved or sheltered, but only loved and cherished.
Both the epilogue and the epiloguette were lovely! Everything I wished for Kit and Robbie!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
This novella was sweet and lovely, exactly what I needed right now.
Robbie appears in Grounding Griffin, as one of Sam's roommates and finally he gets to have his own overdue HEA.
Since he was 16 years old, he has been in love with his father's best friend, the man who has been a constant in his life, the one who's always protected him, cherished him and supported him when his own father didn't.
Kit is a businessman, he devoted his life to his company and never felt the need to settle down with anyone, man or woman. He's always been there for his "Magpie" especially after his mom died.
But the night of Robbie's graduation, when he drunkenly confessed to be in love with him, Kit realises he's in love too and the thought scares him. They have an 18 years age gap, Robbie's father wouldn't approve and moreover, Kit is no "husband material" for anyone because he's too focused on his work.
I loved their breaking point: at 32, Robbie is tired of waiting for Kit. He knows his love for him held him back his entire life and even when he met a wonderful man, he couldn't truly commit because of Kit.
I really really liked that he decided to finally live his own life, the life he's always dreamed of, in a small town, working with children and appreciating the small things. That time for himself allowed Robbie to stay strong and ask for what he really wanted. I think he also stopped seeing the romanticised version of Kit he always craved, the hero and the protector who has always been there for him. Now Kit is a partner and they're equal in their relationship.
It was fun to see handsome, powerful, always put together Kit almost brought to his knees and begging for a chance: it's clear that he stopped considering his Magpie like someone to protect and making decisions for and that he finally acknowledged that Robbie is a determined man who doesn't need to be saved or sheltered, but only loved and cherished.
Both the epilogue and the epiloguette were lovely! Everything I wished for Kit and Robbie!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
June 16, 2026
3.5⭐️
The relationship between Kit (50) and Robbie (32) is built on years of devotion, loyalty, and quiet longing. The age gap and their complicated history create an emotional foundation that feels genuine and heartfelt. I never doubted how deeply these two cared for each other.
Where the story lost me was in the pacing. A large portion of this novella is spent in a prolonged will-they-won’t-they dynamic. While I appreciated the emotional conflict, it eventually began to feel repetitive, especially considering these are grown men who have been circling the same feelings for years. The obstacle remained largely unchanged, and I found myself wanting the relationship, and the characters themselves, to evolve sooner.
Ironically, Kit and Robbie don’t truly choose each other until very late in the story. After spending so much time waiting for them to get together, I wanted more opportunities to see them actually be together. Instead, major relationship milestones happen in quick succession, leaving the ending feeling rushed compared to the slow build that came before it. There has to be a happy medium in a novella between insta-love and years of unresolved pining that leaves too little page time for the actual relationship.
That said, the romance itself is sweet, and the emotional connection is undeniable. I just wish I’d had a little more time to live in that happiness after investing in their journey.
The relationship between Kit (50) and Robbie (32) is built on years of devotion, loyalty, and quiet longing. The age gap and their complicated history create an emotional foundation that feels genuine and heartfelt. I never doubted how deeply these two cared for each other.
Where the story lost me was in the pacing. A large portion of this novella is spent in a prolonged will-they-won’t-they dynamic. While I appreciated the emotional conflict, it eventually began to feel repetitive, especially considering these are grown men who have been circling the same feelings for years. The obstacle remained largely unchanged, and I found myself wanting the relationship, and the characters themselves, to evolve sooner.
Ironically, Kit and Robbie don’t truly choose each other until very late in the story. After spending so much time waiting for them to get together, I wanted more opportunities to see them actually be together. Instead, major relationship milestones happen in quick succession, leaving the ending feeling rushed compared to the slow build that came before it. There has to be a happy medium in a novella between insta-love and years of unresolved pining that leaves too little page time for the actual relationship.
That said, the romance itself is sweet, and the emotional connection is undeniable. I just wish I’d had a little more time to live in that happiness after investing in their journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a really good read. This book was two short books in one the first one was about Robbie who we first met in Grounding Griff he was Sam's roommate. Robbie has been in love with Kit Evers since he was a teenager. Kit as always been there for him Kit is older and controlling and set in his ways and he is protective of his "Magpie". I really liked this story Robbie tried to move on after his father's death but he couldn't and when his boyfriend made a big spectacle of proposing he said no. I loved that they got there act together. The second short was about the other roommate Jason. He goes home to Cumberland, KY after his father has a heart attack. Rex was his best friend the first and only person that he's been in love with its been 15 years since he left home after Rex told him that his ex Sarah was pregnant and he was marrying her. This was also a really good story Jason's family was there for Rex and his son his father gave him a job. Rex has been through a lot first Sarah leaves him with a baby and when his parents find out he is gay they try to take his son from him. I liked that these two never stopped loving each other. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I devoured the first 3/4 of this novella in one sitting and the took a break and then a week later devoured the end. I feel like I would have two different reviews based on each read day.
The end was swoony emotional perfection. It was a Lucy Lennox book! She’s rapidly become one of my absolute favorite authors! Spicy and sweet and truly lovely characters. So romantic my heart exploded.
I had some icky feels in my first reading session just based on how parental Kip acted and how immature for a 32 year old Robbie felt at times (to be fair though Robbie is dealing with major life events every time Kip shows up though so I can kind of let that slide- Kip was in all honesty a somewhat parental figure for a large portion of his life but when he’s acting like a teen- it just extended the age gap feel). There’s running away from feels and the older character thinking he knows best and angry sexy times though so, just not my fave storylines. But I liked Robbie. I liked Kip a lot! I wish he would have been a smidge less paternal. If you like large age gaps and drama- you’ll probably enjoy this one.
Advanced copy won from social media.
RTC on the Jason novella at the end.
The end was swoony emotional perfection. It was a Lucy Lennox book! She’s rapidly become one of my absolute favorite authors! Spicy and sweet and truly lovely characters. So romantic my heart exploded.
I had some icky feels in my first reading session just based on how parental Kip acted and how immature for a 32 year old Robbie felt at times (to be fair though Robbie is dealing with major life events every time Kip shows up though so I can kind of let that slide- Kip was in all honesty a somewhat parental figure for a large portion of his life but when he’s acting like a teen- it just extended the age gap feel). There’s running away from feels and the older character thinking he knows best and angry sexy times though so, just not my fave storylines. But I liked Robbie. I liked Kip a lot! I wish he would have been a smidge less paternal. If you like large age gaps and drama- you’ll probably enjoy this one.
Advanced copy won from social media.
RTC on the Jason novella at the end.
July 6, 2026
Robbie's in love with his father's best friend, Kit, for years now but Kit kept on pushing him away. Lines kept on blurring between them, and there's something enticing with their relationship.
I saw father's best friend, and instantly went count me in.
I don't know what to rate this because the second half of this was good. But I just cannot forget the first half so I settled with a three.
This is part of an interconnected series but I read it as a standalone which didn't take away from the book.
We are in both POV of Robbie and Kit, and both them were very obvious with wanting each other, loving each other and yearning for each other but know they can't be together because of outside forces and mainly because of Kit.
The whole book was full of drama, angst and plot twist upon plot twist. This book was packed.
I didn't really like the first half and it's probably because of the push-and-pull, hot-and-cold treatment by Kit towards Robbie. Though he did redeemed himself on the second half when he grovelled.
I saw father's best friend, and instantly went count me in.
I don't know what to rate this because the second half of this was good. But I just cannot forget the first half so I settled with a three.
This is part of an interconnected series but I read it as a standalone which didn't take away from the book.
We are in both POV of Robbie and Kit, and both them were very obvious with wanting each other, loving each other and yearning for each other but know they can't be together because of outside forces and mainly because of Kit.
The whole book was full of drama, angst and plot twist upon plot twist. This book was packed.
I didn't really like the first half and it's probably because of the push-and-pull, hot-and-cold treatment by Kit towards Robbie. Though he did redeemed himself on the second half when he grovelled.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I purchased this early copy of Magpie from the author because this edition also included a second novella called Reclaiming Rex that won't be in the Amazon edition. I liked both stories even though I wished Reclaiming Rex was longer. I do have a complaint about continuity between the two stories, but since Magpie isn't technically published yet, I'll be discreet. Overall though, I had fun getting to know these side characters from the Made Marian universe better.
June 4, 2026
Embracing love that is true
I fell in love with Kit and Robbie in this age gap father’s friend romance. The slow burn tension. The unrequited declarations. The double pining. It was all woven together into the perfect romance of swoons and big feels. Robbie is an elementary school teacher who has been in love with his father’s friend for more than a decade. Kit is a wealthy CEO. He has feelings as well but has a list of reasons not to act on them so platonic care and protection it is. To get to their HEA, they’ll need to take a leap of faith and embrace the truth. Despite being short, the novella was well written and included three dimensional characters and an engaging storyline. How could I not fall in love with Kit’s level of devotion and Robbie’s determination while reading this love story. I might have permanent heart eyes for these two.
I fell in love with Kit and Robbie in this age gap father’s friend romance. The slow burn tension. The unrequited declarations. The double pining. It was all woven together into the perfect romance of swoons and big feels. Robbie is an elementary school teacher who has been in love with his father’s friend for more than a decade. Kit is a wealthy CEO. He has feelings as well but has a list of reasons not to act on them so platonic care and protection it is. To get to their HEA, they’ll need to take a leap of faith and embrace the truth. Despite being short, the novella was well written and included three dimensional characters and an engaging storyline. How could I not fall in love with Kit’s level of devotion and Robbie’s determination while reading this love story. I might have permanent heart eyes for these two.
Read
June 12, 2026Oh I love Robbie and Kit in this book. Although it was a time or two there I thought I was going to have to smack it upside the back of the head if he didn't get a move on and let Robbie know how he really felt. Doesn't that just say something though about a book like if you are over here reading a book and you are yelling at it and screaming at it and cheering the couple on that means that author has done an amazing job of making you feel like you're in the middle of the story and these are all your best friends and you just want what is best for them. That's the feeling I get when I read this author her books just suck you in and make you feel like you are part of the family that she is telling you about. This book it made my heart so happy it was a fantastic read from beginning cover to end cover.
June 16, 2026
We were introduced briefly to Robbie and Jason in the author’s earlier book ‘Grounding Griff’, and this novella finally gives us their stories.
Firstly we have Robbie’s story. He’s had a crush on his father’s friend Kit since he was a teenager, although for the past 15 years or so Kit has ignored this, even though he constantly watches over Robbie, or Magpie, as he’s nicknamed him. It finally takes a loss and a break-up for things in this age-gap story to come to a head, and for Robbie to get his HEA.
The second story gives us Jason’s happy ending, when he reluctantly returns to his home town and his lost love, Rex, only to find nothing is as he expected and that both he and Rex still have the same feelings.
These two sweet, sometimes emotional shorts were a delight to read, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Firstly we have Robbie’s story. He’s had a crush on his father’s friend Kit since he was a teenager, although for the past 15 years or so Kit has ignored this, even though he constantly watches over Robbie, or Magpie, as he’s nicknamed him. It finally takes a loss and a break-up for things in this age-gap story to come to a head, and for Robbie to get his HEA.
The second story gives us Jason’s happy ending, when he reluctantly returns to his home town and his lost love, Rex, only to find nothing is as he expected and that both he and Rex still have the same feelings.
These two sweet, sometimes emotional shorts were a delight to read, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
June 16, 2026
Magpie from Lucy Lennox is the perfect mix of sweet, sexy and funny. Just the way I like my romances! We met Robbie in Grounding Griffin so we've been waiting for his story for a while. He's always had a massive crush on his father's friend, Kit. Older, wiser, handsome and always there for him. Kit is too old and jaded to be with Robbie, so he watches him from afar and makes sure he's taken care of. He won't dare hope Robbie could be his. Until one explosive night and he gets his wish, except it's not what he wants. He doesn't want a one-time thing, he wants forever. Robbie had to make some changes in his life, and when Kit shows up to tell him he loves him, it changes everything! I loved this story and these two characters! They made me laugh and tear up a little. The bonus story of Jason and Rex is also quite delicious!
July 23, 2026
The longer the story went on, the more I hated it. Because it was just hot & cold betwen the two charas for 90000 years. I honestly was going to DNF, till the office thing happened, .
And even then, there was another dumb separation.
Like seriously, these two are adults, and never manage to have one single coherent conversation with honesty in 20 years. Or however many years they've known each other. I don't know what the fuck the author was thinking, it felt like they were too afraid to actually get the ball rolling and stretching out the story unnecessarily. Would have been so much better had we actually gotten more of them as an actual couple instead of a parade of NPC charas, stupid galas & sexual partners that disappeared in the next chapter.
And even then, there was another dumb separation.
Like seriously, these two are adults, and never manage to have one single coherent conversation with honesty in 20 years. Or however many years they've known each other. I don't know what the fuck the author was thinking, it felt like they were too afraid to actually get the ball rolling and stretching out the story unnecessarily. Would have been so much better had we actually gotten more of them as an actual couple instead of a parade of NPC charas, stupid galas & sexual partners that disappeared in the next chapter.
Review of advance copy
This book was Marian Gold!
Robbie is a Marian friend, via Sam of Grounding Griffin. This is his story, and it is ahmazing!
Robbie has a hard backstory with family, but always crushed on Dad’s friend Kit. Eighteen years older Kit. Kit, who would never cross that line with his friend’s son.
This book is a novella, but written so well, as it lays the story out beautifully. It shows you the steps over time and I don’t. Want. To. Spoil. It!! But, these two show their underbellies in the most beautiful way and tears will happen! (For you!)
Highly recommend this wonderful novella. It is a delightful gem in the Marian world and you do not even need to have read the other books to follow the story!
Robbie is a Marian friend, via Sam of Grounding Griffin. This is his story, and it is ahmazing!
Robbie has a hard backstory with family, but always crushed on Dad’s friend Kit. Eighteen years older Kit. Kit, who would never cross that line with his friend’s son.
This book is a novella, but written so well, as it lays the story out beautifully. It shows you the steps over time and I don’t. Want. To. Spoil. It!! But, these two show their underbellies in the most beautiful way and tears will happen! (For you!)
Highly recommend this wonderful novella. It is a delightful gem in the Marian world and you do not even need to have read the other books to follow the story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a great novella featuring Kit and Robbie in an 18year age gap slow burn romance. Kit is best friends with Robbie’s dad and being fully aware of the situation between the two, has always kept a close eye on the well being of Robbie. Whilst Robbie has always harboured feelings for Kit even when trying to find happiness with another. Ten years pass before these two men finally come to a place in their lives where they acknowledge their true feelings for each other and get a longed for HEA. It’s not without some hurdles and pain filled moments mixed with some sweet and steamy times but it is certainly worth every moment.
“I used to think love was a whirlwind you braced for,” I murmured. “With you, it’s the tide. Steady. I can breathe with it. Count on it.”
“I used to think love was a whirlwind you braced for,” I murmured. “With you, it’s the tide. Steady. I can breathe with it. Count on it.”
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June 10, 2026OH MY GAWD.
Lucy Lennox is keeping us FED. Magpie was AMAZING. Kit and Robbie were just what I needed tonight. I loved them so much.
• father's best friend
• age gap
• pining LORD, THE PINING
• down bad man who treasures his treasure
I loved everything about this. The romance. The yearning. These two were just so good. The settings in California and South Carolina, perfection. All the little details were great, and I was invested from the beginning.
While this does feature side characters from other stories by Lennox, you can absolutely enjoy on it's own. This is definitely gonna be a reread for me. I loved the devotion. I loved that it wasn't easy and perfect. Kit wasn't perfect and neither was Robbie. But they were perfect for each other!
Lucy Lennox is keeping us FED. Magpie was AMAZING. Kit and Robbie were just what I needed tonight. I loved them so much.
• father's best friend
• age gap
• pining LORD, THE PINING
• down bad man who treasures his treasure
I loved everything about this. The romance. The yearning. These two were just so good. The settings in California and South Carolina, perfection. All the little details were great, and I was invested from the beginning.
While this does feature side characters from other stories by Lennox, you can absolutely enjoy on it's own. This is definitely gonna be a reread for me. I loved the devotion. I loved that it wasn't easy and perfect. Kit wasn't perfect and neither was Robbie. But they were perfect for each other!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I can always depend on Lucy Lennox for a satisfying read: a solid story with interesting characters and just the right amount of steam.
Sometimes, though, she outdoes herself and delivers a book that touches my heart, makes my stomach swoop, and gives me that catch in my throat as I feel what the characters are feeling.
Magpie is one of those books, despite being a novella. Or maybe because it is—it felt like the perfect length to me. And it takes skill to handle a father's-friend romance without it ever veering into feeling icky; Lucy has that skill in spades because I never felt the least bit uncomfortable with the path of this relationship.
This one is definitely going on my list of all-time Lucy favorites.
Sometimes, though, she outdoes herself and delivers a book that touches my heart, makes my stomach swoop, and gives me that catch in my throat as I feel what the characters are feeling.
Magpie is one of those books, despite being a novella. Or maybe because it is—it felt like the perfect length to me. And it takes skill to handle a father's-friend romance without it ever veering into feeling icky; Lucy has that skill in spades because I never felt the least bit uncomfortable with the path of this relationship.
This one is definitely going on my list of all-time Lucy favorites.
June 16, 2026
Ahhh to love someone and give them your all and everything…from afar…
Because of course things are complicated.
He is your best friends son…
Robbie - Magpie - I let you find out why he has that nickname for yourself - because it’s so so sweet. 💗
Robbie is in love with Kit since he was sixteen… He thinks Kit is perfect, a little bit older - oh yeah age gap 💗 - and always there for Robbie. He also is a workaholic and doesn’t do long relationships. So, is this a recipe for disaster or can he be all Robbie wants and deserves in the end?
We get to see snippets of their lives for over a decade… and despite of all MY pining (needed to be an ally to Magpie) the waiting was so worth it. To see their story unfold and for them to finally get their HEA was very rewarding. Phew!
Because of course things are complicated.
He is your best friends son…
Robbie - Magpie - I let you find out why he has that nickname for yourself - because it’s so so sweet. 💗
Robbie is in love with Kit since he was sixteen… He thinks Kit is perfect, a little bit older - oh yeah age gap 💗 - and always there for Robbie. He also is a workaholic and doesn’t do long relationships. So, is this a recipe for disaster or can he be all Robbie wants and deserves in the end?
We get to see snippets of their lives for over a decade… and despite of all MY pining (needed to be an ally to Magpie) the waiting was so worth it. To see their story unfold and for them to finally get their HEA was very rewarding. Phew!
June 16, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Magpie by Lucy Lennox is a sweet and sexy age-gap romance and one I really enjoyed. It takes place within the author’s Made Marian world, but is not directly a part of either the main series, or Made Marian Legacy spinoff. Robbie is a side character in Grounding Griffin and appears there as one of Sam’s roommates. This story takes place after that book, but the timeline is a little vague, we just know Sam and Griffin are already together. Regardless, you can easily jump in here without reading the other book (as I did) and this one stands alone just fine.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Magpie by Lucy Lennox is a sweet and sexy age-gap romance and one I really enjoyed. It takes place within the author’s Made Marian world, but is not directly a part of either the main series, or Made Marian Legacy spinoff. Robbie is a side character in Grounding Griffin and appears there as one of Sam’s roommates. This story takes place after that book, but the timeline is a little vague, we just know Sam and Griffin are already together. Regardless, you can easily jump in here without reading the other book (as I did) and this one stands alone just fine.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
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