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Axford Brothers #1.5
Axes and Ohs
They say everyone’s good at something, right? Well, my superpower happens to be making catastrophically bad decisions. Sabotaging my father’s multi-million-dollar ad campaign because his client was a homophobic jerk? Done.
Accidentally causing a viral scandal? Check.
Confessing the whole thing, then road-tripping from Manhattan to pickle-obsessed Winsome, Vermont, to apologize to the poor guy who got blamed? You bet your gherkin.
After this, I’m done with impulsive behavior for good. No more reckless choices. No more big gestures…
Until Carlos Morales sits beside me at the bar.
He’s gorgeous, kind, grounded, funny, and until approximately five minutes ago, straight. He lives for family, forests, and small-town festivals the way I live for nightlife, neon, and high fashion.
Flirting with him is foolish. Kissing him is worse. And falling for this man when our lives couldn’t be more different is either my next spectacularly impulsive disaster…
Or the best decision I’ll ever make.
Accidentally causing a viral scandal? Check.
Confessing the whole thing, then road-tripping from Manhattan to pickle-obsessed Winsome, Vermont, to apologize to the poor guy who got blamed? You bet your gherkin.
After this, I’m done with impulsive behavior for good. No more reckless choices. No more big gestures…
Until Carlos Morales sits beside me at the bar.
He’s gorgeous, kind, grounded, funny, and until approximately five minutes ago, straight. He lives for family, forests, and small-town festivals the way I live for nightlife, neon, and high fashion.
Flirting with him is foolish. Kissing him is worse. And falling for this man when our lives couldn’t be more different is either my next spectacularly impulsive disaster…
Or the best decision I’ll ever make.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
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July 28, 2026Short and sweet.
August 12, 2026
I loved that we got Erick’s point of view. To be honest, I hated him for what he did to Griffin and how initially it looked like he ruined Griffin’s life.
But now reading his story, I can see he too was having a really hard time living a life he didn’t want. He had his own dreams that his father saw as just a tantrum and something he’d get over soon.
However, that doesn’t excuse his behavior towards Griffin. He shouldn’t have taken out his issues on someone that had nothing to do with him.
At least his actions brought him and Griffin the love of their lives. By sincerely apologizing to Griffin, he caught Carlos’s attention and respect. Carlos saw him in a way that none of the people in his rich circle ever did.
Carlos had never been interested in men before, but something about Erick just felt right. How easy their conversation was and how much chemistry there was between them, felt like they’d known each other forever.
Erick never expected he’d find the right man in a small town in Vermont with someone so uniquely different from him. Yet he couldn’t be happier. For once, an impulsive decision brought him the most fulfilling life.
But now reading his story, I can see he too was having a really hard time living a life he didn’t want. He had his own dreams that his father saw as just a tantrum and something he’d get over soon.
However, that doesn’t excuse his behavior towards Griffin. He shouldn’t have taken out his issues on someone that had nothing to do with him.
At least his actions brought him and Griffin the love of their lives. By sincerely apologizing to Griffin, he caught Carlos’s attention and respect. Carlos saw him in a way that none of the people in his rich circle ever did.
Carlos had never been interested in men before, but something about Erick just felt right. How easy their conversation was and how much chemistry there was between them, felt like they’d known each other forever.
Erick never expected he’d find the right man in a small town in Vermont with someone so uniquely different from him. Yet he couldn’t be happier. For once, an impulsive decision brought him the most fulfilling life.
August 4, 2026
Embracing a life and love that is true
I fell in love with Erick and Carlos in this opposites attract bi-awakening novella. The awkwardness. The impulsivity crown. The spice. It was all woven together into the perfect romance of swoons and big feels. Erick is rich and works for his father’s marketing company in NYC. Carlos is a lumberjack in small town Winsome, VT. They meet when Erick travels to Winsome to apologize for allowing a coworker to be blamed for his actions on a marketing campaign (Kiss my Axe). Despite being straight, Carlos is attracted to Erick which leads to one spicy encounter before Erick goes back to NYC to figure out his life. To get to their HEA, they’ll need to take a leap of faith, embrace the truth, and do a little life rearranging. 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 the adorkableness that is Carlos and Erick. I felt as invested as Mrs. Quan and now I might have permanent heart eyes for these two.
I fell in love with Erick and Carlos in this opposites attract bi-awakening novella. The awkwardness. The impulsivity crown. The spice. It was all woven together into the perfect romance of swoons and big feels. Erick is rich and works for his father’s marketing company in NYC. Carlos is a lumberjack in small town Winsome, VT. They meet when Erick travels to Winsome to apologize for allowing a coworker to be blamed for his actions on a marketing campaign (Kiss my Axe). Despite being straight, Carlos is attracted to Erick which leads to one spicy encounter before Erick goes back to NYC to figure out his life. To get to their HEA, they’ll need to take a leap of faith, embrace the truth, and do a little life rearranging. 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 the adorkableness that is Carlos and Erick. I felt as invested as Mrs. Quan and now I might have permanent heart eyes for these two.
August 20, 2026
3 estrellas
⚪ M/M Romance
⚪ Small Town Romance
⚪ Bi Awakening
Carlos es leñador en un pequeño pueblo de Vermont. Siempre se ha considerado heterosexual hasta que un día conoce a Erick y queda deslumbrado. Erick acaba de llegar de Nueva York y va acompañado de su rico padre, propietario de la empresa donde trabajaba Griffin (al que conocimos en el primer libro de la serie, Kiss My Axe), para confesar que el culpable del escándalo viral que tanto afectó a Griffin era él.
Para ser una historia corta, es bastante entretenida y, aunque considero que la trama tenía potencial para ser más desarrollada, la recomiendo. Su coqueteo es muy divertido y el despertar bisexual de Carlos me ha parecido muy bonito. Estoy deseando leer el siguiente libro y que Ames encuentre por fin su final feliz.
⚪ M/M Romance
⚪ Small Town Romance
⚪ Bi Awakening
Carlos es leñador en un pequeño pueblo de Vermont. Siempre se ha considerado heterosexual hasta que un día conoce a Erick y queda deslumbrado. Erick acaba de llegar de Nueva York y va acompañado de su rico padre, propietario de la empresa donde trabajaba Griffin (al que conocimos en el primer libro de la serie, Kiss My Axe), para confesar que el culpable del escándalo viral que tanto afectó a Griffin era él.
Para ser una historia corta, es bastante entretenida y, aunque considero que la trama tenía potencial para ser más desarrollada, la recomiendo. Su coqueteo es muy divertido y el despertar bisexual de Carlos me ha parecido muy bonito. Estoy deseando leer el siguiente libro y que Ames encuentre por fin su final feliz.
August 15, 2026
I really liked Erick and Carlos’s story
The way they came together. The way and Kiss My Axe (book 1) that Carlos sort of came to Erick‘s defence having only merely known him for a few seconds. They clicked instantly and I loved the cute flirty back-and-forth banter. I liked the way Carlos was so sure of himself and his bi-awakening.
And whilst I’m glad that Eric got his HEA, I feel like he was let off too lightly for basically destroying Griffin’s career and not owning up to it after seeing what it did to Griffin and why it took so long to own up to it. Griffin was too forgiving in my opinion. But I can’t deny that there was growth and Erick was trying to be a better person and basically grow up.
I enjoyed their story and I do hope we get to see glimpses of them in the third Axe book of the series
I do wish, however, that this was a full length novel and not just a novella.
The way they came together. The way and Kiss My Axe (book 1) that Carlos sort of came to Erick‘s defence having only merely known him for a few seconds. They clicked instantly and I loved the cute flirty back-and-forth banter. I liked the way Carlos was so sure of himself and his bi-awakening.
And whilst I’m glad that Eric got his HEA, I feel like he was let off too lightly for basically destroying Griffin’s career and not owning up to it after seeing what it did to Griffin and why it took so long to own up to it. Griffin was too forgiving in my opinion. But I can’t deny that there was growth and Erick was trying to be a better person and basically grow up.
I enjoyed their story and I do hope we get to see glimpses of them in the third Axe book of the series
I do wish, however, that this was a full length novel and not just a novella.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Read a while ago bc I got it via the newsletter, but, wasn't listed here yet so didn't review at the time. But, I know I enjoyed it a lot! I don't recall details, but I think one MC had been accidentally forced to pretend to be a friend's fake boyfriend to help him out—NOT the other MC's—and that put a wrench in the works and added to conflict, bc the MCs were already together. It was juicy. Something like that!
HEA, and it was totally safe for me, no OP action. OM drama from the fake BF element, but the MC didn't want to do it and the friend apologized? I think? I think there is bi-awakening too. Recommended! This is a fun world from May Archer.
HEA, and it was totally safe for me, no OP action. OM drama from the fake BF element, but the MC didn't want to do it and the friend apologized? I think? I think there is bi-awakening too. Recommended! This is a fun world from May Archer.
August 11, 2026
Amazing! I love May’s novellas because she doesn’t rush them or leave me hanging. She’s done great work again with this one!
First, this is able to be a standalone book, no problem. If you have read books 1 & 2 of her Axford Brothers series, you will recognize the characters. Erick is introduced in book 1, Carlos as well, more so in book 2. This is their story and it is so darn good!
I don’t want to spoil it, but May is talented at not just saying Boom!, instalove, sex, HEA with her novellas. And, continues her streak here. It’s well written and you learn about the characters.
Highly recommend!
First, this is able to be a standalone book, no problem. If you have read books 1 & 2 of her Axford Brothers series, you will recognize the characters. Erick is introduced in book 1, Carlos as well, more so in book 2. This is their story and it is so darn good!
I don’t want to spoil it, but May is talented at not just saying Boom!, instalove, sex, HEA with her novellas. And, continues her streak here. It’s well written and you learn about the characters.
Highly recommend!
August 11, 2026
Like all of May Archer's books, this one was an utter delight! What impressed me most about this story was the author's witty, hilarious writing. I love a lighthearted romance, and this redemption, bi-awakening story delivered beautifully. The character development was terrific; after seeing Erick as the villain in Kiss My Axe, it was a real pleasure to discover his true nature. Carlos was an unexpectedly delightful partner in this pairing. The pacing of their emotional journey was spot-on and there was lots of fun along the way. All of the side characters were interesting, relatable people and I look forward to the upcoming books in this Axford brothers series. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy
3.75 stars. Very nice short novella about Erick and Carlos. Loved their first interaction in the bar and loved the long distance aspect of it later. They just got each other. The last part with the fake dating with Ames was a bit useless in this story, and obviously only there to get you to read book 2. Hate it when authors do that. I get it from a business perspective, but it served no purpose at all in this story, so I wish it hadn’t been there. But other than that it was sweet, and since it was a freebie (I read it in January when it was part of a promotion), I can’t complain too much.
August 12, 2026
Axes and Ohs is part of the Axford Brothers and is best read after Kiss My Axe, though you don't have to read it to enjoy this one. I really enjoyed reading this storyline and the characters. I didn't think I would like Erick because of what he did to Griffin, but this explains well about what happened, and I really enjoyed his interactions with Carlos. I can't wait to see more from this series.
August 23, 2026
I really enjoyed the uncomplicated way Carlos accepts his attraction to Theo (I think that's the other character's name!) and how they just roll with how they feel. There was no angst between the characters at all and I found that a highlight.
The story was sweet and engaging with a lot of banter and heat. I haven't read the other books in the series but I can see from this short book that the series would be engaging as well.
The story was sweet and engaging with a lot of banter and heat. I haven't read the other books in the series but I can see from this short book that the series would be engaging as well.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Characters: Erick and Carlos
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Characters: Erick and Carlos
August 12, 2026
♥♥♥♥½
August 12, 2026
Sigh. I love this HEA so much.
August 14, 2026
As always, another great read from Ms. Archer. Opposites attract with Erik and Carlos. I'm glad Erik wanted to do the right thing. And in doing so, he met Carlos.
August 15, 2026
A gorgeous, sweet tale of love between a gay man and a lovely, slightly shy straight man. Sadly on the short side but a wonderful read.
August 20, 2026
Es un libro muy bonito🥺
Erick y Carlos me gustado demasiado como pareja y fue interesante leer como llegamos a lo que pasó al final del libro anterior jajaja
Erick y Carlos me gustado demasiado como pareja y fue interesante leer como llegamos a lo que pasó al final del libro anterior jajaja
August 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
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August 29, 2026read this when it first came out, but had to reread again ahead of the release of book 3
Review of advance copy
This short story is a follow-up to Kiss My Axe. It's about Carlos, one of Beckett's co-workers, and Erick, who is the reason that Griffin lost his job. We meet them both in book 1, and the timeline overlaps with the events at the end of the first book. I loved that, because we get to see what happened 'behind the curtains'.
I really liked both Carlos and Erick. Carlos' sudden attraction to Erick might not be the most realistic thing in the world, but I totally believed in their connection. I liked their conversations and I thought they were really sweet together.
This is a lovely addition to the series and a great transition story between books 1 and 2. The title is spot on!
I really liked both Carlos and Erick. Carlos' sudden attraction to Erick might not be the most realistic thing in the world, but I totally believed in their connection. I liked their conversations and I thought they were really sweet together.
This is a lovely addition to the series and a great transition story between books 1 and 2. The title is spot on!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews