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Unexpected
Fifty-one-year-old Jonathan Allen is watching his friends sign domestic partnerships left and right, and for the first time considers how lonely his future might become. His last boyfriend was a parasite, hurting him in so many ways, and he’s beginning to believe living alone with his cat is a better option than chasing shadows.
When Jonathan starts working for Tricorp, a multinational construction company dealing with conservative religious countries in the Middle East and Asia, he connects with CEO Blake Carter on all levels. But the company is antigay and forces its employees to sign a reticence clause, which puts the company on the LGBT-blacklist, and Jonathan back into the closet. He knows fantasizing about Blake is a pointless endeavor. But life throws them a curveball when Jonathan’s ex and a man from Blake’s past come together to destroy both their lives.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Daily Dose package "Never Too Late."
When Jonathan starts working for Tricorp, a multinational construction company dealing with conservative religious countries in the Middle East and Asia, he connects with CEO Blake Carter on all levels. But the company is antigay and forces its employees to sign a reticence clause, which puts the company on the LGBT-blacklist, and Jonathan back into the closet. He knows fantasizing about Blake is a pointless endeavor. But life throws them a curveball when Jonathan’s ex and a man from Blake’s past come together to destroy both their lives.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Daily Dose package "Never Too Late."
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2015
38 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Mann
9 books12 followersAmelia Mann was born Scandinavian but is now a citizen of the world. She works in theatres all over Europe and in the US, and maybe that is her only excuse for being completely hooked on writing dramatic, grand and über-romantic stories where love conquers all things. Her friends prefer using less fancy words characterizing her and just call her what she is: a total drama-queen.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 19, 2015
The next lonely guy and his cat. Perhaps I should start a count how many cats live in this year's Daily Dose
More like 2.5 stars
Too much cat, too far-fetched storyline, lots of drama, re-appearing of the stupid ex-BF, in the end all the exaggerated drama just fizzled out. After writing this and thinking about it, I change it to 2 stars.
Sorry, book!
More like 2.5 stars
Too much cat, too far-fetched storyline, lots of drama, re-appearing of the stupid ex-BF, in the end all the exaggerated drama just fizzled out. After writing this and thinking about it, I change it to 2 stars.
Sorry, book!
July 19, 2015
I found this story to be a bit of overkill. There was much too much info. and action going on for a short story. I enjoyed the characters and how they were thrown together. This would make a great novella or novel were Ms Mann could expand the different plot lines and flesh the characters out more fully.
June 23, 2015
‘Unexpected’ is the right title for this book in more than one way. What happens to the characters is unexpected not just for them, but the initial twist surprised me as well. I love it when that happens. And even as the story developed there was the odd little twist here and there that managed to make me gasp, grin, or smile. Blake, the fearless CEO, and Jon, his loyal manager are definitely in for an adventure of unexpected proportions in this story. It is yet another example that it is “never Too Late” for love, or to try something new.
Jon is feeling his age in terms of men willing—or rather less willing, as it happens—to make a connection with him other than for a hookup. Something he is no longer interested in, and most definitely not since his new boss walked into his life two years ago. Since they’re working in a conservative construction company with most of their clients in the Far and Middle East, being openly gay isn’t an option. When the proverbial sh*t hits the fan, coming from a completely unexpected angle, on one hand Jon and Blake are confronted with the potential end of their careers, but on the other with the opportunity to do what they really want—and that does not include staying in the closet.
If you like powerful men who need to deal with ruthless enemies, if you enjoy stories about older guys who discover they may not yet be “over the hill” as much as they feared, and if you’re looking for a read that is as suspenseful as it is hot, then you will probably enjoy this novella. It’s not sweet and fluffy, but sometimes sweet and full of tension will do just as nicely!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Jon is feeling his age in terms of men willing—or rather less willing, as it happens—to make a connection with him other than for a hookup. Something he is no longer interested in, and most definitely not since his new boss walked into his life two years ago. Since they’re working in a conservative construction company with most of their clients in the Far and Middle East, being openly gay isn’t an option. When the proverbial sh*t hits the fan, coming from a completely unexpected angle, on one hand Jon and Blake are confronted with the potential end of their careers, but on the other with the opportunity to do what they really want—and that does not include staying in the closet.
If you like powerful men who need to deal with ruthless enemies, if you enjoy stories about older guys who discover they may not yet be “over the hill” as much as they feared, and if you’re looking for a read that is as suspenseful as it is hot, then you will probably enjoy this novella. It’s not sweet and fluffy, but sometimes sweet and full of tension will do just as nicely!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 10, 2015
I couldn't connect with this story. The drama was over-the-top. I liked the characters, they were sweet, but their backstories were just too crazy.
September 3, 2015
A short whirlwind of a MM romance.
June 15, 2015
5 Heart Review by Tidal
Imagine two things.
1. You are over 50, in shape, look amazing naked and you are having hot wild wicked sweaty man sex with someone much younger who is into you. You have had sex in every possible position known to man; and together you even invented a new one that could be submitted to the Kama Sutra that could be titled the Screaming Thunder Chicken.
2. Imagine you are a powerful professional man giving a presentation that is going to cement your career and further establish your professional credibility in front of your boss and potential investors from around the world. You are prepared, confident and at the top of your game. Who would expect that your power point presentation had been tampered with and that those wonderful moments had been photographed without your knowledge and those moments would end up in your power point presentation killing the mood of the meeting and potential career advancement? This was the plight of Jonathan Allen.
This is a great book. I love books that are realistic and feature mature men finding love with other mature men. Jonathan is attracted to his boss Blake but he has never came out to him, nor does he realize that Blake is gay either. Tricorp works with many countries from around the world that are horribly homophobic, so by contract they are restricted by morals clause. Enemies from both their pasts conspire against them to blow them both out of the water.
I love the relationship that Jonathan and Blake have between each other. They both have a code and integrity that they live by. That aspect of their make up is the very thing that makes people like them come out on top of things, when people are underhanded. That is the quality that makes you root for a hero, not one specific selfless act; it is the consistent way that they live and how they treat people that define their personal character.
This is a great love story that unfolds at a nice pace. It is not stale, and it offers excitement, delayed gratification, good love scenes, and a climax that leaves you wanting more.
This book is worth your time and money, because it shows that guys over 50 still have value and hot sex. Good guys do not finish last, character counts, respect and life experience cannot be bought and sold like a commodity. Real love is worth the wait and you do not just have to settle for something less. Lastly, and most importantly it offers an important lesson in how to spot narcissistic sociopaths; they always overestimate their ability and they always underestimate the intelligence of others. This is a great illustration of that principle with an awesome love story
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Imagine two things.
1. You are over 50, in shape, look amazing naked and you are having hot wild wicked sweaty man sex with someone much younger who is into you. You have had sex in every possible position known to man; and together you even invented a new one that could be submitted to the Kama Sutra that could be titled the Screaming Thunder Chicken.
2. Imagine you are a powerful professional man giving a presentation that is going to cement your career and further establish your professional credibility in front of your boss and potential investors from around the world. You are prepared, confident and at the top of your game. Who would expect that your power point presentation had been tampered with and that those wonderful moments had been photographed without your knowledge and those moments would end up in your power point presentation killing the mood of the meeting and potential career advancement? This was the plight of Jonathan Allen.
This is a great book. I love books that are realistic and feature mature men finding love with other mature men. Jonathan is attracted to his boss Blake but he has never came out to him, nor does he realize that Blake is gay either. Tricorp works with many countries from around the world that are horribly homophobic, so by contract they are restricted by morals clause. Enemies from both their pasts conspire against them to blow them both out of the water.
I love the relationship that Jonathan and Blake have between each other. They both have a code and integrity that they live by. That aspect of their make up is the very thing that makes people like them come out on top of things, when people are underhanded. That is the quality that makes you root for a hero, not one specific selfless act; it is the consistent way that they live and how they treat people that define their personal character.
This is a great love story that unfolds at a nice pace. It is not stale, and it offers excitement, delayed gratification, good love scenes, and a climax that leaves you wanting more.
This book is worth your time and money, because it shows that guys over 50 still have value and hot sex. Good guys do not finish last, character counts, respect and life experience cannot be bought and sold like a commodity. Real love is worth the wait and you do not just have to settle for something less. Lastly, and most importantly it offers an important lesson in how to spot narcissistic sociopaths; they always overestimate their ability and they always underestimate the intelligence of others. This is a great illustration of that principle with an awesome love story
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
July 2, 2015
This was a frenetic explosion of a short story! We burst in the scene when Jon’s presentation to a group of very conservative businessmen is interrupted by a display of pictures showing him having sex with his boyfriend.
His boss, Blake, is quickly corralled into the mess by a member of the board with a vendetta against Blake.
In no time at all, both Jon and Blake are being escorted by security out of the building, threatened by Jon’s ex-boyfriend, the father of one of Blake’s ex and facing unemployment to boot.
Luckily, they have each other and it turns out they’ve both been harboring feelings for one another for some time.
**
This would be a great novel – it was way too much for a short story. There was too much drama covered in too few pages with a conclusion that (though very happy) felt way too rushed to feel natural or authentic.
I also didn't bond with either MC as well as I wanted. Jon was an unreliable hero who never redeemed himself for having a relationship with someone as evil as his ex. Blake seemed all over the place, flighty, insecure, then bossy and commanding. I didn't get a feel for him as a person very well. Beyond the sexual, I didn't see their attraction in the other. The relationship, though born in crisis, moved way too fast to feel comfortable and therefore the HEA didn't feel organic either.
I think this has potential, but it didn’t quite make it as a great short story.
2.75 of 5 stars
His boss, Blake, is quickly corralled into the mess by a member of the board with a vendetta against Blake.
In no time at all, both Jon and Blake are being escorted by security out of the building, threatened by Jon’s ex-boyfriend, the father of one of Blake’s ex and facing unemployment to boot.
Luckily, they have each other and it turns out they’ve both been harboring feelings for one another for some time.
**
This would be a great novel – it was way too much for a short story. There was too much drama covered in too few pages with a conclusion that (though very happy) felt way too rushed to feel natural or authentic.
I also didn't bond with either MC as well as I wanted. Jon was an unreliable hero who never redeemed himself for having a relationship with someone as evil as his ex. Blake seemed all over the place, flighty, insecure, then bossy and commanding. I didn't get a feel for him as a person very well. Beyond the sexual, I didn't see their attraction in the other. The relationship, though born in crisis, moved way too fast to feel comfortable and therefore the HEA didn't feel organic either.
I think this has potential, but it didn’t quite make it as a great short story.
2.75 of 5 stars
June 21, 2015
In Unexpected, we get a combination of two older men, corporations, and international anti-gay consideration. On the day of a huge presentation that will garner their corporation a huge contract, everything falls apart when the presentation Jonathon has painstakingly prepared and finished goes awry. Someone tampered with his powerpoint presentation. Instead of the slides meant to win over their Saudi audience, instead, shots of him and his past lover together cover the screen.
Panic ensues. Their audience, horrified and furious, storms out. And the board sees everything almost as it happens. In no time, our two heroes find themselves up against an impossible situation. Fired. Ms. Mann did an incredible job with their emotions and the event. I worried for Jonathon in that while we knew his emotions, Blake was a relative unknown, and I wasn’t sure if he truly knew what he was saying. After all, they had both just had their lives turned upside down.
Now, I’m not going to go into the ending, because I don’t want to give it away. However, I would have been more satisfied if I’d learned what happened with Harold. That’s all I’m saying
Panic ensues. Their audience, horrified and furious, storms out. And the board sees everything almost as it happens. In no time, our two heroes find themselves up against an impossible situation. Fired. Ms. Mann did an incredible job with their emotions and the event. I worried for Jonathon in that while we knew his emotions, Blake was a relative unknown, and I wasn’t sure if he truly knew what he was saying. After all, they had both just had their lives turned upside down.
Now, I’m not going to go into the ending, because I don’t want to give it away. However, I would have been more satisfied if I’d learned what happened with Harold. That’s all I’m saying
July 28, 2015
Reviewed by Kelley Austin for QUEERcentric Books
4.7 Stars
Jonathan is attracted to his boss Blake, and has been for a while, but he doesn’t know if Blake likes men. The downside is that both of the men are also part of a large corporation named Tricop that has a serious issue with homophobia, so both men are restrained to the closet, so to speak, or risk losing their jobs. Jonathan is also older than Blake and, thanks to an ex-boyfriend who nearly broke him, he has given up on love and is content with living alone with his cat. Blake is not without drama in his life either, that comes from his past.
Their troubles come to a head when faces from both of their pasts come forward to wreck what they now have between one another, publicly. Their happiness, along with their jobs, is on the line when intimate, special moments between the two are shown publicly during a pivotal time in Jonathan’s career.
Read Kelley's full review at QUEERcentric Books
4.7 Stars
Jonathan is attracted to his boss Blake, and has been for a while, but he doesn’t know if Blake likes men. The downside is that both of the men are also part of a large corporation named Tricop that has a serious issue with homophobia, so both men are restrained to the closet, so to speak, or risk losing their jobs. Jonathan is also older than Blake and, thanks to an ex-boyfriend who nearly broke him, he has given up on love and is content with living alone with his cat. Blake is not without drama in his life either, that comes from his past.
Their troubles come to a head when faces from both of their pasts come forward to wreck what they now have between one another, publicly. Their happiness, along with their jobs, is on the line when intimate, special moments between the two are shown publicly during a pivotal time in Jonathan’s career.
Read Kelley's full review at QUEERcentric Books
June 10, 2015
4.5 stars
Well,true to the name of the book itself this was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise!
Great short story....author definitely doesn't beat around the bush,'cause the story kicks off almost immediately! It is exciting right from the start, it's set in corporate world (I love me some businessmen), it features two men who know what they want...OK,there is the "crazy ex-boyfriend" trope too,which I'm not too fond of,but here it serves its purpose...it has one cute cat,too,and a lovely epilogue! And what's best of all,Unexpected doesn't lack in any of the segments the short stories usually lack - transition from friends (and colleagues) to lovers is believable,there are no loose ends,epilogue fits the story perfectly.
Highly recommended!
Well,true to the name of the book itself this was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise!
Great short story....author definitely doesn't beat around the bush,'cause the story kicks off almost immediately! It is exciting right from the start, it's set in corporate world (I love me some businessmen), it features two men who know what they want...OK,there is the "crazy ex-boyfriend" trope too,which I'm not too fond of,but here it serves its purpose...it has one cute cat,too,and a lovely epilogue! And what's best of all,Unexpected doesn't lack in any of the segments the short stories usually lack - transition from friends (and colleagues) to lovers is believable,there are no loose ends,epilogue fits the story perfectly.
Highly recommended!
June 23, 2015
I'm not big on corporate romance stories and that part of the short I didn't like. I think the big bad Tricorp, the ex from hell and the conniving boss were a little too much. What made it a 3 stars instead of 2 is once the main characters were isolated, their chemistry shone out and I bought that those two would be together also the sexy scene worked for me and that is a deciding factor when I have to choose between an okay and a I liked it rating.
September 14, 2015
People like Harold and Paul would've had me catching a case!! I would've put Paul's ass out to pasture if he'd even thought of putting his hands on me let alone my pet! And Harold will get his comeuppance, yes his hateful evil ways is all gonna have him jail bate for prisoners who like ass not because there gay but because him being an innate bitch is their predatory matin call!! I'm glad Jon,Blake, and Lucy the jealous feline are doing great!
June 21, 2015
Jonathan's past comes back to bite him in a really bad way. It also takes his boss Blake down with him. But it all turns out for the best and in a big way. Love how they immediately begin to support each other and not let the situation end up in hate.
October 16, 2015
This one was sure unexpected So what happens is unexpected as well. Jonathan over 50 and ready for a presentation and what is expected does not happen. Both him and blake CEO get fired because of it. So it involves an crazy ex boyfriend. And also this is the chance the guys needed to get together.
June 23, 2015
Enjoyable friends to lovers novella. Sure, the villain is over the top but it's a perfect way to bring the leads together.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews