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Fitting In
Declan Reid is thirty-seven, well established in his job and next in line for a promotion. Then he's transferred to Singapore after unwittingly sleeping with a client, leaving him hurt and humiliated. Determined to prove to head office they made a mistake, he vows to keep his head down and work hard.
He hadn't counted on Alvin, content with his job mopping floors, happy to remain in Singapore, and significantly younger than Declan. He's the very last person Declan should be noticing, especially if he wants to get back on track with his ambitions, but the more he's around Alvin the less appealing those ambitions begin to seem.
He hadn't counted on Alvin, content with his job mopping floors, happy to remain in Singapore, and significantly younger than Declan. He's the very last person Declan should be noticing, especially if he wants to get back on track with his ambitions, but the more he's around Alvin the less appealing those ambitions begin to seem.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 6, 2016
11 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Bard
16 books17 followersSandra Bard started writing when she was quite young because there was always a story inside her head, but never thought of writing for an audience until recently. She only decided to try her hand at writing for the sake of being published after a series of events left her with some free time and in between jobs.
She grew up travelling the world from Africa to Asia and, though she now lectures full time at a university, dreams of having a job that wouldn't tie her down to one place. She enjoys reading books, watching anime and, occasionally, visiting a fan-fiction site. She also dabbles in tai chi and yoga in the hope they would keep her flexible and help lose weight. She lives with her pets (fish, cats, and dogs) and has been a volunteer for an organization that takes care of stray dogs (there are many, where she lives) for over ten years. She would love to hear from her readers and can be found at her Tumblr (http://sandrabard.tumblr.com) or e-mailed at sandrabard123@gmail.com.
She grew up travelling the world from Africa to Asia and, though she now lectures full time at a university, dreams of having a job that wouldn't tie her down to one place. She enjoys reading books, watching anime and, occasionally, visiting a fan-fiction site. She also dabbles in tai chi and yoga in the hope they would keep her flexible and help lose weight. She lives with her pets (fish, cats, and dogs) and has been a volunteer for an organization that takes care of stray dogs (there are many, where she lives) for over ten years. She would love to hear from her readers and can be found at her Tumblr (http://sandrabard.tumblr.com) or e-mailed at sandrabard123@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 24, 2016
3.5 stars
At the first glance, there's nothing special about this story, but when you think about it, it isn't meant to be. This is a story about one of many people sucked in by the corporate world with no life to speak of outside of the job and whose whole life revolves around next promotion. There's nothing special about those people, but Sandra Bard managed to write an enjoyable story about a corporate man and janitor finding love with each other. I particularly liked her description of life in Singapore (which she had first-hand experience with), which we got to read about from Declan's perspective. Alvin is elusive as a character for a reader, but I think author intended it that way, and I was not bothered by it. What bothered me is that throughout the whole book I had this feeling of something left unsaid - like the story was longer in author's had, but we got slightly shorter version. Still, I enjoyed it and we'll keep an eye on this author...
At the first glance, there's nothing special about this story, but when you think about it, it isn't meant to be. This is a story about one of many people sucked in by the corporate world with no life to speak of outside of the job and whose whole life revolves around next promotion. There's nothing special about those people, but Sandra Bard managed to write an enjoyable story about a corporate man and janitor finding love with each other. I particularly liked her description of life in Singapore (which she had first-hand experience with), which we got to read about from Declan's perspective. Alvin is elusive as a character for a reader, but I think author intended it that way, and I was not bothered by it. What bothered me is that throughout the whole book I had this feeling of something left unsaid - like the story was longer in author's had, but we got slightly shorter version. Still, I enjoyed it and we'll keep an eye on this author...
May 26, 2016
3.5 stars
Very sweet and a lovely short read. I enjoyed it very much. I liked the unusual (for me) setting and how its perception changed throughout the MC's journey to more.
Very sweet and a lovely short read. I enjoyed it very much. I liked the unusual (for me) setting and how its perception changed throughout the MC's journey to more.
April 29, 2016
Book – Fitting In
Author – Sandra Bard
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 81
Cover – Cute
POV – 3rd person, single POV
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Gay
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I really enjoyed this short. It was cute, fun and got right to the point.
Although the relationship develops quickly, it's not an insta-love relationship. It's more about a few meetings stirring up some emotions that the two MC's decide to act on.
I really liked the detail – sights, smells and the history – of Singapore that was included. It's not something that I know much about, but I didn't feel like I was being spoon fed information, only given what I needed to know, when I needed it.
As a story, it has a nice progression, even for something so short. The characters are comfortable and likeable; I feel like I know them well and really got to understand their feelings for one another, even when they were a little unsure of that themselves. I loved the way they learned about each other and I especially liked that this is just the beginning. It's not magically love, just because they like each other, because it doesn't have to be. They're trying it out and seeing how it goes – no expectations.
Wonderful.
On the downside, it's littered with extra words that make the reading a little awkward. There are a few contradictory things – like implying that it's not a crime for them to be together, while saying in the same sentence that it's illegal. I also found the description of Alvin to be a little stereotypical and just a touch insulting. It kind of came across like this was how all Asians should look. But, on the plus side, it was one small paragraph of description that did it and every other mention of Alvin was fine. Nothing stereotypical about him, after that.
I did fine Declan to be kind of ignorant though, worrying about what he'd tell his work mates about Alvin's job and basically classifying him as the help, even if he was attracted to him. That, combined with the downsides I mentioned above, are what removed that final star, for me.
Overall, it was a great short story, with a sweet romance and just a touch of heat.
Author – Sandra Bard
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 81
Cover – Cute
POV – 3rd person, single POV
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Gay
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I really enjoyed this short. It was cute, fun and got right to the point.
Although the relationship develops quickly, it's not an insta-love relationship. It's more about a few meetings stirring up some emotions that the two MC's decide to act on.
I really liked the detail – sights, smells and the history – of Singapore that was included. It's not something that I know much about, but I didn't feel like I was being spoon fed information, only given what I needed to know, when I needed it.
As a story, it has a nice progression, even for something so short. The characters are comfortable and likeable; I feel like I know them well and really got to understand their feelings for one another, even when they were a little unsure of that themselves. I loved the way they learned about each other and I especially liked that this is just the beginning. It's not magically love, just because they like each other, because it doesn't have to be. They're trying it out and seeing how it goes – no expectations.
Wonderful.
On the downside, it's littered with extra words that make the reading a little awkward. There are a few contradictory things – like implying that it's not a crime for them to be together, while saying in the same sentence that it's illegal. I also found the description of Alvin to be a little stereotypical and just a touch insulting. It kind of came across like this was how all Asians should look. But, on the plus side, it was one small paragraph of description that did it and every other mention of Alvin was fine. Nothing stereotypical about him, after that.
I did fine Declan to be kind of ignorant though, worrying about what he'd tell his work mates about Alvin's job and basically classifying him as the help, even if he was attracted to him. That, combined with the downsides I mentioned above, are what removed that final star, for me.
Overall, it was a great short story, with a sweet romance and just a touch of heat.
April 8, 2016
Fitting in by Sandra Bard (MM/Romance)
***3 STARS***
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
Fitting In is about Declan Reid who slept with a client and ended up being sent to another country to work. The client, Chad, wasn't even a client yet before they started their affair, but Declan ended finding out that Chad was married. The poor guy was a mess until he met Alvin, who is years younger than him. 21 to his 37.
They had a rocky start, but to give Declan credit, he was the one who started approaching Alvin, who was snarky at the time. They got closer when Alvin started helping him with his Yoga classes. In the end, being with Alvin taught Declan that it's not all about social status and the heart wants what the heart wants. Declan taught Alvin that he was more than just a janitor at the gym, that he wasn't invisible.
I gave this 3 stars because I didn't connect well with Alvin's character, which made a short story drag to me. Still, I liked the message that the story was sending out.
***3 STARS***
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
Fitting In is about Declan Reid who slept with a client and ended up being sent to another country to work. The client, Chad, wasn't even a client yet before they started their affair, but Declan ended finding out that Chad was married. The poor guy was a mess until he met Alvin, who is years younger than him. 21 to his 37.
They had a rocky start, but to give Declan credit, he was the one who started approaching Alvin, who was snarky at the time. They got closer when Alvin started helping him with his Yoga classes. In the end, being with Alvin taught Declan that it's not all about social status and the heart wants what the heart wants. Declan taught Alvin that he was more than just a janitor at the gym, that he wasn't invisible.
I gave this 3 stars because I didn't connect well with Alvin's character, which made a short story drag to me. Still, I liked the message that the story was sending out.
April 16, 2016
Fitting In by Sandra Bard
This story fell flat for me. I liked Daniel, and I liked him sticking at the yoga classes even though it may not have been his favourite thing to do however the story just didn’t work. He had a transfer from USA to Singapore but that was bizarre for me. I honestly felt like this book was rushed and didn’t lack the depth that I would have preferred.
Alvin was such a boring character. He wasn’t developed really, just brought into fill a gap in my opinion. I have to say this book wasn’t for me but then again it may work for you.
3 stars.
This story fell flat for me. I liked Daniel, and I liked him sticking at the yoga classes even though it may not have been his favourite thing to do however the story just didn’t work. He had a transfer from USA to Singapore but that was bizarre for me. I honestly felt like this book was rushed and didn’t lack the depth that I would have preferred.
Alvin was such a boring character. He wasn’t developed really, just brought into fill a gap in my opinion. I have to say this book wasn’t for me but then again it may work for you.
3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews