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The Carpenter's Apprentice
First Time Gay Romance
A summer job that changed his life.
Ethan was more shy computer nerd than skilled & studly handyman when Jake took him as his apprentice, but a few years under the manly carpenter has this late bloomer about to blossom and show his true colors.
Ethan's on-again, off-again girlfriend isn't crazy about his career, and she's made big plans to move half-way across the country. She wants Ethan to come with her ... but only if he agrees to leave carpentry behind and go back to school.
Ethan's head is reeling with questions and doubts. He loves spending time with Jake -- and the thought of giving that up makes him sick to his stomach. Can Ethan pry himself away from Jake for a relationship that's not built on a solid foundation? Will he discover another reason why he finds Jake so magnetic?
Still waters run deep.
Jake found out too late that he was actually into guys. Tough luck for him -- between raising his daughter and running his own business, he's got his hands full. Love will just have to wait. Not that he has any idea where to find it in the first place ...
He knows his crush on his apprentice Ethan is totally inappropriate, not to mention hopeless and stupid. Sure, Ethan's a cutie -- but he's also totally straight! Hell, he's got a girlfriend that he's willing to move half-way across the country for!
But when Ethan and his girlfriend unexpectedly run into some problems and split up, Jake invites the younger apprentice out to his country home for some "guy time" ... and sparks fly. Did Jake just do something incredibly unprofessional -- or could Ethan actually be curious about getting with another guy?
***
The Carpenter's Apprentice is a 65,000+ word stand-alone romance with a HEA! Narrated in dual first-person POV. No cliffhangers or cheating. Steamy MM scenes are depicted. Light MF elements depicted.
A summer job that changed his life.
Ethan was more shy computer nerd than skilled & studly handyman when Jake took him as his apprentice, but a few years under the manly carpenter has this late bloomer about to blossom and show his true colors.
Ethan's on-again, off-again girlfriend isn't crazy about his career, and she's made big plans to move half-way across the country. She wants Ethan to come with her ... but only if he agrees to leave carpentry behind and go back to school.
Ethan's head is reeling with questions and doubts. He loves spending time with Jake -- and the thought of giving that up makes him sick to his stomach. Can Ethan pry himself away from Jake for a relationship that's not built on a solid foundation? Will he discover another reason why he finds Jake so magnetic?
Still waters run deep.
Jake found out too late that he was actually into guys. Tough luck for him -- between raising his daughter and running his own business, he's got his hands full. Love will just have to wait. Not that he has any idea where to find it in the first place ...
He knows his crush on his apprentice Ethan is totally inappropriate, not to mention hopeless and stupid. Sure, Ethan's a cutie -- but he's also totally straight! Hell, he's got a girlfriend that he's willing to move half-way across the country for!
But when Ethan and his girlfriend unexpectedly run into some problems and split up, Jake invites the younger apprentice out to his country home for some "guy time" ... and sparks fly. Did Jake just do something incredibly unprofessional -- or could Ethan actually be curious about getting with another guy?
***
The Carpenter's Apprentice is a 65,000+ word stand-alone romance with a HEA! Narrated in dual first-person POV. No cliffhangers or cheating. Steamy MM scenes are depicted. Light MF elements depicted.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2016
48 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Van Barrett
18 books71 followersA lot of so-called straight guys think they're only into girls. Until they run into another hot boy who won't take no for an answer.
Hey, I'm Van Barrett, and that's exactly what I write: confused & curious straight boys who just can't resist another man's big, hard, and chiseled -- umm, bod -- and end up begging for it.
Me? Well, I'm a 30-somethin', outdoorsy, sporty kinda guy who used to live in the big city. Got tired of the hustle and bustle, so I moved out to the country and settled on a plot of land. When I'm not working the land, I'm writin' my stories. Hope you enjoy.
If you wanna be the first to hear about my new releases, be sure to sign up for the Van Barrett Newsletter at the link below:
http://bit.ly/1GAiecQ
Hey, I'm Van Barrett, and that's exactly what I write: confused & curious straight boys who just can't resist another man's big, hard, and chiseled -- umm, bod -- and end up begging for it.
Me? Well, I'm a 30-somethin', outdoorsy, sporty kinda guy who used to live in the big city. Got tired of the hustle and bustle, so I moved out to the country and settled on a plot of land. When I'm not working the land, I'm writin' my stories. Hope you enjoy.
If you wanna be the first to hear about my new releases, be sure to sign up for the Van Barrett Newsletter at the link below:
http://bit.ly/1GAiecQ
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 28, 2016
A feel good story that has just enough angst. The ending is unfortunately weak.
May 9, 2016
This was a sweet feel good romance - one I really enjoyed. This was a low level angst book and was one that just made me happy
May 29, 2019
I really liked this GFY. Sweet romance and the smex scenes are hot!
March 11, 2016
***** This is a fun story of a gfy, first time gay love! *****
Sweet nerdy Ethan is apprentice to big,
muscled Jake.
Ethan loves helping build and remodel,
but he has a decision to make soon, because his girlfriend and buddies are making a move across the country to find new lives, and they want him to go too. Jake has had a crush on Ethan for years, but Ethan's straight. Events change their path and Jake makes a pass, to which Ethan responds. Ethan has secretly lusted for Jake, but only Jake, no other men "do it" for him.
We get both guys points of view, with lots of internal dialogue, so we know what each man's thought process is. Jake has a daughter from his failed marriage, and everyone in the family knows he's gay. Ethan, however, must decide what to do with his feeling, and make that big decision.
Well written, interesting, and the slow burn romance is terrific. Great sexy times, and a hopeful future.
ENJOY !!!
======================
March 31, 2016
This is a Kindle Unlimited book and what I love about these is it gives new authors (at least in this case – new to me) a chance to be explored with little to no risk.
Jake is a single father, he knows he’s gay, but it took him until later in life to figure things out. Now he’s dedicated his life to his daughter and insists that means no men (aside from the occasional one night stand).
Ethan is a computer nerd who is fairly lost in life. He finds huge amounts of happiness working as an apprentice for Jake with his small construction company and this makes him re-evaluate his life decisions.
Ethan’s current girlfriend wants him to move to Chicago and attend the University of Chicago with her and several of their friends, but Ethan isn’t so sure of that plan.
To muddy the waters, Ethan finds himself attracted to Jake – a man! – for the first time and he doesn’t know what to make of it.....continued
http://openskyebookreviews.com/the-ca...
August 11, 2016
I enjoy reading about self discovery and overcoming personal obstacles, especially when it’s well written. Barrett traced the lives of two people living with similar yet very different past issues. Ethan, the young man who is torn between the life he enjoys and the life his girlfriend wants for him. Jake, whose life revolves around his carpentry and his daughter from a failed marriage. Both of their lives need that missing something, yet neither of them know what it is, and are not ready to accept it when it appears.
Barrett did a great job taking me down both Ethan and Jake’s paths as they traversed the boulders, walls, and landslides that tried to stop them from finding inner peace.
Read the balance of this review at: http://johncharlesbooks.com/book-revi...
Barrett did a great job taking me down both Ethan and Jake’s paths as they traversed the boulders, walls, and landslides that tried to stop them from finding inner peace.
Read the balance of this review at: http://johncharlesbooks.com/book-revi...
January 29, 2018
It is an oke read,The premiss looked good.
But the language is just off and weird.
and coming from me,it is saying a lott.
Jake is only 29 and behave`s and getting treated
like an 40 year old.
Both characters a fun and great looking on the premiss.
I don`t think Van Barrett dit the best for them.
pitty.
But the language is just off and weird.
and coming from me,it is saying a lott.
Jake is only 29 and behave`s and getting treated
like an 40 year old.
Both characters a fun and great looking on the premiss.
I don`t think Van Barrett dit the best for them.
pitty.
June 17, 2022
Well nope.
.
Well I was kind ofish liking this one in beginning but then it just become bad… like a really bad fanfic actually…like that. I don’t really recommend.
You don’t miss anything. I’ve read many way better books with the GFY trope…
.
The writing was very bland and at times it felt that the author had a hard time to find good synonyms to things. I don’t think it’s necessary most of the time to write synonyms for things. But oh well I have read a fair share of books/novellas/fanfics throughout the years where this is a common thing to do and I just wondering why… the text becomes harder to read that way.., do you really wanna call it “dick” for example or like 50 other words/synonyms for it where half of the synonyms are just cringe worthy ??? … like I don’t wanna read manhood in my mmromance. Not in any romance actually. Like why. It takes one out of whatever vibe one had from the beginning…but that not the only example. The writing was full of this kind of “different” words to change out others…
.
Well the writing aside it was way overdramatic at times and I read another review here saying it wasn’t much drama or angst or so.., but yeah it was… it was drama becasue of the dramatic sake like “oh I need a turning point in my story let’s have a miscommunication trope mixed in also.. the angst was mostly because one of the MCs had a hard time communicating what he actually wanted and instead he just was an awful asshole. And this could have been avoided if they actually had talked for real and not just hey let’s fuck some more shall we….
.
The older MC, (there’s an age gap of seven years but both are adults so I don’t see this as a big problem but apparently it was) has really no shame… and no restraint what so ever and he kind of makes that as an excuse too… I’m mean the “I have a dick and I’m thinking with it too much I’m sorry you know how it is” and then dumping the younger guy right after they had sex for a the first time and I’m just no people actually can restrain themselves if there’s issues they need to talk about first..?
… I mean he’s so hot and cold and they don’t talk…he just assumes things about the other guy and then makes his own decisions and then when they do talk he doesn’t believe the other guy anyway so what’s the point.
Okey I get it that he was insecure but really in his in own insecureness he turned toxic towards his LI, in all his actions.
I thought the younger guy just should have up and left. Because argh… who wants to be with someone that’s such a garbage ass bag.
.
And what was that meeting up with the ex…. Truly added nothing except that the little credibility I had left for that the older MC disappeared right out the window…
.
I was so bored and truly frustrated with everything one third from the ending or so but thought what the heck it’s so short I can cram it but oh well… I just cringed and rolled my eyes throughout the last 7 chapters or so…
And the ending itself suffered of the “telling and not showing”- thingy but in a way I was glad for that as it made the ending go by fast because at that point I just wanted the book to end and be over with it.
So no, nothing was especially enjoyable with this one. Feelgood? Never heard of her. I was just bummed out on myself… because why didn’t I drop it? Why did I had to make myself suffer through it? Oh well. Like I said it was kinda okeyish up until the middle, give or take and then it went downhill. For me anyway. Other people have loved this one. Or enjoyed it more than me anyway. (1,5⭐️)
.
I’ll go back to my alien eating people horror now. I need a cleanse…
.
Well I was kind ofish liking this one in beginning but then it just become bad… like a really bad fanfic actually…like that. I don’t really recommend.
You don’t miss anything. I’ve read many way better books with the GFY trope…
.
The writing was very bland and at times it felt that the author had a hard time to find good synonyms to things. I don’t think it’s necessary most of the time to write synonyms for things. But oh well I have read a fair share of books/novellas/fanfics throughout the years where this is a common thing to do and I just wondering why… the text becomes harder to read that way.., do you really wanna call it “dick” for example or like 50 other words/synonyms for it where half of the synonyms are just cringe worthy ??? … like I don’t wanna read manhood in my mmromance. Not in any romance actually. Like why. It takes one out of whatever vibe one had from the beginning…but that not the only example. The writing was full of this kind of “different” words to change out others…
.
Well the writing aside it was way overdramatic at times and I read another review here saying it wasn’t much drama or angst or so.., but yeah it was… it was drama becasue of the dramatic sake like “oh I need a turning point in my story let’s have a miscommunication trope mixed in also.. the angst was mostly because one of the MCs had a hard time communicating what he actually wanted and instead he just was an awful asshole. And this could have been avoided if they actually had talked for real and not just hey let’s fuck some more shall we….
.
The older MC, (there’s an age gap of seven years but both are adults so I don’t see this as a big problem but apparently it was) has really no shame… and no restraint what so ever and he kind of makes that as an excuse too… I’m mean the “I have a dick and I’m thinking with it too much I’m sorry you know how it is” and then dumping the younger guy right after they had sex for a the first time and I’m just no people actually can restrain themselves if there’s issues they need to talk about first..?
… I mean he’s so hot and cold and they don’t talk…he just assumes things about the other guy and then makes his own decisions and then when they do talk he doesn’t believe the other guy anyway so what’s the point.
Okey I get it that he was insecure but really in his in own insecureness he turned toxic towards his LI, in all his actions.
I thought the younger guy just should have up and left. Because argh… who wants to be with someone that’s such a garbage ass bag.
.
And what was that meeting up with the ex…. Truly added nothing except that the little credibility I had left for that the older MC disappeared right out the window…
.
I was so bored and truly frustrated with everything one third from the ending or so but thought what the heck it’s so short I can cram it but oh well… I just cringed and rolled my eyes throughout the last 7 chapters or so…
And the ending itself suffered of the “telling and not showing”- thingy but in a way I was glad for that as it made the ending go by fast because at that point I just wanted the book to end and be over with it.
So no, nothing was especially enjoyable with this one. Feelgood? Never heard of her. I was just bummed out on myself… because why didn’t I drop it? Why did I had to make myself suffer through it? Oh well. Like I said it was kinda okeyish up until the middle, give or take and then it went downhill. For me anyway. Other people have loved this one. Or enjoyed it more than me anyway. (1,5⭐️)
.
I’ll go back to my alien eating people horror now. I need a cleanse…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2019
A cute story. About figuring out what makes you happy and who you are.
I did like how you could tell who’s talking. I could almost hear jake when I was reading this. They aren’t jocks, but very dude bro ish.
I did like how you could tell who’s talking. I could almost hear jake when I was reading this. They aren’t jocks, but very dude bro ish.
February 22, 2020
Ethan is a carpenter's apprentice and supposed to move to Chicago with his girlfriend where she wants him to go to college, however, they have previously parted company four times. Ethan really enjoys working with Jake who is 7 years older, warm and appreciative and has a young daughter. They spend an afternoon fishing at Jake's one weekend and one thing leads to another and discoveries about each other as they share a bit of their life stories. Jake is reluctant to commit and risk disappointing his daughter if a relationship fails and they both struggle with what they want. A great read, thoroughly enjoyable.
April 4, 2020
Not a bad read. Friends to lovers with one finding that his love interest being men.
First time reading this author. Enjoyed the internal battle they both had. It is what anyone would do in that position.
First time reading this author. Enjoyed the internal battle they both had. It is what anyone would do in that position.
January 12, 2017
Suddenly it all makes sense
4.5 shining stars for author Van Barrett. I found this author earlier this year and now I think I've read 5 books of his and never been disappointed.
Ethan loves his job as a carpenter's apprentice and he loves working with his boss Jake. He and his girlfriend are supposed to be moving to the city to return to college but it just doesn't feel right. The relationship is off and on and there's no passion to be found. He doesn't want to go to school. He doesn't know what he wants to study and be when he grows up other than his current role as The Carpenter's Apprentice.
A well lubricated fishing episode with his boss Jake brought some surprises, confusing but not unwelcome.
Excerpt: "When a man is with a woman, he feels like he's the push, and she's the pull. But lying vulnerable, on my back, with my legs wrapped around this powerful man? With Jake between my thighs, his hands pawing at my belly, traipsing up my side, his lips passionately sliding against mine? I knew that wasn't the case now – that I wasn't the push anymore. No – I was the pull. Jake was the bee, and I was the flower – and he wanted my nectar."
And who could be more lovable than Jake who said that all of his exes are still his friends because he opened up parts of his heart to them and the meaning of life is just to learn to love?
A wonderful story of a daughter and her gay dad who falls in love with The Carpenter's Apprentice.
4.5 shining stars for author Van Barrett. I found this author earlier this year and now I think I've read 5 books of his and never been disappointed.
Ethan loves his job as a carpenter's apprentice and he loves working with his boss Jake. He and his girlfriend are supposed to be moving to the city to return to college but it just doesn't feel right. The relationship is off and on and there's no passion to be found. He doesn't want to go to school. He doesn't know what he wants to study and be when he grows up other than his current role as The Carpenter's Apprentice.
A well lubricated fishing episode with his boss Jake brought some surprises, confusing but not unwelcome.
Excerpt: "When a man is with a woman, he feels like he's the push, and she's the pull. But lying vulnerable, on my back, with my legs wrapped around this powerful man? With Jake between my thighs, his hands pawing at my belly, traipsing up my side, his lips passionately sliding against mine? I knew that wasn't the case now – that I wasn't the push anymore. No – I was the pull. Jake was the bee, and I was the flower – and he wanted my nectar."
And who could be more lovable than Jake who said that all of his exes are still his friends because he opened up parts of his heart to them and the meaning of life is just to learn to love?
A wonderful story of a daughter and her gay dad who falls in love with The Carpenter's Apprentice.
March 13, 2016
Life lesson in seeing what is right in front of you
Ethan is at a turning point and is not sure which path to take; one takes him to Chicago to live with his on again/ off again girlfriend while returning to college (which he already dropped out of because it just was not the right fit for him). The other path, he stays and continues to work with Jake as a carpenter’s apprentice, which he really loves. Things feel right working with Jake and things have not been going so well with his girlfriend so when she tells him they need to “take a break” Ethan finds himself drawn to Jake and when they kiss, he is all in, even though confused by his feelings. Jake on the other hand tries desperately to put the brakes on and keep things professional but the chemistry is unavoidable and he sends very mixed signals; he really wants Ethan, but Jake harbors a deep fear of getting involved and ruining their work relationship. Unfortunately, Jake’s walls cause a rift in the work relationship that he may not be able to mend and he is looking at losing one of the best things that has ever happened to him! This is a wonderful story with marvelous characters that made it hard to put down, I definitely recommend it!
Ethan is at a turning point and is not sure which path to take; one takes him to Chicago to live with his on again/ off again girlfriend while returning to college (which he already dropped out of because it just was not the right fit for him). The other path, he stays and continues to work with Jake as a carpenter’s apprentice, which he really loves. Things feel right working with Jake and things have not been going so well with his girlfriend so when she tells him they need to “take a break” Ethan finds himself drawn to Jake and when they kiss, he is all in, even though confused by his feelings. Jake on the other hand tries desperately to put the brakes on and keep things professional but the chemistry is unavoidable and he sends very mixed signals; he really wants Ethan, but Jake harbors a deep fear of getting involved and ruining their work relationship. Unfortunately, Jake’s walls cause a rift in the work relationship that he may not be able to mend and he is looking at losing one of the best things that has ever happened to him! This is a wonderful story with marvelous characters that made it hard to put down, I definitely recommend it!
April 24, 2016
The bones of a good story are definitely here but the execution is lacking. Jake is the carpenter and is 29 years old. Ethan is his apprentice and is 22. Their age difference is brought up countless times and it seems like 7 years wouldn't be a big deal. But even though Jake is supposedly 29, he's written more like he's 40. Which would have been a good story still and would have made all the drama make a hell of a lot more sense. These guys are on the teeter totter of all teeter totters of conflicting emotions about their relationship. Jake says yes, Ethan runs. Ethan says yes, Jake runs. Wait, now Ethan is all for it and Jake has cold feet. No worry, the teeter totter will change positions a few more times. After a while I just didn't care. They're gonna end up together so just do it already, dang it. Plus we have alternating POVs where each time it changes with a chapter, the events at the end of the previous chapter are rehashed. Bleh. Add to that the first time an I Love You is said is when it's screamed out mid-orgasm, well......just too much had me rolling my eyes.
March 15, 2016
I thought this story was very cute. Ethan is wide-eyed and eager to find his own path. He dropped out of college and started to work with Jake as his apprentice for his carpentry business. Ethan's girlfriend and friends wants him to move with them and get back into school. Ethan actually enjoys being an apprentice and working with Jake, he and is girlfriend calls it quits and he finally makes a decision that he will not be moving with her. Jake likes Ethan but tries to fight his attraction because he does not want to "mess" up their working relationship, he is also bummed that Ethan may be leaving. Jake invites Ethan out to his home to hang and go fishing - - this incident leads to few actions that will determine the future of their relationship both personal and professional. Overall this was a cute story.
March 24, 2016
I really enjoyed this down to earth book.
The characters are realistic, relatable and their struggles understandable.
Not accepting he is gay whilst married, Jake experiments after his wife gives him permission. But things don't work out with Trevor, his best friend and Jake becomes almost celibate.
Ethan was a school nerd but attending university makes him feel hemmed in so he leaves after the first year and becomes Jake's apprentice.
For three years they work alongside each other until Ethan starts to notice Jake in another way.....a sexual way.
The natural evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers is an enjoyable read.
The characters are realistic, relatable and their struggles understandable.
Not accepting he is gay whilst married, Jake experiments after his wife gives him permission. But things don't work out with Trevor, his best friend and Jake becomes almost celibate.
Ethan was a school nerd but attending university makes him feel hemmed in so he leaves after the first year and becomes Jake's apprentice.
For three years they work alongside each other until Ethan starts to notice Jake in another way.....a sexual way.
The natural evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers is an enjoyable read.
March 17, 2016
3 1/2 stars.. There were a few editing issues. I liked these two guys. The slow friendship into lovers thing was good. They had their little issues which were resolved easily once they put their big boy pants on. The sex scenes were good.. Some hot! But then all of a sudden you are zipped through the book and boom its over. Where are their families? We know bout Jake's ex and we see his little girl.. And Ethan has his ex and few friends.. No family drama in this book, cuz you don't know bout them! But these two are cute together
April 4, 2016
Goods premise, cheesy dialogue.
This had great potential, but I struggled to finish. I was so sick of the word member by the end, urgggh! I like the characters and the story, but the way they talked to each other and the love scenes were cheesy as can be.
This had great potential, but I struggled to finish. I was so sick of the word member by the end, urgggh! I like the characters and the story, but the way they talked to each other and the love scenes were cheesy as can be.
April 10, 2016
Simple, sweet and entertaining. The narration is straightforward and candid and feels like you're talking to a friend. Saw some errors, but I liked the book a lot so I didn't let those bother me.
June 13, 2021
I wanted to like this.
The good: the writing isn't bad, grammar wise, and the pairing of Ethan and Jake are quickly established as perfect for one another.
The bad: there's a lot I want to be nitpicky about, but what really killed this story, for me, is how long it took to get to the point. There was so much one step forward, two steps back and Hey, Look over there! writing that just dragged the story out. There are so many little things that I question about the writer's choices and it just took me out of the story. Like the fact that these guys are in Buffalo, NY in "late winter" wearing shorts and fishing in the sunshine of a 60 degree day. In late winter in upstate New York???? I live on the east coast and I'm pretty sure I see news reports about Buffalo and snow pretty constantly all winter. It's just these little bits that are thrown in just to make me question why. I wanted to at least nudge this to 3 stars because I liked the premise so much, but I just can't. I didn't like most of the side characters, much of the story can just be skimmed over and it included the pointless cameo by an evil/awful ex trope that I honestly hate.
The good: the writing isn't bad, grammar wise, and the pairing of Ethan and Jake are quickly established as perfect for one another.
The bad: there's a lot I want to be nitpicky about, but what really killed this story, for me, is how long it took to get to the point. There was so much one step forward, two steps back and Hey, Look over there! writing that just dragged the story out. There are so many little things that I question about the writer's choices and it just took me out of the story. Like the fact that these guys are in Buffalo, NY in "late winter" wearing shorts and fishing in the sunshine of a 60 degree day. In late winter in upstate New York???? I live on the east coast and I'm pretty sure I see news reports about Buffalo and snow pretty constantly all winter. It's just these little bits that are thrown in just to make me question why. I wanted to at least nudge this to 3 stars because I liked the premise so much, but I just can't. I didn't like most of the side characters, much of the story can just be skimmed over and it included the pointless cameo by an evil/awful ex trope that I honestly hate.
December 6, 2017
VERY SWEET W/LOTS OF HEAT
Sexy carpenter Jake hired a green, very wet behind the ears apprentice Ethan. Ethan and Jake work so well together, that when the question that Ethan may follow his friends and girlfriend out of town, is when things get complicated. This is a great story told from the perspective of two totally different type guys. Jake is very closed off and knows what he wants but doesn't know how to explain himself. Basically, he has a wonderful heart but can't communicate his thoughts and feelings. Ethan is like an eager pup, full of energy, excited with new discovery, not worried about what's around the corner. This was a wonderful story that I've had on my TBR list FOREVER!! It was my big mistake for not enjoying it sooner. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!
Sexy carpenter Jake hired a green, very wet behind the ears apprentice Ethan. Ethan and Jake work so well together, that when the question that Ethan may follow his friends and girlfriend out of town, is when things get complicated. This is a great story told from the perspective of two totally different type guys. Jake is very closed off and knows what he wants but doesn't know how to explain himself. Basically, he has a wonderful heart but can't communicate his thoughts and feelings. Ethan is like an eager pup, full of energy, excited with new discovery, not worried about what's around the corner. This was a wonderful story that I've had on my TBR list FOREVER!! It was my big mistake for not enjoying it sooner. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!
February 10, 2020
I still remember this steamy first time M/M romance after all these years…
I read this book back in 2016 when it came out and still remember it to this day. My favorite theme within the M/M romance genre is first times. When Jake takes on Ethan, he knows he feels something for this straight young man but he won’t go there. Been hurt before. So, when Ethan starts sending signals, what is Jake to do? And, then there was Ethan’s girlfriend. What about Jake’s daughter? Yeah, it gets complicated but the payoff is soooo good!
Loved this book and it comes highly recommended if you like anything I’ve said. It gets 5 steamy stars b/c I still remember it after almost four years!
I read this book back in 2016 when it came out and still remember it to this day. My favorite theme within the M/M romance genre is first times. When Jake takes on Ethan, he knows he feels something for this straight young man but he won’t go there. Been hurt before. So, when Ethan starts sending signals, what is Jake to do? And, then there was Ethan’s girlfriend. What about Jake’s daughter? Yeah, it gets complicated but the payoff is soooo good!
Loved this book and it comes highly recommended if you like anything I’ve said. It gets 5 steamy stars b/c I still remember it after almost four years!
February 14, 2020
I enjoyed this story. The interactions between Ethan and jake were realistic and never over the top. Their occasional self-doubts were true to character.
Jake the older slightly more experienced in the gay world (he was a late bloomer being in denial) is a well rounded character. His hesitation at the attraction to Ethan is understandable and I was glad he wasn't the cocky know-it-all a lot of the dominate males seem to be.
Ethan's slow realization of his attraction to Jake felt truly believable. While we the reader are fully aware of their attraction, it take Ethan a bit of time to have his eyes open.
Jake the older slightly more experienced in the gay world (he was a late bloomer being in denial) is a well rounded character. His hesitation at the attraction to Ethan is understandable and I was glad he wasn't the cocky know-it-all a lot of the dominate males seem to be.
Ethan's slow realization of his attraction to Jake felt truly believable. While we the reader are fully aware of their attraction, it take Ethan a bit of time to have his eyes open.
March 23, 2020
The story was, of course, predictable. It's a gay romance after all, but it's how they get there that is the important thing. The story line was sensitive and the character's were true. Mr. Barrett did a fine job jumping between the first and third person in his narrative. His descriptions of their physical characteristics did become a bit repetitive. How many times does one need to say "muscled pecs" and "washboard abs?"
March 14, 2020
Good fun, this one. Pretty well written, delivered at a good pace. Delivers a good level of raciness. However, just one note: ‘glans’ is not a sexy word. It really really isn’t. But otherwise, a good book!
November 30, 2018
3.75 ⭐️
A really fast read in spite of the book’s length.
A really fast read in spite of the book’s length.
February 29, 2020
Loved the first 80% of the book. The last section left me wanting.
March 8, 2016
As this was the first book that I've read by this author, I am going to spell out both the good and the bad. So let's start with the bad… The word, "member" was greatly overused… And not in a good way. ;-) Also, what is a, "sweltering member"? Sweltering is not a word that has ever, in any way shape or form seemed sexy to me as it refers to being a hot, sweaty, sticky mess, again, not in a good way, so to add it as a word that describes a male's member, really gives it an ick factor that had the opposite effect from what I'm sure was intended. The sad thing was, it was used more than once, even though the first use was one time too many in my book.
I also had a lot of issues with the dialogue. To me, a lot of the dialogue did not sound like it came from a 22 or 29-year-old man. Especially men who, and I'm paraphrasing from the book, didn't look or act gay to the point that no one would know that they were. So I have to be honest, the dialogue throughout the majority of the book drove me nuts. It honestly sounded more like girls to me at times than guys.
On the plus side, I would like to point out that I did read the entire book, so something about the writing compelled me to continue and overlook everything that bothered me enough to keep going until the end. This book was far better than okay, I liked it. I just think it could have been even better.
Read:
March 8, 2016 - Kindle Unlimited
I also had a lot of issues with the dialogue. To me, a lot of the dialogue did not sound like it came from a 22 or 29-year-old man. Especially men who, and I'm paraphrasing from the book, didn't look or act gay to the point that no one would know that they were. So I have to be honest, the dialogue throughout the majority of the book drove me nuts. It honestly sounded more like girls to me at times than guys.
On the plus side, I would like to point out that I did read the entire book, so something about the writing compelled me to continue and overlook everything that bothered me enough to keep going until the end. This book was far better than okay, I liked it. I just think it could have been even better.
Read:
March 8, 2016 - Kindle Unlimited
March 26, 2016
2.5. Well, I read the entire thing so it kept my interest and that's always a good thing. There were cute, fun moments and Jake and Ethan were great guys, but the writing was extremely hokey and the dialogue was stilted, wooden and groan-worthy, with a need to explain everything. Both characters had exactly the same voice. A 22 year old that continually used words like 'dude and man', and a 29yr old who acted like 45 but spoke like he was 17, until he called Ethan 'buddy' which was every five sentences. I guess it was meant to show him as the older partner. Sex scenes were good, if a bit wordy, but I swear if I see the word 'member' one more time!
Strangely, this is one of the few times a gfy book felt weird to me, like it was hitting all the wrong notes. The angst was completely manufactured and, while interesting at times, mostly just had me squinting and going cross eyed trying to follow the characters' logic. The ending (not the epilogue) had me cringing and rolling my eyes. Too much. Epilogue was great!
Final answer - a cute read with fun characters that will require some patience, possibly lots of it.
Strangely, this is one of the few times a gfy book felt weird to me, like it was hitting all the wrong notes. The angst was completely manufactured and, while interesting at times, mostly just had me squinting and going cross eyed trying to follow the characters' logic. The ending (not the epilogue) had me cringing and rolling my eyes. Too much. Epilogue was great!
Final answer - a cute read with fun characters that will require some patience, possibly lots of it.
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