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The Calum #1
The Calum
Readers' Pick - "Books to Read After Outlander"
Calum, The (Noun) 1. fictional hero of best-selling romance novel, A Laird to Love 2. the perfect man
Twenty-six is too old to believe in fairytales, but tell that to Lovie’s roommate. Convinced she’ll find a real life version of her ultimate book boyfriend, Calum MacKenzie, Jo drags Lovie along on her quest. Lovie’s no cynic *ahem* but she knows The Calum is a myth. A construct. A freaking unicorn! And there are warmer places to spend the holidays than the Scottish Highlands.
If Duff had his way, he’d never step foot in Inverness again. Only his best friend’s wedding and Duff's ailing grandmother could bring him home. Duff’s plan is keep his head down and stay out of trouble. Hard to do when the groom targets a pretty blond tourist for one last conquest.
When Duff and Lovie meet, snowflakes, sparks, and insults fly. He’s instantly attracted to the sexy, sharp-tongued American. She’s just glad to have someone to hang out with, especially the bad boy with a mysterious past. Lovie is determined to learn his secrets, but as they grow closer, Duff is forced to choose between his best friend and his heart.
Calum, The (Noun) 1. fictional hero of best-selling romance novel, A Laird to Love 2. the perfect man
Twenty-six is too old to believe in fairytales, but tell that to Lovie’s roommate. Convinced she’ll find a real life version of her ultimate book boyfriend, Calum MacKenzie, Jo drags Lovie along on her quest. Lovie’s no cynic *ahem* but she knows The Calum is a myth. A construct. A freaking unicorn! And there are warmer places to spend the holidays than the Scottish Highlands.
If Duff had his way, he’d never step foot in Inverness again. Only his best friend’s wedding and Duff's ailing grandmother could bring him home. Duff’s plan is keep his head down and stay out of trouble. Hard to do when the groom targets a pretty blond tourist for one last conquest.
When Duff and Lovie meet, snowflakes, sparks, and insults fly. He’s instantly attracted to the sexy, sharp-tongued American. She’s just glad to have someone to hang out with, especially the bad boy with a mysterious past. Lovie is determined to learn his secrets, but as they grow closer, Duff is forced to choose between his best friend and his heart.
100 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2014
10 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Xio Axelrod
27 books1,187 followersXio Axelrod is a USA Today bestselling author of different flavours of contemporary romance. She also writes what she likes to call strange, twisted tales. Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, no-so-secret name). She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and several part-time cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 21, 2022
4.5 stars!
“Her back was to him. Her skin a long pour of single malt that he wanted to savor.”
This was my first book by Xio Axelrod, and I will now be devouring her whole backlist! Give me a big ole Scot anyday, and an interracial romance was icing on the cake!
“Lovie ran a hand through her hair, an auburn cloud of windswept curls. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her struggle to tame it with some kind of elastic band. A real shame. Duff didn’t want it tamed. He liked it wild. Free. Her hair had a personality unto itself. It suited her.”
I love a enemies to lovers trope. You know the ones where they are constantly fighting, trying to resist their attraction to each other. This was the perfect slow burn that gave perfect tension, building up to some smoking hot, steamy scenes. Whoa... I legit need more of Duff & Lovie. Badly!!!
“you unlocked a part of me that I never knew existed. And when you left, you took it with you.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “So, I’m here to claim what’s mine.”
“Her back was to him. Her skin a long pour of single malt that he wanted to savor.”
This was my first book by Xio Axelrod, and I will now be devouring her whole backlist! Give me a big ole Scot anyday, and an interracial romance was icing on the cake!
“Lovie ran a hand through her hair, an auburn cloud of windswept curls. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her struggle to tame it with some kind of elastic band. A real shame. Duff didn’t want it tamed. He liked it wild. Free. Her hair had a personality unto itself. It suited her.”
I love a enemies to lovers trope. You know the ones where they are constantly fighting, trying to resist their attraction to each other. This was the perfect slow burn that gave perfect tension, building up to some smoking hot, steamy scenes. Whoa... I legit need more of Duff & Lovie. Badly!!!
“you unlocked a part of me that I never knew existed. And when you left, you took it with you.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “So, I’m here to claim what’s mine.”
May 4, 2016
Disclaimer: I know the author of this book. She did not solicit this review or my purchase of the book. I brought my copy because (1) her telling of auditioning narrators for the audio book was hilarious (2) she made me feel welcome and (3) for every author that is a douche, there are at least ten who aren’t and who deserve a readership. The only way to find those is to read.
The disclaimer doesn’t cover everything, however. This book is classified as New Adult (which for the longest time I confused with New Age), and I have been quasi avoiding books in the genre because several people whose opinions I respect really have posted some rather strong reviews about the genre. I can say that I would not have brought this book if I hadn’t heard Xio Axelrod tell the audition story (and honestly, get her to tell this story if you meet her). Largely most of the reviews I have seen about New Adult seem to involve a bad boy who should be gelded, and who is based on Twilight stalkers.
Thankfully, this is not the case with The Calum.
Lovie goes along to Scotland with her friend Jo, for Jo wants to find the living embodiment of the Calum, a hero from a romance book. (Yes, I was thinking Outlander too, and we all know how many women would want Jamie, but you know what, I like modern plumbing and voting against racist assholes). Once there (bonus point for setting the story somewhere other than Edinburgh), Jo meets the Calum (who name is Hamish because there is a rule about setting a story in Scotland and having a character with the name of Hamish or Angus). This leaves Lovie on her own, but that is fine because Lovie has meet a good shot of slow burn Scotch by the name of Duff, who is close friends with Hamish.
The plot enfolds pretty much the way you would think a romance plot should, and let’s be honest, when you read a romance, you pretty much know the standard plot. What makes a good novel, therefore, are pretty basic – writing, how twists are handled, and characterization.
Xio Axelrod does pretty damn well with all of these.
The novel’s weakest point for me (and this is relative) is that the sense of place could have been stronger. While, you never lose the sense that you are in Scotland, there a few times when the reader is told of the beauty but never really shown the beauty in the terms of the description.
However, this lack is more than made up with the characters, foremost being the characters of Lovie and Jo. There is a tendency in books with women leads to have the lead be the most adult, most responsible woman in the novel. The end result of this is that the female lead comes across as a right bitch or a long suffering martyr most of the time. Xio Axelrod avoids falling into this trap, and there is a brilliant sequence when you are showed exactly why Lovie and Jo are friends. Jo is simply not an airhead blonde. It was my favorite part of the book.
Well, maybe one of them because I also really loved the portrayal of women going for what they want and not feeling guilt for it.
Lovie, too, is a wonderful character. Smart and pretty, but not super skinny. She has her issues, but has enough self awareness that she does grow as a character. The romance she develops with Duff is just as believable as she is, making it a romance that reader wants to work as opposed to one that the reader simply knows is going to work. And one of my favorite scenes involves Lovie, her hair, and Duff’s grandma.
And Duff – a romantic hero who is not doing anything illegal, who has problems that are oh so human, and who thankfully, acts like a man who deserves the woman. He may not be wearing a kilt, but wow.
You have no idea how nice it was not to read a romance book where I didn’t feel an urge to arrest the romantic lead.
And the writing – the writing is hot!
So when are the sequels coming out?
As a last word, after reading this book, I brought a copy for a friend. That is how much I liked it.
The disclaimer doesn’t cover everything, however. This book is classified as New Adult (which for the longest time I confused with New Age), and I have been quasi avoiding books in the genre because several people whose opinions I respect really have posted some rather strong reviews about the genre. I can say that I would not have brought this book if I hadn’t heard Xio Axelrod tell the audition story (and honestly, get her to tell this story if you meet her). Largely most of the reviews I have seen about New Adult seem to involve a bad boy who should be gelded, and who is based on Twilight stalkers.
Thankfully, this is not the case with The Calum.
Lovie goes along to Scotland with her friend Jo, for Jo wants to find the living embodiment of the Calum, a hero from a romance book. (Yes, I was thinking Outlander too, and we all know how many women would want Jamie, but you know what, I like modern plumbing and voting against racist assholes). Once there (bonus point for setting the story somewhere other than Edinburgh), Jo meets the Calum (who name is Hamish because there is a rule about setting a story in Scotland and having a character with the name of Hamish or Angus). This leaves Lovie on her own, but that is fine because Lovie has meet a good shot of slow burn Scotch by the name of Duff, who is close friends with Hamish.
The plot enfolds pretty much the way you would think a romance plot should, and let’s be honest, when you read a romance, you pretty much know the standard plot. What makes a good novel, therefore, are pretty basic – writing, how twists are handled, and characterization.
Xio Axelrod does pretty damn well with all of these.
The novel’s weakest point for me (and this is relative) is that the sense of place could have been stronger. While, you never lose the sense that you are in Scotland, there a few times when the reader is told of the beauty but never really shown the beauty in the terms of the description.
However, this lack is more than made up with the characters, foremost being the characters of Lovie and Jo. There is a tendency in books with women leads to have the lead be the most adult, most responsible woman in the novel. The end result of this is that the female lead comes across as a right bitch or a long suffering martyr most of the time. Xio Axelrod avoids falling into this trap, and there is a brilliant sequence when you are showed exactly why Lovie and Jo are friends. Jo is simply not an airhead blonde. It was my favorite part of the book.
Well, maybe one of them because I also really loved the portrayal of women going for what they want and not feeling guilt for it.
Lovie, too, is a wonderful character. Smart and pretty, but not super skinny. She has her issues, but has enough self awareness that she does grow as a character. The romance she develops with Duff is just as believable as she is, making it a romance that reader wants to work as opposed to one that the reader simply knows is going to work. And one of my favorite scenes involves Lovie, her hair, and Duff’s grandma.
And Duff – a romantic hero who is not doing anything illegal, who has problems that are oh so human, and who thankfully, acts like a man who deserves the woman. He may not be wearing a kilt, but wow.
You have no idea how nice it was not to read a romance book where I didn’t feel an urge to arrest the romantic lead.
And the writing – the writing is hot!
So when are the sequels coming out?
As a last word, after reading this book, I brought a copy for a friend. That is how much I liked it.
January 10, 2015
Cute. Well written. HFN. Novella, serialized, first in a trilogy.
January 6, 2015
Awright
Good dialect and dialogue.
Good dialect and dialogue.
August 12, 2015
I loved this story! It was sweet, funny, and sexy as hell! I want to buy a plane ticket to Scotland and find my own Duff! The story was well written and overall amazing with well thought out characters. I love that Jo dragged Lovie to another country to find a fictional character because I feel like if I had the money I would do the same thing, as well as many other avid readers. And the ending was perfection and put a huge grin on my face!
January 1, 2015
Fantastic voice! Lovie is funny & witty and I really like being inside her head. And Duff's Scottish brogue was just too perfect.
The novella suffered a bit from its length not giving us quite enough time to forge an emotional connection with the characters, but their spark was impossible to ignore. The connection sizzled and both characters showed both their vulnerabilities and strengths.
The writing here is excellent, so smart and sharp. Oh, and she got me with the ending. Loved it!
The novella suffered a bit from its length not giving us quite enough time to forge an emotional connection with the characters, but their spark was impossible to ignore. The connection sizzled and both characters showed both their vulnerabilities and strengths.
The writing here is excellent, so smart and sharp. Oh, and she got me with the ending. Loved it!
January 5, 2015
Not bad, I would read something else by this author.
December 15, 2014
Spending her Christmas vacation in cold, damp Scotland instead of on a beach in the Caribbean is not Lovie's idea of brilliance. Her best friend, Joana, is obsessed with a fictional character (who just happens to be a sexy Highlander) from her favourite book and convinces Lovie to go with her in search of her own real-life Calum. But Lovie gets more than she expected on this Scottish holiday--she finds herself face-to-face with brooding, sexy Duff, who's trouble just waiting to happen.
Xio Axelrod's The Calum is a fun, sexy novella that hooks you from page one. With rich sense of place and three-dimensional characters who jump right off the page, she immediately captures the reader and takes them on a journey of the heart with Lovie and Duff as they get to know one another during a very cold, very chilly Scottish Christmas holiday season.
What I loved most about the Calum is how effortless Xio's writing comes across. Each scene has a cinematic feel to it and the characters all have very distinct voices so you can visualise them without confusing them. I especially loved how she captured the allure of the Highlands without resorting to the usual clichés one reads about Scotland--no pipers here, no men in kilts (but you kinda wish Duff would wear one just once). ;)
I also loved how Duff and Lovie's loyalty to their friends is portrayed. It felt honest and true without ever becoming heavy-handed or judgmental. You believe in Duff and Hamish's friendship (even if Hamish is a prat!) just as you believe in Lovie's friendship with Joana (who's flightiness would probably test a saint).
I can't wait to read more about Duff and Lovie, and I definitely can't wait to read more of Xio's work!
Xio Axelrod's The Calum is a fun, sexy novella that hooks you from page one. With rich sense of place and three-dimensional characters who jump right off the page, she immediately captures the reader and takes them on a journey of the heart with Lovie and Duff as they get to know one another during a very cold, very chilly Scottish Christmas holiday season.
What I loved most about the Calum is how effortless Xio's writing comes across. Each scene has a cinematic feel to it and the characters all have very distinct voices so you can visualise them without confusing them. I especially loved how she captured the allure of the Highlands without resorting to the usual clichés one reads about Scotland--no pipers here, no men in kilts (but you kinda wish Duff would wear one just once). ;)
I also loved how Duff and Lovie's loyalty to their friends is portrayed. It felt honest and true without ever becoming heavy-handed or judgmental. You believe in Duff and Hamish's friendship (even if Hamish is a prat!) just as you believe in Lovie's friendship with Joana (who's flightiness would probably test a saint).
I can't wait to read more about Duff and Lovie, and I definitely can't wait to read more of Xio's work!
December 13, 2014
I received an early digital copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
Novellas are really tricky to pull off and not leave the reader feeling cheated when it comes to story, character, or plot development. One of the three nearly always suffers. Xio managed to wrap all three up quiet nicely. Yes, of course, the romance moves swiftly, but I read romance because I love the whole concept of falling in love, so that didn't bother me at all. I loved the setting of the story, the characters, and it's even got a bit of a Christmas setting to it which makes it especially nice for this time of year. Oh, and did I mention there are hot Scottish men? Hard to ever turn down a hot Scott. Just sayin'.
If you're up for a quick read that's well developed all around, I think you'd be very satisfied with this purchase.
Novellas are really tricky to pull off and not leave the reader feeling cheated when it comes to story, character, or plot development. One of the three nearly always suffers. Xio managed to wrap all three up quiet nicely. Yes, of course, the romance moves swiftly, but I read romance because I love the whole concept of falling in love, so that didn't bother me at all. I loved the setting of the story, the characters, and it's even got a bit of a Christmas setting to it which makes it especially nice for this time of year. Oh, and did I mention there are hot Scottish men? Hard to ever turn down a hot Scott. Just sayin'.
If you're up for a quick read that's well developed all around, I think you'd be very satisfied with this purchase.
Read
January 13, 2015Fantastic story outside of the normal POC and IR boundaries. The writing and characters are "self aware" in the storybook setting of Inverness as Lovie reluctantly tags along with her BFF, a blonde haired Marilyn Monroe type, in search of the mythic storybook Scottish hero, the Calum.
I loved the light treatment of racial issues. I'm a POC (person of color) and I use romance novels as escapism. I don't want to deal with the stress and strife of the real world when I pull back a glossy cover. I don't want to deal with racial stereotypes and ethnic injustice and cultural prejudice with love stories. Axelrod gave me the escapism I craved -a modern day highlander!- while keeping it grounded in the reality of being a POC in small town Scotland.
Thoroughly satisfying with delightful surprises. I also loved the realness of the friendship between Lovie and her bestie -true sisterhood.
I loved the light treatment of racial issues. I'm a POC (person of color) and I use romance novels as escapism. I don't want to deal with the stress and strife of the real world when I pull back a glossy cover. I don't want to deal with racial stereotypes and ethnic injustice and cultural prejudice with love stories. Axelrod gave me the escapism I craved -a modern day highlander!- while keeping it grounded in the reality of being a POC in small town Scotland.
Thoroughly satisfying with delightful surprises. I also loved the realness of the friendship between Lovie and her bestie -true sisterhood.
December 16, 2014
Romance
Nice beginning of series. Even though this is a short story, it's a complete one. Lovie is a hoot and Duff is the Scottish bad boy. Their chemistry is off the charts. Looking forward to the next story.
Nice beginning of series. Even though this is a short story, it's a complete one. Lovie is a hoot and Duff is the Scottish bad boy. Their chemistry is off the charts. Looking forward to the next story.
January 21, 2015
Love this! Can't wait for more from the author and series!
January 21, 2015
Next installment please!
January 7, 2018
Two young women best friends go on vacation in Scotland. One is in search of just vacation time and the other is looking for the Callum. Both ladies enjoy reading romance novels. The Calllum is a fictional character in a romance novel. He’s the hero or the boyfriend. And lovie’s friend was in search of him. For adventures sake. Meanwhile lovie falls head over heals for his best friend Duff. This was a cute story.
September 2, 2015
There are times when you absolutely need a dedicated afternoon read. Usually it’s a day of extreme: sunny, or rainy. In-betweeny doesn’t count. It’s going to be cold or hot. Tepid? No way. That’s when you file your bills and receipts and maybe iron something.
The Calum by Xio Axelrod offers a Scottish Christmas setting. But I missed the Christmas read this year so decided to wait for another extreme: a blistering hot day. I packed the kids to the park, got a large pot of tea, some popcorn, a few sweets. And tucked in.
Festive Stocking Filled with Candycanes and Gingerbread ManUntil now I can honestly say contemporary Scotland didn’t call to me. Then I read The Calum and saw Scotland through the eyes of a loving photographer. I blinked away the improbability of the set-up and dove in. I decided, early-in, that The Calum works best if one reads it as a fairytale. It’s lovely escapism, fun, and sexy.
First things first: Lovie and Jo are a hoot. I wish I had a girlfriend like either (preferably two girlfriends, one of each). That wonderful bond of anything-goes (sure, let’s go to Scotland), forgiveness after being date-dumped (uh yeah, do you mind if we…?) to chin down, duke’s up take-the-bastard-downism. I wish I were on this trip but thanks to Xio’s narrative, I guess I can say I was.
There are two Calums, so-to-speak, in this book. And thankfully neither is a foil for the other. The Calum avoids that trap. And the one we take to be bad, well, he may or may not be, but he’s oh-so-human. And our good guy? A few foibles, but who can blame him when true love is on the line?
Things cannot be cut and dried and I hate that in a book. Love makes us stupid. Not asinine, just more vulnerable and punch drunk. The lies (or lies of omission) cannot be helped when your world will (almost) certainly collapse.
The sparks between Lovie and Duff almost had me book my ticket to the Highlands. Tall delicious dark-haired man with a burr? Colour me there. And Duff is such an exquisite man, in his clothes and out. Perfect, I’d say, down to his love for his utterly charming grandmother. Lovie is strong, beautiful, and loyal. Amazingly tolerant of Jo’s abandonment of her as only a true friend could be. She has a tender heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. Duff’s betrayal flips the switch which only a true friend would have.
There are some yummy sparks and scenes, for those who imbibe. The Calum is such a lovely fairytale that it could do with or without the sex. Meaning: the love is central, the nom noms are bonus.
So for those of you wanting a Scottish Christmas love story, this is the one for you. And for the rest of us who love Christmas all year ’round? You got it: The Calum. Thankfully for us acrophobes, we can live vicariously through Lovie.
The Calum by Xio Axelrod offers a Scottish Christmas setting. But I missed the Christmas read this year so decided to wait for another extreme: a blistering hot day. I packed the kids to the park, got a large pot of tea, some popcorn, a few sweets. And tucked in.
Festive Stocking Filled with Candycanes and Gingerbread ManUntil now I can honestly say contemporary Scotland didn’t call to me. Then I read The Calum and saw Scotland through the eyes of a loving photographer. I blinked away the improbability of the set-up and dove in. I decided, early-in, that The Calum works best if one reads it as a fairytale. It’s lovely escapism, fun, and sexy.
First things first: Lovie and Jo are a hoot. I wish I had a girlfriend like either (preferably two girlfriends, one of each). That wonderful bond of anything-goes (sure, let’s go to Scotland), forgiveness after being date-dumped (uh yeah, do you mind if we…?) to chin down, duke’s up take-the-bastard-downism. I wish I were on this trip but thanks to Xio’s narrative, I guess I can say I was.
There are two Calums, so-to-speak, in this book. And thankfully neither is a foil for the other. The Calum avoids that trap. And the one we take to be bad, well, he may or may not be, but he’s oh-so-human. And our good guy? A few foibles, but who can blame him when true love is on the line?
Things cannot be cut and dried and I hate that in a book. Love makes us stupid. Not asinine, just more vulnerable and punch drunk. The lies (or lies of omission) cannot be helped when your world will (almost) certainly collapse.
The sparks between Lovie and Duff almost had me book my ticket to the Highlands. Tall delicious dark-haired man with a burr? Colour me there. And Duff is such an exquisite man, in his clothes and out. Perfect, I’d say, down to his love for his utterly charming grandmother. Lovie is strong, beautiful, and loyal. Amazingly tolerant of Jo’s abandonment of her as only a true friend could be. She has a tender heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. Duff’s betrayal flips the switch which only a true friend would have.
There are some yummy sparks and scenes, for those who imbibe. The Calum is such a lovely fairytale that it could do with or without the sex. Meaning: the love is central, the nom noms are bonus.
So for those of you wanting a Scottish Christmas love story, this is the one for you. And for the rest of us who love Christmas all year ’round? You got it: The Calum. Thankfully for us acrophobes, we can live vicariously through Lovie.
June 28, 2016
This story starts with a definition.
Calum (Noun)
Fictional hero of best-selling romance novel, A Laird to Love.
the perfect man
When Lovie’s best friend Jo decides to travel to Scotland to track down a Calum of her own Lovie is up for the adventure. Reluctantly. Day one, Jo, who is petite, blond, and all around cute stumbles across her perfect man in a pub (the hero's best friend). From there she’s smitten and can barely find the time to go exploring with her travel companion, Lovie. Enter Duff. The sexy hero who keeps Lovie company in more ways than one.
The characters in this story are fun and realistic. Lovie is not a starry-eyed heroine who falls at Duff’s feet. She’s a well-rounded person with the flaws to match. Lovie is private and slow to trust. She also has a tendency to dive deep into someone life by asking a litany of questions. I appreciated that Duff mentions this habit in the book and isn’t afraid to let her know how annoying it is. I enjoyed those moments of honesty because I personally like when the hero and heroine don’t find each other amazingly perfect in every single way. Thankfully, Lovie and Duff spend a lot of time together which allows you to believe the possibility of love by the end. However, the book is part of a series and seems to expand on this initial spark (Looking forward to that!Calum Me Maybe coming out early 2016).
The descriptions of Scotland were amazing and helped me picture exactly where the characters were. And, while the story is a light read it’s not completely covered in fluff. The characters aren’t all sugary-sweet with no substance. There are deep moments of connection in the story and the sex scenes were smoking hot!
What I didn’t completely connect with is how Jo (Lovie’s best friend) responds to the secret her Calum is keeping. It seems surprisingly convenient for someone who was falling all over the man from day one. I felt as though it was an easy way for the author to skip fleshing out her secondary characters. That being said, Jo and Duff’s best friend weren’t the main event so not getting a more realistic reaction didn’t detract a lot from the story overall. Lovie and Duff’s story ends on a really cute and surprise note that left me with a huge smile on my face.
Yes, The Calum, was a quick read but it was fun from beginning to end.
-Reviewed by MichelleThis review was originally posted on Romance Novels in Color
Calum (Noun)
Fictional hero of best-selling romance novel, A Laird to Love.
the perfect man
When Lovie’s best friend Jo decides to travel to Scotland to track down a Calum of her own Lovie is up for the adventure. Reluctantly. Day one, Jo, who is petite, blond, and all around cute stumbles across her perfect man in a pub (the hero's best friend). From there she’s smitten and can barely find the time to go exploring with her travel companion, Lovie. Enter Duff. The sexy hero who keeps Lovie company in more ways than one.
The characters in this story are fun and realistic. Lovie is not a starry-eyed heroine who falls at Duff’s feet. She’s a well-rounded person with the flaws to match. Lovie is private and slow to trust. She also has a tendency to dive deep into someone life by asking a litany of questions. I appreciated that Duff mentions this habit in the book and isn’t afraid to let her know how annoying it is. I enjoyed those moments of honesty because I personally like when the hero and heroine don’t find each other amazingly perfect in every single way. Thankfully, Lovie and Duff spend a lot of time together which allows you to believe the possibility of love by the end. However, the book is part of a series and seems to expand on this initial spark (Looking forward to that!Calum Me Maybe coming out early 2016).
The descriptions of Scotland were amazing and helped me picture exactly where the characters were. And, while the story is a light read it’s not completely covered in fluff. The characters aren’t all sugary-sweet with no substance. There are deep moments of connection in the story and the sex scenes were smoking hot!
What I didn’t completely connect with is how Jo (Lovie’s best friend) responds to the secret her Calum is keeping. It seems surprisingly convenient for someone who was falling all over the man from day one. I felt as though it was an easy way for the author to skip fleshing out her secondary characters. That being said, Jo and Duff’s best friend weren’t the main event so not getting a more realistic reaction didn’t detract a lot from the story overall. Lovie and Duff’s story ends on a really cute and surprise note that left me with a huge smile on my face.
Yes, The Calum, was a quick read but it was fun from beginning to end.
-Reviewed by MichelleThis review was originally posted on Romance Novels in Color
December 16, 2014
Well, in short. I loved it. And not simply because I immediately found there was a character with my name on her. Jo is Lovie's BFF since high school and she is a trip. A little naive maybe, but she's is funny, loyal, sincere and awesome. But enough about Jo, because I hear she gets her own book later, so I'll elaborate on her once I read that one. *SMILE*
Lovie is following Jo to Scotland to find her "Calum", a book boyfriend Jo is certain exists out there in the real world somewhere. Lovie's fine with that, she isn't in the market for one herself but she loves Jo so she's willing to forgo her beach plans to help her friend find . . . lust?
What Jo doesn't plan on though, is Duff. Or as his gran calls him, C.J. Who turns out to be everything Jo wasn't expecting and more.
I'm telling you, in this short story, Xio packed a punch full of back story, deep thoughts, full rounded characters, love and all around brilliance. I canna tell ye much more of tha, love, but I will tell you this. It's so totally worth the read.
Lovie is following Jo to Scotland to find her "Calum", a book boyfriend Jo is certain exists out there in the real world somewhere. Lovie's fine with that, she isn't in the market for one herself but she loves Jo so she's willing to forgo her beach plans to help her friend find . . . lust?
What Jo doesn't plan on though, is Duff. Or as his gran calls him, C.J. Who turns out to be everything Jo wasn't expecting and more.
I'm telling you, in this short story, Xio packed a punch full of back story, deep thoughts, full rounded characters, love and all around brilliance. I canna tell ye much more of tha, love, but I will tell you this. It's so totally worth the read.
January 16, 2015
My biggest complaint is that the story wasn't longer. I really, really loved the author's voice, and I really liked her MC, too. Lovie Grant and I share something of a sense of humour. There are little things that authors tend to get wrong when writing about people from a different country to their own; Xio Axelrod avoided many of these foibles, and for that I was grateful. There was nothing to pull me out of the book and into bed as I should have done (no worries; I got to work the next morning with 93 seconds to spare), so, really, I should be thankful the story didn't take longer to tell.
The characters felt real (even Lovie's flighty bestie had down-to-earth moments), the story was well-told, and the author's voice lulled me into half-believing I was listening to a (particularly talented) friend tell me a story.
The characters felt real (even Lovie's flighty bestie had down-to-earth moments), the story was well-told, and the author's voice lulled me into half-believing I was listening to a (particularly talented) friend tell me a story.
May 30, 2016
The Calum is an easy (and fast) read and the first of Xio's work for me, too. It won't be the last, though, and here's why.
First, it is evident by her style that she adores poetry, which helped to make the sentences flow with a strangely subtle hint of that poetry flare to make it sound almost lyrical at times.
Second, she's a rule-breaker, which equates to my kind of gal and kindred soul in the art of writing.
Third, I've never been to Scotland before and never had any desire to go there, but while reading The Calum, I couldn't help but be transported to that cold, blustery, and to me, dismal place just north of England.
This was a well-written page-turner about two good friends who spend their Christmas vacation overseas so that Lovie's friend, Jo, can search for, find, seduce, and then get hitched with a Calum or Scottish Book Boyfriend.
First, it is evident by her style that she adores poetry, which helped to make the sentences flow with a strangely subtle hint of that poetry flare to make it sound almost lyrical at times.
Second, she's a rule-breaker, which equates to my kind of gal and kindred soul in the art of writing.
Third, I've never been to Scotland before and never had any desire to go there, but while reading The Calum, I couldn't help but be transported to that cold, blustery, and to me, dismal place just north of England.
This was a well-written page-turner about two good friends who spend their Christmas vacation overseas so that Lovie's friend, Jo, can search for, find, seduce, and then get hitched with a Calum or Scottish Book Boyfriend.
February 29, 2016
I liked the flow of the book and the dialogue between the characters right from the start. I was intrigued by C.J. MacDuff at first meeting. I could actually hear his Irish accent as the story went on and I felt as if I was sitting alongside everyone in the pub in Inverness. The scenes with him, Lovie, and his Gran were beautiful to witness. They had such a relaxing and peaceful feel, even though he bubbled with inner turmoil. I felt the worry as the impending truth about Hamish's relationship status simmered right under the surface. That truth wouldn't be doing anyone any favors. Duff and Lovie on the rooftop was quite magical and I felt myself wrapped up in the spell of their kisses. The ending events come hard and fast, yet concluded leaving me with a feeling of hopeful peace. I can't wait to read more of their story.
May 16, 2016
Lovie was not happy about following her friend Joana's dream of going to Scotland to find her Calum. She wanted to be on a beach somewhere not in the cold for her vacation over the holidays. She was not a dreamer like her friend and she did not believe in romance like those books made her friend believe.Scotland turned out way different for Lovie than she expects can things be in the stars for her?
This was a great fast read. Not only was I reading this, but I felt like I was there throughout the whole book. For a short story I wasn't left feeling that there was more to the story. I was satisfied with this book from beginning to end.
This was a great fast read. Not only was I reading this, but I felt like I was there throughout the whole book. For a short story I wasn't left feeling that there was more to the story. I was satisfied with this book from beginning to end.
December 18, 2014
What a fun story! Axelrod offers intriguing and quirky characters, a solid, fun storyline, and wonderful twists and turns. I'd call it a good bedtime story, but don't plan on getting any sleep until you reach the end. The Calum rolls along, pulling you deep into the story. I really cared about these characters. It was 99¢ well spent. I can't wait for the next one.
December 20, 2014
Hook Line and Sinker
This is one.sweet grown-up love story. You are pulled into a story that reads like it's unfolding before you and you don't want it to end.There is a sweet,sexy chemistry between the two main characters,that doesn't rely on just sex,it plays on that chemistry.A really good story,so go in fact I gave it to my mother.
This is one.sweet grown-up love story. You are pulled into a story that reads like it's unfolding before you and you don't want it to end.There is a sweet,sexy chemistry between the two main characters,that doesn't rely on just sex,it plays on that chemistry.A really good story,so go in fact I gave it to my mother.
March 12, 2016
Oh my god! Fantastic! Perfection! This is the first m/f interracial book I've read that was meaty, real, and romantic. The characters were three dimensional and highly likable. And... there's going to be a sequel! Joy, joy, joy! This goes down in the interracial hall of fame. I hope the author cranks out many more like this.
March 9, 2015
Delightful read!
I honestly don't know what I was expecting when I started this book, but all I know is that I was beyond annoyed that there wasn't more after the last page. Xio drew me into this world, and has left me dying for more. You won't be disappointed by this book (except that there's not another few chapters once it's over)!
I honestly don't know what I was expecting when I started this book, but all I know is that I was beyond annoyed that there wasn't more after the last page. Xio drew me into this world, and has left me dying for more. You won't be disappointed by this book (except that there's not another few chapters once it's over)!
March 21, 2016
This heart warming story made me laugh harder than I thought I would. No is such a funny side character and watching her drag Lovie through her antics made me feel like I was with friends. Lovie and Duff's sweet story mace me smile from beginning to end. A great, quick read from the talented Xio... Now if only book two was ready!
January 14, 2015
Beautiful
This book was so ridiculously romantic and well written and well thought out. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I LIVE for books like these!! I didn't want the story to end. It was simply......Beautiful.
This book was so ridiculously romantic and well written and well thought out. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I LIVE for books like these!! I didn't want the story to end. It was simply......Beautiful.
January 6, 2015
Nice
This was a cute, nice read. Loved the word play with "The Calum". If you're interested in reading something nice and cute, this is it. Give it a try. I did and enjoyed it.
This was a cute, nice read. Loved the word play with "The Calum". If you're interested in reading something nice and cute, this is it. Give it a try. I did and enjoyed it.
December 26, 2014
Very good read.
Enjoyable sweet read. Would like a little more romance and a better description of characters but everything else was great.
Enjoyable sweet read. Would like a little more romance and a better description of characters but everything else was great.
December 29, 2014
Loved it
Where the heck is book two...please don't have me waiting to long, this was a great short read. Bravo Xio!!! Now release the next one soon, please. Patiently waiting.....
Where the heck is book two...please don't have me waiting to long, this was a great short read. Bravo Xio!!! Now release the next one soon, please. Patiently waiting.....
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