Add Love and Mix

by Sean Michael

Firefighter Jason “Jase” Weller and EMT Scott Bronson are living the perfect life. They work together in jobs they love, they live together, and in their downtime, they still can’t get enough of each other. It’s been six amazing years. Then on Christmas Eve, Jase’s former lover Elsa shows up with a six-year-old girl in tow. The strung-out junkie claims Kerry is Jase’s daughter and it’s his turn to care for her, and then she walks out.

Shocked at both the fact that Elsa is now a junkie and that he has a daughter he never knew about, Jase nonetheless steps up to the plate as her father and Scott offers his full support. Having an instant family comes with plenty of challenges, and the two men work to deal with sweeping changes in their lives and to make things right for Kerry.

It’s not going to be easy, and their new circumstances test them and their relationship like nothing ever has. They’ll need all the love they have for each other—and the love they discover for their daughter—to keep from breaking apart.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Firefighters, Audiobook, LGBT, Gay

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2016

About the author

Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

Reviews

[The Reading's Love Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE COMPLETA QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.it/2...


Ci troviamo a Ottawa, capitale del Canada. Jason Weller o Jase per gli amici e i famigliari, di professione vigile del fuoco e Scott Bronson, paramedico stanno insieme da sei anni e condividono ogni cosa, a partire dal lavoro, alla casa, ai weekend e alle giornate libere. Un giorno però, alla vigilia di Natale si presenta Elsa, ex ragazza di Jase, che non vedeva né sentiva da ben sei lunghi anni, quando si erano lasciati. Jase e Scott decidono di comune accordo di dare tutto il possibile a quella bambina che è piombata all’improvviso nelle loro vite. Ma non è facile, perché loro erano abituati ad essere in due ed avere una figlia significa anche fare dei sacrifici e ridurre i momenti in cui stare soli. Riusciranno i due a superare questo ostacolo e ad essere una vera famiglia insieme a Kerry? Leggendo la trama, la storia prometteva bene, mi aspettavo tanto, purtroppo però non è riuscito a soddisfare le mie aspettative. Mi aspettavo una storia un po' più intrecciata e più dettagliata con altre situazioni. Tuttavia la lettura è molto scorrevole e per niente impegnativa. Jase è innamorato del suo uomo ed è contento di allargare la sua famiglia con Scott, ma quando lo stress prende il sopravvento sentirà Scott sempre più lontano, così cercherà di fare di tutto per tenerlo e legarlo al suo fianco per sempre. Scott ama Jase più di qualsiasi cosa, è sicuro che lui è l'uomo della sua vita, anche se per dimostrarglielo, dovrà superare molti ostacoli, comprensibili. Nonostante tutto lui ama Kerry che biologicamente non è sua figlia, ma lo diventerà di conseguenza. Vi consiglio la lettura di questo romanzo, perché non è molto impegnativa, è sempre bello quanto si parla d'amore e di famiglia...

CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.it/

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Awww, that was just so very sweet. It was the first book by SM I have read like this... I usually go for the ones heavy in kink, and the author does thoes so well. Usually the best thing about a Sean Michael book though, is the characters, and this one has some great ones. Loved the dynamic between Scott and Jase, they were great together. It was a very interesting story which held my interest throughout, and it was nicely written and well edited.

[Diverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The title for this book is truly a perfect fit. It starts with Jase and Scott. Two guys who have been in a relationship for six years. They owned a house, one was a fireman the other an EMT. They had the same shifts so they were always together. Then one Christmas Eve a woman, Elsa, arrives and announces to Jase that Karissa (the six year old girl by her side) was his.

Elsa omg I wanted to beat her to death. She was abusive to Karissa. She called her horrible names and physically assaulted her. I spent the first 15 minutes of this book actively hating her.

So now Scott and Jase’s lives are turned around. A life they knew, gone. Where most people have nine months to process and plan; they pretty much are thrown into the deep end. And it takes its toll.

One thing that never changed in this book; no matter how hard times got or emotional. Scott and Jase never stop loving each other. Neither runs. They face it all and they do it together. And even though their sweet talk gave me a tooth ache at times, I admired their love. I don’t know many people or couples who could handle it as well as they did.

This is a story about the strength of love. That sometimes it’s not working up to it. This story was about being injected with a big dose of it and riding the high.
My heart practically burst with love. Sweet and awesome read.

[Chelsea]

Broken Heart :-( - DNF

This was a super sweet, uplifting story about a little girl who has been neglected by her drug addicted mother and then gets united with her father and his long-term partner. There is hope, love and quite a bit of fear as these two men become instant dads to this six year old girl, so why didn’t I even finish it? I got sooooo bored!

I don’t really know what I was expecting, if I was expecting anything in particular at all, but it most definitely was not a ‘preparing for parenting 101’ book. I got to about 50% through and within the story two weeks had passed since Jason discovered he had a daughter and starting caring for her. All we had seen was their mundane aspects of life and in waaaay to much detail. Details about the lists these men had to make to prepare for their daughter. Details about what breakfast was like, almost every morning! Details about what furniture they’d need for her room and then seeing that shopping trip. I understand the need for all that stuff in a story when the plot is essentially about becoming a parent, but I really thought it would be the first 30% at most and then we’d get to a story line. It would’ve been nice to see something happen other than shopping, preparing and the boys going to work.

I probably could have persevered and enjoyed the story at a slow pace if reading this, but unfortunately the narration was starting to grate on me.

The dialogue was extremely rushed, extremely! It was super difficult at times to figure out who was speaking and that wasn’t helped by very very subtle differences in the two main characters voices. Due to the rushed dialogue it was also hard to differentiate between what was being said and what was being thought by the characters. I hate that, it just leaves me confused and I don’t like being confused when listening to a book. On top of that there were these weird periodic pauses in the narration that make the voice sound quite robotic… It was very off putting!

Obviously the story will work for some people who like a nice slow-paced family- building/healing story, it was much too slow for me though. I wouldn't recommend this audiobook though, just read the book. However, I would listen to something else by this narrator as I haven’t heard anything else by him and I could see the potential for him to be an enjoyable narrator.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Mannies, Inc. series, so I knew that this would be a hit for me! Yes, I know some of you are thinking, "but this isn't a great literary work of art." Duh, why would I want to read stuffy, overdramatic books written by drunk authors that are either dead and gone or so out of touch with the world today that I want to bang their heads on a wall... but, I digress! *clears throat*

Let me start again... even though I do find this author's work "simple"? I have never finished one of his books doubting the completeness of his characters and their desire to make the world a better place, which could probably be said for the author also if we could just get him to admit it! *grin*

I admit that I am drawn to covers with men in uniform, as my husband is a paramedic, let me say that the compassion, emotions and dedication to those in need are NOT overstated in this book... these guys are the "real deal"!!! So, when you take two totally "hot" in love guys in uniform and add in an adorable little girl... you have a great story, at least for me! ;D

[Anna Zedda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Add Love and Mix deals with an established couple facing a major life change in the form of a 6 year old daughter who was previously not known about. The book gives an honest look into how an unexpected upheaval can tax even a solid long term relationship and force partners to either work together or grow apart. While I like this idea of an established couple having to find themselves again, there were a few things that kept me from falling hard for this story.

The book opens with the couple, Jase and Scott, returning to the fire station from a call. The main conflict presents almost immediately. This meant there is minimal introduction to the couple, as individuals or together. Though the sudden emergence of the Jase’s unknown daughter captured my interest, I wished there was more of a backstory or glimpse of the couple before Kerry appeared on scene. It was hard to have a connection or feeling from the couple that wasn’t riddled with angst and the unknown because the reader never gets to witness their previous version of normal. From the little clues given, they seemed to have a somewhat relaxed view of their relationship at first. While the way their casual stance on a 6 year relationship struck me as odd, it made the relationship changes and growth over the course of the book more apparent. Despite not having a solid read on Jase and Scott at the start, they were undeniably likable characters. Both were good men who wanted to do right by each other and Jase’s daughter, and I couldn’t help but hope they got their HEA.

The writing in Add Love and Mix was easy and relaxed with a steady pace throughout the book. The narrator, Steve Balderson, embodied the characters’ voices well and his different tones for Jase and Scott made it easy to distinguish between the men during prolonged dialogue. I think this is the first audiobook I haven’t needed to turn up the speed because the narrator used an ideal tempo. However, the pacing felt a little stilted. I am uncertain whether this was due to the writing or narration style, but the flow wasn’t the smoothest. The shorter sentences and occasionally repetitive descriptions made the pacing stand out and kept me from being swept away by the story.

The final few chapters of the book stood out the most for me. I saw so much more from the characters in regard to their relationship as a couple and I liked how the resolutions unfolded once Jase and Scott talked out their issues. Add Love and Mix had all the components for a really great book, it just never took off for me. This audiobook was a good read with admirable characters and a solid plot, but I don’t know that it was entirely memorable.

Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club

[Elyxyz Elyxyz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adoro i m/m romance che parlano di figli e genitorialità, perciò avevo già avuto modo di apprezzare quest’autore per un altro suo libro tradotto che tratta quest’argomento a lui così caro.
La sinossi del romanzo è molto chiara su cosa aspettarci leggendolo, per cui non mi dilungherò in un riassunto e vi darò il mio parere.
Questa è una storia fatta di quotidianità, di sentimenti positivi e negativi, di affetti e paure, di cambiamenti improvvisi e destabilizzanti. È una trama perfetta per chi ama le vicende narrate ‘a fuoco lento’, perché non abbiamo eventi adrenalinici o inseguimenti o continui colpi di scena, ma l’autore è stato molto bravo a tenere sulle spine il lettore perché riesce a trasmettergli tutti i turbamenti dei personaggi, l’ansia sotterranea che potrebbe portare alla rottura, perché anche i dubbi e i silenzi possono stravolgere perfino la coppia più collaudata e i nostri protagonisti hanno ricevuto un bello scossone.
Anche se si amano da sei anni, non hanno mai parlato di avere figli e ritrovarsi genitori nel giro di cinque minuti è un trauma non da poco, soprattutto perché Kerry, pur essendo deliziosa, porta con sé uno scomodo bagaglio di privazioni e maltrattamenti, pertanto interagire con lei richiede una particolare delicatezza.
Jason e Scott si sentono sopraffatti dagli eventi e devono riallineare le loro vite stravolte in funzione di una figlia inattesa. Tutto il loro presente – lavoro, famiglia, intesa amorosa – è rimesso in discussione.
Sean Michael ci offre due bei protagonisti, due persone generose e buone d’animo che, per vivere, salvano la gente mettendo a rischio le loro vite. Eppure, nemmeno loro sono perfetti e ho amato le loro incertezze, gli sfoghi, il senso di ingiustizia o inadeguatezza che provano per quello che hanno subìto.
Mi è piaciuto molto il loro legame, l’amore forte che li unisce e che è raccontato in molte scene esplicite e sensuali, così come in mille piccoli gesti premurosi.
Kerry è descritta in modo verosimile, sia nelle sue paure sia nei ‘capricci’ nati dal disagio vissuto nel suo passato. Quest’adorabile scricciolo di sei anni è dolcissimo e vi farà tenerezza: è impossibile non affezionarsi a lei.
Ad affiancare Jase e Scott, ci sono dei buoni personaggi secondari. I genitori di entrambi sono delle persone splendide e così pure i colleghi di lavoro che, anche se hanno poco spazio nella storia, sono delle spalle preziose.
Chiudo il mio commento raccomandandovi questo libro e spero possa soddisfarvi tanto quanto è piaciuto a me.

[Kim Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mm contemporary story. I love they way this author writes, and I’ll be reading more books from him. This story was about a firefighter and a EMT in an established relationship and a 6 year old girl added to the mix.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3☆


I liked this one just fine.
hated the nicknames though

[The Novel Approach · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ Narration Rating 2.5 Stars ~

Jason Weller is a firefighter. His boyfriend, Scott Bronson, is an EMT at the same firehouse. Their live together, work together, and built what seems like the best possible life they could live. In the past, Jason has dated both women and men, until he met Scott. They have been together ever since. So, it is a surprise to both when Jason’s last girlfriend shows up with a child, claiming her to be Jason’s. The surprise is compounded by the fact that Jason’s former girlfriend is a junkie, and that it is Christmas Eve, and at the height of a snow storm. Faced with a sudden family, Scott has to figure out if this is who he really wants to be. Can they make the changes needed to become dads with a daughter? Will the love they share grow to include a child, or will it be more than Scott bargained for?

Steve Balderson gives us a competent narration. Though some of the line breaks and inflections are a little tough on the ear, it isn’t impossible to get immersed in the story and enjoy the ride. He does get the idea of the story, about how a relationship changes between any two people when a child is suddenly in their lives. There are bits of fun in the serious situation of deciding to take custody of a child, and make her part of the family and the love the two men already share.

Listeners who stick it out to the final third of the book will get the reward of finding out how the story plays out to its satisfying end. They will also get to enjoy Bladerson’s voice finally coming into its own to tell the climax of the story. Again, this is an average narration. If you can pick it up on sale, you’ll enjoy it well enough. Buy the book to read along with the narration, though. It will make the early cadence problems less noticeable.

Reviewed by Mike for The Novel Approach

[Anke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one of my 3* reads. It was nice enough, but somehow something was missing. Perhaps it was too easy, too repetitive. It was a quiet and uneventful story that just drifted along.
And I didn't like the nicknames.

[Valentina Campi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars and half

[Damian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow to read.

Scott and Jase have been together for six years. One a firefighter and the other an EMT. They've worked the same shifts since they been together. Then on Christmas Eve Jase get a Christmas present he didn't know about...a six year old daughter. Jase and Scott's relationship becomes strained. What I didn't get was why the thought of having children never came up in a discussion. Scott, I don't think, is ready ready for family responsibility.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recensione a cura di La Min per Romanticamente Fantasy Sito

http://www.romanticamentefantasy.it/r...

Ho scelto questo libro perché la trama mi intrigava. Non leggo da molto tempo i romance M/M, ma mi conosco abbastanza bene da sapere che, in una storia, ho bisogno di vivere emozioni forti, reali, come dire, plausibili, anche se si tratta del romanzo erotico per eccellenza. Esigente? Forse.
La storia di cui vi parlo oggi, proprio come anticipato nella sinossi, avrebbe tutte le carte in regola per commuovere, eccitare e trascinare il lettore nel turbinio di emozioni contrastanti e sconvolgimenti interiori e oggettivi del quotidiano, vissute da entrambi i protagonisti. Eppure… non mi ha convinta del tutto, mi ha lasciata con una fastidiosa sensazione di non compiuto, come una doccia tiepidina.
I due protagonisti svolgono un lavoro che da solo, per quanto mi riguarda, grida sexy da tutti i pori, ma l’autore ne delinea i tratti e la personalità in maniera superficiale, al punto che, alla fine del romanzo, non avevo ancora chiari nella mente i loro volti, il loro corpo e li percepivo sfumati, come avvolti nella nebbia o in una nuvola di vapore. Appena intravisti. Peccato.
Forse l’autore ha scelto di dare maggiore enfasi ad altri aspetti della storia, alla vicenda che fa da filo conduttore a tutta la trama: l’arrivo di Karissa, figlia di Jase, ignaro ex compagno della madre tossicodipendente della bambina. Tutta la storia, da quel momento in poi, è un alternarsi di resoconti di vita quotidiana, lunghi elenchi di “cose da fare”, l’immancabile capitolino “bollente” come da programma e, naturalmente, le imperdibili congetture, i fraintendimenti e l’uso davvero eccessivo e ripetitivo di terminologie e nomignoli improbabili, accompagnati da descrizioni stereotipate che, francamente, mi hanno lasciata basita! Forse la traduzione ha una parte di colpa per quanto riguarda alcuni refusi, ma le pecche di questo libro sono ben altre. Una prosa non fluida, salti temporali non tanto chiari, il tentativo di alternare la narrazione da parte dei due protagonisti, che però non è immediatamente individuabile e impoverisce l’impatto narrativo. Tutto risulta poco approfondito, non curato e per questi motivi non mi ha convinta e anzi, un pochino mi ha infastidita. Forse sono solo delusa per una trama che aveva decisamente del potenziale, ma che, oggettivamente, sfiora appena i contenuti più drammatici.
Delicatissima, anche se appena subodorata, ad esempio, è la storia della piccola Karissa, dei suoi trascorsi, dell’incredibile e meravigliosa capacità di recupero e voglia di vivere tipica dei bambini, che sono e saranno sempre, per me, la vera gioia della vita. Non posso non menzionare i nonni, che in questa storia sono quattro, genitori affettuosi e solide figure di riferimento. In particolare mi hanno affascinata i genitori di Scott, il compagno di Jase, colui che, in tutta questa vicenda, si ritrova davvero a fare i conti con uno stravolgimento della vita e che tenta di restare a galla. I suoi genitori si riveleranno fondamentali sostegni emotivi e dispensatori di saggi consigli, nonché facilitatori della comunicazione tra i due compagni, Jase e Scott, come pure nei riguardi della nipotina acquisita.
In conclusione, posso dirvi che non è stato semplice scrivere questa recensione, l’amore c’è, il lieto fine pure, si evince chiaramente l’intenzione dell’autore di portare il lettore verso un finale piacevole e decisamente scontato.
Ho apprezzato il tentativo, non pienamente riuscito, di inserire in un romance una nota di drammatica analisi della condizione di tanti bambini nel mondo, vittime di adulti folli, violenti o comunque non adeguati a crescerli nel rispetto dei loro diritti; il desiderio di raccontare come l’amore, quello vero e puro, non ha sesso né passaporto, esula dalle nostre convinzioni morali a volte deviate dall’ignoranza, perché si esprime nei piccoli e grandi gesti quotidiani, a prescindere che la coppia sia etero o gay.
Però, in questo libro, tutto ciò viene eclissato dalla quantità di termini, ragionamenti e circostanze stereotipate, ma, più di tutto, dalla mancanza di emozioni forti. Questa lettura non mi ha lasciata né sconvolta, né commossa profondamente, la trama non si è imposta su di me imponendomi di voltare pagina, incapace di interrompere la lettura.
Concludendo, consiglio questo libro agli amanti del genere in cerca di una lettura leggera, poco impegnativa, per trascorrere qualche ora con un libro davanti.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sean Michael’s way he writes about daddies and mannies and cute kids that you can’t help but fall in love with. This one was no different.

Jase and Scott have been partners for the last six years. They work together as emergency responders, Jase a firefighter and Scott an EMT, at the same firehouse; working the same shifts and being content just the two of them, happy, together and in love. Everything was perfect for them.
Then, an ex of Jase’s stops by and drops a huge surprise in his lap, in the form of an abused and mistreated daughter; Kerry. Her mother was awful, treated her so badly, it was heartbreaking. She spoke to her and about her in the worst way and it showed in everything Kerry done. Jase had no idea she even existed or he would have done all he could to save her, and jeeeez, had it been me, it would have weighed heavily on me, all the years that she’d been mistreated. It was incredibly sad.
Together though, Scott and Jase tried to give her normal and happy. They worked themselves to the bone to do right by her and to get her to understand that they loved her and that they weren’t going to do anything to hurt her or leave her like her mother did. Half of me expected the whole time for her mother to come back and try to get her back to sell her or something, but thankfully; she doesn’t.

It’s tough though, the guys are doing everything that they can to do what they need to do to ensure that this little girl is taken care of and safe and Scott starts to feel a little cornered, a little but like he’s doing all this stuff because he has to and I hated to see that. I could see where he was coming from especially about the marriage and the proposal at first. That would have hurt my feelings so bad. I could see where he’d feel like, just someone fitted in just because things needed to be done. That wasn’t the way it was, by no means; you can tell how much these two love each other throughout the whole thing, their chemistry and adoration they showed was apparent, but I could see where it might feel like that, due to the circumstance and timing of everything.

So, it wasn’t an easy road. Things got pretty hard for a while, luckily, they both had amazing, supportive, helpful parents who were there to help at every turn. Everyone pitched in and helped and loved Kerry the minute they met her and it didn’t take long for Kerry to turn into a happy, healthy little girl with two loving daddies and some amazing grandparents; even if she did take things out on Scott for a time. That was hard to read too, I hated it for him, especially because he had done so much and sacrificed and turned his life upside down to do everything he could for her and Jase and I’m sure it would have felt like a slap in the face.

In the end though, it all worked out. Love usually does, in the end, doesn’t it? It was an incredibly sweet, low angst, happily ended story and I wouldn’t mind reading more about this couple and their sweet little girl if another one were to happen to come out lol, but if not, it ended perfectly happy and I was pleased with the way it turned out for them.

If you like hot guys with cute kids…. Check this one out, this author does them best!
4 stars from me!

I received this book from the publisher in promise of leaving an honest and unbiased review.

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*


Jase and Scott have been together in a committed relationship for 6 years. They work the same shifts at the fire station they are both employed at. Jase as a firefighter and Scott an EMT. Scott and Jase not only work together, but live together, as well. Everything is going great in their relationship until Jase's past comes back to haunt him. Jase is bi, and his ex-girlfriend shows up at the station with their daughter, Kerry, a daughter Jase wasn't even aware existed. Elsa has a serious drug problem, she dumps the little girl off on Jase and takes off. Can Jase and Scott's relationship survive instant parenthood?

This was an enjoyable read. Maybe not all that realistic, but still enjoyable. I thought Jase accepted paternity way too easily. He never really questioned it and that's something I would have liked to see. I also thought there was too much Kerry and not enough Jase and Scott at times. I felt she took over the story at times and I wanted her more in the background and less of the center of the story.

I loved Jase and Scott together. I thought they shared an amazing and undeniable chemistry. Their relationship, though not without its troubles, was sweet and loving. You could feel the love they shared coming off the pages at you. I loved Jase. I loved that he was so loving and caring. I know Scott felt like he didn't know where he fit in anymore after Kerry came along, but I loved that Jase tried to reassure him over and over how much he loved him. How much he meant to him. How much he needed and appreciated everything he did with and for Kerry. He tried desperately to make sure Scott knew just how important and loved he was. The sex: OMG, it was off the charts hot, passionate, loving and plentiful. I thought I was gonna have to give my iPad a cold shower at one point.

If Jase had questioned the paternity and Kerry had been a bit more in the background this would have been a 5 star read for me. Still, this was an enjoyable, somewhat sweet and syrupy, yet sexy read I'd definitely recommend!!

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Comes in Threes

This is a cute family book of two men who love each other immensely and one of them gets a daughter dropped in his lap. This book tells of how they have to adjust their life to enfold and accommodate the child.

Scott and Jase are a great couple. They love each other completely and will do anything for each other. For the past six years they've worked together and they live in the same house. They are truly the perfect couple.

The little girl is really cute. For a six-year-old she has a tragic past, but adjusts to her new life quickly.

For me, I feel this book comes up short. There is no drama and the first half of the book says over and over again how having a child is a huge adjustment to one's life. Everyone Scott and Jase talk to they talk about that topic. It got old really fast.

If you want a nice relaxing book about two men who truly love each other and suddenly get a child added to their relationship this would be the book for you. I personally like some drama, angst, humor and even little bit of action and/or mystery. So this book, sadly, did not meet my expectations.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review by Gay Book Reviews

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a really cute read. I loved that they didn't run from the situation but Made a plan and worked it out. The slight jealousy issues, all the worries and the feeling of helplessness all felt real. The sexy times were a little tamer then most of Ms. Michael's books but in comparison to the story line, it worked perfectly.

[Mocchan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a pleasant read with a steady background, which is rare from this author. his families story are the best though

[Kochka94 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jase le pompier et Scott le secouriste sont amoureux et vivent ensemble depuis 6 ans. Ils travaillent ensemble à la caserne d'Ottawa et partagent les mêmes quarts, ne se quittant quasiment pas d'une semelle. Ils sont jeunes, ils sont beaux, ils sont amoureux, ils ont ont une vie géniale, ils parlent de mariage mais d'ici encore quelques années, leurs familles sont géniales, bref, c'est le grand bonheur.

La veille de Noël, alors qu'ils sont de garde, débarque l'ancienne petite amie de Jase, Elsa... La jeune femme, visiblement droguée de longue date, lui colle dans les bras une petite fille de 6 ans, visiblement terrifiée et portant des traces de coups, en lui disant que c'est sa fille, qu'elle n'en veut plus et que c'est à lui de s'en occuper maintenant... Kerry est le portrait craché de son père et est terrifiée par celui-ci, sa mère lui ayant farci la tête de mensonges.

Les deux hommes vont devoir faire face à ce bouleversement profond et soudain de leur vie. Jase est un homme d'honneur et il fait face à son devoir, avant de s'attacher profondément et définitivement à la petite fille, sa fille... mais il est déterminé à ne pas perdre Scott.

Quand à Scott, d'abord un peu craintif que l'arrivée de l'enfant mette sa relation avec Jase en péril, il fait face et accepte les choses avec un peu de résignation, cherchant un peu sa place mais ne voulant pas perdre Jase.

Leur mariage complique encore leurs relations, ce qui aurait dû être une cérémonie ou ils auraient célébré leur amour entourés de leurs familles se transforme en une formalité à la va-vite pour augmenter leurs chances d'avoir la garde définitive de Kerry.

Peu à peu, les deux hommes s'éloignent, ne pouvant plus bosser en même temps pour s'occuper de Kerry, ils finissent par ne plus que se croiser et risquent de tout perdre... sauf l'amour qu'ils ont l'un pour l'autre.

Une bien jolie histoire sur la parentalité et les bouleversements qu'apportent un enfant dans un couple, surtout quand l'arrivée est aussi soudaine et inattendue. Jase est un père responsable mais submergé par les évènements et Scott s'oublie complètement face aux responsabilités et au bien-être de Kerry. Les chapitres s'enchaînent avec leurs différents points de vue, permettant ainsi de plonger dans leurs têtes et de mieux comprendre leurs cheminements respectifs.

J'ai eu par contre un peu de mal devant certains dialogues, sans doute dûs à la traduction un peu trop littérale du roman, qui ne me paraissaient pas naturels du tout. Mais l'histoire est mignonne et on ne peut souhaiter que le meilleur à cette mignonne petite famille.

[Zurry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voto: 2 stelline e mezzo.
Ho deciso di leggere questo libro perchè mi piaceva la trama e perchè ho letto una recensione che ne parlava molto bene. E nell'insieme e pure un bel libro ma ci sono state numerose cose che proprio non mi sono andate giù. In primis il fatto che troppo spesso si ripetevano gli stessi agettivi, (bravi ragazzi) poi l'inzio è troppo frenetico. In 200 pagine vedimo che Jase e Scott "affrontano la situazine" senza parlare davvero, quando possono scopano (bellissime scene ma che poi risultano sterili alla storia) non come prima che arrivasse Kerry ma comunque scopano. Per carità io odio quando le coppie litigano e non volevo che questi due scopiassero, ma se davvero il loro rapporto è cosi idilliaco (dopo 6 anni che stanno insieme). Possibile che questi due parlano a cuore aperto solo a 20 pagine dalla fine? E poi non litigano mai come tutte le normali coppie?
E poi alcuni termini nella traduzione non mi sono piaciuti (sono già caldo). Inoltre i nostri due protagonisti si sposano ben 2 volte e in nessuna viene fatto "vedere" il momento delle promesse (cioè questi due a volte sono troppo stucchevoli, in quasi ogni pagina si dicono Ti amo e poi manca il momento più magico di un matrimonio?) No nell'insieme non mi è piaciuto molto , un po' come l'altro libro che ho letto di quest'autore, sinceramente non so se in futuro leggerò qualcos'altro di suo ed è un peccato, perchè le sue trame sono molto promettenti ma poi sviluppate male.

[Abra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but the ending was a bit rushed, which is why I gave it three rather than four stars.

Add Love and Mix is a book about an established couple, Scott and Jase, suddenly adjusting to taking care of a six year old. Jase is bi and fathered a daughter before he and Scott got together. Jase had no idea Kerry existed until the day she and her mother showed up at the firehouse. Before then, Jase and Scott had a very comfortable life. They worked their shifts together and got to enjoy their time off together.

I think the hardest thing they had to adjust to was the lack of time together and the lack of privacy - the same things all new parents have to get used to. While they both fell in love with Kerry immediately, Scott has a more difficult time adjusting to the new normal than Jase. The book is mostly about that.

I think Sean Michael could have fleshed out the resolution a lot more. It seemed to me that everything was suddenly resolved and I missed out how that happened. Still, a satisfying read.

[Cathy Brockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add Love and Mix is a sweet romance between two men that have their lives worked out. Scott is a paramedic and Jase is a firefighter. They have been together for years. To be together more they work the same shifts.. When Elsa shows up with Jase's child and a druggie he wonders how much else he doesn't know and if this will change their relationship. It is a story of life change and true love.

I loved both Jason and Scott and especially Carrie. I enjoyed seeing how they worked out their new life.
If you like firemen, men in uniforms, holiday stories and cute kids you will love this!

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute.
I happened to have good timing reading this. I think it was more enjoyable for me, because I read it during major stress...and it was nice to have something sweet.

This is not the sex fest that you usually find in a Sean Michael story. I really enjoy his stories that don't have a lot of sex. (But I also find times I like the sex fest also, when I'm in the mood)

The mother in this story was disgusting. I'm glad she didn't have a lot of page time.
I liked the guys adjusting to their new reality.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firefighter Jason “Jase” Weller and EMT Scott Bronson are living the perfect life. They work together in jobs they love, they live together, and in their downtime, they still can’t get enough of each other. It’s been six amazing years. Then on Christmas Eve, Jase’s former lover Elsa shows up with a six-year-old girl in tow. The strung-out junkie claims Kerry is Jase’s daughter and it’s his turn to care for her, and then she walks out.

And that is just the start of the action.

Well written and believable characters. Reflects the coastal culture more than the heartland.

[cat reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the first chapter, this was a wreak. The intro of 'crack whore mom' and saccharine child had me gritting my teeth. The rest of the book continues this unimaginative streak. The sex is paint by numbers, Kerry feels like she was written by someone who has heard of this thing called children whilst having no memory of actually being a child, and the conflicts are ideas pulled from other b plots. It's like watching a soap opera. It's a mimicry that vaguely resembles human interaction as well as an animal balloon looks like a poodle.

[Marina Esposto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carino come romanzo, ben descritti i personaggi e una trama coerente a una contemporanea vita.
Leggendo questo romanzo mi sono chiesta; può una madre abbandonare la propria figlia e non avendo messo al corrente il proprio partener del tempo?
In effetti l'ho odiata.
Una lettura piacevole e il coraggio di Jase e Scott, che per amore di Karissa, sono disposti a tutto per far funzionare la loro relazione e tenere al sicuro la bambina.

[Heather Rawlins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start that I love Sean Michael’s books, so I know I am biased. I loved this book. Plus it’s in Canada, another bias for me. But I still totally enjoyed it. Firefighter and EMT, seriously, how can you go wrong when you add in a cute little girl. It was a steady pace, the MCs were likable and not perfect and definitely had some frailties. I would totally recommend this book.

[Vicki Tubridy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible read.

This was an amazing read. Two men in love and their lives turned upside down when a little girl is grown into the mix. It was so fascinating watching this play out. I highly recommend this.