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The Guy #1
Der Kerl aus Glamour
Anthony Carrino liebt seine große, gesellige italo-amerikanische Familie, obwohl seine Schwestern sich ständig einmischen und sein Vater, der örtliche Sheriff, über alles Bescheid weiß, was in der Stadt so vor sich geht. Er ist glücklich in seinem Job als beratender Schulpsychologe. Obwohl er Kindern und deren Eltern bei der Lösung ihrer Probleme hilft, schafft er es nicht, sein eigenes Liebesleben in den Griff zu bekommen. Wenn doch bloß alle endlich aufhören würden, ihn den „netten Kerl“ zu nennen.
Dean Pierce hat mit Beziehungen nichts am Hut. Als starrköpfiger Militärangehöriger hat er sich seinem Job als Night Stalker verschrieben, fliegt Chinook Hubschrauber und redet mit niemandem besonders viel. Und ganz sicher will er sich nicht mit einem Gefühlschaos herumschlagen. Aber als das Schicksal zuschlägt, hat Dean plötzlich alle Hände voll zu tun - mit seiner Nichte in Not, ihrem unwiderstehlichen, schulischen Betreuer und einer aufdringlichen Familie, zu der auch ein ziemlich großer Welpe gehört.
Dean Pierce hat mit Beziehungen nichts am Hut. Als starrköpfiger Militärangehöriger hat er sich seinem Job als Night Stalker verschrieben, fliegt Chinook Hubschrauber und redet mit niemandem besonders viel. Und ganz sicher will er sich nicht mit einem Gefühlschaos herumschlagen. Aber als das Schicksal zuschlägt, hat Dean plötzlich alle Hände voll zu tun - mit seiner Nichte in Not, ihrem unwiderstehlichen, schulischen Betreuer und einer aufdringlichen Familie, zu der auch ein ziemlich großer Welpe gehört.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2014
91 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Skylar M. Cates
30 books298 followersSkylar M. Cates loves a good romance. She is happy to drink coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Her novels feature strong and passionate men. Skylar loves to craft stories where realistic characters are challenged with emotional situations. Although lately the laundry room is the farthest place she has visited, Skylar loves to chat with folks from all around the globe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews
February 24, 2015
Wow, this was even better than I expected. I'm a sucker for stories like this and The Guy From Glamour blew me away!
The basic story is pretty easy. Dean is in the military when he finds out his sister has died and she's left a daughter behind. He decides to leave for a few weeks to sort things out. But when he gets there things aren't as easy as he expected.
His niece, Nicki, is struggling to deal with her moms death. And he has no idea how to get through to her. On top of that he meets a guy, Anthony, who happens to be her guidance counsellor in school. Anthony's parents are the ones looking after Nicki when he gets back to the states.
I really did love this book. Anthony and Dean were a nice couple, and Nicki fit in perfectly with everything. She wasn't annoying and her reaction when Dean came out was sweet. I also liked the dynamic that developed between her and Dean. It took time and the way Nicki reacted to things felt realistic. Nothing felt forced.
The interactions between Anthony's family was really good too. I liked the fact they were all supportive and seemed to be close. It's always nice to see a happy family in m/m books.
If you are looking for a really nice easy romance with two great characters, then this one is for you. If you want something with a good, supportive family. Then this is for you. Highly recommend it!
The basic story is pretty easy. Dean is in the military when he finds out his sister has died and she's left a daughter behind. He decides to leave for a few weeks to sort things out. But when he gets there things aren't as easy as he expected.
His niece, Nicki, is struggling to deal with her moms death. And he has no idea how to get through to her. On top of that he meets a guy, Anthony, who happens to be her guidance counsellor in school. Anthony's parents are the ones looking after Nicki when he gets back to the states.
I really did love this book. Anthony and Dean were a nice couple, and Nicki fit in perfectly with everything. She wasn't annoying and her reaction when Dean came out was sweet. I also liked the dynamic that developed between her and Dean. It took time and the way Nicki reacted to things felt realistic. Nothing felt forced.
The interactions between Anthony's family was really good too. I liked the fact they were all supportive and seemed to be close. It's always nice to see a happy family in m/m books.
If you are looking for a really nice easy romance with two great characters, then this one is for you. If you want something with a good, supportive family. Then this is for you. Highly recommend it!
September 12, 2017
4 Stars
Pleasantly and surprisingly way better than I expected.
What can I say except that I liked this?
It had my favorite angst of insecurity, doubt and jealousy.
It had pretty darn good UST and the smex was equally hot.
It had great family dynamics that made me laugh and wish I had a ton of brothers and sisters (well almost).
Anthony is the nicest guy around. He wears his heart on his sleeve and sees the best in everything and everybody which unfortunately, has made him a magnet for being taken advantage of and disappointed in relationships. He just wants to love and be loved.
Dean is the complete opposite. He’s been dealt a harsh hand, having never known kind words or a safe home, and goes about his life with a single minded focus so he doesn't have to think about what's missing. He’s kept to himself, not wanting to want, not wanting to show any vulnerability. He feels unworthy of happiness and of having a family.
However, Dean’s sister’s sudden death changes all that, as he’s faced with a niece he’s never met. Anthony helps him adjust to his new life and responsibilities, and they can’t help but fall for the other. This was a bit sedate, with a small town setting and a few roadblocks to our MC’s happiness. BUT I'm never going to complain about minimal angst, smexy smex, and a happy ending. Yay!
Pleasantly and surprisingly way better than I expected.
What can I say except that I liked this?
It had my favorite angst of insecurity, doubt and jealousy.
It had pretty darn good UST and the smex was equally hot.
It had great family dynamics that made me laugh and wish I had a ton of brothers and sisters (well almost).
Anthony is the nicest guy around. He wears his heart on his sleeve and sees the best in everything and everybody which unfortunately, has made him a magnet for being taken advantage of and disappointed in relationships. He just wants to love and be loved.
Dean is the complete opposite. He’s been dealt a harsh hand, having never known kind words or a safe home, and goes about his life with a single minded focus so he doesn't have to think about what's missing. He’s kept to himself, not wanting to want, not wanting to show any vulnerability. He feels unworthy of happiness and of having a family.
However, Dean’s sister’s sudden death changes all that, as he’s faced with a niece he’s never met. Anthony helps him adjust to his new life and responsibilities, and they can’t help but fall for the other. This was a bit sedate, with a small town setting and a few roadblocks to our MC’s happiness. BUT I'm never going to complain about minimal angst, smexy smex, and a happy ending. Yay!
December 15, 2014
A nice opposite attract romance without too much angst. Ex-military Dean and guidance counselor Anthony with his big, loud family are just perfect together.
I liked the nice balance between family and romance. The relationship development between Dean and Anthony is slow and easy. All in all, an enjoyable, easy read.
May 18, 2014
I keep reading this book with the expectation of finally doing a review for it. It's no hardship to keep reading it over and over again because I enjoy the hell out it. It's pretty much my Kryptonite with a quiet military man meeting and falling for a more exuberant family man. Me likey.
Stoic helicopter pilot Captain Dean Pierce is called home from active duty when his sister is killed and his thirteen year old niece, Nikki, needs him. He's out of his element in the small Arizona town of Glamour and meets Anthony Carrino. Anthony is the guidance counselor at Nikki's school and his parents have been fostering the girl since the death of her mother.
This is just a delicious slow burn of a story with the men trying to navigate their attraction and their troubles. Dean needs to decide what to do about his career and his niece and Anthony, who is getting over a rough break up, needs to decide if he's in place that's healthy enough to risk his heart again. Great chemistry and some great secondary characters make this a read that I've gone back to several times. I'm looking forward to the next story in the series that focuses on Dean's best friend, Aaron Weiss. I can't wait!
Stoic helicopter pilot Captain Dean Pierce is called home from active duty when his sister is killed and his thirteen year old niece, Nikki, needs him. He's out of his element in the small Arizona town of Glamour and meets Anthony Carrino. Anthony is the guidance counselor at Nikki's school and his parents have been fostering the girl since the death of her mother.
This is just a delicious slow burn of a story with the men trying to navigate their attraction and their troubles. Dean needs to decide what to do about his career and his niece and Anthony, who is getting over a rough break up, needs to decide if he's in place that's healthy enough to risk his heart again. Great chemistry and some great secondary characters make this a read that I've gone back to several times. I'm looking forward to the next story in the series that focuses on Dean's best friend, Aaron Weiss. I can't wait!
July 8, 2014
The Guy From Glamour was a great story of opposites attract. Dean, has come back to home after the death of his sister. His sister, left behind a teenage daughter, that Dean only plans to visit and find a good home for. He's in the Special Forces and has every intention of going back after his leave. Anthony, is the school counselor who has taken Dean's niece under his wing.
I felt that Skylar M. Cates did a great job developing the characters. They felt very natural and reading all the different personalities, relationships, and stories unfold was wonderful.She really took her time developing the story. I do also want to add- this is quite steamy- which me likey very much ;D
This was my first story by this author and it won't be last. I look foward to book 2 in the series! 4.5 Stars!
July 17, 2017
4 Stars
What a lovely story. I'm a bit grumpy at myself for not reading this sooner. I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance and the strong family themes. The whole cast of characters were great and I adored the opposites attract vibes that were happening between sweet Anthony and stoic Dean. The whole thing just warmed my heart.
What a lovely story. I'm a bit grumpy at myself for not reading this sooner. I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance and the strong family themes. The whole cast of characters were great and I adored the opposites attract vibes that were happening between sweet Anthony and stoic Dean. The whole thing just warmed my heart.
July 17, 2024
What started out as a really sad story turned out to be really, really sweet.
I liked both Anthony and Dean as main characters and I liked them even more as a couple. Sure there was a lot of miscommunication going on. And at times I wanted to pull my hair because of them jumping to conclusions instead of talking. But you know, you can't get everything.
I liked both Anthony and Dean as main characters and I liked them even more as a couple. Sure there was a lot of miscommunication going on. And at times I wanted to pull my hair because of them jumping to conclusions instead of talking. But you know, you can't get everything.
December 15, 2014
4.25 stars
This is a gorgeous, slow-burn story about two men from very different backgrounds who inevitably fall in love.
Dean and Anthony are so right for each other.
Dean, a helicopter pilot in the military, is scared and aloof, not used to dealing with people or feelings. Anthony, a junior high guidance counselor, is gentle and happy, the right balm to soothe Dean's rough edges.
I liked Dean's niece Nicki and how dedicated Dean was to her, and I adored Anthony's supportive family. This is how families should be!
Sexy and sweet read all around!
This is a gorgeous, slow-burn story about two men from very different backgrounds who inevitably fall in love.
Dean and Anthony are so right for each other.
Dean, a helicopter pilot in the military, is scared and aloof, not used to dealing with people or feelings. Anthony, a junior high guidance counselor, is gentle and happy, the right balm to soothe Dean's rough edges.
I liked Dean's niece Nicki and how dedicated Dean was to her, and I adored Anthony's supportive family. This is how families should be!
Sexy and sweet read all around!
December 11, 2014
Can you believe that I actually read this by mistake?
Yep, I was thinking of a different book when I started reading it (the book I intended to read had a similar color tone in the cover). However, this has proven to be a mistake that ended up a good thing. Because guess what, I loved this one!
The Guy from Glamour has so many elements that fall into my ‘satisfying-MM-romance’ check list – and I might have to list it down one by one *laugh*.
First, the story-line. I am a sucker when it comes to a strong silent stoic man who suddenly has to deal with taking care of a child. The idea of a single dad is one of my weaknesses – in ANY romance genre, either MM or MF. So when Dean Pierce, this tough military man faced the fact that he was responsible of taking care of his newly orphaned niece, well, it hooked me right from the bat. Dean didn’t want to deal with this mess – he was a soldier, for crying out loud. Give him a chopper to fly, and he is good with it. But a thirteen year old teenaged girl is scarier than a dozen enemies!
Second, this book had GREAT characters, from the main characters in Dean and Anthony to the secondary characters in Anthony’s family and friends. Dean is the tough man in this story but the way he becomes clueless and quickly panics when dealing with his niece is so adorable to read. In this case, Anthony Carrino, definitely has the upper arm.
And oh, Anthony, lovely Anthony *hands on heart*. I loved him so! Anthony is kind and generous and loyal. He comes from a close-knit family, with three older sisters. Anthony is a great counselor as well, he is out at school, and the fact that nobody cares about his sexuality shows that the parents trust him to do his job.
I loved the dynamic between Dean and Anthony. It’s easy to think that Dean, as the military guy, will be in charge of things, to be the ‘protector’. But it is Anthony, the family guy, who helped Dean navigate the complexity of dealing with the teenager. For me, Dean and Anthony truly complemented each other. Dean was used to flying and Anthony kept him grounded. Anthony showed Dean the joy of having family and settling down. Meanwhile Anthony was used to be in his comfort zone with his family and friends but Dean helped him to take more risks, including jumping out of a plane (literally!).
There were other strings of small plots that connected well with Dean and Anthony’s relationship. Like the issues with Anthony’s older twin sisters. One was on the edge of going back to her husband and the other one was struggling with her failed marriage. Anthony’s family definitely added subtlety to the story, made it more rounded than just a simple romance between two men with different characteristics.
Add to the fact that the story was set in a small town (Glamour, Arizona) – as I have wanted to read more about small-town romance in MM – this story just came at the right time. It was a thoroughly satisfying read. I definitely look forward to reading book two. The good news is, because I came to this series a bit late, the second book is already available (Yes!)
Yep, I was thinking of a different book when I started reading it (the book I intended to read had a similar color tone in the cover). However, this has proven to be a mistake that ended up a good thing. Because guess what, I loved this one!
The Guy from Glamour has so many elements that fall into my ‘satisfying-MM-romance’ check list – and I might have to list it down one by one *laugh*.
First, the story-line. I am a sucker when it comes to a strong silent stoic man who suddenly has to deal with taking care of a child. The idea of a single dad is one of my weaknesses – in ANY romance genre, either MM or MF. So when Dean Pierce, this tough military man faced the fact that he was responsible of taking care of his newly orphaned niece, well, it hooked me right from the bat. Dean didn’t want to deal with this mess – he was a soldier, for crying out loud. Give him a chopper to fly, and he is good with it. But a thirteen year old teenaged girl is scarier than a dozen enemies!
Second, this book had GREAT characters, from the main characters in Dean and Anthony to the secondary characters in Anthony’s family and friends. Dean is the tough man in this story but the way he becomes clueless and quickly panics when dealing with his niece is so adorable to read. In this case, Anthony Carrino, definitely has the upper arm.
And oh, Anthony, lovely Anthony *hands on heart*. I loved him so! Anthony is kind and generous and loyal. He comes from a close-knit family, with three older sisters. Anthony is a great counselor as well, he is out at school, and the fact that nobody cares about his sexuality shows that the parents trust him to do his job.
I loved the dynamic between Dean and Anthony. It’s easy to think that Dean, as the military guy, will be in charge of things, to be the ‘protector’. But it is Anthony, the family guy, who helped Dean navigate the complexity of dealing with the teenager. For me, Dean and Anthony truly complemented each other. Dean was used to flying and Anthony kept him grounded. Anthony showed Dean the joy of having family and settling down. Meanwhile Anthony was used to be in his comfort zone with his family and friends but Dean helped him to take more risks, including jumping out of a plane (literally!).
There were other strings of small plots that connected well with Dean and Anthony’s relationship. Like the issues with Anthony’s older twin sisters. One was on the edge of going back to her husband and the other one was struggling with her failed marriage. Anthony’s family definitely added subtlety to the story, made it more rounded than just a simple romance between two men with different characteristics.
Add to the fact that the story was set in a small town (Glamour, Arizona) – as I have wanted to read more about small-town romance in MM – this story just came at the right time. It was a thoroughly satisfying read. I definitely look forward to reading book two. The good news is, because I came to this series a bit late, the second book is already available (Yes!)
January 15, 2014
A fairly straight-forward romance, as others have noted, between a guy who has to leave the special forces to raise his deceased sister's 13-year-old orphan and a guidance counselor who befriends her. I like stories with kids and families so I enjoyed this one. The build up to the romance was slow and I liked that. There were quite a few sex scenes in the rest of the book which were a little ho hum to me. But if you like romances with military men and/or kids, I recommend this.
February 28, 2015
What a surprise! I totally love it! Everybody was just likeable, from the MCs, to Anthony's Italian family and even Ritchie and his stupid robot dances! Angst free, sweet and funny, this book put me in a really good mood. Highly recommended!
February 5, 2017
La historia es sólida y entre los chicos hay buena química y algún buen polvo, sin embargo y a pesar de que no es popular,no me emociona estas novelas donde la familia numerosa tiene tanto "screentime" como los protas, me sobran las hermanas, que cansinas! A pesar de ello, sigo con la serie.
February 17, 2015
I really enjoyed The Guy from Glamour. Dean Pierce is a man of few words and I loved the 'fish out of water' feel to the story.
Dean is a Night Stalker - an elite Special Forces regiment that provides helicopter support for other troops. Put him in a chopper, at night, in the desert, under enemy fire and he is right at home. Put him in the same room as a 13 year old girl and he hasn't the first clue how to handle it. I loved watching him navigate his way though this very unexpected situation he finds himself in.
And Anthony is an up kind of guy. He comes from a lively family who are always all up in each others business. His family has been taking care of Dean's niece in the wake of her mother's death. Anthony is a middle school guidance councilor, so he is pretty comfortable dealing with kids.
I just liked this story. Getting to know the Carrino's and watching Dean figure out what family can mean and watching him and Anthony figure out that they are meant to be was just fun.
Dean is a Night Stalker - an elite Special Forces regiment that provides helicopter support for other troops. Put him in a chopper, at night, in the desert, under enemy fire and he is right at home. Put him in the same room as a 13 year old girl and he hasn't the first clue how to handle it. I loved watching him navigate his way though this very unexpected situation he finds himself in.
And Anthony is an up kind of guy. He comes from a lively family who are always all up in each others business. His family has been taking care of Dean's niece in the wake of her mother's death. Anthony is a middle school guidance councilor, so he is pretty comfortable dealing with kids.
I just liked this story. Getting to know the Carrino's and watching Dean figure out what family can mean and watching him and Anthony figure out that they are meant to be was just fun.
January 12, 2014
This was a sweet opposites attract romance with a slow buildup and relatively little angst. But the story probably could have used more tension and plot twists and less sex scenes- it was a little too bland and straightforward at times that I felt myself losing focus in the story. But all in all the characters were likeable and the book was worth finishing.
December 18, 2014
Such an amazing book!
January 9, 2014
This was such an amazing book. I was lucky enough to be able to read it early, and I am so glad. This is the type of book you feel, rather than just read. The story centers around the two main characters, Dean and Anthony, but there are so many other wonderful characters in this story. The family dynamic of both Anthony and his family and Dean and his niece are so close to real life. I could picture myself in their situations more than once.
There is just enough drama to keep things interesting, and the alpha-maleness of Dean's character is something I always enjoy. Anthony is just too sweet for words and the way he and his sisters are together is hilarious.
This is a story about hope and family, and most of all love. The romantic love is front and center, but the family love is not far behind, which makes this book one I'm likely to read over and over.
There is just enough drama to keep things interesting, and the alpha-maleness of Dean's character is something I always enjoy. Anthony is just too sweet for words and the way he and his sisters are together is hilarious.
This is a story about hope and family, and most of all love. The romantic love is front and center, but the family love is not far behind, which makes this book one I'm likely to read over and over.
November 26, 2022
I loved this book. It started out slow. In fact I almost stopped reading because there was just too much description and inner monologue. After the first three or four chapters I was hooked. I loved Anthony and Dean. I love a slow burn and theirs was perfect.
Skylar Cates is a new author for me, but I hope to read more books by her.
Skylar Cates is a new author for me, but I hope to read more books by her.
January 7, 2015
I melted into a puddle of love goo listening to this one and I wallowed happily in every minute of it. The narrator does a great job with the voices. Each one is unique without sounding forced.
Anthony and Dean were absolutely made for one another. The slow build up to the real relationship was very sweet and I loved listening to Dean grow into his new life.
This was a completely swoonworthy listen and the lovin' scenes were hot as hell. I've already downloaded book 2 as this series seems to be pretty addictive.
Anthony and Dean were absolutely made for one another. The slow build up to the real relationship was very sweet and I loved listening to Dean grow into his new life.
This was a completely swoonworthy listen and the lovin' scenes were hot as hell. I've already downloaded book 2 as this series seems to be pretty addictive.
December 12, 2019
Entertaining
3.5 stars
I liked Dean who under his gruff and often silent exterior laid a heart of gold who only wanted someone to love him in return. I loved his need to bond with Nikki and his utter cluelessness on how to do achieve it. He wasn't afraid of following advice. Anthony was a good match. Coming from a big loud family but still having his own insecurities. It was great to see how the family engulfed Dean, a guy who needed a family so desperately.
3.5 stars
I liked Dean who under his gruff and often silent exterior laid a heart of gold who only wanted someone to love him in return. I loved his need to bond with Nikki and his utter cluelessness on how to do achieve it. He wasn't afraid of following advice. Anthony was a good match. Coming from a big loud family but still having his own insecurities. It was great to see how the family engulfed Dean, a guy who needed a family so desperately.
July 12, 2018
Overall book rating: 4
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.5
I was kinda looking forward to some hot heli flying and gun action but never the less, it was still good. Just in another way.
No angst. Just good characters and learning to love and appreciate. Feel good read I’d say.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.5
I was kinda looking forward to some hot heli flying and gun action but never the less, it was still good. Just in another way.
No angst. Just good characters and learning to love and appreciate. Feel good read I’d say.
June 4, 2018
3.5 Stars
Low external angst romance between an Army guy, struggling with the decision to leave the military in order to raise his orphaned Niece, and the honestly too perfect to be true guidance counselor whose family fosters her for a bit. I did like the internal, mental war Dean fights in deciding to leave the Night Stalkers and also with being more open with his sexuality & romantic with his partners - especially Anthony.
Anthony's blind trust of everyone (including his cheating ex) is about his only fault; otherwise he's sweet, nurturing, accepting, supportive, cute, good in bed, love his family...etc. I do like that he didn't push Dean to stay, or even to adopt Nikki (who is having a hard time with the uncertainty about her future as well as dealing with bitchy, mean girls at her school) (and seriously, girls are so horrible to each other at this age; I remember). Anthony tries to help Dean find a foster home for her and is supportive of his attempts to bond with the girl. He even goes so far as to try to find Dean a pilot job - in another state, where he'd have to leave his family if he followed. (And that's the hardest decision Anthony has to make.)
So, it's a sweet and sexy romance; but a little on the tame side. I kind of wanted more to the story...
Low external angst romance between an Army guy, struggling with the decision to leave the military in order to raise his orphaned Niece, and the honestly too perfect to be true guidance counselor whose family fosters her for a bit. I did like the internal, mental war Dean fights in deciding to leave the Night Stalkers and also with being more open with his sexuality & romantic with his partners - especially Anthony.
Anthony's blind trust of everyone (including his cheating ex) is about his only fault; otherwise he's sweet, nurturing, accepting, supportive, cute, good in bed, love his family...etc. I do like that he didn't push Dean to stay, or even to adopt Nikki (who is having a hard time with the uncertainty about her future as well as dealing with bitchy, mean girls at her school) (and seriously, girls are so horrible to each other at this age; I remember). Anthony tries to help Dean find a foster home for her and is supportive of his attempts to bond with the girl. He even goes so far as to try to find Dean a pilot job - in another state, where he'd have to leave his family if he followed. (And that's the hardest decision Anthony has to make.)
So, it's a sweet and sexy romance; but a little on the tame side. I kind of wanted more to the story...
October 16, 2024
I reread this so I could give it a review. Perhaps I shouldn’t have, because I didn’t enjoy it very much at all.
I’m not sure why I gave it four stars when it is a middle of the road book and even less than that.
The storyline is a familiar one: MC Dean has to leave his military deployment to go be with his niece when his estranged sister passes. He plans on letting this niece he has never met go to foster care.
She is staying with a nice family in the town of Glamour, one of whom is MC Anthony. It is instant attraction for both men, but Dean doesn’t talk much, if at all and Anthony talks enough for them both and so does his parents and sisters.
Ahh, the sisters. They were both book ruiners and I cannot believe I gave them a pass on the first read.
They are twins who marry brothers and when one of their marriages goes on the rocks, this sister talks the other into divorcing her husband, too!! Like misery loves company, I guess. They were loudmouths, intrusive, judgmental, and unpleasant. That their parents and brother, MC Anthony, knew of this was a reading turn off.
There is way too much exposition all throughout the book. One of those where a line of dialogue is followed by a page and a half of background story or interior thoughts before there is another line of dialogue.
The MCs regularly had misunderstandings where no one shared their true feelings. Gosh, it dragged.
There were inconsistencies in follow up to scene events. In one scene, Dean has to emergency fly to Germany to see an injured military comrade. The teenage niece goes silent treatment and cold shoulder at his leaving as she has been scarred by her mother’s death and a fear of foster care. This was emotional stuff and it was written that Dean almost agonized about going. He promises to call her every night, but she ignores him. A couple scenes later Dean mentions in an interior thought that he called her and now wants to call Anthony as he misses him and so on for a few pages. That was the followup to the emotional parting. I expected the niece to not even come to the phone. I will never know what happened because the scene was reduced to ‘I made my call to Nikki’, or something similar.
I skimmed read and DNF at 90%.
I’m not sure why I gave it four stars when it is a middle of the road book and even less than that.
The storyline is a familiar one: MC Dean has to leave his military deployment to go be with his niece when his estranged sister passes. He plans on letting this niece he has never met go to foster care.
She is staying with a nice family in the town of Glamour, one of whom is MC Anthony. It is instant attraction for both men, but Dean doesn’t talk much, if at all and Anthony talks enough for them both and so does his parents and sisters.
Ahh, the sisters. They were both book ruiners and I cannot believe I gave them a pass on the first read.
They are twins who marry brothers and when one of their marriages goes on the rocks, this sister talks the other into divorcing her husband, too!! Like misery loves company, I guess. They were loudmouths, intrusive, judgmental, and unpleasant. That their parents and brother, MC Anthony, knew of this was a reading turn off.
There is way too much exposition all throughout the book. One of those where a line of dialogue is followed by a page and a half of background story or interior thoughts before there is another line of dialogue.
The MCs regularly had misunderstandings where no one shared their true feelings. Gosh, it dragged.
There were inconsistencies in follow up to scene events. In one scene, Dean has to emergency fly to Germany to see an injured military comrade. The teenage niece goes silent treatment and cold shoulder at his leaving as she has been scarred by her mother’s death and a fear of foster care. This was emotional stuff and it was written that Dean almost agonized about going. He promises to call her every night, but she ignores him. A couple scenes later Dean mentions in an interior thought that he called her and now wants to call Anthony as he misses him and so on for a few pages. That was the followup to the emotional parting. I expected the niece to not even come to the phone. I will never know what happened because the scene was reduced to ‘I made my call to Nikki’, or something similar.
I skimmed read and DNF at 90%.
September 24, 2015
4.5 I love you stars
Dean Pierce a Pilot for the Night Stalkers. They are an elite group of soldiers who helps with extractions and dropping military groups. He's a man with few word and being a gay guy in the army he keeps to himself. he's sister and he came from an alcoholic father and mother and was moved from one foster care home to another. He lost contact with his sister. All he wanted to do was fly and be helpful to his country that is what made Dean happy he was content with his life.
Until he received a call informing him of the death of his sister and she left behind his 13 year old niece. His plan was to go to the town Glamour for two weeks and get a foster home for his niece Nicki and go back. Well lets just say nothing went according to plans.
Anthony's dad Tony Carrino and his wife had temporary custody over Nicki until Dean decided what to do. Like most stories goes there were sparks between Anthony and Dean and together they changed into two amazing guys.
When I started with this book I told my bestie this was a nice book but I didn't think of it as special well I was wrong. This was a book so full of soul and heartache and at the end peace and love.
Dean Pierce a Pilot for the Night Stalkers. They are an elite group of soldiers who helps with extractions and dropping military groups. He's a man with few word and being a gay guy in the army he keeps to himself. he's sister and he came from an alcoholic father and mother and was moved from one foster care home to another. He lost contact with his sister. All he wanted to do was fly and be helpful to his country that is what made Dean happy he was content with his life.
Until he received a call informing him of the death of his sister and she left behind his 13 year old niece. His plan was to go to the town Glamour for two weeks and get a foster home for his niece Nicki and go back. Well lets just say nothing went according to plans.
Anthony's dad Tony Carrino and his wife had temporary custody over Nicki until Dean decided what to do. Like most stories goes there were sparks between Anthony and Dean and together they changed into two amazing guys.
When I started with this book I told my bestie this was a nice book but I didn't think of it as special well I was wrong. This was a book so full of soul and heartache and at the end peace and love.
January 19, 2015
Skylar M. Cates' first book "Exposed" is on my re-read list. And this one, though completely different in tone and subject from the first, was also enjoyable.
Nothing extraordinary happens in "The Guy From Glamour." It's just a nice book, about two nice guys and the nice family who supports them. This book falls squarely in the comfort read category.
Anthony is moving on from a breakup with a cheating boyfriend, while Dean adjusts to life outside the military after getting custody of his niece after his sister dies.
Anthony helps Dean bond with the girl, but thankfully that plot doesn't overtake the book. There is a nice (there's that word again) balance here between family and romance, but Anthony and Dean as a couple never fade into the background.
Extra points for how the "big misunderstanding" is handled (nice to see Anthony with some fire), and the ending was truly romantic. I enjoyed my time in Glamour, and I look forward to the sequel.
Nothing extraordinary happens in "The Guy From Glamour." It's just a nice book, about two nice guys and the nice family who supports them. This book falls squarely in the comfort read category.
Anthony is moving on from a breakup with a cheating boyfriend, while Dean adjusts to life outside the military after getting custody of his niece after his sister dies.
Anthony helps Dean bond with the girl, but thankfully that plot doesn't overtake the book. There is a nice (there's that word again) balance here between family and romance, but Anthony and Dean as a couple never fade into the background.
Extra points for how the "big misunderstanding" is handled (nice to see Anthony with some fire), and the ending was truly romantic. I enjoyed my time in Glamour, and I look forward to the sequel.
January 15, 2014
Great read! This hit all my reading kinks with the added bonus of being well written (score!) My first read from this author, think I'll have to see what else they are offering. :)
March 3, 2018
For whatever reason this turned into something far better than what I had thought it would be. Have to say, I didn't like Dean at first, can't put my finger on it now, but, be the second chapter my mind had changed. Anthony and his family were awesome. Lots of feel goods with this one.
July 20, 2014
This was an all right book, I suppose. Just, as it turns out, REALLY not my cup of tea. I'm not a big fan of the heavy 'Awww' moments on the best of days and The Guy From Glamour is practically a hike through the hearts and flowers garden. I can handle it a lot better in m/m romance than het, which is why I picked this up in the first place. (Plus, I expected a bit more grit from the soldier.) But in the end, there wasn't enough other stuff to keep my interest. And lacking distracting 'oh, I'm happy with that' moments I was left too aware of the text for all the little annoyances to pass unnoticed.
I don't really know how to explain my biggest one, but in general I've noticed that when an author writes about things they don't know that much about (in this case combat pilots), it's pretty obvious. Even if every word is technically accurate. They explain things that don't need explaining. Things that someone immersed in the subject would hardly notice are made big deals of. Their characters talk about their jobs or missions in ways that don't feel natural. Here's an example:
Sure, the wikipedia page might describe the Night Stalkers that way, but I can't even imagine an actual soldier doing so. Plus, other characters are overly aware of what a Night Stalker is and give undue accolades for it. Cates is guilty of all of the above. Maybe I'm wrong about how much she does or doesn't actually know about the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, but something about the way Dean and his position is written didn't feel real to me.
Similarly, I spent several years working in Children's Protective Services, dealing with the children brought into the Foster Care system. Let me just tell you, this book really should be labeled as fantasy for how it describes the process and what it's like.
I also had issues with writing itself. It was fairly well edited, but I thought the writing was stiff, especially in the beginning. There were lots and lots of blunt, staccato, telling sentences. Plus, everything was just sort of thrown on the table with very little finesse. Characters met and then immediately explained their entire life story and such (much of which wasn't really needed anyway). Good for providing the reader information, not so good for feeling like realistic dialogue. The whole thing just felt kind of clumsy. You knew exactly where it was going at all times and it lurched there unfailingly. No surprises or subtlety involved. Plus, there was almost no character development. I never felt I really knew either MC and Nikki was just a shadow puppet. I was more attached tot he puppy than her.
Again, most of my complaints are personal. For readers who like guaranteed happy endings and what I call cheesy moments (but people who like them probably would call sweet scenes) this book might be a hit. I appreciated what the story was trying to accomplish. I was impressed to find that some characters with a history in the foster care system were there for neglect rather than abuse. So often, people forget that there are other, less dramatic reasons for children to be removed from their parents. I really liked that there was no strict designation of position, no exclusive top and/or bottom. I liked that one scene with Dean and Rick. There where aspects of this book I liked, but on the whole it was a fail for me.
I don't really know how to explain my biggest one, but in general I've noticed that when an author writes about things they don't know that much about (in this case combat pilots), it's pretty obvious. Even if every word is technically accurate. They explain things that don't need explaining. Things that someone immersed in the subject would hardly notice are made big deals of. Their characters talk about their jobs or missions in ways that don't feel natural. Here's an example:
We're special Forces. We're the most elite helicopter force in the whole damn world. We fly into enemy territory and navigate our way through it to complete search-and-rescue missions or perform high-risk air assaults.
Sure, the wikipedia page might describe the Night Stalkers that way, but I can't even imagine an actual soldier doing so. Plus, other characters are overly aware of what a Night Stalker is and give undue accolades for it. Cates is guilty of all of the above. Maybe I'm wrong about how much she does or doesn't actually know about the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, but something about the way Dean and his position is written didn't feel real to me.
Similarly, I spent several years working in Children's Protective Services, dealing with the children brought into the Foster Care system. Let me just tell you, this book really should be labeled as fantasy for how it describes the process and what it's like.
I also had issues with writing itself. It was fairly well edited, but I thought the writing was stiff, especially in the beginning. There were lots and lots of blunt, staccato, telling sentences. Plus, everything was just sort of thrown on the table with very little finesse. Characters met and then immediately explained their entire life story and such (much of which wasn't really needed anyway). Good for providing the reader information, not so good for feeling like realistic dialogue. The whole thing just felt kind of clumsy. You knew exactly where it was going at all times and it lurched there unfailingly. No surprises or subtlety involved. Plus, there was almost no character development. I never felt I really knew either MC and Nikki was just a shadow puppet. I was more attached tot he puppy than her.
Again, most of my complaints are personal. For readers who like guaranteed happy endings and what I call cheesy moments (but people who like them probably would call sweet scenes) this book might be a hit. I appreciated what the story was trying to accomplish. I was impressed to find that some characters with a history in the foster care system were there for neglect rather than abuse. So often, people forget that there are other, less dramatic reasons for children to be removed from their parents. I really liked that there was no strict designation of position, no exclusive top and/or bottom. I liked that one scene with Dean and Rick. There where aspects of this book I liked, but on the whole it was a fail for me.
October 23, 2014
I had to change my rating thrice and ultimately decided on 3 stars.Believe me I wanted to rate it at least 4 stars as its a military man's story and I am totally in love with heroes working as agents of any department be it Army/Navy/Air Force or just a police officer, but couldn't.This story lacked something.
It didn't make me feel, thats the best I can describe.Usually when I read this kind of story I am glued to it till I finish the book but in this case I took several breaks before finishing it and for me that really says a lot.
Now the MC,Dean Pierce doesn’t do relationships. A tough-minded military man, he is dedicated to his job as a Night Stalker, flying Chinook helicopters and not speaking much to anybody.But everything changes with a phone call and he has to rush to a new town a new life and meets a new man Anthony Carrino with a big, gregarious Italian-American family, even if his sisters are interfering, and his dad, the local sheriff, knows everything going on in town. He’s happy as a middle school guidance counselor.When they meet sparks fly and lots of hot scenes something like this happens Carrino being curly hair and all
But yeah they will do the deed and lot many time too but what made me raise my eye brow
Was the author confused who should be the top,cause from the beginning I got the feeling Dean would be the one but all of a sudden the twist was unexpected not that I am complaining it was nice to read both of them taking charges.
On a second thought I think I would have prefered the plot having such unexpected twist instead of just being a story of settling down of a grumpy man with a niece and a Golden retriever pup which made the story very cute.
Side characters was really lovable and fun to read about.Specially the twin sisters.The little side affair of Mia and Cody was nice.All in all a very hospitable story but not remarkable one for me.
It didn't make me feel, thats the best I can describe.Usually when I read this kind of story I am glued to it till I finish the book but in this case I took several breaks before finishing it and for me that really says a lot.
Now the MC,Dean Pierce doesn’t do relationships. A tough-minded military man, he is dedicated to his job as a Night Stalker, flying Chinook helicopters and not speaking much to anybody.But everything changes with a phone call and he has to rush to a new town a new life and meets a new man Anthony Carrino with a big, gregarious Italian-American family, even if his sisters are interfering, and his dad, the local sheriff, knows everything going on in town. He’s happy as a middle school guidance counselor.When they meet sparks fly and lots of hot scenes something like this happens Carrino being curly hair and all
But yeah they will do the deed and lot many time too but what made me raise my eye brow
Was the author confused who should be the top,cause from the beginning I got the feeling Dean would be the one but all of a sudden the twist was unexpected not that I am complaining it was nice to read both of them taking charges.
On a second thought I think I would have prefered the plot having such unexpected twist instead of just being a story of settling down of a grumpy man with a niece and a Golden retriever pup which made the story very cute.
Side characters was really lovable and fun to read about.Specially the twin sisters.The little side affair of Mia and Cody was nice.All in all a very hospitable story but not remarkable one for me.
December 2, 2015
I started this series with the 3 book in row and I liked it. Anthony and Dean, the MC's of this first part have been mentioned in the 3 part and I definitly wanted to read more about them. And I have to say that I really liked The Guy From Glamour. It was nice reading more about the ficional town and about characters I already knew. I enjoyed the story about Anthony and Dean much more and I totally loved Dean. He was great!! I will definitly read the other books in this series! 4 stars (I loved the skydiving scene sooo much :))
January 11, 2014
Simple, standard story enlivened by likeable characters and no irritating Big Misunderstandings. These guys talk to each other. It's refreshing.
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