Love Lost

by Hayden Hunt

It's time for me to start over.

When I decided to move back to my old college town to start a more lucrative job and get away from my ex boyfriend, I thought I was escaping my past. I had no idea I was running to it. But when I start my first day of work and find my first love, Derek, working beside me it feels like I've gone back in time.

I never got over him. He's the only man I've ever truly loved. But on top of the fact that I've decided to be single for awhile, he's actually already engaged to a woman! Which doesn't surprise me, he always identified as bisexual, but it does make it hard to work with him. Every day I spend with him, my feelings grow.

And he doesn't even know.


I'm getting married because I have to.

Marrying a girl after years of dating her is just what you should do. I did the right thing by proposing to Brittany, even if I'm not passionately in love with her. Because, honestly, I haven't been passionately in love since college with my first love, Scott. He's the only person I ever felt head over heels for, and only because he was my first love.

So while some people might think I'm settling, I don't think I am. This is just what love is supposed to be like, right? Love is comfortable. Sparks aren't always flying, romance isn't always in the air... Though I can't say I don't really miss the days of being passionate about Scott, that love has been long lost.

Which was all my fault.


This standalone MM romance comes complete with HEA ending and bonus material from two of my other books!

Genres: M M Romance, Bisexual, M M Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, LGBT

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2016

About the author

Hayden also writes under the pseudonyms Aimee Alesi and Edie Bryant .

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm speechless.
I don't exactly know what I expected when I read the blurb and decided to pick this up but it was definitely not this.
Everything in this story was a description. It was a description of the relationship, feelings and the plot. But even worse than just descriptions, we get repetitive descriptions.
"He is the love of my life", "he is my soul mate", "he is the one I could never live without", "I knew he was the one from a long time ago".

And even worse, the story was tied together with a "big misunderstanding". Not going into spoilers, but it was probably the most cliche drama that could've happened.

To tie this perfect package up, it ended with the most cliche HEA ever - whatever you're thinking, that is it.

Also getting the kindle edition, this story is only actually 63% of the ebook and the rest of it is "previews" for other stories.

Sorry but I feel so disappointed right now. I don't usually 1 star books but I honestly can't see a redeeming point about this one at this point of time.

[Mazmum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah, so sorry but I'm afraid this book just left me feeling flat. It just didn't convey the emotions in the scenes at all. So when we were meant to feel angst I didn't, when we were meant to have our hearts overflowing, mine wasn't.

I can get around the editing issues because it was a review copy I received so I wasn't sure if it had been through it's final edit, but the story was just not that well executed. The ex was just too sweet about being dumped, the side story with the friend seemed overplayed.

But the main thing was there wasn't enough depth in creating the characters to make me care about them, to make me invested in them as a couple. The sentence structures felt stilted, like they didn't flow in the way that people actually hold a conversation. I had a hard time believing that one wouldn't recognise someone who used to mean so much to him. And I guess that was my main issue, there were too many things that I was asked to suspend believe of.

[Mike Oaks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to connect

The first story with Derek and Scott felt too rushed and a few typos/conversion errors. I just couldn’t connect to either character and so no love lost for me. Another pass with an editor would help flush out the good story idea. I gave up after the first story. Perhaps I’ll revisit the book the future to check out the other stories. 2.75 for knowing when to stop reading.

[FromTheLab · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful writing with loads of formatting issues and typos.

It is obvious that very little time or effort went into writing this and that the story was churned out quickly. Thank god I didn't pay for it and instead got it on KU.

Do not recommend. Awful. 1 star.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a 2.5 but rounded up. My goodness. There are the bones of a fairly good story here but it gets bogged down in descriptions (telling the story instead of showing), cliches and poor editing. Missing words, misspellings, etc detract from a story that is somewhat ok. I wanted to like Derek and Scott's story but the writing is clunky and could use some serious help from an editor or beta reader. The author has some good pieces here but the story lacked execution. It ended around 63% and the rest were promos from other books. Really did want to like this but got frustrated with the issues.

[Isabella ~Mikku-chan~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*

The plot itself wasn't bad, stories about second chances can be actually really good but this book was sometimes a bit rushed though it contained too much drama.

But the most annyoing fact, sorry to say, were the editorial mistakes. I can go through a few spelling mistakes but this time it was too much. There was a continuation in calling the ex-girlfriend wrong, the name sometimes switched on 4 pages 3 times... Not really cool.
Also there were some really bad typing mistakes where you not know what actually meant by the sentence because it don't make any sense....

I often recognized these mistakes with the author and I'm not sure I will continue reading stories... They are often only a bit satisfying... :(
Also do I feel a bit... betrayed by the half or 2/3 book you get, when it stops somewhere at 60%....
I don't need this much "bonus" which is only an excerpt of the other book in the one I got... Also do I think the bonus stories from the NL could be included there instead...

This way I feel a bit forced to subscribe the NL to get a few more content although there is enough space... Also better to proof the book a few days more instead of sending out a rushed edition. It's not worth the price then... And people are getting disappointed...

Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not write negative reviews, but I am afraid this book just did not work on any level for me.

Like previous reviewers have said there was, too much tell and no showing of what was happening. This prevents the reader from being drawn into the story world.

But what really frustrated me is that one character would say something and the other would say he felt exactly the same.

I am so sorry to post a negative review.

I was given a arc copy for a free honest review.

[Avid Reader 1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Possible spoilers below.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author. I did enjoy this book but I really wanted to give Derek a good pop on the back of his head for his cluelessness in what a good relationship should be. Except for the prior relationship with Scott, he just went through the motions with his other relationship(s) and thought it was the way was supposed to be. Being bisexual did not appear to be an issue to him or Scott, which was as it should be. There was not much background on Scott but he seemed to be a good fit for Derek. I especially liked that Derek was allowed to grow from the obsessively jealous child to the more moderate man we see now. Overall it was a good book but it could really use a good editing.

I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

new old love,

Scott moved to get away from his ex and was excited to start his new job. What he didn't expect was to find his fist love Derrick would be the one training him.
Derrick has been with Britany for years although he isn't really in love with her he decides that proposing to hr would be for the best. Derrick' work life is also looking up he is being offered a new position in the company, although its weird training his replacement he couldn't be happier. That was until after 2 days of not knowing the name of his replacement to find out his name is Scott, Derck remembers his ex by the same name and jokes about it. But when Scott informs Derrick they are one in the same Derrick is upset.
In that moment there lives changed and all they could do was hold on for the ride

[Jade Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book despite it being hard to read at times. There were a lot of typos and some of the feelings were off. it was a short story but it jumped forward on time and then just carried on. The feelings didn't really grow they stayed the same. parts of this i really liked and other parts were just bits you had to get through

[Heather Rawlins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Love Lost was a cute, quick read. Derek and Scott were likable characters. I enjoyed reading this story and would recommend it.

[Isha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The ending was rushed and I would have loves to see a confrontation with Tiffany. Scott forgave Derek wait too quickly. Other than that, the book was enjoyable.

[Princess Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right on the edge.

I'm right on the edge with this one because the story is good. The storytelling is where it gets lost. There is zero emotion throughout. At least three confrontations that should have been explosive just fell flat. The main characters spoke with the same monotonous voice making it difficult to distinguish between the two. The vindictiveness of the best friend was perfect. Still, I enjoyed it, ergo, the fourth star.

[Andrew Riccardi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my favorite

This book just didn't do anything for me. I found it kind of stupid totally unrealistic . I'm really surprised because I usually like Hayden Hunts writing.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

This was a fun read albeit a little slow in pace. Scott and Derek made a cute couple. Their journey to each other was a little long but enjoyable.

[Mainely Stories · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a rocky start....through the doorstep of the future

This review couldn't be better timed as I learned that the cover models for this story are actually a young married couple in South Africa and this lends reality to the story of young couple not ready for love who reconnect as adults in a surprising situation. Derek is an IT professional ready to move into a new position by virtue of promotion but before that he is to train the new hire to replace him. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that it is his former boyfriend who has moved back to the area. Some parts of this story were not entirely believable, e.g. that Derek could spend days training Scott and not recognize him even though they had previously been a couple in an intimate relationship. The story is a 4 but the delivery a 3.5 as there are editing issues, little emotion felt and main characters underdeveloped.

[m. ✨ On Hiatus ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Derek and Scott dated in college, but jealousy and insecurity drove them apart. Fast forward several years and the two men find themselves together once again, only this time Derek is training Scott in a new position after he moves back to their hometown. Although engaged, Derek feels stuck. He loves his fiance as a person, but he just doesn't feel any kind of spark or passion with her. He can't help but think back to his relationship with Scott, the one he compares to all others. Will the former lovers be able to move forward and let go of the past or will they be doomed to repeat it?

I had issues with this book. The overall premise is great, but unfortunately the execution did not work for me. The book was littered with typos and grammatical problems, and in the span of 2.5 chapters, the name Britney was spelled three different ways.

In terms of the characters, Scott was very likeable and sweet. I often found myself frustrated with Derek's character, though. He tried to be a good person and in many ways, he was; however, I just can't get past his part in the "big misunderstanding". It only took a fleeting moment for him to regress and it was disheartening to watch. in the aftermath, I felt that Scott was a little too forgiving, but you can't help who you love.

All in all, this story had a lot of potential, but I think it was pushed out a little too fast. The editing issues made it difficult to fully focus on the story, and I ,as a reader, felt I had to suspend belief on certain issues just to move the story along.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.

[Pam Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story of second chances. When fate intervenes it will change lives. These two men were together during college their relationship was passionate, but jealousy got in the way to break them up. Several years later they are brought together in the same college town and in the same job. Derek was being promoted to a new job and he had to train his replacement. To his surprise his ex boyfriend Scott, the man he has loved and fantasized about was the replacement. Derek was bi. Derek was engaged to a woman he really didn't feel passionate about, but he thought it was the right thing to do. It was time to break it off. Derek knew the only one he felt that passion for was Scott, the man he loved even after years of being apart. When Scott came back into his life they both wanted to revive what they had. But jealousy reared its ugly head when an email came to Derek proving that Scott was cheating...only to find out it was made up by a friend of his ex-fiancé to destroy his relationship with Scott. Can they get past this and nurture the love they both had? Great Read! Hayden Hunt has done it again in his feel good short stories. ❤️

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is written in the first person switching between the two main characters.
Scott and Derek were a couple in college and neither of them could develop passionate relationships since. Each time they broke up their minds would drift back to this relationship. Derek is starting a new job and is really surprised to find his supervisor is Scott. Scott is engaged to be married but breaks off his relationship realising it is not what he wants. When he realises that the man he is training to take over his job is Derek his old flame the sparks start to fly. What follows is a series of misunderstandings and deception before they find their way to their happy ever after.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary review

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather sweet novella

The story is basically about reconnecting with the love of your life years after the relationship ended. Derek never thought he would meet Scott his first love again until fate steps in. Derek is training a new employee after his promotion little does he realise his life is about to be turned on its head. Scott is starting a new job and when he meets the man who will train him he is shocked to see its his first love Derek and whats worse is Derek doesnt recognise him. Scott hides his identify until he gets his company ID and watches as Derek realises who he is. Sparks fly but can both men make it work a second time.

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about out second chances. The two main characters, Derek and Scott, were together in college. Although they ended up going their own ways, Derek never stopped caring and fantasizing about Scott. When they are brought back together, they both want to try to be a couple again. Can they overcome their past problems and a few new ones so that they can be together? As usual, Hayden Hunt writes another sweet, feel good story, but he really needs to see about a new editor or proofreader. There are a lot of mistakes that should have been corrected. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

I hate giving so low a rating but this book did nothing for me. There was grammar, spelling and editing mistakes throughout this book. I'm hoping that the final published book would have had these things ironed out. But I couldn't award more stars.
Also the story seemed rushed and Derek was so immature. Scott didn't fair in my opinion much either. Neither of the Mcs really held much appeal the story seemed rushed and badly thought out.
I wouldn't recommend this book.

[Ruth Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the usual well written feel good romance we expect from Hayden Hunt! A past love has the chance to become the present and the future. Can this really happen this time round? The characters are captivating and you are investing in them from the start. As usual a Hayden Hunt Book leaves you with the feel good feeling. Well worth the read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book and I'm so so glad I did!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It hurts to give a Hayden Hunt book such a low rating but I had to. There was so much angst in this story. The angst actually overshadowed the love story. Speaking of the love story, I felt Scott deserved so much better than Derek. Instead of listening to Scott, he believed a complete stranger regarding his infidelity. "Ryan's" story about Scott made no sense. Scott should have made Derek grovel for the way he acted.

[TL Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love lost

Love found then jealousy almost ruined it yet once again. Jealousy is such an ugly, unfortunate emotion we possess. Too bad we can't just get rid of it.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome.. so very awesome.. i loved these two.. i loved their problems.. i loved everything.. it was wonderful :)

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I liked the story line. I did. I cant imagine walking into a new job already full of nerves to then actually walk in and see my ex is training me. How awkward!! Especially when it was not an easy breakup. It was a short read with the story progressing quickly for two MCs who never really forgot about each other. There was some angst over a horrible email that was sent. But forgiveness is quick and we get out HEA. The one thing that paused me on the 3 stars was the editing. Oh holy hell the editing. There were alot of grammar mistakes throughout the book along with full sentences that were cut and mixed up. I had to re read parts to try and decode what was supposed to be written. It really got on my nerves. That was my pet peeve with this book.

[monika]

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