Crushed

Foster Puppies #1

by A.R. Steele

"Sure you don’t want to come out? Nothing’s going to hurt you, I promise."

When Tynan finds a stray dog cowering under his car, he knows he’ll need help. One phone call brings a handsome, witty volunteer to his side. Harley coaxes the dog out, but with a price: the awakening of persistent cravings Tynan’s fought to subdue.

"Looks like there’s about six puppies on the way."

In all his years with the animal rescue, Harley never knew meeting a cute guy could be a perk of his position. Tynan's snappy style and soft heart immediately intrigue him. As he struggles to figure out if Tynan's even into men, he realizes Diamond is pregnant - and that Tynan won't be able to foster her alone.

"Living together is going to be an exercise in frustration."

Harley's looking for a place to stay and Tynan has a room to spare, so they agree he'll move in and help take care of Diamond. But will Tynan come to accept that his feelings for Harley are more than respect? And when tragedy strikes, will their friendship be able to survive?

Crushed is the first book of the Foster Puppies gay romance series. This 200-page novel is a light yet emotional read with lots of heat. It has a happily ever after ending and can be enjoyed as a standalone or as part of the collection.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Gay

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Author also writes as:
Abraham Steele
Maria Jackson

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hope. Because. PUPPIES.

But this book lacked tension. It was all fluff and weird drama (mostly because one of the MCs, Tynan, is in denial about being gay).

The stereotypes blew my mind; let's recap:

His height, build, and the way he dressed gave him a slight twink air. He didn't lisp or act flamboyant, though.

#nolispnogay

He had to be gay after all, because surely no straight guy would go around doing makeovers.

*gasps* Surely not!

A gay guy looking at hot guys' pictures all day would surely get distracted and jerk off all the time.

But of course. Gay men can't go two seconds without popping a boner, job be damned.

He's a fashion blogger? That's basically a guarantee that he's gay or bisexual.

Obviously. No straight man EVER has looked at his ass in a pair of jeans.

So all that was bad enough, and then a puppy dies! Oh, FUCK NO.



The steam level was low, not that I cared because the chemistry between the guys was nonexistent. Also, I'm all for epilogues, but there's such a thing as skipping too far into the future.

I'm still going with 2 stars because there were glimmers of potential here, and the writing, while kind of flat, at least followed standard grammatical conventions.

[Bitchie]

Another double dipper. AKA Keep Her Forever

[Aeren]

Necesito un gif con un enorme WTF

[Cadiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute romance with an adorable dog

2.5* There's a lot of good things in this book. It's fairly low angst, it has a cute dog and her litter of puppies, it has a tinge of sadness to stop it being overly sweet and it has a lovely epilogue.

I liked Harley, he was simple in his ways, no manipulation or falseness in his character, he knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to let it out. Tynan on the other hand, took some warming to. He was repressed and closed off and not particularly nice for a while.

Eventually though, he found the inner strength to be himself and do what made him happy. They made a sweet pair and I did find the relationship development believable.

Steam factor is on the low side, a lot happens off page or fades to black but there are also times when they come together and it felt organic and emotionally connected.

But there's loads of gay stereotyping goes on in this book which made me roll my eyes a lot. Also there's no actual story narrative, not a lot happens other than an act of dramady which felt out of place.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Elithanathile · Rating 1 out of 5]

ZERO stars!! ZEEEEE-ROHHHH STARS!!!
I tried. Trust me, I tried. I'll also explain in the next day or two, trust me, I'll elaborate!!
I feel like I'm going through an 'overexposure to gamma rays' [i.e. Hulk] moment right now!!!


** Book received in exchange for an honest and unbiased review :-) **

[Sylvia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope this one was just not for me

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

When cute animals are on the cover, I have a tendency to stop and look. Cover composition has good spacing and use of color. It attracts the eye. The synopsis was heart-warming and I was glad to finally have the chance to read it.

POV ~> Alternating first-person. Marked at the start of each chapter

A mens' fashion stylist and blogger with zero animal know-how meets an animal rescuer with no wardrobe sense.

Fashion stylist and blogger, Tynan, was living in denial due to his elitist parents’ lack of warm parenting. When Tynan found a dog cowering under his car that refused to budge, he called around for help. Harley assured him, in a voice far-too-sexy and smooth for Tynan’s liking, that he’d be there right shortly to assist.
Harley was amused by the lack of knowledge and understanding Tynan had for animals but found it endearing that the guy already seemed to have bonded and already cared for the stray, pregnant dog.
Tynan wants to foster the dog through her pregnancy, with Harley’s help. When he learns that Harley’s planning to move, Tynan invites him to move in, for a small rental fee.
There were some frustrating moments to get through with these two, and Tynan’s utter lack of knowledge about animals was truly bewildering. However, the two of them pulled off the relationship pretty well. Chemistry was alright, even as Tynan fought himself. Harley more than made up for it. There were few secondary characters… Harley’s sister and Tynan’s ex-roommate being the best. The story was nicely written and the plot flowed smoothly enough. Conflicts were handled in various ways, not all maturely at first. Predictability was low. The conclusion was solid with a flash-forward style epilogue.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.25 ~ Stars: 4
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I purchased an EBOOK copy of this title from Amazon and am voluntarily leaving unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

[Lillian Francis]

https://mobile.twitter.com/DarienMoya...

Pronouns changed and republished as this book.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keep-Her-For...

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is sound. Guy, Tynan, who is closeted finds a dog hiding under his car. Guy, Harley, from dog rescue place comes to help. There's attraction but Tynan has issues. Tynan has a room to rent and Harley needs a room. Tynan has decided to foster the dog so now they are roommates taking care of a dog. But sadly the writing didn't wow me. Too cutesy, not enough character development, just sort of bland. Not much happens until about 55%.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puppies and fluff

Cute, if at times a dash heavyhanded and cliched.

Tynan is very deeply closeted, trying to convince himself for the past ten years that he can play being straight. When he rescues a pregnant dog from under his car with the help of a handsome man, he finds that resolve tested. Harley has been volunteering at the dog rescue for years, and loves that this man he meets wants to help a distressed and abandoned dog. When the situation ends up with them living together it forces each to consider their own feelings.

Tynan is deeply closeted, but hisn homophobia is all self directed. He knows He is gay but cannot acknowledge it because of his family. He doesn't last this out in angry, but it is keeping him unhappy as his life is lonely and he spends all his time in denial. Harley is willing to work at breaking through to the man underneath and give him the chance to be happy.

Plenty of things are a bit cliche. After all, Tynan is a male fashion blogger, so he must be gay- but it is frequently pointed out he easily could be straight with good taste. Then, Tynan's family, the idea of masculinity being wrapped in not showing emotion, "men don't cry". It seems a dated concept, but it brought about the idea well and worked for driving the story.

This was a sweet and easy story, with a cute but struggling couple, a cute and distressingly pregnant dog, and plenty of ridiculous but adorable anniversaries. It was an enjoyable read for some romance fluff!

[2kasmom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tynan finds a lost puppy and recruits Harley to help. Turns out the puppy is going to be a mom. Harley and Tynan end up fostering the mom and the pups until they can be given up for adoption.

Harley can hardly believe his luck! Meeting a guy who is not only good looking, but loves animals too. Can they have enough in common to make a love connection?

This is such a sweet story. The puppies are a big part of it and it makes for some genuinely cute moments. The characters seem to need one another and the book was a joy to read.


***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really well written book.
Tynan is a fashion blogger and finds a puppy hiding under his car one day. Failing to coax the poor thing out and not knowing what to do he calls for help and Harley , a volunteer at the rescue centre turns up to help. The two men form an instant bond and gradually Tynan finds all the repressed feelings he had lectured out of him by his parents are coming to the surface as he fights his attraction to Harley who is openly gay. Further complications occur when they find the pup now named Diamond is pregnant.
There are ups and downs throughout the book and I really enjoyed this one.

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

MM. A sweet and easy read. Tynan loves his job as a men's fashion blogger but his personal life leaves much to be desired. Finding a puppy under his car brings Harley into his life. Harley really likes Tynan but does not know what Tynan wants. Tynan is also having issues because of his family and upbringing. A great relationship read without extraneous drama. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Alex]

1/2

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crushed is the first book in the Foster Puppies Series by A.R. Steele. I loved Crush. I was hooked from the first page to the last. The book put me through all of my emotions, making me laugh and even made me cry. This is a great start to a new series.

I liked Tynan, who is a fashion blogger. He is leaving for an appointment when he sees that there is a stray dog under his car and it won't come out. He calls the humane society and they refer him to the Newbank Dog Rescue. From there he meets Harley who agrees to come out and help him catch the dog. There is an immediately attracted between the two. The only problem is that Tynan is deep in the closet and Harley is out and proud. And Tynan although he has never had a dog, wants to foster the pregnant stray beagle that he has named Diamond. He just isn't sure if he has the knowledge needed to do it on his own. He is super happy when Harley mentions that he is looking for a new place to stay and that he would be willing to help Tynan with Diamond. That works out perfectly for Tynan, and he even has a free bedroom for Harley to move into. I enjoyed watching their relationship build as they took care of Diamond and her cute puppies. I loved the names of all of the puppies. I loved Dipshit most of all. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book

[Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story of love and puppies. Thank and Harley meet when a in denial Tynan finds a pregnant dog stuck under his car. What ensues is a wonderfully sweet love story. I can't wait for the next book in the series, 4.5 stars. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet book... especially if you love dogs and guys!

A stray dog is the catalyst that brings a reclusive blogger together with a style challenged hotel desk clerk who volunteers at an animal rescue organization. There is pain and loss as well as rapture with two souls meeting and melding their lives and interests.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a Dog Lover? Then you'll love this Book!

I understand why people love Beagles. They're all purpose dogs. Great for men, women, and children alike. As hunting partners, hiking companions, and playmates. Their compact size makes them idea for city, suburban, and country living. If you can get their howling under control at an early age they make really good apartment dogs.

A fine handsome breed, with an easy to care for coat, and friendly temperament. They are a common breed easily recognizable with his soulful eyes and panting smile. They make good dogs for first time dog owners. They're not hard to find, but I'm sure few people have found their first one cowering in fear under their car.

The opening scenes of this book set the stage for the rest of the story. An inexperienced (new) Foster dog owner, an experienced volunteer at a dog rescue organization, a vacant room, a man in need of new place (& clothes), a scared dog in need of a lot of tender loving care, a good looking secure gay man, and another man deeply closeted & in denial.

Dogs with their unconditional love, desire to please, readiness to forgive, eagerness to go outside & have fun, and need to be taken of demand that even the most emotionally repressed person be incapable of controlling their feelings. It sneaks up on the person. Suddenly he's smiling, then laughing, and enjoying the great outdoors. These positive emotions seep into his everyday life to the point that others notice.

Tynan would have been a great deal happier if he weren't so frustrated by his new housemate. Why was he so attracted to him? Why did he find Harley so sexy? Why couldn't he continue to control his feelings for another man? Especially someone as handsome as Harley, who'd never consider being with a man like Tynan, even if he was attracted to men, which of course he couldn't be.

This is a story with the miracle of birth along with all the terror of the unexpected. The fascination of a litter of puppies. The laughter of their antics. Concern about and extra care given to the
new mom.

And the growing feelings of two men for each other. One hiding it, but crushing hard on his roommate, while the other though confused about his emotions is also experiencing his own crush.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to read, but there were definite moments of angst, anger, and joy. This is the first in a series. The book ends with a preview of Book Two.

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm voluntarily reviewing a free advance reader copy I received from the author.

Tynan, a very closeted fashion blogger, finds a stray puppy under his car one day. He has no idea what to do, so he calls the Animal Shelter. Harley, a volunteer, answers the phone and comes out to help Tynan with the dog. They get along well, and get the dog, who ends up being pregnant, out safe. Harley offers to help Tynan with the dog, he eventually becomes a roommate, and they become friends. This all happens very quickly, but it seems to fit well with their personalities.

Tynan really struggles with his sexuality. He knows he is gay, but his family has been so against it that Tynan has tried to hide and deny that part of himself. Being in the house with Harley has awakened him, and that terrifies Tynan. I liked the struggles that were portrayed for Tynan--watching him come to terms with everything, watching him learn how to communicate, and seeing him deal with having emotions. I loved the way the story played out, and I especially loved the epilogue. I thought it wrapped the story up very nicely.

Diamond the dog, and all of the puppies were adorable. :-) I look forward to reading more in this universe.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fashion blogger who's repressed his sexuality to please his parents meets animal shelter volunteer. It was a nice start to a relationship, with an epilogue ten years in the future. I would have liked to read more about the journey to that future rather than a drawn-out beginning.

[m. ✨ On Hiatus ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

When fashion blogger Tynan comes across a frightened and hungry stray dog under his car, he's at a loss of what to do. He makes several calls and finds an animal rescue who will help coax the poor thing out. As the animal rescue employee, Harley, works his magic, Tynan can't help but find him attractive and admire his love and care for animals. Thus begins the start of finding love, one's self worth and confidence.

As an animal lover, I could definitely relate to both Tynan and Harley. Their story is somewhat of a slow build, but once it gets going, things move pretty fast. Some of the angst is laid on pretty thick, particularly concerning a four-legged friend, but I could empathize having been in their shoes before. All in all, this is a sweet read that will make you smile, laugh and possibly shed a tear or two. I look forward to reading future books in the series

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

For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.

[Drmchr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved how Tynan falls in love with the dog that was under his car. It was so hilarious how he did not know the simplest things about how to look after a dog! If it wasn't for Harley he would have had no idea how to take care of all of the dogs or help Diamond have her pups. The book shows on the first page how both men are really good men. You can tell from the start how their relationship will develop & that Tynan might have a hard time accepting it. I love how they understood each other from the start & how their relationship developed throughout the book. The story is well written & the characters have a lot of depth to them. I laughed, cried, my heart ached & rejoiced from the book! I got lost in the world that A.R. Steele created & I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down! I got lost in the book & did not realize what time it was! I would recommend this book if you like a funny & touching love story without it being sappy! I received this as an ARC for an honest review.

[Shaztwirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

This book felt a little bit like flat pack furniture. Lay out all the pieces and put a story together. But it was missing something. It was missing the heart that makes a story feel special.. The potential is there for a really sweet story, though. Consistency and timeline are also important. If your puppies are 4 weeks old then don't make them 2 weeks old 3 pages later.

[Donna Hokanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and entertaining

In this story you have a man who, because his parents told him it was a phase at fifteen, denied his sexuality for ten years. And then you have Harley, an openly gay guy that rents a room from Tynan, after helping him get a stray dog out from under his car.
The dog was pregnant and the two decided to help her through her pregnancy. At the same time.e they got to know each other and feelings started. Than has some soul searching to do.
Well written and very entertaining to read.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super sweet story. Whenever there are puppies involved, how can you resist? Tynan is trying to go to a fashion show when he spots a dog under his car. He tries his best to get her out. She just won't budge. He finally reached Harley at the rescue center. He comes out and helps get Diamond out. Tynan is forcing himself to stay in the closet because his parents are disapproving. He realizes that he won't be able to fight his attraction to Harley for long. We get to go on the journey of love, loss, and acceptance.

[Michelle Lukasiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crushed

This is the first book by A.R. Steele but it won't be the last. I loved this book. The story was so touching. It also made me mad at times which means the book was powerful enough to get to me. The parents treatment of Tynan made me sick. Well both guys I guess but Tynan's were addressed more in depth. I'll never understand parents like that. I can't wait to read the next book. HEA and no cliffhanger.

[P Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

When he finds a dog under his car he calls animal rescue for help and receives a personal visit from Harley. Tynan is drawn to Harley but he's determined to deny his attraction. Will Tynan and Harley give into their hidden desires?

I sympathised with Tynan he's denied his sexuality to the point that he's living an incomplete life without love. Harley was sweet and I enjoyed their interactions. This was a cute story and I really enjoyed it.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was sweet and adorable. I'm never sure what I will get out of AR Steele.. the series have changed so much each series but this one is amazing just as much as the others. I loved the puppy.. I love the guys.. I love the foster puppy aspect of this.. It is all around a feel good and sweet story with love and affection and lots of puppy love haha . I am so glad I got to review it

[andrea moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crushed

This was a super sweet romance with one of the main characters struggling to come to terms with acting on his sexuality after having unsupportive parents. The puppies were especially cute but this book did feel like it took a long time to get anywhere. I'd still recommend for anyone who enjoys this genre