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Manny Makes Three
Rule #1 of being a successful male do not fall in love with the straight, single father you were hired by. Single father Mark doesn’t have enough hours in the day to both take care of his son, Dylan, and work his stressful marketing job by himself. Facing the prospect of having to leave Dylan with his aunt over the summer break, he realises that what he needs is a nanny. Thankfully, Mannies Inc. have just the right guy for the job. Josh is qualified, good with kids, and more or less a human ray of sunshine. His resumé speaks for itself, and when he and Dylan hit it off, Mark knows he’s the perfect person to hire. Mark’s never thought of himself as attracted to other men, but Josh is so warm and kind and good to him, not to mention amazing with Dylan. He finds himself drawn to the other man in a way he’s never experienced before, but he’s been alone for so long that he can’t bring himself to care. So what if he’s suddenly attracted to a man? Josh is also struggling with his attraction to Mark, a man who represents everything he wants in life--stability, companionship, and a family of his own. He knows better than to believe that Mark would want him like that, but it’s so easy to dream… Both men have already been hurt by love, but can they open their hearts again before their doubts tear them apart? Or will their worlds prove to be too different for them to be together? Manny Makes Three is a standalone gay romance, with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It does, however, have plastic dinosaurs, a perceptive six-year-old, explicit sex scenes, and a date at the zoo.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2017
134 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Sean Ashcroft
44 books460 followersSean Ashcroft likes rainy days, white hot chocolates (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!) and boys kissing in books. He currently resides in Australia, all the way down at the bottom of the mainland in a sleepy little seaside town.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 19, 2017
Okay, confession time. One of my guilty pleasures has always been the au pair / manny trope.
Yes, I know the story will be incredibly sappy-sweet, with MC's that are just too perfect and loving to be true, but I still can't resist.
This is another such read, with 30 y.o. Mark, who'd suddenly lost his wife three years ago, leaving him to raise his young son, Dylan, then becoming overwhelmed and in need of major help.
After calling Mannies Inc., 27 y.o. Josh steps seamlessly into their lives and becomes the missing piece to the puzzle that is Mark and Dylan's happiness.
There's the usual slow build up to feelings, bonding with the kid and the reclaiming of lives taken over by long hours on the job and commuting, plus a jealous busy body looking to throw a wrench into their happiness, but not much conflict outside of that.
No, the book isn't going to cure cancer, but it is a light, fun and sticky-sweet story, if that's what you're looking for.
And speaking of sticky, it's moderately steamy, plus if you read the "Ten Years On" companion follow-up short, you'll also see just how far newly-bisexual Mark has come in the bedroom.
Overall, I'd rate this story at around 3.75 stars and recommend it, if you're looking for a few feel-good moments.
This story is available for *FREE* with a Kindle Unlimited membership.
March 3, 2017
This was a really sweet short story. I liked both Josh and Mark. I adored Dylan. I liked their slow-burn romance. I just didn't have the patience for the lengthy intimacy scenes. I wanted more story than erotica. Hence the 4 stars... The bonus story was cute, though. :)
April 14, 2017
The word of the day is CUTE. This story is cute. And also a little boring. The chemistry between the MCs just wasn't there.
I needed more spark and UST for the romance to feel believable. The relationship progressed too quickly. Mark didn't have one thought about finding Josh attractive, and then BAM! they're kissing.
The dialogue was awkward, and some of the plot devices felt really contrived. I can't believe how quickly Josh and Mark were willing to give up because one woman whispered something to Josh in a parking lot (speaking of which, people can be cruel, no doubt, but that entire scenario rang false).
I did like 6-year-old Dylan (although he was kind of a stock kid character) and the very sweet & very happy epilogue.
I needed more spark and UST for the romance to feel believable. The relationship progressed too quickly. Mark didn't have one thought about finding Josh attractive, and then BAM! they're kissing.
The dialogue was awkward, and some of the plot devices felt really contrived. I can't believe how quickly Josh and Mark were willing to give up because one woman whispered something to Josh in a parking lot (speaking of which, people can be cruel, no doubt, but that entire scenario rang false).
I did like 6-year-old Dylan (although he was kind of a stock kid character) and the very sweet & very happy epilogue.
February 23, 2017
***Marvelous, heartwarming and delightful ! ***
Mark, 28, and son, Dylan, 6, were doing okay, but not good enough. Since his wife died 3 years ago, Mark can't keep up with work and home.
His son deserves more than an always exhausted Dad.
Josh, 25, a Manny who has just returned from Germany
is sent to interview. He takes online classes to get his teaching degree, and loves kids. He and Dylan hit it off immediately.
Their lives settle into a blissful home life, and Mark gets quality father/son time. Dylan is in caring hands and thriving. Life was good, and then got better. Mark and Josh develop feelings for each other, deep and emotional.
Mark is completely on board with his new craving for a man, Josh.
Their sexy times are passionate, overwhelming and intense, for each man. Josh has never felt that before, and Mark knows it's love. Mark is unwavering and doesn't falter in his desire. They love each other and both love Dylan.
A mean bitch of a mother at school causes issues, but there has to be a way to squelch this vile woman's mouth.
( Be ready with tissues a few times in this marvelous story.)
Their solution had been presented, and Dylan confirmed it.
We get amazing , loving, bold characters, including Dylan. We also get an interesting tale that takes our hearts for a sweet ride.
Lovely ! Passionate ! Heartwarming !
ENJOY !
===========
Mark, 28, and son, Dylan, 6, were doing okay, but not good enough. Since his wife died 3 years ago, Mark can't keep up with work and home.
His son deserves more than an always exhausted Dad.
Josh, 25, a Manny who has just returned from Germany
is sent to interview. He takes online classes to get his teaching degree, and loves kids. He and Dylan hit it off immediately.
Their lives settle into a blissful home life, and Mark gets quality father/son time. Dylan is in caring hands and thriving. Life was good, and then got better. Mark and Josh develop feelings for each other, deep and emotional.
Mark is completely on board with his new craving for a man, Josh.
Their sexy times are passionate, overwhelming and intense, for each man. Josh has never felt that before, and Mark knows it's love. Mark is unwavering and doesn't falter in his desire. They love each other and both love Dylan.
A mean bitch of a mother at school causes issues, but there has to be a way to squelch this vile woman's mouth.
( Be ready with tissues a few times in this marvelous story.)
Their solution had been presented, and Dylan confirmed it.
We get amazing , loving, bold characters, including Dylan. We also get an interesting tale that takes our hearts for a sweet ride.
Lovely ! Passionate ! Heartwarming !
ENJOY !
===========
March 22, 2017
Una película de sobremesa que te deja satisfecho sin exigirte mucho a cambio. Un viudo con un hijo que se enamora del niñero. No busquéis más, no ocurren grandes cosas, no es una introspección constante y no tiene una redacción que te va a embaucar. Es lo que es, resulta agradable, pero es todo tan increíble que es lo mismo que si fuera un libro de Ciencia Ficción.
July 18, 2017
This book was a totally serviceable manny-trope romance until about the 75% mark, when the author introduced the weakest "conflict" known to man. Everything was pretty much downhill from there as the conflict was resolved with Not this woman.
There was also a few jarring instances of the author cramming in romantic sentiment that was intended to make their audience go "awwww!" but that made little sense given the context of the particular paragraph or scene. It was almost like they were included because the author had come up with these single gooey lines, thought they sounded good, and - come hell or high water - was going to find somewhere in the book to put them. Sadly, Ashcroft lacked the skill to make it seem effortless and fitting.
This is my least favourite book by this author to date.
There was also a few jarring instances of the author cramming in romantic sentiment that was intended to make their audience go "awwww!" but that made little sense given the context of the particular paragraph or scene. It was almost like they were included because the author had come up with these single gooey lines, thought they sounded good, and - come hell or high water - was going to find somewhere in the book to put them. Sadly, Ashcroft lacked the skill to make it seem effortless and fitting.
This is my least favourite book by this author to date.
June 13, 2017
2,5 stars.
Low-angst and conflict-free. Just as my friends' reviews said. I wanted to read something no-stress and relaxing, and I usually like nanny romance (manny romance, too). Of course, it turned out that reading a book where all the main characters are wonderful people, and treat each other wonderfully at all times, and the only problem arises from the fact that they are too selfless and caring... was quite boring. It's not that I haven't been warned. But I can't say I enjoyed the story very much. It was nicely written, though, nothing snagged, no weird sentences jumping out. I wonder if a darker, more intense book by this author would work better for me and I'm not sure the author has a darker, more intense book.
Low-angst and conflict-free. Just as my friends' reviews said. I wanted to read something no-stress and relaxing, and I usually like nanny romance (manny romance, too). Of course, it turned out that reading a book where all the main characters are wonderful people, and treat each other wonderfully at all times, and the only problem arises from the fact that they are too selfless and caring... was quite boring. It's not that I haven't been warned. But I can't say I enjoyed the story very much. It was nicely written, though, nothing snagged, no weird sentences jumping out. I wonder if a darker, more intense book by this author would work better for me and I'm not sure the author has a darker, more intense book.
February 27, 2017
This was cute and better than I expected it to be but sort of just whatever. It's cute, low angst, but there isn't really that spark or that thing that makes you really connect with the characters and the story. Drama free read with a happy ending if you're interested.
February 18, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up to 5...I thought this was a really sweet story. Loved Josh, Mark and Dylan was too adorable.
March 23, 2017
I was having a moment of needing a nanny story and a gay for you romance. BAM. Manny Makes Three.
Mark is struggling as a single parent after losing his wife unexpectedly. Working long hours and becoming an absent father is everything he didn’t want when he was dreaming of the family he’d have with his wife. But now that it’s just him and his son Dylan that is the road he is on.
Seeking out a nanny service is his only hope and when he meets Josh, he knows he’d be a perfect fit for his family. Josh can’t help but see a broken man when he looks at Mark. He can see how much he’s hurting after losing his wife, how he’ struggling to be a good dad and not seeing that loving his son is really all that counts. Turning down the job and walking away over a little attraction isn’t going to happen, not when one meeting has Mark pulling on Josh’s heart strings.
This was a very cute read. Not much angst for a man who goes from being straight to developing feelings for his manny, Josh. And although I loved how sweet these two were together and how adorable they were with Dylan, the only thing that bothered me was that I felt like there was far more political messaging. I get it, there is a serious need to stifle those who do not believe in everyone’s right to love who they love. But I’m reading a gay romance for fucks sake. There were so many parts of this story that pushed a very PC line on other topics. And I’ve read political themed romances where I’ve gotten less of a political feel than I did from this book.
Beyond the narrative outside of the story, I did enjoy it. I just wished that the other stuff wasn’t in there that overshadowed the story and totally took my focus off what I was supposed to be reading.
Mark is struggling as a single parent after losing his wife unexpectedly. Working long hours and becoming an absent father is everything he didn’t want when he was dreaming of the family he’d have with his wife. But now that it’s just him and his son Dylan that is the road he is on.
Seeking out a nanny service is his only hope and when he meets Josh, he knows he’d be a perfect fit for his family. Josh can’t help but see a broken man when he looks at Mark. He can see how much he’s hurting after losing his wife, how he’ struggling to be a good dad and not seeing that loving his son is really all that counts. Turning down the job and walking away over a little attraction isn’t going to happen, not when one meeting has Mark pulling on Josh’s heart strings.
This was a very cute read. Not much angst for a man who goes from being straight to developing feelings for his manny, Josh. And although I loved how sweet these two were together and how adorable they were with Dylan, the only thing that bothered me was that I felt like there was far more political messaging. I get it, there is a serious need to stifle those who do not believe in everyone’s right to love who they love. But I’m reading a gay romance for fucks sake. There were so many parts of this story that pushed a very PC line on other topics. And I’ve read political themed romances where I’ve gotten less of a political feel than I did from this book.
Beyond the narrative outside of the story, I did enjoy it. I just wished that the other stuff wasn’t in there that overshadowed the story and totally took my focus off what I was supposed to be reading.
March 22, 2017
If you are looking for a story without any drama, just a nice and sweet short read, you might consider this book. It is very predictable without any surprises and honestly I feel like I read this several times before.
Josh is a male nanny or a manny and when he returns from a job in Germany he meets Marc a widower who is looking for help with his 6 year old son Dylan.
There is immediately a connection and soon Josh finds himself falling in love with both of them.
Of course a relationship with his employer is absolutely off limits and after Marc is straight anyhow, or is he...?
This book was In KU here in Germany, so it was a nice and free read, honestly I am not sure if I would have been willing to pay for it, but as it is, I enjoyed reading it while it lasted.
Nothing memorable but still fun and 3 stars for me .
Josh is a male nanny or a manny and when he returns from a job in Germany he meets Marc a widower who is looking for help with his 6 year old son Dylan.
There is immediately a connection and soon Josh finds himself falling in love with both of them.
Of course a relationship with his employer is absolutely off limits and after Marc is straight anyhow, or is he...?
This book was In KU here in Germany, so it was a nice and free read, honestly I am not sure if I would have been willing to pay for it, but as it is, I enjoyed reading it while it lasted.
Nothing memorable but still fun and 3 stars for me .
July 3, 2017
DNF at 25%
Овуляшество.
Овуляшество.
May 3, 2017
This was ok. Can't really say much more than that. It didn't make my heart skip,or my loins quiver. The only real conflict was fear that the kid would suffer when the neighbors found out daddy was banging the manny. There wasn't even any conflict over the whole wanting a man thing.
It was all just very okay.
It was all just very okay.
March 9, 2017
The story is cute and no angsty BUT I didn´t feel any chemistry between the Mcs :(
February 20, 2017
I just love hot guys with kids... throw in a good manny and it's even better.
Mark was overwhelmed; having lost his wife several years ago and working so far from home, he was also trying to juggle being a single parent to his six year old son, Dylan. Deciding that asking for help wasn't a bad thing, he called Mannies Inc. for a male nanny. He didn't want his son to feel like he was replacing his mother, I liked that aspect.
When he met Josh, he thought he was pretty close to perfect. He was reassuring and great with Dylan. Dylan took to him right away as well.
Josh was great with kids, loving being a nanny. He was great with Dylan and cared about him almost immediately. He was patient and kind and he enjoyed taking care of both Dylan and his daddy. Soon, he started developing feelings for the widowed man and that would've been terrible, but Mark seemed to realize that he couldn't get by without Josh. He had feelings for him too, especially because he cared so much about his son.
There were a few ups and downs and doubts on whether they should continue a relationship....especially bigoted high-society types that thought it was a bad idea and threatened Josh, but I thought, even that was handled good enough... I mean, I would've spit in the chicks face and been as nasty to her as she was to Josh, but.... I'm also a vengeful person lol I should probably keep an eye on that.
Anyway, other than that one chick, I thought the story was sweet and hopeful and I adored the three of them as a family. Great read!
Mark was overwhelmed; having lost his wife several years ago and working so far from home, he was also trying to juggle being a single parent to his six year old son, Dylan. Deciding that asking for help wasn't a bad thing, he called Mannies Inc. for a male nanny. He didn't want his son to feel like he was replacing his mother, I liked that aspect.
When he met Josh, he thought he was pretty close to perfect. He was reassuring and great with Dylan. Dylan took to him right away as well.
Josh was great with kids, loving being a nanny. He was great with Dylan and cared about him almost immediately. He was patient and kind and he enjoyed taking care of both Dylan and his daddy. Soon, he started developing feelings for the widowed man and that would've been terrible, but Mark seemed to realize that he couldn't get by without Josh. He had feelings for him too, especially because he cared so much about his son.
There were a few ups and downs and doubts on whether they should continue a relationship....especially bigoted high-society types that thought it was a bad idea and threatened Josh, but I thought, even that was handled good enough... I mean, I would've spit in the chicks face and been as nasty to her as she was to Josh, but.... I'm also a vengeful person lol I should probably keep an eye on that.
Anyway, other than that one chick, I thought the story was sweet and hopeful and I adored the three of them as a family. Great read!
February 28, 2017
A nice, low angst easy read. Well written
February 12, 2017
*ARC provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review*
What a sweet story! I adored Josh since the beginning and Dylan is such a sweetheart! the story is filled with moments of cuteness (i.e. the dinosaurs *_*) and thanks to the author's skill you got easily involved in the story, in the feelings of the main characters.
Don't miss the bonus scene when you finish the book!
What a sweet story! I adored Josh since the beginning and Dylan is such a sweetheart! the story is filled with moments of cuteness (i.e. the dinosaurs *_*) and thanks to the author's skill you got easily involved in the story, in the feelings of the main characters.
Don't miss the bonus scene when you finish the book!
June 20, 2017
Would be higher as I liked the couple and the family interactions, but the BIG ANGST is so freaking ridiculous. I can't believe two grown men would allow a stranger to dictate their lives in such a way. #vague
March 5, 2017
3.5 stars! Really loved this book.
March 27, 2017
Awww das war ja süss. Kategorie: Cora für Gays. *gg*
February 21, 2017
This was such a sweet story.
February 16, 2017
I thought Manny Makes Three was a sweet adorable romance. Josh and Mark were a cute, likable pair and 6 year old Dylan was great kid and I felt he was real. The story was easy to read and very fast-paced. I would recommend this book.
April 13, 2017
Manny Mania!!!!
The book was absolutely wonderful!! I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried (oh boy,did I cry), I cheered and most of all I fell in love with these very enduring characters whom at the end of it all I just didn't want to let go of. Must read. I give it 5 hearts ❤❤❤❤❤
The book was absolutely wonderful!! I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried (oh boy,did I cry), I cheered and most of all I fell in love with these very enduring characters whom at the end of it all I just didn't want to let go of. Must read. I give it 5 hearts ❤❤❤❤❤
April 30, 2017
This book has a good bone structure and actually a good plot. Sex scenes are nice, fluent and quite hot, though they are peppered with a bit too much thinking. However, the previous elements would have earned the book five stars, what smacked two of them off in my book is the completely unnecessary over explaining and justifying the writer does, or the incessant overthinking of things. This book definitively felt like the author wasn't sure at all of what he was writing.
April 1, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 simply-cute stars..
This is a short story about how Mark and Josh ended up together.
Mark is a widower with a cute 6 year old son named Dylan. Josh is about to be the nanny of Dylan.
All I can say is that it was sweet and cute. The plot is simple with just minor bumps along the way.
I enjoyed reading this. It was an okay book but most of what happened are a bit too convenient. All in all, it was nice.
This is a short story about how Mark and Josh ended up together.
Mark is a widower with a cute 6 year old son named Dylan. Josh is about to be the nanny of Dylan.
All I can say is that it was sweet and cute. The plot is simple with just minor bumps along the way.
I enjoyed reading this. It was an okay book but most of what happened are a bit too convenient. All in all, it was nice.
September 16, 2017
This is a super sweet romance between widower and his manny.
Mark is a great guy and so is Josh. Well, Josh is epically wonderful and kind.
It is lovely story that is thoughtful about grief and employer/employee relationships.
It could have been as thoughtful about bisexuality but it is a lovely light read overall.
Mark is a great guy and so is Josh. Well, Josh is epically wonderful and kind.
It is lovely story that is thoughtful about grief and employer/employee relationships.
It could have been as thoughtful about bisexuality but it is a lovely light read overall.
June 19, 2017
3.5*
Very cute book! Just what I was looking for.
Josh fit into the family so well. He loves Dylan and has strong feelings for Mark. When Mark realizes that he has feelings for Josh it just made the book a lot more interesting. Very low drama and just sticky sweet!
Very cute book! Just what I was looking for.
Josh fit into the family so well. He loves Dylan and has strong feelings for Mark. When Mark realizes that he has feelings for Josh it just made the book a lot more interesting. Very low drama and just sticky sweet!
February 19, 2017
Arc provided by author for an honest review
Manny Makes Three is a sweet quick read. Josh and Mark were an adorable couple I couldn't stop rooting for.Dylan was an amazing kid wise beyond his years. I couldn't help but smile when they got their HEA.
Manny Makes Three is a sweet quick read. Josh and Mark were an adorable couple I couldn't stop rooting for.Dylan was an amazing kid wise beyond his years. I couldn't help but smile when they got their HEA.
April 6, 2017
DNF@70%
So, I was gonna rant with heteronormative slut shaming and needy issues (fetish, I don't think so?) cos this novel starts like any 90's Rom-Com and ends up getting exactly 90's Rom-Com. Even the sex was too mormon for my style since the clinical touch just made the whole thing the opposite of tender (if that was the intension of the author).
The side characters are too mystical like they know everything and will end up being nothing. At one point, I literally thought the writing is sweet but I guess the children's interaction should have been central given the title but that took a backseat and the NOT coming to terms with sexuality was given the spotlight. So Ta-Da!
So, I was gonna rant with heteronormative slut shaming and needy issues (fetish, I don't think so?) cos this novel starts like any 90's Rom-Com and ends up getting exactly 90's Rom-Com. Even the sex was too mormon for my style since the clinical touch just made the whole thing the opposite of tender (if that was the intension of the author).
The side characters are too mystical like they know everything and will end up being nothing. At one point, I literally thought the writing is sweet but I guess the children's interaction should have been central given the title but that took a backseat and the NOT coming to terms with sexuality was given the spotlight. So Ta-Da!
March 19, 2017
3.5*
This is just super cute with hardly any drama and a perfect holiday or read in the bath because you want something to make you feel good book.
Josh and Mark are fairly typical characters for this trope, Mark had lost his wife to an undiagnosed condition three years earlier but it wasn't all dramatically angsty, he just got on with struggling through as a single parent.
Josh was a sweetheart, a breath of fresh air who brought life back into Mark, and his son Dylan's, lives. Is it realistic, probably not, did I care? Not a jot.
This is just super cute with hardly any drama and a perfect holiday or read in the bath because you want something to make you feel good book.
Josh and Mark are fairly typical characters for this trope, Mark had lost his wife to an undiagnosed condition three years earlier but it wasn't all dramatically angsty, he just got on with struggling through as a single parent.
Josh was a sweetheart, a breath of fresh air who brought life back into Mark, and his son Dylan's, lives. Is it realistic, probably not, did I care? Not a jot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews