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A California Comedy #3
Fixing Frank
Suzanne Brockmann Presents a new series of category romance novellas set in Southern California, written by Jason T. Gaffney with Ed Gaffney. Short, spicy, and funny, the California Comedy series puts the comedy in rom-com.
First grade teacher Terry O’Dell is thrilled when he’s chosen as a contestant on Fixing Our Future, a popular reality web series where the winner raises money for charity. A few weeks of light-hearted challenges and fun competition is exactly the kind of distraction he needs to get over his breakup with his fiancé. But when Terry learns that handsome landscaper Frank Vacca is another contestant on the show, his excitement turns to dread. Because Terry’s ex ran off with Frank’s ex. It’s only a matter of time before their embarrassing personal history is exploited by the show’s producers, in hopes of going viral with on-camera tears and maybe a table flip or two.
But Frank is not the kind of guy who waits for life to happen to him, and he decides to fight fire with fire. When their secret is exposed, he impulsively declares that he and Terry are better than ever, because they, too, have hooked up—in fact, they’re engaged. Already popular, the pair instantly becomes internet royalty. Of course it’s all a sham, and only a matter of time before the truth comes crashing down. But then, Frank and Terry—long at odds and constantly arguing—actually begin to fall for each other. And that’s when things really start to go wrong…
(33,000 words or 140 pages)
First grade teacher Terry O’Dell is thrilled when he’s chosen as a contestant on Fixing Our Future, a popular reality web series where the winner raises money for charity. A few weeks of light-hearted challenges and fun competition is exactly the kind of distraction he needs to get over his breakup with his fiancé. But when Terry learns that handsome landscaper Frank Vacca is another contestant on the show, his excitement turns to dread. Because Terry’s ex ran off with Frank’s ex. It’s only a matter of time before their embarrassing personal history is exploited by the show’s producers, in hopes of going viral with on-camera tears and maybe a table flip or two.
But Frank is not the kind of guy who waits for life to happen to him, and he decides to fight fire with fire. When their secret is exposed, he impulsively declares that he and Terry are better than ever, because they, too, have hooked up—in fact, they’re engaged. Already popular, the pair instantly becomes internet royalty. Of course it’s all a sham, and only a matter of time before the truth comes crashing down. But then, Frank and Terry—long at odds and constantly arguing—actually begin to fall for each other. And that’s when things really start to go wrong…
(33,000 words or 140 pages)
- GenresRomantic ComedyRomance
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2017
6 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 20, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
The premise of this story caught my interest, and though I don’t usually go for comedies, I was eager to give this one a try. What we have here are two guys who are just trying to move on from heartbreak, and finding something lasting in the process. This is the third book in the California Comedy series, but the books appear to be fairly unrelated, even if there are cameos of characters from other books. I didn’t read the first two, and I didn’t feel like anything was missing. So it works as a standalone just fine. With a screwball comedy feel because of the silly and ridiculous challenges of the reality show, the story had its moments, but it also had a few issues.
I liked the two MCs. Terry is sweet and dedicated, and though still not over his breakup, he wants to try and distract himself while raising money for a charity to prevent illiteracy. Frank is a little crasser, but he has a huge heart, and he’s worked at getting over his ex. Both characters were fairly well developed. Having alternating third person POV let us see both of their thoughts and reactions, and the way they dealt with both their newfound fame and their burgeoning relationship. I liked the way they fit together, at first at odds, and then their feelings and understand of one another growing as they spent more time together. The slapstick nature of the reality show challenges wasn’t exactly my brand of humor, but it was executed well for what it was.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
The premise of this story caught my interest, and though I don’t usually go for comedies, I was eager to give this one a try. What we have here are two guys who are just trying to move on from heartbreak, and finding something lasting in the process. This is the third book in the California Comedy series, but the books appear to be fairly unrelated, even if there are cameos of characters from other books. I didn’t read the first two, and I didn’t feel like anything was missing. So it works as a standalone just fine. With a screwball comedy feel because of the silly and ridiculous challenges of the reality show, the story had its moments, but it also had a few issues.
I liked the two MCs. Terry is sweet and dedicated, and though still not over his breakup, he wants to try and distract himself while raising money for a charity to prevent illiteracy. Frank is a little crasser, but he has a huge heart, and he’s worked at getting over his ex. Both characters were fairly well developed. Having alternating third person POV let us see both of their thoughts and reactions, and the way they dealt with both their newfound fame and their burgeoning relationship. I liked the way they fit together, at first at odds, and then their feelings and understand of one another growing as they spent more time together. The slapstick nature of the reality show challenges wasn’t exactly my brand of humor, but it was executed well for what it was.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
December 17, 2018
Enjoyable with laugh out loud scenes
For the most part, I really enjoyed Frank & Terry’s story. It was mostly cute and fluffy fun with several LOL moments (Mother Nature! I don’t care about your website….) The drama and angst wasn’t too intense which I appreciate in this dumpster fire of a political climate. I appreciate the gay couples being just a normal thing - none of the drama revolved around being gay. The “reality” games were clever foils for plot action. The sexytimes were sufficiently intense to show good chemistry.
The thing I liked least was the timeline. Chances are it’s more realistic than I give it credit for, knowing how viral things can be everywhere then nowhere overnight. However, it felt to me like the audience response would take more time to build in order to really invest in the outcome as they did. Being a 4th season explains some of it but how is 2 weeks a season? So the timeline was a nagging issue for me the whole time, hence 4 stars.
Secondary characters: I felt like the competent redheaded contestant (Betty) could have been integrated into the story more, given that the main characters seemed to want to like her. The exes were great dunderheads by the time we meet them - perfect for a rom com.
For the most part, I really enjoyed Frank & Terry’s story. It was mostly cute and fluffy fun with several LOL moments (Mother Nature! I don’t care about your website….) The drama and angst wasn’t too intense which I appreciate in this dumpster fire of a political climate. I appreciate the gay couples being just a normal thing - none of the drama revolved around being gay. The “reality” games were clever foils for plot action. The sexytimes were sufficiently intense to show good chemistry.
The thing I liked least was the timeline. Chances are it’s more realistic than I give it credit for, knowing how viral things can be everywhere then nowhere overnight. However, it felt to me like the audience response would take more time to build in order to really invest in the outcome as they did. Being a 4th season explains some of it but how is 2 weeks a season? So the timeline was a nagging issue for me the whole time, hence 4 stars.
Secondary characters: I felt like the competent redheaded contestant (Betty) could have been integrated into the story more, given that the main characters seemed to want to like her. The exes were great dunderheads by the time we meet them - perfect for a rom com.
October 19, 2025
I liked the main characters but I hated the premise and the execution. Because of the reality tv bullshit they had to spend most of the story lying. And then their exes just kept making things worse. It wasn’t funny, it was piles of second hand embarrassment and rage. The tiny bit of happy at the end just couldn’t make up for it. Sorry.
July 14, 2018
Hot, sweet fun
Like dark-chocolate Poppycock (why on earth they made this once and then quit, I cannot fathom) these stories are absolutely delightful and too soon gobbled up. Will be latching on to these as they come out! Pure yum!
Like dark-chocolate Poppycock (why on earth they made this once and then quit, I cannot fathom) these stories are absolutely delightful and too soon gobbled up. Will be latching on to these as they come out! Pure yum!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews