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The Family Jules #1
Drawn In
Owen Jules isn’t gay, and the last thing he expects is to get married to his childhood best friend. But when he moves back to his hometown after losing his wife, he finds Jude sick and at risk of dying, all because his medical insurance was cancelled.
Between wanting to help Jude out and wanting to get custody of his daughter back, Owen takes the plunge into a fake marriage, hoping to solve everyone’s problems at once.
As Jude begins to recover and the two of them settle into married life, Owen starts to get a little too comfortable with being married to his best friend. Owen begins to wonder if he missed out on a lot by getting married for the first time when he was eighteen--including the chance to explore his sexuality.
Jude seems like a safe person to experiment with, but will that put Owen’s little patchwork family at risk? And what happens when outside forces challenge their newfound stability?
Can Owen and Jude find a way to be happy and raise Kalya together?
Drawn In is a standalone gay romance with a HEA ending. It does not contain a cliffhanger, but it does contain a sweet baby girl, a big family wedding, glow-in-the-dark condoms, and socks with rubber ducks on them.
Between wanting to help Jude out and wanting to get custody of his daughter back, Owen takes the plunge into a fake marriage, hoping to solve everyone’s problems at once.
As Jude begins to recover and the two of them settle into married life, Owen starts to get a little too comfortable with being married to his best friend. Owen begins to wonder if he missed out on a lot by getting married for the first time when he was eighteen--including the chance to explore his sexuality.
Jude seems like a safe person to experiment with, but will that put Owen’s little patchwork family at risk? And what happens when outside forces challenge their newfound stability?
Can Owen and Jude find a way to be happy and raise Kalya together?
Drawn In is a standalone gay romance with a HEA ending. It does not contain a cliffhanger, but it does contain a sweet baby girl, a big family wedding, glow-in-the-dark condoms, and socks with rubber ducks on them.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2017
302 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Sean Ashcroft
44 books459 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 126 reviews
August 8, 2017
2.5 stars
This book was filled with weird and awkward conversations, and I had a very hard time enjoying this.
The way these guys talked just didn't feel all that natural to me.
“There’s actually drool pooling in my mouth right now,” Owen responded, breathing in the warm, bright smell of Jude’s cooking.
“That’s disgusting.” Jude wrinkled his nose. “Swallow like a normal person.”
Owen chuckled. “It was meant to be a compliment.”
“I know. Work on your compliments,” Jude said.
That’s just…. weird...
And I can do a good GFY but the way these guys handled it was way too clinical for me. They really took all the romance out of it. Owen with his research and the way he talked to Jude about his curiosity. That could have been really sexy, but it just wasn't. It felt weird en awkward, and just not that hot.
A lot of things felt stilted and just plain unromantic. I mean, I get that opening a pack of condoms and the lube is a necessary thing, but here it just felt weird to mention it outright.
Jude laughed, closing the door behind him and crossing the room. He handed Owen the pack of condoms and the lube. “Open those for me.”
Owen got to work on opening things as instructed, the tip of his tongue sticking out between his lips as he picked at the thin plastic film covering the condom box, looking for a way to tear it.
Way to take the sexiness out of the sex here..
Still, I did like the first 25%. It had some lovely hurt/comfort. But the rest was just not that great. I’m still amazed that Owen never once mentioned to his mother that he was now in love with his fake husband, and that he was more gay than he thought. No, his mother just shows up, sees them kiss and no one comments on it at all.
Just like when these guys get married, they act like it’s a real marriage, except for the sex. They never discuss what would happen if they fall in love with someone else (since they both presume Owen is straight at that point I would think that's a real possibility). They also never talk about how long they plan to stay married. A sexless marriage for the next 50 years seemed to be the plan. A bit strange is you ask me.
So.. I guess it’s safe to say I didn’t enjoy this. Well, expect for the first 25%, that was pretty decent.
Oh, and it is never mentioned, but I couldn't help but think that if Jude took Owen's name he would be Jude Jules....
This book was filled with weird and awkward conversations, and I had a very hard time enjoying this.
The way these guys talked just didn't feel all that natural to me.
“There’s actually drool pooling in my mouth right now,” Owen responded, breathing in the warm, bright smell of Jude’s cooking.
“That’s disgusting.” Jude wrinkled his nose. “Swallow like a normal person.”
Owen chuckled. “It was meant to be a compliment.”
“I know. Work on your compliments,” Jude said.
That’s just…. weird...
And I can do a good GFY but the way these guys handled it was way too clinical for me. They really took all the romance out of it. Owen with his research and the way he talked to Jude about his curiosity. That could have been really sexy, but it just wasn't. It felt weird en awkward, and just not that hot.
A lot of things felt stilted and just plain unromantic. I mean, I get that opening a pack of condoms and the lube is a necessary thing, but here it just felt weird to mention it outright.
Jude laughed, closing the door behind him and crossing the room. He handed Owen the pack of condoms and the lube. “Open those for me.”
Owen got to work on opening things as instructed, the tip of his tongue sticking out between his lips as he picked at the thin plastic film covering the condom box, looking for a way to tear it.
Way to take the sexiness out of the sex here..
Still, I did like the first 25%. It had some lovely hurt/comfort. But the rest was just not that great. I’m still amazed that Owen never once mentioned to his mother that he was now in love with his fake husband, and that he was more gay than he thought. No, his mother just shows up, sees them kiss and no one comments on it at all.
Just like when these guys get married, they act like it’s a real marriage, except for the sex. They never discuss what would happen if they fall in love with someone else (since they both presume Owen is straight at that point I would think that's a real possibility). They also never talk about how long they plan to stay married. A sexless marriage for the next 50 years seemed to be the plan. A bit strange is you ask me.
So.. I guess it’s safe to say I didn’t enjoy this. Well, expect for the first 25%, that was pretty decent.
Oh, and it is never mentioned, but I couldn't help but think that if Jude took Owen's name he would be Jude Jules....
August 4, 2017
*** Sean Ashcroft's storytelling is terrific ! ***
Owen, 26, has come home to fight for custody of his 9 mo. old daughter, Kayla.
When his wife passed away during childbirth, her folks swooped in and took her from Owen. His best friend Jude's folks are gone and he's alone, a graphic artist with type 1 Diabetes.
During their catch up conversation, Jude looks ill, too skinny. Finding out he was out of money, meds and the will to live, Owen stepped up; took Jude to the Pharmacy and got his meds. Owen's help expanded, and Jude can be insured with his job, so he asked Jude to marry him.
* Owen is straight, and Jude is gay, having secretly loved Owen always. Owen is unaware, but begins to have feelings for Jude.
These characters are marvelous, realistic, and devoted to Kayla.
Loved Owen's brother and Mom. They hit some snags, as Owen's job problems increase, but Jude is healthy, drawing again and Kayla is thriving. Then Owen gets bad news, but all along the way, these adults talk out their problems and find solutions.
Beautifully written with deep thought filled guys, super hot sexiness that Sean Ashcroft writes so well. It's all first time M/M sex for Owen.
The story is heartwarming, loving, and has a divine epilogue !
ENJOY !
=======
Owen, 26, has come home to fight for custody of his 9 mo. old daughter, Kayla.
When his wife passed away during childbirth, her folks swooped in and took her from Owen. His best friend Jude's folks are gone and he's alone, a graphic artist with type 1 Diabetes.
During their catch up conversation, Jude looks ill, too skinny. Finding out he was out of money, meds and the will to live, Owen stepped up; took Jude to the Pharmacy and got his meds. Owen's help expanded, and Jude can be insured with his job, so he asked Jude to marry him.
* Owen is straight, and Jude is gay, having secretly loved Owen always. Owen is unaware, but begins to have feelings for Jude.
These characters are marvelous, realistic, and devoted to Kayla.
Loved Owen's brother and Mom. They hit some snags, as Owen's job problems increase, but Jude is healthy, drawing again and Kayla is thriving. Then Owen gets bad news, but all along the way, these adults talk out their problems and find solutions.
Beautifully written with deep thought filled guys, super hot sexiness that Sean Ashcroft writes so well. It's all first time M/M sex for Owen.
The story is heartwarming, loving, and has a divine epilogue !
ENJOY !
=======
September 16, 2017
While I enjoyed this friends to lovers marriage of convenience romance, there are places that needed a great deal more development.
Owen and Jude make a great couple. And putting them in the intimacy of marriage is lovely to watch. However, we don't get enough detail on Owen's previous marriage or a thoughtful discussion of his sexuality. And this lack weakens the overall book.
What we do get is a great family setting, sweet romance and a critique of the sad state of the health care system,
Owen and Jude make a great couple. And putting them in the intimacy of marriage is lovely to watch. However, we don't get enough detail on Owen's previous marriage or a thoughtful discussion of his sexuality. And this lack weakens the overall book.
What we do get is a great family setting, sweet romance and a critique of the sad state of the health care system,
March 11, 2018
This book was as formulaic as they come.
It had zero soul and no genuine emotion. It also felt like it was severely lacking in detail. The story and emotions just skimmed along the surface; I want something that is going to drag me under and then make me soar.
I won't be continuing on with this series or this author.
It had zero soul and no genuine emotion. It also felt like it was severely lacking in detail. The story and emotions just skimmed along the surface; I want something that is going to drag me under and then make me soar.
I won't be continuing on with this series or this author.
August 7, 2017
Happy sigh 💕💕
No one does friends to lovers better than Sean Ashcroft. This book is sweet, sexy, and low angst. Wonderful read.
No one does friends to lovers better than Sean Ashcroft. This book is sweet, sexy, and low angst. Wonderful read.
April 10, 2021
Troupy and kinda boring. Characterisation was totally shallow, forced chemistry felt uncomfortable to read. I like anything involving a kid in picture but alas it couldn’t save this book either..
Utterly disappointing read!
Utterly disappointing read!
April 4, 2022
While I liked this, I wasn't blown away by it. I'm usually a sucker for this author's books. Especially the sweet ones. This one however felt a little shallow. Everything came a little too easy to Owen and Jude. I could tell that the author was trying to get some dram in there. But everything was solved within a few pages.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
dnf-or-no-rating
June 20, 2021okay read but could be a little strange at times like the first convo between the MCs goes like this:
Owen: how's your father?
Jude: dead
Owen: (my own father died too) how's your mother?
Jude: dead. how's your wife?
Owen: dead
Owen: how are you?
Jude: dying :)
Owen: how's your father?
Jude: dead
Owen: (my own father died too) how's your mother?
Jude: dead. how's your wife?
Owen: dead
Owen: how are you?
Jude: dying :)
July 20, 2022
This was kind of disappointing after the Otter Bay series. I don't particularly like 3rd person unless done really well, but here I felt no connection at all to the characters, pretty sure there weren't even any physical descriptions! I like the idea but think it would have had more connection in first person 🤷🏼♀️
April 23, 2018
I loved this book. It deals with some really heavy stuff in such a way to make it easier to deal with. This is a tearjerker that can make you giggle. This is the first book I have ever read that had a character preparing to die because his medication had become too expensive. The idea a diabetic could die from the cost of insulin and/or syringes is a reality. Syringes are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, I paid over a dollar for one in December. Last week I paid almost thirteen dollars for three. Pharmacist told me that there was no coverage for diabetics using Medicare or Medicaid. When this three months is over I wonder what I will pay for the next three.
The fact both main Characters gave up rather than ask for help made this an interesting backstory that increased interest.. I would recommend this to all m/m readers. Despite the backstory this book is not high angst. Congrats to the author for doing that tightrope walk without falling over.
The fact both main Characters gave up rather than ask for help made this an interesting backstory that increased interest.. I would recommend this to all m/m readers. Despite the backstory this book is not high angst. Congrats to the author for doing that tightrope walk without falling over.
September 6, 2017
I really want to give this story more stars but I just can’t. There are holes in it big enough to drive an eighteen-wheeler through. Where did this take place? A small town in some state where apparently it is more likely that a judge will take custody of a motherless baby away from the maternal grandparents and award it to a widower father that is now married to a man than to a widower father living alone. So, obviously not in the Bible belt or any state with biased judges. Actually looking back through the book it looks like it takes place in Colorado, which I believe is considered more of a purple state.
Also apparently the people in the small town communicate with each other about as much as the main characters do. I can’t get off the phone with my mother without hearing about what everyone back in my hometown is doing and who has died. It’s the only time anything happens there, funerals and weddings. Joe Bob knocked up Betty Sue and they had to get married and old man Crawford died. What else is there to do? But apparently in this small town they must have a lot to do because no one seems to know anybody else’s business.
I did find the foray into the issue with the jumping cost in insulin to be a great starting point for this story. They got married and suddenly all his medical bills were covered? This book seems to have come out in 2017 so I get that the pre-existing condition issue should be null but I’m a little confused over his not having insurance at all. I’m assuming he was just going to take the hit with the penalty tax instead of going with the subsidized Obamacare insurance? like someone else I know that ended up having an accident that put his medical bills in the tens of thousands with no coverage. I’m not up on the way this all works since I get insurance through my job but something feels fishy about the way this part of the story was told.
Then there was the jumping around. One minute Jude is dying, then the next minute they’re getting married, then suddenly they have a house, then suddenly the baby is staying with them for a week. It was like magically all their issues just kept getting solved one by one. A new one would pop up and then poof, someone had the perfect answer. Angst but no angst. Depression but only acknowledge it after the fact. I think a lot of these issues could have made a great story but they were all thrown together and solved in the course of a quick run down the road to true happiness in the matter of a day followed by a skipped week. Huh? Exactly.
Potential for great story but a poor rushed execution. I think I would really enjoy this author if they would just do more research. They have great story ideas.
Also apparently the people in the small town communicate with each other about as much as the main characters do. I can’t get off the phone with my mother without hearing about what everyone back in my hometown is doing and who has died. It’s the only time anything happens there, funerals and weddings. Joe Bob knocked up Betty Sue and they had to get married and old man Crawford died. What else is there to do? But apparently in this small town they must have a lot to do because no one seems to know anybody else’s business.
I did find the foray into the issue with the jumping cost in insulin to be a great starting point for this story. They got married and suddenly all his medical bills were covered? This book seems to have come out in 2017 so I get that the pre-existing condition issue should be null but I’m a little confused over his not having insurance at all. I’m assuming he was just going to take the hit with the penalty tax instead of going with the subsidized Obamacare insurance? like someone else I know that ended up having an accident that put his medical bills in the tens of thousands with no coverage. I’m not up on the way this all works since I get insurance through my job but something feels fishy about the way this part of the story was told.
Then there was the jumping around. One minute Jude is dying, then the next minute they’re getting married, then suddenly they have a house, then suddenly the baby is staying with them for a week. It was like magically all their issues just kept getting solved one by one. A new one would pop up and then poof, someone had the perfect answer. Angst but no angst. Depression but only acknowledge it after the fact. I think a lot of these issues could have made a great story but they were all thrown together and solved in the course of a quick run down the road to true happiness in the matter of a day followed by a skipped week. Huh? Exactly.
Potential for great story but a poor rushed execution. I think I would really enjoy this author if they would just do more research. They have great story ideas.
October 9, 2017
*sigh* I went back and forth about finishing this book. I almost DNF'd it several times but kept hoping to get to some meat of the story. This could have been a really good romance book if the author had taken the time to make it a really good romance book. I give it 2.5 stars because the editing didn't throw me off and the writing was at least on par with some of the recent KU writers that dump this stuff out.
The premise is razor thin.
Jude and Owen have no deep conversations about anything. We find out nothing about the first marriage or how Owen really feels about finding himself bisexual.
All in all, this book was lazy, poorly plotted and too easily resolved.
The premise is razor thin.
Jude and Owen have no deep conversations about anything. We find out nothing about the first marriage or how Owen really feels about finding himself bisexual.
All in all, this book was lazy, poorly plotted and too easily resolved.
June 26, 2019
While the set-up is very trope-y, the specifics of the situation are quite timely. The rationing of doses as the cost of insulin sky-rockets is a travesty and I applaud the author's efforts to bring light to how drug companies make the smallest of improvements to the drug which allows them to keep "evergreening" the patent, making generic versions impossible at this time. Shameful.
And I liked the friends-to-lovers bit. Very little angst involved with the previously self-identified as straight Owen realizing he's attracted to his gay BFF. (I really liked that his family already knew, in a way, that the couple were meant to be together.)
Plus, what could have been OTT family drama with the other set of grandparents didn't get drawn out and they weren't painted as conniving or evil. They just wanted to keep a part of their daughter with them, and stepped in when it appeared Owen couldn't handle the loss. When he did get his shit together, with a little prodding from Jude, they stepped back.
While the story was good, it was awkward in a few places. I think the other brothers might have good stories and so I will probably put the others in this series on the TBR shelf.
And I liked the friends-to-lovers bit. Very little angst involved with the previously self-identified as straight Owen realizing he's attracted to his gay BFF. (I really liked that his family already knew, in a way, that the couple were meant to be together.)
Plus, what could have been OTT family drama with the other set of grandparents didn't get drawn out and they weren't painted as conniving or evil. They just wanted to keep a part of their daughter with them, and stepped in when it appeared Owen couldn't handle the loss. When he did get his shit together, with a little prodding from Jude, they stepped back.
While the story was good, it was awkward in a few places. I think the other brothers might have good stories and so I will probably put the others in this series on the TBR shelf.
December 9, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I really enjoy Sean Ashcroft's work, like genuinely love the way he writes romance... but for some reason, the plotting of this book didn't quite work for me completely? as usual for one of Sean's books, the characters were all complete sweeties - the two MCs especially, but (most of) the side characters were adorable, too - but the way all the plots wrapped up and were resolved so easily just felt a bit silly. don't get me wrong, I don't want or expect a bunch of angst and conflict when I'm reading Sean Ashcroft, but idk the resolution of the custody stuff especially felt a little silly to me for some reason. maybe I'm just nitpicking, though, because I did quite enjoy the romance aspect, which was obv the bulk of the story.
I really enjoy Sean Ashcroft's work, like genuinely love the way he writes romance... but for some reason, the plotting of this book didn't quite work for me completely? as usual for one of Sean's books, the characters were all complete sweeties - the two MCs especially, but (most of) the side characters were adorable, too - but the way all the plots wrapped up and were resolved so easily just felt a bit silly. don't get me wrong, I don't want or expect a bunch of angst and conflict when I'm reading Sean Ashcroft, but idk the resolution of the custody stuff especially felt a little silly to me for some reason. maybe I'm just nitpicking, though, because I did quite enjoy the romance aspect, which was obv the bulk of the story.
April 12, 2021
4 stars!
Jude Howell is a Type 1 Diabetic, who has to take high dosages of insulin daily to live normally.
When Jude loses his health insurance, he stops being able to afford the insulin he needs... And he's set to die soon without it.
Owen Jules is back in town. Owen's 1 year-old daughter, Kayla is living with her grandparents for 3 months now... And Owen is set on getting her back.
Jude and Owen are childhood best friends who haven't seach other since Owen left town, 8 years ago.
When Owen meets Jude again, and gets to know of his health situation; he has an idea which will help them both out: they should Marry each other!
Marriage would give Owen a partner, someone to help him raise his baby girl; while Jude's medicine would be covered by Owen's health insurance plan, if they became husbands.
Owen always perceived himself as straight, so the marriage will be in paper only. Which is fine... if only Jude wasn't gay and secretly in Love with Owen since Always.
How will it all go?
Can they keep the marriage going?
Will it ruin their friendship?
Will hearts get broken?
Read the book to find out...
***********************************
This was an overall sweet and cute book.
This features the birth and growth of a lovely little family of 3: the MCs - Owen and Jude - and Owen's 1 year old baby daughter, Kayla.
This is, also, a book about sexual discovery; and the realization and acceptance of feelings.
The Support, Love, and feel of Family were everything in this book! I really liked it.
It definitely left me wanting to be a apart of the Jules family; and curious about the other brothers' stories.
The Series continues with Charlie's book - Checked Out - which I can definitely see myself reading someday.
Jude Howell is a Type 1 Diabetic, who has to take high dosages of insulin daily to live normally.
When Jude loses his health insurance, he stops being able to afford the insulin he needs... And he's set to die soon without it.
Owen Jules is back in town. Owen's 1 year-old daughter, Kayla is living with her grandparents for 3 months now... And Owen is set on getting her back.
Jude and Owen are childhood best friends who haven't seach other since Owen left town, 8 years ago.
When Owen meets Jude again, and gets to know of his health situation; he has an idea which will help them both out: they should Marry each other!
Marriage would give Owen a partner, someone to help him raise his baby girl; while Jude's medicine would be covered by Owen's health insurance plan, if they became husbands.
Owen always perceived himself as straight, so the marriage will be in paper only. Which is fine... if only Jude wasn't gay and secretly in Love with Owen since Always.
How will it all go?
Can they keep the marriage going?
Will it ruin their friendship?
Will hearts get broken?
Read the book to find out...
***********************************
This was an overall sweet and cute book.
This features the birth and growth of a lovely little family of 3: the MCs - Owen and Jude - and Owen's 1 year old baby daughter, Kayla.
This is, also, a book about sexual discovery; and the realization and acceptance of feelings.
The Support, Love, and feel of Family were everything in this book! I really liked it.
It definitely left me wanting to be a apart of the Jules family; and curious about the other brothers' stories.
The Series continues with Charlie's book - Checked Out - which I can definitely see myself reading someday.
August 5, 2022
DNF at 56%
Boring and shallow unfortunately. While I loved the idea of a marriage of convinience, especially with a kid, the storytelling itself ruined it for me.
The third person POV was uncomfortably shallow and I felt like the author is not even trying to place the story in space and time.
Important topics were mentioned but glossed over, no inner thoughts of the characters were shared, characterization was non-existent.
This writing style is not for me. I felt zero connection to the characters and without that reading it kind of became pointless.
The scenes with the most detial and actually kind of decent writing were the sex scenes that gave the impression that not much effort was put into making this book more than just smut.
This was recommended for the fake marriage trope but let me tell you... I am still looking for a good one which is queer.
Boring and shallow unfortunately. While I loved the idea of a marriage of convinience, especially with a kid, the storytelling itself ruined it for me.
The third person POV was uncomfortably shallow and I felt like the author is not even trying to place the story in space and time.
Important topics were mentioned but glossed over, no inner thoughts of the characters were shared, characterization was non-existent.
This writing style is not for me. I felt zero connection to the characters and without that reading it kind of became pointless.
The scenes with the most detial and actually kind of decent writing were the sex scenes that gave the impression that not much effort was put into making this book more than just smut.
This was recommended for the fake marriage trope but let me tell you... I am still looking for a good one which is queer.
August 4, 2017
If your goal is to find a sweet romance with only a tiny touch of angst or turmoil then this book is definitely for you. I really liked this one - it gave me a break from my usual tear-filled, emotional gut-punch reads that I normally stick with. Jude was warm and sweet, Owen was like a big, lovable clueless mutt who eventually realized what had been right in front of him all along.
Something inside Owen changed. A barrier broke, or a rope snapped, or something, something that would normally have held him back, stopped him from even entertaining the thought.....
He wanted to kiss Jude.
See what I mean? Sweet romance.....ah yes.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy.
Something inside Owen changed. A barrier broke, or a rope snapped, or something, something that would normally have held him back, stopped him from even entertaining the thought.....
He wanted to kiss Jude.
See what I mean? Sweet romance.....ah yes.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy.
September 21, 2020
A few minor cases of terminology indicating a non-US English author is behind this series but nothing really distracting or detracting from the story.
Pleasant marriage of convenience developing into friends-to-lovers, first-time gay, and insta-family plot.
Looking forward to Charlie's story.
Pleasant marriage of convenience developing into friends-to-lovers, first-time gay, and insta-family plot.
Looking forward to Charlie's story.
August 12, 2017
This book didn't waste any time jumping into the story. Which to begin with I was grasping on details of the town, but did they really matter? No. I read another review talking about how the characters were trying to flirt with each other and he was talking about the saliva building up from the smell of the food. It's not uncommon for guys to make the corny jokes or compliments. I didn't find it weird by any means. The guy was new to flirting, he had been married most of his life to his high school sweetheart, not a whole lot of flirting there. I adored this book.
September 7, 2017
I really wanted to like these guys. There was so much potential here a baby, friends to lovers, it had the makings for a great read. However, It definitely had issues with believability. Then the dialogue was stiff and just didn't work for me. Even the sexy man on man time was awkward at best. The few areas of angst seemed rushed with no real emotion.
This was a 2.5 Stars for me. I'm rounding up hoping book two is more thought out.
This was a 2.5 Stars for me. I'm rounding up hoping book two is more thought out.
August 11, 2017
This was my first foray into the "Random Gay Kindle Romance Novella" genre, and it was pretty much what I expected. I really did enjoy this adorable story and am glad I read it, however, I'm also glad I got it on Kindle Unlimited.
While I love the story and absolutely appreciate 'incidental gay' writing, as you would expect from 'random kindle novella', it's pretty average quality. The beginning is very 'the fuck, dude???' because it's entirely unbelievable. There is no way that neither of them heard about each other's tragic lives if they're from a small town where one of their moms runs a grocery store and they were childhood friends. I hear, "Hey, didn't you go to school with a girl named X? Her dad died this week" about people I went to the same middle school of 15 years ago. It is kinda weird of Jude not hearing about one of his old friends dying, but it's absolutely impossible that Owen didn't hear about Jude's parents.
Even if you account for Owen not communicating with his family very much, that's not something that would escape being learned about at some point in a year.
However, the weird, out of place, thrown together beginning didn't take too much away from a sweet, happy little story about pretty likable characters. All in all, it was a light, enjoyable read.
While I love the story and absolutely appreciate 'incidental gay' writing, as you would expect from 'random kindle novella', it's pretty average quality. The beginning is very 'the fuck, dude???' because it's entirely unbelievable. There is no way that neither of them heard about each other's tragic lives if they're from a small town where one of their moms runs a grocery store and they were childhood friends. I hear, "Hey, didn't you go to school with a girl named X? Her dad died this week" about people I went to the same middle school of 15 years ago. It is kinda weird of Jude not hearing about one of his old friends dying, but it's absolutely impossible that Owen didn't hear about Jude's parents.
Even if you account for Owen not communicating with his family very much, that's not something that would escape being learned about at some point in a year.
However, the weird, out of place, thrown together beginning didn't take too much away from a sweet, happy little story about pretty likable characters. All in all, it was a light, enjoyable read.
October 1, 2020
2.5-3 stars — Be prepared for a rant. Because even though I thought this book was okay, I had many issues with it.
I really wanted to enjoy it more because I thought Jude was so sweet, but I got so frustrated with the fact that I had to ditch reality to get into it. At first I thought this book was set in the US because New York was mentioned. Then there was something about returning home to the Rockies and I assumed it was Colorado, Wyoming, somewhere over there. But the MC says that he should have “come down for a weekend” to spend time with his daughter. That meant he was going to just hop a plane from NY to somewhere in the Rockies vicinity just for a weekend? I hope he’s a millionaire! I’ve made that flight many times. It’s neither short nor cheap. We actually do find out at 85% that it is Colorado where he moved back home.
However, most of the suspension of reality comes in when you’re left so confused of why Owen’s in-laws have actual custody of his daughter. Did he sign away his parental rights? It’s never really explained how this happened, and it’s completely ludicrous on his ideas of how he will “win” back custody. He is the biological father and that takes precedence over whether he’s married or not, let alone out of the blue deciding to marry his childhood best friend. If anything, in the great red state of CO (although sone of that is slowly changing), a gay marriage would NOT be a positive in winning back custody of a child. I lived there for many years. Owen needed a better lawyer.
Now I know this book is indeed set in the US, why all the British English? We don’t put our babies in a “cot” we put them in a crib. We don’t put things on the “bench” in the kitchen, we put them on the counter. If you’re going to use British English, set the story in the UK. It’s annoying to read characters using British terminology in the US when they aren’t British.
I have enjoyed a couple of Sean Michael’s other stories and I don’t remember this being an issue. Perhaps this is an older story and he has changed his writing style.
I really wanted to enjoy it more because I thought Jude was so sweet, but I got so frustrated with the fact that I had to ditch reality to get into it. At first I thought this book was set in the US because New York was mentioned. Then there was something about returning home to the Rockies and I assumed it was Colorado, Wyoming, somewhere over there. But the MC says that he should have “come down for a weekend” to spend time with his daughter. That meant he was going to just hop a plane from NY to somewhere in the Rockies vicinity just for a weekend? I hope he’s a millionaire! I’ve made that flight many times. It’s neither short nor cheap. We actually do find out at 85% that it is Colorado where he moved back home.
However, most of the suspension of reality comes in when you’re left so confused of why Owen’s in-laws have actual custody of his daughter. Did he sign away his parental rights? It’s never really explained how this happened, and it’s completely ludicrous on his ideas of how he will “win” back custody. He is the biological father and that takes precedence over whether he’s married or not, let alone out of the blue deciding to marry his childhood best friend. If anything, in the great red state of CO (although sone of that is slowly changing), a gay marriage would NOT be a positive in winning back custody of a child. I lived there for many years. Owen needed a better lawyer.
Now I know this book is indeed set in the US, why all the British English? We don’t put our babies in a “cot” we put them in a crib. We don’t put things on the “bench” in the kitchen, we put them on the counter. If you’re going to use British English, set the story in the UK. It’s annoying to read characters using British terminology in the US when they aren’t British.
I have enjoyed a couple of Sean Michael’s other stories and I don’t remember this being an issue. Perhaps this is an older story and he has changed his writing style.
May 28, 2018
This is a very, very hard review to write. I've never been so close to DNF-ing a book to be perfectly honest, and considering I've only ever done that to 1 book, I think it says a lot! However I kept hoping it would get better...
There is so much I feel I want to say about this book. It had a great promise and could have been an absolute ripper of a story. But, it wasn't. To be honest, it was a rather big let-down.
There are major inconsistencies throughout the whole book. I found things that made me question time lines, medical inaccuracies, actually not just inaccuracies, but pure made-up kinda stuff. Behaviours that didn't mesh up with background we were given. All in all it was a rather big mess. And to top it off, the writing felt immature as well.
I'm not blaming the author. If this story has had beta readers, they need to be replaced. The editor of this book needs to be sacked. Not because of any grammatical or spelling issues, no simply because they should have had the sense to point out all the issues I've mentioned above!
While the characters are nice, I really never felt I got to know them well. The story was sweet, but we got no insight into how/why/who/where things happen. They just happen; no background into the marriage proposal, the healthcare issue, nothing. No discussion about how "yes I'm proposing, but remember I'm a straight man and even though you're gay and we're both just 26, you can't expect me to have sex with you"... In fact, there was no discussion about how that was going to go at all. Really? Two healthy 26 year old males and no discussion or thought about not having sex for any foreseeable future? See where I'm heading?
As I said, I feel this could have been a fantastic story about two men coming together to help each other out of very dire and difficult circumstances. But all in all it was just a hot mess and I struggled to finish it.
There is so much I feel I want to say about this book. It had a great promise and could have been an absolute ripper of a story. But, it wasn't. To be honest, it was a rather big let-down.
There are major inconsistencies throughout the whole book. I found things that made me question time lines, medical inaccuracies, actually not just inaccuracies, but pure made-up kinda stuff. Behaviours that didn't mesh up with background we were given. All in all it was a rather big mess. And to top it off, the writing felt immature as well.
I'm not blaming the author. If this story has had beta readers, they need to be replaced. The editor of this book needs to be sacked. Not because of any grammatical or spelling issues, no simply because they should have had the sense to point out all the issues I've mentioned above!
While the characters are nice, I really never felt I got to know them well. The story was sweet, but we got no insight into how/why/who/where things happen. They just happen; no background into the marriage proposal, the healthcare issue, nothing. No discussion about how "yes I'm proposing, but remember I'm a straight man and even though you're gay and we're both just 26, you can't expect me to have sex with you"... In fact, there was no discussion about how that was going to go at all. Really? Two healthy 26 year old males and no discussion or thought about not having sex for any foreseeable future? See where I'm heading?
As I said, I feel this could have been a fantastic story about two men coming together to help each other out of very dire and difficult circumstances. But all in all it was just a hot mess and I struggled to finish it.
August 6, 2017
This book is SAD. It starts terribly sad but it doesn´t improve! :(
All the dialogues are from the view of 2 MCs that have had a BIG recent losts in their lives so is comprensible but I found a bit difficult to read it,because I really wanted something more light and happy.
It really has some very real feelings about depression , but so real that they make me SAD all the time.
Also the romance... mmm Jude is pretty clear with his emotions but Owen... I really can´t say if Owen is really in love with Jude or is like a comfortable situation.... his thoughts were a bit cold.
I really need something HAPPY a SUGARY now!
All the dialogues are from the view of 2 MCs that have had a BIG recent losts in their lives so is comprensible but I found a bit difficult to read it,because I really wanted something more light and happy.
It really has some very real feelings about depression , but so real that they make me SAD all the time.
Also the romance... mmm Jude is pretty clear with his emotions but Owen... I really can´t say if Owen is really in love with Jude or is like a comfortable situation.... his thoughts were a bit cold.
I really need something HAPPY a SUGARY now!
September 8, 2017
Interesting characters and an amazing idea and premise for a story, but, as other critical but respectful reviewers have put in better terms than I could, the execution leaves much to be desired. The story was jumpy and uneven, with some major holes in the premise at the start. They get ironed out, but by that point we've jumped to internal not-really-angst-but-kinda-frustrated dialogue that gets repetitive and doesn't always seem to serve a purpose. Overall, an amazing idea and outline for a story, and a fun and sweet read, but lots of corny and awkward dialogue and pacing that gets confusing.
2.5/3, rounded down due to my frustrating with the repetitive storytelling and lack of prose.
2.5/3, rounded down due to my frustrating with the repetitive storytelling and lack of prose.
July 14, 2021
I think I need to stick to more recent writing from this author, who seems to be improving. This series wasn't BAD, just kind of basic and a little too rambling.
This book started with a heaping helping of tragedies on both sides, so many dead relatives, and then had a marriage of convenience for health insurance purposes. 2.5 stars.
This book started with a heaping helping of tragedies on both sides, so many dead relatives, and then had a marriage of convenience for health insurance purposes. 2.5 stars.
August 7, 2017
Debby Downer was a Man! Color me surprised!
I shouldn't be making fun as this book deals with the topic of health insurance and medication-- specifically, insulin-- but it's just wwaaaay to Reality for me. Maybe later? Maybe not?
I shouldn't be making fun as this book deals with the topic of health insurance and medication-- specifically, insulin-- but it's just wwaaaay to Reality for me. Maybe later? Maybe not?
April 2, 2018
Happy Ending!
Enjoyable romantic pairing of childhood love Owen & down on his luck Jude. Throw in a cute baby, in need best friend...what’s not to love!
Enjoyable romantic pairing of childhood love Owen & down on his luck Jude. Throw in a cute baby, in need best friend...what’s not to love!
March 27, 2018
Love in all its forms
This is a very sweet and gentle romance, with minimal angst and love in all of its forms. It was a lovely read and I enjoyed all the characters in this little world for future books.
This is the classic scenario of marrying someone to save them in some way, though in this book it is for health insurance and actually saving a person's life. Owen has just moved back home after losing his wife in childbirth, and then losing custody of his daughter months later. Once home he meets up with his childhood best friend, Jude, who is slowly dying because he can't afford treatment for his diabetes. Desperate not to lose anyone else, Owen proposes marriage, allowing for health insurance for Jude, and a two parent care space for Owen. But the two embrace their new situation so well, settling in and making a home life, that feelings of love become to blossom into romance and more.
Jude and Owen save each other because they were in a way in similar situations. Jude was afraid to reach out and ask for help when he lost his insurance, determined not to be a burden on anyone. Owen was lost and afraid when his wife died, and even when he was working himself to death was too afraid to ask for help. When they come together not only do they tell each other that it is alright to ask for help, their family and friends rally around them and make it clear that helping isn't a burden, it's love. With the love and safety of friends and family around them it allows them both to finally start to heal.
I liked that Owen's past romances were not shot down by having a new one. From the book description, and from other books where someone falls in love with a person of a different gender than before, it seemed that Owen's wife Lisa would be described as a mistake. But that never happened. While there may have been a rush, and the need to get married may have been driven by the wrong reasons, Owen never questions that he loved Lisa. Then thing he comes to terms with is moving on it the wake of her loss, and what having love in his life means. It never downplayed his first relationship, and I thought that was very important for how the story moved forwards.
This was such a lovely story, with the live of friendship growing deeper into something eelse and the love of family creating a safe and healing space. It was truly a book of love and I look forward to the other books in the series!
This is a very sweet and gentle romance, with minimal angst and love in all of its forms. It was a lovely read and I enjoyed all the characters in this little world for future books.
This is the classic scenario of marrying someone to save them in some way, though in this book it is for health insurance and actually saving a person's life. Owen has just moved back home after losing his wife in childbirth, and then losing custody of his daughter months later. Once home he meets up with his childhood best friend, Jude, who is slowly dying because he can't afford treatment for his diabetes. Desperate not to lose anyone else, Owen proposes marriage, allowing for health insurance for Jude, and a two parent care space for Owen. But the two embrace their new situation so well, settling in and making a home life, that feelings of love become to blossom into romance and more.
Jude and Owen save each other because they were in a way in similar situations. Jude was afraid to reach out and ask for help when he lost his insurance, determined not to be a burden on anyone. Owen was lost and afraid when his wife died, and even when he was working himself to death was too afraid to ask for help. When they come together not only do they tell each other that it is alright to ask for help, their family and friends rally around them and make it clear that helping isn't a burden, it's love. With the love and safety of friends and family around them it allows them both to finally start to heal.
I liked that Owen's past romances were not shot down by having a new one. From the book description, and from other books where someone falls in love with a person of a different gender than before, it seemed that Owen's wife Lisa would be described as a mistake. But that never happened. While there may have been a rush, and the need to get married may have been driven by the wrong reasons, Owen never questions that he loved Lisa. Then thing he comes to terms with is moving on it the wake of her loss, and what having love in his life means. It never downplayed his first relationship, and I thought that was very important for how the story moved forwards.
This was such a lovely story, with the live of friendship growing deeper into something eelse and the love of family creating a safe and healing space. It was truly a book of love and I look forward to the other books in the series!
August 27, 2019
Lovely little book that sort of simmers along. The circumstances under which Jude and Owen marry are so spot on. Given what's happening in this country, it's a wonder this doesn't happen more than you think. Wish I'd liked the book more but I felt like the author was telling me the story vs showing me through the MCs' actions. Or we see the action and then we're told! No need to do that!! For example, there is a scene where Jude intercedes with Brenda regarding Kayla. You totally get why Jude said what he did but then in the next paragraph we are told "Jude really did love him. He'd gone to bat for him even when Owen wasn't there to see it." OKAY! Yes, we got that from the exchange between Jude and Brenda and didn't need to be told. Also thought the story was missing some crucial details. Like the characters were written superficially. Charlie alludes to Owen's confusion about his sexual identity. But we never quite see that on page. And what is "lead generation?" That is Owen's job but it's not clear precisely what he does. And did he get a transfer when he moved back to Hope Springs? Sounds like he did but that isn't clear. I am a stickler for names and often wonder why authors choose similar names for characters. Owen's family name is Jules. Okay. But then we have a character named "Jude." WHY??? I spent the first few pages trying to remember which was which. So all in all, the book was a bit muddled with lots and lots of telling me the story. Owen and Jude were good MCs. Lovely together. Just wish I'd enjoyed the writing more. Now Charlie I really liked, particularly this line "Librarians don't just organize books y'know. I run a job search afternoon on Thursdays. People come in and get their resumes checked over by volunteers, we have a career counselor..." Made me laugh. My sister is a librarian and she always complain that people think they can just use the internet and don't need a librarian who indeed, does more than just shuffle books around. I did purchase his book, the next in this series so hope I enjoy that book.
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