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One Thing #2
Quello giusto
Serie Piccole cose, Libro 2
Per anni Dustin Davis ha sognato un principe ma ha finito per baciare solo rospi. Quando vede per la prima volta Archer Kyriakides, è convinto che la sorte sia finalmente cambiata e che Archer sia quello giusto. I sentimenti contrastanti che prova in sua presenza lo lasciano però perché va tutto bene a un incontro e male a quello successivo? Non ha senso! Fino a quando non conosce il suo gemello, Asher, e non capisce di averli confusi più di una volta.
Asher Kyriakides sogna di diventare un fotografo d’alta moda, ma è incastrato in un lavoro che odia e con un fratello irresponsabile e libertino, le cui abitudini lo fanno impazzire, specialmente quando scopre che Archer sta uscendo con l’adorabile biondino a cui pensa da mesi. Combattuto tra desiderio e lealtà, Asher può solo cercare di mettere in guardia Dusty nei confronti del fratello.
Ma quando alla fine Archer si spinge troppo oltre, Dusty si rivolge ad Asher in cerca di aiuto, e lui sa di non potersi tirare indietro. Non impiegheranno molto a capire di essersi innamorati l’uno dell’altro, ma più di un ostacolo si mette sulla loro strada, non per ultimo Archer, che non è ancora disposto a smettere di essere una spina nel fianco del gemello.
Per anni Dustin Davis ha sognato un principe ma ha finito per baciare solo rospi. Quando vede per la prima volta Archer Kyriakides, è convinto che la sorte sia finalmente cambiata e che Archer sia quello giusto. I sentimenti contrastanti che prova in sua presenza lo lasciano però perché va tutto bene a un incontro e male a quello successivo? Non ha senso! Fino a quando non conosce il suo gemello, Asher, e non capisce di averli confusi più di una volta.
Asher Kyriakides sogna di diventare un fotografo d’alta moda, ma è incastrato in un lavoro che odia e con un fratello irresponsabile e libertino, le cui abitudini lo fanno impazzire, specialmente quando scopre che Archer sta uscendo con l’adorabile biondino a cui pensa da mesi. Combattuto tra desiderio e lealtà, Asher può solo cercare di mettere in guardia Dusty nei confronti del fratello.
Ma quando alla fine Archer si spinge troppo oltre, Dusty si rivolge ad Asher in cerca di aiuto, e lui sa di non potersi tirare indietro. Non impiegheranno molto a capire di essersi innamorati l’uno dell’altro, ma più di un ostacolo si mette sulla loro strada, non per ultimo Archer, che non è ancora disposto a smettere di essere una spina nel fianco del gemello.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2012
62 people are currently reading
1004 people want to read
About the author
Piper Vaughn
48 books1,153 followersPiper Vaughn is a romance author and lifelong fan of the genre. Since writing their first love story at age eleven, they’ve known writing in some form was exactly what they wanted to do. A reader to the core, Piper loves nothing more than getting lost in a great book.
Piper is of Puerto Rican descent and grew up in a diverse neighborhood in Chicago. They love putting faces and characters of every ethnicity in their stories, making their fictional worlds as colorful as the real one. Above all, Piper believes there’s no one way to have an HEA, and every person deserves to see themselves reflected on the page.
Sign up for Piper's newsletter: https://www.pipervaughn.com/newsletter
Piper is of Puerto Rican descent and grew up in a diverse neighborhood in Chicago. They love putting faces and characters of every ethnicity in their stories, making their fictional worlds as colorful as the real one. Above all, Piper believes there’s no one way to have an HEA, and every person deserves to see themselves reflected on the page.
Sign up for Piper's newsletter: https://www.pipervaughn.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
July 23, 2013
This is the one that is free at Dreamspinner Press until 7:25 pm EST, 5/27/13!
Merged review:
This story was a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and the delicious fluffiness that is Piper and M.J.'s writing, but it didn't resonate with me.
I had a few big negatives. I didn't love how pushover-y Asher was and I think Archer was a bit too villainous. It didn't quite feel real. I'm sad to say but I also think that the sex was... not that hot (gasp!). Maybe it is because I think of Dusty as somewhat childlike. He seemed too innocent, too pure. The sex scenes just felt sort of... wrong to me. The instalove also rubbed me the wrong way.
I think I was more disappointed because I'm obsessed with the Lucky Moon series from these two authors. It gave me ridiculously high expectations for this series as well, and perhaps I unfairly compare the two. While the writing here was still wonderfully sweet, it just fell a bit short.
**Thank you to Dreamspinner Press for the fab tweetaway!**
Merged review:
This story was a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and the delicious fluffiness that is Piper and M.J.'s writing, but it didn't resonate with me.
I had a few big negatives. I didn't love how pushover-y Asher was and I think Archer was a bit too villainous. It didn't quite feel real. I'm sad to say but I also think that the sex was... not that hot (gasp!). Maybe it is because I think of Dusty as somewhat childlike. He seemed too innocent, too pure. The sex scenes just felt sort of... wrong to me. The instalove also rubbed me the wrong way.
I think I was more disappointed because I'm obsessed with the Lucky Moon series from these two authors. It gave me ridiculously high expectations for this series as well, and perhaps I unfairly compare the two. While the writing here was still wonderfully sweet, it just fell a bit short.
**Thank you to Dreamspinner Press for the fab tweetaway!**
November 8, 2012
3 Disappointing Stars!
I wanted so bad to love this book, and I read and read and read...but it just didn't give me that feeling that One Small Thing did. I loved Dusty and I enjoyed his relationship with Asher, but somehow they didn't connect as much as I would have liked. The whole Asher, Archer thing, just confused me. Why do authors find the need to give their characters such similar names?? I know they were twins, but c'mon, sometimes I wasn't sure who I was reading about. The plot tended to ramble on and was not all that believable, it didn't make much sense. It read like forced drama, and frankly it was not all that dramatic to begin with.
I was hoping to get more time with Rue, Erik and Alice, but it wasn't much, however those few times were the highlight of the book for me. Not sure if the author is continuing the series, but some of the secondary characters would make for some interesting reading.
Overall not a horrible read, but when compared to One Small Thing, it fell a little flat!
July 29, 2016
4.25 I-know-you're-the-one stars
I liked this book more than book 1:
The first book dropped a pure fuckery moment as its basic premise: A flamboyant gay man fucks a woman once and fathers a child. Uh huh, sure.
No matter. Baby Alice is 1 and cute as a button. Rue and Erik are together in L.A. and crazy about one another and their daughter. They are so in love that it pains Dusty, their friend and housemate, to see them together. Dusty is Rue's BFF from book 1; in that book Dusty had a little crush on Erik and dealt with an abusive situation involving his ex. Much happier in California and finally working as a stylist, Dusty pines for a Prince Charming of his own.
Enter Asher.Or is it Archer?
Once the mistaken identity is resolved, these boys (Dusty and Asher, that is) get all hot and swoony and tender. They're good for each other and falling fast.
We get the dreaded misunderstanding (or two), but Asher and Dusty (eventually!) talk and work it out.
And then some serious shit hits the fan.
Asher's twin brother, Archer, has to be one of the most pathetic examples of a human being EVER: selfish, narcissistic, immature, incapable of remorse. I despised Archer. But I also felt that Asher was partially culpable for the fiasco at the end.
I also don't think that having
But in all too many ways the stress and crap at the end felt real. That's life, ya know? You're walking along, happy, sated on sex, humming a showtune, and BAM! a pile of shit hits you in the face. *shrugs*
You know what I'm talking about. If a couple can withstand that, they can withstand anything. And it makes me feel all the better about their future. Plus, Ash was truly a nice guy, so his behavior toward Archer wasn't unexpected.
Yeah, I wish the crap with Archer hadn't happened, but it did, and Ash and Dusty .
I enjoyed this book immensely. It's well written, well paced, steamy, sweet, and TRUE. And the cover is great. The MCs actually appear as they are described in the book!
I liked this book more than book 1:
The first book dropped a pure fuckery moment as its basic premise: A flamboyant gay man fucks a woman once and fathers a child. Uh huh, sure.
No matter. Baby Alice is 1 and cute as a button. Rue and Erik are together in L.A. and crazy about one another and their daughter. They are so in love that it pains Dusty, their friend and housemate, to see them together. Dusty is Rue's BFF from book 1; in that book Dusty had a little crush on Erik and dealt with an abusive situation involving his ex. Much happier in California and finally working as a stylist, Dusty pines for a Prince Charming of his own.
Enter Asher.
Once the mistaken identity is resolved, these boys (Dusty and Asher, that is) get all hot and swoony and tender. They're good for each other and falling fast.
We get the dreaded misunderstanding (or two), but Asher and Dusty (eventually!) talk and work it out.
And then some serious shit hits the fan.
Asher's twin brother, Archer, has to be one of the most pathetic examples of a human being EVER: selfish, narcissistic, immature, incapable of remorse. I despised Archer. But I also felt that Asher was partially culpable for the fiasco at the end.
I also don't think that having
But in all too many ways the stress and crap at the end felt real. That's life, ya know? You're walking along, happy, sated on sex, humming a showtune, and BAM! a pile of shit hits you in the face. *shrugs*
You know what I'm talking about. If a couple can withstand that, they can withstand anything. And it makes me feel all the better about their future. Plus, Ash was truly a nice guy, so his behavior toward Archer wasn't unexpected.
Yeah, I wish the crap with Archer hadn't happened, but it did, and Ash and Dusty .
I enjoyed this book immensely. It's well written, well paced, steamy, sweet, and TRUE. And the cover is great. The MCs actually appear as they are described in the book!
October 26, 2012
Dustin is adorable in this book. I loved him in One Small Thing and was hoping for an HEA for him so I've been waiting for his story.
This could be a standalone but I'd really recommend you read the first book in the series to get to know Dusty and his roommates: Rue, Erik, and their daughter Alice. This is just a few months after the crew has moved to California. Dusty's feeling a bit like a third wheel and tries to find some new friends and looks for the mysterious hottie he met on his second day in California.
He runs into Archer, who he thinks is the mystery man, but is actually the indentical twin brother of the man he's looking been looking for, hijinks ensue.
Things get straightened out but there are still quite a few bumps in the road for the cute couple. The POV flips between the two men and I found I really enjoyed getting into both of their heads. I think I like this story most when everyone is just hanging out and doing their thing. Every day little things. Having dinner, decorating apartments, birthday parties. The story starts to get a bit intense later again due to the Archer's antics. I don't know that he got off scott free but I'm not sure he really understood what he did was wrong. Bit of a bastard.
Asher and Dusty have lots of chemistry and that pulls you from the first time they exchange glances to the troubles they face down the road. I was rooting for things to work out for them and I really liked how they talked with each other and tried to solve the problems that both of them were experiencing.
I loved seeing Rue, Erik, and Alice again. Loved it and loved seeing the family they're building with Dusty and now Asher. So sweet.
Great book two in the series. I'm not sure where book three will be going but I'm looking forward to it.
This could be a standalone but I'd really recommend you read the first book in the series to get to know Dusty and his roommates: Rue, Erik, and their daughter Alice. This is just a few months after the crew has moved to California. Dusty's feeling a bit like a third wheel and tries to find some new friends and looks for the mysterious hottie he met on his second day in California.
He runs into Archer, who he thinks is the mystery man, but is actually the indentical twin brother of the man he's looking been looking for, hijinks ensue.
Things get straightened out but there are still quite a few bumps in the road for the cute couple. The POV flips between the two men and I found I really enjoyed getting into both of their heads. I think I like this story most when everyone is just hanging out and doing their thing. Every day little things. Having dinner, decorating apartments, birthday parties. The story starts to get a bit intense later again due to the Archer's antics. I don't know that he got off scott free but I'm not sure he really understood what he did was wrong. Bit of a bastard.
Asher and Dusty have lots of chemistry and that pulls you from the first time they exchange glances to the troubles they face down the road. I was rooting for things to work out for them and I really liked how they talked with each other and tried to solve the problems that both of them were experiencing.
I loved seeing Rue, Erik, and Alice again. Loved it and loved seeing the family they're building with Dusty and now Asher. So sweet.
Great book two in the series. I'm not sure where book three will be going but I'm looking forward to it.
May 28, 2014
In One True Thing we are reintroduced to Dusty, Rue's best friend from OST, and introduced to Asher. Dusty and his little family are now in California and adjusting to their new life. Dusty, although happy to be living with Rue, Eric, and Alice, can't help but feel like the third wheel at times. He longs to have what they have in each other. One day he bumps into Asher and has an instant connection with him but Asher leaves before he's able to get his name and number. What Rue doesn't realize is that Asher has a twin, Archer. Long story short- he ends up dating the wrong twin.
Reading these relationships unfold was both painful and wonderful. These two ladies are a great writing team (which is why they should continue the series...I'll bring this up again later). They always have a great flow to their writing and well developed characters.
Why not 5 stars? In one word: Archer.
I loathed him. It's been a while since I hated a character that much. Kudos to the authors on that one. Mission accomplished.
I'm really sad to see this series end. I feel like I'm not ready to let these characters go. I know that this end of the road but I'll still be sending prayers to the book Gods that they'll come back to it.
I want to know what happened with Lane and Josh- and even Archer the douche. So pretty please with sugar on top.
May 27, 2013
Excuse me while I squee like a fan girl:
Piper Vaughn and M.J O'Shea go together like peanut butter and jelly. And I love PB & J. Something about there writing just...clicks.
Book # 2 of the One Thing series features the lovable Dusty getting his HEA (finally) with the also lovable Asher. And Asher has a twin - But the cute, insecure, real honest to goodness falling in love feeling made me smile throughout the entire story. The fact that these two let there relationship build, had morals and values...this is what I enjoy in a romance.
I am rejoicing in Dusty and Asher's sugar resplendence. Can't you see it? The happy-love-sweet rain drops from their HEA?
Oh...maybe it was me. But this book put me in such a great mood afterwards, I had the biggest grin. *smiles*
Sexfest this was not (though when both men finally come together...'twas quite steamy)
Unfortunately there were a few curve balls thrown Dusty and Asher's way: the twin mix up (I thought it was going to go another way -happily no cheating, don't despair). It was an honest mistake and was not dragged through out the story. And Archer. *heavy sigh*
Fucking Archer.
Archer is one shitty ass brother. He's irresponsible, immature, feels the worlds owes him for existing, a whore and extremely selfish. And why Asher put up with his crap only he knows. He's too nice.
But I think Archer can be redeemed (I do hope this writing team will do so in a future book - because some of the best heroes are the redeemable assholes- at least I believe so) Do I believe the price he pays is enough for the havoc he caused? Yes...but mostly no.
Asher and Dusty are perfect for each other. I am so happy he ended up with such a good guy after leaving his abuseive ex in book 1. And speaking of book 1, we get to revisit with the great Rue, sexy nerd Erik and baby Alice. We get a new setting (California), new cast of characters (great potential MC for future books *cough*Josh*cough*) and did I mention that HEA?
Makings of a great book, I say.
So why not 5 stars? Meh...Dusty and Asher were too nice at times. But I am happy the authors stayed true to their characters. Sometimes I did not agree with the choices the main characters made but I did believe that they would've reacted the way they did in those situations.
So I'm happy.
October 31, 2012
*cries*
This isn't what I wanted, I call for a do over.
This book was a predictable plotted course with side characters that had neon flashing signs to show what their purpose was to push the story forward. It felt so fabricated, and some of their choices were so ignorant to the point of ridiculous.
I also wonder of the next story will be about Josh, he was cute don't get me wrong, but I'd rather read about Michelle. I know I will never get my wish, but I liked her the best out of all the side characters in this one.
Meh.
I will wait, and see what the next installment brings.
This isn't what I wanted, I call for a do over.
This book was a predictable plotted course with side characters that had neon flashing signs to show what their purpose was to push the story forward. It felt so fabricated, and some of their choices were so ignorant to the point of ridiculous.
I also wonder of the next story will be about Josh, he was cute don't get me wrong, but I'd rather read about Michelle. I know I will never get my wish, but I liked her the best out of all the side characters in this one.
Meh.
I will wait, and see what the next installment brings.
October 29, 2012
Dusty and Asher are so flipping sweet together. Archer is a waste. A useless person, a terrible brother and zero redeeming qualities.
Fortunately, Dusty and Asher didn't allow miscommunications or unfounded fears ruin their romance. They were perfect for each other.
Fortunately, Dusty and Asher didn't allow miscommunications or unfounded fears ruin their romance. They were perfect for each other.
December 27, 2012
2 stars for the story and 1 star coz Rue and Erik are in it.
Warning: might be a bit rant-y.
I was still hungover with Captive Prince: Volume Two when I grabbed this and that might have affected my reading experience. I mean, how do you go from catamites and morally ambiguous MCs and cliff-fucking-hangers to a feel-good comfort read doused in fluff? But since I love fluff - and this book has been in my Squee TBR pretty much since it was announced - I figured it's a good idea to drown myself in something I know to be light, so I could stop thinking about Aimeric and Nicaise.
Well, I was right. I stopped thinking about Aimeric and Nicaise while reading this. How could I not when all I could think of was how disappointing this was and to please give me more glimpses of Erik and Rue.
One True Thing is the story of Dusty - Rue's best friend from One Small Thing. I loved One Small Thing. I adored Rue's courage and Erik's strength. I loved how different and complementary they were. I fell in love with Dusty then and was so excited when I heard he was going to get his own HEA.
But as with pretty much everything in my life, we have good news and bad news on that front. Good news is Dusty got his HEA with Asher, the photog. Bad news is my four-year-old niece has more balls than Asher, the photog. Yes, kids, we waited for our dearly beloved Uncle Dusty to get his knight in shining armor and what he got was some hot-looking porn photog who has all the good intentions in the world but is practically an invertebrate.
If you've read the blurb for this, you'd know that Asher has a twin bro, Archer, and that there were some confusion and misunderstanding and some rom-com plot device about mistaken identity before Uncle Dusty ever officially met Asher. That was well and good, but the blurb didn't say that it would take seventeen thousand years for things to get cleared up. Or that Asher is either a pushover or just a good old enabler.
A big part of the book is dedicated to the relationship between Asher and his twin Archer, and while I think the intention of the interactions were to put Archer in the total asshole category and Asher as Saint on Earth, by the end of the book, I found Archer to be a total asshole with some hints of insecurity and Asher as a self-righteous pseudo martyr. Neither of these guys deserve Dusty, and yet he almost slept with one and had his HEA with the other.
This is my biggest beef with the book. I expected someone as strong and as loyal and as smart as our Dusty to get his HEA with someone like Erik - all quiet strength and unabashed devotion. Instead, he got Asher and his overreaction to a drama that he should have expected and found a solution way way before it came up in the first place.
The narrative is the same as One Small Thing in that the first-person POV alternates between the two MCs. I liked it in the previous book with Rue and Erik, but found it confusing in this one. It might be because the POV changed more than twice in one chapter and I'd be halfway into a narrative thinking it was Asher talking then found out later that it was already Dusty. It would have worked better if it was one chapter, one POV.
It could also have been tighter. A lot of the narrative was about something they did day to day and while I understood how that could have been used to maybe give the impression of time passing or the MCs getting comfortable with each other to the point of being domestic, it felt unnecessary most of the time. I mean, there was a small portion of one chapter with no point to it except that they ordered pizza.
I"m not saying that this was a bad read. It wasn't. Compared to some other stuff out there, this is pretty decent. If you haven't read One Small Thing and like fluff in your m/m, you'd prolly like this one. If you're like me, though, who has read One Small Thing and is so in love with Erik and Rue and Dusty, prepare yourself to be disappointed. But Uncle Dusty is happy so I guess I have to content myself with that.
Oh and that cover ---
Warning: might be a bit rant-y.
I was still hungover with Captive Prince: Volume Two when I grabbed this and that might have affected my reading experience. I mean, how do you go from catamites and morally ambiguous MCs and cliff-fucking-hangers to a feel-good comfort read doused in fluff? But since I love fluff - and this book has been in my Squee TBR pretty much since it was announced - I figured it's a good idea to drown myself in something I know to be light, so I could stop thinking about Aimeric and Nicaise.
Well, I was right. I stopped thinking about Aimeric and Nicaise while reading this. How could I not when all I could think of was how disappointing this was and to please give me more glimpses of Erik and Rue.
One True Thing is the story of Dusty - Rue's best friend from One Small Thing. I loved One Small Thing. I adored Rue's courage and Erik's strength. I loved how different and complementary they were. I fell in love with Dusty then and was so excited when I heard he was going to get his own HEA.
But as with pretty much everything in my life, we have good news and bad news on that front. Good news is Dusty got his HEA with Asher, the photog. Bad news is my four-year-old niece has more balls than Asher, the photog. Yes, kids, we waited for our dearly beloved Uncle Dusty to get his knight in shining armor and what he got was some hot-looking porn photog who has all the good intentions in the world but is practically an invertebrate.
If you've read the blurb for this, you'd know that Asher has a twin bro, Archer, and that there were some confusion and misunderstanding and some rom-com plot device about mistaken identity before Uncle Dusty ever officially met Asher. That was well and good, but the blurb didn't say that it would take seventeen thousand years for things to get cleared up. Or that Asher is either a pushover or just a good old enabler.
A big part of the book is dedicated to the relationship between Asher and his twin Archer, and while I think the intention of the interactions were to put Archer in the total asshole category and Asher as Saint on Earth, by the end of the book, I found Archer to be a total asshole with some hints of insecurity and Asher as a self-righteous pseudo martyr. Neither of these guys deserve Dusty, and yet he almost slept with one and had his HEA with the other.
This is my biggest beef with the book. I expected someone as strong and as loyal and as smart as our Dusty to get his HEA with someone like Erik - all quiet strength and unabashed devotion. Instead, he got Asher and his overreaction to a drama that he should have expected and found a solution way way before it came up in the first place.
The narrative is the same as One Small Thing in that the first-person POV alternates between the two MCs. I liked it in the previous book with Rue and Erik, but found it confusing in this one. It might be because the POV changed more than twice in one chapter and I'd be halfway into a narrative thinking it was Asher talking then found out later that it was already Dusty. It would have worked better if it was one chapter, one POV.
It could also have been tighter. A lot of the narrative was about something they did day to day and while I understood how that could have been used to maybe give the impression of time passing or the MCs getting comfortable with each other to the point of being domestic, it felt unnecessary most of the time. I mean, there was a small portion of one chapter with no point to it except that they ordered pizza.
I"m not saying that this was a bad read. It wasn't. Compared to some other stuff out there, this is pretty decent. If you haven't read One Small Thing and like fluff in your m/m, you'd prolly like this one. If you're like me, though, who has read One Small Thing and is so in love with Erik and Rue and Dusty, prepare yourself to be disappointed. But Uncle Dusty is happy so I guess I have to content myself with that.
Oh and that cover ---
November 1, 2012
I didn't like this one. so looking forward to Dusty's story only for him to end up with a weak sucker moron like Asher who lets his stone head con man of a twin Archer drag him down. I was annoyed, disappointed, frustrated and my heart broke for Dusty.
Asher viewed himself as a worthless doormat and it even dragged Dusty down. He would do porn to clean up his brothers mess but his heart breaks if his brother has to do it to pay off Asher's debt which he wracked up in the first place? Dusty deserved a Prince not this retarded anchor. Asher was no frog-- he was a spineless jellyfish with no self worth and self respect.
Why 2.5 stars? I really love Dusty and it all worked out in the end!
Asher viewed himself as a worthless doormat and it even dragged Dusty down. He would do porn to clean up his brothers mess but his heart breaks if his brother has to do it to pay off Asher's debt which he wracked up in the first place? Dusty deserved a Prince not this retarded anchor. Asher was no frog-- he was a spineless jellyfish with no self worth and self respect.
Why 2.5 stars? I really love Dusty and it all worked out in the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2016
Me da pena por los protagonistas, pero un despropósito.
June 3, 2013
I waffled between rating this 2 or 3 stars, 2.5 stars would be perfect.
Love Los Angeles location stories between WeHo, Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches I was smiling--of course the drive between those two locales blows. Dusty's a great character and his friends are adorable and lovable. What didn't work for me--Ash's stupidity in dealing with his brother, Archer. There were so many things Ash should have done early to handle the situation, but didn't. I don't like self-sacrificing characters that do so without a valid reason, I actually tend to loathe them. You lie down with a scorpion, don't cry to me when it stings you--I won't give a rat's behind.
Second element that annoyed me with storytelling itself was the recap at the beginning of each chapter when we did POV shifts between Ash and Dusty. I don't feel like it gave me insight, but rather the author thought I was stupid or memory-deficient and couldn't recall what I'd just read. It slowed the story down.
Now, the dance of emotions between Ash and Dusty was sweet and realistic. I like the rate of how the characters interactions moved, but the inherent misunderstanding trope kinda made this a difficult read for me.
Love Los Angeles location stories between WeHo, Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches I was smiling--of course the drive between those two locales blows. Dusty's a great character and his friends are adorable and lovable. What didn't work for me--Ash's stupidity in dealing with his brother, Archer. There were so many things Ash should have done early to handle the situation, but didn't. I don't like self-sacrificing characters that do so without a valid reason, I actually tend to loathe them. You lie down with a scorpion, don't cry to me when it stings you--I won't give a rat's behind.
Second element that annoyed me with storytelling itself was the recap at the beginning of each chapter when we did POV shifts between Ash and Dusty. I don't feel like it gave me insight, but rather the author thought I was stupid or memory-deficient and couldn't recall what I'd just read. It slowed the story down.
Now, the dance of emotions between Ash and Dusty was sweet and realistic. I like the rate of how the characters interactions moved, but the inherent misunderstanding trope kinda made this a difficult read for me.
January 25, 2013
A very enjoyable follow up to One Small Thing. Dusty was featured in Rue and Eriks story and was a very endearing character so it was nice to see him get his own story and HEA. There are some misunderstandings involving Asher and his not so nice twin Archer that could have become complicated and farcical in someone else's hands but is skillfully handled by Piper Vaughn and M J Oshea who are definitely one of the best co author couples out there. I love both the books but Rue's story is still my favourite hence this getting 4.5 - rounded up, but Dustys tale is still a must read and a close second. Lovely. Must add I really like the covers on these books and this one has got Dusty just as I pictured him! Cute.
dnf
October 27, 2012Simple writing, shallow characters, light and fluffy story - too light and fluffy.
My poor brain needs food with a bit more substance to keep working and not zoning out...DNF 28%
My poor brain needs food with a bit more substance to keep working and not zoning out...DNF 28%
May 24, 2014
SWEET AND ROMANTIC.
Okay. This was a good one but it was a little hard to finish.
After reading One Small Thing and finding out that this book will be about Dusty, I was excited. Because he is finally getting his HEA. I loved him in One Small Thing. He is the martyr best friend. (I will make him a monument if I could.) Giving way for his best friend? And cohabiting with him and his former crush everyday while taking care of their daughter? He can rival Mother Theresa. XD
And the road towards his HEA was very cute and a little frustrating in the beginning. But it just proved that him and Asher are really destined to be. Their premise was really funny. Confusing your crush with his twin brother? Oh gosh. XD
And when Dusty and Asher finally became lovers, it was really sweet in the beginning. But I have to be honest, it got a little boring. It was a drag (a little) to continue especially with his debacle with Archer (What an asshole he is btw, ) That part was really stressful. When I read books I want to unwind, not to stress myself more. So that part was not my favorite.
After reading both One Small Thing and One True Thing, I can tell the authors' writing is a little bit on the sweet and romantic comedyish side. And for me to not find it annoying is impressive. For me, their collaboration is successful. I hope there's a third book about either Josh & Lane or even Archer. I know Archer's a bastard but I wanna see him grow up or even getting his HEA too. (with a hot pornstar hopefully)
This is good, sweet, light-hearted and a romantic follow up to One Small Thing. RECOMMENDED!
Okay. This was a good one but it was a little hard to finish.
After reading One Small Thing and finding out that this book will be about Dusty, I was excited. Because he is finally getting his HEA. I loved him in One Small Thing. He is the martyr best friend. (I will make him a monument if I could.) Giving way for his best friend? And cohabiting with him and his former crush everyday while taking care of their daughter? He can rival Mother Theresa. XD
And the road towards his HEA was very cute and a little frustrating in the beginning. But it just proved that him and Asher are really destined to be. Their premise was really funny. Confusing your crush with his twin brother? Oh gosh. XD
And when Dusty and Asher finally became lovers, it was really sweet in the beginning. But I have to be honest, it got a little boring. It was a drag (a little) to continue especially with his debacle with Archer (What an asshole he is btw, ) That part was really stressful. When I read books I want to unwind, not to stress myself more. So that part was not my favorite.
After reading both One Small Thing and One True Thing, I can tell the authors' writing is a little bit on the sweet and romantic comedyish side. And for me to not find it annoying is impressive. For me, their collaboration is successful. I hope there's a third book about either Josh & Lane or even Archer. I know Archer's a bastard but I wanna see him grow up or even getting his HEA too. (with a hot pornstar hopefully)
This is good, sweet, light-hearted and a romantic follow up to One Small Thing. RECOMMENDED!
October 10, 2013
I'm so happy that Dusty got his HEA!
MJ & Piper always deliver! This book was great but there was some definite not so happy stuff going on...Thanks to Archer the Douche Bag. I mean seriously dude...WTF!
Dusty is such a wonderful character he is cute & sweet...'adorable' yup I said adorable! Asher was a good guy and I'm glad Dusty found him. We get to see Rue, Erik and Alice, the book wouldn't have been the same without them. I enjoyed the secondary characters Michelle, Josh and Lane (maybe...we'll get a story about those two one day!) Archer, well he didn't deserve any of my time but I guess we needed him there for whatever reason. lol
Recommend to those who like slow build, romantic yet sexy!
MJ & Piper always deliver! This book was great but there was some definite not so happy stuff going on...Thanks to Archer the Douche Bag. I mean seriously dude...WTF!
Dusty is such a wonderful character he is cute & sweet...'adorable' yup I said adorable! Asher was a good guy and I'm glad Dusty found him. We get to see Rue, Erik and Alice, the book wouldn't have been the same without them. I enjoyed the secondary characters Michelle, Josh and Lane (maybe...we'll get a story about those two one day!) Archer, well he didn't deserve any of my time but I guess we needed him there for whatever reason. lol
Recommend to those who like slow build, romantic yet sexy!
May 24, 2014
That was just the sweetest story! Sure, there was plenty of predictable drama, miscommunication, asshole twin brothers, and porn stars mixed in, but I loved Dusty and Asher. And the ending was so stinkin' cute. I heart penguins :)
August 8, 2015
I think I'm in the minority here, but this just didn't work for me. It was going so well. Asher and Dusty were so sweet and I had my pom poms out ready to cheer them on. Then the wheels fell off and that was that.
The drama with Archer and the credit cards was too unbelievable. Sorry, but I call bullshit.
It makes me sad, because I felt so invested in Dusty and Asher. I'm a sucker for watching good guys finally finding the happiness they deserve. I just wish the author had chosen a more believable and character consistent direction for the story.
The drama with Archer and the credit cards was too unbelievable. Sorry, but I call bullshit.
It makes me sad, because I felt so invested in Dusty and Asher. I'm a sucker for watching good guys finally finding the happiness they deserve. I just wish the author had chosen a more believable and character consistent direction for the story.
August 11, 2013
I admit to being a total fangirl when it comes to Dusty. I fell in love with him in One Small Thing and I was so eager to read his story and to see him have his own HEA.. finally. This is a really good story about Dusty finally meeting the man of his dreams... or is it men? :) There is a bit of confusion when Dusty meets identical twins, Asher and Archer but that gets sorted out soon enough. Rue, Erik and Alice (from One Small Thing) are in this quite a bit and that makes it that much better as I loved that book and the characters. A couple of things had me shaking my head but not enough to take away my love for Dusty and for the story as a whole.
Great continuation to the One Thing series.
Full review (with a few slight spoilers) can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
Great continuation to the One Thing series.
Full review (with a few slight spoilers) can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
November 9, 2012
After reading the first book, I was really looking forward to Dusty's story. The first half of the book was kinda slow for me and wasn't really holding my interest too much. I thought Dusty and Asher were very sweet together and was really glad because Dusty deserved that. I liked that where there could have been a lot of unnecessary angst with misunderstandings, the author didn't go there. The second half picked up and kept me interested until the end, but I was not enjoying this one as much as I did the first story. I realize Archer's place in this story, but I just found him just a waste of time and think his character could have been done differently, but that is just my personal opinion.
August 20, 2013
4.0 Stars
I fell in love with Dusty in One Small Thing and couldn't wait to read his story. I really enjoyed this book. Rue remained a little irritating; Erik was yum, yum, yummy; and I still can't wait for Alice to grow up! Asher? Loved him. Archer? Hated him. The relationship between Asher and Dusty was a slow burn but I adored watching them grow closer. There was very little angst and a whole helluva lotta fluff.
Bottom line: a feel good book to be savored with a warm blanket and some hot cocoa cocoa.
I fell in love with Dusty in One Small Thing and couldn't wait to read his story. I really enjoyed this book. Rue remained a little irritating; Erik was yum, yum, yummy; and I still can't wait for Alice to grow up! Asher? Loved him. Archer? Hated him. The relationship between Asher and Dusty was a slow burn but I adored watching them grow closer. There was very little angst and a whole helluva lotta fluff.
Bottom line: a feel good book to be savored with a warm blanket and some hot cocoa cocoa.
August 1, 2021
I think my expectations were too high. I loved the first book. I liked this ok. I loved the characters from the first story and I couldn’t wait to read Dusty’s story. It was just a little bit of a let down to me. I still liked Dusty and Asher was fine,but the whole evil twin was just a bit far out. I still love the way these two write, this story just didn’t quite do it for me.
April 11, 2018
First, I never knew that Dusty had a feeling for Eric (cough), no wonder he's so determined to accompany Eric when Eric was still a manny for Alice.
Good thing is, he's finally found Asher after a shitty ex-boyfriend of his, and after that asshole Archer.
Oh don't let me speaking of that prick!
And I think Asher was too kind for him, mostly like a doormat for his twin.
But it cringed me a bit when Archer finally did what Asher almost did. Well, I hope he enjoyed his new world after screwed up with Asher's life.
I'm kinda curious about Josh. I hope he'll get his own story in the future.
And as for Dusty, with a heart like that, I think I can see a future of him and Asher forever.
Dusty, has a heart of an angel. Love the little guy.
This one was harder to digest more than Eric and Rue's story (which was lighter and low of angst).
But I liked it, not as much as I liked Rue's story though.
But I did enjoying it.
Good pick. I'm glad I picked this one yesterday.
Good thing is, he's finally found Asher after a shitty ex-boyfriend of his, and after that asshole Archer.
Oh don't let me speaking of that prick!
And I think Asher was too kind for him, mostly like a doormat for his twin.
But it cringed me a bit when Archer finally did what Asher almost did. Well, I hope he enjoyed his new world after screwed up with Asher's life.
I'm kinda curious about Josh. I hope he'll get his own story in the future.
And as for Dusty, with a heart like that, I think I can see a future of him and Asher forever.
Dusty, has a heart of an angel. Love the little guy.
This one was harder to digest more than Eric and Rue's story (which was lighter and low of angst).
But I liked it, not as much as I liked Rue's story though.
But I did enjoying it.
Good pick. I'm glad I picked this one yesterday.
January 9, 2015
I think I liked this one better than the first. I adored Dusty and Asher together.
I liked how the story flowed and I enjoyed that Rue and Erik were still a part of the story.
I thought Asher was perfect for Dusty (especially after Dusty's ex Gary). They were really cute together and some of those sex scenes were H-O-T!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
I liked how the story flowed and I enjoyed that Rue and Erik were still a part of the story.
I thought Asher was perfect for Dusty (especially after Dusty's ex Gary). They were really cute together and some of those sex scenes were H-O-T!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
October 31, 2012
This was just a nice, fairly angst free, feel good read. I think Dusty was, to quote Asher's mom, adorable, and the guy on the cover was perfect, he is totally how I see Dusty now.
Asher was sweet, Archer was a tool, but dare I hope for a redemption book about him in our future?
Asher was sweet, Archer was a tool, but dare I hope for a redemption book about him in our future?
February 9, 2019
Okay. Yep, this was just okay for me.
I'm wondering if I should have read the first book...first? Maybe that's what was missing?
Regardless, I've had this one for years and decided to give it a go.
I liked it but I certainly didn't love it.
I guessed the "twist" but I had a hard time liking or forgiving the...other one.
I'm wondering if I should have read the first book...first? Maybe that's what was missing?
Regardless, I've had this one for years and decided to give it a go.
I liked it but I certainly didn't love it.
I guessed the "twist" but I had a hard time liking or forgiving the...other one.
September 21, 2022
I'm glad I did a re-listen of One Small Thing before I started this one. Sadly, the sweetness I enjoyed in that was replaced by a silly mistaken identity / right twin-wrong twin thing. It was still fine, I just all the stuff I liked in the first one isn't in One True Thing.
Drama, drama, drama - silly boys making silly mistakes.
Drama, drama, drama - silly boys making silly mistakes.
February 11, 2016
Initially read, April 08, 2013: I was excited for Dusty's story as soon as I finished One Small Thing. He's so cute and sweet that I desperately wanted him to get his Happily Ever After, thank goodness he finally did. I liked Asher as the love interest, and I liked that Dusty supported him, but I would have liked if it if he hadn't been quite such a pushover/enabler.
The whole evil-twin mix-up was a good idea, and it did work... but it was a little annoying to have our two MC's keep either missing each other like ships in the night, or having miscommunications for 87 freaken pages. I was starting to get a little impatient.
Once they got together though they were freaken adorable, it was hard trying not to smile like an idiot while reading at Starbucks. I will say, I didn't love all the drama with his brother that came later on. Obviously there had to be something, because it was imminent and because we needed the drama. I guess it was as good a plot turn as any, realistic … but I dunno, it just didn't quite work for me. Maybe just too much drama, or too much focus on the twins relationship? Not sure, unfortunately it overshadowed the romance a little. .
P.S. Are we getting a third?!? Josh seems like the obvious choice but... BLAH! I'd love to see Archer I know, I know, I'm a sap.
Re-read (listen), February 11, 2016: Sorry to say that this went down to at least a 2.5 stars for me on the re-read, and I don't know how much can be attributed to the book not holding up versus me not loving it in audio version, or of course maybe it's wrong time/wrong place. Sometimes a book hits you at the exactly right (or wrong) time.
Part of the problem, I will admit, is that I remembered Dusty being abused by his boyfriend. What I didn't realize until halfway through was that that occurred in book 1 and not book 2. I knew Asher (our love interest) wouldn't hit him, so I kept thinking that somehow Dusty was gonna get more thoroughly embroiled with Archer before Asher saves him... so that misconception may have sapped some enjoyment out of it.
But something that I commented on the first time around, seemed more prevalent this time. I'm actually considering renaming this book "Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Miscommunications." The amount of times that Dusty mistook Archer for Asher, or they said something to each other that came off meaning something else because of something that someone else said... yeah. It gets old kinda quick.
Now how much of this is due to the audio version? Hard to say. I can say that I did not love his female voices, and there were several. They all sounded like ditzy valley-girls. This worked for the porn stars but not for the lesbian personal trainer, and it got repetitive and a little offensive to be honest. I've only read one other book that was narrated by Rusty Topsfield, Splintered by SJD Peterson. I enjoyed that audio with no major complaints, only commented that all the three main male characters had the same deep and grizzled voice. So Rusty can definitely do variation, but maybe has trouble switching back and forth between voices within one book. Dusty and Roo sounded a little more flamboyant while Archer, Asher, and Eric did not. So he can definitely mix it up a little, but seems there always something there that bothers me a little. I'm not opposed to trying another book narrated by him, but I'll be a little cautious.
If you read and liked book 1, then I would definitely recommend continuing. The large gap in time (or lack thereof following my first read) may be partly to blame for the slightly lower rating second time around. Dusty was present in book 1 and we definitely got emotionally attached, so there's something to be said for moving right on to his book. Not my favorite audio, but certainly an easy listen and I never felt the need to skip or fast forward (which I've been known to do).
Received audio from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
The whole evil-twin mix-up was a good idea, and it did work... but it was a little annoying to have our two MC's keep either missing each other like ships in the night, or having miscommunications for 87 freaken pages. I was starting to get a little impatient.
Once they got together though they were freaken adorable, it was hard trying not to smile like an idiot while reading at Starbucks. I will say, I didn't love all the drama with his brother that came later on. Obviously there had to be something, because it was imminent and because we needed the drama. I guess it was as good a plot turn as any, realistic … but I dunno, it just didn't quite work for me. Maybe just too much drama, or too much focus on the twins relationship? Not sure, unfortunately it overshadowed the romance a little. .
P.S. Are we getting a third?!? Josh seems like the obvious choice but... BLAH! I'd love to see Archer I know, I know, I'm a sap.
Re-read (listen), February 11, 2016: Sorry to say that this went down to at least a 2.5 stars for me on the re-read, and I don't know how much can be attributed to the book not holding up versus me not loving it in audio version, or of course maybe it's wrong time/wrong place. Sometimes a book hits you at the exactly right (or wrong) time.
Part of the problem, I will admit, is that I remembered Dusty being abused by his boyfriend. What I didn't realize until halfway through was that that occurred in book 1 and not book 2. I knew Asher (our love interest) wouldn't hit him, so I kept thinking that somehow Dusty was gonna get more thoroughly embroiled with Archer before Asher saves him... so that misconception may have sapped some enjoyment out of it.
But something that I commented on the first time around, seemed more prevalent this time. I'm actually considering renaming this book "Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Miscommunications." The amount of times that Dusty mistook Archer for Asher, or they said something to each other that came off meaning something else because of something that someone else said... yeah. It gets old kinda quick.
Now how much of this is due to the audio version? Hard to say. I can say that I did not love his female voices, and there were several. They all sounded like ditzy valley-girls. This worked for the porn stars but not for the lesbian personal trainer, and it got repetitive and a little offensive to be honest. I've only read one other book that was narrated by Rusty Topsfield, Splintered by SJD Peterson. I enjoyed that audio with no major complaints, only commented that all the three main male characters had the same deep and grizzled voice. So Rusty can definitely do variation, but maybe has trouble switching back and forth between voices within one book. Dusty and Roo sounded a little more flamboyant while Archer, Asher, and Eric did not. So he can definitely mix it up a little, but seems there always something there that bothers me a little. I'm not opposed to trying another book narrated by him, but I'll be a little cautious.
If you read and liked book 1, then I would definitely recommend continuing. The large gap in time (or lack thereof following my first read) may be partly to blame for the slightly lower rating second time around. Dusty was present in book 1 and we definitely got emotionally attached, so there's something to be said for moving right on to his book. Not my favorite audio, but certainly an easy listen and I never felt the need to skip or fast forward (which I've been known to do).
Received audio from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
January 15, 2013
3.75
I was really looking forward to read this one, because Dusty deserved his happy ending after that douche face Gary. Though, not as awesome as the first I really enjoyed it for sticking to that sweetness that I’ve really come to love from this series. Yeh, it might be sickly sweet at times but Dusty deserved his sugar coated goodness.
Dusty has finally made the big move to California, and he is looking forward to new beginnings with his little family. When he almost face plants on the street in front of his new home, he is saved by a Mr gorgeous, Dusty can feel the sparks flying. Before he can introduce himself Mr gorgeous disappears. Unable to get him out of his head, Dusty settles with the fact that he might not ever see the man again, until he runs into him while out at lunch. But there seems to be a problem, the sparks are missing and his Mr gorgeous (Archer) isn’t anything like he had hoped.
Turns out he’s been dating the wrong guy (cus he’s got an identical twin brother and he got his hotness mixed up). Dusty knew something was off with Archer, and it’s Aster that saved him on the street that day and he’s the one he wants. There’s nothing wrong with leaving one brother for the other, is there?
I gotta say, that Dusty is vera vera naive, like super ditzy at times. I think that’s why I find him as such an endearing character. He’s looking for love, and yes sometimes it might have been with the wrong person but he didn’t let that make him miserable. The transition from Archer to Aster was good, and it wasn’t a case of wanting to date both brothers, he just got his men mixed up.
Conflict wise, there isn’t much. Apart from some jumping to conclusion moments, epically douche move by the evil twin Archer, the book managed to remain angst free. The book does suffer from a case of being too long, and I found Aster to be kind of bland compared to his brother; I still enjoyed it. The sexy time is few and far between but I was just all happy Dusty was getting some good love.
My only beef is that, Dusty coming from an abusive relationship seemed to be doing quite well. Just once is there a moment that he became scared from Aster being angry (and it wasn't even at him). So I am just wondering if he ever talked to someone, or went to see someone. Because judging from his reaction, the abuse seemed extensive and he's not over it.
Should You Read It? Yes, if you liked the first book and you’re a fan of Dusty. Not as awesome as the first but it still deserves a read.
SideNote- I want asshole Archer to get his own book. He was a mega asshole but I just want him to find a guy to bring him to his knees (Also he’s got to suffer a lot and die from embarrassment) Bad Twin!!!
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