Composing a Family

Mannies Incorporated #6

by Sean Michael

Tenor Abriole has just finished his stint as nanny for the Wilsons. He was with the family for twenty-one years, ever since he was eighteen. Now he’s looking for a new family, but finding that at thirty-nine, many people think he’s too old, and those who don’t think that’s a problem are balking at the fact that he’s a man, or that he’s gay, or both. He finally turns to Mannies Inc. for help finding a new position.

Daniel Thorpe is a well-known composer who lives and breathes music. He very much wants to be a father, so he goes the surrogate route, and winds up with triplets on the way. He turns to Mannies Inc. well before his girls are born, but so far has not been happy with any of the men who have applied, until Tenor shows up for an interview. Tenor’s experience being nanny to five children, as well as the fact that he stayed with a single family that long are both pluses in Daniel’s book.

Could it be that Tenor is the last note Daniel needs to compose his greatest work yet – his family?

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Family, LGBT, Gay, Music

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2017

About the author

Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every book in this series about the adventures of various mannies working for the Mannies Incorporated agency has had its own special charm, and ‘Composing a Family’ is no exception. Both main characters are sweet guys, the grandfather-to-be is an amazing man who used to be one of the men’s manny, the preparations for the arrival of the three girls are cute as well as realistic, and the drama is first class. The focus of this story, much as the title promises, is of the forming of this new family, the dynamic of everyone getting together and realizing that they are now a unit. My only regret is that I didn’t get to see much of them together over the years… but that didn’t really reduce my enjoyment of seeing them all bond and get ready for the years to come.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[llv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 stars
There was something missing from this story and I think it was passion. And I don’t mean sexy times either. There was just no spark between the two MCs. The story just seemed flat somehow and very tedious, especially in the beginning. It got a bit better once the triplets were born but not by much. It was very good at portraying the stress of having three children at once, but really there was nothing else to the story. Since the story focused a lot on music, I would say it was very one note. Not one of the best in the Mannie’s Incorporated series and not one I plan on reading again.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is pretty much a sweet no angst series but this one just fell a bit flat for me. I didn't really feel the spark between the two MC's. The stress of having triplets was very well portrayed but the romance was just lacking for me. There wasn't much to the plot other than the stress of triplets which seemed to drag for me. Not a book I'd reread but it won't stop me from finishing this series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, no angst story. However it was among my least favorite installements in this series.

[Christy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenor was with his last family from time he was 18 until now which was 21 years of working for them. He is hired to help Daniel prepare for not one but three little girls.

Daniel at first I'm not sure if he even is going to be ready to be a dad. He's letting Tenor do everything and at first they barely even talk. He composes music for movies and plays music as well.

Daniel was raised by his manny who is now his personal assistant and he says he's like a dad to him. His parents died when he was four. Tenor was kicked out when he was 18 for being gay.

Tenor isn't letting Daniel do as he has been and just stay in his studio. He gets him involved and by the time the triplets Harmony, Melony and Kyrie get there Daniel is better. He ends up staying mostly at the hospital with Melody who can't come home because she's so small. She's there for a month before coming home right before Thanksgiving.

Before the babies came Daniel and Tenor were together and having sex. They ended up engaged before the end of the book too. Tenor got his forever family and found love which was wonderful. Only reason gave four is Daniel had long hair which was only mentioned couple times, but don't like long hair on guys.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean Michael is my favorite m/m mannie author and he certainly proved himself in this sweet mannie story of Daniel who is having triplets with a surrogate. Needing a nanny he goes to Mannie' Inc. for elp. Tenor is a 39 year old nannie and has just been released fro his lat job that lasted of eighteen years. He is anxious for this job as he feels totally qualified to do the job. He wants another family and hopes this job will be worth another eighteen years. Daniel and Matt, his guardian and past nannie are impressed and hire Tenor on the spot. Daniel is a composer and musician and a past inheritance from his dead parents so life is easy. Daniel and Tenor drift gently toward each other as they wait for the girls to be born. The girls are born early and Daniel and Tenor learn to rely on each other more and more. a delightfully sweet story with an HEA. Recommend this story to anyone to read

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this installment of the Mannies series most of the romance building happens before the babies even arrive. Both Daniel and Tenor are older and more settled which I think makes the fast pace romance seem to work. Also, the fact that there are three babies coming makes it believable that Tenor would move in to start setting up the the nursery ahead of time. This was another fun story in the series although this time the kids didn't get to "help" much.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just adore Manny stories, the end is inevitable but the push and pull along the way gives us a fun read. This one is part of a series but all are totally different settings and people. With this tale I did like it but I found it a little bit drawn out at times. but it's beautifully written and sweet as heck, slow bits aside.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have truly enjoyed this series... as a general rule, they have been light and fluffy, which works for me! I think this one fell a little short on the romance department, but, hey... triplets... need I say more? ;p

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A soon to be dad with triplets on the way.

This story is the best so far out of the Mannies Inc. series. You have a future dad that was expecting twins but is now having triplets! He is totally unprepared. Tenor more or less comes to his rescue due to his experience.

[Lynnette Hartwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet Mannies Inc. story. Writing was, as always excellent.

[XI · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and enjoyed this book so much, he kills the Mannie genre which is one of faves cos I adore books with Kids!!!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable

[Abra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is good for when you want some lovely romance. These book always make me feel good.

[Vicki Tubridy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Talk about touching the heart this really did. I loved the connection between the manny and the dad. The journey they both took was so moving. A must read.

[Mar · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - just the line "make love" in the third? chapter made me stop reading immediately *shrugs*

[Janeylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a stand alone and that worked. The story was sweet and I loved Tenor. No angst at all, just a nice narrative. I skipped #3-5 in the series on purpose.

[Barb Manning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice story, but it lacked enough drama for me. I love Sean Michael's other Mannies Inc books; this one was just a little slow paced for me.

[Nix Buttons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww, such a sweet love story. Adorable characters, adorable babies, just an adorable and quick read.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice one. good balance of plot and love scenes. Very sweet.

[Ericka Walden · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75***

[Love is Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally appeared on Love is Love Book Reviews.

Sean Michael is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for a sweet/low angst story and Composing a Family certainly fit the bill. The author doesn’t stray from the typical manny trope and it works. Like all of the books in the series, this book stands alone, no interconnections with any of the others.

The writing is light and funny and poignant when it needs to be. The heroes are well drawn and delightful. But I wanted more from Daniel’s music. I wanted him to sing or write a song for Tenor and/or the babies. I also wanted Tenor to have to coax Daniel out of his music more. Daniel defines himself by his music but we are told more than we actually see it.

The secondary characters were generally good. Matt, Daniel’s former manny from when he was a kid and the man who raised him after his parents died, didn’t seem to have a purpose except as a backup babysitter for the triplets. I wanted to be shown more of the paternal connection between Matt and Daniel rather than just told about it. Britt, Daniel’s goddaughter, is by far the best of the secondaries.

Overall, it’s nice, low-angst read, perfect for an evening by the fire while a blizzard rages outside.

The cover gets a solid Meh from me. The text is very hard to read at smaller sizes, especially as a thumbnail.

[Claire Potterton]

This has to be my least liked Mannies incorporated book. I’ve really enjoyed the others I’ve read, but this one is far too saccharine for me.

[Tinsel · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 30% I just couldn't get into the story. It felt like it was dragging and I just can't go on.