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Man Crush
When Marcus's assistant Kyle neglects to send him the report he'd been waiting for and goes to lunch, Marcus has no option but to poke around on his errant employee's computer. He finds that his assistant spends more time browsing than working, and his favorite site is Undr, a website where men post covertly taken photos of hot men traveling on the London Underground.
Marcus is drawn to a photo of a man who was given the moniker "Java Joe". The man has a fanbase of gay men and straight women who take secret photos of him as he travels and upload them to the website, then discuss his attributes.
Over the next few weeks, Marcus becomes obsessed with seeing the next secretly taken image of the man. Heading for an earlier train one morning, he happens upon none other than "Java Joe" in the flesh.
Unable to prevent closeness on the packed morning train, Marcus and his man crush get caught in a crush of bodies... and sparks fly.
This is an alternative cover edition of ASIN B079MWNC3P.
Marcus is drawn to a photo of a man who was given the moniker "Java Joe". The man has a fanbase of gay men and straight women who take secret photos of him as he travels and upload them to the website, then discuss his attributes.
Over the next few weeks, Marcus becomes obsessed with seeing the next secretly taken image of the man. Heading for an earlier train one morning, he happens upon none other than "Java Joe" in the flesh.
Unable to prevent closeness on the packed morning train, Marcus and his man crush get caught in a crush of bodies... and sparks fly.
This is an alternative cover edition of ASIN B079MWNC3P.
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2018
53 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Isobel Starling
67 books235 followersAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF GAY ROMANCE.
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art in Ireland. Now she writes full-time and runs her publishing company, Decent Fellows Press.
The Shatterproof Bond series is Gay Romance bestseller in the US, Germany and France. It is also a bestseller in audiobook format, narrated by Gary Furlong
Isobel is currently working on "The Dark Harvest", (The Quiet Work #2) The follow up to her successful Fantasy novel "Apple Boy"
When that book is done Isobel will be working on "Infernal Vices" book #3 of the Resurrectionist Historical MM series, and then "The Rebel Candidate " Book #6 in the Shatterproof Bond series.
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art in Ireland. Now she writes full-time and runs her publishing company, Decent Fellows Press.
The Shatterproof Bond series is Gay Romance bestseller in the US, Germany and France. It is also a bestseller in audiobook format, narrated by Gary Furlong
Isobel is currently working on "The Dark Harvest", (The Quiet Work #2) The follow up to her successful Fantasy novel "Apple Boy"
When that book is done Isobel will be working on "Infernal Vices" book #3 of the Resurrectionist Historical MM series, and then "The Rebel Candidate " Book #6 in the Shatterproof Bond series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
dnf
February 14, 2021From the (ebook equivalent of) the first page:
"Six-weeks"?
And a bit further down the page:
Irony, much?
This story is free on amazon at the moment, but my time isn't free. I would have to be paid to read this. And a copy-editor SHOULD have been paid, before it was released to the public.
He'd only been my assistant for six-weeks, and in those six-weeks, it felt like my workload had doubled...
"Six-weeks"?
And a bit further down the page:
Sure, Kyle could use a computer for email and social media, but his, basic grammar and spelling were poor...
Irony, much?
This story is free on amazon at the moment, but my time isn't free. I would have to be paid to read this. And a copy-editor SHOULD have been paid, before it was released to the public.
July 25, 2020
Audio - 5+++ Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
August 15, 2020
Leave it to Isobel Starling to come up with such a unique and creative meet-cute. I love the way these two find each other!
Of course they've got amazing chemistry (I'm not going to spoil it here, but it's worth a read or listen just for their dirty, dirty hookup!). And such a sweet and funny ending, it's wonderful.
Audio performed by Gary Furlong who brings his wickedest accent out to play. I know I've said it a dozen times, but damn that man's smokey, sultry, seductive voice is so sexy! He sure knows what he's doing.
Of course they've got amazing chemistry (I'm not going to spoil it here, but it's worth a read or listen just for their dirty, dirty hookup!). And such a sweet and funny ending, it's wonderful.
Audio performed by Gary Furlong who brings his wickedest accent out to play. I know I've said it a dozen times, but damn that man's smokey, sultry, seductive voice is so sexy! He sure knows what he's doing.
March 27, 2020
Not bad. I didn't read every word. I just wanted to see what would happen and it was nice. It's free, it's short, it's got a cute ending, so go for it.
February 20, 2018
Cute book! And I think it was the perfect length to get the point of the story across. Two strangers hoping to see each other again upload pics of each other hoping someone knows who the other is and where to find them again. kind of like a "missed connections" second chance at catching love type book.
Want to read
March 28, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/28/2020)! 🎁
August 1, 2020
Title ⤵️
Man Crush
Author ⤵️
Isobel Starling
Rating ⤵️
🌟🌟
Thoughts ⤵️
A über quick novella that has so little story that it is almost not worth the time to read.
Man Crush
Author ⤵️
Isobel Starling
Rating ⤵️
🌟🌟
Thoughts ⤵️
A über quick novella that has so little story that it is almost not worth the time to read.
January 12, 2021
An enjoyable short story. The audio was great.
September 3, 2020
cute little story :)
April 2, 2020
Okay, this was a fun story to read, but it ended at 62%. The rest are sample chapters of two other books.
But as I said, it was fun, and it had a twist I didn't expect. so I'll give it 3.5*.
But as I said, it was fun, and it had a twist I didn't expect. so I'll give it 3.5*.
August 12, 2018
This book could have profited from having an editor. There were just so many errors in this, it seriously bothered me.
"[...] but his, basic grammar and spelling were poor [...]"
"[...] noticing a bag of Gummi Bear's had been spilled [...]"
"Was he just drinking coffee, and eating sweets all day?" (Now, I'm no expert and English is not my native language, but I'm pretty sure that's not a valid placement for an Oxford comma...)
"[...] but this time - I honestly don't understand how it happened - but I turned [...]"
"[...] grinding, while, in consent and encouragement."
"Yeah, its [...] kinda like TravelCrush [...]"
In addition to that, the stalkerish behavior of the MC was more creepy than anything else.
So yeah. Imo you can give this one a pass.
"[...] but his, basic grammar and spelling were poor [...]"
"[...] noticing a bag of Gummi Bear's had been spilled [...]"
"Was he just drinking coffee, and eating sweets all day?" (Now, I'm no expert and English is not my native language, but I'm pretty sure that's not a valid placement for an Oxford comma...)
"[...] but this time - I honestly don't understand how it happened - but I turned [...]"
"[...] grinding, while, in consent and encouragement."
"Yeah, its [...] kinda like TravelCrush [...]"
In addition to that, the stalkerish behavior of the MC was more creepy than anything else.
So yeah. Imo you can give this one a pass.
March 27, 2020
•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´When Marcus met Nathan.
I discovered this little gem of a book when I was online today in my email. I saw 'free read' and just by reading the synopsis I knew I had to have it! So I went to Amazon and I purchased the book and it was amazing! This book was all about admiring somebody from afar only to realize that that person was just as much into you as you were with them. Great concept!
✮ (¸.•´When Marcus met Nathan.
I discovered this little gem of a book when I was online today in my email. I saw 'free read' and just by reading the synopsis I knew I had to have it! So I went to Amazon and I purchased the book and it was amazing! This book was all about admiring somebody from afar only to realize that that person was just as much into you as you were with them. Great concept!
August 9, 2018
Creepy and stalkerish story.
The scene in the tube with a stranger (and I really don't give a fuck if he was handsome and gay) rubbing his crotch against the other guy's ass and coming in his pants - ugh!
The story ends at 66%. The rest is a sample of another book. I know it was a freebie but... Also, it needs editing. I'm not a native speaker but if I can see grammatical mistakes...
The scene in the tube with a stranger (and I really don't give a fuck if he was handsome and gay) rubbing his crotch against the other guy's ass and coming in his pants - ugh!
The story ends at 66%. The rest is a sample of another book. I know it was a freebie but... Also, it needs editing. I'm not a native speaker but if I can see grammatical mistakes...
November 15, 2018
Curiouser Curiouser
Man Crush is a short story that delivers a fun, entertaining and satisfying 👊 punch.
This is my first book by this author and if her full length books are as good as this tale; I think , I might have found my newest favorite writer.
Man Crush is a short story that delivers a fun, entertaining and satisfying 👊 punch.
This is my first book by this author and if her full length books are as good as this tale; I think , I might have found my newest favorite writer.
August 12, 2018
This was so cute! Not long enough in my opinion since it stops around 66% on kindle but i loved it!
September 5, 2018
Man Crush by Isabel Starling. I enjoyed this short story. Loved how it ended up with two men crushing on each other.
September 7, 2018
Well done😊
Good characters. Would make a great novel length. Naughty but nice. Looking forward to read other works by you. Will let my friends know.
Good characters. Would make a great novel length. Naughty but nice. Looking forward to read other works by you. Will let my friends know.
October 11, 2018
Judge a book by the cover, and a man by his photo...preferably taken by strangers and posted online. Sure, why not? Yet, despite the unusual circumstances that they meet under, it's a cute, sexy story without being over the top sexual. Sometimes the chase can be more arousing than the catch, but in this case they're both happy with each other.
This is a very quick read; the actual story is about 2 /3 of the book, with the rest a more graphic chapter from another book by the same author. Unfortunately, the editing could use some serious work, which can jar the reader out of the narrative. An example of the writing:
"To my surprise he looked up, fixed his gaze on me, and stared straight back, unblinking. His eyes were dark brown and seemed to look straight inside me. The exchange of eye contact was intoxicating."
This is a very quick read; the actual story is about 2 /3 of the book, with the rest a more graphic chapter from another book by the same author. Unfortunately, the editing could use some serious work, which can jar the reader out of the narrative. An example of the writing:
"To my surprise he looked up, fixed his gaze on me, and stared straight back, unblinking. His eyes were dark brown and seemed to look straight inside me. The exchange of eye contact was intoxicating."
August 4, 2018
IRL
It is highly unfortunate when a story has a line criticizing a character's grammar but to make a grammar mistake themselves. Something about that calls it even further into question than usual and makes the whole thing ridiculous. For the annoying little grammatical mistakes this short could have used a more thorough editing.
As to the story, it was an interesting take on the possibilities of the meet cute in the age of technology. With the thrill/shame ofa voyeurism and the classic of meeting eyes across a crowded tube station, it combines the new with the old and gives a bit of a what if. It was a sweet enough story that explores an unlikely possibility becoming a fun and sweet coincidence.
It is highly unfortunate when a story has a line criticizing a character's grammar but to make a grammar mistake themselves. Something about that calls it even further into question than usual and makes the whole thing ridiculous. For the annoying little grammatical mistakes this short could have used a more thorough editing.
As to the story, it was an interesting take on the possibilities of the meet cute in the age of technology. With the thrill/shame ofa voyeurism and the classic of meeting eyes across a crowded tube station, it combines the new with the old and gives a bit of a what if. It was a sweet enough story that explores an unlikely possibility becoming a fun and sweet coincidence.
June 27, 2020
Audiobook review
Overall: 5
Performance: 5
Story: 5
Short, flirty and hot!
I love Gary Furlong's voice and he was perfect for this short story. I've enjoyed everything I've listened to by the fantastic pairing of Isobel Starling and Gary Furlong.
This was a great bite-size listen and I loved it, but now I'd love it if Isobel would write another story for this hot pair of guys. 😊
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Overall: 5
Performance: 5
Story: 5
Short, flirty and hot!
I love Gary Furlong's voice and he was perfect for this short story. I've enjoyed everything I've listened to by the fantastic pairing of Isobel Starling and Gary Furlong.
This was a great bite-size listen and I loved it, but now I'd love it if Isobel would write another story for this hot pair of guys. 😊
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
June 28, 2020
Squeee! I adored this short story brought wonderfully to life by Gary Furlong. His narration is as natural as breathing and his comic timing is faultless.
Marcus goes from a pompous stuffed shirt to obsessive stalker to...well...more likeable. We don't know much about Nathan until close to the end, other than as an object of lust to countless London underground travellers, but he certainly has more in common with Marcus than is first apparent.
Well done for packing so much into this short listen. (It gained me my "done and dusted" badge!)
Marcus goes from a pompous stuffed shirt to obsessive stalker to...well...more likeable. We don't know much about Nathan until close to the end, other than as an object of lust to countless London underground travellers, but he certainly has more in common with Marcus than is first apparent.
Well done for packing so much into this short listen. (It gained me my "done and dusted" badge!)
August 4, 2021
Nice story; light on action, but it kept my attention to the end.
Narrator Gary Furlong did a great job with this romantic short about 2 men connecting via technology and daily commutes. While their erotic scene was steamy and well-written, you'll have to imagine their skin-to-skin adventures. (The story ends before they get that far.) The mystery of how they came to meet was clever; I was pleasantly surprised.
Narrator Gary Furlong did a great job with this romantic short about 2 men connecting via technology and daily commutes. While their erotic scene was steamy and well-written, you'll have to imagine their skin-to-skin adventures. (The story ends before they get that far.) The mystery of how they came to meet was clever; I was pleasantly surprised.
June 30, 2020
~AUDIO REVIEW~
***4.5 STARS***
Fun and quick listen
A cute and sweet story, but it ends all too soon. I liked the idea of a single picture causing a man to search out his crush. I enjoyed the little twist with “Java Joe”.
Greg Furlong did a great job. Even for a short story he brought life to the characters and is so expressive.
***4.5 STARS***
Fun and quick listen
A cute and sweet story, but it ends all too soon. I liked the idea of a single picture causing a man to search out his crush. I enjoyed the little twist with “Java Joe”.
Greg Furlong did a great job. Even for a short story he brought life to the characters and is so expressive.
Read
April 14, 2020Waste of time
Arthur spent more time developing the MC place of work then the MC, then insulted me further by trying to push another book.. Plot and characters were sloppy and needed work, so much potential...
Arthur spent more time developing the MC place of work then the MC, then insulted me further by trying to push another book.. Plot and characters were sloppy and needed work, so much potential...
March 1, 2021
Short and sweet, but the premise is really a little more than creepy. Also, some odd choices in formatting -- the constant italics for business names started to feel a little bit like the miscellaneous capitalizations in Some Historical Novels of Note...
February 20, 2018
3☆
Cute short story
August 28, 2018
Short sweet MM romance.
February 21, 2020
3.5 stars
A sweet story of crushes, stalking and public sex. The premise is new and cute. A perfect short story .
A sweet story of crushes, stalking and public sex. The premise is new and cute. A perfect short story .
September 14, 2021
A quickie, with a grumpy, slightly older hero and a super hot young man. Admiration from afar turns into a real connection.
Bought from audible.
Bought from audible.
March 27, 2022
Very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews