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It's Complicated #1
The Deal
Fake marriage with a gay man?
I want to help him out with his money problems, but I've burned so many bridges that a marriage is the only way I can get access to my trust fund. So this is just a convenience thing, for both our sakes, and maybe I'll even learn to settle down and become less of a broken man.
All thoughts of healing fade fast when I see him walk around without his shirt on. All I can think of is whether his skin is as smooth as it looks.
But I'm straight.
Fake marriage with a straight man?
My life is a mess. I'm out of money. My business is failing. My love life is gathering dust. So when he offers to fix both our problems with a phony marriage, it seems the answer to both our prayers. It should shake things up, too.
Yeah. It's shaking me up all right. Instead of high-fives, his tender touch melts my bitter heart, and releases a powerful need I learned long ago to ignore.
But he's straight.
When our lips meet, nothing feels fake any more.
The Deal is a steamy, standalone gay for you, 35k word romance novella with a HEA ending and a fake marriage that refuses to believe it is anything but true love.
I want to help him out with his money problems, but I've burned so many bridges that a marriage is the only way I can get access to my trust fund. So this is just a convenience thing, for both our sakes, and maybe I'll even learn to settle down and become less of a broken man.
All thoughts of healing fade fast when I see him walk around without his shirt on. All I can think of is whether his skin is as smooth as it looks.
But I'm straight.
Fake marriage with a straight man?
My life is a mess. I'm out of money. My business is failing. My love life is gathering dust. So when he offers to fix both our problems with a phony marriage, it seems the answer to both our prayers. It should shake things up, too.
Yeah. It's shaking me up all right. Instead of high-fives, his tender touch melts my bitter heart, and releases a powerful need I learned long ago to ignore.
But he's straight.
When our lips meet, nothing feels fake any more.
The Deal is a steamy, standalone gay for you, 35k word romance novella with a HEA ending and a fake marriage that refuses to believe it is anything but true love.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2018
85 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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July 27, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (7/27/2018)!💝
May 16, 2018
1.5*
I am still trying to figure out what is the point of starting the book with one of the MC having sex with another person....
About the story, a resume: 2 very dumb guys meet, insta-love, have sex, they don't SPEAK to each other so they have this big stupid misunderstanding and finally one day they speak and all is OK.
I didn't have my expectations too high for this book, I promise... but the level of incoherences here...
I am still trying to figure out what is the point of starting the book with one of the MC having sex with another person....
About the story, a resume: 2 very dumb guys meet, insta-love, have sex, they don't SPEAK to each other so they have this big stupid misunderstanding and finally one day they speak and all is OK.
I didn't have my expectations too high for this book, I promise... but the level of incoherences here...
April 13, 2023
This book was ok, but I found it somewhat disappointing. There really wasn’t much that was original. The big break up scene was cliche and tiring. I enjoyed the first part of the book, but after the fight not so much.
May 9, 2018
*** 3.5/5 Stars ***
“You make me happy, which makes me want to make you happy.”
Well, I must admit that it IS the cover of the book that attract my coverslut eyes at first, but it's the blurb that made me curious and decided to read it in one sit.
Zach Jenkins definitely another new author to me and I feel so excited and also a bit nervous because the anticipation each time I start a new book from a new author.
The premise of the story was very promising and fake boyfriend/fake marriage turned real was definitely one of my favorite trope, and that what made me so excited to read the book. The story start with such an interesting plot, sounds a bit cliché at first but still promising enough to follow. The two main characters also very likeable and sweet. Their changing feels and interactions until their both reach the moment of truth was well written with good pace, but even it's all look perfect, I must admit that I still can feels that there's something is missing with the story.
The execution was a bit cheesy to my liking but since I'm in the cheesy mood when I read this book, I think I still can handle it.
Overall, I gave this book 3.5 stars because of the fact that I DO love the story and both MCs, but I must admit that the story not gripping me enough as I expected. But still. I will recommended this book to everyone who love sweet, fun and light reading about fake marriage that turned real. Because Icarus and Harley heart warming story still worth your time.
And I really can't wait for Shane's story!
May 10, 2018
At the beginning of this story, Icarus is sleeping on his sister’s couch, struggling to launch his own ghost tour business and basically feeling like the worlds biggest failure. Just when he thinks he’s hitting rock bottom, he meets the handsome Harley who signs up to take one of his tours. They instantly hit it off and have a great time together… as friends. Because Harley is straight… or so he thinks.
“He had a deep voice that warmed my soul and made me think of leather and whiskey.”
Harley jokes with Icarus that, if only he could marry him instead of a girl he would be able to get his inheritance. They realize, though, that it could solve both their troubles. Icarus would get the money he needs to kick start the business, he’s struggling to get up and running, and Harley could not only get his inheritance but he can also do a little good for someone else. In fact this whole experience might help him grow as an adult too. With a little persuasion Icarus agrees and off to the courthouse they go!
“Maybe I’ll just be a new kind of jackass, but even that feels like some kind of progress.”
It doesn’t take long for Harley to realize he isn't as straight as he thought. His attraction to Icarus is swift and irresistible. Things begin to move fast between them and at first, things seem to be wonderful. Their insecurities create some bumps that the couple need to work through if they want to stand on solid ground, as individuals and a couple. That is one thing I appreciated the most about this book, however. I think their insecurities were real and relatable. I think everyone can say they’ve dealt with the things each character struggled with, on some level, so it made the characters feel even more real to me. Icarus was sweet, funny and very charismatic but he still felt like he wasn’t good enough for anyone. Harley was Icarus’s perfect counterpart with his playful and easy going attitude, but history taught him that people usually didn’t like him for who he is and that they are only after his money. Seeing both men overcome these things was both inspiring and encouraging.
This Novella was capturing from start to finish and I loved it. Not only were the main characters relatable and the problems believable, but the supporting characters were all well written too. They created the perfect amount of comedic relief and support for one another. I could definitely feel the love between them all. This novella was the perfect afternoon read and highly recommend it. You won’t regret it.
“He had a deep voice that warmed my soul and made me think of leather and whiskey.”
Harley jokes with Icarus that, if only he could marry him instead of a girl he would be able to get his inheritance. They realize, though, that it could solve both their troubles. Icarus would get the money he needs to kick start the business, he’s struggling to get up and running, and Harley could not only get his inheritance but he can also do a little good for someone else. In fact this whole experience might help him grow as an adult too. With a little persuasion Icarus agrees and off to the courthouse they go!
“Maybe I’ll just be a new kind of jackass, but even that feels like some kind of progress.”
It doesn’t take long for Harley to realize he isn't as straight as he thought. His attraction to Icarus is swift and irresistible. Things begin to move fast between them and at first, things seem to be wonderful. Their insecurities create some bumps that the couple need to work through if they want to stand on solid ground, as individuals and a couple. That is one thing I appreciated the most about this book, however. I think their insecurities were real and relatable. I think everyone can say they’ve dealt with the things each character struggled with, on some level, so it made the characters feel even more real to me. Icarus was sweet, funny and very charismatic but he still felt like he wasn’t good enough for anyone. Harley was Icarus’s perfect counterpart with his playful and easy going attitude, but history taught him that people usually didn’t like him for who he is and that they are only after his money. Seeing both men overcome these things was both inspiring and encouraging.
This Novella was capturing from start to finish and I loved it. Not only were the main characters relatable and the problems believable, but the supporting characters were all well written too. They created the perfect amount of comedic relief and support for one another. I could definitely feel the love between them all. This novella was the perfect afternoon read and highly recommend it. You won’t regret it.
probably-not-but-freebie
July 27, 2018Freebie at amazon.com right now: https://www.amazon.com/Deal-Its-Compl...
May 7, 2018
Wasn't Zach's best work.
I want to start out by saying that Zach has never disappointed me with a book. This one fell a little under the radar compared to his other books, but I still enjoyed it. It could have moved a little slower and had Icarus and Harley fight a little harder to get to where they ended up. Fought over the strippers maybe. Citrus should have gotten a little more jealous and had a bit of a hissy fit, but he didn't. Doesn't mean I didn't like or enjoy the story. It just needed more details. I'm an avid fan of the author and I will continue to follow and read his work. Looking forward to book 2.
I want to start out by saying that Zach has never disappointed me with a book. This one fell a little under the radar compared to his other books, but I still enjoyed it. It could have moved a little slower and had Icarus and Harley fight a little harder to get to where they ended up. Fought over the strippers maybe. Citrus should have gotten a little more jealous and had a bit of a hissy fit, but he didn't. Doesn't mean I didn't like or enjoy the story. It just needed more details. I'm an avid fan of the author and I will continue to follow and read his work. Looking forward to book 2.
July 29, 2018
An ok read
I did enjoy this book, don’t get me wrong i just didn’t love it
It felt like something was missing for me... I think I didn’t really feel this instant attraction, I didn’t feel the emotions of them falling in love.. it just didn’t give me all the feels that makes you invest in the characters, that makes you feel all the emotions right along with the characters 😕
I didn’t like how Harley had supposedly fallen in love with Icarus but was so quick to think the worst of him, it wasn’t nice to see.. poor Icarus
Also I would of have loved to see Harley experience “sex” for the 1st time with a guy.. I mean yeah there’s confidence but it was If he had been doing it for years
But anyway other than those few bits I did enjoy it and I will go on to read Shane’s book to see if it’s any good x
I did enjoy this book, don’t get me wrong i just didn’t love it
It felt like something was missing for me... I think I didn’t really feel this instant attraction, I didn’t feel the emotions of them falling in love.. it just didn’t give me all the feels that makes you invest in the characters, that makes you feel all the emotions right along with the characters 😕
I didn’t like how Harley had supposedly fallen in love with Icarus but was so quick to think the worst of him, it wasn’t nice to see.. poor Icarus
Also I would of have loved to see Harley experience “sex” for the 1st time with a guy.. I mean yeah there’s confidence but it was If he had been doing it for years
But anyway other than those few bits I did enjoy it and I will go on to read Shane’s book to see if it’s any good x
June 18, 2019
Well, that's one of the flattest books I've read so far, and I don't mean the thickness. The characters have no dimension. Story just happens with little internal justification.
They meet, marry the next day because money and insta-love happens. Everything is great until it's not for some reason that is never satisfactorily explained, they nearly break up but down, cue happy ever after.
I just did not get the characters, probably because they aren't really characters, just names on a page. They contradict themselves, there is never much context or explanation, if any, for their actions and feelings, there is barely and background to them, the secondary characters are even flatter than the main ones and it just felt like a big, boring, uneventful mess.
They meet, marry the next day because money and insta-love happens. Everything is great until it's not for some reason that is never satisfactorily explained, they nearly break up but down, cue happy ever after.
I just did not get the characters, probably because they aren't really characters, just names on a page. They contradict themselves, there is never much context or explanation, if any, for their actions and feelings, there is barely and background to them, the secondary characters are even flatter than the main ones and it just felt like a big, boring, uneventful mess.
January 29, 2019
Okay, it's official. Reading cures everything.
I picked up this one yesterday when I was just coming down from a headache and wanted to get myself distracted (so I would not overstress and make it worse/come back again in full force).
It was pretty great for the most part. It felt like exactly what I needed. Unconventional (at the start) and funny. Surprising too.
My only problem it did not last that long.
The straight guy is all of a sudden attracted to him (which feels false and misleading, like the author wanted a straight character but had to toss that aside when the story had to get going. Yes, discovering things about yourself is part of life - it is life and I am actually happy how okay he was with being bi but no doubts? Maybe it was really hurried and condensed and that is why it felt like such a... glitch in the overall flow but I just generally don't like the suddenly-so-so-gay characters that were actually just "emotionally stunned" but were not straight ALL along! Thanks, but no.
Still, the bigger part of the book was pretty good.
The setting, the characters, the plot... I recommend at least trying it.
I picked up this one yesterday when I was just coming down from a headache and wanted to get myself distracted (so I would not overstress and make it worse/come back again in full force).
It was pretty great for the most part. It felt like exactly what I needed. Unconventional (at the start) and funny. Surprising too.
My only problem it did not last that long.
The straight guy is all of a sudden attracted to him (which feels false and misleading, like the author wanted a straight character but had to toss that aside when the story had to get going. Yes, discovering things about yourself is part of life - it is life and I am actually happy how okay he was with being bi but no doubts? Maybe it was really hurried and condensed and that is why it felt like such a... glitch in the overall flow but I just generally don't like the suddenly-so-so-gay characters that were actually just "emotionally stunned" but were not straight ALL along! Thanks, but no.
Still, the bigger part of the book was pretty good.
The setting, the characters, the plot... I recommend at least trying it.
May 11, 2018
Feel good read
This was a nice fairly quick read, entertaining and lovable characters. It was a nice escapist story that made me smile with the feelgood factor. I also liked the lead on to the next book.
This was a nice fairly quick read, entertaining and lovable characters. It was a nice escapist story that made me smile with the feelgood factor. I also liked the lead on to the next book.
May 26, 2018
A great story
This was a great story. So glad Icarus and Harley were able to fight through their insecurities and find true love. I can’t wait to read Shane’s story. Should be quite interesting.
This was a great story. So glad Icarus and Harley were able to fight through their insecurities and find true love. I can’t wait to read Shane’s story. Should be quite interesting.
June 8, 2018
The Deal (It's Complicated Book 1)
This was absolutely wonderful, I loved it. A love story with drama, excitement, with fun and a very happy ending. Definitely a must read, don't miss it. Many thanks, Honey Bee 🐝📚💙🎶
This was absolutely wonderful, I loved it. A love story with drama, excitement, with fun and a very happy ending. Definitely a must read, don't miss it. Many thanks, Honey Bee 🐝📚💙🎶
June 17, 2018
This book is a lesson on the importance of communication in relationships, and what happens when you stop talking. Both Icarus and Harley, hid behind their insecurities, and almost ruined a great relationship. I was so happy when the book came together and they found their HEA.
May 26, 2018
Awe I love the whole fake marriage plot!
Really cute book! I got annoyed with Harley a bit toward the end, but other than that I enjoyed the story.
Really cute book! I got annoyed with Harley a bit toward the end, but other than that I enjoyed the story.
June 10, 2018
Good 👍
This book was awesome and exciting to read. It was full of drama and emotions. Icarus and Harley figured out what true love was all about.
This book was awesome and exciting to read. It was full of drama and emotions. Icarus and Harley figured out what true love was all about.
June 15, 2018
Love will surprise you
It has a tendency to creep up on you when you least expect it. Very cute gay for you tale.
It has a tendency to creep up on you when you least expect it. Very cute gay for you tale.
July 23, 2018
One of my favorite tropes. Loved it.
January 26, 2021
An interesting short read
August 19, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
Read
August 1, 2018Dnf, lately I’ve just not been up for gfy books and confused straight guys
Read
November 8, 2018I couldn't finish this. I stopped at around 47%. There was absolutely no chemistry between the main characters. I wanted to love this but the writing was very off putting.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews