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Love and Lint Rollers
Even with six beloved cats at home, Thom Fletcher can't help opening his heart to a little injured stray he finds at Pride. Luckily, the generosity of the veterinarian who helps him means he doesn't have to open his wallet. Thom's budget is stretched pretty thin, between his struggling start-up and medical expenses for his Crohn's disease, so the free cat care helps a lot. Thom may have fallen for the little feline, but he's also intrigued by the attractive vet in the bi-pride bracelet.
Dean Edwards went to Pride with his colors on his wrist, hoping to find community after his divorce. Instead, he's pulled into a cat rescue by an appealing man. Dean likes Thom's kindness to strays, his blue-gray eyes, his intelligence, and his perspective from decades as an out gay man. Maybe with Thom, Dean will finally feel able to explore his long-neglected attraction to men.
They're not a perfect match. From Dean's cat-hating dog to Thom's chronic health issues and preferences in bed, going from a casual date to something more will be a challenge for both of them.
Dean Edwards went to Pride with his colors on his wrist, hoping to find community after his divorce. Instead, he's pulled into a cat rescue by an appealing man. Dean likes Thom's kindness to strays, his blue-gray eyes, his intelligence, and his perspective from decades as an out gay man. Maybe with Thom, Dean will finally feel able to explore his long-neglected attraction to men.
They're not a perfect match. From Dean's cat-hating dog to Thom's chronic health issues and preferences in bed, going from a casual date to something more will be a challenge for both of them.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2018
28 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Kaje Harper
90 books2,723 followersI get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
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October 16, 2018This should now be up on all sites. :)
October 17, 2018
I really like the author but I've got to say that this one is not one of my favourites of hers. I daresay that people with pets will enjoy it more than I did. I could have done with a little less talk of litterboxes and pet feeding.
Also, the relationship didn't really work for me, mostly because Thom was really quite prickly. That's realistic for somebody who has been burnt and who has to cope with a disease that really impacts his everyday life but it's also a little exhausting to read. He is a little too much trapped in his own head for my taste. I guess I would have preferred a little more external forces to drive the plot and a few less cats ;-).
Also, the relationship didn't really work for me, mostly because Thom was really quite prickly. That's realistic for somebody who has been burnt and who has to cope with a disease that really impacts his everyday life but it's also a little exhausting to read. He is a little too much trapped in his own head for my taste. I guess I would have preferred a little more external forces to drive the plot and a few less cats ;-).
February 6, 2019
3,5 stars
It all started with Pride, and a kitten stuck in a tin can.. Cat lover Thom and veterinarian Dean join forces to rescue the little critter. It seemed like a match made in heaven, but their relationship isn't as easy as one might think.
There was one thing that I really loved with this book, and that was that one of the main characters, Thom, was suffering from a chronic illness, Crohn's disease. You don't come across that in books. Sure you get the cancers, the HIV, and the mental illnesses - but stuff like Crohns? Never. Or at least that has been my experience. So finding this book made me happy.
Suffering from a chronic illness myself (daily and never-ending migraines) I could relate so much to Thom and his struggles. The constant planning, the thinking "if I do this, I can't do that" or the "I wish I could do that. Always needing strategies for each and every thing that you do, for every trip - even something as basic as going to the store to buy some food. So while I don't have Crohns, I can relate too many of Thom's struggles and I think that the way Ms. Harper handled it all was very well done. I can only thank her for including a character with this kind of major "flaw", because I for one is fed up with reading about picture perfect characters. Give me a real story any day of the week.
That being said, I truly wanted to love this story. It had all the ingredients for a cute story but with a lot of depth. To me, that's not really what we got. My wish was that the main focus would be on the relationship between Thom and Dean. Sadly that ended up in the backseat and all things cat and Crohns kind of took over. Now I know I just said that I loved the fact that Thom had Crohns, and that's still true. But it took over a bit too much of the story. I'm the first one to admit how much an illness like that can rule your life - and the lives of your loved ones. But I still feel that Dean was forgotten, he never really got much on page time or the chance to shine. His Dreams and wishes were kind of swept under the rug as if he didn't matter as much, it made the book feel a little off balance.
Then there was the cats. The many, many cats, the care of the cats and the cat stories. Thom might have been the male version of a cat lady, basically living for his cats (pre Dean), but at time it felt like they had more space in this story than Dean had. I'm a huge animal lover and love as many fluffy cuddles I can get, but I still think that the main character should feel more important than the cats...
This might not have been the hit I anticipated, but I'm still glad I read it. I'm even more grateful to Harper for writing it - we definitely need more stories like this, especially in a world where the perfect outside seems to matter more than what is on the inside.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
It all started with Pride, and a kitten stuck in a tin can.. Cat lover Thom and veterinarian Dean join forces to rescue the little critter. It seemed like a match made in heaven, but their relationship isn't as easy as one might think.
There was one thing that I really loved with this book, and that was that one of the main characters, Thom, was suffering from a chronic illness, Crohn's disease. You don't come across that in books. Sure you get the cancers, the HIV, and the mental illnesses - but stuff like Crohns? Never. Or at least that has been my experience. So finding this book made me happy.
Suffering from a chronic illness myself (daily and never-ending migraines) I could relate so much to Thom and his struggles. The constant planning, the thinking "if I do this, I can't do that" or the "I wish I could do that. Always needing strategies for each and every thing that you do, for every trip - even something as basic as going to the store to buy some food. So while I don't have Crohns, I can relate too many of Thom's struggles and I think that the way Ms. Harper handled it all was very well done. I can only thank her for including a character with this kind of major "flaw", because I for one is fed up with reading about picture perfect characters. Give me a real story any day of the week.
That being said, I truly wanted to love this story. It had all the ingredients for a cute story but with a lot of depth. To me, that's not really what we got. My wish was that the main focus would be on the relationship between Thom and Dean. Sadly that ended up in the backseat and all things cat and Crohns kind of took over. Now I know I just said that I loved the fact that Thom had Crohns, and that's still true. But it took over a bit too much of the story. I'm the first one to admit how much an illness like that can rule your life - and the lives of your loved ones. But I still feel that Dean was forgotten, he never really got much on page time or the chance to shine. His Dreams and wishes were kind of swept under the rug as if he didn't matter as much, it made the book feel a little off balance.
Then there was the cats. The many, many cats, the care of the cats and the cat stories. Thom might have been the male version of a cat lady, basically living for his cats (pre Dean), but at time it felt like they had more space in this story than Dean had. I'm a huge animal lover and love as many fluffy cuddles I can get, but I still think that the main character should feel more important than the cats...
This might not have been the hit I anticipated, but I'm still glad I read it. I'm even more grateful to Harper for writing it - we definitely need more stories like this, especially in a world where the perfect outside seems to matter more than what is on the inside.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
February 13, 2019
Unicornian Buddy Read/Review with Annika
I seem to always say this, but it’s a refreshing treat to read a story about two men, more on the mature side, finding their places with life and one another, and this is exactly what Love and Lint Rollers has going for it. It’s a character (and pet) driven romance and these men have histories and maturity behind them giving their characters a level of depth that was much appreciated and so interesting.
Thom has been living with Crohn’s disease for many years and has come to uneasy terms with it as a single man, but can’t imagine a partner ever having the patience and tolerance to deal with it as well. He has his kit kats and besties to keep him company, but it’s not the same as having a life partner to share your world with, so Thom’s loneliness is almost palpable.
Dean is a recently divorced veterinarian who identifies, privately, as bisexual. He’s been married to a woman for years and while she knew, he never thought his orientation was relevant to anyone else so he’s always kept that part of himself hidden, until now. He doesn’t have any grand plans to come out, but he’s definitely keeping his options open for future romances.
So, the dynamics were pretty interesting from the beginning once Thom and Dean had their meet-cute via Pride and a homeless kitten. If you’re a pet lover, and more specifically a cat lover, than this story is your catnip. Anywho . . . what comes next is my favorite part of the book, Thom and Dean just spend time together, getting to know and appreciate one another and I loved it. The organic ups and downs they went through made me root for them individually and as a couple.
Thom and Dean had to navigate a lot of realistic obstacles and there was the potential for a lot of angst, which, thankfully, was absent. I think that’s why I find older characters refreshing, they are over the angst BS and deal with life like adults. They also have a higher sense of self preservation so things move more slowly which I love when it’s as good as it is in this story. I’m obviously generalizing with the mature characters thing, but it was definitely true here.
Thom’s chronic health problems affect his feelings and preferences about sex and with good reason. It was sad that he felt that would keep him alone, but in the end of the day, this story is a romance and Dean is definitely Thom’s other half when it comes to compatibility. And sweet mother of all that is holy, the compatibility of these two is smokin’!
Thom has trouble believing Dean can be as in to him as Thom is in to Dean and Dean has to deal with coming out to his coworkers, family and friends. It’s not easy and the biphobia and bi-erasure he goes through is heartbreaking and frustrating.
There was no magic answer to every issue, but by the end there was a solid and believable relationship between two deserving men.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
I seem to always say this, but it’s a refreshing treat to read a story about two men, more on the mature side, finding their places with life and one another, and this is exactly what Love and Lint Rollers has going for it. It’s a character (and pet) driven romance and these men have histories and maturity behind them giving their characters a level of depth that was much appreciated and so interesting.
Thom has been living with Crohn’s disease for many years and has come to uneasy terms with it as a single man, but can’t imagine a partner ever having the patience and tolerance to deal with it as well. He has his kit kats and besties to keep him company, but it’s not the same as having a life partner to share your world with, so Thom’s loneliness is almost palpable.
Dean is a recently divorced veterinarian who identifies, privately, as bisexual. He’s been married to a woman for years and while she knew, he never thought his orientation was relevant to anyone else so he’s always kept that part of himself hidden, until now. He doesn’t have any grand plans to come out, but he’s definitely keeping his options open for future romances.
So, the dynamics were pretty interesting from the beginning once Thom and Dean had their meet-cute via Pride and a homeless kitten. If you’re a pet lover, and more specifically a cat lover, than this story is your catnip. Anywho . . . what comes next is my favorite part of the book, Thom and Dean just spend time together, getting to know and appreciate one another and I loved it. The organic ups and downs they went through made me root for them individually and as a couple.
Thom and Dean had to navigate a lot of realistic obstacles and there was the potential for a lot of angst, which, thankfully, was absent. I think that’s why I find older characters refreshing, they are over the angst BS and deal with life like adults. They also have a higher sense of self preservation so things move more slowly which I love when it’s as good as it is in this story. I’m obviously generalizing with the mature characters thing, but it was definitely true here.
Thom’s chronic health problems affect his feelings and preferences about sex and with good reason. It was sad that he felt that would keep him alone, but in the end of the day, this story is a romance and Dean is definitely Thom’s other half when it comes to compatibility. And sweet mother of all that is holy, the compatibility of these two is smokin’!
Thom has trouble believing Dean can be as in to him as Thom is in to Dean and Dean has to deal with coming out to his coworkers, family and friends. It’s not easy and the biphobia and bi-erasure he goes through is heartbreaking and frustrating.
There was no magic answer to every issue, but by the end there was a solid and believable relationship between two deserving men.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
October 21, 2018
I'm not a cat person. I think a cat-lover would have appreciated all the details about all of Thom's cats more than I did.
My mother has Crohn's disease. I try to avoid hearing the graphic details of her issues, but have a pretty good idea anyway. I know she went from taking a lot of oral medication to Remicade infusions to injections of whatever medicine when she became allergic to Remicade. She doesn't do a strictly controlled diet. I know more than I really want to about what her problems are between hearing her recount her woes and from living in the same house, and Thom's symptoms during the time covered in the first half or so of the book were just like hers. There isn't much I can think of that would be more unromantic. However, it was a "life happens" sort of realism.
I'm very familiar with what gay men and lesbians around the time Dean was in college said about bisexuals. That was exactly what I heard around that time, too. Again, highly, highly realistic.
Thom was in his fifties and Dean was in his forties. It's a change to have older protagonists in a romance.
Thom was controlled by the Crohn's disease -- again, realistic -- and by seeing to the needs of his cats. Pretty much he was the male equivalent of a cat lady. Thom's doctor kept him informed about his choices in managing the disease, but that kind of chronic illness truly can rule someone's life. Thom had had failed relationships because of his disease and because of his devotion to his cats, so he was wary about a romance. Dean was more optimistic. Dean was used to dealing with all sorts of illness, disease and injury in his profession as a veterinarian. Also, he was as extreme an animal lover as Thom. Those factors contributed toward Dean being a good match for Thom.
I like Ms. Harper's writing and have read a number of her other books. Aspects of this book were really not my kind of thing, but I could see how other readers could appreciate those very same aspects. Within the romance genre, this was a contemporary that was very realistic on several topics.
My mother has Crohn's disease. I try to avoid hearing the graphic details of her issues, but have a pretty good idea anyway. I know she went from taking a lot of oral medication to Remicade infusions to injections of whatever medicine when she became allergic to Remicade. She doesn't do a strictly controlled diet. I know more than I really want to about what her problems are between hearing her recount her woes and from living in the same house, and Thom's symptoms during the time covered in the first half or so of the book were just like hers. There isn't much I can think of that would be more unromantic. However, it was a "life happens" sort of realism.
I'm very familiar with what gay men and lesbians around the time Dean was in college said about bisexuals. That was exactly what I heard around that time, too. Again, highly, highly realistic.
Thom was in his fifties and Dean was in his forties. It's a change to have older protagonists in a romance.
Thom was controlled by the Crohn's disease -- again, realistic -- and by seeing to the needs of his cats. Pretty much he was the male equivalent of a cat lady. Thom's doctor kept him informed about his choices in managing the disease, but that kind of chronic illness truly can rule someone's life. Thom had had failed relationships because of his disease and because of his devotion to his cats, so he was wary about a romance. Dean was more optimistic. Dean was used to dealing with all sorts of illness, disease and injury in his profession as a veterinarian. Also, he was as extreme an animal lover as Thom. Those factors contributed toward Dean being a good match for Thom.
I like Ms. Harper's writing and have read a number of her other books. Aspects of this book were really not my kind of thing, but I could see how other readers could appreciate those very same aspects. Within the romance genre, this was a contemporary that was very realistic on several topics.
May 23, 2020
I’ve read a lot of books that feature animals and love stories but this time I really feel that the writer totally captured what it’s like to have an animal in your life in this day and age. These guys were totally committed to their little beasties and I completely got that. I also adore the fact that they were both grown-ass men NOT 20-something want-to-be’s.
This was real.
This was sweet.
This was passionate.
This was well was well written.
Kaje Harper puts a beautiful story on paper.
This was real.
This was sweet.
This was passionate.
This was well was well written.
Kaje Harper puts a beautiful story on paper.
Want to read
November 25, 2018Thank you for the gift, secret santa!!
October 20, 2018
I loved this character driven romance between two men over 40, one who has a chronic condition which shapes his life and the other who is just coming out to the wider world about his bisexuality.
I adored that this love story is about fully grown heroes who act like it with all the baggage and set context that shape a romance.
Thom and Dean are wonderful match. Thom has cats. Dean's dog hates cats. This issue just doesn't go away nor does Thom's sexual preference or self esteem issues around his Crohen's.
Dean comes out fully when dating Thom. And we see biphobia at play as well as homophobia.
This romance is thoughtful and engaging and plus cats...so many great cats.
I adored that this love story is about fully grown heroes who act like it with all the baggage and set context that shape a romance.
Thom and Dean are wonderful match. Thom has cats. Dean's dog hates cats. This issue just doesn't go away nor does Thom's sexual preference or self esteem issues around his Crohen's.
Dean comes out fully when dating Thom. And we see biphobia at play as well as homophobia.
This romance is thoughtful and engaging and plus cats...so many great cats.
November 29, 2018
3.75 stars rounded up
I always like how Kaje Harper includes challenges into her romance, but in my opinion in a more understated way, and not trying to write angst for angst alone. I remember her writing a character with aphasia, then also someone who has small .
In this one, Thom Fletcher, the fifty-one years old cat hoarder engineer suffers from Crohn's diseases (which is a NEW health issue for me!), while fourty-four years old Dean Edwards has only braved himself to date a man, after being a bisexual all his life but married to a woman for fourteen years.
I liked how Harper writes about the insecurities, and the fights, and the compromise... it's not roses and diamonds for these two. Thom has been left by men before, because of his Crohn's and that he doesn't like . So he is insecure about Dean, the 'newly out bisexual, who never has tried sex with men. I also liked that confrontation between Dean and his gay friends, the bi-phobia among gay men, and such.
But I also admit that at times it felt rather dry and didn't fulfill my romantic mood. Still, there's diversity and inclusivity here but I didn't feel like it was 'on your face', which is good :)
OH AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CATS!!!!
I always like how Kaje Harper includes challenges into her romance, but in my opinion in a more understated way, and not trying to write angst for angst alone. I remember her writing a character with aphasia, then also someone who has small .
In this one, Thom Fletcher, the fifty-one years old cat hoarder engineer suffers from Crohn's diseases (which is a NEW health issue for me!), while fourty-four years old Dean Edwards has only braved himself to date a man, after being a bisexual all his life but married to a woman for fourteen years.
I liked how Harper writes about the insecurities, and the fights, and the compromise... it's not roses and diamonds for these two. Thom has been left by men before, because of his Crohn's and that he doesn't like . So he is insecure about Dean, the 'newly out bisexual, who never has tried sex with men. I also liked that confrontation between Dean and his gay friends, the bi-phobia among gay men, and such.
But I also admit that at times it felt rather dry and didn't fulfill my romantic mood. Still, there's diversity and inclusivity here but I didn't feel like it was 'on your face', which is good :)
OH AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CATS!!!!
November 28, 2020
Not my favorite by this author. I think maybe I'd have liked it more if I were a cat owner, lol.
October 21, 2018
This is realistic, affectionate, full of diversity and thoughtful inclusion.
An interesting pair, Dan and Thom have lots to navigate and I enjoyed watching them figure out how to be together.
Really enjoyable.
An interesting pair, Dan and Thom have lots to navigate and I enjoyed watching them figure out how to be together.
Really enjoyable.
December 21, 2018
This was a comfortable sweet read. I really liked these guys together. I was almost to the point of not liking Sonja but then she backed off.
October 5, 2018
Round up to 3.5 stars.
Blurb sums up the plot nicely so I won’t rehash.
I enjoyed this latest selection by Ms. Harper. It had furry felines, hot guys – one a veterinarian - and some appreciated realism.
I also have a few caveats, because, this is a review so I need a few. Mostly these are my quirks, so take with grain of salt or two.
The Female Tell-All Bestie/Protector. I’m so not a fan of this particular trope. Thom has that nosey, needs to know all, female friend who encourages him to get out and live on one hand, then becomes all protective when he does finally meet someone.
I am also not thrilled with one character deciding what’s best relationship-wise for another character. I’m purposely being a bit vague here. That particular trait just rubs me the wrong way and I get all bristly like Thom’s cat Onyx. I will admit, Harper did resolve this in a very satisfactory way, but it still makes me irritated.
Thom is a self-centered git where it comes to people. My main example – not texting Dean that he was in the hospital/had been sick (and then the female bestie gets all defensive that Dean isn’t good enough for Thom because he “wasn’t there for him”). I was finding more detractions in Thom’s character than attractions.
In adding some positivity to the review, I want to applaud the ages! It was so nice to read something where our characters are settled into that 40/50 year old range.
It can be hit or miss when an author attempts to shine a light on a specific issue: Crohn’s Disease in this case. I appreciated how the author showed the reader through Tom’s actions what someone might have to cope with (and I completely understand every situation and body is different). I didn’t come away feeling like I was being lectured, which I appreciated.
Kitties! Oh so many kitties! And sweet Tig…
Ultimately this is a feel-good read. A good book to curl up with in the evening to unwind or chill out with on a lazy Sunday afternoon. If you have a four-legged furry buddy, snuggle a bit with them too.
Review cross posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Blurb sums up the plot nicely so I won’t rehash.
I enjoyed this latest selection by Ms. Harper. It had furry felines, hot guys – one a veterinarian - and some appreciated realism.
I also have a few caveats, because, this is a review so I need a few. Mostly these are my quirks, so take with grain of salt or two.
The Female Tell-All Bestie/Protector. I’m so not a fan of this particular trope. Thom has that nosey, needs to know all, female friend who encourages him to get out and live on one hand, then becomes all protective when he does finally meet someone.
I am also not thrilled with one character deciding what’s best relationship-wise for another character. I’m purposely being a bit vague here. That particular trait just rubs me the wrong way and I get all bristly like Thom’s cat Onyx. I will admit, Harper did resolve this in a very satisfactory way, but it still makes me irritated.
Thom is a self-centered git where it comes to people. My main example – not texting Dean that he was in the hospital/had been sick (and then the female bestie gets all defensive that Dean isn’t good enough for Thom because he “wasn’t there for him”). I was finding more detractions in Thom’s character than attractions.
In adding some positivity to the review, I want to applaud the ages! It was so nice to read something where our characters are settled into that 40/50 year old range.
It can be hit or miss when an author attempts to shine a light on a specific issue: Crohn’s Disease in this case. I appreciated how the author showed the reader through Tom’s actions what someone might have to cope with (and I completely understand every situation and body is different). I didn’t come away feeling like I was being lectured, which I appreciated.
Kitties! Oh so many kitties! And sweet Tig…
Ultimately this is a feel-good read. A good book to curl up with in the evening to unwind or chill out with on a lazy Sunday afternoon. If you have a four-legged furry buddy, snuggle a bit with them too.
Review cross posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 31, 2018
Harper writes well and isn't afraid of non-standard heroes, here Thom suffers with Chroms disease, unpleasant but part of his life; not your average romantic sub-plot. So respect for that inclusion, but overall this is a slow read.
The men feel real, both mature; there's insecurities, societal pressure, some good supportive friends and a positive ex-wife character. There's also cats. Lots of cats. Lots of cats with lots of litter trays. In fact I think we learnt more about their litter trays than their personalities, there were a lot of them and they were often underfoot or overhead! I like cats, have my favourite furry dictator perched on my feet as I type this. But it was too much, they kind of took over from the bonding.
While I liked both characters and enjoyed the slow-pace of their relationship this book felt slow. It was by no means drama-llama but there was a lot going on and sometimes it felt there was a step missed to move on to the next story point. I wanted more of them together sans cats, maybe interacting as a couple with more people, far less in their own heads. Didn't feel any joy at them being together at the end, by then it was more about resolving each issue than any romance and the humour fell mostly flat.
And the dog needed more love Perhaps I'm too much a dog person to fully enjoy this.
Conclusion - Must love cats.
The men feel real, both mature; there's insecurities, societal pressure, some good supportive friends and a positive ex-wife character. There's also cats. Lots of cats. Lots of cats with lots of litter trays. In fact I think we learnt more about their litter trays than their personalities, there were a lot of them and they were often underfoot or overhead! I like cats, have my favourite furry dictator perched on my feet as I type this. But it was too much, they kind of took over from the bonding.
While I liked both characters and enjoyed the slow-pace of their relationship this book felt slow. It was by no means drama-llama but there was a lot going on and sometimes it felt there was a step missed to move on to the next story point. I wanted more of them together sans cats, maybe interacting as a couple with more people, far less in their own heads. Didn't feel any joy at them being together at the end, by then it was more about resolving each issue than any romance and the humour fell mostly flat.
And the dog needed more love Perhaps I'm too much a dog person to fully enjoy this.
Conclusion - Must love cats.
November 5, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
I’ve been a fan of Kaje Harper’s for a long time now and I’m always eager when another book by this author hits the market. So I was pretty excited when I grabbed Love and Lint Rollers for review. It has Harper’s signature smooth and relaxed writing style, which is a particular favorite of mine, as well as an overall sweetness that will probably appeal to a lot of readers. I also appreciated the realistic nature of Thom’s condition. Like most chronic diseases, it isn’t fun, sexy, or magically curable. It can be brutal and unkind and Harper goes a good job of incorporating this into the story, without trying to soften the edges of it. Love and Lint Rollers also has a rather unlikable MC and a couple with so little romantic chemistry, I wondered at times if they were even dating.
Thom has a huge chip on his shoulder about his disease and while I was sympathetic for him up to a point, I found his constant assumptions about how other people would react, what they might want, or how they might view him to be rather off putting. I appreciate that bad experiences helped to form these defense mechanisms, but he really went overboard with them. He slaps his baggage onto Dean almost right away and never gives the man an even chance except towards the end.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
I’ve been a fan of Kaje Harper’s for a long time now and I’m always eager when another book by this author hits the market. So I was pretty excited when I grabbed Love and Lint Rollers for review. It has Harper’s signature smooth and relaxed writing style, which is a particular favorite of mine, as well as an overall sweetness that will probably appeal to a lot of readers. I also appreciated the realistic nature of Thom’s condition. Like most chronic diseases, it isn’t fun, sexy, or magically curable. It can be brutal and unkind and Harper goes a good job of incorporating this into the story, without trying to soften the edges of it. Love and Lint Rollers also has a rather unlikable MC and a couple with so little romantic chemistry, I wondered at times if they were even dating.
Thom has a huge chip on his shoulder about his disease and while I was sympathetic for him up to a point, I found his constant assumptions about how other people would react, what they might want, or how they might view him to be rather off putting. I appreciate that bad experiences helped to form these defense mechanisms, but he really went overboard with them. He slaps his baggage onto Dean almost right away and never gives the man an even chance except towards the end.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
September 16, 2019
I really liked parts of this book but other parts I wondered really why they were there. To try to build up angst? Maybe, but I don't think it did.
Loved the cats and Thom's love for them and I guess Dean and Thom were going to be a great couple in the future.
Loved the cats and Thom's love for them and I guess Dean and Thom were going to be a great couple in the future.
May 22, 2020
A nice enough story but not one that will stick. The two men said they were in love with each other but I couldn't feel it. There was a tiny bit of angst that never fully seemed resolved as it wasn't mentioned again.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
December 2, 2018
This was more of a 3.5 star read. I love Kaje Harpers writing style and I enjoyed this contemporary romance with real life issues dealing with a serious chronic health disease. Thom Fletcher also faces the challenge of being a gay man, hoping to find compatable love, sex and companionship with someone who will understand that he doesn't do anal sex or view his anus as an erogenous zone. He has spent many many years being lonely with his many cats as his furry family.
He has many down to earth believable "real life" problems, medical bills, daily health concerns and trying to make ends meet.
Dean Edwards comes into his life by way of a stray injured cat who needs emergency vet assistance, and they work together to help Thom care for the addition to his cat family, since Dean, the cute guy he spies at Pride just happens to be a veterinarian.
I liked this story and this couple. I was especially happy to read about MC's with real life problems.
He has many down to earth believable "real life" problems, medical bills, daily health concerns and trying to make ends meet.
Dean Edwards comes into his life by way of a stray injured cat who needs emergency vet assistance, and they work together to help Thom care for the addition to his cat family, since Dean, the cute guy he spies at Pride just happens to be a veterinarian.
I liked this story and this couple. I was especially happy to read about MC's with real life problems.
October 21, 2018
I needed a quiet, simple story in my life, and this one fit the bill. Thom and Dean are both older, have seen things in life, and experienced some more. Thom struggles with Chron’s Disease and Dean is just out of marriage and free to explore his bisexuality. Both of them were kind, caring people that just wanted to share their lives with the right person. Both acted like the adults they were with no manufactured angst, which I always appreciate.
I love where they are left at the end of the story.
I love where they are left at the end of the story.
May 21, 2019
Two middle-aged men, a lot of animals (especially cats), and the very realistic writing style of Kaje Harper had me loving this book from the get-go. One of my favorite things about this author is her willingness to go where many authors might hesitate. She writes about the true realities of life and what it means to be human with foibles. She takes topics such as Thom’s struggle with his Crohn’s disease and lays it right out there which I find refreshing and true-to-life. ‘Love and Lint Rollers’ is a wonderful read and I enjoyed it immensely.
Thom is fifty-one years old, has six cats whom he is in perpetual slavery to (as anyone with a cat will understand), is a software engineer working from home with his struggling start-up, and suffers from Crohn’s disease. I have a close family member with this disease and I can guarantee you that it is difficult, painful, and can overtake your world which is what has been happening to Thom for longer than he cares to remember. It makes dating and sex extremely tough as most people don’t want to deal with all that it entails. Thom doesn’t want to get his hopes up when he meets Dean at Pride when they both try to save a cat whose head is stuck inside a metal can.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Thom is fifty-one years old, has six cats whom he is in perpetual slavery to (as anyone with a cat will understand), is a software engineer working from home with his struggling start-up, and suffers from Crohn’s disease. I have a close family member with this disease and I can guarantee you that it is difficult, painful, and can overtake your world which is what has been happening to Thom for longer than he cares to remember. It makes dating and sex extremely tough as most people don’t want to deal with all that it entails. Thom doesn’t want to get his hopes up when he meets Dean at Pride when they both try to save a cat whose head is stuck inside a metal can.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
March 24, 2020
'Love and Lint Rollers', 'six cats' made me think I was venturing into a humourous read. Alas, only a spattering of good corny jokes spread out in a love story that took too long to tell. I was educated that not all gays enjoy anal (I did research that), who knew? All the MM romances I have read have misguided me but I guess I shouldn't be surprised as most MF romances are filled with men who put their partner orgasms before their own. Disappointed in myself for reading this book to the end.
Cheers
Cheers
October 13, 2018
A slice-of-life narrative; the characters are so authentic and believable in their normal, everyday quirks, worries, enjoyments, and awkward moments. Such a warm-hearted story! And it’s a real plus to have a window onto the challenges of a gay man struggling with Crohn’s as well as diffidence due to his specific sexual limits.
April 9, 2019
Very cute with some real-life issues.
October 30, 2020
The writing was as good as usual. It was just... boring. I really struggled to finish it, I kept ignoring it for other things.
February 10, 2019
I feel bad cuz I usually love Kaje’s books, but this just didn’t grab my interest. The characters were nice, but there just wasn’t any spark. This one just didn’t work for me I’m afraid.
October 1, 2018
This book starts out great with promise. I enjoyed the beginning, with Thom meeting Dean at a pride parade when they find a cat in need of medical help. It just so happens Dean is a vet.
The two hit it off and when Thom decides to keep the cat, it's enough reason to give Dean his phone number and an excuse for Dean to use it.
Under the pretense of following up with the cat, they get together again and decide to give a relationship a go.
Dean is bi, but he's been married to a woman until they divorced a year ago. Thom is his first boyfriend, but Thom has some reservations about being Dean's first man. Dean has Chrone's Disease and is a side. No questions. Will that be enough for Dean?
As I said, this book started off with promise. I enjoyed the introduction of both Thom and Dean and thought they were well suited. Once I made it 1/3 of the way through I was getting bored. It seemed like each encounter was painfully documented, including each of Thom's 7 cats and the noises they made while being fed.
Obviously the author knew her stuff when it came to veterinary medicine, but it was a lot of unimportant information to go into in multiple scenes over the entire story. I mean, one guy is a vet and the other has 7 cats. We get that they like animals. I didn't need pages of history of 12 feedings a day and how many times a day the cat litters were changed. I think quite a bit could be removed and make the story flow better.
The main conflict seemed like a recurring theme for Thom and I did appreciate how it was addressed and resolved, but there were points in the story that I found their relationship to be lacking. The fact that they were pretty far gone and Thom doesn't let him know that something has happened to him? I found that odd.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, but I thought it may have read better if it was shortened a bit.
The two hit it off and when Thom decides to keep the cat, it's enough reason to give Dean his phone number and an excuse for Dean to use it.
Under the pretense of following up with the cat, they get together again and decide to give a relationship a go.
Dean is bi, but he's been married to a woman until they divorced a year ago. Thom is his first boyfriend, but Thom has some reservations about being Dean's first man. Dean has Chrone's Disease and is a side. No questions. Will that be enough for Dean?
As I said, this book started off with promise. I enjoyed the introduction of both Thom and Dean and thought they were well suited. Once I made it 1/3 of the way through I was getting bored. It seemed like each encounter was painfully documented, including each of Thom's 7 cats and the noises they made while being fed.
Obviously the author knew her stuff when it came to veterinary medicine, but it was a lot of unimportant information to go into in multiple scenes over the entire story. I mean, one guy is a vet and the other has 7 cats. We get that they like animals. I didn't need pages of history of 12 feedings a day and how many times a day the cat litters were changed. I think quite a bit could be removed and make the story flow better.
The main conflict seemed like a recurring theme for Thom and I did appreciate how it was addressed and resolved, but there were points in the story that I found their relationship to be lacking. The fact that they were pretty far gone and Thom doesn't let him know that something has happened to him? I found that odd.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, but I thought it may have read better if it was shortened a bit.
October 19, 2018
Ebook
Grade: C
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
Thom is a 51-yo gay man who lives with a bunch of cats, works from home on a startup medical tech security company, and suffers from Crohn's disease. Dean is a younger (can't remember the exact age) bi man, is a veterinarian, and recently divorced from his wife after 15 years of marriage. They meet at a gay pride event while rescuing a kitten. And the relationship goes from there.
This book should have been my catnip (bad pun), but my overall impression was "meh." I really thought about ditching this book, but I've been doing a lot of that so I pushed myself to finish. It was a chore, rather than a joy, tho.
I love cats, but there was just sooo much detail about cat care (litter boxes, feeding, etc) and managing their relationships/socialization. Yeah, maybe that's realistic, but I'd have liked a little bit less of it in a romance book.
Sonja, the pushy, meddling, overbearing, lesbian BFF really got on my nerves, too. She and her wife decided against having kids, but it was like she tried to mother/boss Thom instead. Back off, woman
There was a lot of discussion about whether bi is really a thing, or just a hedge. For all of the discussion, tho, I wasn't convinced that Dean really was bi. Maybe there was too much discussion about it? I dunno. But it didn't completely work for me.
I didn't really care for the way Dean handled coming out at the vet office he worked at. (Thom was the welcome voice of reason in all that.) And I'm not sure I like how it was handled by everyone else--and I also would have liked more resolution. Again, maybe that's not realistic of me, but, again, I don't always read romance for realism.
The Crohn's. I have a nephew who has been suffering with it for about 20 years--and suffering is an accurate description. Like most chronic illnesses, it takes a horrible physical, emotional, and financial toll. And there's also that added element of difficulty because it is associated with topics that most people aren't comfortable with discussing--and that goes for both the sufferers and the people who interact with them. From what I do know (which is still limited), I think the portrayal was pretty accurate here. But, I was bothered that Thom seemed to be in denial about how his condition was flaring up, causing him to ignore his symptoms and not deal with them proactively. And I realize that not all patients have the same food triggers, but some of Thom's diet also surprised me. But, on the whole, I thought the disease and how it was woven into the story was done well.
The angst about Thom's start up felt like just another distraction. It was like the book had to have a bunch of drama, and this was just another element. (Like the sick dog and the Thom going to the hospital.)
My final, and biggest, issue was that, ultimately, I just wasn't sold on the instalove between Thom and Dean. Cat lover and vet may sound like the perfect match, but it just didn't hit the right notes for me. Maybe it was too rushed? I don't know. It just didn't work for me. And, before we know it, Thom's start up woes are resolved and now they're remodeling Dean's already amazing house so they can all move in together.
Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2024
I usually love Harper’s writing so this was a big let down. It was just kind of meh.
There were good things, I liked that he didn’t like anal at all. It completely made sense and it was a new concept to me. I liked the depictions of Crone’s Disease. I would have liked a little more of that and a lot less sex. (There was way too much.)
I really liked the discussion Dean had with his gay friends and their attitudes toward bisexuals. I’m bi and was with a woman for six years through college and after. People made a lot of assumptions and said horrible things like these guys did. But it was also true that gay people often went through a bi phase for whatever reason. My ex-girlfriend says I am the only real bi person she knows, that’s how much she doesn’t believe bi people. And I know someone got hurt by it. He was with his bi partner for seventeen years when his partner decided he wanted to have a bio family and left him for a woman. It was actually harder to come out as truly bi when I started dating a man. So I see both sides of it.
The author really knows animals, especially cats, and their antics were fun…but not funny. There were some things I didn’t like such as all day is too long to keep a cat isolated for a whole week in a small windowless space that she doesn’t know with only intermittent human interaction. She should have had the whole bedroom or even the emergency closet.
I just need to say this because authors assume things are great now because there’s marriage equality but recognized legal standing doesn’t mean safe. Safer but not safe.
It really bothered me how much they emphasized how young they looked. Or surprise they had a boyfriend at 46. That’s only middle aged! I love that they’re older, so be older. Be their age. The fact that they kept talking about their age at all meant they were uncomfortable with it and that makes me uncomfortable. I’m in my mid-fifties and I hardly ever think about it. I’m just me. And my friends my age are all in great shape and look like attractive middle aged people.
They were attached to each other sexually like leeches but I still didn’t feel any chemistry between them. They kept saying “don’t patronize me” when the other said something supportive. When one called the other his boyfriend, I thought, really? Already? Maybe because their relationship had no emotions. They just went along sweetly. No passion. Even when they disagreed, it felt calmer than a college debate.
So the book was fine but it didn’t do anything for me. Cute cover though.
There were good things, I liked that he didn’t like anal at all. It completely made sense and it was a new concept to me. I liked the depictions of Crone’s Disease. I would have liked a little more of that and a lot less sex. (There was way too much.)
I really liked the discussion Dean had with his gay friends and their attitudes toward bisexuals. I’m bi and was with a woman for six years through college and after. People made a lot of assumptions and said horrible things like these guys did. But it was also true that gay people often went through a bi phase for whatever reason. My ex-girlfriend says I am the only real bi person she knows, that’s how much she doesn’t believe bi people. And I know someone got hurt by it. He was with his bi partner for seventeen years when his partner decided he wanted to have a bio family and left him for a woman. It was actually harder to come out as truly bi when I started dating a man. So I see both sides of it.
The author really knows animals, especially cats, and their antics were fun…but not funny. There were some things I didn’t like such as all day is too long to keep a cat isolated for a whole week in a small windowless space that she doesn’t know with only intermittent human interaction. She should have had the whole bedroom or even the emergency closet.
I just need to say this because authors assume things are great now because there’s marriage equality but recognized legal standing doesn’t mean safe. Safer but not safe.
It really bothered me how much they emphasized how young they looked. Or surprise they had a boyfriend at 46. That’s only middle aged! I love that they’re older, so be older. Be their age. The fact that they kept talking about their age at all meant they were uncomfortable with it and that makes me uncomfortable. I’m in my mid-fifties and I hardly ever think about it. I’m just me. And my friends my age are all in great shape and look like attractive middle aged people.
They were attached to each other sexually like leeches but I still didn’t feel any chemistry between them. They kept saying “don’t patronize me” when the other said something supportive. When one called the other his boyfriend, I thought, really? Already? Maybe because their relationship had no emotions. They just went along sweetly. No passion. Even when they disagreed, it felt calmer than a college debate.
So the book was fine but it didn’t do anything for me. Cute cover though.
March 28, 2020
*Review written during the COVID-19 emergency. My emotions are all over the place, and my rational mind is on hiatus.
This was okay, but when my emotions were more deeply engaged during a scene between one of the MCs and the kitten he needs to re-home than during the scenes between the two MCs, there's something that doesn't quite work. Thom and Dean are both appealing characters, but I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between them. They seemed better suited as friends than as two men falling in love. I give Harper credit for incorporating chronic illness (Crohn's Disease) into the story, but another recent book I read did it better (Jay Hogan's Digging Deep).
Still, as an aspiring Cat Lady, I can't help but appreciate a story that features one MC with multiple cats and another MC who is a caring veterinarian. It was also interesting that Thom was a little north of 50 years old, and came of age during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, which gives him a unique perspective on the growing homophobia in the US since the 2016 election.
I haven't read anything of Kaje Harper that I didn't like, but I've read several books of hers that I loved more than this one. This book was free on Smashwords in March 2020, and I appreciate her generosity.
This was okay, but when my emotions were more deeply engaged during a scene between one of the MCs and the kitten he needs to re-home than during the scenes between the two MCs, there's something that doesn't quite work. Thom and Dean are both appealing characters, but I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between them. They seemed better suited as friends than as two men falling in love. I give Harper credit for incorporating chronic illness (Crohn's Disease) into the story, but another recent book I read did it better (Jay Hogan's Digging Deep).
Still, as an aspiring Cat Lady, I can't help but appreciate a story that features one MC with multiple cats and another MC who is a caring veterinarian. It was also interesting that Thom was a little north of 50 years old, and came of age during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, which gives him a unique perspective on the growing homophobia in the US since the 2016 election.
I haven't read anything of Kaje Harper that I didn't like, but I've read several books of hers that I loved more than this one. This book was free on Smashwords in March 2020, and I appreciate her generosity.
October 9, 2018
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-eT8
From that review: "I don't know when I last read a story with so many elements that stood out as remarkable and yet still folded nicely into a heartwarming romance in the end as the ones in Love and Lint Rollers by Kaje Harper. First the characters are older which I really appreciated, one in his early fifties, with all that means emotionally, mentally, and baggage wise. Thom Fletcher has the added complications of Crohn’s Disease, something that has drastically affected his health and his love life (no anal sex to be explicit). Harper addresses life with Crohn's through Thom and we see all stages of the disease and its effects on his life and relationships. For some readers it might not be enough information. For others too much. We definitely learn a lot about life lived with this illness and its tight restrictions. And how not to give up as well."
For all our reviews, visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-eT8
From that review: "I don't know when I last read a story with so many elements that stood out as remarkable and yet still folded nicely into a heartwarming romance in the end as the ones in Love and Lint Rollers by Kaje Harper. First the characters are older which I really appreciated, one in his early fifties, with all that means emotionally, mentally, and baggage wise. Thom Fletcher has the added complications of Crohn’s Disease, something that has drastically affected his health and his love life (no anal sex to be explicit). Harper addresses life with Crohn's through Thom and we see all stages of the disease and its effects on his life and relationships. For some readers it might not be enough information. For others too much. We definitely learn a lot about life lived with this illness and its tight restrictions. And how not to give up as well."
For all our reviews, visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
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