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Mayfair Model #1
Marshall
Handsome model, Marshall Easton, is at the top of his game. His successful career allows him to enjoy lucrative international modelling contracts and attend lavish parties. He also has a stellar reputation of the utmost professionalism in front of the camera. But looks can be deceiving—and he’s hiding his biggest secret from everyone, including himself. The only thing keeping him sane these days is coming home to Jess, his new dog.
Fabulous Stuart Livingston loves living his life to the fullest. He is free spirited and enjoys doing what he wants. Although he’s an artist at heart, his love of animals leads him to a new dog walking job. When he meets the adorable Jess but not the elusive owner, he has no idea what to expect.
Can Stuart and Jess help Marshall see that the man on the runway is deserving of being his true self and finding real happiness?
Fabulous Stuart Livingston loves living his life to the fullest. He is free spirited and enjoys doing what he wants. Although he’s an artist at heart, his love of animals leads him to a new dog walking job. When he meets the adorable Jess but not the elusive owner, he has no idea what to expect.
Can Stuart and Jess help Marshall see that the man on the runway is deserving of being his true self and finding real happiness?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2019
25 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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March 31, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/31/2020)! 🎁
March 7, 2019
Sweet.
Touching.
This book melted my heart. The way Claire Castle describes the feelings of her characters is inspiring and I lived for the dialogue between them.
Marshall is a closeted runway/ad model with a reputation for being gruff. He has no one in his life but his overbearing homophobic mother because giving anything away would potentially ruin him. Since he adopted Jess, his pretty puppy, he has something to look forward to at the end of each day.
Stuart is an artist and a dog walker. When he takes up a new client, Jess, he realizes he's never met the owner, but can feel the desolation from his space when he's in his home. After a one night hookup with a nameless man, Stuart can't believe it when he sees him again...and is the owner of Jess.
I loved both MC's. They were true to their character and honest and at times very raw. They both gave and gave without reservation and it was so fun to read their story.
The dialogue was engaging, sweet, sexy and fun. Stuart was snarky and kind and I was overwhelmed at the feelings that Marshall could convey through his stuttering words and gestures.
This was a very well done, fantastic story of two men who find what they've been missing and realize they can be more, together.
Touching.
This book melted my heart. The way Claire Castle describes the feelings of her characters is inspiring and I lived for the dialogue between them.
Marshall is a closeted runway/ad model with a reputation for being gruff. He has no one in his life but his overbearing homophobic mother because giving anything away would potentially ruin him. Since he adopted Jess, his pretty puppy, he has something to look forward to at the end of each day.
Stuart is an artist and a dog walker. When he takes up a new client, Jess, he realizes he's never met the owner, but can feel the desolation from his space when he's in his home. After a one night hookup with a nameless man, Stuart can't believe it when he sees him again...and is the owner of Jess.
I loved both MC's. They were true to their character and honest and at times very raw. They both gave and gave without reservation and it was so fun to read their story.
The dialogue was engaging, sweet, sexy and fun. Stuart was snarky and kind and I was overwhelmed at the feelings that Marshall could convey through his stuttering words and gestures.
This was a very well done, fantastic story of two men who find what they've been missing and realize they can be more, together.
March 18, 2019
Loved this story!
Marshall is the first installment in Claire Castle’s Mayfair Model Series and focuses on the relationship of Marshall Easton and Stuart Livingston.
Marshall Easton is a highly sought-after top international model who is a rockstar at what he does. He’s gorgeous, moody, demanding, and somewhat self-absorbed. The camera loves him, the fans love him—well, they love the image—because no one has any idea who Marshall Easton really is.
Stuart Livingston gets hired to dog sit Jess, Marshall’s ADORABLE Cavalier King Charles spaniel, not knowing who her owner is. Stuart is all-around fabulous with a heart of gold and a zest for life. He’s an artist who, unlike anything in Marshall’s world, paints and sketches genuine beauty that surrounds him.
When the two finally meet, Stuart shows Marshall just how beautiful the simple things in life are—and does it so naturally and subtly that before the two even know it, they’ve become a necessary part of each other’s lives. Marshall realizes that he deserves to live his life not as someone else, and it’s so much better when he does. I can’t forget about Jess, Marshall’s sweet little puppy. I swear she was playing matchmaker the entire time!
This book is a little treasure filled with perfectly written heartfelt moments, just enough sexy times, and plenty of funny moments. The supporting cast is amazing and positively lovable, adding the right amount of depth into Stuart and Marshall’s world. I highly recommend this light, feel good read. Claire Castle has put her heart into this story and it shows. Five stars for me.
Reviewed by Lisa Cullinan ~ Bourbon, Bikes, and Books
Marshall is the first installment in Claire Castle’s Mayfair Model Series and focuses on the relationship of Marshall Easton and Stuart Livingston.
Marshall Easton is a highly sought-after top international model who is a rockstar at what he does. He’s gorgeous, moody, demanding, and somewhat self-absorbed. The camera loves him, the fans love him—well, they love the image—because no one has any idea who Marshall Easton really is.
Stuart Livingston gets hired to dog sit Jess, Marshall’s ADORABLE Cavalier King Charles spaniel, not knowing who her owner is. Stuart is all-around fabulous with a heart of gold and a zest for life. He’s an artist who, unlike anything in Marshall’s world, paints and sketches genuine beauty that surrounds him.
When the two finally meet, Stuart shows Marshall just how beautiful the simple things in life are—and does it so naturally and subtly that before the two even know it, they’ve become a necessary part of each other’s lives. Marshall realizes that he deserves to live his life not as someone else, and it’s so much better when he does. I can’t forget about Jess, Marshall’s sweet little puppy. I swear she was playing matchmaker the entire time!
This book is a little treasure filled with perfectly written heartfelt moments, just enough sexy times, and plenty of funny moments. The supporting cast is amazing and positively lovable, adding the right amount of depth into Stuart and Marshall’s world. I highly recommend this light, feel good read. Claire Castle has put her heart into this story and it shows. Five stars for me.
Reviewed by Lisa Cullinan ~ Bourbon, Bikes, and Books
April 6, 2020
5/5 sexy boxers
What a great story. I loved Mr. Grumpy..after he met Stuart even more so. Jamison and Carter are AMAZING friends and I look forward to their story. They going it'll be a doozy! I also hope Damian gets his story told too. As for Marshall's mom.....a more useless person I have yet to imagine.
Jess is adorable and I hope we get to meet her baby brother.
What a great story. I loved Mr. Grumpy..after he met Stuart even more so. Jamison and Carter are AMAZING friends and I look forward to their story. They going it'll be a doozy! I also hope Damian gets his story told too. As for Marshall's mom.....a more useless person I have yet to imagine.
Jess is adorable and I hope we get to meet her baby brother.
April 2, 2020
Marshall is a top model, Stu is his dog walker. Marshall is grumpy and moody, Stu is fun loving and impulsive, of course they belong together. My second book with this author and I’m glad I found her, really enjoyed this fun story. I look forward to the rest of the series.
March 15, 2019
Oh Marshall
Marshall is my favorite book by Claire Castle so far! Marshall and Stuart are so different, yet so good for one another. A great start to a new series, and I can't wait to read more!
Marshall is my favorite book by Claire Castle so far! Marshall and Stuart are so different, yet so good for one another. A great start to a new series, and I can't wait to read more!
March 17, 2019
Wow
Marshall and Stuart's story is great. This is my first time reading a book by Claire Castle and Im so looking forward to the next.
Marshall and Stuart's story is great. This is my first time reading a book by Claire Castle and Im so looking forward to the next.
March 17, 2019
I was thoroughly surprised and pleased with this book! Claire is a new author to me, and the book I had read prior to this by a totally different author made me stomp and left a sour taste in my mouth, so picking up a new author was a gamble...that paid out tremendously well. Marshall and Stuart were adorable. The “Grumpy Bear” and hidden artist with the heart of gold. Hot model hides behind his “face” persona and lives deep in the closet where fake mustaches and dark rendvous are a risk that care be sporadically found and barely sate him...so NO ONE knows who he truly is. Thus the constipated lonely blue ball face lol
Until his dog walker Stuart accidentally stumbles into his life on soooo many levels and unlocks the mask and finds the man underneath. Friends of both men will be strong supporting cast now and in books to come!! But finding himself and coming out has its price and will love conquer all and can Stuart be patient while an international sex symbol debates on coming out? Duh—HEA—-YAY but it’s not the destination it’s the journey and the cast of characters that make this book so enthralling and well written. It could be a cliche, but there are too many unknowns and so many subplots that I think will unravel in books to come.
Until his dog walker Stuart accidentally stumbles into his life on soooo many levels and unlocks the mask and finds the man underneath. Friends of both men will be strong supporting cast now and in books to come!! But finding himself and coming out has its price and will love conquer all and can Stuart be patient while an international sex symbol debates on coming out? Duh—HEA—-YAY but it’s not the destination it’s the journey and the cast of characters that make this book so enthralling and well written. It could be a cliche, but there are too many unknowns and so many subplots that I think will unravel in books to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2020
Even for fluff, this is not a great book, but it’s an oddly compelling one. I’m simultaneously fed up and ready to buy the next in series.
A great part of the problem is the stiffness of the writing. It’s grammatical. It’s just a bit stilted in many places. Example of internal dialog from the hero who has been professionally modeling for 20 years already, “I was ready to have the photos taken. I took direction well and listened to the photographer. He told me where to stand, how to tilt my head, or which way to move my hand to the perfect position.”
In addition, it’s sexist - both heroes’ mothers are among the banes of their existence. And there are what feels like dozens of sex scenes inserted for no purpose beyond reader titillation. (I’m fine with erotica where the purpose is titillation, and sexy romance where sex issued to grow characters and move plot. This wasn’t either.)
Lastly, the majority of the angst is because the male model is scared to come out. Which seems weird. Everyone knows male models are as likely to be queer as they are to be straight, don’t they? Anyhow, coming out angst is not my thing. So, meh.
All of that said, again, it’s an easy page turner. You can skim along and mildly enjoy yourself. And sometimes that’s what one needs.
A great part of the problem is the stiffness of the writing. It’s grammatical. It’s just a bit stilted in many places. Example of internal dialog from the hero who has been professionally modeling for 20 years already, “I was ready to have the photos taken. I took direction well and listened to the photographer. He told me where to stand, how to tilt my head, or which way to move my hand to the perfect position.”
In addition, it’s sexist - both heroes’ mothers are among the banes of their existence. And there are what feels like dozens of sex scenes inserted for no purpose beyond reader titillation. (I’m fine with erotica where the purpose is titillation, and sexy romance where sex issued to grow characters and move plot. This wasn’t either.)
Lastly, the majority of the angst is because the male model is scared to come out. Which seems weird. Everyone knows male models are as likely to be queer as they are to be straight, don’t they? Anyhow, coming out angst is not my thing. So, meh.
All of that said, again, it’s an easy page turner. You can skim along and mildly enjoy yourself. And sometimes that’s what one needs.
March 12, 2019
Hot, Sexy, Sassy!
most romantic M/M romances I ever read. Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley are perfection together. I love and adore them. Wesmie (Wesley and Jamie) are all hearts, and feels. They work. Th
I loved Marshall (Mayfair Model Series Book 1). I was hooked from the beginning. Fun romantic page turner. I loved and adored Marshall and Stuart. I was intrigued how the two would meet and what would be the start of the “beginning” of their dating. At the start of the story it appears that their personalities are so different. Stuart is such fun and a breath fresh air! Just what Marshall needs. Ms. Castle always writes such romantic and wonderful. I love the surprises Ms. weaves into her stories. My favorite surprise in Marshall happen when Marshall brings Stuart to his cottage, in York, for the first time.
I’m excited to read Jamieson‘s and Carter’s. Ms. Castle has subtlety written tidbits and awkward meetings and moments between Jamieson and Carter in Marshall. It has me wanting to know their story.
I didn’t want Marshall to come to end. Though I have Jamieson’s and Carter’s story to look forward to.
most romantic M/M romances I ever read. Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley are perfection together. I love and adore them. Wesmie (Wesley and Jamie) are all hearts, and feels. They work. Th
I loved Marshall (Mayfair Model Series Book 1). I was hooked from the beginning. Fun romantic page turner. I loved and adored Marshall and Stuart. I was intrigued how the two would meet and what would be the start of the “beginning” of their dating. At the start of the story it appears that their personalities are so different. Stuart is such fun and a breath fresh air! Just what Marshall needs. Ms. Castle always writes such romantic and wonderful. I love the surprises Ms. weaves into her stories. My favorite surprise in Marshall happen when Marshall brings Stuart to his cottage, in York, for the first time.
I’m excited to read Jamieson‘s and Carter’s. Ms. Castle has subtlety written tidbits and awkward meetings and moments between Jamieson and Carter in Marshall. It has me wanting to know their story.
I didn’t want Marshall to come to end. Though I have Jamieson’s and Carter’s story to look forward to.
March 15, 2019
The author has written a charming, sweet, engaging, grab-you-by-the-feels, sexy, and totally awesome story about Marshall-a world famous model who appears to have it all, and Stuart-a laidback artist who loves life and his dog walking job. Talk about total opposites!! They appear to have nothing in common, but thanks to a cute dog named Jess, Marshall and Stuart found in each other what they so desperately needed. I recommend getting this gem immediately.
March 17, 2019
Claire Castle is a master of the sweet romance and Marshall fits the bill... After several very angst filled books, this was the perfect read to follow.
I loved watching Marshall and Stuart find their way together with an assist from a cute as can be puppy Jess!
Sometimes you just need a book to make you smile. :)
I loved watching Marshall and Stuart find their way together with an assist from a cute as can be puppy Jess!
Sometimes you just need a book to make you smile. :)
March 17, 2019
3.5 stars. Started out great for me but around 40% it started to feel a bit repetitive and lost its sparkle for me. Still a nice, fluff story.
May 5, 2019
Personality (Dis) Counts
This one surprised me in two ways: First, if true (and I have googled the topic a lot since reading the book) I was surprised at how deeply homophobic the male fashion model industry appears to be, especially as lived by Marshall. Second, other than his extraordinary beauty (not fairly portrayed on the cover), I could see very little redeeming social, or any other, value there for Stuart to fall in love with.
There were several times in this book when I almost chucked it, mostly due to Marshall's too deeply closeted and paranoid lifestyle. But Stuart was always there to save the day, along with Marshall's delightful little pooch Jess, for whom Stuart was a babysitter of sorts.
How Marshall and Stuart got together is quick, down and dirty, and almost over the moon. It takes place early on and then, to both their shocks, turns out to be almost set-in-the-stars serendipitous.
How they play off each other, using Jess as a convenient excuse and foil, is always a combination of anxiety, salaciousness, sweetness and self-doubt in both their parts.
It takes a long while for Marshall to start walking down an internal path of coming out, but then, of course, there are the horrors he imagines will engulf him led by his agent Brenna and his all-consuming mother. That both of these strong women figure so closely in the denouement, and subsequent HEA, are neat author devices and bring the book up from three to four stars from me.
I will get the next one, too.
This one surprised me in two ways: First, if true (and I have googled the topic a lot since reading the book) I was surprised at how deeply homophobic the male fashion model industry appears to be, especially as lived by Marshall. Second, other than his extraordinary beauty (not fairly portrayed on the cover), I could see very little redeeming social, or any other, value there for Stuart to fall in love with.
There were several times in this book when I almost chucked it, mostly due to Marshall's too deeply closeted and paranoid lifestyle. But Stuart was always there to save the day, along with Marshall's delightful little pooch Jess, for whom Stuart was a babysitter of sorts.
How Marshall and Stuart got together is quick, down and dirty, and almost over the moon. It takes place early on and then, to both their shocks, turns out to be almost set-in-the-stars serendipitous.
How they play off each other, using Jess as a convenient excuse and foil, is always a combination of anxiety, salaciousness, sweetness and self-doubt in both their parts.
It takes a long while for Marshall to start walking down an internal path of coming out, but then, of course, there are the horrors he imagines will engulf him led by his agent Brenna and his all-consuming mother. That both of these strong women figure so closely in the denouement, and subsequent HEA, are neat author devices and bring the book up from three to four stars from me.
I will get the next one, too.
October 6, 2023
I’ve read this author before. A MM romance ser mostly in London. The main characters are Stuart an artist and part time dog walker and Marshall a fashion model. They meet as an anonymous hookup. Marshall is in the closet until he meets Stuart. Then he slowly come out. Off to read book 2.
April 10, 2020
With a decent editor and proofreader this would have been a much better story. However, as it is, it's only an okay read for me.
April 23, 2022
DNF at 23%. Stilted dialogue and as much sex appeal as a used teabag. The best part was the dog.
July 21, 2020
I loved this story. The handsome model who reluctantly falls for his dogwalker. He doesn't have time for a relationship, but Stu's kindness when Marshall gets hurt and needs help, shows Marshall how much he needs this man in his life. Sexy, funny with a bit of angst that leads to a happily ever after. This entire series by Claire Castle is a delight. Don't stop after the first book, read them all.
September 9, 2020
Disappointing
Lots of potential but just never got it all together. Stuart and Marshall's dog, Jess are the high points to the story. They're adorable. Marshall- as we're told over and over and over again- is grumpy, aloof, unfriendly, unhappy, and deeply closeted. There are no real clues as to what Stuart sees in him, except the model good looks. Marshall treats Stuart awfully and his only real redeeming quality was his relationship with Jess.
The dialogue is very stilted, never really flows naturally. I see a lot of other 5 star reviews but I felt 3 was generous.
Lots of potential but just never got it all together. Stuart and Marshall's dog, Jess are the high points to the story. They're adorable. Marshall- as we're told over and over and over again- is grumpy, aloof, unfriendly, unhappy, and deeply closeted. There are no real clues as to what Stuart sees in him, except the model good looks. Marshall treats Stuart awfully and his only real redeeming quality was his relationship with Jess.
The dialogue is very stilted, never really flows naturally. I see a lot of other 5 star reviews but I felt 3 was generous.
March 9, 2019
It a really good book by this author it steamy and hot I readed in one sitting you out did your self on this book well done Claire can't wait to read the rest this series.
did-not-finished
March 24, 2019Dnf 45%
I'm bored. I'm not sure what's not working for me, but i'm not interested.
I'm bored. I'm not sure what's not working for me, but i'm not interested.
Read
April 20, 2019I'm not sure how to rate this. 2.5* The story was sweet and it was no hardship to finish it but the writing wasn't very good and my eye-roll worked overtime.
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