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LEO:
I’m cocky with a capital C and I own it. I have big dreams and nothing’s going to stop me from achieving everything I set my mind to.
I'm about to start my sophomore year and I desperately need a place to live. One morning, I stumble across a 'Room For Rent' sign on someone's front lawn. An older man with blond hair and kind green eyes opens the door. His name is Graves and I find out he's a professor at my school.
I move into the beautiful Victorian home with Graves. At first, I want nothing to do with this forty-five-year-old professor since he's my landlord. But when I find out he needs my help, that's when everything changes...
I'm straight. Full stop.
But Graves...oh man, Graves. Why does he make me feel the things that I do when I'm with him?
GRAVES:
Since my divorce five years ago, my dating life has been terrible.
When Leo moves in, I have no idea how to get to this tall and rugged business student to open up to me. But I do see how good he is with women. How does this blue-eyed nineteen-year-old student know so much more than me when it comes to dating?
Leo becomes my sort of dating coach. At first, it's about helping me find someone. But what if that person is there all along?
I've been straight my whole life. But the chemistry between me and Leo is undeniable.
I am hesitant to explore this...thing with Leo. Word spreads fast on campus, and if anyone finds out, I could lose everything…
Warning: Leo contains explicit sexual content not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.
The Beckford Brothers series focuses on four brothers who go on their own journeys to find love. Each novel in the Beckford Brothers series can be read on its own or as part of the series.
An M/M Romance Novel.
I’m cocky with a capital C and I own it. I have big dreams and nothing’s going to stop me from achieving everything I set my mind to.
I'm about to start my sophomore year and I desperately need a place to live. One morning, I stumble across a 'Room For Rent' sign on someone's front lawn. An older man with blond hair and kind green eyes opens the door. His name is Graves and I find out he's a professor at my school.
I move into the beautiful Victorian home with Graves. At first, I want nothing to do with this forty-five-year-old professor since he's my landlord. But when I find out he needs my help, that's when everything changes...
I'm straight. Full stop.
But Graves...oh man, Graves. Why does he make me feel the things that I do when I'm with him?
GRAVES:
Since my divorce five years ago, my dating life has been terrible.
When Leo moves in, I have no idea how to get to this tall and rugged business student to open up to me. But I do see how good he is with women. How does this blue-eyed nineteen-year-old student know so much more than me when it comes to dating?
Leo becomes my sort of dating coach. At first, it's about helping me find someone. But what if that person is there all along?
I've been straight my whole life. But the chemistry between me and Leo is undeniable.
I am hesitant to explore this...thing with Leo. Word spreads fast on campus, and if anyone finds out, I could lose everything…
Warning: Leo contains explicit sexual content not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.
The Beckford Brothers series focuses on four brothers who go on their own journeys to find love. Each novel in the Beckford Brothers series can be read on its own or as part of the series.
An M/M Romance Novel.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
156 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 26, 2020
I barely felt anything. Meh.
September 6, 2020
A complete train wreck!! Reader be warned: pass this one up.
May 15, 2021
3 ⭐️
It's been a while since I've read it and I still think the dog felt like the main character 😅😔
They never prepared for sex 😡😩 like one finger aint gonna do it for a big fat cock (like they said ), i understand they were both straight but they could have done a bit of research.
There were typos in the book 😭
It's been a while since I've read it and I still think the dog felt like the main character 😅😔
They never prepared for sex 😡😩 like one finger aint gonna do it for a big fat cock (like they said ), i understand they were both straight but they could have done a bit of research.
There were typos in the book 😭
December 25, 2025
2019 = 3 stars
2022 = DNF at 50% / rating lowered / review written
I seriously don't know what I was thinking in 2019. I had so many issues the second read, that it wasn't long before I was ready to quit.
ⓂⒸⓢ:
Leo (19), a college student, and
Graves (45), a college professor
Leo and his brother need a place to live, and end up renting Graves' basement apartment. No idea why they couldn't live on-campus like they did the year before, or why they waited until the last minute to find a place to live. If Leo hadn't stumbled across the basement apartment, they would have been homeless. I find this very hard to believe.
☹️ ISSUES I HAD:
🔻Insta-bisexual. Neither Graves nor Leo had ever been interested in men before. Yet, Graves begins lusting after Leo just a day or two after meeting him. They end up kissing and being sexually intimate after only a few days. They hadn't spent enough time together to develop that kind of connection. Alcohol isn’t an excuse for getting naked and laying in someone’s bed.
🔻 The puppy. It's just a prop and doesn’t behave like a real puppy. It conveniently sleeps to let the MCs talk and interact, and when awake, it’s very well-behaved, like lying quietly on the bed. The MCs kept mentioning getting puppy food, but by the 50% mark, they had only fed it a meatball, some cheese, and a chopped-up steak — hardly appropriate for a puppy! Ugh, take better care of your fake pet! 😤
🔻 The MCs are bland and interchangeable. It shows how unbelievable this story is, that a 19-year-old and a 45-year-old sound the same.
🙄 How 19-year-old Leo talked:
"Well, as with everything in life, getting women is a bit of an art, and the more you do it, the better you get at it. You’re right. Confidence and attractiveness definitely aren’t going to hurt, but it’s more than that. Women want to know what kind of value you can bring into their lives, and you need to know yourself so you can show them your best qualities."
🔻 Inconsistencies. The brothers say they need to eat instant noodles for a week to pay for a $50 ticket, yet soon after, they’re buying new beds with mattresses. This is unlikely for nearly broke college students, with no mention of credit cards or how they’re affording it.
It’s clear why this book/series/author never gained much success. The author has some talent, but unfortunately not enough.
2022 = DNF at 50% / rating lowered / review written
I seriously don't know what I was thinking in 2019. I had so many issues the second read, that it wasn't long before I was ready to quit.
ⓂⒸⓢ:
Leo (19), a college student, and
Graves (45), a college professor
Leo and his brother need a place to live, and end up renting Graves' basement apartment. No idea why they couldn't live on-campus like they did the year before, or why they waited until the last minute to find a place to live. If Leo hadn't stumbled across the basement apartment, they would have been homeless. I find this very hard to believe.
☹️ ISSUES I HAD:
🔻Insta-bisexual. Neither Graves nor Leo had ever been interested in men before. Yet, Graves begins lusting after Leo just a day or two after meeting him. They end up kissing and being sexually intimate after only a few days. They hadn't spent enough time together to develop that kind of connection. Alcohol isn’t an excuse for getting naked and laying in someone’s bed.
🔻 The puppy. It's just a prop and doesn’t behave like a real puppy. It conveniently sleeps to let the MCs talk and interact, and when awake, it’s very well-behaved, like lying quietly on the bed. The MCs kept mentioning getting puppy food, but by the 50% mark, they had only fed it a meatball, some cheese, and a chopped-up steak — hardly appropriate for a puppy! Ugh, take better care of your fake pet! 😤
🔻 The MCs are bland and interchangeable. It shows how unbelievable this story is, that a 19-year-old and a 45-year-old sound the same.
🙄 How 19-year-old Leo talked:
"Well, as with everything in life, getting women is a bit of an art, and the more you do it, the better you get at it. You’re right. Confidence and attractiveness definitely aren’t going to hurt, but it’s more than that. Women want to know what kind of value you can bring into their lives, and you need to know yourself so you can show them your best qualities."
🔻 Inconsistencies. The brothers say they need to eat instant noodles for a week to pay for a $50 ticket, yet soon after, they’re buying new beds with mattresses. This is unlikely for nearly broke college students, with no mention of credit cards or how they’re affording it.
It’s clear why this book/series/author never gained much success. The author has some talent, but unfortunately not enough.
April 2, 2019
Graves moaned softly as he kissed me, and I pulled back to look into his eyes.
“Are you gay?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No...are you?”
I shook my head too. “Why are you kissing me, then?” I asked.
“Because you kissed me first.”
“That’s a lame excuse.”
“Why are you kissing me?” he asked back.
“Because it feels right.”
🍷🍷🍷
I was the tenant. He was the landlord.
He was a professor. I was a student.
He was married to a woman before.
And I’ve slept with countless women in my life who’s older than me.
We both straight or that what we thought before...
My landlord is a good man, he has such a beautiful eyes but I can see that loneliness in it. I was the kind of person to believe that if I helped others, good things would come my way. And I want to help him, help him to win this women heart that he met through the dating application, I want his date plan with this woman to succeed. So I decided to be his dating guru. That because I’ve always liked seeing people fall in love.
But one thing I didn’t expect is…it seems I’m the one who slowly falls for him…
The questions is, is he feels it too?
☕☕☕
I think this is a great start to a new series. I love the characters and the plot. The fact that both MCs was completely straight at the beginning and with huge age difference had intrigued me even more.
The good chemistry between the two main characters is another thing that made this book really hard to put down. How they start to realize the growing attraction between them and the way they start to exploring the new side of their sexuality feels so innocent and sexy at the same time.
But with that huge age difference that lies between them, both Graves and Leo really really need to make all the new things that happen in their life works before they finally found their HEA.
Leo is definitely a very interesting story, a page turner and completely sweet. The way the author wrote it made this book feels so special and enjoyable enough to follow.
Another thing that I love from this book is Leo's father and their cute little puppy, Slate that succeed stole the spotlight.
The author said that this is the first book from Beckford Brothers series. And Leo has another 3 brothers, so I assume each book will tell us more about them. And I really can’t wait to read King’s story!
*ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review*
April 2, 2019
This book had me on an emotional roller coaster and was very much worth the ride.
I loved the opposites attract foundation and how well Leo and Graves meshed their personalities together. Some of the interactions felt forced, but overall I really enjoyed their journey of finding each other and both of them being open to trying something new.
It was fun and fresh and heart-warming.
I loved the opposites attract foundation and how well Leo and Graves meshed their personalities together. Some of the interactions felt forced, but overall I really enjoyed their journey of finding each other and both of them being open to trying something new.
It was fun and fresh and heart-warming.
August 28, 2019
DNF, but I'm counting it as read because I read about 76% of the book. This book needs some serious editing, the writing shifts too much, there's a lot of useless dialogue and misuse of words. Also, so much showing! Is honestly a shame because it could've been a great book, definitely up my alley...
January 18, 2021
This book was just ok. I found the writing to be simplistic and the plot was too thin. I am not going to keep buying Ms. Blake in the future.
July 24, 2019
3.5 Stars
This was my favorite of the series.
I initially purchased book 3 first because of the tagline on the cover. Then I realized the 3 books were three brothers so I decided to pick up books 1-2 and read them all in order.
The characters were ok, and could have used a little more depth to them, I didnt really click with any of the characters all that well (BUT... That might be more on me than the book itself). The writing was ok too. But I did find some of the sayings and how things were worded a little bit on the cheesy side. Sometimes it was so slightly awkward that it ended up being amusing making me laugh. The characters did have some interesting chemistry together, especially since they started off on such rocky ground. But overall this book was pretty good and I liked how the story progressed and where the characters ended up at the end.
A solid 3.5-4 Stars
This was my favorite of the series.
I initially purchased book 3 first because of the tagline on the cover. Then I realized the 3 books were three brothers so I decided to pick up books 1-2 and read them all in order.
The characters were ok, and could have used a little more depth to them, I didnt really click with any of the characters all that well (BUT... That might be more on me than the book itself). The writing was ok too. But I did find some of the sayings and how things were worded a little bit on the cheesy side. Sometimes it was so slightly awkward that it ended up being amusing making me laugh. The characters did have some interesting chemistry together, especially since they started off on such rocky ground. But overall this book was pretty good and I liked how the story progressed and where the characters ended up at the end.
A solid 3.5-4 Stars
July 6, 2019
Bottom line: if you have Kindle Unlimited and can read this for free, it's still not worth your time. I've been told that my reviews are way too harsh, so I'm going to share with everyone why I think this book isn't worth reading. Feel free to nope out of the TL;DR situation I have going below.
This book has many things wrong with it. First of all, I know that a lot of indie authors write in their spare time and don't have a lot of money for covers and editors. I get it, but not having a good editor makes the book suffer. The language in this book swings from stilted and formal to grammatically incorrect and informal, and there are a lot of usage problems in between. A good editor will help an author clean up these problems.
Second, the book has a pacing problem. This is a GFY/age-gap novel, and it takes 50% of the book for the two MCs to have their first GFY moment. One is more conflicted about it than the other, but they don't really discuss it. Instead, there's a side storyline thrown in about how the one MC gets invited into a startup opportunity, and suddenly around 70% the MCs finally come together. After that there's an extremely contrived "breakup" moment, and the MCs are rushed to I Love Yous and the end. That brings us to the third problem.
There's a saying in writing that authors need to "show not tell." This author is not good at showing her characters doing the things she tells us they feel: she says Leo is flirting with Graves, but we only see Leo being a jerk. She says the MCs are attracted to each other but never shows us what that looks like. Suddenly they're just kissing after an unplanned dinner out together (in which the food is described in detail while the interaction is summed up). She says the characters love each other, but we only see their first sexual encounter which ends in a trip to the hospital, some waffle which should have been edited out about Leo's business opportunity, and then the breakup misunderstanding. An author can tell me all he/she wants that something is so, but if I'm not SHOWN that it is true, then I can't believe it.
I generally find age gap romance to be pretty unsexy/unrealistic anyway, but this one left me cold. Feel free to skip this one.
This book has many things wrong with it. First of all, I know that a lot of indie authors write in their spare time and don't have a lot of money for covers and editors. I get it, but not having a good editor makes the book suffer. The language in this book swings from stilted and formal to grammatically incorrect and informal, and there are a lot of usage problems in between. A good editor will help an author clean up these problems.
Second, the book has a pacing problem. This is a GFY/age-gap novel, and it takes 50% of the book for the two MCs to have their first GFY moment. One is more conflicted about it than the other, but they don't really discuss it. Instead, there's a side storyline thrown in about how the one MC gets invited into a startup opportunity, and suddenly around 70% the MCs finally come together. After that there's an extremely contrived "breakup" moment, and the MCs are rushed to I Love Yous and the end. That brings us to the third problem.
There's a saying in writing that authors need to "show not tell." This author is not good at showing her characters doing the things she tells us they feel: she says Leo is flirting with Graves, but we only see Leo being a jerk. She says the MCs are attracted to each other but never shows us what that looks like. Suddenly they're just kissing after an unplanned dinner out together (in which the food is described in detail while the interaction is summed up). She says the characters love each other, but we only see their first sexual encounter which ends in a trip to the hospital, some waffle which should have been edited out about Leo's business opportunity, and then the breakup misunderstanding. An author can tell me all he/she wants that something is so, but if I'm not SHOWN that it is true, then I can't believe it.
I generally find age gap romance to be pretty unsexy/unrealistic anyway, but this one left me cold. Feel free to skip this one.
April 8, 2019
I dunno, I think I was not sold on this book because of how easily the two men fell into a relationship. I mean for two folks who had previously dated only women exclusively (Graves had even been married), they sure were comfortable with "Oh, ok so now I like dudes". No freak-out moments, no "How is it possible I like d*cks now??". Just all very resigned. I mean the first time they were intimate, they had full on anal penetration! I know plenty of gay men that are in committed relationships for YEARS that rarely (if EVER) dive into actual penetration and NEVER on the first consummation. I'm sorry if that was a little too detailed but this whole story was just a little too far-fetched for me to be able to enjoy it.
May 31, 2019
Okay
This story was okay. It was fairly short and easy to read. It wasn't a deep story but simply a story of two people gravitating towards each other.
This story was okay. It was fairly short and easy to read. It wasn't a deep story but simply a story of two people gravitating towards each other.
June 21, 2019
So, new to me author, but hot cover, right?!
Leo is said to be cocky, and he was, a smidge, but he just came off confident to me. He wasn't arrogant in my opinion or obnoxious with it.... he was like any single, 19 year old in college. He was charming, even, if a little distant with people he didn't know well, but who isn't?
Walking back to the dorms after a party one morning, he see's a room for rent in a nice house in a nice neighborhood and stops to ask to see it. That's where he meets ethics professor, Graves.... an older divorce' who owns the house. Graves is a little put off by him so early in the morning and the two are about as opposite as two people can be, but they both seemed charmed by each other and Graves accepts his offer on the room. What he didn't know, was that Leo's brother Kingston would also be sharing the one bedroom room with him, but they'd been used to sharing a dorm, so it wasn't a big deal to the brothers. It didn't take much to talk Graves into it either.
What I liked was even though that it sounds like a forbidden trope, it really wasn't. Graves wasn't Leo's professor, so it wasn't this big secret with the fear of getting caught. I don't like forbidden romances and the angst of it all. While there was little angst at all, there was the fact that neither of the men had been into guys at all before... they both had same sex couple, friends, but neither had given much thought to being anything other than straight men. It was cute to see them navigate it together and so realistically, if maybe a little bit too easy... but, to each their own.... it worked for them.
I don't want to tell you the whole story, but I loved the supportive parents, I loved the supportive brother and the amazing friends. I loved their ability to communicate with each other and work out their differences the way I wouldn't expect a young adult would, and I like how they complimented each others differences because they just fit together so well..... and the love they shared for their new puppy, Slate. Leo would've won me over with that regardless, I'm such a sucker for a hot guy with baby's or puppys...
Both men seem to want the same things in life, so I'm interested in seeing how things develop between them. It ended on a positive with them, so I'm ready to jump in to see who's next and how things go with the established couple and hopefully Kingston next!
4 stars from me!
Leo is said to be cocky, and he was, a smidge, but he just came off confident to me. He wasn't arrogant in my opinion or obnoxious with it.... he was like any single, 19 year old in college. He was charming, even, if a little distant with people he didn't know well, but who isn't?
Walking back to the dorms after a party one morning, he see's a room for rent in a nice house in a nice neighborhood and stops to ask to see it. That's where he meets ethics professor, Graves.... an older divorce' who owns the house. Graves is a little put off by him so early in the morning and the two are about as opposite as two people can be, but they both seemed charmed by each other and Graves accepts his offer on the room. What he didn't know, was that Leo's brother Kingston would also be sharing the one bedroom room with him, but they'd been used to sharing a dorm, so it wasn't a big deal to the brothers. It didn't take much to talk Graves into it either.
What I liked was even though that it sounds like a forbidden trope, it really wasn't. Graves wasn't Leo's professor, so it wasn't this big secret with the fear of getting caught. I don't like forbidden romances and the angst of it all. While there was little angst at all, there was the fact that neither of the men had been into guys at all before... they both had same sex couple, friends, but neither had given much thought to being anything other than straight men. It was cute to see them navigate it together and so realistically, if maybe a little bit too easy... but, to each their own.... it worked for them.
I don't want to tell you the whole story, but I loved the supportive parents, I loved the supportive brother and the amazing friends. I loved their ability to communicate with each other and work out their differences the way I wouldn't expect a young adult would, and I like how they complimented each others differences because they just fit together so well..... and the love they shared for their new puppy, Slate. Leo would've won me over with that regardless, I'm such a sucker for a hot guy with baby's or puppys...
Both men seem to want the same things in life, so I'm interested in seeing how things develop between them. It ended on a positive with them, so I'm ready to jump in to see who's next and how things go with the established couple and hopefully Kingston next!
4 stars from me!
April 2, 2019
Leo is one of those books where I instantly fall in love with the pleasant tone, and continue to fall even more in love as the book progresses. It's absolutely riveting, compelling and completely delightful.
Leo is everything I love in M/M romance. Two men, complete opposites, falling for each other, realizing they perfectly compliment one another. As an added bonus, we have a May to December romance which adds to some light angst, as they're certainly at different parts of their lives.
This is one of those books that I want to re-read often. It's sweet, it's tender, it's romantic. I appreciate the way both men change and evolve throughout. I love that they each contribute a lot to the relationship, yet in completely different ways.
Their story involves a sweet as can be puppy, who I fell in love with instantly. And, how can you not fall for two men when they fall for a puppy. The puppy's what initially brings them together, and it's wonderful. The backyard scene with the puppy during the picnic is delightful, cute, and sweet.
I love and adore both men. Leo's loose ways of floating through life is perfectly balanced by Graves' rigid ways. They truly compliment one another, as Leo needs an older, more stable person in his life.
Their story is sad and lonely. It's a slow-burn as Leo isn't open to befriending Graves, let alone allowing more. The way they do come together is fun and splendid, as it's natural, realistic and relatable. As for sex with a man, it's the first time for both, which is terrific and a whole lot of fun. I also enjoy the tenant/landlord and professor/teacher dynamics.
As well, I like the ending, as Leo's a unique young man, and his future is befitting of his personality. It's wonderful that the author stayed true to Leo's personality.
Leo's relationship with his brother adds tremendously to the story, as he's his best friend, and they each protect each other. Their closeness, as well as their history, is endearing as they will always support one another. I appreciate the way the author explored their relationship.
Candice Blake has won over my heart with Leo. It's so much more than I could have ever anticipated and I love every single moment of this amazing story. I highly recommend it in general, but if you enjoy May to December romances, this is a must read! As for me, it's a definite re-read.
Leo is everything I love in M/M romance. Two men, complete opposites, falling for each other, realizing they perfectly compliment one another. As an added bonus, we have a May to December romance which adds to some light angst, as they're certainly at different parts of their lives.
This is one of those books that I want to re-read often. It's sweet, it's tender, it's romantic. I appreciate the way both men change and evolve throughout. I love that they each contribute a lot to the relationship, yet in completely different ways.
Their story involves a sweet as can be puppy, who I fell in love with instantly. And, how can you not fall for two men when they fall for a puppy. The puppy's what initially brings them together, and it's wonderful. The backyard scene with the puppy during the picnic is delightful, cute, and sweet.
I love and adore both men. Leo's loose ways of floating through life is perfectly balanced by Graves' rigid ways. They truly compliment one another, as Leo needs an older, more stable person in his life.
Their story is sad and lonely. It's a slow-burn as Leo isn't open to befriending Graves, let alone allowing more. The way they do come together is fun and splendid, as it's natural, realistic and relatable. As for sex with a man, it's the first time for both, which is terrific and a whole lot of fun. I also enjoy the tenant/landlord and professor/teacher dynamics.
As well, I like the ending, as Leo's a unique young man, and his future is befitting of his personality. It's wonderful that the author stayed true to Leo's personality.
Leo's relationship with his brother adds tremendously to the story, as he's his best friend, and they each protect each other. Their closeness, as well as their history, is endearing as they will always support one another. I appreciate the way the author explored their relationship.
Candice Blake has won over my heart with Leo. It's so much more than I could have ever anticipated and I love every single moment of this amazing story. I highly recommend it in general, but if you enjoy May to December romances, this is a must read! As for me, it's a definite re-read.
April 2, 2019
I have kindly received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh man, the chemistry between the two main characters (Graves and Leo) really gave this story a bold feeling. The subtlety was constantly hanging in the air. Even in a small scene where Leo was sitting on Graves’ bed. Major perks to that! I especially enjoyed the banter, not just between Graves and Leo, but between all the characters. It was like a majorly diverse feeling cast.
But let me throttle it back just a bit.
Graves is 45 and a professor at a prestigious academy located somewhere in Toronto, Canada. He’s in what I would somewhat call a compromising situation. He’s recently divorced, and well, that is a sensitive place to be in. But you know, what I really liked about Graves is, he didn’t complain. He’s trying to move on. He’s got himself a dream house and a great car. He doesn’t sulk, but he is slowly trying to get himself out of his shell, a fortress he might’ve created to protect himself. I can relate!
Leo is almost the polar opposite of Graves. He’s 19 and just starting his 2nd year in college. He’s got his whole life ahead of him and a very promising future. I’d say he’s mature for his age. It shows in his dialog and his appreciation for things most of society would easily look over. He doesn’t take anything for granted.
Now for how Leo met Graves. Leo needed a place to live, along with his younger brother. They can’t live the dorm life and it’s been very clear on it being hell to find a place. It just so happens that Graves has a room to rent.
I swear I could feel the subtle sexual tension very early on in this book. From the moment a half asleep Graves answered his front door and… well I guess you will have to see the rest for yourself.
I find it SO interesting with how they interact with each other. Two ‘straight’ men who compliment each other well. They’re so different and yet so much alike. There’s never been a pity party going on between them, and that’s refreshing.
Oh man, the chemistry between the two main characters (Graves and Leo) really gave this story a bold feeling. The subtlety was constantly hanging in the air. Even in a small scene where Leo was sitting on Graves’ bed. Major perks to that! I especially enjoyed the banter, not just between Graves and Leo, but between all the characters. It was like a majorly diverse feeling cast.
But let me throttle it back just a bit.
Graves is 45 and a professor at a prestigious academy located somewhere in Toronto, Canada. He’s in what I would somewhat call a compromising situation. He’s recently divorced, and well, that is a sensitive place to be in. But you know, what I really liked about Graves is, he didn’t complain. He’s trying to move on. He’s got himself a dream house and a great car. He doesn’t sulk, but he is slowly trying to get himself out of his shell, a fortress he might’ve created to protect himself. I can relate!
Leo is almost the polar opposite of Graves. He’s 19 and just starting his 2nd year in college. He’s got his whole life ahead of him and a very promising future. I’d say he’s mature for his age. It shows in his dialog and his appreciation for things most of society would easily look over. He doesn’t take anything for granted.
Now for how Leo met Graves. Leo needed a place to live, along with his younger brother. They can’t live the dorm life and it’s been very clear on it being hell to find a place. It just so happens that Graves has a room to rent.
I swear I could feel the subtle sexual tension very early on in this book. From the moment a half asleep Graves answered his front door and… well I guess you will have to see the rest for yourself.
I find it SO interesting with how they interact with each other. Two ‘straight’ men who compliment each other well. They’re so different and yet so much alike. There’s never been a pity party going on between them, and that’s refreshing.
April 2, 2019
*I was given an e-arc of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
I don't even know where to start with this review without giving too much away. At the start of this book, it moved a little slowly and the interaction between the two seemed strange to me. Well, that changed so quickly.
We have Graves, a well-to-do college professor who is unlucky in love, having trouble getting back into the dating game after his divorce from his wife FIVE YEARS AGO. Leo is a college student that Graves reluctantly rents his basement apartment to. Leo is a serial dater, usually gravitating towards older women. Leo tries to help Graves get back into dating by giving him tips on how to act on his upcoming date, but she never shows up. While watching from the car, Leo feels for Graves and sweeps in to save him from wallowing alone at a table of a very expensive restaurant. After that, the two have to fight the growing attraction they start to feel for each other. They have to navigate though the new and very unfamiliar terrain, but they have one another and the trust and bond they begin to form is so adorable. Leo is scared of his feelings and so is Graves, but mostly because he has close to 20 years on the 19yo college student.
This book was great. The journey was perfection because it wasn't like it was one man that was already OUT, but instead both are very much straight but cannot fight the desire to want to be together. They learn and grow together.
I am eagerly awaiting what I can only assume is Kingston's book next. I have a strong feeling of what I think will happen but I will keep it to myself until Candice reveals the synopsis.
I am definitely a fan of her work and want to read everything else she has written.
I don't even know where to start with this review without giving too much away. At the start of this book, it moved a little slowly and the interaction between the two seemed strange to me. Well, that changed so quickly.
We have Graves, a well-to-do college professor who is unlucky in love, having trouble getting back into the dating game after his divorce from his wife FIVE YEARS AGO. Leo is a college student that Graves reluctantly rents his basement apartment to. Leo is a serial dater, usually gravitating towards older women. Leo tries to help Graves get back into dating by giving him tips on how to act on his upcoming date, but she never shows up. While watching from the car, Leo feels for Graves and sweeps in to save him from wallowing alone at a table of a very expensive restaurant. After that, the two have to fight the growing attraction they start to feel for each other. They have to navigate though the new and very unfamiliar terrain, but they have one another and the trust and bond they begin to form is so adorable. Leo is scared of his feelings and so is Graves, but mostly because he has close to 20 years on the 19yo college student.
This book was great. The journey was perfection because it wasn't like it was one man that was already OUT, but instead both are very much straight but cannot fight the desire to want to be together. They learn and grow together.
I am eagerly awaiting what I can only assume is Kingston's book next. I have a strong feeling of what I think will happen but I will keep it to myself until Candice reveals the synopsis.
I am definitely a fan of her work and want to read everything else she has written.
April 3, 2019
This is the first book in a new series, and I think it's going to be a good one. I liked Graves, the professor who also became Leo's landlord. I was glad in this case that Graves wasn't Leo's teacher, since that would have potentially given him too much power over Leo. Having him as a landlord didn't make Leo act at all subservient to Graves.
There were times when I didn't like Leo very much, when he was rude or passive aggressive in an effort to keep his distance from Graves. However, there were other times when Leo seemed older than Graves, even though he was decades younger. I liked both characters most of the time, and their feelings for Slate the puppy were really sweet. The hospital scene was awkward, but it did show Leo's level of care for Graves, There were definite issues of communication breakdown, but Graves admitted up front that he wasn't good at relationships, and Leo... well, Leo was nineteen. They both had things left to learn.
The romance was up and down, but I liked these men together. I hope that we'll be seeing more of Leo and Graves as the other brothers get their own stories. I'd like to see how this couple is when Leo is more of an adult, Graves is more secure in their relationship, and they have built more of a life together. I want to see them raise a family. I'll stick around to see what happens with these men, as well as with the other Beckford brothers.
There were times when I didn't like Leo very much, when he was rude or passive aggressive in an effort to keep his distance from Graves. However, there were other times when Leo seemed older than Graves, even though he was decades younger. I liked both characters most of the time, and their feelings for Slate the puppy were really sweet. The hospital scene was awkward, but it did show Leo's level of care for Graves, There were definite issues of communication breakdown, but Graves admitted up front that he wasn't good at relationships, and Leo... well, Leo was nineteen. They both had things left to learn.
The romance was up and down, but I liked these men together. I hope that we'll be seeing more of Leo and Graves as the other brothers get their own stories. I'd like to see how this couple is when Leo is more of an adult, Graves is more secure in their relationship, and they have built more of a life together. I want to see them raise a family. I'll stick around to see what happens with these men, as well as with the other Beckford brothers.
April 2, 2019
Pro: The dynamic of Graves and Leo's relationship. The older one is not this alpha top, instead it's the younger one of the two.
Pro: How accepting Leo's parents were. I really loved how his father opened up about himself and how he embraced his son. It was something I wish would exist in reality and not just in the fictional world.
Con: Leo kept saying how much he enjoyed women, and I believed him. Yet, he said he was gay at the end of the book. He briefly considered being bisexual in passing conversation. Nowhere in there did it have an organic path to the definitive discovery being gay. So, I was somewhat confused.
Con: Graves random feeling of jealousy about his ex-wife moving on after five years. It was weird and it did not fit the flow of the story. Also, the way he overreacted when Leo accidentally threw a party in his home.
Con/Pro: The hospital scene was equally random and weird, but I liked how they were both mature about it.
*ARC in exchange for honest review*
Pro: How accepting Leo's parents were. I really loved how his father opened up about himself and how he embraced his son. It was something I wish would exist in reality and not just in the fictional world.
Con: Leo kept saying how much he enjoyed women, and I believed him. Yet, he said he was gay at the end of the book. He briefly considered being bisexual in passing conversation. Nowhere in there did it have an organic path to the definitive discovery being gay. So, I was somewhat confused.
Con: Graves random feeling of jealousy about his ex-wife moving on after five years. It was weird and it did not fit the flow of the story. Also, the way he overreacted when Leo accidentally threw a party in his home.
Con/Pro: The hospital scene was equally random and weird, but I liked how they were both mature about it.
*ARC in exchange for honest review*
June 16, 2024
Prometía mucho la historia y en un momento se volvió intensamente dolorosa que pensé estar leyendo uno de esos libros que me gustan tanto... pero la historia -más allá de dos picos de dolor por pequeñas separaciones- no tuvo muchos sobresaltos. Me parece muy sencilla y plana.
El destino hizo que Leo pasara frente a una casa donde su dueño, el día anterior, había colgado un cartel alquilando su sótano. Sin grandes precauciones acepta alquilárselo ¡a un joven de 19 años! Quien no sólo no tiene edad para generar confianza sino que también se aparece con el hermano el día de la mudanza... ¡sin avisar!
Me gustó cómo se desarrolló el paso de dos personas heterosexuales a gay y que la edad no sea problema, 45 de Graves contra los 19 ya mencionados de Leo.
Si bien es bueno que los padres lo aceptaran tan bien... no creo que sea posible que sea tan "¡me alegra!" (Y pensar que la saga es de los 4 hermanos!) ¿Será tan fácil aceptar que tus cuatro hijos se descubren gay?
HEA para ambos.
El destino hizo que Leo pasara frente a una casa donde su dueño, el día anterior, había colgado un cartel alquilando su sótano. Sin grandes precauciones acepta alquilárselo ¡a un joven de 19 años! Quien no sólo no tiene edad para generar confianza sino que también se aparece con el hermano el día de la mudanza... ¡sin avisar!
Me gustó cómo se desarrolló el paso de dos personas heterosexuales a gay y que la edad no sea problema, 45 de Graves contra los 19 ya mencionados de Leo.
Si bien es bueno que los padres lo aceptaran tan bien... no creo que sea posible que sea tan "¡me alegra!" (Y pensar que la saga es de los 4 hermanos!) ¿Será tan fácil aceptar que tus cuatro hijos se descubren gay?
HEA para ambos.
April 2, 2019
Cute puppy
I love May to December romance it’s just my go to when I want something different. This is exactly as I expected it to be sweet hot with a little angst. Oh and best of all an adorable puppy what more could I ask for .
What I loved about this is that Graves was older straight divorced but he wasn’t the alpha of the relationship. He had no problem letting someone 15 years his younger be the top and the more dominant player in the relationship and in bed.
Leo was a bit of a player that way he won’t get hurt. That is until he meets his new landlord. The more he tried to keep away the more attached he becomes all with the help of an adorable pup.
I really enjoyed this but there was one or two things that niggled me like the ex wife that’s the reason for 4 instead of 5* review.
I hope we get to see more of Kingston though I liked his character.
I love May to December romance it’s just my go to when I want something different. This is exactly as I expected it to be sweet hot with a little angst. Oh and best of all an adorable puppy what more could I ask for .
What I loved about this is that Graves was older straight divorced but he wasn’t the alpha of the relationship. He had no problem letting someone 15 years his younger be the top and the more dominant player in the relationship and in bed.
Leo was a bit of a player that way he won’t get hurt. That is until he meets his new landlord. The more he tried to keep away the more attached he becomes all with the help of an adorable pup.
I really enjoyed this but there was one or two things that niggled me like the ex wife that’s the reason for 4 instead of 5* review.
I hope we get to see more of Kingston though I liked his character.
April 3, 2019
Leo
I love May December, it is one of my favourite tropes. This is the story about Leo and Graves and the development of their relationship. I must admit I thought their age gap was pretty extreme, 26 years is a lot. I appreciate what the author portrayed, it was done quite well, Graves was a really solid character but Leo was annoying and very immature a lot of the time. In fact, he drove me nuts with how rude he was at times. I liked how they both identified as straight, then bi-sexual, however at the end Leo had forgotten about women all together when he was such a man whore in the beginning. The sex scenes were hot, and I grew to like Leo at the end, especially with the hospital scene. I look forward to seeing where this series goes, maybe Kingston has a secret of his own, who knows.
I love May December, it is one of my favourite tropes. This is the story about Leo and Graves and the development of their relationship. I must admit I thought their age gap was pretty extreme, 26 years is a lot. I appreciate what the author portrayed, it was done quite well, Graves was a really solid character but Leo was annoying and very immature a lot of the time. In fact, he drove me nuts with how rude he was at times. I liked how they both identified as straight, then bi-sexual, however at the end Leo had forgotten about women all together when he was such a man whore in the beginning. The sex scenes were hot, and I grew to like Leo at the end, especially with the hospital scene. I look forward to seeing where this series goes, maybe Kingston has a secret of his own, who knows.
April 2, 2019
This is a May/December story without the Daddy element.
I didn’t like Leo at first, but my opinion of him changed when Slate became a part of the story. Graves has some self esteem issues that he’s working on, but things keep happening to reinforce the beliefs.
The fact that both of them have people that love and support them as individuals help them realize what they can possibly have together. The story takes its time to allow them to workout their issues with the relationship and what they ultimately want.
It’s a great start for the series and I’m looking forward to learning more about them.
I hope that Kingston’s story is next! He’s important in this story and I’d love to read his story.
I didn’t like Leo at first, but my opinion of him changed when Slate became a part of the story. Graves has some self esteem issues that he’s working on, but things keep happening to reinforce the beliefs.
The fact that both of them have people that love and support them as individuals help them realize what they can possibly have together. The story takes its time to allow them to workout their issues with the relationship and what they ultimately want.
It’s a great start for the series and I’m looking forward to learning more about them.
I hope that Kingston’s story is next! He’s important in this story and I’d love to read his story.
April 2, 2019
What a wonderful new series that Candice Blake started. We have Leo a nineteen-year college freshman who's got the look, body, and ego. He's very cocky and confident of himself when it comes to dating women. Then there is Graves a divorcee, college professor, and he's having a hard time when it comes to dating women.
Leo and Graves both are straight but are curious and attracted to each other from the start. Leo decides he will be Graves dating and must say he a great job. I love the interaction between all the characters especially Leo's parents. The conversation between Leo and his father is so sweet and funny.
This book has May/December, gay for you, first time, romance, funny and sexy times. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Leo and Graves both are straight but are curious and attracted to each other from the start. Leo decides he will be Graves dating and must say he a great job. I love the interaction between all the characters especially Leo's parents. The conversation between Leo and his father is so sweet and funny.
This book has May/December, gay for you, first time, romance, funny and sexy times. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
April 2, 2019
This is the first book of the - Beckford Brothers - series. It is a standalone without any cliffhangers.
Leo is a student, Graves a University Professor. The age difference is quite high, despite that and the fact that both are straight, theres a bond forming between the outwardly open and adventurous student and unobtrusive, shy Graves.
Its definitely a slow burn, theres low angst and if u expect a lot of friction this is not the right book for you. Honestly i couldnt really say something that stood out in the book, but sometimes the good lies in simplicity ;)
Its definitely very pleasant to read with a nice flow, good story that will hold your attention and interesting characters.
Leo is a student, Graves a University Professor. The age difference is quite high, despite that and the fact that both are straight, theres a bond forming between the outwardly open and adventurous student and unobtrusive, shy Graves.
Its definitely a slow burn, theres low angst and if u expect a lot of friction this is not the right book for you. Honestly i couldnt really say something that stood out in the book, but sometimes the good lies in simplicity ;)
Its definitely very pleasant to read with a nice flow, good story that will hold your attention and interesting characters.
April 2, 2019
Graves and Leo both cried "STRAIGHT" whey they asked each other their sexual orientation. So how come they were so attracted to each other? Despite their age difference, once Leo allowed himself to see what a good person he was, he was willing to help Graves find a woman to keep him warm. However, easier said than done and Leo wound up on the date instead. Attraction grows between the two and despite some road bumps , a puppy and his brother Kingston, they try to make a go of it. The author keeps us intrigued on the journey that Graves and Leo must take in order to find each other and I would recommend this book for anyone to read. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.
April 2, 2019
3.5 STARS
I really enjoyed the concept of the story line.
Love a good May/Dec
I enjoyed Leo and his brother Kingston, although at times Leo needed a good smack for being so standoffish.
Then you have Professor Graves. Poor guy, unlucky in love and people(especially women) let him down!
So when a date doesn’t show up after Leo helped him prep for it things get crazy and the chemistry sparks from there.
While I did enjoy this book, it felt like there was a few things missing and some parts of the story were rushed. And also definitely some unrealistic parts in their story too.
I really enjoyed the concept of the story line.
Love a good May/Dec
I enjoyed Leo and his brother Kingston, although at times Leo needed a good smack for being so standoffish.
Then you have Professor Graves. Poor guy, unlucky in love and people(especially women) let him down!
So when a date doesn’t show up after Leo helped him prep for it things get crazy and the chemistry sparks from there.
While I did enjoy this book, it felt like there was a few things missing and some parts of the story were rushed. And also definitely some unrealistic parts in their story too.
April 2, 2019
This book keeps you turning pages to see what happens next with Graves and Leo. Graves was getting over his divorce and Leo was a younger and was a party person. Despite their age difference, they were drawn to one another. Their attraction grew, despite road bumps they give it a go. The story flowed well, the characters developed and the story intrigued you till the end. Will these two finally find one another. I recommend this book. Can't wait to see what happens next in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 5, 2019
I did like the story itself just fine, and I felt like it could have been great, but the writing ruined it a bit for me. I don't know how to explain it, there was no flow and it just got annoying because I focused more on that than the story.
Another thing annoyed me a bit was that sometimes the characters felt a certain way, and then the next chapter what they thought was a problem was suddenly not a problem at all, and we didn't really get to know their feelings on the subject and why the changed.
Another thing annoyed me a bit was that sometimes the characters felt a certain way, and then the next chapter what they thought was a problem was suddenly not a problem at all, and we didn't really get to know their feelings on the subject and why the changed.
April 2, 2019
Graves and Leo really stole my heart. I loved how the carefree, laid-back attitude of Leo is covering a heart as soft as butter. Graves is more serious and much older. He's been stuck in a bit of a rut since his divorce but is trying to get back in the dating game. What starts out as Leo coaching him for a date soon turns into something neither man was expecting but might be just what they both need.
April 3, 2019
I had to stop reading this barely a quarter into it because the thoughtless, uneducated, and frankly flat out stupid discussions the characters kept having about generations and ages was so ignorant and obnoxious that if this had been a paper book I would have ripped it in half and tossed it in the trash.
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