Aaron Baker has a problem. His online clothing company is under attack. Whilst MC Securities tackle the breaches in security, he asks for an agent to pose as his fake boyfriend. He doesn’t bargain for getting a snarky, ex-marine with sad, blue eyes and submissive tendencies.
Dumped by his boyfriend, Finlay Masters concludes that the best, and safest, place for him is to return to the closet. Kicked out by his parents as a kid for being gay, closeted in the army for fifteen years, body wrecked by an explosion that cost him his job, he isn’t the best bet for any kind of relationship. Even a fake one.
As the investigation mounts, Aaron wants more, but Finn has no faith in love, never dared need anyone. Aaron talks of how lucky he is to find him, but Finn knows if he is to have a chance at a relationship at all, he needs to find himself.
Biography My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head...he probably has a point!
Excellent second entry in this Manchester set series
This one had a really solid corporate espionage plot anchoring the wider romance and it worked really well.
The relationship itself was also not a conventional fake boyfriend trope either and I really loved that both Aaron and Finlay had massive issues they really needed to work at to make it a success.
There's the usual supporting cast from book one and more hints dropped about Christian's dodgy cousin Daniel, who I believe is the subject of book three.
Compelling characters, great setting, a lively narrative and some seriously steamy encounters all add up to another win.
What a catching journey this was. I read it in one sit. It took also half my night because I couldn’t put it down. It was just so immensely captivating!
Aaron is a single dad with a grown-up son of twenty-six. He’s an online fashion retailer and his company is doing good. Only, there are people who are undermining his store. So, he calls in MC Security to find out who is behind this. To take away the attention from the bad stuff, he wants to put up a smokescreen by claiming he, who has been going through life as straight, has a boyfriend. Also, he will have someone close to investigate.
Finn is thirty-six and an employee at MC Security. At sixteen he was thrown out on the streets after he told his parents he was gay. He is just out of a relationship and glad to be on his own again, no strings, alone is better is his motto. Is he the man for the fake boyfriend job?
They are just two competitive cocky fighters. What started as a fake boyfriend thing turned into something complicated. Finn doesn’t do relationships.
“His heart was singing. Fucking singing.”
Such an intriguing and complicated journey this was. A quite well thought out plot. Finn and Aaron’s personalities were impressively developed. Their dynamic was incredible, the slow buildup of feelings was killing. They were mature, sensual, and vulnerable. I loved the rough grumpy hardheaded Finn. I loved the strong loving caretaker Aaron. The secondary characters were doing a good job being not so secondary. I loved how Aaron’s son, Travis, had a big role. Family, colleagues, and friends were all of importance. The emotions were beautifully woven throughout this sensitive story, it felt realistic, more than once I choked up. I was deeply impressed by Finlay and Aaron’s journey.
This book picks up after the Christmas holidays when Michael and Jack get together, so while it isn't necessary to read the first book that will give you some context and also provides some background to the company and certain characters alluded to (mainly Christian's cousin).
Finlay is my favourite sort of character, rough, tough and sarcastic, but with a heart as big a whale and so much love to give. He's still lingering around that closet door that he forced himself into when he was in the army. He has issues with rejection and abandonment to the point where he thinks it's easier to run at the first sign of love than risk losing it at some point later.
Aaron is a workaholic, determined to be a success at everything he does in order to prove his father wrong. So much so that he is failing at being a father himself. He doesn't have time for anything especially not a relationship hence Finlay becoming his fake boyfriend to quash rumours and shift attention away from other issues plaguing his company.
This tale of corporate espionage is well plotted and moves forward with good pace. The romance happens within the scope of the job MC Securities are employed to do, moving from sexually attraction to something more quite naturally with some nice subtle touches from the author.
Both of them have their own individual issues that they need to address in order for the relationship to work and I like that this wasn't something solved by either sex or the other MC, the characters either worked it out for themselves or were guided by other characters, taking the reliance and pressure off the relationship.
There are more hints in this book about a past relationship between Christian and Daniel and I'm pleased to see the author is writing their story now.
I really enjoyed this and would recommend it for anyone that likes: fake boyfriends, opposites attract, closeted (partially) MCs, ex-military, coping with grief, single dad, corporate espionage.
inding Finlay is the second in the MC Securities series and, while the books are tangentially related, I think this one can be read as a standalone if you’re just starting out. There’s an easy writing style and a relaxed rhythm to the book that resulted in a smooth pace that I enjoyed. The plot is more of a mixed bag. There is certainly a well-rounded story offered and I appreciated that some depth was provided to the otherwise overused fake boyfriend trope. But there’s a lot of forced emotional conflict in Finding Finlay and much of it I found excessive. The drama with Aaron’s son felt overwrought and the last minute arrival of Finlay’s family into the picture was completely out of step with the rest of the story.
Finlay and Aaron are multi-layered characters, but, by the end of the book, I hadn’t developed any particular connection to either of them. They seemed almost flat despite their developed storylines and as a couple, I never latched onto much of a spark. They were rather ordinary and while that isn’t bad, it made them seem boring. I just didn’t care much about them one way or another and that disconnected sensation permeated throughout the entire book.
This is one my favourite reads of this year, without a doubt. There’s so much I loved about this story and I’ll try to break it down for you. I was pulled in straightaway with the plot; someone’s trying to sabotage Aaron’s company, so he brings in MC Securities, namely their cyber security expert Finlay Masters to help find out who the culprit is. You’ll get an idea from the blurb what Finn’s been through in the past, abandoned by his parents as a teen for being gay, then joining the marines at 18 where he’s badly injured, and Aaron, running a company that’s currently under attack, and has a strained relationship with son, Travis, who believes his Dad thinks more of the company than him. Now this is where it gets really interesting; Finlay has to pretend to be Aaron’s lover to try and help root out who’s trying to destroy Aaron’s company and his reputation. This should be easy you may think, two professional men that have been around the block, with an end game in sight but what they don’t count on is how the growing respect and attraction as they get to know one another, and lines become blurred. I adored their easy camaraderie and teasing and the genuine respect that grew between them so organically. There’s a lot happening here with a really interesting supporting cast and the sub-plot keeps you guessing. I read a heck of a lot of books in this genre and now and again one will stand head and shoulders above the others for the skilled writing and interesting, multi-layered protagonists that also has the magic ingredient that just makes it a really exceptional read, and this one is the perfect example. I devoured this book and I can’t wait for more in the series.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.
FINDING FINLAY is beyond a doubt one of the most satisfying romances I’ve read in a very long time—a slow, smoldering burn written with deft insight and deep understanding of the delicate interplay between lovers.
Ruby Moone’s outstanding novel is a study in the health of the human spirit. Two flawed men begin an awkward partnership as “pretend boyfriends.” One, a security investigator named Finlay, has been hired to act as the gay lover of a company executive named Aaron—a widower with a grown son and an achingly solitary private life. The ruse has been set up to find the source of rot and disloyalty within Aaron’s company, the idea being that making Aaron an openly gay man will stop the efforts of an unknown saboteur to start vile rumors about the widower's sex life.
Finlay and his security agency soon find that the sabotage goes deep, as unknown actors are moving along several paths to destroy Aaron’s successful company. But the arrangement between Aaron and Finlay doesn’t just close off a vein of destruction—it opens and then threatens a vital vein into the hearts of both lonely men.
Finlay…rude, snarky, cynical Finlay…is a thirty-something gay man physically scarred by war wounds and psychologically scarred by being cast off by a bitter homophobic father. His solution to desperate loneliness is to wrap a tourniquet tightly around his emotions, to escape any possible entanglement with other people, to the point of almost total isolation in case he might get wounded even more.
Since his divorce and his former wife’s subsequent accidental death, outwardly handsome Aaron has become a ghastly shadow of a man. Aaron is secretly bisexual, but his liaisons are scraped clean of the slightest emotion. His 26-year-old son Travis, unfortunately, has borne the brunt of Aaron’s parched emotional state. He desperately loves his son, but the damage is so deep that Travis has cut him off completely while taking up pills and booze and unsavory companions.
A commitment-phobe is thrown together as a fake boyfriend of another man who’s even more dedicated to shutting off any whiff of human tenderness. What could go wrong? More importantly, what could possibly go right?
FINDING FINLAY is a deeply moving story of hurt and hate and love and final redemption. It’s my happy duty to urge you: READ THIS BOOK. I dare you to do it with a dry eye, without a shiver of despair and of expectation. I urge you to relish the many ironies, the deft portrait of several compelling human beings, the splendid writing.
Der erste Teil der "MC Seurities" - Reihe fand ich ganz gut, war jetzt nicht überragend, aber schön zu lesen. Diese Geschichte hat mich jedoch direkt in den Bann gezogen. Eine Fake-Boyfriend-Geschichte mit zwei schwierigen Charakteren. Finlay wurde von seiner Familie rausgeworfen, als er sich geoutet hat und hat dann jahrelang in der Armee seine Sexualität versteckt, dann wurde er schwer verletzt und hat nun Angst davor, sich emotional auf jemanden einzulassen. Ein weiteres Problem ist auch sein von Narben übersäter Körper. Aaron wiederum ist bisexuell, sehr früh Vater geworden und führt ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen. Er engagiert MC Securities, als es zu Angriffen und Gerüchten kommt, die seiner Firma schaden wollen. Aber das ist nicht alles, die Beziehung zu seinem Sohn ist auch sehr, sehr schwierig. Es ist nicht nur sehr interessant, wie aus den beiden richtige Liebende werden, es gab auch einen absoluten Gänsehautmoment. Das passiert mir wirklich selten, aber diese Konstellation ist wirklich berührend. Ein Moment, der alles verändert, der mir wirklich Gänsehaut am ganzen Körper beschert hat. So berührend.
Such a good book and a great follow up to the first one. I like the whole fake boyfriend thing, the new characters were great and believable, and the way Ruby writes is a delight. I wasn't 100% sold on the idea that people in the fashion industry of all places might clutch their pearls at the thought of a gay man amongst them, but actually I think the way it was presented worked okay. Cannot wait for book three!
So, I have a confession to make, I didn't read the first book in this series (shhh, don't tell anyone). Thing is I planned to, but I was sick all this week with the cold from hell and that cut not only on my reading time but my vacation. Anyway, while the MCs from book 1 and certain things from it are mentioned, I think this book stood alone quite well. Yes, there were a couple of instances in which I wished I had a bit more background, but other than that, I was fine.
Prior to reading this book, I'd only read Ms. Moone's historical romances, which I've loved, and I think she did quite well in this leap into contemporary romance, especially in this setting.
I really liked Finlay, even if he was a bit prickly. I found it understandable that it took him so long to admit to his feelings to Aaron after what he went through with his family. I liked Aaron, too, although there were some times in which I wanted to shake him. He was older than Finn, but sometimes I wondered about his maturity level, like when he didn't tell Finn from the start that he was bi, for example, or the way Finn had to guide him on how to treat Aaron's own son. *sighs* Oh well, at least he did get better in the end. And I can't deny that Aaron and Finn definitely had chemistry and worked well together.
Overall, I thought this was fast-paced, interesting and plot-oriented and while there were a few things that might have needed to be expanded on, it was a great, entertaining read. I'm really intrigued about Daniel and Christian and hope to see more of them in the next installments. Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
I’ve been very fortunate to read some really good sequels lately and this is one of them.
Finlay Masters is a man who hasn’t had the best luck in his love life. Now determined to keep his heart to himself, he finds that determination waning when confronted with Aaron Baker.
Aaron’s a good man with a real problem who needs help. Finlay is reluctant to become involved but his boss doesn’t really give him much of a choice.
I enjoyed this story a lot. It has a good storyline and although I found it easy to see where it was going, I had a good time getting there. The chemistry between Aaron and Finlay was instant, but took a while a build to it’s explosive climax (lol, punny) and that really worked for me.
It was meant to be a page turner because of the mystery surrounding Aaron’s troubles, but I mostly kept reading because I really liked the characters. They are both flawed, but trying to hard to do the right thing and that is a very attractive quality for me. The author is very good at making their characters sympathetic and easy to love. For me the “mystery” was really quite obvious, but it didn’t matter because I had a great connection with both main characters.
They are also good at the sex scenes and that’s also something I appreciate. Five flames out of five, but I didn’t find that there was too much sex and that’s good as well. I prefer the characters deal with life a little more realistically and actually talk things out instead of just fucking their problems all away.
There isn’t a lot of memorable side characters, but Aaron’s spoiled son really wanted to make me spank him. I guess that’s good too because I think that was what the author was going for.
All in all, this is an easy, fun read. I love the bits of humor as much as the more heart-wrenching parts. I appreciate a book that can make me laugh and cry and if that’s your thing, you will appreciate it too.
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Finding Finley is an entertaining romance by Ruby Moone. The second in the MC Securities series, it holds up to all the charm of the first book, Trusting Jack, but can be read as a standalone.
I instantly found myself riveting by this fake romance story. The tone and writing style had me immediately invested in these men and their lives.
A clothing designer and an ex-army man? Yes please! It's always fun to pair up men from different worlds.
Aaron and Finley are both extremely likeable men, with well developed backgrounds. Aaron became a father as a teen and lost his wife a while back. Finlay meanwhile, is an ex-soldier who was injured on his tours.
With Aaron always having been straight, it's all a fun journey as he explores sex with Finley. I absolutely love the first time they kiss, and Finlay's reaction. It's just perfect!
Their tale is one of first times, pretend, and suspense. The sex is emotional and tender, beautifully written. And the scenes with the scars are so damn amazing.
Finding Finley is a wonderful fake boyfriends romance. Ruby Moone excels in this story of re-evaluating one's life and taking a chance on love.
Although Finlay is rough around the edges, keeps to himself, and carries all of his worries and struggles internally, he's a wonderful character. When he finds himself working as a fake boyfriend of CEO Aaron Baker after a breakup and what he perceives as a deception from his best friend. Aaron's business is under attack and in order to get everything under control, he feels it's time to come out as bisexual.
Finlay is a hard person to get to know, but Aaron finds a way to connect with him without too much effort. It turns out that Aaron is exactly who he needs in his life. He's hurt because of his past, unable to connect with anyone, but the fake relationship with Aaron is easy. Along with their new "relationship", they have to deal with Aaron's out-of-control son, Finlay's family, and the image of them as a couple.
This is a wonderful book and again, Ruby Moone writes characters you fall in love with, no matter how standoffish they are. Finlay and Aaron are no exception and I can't wait for the next book!! A lovely read and highly recommended!!
As soon as I saw Finding Finlay by Ruby Moone available to read, I had to have it! Book 1 in the MC Securities series, Trusting Jack, was my top read of 2018 and I was eagerly anticipating book 2, even though they can be read as standalones… but why would you? Grab them both for the full experience of this absorbing world!
Finlay (known as Finn) is a successful man who enjoys his work, feels good about making a difference and knows he has a lot to offer. But he spends his days robotically going through the motions.
A new case needs Finn’s specialised skills. Not only in cyber security, but the company’s founder and CEO – Aaron, requires a personal touch. Aaron’s clothing company is under fire from an unknown source – causing issues with the business’s reputation and also for Aaron. He needs Finn to pose as his boyfriend to negate the insidious rumours about his sex life and to confirm he is gay. This gives Finn full access to both the company and Aaron’s life, to be able to delve deeply into the possible inside sources for the sabotage.
What Finn doesn’t count on is the way this job uncovers his own insecurities, his vulnerabilities, and it makes him face the emptiness in his own life.
Finding Finlay’s plot kept me guessing with enough suspense that it was difficult to put the book down! The characters are rich in personality and depth, including secondary characters who provide levity and colour throughout the read. The fake boyfriend trope is utilised superbly in this book, with the development of the relationship on a slow-burn to love, making me smile. I could “see” the feelings emerge between these sexy men. Their slow realisation of how they are feeling is swoon-worthy and sighingly sweet.
Once again Ruby Moone perfectly blends sexual tension, a bit of angst, mystery and suspense into a romantic story full of insight and feeling. She expertly pulls you along with the reluctant characters’ journey to find their true self – and love along the way.
Finn works for MC Securities. They have been hired to ferret out who is trying to tank Aaron Baker’s clothing company. Finn poses as Aaron’s boyfriend so he has a reason to get close to people who may be involved. Their reactions to each other quickly heats up the working situation, leading to complications neither were prepared for. If you start to have feelings for your fake boyfriend is he still a fake?
Finn’s insecurity’s about his damaged body and failed relationships have left him wary. I liked how Aaron slowly brought him out of that mindset. Finn’s acceptance of Aaron’s bisexuality was pretty much a non issue.
The fake boyfriend trope is used a lot. I thought this book did a fair job of taking them from fake to real. The story was interesting and having people from the first book come into play was nice. Low angst and pleasant characters made this a nice story.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
Security Agent Finlay Masters has an unusual assignment while working with CEO Aaron Baker which includes fake boyfriend, nefarious plots that leads to falling in Love. Ruby Moone is an excellent storyteller, she builds interesting characters and intriguing premises like this tale. No surprises, just a good solid read, and a likable series.
Two men who don't think they want a relationship are forced in to close proximity and end up having one almost without noticing. Not a trope I usually go for, but it is really well done and I loved it! This is the sequel to Trusting Jack, but it could be read independently.
I love the fake boyfriend trope. It always leads to more. Finlay and Aaron went from fake boyfriends to friends with benefits but when things get too close to a relationship , Finlay shuts down. Can Finlay sort out his feelings before it's too late. There was really good story of business sabotage, betrayals and family issues .
This is a great series - characters are complex enough to make the reader care about them, and enough breadcrumbs are laid to give you a fair idea of how the story will play out.
Blurb Aaron Baker has a problem. His online clothing company is under attack. Whilst MC Securities tackle the breaches in security, he asks for an agent to pose as his fake boyfriend. He doesn’t bargain for getting a snarky, ex-marine with sad, blue eyes and submissive tendencies. Dumped by his boyfriend, Finlay Masters concludes that the best, and safest, place for him is to return to the closet. Kicked out by his parents as a kid for being gay, closeted in the army for fifteen years, body wrecked by an explosion that cost him his job, he isn’t the best bet for any kind of relationship. Even a fake one. As the investigation mounts, Aaron wants more, but Finn has no faith in love, never dared need anyone. Aaron talks of how lucky he is to find him, but Finn knows if he is to have a chance at a relationship at all, he needs to find himself.
First, I need to gush. Fake boyfriend is one of my all time favourite story ploys! It’s right up there with “they have to stay the night, and there’s only one bed” in terms of me getting giddy to read it. I was so looking forward to this one, and Finn did not disappoint. He’s exactly as grumpy, snarky and hard to reach as you want an ex-marine in a romance book to be!
Aaron is a lovely character too, but it did take me a little bit longer to warm to him. After a few chapters though, I was fully invested in these guys and just wanted Finn to give in to Aaron’s charms already. The story was well written, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I hadn’t read the first book in the series and it had no negative impact on my enjoyment of this story. There was strength and depth in the characters and I loved how the relationship developed and I was truly rooting for the guys.
Recommended!
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This series turns out to be great! I've read some of Ms Moone's historical books and I have to say I like these better.
This time we get the story of Finlay and Aaron.
Finlay has had a rough life, thrown out by his parents when he came out, he joined the army. After an accident where he got seriously injured he retired from the army. He then started working for Michael and Christian whom we met in the first book of the series. He's gruff and distant and has serious commitment issues.
Aaron owns an online clothing company and founds out it is under attack. Someone is trying to damage his reputation by spreading false rumours about his work ethics and his sexuality. He asks MC Securities to step in. Help that comes in the form of Finlay, posing as his fake boyfriend so that the question of his sexuality is already solved. Finlay will also help with finding out who is after Aaron.
There is an attraction between both men that is simmering for a while before they give in. Finlay is having some serious commitment problems due to having been thrown out by his parents when he came out and being firmly in the closet during his army time. They agree on keeping things casual since Aaron also doesn't need a relationship. Of course, things always turn out differently.
The book can be read as a standalone but in my opinion it's better to start with the first one as there seems to be a sort of returning thread in the book. Don't really know how to explain, sorry, English isn't my maternal language. 😳
All in all, a great book and I am happy to start on Daniel and Christian's book. That is one I have been looking forward to!!
This is book two in a series, I read book one a couple of years ago, I had to go back and read the blurb and my review to refresh my memory. You don't have to read it to enjoy this one, it's just obvious in the first chapter, but it won't ruin the story for you. The two main characters are in here but this is more about two newer men.This is a totally outstanding story, long, but it just flew by for me, couldn't put it down, I was reading it at 2am. Fin and Aaron are interesting men thrown together as fake boyfriends in an attempt to find who is trying to ruin Aaron's business. I love this author her stories are always interesting, sexy, sometimes intense, but always riveting. A great read.
Everything nice I wanted to think of this story is buried under the reality of the plot. How many "gay fake boyfriends" have I read about since April 1st? Five stories! It's too much even for the serial reader that I am. I read it despite the clichéd plot because I thought it would be different, that it would bring something new. In the end, the cliché won the game and I found myself bored part way. Too bad.
2 ** stars. It's readable if you haven't read five similar stories in a row, otherwise it's boring as hell.
The characters are multifaceted...admirable, flawed and comp!ex. The plot is interesting and fast paced. Clues are woven throughout the emotions and pain. Their are longstanding hurts on the way to being healed. The ending gives the hope for better days.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Thanks Ruby for a special experience on
Even better than book 1. Great balance of elements of the story. Warm & fuzzy without being fluffy, nice amount of steam, no excessive angst. Very good read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the MC Securities series and absolutely loved this follow up! The industrial espionage storyline worked very well to draw in the security firm aspect, as did the client's 'fake boyfriend' request which brought our couple together.
I loved the similarities and differences between Aaron (workaholic businessman) and Finn (wary commitmentphobe) and the way the fake relationship gradually became real was very sensitively written, giving us a real insight into both characters and their personal challenges. A hugely engrossing read.
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Oh man, this one pulled at my heart strings. Finlay just needs someone to love him and be there for him no matter how much he likes to think he doesn’t and is afraid of being hurt. Aaron is losing his relationship with his son and having problems at his company when Finlay comes in to help they find they can both help each other so much more.
I felt for Finlay and how he has lost everyone in his life, even his most recent ex put a wall between him and his only friend. I hurt as I watched him working through his thoughts and worries but was so glad that Aaron would be there to hold him up in the end. Aaron poured himself into his business not realizing how much his son needed him at the time but when trying to fix the problems in his company Finlay helps him to take a step back and realize what’s really important. Finlay getting back some of that which he thought he had lost probably went more towards him finally admitting his feelings towards Aaron than he would ever have been able to admit. I am loving this series and look forward to other books.
The cover art is great, I love the visual of Finlay and how it’s similar in style to the previous book but also different.