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Emma’s to-do list:
1- dump Tyler
2- survive new school
3- rock senior year


My life was as perfect as a teenage girl could hope it would be; friends, boyfriend, straight-A student, loving parents, and all that jazz. Until my entire world comes crashing down. Alright, that may be a bit dramatic, but come on, what sane person wants to move half-way across the country after their senior year has already started?
That’s not all that happened, but I digress. My entire world gets shaken up and suddenly I find myself in the middle of freaking nowhere Nebraska surrounded by three cute guys…
Reid, the clown of the group,
Kingston, the laidback, go with the flow kind of guy,
and Jesse, the closed off one you don’t even want me to get started on.
Anyway, so here I am facing all sorts of challenges I never even thought of like a creepy classmate, a mean Assistant Principal, and trouble with the law, but they’ve got my back.

We can totally handle our senior year and make it to graduation, right?


The High School Clowns & Coffee Grounds Series is a WhyChoose/Reverse Harem trilogy featuring MFMM meaning the female main character doesn't have to choose between her love interests.

This book contains references involving PTSD, sexual assault recollections, abuse, underage drinking, and other themes that some readers may find triggering. This is the first of three books and DOES end in a cliffhanger.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2019

239 people are currently reading
363 people want to read

About the author

A.J. Macey

65 books630 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author A.J. Macey has an addiction to coffee, cats, and swearing. Sucks at adulting and talking to people, so she'll frequently be lost in a book or running away with her imagination when she's not spending time with her husband, daughter, or two cats Thor and Loki. A.J. has a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and previous coursework in Forensic Science, Behavioral Psychology, and Cybersecurity. Before becoming an author, A.J. worked as a Correctional Officer in a jail where she met her husband. She started writing just for fun when she was little and continued to create stories for years until finally sitting down to finish and publish a book in 2018!

Be sure to keep up with A.J. and her releases at:
https://www.facebook.com/author.ajmacey/

As well as join the reader group for teasers, giveaways, and other random shenanigans at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/27102...

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5 stars
271 (46%)
4 stars
196 (33%)
3 stars
94 (15%)
2 stars
17 (2%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
Profile Image for Rambling Reader.
468 reviews76 followers
June 17, 2019
Lads & Lattes is a fresh-faced contemporary RH. With our FMC and MMCs in high school, we're looking at a slower burn, but that doesn't make the story any less delightful!!!

Instead of the steam you get from a medium or fast burn, we get to relive all of those adorable stages of having a high school crush- the butterflies, the awkward brushes against each other that bring a blush to one's face, the freedom to be silly and wait for that tingling first kiss.

It's just so cute I couldn't help but squeal.

But cute isn't all there is to L&L. Macey has built in different conflicts for each of her characters- life isn't the best for each of them, and there's some new drama that crops up after Emma becomes a part of the MMCs' lives. All the sh*t surrounding them brings them closer together, acts as a force that helps them bond. Even though Emma's relationships with the guys might not progress equally as quickly or smoothly, they are a team. United, they stand against the people who want to bring each of them down.

Overall, Macey has created this endearing, interesting story that's filled with personal touches like our FMC's digital diary entries that make the characters come alive. Emma, the FMC, is a little bit lost and uncertain, but she's kind and good-hearted and just trying to find her place in her new home. Reid, Kingston, and Jesse give us some flirtiness, corny jokes, random factoids, and a little grumpiness (because everyone loves the grump), and genuine caring. They're so sweet at heart that I think I could end up with a cavity, but in the most lovable way.

I'm excited for book two, and I think many of you will be too!!
Profile Image for Kayla Pipkin.
782 reviews38 followers
July 2, 2019
I was a little confused with this book.
Mostly just about timeline though.
The prologue talks about graduation.
Even in the blurb it talks about graduation.
So I assumed this book would be about the entire year.
However, that wasn't the case.
It ends before Thanksgiving even happens.
As well as a super cliffhanger.
Other than that little loop, I really enjoyed the book.
I feel like there are a lot of loose ends that still need explaining.
We don't know why her parents divorced and why she was made to go with the mom.
The investigation is just starting into her creepy classmate that tried to harm her.
Plus, almost everyone just seems to accept her growing relationship with Reid, Kingston, and Jesse.
Some of the things seem so unlikely that it is hard to understand.
But I'm not knocking it. I'm super curious to see where this will all lead and how the characters will come out.
Overall, I enjoyed the series and want to see more from the author.
Profile Image for Kari.
65 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2019
What a great start. New beginnings should be fun right?!?! Well our FMC didn’t think so. But I think she might be changing her tune. This book is unlike and other HB’s I’ve read and I look forward to seeing where the story takes us. All in all I want book 2 now please. Lol
Profile Image for Bella Suarez-Ramirez.
512 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2019
Omg!

This book was great. The storyline and the characters, I loved and enjoyed reading. Cute, funny and lovable. Enjoyed the read and can’t wait for next book of series.
Profile Image for Rhiyel.
81 reviews5 followers
September 17, 2019
Missed the mark. *spoilers*

FMC seems to be lacking a backbone, considerable mood swings for seemingly no reason and she cries irrationally over things that don’t really warrant it - which leaves her character coming across as pithless and irritating. Her parents surprise her with their divorce (apparently she had not the faintest clue it was coming?), they gave no explanation and didn’t bother offering to sit down and talk to her about it but instead she was told by her mother to pack her things as they were moving to another state in a few days (not really realistic) and she barely put up a fight and seemed to get over it straight away. The “villain” conflict was just...really unbelievable and lacked substance. She had two meetings with him in passing that she felt uncomfortable in his presence because...of the way he looked at her, and the next time she runs into him he’s aggressive and physically violent? Just...what?
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
March 16, 2020

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/16/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Rebecca ellis.
96 reviews6 followers
June 10, 2019
Absolutely adorable and sweet.
This book is so much different from the other books that the amazing A.J Macey has written. And I am HERE for it.
This just shows how amazing this author is.
Lads & Lattes is such a wonderful read.

I've been binging on bully romances for the past few months and this was the lighthearted, organic love that I've been missing and didnt even know it.

****POSSIBLE SPOILERS****




Emma is such a beautiful fmc that you can't help falling in love with her. She's vulnerable and wears her heart on her sleeve, but that doesn't make her weak. I believe there is a lot of character growth ahead for her though. She has no problem standing up to people that deserve it, but I'm hoping she can draw strength from her boys to finally stand up to her parents and demand answers.

Speaking of the boys...
Reid is the funny, carefree soul who can make you smile even when you really dont want to. All of these boys are 100% pure sweetness, but there's just something about Reid that seems to pull them all together.

Kingston seems like he is the levelheaded one out of the group. The nurturer. The fact that his family is so amazing makes me love him more. I really love that part of this book. Showing his whole family and showing how they support and love him. And how that love extends to the people that he chooses to love. The world needs so much more of this.

Then we have Jesse. My sweet, tough, mysterious, smart and misunderstood Jesse. He is probably my favorite at the moment. 😍 A.J. Macey hints that Jesse struggles with issues at home (hopefully book two will reveal exactly what is going on) but she didnt just slap on the stereotypical 'bad boy' badge and leave it at that. While there are rumors floating around about him getting in trouble with the law and getting into fights, the only altercation that we see him get into is 100% justified. There are so many layers to Jesse's character and I cannot wait to see them all as the series progresses.

I just love everything about this book. ❤❤❤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nerdy Housewifey.
445 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2019
😩 more please?

Why did this end!!!!! 1 Star for ending on me like that, jk I really really liked this book!!

I think it’s hard sometimes to make a contemporary novel have good forward momentum. You can’t have werewolves popping up to add some drama so usually it’s just needless angst added, which gets old really fast. Lads & Lattes managed to move at a good pace with out the cliched ‘misunderstandings’ causing a lot of drama for the mc’s. I loved that they were all friends first and they all trusted and respected each other, it was refreshing seeing such a healthy relationship (between the boys themselves and between them with Emma).

The only thing I didn’t like as much was the disappearing parent syndrome. Now, I do think this is supposed to be part of the story how her parents haven’t been there..... but why hasn’t she spoke up? This is probably my upbringing coloring my views as I had a very close relationship with my parents and would have had no problem saying wtf if they started juking their parental roles. But I’m sincerely hoping for a good ‘come to Jesus’ meeting between her and her rents in book 2.

Overall a fantastic start and I can’t wait for book 2 ❤️
Profile Image for Charlotte.
3,980 reviews62 followers
June 12, 2019
Emma (the MFC) is having the day from hell. Not only does she walk in on her boyfriend with another girl, she finds out that her folks are getting divorced plus her & her mum are moving to Nebraska. Away from her home & friends in California. Not the greatest of news at the best of times. Things may not be as bad as she thinks though. On her first day at a new school shes taken under the wing of 3 guys - Reid, Kingston & Jesse. Three genuine & sweet guys. This book is a pleasant change to the recent run of School RH Bully romance books. Not that theres anything wrong with them because im a fan. I liked that it was. Emma's a Smart. witty character & her guys are the perfect balance to her. Reid is funny, Kingston is easy going, Jesse is quiet & reserved. This is a lovely RH book that i really enjoyed reading
Profile Image for Daisy Delfin.
1,497 reviews180 followers
June 18, 2019

Pages: 235
My rating (stars): 3
Read other books from this author in the future: yes

One day after finishing this book I struggle to remember what this book is about. After her parents divorce Emma moves to Nebraska with her mum. There she meets three guys.

This book was an okay read. Something you read on a day at the beach where you do not want any complicated things. So it was entertaining and I think I will read the second instalment.

Profile Image for Charlotte.
104 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2019
I loved all the characters in this book! Which is actually really amazing. Emma is such a fun FMC and despite the situation her mum drops on her *no spoilers ;) * she picks herself up and carries on. Even though she's a college age kid she shows a maturity that makes her seem so much more realistic. The love interests are HOT and the way they are with Emma is so sweet. They're all so caring and understanding of her. It's the sort of ' pick you up when you're down' book that you can lose a few hours to and come out feeling totally positive about life. The way they all work together to care and protect each other is something I think we all wish we had. I'm amazed at the skill A.J. Macey has to write such completely opposing styles and do them all so well. Another must read!
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,091 reviews120 followers
July 8, 2019
Very enjoyable

Totally enjoyed this book, it was a light read and also not a rushed RH. I liked the slow build-up, no one was jumping anyone's bones in 2.5 pages which was nice. I felt a little on the fence about Jesse background, being as he's African American and living in a rundown area, with beating marks, it was really stereotypical. Blond and put together kingstons whos family were lawyers that came from money? I didn't care for that same oh same stereotypical characters. But anyways it was pretty good with teenage issues, teenage pain, and being a new person in a new town, realizing the life you left was bland in comparison, and that the friends you were keeping are nothing like the friends you have now.
147 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2019
Very funny, very romantic. I like the descriptions and the characters personalities. Jesse, Kingston, and read all have different personalities but yet they fit so well together. I like how Emma took care of Jesse without questions even if she wanted to ask what happened. This book really shows how people have many layers to them, even when you see a particular side of them the most, there is still more to that person. The short journal entries were very cool and different and it kind of highlighted what was going to happen in that chapter. AJ Massey really did put a spin on this book that made it super refreshing and different. I can’t wait to read the next book! AJ Massey you rock!
Profile Image for Shoni Wake.
371 reviews18 followers
March 30, 2020
Truthfully I started reading this book only because I got tired of RH bully books. And I thought - this might be fun why not? I hoped to find a lot of fun in this book I was hoping to see very interesting characters. I was waiting for Reid to finally become the jokester that he was supposed to be unfortunately he never became one, he wasn't fun he wasn't smart or witty, he was quite shallow, which was a disappointment.
the book revolved around a lot of descriptions especially of what the main character was wearing. Seemed unnecessary to me and a bit out of place.
The book was boring, but because it is light-hearted I still read it.




Profile Image for TipseyBookReviews.
1,442 reviews52 followers
June 19, 2019
Emma’s whole world is turned upside down one night when she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, her parents are divorcing, and she has to move to another state/school the next day. Luckily for her she meets 3 great guys pretty quickly - Kingston, Reid, and Jesse, although she is convinced Jesse hates her. I like her Emma’s honesty, attitude, and how she handles her vulnerabilities. There is a potentially triggering part of the book dealing with sexual assault, but I do think it was handled well. I am excited to see where this series goes :)
116 reviews
June 29, 2019
When divorce happens and it breaks a family, relationships, and friendship what do you do other than just try to survive? That's exactly what Emma does. The evils of school gossips and the superiority of arrogance and power are nothing when she stands with her boys. They become her family and her support to help her survive and watching their stories unfold is sweet. That being said Emma's story isn't all sweet and has heartbreak in it. Looking forward to the next book in this story and looking forward to re-reading this book in the future. Well worth the read.
Profile Image for Crystie.
456 reviews13 followers
October 6, 2019
Fun, simple, contemporary RH. 4.5 stars

MC finds her bf cheating on her at a party, dumps him, drives home to be told by her parents that they are getting divorced, and she and her mom are moving out of state the NEXT DAY. She meets new people, makes new friends, attends a new school, gets a part-time job in a coffee shop, and deals with teen drama.

The book ends satisfactorily up to a point, yet there is enough background drama going on that is left unresolved to make me very interested in reading the next book.

Sometimes I enjoy a little contemporary romance outside of the typical fantasy/supernatural stuff I typically read. This was a great non-supernatural read!
474 reviews
December 2, 2019
Cute and loved the characters

I'm a character reader. Feeling the essence of the characters and feeling a connection to them is what makes a book good for me. At first, I wasn't sure I'd like main female character but she quickly grew on me. I loved the guys right away.

The next aspect that makes a book good for me is relationships. All of them. The relationship with the parental figures is not shown much but the relationship between the main characters more than make up for it.

The setting is the setting. The plot the plot.

Already downloaded book 2!
Profile Image for Emma.
606 reviews8 followers
June 22, 2019
Another good read by a.j.macey

I would call this a slow burn reverse harem, the guys are unique in their own way and take it upon themselves to take in their 'cali girl '. I liked the slow burn and the story development. There are some great side characters I hope we are more of in the next book from this series. A.j.March has become another author to watch for me, so far I've enjoyed everything she has produced.
Profile Image for Kasumatata.
1,140 reviews23 followers
January 28, 2020
Lads and Lattes

I'm such a huge fan of this author and the way she creates her stories. Emma, the FMc in this book is an independent girl, dealing with the backlash of her life changing in the blink of an eye. She's strong with a vulnerable side. I love her and the way the boys care for her and take care of her. This is exactly what I love reading in YA RH.

I can't wait to read more of them!!!
Profile Image for Kathryn Barr.
494 reviews10 followers
June 15, 2019
A very cute beginning. Can’t wait for more! There’s something weird going on with the FMC family, I hope additional books in the series shed some light on that situation. All in all, an excellent read about a new girl and the three local boys who adopt her into their family of friends and the relationships that grow from there.
158 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2019
All I have to say is anything by A.J. Macey is pure gold! Don't even question it just one click! This book was so refreshing, it was cute and fun, but still had a bit of angst. It is a slow burn, but even if that's not your thing you won't even care it's that good! I can't wait to read more of these characters, their story is just beginning and I want MORE! I can't reccomend this book enough!!
384 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2019
Loved it!

This book pulled me in from page 1. I didn't want to put it down and I have up sleep to read it. I love the characters, the setting, the premise, everything. This book was everything I had wanted since I heard about the series and more! I can not wait until the next book. Why does it have to come out in November?
Profile Image for BookishBlondeNerd.
547 reviews
June 17, 2019
Cute story

This was a nice break from all the bully RH I have been reading lately. Though it does deal with some trauma issues it is in a supportive and caring way. I enjoyed the relationship of the boys and the development we see. Slow burn.... Only kissing in this book. Give it a read though definitely worth it.
Profile Image for Jazmin.
106 reviews3 followers
Read
June 19, 2019
Love me some Reid

Loved this book from beginning to end. It is a slow burn so no hanky panky but that didnt stop me from enjoying the storyline. Out of all the characters Reid was my favorite, weirdos always have a soft spot in my heart. This book is a must read and cant wait for book 2
Profile Image for ArtemiseElyse.
195 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2019
Amazing

This was just right. I was just starting to think RH was feeling repetitive a bit when I came across this author. I read her book Rival first then this one. Amazing. Simple but captivating. Just enough drama. Just enough romance. Just enough everything. Like a good coffee drink lol. Satisfying but makes you want another one.
Profile Image for KUAvidReader.
234 reviews
September 8, 2019
So much happens quickly in this book. Don’t get me wrong the author still does the characters justice. Still left wondering about Emma’s mom and dad. Just seems so strange to Spring the divorce and move on her like that. I hope Jesse, Kingston, and Reid are really prepared for how rough I’m imagining this story is going to get.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews

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