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Irons and Works #1.5
Last-Minute Walk-In
It’s three years into the future, and both Derek and Basil have found their happiness with each other. Their lives are content—as complete as they’re ever going to be. Basil’s still running his florist shop, and Derek’s still putting his mark on people through ink and art. Together, they offer what support they can to the teens living at the Ted House shelter that Derek and his brother, Sage, have worked hard to get up and running.
And then, like a last minute-walk in, Derek and Basil get a request that changes the quiet routine of their life. A young, pregnant teen at the shelter has asked Derek and Basil to adopt her baby. Although the idea terrifies Derek, leaving him afraid he’ll turn out to be the worthless mess his father always accused him of being, he knows one thing—he wants a family with the man he’s going to marry.
However, nothing’s ever that easy. Stress and outside forces threaten to come between the two men, and both of them start to question whether or not they’re ready for this. Will Derek and Basil ever get the family they want? And more importantly, will their relationship survive the storm?
Last Minute Walk-In is the first in a short series of novellas featuring the couples from the Irons and Works series. These books are best understood after reading the full novels of Irons and Works. Last Minute Walk-In has a guaranteed HEA.
And then, like a last minute-walk in, Derek and Basil get a request that changes the quiet routine of their life. A young, pregnant teen at the shelter has asked Derek and Basil to adopt her baby. Although the idea terrifies Derek, leaving him afraid he’ll turn out to be the worthless mess his father always accused him of being, he knows one thing—he wants a family with the man he’s going to marry.
However, nothing’s ever that easy. Stress and outside forces threaten to come between the two men, and both of them start to question whether or not they’re ready for this. Will Derek and Basil ever get the family they want? And more importantly, will their relationship survive the storm?
Last Minute Walk-In is the first in a short series of novellas featuring the couples from the Irons and Works series. These books are best understood after reading the full novels of Irons and Works. Last Minute Walk-In has a guaranteed HEA.
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2019
182 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
143 books1,375 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 24, 2023
This one was ok but weirdly I liked it less than book 1. First, the timeline was confusing, this is book 1.5 but it felt like the plot took place after mike book 5 or 6, so many couples were mentioned that should not be together yet and even characters i hadn't met in book 1. This was confusing and felt spoilery at times. Now onto the main couple. We got to see Derek's ptsd which we hadn't in book 1 so i wzs happy about that. Basil doesn't really get much more of a personality or depth which was a miss for me. His career choices were strange to say the least. His sister got a personality transplant here and not in a good way. Other female characters disappeared which was weird. I liked the found family aspect that remained strong. Finally, sometimes there would be time jumps (small ones like 1 or 2 weeks) and then the events that happened in the meantime were summarized which was a miss for me. Onto the next one!
August 4, 2019
Aww...
Sweet! This was a good addition to Derek and Basil’s story. Can’t say I like Amaranth much after this though 😑 but yeah, good to be back in this family 😍
Sweet! This was a good addition to Derek and Basil’s story. Can’t say I like Amaranth much after this though 😑 but yeah, good to be back in this family 😍
June 24, 2025
Ok, so this was labelled, as Iron and Works book #1.5, and yes, I get that it was about the couple that book 1 focused on, but it was set 3 years after book 1, and had huge spoilers for all of the following books.
I wish I had have known that, as I would have waited to read it.
Also, after this, I hate Basil's sister, Amaranth after this. Selfish cow.
She had a complete personality change.
I wish I had have known that, as I would have waited to read it.
Also, after this, I hate Basil's sister, Amaranth after this. Selfish cow.
She had a complete personality change.
September 22, 2020
For an person so careful and proper with their queer terminology and disability language, I was quite disturbed to see the use of the old judgmental term of "giving up" in reference to adoption. My own experience with adoption is almost 30 years in the past and even then the terminology was "placing a child for adoption."
The parts with Derek and Basil as well as Derek and Sam were lovely, well written and added to their character development, however, the subplot with Amaranth felt like it came out of nowhere. There was nothing in the prior books to indicate she'd go so off the rails. Or that she'd try to sabotage her brother like that. Where was the woman who encouraged her brother to take a chance on a hearing man? Where was the woman who went shopping with Miguel for make up gifts? Where was the woman who gave flowers to a child? Who was this stranger wearing Amaranth's clothing?
The parts with Derek and Basil as well as Derek and Sam were lovely, well written and added to their character development, however, the subplot with Amaranth felt like it came out of nowhere. There was nothing in the prior books to indicate she'd go so off the rails. Or that she'd try to sabotage her brother like that. Where was the woman who encouraged her brother to take a chance on a hearing man? Where was the woman who went shopping with Miguel for make up gifts? Where was the woman who gave flowers to a child? Who was this stranger wearing Amaranth's clothing?
September 24, 2019
4.5 Stars
Not sure why I waited so long to read this. The series has become one of my very favorites. I have disabilities, invisible kind, so Derek is one of my favorite characters. The author packs a lot into this novella, ups and downs and lots of emotion. I feel like the situation with Amaranth was shoehorned in though. It didn’t seem to make much sense. Still highly enjoyable.
Not sure why I waited so long to read this. The series has become one of my very favorites. I have disabilities, invisible kind, so Derek is one of my favorite characters. The author packs a lot into this novella, ups and downs and lots of emotion. I feel like the situation with Amaranth was shoehorned in though. It didn’t seem to make much sense. Still highly enjoyable.
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August 14, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/14/2019)! 🎁
December 14, 2019
Babies!
I love babies and kids in m/m stories. Derek and Basil were great. Riley was so adorable. I can’t wait for the other couples to maybe expand their families.
I love babies and kids in m/m stories. Derek and Basil were great. Riley was so adorable. I can’t wait for the other couples to maybe expand their families.
July 12, 2020
Totally love this series!!!!
September 11, 2020
Novella followup on Derek and Basil, three years later.
Plenty content and much to enjoy.
Plenty content and much to enjoy.
September 25, 2019
4,5 stars
January 9, 2021
This follow-up novella to the main Irons and Works stories fast-forwards to Derek and Basil’s future life, the heroes of the first book of the series. I already knew that I would love this book because I love this author, and I loved these characters. What I did not expect is for the story to affect me emotionally as much as it did—in a good way!
Derek and his twin brother Sage have established their home for LGBTQ kids (Ted House), though mentioned mostly offscreen in previous books. One of the kids has a tragic backstory, but a brighter future presents itself—if she can find parents for the child she’s carrying. When she asks Basil and Derek to be those parents, it puts their life plans on fast-forward. The drama here is not between the men, who do want to get married and start a family. Instead, the drama stems from an external influence and then culminates in a lack of communication. My heart broke multiple times for the couple, even though I knew the happily ever after was coming.
I do wish I could have had some of these scenes from Basil’s point-of-view, but I understand that it might have diminished the impact of Derek’s scenes. Plenty of other Irons and Works artists make cameos thanks to the love and support that exist in this amazing found family. I’d still love one of those guys to give me a tattoo, and this book was the perfect lead-in to the next series that looks like it focuses more on Ted House. I can’t wait to start reading them.
Derek and his twin brother Sage have established their home for LGBTQ kids (Ted House), though mentioned mostly offscreen in previous books. One of the kids has a tragic backstory, but a brighter future presents itself—if she can find parents for the child she’s carrying. When she asks Basil and Derek to be those parents, it puts their life plans on fast-forward. The drama here is not between the men, who do want to get married and start a family. Instead, the drama stems from an external influence and then culminates in a lack of communication. My heart broke multiple times for the couple, even though I knew the happily ever after was coming.
I do wish I could have had some of these scenes from Basil’s point-of-view, but I understand that it might have diminished the impact of Derek’s scenes. Plenty of other Irons and Works artists make cameos thanks to the love and support that exist in this amazing found family. I’d still love one of those guys to give me a tattoo, and this book was the perfect lead-in to the next series that looks like it focuses more on Ted House. I can’t wait to start reading them.
November 28, 2019
Great series👍
It was great revisiting Derek and Basil again, to see what living together had been for them. It was good to know they still had there ups and downs like Derek still dealing with his PTSD and Basil rethinking if he really wanted to keep going with the flower shop. Also, adding to the anxiety was the idea of becoming parents.
What I didn't like was Amaranth reaction, behavior and story. It felt to me that the author didn't know what kind of chaos to create with Basil in order for him to change his mind about the shop. Also, the way she return at the end, and her excuse was really flaky, she just didn't seem that type of person, selfish, inconsiderate, mean specially to Basil. She was more of a free spirit type of girl, so I didn't like the way she was written off.
Anyway, aside of this it was a good story. Again I can't say enough about these series, I Loved it!! It made me think and recognize how I/we see and treat people with disabilities. I hope in the future I do better. I definitely give these series 5🎆
It was great revisiting Derek and Basil again, to see what living together had been for them. It was good to know they still had there ups and downs like Derek still dealing with his PTSD and Basil rethinking if he really wanted to keep going with the flower shop. Also, adding to the anxiety was the idea of becoming parents.
What I didn't like was Amaranth reaction, behavior and story. It felt to me that the author didn't know what kind of chaos to create with Basil in order for him to change his mind about the shop. Also, the way she return at the end, and her excuse was really flaky, she just didn't seem that type of person, selfish, inconsiderate, mean specially to Basil. She was more of a free spirit type of girl, so I didn't like the way she was written off.
Anyway, aside of this it was a good story. Again I can't say enough about these series, I Loved it!! It made me think and recognize how I/we see and treat people with disabilities. I hope in the future I do better. I definitely give these series 5🎆
October 16, 2021
fantastic short story
The title always confuses me. I always think it is about a last minute walk-in to the tattoo shop. However, it is actually about Derek and Basil and how they finally get married after 2 1/2 years being engaged. It is shorter but robust enough to be filled with an actual plot that makes sense, is engaging, is full of the ‘chosen family’ of the Irons and Works crew, introduces a few new characters, and deepens our understanding of Derek and Basil’s life and love. Achingly sweet at times, painful at others, this book is a short powerful add-on the the series!
The title always confuses me. I always think it is about a last minute walk-in to the tattoo shop. However, it is actually about Derek and Basil and how they finally get married after 2 1/2 years being engaged. It is shorter but robust enough to be filled with an actual plot that makes sense, is engaging, is full of the ‘chosen family’ of the Irons and Works crew, introduces a few new characters, and deepens our understanding of Derek and Basil’s life and love. Achingly sweet at times, painful at others, this book is a short powerful add-on the the series!
December 5, 2022
You & Me
Basil Shevach: Are you okay? You seem really anxious.
Derek Osbourne: It doesn’t feel real yet, and I’m afraid I’m going to wake up and this will all have been a dream. Like I had some break down after that horrible night during the storm, and tomorrow morning I’ll be lying on Sam’s floor or something and I just imagined all of this with you.
Basil Shevach: I understand. But I’m real. I’m here. You and me.
Derek Osbourne: You and me.
Basil Shevach: Are you okay? You seem really anxious.
Derek Osbourne: It doesn’t feel real yet, and I’m afraid I’m going to wake up and this will all have been a dream. Like I had some break down after that horrible night during the storm, and tomorrow morning I’ll be lying on Sam’s floor or something and I just imagined all of this with you.
Basil Shevach: I understand. But I’m real. I’m here. You and me.
Derek Osbourne: You and me.
November 6, 2019
Aww, I loved seeing Derek and Basil again, but what in the HELL was Amaranth's problem??? I mean, we find out eventually but seriously, what the fuck?
I hate that I took so long to read this but I'm glad I didn't miss out on too much foreshadowing. In hindsight, it probably helped me not lose my mind while waiting for books 4, 5, and 6 of the main series. Now that I know spin-offs are coming, I see those hints.
I hate that I took so long to read this but I'm glad I didn't miss out on too much foreshadowing. In hindsight, it probably helped me not lose my mind while waiting for books 4, 5, and 6 of the main series. Now that I know spin-offs are coming, I see those hints.
October 3, 2021
Just when I couldn't imagine Der and Baz can get any cuter, they pull one on me and become dads 💗
Nothing comes easy for my favourite couple, and they show that they are committed to each other by working tirelessly on their relationship 💗
The fact they always choose each other, no matter what, rocks my world every time💗
Their slow burning passion gave me all the steamy dreamy vibes🔥🔥🔥 In every single touch, there is ever present love, intent, want🔥❤
Nothing comes easy for my favourite couple, and they show that they are committed to each other by working tirelessly on their relationship 💗
The fact they always choose each other, no matter what, rocks my world every time💗
Their slow burning passion gave me all the steamy dreamy vibes🔥🔥🔥 In every single touch, there is ever present love, intent, want🔥❤
January 31, 2020
It was nice to catch up with some of the characters, but everything just happened so fast. Having to decide immediately if they wanted to be parents and get married super quick, all while having Amaranth be so mysteriously shitty to them . . . I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll want to reread it like the rest of the series.
April 19, 2020
A nice reunion.
It’s nice to reunite with Basil & Derek. This novella is only told through Derek���s POV, as it’s his PTSD that is the major obstacle in this story. I like how we get to see the characters are growing and recovering, but not “cured”.
We get to see a bit of Sam, as he is still Derek’s closest friend, and meet Soren and a few others who work with Ted House.
It’s nice to reunite with Basil & Derek. This novella is only told through Derek���s POV, as it’s his PTSD that is the major obstacle in this story. I like how we get to see the characters are growing and recovering, but not “cured”.
We get to see a bit of Sam, as he is still Derek’s closest friend, and meet Soren and a few others who work with Ted House.
Read
September 18, 2021It's a little odd that the author chose "noob" as a 13 year old's pejorative of choice, and that the other characters dismiss it as "teenage slang."
According to Merriam-Webster, it's been in use since 1995. I encountered it for the first time in the 2000s, with both teenagers and adults using it.
According to Merriam-Webster, it's been in use since 1995. I encountered it for the first time in the 2000s, with both teenagers and adults using it.
July 15, 2024
I loved getting to see more of Derek and Baz! They are some of my favorite characters from this series. Getting to see them struggle through some of their most stressful and challenging moments and also some of their happiest, had me in tears. The heartache, the angst, the joy, all of it made this book for me. Last Minute Walk-In is getting a solid five stars.
November 21, 2019
Oh My Word!
I absolutely loved this book. After stumbling into this series, and falling hard for all the characters, it was so sweet to see Derek and Basil get their happy ever after.
I absolutely loved this book. After stumbling into this series, and falling hard for all the characters, it was so sweet to see Derek and Basil get their happy ever after.
June 1, 2020
loved it
Basil and Derek were at the top of my favorites list, so to see their HEA expand was awesome! Thanks for going back to them EM
for anyone who loved the series, you should definitely check this out
Basil and Derek were at the top of my favorites list, so to see their HEA expand was awesome! Thanks for going back to them EM
for anyone who loved the series, you should definitely check this out
November 7, 2020
Derek and Basil are getting married! And Basil's pregnant!!!
Just kidding.
But they are having a baby. And I'm not kidding about a wedding.
The gang is all here with a few new faces in the mix.
Nice little novella. a comfort.
Just kidding.
But they are having a baby. And I'm not kidding about a wedding.
The gang is all here with a few new faces in the mix.
Nice little novella. a comfort.
January 30, 2021
What a fabulous bonus novella. Derek and Basil are near and dear to my heart so getting the opportunity to see them marry and adopt a baby, not to mention all the other things that happen, was a wonderful gift.
November 23, 2019
MY ABSOLUTELY #1 DISCOVERY OF 2019 IS E.M.LINDSEY! I JUST WANT TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD FOREVER
December 8, 2021
This was really superfluous and drawn out...meh
March 18, 2022
Why that title tho??
May 26, 2023
Snooze
June 16, 2023
I loved to read more about Derek and Basil and what they future is like.
sweet read
sweet read
May 30, 2025
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews