Weighing Love

Weightless #1

by Jason Collins

JOSH:

My new diet forbids two things: delicious food and a night with my boss.

With a busy job, I don’t have much time for working out, and it’s starting to show, but my wealthy boss Max has me sweating. We work at a world-class wellness center, and it’s not a promotion he’s sizing me up for. I want to shed some weight, and he wants to help.

Before we know it, we’re doing laps in the pool by day and hip thrusts in bed by night. Burning calories in bed is fun, but real life is a different beast. Max can help me tone up, but I need more than a perfect body to make a relationship work. We’re worlds and tax brackets apart, but I’m getting in shape to meet him halfway.

He’s a boss of a trainer, and I’m already aching all over.

MAX:

This fitness plan is going to be steamy, but I’m not taking us to the sauna.

Josh isn’t just a juice barista who’s as sweet as his smoothies—he’s a sensitive soul with a work ethic to match. He looks good to me, but he says he wants to trim down and tone up. I’m putting together a plan to give Josh a workout in and out of the gym.

Training is easy, but falling for Josh isn’t. He’s going through this journey under me, and if we have to pull some overtime, I’ll be with him every step of the way. I’ve got deep pockets and want to make life easier for him, but Josh is fiercely independent. If he insists on baring that weight alone, I’ll help him get in shape to carry it.

With me behind Josh, our workout sessions are going long after hours.

This is the first book in the Weightless series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone with no cliffhanger. Readers can expect a spicy MM romance with several steamy scenes.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Fiction

ebook

First published November 11, 2019

Reviews

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

For starters I just want to mention that Jason continues his usual high quality writing in this new book. This book includes a MC (Josh) who is somewhat overweight and goes on a journey of self discovery and changing his lifestyle to make it a more healthy one. The author did wonderful job of dealing with Josh working out and losing weight. In fact, he did such a good job of handling what Max says in regards to living a healthier lifestyle that it was just a tad too much. This is the only thing in this otherwise perfect book that I personally had a problem with. Max and Josh were just incredible. The author did a bang up job with these two, fleshing them both out creating complex and very "true to life" characters. As for Gertie, well she stole every scene she was in completely, yet also worked beautifully when advice was needed. I laughed numerous times at her many one-liners. Overall, the wove together a rich and complex story of Max and Josh falling in love. Well Done!!!

[Donna]

Nope. DNFing it.

[Mrs.V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series!
I love how Jason Collins manages to give an insight to the matter of wanting to lose weight, or being uncomfortable with one's body, without stigmatizing or patronizing the reader. His characters are people who want to lose weight, or even better, be more helthy, but that’s never the sole focus of the book.
In this story, for example, Josh has a much bigger issue with money than with his body image, and the different status between him and Max is in fact what threatens to stir the most problems.
Really nice story, great setting (New Orleans, baby, with Jason Collins’ great talent at making you feel as if you were there with the MCs), and a great deal of steam make this a real great start of a new series!

[DENICE · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOMETIMES AN OUTSIDER’S POINT OF VIEW IS WHAT’S NEEDED

I love the way Max and Josh meet in the book and their relationship develops. I love the way Josh became stronger and set boundaries and Max evolved enough to accept them. This story makes one feel better about themselves and gives hope in letting you know if you try, you can succeed in whatever you endeavor.

I received this ARC for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet and adorable. these 2 together are just soo cute. i enjoyed relating to a character.. and i liked the plot and writing of course was well done. very good story

[Jill Dion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

Josh is a grad student who is tight on money and gets a job at a local wellness center in New Orleans. He is hired by the staff even while the boss/owner is out of town. On Max's first day back he spies the new juice bar worker and is intrigued. Unfortunately he shows his hand from front of Gertie the resident senior citizen how could show someone of any age how t work out. She is there from open to close some days chatting with all the workers and fellow clients.

Later in the morning when Josh is making a smoothie for Gertie he sees Max and kinda of forgets what he is doing. She tells him that it is ok that she had seen Max looking at Josh earlier. Josh really loses it when Max comes up for a smoothie himself and invites him to his office to discuss the job.

When Josh informs Max he feels he does not belong there since his health and especially his weight is not where he would want it to be. Max takes the chance to be his personal trainer and to work out a training regimen. He then does the workouts with him. Along with a few dates as well.

What follows is a purely wonderful love story. It is not all champagne and babys breath, there are some hard times as well.

Can the two of them make it through the difficult times to stay together? Can Josh realize he needs to work things out in his head as much as in the center.

I can not wait for future stories from this wellness center.

[❤Sharonica-Logic❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max & Josh

💗🌈💪🌈🏊🌈🏃🌈🚴🌈💗

Title: Weighing Love
Series: Weightless Book #1
Author: Jason Collins
Format: E-book
Release Date: 11/10/2019📅
Genre/ Trope(s): Gay Romance; Contemporary; Boss/ Employee
Page Count: 182p.
SteaMMy Swordplay: 4 out of 5⚔
Sharonica-Stars: 4.5 out of 5✨
GoodReads AVG: 4.72🌟


MMy Thoughts and Review:

This was my first read by Collins, and man oh man am I in love!💕 **Swoon... This story was equal parts sweet, sMMexy, charming, endearing, funny, and believable! The perfect recipe for a roMMance to escape into for a few hours and forget the cares of the world for a while.

The tale takes place in NOLA, city of perfection right there! Our MCs are quite diverse; Josh, a struggling grad student working part time as a juice barista in a Wellness Center owned by successful CEO, Max.

Josh has a bit of crush on his Adonis looking boss and finds himself agreeing to a few workout sessions with Max. From there the two become friends... Hot and heavy friends.

The book stays at a steady pace, there is no angst here, only adults adulting and figuring out the intricacies of dating and work life together. Like I said, a sweet romance. 💗👬💗

At the end of the book, author, Jason Collins also offers you a FREE short story. You can't go wrong!

You will also adore Gertie! I wanna be her when I grow up! 😂

I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review. 💋

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really body positive, motivational and fun read from Jason Collins. I really loves the way he seems to love his characters and brings them to life. Max and Josh are just so easy to love and I really enjoyed watching them fall in love! This is a really great start to a new series, I definitely want to know more about this group!

Josh is a grad student working at a juice bar in a wellness center. Making smoothies isn't his dream job, but for now it's a job. His dream, oh that comes walking through, when Max, the owner of the wellness center, makes an appearance. There's an instant attraction between these two for sure, both men intrigued by the other. Josh has some body image issues, he's got a little weight to lose, but being a grad student is a struggle and he focuses his attention on other things. That is until he and Max strike up a friendship over smoothies and Max agrees to start working with Josh on a fitness plan.

These two are just adorable and hot together, all at the same time. I loved their sweet, giggly moments as well as their steamy ones (and they definitely have a lot of those!). They share a real connection. They do face some challenges together though, and as they work through those, both men work to understand boundaries. It was a touching story that I really enjoyed and am definitely looking forward to the next book!

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the romance between Josh and Max. Josh was a graduate student who was going to be a social worker. He took as job at a wellness centre at the juice bar and was enjoying working there. When Max came in to work, Josh realized he was his boss and the owner of the centre. Max was attracted to Josh and stopped by the juice bar to flirt with Josh as much as he could. They would talk and get to know one another and when Josh learned he had full access to the centre and the programs offered, he mentioned he would like to lose a little weight. Max offered to help Josh and train with him, but Max liked Josh the way he was and didn't want him to change too much. Joah and Max grew closer and started to date, but Josh felt a little out of his league because Max was so wealthy and he was a struggling student. I loved their story. I felt they had real issues like the difference in money and how to handle that. I loved Gertie and thought she added a lot of humor to the book. This was another great one from Jason.

[Leslie Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason provides a romance that deals with fitting in and believing in yourself. Jason is a graduate student paying his own way through school. He's working at the juice bar at the Wellness Center. Max owns said center and specifically started it to help folks get in touch with their body at their own pace with no body shaming. Jason is a bit fluffy and enamored with Max. Besides owning and running the center he is smokin' hot. Max wants to get to know Jason and Jason wants to spend time with Max but is kinda focused on his weight and that Max is the boss. Max wasn't the kind to try to "buy" his affections he just wants to help him out. But, Jason has issues about being self-sufficient and not good enough for Max. I loved Gertie!! I could see that old lady eyeballing all the hot guys with her feisty comments. I am pretty sure her influence played a huge role in Jason coming to grips with his new life and Max. Max is a keeper for sure. I requested an advanced reader copy and am under no obligation to leave this review.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weighing Love is the first book in the new series by Jason Colins, Weightless. This is a workplace, contemporary m/m romance that is spicy, sweaty, steamy, and sweet. Although it's part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone without missing anything.

Josh and Max are great characters and I liked them together. Josh wants to lose weight and Max volunteers to help out, afterall he is a trainer and the boss... and completely smitten with the adorable employee. Both of them are sweet and I loved that the story is told from both of their perspectives alternatingly. The reader is allowed to really get into their heads and see what makes them tick and they become real to us. We see the feelings evolve and grow, we see the doubts, the plans, the love.

The story is a sweet love story with likeable and relateable characters. It made me smile, laugh and swoon. Definitely an enjoyable reading experience.

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. This story is such a great read. After all you have Josh the thirty-year-old grad student working in a wellness center making smoothies for the members. he isn't one of the gym buff types his a little be chubby
Max the head of the company CEO fit in shape, smart and just dieing to get his hands on the the smoothie guy. The flirting between these two are just so cute, an laughable that you can relate with the two.  Max talked Josh into a work out routine with him his personal coach, keeping it professional is wareing down Max... and we can't forget Gertie the busybody match-maker. When things get serious between Max and Josh, Max misses the signal from Josh on something important to him. Will this be to much to over look or can the resolve it before the real damage is done. I just feel in love with Josh and his gorky loveable ways and Max was right there with him all in a New Orleans settings...Totally worth a recommend read for Weighing Love.

[Mary Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read!

A very excellent read from a talented author. Solid story, very well written, and the characters are immediately relatable.

Fast pacing, the story doesn't take long in introducing us to both Josh and Max, and quick to introduce them to each other. Lots of action early on to mid-way through, a bump in the road that is handled nicely, more action, and a good ending.

Gertie is a very important side character and entertaining. She's like the wise old grandma who just happens to be both fit and flirty. She's great at kicking some sense into Josh and Max.

As much as I enjoyed this book, sometimes I felt the pacing too quick as I wanted to spend some more time with a particular scene or chapter. Would have loved seeing Josh interact more with the guys.

Looking forward to the next book! Thank you! 😊

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and enjoyable read about finding love and keeping your independence.  These characters are very different but yet both are real and touchable. Josh's struggle to be independent and Max's desire and ability to provide create an interesting struggle.   These guys learn to communicate as they journey towards love and a future.  I really enjoyed Max's commitment to his Wellness Center and his reasons for it's beginnings.  Josh is such a hard worker and has such a determination to get where he wants to be.  

Josh and Max are really good characters and i loved how they gravitated toward each other.  The supporting characters were fun and Gertie was really a terrific character.   

This is the first book in the new series,Weightless.  I will definitely be looking for the next book.  

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great start to a new series. Two totally different people who have been watching the other just need a push from another person for them to initially get together. And when they do the heat is high. Josh is working and going to school barely getting by and can’t help his attraction to his boss. Max is a workaholic who is committed to keeping his wellness center a success. He has noticed Josh but isn’t comfortable approaching him. Gertie enters the picture and not only is she completely entertaining but she is big hearted. This story is really a hot romance but Gertie sure is a big part of what happens. I can’t wait to see what comes next. Hot and sexy.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh has his eye on his boss Max. I understood his belief that he wasn't someone Max would be interested in. He's an overweight grad student and Max owns a fitness center. I loved that Max was attracted to Josh just as he was. His willingness to help Josh isn't to improve him but to help Josh feel better about himself. I was impressed that Josh stood up for himself with Max when it came to money but was willing to set boundaries. I liked that, after a bit of cooling off and a talk with his mom, it was a discussion where each was working to understand the other and come to an agreement. Loved Gertie!

[BookloverIAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh and Max’s story is cute but also emotional. You are there as they figure out they like each other, start to date, have issues with one paying for everything while the other is barely financially surviving, drama as they deal with this and the realization that some things must be compromised on when you love each other and want that HFN and HEA.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for a fair honest review.

[E.Muddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and positive read, exactly what I've come to expect from Jason Collins. I could relate so much to the awkwardly adorable and insecure Josh, and it was so heartwarming seeing Max trying to get him to see his body in a positive way. Max and Josh had terrific chemistry and were both sizzling hot and sweet. If you're in the mood for something relatively angst-free and uplifting, this will fit perfectly.

[Cynthia Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh and Max take you from one emotion to the next in this sweet, steamy and beautiful read. Josh wants to change his weight and make himself feel better. Max runs the place where He works and as they slowly start to fall one thing may stand in the way of what they both want? Amazing read full of all the feels and the sweet slow brun that will melt your heart and your Kindle can't wait to read more from this author

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weighing Love, Weightless book one by Jason Collins. This story had a great storyline. I loved the characters! I gave it four stars because Jason has a tendency in some of his book to get very wordy in his descriptions of what is going on. When this goes on he tends to loss me and I just want to skim over all the words.

[S.Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable :)

I really enjoyed this book! The characters seemed to really connect with each other. And when conflict arose they were able to overcome it and set boundaries with each other in a way that was mature on both parts. They also had a Great group of friends, i especially loved Gertie. Lol i cant wait to read the other stories the weightless series.

[Stephen Severance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tired of the sex scenes that were redundant

The story line was fun but the story could had ended 3 chapters earlier. It just kept repeating the same sex scenario over and over. It actually got boring because you could start to end the sex scene after the first 5 repeats of it. It got boring

[Christina Scarfeo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped reading

It wasn't a bad story..the characters were fine and the premise was cute. However, some of the dialogue was so cringeworthy that I just couldn't keep going. I'm sorry but the whole juicing joke at such a pivotal turning point in their relationship kind of ruined the scene for me.

[Katie Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weighing love is such a beautiful sweet steamy and incredible story

I fell in love with max and josh they were such adorable and sweet characters

I loved every word of this story and iam really looking for more

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing start to this new series. Josh and Max's story is sweet and funny and I absolutely love it. Jason Collins has made such a real story that I couldn't help but be pulled into the story. I couldn't help but fell for these characters and I can't wait for the next book.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Max & Josh have great chemistry & work well together even with some insecurities that they have. This is a cute, sexy, sweet book that shows that love can help you overcome insecurities in your life.

[Samantha Foster]

Great

This was an easy good feels read. Super hot scenes, and two guys just falling in love and learning to communicate and sometimes and that's exactly the kind of story I want to read. Definitely reccomend

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book and I liked it. I liked Josh's inner strength and independecy, he had goals so he got them done. Max was a very sweet guy that just wanted to love Josh and give everything he wanted and needed

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Jason Collins brought the characters together. Story was equal parts romance & hot sex.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book for an honest opinion*

[devil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a new series. Josh and Max were adorable and had great chemistry. Storyline was relatively low on the drama scale. Looking forward to the next one.