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With Me #5
Step Up with Me
Richard “Tank” Martin was a big boy from the start. Born weighing over 11 pounds, he didn’t stop growing. When he was in middle school, a football coach took him under his wing and finally explained to him the mystery of calories in, calories out and from then on it was all good for him. At least he thought. Being called to meet with his platoon sergeant and told that he was now part of the Army’s overweight program, sent him into a spin that only his crews can help him out of.
Dr. Jack Dillon thought his life was good and finally settled. Part of an active veterinarian practice, volunteering with a service dog organization, spoiling his sister’s triplets and training in sports ju-jitsu…the only this missing was a partner. He never thought that his world could be shattered with just a phone call even after being around his military friends.
Tank and Jack have been dancing around each other for months until Tank takes a chance and kisses Jack at their friends’ wedding moving their slow dance into a heated bump and grind. Can these two survive the changes coming their ways together or will all the changes break them apart?
Dr. Jack Dillon thought his life was good and finally settled. Part of an active veterinarian practice, volunteering with a service dog organization, spoiling his sister’s triplets and training in sports ju-jitsu…the only this missing was a partner. He never thought that his world could be shattered with just a phone call even after being around his military friends.
Tank and Jack have been dancing around each other for months until Tank takes a chance and kisses Jack at their friends’ wedding moving their slow dance into a heated bump and grind. Can these two survive the changes coming their ways together or will all the changes break them apart?
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2019
21 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Kris Jacen
54 books147 followersKris Jacen is the Executive Editor and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints. She was invited to join the MLR staff in 2008 and has never looked back. Working with over thirty-five phenomenal authors such as Rick R. Reed, JP Bowie, James Buchanan, J.L. Langley, Ally Blue, Jet Mykles, William Maltese and has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. Kris also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers including Kimberly Gardner, Lex Valentine, S.J. Frost, Patric Michael and Z. Allora. With this stable of talent under her guidance, Kris is quick to tell anyone who will listen that she loves her job. And her authors are just as quick to say that they love their editor.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 25, 2020
This is a delightful, yet serious, story with a cadence that enhances the strong tale. Smoothly flowing, and riveting.
Richard/Tank, a black man, is a Sergeant
in the Artillery Battery at Arlington, VA.
Dr. Jack is a Veterinarian,
who also teaches service dogs to be ready for their new charges.
Jack and Tank hit it off at the Halloween party. Virgin Tank wants to go slow, and Jack is happy to get to know this man.
We have Tank rocked with the news that he is overweight, and he'd been bullied for it as a kid, but now he's all muscle, so he's confused. Jack's sister and hubby are have triplets, that Jack calls "bugs," and his reasons are terribly sweet.
The guys and crews rescue the triplets from a bad sitter, plus there is action, banter, closeness and more as we move along. We see a lot of the "crews" here, ( the Judo school folks and the military people ) as the story winds around their lives. They have each other's backs.
As time goes by we watch this series grow in depth, and I love the military, the brotherhood of men and women who each stands out on their own.
As time goes by we get our guys sexy times, but the story is the main focus.
Jack and Tank are deeply passionate in their feelings.
A tragedy hits Jack's family, and Tank and the crews are all helping any way they can, as are all of the military family and other families.
So, we get sadness, tears, and then happy tears, with a new path for our men. HEA.
Highly recommended.
ENJOY !
======
Richard/Tank, a black man, is a Sergeant
in the Artillery Battery at Arlington, VA.
Dr. Jack is a Veterinarian,
who also teaches service dogs to be ready for their new charges.
Jack and Tank hit it off at the Halloween party. Virgin Tank wants to go slow, and Jack is happy to get to know this man.
We have Tank rocked with the news that he is overweight, and he'd been bullied for it as a kid, but now he's all muscle, so he's confused. Jack's sister and hubby are have triplets, that Jack calls "bugs," and his reasons are terribly sweet.
The guys and crews rescue the triplets from a bad sitter, plus there is action, banter, closeness and more as we move along. We see a lot of the "crews" here, ( the Judo school folks and the military people ) as the story winds around their lives. They have each other's backs.
As time goes by we watch this series grow in depth, and I love the military, the brotherhood of men and women who each stands out on their own.
As time goes by we get our guys sexy times, but the story is the main focus.
Jack and Tank are deeply passionate in their feelings.
A tragedy hits Jack's family, and Tank and the crews are all helping any way they can, as are all of the military family and other families.
So, we get sadness, tears, and then happy tears, with a new path for our men. HEA.
Highly recommended.
ENJOY !
======
May 4, 2019
This blew me away. If you've read this series, there have been some surprises. A huge one came at the end of book 4, and continued in Tank and Jack’s perspective. It will bring you joy and tears, but it's so good.
At the end of book 4, at Randolph and Briar’s wedding, Tank dropped a kiss on Jack's lips before they walked down the aisle. Everyone was shocked, including Tank and Jack. Jack was wondering how Tank felt and now he knows. And they are going to see where it goes. But as it gets hot and heavy, Tank is more than nervous. He has a secret he's nervous to tell. When Jack finds out, he's nervous but happy. He knows they need to take things slow. And they do. Especially since they keep getting interrupted by emergency calls for Jack. Just when things are getting real good, a blow comes that never crossed his mind, and their worlds are forever changed. Now they have to buckle down and see if they can survive the changes and the blows that keep coming or fall apart under the pressure.
Tank. Blew. Me. Away! Holy cow! I was for sure he was straight or something because when May’s ordeal was going on, he acted so hesitant to answer about how he felt about gays. He even was hesitant again when it came up with Randolph. So yeah, I was shocked. But it turned out to be a great thing. He and Jack are so good together. I love how good they are together. When Jack got the bad news he did, Tank didn't even hesitate. He stepped up and jumped in with both feet. They both do that for each other.
They have some heavy hits with their relationship, but it's amazing how strong they are. I love how the crews have bonded and grown. I love how everyone has grown throughout this series. If you haven't read it, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
At the end of book 4, at Randolph and Briar’s wedding, Tank dropped a kiss on Jack's lips before they walked down the aisle. Everyone was shocked, including Tank and Jack. Jack was wondering how Tank felt and now he knows. And they are going to see where it goes. But as it gets hot and heavy, Tank is more than nervous. He has a secret he's nervous to tell. When Jack finds out, he's nervous but happy. He knows they need to take things slow. And they do. Especially since they keep getting interrupted by emergency calls for Jack. Just when things are getting real good, a blow comes that never crossed his mind, and their worlds are forever changed. Now they have to buckle down and see if they can survive the changes and the blows that keep coming or fall apart under the pressure.
Tank. Blew. Me. Away! Holy cow! I was for sure he was straight or something because when May’s ordeal was going on, he acted so hesitant to answer about how he felt about gays. He even was hesitant again when it came up with Randolph. So yeah, I was shocked. But it turned out to be a great thing. He and Jack are so good together. I love how good they are together. When Jack got the bad news he did, Tank didn't even hesitate. He stepped up and jumped in with both feet. They both do that for each other.
They have some heavy hits with their relationship, but it's amazing how strong they are. I love how the crews have bonded and grown. I love how everyone has grown throughout this series. If you haven't read it, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
March 1, 2019
Okay….so… hot guys – military guys at that – and guys with babies? Uhmm.. yes, please!
In saying that, I will say that I had a little bit of trouble in the beginning… So many different people, I didn’t know who was who, who was babies, who were puppies, who was related, who was married… it was a lot. I kept wondering if I had come into a series or something where I should’ve read up on all the people beforehand. I had, actually, so, if you’re thinking of starting with this one, just know that it was really hard to follow along….especially because I had to read a few lines at the beginning of a paragraph in order to know who’s POV I was getting at the time…
However, Tank and Jack together were really cute. I liked how sweet they were and their transition to friends to more than friends was realistic and felt genuine to me. I really liked Tank, and I loved the way Jack was with his sister’s babies…. Both of them really, even though wow… triplets….My heart broke for them and for the babys at one point, and I hated the family that tried to give them trouble, but…all’s well that ends well.
I adored the little family that they all made and wished that I knew more about the secondary chrecters that I’ve seemed to have missed out on…. If you enjoyed this series, this seems like a great addition!
3 stars from me
In saying that, I will say that I had a little bit of trouble in the beginning… So many different people, I didn’t know who was who, who was babies, who were puppies, who was related, who was married… it was a lot. I kept wondering if I had come into a series or something where I should’ve read up on all the people beforehand. I had, actually, so, if you’re thinking of starting with this one, just know that it was really hard to follow along….especially because I had to read a few lines at the beginning of a paragraph in order to know who’s POV I was getting at the time…
However, Tank and Jack together were really cute. I liked how sweet they were and their transition to friends to more than friends was realistic and felt genuine to me. I really liked Tank, and I loved the way Jack was with his sister’s babies…. Both of them really, even though wow… triplets….My heart broke for them and for the babys at one point, and I hated the family that tried to give them trouble, but…all’s well that ends well.
I adored the little family that they all made and wished that I knew more about the secondary chrecters that I’ve seemed to have missed out on…. If you enjoyed this series, this seems like a great addition!
3 stars from me
February 23, 2019
Ok, wow, I just did not think that Kris Jacen would be able to create a book as good as Challenge Me but Kris Jacen did. This is one of those reads that starts out extremely sweet. But there is some unexpected tragedy that completely breaks your heart for these charcters. This book is definitely in the running with book four as far as being my favorite in this series. I really hope that Kris Jacen is planning to write more books In this series because I have not had my feel for this guys yet.
This book starts out with going back to some of what happened in book four. Book four did this more as a prelude to what was to come in this book. This book starts out with Tank learning that Tank has not passed his weight requirements for the military. To say that this affected Tank is putting it mildly. This is affecting not only his career but also his confidence in himself. So Tank decides that it is time to be proactive. He decides to learn a better way of being healthy and eating.
At the same time this is all happening, one of the crew members, is also having a life changing moment as well. Jack’s sister and brother in law are about to become parents of triplets. He is excited and cannot wait to become an uncle.
Amidst all this change for both of these two men another change is coming as well. After a few years of being friends, they are both ready to admit that they feel an attraction towards the other. But it is not just an attraction, there is a major connection felt between them as well. Problem is, Tank is unsure of how Jack is going to react when he finds out that Tank is a virgin with very little experience. Tank always knew at some point he would no longer be a virgin but he always assumed it would be some random hook up and not with someone he cares about.
With all the changes and revelations that are to come, can two men that are relatively new to a relationship make things work? What will happen when tragedy strikes and it is all hands on deck? Can a relationship with stressful situations and work in the end or will it all be too me much?
I really enjoyed this read. Kris Jacen just seems to keep writing books that make me want more. I really hope that there is going to be another book in this series. Each of these books have been such great reads and I am not ready for their stories to end.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
This book starts out with going back to some of what happened in book four. Book four did this more as a prelude to what was to come in this book. This book starts out with Tank learning that Tank has not passed his weight requirements for the military. To say that this affected Tank is putting it mildly. This is affecting not only his career but also his confidence in himself. So Tank decides that it is time to be proactive. He decides to learn a better way of being healthy and eating.
At the same time this is all happening, one of the crew members, is also having a life changing moment as well. Jack’s sister and brother in law are about to become parents of triplets. He is excited and cannot wait to become an uncle.
Amidst all this change for both of these two men another change is coming as well. After a few years of being friends, they are both ready to admit that they feel an attraction towards the other. But it is not just an attraction, there is a major connection felt between them as well. Problem is, Tank is unsure of how Jack is going to react when he finds out that Tank is a virgin with very little experience. Tank always knew at some point he would no longer be a virgin but he always assumed it would be some random hook up and not with someone he cares about.
With all the changes and revelations that are to come, can two men that are relatively new to a relationship make things work? What will happen when tragedy strikes and it is all hands on deck? Can a relationship with stressful situations and work in the end or will it all be too me much?
I really enjoyed this read. Kris Jacen just seems to keep writing books that make me want more. I really hope that there is going to be another book in this series. Each of these books have been such great reads and I am not ready for their stories to end.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
February 22, 2019
Kris Jacen has done a great justice to the art of military relationships and their spouses. I've loved how so many characters have been interwoven into the series and how the older generation is teaching and supporting the new soldiers.
This story is the friends to lovers relationship between 'Tank' and Jack. They've been friends for years, with Jack in the peripheral as the non-military member of the crew, working as a vet. When he's asked to be best man with 'Tank' at a wedding, 'Tank' kisses him and changes their relationship forever.
Their relationship is tested over and over again as the story is unveiled and they just get stronger each time. I loved how the tale was spun and the friends and family were involved in each trial that they came across.
This has been a really fun series to read and if you like a military setting, this is a great place to get it.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *
This story is the friends to lovers relationship between 'Tank' and Jack. They've been friends for years, with Jack in the peripheral as the non-military member of the crew, working as a vet. When he's asked to be best man with 'Tank' at a wedding, 'Tank' kisses him and changes their relationship forever.
Their relationship is tested over and over again as the story is unveiled and they just get stronger each time. I loved how the tale was spun and the friends and family were involved in each trial that they came across.
This has been a really fun series to read and if you like a military setting, this is a great place to get it.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *
March 15, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-g3V
From that review: "It seems I always learn something new about military life when I read one of Kris Jacen's stories, especially her series With Me. Step Up with Me, the fifth book in the With Me series, addresses an issue I hadn't even thought was a problem with the military. That of weight and body issues. I had no idea. i just assumed (bad me) that all the constant training and workouts kept everyone ready and well, slim or rock hard. I should know better considering all the various body types out there and struggles with weight that just don't mysteriously vanish one you enter the military. Or that it has such serious repercussions if not met. Including the end of a career..."
For all our reviews, check out http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-g3V
From that review: "It seems I always learn something new about military life when I read one of Kris Jacen's stories, especially her series With Me. Step Up with Me, the fifth book in the With Me series, addresses an issue I hadn't even thought was a problem with the military. That of weight and body issues. I had no idea. i just assumed (bad me) that all the constant training and workouts kept everyone ready and well, slim or rock hard. I should know better considering all the various body types out there and struggles with weight that just don't mysteriously vanish one you enter the military. Or that it has such serious repercussions if not met. Including the end of a career..."
For all our reviews, check out http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
February 21, 2019
Great story
Jacen pens a great story in Step Up With Me. I enjoyed this story, and I think it was also important to read the author's note in the beginning of the story. It gave a little more in depthness to the story. The characters, this time it's "Tank" and Jack, and their connection, their chemistry. This story is about family, falling in love, and the ups and downs that come with life. As with all Jacen's stories, this is well put together, and I like how the author explores the different avenues of Tank and Jack's lives, both together and apart. I liked all the books in this series, and found this one to be my favorite. I look forward to reading more by Jacen, and hope there will be more books to come in this series.
Jacen pens a great story in Step Up With Me. I enjoyed this story, and I think it was also important to read the author's note in the beginning of the story. It gave a little more in depthness to the story. The characters, this time it's "Tank" and Jack, and their connection, their chemistry. This story is about family, falling in love, and the ups and downs that come with life. As with all Jacen's stories, this is well put together, and I like how the author explores the different avenues of Tank and Jack's lives, both together and apart. I liked all the books in this series, and found this one to be my favorite. I look forward to reading more by Jacen, and hope there will be more books to come in this series.
January 15, 2020
I can see I'm in the minority about this one. This is another book that I've had on my to be read list forever and just got around to buying. I thought there was too much going on and some things, such as Tom's brother, were over the top. I didn't get enough of the relationship between tank and Jack to make it seem believable. I did like the triplets and I liked how the crews all support each other.
December 20, 2022
Beautiful
So sad yet so beautiful. I thought in last book Jack and Briar should of got together. Boy was I wrong Tank and Jack are perfect together. This could of been longer, but you got all you needed.
Love the friends. It would be nice seeing other having kids.
This is really a great real life series and I love its not 85% sex because come on really how many have that much sex.
So sad yet so beautiful. I thought in last book Jack and Briar should of got together. Boy was I wrong Tank and Jack are perfect together. This could of been longer, but you got all you needed.
Love the friends. It would be nice seeing other having kids.
This is really a great real life series and I love its not 85% sex because come on really how many have that much sex.
February 24, 2019
Great addition to this series.
This was an amazing story to add to the series. I loved watching the dynamic of Tank and Jack and how their love and relationship grew through out this book. Was really happy to see glimpses of past characters and what they are doing. Can’t wait to see what else is coming in this series.
This was an amazing story to add to the series. I loved watching the dynamic of Tank and Jack and how their love and relationship grew through out this book. Was really happy to see glimpses of past characters and what they are doing. Can’t wait to see what else is coming in this series.
June 12, 2021
Written beautifully
If I can picture everything I read I know it is going to
Be very nice thoughtfully written book. The series you won’t regret.
If I can picture everything I read I know it is going to
Be very nice thoughtfully written book. The series you won’t regret.
September 4, 2022
DNF @ 11%: So many people thrown in to the story very quickly, with very little context, and needing yet another edit, because some of the sentences were not coherent…
November 9, 2022
DNF 30%
The story and characters are all over the place.
The story and characters are all over the place.
December 26, 2022
I’ve been waiting for Tank’s story ever since I first encountered him. Why? Who can resist a man nicknamed Tank? Not to mention the descriptions of his size and sweet demeanor? And don’t let me forget how much he loves and respects his Mama. All those things made him irresistible to me and I wanted him to find the love of his life. Throw Jack in as one of the civ crew, a veterinarian no less, and I was excited to read about them falling in love. I do recommend that these books be read in order as there is a lot of backstory and history between all of the men.
I felt so bad for Tank when his lieutenant put him on the overweight list with the Army and threatened him with possible discharge. After taking a number of nutrition courses at the local community college and working really hard at his intake and exercise, Tank still doesn’t understand why he was even put on that list. Luckily for him, the new staff sergeant assigned to the group discovers all the errors the other man made and helps to get this removed from Tank’s file. Granted, if none of that had happened, Tank wouldn’t have found his potential new calling working with overweight kids.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
I felt so bad for Tank when his lieutenant put him on the overweight list with the Army and threatened him with possible discharge. After taking a number of nutrition courses at the local community college and working really hard at his intake and exercise, Tank still doesn’t understand why he was even put on that list. Luckily for him, the new staff sergeant assigned to the group discovers all the errors the other man made and helps to get this removed from Tank’s file. Granted, if none of that had happened, Tank wouldn’t have found his potential new calling working with overweight kids.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
October 9, 2020
My feelings for this installment of this military/civilian romance series are like my feelings expressed in my previous reviews of books in this series. The author creates warm, endearing characters but leaves huge gaps in storylines from book to book and leaves many questions unanswered. We are left to fill in the gaps ourselves. (e.g. in book #4, Briar lost a limb and was undergoing physical recovery. He didn't know what to do with his life after being discharged from the service. He contemplated becoming a veterinarian technician because a friend offered him a part-time job at his clinic. In this book #5, Briar is a vet tech - how and when did he go to school for this training? No mention of this.) So many details are left out of the storylines., which creates confusion. Overall, this author is a very bad writer, technically. She lacks the comprehension to form a grammatical, properly constructed paragraph with correct spelling and punctuation. If the characters weren't engaging, I'd give this entire series a two-star rating.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews