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Whispering Key #1
Off Plan
I came to Whispering Key for a job. That was all. To show the world Mason Bloom could be more than a small-town doctor living a medium-sized life.
Private doctor on a swanky island with a posh resort? Check.
But from the moment I set foot on this island, nothing went according to plan.
I didn’t expect to find the resort falling apart.
I didn’t expect the people here to be so charming and crazy and welcoming and real.
I didn’t expect legends about shipwrecks and buried treasure.
And I definitely didn’t expect Fenn Reardon, the island’s incredibly attractive, incredibly infuriating, incredibly male resident tour guide, to become the one person I can’t live without.
Thirty-five’s a bit late for me to realize I'm not straight, though, right? And I have big dreams that won’t fit on Whispering Key, anyway—dreams that do not include tying myself to a tiny island stuck in the past or to a man who refuses to think about the future.
My head’s telling me I have to leave Whispering Key…
My heart’s telling me there might be treasure on this island after all.
Private doctor on a swanky island with a posh resort? Check.
But from the moment I set foot on this island, nothing went according to plan.
I didn’t expect to find the resort falling apart.
I didn’t expect the people here to be so charming and crazy and welcoming and real.
I didn’t expect legends about shipwrecks and buried treasure.
And I definitely didn’t expect Fenn Reardon, the island’s incredibly attractive, incredibly infuriating, incredibly male resident tour guide, to become the one person I can’t live without.
Thirty-five’s a bit late for me to realize I'm not straight, though, right? And I have big dreams that won’t fit on Whispering Key, anyway—dreams that do not include tying myself to a tiny island stuck in the past or to a man who refuses to think about the future.
My head’s telling me I have to leave Whispering Key…
My heart’s telling me there might be treasure on this island after all.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 29, 2020
899 people are currently reading
1933 people want to read
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January 5, 2023
Off Plan is book one in the Whispering Key series by May Archer. This book has been on my to read list for a long time and I finally decided to jump in. I love the cover and it represents the island perfectly.
Dr. Mason Bloom is thirty five years old. A few months previously, his fiance left him and he’s had trouble finding his way since. Trouble figuring out who he really was. So he decided to do something just for himself. He left his swanky practice and took a job in tropical paradise, being the doctor for a five star resort in one of the Florida Keys. A tiny island called Whispering Key. Only when he got there, things weren’t exactly as what his new boss promised. The five star resort was a falling down hotel and the town was barely surviving. And the man who picked him up at the airport, the same man who also lives at the hotel, is the most exasperating man he’s ever met.
Fenn Reardon is twenty seven years old. He moved to Whispering Key five years ago after his life fell apart in Texas. His cousins and uncle all live and work on Whispering Key and Fenn helps out with what he can. One of the jobs he was given was to pick up their new doctor at the airport on the mainland. Things might not have started out very well. But, no matter how hard he tries to stay away from the frustrating doctor, they are drawn to each other. Which is unfortunate because Fenn is gay and Mason is not. Fenn has one rule he never ever breaks. Never mess with a straight man.
I loved the residents of this little community. They are quirky and funny and so entertaining. I also loved watching Fenn and Mason figure things out. They both had their own issues they needed to deal with. Mason has never been attracted to a man before and he never hesitated once with exploring how he felt for Fenn. He was so brave. His excitedness and Fenn’s grumpiness were the perfect match! Fenn’s cousins and Uncle were also wacky and I can’t wait to get to know them better in the coming books. The next book, On the Run, is Beale’s book who is the sweetest, quirkiest man ever.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Dr. Mason Bloom is thirty five years old. A few months previously, his fiance left him and he’s had trouble finding his way since. Trouble figuring out who he really was. So he decided to do something just for himself. He left his swanky practice and took a job in tropical paradise, being the doctor for a five star resort in one of the Florida Keys. A tiny island called Whispering Key. Only when he got there, things weren’t exactly as what his new boss promised. The five star resort was a falling down hotel and the town was barely surviving. And the man who picked him up at the airport, the same man who also lives at the hotel, is the most exasperating man he’s ever met.
Fenn Reardon is twenty seven years old. He moved to Whispering Key five years ago after his life fell apart in Texas. His cousins and uncle all live and work on Whispering Key and Fenn helps out with what he can. One of the jobs he was given was to pick up their new doctor at the airport on the mainland. Things might not have started out very well. But, no matter how hard he tries to stay away from the frustrating doctor, they are drawn to each other. Which is unfortunate because Fenn is gay and Mason is not. Fenn has one rule he never ever breaks. Never mess with a straight man.
I loved the residents of this little community. They are quirky and funny and so entertaining. I also loved watching Fenn and Mason figure things out. They both had their own issues they needed to deal with. Mason has never been attracted to a man before and he never hesitated once with exploring how he felt for Fenn. He was so brave. His excitedness and Fenn’s grumpiness were the perfect match! Fenn’s cousins and Uncle were also wacky and I can’t wait to get to know them better in the coming books. The next book, On the Run, is Beale’s book who is the sweetest, quirkiest man ever.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
December 2, 2020
Bloody brilliant. I loved everything about this romance.
I already knew I loved May Archer's style of writing because of her Love in O'Leary series, this book just confirmed it.
A spin off from the previously mentioned, Whispering Key is a forgotten little island off the coast of Florida without much going for it.
But it has lots of good people and a somewhat grumpy sort of mechanic/sort of boat tour guide who definitely isn't going to fall for the new doctor 🙂
I already knew I loved May Archer's style of writing because of her Love in O'Leary series, this book just confirmed it.
A spin off from the previously mentioned, Whispering Key is a forgotten little island off the coast of Florida without much going for it.
But it has lots of good people and a somewhat grumpy sort of mechanic/sort of boat tour guide who definitely isn't going to fall for the new doctor 🙂
May 2, 2020
I absolutely loved this!
I'm such a fan of May Archer, and my continued success with her books is why.
This is almost like a spin off of the O'Leary series, where we have Mason Bloom,Micah's(from the third O'Leary series book) younger brother. Mason is a doctor and who has recently had a fairly cushy life, with a pretty fiance, and was sure he was straight.
But when his fiance leaves him for another man and throws some harsh words his way, Mason thinks it's time for a change, and instead of overthinking like he usually does, he sees a site online about Whispering Key island, which makes it seem like a fancy resort island, and the man he talks too is pretty fast and loose with the truth...
Enter Fenn Reardon, who feels he's been stuck on the island for five years after something bad happened to him that five years prior. He's the nephew of Big Ralph (as he has a son also named Ralph, who they call Young Ralph (and not Little Ralph for some reason, but oh well), and is pretty cynical and angry at the world.
When Big Ralph makes Fenn go pick up the new doctor, who Ralph claims is just one of the many little things he's doing to improve their seemingly shit hole of an island, Fenn and Mason don't exactly hit it off right away.
Although, by the end of the day, there is definite attraction. Except Mason claimed he was straight (and is now confused) and Fenn has a bad experience with a seemingly straight guy and has sworn straight men off. Except, Fenn can't stay way for long, and after a night of seeming experimentation on Mason's part, they try to deny their connection, but not long before they start something.
Except Mason, who was expecting a five star resort and not The Five Star Resort Motel, dilapidated and all, is apparently only staying as long as it takes him to get another job offer.
Only, in the time that start to happen, the island folk start to endear themselves to Mason, and a certain blue-eyed, prickly man named Fenn is too, unknowingly, just as much as Mason is endearing himself to Fenn.
But Fenn is scared, and pulls away and runs when things get real, and it takes a bit for Mason to be sure of what and who he wants, and so there's some miscommunication along the way, but not in a bad way. It made sense and was cleared up in a way that made sense.
I loved these two together. They had such amazing chemistry, and they were so sweet together, even when they were bantering at each other.
Also, I was not expecting this book to be so funny, but it was absolutely hilarious. Had me laughing out loud several times throughout. And just like with Mason, I became endeared as well with the wacky cast of character on Whispering Key Island, and I already can't wait for the next book in this series (I wonder who it will be...Fenn has three cousins, two of them gay, and the other either thinking he's straight or he's bisexual, the book didn't confirm either way....so I look forward to more adventures on Whispering Key, with more romance to come.)
Two massive thumbs up from me, I HIGHLY recommend! Loved it! <3
I'm such a fan of May Archer, and my continued success with her books is why.
This is almost like a spin off of the O'Leary series, where we have Mason Bloom,Micah's(from the third O'Leary series book) younger brother. Mason is a doctor and who has recently had a fairly cushy life, with a pretty fiance, and was sure he was straight.
But when his fiance leaves him for another man and throws some harsh words his way, Mason thinks it's time for a change, and instead of overthinking like he usually does, he sees a site online about Whispering Key island, which makes it seem like a fancy resort island, and the man he talks too is pretty fast and loose with the truth...
Enter Fenn Reardon, who feels he's been stuck on the island for five years after something bad happened to him that five years prior. He's the nephew of Big Ralph (as he has a son also named Ralph, who they call Young Ralph (and not Little Ralph for some reason, but oh well), and is pretty cynical and angry at the world.
When Big Ralph makes Fenn go pick up the new doctor, who Ralph claims is just one of the many little things he's doing to improve their seemingly shit hole of an island, Fenn and Mason don't exactly hit it off right away.
Although, by the end of the day, there is definite attraction. Except Mason claimed he was straight (and is now confused) and Fenn has a bad experience with a seemingly straight guy and has sworn straight men off. Except, Fenn can't stay way for long, and after a night of seeming experimentation on Mason's part, they try to deny their connection, but not long before they start something.
Except Mason, who was expecting a five star resort and not The Five Star Resort Motel, dilapidated and all, is apparently only staying as long as it takes him to get another job offer.
Only, in the time that start to happen, the island folk start to endear themselves to Mason, and a certain blue-eyed, prickly man named Fenn is too, unknowingly, just as much as Mason is endearing himself to Fenn.
But Fenn is scared, and pulls away and runs when things get real, and it takes a bit for Mason to be sure of what and who he wants, and so there's some miscommunication along the way, but not in a bad way. It made sense and was cleared up in a way that made sense.
I loved these two together. They had such amazing chemistry, and they were so sweet together, even when they were bantering at each other.
Also, I was not expecting this book to be so funny, but it was absolutely hilarious. Had me laughing out loud several times throughout. And just like with Mason, I became endeared as well with the wacky cast of character on Whispering Key Island, and I already can't wait for the next book in this series (I wonder who it will be...Fenn has three cousins, two of them gay, and the other either thinking he's straight or he's bisexual, the book didn't confirm either way....so I look forward to more adventures on Whispering Key, with more romance to come.)
Two massive thumbs up from me, I HIGHLY recommend! Loved it! <3
November 26, 2020
Did you say, “Treasure?”
After a bit of a jerky start, this story really smoothed out and I was able to enjoy the ride!
Part of the problem was that I liked neither MC in the first couple of chapters. Both were *holes and extremely rude to each other. As the story went along, though, grew kinder—not only to each other but to everyone else as well. I was soon cheering them on.
The book was quite funny & Michael Dean’s performance was good (although nowhere near his best). And, Mr. Dean, I’m asking that you PLEASE learn how to pronounce Spanish because you made me cringe in horror whenever you spoke it.
Snark, UST, enemies to lovers, bi- or demi- awakening, treasure, & portents.
My rec? It’s a fantastic beach read any time of year!
After a bit of a jerky start, this story really smoothed out and I was able to enjoy the ride!
Part of the problem was that I liked neither MC in the first couple of chapters. Both were *holes and extremely rude to each other. As the story went along, though, grew kinder—not only to each other but to everyone else as well. I was soon cheering them on.
The book was quite funny & Michael Dean’s performance was good (although nowhere near his best). And, Mr. Dean, I’m asking that you PLEASE learn how to pronounce Spanish because you made me cringe in horror whenever you spoke it.
Snark, UST, enemies to lovers, bi- or demi- awakening, treasure, & portents.
My rec? It’s a fantastic beach read any time of year!
January 4, 2021
Solid 4 Stars!
Came back to this one after really liking book 1. Not quite as good, but still really enjoyed this one.
This one had a bit of enemies to lovers vibe. More LOL moments.
Really hoping we get more books in this series!
Came back to this one after really liking book 1. Not quite as good, but still really enjoyed this one.
This one had a bit of enemies to lovers vibe. More LOL moments.
Really hoping we get more books in this series!
July 29, 2022
Reread:
Same rating. Love a small town romance 🥰
4.5 stars
I was hooked from page one. Fenn and Masons banter was great! The island of Whispering Key was perfect and all the secondary characters were amazing.
There was the lack of communication with Fenn and Mason towards the end that was annoying and took a half star off but overall I loved every minute of this book!
I can’t wait to read Beales book now!!!
Same rating. Love a small town romance 🥰
4.5 stars
I was hooked from page one. Fenn and Masons banter was great! The island of Whispering Key was perfect and all the secondary characters were amazing.
There was the lack of communication with Fenn and Mason towards the end that was annoying and took a half star off but overall I loved every minute of this book!
I can’t wait to read Beales book now!!!
August 19, 2020
For the love of MM god when does the next one come out????
did-not-finish
July 1, 2021DNF @ 10%
So. Much. Dialogue. Uninteresting and seemingly pointless dialogue. Maybe I’ll try it again someday.
So. Much. Dialogue. Uninteresting and seemingly pointless dialogue. Maybe I’ll try it again someday.
September 12, 2025
Divertida, entretenida, romántica
Mason quiere cambiar su vida y por eso toma la decisión inesperada de ir a trabajar en una pequeña isla de California. El problema es que nada es lo que parece, y vivir así puede que sea más difícil de lo que pensaba. Sin embargo, cuando conoce a Fenn las cosas parecen mejorar. Pero será capaz de aceptar una relación con alguien como el? Serás capaz de quedarse en la isla donde más es como le prometieron?
Este fue un libro de lo más divertido, me gustaron mucho los protas y la historia de pueblo pequeño. Me gustaron mucho algunos de los secundarios y me llamo mucho la atención que este es el inicio de una serie.
En fin, el autor es uno que no decepciona y es seguro que continúe con esta serie más adelante.
Mason quiere cambiar su vida y por eso toma la decisión inesperada de ir a trabajar en una pequeña isla de California. El problema es que nada es lo que parece, y vivir así puede que sea más difícil de lo que pensaba. Sin embargo, cuando conoce a Fenn las cosas parecen mejorar. Pero será capaz de aceptar una relación con alguien como el? Serás capaz de quedarse en la isla donde más es como le prometieron?
Este fue un libro de lo más divertido, me gustaron mucho los protas y la historia de pueblo pequeño. Me gustaron mucho algunos de los secundarios y me llamo mucho la atención que este es el inicio de una serie.
En fin, el autor es uno que no decepciona y es seguro que continúe con esta serie más adelante.
December 21, 2022
3 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the town, the wacky characters.
The Not-So-Good: The ending. It definitely could've been better.
The Bad: The pacing is what I would say was my biggest issue but not necessarily "bad." It lagged (seemingly) a lot. I even skimmed a few times because there were things that could've been edited out without any negative effect to the overall story.
Overall:This was a cute fluffy mm romance. It isn't deep and it'll probably not be all that memorable in the long run, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Mason and Fenn's story. Mason takes a job at a four star resort to start fresh after his fiancé left him for their wedding photographer. Fenn is sent to the airport to pickup the new doctor his uncle has schemed to come to their run down island. Sparks fly and they instantly butt heads while also not being able to resist the other even though Mason is straight and Fenn has forever sworn himself off of straight men experimenting. There are some small town shenanigans, some sexy times, and some secrets revealed...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Mason and Fenn's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. This felt slow in some parts and I skimmed a few times.
Instalove:No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings (though it wasn't very developed on page)
H1 (Hero #1) rating: 3.5 stars. Mason. I liked him. I appreciated how he cared for others and always tried to do the right thing.
H2 (Hero #2) rating: 3 stars. Fenn. He was just alright. He was a little too hot and cold for me even though I understood his past damage.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No, just some mild jealousy
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Not really
Closure: This ends in an alright place but I wanted more and I would call it a HFN ending.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the town, the wacky characters.
The Not-So-Good: The ending. It definitely could've been better.
The Bad: The pacing is what I would say was my biggest issue but not necessarily "bad." It lagged (seemingly) a lot. I even skimmed a few times because there were things that could've been edited out without any negative effect to the overall story.
Overall:This was a cute fluffy mm romance. It isn't deep and it'll probably not be all that memorable in the long run, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Mason and Fenn's story. Mason takes a job at a four star resort to start fresh after his fiancé left him for their wedding photographer. Fenn is sent to the airport to pickup the new doctor his uncle has schemed to come to their run down island. Sparks fly and they instantly butt heads while also not being able to resist the other even though Mason is straight and Fenn has forever sworn himself off of straight men experimenting. There are some small town shenanigans, some sexy times, and some secrets revealed...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Mason and Fenn's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. This felt slow in some parts and I skimmed a few times.
Instalove:No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings (though it wasn't very developed on page)
H1 (Hero #1) rating: 3.5 stars. Mason. I liked him. I appreciated how he cared for others and always tried to do the right thing.
H2 (Hero #2) rating: 3 stars. Fenn. He was just alright. He was a little too hot and cold for me even though I understood his past damage.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No, just some mild jealousy
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Not really
Closure: This ends in an alright place but I wanted more and I would call it a HFN ending.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
August 29, 2023
4.5 stars
Easy, fun summer read
I went into this with no expectations and was almost surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
I thought the characters were relatable (as in they're both kinda judgmental assholes), and their chemistry and relationship was believable. I actually really liked the romcom-esque naked-shower-flood-saviour scene, and I usually hate those contrived scenes.
I liked the writing style which is self-deprecating and funny. This didn't feel nearly as long as it was: 400 pages, what?? It's probably a bit overlong but I'm not unhappy about it.
I was initially concerned about the overbearing/shitty family aspect but it completely turned itself around and I thought the cast of townsfolk was endearing.
This has one of my least favourite tropes: 80% whitefang breakup. BUT I actually didn't hate it because everyone makes it very clear what utter idiots they are for splitting up and it really doesn't last long. It's also not surprising in the slightest.
The plot totally went off the rails at the end but whatever, by that point I was fully committed. It's definitely the reason I docked half a star and rounded down though.
I don't know what to say, I don't really have a logical explanation for this one. This book was a perfect fit for my holiday mood and I loved it. While I actually didn't like the intro chapter to the sequel, I'll probably give it a go anyway and I'd definitely recommend this one.
Easy, fun summer read
I went into this with no expectations and was almost surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
I thought the characters were relatable (as in they're both kinda judgmental assholes), and their chemistry and relationship was believable. I actually really liked the romcom-esque naked-shower-flood-saviour scene, and I usually hate those contrived scenes.
I liked the writing style which is self-deprecating and funny. This didn't feel nearly as long as it was: 400 pages, what?? It's probably a bit overlong but I'm not unhappy about it.
I was initially concerned about the overbearing/shitty family aspect but it completely turned itself around and I thought the cast of townsfolk was endearing.
This has one of my least favourite tropes: 80% whitefang breakup. BUT I actually didn't hate it because everyone makes it very clear what utter idiots they are for splitting up and it really doesn't last long. It's also not surprising in the slightest.
The plot totally went off the rails at the end but whatever, by that point I was fully committed. It's definitely the reason I docked half a star and rounded down though.
I don't know what to say, I don't really have a logical explanation for this one. This book was a perfect fit for my holiday mood and I loved it. While I actually didn't like the intro chapter to the sequel, I'll probably give it a go anyway and I'd definitely recommend this one.
May 19, 2020
4✨
This was my first ever read by May Archer and it will not be my last. Partly because I'm halfway through her entire collection, but that is besides the point.
I had been hearing a lot about Off Plan in the MM Romance groups I'm a part of, and in some of the author groups on Facebook. Since it was on KU and I was supposed to be on a cruise I figured, why the hell not?!
D a m n.
Am I ever glad I picked this one to start off with! Off Plan follows Fenn, who lives on Whispering Key. The island is kind of rundown and he helps out his Uncle and his cousins, while interacting with the craziest cats in the Keys. Okay, so I don't actually know Florida geography (I'm Canadian, sue me) but that sounded cool, so I'm running with it. And it's called Whispering Key so we'll say it's fine.
And then we have Mason Bloom (who we get introduced to in Archer's O'Leary series) who thinks that he is going to be a doctor at a five star resort. But little does he know that the decrepit, under construction building he's rooming in is called 'The Five Star;' Whispering Key doesn't have the resort he was dreaming of. But it has something better: a hidden treasure, a town that can't live without Mason, and Fenn.
I love how Mason and Fenn started out at each other's throats. The scene in the airport had me laughing out loud and I could just imagine their faces staring at each other at the customer service counter. But then they slowly begin to become friends. And then more than friends, especially after that unfortunate shower incident and their night together in Fenn's private spot. Mason's sexual awakening was played out perfectly, in my opinion. His brother, Micah, is gay. And he didn't really freak out, like some other MM books play it. He knew he was attracted to a man, after having been married to a woman, and wanted to see where things could go.
Even if Fenn was constantly afraid Mason was going to leave.
But some things are more important than classic cars or medical practices in the big city. And some things are certainly more important than lost treasure.
I have a feeling more books are planned in this series (and I'm hoping for Beale's story next!) and I cannot wait to read them! May Archer has quickly climbed up my list of favorite author's and I can't believe I'm discovering her genius so late.
This was my first ever read by May Archer and it will not be my last. Partly because I'm halfway through her entire collection, but that is besides the point.
I had been hearing a lot about Off Plan in the MM Romance groups I'm a part of, and in some of the author groups on Facebook. Since it was on KU and I was supposed to be on a cruise I figured, why the hell not?!
D a m n.
Am I ever glad I picked this one to start off with! Off Plan follows Fenn, who lives on Whispering Key. The island is kind of rundown and he helps out his Uncle and his cousins, while interacting with the craziest cats in the Keys. Okay, so I don't actually know Florida geography (I'm Canadian, sue me) but that sounded cool, so I'm running with it. And it's called Whispering Key so we'll say it's fine.
And then we have Mason Bloom (who we get introduced to in Archer's O'Leary series) who thinks that he is going to be a doctor at a five star resort. But little does he know that the decrepit, under construction building he's rooming in is called 'The Five Star;' Whispering Key doesn't have the resort he was dreaming of. But it has something better: a hidden treasure, a town that can't live without Mason, and Fenn.
I love how Mason and Fenn started out at each other's throats. The scene in the airport had me laughing out loud and I could just imagine their faces staring at each other at the customer service counter. But then they slowly begin to become friends. And then more than friends, especially after that unfortunate shower incident and their night together in Fenn's private spot. Mason's sexual awakening was played out perfectly, in my opinion. His brother, Micah, is gay. And he didn't really freak out, like some other MM books play it. He knew he was attracted to a man, after having been married to a woman, and wanted to see where things could go.
Even if Fenn was constantly afraid Mason was going to leave.
But some things are more important than classic cars or medical practices in the big city. And some things are certainly more important than lost treasure.
I have a feeling more books are planned in this series (and I'm hoping for Beale's story next!) and I cannot wait to read them! May Archer has quickly climbed up my list of favorite author's and I can't believe I'm discovering her genius so late.
December 14, 2020
3.75/5
What a fun and sweet story !
I have to admit though, I needed some time to get into it. Mason was really unlikable at the beginning. Sure, he grew on me as the story moved forward, but he acted like such a dive in the beginning. Ugh. I didn't read the O'Leary series beforehand, so I didn't have a prior impression of him, but what I saw in the first 20% was not to my liking. At all.
Not that Fenn was that much better... just less annoying.
Luckily, that got better after a while. Yet, while I grew to like them, I did not enjoy them as much as I did the side characters. They were absolute gold. So fucking quirky and weird - but in the best way possible. Sure, it was OTT, but fortunately for me, I was very much in the mood for that.
Oh, of course, I also enjoyed the treasure finding trope. It's unusual, although its outcome was definitely predictable.
What I did not appreciate at all, however, was the cursed miscommunication trope, and the fact that they both needed some serious meddling from outside to resolve their issues. I never really liked that in novels... It always makes it seem as if the MCs are incapable of any form of introspection.
That pet peeve of mine was amplified in this book, however. Instead of just one protagonist needing meddling, BOTH did.
All that aside, it was still very entertaining. I'm looking forward to Beale's book.
What a fun and sweet story !
I have to admit though, I needed some time to get into it. Mason was really unlikable at the beginning. Sure, he grew on me as the story moved forward, but he acted like such a dive in the beginning. Ugh. I didn't read the O'Leary series beforehand, so I didn't have a prior impression of him, but what I saw in the first 20% was not to my liking. At all.
Not that Fenn was that much better... just less annoying.
Luckily, that got better after a while. Yet, while I grew to like them, I did not enjoy them as much as I did the side characters. They were absolute gold. So fucking quirky and weird - but in the best way possible. Sure, it was OTT, but fortunately for me, I was very much in the mood for that.
Oh, of course, I also enjoyed the treasure finding trope. It's unusual, although its outcome was definitely predictable.
What I did not appreciate at all, however, was the cursed miscommunication trope, and the fact that they both needed some serious meddling from outside to resolve their issues. I never really liked that in novels... It always makes it seem as if the MCs are incapable of any form of introspection.
That pet peeve of mine was amplified in this book, however. Instead of just one protagonist needing meddling, BOTH did.
All that aside, it was still very entertaining. I'm looking forward to Beale's book.
January 22, 2021
I didn't realize this was an O'Leary spin-off before starting it (and you don't need to have read those books to jump in here). This series is similar, but Whispering Key and its inhabitants seem to be a bit toned down.
I enjoyed the island setting and the characters. After a combative start Fenn and Mason, opposites in almost every sense, embark on a snark filled friendship that turns into a tension-filled bi-awakening for Mason. There is plenty of humor, soul-searching, some heat and a cast of townspeople that love to be "helpful". Of course, there is that moment of reckoning late in the story when all of it comes to a head, but luckily it's not dragged out too long.
I'm hooked and am jumping into the next one.
I enjoyed the island setting and the characters. After a combative start Fenn and Mason, opposites in almost every sense, embark on a snark filled friendship that turns into a tension-filled bi-awakening for Mason. There is plenty of humor, soul-searching, some heat and a cast of townspeople that love to be "helpful". Of course, there is that moment of reckoning late in the story when all of it comes to a head, but luckily it's not dragged out too long.
I'm hooked and am jumping into the next one.
May 31, 2020
I liked this well enough. When I got past the slow start. Need to think about this one a bit before I review it further.
November 3, 2022
I need to read more May Archer stories, this is my second one and I really like the way they write. Off Plan was a lovely tale, and Michael Dean did a great job with it
May 30, 2022
An almost perfect bi-awakening with with a lot of lovable characters.
After reading the Sunday Brothers books by the same author, I went back in time and started this series, which is about Gage’s family in Florida (Gage, who ends up with Knox Sunday). So it’s all happening BEFORE the Sunday Brothers books. There’s another series that’s (chronologically) before this series, too, but I’ll go back in time after finishing these one I guess. I’m such a rebel 🤣
Anyway. Back to this book: Mason, a doctor, recently dumped by his (female) fiancé, decides on a whim to start working on Whispering Key, an island in Florida that - on paper- sounds too good to be true. And it IS too good to be true - it’s more or less dilapidated, with a hand full of very quirky inhabitants, and the 5 star resort in need of a doctor is a ruin (more or less) called “5 star resort” that’s owned by the mayor, Big Rafe (as opposed to Young Rafe, his son), a dreamer who never gave up on finding a legendary hidden treasure on the island. Big Rafe’s nephew Fenn picks Mason up from the airport, and they immediately dislike each other.
As these things tend to go, the dislike isn’t very permanent, and they become temporary friends with benefits.
I really liked how Mason discovered his bi-side, and I loved the story - it’s sweet, romantic and with just the right amount of spice to make it delicious. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the unnecessary 80%-breakup, but apart from that I’ve really enjoyed reading it and it made me smile more often than not.
Beale’s story is next, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the aura-seeing gentle giant 🙂
After reading the Sunday Brothers books by the same author, I went back in time and started this series, which is about Gage’s family in Florida (Gage, who ends up with Knox Sunday). So it’s all happening BEFORE the Sunday Brothers books. There’s another series that’s (chronologically) before this series, too, but I’ll go back in time after finishing these one I guess. I’m such a rebel 🤣
Anyway. Back to this book: Mason, a doctor, recently dumped by his (female) fiancé, decides on a whim to start working on Whispering Key, an island in Florida that - on paper- sounds too good to be true. And it IS too good to be true - it’s more or less dilapidated, with a hand full of very quirky inhabitants, and the 5 star resort in need of a doctor is a ruin (more or less) called “5 star resort” that’s owned by the mayor, Big Rafe (as opposed to Young Rafe, his son), a dreamer who never gave up on finding a legendary hidden treasure on the island. Big Rafe’s nephew Fenn picks Mason up from the airport, and they immediately dislike each other.
As these things tend to go, the dislike isn’t very permanent, and they become temporary friends with benefits.
I really liked how Mason discovered his bi-side, and I loved the story - it’s sweet, romantic and with just the right amount of spice to make it delicious. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the unnecessary 80%-breakup, but apart from that I’ve really enjoyed reading it and it made me smile more often than not.
Beale’s story is next, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the aura-seeing gentle giant 🙂
April 30, 2020
I don't know why I keep reading this author, because it's clear they just don't quite vibe with my id. Maybe because I can see some good bones and potential, but A. she tends to write that ridiculous tropey nonsense of "everybody is all up in each other's business and also the whole town's gay" which ends up feeling so OTT and unbelievable that I can't enjoy the book and B. I tend to just not get her pairings, they so rarely work for me and the dynamics are often strange.
So, unfortunately, this book was more of the same. I was hoping she'd make a departure from what I disliked in her O'Leary verse, but apparently these books are a spin-off of sorts, so I can't even fucking escape mentions of that hell town. As for this book, I didn't really feel the chemistry and I didn't enjoy the sexual dynamics, which might have been because I never warmed up to Fenn at all. I thought he was mostly an unlikeable, childish asshole and, frankly, I'm just over the whole "I hate love and relationships" bit in this genre. Find a new cliche device to add tension, this one is overplayed.
So, unfortunately, this book was more of the same. I was hoping she'd make a departure from what I disliked in her O'Leary verse, but apparently these books are a spin-off of sorts, so I can't even fucking escape mentions of that hell town. As for this book, I didn't really feel the chemistry and I didn't enjoy the sexual dynamics, which might have been because I never warmed up to Fenn at all. I thought he was mostly an unlikeable, childish asshole and, frankly, I'm just over the whole "I hate love and relationships" bit in this genre. Find a new cliche device to add tension, this one is overplayed.
June 5, 2021
I'm SO glad I picked this one up. I really really loved it and I think this one will need a reread :3
I loved our two MC's. They were so real and relatable and complete opposites in every way and the way they worked perfectly together was so sweeeet. Another thing that I liked was how Mason didn't have his shit together in life lol. Even though he's thirty five which most people would think you need to have everything figured out in life, but that's just not true and that's okay, too. Not everyone has everything planned out, things will go to shit, things go wrong and that's just life and I really appreciated that.
I loved our two MC's. They were so real and relatable and complete opposites in every way and the way they worked perfectly together was so sweeeet. Another thing that I liked was how Mason didn't have his shit together in life lol. Even though he's thirty five which most people would think you need to have everything figured out in life, but that's just not true and that's okay, too. Not everyone has everything planned out, things will go to shit, things go wrong and that's just life and I really appreciated that.
January 14, 2021
I listened to this as an audiobook. Michael Dean did a great job as always.
I had a hard time getting into the story, but once Fenn and Mason started getting together it picked up quickly. I liked the people of Whispering Key. They were cute and funny and helped bring out the best in Mason.
The main reason I didn’t give it 4stars is because I’m tired of this plot line where the main characters break it off right before the end of the story. It’s tired and worn out for me. Now, almost every time I encounter it in a story I knock a star off my rating for not being original.
I had a hard time getting into the story, but once Fenn and Mason started getting together it picked up quickly. I liked the people of Whispering Key. They were cute and funny and helped bring out the best in Mason.
The main reason I didn’t give it 4stars is because I’m tired of this plot line where the main characters break it off right before the end of the story. It’s tired and worn out for me. Now, almost every time I encounter it in a story I knock a star off my rating for not being original.
July 31, 2023
I enjoyed this story so much!
I loved the background setting, Whispering Key. The small island-town with its tropical climate, beaches and vegetation, a mysterious history, a glorious past and a neglected present.
I fell in love with its people immediately. The story revolves strongly around the main couple, but it still managed to introduce a huge secondary cast of lovable misfits. The Found-Family trope was very present and essential here.
I want to keep reading about them and find out more about the Town’s Founders and the improvements Whispering Key is going to go through with Big Rafe as Mayor❤️. So, this book is perfect as an introduction to the series.
The couple was also great and very funny together. If it hadn't been for a bit of unnecessary miscommunication at the end, the romantic story-arc would have been perfect.
New Book, and New Author to follow and keep reading😊
I loved the background setting, Whispering Key. The small island-town with its tropical climate, beaches and vegetation, a mysterious history, a glorious past and a neglected present.
I fell in love with its people immediately. The story revolves strongly around the main couple, but it still managed to introduce a huge secondary cast of lovable misfits. The Found-Family trope was very present and essential here.
I want to keep reading about them and find out more about the Town’s Founders and the improvements Whispering Key is going to go through with Big Rafe as Mayor❤️. So, this book is perfect as an introduction to the series.
The couple was also great and very funny together. If it hadn't been for a bit of unnecessary miscommunication at the end, the romantic story-arc would have been perfect.
New Book, and New Author to follow and keep reading😊
July 18, 2022
The perfect book to beat the post holiday blues, this funny, sweet and steamy love story was just a treat. Enemies to lovers books rely heavily on the MCs' chemistry and the one between these two is just the right amount of annoying but funny, frustrating but also kinda sexy.
There's a little bit of everything: a long forgotten but beautiful island, the quirky inhabitants, a lost treasure legend and of course one very uptight straight doctor who falls for the island's handsome mechanic. Both written so convincingly, I could see the eye rolls every time they got on each other's nerves. And they got on each other's nerves a lot!
I wish I could read it again for the first time, such a fun book. If you're looking for a beach read or a book to get you back in the holiday mood, look no further.
There's a little bit of everything: a long forgotten but beautiful island, the quirky inhabitants, a lost treasure legend and of course one very uptight straight doctor who falls for the island's handsome mechanic. Both written so convincingly, I could see the eye rolls every time they got on each other's nerves. And they got on each other's nerves a lot!
I wish I could read it again for the first time, such a fun book. If you're looking for a beach read or a book to get you back in the holiday mood, look no further.
May 1, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars. Rounding up.
What a fun start to a new series! This is a spin-off of the, “Love in O’Leary,” books but I think you could totally read it by itself.
A quirky but not too quirky town. Think Archer’s O’Leary folk but laid back and toned down. For me this was a good thing. As much as I liked most of the O’Leary books and even loved a few, the town could be too much. I feel like this town could have headed in that direction but didn’t. At least not yet.
There’s a lot to like about this book. It made me smile and even laugh in places. It was light and breezy but wasn’t lacking in feels.
It’s hard to write long reviews on my phone. So I’m going to come back to this over the weekend and finish it. Sorry for the incomplete review.
What a fun start to a new series! This is a spin-off of the, “Love in O’Leary,” books but I think you could totally read it by itself.
A quirky but not too quirky town. Think Archer’s O’Leary folk but laid back and toned down. For me this was a good thing. As much as I liked most of the O’Leary books and even loved a few, the town could be too much. I feel like this town could have headed in that direction but didn’t. At least not yet.
There’s a lot to like about this book. It made me smile and even laugh in places. It was light and breezy but wasn’t lacking in feels.
It’s hard to write long reviews on my phone. So I’m going to come back to this over the weekend and finish it. Sorry for the incomplete review.
November 4, 2021
Excellent
4.5 Stars!
I was NOT expecting to love this book as much as I did.
Full disclosure, someone mentioned Book 2(Beale's book) was really good so I picked this just to get the full background on Whispering Key and ended up absolutely enjoying myself from start to finish.
Also, I laughed so much which is somewhat rare for me ;not because I have no sense of humour, but usually "funny" books either try too hard to be funny and end up not funny or just make me smile. This, actually had me bursting out with laughter numerous times. I Loved it.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and even though I wanted to smack Fenn plenty times, I liked the romance as well.
Recommended for people who just want to have a low angst, Zero drama, "feel good" good time.
4.5 Stars!
I was NOT expecting to love this book as much as I did.
Full disclosure, someone mentioned Book 2(Beale's book) was really good so I picked this just to get the full background on Whispering Key and ended up absolutely enjoying myself from start to finish.
Also, I laughed so much which is somewhat rare for me ;not because I have no sense of humour, but usually "funny" books either try too hard to be funny and end up not funny or just make me smile. This, actually had me bursting out with laughter numerous times. I Loved it.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and even though I wanted to smack Fenn plenty times, I liked the romance as well.
Recommended for people who just want to have a low angst, Zero drama, "feel good" good time.
May 19, 2020
This was my first book by this author and it was a fun read. I loved the dynamic between Mason and Fenn and the other characters were funny - looking forward to reading their stories too. It was a perfect read for times like this - funny, upbeat and sweet.
May 19, 2020
Too adorable, both of them. I’m suffering a word shortage. Think they broke my head.
If I had to narrow this story down to one, big adjective, that would be “charming.”
+ Short-lived but hilarious enemies-to-lovers vibe
+ Lively and memorable supporting cast
+ Great touches of humor and whimsy
+ Impossibly romantic and sweetly sexy
+ Each MC has a unique voice - this isn’t one of those books where you’re frequently backtracking to remind yourself whose POV you’re in
+ Ambiguously and lightly supernatural
- Some major story events are very contrived, arguably by aforementioned supernatural influence; readers who are into this element of the story will probably find it quaint, while those who want their romance um...hard...may roll their eyes a touch.
If you’re looking to be romanced and entertained by a light-hearted and poignantly earnest enemies-to-lovers story with a backdrop of mysterious island + lost treasure, this one delivers all the feels.
If I had to narrow this story down to one, big adjective, that would be “charming.”
+ Short-lived but hilarious enemies-to-lovers vibe
+ Lively and memorable supporting cast
+ Great touches of humor and whimsy
+ Impossibly romantic and sweetly sexy
+ Each MC has a unique voice - this isn’t one of those books where you’re frequently backtracking to remind yourself whose POV you’re in
+ Ambiguously and lightly supernatural
- Some major story events are very contrived, arguably by aforementioned supernatural influence; readers who are into this element of the story will probably find it quaint, while those who want their romance um...hard...may roll their eyes a touch.
If you’re looking to be romanced and entertained by a light-hearted and poignantly earnest enemies-to-lovers story with a backdrop of mysterious island + lost treasure, this one delivers all the feels.
October 30, 2024
Everything I expected from May Archer. I just adored everything about it but I'm not surprised 😍😍
November 4, 2020
I'll admit I struggled to connect with any of the characters in the beginning of this book. Mind you I think it really was a case of "it's me, not the book" though. However, as I kept reading they started to grow on me, and by the end I was completely invested!
Maybe some of the scenarios and the extraneous characters of the town are a bit over the top, but once you get to know them, they too seem to grow on you, lol. Overall it was a enjoyable read and I'm hoping that the next one of the series gets published soon as I'd love to read more about this quirky island.
It's probably not a true 4 star, more a 3.5 but I tend to round up rather than down, lol.
Maybe some of the scenarios and the extraneous characters of the town are a bit over the top, but once you get to know them, they too seem to grow on you, lol. Overall it was a enjoyable read and I'm hoping that the next one of the series gets published soon as I'd love to read more about this quirky island.
It's probably not a true 4 star, more a 3.5 but I tend to round up rather than down, lol.
May 28, 2020
3.5 stars
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