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Unfinished Business #1
The Making of Jonty Bloom
Finding his fiancé in bed with his brother was bad enough, finding out they’re getting married is the final blow.
Devan Smith needs to cool his anger. He needs to forget the lies and betrayals and work on resetting his life. When his boss orders him to scope out a remote hotel for a possible buyout, Devan’s only interested in getting the job done and getting out. What he’s not interested in is the guy with the piercings, bleached hair, and the smart, kissable mouth behind the reception desk.
Working the hotel reception is the only thing that’s stable in Jonty Bloom’s unstable life. His best friend has had a terrible accident, his ex refuses to move on, and his eight-year-old self is still waiting for his mother to collect him from school. Jonty needs his job. What he doesn’t need is the rude, arrogant, and hot as they come guy who’s rocked up demanding he be let into his room right now.
Thrown together by a freak accident, Devan and Jonty’s lives entwine, and neither wants to loosen the knot. Can the irrepressible Jonty be the reset Devan needs? Can Devan be the making of Jonty Bloom, or will secrets drive them apart?
Devan Smith needs to cool his anger. He needs to forget the lies and betrayals and work on resetting his life. When his boss orders him to scope out a remote hotel for a possible buyout, Devan’s only interested in getting the job done and getting out. What he’s not interested in is the guy with the piercings, bleached hair, and the smart, kissable mouth behind the reception desk.
Working the hotel reception is the only thing that’s stable in Jonty Bloom’s unstable life. His best friend has had a terrible accident, his ex refuses to move on, and his eight-year-old self is still waiting for his mother to collect him from school. Jonty needs his job. What he doesn’t need is the rude, arrogant, and hot as they come guy who’s rocked up demanding he be let into his room right now.
Thrown together by a freak accident, Devan and Jonty’s lives entwine, and neither wants to loosen the knot. Can the irrepressible Jonty be the reset Devan needs? Can Devan be the making of Jonty Bloom, or will secrets drive them apart?
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2020
340 people are currently reading
1480 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Elsborg
100 books1,677 followersBarbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the south of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
August 3, 2020
4.5 stars
This story was such a pleasant surprise for me. It's both funny and emotional and I was drawn to the characters right from the start.
I can't say who I loved more, Devan or Jonty. Both equally, I guess. I loved everything about them: their distinct personalities, the banter between them and how they dealt with whatever was thrown at them. I really felt for Jonty and I admired him for being so optimistic, sweet and kind. And I loved Devan for being so caring and seeing how amazing Jonty is.
The storyline spans over a short period of time, but Devan and Jonty spend so much time together talking and getting to know each other that it didn't feel rushed or insta-lovey to me. I loved their conversations and I loved watching their relationship grow. I found it very romantic, especially in the beginning.
The setting is another thing I loved about this story. I think it's beautiful and the descriptions are so vivid that I really felt like I was there.
This was my first book by this author, or rather, the first I've finished. I loved the writing and the humor. I chuckled many times while reading this, which is something that doesn't happen often, and I even teared up a couple of times. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This story was such a pleasant surprise for me. It's both funny and emotional and I was drawn to the characters right from the start.
I can't say who I loved more, Devan or Jonty. Both equally, I guess. I loved everything about them: their distinct personalities, the banter between them and how they dealt with whatever was thrown at them. I really felt for Jonty and I admired him for being so optimistic, sweet and kind. And I loved Devan for being so caring and seeing how amazing Jonty is.
The storyline spans over a short period of time, but Devan and Jonty spend so much time together talking and getting to know each other that it didn't feel rushed or insta-lovey to me. I loved their conversations and I loved watching their relationship grow. I found it very romantic, especially in the beginning.
The setting is another thing I loved about this story. I think it's beautiful and the descriptions are so vivid that I really felt like I was there.
This was my first book by this author, or rather, the first I've finished. I loved the writing and the humor. I chuckled many times while reading this, which is something that doesn't happen often, and I even teared up a couple of times. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 3, 2020
I love Barbara Elsborg, and she is usually 4+ stars for me, so I was really looking forward to The Making of Jonty Bloom. Plus, all of my friends seemed to love it, which usually is a good omen. However, though I enjoyed the story, it was too messy and chaotic for my tastes.
If you've read Barbara Elsborg before, you will definitely recognize the style. She loves to write main characters who spit out sarcastic one-liners (and I love to read them!), especially if they have a tragic backstory. I knew what to expect with The Making of Jonty Bloom, and I was excited for it. However, I think this book needed an editing eye to make the story feel less busy.
While Jonty charmed me at first, I found his constant internal monologuing to be very distracting. It was every other sentence, and I wanted more showing instead of telling. Also, the banter between the characters was cute at first, but I wanted more of a break in between puns and double entendres. It was overwhelming, and not in a good way.
I loved how Jonty brought Devan out of his shell, and I didn't even mind the plethora of evil characters, but the plot still felt cluttered. It was a good story, and I liked it the whole time I was reading, but I kept thinking that with a few adjustments, it could be great. The romance was a little rushed, and dialogue was a little too "jokey"- everything was just a little off.
Though this was was enjoyable, it wasn't the home run I was expecting. I'll look forward to my next Barbara Elsborg read.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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If you've read Barbara Elsborg before, you will definitely recognize the style. She loves to write main characters who spit out sarcastic one-liners (and I love to read them!), especially if they have a tragic backstory. I knew what to expect with The Making of Jonty Bloom, and I was excited for it. However, I think this book needed an editing eye to make the story feel less busy.
While Jonty charmed me at first, I found his constant internal monologuing to be very distracting. It was every other sentence, and I wanted more showing instead of telling. Also, the banter between the characters was cute at first, but I wanted more of a break in between puns and double entendres. It was overwhelming, and not in a good way.
I loved how Jonty brought Devan out of his shell, and I didn't even mind the plethora of evil characters, but the plot still felt cluttered. It was a good story, and I liked it the whole time I was reading, but I kept thinking that with a few adjustments, it could be great. The romance was a little rushed, and dialogue was a little too "jokey"- everything was just a little off.
Though this was was enjoyable, it wasn't the home run I was expecting. I'll look forward to my next Barbara Elsborg read.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
July 9, 2020
**** 4.5 Stars ****
The Making of Jonty Bloom hooked me from the first page.
The banter between the MCs was addictive.
Devan, demanding, "with a charm of a pissed-off hungry polar bear"
and Jonty, sarcastic, hilarious, kind and happy.
Although they were both well developed characters, Jonty stood out in his uniqueness. What a likeable, warmhearted and relatable characterization!
The atmosphere surrounding the scenario in the plot was another highlight. Northumberland sounded like a magical place;
I found the description bewitching to the point of getting me to research about it online.
The Making of Jonty Bloom was inspiring, heartwarming, uplifting and funny with a sprinkle of angst.
In short, a gorgeous read.
The Making of Jonty Bloom hooked me from the first page.
The banter between the MCs was addictive.
Devan, demanding, "with a charm of a pissed-off hungry polar bear"
and Jonty, sarcastic, hilarious, kind and happy.
Although they were both well developed characters, Jonty stood out in his uniqueness. What a likeable, warmhearted and relatable characterization!
The atmosphere surrounding the scenario in the plot was another highlight. Northumberland sounded like a magical place;
I found the description bewitching to the point of getting me to research about it online.
The Making of Jonty Bloom was inspiring, heartwarming, uplifting and funny with a sprinkle of angst.
In short, a gorgeous read.
February 13, 2025
I never usually mind unlikable characters in stories, but man, this one had a lot, a lot. It’s like Devan and Jonty collect them like Pokémon cards. Devan’s ex who cheated on him with his brother combined with Jonty’s abusive father and stalker... ahhhh!!! It was just too much and I was seriously ready to square up with every one of these assholes!
Devan isn’t so great at the beginning either (He’s rude to service workers) and while he does get marginally better eventually, I think there needed to be more remorse shown. A little more groveling, you know? Remember that scene in La La Land where Ryan Gosling has a vision at the end where his relationship might have worked out fine if he wasn’t such a jerk to Emma Stone at the start? Picturing all the places where he went wrong? Yeah, give me some of that. It's all I need.
If nothing else, this book taught me how ill-suited I would be in one of these romance books. As soon as the resident bad boy love interest is a complete asshole to me the story would be over. Blam buh-bye! good riddance, 5-page book.
Devan isn’t so great at the beginning either (He’s rude to service workers) and while he does get marginally better eventually, I think there needed to be more remorse shown. A little more groveling, you know? Remember that scene in La La Land where Ryan Gosling has a vision at the end where his relationship might have worked out fine if he wasn’t such a jerk to Emma Stone at the start? Picturing all the places where he went wrong? Yeah, give me some of that. It's all I need.
If nothing else, this book taught me how ill-suited I would be in one of these romance books. As soon as the resident bad boy love interest is a complete asshole to me the story would be over. Blam buh-bye! good riddance, 5-page book.
February 28, 2021
Cloudy. I’ve been at a loss lately and right on cue, Jonty Bloom came into my life and brought his sunshine inside. He couldn’t have timed things any better. He made me smile and laugh, it was near impossible not to catch his contagious joy. I never stood a chance and luckily, Devan didn’t either. Devan was happy…or so he thought. Until a disastrous afternoon. It wasn’t that the rug was pulled out from under his feet, more like he was punched in the gut and bitch slapped at the same time. Betrayal cut him hard and he wore an expensive armor of anger, charging like a bull into anyone who crossed his path. Jonty wasn’t fooled and saw straight through his facade. He was stuck with a goal, suddenly wanting to erase the sadness he knew was under that sexy spiky exterior. Fate played her hand and hoped love would prevail. Hint, she hit the jackpot! These two captivated me from the start; toss them into the breathtaking hidden beauty of Northumberland with some turmoil to overcome while fighting fiery attraction and I couldn’t get enough.
I always adore Elsborg’s witty and quirky characters but Jonty slipped through a crack in my heart and nestled in for the long run. His sassy spirit won me over instantly. It didn’t take long to see Devan was struggling to accept his abrupt change of path and then I was equally drawn to him. The devastation of his ex’s infidelity shattered his meticulous future and his heart. He is not a man of failure. Jonty helps him understand the power of recreating your own destiny regardless of unexpected wrecks. Jonty is resilient, resistant, and full of courage. He doesn’t let life race by even when it tries to plow him over. He stops to smell the flowers and doesn’t restrict his admiration to roses, he finds just as much pleasure in a dandelion puff. He doesn’t see weeds, he sees wishes. And that’s one of the many reasons that I adore Jonty Bloom. I’m confident I’m not alone and I can only hope he brings you as much happiness as he brought me.
**sidenote: I have a new pin in my ‘oh the places I want to go‘ board and hope I can see the beauty of Northumberland with my own eyes someday!
**AND…Yippppeeee it looks like we have another Unfinished Business story coming soon and I can’t wait!!
Beware of: History doesn’t always stay behind us and some chains are hard to break. Opposites crash and bang…yet occasionally complement and complete each other. Prepare for pure passion, in various forms.
This book is for: If you’re not familiar with Elsborg’s exceptional bookshelf, I would encourage you to start here and discover the many fabulous pieces of Jonty Bloom.
Book UNfunk
I always adore Elsborg’s witty and quirky characters but Jonty slipped through a crack in my heart and nestled in for the long run. His sassy spirit won me over instantly. It didn’t take long to see Devan was struggling to accept his abrupt change of path and then I was equally drawn to him. The devastation of his ex’s infidelity shattered his meticulous future and his heart. He is not a man of failure. Jonty helps him understand the power of recreating your own destiny regardless of unexpected wrecks. Jonty is resilient, resistant, and full of courage. He doesn’t let life race by even when it tries to plow him over. He stops to smell the flowers and doesn’t restrict his admiration to roses, he finds just as much pleasure in a dandelion puff. He doesn’t see weeds, he sees wishes. And that’s one of the many reasons that I adore Jonty Bloom. I’m confident I’m not alone and I can only hope he brings you as much happiness as he brought me.
**sidenote: I have a new pin in my ‘oh the places I want to go‘ board and hope I can see the beauty of Northumberland with my own eyes someday!
**AND…Yippppeeee it looks like we have another Unfinished Business story coming soon and I can’t wait!!
Beware of: History doesn’t always stay behind us and some chains are hard to break. Opposites crash and bang…yet occasionally complement and complete each other. Prepare for pure passion, in various forms.
This book is for: If you’re not familiar with Elsborg’s exceptional bookshelf, I would encourage you to start here and discover the many fabulous pieces of Jonty Bloom.
Book UNfunk
July 17, 2020
“Thank you for changing my life.”
The romance in this book just filled my heart up so much. This book deals with some pretty heavy stuff but at the same time it never failed to make me laugh.
It also never felt like I was reading insta love even if the relationship occurs in a short period of time because the conversations these two would have were so heartfelt and hilarious. I could genuinely feel the connection they shared.
By the end, I was just feeling happy that Jonty had found someone to love him in a way that he always deserved. Devan was the perfect fit for him.
And while reading Devan's back story, I could truly understand the frustrations he was feeling. In fact, I was feeling angry on his behalf.
This book is just the perfect blend of humour and emotion. It also had some angst sprinkled throughout the whole story.
I can't wait for Tay's book. Mostly I'm ecstatic that I'll get to see Jonty again. And she also has a Christmas book coming out called Jonty's Christmas.
This definitely won't be my last Barbara Elsborg book.
The romance in this book just filled my heart up so much. This book deals with some pretty heavy stuff but at the same time it never failed to make me laugh.
It also never felt like I was reading insta love even if the relationship occurs in a short period of time because the conversations these two would have were so heartfelt and hilarious. I could genuinely feel the connection they shared.
By the end, I was just feeling happy that Jonty had found someone to love him in a way that he always deserved. Devan was the perfect fit for him.
And while reading Devan's back story, I could truly understand the frustrations he was feeling. In fact, I was feeling angry on his behalf.
This book is just the perfect blend of humour and emotion. It also had some angst sprinkled throughout the whole story.
I can't wait for Tay's book. Mostly I'm ecstatic that I'll get to see Jonty again. And she also has a Christmas book coming out called Jonty's Christmas.
This definitely won't be my last Barbara Elsborg book.
July 6, 2020
4.5 Stars!
Barbara Elsborg is definitely one of my Top 5 favorite MM authors. Really probably authors in general, if I am being honest.
They are always the perfect mix - banter for days, steam, angst (the good kind), a great setting and well developed characters. And so many feels.
I found Jonty so endearing. I just wanted to hug him. And I loved him and Devan together.
Highly recommend!
Barbara Elsborg is definitely one of my Top 5 favorite MM authors. Really probably authors in general, if I am being honest.
They are always the perfect mix - banter for days, steam, angst (the good kind), a great setting and well developed characters. And so many feels.
I found Jonty so endearing. I just wanted to hug him. And I loved him and Devan together.
Highly recommend!
July 2, 2020
Barbara Elsborg balances poignant, heart-felt angst with some of the loveliest romance I’ve ever read in her new novel, The Making of Jonty Bloom. While a bit of the subject matter is pretty dark, the overall feelings of optimism, humor, and goodwill outweigh everything else, and I devoured this moving, emotional novel from cover to cover.
One of the things I enjoy most about Ms. Elsborg’s stories is her ability to capture the unique aspects of her characters, and grow a meaningful and powerful relationship between them. Jonty and Devan are my favorite kind of opposites attract couple. Their mutual attraction is so genuine, and their differences bring out the best in each of them. I couldn’t help cheering them on the whole way through.
Even though Jonty has already faced some of the most abhorrent challenges any young man should have to contend with, he continues to look for the good in people. This gem of a guy has managed to nurture his optimism, and continues striving toward his dreams. Jonty’s ability to continually face the world with a wink and a smile, and a whole lot of sass, make him such an appealing character.
Deep in his own pity party, Devan is thoroughly focused on the wrongs done to him. The last thing he’s expecting is to become friendly with the unprofessional hotel receptionist, but Devan is drawn to Jonty’s charm and constant optimism. The more he learns about everything Jonty’s been through, Devan sees how mild his troubles are in comparison, and Jonty’s positive attitude rubs off on him.
Barbara Elsborg crafts amazing chemistry between Jonty and Devan and I could actually feel their attraction grow as the men continued to spend time together. Their physical relationship is smoking hot from the very beginning, and becomes even more compelling as their connection grows. These men become true friends as they share the deepest parts of themselves, and the intimacy which develops is simply stunning.
The dramatic moments are intense, but Barbara Elsborg peppers The Making of Jonty Bloom with uplifting messages and infuses humor throughout the story. While Jonty is facing his most trying times, Ms. Elsborg pulls out all the stops and shows us what faith, and a whole lot of positive thinking, can deliver.
These characters have completely enraptured me and I’m glad to discover that Barbara Elsborg has promised us another episode in the Unfinished Business series! One of the pivotal side characters is getting his own story, plus she says a short-entitled Jonty’s Christmas will be available in December of 2020 (fingers crossed). I can hardly wait!
One of the things I enjoy most about Ms. Elsborg’s stories is her ability to capture the unique aspects of her characters, and grow a meaningful and powerful relationship between them. Jonty and Devan are my favorite kind of opposites attract couple. Their mutual attraction is so genuine, and their differences bring out the best in each of them. I couldn’t help cheering them on the whole way through.
Even though Jonty has already faced some of the most abhorrent challenges any young man should have to contend with, he continues to look for the good in people. This gem of a guy has managed to nurture his optimism, and continues striving toward his dreams. Jonty’s ability to continually face the world with a wink and a smile, and a whole lot of sass, make him such an appealing character.
Deep in his own pity party, Devan is thoroughly focused on the wrongs done to him. The last thing he’s expecting is to become friendly with the unprofessional hotel receptionist, but Devan is drawn to Jonty’s charm and constant optimism. The more he learns about everything Jonty’s been through, Devan sees how mild his troubles are in comparison, and Jonty’s positive attitude rubs off on him.
Barbara Elsborg crafts amazing chemistry between Jonty and Devan and I could actually feel their attraction grow as the men continued to spend time together. Their physical relationship is smoking hot from the very beginning, and becomes even more compelling as their connection grows. These men become true friends as they share the deepest parts of themselves, and the intimacy which develops is simply stunning.
The dramatic moments are intense, but Barbara Elsborg peppers The Making of Jonty Bloom with uplifting messages and infuses humor throughout the story. While Jonty is facing his most trying times, Ms. Elsborg pulls out all the stops and shows us what faith, and a whole lot of positive thinking, can deliver.
These characters have completely enraptured me and I’m glad to discover that Barbara Elsborg has promised us another episode in the Unfinished Business series! One of the pivotal side characters is getting his own story, plus she says a short-entitled Jonty’s Christmas will be available in December of 2020 (fingers crossed). I can hardly wait!
August 7, 2023
✰ 4.5 stars ✰
“They were from two different worlds, but they would make a planet of their own.”
I don't think my blood has boiled with so much anger as I did when I read the first chapter of The Making of Jonty Bloom. To reach into the book and shake the very being of certain characters was fierce and the urge to pull Devan out of the clutches of more pain was too palpable. Fortunately, Barbara Elsborg made the wise decision of having his boss give Devan the job of scoping out a quaint little hotel to see it's potential for buying them out with a lucrative deal. And the stars do align even more for Devan, that upon his arrival, he catches the eye of Jonty Bloom.
I loved Jonty and Devan as individuals - I loved them even more when together. From the beginning of Jonty's rambles and antics, how he never shied of speaking what's on his mind - he won my heart. 🥹 Under the façade of a joyful blasé humorous spirit is a broken, wounded soul and his pain became my pain. Jonty has endured and suffered - people have always left him - but he never let it define him. I admired so much his resilience and courage, how he kept his spirits up for so long through the love for his job, his loyalty and care for his best friend, Tay, and now, his fierce affection for Devan. 🥺🥺
“Devan laughed. “I like you making me smile.” His fingers brushed against Jonty’s, and he heard Jonty’s intake of breath, felt the catch in his own throat.
“Your fingers are braver than mine,” Jonty whispered. “I’m impressed.”
Jonty's story may be of his past, but seeing Devan's future go up in flames right in front of him - in his bed, no less, tortured my eyes! He's a risk assessment if there ever was one, and he's so afraid of being close to Jonty, fearful of even revealing his intentions of being here. But, the more time he spends with Jonty, that one calamitic moment of bad judgment opened his eyes to him and want to be with him. 💞💞 That he let him forget about his own sadness and grief - that he made him feel that life did not end with a bad break-up, that he could be the one for him. And then, how adamant he was in protecting Jonty from harm's way - shielding his heart and his body in whatever way he could - allowing him to be vulnerable around him and face his past and no longer hide from it. 🥰🥰
“I forgot to say thank you.”
“What…did I do?” Devan was having trouble thinking straight.
“Saved my life.”
Devan looked into his eyes and what he saw there wasn’t just heat and lust, but something else, something deeper, something that made the breath catch in his throat and his heart race.
Jonty leaned in until his mouth was inches from Devan’s. “Thank you for making me happy.”
Their romance sparkled from first wanting to hoping that they could be enough for each other - ah, there was so much trust and understanding during their intimate moments! 🫠🫠 They bonded under the most extremely unfortunate of moments, but, everything after that - all the instances where they opened up to each other - revealed their pasts and secrets and hurts - that comfort of ease of just finding that one who would listen without question or judgment. And their kisses - their hugs - the laughs they shared during sex - that wild thing that he could do - the tenth wonder of Northumberland!!! 😲😲 No wonder it was impossible for Devan to resist his charms! ❤️🔥❤️🔥
“I can’t believe how much has changed in less than a week,” Jonty whispered. I had a job and now I don’t. And yet… “What did I do to be so lucky?”
Devan pulled him into his arms and kissed him. “I’m the lucky one.”
I have never loathed characters as much as I did these five - Jonty's parents, Griff, Ravi, and Brad. They were absolutely vile, horrible, disgusting, cruel, manipulative and just the scum of the earth, if there ever was one. 💢💢💢😡😡😡 How they treated both Jonty and Devan in their lives, their repulsive behaviors, their painful words - NONE OF THESE FOUL PEOPLE deserve either of these beautiful souls to be a part of their lives ever again. 😤😤
It broke my heart that Jonty's reunion with his parents was so very painful, but I believe in my heart, that he truly needed that closure to let that part of his life go - they'll never be blessed with his presence ever again, and that's good riddance to bad rubbish'. There were slight hints that Devan aims to forgive Griff, and I'm all for letting by-gones be by-gones for the sake of family, but I hope he never does. Call me vindictive, but I just couldn't bear the thought if he did. 😔😔
“What’s going through your mind?” Devan whispered.
“I’m wondering if you’re going to break my heart.”
“If you don’t give me another chance, you’re going to break mine.”
I loved the writing style - I know it might not be for everyone, but the balance between humor and angst was perfect. It was very easy for to follow the inner monologues of Jonty's thoughts that countered his actual feelings were delightful and always brought a smile to my face. ☺️ I like that it's never one chapter that's dedicated to a POV, rather it can change from both character's perspectives very easily. There was plenty of action, plenty of frolicking, and plenty of feels that gripped me in such a fierce way - that I just needed to know that Jonty and Devan would be victorious over the wrong-doers who threatened their happiness. 🤍 🤍
“He held his face with his hands and kissed him, a deep passionate kiss that warmed Jonty from head to toe. “Thank you for being there for me, Jonty Bloom. Thank you for changing my life.”
~*~*~*~*
“My world has grown brighter and brighter. I feel…whole. I always thought it was my mother who was missing, but it wasn’t. It was you.”
Words of gratitude and heartfelt thank-you's that were more romantic than any proposal could ever be, hugs of comfort that embraced with me the warmest of affection, tears of relief that even though the road to happiness was marred with heartbreak, it was only for Jonty and Devan to find their missing piece in each other's arms. 🌈🌈
An emotional read from beginning to end - I finally understand why everyone wanted to introduce me to Jonty. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“Because you love me and I don’t need to hear the words. I just know.”
🫶🏻🫶🏻
“They were from two different worlds, but they would make a planet of their own.”
I don't think my blood has boiled with so much anger as I did when I read the first chapter of The Making of Jonty Bloom. To reach into the book and shake the very being of certain characters was fierce and the urge to pull Devan out of the clutches of more pain was too palpable. Fortunately, Barbara Elsborg made the wise decision of having his boss give Devan the job of scoping out a quaint little hotel to see it's potential for buying them out with a lucrative deal. And the stars do align even more for Devan, that upon his arrival, he catches the eye of Jonty Bloom.
I loved Jonty and Devan as individuals - I loved them even more when together. From the beginning of Jonty's rambles and antics, how he never shied of speaking what's on his mind - he won my heart. 🥹 Under the façade of a joyful blasé humorous spirit is a broken, wounded soul and his pain became my pain. Jonty has endured and suffered - people have always left him - but he never let it define him. I admired so much his resilience and courage, how he kept his spirits up for so long through the love for his job, his loyalty and care for his best friend, Tay, and now, his fierce affection for Devan. 🥺🥺
“Devan laughed. “I like you making me smile.” His fingers brushed against Jonty’s, and he heard Jonty’s intake of breath, felt the catch in his own throat.
“Your fingers are braver than mine,” Jonty whispered. “I’m impressed.”
Jonty's story may be of his past, but seeing Devan's future go up in flames right in front of him - in his bed, no less, tortured my eyes! He's a risk assessment if there ever was one, and he's so afraid of being close to Jonty, fearful of even revealing his intentions of being here. But, the more time he spends with Jonty, that one calamitic moment of bad judgment opened his eyes to him and want to be with him. 💞💞 That he let him forget about his own sadness and grief - that he made him feel that life did not end with a bad break-up, that he could be the one for him. And then, how adamant he was in protecting Jonty from harm's way - shielding his heart and his body in whatever way he could - allowing him to be vulnerable around him and face his past and no longer hide from it. 🥰🥰
“I forgot to say thank you.”
“What…did I do?” Devan was having trouble thinking straight.
“Saved my life.”
Devan looked into his eyes and what he saw there wasn’t just heat and lust, but something else, something deeper, something that made the breath catch in his throat and his heart race.
Jonty leaned in until his mouth was inches from Devan’s. “Thank you for making me happy.”
Their romance sparkled from first wanting to hoping that they could be enough for each other - ah, there was so much trust and understanding during their intimate moments! 🫠🫠 They bonded under the most extremely unfortunate of moments, but, everything after that - all the instances where they opened up to each other - revealed their pasts and secrets and hurts - that comfort of ease of just finding that one who would listen without question or judgment. And their kisses - their hugs - the laughs they shared during sex - that wild thing that he could do - the tenth wonder of Northumberland!!! 😲😲 No wonder it was impossible for Devan to resist his charms! ❤️🔥❤️🔥
“I can’t believe how much has changed in less than a week,” Jonty whispered. I had a job and now I don’t. And yet… “What did I do to be so lucky?”
Devan pulled him into his arms and kissed him. “I’m the lucky one.”
I have never loathed characters as much as I did these five - Jonty's parents, Griff, Ravi, and Brad. They were absolutely vile, horrible, disgusting, cruel, manipulative and just the scum of the earth, if there ever was one. 💢💢💢😡😡😡 How they treated both Jonty and Devan in their lives, their repulsive behaviors, their painful words - NONE OF THESE FOUL PEOPLE deserve either of these beautiful souls to be a part of their lives ever again. 😤😤
It broke my heart that Jonty's reunion with his parents was so very painful, but I believe in my heart, that he truly needed that closure to let that part of his life go - they'll never be blessed with his presence ever again, and that's good riddance to bad rubbish'. There were slight hints that Devan aims to forgive Griff, and I'm all for letting by-gones be by-gones for the sake of family, but I hope he never does. Call me vindictive, but I just couldn't bear the thought if he did. 😔😔
“What’s going through your mind?” Devan whispered.
“I’m wondering if you’re going to break my heart.”
“If you don’t give me another chance, you’re going to break mine.”
I loved the writing style - I know it might not be for everyone, but the balance between humor and angst was perfect. It was very easy for to follow the inner monologues of Jonty's thoughts that countered his actual feelings were delightful and always brought a smile to my face. ☺️ I like that it's never one chapter that's dedicated to a POV, rather it can change from both character's perspectives very easily. There was plenty of action, plenty of frolicking, and plenty of feels that gripped me in such a fierce way - that I just needed to know that Jonty and Devan would be victorious over the wrong-doers who threatened their happiness. 🤍 🤍
“He held his face with his hands and kissed him, a deep passionate kiss that warmed Jonty from head to toe. “Thank you for being there for me, Jonty Bloom. Thank you for changing my life.”
~*~*~*~*
“My world has grown brighter and brighter. I feel…whole. I always thought it was my mother who was missing, but it wasn’t. It was you.”
Words of gratitude and heartfelt thank-you's that were more romantic than any proposal could ever be, hugs of comfort that embraced with me the warmest of affection, tears of relief that even though the road to happiness was marred with heartbreak, it was only for Jonty and Devan to find their missing piece in each other's arms. 🌈🌈
An emotional read from beginning to end - I finally understand why everyone wanted to introduce me to Jonty. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“Because you love me and I don’t need to hear the words. I just know.”
🫶🏻🫶🏻
July 3, 2020
Barbara Elsborg has such a talent for writing about serious issues but without ever making the reader feel like it's a heavy weight.
This book touches on (all off page and references in passing rather than detailed for trigger warning purposes) child neglect, physical violence, sexual assault and the effects of being stalked.
But it never feels like an angst driven narrative because she tempers the seriousness with the wonderful friendship and then relationship gush develops between Jonty and Devan.
The majority of the relationship development also happens over a relatively small amount of time, but it never feels like Insta love.
I absolutely loved Jonty, but I adored Devan for seeing the beauty in the younger man's soul, for recognising that he was getting a real chance for happiness.
There's also a smashing cast of secondary characters, and I'm so pleased that we'll get Tay's story next, and the sense of place was so strong.
I grew up with family in Alnwick, so all my childhood holidays were spent trekking around the places mentioned in this book and they're spot on.
I'm even pretty sure I know where the secret beach north of Banburgh's spectacular sand dunes is too 😁
I read this in one go because I just couldn't put it down and o loved every bit of it.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This book touches on (all off page and references in passing rather than detailed for trigger warning purposes) child neglect, physical violence, sexual assault and the effects of being stalked.
But it never feels like an angst driven narrative because she tempers the seriousness with the wonderful friendship and then relationship gush develops between Jonty and Devan.
The majority of the relationship development also happens over a relatively small amount of time, but it never feels like Insta love.
I absolutely loved Jonty, but I adored Devan for seeing the beauty in the younger man's soul, for recognising that he was getting a real chance for happiness.
There's also a smashing cast of secondary characters, and I'm so pleased that we'll get Tay's story next, and the sense of place was so strong.
I grew up with family in Alnwick, so all my childhood holidays were spent trekking around the places mentioned in this book and they're spot on.
I'm even pretty sure I know where the secret beach north of Banburgh's spectacular sand dunes is too 😁
I read this in one go because I just couldn't put it down and o loved every bit of it.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 11, 2020
This is a lovely romance, elegantly written with scorching sex scenes.
Opposites attract dynamic.
It’s about possibility.
It’s about hope.
It’s about instinct.
It’s about human connection.
It’s about unfinished business.
There is laughter, sex in sand dunes, penis shaped pizza, horseback riding, inappropriate use of Cadbury’s Flake chocolate bar, and the ten wonders of Northumberland to explore.
There is insta-attraction and the relationship unfolds over a short time frame. However, the pacing of the story makes it possible for it to feel right and believable.
I enjoyed The Making of Jonty Bloom
I loved the beautiful insight into Northumberland, surfing and sea glass art.
There is a really good balance of humor, feel-good moments and angst.
Lovely and fitting HEA to end the story and a promise of a series continuation.
"I came up here with my ego battered and bruised. I didn’t think I needed help, but I did. I’d lost sight of what I should have been thinking about and you saw that. It’s not wrong to feel broken-hearted over things that have hurt you. It’s not wrong to feel weakened by them. It’s okay to feel glad those things are over.”
Lengthy non-spoiler guest review:
On Top Down Under
ARC provided by On Top Down Under through author.
Opposites attract dynamic.
It’s about possibility.
It’s about hope.
It’s about instinct.
It’s about human connection.
It’s about unfinished business.
There is laughter, sex in sand dunes, penis shaped pizza, horseback riding, inappropriate use of Cadbury’s Flake chocolate bar, and the ten wonders of Northumberland to explore.
There is insta-attraction and the relationship unfolds over a short time frame. However, the pacing of the story makes it possible for it to feel right and believable.
I enjoyed The Making of Jonty Bloom
I loved the beautiful insight into Northumberland, surfing and sea glass art.
There is a really good balance of humor, feel-good moments and angst.
Lovely and fitting HEA to end the story and a promise of a series continuation.
"I came up here with my ego battered and bruised. I didn’t think I needed help, but I did. I’d lost sight of what I should have been thinking about and you saw that. It’s not wrong to feel broken-hearted over things that have hurt you. It’s not wrong to feel weakened by them. It’s okay to feel glad those things are over.”
Lengthy non-spoiler guest review:
On Top Down Under
ARC provided by On Top Down Under through author.
July 8, 2020
This one felt special.
Barbara Elsborg has outdone herself here.
And that’s down to a few things:
.) Jonty is one hell of a character. How one person who has suffered so much and had to overcome so many obstacles in his young life can remain so kind, sweet and positive is simply inspirational. Jonty is very real, very relatable and totally lovable.
Tbh, I would like to have a slice of Jonty’s attitude – “Accept what you can’t change.” Don’t dwell on things that you have no control over. Of course, that doesn’t mean Jonty isn’t hurt about what happened in the past, but he deals with it, panic attacks and all, in a most admirable way.
The message throughout the book is powerful, and I take my hat off to the author how she dealt with it. I loved the conversations between Jonty and Devan, no matter whether they are on the hilarious or very serious side.
.) Devan is just lovely. The rather hostile vibes between Jonty and him disperse rather quickly once they get to know each other and then the way he accepts Jonty, sees him, helps him and stands by him might have caused some oohing and aahing on my part.
Devon has been terribly wronged and I have NO idea how his brother can ever expect him to No wonder he’s forgotten how to laugh and live. Until Jonty.
.) This book has some fabulous ingredients:
- There’s the humour, which is Jonty’s weapon of choice. His chattiness and cheeky banter made me chuckle and grin, but I never felt that this is overdone.
- The angst – the situation with Brad kept me on my toes throughout the book. So well done!
- The ‘enemies to lovers’ vibe – one of my favourites.
- The gradual development of feelings in a very realistic and heart-warming manner.
- The setting in Northumberland – I’ve wanted to visit Bamburgh Castle for so long, I’m actually yearning to go there now!
In short – I adored it. One of the best books this year so far!
Barbara Elsborg has outdone herself here.
And that’s down to a few things:
.) Jonty is one hell of a character. How one person who has suffered so much and had to overcome so many obstacles in his young life can remain so kind, sweet and positive is simply inspirational. Jonty is very real, very relatable and totally lovable.
Tbh, I would like to have a slice of Jonty’s attitude – “Accept what you can’t change.” Don’t dwell on things that you have no control over. Of course, that doesn’t mean Jonty isn’t hurt about what happened in the past, but he deals with it, panic attacks and all, in a most admirable way.
The message throughout the book is powerful, and I take my hat off to the author how she dealt with it. I loved the conversations between Jonty and Devan, no matter whether they are on the hilarious or very serious side.
.) Devan is just lovely. The rather hostile vibes between Jonty and him disperse rather quickly once they get to know each other and then the way he accepts Jonty, sees him, helps him and stands by him might have caused some oohing and aahing on my part.
Devon has been terribly wronged and I have NO idea how his brother can ever expect him to No wonder he’s forgotten how to laugh and live. Until Jonty.
.) This book has some fabulous ingredients:
- There’s the humour, which is Jonty’s weapon of choice. His chattiness and cheeky banter made me chuckle and grin, but I never felt that this is overdone.
- The angst – the situation with Brad kept me on my toes throughout the book. So well done!
- The ‘enemies to lovers’ vibe – one of my favourites.
- The gradual development of feelings in a very realistic and heart-warming manner.
- The setting in Northumberland – I’ve wanted to visit Bamburgh Castle for so long, I’m actually yearning to go there now!
In short – I adored it. One of the best books this year so far!
November 3, 2020
I'm in the minority with my rating, this one really didn't work for me. It started off brilliantly - a local to me setting, hurt comfort, a nice age gap, a smart mouth Jonty and a closed off Devan, I loved the banter ..... at first. But oh my gawwwwwd!!! It was fah-reaking relentless and went from funny and believable to forced, irritating and ridiculous. That kid never. bloody. shut. his. gob.
Then throw in:
A vicious little shit of an ex (Devan's)
An abusive, whacked in the head ex (Jonty's)
Evil parents for BOTH characters
Abusive childhood
Almost drowning twice (cue the drama!)
And a whole lot more crapola that I'm not even going to touch on and you have a bit of a mess.
I ended up jumping whole chunks of banter just to try and get to the relevant parts of the story and also to call this done. Somebody needed to gag Jonty for say, 22 hours a day.
I've loved other reads by this author, this one not so much
Then throw in:
A vicious little shit of an ex (Devan's)
An abusive, whacked in the head ex (Jonty's)
Evil parents for BOTH characters
Abusive childhood
Almost drowning twice (cue the drama!)
And a whole lot more crapola that I'm not even going to touch on and you have a bit of a mess.
I ended up jumping whole chunks of banter just to try and get to the relevant parts of the story and also to call this done. Somebody needed to gag Jonty for say, 22 hours a day.
I've loved other reads by this author, this one not so much
December 13, 2021
4.5*
I started reading this last night and it’s now 4.50am. I just couldn’t put it down. I should have known better than to start a book by this author just before bed.
I started reading this last night and it’s now 4.50am. I just couldn’t put it down. I should have known better than to start a book by this author just before bed.
August 20, 2020
DNF at 43%
I was kind of enjoying this. I really liked Jonty and I was wondering what would happen with Devan and his brother’s wedding.
But one thing I can’t condone is being flippant about
I don’t think I can read on.
I was kind of enjoying this. I really liked Jonty and I was wondering what would happen with Devan and his brother’s wedding.
But one thing I can’t condone is being flippant about
I don’t think I can read on.
May 31, 2021
4.8 stars 💫
God, I love this book so much. I don't know why I haven't got into this book sooner. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Jonty Bloom was a very funny, thoughtful, and positive guy. He was such a sweetheart. I loved his humor. The whole time during the book, I have been chuckling. He could make anyone happy. He wanted to make everyone happy. In spite of his horrible past, he was stronger. Humor was his defensive mechanism. I loved how he enjoyed himself even though he had faced terrible situations as a child. Some part of the book was heavy. I felt for him. He was worth being loved. He deserved better.
Devan Smith was a confident and optimistic guy. He was wealthy and he came to Northumberland to invest in a hotel on behalf of his company. In the hotel where he stayed, Jonty was the receptionist. Devan was a sad, grumpy guy, and Jonty was instantly attracted to him. He wanted to make Devan happy and erased his sad look on his face. Eventually, Devan and Jonty became lovers, and Devan wanted to give everything to Jonty and made him happy. I couldn't love them more.
“I love you. I've never had anyone of my own love me before and I love you so much. You've given me everything I never had. You stopped me hurting. You made me happy. Properly happy” Jonty said.
This is the first book I've read written by this author, and it was beautiful.
I want a Jonty Bloom in my life. He knows how to put a smile on your face even though you're in a situation where you might be going to die. 😆 He is one of my top ten fictional boyfriends, and I love him even more because he likes Marlon Teixeira. Yay, we have a common thing.
Highly recommended 🤍
God, I love this book so much. I don't know why I haven't got into this book sooner. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Jonty Bloom was a very funny, thoughtful, and positive guy. He was such a sweetheart. I loved his humor. The whole time during the book, I have been chuckling. He could make anyone happy. He wanted to make everyone happy. In spite of his horrible past, he was stronger. Humor was his defensive mechanism. I loved how he enjoyed himself even though he had faced terrible situations as a child. Some part of the book was heavy. I felt for him. He was worth being loved. He deserved better.
Devan Smith was a confident and optimistic guy. He was wealthy and he came to Northumberland to invest in a hotel on behalf of his company. In the hotel where he stayed, Jonty was the receptionist. Devan was a sad, grumpy guy, and Jonty was instantly attracted to him. He wanted to make Devan happy and erased his sad look on his face. Eventually, Devan and Jonty became lovers, and Devan wanted to give everything to Jonty and made him happy. I couldn't love them more.
“I love you. I've never had anyone of my own love me before and I love you so much. You've given me everything I never had. You stopped me hurting. You made me happy. Properly happy” Jonty said.
This is the first book I've read written by this author, and it was beautiful.
I want a Jonty Bloom in my life. He knows how to put a smile on your face even though you're in a situation where you might be going to die. 😆 He is one of my top ten fictional boyfriends, and I love him even more because he likes Marlon Teixeira. Yay, we have a common thing.
Highly recommended 🤍
March 9, 2024
An almost perfect, charming, very English romance.
It’s the story of Devan, who had just been asked by his brother by be his best man. Only minor flaw: his brother is about to marry Devan’s ex-fiancé, whom he caught cheating on him in the day before his own wedding 5 months earlier. And as a cherry on top, his boss sends him off to Northumberland to check out a hotel with the intention of buying an incorporating it into a high end hotel chain.
There, he meets Jonty Bloom, a quirky young man who talks a lot, and seems to lack every qualification to work as a concierge.
I won’t spoil the plot - firstly, because a lot of you have already read it, and secondly - if you haven’t - you should go in blindly and enjoy the ride.
Because I loved almost everything about it: Devan, Jonty (it’s literally impossible to NOT fall in love with him), the long term residents, Jonty’s imaginary talks with his bff Tay, the scenery (I have the sudden urge to spend my holiday in Northumberland of all places 😅) and most of all the banter between Jonty and Devan.
Why not 5 stars then? Because not every plot line and character made sense to me. I can get behind the “evil ones” (the exes and Jonty’s dad). Yes, they’re pieces of shit, each in their own way. But most good stories need some nefarious villains, so that’s ok for me.
What I DIDN’T get was the way both of their mothers behaved. Just… no. Loving one child more than the other (in both cases) is such a foreign concept to me as a mother, I just… no. I can’t. That’s a hard limit for me. I would have wished that at least one of the mothers would have had to grovel at some point. Same goes for Devan’s brother Griff. What a spoiled brat.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Sorry, sir. Just because we nearly died together doesn’t make us friends. I don’t mean to be presumptuous. I really am sorry. Good night.”
…
His fingers brushed against Jonty’s, and he heard Jonty’s intake of breath, felt the catch in his own throat. “Your fingers are braver than mine,” Jonty whispered.
…
The world according to Jonty Bloom. This is the life you’ve been given. You have to keep going. That’s the biggest lesson. There’s no choice. Giving up is not an option. Sometimes life is shit. You get hurt, but you carry on. You don’t let something awful that happened to you wreck your life because that way you’ve lost. If you let hurt keep hold of you, you’ve allowed the person who hurt you to win. You need to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep moving. Don’t fall. Because if I don’t eat soon, I’m going to have to snack on some juicy bit of you.”
…
“What’s going through your mind?” Devan whispered. “I’m wondering if you’re going to break my heart.” “If you don’t give me another chance, you’re going to break mine.”
…
The curl of a finger over his prostate and his dick was miraculously resurrected. He was going to call his cock Lazarus.
All in all highly entertaining, despite the slight niggles. If you haven’t read it, give it a go 💕
It’s the story of Devan, who had just been asked by his brother by be his best man. Only minor flaw: his brother is about to marry Devan’s ex-fiancé, whom he caught cheating on him in the day before his own wedding 5 months earlier. And as a cherry on top, his boss sends him off to Northumberland to check out a hotel with the intention of buying an incorporating it into a high end hotel chain.
There, he meets Jonty Bloom, a quirky young man who talks a lot, and seems to lack every qualification to work as a concierge.
I won’t spoil the plot - firstly, because a lot of you have already read it, and secondly - if you haven’t - you should go in blindly and enjoy the ride.
Because I loved almost everything about it: Devan, Jonty (it’s literally impossible to NOT fall in love with him), the long term residents, Jonty’s imaginary talks with his bff Tay, the scenery (I have the sudden urge to spend my holiday in Northumberland of all places 😅) and most of all the banter between Jonty and Devan.
Why not 5 stars then? Because not every plot line and character made sense to me. I can get behind the “evil ones” (the exes and Jonty’s dad). Yes, they’re pieces of shit, each in their own way. But most good stories need some nefarious villains, so that’s ok for me.
What I DIDN’T get was the way both of their mothers behaved. Just… no. Loving one child more than the other (in both cases) is such a foreign concept to me as a mother, I just… no. I can’t. That’s a hard limit for me. I would have wished that at least one of the mothers would have had to grovel at some point. Same goes for Devan’s brother Griff. What a spoiled brat.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Sorry, sir. Just because we nearly died together doesn’t make us friends. I don’t mean to be presumptuous. I really am sorry. Good night.”
…
His fingers brushed against Jonty’s, and he heard Jonty’s intake of breath, felt the catch in his own throat. “Your fingers are braver than mine,” Jonty whispered.
…
The world according to Jonty Bloom. This is the life you’ve been given. You have to keep going. That’s the biggest lesson. There’s no choice. Giving up is not an option. Sometimes life is shit. You get hurt, but you carry on. You don’t let something awful that happened to you wreck your life because that way you’ve lost. If you let hurt keep hold of you, you’ve allowed the person who hurt you to win. You need to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep moving. Don’t fall. Because if I don’t eat soon, I’m going to have to snack on some juicy bit of you.”
…
“What’s going through your mind?” Devan whispered. “I’m wondering if you’re going to break my heart.” “If you don’t give me another chance, you’re going to break mine.”
…
The curl of a finger over his prostate and his dick was miraculously resurrected. He was going to call his cock Lazarus.
All in all highly entertaining, despite the slight niggles. If you haven’t read it, give it a go 💕
August 24, 2020
4 emotional-sunshiny-heartwarming Stars!! 😍🤩 I love BE's books and her ability to make me laugh, cry and even laugh when I cry..❤️ This book was another story that gave me all the "feels" 😍
Jonty has been through a lot in his life, but he hasn't let it bring him down. He thrives on sprinkling sunshine and laughter in everyone's life including the extremely rude and arrogant new guest in the hotel he works at 😉. Devan Smith, the aforementioned rude and arrogant guest ; has not had an easy couple of months. First he finds his fiance` in bed with his brother a day before his wedding and then a few months later, he is informed that they are now engaged to be married 💔. Needing to get away from his family, he jumps at the chance given by his boss to prospect a hotel acquisition in remote Northumberland.
There is an instant attraction between the two 💓when Devan shows up at the hotel where Jonty is the night manager, but not wanting to over complicate his life Jonty stays away. But fate intervenes when both are thrown together by waves and circumstances. Sparks fly 💥and the rest is the saga of how Jonty brings Devan back to life 💖. Devan is not only enamored by Jonty's perky and sassy personality, but also by his strength and resilience despite such a traumatic past. 😍 But what happens when Jonty's past threatens his present? Will Dewan be able to stay in Jonty's life after his work is done in Northumberland? What does the future look like between the two with such a gap between their ages and status?
Told mostly from the perspective of Jonty this story is both heart-breaking and up lifting. The only reason why I didn't give this book a 5 star is due to the fact that I felt that the plot had too much going on. Everything was woven very well in the story, but my angst meter was so amped up that I had a constant sense of foreboding that diminished my enjoyment of the steamy and sizzling times between the two 😢. Nevertheless, it is just a minor complaint which will probably not bother anyone else 😉. Overall, I loved the story, loved Jonty, loved Devan AND absolutely Loved ❤️Northumberland and the scenic locations. The descriptions were so vivid that I could almost imagine myself there 🤩.
Highly recommended to all fans of M/M romance who love a larger than life MC and an emotional and uplifting story 👍👍
Jonty has been through a lot in his life, but he hasn't let it bring him down. He thrives on sprinkling sunshine and laughter in everyone's life including the extremely rude and arrogant new guest in the hotel he works at 😉. Devan Smith, the aforementioned rude and arrogant guest ; has not had an easy couple of months. First he finds his fiance` in bed with his brother a day before his wedding and then a few months later, he is informed that they are now engaged to be married 💔. Needing to get away from his family, he jumps at the chance given by his boss to prospect a hotel acquisition in remote Northumberland.
There is an instant attraction between the two 💓when Devan shows up at the hotel where Jonty is the night manager, but not wanting to over complicate his life Jonty stays away. But fate intervenes when both are thrown together by waves and circumstances. Sparks fly 💥and the rest is the saga of how Jonty brings Devan back to life 💖. Devan is not only enamored by Jonty's perky and sassy personality, but also by his strength and resilience despite such a traumatic past. 😍 But what happens when Jonty's past threatens his present? Will Dewan be able to stay in Jonty's life after his work is done in Northumberland? What does the future look like between the two with such a gap between their ages and status?
Told mostly from the perspective of Jonty this story is both heart-breaking and up lifting. The only reason why I didn't give this book a 5 star is due to the fact that I felt that the plot had too much going on. Everything was woven very well in the story, but my angst meter was so amped up that I had a constant sense of foreboding that diminished my enjoyment of the steamy and sizzling times between the two 😢. Nevertheless, it is just a minor complaint which will probably not bother anyone else 😉. Overall, I loved the story, loved Jonty, loved Devan AND absolutely Loved ❤️Northumberland and the scenic locations. The descriptions were so vivid that I could almost imagine myself there 🤩.
Highly recommended to all fans of M/M romance who love a larger than life MC and an emotional and uplifting story 👍👍
January 1, 2022
Read this book as part of the 2020 Members' Choice Awards Challenge.
Categories: Best White Collar
This is only the second book I read by Barbara Elsborg. The first one being a dnf @ 82%, I was not really expecting much from this one.
And I'm very glad I took a chance, because I loved it! Jonty kind of grabbed my heart and didn't let go until the end.
Categories: Best White Collar
This is only the second book I read by Barbara Elsborg. The first one being a dnf @ 82%, I was not really expecting much from this one.
And I'm very glad I took a chance, because I loved it! Jonty kind of grabbed my heart and didn't let go until the end.
June 18, 2020
Jonty Bloom is the big star of this new MM romance from Barbara Elsborg.
This story is set up in Northumberland. An important fact to mention because there is a strong sense of place and I enjoyed looking out at all the places described.
Not the most sunny place in the world, but Jonty makes it up aplenty : despite the shitty life he had so far for such a young age, he has a big heart, spiky hair and a few piercings, a big mouth he can’t shut, he’s sarcastic, but in such a joyful, funny, sunny way.
The opposite of Devan’s state of mind when he meets Jonty : Devan is bitter, and for good reasons, but still, he’s losing it and meeting Jonty is a huge eye-opener for him. He enjoys so much laughing with him that fast, he makes his mission to never hurt Jonty and protect him as much as he can.
Yes, there is some angst (nothing very detailed so not to be overwhelming, but still,…), and yes, there is humor (how not to laugh with Jonty’s running mouth), and yes, there is hotness,…after all, it’s Barbara Elsborg and she has a knack for mixing all that together in a way that appeals to me.
A big niggle though : I was a bit unsettled by the quick time-line. However, after the first chapters, I was so drawn by the characters that I decided to ignore this point and only root for the best of HEA for Jonty and Devan.
More to come (hopefully soon) related to secondary characters and I will be ready to visit Northumberland again.
ARC of “The Making of Jonty Bloom” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This story is set up in Northumberland. An important fact to mention because there is a strong sense of place and I enjoyed looking out at all the places described.
Not the most sunny place in the world, but Jonty makes it up aplenty : despite the shitty life he had so far for such a young age, he has a big heart, spiky hair and a few piercings, a big mouth he can’t shut, he’s sarcastic, but in such a joyful, funny, sunny way.
The opposite of Devan’s state of mind when he meets Jonty : Devan is bitter, and for good reasons, but still, he’s losing it and meeting Jonty is a huge eye-opener for him. He enjoys so much laughing with him that fast, he makes his mission to never hurt Jonty and protect him as much as he can.
Yes, there is some angst (nothing very detailed so not to be overwhelming, but still,…), and yes, there is humor (how not to laugh with Jonty’s running mouth), and yes, there is hotness,…after all, it’s Barbara Elsborg and she has a knack for mixing all that together in a way that appeals to me.
A big niggle though : I was a bit unsettled by the quick time-line. However, after the first chapters, I was so drawn by the characters that I decided to ignore this point and only root for the best of HEA for Jonty and Devan.
More to come (hopefully soon) related to secondary characters and I will be ready to visit Northumberland again.
ARC of “The Making of Jonty Bloom” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2023
Low 3,5 stars.
I had hoped to like this book more, but I didn't enjoy it very much.
There weren't totally off-putting things, but too many aspects of it didn't click with me.
The writing was very abrupt, not smooth at all.
The story itself was melodramatic, the humour OTT silly.
Jonty's character didn't feel real but a bit like a caricature to me. I didn't enjoy the OTT drama around Jonty's life, either.
I skipped over the last 5% because the (again: OTT) declarations felt stilted and forced.
I had hoped to like this book more, but I didn't enjoy it very much.
There weren't totally off-putting things, but too many aspects of it didn't click with me.
The writing was very abrupt, not smooth at all.
The story itself was melodramatic, the humour OTT silly.
Jonty's character didn't feel real but a bit like a caricature to me. I didn't enjoy the OTT drama around Jonty's life, either.
I skipped over the last 5% because the (again: OTT) declarations felt stilted and forced.
January 11, 2021
A bow to this author who managed to create a heartbreaking story without the feeling that it couldn’t be mended again. It was all breathtaking!
One thing is for sure Tay is Jonty’s best friend! Throughout the whole story, the friendship is there.
Jonty is alone and broken, you can feel it in every written line. His witty snarky humor hides his brokenness.
When haughty Devan enters the hotel where Jonty works Jonty can’t help but play a bit with Devan. Devan bites back.
Devan is on a holiday, not really, but he escaped home. He found his fiancé in bed with... his brother. He can’t face them anymore not after they planned to get married.
He’s angry, furious and when you can read between the lines you’ll understand he’s hurt, deeply.
He finds the hotel nice, but it needs an upgrade and some new employees because this guy Jonty annoys him so very much! Buying the owner out and make it a big 5-star hotel. That’s the plan.
“This futile, irritating attraction was starting to annoy him. He was even annoyed that he partly enjoyed it annoying him.”
After they are together in a death threatening experience... things start changing. Omg how things around them are changing, it was in a breathtaking way. Jonty shows Devan his life.
By the misty bits, Jonty reveals to Devan, he (and we) understand Jonty is full of secrets, secrets and hurt, every wave of hurt he smiles and talks away. Devan is in awe and in love.
An extended and beautifully written narrative. There is a lot of activity, fun ones and quite disturbing ones. There is a stalker to find, and horrible exes, stubborn family, painful pasts, bright-looking futures, joy and laughter, hope so much hope, wonderful friendships, dedicated friends, and worshipping lovers. What a ride, what a story. The author did a tremendous job.
From first sight, I understood Jonty was something special and precious.
His life is complicated and several heavy issues weighing on his shoulders. If the use of his mouth is an indication you can conclude it was a lot. He was exhaustedly overwhelming with words.
This is an exceptional story, while I loved every bit of it, I would also be satisfied with a bit less, it was a lot to take in. It was too large to read in one sit, I took every available free minute to read and read. After finishing I couldn’t let them go.
Highly recommended!
One thing is for sure Tay is Jonty’s best friend! Throughout the whole story, the friendship is there.
Jonty is alone and broken, you can feel it in every written line. His witty snarky humor hides his brokenness.
When haughty Devan enters the hotel where Jonty works Jonty can’t help but play a bit with Devan. Devan bites back.
Devan is on a holiday, not really, but he escaped home. He found his fiancé in bed with... his brother. He can’t face them anymore not after they planned to get married.
He’s angry, furious and when you can read between the lines you’ll understand he’s hurt, deeply.
He finds the hotel nice, but it needs an upgrade and some new employees because this guy Jonty annoys him so very much! Buying the owner out and make it a big 5-star hotel. That’s the plan.
“This futile, irritating attraction was starting to annoy him. He was even annoyed that he partly enjoyed it annoying him.”
After they are together in a death threatening experience... things start changing. Omg how things around them are changing, it was in a breathtaking way. Jonty shows Devan his life.
By the misty bits, Jonty reveals to Devan, he (and we) understand Jonty is full of secrets, secrets and hurt, every wave of hurt he smiles and talks away. Devan is in awe and in love.
An extended and beautifully written narrative. There is a lot of activity, fun ones and quite disturbing ones. There is a stalker to find, and horrible exes, stubborn family, painful pasts, bright-looking futures, joy and laughter, hope so much hope, wonderful friendships, dedicated friends, and worshipping lovers. What a ride, what a story. The author did a tremendous job.
From first sight, I understood Jonty was something special and precious.
His life is complicated and several heavy issues weighing on his shoulders. If the use of his mouth is an indication you can conclude it was a lot. He was exhaustedly overwhelming with words.
This is an exceptional story, while I loved every bit of it, I would also be satisfied with a bit less, it was a lot to take in. It was too large to read in one sit, I took every available free minute to read and read. After finishing I couldn’t let them go.
Highly recommended!
September 4, 2020
I must say this book is more mature that I am. My thirst for revenge was not sated. But I still quite liked this!
The story is as the blurb says, Jonty is a very quirky character who has had a hell of a live, full of injustices and abandon. Devon is a successful guy who got cheated on, in a very brutal way, were a family member was involved in the cheating. Anyways, at 2% mark I was so mad I thought I was gonna get an ulcer, then Devon goes away for a work job and meets Jonty, and i stopped pulling my hair because of rage. Thank you author!
The relationship of these two characters was sweet, fast, and full of mutual healing/understanding, i think they crossed paths when both needed someone, and they became that to each other. I must admit that sometimes Jonty got annoying to me, but is something totally personal, I don't like people who talk a lot, and reading it is no different. Thank god it was in dual POV, so I could understand why he does it, but still I'm bitchy about it! It's me, not the sweet guy. 😂
Apart from romance there were two other important stuffs happening: 1. The cheating, that involves Ravi, Devon's brother and his whole family; 2. The stalking done by Brad, fucking Brad. The development of the stalker thing was really well done, he ended up in jail. 👏👏
For the cheating part I just have to say:
Dear author, I wanted to see Ravi burn, I wanted him humiliated, or at least exposed very publicly for who he was, you are obviously a really mature person because that's how it was handled: by not giving it importance. But as a Latin woman, grown with telenovelas, I needed my revenge. So that's something that is unsolved in my head and won't let me sleep. I now it was handled as it should in real life, but jesus I wanted more!
Still it was a beautiful hurt/comfort story. Can't wait to read Tay's story because I cried for him a lot, and I want him happy. ❤
The story is as the blurb says, Jonty is a very quirky character who has had a hell of a live, full of injustices and abandon. Devon is a successful guy who got cheated on, in a very brutal way, were a family member was involved in the cheating. Anyways, at 2% mark I was so mad I thought I was gonna get an ulcer, then Devon goes away for a work job and meets Jonty, and i stopped pulling my hair because of rage. Thank you author!
The relationship of these two characters was sweet, fast, and full of mutual healing/understanding, i think they crossed paths when both needed someone, and they became that to each other. I must admit that sometimes Jonty got annoying to me, but is something totally personal, I don't like people who talk a lot, and reading it is no different. Thank god it was in dual POV, so I could understand why he does it, but still I'm bitchy about it! It's me, not the sweet guy. 😂
Apart from romance there were two other important stuffs happening: 1. The cheating, that involves Ravi, Devon's brother and his whole family; 2. The stalking done by Brad, fucking Brad. The development of the stalker thing was really well done, he ended up in jail. 👏👏
For the cheating part I just have to say:
Dear author, I wanted to see Ravi burn, I wanted him humiliated, or at least exposed very publicly for who he was, you are obviously a really mature person because that's how it was handled: by not giving it importance. But as a Latin woman, grown with telenovelas, I needed my revenge. So that's something that is unsolved in my head and won't let me sleep. I now it was handled as it should in real life, but jesus I wanted more!
Still it was a beautiful hurt/comfort story. Can't wait to read Tay's story because I cried for him a lot, and I want him happy. ❤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2020
This was beautiful, funny, sexy, gorgeous. But it was also heavy. The first few chapters were full of smiles, Jonty and Devan’s meeting was hilarious and once they click, they are amazing together. I smiled my way through the first half of the book.
But my heart kept breaking again and again for Jonty. I had to stop reading at some point in the later chapters. Not completely, but I had to put it down for a couple of hours because it was just too much.
No worries, there is a HEA and the book ends on a very positive note. And Jonty and Devan were perfect together.
❤️
But my heart kept breaking again and again for Jonty. I had to stop reading at some point in the later chapters. Not completely, but I had to put it down for a couple of hours because it was just too much.
No worries, there is a HEA and the book ends on a very positive note. And Jonty and Devan were perfect together.
❤️
July 12, 2020
Well...I overall liked this but did not love it like many of my friends. Friends who I tend to agree with on many, many books! So maybe it’s me not the book. Or maybe it’s just that we are all different and the chances of agreeing every time are slim to none. And that’s totally ok! 😄 For me, there was a lot to like but too much that irritated me to bump it into the love category. I’ve tried two previous books by this author and have loved one and not cared for the other. So I’m 1/3 now I guess. Or maybe 1.5/3 because I didn’t dislike this one. I’m bad at math.
As always, let’s start with the good!
✔️Jonty made me laugh! I loved the humor. I loved how he spoke without thinking. I loved his snark.
✔️The pairing of damaged Sunshine with damaged Uptight. Very unstoppable force meets unmovable object. Loved this!
✔️Delicious chemistry and very sexy! 🔥
✔️Solid writing.
✔️Hurt/comfort
What took this from love to like?
🔴An over abundance of drama. I felt like I was hit nonstop with it. We had Jonty’s ex, Devan’s brother and ex, Jonty’s friend and the hotel drama. It was a lot for me.
🔴While the writing was solid, I found myself irritated and distracted with how so many thoughts the characters had were put in first person narrative within the third person POV. I might be wording this wrong or not explaining correctly. But there would be the usual third person POV and then a first person thought in lighter font. It didn’t work for me.
🔴 Fast love. While no actual I love you’s were exchanged early, this relationship moved a bit too quickly for me.
I would still check out more of this author’s books in the future, including book two of this series. There was much to like about this book. I simply couldn’t love it with all my heart.
As always, let’s start with the good!
✔️Jonty made me laugh! I loved the humor. I loved how he spoke without thinking. I loved his snark.
✔️The pairing of damaged Sunshine with damaged Uptight. Very unstoppable force meets unmovable object. Loved this!
✔️Delicious chemistry and very sexy! 🔥
✔️Solid writing.
✔️Hurt/comfort
What took this from love to like?
🔴An over abundance of drama. I felt like I was hit nonstop with it. We had Jonty’s ex, Devan’s brother and ex, Jonty’s friend and the hotel drama. It was a lot for me.
🔴While the writing was solid, I found myself irritated and distracted with how so many thoughts the characters had were put in first person narrative within the third person POV. I might be wording this wrong or not explaining correctly. But there would be the usual third person POV and then a first person thought in lighter font. It didn’t work for me.
🔴 Fast love. While no actual I love you’s were exchanged early, this relationship moved a bit too quickly for me.
I would still check out more of this author’s books in the future, including book two of this series. There was much to like about this book. I simply couldn’t love it with all my heart.
January 26, 2021
3.5 stars.
I fell a little bit in love with Devan and a lot in love with Jonty. The way they came together in this book and fell in love was beautiful, heartwarming, romantic and emotional. Jonty was sunshine personified even though all the shit he had been through and Devan was so caring and loving, he just needed to meet Jonty and his sunshine to let his past hurts go.
While I loved all this, there was a lot going on. And I mean a lot. With Devans mother and brother being delusional, Devan's crazy, cheating ex, Jonty's stalker ex, his best friends accident and shitty parents. There was a lot to keep track of. I feel that this book could have been like a hundred pages shorter and still the really good book it is.
With that said, I literally couldn't put this book down. It's a read I'm going to remember for a long time for sure.
I fell a little bit in love with Devan and a lot in love with Jonty. The way they came together in this book and fell in love was beautiful, heartwarming, romantic and emotional. Jonty was sunshine personified even though all the shit he had been through and Devan was so caring and loving, he just needed to meet Jonty and his sunshine to let his past hurts go.
While I loved all this, there was a lot going on. And I mean a lot. With Devans mother and brother being delusional, Devan's crazy, cheating ex, Jonty's stalker ex, his best friends accident and shitty parents. There was a lot to keep track of. I feel that this book could have been like a hundred pages shorter and still the really good book it is.
With that said, I literally couldn't put this book down. It's a read I'm going to remember for a long time for sure.
July 8, 2020
Absolutely loved this book. Sweet, beautiful funny and kind. Jonty Bloom is the character you would love to have as a friend. He had faced enormous challenges and abuse and yet he found a reason to smile and be optimistic. Devan was the surly angry man who was deeply hurt and looking for a place to lick his wounds. The clash of these two was wonderful ❤️ really adorable
September 24, 2021
(sunshine/grumpy, age gap, class difference, hurt/comfort)
"What’s going through your mind?" Devan whispered.
“I’m wondering if you’re going to break my heart.”
“If you don’t give me another chance, you’re going to break mine.”
tw: rape, stalking, physical abuse, emotional abuse, cheating
The Making of Jonty Bloom has a lot of good things going for it, the best being Jonty. Jonty is a quintessentially quirky, endearing character with a zest for life. He's the sunshine to Devan's grumpy. He talks a mile per minute and goes off on weird conversational tangents. His silly humor and love of people brings joy wherever he goes. But he also uses his humor to deflect and hide a traumatic past—a physically abusive father, a mother who abandoned him as a child and an ex-boyfriend turned stalker.
Devan Smith is bitter after discovering his fiancé in bed with his brother a day before their wedding. To make matters worse, his ex-fiancé and brother are about to wed and everyone expects him to make the best of the situation. Devan meets Jonty, a hotel worker, when he stays at Jonty's hotel for work. He's in a surly mood and mad at the world, but Jonty's irrepressible, cheeky personality breaks through his anger and despair and he starts feeling hope again for the first time in months.
Each MC struggles with his own insecurities—Jonty has never been loved by his parents or anyone else, and the betrayal by his ex-fiancé leaves Devan feeling gun-shy about relationships. There is an instant spark between our MCs, but Devan is rude and unapproachable. Jonty is still attracted to him despite his unapproachability, plus he craves a serious relationship with someone who’ll love him for who he is. I loved the way grumpy Devan turns out to be a caring, protective partner. Jonty needs someone to nurture him and be there for him through thick and thin and Devan ends up being that man.
Favorite Quotes
“You just…irritated me and make my cock twitch at the same time. That’s quite a skill.”
“They were from two different worlds, but they would make a planet of their own.”
“Are you gay?”…“You pick now to ask me that? Why?”
“It’s annoying me that I can’t tell whether you are or not. I think it’s partly because you haven’t stared at my arse. Unless you did it when I wasn’t looking. I suppose if I was walking away from you, I wouldn’t notice.”
“Do you voice every thought you have?”
“When I’m nervous. Are you gay?”
“Yes. Are you?”
“Ah.” Jonty grinned. “Now you’ll wonder like I did.”
"What’s going through your mind?" Devan whispered.
“I’m wondering if you’re going to break my heart.”
“If you don’t give me another chance, you’re going to break mine.”
tw: rape, stalking, physical abuse, emotional abuse, cheating
The Making of Jonty Bloom has a lot of good things going for it, the best being Jonty. Jonty is a quintessentially quirky, endearing character with a zest for life. He's the sunshine to Devan's grumpy. He talks a mile per minute and goes off on weird conversational tangents. His silly humor and love of people brings joy wherever he goes. But he also uses his humor to deflect and hide a traumatic past—a physically abusive father, a mother who abandoned him as a child and an ex-boyfriend turned stalker.
Devan Smith is bitter after discovering his fiancé in bed with his brother a day before their wedding. To make matters worse, his ex-fiancé and brother are about to wed and everyone expects him to make the best of the situation. Devan meets Jonty, a hotel worker, when he stays at Jonty's hotel for work. He's in a surly mood and mad at the world, but Jonty's irrepressible, cheeky personality breaks through his anger and despair and he starts feeling hope again for the first time in months.
Each MC struggles with his own insecurities—Jonty has never been loved by his parents or anyone else, and the betrayal by his ex-fiancé leaves Devan feeling gun-shy about relationships. There is an instant spark between our MCs, but Devan is rude and unapproachable. Jonty is still attracted to him despite his unapproachability, plus he craves a serious relationship with someone who’ll love him for who he is. I loved the way grumpy Devan turns out to be a caring, protective partner. Jonty needs someone to nurture him and be there for him through thick and thin and Devan ends up being that man.
Favorite Quotes
“You just…irritated me and make my cock twitch at the same time. That’s quite a skill.”
“They were from two different worlds, but they would make a planet of their own.”
“Are you gay?”…“You pick now to ask me that? Why?”
“It’s annoying me that I can’t tell whether you are or not. I think it’s partly because you haven’t stared at my arse. Unless you did it when I wasn’t looking. I suppose if I was walking away from you, I wouldn’t notice.”
“Do you voice every thought you have?”
“When I’m nervous. Are you gay?”
“Yes. Are you?”
“Ah.” Jonty grinned. “Now you’ll wonder like I did.”
January 28, 2025
EDIT: Jan 28, 2025
4.25 stars 4.5 stars as I've recommended this book over and over, and have such fond memories of reading it.
Oh, Jonty is simply divine. Funny. Lovely. Smart. Broken. The banter is just hilarious. But there are some very dark places in this story, too. Heartbreaking to witness. I loved Jonty, and Devan is not only his hero but mine, too. A wonderful, oft suspenseful, whirlwind romance.
Well written and edited. Gorgeous atmosphere you could scoop with a spoon. Beautifully drawn characters.
What would have bumped it up to five stars?
- More extensive world building
- A mention of counseling at the end
- Details about Tay's ongoing recovery in the epilogue
- Shorter sex scenes (Not a fan of this much sex in a book, but considering who this story is about... I understand. Shorter scenes would have satisfied.)
-Killing off a certain person's parents. This one I'm leaving...
All in all, a glorious romance. I truly loved it. One I probably will never forget. All hail Barbara Elsborg!
BTW, Ms. Elsborg, Joel Lesie would be the PERFECT voice actor to bring this story to life on audio.
Oh, Jonty is simply divine. Funny. Lovely. Smart. Broken. The banter is just hilarious. But there are some very dark places in this story, too. Heartbreaking to witness. I loved Jonty, and Devan is not only his hero but mine, too. A wonderful, oft suspenseful, whirlwind romance.
Well written and edited. Gorgeous atmosphere you could scoop with a spoon. Beautifully drawn characters.
What would have bumped it up to five stars?
- More extensive world building
- A mention of counseling at the end
- Details about Tay's ongoing recovery in the epilogue
- Shorter sex scenes (Not a fan of this much sex in a book, but considering who this story is about... I understand. Shorter scenes would have satisfied.)
-
All in all, a glorious romance. I truly loved it. One I probably will never forget. All hail Barbara Elsborg!
BTW, Ms. Elsborg, Joel Lesie would be the PERFECT voice actor to bring this story to life on audio.
July 11, 2020
3.5 stars
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