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Ann Arbor Hearts #1
Awkward Hearts
Liam
I've always known I'm socially awkward, if not downright socially inept, over-analyzing every little thing and second-guessing myself constantly. I'm under no delusions that I'm "normal." With my upbringing, I probably wouldn't even know what "normal" was if it walked up and hit me on my Speedo-clad @ss.
Lately, I'm starting to wonder if I should add "asexual" to my list of eccentric character traits. I've had some experiences in the distant past, but they went so badly I lost what little interest in intimacy I'd managed to muster up.
I'm so busy worrying about that, as well as trying to find a job after graduating from school, that my three besties take me on vacation to clear my head. While there, I meet a handsome scientist named Blaze and soon I'm feeling heat I know isn't just from the sun warming up Lake Erie.
Is it possible that Blaze is rekindling desires in me I thought were long gone, if they ever existed at all? Will I freak out and ruin it like I always do with everything good that comes along in my life? Especially when I find out that Blaze has issues of his own he's dealing with, or, should I say, not dealing with?
Blaze
I'm on vacation to psych myself up to come out at work. I have to, since my boss keeps acting like I'm going to marry his daughter so that he can hand off his pharmaceutical research company to us.
I'm quickly distracted from my goal when I meet shy, nerdy and smoking hot Liam Kingsley at the lake. But holy bubble butt, Batboy: how could I not notice Zeus-in-a-Speedo? And how can I resist pursuing him?
I figure this is the perfect opportunity to have a fling, but apparently Liam's too flaky for that. That boy has issues and leave it to me to be attracted to crazy.
I tell myself to forget about him as I head back home. But time passes and I still haven't solved my dilemma at work, when who shows up there but Mr. Bubble Butt himself. He's gotten a job at the same company I'm set to take over, as long as I keep pretending to be straight.
Apparently fate has brought Liam back into my life, and I can't resist wanting him in my bed. If only he would let go of his insecurities long enough for me to get him there.
Has he already gotten into my head and my heart? And what will that mean for the drama that's unfolding at work?
Awkward Hearts is a full-length male/male coming out office romance novel full of heat, humor and heart. It's a standalone with a very happily ever after and no cliffhanger or cheating. Fall in love with these two nerdy, handsome guys who start out the Ann Arbor Hearts series, which will feature connected friends living in the same city.
I've always known I'm socially awkward, if not downright socially inept, over-analyzing every little thing and second-guessing myself constantly. I'm under no delusions that I'm "normal." With my upbringing, I probably wouldn't even know what "normal" was if it walked up and hit me on my Speedo-clad @ss.
Lately, I'm starting to wonder if I should add "asexual" to my list of eccentric character traits. I've had some experiences in the distant past, but they went so badly I lost what little interest in intimacy I'd managed to muster up.
I'm so busy worrying about that, as well as trying to find a job after graduating from school, that my three besties take me on vacation to clear my head. While there, I meet a handsome scientist named Blaze and soon I'm feeling heat I know isn't just from the sun warming up Lake Erie.
Is it possible that Blaze is rekindling desires in me I thought were long gone, if they ever existed at all? Will I freak out and ruin it like I always do with everything good that comes along in my life? Especially when I find out that Blaze has issues of his own he's dealing with, or, should I say, not dealing with?
Blaze
I'm on vacation to psych myself up to come out at work. I have to, since my boss keeps acting like I'm going to marry his daughter so that he can hand off his pharmaceutical research company to us.
I'm quickly distracted from my goal when I meet shy, nerdy and smoking hot Liam Kingsley at the lake. But holy bubble butt, Batboy: how could I not notice Zeus-in-a-Speedo? And how can I resist pursuing him?
I figure this is the perfect opportunity to have a fling, but apparently Liam's too flaky for that. That boy has issues and leave it to me to be attracted to crazy.
I tell myself to forget about him as I head back home. But time passes and I still haven't solved my dilemma at work, when who shows up there but Mr. Bubble Butt himself. He's gotten a job at the same company I'm set to take over, as long as I keep pretending to be straight.
Apparently fate has brought Liam back into my life, and I can't resist wanting him in my bed. If only he would let go of his insecurities long enough for me to get him there.
Has he already gotten into my head and my heart? And what will that mean for the drama that's unfolding at work?
Awkward Hearts is a full-length male/male coming out office romance novel full of heat, humor and heart. It's a standalone with a very happily ever after and no cliffhanger or cheating. Fall in love with these two nerdy, handsome guys who start out the Ann Arbor Hearts series, which will feature connected friends living in the same city.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2019
166 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Ian Finn
30 books71 followersIan Finn is a male/male contemporary romance author who writes books full of heat and feels.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. This is the male/male romance author.
This is Ian^^Finn, where ^=space.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. This is the male/male romance author.
This is Ian^^Finn, where ^=space.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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August 30, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/6/2019)! 🎁
July 6, 2020
Great story with a valuable lesson.
3.75 stars
This book was, for me at least, just a bit too lengthy and the one MC, Liam, was a tad too insecure through most of the plot. (Probably on purpose, as it's this insecurity that allows Blaze, the other MC, to meet and eventually establish a relationship with Liam.)
So much occurred in the story for me to delve into it all. Briefly, the main plot revolves around the relationship development between Blaze, the older MC by 4 years at 29, and Liam, a basically inexperienced, very insecure and "never truly loved" younger man. Through a series of miscues, misunderstandings and plain old fears, our stumbling duo manage to overcome Liam's faults and foibles and Blaze's sexual needs and oversight of Liam's feelings to bond and consummate a relationship.
There are many roadblocks along the way to their future together. Some are sad, some are funny and a few are outright frightening. But with Blaze steadily building Liam's confidence and self-esteem and Liam gradually shedding his sexual hangups and social anxieties, the two find that their budding relationship begins to bloom.
There is a lot of heat, anger, forgiveness, humor and sadness in this story, all intermingled with magnificent craftsmanship by the author. I did find, however, the writer's sentence structuring rather peculiar and halting at times. To clarify, commas seemed to be placed at odd places within many sentences, breaking the flow and readability of the moment. Many instances this forced me to reread the sentence, thus consuming more time as well as being frustrating.
Otherwise, this was an enjoyable read in the M/M genre. Every book has its flaws and this book is no exception. But the ending and subsequent HEA made it all worthwhile.
3.75 stars
This book was, for me at least, just a bit too lengthy and the one MC, Liam, was a tad too insecure through most of the plot. (Probably on purpose, as it's this insecurity that allows Blaze, the other MC, to meet and eventually establish a relationship with Liam.)
So much occurred in the story for me to delve into it all. Briefly, the main plot revolves around the relationship development between Blaze, the older MC by 4 years at 29, and Liam, a basically inexperienced, very insecure and "never truly loved" younger man. Through a series of miscues, misunderstandings and plain old fears, our stumbling duo manage to overcome Liam's faults and foibles and Blaze's sexual needs and oversight of Liam's feelings to bond and consummate a relationship.
There are many roadblocks along the way to their future together. Some are sad, some are funny and a few are outright frightening. But with Blaze steadily building Liam's confidence and self-esteem and Liam gradually shedding his sexual hangups and social anxieties, the two find that their budding relationship begins to bloom.
There is a lot of heat, anger, forgiveness, humor and sadness in this story, all intermingled with magnificent craftsmanship by the author. I did find, however, the writer's sentence structuring rather peculiar and halting at times. To clarify, commas seemed to be placed at odd places within many sentences, breaking the flow and readability of the moment. Many instances this forced me to reread the sentence, thus consuming more time as well as being frustrating.
Otherwise, this was an enjoyable read in the M/M genre. Every book has its flaws and this book is no exception. But the ending and subsequent HEA made it all worthwhile.
February 23, 2021
It's funny how I had low expectations for this book and it STILL managed to disappoint me.
I kinda already knew I would hate this, after only a few chapters and there are many many reasons for it.
So the book is told - and that's important - from the POV of our two MC's. Like I said, it's told, it's not shown. I was told how character X is shy so often I started having nightmares of the word 'shy'. We never see proof of anything the author and the author characters claim. We are only a few pages in when we get told about all the characters traits of one of our MC's and his backstory and everything you sure as hell didn't need to know. The most funny thing to me was, when the two Mc's talked to each other using small talk and than one of them claimed: We got along so well. Like lol, no you didn't? They had 0 chemistry. But to hide that fact, we got told how they feel and how they enjoy each other while we never see them actually get close on page. Like, they do hang out, that's not what I'm saying, it's just that we never feel them grow something like a relationship. Unless you are in for the sex, because yes. They do have very long sex.
At one point one of them trys telling me the reader: I wish X understood I wanted more from him than sex. And I had to laugh. At which point in the story did we establish that? The second you guys met you fell in insta-lust with each other. You never connacted, you never bothered to really understand and get to know each other. For a 'love' story, there really isn't that much love happening.
I also hated one - if not both - of our Mc's for two completly different reasons. One was horny on main and the other ... well, let's talk about the other. Our 'I might be ace' guy. I am ace and I'm pretty sensitive when a book markets itself the way this book did. It kinda screamed 'fix it' storyline. And the thing is, it could be a fix it storyline. A lot of it is in there. IF the author had actually used the word asexual somewhere in there, it could even have been one. Because some phrases and scenes make it look like it. In case you don't know what I'm talking about: You aren't ace, you just haven't met the right guy yet. You aren't ace, you just haven't had good sex yet. Makes you wonder, if one the earlier drafts included more acephobia. Especially with a blurb like this. So to hear our poor Liam tell us how he wished he was 'normal' and how he kinda trys to virgin shame himself, makes reading his POV ... not that great.
I also didn't like any of the side characters, because for one ) they could have been replaced with a lamp, and nothing would have changed but also ) they were just not flashed out, at all. Which happens when they are just there to incourage Liam to have sex and nothing else.
The plot - if you wanna call it that - was not good at all either, because we need to rely on miscommunication as a plot device a lot. We also use the good old 'we could talk with each other, but if we did this book would be over in maybe 20 pages' tactic :)
I don't know if there even is anything in this book that I enjoyed. Maybe some physological quotes that were just in there to lecture me and to tell me how to feel .... so yeah I didn't like those either.
So yeah, this was probably one of the worst books I've ever read. :)
I kinda already knew I would hate this, after only a few chapters and there are many many reasons for it.
So the book is told - and that's important - from the POV of our two MC's. Like I said, it's told, it's not shown. I was told how character X is shy so often I started having nightmares of the word 'shy'. We never see proof of anything the author and the author characters claim. We are only a few pages in when we get told about all the characters traits of one of our MC's and his backstory and everything you sure as hell didn't need to know. The most funny thing to me was, when the two Mc's talked to each other using small talk and than one of them claimed: We got along so well. Like lol, no you didn't? They had 0 chemistry. But to hide that fact, we got told how they feel and how they enjoy each other while we never see them actually get close on page. Like, they do hang out, that's not what I'm saying, it's just that we never feel them grow something like a relationship. Unless you are in for the sex, because yes. They do have very long sex.
At one point one of them trys telling me the reader: I wish X understood I wanted more from him than sex. And I had to laugh. At which point in the story did we establish that? The second you guys met you fell in insta-lust with each other. You never connacted, you never bothered to really understand and get to know each other. For a 'love' story, there really isn't that much love happening.
I also hated one - if not both - of our Mc's for two completly different reasons. One was horny on main and the other ... well, let's talk about the other. Our 'I might be ace' guy. I am ace and I'm pretty sensitive when a book markets itself the way this book did. It kinda screamed 'fix it' storyline. And the thing is, it could be a fix it storyline. A lot of it is in there. IF the author had actually used the word asexual somewhere in there, it could even have been one. Because some phrases and scenes make it look like it. In case you don't know what I'm talking about: You aren't ace, you just haven't met the right guy yet. You aren't ace, you just haven't had good sex yet. Makes you wonder, if one the earlier drafts included more acephobia. Especially with a blurb like this. So to hear our poor Liam tell us how he wished he was 'normal' and how he kinda trys to virgin shame himself, makes reading his POV ... not that great.
I also didn't like any of the side characters, because for one ) they could have been replaced with a lamp, and nothing would have changed but also ) they were just not flashed out, at all. Which happens when they are just there to incourage Liam to have sex and nothing else.
The plot - if you wanna call it that - was not good at all either, because we need to rely on miscommunication as a plot device a lot. We also use the good old 'we could talk with each other, but if we did this book would be over in maybe 20 pages' tactic :)
I don't know if there even is anything in this book that I enjoyed. Maybe some physological quotes that were just in there to lecture me and to tell me how to feel .... so yeah I didn't like those either.
So yeah, this was probably one of the worst books I've ever read. :)
January 5, 2020
I wrote a lot of notes on the first couple of chapters of this.. I hope the author reads them. The book could have been good, but the editing was so poor that I had to skim through most of the second half of the book.
The character development was nearly non-existent as was with the plot. There really didn’t feel like there were many redeeming qualities about anyone in the book because I think most of the story was in the author’s head.
My creative writing professors would always say “show, don’t tell.” If you want someone to believe another person is beautiful, you don’t say they are, you describe it until they feel it. This book was a lot of the author telling and expecting you to see or feel it.
Hopefully the notes are read and help the author do better next time.
The character development was nearly non-existent as was with the plot. There really didn’t feel like there were many redeeming qualities about anyone in the book because I think most of the story was in the author’s head.
My creative writing professors would always say “show, don’t tell.” If you want someone to believe another person is beautiful, you don’t say they are, you describe it until they feel it. This book was a lot of the author telling and expecting you to see or feel it.
Hopefully the notes are read and help the author do better next time.
March 21, 2020
Beach Vacations
Office dual point of view
Standalone
Blaze’s boss wants him to take over the top spot at the company and marry his daughter, Nicole. Blaze is trying to figure his way out of this when he meets a cute guy he can’t get enough of on vacation. Coming clean about wanting the lab tech means giving up the top spot or does it?
Liked Monica. Blaze seemed overly understanding as did Pruitt. Wanted to know more about Colton. There was a lot going on.
Office dual point of view
Standalone
Blaze’s boss wants him to take over the top spot at the company and marry his daughter, Nicole. Blaze is trying to figure his way out of this when he meets a cute guy he can’t get enough of on vacation. Coming clean about wanting the lab tech means giving up the top spot or does it?
Liked Monica. Blaze seemed overly understanding as did Pruitt. Wanted to know more about Colton. There was a lot going on.
July 29, 2021
Loved it!
I live in Ann Arbor and know all of the geographical references made in the book. It’s fun to read that the four friends plan lunch at the city’s best known vegetarian restaurant, or that dinner with dad takes place at The Chop House, my favorite place for special evenings. I got so damn frustrated with Liam and his “flightiness” but I knew all would end well. I’m looking forward to reading the next two books in the series!! Thank you so much Ian!
I live in Ann Arbor and know all of the geographical references made in the book. It’s fun to read that the four friends plan lunch at the city’s best known vegetarian restaurant, or that dinner with dad takes place at The Chop House, my favorite place for special evenings. I got so damn frustrated with Liam and his “flightiness” but I knew all would end well. I’m looking forward to reading the next two books in the series!! Thank you so much Ian!
December 20, 2022
Character development 3 stars.
Storyline 3 stars.
Editing 1 star.
This story felt exactly that...a story. I wasn't hooked on the characters. All of the missed edits drove me absolutely crazy. The spicy bits of the story were like a firework, there and then gone with nothing but a small amount of smoke to prove that it ever happened.
I wasn't a fan. I won't be reading any more by Ian Finn for a while. Sorry.
Storyline 3 stars.
Editing 1 star.
This story felt exactly that...a story. I wasn't hooked on the characters. All of the missed edits drove me absolutely crazy. The spicy bits of the story were like a firework, there and then gone with nothing but a small amount of smoke to prove that it ever happened.
I wasn't a fan. I won't be reading any more by Ian Finn for a while. Sorry.
March 16, 2021
Easy read
The story was an easy read. It tells the life of two people who are each coming into themselves but don't have the confidence needed to push forward. With the help of friends they are finally finding their way.
The story was an easy read. It tells the life of two people who are each coming into themselves but don't have the confidence needed to push forward. With the help of friends they are finally finding their way.
March 18, 2022
First of all, I love this author and his books always give me lots of feelings.
I was immediately engaged with Liam feelings and behaviour and my eyes were wet for him, I could relate with his irrational fears so much, his social anxiety and his insecurities 😢
For most of the book I felt the romance was ok but most of all I was in love with Liam. This is common in other books from Iann Fin where what's most engaging to me is how much I can relate or emphasize with one character and just cry for them.
In the first half, all I could think was Liam is so much smarter than Blaze, whereas Blaze has been a j3rk with him on and off from page one, doesn't think of other people's perspectives and feelings and doesn't think of the consequences of his own actions in the long run.
Well it does get much better in the second half, Blaze really becomes the man that Liam deserves and understands that this makes himself a better man too.
And oh Ian Finn's HEAs are always the sweetest!
I loved the last chapter and the epilogue!
I was immediately engaged with Liam feelings and behaviour and my eyes were wet for him, I could relate with his irrational fears so much, his social anxiety and his insecurities 😢
For most of the book I felt the romance was ok but most of all I was in love with Liam. This is common in other books from Iann Fin where what's most engaging to me is how much I can relate or emphasize with one character and just cry for them.
In the first half, all I could think was Liam is so much smarter than Blaze, whereas Blaze has been a j3rk with him on and off from page one, doesn't think of other people's perspectives and feelings and doesn't think of the consequences of his own actions in the long run.
Well it does get much better in the second half, Blaze really becomes the man that Liam deserves and understands that this makes himself a better man too.
And oh Ian Finn's HEAs are always the sweetest!
I loved the last chapter and the epilogue!
November 16, 2020
Could use some editing but story was cute.
Currently reading
January 11, 2021Awkward Hearts is a believable work of fiction. I definitely recommend reading this book, it you are interested in this genre.
January 31, 2021
Skimmed. Not my style. I needed more substance to the story & better character development. Parts of the story were not believable or realistic.
February 21, 2021
Awkward Hearts
A well written book, with an emotional storyline. The book has friendship, family issues and happiness. The characters are incredible.
A well written book, with an emotional storyline. The book has friendship, family issues and happiness. The characters are incredible.
October 2, 2019
Good romance
4.5
Excellent romance, different from the approach of the two characters whose professional context, love or their personal experiences, mingle to the point of creating problematic situations when everything could have been simple. The societal question raised between homosexuality and career at the head of the management of a pharmaceutical company is interesting.
Liam is shy and inexperienced, as for Blaze, he is more sure of himself but his boss does not know he is gay and he wants him to marry to his daughter. So Blaze must choose between his career and what he is, but can not bring himself to talk to his boss. To think about his problem, Blaze goes on vacations and he meets Liam, but Liam's shyness and inexperience contradicts his heart and he misses his chance until they find themselves in the same enterprise.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
4.5
Excellent romance, different from the approach of the two characters whose professional context, love or their personal experiences, mingle to the point of creating problematic situations when everything could have been simple. The societal question raised between homosexuality and career at the head of the management of a pharmaceutical company is interesting.
Liam is shy and inexperienced, as for Blaze, he is more sure of himself but his boss does not know he is gay and he wants him to marry to his daughter. So Blaze must choose between his career and what he is, but can not bring himself to talk to his boss. To think about his problem, Blaze goes on vacations and he meets Liam, but Liam's shyness and inexperience contradicts his heart and he misses his chance until they find themselves in the same enterprise.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
October 5, 2019
A intriguing second-chance MM romance with a well-paced, interesting plot & delightfully, perfectly flawed characters. There is some good support from the secondary characters.
There is: a smart & confident man (Blaze) with secrets & has a decision to make, his CEO/ boss (Pruitt) determined to get Blaze to marry his daughter (Nicole), her boyfriend (Bodhi), a shy & rather innocent young male nerd (Liam), mild twists, drama, some intrigue, family issues, secrets, deceit, lies, attractions, anxiety, memories, caring friends, indecision, jealousy, misunderstandings, emotional turmoil, explanations, distrust, forgiveness, attempted manipulation, disagreements, a ultimatum, well-meaning confrontation, vulnerability, acceptance, surprises, happiness, love, some steam & a wonderful epilogue.
There is: a smart & confident man (Blaze) with secrets & has a decision to make, his CEO/ boss (Pruitt) determined to get Blaze to marry his daughter (Nicole), her boyfriend (Bodhi), a shy & rather innocent young male nerd (Liam), mild twists, drama, some intrigue, family issues, secrets, deceit, lies, attractions, anxiety, memories, caring friends, indecision, jealousy, misunderstandings, emotional turmoil, explanations, distrust, forgiveness, attempted manipulation, disagreements, a ultimatum, well-meaning confrontation, vulnerability, acceptance, surprises, happiness, love, some steam & a wonderful epilogue.
September 29, 2019
At first, Nicole abd Blaze had my empathy for their situation, but the fact that they LIVED and perpetuated that lie to Pruitt and others made me do a 180. It was beyond selfish to do this for 6 years. It was so unfair to their partners and their boss/family. They didn't deserve happiness b/c they were cowards and not worthy to be partners. How could either one live a double life of lies, and bury their truths away?? Typically, tragedy brings forth truths and the fact that we all have an expiration date stamped at conception and are not immortal. I wanted Blaze and Nicole to be better (honest) people than they were b/c they cheated themselves out of a lit of life, love, and time that is irreplaceable!! The ending is swoon worthy!
October 4, 2019
Liam and Blaze met while on vacations. It was a disastrous beginning but life gave them a second chance. Liam is totally shy with a bit of fear of intimacy. Blaze is a young guy who has made it in the corporate world, confident and smart. Their romance is rather bumpy but when it really gets going is sweet and very sexy. I loved the father figure from Pruitt, their friends and even Nicole. It’s a great read.
September 29, 2019
I liked this story. Blaze and Liam had good chemistry throughout, and were good for each other in many ways. (The description fails to show all the sweetness between these characters.) Overall, it was enjoyable to read.
September 29, 2019
Great book
I really enjoyed this book,sometimes you don’t get the right family sometimes you have to make your own.The author did a wonderful job writing this book
I really enjoyed this book,sometimes you don’t get the right family sometimes you have to make your own.The author did a wonderful job writing this book
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews