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Growing Pains #1
Gentle Hands
Matthew East's boyfriend is stupidly attractive, maddeningly arrogant, frustratingly distant, and also not really his boyfriend.
Working as an escort to put himself through college, Matthew had thought he'd seen it all already. He's proven wrong when high-powered lawyer Tom Pennwood books him for the evening only to ask Matthew to help him fake a relationship.
It's a simple deal: Tom gets to appease his demanding parents by fooling them into thinking he has finally settled down. Matthew gets paid a life-changing amount of money. They both get to experience an unending amount of sexual frustration due to Tom's determination to keep their deal as strictly business, with no other benefits involved. Pretty straight forward, right?
Being a cynical workaholic with no time for love, Tom should, logically, repel Matthew on all levels that aren't physical. Yet his infuriating aloofness only serves to intrigue Matthew even more, and he finds himself unable to shake the belief that, despite how much Tom denies it, there's warmth beneath all of those layers of ice.
*** Gentle Hands is book 1 in the Growing Pains Series and can be read as a standalone. This is a lighthearted MM romance featuring enemies-to-lovers and a fake relationship, with no cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
Working as an escort to put himself through college, Matthew had thought he'd seen it all already. He's proven wrong when high-powered lawyer Tom Pennwood books him for the evening only to ask Matthew to help him fake a relationship.
It's a simple deal: Tom gets to appease his demanding parents by fooling them into thinking he has finally settled down. Matthew gets paid a life-changing amount of money. They both get to experience an unending amount of sexual frustration due to Tom's determination to keep their deal as strictly business, with no other benefits involved. Pretty straight forward, right?
Being a cynical workaholic with no time for love, Tom should, logically, repel Matthew on all levels that aren't physical. Yet his infuriating aloofness only serves to intrigue Matthew even more, and he finds himself unable to shake the belief that, despite how much Tom denies it, there's warmth beneath all of those layers of ice.
*** Gentle Hands is book 1 in the Growing Pains Series and can be read as a standalone. This is a lighthearted MM romance featuring enemies-to-lovers and a fake relationship, with no cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2020
22 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 9, 2020
Tom is an asshole and I loved it, really well done!
An Enemies-to-Lovers, Fake Relationship Story just how I want it!
When you look behind all those shields you’ll find something else too.
Matthew is a rentboy to finance his art study. He’s getting hired by Tom to show up at times Tom needs him as his fake boyfriend, to convince Tom’s parents he’s capable to finally take over the company with a steady relationship. He’ll be Matthew’s only customer for as long as needed.
The negotiations between both men are going rough but in the end, they find some ground rules.
One of the rules: Be professional and don’t fall in love, as everybody else does.
Matthew is professional so duh, he can handle the icy and grumpy attitude from Tom.
It’s a challenge for Tom to keep the bright and honest Matthew out of his business and life. It’s unintended but Matthew falls hard for Tom. No way he’ll ever let him know.
“Affection. Good for the soul; you should try it more.”
It’s a bit more complicated than what I said above. There are issues with the family and firm. There are stalkerish ex-customers who don’t accept a no.
And there is the intensity of the mutual attraction, a friendship can be nothing more.
Their characters had an awesome consistency. Tom and Matthew both with characteristics I loved. The battling was palpable and attractive.
A tiny tiny complain, at the very end the dynamic changed a bit where I wanted it to be the same, but that’s me of course.
Overall a very enjoyable and entertaining story. It costs me my night because I couldn’t put it down. I did first but I couldn’t sleep or stop thinking about them, so I spend my night reading. It is!
An Enemies-to-Lovers, Fake Relationship Story just how I want it!
When you look behind all those shields you’ll find something else too.
Matthew is a rentboy to finance his art study. He’s getting hired by Tom to show up at times Tom needs him as his fake boyfriend, to convince Tom’s parents he’s capable to finally take over the company with a steady relationship. He’ll be Matthew’s only customer for as long as needed.
The negotiations between both men are going rough but in the end, they find some ground rules.
One of the rules: Be professional and don’t fall in love, as everybody else does.
Matthew is professional so duh, he can handle the icy and grumpy attitude from Tom.
It’s a challenge for Tom to keep the bright and honest Matthew out of his business and life. It’s unintended but Matthew falls hard for Tom. No way he’ll ever let him know.
“Affection. Good for the soul; you should try it more.”
It’s a bit more complicated than what I said above. There are issues with the family and firm. There are stalkerish ex-customers who don’t accept a no.
And there is the intensity of the mutual attraction, a friendship can be nothing more.
Their characters had an awesome consistency. Tom and Matthew both with characteristics I loved. The battling was palpable and attractive.
A tiny tiny complain, at the very end the dynamic changed a bit where I wanted it to be the same, but that’s me of course.
Overall a very enjoyable and entertaining story. It costs me my night because I couldn’t put it down. I did first but I couldn’t sleep or stop thinking about them, so I spend my night reading. It is!
September 6, 2020
This book had the potential to be 5 stars for me ,but fell flat in the end. I need more than 10% of the book to for the MCS to finally get their $hit together. I spent all this time invested and rooting for the MCS and didn't get enough time with them admitting how they felt. I needed more at the end. There were a few problems for me in this book. Matthew's inability to admit he needed help with Oliver. When you are afraid to go home because someone is waiting who won't take a hint... Yes, that's called a stalker!! I also will NEVER understand when GROWN and WEALTHY men still live under their parents thumbs. Tom's parents are cold, elitist d-bags that he doesn't even like, so why does he care what they think!? It would be completely different if they were loving, and he didn't want to disappoint them, but that's not the case here. However, I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
August 31, 2020
Matthew and Tom
Told from Matthew’s POV
Rent boy plus fake relationship!
The premise had promise.
BUT Tom is super prickly and I really did not like him. I had no idea why Matthew liked him. Their chemistry was not really there and their repartee was not what I was hoping for.
Sadly, the book was pretty dull.
And the ending was not believable at all.
Told from Matthew’s POV
Rent boy plus fake relationship!
The premise had promise.
BUT Tom is super prickly and I really did not like him. I had no idea why Matthew liked him. Their chemistry was not really there and their repartee was not what I was hoping for.
Sadly, the book was pretty dull.
And the ending was not believable at all.
September 20, 2020
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This was a surprising discovery! I love fake relationships so when I saw this book at the KU catalogue, I felt like reading it.
This story has many different tropes: the already mentioned fake relationship, age gap, rent boy, enemies to lovers... In my opinion the age gap is nonexistent as a trope. With this K mean that yes, there's an age gap of more than ten years, but that doesn't influence the story even a bit: no one even says something about it.
And the enemies to lovers... It was not like that for me, but the author categorizes it so. It's true Tom's and Matthew's relationship starts bumpy, they meet fue to Matthew's job as an escort and Tom is dry and not very communicative... And set clear the non falling in love and non sex rule. But do they hate each other? Do they have a bad relationship? Do they dislike each other? Mmmm not really.
Labeling differences aside, I enjoyed this much more than I expected.
I haven't read many rent boy trope stories. I find them to be tricky, but this time I loved how the author developed it. Matthey doesn't hate being an escort, it's the easy way out from his money issues, but his dream is to earn his life from his art. When the offer to fake a relationship with the rich lawyee Tom comes across, he accepts without thinking twice: this chance will give him not only a lot of money but also time to look for a job in a gallery.
Tom, as said previously, is the kind of sullen characters that blossoms as the story goes. More than enemies to lovers, though, I would label this as opposites attract, since Tom and Matthew are like oil and water... But they work.
Matthew is the kind of carefree and persistent character that little by little gets under Tom's skin. No matter how both of them try to fight the chemistry they have, it's bound to happen. And when they finally surrender to the sexual tension between them, things start flowing. With all, theirs is a slowburn love that doesn't get finished until the very end. And I enjoyed it so very much exactly because of this: it's not a fast love, it takes time for both of them and the reader gets to witness from the front row the little details that prove they are falling in love.
The only thing that put me down was Oliver. I thing the author opted for the predictable outcome for him, I was expecting something bigger and more intense for Matthew's stalker. But well, I can't deny it worked nicely either way.
I already subscribed to the author's mailing list to read the bonus, which is told by Tom's POV and even though it's short is very cute and heartwarming.
I'm definitely going to check the author's future books!
This was a surprising discovery! I love fake relationships so when I saw this book at the KU catalogue, I felt like reading it.
This story has many different tropes: the already mentioned fake relationship, age gap, rent boy, enemies to lovers... In my opinion the age gap is nonexistent as a trope. With this K mean that yes, there's an age gap of more than ten years, but that doesn't influence the story even a bit: no one even says something about it.
And the enemies to lovers... It was not like that for me, but the author categorizes it so. It's true Tom's and Matthew's relationship starts bumpy, they meet fue to Matthew's job as an escort and Tom is dry and not very communicative... And set clear the non falling in love and non sex rule. But do they hate each other? Do they have a bad relationship? Do they dislike each other? Mmmm not really.
Labeling differences aside, I enjoyed this much more than I expected.
I haven't read many rent boy trope stories. I find them to be tricky, but this time I loved how the author developed it. Matthey doesn't hate being an escort, it's the easy way out from his money issues, but his dream is to earn his life from his art. When the offer to fake a relationship with the rich lawyee Tom comes across, he accepts without thinking twice: this chance will give him not only a lot of money but also time to look for a job in a gallery.
Tom, as said previously, is the kind of sullen characters that blossoms as the story goes. More than enemies to lovers, though, I would label this as opposites attract, since Tom and Matthew are like oil and water... But they work.
Matthew is the kind of carefree and persistent character that little by little gets under Tom's skin. No matter how both of them try to fight the chemistry they have, it's bound to happen. And when they finally surrender to the sexual tension between them, things start flowing. With all, theirs is a slowburn love that doesn't get finished until the very end. And I enjoyed it so very much exactly because of this: it's not a fast love, it takes time for both of them and the reader gets to witness from the front row the little details that prove they are falling in love.
The only thing that put me down was Oliver. I thing the author opted for the predictable outcome for him, I was expecting something bigger and more intense for Matthew's stalker. But well, I can't deny it worked nicely either way.
I already subscribed to the author's mailing list to read the bonus, which is told by Tom's POV and even though it's short is very cute and heartwarming.
I'm definitely going to check the author's future books!
August 28, 2020
Ok this book has FEELS! If you are looking for a relatively low angst story that is going to have a fairy tale HEA, please read this book! Tom Pennwood is so stuffy and uptight, it would probably hurt him to have to smile. He is literally almost completely consumed by his job. Matthew is his complete opposite. Yes he sells his body to pay his way through college, but he still has his dreams for when he graduates. When Tom hires him to play at being his steady boyfriend in order to clean up a corporate image, Matthew sees a chance to maybe quit turning tricks. The pay is enough he can actually start looking at his options. He also makes it his personal mission to see if he can break through that stuffy exterior because there just HAS to be real person in there somewhere, even if Tom can't see it. As the deception goes on and Matthew meets more people in Tom's world, he can't help but wonder if he is even really happy at all. OMG. I love Matthew's disposition and his determination to pry Tom out of his shell. Tom hash locked his real personality and dreams away so tightly, he has forgotten what living was actually all about. His character is so cold until you start to see what makes him tick. I felt sorry for him because no one ever bothered to see him for himself until Matthew. A truly lovely book and I hope Emily writes more. This says it is book one in a series and I woud definitely read them!!!!
August 30, 2020
𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 ‘𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚’ 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩
Matthew is a 22 year old self supporting art student. To help fund his way through art school and pay his rent, he takes up working as an escort.
When a rich businessman offers to pay him double than his regular charge he is definitely intrigued if the man is for real or if it's just a scam on the dark web. But when he checks that profile has been verified, he is stunned that one of the most coveted and notorious bachelors in the city wants him and is willing to even pay top dollar.
𝘼 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙮-𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙫𝙤𝙬𝙨
Tom Pennwood needs to settle down and fast if he wants to be appointed to take over his company after his parents retire. He has to project a perfect image for the company, and the only way he can show he is responsible and worthy of it, is if he settles down. So to meet with his parents expectations and get the promotion he deserves, there is no better option than to draw up a contract and hire someone to pose as his fake boyfriend.
It's a simple mutually benefiting arrangement.
But can Matthew and Tom keep it simple or will close proximity and growing feelings add a twist to their deal?
This was a sweet opposites attract, slowburn romance. Tom with his stoic brooding disposition and Matthew with his carefree attitude were like two opposite sides of a coin, but they complemented eachother so well.
If you're in the mood for a lighthearted, enemies to lovers romance featuring fake dating and a definite HEA, this might interest you.
Matthew is a 22 year old self supporting art student. To help fund his way through art school and pay his rent, he takes up working as an escort.
When a rich businessman offers to pay him double than his regular charge he is definitely intrigued if the man is for real or if it's just a scam on the dark web. But when he checks that profile has been verified, he is stunned that one of the most coveted and notorious bachelors in the city wants him and is willing to even pay top dollar.
𝘼 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙮-𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙫𝙤𝙬𝙨
Tom Pennwood needs to settle down and fast if he wants to be appointed to take over his company after his parents retire. He has to project a perfect image for the company, and the only way he can show he is responsible and worthy of it, is if he settles down. So to meet with his parents expectations and get the promotion he deserves, there is no better option than to draw up a contract and hire someone to pose as his fake boyfriend.
It's a simple mutually benefiting arrangement.
But can Matthew and Tom keep it simple or will close proximity and growing feelings add a twist to their deal?
This was a sweet opposites attract, slowburn romance. Tom with his stoic brooding disposition and Matthew with his carefree attitude were like two opposite sides of a coin, but they complemented eachother so well.
If you're in the mood for a lighthearted, enemies to lovers romance featuring fake dating and a definite HEA, this might interest you.
August 31, 2020
3,25/5
Matthew travaille en tant qu'escort pour financer ses études. Il rencontre Tom Pennwood, grand avocat, qui l'embauche en tant que petit-ami pour redorer son image dans le but d'obtenir une grosse promotion.
On voit bien vers où tout cela va mener évidemment. Ceci dit, j'aime ce genre d'histoire de temps à autre, même si souvent, on a droit à du réchauffé.
Pour être honnête, j'ai eu du mal à rentrer dans l'histoire, en particulier à cause du style d'écriture et de la plume. Je trouvais les phrases tantôt trop saccadées, tantôt trop longues. Passé quelques pages, je m'y suis faite et j'ai pu profiter du récit.
Ce que j'ai vraiment apprécié dans cette lecture, c'est l'alchimie entre les deux personnages. Tom apparaît comme étant quelque de froid et de glacial et j'ai aimé le contraste entre lui et Matthew.
Un poil plutôt bossy, Tom est intransigeant et n'attend rien d'autre du jeune homme. Seulement, Matthew va en jouer et ne cesser de vouloir le provoquer. Il y a une certaine tension tout le long, et j'ai vraiment apprécié cela.
Certaines choses m'apparaissent peu crédibles, pleins de petites choses tout autour de leur couple auraient pu être plus travaillées en fait mais à côté de tout cela, j'ai aimé la relation entre les deux personnages, une relation qui va un peu plus loin de ce qui était prévu à la base ;)
Je lirai avec plaisir les tomes suivants ^^
Matthew travaille en tant qu'escort pour financer ses études. Il rencontre Tom Pennwood, grand avocat, qui l'embauche en tant que petit-ami pour redorer son image dans le but d'obtenir une grosse promotion.
On voit bien vers où tout cela va mener évidemment. Ceci dit, j'aime ce genre d'histoire de temps à autre, même si souvent, on a droit à du réchauffé.
Pour être honnête, j'ai eu du mal à rentrer dans l'histoire, en particulier à cause du style d'écriture et de la plume. Je trouvais les phrases tantôt trop saccadées, tantôt trop longues. Passé quelques pages, je m'y suis faite et j'ai pu profiter du récit.
Ce que j'ai vraiment apprécié dans cette lecture, c'est l'alchimie entre les deux personnages. Tom apparaît comme étant quelque de froid et de glacial et j'ai aimé le contraste entre lui et Matthew.
Un poil plutôt bossy, Tom est intransigeant et n'attend rien d'autre du jeune homme. Seulement, Matthew va en jouer et ne cesser de vouloir le provoquer. Il y a une certaine tension tout le long, et j'ai vraiment apprécié cela.
Certaines choses m'apparaissent peu crédibles, pleins de petites choses tout autour de leur couple auraient pu être plus travaillées en fait mais à côté de tout cela, j'ai aimé la relation entre les deux personnages, une relation qui va un peu plus loin de ce qui était prévu à la base ;)
Je lirai avec plaisir les tomes suivants ^^
September 10, 2020
One of my favourite tropes is escort/client and this doesn't disappoint. Tom hires Matthew to be his boyfriend to secure a promotion and wants emotion kept from the deal. Tom is a lawyer and keeps everything close to the vest and doesn't want to form any type of bond with Matthew but after having to give up all his clients Matthew runs into trouble and grows closer because of it despite denial from Tom. Matthew is a treat, snarky and funny, baits Tom almost daily until they give into their attraction to get rid of the ust. The first half of this book is a bit slow, building the story then it really blooms into something both have trouble acknowledging. One of Matthew's clients doesn't take too kindly to being dumped and causes problems for the couple with a selfish mission to expose their lie. I loved how utterly filthy Tom got with Matthew and how he thawed under his care, i wanted to shake Tom's parents with their indifference and attitude and make them see what they were doing to their son. Protective friends and awesome employees give this story a real sense of having finally found your path in life.
September 29, 2020
**3.5 stars
I really liked this and really my only complaint was that I wanted about another 50 pages to really smooth out and explore Tom and Matthew's feelings for each other--more so, Tom's revelation and transition from broody-bordering-asshole bachelor against anything even hinting at emotion to being completely in love.
Matthew is a rent boy financing his art degree and is hired by hot shot lawyer Tom to be his fake boyfriend who needs to clean up his bachelor imagine. It's business and there will be absolutely no feelings involved. From the beginning there was definitely chemistry between the two and I love the build of the relationship and how as the story went on Tom shed a little bit more of his rigidity and Matthew gained some confidence and learned that he was able to depend on himself.
When things did hit the sexual tension peak and they gave in, it was HOT. Again, the only complaint is that I wanted more at the end. It was really well written and I enjoyed the story and characters a lot.
I really liked this and really my only complaint was that I wanted about another 50 pages to really smooth out and explore Tom and Matthew's feelings for each other--more so, Tom's revelation and transition from broody-bordering-asshole bachelor against anything even hinting at emotion to being completely in love.
Matthew is a rent boy financing his art degree and is hired by hot shot lawyer Tom to be his fake boyfriend who needs to clean up his bachelor imagine. It's business and there will be absolutely no feelings involved. From the beginning there was definitely chemistry between the two and I love the build of the relationship and how as the story went on Tom shed a little bit more of his rigidity and Matthew gained some confidence and learned that he was able to depend on himself.
When things did hit the sexual tension peak and they gave in, it was HOT. Again, the only complaint is that I wanted more at the end. It was really well written and I enjoyed the story and characters a lot.
September 11, 2020
It's always interesting when an author can get me to love the blockhead mc in a book. I've found that even if the character is infuriating, if they are truly well written, it doesn't bother me as much. Emily Buckley was able to do that for me with Tom.
Tom is the blockhead. He is driven by his work and is the one thing that always came first.
Matthew is the polar opposite; light hearted and open. He's driven to become everything he wants to be and to do that, he becomes and escort.
What started off as a fake relationship blossomed into more over time. With off the chart streamy scenes, the book left me wanting a little more. It is a low angst and HEA story that is a nice short read.
Tom is the blockhead. He is driven by his work and is the one thing that always came first.
Matthew is the polar opposite; light hearted and open. He's driven to become everything he wants to be and to do that, he becomes and escort.
What started off as a fake relationship blossomed into more over time. With off the chart streamy scenes, the book left me wanting a little more. It is a low angst and HEA story that is a nice short read.
December 28, 2021
Pretty woman but gay!
I'd say 3.25
I binged this book in one day so that's a good sign
Very low angst but I love the fake relationship trope
The fake relationship part of the book felt vrry brief
MC - Tom seemed to flip from unemotional workaholic to I will do anything for love a little too quickly that it wasn't believable.
For a rent boy Matthew was a little disappointing. He can't flirt, I didn't feel that he seduced Tom. It was the other way around... I was hoping that he would turn Tom into putty in his hands but it was the opposite. I don't find it that believable that Tom would fall for him. It seemed to me that you could have inserted just about anyone into Matthew's role and Tom would have been fine.
Overall though I still enjoyed it enough.
Ending for Tom seemed ooc 🤷🏾♀️
I'd say 3.25
I binged this book in one day so that's a good sign
Very low angst but I love the fake relationship trope
The fake relationship part of the book felt vrry brief
MC - Tom seemed to flip from unemotional workaholic to I will do anything for love a little too quickly that it wasn't believable.
For a rent boy Matthew was a little disappointing. He can't flirt, I didn't feel that he seduced Tom. It was the other way around... I was hoping that he would turn Tom into putty in his hands but it was the opposite. I don't find it that believable that Tom would fall for him. It seemed to me that you could have inserted just about anyone into Matthew's role and Tom would have been fine.
Overall though I still enjoyed it enough.
Ending for Tom seemed ooc 🤷🏾♀️
September 7, 2020
Meet me author, who is had a really interesting plot for this book, I paid for fake relationship turned another story. I thought the writing was good, as was the world in which it took place. I would have liked to have had more of the couple after they declared themselves, to see more of them together as they establish their relationship.
I found the characters to be thought provoking, I liked Matthew’s zest for life, his determination to do more with it. I felt sorry for Tom as he has packed his hopes and dreams so far away that he is more stuffed shirt rather than living.
It was enjoyable enough to read but it didn’t blow my socks off. I would possibly read more by this author.
I found the characters to be thought provoking, I liked Matthew’s zest for life, his determination to do more with it. I felt sorry for Tom as he has packed his hopes and dreams so far away that he is more stuffed shirt rather than living.
It was enjoyable enough to read but it didn’t blow my socks off. I would possibly read more by this author.
September 10, 2020
This story reminded me of both the movie Pretty Woman and L.A. Witt's Husband Gambit. Tom hires an escort to fake a relationship for his parents. Matthew accepts the job for the large amount of money offered. As expected, these two find they bring out the best in each other and true romance follows. I wouldn't say it is really and enemies to lovers romance, more of the grumpy/sunshine variety as Tom has built up and incredibly prickly, workaholic facade that Matthew has to break through. Loved both these characters, sympathized with their reasons for needing to start the pretense and rooted for them all the way to come clean with themselves and everyone else about who they really are.
August 28, 2020
Gentle Hands was AMAZING! It was so well done from top to bottom. I love Mathew & Tom and the slow build up of their relationship. The way they balance each other out and each push each other to be better.
They are sweet but with also some very steamy scenes. Mathew’s friends and the people from Tom’s office are great secondary characters, that add to the story.
This is a pretty low angst story with the best HEA. I will be reading this book again in the near future.
I was given a free copy of this book to leave an honest review.
They are sweet but with also some very steamy scenes. Mathew’s friends and the people from Tom’s office are great secondary characters, that add to the story.
This is a pretty low angst story with the best HEA. I will be reading this book again in the near future.
I was given a free copy of this book to leave an honest review.
August 29, 2020
Truly a fantastic story. I adore a slow burning romance where the heroes start out in a rather unorthodox situation. These two, Tom and Matthew, start out in such a situation and slow,y move into a more heated one. Matthew’s baggage makes the book more adventurous while the friends keep it grounded. These characters all together give this book a five star rating and make it a quality reading experience. Lots of fun to read with passion and a terrific HEA thrown in to make it even better. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
August 29, 2020
I really loved this book! Matthew and Tom had so much sexual tension between them from the first time they met. Both characters, however, have no intention of harboring any "feelings" for the other...they are simply working together to fool Tom's parents into thinking they are dating. As situations outside of their arrangement start to cause problems, their relationship begins to evolve into something that neither of them expected. The chemistry between these two was so beautiful...seeing Tom open up because of how Matthew treated him was heartwarming.
September 1, 2020
I really loved this book! Matthew and Tom had so much sexual tension between them from the first time they met. Both characters, however, have no intention of harboring any "feelings" for the other...they are simply working together to fool Tom's parents into thinking they are dating. As situations outside of their arrangement start to cause problems, their relationship begins to evolve into something that neither of them expected. The chemistry between these two was so beautiful...seeing Tom open up because of how Matthew treated him was heartwarming.
September 7, 2020
I liked this book. Tom kind of reminded me of Beast from Beauty and the Beast because he was gruff and stern and didn’t talk much. Once you find out his back story and meet his parents it’s completely understandable why he is the way he is.
Similar to the movie eventually Tom comes around and thaws out and falls in love with Matthew. Matthew of course falls in love with Tom and all the little gestures he does throughout the book.
I recommend it.
I received an arc and this is my honest review.
Similar to the movie eventually Tom comes around and thaws out and falls in love with Matthew. Matthew of course falls in love with Tom and all the little gestures he does throughout the book.
I recommend it.
I received an arc and this is my honest review.
September 7, 2020
I was captivated from the beginning, kept me enthralled to the end, Tom and Matthew were opposites in every way but the chemistry between them was explosive. Great secondary characters Tom learnt to communicate with his employees and become friends all thanks to Matthew. Tom’s parents were so stuffy it was all Tom knew how to be. I didn’t want the story to end and can’t wait for the next in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I absolutely recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I absolutely recommend this book.
September 7, 2020
I enjoyed this fake boyfriend story! This low angst story is full of heat, heart and so much more. Matthew and Tom are complete opposites yet they have amazing chemistry together. When Tom hires Matthew as his pretend boyfriend his only goal is to convince his parents he is ready to take over the family law practice.
Matthew has been working as an escort to put himself through college. This one job will set him up for success. The only obstacle is the feelings he develops for Tom.
I loved seeing them get their HEA!
Matthew has been working as an escort to put himself through college. This one job will set him up for success. The only obstacle is the feelings he develops for Tom.
I loved seeing them get their HEA!
September 7, 2020
Matt is a college student working as an escort. He is hired by Tom to be his boyfriend so that he can move up into the family business. Tom is a cold fish (my impression) in the beginning. Seriously stuffy and uptight. Matt is the total opposite. There are some really great secondary characters in the story. It was well written, I would definitely recommend it, enjoyed it! Low angst with a HEA! I am voluntarily leaving a review from an advanced copy that I was gifted. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
September 13, 2020
Take it 'til you make it!
Matthew and Tom were both giving their all to achieve success in their chosen fields. That they were on opposite sides of the economic spectrum didn't, in the end, detract from their unique relationship.
Their relationship began with a mutually beneficial agreement, stumbled through miscommunication and grew into a life changing dream for both of them.
It was hard won, but they found their enduring happiness with each other and both of their dreams finally came true.
Matthew and Tom were both giving their all to achieve success in their chosen fields. That they were on opposite sides of the economic spectrum didn't, in the end, detract from their unique relationship.
Their relationship began with a mutually beneficial agreement, stumbled through miscommunication and grew into a life changing dream for both of them.
It was hard won, but they found their enduring happiness with each other and both of their dreams finally came true.
September 6, 2020
An okay start for a new author I hadn't read before. This has a lot of narrated story which isn't my thing to read. An arrangement between for business promotion for Tom within in his family's company was the deal. Feelings don't or can't become involved but famous last words. I loved the sneaking of bantered humor occasionally at the start. Hot sexy scenes with a good ending. Overall an okay book.
• panic attacks
• fake boyfriend
• Matthew's POV
Matthew 22 yrs was a escort and hated a late client. Oliver was 23 minutes and gave Matthew time to reflect on his life after collage..
Tom was a high paying customer and wanted Matthew no expense spared.
• panic attacks
• fake boyfriend
• Matthew's POV
Matthew 22 yrs was a escort and hated a late client. Oliver was 23 minutes and gave Matthew time to reflect on his life after collage..
Tom was a high paying customer and wanted Matthew no expense spared.
September 10, 2020
A great book with a Pretty Woman theme. Matthew is an art studio and paying his way through college as an escort. He is hired to be a fake boyfriend for rich business man. He's also been stalked by one of his clients. Tom hired Matthew so his parents will think he's ready to settle down and take over the company. He's grumpy, snarky and somehow Matthew gets under his skin. The book is sweet, romantic, some angst, a stalker, with a great best friend and all the characters are likable.
September 10, 2020
Although I wouldn't say this is truly an enemies to lovers story but instead is fake relationship story that is very reminiscent of Pretty Woman. The escort, Matthew, is offered a deal he can't refuse to be the fake boyfriend to help further Tom's career. I was happy this story kept me interested throughout instead of being cliché. Although no limo at the end, the story wraps up nicely and leave every one with wonderful HEA.
August 31, 2020
Such a good book, a wonderful story it makes you feel all the things you should when you read a love story. When I met him I was just trying to get what I deserved, my families company. So when I hired Mathew, he was something so unexpected, I started to wonder how when you meet that right person and that maybe what you thought you wanted, isn't what you really need.
September 6, 2020
This is a fun and lighthearted enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. It is well-written with good pacing, and likeable characters for the most part. Matthew, I adored, but it took a while for me to come around to Tom and his cold nature. Once Matthew manages to get Tom out of his shell though, I finally saw how good they were together and I was rooting for their HEA.
September 6, 2020
Great start to a new series. These two are sweet and sexy and I loved the plot idea! These two have their struggles but without those moments wouldn't be who they are today. Great side characters and chemistry and I can't wait for the next. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
September 7, 2020
Matthew is a paid escort to pay his way through college. Tom Pennwood is a lawyer who hires Matthew to pretend to be his boyfriend so he can take over the family business. Matthew is drawn to Tom but knows that Tom doesn't want anything romantic. I enjoyed this book.
September 13, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this fresh, original, charming, funny, slow burning, and totally awesome twist on the usual enemies-to-lovers and fake boyfriend storylines. This is a debut book from this new-to-me author, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
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