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Valentine’s Inc. #4
Painted Lace
Austin never realized he was painting his life with shades of gray, until Keaton came along and injected a rainbow of color.
Keaton is a tornado of chaos and paint, which turns out to be more exciting than I ever would’ve imagined. I love my organized, predictable life...or at least I thought I did. But what started as a casual hookup is slowly becoming so much more, and I find myself loving the beautiful mess more than I expected.
Can two people so different really make it work once feelings get involved?
**** This is a stand alone story and was originally published as Kiss and Run in the Valentine’s Inc series. It has since undergone significant changes and doubled in length.
Keaton is a tornado of chaos and paint, which turns out to be more exciting than I ever would’ve imagined. I love my organized, predictable life...or at least I thought I did. But what started as a casual hookup is slowly becoming so much more, and I find myself loving the beautiful mess more than I expected.
Can two people so different really make it work once feelings get involved?
**** This is a stand alone story and was originally published as Kiss and Run in the Valentine’s Inc series. It has since undergone significant changes and doubled in length.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2019
362 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Neuhold
100 books3,317 followersK.M.Neuhold has long since been a romance junkie. When she’s not writing she’s reading or spending time snuggling with her husky or her husband. She fell in love with M/M romance last year and hasn’t been able to turn back. There’s nothing she loves more than love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
May 31, 2021
I read this story earlier this year when it was published as part of the Valentine's Inc. collection. In the first reiteration, Keaton was called Oliver. I'm not sure why the author changed the name (what's wrong with the name Oliver?), but I did notice that this revised edition contained more scenes with the MCs hanging out together, so the romance felt more believable.
I gave Painted Lace 4 stars back in February, and I'm sticking with that rating.
Painted Lace is a cute, sexy story about a hookup that leads to something much more. This is opposites attract at its finest!
Austin is scheduled and organized. His ex told him he's boring in and out of bed, and Austin's been in a funk for months. Finally signing up for a dating app at his best friend's insistence, Austin meets the charming, chaotic Keaton, a painter who doesn't sell his paintings and works odd jobs because he can't imagine being told where he needs to be every day or even every week.
Austin and Keaton are about as different as two people can be, but they get along like a house on fire. Keaton brings out Austin's long-hidden spontaneous side. He pushes Austin to take risks and go with the flow. Austin helps Keaton set up a website and social media presence to sell his work and keeps Keaton grounded.
This book is deliciously erotic. The MCs have undeniable chemistry, and Austin, it turns out, is not at all boring, in bed or otherwise. The transition from fuck buddies to much more is seamless, and the epilogue is the cherry on top of this decadent sundae.
I gave Painted Lace 4 stars back in February, and I'm sticking with that rating.
Painted Lace is a cute, sexy story about a hookup that leads to something much more. This is opposites attract at its finest!
Austin is scheduled and organized. His ex told him he's boring in and out of bed, and Austin's been in a funk for months. Finally signing up for a dating app at his best friend's insistence, Austin meets the charming, chaotic Keaton, a painter who doesn't sell his paintings and works odd jobs because he can't imagine being told where he needs to be every day or even every week.
Austin and Keaton are about as different as two people can be, but they get along like a house on fire. Keaton brings out Austin's long-hidden spontaneous side. He pushes Austin to take risks and go with the flow. Austin helps Keaton set up a website and social media presence to sell his work and keeps Keaton grounded.
This book is deliciously erotic. The MCs have undeniable chemistry, and Austin, it turns out, is not at all boring, in bed or otherwise. The transition from fuck buddies to much more is seamless, and the epilogue is the cherry on top of this decadent sundae.
October 5, 2020
Kiss and Run is a cute, sexy short story about a hookup that leads to something much more.
I was a tad perplexed by how terrified Austin was of commitments after his college boyfriend dumped him. Even after he had closure at said ex's wedding, he freaked out when Oliver so much as hinted at Austin being more than just his Friday night go-to fuck.
Oliver was such a charming MC, and I fell for him right away.
I probably could have done without the constant pot smoking, but I don't judge.
The epilogue was everything!
I was a tad perplexed by how terrified Austin was of commitments after his college boyfriend dumped him. Even after he had closure at said ex's wedding, he freaked out when Oliver so much as hinted at Austin being more than just his Friday night go-to fuck.
Oliver was such a charming MC, and I fell for him right away.
I probably could have done without the constant pot smoking, but I don't judge.
The epilogue was everything!
October 13, 2020
This was originally a novella called, “Kiss and Run,” in the Valentines Inc. series. It’s been revised and has doubled in length. I really liked the original story. For me, the revisions and added pages did not enhance the story but made it drag in places. I think it was better suited as it was first written. If you haven’t read the original version, you might feel differently. Heck, you might feel differently even if you have. Maybe I would if I hadn’t read the first version. I’d suggest reading, “Kiss and Run,” if you only wanted to read one of the two. Some stories are meant to be shorter. Just my two cents. However, it appears to be no longer available. Most likely because of this book. Oh well.
Still a cute read. Fake boyfriend is an easy sell for me. Neuhold is an author I can rely on to write fun books for when I want to leave angst city.
Still a cute read. Fake boyfriend is an easy sell for me. Neuhold is an author I can rely on to write fun books for when I want to leave angst city.
October 1, 2020
This short was previously published as part of a multi author collection and it's been expanded with additional content into a sweet and steamy romance.
I liked a lot of this one and Austin and Keaton were delightful opposites attract characters.
One thing I will say though, I thought both of them read older than the supposed 24/25 ish age bracket they were in.
I loved how Keaton's laissez faire attitude to life slowly helped Austin break out of his self-belief that he was boring.
There's lace panties, nude modelling, a bit of graffiti art and a lot of awakening to the idea that your casual relationship might just be a wee bit more than that.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I liked a lot of this one and Austin and Keaton were delightful opposites attract characters.
One thing I will say though, I thought both of them read older than the supposed 24/25 ish age bracket they were in.
I loved how Keaton's laissez faire attitude to life slowly helped Austin break out of his self-belief that he was boring.
There's lace panties, nude modelling, a bit of graffiti art and a lot of awakening to the idea that your casual relationship might just be a wee bit more than that.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
February 13, 2019
Austin and Oliver are hands down my very favorite couple thus far in the series. Somehow the author managed to write their continuous "almost dating" in such a way that not only did it not annoy me but actually held me hopelessly captive till the last word. Watching these two adorable sexy sweet damaged guys circle each other, slowly closing the circle tighter as they learned to put themselves out there and learn to trust again was just perfection. I loved every word of this wonderful love story!
January 7, 2024
This was a December read that got lost and not reviewed. Better late than never:)
This is a story of complete opposites who attract each other at their first meeting, although deep down they are just two alike people looking for that special someone who will accept them for who they authentically are, and not wanting them to ever change, for any reason. Austin likes and needs order. He constantly plans ahead and never does anything without a complete purpose. His ex-boyfriends often called him “boring”. In college he had told Austin that nothing more could come out of their relationship, and they had been together for three years! Then there is Keaton who can best be called a "free spirit'. He's an artist that believes that life should be lived the way YOU want to live it, not how someone else thinks it should be. He doesn’t want to be tied down with a 9 to 5 job. He just adds several jobs part-time jobs when he needs the money for food and rent. He has had a strange assortment of jobs... bartender, date-for-hire, nude model, and artist. He's good painting and he paints what he feels. When he needs company, he hooks up with someone. He is immanent that he DOSEN'T DO RELATIONSHIPS'.... but then there are expectations.... and he believes that he is bad with those expectations. Now, how can these two totally opposite personalities have such great chemistry? They simply have to leave their hang-ups at the door, and then they just mesh perfectly. They more than complement each other. They may look like total opposites outside but when it comes to what really matters, they are perfect for each other. I love this author and now own more of her books than any other author's. She creates characters who can be boring, organized, messy and chaotic, but who are always truly unique and so endearing that you can’t help but fall in love with them. This story has all these qualities in spades.
This is a story of complete opposites who attract each other at their first meeting, although deep down they are just two alike people looking for that special someone who will accept them for who they authentically are, and not wanting them to ever change, for any reason. Austin likes and needs order. He constantly plans ahead and never does anything without a complete purpose. His ex-boyfriends often called him “boring”. In college he had told Austin that nothing more could come out of their relationship, and they had been together for three years! Then there is Keaton who can best be called a "free spirit'. He's an artist that believes that life should be lived the way YOU want to live it, not how someone else thinks it should be. He doesn’t want to be tied down with a 9 to 5 job. He just adds several jobs part-time jobs when he needs the money for food and rent. He has had a strange assortment of jobs... bartender, date-for-hire, nude model, and artist. He's good painting and he paints what he feels. When he needs company, he hooks up with someone. He is immanent that he DOSEN'T DO RELATIONSHIPS'.... but then there are expectations.... and he believes that he is bad with those expectations. Now, how can these two totally opposite personalities have such great chemistry? They simply have to leave their hang-ups at the door, and then they just mesh perfectly. They more than complement each other. They may look like total opposites outside but when it comes to what really matters, they are perfect for each other. I love this author and now own more of her books than any other author's. She creates characters who can be boring, organized, messy and chaotic, but who are always truly unique and so endearing that you can’t help but fall in love with them. This story has all these qualities in spades.
January 16, 2022
This one was very cute!! I totally anjoyed the dynamic of the couple
September 25, 2021
5 stars audio
3 low angst stars story
3 low angst stars story
January 16, 2021
I thought this was a sweet, fun, sexy story! Minimal angst, just a feel-good, sweet, two strangers becoming more and falling in love with each other, type of book - and we all need those type of stories from time to time!
Kyleen writes some of the sweetest romance, I always love her characters and the chemistry between the MCs, whether it's between two, three, or four men. Love her and always recommend her books to people!
Kyleen writes some of the sweetest romance, I always love her characters and the chemistry between the MCs, whether it's between two, three, or four men. Love her and always recommend her books to people!
January 27, 2019
Fluff-tastic, low angst, and no stupid mis- or non-communication!!
November 2, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Painted Lace was originally published as Kiss and Run, part of the Valentine’s Inc collection. K.M. Neuhold has now revised and significantly expanded the original into this longer story. This is a super sexy book that features a lot of hot times between the men, as well as some fun with sexy lingerie on Keaton’s end. But for me, what really stuck out about this book is the way that Neuhold brings out the emotion. This comes across in a lot of different ways, but one of them is through Keaton’s art. Neuhold does such a great job bringing out the sense of emotional intensity that Keaton gets as he creates and that Austin gets as he looks at Keaton‘s artwork. We really can feel the passion that Keaton brings to it and the way he translates his emotions and his feelings about what’s going on in his life into his painting. On the other side, the way that Austin looks at Keaton’s artwork and the way it stirs up his feelings really highlights the emotional connection between the two men. I really got such a great sense of what Keaton was creating, I could almost visualize it in my mind as I was reading about it and Neuhold really brings that aspect of the story to life.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Painted Lace was originally published as Kiss and Run, part of the Valentine’s Inc collection. K.M. Neuhold has now revised and significantly expanded the original into this longer story. This is a super sexy book that features a lot of hot times between the men, as well as some fun with sexy lingerie on Keaton’s end. But for me, what really stuck out about this book is the way that Neuhold brings out the emotion. This comes across in a lot of different ways, but one of them is through Keaton’s art. Neuhold does such a great job bringing out the sense of emotional intensity that Keaton gets as he creates and that Austin gets as he looks at Keaton‘s artwork. We really can feel the passion that Keaton brings to it and the way he translates his emotions and his feelings about what’s going on in his life into his painting. On the other side, the way that Austin looks at Keaton’s artwork and the way it stirs up his feelings really highlights the emotional connection between the two men. I really got such a great sense of what Keaton was creating, I could almost visualize it in my mind as I was reading about it and Neuhold really brings that aspect of the story to life.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 11, 2020
Very nice short romance between and painter and a technology guy.. hookups turns real and finding love with each other.
November 3, 2020
Podobało mi się
January 1, 2022
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
November 7, 2022
My first KM Neuhold book and I’m pretty sure I need more!!😄
Love Keaton & Austin! They are lots of fun to read and Keaton is laugh out loud incredibly funny!!
“Nice to meet you, I’m Keaton. I have to admit I was surprised to hear you and my sugar lips here used to date. He never mentioned you before the invitation showed up!”
Precious is a good word to describe these two beautiful guys! And steamy…very sexy and steamy, and SWEET! 🔥
“The shapes our bodies make, all the lines and shadows, it’s beautiful. And that moment, that single moment when you’re at your most alive, when it’s instantly clear that this is the meaning of life. There’s nothing left but to feel……That moment is where art comes from.” 🎨
Highly recommend 🎧!!
Love Keaton & Austin! They are lots of fun to read and Keaton is laugh out loud incredibly funny!!
“Nice to meet you, I’m Keaton. I have to admit I was surprised to hear you and my sugar lips here used to date. He never mentioned you before the invitation showed up!”
Precious is a good word to describe these two beautiful guys! And steamy…very sexy and steamy, and SWEET! 🔥
“The shapes our bodies make, all the lines and shadows, it’s beautiful. And that moment, that single moment when you’re at your most alive, when it’s instantly clear that this is the meaning of life. There’s nothing left but to feel……That moment is where art comes from.” 🎨
Highly recommend 🎧!!
August 21, 2021
Just finished this on audio and It was great! Iggy Toma is a favorite narrator of mine and he was on point here as he always is. He brings a level of emotion to his narrations that always enhance the story for me!
This was so good! I read it straight through and was smiling and feeling good the entire time. I just love this author's writing, it is the perfect mix of sweet and sexy...and the sexy times were hot and included some very nice lace! Keaton and Austin were opposite in almost every way. They started as a hook-up and continued to "hook-up", neither wanting anything serious, as they slowly fell in love. They were just so good for each other, Keaton pulling Austin out if his comfort zone and allowing him to just be free...and Austin pushing Keaton to realize his true potential. The book was almost entirely about their developing relationship--no major crisis, no angst, no crazy misunderstandings...just 2 men falling in love as they bring out the best in each other. It was just a feel-good read. And the ending just made me swoon, it was so perfect for them!
This was so good! I read it straight through and was smiling and feeling good the entire time. I just love this author's writing, it is the perfect mix of sweet and sexy...and the sexy times were hot and included some very nice lace! Keaton and Austin were opposite in almost every way. They started as a hook-up and continued to "hook-up", neither wanting anything serious, as they slowly fell in love. They were just so good for each other, Keaton pulling Austin out if his comfort zone and allowing him to just be free...and Austin pushing Keaton to realize his true potential. The book was almost entirely about their developing relationship--no major crisis, no angst, no crazy misunderstandings...just 2 men falling in love as they bring out the best in each other. It was just a feel-good read. And the ending just made me swoon, it was so perfect for them!
August 9, 2021
PAINTED LACE was a lot of fun to read and I enjoyed this opposites attract romance between Keaton and Austin. They seem like they wouldn't be a good fit at all with Austin being highly organized and introverted and Keaton being free-wheeling and unorganized, but together they make a great team. I especially loved how much Austin supported Keaton's art and his dreams and even when Austin didn't understand Keaton's desire for the unexpected, Austin never criticized him for it. This moves beautifully from a hook up, to friends with benefits, to a relationship with minimal drama and no breakup or misunderstanding. Another great read by K.M. Neuhold!
October 10, 2020
~3.5 stars but I rounded it up
I really really enjoyed this. I just wish it was much longer. While I really loved the story, I just never felt like I could really connect with the characters because there wasn’t enough of it for me to connect.
But it was cute as hell and sexy and very low angst and I always appreciate that very much.
I really really enjoyed this. I just wish it was much longer. While I really loved the story, I just never felt like I could really connect with the characters because there wasn’t enough of it for me to connect.
But it was cute as hell and sexy and very low angst and I always appreciate that very much.
January 7, 2020
I only wish this was longer! 90 pages was not enough time to spend with Austin and Ollie. I often have a hard time rating short books but this one didn’t feel rushed or half done. It was low angst, sweet and steamy!
March 15, 2025
This story was the perfect mix of opposites attract, sizzling chemistry, and personal growth!!
Austin, our organized and slightly neurotic protagonist, is still reeling from his ex’s wedding invitation, feeling stuck in his routine life. Enter Keaton, a free-spirited artist whose life is as chaotic as his paint-splattered studio. Their chance meeting leads to a hookup that quickly evolves into so much more.
I loved how Keaton’s spontaneity completely threw Austin off balance in the best way, pushing him to loosen up and actually live a little. They were so different but direkt so well together!!
Keaton is playful, flirty, and exactly what Austin needs, but don’t let his carefree attitude fool you. He’s also filthy in the best way possible.
And let’s talk about Keaton’s dick piercing, because yes please hehe. Add in the fact that he always wears lacy underwear, and I was absolutely obsessed. Their chemistry was amazing , and the intimate scenes were hot as hell while still feeling so emotional and real.
Austin, our organized and slightly neurotic protagonist, is still reeling from his ex’s wedding invitation, feeling stuck in his routine life. Enter Keaton, a free-spirited artist whose life is as chaotic as his paint-splattered studio. Their chance meeting leads to a hookup that quickly evolves into so much more.
I loved how Keaton’s spontaneity completely threw Austin off balance in the best way, pushing him to loosen up and actually live a little. They were so different but direkt so well together!!
Keaton is playful, flirty, and exactly what Austin needs, but don’t let his carefree attitude fool you. He’s also filthy in the best way possible.
And let’s talk about Keaton’s dick piercing, because yes please hehe. Add in the fact that he always wears lacy underwear, and I was absolutely obsessed. Their chemistry was amazing , and the intimate scenes were hot as hell while still feeling so emotional and real.
November 28, 2021
Painted Laced is a low angst, hook up to relationship story. The entire time i was reading it i kept thinking that i had read it before but then i'd read something that didn't sound familiar. It wasn't until I actually came here to write the review that i realized this is an expanded version of a story i read in Valentine's Inc. There are additional scenes that flesh out Austin and Keaton/Oliver more. I felt like that was a good addition. I enjoyed the story even though i kept getting the deja vu flashes.
May 28, 2024
Nothing wrong but a bit thin. Two young men, meet, like each other, meet more often, gradually fall in love. The end. The characters were interchangeable and the narrator made no clear difference between both voices. I often had to concentrate and think hard, to make sure who's POV this was.
I also was annoyed by the DiCaprio look-alike on the cover. It triggered numerous other stories whenever I looked in the app, distracting from this lesser one.
I also was annoyed by the DiCaprio look-alike on the cover. It triggered numerous other stories whenever I looked in the app, distracting from this lesser one.
October 12, 2020
4 stars. Liked alot. Some holes but good, light-hearted story.
October 14, 2020
4.5 STARS
Austin and Keaton were absolutely amazing together!!!
This was such a feel-good book. No angst. Just extremely HOT times, sweetness overload, smiling uncontrollably, finding yourself and finally feeling centered for the first time.
This was simple awesome! Just what I needed!
Austin and Keaton were absolutely amazing together!!!
This was such a feel-good book. No angst. Just extremely HOT times, sweetness overload, smiling uncontrollably, finding yourself and finally feeling centered for the first time.
This was simple awesome! Just what I needed!
February 13, 2021
Awesome. The plot and characters immediately draw you in. As expected of KMN.
Austin is a straight-laced, orderly man. My type of man really, but I digress. He's an unhappy man getting zero action. He's feeling it particularly bad now that his jerk of an ex sent him a wedding invitation and he has no date to bring. So he downloads our favorite fictional app M4M. Enter Keaton, aka chaos incarnate. He's just the kind of fun, sexy sprinkle of fun Austin needs in his life. But at what point does a regular hook-up become more? Sex was hot and the romantic tension had my heart a flutter! I was a little unsure of Keaton what with his flakiness, but I should have known KMN wouldn't disappoint me. He was a funny, sweetheart who won me over with his wicked burn of Austin's ex.
The story was over too soon! It was too short! I needed more Austin and Keaton. Other than not having enough, my only real qualm was the use of drugs in this book. Course I'm probably more of a fudey-dudey than Austin.
Austin is a straight-laced, orderly man. My type of man really, but I digress. He's an unhappy man getting zero action. He's feeling it particularly bad now that his jerk of an ex sent him a wedding invitation and he has no date to bring. So he downloads our favorite fictional app M4M. Enter Keaton, aka chaos incarnate. He's just the kind of fun, sexy sprinkle of fun Austin needs in his life. But at what point does a regular hook-up become more? Sex was hot and the romantic tension had my heart a flutter! I was a little unsure of Keaton what with his flakiness, but I should have known KMN wouldn't disappoint me. He was a funny, sweetheart who won me over with his wicked burn of Austin's ex.
The story was over too soon! It was too short! I needed more Austin and Keaton. Other than not having enough, my only real qualm was the use of drugs in this book. Course I'm probably more of a fudey-dudey than Austin.
October 24, 2020
This is opposites attract done right. The pacing was perfect despite the low page count (130), the two characters complemented and helped each other beautifully. There was no unncesseray miscommunication or conflict. It was just nice with fully drawn characters who were sweet and steamy together. I read it in one sitting and highly recommend it. It's on KU.
November 1, 2020
DNF @ 32%.
I don't really get why someone would want to go to the wedding of someone they haven't spoken to in 3 years, let alone if that person was their ex who treated them horribly.
I think sometimes, short stories are best left as short stories and not expanded on, because this sure did feel like it was full of filler, with nothing really happening.
I don't really get why someone would want to go to the wedding of someone they haven't spoken to in 3 years, let alone if that person was their ex who treated them horribly.
I think sometimes, short stories are best left as short stories and not expanded on, because this sure did feel like it was full of filler, with nothing really happening.
January 27, 2019
4.5 Winner!
July 8, 2019
I really needed that this morning.
September 30, 2020
Austin is in a rut. He thinks he is boring just like his ex that broke is heart told him. He is an accountant and is extremely organized, predictable, anxious, and insecure. He has not had a relationship or even a hook up in way too long. His friend encourages him to try a dating app and one guy pops up and piques his interest.
Keaton is his opposite. He hates schedules, time commitments, rules, and structure. He is a painter and is chaotic, vibrant, spontaneous, unfiltered, and free. He hooks up, but does not do relationships.
These two are just supposed to be a one-and-done (no matter how good it was). But an unexpected twist has them meeting again and it leads to spending more time together. These two are so adorable and kind of awkward about who should be taking the initiative with who. But eventually they start to find their own rhythm. Keaton likes to corrupt Austin. And Austin is starting to enjoy a bit of spontaneity.
They agreed it was casual...but the lines might be getting a bit fuzzy.
This is a sweet, sexy, and inspiring opposites-attract love story about pushing past your comfort zone and trying to live your best life. These two do not look like they would work on paper, but they help balance and challenge the other. I adored both of their personalities and seeing them bring out the best in each other. It had me smiling most of the book.
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Keaton is his opposite. He hates schedules, time commitments, rules, and structure. He is a painter and is chaotic, vibrant, spontaneous, unfiltered, and free. He hooks up, but does not do relationships.
These two are just supposed to be a one-and-done (no matter how good it was). But an unexpected twist has them meeting again and it leads to spending more time together. These two are so adorable and kind of awkward about who should be taking the initiative with who. But eventually they start to find their own rhythm. Keaton likes to corrupt Austin. And Austin is starting to enjoy a bit of spontaneity.
They agreed it was casual...but the lines might be getting a bit fuzzy.
This is a sweet, sexy, and inspiring opposites-attract love story about pushing past your comfort zone and trying to live your best life. These two do not look like they would work on paper, but they help balance and challenge the other. I adored both of their personalities and seeing them bring out the best in each other. It had me smiling most of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews