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The Handy Men
A MMF Bisexual Menage Romance
Jack and Dean love each other, but they’re missing the woman to complete their triangle. When newly divorced Paige Richards buys a Bed and Breakfast on Hamlet Island and employs them to help her fix the inn up, Jack and Dean are sure they’ve found the one they’ve been looking for. Despite the playful, sexy clues they drop, luscious Paige is reticent about getting involved, even when they set the stage so she can stumble on them in action. They can tell by her responses she wants to join them, but rumors travel fast on the small island, and tales of a threesome could get back to the conservative, family vacation crowd who won’t patronize those with an alternative lifestyle. And the last thing they want for Paige is the B&B’s rooms…and her bank account…to remain empty. But Jack and Dean will stop at nothing to prove to Paige that she can have it all…with them.
Jack and Dean love each other, but they’re missing the woman to complete their triangle. When newly divorced Paige Richards buys a Bed and Breakfast on Hamlet Island and employs them to help her fix the inn up, Jack and Dean are sure they’ve found the one they’ve been looking for. Despite the playful, sexy clues they drop, luscious Paige is reticent about getting involved, even when they set the stage so she can stumble on them in action. They can tell by her responses she wants to join them, but rumors travel fast on the small island, and tales of a threesome could get back to the conservative, family vacation crowd who won’t patronize those with an alternative lifestyle. And the last thing they want for Paige is the B&B’s rooms…and her bank account…to remain empty. But Jack and Dean will stop at nothing to prove to Paige that she can have it all…with them.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2020
73 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Jamie K. Schmidt
167 books731 followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Jamie K. Schmidt is a hybrid author who has over thirty short stories published in small press and ezines, and a variety of novellas and books online. Her Club Inferno series from Random House has been in Amazon's top 100 ebooks sold and Barnes and Noble's top 10. She has a dragon paranormal romance series at Entangled Publishing. Book one of the Emerging Queens series is The Queen's Wings.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English, which is a fancy way of saying she went to college to teach high school English. When that didn't pan out, she worked as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major conglomerate company. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA). When not writing, Jamie relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry. You can reach her at Twitter: @jamiekswriter or at her website www.jkschmidt.com
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English, which is a fancy way of saying she went to college to teach high school English. When that didn't pan out, she worked as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major conglomerate company. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA). When not writing, Jamie relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry. You can reach her at Twitter: @jamiekswriter or at her website www.jkschmidt.com
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April 24, 2017
The Handy Men is the first book I have read by Jamie K. Schmidt.
Paige Richards is twenty eight years old and is starting her life over. After a failed marriage due to a cheating husband, she used every penny she had plus loaned money from her parents and bought the Nutmeg Inn, a ten bedroom bed and breakfast on Hamlet Island off the Connecticut shoreline. It needed a lot of work and the grand opening was in one month. She couldn’t have done it without the help of her two handy men, two men who even though they are married, to each other, fueled her fantasies every night. These two had everything, hot bodies, as well as being kind, fun, compassionate, and they were her best friends. Life was different on the island. People were conservative, slow to accept outsiders. And the married men most definitely gave them all something to talk about. But to Paige, they were her friends, saviors, and even though they didn’t know it, they were part of her dreams.
Dean and Jack Reynolds love each other. They have known Paige for almost a year now and they know that they want more from her, that they want to share their lives and their bed with her. Even though they are legally married, they want her to be a permanent part of their lives. They know she is attracted to them but she is afraid to admit it. So, they decide to help her along a little bit. They don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the opening of the inn or their friendship but they’ve waited as long as they could.
First of all, this is a fairly short book and it started out so strong. I instantly fell in love with Paige and the guys. Paige was dealing with so much. Not only the stress of opening the inn but also her crappy, controlling parents were constantly trying to manipulate her. Even though they loaned her the money which they were holding over her head, they weren’t supportive at all. Don’t even get me started on her ex-husband. What a waste of space that man is.
The guys were so cute (and hot) the way they tried to get Paige to initiate things. They most definitely loved and supported her and would do anything for her.
“Pressed between them, she felt like nothing could harm her. With these two at her side, she could do anything.”
But then later on, what I initially thought might be a five star read, lost a little steam. And I don’t mean in the sexy times department but with the rest of it. The guys have an ex that comes back and throws a wrench in things, (get it, handy men - wrench!) And the ending left something to be desired. The whole, okay, you’re our wife now, just like that, just didn’t go with the sweet guys I was getting to know. Maybe they could have had a commitment ceremony or something. It just seemed to be so blasé. I wanted more for Paige.
In any event, I’m giving it four stars. With all the people trying to yank the rug out from under Paige, she held strong and I was so proud of her. And then there is that hotness factor with two very sexy handy men. The sexy times did not disappoint. I did enjoy the book, I just wish the ending was done a little differently.
Paige Richards is twenty eight years old and is starting her life over. After a failed marriage due to a cheating husband, she used every penny she had plus loaned money from her parents and bought the Nutmeg Inn, a ten bedroom bed and breakfast on Hamlet Island off the Connecticut shoreline. It needed a lot of work and the grand opening was in one month. She couldn’t have done it without the help of her two handy men, two men who even though they are married, to each other, fueled her fantasies every night. These two had everything, hot bodies, as well as being kind, fun, compassionate, and they were her best friends. Life was different on the island. People were conservative, slow to accept outsiders. And the married men most definitely gave them all something to talk about. But to Paige, they were her friends, saviors, and even though they didn’t know it, they were part of her dreams.
Dean and Jack Reynolds love each other. They have known Paige for almost a year now and they know that they want more from her, that they want to share their lives and their bed with her. Even though they are legally married, they want her to be a permanent part of their lives. They know she is attracted to them but she is afraid to admit it. So, they decide to help her along a little bit. They don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the opening of the inn or their friendship but they’ve waited as long as they could.
First of all, this is a fairly short book and it started out so strong. I instantly fell in love with Paige and the guys. Paige was dealing with so much. Not only the stress of opening the inn but also her crappy, controlling parents were constantly trying to manipulate her. Even though they loaned her the money which they were holding over her head, they weren’t supportive at all. Don’t even get me started on her ex-husband. What a waste of space that man is.
The guys were so cute (and hot) the way they tried to get Paige to initiate things. They most definitely loved and supported her and would do anything for her.
“Pressed between them, she felt like nothing could harm her. With these two at her side, she could do anything.”
But then later on, what I initially thought might be a five star read, lost a little steam. And I don’t mean in the sexy times department but with the rest of it. The guys have an ex that comes back and throws a wrench in things, (get it, handy men - wrench!) And the ending left something to be desired. The whole, okay, you’re our wife now, just like that, just didn’t go with the sweet guys I was getting to know. Maybe they could have had a commitment ceremony or something. It just seemed to be so blasé. I wanted more for Paige.
In any event, I’m giving it four stars. With all the people trying to yank the rug out from under Paige, she held strong and I was so proud of her. And then there is that hotness factor with two very sexy handy men. The sexy times did not disappoint. I did enjoy the book, I just wish the ending was done a little differently.
June 19, 2017
After much angst over how to rate and/or review this book I've landed on 2 Hearts because I was EN-TER-TAINED! I'm not sure if the author intended this to be bawdy but it was to me.
It's a safe bet that there will be spoilage ahead.
Ever watch bad porn? It starts off fair to middling then the "actors" try to start "acting" and maybe even the director gets in on the thing and tries to throw a plot off in there and you don't know what to do with yourself? Should you stay and see this thing through or say fuck this noise and tap out?
Well, I stayed. I couldn't stop myself. I blame General Hospital for this character deficit.
Paige is a recent divorcee and is part drama queen divided by crazy train who meets her match in tweedledee and tweedledum a.k.a. Jack and Dean. This thing between them has been brewing for almost a year with her being clueless to all their not at all subtle come-ons including staging a boning sesh in a beach pavilion when they knew she'd be walking by. From the time they get together to the end is maybe a month and it escalates quickly, as these things tend to do. The instalove is strong with this one.
Let me just say I had NO idea that the buying, trading and selling of fictional properties with the possibility of bankrupty looming at the roll of the dice known as Monopoly could lead to burying one's face inside another's vagina. Might I say ouch and way to think outside the just a board game box.
The sex these people have laughs in the face of human capacity with everlasting orgasms, exploding and monster magic peens that spring up like they were on a clapper. Rebound time. Schmebound time.
All of which is to be expected in porn but then the soap opera began. Jack and Dean have an ex-girlfriend who was apparently banging other dudes while they were together which somehow Jack knew but Dean didn't. *squints* She then decided she didn't want to be "that girl" which apparently translates into being in a triad rather than banging a bunch of randoms so Stephanie (ex) ultimatumed Dean with a marriage proposal that would've second stringed Jack in public and Jack's feels are still hurt. Dean put the kibosh on that deal with a quickness and promptly turned around and married Jack. Well, guess who's back in town with a kid no less?
She sails a foursome sitch past Paige and Paige whips out the martyr card to Dean and Jack when Jack's all welllll mebbe? *cue more dramatics* Much tears. Hasty break up due to butthurtedness. Deliberate obtuseness. Complete balderdash.
The struggle to contain my laughter was real.
I haven't even mentioned Paige's rents, her ex or how this seemingly idyllic isle is actually Stepford. Her parents floated her 60K so she could open the B&B with a clause that basically says if they don't like anything she does with it or if she doesn't repay the 60K within her first year of business then they can take it away from her. Like, what's even the point of that? The plot thickens when Paige gets a bee in her bonnet, "moves some money around" and repays her parents within her first week of opening!
How...? What even?
The drama continues as Fred, her ex, keeps turning up in her life seemingly trying to make inroads back to her despite the fact that he's now engaged to Barbie, the woman he left her for and, for the record, Paige caught him with at the Waldorf while Paige was sporting a French maid outfit underneath her trench. BURN!!!!! Inexplicably he's still SUPER tight with her parents, makes the trek out to the isle with them for the grand opening and wants to rent out the B&B for his wedding! *cackles*
I've no clue how old these dudes are but they are cliched good boy/bad boy archtypes. Jack is the bad boy with tattoos and a penchant for some bedroom bossiness and a mouth that should be duct taped.
Dean is the "good" one that's clean-cut, reliable, steady and your basic snoozefest. But she loves them both with all her heart. Well, half her heart. Since two dudes. And an illegitimate bébé.
If you like a soap, there was never a dull moment.
A copy was provided by NetGalley.
It's a safe bet that there will be spoilage ahead.
Ever watch bad porn? It starts off fair to middling then the "actors" try to start "acting" and maybe even the director gets in on the thing and tries to throw a plot off in there and you don't know what to do with yourself? Should you stay and see this thing through or say fuck this noise and tap out?
Well, I stayed. I couldn't stop myself. I blame General Hospital for this character deficit.
Paige is a recent divorcee and is part drama queen divided by crazy train who meets her match in tweedledee and tweedledum a.k.a. Jack and Dean. This thing between them has been brewing for almost a year with her being clueless to all their not at all subtle come-ons including staging a boning sesh in a beach pavilion when they knew she'd be walking by. From the time they get together to the end is maybe a month and it escalates quickly, as these things tend to do. The instalove is strong with this one.
Let me just say I had NO idea that the buying, trading and selling of fictional properties with the possibility of bankrupty looming at the roll of the dice known as Monopoly could lead to burying one's face inside another's vagina. Might I say ouch and way to think outside the just a board game box.
The sex these people have laughs in the face of human capacity with everlasting orgasms, exploding and monster magic peens that spring up like they were on a clapper. Rebound time. Schmebound time.
"I'm going to fuck you as soon as you drench his face."
All of which is to be expected in porn but then the soap opera began. Jack and Dean have an ex-girlfriend who was apparently banging other dudes while they were together which somehow Jack knew but Dean didn't. *squints* She then decided she didn't want to be "that girl" which apparently translates into being in a triad rather than banging a bunch of randoms so Stephanie (ex) ultimatumed Dean with a marriage proposal that would've second stringed Jack in public and Jack's feels are still hurt. Dean put the kibosh on that deal with a quickness and promptly turned around and married Jack. Well, guess who's back in town with a kid no less?
She sails a foursome sitch past Paige and Paige whips out the martyr card to Dean and Jack when Jack's all welllll mebbe? *cue more dramatics* Much tears. Hasty break up due to butthurtedness. Deliberate obtuseness. Complete balderdash.
"Stephanie makes my dick hard."
Dean sighed.
"But she doesn't touch my heart. Paige is my choice. Now and forever. If Brendon is ours, we'll make sure Paige knows that while Stephanie is the mother of our child, she'll never be our wife. Paige is the only wife for us."
The struggle to contain my laughter was real.
I haven't even mentioned Paige's rents, her ex or how this seemingly idyllic isle is actually Stepford. Her parents floated her 60K so she could open the B&B with a clause that basically says if they don't like anything she does with it or if she doesn't repay the 60K within her first year of business then they can take it away from her. Like, what's even the point of that? The plot thickens when Paige gets a bee in her bonnet, "moves some money around" and repays her parents within her first week of opening!
How...? What even?
The drama continues as Fred, her ex, keeps turning up in her life seemingly trying to make inroads back to her despite the fact that he's now engaged to Barbie, the woman he left her for and, for the record, Paige caught him with at the Waldorf while Paige was sporting a French maid outfit underneath her trench. BURN!!!!! Inexplicably he's still SUPER tight with her parents, makes the trek out to the isle with them for the grand opening and wants to rent out the B&B for his wedding! *cackles*
I've no clue how old these dudes are but they are cliched good boy/bad boy archtypes. Jack is the bad boy with tattoos and a penchant for some bedroom bossiness and a mouth that should be duct taped.
"Let's just ask her outright. Do you want to fuck or not?"
"...We'll treat her like a queen."
"Fuck her like porn stars." Jack mimicked bending her over and fucking her from behind.
"My cock," Jack mouthed and then pointed to his crotch with two thumbs up.
Dean smacked him.
"And yours," Jack mouthed and pointed.
Dean is the "good" one that's clean-cut, reliable, steady and your basic snoozefest. But she loves them both with all her heart. Well, half her heart. Since two dudes. And an illegitimate bébé.
If you like a soap, there was never a dull moment.
A copy was provided by NetGalley.
April 22, 2017
This book was going so well then at 70% it went into the toilet with OW drama, a surprise baby, one of the heroes wanting the OW still which felt an awful lot like cheating to me...what a way to ruin a book.
April 27, 2017
Paige's life hasn't turned out the way she expected, she's twenty-eight divorced and now the owner of a Bed and Breakfast on Hamlet Island.
She spent 10 years married to Fred most of it as a glorified maid and unpaid administrative assistant, while he was out banging Barbie.
Paige has now sold her house, bought the bed and breakfast and is starting again this is helped by the two amazing handy men she has working for her Jack and Dean.
Jack and Dean are married and totally in love with each other but they'd like a woman to share, a mrs to their mr's and Paige is that woman, they're both agreed now they just have to convince Paige.
This started out so well. Jack and Dean are hot and Paige is desperately missing sex so she's not going to be able to hold off for long.
Firstly I really liked Paige she stood up for what she believed and refused to change to please the gossips and even under extreme pressure she handled herself well.
I loved that Dean and Jack were so solid together and that they wanted Paige and went all out to get her and that Paige was so into both of them. The story was moving along well and this combined with her ex and his surprising nice fiancé (yes I found it impossible to dislike Barbie despite the fact that she was the other woman)
There's also Paige's parents but the less said about these the better.
This was set to be an enjoyable little read but then it all started to fall apart.
Paige hears that Jack and Dean used to both share a woman, Stephanie who wanted to marry Dean and keep Jack on the side. But she left town pregnant when Dean married Jack and not her.
Despite the spoilers this is still an enjoyable little read.
I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC.
She spent 10 years married to Fred most of it as a glorified maid and unpaid administrative assistant, while he was out banging Barbie.
Paige has now sold her house, bought the bed and breakfast and is starting again this is helped by the two amazing handy men she has working for her Jack and Dean.
Jack and Dean are married and totally in love with each other but they'd like a woman to share, a mrs to their mr's and Paige is that woman, they're both agreed now they just have to convince Paige.
This started out so well. Jack and Dean are hot and Paige is desperately missing sex so she's not going to be able to hold off for long.
Firstly I really liked Paige she stood up for what she believed and refused to change to please the gossips and even under extreme pressure she handled herself well.
I loved that Dean and Jack were so solid together and that they wanted Paige and went all out to get her and that Paige was so into both of them. The story was moving along well and this combined with her ex and his surprising nice fiancé (yes I found it impossible to dislike Barbie despite the fact that she was the other woman)
There's also Paige's parents but the less said about these the better.
This was set to be an enjoyable little read but then it all started to fall apart.
Paige hears that Jack and Dean used to both share a woman, Stephanie who wanted to marry Dean and keep Jack on the side. But she left town pregnant when Dean married Jack and not her.
Despite the spoilers this is still an enjoyable little read.
I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC.
June 25, 2017
I've decided 3.5 stars.
We’ll treat her like a queen. F$ck like porn stars. And love her like she was our wife.
I always wanted to read a ménage with MMF altogether. This pushed me out of my comfort zone to begin with but I then began to love it. This is an unconventional love between three people. Monopoly has never been so hot.
Dean and Jack you can’t help but become a voyeur. And also want to participate. They are hot and sweet together and downright filthy. Add Paige in and well. Keep your fan ready.
I thought that there wouldn’t be enough substance but I’m glad to have been proven wrong.
Paige wants to start over so she moves out to Hamlet Island to open up the bed & breakfast The Nutmeg Inn. Lonely after finding out that her husband cheated on her with Barbie she is starved for affection.
Jack and Dean are in a relationship they had a third but indifferences arose and she left. Jack and Dean are helping Paige get the bed and breakfast hence the handy men. They want Paige and they are doing anything they can. Paige catches them in several acts and her fantasies start to run wild. But how will it work? They are a couple they love one another. But with the rumour mill of the island her livelihood is on the line.
The topic comes up that Jack can keep Stephanie and Dean Paige. Okay I guess they have to talk about it but for me it is a no brainer to be honest. They beg her to fight for them and then they tell her to take a break. Good on you Paige for putting a stop to it completely. The ending was somewhat anti-climactic. IMO.
There is o/w drama as an ex comes back and there is a surprise. That spoilt it for me. A lot.
I would have liked to have seen an epilogue to see how it continued a HFN just wasn’t enough for me. My first book by this author and although she has written an engaging, delectable read with fantastic characters with a balance of ménage that works between all three I’d need to think real hard about reading another book by this author.
Review can also be found @http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
We’ll treat her like a queen. F$ck like porn stars. And love her like she was our wife.
I always wanted to read a ménage with MMF altogether. This pushed me out of my comfort zone to begin with but I then began to love it. This is an unconventional love between three people. Monopoly has never been so hot.
Dean and Jack you can’t help but become a voyeur. And also want to participate. They are hot and sweet together and downright filthy. Add Paige in and well. Keep your fan ready.
I thought that there wouldn’t be enough substance but I’m glad to have been proven wrong.
Paige wants to start over so she moves out to Hamlet Island to open up the bed & breakfast The Nutmeg Inn. Lonely after finding out that her husband cheated on her with Barbie she is starved for affection.
Jack and Dean are in a relationship they had a third but indifferences arose and she left. Jack and Dean are helping Paige get the bed and breakfast hence the handy men. They want Paige and they are doing anything they can. Paige catches them in several acts and her fantasies start to run wild. But how will it work? They are a couple they love one another. But with the rumour mill of the island her livelihood is on the line.
The topic comes up that Jack can keep Stephanie and Dean Paige. Okay I guess they have to talk about it but for me it is a no brainer to be honest. They beg her to fight for them and then they tell her to take a break. Good on you Paige for putting a stop to it completely. The ending was somewhat anti-climactic. IMO.
There is o/w drama as an ex comes back and there is a surprise. That spoilt it for me. A lot.
I would have liked to have seen an epilogue to see how it continued a HFN just wasn’t enough for me. My first book by this author and although she has written an engaging, delectable read with fantastic characters with a balance of ménage that works between all three I’d need to think real hard about reading another book by this author.
Review can also be found @http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
February 3, 2019
3.5
Nice ménage. MMF
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Nice ménage. MMF
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 21, 2017
Plenty of steam!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh I loved this hot little read I was able to review. While short on pages, it packs a wallop in terms of heat.
There were a few areas that where the author could have increased the descriptive portions and character development to reel the reader in tight, but I also appreciated the fact that it was short and sweet.
The author brings us a spicy menage story with MMF action that is high on the steam factor. A good read for what it is... a novella that gets right to the punch without a lot of extraneous details.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh I loved this hot little read I was able to review. While short on pages, it packs a wallop in terms of heat.
There were a few areas that where the author could have increased the descriptive portions and character development to reel the reader in tight, but I also appreciated the fact that it was short and sweet.
The author brings us a spicy menage story with MMF action that is high on the steam factor. A good read for what it is... a novella that gets right to the punch without a lot of extraneous details.
May 7, 2017
A little ditty 'bout Jack, Dean, and Paige...oh wait, that's not how the song goes. *It's in your head now though, isn't it? LOL*
After her marriage ended last year, Paige needed a fresh start and her new business venture, a B&B, will give her that. However, it needs some work. Thankfully, Jack and Dean, her new friends, are available and willing to assist her. Paige can't help but appreciate not only their kindness to her, but also the way they make her feel, and while she's happy for them, she knows nothing will ever come of her growing feelings for them.
Jack and Dean are married and in love...with each other. As she's enjoying a walk, she comes upon a scene she wishes she could commit to memory. Jack and Dean are enjoying themselves as well, theirs just happens to be a more private moment. While witnessing it definitely turned Paige on, it also reinforced her loneliness, as well as the fact that she'll never have the men of her dreams.
Dean and Jack know Paige watched them, they wanted her to. They've craved Paige for months, wanting her to become theirs. But they've both agreed Paige needs to come to them, at least until the renovations on the B&B are complete. After that though, if she hasn't made a move, Jack and Dean are fully prepared to let her know how they feel.
**I write my reviews as I read, so this is where things drastically changed for me and my enjoyment of this book, as you'll soon see by the difference in my thoughts.**
I just, I'm sorry, I didn't like the book and honestly don't feel it fair to continue the review as I normally would. Yes, I liked the premise, as well as three people finding love and happiness in a committed menage, and the sex scenes were hot, but I couldn't stand Jack, Dean was better, but because I couldn't connect with Jack, it impacted my feelings about Dean, and this book just pushed way too many buttons regarding my hard lines. *You'll learn why below if you continue reading. Be warned, there will be spoilers.** While the author's talent is obvious, and my opinion in no way detracts from that, this book was not for me at all. But please, make the decision for yourself because I know what bothers me, others won't necessarily have the same issues with.
Nope, I'm done. I'm off to read something else to cleanse my brain.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
After her marriage ended last year, Paige needed a fresh start and her new business venture, a B&B, will give her that. However, it needs some work. Thankfully, Jack and Dean, her new friends, are available and willing to assist her. Paige can't help but appreciate not only their kindness to her, but also the way they make her feel, and while she's happy for them, she knows nothing will ever come of her growing feelings for them.
Jack and Dean are married and in love...with each other. As she's enjoying a walk, she comes upon a scene she wishes she could commit to memory. Jack and Dean are enjoying themselves as well, theirs just happens to be a more private moment. While witnessing it definitely turned Paige on, it also reinforced her loneliness, as well as the fact that she'll never have the men of her dreams.
Dean and Jack know Paige watched them, they wanted her to. They've craved Paige for months, wanting her to become theirs. But they've both agreed Paige needs to come to them, at least until the renovations on the B&B are complete. After that though, if she hasn't made a move, Jack and Dean are fully prepared to let her know how they feel.
**I write my reviews as I read, so this is where things drastically changed for me and my enjoyment of this book, as you'll soon see by the difference in my thoughts.**
I just, I'm sorry, I didn't like the book and honestly don't feel it fair to continue the review as I normally would. Yes, I liked the premise, as well as three people finding love and happiness in a committed menage, and the sex scenes were hot, but I couldn't stand Jack, Dean was better, but because I couldn't connect with Jack, it impacted my feelings about Dean, and this book just pushed way too many buttons regarding my hard lines. *You'll learn why below if you continue reading. Be warned, there will be spoilers.** While the author's talent is obvious, and my opinion in no way detracts from that, this book was not for me at all. But please, make the decision for yourself because I know what bothers me, others won't necessarily have the same issues with.
Nope, I'm done. I'm off to read something else to cleanse my brain.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
May 4, 2017
This is a smutty little treat for those into MMF menage erotica. Ms. Schmidt set up some interesting twists on some standard romance tropes that I didn’t expect. By the end, even if I wanted a bit more romance and time spent developing the characters, it’s the sexy times that kept me turning the page. If MMF is your jam, you may enjoy this.
**ARC provided by author via InkSlingerPR for review**
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October 6, 2019
The Handy Men is short, sweet and to the point all wrapped up in some hotness! I'm not gonna lie, at first I thought it was just going to read like a moment in time because of the length of the book. I didn't think the author could pull off unfolding a menage relationship in such a short amount of pages...but she did :) There were some aspects that could have used some depth, but overall, it turned out well done. There's not much to say except this is an MMF relationship and not an MFM, so if that's not your thing, then you should probably not read this story. But if it is :) prepare for serious hotness!!
Copy provided for blog tour review
Copy provided for blog tour review
July 10, 2017
If I had to rate this book when I was about 50% of the way through, I probably would have given it 4.5 stars. It was that good in the beginning! You felt not only the attraction between the three characters but also the connection. There was more than just the physical attraction between them and I appreciated the time spent building the friendship up. I enjoyed reading about getting the inn ready and the managing to still have time to themselves.
But then I got to about 70% of the way through the book and it just sort of lost steam. The drama picked up somewhat (Stephanie, the parents, the baby) but then the book seemed to focus more on the drama and less on the triad. I was thoroughly confused at one point and even reread a page twice to see if I could make sense out of it but it still didn't.
The ending was far too abrupt. It was as if the author just decided the book was long enough and clicked save. There was very little closure. I wanted to read about how the triad made it work. How did (if at all) their relationship impact the success of the inn? What did the future hold for all of them?
** ARC received from Netgalley **
But then I got to about 70% of the way through the book and it just sort of lost steam. The drama picked up somewhat (Stephanie, the parents, the baby) but then the book seemed to focus more on the drama and less on the triad. I was thoroughly confused at one point and even reread a page twice to see if I could make sense out of it but it still didn't.
The ending was far too abrupt. It was as if the author just decided the book was long enough and clicked save. There was very little closure. I wanted to read about how the triad made it work. How did (if at all) their relationship impact the success of the inn? What did the future hold for all of them?
** ARC received from Netgalley **
April 27, 2017
Wooeee! What a great story and boy is it hot, hot, hot!
This had such a great storyline. For a short story it sure packs a punch; amazing characters, manipulation, lots of emotions, and steamy scenes that will have you fanning yourself.
This was a 5 star read for me all the way until the last 2 chapters; at that point, the ending was very rushed and lost some of its steam and excitement. I would have liked more time with a certain thing that happens and more of them all together. I think an epilogue would have helped.
I loved the dynamic of the story and the relationships! I absolutely loved the characters and wanted more of them. Dean, Jack, and Paige are sure to steal your heart!
This had such a great storyline. For a short story it sure packs a punch; amazing characters, manipulation, lots of emotions, and steamy scenes that will have you fanning yourself.
This was a 5 star read for me all the way until the last 2 chapters; at that point, the ending was very rushed and lost some of its steam and excitement. I would have liked more time with a certain thing that happens and more of them all together. I think an epilogue would have helped.
I loved the dynamic of the story and the relationships! I absolutely loved the characters and wanted more of them. Dean, Jack, and Paige are sure to steal your heart!
May 4, 2017
This was a quick steamy read, one that I did enjoy even though I had a hard time connecting with the characters. There were several different issues that the threesome had to overcome in order to get their HEA.
You can see my full review with a giveaway here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...
You can see my full review with a giveaway here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...
April 23, 2017
This book was hot and I really enjoyed the story, but the end lacked a little something. I feel like it wrapped up a little too quickly and would have liked an epilogue or something to help see what happened after everything was suddenly okay. This book definitely had steamy sex scenes and lots of heart. I anticipated a deception that didn't happen the way I was expecting and that kind of bothered me as well. Despite those few things, I found this story enjoyable and will continue to read books by Jamie K. Schmidt.
July 10, 2017
The Handy Men starts out very interesting with a nice setting on a small island off the Connecticut coast. Paige is starting her own business with the Nutmeg Inn and Jack and Dean, a married couple and best friends to Paige, are helping with the renovations. For Jack and Dean their relationship isn't complete and their are both longing for the perfect woman.
I really liked the first half of the book. The relationship starts rather slowly and carefully which I rather enjoy than people immediately jumping each other. Still there were a few really hot scenes which were really well written.
In the second half there is way too much drama for this short book. The trouble is coming so many different sides that it wasn't believable anymore and the relationship develops too quickly now.
I liked the characters. Paige was a strong independent woman and Jack and Dean the book-typical hot couple.
Overall I found the book enjoyable but with way too much drama in the second half.
I really liked the first half of the book. The relationship starts rather slowly and carefully which I rather enjoy than people immediately jumping each other. Still there were a few really hot scenes which were really well written.
In the second half there is way too much drama for this short book. The trouble is coming so many different sides that it wasn't believable anymore and the relationship develops too quickly now.
I liked the characters. Paige was a strong independent woman and Jack and Dean the book-typical hot couple.
Overall I found the book enjoyable but with way too much drama in the second half.
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April 4, 2022
This is one of the most bewildering, unnecessarily drama-filled novellas I’ve read. And for a MMF ménage, that’s saying something. Not only is there the typical “they won’t understand our dynamic” conflict, but there’s meddling family, hung-up exes, nosy neighbours, money troubles, and a surprise secret child! Too many conflicts took away from developing the relationship between the three leads that it all just seemed a bit slapped together.
June 10, 2022
This was a quick read, that may have benefitted from being a little more fleshed out. Still enjoyable though.
October 13, 2020
Paige is a newly divorced woman whom buys a Bed and Breakfast to fix up because it's what she wants to do. She has feelings for the two, she presumes gay men but is afraid to try anything. However, once she dips her toes into Jack and Dean, she falls hard. When all of their pasts come back, they must truly try to see what happens.
I loved this story, and the tension was just enough to keep me turning the pages.
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I loved this story, and the tension was just enough to keep me turning the pages.
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 5, 2017
Sizzlingly hot and yet also really romantic; these guys are not jerks!
Page is a recent divorcee whose ex cheated on her. She is starting over with a new bed and breakfast business on an island off of Connecticut. Paige feels guilty for fantasizing about her two married gay male best friends, Jack and Dean, who also fix things in her hotel. Meanwhile, they have been trying to subtly give her a message that they want her to join their relationship. Jack and Dean feel like she could be the right woman for a long term equal partner.
I really like the fair, equal relationship among this threesome. They are all good people who respect each other. I also approve that Jack and Dean knew Paige as friends for about a year before they asked her to join their relationship and their bed. The author has a fantastic gift for sexual description as well as a talent for writing vivid characters that quickly make me love them. The book has cute banter as well as serious dialogue. This is the first book by Jamie K. Schmidt that I have read, and I can't wait to look up her backlist to see what I have been missing. I cannot imagine a higher quality book about a menage a trois in contemporary romance. I even like it better than Emma Holly's book "The Assassins' Lover", which was my previous favorite MMF romance (a paranormal one).
The multiple love scenes are hot, hot, HOT, with tons of variety too! The sparing use of curse words is right on target. The author also has perfect word choice to keep the scenes' mood and pacing going strong. I really liked the number of love scenes, which was enough for an erotic book but not too much to overtake the relationship development.
There are realistic impediments to the trio's relationship, but nothing in the novella is too gritty for me. There are plenty of moments of humor and coziness. For example, Paige felt so comfortable and protected when they hugged her. The guys, especially Jack, are a little rough around the edges, making them more like real guys while still being as hot as molten lava. The book is really hot but also really romantic. It is a novella length (141 pages), but it feels like a very complete and satisfying story. I love it! What a fantastically talented author.
I received a free advanced reading copy from the author via Netgalley, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
Page is a recent divorcee whose ex cheated on her. She is starting over with a new bed and breakfast business on an island off of Connecticut. Paige feels guilty for fantasizing about her two married gay male best friends, Jack and Dean, who also fix things in her hotel. Meanwhile, they have been trying to subtly give her a message that they want her to join their relationship. Jack and Dean feel like she could be the right woman for a long term equal partner.
I really like the fair, equal relationship among this threesome. They are all good people who respect each other. I also approve that Jack and Dean knew Paige as friends for about a year before they asked her to join their relationship and their bed. The author has a fantastic gift for sexual description as well as a talent for writing vivid characters that quickly make me love them. The book has cute banter as well as serious dialogue. This is the first book by Jamie K. Schmidt that I have read, and I can't wait to look up her backlist to see what I have been missing. I cannot imagine a higher quality book about a menage a trois in contemporary romance. I even like it better than Emma Holly's book "The Assassins' Lover", which was my previous favorite MMF romance (a paranormal one).
The multiple love scenes are hot, hot, HOT, with tons of variety too! The sparing use of curse words is right on target. The author also has perfect word choice to keep the scenes' mood and pacing going strong. I really liked the number of love scenes, which was enough for an erotic book but not too much to overtake the relationship development.
There are realistic impediments to the trio's relationship, but nothing in the novella is too gritty for me. There are plenty of moments of humor and coziness. For example, Paige felt so comfortable and protected when they hugged her. The guys, especially Jack, are a little rough around the edges, making them more like real guys while still being as hot as molten lava. The book is really hot but also really romantic. It is a novella length (141 pages), but it feels like a very complete and satisfying story. I love it! What a fantastically talented author.
I received a free advanced reading copy from the author via Netgalley, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
October 26, 2017
Paige Richards is starting her life over after a divorce from a cheating husband. She's purchased a B & B on a touristy island. It needs lots of work so it great that she has some new friends, Dean and Jack, to do the renovations. They are married but after knowing them for a year, she has the hots for both of them. They were both attractive, kind, and her best friends. She knows she can't have them, but what's the hurt in fantasizing about them?? Life on this island is very conservative. Gays are barely tolerated yet alone a threesome so what is she thinking? Plus her parents are just as bad! Very unsupportive! They loaned her some money for the renovations, but it is laden with strings! What she doesn't know is that Dean and Jack have been wanting her just as much-and for much more than just a few nights. They believe Paige is the one to make their lives complete. They don't want to hurt the success of the B&B or their friendship though, so they want Paige to come to them.
I liked this book for the most part. It started out gangbusters and I thought it was going to be a super sexy read. And the sexy scenes were pretty good. I liked Dean and Paige right away, but Jack...he was a jerk. Some of the stuff that came out of his mouth was awful. Things that you do not say to your girlfriend and chalk it up to being a guy-I don't buy it! One minute he is 100% in love with Paige and in the next he's cavorting with an ex. I also didn't care for the drama with the ex. Seemed like something just thrown in to put a monkey wrench in their pursuit of Paige. As if her parents and her hovering ex issues weren't enough, this wrinkle didn't help the flow of the story. In fact it pretty much stopped it quick. The other issue is the ending. The ex stuff is just kinda glossed over and then everything is peachy-keen with Paige again. Wha-What?? Paige is a strong girl, I give her that, but the back n forth was taxing. I thought she deserved a more solid ending than we got. I guess I just needed a little more convincing that Paige was the one for them. Maybe an epilogue with a fantastical celebration??
Overall I still liked the book and if you are looking for a spicy quick read, The Handy Men fits the bill nicely.
3.5 Stars/4 Flames
This book was gifted to me for an honest review. The review and ratings are solely my opinions.
I liked this book for the most part. It started out gangbusters and I thought it was going to be a super sexy read. And the sexy scenes were pretty good. I liked Dean and Paige right away, but Jack...he was a jerk. Some of the stuff that came out of his mouth was awful. Things that you do not say to your girlfriend and chalk it up to being a guy-I don't buy it! One minute he is 100% in love with Paige and in the next he's cavorting with an ex. I also didn't care for the drama with the ex. Seemed like something just thrown in to put a monkey wrench in their pursuit of Paige. As if her parents and her hovering ex issues weren't enough, this wrinkle didn't help the flow of the story. In fact it pretty much stopped it quick. The other issue is the ending. The ex stuff is just kinda glossed over and then everything is peachy-keen with Paige again. Wha-What?? Paige is a strong girl, I give her that, but the back n forth was taxing. I thought she deserved a more solid ending than we got. I guess I just needed a little more convincing that Paige was the one for them. Maybe an epilogue with a fantastical celebration??
Overall I still liked the book and if you are looking for a spicy quick read, The Handy Men fits the bill nicely.
3.5 Stars/4 Flames
This book was gifted to me for an honest review. The review and ratings are solely my opinions.
May 5, 2017
When Paige Richards divorced her cheating husband, she sold everything and bought a fixer-upper Bed & Breakfast, which needs more fixing than she anticipated, and she’s broke. The only consolation being the two gorgeous handymen who are helping out: Jack and Dean. Paige has been ogling them and mentally salivating over her helpers, but it seems like a hopeless case: they are married to each other!
I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of ménage stories I have read, I don’t specifically look for erotic romance, I’m not sure why I picked up THE HANDY MEN, except that it sounded original and fun, and it is. I liked that we get a good feel for the characters quickly, especially that Dean and Jack really love each other in a masculine way, and they respect Paige. The writing is unpretentious and very effective, the pace is steady, and the sex is seriously hot.
THE HANDY MEN is one of those rare books that got better as it progressed. Jake and Dean face real problems because they are an openly gay couple, and they also have other issues because of a past relationship. Alternative lifestyles are presented as a fact, without any judgement either way, and seen through the eyes of tolerant and intolerant people, I found interesting to look at it from various points of view. I also loved that Jack and Dean have entirely different voices, they also have a different approach to sex, which was refreshing, as I never got the impression of having mirror images of one character. There was a lot more substance IN THE HANDY MEN than I expected: while it started rather light, cute and steamy, snags happened along the way, and it ended up being quite the nail-biter. The complications are realistic, and handled extremely well by the author. I thought that THE HANDY MEN would provide some sizzling sex, I got that, but even more, I also got a terrific story that had me reading past my bedtime. THE HANDY MEN was a wonderful surprise!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
See my review on: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of ménage stories I have read, I don’t specifically look for erotic romance, I’m not sure why I picked up THE HANDY MEN, except that it sounded original and fun, and it is. I liked that we get a good feel for the characters quickly, especially that Dean and Jack really love each other in a masculine way, and they respect Paige. The writing is unpretentious and very effective, the pace is steady, and the sex is seriously hot.
THE HANDY MEN is one of those rare books that got better as it progressed. Jake and Dean face real problems because they are an openly gay couple, and they also have other issues because of a past relationship. Alternative lifestyles are presented as a fact, without any judgement either way, and seen through the eyes of tolerant and intolerant people, I found interesting to look at it from various points of view. I also loved that Jack and Dean have entirely different voices, they also have a different approach to sex, which was refreshing, as I never got the impression of having mirror images of one character. There was a lot more substance IN THE HANDY MEN than I expected: while it started rather light, cute and steamy, snags happened along the way, and it ended up being quite the nail-biter. The complications are realistic, and handled extremely well by the author. I thought that THE HANDY MEN would provide some sizzling sex, I got that, but even more, I also got a terrific story that had me reading past my bedtime. THE HANDY MEN was a wonderful surprise!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
See my review on: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
May 8, 2017
Well…
*coughs*
Wowzer.
Umm…
That was…
*coughs* *taps chin* How shall I put this?
Totally freaking HAWT!
Whoa, mama – cue hot flash *fans face*
I am a sucker for a good ménage story, and for me, this was a great one. Published under Entangled’s Scorched titles, this story was indeed combustible, but was so much more. My emotions became all entangled (see what I did there? *winks*) with these characters.
Having been burned before, trust doesn’t come easy to Paige Richards. Trying to take control of her life and forge a future for herself, she has put everything into the opening of her B&B. Failure is not an option. Especially not with the kind of parents she has. Talk about making me feel stabby!
“Love hurts. It’s sacrifice and pain. That’s how you know it’s real.”
Dean and Jack have all but given up on their dream of finding a woman to complete their tripod relationship. The last woman left them feeling slightly bruised but more committed than ever to each other. All that changes when Paige employs them to renovate the B&B. They know immediately they have found their one. Now they just have to convince her to take a chance, and entrust them with not just her body, but her heart. Easier said than done, right?
I loved how Dean and Jack were complete opposites. Jack is the joker of the two, with his dirty-blond hair and tattoos. Yet, I felt behind the smiles he was the one most vulnerable emotionally after their last attempt to find the one. He had me ranting at my kindle at some of the decisions he made – ugh!
Dean – tall, dark, and you’ve guessed it, handsome – exudes an intensity which could melt the panties right off you with just one look. He knows what he wants and directs all of that focus into getting the HEA he wants for all three of them.
With the aforementioned meddling parents, deluded exes and well-meaning islanders their path is not a smooth one, but some things are just meant to be!
Note: Copy kindly received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*coughs*
Wowzer.
Umm…
That was…
*coughs* *taps chin* How shall I put this?
Totally freaking HAWT!
Whoa, mama – cue hot flash *fans face*
I am a sucker for a good ménage story, and for me, this was a great one. Published under Entangled’s Scorched titles, this story was indeed combustible, but was so much more. My emotions became all entangled (see what I did there? *winks*) with these characters.
Having been burned before, trust doesn’t come easy to Paige Richards. Trying to take control of her life and forge a future for herself, she has put everything into the opening of her B&B. Failure is not an option. Especially not with the kind of parents she has. Talk about making me feel stabby!
“Love hurts. It’s sacrifice and pain. That’s how you know it’s real.”
Dean and Jack have all but given up on their dream of finding a woman to complete their tripod relationship. The last woman left them feeling slightly bruised but more committed than ever to each other. All that changes when Paige employs them to renovate the B&B. They know immediately they have found their one. Now they just have to convince her to take a chance, and entrust them with not just her body, but her heart. Easier said than done, right?
I loved how Dean and Jack were complete opposites. Jack is the joker of the two, with his dirty-blond hair and tattoos. Yet, I felt behind the smiles he was the one most vulnerable emotionally after their last attempt to find the one. He had me ranting at my kindle at some of the decisions he made – ugh!
Dean – tall, dark, and you’ve guessed it, handsome – exudes an intensity which could melt the panties right off you with just one look. He knows what he wants and directs all of that focus into getting the HEA he wants for all three of them.
With the aforementioned meddling parents, deluded exes and well-meaning islanders their path is not a smooth one, but some things are just meant to be!
Note: Copy kindly received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2017
This is M/F/M, M/M/F, M/M romance; so if you’re not into this kind of book then this is not for you. I on the other hand enjoy these kinds of books. I found this book interesting; the plot was a same old same old with a small but yet very enjoyable ending. I would have liked to see what happens in August, I guess if you want to know you have to get the book and read for yourself. The book has romantic drama and some really hot male moments. I like both male characters Jack and Dean; they both have some alpha in them which I really like. Paige turned out to be a stronger character then what she started with. If you enjoy HEA this is a great read and the price is right.
***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC for an honest review via NetGalley, this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.***
***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC for an honest review via NetGalley, this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.***
May 28, 2017
Received an ARC copy
Let me start by saying I usually avoid novels where two men are having sex. I'm not against men x men couples but sometimes it's just weird for me to read. HOWEVER -- this was freaking FAN-FLIPPING-TASTIC. OMG this was a hot freaking novel for me. Two hot men married two each other and a female -- just the thoughts.
Paige is a woman who has dealt with heartaches and betrayal from her family and ex-husband. She finally decides to take control of her life and run a inn on an island. Paige was definitely a strong woman in comparison to her mother and with all the things she went through. I love that she was open to just enjoying her life and not caring about what people though about or said concerning her sex life. She was bold and I loved it. Paige also knew what she wanted sexually and always went for it.
Jack, of the two men, was the more aggressive one. He seemed to have a "no chill" button. He was dominate, yet at the same he could softhearted. Jack seemed to make me laugh with his roughness towards Paige and his craziness towards Dean.
Dean definitely had to be my favorite of the two men. He was sweet, caring, tender, but at the same time when it came to Paige he was all in and aggressive -- he had no true control over his feelings for her. I absolutely LOVED him.
The romance was freaking amazing. I loved how Jack and Dean plotted to get Paige in the mix with them. I loved how open Paige was to it and never shot it down. I loved the feelings they had for one another. Even when the monkey wrench was thrown into the mix by their ex Stephanie things still panned out. The sex freaking hot and steamy. That ending totally melted my heart to pieces!
Totally recommend if you're into men x men action or ménage à trois. GREAT read.
Let me start by saying I usually avoid novels where two men are having sex. I'm not against men x men couples but sometimes it's just weird for me to read. HOWEVER -- this was freaking FAN-FLIPPING-TASTIC. OMG this was a hot freaking novel for me. Two hot men married two each other and a female -- just the thoughts.
Paige is a woman who has dealt with heartaches and betrayal from her family and ex-husband. She finally decides to take control of her life and run a inn on an island. Paige was definitely a strong woman in comparison to her mother and with all the things she went through. I love that she was open to just enjoying her life and not caring about what people though about or said concerning her sex life. She was bold and I loved it. Paige also knew what she wanted sexually and always went for it.
Jack, of the two men, was the more aggressive one. He seemed to have a "no chill" button. He was dominate, yet at the same he could softhearted. Jack seemed to make me laugh with his roughness towards Paige and his craziness towards Dean.
Dean definitely had to be my favorite of the two men. He was sweet, caring, tender, but at the same time when it came to Paige he was all in and aggressive -- he had no true control over his feelings for her. I absolutely LOVED him.
The romance was freaking amazing. I loved how Jack and Dean plotted to get Paige in the mix with them. I loved how open Paige was to it and never shot it down. I loved the feelings they had for one another. Even when the monkey wrench was thrown into the mix by their ex Stephanie things still panned out. The sex freaking hot and steamy. That ending totally melted my heart to pieces!
Totally recommend if you're into men x men action or ménage à trois. GREAT read.
May 4, 2017
****3.
The Handy Men revolves around Jack and Dean who are a couple and their desire to add a third, bed and breakfast owner, Paige. At roughly 150 pages this story, while good, had the potential for being more. It skims the difficulties of having a permanent menage relationship especially when located in a small, narrow minded community after having added and emphasizing a lot of issues facing the trio.
Told from various POVs, the main focus is on Paige and her difficulties after divorcing her cheating ex, dealing with the uber controlling parents and her conflicting emotions regarding Jack and Dean. Paige starts off as determined to get her life back on track and within her own control, however, she falters as she realizes that she not only underestimated what it took to start her inn. Jack, unfortunately, starts out as a good character but eventually comes off as selfish and cavalier as the story progresses. Dean is a solid character , though it appears as if he and Jack's characters were switched mid-read.
There is a lot going on for a short novel. Jack and Dean's want of a third, Paige's ex and his upcoming nuptials, Paige's controlling parents, the neighbor's potential scorn, the Inn, Jack and Dean's ex coming back and bringing a child. All of this plotting which comes to head and is resolved with little fanfare. All is taken care of within a couple of chapters leaving the reader feeling like they missed conversations and resolutions some where. For me, this book would have been better had there been more.
Overall it is a good read, one I suggest for those that like their angst quickly resolved, their sex scenes dirty and m/m infused and a HEA for all involved.
5****
The Handy Men revolves around Jack and Dean who are a couple and their desire to add a third, bed and breakfast owner, Paige. At roughly 150 pages this story, while good, had the potential for being more. It skims the difficulties of having a permanent menage relationship especially when located in a small, narrow minded community after having added and emphasizing a lot of issues facing the trio.
Told from various POVs, the main focus is on Paige and her difficulties after divorcing her cheating ex, dealing with the uber controlling parents and her conflicting emotions regarding Jack and Dean. Paige starts off as determined to get her life back on track and within her own control, however, she falters as she realizes that she not only underestimated what it took to start her inn. Jack, unfortunately, starts out as a good character but eventually comes off as selfish and cavalier as the story progresses. Dean is a solid character , though it appears as if he and Jack's characters were switched mid-read.
There is a lot going on for a short novel. Jack and Dean's want of a third, Paige's ex and his upcoming nuptials, Paige's controlling parents, the neighbor's potential scorn, the Inn, Jack and Dean's ex coming back and bringing a child. All of this plotting which comes to head and is resolved with little fanfare. All is taken care of within a couple of chapters leaving the reader feeling like they missed conversations and resolutions some where. For me, this book would have been better had there been more.
Overall it is a good read, one I suggest for those that like their angst quickly resolved, their sex scenes dirty and m/m infused and a HEA for all involved.
5****
May 5, 2017
I’m a sucker for MMF stories. And those with an established gay (well, bi…) couple looking for a female addition to be complete? Hell, yeah, count me in! I expected steam, hotness, passion and countless dirty deeds. And oh boy did I get that! And still … it wasn’t enough. Maybe it’s because I’ve read some really – and I mean REALLY – explicit and very descriptive stories these past weeks – all I know is I immensely enjoyed the hot stuff but wished for more. Lol. Yeah, I’m dirty and corrupted like that. Oops.
But although being novella-sized, THE HANDYMEN also did not lack storyline or substance. The characters were well developed, there was laughter, emotions all over the place, manipulation and drama. Side characters to love and hate and complications that this type of relationship evidently and realistically attracts. A twisty surprise that you won’t see coming.
Only the end seemed a little bit too rushed. Everything was solved too quickly and not at all at once. There was no real closure with one topic and too little time to explore another. A lookout sometime later as a last chapter / epilogue would have been desirable for sure.
What I did love was the dynamic of those three. Loved intense and vigorous, sometimes even aggressive Jack, more sensual and gentle Jack – they were perfect as they were from the beginning. Add Paige to the mix, how she completed them, enjoyed them to the max, and it got downright explosive. Loved their weekly game nights that somehow and suddenly got so much more interesting.
Wonderful stories that with a few pages more would surely have been a 5 star read for me.
But although being novella-sized, THE HANDYMEN also did not lack storyline or substance. The characters were well developed, there was laughter, emotions all over the place, manipulation and drama. Side characters to love and hate and complications that this type of relationship evidently and realistically attracts. A twisty surprise that you won’t see coming.
Only the end seemed a little bit too rushed. Everything was solved too quickly and not at all at once. There was no real closure with one topic and too little time to explore another. A lookout sometime later as a last chapter / epilogue would have been desirable for sure.
What I did love was the dynamic of those three. Loved intense and vigorous, sometimes even aggressive Jack, more sensual and gentle Jack – they were perfect as they were from the beginning. Add Paige to the mix, how she completed them, enjoyed them to the max, and it got downright explosive. Loved their weekly game nights that somehow and suddenly got so much more interesting.
Wonderful stories that with a few pages more would surely have been a 5 star read for me.
May 9, 2017
***5 Bad Ass Bitch Stars***
#PavillionLove
#INeedToOpenMyOwnBnB
#SplashingMyselfWithColdWater
Holy crap son! I'm fanning myself. The handymen is a scrumptious novella delivering scorching heat and a sexy MMF relationship between Jack, Dean and Paige. It's a quick read but it's smokin' hot, and I couldn't put it down. 5 hot sexy, handymen stars for this awesomeness!
#PavillionLove
#INeedToOpenMyOwnBnB
#SplashingMyselfWithColdWater
Holy crap son! I'm fanning myself. The handymen is a scrumptious novella delivering scorching heat and a sexy MMF relationship between Jack, Dean and Paige. It's a quick read but it's smokin' hot, and I couldn't put it down. 5 hot sexy, handymen stars for this awesomeness!
May 12, 2017
A woman defies her idiot parents by buying a small hotel by the seashore, and is in lust for the two handymen even though she knows they’re a couple. The guys want her too, but it’s never that easy, is it? Especially when three’s a crowded bed.
What always saves these silly premises is the banter, which is witty here. Loved the female main character, and thankfully the guys weren’t jerks. The parents and ex-husband were sick one-dimensional villains, but Barbie was a pleasant surprise, though I have no idea why she’s marrying the ex; he’s not that rich.
There is one plot point that annoyed me. Toward the end she’s in need of $60,000. She tries to scratch it together, and so do the guys, and there isn’t one single thought of combining. Communication, people!
But there is one part that I so thoroughly loved it inspired me to raise the score half a point. Here’s the passage:
“It’s from Jerry Maguire.”
“The‘show me the money’ movie?”
“You’re hopeless with the classics,” Dean said.
“No. The classics are movies that happened before we were born. Casablanca and Somewhere in Time.”
Dean shook his head. “Bogart didn’t get the girl, and Christopher Reeves slowly withered away and died.”
“Because of love.” Jack sighed in contentment. “Isn’t that romantic?”
“You have issues.”
“Love hurts.”
Other than it being Reeve instead of Reeves, spot on. Can’t believe my two fave movies are the example!
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
What always saves these silly premises is the banter, which is witty here. Loved the female main character, and thankfully the guys weren’t jerks. The parents and ex-husband were sick one-dimensional villains, but Barbie was a pleasant surprise, though I have no idea why she’s marrying the ex; he’s not that rich.
There is one plot point that annoyed me. Toward the end she’s in need of $60,000. She tries to scratch it together, and so do the guys, and there isn’t one single thought of combining. Communication, people!
But there is one part that I so thoroughly loved it inspired me to raise the score half a point. Here’s the passage:
“It’s from Jerry Maguire.”
“The‘show me the money’ movie?”
“You’re hopeless with the classics,” Dean said.
“No. The classics are movies that happened before we were born. Casablanca and Somewhere in Time.”
Dean shook his head. “Bogart didn’t get the girl, and Christopher Reeves slowly withered away and died.”
“Because of love.” Jack sighed in contentment. “Isn’t that romantic?”
“You have issues.”
“Love hurts.”
Other than it being Reeve instead of Reeves, spot on. Can’t believe my two fave movies are the example!
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
March 8, 2021
Jamie K. Schmidt has got a new fan!
There are so many reasons I enjoyed this as much as I did.
Reason #1: It's pretty short and a quick read. I finished it in four days but probably could have done it in two. I love that there's a full complex story but it's not overdone.
Reason #2: It gets to the point! None of this "Will they or won't they." We already know they will; so why dance around too long?
Reason #3: Did I mention it gets to the point? There's no long work around of reasons of why they shouldn't.
Actually there are quite a few reasons of why they shouldn't, and they make for some pretty interesting "oh crap!" plot twists which is also what makes it pretty fun. But they don't really let those things get in the way; because, again, in the end we know they'll work out.
Reason #4: I can't stand romances with prolonged problems that can easily be resolved if the characters would just talk to each other or with broken 'unlovable' characters. This has neither.
These characters know what they want and get it.
Reason #5: I'd like to think that my enjoying it so much is reason enough.
It's hot, it's fun, it left me wanting more and I will most definitely be reading more by the author.
There are so many reasons I enjoyed this as much as I did.
Reason #1: It's pretty short and a quick read. I finished it in four days but probably could have done it in two. I love that there's a full complex story but it's not overdone.
Reason #2: It gets to the point! None of this "Will they or won't they." We already know they will; so why dance around too long?
Reason #3: Did I mention it gets to the point? There's no long work around of reasons of why they shouldn't.
Actually there are quite a few reasons of why they shouldn't, and they make for some pretty interesting "oh crap!" plot twists which is also what makes it pretty fun. But they don't really let those things get in the way; because, again, in the end we know they'll work out.
Reason #4: I can't stand romances with prolonged problems that can easily be resolved if the characters would just talk to each other or with broken 'unlovable' characters. This has neither.
These characters know what they want and get it.
Reason #5: I'd like to think that my enjoying it so much is reason enough.
It's hot, it's fun, it left me wanting more and I will most definitely be reading more by the author.
May 5, 2017
***This and other reviews can be found at www.imasweetandsassybookwhore.com ***
*ARC*
The Handy Men was a fairly quick and sexy book that I liked and really wish I would have liked it even more than I did. The chemistry between Jack, Dean & Paige is undeniably hot. I wanted to see how this would all play out and the sex scenes are hot there is no denying that. What I think too away from the book was unnecessary or unresolved drama. There were too many things that needed resolution that didn’t get it and it took away from what could have been a 5 star book.
I liked the premise for the book and ménage is a genre that I always tend to really enjoy. The dynamics of Jack, Dean & Paige’s relationship was a bit different than normal, see Jack and Dean are married and they want to add Paige into their relationship. I liked that they already had a strong foundation going in. Paige needed to at times stand up for herself more, that is one of those unresolved issues I was talking about.
While I am not screaming from the rooftops about The Handy Men it was one that I did like, I just wish I would have liked it more.
*ARC*
The Handy Men was a fairly quick and sexy book that I liked and really wish I would have liked it even more than I did. The chemistry between Jack, Dean & Paige is undeniably hot. I wanted to see how this would all play out and the sex scenes are hot there is no denying that. What I think too away from the book was unnecessary or unresolved drama. There were too many things that needed resolution that didn’t get it and it took away from what could have been a 5 star book.
I liked the premise for the book and ménage is a genre that I always tend to really enjoy. The dynamics of Jack, Dean & Paige’s relationship was a bit different than normal, see Jack and Dean are married and they want to add Paige into their relationship. I liked that they already had a strong foundation going in. Paige needed to at times stand up for herself more, that is one of those unresolved issues I was talking about.
While I am not screaming from the rooftops about The Handy Men it was one that I did like, I just wish I would have liked it more.
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