Longing to escape a terrible workday, when the opportunity for a hookup with a stranger arrives, Matteo goes for it. Unfortunately, it ends badly…really badly. Worse, when Matteo confronts the hookup a few months later, he challenges the wrong guy. Oops.
Levi is determined to find his no-good brother, but he never expects to need the help of one flabbergasted and adorable small-town librarian in a bow tie. As the two embark on a friendship, Levi slowly lets go of past hurts and opens his heart to Matteo, and the intensity between them builds. Matteo isn’t usually assertive, but he finds his voice with Levi. Finally free to be himself, Levi welcomes this new feeling of being desired.
When Levi’s brother resurfaces, Matteo and Levi must fight for what they want. But can two shy men who have always been about others, learn to risk it all, putting love—and themselves—first?
Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance. She is happy to drink coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Her novels feature strong and passionate men. Skylar loves to craft stories where realistic characters are challenged with emotional situations. Although lately the laundry room is the farthest place she has visited, Skylar loves to chat with folks from all around the globe.
I loved the story, but had a problem with all the inner monologue. It really drags a story down for me when it goes on page after page. It’s a very sweet story with just a little angst. Although it’s basically instant love I felt that both Matteo and Link grew as characters.
Hookup at the Library takes place in Shelby Beach and the town ties the characters together. While previous MCs appear here, if you want to read this on its own, that would work. I like the beach town here and the descriptions of beach life and the neighborhood shops, but I could not get into these characters or this storyline. I think there might be appeal for other readers, but much of it did not appeal to me.
There is family drama, mostly with Levi’s family, and the flow was too regimented for me as the men moved from one scenario to the next and it all was entirely too predictable. If you like the librarian trope mixed in with mistaken identity and family drama, this might work out better for you.
A case of mistaken in identity leads to one of the sweetest, most beautifully written love stories I have read in a bit. I really enjoyed this book and the author’s writing style. It was executed perfectly from start to finish and kept me actually NOT wanting to finish the book to make it last.
If you’re looking for a book with two characters who are utterly sweet together, a TOUCH of angst and a HEA guaranteed to make you swoon — this is for you.
Hookup at the Library is the third book in the Shelby Beach series, focusing on Mateo - a side character in the other books. He's not a part of the core group that we met in book one and two, but has been present and seen around town. We didn't have a lot about him prior to starting the book, and that was okay. Because we had enough to make me want to read more about him, to want more of his story.
And I loved Mateo's story. It starts with the one night stand from hell. It was so bad that when he saw the guy again at the library, he punched him. The problem was - it wasn't the same guy. Because it turns out that the guy he hooked up with has an identical twin brother: Levi. And while he and Spence look identical, they are complete opposites.
Levi and Mateo spend a good chunk of the book getting to know one another while Mateo helps Levi track down Spence, who left Shelby Beach early. There are reasons that he needs to look for his brother, reasons that don't fit quite as well with the rest of the Shelby Beach series, but add a nice touch of flavor. During that time, they develop genuine feelings for one another, though both worry that its too soon for how deeply they feel for one another.
This book is a great combination of low angst and close proximity with a pinch of mistaken identity that is cleared up almost immediately. Almost all of the angst comes from external familial pressure - never about the two men being queer however so rest easy on that one. I loved watching the way these two men grew over the course of the book, loved watching how they pushed each other past their comfort zones.
While this is book three of the series, it can be read as a standalone and I enjoyed it a lot. I would recommend this book pretty whole heartedly.
Matteo and Levi’s book was the third in the Shelby Beach series but can be read as a standalone. The characters from the other books are mentioned but the storyline focuses on Matteo and Levi. And of course Spence.... When a hookup gone bad suddenly shows up in your place of business what do you do? Well if you’re Matteo, you sock him, realize it’s actually your hookups twin, and then fall in love after an adventure. The book was well written, the characters were rich in depth and description, and there were enough plot twists to keep me entertained. A total feel good romance that has me wondering if there will be more books in the future. This review is an honest and unbiased reflection of my thoughts after reading an advanced readers copy of the book.
I received this book free from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
With Spencer and Levi being identical twins it was no surprise that Matteo miss took Levi for Spencer, his disastrous one night stand. Spencer is the selfish, do as I want and I don’t care who I hurt twin. Levi is the enabler, cleaning up the debris left in Spencer’s wake. Matteo is the youngest in his family and believes he has to stay around to help in the family businesses whilst working at the library. As Levi try’s to find Spencer, he and Matteo go from friends to something more intimate with Matteo showing he is not so meek and mild in the bedroom
A little too sappy for that fifth star, but this tale of two loners, too tied to their families had some intriguing hooks. The bookman Matteo is the youngest child of four in a small Florida town. Another bad choice in brief bed partners triggers a confrontation with Levi. Sex is hot, with unexpected twists, and love fights its way into consideration. Cates writes well about the Florida family, while disparaging Levi and his twin Spence's Maine-based parents and upbringing. Insecurity breeds angst, second guessing and sacrifice create errors, but things work out.
Matteo and Levi are wonderful. I really enjoyed their story and how they came to be. There is so much love, connection, respect and acceptance between the two once they open up. They may seem different, but they grow so much when they are together.
This is a fantastic story that you should read. You don't need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one.
It's was cute and I was a total Mush 💝💝 The relationship was so sweet and characters were genuine too 👌👌
Agreed that in the middle somewhere I felt the feeling and explanation to be repeative but the author did a pretty good job 💯💯 Hookup scene were damn sexy🔥🔥
A bit of cliche a bit of love and laugh 🌻🌻 The ending was so good 💞💞
It was a nice continuation to the series. Matteo was a total sweetheart who always put his family first. Levi has a twin who was a jerk hook up with Matteo, and when Matteo saw Levi, there was some anger and confusion. The two ended up having a nice conversation, however, and found they had a lot in common. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other.
Not my favorite of the Shelby Beach novels so far, but was a good read. I've been picking it up and putting it down with a few other books and finally got around to finishing it. Was a bit of a slow going start for me, which might be why I kept picking it up and putting it down but was a good overall addition to the craziness of Shelby Beach...
4.5 stars. I was so happy to go back to Shelby Beach and Matteo and Levi’s story was a great reason to go. The author has given us terrific characters in these two men and I loved their mistaken identity story, and how both of them grow stronger from the relationship. A great read that is sweet, emotional, has heat and a little angst. Highly recommended.
But a happily ever after, Matteo and Levi have an awkward start, and a sweet but challenging relationship. The hardships they go through make the relationship seem real.
Not rating this book because I DNF'd at about 25%. I enjoyed the setting, but for some reason, the characters and plot just didn't hold my attention. I suggest giving it a try and seeing if it's for you.
I thought this was a good read. I love the Flores family. I didn’t connect as well with these two as I did with the others. I just felt the flow was off for me and there was a few things I’d have liked to see go differently.
It was a fun read, the mistaken identity was different. Matteo and Levi were opposites--Matteo always positive, smiling easily, while Levi was more serious, always seeing the negative sides.
Right off the bat, Matteo strikes you as the shy, nerdy type. Even though he knows he should, the man just doesn't stick up for himself either in the workplace, with his family, or in past relationships. This is why when he confronts the man who was responsible for the terrible nature of their past one night stand it's completely surprising. What else is completely surprising is the fact that although they share the same face, Levi is not the man Matteo slept with. That would be his troublesome twin brother Spencer. Once Levi informs Matteo of this the poor man can't apologize enough through his embarrassment.
You would think that would be the end of that, but the two men go on to strike up a friendship. They both can feel the attraction, but Levi wonders if Matteo only sees Spencer, while Matteo is worried Levi will find it weird since Matteo slept with his twin. This leads to them dancing around each other quite a bit until both their excuses seem just like that: excuses. Levi has always been the good twin, the stable twin. He does what is expected of him earning nothing in return. With Matteo Levi can let go and let someone else take the reigns for a change, something Matteo desperately craves: control. It is almost like they switch personalities in the bedroom, but it works for them.
There is of course the drama of Spencer and his shenanigans to deal with on top of the two falling head over heels for one another. Love takes trust and for people who have only known each other for a short time that is hard. Matteo feels if Leo leaves with his brother he isn't coming back, while Leo feels if Matteo follows him home he is going to regret it. Eventually it works out and the two come to a compromise that works for them both giving us our HEA.
** A copy of this book was provided by GRR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review **
This book was SO good! I have to admit, I wasn't sure about it because I didn't like the title. "Hookup at the Library" sounded too cheesy, but I'm so glad I gave it a try anyway. Matteo and Levi's story is steamy, sweet and even a little bit suspenseful. I fell completely in love with Matteo, a small town boy; baby of a super close and loving family. Levi and his twin Spence, grew up in a very cold family. Their mother was a politician and she was always far more concerned with presenting the image of the perfect family than she was with actually being a loving mother who cares about and supports her children. Even though their families are polar opposites, both Levi and Matteo are extremely concerned with keeping their respective families happy. They both crave approval from their families and are terrified of disappointing them. The difference in their families comes into sharp focus when things get rough and Matteo's family rallies around him, doing all they can to support him, while Levi's mother gives him the cold shoulder, more concerned with how he is disappointing her. In the end both Matteo and Levi learn that they are in charge of their own lives. Living to please other people, even if those people love and care about you, won't result in a fulfilled life. Taking some risks is healthy and is not worth being afraid of. Once both Levi and Matteo learn that putting your own feelings first doesn't always make you selfish they become open to new experiences, in the end broadening their horizons in ways neither one of them could ever have imagined. Hookup at the Library surprised me in the best way. It was so much deeper than I expected based on the title. I even fell in love with the little Florida town of Shelby Beach, and I plan to read the other books in the series.
Matteo is the shy, quiet librarian; the youngest in a large family that feels like it is his duty to stay behind and help with the family’s businesses when the rest of his relatives have moved on. After a disastrous day at work and an even worse hook-up, he confronts the bad date at his library only to discover that his date from hell has a twin brother. Levi is used to cleaning up after his brother’s messes and he is trying to track him down because of his latest mistake. He has literally put his entire life on hold attempting to make his manipulative mother happy and be the “good twin.” Both of these characters have decisions to make and a relationship to fight for. There are issues here of parental emotional and psychological abuse. The struggles these guys face trying to stand up for themselves are very real. I also loved the side characters that appear from the other two books. (I haven’t read them but it didn’t detract from the story) I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I think my favorite character was Evonne, the former girlfriend of Spence and the reason Levi is looking for his brother. She makes a very passionate point about trying to be a good person, “facing mistakes and moving forward.” This is a sweet story with just a touch of angst, but a very HEA.
Matteo is a librarian that is not living his best life. His boss hates him and he doesn't have the best luck at finding dates. His last date was horrific and if he ever sees that guy again....well, he'd tell him a thing or two! Levi was shocked to be verbally and physically assaulted while perusing sci fi books at the local library. He didn't realize librarians were so angry. Matteo can't believe the jerk that left him when he was vulnerable was in HIS library! After venting his pent up anger, Matteo realizes that this guy has no clue who he is. He also realizes that Levi is NOT the one who deserves his rage...but his TWIN brother is. After apologizing profusely, Matteo and Levi start over, on friendlier terms. As Matteo talks more with Levi, he wishes he had met him instead of his skeevy brother. Matteo discovers that Levi is here looking for his brother...he seems to be MIA and is needed back home to face some issues. With Matteo's help, Levi continues his search for his elusive twin. Along the way, Levi and Matteo find a connection that forces them to look at themselves, and face what has been holding them back from true happiness their whole lives. I loved how Matteo and Levi gave each other hope and strength. It was truly a beautiful read full of love and forgiveness.
Matteo is a somewhat sheltered sweetheart while Levi is behind such a huge mental wall of stoicism that a battering ram may be needed to make a dent. Fortunately, Matteo is a battering ram of adorableness. Accompanied by baked goods.
Their romance was spot-on, sweet and sexy, but great emotional growth for both characters. I love reading how two people have every reason to stay away from each other but instead just keep moving forward, no matter what. The resolution was also heartwarming and realistic.
Quibbles: A lot of telling, not showing, for key moments. Don’t get me wrong, it was well-done (and understandable - if it had been added as more than this, it would have been a loooong book), but I felt like some quality emotional realizations for all the characters were happening off-page. Also, characters from past books show up, even though this works as a stand-alone. I’ve never read those books and liked the characters in and of themselves, but the extra descriptions sometimes brought me out of the main story as I tried to figure out if I should *know* all this already.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Again thank you Gay Romance Review for the free copy and giving me a new author to follow. This author brings so much personality and emotion to her characters. I want to know them and be involved in their lives. Matteo starts as someone having trouble with relationships. His attempts bring both a funny event and a completely shaken series of events into his life. Levi on the other hand has worked hard to stay isolated. His meeting Matteo changes that for him. As I said I love these characters. They are both so heartwarming. I love the location. It also brings a warmth that is needed today. The secondary characters are mostly lovable. I don’t think Levi’s parents fit that description but then not all are. I would recommend this book as one I’m glad I didn’t’ miss. I read a lot and there are plenty of good author’s but not many can make me want to suggest them to my friends.
This is a new-to-me author and I really liked her writing style. The plot and pacing are well done and there’s an interesting cast of main and secondary characters - one of which I just wanted to shake and tell him to grow up! Matteo and Levi are both very likeable and find themselves in a rather complicated relationship. Levi carries baggage from his past and Matteo is a shy, bow tie wearing librarian who remains quiet to avoid confrontation. They quickly discover their physical chemistry so be prepared for high heat and lots of steam, especially when Matteo feels comfortable enough with Levi to voice what he wants. The speed of their emotional connection does lead to a dash of angst but they both want to be together so they make it happen. This is an enjoyable, engaging read with books and bow ties!
Delightful, finding yourself and falling in love romance that will make you smile. I loved the case of mistaken identity, where Mattego thought that his awful one night-stand, Spence was in his library, It was a fun way for Levi to meet Matteo, being mistaken for his twin brother. This is a story of two men who are both good guys, a bit shy and have painful pasts. Real life complicates romance sometimes and this is a wonderful story about 'real life' and how 'real people' can navigate those challenges. I love that both Levi and Matteo found a way to circumvent the crazy that life put in their way and fought for their way to each other.
This is book three of the Shelby Beach series and can be read as a stand-alone story.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review
Matteo, what a lovely guy... the way he met Levi was wonderful and their chemistry stood out from the beginning of the story. As usual, with Ms Cates, true love didn't run smoothly. There is some angst, caused by Levi, who is a real gentleman, and does what he thinks is right for Matteo, which was also the very wrong decision.
I really dont want to give any of the story away. It's a gorgeous romance, beautifully written, with two adorable MCs. Matteo especially captured my heart, Ms Cates did a wonderful job of developing his character.
The story had it all and grabbed me from the beginning, there's a whole lot of love, friendship, and companionship. There's a scene near the end, which is incredibly sweet, it really made me smile. Great addition to the series.
Matteo works hard at life, he’s a librarian and works with his family at their bakery and B&B. He goes out one night and gets picked up, but his hookup is a jerk and leaves him when he gets sick. The next day at work at the library, he sees the man who left him sick and he punched him. Only he’s not the same man, he’s his twin Levi. Levi is looking for his brother, who is a hot mess. Levi is the total opposite of his twin. The story line kept me interested, it was good. I loved how accepting Matteo’s family was. I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
I have always looked forward to Skylar Cates books and this one didn't disappoint. Mateo always wanted to be a Liberian and he's having problems with his supervisor. He hooks up with someone that treated him badly and he finds out that he has a twin. Levi has always taken care of brothers and he's doing it again. He's attracted to Mateo and they decide to have a relationship. Their book is sweet, romantic, some funny moments, angst, intense moments and l love how Mateo's family and how they made Levi feel welcome. It's well-written, has great flow and Mateo and Levi gets their happily ever after.
Don't be put off by the title, which is true but does not begin to cover the actual depth of this story. Matteo and his family are such wonderful, warm characters and you initially feel really bad that he hasn't found a great relationship somehow. He seems like a real catch. When a hookup goes awry Matteo teams up with Levi to find Levi's brother. Their deepening relationship is wonderful to see especially as Levi finds in Matteo's family the things missing in his. Mateo brings comfort and Levi brings excitement and a task and together they set off on their adventure. The author hits all the right emotional notes and the pace of the increasingly hot relationship feels just right.