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About Time #0.5
Maybe This Time
There's one thing I need in my life right now and one thing only -- a new job.
So I'm stoked when I land a dream gig as a bodyguard for a rock star.
But there's definitely one thing I do not need at all -- a complication.
Like being wildly attracted to the guy who just hired me.
So I vow to do everything I can to deny the intense attraction for the man I'm sworn to protect.
All I have to do is ignore it. Eventually it'll go away, right?
But that's not what happens one night after a concert...
MAYBE THIS TIME is a 14,000-word prequel novella about how Stone and Jackson meet and it leads into their full-length novel ONE TIME ONLY. You don't have to read MAYBE THIS TIME to enjoy ONE TIME ONLY, but you'll likely enjoy this story before the story!
So I'm stoked when I land a dream gig as a bodyguard for a rock star.
But there's definitely one thing I do not need at all -- a complication.
Like being wildly attracted to the guy who just hired me.
So I vow to do everything I can to deny the intense attraction for the man I'm sworn to protect.
All I have to do is ignore it. Eventually it'll go away, right?
But that's not what happens one night after a concert...
MAYBE THIS TIME is a 14,000-word prequel novella about how Stone and Jackson meet and it leads into their full-length novel ONE TIME ONLY. You don't have to read MAYBE THIS TIME to enjoy ONE TIME ONLY, but you'll likely enjoy this story before the story!
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
617 people are currently reading
1390 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Blakely
245 books24.4k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
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November 19, 2020
Maybe This Time by Lauren Blakely is a short MM prequel to her book, One Time Only.
Jackson Pearce is a body guard in Los Angeles. He prides himself on the way he conducts his business. He takes good care of himself, keeps in top shape, and provides the best protection to his clients. There is a past there we’re not given the details to so I’m looking forward to finding out more of him in the next book. When he applied for the job to protect the rock star, Stone Zenith, he felt that sizzle of attraction right from the beginning. But he is a professional. He can overcome the attraction. He WILL overcome the attraction.
“I don’t need that man to flirt with me. That’d be the worst kind of trouble. And trouble is the last thing I need in my life. I’ve had enough of it, and I don’t need any more.”
Stone Zenith is a world famous rock star. From the first moment his eyes met Jackson’s, he knew he was in trouble. He did everything he could to ignore his feelings. But instead of fading, they grew stronger. Not only did he feel a physical attraction, they just got along on every level. He wanted to spend time with him, all the time!
This is only the beginning of Jackson and Stone’s story, how they met, their fight to overcome their feelings. Now I absolutely can’t wait for more!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Jackson Pearce is a body guard in Los Angeles. He prides himself on the way he conducts his business. He takes good care of himself, keeps in top shape, and provides the best protection to his clients. There is a past there we’re not given the details to so I’m looking forward to finding out more of him in the next book. When he applied for the job to protect the rock star, Stone Zenith, he felt that sizzle of attraction right from the beginning. But he is a professional. He can overcome the attraction. He WILL overcome the attraction.
“I don’t need that man to flirt with me. That’d be the worst kind of trouble. And trouble is the last thing I need in my life. I’ve had enough of it, and I don’t need any more.”
Stone Zenith is a world famous rock star. From the first moment his eyes met Jackson’s, he knew he was in trouble. He did everything he could to ignore his feelings. But instead of fading, they grew stronger. Not only did he feel a physical attraction, they just got along on every level. He wanted to spend time with him, all the time!
This is only the beginning of Jackson and Stone’s story, how they met, their fight to overcome their feelings. Now I absolutely can’t wait for more!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
October 27, 2020
Surprise! I have a new FREE MM/LGBTQ release! MAYBE THIS TIME is a prequel forbidden romance novella & you can find this rock-star-falls-for-his-bodyguard romance free on all ebook retailers!
https://laurenblakely.com/onetimeonly/
Audio peeps: Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan will record this novella in 2021 for inclusion as a bonus in another audiobook - details to come!
MAYBE THIS TIME is a prequel novella about how Stone and Jackson meet and it leads into their full-length novel ONE TIME ONLY. You don't have to read MAYBE THIS TIME to enjoy ONE TIME ONLY, but you'll likely enjoy this story before the story!
https://laurenblakely.com/onetimeonly/
Audio peeps: Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan will record this novella in 2021 for inclusion as a bonus in another audiobook - details to come!
MAYBE THIS TIME is a prequel novella about how Stone and Jackson meet and it leads into their full-length novel ONE TIME ONLY. You don't have to read MAYBE THIS TIME to enjoy ONE TIME ONLY, but you'll likely enjoy this story before the story!
June 18, 2024
4.5⭐
Genre ~ MM fiction
Series ~ About Time #0.5
Setting ~ all over the world on tour
Publication date ~ October 27, 2020
Est Page Count ~ 64 (12 chapters)
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ rock star, bodyguard, self steamage
*A quick little review for a prequel*
Jackson is Stone's new evening bodyguard.
Holy moly this had quite the sexual tension. I have no doubt their full story is going to make my kindle too hot to hold. Their banter was absolute perfection. Lovedly love love them!
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ MM fiction
Series ~ About Time #0.5
Setting ~ all over the world on tour
Publication date ~ October 27, 2020
Est Page Count ~ 64 (12 chapters)
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ rock star, bodyguard, self steamage
*A quick little review for a prequel*
Jackson is Stone's new evening bodyguard.
Holy moly this had quite the sexual tension. I have no doubt their full story is going to make my kindle too hot to hold. Their banter was absolute perfection. Lovedly love love them!
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
November 22, 2020
I’m intrigued.
January 27, 2021
A história de Stone e Jackson.
Gostei do "cheirinho" que me tinha deixado em One Night Only, aqui temos a continuação do que acontece depois...
As séries estão interligadas, pois Callum e Ivy também aparecem neste livro.
Lauren Blakely não desilude.
Gostei do "cheirinho" que me tinha deixado em One Night Only, aqui temos a continuação do que acontece depois...
As séries estão interligadas, pois Callum e Ivy também aparecem neste livro.
Lauren Blakely não desilude.
November 29, 2021
*11/29/2021 re-read or 1st time listening. *
I read this book back in June and it was a nice little look into how Jackson & Stone first met but there is just something about Jacon Morgan & Teddy Hamilton reading it to me that made it that much more enjoyable.
This was included at the end of The Bromance Zone and I was more than happy to hear these two deliciously talented men in my earholes.
*Original review 06/09/2021*
Maybe This Time was so freaking cute!! Seeing how Stone and Jackson met gave me a bigger understand of exactly how strong their chemistry was from the beginning. While you don't have to read this novella before you read One Time Only Stone and Jackson's full-length novel it is a great companion story.
Also, not sure if it just me but the whole time reading this novella, I kept hearing Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton in my head for their parts. It was perfect!!
I read this book back in June and it was a nice little look into how Jackson & Stone first met but there is just something about Jacon Morgan & Teddy Hamilton reading it to me that made it that much more enjoyable.
This was included at the end of The Bromance Zone and I was more than happy to hear these two deliciously talented men in my earholes.
*Original review 06/09/2021*
Maybe This Time was so freaking cute!! Seeing how Stone and Jackson met gave me a bigger understand of exactly how strong their chemistry was from the beginning. While you don't have to read this novella before you read One Time Only Stone and Jackson's full-length novel it is a great companion story.
Also, not sure if it just me but the whole time reading this novella, I kept hearing Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton in my head for their parts. It was perfect!!
November 18, 2020
"I'm guessing you're either Chris Hemsworth's biggest threat in Hollywood, the next rising star in superhero films, or the guy we're about to interview?"
The biggest and only buzzkill here is the instacrush/instalove narrative. I don't legit buy it but I'm surprised I enjoyed this prequel more than what was I expecting.
June 14, 2022
Expanded intro to Stone and Jackson
This is an expanded intro to the romance between Stone and Jackson and it's filled with humour and UST.
Not sure it needed to be separate from the rest of their story though which is why only the three stars
This is an expanded intro to the romance between Stone and Jackson and it's filled with humour and UST.
Not sure it needed to be separate from the rest of their story though which is why only the three stars
February 6, 2021
A GENERIC SMOKESHOW
The serious guy bodyguard and the fun guy rock god make sexy music together – in their heads.
WHAT IS IT about M/M romance that’s so much "more" when it comes to sexual sizzle and raw passion? I actually don’t think I’ve read a single one that doesn’t make my toes curl and eyes cross. Maybe it’s all that pulsating testosterone in the air and hot men that we’d sell our souls for that makes a girl fan herself like crazy even when it’s not a vicarious thrill because the guy(s)’ eyes aren’t even on a girl. That said, rock god hottie Stone Zenith and his new bodyguard Jackson Stone were a smoldering pair. But, like anything pretty to look at, there wasn’t any substance under the surface of the lusty setup.
This is just a teaser prequel to One Time Only and does little to set the stage for what’s to come – it was the same from beginning to end. The superficial setup trails Jackson’s new hire as Stone’s solo personal bodyguard as both resist a mutual attraction over the a couple months working together. The bisexual rocker wonders whether stoic Jackson is gay or straight. It’s all about the chemistry build and a tricky way to get in a sex scene in an unsuspected way. This is not technically a forbidden romance – just an employee/employer situation and Stone’s self-imposed ethics. I’m wondering how this can stretch out into a novel.
And that brings me to the reason for the average rating. The only thing learned is that they come from different worlds, are very different men from each other, and the only thing that brings them together is lusty attraction. Been there, done that a million times over. These characters – as hot as they are -- are interchangeable carbon copies of other gay MCs and there’s nothing uniquely different about them. Frankly, it wasn’t enough to ensnare me in whatever their story will be. I almost checked out in the beginning because of the first scene. Jackson attends one of Stone’s concerts as research before his upcoming bodyguard interview with Stone’s people. He’s got a general ticket, yet somehow has a VIP backstage pass for an up-close with Stone!!!! That would never happen. They’ve never even met him yet. And, he also gushes over seeing Stone’s emerald green eyes, 30 feet from the stage at night. Luckily, the story shifted from absurdity to the hot, eye candy part as a small diversion.
Lauren Blakely is one of my all-time authors and she does a good job with the lust part, not the story part. I’ll read the book if I can squeeze it in, but not because this thin prequel tempted me beyond any other book.
The serious guy bodyguard and the fun guy rock god make sexy music together – in their heads.
WHAT IS IT about M/M romance that’s so much "more" when it comes to sexual sizzle and raw passion? I actually don’t think I’ve read a single one that doesn’t make my toes curl and eyes cross. Maybe it’s all that pulsating testosterone in the air and hot men that we’d sell our souls for that makes a girl fan herself like crazy even when it’s not a vicarious thrill because the guy(s)’ eyes aren’t even on a girl. That said, rock god hottie Stone Zenith and his new bodyguard Jackson Stone were a smoldering pair. But, like anything pretty to look at, there wasn’t any substance under the surface of the lusty setup.
This is just a teaser prequel to One Time Only and does little to set the stage for what’s to come – it was the same from beginning to end. The superficial setup trails Jackson’s new hire as Stone’s solo personal bodyguard as both resist a mutual attraction over the a couple months working together. The bisexual rocker wonders whether stoic Jackson is gay or straight. It’s all about the chemistry build and a tricky way to get in a sex scene in an unsuspected way. This is not technically a forbidden romance – just an employee/employer situation and Stone’s self-imposed ethics. I’m wondering how this can stretch out into a novel.
And that brings me to the reason for the average rating. The only thing learned is that they come from different worlds, are very different men from each other, and the only thing that brings them together is lusty attraction. Been there, done that a million times over. These characters – as hot as they are -- are interchangeable carbon copies of other gay MCs and there’s nothing uniquely different about them. Frankly, it wasn’t enough to ensnare me in whatever their story will be. I almost checked out in the beginning because of the first scene. Jackson attends one of Stone’s concerts as research before his upcoming bodyguard interview with Stone’s people. He’s got a general ticket, yet somehow has a VIP backstage pass for an up-close with Stone!!!! That would never happen. They’ve never even met him yet. And, he also gushes over seeing Stone’s emerald green eyes, 30 feet from the stage at night. Luckily, the story shifted from absurdity to the hot, eye candy part as a small diversion.
Lauren Blakely is one of my all-time authors and she does a good job with the lust part, not the story part. I’ll read the book if I can squeeze it in, but not because this thin prequel tempted me beyond any other book.
August 18, 2021
* 2.5 stars *
A short prequel about a singer and his new bodyguard.
It was an enjoyable story, but nothing special or memorable. It read more like a collection of moments between the two MCs than anything else.
A short prequel about a singer and his new bodyguard.
It was an enjoyable story, but nothing special or memorable. It read more like a collection of moments between the two MCs than anything else.
November 2, 2020
5 SMOOCHES!
Maybe This Time is the prequel to One Time Only by Lauren Blakely, a bodyguard-rockstar M/M romance. Maybe This Time sets the stage and gives readers the backstory of Stone and Jackson’s first meeting while also giving them a front row seat to those first embers of desire between this couple. The banter, the tension, the restraint – it’s all deliciously building up to what will undoubtedly be another explosive M/M story from Blakely. I was excited for Stone and Jackson’s story before I read Maybe This Time, but now? Well, now I’m waiting anxiously for it to hit my Kindle! Five smooches from me for Maybe This Time by Lauren Blakely!
~Danielle Palumbo
Maybe This Time is the prequel to One Time Only by Lauren Blakely, a bodyguard-rockstar M/M romance. Maybe This Time sets the stage and gives readers the backstory of Stone and Jackson’s first meeting while also giving them a front row seat to those first embers of desire between this couple. The banter, the tension, the restraint – it’s all deliciously building up to what will undoubtedly be another explosive M/M story from Blakely. I was excited for Stone and Jackson’s story before I read Maybe This Time, but now? Well, now I’m waiting anxiously for it to hit my Kindle! Five smooches from me for Maybe This Time by Lauren Blakely!
~Danielle Palumbo
April 25, 2023
This was a nice little setup for One Time Only. It definitely did its job of sucking me in. 😌 I'm listening to the audiobook and it is 🔥 Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton are the perfect duo to bring Stone and Jackson to life. I'm glad this was included with the One Time Only audiobook because I'm not sure it needed to be its own separate story in the first place.
February 27, 2023
No estoy tan segura del porqué hacer una precuela, cuando bien pudo estar esto en el libro principal, pero bueno... ya que lea One Time Only supongo que tendrá sentido. 🤔
Por lo pronto este estuvo ok.
Esta novella termina en lo que supongo es el inicio del libro 1. Es decir, no hay nada concreto aun entre los protagonistas. Solamente que ambos quieren que haya ese algo. 😅
Por lo pronto este estuvo ok.
Esta novella termina en lo que supongo es el inicio del libro 1. Es decir, no hay nada concreto aun entre los protagonistas. Solamente que ambos quieren que haya ese algo. 😅
Want to read
October 24, 2020🎁 Pre-order FREE on Amazon today (10/24/2020)! 🎁
October 27, 2020
Get a little taste of Stone and Jackson with the story before their story. These guys bring the snark, the sexy, and the forbidden longing.
A rock star. His new bodyguard (that may or may not be straight).
Teasing, laughter, sparks, chemistry, self-imposed rules due to their work status.
But it just keeps getting harder and harder to deny the pull and simmering sexual tension layered in with their budding friendship.
Who is going to crack first?
I freakin' adore Stone and Jackson together. I have already read their full novel early, but this just feels like it fits with it organically and could have easily been part of the full book. I am so excited about these guys and hope that others get interested in them from this little free taste.
A rock star. His new bodyguard (that may or may not be straight).
Teasing, laughter, sparks, chemistry, self-imposed rules due to their work status.
But it just keeps getting harder and harder to deny the pull and simmering sexual tension layered in with their budding friendship.
Who is going to crack first?
I freakin' adore Stone and Jackson together. I have already read their full novel early, but this just feels like it fits with it organically and could have easily been part of the full book. I am so excited about these guys and hope that others get interested in them from this little free taste.
October 31, 2020
HOLY HOTNESS! GOOD GOLLY MS. BLAKELY! Talk about a delicious, provocative inferno of testosterone..... When Jackson Pearce, the hottest bodyguard, interviews for a position to protect Rock Star Stone Zenith.... the undeniable attraction and chemistry is so hot with these two characters. Jackson is fighting a war within himself to maintain a working relationship with Stone only to watch the Rock Star lead him into temptation.... but delivering?
GOD I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN "ONE TIME ONLY". BRING IT ON!
ALL I WILL SAY HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON STANDBY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT WILL BE COMBUSTIBLE!
GOD I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN "ONE TIME ONLY". BRING IT ON!
ALL I WILL SAY HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON STANDBY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT WILL BE COMBUSTIBLE!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2020
I'm already in love with Stone and Jackson! This little snippet was enough to get me geared up for their journey. I can feel their connection simmering. When they succumb to their magnetic attraction, they'll combust and I look forward to every moment ❤️❤️❤️
November 4, 2020
A super sexy preview of what's to come in One Time Only, Blakely’s next M/M title. I can't wait to read the rest of Stone and Jackson's story! I love a good bodyguard romance!
December 16, 2020
A sizzling prequel that has me so excited for the main story. This is my first Lauren Blakely book and I have to say, I think I might have been missing out. The banter, chemistry, and attraction between Jackson and Stone is top-notch.
This novella is setting up a dangerous game of who will give into the undeniable chemistry first and I can't wait to see who caves first. Not only is the budding friendship a playful delight, but the sexual tension is a current that runs between these two. I am giddy at the chance to read the full novel now that I had this little taste.
This novella is setting up a dangerous game of who will give into the undeniable chemistry first and I can't wait to see who caves first. Not only is the budding friendship a playful delight, but the sexual tension is a current that runs between these two. I am giddy at the chance to read the full novel now that I had this little taste.
December 6, 2020
Holy hotness!!! That tension you can cut with a knife and the connection of these two characters is something that will leave you breathless. This is just the preview, so I’m hardcore wanting the full story.
October 26, 2020
Maybe This Time is a free prequel to Lauren Blakely’s One Time Only novel. I was lucky enough to get an early copy of OTO and I fell in love with Jackson and Stone. These two are fire! And now, I got to read about their beginning! The very beginning and I loved it. From Jackson’s research trip to their fun banter and sexual tension. You can read either before or after OTO but I did suggest before. And as Lauren said, you don’t have to read the prequel to enjoy the full length novel but it’s more of her words, so why not read it, right? I would take more Stone and Jackson any day of the week!
Quotes:
I’ve got to erase that fragment of time.
I’m not here to meet a man.
I’m here for the job, and my work is done for the night.
“It’s good that you already think of me as a fixer. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Sounds like you. Putting temptation right in your own path.”
Quotes:
I’ve got to erase that fragment of time.
I’m not here to meet a man.
I’m here for the job, and my work is done for the night.
“It’s good that you already think of me as a fixer. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Sounds like you. Putting temptation right in your own path.”
April 14, 2021
As soon as I heard about this MM romance which combines two of my favorite tropes, I HAD to jump and read it, even if it wasn’t part of my TBR.
And yo I love this prequel novella to the main book! It was great to see these two meet for the first time and watch their attraction build from there. It was fire!
And yo I love this prequel novella to the main book! It was great to see these two meet for the first time and watch their attraction build from there. It was fire!
December 15, 2020
This is a prequel novella so don't go into this expecting for the characters to be together by the end. This introduction was fine, but I think I could have skipped it and gone right to the main story without missing anything really. There wasn't even really any moments where he had to be a bodyguard and protect Stone from anything . The writing was a little choppy. There's a huge time jump so we don't even really get to see Stone and Jackson getting to know each other. I would think that would be the focus for a prequel novella but I guess not. It made it seem like insta love/lust way more than if we had actually seen them together for the beginning of the tour, rather than months in. Goodreads says this book is 125 pages but my kindle said closer to 60. It definitely isn't 125 pages. This is really just a super quick intro to our characters. It intrigued me enough for me to consider reading the full story but it didn't blow me away.
November 3, 2020
Maybe This Time is a contemporary romance by Lauren Blakely. This is a very short read, the prequel to another book I believe. It is a M/M romance so it may not be for everyone. This book is written in first person alternating point of view format, my least favorite. Jackson wants the job as Stone's bodyguard and keeps reminding himself he can't get involved with Stone. Stone's a rock star and has to tell himself not to put the moves on his bodyguard. Stone and Jackson's story has a non-ending. Also known as a cliff-hanger. While I don't mind a M/M romance and deal with first-person books with a groan, I totally hate partial books. Nothing is more frustrating that a non-ending. I did like the characters in the book. If you don't mind first-person books or cliff-hanger type endings, you might like this more than I did.
November 18, 2020
Lauren Blakely has done it again and written an amazing book. From the very first page, I was hooked. When I got to the end, I was dying to see how Stone and Jackson's relationship grows.
December 19, 2020
Found the writing style annoying, repetitive.
October 27, 2021
Maybe This Time is a prequel to one of my all time favorite MM books, One Time Only. Ohhhh boy, I melted for sure listening to this one. Hearing Jacob Morgan playing the very famous rockstar Stone, and Teddy Hamilton playing his sexy as sin bodyguard. I loved every second on how Jackson came to be Stones bodyguard, and how they met. It was so damn sexy! I couldn’t get enough. Perfection. Absolute Perfection!
March 12, 2022
3.25 Stars
This prequel was very interesting. It definitely leaves you wanting to read the actual book. I’ll check it out. Toodles!
This prequel was very interesting. It definitely leaves you wanting to read the actual book. I’ll check it out. Toodles!
June 18, 2021
I'm usually not a fan of the insta-love/ attraction narrative, but it actually works in this novella??? Perhaps because mutual pining ROCKS, and Stone and Jackson's inner fights to overcome their feelings for each other was super well written. I enjoyed the backstory for how they met, the banter and build-up to the sexual tension was amazing, and the way it ends leaving you begging for more was just delicious. Can't wait to read the full-length novel!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews