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The Lamb and the Lion #0.5
First Dates
30 pages, ebook
First published September 24, 2020
2 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Ashe
133 books1,769 followersI'm a long-time Midwesterner. I've lived in Chicago, Bloomington (IN), and Saint Louis, my current home. Aside from reading and writing (which take up a lot of my time), I'm an educator.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 5, 2021
4.5 You need to find a nice guy stars
This is going to be a good series. I love Tean! 🤩🥰
This is going to be a good series. I love Tean! 🤩🥰
March 28, 2024
Reading this short story was an attempt to see if I would like Gregory Ashe. My first book by Gregory Ashe, yes I know, shame on me. But I'm only slowly developing an interest H&S probably because of all the reviews in my feed. Overall it's not really my genre but I'm slowly getting into it.
Anyway, this prequel to The Lamb and the Lion series didn't really help whet my appetite. Because this is, I think, the weirdest story I've ever read. The characters and writing style were so confusing that I didn't really like anything about the 30 pages.
BUT, I am totally fascinated. I'm not sure I want to follow Jem and Tean's story any further, yet it's stuck in my head so much that it may take me months before I can forget this short story. Who knows, maybe my fascination will drive me to read something that would probably drive me crazy.
“You should try to be funny like that on your date tonight. Derek likes funny guys.”
“I could show him that weird mole, the one that’s probably cancerous. It’s funny looking.”
“That’s not what I mean.” 😂
Anyway, this prequel to The Lamb and the Lion series didn't really help whet my appetite. Because this is, I think, the weirdest story I've ever read. The characters and writing style were so confusing that I didn't really like anything about the 30 pages.
BUT, I am totally fascinated. I'm not sure I want to follow Jem and Tean's story any further, yet it's stuck in my head so much that it may take me months before I can forget this short story. Who knows, maybe my fascination will drive me to read something that would probably drive me crazy.
“You should try to be funny like that on your date tonight. Derek likes funny guys.”
“I could show him that weird mole, the one that’s probably cancerous. It’s funny looking.”
“That’s not what I mean.” 😂
November 13, 2022
[4.4~4.5] you couldn’t get a better introduction to these characters than this. the mcs don’t even know of each other’s existence yet, and their banter hasn’t had the opportunity to grace us with its presence, but let me tell you: they each possess this enticing allure that’s bound to snatch a piece of your heart before you can blink for help.
and being in the know of their goings-on in the not-so-distant future? oh boy is a cosmic explosion just waiting to happen 😌
————
now if only it were that easy to manifest 😂 (but since i’m basically a reincarnation of Tean… happy to announce applications to be my Jem are now open 😉)
y’all telling me this isn’t the main topic of conversation on first dates?? but you know, i feel like a person’s response would be a pretty solid measure of their character and temperament - don’t knock it till you try it, mayhaps? 😆
and being in the know of their goings-on in the not-so-distant future? oh boy is a cosmic explosion just waiting to happen 😌
————
“You need to find a good guy.”/“You need to find a nice guy.”
now if only it were that easy to manifest 😂 (but since i’m basically a reincarnation of Tean… happy to announce applications to be my Jem are now open 😉)
“Please tell me you did not talk to Derek about the cosmic joke of existence or go on a rant about how humanity’s only genuine form of communication is howling into the abyss.”
y’all telling me this isn’t the main topic of conversation on first dates?? but you know, i feel like a person’s response would be a pretty solid measure of their character and temperament - don’t knock it till you try it, mayhaps? 😆
November 30, 2020
This novella is a first glimpse at the two MCs in the series before they meet in book 1.
For both men the situation is the same: a friend has set up a first date.
And while both dates go spectacularly ‘wrong’, we get the quintessential information who each man is:
Tean: nerdy, full of statistics hailing doom and gloom (this must be one of the funniest character traits I’ve read), absolutely mortified of dating or meeting a guy in public, a competent vet and a very kind, genuine man.
Jem: the conman, always up to a scam (but notably not taking advantage of the innocent guy on his first date!), sleeping around, squatting in a derelict house and surviving on the minimum. For him that way of life is all he knows, and although he won’t admit it, he’s looking for something ‘more’.
The advice both men get at the end:
“You need to find a nice guy.”
Loved it!
For both men the situation is the same: a friend has set up a first date.
And while both dates go spectacularly ‘wrong’, we get the quintessential information who each man is:
Tean: nerdy, full of statistics hailing doom and gloom (this must be one of the funniest character traits I’ve read), absolutely mortified of dating or meeting a guy in public, a competent vet and a very kind, genuine man.
Jem: the conman, always up to a scam (but notably not taking advantage of the innocent guy on his first date!), sleeping around, squatting in a derelict house and surviving on the minimum. For him that way of life is all he knows, and although he won’t admit it, he’s looking for something ‘more’.
The advice both men get at the end:
“You need to find a nice guy.”
Loved it!
Read
January 27, 2022Too short to rate but it was a nice introduction of the characters. So far I like the writing style and I'm kind of intrigued by those original characters. I'm happy I went in kind of blind and only based on the "hype" because I would not have picked up a book that deals with religion (Mormonism in this case) but it seems mild so far so it might be fine. The jury is still out on this one, onto book 1
July 17, 2021
I'm all about chronological order and this is little story about Jem & Tean, before they ever meet, going on some pretty bad first dates or not not going, however the case may be.
It's a good tease for this NTM couple. They seem to be diametrically opposites but we know how that goes. Also according to the author it takes place around the same time as Pretty Pretty Boys. Though this is set in Colorado I'll be on the lookout for any H&S crossover, even if the characters don't know it. 🥰
.... and there are cats ... ❤️😽
It's a good tease for this NTM couple. They seem to be diametrically opposites but we know how that goes. Also according to the author it takes place around the same time as Pretty Pretty Boys. Though this is set in Colorado I'll be on the lookout for any H&S crossover, even if the characters don't know it. 🥰
.... and there are cats ... ❤️😽
May 31, 2021
Oh oh.
Caz suggested I go here if I needed a change after the first H&S series, but I mistakenly thought I was supposed to go elsewhere for sequence.
"Please tell me you did not talk to Derek about the cosmic joke of existence or go on a rant about how humanity’s only genuine form of communication is howling into the abyss.”"
Anyway, it turns out, this is the next in suggested reading order per Ashe (I did skip the first two, because I was worried about the spoilers) and this is just little like peeks into their lives-no interaction, they don't know each other. It feels like an exercise in characterization, and an incredibly successful one
Hannah looped her arm through his. “You know what you need, Dr. Leon?”
“What, Dr. Prince?”
“You need to find a good guy.”
Anyway, I was laughing and I'm really looking forward to getting into this series and a little concerned I'm about to binge yet another series.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Jem said.
Sammi rolled her eyes.
"Or most of the stuff I would do. Don't do that either."
30 pages and it's incredibly effective.
"You know what you need?”
Tonight, the weed was making Jem dizzy, and he let his head fall back. The stars spun overhead. “A date with mom and dad and their baby boy apparently."
"You need to find a nice guy."
Caz suggested I go here if I needed a change after the first H&S series, but I mistakenly thought I was supposed to go elsewhere for sequence.
"Please tell me you did not talk to Derek about the cosmic joke of existence or go on a rant about how humanity’s only genuine form of communication is howling into the abyss.”"
Anyway, it turns out, this is the next in suggested reading order per Ashe (I did skip the first two, because I was worried about the spoilers) and this is just little like peeks into their lives-no interaction, they don't know each other. It feels like an exercise in characterization, and an incredibly successful one
Hannah looped her arm through his. “You know what you need, Dr. Leon?”
“What, Dr. Prince?”
“You need to find a good guy.”
Anyway, I was laughing and I'm really looking forward to getting into this series and a little concerned I'm about to binge yet another series.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Jem said.
Sammi rolled her eyes.
"Or most of the stuff I would do. Don't do that either."
30 pages and it's incredibly effective.
"You know what you need?”
Tonight, the weed was making Jem dizzy, and he let his head fall back. The stars spun overhead. “A date with mom and dad and their baby boy apparently."
"You need to find a nice guy."
April 20, 2021
Cute and hysterically funny in so many places ... neither Tean or Jem have yet met though but we can definitely see their crazy quirks coming to the forefront. Both MCs do however have their female 'besties' cheering them on as well as reigning them in from their own worst selves.
December 2, 2020
Well, that certainly illustrates the difference between the MCs. Did Tean actually find Derek? I'm still not sure... And Jem's date with Brigham et al. was pretty priceless. Or the price of a stolen credit card. Whichever!
December 19, 2021
Sooo... This was really funny, surprisingly entertaining being so short, and it has me now really intrigued as to how these two so very different men can fit together.
Moving onto the first book in the series
Moving onto the first book in the series
June 6, 2021
I don’t know about these two.
September 11, 2024
A perfect 'before they met' story.
June 7, 2023
First Dates is a little introduction to Jem and Tean before the events of book one.
At first glance- I’m intrigued.
Tean- Vet, push over, quirky nice/ sweet guy.
Jem- Scammer, thief, endless flirt, (possibly more attached to his fuck buddy than he realises)
(Oh no... I already ship it)
And I got this from 30 pages!
Both characters are complete polar opposites and I NEED to see how these two become friends.
I’m also very excited for the mystery aspect and drama which I know will come. Nobody’s writes it like this author does, and I’m in the mood for some drama filled angst. Though I am praying we get a HFN or HEA ending.
Also they end up together right? RIGHT??!!!
At first glance- I’m intrigued.
Tean- Vet, push over, quirky nice/ sweet guy.
Jem- Scammer, thief, endless flirt, (possibly more attached to his fuck buddy than he realises)
(Oh no... I already ship it)
And I got this from 30 pages!
Both characters are complete polar opposites and I NEED to see how these two become friends.
I’m also very excited for the mystery aspect and drama which I know will come. Nobody’s writes it like this author does, and I’m in the mood for some drama filled angst. Though I am praying we get a HFN or HEA ending.
Also they end up together right? RIGHT??!!!
February 2, 2021
I just noted that I didn't review this story, and I had to rectify that ASAP.
This is a great introduction to the characters of the series, as they are before they meet each other, and does an excellent job doing it.
I must be honest and say this up-front: I love Tean. I love his absurdly grim scenarios and his nerdiness. I love how competent he is at his work and how kind he is even when he has been tricked.
Jem, OTHO, seems to be such a cold-hearted conman, and yet... he doesn't take advantage of his innocent date, nor he makes fun of him. He is nice and understanding.
A lovely beginning to a great series.
This is a great introduction to the characters of the series, as they are before they meet each other, and does an excellent job doing it.
I must be honest and say this up-front: I love Tean. I love his absurdly grim scenarios and his nerdiness. I love how competent he is at his work and how kind he is even when he has been tricked.
Jem, OTHO, seems to be such a cold-hearted conman, and yet... he doesn't take advantage of his innocent date, nor he makes fun of him. He is nice and understanding.
A lovely beginning to a great series.
August 12, 2023
3.5 stars
I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I should probably read the first short AFTER I’ve read the first book bc they really don’t make any sense to me (especially bc I don’t read the blurbs of books so I don’t ‘spoil’ anything for myself lmao). This was still a fun lil short regardless of how blind I am rn.
I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I should probably read the first short AFTER I’ve read the first book bc they really don’t make any sense to me (especially bc I don’t read the blurbs of books so I don’t ‘spoil’ anything for myself lmao). This was still a fun lil short regardless of how blind I am rn.
November 23, 2020
short, sweet, and hilarious
September 23, 2023
28.11.2021, 08.09.2023
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews