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Starting From #4
Starting From Somewhere
The guitarist and the geek…
Bobby J-
What can I say? I’m a man of many tastes. I know what I like, and I’m not afraid to go for it. And I like the adorable geek from the bar. A lot. He’s smart and sassy…and he doesn’t seem to know or care that I’m in a hot up-and-coming band. However, I just found out he’s the new intern at Scratch Records. Uh-oh, this could get tricky.
Cody-
Confession…I’ve flubbed my mission. My quest is to research cool things and interesting people before I start my job as aerospace analyst—not fall for a rock star. My internship won’t last long if I can’t control this infatuation. Bobby J might look like a bear, but he’s fun and sweet and…oh boy, I think I’m in over my head. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After all, you’ve got to start somewhere.
Starting From Somewhere is a MM, bisexual romance with some rock and roll and a little nerdiness! Each book in the Starting From series can be read as a stand-alone.
Bobby J-
What can I say? I’m a man of many tastes. I know what I like, and I’m not afraid to go for it. And I like the adorable geek from the bar. A lot. He’s smart and sassy…and he doesn’t seem to know or care that I’m in a hot up-and-coming band. However, I just found out he’s the new intern at Scratch Records. Uh-oh, this could get tricky.
Cody-
Confession…I’ve flubbed my mission. My quest is to research cool things and interesting people before I start my job as aerospace analyst—not fall for a rock star. My internship won’t last long if I can’t control this infatuation. Bobby J might look like a bear, but he’s fun and sweet and…oh boy, I think I’m in over my head. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After all, you’ve got to start somewhere.
Starting From Somewhere is a MM, bisexual romance with some rock and roll and a little nerdiness! Each book in the Starting From series can be read as a stand-alone.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2020
119 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Lane Hayes
109 books1,724 followersLane Hayes loves a good romance! She’s the bestselling author of the Out in College, Starting From, Better Than, A Kind Of, Right and Wrong, and Leaning Into Series! Lane loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). All things she can find in sunny SoCal where she lives with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
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July 14, 2024
Starting From Somewhere is book four in the Starting From series by Lane Hayes. This is Bobby J and a new character, Cody’s book. I was anxious to get to know Bobby J better and he was just as adorable as I hoped he would be. This book is pretty short so it’s a quick read but no less swoony.
Bobby J Prescott is the lead guitarist for the band, Jealousy. He’s thirty three years old. Being a rock star wasn’t the first profession Bobby pursued but once he turned his focus to his music, he knew he was where he was supposed to be. And just like that decision, the night he first laid eyes on Cody in the bar next door to their studio, he knew that somehow this man would be important to him.
Cody Fletcher is twenty four years old and just finished graduate school and will start his career in the fall. But for the summer, he has a part time job lined up interning at Scratch Records. Cody is a data analyst. He was sitting in the bar people watching for a project he was helping his friends with, perfectly fine by himself. But when Bobby J approached him, he couldn’t turn away.
When Cody showed up for work the next week, Bobby was surprised to see him there but also happy. Now he had the chance to win this cute, nerdy, fun, smart man over. He didn’t know why he needed to but knew he wanted to know him better.
These two together were so cute. The geek and the rock star! This book was pretty angst free, which is just the way I like it. There’s no third act break up which also makes me so happy. Now I’m on to the final full length book of the series, Starting From the Top which is another unlikely pair to get to know, Johnny and Sean. I don’t know either of them very well, so I’m excited to dive in.
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...
Bobby J Prescott is the lead guitarist for the band, Jealousy. He’s thirty three years old. Being a rock star wasn’t the first profession Bobby pursued but once he turned his focus to his music, he knew he was where he was supposed to be. And just like that decision, the night he first laid eyes on Cody in the bar next door to their studio, he knew that somehow this man would be important to him.
Cody Fletcher is twenty four years old and just finished graduate school and will start his career in the fall. But for the summer, he has a part time job lined up interning at Scratch Records. Cody is a data analyst. He was sitting in the bar people watching for a project he was helping his friends with, perfectly fine by himself. But when Bobby J approached him, he couldn’t turn away.
When Cody showed up for work the next week, Bobby was surprised to see him there but also happy. Now he had the chance to win this cute, nerdy, fun, smart man over. He didn’t know why he needed to but knew he wanted to know him better.
These two together were so cute. The geek and the rock star! This book was pretty angst free, which is just the way I like it. There’s no third act break up which also makes me so happy. Now I’m on to the final full length book of the series, Starting From the Top which is another unlikely pair to get to know, Johnny and Sean. I don’t know either of them very well, so I’m excited to dive in.
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...
December 7, 2020
I was expecting more, but I didn't get it.
This book is just so short. The MCs meet, flirt, have a few conversations on page, then there's a time lapse of a few months, one sex scene, declarations of love while Cody freaks out over not belonging ... time lapse again and epilogue.
Um, hold up please.
I barely got a feel for these guys, which is too bad because I wanted to know so much more about Bobby J and Cody, and what made their relationship tick.
As it stands, this story is all potential. I'm one disappointed panda. 😞
This book is just so short. The MCs meet, flirt, have a few conversations on page, then there's a time lapse of a few months, one sex scene, declarations of love while Cody freaks out over not belonging ... time lapse again and epilogue.
Um, hold up please.
I barely got a feel for these guys, which is too bad because I wanted to know so much more about Bobby J and Cody, and what made their relationship tick.
As it stands, this story is all potential. I'm one disappointed panda. 😞
November 14, 2020
Loved it!
Opposites attract on the surface but not the inside.✔
Hot chemistry ✔
Rock star/Nerd ✔
Sweet ✔
Banter ✔
Feel good with a teensy bit of angst ✔
And the epilogue...❤
Starting From Somewhere is such an endearing read; it was perfect. I ended up reading it in one sitting.
January 17, 2021
If you need a break from ... everything do yourself a favor and spend a couple of hours with this sweet, uncomplicated, pretty angst free tale of two geeks finding each other. Granted that one of them, Bobby J, masquerades as a guitar God in the rock band Jealousy but Cody, the overt geek, has nothing on Bobby's nerd status.
A summer internship leads to a summer romance that blooms into a lovely HEA. 💓💓💓
Seeing the other established couples in the Starting From universe is nice, especially since they don't take over the story, but my favorite part was the easy humor between the MC and that they didn't make huge protracted, made up thing about admitting their attraction for each other and later the falling in love. Nice.
A summer internship leads to a summer romance that blooms into a lovely HEA. 💓💓💓
Seeing the other established couples in the Starting From universe is nice, especially since they don't take over the story, but my favorite part was the easy humor between the MC and that they didn't make huge protracted, made up thing about admitting their attraction for each other and later the falling in love. Nice.
November 12, 2020
Oh that was just what the doctor ordered - a sweet, low angst, no dramady romance between two people who appear polar opposites but who are much more alike than the surface would indicate.
Bobby J is the guitarist with Dec's band Jealousy, Cody is an analytics genius heading for NASA but interning at the record label to look at social media algorithms at Charlie's request. They meet by accident in the dive bar as Cody's going through his bucket list of things to do to "experience life" before he heads to his job at the end of summer.
Bobby J is drifting a bit. He loves his band gig, but he's actually a bit of a nerd with a perfectionist complex and he's still dealing with the aftermath of dropping out of med school so when he bumps into Cody, the combo of innocence, geekdom and a smart mouth is something he can't resist.
They fall into a friendship as Bobby helps Cody experience some of his bucket list, and it's not all sexual, there's things like go skinny dipping, go to a concert, have a date, but the ones which do involve getting naked are utterly delightful.
It's just a whole load of fun, with sparks flying, connections being made and Cody wondering how he managed to fall in love while he was only supposed to be experimenting with life.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Bobby J is the guitarist with Dec's band Jealousy, Cody is an analytics genius heading for NASA but interning at the record label to look at social media algorithms at Charlie's request. They meet by accident in the dive bar as Cody's going through his bucket list of things to do to "experience life" before he heads to his job at the end of summer.
Bobby J is drifting a bit. He loves his band gig, but he's actually a bit of a nerd with a perfectionist complex and he's still dealing with the aftermath of dropping out of med school so when he bumps into Cody, the combo of innocence, geekdom and a smart mouth is something he can't resist.
They fall into a friendship as Bobby helps Cody experience some of his bucket list, and it's not all sexual, there's things like go skinny dipping, go to a concert, have a date, but the ones which do involve getting naked are utterly delightful.
It's just a whole load of fun, with sparks flying, connections being made and Cody wondering how he managed to fall in love while he was only supposed to be experimenting with life.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
November 30, 2020
Enjoyed this one a lot more than the last one.
Loved the nerd/rocker pairing.
Loved their banter and dialogue.
Loved the nerd/rocker pairing.
Loved their banter and dialogue.
November 17, 2020
Sexy. Funny. Zero Drama.
I loved this quick , fast pace, fluffy, hilarious , hot AF, no angst , no drama , romance by Lane Hayes , book 4 , in the Starting From book series.
Starting From Somewhere is the feel good , charming, HEA story one needs to brighten ones day. It did just that for me.
I loved this quick , fast pace, fluffy, hilarious , hot AF, no angst , no drama , romance by Lane Hayes , book 4 , in the Starting From book series.
Starting From Somewhere is the feel good , charming, HEA story one needs to brighten ones day. It did just that for me.
November 29, 2020
3.5 stars rounded down
Hm, there wasn't enough of this one for me to round up. I was kinda excited for Bobby J's romance and felt a tad disappointed in the end. Mainly because this was so short and was more a novella than anything, and this would have greatly benefitted from being longer.
I liked Cody, of course I love Bobby J, and these two were cute together and I enjoyed them mostly overall. But there didn't feel like there was much of them together, especially before the "i love you's" came. They didn't feel all that earned to me.
Bobby J and Cody's first meeting in the Zebra Den, the dive bar next to the studio Zero and Jealousy work at, was fun and interesting and engaging. The establishment of the connection was done so well, especially because I think this author writers conversations so well. But then the further building of their relationship fell a bit short for me.
And Cody was a genius nerd who was a little awkward at socializing, and Bobby J is this cool rock star and all that and so I felt Cody looked down on himself, and so his attitude toward him and Bobby J together didn't feel like he was all in because he didn't think he belonged with Bobby J or in his world, if that makes sense? It's like he had a resistance in him that just felt a little off at times and contributed and to the development of their relationship being off.
There was also not much of the others from the band as I was expecting, and I love all these guys so that was a bit disappointing, and so overall while this was good and fun at times, it just needed more, and didn't live up to the past installments in this series so far, in my opinion.
I don't exactly get why this couldn't be a full length book either, because it would have greatly benefitted from that. Bobby J and Cody's relationship sure would have, with a better build up and more build up at that.
So overall, fun and enjoyable at times, somewhat engaging, but too disappointing in some aspects and in some parts for me to round this up to 4 stars.
Hm, there wasn't enough of this one for me to round up. I was kinda excited for Bobby J's romance and felt a tad disappointed in the end. Mainly because this was so short and was more a novella than anything, and this would have greatly benefitted from being longer.
I liked Cody, of course I love Bobby J, and these two were cute together and I enjoyed them mostly overall. But there didn't feel like there was much of them together, especially before the "i love you's" came. They didn't feel all that earned to me.
Bobby J and Cody's first meeting in the Zebra Den, the dive bar next to the studio Zero and Jealousy work at, was fun and interesting and engaging. The establishment of the connection was done so well, especially because I think this author writers conversations so well. But then the further building of their relationship fell a bit short for me.
And Cody was a genius nerd who was a little awkward at socializing, and Bobby J is this cool rock star and all that and so I felt Cody looked down on himself, and so his attitude toward him and Bobby J together didn't feel like he was all in because he didn't think he belonged with Bobby J or in his world, if that makes sense? It's like he had a resistance in him that just felt a little off at times and contributed and to the development of their relationship being off.
There was also not much of the others from the band as I was expecting, and I love all these guys so that was a bit disappointing, and so overall while this was good and fun at times, it just needed more, and didn't live up to the past installments in this series so far, in my opinion.
I don't exactly get why this couldn't be a full length book either, because it would have greatly benefitted from that. Bobby J and Cody's relationship sure would have, with a better build up and more build up at that.
So overall, fun and enjoyable at times, somewhat engaging, but too disappointing in some aspects and in some parts for me to round this up to 4 stars.
July 27, 2022
3.5-4 stars
well wasn't this just a bundle of happiness haha.
this made me smile and laugh, and i was glad i decided to pick it up. it was short and i thought flowed well for being less than 130 pages
always love to come back to the guys in both Zero and Jealousy, and now add in a nerdy cute guy, yes no doubt i was going to love this.
well wasn't this just a bundle of happiness haha.
this made me smile and laugh, and i was glad i decided to pick it up. it was short and i thought flowed well for being less than 130 pages
always love to come back to the guys in both Zero and Jealousy, and now add in a nerdy cute guy, yes no doubt i was going to love this.
June 3, 2022
I’ve enjoyed this series, but this book seemed much shorter and didn’t have a lot of substance making it a bit of a disappointment. It was cute and smart and the intimate scenes were good, but I just didn’t feel like I didn’t get to know either character, and honestly I didn’t feel the heat between them.
Meeting at the Zebra Den, the dive bar next to the band’s studio, Bobby J can’t help but notice the cute guy at the bar. Cody is a bit surprised when Bobby J sits beside him and strikes up a conversation and embarrassed when he turns him down for more that night, but soon they are being friendly and Cody is working as an intern at the studio.
I liked both characters and they had more in common that you’d expect the geek and the rock star but that’s because the rock star is a closet geek. What bothered me most was that Cody had a big job waiting for him after his internship was over and that wasn’t mentioned in the epilogue. The entire book felt a bit rushed an unfinished.
I had high hopes for Bobby J’s book, but overall this wasn’t very satisfying.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Meeting at the Zebra Den, the dive bar next to the band’s studio, Bobby J can’t help but notice the cute guy at the bar. Cody is a bit surprised when Bobby J sits beside him and strikes up a conversation and embarrassed when he turns him down for more that night, but soon they are being friendly and Cody is working as an intern at the studio.
I liked both characters and they had more in common that you’d expect the geek and the rock star but that’s because the rock star is a closet geek. What bothered me most was that Cody had a big job waiting for him after his internship was over and that wasn’t mentioned in the epilogue. The entire book felt a bit rushed an unfinished.
I had high hopes for Bobby J’s book, but overall this wasn’t very satisfying.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
March 19, 2021
This was such an easy read... *sigh*
Bobby J isn't what you think from what we know from past books and Cody certainly keeps Bobby J on his toes! Finding the other half of "you" makes life a lot more balanced and amazing!
This was short but a truly enjoyable read!
Moving on to Starting From the Top...
Bobby J isn't what you think from what we know from past books and Cody certainly keeps Bobby J on his toes! Finding the other half of "you" makes life a lot more balanced and amazing!
This was short but a truly enjoyable read!
Moving on to Starting From the Top...
January 16, 2021
Starting From Somewhere is a freaking adorable, sweet, funny and sexy novella!! A perfect, opposites attract, age gap, feel fabulous read without any unnecessary angst, I fell madly in love with Bobby J, a rock star guitarist and Cody, a geeky, soon to be Nasa engineer!! This is their love story with minimal outside distractions. I can’t tell you how much I loved spending so much page time with them as they got to know one another and fell in love. The banter, dialogue and chemistry are off the charts!! A one sitting read, I sat there with a huge, happy sappy smile on my face when I was done. I most definitely need to see more of these two down the road!! Although this book is part of a fabulous series, it can totally be read as a standalone.
November 23, 2020
This was meh. It was very short and their relationship was superficial. Not sure why the author didn't give them a full, detailed book.
January 16, 2021
Oh dear. Slightly disappointing for a presumed series finale, and a really short read at roughly a third of the size of the other 3 in the series, but around the same price 🙁. The other 3 were excellent reads though...
***you know what they say about ass-u-me 😏. Starting From The Top comes out in March and is Johnny's story***.
***you know what they say about ass-u-me 😏. Starting From The Top comes out in March and is Johnny's story***.
November 13, 2020
4.5 stars ⭐️
I adored this! This was a sweet, sexy story that I wish was longer! That is my only complaint and the reason I couldn’t rate this 5 stars.
Bobby J was a character from the last book in this series that intrigued me. He was funny and had such a presence. I was interested in him from the start and when I saw this novella and the cover, which is gorgeous, I was extremely excited! Cody is such a sweet & sincere guy who has a nerdy side. This bought out the nerdy side in Bobby J, which I never would’ve guessed existed!!! These two had chemistry from the start.
Since this is a novella I felt like the story wasn’t flushed out enough. I ate this up in a matter of hours and it left me wanting more. I thought this could’ve been a full length book and because it wasn’t I felt we didn’t see or experience everything we could’ve. That being said, I was enamored with Bobby J and Cody and loved every second of this story. I’m being selfish wanting more!
Lane writes such beautiful stories and this is no exception. She creates characters and relationships you cheer for and I am always so happy when I’m reading one of her books. This series has been so good and has gotten better with each book.
I received an ARC of this book**
I adored this! This was a sweet, sexy story that I wish was longer! That is my only complaint and the reason I couldn’t rate this 5 stars.
Bobby J was a character from the last book in this series that intrigued me. He was funny and had such a presence. I was interested in him from the start and when I saw this novella and the cover, which is gorgeous, I was extremely excited! Cody is such a sweet & sincere guy who has a nerdy side. This bought out the nerdy side in Bobby J, which I never would’ve guessed existed!!! These two had chemistry from the start.
Since this is a novella I felt like the story wasn’t flushed out enough. I ate this up in a matter of hours and it left me wanting more. I thought this could’ve been a full length book and because it wasn’t I felt we didn’t see or experience everything we could’ve. That being said, I was enamored with Bobby J and Cody and loved every second of this story. I’m being selfish wanting more!
Lane writes such beautiful stories and this is no exception. She creates characters and relationships you cheer for and I am always so happy when I’m reading one of her books. This series has been so good and has gotten better with each book.
I received an ARC of this book**
January 13, 2022
3 Stars
This was just an okay read. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either and I sort of expect great from this author.
I loved both Bobby J and Cody and after reading the Nerd/Jock series, which Cody features in, I was excited to get to their story, but while it was enjoyable, something was missing.
I think the passion that is normally present between Lane’s characters just wasn’t there. The romance portion of the story fell a bit flat. I also really missed seeing the interactions between the other band members. They weren’t really present here at all.
While not my favorite, this was still a low-angst, well-written story that flowed well and was easy to read.
December 14, 2020
I feel like this took me days to read. It actually did. I picked this up, I think I read a couple pages and then I didn't have much reading time.
This is not because I didn't like it, I did. This was a lot better than the last story in this series I just wish there was more to this one.
It was pretty quick and pretty insta-love and really, just easy, breezy, beautiful.
Sometimes that works, and it mostly did this go round, I just could have used a tad bit more.
This is not because I didn't like it, I did. This was a lot better than the last story in this series I just wish there was more to this one.
It was pretty quick and pretty insta-love and really, just easy, breezy, beautiful.
Sometimes that works, and it mostly did this go round, I just could have used a tad bit more.
November 23, 2020
Bobby J is the lead guitarist for an up-and-coming L.A.-based band, Jealousy. We have met him before in STARTING FROM HERE, the third book in this series. Bobby J is out and loud about his bisexuality, and he’s not one to mince words about his interest or desires. He’s caught in a little bit of discomfort with Johnny, who plays in ZERO, another band in the indie Scratch Records label, due to an aborted tryst with a fan, and members of both bands are urging Bobby to smooth things over. He would like to, he’s just not good at communicating his needs or his feelings.
While out at a seedy bar near the recording studio, Bobby J meets Cody, a beautiful, tall and slender nerdy man who admits to be there for “research” purposes. Cody is a newly graduated aerospace engineer who really works on data mining, looking for trends and patterns. He has three months off before he’s supposed to begin working in the corporate world, and he wants to cut loose a little, find out what “real life” might be like if he wasn’t so tied to his schoolwork. Cody took a summer intern position managing the social media data for ZERO and JEALOUSY, before he ever met any of the band. He just wants to study their “cool” orbit, in addition to gathering data on all sorts of human interactions, like days at the beach, and baking certain cakes. He’s got some sexytimes and dating experience, but that’s with engineers–and his non-sciencey people-ing skills are soft. Cody find Bobby J crazy sezy, and wants to pursue something, if he can, but he also doesn’t want to bias his research. Bobby J, himself a closet geek, offers to open himself up for all sorts of study, so Cody can knock items off his list.
These two, despite seeming to be complete opposites, are a more aligned than one might surmise at first glance. Bobby J was raised by his father, a workaholic scientist, and he studied to be a doctor before dropping out and following his musical dreams. They have similar taste in geeky shows, and they harmonize more than Cody’s data might have predicted. It;s a sweet and sexy fling as summer passes. Bobby J finds reasons to pop into Cody’s cube and they each enjoy the other’s company so much, even when they aren’t sexing each other up, down and every which way. Cody doesn’t think he can truly fit into Bobby J’s musical sphere, and nearly heads for the hills, but Bobby J’s long since swooned for his sexy nerd and they end up lasting longer than the internship–by far.
Being part of the STARTING FROM series, it was fun to see other band members and how their own relationships have grown. The awkwardness between Bobby J and Johnny gets smoothed over, following some real talk that Cody hands out. From their closeness in previous stories, I had wondered if Bobby J and Johnny would become a unit, but they are too good at being friends, and their attractions lay elsewhere. So, I imagine we’ll see Johnny finding his partner in an upcoming book. In the meantime, I loved this nerdy bear-twink match kindle and scorch it’s way across the pages.
While out at a seedy bar near the recording studio, Bobby J meets Cody, a beautiful, tall and slender nerdy man who admits to be there for “research” purposes. Cody is a newly graduated aerospace engineer who really works on data mining, looking for trends and patterns. He has three months off before he’s supposed to begin working in the corporate world, and he wants to cut loose a little, find out what “real life” might be like if he wasn’t so tied to his schoolwork. Cody took a summer intern position managing the social media data for ZERO and JEALOUSY, before he ever met any of the band. He just wants to study their “cool” orbit, in addition to gathering data on all sorts of human interactions, like days at the beach, and baking certain cakes. He’s got some sexytimes and dating experience, but that’s with engineers–and his non-sciencey people-ing skills are soft. Cody find Bobby J crazy sezy, and wants to pursue something, if he can, but he also doesn’t want to bias his research. Bobby J, himself a closet geek, offers to open himself up for all sorts of study, so Cody can knock items off his list.
These two, despite seeming to be complete opposites, are a more aligned than one might surmise at first glance. Bobby J was raised by his father, a workaholic scientist, and he studied to be a doctor before dropping out and following his musical dreams. They have similar taste in geeky shows, and they harmonize more than Cody’s data might have predicted. It;s a sweet and sexy fling as summer passes. Bobby J finds reasons to pop into Cody’s cube and they each enjoy the other’s company so much, even when they aren’t sexing each other up, down and every which way. Cody doesn’t think he can truly fit into Bobby J’s musical sphere, and nearly heads for the hills, but Bobby J’s long since swooned for his sexy nerd and they end up lasting longer than the internship–by far.
Being part of the STARTING FROM series, it was fun to see other band members and how their own relationships have grown. The awkwardness between Bobby J and Johnny gets smoothed over, following some real talk that Cody hands out. From their closeness in previous stories, I had wondered if Bobby J and Johnny would become a unit, but they are too good at being friends, and their attractions lay elsewhere. So, I imagine we’ll see Johnny finding his partner in an upcoming book. In the meantime, I loved this nerdy bear-twink match kindle and scorch it’s way across the pages.
November 13, 2020
4.5 Stars!
Well, Lane Hayes gave us quite the little treat with Starting From Somewhere. In this crazy time of life, this appetizer size book is just what we need. Best word to describe it, FUN!!
The Rockstar and The Nerd need I say more?!
At first glance, Bobby J and Cody seem to be complete opposites, but they have more in common then you think. An intellectual connection as well as physical. Their offbeat humor had me laughing out loud from the moment they met. Their immediate connection was palpable.
Bobby J is such an intimating mountain of a man. He's a bisexual equal opportunity lover. He rather just go with the flow and have fun. Settling down is not his thing. That all changed when he met a beautiful quirky younger man. He was enamored by Cody's awkwardness and blunt honesty... He also found him so damn sexy. Cody made him feel things and brought out his sweet vulnerable side. This might have made me smile like a fool!! 😁
Talk about being in the right place at the right time... After graduating, Cody just wanted to experience things out of his comfort zone, before getting a job. While hanging out at a seedy bar, never did he expect to meet and eventually fall for a rockstar. Cody is so freaking adorable and hilarious. No wonder he had our sex rock god tied up in knots and wanting more. Cody saw the real Bobby J not his rockstar persona. He was everything Cody ever wanted and needed. I was delighted with their journey to love!
My only complaint, I WANT MORE OF THEM. They were soooo soooo good. I hope we can get more of them down the road.
I can honestly say, the Starting From Series is one of my favorites! Lane has created such fascinating rock world! I have loved following Zero and Jealousy and their budding careers. All the guys are interesting, diverse and smoking hot. I LOVE THEM ALL!!
Johnny's book is up next!
Well, Lane Hayes gave us quite the little treat with Starting From Somewhere. In this crazy time of life, this appetizer size book is just what we need. Best word to describe it, FUN!!
The Rockstar and The Nerd need I say more?!
At first glance, Bobby J and Cody seem to be complete opposites, but they have more in common then you think. An intellectual connection as well as physical. Their offbeat humor had me laughing out loud from the moment they met. Their immediate connection was palpable.
Bobby J is such an intimating mountain of a man. He's a bisexual equal opportunity lover. He rather just go with the flow and have fun. Settling down is not his thing. That all changed when he met a beautiful quirky younger man. He was enamored by Cody's awkwardness and blunt honesty... He also found him so damn sexy. Cody made him feel things and brought out his sweet vulnerable side. This might have made me smile like a fool!! 😁
Talk about being in the right place at the right time... After graduating, Cody just wanted to experience things out of his comfort zone, before getting a job. While hanging out at a seedy bar, never did he expect to meet and eventually fall for a rockstar. Cody is so freaking adorable and hilarious. No wonder he had our sex rock god tied up in knots and wanting more. Cody saw the real Bobby J not his rockstar persona. He was everything Cody ever wanted and needed. I was delighted with their journey to love!
My only complaint, I WANT MORE OF THEM. They were soooo soooo good. I hope we can get more of them down the road.
I can honestly say, the Starting From Series is one of my favorites! Lane has created such fascinating rock world! I have loved following Zero and Jealousy and their budding careers. All the guys are interesting, diverse and smoking hot. I LOVE THEM ALL!!
Johnny's book is up next!
November 13, 2020
The rockstar and the nerd. Psst.. and the rockstar was a bit of a nerd too which I loved.
It was cool getting Bobby J’s backstory. Cody was only supposed to be an intern for the summer but it turned into so much more. This was a super sweet and very low angst story.
I loved both characters and know they have a bright future together.
It was cool getting Bobby J’s backstory. Cody was only supposed to be an intern for the summer but it turned into so much more. This was a super sweet and very low angst story.
I loved both characters and know they have a bright future together.
November 30, 2020
Sweet sweet nerds
OMG This was the sweetest thing! Bobby J and Cody were perfection together! This was such a feel good, no angst, sexy, nerdy story! I’m absolutely enamores! Funny and quirky, it was absolute perfection. Just want I needed really.
OMG This was the sweetest thing! Bobby J and Cody were perfection together! This was such a feel good, no angst, sexy, nerdy story! I’m absolutely enamores! Funny and quirky, it was absolute perfection. Just want I needed really.
November 13, 2020
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the fourth book in the series - and it is such a good series that I definitely recommend that you read them in order! That said, you could read this one first and go back and get the rest of the goodness later, if you so wished. It was fun to catch up with the gang and see how Scratch records is developing. I love how every story has been utterly unique - this one is inspired.
These two men are really fun, and we know immediately that Cody is a little out of his depth in the environment. He is a mega-geek about to work in space research, but first he wants to tick some more normal things of his life between college and work bucket list. He meets Bobby J in the bar next to the Scratch office, just before starting an internship there. The attraction is obvious, although it seems incredibly unwise to get involved.
Bobby J may be an incredibly talented guitar player ... but he was also a massive overachiever academically too - and he recognised a fellow geek in Cody and realises how he has been playing down that part of his life. I loved this moment of awareness which led to the men being gloriously good friends as well as Bobby J realising how much he feels for Cody. I loved the unconventional romantic route which they took - in fact I read this book from cover to cover non stop ... good thing I had a day off work!
Thank you Lane Hayes for a really good addition to the series, and a really lovely romance.
This is the fourth book in the series - and it is such a good series that I definitely recommend that you read them in order! That said, you could read this one first and go back and get the rest of the goodness later, if you so wished. It was fun to catch up with the gang and see how Scratch records is developing. I love how every story has been utterly unique - this one is inspired.
These two men are really fun, and we know immediately that Cody is a little out of his depth in the environment. He is a mega-geek about to work in space research, but first he wants to tick some more normal things of his life between college and work bucket list. He meets Bobby J in the bar next to the Scratch office, just before starting an internship there. The attraction is obvious, although it seems incredibly unwise to get involved.
Bobby J may be an incredibly talented guitar player ... but he was also a massive overachiever academically too - and he recognised a fellow geek in Cody and realises how he has been playing down that part of his life. I loved this moment of awareness which led to the men being gloriously good friends as well as Bobby J realising how much he feels for Cody. I loved the unconventional romantic route which they took - in fact I read this book from cover to cover non stop ... good thing I had a day off work!
Thank you Lane Hayes for a really good addition to the series, and a really lovely romance.
November 15, 2020
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
Starting From Somewhere is the fourth installment in the Starting From series. I read this as a standalone without issue. I have not read any other books in this series. After reading this one I intend to go back and start from the beginning.
Starting From Somewhere is Cody and Bobby J's story.
Cody is a self described geek or nerd. He just graduated and has an internship for the summer until his job at NASA starts. He is a very analytical guy. He likes numbers and research. Not wanting to waste what's left of his twenties he makes a list and wants to complete it before he starts his job. While preforming "research" at a dive bar his plan is to get a drink sit in the shadows and just watch, what he doesn't expect is the hot guitarist for the band Jealousy, Bobby J. Cody doesn't know what to think when Bobby J flirts with him and definitely doesn't know what to do when the two end up making out.
Bobby J wasn't expecting to have such an attraction to Cody but something about Cody pulls Bobby J in. What surprises him most is walking in to the record label and finding Cody there. Just when Bobby J thought he wasn't going to see him again, there he is working at the label. Can he make this work with the sexy nerd? Is it even something Cody wants?
I was instantly invested in this one. Without reading any of the other books I was going in blind but didn't have any issues even with mention of past characters. I loved that Cody and Bobby J are geeks at heart and connect in ways they wouldn't and haven't with other people. Fun read.
Starting From Somewhere is the fourth installment in the Starting From series. I read this as a standalone without issue. I have not read any other books in this series. After reading this one I intend to go back and start from the beginning.
Starting From Somewhere is Cody and Bobby J's story.
Cody is a self described geek or nerd. He just graduated and has an internship for the summer until his job at NASA starts. He is a very analytical guy. He likes numbers and research. Not wanting to waste what's left of his twenties he makes a list and wants to complete it before he starts his job. While preforming "research" at a dive bar his plan is to get a drink sit in the shadows and just watch, what he doesn't expect is the hot guitarist for the band Jealousy, Bobby J. Cody doesn't know what to think when Bobby J flirts with him and definitely doesn't know what to do when the two end up making out.
Bobby J wasn't expecting to have such an attraction to Cody but something about Cody pulls Bobby J in. What surprises him most is walking in to the record label and finding Cody there. Just when Bobby J thought he wasn't going to see him again, there he is working at the label. Can he make this work with the sexy nerd? Is it even something Cody wants?
I was instantly invested in this one. Without reading any of the other books I was going in blind but didn't have any issues even with mention of past characters. I loved that Cody and Bobby J are geeks at heart and connect in ways they wouldn't and haven't with other people. Fun read.
November 18, 2020
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is the story of a rock star who falls for a young scientist he meets in a bar. It’s a sweet, simple and fairly predictable story.
Cody is the perfect science geek. Even after finishing grad school, he is young and inexperienced. Sexy geeks are a current romance trend and Cody is pretty much a paint by number sexy geek. He’s insecure, socially awkward and desperate for new sexual experiences. Bobby J is a fairly cliche romance rockstar. He looks like a bad boy bear but Cody brings out his inner science geek. With enough background detail to add a little angst but not quite enough story to make him come alive, Bobby J manages to blur into so many other rock stars I’ve read in this genre. Both Bobby J and Cody feel like easily recognisable stock characters. They’re both hot and likeable but neither feels like a fully developed leading man.
The structure and pacing of this book don’t quite work. The book covers a couple of months over a single summer but much of the summer is skimmed over and important moments between Cody and Bobby J are recounted rather than shown. The result is a romance that I feel like I observed from a distance. I don’t feel like I ever got close enough to Bobby J and Cody’s experience to fully invest in their relationship.
And seriously. The whole Bobby J thing annoyed me. How arrogant does a guy have to be to introduce himself in a bar using his ridiculous stage name? And who happily calls their serious boyfriend by his stage name? Bobby J is supposed to be a 33 year old rocker, not a 16 year old K Pop star. It just doesn’t work for me.
This is the story of a rock star who falls for a young scientist he meets in a bar. It’s a sweet, simple and fairly predictable story.
Cody is the perfect science geek. Even after finishing grad school, he is young and inexperienced. Sexy geeks are a current romance trend and Cody is pretty much a paint by number sexy geek. He’s insecure, socially awkward and desperate for new sexual experiences. Bobby J is a fairly cliche romance rockstar. He looks like a bad boy bear but Cody brings out his inner science geek. With enough background detail to add a little angst but not quite enough story to make him come alive, Bobby J manages to blur into so many other rock stars I’ve read in this genre. Both Bobby J and Cody feel like easily recognisable stock characters. They’re both hot and likeable but neither feels like a fully developed leading man.
The structure and pacing of this book don’t quite work. The book covers a couple of months over a single summer but much of the summer is skimmed over and important moments between Cody and Bobby J are recounted rather than shown. The result is a romance that I feel like I observed from a distance. I don’t feel like I ever got close enough to Bobby J and Cody’s experience to fully invest in their relationship.
And seriously. The whole Bobby J thing annoyed me. How arrogant does a guy have to be to introduce himself in a bar using his ridiculous stage name? And who happily calls their serious boyfriend by his stage name? Bobby J is supposed to be a 33 year old rocker, not a 16 year old K Pop star. It just doesn’t work for me.
November 24, 2020
I love this novella which is part of the Starting From series. My only complaint? It’s too short! I wanted more of Johnny and Cody. The story hits all the notes. It’s at turns funny, sweet, heart wrenching and romantic. The level of steam is just right and the sex scenes enhance rather than detract from the story.
By that I guess I mean they feel organic and just the right length. So many times authors seem to feel a need to pepper their books with overly long or detailed sex scenes that, for me, take away from the story. I usually end up just skipping over them, skimming to make sure I don’t miss any dialog or hints that impact the storyline. Hayes never seems to do that. She seems to know exactly how to write contemporary romance so that the relationship is served by the story and vice versa. Her characters come off as real people you’d like to know and you can empathize with them and want to root for them. And in this book she manages to do all that in a novella format which is not an easy thing to do.
I highly recommend this book though you should read the other books in the series first, particularly book two (Charlies’ book) in order to fully appreciate the secondary characters and the setting.
**I voluntarily read an arc and this is my unbiased opinion.**
By that I guess I mean they feel organic and just the right length. So many times authors seem to feel a need to pepper their books with overly long or detailed sex scenes that, for me, take away from the story. I usually end up just skipping over them, skimming to make sure I don’t miss any dialog or hints that impact the storyline. Hayes never seems to do that. She seems to know exactly how to write contemporary romance so that the relationship is served by the story and vice versa. Her characters come off as real people you’d like to know and you can empathize with them and want to root for them. And in this book she manages to do all that in a novella format which is not an easy thing to do.
I highly recommend this book though you should read the other books in the series first, particularly book two (Charlies’ book) in order to fully appreciate the secondary characters and the setting.
**I voluntarily read an arc and this is my unbiased opinion.**
November 16, 2020
I received a free copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Stars
Starting From Somewhere is the 4th installment in the Starting From series, easily read as a standalone with little to no confusion.
Bobby J has finally gotten his time in the romance spotlight, discovering a nerdy, awkward fella at their favorite seedy hangout, just when he was about to call it a night. An instant flare of connection sparks Bobby J to seek out and discover Cody's secrets.
As an intellectual, Cody could easily fallback on his educational pursuits while life goes on by, but he and his friends are pushing themselves on the wild side. Not only is Cody meeting hotties at seedy dive bars, he's going to be interning at a up and coming record label, knowing full well the guy he met at the bar was none other than Bobby J.
An instant connection, the quirky, awkward geek and the seasoned flirt hit it right off the bat, their interactions as easy as breathing. Light and flirty, Starting From Somewhere is a quick novella, read in a single sitting. Filled with the warm and fuzzies, not much angst to speak of, and a much lighter vibe than previous instalments.
4 Stars
Starting From Somewhere is the 4th installment in the Starting From series, easily read as a standalone with little to no confusion.
Bobby J has finally gotten his time in the romance spotlight, discovering a nerdy, awkward fella at their favorite seedy hangout, just when he was about to call it a night. An instant flare of connection sparks Bobby J to seek out and discover Cody's secrets.
As an intellectual, Cody could easily fallback on his educational pursuits while life goes on by, but he and his friends are pushing themselves on the wild side. Not only is Cody meeting hotties at seedy dive bars, he's going to be interning at a up and coming record label, knowing full well the guy he met at the bar was none other than Bobby J.
An instant connection, the quirky, awkward geek and the seasoned flirt hit it right off the bat, their interactions as easy as breathing. Light and flirty, Starting From Somewhere is a quick novella, read in a single sitting. Filled with the warm and fuzzies, not much angst to speak of, and a much lighter vibe than previous instalments.
November 20, 2020
Cute and sweet romance.
Ah, Lane, how much do i love thee? Once again, Ms Hayes has produced a sweet, low angst and sexy book, which is just what I need at present. It's full of gentle humour and an unlikely love between the MCs.
I loved Cody and Bobby J, they're so different, yet so similar. I also loved that it was the 'butch' guy that was full of self doubt and insecurities. Bobby J struggles. His mind is full, doubting, fearing weakness, indecision, and questioning what's safe, what's right, does he need to take risks in his career choice, uncertainty.
Cody's thought processes are relatable, adorable, a little frustrating at times, but so kind and caring. Bobby J, despite his own insecurities, is a wonderful choice for him (bravo, Ms Hayes). Sexy and strong, someone who makes Cody feel alive, and a little risky at times.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story! It was a fun and relaxing read. Bobby J and Cody are adorable. A great story, especially if you're not looking for thrills, emotional angst or surprises.
Ah, Lane, how much do i love thee? Once again, Ms Hayes has produced a sweet, low angst and sexy book, which is just what I need at present. It's full of gentle humour and an unlikely love between the MCs.
I loved Cody and Bobby J, they're so different, yet so similar. I also loved that it was the 'butch' guy that was full of self doubt and insecurities. Bobby J struggles. His mind is full, doubting, fearing weakness, indecision, and questioning what's safe, what's right, does he need to take risks in his career choice, uncertainty.
Cody's thought processes are relatable, adorable, a little frustrating at times, but so kind and caring. Bobby J, despite his own insecurities, is a wonderful choice for him (bravo, Ms Hayes). Sexy and strong, someone who makes Cody feel alive, and a little risky at times.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story! It was a fun and relaxing read. Bobby J and Cody are adorable. A great story, especially if you're not looking for thrills, emotional angst or surprises.
June 18, 2024
Strangely enough the almost insta-love nature of this novella somehow didn't bother me. I think because it covers a bit more time than one would expect in this shorter length. And well Bobby J and his geek were just adorable. I loved Cody. He's got such a logical scientific brain but is so determined to not forget to experience life as well. He may have strange plans for how to go about doing that, but his intentions are good. It was easy to see why Bobby J was fascinated by him. Add in Bobby J's background and own intelligence and of course these two were going to connect.
This was a sweet novella and a great addition to the story of all the guys from these two bands.
This was a sweet novella and a great addition to the story of all the guys from these two bands.
November 20, 2020
4.5 stars.
If you’re looking for a fun book with the Nerd and Rockstar trope this book is for you. This book is so lighthearted it will make you laugh. It’s just what I needed
Cody and Bobby J meet and hit it off from the get go. I loved their banter and connection. Not just the physical connection (which is HOT) but their emotional connection. You’d never believe it with their differences in occupations but they truly are very similar in their education. Bobby J is following his music dream.
Bobby J has a larger than life personality who is comfortable in his sexuality. Cody is awkward, tells you how it is (which I love a straight shooter), and looking to live life before buckling down in his career.
Their friendship and love story is fun, sweet, romantic at times, and makes you swoon. LOL
I can not wait for the next book in the series. Bravo Lane
If you’re looking for a fun book with the Nerd and Rockstar trope this book is for you. This book is so lighthearted it will make you laugh. It’s just what I needed
Cody and Bobby J meet and hit it off from the get go. I loved their banter and connection. Not just the physical connection (which is HOT) but their emotional connection. You’d never believe it with their differences in occupations but they truly are very similar in their education. Bobby J is following his music dream.
Bobby J has a larger than life personality who is comfortable in his sexuality. Cody is awkward, tells you how it is (which I love a straight shooter), and looking to live life before buckling down in his career.
Their friendship and love story is fun, sweet, romantic at times, and makes you swoon. LOL
I can not wait for the next book in the series. Bravo Lane
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