Jude's Dude

Veiled Intentions #3.5

by Elle Keaton

Love makes its own rules.

When his cozy cabin rental is usurped by a modern-day Viking, he has no choice but to accept the suggestion he stay the night, they'll figure the mess out in the morning.

He’s not a complete jerk. He would never force the stranger back out into blizzard conditions; it's obvious the man wouldn't survive five minutes.

There must be some sort of left-over holiday magic in the air because as uptight as he is…he finds himself warming up to Viking dude and the feelings seem mutual.

Neither plans on falling in love, but their hearts have other ideas.

Are a blizzard, a cozy cabin, and a flickering fire a recipe for love?

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Forced Proximity, LGBT, Fiction, Mystery

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2021

About the author

Elle Keaton is a writer, avid reader, and amateur cat-wrangler. Her love of romance novels has led her to a life of creating her own happy ever afters. She is the author of the best selling series' Shielded Hearts and Veiled Intentions. Keaton hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and cats.

Reviews

[Jewel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Caipi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet addition to this normally mystery series.
I'd absolutely read more contemporary books by this author. 😀

3.5 stars

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was fine, but the story has been told so many times. It was ok.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cullen just witnessed his ex-boyfriend's wedding to a woman. So he escapes to a cabin in the woods. Jude is fed up with his demanding job. So he escapes to a cabin in the woods. Little do they know they've been double booked into the same cabin.

JUDE'S DUDE is a light hearted romance that doesn't always make sense. Jude is supposed to be a 165-IQ-genius, but he doesn't come across like that at all. I think just overall the characters lacked personality. That being said though I still had a fun time reading this novella. Jude and Cullen are amazing together and I enjoyed watching them from being apprehensive to totally into each other.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short and sweet romance between Cullen and Jude ,two opposites in every way. The author brings strong characters with a hot chemistry being stranded together unexpectedly in a snowstorm. They have a bumpy start but can't deny the attraction. It's a fun story with detailed and descriptive scenes ,moves quickly and smoothly and is a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Smut Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot packed in to a fast paced and quick read. Enjoyable with great chemistry.

[Mer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

This should've been lovely, but, meh. It wasn't insta-lovey exactly, more felt like... insta-relationship, almost. It was weird. I couldn't get a feel for the characters and I just didn't buy their chemistry. Everything felt kind of slapped-on. Cullen's attitude towards his ex felt a bit strange, it didn't entirely make sense. Or, maybe I just missed something. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Jude's dramatics made me roll my eyes. Also there were a bunch of missing words. So, yeah, overall I just wasn't feeling this.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cullen Delacombe went to the family’s mountain cabin at Uncle Shay’s text recommendation after losing his job and thinking that agreeing to be best man at his ex-boyfriend’s wedding would be a good idea. It’s definitely time to chill. Jude Collins is a CEO billionaire who booked the cabin to relax and have some time to himself. He had been a hard worker since his teens, never taking time for himself. But he arrives in the evening to find a guy the size of a Viking already there. Cullen couldn’t toss him out into the blizzard, so he suggests he stay at least overnight and they will get it settled the next morning. The power goes out but the fire was warm and they slept on each end of the couch. Later in the night, Cullen woke and went outside, preparing to walk in the fresh snow down to the frozen falls. Jude wakes also and when Cullen admonished him to either come in or out but close the door or they would lose heat, he took it as an invitation to walk with him.

Jude realized how kind Cullen had been, especially since Jude had been rude the whole time. They talked about their pasts and why they were at the cabin now. And Jude could not stop from saying he wanted to kiss the handsome Viking. To his surprise, Cullen liked the idea.

As one thing leads to another Jude and Cullen become closer. Jude came down from the loft and began cooking for Cullen, realizing how much he missed this since his chef prepared all his meals. Their relationship was really working. They were equals, both giving and both taking, their strengths and weaknesses balancing each other out. Jude knew he was falling in love. Then while Cullen was in the shower and Jude was making lunch, someone banged non-stop on the door. The stranger was pushy and demanded to know where Cullen was. Then Cullen stepped out of the bathroom in a towel and demanded to know why Dean was there! All Jude knew at that point was that he had to get out of there right now. He didn’t wait to see Cullen pushing Dean away, disgusted with his ex-boyfriend, and worried Jude would wrongly think he still cared for the man. But Jude drove away without looking back.

Cullen’s uncle now drove up, delaying Cullen more as he tried to get through to Dean that it was over and Cullen would never cheat anyway. He was faithful to one man and Dean was no longer a choice. Seeing Dean now, he wondered what he ever saw in him. Being with Jude, he knows what a loving relationship feels like, and he never had that with Dean. With the roads icy, he had to search for Jude who had no clue how to drive in this weather. Would he find him? Or would Jude somehow make it out of there and call it quits?

This was an amazing story and I loved all of the characters – well most of them. Cullen and Jude each had their issues, but being together seemed to be making all the difference until Dean’s untimely visit. Where would things take them now?

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a little change is all you need....
by and1515

Cullen could get a job however keeping one was a different story especially when your having private conversations that start and end with NSFW topics and yeah to his uttered chagrin he found himself unemployed once again.
His life was a chaotic mess and apparently last night he'd been glutton for punishment in more ways then he could count.
Jude really needed a break and what more he deserved one so he was determined to get it; so mums the word until he was ready to make a mad dash out the door.
However the private cabin he thought he was getting wasn't so empty as he'd hoped.
And Cullen had no problems with being grumpy and surly towards as he saw it an uninvited guest.
Even though neither one's plans included sharing the space with someone else;
Cullen wouldn't kick him to the curb not now he knew the area better and the roads were some times tricky to navigate and downright treacherous when the conditions were at there worse.
Only neither one of them seemed inclined to leave and instead were slowly gravitating towards each other more until finally
ka-boom.
Unfortunately his past just came storming in trying to throw him off-balance only now he
isn't intrested anymore; at one time he might have thought about it, but nope.
He was done.
Now he just needed to find his new future before it got away.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short low-angst novella which connects the author's two long gestating crime series (Veiled Intentions and its spinoff, Shielded Hearts) featuring gay couples facing off the nasty things people do to others. This is short and sweet, no mystery or crime involved.

Jude Collins is the CEO of a software company, and he's burnt out. Deciding to take a sabbatical, he rents a cabin just outside of Skagit, Washington with no internet and spotty cell service, so he can be isolated and write his book. The massive snow storm hitting the area is one problem, but the other is the giant Viking that's presently in the cabin Jude's supposed to be renting.

Cullen Delacombe was the best man for his ex-boyfriend's marriage to a woman, and he's been fired from his job. To get away from it, he accepts his Uncle Shay's offer to decompress at his remote cabin. Only on the stormy evening he arrives, he's surprised to have a cute guy pounding on the door, claiming he's renting the cabin.

After some initial hostility, the two men make the best of their situation, become friendly and realizing they're both attracted to each other. As they spend more time together, the weeks pass by. They grow closer and both men experience feelings for each other.

My problem with this was neither character is really developed well. Their relationship comes across a little too insta-lovey (I know you have to move quick in a novella, but...) We get some background from Cullen, who seems to dominate the story. Jude gets a bit of fleshing out, but it's sparse. Shay Delacombe makes a cameo in the back half, but I couldn't exactly figure out why he needed to be, it was an awkward scene. "You're not checking your messages, I just wanted to check you're getting your messages." "I know, service is bad out here, but I wouldn't be checking messages even if there was service." This didn't exactly make sense.

2 stars.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is steamy, sweet and entertaining. After being best man at his ex's wedding, Cullen gets wasted and sleeps with a waiter. The next morning his uncle tells him that he should go to his cabin and chill for a while, so Cullen does. Jude hates his company an needs to get away from it or a while, so he rents a cabin with no phone or Internet, and plans to stay for a month. But when he gets there, Cullen is already there. Because there's a huge snowstorm happening, neither Cullen nor Jude will ask the other to leave, so they decide to share, temporarily. A bottle of wine and a walk in the snow in the middle of the night have them getting naked. Jude was raised in foster care, and after his first relationship ended badly, he didn't trust anyone. Cullen grew up with parents who really shouldn't have had kids, he was still sort of messed up by his ex and he had low self-esteem. But they bond and naturally fall into a relationship while snowed in. The real test will come when the world intrudes on them though. They're both caring, vulnerable and likable characters, and the storyline is romantic.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author because she's an amazing writer and I always enjoy all of her books :) Poor Jude just needs a place to retreat to with no Internet connection. His coworker and friend, Edmund (yes that Edmund), is worried when he sets out on his own to drive during a heavy snowfall to an isolate winter cabin. Jude is a CEO and billionaire who owns his own tech company and discovers that the isolated cabin that he rented is occupied by a hulking and handsome Viking (Cullen). Cullen is in the cabin nursing his wounds after being best man at his ex-boyfriend's wedding (worse idea ever!) and he needs to rethink his life. Two completely different men are thrown together in an isolated cabin during a snowstorm and fall in love along the way. This has all the classic tropes (forced proximity, one bed, isolated cabin, snowstorm, opposites attract) that I adore along with very familiar faces from Elle Keaton's other books. I love when authors throw in characters from prior books :) Very satisfied with the ending because Jude finally gets his dude ;)

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short that mentions the fact early on that things are going to probably happen (a previous couple got stuck in a cabin and fell in love but that would never happen again...right?) and follows through in a very fun way, despite the short time period and everything that gets packed into this story. There is plenty of insta-lust between the two characters, even as they are angry and snapping at each other, which works to create an fantastic spark and build up the heat right away. They have plenty of chemistry and the segue into that chemistry being more romantic than lustful works with the snow dappled and hushed setting, along with the coziness and camaraderie that they build. Despite the rushed time period these two men really get to know one another, all of their unexpected faults and flaws, their fears and hopes, and it feels as though they could easily fall in love even in that time. An lovely winter themed short of finding the unexpected and seeing new hope and love.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little forced proximity story. Cullen is feeling down when his ex-boyfriend marries a woman and he is roped into being the best man. His uncle offers his tiny cabin for him to get his head on straight (after a wild night and sex with one of the waiters). Jude is a tech millionaire who is stressed and determined to get away for a month somewhere with no internet and has rented a cabin on-line. You see where this is going. He arrives in a snow storm and Cullen invites him in but Jude is basically a pissy asshole, however it doesn't take them long to start sharing their stories (both had shit childhoods) and get cosy.

Of course after several days of bliss, the ex shows up thinking Cullen will be his side piece and Jude takes off and the uncle shows up and it gets a bit messy but it only lasts a few hours. No drawn out drama and they essentially live HEA.

So a cute easy read. No internet access for a month.... *shudder* Which maybe means I need it? LOL

[D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yang paling penting di dalam sebuah buku adalah si karakter utama, suka dulu sama para karakter utamanya baru bisa enjoy ceritanya. Nah di buku ini, dari awal aku sudah kurang suka sm salah satu karakter utamanya yaitu Cullen. Patah hati ya patah hati aja tp tetap harus hati-hati juga dalam melakukan hook up. Karena lagi patah hati berat jadinya pada saat di pesta pernikahan mantannya, si Cullen ini mabuk berat sampai-sampai keesokan paginya dia ga sadar kalau sudah melakukan hook up dengan seseorang dan untungnya mereka masih pakai pengaman (kata-katanya Cullen).

Sedari awal sudah tidak suka dengan karakternya Cullen jadi tidak bisa menikmati buku ini dan kebetulan juga bukunya kurang menarik.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always pack for 4 seasons and every occasion! Both Jude and Cullen need a respite and some down/quiet time. They end up in the same cabin and decide to share. Cullen's uncle had told him to veg out at the cabin. Jude was the unknowing victim of a hack. He did not make a good first impression. Thankfully, Cullen was feeling gracious. During their forced stay, Jude found his brain and owned his bad manners. They started talking. Do they set their personal baggage aside to communicate? Do they have more in common than they expected? This was a really nice relaxing read. There was an element of snow melting hotness, but not before they got well acquainted. Good story. Well done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Nice cover art!

[Amy Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, Easy Read and Fun Story!

This was fun to read and easy to get lost in. Cullen and Jude were both very likable characters. Despite getting off on the wrong foot, they were able to turn it around and winded up liking each other. Neither man expected anything of the sort when they went to the cabin to escape life. There’s something fun about the unexpected—unless that unexpected thing is the past showing up on their shared door.

This short story was well written and the storyline flowed smoothly, making it easy to read in one sitting. It was easy to picture the cabin and it’s setting. I enjoyed the authors writing style and would happily read more by her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story that is tangential to the Hammarsson and Dempsey and Accidental Roots series via the city of Skagit and a small role for Shay Delacombe.

Jude and Cullen both end up snowed in at a remote cabin where neither is expecting the other to be. Initial irritation turns to grudging friendliness which eventually leads to a simmering connection. Forced proximity tropes are usually interesting.

I liked the way we got to know enough about the characters to feel for them. It was done well in a way that a lot of shorter format stories can’t seem to manage. The ending was sweet. I hope we see more of these characters in upcoming books.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love 'stranded because of snow' stories, I especially love 'stranded in a cabin because of snow'! Never get tired of it, there's something sweet and cozy about running away from whatever and falling in love/lust with a handsome stranger. Poor Cullen is definitely running away, having to be best man for the man he loved was bad enough, getting drunk at said wedding and making an arse of himself, well that's 'running away' worthy. Jude owns a multi-million dollar company and desperately needs a break. Both men head to the same cabin, and there the shenanigans begin. Great story, two intense characters, for a short story it packs a lot, very enjoyable read.

[Justine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jude's Dude is a wonderfully written short story about Jude and Cullen. Jude is in need of some time away and rents a cabin for a month. He has no idea that someone else is already at the cabin. Cullen, who's uncle owns the cabin, was expecting to be alone but when Jude shows up and it begins to snow harder, he can't turn Jude away. These two may not start off on the friendliest of terms but they're hot when they finally come together. This is a story to be enjoyed again and again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love chance meeting romances. Especially when forced habitation is involved. This story clicks those boxes which lead to an enjoyable read. Jude and Cullen were a perfect match. Jude all prickly and snooty and Cullen cool and friendly. They balance each other out. The chemistry was HOT and love was inevitable. The ending was wonderful and sweet and I was cheering the guys on. Nice HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short fun read! Cullen escapes to the family cabin after witnessing his best friend/boyfriend marrying a woman. He needs to get his head on straight. Jude is CEO and billionaire who needs to get away with some quiet time by himself. When he arrives at the cabin late at night, someone is already there. After a rocky start, they both end up staying there. This was sooo good, loved it! I’m voluntarily leaving a review form an advance copy that I received.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t really like short stories, but Elle Keaton is a fave, so I read this. Cullen is trying to figure out his life after his ex marries a woman. His uncle Shay advises him to use their family cabin to do just that.

Jude is tired of his tech company, and needs a quiet escape. Somehow, they’re snowed in together, and the spark is ignited between them.

Both men realize they have something worth pursuing, and with Cullen’s ex showing his true colours, they can move forward together.

KU

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this work and found it to be really sweet and endearing. I found this work to be a great story with a plot that flowed smoothly; allowing the characters to grow and get to know each other more and more. I loved the story and can see myself coming back to this story again and again.

I give this a four out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jude is tired of being ‘in charge’ at the company he owns and plans some time away. He's rented a small cabin in the mountains, no internet, unpredictable cell service so he can disconnect. What he wasn't expecting was to find Cullen in the cabin when he arrived. A winter storm strands the two in the small cabin where the forced proximity means getting along and discovering that they have more in common than either expected.

[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little forced proximity story. Cullen just witnessed his ex-boyfriend's get to a woman. So he escapes to ahis family cabin in the woods to lick his wounds.

Jude is sick of his job he never really wanted to own the company but here he is. He decided to escapes to a cabin in the woods and finally write that books

Only problem he’s not alone in the cabin seems there was an issue in the booking and now he’s stuck with Cullen.

[Georgette B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read! This adorable feel good story shows the process of two men getting to a place where they feel worthy of being loved. Two strangers, one nursing a broken heart and one trying to reconnect with a broken dream, thrown together by kismet and fall in love..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cullen's ex broke up with him and married someone else. He goes to his uncle's cabin to be by himself. Jude has his own software company but isn't happy with his life. He rents a cabin to get away from everything for a month. When he gets there someone else is there and with a snowstorm starting they're stuck together. I really enjoyed this book.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Elle Keaton; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

When Jude & Cullen end up spending the night together at the cabin because of the weather things change between them.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Steven Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short crossover story that brings related characters from Skagit and Piedras Island together. Cullen Delacombe (nephew of Shay from Piedras) meets up with Jude (a native of Skagit) in a secluded cabin in the woods in a snow storm. Yes it is that story, but told well with heart and a few laughs along the way. Perfect for a December read.