Briggs

by Phyllis Ayr

A short, steamy, insta-love, HEA romance featuring a protective man with a secret past, and a curvy younger woman. No cheating, and no cliffhangers.

Tess

The clanking sounds are loud.
The banging racket is annoying.
And the whirring noises just don’t stop!
All I’m trying to do is get a little sleep.
I do have to work tomorrow, even if I’d rather not.
Soon, I’m left with no choice; I have to confront him.
But when I first see him, I’m shocked.
It's no longer sleep that I’m after.
I want Briggs Butard.

Briggs

I’ve been up all night, working hard and fast.
There are only a few hours left before my deadline.
It’s a deadline that I can’t miss, no matter what.
I’m so focused on finishing, I didn’t realize the disturbance I was causing.
The disturbance I was causing for the beautiful curvy goddess living above my bakery.
From the first moment I see her, I know I will make her mine.
But what if she finds out about my terrible past?
What if she learns of my transgression?

62 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2021

Reviews

[BookishBunny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is getting two stars from me only because 1. I feel an author's work should receive some credit, 2. the grammar and spelling were good and 3. the steamy scene was decent. The plot was flimsy and implausible at best and the characters were weakly portrayed.

I am a fan of instalove romance. But I firmly believe that they should err on the side of fluffy, feel-good, low angst/drama because they are short and there's not adequate time to explore anything more serious with any kind of plot/character legitimacy.

Briggs was more kind of insta-obsessed stalker which is not my favorite type of instalove male, but I've still seen it done well. In this case, not so much, but I could live with that. I already wasn't thrilled with Tess for her flippy-floppy, overly forced reactions. However, it jumped the rails for me when there's a very big, serious reveal on Briggs' part that upsets her. Yet the next time she sees him, (a couple of lines of dialogue and a couple of hours of in-story time later) she professes her love for him despite him being currently engaged in something that shows no, he really hasn't changed that much at all. And it happens so quick because of the nature of an instalove story, that we are rushing to our HEA. Which brings me back to my previous point, that it's my belief you want to avoid situations like that in what is essentially a short story.

Complimentary copy received, reviewed by choice. Cannot recommend and likely wouldn't read something else by the author.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - This is a very easy quick read with a saucy female, Tess, and a very muscled, sexy man who owns a muffin bakery. Tess has found cheap rent and figures out the catch when she is awoken at 3 in the morning by lots of clanging and banging of pans and mixers coming from the bakery on the 1st floor. She stomps down the stairs and starts banging on the door since it is not open for business yet. Briggs is sorry for the noise since he is used to the apartment being vacant. He explains that he is making the muffins for the hospital fundraiser that same day and is running behind. Tess is so surprised that this gorgeous man is baking for charity that she tells him she will help him get the products done. They start getting to know each other as the bake for the rest of the morning. So starts the romance between Tess and Briggs. There are a couple of small twists and turns that befit a short story and keep it flowing.

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

[Patti Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading this author.
I can't sleep with all the wracked going on below me Tess thinks to herself. After so long she's done, she gets out of bed matches down there and starts banging on the door to get this person attention.
What a man that comes out of the back and opens the door. I'm shocked by the massive figure sanding in front of me. He explains what he is doing and how he has a big order due. As Briggs tells me more, I tell him I want to help him.
Briggs takes her up on her help because he wants to spend as much time with her. After finishing up the order, Briggs takes them to the Hospital fund raiser. I get ready for work. All day I think about him, so when I get home I'm not surprised when he knocks on my door. Ok or I just met him but I want him bad, one NOW! That's what we do and from that day forward it's is and the bakery. Years later Briggs and Tess are married with kids and have a great business togeher.

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

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess is awoken by loud clanging noises and goes to complain about them. She finds Briggs working downstairs but when she learns that he is baking for the hospital fundraiser she feels bad a steps in to help him. Briggs knows the minute he sees her that she the woman for him. Sparks fly between them as they work. Tess leaves to get ready for work as Broggs goes to make his delivery. When he gets in he wants to tell her his news and things heat up between them when he does. However Briggs has a secret he hasn't shared with her and he is worried this secret will have her running from him. Will Tess give him a chance once she learns his secret?

This is a steamy quick read that will hook you in the first chapter and leave you wanting more with the last one. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

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

[casvec · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is hot and steam instalove story that starts off with a bang. Briggs is a baker who is rushing to make deadline on an order. Unfortunately the noise was keeping Tess, who live over the bakery, awake. When Tess had enough, she went down to talk to the baker, but what she did not expect what the hot panty melting man who open the door.

Briggs may have made some mistakes from the past, but he has a big heart and is a fierce protector. Tess is a young woman who is just getting by in a job she is not happy with. This is a good, hot and passionate story with a chemistry that will melt your kindle. Briggs and Tess have great story and their chemistry is off the charts, yes this is quick read, but it would be nice to have a little more.

I am looking forward to the next story.

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

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briggs is in a rush. He had promised to deliver hundreds of muffins to the hospital fundraiser. He is running behind and is concentrating on making muffins as fast as he can. He forgot there is a new tenant who lives above the bakery. Tess can't sleep with all the loud noise in the kitchen below her. She storms downstairs and pounds on the bakery door. When Briggs opens the door, she yells at him for all the noise he is making. Briggs apologizes and explains his rush. When Tess learns the muffins are for the hospital, she offers to help. Their time together brings them close. Maybe this will last more than just one day.

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

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rather quick read but I found myself struggling with the plausibility of the story. Some of the reactions of the female character seemed to conveniently flip at the wink of the eye to make her pleased with the male character despite his faults. It seemed to just change to make this story move quickly and conveniently.

I give this a three out of five stars. I was not happy with how events unfolded during the story because it seemed to happen conveniently in the work.

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

[Ronel Olver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced short Insta- love story with instant chemistry and hot sizzling passion between Tessa and Briggs. They meet and are instantly attracted to each other, when she is confronts him for causing a ruckus all night leaving her unable to sleep. When she finds out why, she stays and helps him. It was a quick fun read and while very short the author still manages to convey the passion, feelings and emotion. Loved the book.

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

[Anna M_82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and steamy quick read. Briggs and Tess are OTT and sexy together. Briggs is definitely an alpha male and very protective. Tess is the curvy younger woman he’s obsessive over. Enjoyed this quick and sexy story.

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

[Stacey Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short story romance, very fast paced, instant attraction, sexy scenes and a happily ever after ending. Well written with interesting characters who have amazingly strong chemistry and an action packed storyline. Looking forward to reading more books by this new to me author.

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

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining read. This is the first book in this Butard Brothers Bakeries series. This is the story of Briggs and Tess and their journey to their happily ever after. The story is easy to read, and a quick read. The characters are likeable. Looking to see what comes next in this series. This is a new author for me.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.