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Roll for Love #1
Natural Twenty
Plants are easier than people—that’s Leo’s rule of thumb. After all, nobody really wants a man who looks like he belongs in a biker gang but would rather spend his time buried in books and flowers. It’s just easier to be single. Until he meets the owner of the new book shop.
Jacob Morris knows two things: he’s really attracted to the man who runs the local flower shop, and he doesn’t date. Not when he’s still healing from a bad breakup, has a new business to run, game nights to organise, workshops to host, and a website to build.
When friendship blooms into something more, Leo and Jay must decide whether to roll the dice and take a chance on love or keep forging ahead on their quests alone. Will their roll yield a one or a perfect, natural twenty?
Natural Twenty is an 80,000-word contemporary MM romance featuring Dungeons & Dragons, secret flower language bouquets, a spoilt Staffy (or two), and a best friend who is basically a gothic prince. It is book one in the Roll for Love series and can be read as a standalone.
Jacob Morris knows two things: he’s really attracted to the man who runs the local flower shop, and he doesn’t date. Not when he’s still healing from a bad breakup, has a new business to run, game nights to organise, workshops to host, and a website to build.
When friendship blooms into something more, Leo and Jay must decide whether to roll the dice and take a chance on love or keep forging ahead on their quests alone. Will their roll yield a one or a perfect, natural twenty?
Natural Twenty is an 80,000-word contemporary MM romance featuring Dungeons & Dragons, secret flower language bouquets, a spoilt Staffy (or two), and a best friend who is basically a gothic prince. It is book one in the Roll for Love series and can be read as a standalone.
Audible Audio
First published August 25, 2020
367 people are currently reading
1084 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Novak
61 books585 followersCharlie lives in England with her husband and a dachshund named Biscuit. She spends most of her days wrangling other people’s words in her day job and then trying to force her own onto the page in the evening.
She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters – because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…
She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters – because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
March 30, 2023
I desperately needed a ton of love without too much melodrama and passion without too much sex.
With this book I got both and it was well balanced. A bit too many inner monologues, but it’s written well enough so it got not too boring.
AND: books, book, books, flowers, and D&D 🙃 and North Yorkshire 💞 and so much fun 🤗 tattoos and piercings 🔥
AND the best: a fantasy sex toy 😋😋😋
“So, this is it. It was called “The Gorgon”, but I call it George. Which sounds really weird when I say it out loud,” Jay said as he crawled backwards on the bed. I suppressed a laugh. It was like he was introducing me to a friend in the pub, not his favourite sex toy.
Just for George alone this book needs to get 5 stars because I read something like that way too seldom, as well as the masturbating scene … what is it that lets authors think, that sex must be only penetration between people? there is actually so much more to it than that...
Jay gasped and moaned as I took him apart with my mouth. It was a heady feeling to reduce someone to a melted puddle with nothing more than two fingers and your tongue. 🔥🔥🔥
With this book I got both and it was well balanced. A bit too many inner monologues, but it’s written well enough so it got not too boring.
AND: books, book, books, flowers, and D&D 🙃 and North Yorkshire 💞 and so much fun 🤗 tattoos and piercings 🔥
AND the best: a fantasy sex toy 😋😋😋
“So, this is it. It was called “The Gorgon”, but I call it George. Which sounds really weird when I say it out loud,” Jay said as he crawled backwards on the bed. I suppressed a laugh. It was like he was introducing me to a friend in the pub, not his favourite sex toy.
Just for George alone this book needs to get 5 stars because I read something like that way too seldom, as well as the masturbating scene … what is it that lets authors think, that sex must be only penetration between people? there is actually so much more to it than that...
Jay gasped and moaned as I took him apart with my mouth. It was a heady feeling to reduce someone to a melted puddle with nothing more than two fingers and your tongue. 🔥🔥🔥
July 7, 2023
This was really good. Love the setting with a flower shop owner and a book shop owner. I liked the d&d vibes too. Overall really enjoyed and exciting premise for book 2!
August 28, 2020
Natural Twenty was a cute little story.
-Friends to lovers
-Size difference
-Furbaby
-Loveable characters
-Some steam
-Low angst
-A tad of Hurt/Comfort
I have to say; there were too many internal monologues that took away from the story; it made it drag a little. There were too much telling and not enough showing.
Also, Edward kind of stole the show. I, for one, can't wait for his book.
Overall, Natural Twenty was enjoyable, and I found the flower arrangements romantic.
-Friends to lovers
-Size difference
-Furbaby
-Loveable characters
-Some steam
-Low angst
-A tad of Hurt/Comfort
I have to say; there were too many internal monologues that took away from the story; it made it drag a little. There were too much telling and not enough showing.
Also, Edward kind of stole the show. I, for one, can't wait for his book.
Overall, Natural Twenty was enjoyable, and I found the flower arrangements romantic.
March 20, 2022
This AD&D nerd definitely rolled 100% love for this book
Natural Twenties are the Holy Grail of the pen & paper role-playing world and just like their rarity, this book was a true gem.
I don't think Charlie could have included a more perfect mix for my ever-loving RPG heart if she'd tried.
Book shop owner falling for a man who knows the language of flowers and uses it in every bouquet he sells from his own store - give me it like yesterday please.
The setting of Lincoln was also perfect, it has a wonderful charm to it and all the secondary characters brought depth and expanded the world in interesting ways.
I'm dying to read Edward's story now!
Natural Twenties are the Holy Grail of the pen & paper role-playing world and just like their rarity, this book was a true gem.
I don't think Charlie could have included a more perfect mix for my ever-loving RPG heart if she'd tried.
Book shop owner falling for a man who knows the language of flowers and uses it in every bouquet he sells from his own store - give me it like yesterday please.
The setting of Lincoln was also perfect, it has a wonderful charm to it and all the secondary characters brought depth and expanded the world in interesting ways.
I'm dying to read Edward's story now!
July 9, 2023
I loved Natural Twenty. It was sweet, nerdy, and has some amazing steamy scenes.
Leo owns and runs a flower shop. He's a gentle giant. When he starts giving Jay flowers based on their meanings... my heart!
Jacob aka Jay is new to town and has opened up a book shop. Some of my favourite scenes are when Leo, Jay and co are in the book shop playing DnD. They were so fun and I wish we got even more of them.
Natural Twenty is the first in a series, and my first from this author. Looking forward to adding even more books to my never ending TBR 😭
Leo owns and runs a flower shop. He's a gentle giant. When he starts giving Jay flowers based on their meanings... my heart!
Jacob aka Jay is new to town and has opened up a book shop. Some of my favourite scenes are when Leo, Jay and co are in the book shop playing DnD. They were so fun and I wish we got even more of them.
Natural Twenty is the first in a series, and my first from this author. Looking forward to adding even more books to my never ending TBR 😭
October 7, 2020
DNF @ 11%.
Obviously with a series titled Roll for Love, and the blurb mentioning D&D, I imagined there would be a decent amount of geekiness, but I didn't think that would mean that I'd have to read page upon page about Dungeons and Dragons. No thanks.
Not to mention, our two MCs are actually the same person in different packages. Both own their own business, are tatted, love books, D&D, are awkward. In fact, the POVs are pretty interchangeable, with little to no distinction.
I was going to power through this, because Edward seems rather interesting and I'd like to read his story... but I don't think I can bear to yawn my way through this. Maybe, if when I go to read Edward's book and realize this book is important to read prior to that book, I may revisit this one.
Obviously with a series titled Roll for Love, and the blurb mentioning D&D, I imagined there would be a decent amount of geekiness, but I didn't think that would mean that I'd have to read page upon page about Dungeons and Dragons. No thanks.
Not to mention, our two MCs are actually the same person in different packages. Both own their own business, are tatted, love books, D&D, are awkward. In fact, the POVs are pretty interchangeable, with little to no distinction.
I was going to power through this, because Edward seems rather interesting and I'd like to read his story... but I don't think I can bear to yawn my way through this. Maybe, if when I go to read Edward's book and realize this book is important to read prior to that book, I may revisit this one.
August 25, 2020
Natural twenty was a nice sweet friends to lovers that will fulfill your needs for a sweet almost no angst romance. Leo and Jay were actually starting to convinced themselves to start to trust people again and make a new beginning with a new relationship. As Jay had a bad experienced with his last long term ex-boyfriend, Leo never really had a relationship before.
It was a slow process for both of the. Once they were intended to start, next a doubt just came in and made them thinking about their current situation. Thanks to Edward, Jay's best friend who determined to see jay happy again.
As much as I wanted to really enjoyed this story, it felt dragged and too much telling, which is one of my weakness reading a book. I need to read a story that can make me imagine, not told to.
I know I'm not an easy person to please. This story has potential to be more enjoyable, if only...
I'm curious about Edward. His appearance, physically made me want to read about him. So, I'm not giving up to this series yet, not until Edward.
September 10, 2023
There was lots I really liked about this - nerdy D&D games, a big gruff tattooed florist and the anxious bookshop owner, a cute ugly dog. Edward is the fabulous,tea drinking, Legolas look-alike best friend I didn’t know I needed and I’m looking forward to his story. I found the love messages through flowers surprisingly beautiful when often that level of sappiness would have me running for the hills.
My interest did wane in the second half and I found myself skimming through the drama as it dragged a bit. Overall this was a nice low angst read with fun nerdy elements and a lovely British tone.
3.5 rounded up to 4 🌟
My interest did wane in the second half and I found myself skimming through the drama as it dragged a bit. Overall this was a nice low angst read with fun nerdy elements and a lovely British tone.
3.5 rounded up to 4 🌟
March 9, 2022
DNF at 70%
I tried really hard to at least skim my way to the end...but it killed me dead with the dramatic martyr breakup bullshit. You've been dating for like a week, how are you in love and also sulking so pathetically over this??? Get a grip.
The MCs seemed identical to me - both are tattooed small business owners, randomly insecure, and their POVs I couldn't tell apart. They were both constantly horny too...mind out of the pants dudes. You've got businesses to suck at.
I get that this is a nerd series, but wow...that's a lot of nerd references. Felt a little shoehorned in after a while, for the little ones anyway. DnD makes for an interesting backdrop. Or it would, if it were more important to the story.
The main plotline seemed to be the trials and travails of being a small business owner. Or a somewhat incompetent one, in the booksellers case.
Lots of boring infodumping I didn't care about, like the whole TV show? Don't think I need to hear this.
Edward carried the show, even though he wasn't around that much. He had a distinct personality and clearly interesting plot coming up, so I'll be giving his book a try despite this one.
I tried really hard to at least skim my way to the end...but it killed me dead with the dramatic martyr breakup bullshit. You've been dating for like a week, how are you in love and also sulking so pathetically over this??? Get a grip.
The MCs seemed identical to me - both are tattooed small business owners, randomly insecure, and their POVs I couldn't tell apart. They were both constantly horny too...mind out of the pants dudes. You've got businesses to suck at.
I get that this is a nerd series, but wow...that's a lot of nerd references. Felt a little shoehorned in after a while, for the little ones anyway. DnD makes for an interesting backdrop. Or it would, if it were more important to the story.
The main plotline seemed to be the trials and travails of being a small business owner. Or a somewhat incompetent one, in the booksellers case.
Lots of boring infodumping I didn't care about, like the whole TV show? Don't think I need to hear this.
Edward carried the show, even though he wasn't around that much. He had a distinct personality and clearly interesting plot coming up, so I'll be giving his book a try despite this one.
August 30, 2020
Books, brawn & flowers!! Natural Twenty was the perfect combination of marshmallowy sweet and nerdiness to get my feeling back in check!!
Leo a big hunk of a man covered in ink who is a florist but is also a literal teddy bear falls of Jay the anxious and nerdy guy who just opened a book shop down the road from his flower shop. You literally could not have two characters who are more different and yet, they are 100% perfect together. Novak brought the angst let me tell you but there was no serious drama, no big huge thing that broke these two up it seemed real. Two guys who don't seem to work together but totally do.
This book is not going to change your life. It will however make you swoon, laugh, and fall deeply in love with not only the two heroes but also all the other supporting characters. Not to mention the subtle or not so subtle puns from Edward, Jay's best friend. A great and easy read perfect for the fall and winter months to come.
Leo a big hunk of a man covered in ink who is a florist but is also a literal teddy bear falls of Jay the anxious and nerdy guy who just opened a book shop down the road from his flower shop. You literally could not have two characters who are more different and yet, they are 100% perfect together. Novak brought the angst let me tell you but there was no serious drama, no big huge thing that broke these two up it seemed real. Two guys who don't seem to work together but totally do.
This book is not going to change your life. It will however make you swoon, laugh, and fall deeply in love with not only the two heroes but also all the other supporting characters. Not to mention the subtle or not so subtle puns from Edward, Jay's best friend. A great and easy read perfect for the fall and winter months to come.
August 27, 2020
THIS BOOK. Could there be any two more perfect characters? In Leo you get this giant tattooed hulk of a man who is a florist and is actually a teddy bear once you get past his gruff exterior. And then you have Jay, who is this anxious little thing with all the dreams in the world but no self confidence to back it up.
You can tell right from the beginning how drawn to each other they are - their chemistry is on fire. And let me tell you, once they get together, be ready for your kindle to steam up. They are HOT together. And Jay has one of the hottest, filthiest self-pleasure scenes I have ever read.
I can't wait to continue this series and see what Edward can get himself into!
You can tell right from the beginning how drawn to each other they are - their chemistry is on fire. And let me tell you, once they get together, be ready for your kindle to steam up. They are HOT together. And Jay has one of the hottest, filthiest self-pleasure scenes I have ever read.
I can't wait to continue this series and see what Edward can get himself into!
November 25, 2021
Reread November 2021
5+
Oh. My. Gosh. I'm pretty sure this book has all the things I love. Queer love. Rescue dogs. Tattoos. Queer books. Flowers. Nerdy games. Cinnamon roll characters. It was lovely.
It's so perfectly queer and perfectly nerdy. I'm such a sucker for soft squishy emotional characters and Leo and Jay check out. They are the perfect match and their love for both queer books and dogs gave me life. I really enjoyed all the meanings of the flowers and the overabundance of consent when it came to every aspect of their relationship. Truly a great book.
5+
Oh. My. Gosh. I'm pretty sure this book has all the things I love. Queer love. Rescue dogs. Tattoos. Queer books. Flowers. Nerdy games. Cinnamon roll characters. It was lovely.
It's so perfectly queer and perfectly nerdy. I'm such a sucker for soft squishy emotional characters and Leo and Jay check out. They are the perfect match and their love for both queer books and dogs gave me life. I really enjoyed all the meanings of the flowers and the overabundance of consent when it came to every aspect of their relationship. Truly a great book.
dnf
March 15, 2023 sigh
Ugh, I really liked these characters but it’s the story-telling that I couldn’t get into. I have to agree with other reviewers who’ve said there’s a lot more telling than there is happening on page and it’s a real bummer.
DNF @58%
Ugh, I really liked these characters but it’s the story-telling that I couldn’t get into. I have to agree with other reviewers who’ve said there’s a lot more telling than there is happening on page and it’s a real bummer.
DNF @58%
January 13, 2021
2-2.5 stars
Honestly this was cute, but I just felt like something was missing. It could be my head space since I was looking for a book with more action and adventure and thrill, while this one is like a nice walk in the park holding hands while listening to birds chirp around you.
I liked learning about the different meanings of the flowers that Leo chose for Jay, I thought that was adorable.
Jay, I didn't love his character as much but again could have just been me.
Overall I am glad I read it, it was cute but there wasn't really anything memorable.
Honestly this was cute, but I just felt like something was missing. It could be my head space since I was looking for a book with more action and adventure and thrill, while this one is like a nice walk in the park holding hands while listening to birds chirp around you.
I liked learning about the different meanings of the flowers that Leo chose for Jay, I thought that was adorable.
Jay, I didn't love his character as much but again could have just been me.
Overall I am glad I read it, it was cute but there wasn't really anything memorable.
April 2, 2023
Hopefully I’ll come back to give this one a more thorough review because there’s a lot to love about it! Unfortunately my insomnia has been full throttle and I’m way too tired to pull my thoughts together in a coherent way.
In the mean time, Drusilla’s review is what put Natural Twenty on my radar; maybe it will inspire you too 😘
3.5 stars
In the mean time, Drusilla’s review is what put Natural Twenty on my radar; maybe it will inspire you too 😘
3.5 stars
September 16, 2020
Despite my frustration with Jay not using internet tools and programs to make his life easier, I enjoyed this a great deal. There isn't much of a conflict plot beyond every day stuff, but it kept me going and I just wanted them all to get their HEA. So on the whole, a nice low angst book with some very hot scenes.
January 28, 2021
This was a cute and nerdy read. I totally loved the nerdy parts of books and dungeons & dragons. However it felt much longer than it actually was. Which seems to be the case with a lot of this authors work sadly.
March 8, 2021
So, okay, I have a thing for big beefy tattooed guys who you think can squish you into little bits if you were to find them in a dark alley somewhere, but are actually romantic softies that wouldn’t hurt a fly. Well, we get that in Leo.
He’s big and intimidating and can be awkward when it comes to socializing and being around people, but he has a big ol soft heart and it’s impossible not to completely fall in love with him from the beginning. Owning a flower shop, he tends to stay behind the scenes when he can, but when a new bookshop opens up down the block, his employee Emily encourages him to take some flowers to the new owners to welcome them to the hood and congratulate them on their grand opening. That’s where he meets Edward and Jay.
Now, Edward, I will say, I was smitten with. I hope he gets his own story next, but Jay completely took Leos breath away and they bonded instantly over books and cosplay and dungeons and dragons. I will admit that I had to skim over all those bits, I haven’t a clue what any of that is, but it was cute to see how excited they all were over it.
The two of them, as well as Edward and Emily and her husband, they all become friends, having bi-weekly I think it was, game nights and stuff… I adored these secondary characters as well, so the fit so well in the stories, I could see where each guy needed them around. With their budding friendship though, it was impossible to not feel the connection between the two, though neither of them were ready for a relationship or to jump into anything. I was glad to see them take it slow, but I definitely wanted to shake them both a couple of times, Jay especially when he tried to push Leo away. He more than sweetly made up for it, but I was rooting for them from the very start.
Because Leo felt awkward and Jay was still healing from a toxic relationship where his ex cheated with his best friend and never even apologized for it, I could understand his hesitation. Being betrayed like that sometimes never heals, but Leo was patient and understanding and sighhh, he was just perfect.
I don’t want to give too much of the story away, I’ve been told recently that I do that and people straight come for me, so I’ll just say…. if you like a slow burn, with friends to lovers, good friends and cute puppy… you will adore this story. I know I did!
I really wanted that ex to get a peek at Jay and Leo and know what he lost and how happy he is without him, but I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next!
4 stars for me!
He’s big and intimidating and can be awkward when it comes to socializing and being around people, but he has a big ol soft heart and it’s impossible not to completely fall in love with him from the beginning. Owning a flower shop, he tends to stay behind the scenes when he can, but when a new bookshop opens up down the block, his employee Emily encourages him to take some flowers to the new owners to welcome them to the hood and congratulate them on their grand opening. That’s where he meets Edward and Jay.
Now, Edward, I will say, I was smitten with. I hope he gets his own story next, but Jay completely took Leos breath away and they bonded instantly over books and cosplay and dungeons and dragons. I will admit that I had to skim over all those bits, I haven’t a clue what any of that is, but it was cute to see how excited they all were over it.
The two of them, as well as Edward and Emily and her husband, they all become friends, having bi-weekly I think it was, game nights and stuff… I adored these secondary characters as well, so the fit so well in the stories, I could see where each guy needed them around. With their budding friendship though, it was impossible to not feel the connection between the two, though neither of them were ready for a relationship or to jump into anything. I was glad to see them take it slow, but I definitely wanted to shake them both a couple of times, Jay especially when he tried to push Leo away. He more than sweetly made up for it, but I was rooting for them from the very start.
Because Leo felt awkward and Jay was still healing from a toxic relationship where his ex cheated with his best friend and never even apologized for it, I could understand his hesitation. Being betrayed like that sometimes never heals, but Leo was patient and understanding and sighhh, he was just perfect.
I don’t want to give too much of the story away, I’ve been told recently that I do that and people straight come for me, so I’ll just say…. if you like a slow burn, with friends to lovers, good friends and cute puppy… you will adore this story. I know I did!
I really wanted that ex to get a peek at Jay and Leo and know what he lost and how happy he is without him, but I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next!
4 stars for me!
August 27, 2020
Breath of Fresh Air!
This was such a light, low angst, sweet and romantic story. Jay and Leo made me smile, gave me flutters and made me feel good. They met, they flirted, they dated, they kissed, they fell in love...it was just really a sweet story. I adore Charlie Novak's writing. It just flows so well, you really get to know the main characters and all their family and friends and they just work their way into your heart!
This was such a light, low angst, sweet and romantic story. Jay and Leo made me smile, gave me flutters and made me feel good. They met, they flirted, they dated, they kissed, they fell in love...it was just really a sweet story. I adore Charlie Novak's writing. It just flows so well, you really get to know the main characters and all their family and friends and they just work their way into your heart!
April 8, 2023
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I read this over a year ago but it was before I started reviewing, but with the release of the Roll for Love box set, I’m going back and reviewing what I’ve read and catching up on what I’ve missed. And trust me even after this length of time, I’ll have no problem reviewing it, because I can’t tell you the number of times these two have popped into my head. Especially Leo, the florist who doesn’t look like he should be a florist. He may not fit the mould of a florist, but he’s gentle and kind and can make your heart melt with a bouquet of flowers.
Jacob is overwhelmed with life and opening a bookstore. He doesn’t have time for more. But Leo works his way into his heart with his easy friendship and consistently showing up to help. Before you know it, he doesn’t know what life would be like without him there.
These two men who find love amongst books and flowers and role-playing games will warm your heart. Not to mention the town and the friends who surround them will also draw you in.
It’s easy to get distracted from a series, with all the new books that come out, but I’m glad the box set release got me back to it, but I’m really excited to finally get Edward and Izzy’s story!
I read this over a year ago but it was before I started reviewing, but with the release of the Roll for Love box set, I’m going back and reviewing what I’ve read and catching up on what I’ve missed. And trust me even after this length of time, I’ll have no problem reviewing it, because I can’t tell you the number of times these two have popped into my head. Especially Leo, the florist who doesn’t look like he should be a florist. He may not fit the mould of a florist, but he’s gentle and kind and can make your heart melt with a bouquet of flowers.
Jacob is overwhelmed with life and opening a bookstore. He doesn’t have time for more. But Leo works his way into his heart with his easy friendship and consistently showing up to help. Before you know it, he doesn’t know what life would be like without him there.
These two men who find love amongst books and flowers and role-playing games will warm your heart. Not to mention the town and the friends who surround them will also draw you in.
It’s easy to get distracted from a series, with all the new books that come out, but I’m glad the box set release got me back to it, but I’m really excited to finally get Edward and Izzy’s story!
August 21, 2020
3.5 stars! It’s no secret I’m a fan of Novak’s writing so I was super excited to read the start to this new series from them. Here we have large, tattooed, but seriously sweet on the inside Leo, and small, clumsy, Jay who’s just trying to make his new bookstore work after his previous relationship went up in flames. These two just worked together, and I loved that each of them showed their feelings through their craft (Leo with his language of flowers and Jay with his book recommendations). It was a pleasantly nerdy story with cosplaying friends, a steampunk convention, and a weekly D&D game that seemed to have such a silly campaign it reminded me of the games I played with friends. I do think the story was just a little too sweet at times, and the love was a little too quick to my tastes, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and will be continuing the series.
March 26, 2023
DNF at 20%
Two and a half hours of tedious talking, eating, and visiting each other's shops. No plot, no tension, no hopes or dreams, and no characters. Add to that the bored Joel Leslie of late.
I bought this because #2 sounded good. So I skip this one.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
Two and a half hours of tedious talking, eating, and visiting each other's shops. No plot, no tension, no hopes or dreams, and no characters. Add to that the bored Joel Leslie of late.
I bought this because #2 sounded good. So I skip this one.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
August 28, 2020
2.5 rounded down
Not quite sure why, but something about this one didn't quite work for me. Something in the storytelling here felt off, and the smut wasn't working for me. It wasn't bad, but I couldn't get into it.
Not quite sure why, but something about this one didn't quite work for me. Something in the storytelling here felt off, and the smut wasn't working for me. It wasn't bad, but I couldn't get into it.
November 1, 2025
oh, i LOVED IT !!!
flower shop ? flower language ? bookstore ? dogs ??? TATTOOED MEN !?
hell, yes.
smut was hot, the relationship was sweet and beautiful, humor was funny, and smut was hot (again)
i had so much fun listening to the audiobook joel leslie did a KILLER job !!!
flower shop ? flower language ? bookstore ? dogs ??? TATTOOED MEN !?
hell, yes.
smut was hot, the relationship was sweet and beautiful, humor was funny, and smut was hot (again)
i had so much fun listening to the audiobook joel leslie did a KILLER job !!!
January 22, 2021
cute and wholesome. just the dose of fluff I needed ❤️
August 8, 2022
Natural Twenty was such a lovely read. I loved the flower shop and the bookstore. I loved the snippets of the dnd game that we got, and the cute doggy, and of course, all the geekyness! It just made my heart happy.
I really liked how Jay and Leo started off as friends and build a relationship off of that foundation. They may have had some communication issues, but I loved them together. I also loved the queer-platonic relationship that Jay and Edward had. And the fact that they were tumblr besties first just made it so much better!I also really loved all the representation that this book had! It was all just so casual and smooth and it was fantastic.
Did I mention that I loved Jay’s bookshop? Because I really do love it and I wanted to spend hours browsing in it. I hope we get to see more of it (and the flower shop) in future books. I think I fell head over heels for this book and I don’t know what to do with myself now. I can’t wait to read more! This was a lovely read and I’m giving it five stars.
I really liked how Jay and Leo started off as friends and build a relationship off of that foundation. They may have had some communication issues, but I loved them together. I also loved the queer-platonic relationship that Jay and Edward had. And the fact that they were tumblr besties first just made it so much better!I also really loved all the representation that this book had! It was all just so casual and smooth and it was fantastic.
Did I mention that I loved Jay’s bookshop? Because I really do love it and I wanted to spend hours browsing in it. I hope we get to see more of it (and the flower shop) in future books. I think I fell head over heels for this book and I don’t know what to do with myself now. I can’t wait to read more! This was a lovely read and I’m giving it five stars.
dnf
October 2, 2023DNF@82% for the love of everything holy please stop just dropping cliches and at least try to make them make sense with the story.
Beware of the spoilers
I can see the potential, but it just crashed and burned for me, enough to not even have the energy for the 20% left.
Beware of the spoilers
I can see the potential, but it just crashed and burned for me, enough to not even have the energy for the 20% left.
October 16, 2021
2.5 rounded down.
I feel extremely whatever about this book, mainly because nothing really happens. Even the inevitable misunderstanding towards the 80% mark is a big nothing - mainly because it lacks meaning; they'd only been together what, a week at that point? Who cares if they have breakup or get back together? The other points of tension in the book result from one of the characters being unprepared - not even joking.
The device of framing this book with an RPG game is also poorly done - they play the game once, talk about it a few times, and that's it. There are a lot of references to science fiction and fantasy books and movies, which I did enjoy. I will read the sequel because Edward is a far more compelling character than either character in this book, but I'm not expecting to be blown away.
Read if you want a very low-angst insta-love read with kind of dumb climactic points.
I feel extremely whatever about this book, mainly because nothing really happens. Even the inevitable misunderstanding towards the 80% mark is a big nothing - mainly because it lacks meaning; they'd only been together what, a week at that point? Who cares if they have breakup or get back together? The other points of tension in the book result from one of the characters being unprepared - not even joking.
The device of framing this book with an RPG game is also poorly done - they play the game once, talk about it a few times, and that's it. There are a lot of references to science fiction and fantasy books and movies, which I did enjoy. I will read the sequel because Edward is a far more compelling character than either character in this book, but I'm not expecting to be blown away.
Read if you want a very low-angst insta-love read with kind of dumb climactic points.
December 8, 2020
Really sweet.
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