Making It Spark

Making It #2

by Ian O. Lewis

"Why are you touching me like that? I thought you were straight?" Aaron had tormented me all through high school. He was the athlete who always had a girl on his arm, and another in the backseat of his convertible. I was the sensitive theater geek and knew I was different, while he was the jock determined to make my life a living hell. Years later, he put out a fire in my building and ignited one inside of me. Of course, he was straight. Every man I fell for preferred skirts to me. But something was different about Aaron now. He wanted to be my friend, and straight guys normally didn't hang out with me. So, I dragged him to a gay bar, hoping to scare him away. Instead, when a drunk guy got handsy with me, Aaron kissed me. Like, tongue in mouth full-on kissed me. Straight guys didn't kiss gay guys, right? Making It Spark is the second book in the Making It Series, and it is a spicy trope soup. Gay for you, actors, firefighters, opposites attract, and first time gay experience. While they loathed each other as teens, sparks fly when they reunite years later. This blazing hot novella will steam up your ereader and ignite your heart. Each novel in The Making It series can be read as a stand alone story.

Genres: M M Romance

154 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2021

About the author

Ian writes LGBTQ fiction, mainly romance. Growing up, he could never find many books portraying guys like him, so now he's helping to fill the shelves with gay-friendly tales. He tends to write more romance, because he loves nothing more than a happily ever after.

Reviews

[Audi♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheww weee! The switcheroo at the end? what a treat!
This was cringy and cute. I liked it.

"I can feel your cock pulsing. This is so amazing. Like, Oh my god, I'm coming too!" 🤭

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin loses his home to a fire. Aaron, the firefighter who helped put out the fire, offers him a spare bedroom. Somewhere he can feel safe.

One interesting conundrum. Aaron is a high school bully from Gavin's past. Despite this past issue, Gavin does accept the offer.

What may have turned out as a painful memory, happily became a really sweet connection between these two.
So happy to see Aaron accept his sexuality and his heartfelt love for Gavin.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Kramer’s girlfriend was breaking up with him, which didn’t bother him. But it did bother him that he didn’t care. He was a firefighter who cared about helping people. But he had never been in love. Was he that shallow? He heard music coming from, a coffee shop and stopped in to listen. He recognized the singer from high school, Twyla Willows. But he turned and was almost out the door when she came up behind him as their break started. She tried to talk to him about Gavin Sumner since Aaron’s name had come up earlier when she did a tarot card reading for him. She told Gavin someone special might be coming into his life, and she was thinking now maybe Aaron was the one? But he made her angry and she walked off without finishing the conversation. Twyla went home where she had the apartment underneath Gavin’s. She was going to do some ritual to fix their love-life. Next he knew was hearing the smoke alarm at 2 a.m. as the fire spread through the building and their neighbors all ran outside.

When the fire was put out – caused by bad wiring and not Twyla’s burning ritual – a huge firefighter walked up to them. Aaron was surprised to see them. When he saw Gavin, he invited him for a drink so they could talk privately. Gavin, thinking it was more high school hazing, declined. So right there, Aaron apologized for the jerk he had been in high school. When he turned and walked away, Twyla whispered that her spell had actually worked!

When they found out their apartment building would take a month to fix, Twyla made arrangements to stay with a friend. Gavin had nowhere to go but Aaron offered him his spare room. With no other option, Gavin accepts. He had no idea they could ever become friends. And when Aaron protected him from an aggressive drunk at a bar and then kissed him… can he dare hope for more?

[Georgette B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron and Gavin have gone to school together since elementary. Aaron joined in on relentless teasing of Gavin; however, that did nothing to quell Gavin’s hopeless crush on Aaron.

Fast forward to adulthood when Gavin’s apartment building catches fire, the hunky firefighter that responds is none other than, you guess it, Aaron. Aaron not only puts out the apartment fire, but he offers Gavin a place to stay while the repairs are made. Proximity brings out feelings Gavin thought he had long since buried and Aaron was afraid to admit he felt.

This is a good second-chance/instalove troupe. Although the story was predictable, but the characters were cute. I was torn by the author’s decision to have Aaron’s ex-girlfriend, Sissy, suddenly appear in the end of the book to create angst. She made an effort to go all the way to Aaron’s apartment to profess her love, admit to making a mistake, and beg him to take her back-cue Gavin waking in and getting the wrong end of the stick. After being rebuffed and learning Aaron is in love with Gavin, she does a record trip through the five stages of grief and gets in the car with Aaron to find Gavin. On one hand her ready acceptance of Aaron’s feelings for Gavin was tender, but the flip in her willingness to then help him find Gavin and clarify the “misunderstanding” gave me whiplash.

Cute story, weird interaction with ex, HEA-an enjoyable story even if a little predictable

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

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aaron's redemption

I love a good redemption story and this one had major potential. It was just kind of hard for me to buy Aaron's story. He really was awful to Gavin throughout his young years...he took bullying to a whole different level. I'm surprised Gavin turned out so well but he is a strong man but a lonely guy looking for his person. When an unfortunate accident brings the guys together once again, the tension is there and that's when the ball starts rolling and we see the "spark" that develops between them. I did enjoy the overall premise of this story...I just had some trouble believing how all's forgiven sooooo quickly...the instant bi awakening and the possessive dialogue was a little too much. Butttttttt...I absolutely loved the tender moment towards the end between the ex, Aaron and Gavin...that was oh so lovely and sweet...I had all kinds of feels and Aaron gain some points for being a decent guy then. All in all, I like this...wasn't too long and the right pace for this type of theme. Nice epilogue with a satisfying HEA for the guys.

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

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting and sweet story. When the building that Gavin lives is damaged by fire, a firefighter, Aaron, offers him his spare bedroom. The problem is, Aaron is one of the jerks from high school who bullied Gavin, so Gavin doesn't exactly trust him, even if it's been 10 years. Gavin does take Aaron up on his offer, and is soon freaking out about being aroused whenever Aaron is around. Aaron has always secretly admired Gavin for being himself, when Aaron just wanted to blend in in high school. He is also drawn to Gavin, even back in high school there was something that caught Aaron's attention. One night they go out, and not only does Aaron think that Gavin is jealous, he himself gets jealous over Gavin. Eventually Aaron makes a move on Gavin, and things get hot between. But it leaves Gavin wondering if Aaron is just experimenting, and Aaron wondering if he really is gay, or bi. Gavin is a strong, tough and realistic guy. Aaron is a restless, somber and sweet guy. I really loved this story.

[Andrea Dalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

In high school, Aaron tormented Gavin. The sexy football player was his fantasy—even though Aaron hung out with the guys who bullied Gavin. When he runs into Aaron years later, Gavin realizes his straight-guy crush hasn't faded.

After Gavin's apartment is damaged in a fire, Aaron offers him his spare room. Out of choices, Gavin accepts. He doesn't expect a friendship to develop between them. And he definitely doesn't expect Aaron to kiss him. But what if Aaron is just experimenting? Can Gavin afford to risk his heart?

Aaron and Gavin were so cute together. I really felt Gavin's worry that he was setting himself up for heartbreak. But Aaron was so sweet and protective, it was clear these guys belonged together. The steamy scenes were swoon-worthy. If you like bi-awakening romance, don't miss this one.

Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story with Gavin and Aaron, but did struggle with Aaron's acceptance of Gavin given what a bully he had been to Aaron when they were in high school. Other than that, I enjoyed the evolution of Aaron figuring out that his relationships with women didn't work because they never really did anything for him emotionally. Gavin was very lucky through his school years that he had such a wonderful friend as Twyla. She supported him, but also pushed him to get out of his comfort zone and try new things. Well written romance with some twists and turns to keep it moving.

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

[Courtney Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live a good enemies to lovers. But I can’t say this genre works fully because Gavin might have hated the way Aaron treated him in high school but he did have a huge crush on him. So when they met again 10 years later that huge crush is back. This is a super sweet GFY m/m love story about two men who reconnect after years and find themselves falling head over heels. Their was no turning back after that first kiss. Love it!

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

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sequel. It was great to see some of the characters again from the first work and to see Gavin get his happily ever after. I enjoyed this work and loved the dynamic between the two characters and seeing Aaron come to terms with his sexuality and love for Gavin. I can't wait to see what happens in the next work, if there is a next work.

I give this a five out of five stars.

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

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making It Spark was a wonderful story. Aaron and Gaven may have had a less than happy beginning but it all changed when Gavin moves in with Aaron. The new beginning and bi-awakening was awesome. Loved the book.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy a 'school bully and victim meet again years later' story, it's a mixture of 'how could he!!" and 'awww', especially when one is gay and the other straight, love it!! This was a really sweet tale as a whole new way of life hits Aaron, well written and totally enjoyable.

[neko · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "homophobic high-school bully turned bullied guy's lover" trope ain't it.

[Christopher W. Grass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Gavin and Aaron’s story was great! And Twyla is a hoot! I’m looking so forward to the next book! The sex was hot too!

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adulthood clears your eyesight and frees your mind. Twyla and Gavin have known each other since high school. They were the "odd" kids, who escewed the norm or the popular kids. They owned their truths. Aaron, now a firefighter, was the jock and part of the jock popular clique. He didn't physically participate, but he never stepped up to stop the bullying or torture as his clique. Gavin secretly crushed on Aaron throughout high school. Aaron, admired how Gavin kept his head down to avoid inciting trouble, but he was never bowed. After a tragedy, Aaron offered Gavin a place to stay as his first attempt to start making amends for his past bad behavior. Gavin, discovered his crush was as strong as ever, but now right in front of his eyes. Aaron discovered, he notices Gavin and likes what he sees. Is Aaron, not as straight as he always thought? Will he make a move or is he too scared/ashamed? Can Gavin, trust Aaron? Nice story. Great characters. I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.