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Scratch the Surface
Sometimes things look one way, but when you scratch the surface, there’s more than meets the eye.
Jeremiah Wolfe has always done what was necessary to survive. On top of working two jobs, he’s going to school to become a social worker so he can give kids the help he never got when his mother left years ago. When a rare night off finds him with the chance to make a quick buck, he jumps on it. But his evening goes sideways, and he’s about to head home when he’s propositioned by a stranger. A meaningless one-night stand is simple and easy, so he steps into the hotel room—as he has many—without expectation. But the man behind the door is a surprise, as is the instant connection that builds along with passion and a glimpse of his heart. Small wonder that Jere can’t get the nameless man out of his head.
Cameron Gallagher has never been accused of being spontaneous. He’s an introvert whose life is about schedules, plans, and lists. He’s always been the careful one, so inviting a stranger into his bed on the lure of his gorgeous smile and warm brown eyes isn’t only out of his comfort zone, it’s entirely out of character. Surprisingly, when he wakes in the morning alone, it’s not regret he feels, but the need to find the man who held him in his arms all night. It seems crazy, but he can’t get the man out of his head.
When they’re brought back together, each man believes it’s more than luck. They feel as though they’ve gotten a second chance. Sure, love at first sight is just a myth, the stuff of romance novels, but the more they scratch the surface, the more they realize they’ve got a shot at something lasting.
Jeremiah Wolfe has always done what was necessary to survive. On top of working two jobs, he’s going to school to become a social worker so he can give kids the help he never got when his mother left years ago. When a rare night off finds him with the chance to make a quick buck, he jumps on it. But his evening goes sideways, and he’s about to head home when he’s propositioned by a stranger. A meaningless one-night stand is simple and easy, so he steps into the hotel room—as he has many—without expectation. But the man behind the door is a surprise, as is the instant connection that builds along with passion and a glimpse of his heart. Small wonder that Jere can’t get the nameless man out of his head.
Cameron Gallagher has never been accused of being spontaneous. He’s an introvert whose life is about schedules, plans, and lists. He’s always been the careful one, so inviting a stranger into his bed on the lure of his gorgeous smile and warm brown eyes isn’t only out of his comfort zone, it’s entirely out of character. Surprisingly, when he wakes in the morning alone, it’s not regret he feels, but the need to find the man who held him in his arms all night. It seems crazy, but he can’t get the man out of his head.
When they’re brought back together, each man believes it’s more than luck. They feel as though they’ve gotten a second chance. Sure, love at first sight is just a myth, the stuff of romance novels, but the more they scratch the surface, the more they realize they’ve got a shot at something lasting.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2021
198 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
129 books5,027 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
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July 5, 2021When you do the same thing but expect different results... me = 🤡
DNF @ 12%
When I first started reading Mary Calmes' work, I always saw people commenting about her books being reiteration of her Jory/Sam pairing, so a few months ago I finally decided to read A Matter of Time Book I and now I definitely see where they're coming from....
This book had Jeremiah, a gay man with showstopping good looks (that even the other MC, his friend and the bartender all wanted him in the first two chapters), he used to be an escort, is now a counselor at a youth center currently studying to be a social worker and part-time at a restaurant. Everyone at the restaurant can't function without him, he is the only one who can deal with the head chef and is friends with the owners, so he is able to fix problems. He's also friends with everybody !?
In only 12% this man has managed to have so many talents and positive attributes, I'm tired lol
This may be a good book but as someone who has read a lot of her work, the vibe of one insanely perfect MC was just too similar to keep my interest :(
DNF @ 12%
When I first started reading Mary Calmes' work, I always saw people commenting about her books being reiteration of her Jory/Sam pairing, so a few months ago I finally decided to read A Matter of Time Book I and now I definitely see where they're coming from....
This book had Jeremiah, a gay man with showstopping good looks (that even the other MC, his friend and the bartender all wanted him in the first two chapters), he used to be an escort, is now a counselor at a youth center currently studying to be a social worker and part-time at a restaurant. Everyone at the restaurant can't function without him, he is the only one who can deal with the head chef and is friends with the owners, so he is able to fix problems. He's also friends with everybody !?
In only 12% this man has managed to have so many talents and positive attributes, I'm tired lol
This may be a good book but as someone who has read a lot of her work, the vibe of one insanely perfect MC was just too similar to keep my interest :(
June 30, 2021
Loved this one.
I love when Mary Calmes writes her more romantic stories. Though there's a lot going on in the plot, at the core of the story it's about two men who haven't had the easiest lives accidentally finding each other and recognizing quickly they're perfect for each other.
I loved the characters, loved getting a dual POV, and really enjoyed the story and pacing, I'm only sorry I finished it too quickly.
Dual POV, contemporary romance, with love at first sight, plenty of heat, a bit of suspense, and a very happy ending.
I love when Mary Calmes writes her more romantic stories. Though there's a lot going on in the plot, at the core of the story it's about two men who haven't had the easiest lives accidentally finding each other and recognizing quickly they're perfect for each other.
I loved the characters, loved getting a dual POV, and really enjoyed the story and pacing, I'm only sorry I finished it too quickly.
Dual POV, contemporary romance, with love at first sight, plenty of heat, a bit of suspense, and a very happy ending.
dnf
July 24, 2021DNF @ 30%
I'm just too bored. From the 30% I've read it's the usual Mary formula.
I'm just too bored. From the 30% I've read it's the usual Mary formula.
June 30, 2021
A LOT going on in this one, but it was also, simultaneously, a “simpler” Calmes story. In that there were no shootings, kidnappings, or peacoats.
It was enjoyable, but totally insta-love, as Mary always does.
It was enjoyable, but totally insta-love, as Mary always does.
September 9, 2021
I don’t know how it ends, I fell asleep while reading it.
July 12, 2021
Sweet.
Truthfully, I struggled at the beginning, I just couldn't understand what Jeremiah was doing and who the favor was for. Once I got over that hurdle the rest was typically in the best way Mary.
I love when Mary's guys find home. It just works for me every single time.
Truthfully, I struggled at the beginning, I just couldn't understand what Jeremiah was doing and who the favor was for. Once I got over that hurdle the rest was typically in the best way Mary.
I love when Mary's guys find home. It just works for me every single time.
July 13, 2021
It’s so Mary
July 3, 2021
I skimmed most of this book. Soooooo boring!! Where did all the high ratings come from??? And soooo unbelievable!!
Ugh. This author is so hit and miss for me. More miss than hits thus far.
Ugh. This author is so hit and miss for me. More miss than hits thus far.
July 10, 2021
This rambled around a lot. No real plot, just some insta love and random events happening in a completely disjointed manner lol. It felt like bits and pieces of several stories that didn't make the cut mashed into one. It was cute, but it felt long and unfocused.
March 12, 2024
Oh how I love Mary Calmes...
September 28, 2022
Another sweet romance by Mary Calmes. I really loved this book. It certainly is instant love but that doesn’t bother me. I love a slow burn, but I also love it when two people meet and just know. Jeremiah and Cameron met outside a hotel room and it just worked for them.
I listened to this as an audiobook. Tristan James and Tim Page did a great job.
I listened to this as an audiobook. Tristan James and Tim Page did a great job.
July 18, 2021
Idk what I just read
They meet briefly in a hotel as Jeremiah brings his drunk hustle back to his room and is confronted by the coworker in the adjoining room. Lust at first site and he breaks all his rules. They run into each other a few days later and it’s a hot pursuit where both are all in. That’s where the story starts to splinter into a few potential good storylines but the author doesn’t really fully form any of them. I’ve got the fact that Jeremiah is a social worker working with a kid who was brutalized and in a national news case. The mayor who was secretly paying him when they were in HS for sex and has shown back up to make amends and almost seems like he wants more, the fact that his classmate is caught up in a criminal ring and has lost an item he stole that Jeremiah some how has. We get so many details in the beginning regarding all that but honestly the author never really does anything with them and the story just ends. Hell we don’t even get to see many of the simple moments they share together. She paints a pretty character and emotion but failed the over arcing storyline
They meet briefly in a hotel as Jeremiah brings his drunk hustle back to his room and is confronted by the coworker in the adjoining room. Lust at first site and he breaks all his rules. They run into each other a few days later and it’s a hot pursuit where both are all in. That’s where the story starts to splinter into a few potential good storylines but the author doesn’t really fully form any of them. I’ve got the fact that Jeremiah is a social worker working with a kid who was brutalized and in a national news case. The mayor who was secretly paying him when they were in HS for sex and has shown back up to make amends and almost seems like he wants more, the fact that his classmate is caught up in a criminal ring and has lost an item he stole that Jeremiah some how has. We get so many details in the beginning regarding all that but honestly the author never really does anything with them and the story just ends. Hell we don’t even get to see many of the simple moments they share together. She paints a pretty character and emotion but failed the over arcing storyline
August 25, 2022
I like the connection between Jeremiah and Cameron and how they complimented one another although they were worlds apart in almost everything else in their lives...except their mutual love and respect. I believe that is what made the story of their growing relationship so comfortable, for lack of a better word. They were honest with one another about everything...the past men in their lives...their ambitions and hopes for their futures, which they sincerely hoped would be together...as lovers and a family. Their story is wonderful, filled with warmth, excitement, and heat. What makes it all so fabulous is how the new and different feelings and the level of comfort and ease they have with each other just seem to fall into place. Jeremiah and Cameron fit together like pieces of a puzzle. On a personal note, the character of Cameron reminded me so much of our son-in-law when he and our son first met. A really great story and it will diffidently become one of my favorites by Mary Calmes. sigh...so many favorites. Where will I put them all? :)
July 14, 2021
As one would expect with a Mary Calmes book, this one provides plenty of warm-hearted entertainment. This one has not one but two really loving/loveable characters, one with no family and who has been on his own since he was 14, and the other with a large, loving family with a strong matriarch who decides she wants to keep the man he brings home.
Honestly, if I were rating for an award, I'd give this 3 stars but I'm not the Academy so it's rated for personal pleasure. Mary is a sweet woman, whom I've met and enjoyed speaking to, and her warmth and belief in the goodness of her characters always shines through. Many, if not most, of her characters are memorable long after the last page is turned but most important, at this point in my life, is the warmth and sunshine I feel throughout the story.
The blurb tells the what of this story but the emotion lies within the pages and it's just what I needed this week to pick me up.
Honestly, if I were rating for an award, I'd give this 3 stars but I'm not the Academy so it's rated for personal pleasure. Mary is a sweet woman, whom I've met and enjoyed speaking to, and her warmth and belief in the goodness of her characters always shines through. Many, if not most, of her characters are memorable long after the last page is turned but most important, at this point in my life, is the warmth and sunshine I feel throughout the story.
The blurb tells the what of this story but the emotion lies within the pages and it's just what I needed this week to pick me up.
May 16, 2024
It’s been quite a while since I’ve read anything by Mary Calmes and don’t much remember what I have read. Are her books usually this wacky? By wacky I mean instalove on steroids and a head-scratching number of bizarre subplots. The insta lust/like/love was off the charts and didn’t work. I’m fine with insta when it’s done well but Calmes didn’t sell me on the warp speed and bananas-level intensity of the MCs’ connection at all. Both the characters and their relationship read very cookie cutter. The story itself didn’t help things. There were all kinds of subplots—some new and crazy thing seemed to be introduced in every chapter—and it felt convoluted and extremely overdone. My brain began to check in and out and by the last half of the book, I felt like I was listening with half an ear.
As far as narration, I was good with Tim Page but not so much Tristan James. I know I’ve enjoyed some of his narrations in the past but here he just sounded off. His voice is lovely but his delivery was uneven. His cadence and inflections were often stilted and wrong for the scene and further threw me out of the story.
I did absolutely love the nod to Simon and Simon, the 1980s detective show, with the naming of the two dogs, Rick and AJ. That was a favorite show of mine growing up, one I hadn’t thought about in years. When I heard the two dogs' names, twelve-year-old me perked up and smiled big.
As far as narration, I was good with Tim Page but not so much Tristan James. I know I’ve enjoyed some of his narrations in the past but here he just sounded off. His voice is lovely but his delivery was uneven. His cadence and inflections were often stilted and wrong for the scene and further threw me out of the story.
I did absolutely love the nod to Simon and Simon, the 1980s detective show, with the naming of the two dogs, Rick and AJ. That was a favorite show of mine growing up, one I hadn’t thought about in years. When I heard the two dogs' names, twelve-year-old me perked up and smiled big.
June 19, 2025
Damn I wanted more, like an epilogue after 3-5 years. Jer and Cam worked well together. Two characters who have trust issues, taking a risk on each other and trusting that the other will be who they promised to be. I’m not a fan of instant lust/love but Mary Calmes has a way of writing this trope that makes it all cute and a total book hug.
July 2, 2021
Aah! I wish I could let go of Mary Calmes because it has been a while that a story of hers fulfilled me. Her pattern and formula is always the same no matter what the story deals with and although her writing is smooth as silk and takes you away I can't help but have niggles along the way and that is never good.
I've made notes in 38% of all the many, MANY things that are going on, at the 70% some of them conclude some continue, side characters are coming and going with names being thrown left and right and at 90% (and a little before that) of how loved the MC is from everyone of the other MC's family, beloved by the females and animals like a Disney Princess. I don't want to be bitter but, as I have mentioned in my like 10 reviews of Mary's books, I really, really wish Mary would just veer off her writing path, she's an amazing author and I wish she would be more adventurous.
The core of the story is sweet, if not a whirlwind, and the guys are cute and all, but all in all there's nothing to leave an impression here.
I've made notes in 38% of all the many, MANY things that are going on, at the 70% some of them conclude some continue, side characters are coming and going with names being thrown left and right and at 90% (and a little before that) of how loved the MC is from everyone of the other MC's family, beloved by the females and animals like a Disney Princess. I don't want to be bitter but, as I have mentioned in my like 10 reviews of Mary's books, I really, really wish Mary would just veer off her writing path, she's an amazing author and I wish she would be more adventurous.
The core of the story is sweet, if not a whirlwind, and the guys are cute and all, but all in all there's nothing to leave an impression here.
Read
February 8, 2023DNF at 38%
There were just sooooo many things happening in this book at the one time! Business ventures, someone had a heart attack, dealing with a sadistic murderer, now someone’s in protective custody hiding from a MC gang?!
There were just sooooo many things happening in this book at the one time! Business ventures, someone had a heart attack, dealing with a sadistic murderer, now someone’s in protective custody hiding from a MC gang?!
did-not-finish
October 6, 2025DNF at 8%.
This beginning was really offputting for me. I don't like my main characters being sex workers. And there's also the issue with him needing money and not getting it. It just feels icky and I don't want to read more.
Plus, the reviews don't make me want to read more either.
This beginning was really offputting for me. I don't like my main characters being sex workers. And there's also the issue with him needing money and not getting it. It just feels icky and I don't want to read more.
Plus, the reviews don't make me want to read more either.
November 11, 2022
Everything that’s mildly distracting in other books is glaringly present in this book. Normally I don’t mind the randomly detailed sidebars into crime or MC walking into a situation and being instantly loved as they fix every problem of the background characters, but it’s normally balanced out with an interesting world/plot. This had no thrilling plot, it’s two guys getting together when they already decided they should be together, could have finished in a few chapters but dragged it out for a whole book.
July 17, 2021
This book is a mess. It's the case of insta-love that needed filler, so the author threw in the kitchen sink. At 39%, it is banana pants crazy. At 79%, it is topic hopping craziness. A content editor would have been helpful.
October 17, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up (but could also be rounded down tbh).
This is an interesting book. Not because of the plot - to be quite honest, there is no plot - but because it is basically an in-depth study of the love-at-first-sight trope. This is by no means an unusual trope, but I found it very appealing in this book: Jeremiah and Cameron really embody the trope, and I actually believe their love. We see them navigate life after very rapidly realizing that they are in love, which is pretty unique. Also, I like both characters: Cameron strikes me as being neurodivergent, which is nice (unstated) representation, and poor Jeremiah has had a horrible, no good, very bad life, and this book shows something good actually happening to him.
What I have an issue with is that this book is a little too long and kind of drops the ball on its promising plot points. Despite spending large amounts of time discussing a mob boss (or cartel, something, idk), characters trying to do right by one of the protagonists, and a serial-killer survivor, everything is just tied up off-screen with neat, tidy bows. Then the book keeps going. It's like the author had a complicated, traumatic plot in mind and thought, "Nah, I'll be nice to these poor characters," and switched to writing pleasant vignettes about their lives halfway through.
This is only my second Mary Calmes book (in as many weeks), so I can't speak to whether this is following a normal pattern or not, but despite its issues, I liked this book. I'll read more by this author soon.
This is an interesting book. Not because of the plot - to be quite honest, there is no plot - but because it is basically an in-depth study of the love-at-first-sight trope. This is by no means an unusual trope, but I found it very appealing in this book: Jeremiah and Cameron really embody the trope, and I actually believe their love. We see them navigate life after very rapidly realizing that they are in love, which is pretty unique. Also, I like both characters: Cameron strikes me as being neurodivergent, which is nice (unstated) representation, and poor Jeremiah has had a horrible, no good, very bad life, and this book shows something good actually happening to him.
What I have an issue with is that this book is a little too long and kind of drops the ball on its promising plot points. Despite spending large amounts of time discussing a mob boss (or cartel, something, idk), characters trying to do right by one of the protagonists, and a serial-killer survivor, everything is just tied up off-screen with neat, tidy bows. Then the book keeps going. It's like the author had a complicated, traumatic plot in mind and thought, "Nah, I'll be nice to these poor characters," and switched to writing pleasant vignettes about their lives halfway through.
This is only my second Mary Calmes book (in as many weeks), so I can't speak to whether this is following a normal pattern or not, but despite its issues, I liked this book. I'll read more by this author soon.
April 19, 2025
Yes well I can see why people got bored with this. I haven't read a book by this author in a long while but thought I'd try this on audio because I quite enjoyed Tristan James in another series.
Have to say this was one of his less consistent efforts.
Cam and Jeremiah meet when Jeremiah helps Cam's work buddy back to his room when he gets drunk. He was in the bar to meet a 'date' who didn't show (read client). Cam and Jeremiah sleep together and there is pretty much insta love from there on in.
This had potential with enough little bits that kept me listening but there was also alot of just extraneous plot filler going on that didn't seem to go anywhere.
Just ok
Have to say this was one of his less consistent efforts.
Cam and Jeremiah meet when Jeremiah helps Cam's work buddy back to his room when he gets drunk. He was in the bar to meet a 'date' who didn't show (read client). Cam and Jeremiah sleep together and there is pretty much insta love from there on in.
This had potential with enough little bits that kept me listening but there was also alot of just extraneous plot filler going on that didn't seem to go anywhere.
Just ok
February 28, 2022
Both the main and supporting characters were decidedly likeable; and a lot of, generally not good but interesting for the reader, stuff seems to happen in rapid succession. At times the story seemed a bit disjointed, but I’m sure a reread will resolve that, and overall this is a nice, entertaining read.
August 12, 2022
19.07.2022
~ 3.5 stars ~
~ 3.5 stars ~
March 12, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
This book is classic Calmes with endearing MCs, a plethora of interesting secondary characters, and plot lines that are over the top. This book is long and a lot happens that’s on the edge of ridiculous. And yet, Calmes makes it work. It’s no secret I’m a fan of this author, and part of that is over the top storylines. Here a lot happens to Jeremiah in particular that just seems crazy, with police investigations, fire, beatings, and other adventures. Any one of those things would be surprising, but lumped all together, it almost seems like too much. But again, Calmes manages to give it a quality that flows within the book. There’s something about her writing that just makes me jump in and go with it.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4 stars
This book is classic Calmes with endearing MCs, a plethora of interesting secondary characters, and plot lines that are over the top. This book is long and a lot happens that’s on the edge of ridiculous. And yet, Calmes makes it work. It’s no secret I’m a fan of this author, and part of that is over the top storylines. Here a lot happens to Jeremiah in particular that just seems crazy, with police investigations, fire, beatings, and other adventures. Any one of those things would be surprising, but lumped all together, it almost seems like too much. But again, Calmes manages to give it a quality that flows within the book. There’s something about her writing that just makes me jump in and go with it.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
June 30, 2021
All of my early warning systems must have failed because I didn't know this one was coming out. Perfect timing that I happened to see it in one of those "recommended for you" sections, so I could buy it and start reading it immediately. I was so excited for a new story from a much loved author. And it's a simple story of two guys who meet in an unusual way and connect immediately. Neither acts along their norm, and they end up with one night of incredible passion. But Jeremiah leaves before they talk the next morning because who would believe, viewed from their outside personas, that they could ever have more than that. That they meet again by chance so soon after that might be the first sign that all things might be different than expected. Their journey, with everyday life moments thrown in, is a sensual, soothing, and humorous affair that I thoroughly enjoyed.
July 2, 2021
Love at first sight done RIGHT!
Mary Calmes has checked off all the boxes with Jere and Cam.
Love at first sight stories are hard to like these days, mainly because it's unrealistic and never offers anything beyond it.
Happy to say, Mary has made alot of effort for us to take interest in her 2 characters. It's alot more than, 'I see you, you see me and let's go chase the sunset'
There are alot of side characters, which is a Mary Calmes staple. She gets lost in her world building and we're all happy for it. There are alot of conversations with these characters that just enrich the story and makes it more. You will find yourself trying to keep up with their lives.
What helps is that Jere and Cam know that it's a ridiculous notion they're feeling. So as they try to navigate this instant attraction, they raise questions we're nodding our heads at.
The answers they reach are wonderful and inspiring and totally satisfying.
I have to say this here. Another Mary calmes staple is: righteous, reasonable and everything nice in a person, MC.
She wants to see genuinely good people in the world and she writes them in her stories. Despite the hardships they face, they always try to do the right thing, and it's such a quality that you know the writer must have it too. And for me that's really admirable.
A very wholesome book. Some of the side characters could be left out as their fate sort of went nowhere, but I guess it wouldn't be a Mary Calmes romance without the whirlwind.
Mary Calmes has checked off all the boxes with Jere and Cam.
Love at first sight stories are hard to like these days, mainly because it's unrealistic and never offers anything beyond it.
Happy to say, Mary has made alot of effort for us to take interest in her 2 characters. It's alot more than, 'I see you, you see me and let's go chase the sunset'
There are alot of side characters, which is a Mary Calmes staple. She gets lost in her world building and we're all happy for it. There are alot of conversations with these characters that just enrich the story and makes it more. You will find yourself trying to keep up with their lives.
What helps is that Jere and Cam know that it's a ridiculous notion they're feeling. So as they try to navigate this instant attraction, they raise questions we're nodding our heads at.
The answers they reach are wonderful and inspiring and totally satisfying.
I have to say this here. Another Mary calmes staple is: righteous, reasonable and everything nice in a person, MC.
She wants to see genuinely good people in the world and she writes them in her stories. Despite the hardships they face, they always try to do the right thing, and it's such a quality that you know the writer must have it too. And for me that's really admirable.
A very wholesome book. Some of the side characters could be left out as their fate sort of went nowhere, but I guess it wouldn't be a Mary Calmes romance without the whirlwind.
March 25, 2023
So good. I loved everything about the relationship in this book. That there was hesitancy but also a lack of doubt in the strength of their connection. I know that kind of almost insta-love is hit or miss with a lot of folks, but not me. Not when it's done well. And this, to me, was done really well. I think I'll definitely be revisiting this as a comfort re-read in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews