Being Setup

by Jax Calder

A fun 9,000 word novella with gorgeous guys that will leave you smiling.

Michael is allergic to being set up. After far too many disastrous attempts by welling meaning friends to set him up with the guy of his dreams, he’s sworn off blind dates for good. Which is why he immediately and brutally shuts down his best friend Andy’s attempt to set him up with Teddy, the cousin of Andy’s wife who has just moved back to town.

But then Michael accidentally meets Teddy at a party and has a soul-deep, scorching hot connection that he’s never had before. Will Michael manage to swallow his pride and decide to chase after the best thing that could ever happen to him?

Note: This novella is available as bonus material for subscribers to the authors newsletter. You can subscribe on Jax Calder's website - jaxcalder.com

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Short Stories, LGBT, Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. To read her exclusive novella Being Set Up, sign up to her newsletter: https://jaxcalder.com/newsletter-sign.... You can also join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Reviews

[Snjez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read 7/2025
I started reading this completely forgetting that I've already read it (it's on my other e-reader). No wonder it felt familiar. 😅 Anyway, I'm glad I read it again, because I enjoyed it even more this time around, so I'm upping my rating to 4 stars.

I liked Michael and Teddy's instant connection, they are really cute, and I also liked Andy and Michael's friendship. Made me smile.

******
Original review:
A cute short story. Well written but I wish it was longer.

[☆ Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in New Zealand, the location felt a little magical to me, and Michael and Teddy were both pretty adorable.



At only around 35 pages, it's basically "the refused setup almost results in the one that got away", but luck was with the guys, so they got their sweet, fluffy HEA.

I enjoyed this short as a filler read, while waiting for another book to release at Midnight, so it did the trick and made me smile, so I'd rate it at around 4 stars.

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25 stars.
Lovely short story, for free via the author's newsletter (I got it through Bookfunnel).
I know it's not easy to achieve in a short story, but I would have loved to like Michael more (it's his pov we get), he felt a bit shallow to me (pointing out his good looks oh so humbly, lol), but yes, he was sweet, too.

[alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 - 2.75⭐, rounding it down

A short story of two guys that are usually being set up with other guys by their families, finding each other after one rejects being set up with the other.

A good idea, not a very good delivery.

🟣 Both gay
🔵 Both in their 30's
🟡 The guy on the cover is Mike and he has a punchable face. Just saying.
🌶️ Some oral and frotting, the rest off-page

Michael and Teddy were going to be set up by Michael's best friend Andy and his wife, who is Teddy's cousin. When Michael completely rejects the idea and then meets Teddy at a family party, they immediately like each other, but what I really didn't like here, what really grated on my nerves, was Michael's reluctance about Andy and his wife finding out about it.

It starts with them leaving the party together, but Michael doesn't want anyone seeing them leaving together. It seemed childish and would put me off. Teddy didn't like it either.

Why? You're 32 years old. Get over yourself.

When they're seeing each other for weeks already and Michael's falling for the guy, but he again doesn't really like the idea of going officially with Teddy to meet the family over brunch, the family they're both very familiar with, so even though Michael's saying all the right words, the energy just wasn't right. I didn't like it.

Teddy sounds like that perfect husband you accidentally find and you want to run to the finish line before someone snatches him up, so all of Michael's explaining and reasoning fell flat, I didn't like the guy.


Not my favourite from this author.

[Manfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun but very short story about Mike, refusing to get setup and then meeting the guy at a party anyway.
This was really sweet, although it is only like a ten minute read...

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - Stars

I understand why so many reviewers have commented that Jax Calder’s Being Setup is too short. It is too short.

And I also understand why others have commented that they really wanted to learn more about her protagonists, Michael and Teddy. It certainly would be nice to have them appear in a full length novel of their own.

But those comments aside, Calder’s writing style is simply delightful. And Being Setup is a funny, predictable, and perfectly wonderful short story - available for free when you subscribe to her Newsletter at the bottom of her home page.

Do yourself a favor and sign up today - https://jaxcalder.com/

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Super short but perfectly paced and balanced! Very well-written with great dialogue and likeable characters. Would have loved for this to be longer!

[Renée · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[ᐯEᖇOᑎIᑕᗩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
This is super short, with seemingly likable characters, but we don’t really get to know them since the story is so brief. Still, it’s a good quick read, though I definitely wished for more!

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Another cute short story by a new-to-me author. This was pure fluff. No conflict to speak of, but because of the length it wasn’t needed.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounding up. Wish it had been longer!

[Laina Gruver · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A quick, adorable read. Mike has been set up too many times to count and he hates it. His best friend wants to set him up with his wife’s cousin but Mike refuses. At Lauren’s birthday party, Mike meets a sexy looking man and they hit it off only to discover that Teddy is, in fact, the cousin that he was going to be set up with.

*****
POV… first person (Mike)

Standalone or series… standalone

Hangover… no

Recommend… yes

Reread… sure

*newsletter freebie from BookFunnel

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

mm - contemporary romance - short story - moderate steam - 4 stars. Just a short story about a man who refuses to let his friends set him up anymore, only to meet the latest one in person and find out they were right.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough of Jax's men!

Jax Calder writes so beautifully. I read her short novella, The Inappropriate Date, and fell in love with Hunter and Adam immediately. I followed that up with Playing Offside, the first book in her new series, and fell even more in love with Aiden and Tyler. Now this very short story, full of attraction and feelings and humour, gives me Michael and Teddy.
I loved Michael's business, which immediately had me craving butterscotch and raspberry, and how much Teddy happened to love that business. It was very clever and also heartwarming.
Could it be longer? Of course. Did I want more? Of course. Did it need more? No. For a short read, this has everything in it you need. It has a beginning when Michael is fed up of continually getting set up with every gay man his friends know, a middle where he meets a man all on his own (gasp!), is attracted to him immediately then finds out Teddy is the blind date he vehemently turned down (gasp!), and an ending where he and Teddy find their HEA.
Sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy this perfect little tale of two men who absolutely deserve their happiness with each other.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I think there are all these things we did as kids that we forget about as adults. Simple pleasures, you know? Like sitting in the sun or patting a cat. The other day I suddenly realized how long it had been since I walked barefoot on the grass.”
“Now that you mention it, it’s been years since I’ve done that.”
“Yeah, so in my lunch break I actually I went to the nearest park and took off my shoes so I could walk on the grass.” — Teddy and Michael

Warnings: Not a warning per se but at 9,000 word or 18 pages this at best a short story

This is so cute and made me smile, bonus it's set in Auckland. Jax has written a story that works on an understanding of red lines. Michael is a character I really like, the extent of his character is revealed through time. He is the one with the red line, the one who refuses to be setup after so many horrendous experiences with blind dates. To that end, we are given fantastic first lines "The problem with being gay is that everyone tries to set you up with anyone they know who is gay. Screw compatibility. Screw attraction. Screw whether your intended date has a good grasp of personal hygiene.". The man he is intended to be set up with is Teddy. Teddy is sweet and endearing, his take on life is lovely and as expected in a story like this he is exactly what Michael needs. They have offered things to each other at times. I like the whole development of their relationship and what it means to other people (ie Andy and his near ultimate wingman status).

Providing a reward to new subscribers is not something I see a lot, some require a subscription for access to works through Prolific Works but this is different.

Teresa was the kind of woman who was worth her weight in plutonium, emeralds, or any other rare precious mineral. — Michael (respect your employees, love it)

A representative gif:

[fishreads (back? from hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was like a glass of champagne, sparkly and refreshing. I mean I just finished the review to another novella by this author, The Anonymous Hookup, comparing it to a piece of cake so why not continue with the food and beverages metaphor. (Yeah, I am also hoping this doesn't become a trend with me.)

I am not sure is there anyone who actually enjoys being set up by their friends, so I found it pretty much effortless to sympathize with Michael and his refusal to being set up on another blind date, this time with Teddy, a cousin of his best friend's Andy wife. Still when the two ultimately run into each other Michael feels attracted towards Teddy and slightly regretful about his refusal.

I thought that the author did a good job on describing the genuine potential for deeper connection beyond the initial physical attraction between Michael and Teddy. It made me that much more invested in the characters and their developing relationship. Even if Michael had a few hang ups about the way he met Teddy I also appreciated the fact that he communicated them to Teddy. I also loved Michael and Andy's friendship, which was both heartfelt and funny.

Another short story that left me feeling warm and satisfied after reading it.

Themes: single POV, blind dates, instant connection

[Stephanie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael doesn't want to be set up.. again. He forbids his friends to play matchmakers. He's spent so much time building his business, he certainly out of practice.

While attending an event at his friends' home, he meets a guy and is head over heels.

Teddy just relocated closer to family. He attend his cousin's party and meets Michael. They talk, hit it off, sparks fly ...then ... cold water.

To both of their shock, they were supposed to be set up with one another. OOPS!

Jealousy ensues, another opportunity knocks and things begin to fall into place.

Definitely not long enough. I hope the author adds to this story. The main points were met but there is so much more left to tell.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Loses 1/2 star because Mike was kind of a dick in how he treated Teddy.

Mike is sick and tired of his friends' setting him up with losers so refuses to meet his friend's cousin. At her birthday party he meets Teddy and they hit it off, later he realizes that Teddy was the cousin they wanted to set him up with but in order to avoid "I told you so-s" he refuses to tell them he's dating Teddy until he finally realizes he's treating him like a dirty secret to avoid dealing with teasing. So it was cute and I could sympathize with Mike being tired of having unsuitable people pushed on him, but he did hurt Teddy in order to avoid embarrassment. So okay.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these short novellas from Jax calder, I love her writing and these short angst free, sweet stories are great for reading in between heavier books. This one is about Michael, who’s tired of being set up by his friends, so refuses to be set up with someone who turns out is actually the perfect guy for him.

I definitely recommend this book, but like with all of Jax’s novellas, I wish it was a bit longer.

[J.E. Benoit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this for free from the author's newsletter. It's a short story that'll only take about 30min to read. It was super sweet though! Mike is tired of everyone trying to set him up with other guys and has adamantly turned down his friend's offer to set him up with his wife's cousin. But a chance meeting has Mike and Teddy crossing paths anyway. I loved the chemistry between them from the start and the surprise connection they had was really sweet!

[Erin]

Cute little short about a guy who doesn't want to be set up ever, so rejects his best friend's suggestion, only to accidentally meet him at a party and connect with him in a magical, soul-connection kind of way. So it's super awkward when the other guy realizes that the guy he's been flirting with previously rejected him as he gets led away to be set up with someone who did want to meet him. It's kind of a one night to realize and make it right kind of book.

[Jozey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contains: sweet, fluffy short story, endearing caracters, ice creams lovers.

This short story is soooo cute. The caracters are so loveable. It's a great force of the author to introduce us these caracters and in a few pages we just fall for them soooo fast. Cute and the friend reaction is just sooooo much friendly boyish kind of way. I love it.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful feel good story

I loved this heart warming story of Mike who hates being set up falling for Teddy, a previous set up he just refused. I smiled the entire time I was reading this take of fate, coincidences and true love. Despite being short, the story included witty dialogue, three dimensional relatable characters, and an engaging storyline.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

💬 1st person -- single POV
⭐ 4.2/5
🌶 1/5
💦 2/10「cliterature wetometer​」

🍨 MM 🏳‍🌈
🍨 short novella
🍨 meddling family
🍨 sweet & fun moments
🍨 insta-love vibes
🍨 they were meant to be
🍨 one little spicy scene
🍨 perfect palette cleanser/short read

🖼: moodboard by me 「pics from Pinterest」

[Emma]

Read on October 17th, 2023. This was so so sweet. It gave me the fluttery feels. I loved their connection and really enjoyed the complete lack of drama, conflict, and posturing. I wish full-length books were like this, but I suppose it could be this way because it’s as short as it is. Still, I would’ve wanted more.

[Julie Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute meet-cute! Absolutely loved that the guy who outright refuses all attempts to be set up meets the guy his friend wants to set him up with unknowingly and instantly develops a crush on him!

In true Jax Calder fashion, this short story made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions, and fall head over heels for amazingly written characters who are just meant to be together!

[Dekaydreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little bit too sweet - well, actually, way too sweet. I finally see other people's beef with the insta-love effect. Other than that, cute, quick story, just could use at least a tiny bit of tension. The few seconds where Mike thinks he's lost his chance don't count. (Cotton candy is wonderful, but this is more of a tease of the idea of cotton candy - or cotton candy without quite enough flavoring.)

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story about the reluctance of being set up by your friends and then finding out the man of your dreams is who they were trying to set you up with all along. Short and yet it still managed to be full of heart.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Persistent friends, delicious ice cream, and two handsome men, what more could you ask for. This short story is so sweet, Michael repeatedly turns down his close friends attempts to set him up with someone, he's had too many setup failures. It's a cute and cozy story, a very enjoyable read.