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Romantic #1
Romantic Renovations
an alternate cover edition can be found here
A Romantic Suspense
Bennett Jackson's life abruptly changes when he inherits a massive real estate portfolio and is given his own home improvement show to feature the rehab of the properties. When this surprising success is jeopardized by an unscrupulous costar, his world begins to crumble until coming face to face with his new costar, the muscle-bound and ridiculously handsome Leslie Cooper.
Just as things are heating up between Les and Bennett, Bennett's abusive past emerges. But this time, it puts both their lives in jeopardy
Will Bennett’s will to survive, and Les’s inner strength be enough to keep them alive and save their fragile relationship?
A Romantic Suspense
Bennett Jackson's life abruptly changes when he inherits a massive real estate portfolio and is given his own home improvement show to feature the rehab of the properties. When this surprising success is jeopardized by an unscrupulous costar, his world begins to crumble until coming face to face with his new costar, the muscle-bound and ridiculously handsome Leslie Cooper.
Just as things are heating up between Les and Bennett, Bennett's abusive past emerges. But this time, it puts both their lives in jeopardy
Will Bennett’s will to survive, and Les’s inner strength be enough to keep them alive and save their fragile relationship?
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2020
32 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Blake Allwood
33 books178 followersBlake Allwood was born in west TN, then moved to Kansas City MO after attending college in Lamoni, Iowa. He met his husband in 1995 and they officially married in 2015, once gay marriage was legalized. In 2017, he and his husband sold their home, purchased an RV and began traveling the country with their two dogs. Their travels provide the inspiration and settings for many of his novels.
Typically, Blake can be found relaxing in the RV or by the fire with his laptop and their Jack Russell Terrier, Buddy, curled up between his legs demanding attention. Denver, their Siberian Husky mix is often asleep at his feet or playing tug of war with Blake’s husband.
Aiden Inspired (Apr 2019) is his first published novel, featuring two disparate characters from New York and Washington State who meet and develop an unlikely bond. His second novel, Suzie Empowered (Feb 2020), is a followup featuring Aiden’s sister Suzie as she overcomes her fear of relationships with straight men due to a sexual assault in high school. In March, Blake returned to gay romance with his release of Bobby Transformed about an Iowa farm boy and a big city publisher. His first three novels share characters and can be read in order or randomly.
Typically, Blake can be found relaxing in the RV or by the fire with his laptop and their Jack Russell Terrier, Buddy, curled up between his legs demanding attention. Denver, their Siberian Husky mix is often asleep at his feet or playing tug of war with Blake’s husband.
Aiden Inspired (Apr 2019) is his first published novel, featuring two disparate characters from New York and Washington State who meet and develop an unlikely bond. His second novel, Suzie Empowered (Feb 2020), is a followup featuring Aiden’s sister Suzie as she overcomes her fear of relationships with straight men due to a sexual assault in high school. In March, Blake returned to gay romance with his release of Bobby Transformed about an Iowa farm boy and a big city publisher. His first three novels share characters and can be read in order or randomly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 10, 2021
I don’t think I read the same book as some of the glowing reviews I read. I couldn’t connect with either one of these characters. It was like reading a police blotter. I didn’t feel any real emotions from either Bennett or Les. Bennett did go around depressed a lot, but that how he bounced back from not trusting Les to marrying him was never explained. Also what happened to his father and mother. I don’t think I’ll be reading anymore books by this author.
July 29, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
From the blurb, I got that there was danger lurking, but I was NOT prepared for the depth of melodrama this story held. First off, it’s a bit instalove-y, with Les and Bennett falling gaga for one another nearly from their introductions. Les is calling his family to move out to Seattle within days of his own relocation, which seemed . . . abrupt? And I had big qualms about their ability to integrate into the Seattle building/restoration scene as easily as Les intimates. Every time I thought “Would that really work like that?” I was assured by Les or Bennett that “Yes, it’s just that easy.”
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
From the blurb, I got that there was danger lurking, but I was NOT prepared for the depth of melodrama this story held. First off, it’s a bit instalove-y, with Les and Bennett falling gaga for one another nearly from their introductions. Les is calling his family to move out to Seattle within days of his own relocation, which seemed . . . abrupt? And I had big qualms about their ability to integrate into the Seattle building/restoration scene as easily as Les intimates. Every time I thought “Would that really work like that?” I was assured by Les or Bennett that “Yes, it’s just that easy.”
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
February 14, 2021
Fantastic
This book is so good that even at one point I cried, poor Les I want to keep him forever and mind him, Bennett and Les's journey will be one I don't think Ill ever forget, if you like gay romance and a story packed with suspense, Then this book is definitely for you.
This book is so good that even at one point I cried, poor Les I want to keep him forever and mind him, Bennett and Les's journey will be one I don't think Ill ever forget, if you like gay romance and a story packed with suspense, Then this book is definitely for you.
January 21, 2024
I liked it but at the same time I didn't. I liked Les and how he was there for Bennett, very sweet, he didn't give up on him. And poor Bennett, what he went through with his family, no one deserves that. They made a good couple. My problem with the book was the events, like maybe I'm dumb but I didn't understand half of the explanation given at the end regarding the criminal activities and everyones role in them. And there wasn't a conclusion with Bennett's family either, I wanted to see his mother and father, all the problems he had with them being resolved or at least being put to rest, instead there was nothing, it was weird
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June 17, 2020
I loved this book you will cry you will be angry,with this book i love these two Bennett and Leslie are wonderful ,,,but poor Bennett has had so much people who want to control him and if they can't they hurt him like his supposed friend Frank or his mom and dad and the bad people who are connected to Bennett's dad...Leslie is there all the way to help Bennett,since he fell in love at first site,,ohh and i love Leslie"s family,,,.i read this book from this author for my honest opinion.
June 19, 2020
So it’s not necessarily impossible to find but often more difficult to find MM stories that I can completely connect with like “yes that is me or yes that’s what I would do or how I would act/feel” this one had all of that. Usually just elements I connect with but this one was (chefs kiss) 😚 👌🏿
Moving forward:
Blake Allwood brings elements of pain, sorrow and abuse to the table in such a way that is so relatable and raw. You feel and ache and want to snuggle the Main Character who has had such a life.
But before you worry that this is just a sad hurt-y story, it’s so not. It’s beautiful and loving and tender. The two main characters chemistry was palpable, and you will laugh and feel and swoon throughout their back and forth.
I’m not new to Allwood’s writing. He has a talent for creating characters with so much depth, integrity and quirks! This story is no different! This is a must read!
Moving forward:
Blake Allwood brings elements of pain, sorrow and abuse to the table in such a way that is so relatable and raw. You feel and ache and want to snuggle the Main Character who has had such a life.
But before you worry that this is just a sad hurt-y story, it’s so not. It’s beautiful and loving and tender. The two main characters chemistry was palpable, and you will laugh and feel and swoon throughout their back and forth.
I’m not new to Allwood’s writing. He has a talent for creating characters with so much depth, integrity and quirks! This story is no different! This is a must read!
June 18, 2020
Bennett, a home renovation reality TV star, needs a new partner. His previous partner, Frank, just assaulted him on camera and put him in the hospital.
Les, the star of a cancelled companion show, has nine months left on his contract, is drafted to fill in for the remainder of the season. All Les wants is for the contract to expire and return to his family in Boston.
Les and Bennett work well together and form a team. Until Ben's estranged father and Frank begin to sabotage the properties for renovation.
This begins an investigation involving organized crime, police corruption, murders, arson and general havoc. Without knowing who to trust, they can only trust each other.
This is a fast paced, well plotted page turner. The action continues until the very end. No plot or subplot is left unresolved. This is a believable story that will have readers on the edge of the seat.
Highly recommended.
Les, the star of a cancelled companion show, has nine months left on his contract, is drafted to fill in for the remainder of the season. All Les wants is for the contract to expire and return to his family in Boston.
Les and Bennett work well together and form a team. Until Ben's estranged father and Frank begin to sabotage the properties for renovation.
This begins an investigation involving organized crime, police corruption, murders, arson and general havoc. Without knowing who to trust, they can only trust each other.
This is a fast paced, well plotted page turner. The action continues until the very end. No plot or subplot is left unresolved. This is a believable story that will have readers on the edge of the seat.
Highly recommended.
June 20, 2020
Wow what a mix of different story lines I absolutely loved this story between Bennett and Les the story is based around renovations but then takes a completely different turn and keeps you on your toes. I felt for Bennett most of the time but with the Cooper’s looking out for him love conquers all.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
September 25, 2021
Enjoyed reading Bennett's and Les' story. It was full of heart but also full of action and suspense. It was so much more than just a romantic story. I will be reading book 2 next.
September 17, 2021
Bennett has inherited a whooping twelve house when his grandfather passes. He and a friend go on national tv and restore the houses. Only his best friend isn’t what Bennett thinks he is. When the friend punches him and lands him in the hospital, the executives change up the cast and bring in Les. Les is Bennett’s dream man. Les is not happy about having to work on Bennett’s show but as he gets to know Bennett, he realizes that he’s a sweetheart who has had a bad luck in life. This was sooo good!!! There’s a mystery, suspense and intrigue woven throughout the story along with quite a bit of steam! The characters were very likable. I literally couldn’t put it down! The story is really well written, highly recommend. I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
October 19, 2021
M/M book
First book of the series, I have never heard of the author but enjoyed reading it. I plan to read next book in series.
First book of the series, I have never heard of the author but enjoyed reading it. I plan to read next book in series.
June 28, 2020
Bennett has had a rather difficult life, with a father who was abusive, a mother who is selfish and manipulative. He has worked hard to make a better life for himself, and has vowed to never be hungry and cold while living on the streets again. When is Grandfather passes, Bennett is beyond surprised to discover that he got left everything, and even more so that there was anything to be left. Turns out Grandpa was very wealthy, owned lots of properties, but was hiding all this from his convict of a son. Bennett and his friend come up with an idea to renovate 12 houses in 12 months for a TV show. Only after a few houses, Bennett's friend snaps and attacks him. The show replaces him with home make over star, Leslie Cooper, and Bennett finds himself working alongside his celebrity crush. Les is not happy about being forced to join this project, he wants out of the limelight, he wants to go home to his family. When Les arrives on site to see the mess that things are, and meets Bennett, he knows just how to handle things. Bennett is in awe of Les, of his confidence, his ability to command an entire room, and of course, his perfect body. Les wants to help Bennett make his visions for the home come to life. He also wants Bennett to decide what he wants to come out of this show with, quantity of houses, or quality of the houses. When Bennett says he wants the quality to be the goal, he then goes on to explain his idea of what he would love to have done in the homes attic. Les definitely wants to make Bennett's wish for the attic a reality. With the new direction for the show laid out in front of the crew, and a few bad apples kicked to the curb, everyone gets busy. Unfortunately for Bennett, his now ex friend and co-star, Frank, isn't willing to move on just yet. When he finds Frank waiting at his doorstep, Bennett heads off to the one place he loved as a child. Les calls while Bennett is at his Grandfather's, so he tells him to come over there. When Les arrives at the Grandfather's house, he is surprised at what he sees. The house is in desperate need of a face lift and tlc, but it's got solid bones. Les desperately wants to return this home into the beauty it once was. The house, even as it is, is worth a couple million dollars, but with renovating it, that price will go up. Bennett isn't sure about the idea, he doesn't want the house, and never planned to do anything with it. After talking to Les, who is willing to go in on the cost, Bennett agrees. Knowing they will need a crew they can trust, and wanting the best, Les calls in his family. While continuing work on the Victorian home, and waiting for the Coopers to come out, Bennett receives a letter from his father in prison. Things really start getting crazy from this point on. Bennett finds himself in way more danger than he ever could have imagined. Les gets caught up in the chaos. Feelings between Bennett and Les are becoming to strong to ignore. Now the Coopers are there to work on his Grandpa's house, and he has to worry for their safety now too. Things become so dangerous that the FBI are get involved, Bennett is being told he needs private security, but he doesn't know who is trustworthy and who is out to get him. Throw in a loud Boston family, murder, drugs, assassins, corrupt law officials, scary mobsters, abduction, a bombing, and the discovery of unknown family members, you get one heck of an adventure.
Read
October 1, 2021Surprisingly great book!
This book had a couple of surprising twists that made it hard to put down. Les and Bennett are a great couple! The secondary characters made this a well rounded story.
This book had a couple of surprising twists that made it hard to put down. Les and Bennett are a great couple! The secondary characters made this a well rounded story.
January 20, 2022
This book is a five star for me! I started it and did not want to put it down. Bennet is a costar of a home improvement show in Seattle. His costar attacks him one and put him in the hospital. Les is the sent in by the network as a replacement. He is not happy because he wanted to leave the business altogether and go back to working with his family in Boston. It turns out that Les is Bennett’s crush and Bennet is content to let Les take the lead on the show. Les sees something in Bennett’s and encourages him to grow. Bennett’s former costar surfaces again and stabs Bennet. Then the two men realize there is a lot more going on than they ever would have believed. Les and Bennet will have to do a lot soul searching if they make this alive and or even together.
August 1, 2020
I really thought this was going to be a fluffy bunny HEA. Boy, was I wrong! LOL
Blake outdid himself with this book. I can't recommend this highly enough. The characters are amazing. The MCs weren't overshadowed by very strong secondary characters. Even though we didn't get a lot of character development, I felt like I knew all the characters.
The plot blew me away! Blake took his keyboard and hit his readers upside the head. I couldn't put it down. I loved it.
Blake outdid himself with this book. I can't recommend this highly enough. The characters are amazing. The MCs weren't overshadowed by very strong secondary characters. Even though we didn't get a lot of character development, I felt like I knew all the characters.
The plot blew me away! Blake took his keyboard and hit his readers upside the head. I couldn't put it down. I loved it.
June 30, 2021
Great story
Blake is a new author for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it's a sweet and somewhat steamy romance, it was the suspense that took the front seat with me. I personally enjoy a little more steam, but it worked with this story. The characters were well written and the intrigue woven throughout the story kept you on edge, wondering just who you could trust. I will definitely be checking for more of Blake’s work.
Blake is a new author for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it's a sweet and somewhat steamy romance, it was the suspense that took the front seat with me. I personally enjoy a little more steam, but it worked with this story. The characters were well written and the intrigue woven throughout the story kept you on edge, wondering just who you could trust. I will definitely be checking for more of Blake’s work.
June 25, 2020
really good story.
July 8, 2020
They just keep getting better if that's possible.
I loved how this book was full of entertaining plots and not just between the sheets. A wonderful read from beginning to end.
I loved how this book was full of entertaining plots and not just between the sheets. A wonderful read from beginning to end.
December 27, 2021
Not the worst book I’ve read…
But definitely not the best.
Written in dual first person POV. There’s only one M/M sexy scene, and I kind of expected more. The “suspense” part is ridiculous and just got more dramatic as the book continued. HEA with no cliffhangers or unresolved “mysteries”.
My biggest issue was with the “suspense” portion, which wasn’t done very well (see below with spoilers). Take out the stuff with Bennett’s dad and you could still have a good story about Bennett getting over an abusive relationship and finding comfort in Les. Maybe the author tried to do too much but it didn’t work. Another issue was the repetition of B living on the street. I understand that it shaped who he was but it didn’t need to be said so many times.
Beware of spoilers below….
You’ve been warned.
There are too many things that don’t make sense for me to give the book a higher rating.
1. The initial incident for the plot (Frank knocked Bennett unconscious) doesn’t make sense if he switched sides. This may be a misunderstanding on my part or maybe the switch occurred later. Things got really convoluted at the end.
2. Why plan to renovate 12 houses in a year if the houses were being used for other purposes? It would make more sense to draw it out so that each house could be used longer. Or if the houses were in a rotation then they would have more in their inventory for a longer period.
3. Bennett sends the threatening letter from his dad to the warden but apparently the warden is corrupt so why did B’s mom call and yell about B getting his dad in trouble? We find out about the warden a couple of pages after the phone call so it immediately struck me as weird.
4. If B’s dad doesn’t want him dead then why send the threatening letter? Better yet, why send the letter at all?
5. Why was the house blown up if Frank switched sides? What purpose did it serve even if Frank didn’t switch sides?
6. Les’s mom says that B is pulling away from Les due to a lack of trust and then this kind of gets reinforced at the end when she mentions that B is scared to lose anyone else close to him. What does that have to do with “trust”? That makes no sense.
7. B and Les spend most of the book apart yet they are in love and want to get married?
I could go on but I think that I made my point.
But definitely not the best.
Written in dual first person POV. There’s only one M/M sexy scene, and I kind of expected more. The “suspense” part is ridiculous and just got more dramatic as the book continued. HEA with no cliffhangers or unresolved “mysteries”.
My biggest issue was with the “suspense” portion, which wasn’t done very well (see below with spoilers). Take out the stuff with Bennett’s dad and you could still have a good story about Bennett getting over an abusive relationship and finding comfort in Les. Maybe the author tried to do too much but it didn’t work. Another issue was the repetition of B living on the street. I understand that it shaped who he was but it didn’t need to be said so many times.
Beware of spoilers below….
You’ve been warned.
There are too many things that don’t make sense for me to give the book a higher rating.
1. The initial incident for the plot (Frank knocked Bennett unconscious) doesn’t make sense if he switched sides. This may be a misunderstanding on my part or maybe the switch occurred later. Things got really convoluted at the end.
2. Why plan to renovate 12 houses in a year if the houses were being used for other purposes? It would make more sense to draw it out so that each house could be used longer. Or if the houses were in a rotation then they would have more in their inventory for a longer period.
3. Bennett sends the threatening letter from his dad to the warden but apparently the warden is corrupt so why did B’s mom call and yell about B getting his dad in trouble? We find out about the warden a couple of pages after the phone call so it immediately struck me as weird.
4. If B’s dad doesn’t want him dead then why send the threatening letter? Better yet, why send the letter at all?
5. Why was the house blown up if Frank switched sides? What purpose did it serve even if Frank didn’t switch sides?
6. Les’s mom says that B is pulling away from Les due to a lack of trust and then this kind of gets reinforced at the end when she mentions that B is scared to lose anyone else close to him. What does that have to do with “trust”? That makes no sense.
7. B and Les spend most of the book apart yet they are in love and want to get married?
I could go on but I think that I made my point.
September 25, 2021
Bennett inherited a bunch of houses from his grand-father and now he's on a home renovation show fixing them up with someone he thought was a friend. When that so-called friend attacks him and puts him in the hospital the network fires his friend and brings in someone from another renovation show that was canceled.
Les was happy when his show was canceled because his co-star was a nightmare and he just wanted to go home. When he finds out he's still under contract and has to fulfill it he's understandably angry. His first meeting with Bennett and the crew is tense but he gets everyone on the same page pretty fast.
Someone is out to hurt Bennett and Les is standing in their way. There are suspicious deaths, drugs and vandalisms and the police think Bennett is involved. Les is determined to prove Bennett is innocent and keep him alive at the same time, so he calls his father and gets his family involved. Les's family own a construction company in Boston that is on hard times. They also have ties to people who work as guards. One way or another Les is going to keep Bennett safe and keep their show going too.
This is a good romantic mystery. Bennett and Les fit well together IMO. The supporting characters are well written and needed for the story as well. There are some elements about the baddies and how they have dragged Bennett into their world that seemed over the top IMO but I'm not familiar with prison life and their ways, so I just skimmed those parts. Bennett starts as a weak character and slowly starts becoming stronger. He still has a way to go but with Les with him I think he'll get there. I enjoyed this book all in all.
Les was happy when his show was canceled because his co-star was a nightmare and he just wanted to go home. When he finds out he's still under contract and has to fulfill it he's understandably angry. His first meeting with Bennett and the crew is tense but he gets everyone on the same page pretty fast.
Someone is out to hurt Bennett and Les is standing in their way. There are suspicious deaths, drugs and vandalisms and the police think Bennett is involved. Les is determined to prove Bennett is innocent and keep him alive at the same time, so he calls his father and gets his family involved. Les's family own a construction company in Boston that is on hard times. They also have ties to people who work as guards. One way or another Les is going to keep Bennett safe and keep their show going too.
This is a good romantic mystery. Bennett and Les fit well together IMO. The supporting characters are well written and needed for the story as well. There are some elements about the baddies and how they have dragged Bennett into their world that seemed over the top IMO but I'm not familiar with prison life and their ways, so I just skimmed those parts. Bennett starts as a weak character and slowly starts becoming stronger. He still has a way to go but with Les with him I think he'll get there. I enjoyed this book all in all.
October 30, 2022
A decent romance, but a hurried ending. After unexpectedly inheriting properties from a distant grandfather, Bennett becomes part of a tv series tracking his renovations. But when he is assaulted by Frank, his apparent best friend, he’s left unanchored and alone. Enter Les, a tough builder with a heart of gold. Together they pick up the renovations first as a team and soon as something more. But will Bennett’s ducho father and troubled past spell the end for this budding relationship?
Bennett is a sympathetic character with a lot more depth of pain than you often see in books of this type. His love interest, Les, is strong and capable but somewhat two dimensional in comparison. It all canters along quite well with the danger quota ratcheting up as Bennett’s past and dangerous family cast a shadow over things. There’s plenty of feelings developed but not much actual action, but as long as a romance is not too cloying, I can cope with less nookie. However, given the ever increasing scale of the danger in the book, the actual ending is rushed and unsatisfactory. Lots of ends are tied up in summary accounts of what’s happened rather than played out. It almost reads like the author got either a little bored of the characters or a little out of their depth in writing all the action referred to offstage. And this left me a bit disappointed overall in the book.
But it was okay.
Bennett is a sympathetic character with a lot more depth of pain than you often see in books of this type. His love interest, Les, is strong and capable but somewhat two dimensional in comparison. It all canters along quite well with the danger quota ratcheting up as Bennett’s past and dangerous family cast a shadow over things. There’s plenty of feelings developed but not much actual action, but as long as a romance is not too cloying, I can cope with less nookie. However, given the ever increasing scale of the danger in the book, the actual ending is rushed and unsatisfactory. Lots of ends are tied up in summary accounts of what’s happened rather than played out. It almost reads like the author got either a little bored of the characters or a little out of their depth in writing all the action referred to offstage. And this left me a bit disappointed overall in the book.
But it was okay.
August 3, 2022
I'm clearly in the minority, but I didn't really enjoy this very much. Too much of the story is told rather than shown, and both Bennett and Leslie seem wooden and two-dimensional (not to mention, their characters are somewhat inconsistent -- example:
Basically, it simply wasn't to my style, and even though I thought the premise of the mystery was intriguing, it was again told rather than shown, and too much of it happened off page.
Basically, it simply wasn't to my style, and even though I thought the premise of the mystery was intriguing, it was again told rather than shown, and too much of it happened off page.
March 29, 2023
This is the first book by Blake Allwood I had the pleasure of reading. I have couple of his books on my TBR. I am glad I read it because I really enjoyed the book. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the “Romantic” series. It would make for a great movie series on Gay Hallmark!!!!
The story focuses on Bennett Jackson who was fortunate in inheriting real estate from his father and had an home improvement show. Something happened to his co-star so the studio hired Les Cooper who was already a reality star. Les begrudgingly agreed to participate on the show. Something clicked between Bennett and Les but I’m going to stop right there! You’ll have to pick up the book and read to find out what happens between them and Bennett’s former co-star! More than 5 stars reading from me!
The story focuses on Bennett Jackson who was fortunate in inheriting real estate from his father and had an home improvement show. Something happened to his co-star so the studio hired Les Cooper who was already a reality star. Les begrudgingly agreed to participate on the show. Something clicked between Bennett and Les but I’m going to stop right there! You’ll have to pick up the book and read to find out what happens between them and Bennett’s former co-star! More than 5 stars reading from me!
June 21, 2020
Rounded up from 3.5
This novel about a DIY show where the on-screen partners get into an off-screen relationship took me a little bit to get into, but I liked the characters and the setting. The romance part of it is the slowest of slow burns and doesn't seem to me to be the central focus of the book, but that's okay because I enjoy mysteries.
The situation in which Bennett finds himself made me hurt for him, and required a bit of suspension of disbelief, but once I got past the first couple of chapters, I was invested in the outcome of both the mystery and the relationship.
The book also gives a fun tour of the Seattle area, and having visited the city myself, it made me wish I'd taken more time there.
I received an advance copy of this book.
This novel about a DIY show where the on-screen partners get into an off-screen relationship took me a little bit to get into, but I liked the characters and the setting. The romance part of it is the slowest of slow burns and doesn't seem to me to be the central focus of the book, but that's okay because I enjoy mysteries.
The situation in which Bennett finds himself made me hurt for him, and required a bit of suspension of disbelief, but once I got past the first couple of chapters, I was invested in the outcome of both the mystery and the relationship.
The book also gives a fun tour of the Seattle area, and having visited the city myself, it made me wish I'd taken more time there.
I received an advance copy of this book.
August 6, 2020
My Recommendation: I've said it before and I will continue to say it, PAY FOR A PROOFREADER/COPY EDITOR if you're going to self-publish. Maybe for Allwood it should be pay for a good one, because he lists a proofreader (and multiple editors) in the front matter and yet the book is littered with grammatical and continuity errors. There were also some formatting errors with the Kindle file, it was all one chapter and it sucked not being able to go back to a specific chapter without knowing the exact page number. But what sucks the most is the story is actually pretty good and probably would've gotten that fourth star out of me if it hadn't had so many errors!
My Response: I stumbled across Blake Allwood on the MM Romance Reader blog with their review of Love by Chance and thought I'd give him a chance (ha!). Allwood isn't a five-star read for me yet, but there is a lot of potential. I will say though, if he doesn't hire better developmental and copy editors and proofreaders he'll never get there for me.
Rather than diving directly into the Chances series that MM Romance Reader reviewed I thought I'd start with a stand-alone. It didn't hurt that this one was set on a home renovation show.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
My Response: I stumbled across Blake Allwood on the MM Romance Reader blog with their review of Love by Chance and thought I'd give him a chance (ha!). Allwood isn't a five-star read for me yet, but there is a lot of potential. I will say though, if he doesn't hire better developmental and copy editors and proofreaders he'll never get there for me.
Rather than diving directly into the Chances series that MM Romance Reader reviewed I thought I'd start with a stand-alone. It didn't hurt that this one was set on a home renovation show.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
October 30, 2021
What Did I Just Read?!
I honestly don’t know how I finished this book. There must be something wrong with me. This book was so over the top that even Lifetime wouldn’t turn it into a movie. When Les confessed that he was in love with Bennett, I was confused. They hadn’t spent near enough time together for those type of feelings to have developed.
Other than the ridiculous “suspense” elements, this book suffered from Tell-itis. Several big events happened behind the scenes, so readers are told they happened rather than seeing them play out on the page.
Oh, well. At least I know to give this author a pass in the future.
I honestly don’t know how I finished this book. There must be something wrong with me. This book was so over the top that even Lifetime wouldn’t turn it into a movie. When Les confessed that he was in love with Bennett, I was confused. They hadn’t spent near enough time together for those type of feelings to have developed.
Other than the ridiculous “suspense” elements, this book suffered from Tell-itis. Several big events happened behind the scenes, so readers are told they happened rather than seeing them play out on the page.
Oh, well. At least I know to give this author a pass in the future.
August 17, 2022
Full of Action
I like a writer who gets right into the story and lets character development take place in the story. For sure that happens in this story. It takes a while to meet everyone in this story, but when you do they all fit in. At first the title had me confused with what it had to do with the story, but caught on pretty quickly. Second book I have read of Blake’s, and I plan on reading more.
I like a writer who gets right into the story and lets character development take place in the story. For sure that happens in this story. It takes a while to meet everyone in this story, but when you do they all fit in. At first the title had me confused with what it had to do with the story, but caught on pretty quickly. Second book I have read of Blake’s, and I plan on reading more.
October 30, 2022
Bennett & Les
I didn’t love this book. I guess it just wasn’t my kind of book. While the premise was promising, it was very convoluted and by the end I couldn’t believe any of the story. I can suspend disbelief normally when reading but this was all over the place. I have a hard time leaving a less than 3 star rating, I feel bad but I won’t be reading any further in this series.
I didn’t love this book. I guess it just wasn’t my kind of book. While the premise was promising, it was very convoluted and by the end I couldn’t believe any of the story. I can suspend disbelief normally when reading but this was all over the place. I have a hard time leaving a less than 3 star rating, I feel bad but I won’t be reading any further in this series.
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November 5, 2021This is probably a thriller, with murder, manipulation, violence, romance, betrayal, comedy in a curious mix!
There’s quite a few twists and it’s hard to categorise the book, there is a romance, no sex, plus the addition off menace and powerful criminals, a few highs and lows in an entertaining story that keeps you guessing.
There’s quite a few twists and it’s hard to categorise the book, there is a romance, no sex, plus the addition off menace and powerful criminals, a few highs and lows in an entertaining story that keeps you guessing.
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