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Men of Retail #1
Green's Thumb
an alternate cover edition can be found here
Real men, real love, real happy.
Mitch Graham and Karl Hartman are meant for each other - they just don’t know it yet. They’re both gay, middle aged, single, and open to meeting that special someone. Problem is, they never get out of the house!
With Karl working from home, and Mitch’s non-existent social life, it seems unlikely the two will ever meet. When Mitch decides on a whim to visit a new dog park, Karl’s greyhound takes a shine to him and the game is on.
In a sneaky bid to spend more time together, Karl hires Mitch to do some landscaping work on his front yard. It doesn’t take long for something special to grow along with the flowers.
Notice: Recommended for readers 18+. This book contains adult themes and sexuality, including M/M romance, and is suitable for mature readers only!
Author’s note – This book is a standalone M/M silver romance. Steamy content included!
Real men, real love, real happy.
Mitch Graham and Karl Hartman are meant for each other - they just don’t know it yet. They’re both gay, middle aged, single, and open to meeting that special someone. Problem is, they never get out of the house!
With Karl working from home, and Mitch’s non-existent social life, it seems unlikely the two will ever meet. When Mitch decides on a whim to visit a new dog park, Karl’s greyhound takes a shine to him and the game is on.
In a sneaky bid to spend more time together, Karl hires Mitch to do some landscaping work on his front yard. It doesn’t take long for something special to grow along with the flowers.
Notice: Recommended for readers 18+. This book contains adult themes and sexuality, including M/M romance, and is suitable for mature readers only!
Author’s note – This book is a standalone M/M silver romance. Steamy content included!
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
113 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Elliott
17 books75 followersAlexander Elliott resides in the Midwest and writes in multiple genres, including romance, paranormal, fantasy and science-fiction. His work is replete with themes of love, passion, family, humor, hope, and acceptance.
The author is praised for exceptional storytelling and creative world-building. He strives for realistic, well-developed characters, emotional depth, sizzling romance, and all the adventure, action, and intrigue necessary for a great read.
All of Alexander’s books are HUMAN authored, without the use of generative A.I.
If you have enjoyed his work, he would love to hear from you!
Email: aelliottbooks@gmail.com
Website: https://aelliottbooks.com/
The author is praised for exceptional storytelling and creative world-building. He strives for realistic, well-developed characters, emotional depth, sizzling romance, and all the adventure, action, and intrigue necessary for a great read.
All of Alexander’s books are HUMAN authored, without the use of generative A.I.
If you have enjoyed his work, he would love to hear from you!
Email: aelliottbooks@gmail.com
Website: https://aelliottbooks.com/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 27, 2017
I wanted this to be much better than it was. I like the idea of working class heroes--particularly those doing everyday kinds of jobs like in retail. I love two older heroes.
It is a sweet romance with some nice dating which I am always a fan of in my love stories but we get told about characters more than character development. I am happy for a low angst book but a lot of opportunities were missed here in terms of being a character driven story.
It is a bit dull. Pleasant but dull. I will check out another book in the series to see if it gets better.
It is a sweet romance with some nice dating which I am always a fan of in my love stories but we get told about characters more than character development. I am happy for a low angst book but a lot of opportunities were missed here in terms of being a character driven story.
It is a bit dull. Pleasant but dull. I will check out another book in the series to see if it gets better.
November 28, 2017
Mitch is a divorcee whose kids encourage to get out more. Karl's longtime partner died eight years ago. They meet at the new dog park, sparks fly, and love ensues.
Told in a dual first person POV, this is a low angst, insta-love romance between two working class men in their fifties with a HEA.
I loved the middle-aged aspect, but didn't feel like it was really well fleshed-out. Part of that was because of the speed in which the two meet, fall in love, and change their lives completely (a few weeks start to finish with an epilogue two years later), and part is the prose (often purple) that the author employs.
My biggest issue beyond the crazy fast insta-love is that the formatting on this could use a lot of work.
Often times there would be two conversations within the same paragraph, with no formatted delineation as to who was speaking requiring the paragraphs to be reread multiple times to try to figure out who was speaking, taking the reader out of the story.
Bottom line: Lots of tell, would have liked more show.
Told in a dual first person POV, this is a low angst, insta-love romance between two working class men in their fifties with a HEA.
I loved the middle-aged aspect, but didn't feel like it was really well fleshed-out. Part of that was because of the speed in which the two meet, fall in love, and change their lives completely (a few weeks start to finish with an epilogue two years later), and part is the prose (often purple) that the author employs.
My biggest issue beyond the crazy fast insta-love is that the formatting on this could use a lot of work.
Often times there would be two conversations within the same paragraph, with no formatted delineation as to who was speaking requiring the paragraphs to be reread multiple times to try to figure out who was speaking, taking the reader out of the story.
Bottom line: Lots of tell, would have liked more show.
October 13, 2020
New to me author. This was a mm contemporary story. Main characters are Karl and Mitch. Older man who have had previous lives and are lonely find each other in a bark park. Insta love. Great story about hope.
April 4, 2020
Okay till 45% then so predictable with wonderful vs horrible people & all problems magically solved…
April 22, 2018
This is a very nice story, somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. It's a contemporary romance between two men their 50s, which I really enjoyed reading for a change. It's pretty much pure fluff, with no conflict between the main characters and lots of sweet domestic moments.
The first part is about the two of them dating, with a lot of sexual tension. They decide to wait a little while to have sex for the first time. Then there are a lot of sex scenes. They aren't kinky but they're slightly unusual, in terms of what usually happens in m/m romance novels, which is great. I also really like that the characters communicate so clearly about sex.
There's a plot having to do with Mitch's bad retail job which gets resolved partly because of how supportive Karl is, which I thought was very romantic. Karl has two dogs who have their own personalities, and of course I enjoyed everything about them. Both men have had hard times in their lives, but the story doesn't dwell on their pasts. The ending is very happy.
A mild criticism: in general, the dialogue in this book doesn't feel realistic to me. The characters use each other's first names all the time, and they rarely use contractions. I think the book needed a little bit more editing.
Overall, I liked this, and I'll read this author again.
The first part is about the two of them dating, with a lot of sexual tension. They decide to wait a little while to have sex for the first time. Then there are a lot of sex scenes. They aren't kinky but they're slightly unusual, in terms of what usually happens in m/m romance novels, which is great. I also really like that the characters communicate so clearly about sex.
There's a plot having to do with Mitch's bad retail job which gets resolved partly because of how supportive Karl is, which I thought was very romantic. Karl has two dogs who have their own personalities, and of course I enjoyed everything about them. Both men have had hard times in their lives, but the story doesn't dwell on their pasts. The ending is very happy.
A mild criticism: in general, the dialogue in this book doesn't feel realistic to me. The characters use each other's first names all the time, and they rarely use contractions. I think the book needed a little bit more editing.
Overall, I liked this, and I'll read this author again.
August 21, 2017
1.5
This is the first and last book that I will read by this author. The best way for me to describe it is laughably ridiculous. So many small boring details are given... such as putting on harnesses and clicking on leashes and yet the truly in depth things that make a mediocre story into a good book are completely omitted. Also it's all telling no showing and the language is what you'd expect from a historical romance... throbbing members, pulsing manhood. SMH... Not my preferred reading. Furthermore it's insta love and all takes place in a couple of weeks.
I don't recommend this and I won't be reading more by this author.
This is the first and last book that I will read by this author. The best way for me to describe it is laughably ridiculous. So many small boring details are given... such as putting on harnesses and clicking on leashes and yet the truly in depth things that make a mediocre story into a good book are completely omitted. Also it's all telling no showing and the language is what you'd expect from a historical romance... throbbing members, pulsing manhood. SMH... Not my preferred reading. Furthermore it's insta love and all takes place in a couple of weeks.
I don't recommend this and I won't be reading more by this author.
April 13, 2021
Growing Older
Elliott has written a wonderful sappy romance about two 50-something men. The plot is simple as Mitch, divorced grandfather and retail worker, and Karl, part time nurse and survivor to his partner, along with Karl's two dogs Blaze and Nike, find love in later middle age. The relationship grows slowly and deliberately, albeit daily over a few weeks, and the author shows a realistic appreciation of male-male involvement than typically portrayed in this genre. It was also great reading of Karl and Mitch's contrasts - experience, physicality and height - as the day-to-day of normal life passes.
Elliott has written a wonderful sappy romance about two 50-something men. The plot is simple as Mitch, divorced grandfather and retail worker, and Karl, part time nurse and survivor to his partner, along with Karl's two dogs Blaze and Nike, find love in later middle age. The relationship grows slowly and deliberately, albeit daily over a few weeks, and the author shows a realistic appreciation of male-male involvement than typically portrayed in this genre. It was also great reading of Karl and Mitch's contrasts - experience, physicality and height - as the day-to-day of normal life passes.
January 14, 2019
Not a great story, but not awful either. The story itself was interesting, but everything was a little flat...it was sort of sweet and a little conflict-y, without anything being very urgent or intense. I think this author has a ways to go in his writing journey...
October 29, 2017
sweet over 50's romance.
April 17, 2023
Short & Sweet
This is sweet story. A chance meeting brings Mitch & Karl together and sparks fly from the start. It is all worth reading to get to their HEA.
This is sweet story. A chance meeting brings Mitch & Karl together and sparks fly from the start. It is all worth reading to get to their HEA.
September 21, 2018
This was a short quick sweet read that I liked. Mitch Graham and Karl Hartman are meant for each other. Mitch works as a gardener at Green's Thump and Karl works from home. When Mitch decides to visit a dog park a greyhound takes a liking to him turns out the dog belongs to Karl. Karl hires Mitch to work on his front yard they get closer. I really liked both of these character's they weren't twenty somethings they are both middle age and both knew what they want. They were both going through the motions of the life that they had. This was my first time reading this author and this book did have a few errors in it, but this was a really sweet read with no drama with exs or anything like that it was very real and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
December 17, 2020
Mature Love. Wonderful.
What a treasure to have a story about two mature, in their fifties, men. They are not billionaires. Yes, the love developed quickly, but they had enough life experience to understand how precious love was. I also liked that adult children were not selfish snots.
The only thing that bothered me was the editing mistakes. They weren't many, but they did stop my reading flow. Also something that happened toward the end that the reader was told about. I would rather have "been there." I want more mature stiries.
What a treasure to have a story about two mature, in their fifties, men. They are not billionaires. Yes, the love developed quickly, but they had enough life experience to understand how precious love was. I also liked that adult children were not selfish snots.
The only thing that bothered me was the editing mistakes. They weren't many, but they did stop my reading flow. Also something that happened toward the end that the reader was told about. I would rather have "been there." I want more mature stiries.
May 29, 2020
What a wondrous story...
It was so refreshing to read a M/M Gay story that was about established men. Most gay fiction features young studs, not middle ages men, and it was a down right delicious!! Thank you, to the author from this 50 year old gay man! It was well worth the read!
It was so refreshing to read a M/M Gay story that was about established men. Most gay fiction features young studs, not middle ages men, and it was a down right delicious!! Thank you, to the author from this 50 year old gay man! It was well worth the read!
January 23, 2021
Sweet do-over
This was a sweet romance. I really enjoyed the couple being older, yet living full lives. It was a bit insta-love, yet both were aware of things moving fast and stopped to think a bit, and discuss it with each other. There were realistic awkward moments where they were worried about doing the wrong thing or pushing boundaries. MC1 gets a do-over, and changes his life (for the better)with the help and support of MC2, and that made the story heartwarming. It's subtle, and not a big issue, but MC2 gets a bit of a fresh start himself, with a chance of a new love.
This was a sweet romance. I really enjoyed the couple being older, yet living full lives. It was a bit insta-love, yet both were aware of things moving fast and stopped to think a bit, and discuss it with each other. There were realistic awkward moments where they were worried about doing the wrong thing or pushing boundaries. MC1 gets a do-over, and changes his life (for the better)with the help and support of MC2, and that made the story heartwarming. It's subtle, and not a big issue, but MC2 gets a bit of a fresh start himself, with a chance of a new love.
July 27, 2022
Say yes, babe!
The main attraction of this book for me was the main characters were older, in their 50’s (older than me, finally!). It was a very simple love story: two men met, they fell in love and lived happily ever after. The MCs were adorable and the dogs were a bonus for this dog lover. So say yes and read this short and sweet love story.
The main attraction of this book for me was the main characters were older, in their 50’s (older than me, finally!). It was a very simple love story: two men met, they fell in love and lived happily ever after. The MCs were adorable and the dogs were a bonus for this dog lover. So say yes and read this short and sweet love story.
November 1, 2018
Wonderful story.
July 21, 2019
I like the focus on an older couple, but way too much listing out of every single mundane thing they do throughout their days--in great detail it goes on and on about every step of how they pay their bills or how they make breakfast or how they clean up the dogs' poop.
April 11, 2021
Older Men Find. Love Story
Mitch Graham was a divorced man with two children and three grandchildren. He had come out to his kids after the divorce and they supported him fully. Karl Hartman had lost his husband ago and lived with his dogs and worked from home. From the moment they meet the know what they want. A sweet romance with older men.
Mitch Graham was a divorced man with two children and three grandchildren. He had come out to his kids after the divorce and they supported him fully. Karl Hartman had lost his husband ago and lived with his dogs and worked from home. From the moment they meet the know what they want. A sweet romance with older men.
April 12, 2021
Never too late
This story proves you are never too old to fall in love. Mitch and Karl are 50+ men who are single and meet each other at a dog park and find their happy ever after. I enjoyed their short story.
This story proves you are never too old to fall in love. Mitch and Karl are 50+ men who are single and meet each other at a dog park and find their happy ever after. I enjoyed their short story.
January 9, 2022
This book is a beautiful gay tale of two Salt and pepper single sexy men named Mitch and Karl finding happiness in life and getting their groove back!!
April 12, 2021
A sweet and cute read.
I really enjoyed the story, it was sweet and flowed easily. It proves that you are never too old to find love.
I really enjoyed the story, it was sweet and flowed easily. It proves that you are never too old to find love.
May 31, 2020
So stinking cute! I mean, come on! This was cute, sweet, loving, did I say cute?, and adorable! Mitch and Karl were perfect, made for each other. Both in their mid '50's, both alone and lonely, both loving dogs, and that is how they met, at the dog park. Such a cozy, light romance with no angst, my first with this author. I really liked having older mc's, I've read a lot of age gap mm, but this was new to me and I loved it. Romance can come at any age.
May 9, 2021
Love In Our, Golden Years
Absolutely loved this story. I'm 56 I have never experienced the kind of love that Mitch and Karl have for each other. Beautiful and we!! Written. Having Blaze and Nike in the story was brilliant. I'm ready to go and get 2 rescue dogs. Maybe I will find my soul mate soon enough. A dream come true
Absolutely loved this story. I'm 56 I have never experienced the kind of love that Mitch and Karl have for each other. Beautiful and we!! Written. Having Blaze and Nike in the story was brilliant. I'm ready to go and get 2 rescue dogs. Maybe I will find my soul mate soon enough. A dream come true
May 1, 2023
Charming
As a gay man of "a certain age", I was curious how the author would handle the main theme of the story
He hit a home run.
But this book NOW‼️🤣
As a gay man of "a certain age", I was curious how the author would handle the main theme of the story
He hit a home run.
But this book NOW‼️🤣
April 25, 2021
Lovely read
I really enjoyed this book especially with the older characters. Mitch and Karl were adorable together. There was very little angst or drama. An overall enjoyable, sweet read.
I really enjoyed this book especially with the older characters. Mitch and Karl were adorable together. There was very little angst or drama. An overall enjoyable, sweet read.
January 3, 2021
Great Job! Two thumbs up!
Really enjoyed Mitch and Karl's story. Not a fluffy puffy story, but a genuine, this how it goes read!
I loved their meeting and growth as a couple. Very sweet read!
Really enjoyed Mitch and Karl's story. Not a fluffy puffy story, but a genuine, this how it goes read!
I loved their meeting and growth as a couple. Very sweet read!
March 29, 2023
This love story between two mature men, Mitch and Karl, was a great and gently read, which I enjoyed reading.
August 24, 2019
The veriest of mehs. I was intrigued by older MCs, but the writing is very basic and the dual first person pov did not do enough to distinguish the voices. There's barely any plot or conflict. I only finished it bc it was quite short and I skimmed a couple of parts. Really wanted to like it more . . .
March 2, 2019
Enjoyed
This book started out kind of stilted but after the first couple chapters it started to flow very nicely and became a very sweet love story. I could feel my eyes getting misty and my throat tighten the more I got to know Karl and Mitch. I really really enjoyed it.
This book started out kind of stilted but after the first couple chapters it started to flow very nicely and became a very sweet love story. I could feel my eyes getting misty and my throat tighten the more I got to know Karl and Mitch. I really really enjoyed it.
July 24, 2019
Finally a great gay story
Loved this. Gives the reader a feel of love. But also shows how much discrimination there is in the world. Six star book.
Loved this. Gives the reader a feel of love. But also shows how much discrimination there is in the world. Six star book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews