Marcus’s Cadence

Love in Mission City #2.5

by Gabbi Grey

What happens when your biggest crush turns up on your doorstep after twelve years?

Cadence Crawford has a good thing going. He’s making waves as a realtor in Mission City, British Columbia. Yes, he’s recently suffered a personal loss, but he’s moving on, and his path forward includes selling the only true home he’s ever known.

Marcus Brannigan is doing fine. He has his physiotherapy practice, he watches over his younger twin sisters, and he’s happy. When he unexpectedly runs into Cadence, who is selling the home he’s always coveted, he’s prepared to do some negotiating.

Neither knew they were seriously crushing on each other. Now they’ve admitted the truth, is happily ever after in the cards?

Marcus’s Cadence is a 7k second-chance gay romance instalove short story with a very happy ending and a malti-poo named Kiki.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, LGBT, Audiobook, Novella

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2022

About the author

Gabbi lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black.

Reviews

[Moraa · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC

[Mariah · Rating 1 out of 5]

"i've loved you since you were underage"
big ick

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a true disappointment. Ten pages of another book's teaser after a very short fuck.

[Lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this one up for free during a Bookfunnel promotion one day and I was looking for a m/m romance book when I decided to read this one. I felt like I was thrown in the middle of the story with awkward dialogue trying to convey the whole background and story of these two characters, I wouldn't have minded a bit more telling and information so I could get a better grip on them. I just felt this book would've worked better if it was a bit longer and there was a bit more to it.

It's a very quick read, there is some depth to the characters, but it's added in bits and pieces and I felt I never got the full picture. It turns steamy quite quickly. The romance also develops really quickly, it has some second chance vibes with hints of these two already knowing each other, so that helps a bit. But it's hard to fully feel the extend of it as this one was such a short read.

I also didn't realize this was part of a series and it's not the first book. Maybe it all makes more sense if you read the series?

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabbi Grey's Marcus's Cadence lays the groundwork for a really nice full length romance novel.

I love the premise of characters meeting years later and exploring their mutual attraction. Plus Marcus and Cadence are both interesting guys, with creative backstories, and they have terrific chemistry. Gabbi Grey always writes a hot physical romance scene, and this one has a doozie.

Michael Dean turns in his consistently excellent performance in the audio version.

an audiobook copy of Ace's Place was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Katherine Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Been in Love with One Man!

Martha's Cadence: WOW!Another great addition to the.Mission City series. I liked how Cadence and Marcus reconnected after all these years. Cadence never know Marcus's true feelings for him. It was a wonderful story!

[mmreads430 · Rating 5 out of 5]

*audiobook version* When you come face to face with your childhood friend’s older brother, whom you’ve had a crush on since ALWAYS, and find out it might not have been one-sided…. Wait! What? Cadence, a real estate agent (and Mission City side character from Stanley’s Christmas Redemption), is selling the home he grew up in, and themes of home and found family are beautifully interwoven in this vignette in which Cadence and Marcus reunite after several years. This passionate story is exquisite in its brevity, with nuanced narration from Michael Dean.

[Monika · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very promising story but I needed more. There wasn't enough back story so some of what the MCs talked about (there wasn't much deep conversation happening) didn't mean anything to me at times it was even a bit confusing, also the ending was very abrupt. This felt more like a sample or tease of something to come rather than an actual short story. For me a successful short story needs a beginning, a middle and an end this was missing the beginning and a satisfying end.

QUICK THOUGHTS
-- Quick easy read -- I see a promising second chance story here -- I got the impression there's an age difference, have no idea how much -- not enough info for my liking -- long time crush on both sides -- in the closet -- some kind of previous family drama (would have liked more info) -- first time/a 31 year old virgin -- I couldn't connect to the MCs... Cadence & Marcus (again not enough info) -- this was pretty much one scene of their first time together not long after reconnecting (within a few hours I'd say) -- abrupt ending -- too many unanswered questions -- short, less than 50 pages

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really short story that has Marcus and Cadence reconnecting, knowing each other as kids when Cadence was best friends with Marcus's younger sister. It's by chance that Marcus turns up to the open house that Cadence is the realtor for and it's pretty much an insta lust moment with them getting together and speaking about something together as a future but not any further than that.
There is a lot packed into the short story that we have but, for me personally, I can imagine it having so much more. It's a romantic second chance that has a dose of hot and heavy with some real reconnecting that has hope for them as a couple, something I hope we get another book for!
Michael's narration brings this short story to life and packs in the emotion that they both experience.
It's enjoyable overall, even if it's over a little quick.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, hot insta-love

Cadence and Marcus knew each other 12 years ago, but life had moved on. That was until Cadence put his childhood home up for sale, and Marcus wanted to buy it.

This is a lovely story, quick hot love/sex—very short insta-love book. We do get our HEA.

Michael Dean did an excellent job of narrating this book. He managed to portray the emotions of the characters. As usual, I did speed up the recording to 1.25 on Audible.

Marcus's Cadence
A Mission City Gay Romance Short Story
By: Gabbi Grey
Narrated by: Michael Dean
Length: 45 mins

❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.25 speed on Audible

I received this audiobook for free from GRR at my request. My review is my opinion and an honest review - neither the author nor GRR influenced my opinion.

[Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m reviewing the audio edition. This is a very short story. Short stories are hard to write because a author doesn’t have a lot of words to describe backgrounds, scenarios and a ending. I feel those things are what is missing from this story. What is here is part of a good story. Cadence being a realtor is showing a listing that is the house he grew up in. He didn’t expect Marcus to be interested and showing up for a tour. As they reconnect more and more comes out about each having an attraction to the other. I feel this story is part too much crammed in and a lot left out. This should have been longer and would have been a much better story. As usual Michael Deans performance makes characters come alive. Again he does an excellent performance.

[Sharon L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noooo... Please say there is more!!! 😢

This is a short, sweet, love story written by an author that is new to me. As always Michael Dean did a fantastic job in the narration of this book, he has a way of making a book come to life.

I won't reiterate what the book cover says, because you can read that for yourself. This book needs to be the start of a series... I would read this for sure. I want to know more about these two characters, there is definitely something there that could make a full length story. I will definitely read more from this author.

Dance partner's older brother, acquaintance to lovers, low angst.

[Saya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short sweet story with some unexpected added heat.

Narration: 4 ⭐️
Michael Dean narrated this short story by Gabbi Grey, he did a great job with it .
Great energy and heat when the situation called for it. Clear smooth voice, with a nice depth to it. Very nice to listen to.

Story: 4 ⭐️
This short story, as one would suspect jumps straight in to the story. Cadence and Marcus are good characters, I like the vibes they have between them.
Definitely which they had a full novel and not just a short. Marcus is surprisingly sweet, like a big muscly teddy bear 🧸.

Definitely recommend this toasty short, perfect to make your chores at home much more interesting and fun doing 😃

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5

Great short story!

This was short and hot. I love second chance stories and this was a really good one. I don’t expect the same things from a short story that I might from a longer book. I think Gabbi Grey did a great job of writing a short story that felt much longer. Michael Dean did another great job with the audiobook.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

[Victoria (audio_enabler) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this story a couple of times, trying to determine if I missed something as Marcus and Cadence talk about people, and I have no idea who they are or what happened. However, there is no indication that I need to listen to anything before diving into this short story.

Old sparks reignite as Marcus and Cadence see each other for the first time. It's insta-love, and they begin planning a future together. I would have liked more background. With no context for who they were talking about, I felt lost.

Micheal Dean did a great job with the narration.

[Justine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

an audio review

a sweet moment in time

Marcus's Cadence is a sweet friends to lovers short story as Cadence and Marcus reunite after twelve years. These two are just adorable together and as soon as the book was over I wanted to start it all over again. We get to share a brief moment in their lives as they reconnect and discover their shared feelings for each other.
Narrator Michael Dean does a fabulous job. He really has a way to bring out the emotions of the characters in any given moment.

[L.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story felt like the introduction to something bigger, which makes me super excited. I really want more of Marcus and Cadence story. Although this was a short story, I still thought it felt complete (even though I want more). I love the re-kindling of feelings that burst into a passionate insta-love romance. It was sexy, it was sweet, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The audiobook was narrated by Michael Dean who did a fabulous job.

[Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is very short and steamy. Two men who knew each other years ago suddenly meet each other again and sparks fly. The story is short, but manages a HEA, nonetheless. The glimpse that you get of these two made me want to hear more about them. They are wonderful characters and the story was simply satisfying.

The narrator Michael Dean did a wonderful job with the audiobook. He had a great voice for the two characters.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short novella. It is the story of Marcus and Cadence who have been friends for years but when Cadence decides that he wants to sell his house Marcus decides that he wants to buy it. Since it is so short there isn't much development, but it is a quick fun read. Hope it becomes fleshed out at some point though. The audio was great, and Micheal Dean was great. I definitely recommend it!

[Beagle Lover (Avid Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A too-short story that didn't hold my interest, as I had not read any other books in the series. It felt like I walked into a movie that was over half over and could not connect with the script.

One a positive note, the writing was clean and crisp, if a tad overly mushy. I am not prepared to abandon this author based on this single story. I think I would enjoy a full novel immensely. But these few pages, while heat driven, just weren't enough.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short short but sexy as heck and so sweet as two men meet again 12 years later, never realizing back then they both hungered for each other. Let me tell you, in the cute cottage bedroom they more than make up for it, especially when there is a sudden twist in the tale that makes it all the sweeter.

[Bronwyn Heeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is basically a sex scene only, which is completely fine except there was this backstory that didn't really fit the short story theme because there was a very large and complicated story that was just like a footnote in short story about best-friend brother getting together when they are all grown up.

I really enjoyed the audio for this book

[Mrs.V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was lovely and had so much potential, I really hope someone it could be expanded to a full-size novel!
I loved that Marcus and Cadence has been secretly crushing on each other since they were teenagers and never knew, until they are unexpectedly brought together by a twist of fate disguised as a house sale!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, sweet inst-love story.

A short, sweet inst-love story.
Cadence meets up with his his teenage crush, Marcus while showing the house he grew up in. Turns out Marcus never forgot Cadence. Their reconnection rekindles the attraction on both sides and they really 'reconnect'!
Michael Dean definitely turns up the sultry connection between both men. Easy listen!

[Antoinette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a book nor is it a short story. At best it covers an hour or less in the MCs' lives. It describes a hook up and leaves A LOT of unanswered questions about the MCs and several other people who are mentioned. It really deserves only one star but it would make a good intro to a story, (good enough to trick me into getting it); so, I've given it two.

[Cathy Brockman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good short story with all the feels.
If you like unrequited crushes, 31 year old virgins and just a really sweet romance to kill an hour this is a good one.
I just wish it was longer… it felt a little unfinished. I would gladly have listened to more!
And the narrator really brings all the feelings home!

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really not good. A heated kiss, a declaration of love after not having seen each other in a decade (bleurgh), a promise of more upstairs and... they continue the fucking house showing? What the heck? Weird pacing, little character development, plot all calling to things that happen in other books, probably, so this doesn't work as a standalone.

[DC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did I miss something? This whole story was really one big pick-up scene. It could have been a scene or a chapter cut during the editing of a full length story. We’re thrown a meager few tidbits about our MCs but I still can’t tell you anything worthwhile about either Cadence or Marcus. And Marcus is a 31-year old virgin who is afraid to come out; good luck with that one Cadence

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't impressed by this because who the hell tells someone they're in love with them because they were just that over ten years ago?
The writing isn't bad, but the story and the characters lack maturity. To me it would've made more sense to have them not saying that they loved each other the moment they laid their eyes on the other for the first time in over a decade.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't take long to get through this one but it is still a good short story. A good sort of second chance story with great narration by Michael Dean

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion