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Bite Me
Tommy Nguyen and Felix Pearce have a perfect relationship. A perfect working relationship. Tommy’s the star of a hit kids’ TV show, and Felix is the cameraman who makes sure he always looks good. When a scheduling mishap coincides with the end of Tommy’s personal relationship, the two find themselves alone in a North Carolina hotel room with only one bed and time to kill.
What happens in Asheville stays in Asheville--right?
Bite Me (i love you) is a standalone novella of approximately 20,000 words. It references characters from The Reality of Us, and contains mild spoilers for that story.
Content warnings: Contains mention of off page gun violence affecting a secondary character in the past.
What happens in Asheville stays in Asheville--right?
Bite Me (i love you) is a standalone novella of approximately 20,000 words. It references characters from The Reality of Us, and contains mild spoilers for that story.
Content warnings: Contains mention of off page gun violence affecting a secondary character in the past.
ebook
Published May 5, 2022
3 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa North
42 books522 followersAuthor of over a dozen novels, novellas, and short stories, Vanessa North delights in giving happy-ever-afters to characters who don’t think they deserve them. Relentless curiosity led her to take up knitting and run a few marathons “just to see if she could.” She started writing for the same reason. Her very patient husband pretends not to notice when her hobbies take over the house. Living and writing in Northwest Georgia, she finds her attempts to keep a quiet home are frequently thwarted by twin boy-children and a very, very large dog.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 13, 2025
Whenever I read a story with an Asian love interest, I’m always a little wary. Weary too! I've just recently learned that those are two different words with two different definitions. Learning is fun! Anyway, I’ve often found that Asians are often over-sexualized, weirdly infantilized, or a creepy combination of both. So I’m happy to report that Tommy Nguyen was none of those. Woohoo! But I guess after I wrote that shit The Monkey Paw curled because instead he unfortunately had the personality of a tree stump... and the other guy has one of a wet blanket, so it was a match made in heaven then? Everybody wins except the reader. Yay!
I usually don’t do the whole “real star-rating” thing, but this book is the most “3.5” book out there, so that’s my rating. Cute, short, and light on the drama, it’s the perfect beach read, really. I mean, I wouldn’t actually know, I hate reading at the beach.
I usually don’t do the whole “real star-rating” thing, but this book is the most “3.5” book out there, so that’s my rating. Cute, short, and light on the drama, it’s the perfect beach read, really. I mean, I wouldn’t actually know, I hate reading at the beach.
May 5, 2022
STEAMY FRIENDS TO LOVERS ROMANCE!
A charming workplace friends to lovers story with bite!
Tommy Nguyen is a gay in the closet tv celebrity hosting a children's science show who has a friends with benefit deal with his ex in Ashville but nobody knows or so he thinks.....
Felix Pearce is his cameraman and has had a crush on Tommy for five years but just observes Tommy through the camera lens and accompanies him to locations to shoot but that all changes when they go to Ashville.....
One bed to share for two days and a remark made by Felix that he is gay and 'WHEN I FU*K, I leave marks" leaves Tommy curious and intrigued.....
Their dynamic changes with a near death experience, a shared kink and four words between them to let each other know they are loved "Science is the coolest."
Will this enable Tommy to finally step out of the closet in front of millions of viewers?
"Science is the coolest".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A charming workplace friends to lovers story with bite!
Tommy Nguyen is a gay in the closet tv celebrity hosting a children's science show who has a friends with benefit deal with his ex in Ashville but nobody knows or so he thinks.....
Felix Pearce is his cameraman and has had a crush on Tommy for five years but just observes Tommy through the camera lens and accompanies him to locations to shoot but that all changes when they go to Ashville.....
One bed to share for two days and a remark made by Felix that he is gay and 'WHEN I FU*K, I leave marks" leaves Tommy curious and intrigued.....
Their dynamic changes with a near death experience, a shared kink and four words between them to let each other know they are loved "Science is the coolest."
Will this enable Tommy to finally step out of the closet in front of millions of viewers?
"Science is the coolest".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2022
Trigger Warnings: Off page past gun violence, homophobia, ptsd, cursing, sex, boat crash, being stranded, coming out
Representation: Gay, Asian: Vietnamese, Lesbian
Bite Me (I Love You) is a novella about science tv show host, Thomas, and Felix, his cameraman, as they travel for work and end up sleeping together. What happens on the trip stays there, right?
This eARC was provided by the author via BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fabulous, steamy short story if you’re looking for a quick to bed romance! The novella is very smutty but isn’t all sex. The characters are complicated and layered, with a storyline that is so much more than sex for 70 pages! The pacing is quick but I think it’s appropriate for these characters.
Representation: Gay, Asian: Vietnamese, Lesbian
Bite Me (I Love You) is a novella about science tv show host, Thomas, and Felix, his cameraman, as they travel for work and end up sleeping together. What happens on the trip stays there, right?
This eARC was provided by the author via BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fabulous, steamy short story if you’re looking for a quick to bed romance! The novella is very smutty but isn’t all sex. The characters are complicated and layered, with a storyline that is so much more than sex for 70 pages! The pacing is quick but I think it’s appropriate for these characters.
January 15, 2024
3.25 stars 🌟 Felix x Tommy
"Science is cool, and I love you too."
friends to lovers x colleagues x one bed trope x biting kink x smutty novella
This story would have worked better as a full on novel with alternating povs.
"Science is cool, and I love you too."
friends to lovers x colleagues x one bed trope x biting kink x smutty novella
This story would have worked better as a full on novel with alternating povs.
December 13, 2023
Smut with an interesting friends to lovers trope.This is what I love about this book. Although the smut scenes are steaming hot, the complexities of each character makes everything spicier. The changes in the dynamics of the relationship of the two protagonist made things more interesting and I think this story deserve a full pledge novel sequel.
May 5, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this. There were good elements, but they really didn’t come together effectively by the end (or in the middle).
A number of conflicts were set up at the beginning (they were coworkers, one didn’t realize the other knew he was gay, one was still in touch with his ex, one of the characters not wanting to come out due to his job) and then were hand-waved away 40 pages later. Why even include those conflicts if the author didn’t actually want to explore them? The story started out as them casually hooking up and within a week they were declaring their love for each other. This just didn’t seem realistic at all. It seemed like the author wrote the first half of this as a fun story of two characters hooking up because they had nothing better to do, and the second half as some dramatic declaration of love/coming out story. Tonally it just didn’t make sense at all.
Not to mention the second half was mostly taken up by them getting lost at sea during a rainstorm? If anything that being a plot point made me like the main characters less because they were written as so dumb that they took a boat out despite knowing there would be bad weather.
YMMV but everything to do with the one character not wanting to come out, changing his mind for no clear reason, and the scene where he discussed how to do it with his PR didn’t seem realistic to me. I didn’t get the sense that the author really understood the issues they were talking about; it seemed more like they simply wanted to have a plot for a gay character and that arc was the easiest one for them to throw in. I’m a little leery of when authors seem more focused on the societal drama of coming out rather than the personal motivations - it feels a little like the author is used to experiencing those moments when they see some celebrity come out in People Magazine, and like they haven’t necessarily prioritized empathy with/understanding of the individual person making that decision.
Also, based on the price I definitely thought this would be longer.
A number of conflicts were set up at the beginning (they were coworkers, one didn’t realize the other knew he was gay, one was still in touch with his ex, one of the characters not wanting to come out due to his job) and then were hand-waved away 40 pages later. Why even include those conflicts if the author didn’t actually want to explore them? The story started out as them casually hooking up and within a week they were declaring their love for each other. This just didn’t seem realistic at all. It seemed like the author wrote the first half of this as a fun story of two characters hooking up because they had nothing better to do, and the second half as some dramatic declaration of love/coming out story. Tonally it just didn’t make sense at all.
Not to mention the second half was mostly taken up by them getting lost at sea during a rainstorm? If anything that being a plot point made me like the main characters less because they were written as so dumb that they took a boat out despite knowing there would be bad weather.
YMMV but everything to do with the one character not wanting to come out, changing his mind for no clear reason, and the scene where he discussed how to do it with his PR didn’t seem realistic to me. I didn’t get the sense that the author really understood the issues they were talking about; it seemed more like they simply wanted to have a plot for a gay character and that arc was the easiest one for them to throw in. I’m a little leery of when authors seem more focused on the societal drama of coming out rather than the personal motivations - it feels a little like the author is used to experiencing those moments when they see some celebrity come out in People Magazine, and like they haven’t necessarily prioritized empathy with/understanding of the individual person making that decision.
Also, based on the price I definitely thought this would be longer.
May 5, 2022
Felix and Tommy . . .
Tommy Nguyen hosts a children’s science TV show, “Science Sunday”, while Felix Pearce is his cameraman. The two have worked together for quite some time. When they took a break, Felix watched Tommy stretch but had to look away. Through his camera, he could look all day. But he didn’t want to be caught staring at the actual man. Tommy had an ex he visited in Asheville every so often. So when the travel desk assumed Tommy and Felix were traveling together to their next job, a non-refundable flight for both was booked to Asheville, then on to Maine later. But when Tommy arrived at Alden’s house, something was different. Apparently Alden had found someone else after the years since their breakup. Tommy was happy for him, but now had to find someplace to stay. This time, Tommy broke it off with Alden permanently.
Texting Felix, Tommy headed back and they would go out for lunch. But when Tommy knocked on his hotel door, he had his luggage with him! A big wedding and a convention took up all the extra rooms. So he asked if he could stay with Felix.
Since Tommy would be in the same room, Felix needed him to understand that he didn’t want this awkwardness to mess up their work relationship. Tommy assumed he was letting him down easy. Instead, he laid the ground rules and they could negotiate the rest. He had told Tommy that he “left marks” when he was with a partner. Tommy’s curiosity just had to know about that. So Felix smiled and kissed him. Then he told him what he meant, and that no marks would show on camera. Would Tommy want to proceed? Or would the awkwardness be too much to get over?
Tommy Nguyen hosts a children’s science TV show, “Science Sunday”, while Felix Pearce is his cameraman. The two have worked together for quite some time. When they took a break, Felix watched Tommy stretch but had to look away. Through his camera, he could look all day. But he didn’t want to be caught staring at the actual man. Tommy had an ex he visited in Asheville every so often. So when the travel desk assumed Tommy and Felix were traveling together to their next job, a non-refundable flight for both was booked to Asheville, then on to Maine later. But when Tommy arrived at Alden’s house, something was different. Apparently Alden had found someone else after the years since their breakup. Tommy was happy for him, but now had to find someplace to stay. This time, Tommy broke it off with Alden permanently.
Texting Felix, Tommy headed back and they would go out for lunch. But when Tommy knocked on his hotel door, he had his luggage with him! A big wedding and a convention took up all the extra rooms. So he asked if he could stay with Felix.
Since Tommy would be in the same room, Felix needed him to understand that he didn’t want this awkwardness to mess up their work relationship. Tommy assumed he was letting him down easy. Instead, he laid the ground rules and they could negotiate the rest. He had told Tommy that he “left marks” when he was with a partner. Tommy’s curiosity just had to know about that. So Felix smiled and kissed him. Then he told him what he meant, and that no marks would show on camera. Would Tommy want to proceed? Or would the awkwardness be too much to get over?
April 29, 2022
Felix has spent years watching Tommy through a camera lens, and they have an excellent working relationship that’s actually a friendship neither quite acknowledges (with a strong dose of hidden attraction on Felix’s part) when a series of events culminating in that most stalwart of romance tropes (only one bed) leads to something more. I liked that the basis of their relationship is just as much shared history and emotional compatibility as it is physical chemistry and kink (in this case the story’s title is a literal instruction, not just a euphemism). Felix and Tommy make sense together, they’re good for each other, and watching them together is definitely an object lesson in how “science is cool” (that one *is* a euphemism).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 16, 2022
A very sweet and sexy novella!
Felix has been Tommy’s cameraman on his science education show for 5 years, and he’s been crushing on him from behind the camera for years. Felix is pretty sure Tommy is in the closet, but no one knows. When a work trip doesn’t go exactly as planned, Felix finds Tommy asking to crash in his room. His room with one bed.
Tommy and Felix spend an incredibly sexy couple days together, then agree to go back to being colleagues. Easier said than done, now that the intimacy box has been opened, neither man can put the lid back on.
Tommy & Felix are super sweet and so hot together. There’s also a very inspiring, very emotional thread in Tommy’s story that comes together beautifully in the end 💗
Felix has been Tommy’s cameraman on his science education show for 5 years, and he’s been crushing on him from behind the camera for years. Felix is pretty sure Tommy is in the closet, but no one knows. When a work trip doesn’t go exactly as planned, Felix finds Tommy asking to crash in his room. His room with one bed.
Tommy and Felix spend an incredibly sexy couple days together, then agree to go back to being colleagues. Easier said than done, now that the intimacy box has been opened, neither man can put the lid back on.
Tommy & Felix are super sweet and so hot together. There’s also a very inspiring, very emotional thread in Tommy’s story that comes together beautifully in the end 💗
August 28, 2024
This book is sweet and hot, and I'm amazed at how fulfilling it was, considering its length. After five years of friendship, Tommy and Felix get stuck in a one-bed hotel room while on a business trip, and really steamy times ensue. I do love the forced proximity trope! :) The development of their friendship to lovers to being in love is natural and very touching. And when they end up in a life-threatening situation, the depth of their feelings for each other come to the surface. You will fall in love with Tommy and Felix. A very satisfying and lovely read with surprisingly well-fleshed out characters.
April 3, 2022
I just fell in love with this story about Felix and Tommy. It was also good to see how the interaction between Tommy and Alden from The Reality of Us played out from Tommy's point of view. I think that there is a really positive message about the acceptance of gay couples and role models on TV that is portrayed in this story. I really didn't want the story to end as I just wanted to keep reading all the new experiences that Felix and Tommy got to go through together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2022
Tommy and Felix have a solid working relationship as actor and cameraman. There is a bedrock of friendliness and on Felix's part attraction that undergirds their connection. When they find themselves alone in a hotel room with one bed and both available unspoken to this point chemistry takes over and moves them from friendly co-workers to more. Nicely paced novella with likeable characters and a cute storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2022
This to me is a little pearl. wrote a little pearl. The novella felt just right in length and complete storyline. I found it endearing that both Tommy and Felix did not shy away to ask what they needed and wanted. I always appreciate it when an author writes a story with diverse characters who are strong and self aware.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2022
A little angsty, a lot sexy... With a side of deliciousness.
The pace of the relationship between Tommy and Felix was sweet and smooth, taking its time to deliver a perfect payoff- even for something so short, it never seemed that it moved too fast, it was like I couldn't stop reading.
This little novella was not only sweet as heavens, but also hot as all hells. The whole package.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The pace of the relationship between Tommy and Felix was sweet and smooth, taking its time to deliver a perfect payoff- even for something so short, it never seemed that it moved too fast, it was like I couldn't stop reading.
This little novella was not only sweet as heavens, but also hot as all hells. The whole package.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 6, 2022
A long-time working relationship, secret desires, and forced proximity (a shared hotel room with only one bed) lead to the possibility for much more in this short and sweet MM romance. I enjoyed this quick, steamy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 18, 2022
Well written and developed story. Good reality and background that adds to the story. Interesting characters and relationships among them. A little too much angst to my liking.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 28, 2022
The premise of the book is really interesting but there's a bit too much going on in this short book. It felt rushed to me. I did enjoy the overall story though.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2022
This is a fast paced, short story with a side of acceptance that I didn't expect. A classic trope, followed by an usual location/situation. Well written and thought out plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2023
Bite Me is another book that I picked up while in the mood for something short and sweet. It's an MM romance featuring a TV star and his cameraman. The sex took up a little too much of the page time for this couple to be a really good story, but I still enjoyed it for what it was. 4 Stars
May 6, 2023
I really liked this novel and realized I had met the main character, Tommy Nguyen, in another story so it was fun meeting him again. This time he gets the guy lol! This was a smut novel with a little extra bite in it!
May 2, 2022
This was a really good short story with a great storyline and some good characters. It felt a little rushed in some spots and had a lot more angst than I usually go for, but overall it was good.
Read
June 14, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Homomisia
Coming out
Gun violence recounted
Boating accident
Homomisia
Coming out
Gun violence recounted
Boating accident
May 16, 2023
Cute af
May 28, 2023
3.5 stars
August 9, 2023
Sexy and so, so heartwarming.
Also? Science *is* cool!
Also? Science *is* cool!
October 20, 2023
Short and sweet, with an Asian lead. We love to see it
July 21, 2024
I actually liked this dynamic.
May 1, 2023
Really good
This was such a great read! I was after something short but fulfilling, and this delivered. Tommy and Felix are both really likeable characters, and their chemistry seemed natural. The bedroom scenes were HOT. Plus there was some drama and a happy end – what's not to like!? I'll definitely be coming back to this for a re-read!
This was such a great read! I was after something short but fulfilling, and this delivered. Tommy and Felix are both really likeable characters, and their chemistry seemed natural. The bedroom scenes were HOT. Plus there was some drama and a happy end – what's not to like!? I'll definitely be coming back to this for a re-read!
August 5, 2023
Listened to this on audiobook and I genuinely spaced out . I like the Asian rep and... That's pretty much it. The writing was meh, the voice non-existent and i really need to stop reading hook up novellas - i need to be invested in the relationship and characters to care. I was a tiny bit invested in Tommy but Felix was a plank of wood.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews