Bent Corners

by Kris Jacen, Denver Stevens (Narrator)

They say you can find just about anything in a book but who knew you could find love in a bookstore? Riley’s world is upended when he gets a call from the police that his uncle’s in the hospital. Evan’s schedule is turned upside down when he’s in charge of his yaya’s care while his parents are on vacation. Both men have their hands full but it seems fate has something else for them. Seems love in the stacks might be just what each of them needs.

Genres: M M Romance, Audiobook, LGBT, Contemporary, Gay

1 pages, Audiobook

First published June 24, 2019

About the author

Kris Jacen is the Executive Editor and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints. She was invited to join the MLR staff in 2008 and has never looked back. Working with over thirty-five phenomenal authors such as Rick R. Reed, JP Bowie, James Buchanan, J.L. Langley, Ally Blue, Jet Mykles, William Maltese and has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. Kris also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers including Kimberly Gardner, Lex Valentine, S.J. Frost, Patric Michael and Z. Allora. With this stable of talent under her guidance, Kris is quick to tell anyone who will listen that she loves her job. And her authors are just as quick to say that they love their editor.

Reviews

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romantic short story !

Quick, simple and adorable ! An emergency leads to true sexiness and love ! The characters are defined, circumstances explained and a “feel good” ending.
Enjoy !

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bent Corners is my first book by Kris Jacen and I really enjoyed her writing style. Sweet relationships, and an erotic romantic interlude between the MCs. Very nicely done. Plus, how great is the name Bent Corners for a book shop?!

The audio version is performed by Denver Stevens. Another first for me. I liked the voices Mr. Stevens came up with for the characters, and he does a lovely job with the emotions. Well done.

an audiobook copy of Bent Corners was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[TL Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tattoo artist stories are a weakness for me!

Especially ones that are MM. Kris Jacen has a way with words and packs just enough into this quick read to quench your thirst. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Miss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may have just been a bad time for me to read this.

I have read and really enjoyed Kris's stories before, so I will give this 3 stars because focusing to read has been difficult for me the last few days. As short as this is, I wasn't able to sit and consume it all in one go so maybe I missed something. Like any depth to the story, characters or scenes.

It wasn't badly written, just ... rushed? Pointless? Cheesy, trite, uninspired, clichéd, barely worth more than a quick skim through and utterly forgettable?

I really wanted some escapism with this, but just got disappointment in this and I'm currently inclined to be savage. This author can do better and that statement will remain the basic truth even if my mood and opinion do improve some in the future.

[LJ Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley is helping out his uncle at his bookstore, while juggling his tattoo shop too. Evan is helping take care of his grandma and goes into the bookstore to get her a present and strikes up a conversation with Riley. They look pretty different, yet find they have a lot in common and they both feel an attraction from the first meeting and soon are together. I listened to the audio book and did enjoy it. The music between chapters was a nice touch and not something that most audiobooks have. I would have liked a little more story towards the end... it seems kind of rushed. But overall I did enjoy listening to the narration and have enjoyed reading other books by Kris Jensen in the past.

I received and ARC of this audio and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tattoo artist Riley is juggling his uncle’s second-hand bookshop, Bent Corners, after his uncle suffers a heart attack and is hospitalised. Evan comes into the store looking for a book for his ailing grandmother. This instalove short story was pleasant enough, but at 36 pg (72 min on audio) it felt a bit rushed. There were a bunch of different subplots all vying for attention so there wasn’t time to explore anything deeply. I found it equally hard to relate to Riley or Evan because there wasn’t time to sit with the characters. The audio was enthusiastically narrated by Denver Stevens, I liked his Canadian accent.

[Bronwyn Heeley]

a very quick read that i think needed a lot more pages to really explore the story that was trying to be told. It's confusing and overly packed with people that was hard to keep track of and seemed to fill the pages with things that weren't important leaving the romance to be pushed off to the side and rushed. there were really unpleasant people for seemingly the sack of it and it just didn't make sense why it was so fill with characters. but overall, it was a quick read.

the narration was fine, a little inconsistent and all the people pretty much sounded the same creating more confusion than not, but as it's in 3rd person I don't really put that on him.

[Sarah Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bent Corners was the first book that I have listened/ read by Kris Jacen; this quick read was complete in just over an hour. I adored this short story, and it is a great pick me up when you need a quick sweet read, which I did this morning. Denver Stevens narrated the audiobook, and I loved how he brought both characters to life. I was thrown off at the little melody that plays at the beginning of each chapter. But after the first few times, it was a great little detail that I have not seen in other audiobooks.

[Reading to Stay Awake · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
This was a cute as you like story, read by a good enough narrator. His female voices weren't great but everything else was fine. I wasn't offended by anything but particularly liked the way they used music to introduce the chapters and an echo effect for when the characters were having inner monologue moments

I have no reasons why you wouldn't listen to this book if this is your genre xx

I received a copy of this audiobook from Gay Romance Reviews and provide my honest review voluntarily

[Brei-ayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Riley’s world is turned upside down when he gets a call that his Uncle is in the hospital. Leaving him to care for not only his Tattoo shop but his Uncle's bookstore. Evan’s schedule is packed after his parents take a vacation and he's in charge of his yaya's care. When Evan visits the bookstore to buy his yaya a gift he meets Riley. Both have a full plate but can they make it work and find love?

[Justine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

an audio review

Bent Corners is a short, sweet story about how Evan and Riley met. Though it's family drama that ultimately brought Evan and Riley together; Riley looking after his uncle's bookstore and Evan looking after his yaya while his parents are away. Evan and Riley are really sweet together and good for each other. This is an enjoyable story and I'd love more from this world. Cousin Joey needs a story.
Narrator Denver Stevens does a marvelous job.

[Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really short story and with this size a lot is left out. I feel this is more like a sort of prologue. There is a lot of upsetting situations going on for both of the characters. Yet there is an instant attraction that they have to address. I feel there were a number of issues that just didn’t fit together or were left hanging. I think it would have been better if this had been expanded to fit in all that is left out. I feel the narrator, Denver Stevens did a great job.

[Mrs.V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story.
This is a cute short story about two men who meet by chance and find an instant connection. It mostly takes place in Riley’s uncle bookshop, which, to me, is as romantic as it can get.
The book is short, low-angst and enjoyable, but it maybe lacks a bit of depth on certain themes.

[Cherdene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story, story like these makes you cuddle up in bed while reading.
These two MCs needed a break and they found that much needed break with and in each other.
I enjoyed listening to this book, the narrator bring these characters to life.
Thank you author for giving us this story and thank you narrator, you did an excellent job.

[Tenshisonnet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Older tattoo shop owner and younger interior designer meet by happenstance when their family members land in the hospital.
The characters are pretty milquetoast, but the romance is rocket fast. A session of co-masturbation surrounded by used books, very urgent couch sex, and bam! Instant couple.
The story does its job and doesn't become overly complicated.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy short story of Riley, a tattoo artist, and Evan, not quite sure, he seems to be a contractor or painter. It's sweet how they meet and it's a lovely story but I have issues, it ended without Riley getting closure with his Mum, and the ending was rather sudden.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the effects for inner dialog. loved the intro music and the story although short was great.

[Garc · Rating 3 out of 5]

As short as this is I found myself zombie reading* parts of it, the heat was good but there were many attempts to drum up drama and sometimes it felt way to forced. It's my first Kris Jacen read and I hope the books will be more engaging.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read

This is short and sweet. Evan and Riley have perfect instant chemistry. Their families need a little work but these guys are golden.

[YonnoMaus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like the writing style. 1.5 stars.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. A nice short read with some feelz.