Take Me

by Jason Collins

JAMES:

Rule number one when planning a wedding: don’t fall for the (very straight) groom.

When it comes to weddings, I’ve seen it all. So when my new client-groom walks in sporting six feet of solid muscle and kind eyes, I know I’m in trouble. Hello, man of my dreams who happens to be marrying a woman.

I keep my inappropriate crush to myself, even when his bride doesn’t show up to our appointments. Turns out all’s not well—she’s been cheating. And when they call off their wedding, he shows up at my door.

I wasn’t wrong—Ethan is into me. We spend all our nights together, and I fall hard for him. But he always thought he was straight, and might still be. Worse, someone’s trying to ruin my business. New plan: save my job, offer Ethan my heart, and maybe, just maybe, have my own fairytale wedding.

ETHAN:

I always thought I’d marry a woman—until I met the wedding planner.

Here’s how my life was meant to unfold: get married, buy a house, and settle in with my new wife. I’m about to check the first box, but my fiancée has grown distant. And I’m the only one showing up to see our wedding planner, James.

He’s thoughtful and understanding, and when I discover my bride is cheating on me, James is the first person I turn to. I thought I was straight, but I can’t deny what I’ve felt for James from the moment we met. Pure, unignorable chemistry.

But everything’s happening so fast—calling off the wedding, falling for James. Doubts creep in, and I wonder if I deserve a happily-ever-after at all. Instead of a bride, I’m imagining a groom, and it scares me how much I want that.

**This is the first book in the Marriage Match series. It can be read as a standalone with no cliffhanger. **

Genres: M M Romance, Gay For You, Gay, Romance, Contemporary

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2022

Reviews

[DENICE · Rating 4 out of 5]

JAMES AND ETHAN

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

James, a wedding planner, and Ethan, an engaged straight man, seem to fall into friendship easily. I like the way the friendship takes on another life and how James stands up for himself and not want to be a dirty secret. This story shows how a person’s life is ruled by his friends and family until he decides that his future is for him to decide. Another show as to how society tries to rule everyone’s lives.

[Sara Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naturally when you have a story with a wedding planner that means that there is a relationship that is going to have to fizzle. Ethan is marrying a woman - until he isn't. James doesn't fall for straight men - until he does. There's a bit of hurt/comfort here with Ethan discovering his cheating fiancé but luckily he has James there to help him out. Sweet start to another new series and I can't wait for more.

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Jason Collins book.
I really enjoyed this book, with 2 credible MC's and with very hot sex scenes between them
James is a wedding Planner who is planning the wedding of Ethan and Vivian, a woman who shows that marriage is not one of his priorities. James is attracted to Ethan and as he shows the various options of the wedding, he feels that the relationship between the two is close, until the 2 MCs find Vivian with another man and the relationship and consequent marriage ends up leaving James to paste the shards of Ethan's heart, however not everything is roses nor for Ethan a personal level, nor for James at a professional level
Can love bring them together in the end?
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When expectations aren't met, pick yourself up and make more. I love how Mr Collins creates three good friends, who go through some things while being absolutely supportive. James, is a wedding planner who is getting his business off the ground, working from a coffee shop with two assistants. Gemma, his executive assistant always dressed the part and let James know she wanted to start her own wedding planning business, and Jessica, who was more laid back. He is out and proud and wary. James is meticulous and detailed oriented and experiences a few hickups in his business. Ethan, is a client engaged to Vivian, who is a cold piece of work. He identifies as straight, but feels an affinity for James. Doing wedding planning shopping, exposed Ethan to a lot of what he may be missing about life and relationships. Is Ethan ready for a relationship with James? After being with Vivian for 2 years, is Ethan ready for changes in his life? Was James able to clear up the discrepancies in his business? Do James and Ethan manage to fix their communication problems? Does James ever get an office? Mr C, brings us through the highs and lows of breaking up before the wedding and the journey of re-evaluating one's sexuality. He gives fun characters with whom we can relate. Absolutely enjoyable stories, I can't wait to read Grant's and Michael's stories. Well done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan seems to be a bit clueless. He's not only settled for his fiance but he's willing to put up with her indifference and rude behavior because it's 'normal'. James has a severe case of attraction and proceeds to break every rule he has about straight men. I liked that neither guy made a move until Ethan's previous relationship ended. It takes a while for things to come to a breaking point but James isn't willing to go against his principles to keep Ethan. I gave Ethan high marks for coming out to his family in such a straightforward manner. I loved their reactions to the news that he's dating a man. I liked Jame's easy forgiveness and open arms when Ethan sincerely apologizes and asks for another chance.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed

I really enjoyed James and Ethan's story. I thought it was fun that James worked out of a coffee shop. And I liked his friends and their wine nights. Ethan is attracted to James from the first moment they met and became friends as James showed him different wedding vendors. When he finally confronted his fiance and caught her cheating, Ethan turned to James for comfort. The two quickly started a relationship but Ethan is scared of what people will think since he has only dated women. I thought the plot flowed well and was sprinkled with humor, sexiness, a little drama, heartache, and mystery as James tried to figure out what was going on with his wedding business. The drama with the engagement gifts was a fun addition to the story.

[D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took too long for Ethan to found out his fiancée cheating on him because I can's stand reading him with his fiancée and Ethan has a weak personalities. His fiancée gave off the red signals and their relationship was lacking intimate moments between the two and they were somehow drift apart but Evan still wants to continue his wedding with her *shaking my head*

I just can't believe after he confronted her and break thing off, he fell into bed with James and having sex with a man for the very first time. After that, both of them were like in a relationship. I understand Ethan's hesitation, a few week after his failed relationship suddenly he was seen with someone new, a man to boot.

[Jennifer Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

James and Ethan are unable to resist each other, and it was such a great read! This is my favorite book 1 to a new series from Jason Collins in recent memory, and I can't wait for the friends to get their books! James is a wedding planner, and he is smitten with new client Ethan even before he realizes he and his awful fiancee are there to meet with him. But they are drawn together by chemistry they can't fight, and as their obstacles get handled, their passion for each other shines through. We get steamy and sweet with these two, and though there are several sources of angst, they aren't heavy, and one gets exposed fairly early in the book. Two thumbs up!

[Courtney Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can go wrong when your wedding planner becomes your boyfriend a few days after you find out your fiancée has been cheating on you? Also before him you thought you were straight? That’s this book in a nutshell. It’s starts off hot and heavy but then the real world shows up and messes everything up for Ethan and James. Through in a bit of a mystery and you have yourself a pretty great book! I’m excited for the next book in the series.

[Brey (lil Sebastian) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a solid four-star read for me until like the 81% mark. I felt like everything was so rushed at the end and the whole relationship happened in the span of like three weeks. I’m cool for the most part with the Insta love but this one just felt so rushed. I just wish the relationship would’ve been fleshed out a little bit more and the insecurities and holdbacks explored more. May give the next one a go and see how that one works out.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a new series. James is a wedding planner. Ethan & his fiancé need one. Things start out fine, Ethan makes the arrangements because said fiancé is busy at work. As Ethan begins making the arrangements he begins to realize he's doing this all on his own & slowly developing feelings for James. *I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book for an honest opinion*

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take Me

I loved the premise of this book and couldn’t wait to read it. Just know that this takes place in one month. A man engaged to a woman starts abs in a month, a man in love with his wedding planner. It was a quick read. I really would have liked more. It was all surface with the characters.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. I've read a few stories where the protagonist was a wedding coordinator, they never fail to give us a wonderful mixture of emotions and this one is no exception. A wee bit slow at the start, for me anyway, but it didn't take long to turn into a riot of emotions and doubt, quite a rocky road for a straight man to come out as gay, it was just lovely read.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

James is facing difficulties with his business. Ethan is planning his wedding with his fiance. She does not seem to care for Ethan or their plans. A fun story. I keep wondering about the ex and her access to Ethan's home.

[Temberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love at first sight

Ethan and James is such a refreshing new story. James is a wedding planner that is working out of a coffee shop and Ethan and Vivian come to James to plan their very special day. Long story short things don't work out!

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Bi awakening stories are really good when it is well written and this one was. I was so happy to see James and Ethan get their HEA, even though they had a bit of a struggle. Ready for the next one.

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never know what can happen at wedding planning.

Never thought that you could hook up with your wedding planner but I guess it can. Had my doubts in the beginning but I'm glad that it worked out for for them.

[Esin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Emotional. Steamy. Beautiful written. Ethan and James took my breath away from the beginning. I couldn't wish for them to get together soon enough. Loved every minute of TAKE ME. Jason Collins did it again for me.

😉Way to start a series.

[Orsolya Sántha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really curious about a male m/m writer but I'm a bit disappointed. It was flat. No raging emotions, no chemistry, average sex scenes. We never even got a good description of the looks of the MCs.

[Thera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet but fast

These 2 move fast. But it was overall a sweet book. I hate 3/4 breakups but it was needed in this book I think so they could fully move on. I enjoyed these 2 together immensely. I loved Grant and Michael as well. Looking forward to their books.

[devil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a series. Even though their connection was fast, I liked that the characters weren't oblivious about it. I'm curious about Book2.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep. Wedding-planner boy gets a smoking-hot "straight" client with a dragon lady fiancee, fiancee is caught in an affair, and, after a few complications, the two boys get together. Great story.