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Conception Ridge #2
Above the Shop
I have seventeen dollars to my name and a one-way bus ticket to my new college town—two months early. Oh, and the name of a man I’ve never met scrawled on a piece of paper. Henry Wilde.
He was my mom’s high school boyfriend.
But when I show up on his doorstep, he has no idea that my mom said I could stay with him. And he only has one bed.
It’s eight weeks until I can move onto campus.
Eight weeks of living with him above his barbershop. So I’m going to make myself useful. Help him out, and not try to pester him about what it’s going to be like at college. Because this homeschooled girl has a lot of questions, but they’re not appropriate for my de facto guardian. Not even if we’re both consenting adults…
He was my mom’s high school boyfriend.
But when I show up on his doorstep, he has no idea that my mom said I could stay with him. And he only has one bed.
It’s eight weeks until I can move onto campus.
Eight weeks of living with him above his barbershop. So I’m going to make myself useful. Help him out, and not try to pester him about what it’s going to be like at college. Because this homeschooled girl has a lot of questions, but they’re not appropriate for my de facto guardian. Not even if we’re both consenting adults…
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2021
About the author
Chloe Maine
25 books535 followersChloe Maine has written other books before, but none of them as purely id-driven as Before He Was Her Headmaster. She delights in the fantasy of bending big men to the craven desires of supposedly innocent women. When she’s not writing, she’s probably reading. She lives in Canada with her own big man, raising the babies they made together.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
January 17, 2022
Girls taking reins and seducing hesitant men until they snap is what feeds my demons.
No spoilers but shit is way too explicit to just hang out openly at the top of the review like that💀
This was basically Jessa Kane but less crack, which somehow made it better and worse at the same time.
No spoilers but shit is way too explicit to just hang out openly at the top of the review like that💀
This was basically Jessa Kane but less crack, which somehow made it better and worse at the same time.
August 4, 2022
5 Slide Out of Control Stars ⭐
Yay, I was impressed with this story. There's nothing better than starting a smutty book and realising it's going to be great. Above The Shop was delightfully naughty and positively sweet, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics between Henry and Summer.
Summer arrives on Henry's doorstep out of the blue. With limited funds and choices, Henry doesn't have the heart to turn her away. Presented with a lovely, gentle natured girl, Henry isn't prepared for Summer's impish behaviour.
Oh, the irony. He’s focused on protecting me from unwanted advances while I’m only thinking about him.
Regardless of the significant age gap, these two strike up an amusing friendship. Henry somehow finds himself playing guidance counselor / sexual tutor to a young and innocent Summer. Watching a big and burly Henry get flustered over some of Summer's request and actions was adorable.
“Daddy. . .”
I give her a warning growl.
“Your little girl is all grown up, though. Ready to learn about sex. And if you won’t teach her. . .”
Not a little girl at all. An eager woman who likes to play at being innocent. Who gets me hard as fuck and makes me want to drag her back to bed, a bed we’re sharing now, and a bed in which I’m not fucking her.
Containing a hint of daddy kink and a whole lot of chemistry and eroticism, Henry and Summer set the pages alight without making their relationship seem skeevy. This is not dd/lg kink, more tongue in cheek humor that I thought the author pulled off perfectly. It was so good! 💙💜
Yay, I was impressed with this story. There's nothing better than starting a smutty book and realising it's going to be great. Above The Shop was delightfully naughty and positively sweet, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics between Henry and Summer.
Summer arrives on Henry's doorstep out of the blue. With limited funds and choices, Henry doesn't have the heart to turn her away. Presented with a lovely, gentle natured girl, Henry isn't prepared for Summer's impish behaviour.
Oh, the irony. He’s focused on protecting me from unwanted advances while I’m only thinking about him.
Regardless of the significant age gap, these two strike up an amusing friendship. Henry somehow finds himself playing guidance counselor / sexual tutor to a young and innocent Summer. Watching a big and burly Henry get flustered over some of Summer's request and actions was adorable.
“Daddy. . .”
I give her a warning growl.
“Your little girl is all grown up, though. Ready to learn about sex. And if you won’t teach her. . .”
Not a little girl at all. An eager woman who likes to play at being innocent. Who gets me hard as fuck and makes me want to drag her back to bed, a bed we’re sharing now, and a bed in which I’m not fucking her.
Containing a hint of daddy kink and a whole lot of chemistry and eroticism, Henry and Summer set the pages alight without making their relationship seem skeevy. This is not dd/lg kink, more tongue in cheek humor that I thought the author pulled off perfectly. It was so good! 💙💜
March 15, 2023
The number of times Henry went from zero to hundred got my eyebrows to become one with my hairline 💀✋
Ugh I wanna be hugged by him 😭
@Lolina u were right bae. SummerHenry altered my brain 🤭💗
Ugh I wanna be hugged by him 😭
@Lolina u were right bae. SummerHenry altered my brain 🤭💗
August 10, 2025
-=- (8th) -=-
Was in desperate need of a comfort read 🥲🤧.
-=- (7th) -=-
Someone get this book away from me. -=- (6th) -=-
Was in desperate need of a comfort read 🥲🤧.
“Yes, I like it. But it’s complicated.”
“Everything is.”
-=- (7th) -=-
Someone get this book away from me.
-=- (5th) -=-
No this is not my 5th time reading this book 🥸🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
-=- (4th) -=-
This is my fourth time reading this, and I'm worried for my sanity 😭😭. I acc love this book so much. (4 stars)
-=- (3rd) -=-
Alright, comfort read confirmed 🤝🤝.
I read this one again bc of how sweet the characters were- I needed this for me rn 💀.
-=- (1st) -=-
This book was a painful reminder of how single and touch-deprived I am, and I feel humbled 💀💀. This was so cute and I'm obsessed.
Oh to be hugged by Henry 😭😔🧍♀️.
July 21, 2022
this book has confirmed i don't have a ddlg kink because even though it started out interesting, i couldn't help but cringe at all the infantilization of the main character. maybe it just wasn't properly done to make it believable but yikes. the writing in this also just wasn't my favorite, and i found the book quite plain other than the fact that it was easy to read and i read it all in one sitting. i don't have much else to say lol
Read
May 28, 2022This was surprisingly sweet 🥺♥️
April 18, 2023
What a lovely story. Well, probably not for everyone because of an age gap and some Daddy kink...
But it was wonderful. Henry was such a sweetheart, a dirty talking hulk of a man. And Sunny was a fresh ray of light, so sure of what she needed and just going for it. I loved it.
But it was wonderful. Henry was such a sweetheart, a dirty talking hulk of a man. And Sunny was a fresh ray of light, so sure of what she needed and just going for it. I loved it.
April 13, 2023
3.5 🌟
I’m a sucker for age gap taboo relationships as we all know and this was downright addicting. I loved how the H handled the situation with h, let her eased into the entire thing.
Re-read this and it’s actually five start quality! Love this so much!!
I’m a sucker for age gap taboo relationships as we all know and this was downright addicting. I loved how the H handled the situation with h, let her eased into the entire thing.
Re-read this and it’s actually five start quality! Love this so much!!
January 17, 2022
3⭐️
i like.
“I’m a dirty old man obsessed with his friend’s daughter. ”
i like.
January 28, 2022
Safety:
Virgin never been kissed heroine
Experienced hero who had a crush on heroine's mom when they were teens. They kissed but It was a couple of pecks
Virgin never been kissed heroine
Experienced hero who had a crush on heroine's mom when they were teens. They kissed but It was a couple of pecks
July 5, 2022
This was a super steamy little novella with some light daddy kink which was actually really cute!
I say cute but this book was filthy...just the way we all love it haha
I say cute but this book was filthy...just the way we all love it haha
Read
December 4, 2021An excerpt:
“And now I’ve embarrassed you.” He sighs. “Summer, I’m—”
“There’s nothing wrong with sex.” I jerk my head up again.
Now he looks slightly panicked. “I didn’t say there was.”
“I may not be ready to have sex with someone else, but there’s nothing wrong with thinking about it.”
His eyes are comically wide. I should laugh. I want to cry instead. “I’ve made it even more awkward now, haven’t I?”
“Fuck. No.” He reaches across the table and grabs my hands, his big paws rough around my wrists. Like a grizzly bear trying to soothe a rabbit. “Stop. It’s fine. Jesus Christ, I don’t know how to respond to that, but yeah, nothing wrong with thinking about sex, okay?”
I jut my chin up at him in a stubborn nod.
“Just don’t cry, okay?”
To my horror, I realize I am about to cry, my eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He grabs a napkin and dabs at the corners of my eyes.
“Teenage girls, huh? Is this why your mama sent you to me?”
“I’m starting to get the impression that she sent me to you because she knows you’re just as puritanical as she is,” I mutter.
He drops the napkin and catches my chin in his hand. His thumb strokes my cheek and along my jaw, making my breath hitch and my skin sizzle at the warm touch. His whole face softens. “I’m not puritanical at all, Summer. I don’t know where you got that idea, but I promise you, I won’t ever judge you for being a human being or having human desire.”
“And now I’ve embarrassed you.” He sighs. “Summer, I’m—”
“There’s nothing wrong with sex.” I jerk my head up again.
Now he looks slightly panicked. “I didn’t say there was.”
“I may not be ready to have sex with someone else, but there’s nothing wrong with thinking about it.”
His eyes are comically wide. I should laugh. I want to cry instead. “I’ve made it even more awkward now, haven’t I?”
“Fuck. No.” He reaches across the table and grabs my hands, his big paws rough around my wrists. Like a grizzly bear trying to soothe a rabbit. “Stop. It’s fine. Jesus Christ, I don’t know how to respond to that, but yeah, nothing wrong with thinking about sex, okay?”
I jut my chin up at him in a stubborn nod.
“Just don’t cry, okay?”
To my horror, I realize I am about to cry, my eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He grabs a napkin and dabs at the corners of my eyes.
“Teenage girls, huh? Is this why your mama sent you to me?”
“I’m starting to get the impression that she sent me to you because she knows you’re just as puritanical as she is,” I mutter.
He drops the napkin and catches my chin in his hand. His thumb strokes my cheek and along my jaw, making my breath hitch and my skin sizzle at the warm touch. His whole face softens. “I’m not puritanical at all, Summer. I don’t know where you got that idea, but I promise you, I won’t ever judge you for being a human being or having human desire.”
January 6, 2022
"Above the Shop" is the story of Summer and Henry.
A smutty May- December romance, in which the heroine is a young college student who needs a place to crash. Her mother sends her to her ex best friend, the older brooding man who gives the heroine shelter. Ofcourse she develops feelings for him, he resists until he can't. There's a lot of sex, daddy play, bit of resistance and HEA.
Slow in the first half and kinky in the second. Hero was pretty responsible.
Safe
3/5
A smutty May- December romance, in which the heroine is a young college student who needs a place to crash. Her mother sends her to her ex best friend, the older brooding man who gives the heroine shelter. Ofcourse she develops feelings for him, he resists until he can't. There's a lot of sex, daddy play, bit of resistance and HEA.
Slow in the first half and kinky in the second. Hero was pretty responsible.
Safe
3/5
August 12, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STAR+
I found my next new favorite author! I have been in an insane reading slump and this author has cured it with this book!
Virgin heroine
Non-manwhore Hero
Age-gap (18h/40H)
Taboo moms best friend
Daddy-kink
I found my next new favorite author! I have been in an insane reading slump and this author has cured it with this book!
Virgin heroine
Non-manwhore Hero
Age-gap (18h/40H)
Taboo moms best friend
Daddy-kink
June 21, 2022
“You’re not just a good girl, you’re the best girl. You know that?”
🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
This was filthy. I loved it. Though the cover from Goodreads doesn’t match the ebook lol ew.
🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
This was filthy. I loved it. Though the cover from Goodreads doesn’t match the ebook lol ew.
January 25, 2022
Pretty cute. Plenty of hot.🥵 (if u read Jessa Kane before u know the deal )
Another case of horny, whiny bitch sydrome. The more Summer said she wanted to be treated as a "grown up" the more I wanted to give her a pacifier and a punch in the tit.🤚🏻👶🏻
Henry is the one who deserves all the praise. I am very grateful (and ready to show it🙇🏻♀️🛐) for his patience and consideration.
Another case of horny, whiny bitch sydrome. The more Summer said she wanted to be treated as a "grown up" the more I wanted to give her a pacifier and a punch in the tit.🤚🏻👶🏻
Henry is the one who deserves all the praise. I am very grateful (and ready to show it🙇🏻♀️🛐) for his patience and consideration.
Did Not Finish
April 5, 2022DNF @ 40% - not my kink - the h is too infantized and the 40 something H didn’t seem attractive. Characters and plot have no depth or emotion. If you like D/lg, and extreme age gaps, you might be more into it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2023
read June 2, 2023 - June 2, 2023: 2 stars
January 13, 2026
The most unrealistic thing about this is that the girl managed to get paid up to a thousand dollars by sweeping floors and taking care of the register occasionally. In a barbershop. In a small town.
Contemporary? More like high-fantasy.
Contemporary? More like high-fantasy.
January 7, 2022
Genre/Tropes: Age-Gap, Daddy Kink
POV: 1st, Dual
Standalone in Conception Ridge World
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chloe Maine has done it again, y’all. She has found something sexy af, addictive, quick, and completely satisfactory with her Conception Ridge World. Age-gap, taboo-ish, delicious romance with some of the hottest scenes and sweetest romances!
Henry Wilde is almost 40 and living alone in the apartment above his barber shop. When Summer, the 18 year old daughter of an old friend, shows up expecting a place to stay during the summer before college starts, he knows she’s a temptation he should resist. But her innocent, direct curiousness, her womanly curves, and his uncontrollable desire for the young woman pushes them into a unique dynamic that builds slowly. And it is HOT. The push/pull, the undeniable chemistry, the dirty innocence. The whole Daddy overtone. His protectiveness. Her devotedness.
Gah! I am seriously OBSESSED with how Chloe writes these stories. They pack a freaking punch in both sexiness and romance.
And I was SO HAPPY to see Lily and I can totally see a world being built around all these young females and older men. I’m curious about the burly construction worker, Atlas and the chief of staff dude, Nash so I’m hoping we get their stories! Regardless, I’m so beyond excited to continue with this series!
April 24, 2022
M/F age-gap done well 👌
Super enjoyed this! Shorter read that still managed an intense slow burn leading to awesomely non-creepy, light daddy play. He doesn’t talk down to or belittle her, she doesn’t act helpless or in need of saving.
The kink was great and seamlessly fit into the character’s personalities.
Super enjoyed this! Shorter read that still managed an intense slow burn leading to awesomely non-creepy, light daddy play. He doesn’t talk down to or belittle her, she doesn’t act helpless or in need of saving.
The kink was great and seamlessly fit into the character’s personalities.
August 21, 2026
The best thing about this book is the sexy as fuck audio. I wanted DIRTY, but the author gave us a PG-13 book on an R-rated topic. I suppose it’s a good beginner book for those dipping their toes into the Daddy kink for the first time. The dirty talk is pretty scrumptious.
Summer Figaro (18, virgin, dumb as a rock) arrives to the town where she plans to start college in the fall. Her “mama” assured her that she could stay with her high school BFF, but when Summer arrives, he has no clue who she is.
Henry Wilde (40, barber) is in for a rough summer with a teenage temptation intent on seducing him prancing around his shop.
A lot of teasing, “Teach me how……For educational purposes only”, off to college to learn, mama returns home, acceptance, and an HFN.
SEX: The tease is good, the dirty talk is on point, but the delivery falls short for me. There are a few “accidental” rubs and then the first kiss at 43%. First dry rub at 46% with climax. 54% for lackluster oral. He finally takes the V at 69%, but it’s with a stupid fucking condom!!! Nobody wants that! And there’s no real focus on her being a virgin. Nothing kinky at all. The first time without a condom is a total bust and is over in two seconds! He even shaves her in the barber’s chair, and we don’t even get any oral with it!!! Why waste my time if you aren’t even going to eat the beaver!?! Ugh. I suppose the author wanted us to use our imaginations instead of providing the details. I want the details. The best thing was the audio combined with the dirty talk….
HENRY: His character is confusing. I think the author is trying to make Henry as innocent as possible, with a little bit of taboo coming out. This is what he’s thinking to himself right before they have sex for the first time, I may not have done this a lot in my life because, deep down, I was waiting for her, but the few times I’ve practiced, I’ve learned things. We’ll both learn more tonight , but then it’s followed with, I’m only going to take a girl’s virginity once in my whole life. I’m going to fucking enjoy it, her ripe, untouched cunt making room for me for the first time. . LOL
DADDY: The word Daddy is thrown around a few times, but there are no deep dives into the kink. Like I said, this is a good starter book.
“I want to know how to give a blowjob.”
“You don’t need to give any boys a blowjob.”
“Why not? I’m an adult.”
“So you keep telling me.”
“I’m starting to think you want me to be a little girl forever……Daddy. . .Your little girl is all grown up, though. Ready to learn about sex. And if you won’t teach her…..”
AUDIO: If this were a duet, I might not have survived. Adam Beckett…….GOT DAMN, BOY!!!! Where the hell have you been hiding?!?! My panties just sliding right the fuck off. LOL I was here for it. Jill Smith sucks ass, but her male voice is pretty fucking good.
It's decent.
My whole adult life, I didn’t think I had the same kind of intense sexual desires I’ve heard other people talk about. Turns out, I was waiting for the right little girl to spark my inner monster so I could tell her to open her wet little mouth for Daddy’s big, dripping …...
Summer Figaro (18, virgin, dumb as a rock) arrives to the town where she plans to start college in the fall. Her “mama” assured her that she could stay with her high school BFF, but when Summer arrives, he has no clue who she is.
In Henry’s arms, I feel safe and protected. Little and hidden in his embrace, like he’s a cloak against the outside world.
Henry Wilde (40, barber) is in for a rough summer with a teenage temptation intent on seducing him prancing around his shop.
And just like that, my cock is thick, rising against my hand. No. But yes. Fuck. Yes. Carefully blanked-out thoughts roar to life in my mind, fully formed and clearly dangerous. What if being around this goddess of a young woman gets to be too much?.....What if I want too much of her flesh, her body, her sweet, virginal perfection?
A lot of teasing, “Teach me how……For educational purposes only”, off to college to learn, mama returns home, acceptance, and an HFN.
Not a little girl at all. An eager woman who likes to play at being innocent. Who gets me hard as fuck and makes me want to drag her back to bed…..
SEX: The tease is good, the dirty talk is on point, but the delivery falls short for me. There are a few “accidental” rubs and then the first kiss at 43%. First dry rub at 46% with climax. 54% for lackluster oral. He finally takes the V at 69%, but it’s with a stupid fucking condom!!! Nobody wants that! And there’s no real focus on her being a virgin. Nothing kinky at all. The first time without a condom is a total bust and is over in two seconds! He even shaves her in the barber’s chair, and we don’t even get any oral with it!!! Why waste my time if you aren’t even going to eat the beaver!?! Ugh. I suppose the author wanted us to use our imaginations instead of providing the details. I want the details. The best thing was the audio combined with the dirty talk….
HENRY: His character is confusing. I think the author is trying to make Henry as innocent as possible, with a little bit of taboo coming out. This is what he’s thinking to himself right before they have sex for the first time, I may not have done this a lot in my life because, deep down, I was waiting for her, but the few times I’ve practiced, I’ve learned things. We’ll both learn more tonight , but then it’s followed with, I’m only going to take a girl’s virginity once in my whole life. I’m going to fucking enjoy it, her ripe, untouched cunt making room for me for the first time. . LOL
DADDY: The word Daddy is thrown around a few times, but there are no deep dives into the kink. Like I said, this is a good starter book.
“I want to know how to give a blowjob.”
“You don’t need to give any boys a blowjob.”
“Why not? I’m an adult.”
“So you keep telling me.”
“I’m starting to think you want me to be a little girl forever……Daddy. . .Your little girl is all grown up, though. Ready to learn about sex. And if you won’t teach her…..”
AUDIO: If this were a duet, I might not have survived. Adam Beckett…….GOT DAMN, BOY!!!! Where the hell have you been hiding?!?! My panties just sliding right the fuck off. LOL I was here for it. Jill Smith sucks ass, but her male voice is pretty fucking good.
It's decent.
January 8, 2022
Okay, but what the hell?! This book is so not what I expected. First, I love how much Henry values Summer's education and wants the best for her. The thing is he handled the situation so well with the push and pull. He communicates and shows feelings! The little drama was well done in here and also makes sense. The sex was hot and dirty talk was cute. 100% recommend.
5 STRAS duh
5 STRAS duh
December 30, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up
This was a cute read and was written well. It had steamy moments that were hot. I liked the characters.
Personally it’s a me thing and i think I’m just not feeling this kind of age gap lately. There were moments where it kind of just didn’t click for me.
This was a cute read and was written well. It had steamy moments that were hot. I liked the characters.
Personally it’s a me thing and i think I’m just not feeling this kind of age gap lately. There were moments where it kind of just didn’t click for me.
December 25, 2022
I’m not gonna lie when I first found out he had a crush on her mom I was kinda put off bc I didn’t want it to be like he sees her mom in her n all that but thankfully it wasn’t n I’m so glad for that.
Now I love these two they were adorable n how he treated her *swoon*
Also how much he blushes whenever she mentions sex or kissing or ovulating it’s so fucking adorable n the fact he was never rly sexual but when he met her he couldn’t deny how much he wanted her.
There is a daddy kink but she rarely called him daddy I think only a handful of times so if ur ify abt that part u should be good.
Also I like how her mom didn’t rly force her to leave him n didn’t come between them obviously she was shocked but it wasn’t bad.
Also her mom I was not feeling at all maybe idk I just didn’t rly like how she would just leave like that but that could just be me.
Henry is so fucking adorable I love him n will protect him at all costs
He is kinda her ward but she is 18 sooo
Now I love these two they were adorable n how he treated her *swoon*
Also how much he blushes whenever she mentions sex or kissing or ovulating it’s so fucking adorable n the fact he was never rly sexual but when he met her he couldn’t deny how much he wanted her.
There is a daddy kink but she rarely called him daddy I think only a handful of times so if ur ify abt that part u should be good.
Also I like how her mom didn’t rly force her to leave him n didn’t come between them obviously she was shocked but it wasn’t bad.
Also her mom I was not feeling at all maybe idk I just didn’t rly like how she would just leave like that but that could just be me.
Henry is so fucking adorable I love him n will protect him at all costs
He is kinda her ward but she is 18 sooo
January 19, 2022
So. Good.
I usually find it hard to really love these shorter stories, but this one was just wonderful. I loved Daddy, ahem, I mean Henry. 😉 And the chemistry between him and Summer was sizzling.
I usually find it hard to really love these shorter stories, but this one was just wonderful. I loved Daddy, ahem, I mean Henry. 😉 And the chemistry between him and Summer was sizzling.
October 5, 2024
3 stars✨
Summer is actually hilarious lmfao I love how straightforward and honest she is but I didn’t really like her acting like a child. I liked that Henry wasn’t entire brainless!
Summer is actually hilarious lmfao I love how straightforward and honest she is but I didn’t really like her acting like a child. I liked that Henry wasn’t entire brainless!
April 30, 2023
InstaLove + AgeGap + Cinnamon MMC + One Bed (ugh, I love this trope) + OTT + Not so much plot (majority smut) + Quick Reads + Dual POVs
This book was a great medium between a hot, spicy, age-gap forbidden romance and a great, sweet, feet-on-the-ground romance. It was over the top in the spice, but with the rest of their lives, it wasn’t. Even though it is the story of them getting together, it didn't feel just like porn-without-plot. Summer also has a little development as she enters her new university. So if that’s what you're looking for, this one’s the one for you.
They had like three disagreements, which weren’t a third-act breakup, but they felt normal because of the nature of their relationship.
It could be a 5-star read easily, but I have read so many good novellas lately that the bar is so high right now.
My biggest regret was that I didn’t notice this novella was the second installment of a series 🫠 ugh. The first one is: Before He Was Her Headmaster HIGHLY recommended!!
This book was a great medium between a hot, spicy, age-gap forbidden romance and a great, sweet, feet-on-the-ground romance. It was over the top in the spice, but with the rest of their lives, it wasn’t. Even though it is the story of them getting together, it didn't feel just like porn-without-plot. Summer also has a little development as she enters her new university. So if that’s what you're looking for, this one’s the one for you.
They had like three disagreements, which weren’t a third-act breakup, but they felt normal because of the nature of their relationship.
It could be a 5-star read easily, but I have read so many good novellas lately that the bar is so high right now.
My biggest regret was that I didn’t notice this novella was the second installment of a series 🫠 ugh. The first one is: Before He Was Her Headmaster HIGHLY recommended!!
December 24, 2021
The couple: Henry and Summer
Romance genre: Age gap
Length: 184 pages
Plot: Summer shows up at Henry's barbershop/apartment because her mom told her she could stay with Henry, the one person her mom trusted to take care of her. Summer just needs a place to stay for the summer before she starts college. But her mom did not make arrangements and Henry has no idea what to do with Summer. He can't throw her out though, so he lets her stay and even lets her do a little light work in the barbershop. Complicating things though is the fact that Henry finds Summer incredibly attractive, but he doesn't want to make a move on the girl who is young enough to be his daughter. Summer has no such compunction though and takes every opportunity available to seduce Henry. How will the summer end? Who will be victorious? (spoiler alert: both of them)
Commentary: This was a fun book. Henry was such a good guy and Summer was smart in some ways and incredibly sheltered in others. I really wanted to shake her mom - what a flake! And then she has the nerve to be judgemental about their relationship!
My favorite line in the book:
Romance genre: Age gap
Length: 184 pages
Plot: Summer shows up at Henry's barbershop/apartment because her mom told her she could stay with Henry, the one person her mom trusted to take care of her. Summer just needs a place to stay for the summer before she starts college. But her mom did not make arrangements and Henry has no idea what to do with Summer. He can't throw her out though, so he lets her stay and even lets her do a little light work in the barbershop. Complicating things though is the fact that Henry finds Summer incredibly attractive, but he doesn't want to make a move on the girl who is young enough to be his daughter. Summer has no such compunction though and takes every opportunity available to seduce Henry. How will the summer end? Who will be victorious? (spoiler alert: both of them)
Commentary: This was a fun book. Henry was such a good guy and Summer was smart in some ways and incredibly sheltered in others. I really wanted to shake her mom - what a flake! And then she has the nerve to be judgemental about their relationship!
My favorite line in the book:
Finally, it’s Daddy’s turn to make her blush, my hedonistic sex baby.
January 2, 2022
In Henry’s arms, I feel safe and protected. Little and hidden in his embrace, like he’s a cloak against the outside world.
Summer is finally following her mom’s dream and going to college to make something of herself. In two weeks, she’ll move in to her dorm and start her college education. But in the meantime, she’ll be bunking with her mom’s friend, Henry, or so she thinks until it becomes abundantly clear that Henry had no idea she was coming to Conception Ridge, let alone living in his one bedroom apartment!
Chloe Maine can write some crazy good, smoking hot chemistry and the sparks flying between Gentle Giant Henry and sweet innocent Summer were present immediately. I am a known sucker for age gap, taboo romance and Henry and Summer definitely qualify on all fronts. Their romance is slow burn but with so much sexual tension, it’s addictive.
Loved the first half. I liked how Henry didn’t hide from his feelings or belittle or question Summer’s. He was patient, affectionate and always put Summer first. Their relationship progressed at a steady pace because he had the foresight to take things slow and keep things as normal as possible, even though their situation was anything but normal. He was sweet and understanding. It wasn’t hard to see why Summer was crushing so hard on him.
The smexy times were also pretty off the charts 🔥
It was leaning towards a 5 star rating until the last quarter of the story. Henry’s history with Summer’s mom, wanting to adopt Summer as a baby, it all pushed my buttons and not in a good way. I definitely sided with Summer because I definitely think that should have been something discussed before hand. But the fact that honest Henry kept thattiny Giant tidbit to himself did feel skeevy.
Summer and Henry work things out and they have a cute HEA complete with mom’s approval. It was a sexy hot read but I could have done without that “tidbit”. I didn’t think that would be a trigger, but here we are. Still the writing was flawless and the characters well developed. I’ll still keep an eye out for this author, she has a knack for writing characters you can’t help but want to get to meet 😉
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
Summer is finally following her mom’s dream and going to college to make something of herself. In two weeks, she’ll move in to her dorm and start her college education. But in the meantime, she’ll be bunking with her mom’s friend, Henry, or so she thinks until it becomes abundantly clear that Henry had no idea she was coming to Conception Ridge, let alone living in his one bedroom apartment!
Chloe Maine can write some crazy good, smoking hot chemistry and the sparks flying between Gentle Giant Henry and sweet innocent Summer were present immediately. I am a known sucker for age gap, taboo romance and Henry and Summer definitely qualify on all fronts. Their romance is slow burn but with so much sexual tension, it’s addictive.
Loved the first half. I liked how Henry didn’t hide from his feelings or belittle or question Summer’s. He was patient, affectionate and always put Summer first. Their relationship progressed at a steady pace because he had the foresight to take things slow and keep things as normal as possible, even though their situation was anything but normal. He was sweet and understanding. It wasn’t hard to see why Summer was crushing so hard on him.
The smexy times were also pretty off the charts 🔥
It was leaning towards a 5 star rating until the last quarter of the story. Henry’s history with Summer’s mom, wanting to adopt Summer as a baby, it all pushed my buttons and not in a good way. I definitely sided with Summer because I definitely think that should have been something discussed before hand. But the fact that honest Henry kept that
Summer and Henry work things out and they have a cute HEA complete with mom’s approval. It was a sexy hot read but I could have done without that “tidbit”. I didn’t think that would be a trigger, but here we are. Still the writing was flawless and the characters well developed. I’ll still keep an eye out for this author, she has a knack for writing characters you can’t help but want to get to meet 😉
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
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