Frisky Connections

The Frisky Bean #0.5

by Michelle Mars

She was being a good friend.

Shira Abramson wanted to grab a coffee with her BFF, Keren, but when Keren couldn’t make it, she agreed to fill that time slot with someone from the dating app her friend helped to develop. She was game. A dating blogger dates, so why not?

He was being a good CEO.

Aaron Sanders was proud of his team for the job they did on Immedia-Date. Still, what kind of startup CEO doesn’t test their product themselves? A simple plan turned into the date of his life.

Being together might just be their Hanukkah miracle.

Neither come clean about their occupations for #reasons, but eight dates leave them falling hard. Will the truth destroy what they feel, or will their light burn longer than they could have ever predicted?

This story was previously published in the anthology, Eight Kisses.

Genres: Romance, Holiday, Novella, Jewish, Contemporary, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

Reviews

[Anastasiia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

Легка, коротка новела про кохання з першого погляду.
Вона кумедна, тепла та без зайвої драми
Прочитала її в обідню перерву на роботі, щоб відпочити від токсичного керівника. Вона справилася з задачею мене заспокоїти та перемкнути мою увагу.

[Hannah B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well uh wow I truly anticipated nothing of what I just read no not one bit

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

маленька романтична частково різдвяна розповідь про двох євреїв. для того, щоб переключитися саме те.

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Jewish rep is really all this novella has going for it. This was so lackluster.

[Olesia · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Тримайте своє серце відкритим і хапайтеся за будь-яку нагоду знайти щастя, тому що ніколи не знаєш, який шлях зведе тебе з людиною, яку ви могли б покохати і стати коханими. І коли ви знайдете цю людину, тримайтеся за неї та насолоджуйтеся мандрівкою в життя».

[Book Bech 🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10⭐️
Дуже хороша історія про щасливу випадковість, кохання з першого погляду, довіру та повагу💖
Як же хочеться вірити, що і в реальному житті можна ось так знайти людину і з перших хвилин зрозуміти, що це твоя «споріднена душа»🥰

«Але чудес не станеться, якщо ви не докладете зусиль, щоб спробувати. Залишайтеся сміливими.»

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a steamy Hanukkah novella.

It's very short. But I really liked the Jewish rep. The dating app and coffee shop were so much fun!

It was a bit too sexy for me. But overall I really liked these characters. And I like that the next book is about someone who we meet in this novella.

[readabookonce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this were longer just because I wanted to keep reading once it was over.

Since it is a novelette, liberties had to be taken with time jumps and instalove. I didn’t mind the latter so much, but the time jumps bummed me out a little. We missed a week’s worth of dates!

This was a cute and quick holiday read with minor angst and a lot of snappiness (in the best way).

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Anka S · Rating 3 out of 5]

«Жінка зробить усе заради чоловіка, який вміє готувати»
Хочу сказати, що цілковито погоджуюсь з авторкою щодо цієї думки😅 А особливо, якщо цей чоловік буде таким як Аарон.

Зефірна історія про те, як двоє людей знайшли кохання одне в одному через додаток для знайомств. Це легка новела, яку можна прочитати за годинку. Стиль у авторки гарний, розкрито досить багато подій за короткий термін часу. У книзі є три «С»: смачна їжа, смішний гумор, сексуальний чоловік.

Історія без драми, легка та невимушена. От так відчувається літня закоханість. Я чудово провела вечір та посміялась.

Як сказала Шира Абрамсон — «Залишайтеся сміливими.»

Від мене 5/5⭐️ за отриманий хороший настрій)

[Avigail Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was disappointing on so many levels. I’m confused as to how this constitutes a Hanukkah romance, if the holiday is barely mentioned. It’s billed as taking place over the eight days, but in actuality it’s over a month or so and again, the holiday is so peripheral it may as well not be there. The writing is terrible, the pacing doesn’t work, and the story itself was meh.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really had it all! It was cute, it was fun, it was flirty, and it was HOTTT!! lol

This is a novella that sets up the series, I listened to book one a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. I will have to check out book two someday lol

This Gen was brought to life by Emma Wilder and Joe Arden. They were absolutely perfect for these characters. They slipped into them like they WERE the characters. That’s the best kind of narration!

[Shelby Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so g-dmmmm CUTE!!! An adorable short story, HANUKKAH ROMANCE. We need so much more Hanukkah romance. If you want something sweet, insta-lovey, a bit ridiculous, a bit festive, and a bit steamy, this is what you need.

[Carina van der Plaats · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit boring

[Lynn Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟 fun fun fun...also steamy.

[Sapir_library ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was so bad it gave me the ick. I wanted to love it but oh well…

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Frisky Beans Greatness! A Sweet & Delightful Story & Great Audible Listen🎧  

Frisky Connections
The Frisky Bean
By: Michelle Mars
Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Joe Arden

This enjoyable delight of a story was one of the eight tales of holiday romance in the “Eight Kisses” Anthology. It is a short and sweet story that leaves a big impression. I have had the pleasure of listening to “Frisky Intentions” audiobook and it is great to return to the “Frisky Bean” a unique bakery and coffee shop, well that and to the great world the author created. The books stand on their own, but it was nice to see Summer again, in the shop and in her element. This book is Shira Abramson & Aaron Sanders’ story, and the Frisky Bean was the location for the first date. Shira was supposed to be meeting a friend for coffee, but her friend couldn’t make it, so she had her use the Immedia-Date dating app to meet someone there. Shira is a dating blogger and regardless of how the date turns out, she can use the experience to blog about. She had not known the person she was meeting was the CEO of Immedia-Date. The two hit it off right from the start and one date turned into more, and Shira wanted to take the relationship to the next level, but he was holding back. It was great to watch these two get to know each other and fall in love, it is a fast-moving story, one that will warm your heart and have you smiling. Michelle Mars, thank you for another wonderfully entertaining story and emotional rollercoaster ride. 

🎧🎧📚  Emma Wilder and Joe Arden are entertaining storytellers, and their narration enhances this story to another level. I loved how they took each role and made it their own, sounding believable and just as I picture the characters to sound. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the character’s emotions and had you feeling every single one. Thank you for another amazing listen, it is always a pleasure to listen to your performance. 

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frisky Connections
The Frisky Bean .5
By: Michelle Mars
Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Joe Arden

This is so much fun! Michelle Mars starts out her Frisky Bean series with a great novella, featuring Shira and Aaron. Shira has come to the Frisky Bean , a local coffee shop to meet her friend. When plans change, her friend encourages her to use the new dating app, Immedia-date. Hopefully she will get a hit she likes and she will enjoy some time with a new guy. Little did she know who would show up! Aaron isn't just any guy. Each has a secret that as they get to know each other, they don't reveal. Will it blow them apart or bring them closer? It's the perfect start to the series! I cannot wait to delve into the first book, Frisky Intentions and see who this coffee shop introduces me to next!

Emma Wilder and Joe Arden bring this gem to life and it's so much fun! These two always work so well together and in this one, the characters are spot on! Each finds the emotional tones and makes the story realistic. I loved it!

[Sydnie Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really happen to appreciate this novelette because despite being so short, it manages to be steamy and cute. I appreciated that there was Jewish representation and Hannukah was being celebrated but it wasn't the ENTIRETY of the novel. It feels to me that when those of us who ARE Jewish ask for representation in our novels/novelas(etc.), many people think that's what the ENTIRE focus of the book should be. But because this is also a concept understood by the author, there's more to the story than that. I liked the characters and the premise and the whimsy--I even liked the time jumps because it gave readers a glimpse into what was going on in the realtionship in more that what have could been explained within the pages. I like this series and this author has RANGE. Conider picking up her other titles and reading more of Michelle Mars' backcatalog!

[Kate Deeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: 8/10
Spice: 1/5
Spice Hierarchy: Open Door
Shira and Aaron try out a new dating app that matches based on interests but also proximity for even just a quick date (not a hook-up variety). They meet at the Frisky Bean, a sexy themed coffee shop with the most amazing names for the treats. Both are instantly attracted to each other and agree to more dates. 8 to be precise. Just like Chanukah.

This was a perfect novella. I loved the audio and humor in the story. My only complaint was wanting more 😩. Now I will be adding the next story to my TBR. Zero angst, insta-love, holiday connections.

Joe Arden and Emma Wilder did a great job bringing Aaron and Shira to live. It was a quick narration, only taking 40 minutes for me, I listen between 1.7x and 2x. I could see myself doing a quick re-listen to get into the holiday spirit.

[Albi (albireadingromance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frisky Connections by Michelle Mars

Setting:
USA Venice Beach

Characters:
Shira
Aaron
Keren
Summer
Kevin


Tropes:
Hero falls first
Jewish leads


Spice:
🌶 🌶 🌶

Goodreads:
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Notable Moments:
Immedia-Date
Yenta
The Frisky Bean Coffee Shop
Silly food items
well hung gingerbread man
Great first date
8 dates
Afraid of revealing their jobs



Review:
I adored this book! I really look forward to reading more books by Ms. Mars. It was romantic, spicy, and had a lot of humor. FIVE STARS. Spice was grade A.

Content Warnings:
None I noticed

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5☕️

Is it okay to say that one of my favourite things about the book was the menu of the cafe?!

Frisky Connections was the 'introduction' to the Frisky Bean series by Michelle Mars but it doesn't have to be read before reading Frisky Intentions. The Short Novella was a really nice introduction to the series and I will definitely continue it. It was wholesome and super entertaining. I would totally recommend the book!!!

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute quick listen. This is a story about an app. developer and a blogger. This reminded me a little bit of a hallmark moviesimilar to this but more steamy. I enjoyed listening to this short story. My favorite is the café the characters meet up at and the name of the items they sell. Look forward to reading/or and listeng to this series. The narrators did a real good job telling the story and giving the characters a voice.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

a different ending and maybe no inkling of a third act breakup would’ve made this a 4.5 or 5 star for me but overall fun and cute

i’ll also add that if you’re not someone who’s a fan of novellas… don’t pick this up. it’s literally only 50 pages. don’t lie to yourself and expect some well flushed out romance with super developed character dynamics. it’s 50 pages…

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story with a lot of potential, but I think that the relationship was too rushed. I would have also loved more focus on Hanukkah traditions. Overall, I think that this story would have worked better as a full length novel. I loved the writing style, though, so I'll be checking out other books by this author.

[Areadingsunflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

My best friend Katie recommended this novellete to me because she enjoyed it so much and honestly I see why! It was super cute and had me blushing at the sweetness of it and now I want to continue on into the series! Thank you Katie for the recommendation! Also thank you to the author for this cute story!

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I think I'm addicted to novellas) It's like taking a shot of espresso.

If you're used to full-length novels, you'll have to get used to the fast pace of a novella, especially this one, as it's only 55 pages.

Reading this book made me want to find my nearest cafe and demand cutely named pastries. 🥐🥧🍥

[JoJoRe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

This was a great short story. I loved the silliness of it all, the cakes, the app. It was a super fun, quick read.

Joe Arden and Emma Wilder voice Aaron and Shira. Not sure how they managed to narrate the first date with a serious voice but oh my… total professionalism!! I’d be laughing during the whole encounter if it was me.
Can’t wait for the next one

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the cuteness of a Hanukkah miracle insta-love romance, a sexy themed coffee shop and dating app connection. Shira and Aaron are adorable and perfect for each other. Joe Arden and Emma Wilder’s narrations made it a sweet, fun palate cleansing novella especially since there is zero ansgt. Looking forward to the rest of the series

[Stacy! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited for this, but I honestly wasn’t wowed. I appreciated the Jewish rep, but the writing wasn’t great, and the story was a little bit lacking. I wanted to like it more than I did, but it just wasn’t for me.

[Andrea (Hammock and Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 dates for these two until their Hanukkah miracle. It’s super cute - meet cute at a super fun coffee shop (Frisky Bean) thanks to a dating app and these two have chemistry from the start.

Short- fun- lol- cute- steamy!