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The Manny
Tate Fuller's life is a God-awful mess. He's flat broke, his dead lover's parents are suing him again and his asshat landlord A.J. Boyd is evicting him from his bike shop, the one constant in Tate's life. He's starting to think things will never look up when sees an ad in the paper for a night and weekend nanny. So what if the guy who's doing the hiring is none other than A.J. himself, or if A.J. makes Tate's blood heat with something other than anger? After having his wife dump him because she claimed a bisexual man could never be faithful, A.J. Boyd has stopped being surprised when life throws him curve balls. Stopped being surprised, that is, until he finds out his ex-wife has died and left him with a six-week old daughter he didn't even know he had. Now he's sleep-deprived, scared stiff, and ready to do something really stupid, like hire the stubborn, infuriating, cocky Tate. And if the tension between them's hot enough to restart the Chicago fire, well, so be it.
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2009
6 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bell
28 books200 followersSara Bell lives in North Alabama with the world's sexiest, most supportive husband, the two most beautiful, gifted daughters on the planet, and two of the most neurotic but loveable dogs ever created. She's a full-time author who writes stories about never-ending love for all kinds of characters--gay, straight, and somewhere in-between. Sara still can't believe she gets paid to do something she loves so much, and she's darned grateful to her incredible readers for making her dream a reality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
January 25, 2015
I've been following Sara Bell's work since reading The Way You Say My Name and her books haven't disappointed me yet. This one is no exception.
Two hot men, one adorable little munchkin and a colorful assortment of family members? What's not to like.
Though the plot did have one of my pet peeves where one MC jumps into conclusion without hearing the other one out, the story was short enough for me not to linger on it much. Granted that it was also written a few years back so I think this kind of conflict was the running trend back then.
Great writing overall.
October 9, 2012
Another wonderful little read from Sara Bell. I think she really excels with novella length M/M works. They're short but really packed with emotion and background.
Tate is the owner/operator of a custom motorcycle shop and AJ is his evil landlord who is pushing for eviction. Both men have hard history behind them and circumstances occur where Tate becomes the live in nanny for AJ's daughter.
Tough, tattooed biker guy and hard-nosed boardroom shark bonding over a baby. What's not to love? They both adore her and slowly become friends which leads to so much more. Lovely little story.
Tate is the owner/operator of a custom motorcycle shop and AJ is his evil landlord who is pushing for eviction. Both men have hard history behind them and circumstances occur where Tate becomes the live in nanny for AJ's daughter.
Tough, tattooed biker guy and hard-nosed boardroom shark bonding over a baby. What's not to love? They both adore her and slowly become friends which leads to so much more. Lovely little story.
February 26, 2010
OMG!!! Two guys and a baby!!! Sara Bell has created two characters that are just so lovable. It's one of those "classic" romance that I totally love. A.J. is one sharp businessman, who finds out in one day that he has a daughter that he hasn't known exist before. Tate is one soft-hearted bike builder who is really good handling children as he is the oldest of nine kids. Add a cute baby in between, and yup, my heart just melt for them.
Though some of the background stories of either A.J. or Tate are a bit too soap-opera-ish, but the story is so sweet and fulfilling (it feels like the Harlequin romance but the good old ones, not the ones that left me cold *sigh*), about two people who build their own family, I have nothing but love for this
Though some of the background stories of either A.J. or Tate are a bit too soap-opera-ish, but the story is so sweet and fulfilling (it feels like the Harlequin romance but the good old ones, not the ones that left me cold *sigh*), about two people who build their own family, I have nothing but love for this
November 2, 2012
Enjoyable sweet story!
Biker tattoo mechanic and a corporate suit and a baby!
I didn't quite see as much of the 'love and relationship' development and attraction that I would have liked, but it's still a very sweet, cute story with all the evil ex and knight in shining armor and misunderstanding combined with being set between thanksgiving and Christmas read!
Biker tattoo mechanic and a corporate suit and a baby!
I didn't quite see as much of the 'love and relationship' development and attraction that I would have liked, but it's still a very sweet, cute story with all the evil ex and knight in shining armor and misunderstanding combined with being set between thanksgiving and Christmas read!
July 5, 2010
So sweeeeet!
April 15, 2012
4.75 stars (rounded up)
Cute and sweet as hell with pitch-perfect pacing and length. Most authors would have probably made this into a 200-300 page novel, but this length worked perfectly!
Cute and sweet as hell with pitch-perfect pacing and length. Most authors would have probably made this into a 200-300 page novel, but this length worked perfectly!
December 28, 2013
1.5 Stars
Okay, so I find myself in the minority once again because, sadly, this one was a bust. Although I love stories with kids in them ... check; and, I love enemies-to-lovers ... check check ... I didn't care for this book. Why? I don't like bitchy sisters who get up in everyone's business and flounce around telling everybody off. As. If.
Okay, so that's not exactly accurate. A bitchy sister wouldn't be enough to totally put me off a book. But here it was because A.J and Jake had some serious issues to resolve (). But rather than talk it through - as successful couples are wont to do - they have their come-to-Jesus moment through A.J.'s sister's tirade. Blech.
Bottom line: had promise but ultimately turned me off.
Okay, so I find myself in the minority once again because, sadly, this one was a bust. Although I love stories with kids in them ... check; and, I love enemies-to-lovers ... check check ... I didn't care for this book. Why? I don't like bitchy sisters who get up in everyone's business and flounce around telling everybody off. As. If.
Okay, so that's not exactly accurate. A bitchy sister wouldn't be enough to totally put me off a book. But here it was because A.J and Jake had some serious issues to resolve (). But rather than talk it through - as successful couples are wont to do - they have their come-to-Jesus moment through A.J.'s sister's tirade. Blech.
Bottom line: had promise but ultimately turned me off.
August 26, 2018
A sweet little romance story. AJ, Tate and baby Madeline are a perfect family lol.
While this is only a short read, Sara Bell still manages to give me a solid read, with enough plot to keep me entertained, and a HEA of course lol. 3.5 pushed to a 4 because I'm a Sara Bell fan lol.
ETA Still a sweet read. I only wish there was a sequel. I'd love to see how many embryos took
While this is only a short read, Sara Bell still manages to give me a solid read, with enough plot to keep me entertained, and a HEA of course lol. 3.5 pushed to a 4 because I'm a Sara Bell fan lol.
ETA Still a sweet read. I only wish there was a sequel. I'd love to see how many embryos took
April 4, 2011
I really enjoy Sara Bell's stories and The Manny comes in second only to Heart Song.
What do I love about this little story?
One sexy hunk with tattoos a plenty and a soft heart. The visual of Tate teaching A.J. how to swaddle a baby was sweet like candy.
Another sexy hunk who's all yuppied out and also has a soft heart. A.J. wears cartoon boxers because they were a gift from his sibling's kid. Could he have stuffed them away somewhere? Yup. Does he? Nope, because then he wouldn't be A.J.
Animosity becomes friendship become lust becomes love.
An adorable baby.
This is another one of those stories that I re-read like it's my job. I could have read 200 more pages about these guys and their little bundle of joy.
What do I love about this little story?
One sexy hunk with tattoos a plenty and a soft heart. The visual of Tate teaching A.J. how to swaddle a baby was sweet like candy.
Another sexy hunk who's all yuppied out and also has a soft heart. A.J. wears cartoon boxers because they were a gift from his sibling's kid. Could he have stuffed them away somewhere? Yup. Does he? Nope, because then he wouldn't be A.J.
Animosity becomes friendship become lust becomes love.
An adorable baby.
This is another one of those stories that I re-read like it's my job. I could have read 200 more pages about these guys and their little bundle of joy.
February 5, 2015
Oh A.J. I love your cartoon Boxers.
Besides this story was sooo good, short but so emotional! Tate and A.J. are made for each other. And Madeline makes it even better. I admit it, I cried. Hell Sara Bell how could you do this to me? You wrecked me totally. I need more, like yesterday. I'am glad vLadimiR recommended this to me. Thanx
Besides this story was sooo good, short but so emotional! Tate and A.J. are made for each other. And Madeline makes it even better. I admit it, I cried. Hell Sara Bell how could you do this to me? You wrecked me totally. I need more, like yesterday. I'am glad vLadimiR recommended this to me. Thanx
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June 25, 2017Галопом по европам, или кратное содержание типичного мм романа.
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February 23, 2010THE MANNY is one of those books where the beauty lies in the detail and I did enjoy those details. The books does not really veer far from the blur so this is more a round up of my thoughts on the book.
I came across Ms. Bells work recently and decided to start with this short read, The story begins straight off with the two main protags at each others throats and naturally my sympathies went with the underdog, which in this case was Tate Fuller.
Tate is barely managing, who am I kidding Tate is barely surviving – with losing his partner and a pending wrongful death lawsuit nipping at his heels and to top it off he’s late on his rent, how much worse can it get. Well when A.J. Boyd walked through the doors of his bike shop it just got extremely worse – because A.J doesn’t give him a chance he wants him out and no arguments about it.
A.J. Boyd the “asshat landlord” has his own share of troubles and a shocker is closer than he could even imagine. When A.J. finds out he is a father and not under the most ideal of circumstances he is not happy, but one look at Madeline, his six weeks bundle of pinkie goodness and he was lost.
As much as he love Madeline he knows he has to get some sleep because babies and commercial life do not go hand in hand. Luckily for Madeline, Tate is also on the hunt for a job and he has just the right amount of experience and training – A.J. is not so happy about Tate turning up at his door – but when Madeline stops crying for the first time in what feels like weeks he would have make a deal with the devil if he did that.
And so begins the dance of passing the baby over muscled shoulders and across the kitchen table into big work worn hands in and out to work, there also begins the lusting glances and the sly little smiles and I was loving it.
As expected something had to give and it did in a big way – A.J. and Tate themselves were their own worst enemy, but nastiness has away of floating to the top and when one surprise after another has A.J.’s and Tate’s backs against the wall – they have to do their own soul searching to see if they can make it together after all is said and done.
Sara Bell is a new voice to me, but I am liking her style – it is so easy to read, before I knew it I was as caught up in the love affair between the two men just as much as members of both their families were. The support cast in this was fantastic, direct, and the look you in the eyes and put a whole lot of hurting on you type of people and I loved them.
I will say that I thought she did an great job of defining A.J. and Tate, as short as this book was I got to know them really well. The storyline itself I thought was really good and I only wish there was more of it – as it was a pretty decently put together plotline.
THE MANNY is definately one I would recommend.
I came across Ms. Bells work recently and decided to start with this short read, The story begins straight off with the two main protags at each others throats and naturally my sympathies went with the underdog, which in this case was Tate Fuller.
Tate is barely managing, who am I kidding Tate is barely surviving – with losing his partner and a pending wrongful death lawsuit nipping at his heels and to top it off he’s late on his rent, how much worse can it get. Well when A.J. Boyd walked through the doors of his bike shop it just got extremely worse – because A.J doesn’t give him a chance he wants him out and no arguments about it.
A.J. Boyd the “asshat landlord” has his own share of troubles and a shocker is closer than he could even imagine. When A.J. finds out he is a father and not under the most ideal of circumstances he is not happy, but one look at Madeline, his six weeks bundle of pinkie goodness and he was lost.
As much as he love Madeline he knows he has to get some sleep because babies and commercial life do not go hand in hand. Luckily for Madeline, Tate is also on the hunt for a job and he has just the right amount of experience and training – A.J. is not so happy about Tate turning up at his door – but when Madeline stops crying for the first time in what feels like weeks he would have make a deal with the devil if he did that.
And so begins the dance of passing the baby over muscled shoulders and across the kitchen table into big work worn hands in and out to work, there also begins the lusting glances and the sly little smiles and I was loving it.
As expected something had to give and it did in a big way – A.J. and Tate themselves were their own worst enemy, but nastiness has away of floating to the top and when one surprise after another has A.J.’s and Tate’s backs against the wall – they have to do their own soul searching to see if they can make it together after all is said and done.
Sara Bell is a new voice to me, but I am liking her style – it is so easy to read, before I knew it I was as caught up in the love affair between the two men just as much as members of both their families were. The support cast in this was fantastic, direct, and the look you in the eyes and put a whole lot of hurting on you type of people and I loved them.
I will say that I thought she did an great job of defining A.J. and Tate, as short as this book was I got to know them really well. The storyline itself I thought was really good and I only wish there was more of it – as it was a pretty decently put together plotline.
THE MANNY is definately one I would recommend.
July 14, 2012
3.5 stars - This book is perfectly summed up by the phrase 'short and sweet.' The Manny is a total comfort read and really hits the spot if you're looking for something cute to cheer you up and to put a smile on your face. I'd have liked it to be a little longer, although the story's development wasn't particularly lacking considering its length. There were a few plot points that I thought were a little unrealistic (I'm not sure if that's a completely fair judgement or if anyone else felt the same, but I was left thinking "Umm... really?!" once or twice) but it was still a nice little read.
July 7, 2012
I enjoyed this sweet story about a big, sexy motorcycle builder/mechanic who, by coincidence, ends up taking a job as nanny for A.J., his hot landlord, who means to evict him from his building. These two go from utter dislike to a super sweet, sexy lovimg couple with an adorable baby girl in the middle. I wish we learned a little more about their backstories and that it was just a tad bit longer. But, overall, this was just a nice, feel-good story.
February 27, 2012
I was in the mood for sweet and light, but not eye rolling sweet and light...often a very hard balance to find, however The Manny complelety worked for me.
For a short story, this was written in a manner that provided you with enough depth of character to make you care. I loved the background, the dynamics, the heartwarming scenes and the amount of love that exudes off the pages.
For a short story, this was written in a manner that provided you with enough depth of character to make you care. I loved the background, the dynamics, the heartwarming scenes and the amount of love that exudes off the pages.
December 23, 2009
Stories about single fathers are always a win with me and this one is no exception. I don't know what it is about Sara Bell's writing that I love so much, but there isn't a story out there by her that I haven't fallen in love with. Here's to hoping she writes many, many more tales (and soon).
July 5, 2014
This is a sweet, cute short read,a breather after a intense read.I really love men taking care of a child or children and this one didn't disappoint.
January 2, 2015
A daddy, his baby and the nanny, you can't go wrong those 3. Sweet & light read :)
January 26, 2015
Way too short!! Really liked this one. 4 stars from me.
October 20, 2019
Very sweet little short!
TAGS.
-- Very sweet -- enemies to lovers -- family --loved the MCs...Tate & A.J. -- under 75 pages
April 2, 2013
Ah, lovely emotions. A good, solid story about good, solid people who struggle a little with themselves. Just the right amount of easy reading with an exaggerated happy end.
I especially love how attraction and sex are not the focal point in any way whatsoever. That aspect feels more like an incidental extension of the emotional side than the main course.
And the romance itself is definitely not overplayed, which is probably why some reviewers felt a little disappointed in that regard, although it definitely works for me here.
Naturally, as per the author’s trademark, there’s money, marriage, and procreation. Still, as I said the last time I read this book, those extreme breeding tendencies in her gay protagonists in this case make up the heart of the story so they don’t seem as out of place.
*snicker* Okay, but one error amused me way too much: There is a difference between an ex-patriot and an expatriate. XD
I especially love how attraction and sex are not the focal point in any way whatsoever. That aspect feels more like an incidental extension of the emotional side than the main course.
And the romance itself is definitely not overplayed, which is probably why some reviewers felt a little disappointed in that regard, although it definitely works for me here.
Naturally, as per the author’s trademark, there’s money, marriage, and procreation. Still, as I said the last time I read this book, those extreme breeding tendencies in her gay protagonists in this case make up the heart of the story so they don’t seem as out of place.
*snicker* Okay, but one error amused me way too much: There is a difference between an ex-patriot and an expatriate. XD
August 19, 2010
This short story features the always fun to read opposites attracts and adds in a cute baby for a double whammy of entertainment. AJ and Tate are likable protags each with his own issues to deal with and despite not getting along in the beginning Tate is quick to help out AJ. Feelings develop, misunderstands occur and there is some sweet baby loving going on as well. Sweet, sexy and engaging this short story is one I'd love to read a sequel to.
October 8, 2012
I really enjoyed this short story by Sara Bell and actually would have enjoyed it as a full length novel. She managed to pack a lot of emotion and development into a short story in my opinion. I liked the characters of A.J. and Tate and love the enemies to lovers genre. I have liked everything of Sara Bell's that I have read to date!
January 17, 2010
Another sweet m/m romance from Sara Bell. This one’s about a male nanny/custom motorcycle designer and his evil landlord.
February 22, 2011
Short and sweet.
August 17, 2011
4.5 stars - adorable!
December 30, 2011
Such a sweet story.
November 15, 2011
Two soft-hearted guys with a baby in the middle, need to work things out so they can be together. I really enjoyed how easily this story flowed to its HEA. Well worth a read!
November 20, 2021
I really liked this one. Drama but not overly, sweet but not annoying, grown men panicking over a sweet baby, protective family... Not perfect but still a great short story!
June 9, 2021
Entretenido, sin mucha profundidad pero agradable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews