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Distract Me
Keri wanted one night of distraction. Instead, he finds an irresistible connection with an older man.
After being betrayed by the two people closest to him, Keri Jeffers has shut himself off. He’s done with secrets, with his wealthy family’s expectations, and with love. What he needs is a no-strings distraction, and the salt-and-pepper stranger kneeling nervously at his feet just might be the answer. If only Keri could maintain his distance.
Everett Miller had a good life until a staggering mistake snatched it away. Now, he’s attempting to rebuild, but no prospects and a rapidly emptying wallet sends him to the bar to drown his sorrows. He needs a distraction but didn’t plan on hooking up with the younger Keri. When Keri shows up at his door in the aftermath with a job offer, Everett can’t say no, not if he wants to reclaim his life. Thrown together daily, unchecked desire sizzles between them, but mixing business with pleasure isn’t the best idea. Besides, what could they possibly have in common?
Distract Me is an IR age-gap, opposites attract novella featuring a younger man nursing a bruised heart and a shy older man who’s extremely good with his hands, taking direction, and keeping secrets. Loosely connected to the author's Dread+Terrible series, but can be read as a standalone.
After being betrayed by the two people closest to him, Keri Jeffers has shut himself off. He’s done with secrets, with his wealthy family’s expectations, and with love. What he needs is a no-strings distraction, and the salt-and-pepper stranger kneeling nervously at his feet just might be the answer. If only Keri could maintain his distance.
Everett Miller had a good life until a staggering mistake snatched it away. Now, he’s attempting to rebuild, but no prospects and a rapidly emptying wallet sends him to the bar to drown his sorrows. He needs a distraction but didn’t plan on hooking up with the younger Keri. When Keri shows up at his door in the aftermath with a job offer, Everett can’t say no, not if he wants to reclaim his life. Thrown together daily, unchecked desire sizzles between them, but mixing business with pleasure isn’t the best idea. Besides, what could they possibly have in common?
Distract Me is an IR age-gap, opposites attract novella featuring a younger man nursing a bruised heart and a shy older man who’s extremely good with his hands, taking direction, and keeping secrets. Loosely connected to the author's Dread+Terrible series, but can be read as a standalone.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2023
65 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Avril Ashton
78 books1,675 followersA Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 9, 2023
You don’t have to read Crave You (dread & terrible book 3, to understand this book, Distract Me, but I strongly suggest you do as you will it to understand this story better. A crucial part of this book can only be fully understood with Keri’s brother Kannon’s book, Crave You where the main character in this book, Keri’s story begins. He’s from a wealthy Atlanta family who put way much pressure on him and after a disaster that left him broken, Keri’s had enough of everyone’s BS.
A lot of Avril’s books connected in that way so I always tell readers to make sure they read all of her books in order.
Tropes:
MM
Age Gap (48 & 32)
Hurt/Comfort
Secrets
Interconnected characters
Novella
This book is so freaking sweet!! If you’re looking for two men who’ve lost a lot in their lives and finding each other at their lowest point, then this is the book for you. It’s also not long and has a ton do steamy scenes as most Avril books do!
It’s also SO enjoyable and a light fun read! It’s just what I needed to put a smile on my face.
Everett is a HOT mysterious older man with broad shoulders who Keri desperately wants to get to know. Is he shy or is he not interested? Keri takes the lead and one thing leads to another bringing the two closer.
Keri and Everett have secrets and sordid pasts. They are on a passionate journey to rebuild their lives after heartache and tragic life events. If they’re not careful they’re secrets will tear them apart and hold them back from personal growth.
I’m obsessed with AA. I recommend each and every one of her books!
A lot of Avril’s books connected in that way so I always tell readers to make sure they read all of her books in order.
Tropes:
MM
Age Gap (48 & 32)
Hurt/Comfort
Secrets
Interconnected characters
Novella
This book is so freaking sweet!! If you’re looking for two men who’ve lost a lot in their lives and finding each other at their lowest point, then this is the book for you. It’s also not long and has a ton do steamy scenes as most Avril books do!
It’s also SO enjoyable and a light fun read! It’s just what I needed to put a smile on my face.
Everett is a HOT mysterious older man with broad shoulders who Keri desperately wants to get to know. Is he shy or is he not interested? Keri takes the lead and one thing leads to another bringing the two closer.
Keri and Everett have secrets and sordid pasts. They are on a passionate journey to rebuild their lives after heartache and tragic life events. If they’re not careful they’re secrets will tear them apart and hold them back from personal growth.
I’m obsessed with AA. I recommend each and every one of her books!
May 22, 2023
I really liked both the MCs, which is a plus. But when it came down to Keri’s family, he had a lot of his anger misplaced. Yes, he parents always pushed him to be the best, and yes they always told his younger brother to “be like Keri”. But that had absolutely nothing to do with Kannon being a lazy, selfish, irresponsible man-child, and certainly had nothing to do with him sleeping with his brother’s man, all the way up to 15 minutes before Keri and Q exchanged vows! Kannon was just a dog.
I semi-understood why Everett kept his secret, but keeping it for months was a bit much. As if it were done for the sole purpose of causing angst in the story. The part that I hated the absolute most was Ms. Ashton making the 2 brothers reconcile. Like Everett said, you can forgive him without ever seeing him again. As an adult, parents can’t force you to do s***. And there’s not enough forgiveness in the world for the s*** Kannon did. It would have just been me and my man against the world.
I semi-understood why Everett kept his secret, but keeping it for months was a bit much. As if it were done for the sole purpose of causing angst in the story. The part that I hated the absolute most was Ms. Ashton making the 2 brothers reconcile. Like Everett said, you can forgive him without ever seeing him again. As an adult, parents can’t force you to do s***. And there’s not enough forgiveness in the world for the s*** Kannon did. It would have just been me and my man against the world.
February 17, 2023
Keri and Ev
This was another good one from Avril Ashton. Keri and Ev seemed to click from the very first time they laid eyes on one another. They had some super hot chemistry. A little bit of angst but nothing overly dramatic.
I will say this, the Ev that Keri meets in the bar and the Ev of the rest of the book seem to be two different guys. Ev is initially unsure and appears to need some hand holding and direction. By the second time they are together, he’s this confident and in charge kind of guy. Seemed like a big leap to me. Either way, I really liked Ev a lot. He and Keri just worked together in so many way. A solid 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
This was another good one from Avril Ashton. Keri and Ev seemed to click from the very first time they laid eyes on one another. They had some super hot chemistry. A little bit of angst but nothing overly dramatic.
I will say this, the Ev that Keri meets in the bar and the Ev of the rest of the book seem to be two different guys. Ev is initially unsure and appears to need some hand holding and direction. By the second time they are together, he’s this confident and in charge kind of guy. Seemed like a big leap to me. Either way, I really liked Ev a lot. He and Keri just worked together in so many way. A solid 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
December 9, 2023
12/9/23 Re-read. Yuppp. Still love. 4.5
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Mannn, I don't know what reviewers are talking about. Thank God I gave it a try for myself. I loved this book, HARD! What drama? Why didn't some like Keri? Pfft. Keri and Everett were fiyahhh together. I barely took a breath during the first few chapters. Lordt!
The author did a few things really well.
1) I am not a super fan of the younger man being the more aggressive partner, but this was reallly, really well done here due to Everett's lack of real experience. Also, Keri has his moments of vulnerability, and he wants what he wants but he wasn't a jerk about it. It all felt very balanced. Also, the author really struck the right chord with Everett. He was inexperienced without being naive. I loved the fact that he wasn't virginal; he just hadn't had quality, loving, mutual interaction. I loved everything about their love scenes. And did I mention they were HAWT??!
2) I loved that Everett (older) . I know, I know, it's not very progressive thinking. Equal opportunity yada, yada, yada. I like what I like in books. It's one reason Kannon's book will NEVER work for me. Especially not with Preacher being who he is.
3) I liked that both characters were REAL. Everett was flawed, and Keri had real hurt to overcome and trust issues to address. I loved all of it.
4) The story moves along. This is a very robust short story. I feel like I got everything I wanted out of it. The pacing is perfect.
5) Kannon actually redeems himself in the end, and we KNOW how much I disliked him in his own book. Even glimpses of him in this book were making my eye start to twitch. He just does too much for me.
The only thing I didn't know was, Everett was white, right? It drove me crazy! Literally, all we're told about him is that he had blue-grey eyes and a few gray hairs at the temples...or was that the last book I read? We literally get no description of him! I need to be able to SEE the characters. There are lots of mentions of Keri's hair and skin, NONE re Everett. Ugh. Was he white, biracial or black with light eyes? Someone, tell me lol.
All in all, a great book and definitely one I will read again. Kudos!
---------
Mannn, I don't know what reviewers are talking about. Thank God I gave it a try for myself. I loved this book, HARD! What drama? Why didn't some like Keri? Pfft. Keri and Everett were fiyahhh together. I barely took a breath during the first few chapters. Lordt!
The author did a few things really well.
1) I am not a super fan of the younger man being the more aggressive partner, but this was reallly, really well done here due to Everett's lack of real experience. Also, Keri has his moments of vulnerability, and he wants what he wants but he wasn't a jerk about it. It all felt very balanced. Also, the author really struck the right chord with Everett. He was inexperienced without being naive. I loved the fact that he wasn't virginal; he just hadn't had quality, loving, mutual interaction. I loved everything about their love scenes. And did I mention they were HAWT??!
2) I loved that Everett (older) . I know, I know, it's not very progressive thinking. Equal opportunity yada, yada, yada. I like what I like in books. It's one reason Kannon's book will NEVER work for me. Especially not with Preacher being who he is.
3) I liked that both characters were REAL. Everett was flawed, and Keri had real hurt to overcome and trust issues to address. I loved all of it.
4) The story moves along. This is a very robust short story. I feel like I got everything I wanted out of it. The pacing is perfect.
5) Kannon actually redeems himself in the end, and we KNOW how much I disliked him in his own book. Even glimpses of him in this book were making my eye start to twitch. He just does too much for me.
The only thing I didn't know was, Everett was white, right? It drove me crazy! Literally, all we're told about him is that he had blue-grey eyes and a few gray hairs at the temples...or was that the last book I read? We literally get no description of him! I need to be able to SEE the characters. There are lots of mentions of Keri's hair and skin, NONE re Everett. Ugh. Was he white, biracial or black with light eyes? Someone, tell me lol.
All in all, a great book and definitely one I will read again. Kudos!
February 15, 2025
I love Avril Ashton's writing so much. This story was not as dark as some of her work can be but there was a lot of pain and eventual forgiveness. Everett was such a wonderful man who had lost so much but his hooking up with Keri was so hot and the job he did for Keri helped him with money and self-esteem. Keri was so hurt by his rotten soon to be ex and his brother's betrayal and his parents' pitting the brothers against each other. Preacher was the catalyst to Kannon and Keri talking again and Keri at last was able to forgive him for sleeping with Quentin. I knew that Keri would be devastated when he found out about Everett's wife and even though Everett told him everything about the miscarriage and Melissa's breakdown and the accident that she caused and Everett going to prison and losing everything Keri could not forgive him. I loved that he finally could let go of the hurt and forgive him and Kannon's telling his followers about Everett's fantastic furniture and he was able to build up his business again. And Preacher giving Keri the info needed to take down Quentin was so satisfying.
December 14, 2023
I picked this as a quick read, when I'm not feeling very well. A quick read it was NOT!
Kannon, Melissa, Art, Quentin and even Keri's parents, Frank and Eleanor were so present in every freaking page of the story that it was FRUSTRATING!!!
The story was so slow in developing it was almost stagnant. I started skimming after the 58% or so because I couldn't keep reading the same thing over and over again just differently worded. And then some things about Everett come to light, things snowballed from there, but once again Keri was just wallowing and even though he got advise from his brother, his BIL and even his therapist on how to proceed. But nope, we want to wallow for ever and ever.
I get it, he was done dirty from pretty much everyone he loved but come on dude! You want to do things for you, what you want, START DOING THEM! But noooo we want to just circle around the same pity party!
So I'm kinda skeptical if I want to read more from the author...
Kannon, Melissa, Art, Quentin and even Keri's parents, Frank and Eleanor were so present in every freaking page of the story that it was FRUSTRATING!!!
The story was so slow in developing it was almost stagnant. I started skimming after the 58% or so because I couldn't keep reading the same thing over and over again just differently worded. And then some things about Everett come to light, things snowballed from there, but once again Keri was just wallowing and even though he got advise from his brother, his BIL and even his therapist on how to proceed. But nope, we want to wallow for ever and ever.
I get it, he was done dirty from pretty much everyone he loved but come on dude! You want to do things for you, what you want, START DOING THEM! But noooo we want to just circle around the same pity party!
So I'm kinda skeptical if I want to read more from the author...
March 27, 2023
I took a chance on this based on the good reviews but this was not for me at all. I went in expecting a regular romance but it was too dark for me: forced marriage (are we in the 17th century?) blackmail, time in prison, drug addict, toxic relationships with ex and family,...it was not my cup of tea.
The beginning was interesting with their very hot meeting but then it went downhill for me. We see the third act break up coming from the beginning, some things don't make sense and I don't even get why Everett would still be in contact with his 2 ex or why Keri didn't run away far from his family, especially his brother who f***ed his husband!?!
The beginning was interesting with their very hot meeting but then it went downhill for me. We see the third act break up coming from the beginning, some things don't make sense and I don't even get why Everett would still be in contact with his 2 ex or why Keri didn't run away far from his family, especially his brother who f***ed his husband!?!
February 14, 2024
lovely light story
I am so glad Keri got his HEA, my heart broke for him, in Preachers and Kannon story. Everett was perfect for him and it is only a story but I wish them many years of happiness.
Nice story about forgiveness, it is such a hard thing to do. Beautiful light hearted written story.
I am so glad Keri got his HEA, my heart broke for him, in Preachers and Kannon story. Everett was perfect for him and it is only a story but I wish them many years of happiness.
Nice story about forgiveness, it is such a hard thing to do. Beautiful light hearted written story.
December 30, 2024
First born
Ashton's story hit home with both the pressures on the first born, as well as the parental manipulation of sibling competition. The familiar issue of communication takes a deviation through secret keeping as a triggering climax. The bottom of the MCs does experience intense action.
Ashton's story hit home with both the pressures on the first born, as well as the parental manipulation of sibling competition. The familiar issue of communication takes a deviation through secret keeping as a triggering climax. The bottom of the MCs does experience intense action.
January 16, 2025
A wonderfully written story, two men, both hurting, both lonely, both with secrets. It shows a little here and there that there was a previous story to this, I hadn't read it and it didn't impact my understanding and enjoyment, it just takes a little moment to click it in place, it's still a great read. Keri and Everett's story is full of emotions, giving us a sweet but oh so painful tale.
July 28, 2025
Deliciously sexy, such comforting characters and a couple I needed together
One of the best novels I've heard in a while. Ev and Keri deserve the world, they have both gone through so much and just needed their own person. There story is so steamy, natural and feels like ppl you would like to know. Thoroughly enjoyed it
One of the best novels I've heard in a while. Ev and Keri deserve the world, they have both gone through so much and just needed their own person. There story is so steamy, natural and feels like ppl you would like to know. Thoroughly enjoyed it
December 30, 2024
Lots of very dense info-dumping, presumably to catch you up if you haven't read the other books. Which I haven't, and I am not particularly tempted.
March 7, 2025
I don’t think I’d read this again. I didn’t really like the writing style.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews