Mateo

by Emily Evans

I came to celebrate my best friend’s new sense of freedom.
And we planned to welcome her next year with very arms.
But then, I saw Mateo.
I haven’t seen him since he was that scrawny funny friend in high school.
But now, he’s a intense security guard.
Before, our friendship was in the way, but now… There is to lose.
And when there is this moment on the pool, I wonder if my crush is really one sided.


I couldn’t believe my eyes.
It was Tiana: the girl who treated me like a human-the girl who got away.
I was always too nervous back then to take a shot. She was out of my league.
Yet now, she’s back… and she’s .
How could I have ever forgotten her?
This time, I’ll pursue her.
And I will protect her and pleasure her forever, if she’ll have me.

Genres: Contemporary

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Cath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book one of the Kings of Tracy Creek series and the main characters are Tiana and Mateo. Tiana has come back home for the weekend, to help her former best friend get over her divorce and welcome her into the single life and freedom again. Tiana hasn’t seen Mateo since high school, where they were friends, and he has certainly changed from the scrawny guy he used to be. A funny geek with glasses and someone she could talk to. She was the only female to even treat him nicely at school and they always used to have fun together as friends. Now he is working security at the very posh hotel the girls are having their party weekend at. He sees her before she even enters the hotel, loving her curves just as much as she obviously likes all his muscles! She learns that he used to be a cop, but had turned to security instead after an injury. Neither of them have the others number and it is her friend who manages to snag it. He can’t stick around and party with them, as he is on duty, but he hopes to catch up with them over the weekend.
Tiana is only there with her younger sister, to reconnect with her former bestie and party. She never expected to see the boy she crushed on in high school, working in this posh hotel. When the two get to see each other in the swimming pool the next day, sparks really start to fly and the two can’t resist each other. An unwelcome visitor finds Tiana and is a danger to her friend and her, before Mateo manages to save them both. He gets a slight injury and with Tiana being a nurse, she takes him to her room to patch him up. He takes advantage of the opportunity and they end up in bed together. He doesn’t want this to end, even though she doesn’t live in Tracy Creek anymore, so asks her on a date for that evening. He wants to protect her and love her for the rest of their lives, but something crops up that could end their time together suddenly.
That was the bit of the story that seemed to be a real clanger to me, with little to no other information around it. It wasn’t believable and why she didn’t react more after seeing him again after, is beyond me. Who did it is also never mentioned. It seems it was used as an excuse for him not to make the date, to heighten the suspense, but all it did was annoy me. Up till then, it was a simple, easy to read romance with a bit of steam and friends to lovers hoping for a future together. True love will find a way to make the HEA ending, no matter what. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
3 ½ to 4 stars

[kymagirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

High school friends Tiana (h) and Mateo (H) never shared how they felt about one another and move on with their lives. Years later, Tian returns to town and encounters Mateo who’s no vastly different physically from their high school days. They pair are drawn to one another, and things heat up quickly between the two. A sweet second chance quickie with a bit of heat and some drama, which includes the MMC being injured. The situation with Mateo being injured was a bit of a let down as there were almost no details about the situation – who cause the injury, what led them to do it, was the person caught by police. As the reader I can infer the ‘who’ but felt like a whole in the story – I read an ARC copy, so maybe this is corrected in the published version.

[Knight Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mateo and Tiana were best friends in high school, but they had not seen each other for ten years. Until, Tiana entered a hotel for a girls weekend finding Mateo working security. They were both excited to see one another. Mateo had been kind of the dorky looking guy back then, but it never seemed to bother Tiana that was no longer the case. He had filled out to be a gorgeous man. Turned out they had both had crushes on the other one, but they were to afraid to say anything for fear of their friendship. They both had a great deal of expectations for the weekend with their past chemistry to provide some magic for a future together. A pleasant story anytime you need a break.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiana and Mateo were friends in high school. They haven’t seen each other in years. Tiana comes home to Tracy Creek for her best friend Cynthia’s birthday and to celebrate Cynthia’s freedom after 10 years of marriage. Tiana is a nurse. She sees Mateo at the hotel where the girls are staying. Tiana always had a crush on him and now he’s even hotter as a security guard at the hotel.

Mateo meets the group of girls at the pool after his shift. Tiana’s ex husband shows up drunk at the pool. Cynthia tried to calm him down but he grabs Cynthia around the neck. Mateo intervenes and has to punch him so he lets go of Cynthia.

Do Mateo and Tiana still have crushes on each other? Will Mateo still like Tiana after the encounter with her ex husband? What happens when the weekend is over?

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mateo: A Small Town Romance Book 1 of Kings of Tracy Creek. Tiana can’t believe that she running into Mateo at her friends birthday weekend. She had the biggest crush on him in high school. He’s no longer the nerdy kid but smoking hot. Mateo has compared every woman to Tiana. He loved her in high school and seeing her now he still loves her. But when her ex comes calling and reminded her why you shouldn’t rush into relationships, she pushes him away. Will Mateo be able to convince her they belong together? This was a quick and easy read. I would recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances only come once. This is about Tiana and Mateo. Tiana is about to meet her friend to celebrate her birthday, especially as her friend is recently divorced. She did not think she would come face to face with Mateo as he is working security in the hotel she is going to. Mateo and she were always friends back in school but not one attempted to make the first move and he is determined to not let her out of his sight. There is a little bit of drama that the birthday girl insisted on taking care and didn’t end so well for her, but overall the ending was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series.

Tiana has come home for the weekend to help her best friend celebrate her divorce. While out she meets Mateo, the boy she knew in high school, who is no longer the skinny geeky boy with glasses, he is a well built man now.
Mateo is a security guard at the hotel that Tiana goes to with her friends, she was the only person to treat him kindly in school and she is the one that got away. Could this be his chance to be with Tiana finally.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiana’s bestie from high school is having a birthday bash, so Tiana and her sister go. Tiana is a nurse. Cynthia is also celebrating her divorce as well as her birthday. At the hotel, they all see an old friend who has grown up yummy, Mateo, whose muscles have muscles. Lol. Both Tiana and Mateo had crushes on each other in high school but never acted on it. Some crazy stuff happens. Mateo is awesome! I loved this book. It is a very quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[jenniO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Mateo

An awesome second chance for two high school best friends who were in love but to worried to say anything, After Tiana gets divorced she and her sister go to see a friend to help her celebrate. After a chance meeting with Mateo at their hotel, the geeky boy she knee knew is no longer a geek. He is security with the muscles to go with it. He also has the confidence to make the move he couldn't before. After a few ups and downs, they finally get their happy. I loved it!

[KAG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this book and it was an enjoyable short read. I liked the storyline, however putting it vaguely so there are no spoilers the incident that happens is just there. No explanation for why it happens. It would have been nice to know why. I understand wanting to have some type a problem so it isn't just unicorns, rainbows, and smooth sailing but an answer to why it happens would help. I still enjoyed the book and give it a thumbs up.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

They both liked each other, but never tried to get together, what will happen if they meet again by chance? Tiana can't believe her eyes when she sees Mateo, after all these years. He has just gotten sexier. I enjoyed this quick romance, where they get a second chance at the one that got away, both Mateo and Tiana were easy to like.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

She got away once, will Mateo let her go this time?

If you're after a short small town romance then look no further then Tiana & Mateo's story. They secretly crushed on each other in highschool & seeing each other today, those feelings have only intensified. Are these highschool best friends willing to take a leap?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in another series by Emily about alpha men and the women that can calm them. They were best friends in high school, but neither wanted to lose the friendship. After all these years their feelings have not change.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written friends to lovers second chance at romance. The author brings strong characters in Tiana and Mateo and has the sparks flying when they reconnect. It's an entertaining story as they come together. It's a fast paced story with descriptive scenes and is an enjoyable novella.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two have history they went to school together and were best friends. They have not seen each other in a long time. Both had crushes on the other. Will the admit that now that they see each other again? There is a bit of drama due to an ex husband. It is a quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mateo is book one on the Kings of Tracy Creek Series by Emily Evans. Tianna meets up for a girls birthday weekend when she is also reunited with Mateo, her best friend and crush from high school. Mateo is not the same geeky friend she knew. Mateo and Tianna have smoking hot chemistry and Mateo is determined not to let her get away this time. Looking forward to book two.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mateo: A Small Town Romance story of Mateo and Tiana..A short,sweet,cute,enjoyable and steamy romance story that you will loved.;this is the first book in the Kings of Tracy Creek series and i coudn't wait for the next one..well done!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining quick and steamy read. This is the first book in this series Kings of Tracy Creek. The characters are likeable and have a great connection. The storyline is easy to follow and will keep you interested all the way through. I am looking forward to read the next book.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiana and Mateo's story is a fast second chance tale with a bit of suspense as Tiana ex comes back around. When Tiana is in town to celebrate her friend's freedom, her past crush appears.

Great fast read with heat, passion and love that has you melting in your seat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is the first book in the Kings of Tracy Creek series, it's a sweet and steamy romance, Mateo and Tiana were best friends in school, they had feelings for each other yet never let the other know, now they meet by chance when Tiana goes to her friends birthday. The attraction between them is just as strong. Sweet story.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Emily Evans; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Kings of Tracy Creek Series; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Tiana & Mateo.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

Questions. One minute Mateo is talking about doing g what Tiana wants and th were next he has been shot Where we he when he was shot? Did her ex shoot him? You were left wondering how the incident occurred. Toward the end Tiana was called Tiffany by Mateo. That was confusing.

[Thaimelly Rigobello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an Arc copy of this story. And I think it was very cute. Tiana and Mateo are friends from high school but haven’t seen each other in a long time. They reencounter each other and start a new relationship. Very nice storyline! Thank you Emily Evans

[Carmen Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this one. There wasn't anything wrong with the characters or the storyline but there was no chemistry. No romance. The ending was rushed and we got no explanation for some things.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elaine Swinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book, and I voluntarily chose to review it. This is a well written short story with great characters. This is a second chance story. I read this one in one sitting. I would encourage everyone to get this one it is perfect for a lazy afternoon read.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet short love story. The characters are well written. You will fall in love with characters and the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Roseborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was a really great read. I loved Tiana and Mateo. They were really great characters. I definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of Kings of Tracy Creek and is a standalone book. It is a short novella with a fast pace and interesting characters. A good book for those times when you want a quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some confusing parts that could be helped by a good editor. A real quickie.

[Lisa Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful! A fast read because I couldn't put it down. A friend to lovers story. It gets very steamy once they figure out they belong together. Highly recommend!!