Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Librarian

by Lee Brazil (Goodreads Author)

3.7 of 5 stars 3.70 · rating details · 136 ratings · 33 reviews

Valentine Michaels has just taken a vow of celibacy. Adrian Grey intends to take full advantage of that vow to re-create his relationship with Val.

Val is at a crossroads in his life. A college dropout, he's gone as far as he can in his career as a cosmetologist, owning his own style salon. He no longer finds satisfaction in it, though he's put years into proving to his big...more

ebook, 72 pages

Published January 6th 2012 by Breathless Press

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 251)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jan 10, 2012 Arthur rated it 5 of 5 stars

Adrian and Val were roommates when they were freshmen in college. They slept with each other for a week until out of nowhere Val bubbling about another guy. Since then they were still friends. Adrian became a librarian with a Master in Library Science, and Val became an owner of a hair salon with Adrian as one of his loyal costumers.

All the time, Adrian listened to various boyfriend stories until Val broke up with the latest one and vowed to be celibate for a while. Adrian then put together a p...more

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 28, 2012 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: the-romance-reviews, m-m, erotica, short-story, challenge-bdsm

Every time I read Lee Brazil, I'm smiling. There is just something so appealing about her writing for me. This friends to lovers just had me over the moon with giggles. I really liked this. 4.5 stars. Sending in review for approval.

official review

Does the naughty professor or sexy strict librarian turn you on? Or are you in denial? Val is in such denial, he doesn't even know it. Val and Adrian have been friends since freshmen year in college when they were roommates. A brief fling leaves Adrian...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 19, 2013 Bev rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, really-good-friends

Really liked this shortish read from Lee Brazil, characters you could like, and a believable story.

Adrian and Val....well, what went wrong there Val??? Just think how much time you wasted with your petty attitude...10 years!! Got together for a week at college, and Adrian was already in love

with him when Val decides that this might be 'it' for him as well, and runs for the hills!! Ever since, they've been friends and Adrian has had to listen to Val bragging about all the men he's had but blown...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 10, 2012 Nik rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: friends-to-lovers, no-go, douchey-ho-bag, second-time-around, tattoos-piercings, m-m

I liked the premise of the book but once I got into it, I hated how manipulative both characters were with each other. Not a fan favorite.

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 14, 2013 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, let me start out by saying , “I hate Val.” A lot. Seriously. What he does to Adrian is unconscionable. I wanted to hunt him down and brain him. How dare he…(cough) …sorry, I got carried away a tad.

It’s true, though. When I was introduced to Val, I did not like him. I was sure I would never like him. For the life of me, I couldn’t see what Adrian saw in the flighty little twink. Yet, for some reason, he loved him and, for now, that was good enough for me to keep reading.

Adrian decides he ne...more

like · see review

Jun 06, 2012 Julesmarie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

I did read the reviews here that talked about how unlikable and manipulative both of the MCs were, and I chose to read this anyway. Why? Because one of the MCs is a librarian, and that fascinated me. The interesting thing is that I ended up not liking the librarian.

There were a couple of things I didn't like about this one. First, Val and Adrian are introduced to us as having been friends ever since they were roommates in college freshman year. That claim was proven to be both more and less than...more I did read the reviews here that talked about how unlikable and manipulative both of the MCs were, and I chose to read this anyway. Why? Because one of the MCs is a librarian, and that fascinated me. The interesting thing is that I ended up not liking the librarian.

There were a couple of things I didn't like about this one. First, Val and Adrian are introduced to us as having been friends ever since they were roommates in college freshman year. That claim was proven to be both more and less than the truth. I don't know if you could give the label of "friends" to people who only see each other once a week for a haircut, during which time one of them talks incessantly (and apparently in great detail...) about his boyfriends while the other stays silent. And having Adrian have to write his cell number on a business card so that Val could have it? What friends don't have each others' phone numbers? Very weird.

I started out totally hating Val. That phone call with Derek made him look exactly like the shallow person we were supposed to believe he was. As we found out more about his story, though, and understood WHY he did the things that he did 10 years ago, I really came to like him. Enough that i totally want to wrap him up and keep him safe from getting hurt like that again.

And Adrian. Ugh, Adrian. At first while reading this, i figured the "unlikable" applied to Val and the "manipulative" applied to Adrian. It was only as i kept reading that i found out they both applied to Adrian. i think the fact that he needed to justify his actions toward val even to himself makes it pretty clear that he was doing something wrong. If you have to tell yourself things like "I'm still me, I'm just enhancing certain parts of my personality," (or whatever his exact words were) maybe you need to reevaluate your situation.

I understand that Adrian was doing everything he felt was necessary in order to get Val to see him as a potential love-interest again. I understand that in his mind it was with Val's best interest in mind. I just don't like the way he came across.(less)

like · see review

Feb 11, 2012 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 3.5 Stars Reviewed by Jeff

The Librarian is a story of unrequited love. Adrian Grey and Val Michaels were dorm mates during their freshman year at university, and although they briefly played with each other sexually, it quickly became clear to Adrian that Val had no real interest in him. Val went for the jock types, and Adrian was more of an intellectual. Adrian was studying library science and had a personality that was more focused, serious, and studious. Val wanted adventure and carefree love...more 3.5 Stars Reviewed by Jeff

The Librarian is a story of unrequited love. Adrian Grey and Val Michaels were dorm mates during their freshman year at university, and although they briefly played with each other sexually, it quickly became clear to Adrian that Val had no real interest in him. Val went for the jock types, and Adrian was more of an intellectual. Adrian was studying library science and had a personality that was more focused, serious, and studious. Val wanted adventure and carefree lovers who would tower over him and dominate him sexually.

For the better part of a decade, Adrian pined over Val, and during this time he continued to fantasize about one day forging a meaningful relationship. Adrian became a librarian and Val bought a hair salon. Adrian was one of Val’s regular customers, showing up every Friday morning for his weekly haircut, never once varying his routine. Adrian learned of all Val’s sexual exploits, and Val shared the details of his love life while cutting Adrian’s hair. Adrian just listened, took it all in, and waited…patiently.

When Val broke up with his college jock boyfriend, he was heartbroken and swore a vow of celibacy. This happened to be on the very day that Adrian was scheduled for an appointment, and as Val confessed to Adrian the frustration he felt over yet another failed relationship, Adrian realized it was time to put in motion a plan to finally capture Val’s heart.

Adrian began scheming, setting a trap, so to speak, to ensnare Val. He sensed that Val yearned for a dominant man to control him and fantasized about being Val’s master. He toyed with Val, playing a game of cat and mouse, until he got Val to a point where he was eating out of his hand. Then at last he trapped him…or so he thought.

I found the story very interesting and loved the author’s writing style. Of course I related to Adrian and the way he’d secretly harbored this crush for so many years. This type of unrequited love is a theme dear to my heart. What I did not like was the way that Adrian was so conniving and deceitful. I suppose it was necessary and was actually the whole point of the story, but when it comes to Dom/sub romances, I prefer to see the Master as being an assertive, confident character who lays claim to his sub and does so decisively and swiftly. I can’t really see a true Dom as ever being this patient.

Val was sweet but I felt like he just needed someone to take control of him. I wanted Adrian to be this person. In the end I was left wondering if either of them really wanted to embrace the D/s lifestyle. They both were headstrong and cocky, and I didn’t feel like Val would ever be able to give up his ego in order to embrace his sub nature.

If you like stories where the Dom and sub are portrayed more as equal partners, this would be a perfect read. The Librarian is a story that is mainly about a chase. The Dom goes after the sub and attempts to ensnare him. It contains very hot love scenes and humorous dialogue, and overall it is an entertaining read. I would not, however, categorize it as a realistic D/s love story.(less)

like · see review

Jan 10, 2012 T.A. Webb rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Valentine Michaels and Adrian Gray were in college years ago, they were roommates. Both gay, both experiencing life away from home. Adrian's family was supportive, Val's ignored him. Adrian was rather straight laced and conservative, Val has blue hair.

They became good friends, and Adrian listened and supported Val through boyfriend problems. For one brief week, they became more than friends. Then Val moved on to his next boyfriend, breaking Adrian's heart. But he decided to remain a good fr...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 23, 2012 Jeff Erno rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars
The Librarian is a story of unrequited love. Adrian Grey and Val Michaels were dorm mates during their freshman year at university, and although they briefly played with each other sexually, it quickly became clear to Adrian that Val had no real interest in him. Val went for the jock types, and Adrian was more of an intellectual. Adrian was studying library science and had a personality that was more focused, serious, and studious. Val wanted adventure and carefree lovers who would towe...more 3.5 Stars
The Librarian is a story of unrequited love. Adrian Grey and Val Michaels were dorm mates during their freshman year at university, and although they briefly played with each other sexually, it quickly became clear to Adrian that Val had no real interest in him. Val went for the jock types, and Adrian was more of an intellectual. Adrian was studying library science and had a personality that was more focused, serious, and studious. Val wanted adventure and carefree lovers who would tower over him and dominate him sexually.

For the better part of a decade, Adrian pined over Val, and during this time he continued to fantasize about one day forging a meaningful relationship. Adrian became a librarian and Val bought a hair salon. Adrian was one of Val’s regular customers, showing up every Friday morning for his weekly haircut, never once varying his routine. Adrian learned of all Val’s sexual exploits, and Val shared the details of his love life while cutting Adrian’s hair. Adrian just listened, took it all in, and waited…patiently.

When Val broke up with his college jock boyfriend, he was heartbroken and swore a vow of celibacy. This happened to be on the very day that Adrian was scheduled for an appointment, and as Val confessed to Adrian the frustration he felt over yet another failed relationship, Adrian realized it was time to put in motion a plan to finally capture Val’s heart.

Adrian began scheming, setting a trap, so to speak, to ensnare Val. He sensed that Val yearned for a dominant man to control him and fantasized about being Val’s master. He toyed with Val, playing a game of cat and mouse, until he got Val to a point where he was eating out of his hand. Then at last he trapped him…or so he thought.

I found the story very interesting and loved the author’s writing style. Of course I related to Adrian and the way he’d secretly harbored this crush for so many years. This type of unrequited love is a theme dear to my heart. What I did not like was the way that Adrian was so conniving and deceitful. I suppose it was necessary and was actually the whole point of the story, but when it comes to Dom/sub romances, I prefer to see the Master as being an assertive, confident character who lays claim to his sub and does so decisively and swiftly. I can’t really see a true Dom as ever being this patient.

Val was sweet but I felt like he just needed someone to take control of him. I wanted Adrian to be this person. In the end I was left wondering if either of them really wanted to embrace the D/s lifestyle. They both were headstrong and cocky, and I didn’t feel like Val would ever be able to give up his ego in order to embrace his sub nature.

If you like stories where the Dom and sub are portrayed more as equal partners, this would be a perfect read. The Librarian is a story that is mainly about a chase. The Dom goes after the sub and attempts to ensnare him. It contains very hot love scenes and humorous dialogue, and overall it is an entertaining read. I would not, however, categorize it as a realistic D/s love story.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Portia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ten years ago, Adrian and Val were roommates in college. For one week, they were even a bit more. But, even though their romance didn’t survive, their friendship has endured.

I loved this story!!! I almost didn’t read it. The title kinda threw me. I think of librarians as little old ladies with auditory issues; not a sexy Dominant with a Master’s in Library Science. Not to mention one with a brilliant mind and a killer body.

Truly, this has got to be one of the best seductions ever written. Adrian...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-challenges, 2012-read

Val and Adrian met freshman year of college as roommates. Val was the wild one. Adrian was always there for him when he needed a friend. They shared a drunken kiss one Halloween. After one really bad break up, Adrian was there to comfort Val and they ended up in bed together. That lasted a week then Val came back to the dorm "in love" with a new guy. Adrian was heartbroken.

Ten years later Adrian is a Librarian at the college and Val is a cosmologist who owns his own salon. They are still friend...more

like · see review

Jan 11, 2012 Sadonna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm, pdf

I just happened to see this blurb today while reading a newsletter email, so I decided to check it out. This is a pretty hot story with the friends to lovers to friends to lovers scenario. Adrian and Val were freshman college roommates who had hooked up briefly but then Val goes out one day and hooks up with a jock and that's the end of their lovers and they go back to being friends - while Adrian's heart is breaking. He has secretly loved Val for all those 10 years and has decided it's finally...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 11, 2012 Habrewer rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Librarian by Lee Brazil
* I received this ARC free from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Adrian has been in love with Val since their freshman year at college. They had a wonderful week together that he will never forget but it doesn’t seem like Val remembers. He has a long standing weekly hair appointment with Val that he looks forward to, even if all Val talks about is his love life.

The one bright spot in Val’s life is Adrian’s weekly hair appointment. He has come to count on tha...more The Librarian by Lee Brazil
* I received this ARC free from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Adrian has been in love with Val since their freshman year at college. They had a wonderful week together that he will never forget but it doesn’t seem like Val remembers. He has a long standing weekly hair appointment with Val that he looks forward to, even if all Val talks about is his love life.

The one bright spot in Val’s life is Adrian’s weekly hair appointment. He has come to count on that visit more than he realizes because Adrian is the only constant in his life. His love life is in the toilet and he has sworn off men, now Adrian has gone and changed the game. He has never considered Adrian as more than a friend but his actions are causing Val to re-evaluate what he wants out of life.

This book pulled me in from the beginning. The connection between Val and Adrian was obvious from the beginning; it just took Val a little while to figure out what he wanted. Adrian was an interesting character to watch grow. He may be a book worm but over the years he has explored his sexual desires and learned what he wants and needs. He has grown and matured but Val never noticed until he was ready for him to.

It was fun watching their cat and mouse game, especially the waxing scene. Val thought he was being sneaky but Adrian turned the tables on him. Val has given him all the ammunition he needs to win his heart during their weekly haircut sessions, Adrian just had to put it to use.
I love that the book centered on Val and Adrian with minimal secondary characters. The few that were introduced only added to the story like Val’s assistant and Adrian’s co-worker. The story flowed well and provided just enough of their back story to understand the relationship between them.

They are a good fit for each other, both are virtually alone in the world and each provides something the other needs. Adrian has always known who he wants but it seems like Val has been running from his true feelings since his freshmen year at college.

Overall I loved this story and give The Librarian 4 Flaming Hearts. (less)

like · see review

May 19, 2013 Phaney rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

2012 Review:

The ending felt too short. Yeah, I’m doing things in reverse again. But really, after all that waiting and scheming and then those high-running emotions? I wanted more resolution.

It was a nice story anyway. Funny how it seemed to veer into the D/s genre and then came to a full stop in that regard. I am glad they ditched that, though. It made for a better story. That Val (view spoiler) came as a delicio...more

like · see review

Jan 23, 2013 Macky rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this short story about two guys finally coming together after years of one wanting and one denying love for each other and the way the tables are turned . For once was left completely satisfied, as a lot of short stories usually leave you wanting more. Not this one, it had a great start that hooked me in straight away , a middle that was well fleshed out with good interplay between the two main protags (blue haired, hairdresser Val and geeky but more than meets the eye Adrian, I l...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 07, 2012 Lucy rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Prologue of this book set the tone for me to NOT like Valentine, or Val. Completely insensitive and utter ass. He breaks the heart of Adrian, his friend and boyfriend (or so Adrian thought) by not only cheating on Adrian but then coming back and telling him all about the new guy, how “And man, he’s got skills. I’ve never felt like that before.” ASS. Right then I wanted to close the book, since I really didn’t want Val in the story. I kept reading, however.
Where Val is a flamboyant hairdress...more The Prologue of this book set the tone for me to NOT like Valentine, or Val. Completely insensitive and utter ass. He breaks the heart of Adrian, his friend and boyfriend (or so Adrian thought) by not only cheating on Adrian but then coming back and telling him all about the new guy, how “And man, he’s got skills. I’ve never felt like that before.” ASS. Right then I wanted to close the book, since I really didn’t want Val in the story. I kept reading, however.
Where Val is a flamboyant hairdresser with powder blue hair, Adrian is studious, intellectual and more subdued. He is also, ten years later, still Val’s friend and still pining for him and goes in for Val to cut his hair. (My god, WHY not move on?) Even as Val thinks of Adrian, he describes him as everything Val is not looking for in a man. When Val tells Adrian he has broken up with yet another boyfriend and is taking a vow of celibacy, Adrian puts a plan into action to seduce Val. And here begins the manipulations. Adrian’s plan is devious, and genius in its way. Since I was (and am not) a Val fan, I could read it and be impressed with the skill. I felt bad that for ten years Adrian has been waiting for a chance with this not-worth-it man, but hey, it’s what he wants. How the man sat there through ten years of hair cuts listening to Val prattle on about his sex and love life is beyond me. There was some amusement in the moment when Val calls Adrian to invite him to lunch, only to have Adrian say no because he was at lunch with a friend, and have Val be shocked that not only did Adrian have a life, but that he had never shared it. When exactly would that be? In between Val’s monologues?
While Adrian comes across as Dominant at times, he comes across as too pining at others. The two dance around each other, but while Adrian is manipulative, Val is a liar. About stupid things (owning flannel pajamas) but lies are lies in Adrian’s book. Val may claim it was the lie about a man that did them in the first time, but it was CHEATING that did it! I didn’t consider it a misunderstanding, even. It is an interesting story of seduction games, but I just couldn’t like Val much and I didn’t respect Adrian.
(less)

like · see review

Jan 15, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance

I was looking for something light and easy-going when I started reading this, and that's certainly what I got. The Librarian was a nice little read and was exactly what I was looking for at the time. The characters were interesting, the writing was strong, and (thankfully) there wasn't much drama or angst. If you've got a couple of hours to spare and you're looking for something short and entertaining, you can't go far wrong with this.

like · see review

Jan 27, 2012 Chris rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, gay, ebook, romance, done

2.5 stars. Ok m/m romance about a university librarian who's had a crush on his former college roommate, now his hairdresser, for ten years. I was going to rate this higher until nearly the end of the book, when it turned out that the entire premise was based on a big misunderstanding. *sigh*

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 05, 2013 Gigi rated it 2 of 5 stars

Ack! I didn't hate this book, but I didn't like it much either. Both MCs were quite pathetic in very sad ways. I mean, really, really pathetic, as in Human Door Mat and Habitual Lying Man Whore. I wasn't rooting for either one of them.

Not my cup of tea.

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Dianne Hartsock rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was getting a little worried there at the end that these two would never get together. But finally they sat down and TALKED. Something they should have done ten years earlier. A well told story of lovers kept apart by misunderstandings. Very sad because so often true.

1 like · like · see review

Aug 30, 2012 Lily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, ebook, friends-to-lovers, m-m, what-i-read-in-2012

2.5 stars

This was a nice story although I found the weekly haircuts a bit hard to believe. Really, every single Friday for ten years?? And in all that time the truth about their feelings and past relationship never came out? It just seemed strange. It would have worked better if they had less contact than that. At least to me.

like · see review

Jan 22, 2012 JustJen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm

I enjoyed this story overall, but was bothered by numerous things throughout, such as why Adrian continued to give Val the time of day after their first "break up," how he continued to do so for ten years, etc. Val was extremely immature, but they ended up being just right for one another.

like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemp-m-m, romance-m-m

OK read...I liked it at first, but at the same time I was frustrated with how manipulative they were and the big misunderstanding. Oh well.

like · see review

Apr 07, 2012 Hearts On Fire Reviews added it

Reviewed by: Lucy
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Rated: 3 hearts

Check out the review on http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Cassandra Carr rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was my first Lee Brazil book but it definitely won't be my last!

like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Veronica / V rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Feb 24, 2012 Laura M rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm

Really enjoyed this one!

like · see review

Jan 23, 2012 Andi Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book a lot! Adrian and Val were both interesting and fun characters to watch come together as lovers after a having a long friendship together. Fast, sexy read.

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 17, 2012 Mandi rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-mm

2 stars. Really just didn't like either of the characters and how manipulating they were with each other.

like · see review

Jan 16, 2012 Gaa-chan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, best-friends, the-one-that-got-away

4.5 stars

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 next »

Contemporary

7 users

Short Stories

4 users

Adult Fiction > Erotica

3 users

Romance

3 users

M M Romance > M M Contemporary

2 users

See top shelves...

Books by Lee Brazil

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Librarian

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Librarian
avg rating	preview: The Librarian Goodreads rating: 3.70 (136 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13387111-the-librarian?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347394204l/13387111.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13387111-the-librarian?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Librarian by Lee Brazil[/url]

The Librarian

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)

Genres

Books by Lee Brazil

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Librarian

The Librarian

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (1)

Genres

Books by Lee Brazil

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Librarian

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)