A Better Man (The Men of Halfway House, #1)

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A Better Man (The Men of Halfway House #1)

by R.J. Scott (Goodreads Author), Jaime Reese (Goodreads Author)

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 306 ratings · 80 reviews

Matthew Doner, ex-con, needs a second chance and his aunt’s inheritance will finance his dream. Julian Capeletti is a contractor in need of a job. Will renovating a house together let them become better men in the process?

Matthew Doner has been given a second chance. Fresh from a five year prison term he is given a bequest from an aunt on the condition that he uses the mon...more

ebook, 290 pages

Published July 21st 2012 by Silver Publishing

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Oct 25, 2012 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance, super-cute, mm-criminals-ex-cons

4.5 stars - This was a wonderfully sweet story. I read it in one sitting and just couldn't get enough! I was in just the right mood for this kind of story and the love between these two men was so beautiful that it actually made my heart ache. I just wish this had been longer, although I know I say that all the time about the books I love! There were quite a few time jumps throughout the story, and although most of them were done well, there was the odd time where I kinda wished the authors had...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Heather C rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, pdoc, contemporary-romance, silver-publishing, read-with-ang, series, m-m, read-2012, sex-after-40-percent, lots-of-tension, read-with-gyn, faves, review-on-amazon

4.5 Stars

This was such a sweet book...so sweet that it bordered on being too sappy, but it was just what I was in the mood for today. Julian and Matt are one of the most adorable couples I've read in a while. Both have past ghosts and dark secrets; it's about second chances and finding that one person who believes in you unconditionally. These men touched my heart.

My only complaint is the huge time jumps so close to the beginning of the story. I felt like a lot of the initial attraction between...more

17 likes · like · see review

Aug 10, 2012 Gwenith rated it 4 of 5 stars

An Adorable Read!
I LOVE YOU....I LOVE YOU MORE!

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 02, 2013 Tʀɪsʜᴀ Hᴀʀʀɪɴɢᴛᴏɴ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favourites, loved, best-books-ever, favourite-couples, comfort-reads-sappy, want-to-keep-mc-as-mine, true-romantic, cannot-live-without, r-j-scott

Oh my God, this book was fantastic!

By far one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I have never read a book like it before and I was glad I tried it. A Better man has everything I love in the base of a romance and even more. It has passion and sweet moments, with amazing characters to top it all off. From the first page I was gripped and have never felt so connected to a story. This is about the love that Matt and Julian share, and the two of them dealing with the demons from their pasts. A...more Oh my God, this book was fantastic!

By far one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I have never read a book like it before and I was glad I tried it. A Better man has everything I love in the base of a romance and even more. It has passion and sweet moments, with amazing characters to top it all off. From the first page I was gripped and have never felt so connected to a story. This is about the love that Matt and Julian share, and the two of them dealing with the demons from their pasts. And the two of them coming together and standing side by side.

Julian, was an amazing character. He was just sweet, funny, witty and caring. He was not perfect. His flaws were shown and they were explained which was nice. I loved the glimpses we were told about his past. I felt so sorry for him when he told Matt everything. The reveal of his middle name melted my heart, I almost cried for him. Julian, I believe should have won an award for being such a great guy. I would love to have a man like him as my boyfriend. If I'm honest he was my favourite.

A boner looking for a handyman...

Matt, was a character that grew on me after he started lusting after Julian. Before that I could not connect with him at all. Once the real Matt came out, I was smitten. Not only was he caring and loving, but when he got nervous he was adorable. His past was what helped me to love him the most, but his love for J was another bonus in my eyes. It was hard not to love him, he was just what Julian needed. And Julian was what he needed.

Its Doner, D-O-N-E-R, Doner

J and Matt!

I laughed, I cried and I swooned while reading this book. Its lovely to read a book about tough men that can be kittens when they are in love. I have to say its a must read for me. I would love to read more from these two, maybe a short story. A wedding? Babies? Yes, I'm a sap, but I don't just want new characters, I want more of these two and the marriage and babies is just a suggestion. More cute/hot scenes would be appreciated too. And, I have read it about ten times and counting.

Highly recommend this!!!(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 Emma rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: builder-contractor, ex-con, phobic-parents, moving-in-together

This lost its footing and slipped over the edge of the too-much-sap cliff. You know how critics of the m/m genre say the MCs are women written as men? Well this is that kind of book. Not that women all behave like this; just that the stereotype holds true here. I don't know anyone IRL who would act like this, regardless of gender identity. The level of "Love you", "No, love you more" makes me itchy and unsettled.

Actually all stereotypes hold true in this book. Workaholic dad, phobic mother, abu...more

21 likes · like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Veronica / V rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!
Perfection from page one, stunning, lovely, sensual, there it so many good things about this story.

Note to the authors: please, please write a sequel ASAP. Some authors take 1-2 years to write a sequel, you wouldn't do that to us,would you?

12 likes · like · see review

Aug 11, 2012 Serena Yates rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

This is one of those books that, for me, combines just the right amounts of very sweet romance with characters who are real, have a backstory, and come together in a situation that challenges them both. I loved that they didn't have it easy, and they were both interesting in their own way: one an ex-convict with a house to renovate to create his second chance, and the other a construction guy desperate for work. Talk about potential for conflict!

Matt is a man with a mission. We only learn about...more This is one of those books that, for me, combines just the right amounts of very sweet romance with characters who are real, have a backstory, and come together in a situation that challenges them both. I loved that they didn't have it easy, and they were both interesting in their own way: one an ex-convict with a house to renovate to create his second chance, and the other a construction guy desperate for work. Talk about potential for conflict!

Matt is a man with a mission. We only learn about his deeper reasons for renovating the house gradually, and the reason for his imprisonment is a similar mystery. I loved that he was determined to make this work and tried to keep it a secret from Matt, fearing the 'handyman' would leave if he found out. That may not have been necessary, but it was realistic. After all, he doesn’t know Julian well enough initially to trust him with that information.

Julian is a man with a temper. Grumpy more often than not, but I can see why; life hasn’t been easy for him. I loved his snarky remarks and thoughts. He is good at his job though, and has a bigger heart than he will admit. He isn’t really one to pry, not appreciating anyone asking him too many questions either, but he does want to figure out what Matt is up to. No wonder, they are living under the same roof, after all. Intensely loyal, he is soon ready to support Matthew no matter what.

When the romance does take off – hold on to your seats. Theses two men are very hot, very loving, and very sexy together. This book combines what I like most about RJ's writing (the emotions!) with a little bit of an edge which I think comes from Jaime. Both writers have worked together here to create a new voice, one that I liked a lot and hope will be with us for quite a while to come! If you like stories that take their time developing a relationship rather than have the men jump into bed before they know each other's last name, if you're looking for a sweet romance, and if you enjoy books where the main characters have to work a little for their happy end, then you will like this book as much as I did. As for a sequel? Bring it on RJ and Jaime!

NOTE: This book was provided by the authors for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Aug 02, 2012 Alison rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, gay

Oh. My. God.

This is a definite must read. Not many books bring me to tears, but this one did. Twice.

Jaime Reese and RJ Scott have worked amazingly well together to create a strong, realistic story that drags you in for a roller coaster of emotion as you follow Julian and Matt. This one is definitely going in my re-read selection.

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 02, 2013 Beck rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series, contemporary, friends-to-lovers, mm, 2013-mm-countdown-challenge, 2013-rainbow-challenge, 2013-challenges-overall-count

This was classic R.J. Scott. Sweet, romantic, touch saccharine...

There were a couple of consistency/editing issues but overall the quality of typos etc is better than the average e-book.

I enjoyed the love story, the slow development to the relationship, the fact that there was a plot without too much sex. My main 'complaint' was the the angst felt a bit contrived & artificial.

Generally I enjoy reading Scott's books. I know that I will get a nice HEA without too much drama. This book was no e...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Vladimir rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book just hit the right notes for me. And the best part of it all: NO INSTA LOVE. Not even "Lust at First Sight."

I'm just tired of the same old formula most m/m romance books use to form a plot: The main characters meet, they lust after each other,one of them doesn't want to admit being gay but they still end up in bed together. They fall in love but antagonists try to pry them apart. After beating the odds, they finally admit their love for one another fall in each others arms in bed as th...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 29, 2012 jules0623 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: relationship-m-m, series, men-who-work-with-their-hands, banging-the-boss, asshat-friends-or-relatives

4.5 stars only because I wanted it to be longer. I'm looking forward to reading more from this series.

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 30, 2012 Meggie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, drama

The whole storyline was pretty interesting, but I missed the technical part of a renovation. How did Julian actually work on renovating the old house? This story is written with a style, which didn't allow a reader to experience anything. We weren't part of it and I missed that. It didn't made the story realistic. There was no time changes, at least not felt ones. The whole point of this story is a slow coming together for Julian and Matt, which wasn't enough. I'm a bit disappointed.

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 09, 2012 Josie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It was sweet and gentle, and easily a book to lose yourself in. At the heart of the book is Julian and Matt, I loved the way their relationship develops over the year they spend doing up halfway house, they way they gradually open up to each other, and the glimpses we get of their past. I adored Sam, tolerated Alex, cried for Liam, but Matt's mother is a the real horror, the kind of women we have all seen, and do our best to avoid. Eventually Matt, with Julian at his side, fin...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 20, 2013 Candice rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, kindle, ebook-not-a-kidney

3.5 Stars

Short and sweet time. There really isn't a lot to say here. I liked it, but didn't love it. Will I read it again? Maybe.

I hated how Matt kept things from Julian. But, I get why. However, I still think it was wrong to keep it from him for so long. (view spoiler)...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 06, 2013 Thomaidha Papa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m-m, love-story, romance

4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

Mr. Boner is in need of a handyman…

Yes, this is how this story begins. It’s a hilarious start that promises good times. And you get them eventually. But you need to overcome the storm and the barriers in order to get there.

Matthew Doner is a character lost in emotions such as guilt, anger and fear. He feels guilty for not being the perfect son, anger that he’s required to be perfect at all times and fear that h...more 4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

Mr. Boner is in need of a handyman…

Yes, this is how this story begins. It’s a hilarious start that promises good times. And you get them eventually. But you need to overcome the storm and the barriers in order to get there.

Matthew Doner is a character lost in emotions such as guilt, anger and fear. He feels guilty for not being the perfect son, anger that he’s required to be perfect at all times and fear that he will not manage to be the man he wants to be. A better man.

When he gets out of prison he has a goal and is determined to reach it. He needs to create a place for people like him, people that come out in the world and have nowhere to go, no one to help them no hope for a better future. But the road he has to travel is a hard one and every turn has another demon that scares him to his core. The only thing anchoring him and gives him some peace is the handyman he hired to help him with his project. Julian is a determined man. He has his own demons kept close to his heart and walled up from everyone, but when the man puts something into his head, he delivers. He is the rock that steadies Matt when things threaten to overwhelm him.

This story is a romance in its core, heavy and intense with emotions. While I disliked the fact that the protagonists laid the “I love you” line even before they hit the sheets, it didn’t ruin the plot for me. There are all the stereotypes involved here; there is the cold mother, the uncaring father, the irresponsible brother, the old money and expectations that come with it and the victim of a protagonist. And on the other side there is the abusive father, the mother that endures it all, the lost big brother and the child who is forced and determined to be a better man despite his past. Yes, quite cliché yet I loved it, the text and story and the entire development was lovely to read.

The characters were so very enjoyable, their constant battle with their walls and secrets, the effort they both put to open up to each other, the way they made a big deal out of things that seemed so easy to overcome, all that had me loving these characters even more. The chemistry between them was exquisite as well, I loved them together, I loved it when they kissed and made love to each other. I loved how they bonded. Again despite the fact that that line was thrown early on, it didn’t affect my view or how I perceived this couple.

In the end though, the most lovable thing of all was Matt’s dad, he surprised me and I couldn’t have wanted it any other way. It is obvious this story has a happy ending and it is obvious that this is a journey that each of the character primary or secondary take to become better men through each other’s strength and support. That much you know from the start. What you want to know is if the journey and the read are worth it. It is and I think anyone who loves a good romance will simply adore this one.

Thommie.(less)

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Mar 24, 2013 Karel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: nomance

Clone of every standard romance novel out there with the disapproving 2D homophobic family, angsty backstories, no-personality characters, and some boring meandering story thing that went from month to month without actually developing anything.

This once I'm not going to rate it, because I think I'm starting to lose my objectivity with romance novels, and this means I need a break from them.

Edit: No, screw this. This bored me to tears, objectivity or not.

Where Scott's Heart of Texas suffered...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Macky rated it 5 of 5 stars

The nicest thing about this story was the love between the two main guys, it grew between them gently and tenderly and by doing so forged a true connection that weathered every obstacle thrown at them including both their past histories and Matts obnoxious mother. In most stories these would normally cause the requisite ' separation ' that generally is the fallout in a lot of m/m novels when the you know what hits the fan to fill out the angst quota, but in this case it actually brings them clos...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Ami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-contemporary, mm-romance-or-erotica

This is a really good romance that check-mark the things I like to read from the genre. The story happens for a year, highlighting the important events in Matt and Julian's road to relationship. It has a wonderful build-up, some lovely and sweet scenes, and the heartwarming HEA.

Julian is a contractor that is out of job and behind his rent when he decides to answer Matt's ad for handyman. While Matt is an ex-convict, sentenced for five-years term after a white collar crime (that is not completely...more

15 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 ~♡♥Ang ♥♡~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-with-hc

Beautiful, Cute, Sweet, Perfect Romance!!

Julian and Matt are Beautiful!! I loved every thing about this story it was every thing I Love!

✮ Perfect Characters!!
✮ Smexy Hot Love scenes!!
✮ Wonderful writing that kept me interested!!
✮ Made me Giggle and Sigh So Much!!
✮ Romance it was so Sweet, Sweeter then Candy!!

"I Love You"... " I Love you more."

✮Julian is a contractor who has no job and is so late on his rent that he answers to answer Matt's ad for handyman. While Matt is an ex-convict 5 yrs in p...more

8 likes · like · see review

Aug 09, 2012 orannia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

Three and a half stars. A Better Man is well written (and I must confess to adoring the renovation trope), but...I must confess to finding it a little too sugary for me. The relationship progressed very quickly to 'I love you' (which TBH was said quite a lot, with the 'I love you' 'I love you more' between the characters reminiscent of the 'I love you' 'Ditto' from Ghost), which I'm not a fan of, but am trying to accept as another option (for want of a better word) to the long drawn out 'I love...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 Don Bradshaw rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-out, damaged-individuad, family-drama, gay-romance, opposites

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

I found this to be an amazing book. RJ Scott and new author, Jaime Reese, have melded their writing styles and come up with a seamless story. This is the first book in what will hopefully be an awesome series. Jaime Reese is an author to keep your eye on. Julian Capeletti is a contractor down on his luck in a bad economy and two months late on his rent. He spots a want ad looking for a handyman in the newspaper and decides to check i...more Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

I found this to be an amazing book. RJ Scott and new author, Jaime Reese, have melded their writing styles and come up with a seamless story. This is the first book in what will hopefully be an awesome series. Jaime Reese is an author to keep your eye on. Julian Capeletti is a contractor down on his luck in a bad economy and two months late on his rent. He spots a want ad looking for a handyman in the newspaper and decides to check it out. Matt Doner is an ex-con recently out of jail who inherited some money from his aunt along with the message to "make things right". Matt sells his loft and uses his inheritance to buy a ramshackle house in Miami's business district with the dream of turning it into a halfway house for ex-cons like himself who need some where to start over. Julian is a fairly free spirited and kind of snarky guy who ruffles Matt's feathers as soon as they meet. Matt hires Julian anyway because no other contractor has even answered his ad because this house needs way more than a handyman. The two men come to an agreement on salary but Matt's stipulation is that the job be completed within a year. Julian counters by telling Matt that he'll have to live there which Matt accepts. With no water or electricity, most of the windows broken and questionable floor strength the two men become tense roommates. Both men are champions at keeping secrets and are ill equipped at showing emotions. Matt wants to keep things strictly professional and Julian agrees but it becomes more and more difficult as the months pass. Matt is afraid to tell Julian exactly what the house will be used for and about his past fearing that Julian will quit and walk away but lies have a way of biting you in the ass. Julian over hears Matt talking to his bitch of a mother about being in prison for five years. The two argue and Julian runs off only to return to talk things out and finish the promised job. I couldn't help but to love both Julian and Matt with their awful childhoods, their strengths and their insecurities. Their slowly built up romance was beautifully written and evolves into Ms Scott's trademark HEA ending. The story felt so real to me with the internal dialogue that both Matt and Julian carry on with themselves. The story flowed perfectly and I could not tell where Ms Scott's writing ended and Ms Reese's writing began which readers can usually pick out easily in a collaboration. The trust issues between the men were resolved well and the sex was hot once I got to it. This story is a slow burn romance instead of an insta-love but there was more than enough going on in the story to keep me interested. The secondary characters were interesting and I really disliked Matt's mother and Julian's father. I cannot recommend this book highly enough and would give it six stars if I could. (less)

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Sep 07, 2012 Plainbrownwrapper rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm

This is a fairly cliched mm romance. Nothing much to make it stand out in a good way. I originally rated it at 3 stars, but the more I thought about it the more irritated I got -- so, down it goes to 2.

I often complain about insta-love, and I gotta complain about this one for a mix of insta-love and just the opposite. These guys work together, alone in an old house, for literally MONTHS without sharing more than two kisses -- and not even sharing personal-life type info. Really??? And then, lite...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Eli Easton rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars, rounded up.

I enjoyed the start of the story and the set-up was sexy. I really liked the way R.J. described Julian, the contractor--he was very hot. I enjoyed the ending as well with the evil character getting her comeuppance. The middle, though, dragged for me and I had to push myself through it.

That's often a problem when the big UST moment is resolved and the characters are together unless there's a very strong secondary plotline going on. It felt like it took too long to resolve...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Kaylee Shyanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: continuing-series, all-time-favorite-books

This book....got everything right. Two men who find each other right when they need each other the most is the perfect recipe for a beautiful story.

Some people think that it gets a little too sappy with the whole "I love you" "I love you more" stuff. But it's not that overly mushy crap that really gets annoying because the people are saying it because it's routine. THIS is product of true feeling. Like Julian said, he'd never said those words to another but they came so easily when he said them...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Andrea rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

I love the idea of two guys from very different backgrounds working together to restore a house. I also thought the idea of it being a halfway house for men recently released from prison with nowhere else to turn was great. Unfortunately, the two things I was most looking forward to about the book weren’t explored in detail. Very little of the restoration process is described other than mentioning that it’s happening. Early on, Matt decides that Julian might not approve of the halfway house for...more I love the idea of two guys from very different backgrounds working together to restore a house. I also thought the idea of it being a halfway house for men recently released from prison with nowhere else to turn was great. Unfortunately, the two things I was most looking forward to about the book weren’t explored in detail. Very little of the restoration process is described other than mentioning that it’s happening. Early on, Matt decides that Julian might not approve of the halfway house for parolees so he keeps it a secret for most of the book. Because of that, the details of how the restoration plans will impact the halfway house and how it functions are never discussed. I wanted to understand and be a part of the process so I was disappointed by the lack of details.

Matt and Julian are living in the house while restoring it, so they are with each other 24/7. They both want to act on their attraction to the other but don’t want to hurt their professional relationship. The restoration of the house is scheduled to take twelve months and each chapter basically covers one month of that time. In the beginning, the focus is almost solely on the angst and emotions Julian and Matthew feel as they try not to give in to their desires. I can deal with talk of emotions and feelings in short bursts but the constant attention was irritating. Julian and Matthew felt more like teenage girls that 30 year old men. I haven’t experienced this much emotional drama since middle school! They annoyed me and I didn't like them. Julian and Matt are supposed to a couple of tough, street-hardened guys but their mind sets consistently struck me as female rather than male. I read M/M romance because I want to read about men, this was a big problem for me.

I don’t like quintessential romantic books either, that much perfection is more than I can deal with. A Better Man is a good example of that. I never felt the raw passion and sexual tension I thrive on. They spent so much time working through their inner strife and emotions that I was done with it before they even got to the point of moving onto a physical relationship. Every sexual encounter was filled with too much drama before, during, and after because it had to be meaningful and life altering. I couldn’t even enjoy the sex scenes :(

It was too sentimental, sappy and emotionally driven for me. I couldn’t bring myself to like or care about the characters. It wasn’t my thing and I didn’t enjoy it.

*This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Dec 29, 2012 Bev rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: feel-good, happy-ever-after, m-m, romance, total-keepers

I LOVE YOU MORE!!!

What a fabulous story this was! Matt and J were a lovely couple and thoroughly deserved to ride off into the sunset. After the childhood that both men had had, I was amazed that they were as well-adjusted as they undoubtedly were. Can't say I was that keen on Alex, but who knows, maybe marriage to Lindy will turn him around and help him to grow up. Matt & Alex's father Mitch has at last 'grown a pair' and will hopefully no longer be a complete doormat for his hateful bitch...more

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Sep 05, 2012 blub rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: office-relationship, coming-out, m-m-family, mm-romance

I only got to chapter 3 before I was hooked. I liked the build up of Julian and Matt's relationship. There wasn't an insta-love or a sudden bout of lust/passion between the MC's (leading to sex) that kind of blindside readers out of nowhere present like in some of R.J. Scott's other books and equated that to the influence of Jaime Reese. The book flowed really well and it had me tearing up when I got to the part where Julian was sharing the story of his childhood with Matt. It was a great read a...more

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Jul 26, 2012 DayDreamer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: lgbtq, sodding-hot, easy-read, perfect-yet-flawed, reviewed-or-kinda, want-more

4.5 stars

Enjoyable, hot, feel-good. Worth a reread (which I will do at some point).

The characters were very likeable, but why oh why do they always blame themselves? That said, seeing both their points of view was satisfying and I appreciate it.

The idea of the house is fascinating. I can't wait for more.

There were some points that bothered me, but not too much, although the idea that a rich @@@@@ may freeze your accounts just on a whim is scary albeit realistic. Leaving one's accounts in a bank...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very sweet love story. No mysteries to solve or dramatic challenges to overcome. Just two guys falling in love and building a life together. Matt is a recent parolee who is creating a halfway house for other ex-cons to have a place on the outside. He buys a building that needs A LOT of work and puts an ad in the local paper – for a handy man. He really needs a miracle worker, but a contractor would do, too. Julian is an unemployed contractor, who is behind on his rent and desperate for work. Jul...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Mandy*reads obsessively* rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-owned, hurt-comfort-disability, m-m, abuse, cinderfella, cry-me-a-river, sweet, evil-females

3.5*
***May contain some spoilers! ***

I have mixed feeling about this one, I liked the slow build of the relationship between Julian and Matt.
Months went by and only a few kisses, and kudos to the authors, no solo jerk-off scenes or leaking cocks! :)
It was a sweet tale of redemption and self acceptance and love, but I found a few things that bothered me.
Matt is hiding stuff he knows it and Julian knows it, yet when they finally have sex, I Love You is the first thing they say!
Matt doesn't seem bo...more 3.5*
***May contain some spoilers! ***

I have mixed feeling about this one, I liked the slow build of the relationship between Julian and Matt.
Months went by and only a few kisses, and kudos to the authors, no solo jerk-off scenes or leaking cocks! :)
It was a sweet tale of redemption and self acceptance and love, but I found a few things that bothered me.
Matt is hiding stuff he knows it and Julian knows it, yet when they finally have sex, I Love You is the first thing they say!
Matt doesn't seem bothered that a very vital part of who he is , is still a secret.
I think that would have worked better for me, if we had seen more of the relationship developing in those months prior, we heard about it, but didn't get to experience the moments sitting outside drinking a beer and talking or hanging out and working on the house together, I didn't see the friendship developing and that was missing for me, seeing why they loved eachother. I liked them but I was privy to their inner thoughts the other MC wasn't.
The big reveal was a let down, I guess they needed it, but it just didn't need to be there IMO.
The father/brother situation was left me cold, I didn't like either one of them.
The brother should have been helping Matt and be Athere more for him, a little gratitude would have been nice!
I had a feeling it was still about him and his fiancee and his happiness.
And coming on the last day at the last minute to help is all well and good..but..the year before there wasn't a weekend free?
And I guess the dad tried to redeem himself, but really for me, way late and not nearly enough!
And the mother ! OMG, why oh why do they all have to be homophobic greedy hateful guilt inducing bitches that brow beat all the men in their lives?
I guess Julian's mother was the counter point to her, but being dead and all that sort of didn't work for me!
It was an ok read, but for the reasons mentioned in the beginning I didn't feel as invested in their relationship as I would have liked to have been.
But I have to say, love the cover!
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About R.J. Scott

Writing MM Romance with a Happy Ever After...

I am in awe that people read my writing and thank you all for taking the time to read, rate and review. Rj xxxxx

About me...I live in the UK just outside London and most of my written work is published with Silver Publishing. I love reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror; however, my first real love will always be the world of romance. My go...more

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