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First Dates and Birthday Cakes
Ben Porter is turning forty, and he’s not being cool about it.
He told his friends and family that he wanted to let this particular milestone pass by without any fuss, and for once, they actually listened.
Which is great. Because now here he is, sitting in his kitchen on a rainy Saturday morning, all alone, and he can feel himself aging.
So he decides to do something about it.
And maybe throwing himself a last-minute ice-skating party for one in an attempt to recreate the carefree birthdays of his expired youth wasn’t the best idea. Or the most normal. He’d even go so far as to say it was a terrible idea, as there’s a non-zero chance that his impromptu birthday activity will turn into an impromptu birthday trip to the hospital. Because despite the fact that he remembers being pretty hot stuff at skating?
He’s not. He’s really, really not.
He’s so incredibly bad at it that a tall, gorgeous member of staff—who actually is pretty hot stuff—has to come over and scrape him off the ice, just so he stops ruining everyone else’s Saturday.
Except Jake isn’t a member of staff, he has an ulterior (romantic!) motive for helping Ben, and Ben’s worst birthday ever is about to take a surprising turn for the better…
First Dates and Birthday Cakes is a 33k-word romantic comedy novella with a midlife crisis, a big surprise that Ben really should have seen coming, and something that looks a whole lot like happily ever after.
He told his friends and family that he wanted to let this particular milestone pass by without any fuss, and for once, they actually listened.
Which is great. Because now here he is, sitting in his kitchen on a rainy Saturday morning, all alone, and he can feel himself aging.
So he decides to do something about it.
And maybe throwing himself a last-minute ice-skating party for one in an attempt to recreate the carefree birthdays of his expired youth wasn’t the best idea. Or the most normal. He’d even go so far as to say it was a terrible idea, as there’s a non-zero chance that his impromptu birthday activity will turn into an impromptu birthday trip to the hospital. Because despite the fact that he remembers being pretty hot stuff at skating?
He’s not. He’s really, really not.
He’s so incredibly bad at it that a tall, gorgeous member of staff—who actually is pretty hot stuff—has to come over and scrape him off the ice, just so he stops ruining everyone else’s Saturday.
Except Jake isn’t a member of staff, he has an ulterior (romantic!) motive for helping Ben, and Ben’s worst birthday ever is about to take a surprising turn for the better…
First Dates and Birthday Cakes is a 33k-word romantic comedy novella with a midlife crisis, a big surprise that Ben really should have seen coming, and something that looks a whole lot like happily ever after.
138 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
86 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Murray
12 books395 followersIsabel is a writer, a reader, and a lover of love. She couldn’t stick to a subgenre if her life depended on it, but MM romance is her jam. She lives in the UK, reads way too much, and cannot be trusted anywhere near chocolate.
Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.wordpress.com
Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co
Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.wordpress.com
Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
June 8, 2024
Go alone to a skating rink on your 40th birthday, nab a sweet, handsome former Olympic figure skater, live happily ever after. Lots of snort-laughing, about 5 minutes of minimal angst, excellent dialogue, the MCs actually talk to each other, no notes.
June 22, 2024
It's not the author's fault I keep trying, good grief. I think I had a freak case of FOMO, or something.
Annoying time-jumps, very dramatic turning 40 inner thoughts that went on forever, flailing around on an ice rink, humor, insta-crushing, some more humor, sweet stuff...doesn't mean it wouldn't be enjoyable for others.
For some reason the writing style doesn't work for me, but I thought I'd give it a shot. It's meant to be a light, cute, fluffiesh novella, and it is!
I did like the best friend relationship.
Annoying time-jumps, very dramatic turning 40 inner thoughts that went on forever, flailing around on an ice rink, humor, insta-crushing, some more humor, sweet stuff...doesn't mean it wouldn't be enjoyable for others.
For some reason the writing style doesn't work for me, but I thought I'd give it a shot. It's meant to be a light, cute, fluffiesh novella, and it is!
I did like the best friend relationship.
June 9, 2024
This sweet novella gave me a headache from smiling so much. Very cute, very funny and there was a surprisingly hot sex scene for a book labeled as a rom-com. I've never read anything else by this author, but maybe I should?
June 7, 2024
3.75 stars
Short & sweet. Left me smiling. That's a win.
Short & sweet. Left me smiling. That's a win.
April 17, 2025
Oh, this was just delightful! A rom-com that is both funny AND romantic with oodles of chemistry and genuinely witty banter. I really enjoy this author's narrative voice - the deadpan humour zings and never feels like she's trying too hard, and her characters are relateable and endearing.
Novellas don't always work for me but this one did and it left me with a smile on my face.
Novellas don't always work for me but this one did and it left me with a smile on my face.
dnf
June 9, 2024DNF @91%
This was so confusing.
I was either trying not to laugh, giggling or rolling my eyes.
It’s all so OTT ridiculous. Ben is SO ridiculous. I refuse to believe he’s 40.
But it had some of the things I’m dying to get in a romance story and is like finding a needle in a haystack.
This had:
♥︎ An adorable meet-cute with Jake picking Ben off the ice and helping him skate, later on admitting that he went over to help because he wanted to ask for his number.
♥︎ Jake makes it VERY CLEAR, he wants TO DATE not hook up.
♥︎ A time jump three years later with a proposal.
♥︎ Jake is literally perfect, he seems to find everything Ben does endearing. And he’s so smitten from the beginning.
I get it’s supposed to be a short silly story but I can still be annoyed at the time jumps.
-During the birthday party Jake promises to tease Ben until he’s begging for a kiss but plans to go home because he doesn’t want to ‘fuck and leave’ he wants to date. Ben tells him that if he’s good that he’ll let him sleep over. The party continues then it jumps to 2-3 weeks later where we’re told about the dates that they have gone on.
-The first ‘ILY’ ? Happened sometime during the 3 year time jump.
-Moving in together? Also happened during 3 year time jump.
Overall, this was silly, sometimes funny but never serious, a lot of cuteness from Jake and sorta enjoyable?
I still managed to somewhat enjoy this tho I’m not the target demographic so I can already tell how much other people who actually enjoy this type of thing will love it.
This was so confusing.
I was either trying not to laugh, giggling or rolling my eyes.
It’s all so OTT ridiculous. Ben is SO ridiculous. I refuse to believe he’s 40.
But it had some of the things I’m dying to get in a romance story and is like finding a needle in a haystack.
This had:
♥︎ An adorable meet-cute with Jake picking Ben off the ice and helping him skate, later on admitting that he went over to help because he wanted to ask for his number.
♥︎ Jake makes it VERY CLEAR, he wants TO DATE not hook up.
♥︎ A time jump three years later with a proposal.
♥︎ Jake is literally perfect, he seems to find everything Ben does endearing. And he’s so smitten from the beginning.
I get it’s supposed to be a short silly story but I can still be annoyed at the time jumps.
-During the birthday party Jake promises to tease Ben until he’s begging for a kiss but plans to go home because he doesn’t want to ‘fuck and leave’ he wants to date. Ben tells him that if he’s good that he’ll let him sleep over. The party continues then it jumps to 2-3 weeks later where we’re told about the dates that they have gone on.
-The first ‘ILY’ ? Happened sometime during the 3 year time jump.
-Moving in together? Also happened during 3 year time jump.
Overall, this was silly, sometimes funny but never serious, a lot of cuteness from Jake and sorta enjoyable?
I still managed to somewhat enjoy this tho I’m not the target demographic so I can already tell how much other people who actually enjoy this type of thing will love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2024
4.5 stars! This was sooooo damn cute for a novella. And that first sex scene - swoon! So good.
September 16, 2025
Sweet enough, definitely worked for my challenge "balloon on cover".
October 1, 2025
More awkward than cute tbh
June 6, 2024
This was just FUN!
I love everything this author has written, and this was no exception. I read it with a smile on my face when I wasn’t absolutely giggling (toward the end, my husband actually asked me what it was about because I was laughing so much).
If you need a fairly quick, angst-free, adorable read, look no further than this!
I love everything this author has written, and this was no exception. I read it with a smile on my face when I wasn’t absolutely giggling (toward the end, my husband actually asked me what it was about because I was laughing so much).
If you need a fairly quick, angst-free, adorable read, look no further than this!
August 25, 2024
What do I need to do to meet a guy and have him immediately know I'm the one? Vision board, affirmations, witchcraft?
“What if he’s…you know.” I hesitated, hardly believing I was even saying it. “What if he’s the one?”
Ben is just like me fr because wdym he's already having 'forever' thoughts and he met this guy TODAY?! 💀Big fan of not being dumb alone lol.
Them arguing over which of them is the real gold medal and which one is silver, and them both insisting the other is gold??? Ugh. The sweetness.
“What if he’s…you know.” I hesitated, hardly believing I was even saying it. “What if he’s the one?”
Ben is just like me fr because wdym he's already having 'forever' thoughts and he met this guy TODAY?! 💀Big fan of not being dumb alone lol.
Them arguing over which of them is the real gold medal and which one is silver, and them both insisting the other is gold??? Ugh. The sweetness.
June 17, 2024
Another gorgeous romance from Isabel Murray
Just like every other book I've read from this author, it's a perfect blend of humour, spice and momenta that make you go 'aww'.
I loved Ben, hitting forty and having a kind of mini midlife crisis and I adored Jake, who saw someone he wanted to get to know better and just went for it.
Also, as someone who used to spend school holidays at Bradford Ice Rink, the whole meet/cute part of this book worked beautifully for me.
A real nostalgia kick! Can't wait to see what we get next.
Just like every other book I've read from this author, it's a perfect blend of humour, spice and momenta that make you go 'aww'.
I loved Ben, hitting forty and having a kind of mini midlife crisis and I adored Jake, who saw someone he wanted to get to know better and just went for it.
Also, as someone who used to spend school holidays at Bradford Ice Rink, the whole meet/cute part of this book worked beautifully for me.
A real nostalgia kick! Can't wait to see what we get next.
June 22, 2024
What a sweet short story. I must admit I was a little taken back when the story suddenly jumped ahead 3 years,but it was still a fun story. It’s also a new author for me so win win.
June 17, 2024
A short cute meet mm romance 👨🏼🤝👨🏽 - 3/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️
——• 🩷
Turning forty and thinking your life is over only to meet the love of your life all on the same day.. yeah cuteeee!!! Honestly this was so sweet and had such good humour throughout. For a short story this had a good storyline with all the feels!
“Fine. I had to try. I did, after all, come here to skate, not to cling to a beautiful man and let him do all the work. Although, clinging to a beautiful man and letting him do all the work was one of my very favourite things to do”
💀🤣🤣
——• 🩷
Turning forty and thinking your life is over only to meet the love of your life all on the same day.. yeah cuteeee!!! Honestly this was so sweet and had such good humour throughout. For a short story this had a good storyline with all the feels!
“Fine. I had to try. I did, after all, come here to skate, not to cling to a beautiful man and let him do all the work. Although, clinging to a beautiful man and letting him do all the work was one of my very favourite things to do”
💀🤣🤣
June 26, 2024
Laughed so hard at this! I empathised with the feeling that life is over at 40, I felt that way when I turned 30 but I swanned off to Gran Canaria for a few weeks instead of an ice rink where calamity ensues 😂😂
This was a really sweet meet-cute with a healthy dose of instalove and a lot of humour that reminded me of why I was first drawn to this author - Not That Complicated is still one of the funniest books I've ever read, and I'm excited for more stories to come.
This was a really sweet meet-cute with a healthy dose of instalove and a lot of humour that reminded me of why I was first drawn to this author - Not That Complicated is still one of the funniest books I've ever read, and I'm excited for more stories to come.
June 22, 2024
... sigh. Where's the story?
I enjoyed Murray's two Not That* books, but sadly this really didn't work for me. After a very wobbly first chapter, we get some charming characters and a romantic first meeting/day after which we're at roughly the 60% mark. She then fast forwards
I put it down for the night after that.
This morning I thought, ok, well there's not that much left, I'm through the worst of it, this should be fine, I'll just quickly finish it off. Only to find the very first scene when I pick it up has fast forwarded 3 years to
My sense of anticipation turns to ash in my mouth, and at 70% of a story that's less than 130 pages, most of which I had enjoyed, I'm suddenly considering dnf'ing.
But no...
I forced myself to go on. Forced myself to read through the most long-winded, boring, tortured, drawn-out in the history of romance novellas.
Time to face what I've kind of suspected all along, that despite her charming characters, this author's work is just not for me.
I enjoyed Murray's two Not That* books, but sadly this really didn't work for me. After a very wobbly first chapter, we get some charming characters and a romantic first meeting/day after which we're at roughly the 60% mark. She then fast forwards
I put it down for the night after that.
This morning I thought, ok, well there's not that much left, I'm through the worst of it, this should be fine, I'll just quickly finish it off. Only to find the very first scene when I pick it up has fast forwarded 3 years to
My sense of anticipation turns to ash in my mouth, and at 70% of a story that's less than 130 pages, most of which I had enjoyed, I'm suddenly considering dnf'ing.
But no...
I forced myself to go on. Forced myself to read through the most long-winded, boring, tortured, drawn-out in the history of romance novellas.
Time to face what I've kind of suspected all along, that despite her charming characters, this author's work is just not for me.
Read
December 3, 2024DNF at 67%
Ok, I need help. There is something wrong with me. This was cute. Fun. Short. Sweet. Funny.
But then I got so bored I quit in the middle of a sex scene.
Ok, I need help. There is something wrong with me. This was cute. Fun. Short. Sweet. Funny.
But then I got so bored I quit in the middle of a sex scene.
Read
September 10, 2025What a fluffy lil confection of a novella. Short and sweet. OTT but adorable if low angst instalove with good communication & good secondary characters is your jam
June 7, 2024
I always enjoy Isabel Murray. One of the few authors for whom I will drop everything. This one was really sweet, with kind of a Ray and Adam vibe that I really enjoyed.
I have to say I really like the single POV, and very few people (at least in the genres I read) will write in it. I just love that you have to get the cues of the other person's thoughts and feelings from what's being reported in that single POV. I'm sure there are others who do it but, other than Isabel, the only other author I can think of off the top of my head is Eliot Grayson.
Anyway, great book, I really enjoyed! No surprise lol.
Edit to say I LOVE the phrase, "emotional support extrovert" hahaha
I have to say I really like the single POV, and very few people (at least in the genres I read) will write in it. I just love that you have to get the cues of the other person's thoughts and feelings from what's being reported in that single POV. I'm sure there are others who do it but, other than Isabel, the only other author I can think of off the top of my head is Eliot Grayson.
Anyway, great book, I really enjoyed! No surprise lol.
Edit to say I LOVE the phrase, "emotional support extrovert" hahaha
November 23, 2024
This is a great book with plenty of sweet smiles, wonderful chemistry and a really engaging story. Highly recommended!
June 13, 2024
"Are you okay?”
I wiped the small spray of snow from my face and glared up at the guy. It was the arrogant ice panther. Of course it was.
I've adored all of Isabel Murray's works, and this one was no different! The plot and meet-cute were fun, and the author somehow gives the secondary character's so much life in such few pages! Not to mention how freaking cute their romance was.
“How could you not notice?”
I smiled at him. “Why would I, when I’ve got you sitting right in front of me?"
The spice was delicious! The sexual tension ran strong in the whole last half of the book; I really felt it from Jake especially! I'll definitely re-read this sometime when I need a fun, spicy interlude book.
Read
June 20, 2024This was cute and made me smile
June 20, 2024
Different story line.
When I started reading this story, it had a lot of potential and I liked the way Ben ridiculed himself. He made fun of himself and the story got me laughing. Then something just changed and it wasn't funny anymore. The chapters dragged and became ridiculous. The story line felt like it was about two teenagers.
When I started reading this story, it had a lot of potential and I liked the way Ben ridiculed himself. He made fun of himself and the story got me laughing. Then something just changed and it wasn't funny anymore. The chapters dragged and became ridiculous. The story line felt like it was about two teenagers.
June 22, 2024
4.5 stars. Very British and Ben? Utterly oblivious to Jake's overtures. Ravi...such a pity he's straight, cos I'd have loved a story about him. Maybe I'll have better luck with Pawel from the Polish restaurant.
February 13, 2025
This is an absolutely gorgeous tale, it's light hearted, it's sweet, and at times hilarious. Ben is devastated and grumpy because it's his birthday, his 40th birthday, he believes he's at the pinnacle of life and it's all downhill from here. He's also alone for his birthday, so to try and cheer himself up he decides to go ice skating, something he hasn't done in many years, what could go wrong!! 'Hint' The escapades on ice is hilarious and sweet. A well written, lovely read.
June 18, 2024
First Dates and Birthday Cakes is a gentle, wonderful contemporary romantic comedy
Rating: 4.5🌈
I have been an absolute fan of Isabel Murray since I read Gary of a Hundred Days. Everything since has just cemented this author as a superb writer, one of great hearted, strong characters as well as wild, imaginative plots. I hadn’t read much if any of her contemporary works.
First Dates and Birthday Cakes is a gentle, wonderful contemporary romantic comedy. It’s also one that takes all the elements that I associate with this author’s writing in her fantasy novels like layered characters, and wonderful settings, and showcases it here in a contemporary story.
Ben Porter is turning 40 when the story begins. It’s the morning of his birthday, one he’s been dreading. And, honestly, Ben is every one of us who has been in denial about any kind of birthday that is a milestone in life. Instant connection!
What’s worse is he told family and friends not to make a big deal and then they had the nerve to actually listen to him. I was already laughing at the reality of that moment and the real emotional reactions Murray was vividly conveying.
Memories of a birthday past , way way past, has Ben scurrying off to an ice rink and his future.
This is so humorous. Warmly real, awkward, and so very true to each man’s spirit. Plus there’s a fantastic best friend, a mother who I love even though we see her briefly. We know her. Murray has brought every character exquisitely to life no matter how long or short they appear in this story.
I ended up smiling at the imagery and ending. And vowing to go through the rest of Murray’s contemporary catalog.
I’ve left my favorites below. I’m including this as well. Enjoy!
Favorites by Isabel Murray:
Merman Romance :
Catch and Release
Must Reads!
Fantasy Romance :
Gary of a Hundred Days
Gary the Once and Former King
The Naiad’s Gift
Rating: 4.5🌈
I have been an absolute fan of Isabel Murray since I read Gary of a Hundred Days. Everything since has just cemented this author as a superb writer, one of great hearted, strong characters as well as wild, imaginative plots. I hadn’t read much if any of her contemporary works.
First Dates and Birthday Cakes is a gentle, wonderful contemporary romantic comedy. It’s also one that takes all the elements that I associate with this author’s writing in her fantasy novels like layered characters, and wonderful settings, and showcases it here in a contemporary story.
Ben Porter is turning 40 when the story begins. It’s the morning of his birthday, one he’s been dreading. And, honestly, Ben is every one of us who has been in denial about any kind of birthday that is a milestone in life. Instant connection!
What’s worse is he told family and friends not to make a big deal and then they had the nerve to actually listen to him. I was already laughing at the reality of that moment and the real emotional reactions Murray was vividly conveying.
Memories of a birthday past , way way past, has Ben scurrying off to an ice rink and his future.
This is so humorous. Warmly real, awkward, and so very true to each man’s spirit. Plus there’s a fantastic best friend, a mother who I love even though we see her briefly. We know her. Murray has brought every character exquisitely to life no matter how long or short they appear in this story.
I ended up smiling at the imagery and ending. And vowing to go through the rest of Murray’s contemporary catalog.
I’ve left my favorites below. I’m including this as well. Enjoy!
Favorites by Isabel Murray:
Merman Romance :
Catch and Release
Must Reads!
Fantasy Romance :
Gary of a Hundred Days
Gary the Once and Former King
The Naiad’s Gift
June 22, 2024
3.5 stars
This was super sweet, fun, and a bit steamy. Just what I needed after a few heavier books!
It’s Ben’s 40th birthday. He’s in the midst of a midlife crisis, because his life at 40 isn’t quite what he expected. He’s told everyone he doesn’t want any fuss for his birthday, and amazingly, everyone listened to him. But now he’s all alone.
In an effort to get out of the house and shake himself out of his melancholy, Ben decides to go ice skating. He used to be a pretty great skater—when he was 10–so it should be just like riding a bike, right? Wrong.
As soon as he steps on the ice, he’s on his back. After a while, he’s fallen so much, his bruises have bruises. But then he’s rescued by a handsome, tall man who is an excellent skater. Jakub, who teaches at the rink, helps Ben recapture the joy he had when he used to skate—when he isn’t tripping on the ice.
It turns out Jake isn’t just being kind. He’s attracted to Ben (the feeling is mutual), and when he finds out it’s his birthday, they plan to have dinner together, and Jake promises a birthday kiss. Will this meet-cute lead somewhere real?
I enjoyed the banter between Ben and Jake, as well as some of the other characters. It was a quick but sweet read.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Check out my best reads of 2023 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2023.html.
This was super sweet, fun, and a bit steamy. Just what I needed after a few heavier books!
It’s Ben’s 40th birthday. He’s in the midst of a midlife crisis, because his life at 40 isn’t quite what he expected. He’s told everyone he doesn’t want any fuss for his birthday, and amazingly, everyone listened to him. But now he’s all alone.
In an effort to get out of the house and shake himself out of his melancholy, Ben decides to go ice skating. He used to be a pretty great skater—when he was 10–so it should be just like riding a bike, right? Wrong.
As soon as he steps on the ice, he’s on his back. After a while, he’s fallen so much, his bruises have bruises. But then he’s rescued by a handsome, tall man who is an excellent skater. Jakub, who teaches at the rink, helps Ben recapture the joy he had when he used to skate—when he isn’t tripping on the ice.
It turns out Jake isn’t just being kind. He’s attracted to Ben (the feeling is mutual), and when he finds out it’s his birthday, they plan to have dinner together, and Jake promises a birthday kiss. Will this meet-cute lead somewhere real?
I enjoyed the banter between Ben and Jake, as well as some of the other characters. It was a quick but sweet read.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Check out my best reads of 2023 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2023.html.
June 8, 2024
Hilarious, silly-sweet fun. I grabbed this as soon as I read Isabel Murray's email, because I so needed a dose of her style. I giggled my way through the first half, then things got steamy, then on to the HEA. However, I prefer her work at full length; it gives her room to dig into the story more. This felt a little too light in the center, even though it's satisfying overall. I loved weird and quirky Ben, and his bestie, Ravi - but Jake didn't feel fully realized, other than being hot AF, a total sweetheart, and, actually, a little too unsure of himself for a person with so much going for him.
I rounded this up to five stars just because I love this author so much, but I hesitated on the fence before deciding to do so because I wanted more. MORE!
I rounded this up to five stars just because I love this author so much, but I hesitated on the fence before deciding to do so because I wanted more. MORE!
April 20, 2025
story of Ben and Jake
This is a rom com novella, featuring Ben and Jake, and is a standalone novella.
Ben is feeling old and lonely on his 40th birthday, so he decides to cheer himself up with a solo ice-skating session that quickly goes wrong. But when a handsome stranger named Jake comes to his rescue, Ben’s terrible day might just turn around.
This book is hilarious! The writing is so witty and these two adorable men are perfect together. I love that Ben’s mini mid life crisis led him to the love of his life.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone novella
MM rom com
Set in the UK
Mid life crisis
MC turns forty
Ex figure skater
Ice skating
Meet cute
Meddling BFF & parents
Banter
Dates
Spicy times
Witty writing
Sweet HEA
This is a rom com novella, featuring Ben and Jake, and is a standalone novella.
Ben is feeling old and lonely on his 40th birthday, so he decides to cheer himself up with a solo ice-skating session that quickly goes wrong. But when a handsome stranger named Jake comes to his rescue, Ben’s terrible day might just turn around.
This book is hilarious! The writing is so witty and these two adorable men are perfect together. I love that Ben’s mini mid life crisis led him to the love of his life.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone novella
MM rom com
Set in the UK
Mid life crisis
MC turns forty
Ex figure skater
Ice skating
Meet cute
Meddling BFF & parents
Banter
Dates
Spicy times
Witty writing
Sweet HEA
October 14, 2024
The Best Surprise
This. Was. Seriously. Cute!
Ben is such a grumpster, but trying to embrace his age … of forty. Over the hill and down in the valley, sliding toward the river Styx. Yeah, he is fairly dramatic.
But, he does do something different, on his please-don’t-celebrate-my-birthday day and goes to the skating rink. His tenth birthday there was fun, right?
When a gorgeous guy helps him find his feet on his skates, Ben isn’t sure what is coming. Jake is playful, graceful and talented. And Ben falls hard, several times. But, they make plans to go out, anyway.
Too fun!
This. Was. Seriously. Cute!
Ben is such a grumpster, but trying to embrace his age … of forty. Over the hill and down in the valley, sliding toward the river Styx. Yeah, he is fairly dramatic.
But, he does do something different, on his please-don’t-celebrate-my-birthday day and goes to the skating rink. His tenth birthday there was fun, right?
When a gorgeous guy helps him find his feet on his skates, Ben isn’t sure what is coming. Jake is playful, graceful and talented. And Ben falls hard, several times. But, they make plans to go out, anyway.
Too fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews