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Beauty And The Bookworm #1
Beauty and the Bookworm
Mason Leery is a bookworm and he thinks he might just be able to get through life simply by reading about it instead of living it.
Until he meets Shane Beaumont. Shane is the opposite of Mason in every way, he's beautiful, athletic, and lives his life to the fullest.
Sparks fly when the polar opposites come together, but it will be up to the bookworm to shut down his e-reader and go after the beauty if he wants to love someone outside the pages of a book.
Until he meets Shane Beaumont. Shane is the opposite of Mason in every way, he's beautiful, athletic, and lives his life to the fullest.
Sparks fly when the polar opposites come together, but it will be up to the bookworm to shut down his e-reader and go after the beauty if he wants to love someone outside the pages of a book.
107 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
57 people are currently reading
1532 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews
December 5, 2014
If this book was a man, I'd lick its no-no! I feel I owe it some lovin' after making my afternoon infinitely more entertaining!
Some people thought that this book was over the top. Me? Naaaah. If I didn't think Tell Me It's Real was too over the top, I'm NEVER going to find anything that is too much for me!
On the other hand, I think I'm the only one that doesn't like that cover. Sure, the guy is hot, but it in no way let's you know that this book is super fluffy and fun. It seems kind of dark and angsty and generic, if I'm being honest. If it wasn't for my fabulous friends and their reviews, I would have never tried this one.
I'm just going to put it out there: I ADORED this book. It was too short and it wasn't perfect, but I think I'd give it 4+ stars just for poking fun at M/M romance. I DIED at all of the hilarious shifter/closeted cop books that Mason read. I think I've read some of those gems... And when he asked the old man boxer for a safe word, I almost choked on my lunch!! I think I need a safe word at the gym!
This story was pure FUN. If reading a super light story about a butch lesbian grandma, a geeky, slightly spastic librarian, and a hot personal trainer appeals to you, then you MUST buy this book! No, it's not as impressive as War and Peace but it's a hell of a lot more entertaining!
Some people thought that this book was over the top. Me? Naaaah. If I didn't think Tell Me It's Real was too over the top, I'm NEVER going to find anything that is too much for me!
On the other hand, I think I'm the only one that doesn't like that cover. Sure, the guy is hot, but it in no way let's you know that this book is super fluffy and fun. It seems kind of dark and angsty and generic, if I'm being honest. If it wasn't for my fabulous friends and their reviews, I would have never tried this one.
I'm just going to put it out there: I ADORED this book. It was too short and it wasn't perfect, but I think I'd give it 4+ stars just for poking fun at M/M romance. I DIED at all of the hilarious shifter/closeted cop books that Mason read. I think I've read some of those gems... And when he asked the old man boxer for a safe word, I almost choked on my lunch!! I think I need a safe word at the gym!
This story was pure FUN. If reading a super light story about a butch lesbian grandma, a geeky, slightly spastic librarian, and a hot personal trainer appeals to you, then you MUST buy this book! No, it's not as impressive as War and Peace but it's a hell of a lot more entertaining!
May 10, 2014
4.25 stars
This book was so fucking funny and sweet! Mason is a short, twinky librarian who loves to read; he tells us his story (first-person POV), and I loved him from the get-go.
Mason lives vicariously through the MCs in his gay romance books (sounds vaguely familiar, ahem) until he meets jock-wearing Shane in the park. Shane is a runner and literally flashes Mason his ass (accidentally on purpose?) the first time they, um, trip over one another. Mason is smitten but thinks Shane's out of his league.
Not true. Opposites attract, don't you know? Mason takes a boxing lesson, and Shane tries to read a Russian novel, but these guys complement each other without even trying.
Add in a very pregnant, very clingy best friend; a vegan-loving, juicing fiend of a realtor (pineapple makes your semen taste better; yes, the story is set in Portland); and a Harley-riding dyke of a grandmother, and you have a very light, slightly quirky, totally charming read.
It put a huge grin on my face. Definitely recommended!
This book was so fucking funny and sweet! Mason is a short, twinky librarian who loves to read; he tells us his story (first-person POV), and I loved him from the get-go.
Mason lives vicariously through the MCs in his gay romance books (sounds vaguely familiar, ahem) until he meets jock-wearing Shane in the park. Shane is a runner and literally flashes Mason his ass (accidentally on purpose?) the first time they, um, trip over one another. Mason is smitten but thinks Shane's out of his league.
Not true. Opposites attract, don't you know? Mason takes a boxing lesson, and Shane tries to read a Russian novel, but these guys complement each other without even trying.
Add in a very pregnant, very clingy best friend; a vegan-loving, juicing fiend of a realtor (pineapple makes your semen taste better; yes, the story is set in Portland); and a Harley-riding dyke of a grandmother, and you have a very light, slightly quirky, totally charming read.
It put a huge grin on my face. Definitely recommended!
September 22, 2018
For this book to be only half the length of most novels, I found myself enjoying it twice as much as many of those longer reads.
Did it leave me wanting more? Oh hell yeah, no doubt about that.
Both Mason and Shane are completely adorable start to finish, with Mason being a cardigan-addicted book worm and Shane being a fitness-addicted marathon runner.
Some of my favorite parts of this book were the self-deprecating humor from Mason regarding his own eccentricities and the types of MM fiction that he read. I nearly shit myself over the blurb from "Easter Lust":
Easter Lust. It’s a story about a bunny rabbit shifter who meets a chicken shifter. They come together, fall in love, and then, tragically, discover they’re both submissive bottoms. They try bumping butts for a while (great scene with a double-headed dildo) and then they meet a dominant wolf shifter who’s into leather and bossing people around. He buggers them both mercilessly and everyone ends up happy. Five stars.
And blurting. GOD, do I love a good, unfiltered blurter, which Mason most definitely is. Like during his first boxing lesson, just after running away when the coach tried to punch him.
“Sorry, I just panicked. Can I try to hit you, first? I think that would work better for me. And shouldn’t we have a safe word?”I laughed, I cried. Should. Have. Sent. A. Poet.
“A what?” I was trying to apply some of the knowledge I’ve gained from books to a real-world situation.
“Well, this seems like a Dom/sub thing you’ve got going, so I thought we should have a safe word.”
But the biggest gut buster for me was the 'no-no'. And no, no divulging here. You will have to read the book to figure that one out.
The only 'character flaw' if you will (in my opinion) was Twyla. She and her drama was more of a detractor for me.
This was such an entertaining read that I honestly have no idea how the average reader rating on Goodreads is only 3.8 stars. It's a solid 5 stars for me and I would have easily and happily read another 200 pages.
And to Nick Pageant: “Thank you, sir, and, may I have another?” hehe
June 3, 2014
4.5--LMAO--Stars!!
How does this book only have a 3.68 average rating?
For reals.....this little novella was awesome! I was seriously laughing my ass off the whole time!
Mason's grandma....
....she was so kick ass!
And Mason (the bookworm) and Shane (the beauty) were
Loved how they met, how different they were, how sweet they were....how they tried to impress each other, how hot they were together, Shane's book reading fetish. I loved it all. It was just the book I needed.
How does this book only have a 3.68 average rating?
For reals.....this little novella was awesome! I was seriously laughing my ass off the whole time!
Mason's grandma....
....she was so kick ass!
And Mason (the bookworm) and Shane (the beauty) were
Loved how they met, how different they were, how sweet they were....how they tried to impress each other, how hot they were together, Shane's book reading fetish. I loved it all. It was just the book I needed.
April 10, 2024
Yeah, so this is a book about bad people. At least that’s what I told myself in order to garner some enjoyment from this. Sure, I guess Mason is immediately slotted into the underdog category because he’s a nerd or whatever (because he wears cardigans and works in a library?), but let's be real, in reality, I think he’s just an overly judgmental jerk. And the love interest’s name might as well be “Love Interest,” he was so bland. Oh, and Mason’s bestie is a homophobe. She thinks that just because she’s friends with a gay dude that she gets a pass, that she somehow inherits all the lingo (calling other gay people “fruits” etc.). Nah, that's not how it works, sorry. There’s just so much about his book that’s not cool. I mean, I know it was written in 2014, but that’s not that long ago, right? Don't answer that.
But the thing is, even without the antiquated sentiments, I'm pretty sure that I still wouldn’t like this book. Never a good sign when the romance is written in a “tell, don’t show” fashion. Mason would be all like, “Hey, Love Interest and I spoke on the phone every night for the last week, things are going great!" Um... isn't that something you'd want to show through dialogue? This is a book after all. Also, the writing style is just too self-referential for my taste. Any attempt the book makes to try to have any greater meaning is undercut by that annoying ass “well, that just happened,” “wink-at-the-audience” type of narration. In conclusion, this… really wasn’t what I needed to read right now. Definitely not my cup of tea. Wouldn’t it be funny if this was the book that made me just stop reading all together? It's got that "Call-it-quits" vibe, for sure.
But the thing is, even without the antiquated sentiments, I'm pretty sure that I still wouldn’t like this book. Never a good sign when the romance is written in a “tell, don’t show” fashion. Mason would be all like, “Hey, Love Interest and I spoke on the phone every night for the last week, things are going great!" Um... isn't that something you'd want to show through dialogue? This is a book after all. Also, the writing style is just too self-referential for my taste. Any attempt the book makes to try to have any greater meaning is undercut by that annoying ass “well, that just happened,” “wink-at-the-audience” type of narration. In conclusion, this… really wasn’t what I needed to read right now. Definitely not my cup of tea. Wouldn’t it be funny if this was the book that made me just stop reading all together? It's got that "Call-it-quits" vibe, for sure.
August 2, 2019
***4.5 Stars***
Anyone who is a fan of great writing, hilarious inner dialogue and banter, and cardigans as a staple of classic fashion....this is the book for you! It is a novella full of laugh out loud moments, great friends and family and a low angst, but all heart story. Don't doubt me, I know what I'm talking about.
Mason is the type of guy that you love from the very first word....which he even says himself should have been "dick" but he decided to go the more formal route with his introduction. He's an avid reader who works in a library and spends all of his time wrapped inside the lives of fictional characters, rather than living in the real world.
Mason and Shane meet under clumsy and hilarious circumstances. And now Mason must muster up the ability to seem interesting to this beautiful man. Shane makes a couple of assumptions and Mason finds himself unable to tell him the truth.
This book is worth the read simply for the chapter where Mason learns to box, asks the geriatric boxing coach for a safeword and instead gets a black eye, and then his dinnertime conversation regarding said black eye.
Insert a needy, whore of a female best friend and a lesbian biker grandma, who cannot fathom the possibility of her pansy grandson being a bottom...and you've got a well rounded novella that packs a hilarious punch, sweet story and has lots of heart.
I'll end my review with wise words from a woman who has lived a long life living in a world where the dynamics of a same sex relationship are confusing to some. Here she gives her grandson sage advice on how to approach the sexual aspect of his new relationship.
"When you try to top him - isn't it going to look a little bit like a small man climbing a tall mountain?
She came and sat next to me, putting a grandmotherly arm over my shoulders and patting my knee gently. "I just want what's best for you, Mason. We'll work this out together. I think it would be more...symmetrical if you fisted him."
January 30, 2015
4 Awesome Stars.
In this book we have Mason, “gay as a daisy” librarian who meets Shane, physical therapist, while reading a book in the park, when Shane is training for a marathon. Well, things led to another, they start dating and this is their story from the moment Mason checks Shane’s hot ass in the park to their own happy end.
I loved how this was drama free and I spent a great time reading it. Yeah, it’s not the most original or developed story, but it was sweet, steamy, the characters were pretty good and it was freaking hilarious. I had a good time reading it and it was all that matters in the end.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: What can I say? I loved them all. Shane was great and sweet, being in Mason’s head was hilarious, he was completely nuts. And grandma was probably one the best characters ever. I love how completely nuts she was!
Steam: Hot.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
In this book we have Mason, “gay as a daisy” librarian who meets Shane, physical therapist, while reading a book in the park, when Shane is training for a marathon. Well, things led to another, they start dating and this is their story from the moment Mason checks Shane’s hot ass in the park to their own happy end.
I loved how this was drama free and I spent a great time reading it. Yeah, it’s not the most original or developed story, but it was sweet, steamy, the characters were pretty good and it was freaking hilarious. I had a good time reading it and it was all that matters in the end.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: What can I say? I loved them all. Shane was great and sweet, being in Mason’s head was hilarious, he was completely nuts. And grandma was probably one the best characters ever. I love how completely nuts she was!
Steam: Hot.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
December 19, 2014
This book is why I read mm romance.
I love men!
I love men with nice bodies, nice cars, nice homes, nice bank accounts and nice penises.
But if a man can make me laugh, to hell with the above crap.
Truth be told, and my friends will tell you, I have a bit of a crush on the author, so you may suspect my 5 star rating.
Well, my friends will also tell you I would throw my mother under a bus and tattoo 1 star to her dead forehead if she wrote something I didn’t like.
This book was 5* wonderful. I laughed, I grinned, I smiled, I smirked, I giggled and I was charmed the entire ride.
I don’t write or read long reviews because frankly they bore the shit out of me.
Feel free to choose any of the 4/5 star reviews below and knock yourself out.
I love men!
I love men with nice bodies, nice cars, nice homes, nice bank accounts and nice penises.
But if a man can make me laugh, to hell with the above crap.
Truth be told, and my friends will tell you, I have a bit of a crush on the author, so you may suspect my 5 star rating.
Well, my friends will also tell you I would throw my mother under a bus and tattoo 1 star to her dead forehead if she wrote something I didn’t like.
This book was 5* wonderful. I laughed, I grinned, I smiled, I smirked, I giggled and I was charmed the entire ride.
I don’t write or read long reviews because frankly they bore the shit out of me.
Feel free to choose any of the 4/5 star reviews below and knock yourself out.
September 15, 2014
Slight update.
The book & the cover....
How can I not like this book? It’s about a bookworm. I’m a bookworm. It has a beauty in it. I wanna fuck a beauty…then fall massively in love. (The “fuck” is the important part but, really, is any of that last sentence too much to ask?) And that cover! Would licking that guy’s abs and then sucking on his nips constitute sexual harassment? Yes? Fucking PC police, a girl can’t get away with anything anymore.
Librarians…don’t even ask (you don’t have to, I’m willing to share).
Let me tell you something about librarians, OK? You probably imagine they’re something like this:
But the librarians I know are nothing like that.
About 150 years ago I worked at the Knight Library in Eugene, OR. One Christmas I had a party and I invited the librarians. I thought I was pretty hardcore as I drank white wine (zinfandel, baby, I like to go all out!)and ate marshmallows while decorating for said party. Then the librarians showed up. Let me inform you of something: THOSE BITCHES CAN PARTY. What I thought would be a nice little get-together turned into this:
I’m not even joking. It was cray-cray. With an extra splash of cray.
(Plus another librarian drank my entire bottle of Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet wine. To this day I haven't tried it as refuse to let it go. Bastard.)
The MC in Beauty and the Bookworm, Mason, is nothing like those librarians. He has a cardigan for every occasion. He keeps his nose so close to his e-reader there’s probably a permanent oil stain there. (Okay, that sounds disgusting, but c’mon! I’ve had to wipe mine down with alcohol a time or two. Or once a day. Whatever.) The worst thing you can say about him is that he has bad taste in men when he’s drunk. (Who doesn’t?) He spends all his time reading MM Romance. (Who doesn’t?) Clearly the author is a dude familiar with the frequent ridiculousness of MM (or any romance):
In both books, Pageant shows he understands what it’s like to be one of life’s observers. He’s familiar with at least the idea of feeling like an outsider even amongst those who accept him. What it’s like to use humor as your only defense. His talent lies in his ability to communicate these feeling subtly, without clumsy statements.
On finding Mr. Charming.
Ok, let us speak of Shane. Other for some grammatical errors (which I barely noticed) and mixing names up at one point, Shane is my only real complaint (and not a serious one). Like the love interest in Cardeno C.’s Perfect Imperfections, Shane is a little too perfect. Other than some light issues with his brother, Shawn, Shane is the perfect, supportive boyfriend. When I first reviewed this book in May I said this -- I like a little more conflict in my romance. Not too much, I hate angst for the sake of angst, but a tad more would be nice. I've been thinking about it since then and I've changed my mind. I don't think this is the type of book that needs a lot of conflict. It's humorous wish-fulfillment for whoever reads it. It doesn't need to be anything other than what it is. Anyway back to the original review -- However, I feel the same way about Shane as I did about Reg in Past Imperfections: I DON’T GIVE A FLYING FUCK. Color me I DON’T GIVE A SHIT. I love Shane, I love his jockstraps and I love how much he likes/loves Mason. I especially love his attempts to impress Mason and his sexual fantasies. He’s a bookworm's dream come true. I want to smoosh his face between my boobs and shout “woobie, woobie, woobie!” (Except that would also constitute sexual harassment. Dammit.)
The main conflict, or why I hate that selfish jerk who I won’t name due to spoilers.
I was impressed by the novel’s main conflict. I was actually worried that this conflict wouldn't work out to everyone's satisfaction but luckily, it did. But I still want to hit a certain someone over the head with a skillet.
A less exhausting Tell Me It's Real.
I agree with another reviewer that said this book is similar to Tell Me It’s Real. They’re both funny, they both use first person narrative and both narrators speak directly to the reader. I like Tell Me, it’s hilarious, but I frequently find T.J. Klune’s rat-a-tat-tat gunfire humor, followed by heavy angst, exhausting. I found the sarcastic humor in this book to be a little more relaxing. There’s a lack of vagina mentions, a lack of running into walls & no running over love-interest with a car. However, there is a lesbian-biker grandma that is as over the top as the parents in Tell me who likes to drop unnecessary comments about sexual acts as well.
So why 4 stars instead of 5? Well, I think the writing could be tighter, a little less wordy in parts. Other than that I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great lighthearted, funny read by an author I expect will only improve as time goes by.
P.S. For the sake of honesty I will mention that the author and I are very new “online buddies.” However, it’s not like we’ve gone out for coffee. I’ve never given him a noogie. Also, I accepted no payment in exchange for my honest review. Having said that, I would like to mention to all authors out there that I will accept payment in the form of large jars of Nutella. You know, the one’s you find at Costco. A spoon would be nice as well.
The book & the cover....
How can I not like this book? It’s about a bookworm. I’m a bookworm. It has a beauty in it. I wanna fuck a beauty…then fall massively in love. (The “fuck” is the important part but, really, is any of that last sentence too much to ask?) And that cover! Would licking that guy’s abs and then sucking on his nips constitute sexual harassment? Yes? Fucking PC police, a girl can’t get away with anything anymore.
Librarians…don’t even ask (you don’t have to, I’m willing to share).
Let me tell you something about librarians, OK? You probably imagine they’re something like this:
But the librarians I know are nothing like that.
About 150 years ago I worked at the Knight Library in Eugene, OR. One Christmas I had a party and I invited the librarians. I thought I was pretty hardcore as I drank white wine (zinfandel, baby, I like to go all out!)and ate marshmallows while decorating for said party. Then the librarians showed up. Let me inform you of something: THOSE BITCHES CAN PARTY. What I thought would be a nice little get-together turned into this:
I’m not even joking. It was cray-cray. With an extra splash of cray.
(Plus another librarian drank my entire bottle of Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet wine. To this day I haven't tried it as refuse to let it go. Bastard.)
The MC in Beauty and the Bookworm, Mason, is nothing like those librarians. He has a cardigan for every occasion. He keeps his nose so close to his e-reader there’s probably a permanent oil stain there. (Okay, that sounds disgusting, but c’mon! I’ve had to wipe mine down with alcohol a time or two. Or once a day. Whatever.) The worst thing you can say about him is that he has bad taste in men when he’s drunk. (Who doesn’t?) He spends all his time reading MM Romance. (Who doesn’t?) Clearly the author is a dude familiar with the frequent ridiculousness of MM (or any romance):
Easter Lust…a story about a bunny rabbit shifter who meets a chicken shifter. They come together, fall in love, and then, tragically, discover they’re both submissive bottoms. They try bumping butts for a while…and then they meet a dominant wolf shifter…He buggers them both mercilessly and every one ends up happy. 5 stars.I completely identified with Mason. (See nose to e-reader remark above.) He’s not quite shy, but he is a sarcastic introvert. He answers the question “what are you reading?” with impressive lies. He also reminds me of a more sarcastic version of Pageant’s MC Billy in Billy's Turn. Both Billy & Mason spend so much time looking down or reading books they fail to notice anyone around them. There’s an excellent quote about this from Billy’s Turn:
“[Y]ou never let yourself meet anybody. Stop staring at the damned ground all the time or Prince Charming is going to walk by without noticing.”In Beauty and the Bookworm, Mason’s gran makes a similar statement:
“It’s time you stopped reading about love and started looking for it.”Uh...ow. Those quotes are like a one-two punch to the kidney.
In both books, Pageant shows he understands what it’s like to be one of life’s observers. He’s familiar with at least the idea of feeling like an outsider even amongst those who accept him. What it’s like to use humor as your only defense. His talent lies in his ability to communicate these feeling subtly, without clumsy statements.
On finding Mr. Charming.
Ok, let us speak of Shane. Other for some grammatical errors (which I barely noticed) and mixing names up at one point, Shane is my only real complaint (and not a serious one). Like the love interest in Cardeno C.’s Perfect Imperfections, Shane is a little too perfect. Other than some light issues with his brother, Shawn, Shane is the perfect, supportive boyfriend. When I first reviewed this book in May I said this -- I like a little more conflict in my romance. Not too much, I hate angst for the sake of angst, but a tad more would be nice. I've been thinking about it since then and I've changed my mind. I don't think this is the type of book that needs a lot of conflict. It's humorous wish-fulfillment for whoever reads it. It doesn't need to be anything other than what it is. Anyway back to the original review -- However, I feel the same way about Shane as I did about Reg in Past Imperfections: I DON’T GIVE A FLYING FUCK. Color me I DON’T GIVE A SHIT. I love Shane, I love his jockstraps and I love how much he likes/loves Mason. I especially love his attempts to impress Mason and his sexual fantasies. He’s a bookworm's dream come true. I want to smoosh his face between my boobs and shout “woobie, woobie, woobie!” (Except that would also constitute sexual harassment. Dammit.)
The main conflict, or why I hate that selfish jerk who I won’t name due to spoilers.
I was impressed by the novel’s main conflict. I was actually worried that this conflict wouldn't work out to everyone's satisfaction but luckily, it did. But I still want to hit a certain someone over the head with a skillet.
A less exhausting Tell Me It's Real.
I agree with another reviewer that said this book is similar to Tell Me It’s Real. They’re both funny, they both use first person narrative and both narrators speak directly to the reader. I like Tell Me, it’s hilarious, but I frequently find T.J. Klune’s rat-a-tat-tat gunfire humor, followed by heavy angst, exhausting. I found the sarcastic humor in this book to be a little more relaxing. There’s a lack of vagina mentions, a lack of running into walls & no running over love-interest with a car. However, there is a lesbian-biker grandma that is as over the top as the parents in Tell me who likes to drop unnecessary comments about sexual acts as well.
So why 4 stars instead of 5? Well, I think the writing could be tighter, a little less wordy in parts. Other than that I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great lighthearted, funny read by an author I expect will only improve as time goes by.
P.S. For the sake of honesty I will mention that the author and I are very new “online buddies.” However, it’s not like we’ve gone out for coffee. I’ve never given him a noogie. Also, I accepted no payment in exchange for my honest review. Having said that, I would like to mention to all authors out there that I will accept payment in the form of large jars of Nutella. You know, the one’s you find at Costco. A spoon would be nice as well.
May 22, 2014
****4 Cardigan clad stars****
That silly grin you just got from that GIF? That's the expression you'll have through out this sweet and fun book. I loved it. A light and fluffy read.
Mason was adorable.
"I was one sexy, cardigan-clad HoMoFo."
Shane had a jockstrap. 'Nuff said...
I didn't like Twyla though. I like sass, but I must have love with the sassiness. A character can say and act like she did, but then she should show her love or "worthiness" of being a friend to the MC. All I felt in this instance was just sass, and no or little care for Masin. In my opinion.
The grandmother was a bit over the top, but it worked ;)
The boxing lesson scene was hilarious! LOL! Safeword! Hahahaha!
And Moby Dick. ROFL!!
Check out the quotes from the book. There were so many great ones!
“Thanks for the penis, God. I don’t have the balls to be a woman.”
Awesome, Nick!
That silly grin you just got from that GIF? That's the expression you'll have through out this sweet and fun book. I loved it. A light and fluffy read.
Mason was adorable.
"I was one sexy, cardigan-clad HoMoFo."
Shane had a jockstrap. 'Nuff said...
I didn't like Twyla though. I like sass, but I must have love with the sassiness. A character can say and act like she did, but then she should show her love or "worthiness" of being a friend to the MC. All I felt in this instance was just sass, and no or little care for Masin. In my opinion.
The grandmother was a bit over the top, but it worked ;)
The boxing lesson scene was hilarious! LOL! Safeword! Hahahaha!
And Moby Dick. ROFL!!
Check out the quotes from the book. There were so many great ones!
“Thanks for the penis, God. I don’t have the balls to be a woman.”
Awesome, Nick!
March 25, 2015
This is a short, funny, feel-good, laugh-like-crazy book. I had so much fun, I really wish the book was longer, but oh well :D
I recommend to everyone!!!!!!!
May 30, 2023
4**** stars
LMFAOOOOO! This was such a treat. hilarious. I laughed so hard. Exactly what I needed in my little slump here. THANK YOU, Nicole for recommending it the other day. ♡
************
Book 1 - Beauty and the Bookworm (novella) 4 stars
Book 2 - Boo! (short story) - read
LMFAOOOOO! This was such a treat. hilarious. I laughed so hard. Exactly what I needed in my little slump here. THANK YOU, Nicole for recommending it the other day. ♡
Nothing says I love you like a pre-lubricated butthole.
************
Book 1 - Beauty and the Bookworm (novella) 4 stars
Book 2 - Boo! (short story) - read
February 14, 2020
An utterly joyful and entertaining story!
Mason is a librarian who loves his job (since he loves to read), wears cardigans and actually thinks they are sexy. He lives with his dirty-mouthed lesbian grandmother, and has a similarly outspoken best friend, Twyla.
Shane is not only beautiful, but he is a complete sport and fitness junkie with a health-food obsession and a rocking body. Mason never thinks he has a chance with such a hot guy, but despite their differences, or maybe because of them, Shane finds everything sexy about Mason. Insomuch that he even develops a bookworm related kink…
The romance is uncomplicated and lovely, the erotica is fine, the main and the secondary characters are well-drawn. But the best about this story is the humor. The dialogues and the situations are hilarious and amusing.
A highly recommended, sweet and fun romance!
Mason is a librarian who loves his job (since he loves to read), wears cardigans and actually thinks they are sexy. He lives with his dirty-mouthed lesbian grandmother, and has a similarly outspoken best friend, Twyla.
“Cardigans can be very sexy.”
“Really? Go into the bathroom, stare into the mirror, then come back out here and tell me if you’d fuck yourself.”
Shane is not only beautiful, but he is a complete sport and fitness junkie with a health-food obsession and a rocking body. Mason never thinks he has a chance with such a hot guy, but despite their differences, or maybe because of them, Shane finds everything sexy about Mason. Insomuch that he even develops a bookworm related kink…
The romance is uncomplicated and lovely, the erotica is fine, the main and the secondary characters are well-drawn. But the best about this story is the humor. The dialogues and the situations are hilarious and amusing.
“What’s your poison?”
“Rum and coke.”
Mona Lisa frowned. “You know we don’t serve alcohol.” She said alcohol the way sane people say shit right after they’ve stepped in it.
“Okay,” I said with defeat, “what do you suggest?”
“I can whip you up a wheatgrass-pineapple smoothie.”
Sounds revolting. “Okay.”
“You’ll love it. It’ll really improve the taste of your semen.”
“Make it a double.”
A highly recommended, sweet and fun romance!
November 23, 2014
I don't know. I saw all the great reviews and maybe my expectations were way too high. It was OK, yeah, there were a few LOL moments but overall I found it a bit boring.
May 21, 2014
This was my first read by this author and I loved it!
A angst free romance, very funny and seriously adorable!! Loved Mason and his ramblings, he is so different from Shane … but their relationship was easy and very fluffy sweet, just loved the hilarious journey of how Mason and Shane came together!
And of course can´t forget… Mason´s crazy grandmother, she is hilarious, the things she said to Mason had me LOL, LOL and LOL!!!
And the cover! WOO!!! Hot Sexy Woo!
I will definitely read more by this author!
(Thanks you Momof3 ! ;D)
A angst free romance, very funny and seriously adorable!! Loved Mason and his ramblings, he is so different from Shane … but their relationship was easy and very fluffy sweet, just loved the hilarious journey of how Mason and Shane came together!
And of course can´t forget… Mason´s crazy grandmother, she is hilarious, the things she said to Mason had me LOL, LOL and LOL!!!
And the cover! WOO!!! Hot Sexy Woo!
I will definitely read more by this author!
(Thanks you Momof3 ! ;D)
Read
August 8, 2014** 4 " YES-YES" STARS**
When I read Marco review of Beauty And The Bookworm two things immediately stuck out :
A) Who is that fine specimen of a man wearing a cardigan ?
B) Why is that damn cardigan cockblocking the hell out of me ?
Actually I was referring to Marco's comment about B&B being a funny, light-hearted & angst free read ...
Fellow wormies, I dislike
This is a story of opposites attract. Mason Leery loves his job at the local library, cardigans, jockstraps and his Granny( I love the last 2 as well) . Mason's been burned one too many times by his Donkey Dick Ex and decides to spend his free time reading rather than looking for love. One day while sitting on a park bench he
So, that jogger I was telling you about, his name is Shane and I absolutely fell in love with him... okay, that may have something to do with me picturing Joe Manganiello as Shane but WHATEV!.. He's a personal trainer- massage therapist, 6 ft something hunk of man meat, outgoing and sexy as hell. I would read him pride and prejudice any day of the week except he would never choose my door.
<--- Huh? Read the book! After several bench encounters, Shane finally ask Mason on a date and - - ..... Thank you Nick for the wheat-grass pineapple smoothie tip.... Huh ?<-- You guessed it. READ THE BOOK!
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August 9, 2016
♥♥♥ 4 Funny and Sweet Stars ♥♥♥
I really loved this short read. As soon as I started reading, I had a big smile on my face. It was funny and sweet and very entertaining.
Mason Leery is a total bookworm. Which is no wonder he became a librarian. He is a cardigan wearing gay man who lives with his lesbian bad-ass grandmother. He enjoys living his life by escaping into the many m/m romance novels he reads.
Things change when the hot and sweaty runner, Shane Beaumont, trips into his life at a park, flashing him in the process. Shane is a health nut who works as a physical trainer and masseuse. They don't seem to have much in common but somehow, they both really worked well together.
I loved the two main characters. I really enjoyed the sense of humour and the writing. Oh, and I loved that boxing scene!! The added steam helped too, of course. Especially Shane's kink...didn't think I would like, but I did...A LOT!! I couldn't stop giggling and smiling while reading this book. There was zero angst, which was just what I needed after the book I had just read. I was able to really relate with Mason, except for the fact that he has a penis and I do not. He was cute and adorable. Shane was sexy and awesome.
I enjoyed his crazy but tough Gran. Twyla...she was pretty cool in the start, but became kind of annoying later on. I could not stop laughing about the eco crazy lady that was Mona Lisa. So funny!! I loved this hilarious, light, sweet read and would definitely recommend this when you need a pick me up. The only bad thing about this, is that it was too short. I really wish there was more. Overall, it was a really great read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
December 27, 2015
5 Fabulous Stars
Somewhere along the way, I stopped living in the real world. I expected life to be like my books. I expected happily ever after out of every situation and when I didn’t get it, I’d just read another book. I finally decided, somewhere along the way, that people are disappointing. It’s true, people suck, especially if you never give them a chance.
Confession time: I loved this book! It's sweet, well written and funny as hell. It also doesn't hurt that it takes place in a city I used to live in, Portland, OR. What can I say? I'm a whore for anything Oregonian. I don't tend to gravitate to M/M romances simply because I like to be able to relate to a female main character, but my penis deficiency didn't hinder my enjoyment of Beauty and the Bookworm one bit.
The cast of characters that make up Mason's life help keep this story fresh and fun. There's the sassy and brash female bff, of course. Been there, got the t-shirt.
You should think of me once in a while. I mean what’s the point of having a gay best friend if he doesn’t act gay? You don’t travel, you don’t dress particularly well, you don’t work out, and you don’t tell great stories about sodomy. Basically, you’re a waste of gayness.”
The Harley driving, butch as hell lesbian grandma.
“I just want what’s best for you, Mason. We’ll work this out together. I think it would be more … symmetrical if you fisted him.”
She had me beat. Sometimes it’s just go along or go crazy. “Fine, Gran. I’ll fist his ass.”
“Oh, good. I’m sure he’ll love it.”
And I can't forget about Mason himself. Sweet, loveable, and quietly sarcastic as hell, Mason. Without a doubt the kind of character I enjoy reading about the most, despite his love of gay shifter erotica.
I plopped myself down and fired up my e-reader to get lost in Easter Lust. It’s a story about a bunny rabbit shifter who meets a chicken shifter. They come together, fall in love, and then, tragically, discover they’re both submissive bottoms.
Okay, so maybe I love him BECAUSE of his love of gay shifter erotica. Who knows? And who cares given how fun this book was to read. I'm so happy to have discovered this new to me author and am already looking forward to more Nick Pageant goodness.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped living in the real world. I expected life to be like my books. I expected happily ever after out of every situation and when I didn’t get it, I’d just read another book. I finally decided, somewhere along the way, that people are disappointing. It’s true, people suck, especially if you never give them a chance.
Confession time: I loved this book! It's sweet, well written and funny as hell. It also doesn't hurt that it takes place in a city I used to live in, Portland, OR. What can I say? I'm a whore for anything Oregonian. I don't tend to gravitate to M/M romances simply because I like to be able to relate to a female main character, but my penis deficiency didn't hinder my enjoyment of Beauty and the Bookworm one bit.
The cast of characters that make up Mason's life help keep this story fresh and fun. There's the sassy and brash female bff, of course. Been there, got the t-shirt.
You should think of me once in a while. I mean what’s the point of having a gay best friend if he doesn’t act gay? You don’t travel, you don’t dress particularly well, you don’t work out, and you don’t tell great stories about sodomy. Basically, you’re a waste of gayness.”
The Harley driving, butch as hell lesbian grandma.
“I just want what’s best for you, Mason. We’ll work this out together. I think it would be more … symmetrical if you fisted him.”
She had me beat. Sometimes it’s just go along or go crazy. “Fine, Gran. I’ll fist his ass.”
“Oh, good. I’m sure he’ll love it.”
And I can't forget about Mason himself. Sweet, loveable, and quietly sarcastic as hell, Mason. Without a doubt the kind of character I enjoy reading about the most, despite his love of gay shifter erotica.
I plopped myself down and fired up my e-reader to get lost in Easter Lust. It’s a story about a bunny rabbit shifter who meets a chicken shifter. They come together, fall in love, and then, tragically, discover they’re both submissive bottoms.
Okay, so maybe I love him BECAUSE of his love of gay shifter erotica. Who knows? And who cares given how fun this book was to read. I'm so happy to have discovered this new to me author and am already looking forward to more Nick Pageant goodness.
June 2, 2014
Beauty And The Bookworm is the funniest book I've read in a while. This is the a classic tale of opposites attract. Mason is the quiet librarian who lives vicariously through the stories in his books. Shane, is the loveable physical trainer/masseuse. I'm not going to tell you anything beyond this because I don't want you to miss out on that "first time reading experience" feeling- cause it would be a true shame in this story. This book will have you laughing within the first few sentences.
Some questions...
Does it have endearing characters?
Is is told from a dual POV?
It's told from Mason's POV. I (normally) prefer a dual POV but I didn't miss not having it in this story- at all.
Any sexy times?
Does the story flow well?
Very nice flow- never a dull moment!
Is it the deepest story you'll ever read?
BUT you'll be highly entertained.
This will be you reading it:
Before I finish,I do want to address the 3.68 rating. Um..
Please don't base whether to read it or not based on the rating. This is really a sweet, funny read.
Final thoughts:
4.5 Good Times Stars rounded up to 5 ♥
September 24, 2018
I don’t remember why I originally added this one to my tbr, but I have a lot of stuff in there. Being buried alive is a real risk. Usually a friend’s review or recommendation will move a book from there into my hands, just like this time. I love me some dark and disturbed shit, but if there’s anything that can pull me to the light side, it’s humor.
I have a habit of highlighting the tidbits in a book that make me laugh. Reading this one, I realized why — because it’s so rare. But here, there were actual LOL moments in every chapter. Not “chuckled to myself” kind of funny, but burst-out-laughing-and-scared-my-dog funny.
The romance is cute, funny, and sexy. A creative plot and complex characters aren’t the strengths here, but to be frank, those are often easier to find than intelligently hilarious stories like this. I will read everything from this author, but I’m not going to binge — I will space them out like the tasty little treats they are. And apparently I really must, because he hasn’t published anything in three years. Come back, Nick Pageant!
I have a habit of highlighting the tidbits in a book that make me laugh. Reading this one, I realized why — because it’s so rare. But here, there were actual LOL moments in every chapter. Not “chuckled to myself” kind of funny, but burst-out-laughing-and-scared-my-dog funny.
The romance is cute, funny, and sexy. A creative plot and complex characters aren’t the strengths here, but to be frank, those are often easier to find than intelligently hilarious stories like this. I will read everything from this author, but I’m not going to binge — I will space them out like the tasty little treats they are. And apparently I really must, because he hasn’t published anything in three years. Come back, Nick Pageant!
September 22, 2018
Taste is subjective, but it's always seemed to me that humor is especially subjective. Luckily for me, this book hit my funny bone in just the right places. At one point I was laughing so hard I inadvertently triggered my Alexa device, which informed me it couldn't help me. Thanks, Alexa, it's always good to know I'm beyond help!
Mason Leery, the world's snarkiest boxing librarian, relates the story of his unlikely romance with hunky personal trainer Shane Beaumont. A lover of m/m romance novels, Mason has been immersing himself in fiction as a consolation for the dissatisfactions of his own (lack of) love life. Reading will feature prominently in all stages of his budding relationship with Shane... all stages, and I'll say no more than that.
Rather than giving you a real review, I'm just going to make my highlights visible, because a) I'm lazy, and b) I think the book speaks for itself, so you'll be able to see whether the humor appeals to you or not. Or download the sample if you're curious -- that's plenty to go on. It certainly hooked me.
But first, a quote -- just one, I promise, out of the many I'd love to post here:
If Mason had an account here on Goodreads, I would definitely follow his reviews.
Mason Leery, the world's snarkiest boxing librarian, relates the story of his unlikely romance with hunky personal trainer Shane Beaumont. A lover of m/m romance novels, Mason has been immersing himself in fiction as a consolation for the dissatisfactions of his own (lack of) love life. Reading will feature prominently in all stages of his budding relationship with Shane... all stages, and I'll say no more than that.
Rather than giving you a real review, I'm just going to make my highlights visible, because a) I'm lazy, and b) I think the book speaks for itself, so you'll be able to see whether the humor appeals to you or not. Or download the sample if you're curious -- that's plenty to go on. It certainly hooked me.
But first, a quote -- just one, I promise, out of the many I'd love to post here:
I downloaded a new book, Assassin’s Heat, while I sat in the ER’s waiting room. The book was all about a secret society of gay assassins who chose their targets based on a strict moral code and buggered each other when they weren’t bumping off baddies who had it coming. Five stars for buggery. One star for grammar.
If Mason had an account here on Goodreads, I would definitely follow his reviews.
March 18, 2015
2,5 stars
I had a big problem with this book, and normally I would have DNF it around 50% but I didn't want to give Nick only one star. It is much easier to be in a I don't care - mode with the people you've never communicated with or who do not belong to your GR friends circle.
So, I am honest, I gave one star as a tiny bonus but in the first place because I managed to finish it.
And I try to be honest further-I didn't like it.
The voice of the narrator too loud, too artificial, annoying. The story...the main characters...the humour too forced...
It just didn't work for me, I am sorry.
I am not a big fan of a contemporary genre and I am not a big fan of those kind of telling.
But it is me. I know why I waited for a while to start it-I had a feeling I would not like it.
Well, it was my six sense.
May 27, 2014
This book is lovely, sweet, funny, short... has amazing characters and a great plot! So there is nothing that I didn't loved about this book.
Mason is an adorable librarian! He is like me and so many readers: he loves to read and is reading all the time! He loves to wear cardigans and lives on a fantasy world most of the time! He has a great and hilarious, lesbian grandmother and a fabulous and liberal best friend!
And then... he meets Shane! They have nothing in common... Shane is a personal trainer, he has an athletic body, wears colorful jockstraps and lycra! He has a easy going way of living.
But the opposites attract, and what seemed so unlikely, became a beautiful and sweet relationship!
Mason is an adorable librarian! He is like me and so many readers: he loves to read and is reading all the time! He loves to wear cardigans and lives on a fantasy world most of the time! He has a great and hilarious, lesbian grandmother and a fabulous and liberal best friend!
And then... he meets Shane! They have nothing in common... Shane is a personal trainer, he has an athletic body, wears colorful jockstraps and lycra! He has a easy going way of living.
But the opposites attract, and what seemed so unlikely, became a beautiful and sweet relationship!
May 11, 2014
Short, sweet, and funny! How can you not like that combination??
There were some parts where I literally laughed out loud. SPOILERS ARE COMING SO TURN BACK NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THEM!!!!!
I really loved Mason! I loved how much he loved to read because it sort of reminded me of me :)...I loved when he was going to bring his eReader to lunch with Twyla until she put her foot down. I thought it was endearing that he told a few white lies to Shane just because he wanted him to like him. But what was even better is when he went to the gym to make the lies truthful. I thought it was hilarious when he asked the trainer if they needed a safe word. That was some funny shit right there!!
Shane was so likeable. When they were at the juice bar the first time I like how he detected that Mason wasn't having a good time and took him back to his place. Plus I'm really a sucker for athletes falling for nerds (is a librarian automatically a nerd...I guess so right??)
I loved Gran, and Twyla, and even Mona Lisa and Shawn. All of them had their own quirks that made them loveable.
Like I originally wrote, it was short, and I could've read so much more about Mason and Shane. But what I did read, I loved. I think I had a smile on my face the whole time. Plus, it made me want to go out and buy a green jockstrap and NO other book has done that :)
There were some parts where I literally laughed out loud. SPOILERS ARE COMING SO TURN BACK NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THEM!!!!!
I really loved Mason! I loved how much he loved to read because it sort of reminded me of me :)...I loved when he was going to bring his eReader to lunch with Twyla until she put her foot down. I thought it was endearing that he told a few white lies to Shane just because he wanted him to like him. But what was even better is when he went to the gym to make the lies truthful. I thought it was hilarious when he asked the trainer if they needed a safe word. That was some funny shit right there!!
Shane was so likeable. When they were at the juice bar the first time I like how he detected that Mason wasn't having a good time and took him back to his place. Plus I'm really a sucker for athletes falling for nerds (is a librarian automatically a nerd...I guess so right??)
I loved Gran, and Twyla, and even Mona Lisa and Shawn. All of them had their own quirks that made them loveable.
Like I originally wrote, it was short, and I could've read so much more about Mason and Shane. But what I did read, I loved. I think I had a smile on my face the whole time. Plus, it made me want to go out and buy a green jockstrap and NO other book has done that :)
May 31, 2023
A book-quickie that WILL make you laugh out loudly while reading it!
Mason, the bookworm who’s pov we get throughout the book, falls in lust and in love with the beauty with the great ass, Shane. That’s basically the story. Oh, and his best, very pregnant friend Twyla, who tries roping him in as a baby-father-substitute, Shane’s tattooed “bad” twin, Shawn (yes, they’re called Shane and Shawn). And to top it all off, Mason’s lesbian grandmother who’s in a Harley Davidson club.
Sounds completely OTT, and it is, but the humour and Mason’s sometimes ridiculous train of thought worked for me and made me laugh more than once and definitely brightened my day.
4 smiling stars and thank you, Kati and Nicole, for bringing this book into my goodreads feed ❤️
Mason, the bookworm who’s pov we get throughout the book, falls in lust and in love with the beauty with the great ass, Shane. That’s basically the story. Oh, and his best, very pregnant friend Twyla, who tries roping him in as a baby-father-substitute, Shane’s tattooed “bad” twin, Shawn (yes, they’re called Shane and Shawn). And to top it all off, Mason’s lesbian grandmother who’s in a Harley Davidson club.
Sounds completely OTT, and it is, but the humour and Mason’s sometimes ridiculous train of thought worked for me and made me laugh more than once and definitely brightened my day.
4 smiling stars and thank you, Kati and Nicole, for bringing this book into my goodreads feed ❤️
May 30, 2014
3.5 rounded up*
Funny, quick and giggle-inducing read.
As Rosa, really wrote it's a less exhausting Tell Me It's Real.
I highlighted so many passages that my index finger is hurting.
Loved the book references.
"The Running Man" is a movie? I thought I was being original
*The fact that the author and I are GR friends or that I feel a sudden urge to
February 1, 2020
Fun Fun Fun
This was so much fun to read. I feel like I took a mini-vacation. I'm relaxed and happy and smiling.
I adored Mason. He is cute and sweet and blurty hilarious. He's an awesome friend to Twila, especially while she's dealing with a pretty traumatic event in her life. His relationship with his OTT eccentric grandmother is heartwarming because you can feel that they are both good people beneath their eccentricities. The love shines through.
Speaking of love, hottie Shane is head turning delicious. I was a little worried about him. But, Mason needed and deserved an HEA.
So, I'm off to skip across a field of daisies. (figuratively speaking of course, since I haven't actually skipped in many years)
I loved this book!
This was so much fun to read. I feel like I took a mini-vacation. I'm relaxed and happy and smiling.
I adored Mason. He is cute and sweet and blurty hilarious. He's an awesome friend to Twila, especially while she's dealing with a pretty traumatic event in her life. His relationship with his OTT eccentric grandmother is heartwarming because you can feel that they are both good people beneath their eccentricities. The love shines through.
Speaking of love, hottie Shane is head turning delicious. I was a little worried about him. But, Mason needed and deserved an HEA.
So, I'm off to skip across a field of daisies. (figuratively speaking of course, since I haven't actually skipped in many years)
I loved this book!
November 2, 2014
Over The Top but thoroughly enjoyable fun read. I have a new found appreciation for men who like to read!
And whilst in my endeavour to find a suitable image for this review I came across this one below (which has absolutely nothing to do with the book per se) but ...... HE is reading!!
And whilst in my endeavour to find a suitable image for this review I came across this one below (which has absolutely nothing to do with the book per se) but ...... HE is reading!!
May 12, 2014
4.5 Stars! Just what I was in the mood for. Sweet story, low angst, laugh out loud funny! I knew I was going to love Mason by the end of Chapter 1 when he lied about what he was reading on his e-reader. Instead of telling Shane he was reading Pole to Pole, a novella about two hot cops who have to go undercover as go-go boys and end up sitting on each other's poles, he said War and Peace. Not that I've ever done that before. Nope, not me!
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