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Switching It Up

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For Jay’s thirtieth birthday, his straight best mate Brenden takes him to a gay bar. Great idea, except that it’s full of guys who think Jay would look great under them. Only one problem with that – Jay may look like a twink, but he’s no one’s bottom. And when he spies the gorgeous, muscled specimen at the end of the bar, he’s not about to waste his time. He knows a top when he sees one.

Dean has had enough of the guys who want him to be their Daddy. What makes it worse is that they’re just his type. Dean is under no illusions. He knows what he looks like. But there has to be one guy in that bar who wants to top him, right?

Story also appears in Designated Bottoms Anthology.

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2014

47 people are currently reading
245 people want to read

About the author

K.C. Wells

182 books1,857 followers
K.C. Wells lives on an island off the south coast of the UK, surrounded by natural beauty. She writes about men who love men, and can’t even contemplate a life that doesn’t include writing.
The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.

If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT

You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:

E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: https://www.kcwellswrites.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/k.c.wells
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-w...


And for those who like things a little hotter?
There's KC's alter ego, Tantalus, who writes gay erotica.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
123 (23%)
4 stars
200 (38%)
3 stars
161 (30%)
2 stars
32 (6%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~.
3,550 reviews1,090 followers
March 12, 2017
This is one sexy little gem!

I don't expect a lot of character development in a novella, but Jay and Dean are surprisingly well rounded MCs.

Jay may be small, but he's not interested in being anyone's bottom. When he meets Dean, who has a good five inches on him, Jay can't believe his luck. Here is this gorgeous hunk of a man who likes to give up control in the bedroom.

The men spark immediately, and delicious fun ensures. Until Jay panics. (I felt so bad for Dean, who couldn't figure out what he'd done wrong.)

I read Switching It Up (the revised, extended version) in one go. I can't compare to the original, but this story feels complete and has a lovely (and kinky!) HEA.

I wanted more insight into Jay's friend and colleague Brenden's behavior (surely he knew he could trust Jay?), but that's a minor niggle.
Profile Image for Judith.
724 reviews2,939 followers
May 11, 2017
Short,sexy.....delicious.






This is a hot quickie.....only about 66 pages...

Jay,looks like the perfect twink.....the one certain men want to top

Dean, looks like the perfect Top....but is he??


The stereotypes are reversed here and it definitely worked.

And...it's set in the North of England,where I'm from....


Enjoy girls and boys.....
Profile Image for Tanu Gill.
575 reviews266 followers
August 2, 2017
This was a cute, hot, adorable short story. I loved Jay and Dean, I loved the whole plot and its progression, and I especially loved the ending. It was an hour full of fun and love, and, of course, adult fun! ;-)

A recommended one for those who like stories with cute characters and hot times. :)
Profile Image for Brooke.
810 reviews533 followers
March 18, 2025
⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️

Whose birthday is it? ’Cause it’s starting to feel like mine.


Sexy & short, with a fun role reversal.

“Come for me, baby. Come on my cock. Let me feel it.”


NSFW info (spoilers):
- Smaller top
- Top/bottom
- Blindfold
- Toys
- Light restraints
- Semi public/office sex
- Coming hands-free
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,236 reviews268 followers
July 23, 2017
***** Outstanding novella taking place in Manchester, England.
We have two lonely men with Brenden and Dean, each 30.
Brenden's a smaller guy who's a top, and Dean, a burly construction foreman who likes to give up control and bottom.


It's a match made in heaven. This cute story is full of hot sexiness and deep feelings, It is SO well done. I felt like I'd read a novel.

Terrific characters and a sweet yet oh so sexy story. This fantastic tale has light BDSM, and M/M romance galore !
ENJOY !
=======
Profile Image for Peppa.
1,154 reviews93 followers
September 5, 2025
I went in expecting a quick, steamy read, but what I got were two surprisingly well-developed characters who totally stole my heart!!

Jay may be small, but he’s fierce, proud and definitely not looking to be anyone’s bottom. Then he meets Dean: tall, gorgeous and honestly … a total dream. The best part? This man loves to give up control in the bedroom.

The spark between them is instant and electric. The delicious fun that follows had me grinning like a fool… until Jay panics and things get real. (My heart broke for sweet, confused Dean, he had no idea what went wrong😭!)

My only tiny gripe? I wanted more insight into Jay’s friend Brenden. Like… sir, you know you can trust Jay, right?? But honestly, that’s a small note in what was otherwise a fun, flirty and surprisingly emotional ride.

trops/kinks/safety
🩶smaller top/ larger bottom
🩶same age (30)
🩶office sex
🩶blindfolds
🩶light restrain
🩶toys
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 104 books769 followers
December 18, 2019
This is a very entertaining story that made me laugh several times. The idea of “switching it up”, or trying something new, is shown in several different ways here. There is the main couple, Jay and Dean, but then there is Jay’s straight coworker Brenden as well, and he plays a very central role in getting Jay and Dean to see there might be more potential between them.


Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for BevS.
2,852 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2014
A little novella about how looks can be deceiving. It features Jay, a top whom all the big guys think should be their bottom cos of his looks and Dean, who should be a top with his looks but is MOST definitely a bottom!! All these stereotypes hehe. And Brenden, you sneaky little sod!! 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Profile Image for Apolishedreader.
338 reviews45 followers
February 16, 2018
Cute, light bdsm kink, the switching refers to a switch on the stereotype as the smaller guy is the dom in this one. Jay is emotionally guarded after some mishaps in the past and is unwilling to put himself out there again. Queue the best friend. I am not sure what qualifies as a best friend these days, but this guy is more like a work buddy. He ends up facilitating getting the two MCs back in each other's orbit, albeit in a juvenile way.


Anyway, the main characters had some depth and I enjoyed getting to know them.
Profile Image for Belle.
42 reviews
May 1, 2017
This was a sweet short story but I would've loved to read more. I wanted to find out what Dean's surprise was going to be!
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,846 reviews
April 22, 2017
Short fun read - appearances can be deceptive, but when you find 'the one' it's all fluff and sparkle!

Would've loved more about Brendan and his surprise!

Enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Maria.
714 reviews38 followers
May 26, 2017
Very nice novella. Good character development. The story didn't seem rushed or crammed in.

The 'little' top with the 'big' bottom. Always an interesting premise and KC does a great job here.
165 reviews5 followers
May 14, 2016
K.C has done a brilliant short story that really makes you think about assumptions and how wrong about people we can be.
Jay and Dean look perfect together but most people would assume Dean is the one to take control, and he does just not in the bedroom.
I would love to see this as a full length story, especially to find out more about Brenden
Profile Image for Romance and Fantasy for Cosmopolitan Girls.
3,070 reviews77 followers
October 10, 2017
Romance and Fantasy for Cosmopolitan Girls


Nonostante si tratti di una novella di nemmeno cinquanta pagine, l’autrice è riuscita a dare caratterizzazione ai personaggi e a delineare bene anche Brenden, l’amico e college di Jay che lo porta a festeggiare per il compleanno. La storia è piuttosto banale, ma non annoia mai, lo stile di K.C. Wells basta a renderla speciale nonostante si sappia già ciò che accadrà.

Jay è un normale impiegato municipale che a trent’anni sembra ancora un twink, ma che non desidera affatto essere il passivo di un rapporto e che ha una certa predisposizioni per giochetti BDSM. Dopo diverse batoste sentimentali e un periodo di magra sessuale non ha grandi aspettative per la serata, ma l’incontro con Dean cambierà di molto i suoi programmi.
Dean è un capocantiere virile e autoritario, ma che dopo un lavoro dove tutte le responsabilità ricadono sulle sue forti spalle, desidera solamente lasciare il controllo al proprio partner. Partner possibilmente basso, slanciato e per nulla corrispondente all’immaginario collettivo di Dom.
Due uomini che sembrano destinati ad incontrarsi e fare scintille, ma che forse non desiderano solamente qualcuno che scaldi il loro letto per una sola notte.
Una storia breve ma intensa dove passione e sentimenti vengono mixati abilmente, le scene di sesso sono intense, ma mai volgari e lascia soddisfatti anche coloro che ricercano sempre e comunque un pizzico di romanticismo in tutto ciò che leggono.

Profile Image for Amber.
1,685 reviews7 followers
February 9, 2019
I loved it!

I loved this short story. I love when the characters don't fit the stereotype. Dean looks like he would be a top because he is a big muscular guy but really he is a dedicated bottom. Jay looks like a twink but is definitely not a bottom. And he's attracted to big muscular men but finding one that is a bottom is almost impossible. I loved the chemistry between the two. I also loved Jay's friend Brenden and would love to read a story about him.
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,046 reviews65 followers
April 19, 2017
This is a great little novella.
Jay's turning 30 and his best friend Brenden wants to take him out for a drink except he's not telling about where there going to. Jay is a Dom but by his stature people often think he's a Sub. They head in to gay bar which surprises Jay cause Brenden is straight, Jay puts his foot in it and Brenden leaves. Jay meets Dean and they connect and more, but Jay stuffs it up again.. Find out how they reunite.. A gorgeous story that ends perfectly.
Profile Image for Laina Gruver.
1,250 reviews57 followers
March 14, 2017
4 stars

Quick, sexy read. Well written and low on angst. I did not read the original release of his story so I can't comment on the added material.

I like when we get a book about men who 'defy' stereotypes. 'Never judge a book by its cover'.


****
POV... third person

Did it give me a hangover... slight

Would I recommend it... yes

Would I read it again... yes
Profile Image for Shadow Jubilee.
734 reviews46 followers
October 14, 2015
3 stars

This short story was a sweet, contemporary romance between Jay and Dean. This was my first story by this author (I believe). What I enjoyed about this short story was the "Englishness" and the unusual coupling of a big, beefy bottom and a twink top. I really liked Jay's confidence as a top and how he interacted with the hopeful big, beefy tops in the bar. The last sex scene was pretty hot.
58 reviews
February 13, 2020
Great short read worth the buy!

The content covered in such a short read is amazing. It has depth and insight and a back story but does not leave you hanging. It has a happily ever after and it leaves you rooting for both couples. Great Job author, haven't gotten disappointed by her yet. If on the fence buy it, read it and enjoy! Two thumbs up, yeah!
Profile Image for Erin.
451 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so charming together. Dean was especially endearing. He and Jay had great chemistry and I love that the author turned stereotypes on their heads. I would love to read Brendan and Taylor's story as well!
Profile Image for Sue bowdley.
1,449 reviews
February 4, 2024
This was an amazing short read...I loved the way Brenden tried to get his friend Jay laid...and the way he got Jay and Dean back together...and the ending...perfect x
Profile Image for Babette Brown.
1,111 reviews28 followers
December 7, 2017
(Amneris Di Cesare)

Trama debolina e scrittura davvero poco edificante quella di questo racconto di K.C. Wells. Si parte con un progetto ambizioso, quello di mostrare come gli stereotipi riguardo l’apparenza e l’aspetto di una persona possano a volte essere assolutamente lontani dalla realtà, ma l’obiettivo non viene raggiunto attraverso la storia e non viene supportato neppure da uno stile narrativo adeguato nonostante la pur buona traduzione di Aria Zanchet.

Jay è bassino, esile e dai tratti delicati ma in realtà ha uno spirito dominatore. Dean è grosso, muscoloso e dall’aspetto aggressivo, ma al suo interno si nasconde un agnellino che vuole essere sottomesso. Tutti e due devono spesso fare i conti con l’esser dati per scontati a causa proprio di ciò che il loro aspetto evoca e che in realtà è esattamente l’opposto di quanto desiderano. Ed entrambi sono poco interessati a rapidi e sbrigativi rapporti da una botta e via, ma cercano una connessione mentale oltre che fisica con il proprio hook-up. Si incontrano in un bar, complice Brenden, amico di Jay che vuole fargli una sorpresa per il suo trentesimo compleanno e subito legano e si comprendono benissimo. Una deviazione veloce verso casa di uno dei due, sesso sfrenato notturno e poi… Jay scappa perché si spaventa per l’intensità della chimica che è scoppiata così facilmente tra loro. Però i due non riescono a resistere dal pensarsi e sempre il solito amico-cupido li rimette in contatto.

La storia è semplice al limite del banale, i conflitti di coppia imbarazzanti anche perché sommariamente spiegati, la soluzione agli stessi per arrivare al classico lieto fine idem come sopra. Non c’è approfondimento né della tematica, che pur avrebbe avuto un suo intrigante perché, né dei personaggi che invece si limitano a muoversi come marionette su un palcoscenico a metà tra il comico e il serioso. E l’accenno al BDSM, niente affatto approfondito, ma lasciato latente nel racconto, risulta solo un escamotage poco riuscito per giustificare capriole tra le lenzuola, comunque molto poco attraenti.

Prova non superata. Valutazione due stelline.
Profile Image for Feel The Book.
1,739 reviews55 followers
November 25, 2017
Recensione a cura di Raksha per Feel The Book
Jay e Dean si incontrano per caso, la sera del trentesimo compleanno del primo, in un locale gay di Manchester.
Tra i due la chimica è subito esplosiva, si capiscono al primo sguardo e hanno bisogno di poche parole per intendersi alla perfezione. La serata, però, non sta andando nel migliore dei modi: entrambi sono continuamente avvicinati da uomini che non sono quel che considerano “il loro tipo”.
Il problema? La loro fisicità inganna coloro che li circondano.

Jay non è molto alto, non è muscoloso, ha una corporatura esile e dei lineamenti che smentiscono la sua età. Ama essere la parte attiva in un rapporto ma, visto il suo aspetto, viene avvicinato solo da uomini che vogliono dominarlo.
Dean, al contrario, è alto e ha una corporatura massiccia. La sua figura imponente attrae come mosche la maggior parte dei twink del locale, ma lui è interessato soltanto a trovare un uomo più esile di lui, basso e magro, che faccia di lui ciò che vuole.

I due uomini finiscono ben presto per esplorare questa chimica improvvisa e finché regna la notte sembra tutto perfetto. La luce del giorno, però, porta con sé molte paure, vecchie ferite che spingono noi poveri e semplici esseri umani a scegliere la fuga perché è sempre la via più facile.
La strada per queste due anime affini non è semplice, ma posso dirvi che fortunatamente esistono gli amici…

Purtroppo la brevità del testo non ha permesso molti approfondimenti: in poco più di cinquanta facciate accadono troppe cose e molti dettagli vengono lasciati all’immaginazione del lettore. Non sappiano nulla di Jay e di Dean eccetto qualche sporadico pensiero, non sappiamo quasi nulla del contesto, nulla della loro vita passata e presente che li porta a fare delle scelte importanti per quanto riguarda la storia che vivono sotto i nostri occhi. L’idea è carina anche se non è nuova ma, a mio avviso, tutto accade troppo velocemente e senza essere narrato. Nel complesso resta comunque un racconto piacevole.

Editing recensione a cura di Lilith per Feel The Book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

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