Slap and Tickle

With A Kick #3

by Clare London

Bryan Harrison is a successful accountant and a man who admires order and self-discipline. It’s a startling break from his routine when he literally bumps into Phiz Bussman outside With A Kick. Phiz’s lifestyle and behaviour are in complete contrast to Bryan’s, and appear totally chaotic. But they each recognise something in the other that they need.
Bryan has been helping With A Kick with its financial difficulties, and is finding it difficult to balance his professional persona with friendship with the owners. But then he’s always found it tricky to expose his more vulnerable feelings. His cool facade hides loneliness: he believes he’ll never find a lover who accepts and welcomes his secret desire.

Whereas Phiz is all about exposure! He’s defined by his cheerful but clumsy liveliness, his open-hearted emotions, and his physical needs. Despite that, he’s lonely as well. He craves someone who will help him bring purpose and focus into his life, and admits freely he needs a firm hand – in every way.
If they can both accept a friendship that’s destined for more, Bryan may be just the man to provide it.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, BDSM, Contemporary, Audiobook, LGBT, Erotica

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2014

About the author

Clare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant. She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.

Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.

All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!

Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.

Reviews

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-did in audio 1/19/21 and I enjoyed it more the second time around. Upping my rating to 4 stars.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment of the With a Kick series and every time I read one I crave the concoctions Lee and Patrick come up with even harder. And, I’m not even a big ice cream fan. The Slap and Tickle though, I’d be all over that. While this is part of a series I’d say it could definitely be read as a stand-alone. The commonality is the location and With a Kick’s proprietors, but we don’t have their whole story yet so you can definitely read this one for Bryan and mostly for Phiz.

I loved Phiz. He’s the definition of a hot mess. He’s clumsy, speaks in stream of consciousness rants laced with f-bombs and he can’t hold a job to save his life. It’s not that he isn’t motivated or a hard worker, he’s just not comfortable in crowds and lacks the formal education to do what he loves in arts and graphics. He definitely has the soul of an artist but he completely lacks the ability to control his own chaos. Now Bryan, the accountant for With a Kick, on the other hand, is nothing but control and order. This poor dude is so tightly wound he’s in a constant clench. It’s really a good thing we got to read his inner musings because on the surface he just sounds like an uptight asshole. He’s not though, he’s just kind of socially awkward. He blurts out things that come across all wrong then berates himself internally for opening his big fat yapper.

Bryan’s also had his heart broken and because he doesn’t really see himself as the lovable type, he’s resigned himself to being alone. He’s just Sad Bryan until Phiz comes along and messes up his order. Bryan has more than heartbreak and awkwardness going on. He’s got a bit of a kinky streak in him that none of his previous boyfriends would go for. It’s not even really hardcore, he just gets off on being in charge and dishing out the spanks. I felt bad for the poor guy, because his kink really fit his personality and I couldn’t help but think if he could find his match he could finally be comfortable in his own skin.

Good thing my Phiz came along. Phiz not only gets off on being controlled and having his cute little bum taken to task, he needs it. Who better to help focus a hot mess with a little discipline than a repressed accountant with a spanking kink? Bryan I tells ya, that’s who! Bryan helps Phiz keep centered and the sexy scenes between these two were damn good. They did communicate, if a little awkwardly at times. It made me feel like things were just hanging there waiting to be said at times, but given these two and their personalities it actually fit.

The wrap up at the end was a little quick and I was a little confuzzled as to what went down with With a Kick. Without going into detail, Phiz and With a Kick both had problems solved, but the way it was told without really telling left enough gray area to make me question what I figured actually happened, or may have happened. Not totally sure. That took nothing away from the story though as the story really belongs to Phiz and Bryan. I just love Patrick and Lee and can’t wait for their tale. I really hope that happens soon. Maybe that’s what it missing for me, I’m intrigued by Lee and Patrick and just want more from them. Either/or this is a fun and quirky series that’s both hot and sweet, I’ll definitely be reading the next one.

**a copy of this ebook was provided for an honest review**

[SoCalBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars Overall
(Review for Book 1 & 3 Collection in Audio format)

This is my first time with a Clare London book, and with this audiobook, we actually get two novellas and two even shorter stories in this collection bundle which is really nice. Both of the main books are shorter cute novellas with a lot of humor added into them, and then the shorter stories at the end are an added fun bonus since we get to look back in on both couples. I really had fun listening to all of the books that were included. I especially liked the second book and the narration of the characters in that one. With a narration being done by the captivating Joel Leslie, his narration and accents for each of the characters in these books was great to hear, he does such a great job getting different voices and dialects across to sound amazing to your ear. Although there were a few times I struggled trying to understand Nuri & his family's accents (book 1) since they were so thick but that is more of an issue with "me" and not the narration itself. When we get into book two Joel’s narration really stands out especially for the part of Phiz, I really liked Phiz's character a lot and Joel Leslie is a genius when it comes to audiobook narrations and giving us the characters exactly how they are written.


~ A Twist and Two Balls ~

Eduardo/Eddy is a super overly dramatic (failing) actor, who can’t seem to find a job or be anywhere on time or have anything go right for him at all, he seems to have mostly just bad luck in life. He meets Nuri when he tries to run from paying Nuri for his cab ride. lol. Nuri is instantly drawn to Eddie and their connection is formed. They both have some baggage and past issues they have to work through regarding their jobs and family, but this book is really low angst and Drama. Well, besides all of Eddie's ridiculous self-made drama anyways. There is a good amount of character development and dialogue between all the characters. Nuri has a huge family, some of the names and what they each did, was kind of hard to keep track of but all of their interactions together were hilarious. There was a lot of information packed into this book for it being so short. Overall it was okay and I liked it.

~Bonus Book~

The first bonus book we get follows Eddy and Nuri around the holidays. Once again I was totally amused by these two men. Nuri's dialogue and how his brothers and he get all the phrases they say wrong will make you laugh. It’s almost like they do it to irritate Eddy, lol. Hahaaa. Omg. And Eddy is afraid of Santa and all the impersonators!?!? "The Santa gangs are stalking him" LMAO. It got a little odd at the end with the wishes and the weird Santa. But it was still a good addition and it was nice to re-visit this couple and get another look at their lives together.

~ Slap and Tickle ~

I liked this book so much more than the first one. Phiz is an awesome ball of energy who bounces nonstop off the walls. He makes me think of the bubbles fizzing in soda just bouncing and popping around with no rhyme or reason. Phiz's personality fully stood out in the forefront of this book. Bryan is the complete and total opposite, he's steady, stuffy, predictable and boring. The dynamic between Phiz and Bryan was great once they figured out what they both wanted and needed and how to give it to each other, and I ended up liking this story. I hated that Bryan's ex made him feel like he was not normal, less than he was and couldn’t be loved because of the things he likes. Phiz needs to have someone control parts of him, it helps calm the buzzing inside, and Bryan needs to be in charge in the bedroom. Phiz and Bryan are perfect for each other when it comes to the sexual aspect of their relationship, and they explore parts of some light-BDSM together becoming more comfortable with themselves and each other. But there was a struggle for them getting to that point in life and in their relationship, they definitely hit some bumps in the road along the way.

~Bonus Book~

Phiz is kind of insane *in a good way*... And I'm not quite sure how Bryan deals with his craziness…

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my review I left for the box set that is in audio format.

Oh, well this was delightful! I really enjoyed this set of stories - A Twist and Two Balls is Eddy and Nuri's story (a couple who I just adore!) and Slap and Tickle was Bryan and Phiz's story. Then the two shorter stories after that revisit these couples.

I really loved Eddy and Nuri, I loved Nuri's family and their history, I loved Eddy's melodrama and attitude, and I really thought that they had great chemistry together. I also especially loved Joel Leslie's narration for this one, his voices for Nuri and his family were wonderful.

Bryan and Phiz were funny, I love how they kept running into each other and how klutzy Phiz is, a totally accident waiting to happen. These two also had great chemistry, very much opposites attract. There is also a bit of age gap - Phiz is 12 years younger than Bryan, so that's why I have that tag used. They each find that their desires in the bedroom line up perfectly, and it's quite the YUM!

There were funny moments, sexy moments, and characters that were very endearing. I highly recommend this in audio, it was just great. I loved it!

I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Elsborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat! I loved the pairing in this book, the incessant chatter of Phiz, the cool vulnerability of Bryan. Ms London is a master at creating beautifully drawn characters with deft brush strokes, characters with faults and problems, characters that the reader wants to both shake and love at the same time. This seems to be the story of two opposites, a guy who can't stop talking and a guy who can't deal with incessant chatter but these two have more in common than they think and it was fun watching them find themselves. There are some laugh out loud lines and I read the whole story in one sitting. I really enjoyed the way the pair came to understand each other and what each had to offer the other. Phiz is all over-excitement and Bryan restrained desire - a perfect match by a talented author.

[Carra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I absolutely adored Phiz and his chaotic personality, clumsiness, and the absolute beauty of how he submits when Bryan takes charge. Bryan lives a very ordered life and likes taking control of things. When you think of perfect complements, Bryan and Phiz are exactly what you should be thinking of…Bryan’s order to Phiz’s chaos creates a perfect balance; they truly are the epitome of the idea of one person completing the other.

I saw parts of myself in both characters, so it was really easy for me to identify with both of them, and I found myself drawn to them almost immediately. Their story was easily my favorite of this collection, from the opposites attract to the touch of BDSM elements, from Phiz’s exuberant and hyper personality to Bryan’s staid and calming one. Everything about them led to an overall equilibrium in their relationship.

Phiz may come across as overwhelming for some readers, but I just loved him and was so glad he and Bryan worked so well together—and lets not forget to mention they were also incredibly hot on the physical side! Slap and Tickle was 5 stars for me!

[Gerisgrltrl2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bryan, a boring accountant, and Phiz, a direction-less young man, meet outside With a Kick. Bryan learns to channel his dominant trait and Phiz learns to focus as they explore a lighter version of D/s.

[Lena Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s not who you are that holds you back; it’s who you think you’re not.” ~ Unknown

Bryan Harrison, of 'Slap and Tickle' by Clare London, is caught in a trap of his own making. Calm, cool, and collected on the outside, he hides his true self deep inside. Bryan thinks he's got it all together until he meets Phiz, a young man who appears to have little together; yet Phiz readily admits that he could use some polish. Even so, in many ways, despite his chaotic existence, Phiz seems content. Phiz confuses him, but Bryan senses that, in spite of it all, he and Phiz have something to teach each other.

As an accountant, Bryan thinks he should act and dress in a manner befitting his position. He's lonely and would love to have a companion to share his feelings with, but he has tried to confide his deepest desires in the past and felt totally humiliated; so he has decided it's safer to keep them buried. When Bryan rescues Phiz and invites him into With a Kick, for coffee, he's a bit overwhelmed; especially since Phiz's effervescence never seems to end. Bryan hates endless chatter, but coming from Phiz he unexpectedly tolerates it. Bryan also notices that he is able to calm Phiz with a firm handshake and a commanding tone. Phiz is attractive, although a bit disheveled at the moment. He's amazed by the physical effect Phiz is having on him and doesn't quite know what to do about it. When they next meet, Bryan is stunned by the fact that Phiz asks him on a date and even more surprised that he wants to go. Bryan can't imagine how it would work, especially when they can't seem to stop antagonizing each other. The words: “There are things we both want to talk about.” keep rolling around Bryan's mind. Their struggle to find common ground is difficult and sometimes seems impossible until they come together sexually. It's in bed that they begin to understand their role in each other's lives. Bryan learns to be commanding and Phiz gets the control he needs in order to feel safe and be happy.

Phiz is a delightfully dysfunctional character who, in some ways, is wiser than Bryan with his order and control. Although they seem like polar opposites, they actually need the same things. The difference is, Phiz knows what he wants and is able to verbalize it and Bryan isn't. Right away, Phiz is perceptive enough to see that Bryan is holding back, that beneath his stuffy exterior is fire by which Phiz would love to be burned. Phiz's passion and willingness to try new things in bed is a true revelation for Brian, but there's more to a relationship than good sex. Of course, there are other issues they need to face. Phiz confronts Bryan about his inconsistencies between how he appears to be and how he truly is. Phiz challenges him about dressing in a way which makes him appear to be much older than he is, and he points out Bryan's inability to express what he feels. Phiz helps Bryan open up and show his feelings and stop being afraid of retribution. When Bryan's business persona keeps him from recognizing what he could be doing for his friends financially other than being their accountant, Phiz loses it. Bryan begins to wonder how many times he's misunderstood situations which involve his personal life; how, in his haste to maintain his programmed neutrality with his clients, he's missing an opportunity to be a good friend.

Phiz and Bryan show that without honesty, there's nothing to build a relationship on, because that's the binding force, the thing trust is made from. As good as they are in bed, the real key is communication. Without it, any relationship is bound to fail. As other books in the 'With a Kick' series, this book may be read alone, but, to completely get the connections between characters, I advise reading from the beginning. If you enjoy a story full of self-revelation, learning to be honest, trusting, and giving up control in order to gain it, then this story might be for you. Thanks, Clare, for the emotional and enlightening story.


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews - 3 1/2 hearts

For a book with such a creative title, it only seems fitting that the main character pairing is a little more colorful as well, right? Well, Bryan is anything but colorful on his own. He’s an accountant and lives the stereotype of stuffy, proper and uptight quite well. However, along comes Phiz with his incessant chatter and clumsy chaos, and suddenly things don’t seem quite so boring, or proper anymore.

Though part of a series, this book seems to work well as a standalone. The common thread across the series is a gathering spot which happens to be an ice cream shop named “With A Kick”. Let me tell you, they don’t make this kind of ice cream where I come from and I’m feeling quite deprived! I mean really, ice cream mixed with alcohol and topped with some other unique surprise – who wouldn’t call that heaven? In fact, coming up with these divine creations and just the right name for them sounds like my kind of dream job, but I digress…

While complete opposites, Bryan and Phiz make a perfect pair because each can provide something the other needs but has been unsuccessful at finding. Bryan craves being in control and wants to experiment with inflicting just a tiny bit of pain to his man. He’s not into true pain or hurting anyone, just wants a little erotic spanking and being the one to control what happens when they hit the sheets. Phiz, on the other hand, loves to be taken in hand and told what to do. He needs someone else to provide focus to him and calm the chaos in addition to giving him a rosy glow on his bum. Well, yin found yang and they go on their merry way, right? Close, but first they have to work through that awkward stage of expressing their desires and testing the waters because neither is very experienced. There are also some lessons to be learned along the way about friendship, loyalty, and such.

If you like characters that aren’t perfect and have to fumble along before they find their way, then I think you’ll enjoy this story. It’s cute with just a hint of naughty – kind of like the ice cream shop!

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal Palate Cleansers

This review is for all five books in this series, and one hopes that author Clare London has at least one more she is working on so that we can finally tie a bow around the series.

The premise of a too-cool-to-be-true London ice-cream parlor just happening to be the serendipitous location where ten completely different men accidentally meet to form five completely ingenious couples is laced with laughter, off-the-wall plots, a lot of sex (sometimes), some rough sex (sometimes), but always hope, will have you buying the next one and the next one and the next one and the next one, and hoping for a sixth (or maybe plenty of others) each time.

Each book is an easy novella-length palate cleanser you can pick up anywhere you want to read but not deal with the next chapter of a full meal book--or really, as a just dessert for any other one you finish. Cheers!

[Elin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the ongoing With a Kick series about the customers [and owners] of a bar that sells ice cream cocktails.

In this one, Bryan, an uptight and rigidly self controlled accountant, is trying to help the bar with its financial problems. He's a real 'by the book' man prone to treating things coolly and rationally when perhaps he should be a bit more sympathetic. Cruel to be kind, is an apt description, but this rather dictatorial attitude pays dividends when he literally crashes into the chaotic life of Phizz, who doesn't just need all the discipline he can get but actively craves it.

This good hearted account of how they feel their way into a mutually satisfying relationship, and how it helps out other people along the way, was a great and funny read. Highly recommended.

[Inked Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

FiveStars
This was far and away my favorite of the entire series. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.
Phiz is one of the most delightful characters in any book I've read. I would have gladly read lots more of him! Even though the story is told in Bryan's POV, I felt like it was Phiz I got to know. He reminds me strongly of people I know in real life, which is probably why I adored him.

I don't usually go for BDSM, but this was BDSM-lite, and it wasn't terribly detailed or graphic. The interactions between Bryan and Phiz were true to their personalities, and it was great watching them both blossom. The end had me cheering for them.

5 stars and a glowing recommendation

I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.

Amy

[A.M. Leibowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was far and away my favorite of the entire series. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

Phiz is one of the most delightful characters in any book I’ve read. I would have gladly read lots more of him! Even though the story is told in Bryan’s POV, I felt like it was Phiz I got to know. He reminds me strongly of people I know in real life, which is probably why I adored him.

I don’t usually go for BDSM, but this was BDSM-lite, and it wasn’t terribly detailed or graphic. The interactions between Bryan and Phiz were true to their personalities, and it was great watching them both blossom. The end had me cheering for them.

[starsaga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walked away from this was an odd feeling of dissatisfaction.
Loved the premise, the sweetness of Phiz, the whirl of life and the growing attraction between the heroes. But the diffidence of Bryan annoyed me, it made the story seem about forcing bdsm-lite down the throat of the reader, it was odd and out-of-character for Bryan to be that way throughout the book, it kept me off-kilter, so I walked away still wondering if their love will make it, I hope so, but I am not completely confident.

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do have a soft spot for characters like Phiz who are just a bit on the flighty disorganized side with a good heart who can throw a staid responsible guy off kilter. This is very much that and it just appealed with the author's usual humour and a touch of silliness thrown in to make it a fun read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* Enjoyed this third instalment to the With A Kick Series, didn't quite click with these characters but maybe that's just me. Am looking forward to the next in the series and really hoping to get Patrick and Lee's story :)

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a little while to really get the Bryan and Phiz dynamics but it did grow on me so rooting for them by the end.
Bryan's stuffiness is set off by Phiz's exuberance. Would have loved more of them sortng out their relationship dynamic.
Enjoyed. 3.5*

[R.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly my favourite in this quirky series of books set around an ice cream shop that serves ice cream with a difference. Cute, hot and I loved the pairing of Bryan and Phiz.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5