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Queer Ways to Fall in Love #0.5
Moderating Love
What happens when your biggest critic turns out to be your perfect match?
Devin:
I've spent two years defending true love against the internet's biggest cynic.
I'm a moderator for a forum for queer love stories, and my fellow moderator TruthGuardian has been the thorn in my optimistic side. He debunks every romantic meet-cute with spreadsheets, statistics, and enough cynicism to drain the romance from a Nicholas Sparks marathon.
He calculates the exact cost of hoarded grocery items. He fact-checks power outages at Trader Joe's. He thinks love at first sight is just "compatible pheromone profiles." We've turned arguing into an art form, and I know more about this stranger than some of my real-life friends.
But when a cute guy approaches me in a coffee shop, I'm about to learn that sometimes the most improbable love stories are the ones we're already living...
Moderating Love is an 18,000-word grumpy/sunshine MM romance about falling for your complete opposite, one snarky message at a time.
Devin:
I've spent two years defending true love against the internet's biggest cynic.
I'm a moderator for a forum for queer love stories, and my fellow moderator TruthGuardian has been the thorn in my optimistic side. He debunks every romantic meet-cute with spreadsheets, statistics, and enough cynicism to drain the romance from a Nicholas Sparks marathon.
He calculates the exact cost of hoarded grocery items. He fact-checks power outages at Trader Joe's. He thinks love at first sight is just "compatible pheromone profiles." We've turned arguing into an art form, and I know more about this stranger than some of my real-life friends.
But when a cute guy approaches me in a coffee shop, I'm about to learn that sometimes the most improbable love stories are the ones we're already living...
Moderating Love is an 18,000-word grumpy/sunshine MM romance about falling for your complete opposite, one snarky message at a time.
100 pages, ebook
Published January 16, 2026
79 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Jax Calder
32 books1,150 followersJax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.
Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. To read her exclusive novella Being Set Up, sign up to her newsletter: https://jaxcalder.com/newsletter-sign.... You can also join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.
Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. To read her exclusive novella Being Set Up, sign up to her newsletter: https://jaxcalder.com/newsletter-sign.... You can also join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
January 23, 2026
I giggled and giggled and giggled.
I have no idea how I could see the text, as tears were streaming down my face from giggling.
To say that I was well entertained would be a cheeky understatement.
It's cute and sexy too, but the giggling and grinning won out for me.
I've also marked a ton, I don't even know which ones to choose.
Read at your own risk.
Now, when I’m having a particularly bad day at work, dealing with architects who think load-bearing walls are suggestions and clients who want to remove columns because they’re “blocking the feng shui,” I actually find myself looking forward to seeing what ridiculous story SunshineGuy is defending.
[…]
I’ve even found myself saving his best comebacks in a file I definitely didn’t label “SunshineIdiot.txt.” It’s purely for research purposes because I need to study his argument patterns for weaknesses. 🤭🫣🤭
TruthGuardian: Of course I do. The formulas are perfectly reasonable.
(Specificity of details × consistency of timeline) ÷ number of convenient coincidences + likelihood of documentation = bullshit factor.
SunshineGuy: I’m printing this out and framing it. “Bullshit Factor: A Mathematical Approach to Romance by TruthGuardian” 🤭🫣🤭
“Ah, hi,” he says.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I’m so impressed by how I manage to keep my voice neutral. Especially given I’m basically a human sparkler inside, shooting off in twenty-one different emotional directions. 🤭🦄🤭
“You went vegetarian because of math?”
“Environmental math. It’s compelling.”
“I went vegetarian because baby cows have sad eyes,” I admit. 🫠🫠🫠
I have no idea how I could see the text, as tears were streaming down my face from giggling.
To say that I was well entertained would be a cheeky understatement.
It's cute and sexy too, but the giggling and grinning won out for me.
I've also marked a ton, I don't even know which ones to choose.
Read at your own risk.
Now, when I’m having a particularly bad day at work, dealing with architects who think load-bearing walls are suggestions and clients who want to remove columns because they’re “blocking the feng shui,” I actually find myself looking forward to seeing what ridiculous story SunshineGuy is defending.
[…]
I’ve even found myself saving his best comebacks in a file I definitely didn’t label “SunshineIdiot.txt.” It’s purely for research purposes because I need to study his argument patterns for weaknesses. 🤭🫣🤭
TruthGuardian: Of course I do. The formulas are perfectly reasonable.
(Specificity of details × consistency of timeline) ÷ number of convenient coincidences + likelihood of documentation = bullshit factor.
SunshineGuy: I’m printing this out and framing it. “Bullshit Factor: A Mathematical Approach to Romance by TruthGuardian” 🤭🫣🤭
“Ah, hi,” he says.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I’m so impressed by how I manage to keep my voice neutral. Especially given I’m basically a human sparkler inside, shooting off in twenty-one different emotional directions. 🤭🦄🤭
“You went vegetarian because of math?”
“Environmental math. It’s compelling.”
“I went vegetarian because baby cows have sad eyes,” I admit. 🫠🫠🫠
January 22, 2026
If it has to be insta-love, let it always be like this.
Another absolutely delightful addition to Jax Calder‘s novella catalogue including anonymous texting with so much snark and banter, the sweetest meet-cutes, two polar-opposite guys who’re just made for each other and recognise that in an instant, wonderful steam full of connection and intimacy and a big fat HEA. Very romantic, very feel good. And I’m all about that right now.
Loved it. A lot.
4,5⭐️
Another absolutely delightful addition to Jax Calder‘s novella catalogue including anonymous texting with so much snark and banter, the sweetest meet-cutes, two polar-opposite guys who’re just made for each other and recognise that in an instant, wonderful steam full of connection and intimacy and a big fat HEA. Very romantic, very feel good. And I’m all about that right now.
Loved it. A lot.
4,5⭐️
‚I don’t believe in soulmates. I don’t believe in fate or destiny or any of that nonsense I spend my time debunking. But I can’t explain this. The way being with him feels less like meeting someone new and more like finally finding someone I’ve been searching for.‘
January 24, 2026
3.5 stars
Very insta-love and very sweet. I enjoyed the banter and the messages the most.
It felt rushed in the second part with the bedroom scenes, even for a short story.
Very insta-love and very sweet. I enjoyed the banter and the messages the most.
It felt rushed in the second part with the bedroom scenes, even for a short story.
February 8, 2026
Jax Calder continues to rule the world of mm romance novellas/short stories
Devin spends his free time moderating a queer site about love stories, where he has to fight another moderator who is convinced every other story is fabricated and wants to eliminate them. While he has to admit he enjoys the banter, he needs to start living his real life.
And when a cute guy appears in his favorite coffee shop, Devin might finally get his unbelievable love story.
THIS WAS SO CUTE😭😭 I hardly ever read novellas or short stories but for Jax Calder I always make an exception. It’s my fav after Love Languages (and the Unforgettable Hook-up, but that one is longer). I adored the little plot twist of the story. The romance wasa bit insta-love but it was so on-theme I didn’t mind.
This was also free and I already ordered the next book in the series, so I’m excited to see if I can finally read a full-length novel by her that works for me the way her short ones do.
I highly recommend giving this one a try if you are in the mood for a good short story that will make you happy :)
*rating: 3.75/5
Devin spends his free time moderating a queer site about love stories, where he has to fight another moderator who is convinced every other story is fabricated and wants to eliminate them. While he has to admit he enjoys the banter, he needs to start living his real life.
And when a cute guy appears in his favorite coffee shop, Devin might finally get his unbelievable love story.
THIS WAS SO CUTE😭😭 I hardly ever read novellas or short stories but for Jax Calder I always make an exception. It’s my fav after Love Languages (and the Unforgettable Hook-up, but that one is longer). I adored the little plot twist of the story. The romance was
This was also free and I already ordered the next book in the series, so I’m excited to see if I can finally read a full-length novel by her that works for me the way her short ones do.
I highly recommend giving this one a try if you are in the mood for a good short story that will make you happy :)
*rating: 3.75/5
March 18, 2026
~4.5~
Utter perfection: banter that's almost-better-than-sex, kisses that set your soul on fire, virtual attraction gone feral, love at first sight, cynic turned romantic, opposites who have everything in common, not-real-enemies, and a cat named Ernest Hemingpaw.
If cuteness were fire, I'd melt on the spot.
The ending was a teeny, tiny bit disappointing. I expected Travis and Devin's love story to glow the brightest. Still magic in 100 pages.
Utter perfection: banter that's almost-better-than-sex, kisses that set your soul on fire, virtual attraction gone feral, love at first sight, cynic turned romantic, opposites who have everything in common, not-real-enemies, and a cat named Ernest Hemingpaw.
If cuteness were fire, I'd melt on the spot.
This is not just chemistry. This is physics.
The ending was a teeny, tiny bit disappointing. I expected Travis and Devin's love story to glow the brightest. Still magic in 100 pages.
March 20, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
Need a quick read guaranteed to make you smile silly the entire time? Seriously, my face hurts.
A short romantic novella, a sunshine optimist finally getting his happy ever after and a cyinic who changes his mind on the existence of love at first sight.
It was cute and sweet, 100 pages of loveliness. A quick hit of happiness. I’ve already got book two, and now I’m even more excited to get into it.
{Future me — I just finished book two and it was just as lovely as this one. Def recommend both if you’re in the mood for a sweet & short contemporary romance.}
TROPES:
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Online ‘rivals’ to lovers
- Blind date
- Top/bottom
So maybe, maybe, this is how my love story begins? A cute guy in a coffee shop deciding to play matchmaker between me and his even cuter brother?
Need a quick read guaranteed to make you smile silly the entire time? Seriously, my face hurts.
God, that smile should come with a warning label.
A short romantic novella, a sunshine optimist finally getting his happy ever after and a cyinic who changes his mind on the existence of love at first sight.
If it’s not insta-love, this thing with Devin is definitely insta-something. Insta-attraction. Insta-connection. Definitely insta-realizing-this-is-something-different-from-anything-I’ve-ever-had-before.
It was cute and sweet, 100 pages of loveliness. A quick hit of happiness. I’ve already got book two, and now I’m even more excited to get into it.
{Future me — I just finished book two and it was just as lovely as this one. Def recommend both if you’re in the mood for a sweet & short contemporary romance.}
It appears I’ve spent the last two years arguing with my soulmate about whether soulmates exist.
TROPES:
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Online ‘rivals’ to lovers
- Blind date
- Top/bottom
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March 20, 2026
Moderating Love is book #0.5 in the Queer Ways to Fall in Love series by Jax Calder. I want to give this sweet, adorable, wonderful novella ten stars. No, make that twenty stars. This was pure sweet, adorable, swoony wonderfulness. Can you tell that I loved it so much?!
Travis Sinclair and Devin are both moderators for an online social platform called Queer Ways to Fall in Love. Their job is to either prove or debunk the love stories that are submitted. These two have been debating on line for two years, never knowing each other’s real name.
Travis is thirty two years old. He is a structural engineer. It’s been two years since he’s been in a relationship and yes, he’s a bit of a cynic. He takes great joy in disproving the love stories that are submitted. He does not believe in love at first sight. His online name is TruthGuardian.
Devin is a graphic designer. His online name is SunshineGuy. He wants to believe in every single one of the romance stories that are submitted. He just can’t figure out why he’s never found his own. Devin works from a local coffee shop a few days a week. There’s been a cute guy sitting in the coffee shop for the past few weeks. When the cute guy finally approaches Devin, it’s not to ask him out, but to ask him if he’d like to go on a blind date with his brother, stating all the reasons they are compatible.
“Sometimes disasters are just adventures in disguise.”
I can’t wait for you to read the first time these two meet in real life. I swooned. That “thing” happened. Devin just knew. This was it! He is the one! Their conversation was so easy. The attraction was instant. But instead of everything feeling new, it felt like they’d known each other forever. Could this be it?! Could this be their very own love story in the making?
I smiled all the way through this. This is one of those stories you walk away from smiling from ear to ear and with a heart that’s all warm and toasty. This makes me want to read every single thing this author has written. The next novella in this series is called, It Started with a Text. Can you tell that I’ll be downloading it as soon as I am finished with this review?!
Travis Sinclair and Devin are both moderators for an online social platform called Queer Ways to Fall in Love. Their job is to either prove or debunk the love stories that are submitted. These two have been debating on line for two years, never knowing each other’s real name.
Travis is thirty two years old. He is a structural engineer. It’s been two years since he’s been in a relationship and yes, he’s a bit of a cynic. He takes great joy in disproving the love stories that are submitted. He does not believe in love at first sight. His online name is TruthGuardian.
Devin is a graphic designer. His online name is SunshineGuy. He wants to believe in every single one of the romance stories that are submitted. He just can’t figure out why he’s never found his own. Devin works from a local coffee shop a few days a week. There’s been a cute guy sitting in the coffee shop for the past few weeks. When the cute guy finally approaches Devin, it’s not to ask him out, but to ask him if he’d like to go on a blind date with his brother, stating all the reasons they are compatible.
“Sometimes disasters are just adventures in disguise.”
I can’t wait for you to read the first time these two meet in real life. I swooned. That “thing” happened. Devin just knew. This was it! He is the one! Their conversation was so easy. The attraction was instant. But instead of everything feeling new, it felt like they’d known each other forever. Could this be it?! Could this be their very own love story in the making?
I smiled all the way through this. This is one of those stories you walk away from smiling from ear to ear and with a heart that’s all warm and toasty. This makes me want to read every single thing this author has written. The next novella in this series is called, It Started with a Text. Can you tell that I’ll be downloading it as soon as I am finished with this review?!
March 18, 2026
Reread 03/2026
Lovely and heartwarming.
Awesome chemistry and banter.
I didn't even mind that this is insta because it didn't feel like insta (strange but true, for me).
Now onto the sequel!
------
Read 01/2026
Light and charming novella.
I read with a constant smile on my face.
No drama nor was it sappy or over-sweet.
This has all the feel-good and positive vibes one could wish for, combined with silly banter.
Ps it's free via the author's newsletter and the "Fresh start giveaway" at bookfunnel:
books.bookfunnel.com/afreshstart
(12 freebies from different mm authors!)
Lovely and heartwarming.
Awesome chemistry and banter.
I didn't even mind that this is insta because it didn't feel like insta (strange but true, for me).
Now onto the sequel!
------
Read 01/2026
Light and charming novella.
I read with a constant smile on my face.
No drama nor was it sappy or over-sweet.
This has all the feel-good and positive vibes one could wish for, combined with silly banter.
Ps it's free via the author's newsletter and the "Fresh start giveaway" at bookfunnel:
books.bookfunnel.com/afreshstart
(12 freebies from different mm authors!)
January 24, 2026
4.5 stars!
A fun novella that has one of my favourite tropes. Not sure what the trope is called, but it's when the couple don't know that they've been anonymously chatting online.
__
Moderating Love is a romance between two people who moderate a queer love story form. One is cynic and is always trying to debunk the story while the other is the complete opposite and believes in all the stories no matter how far-fetched.
And then a situation arrises where they meat irl, without knowing about their online counterparts and... well it's a romance so you can tell what happens next.
A fun novella that has one of my favourite tropes. Not sure what the trope is called, but it's when the couple don't know that they've been anonymously chatting online.
__
Moderating Love is a romance between two people who moderate a queer love story form. One is cynic and is always trying to debunk the story while the other is the complete opposite and believes in all the stories no matter how far-fetched.
And then a situation arrises where they meat irl, without knowing about their online counterparts and... well it's a romance so you can tell what happens next.
March 2, 2026
If Jax Calder writes a novella, I’m gonna read it.
March 9, 2026
This book is adorable! So cute!
I totally missed it came out, and needed a pick me up when I stumbled upon it. It’s very short and there’s zero angst. But it’s the best love story to be storied 😍
The banter between Devin and Travis is the best! I’ll definitely read this book again, when I need a quick boost and have 30 minutes left (because it’s too short!) and I think it’s going to be a winner for lots of people. Enjoy!
I totally missed it came out, and needed a pick me up when I stumbled upon it. It’s very short and there’s zero angst. But it’s the best love story to be storied 😍
The banter between Devin and Travis is the best! I’ll definitely read this book again, when I need a quick boost and have 30 minutes left (because it’s too short!) and I think it’s going to be a winner for lots of people. Enjoy!
January 21, 2026
This was a super sweet and funny, low-angst novella. I had the best time reading this cute story, Devon and Travis were incredibly adorable together.
January 21, 2026
jax calder is still the only author in the world that makes me read short stories and novellas
January 22, 2026
This has anonymity (think, You Have Mail, vibes) and laugh-out-loud moments.
A really fun, absolutely charming read!
I loved it and cannot wait for the next book 📚
A really fun, absolutely charming read!
I loved it and cannot wait for the next book 📚
January 26, 2026
This was pure serotonin in literary form. I smiled the entire way through. No lie. Giggling was also involved. Adorable and so sweet. Loved every minute of this.
February 5, 2026
Very cute and it was a freebie (was, I think the promo ended, but it took me a bit to read it). Jax Calder is very good at cute. But maybe I am a grump, but it did not totally work for me. Part of the problem for me is that it felt too long (or alternatively too short...), somehow the wrong length. The other part is the bickering, the opposing viewpoints just felt tiresome to me (I did say I did think it took long), but I am not of a fan of bickering in general. The teased next story did seem interesting to me...
January 26, 2026
Very cute and very sweet!
February 1, 2026
3.5 Stars ✨
Such a cute novella 🥰 Loved it a lot more than the cover 🤭
Thank you, Snjez for sending this my way 😘
Such a cute novella 🥰 Loved it a lot more than the cover 🤭
Thank you, Snjez for sending this my way 😘
February 2, 2026
Lush! I swear the smile on my face the entire time had my face hurting 😆
So cute. Novellas often make me feel like we’ve missed out on a lot of bonding, but this one was done so well. They’ve been talking for years before they meet and realise what they are to each other, so although it appears to be insta-love, I feel they were already falling for each other long before their first date.
Both of them are perfect together, and the author does a brilliant job of separating their personalities. The dialogue is so entertaining, and the concept was very sweet.
I honestly loved it.
So cute. Novellas often make me feel like we’ve missed out on a lot of bonding, but this one was done so well. They’ve been talking for years before they meet and realise what they are to each other, so although it appears to be insta-love, I feel they were already falling for each other long before their first date.
Both of them are perfect together, and the author does a brilliant job of separating their personalities. The dialogue is so entertaining, and the concept was very sweet.
I honestly loved it.
January 27, 2026
Absolutely adorable!
I smiled the whole way through this and I loved how their love story was as improbable as the posts they were moderating.
Can't wait for the rest of the series!
I smiled the whole way through this and I loved how their love story was as improbable as the posts they were moderating.
Can't wait for the rest of the series!
January 22, 2026
Super cute with great banter!
January 30, 2026
I loved this way more than I thought I would based on the cover.
Super cute!
Super cute!
March 21, 2026
Sweet and adorable novella with likable MCs and entertaining banter
Jax Calder has a unique ability to write wholesome enjoyable short stories and this one is no exception
Jax Calder has a unique ability to write wholesome enjoyable short stories and this one is no exception
January 27, 2026
3.5⭐️ Very cute little novella. Heartwarming and sweet. I like that Jax writes so many short stories. They’re always good quality for the length and perfect palate cleansers. This one is only available on her website.
February 3, 2026
5⭐
A completely adorable novella. Funny, bantery, predictable but still not a bit boring story that brings a smile to one's face. Lovely.
A completely adorable novella. Funny, bantery, predictable but still not a bit boring story that brings a smile to one's face. Lovely.
January 23, 2026
Moderating Love by Jax Calder was a sweet, enjoyable novella, and yes, I know it’s short by design, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want more. I really loved the story and thought the couple was super cute, which honestly just made the ending feel a little too soon. It did what it set out to do, but I would’ve happily spent more time with these characters.
March 23, 2026
Very cute! I love the whole “online pals unknowingly meet irl” thing. I had a giddy little smile on my face when they met 💕
February 13, 2026
Rating - 4.5 stars rounded up
I adore Jax Calder's novellas and this one was so fun and cute and I ate it up. I love when the two MC's are both talking online anonymously and also meeting IRL. This was insta-love but done soooo well I did not care in the slightest.
I adore Jax Calder's novellas and this one was so fun and cute and I ate it up. I love when the two MC's are both talking online anonymously and also meeting IRL. This was insta-love but done soooo well I did not care in the slightest.
March 9, 2026
5⭐
This is exactly what I needed right now! It's a love story about two online moderators of a romance website who are like nemeses. They met IRL and experienced insta-love without knowing that they already knew each other online.
Jax Calder is definitively my favorite author 🤩
This is exactly what I needed right now! It's a love story about two online moderators of a romance website who are like nemeses. They met IRL and experienced insta-love without knowing that they already knew each other online.
Jax Calder is definitively my favorite author 🤩
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews