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Mary's Boys #4
Deeds & Confetti
A Mary's Boys Novella
Steven Conley loves the excitement of owning his own Hamburger Mary’s restaurant in Denver, Colorado, and his chosen family of coworkers makes life even better. Steven never regretted leaving the corporate grind behind until his father’s harsh deathbed words leaves him doubting himself.
Ryan Fuller abandoned a lucrative career to start his own party-planning business, but he keeps afloat by coordinating funerals for the local mortuary. When Ryan bumps into Steven—his best friend’s uncle and the man Ryan has secretly crushed on forever—the attraction explodes into a night of passionate abandon for both men.
Steven is blown away by the care and deep connection he feels for the hot young mortician—until Ryan admits who he really is. Reeling from the recent upheaval in his life, Steven must decide whether to give Ryan a chance. To find love, they must risk it all....
Steven Conley loves the excitement of owning his own Hamburger Mary’s restaurant in Denver, Colorado, and his chosen family of coworkers makes life even better. Steven never regretted leaving the corporate grind behind until his father’s harsh deathbed words leaves him doubting himself.
Ryan Fuller abandoned a lucrative career to start his own party-planning business, but he keeps afloat by coordinating funerals for the local mortuary. When Ryan bumps into Steven—his best friend’s uncle and the man Ryan has secretly crushed on forever—the attraction explodes into a night of passionate abandon for both men.
Steven is blown away by the care and deep connection he feels for the hot young mortician—until Ryan admits who he really is. Reeling from the recent upheaval in his life, Steven must decide whether to give Ryan a chance. To find love, they must risk it all....
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Witt
35 books442 followersBrandon Witt's outlook on life is greatly impacted by his first eighteen years of growing up gay in a small town in the Ozarks, as well as fifteen years as a counselor and special education teacher for students with severe emotional disabilities. Add to that his obsession with corgis and mermaids, then factor in an unhealthy love affair with cheeseburgers, and you realize that with all those issues, he's got plenty to write about....
Visit Brandon's webpage: http://www.brandonwitt.com/
Visit him on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.witt...
Enjoy episodes of The Witty Hour: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO5c...
Visit Brandon's webpage: http://www.brandonwitt.com/
Visit him on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.witt...
Enjoy episodes of The Witty Hour: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO5c...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
November 25, 2017
Brandon pulled out all the stops for this one! It was my favorite of the series.
I've been wanting Steven's story ever since I met him way back in Nachos & Hash. He always seemed so jovial and good natured with a snarky streak in him that ticked all my boxes. I could see a hint of something behind his eyes though. Something that hinted at a bit of sadness, which piqued my interest and I couldn't wait to delve into this book so I could find out what it was.
I connected to this book on a deeper, more emotional level than the previous books. There just seemed to be so much more to Steven than I ever imagined. He hides his hurt really well, always playing the happy guy who is secure in his place in life.
I think Ryan was the perfect match for Steven. Ryan knew this man so well. He should, since he'd been pining for Steven since he was a teenager. He may have been confused at first, seeing as how Steven wasn't acting the way Ryan remembered he was, but all it took was seeing Steven at Hamburger Mary's to understand that he was out of his element and thus uncomfortable in his own skin outside of the restaurant. At Mary's, Steven shone. There was the man Ryan remembered!
I was afraid the age gap would be too great for me (19-20 year difference), especially since they'd known each other since Ryan was essentially a child, but Ryan had an emotional maturity to him and seemed, at times, to be more stable in his life that Steven was. And Steven never acted upon any feelings way back when; it was only after he saw Ryan again once he was of age that, really, there even were any feelings. So, nothing squicky. ;)
I've enjoyed getting to know all the men in this series, especially these two. I'm a little sad that this is the final book as I'm going to miss these guys. And ManDonna. I'm going to miss her something fierce! And Pat, who was a fabulous character and the best big sister a guy could ever have.
Recommended for light, fun reading with a dash of angst. And drag queens.
I've been wanting Steven's story ever since I met him way back in Nachos & Hash. He always seemed so jovial and good natured with a snarky streak in him that ticked all my boxes. I could see a hint of something behind his eyes though. Something that hinted at a bit of sadness, which piqued my interest and I couldn't wait to delve into this book so I could find out what it was.
I connected to this book on a deeper, more emotional level than the previous books. There just seemed to be so much more to Steven than I ever imagined. He hides his hurt really well, always playing the happy guy who is secure in his place in life.
I think Ryan was the perfect match for Steven. Ryan knew this man so well. He should, since he'd been pining for Steven since he was a teenager. He may have been confused at first, seeing as how Steven wasn't acting the way Ryan remembered he was, but all it took was seeing Steven at Hamburger Mary's to understand that he was out of his element and thus uncomfortable in his own skin outside of the restaurant. At Mary's, Steven shone. There was the man Ryan remembered!
I was afraid the age gap would be too great for me (19-20 year difference), especially since they'd known each other since Ryan was essentially a child, but Ryan had an emotional maturity to him and seemed, at times, to be more stable in his life that Steven was. And Steven never acted upon any feelings way back when; it was only after he saw Ryan again once he was of age that, really, there even were any feelings. So, nothing squicky. ;)
I've enjoyed getting to know all the men in this series, especially these two. I'm a little sad that this is the final book as I'm going to miss these guys. And ManDonna. I'm going to miss her something fierce! And Pat, who was a fabulous character and the best big sister a guy could ever have.
Recommended for light, fun reading with a dash of angst. And drag queens.
September 27, 2017
Hamburger Mary's co-owner Steven Conley has been in the background throughout the Mary's Boys series and in Deeds & Confetti we finally get his story. Steven left a successful corporate career to purchase a Hamburger Mary's franchise, but his father's cruel deathbed words make him wonder if he made the right decision. Ryan Fuller also turned his back on a successful career and now owns Confetti (an event planning business) and moonlights at a mortuary.
Steven and Ryan have combustible sexual sizzle (starting with a hot hook-up ... outside the funeral home) but soon learn they know little about each other. Steven wonders if Ryan is in love with the idea of him rather than the reality (" ... you’ve built me up to be something I wasn’t. That I’m not.") Ryan knows Steven has preconceptions about him ("poor little rich kid") based on his family's wealth.
While I liked the premise, this book in the series was a near-miss for me. Steven and Ryan remained un-fleshedout and I needed more character development in order to ultimately care about these two men. Also, as this is the final book in the Mary's Boy series, I would have loved to get an update on each of the couples from the first three books in the form of an epilogue or something. Finally, compared to the issues and problems the MCs in the other books overcame, Steven and Ryan's story wasn't as engaging or complex and it didn't hold my interest.
My rating for Deeds & Confetti is 3.38 stars, rounded up to 3.5 stars. But, I would give the entire Mary's Boys series 4+ stars. I loved the concept and the issues dealt with throughout the series. Your results may vary for this particular book, but I encourage you to read the entire series - you'll enjoy it!
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Steven and Ryan have combustible sexual sizzle (starting with a hot hook-up ... outside the funeral home) but soon learn they know little about each other. Steven wonders if Ryan is in love with the idea of him rather than the reality (" ... you’ve built me up to be something I wasn’t. That I’m not.") Ryan knows Steven has preconceptions about him ("poor little rich kid") based on his family's wealth.
While I liked the premise, this book in the series was a near-miss for me. Steven and Ryan remained un-fleshedout and I needed more character development in order to ultimately care about these two men. Also, as this is the final book in the Mary's Boy series, I would have loved to get an update on each of the couples from the first three books in the form of an epilogue or something. Finally, compared to the issues and problems the MCs in the other books overcame, Steven and Ryan's story wasn't as engaging or complex and it didn't hold my interest.
My rating for Deeds & Confetti is 3.38 stars, rounded up to 3.5 stars. But, I would give the entire Mary's Boys series 4+ stars. I loved the concept and the issues dealt with throughout the series. Your results may vary for this particular book, but I encourage you to read the entire series - you'll enjoy it!
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
July 1, 2020
This fourth story in the ‘Mary’s Boys’ series is just as amazing as the three previous volumes – and there is only one bad thing about it – the fact that it seems to be the final book in this series. I loved the characters whose journey and growth does not come easy, and the fascinating back-and-forth once Steven realizes who Ryan is and what a tough time they (realistically) have dealing with an eighteen-year age gap. While their initial encounter ends up being very passionate, they fall for each other very gradually and I think that was just right. And let’s not forget the fantastic characters of the “supporting cast”, people who have populated previous books as well as some great new additions. As ever, Hamburger Mary’s may be a real chain of GLBTQ+-friendly restaurants in the US and the characters are fictional, but they all feel as real to me as the restaurant.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 28, 2017
So, this book made me both happy and sad. The sad part though is not because of the story—that was just right and really great—but because it’s the last story in the series, and I wish it wasn’t ending. Hamburger Mary’s is a perfect setting for tales in this genre, and Deeds and Confetti is just another reason why. As the last book of the series, it does work wonderfully to wrap it up, and I really loved the characters and the fact that this is an age gap story.
This time around, we get an in-depth look into Steven’s life…a look that had me furious with his father, and continually hoping Steven would see just how much he’s done for others and who his true family really is. I admired him for the chance he took when he opened up Mary’s, and with the background with his father, I was quietly cheering Steven on to be able to find his own happiness—even if it’s with someone a heck of a lot younger than he is.
Ryan is another one I admired for taking a chance with his career. What I really liked about him though, was how he went after what—or rather who—he wanted…Steven…until he got him. Tenacious and sure, he really did fit with Steven quite well—though it did feel a bit weird at times to think of Ryan as a very young teen already falling for Steven at such a young age. But as an adult, it was a lot easier to see them together, and their chemistry was crazy hot.
There’s a scene near the end with everyone at Mary’s, you’ll know it when you get to it and it will make the emotions bubble over. It brought the series full circle, while also lending just the right touch to Steven and Ryan’s story. Yes, that’s my tease for you with this one ;-)
Deeds and Confetti gets 4.5 stars from me, and while I wish the series wasn’t over, I really enjoyed this story as the one to tie everything up. Even though it’s novella length, It still packs a lot of emotion and you feel like you’re getting a full-sized novel out of it. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and some sexy, hot sexual content.
This time around, we get an in-depth look into Steven’s life…a look that had me furious with his father, and continually hoping Steven would see just how much he’s done for others and who his true family really is. I admired him for the chance he took when he opened up Mary’s, and with the background with his father, I was quietly cheering Steven on to be able to find his own happiness—even if it’s with someone a heck of a lot younger than he is.
Ryan is another one I admired for taking a chance with his career. What I really liked about him though, was how he went after what—or rather who—he wanted…Steven…until he got him. Tenacious and sure, he really did fit with Steven quite well—though it did feel a bit weird at times to think of Ryan as a very young teen already falling for Steven at such a young age. But as an adult, it was a lot easier to see them together, and their chemistry was crazy hot.
There’s a scene near the end with everyone at Mary’s, you’ll know it when you get to it and it will make the emotions bubble over. It brought the series full circle, while also lending just the right touch to Steven and Ryan’s story. Yes, that’s my tease for you with this one ;-)
Deeds and Confetti gets 4.5 stars from me, and while I wish the series wasn’t over, I really enjoyed this story as the one to tie everything up. Even though it’s novella length, It still packs a lot of emotion and you feel like you’re getting a full-sized novel out of it. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and some sexy, hot sexual content.
June 26, 2021
4.5 - Nice Age-Gap Rom for "Wonderful" Finale to a Fun Series
What a delightful, diverse read/series from Brandon Witt, especially with my fondness for Mary's. Part of my enjoyment was that Mary's and Denver was part of my coming out, and now a Mary's is just a few blocks away. This one was my fav, and makes a good Holiday story. The diversity continued, here in the form of an age gap, which I identified with and found realistically portrayed.
Again, familial homophobia rears its ugly head. Unfortunately the novella length does not provide an opportunity to explore things with enough depth, especially regarding the antagonist. But the effects are felt, and I appreciated the older MCs struggles. And of course Mary's "chosen family" was there to step in. What I didn't expect, and like the MC was just as blown away by, was the ending scene, inspired by my fav Xmas movie It's a Wonderful Life, leaving me just as teary-eyed and emotionally fulfilled.
What a delightful, diverse read/series from Brandon Witt, especially with my fondness for Mary's. Part of my enjoyment was that Mary's and Denver was part of my coming out, and now a Mary's is just a few blocks away. This one was my fav, and makes a good Holiday story. The diversity continued, here in the form of an age gap, which I identified with and found realistically portrayed.
Again, familial homophobia rears its ugly head. Unfortunately the novella length does not provide an opportunity to explore things with enough depth, especially regarding the antagonist. But the effects are felt, and I appreciated the older MCs struggles. And of course Mary's "chosen family" was there to step in. What I didn't expect, and like the MC was just as blown away by, was the ending scene, inspired by my fav Xmas movie It's a Wonderful Life, leaving me just as teary-eyed and emotionally fulfilled.
September 8, 2020
4.5 stars rounded down because...you guessed it, there are still no 1/2 stars here on GR...
In the immortal words of Miro Jones & Ian Doyle (and probably thousands of others) "Winner, winner chicken dinner." This one was it for me. I wouldn't have thought that Steve's story would turn out to be the one I enjoyed the most but it was.
It's got an age gap...I mean serious age gap...not a hard line for me, but still a bit of a grey area at times and it turns out that I was ok with it this time around.
Steve as anyone who's read even one of these stories will know is the owner of Hamburger Mary's and we've seen him a bit of him in every story so far but now in 'Deeds & Confetti' the final novella in this series it's all about Steve...and Ryan.
Before Hamburger Mary's, Steve belonged to the corporate world but it was consuming his soul so he took a risk and sank everything he had...mind, body, soul and finances into Hamburger Mary's and he's never looked back or at least he hadn't until his father's dying words shredded his confidence and left him doubting every choice he'd ever made (it's in the blurb).
Ryan was on the fast track to becoming the golden boy of the art world and with each painting he sold, he could feel his muse abandoning him and what should have been a joy filled passion was becoming a life sentence as each painting became harder and harder to create. His solution was to walk away and start a catering business. Something that let him use his creative spirit to help others celebrate the joyful times in their life and as soon as he has his business off the ground he won't need to coordinate funerals for the local mortuary...but in the meantime...
When Steve spots the sexy young man at his father's viewing and fails to recognize him, he doesn't hesitate to initiate what quickly becomes a very hot hook-up. But when Ryan tells Steve who he is...things become complicated from Steve's perspective.
I loved Ryan. While he was considerably younger at 27, than Steve's 45ish years. Ryan knew what he wanted...what he'd wanted for nearly as long as he could remember and that was Steve. Ryan's willing to wade through all of Steve's barriers to get through to him and starts with a challenge for Steve to go on a date with him and at the end of the night he dares him to deny the connection that he knows they both feel.
In spite of Steve's bravado we're clearly shown his vulnerability as well. Sadly words are some of the strongest weapons that anyone can wield...especially a parent and even sadder we tend to remember the bad more vividly and longer than we do the good. Steve's struggles to move past his father's cruel and hurtful words is a very real thing that many people have faced.
While Ryan's parents are loving and supportive. They aren't without their flaws...they want their son to be happy but they don't seem to grasp that adult children need to decide what form that happiness takes.
I think for me the overall premise of this story was what held the most appeal...two men, both with successful careers that essentially has left them miserable until each man takes control of his life and makes the changes that he needs and while they've both had to deal with similar circumstances the motivation has been a very different source.
I enjoyed having Gerrod Larkyn provide the narration for this final installment of Mary's Boys and look forward to following him in future to see how his talent progresses as he gains experience in his craft.
Overall I found Mary's Boys to be an enjoyable and entertaining listening experience. Would I have liked more from one or all of the stories...very probably but given that these were novellas and not full length novels I feel like the author utilized every word to it's maximum creating a story that I as the listener was readily able to envision and enjoy.
*************************
An audio book of 'Deeds & Confetti' was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
In the immortal words of Miro Jones & Ian Doyle (and probably thousands of others) "Winner, winner chicken dinner." This one was it for me. I wouldn't have thought that Steve's story would turn out to be the one I enjoyed the most but it was.
It's got an age gap...I mean serious age gap...not a hard line for me, but still a bit of a grey area at times and it turns out that I was ok with it this time around.
Steve as anyone who's read even one of these stories will know is the owner of Hamburger Mary's and we've seen him a bit of him in every story so far but now in 'Deeds & Confetti' the final novella in this series it's all about Steve...and Ryan.
Before Hamburger Mary's, Steve belonged to the corporate world but it was consuming his soul so he took a risk and sank everything he had...mind, body, soul and finances into Hamburger Mary's and he's never looked back or at least he hadn't until his father's dying words shredded his confidence and left him doubting every choice he'd ever made (it's in the blurb).
Ryan was on the fast track to becoming the golden boy of the art world and with each painting he sold, he could feel his muse abandoning him and what should have been a joy filled passion was becoming a life sentence as each painting became harder and harder to create. His solution was to walk away and start a catering business. Something that let him use his creative spirit to help others celebrate the joyful times in their life and as soon as he has his business off the ground he won't need to coordinate funerals for the local mortuary...but in the meantime...
When Steve spots the sexy young man at his father's viewing and fails to recognize him, he doesn't hesitate to initiate what quickly becomes a very hot hook-up. But when Ryan tells Steve who he is...things become complicated from Steve's perspective.
I loved Ryan. While he was considerably younger at 27, than Steve's 45ish years. Ryan knew what he wanted...what he'd wanted for nearly as long as he could remember and that was Steve. Ryan's willing to wade through all of Steve's barriers to get through to him and starts with a challenge for Steve to go on a date with him and at the end of the night he dares him to deny the connection that he knows they both feel.
In spite of Steve's bravado we're clearly shown his vulnerability as well. Sadly words are some of the strongest weapons that anyone can wield...especially a parent and even sadder we tend to remember the bad more vividly and longer than we do the good. Steve's struggles to move past his father's cruel and hurtful words is a very real thing that many people have faced.
While Ryan's parents are loving and supportive. They aren't without their flaws...they want their son to be happy but they don't seem to grasp that adult children need to decide what form that happiness takes.
I think for me the overall premise of this story was what held the most appeal...two men, both with successful careers that essentially has left them miserable until each man takes control of his life and makes the changes that he needs and while they've both had to deal with similar circumstances the motivation has been a very different source.
I enjoyed having Gerrod Larkyn provide the narration for this final installment of Mary's Boys and look forward to following him in future to see how his talent progresses as he gains experience in his craft.
Overall I found Mary's Boys to be an enjoyable and entertaining listening experience. Would I have liked more from one or all of the stories...very probably but given that these were novellas and not full length novels I feel like the author utilized every word to it's maximum creating a story that I as the listener was readily able to envision and enjoy.
*************************
An audio book of 'Deeds & Confetti' was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2017
Ryan works part-time in a funeral home. He is there one day when childhood crush, Steven, walks in for his father's wake. Bad timing, right? Not so much since there is an instant attraction between them. Steven is the owner of Hamburger Mary's, a restaurant that he sunk he life savings into during a midlife crisis. He's happy with his life and the family that he's made at the restaurant. However, his father's death has made him re-evaluate what his life has become. When he finds out that Ryan is his nephew's best friend and nearly 20 years younger, he runs away rather than try to fight for them.
I started reading this before I even realized that there was an age gap. And boy did I love it! The exact relationship between the two characters (they knew each other years ago) had me doing some mental calculations, but there was nothing squicky about it. Age gap romance done right. However, much of the angst and issues came from Steven's side. While we are given a glimpse into Ryan's issues and past, it was mostly glossed over. I am giving this four stars because I feel like it could have been longer and had a more fleshed out story.
I started reading this before I even realized that there was an age gap. And boy did I love it! The exact relationship between the two characters (they knew each other years ago) had me doing some mental calculations, but there was nothing squicky about it. Age gap romance done right. However, much of the angst and issues came from Steven's side. While we are given a glimpse into Ryan's issues and past, it was mostly glossed over. I am giving this four stars because I feel like it could have been longer and had a more fleshed out story.
September 27, 2017
4.5 Stars The whole Mary’s Boys series has been a delight and I'm sorry to see it ending. Brandon Witt has given us one last novella, chock full of emotion, expanding on familiar characters and solidifying the sense of family that permeates these books. Steven is the last unattached Mary’s boy, but he's no boy anymore. I do love a May-December romance and Ryan is a perfect complement for Steven. Although they're 20 years apart, they're at similar stages in their lives. Steven is reluctant to date a man he saw growing up and it takes the combined efforts of nearly everyone at Mary’s to convince Steven to give Ryan a chance.
It's amazing how much feeling and depth Brandon can pack into a novella. This runs the gamut, from sorrow to happiness, also following the slow process of Steven accepting his own worth, from his employees, his sister Pat and his nephews, and ultimately, Ryan. Like the first three books, the narrative is both poignant and realistic, handling heavier themes with a lighter touch. The ending has a joyous dose of Christmas spirit and I especially loved the descriptions of shenanigans with ManDonna and Ariel. Give this book and series a try for its unique glimpse into the iconic restaurant, and this group of appealing characters and thoughtful themes.
*An ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Jessie G Books review blog, in return for an honest review*
It's amazing how much feeling and depth Brandon can pack into a novella. This runs the gamut, from sorrow to happiness, also following the slow process of Steven accepting his own worth, from his employees, his sister Pat and his nephews, and ultimately, Ryan. Like the first three books, the narrative is both poignant and realistic, handling heavier themes with a lighter touch. The ending has a joyous dose of Christmas spirit and I especially loved the descriptions of shenanigans with ManDonna and Ariel. Give this book and series a try for its unique glimpse into the iconic restaurant, and this group of appealing characters and thoughtful themes.
*An ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Jessie G Books review blog, in return for an honest review*
September 27, 2017
Wow! My absolute favorite in the Hamburger Mary's series!
A bit of a May-Dec romance has Stephen, the owner of Hamburger Mary's and Ryan, his nephews best friend, come together at a time when they are both questioning their career choices.
The MC's have tons of chemistry that lends to hot scenes and the secondary characters interfere just enough to show their love!
Absolutely love this author and hate to see this series come to and end!
A bit of a May-Dec romance has Stephen, the owner of Hamburger Mary's and Ryan, his nephews best friend, come together at a time when they are both questioning their career choices.
The MC's have tons of chemistry that lends to hot scenes and the secondary characters interfere just enough to show their love!
Absolutely love this author and hate to see this series come to and end!
April 10, 2020
That final scene... the feels? That made this book for me... it was a true "family" moment!!! :D
October 14, 2017
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I’ve fallen hard for the Hamburger Mary’s family since the characters were first introduced in ‘Under a Sky of Ash’ and while I’m sad to say goodbye, it makes perfect sense to finish with Steven’s story. He is the owner of Hamburger Mary’s and it was his decision to leave the corporate world and buy a restaurant that made it possible for all the others to find their HEAs.
When we meet Steven, he is questioning everything about his life. He traded a comfortable professional existence for debt, bills and financial instability. Hooking up with a hot young guy at his father’s funeral makes him feel better - until he realises that his hook up is his nephew’s best friend. 18 years is a huge age gap, especially when Steven watched Ryan grow up.
The age gap made sense to me because while Ryan is much younger, he has also made decisions that took him off the path his parents had planned for his life. Ryan is also happier but poorer and he is also building his own business. I’m not sure we got to know Ryan as well as we go to know Steven which is a shame because I was really intrigued by his character.
This isn’t as fun or as playful as some of the earlier books (though all have darker themes running through them). Steven really wrestles with his father’s disapproval and disappointment. Steven’s self-doubt feels real and raw and I empathised wholeheartedly with Steven’s midlife crisis.
I dare anyone to read the end and not cry. I absolutely I loved the way the Hamburger Mary’s family found to let Steven know the positive impact his choice has had on so many lives.
I’ve fallen hard for the Hamburger Mary’s family since the characters were first introduced in ‘Under a Sky of Ash’ and while I’m sad to say goodbye, it makes perfect sense to finish with Steven’s story. He is the owner of Hamburger Mary’s and it was his decision to leave the corporate world and buy a restaurant that made it possible for all the others to find their HEAs.
When we meet Steven, he is questioning everything about his life. He traded a comfortable professional existence for debt, bills and financial instability. Hooking up with a hot young guy at his father’s funeral makes him feel better - until he realises that his hook up is his nephew’s best friend. 18 years is a huge age gap, especially when Steven watched Ryan grow up.
The age gap made sense to me because while Ryan is much younger, he has also made decisions that took him off the path his parents had planned for his life. Ryan is also happier but poorer and he is also building his own business. I’m not sure we got to know Ryan as well as we go to know Steven which is a shame because I was really intrigued by his character.
This isn’t as fun or as playful as some of the earlier books (though all have darker themes running through them). Steven really wrestles with his father’s disapproval and disappointment. Steven’s self-doubt feels real and raw and I empathised wholeheartedly with Steven’s midlife crisis.
I dare anyone to read the end and not cry. I absolutely I loved the way the Hamburger Mary’s family found to let Steven know the positive impact his choice has had on so many lives.
July 1, 2020
*Received A Copy To Review From The Author*
Really loved this couple and their story. They fit so well together and I was happy to see Stephan get his happy ending.
Really loved this couple and their story. They fit so well together and I was happy to see Stephan get his happy ending.
October 15, 2017
Full review available at: https://optimumm.blog/2017/10/06/revi...
Rating 3.5*s
Deeds and Confetti is the fourth book in the Mary’s Boys series by Brandon Witt. I really liked the blurb for this book. It checked a lot of my boxes in what I like to read. It has an older/younger best friend’s uncle taboo storyline which I enjoy reading. And they are usually full of forbidden longing and burning chemistry and plenty of internal anguish. And while I got glimpses of some of those things, I think the length of the book kept it from reaching its potential. I read the first sex scene between Steven and Ray, and I thought yes, this is just what I wanted. It was hot and sexy and explosive, and then the rest of the sex scenes were glossed over, and I found that to be disappointing.
I also would have loved some flashbacks about when Ryan was younger and his adolescent attraction to his best friend’s uncle, especially since his best friend’s mom and the rest of his family knew about his crush, except for the uncle of course. I will have to say that I was heartbroken when Ryan confessed to Steven who he was and Steven had no recollection of who he was. It had been a big event in his life, and it didn’t even hit Steven’s radar. Which considering Ryan’s age at the start of his crush is probably a good thing that he was oblivious, but he had to be prompted by his sister to even remember how often Ryan was with his nephew Topher when they would all hang out. I also had a hard time figuring out why Steven had bought Hamburger Mary’s since it didn’t seem to bring him joy. It wasn’t until the latter half of the book that I could see what had drawn him to it in the first place and how happy he was to be a part of it again.
Steven is the proud owner of two Hamburger Mary’s. Unfortunately, they aren’t doing as well as he hoped and he is questioning whether it was smart of him to give up his high finance job and all of the money that he’d made with it. And all of that stress is taking the joy out of why he’d bought them to begin with. Add his father dying is just the icing on the cake. Not that he had any feelings but hate for the bastard, but I did like how he was there for his sister who had a better relationship with him.
Ryan was my favorite out of the two. I thought he was very mature for his age, and I thought it took a lot of guts to confess to who he was when he didn’t have to. He also left behind a lucrative career to open his own event-planning company and supplements his income by coordinating funerals for the local mortuary. When he sees that his best friend’s grandfather died he makes sure to be the attendant at the funeral to be as supportive as possible and with the hope of seeing Steven again. And when he does, the chemistry between them is explosive. But will it be enough to keep them together as they both work through their various issues?
I did like the drag queens and how supportive all of their friends and family were about them being together and having a relationship. This is the first book by Brandon Witt, but I would be willing to give another of his books a try to see if this was just a fluke or if I just don’t mesh with his books.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
Rating 3.5*s
Deeds and Confetti is the fourth book in the Mary’s Boys series by Brandon Witt. I really liked the blurb for this book. It checked a lot of my boxes in what I like to read. It has an older/younger best friend’s uncle taboo storyline which I enjoy reading. And they are usually full of forbidden longing and burning chemistry and plenty of internal anguish. And while I got glimpses of some of those things, I think the length of the book kept it from reaching its potential. I read the first sex scene between Steven and Ray, and I thought yes, this is just what I wanted. It was hot and sexy and explosive, and then the rest of the sex scenes were glossed over, and I found that to be disappointing.
I also would have loved some flashbacks about when Ryan was younger and his adolescent attraction to his best friend’s uncle, especially since his best friend’s mom and the rest of his family knew about his crush, except for the uncle of course. I will have to say that I was heartbroken when Ryan confessed to Steven who he was and Steven had no recollection of who he was. It had been a big event in his life, and it didn’t even hit Steven’s radar. Which considering Ryan’s age at the start of his crush is probably a good thing that he was oblivious, but he had to be prompted by his sister to even remember how often Ryan was with his nephew Topher when they would all hang out. I also had a hard time figuring out why Steven had bought Hamburger Mary’s since it didn’t seem to bring him joy. It wasn’t until the latter half of the book that I could see what had drawn him to it in the first place and how happy he was to be a part of it again.
Steven is the proud owner of two Hamburger Mary’s. Unfortunately, they aren’t doing as well as he hoped and he is questioning whether it was smart of him to give up his high finance job and all of the money that he’d made with it. And all of that stress is taking the joy out of why he’d bought them to begin with. Add his father dying is just the icing on the cake. Not that he had any feelings but hate for the bastard, but I did like how he was there for his sister who had a better relationship with him.
Ryan was my favorite out of the two. I thought he was very mature for his age, and I thought it took a lot of guts to confess to who he was when he didn’t have to. He also left behind a lucrative career to open his own event-planning company and supplements his income by coordinating funerals for the local mortuary. When he sees that his best friend’s grandfather died he makes sure to be the attendant at the funeral to be as supportive as possible and with the hope of seeing Steven again. And when he does, the chemistry between them is explosive. But will it be enough to keep them together as they both work through their various issues?
I did like the drag queens and how supportive all of their friends and family were about them being together and having a relationship. This is the first book by Brandon Witt, but I would be willing to give another of his books a try to see if this was just a fluke or if I just don’t mesh with his books.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
September 27, 2017
Note to self: Do not read Brandon Witt’s books at work!
It’s just as well I was in the library with (virtually) no borrowers. Having them see me cry all the (happy) tears while making sobbing sounds, would have been awkward.
This is the fourth and, as far as I know, final book in the Mary’s Boys series and man am I going to miss these guys, this setting, and the wonderful, warm feeling these stories leave me with.
In this book it is Steven Conley’s turn to connect with the love of his life, but boy does he make it difficult — both for himself and for poor and smitten Ryan Fuller. Then again, Steven does have a lot on his mind. Between the death of his father who never had a kind word to say to him, and doubts about his life as the owner of Hamburger Mary’s restaurant in Denver, the last thing he needs is the added worry of falling for a man about fifteen years his junior.
Ryan on the other hand can’t believe his luck. He’s been infatuated with Steven since he was a teenager and the attraction hasn’t lessened over the years, quite the opposite in fact.
“And Ryan knew what his heart had known since he was twelve. He loved this man. He was in love with this man. Even with all the unknowns about him, even with his litany of issues. Ryan Fuller loved Steven Conley. Just as much as he had when he’d written their names inside the hearts on his loose-leaf notebook paper all those years ago.”
Despite all his reasonable and unreasonable reservations, Steven can’t deny that there’s something about Ryan, something between the two of them that’s impossible to deny and even harder to ignore, despite his best efforts to do so. Deep down inside he knows the truth, even if it’s Ryan who has the actual thoughts.
“Maybe they didn’t know each other at all. But their bodies did. Their spirits did. It wasn’t some play fantasy that had consumed Ryan for all these years.
It was destiny. Fate. Twin hearts. Some stupid shit that he wasn’t really certain he believed in and was more than willing to bed Steven for sure didn’t believe in.”
The coming together of Ryan and Steven is hot from the start, but far from easy or smooth as a result of Steven’s hang-ups and reservations. But he has his family — both of the blood and of the heart variety — to help him sort out his emotional mess and not spoil what may well be his one real chance at lasting happiness. I loved how the crew from Mary’s stepped in to talk some sense into his stubborn head.
And talking about the Hamburger Mary crew, they had me in tears during the last chapter. If it is possible for love to flow from a kindle straight into my heart, that’s exactly what happened. I could easily gush about and quote from that chapter endlessly, but I don’t want to spoil it for anybody else. Just trust me when I say that ‘all the feels’ would be a gross understatement in this case. Those scenes hit me straight in the heart in the best possible way.
If I have one complaint it is that this is the end of a series. I could happily have spent numerous more hours in the company of these men. They and their place of employment have worked their way into my heart and will forever stay near the top of my ‘ultimate feel-good reads’ list.
It’s just as well I was in the library with (virtually) no borrowers. Having them see me cry all the (happy) tears while making sobbing sounds, would have been awkward.
This is the fourth and, as far as I know, final book in the Mary’s Boys series and man am I going to miss these guys, this setting, and the wonderful, warm feeling these stories leave me with.
In this book it is Steven Conley’s turn to connect with the love of his life, but boy does he make it difficult — both for himself and for poor and smitten Ryan Fuller. Then again, Steven does have a lot on his mind. Between the death of his father who never had a kind word to say to him, and doubts about his life as the owner of Hamburger Mary’s restaurant in Denver, the last thing he needs is the added worry of falling for a man about fifteen years his junior.
Ryan on the other hand can’t believe his luck. He’s been infatuated with Steven since he was a teenager and the attraction hasn’t lessened over the years, quite the opposite in fact.
“And Ryan knew what his heart had known since he was twelve. He loved this man. He was in love with this man. Even with all the unknowns about him, even with his litany of issues. Ryan Fuller loved Steven Conley. Just as much as he had when he’d written their names inside the hearts on his loose-leaf notebook paper all those years ago.”
Despite all his reasonable and unreasonable reservations, Steven can’t deny that there’s something about Ryan, something between the two of them that’s impossible to deny and even harder to ignore, despite his best efforts to do so. Deep down inside he knows the truth, even if it’s Ryan who has the actual thoughts.
“Maybe they didn’t know each other at all. But their bodies did. Their spirits did. It wasn’t some play fantasy that had consumed Ryan for all these years.
It was destiny. Fate. Twin hearts. Some stupid shit that he wasn’t really certain he believed in and was more than willing to bed Steven for sure didn’t believe in.”
The coming together of Ryan and Steven is hot from the start, but far from easy or smooth as a result of Steven’s hang-ups and reservations. But he has his family — both of the blood and of the heart variety — to help him sort out his emotional mess and not spoil what may well be his one real chance at lasting happiness. I loved how the crew from Mary’s stepped in to talk some sense into his stubborn head.
And talking about the Hamburger Mary crew, they had me in tears during the last chapter. If it is possible for love to flow from a kindle straight into my heart, that’s exactly what happened. I could easily gush about and quote from that chapter endlessly, but I don’t want to spoil it for anybody else. Just trust me when I say that ‘all the feels’ would be a gross understatement in this case. Those scenes hit me straight in the heart in the best possible way.
If I have one complaint it is that this is the end of a series. I could happily have spent numerous more hours in the company of these men. They and their place of employment have worked their way into my heart and will forever stay near the top of my ‘ultimate feel-good reads’ list.
September 27, 2017
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
Deeds & Confetti is the fourth novella in Brandon Witt’s Mary’s Boys series. Though you could get away without reading all the other books in the series, I truly think a reader will get more enjoyment reading it in the appropriate order. This series has reoccurring characters in every novella, and throughout the series, you see the building of Mary's family.
Steven owns Mary's restaurant and is a familiar character throughout the series. But, in this novella we don't see the Steven we've come to know from the previous stories. This Steven has been rocked by the death of his father and his father's harsh words before his death. He and his father didn't have a relationship, his father never approving of him. While his father was alive, Steven was able to ignore and live his life, but the deathbed words affected him. Steven was questioning his life, his business, his sexuality, his future. Steven was adrift and when distraction came in the form of the hot guy working at the funeral home, Steven took it. Only, that distraction wasn't a stranger and was a young man he'd known most of his life, Ryan, his nephew's best friend. Ryan has had a crush on Steven since his teens, and knew that Steven didn't remember him but decided to take what he could get. But, Ryan wants more than a couple nights and decides to show Steven why they work.
I love the characters in this series and feel like every novella is even better than the previous. I know I end each one thinking the newest one I read was my favorite and this is no exception. Every single one of these novellas brought me to tears, but this one had tears streaming down my face when I got to the last part of the story. It was such a beautiful, sweet, wonderful tribute to Steven.
As I always say, novellas are so difficult (in my opinion)! You have limited number of pages to tell a story and have your characters find love, and make it believable but I think this series shows that it is possible to do it. In my opinion, Mary's Boys is among the best novellas in romance. Each book is packed full of heartbreak, healing, family and love. That's a lot to squeeze into a novella! And though the love is instalove in many cases, it's believable. If you haven't read this series, you should take the time now to do so! Each book only takes a couple of hours to read, but the love you'll remember for much longer.
Rating: 5 stars!
Deeds & Confetti is the fourth novella in Brandon Witt’s Mary’s Boys series. Though you could get away without reading all the other books in the series, I truly think a reader will get more enjoyment reading it in the appropriate order. This series has reoccurring characters in every novella, and throughout the series, you see the building of Mary's family.
Steven owns Mary's restaurant and is a familiar character throughout the series. But, in this novella we don't see the Steven we've come to know from the previous stories. This Steven has been rocked by the death of his father and his father's harsh words before his death. He and his father didn't have a relationship, his father never approving of him. While his father was alive, Steven was able to ignore and live his life, but the deathbed words affected him. Steven was questioning his life, his business, his sexuality, his future. Steven was adrift and when distraction came in the form of the hot guy working at the funeral home, Steven took it. Only, that distraction wasn't a stranger and was a young man he'd known most of his life, Ryan, his nephew's best friend. Ryan has had a crush on Steven since his teens, and knew that Steven didn't remember him but decided to take what he could get. But, Ryan wants more than a couple nights and decides to show Steven why they work.
I love the characters in this series and feel like every novella is even better than the previous. I know I end each one thinking the newest one I read was my favorite and this is no exception. Every single one of these novellas brought me to tears, but this one had tears streaming down my face when I got to the last part of the story. It was such a beautiful, sweet, wonderful tribute to Steven.
As I always say, novellas are so difficult (in my opinion)! You have limited number of pages to tell a story and have your characters find love, and make it believable but I think this series shows that it is possible to do it. In my opinion, Mary's Boys is among the best novellas in romance. Each book is packed full of heartbreak, healing, family and love. That's a lot to squeeze into a novella! And though the love is instalove in many cases, it's believable. If you haven't read this series, you should take the time now to do so! Each book only takes a couple of hours to read, but the love you'll remember for much longer.
Rating: 5 stars!
November 3, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
These Mary’s Boys novellas are truly wonderful little stories of redemption, healing ,and love—such love. It is a community of misfits, in many ways men who have been knit together by a common thread—the place where they or their lover works and their owner/leader is Steven. It was so nice to read his story—to see a tiny window into what he endured growing up with a father who never had much good to say about his son and whom he decided would never amount to anything. Steven would never measure up and the pain of that realization and the hate his father spewed prompted his ultimate unraveling, in the end. He was mired in guilt, doubt, and anger and it is this Steven that Ryan meets at the funeral home. It’s not till Ryan makes his way to Hamburger Mary’s and sees the real Steven in action that he can know for certain that he is in love with the man and not just infatuated by some conflated idea of who Steve really is.
This series truly illustrates something author Brandon Witt does best—create wounded characters that are desperate for love and acceptance. These are lonely men, and not because they haven’t had offers, but because they have never found the guy who is just the right fit. While the love that develops between the main characters is rather sudden, that doesn’t diminish the very real feelings that inform and encourage the declarations that follow so swiftly. What can’t be denied is the need that lay within these men which has left them incomplete until that one man comes along. Deeds & Confetti provides a wonderful next chapter in the Mary’s Boys series. It is sweet, entertaining, and just the perfect story for those who love romance.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
These Mary’s Boys novellas are truly wonderful little stories of redemption, healing ,and love—such love. It is a community of misfits, in many ways men who have been knit together by a common thread—the place where they or their lover works and their owner/leader is Steven. It was so nice to read his story—to see a tiny window into what he endured growing up with a father who never had much good to say about his son and whom he decided would never amount to anything. Steven would never measure up and the pain of that realization and the hate his father spewed prompted his ultimate unraveling, in the end. He was mired in guilt, doubt, and anger and it is this Steven that Ryan meets at the funeral home. It’s not till Ryan makes his way to Hamburger Mary’s and sees the real Steven in action that he can know for certain that he is in love with the man and not just infatuated by some conflated idea of who Steve really is.
This series truly illustrates something author Brandon Witt does best—create wounded characters that are desperate for love and acceptance. These are lonely men, and not because they haven’t had offers, but because they have never found the guy who is just the right fit. While the love that develops between the main characters is rather sudden, that doesn’t diminish the very real feelings that inform and encourage the declarations that follow so swiftly. What can’t be denied is the need that lay within these men which has left them incomplete until that one man comes along. Deeds & Confetti provides a wonderful next chapter in the Mary’s Boys series. It is sweet, entertaining, and just the perfect story for those who love romance.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
June 19, 2020
3.5 stars. A okay start to Steven and Ryans story. A hot tussle in a car but would end in tears...maybe. Stevens behaviour to Ryan was horrible but glad he woke up with some great advise. Written in both POVs and includes aghast, age gap, sexy scenes, fantasy vs reaility and more for them. A good ending for the series.
Steven 46 was the owner of Hamburger Mary's a restaurant and bar, and on Halloween night it was hoppin. Drag queens and hot sexy firefighters..but it would end saying goodbye to his father.
Ryan 27 was an artist and knew Steven when he was younger.
Steven 46 was the owner of Hamburger Mary's a restaurant and bar, and on Halloween night it was hoppin. Drag queens and hot sexy firefighters..but it would end saying goodbye to his father.
Ryan 27 was an artist and knew Steven when he was younger.
Want to read
May 1, 2021🎁 Part of The Mary's Boys Collection (Mary's Boys #1-4) which is FREE on Amazon today (5/1/2021)! 🎁
June 29, 2020
This is the final book in the Mary's Boys series, and it rounded out the series quite nicely.
Steven Conley, in his 40s, is the owner of the Hamburger Mary's restaurant where three couples so far have found love, but he's been mostly in the background, having created a safe place for lost souls and built a strong chosen family for his employees and friends. Before purchasing the Mary's franchise, Steven had a successful corporate career, but left it, much to his father's dismay. When we first meet Steven in this book, he's in the hospital at his father's deathbed, with his sister Pat. Cruel words from his father send Steven reeling and questioning the choices he's made.
Ryan Fuller is 27 and also made choices, leaving behind success as a painter to own a small party planning business, while working part-time at a funeral home to make a bit of extra income. His relationship with his family is strained as his parents don't understand why he would choose to leave wealth and success behind.
The two meet at the funeral home after Steven's father dies. Yeah, I know that sounds weird and sort of eww, but hear me out - first you have to understand the headspace Steven is in at the time. For which you need to read this book, obviously. Secondly, you need to know that Ryan knows Steven even before they meet at the mortuary.
Grief makes one do seemingly strange things. So does desire.
For most of the book, Steven grapples with the choices he's made. He's adrift and doesn't know which way to move forward. He also thinks that Ryan, being so much younger, doesn't really see the real him, but some ideal he's built up in his mind, and thus Ryan's feelings cannot be trusted.
This is a heavy story, and not one you can read quickly. There's a ton of emotional upheaval inside, and it would behoove the reader to proceed carefully through each chapter so as not to miss the poignant writing within.
I'm partly sad that this is the last book, and partly happy with how the author has chosen to end this series. It's not that everything is wrapped up in neat little bows, and the way to Steven and Ryan's HEA is tumultuous and winded, but it ends on a really positive note, with all our previous couples still going strong, and Steven and Ryan embarking on their forever journey.
It's a really good book. And while it could theoretically be read as a standalone, you don't want to miss the books that came before it. Read the whole series - it's worth your time.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Steven Conley, in his 40s, is the owner of the Hamburger Mary's restaurant where three couples so far have found love, but he's been mostly in the background, having created a safe place for lost souls and built a strong chosen family for his employees and friends. Before purchasing the Mary's franchise, Steven had a successful corporate career, but left it, much to his father's dismay. When we first meet Steven in this book, he's in the hospital at his father's deathbed, with his sister Pat. Cruel words from his father send Steven reeling and questioning the choices he's made.
Ryan Fuller is 27 and also made choices, leaving behind success as a painter to own a small party planning business, while working part-time at a funeral home to make a bit of extra income. His relationship with his family is strained as his parents don't understand why he would choose to leave wealth and success behind.
The two meet at the funeral home after Steven's father dies. Yeah, I know that sounds weird and sort of eww, but hear me out - first you have to understand the headspace Steven is in at the time. For which you need to read this book, obviously. Secondly, you need to know that Ryan knows Steven even before they meet at the mortuary.
Grief makes one do seemingly strange things. So does desire.
For most of the book, Steven grapples with the choices he's made. He's adrift and doesn't know which way to move forward. He also thinks that Ryan, being so much younger, doesn't really see the real him, but some ideal he's built up in his mind, and thus Ryan's feelings cannot be trusted.
This is a heavy story, and not one you can read quickly. There's a ton of emotional upheaval inside, and it would behoove the reader to proceed carefully through each chapter so as not to miss the poignant writing within.
I'm partly sad that this is the last book, and partly happy with how the author has chosen to end this series. It's not that everything is wrapped up in neat little bows, and the way to Steven and Ryan's HEA is tumultuous and winded, but it ends on a really positive note, with all our previous couples still going strong, and Steven and Ryan embarking on their forever journey.
It's a really good book. And while it could theoretically be read as a standalone, you don't want to miss the books that came before it. Read the whole series - it's worth your time.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
July 4, 2020
Another solid novella in this series. This didn't feel as insta-love as the rest, probably because Stephen spent a lot of time fighting his attraction to Ryan.
An age gap story with a background of unrequited love.
An age gap story with a background of unrequited love.
September 30, 2017
Deeds & Confetti is the fourth and final book in Brandon Witt’s Mary’s Boys series, a series of novellas based on the staff of a Hamburger Mary’s franchise in Denver. I’ve known about this project since before the first release, but have somehow just jumped on board now. For those of you who also haven’t read the first three books, it’s important to know that Deeds & Confetti can be read as a standalone; BUT, also know that it will make you want to immediately read the other three books. I not only fell in love with Ryan and Steven, the main characters of this book, but also with some of the other characters. And, really, just with the premise behind the series. I love stories about chosen families, those people who we choose to be closest to in our lives. Oftentimes our chosen family can be more supportive than even our blood relatives, which is what some of the MCs in these books discover.
I think the main reason this blurb jumped out at me was probably the age-gap. I looove a good May-December romance, and this one certainly fits that bill. Relationships with large age gaps can have such interesting dynamics. Sometimes they start off smoothly, with hardly any mind being paid to the age issue at all, and sometimes things are a bit rockier in the beginning, as both parties try to find their footing. With Steven and Ryan, it was the latter situation. Steven had a very difficult time letting go of the age thing, and that Ryan was his nephew’s best friend. When Steven seems like he’s about to throw in the towel before things really even get going between them, Ryan talks him into one more date, as a test to see if their connection is real. During the date, Ryan teases Steven about how hung up he is on being older. I loved this:
“Let’s just get this out on the table now. If we pass this test, me teasing you about your age is gonna be a thing. A frequent thing.”
I also really liked that, even with the age difference, Ryan and Steven were actually at very similar places in their lives. Steven, unsatisfied with his career in finance and tired of being lonely, bought a Hamburger Mary’s franchise because he was sure it would be just the light, fun thing he needed in his life. Once a successful artist, Ryan lost his joy for painting and grew tired of trying to live up to his parents’ expectations, and decided to open an event planning business. Both are doing something just for them, against family wishes or advice, leaving lucrative career situations to jump into something that, while risky, is also potentially more fulfilling.
The relationship between Steven and Ryan is definitely somewhat insta-love-y, which I know doesn’t work for some readers, and sometimes it doesn’t for me either. But, here I felt it totally did work. While the feelings do come on fast, I think perhaps because Ryan has had a crush on Steven for so long, and they do have a bit of history, it feels like a truer, more organic connection rather than an insta-love forced by an author. I loved them together.
Another huge plus for this book, and I imagine the series as a whole, is the cast of characters. Steven’s sister Pat is AMAZING. She is absolutely his biggest cheerleader. I loved her to pieces. Steven’s head bartender at the restaurant, and best friend, Vahin, is also completely awesome and such a good and loyal friend to Steven. I will absolutely be reading his book, Vodka & Handcuffs, very soon. Ryan’s best friend, and Steven’s nephew, Topher, has a couple of wonderful moments in the story. And, of course, there is plenty of Mandonna, who I fell in love with in Witt’s Under a Sky of Ash, and Ariel Merman, whose story is told in the third book in the series.
I’m so glad I picked this one up. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to fall more in love with the rest of the folks at Mary’s when I go back and read the other books. I was sad when I learned this was the final one! I’m sure it was tough for the author to say goodbye to this crew. Maybe we’ll end up seeing more of them in the future. 😉 I sure hope so!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
I think the main reason this blurb jumped out at me was probably the age-gap. I looove a good May-December romance, and this one certainly fits that bill. Relationships with large age gaps can have such interesting dynamics. Sometimes they start off smoothly, with hardly any mind being paid to the age issue at all, and sometimes things are a bit rockier in the beginning, as both parties try to find their footing. With Steven and Ryan, it was the latter situation. Steven had a very difficult time letting go of the age thing, and that Ryan was his nephew’s best friend. When Steven seems like he’s about to throw in the towel before things really even get going between them, Ryan talks him into one more date, as a test to see if their connection is real. During the date, Ryan teases Steven about how hung up he is on being older. I loved this:
“Let’s just get this out on the table now. If we pass this test, me teasing you about your age is gonna be a thing. A frequent thing.”
I also really liked that, even with the age difference, Ryan and Steven were actually at very similar places in their lives. Steven, unsatisfied with his career in finance and tired of being lonely, bought a Hamburger Mary’s franchise because he was sure it would be just the light, fun thing he needed in his life. Once a successful artist, Ryan lost his joy for painting and grew tired of trying to live up to his parents’ expectations, and decided to open an event planning business. Both are doing something just for them, against family wishes or advice, leaving lucrative career situations to jump into something that, while risky, is also potentially more fulfilling.
The relationship between Steven and Ryan is definitely somewhat insta-love-y, which I know doesn’t work for some readers, and sometimes it doesn’t for me either. But, here I felt it totally did work. While the feelings do come on fast, I think perhaps because Ryan has had a crush on Steven for so long, and they do have a bit of history, it feels like a truer, more organic connection rather than an insta-love forced by an author. I loved them together.
Another huge plus for this book, and I imagine the series as a whole, is the cast of characters. Steven’s sister Pat is AMAZING. She is absolutely his biggest cheerleader. I loved her to pieces. Steven’s head bartender at the restaurant, and best friend, Vahin, is also completely awesome and such a good and loyal friend to Steven. I will absolutely be reading his book, Vodka & Handcuffs, very soon. Ryan’s best friend, and Steven’s nephew, Topher, has a couple of wonderful moments in the story. And, of course, there is plenty of Mandonna, who I fell in love with in Witt’s Under a Sky of Ash, and Ariel Merman, whose story is told in the third book in the series.
I’m so glad I picked this one up. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to fall more in love with the rest of the folks at Mary’s when I go back and read the other books. I was sad when I learned this was the final one! I’m sure it was tough for the author to say goodbye to this crew. Maybe we’ll end up seeing more of them in the future. 😉 I sure hope so!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
September 27, 2017
Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
I so loved reviewing this series. Each book has offered such different stories that pull at different heart strings. As far as page length, this story is the shortest and I worried about that at first. I knew Deeds & Confetti would be the last book of the series and I worried the ending would feel rushed. However, the length felt perfect for me. Not to say I wouldn't love more of these two characters, or any of the previous main characters because the author wrote them in a way that it's impossible not to want to keep reading about any of them. In the end, though, there is a complete story; one that had me crying happy and sad tears.
In the previous Mary's Boys books, Steven has been on the sidelines as a good friend or a past friend with benefits. I liked him for the care he displayed but I didn't feel like I knew him. He was much more complex than I thought, and in getting to know him, I began to love him and his sister Pat a lot. They formed a strong bond when Pat helped take care of him after his mother passed and his father pushed his expectations of what he thought Steven should be. And though Steven did cater to some of those expectations, his heart wasn't in it and that was when he decided to open his location of Hamburger Mary's.
Ryan knew Steven from years before as his best friend's uncle. Ryan has held an attraction for Steven for a long time, but it was one sided, since Ryan really was too young for Steven to notice. When they meet again, Steven doesn't remember his nephew's friend. There is an age difference between them, and I really enjoy the May/December trope so I was excited when the truth was revealed. There is the question of should I or shouldn't I on Steven's part and I really like when characters defy convention and let their heart lead the way. There is great chemistry between them and their lives are similar after Ryan left his successful career to plan parties which is something he could put his heart into.
Between dating a younger man, his disapproving father's death, and financial concerns leave Steven questioning what his life has become in this book. Ryan, Pat, and the whole Hamburger Mary's family have plans to let him know how important he is to them. Oh, my heart. I could really feel the joy and pain in this book and an overwhelming sense of love between everyone and before I knew it my eyes were leaking. But in such a good way. When a book allows me to feel for and with the characters so strongly, I absolutely love it. I would definitely recommend this book and the whole series.
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
I so loved reviewing this series. Each book has offered such different stories that pull at different heart strings. As far as page length, this story is the shortest and I worried about that at first. I knew Deeds & Confetti would be the last book of the series and I worried the ending would feel rushed. However, the length felt perfect for me. Not to say I wouldn't love more of these two characters, or any of the previous main characters because the author wrote them in a way that it's impossible not to want to keep reading about any of them. In the end, though, there is a complete story; one that had me crying happy and sad tears.
In the previous Mary's Boys books, Steven has been on the sidelines as a good friend or a past friend with benefits. I liked him for the care he displayed but I didn't feel like I knew him. He was much more complex than I thought, and in getting to know him, I began to love him and his sister Pat a lot. They formed a strong bond when Pat helped take care of him after his mother passed and his father pushed his expectations of what he thought Steven should be. And though Steven did cater to some of those expectations, his heart wasn't in it and that was when he decided to open his location of Hamburger Mary's.
Ryan knew Steven from years before as his best friend's uncle. Ryan has held an attraction for Steven for a long time, but it was one sided, since Ryan really was too young for Steven to notice. When they meet again, Steven doesn't remember his nephew's friend. There is an age difference between them, and I really enjoy the May/December trope so I was excited when the truth was revealed. There is the question of should I or shouldn't I on Steven's part and I really like when characters defy convention and let their heart lead the way. There is great chemistry between them and their lives are similar after Ryan left his successful career to plan parties which is something he could put his heart into.
Between dating a younger man, his disapproving father's death, and financial concerns leave Steven questioning what his life has become in this book. Ryan, Pat, and the whole Hamburger Mary's family have plans to let him know how important he is to them. Oh, my heart. I could really feel the joy and pain in this book and an overwhelming sense of love between everyone and before I knew it my eyes were leaking. But in such a good way. When a book allows me to feel for and with the characters so strongly, I absolutely love it. I would definitely recommend this book and the whole series.
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
September 23, 2017
DEEDS and CONFETTI, a Mary’s Boys Novella
Brendon Witt has saved the best for last!
When Steven Conley found that he was no longer content with the empty accoutrements of a successful career and in his searched for a happier life, he gave in to a mid-life crisis and purchased the local Hamburger Mary’s restaurant. Steven hired a staff as eclectic as the décor. No wall is plain white and gilded frames surround homoerotic art. Filled with highly brash and entertaining drag queens, guests love the hamburgers, nachos, and beer. Steven’s entrepreneurial choice comes with a price, he liquidates his 401K and sells his beautiful Cherry Creek mini mansion to relocate the restaurant and upgrade the premises. Still in the startup stage Steven is consumed by the seemingly unending bills, bills, bills, and now second guessing himself, perhaps he should go back into a corporate role. Owning a restaurant means worrying about Yelp Reviews and the possibility of an impending disaster. At a time when he is most tenuous he receives a summons to his dying father’s bedside perhaps for a reconciliation, an acceptance? The outcome makes Steven question even further his decisions and to re-think his life.
Meeting Ryan Fuller, the gorgeous young man from the mortuary was at first the perfect pairing of attraction, heat, and lust until it turns out that there is a long-term family connection. Steven overthinks and despite his attraction shoves Ryan away. Luckily his employees are attuned and refuse to allow Steven to wallow in his unending case of the sads.
The reader walks gingerly with Steven as he confronts his anxieties, is he really wasting his life? Does he deserve the young man he desires? As always, Brandon Witt punctuates his stories with humor, spontaneity, witty asides , and lust.
In DEEDS and CONFETTI, we again glimpse into the lives of ‘the Boys’; irrepressible ManDonna and Hershel, beautiful Zachary and Teegan, Darwin and Cody, Vahin and Marlon, and even Ben and Isaiah.
As readers, we have walked with the charming and earnest staff members and we will all offer a final good bye to let Steven realize he has created exactly what he was supposed to and he is immensely valued by his ‘family’. A warning though, like the best good byes, read with tissues at hand.
I was grateful to read the ACR copy of DEEDS and CONFETTI
Brendon Witt has saved the best for last!
When Steven Conley found that he was no longer content with the empty accoutrements of a successful career and in his searched for a happier life, he gave in to a mid-life crisis and purchased the local Hamburger Mary’s restaurant. Steven hired a staff as eclectic as the décor. No wall is plain white and gilded frames surround homoerotic art. Filled with highly brash and entertaining drag queens, guests love the hamburgers, nachos, and beer. Steven’s entrepreneurial choice comes with a price, he liquidates his 401K and sells his beautiful Cherry Creek mini mansion to relocate the restaurant and upgrade the premises. Still in the startup stage Steven is consumed by the seemingly unending bills, bills, bills, and now second guessing himself, perhaps he should go back into a corporate role. Owning a restaurant means worrying about Yelp Reviews and the possibility of an impending disaster. At a time when he is most tenuous he receives a summons to his dying father’s bedside perhaps for a reconciliation, an acceptance? The outcome makes Steven question even further his decisions and to re-think his life.
Meeting Ryan Fuller, the gorgeous young man from the mortuary was at first the perfect pairing of attraction, heat, and lust until it turns out that there is a long-term family connection. Steven overthinks and despite his attraction shoves Ryan away. Luckily his employees are attuned and refuse to allow Steven to wallow in his unending case of the sads.
The reader walks gingerly with Steven as he confronts his anxieties, is he really wasting his life? Does he deserve the young man he desires? As always, Brandon Witt punctuates his stories with humor, spontaneity, witty asides , and lust.
In DEEDS and CONFETTI, we again glimpse into the lives of ‘the Boys’; irrepressible ManDonna and Hershel, beautiful Zachary and Teegan, Darwin and Cody, Vahin and Marlon, and even Ben and Isaiah.
As readers, we have walked with the charming and earnest staff members and we will all offer a final good bye to let Steven realize he has created exactly what he was supposed to and he is immensely valued by his ‘family’. A warning though, like the best good byes, read with tissues at hand.
I was grateful to read the ACR copy of DEEDS and CONFETTI
November 5, 2017
Review can be read at It's About The Book
Oh, I’m sad. This was the final book in the Mary’s series and I don’t want it to end. I ADORED this series. I think I’m going to have to go back and re-read it already. This is a series where I became invested in each and every character and I wanted to be part of their world. I wanted to walk into Mary’s and see Vahin behind the bar and Cody serving. I wanted to see ManDonna perform with Ariel Merman and have them heckle the audience. The atmosphere was great and I loved it. Steven created that safe environment/atmosphere.
Steven in this book surprised me. He was more melancholy than I would have thought. It was kind of a downer and made me think I was reading about a different character. Maybe if we had gotten a hint of what the real Steven was like I wouldn’t have been so shocked when I finally got to his book.
Ryan was young and fun. He seemed to know what he wanted and went after it (even if that was Steven). He gave him space, but then grabbed on and held on for the ride when he needed to. I think Steven needed someone like Ryan in his life.
I do think this should have been longer, because I didn’t get a good sense of character development in this one. Ryan and Steven really weren’t fleshed out like they should have been and I wanted to get to know them more, especially Ryan. Then there was the lack of SOMETHING. I was kind of bored while reading this. I wanted/needed something to happen. There was the age thing that came into play (there’s 18 years between the two), but other than that nothing else. Is it bad that I needed more conflict?
Two words: Christmas party!
The closest Mary’s to me is in Kansas City and this series made me want to get in my car and drive the 4 hours to get there. I miss Mary’s both the real bar/restaurant and this fictional one.
Overall, this was a good addition to the series, but I think I would have liked to have had an epilogue that told me how the rest of the crew was doing.
Oh, I’m sad. This was the final book in the Mary’s series and I don’t want it to end. I ADORED this series. I think I’m going to have to go back and re-read it already. This is a series where I became invested in each and every character and I wanted to be part of their world. I wanted to walk into Mary’s and see Vahin behind the bar and Cody serving. I wanted to see ManDonna perform with Ariel Merman and have them heckle the audience. The atmosphere was great and I loved it. Steven created that safe environment/atmosphere.
Steven in this book surprised me. He was more melancholy than I would have thought. It was kind of a downer and made me think I was reading about a different character. Maybe if we had gotten a hint of what the real Steven was like I wouldn’t have been so shocked when I finally got to his book.
Ryan was young and fun. He seemed to know what he wanted and went after it (even if that was Steven). He gave him space, but then grabbed on and held on for the ride when he needed to. I think Steven needed someone like Ryan in his life.
I do think this should have been longer, because I didn’t get a good sense of character development in this one. Ryan and Steven really weren’t fleshed out like they should have been and I wanted to get to know them more, especially Ryan. Then there was the lack of SOMETHING. I was kind of bored while reading this. I wanted/needed something to happen. There was the age thing that came into play (there’s 18 years between the two), but other than that nothing else. Is it bad that I needed more conflict?
Two words: Christmas party!
The closest Mary’s to me is in Kansas City and this series made me want to get in my car and drive the 4 hours to get there. I miss Mary’s both the real bar/restaurant and this fictional one.
Overall, this was a good addition to the series, but I think I would have liked to have had an epilogue that told me how the rest of the crew was doing.
November 9, 2017
Originally posted over at JLR: https://justlovereviews.com/2017/11/0...
3.5 stars
Deeds & Confetti was hard to review for me. It doesn’t have a bad plot nor was it badly written but it wasn’t my thing so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I think other people would. Part of the reason why I couldn’t get into this book was that there was a lot of sex. A lot of people really enjoy that but it’s not for me. However, the two characters had a lot of chemistry and the build-up to the sex was great. I liked these two together and Witt made their pairing believable despite their obstacles.
Ryan is Stephen’s nephew’s age and his best friend to boot. Ryan was the one crushing on Stephen when he was younger and so this was more of a teenage fantasy come to life thing than an older man creeping on someone he watched grow up thing. This is important to me because I’m not into any trope where someone in a position of power is the aggressor and pursuing a relationship unless the author makes it super clear that the attraction is mutual.
This book realistically deals with the age gap between the characters as well as some common family drama. Stephen went against his family’s wishes and became a restaurateur while Ryan became an event planner instead of an artist. That might not be very realistic, but this didn’t matter to me because of Witt’s great writing style. However, sadly I think the MC’s businesses were more interesting than their personalities.
I wish the characters had a more in-depth development, and even though we got more development for Stephen, most of his story was tied up in self-hate because of his dad. I also didn’t really connect with the other characters at Hamburger Mary’s but, to be fair, I think that may be because I didn’t read the rest of the series.
If you enjoyed the rest of the series, I think you will want to finish it. I might have some issues and reservations about it but it’s not a bad book and if you’re looking for a sexy romance with a well-done age gap relationship, you should check this out.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
3.5 stars
Deeds & Confetti was hard to review for me. It doesn’t have a bad plot nor was it badly written but it wasn’t my thing so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I think other people would. Part of the reason why I couldn’t get into this book was that there was a lot of sex. A lot of people really enjoy that but it’s not for me. However, the two characters had a lot of chemistry and the build-up to the sex was great. I liked these two together and Witt made their pairing believable despite their obstacles.
Ryan is Stephen’s nephew’s age and his best friend to boot. Ryan was the one crushing on Stephen when he was younger and so this was more of a teenage fantasy come to life thing than an older man creeping on someone he watched grow up thing. This is important to me because I’m not into any trope where someone in a position of power is the aggressor and pursuing a relationship unless the author makes it super clear that the attraction is mutual.
This book realistically deals with the age gap between the characters as well as some common family drama. Stephen went against his family’s wishes and became a restaurateur while Ryan became an event planner instead of an artist. That might not be very realistic, but this didn’t matter to me because of Witt’s great writing style. However, sadly I think the MC’s businesses were more interesting than their personalities.
I wish the characters had a more in-depth development, and even though we got more development for Stephen, most of his story was tied up in self-hate because of his dad. I also didn’t really connect with the other characters at Hamburger Mary’s but, to be fair, I think that may be because I didn’t read the rest of the series.
If you enjoyed the rest of the series, I think you will want to finish it. I might have some issues and reservations about it but it’s not a bad book and if you’re looking for a sexy romance with a well-done age gap relationship, you should check this out.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 26, 2017
Oh, I’m sad. This was the final book in the Mary’s series and I don’t want it to end. I ADORED this series. I think I’m going to have to go back and re-read it already. This is a series where I became invested in each and every character and I wanted to be part of their world. I wanted to walk into Mary’s and see Vahin behind the bar and Cody serving. I wanted to see ManDonna perform with Ariel Merman and have them heckle the audience. The atmosphere was great and I loved it. Steven created that safe environment/atmosphere.
Steven in this book surprised me. He was more melancholy than I would have thought. It was kind of a downer and made me think I was reading about a different character. Maybe if we had gotten a hint of what the real Steven was like I wouldn’t have been so shocked when I finally got to his book.
Ryan was young and fun. He seemed to know what he wanted and went after it (even if that was Steven). He gave him space, but then grabbed on and held on for the ride when he needed to. I think Steven needed someone like Ryan in his life.
I do think this should have been longer, because I didn’t get a good sense of character development in this one. Ryan and Steven really weren’t fleshed out like they should have been and I wanted to get to know them more, especially Ryan. Then there was the lack of SOMETHING. I was kind of bored while reading this. I wanted/needed something to happen. There was the age thing that came into play (there’s 18 years between the two), but other than that nothing else. Is it bad that I needed more conflict?
Two words: Christmas party!
The closest Mary’s to me is in Kansas City and this series made me want to get in my car and drive the 4 hours to get there. I miss Mary’s both the real bar/restaurant and this fictional one. (Since reading this and writing this review, I've found out Mary's is coming BACK to STL!!!!!)
Overall, this was a good addition to the series, but I think I would have liked to have had an epilogue that told me how the rest of the crew was doing.
Steven in this book surprised me. He was more melancholy than I would have thought. It was kind of a downer and made me think I was reading about a different character. Maybe if we had gotten a hint of what the real Steven was like I wouldn’t have been so shocked when I finally got to his book.
Ryan was young and fun. He seemed to know what he wanted and went after it (even if that was Steven). He gave him space, but then grabbed on and held on for the ride when he needed to. I think Steven needed someone like Ryan in his life.
I do think this should have been longer, because I didn’t get a good sense of character development in this one. Ryan and Steven really weren’t fleshed out like they should have been and I wanted to get to know them more, especially Ryan. Then there was the lack of SOMETHING. I was kind of bored while reading this. I wanted/needed something to happen. There was the age thing that came into play (there’s 18 years between the two), but other than that nothing else. Is it bad that I needed more conflict?
Two words: Christmas party!
The closest Mary’s to me is in Kansas City and this series made me want to get in my car and drive the 4 hours to get there. I miss Mary’s both the real bar/restaurant and this fictional one. (Since reading this and writing this review, I've found out Mary's is coming BACK to STL!!!!!)
Overall, this was a good addition to the series, but I think I would have liked to have had an epilogue that told me how the rest of the crew was doing.
September 23, 2017
Steven's father had just passed away. He and his father did not get along and the passing was bitter. Steven was also having second that's about his restaurant Hamburger Mary's as its so far in the red he doesn't see any way out. He is sad and alone and his usual hookups don't sound appealing just empty. At his father's viewing, he runs into a pretty young mortician and they get together and Steven finds himself with more confused feelings.
Ever since Ryan was a teenager he has had a thing for Steven, his best friend's uncle.He never dreamed his fantasy would come true but one night he runs into Steven at the funeral home he is moonlighting in and they have sex. Ryan thinks it's a one-off but is surprised when Steven shows back up for more.
Deeds and Confetti is the fourth book in the series. All of the books were good but each got better and better. They are character-driven stories with lots of fun, crazy and sexy characters. There is a little story tying each man together and of course some hot man-sex. In this one, Steven the owner of Hamburger Mary's gets his own story.I will admit I was waiting for this one myself. I love May-December romance. We also get to see more Vahin and of course ManDonna as well. There were a few sad moments and this story had a lot more angst than the others, but Mandonna and Vahin added the comedy to lighten it up. The scene at the end brought tears and was also a very good ending as well.
If you like May/December romance with lots of years in between, Quirky characters, a sexy romance and of course hot man-sex this is for you.
Ever since Ryan was a teenager he has had a thing for Steven, his best friend's uncle.He never dreamed his fantasy would come true but one night he runs into Steven at the funeral home he is moonlighting in and they have sex. Ryan thinks it's a one-off but is surprised when Steven shows back up for more.
Deeds and Confetti is the fourth book in the series. All of the books were good but each got better and better. They are character-driven stories with lots of fun, crazy and sexy characters. There is a little story tying each man together and of course some hot man-sex. In this one, Steven the owner of Hamburger Mary's gets his own story.I will admit I was waiting for this one myself. I love May-December romance. We also get to see more Vahin and of course ManDonna as well. There were a few sad moments and this story had a lot more angst than the others, but Mandonna and Vahin added the comedy to lighten it up. The scene at the end brought tears and was also a very good ending as well.
If you like May/December romance with lots of years in between, Quirky characters, a sexy romance and of course hot man-sex this is for you.
July 5, 2020
i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the fourth book in the Mary's Boys series. In this book. Stephen gets his story. Stephen's father recently died and when he goes to the funeral home, he notices a handsome young man staring at him. Ryan works at the funeral home in addition to having his own party event planning company. Ryan is best friends with Stephen's nephew and always had a crush on Stephen. When Ryan has the chance to be with Stephen after the wake, he takes it, even if he knows Stephen doesn't know who he is. Stephen is still attracted to Ryan and when he asks him to go home with him again, Ryan agrees. They have an amazing connection and both Ryan and Stephen think it is possible to develop more. But Stephen changes his mind when he learns who Ryan is and how much younger he is. Ryan still wants to be with Stephen, but Stephen doesn't think he can be with Ryan because he is worried about the age difference. Ryan challenges Stephen to go out with him and see if their connection is real and if they can be together and be happy, or if it was just one night and can't last. Stephen is also questioning his decision to buy Hamburger Mary's and retire from a successful career in finance. I really loved this book. I really felt bad for Stephen at times and Ryan at others. Stephen's story with his father was heartbreaking. I think Stephen was so loved by his friends, he never thought he mattered. I think Ryan and Stephen were great together. Another great one, and i great way to end this series.
June 3, 2019
This is a very sweet story, and I liked both MCs.
What I especially liked:
~Steven -- his insecurities seemed so realistic, and I liked the depth of character Witt brought, even in this fairly short tale.
~Pat -- she's awesome! :)
~Steven's friends and supporters -- I loved how completely on board everyone was with Steven; their support never wavered.
What was mostly good:
~the romance -- it's not that I don't believe that a strong connection can be made in such a short time, but I do find myself skeptical that a long-term relationship will necessarily come from such a short 'courtship' (for lack of a better word); still, their relationship was very sweet
~the age difference -- 19 years is kind of a lot, and it made it worse (to me) that Ryan was Topher's bff...but without that aspect, the age difference didn't actually bother me at all
And one thing kind of gave me pause -- Steven kept doubting his restaurant and his choices through his inner dialogue (which was one of the main points of the story), but Also, I would've liked to get to know a bit more about Mandonna...he seemed a little bit like a caricature to me.
So all in all, a solid 4 stars, even with a couple of minor nits.
What I especially liked:
~Steven -- his insecurities seemed so realistic, and I liked the depth of character Witt brought, even in this fairly short tale.
~Pat -- she's awesome! :)
~Steven's friends and supporters -- I loved how completely on board everyone was with Steven; their support never wavered.
What was mostly good:
~the romance -- it's not that I don't believe that a strong connection can be made in such a short time, but I do find myself skeptical that a long-term relationship will necessarily come from such a short 'courtship' (for lack of a better word); still, their relationship was very sweet
~the age difference -- 19 years is kind of a lot, and it made it worse (to me) that Ryan was Topher's bff...but without that aspect, the age difference didn't actually bother me at all
And one thing kind of gave me pause -- Steven kept doubting his restaurant and his choices through his inner dialogue (which was one of the main points of the story), but Also, I would've liked to get to know a bit more about Mandonna...he seemed a little bit like a caricature to me.
So all in all, a solid 4 stars, even with a couple of minor nits.
September 27, 2017
This is the perfect ending to a great series. It is a novella so you will read it fairly quickly but that is not the only reason. The writing style has such a flair to it that I flew through the pages. I loved the humor. It had me laughing out loud. And yet, there are serious moments.
Steven, the owner of Hamburger Mary’s, has seen his boys fall in love and find the right man. He is happy but never thought he would find the one for him. Until Ryan, his nephew’s best friend steps up to the plate and finally acts on his long-life crush. Understandably, Steven has doubts about the nearly twenty-year age gap but he feels this is the real deal. And he shouldn’t feel insecure because their attraction is palpable. Young or old, Ryan and Steven are meant to be together. Steven and Ryan were very lovable characters but not as fleshed out as I would have liked.
I loved their makeshift family. Those boys are over the top but oh so loving. And don’t get me started on the Christmas party. I was tearing up with so many emotions.
Brandon Witt has written a wonderful book and a great series all dealing with different aspects of the LGBTQ+ community.
This is the fourth and sadly the last book in the series Mary’s Boys. It can be read as a standalone but if you want to meet all those fabulous boys you should read all the books. They are delightful.
Steven, the owner of Hamburger Mary’s, has seen his boys fall in love and find the right man. He is happy but never thought he would find the one for him. Until Ryan, his nephew’s best friend steps up to the plate and finally acts on his long-life crush. Understandably, Steven has doubts about the nearly twenty-year age gap but he feels this is the real deal. And he shouldn’t feel insecure because their attraction is palpable. Young or old, Ryan and Steven are meant to be together. Steven and Ryan were very lovable characters but not as fleshed out as I would have liked.
I loved their makeshift family. Those boys are over the top but oh so loving. And don’t get me started on the Christmas party. I was tearing up with so many emotions.
Brandon Witt has written a wonderful book and a great series all dealing with different aspects of the LGBTQ+ community.
This is the fourth and sadly the last book in the series Mary’s Boys. It can be read as a standalone but if you want to meet all those fabulous boys you should read all the books. They are delightful.
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