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Mystic Man
When a series of personal crises prompt risk-averse research librarian Aaron Templeton to apply for a job on the other side of the country, nobody is more surprised than he is. He nearly runs home before the final interview except for one little he has no home anymore. He put his condo on the market before he left California and it’s already sold. Only an encounter with free-spirited Connecticut native Cody Brown at the Mystic Seaport Museum staves off Aaron’s incipient panic attack.
Cody loves nothing better than introducing newcomers to the great features of his beloved home state, and when the newbie in question is a rumpled professorial type with the saddest blue eyes on the planet? Score! The attraction between the two men deepens as they explore Cody’s favorite spots, but when difficulties arise and Aaron’s insecurities threaten to overwhelm him, will Cody’s love be enough to keep him in Mystic?
States of Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.
Cody loves nothing better than introducing newcomers to the great features of his beloved home state, and when the newbie in question is a rumpled professorial type with the saddest blue eyes on the planet? Score! The attraction between the two men deepens as they explore Cody’s favorite spots, but when difficulties arise and Aaron’s insecurities threaten to overwhelm him, will Cody’s love be enough to keep him in Mystic?
States of Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2018
23 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Russell
54 books420 followersE.J. Russell –grace, mother of three, recovering actor–writes romance in a rainbow of flavors. Count on high snark, low angst and happy endings.
Reality? Eh, not so much.
Reality? Eh, not so much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 23, 2018
Cody is a Mystic Seaport native and volunteers throughout the year .... when he isn't sailing around the world or solo backpacking in Peru. Cody has a great family, but he's always traveling in search of something:
My rating is 4 strong stars for "Mystic Man." It's a great, fun read with interesting characters, a great setting and a sweet romance.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
... it made him want, as if his family, his beloved home, his life, was somehow missing a piece—although he had no idea what that piece might be. That’s why he took off on some kind of adventure every winter.Aaron, on the other hand, grew up in an extremely unstable home and stability and routine is everything to him:
Your family life is very different from mine.”When these two dissimilar men meet, only because Aaron has very uncharacteristically uprooted his entire life in California and headed to Connecticut, there's a recognition that perhaps they are exactly what each other needs. The romance is slow and sweet, filled with picnics lunches, sightseeing, swimming in the Sound, and a sizzling sexual chemistry (although not explicitly detailed on the page). Also, the Mystic Seaport area is richly detailed in the course of the book, while I especially enjoy when reading the "State of Love" series.
“I think that’s true for everybody. I mean what two families are the same?”
“Yes, but I’m talking about the atmosphere, the support, the security. As a kid, were you ever afraid that when you got home from school, you wouldn’t have a home anymore?”
My rating is 4 strong stars for "Mystic Man." It's a great, fun read with interesting characters, a great setting and a sweet romance.
This. Him. Cody tightened his arms around Aaron, blood heating as the kiss deepened. He’s my safe harbor.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
June 22, 2018
I enjoy reading Dreamspinner Press’
States of Love
series because they often take me to places across America without having to leave the comfort of my bedroom *laugh*.
I think E.J. Russell did a GREAT job with this novella, she took me to Connecticut and I could really IMAGINE being there. I could put myself on Aaron’s shoes – new transplant in that manageable state – while Cody took Aaron with sightseeing tour. I want so badly to be there, so that is thumbs up to the author.
Now, Aaron and Cody … I was very much into their relationship as well. First of all, they are opposites attract, and I think the author also did it so well.
Aaron doesn’t have a lot of security when he is growing up, so for him he needs it as an adult. Aaron craves security and safety, he doesn’t like to take a leap of faith. While Cody grows up with tight-knit family, he never has to worry about losing his house, but he has developed a sense of restlessness, itchy feet that makes him commitment avoidant. Cody travels every winter, he postpones of having permanent job, and he still lives at his sister’s attic.
But the opposites attract WORKS … Cody helps Aaron to take chances, and Aaron gives Cody a reason to stay. I loved how they connect over museums, eating lobsters (first time for Aaron), trekking, and talk about history. Oh, and I also love that even if there are eleven years between them, the age-gap has never become an issue that keeps them from being together.
I wish the story lasts a little bit longer, probably because I am not ready to say goodbye to Hartford and the charm of Mystic River, Connecticut.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I think E.J. Russell did a GREAT job with this novella, she took me to Connecticut and I could really IMAGINE being there. I could put myself on Aaron’s shoes – new transplant in that manageable state – while Cody took Aaron with sightseeing tour. I want so badly to be there, so that is thumbs up to the author.
Now, Aaron and Cody … I was very much into their relationship as well. First of all, they are opposites attract, and I think the author also did it so well.
Aaron doesn’t have a lot of security when he is growing up, so for him he needs it as an adult. Aaron craves security and safety, he doesn’t like to take a leap of faith. While Cody grows up with tight-knit family, he never has to worry about losing his house, but he has developed a sense of restlessness, itchy feet that makes him commitment avoidant. Cody travels every winter, he postpones of having permanent job, and he still lives at his sister’s attic.
But the opposites attract WORKS … Cody helps Aaron to take chances, and Aaron gives Cody a reason to stay. I loved how they connect over museums, eating lobsters (first time for Aaron), trekking, and talk about history. Oh, and I also love that even if there are eleven years between them, the age-gap has never become an issue that keeps them from being together.
I wish the story lasts a little bit longer, probably because I am not ready to say goodbye to Hartford and the charm of Mystic River, Connecticut.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
July 6, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
Mystic Man by E.J. Russell was a bit of a mixed bag for me. While I enjoyed the two main characters, particularly Cody, I had some real concerns with the all too easy and rather abrupt ending, plus what felt like a deliberate avoidance of any real discussion or resolution of Aaron’s many triggers that resulted in his fairly crippling panic attacks. It was obvious in the way in which Aaron’s character was written that he had huge abandonment issues and a predilection toward viewing many situations, even those from the past, with a rather dower, gloom and doom approach. His penchant for dwelling on the negative certainly gave any relationship he might have desired a very small chance of survival. Yet, in just a few weeks, he seemed to not only overcome the very things that drove him away from Cody, but fully embrace a more positive and brighter outlook on life, in general. For someone who was so weighed down by his past and his dark, negative thoughts, this complete personality reversal just didn’t ring true at all.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
Mystic Man by E.J. Russell was a bit of a mixed bag for me. While I enjoyed the two main characters, particularly Cody, I had some real concerns with the all too easy and rather abrupt ending, plus what felt like a deliberate avoidance of any real discussion or resolution of Aaron’s many triggers that resulted in his fairly crippling panic attacks. It was obvious in the way in which Aaron’s character was written that he had huge abandonment issues and a predilection toward viewing many situations, even those from the past, with a rather dower, gloom and doom approach. His penchant for dwelling on the negative certainly gave any relationship he might have desired a very small chance of survival. Yet, in just a few weeks, he seemed to not only overcome the very things that drove him away from Cody, but fully embrace a more positive and brighter outlook on life, in general. For someone who was so weighed down by his past and his dark, negative thoughts, this complete personality reversal just didn’t ring true at all.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
June 23, 2018
Despite all commonsense telling him otherwise, Aaron Templeton is going to finally do something daring. He quit his job, sold his home, and moved across country to Connecticut…with only the prospect of a job waiting for him on the other end. Not even a guaranteed job either. It is the one time in his life he has ever been spontaneous and he is embracing it with all the fervor of someone who just realized what a monumental mistake they just made. With no safety net to catch him, Aaron has no clue how swift the fall, or how painful the drop is going to be once he lands down on the east coast. Though maybe his chance encounter with Cody Brown, Mystic Seaport Museum tour-guide and all-around free-spirit, might just cushion the blow.
I haven’t read a whole lot of the stories from this series. I’ve picked up a few from authors I already love, but haven’t gone out of my way to read every one that has come out. I mostly just decided to read this one because I had an empty slot in the calendar and it was short enough that I figured, why not?
And while I can’t say I was horribly disappointed with what I got, I have to admit that this was very much a middle of the road story. The characters were decently well written, if a bit bland, and I found enough of the scenes to engaging in some way or the other. I just couldn’t fight the feeling that there wasn’t a whole lot going on in this book. Aaron traveled cross country to interview for this teaching/librarian position…and yet it doesn’t really feature much in the story. It was more of a catalyst than anything else. Which is fine, but all the panic and uncertainty seemed to take a backseat to the relationship to a degree that it felt a bit undeveloped–leading to a fight that felt wildly out of proportion to Aaron’s reactions for a majority of the story previous to that point. The fight was very much a “oh god, we need a climax…um…um….FIGHT!” scene, which I am not too fond of. The anger and panic seemed to come out of nowhere, even when I knew exactly where they were coming from. A lot of the story up to that point didn’t really lend itself to that big of a reaction, so it felt a bit forced.
Also…the dialogue was very 50/50 here. Sometimes it was fine and worked well, but then other times it felt incredibly out of place and lacked a sense of reality that the rest of the story had. Part of this can be attributed to the kid in this story–Cody’s niece–being a bit too precocious for my tastes. She didn’t work for me, so the scenes with her in them didn’t work for several reasons, actually. But also Aaron and Cody can sometimes get a bit too over the top when talking about things, and it tended to kick me out of the story.
There wasn’t a whole lot here to keep my attention. I can’t say it was bad, but it had the bad luck to come right after a story I really loved, so the lack of anything to really grab me and hold me to my kindle definitely hurt this story. This story doesn’t have many things that will turn readers off, but I can’t say it is going to compel a lot of rereads either. Pick it up if you are a States of Love completionist, or enjoy random factiods about Connecticut.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I haven’t read a whole lot of the stories from this series. I’ve picked up a few from authors I already love, but haven’t gone out of my way to read every one that has come out. I mostly just decided to read this one because I had an empty slot in the calendar and it was short enough that I figured, why not?
And while I can’t say I was horribly disappointed with what I got, I have to admit that this was very much a middle of the road story. The characters were decently well written, if a bit bland, and I found enough of the scenes to engaging in some way or the other. I just couldn’t fight the feeling that there wasn’t a whole lot going on in this book. Aaron traveled cross country to interview for this teaching/librarian position…and yet it doesn’t really feature much in the story. It was more of a catalyst than anything else. Which is fine, but all the panic and uncertainty seemed to take a backseat to the relationship to a degree that it felt a bit undeveloped–leading to a fight that felt wildly out of proportion to Aaron’s reactions for a majority of the story previous to that point. The fight was very much a “oh god, we need a climax…um…um….FIGHT!” scene, which I am not too fond of. The anger and panic seemed to come out of nowhere, even when I knew exactly where they were coming from. A lot of the story up to that point didn’t really lend itself to that big of a reaction, so it felt a bit forced.
Also…the dialogue was very 50/50 here. Sometimes it was fine and worked well, but then other times it felt incredibly out of place and lacked a sense of reality that the rest of the story had. Part of this can be attributed to the kid in this story–Cody’s niece–being a bit too precocious for my tastes. She didn’t work for me, so the scenes with her in them didn’t work for several reasons, actually. But also Aaron and Cody can sometimes get a bit too over the top when talking about things, and it tended to kick me out of the story.
There wasn’t a whole lot here to keep my attention. I can’t say it was bad, but it had the bad luck to come right after a story I really loved, so the lack of anything to really grab me and hold me to my kindle definitely hurt this story. This story doesn’t have many things that will turn readers off, but I can’t say it is going to compel a lot of rereads either. Pick it up if you are a States of Love completionist, or enjoy random factiods about Connecticut.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
February 7, 2020
*Received A Copy To Review From The Author*
Really sweet and cute story about coming out of your shell, putting your feet down, and falling in love. Super cute romance with enough angst and conflict to be interesting and enough sweetness to make you sick. I think I liked Cody a smidgen more than Aaron, but then I probably understand Aaron's way of being more. I like that they both enlighten the other to the different joys of life. Cody's niece was a cute kid, and I liked his family.
Really sweet and cute story about coming out of your shell, putting your feet down, and falling in love. Super cute romance with enough angst and conflict to be interesting and enough sweetness to make you sick. I think I liked Cody a smidgen more than Aaron, but then I probably understand Aaron's way of being more. I like that they both enlighten the other to the different joys of life. Cody's niece was a cute kid, and I liked his family.
July 31, 2018
Could a free spirit who travels the world on his own really be prepared to settle down with a guy afraid of everything? I have my doubts this could work in the long term. But ...
Aaron on a whim applies for a job on the other side of the country, sells his condo and moves, then has a panic attack wondering what the hell he did. Cody manages to distract him with a local tour and he improves. He and Cody hang out a bit and he starts to think that maybe it will be okay, until he doesn't get the job, then he freaks out and runs leaving Cody heart-broken.
My biggest complaint here is not the opposites issue I pointed out, but Cody's sister. I presumed she was a single mother at first when she is whining that Cody won't be there for the birth of the baby, that he wasn't there for her first and her daughter is going to miss him and how unfair he's being traveling when she wants him home. Ummmm. Excuse me? You are an adult with fully grown husband and parents. He's not your second husband. Why on earth would you want to hold back someone for your own selfish needs. He's not a babysitter and he's not obliged to be with you. Can you tell this is a bug-a-boo of mine? You are an adult with your own life, as is he. To want to pressure him to give up his life to cater to your whims is just ... ugh. Grow up woman. His purpose is not to support you by living in your pocket. I think as someone VERY independent, that kind of clingy family behaviour just makes me nuts. Whew, rant ended.
I also through Aaron kind of coming back and not having told Cody anything about his plans was rather presumptuous and rude. You just dump the guy and vanish and then "surprise, I'm back" and expect everything to be okay.
Okay, I like this author's work as a rule but there was lots in this one that just rubbed me the wrong way. LOL Nothing personal.
Aaron on a whim applies for a job on the other side of the country, sells his condo and moves, then has a panic attack wondering what the hell he did. Cody manages to distract him with a local tour and he improves. He and Cody hang out a bit and he starts to think that maybe it will be okay, until he doesn't get the job, then he freaks out and runs leaving Cody heart-broken.
My biggest complaint here is not the opposites issue I pointed out, but Cody's sister. I presumed she was a single mother at first when she is whining that Cody won't be there for the birth of the baby, that he wasn't there for her first and her daughter is going to miss him and how unfair he's being traveling when she wants him home. Ummmm. Excuse me? You are an adult with fully grown husband and parents. He's not your second husband. Why on earth would you want to hold back someone for your own selfish needs. He's not a babysitter and he's not obliged to be with you. Can you tell this is a bug-a-boo of mine? You are an adult with your own life, as is he. To want to pressure him to give up his life to cater to your whims is just ... ugh. Grow up woman. His purpose is not to support you by living in your pocket. I think as someone VERY independent, that kind of clingy family behaviour just makes me nuts. Whew, rant ended.
I also through Aaron kind of coming back and not having told Cody anything about his plans was rather presumptuous and rude. You just dump the guy and vanish and then "surprise, I'm back" and expect everything to be okay.
Okay, I like this author's work as a rule but there was lots in this one that just rubbed me the wrong way. LOL Nothing personal.
August 13, 2020
3.5 Stars
I really did enjoy this book and Cody made the story for me. Aaron was a sympathetic character and I wanted the best for him, and the best was Cody, so all of that was great and wrapped up in a pretty bow. Although realistically, it might have been a little too pretty given Aaron's triggers, so probably not the most honest of endings, but, if anybody could make it work it would be Cody. So, Aaron was a very lucky guy all around.
I truly appreciated the setting and how the author made Mystic another character in the book. I've never been, but the way it's described, I would definitely love to make a trip!
I really did enjoy this book and Cody made the story for me. Aaron was a sympathetic character and I wanted the best for him, and the best was Cody, so all of that was great and wrapped up in a pretty bow. Although realistically, it might have been a little too pretty given Aaron's triggers, so probably not the most honest of endings, but, if anybody could make it work it would be Cody. So, Aaron was a very lucky guy all around.
I truly appreciated the setting and how the author made Mystic another character in the book. I've never been, but the way it's described, I would definitely love to make a trip!
February 3, 2020
Aaron made a huge decision, a rash decision, without thinking, he sold his flat, quit his job and took a ticket plane for Connecticut. Just like that, he decides to change radically his life. As soon as he lands in Connecticut, he regrets his choice, that’s when he meets a beautiful young man, Cody.
Cody loves to travel, he refuses to commit with a job desk, he preferred taking his backpack and roam the world. When he meets Aaron, Cody might see a reason to finally stay put in one place, but did Aaron would want it too?
Mystic Man by EJ Russel was a very sweet novella.
Cody and Aaron are different. First, they have a decade that separate them in age, then, Cody is wild while Aaron is cautious. When Cody wants to explore the world without thinking of tomorrow, Aaron rather think and overthink each decision and his future. But in the middle of all their differences, they have the same aspiration, to find an anchor in their life.
I really liked this novella, it was sweet, funny and captivating. The characters were well developed, and I was attached to them from the beginning. I had a sweet moment with them, and I gladly recommend it. It was easy and agreeable to read.
Cody loves to travel, he refuses to commit with a job desk, he preferred taking his backpack and roam the world. When he meets Aaron, Cody might see a reason to finally stay put in one place, but did Aaron would want it too?
Mystic Man by EJ Russel was a very sweet novella.
Cody and Aaron are different. First, they have a decade that separate them in age, then, Cody is wild while Aaron is cautious. When Cody wants to explore the world without thinking of tomorrow, Aaron rather think and overthink each decision and his future. But in the middle of all their differences, they have the same aspiration, to find an anchor in their life.
I really liked this novella, it was sweet, funny and captivating. The characters were well developed, and I was attached to them from the beginning. I had a sweet moment with them, and I gladly recommend it. It was easy and agreeable to read.
November 27, 2025
Pretty damn tempted to DNF at the point where one of the MCs basically has a panic attack about the "fragility of life" . I have to quote his little speech here because it was one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. It's what influencers post with an artful landscape photo to make themselves sound deep. If I actually heard someone talk like this I think I would barf a little. It gives "I'm so deep and cool and think about sad things that other people don't think about. You just wouldn't understand the pain I feel."
"Sometimes it just hits me, you know? The incredible fragility of life. All the people who perished in wars, from disease, and childbirth for God's sake? I'm constantly stunned that humanity has made it this far. Sorry, like I told you, I'm not a very exciting person."
🙄🙄🤢 Gag me with a spoon.
"Sometimes it just hits me, you know? The incredible fragility of life. All the people who perished in wars, from disease, and childbirth for God's sake? I'm constantly stunned that humanity has made it this far. Sorry, like I told you, I'm not a very exciting person."
🙄🙄🤢 Gag me with a spoon.
July 29, 2024
**Audiobook Review**
Emotional rollercoaster ride with this one. Totally an opposite attract romance. An older neurotic educator meets a free spirited younger man. They meet and the chemistry is almost instant. I think this was a little angsty due to Aaron's constant neurotic behavior and Cody constantly talking him off the ledge. The ending what made this a sweet romance and it was nice...very enjoyable. Kirt Graves did a wonderful job as narrator. I love his character voices. Definitely would recommend if you love short sweet with little to no heat emotional romances.
Emotional rollercoaster ride with this one. Totally an opposite attract romance. An older neurotic educator meets a free spirited younger man. They meet and the chemistry is almost instant. I think this was a little angsty due to Aaron's constant neurotic behavior and Cody constantly talking him off the ledge. The ending what made this a sweet romance and it was nice...very enjoyable. Kirt Graves did a wonderful job as narrator. I love his character voices. Definitely would recommend if you love short sweet with little to no heat emotional romances.
August 7, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is very sweet, and almost as much a love story about Connecticut as it is between the MCs. The only thing I didn't like was the constant complaining about, and dismissing of southern California. Granted the OC isn't my favorite part of the state but then I doubt there's much of CT that I'd like either. I really liked how anxiety was handled and that judgment was never placed about it. I won't re-read this, but I'm glad I read it once.
This is very sweet, and almost as much a love story about Connecticut as it is between the MCs. The only thing I didn't like was the constant complaining about, and dismissing of southern California. Granted the OC isn't my favorite part of the state but then I doubt there's much of CT that I'd like either. I really liked how anxiety was handled and that judgment was never placed about it. I won't re-read this, but I'm glad I read it once.
July 16, 2020
I think I must be in the mood for sweet with little to no angst because the last few stories I've read were just that kind and they were a joy to read. Fast, easy, simple but very satisfying.
TAGS
-- sweet -- no angst -- finding love again -- age difference -- opposites attract -- family -- made me smile -- 100 or less pages
TAGS
-- sweet -- no angst -- finding love again -- age difference -- opposites attract -- family -- made me smile -- 100 or less pages
July 13, 2019
I really enjoyed the two guys getting to know each other and visiting interesting places in Connecticut. Even though it's a novella, I thought the characters were fully developed and that I got to know and like them.
February 4, 2020
Sweet heartfelt story
I really enjoyed the story of Aaron and Cody.
It was sweet, fun, and hot.
The way they meet, and their story unfolds was super nice to read. It flowed perfectly, and the connection between them was really sweet to read.
Really enjoyed it
I really enjoyed the story of Aaron and Cody.
It was sweet, fun, and hot.
The way they meet, and their story unfolds was super nice to read. It flowed perfectly, and the connection between them was really sweet to read.
Really enjoyed it
July 27, 2024
Mystic Man is about Cody and Aaron. These two are as opposite as can be but some how they still work. I loved the way the guys grew together. I really appreciate how E.J. Russell told this opposites to lovers story. E.J. Russell is an amazing author and I look forward to her next book. Kirt Graves does a wonderful job of narrating this book. He makes the change in characters seamlessly. I can't wait to listen to the next book he does. I would definitely recommend this book.
July 4, 2025
A quick , cute read. Will be reading more from this author
August 22, 2018
~ 3.5 Stars ~
Connecticut is one of just a handful of states I haven’t been in, and one that I would really love to travel to; in fact, a trip up to the northeastern part of the U.S. during the fall is on my bucket list. So, when I saw that Mystic Man, one of Dreamspinner’s States of Love books, was set in Connecticut, I decided I had to give it a whirl. It was also an opportunity to read something by E.J. Russell, who I hadn’t read previously but have heard good things about, so I snapped it up for a quick weekend read. One of the things I love about this series is that most of them are right around the hundred-page mark, making it easy to transport yourself to another place in just an afternoon.
The book opens with Aaron in the midst of a near panic attack over his impulsive decision to pick up and move to Connecticut after seeing his ex picking out rings with his new boyfriend. At thirty-seven years old, Aaron has never even been out of Southern California. He doesn’t do impulsive. Yet, something inside him was looking for this fresh start on the opposite coast, where the ocean is on the wrong side and even the potato chips are completely foreign to him. Heh. But, as he’s about to head to the airport, to go home to see if he can get his old job back, he notices the quaint looking museum in Mystic Seaport Village and decides he might have time for a quick tour.
Cody, a twenty-six-year-old free-spirited Connecticut native who volunteers as a tour guide at said museum, sees the sad and somewhat lost-looking Aaron and asks him if he needs some help. The scene that unfolds in chapter two is adorable. Cody and Aaron engage in some fun banter that is at times endearingly awkward and at other times is funny and flirty, and Cody takes Aaron on a tour of the Seaport. They both realize there is a little spark of some kind there and decide to hang out again the following day so that Cody can show Aaron around a bit more.
I absolutely adored Cody and for the most part liked Aaron as well. Actually, I liked them both pretty instantly, but Cody’s character remained a bit more consistent whereas Aaron’s wasn’t as solid throughout the story. He had a few over-the-top, sort of out of character moments that were somewhat off-putting, but overall, I did like him. I also loved that Cody took it upon himself to “talk up” Connecticut. He was like a one-man welcoming committee, pulling out all the stops to convince Aaron that Connecticut was the place for him. Very sweet and fun.
The book started out on such a good foot. It was super cute in the beginning, and I found myself smiling my way through the first two chapters, especially. After a short while, however, it started dragging a little in places and got, for lack of a better word, a little…cheesy. I was talking about it to a friend and had a sort of mini epiphany about the issue I was having with it, which was, I wish Russell would have aged the characters about ten years. I think they would have been more realistic as thirty-seven and forty-seven. Some of it just felt a bit…I dunno…stuffy for a character who is supposed to be a twenty-seven-year-old with wanderlust. And, I don’t know any guy in their mid-thirties who would say a line like, “For now, I would really like to make love with you.” But maybe I just haven’t met those guys. I don’t know.
All in all, Mystic Man was a nice story. To me it was a bit flowery, perhaps, and the conflict toward the end felt a bit forced, but I can see a certain demographic of readers really digging it.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
Connecticut is one of just a handful of states I haven’t been in, and one that I would really love to travel to; in fact, a trip up to the northeastern part of the U.S. during the fall is on my bucket list. So, when I saw that Mystic Man, one of Dreamspinner’s States of Love books, was set in Connecticut, I decided I had to give it a whirl. It was also an opportunity to read something by E.J. Russell, who I hadn’t read previously but have heard good things about, so I snapped it up for a quick weekend read. One of the things I love about this series is that most of them are right around the hundred-page mark, making it easy to transport yourself to another place in just an afternoon.
The book opens with Aaron in the midst of a near panic attack over his impulsive decision to pick up and move to Connecticut after seeing his ex picking out rings with his new boyfriend. At thirty-seven years old, Aaron has never even been out of Southern California. He doesn’t do impulsive. Yet, something inside him was looking for this fresh start on the opposite coast, where the ocean is on the wrong side and even the potato chips are completely foreign to him. Heh. But, as he’s about to head to the airport, to go home to see if he can get his old job back, he notices the quaint looking museum in Mystic Seaport Village and decides he might have time for a quick tour.
Cody, a twenty-six-year-old free-spirited Connecticut native who volunteers as a tour guide at said museum, sees the sad and somewhat lost-looking Aaron and asks him if he needs some help. The scene that unfolds in chapter two is adorable. Cody and Aaron engage in some fun banter that is at times endearingly awkward and at other times is funny and flirty, and Cody takes Aaron on a tour of the Seaport. They both realize there is a little spark of some kind there and decide to hang out again the following day so that Cody can show Aaron around a bit more.
I absolutely adored Cody and for the most part liked Aaron as well. Actually, I liked them both pretty instantly, but Cody’s character remained a bit more consistent whereas Aaron’s wasn’t as solid throughout the story. He had a few over-the-top, sort of out of character moments that were somewhat off-putting, but overall, I did like him. I also loved that Cody took it upon himself to “talk up” Connecticut. He was like a one-man welcoming committee, pulling out all the stops to convince Aaron that Connecticut was the place for him. Very sweet and fun.
The book started out on such a good foot. It was super cute in the beginning, and I found myself smiling my way through the first two chapters, especially. After a short while, however, it started dragging a little in places and got, for lack of a better word, a little…cheesy. I was talking about it to a friend and had a sort of mini epiphany about the issue I was having with it, which was, I wish Russell would have aged the characters about ten years. I think they would have been more realistic as thirty-seven and forty-seven. Some of it just felt a bit…I dunno…stuffy for a character who is supposed to be a twenty-seven-year-old with wanderlust. And, I don’t know any guy in their mid-thirties who would say a line like, “For now, I would really like to make love with you.” But maybe I just haven’t met those guys. I don’t know.
All in all, Mystic Man was a nice story. To me it was a bit flowery, perhaps, and the conflict toward the end felt a bit forced, but I can see a certain demographic of readers really digging it.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
June 27, 2018
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This was a cute story. Aaron has stepped so far outside of his comfort zone with his rash decision and Cody helps to take his mind off it. Cody loves with his whole self and jumps in with his both feet but why does Aaron make him doubt he wants to travel again.
I could feel Aaron’s fear when he would think about the situation he is in and how Cody’s ease seemed to seep into him and help him relax and take his mind off his worries but when it overwhelms him he hurts Cody and himself. Cody loves his home but has been a bit of a wanderer and hasn’t ever doubted how he feels until he meets Aaron and it make him want to change his plans. These two help to balance each other out and even hope that they can have a future together. I loved seeing them navigate their feelings and work everything out.
The cover art by Brooke Albrecht is great and gives a nice view of Cody.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This was a cute story. Aaron has stepped so far outside of his comfort zone with his rash decision and Cody helps to take his mind off it. Cody loves with his whole self and jumps in with his both feet but why does Aaron make him doubt he wants to travel again.
I could feel Aaron’s fear when he would think about the situation he is in and how Cody’s ease seemed to seep into him and help him relax and take his mind off his worries but when it overwhelms him he hurts Cody and himself. Cody loves his home but has been a bit of a wanderer and hasn’t ever doubted how he feels until he meets Aaron and it make him want to change his plans. These two help to balance each other out and even hope that they can have a future together. I loved seeing them navigate their feelings and work everything out.
The cover art by Brooke Albrecht is great and gives a nice view of Cody.
January 22, 2020
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain
Aaron Templeton, of 'Mystic Man' by E.J. Russell, is not an impulsive man. He likes security, planning everything out, and not doing anything on the spur of the moment. But when his back is to the wall, Arron reacts in the only way he can, by taking flight. He leaves his job, puts his condo up for sale, and heads from California to Mystic, Connecticut. No one is more surprised by his behavior than Aaron himself, but if he had not made the move, he would have never found his “safe harbor”.
There are so many differences between California and Connecticut that Aaron is almost frozen in fear. He wants to go home back to the security he had before, even if it meant fighting the traffic, the smog, and a job that bored him to death. As Aaron is contemplating his dilemma, he is spotted by Cody Brown, life-time resident and all around free spirit, who assumes Aaron is a tourist so he can't pass up expounding upon the wonders of the seaport village of Mystic. Cody and Aaron get along well from the beginning, they enjoy each other's wit and special charm, and are happy to continue spending time together. Aaron appreciates how well Cody gets along with his family, especially since his own experience with family is so vastly different.
When Cody realizes that Aaron isn't just a tourist but soon expects to be employed in the small town, he's ecstatic, hoping for a chance to make their relationship more than just a friendship. Aaron has a lot of issues, is frightened of just about everything, for example afraid of being closed in, being on a ship (even when it's not moving), and terrified of actually being on the water in a ship. Cody is a very nurturing guy and accommodates Aaron without judging him. Although there are vast differences between their natures, Aaron and Cody learn to compromise. To help Aaron's fear of being on the water, Cody arranges a date on a ship that is in the water but will remain docked at all times. Aaron balks a little but Cody reassures him. After an enjoyable evening, Cody and Aaron take their relationship to the next step level. Cody is falling fast and hoping for more, but the next morning, Aaron panics. He decides he can't live with the uncertainty of it all and runs back to California, leaving Cody sad and lonely.
This is an endearing love story about two men who need each other in order to balance out their lives; Aaron needs to learn how to be safe and Cody needs something to anchor him. Thanks, E.J., for an enjoyable read.
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Aaron Templeton, of 'Mystic Man' by E.J. Russell, is not an impulsive man. He likes security, planning everything out, and not doing anything on the spur of the moment. But when his back is to the wall, Arron reacts in the only way he can, by taking flight. He leaves his job, puts his condo up for sale, and heads from California to Mystic, Connecticut. No one is more surprised by his behavior than Aaron himself, but if he had not made the move, he would have never found his “safe harbor”.
There are so many differences between California and Connecticut that Aaron is almost frozen in fear. He wants to go home back to the security he had before, even if it meant fighting the traffic, the smog, and a job that bored him to death. As Aaron is contemplating his dilemma, he is spotted by Cody Brown, life-time resident and all around free spirit, who assumes Aaron is a tourist so he can't pass up expounding upon the wonders of the seaport village of Mystic. Cody and Aaron get along well from the beginning, they enjoy each other's wit and special charm, and are happy to continue spending time together. Aaron appreciates how well Cody gets along with his family, especially since his own experience with family is so vastly different.
When Cody realizes that Aaron isn't just a tourist but soon expects to be employed in the small town, he's ecstatic, hoping for a chance to make their relationship more than just a friendship. Aaron has a lot of issues, is frightened of just about everything, for example afraid of being closed in, being on a ship (even when it's not moving), and terrified of actually being on the water in a ship. Cody is a very nurturing guy and accommodates Aaron without judging him. Although there are vast differences between their natures, Aaron and Cody learn to compromise. To help Aaron's fear of being on the water, Cody arranges a date on a ship that is in the water but will remain docked at all times. Aaron balks a little but Cody reassures him. After an enjoyable evening, Cody and Aaron take their relationship to the next step level. Cody is falling fast and hoping for more, but the next morning, Aaron panics. He decides he can't live with the uncertainty of it all and runs back to California, leaving Cody sad and lonely.
This is an endearing love story about two men who need each other in order to balance out their lives; Aaron needs to learn how to be safe and Cody needs something to anchor him. Thanks, E.J., for an enjoyable read.
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
August 1, 2024
4.5 Stars!
This was a very low-angst, fast, enjoyable read! Both Aaron and Cody were very likable and despite the fact that this was pretty much instalove, in this case, it worked well.
It was endearing to see how Cody threw himself into making his time with Aaron the most awesome experience of his life in the hopes that Aaron would stay with him. He was sweet and enthusiastic and so dreamy. And then we have Aaron, who was so out of his element after doing something so out of character as putting his house up for sale before knowing he had the job he'd applied for. I liked that he was willing to try new things with Cody, even when he wasn't sure about doing a lot of those when Cody first suggested them. While Aaron should've been on the rebound, I never got the feeling that he and Cody didn't belong together, au contraire, they just fit, despite being so different. It didn't hurt that they had amazing chemistry, of course. ;)
Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the States of Love line and another hit by Ms. Russell, who is one of my favorite authors and this book is just another reason why.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
ETA: I had the chance to listen to this audiobook and I fell in love all over again with Cody and Aaron through Kirk Graves's voice. He has such a pleasant tone and brings a lot of emotion into the story, which somehow was even better the second time around. You definitely can't go wrong with either the audiobook or ebook version, but if you have the opportunity, do yourself a favor and get it in audio.
This was a very low-angst, fast, enjoyable read! Both Aaron and Cody were very likable and despite the fact that this was pretty much instalove, in this case, it worked well.
It was endearing to see how Cody threw himself into making his time with Aaron the most awesome experience of his life in the hopes that Aaron would stay with him. He was sweet and enthusiastic and so dreamy. And then we have Aaron, who was so out of his element after doing something so out of character as putting his house up for sale before knowing he had the job he'd applied for. I liked that he was willing to try new things with Cody, even when he wasn't sure about doing a lot of those when Cody first suggested them. While Aaron should've been on the rebound, I never got the feeling that he and Cody didn't belong together, au contraire, they just fit, despite being so different. It didn't hurt that they had amazing chemistry, of course. ;)
Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the States of Love line and another hit by Ms. Russell, who is one of my favorite authors and this book is just another reason why.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
ETA: I had the chance to listen to this audiobook and I fell in love all over again with Cody and Aaron through Kirk Graves's voice. He has such a pleasant tone and brings a lot of emotion into the story, which somehow was even better the second time around. You definitely can't go wrong with either the audiobook or ebook version, but if you have the opportunity, do yourself a favor and get it in audio.
July 11, 2024
Aaron likes stability in his life and he’s the last person to call impulsive. Cody is a free spirit, he loves traveling and meeting new people. A series of events leads Aaron to put his house on the market and apply for a job at Connecticut on the other side of the country. Cody who is a volunteer at Mystic Seaport Museum mistakes him for a tourist and offers to be his tour guide. The two men go sightseeing and soon start developing feeling for each other.
This was a sweet and romantic love story between two different men that complete each other perfectly. It was low angst and beautifully written with a happily ever after. I really enjoyed the book. Cody and Aaron had great chemistry and I loved the descriptions of the places they visited. I felt like I was with them.
Edited to add that I reread the book. This time I listened the audiobook and I thought that the narrator brought Aaron and Cody to life beautifully, wonderful voice and fantastic audio quality. I loved it, it was such a fun summer read.
This was a sweet and romantic love story between two different men that complete each other perfectly. It was low angst and beautifully written with a happily ever after. I really enjoyed the book. Cody and Aaron had great chemistry and I loved the descriptions of the places they visited. I felt like I was with them.
Edited to add that I reread the book. This time I listened the audiobook and I thought that the narrator brought Aaron and Cody to life beautifully, wonderful voice and fantastic audio quality. I loved it, it was such a fun summer read.
June 9, 2025
It's okay. Somewhat decent and fluffy but heavy on the tropes. The narrative is bearable, but the dialogue is bizarrely unnatural. Combine this with occasional didactic moments and what I like to call pop culture name-dropping, and I'm surprised I made it to the manufactured drama ending. A novella can't go too deep, but despite hints at some token personal crises, the characters and their relationship were too surface-level. The side characters could have been cut tbh. Good narration.
March 20, 2020
Fun and Flirty
Sometimes I’m in the mood for something light and simple. Low angst, happy characters, and a breath of fresh air. Fresh Connecticut air, to be precise. Not sure I could find the state on a map, but would definitely now consider visiting. I live near the Pacific, but don’t visit nearly as often as I should. After reading this book, I was tempted to go and smell the salty breeze and remember why it is I live on the coast.
Cody has lived in Connecticut his entire life. He’s a mariner by birth, and has some tall tales to share. He loves his hometown, but he’s also got a serious case of wanderlust and he’s traveled the globe. He’s about to set off on another adventure, much to his sister’s consternation. She wants him home. She wants him safe. Cody, although appreciative of his sister, wants out. It’s been too long since he went out into the big world.
Aaron has the opposite problem. He’s never left SoCal, but the fiasco with his ex has him flying across the country to interview for a job. Seeing as he’s never left his comfort zone, this is a big deal for him. He’s about to chicken out when he finds himself encountering the hottest tour guide he’s ever met. He and Cody have immediate chemistry and Aaron finds himself agreeing to be shown the sights. They embark on several adventures together while Aaron interviews for the job at a local private school and waits to hear whether or not he got the job.
Aaron shot Cody an exasperated glare. “Why would I have brought trunks? I was interviewing as a teacher, not a lifeguard. And last I checked, most libraries aren’t located in a swimming pool.” He balled his socks up and tucked them inside one of his shoes. “Anyway, you don’t need to see me in my fish-belly-white glory.”
Cody waggled his eyebrows. “How do you know that isn’t why I planned this whole thing? So I could see your fish-belly-white glory and revel in it?”
“So you’re going to revel and regale?”
“I’m going to revel. The regaling is your responsibility.”
“Well, as it happens, there can be no reveling because I don’t have any trunks with me.”
“Aha. You have reckoned without your host.”
Aaron smiled. “So now we’re reckoning as well as reveling and regaling? Have you been reading the RE section of the dictionary as light bedtime fare?”
“Nope. Strictly serendipity.”
I love the lighthearted banter in the book. Cody is completely loveable, and Aaron is completely neurotic. With good reason, but it was nice to see Cody rubbing off on him. When the rubber hits the road, so to speak, the question was whether or not they could make it work. The book has an HEA guarantee, so I’d say yes. But they have to work out some issues before they sail off into the sunset.
I quickly want to mention Cody’s niece. For a secondary character, she packed quite a punch. I loved her take that there should be more of women’s stories in history. Her revisionist perspective was just plain fun.
E.J. Russell is a new-to-me author and I’ll definitely read more of her books. This book was just the palette cleanser I was looking for after a couple of dark books I recently enjoyed. Like I said, fun and flirty. In other words, perfect.
Sometimes I’m in the mood for something light and simple. Low angst, happy characters, and a breath of fresh air. Fresh Connecticut air, to be precise. Not sure I could find the state on a map, but would definitely now consider visiting. I live near the Pacific, but don’t visit nearly as often as I should. After reading this book, I was tempted to go and smell the salty breeze and remember why it is I live on the coast.
Cody has lived in Connecticut his entire life. He’s a mariner by birth, and has some tall tales to share. He loves his hometown, but he’s also got a serious case of wanderlust and he’s traveled the globe. He’s about to set off on another adventure, much to his sister’s consternation. She wants him home. She wants him safe. Cody, although appreciative of his sister, wants out. It’s been too long since he went out into the big world.
Aaron has the opposite problem. He’s never left SoCal, but the fiasco with his ex has him flying across the country to interview for a job. Seeing as he’s never left his comfort zone, this is a big deal for him. He’s about to chicken out when he finds himself encountering the hottest tour guide he’s ever met. He and Cody have immediate chemistry and Aaron finds himself agreeing to be shown the sights. They embark on several adventures together while Aaron interviews for the job at a local private school and waits to hear whether or not he got the job.
Aaron shot Cody an exasperated glare. “Why would I have brought trunks? I was interviewing as a teacher, not a lifeguard. And last I checked, most libraries aren’t located in a swimming pool.” He balled his socks up and tucked them inside one of his shoes. “Anyway, you don’t need to see me in my fish-belly-white glory.”
Cody waggled his eyebrows. “How do you know that isn’t why I planned this whole thing? So I could see your fish-belly-white glory and revel in it?”
“So you’re going to revel and regale?”
“I’m going to revel. The regaling is your responsibility.”
“Well, as it happens, there can be no reveling because I don’t have any trunks with me.”
“Aha. You have reckoned without your host.”
Aaron smiled. “So now we’re reckoning as well as reveling and regaling? Have you been reading the RE section of the dictionary as light bedtime fare?”
“Nope. Strictly serendipity.”
I love the lighthearted banter in the book. Cody is completely loveable, and Aaron is completely neurotic. With good reason, but it was nice to see Cody rubbing off on him. When the rubber hits the road, so to speak, the question was whether or not they could make it work. The book has an HEA guarantee, so I’d say yes. But they have to work out some issues before they sail off into the sunset.
I quickly want to mention Cody’s niece. For a secondary character, she packed quite a punch. I loved her take that there should be more of women’s stories in history. Her revisionist perspective was just plain fun.
E.J. Russell is a new-to-me author and I’ll definitely read more of her books. This book was just the palette cleanser I was looking for after a couple of dark books I recently enjoyed. Like I said, fun and flirty. In other words, perfect.
November 29, 2025
'Mystic Man' written by E.J. Russell, (Audible) narrated by Kirt Graves
Aaron was moving from southern California to Mystic, Connecticut as a knee-jerk reaction to seeing his last boyfriend of two months ago, who swore up & down he didn't believe in marriage, in the mall picking out wedding rings with his new boyfriend. Yeah...
"What made him think he could navigate a whole new state when even the potato chips were strangers?"
This storyline was a mix of "meet-cute" instant attraction between Cody, who was working as a volunteer in the Mystic River, Connecticut Historic Society and Aaron, who had severe panic attacts and basically a "gloom & doom" attitude towards life in general, starting when he was a child, apparently triggered by the neglectful attitudes of his parents.
It just didn't sit right with me that cheerful intelligent Cody would hitch his star to basically the human equivalent of Eyore (the perennially depressed donkey in Winnie-the-Pooh). I felt sad for Aaron for having had such a shit childhood, but he really didn't seem to think a lot about the consequences of his actions. Not talking about the panic attacks, although I don't recall him ever trying to get help for those, but the rude and callous manner he treated Cody throughout this storyline, for the most part, not seeming to be overly concerned about his feelings when he ghosted him. Just no.
Yeah, lots of tropes in this storyline plus a rather "pull-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat" ending. Seriously, it doesn't bode well for them to have a HEA in the long run unless both guys do a lot of soul-searching and work with a professional on Aaron's abandonment issues and panic attacks. And Cody working on basically being an on-call babysitter for his sister and her husband. She pulls a "poor me, I'm in this pregnancy all alone, help me!" attitude, when the reality is she HAS a husband and other family members around, so she doesn't have to guilt-trip co-opt Cody in being basically a second husband to her.
And Cody needs to learn how to say no sometimes; he can still be around to support her, but I think he needs to do more self care.
I ended up feeling kinda icky about the way this whole "romance" played out; unless both guys do some major psychological work for themselves, it's basically a crap shoot.
Anyway, not my fave book by this author, she has more well-written ones out there.
Aaron was moving from southern California to Mystic, Connecticut as a knee-jerk reaction to seeing his last boyfriend of two months ago, who swore up & down he didn't believe in marriage, in the mall picking out wedding rings with his new boyfriend. Yeah...
"What made him think he could navigate a whole new state when even the potato chips were strangers?"
This storyline was a mix of "meet-cute" instant attraction between Cody, who was working as a volunteer in the Mystic River, Connecticut Historic Society and Aaron, who had severe panic attacts and basically a "gloom & doom" attitude towards life in general, starting when he was a child, apparently triggered by the neglectful attitudes of his parents.
It just didn't sit right with me that cheerful intelligent Cody would hitch his star to basically the human equivalent of Eyore (the perennially depressed donkey in Winnie-the-Pooh). I felt sad for Aaron for having had such a shit childhood, but he really didn't seem to think a lot about the consequences of his actions. Not talking about the panic attacks, although I don't recall him ever trying to get help for those, but the rude and callous manner he treated Cody throughout this storyline, for the most part, not seeming to be overly concerned about his feelings when he ghosted him. Just no.
Yeah, lots of tropes in this storyline plus a rather "pull-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat" ending. Seriously, it doesn't bode well for them to have a HEA in the long run unless both guys do a lot of soul-searching and work with a professional on Aaron's abandonment issues and panic attacks. And Cody working on basically being an on-call babysitter for his sister and her husband. She pulls a "poor me, I'm in this pregnancy all alone, help me!" attitude, when the reality is she HAS a husband and other family members around, so she doesn't have to guilt-trip co-opt Cody in being basically a second husband to her.
And Cody needs to learn how to say no sometimes; he can still be around to support her, but I think he needs to do more self care.
I ended up feeling kinda icky about the way this whole "romance" played out; unless both guys do some major psychological work for themselves, it's basically a crap shoot.
Anyway, not my fave book by this author, she has more well-written ones out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2020
Mystic Man, my first time reading an EJ Russell book, has left me happy to have discovered this States Of Love romance.
Cody has unknowingly been searching for something, yearning for something, and thus goes on an adventurous trip each year. But everything changes when he meets the impulsive Aaron, who just up and moved to Connecticut on a whim.
Cody volunteers to give Aaron a tour of Mystic Seaport. And what follows is a sweet and tender romance that forever changes their lives. One man is overly cautious, the other is impulsive. Together they compliment each other perfectly, as one man finds his anchor and the other finds his safe harbor.
Cody and Aaron's story is beautiful and romantic. It contains some wit, fun, and humor. It's downright charming the way that Aaron finds such comfort, peace, tranquility and contentment in Cody.
I love Cody's relationship with Kaya. It is definitely a little bonus for the reader. It also hits on an important lesson that teachers need to be gentle with their students. Kaya's report is amazing, and this whole scene is heart warming. I related to this scene as my daughter used to get in trouble for coloring her art work unrealistic colors.
Mystic Man perfectly captures the charm and atmosphere of Mystic Seaport. EJ Russell managed to transport me back into this wonderful place, and it was described so darn accurately. Well done!
Cody has unknowingly been searching for something, yearning for something, and thus goes on an adventurous trip each year. But everything changes when he meets the impulsive Aaron, who just up and moved to Connecticut on a whim.
Cody volunteers to give Aaron a tour of Mystic Seaport. And what follows is a sweet and tender romance that forever changes their lives. One man is overly cautious, the other is impulsive. Together they compliment each other perfectly, as one man finds his anchor and the other finds his safe harbor.
Cody and Aaron's story is beautiful and romantic. It contains some wit, fun, and humor. It's downright charming the way that Aaron finds such comfort, peace, tranquility and contentment in Cody.
I love Cody's relationship with Kaya. It is definitely a little bonus for the reader. It also hits on an important lesson that teachers need to be gentle with their students. Kaya's report is amazing, and this whole scene is heart warming. I related to this scene as my daughter used to get in trouble for coloring her art work unrealistic colors.
Mystic Man perfectly captures the charm and atmosphere of Mystic Seaport. EJ Russell managed to transport me back into this wonderful place, and it was described so darn accurately. Well done!
February 6, 2020
4.5 🌟 rounded up
This is a fun and fairly light read. The characters are well developed for the length, and the secondary characters are extremely likable, too.
When Aaron, who is allergic to risk, is put in an uncomfortable position one day, he decides to gamble everything he knows on a possibility in Connecticut. He has second thoughts as soon as he's away from California, but there's nothing for him there. He goes to the Mystic Seaport to pass some time, but never expected...
Cody. He's full of surprises and life. He has had a wanderer's soul... Or does he? He has enjoyed his travels, but maybe he's just been looking for a soul to share the joys of life. He happens to volunteer at Mystic, and Aaron is right up his alley.
They share some fun times, some intense times, and some sexy times. But when Aaron's luck doesn't hold, fight or flight kicks in. Cody is left with a new mindset, and his sister is not impressed. Then, it's just up to Aaron to do what needs to be done and hope the few days he spent with his young man meant to Cody what they did to him.
There is also a very small and imaginative young lady who steals the show a couple of times, but like I said, the secondary characters are fun, too. In the end, things might not have gone to plan for either man, but Aaron and Cody have found their happily ever after by the sea.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *
This is a fun and fairly light read. The characters are well developed for the length, and the secondary characters are extremely likable, too.
When Aaron, who is allergic to risk, is put in an uncomfortable position one day, he decides to gamble everything he knows on a possibility in Connecticut. He has second thoughts as soon as he's away from California, but there's nothing for him there. He goes to the Mystic Seaport to pass some time, but never expected...
Cody. He's full of surprises and life. He has had a wanderer's soul... Or does he? He has enjoyed his travels, but maybe he's just been looking for a soul to share the joys of life. He happens to volunteer at Mystic, and Aaron is right up his alley.
They share some fun times, some intense times, and some sexy times. But when Aaron's luck doesn't hold, fight or flight kicks in. Cody is left with a new mindset, and his sister is not impressed. Then, it's just up to Aaron to do what needs to be done and hope the few days he spent with his young man meant to Cody what they did to him.
There is also a very small and imaginative young lady who steals the show a couple of times, but like I said, the secondary characters are fun, too. In the end, things might not have gone to plan for either man, but Aaron and Cody have found their happily ever after by the sea.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *
February 6, 2020
This lovely novella is the perfect choice when you need a quick romantic pick me up. It features Cody, a happy, free spirited young man who volunteers at the Mystic Seaport Museum as a guide/interpreter with a large, loving extended family with deep roots in Connecticut and Aaron who is his exact opposite. Aaron had lonely, vagabond childhood with parents who abandoned his care to an aunt when he was young. He has never left Southern California and fears anything unexpected that he cannot plan for and control. When he sees his ex-boyfriend in a jewelry store buying an engagement ring for another man, however, he makes the one impulsive move in his life. He applies for a teaching job across country in Connecticut, quits his job, puts his condo up for sale and leaves California. Upon arrival in Connecticut, he wanders about a bit, has a huge panic attack at what he has done right in the Seaport Museum. Cody sees him and pretty much continues a family tradition of love at first sight. Aaron is attracted instantly, but his panic attacks when he can't control everything and his virw of the world as "glass half-empty" threaten any happiness with Cody. This book is the story of him learning to trust and let go a bit. There is an inevitable break-up, a wonderful epilogue involving a tattoo and a happy ever after. Low angst little gem of a story.
January 27, 2020
Aaron Templeton is not spontaneous, in fact he is quite the opposite. That’s why he looks like a lost puppy after an impromptu decision finds him homeless and jobless at Mystic Seaport Museum, only to be rescued by Cody Brown, a volunteer at the port. Their attraction is immediate, and the two men spend a week together, getting to know each other while Cody shows Aaron the charms of Connecticut. But can these two different men find a middle ground where they can be together?
A really sweet novel in the line of opposites attract. Aaron is a very restrained person, prone to panic attacks as soon as he finds himself out of his comfort zone. Cody is spontaneous and impulsive, and that’s why he decides to rescue a very lost looking Aaron. There is insta-attraction in this story. They seem to be really perfect for each other, but Aaron insecurities make him wonder if there really is a chance for them to be happy.
So sweet characters (both the main ones and the secondary ones), easy flowing narrative, low angst, and a happy ending… It all adds up and makes it a very readable story
Cute
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
A really sweet novel in the line of opposites attract. Aaron is a very restrained person, prone to panic attacks as soon as he finds himself out of his comfort zone. Cody is spontaneous and impulsive, and that’s why he decides to rescue a very lost looking Aaron. There is insta-attraction in this story. They seem to be really perfect for each other, but Aaron insecurities make him wonder if there really is a chance for them to be happy.
So sweet characters (both the main ones and the secondary ones), easy flowing narrative, low angst, and a happy ending… It all adds up and makes it a very readable story
Cute
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
January 31, 2020
This is a cute, quick read and a lovely homage to Connecticut. Aaron has chucked his life in California to fly across the country for a job interview after a series of negative interactions. Cory, an adventurer and free spirit is working as a volunteer at Mystic Seaport when he meets Aaron and is immediately taken with him. Cory decides he needs to show Aaron all the wonderful things about CT in order to get him to stick around.
The story is sweet and has some thoughtful messages about how we approach life and the challenges that life presents to us. The climatic scene is emotional and heart wrenching. The resolution is a bit out of left field and feels a bit contrived. It didn’t gel for me as well as the rest of the story. I also would have loved a bit more character development, maybe some deeper exploration of Aaron’s background as the explanations are kind of vague and don’t appear to explain some of his hangups. (I would explain further but it would involve spoilers.)
But overall it’s a sweet, low angst, quick read that I’d recommend.
*I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my objective review *
The story is sweet and has some thoughtful messages about how we approach life and the challenges that life presents to us. The climatic scene is emotional and heart wrenching. The resolution is a bit out of left field and feels a bit contrived. It didn’t gel for me as well as the rest of the story. I also would have loved a bit more character development, maybe some deeper exploration of Aaron’s background as the explanations are kind of vague and don’t appear to explain some of his hangups. (I would explain further but it would involve spoilers.)
But overall it’s a sweet, low angst, quick read that I’d recommend.
*I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my objective review *
June 21, 2018
Aaron is standing in Sea Port, his Condo is selling, he quit his job and is unsure if he will get the job he applied for here.
Cody a young volunteer sees the sexy professor looking like a lost puppy and offers to show him around. They hit it off and go on a few dates in the next few days. Cody is an adventure seeker, footloose and fancy-free, living life as it comes.
These two men couldn't be any different. I loved this story. The characters are all endearing, the setting beautiful, I felt as if I were on tour. I liked the little history lessons and of course, I loved the slow building but sweet romance.
When I got to the sexy professor, and young volunteer I was sold. Oh yes give me May-December any day and I swoon, then toss in the opposites attract, a small dose of cute kid and you have the perfect story to relax on a hot summer day or cold winter night! Grab a drink of your choice, curl up and enjoy!
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