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Love in O'Leary #0.5
The Date
Caelan James should've known better than to let a dating app set him up on a blind date. Nothing in life was guaranteed-perfect, especially not guys... and most definitely not guys in the immediate vicinity of tiny O'Leary, New York. And then sexy Navy SEAL Ash Martin walked into Cal's bakery, and made him wonder if fate might have cooked up something sweet for him after all.
Their connection was immediate, all-consuming, and definitely not vanilla... but could their perfect date last for more than just a night, or even a season?
Note: This is a 23k word SHORT STORY that first appeared in the Heart2Heart anthology as “The Baker and the SEAL." It has been slightly expanded.
Their connection was immediate, all-consuming, and definitely not vanilla... but could their perfect date last for more than just a night, or even a season?
Note: This is a 23k word SHORT STORY that first appeared in the Heart2Heart anthology as “The Baker and the SEAL." It has been slightly expanded.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2018
443 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
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October 15, 2022
The Date is book #0.5 in the Love in O’Leary series by May Archer. I’ve been wanting to start this series forever and I am finally jumping in. This novella first appeared in the Heart2Heart anthology as The Baker and the Seal but this is an expanded version.
Caelan James is owner and baker of Fanaille bakery, a bakery that specializes in wedding cakes. Caelan might have a grumpy exterior but he is magic in his kitchen. So he leaves all the dealings with the brides to his trusty assistant. The one thing Caelan hasn’t had time for is dating. His assistant has talked him into accepting a date through the dating app, Heart2Heart, for Valentine’s Day. But he doesn’t have much faith in the outcome.
Ashley Martin has just returned home to O’Leary, New York after long years serving as a Navy Seal. He wants to be closer to his family, especially since his brother is getting married. While accompanying his almost sister-in-law to the bakery, his world turns upside down when the owner walks in. He’s not imagining the instant connection he’s feeling, is he?
Caelan is immediately smitten with the man who walked in to the bakery with who he assumed was his fiance. He can’t feel attracted to him, he’s engaged. But the next night when he shows up for his date, who is sitting there but the very same man.
"Remember, Ashley, the bakery is vanilla. The baker is not."
This was such a cute story of insta-love/lust. These two were adorable together. And the author also took time to introduce us to the residents of this quirky, small town for future books. I am immediately starting the next book, book one, The Fall, which is Officer Silas Stone’s book. And let me just say that you NEED to check out the amazing cover! I can’t wait to get started.
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Caelan James is owner and baker of Fanaille bakery, a bakery that specializes in wedding cakes. Caelan might have a grumpy exterior but he is magic in his kitchen. So he leaves all the dealings with the brides to his trusty assistant. The one thing Caelan hasn’t had time for is dating. His assistant has talked him into accepting a date through the dating app, Heart2Heart, for Valentine’s Day. But he doesn’t have much faith in the outcome.
Ashley Martin has just returned home to O’Leary, New York after long years serving as a Navy Seal. He wants to be closer to his family, especially since his brother is getting married. While accompanying his almost sister-in-law to the bakery, his world turns upside down when the owner walks in. He’s not imagining the instant connection he’s feeling, is he?
Caelan is immediately smitten with the man who walked in to the bakery with who he assumed was his fiance. He can’t feel attracted to him, he’s engaged. But the next night when he shows up for his date, who is sitting there but the very same man.
"Remember, Ashley, the bakery is vanilla. The baker is not."
This was such a cute story of insta-love/lust. These two were adorable together. And the author also took time to introduce us to the residents of this quirky, small town for future books. I am immediately starting the next book, book one, The Fall, which is Officer Silas Stone’s book. And let me just say that you NEED to check out the amazing cover! I can’t wait to get started.
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
September 29, 2018
Originally reviewed as part of the
The Baker and the SEAL
~insta love, misunderstanding, sexy read, military men, sweetness, HEA~
I'm a sucker for military men and even though the Navy played no role in the story, Ash was still a SEAL, all six feet, five inches of him. Cal is smitten with Ash almost immediately. A misunderstanding ensues, but never fear, the men talk it out and move on.
The epilogue helped seal (pun intended because I'm hilarious like that) the deal. I loved this light, sexy story and really want to try one of Cal's tequila cupcakes.
The Baker and the SEAL
~insta love, misunderstanding, sexy read, military men, sweetness, HEA~
I'm a sucker for military men and even though the Navy played no role in the story, Ash was still a SEAL, all six feet, five inches of him. Cal is smitten with Ash almost immediately. A misunderstanding ensues, but never fear, the men talk it out and move on.
The epilogue helped seal (pun intended because I'm hilarious like that) the deal. I loved this light, sexy story and really want to try one of Cal's tequila cupcakes.
July 14, 2019
Cortito y sexy. No es memorable pero se lee fácil y bien.
October 1, 2018
***4 Stars***
I really liked this! It was sugar and spice and everything nice.
Yes, there's insta. Yes, there's a cheesy misunderstanding. Yes, both totally work!
May Archer was able to give me a full bodied story in a short amount of pages. That's talent. I liked both MC's, totally bought their insta-connection, and was fully on board with the story within the first chapter.
Their date was beyond cute and the author set the scenes perfectly to give the reader all those first date feels. The way you light up and get butterflies when the conversation flows, when you have things in common, when the things you don't have in common excite you, when the attraction just keeps building over the course of the date, when every little touch feels like your skin is on fire....and when you're so damn turned on you think you'll explode.
We get the beginning of the relationship, a fabulous look 6 months down the line that didn't feel rushed or forced. It felt like a natural progression of the story and not like a lazy time jump. And then we're given a cherry on top of this delicious sundae with an adorable epilogue.
"I have never felt this in my life."
"I know. It's not supposed to happen this way."
"Or maybe...maybe it's always supposed to be this way, and we couldn't have known it until now."
This was my first May Archer read, and it certainly won't be my last!!
June 17, 2021
Caelan James should've known better than to let a dating app set him up on a blind date. Nothing in life was guaranteed-perfect, especially not guys... and most definitely not guys in the immediate vicinity of tiny O'Leary, New York. And then sexy Navy SEAL Ash Martin walked into Cal's bakery, and made him wonder if fate might have cooked up something sweet for him after all.
Their connection was immediate, all-consuming, and definitely not vanilla... but could their perfect date last for more than just a night, or even a season?
Their connection was immediate, all-consuming, and definitely not vanilla... but could their perfect date last for more than just a night, or even a season?
February 16, 2019
Ahhh, The Baker and the Seal.
Really enjoyed this short story that originally was released as part of the Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology.
Can't wait to read more of this series!!
Really enjoyed this short story that originally was released as part of the Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology.
Can't wait to read more of this series!!
Want to read
March 2, 2020Kindle freebie 3/2/20!
September 23, 2018
Typical short story smuff with the lightest of light kink.
April 4, 2023
Very cute intro into the series review to come
September 19, 2018
It was cute, adorable, sweet and a bit cheesy and I liked it!
Too short for my liking, but now I have The Fall to savor!
May 15, 2021
Too sweet and insta for my overall tastes, but it was ok.
July 29, 2025
3.5 stars
January 31, 2019
This was lovely. I could've read a full novel about these two.
If the rest of the series is just as good, I'll be a very happy girl.
February 2, 2019
Love this expanded version of the Baker and the SEAL
I loved this short story when it first appeared in the Heart to Heart anthology and this expanded version is just as good.
It gives us more Ash and Cal together and introduces lots of potential new pairings for the series to come.
I loved this short story when it first appeared in the Heart to Heart anthology and this expanded version is just as good.
It gives us more Ash and Cal together and introduces lots of potential new pairings for the series to come.
October 14, 2019
3.5 stars
Sweet and more tender than sexy story in a beautiful setting. I really enjoyed it, but for a couple who take pride at not being vanilla, there was too little -and very vanilla- sex. But I liked them together, and the writing, and I look forward to other books in this lovely village.
Sweet and more tender than sexy story in a beautiful setting. I really enjoyed it, but for a couple who take pride at not being vanilla, there was too little -and very vanilla- sex. But I liked them together, and the writing, and I look forward to other books in this lovely village.
February 10, 2019
3.5 stars
March 30, 2023
I read this prequel after reading three of the other O’Leary books. I enjoyed it because I love the way May Archer tells a story. It was just too short.
July 15, 2020
A nice prequel and while it's instant love it introduced a series that I think will be very enjoyable.
May 21, 2020
5✨
So I don't know why I left this novella until I'm almost done the rest of the books in the series but it seemed like a good time to go back and read it.
Caelan and Ash have been an O'Leary staple in this series since book one. I always wondered how they got together and my questions would have been answered so much faster if I would have just read The Date first but I'm stubborn, okay?
Nevertheless, I did get around to reading it last night and my heart and entire body is all warm and fuzzy and I feel light and everything is perfect. Cal and Ash are perfect. This was non-angsty and just... utter perfection. There is something special about two men who just know what they want. No overthinking, they just do. And Cal and Ash are honestly one of my favorite couples. Their non-verbal communication is expert level and their not-so-vanilla relationship is everything I never knew I needed in these two.
So I don't know why I left this novella until I'm almost done the rest of the books in the series but it seemed like a good time to go back and read it.
Caelan and Ash have been an O'Leary staple in this series since book one. I always wondered how they got together and my questions would have been answered so much faster if I would have just read The Date first but I'm stubborn, okay?
Nevertheless, I did get around to reading it last night and my heart and entire body is all warm and fuzzy and I feel light and everything is perfect. Cal and Ash are perfect. This was non-angsty and just... utter perfection. There is something special about two men who just know what they want. No overthinking, they just do. And Cal and Ash are honestly one of my favorite couples. Their non-verbal communication is expert level and their not-so-vanilla relationship is everything I never knew I needed in these two.
September 23, 2018
The original shorter story from Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology let me way more satisfied, which is a bit sad, being that it was my favorite story from that anthology (I gave it 4.5 stars!).
I expected more from the expanded version, mainly a focus on the romance progression between that first Valentine's date and the epilogue.
I certainly didn't expect nor liked at all that overdose of characters from future stories in the Series. A coarse move IMHO. I would ask kindly to the author that —in next stories— to ration the featuring of new characters.
I expected more from the expanded version, mainly a focus on the romance progression between that first Valentine's date and the epilogue.
I certainly didn't expect nor liked at all that overdose of characters from future stories in the Series. A coarse move IMHO. I would ask kindly to the author that —in next stories— to ration the featuring of new characters.
January 14, 2020
Cute introduction to the O’Leary world. A sweet story with a little bit of insta love, blink and you miss it kink, low heat and a cast of characters just begging for their own books. Which, judging from how many books there are so far in this series, I’m sure at least some of them have gotten by now. I’m late to the party.
September 21, 2018
I enjoyed this. The mixup at the beginning is cute and I loved that the big bad SEAL is a big ol’ nellie bottom. It moves pretty quickly but it’s a short story. There’s still a lot of characterization and sense of place conveyed. I read it before reading “The Fall” as Caelan and Ash appear there.
November 25, 2018
I always enjoy and ginger hero and so does our kind Navy Seal hero. This is a little warm sip of a romance but its fun even if you can guess the plot a mile off.
November 10, 2019
I could not believe this book came out first because of how integrated everything was. This author really knew exactly what she wanted for the whole series from the very beginning.
December 16, 2025
Meh, it was whatever.
I was bored, and I didn't buy their dynamic. I also realized I'm not a fan of Michael Dean's voice, so that didn't help.
I was bored, and I didn't buy their dynamic. I also realized I'm not a fan of Michael Dean's voice, so that didn't help.
Want to read
February 29, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/29/2020)! 🎁
January 26, 2023
Wow, I'm usually not a fan of insta-love, but in this case it was beautifully done.
This is a story about Cal, who's a baker and owns his own bakery in O'Leary. He wants to find a guy who's interested in a serious relationship, but he doesn't have any luck.
Ash has moved back to O'Leary after years of being in the Navy and is visiting Cal's bakery with his future sister in law. The attraction between him and Cal is immediate.
When it turns out Ash is also the blind date that Cal's agreed on meeting, their wonderful love story begins.
We get a timeline of their relationship after 6 months and then again after a year.
It's a short story but it was packed with all the right things and was a very satisfying read.
I'm giving this series a try.
This is a story about Cal, who's a baker and owns his own bakery in O'Leary. He wants to find a guy who's interested in a serious relationship, but he doesn't have any luck.
Ash has moved back to O'Leary after years of being in the Navy and is visiting Cal's bakery with his future sister in law. The attraction between him and Cal is immediate.
When it turns out Ash is also the blind date that Cal's agreed on meeting, their wonderful love story begins.
We get a timeline of their relationship after 6 months and then again after a year.
It's a short story but it was packed with all the right things and was a very satisfying read.
I'm giving this series a try.
April 18, 2019
Great start to this series
The Date is a fantastic novella that has plenty of humor, sweetness, and a bit of mildly-kinky sexy time packed into it. This story revolves around Cal, a bakery owner, and Ash, an ex-Navy SEAL who meet with the help of a dating app. Their unlikely pairing seems to work for them, although in my mind’s eye, I find it somewhat difficult to picture a muscular 6’5” Ash so easily submissive to Caelan, who is so much smaller. This book is very well-written with what seems like a great cast of characters. Looking forward to the next one, which is a full-length novel.
The Date is a fantastic novella that has plenty of humor, sweetness, and a bit of mildly-kinky sexy time packed into it. This story revolves around Cal, a bakery owner, and Ash, an ex-Navy SEAL who meet with the help of a dating app. Their unlikely pairing seems to work for them, although in my mind’s eye, I find it somewhat difficult to picture a muscular 6’5” Ash so easily submissive to Caelan, who is so much smaller. This book is very well-written with what seems like a great cast of characters. Looking forward to the next one, which is a full-length novel.
May 27, 2023
This was fine! It is a very fast-paced instalove story that seems to mainly work as a way to introduce the town and some of the characters in future books. I did like the couple (although I wish we got more of them!).
tags/tropes: bakery, small town, kink, former navy seal MMC, grumpy sunshine, instalove, dating app
tags/tropes: bakery, small town, kink, former navy seal MMC, grumpy sunshine, instalove, dating app
February 9, 2021
Cute romance with Cal, the baker, and Ash, the ex-navy SEAL, with a meet cute and then slow burn relationship development with an interesting stereotype role switch. I liked both Cal and Ash a lot.
The second half was pretty much to introduce other towns people to set up future books in the same small town - still cute but more or less filler.
Humor: 3 stars
General writing style: 4 stars
Story line idea: 4 stars
Story line execution: 4 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Annoy factors: too many people in too short a story =3 stars
R-rated content: a couple descriptive encounters
Narration: 1st person alternating Cal and Ash
Main Location: contemporary small town in New York State
Main protagonists ages: mid/end twenties or so
The second half was pretty much to introduce other towns people to set up future books in the same small town - still cute but more or less filler.
Humor: 3 stars
General writing style: 4 stars
Story line idea: 4 stars
Story line execution: 4 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Annoy factors: too many people in too short a story =3 stars
R-rated content: a couple descriptive encounters
Narration: 1st person alternating Cal and Ash
Main Location: contemporary small town in New York State
Main protagonists ages: mid/end twenties or so
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews