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Working For It #1
Kiss Me Like You Mean It
Valentine's Inc. Book 1.
When a huge investor says his company is interested in funding Clay's latest project he's thrilled. At least he is until he realizes the investor not only believes Clay is gay but wants him to bring his boyfriend along on a Valentine’s Day ski weekend to pitch the project to the rest of the board.
When Trevor’s best friend Cassie tells him she can’t find anyone to go on a ski weekend with Valentine’s Inc.‘s newest client he agrees to go. After all, he owes Cassie big time and her job as the matchmaking services branch manager means a lot to her. Plus, it won’t hurt him to pretend to be a straight guys boyfriend for a weekend if it gets him a free ski trip, right?
Trevor is the perfect boyfriend, and it isn’t long before the lines between pretend and real blur causing Clay to wonder if maybe he isn’t quite as straight as he always assumed he was. Neither man is sure what is real and what’s for show, but one thing Trevor knows is that when Clay kisses him it doesn’t feel pretend at all; when he kisses him it feels like he means it.
"When he kisses me, I feel like I’m home. Like I’ve found something I’ve been looking for my entire life.”
When a huge investor says his company is interested in funding Clay's latest project he's thrilled. At least he is until he realizes the investor not only believes Clay is gay but wants him to bring his boyfriend along on a Valentine’s Day ski weekend to pitch the project to the rest of the board.
When Trevor’s best friend Cassie tells him she can’t find anyone to go on a ski weekend with Valentine’s Inc.‘s newest client he agrees to go. After all, he owes Cassie big time and her job as the matchmaking services branch manager means a lot to her. Plus, it won’t hurt him to pretend to be a straight guys boyfriend for a weekend if it gets him a free ski trip, right?
Trevor is the perfect boyfriend, and it isn’t long before the lines between pretend and real blur causing Clay to wonder if maybe he isn’t quite as straight as he always assumed he was. Neither man is sure what is real and what’s for show, but one thing Trevor knows is that when Clay kisses him it doesn’t feel pretend at all; when he kisses him it feels like he means it.
88 pages, ebook
First published January 14, 2019
210 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
May 15, 2020
Just a short and sweet novella. He told his girlfriend he’s gay to break it off with her, but he isn’t. Or is he?
No angst, only sweet new feelings
No angst, only sweet new feelings
January 16, 2019
Fake it to make it.
Wheeler told his ex he was gay to break it off with her, but now he's trying to get her family to invest in his company, and he needs a date for Valentine's weekend.
Trevor is bored. It's the down season for work, and he's mostly been stuck on his boat. When his bff needs a guy to fill in as a fake boyfriend for the weekend, he volunteers. At least a free ski trip will get him out of the house.
But when their chemistry is off the charts, and they seem to fit like puzzle pieces, will they be able to move past the fake and straight labels to find something real. Super cute boys getting cozy cuddles in front of the fireplace? Yes, please.
Wheeler told his ex he was gay to break it off with her, but now he's trying to get her family to invest in his company, and he needs a date for Valentine's weekend.
Trevor is bored. It's the down season for work, and he's mostly been stuck on his boat. When his bff needs a guy to fill in as a fake boyfriend for the weekend, he volunteers. At least a free ski trip will get him out of the house.
But when their chemistry is off the charts, and they seem to fit like puzzle pieces, will they be able to move past the fake and straight labels to find something real. Super cute boys getting cozy cuddles in front of the fireplace? Yes, please.
July 11, 2019
I'll be honest, new to me author, I wasn't really expecting much, so I was quite pleasantly surprised. I did find it to be a bit dialogue heavy at the start, and I'm torn between being happy that the ex girlfriend wasn't an evil shrew, and thinking she was almost too nice about everything. I also find it a dick move to lie about being gay to break up with someone. But once we got past that part, I really liked Trevor and Wheeler(sorry, his first name is escaping me ATM!) together, and I liked that there wasn't a whole bunch of angst on Wheeler's part about liking a guy.
All in all, I found this really sweet, 3.5 stars, and will definitely be checking out more by this author.
All in all, I found this really sweet, 3.5 stars, and will definitely be checking out more by this author.
January 15, 2019
When a lie becomes the truth and brings two men their perfect partner. Clayton needs a boyfriend, but it has to be fake since he's straight. Trevor is bored during the winter season so he helps out and takes the gig. What should have been a fun trip of skiing and pretending for a hot, fun, nice guy turns into something far more than Trevor signed up for. Clayton isn't prepared for everything Trevor makes him feel, especially when the kisses aren't even in view of his audience. The problem? He means it. Does Trevor?
Holy sweet tenderness and steam! I'm in love. Seriously. 5 sweet and fluffy stars with a tablespoon of steam to amp it up. Everything is completely effortless with zero angst and nothing to truly tear them apart. One might argue that this was too simple, I argue that it's perfect for a quick and steamy read for the sappiest of all holidays. Through Trevor's care and attention to detail Clay felt appreciated, cared for, and happy. None of his efforts were appreciated by his ex, but the circumstances allowed him to let it all out. Turns out that was the best thing he could have done because Clay soaked it up. Clay was comfortable, honest, eager, and observant as well. They made the best match and I loved that it was Clay that reassured Trevor when mentions of the future were stumbled upon. And that Trevor decided to be the kind of boyfriend he always wanted to be rather than holding himself in reserve the way we see many fake relationship trope stories begin. Written well with awesome flow, no conflict, and a supportive cast that rounded it all out, I'm completely won over.
Holy sweet tenderness and steam! I'm in love. Seriously. 5 sweet and fluffy stars with a tablespoon of steam to amp it up. Everything is completely effortless with zero angst and nothing to truly tear them apart. One might argue that this was too simple, I argue that it's perfect for a quick and steamy read for the sappiest of all holidays. Through Trevor's care and attention to detail Clay felt appreciated, cared for, and happy. None of his efforts were appreciated by his ex, but the circumstances allowed him to let it all out. Turns out that was the best thing he could have done because Clay soaked it up. Clay was comfortable, honest, eager, and observant as well. They made the best match and I loved that it was Clay that reassured Trevor when mentions of the future were stumbled upon. And that Trevor decided to be the kind of boyfriend he always wanted to be rather than holding himself in reserve the way we see many fake relationship trope stories begin. Written well with awesome flow, no conflict, and a supportive cast that rounded it all out, I'm completely won over.
January 28, 2019
So damn good
The first in the Valentine’s Inc series, another of that breed of series where each book is by a separate author about different MCs but with links, and each can be read as a stand-alone (so I’m told, I started at the beginning like a good girl). Valentine’s Inc seems to be all about the fake boyfriend story, my favourite of all the MM tropes, done beautifully.
This book is a work of gorgeousness. I really liked Clayton (the ‘straight’ *snigger* MC) and his BFF Bryson and their friendship. I loved Trevor, just doing a favour for his BFF Cassie (who, by the way, I’m looking forward to more of). I love the dynamic that develops between Clay and Trevor, the way their personalities - including the bits they’ve previously not valued - mesh so well and fit them together like puzzle pieces. 🧩
Also, a testament to the writing here - we saw Trevor’s ex for all of two seconds and I already wanted to claw his face off. Writing that can evoke that strength of emotion is the kind of writing I want in a book, and this book definitely achieves.
Repeated reread likely.
The first in the Valentine’s Inc series, another of that breed of series where each book is by a separate author about different MCs but with links, and each can be read as a stand-alone (so I’m told, I started at the beginning like a good girl). Valentine’s Inc seems to be all about the fake boyfriend story, my favourite of all the MM tropes, done beautifully.
This book is a work of gorgeousness. I really liked Clayton (the ‘straight’ *snigger* MC) and his BFF Bryson and their friendship. I loved Trevor, just doing a favour for his BFF Cassie (who, by the way, I’m looking forward to more of). I love the dynamic that develops between Clay and Trevor, the way their personalities - including the bits they’ve previously not valued - mesh so well and fit them together like puzzle pieces. 🧩
Also, a testament to the writing here - we saw Trevor’s ex for all of two seconds and I already wanted to claw his face off. Writing that can evoke that strength of emotion is the kind of writing I want in a book, and this book definitely achieves.
Repeated reread likely.
January 15, 2019
This is a great intro to the multi-author effort, Valentine's Inc. I was about to give this 4 stars , but then I thought about how much skill it took for the author to made me like these guys so much in so few pages. At first, I felt like there should be at least a little angst, but the lack of that didn't keep me from enjoying the story. Maybe falling for someone you would never expect doesn't have to be painful. Maybe it can be just a wonderful discovery. Maybe, when someone like Clay meets someone like Trevor, good things can just happen without anyone's world having to implode. Anyway, it took less than 100 pages for me to fall for Clay and Trevor as they fell for each other. This book will no doubt become a re-read for me, and that makes it worth 5 happy stars. I feel the bar has been set high for the other stories in this series, and I can't wait to see how they measure up!
January 18, 2019
What a great start!
I love series like this one. For me it's taking two of my favorite reads, series and anthology, and putting them together. With the series you get to stay in the world created longer. Like an anthology, there are several author's so you get to see the different takes and styles which is a major plus for me. I like the direction Jacki James took here. No super big freak out left for more mental pondering and heartfelt emotions, even from Bryson. Though I do think Sarah's reaction was kind of mild.
I love series like this one. For me it's taking two of my favorite reads, series and anthology, and putting them together. With the series you get to stay in the world created longer. Like an anthology, there are several author's so you get to see the different takes and styles which is a major plus for me. I like the direction Jacki James took here. No super big freak out left for more mental pondering and heartfelt emotions, even from Bryson. Though I do think Sarah's reaction was kind of mild.
January 19, 2019
Straight guy Clayton needs a fake boyfriend for a business trip on Valentines weekend. Trevor helps out his friend and agrees to be Claytons boyfriend.
They hit it off immediately.
I loved the connection with these guys. Their relationship evolved naturally, even though Clayton believes himself to be straight. The secondary characters were fun and entertaining.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
They hit it off immediately.
I loved the connection with these guys. Their relationship evolved naturally, even though Clayton believes himself to be straight. The secondary characters were fun and entertaining.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
February 4, 2019
Sweet gfy read. There was no angst. Just love.
November 18, 2021
Clayton, stocky and fit, brown eyes, is going to a ski resort and to pitch his work to an investor. Problem, the ex-girlfriend told her Dad he's gay, and now needs a date for the week away.
Trevor, tall, built, blue eyes, knows the Valentine's Inc. owner, and she needs a guy to be the fake boyfriend. Trevor volunteers to go on the ski trip, because his fishing business is in a slow season in San Diego. He does his friend a favor, and gets to ski.
The two men meet up to get to see if they will be able to fake this boyfriend gig for that week. They go to Hillcrest for food, and walk and talk, and totally enjoy each other's company. They're so natural together, and it's an easy fit. We learn their pasts, and we like them.
The trip is fun, snowboarding, tubing, and more, plus the work pitch went well. These two men really connect, and Clay begins to feel himself open to a relationship, for real, with Trevor. It feels so right when they kiss, and now he wants so much more. The men are perfect together. They talk, ease into sexy times, first M/M for Clay, and he is happy, for the first time in a long time.
The story is quick, fun, lively, and fanciful, and I liked it very much. I liked the characters, the cute story, and even the errors and mistakes, didn't take away the feeling of love I got from these two.
Terrific epilogue.
ENJOY !
=======
Trevor, tall, built, blue eyes, knows the Valentine's Inc. owner, and she needs a guy to be the fake boyfriend. Trevor volunteers to go on the ski trip, because his fishing business is in a slow season in San Diego. He does his friend a favor, and gets to ski.
The two men meet up to get to see if they will be able to fake this boyfriend gig for that week. They go to Hillcrest for food, and walk and talk, and totally enjoy each other's company. They're so natural together, and it's an easy fit. We learn their pasts, and we like them.
The trip is fun, snowboarding, tubing, and more, plus the work pitch went well. These two men really connect, and Clay begins to feel himself open to a relationship, for real, with Trevor. It feels so right when they kiss, and now he wants so much more. The men are perfect together. They talk, ease into sexy times, first M/M for Clay, and he is happy, for the first time in a long time.
The story is quick, fun, lively, and fanciful, and I liked it very much. I liked the characters, the cute story, and even the errors and mistakes, didn't take away the feeling of love I got from these two.
Terrific epilogue.
ENJOY !
=======
January 26, 2019
Cute quick read
This was a cute short story. Zero angst. It’s the fake boyfriend trope, which is one of my favorites. It had a bit of an insta-love vibe to it. My only complaint is that I wish it was a bit longer with a more in depth discovery period (when the MCs are coming to realize they care about one another). Definitely a feel good book.
This was a cute short story. Zero angst. It’s the fake boyfriend trope, which is one of my favorites. It had a bit of an insta-love vibe to it. My only complaint is that I wish it was a bit longer with a more in depth discovery period (when the MCs are coming to realize they care about one another). Definitely a feel good book.
January 14, 2019
What a great short story!!
It was just a little too quick for me. I WANT MORE! What started out as a fake relationship turned into so much more.....
Jacki James made me fall for Trevor and Clay just as fast as they fell for each other! Kiss me like you mean it was a whirlwind romance from start to finish. As quick as it was, Jacki gave us so much storyline. As well as, a lot of character depth. I loved these guys! They were so sweet with each other. They immediately bonded and formed a friendship first. While learning about each other their attraction grew. The way Trevor cared for Clay made me swoon. While Clay's vulnerability made my stomach flip. I found them to be perfect!! The secondary characters were just as charming and fun.
I loved the entire vibe of this story. I can only hope that Jacki will give us more of them in the future. If you are looking for something to make you smile read this story!
It was just a little too quick for me. I WANT MORE! What started out as a fake relationship turned into so much more.....
Jacki James made me fall for Trevor and Clay just as fast as they fell for each other! Kiss me like you mean it was a whirlwind romance from start to finish. As quick as it was, Jacki gave us so much storyline. As well as, a lot of character depth. I loved these guys! They were so sweet with each other. They immediately bonded and formed a friendship first. While learning about each other their attraction grew. The way Trevor cared for Clay made me swoon. While Clay's vulnerability made my stomach flip. I found them to be perfect!! The secondary characters were just as charming and fun.
I loved the entire vibe of this story. I can only hope that Jacki will give us more of them in the future. If you are looking for something to make you smile read this story!
January 29, 2019
The Meaning of a Kiss
This author is new to me, but this series is being advertised by several other authors that I love, so I thought I'd check this out as it's the first book in the Valentines Inc. short story series.
This offering by Jacki James was a fun journey of discovery, starting with a fake boyfriend portrayal and ending in real love.
Take one tech guy, Clayton Wheeler, who thinks he's straight even though he told Sarah, the daughter of one of his potential investors, that he was gay when he broke up with her at college graduation since he planned to head to California with his best friend and business partner, Bryson, but not her.
Add them all to a corporate ski retreat where Clay and Bryson have been invited by Sarah and her father to meet their company's board members in order to woo them into financing their new app, designed to aid law enforcement across the country.
One small snag: partners are included, so Sarah wants to introduce her husband to Clay and meet his boyfriend and Bryson is also asked to invite his girlfriend. Bryson is allowed to get away with making up and excuse as to why his non-existent girlfriend can't make it, but Bryson absolutely must bring his boyfriend, so he reaches out to Cassie at Valentine's Inc. Someone to pretend to be his boyfriend for the ski weekend retreat.
Enter Trevor, Cassie's best friend. She has managed to fulfil all the requests for dates, except this one as it's for a whole weekend and not everyone likes to ski or snowboard. Trevor volunteers as his fishing charter boat services are slow at this time of year, so he's available to go on a free ski weekend and pretend to be some guy's boyfriend.
Trevor suggests to Clay that they meet beforehand so that they're not meeting for the first time at the ski lodge, as that might raise suspicions. Clay agrees and gets along with Trevor from the first. Bryson also meets Trevor as he shouldn't be meeting him for the first time at the ski weekend either. He sees how happy Clay is and he plays matchmaker to both sides when they reach out to him individually for advice, encouraging the couple who seem naturally close and cuddly.
This is a sweet, fun and fairly short read if you're looking for a nice book to fill up your afternoon or evening.
This author is new to me, but this series is being advertised by several other authors that I love, so I thought I'd check this out as it's the first book in the Valentines Inc. short story series.
This offering by Jacki James was a fun journey of discovery, starting with a fake boyfriend portrayal and ending in real love.
Take one tech guy, Clayton Wheeler, who thinks he's straight even though he told Sarah, the daughter of one of his potential investors, that he was gay when he broke up with her at college graduation since he planned to head to California with his best friend and business partner, Bryson, but not her.
Add them all to a corporate ski retreat where Clay and Bryson have been invited by Sarah and her father to meet their company's board members in order to woo them into financing their new app, designed to aid law enforcement across the country.
One small snag: partners are included, so Sarah wants to introduce her husband to Clay and meet his boyfriend and Bryson is also asked to invite his girlfriend. Bryson is allowed to get away with making up and excuse as to why his non-existent girlfriend can't make it, but Bryson absolutely must bring his boyfriend, so he reaches out to Cassie at Valentine's Inc. Someone to pretend to be his boyfriend for the ski weekend retreat.
Enter Trevor, Cassie's best friend. She has managed to fulfil all the requests for dates, except this one as it's for a whole weekend and not everyone likes to ski or snowboard. Trevor volunteers as his fishing charter boat services are slow at this time of year, so he's available to go on a free ski weekend and pretend to be some guy's boyfriend.
Trevor suggests to Clay that they meet beforehand so that they're not meeting for the first time at the ski lodge, as that might raise suspicions. Clay agrees and gets along with Trevor from the first. Bryson also meets Trevor as he shouldn't be meeting him for the first time at the ski weekend either. He sees how happy Clay is and he plays matchmaker to both sides when they reach out to him individually for advice, encouraging the couple who seem naturally close and cuddly.
This is a sweet, fun and fairly short read if you're looking for a nice book to fill up your afternoon or evening.
January 16, 2019
Kisses in the snow
This is the first in the Valentine's Inc series and is a no angst fake to real boyfriends story. This is a book that could have come across as quite cliched but it wasn't, it was refreshingly fun, with characters that are well written and rounded that seemed to mean well right from the start and interesting work/vacation situation which made a good story really enjoyable to read.
Valentine's Inc offering a range of matchmaking platforms is a great idea for more storylines ensuring that the reader will have more to read.
Fans of a guaranteed happy ever after, romance, and cuddles will love it, I did.
This is the first in the Valentine's Inc series and is a no angst fake to real boyfriends story. This is a book that could have come across as quite cliched but it wasn't, it was refreshingly fun, with characters that are well written and rounded that seemed to mean well right from the start and interesting work/vacation situation which made a good story really enjoyable to read.
Valentine's Inc offering a range of matchmaking platforms is a great idea for more storylines ensuring that the reader will have more to read.
Fans of a guaranteed happy ever after, romance, and cuddles will love it, I did.
September 9, 2019
Awesome
Clayton doesn't want his current girlfriend goes to CA with him and best friend, so he tells her he's gay. Fast forward 4 years and he needs funding for his app and his ex father is perfect to find it. Now he needs a boyfriend for ski weekend. Trevor had a bad break up a year ago and his job season is slow and he's bored so he agrees to be a straight man's bf. As the weekend goes they realize Clay isn't as straight as he thought and starts to fall for Trevor. It's a wonderful love story
Clayton doesn't want his current girlfriend goes to CA with him and best friend, so he tells her he's gay. Fast forward 4 years and he needs funding for his app and his ex father is perfect to find it. Now he needs a boyfriend for ski weekend. Trevor had a bad break up a year ago and his job season is slow and he's bored so he agrees to be a straight man's bf. As the weekend goes they realize Clay isn't as straight as he thought and starts to fall for Trevor. It's a wonderful love story
February 3, 2019
Such a great story!
This was a super story from the very beginning. I could see how the two men were going to come together when they first met even though it took them a bit longer, especially Clayton. He thought he was 'straight', but surprisingly he turned out to be very accepting of the fact that he was one of those persons who falls in love with another person and it doesn't matter to him what their gender happens to be. I really enjoyed this book!
This was a super story from the very beginning. I could see how the two men were going to come together when they first met even though it took them a bit longer, especially Clayton. He thought he was 'straight', but surprisingly he turned out to be very accepting of the fact that he was one of those persons who falls in love with another person and it doesn't matter to him what their gender happens to be. I really enjoyed this book!
February 14, 2019
4.5 stars
A friend of mine sent me this series and asked me not to skip them.
I am extremely grateful for that. I loved this one. How I wish Clay, Trevor and every other sweet characters in the story was real. It was a short story yet very sweet and admirable. Kudos to the author for keeping it real.
My only complain is that the story was too short. I can always have more Clay and Trevor in my reading life.
A friend of mine sent me this series and asked me not to skip them.
I am extremely grateful for that. I loved this one. How I wish Clay, Trevor and every other sweet characters in the story was real. It was a short story yet very sweet and admirable. Kudos to the author for keeping it real.
My only complain is that the story was too short. I can always have more Clay and Trevor in my reading life.
March 23, 2019
What starts as fake becomes very real in short order in this super cute Valentine’s themed story. I love it when something as simple as a kiss can be monumental in changing the course of one’s life and yet feel so right that it’s like coming home. I would have been extremely happy to see a longer version of this story, but loved it as is too!
February 4, 2019
Super cute and sweet fake boyfriend book about Clayton and Trevor. This is part of the lovely Valentine's Inc series. Valentine's Inc is a company that provides dates/escorts/matchmaking services. Nicely written with some surprising emotional and character depth. Loved Trevor. Knows who he is and owns it. Clay - a bit confused but I loved this line from his business partner “Well, you know gay and straight aren’t your only options. There’s a whole array of sexual orientations to choose from, and more than one of them means you can like both men and women.” Good short but sweet sexy bits and excellent writing.
January 21, 2019
I liked the premise, and the beginning was fun and then it turned in a instalove/instalust.
And we were told their feeling.
And we were told their feeling.
July 7, 2019
This made for a lazy Sunday morning read. No angst. No drama. Just easy.
March 17, 2022
Fluffiest novella with fake dating trope I've ever read
January 24, 2019
With a powerhouse can of writers doing this series, it has definitely started off with a bang. I'm not normally a fan of Valentine's day, but this is perfect for it. It's sweet, romantic, full of love and feels.
It's never easy when you think you've been one way you're whole life, to find out you may not be quite that way. And that everyone around you has figured it out a long time ago about you. Clay figured he'd suck at this fake boyfriend thing, seeing as he's straight, but after that perfect 'date’ to get to know each other before the big trip, Clay is starting to have doubts. And during the ski/business trip with Trevor as his fake boyfriend, fake is turning into reality. For both men. Clay always thought he was straight, but being with Trevor feels like home and he's not about to give that up. No matter what. And Trevor finally feels like he's found someone who can love him as much in return.
These two are just the sweetest. Even thinking he's straight, Clay is considerate of Trevor on the trip and I love it. Letting him know it's ok to be affectionate. Even if it may be a bit uncomfortable. He helped Trevor in an uncomfortable situation with his ex and didn't even blink. For Trevor, he was falling hard and fast. For Clay, it wasn't weird really for Trevor to be a man. He just felt cared for, loved, and so at home. The chemistry was amazing and they just seemed to click so well. Everything meshed together like two halves of a whole. It was perfect.
Such a great start to this series! So romantic. Makes you think of hearts and roses and everything in between. This is going to be a great series.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
It's never easy when you think you've been one way you're whole life, to find out you may not be quite that way. And that everyone around you has figured it out a long time ago about you. Clay figured he'd suck at this fake boyfriend thing, seeing as he's straight, but after that perfect 'date’ to get to know each other before the big trip, Clay is starting to have doubts. And during the ski/business trip with Trevor as his fake boyfriend, fake is turning into reality. For both men. Clay always thought he was straight, but being with Trevor feels like home and he's not about to give that up. No matter what. And Trevor finally feels like he's found someone who can love him as much in return.
These two are just the sweetest. Even thinking he's straight, Clay is considerate of Trevor on the trip and I love it. Letting him know it's ok to be affectionate. Even if it may be a bit uncomfortable. He helped Trevor in an uncomfortable situation with his ex and didn't even blink. For Trevor, he was falling hard and fast. For Clay, it wasn't weird really for Trevor to be a man. He just felt cared for, loved, and so at home. The chemistry was amazing and they just seemed to click so well. Everything meshed together like two halves of a whole. It was perfect.
Such a great start to this series! So romantic. Makes you think of hearts and roses and everything in between. This is going to be a great series.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
January 26, 2019
This was my first Jacki James book and I am kinda glad cause I really liked it a lot.
Clay and Trevor was adorable and I kinda want more of them. The happy feeling I felt reading about them was so strong that I spent pretty much all of it smiling at the wonderfulness of it.
Fake boyfriends is one of my favorite Tropes and this was a great one.
Clay and Trevor was adorable and I kinda want more of them. The happy feeling I felt reading about them was so strong that I spent pretty much all of it smiling at the wonderfulness of it.
Fake boyfriends is one of my favorite Tropes and this was a great one.
January 18, 2019
Perfect. I normally don’t like the fake boyfriend for the straight guy. But this worked! Clay never pushed it away like”don’t touch me”, he was kind right off the bat. Trevor I wanted hi to kick his ex in the balls. But since he did, him telling him that he left nothing that he want in the house was a nice slap in the face. Loved how everyone was supportive and there were no neighsayers. Sweet quick read that didn’t read like a quick read.
September 11, 2019
Boy, first time I was so turned off when reading a gay sex scene. That sex scene has got to be the most cringey, cheesiest hot mess I had ever laid eyes on, and that chapter alone had me hit my eye-roll quota for the week. I was ok with it in the beginning. I was reading a fake-boyfriend-turned-real trope so I knew what I was getting into. I can even somewhat forgive the fact that one of the MCs was (apparently) straight and ended up falling in lust and love with said fake boyfriend. And even with the "I'm suddenly in love with you even though I am straight" bit after an explosive kiss, I was pretty alright with it. I was even fine with the grammatical mistakes that came along way too often. But THEN I had to hit THAT scene. Basically that chapter totally imploded in my face and undid the entire book for me. And by then, I was too far in to DNF the entire read, so I basically had to finish it. It should have been 1 star, but I will give it 2 barring that chapter.
January 16, 2019
You know, when it's right, it's right. Just like when the 'straight' Clayton hired Trevor to be his fake boyfriend for Valentine day's retreat, to make sure people know, his 'gay'. I liked Trevor a lot, he's gorgeous, patient, and most of all, he's everything Clay need in a partner. Showed that Clay is not 'really straight' after all.
I liked their chemistry, and the fast moving relationship from fake to real, didn't feel rush. It was just the right pace.
This is a short, sweet and adorable read you wouldn't want to say no to.
Recommended.
I liked their chemistry, and the fast moving relationship from fake to real, didn't feel rush. It was just the right pace.
This is a short, sweet and adorable read you wouldn't want to say no to.
Recommended.
February 25, 2019
A nice (and short) romance....
Trevor reluctantly agrees to help his BFF Cassie when she asks if he’ll go on a weekend ski trip with software entrepreneur Clay Wheeler. Clay’s straight, but needs to bring a boyfriend on the trip ( for reasons too silly to mention). As Clay and Trevor spend time together, entirely predictable complications ensue, and soon Clay discovers that he’s not entirely straight after all.
It’s a cute little story...No conflict, no tension, no doubts. Like eating a box of peeps: just sugar and air.
Trevor reluctantly agrees to help his BFF Cassie when she asks if he’ll go on a weekend ski trip with software entrepreneur Clay Wheeler. Clay’s straight, but needs to bring a boyfriend on the trip ( for reasons too silly to mention). As Clay and Trevor spend time together, entirely predictable complications ensue, and soon Clay discovers that he’s not entirely straight after all.
It’s a cute little story...No conflict, no tension, no doubts. Like eating a box of peeps: just sugar and air.
June 5, 2024
old post reposted
Taking a short(ish) detour from tiding up TBR piles by reading the rest of the Valentine's Inc series (I read the ninth book a bit ago when I was binge-reading through Crystal Lacy's stuff). The first book in this series is titled "Kiss Me Like You Mean It," and it's by Jacki James.
["When a huge investor says his company is interested in funding Clay's latest project he's thrilled. At least he is until he realizes the investor not only believes Clay is gay but wants him to bring his boyfriend along on a Valentine’s Day ski weekend to pitch the project to the rest of the board.
When Trevor’s best friend Cassie tells him she can’t find anyone to go on a ski weekend with Valentine’s Inc.‘s newest client he agrees to go. After all, he owes Cassie big time and her job as the matchmaking services branch manager means a lot to her. Plus, it won’t hurt him to pretend to be a straight guys boyfriend for a weekend if it gets him a free ski trip, right?
Trevor is the perfect boyfriend, and it isn’t long before the lines between pretend and real blur causing Clay to wonder if maybe he isn’t quite as straight as he always assumed he was. Neither man is sure what is real and what’s for show, but one thing Trevor knows is that when Clay kisses him it doesn’t feel pretend at all; when he kisses him it feels like he means it."]
Some of the writing was a little amateurish in the info-dump-y and showing-not-telling kind of way, but the story itself was really, really cute. The characters were super fun and grew in the short span of the story. Definitely a great opening to the series as a whole.
#kissmelikeyoumeanit #jackijames
#kissoff #kissingtheteacher #kissandrun #colormykiss #kissingourloves #kissingbooth #kissingmetomorrow #kissedinparadise #kissinglessons #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Taking a short(ish) detour from tiding up TBR piles by reading the rest of the Valentine's Inc series (I read the ninth book a bit ago when I was binge-reading through Crystal Lacy's stuff). The first book in this series is titled "Kiss Me Like You Mean It," and it's by Jacki James.
["When a huge investor says his company is interested in funding Clay's latest project he's thrilled. At least he is until he realizes the investor not only believes Clay is gay but wants him to bring his boyfriend along on a Valentine’s Day ski weekend to pitch the project to the rest of the board.
When Trevor’s best friend Cassie tells him she can’t find anyone to go on a ski weekend with Valentine’s Inc.‘s newest client he agrees to go. After all, he owes Cassie big time and her job as the matchmaking services branch manager means a lot to her. Plus, it won’t hurt him to pretend to be a straight guys boyfriend for a weekend if it gets him a free ski trip, right?
Trevor is the perfect boyfriend, and it isn’t long before the lines between pretend and real blur causing Clay to wonder if maybe he isn’t quite as straight as he always assumed he was. Neither man is sure what is real and what’s for show, but one thing Trevor knows is that when Clay kisses him it doesn’t feel pretend at all; when he kisses him it feels like he means it."]
Some of the writing was a little amateurish in the info-dump-y and showing-not-telling kind of way, but the story itself was really, really cute. The characters were super fun and grew in the short span of the story. Definitely a great opening to the series as a whole.
#kissmelikeyoumeanit #jackijames
#kissoff #kissingtheteacher #kissandrun #colormykiss #kissingourloves #kissingbooth #kissingmetomorrow #kissedinparadise #kissinglessons #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
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