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'Til There Was You
Oliver Harris has spent years hiding behind his espresso machine at Doyle’s. After flunking out of art school, he has preferred instead to create art with his lattes, which he loves, but the customers? Not so much. An anxious young man, he uses his shorter statue to his advantage by avoiding looking at those who come around and attempting to avoid conversations as well. For years, this has been fairly effective on everyone, except one regular. Dean Burkett doesn’t mind taking both parts of a conversation and talking until even Oliver’s voice is hoarse. However, when he stops coming around as often, Oliver faces an odd feeling—disappointment. He misses Dean. While Oliver claims it’s because of the habit of it, he starts to think, maybe it’s more? Oliver’s mother is constantly bothering him about visiting her in Miami for the holidays. While struggling with his growing feelings for Dean, Oliver is in a whirlwind of emotion. When Dean finally asks him out, he struggles with the fact that he not only has fun, but he can feel something real—something more than attraction. His mother, in an effort to get him to visit, tries to set Oliver up with a date with a woman. Now, he has to choose whether or not to come out to his very religious family and risking his relationship with them, or having the chance of a relationship with Dean.Please This book contains adult language and steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approximately 30,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes Contemporary, Coming-Out, Romantic Comedy, Barista
- GenresM M Romance
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2019
31 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Max Hudson
111 books88 followersMax Hudson is a young man who enjoys writing steamy m/m romance novels. Join his insiders club here to get updates about his new releases:
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 29, 2019
Talkative Dean shows Oliver how to let go !
M/M romance for an introvert. Quiet, shy Oliver is brought into the world by talkative Dean and his Corgi, Daisy. They begin by talking, walking, dinners, and sweet kisses. Oliver’s Mom in Florida wants him to meet a woman and settle down. Dean and Oliver slowly move forward to hot sexy times. Cute banter, delightful happy times, and a bit of sadness. Dean and Oliver show their core of dedication and budding love. Oliver finds out people care.
Enjoy !
M/M romance for an introvert. Quiet, shy Oliver is brought into the world by talkative Dean and his Corgi, Daisy. They begin by talking, walking, dinners, and sweet kisses. Oliver’s Mom in Florida wants him to meet a woman and settle down. Dean and Oliver slowly move forward to hot sexy times. Cute banter, delightful happy times, and a bit of sadness. Dean and Oliver show their core of dedication and budding love. Oliver finds out people care.
Enjoy !
June 19, 2019
‘People made him nervous’
Max Hudson is one of the more important authors of the genre of MM romances. Yes, there are many authors – men and women – who understand the subject matter and treat it well and erotically, but what Max adds to his stories is a fine sense of appreciation for that conflicted turning point when secrets surface and history must be faced. The one thing that sets him apart from other MM authors is his careful character building before the romance sets in.
Max also offers prose that is atmospheric and establishes a mood for his story to proceed, as we see in his opening paragraph: ’Province was a picturesque little town on the coast of Maine, with enough fishermen and boating enthusiasts for a typical cylinder lighthouse on the far west side and docks along most of the shore, but the rocks on the outskirts fending off any ferries or commercial ships from taking root. In early September, the cool air was already starting to pick up into brisk, misty mornings and choppy waters. The leaves on the trees were still mostly green, but some had started to yellow. For a Monday morning, the town was it normal busy routine, but the cold draft meant business for coffee shops, In particular, Doyle’s…’ Max knows how to create a visible scene and mood!
The book is brief but offers a fine new challenging coming out story and romance as Max’s distillation of the plot reveals:’ Oliver Harris has spent years hiding behind his espresso machine at Doyle’s. After flunking out of art school, he has preferred instead to create art with his lattes, which he loves, but the customers? Not so much. An anxious young man, he uses his shorter statue to his advantage by avoiding looking at those who come around and attempting to avoid conversations as well. For years, this has been fairly effective on everyone, except one regular. Dean Burkett doesn’t mind taking both parts of a conversation and talking until even Oliver’s voice is hoarse. However, when he stops coming around as often, Oliver faces an odd feeling—disappointment. He misses Dean. While Oliver claims it’s because of the habit of it, he starts to think, maybe it’s more? Oliver’s mother is constantly bothering him about visiting her in Miami for the holidays. While struggling with his growing feelings for Dean, Oliver is in a whirlwind of emotion. When Dean finally asks him out, he struggles with the fact that he not only has fun, but he can feel something real—something more than attraction. His mother, in an effort to get him to visit, tries to set Oliver up with a date with a woman. Now, he has to choose whether or not to come out to his very religious family and risking his relationship with them, or having the chance of a relationship with Dean.’
Intelligent, relatable, well written, “TIL THERE WAS YOU offers not only a fine evening’s read, but also a level of understanding about the conflicts people face dealing with their relationships and coming out as gay. Max writes beautifully, inserts subtle erotica, and brings his story to an end that is satisfying.
Max Hudson is one of the more important authors of the genre of MM romances. Yes, there are many authors – men and women – who understand the subject matter and treat it well and erotically, but what Max adds to his stories is a fine sense of appreciation for that conflicted turning point when secrets surface and history must be faced. The one thing that sets him apart from other MM authors is his careful character building before the romance sets in.
Max also offers prose that is atmospheric and establishes a mood for his story to proceed, as we see in his opening paragraph: ’Province was a picturesque little town on the coast of Maine, with enough fishermen and boating enthusiasts for a typical cylinder lighthouse on the far west side and docks along most of the shore, but the rocks on the outskirts fending off any ferries or commercial ships from taking root. In early September, the cool air was already starting to pick up into brisk, misty mornings and choppy waters. The leaves on the trees were still mostly green, but some had started to yellow. For a Monday morning, the town was it normal busy routine, but the cold draft meant business for coffee shops, In particular, Doyle’s…’ Max knows how to create a visible scene and mood!
The book is brief but offers a fine new challenging coming out story and romance as Max’s distillation of the plot reveals:’ Oliver Harris has spent years hiding behind his espresso machine at Doyle’s. After flunking out of art school, he has preferred instead to create art with his lattes, which he loves, but the customers? Not so much. An anxious young man, he uses his shorter statue to his advantage by avoiding looking at those who come around and attempting to avoid conversations as well. For years, this has been fairly effective on everyone, except one regular. Dean Burkett doesn’t mind taking both parts of a conversation and talking until even Oliver’s voice is hoarse. However, when he stops coming around as often, Oliver faces an odd feeling—disappointment. He misses Dean. While Oliver claims it’s because of the habit of it, he starts to think, maybe it’s more? Oliver’s mother is constantly bothering him about visiting her in Miami for the holidays. While struggling with his growing feelings for Dean, Oliver is in a whirlwind of emotion. When Dean finally asks him out, he struggles with the fact that he not only has fun, but he can feel something real—something more than attraction. His mother, in an effort to get him to visit, tries to set Oliver up with a date with a woman. Now, he has to choose whether or not to come out to his very religious family and risking his relationship with them, or having the chance of a relationship with Dean.’
Intelligent, relatable, well written, “TIL THERE WAS YOU offers not only a fine evening’s read, but also a level of understanding about the conflicts people face dealing with their relationships and coming out as gay. Max writes beautifully, inserts subtle erotica, and brings his story to an end that is satisfying.
June 15, 2019
Oliver Harris, a barista at Doyle’s and Dean Burkett, a librarian and a regular customer at Doyle’s are just the cutest couple. Dean had been interested in Oliver for awhile, but Oliver is always hiding behind his espresso machine. Oliver is also extremely shy and does like talking with customer or anyone.
Dean is different and Oliver becomes comfortable in the man’s presence maybe because Dean talks non-stop so Oliver doesn’t have to talk. Though the love of a puppy that Dean adopts, he finally starts to have the handsome barista interested in him (and not just his dog).
Oliver had not come out to his mother who was a nagging “B” that Oliver should settle down with a nice girl and start a family. His mother causes him extreme stress that stays with him throughout the day until Dean enters the scene. They are the most adorable couple, both shy, both do not want a one night stand, and neither that had been in a long term relationship.
I loved the shyness between the young couple, they were slowly developing a relationship and with the help of Dean’s dog. There’s not long periods of angst that brings you down, just enough to make the story interesting. The only complaint from me – I would have liked a better ending. I felt like it needed another chapter, but that’s just my own opinion. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Dean is different and Oliver becomes comfortable in the man’s presence maybe because Dean talks non-stop so Oliver doesn’t have to talk. Though the love of a puppy that Dean adopts, he finally starts to have the handsome barista interested in him (and not just his dog).
Oliver had not come out to his mother who was a nagging “B” that Oliver should settle down with a nice girl and start a family. His mother causes him extreme stress that stays with him throughout the day until Dean enters the scene. They are the most adorable couple, both shy, both do not want a one night stand, and neither that had been in a long term relationship.
I loved the shyness between the young couple, they were slowly developing a relationship and with the help of Dean’s dog. There’s not long periods of angst that brings you down, just enough to make the story interesting. The only complaint from me – I would have liked a better ending. I felt like it needed another chapter, but that’s just my own opinion. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 15, 2019
Oliver is a petite boy who flunked out of art school and has been working at a coffee shop. Dean is a librarian and drops in every day to see him. Oliver has social anxiety and rarely talks with anyone, hiding behind the coffee pot. Dean gets a Corgi dog and it breaks the ice and the two start dating. A sweet story with some angst as Oliver has yet to come out to his mom. A story where you find out who your real friends are and finding a loving man who likes to talk enough for the both of them. A short story worth reading. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.
January 15, 2026
As a very talented writer, Max Hudson takes the reader on a journey with light-hearted romance meanwhile tackling important issues. I don't want to give away the plot, but Oliver has a lot going on in his life. The secondary characters were delightful and helped the reader better understand Oliver. I got an advanced copy of this novel for an honest review.
July 2, 2019
Til There Was You: Max Hudson
I really enjoyed this book I just wished it went for a bit longer. Thanks Max for a good read. I suppose I related a bit with Oliver as I am a bit like him, but the love and joy were great thanks for a great read.
I really enjoyed this book I just wished it went for a bit longer. Thanks Max for a good read. I suppose I related a bit with Oliver as I am a bit like him, but the love and joy were great thanks for a great read.
May 13, 2020
3.5 stars. I liked Oliver and how he slowly opened up to his workmates, as well as developing a relationship with Dean. I also always appreciate a book that takes into account the cost of living and includes appropriate cash angst.
June 17, 2019
Til there was you was a really cute story. The characters Dean the talkaholic and Oliver the shy barista were adorable.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews