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The PI Guys #1
Stay with Me
Private investigator Mackenzie Williams’s newest client is everything he’s looking for in a guy—charming, beautiful, intelligent, and successful. There's only one itty bitty problem—the guy’s not exactly gay. In fact, Jordan Channing is looking for a PI to follow his fiancée. The smart thing would be to thank Jordan for his time, turn Mr. Perfect away (don’t let the door hit you on the rump, thank you very much), and forget he exists.
Of course, Mackenzie has never been accused of doing the smart thing. Being smart aleck is more his MO. Relationships aren’t up his alley, never have been. So why’s he so inexplicably drawn to his new client?
Jordan has always been the high achiever, a man who lives in a focused, controlled, and carefully constructed manner. But for the first time in his life, he has to admit the impossible—another man is getting his engine running on all cylinders. Despite Jordan’s denial, it’s not long before he can no longer resist the strong undercurrents pulling them together. Now Jordan must decide if he can go against everything he’s ever known to have the only love he’s ever wanted.
Of course, Mackenzie has never been accused of doing the smart thing. Being smart aleck is more his MO. Relationships aren’t up his alley, never have been. So why’s he so inexplicably drawn to his new client?
Jordan has always been the high achiever, a man who lives in a focused, controlled, and carefully constructed manner. But for the first time in his life, he has to admit the impossible—another man is getting his engine running on all cylinders. Despite Jordan’s denial, it’s not long before he can no longer resist the strong undercurrents pulling them together. Now Jordan must decide if he can go against everything he’s ever known to have the only love he’s ever wanted.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2014
276 people are currently reading
2015 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Harmon
22 books1,737 followersS.E. Harmon has had a lifelong love affair with writing. It's been both wonderful and rocky (they've divorced several times), but they always manage to come back together. She's a native Floridian with a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Fine Arts, and used to spend her time writing educational grants. She now splits her days between voraciously reading romance novels and squirreling away someplace to write them. Her current beta reader is a nosy American Eskimo who begrudgingly accepts payment in the form of dog biscuits.
http://seharmon.weebly.com/
http://seharmon.weebly.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 600 reviews
April 24, 2024
Reread - April 2024
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Reread - September 2023
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Reread - December 2022
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Reread - August 2021
I will never get tired of Mackenzie and Jordan.
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4th Re-read October 2020.
Loved it. I am slowly getting out of my slump.
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Re-read April 2019
Still Loved it! 3rd time is a charm.
This book is Hot and sweet and funny and HOT!
This is one of those books that you either love it or you don't. The MC got baggage, huge baggage that can be overwhelming and exhausting sometimes, but i felt it was real. I found him flawed and interesting.
Mac our main narrator is sarcastic, funny, a diva and a really bossy bottom. Loved him and his snarky self. I loved Jordan too, i wish we had his POV, but i can't complain since Mac was interesting to carry the story.
The writing is solid and engaging. I was hooked from the 1st page.
The SEX! OMG! It was HOOOOOT! I will probably keep coming back for the sex. These two f**ed like it was the end of the world, and the only way to survive the apocalypse was to have hot, filthy sex. I loved every second of it.
Kissing!
Shower!
And so many sweet moments.
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I actually loved reading this the second time. Mac was very funny and had me laughing all through.
January 16, 2019
4.5
Bucket of ice,anyone?
Lordy.Lordy this is deliciously filthy...
I honestly don't know why I haven't read this sooner.Every book I've read by this Author has been a hit for me and this is right up there.She's fast becoming one of my favourites.
Mac is sassy,sarcastic,and sexy as sin.Told only from his POV, I loved being inside his head.Working as a Private Investigator he meets Jordan while on a job who hires him to watch his fiance....
Yes,Jordan is straight(or so he thinks) and what you get is pretty explosive sexual tension between these two guys.There's no skirting around with these two-the attraction is too strong and it's so damn dirty I was swooning.They go at it A LOT.....and I didn't skip a single scene,I'm pretty sure I re read a few.Their chemistry was off the charts!! Add in some great banter and fantastic supporting characters and this was a total winner for me.
Off to read book two.
Highly Recommended.
Available on KU.
“God, the way you get me going should be a crime.”(...)
Bucket of ice,anyone?
Lordy.Lordy this is deliciously filthy...
I honestly don't know why I haven't read this sooner.Every book I've read by this Author has been a hit for me and this is right up there.She's fast becoming one of my favourites.
Mac is sassy,sarcastic,and sexy as sin.Told only from his POV, I loved being inside his head.Working as a Private Investigator he meets Jordan while on a job who hires him to watch his fiance....
Yes,Jordan is straight(or so he thinks) and what you get is pretty explosive sexual tension between these two guys.There's no skirting around with these two-the attraction is too strong and it's so damn dirty I was swooning.They go at it A LOT.....and I didn't skip a single scene,I'm pretty sure I re read a few.Their chemistry was off the charts!! Add in some great banter and fantastic supporting characters and this was a total winner for me.
I thought maybe I could kiss Jordan forever, that maybe if the world was ending and fire was raining down all around us, I would reach up for just one more kiss like this.
Off to read book two.
Highly Recommended.
Available on KU.
August 10, 2016
3.75 stars*
*Rating disclaimer:
The first 30 percent of this book dragged slower than molasses going uphill in January. Mackenzie was such a smart ass, he must have sprained his tongue with the constant wit and innuendo, and truly that tongue could have been put to better use.
Mac is a private investigator who specializes in catching cheating spouses. He's cynical and scared of being hurt, so he turns tail and runs when things get tough. Having just broken up with a long-term closeted boyfriend who dumped him for a woman, Mac is not prepared for the attraction he feels for Jordan, a handsome lawyer he meets while on a stakeout. Jordan thinks his fiancée may be cheating on him, so he hires Mac to follow her.
The spark between Jordan and Mac is like a scorching flame, and there is some serious wanton sluttiness in full glory on the page.
You lovers of gay first-timers, listen up: This is the bible of gay first-times; prepare for lots of dirty, man-on-man, want-you-now, fuck-me-hard action.
Here's a sample: (Warning: adult content. If you think your delicate sensitivities may be offended, don't open this spoiler; no, seriously, if you don't want to see, don't look.)
The relationship between the MCs doesn't roll as smoothly as the sexy times. Jordan distances himself, pulling away before he gets too attached, and Mac is confused about his sexuality and not sure whether he's bi or just gay for Mac. I didn't love that Jordan is essentially engaged for most of the book and there is a huge plot point regarding his fiancée that's left unresolved. Why Jordan's engaged to her in the first place isn't explained; he seems completely ambivalent toward her.
There's also on-page sex between Mac and another guy early on in the book, which was a total pisser. Mac is initially still pining for his recent ex, and the interactions between Mac and Trevor (the ex) got a little long-winded.
I felt like I knew Mac fairly well, since the book is from his perspective, but Jordan was more of an enigma. Both guys drove me bat-shit crazy with the hot/cold tug of war they had going on. Jordan gave off mixed signals initially, and Mac just left when things didn't go his way.
I liked many of the secondary characters, including Mac's business partner Drew, his sweet ex-boyfriend Nick, and his brother and dad.
Even though I liked the story and the book was well written, it could have been trimmed by a hundred or so pages; there was some unnecessary filler, especially at the beginning. But it did grow on me, and the ending was a strong HFN.
*Rating disclaimer:
The first 30 percent of this book dragged slower than molasses going uphill in January. Mackenzie was such a smart ass, he must have sprained his tongue with the constant wit and innuendo, and truly that tongue could have been put to better use.
Mac is a private investigator who specializes in catching cheating spouses. He's cynical and scared of being hurt, so he turns tail and runs when things get tough. Having just broken up with a long-term closeted boyfriend who dumped him for a woman, Mac is not prepared for the attraction he feels for Jordan, a handsome lawyer he meets while on a stakeout. Jordan thinks his fiancée may be cheating on him, so he hires Mac to follow her.
The spark between Jordan and Mac is like a scorching flame, and there is some serious wanton sluttiness in full glory on the page.
You lovers of gay first-timers, listen up: This is the bible of gay first-times; prepare for lots of dirty, man-on-man, want-you-now, fuck-me-hard action.
Here's a sample: (Warning: adult content. If you think your delicate sensitivities may be offended, don't open this spoiler; no, seriously, if you don't want to see, don't look.)
The relationship between the MCs doesn't roll as smoothly as the sexy times. Jordan distances himself, pulling away before he gets too attached, and Mac is confused about his sexuality and not sure whether he's bi or just gay for Mac. I didn't love that Jordan is essentially engaged for most of the book and there is a huge plot point regarding his fiancée that's left unresolved. Why Jordan's engaged to her in the first place isn't explained; he seems completely ambivalent toward her.
There's also on-page sex between Mac and another guy early on in the book, which was a total pisser. Mac is initially still pining for his recent ex, and the interactions between Mac and Trevor (the ex) got a little long-winded.
I felt like I knew Mac fairly well, since the book is from his perspective, but Jordan was more of an enigma. Both guys drove me bat-shit crazy with the hot/cold tug of war they had going on. Jordan gave off mixed signals initially, and Mac just left when things didn't go his way.
I liked many of the secondary characters, including Mac's business partner Drew, his sweet ex-boyfriend Nick, and his brother and dad.
Even though I liked the story and the book was well written, it could have been trimmed by a hundred or so pages; there was some unnecessary filler, especially at the beginning. But it did grow on me, and the ending was a strong HFN.
March 24, 2019
OMG! 😱 How much I loved this audio! 😍 It had been such a long time which a great audio has grabbed me by the balls and demanded to be listened to whenever I can throughout the day! 😁 This was really really good! First of all, if you have been following my reviews for a while, you know I’m not a big contemporary fan. And second, I am not that into straight dudes freaking out when they find out they might not be as straight as they think. But this book just worked for me. 💜
Mac, a former police officer now turned PI, is a firm believer of “nothing lasts forever” ideology. After all, his own mother had run away with a younger man and abandoned he and his family. Mac also had a notorious streak of turning his closest friends to his lovers and breaking up with them in the end. But Mac is fairly happy with his life, he has a very dry and rather inappropriate sense of humor, a thriving PI firm of his own and a best friend/PI partner who listens (rather reluctantly 😂) to his bone dry snarks. That is until he met Jordan, straight as arrow Jordan who hired Mac to follow his fiancée who is a woman. 😏 Mac knows it’s not a good idea to start anything with Jordan even if the spark between them is as hot as molten lava. 😉 Jordan has never doubted his sexuality until he met Mac and Mac had that “been there, done that T-shirts of dating closeted men. But there’s just something about Jordan that makes cynic Mackenzie can’t help but fall hard for him. 😁 And MAC soon found out his insecurity and trauma of being left behind is way worse than Jordan having to deal with his new found sexuality. However, these two men definitely have their works cut out for them if they want a happy ending with rainbows and unicorns and a white picket fence. 🌈🦄😉
If you ask me if this book is perfect, I have to say it’s not. But the romance and chemistry between Mac and Jordan just worked for me. 😊 For example, as a true hopeless romantic, I would have preferred Jordan to call off the engagement as soon as he met Mac but then this story wouldn’t be realistic anymore, would it? 😁 Instead we get a slow-burn, sweet, intense and beautiful romance between Jordan and Mac and how they had to navigate their differences to find a balance that works for them. And Mackenzie just worked for me! 😱😍 The guy is snarky as hell and his sarcasm is bone dry. 😏 But that’s what made me relate to him and fall in love with his character. And his inner monologues are just hilarious! 😂👏 And did I say the sex was hot? Sweet baby Jesus, was it hot! 😱🔥 It was smoking hot! 🔥 Like panty-melting, a shower-needing, feeling-hot-and-bothered kind of hot! 🔥 S.E. Harmon definitely knew how to make the love scenes sizzling! 😉 And Michael Stellman did a terrific job narrating this story. 👏 I think Mackenzie’s voice is definitely made for him. ❤️ I would have loved an epilogue for these two but I’m happy with how things ended. Now I can’t wait to dive into the second book of PI guys because well, I’m now hooked, aren’t I? 😁
5 I knew you were the one for me when you get my sarcasm stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio rating
Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mac, a former police officer now turned PI, is a firm believer of “nothing lasts forever” ideology. After all, his own mother had run away with a younger man and abandoned he and his family. Mac also had a notorious streak of turning his closest friends to his lovers and breaking up with them in the end. But Mac is fairly happy with his life, he has a very dry and rather inappropriate sense of humor, a thriving PI firm of his own and a best friend/PI partner who listens (rather reluctantly 😂) to his bone dry snarks. That is until he met Jordan, straight as arrow Jordan who hired Mac to follow his fiancée who is a woman. 😏 Mac knows it’s not a good idea to start anything with Jordan even if the spark between them is as hot as molten lava. 😉 Jordan has never doubted his sexuality until he met Mac and Mac had that “been there, done that T-shirts of dating closeted men. But there’s just something about Jordan that makes cynic Mackenzie can’t help but fall hard for him. 😁 And MAC soon found out his insecurity and trauma of being left behind is way worse than Jordan having to deal with his new found sexuality. However, these two men definitely have their works cut out for them if they want a happy ending with rainbows and unicorns and a white picket fence. 🌈🦄😉
If you ask me if this book is perfect, I have to say it’s not. But the romance and chemistry between Mac and Jordan just worked for me. 😊 For example, as a true hopeless romantic, I would have preferred Jordan to call off the engagement as soon as he met Mac but then this story wouldn’t be realistic anymore, would it? 😁 Instead we get a slow-burn, sweet, intense and beautiful romance between Jordan and Mac and how they had to navigate their differences to find a balance that works for them. And Mackenzie just worked for me! 😱😍 The guy is snarky as hell and his sarcasm is bone dry. 😏 But that’s what made me relate to him and fall in love with his character. And his inner monologues are just hilarious! 😂👏 And did I say the sex was hot? Sweet baby Jesus, was it hot! 😱🔥 It was smoking hot! 🔥 Like panty-melting, a shower-needing, feeling-hot-and-bothered kind of hot! 🔥 S.E. Harmon definitely knew how to make the love scenes sizzling! 😉 And Michael Stellman did a terrific job narrating this story. 👏 I think Mackenzie’s voice is definitely made for him. ❤️ I would have loved an epilogue for these two but I’m happy with how things ended. Now I can’t wait to dive into the second book of PI guys because well, I’m now hooked, aren’t I? 😁
5 I knew you were the one for me when you get my sarcasm stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio rating
Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 9, 2017
This is the reaction I had for most of the book. There were other times when I was sniffling some, rolling my eyes a lot, and getting bored a teeny tiny bit.
The sassy prima donna, aka Mackenzie, was such an awesome entertainer with his snark and flamboyance and queen-type behaviour, I fell in love with him right in the beginning. His comebacks, his TV show-nerd side, his EVERYTHING was Class-A hilarious.
And then came swoon-worthy Jordon. I am still drooling over him. His careful, confident personality was the right match to the flaming personality of Mac. Those two were downright sizzling together! They simply burned the sheets off their bed, every single time.
Even the supporting cast was amazing: Mac's dad, brother Robert (Robbie), Drew (I cannot wait to read his story next), Nick, Peyton, Finn, and the numerous work assignments. The story starts a bit slow, if only because there is a significant delay from when we meet Jordon to when he becomes an active MC, and that, along with not having more Jordon-Mac love pages to devour, is why I have deducted one star.
Cruel of me, I know, but the author can't have me addicted and then not give me more!
Highly recommended to those looking for a light-angst romance with adorable characters and snarky wit to sauce up the journey.
Love you, Jordon and Mac. I hope to meet you again soon. Real soon. ;)
June 16, 2014
4--LOL--Stars!!
Really, really enjoyed this one. Loved all of the characters, both the main and supporting.
Mac...
I can see where people would either love or hate Mac. He was snarky and sarcastic and immature at times. But more often then not I was LMAO at his internal dialogue and his banter with everyone.
Mac is kind of shit when it comes to dating and relationships and love. He has mom issues. He doesn't let himself get close to anyone for fear that they will leave him. So after two failed relationships Mac finds himself attracted to straight, engaged Jordan.
Mac is a PI and has hired Jordan to follow his soon to be wife Rachel. Now, I did think this part of the storyline kind of fell to the wayside. Before we know it Mac and Jordan are exploring their feelings for each other and Rachel is sort of forgotten.
It's not until the end of the book that we find out anything with regards to Jordan and Rachel.
I felt really bad for Mac at times. As if he wasn't already insecure, now he's dealing with someone who is just coming to terms with being attracted to a man, to being with a man sexually, etc.
Jordan and Mac were smoking hot together though.
Yes, there was some silly drama but nothing that was dragged out endlessly. Mac responded to everything with his usual sarcastic charm.
I felt like the ending was more HFN. It had a good ending but it seemed like it kind of left things open for more. Or possibly books on other characters. I would love to read a book about Drew!
Solid MM read! I definitely recommend!
Really, really enjoyed this one. Loved all of the characters, both the main and supporting.
Mac...
I can see where people would either love or hate Mac. He was snarky and sarcastic and immature at times. But more often then not I was LMAO at his internal dialogue and his banter with everyone.
Mac is kind of shit when it comes to dating and relationships and love. He has mom issues. He doesn't let himself get close to anyone for fear that they will leave him. So after two failed relationships Mac finds himself attracted to straight, engaged Jordan.
Mac is a PI and has hired Jordan to follow his soon to be wife Rachel. Now, I did think this part of the storyline kind of fell to the wayside. Before we know it Mac and Jordan are exploring their feelings for each other and Rachel is sort of forgotten.
It's not until the end of the book that we find out anything with regards to Jordan and Rachel.
I felt really bad for Mac at times. As if he wasn't already insecure, now he's dealing with someone who is just coming to terms with being attracted to a man, to being with a man sexually, etc.
Jordan and Mac were smoking hot together though.
Yes, there was some silly drama but nothing that was dragged out endlessly. Mac responded to everything with his usual sarcastic charm.
I felt like the ending was more HFN. It had a good ending but it seemed like it kind of left things open for more. Or possibly books on other characters. I would love to read a book about Drew!
Solid MM read! I definitely recommend!
February 2, 2019
I truly enjoyed this one, but, I was kind of pissed about the ending. Not really a hea for me, more like a hfn. It could have done with at least one more chapter and an epilogue. Other than that it was pretty good. I laughed my ass off. Mac was awesome !! It was kind of a fluffy read...not a lot of angst, but some. The steam was good too, so 4 stars for me
August 14, 2020
“They’re hazel. And they’re beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful. And I can’t believe you’re mine.”
I went into this expecting some laugh-out-loud moments and some steam. Well, I got one of those things. So many reviewers said this book was funny. And while I will concede that Mack's sarcasm is top notch, it wasn't enough to make me full on enjoy the book. I think my expectations kinda got the better of me.
Mac was flawed and interesting to get to know throughout the course of the book but I wish we could have gotten Jordan's POV. Half the book is just Mac's inner monologue. It annoyed me a little. And it also felt like the story was left incomplete. I was waiting for an epilogue and it didn't come. I feel like my biggest pet peeve in romance novels is not having an epilogue.
One thing I liked about the book is the couple. The author really made me believe in them and showed us through her words that they belong together. Their relationship development felt natural. I was fully rooting for them by the end of the book.
Despite feeling like this is not the kind of book that's going to stay with me, I could see how so many people loved it. I'm still gonna check out some of the author's other books because they do sound kind of interesting.
I went into this expecting some laugh-out-loud moments and some steam. Well, I got one of those things. So many reviewers said this book was funny. And while I will concede that Mack's sarcasm is top notch, it wasn't enough to make me full on enjoy the book. I think my expectations kinda got the better of me.
Mac was flawed and interesting to get to know throughout the course of the book but I wish we could have gotten Jordan's POV. Half the book is just Mac's inner monologue. It annoyed me a little. And it also felt like the story was left incomplete. I was waiting for an epilogue and it didn't come. I feel like my biggest pet peeve in romance novels is not having an epilogue.
One thing I liked about the book is the couple. The author really made me believe in them and showed us through her words that they belong together. Their relationship development felt natural. I was fully rooting for them by the end of the book.
Despite feeling like this is not the kind of book that's going to stay with me, I could see how so many people loved it. I'm still gonna check out some of the author's other books because they do sound kind of interesting.
June 19, 2017
***4.5 Snarky Sarcasm Wins My Heart Stars***
BOOM....on the favorites shelf you go! This book had my heart at the first instance of snarky sarcasm.
Allow me to present to you Mackenzie. Mac is not so lucky in the love department. Ok, maybe it's his fault. Maybe he's afraid of it. Maybe he lives by the philosophy "why give them the chance to leave you, when you can leave first." That should give you a wonderfully fulfilling life....right?!?!
Enter Jordan. You see Jordan's got this problem. Nothing too huge...just that he has a fiance who's probably cheating on him. So what's a guy to do but hire Mac the PI to spy on her. Oh, and let's add that he's attracted to Mac and might be bi.
The sexual tension between these two jumps off the page and wraps it's arms around you in a delicious embrace. It's not a matter of "if" but "when" and you gobble up every morsel of anticipation.
"Until when?"
"Until."
"When?"
"Until you ask for something more."
"I'm asking for more."
Mac is letting Jordan take the lead....set the pace. He just knows this will become too much for Jordan. He doesn't need another closet boyfriend. Not another man who doesn't want the world to know that he's gay. So until then he'll bide his time. Relish in the feeling of being with him. Deal with it with his natural quick-witted sarcasm. He's good at that. He knows that. But what happens when he starts to feel more. When feelings get too deep? When the fear sets in?
"[b]ut he wasn't suppose to know me this well yet. I wasn't suppose to miss him like this, before he was even gone."
I loved almost everything about this book. The writing, the banter between Mac and practically everyone, the progression of Jordan and Mac's relationship, the smoking hot sex. All of it. I had my heart in my throat, butterflies in my stomach, tears of laughter in my eyes....and definitely some tingling. I found Mac's childish behavior at times endearing and easily relatable.
This was a great mix of romance, wit, humor, steam, family....life. I can't believe this is S.E. Harmon's first book! What a debut!! The cast of side characters fit in this story perfectly. Every person had their place and firmly belonged there. Even douchey Trevor, Mac's ex-boyfriend. Oh how the tables have turned...huh, Trev?
The only things that didn't quite get this book to five stars for me is the lack of a resolution on one issue with Rachel, Jordan's ex-fiance. And yes, they are broken up before he starts with Mac. No cheating here. And I wish I had an epilogue. The book ends in a great place, but I wanted more! Which I'm hoping we'll get in Drew's book, Mac's partner in his PI business.
Ms. Harmon, you've got a fan in me and I can't wait to read more of what you've got! Welcome to my auto-buy list!
November 19, 2019
3 Stars
Dubious at best.
The blurb doesn’t lie to you.
Mac is a private investigator. He’s kinda a slacker who’s really his own worst enemy as he’s unable to move on from a recently failed relationship and makes questionable choices in his life, the main one falling for a client who’s engaged.
To. A. Woman.
I wouldn’t typically read such fare but this is SE Harmon and the gal can write. There’s no lie about that.
So just prepare yourself for Mac being unable to stop himself from pursuing Jordan, and Jordan cheating on his fiance who he hired Mac to prove she was cheating on him first (which she was). The constant struggle to stay away from temptation, not being able to say no, and an inability to really talk about issues and feelings run rampant for both these men.
I shook my head and cringed because it was just this side of uncomfortable and straddles the line quite often, and romantic purists may balk hard.
Regardless, Harmon knows snark. She definitely knows UST and smexy smex.
Mac and Jordan obviously have an intense addictive connection to each other despite how hard they deny and ignore so many things, and they do eventually get a strong HFN. Uh, where’s my fucking epilogue?!
Narrated by Michael Stellman, he doesn’t do voice distinction which can make the listen a bit difficult but the emotions and nuance were spot on. Again, this was far from a home run, but the good stuff eked out a compelling enough read despite all my niggles.
Dubious at best.
The blurb doesn’t lie to you.
Mac is a private investigator. He’s kinda a slacker who’s really his own worst enemy as he’s unable to move on from a recently failed relationship and makes questionable choices in his life, the main one falling for a client who’s engaged.
To. A. Woman.
I wouldn’t typically read such fare but this is SE Harmon and the gal can write. There’s no lie about that.
So just prepare yourself for Mac being unable to stop himself from pursuing Jordan, and Jordan cheating on his fiance who he hired Mac to prove she was cheating on him first (which she was). The constant struggle to stay away from temptation, not being able to say no, and an inability to really talk about issues and feelings run rampant for both these men.
I shook my head and cringed because it was just this side of uncomfortable and straddles the line quite often, and romantic purists may balk hard.
Regardless, Harmon knows snark. She definitely knows UST and smexy smex.
Mac and Jordan obviously have an intense addictive connection to each other despite how hard they deny and ignore so many things, and they do eventually get a strong HFN. Uh, where’s my fucking epilogue?!
Narrated by Michael Stellman, he doesn’t do voice distinction which can make the listen a bit difficult but the emotions and nuance were spot on. Again, this was far from a home run, but the good stuff eked out a compelling enough read despite all my niggles.
dnf
January 28, 2021DNF @ 63%
Yet another instance where I feel like I must’ve read another book from what my friends did. I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand their connection to each other at all. I didn’t even really understand their friendship that was portrayed as being some deep connection or something. While I liked the main H’s humor, I didn’t get that we focused so much on other random things in his life. It felt all over the place and the other H was just sprinkled in here and there for some sexual encounters while he was still engaged to a woman that the main H was investigating. What?! I found it rather confusing. Especially because he didn’t seem all that confused when with the main H until after an encounter where he’d simply ghost him until another day that he would initiate. It might also be that we don’t get his POV so I didn’t understand his motives or overall feelings. One of the main reasons I like the GFY theme is that we get to experience the struggles behind the change in identity, and that wasn’t present here at all. Overall it was just a bummer.
Yet another instance where I feel like I must’ve read another book from what my friends did. I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand their connection to each other at all. I didn’t even really understand their friendship that was portrayed as being some deep connection or something. While I liked the main H’s humor, I didn’t get that we focused so much on other random things in his life. It felt all over the place and the other H was just sprinkled in here and there for some sexual encounters while he was still engaged to a woman that the main H was investigating. What?! I found it rather confusing. Especially because he didn’t seem all that confused when with the main H until after an encounter where he’d simply ghost him until another day that he would initiate. It might also be that we don’t get his POV so I didn’t understand his motives or overall feelings. One of the main reasons I like the GFY theme is that we get to experience the struggles behind the change in identity, and that wasn’t present here at all. Overall it was just a bummer.
January 5, 2016
Stay With Me is a book I waited a long time to read. Even though it made a lot of 2014 "best" lists, the reviews were mixed with my GR friends. I put it on the back burner and eventually forgot about it.
With the release of the second book in the series So Into You a few days ago, and the fantastic reviews it is receiving, I decided to dust off this one and give it a go before reading So Into You.
I can see now why my GR friend's reviews were so mixed and this wasn't a slam-dunk fan-favorite. The writing was refreshingly different than most M/M romance books, but isn't for everyone. And the plot had a lot of ups and downs and mood shifts that left me reeling. I am not in the camp that loved this book and I'm not in the camp that DNF/loathed this book. I'm right in the middle. Kinda liked? Enjoyed for 80%? Indifferent? Pretty much.
The problem I had with this one was the drastic change in Mac's temperament, which shifted the enjoyable direction of the book for me. In the beginning of the book he is brash and witty and carefree and a joy to read. By the end of the book he is sullen and quiet and kind of a bonehead. And this change in mood happened before his relationship with Jordan got rocky. It's like his light got turned off and it depressed the hell out of me. I craved the snarky banter we got so much of in the beginning. Yes, I absolutely understand that it was a normal progression of his character and as his mind started getting weighted down my his personal feelings he lost some of his spunk, but that doesn't change the fact that I didn't like reading about it. I'm all for angst, but this was just too damn much and the wrong kind of angst for my taste. It made me feel awful. I woke up the next morning with a cry-headache. And it wasn't a good, soul-cleansing Amy Laneish cry-headache.
Even though this one didn't do a whole lot for me, I recommend it to all M/M romance fans. It is definitely worth a try so you can find out which camp to pitch your tent.
With the release of the second book in the series So Into You a few days ago, and the fantastic reviews it is receiving, I decided to dust off this one and give it a go before reading So Into You.
I can see now why my GR friend's reviews were so mixed and this wasn't a slam-dunk fan-favorite. The writing was refreshingly different than most M/M romance books, but isn't for everyone. And the plot had a lot of ups and downs and mood shifts that left me reeling. I am not in the camp that loved this book and I'm not in the camp that DNF/loathed this book. I'm right in the middle. Kinda liked? Enjoyed for 80%? Indifferent? Pretty much.
The problem I had with this one was the drastic change in Mac's temperament, which shifted the enjoyable direction of the book for me. In the beginning of the book he is brash and witty and carefree and a joy to read. By the end of the book he is sullen and quiet and kind of a bonehead. And this change in mood happened before his relationship with Jordan got rocky. It's like his light got turned off and it depressed the hell out of me. I craved the snarky banter we got so much of in the beginning. Yes, I absolutely understand that it was a normal progression of his character and as his mind started getting weighted down my his personal feelings he lost some of his spunk, but that doesn't change the fact that I didn't like reading about it. I'm all for angst, but this was just too damn much and the wrong kind of angst for my taste. It made me feel awful. I woke up the next morning with a cry-headache. And it wasn't a good, soul-cleansing Amy Laneish cry-headache.
Even though this one didn't do a whole lot for me, I recommend it to all M/M romance fans. It is definitely worth a try so you can find out which camp to pitch your tent.
October 28, 2021
Great banter, hot hot hot sex, and all the feelings? This book reminded me how much I love SE Harmon.
It’s a little messy, story and writing both. Was there cheating? Probably? Also i had a lot of questions about the timeline, some things didn’t really make sense. But I didn’t really care.
I loved Mac. Who was a mess. I loved Jordan. Who was also a mess. Just a different kind of mess.
More importantly, after a really light fun hilarious start, it managed to give me ALL THE FEELINGS.
It’s a little messy, story and writing both. Was there cheating? Probably? Also i had a lot of questions about the timeline, some things didn’t really make sense. But I didn’t really care.
I loved Mac. Who was a mess. I loved Jordan. Who was also a mess. Just a different kind of mess.
More importantly, after a really light fun hilarious start, it managed to give me ALL THE FEELINGS.
May 4, 2014
If you don't like GFY books, don't read this.
If you like GFY books, don't read this.
Awful.
If you like GFY books, don't read this.
Awful.
June 11, 2017
Ah, the banter! I quite enjoyed reading this one again :)
-------Original review 23 May 2014-----
Though I really enjoyed this book (I loved Mac, snarkiness and all), there were a few timeline and story inconsistencies that kept me from giving it 5 stars. Also, I thought it wrapped up a bit too easily and quickly. With another round of editing, I think this story could easily hit 5 stars.
That said, I really did enjoy this story. I loved the snark that was Mac and the open to experimentation that was Jordan. Mac's snarkiness is a defense mechanism to help him keep others at arms length. Doesn't work so well with Jordan, though. Mac wants desperately to be loved, but doesn't really believe it will happen for him. He's a bit cynical and he has some serious commitment issues. And he seems to be drawn to straight guys.
Jordan, on the other hand, seems to take pretty much everything in stride. Though he's never been attracted to another man before, he mostly goes with it, questioning it only at the beginning. Since this book is entirely from Mac's POV, we don't get to experience Jordan's inner turmoil at all. I admit, I think the story would have been better to mix up the POV between Mac and Jordan. I would have loved to have gotten a peak into the things that Jordan was thinking and feeling.
I do hope we get books for Drew, Asher, Darcy and Kelly. I'd definitely check them out.
-------Original review 23 May 2014-----
Though I really enjoyed this book (I loved Mac, snarkiness and all), there were a few timeline and story inconsistencies that kept me from giving it 5 stars. Also, I thought it wrapped up a bit too easily and quickly. With another round of editing, I think this story could easily hit 5 stars.
That said, I really did enjoy this story. I loved the snark that was Mac and the open to experimentation that was Jordan. Mac's snarkiness is a defense mechanism to help him keep others at arms length. Doesn't work so well with Jordan, though. Mac wants desperately to be loved, but doesn't really believe it will happen for him. He's a bit cynical and he has some serious commitment issues. And he seems to be drawn to straight guys.
Jordan, on the other hand, seems to take pretty much everything in stride. Though he's never been attracted to another man before, he mostly goes with it, questioning it only at the beginning. Since this book is entirely from Mac's POV, we don't get to experience Jordan's inner turmoil at all. I admit, I think the story would have been better to mix up the POV between Mac and Jordan. I would have loved to have gotten a peak into the things that Jordan was thinking and feeling.
I do hope we get books for Drew, Asher, Darcy and Kelly. I'd definitely check them out.
April 8, 2022
So let me get this straight. MC 2 hires MC 1 to investigate his girlfriend because he thinks she's cheating on him. MC 2 then proceeds to aggressively pursue MC 1 and they cheat on the girlfriend. MC 1 says repeatedly he doesn't want to be someones gay experiment yet every time they're together (cheating) MC 2 says he is "just seeing what it's like to be with a guy" (despite MC 1 having a broken heart over another guy who left him for a woman.)
December 11, 2014
I think whether readers can enjoy or not will come down to how readers take Mac’s voice since this story is written in 1st person. Readers might find Mac amusing or exhausting (remember Chandler from the 90’s TV series, Friends?).
Truthfully, I quite enjoyed Mac’s narration. His snark and humor – which sometimes I think is his defense mechanism, to protect himself from being hurt – fits with my taste. It makes the story rather light in tone, even if digging deeper below the surface, Mac actually has quite an issue. Since his mother left his family, Mac seems to have convinced himself that every relationship is bound to fail and it makes him reluctant to trust people.
I am a bit unsure about Jordan, though. The thing is, no matter how I see it, Jordan keeps pushing Mac’s boundaries, when he clearly still engaged with Rachel. Jordan kept saying he wanted to be friends, even if he knew that Mac was attracted to him, and at the same time, he still has a girlfriend. So I am not comfortable with that kind of situation. His mixed signals surely grate on my nerves. Besides,
I find the resolution of Jordan and Rachel’s situation to be quite ‘lazy’ ( – one that makes me roll my eyes and think “of course it goes that way, it’s too easy”.
I do like the secondary characters surrounding Mac and Jordan’s life. I especially LOVE Mac’s younger brother and father. Especially his father. Mac’s father rocks.
Overall, I enjoyed it quite nicely, mainly due to Mac’s voice. Even if the situations made me feel uncomfortable.
Truthfully, I quite enjoyed Mac’s narration. His snark and humor – which sometimes I think is his defense mechanism, to protect himself from being hurt – fits with my taste. It makes the story rather light in tone, even if digging deeper below the surface, Mac actually has quite an issue. Since his mother left his family, Mac seems to have convinced himself that every relationship is bound to fail and it makes him reluctant to trust people.
I am a bit unsure about Jordan, though. The thing is, no matter how I see it, Jordan keeps pushing Mac’s boundaries, when he clearly still engaged with Rachel. Jordan kept saying he wanted to be friends, even if he knew that Mac was attracted to him, and at the same time, he still has a girlfriend. So I am not comfortable with that kind of situation. His mixed signals surely grate on my nerves. Besides,
I find the resolution of Jordan and Rachel’s situation to be quite ‘lazy’ ( – one that makes me roll my eyes and think “of course it goes that way, it’s too easy”.
I do like the secondary characters surrounding Mac and Jordan’s life. I especially LOVE Mac’s younger brother and father. Especially his father. Mac’s father rocks.
Overall, I enjoyed it quite nicely, mainly due to Mac’s voice. Even if the situations made me feel uncomfortable.
August 30, 2020
Reread
Original review:
4.5 stars!!!!
This book was refreshing for me because it's been a while since a book in this genre just...hit...that...spot. It was real. It had the perfect amount of reality in the conversations. It had the perfect amount of angst. And the perfect amount of sexy times too.
Mackenzie is so damn cute. Jordan is just.....yeah, he was my favorite of the book. Gay PI meets not-so-straight, engaged man. It went so much further than that description. The secondary characters are great. The douche ex-boyfriend. Everything was written so perfectly well to tell Mackenzie and Jordan's story.
So why not 5 stars? Skip this part if you don't want any small spoilers. Mackenzie's behavior got a little too immature for my taste in the end. He was always so upfront and forward throughout the book, but then he just clammed up like a hormonal teenager in the end with Jordan begging him to talk with him! The other piece was no epilogue. I think I've been spoiled with epilogues now where I've come to expect them. I know that's on my, but the ending was abrupt, and I wanted a little more. An epilogue would have tied it up better for me.
That 0.5 missing from 5 stars, though? Ignore it because I highly recommend reading this book. I am off to search now to see if this author has anything else for me!
Original review:
4.5 stars!!!!
This book was refreshing for me because it's been a while since a book in this genre just...hit...that...spot. It was real. It had the perfect amount of reality in the conversations. It had the perfect amount of angst. And the perfect amount of sexy times too.
Mackenzie is so damn cute. Jordan is just.....yeah, he was my favorite of the book. Gay PI meets not-so-straight, engaged man. It went so much further than that description. The secondary characters are great. The douche ex-boyfriend. Everything was written so perfectly well to tell Mackenzie and Jordan's story.
So why not 5 stars? Skip this part if you don't want any small spoilers. Mackenzie's behavior got a little too immature for my taste in the end. He was always so upfront and forward throughout the book, but then he just clammed up like a hormonal teenager in the end with Jordan begging him to talk with him! The other piece was no epilogue. I think I've been spoiled with epilogues now where I've come to expect them. I know that's on my, but the ending was abrupt, and I wanted a little more. An epilogue would have tied it up better for me.
That 0.5 missing from 5 stars, though? Ignore it because I highly recommend reading this book. I am off to search now to see if this author has anything else for me!
Read
April 6, 2019DNF 40%
I just couldn't get into this one.
I just couldn't get into this one.
September 23, 2020
*aaargh, the angst*
This book is taking me forever to get through, and I can't tell for sure if it's just SE Harmon's plan, or the narrator's style. Michael Stellman is doing an amazing job - maybe too amazing? He really gets this character, and it pretty much killing me. Over two months to finish an audiobook? I guess I'm determined since I finally did it. It was a really good story though, just too much angst for me during these crazy times.
This book is taking me forever to get through, and I can't tell for sure if it's just SE Harmon's plan, or the narrator's style. Michael Stellman is doing an amazing job - maybe too amazing? He really gets this character, and it pretty much killing me. Over two months to finish an audiobook? I guess I'm determined since I finally did it. It was a really good story though, just too much angst for me during these crazy times.
May 7, 2014
LOVED LOVED Mackenzie. He was such perfection. Loved the humor and the story.
But.
Why WHYYYY must ALL the ex girlfriends in M/M come up with a "surprise PREGNANCY to rock the new relationship!
4 stars.
But.
Why WHYYYY must ALL the ex girlfriends in M/M come up with a "surprise PREGNANCY to rock the new relationship!
4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2019
4 Stars!!
This was a super hot GFY read!
I loved Mackenzie and Jordan, their journey towards their HEA is a rough one but one I couldn't stop reading.
I enjoyed it a lot although I would have liked a little more on the PI side mixed up with the romance and sex.
This was a super hot GFY read!
I loved Mackenzie and Jordan, their journey towards their HEA is a rough one but one I couldn't stop reading.
I enjoyed it a lot although I would have liked a little more on the PI side mixed up with the romance and sex.
March 25, 2025
I don't bareback but maybe just put the tip in this one time 💀💀💀💀💀Is that not —?
I'm surprised at how much I liked this given how certifiably toxic both the MCs were.
Mac is 'why won't your girlfriend just DIE?' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'I'm not into men but maybe gimme a blowie and let me fuck you the one time just to be sure' levels of toxic.
Mac is 'I really really like you but if you're not gay, fuck you, your momma, your girlfriend, get tf out of my office and don't come back' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'thanks for the fuck, don't call me, I'll call you' levels of toxic.
Mac is 'I really should trust him but I can spy on him this ONE time' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'I can't believe you SPIED on me while I had a cozy dinner with my girlfriend and kissed her hand after lying to you about being in a whole other state' levels of toxic.
Oh, and he swearssssss they were breaking up. Mhmmm, Jordan. We were all born yesterday.
Mac is 'I have enough mommy-related abandonment issues so I'll push everyone away first so they don't get to be the one that hurts me' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'OMG why would you dump me simply because the girlfriend I've been having intimate undisclosed dinners with has turned up pregnant and it could be mine, don't you trust me, baby?' levels of toxic.
Soooo much toxicity from both sides but the way I see it, Mac is self-aware about 90% of his issues and he's not pretending to be something he isn't.
So what if he's up in a tree to see what you're up to? He simply wants to feel close to you without putting pressure on you to 'define the relationship'.
Jordan is the became-a-lawyer-to-truly-hone-the-art-of-manipulation kind.
This man flip flopped in and out of the situationship with Mac so often even I got whiplash.
It was always too soon to hold hands in public although, trust me, I dumped my girlfriend, I SWEAR.
How dare you be in a movie theatre with ANOTHER MAN, and nooooo, don't turn this around on me, this is not about the fact that I was with my girlfriend when I found you there and had ghosted you for THREE weeks after the first time we fucked, phones work both ways, Mac!!!
Why would you not want to give this relationship a chance, Mac? Is it because my girlfriend is pregnant? It might not even be mine! How can you not trust us enough to fight for what we have even though we've had issues 5 times and you had to come get me 4 of those times. I'VE ONLY LIED TO YOU LIKE TWICE, OH MY GOD!
I swear that's what it read like to me. And sure, Mac's BATSHIT crazy but I really feel like he was gaslit a lot that time.
Like at what point do you go—you know what? It's been like two months of this man vaguely saying he's into me, the only issues we should be having at this stage are that he squeezes the toothpaste tube from the middle and not that his girlfriend, whom I met BECAUSE he hired me to figure out if she might be cheating, IS PREGNANT and it could actually be his.
Also, he won't tell anyone about us.
And he lies to me about his whereabouts.
Lol.
For someone whose ex had him pretending to be his BROTHER, I think Mac deserved some slack for being hesitant about this.
And I feel like his friends (looking at you, Nick) helped to gaslight him into this by telling him he's 'pushing' Jordan away.
Baby, that man doesn't want you.
PUSHHHHHHHHH.
But they're so deliciously toxic about and around each other that I was LIVING for the content.
Even though I don't like it when one MC asks the other for bare minimum for 9 hours and in the 10th, just when he's actually given up, the other is suddenly at the exact latitude and longitude to do all this shit.
That said.
I'm a huge fan of drama and angst and toxicity so I really enjoyed this. Laughed out loud multiple times.
4 stars for that.
1 star off for the communal gaslighting.
I'm surprised at how much I liked this given how certifiably toxic both the MCs were.
Mac is 'why won't your girlfriend just DIE?' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'I'm not into men but maybe gimme a blowie and let me fuck you the one time just to be sure' levels of toxic.
Mac is 'I really really like you but if you're not gay, fuck you, your momma, your girlfriend, get tf out of my office and don't come back' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'thanks for the fuck, don't call me, I'll call you' levels of toxic.
Mac is 'I really should trust him but I can spy on him this ONE time' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'I can't believe you SPIED on me while I had a cozy dinner with my girlfriend and kissed her hand after lying to you about being in a whole other state' levels of toxic.
Oh, and he swearssssss they were breaking up. Mhmmm, Jordan. We were all born yesterday.
Mac is 'I have enough mommy-related abandonment issues so I'll push everyone away first so they don't get to be the one that hurts me' levels of toxic.
Jordan is 'OMG why would you dump me simply because the girlfriend I've been having intimate undisclosed dinners with has turned up pregnant and it could be mine, don't you trust me, baby?' levels of toxic.
Soooo much toxicity from both sides but the way I see it, Mac is self-aware about 90% of his issues and he's not pretending to be something he isn't.
So what if he's up in a tree to see what you're up to? He simply wants to feel close to you without putting pressure on you to 'define the relationship'.
Jordan is the became-a-lawyer-to-truly-hone-the-art-of-manipulation kind.
This man flip flopped in and out of the situationship with Mac so often even I got whiplash.
It was always too soon to hold hands in public although, trust me, I dumped my girlfriend, I SWEAR.
How dare you be in a movie theatre with ANOTHER MAN, and nooooo, don't turn this around on me, this is not about the fact that I was with my girlfriend when I found you there and had ghosted you for THREE weeks after the first time we fucked, phones work both ways, Mac!!!
Why would you not want to give this relationship a chance, Mac? Is it because my girlfriend is pregnant? It might not even be mine! How can you not trust us enough to fight for what we have even though we've had issues 5 times and you had to come get me 4 of those times. I'VE ONLY LIED TO YOU LIKE TWICE, OH MY GOD!
I swear that's what it read like to me. And sure, Mac's BATSHIT crazy but I really feel like he was gaslit a lot that time.
Like at what point do you go—you know what? It's been like two months of this man vaguely saying he's into me, the only issues we should be having at this stage are that he squeezes the toothpaste tube from the middle and not that his girlfriend, whom I met BECAUSE he hired me to figure out if she might be cheating, IS PREGNANT and it could actually be his.
Also, he won't tell anyone about us.
And he lies to me about his whereabouts.
Lol.
For someone whose ex had him pretending to be his BROTHER, I think Mac deserved some slack for being hesitant about this.
And I feel like his friends (looking at you, Nick) helped to gaslight him into this by telling him he's 'pushing' Jordan away.
Baby, that man doesn't want you.
PUSHHHHHHHHH.
But they're so deliciously toxic about and around each other that I was LIVING for the content.
Even though I don't like it when one MC asks the other for bare minimum for 9 hours and in the 10th, just when he's actually given up, the other is suddenly at the exact latitude and longitude to do all this shit.
That said.
I'm a huge fan of drama and angst and toxicity so I really enjoyed this. Laughed out loud multiple times.
4 stars for that.
1 star off for the communal gaslighting.
May 25, 2015
I adored this book. Mac was funny, sexy, and really vulnerable. Jordan was amazing up never thought he was playing with Mac emotions. From beginning to end I was hooked. My only request was a confrontation between Trevor and Jordan yeah I would had loved it. I'm pretty sure Mac would have to. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 13, 2014
I loved this book so much, and it was SO close to being a 5 star read for me.
Mac is a PI with a pretty bad record in things of love. He has a habit of going after unavailable men, and running when things get tough. This all goes back to a mom who walked out on the family when he was a kid. Then he meets Jordan, a guy who actually hires him to follow his fiance, Rachel, because he thinks she might be cheating on him. And so we begin!
The chemistry between Mac and Jordan is great, and Mac can't help but wonder about all the signals Jordan keeps sending out. Eventually, they act on their feelings, and fall into a relationship, and boy is it hot.
The whole story is told in Mac's first person POV, and while I loved Mac and could happily read more of his neuroses and fears, I did feel that this kept the reader from really getting to know Jordan. What made him think Rachel was cheating on him? Had he ever had feelings for a guy before? How did he react to the idea of having the hots for his PI? Did he go home and wank to gay porn? Did he spend any time angsting over things, or did he just go with it? When exactly did he break things off with Rachel, before or after starting things with Mac?
Having both POVs are always nice, but for me it's especially important with this type of GFY story, to get a feel for the GFY character and how he's feeling and reacting with all the changes in his life. That's what I felt was missing in this story, and why I bumped it from 5 down to 4 stars.
The attraction to Mac SEEMED out of left field, but the reader only really knows what Mac knows, so I'm just not sure. I do know that Jordan seemed AWFULLY comfortable with the gay sex for a first timer. He rimmed the guy first thing! Had NO hesitation at giving a blow job, no hesitation about anything really, other than being fucked the first time, and even that eventually went peachy.
Time also seemed to skip around a bit at a couple of points, in such a way that I wasn't sure how much time had passed.
I hope we get a sequel, there seemed to be a lot of things unresolved, Mac is still a flight risk, IMO, and Jordan still needs to come out to his family and friends, and there is still that unfinished business with Rachel. Hopefully, if we get a sequel, it's in Jordan's POV this time. I'd also like to see stories about Mac's partner, Drew and about Mac's fuck buddy, Asher. (not necessarily together)
Mac is a PI with a pretty bad record in things of love. He has a habit of going after unavailable men, and running when things get tough. This all goes back to a mom who walked out on the family when he was a kid. Then he meets Jordan, a guy who actually hires him to follow his fiance, Rachel, because he thinks she might be cheating on him. And so we begin!
The chemistry between Mac and Jordan is great, and Mac can't help but wonder about all the signals Jordan keeps sending out. Eventually, they act on their feelings, and fall into a relationship, and boy is it hot.
The whole story is told in Mac's first person POV, and while I loved Mac and could happily read more of his neuroses and fears, I did feel that this kept the reader from really getting to know Jordan. What made him think Rachel was cheating on him? Had he ever had feelings for a guy before? How did he react to the idea of having the hots for his PI? Did he go home and wank to gay porn? Did he spend any time angsting over things, or did he just go with it? When exactly did he break things off with Rachel, before or after starting things with Mac?
Having both POVs are always nice, but for me it's especially important with this type of GFY story, to get a feel for the GFY character and how he's feeling and reacting with all the changes in his life. That's what I felt was missing in this story, and why I bumped it from 5 down to 4 stars.
The attraction to Mac SEEMED out of left field, but the reader only really knows what Mac knows, so I'm just not sure. I do know that Jordan seemed AWFULLY comfortable with the gay sex for a first timer. He rimmed the guy first thing! Had NO hesitation at giving a blow job, no hesitation about anything really, other than being fucked the first time, and even that eventually went peachy.
Time also seemed to skip around a bit at a couple of points, in such a way that I wasn't sure how much time had passed.
I hope we get a sequel, there seemed to be a lot of things unresolved, Mac is still a flight risk, IMO, and Jordan still needs to come out to his family and friends, and there is still that unfinished business with Rachel. Hopefully, if we get a sequel, it's in Jordan's POV this time. I'd also like to see stories about Mac's partner, Drew and about Mac's fuck buddy, Asher. (not necessarily together)
May 3, 2014
Those ★'s up there? They are for Mackenzie. This is one of those books. Part of me LOVED it and part of me analyzed it. So for now, I am going with my rating and will post more once I think it through.
November 7, 2017
I'm sorry, I tried...I really, really tried...
Well this was surprise...I had zero doubt...zero I tell you that I was going to like this...well, I guess this was my reminder to 'never say never'.
What I like was the narration. Michael Stellman was the narrator on this one and for me he did an awesome job. If I was just rating the narrator this one would have gotten at least 3 stars probably 4 from me.
I liked the humor there was some really funny stuff and I found myself chuckling out loud on more than one occasion and this is pretty much where this list ends with the exception of the occasional moments where I started to like Mackenzie, one of the MCs.
What I didn't like...well there's a laundry list for you. For the most part I didn't like the MCs a lot of the time I just wanted to give one or both of them a shake and tell them to get their heads out of their behinds, stop thinking with their little heads and try using the big one...you know the one that actually has a brain in it. I wanted to send Mackenzie for counselling to get back some of his self esteem and then there was Jordan...seriously? WTF? This guy was more confusing than trying to do a Rubik's cube in the dark. He's not gay and doesn't want to be but damned if he can stay away from Mackenzie and holy hell does he know his way around in the bedroom when he gets him there and that's just the tip of the iceberg with him. I found myself raging at Jordan more often than not and there really wasn't a point at which I even remotely liked him. I might have liked some of the secondary characters if someone anyone had bothered to treat Mackenzie with even a fraction of something that indicated they thought he had feelings worth considering.
I get that he was maybe his own worst enemy and the source of a majority of his problems but damn, if I treated my friends the way that everyone treated Mackenzie... well, I think I could pretty well expect that I'd be told where to go and how to get there in short order.
I've read the reviews and I get that this one worked for more people than not, I just happen to be one of the 'nots', but I'm also a bit of a die hard and since this is my first time with an S. E. Harmon story, I can't help but wonder if it's just this particular story or if maybe it's a case of this author just isn't for me so you guessed it I'm giving it one more try with 'So Into You' book #2 in 'The PI Guys'...cross your fingers for me, ok?
Well this was surprise...I had zero doubt...zero I tell you that I was going to like this...well, I guess this was my reminder to 'never say never'.
What I like was the narration. Michael Stellman was the narrator on this one and for me he did an awesome job. If I was just rating the narrator this one would have gotten at least 3 stars probably 4 from me.
I liked the humor there was some really funny stuff and I found myself chuckling out loud on more than one occasion and this is pretty much where this list ends with the exception of the occasional moments where I started to like Mackenzie, one of the MCs.
What I didn't like...well there's a laundry list for you. For the most part I didn't like the MCs a lot of the time I just wanted to give one or both of them a shake and tell them to get their heads out of their behinds, stop thinking with their little heads and try using the big one...you know the one that actually has a brain in it. I wanted to send Mackenzie for counselling to get back some of his self esteem and then there was Jordan...seriously? WTF? This guy was more confusing than trying to do a Rubik's cube in the dark. He's not gay and doesn't want to be but damned if he can stay away from Mackenzie and holy hell does he know his way around in the bedroom when he gets him there and that's just the tip of the iceberg with him. I found myself raging at Jordan more often than not and there really wasn't a point at which I even remotely liked him. I might have liked some of the secondary characters if someone anyone had bothered to treat Mackenzie with even a fraction of something that indicated they thought he had feelings worth considering.
I get that he was maybe his own worst enemy and the source of a majority of his problems but damn, if I treated my friends the way that everyone treated Mackenzie... well, I think I could pretty well expect that I'd be told where to go and how to get there in short order.
I've read the reviews and I get that this one worked for more people than not, I just happen to be one of the 'nots', but I'm also a bit of a die hard and since this is my first time with an S. E. Harmon story, I can't help but wonder if it's just this particular story or if maybe it's a case of this author just isn't for me so you guessed it I'm giving it one more try with 'So Into You' book #2 in 'The PI Guys'...cross your fingers for me, ok?
May 4, 2014
3.5*
I liked the banter and the voice of the MC Mac. I liked that the girlfriend ( ex- fiancée, I guess) wasn't a bad, evil woman.
I liked the friends and family, even if they were pushy and nosy.
Mac has issues, but I did understand his reluctance to trust Jordan and his motivations.
The story wasn't anything I hadn't read in one form or another before, but it did like the way it was told and Mac's humor really worked for me.
This probably wasn't the best time in my life to read this book, but considering how much I liked it despite that, it's a good sign that it's a good book and I'll keep an eye out for more from this author.
I liked the banter and the voice of the MC Mac. I liked that the girlfriend ( ex- fiancée, I guess) wasn't a bad, evil woman.
I liked the friends and family, even if they were pushy and nosy.
Mac has issues, but I did understand his reluctance to trust Jordan and his motivations.
The story wasn't anything I hadn't read in one form or another before, but it did like the way it was told and Mac's humor really worked for me.
This probably wasn't the best time in my life to read this book, but considering how much I liked it despite that, it's a good sign that it's a good book and I'll keep an eye out for more from this author.
May 1, 2014
Blasphemy and sex jokes.
Oh man. I went into this with mild expectations. But, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't just about a guy, pining away for a straight guy. it had great family moments. Crazy co-worker humor, a fantastic little brother to pick on and a manly man dad who loves his kids unconditionally.
I laughed basically through the whole book. Mac was extremely funny. No wonder he caught the eye of the sexy successful lawyer. I hope this has a sequel cause I wanna know what happens next.
S. E teased us with J's family. and I want to see how they react to Mac's crazy ass family. :) I definitely recommend this book for a good relaxing read. it's not just humorous but, heartfelt.
Gimme a sequel.
Oh man. I went into this with mild expectations. But, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't just about a guy, pining away for a straight guy. it had great family moments. Crazy co-worker humor, a fantastic little brother to pick on and a manly man dad who loves his kids unconditionally.
I laughed basically through the whole book. Mac was extremely funny. No wonder he caught the eye of the sexy successful lawyer. I hope this has a sequel cause I wanna know what happens next.
S. E teased us with J's family. and I want to see how they react to Mac's crazy ass family. :) I definitely recommend this book for a good relaxing read. it's not just humorous but, heartfelt.
Gimme a sequel.
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