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The Science of Love #2
Undeniable Chemistry
A reaction like this is impossible to ignore…
Physics teacher Fenton Keene is looking forward to a summer of doing nothing but hanging out with friends and maybe getting into a little trouble — nothing he can’t control of course.
Things never seem to go that way.
Fen meets his building’s newest temporary resident. A too hot to handle fireman named Kevin. He’s sexy, he’s sure of himself, and he’s happy to show Fen the ropes and then some.
Fen’s been attracted to men before, but he’s never taken it all the way. Not until now.
Fen and Kevin have an intense summer fling, but that fling turns from physical to, well… more. Just when Fen’s ready to fall in love, Kevin has to go back to San Diego.
Hours between them and separate lives make their budding romance nearly impossible — but what’s happening between them is too strong. Fen didn’t have a chance to resist.
** This book is a second edition. It was originally published under the title Impractical Magic **
Physics teacher Fenton Keene is looking forward to a summer of doing nothing but hanging out with friends and maybe getting into a little trouble — nothing he can’t control of course.
Things never seem to go that way.
Fen meets his building’s newest temporary resident. A too hot to handle fireman named Kevin. He’s sexy, he’s sure of himself, and he’s happy to show Fen the ropes and then some.
Fen’s been attracted to men before, but he’s never taken it all the way. Not until now.
Fen and Kevin have an intense summer fling, but that fling turns from physical to, well… more. Just when Fen’s ready to fall in love, Kevin has to go back to San Diego.
Hours between them and separate lives make their budding romance nearly impossible — but what’s happening between them is too strong. Fen didn’t have a chance to resist.
** This book is a second edition. It was originally published under the title Impractical Magic **
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2014
6 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
M.J. O'Shea
86 books948 followersMJ O’Shea has never met a music festival, paintbrush, or
flower crown she can stay away from. She loves rainstorms
and a perfect cup of tea, beach days, music, bright colors, and
more than anything a cozy evening with a really great book.
She is from the Pacific Northwest. While she still lives there
and loves it, MJ has the heart of a wanderer. So she puts all
her dreams of far off places and extraordinary people in her
books.
Except for every once in a while when she does what all
travelers have to do on occasion… come home.
flower crown she can stay away from. She loves rainstorms
and a perfect cup of tea, beach days, music, bright colors, and
more than anything a cozy evening with a really great book.
She is from the Pacific Northwest. While she still lives there
and loves it, MJ has the heart of a wanderer. So she puts all
her dreams of far off places and extraordinary people in her
books.
Except for every once in a while when she does what all
travelers have to do on occasion… come home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 23, 2014
4.25 stars
The beginning of this book overlaps with the end of:
(I wouldn't recommend reading this book as a standalone. The characters from book 1, particularly Ben and Rory, play a fairly significant role in this story.)
Impractical Magic is Fen's story. Fen is Ben's "platonic life partner" and mostly straight.
Probably
Sort of
Not really
The sexy fireman (*fist pump*) Fen meets at the pool pretty much rocks his world. Kevin is not only hot but funny and kind, and Fen has no problem inviting Kevin over for dinner...and into his bed.
The problem is that Kevin is in town for a few months only, and as the summer draws to a close, Fen and Kevin's fling feels less temporary and more like the real thing.
We see how much these two like each other, how they make each other laugh, how their kisses are all melty and gooey, how sweet and smexy they are together.
I would have liked to see Kevin's POV (the story is told from Fen's POV only), but this is a minor niggle (unlike in the first book where I felt Rory's POV was essential).
A bigger niggle: Kevin's accidental Skype confession made me ragey.
Yes, there is a long separation here. Fen has to come to terms with coming out to his family. Kevin and Fen need to have "the talk" about their relationship, and I was hyperventilating by the time that came around.
But there has to be some angst to built tension in a story.
This book is mostly all about camaraderie, connection, and love.
And the ending is perfection wrapped in phyllo dough (like all the best things are).
The beginning of this book overlaps with the end of:
(I wouldn't recommend reading this book as a standalone. The characters from book 1, particularly Ben and Rory, play a fairly significant role in this story.)
Impractical Magic is Fen's story. Fen is Ben's "platonic life partner" and mostly straight.
Not really
The sexy fireman (*fist pump*) Fen meets at the pool pretty much rocks his world. Kevin is not only hot but funny and kind, and Fen has no problem inviting Kevin over for dinner...and into his bed.
The problem is that Kevin is in town for a few months only, and as the summer draws to a close, Fen and Kevin's fling feels less temporary and more like the real thing.
We see how much these two like each other, how they make each other laugh, how their kisses are all melty and gooey, how sweet and smexy they are together.
I would have liked to see Kevin's POV (the story is told from Fen's POV only), but this is a minor niggle (unlike in the first book where I felt Rory's POV was essential).
A bigger niggle: Kevin's accidental Skype confession made me ragey.
Yes, there is a long separation here. Fen has to come to terms with coming out to his family. Kevin and Fen need to have "the talk" about their relationship, and I was hyperventilating by the time that came around.
But there has to be some angst to built tension in a story.
This book is mostly all about camaraderie, connection, and love.
And the ending is perfection wrapped in phyllo dough (like all the best things are).
July 12, 2014
Spirited solid friends? Yep.
Brilliant gay-for-you? Got it.
Sexy fireman? Uh huh.
Hot summer fling? Hell yes!
What do you get when you mix them all together? My undivided attention.
If you haven’t read Newton’s Law of Attraction, I would encourage you to do so before diving into this sequel. The crew is the same, well, except one drool-worthy addition. A touch of timeline overlap occurs, but it’s a nice way to kick off Fen’s story.
Ben and Fen, platonic life partners, are forced apart by hundreds of miles. Ben is mopey, Fen’s mopey, Rory (Ben’s ex) is mopey; essentially everybody is mopey. Fen finds himself lost, miserable, and feeling weird without his best friend. He is completely out of sorts. A few days later a tall dark stranger moves into this apartment building and then his world truly flips upside down.
Fen has always considered himself to be straight. Kinda. He likes to look at guys, but never wanted to touch….until Kevin. Not only does he want to touch Kevin, he wants to devour the man. He craves everything about him. Fen has a long list of ‘firsts’ he is eager to check off. Falling in love wasn't exactly one of them, but that didn't stop him.
Here lies the problem- Kevin is moving back to San Diego at the end of the summer. Time is not on their side, and par for the course with these guys, communication isn't either. They are perfect together. Yes, I’d even say it’s magical; but they suck at talking to each other about those important things that NEED to be talked about! Kevin moves back home and Fen is certain his life will never be the same. And then a stab of angst cuts deep. It wasn't my favorite bit of drama, but it was realistic.
They were sexy. They were tender. They were hilarious.
How can he live without the only person that has ever made him feel alive? How do you protect your heart when you've already given it away?
I’d say it’s worth finding out.
*4 marvelous-magnetic-magical stars*
Brilliant gay-for-you? Got it.
Sexy fireman? Uh huh.
Hot summer fling? Hell yes!
What do you get when you mix them all together? My undivided attention.
If you haven’t read Newton’s Law of Attraction, I would encourage you to do so before diving into this sequel. The crew is the same, well, except one drool-worthy addition. A touch of timeline overlap occurs, but it’s a nice way to kick off Fen’s story.
Ben and Fen, platonic life partners, are forced apart by hundreds of miles. Ben is mopey, Fen’s mopey, Rory (Ben’s ex) is mopey; essentially everybody is mopey. Fen finds himself lost, miserable, and feeling weird without his best friend. He is completely out of sorts. A few days later a tall dark stranger moves into this apartment building and then his world truly flips upside down.
Fen has always considered himself to be straight. Kinda. He likes to look at guys, but never wanted to touch….until Kevin. Not only does he want to touch Kevin, he wants to devour the man. He craves everything about him. Fen has a long list of ‘firsts’ he is eager to check off. Falling in love wasn't exactly one of them, but that didn't stop him.
Here lies the problem- Kevin is moving back to San Diego at the end of the summer. Time is not on their side, and par for the course with these guys, communication isn't either. They are perfect together. Yes, I’d even say it’s magical; but they suck at talking to each other about those important things that NEED to be talked about! Kevin moves back home and Fen is certain his life will never be the same. And then a stab of angst cuts deep. It wasn't my favorite bit of drama, but it was realistic.
They were sexy. They were tender. They were hilarious.
How can he live without the only person that has ever made him feel alive? How do you protect your heart when you've already given it away?
I’d say it’s worth finding out.
*4 marvelous-magnetic-magical stars*
December 20, 2023
I loved this book. Fen and Kevin were just so sweet together. I always say I love the way M. J. writes because I do. It’s December 20th and I just need to read two more books to complete my goal for the year. I’ve already decided to read something else by M. J. as one of them.
June 29, 2014
My favorite part of the book was the bromance among Ben, Fen, Jeremy and Rory. It was nice to see a group of guys so caring and affectionate with each other. That was the true love story.
"Impractical Magic" starts with Fen all whiny and mopey because his best friend, Ben, is away on yearlong fellowship. Then the not-quite-straight Fen meets Kevin, and his summer starts to heat up. Fen is immediately attracted, and they start a relationship. It's not just about sex. They eat dinner together each night; they go on a weekend getaway; they hang out with Fen's friends; they're openly affectionate with each other. What about this doesn't scream relationship?
All of Fen's angst about this just being a summer fling seemed contrary to what was on the page. Why didn't these guys just have a conversation about trying a long-distance relationship? Why was the relationship doomed because they didn't live in the same city? So frustrating. A little communication could have solved the problem quite easily.
When they do realize that this was indeed more than a simple summer fling (finally), we get this little surprise . I would have liked Kevin's POV, especially toward the end.
As usual with this author, she gives us lots of sweet and tender moments between the MCs. It was nice seeing the continuation of Rory and Ben's story, too.
"Impractical Magic" starts with Fen all whiny and mopey because his best friend, Ben, is away on yearlong fellowship. Then the not-quite-straight Fen meets Kevin, and his summer starts to heat up. Fen is immediately attracted, and they start a relationship. It's not just about sex. They eat dinner together each night; they go on a weekend getaway; they hang out with Fen's friends; they're openly affectionate with each other. What about this doesn't scream relationship?
All of Fen's angst about this just being a summer fling seemed contrary to what was on the page. Why didn't these guys just have a conversation about trying a long-distance relationship? Why was the relationship doomed because they didn't live in the same city? So frustrating. A little communication could have solved the problem quite easily.
When they do realize that this was indeed more than a simple summer fling (finally), we get this little surprise . I would have liked Kevin's POV, especially toward the end.
As usual with this author, she gives us lots of sweet and tender moments between the MCs. It was nice seeing the continuation of Rory and Ben's story, too.
June 22, 2014
I'm not gonna lie. I loved all most of this book. I was thinking five stars all of the way. Then I hit that point in the book that almost made me throw my iPad. Not cool. I didn't want to read any further, so yeah. That dropped a star. I still loved it. I loved the interactions of the friends together. I loved the adorable nature of Fen and Kevin's relationship. This was an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2017
*** 4.25 Star ***
December 31, 2014
that book sooo did it for me. perfect.
July 1, 2014
I was hoping for Fen's story since I finished Newton's Laws of Attraction and I was not disappointed. The story starts off overlapping the end of the first book, but you wouldn't be lost if you read this as a standalone (although why you would skip the first book is beyond me).
Sexy fireman Kevin is living in Fen's apartment complex for the summer, as he fills in at work for his uncle. The two have a quick connection and are planning on having a good time while Kevin is there. Since Fen's best friend Ben is away in LA for the year and things are still tense between Ben and Rory, who was left behind, it could not have come at a more perfect time. There was no serious discussion of a future when Kevin leaves, but Fen finds himself pining and trying to navigate whatever is left between himself and Kevin through texts and phone calls. On top of everything, Fen must now admit to his family and friends that he is not as straight as they thought he was.
The story is sexy and sweet and while the angst is toned down in this story, there is still drama and a horribly heartbreaking moment as Fen and Kevin try to figure things out. All the men from Newton's Laws are back to lend Fen support and interfere as necessary. Another wonderful story from M.J. O'Shea who has quickly become an auto-buy author for me.
Sexy fireman Kevin is living in Fen's apartment complex for the summer, as he fills in at work for his uncle. The two have a quick connection and are planning on having a good time while Kevin is there. Since Fen's best friend Ben is away in LA for the year and things are still tense between Ben and Rory, who was left behind, it could not have come at a more perfect time. There was no serious discussion of a future when Kevin leaves, but Fen finds himself pining and trying to navigate whatever is left between himself and Kevin through texts and phone calls. On top of everything, Fen must now admit to his family and friends that he is not as straight as they thought he was.
The story is sexy and sweet and while the angst is toned down in this story, there is still drama and a horribly heartbreaking moment as Fen and Kevin try to figure things out. All the men from Newton's Laws are back to lend Fen support and interfere as necessary. Another wonderful story from M.J. O'Shea who has quickly become an auto-buy author for me.
July 2, 2014
3.5 Stars
This one was cute. I loved Fen and I liked Kevin. Actually, I loved Kevin but I was pissed at him for . Granted, they worked things out but still. Ouch!
That said ... I only have two words: Hot. Firemen.
Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
Bottom line: Happy story but M.J. O'Shea made me work for it.
This one was cute. I loved Fen and I liked Kevin. Actually, I loved Kevin but I was pissed at him for . Granted, they worked things out but still. Ouch!
That said ... I only have two words: Hot. Firemen.
Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
Bottom line: Happy story but M.J. O'Shea made me work for it.
August 26, 2014
This one had a much lighter tone than the first one but was just as good. I just loved how Kevin fit right in with their little bromance group. Wish we had more of Ben but loved that we got lots of Jeremy and Rory. Only a touch of mild angst, nothing like the first and lots of lovin'.
July 8, 2014
I really liked both Fen and Kevin, along with more of Rory and Ben.
I was a bit shocked that there wasn't more conflict though, apart from one bit of hurt feelings.
It was still a nice feel-good story with characters that I enjoyed getting to know.
I was a bit shocked that there wasn't more conflict though, apart from one bit of hurt feelings.
It was still a nice feel-good story with characters that I enjoyed getting to know.
July 3, 2014
That was quite a story. I really enjoyed it and have lots of thoughts. So, help me review in the comments. Oh wait, it already started. Let's keep it going :)
July 28, 2014
I liked this, although I will say I liked the second half better. The first half was a lot of whining about Ben, and as someone who's never met him, I really didn't care. I would definitely recommend reading this series in order. I wasn't lost per se, but I didn't develop the emotional connection to Ben, Rory, and Jeremy that would have been needed for them to be sweet and funny instead of kind of annoying.
Fen and Kevin were sweet and refreshingly drama free. Obviously there is the issue of Kevin moving away after the summer (I did not silently cry into my pillow for a full minute trying to deal with that!), but that was part of the plot and I appreciated there weren't any big miscommunications or angst.
I also liked that there were a few good and sexy sex scenes as our guys got together, but that after that it focused more on the relationship. As hot as it is, it can get old reading sex scene after sex scene when you want to see more conversation and emotional development, so I actually appreciated the transition to mentioned sex was had, but not being over the top about it.
I won't go back and read Newton's Laws of Attraction, but as I said, I'd recommend you going in order if this is a new-to-you series.
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
Fen and Kevin were sweet and refreshingly drama free. Obviously there is the issue of Kevin moving away after the summer (I did not silently cry into my pillow for a full minute trying to deal with that!), but that was part of the plot and I appreciated there weren't any big miscommunications or angst.
I also liked that there were a few good and sexy sex scenes as our guys got together, but that after that it focused more on the relationship. As hot as it is, it can get old reading sex scene after sex scene when you want to see more conversation and emotional development, so I actually appreciated the transition to mentioned sex was had, but not being over the top about it.
I won't go back and read Newton's Laws of Attraction, but as I said, I'd recommend you going in order if this is a new-to-you series.
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
August 16, 2014
I really liked this series! All of it. Ben and Rory, Fen and Kevin. And poor married Jeremy! I love how they were such good friends and so supportive of each other. I was so glad to see more of Ben and Rory in this book, even though the main focus is Fen and Kevin. And I like how this book was so completely different from Newton's Laws of Attraction, which was so full of heartache and angst I was exhausted by the end of it (but in a good way!). This book is a much lighter read. Previously straight Fen has a summer fling with a hot 23-year-old firefighter and discovers he’s not so straight after all. There’s a little bit of family drama and a few misunderstandings between Fen and Kevin, but overall this was a fantastic GFY read!!
July 8, 2014
This was almost a 5 star read for me (I love these types of GFY books!!) however there was one part that ruined it for me
February 19, 2015
I preferred Book 1. In Book 1, the relationship developed over a number of years; but this one started and developed quickly over a summer. Extremely sugary. Lots of sex, but where was the connection? And Mr. Perfect cheated at one point? No.
September 2, 2014
Impractical Magic was a lovely, funny, sweet and sexy wrap up for our friends from Chico!
March 27, 2021
So ... I basically finished this in one sitting.
This was a solid contemporary with a great couple. Little to no angst. I'm a sucker for couples who bypass the games in favor of finding their story's conflict elsewhere. I liked watching them get to know each other. There was a summer deadline hanging over their head, but they had no trouble keeping their time fun and entertaining.
It was nice to see the returning characters from book 1. Their appearances felt important in moving the story along, not just a cameo here or there. It was sweet without the sugar. A very nice balance.
This was a solid contemporary with a great couple. Little to no angst. I'm a sucker for couples who bypass the games in favor of finding their story's conflict elsewhere. I liked watching them get to know each other. There was a summer deadline hanging over their head, but they had no trouble keeping their time fun and entertaining.
It was nice to see the returning characters from book 1. Their appearances felt important in moving the story along, not just a cameo here or there. It was sweet without the sugar. A very nice balance.
March 19, 2021
Unexpected feelings
When I read the blurb and having met Fen in book 1, I expected a different tone. Fen was much more serious and almost sad to begin with.
The way his relationship grew with Kevin was beautiful and full of feeling.
I got so caught up in it I think I felt as sick as Fen did when Kevin admitted to some things late on.
Plenty of Ben and Rory in this book so reading book 1 is a must.
Glad there is more of this series planned
When I read the blurb and having met Fen in book 1, I expected a different tone. Fen was much more serious and almost sad to begin with.
The way his relationship grew with Kevin was beautiful and full of feeling.
I got so caught up in it I think I felt as sick as Fen did when Kevin admitted to some things late on.
Plenty of Ben and Rory in this book so reading book 1 is a must.
Glad there is more of this series planned
April 10, 2021
Read in latest edition (2nd)
December 26, 2015
4 stars from me. This one carries straight on from Newton's Laws of Attraction, and Ben and Rory are at last getting it together (phew!!). Fen meanwhile is lost and out of sorts without his best friend and 'brother' Ben, and what makes it worse is that school is out, so he spends some of his time around the pool at the apartment block where he lives. A new resident comes and plonks himself down next to Fen, and they start chatting. Kevin is only in Chico for the summer, he's a firefighter from San Diego and is helping his Uncle out at the fire station in Chico.
The attraction is there from the start even though Fen has never been out with a guy before. What sex there is is mainly off page and fairly vanilla but there's no doubt both guys are falling....but how does Fen bring that subject up with the rest of the guys that go to Beaver's every Friday?? They don't even know that he used to think about guys like that....oops!! Anyhoo, the guys meet Kevin and like him although Fen is still pretending that there's nothing more to it than friendship, but of course WE know better, hehe. Kevin reluctantly heads back to San Diego and a long distance relationship ensues, but they haven't said that they are committed and during a Skype conversation, Kevin admits to sleeping with a couple of other guys (he's only 23, and obviously needs to get rid of excess testosterone)...of course, Fen is really hurt and angry cos he IS committed and doesn't want anyone else.
OK folks, over to you.
June 26, 2014
4.5
I really enjoyed Newton's Laws of Attraction, but I loved Impractical Magic!
Fen was my favorite character from NLoA - Ben’s straight BFF and I was thrilled to find out he was getting his own book. This story picks up before the ending of Newton's Laws of Attraction, Ben is in LA and he and Rory have not reconciled yet, summer vacation has started and Fen, Rory and Jeremy are restless and missing Ben. Fen in particular is having a hard time; he is out of sorts and feeling unsettled.
Fen is such a lovely, sweet, goofy, klutzy man, when he first meets Kevin; he is at the pool not wearing his contacts and ends ups with a whole tube of sunscreen squirted on his legs. Kevin is young and gorgeous; he is in Chico for the summer, covering for his uncle at the local firehouse and has moved into Fen’s building for the duration of his stay. Fen is smitten.
See, the thing was, Fen wasn’t exactly straight. Exactly.
Read the rest of the review:
Love Bytes
I really enjoyed Newton's Laws of Attraction, but I loved Impractical Magic!
Fen was my favorite character from NLoA - Ben’s straight BFF and I was thrilled to find out he was getting his own book. This story picks up before the ending of Newton's Laws of Attraction, Ben is in LA and he and Rory have not reconciled yet, summer vacation has started and Fen, Rory and Jeremy are restless and missing Ben. Fen in particular is having a hard time; he is out of sorts and feeling unsettled.
Fen is such a lovely, sweet, goofy, klutzy man, when he first meets Kevin; he is at the pool not wearing his contacts and ends ups with a whole tube of sunscreen squirted on his legs. Kevin is young and gorgeous; he is in Chico for the summer, covering for his uncle at the local firehouse and has moved into Fen’s building for the duration of his stay. Fen is smitten.
See, the thing was, Fen wasn’t exactly straight. Exactly.
Read the rest of the review:
Love Bytes
March 16, 2019
SO GOOD! Fen was such a great friend in Newton's Laws of Attraction, so I was excited to see him get his own book. I love that this shows both Fen's story of falling in love AND Rory and Ben getting through the year apart but still in love. I also appreciate the whole book being told from one POV, after the large percentage of books that are told dual-POV -- nice to not have to change head-space with every chapter! Fen and Kevin...I want another book (or at least a short!) that tells how they're doing at the holidays after moving in together -- so cute together!
June 23, 2014
An easy-to-read story starring (seeemingly) straight Fen and his younger, adorable shy fire fighter, Kev.
They hit it off, they stick to the bedroom, but slowly over time, they move out into the open and blossom.
I don't mind a bit of long distance love. I think it can work. I liked seeing that evolve for Rory and Ben too. Glad to see they were an integral part of this narrative.
Really enjoyed it.
They hit it off, they stick to the bedroom, but slowly over time, they move out into the open and blossom.
I don't mind a bit of long distance love. I think it can work. I liked seeing that evolve for Rory and Ben too. Glad to see they were an integral part of this narrative.
Really enjoyed it.
August 7, 2014
3.5 stars
I liked it more than the first book, because Fen and Kevin were a nice couple. The story had a nice flow; was it realistic? Don't care, it kept me entertained for a few hours.
I liked it more than the first book, because Fen and Kevin were a nice couple. The story had a nice flow; was it realistic? Don't care, it kept me entertained for a few hours.
March 28, 2021
Kevin and Fen's sweet summer romance was delightful to experience, but what made this an unforgettable love story was seeing how they made things work after the summer ended.
I'm not always in the mood for fluffy romances, but oh my god were Kevin and Fen absolutely adorable together. From their accidental meet-cute to days of shy flirting over dinner, these men settled into a lovely companionship before they even kissed for the first time. It wasn't really a surprise when Kevin and Fen decided to take their chemistry into the bedroom, but wow was it incredible to see just how deep their connection could grow. Their steamy moments were intoxicating, and I felt like I was seeing stars just from the secondhand effects of their passion. Even more than getting physical, experiencing the little moments, like sleepy bedroom cuddles or lounging on the couch, made Kevin and Fen's romance come alive for me and take root deep in my heart. The whole time I was reading about their summer fling I felt practically giddy with happiness, and each step Kevin and Fen took towards love carried my heart right along with them. When the time came for Kevin to go back to San Diego, my heart did break into a million pieces, but not even long-distance could crush the relationship Kevin and Fen had built. Their days apart were bittersweet, sometimes upbeat at the promise of seeing each other in the future but other times full of despair and longing to be together again, As much as those months were a rollercoaster of emotions, I do think it was necessary to get both men to realize how important they were to each other. It was a difficult journey at times, but boy was it worth it to hear Kevin and Fen say those three little words to each other and make plans to live their best lives together.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
I'm not always in the mood for fluffy romances, but oh my god were Kevin and Fen absolutely adorable together. From their accidental meet-cute to days of shy flirting over dinner, these men settled into a lovely companionship before they even kissed for the first time. It wasn't really a surprise when Kevin and Fen decided to take their chemistry into the bedroom, but wow was it incredible to see just how deep their connection could grow. Their steamy moments were intoxicating, and I felt like I was seeing stars just from the secondhand effects of their passion. Even more than getting physical, experiencing the little moments, like sleepy bedroom cuddles or lounging on the couch, made Kevin and Fen's romance come alive for me and take root deep in my heart. The whole time I was reading about their summer fling I felt practically giddy with happiness, and each step Kevin and Fen took towards love carried my heart right along with them. When the time came for Kevin to go back to San Diego, my heart did break into a million pieces, but not even long-distance could crush the relationship Kevin and Fen had built. Their days apart were bittersweet, sometimes upbeat at the promise of seeing each other in the future but other times full of despair and longing to be together again, As much as those months were a rollercoaster of emotions, I do think it was necessary to get both men to realize how important they were to each other. It was a difficult journey at times, but boy was it worth it to hear Kevin and Fen say those three little words to each other and make plans to live their best lives together.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 30, 2021
This is the second in a series, I'd urge you to read the first, Newton's Laws of Attraction first (because it's really good) but this could be read stand alone.
In brief: Fenton is a Physics teacher and loves his job. His best friend Ben has just accepted a job away from him for a year (Ben and Rory's story is book 1), school's out for the summer and Fenton feels a little lost. Then he meets his new neighbour, Kevin is a firefighter who's staying in Chico for the summer covering a job, and the attraction is instant. Only, Fenton is straight, isn't he? Or is he??
I'm glad I read Newton's Laws first, mostly because I met Fenton there first and got to know him and like him. I love the tight knit group of friends they have, Ben and Rory, Jeremy, and Fenton. I do like the whole 'gay for you' trope and it worked for Fenton, I think. I have read so many books that are in at least a dual viewpoint it took me a little to get back to having just one viewpoint - Fenton's. That's not a bad thing, although I did feel I missed getting to know Kevin as well as I wanted.
I loved the slow burn of them getting to know each other, and especially that while Fenton was initially a little freaked out about being attracted to a man, it didn't stop him acting on his feelings for Kevin. They just fit so well together, and I loved how Kevin didn't push Fenton too much to come out, and let him do it at his own pace. I like that things weren't rushed even though they initially only had such a short time together, it didn't feel like my pet peeve insta-love, things were given a chance to develop especially when Kevin moved back home. It all felt organic, and at a good pace.
I loved this.
In brief: Fenton is a Physics teacher and loves his job. His best friend Ben has just accepted a job away from him for a year (Ben and Rory's story is book 1), school's out for the summer and Fenton feels a little lost. Then he meets his new neighbour, Kevin is a firefighter who's staying in Chico for the summer covering a job, and the attraction is instant. Only, Fenton is straight, isn't he? Or is he??
I'm glad I read Newton's Laws first, mostly because I met Fenton there first and got to know him and like him. I love the tight knit group of friends they have, Ben and Rory, Jeremy, and Fenton. I do like the whole 'gay for you' trope and it worked for Fenton, I think. I have read so many books that are in at least a dual viewpoint it took me a little to get back to having just one viewpoint - Fenton's. That's not a bad thing, although I did feel I missed getting to know Kevin as well as I wanted.
I loved the slow burn of them getting to know each other, and especially that while Fenton was initially a little freaked out about being attracted to a man, it didn't stop him acting on his feelings for Kevin. They just fit so well together, and I loved how Kevin didn't push Fenton too much to come out, and let him do it at his own pace. I like that things weren't rushed even though they initially only had such a short time together, it didn't feel like my pet peeve insta-love, things were given a chance to develop especially when Kevin moved back home. It all felt organic, and at a good pace.
I loved this.
March 6, 2021
ARC received for an honest review.
Fen is the chemistry teacher and half of the trouble twosome with Ben. Fen is bummed when the summer break comes and Ben is off to LA to teach art. Fen can't seem to get out of the blues until one day when he's lounging at the pool, when a gorgeous hunk stops to talk to him. Fen realizes that his bi-curious is starting to be a case of bi-awakening. Kevin is a firefighter in town, for the summer, to fill his cousin's spot. He's out and has a supportive family. Fen and Kevin start off being friends and slowly fall into lovers. Both of them are bummed when the summer is over and Kevin has to go home. Fen realizes that he's fallen in love with Kevin and wants to see where this can go. Kevin is slower to realize that what he thought was a summer fling is much more. Will a bad decision on Kevin's part pull these two apart before they're truly together?
I really liked this story. The chemistry between Fen and Kevin is hot. The return of Ben, Rory and Jeremy from book one is a bonus. I would have liked the romance to move a little faster but sometimes slow is better. I really felt bad for Fen when he receives bad news from Kevin but they work things out and end up together.
Fen is the chemistry teacher and half of the trouble twosome with Ben. Fen is bummed when the summer break comes and Ben is off to LA to teach art. Fen can't seem to get out of the blues until one day when he's lounging at the pool, when a gorgeous hunk stops to talk to him. Fen realizes that his bi-curious is starting to be a case of bi-awakening. Kevin is a firefighter in town, for the summer, to fill his cousin's spot. He's out and has a supportive family. Fen and Kevin start off being friends and slowly fall into lovers. Both of them are bummed when the summer is over and Kevin has to go home. Fen realizes that he's fallen in love with Kevin and wants to see where this can go. Kevin is slower to realize that what he thought was a summer fling is much more. Will a bad decision on Kevin's part pull these two apart before they're truly together?
I really liked this story. The chemistry between Fen and Kevin is hot. The return of Ben, Rory and Jeremy from book one is a bonus. I would have liked the romance to move a little faster but sometimes slow is better. I really felt bad for Fen when he receives bad news from Kevin but they work things out and end up together.
April 4, 2021
Don't underestimate short term! Fenton is a teacher happily waiting for summer break. The onlly fly in the ointment is his bestie, Ben is on the other side of the country for a year long job. He is a bit wrapped up in his lonely feels, when he meets a short term neighbor, Kevin. Kevin is an out and proud firefighter from a loving accepting family. Fen's family is conserevative and waiting for him to settle down with a woman and produce kids. Fern lives in fear of what his family will say/do if he comes out. Kevin, is also younger than Fen. Will Fen's friends accept Kevin? Will Kevin like Fen's friends? What happens when Kevin goes back home? Can Fen accept Kevin being a Firefighter? Good story. Absolutely fantastic group of supporting characters. This is a book you can enjoy each time you read over and over. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 5, 2021
This is amusing, romantic and steamy. Fen was moping around missing his best friend during his summer break when Kevin moved into his apt. complex. Before Fen had even set eyes on Kevin he'd felt him. Thinking that it was strange for him to react that way, because he was fairly sure that he straight, he couldn't help but be attracted to Kevin. And he could not help opening his mouth and inviting Kevin to eat with him, whenever he wanted to. The relationship went from them being friends, to physical slowly at first, then it progressed quickly to intimate. Unfortunately, it was temporary, Kevin went back home after his job in town was over. They made no promises, but stayed in touch, and visited a couple of times. A slip of the tongue by Kevin finally pushed them to make a decision about their future. I was hooked from the start.
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