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Rubbing One Out
Ah, There's The Rub
Zoologist Ben Sinclair has a thing for quirky antiques. The brass lamp he purchased was supposed to be decorative. Interesting. A conversation piece. It wasn't supposed to contain - a person.
Now he's got an annoying yet tantalizing man living with him who knows nothing about personal boundaries. Plus, Ben has wishes to make before his genie disappears.
Except, Ben doesn't want Daeliel to disappear. Lithe, exotic, and other-worldly, Ben's never met anyone like him. It doesn't take long for the men to admit - and act on - the attraction between them.
When the zing turns into something deeper, they have to figure out how to get what they both wish for before Dae must leave.
Zoologist Ben Sinclair has a thing for quirky antiques. The brass lamp he purchased was supposed to be decorative. Interesting. A conversation piece. It wasn't supposed to contain - a person.
Now he's got an annoying yet tantalizing man living with him who knows nothing about personal boundaries. Plus, Ben has wishes to make before his genie disappears.
Except, Ben doesn't want Daeliel to disappear. Lithe, exotic, and other-worldly, Ben's never met anyone like him. It doesn't take long for the men to admit - and act on - the attraction between them.
When the zing turns into something deeper, they have to figure out how to get what they both wish for before Dae must leave.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2021
10 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mac Nicol
55 books542 followersBringing lovers together, one book at a time
The official stuff
Susan writes steamy, sexy and fun contemporary romance stories, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark and hopefully always entertaining. She’s also Editor in Chief at Divine Magazine, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and a member of The Society of Authors, the Writers Guild of Great Britain, and the Authors Guild in the US.
Susan is also an award-winning script writer, with scripts based on two of her own published works. Sight Unseen has garnered no less than five awards to date and her TV pilot, Reel Life, based on her debut novel, Cassandra by Starlight, was also a winner at the Oaxaca Film Fest.
The ‘unofficial’ stuff…
She loves going to the theatre, live music concerts (especially if it’s her man crush Adam Lambert or the divine Cumberbatch) walks in the countryside, a good G and T, lazing away afternoons reading a good book, and watching re-runs of Silent Witness and Wire in the Blood.
Her chequered past includes stories like being mistaken for a prostitute in the city of Johannesburg, being chased by a rhino on a dusty Kenyan road, getting kicked out of a youth club for being a ‘bad influence’ (she encourages free thinking) and having an aunt who was engaged to Cliff Richard
.
The official stuff
Susan writes steamy, sexy and fun contemporary romance stories, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark and hopefully always entertaining. She’s also Editor in Chief at Divine Magazine, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and a member of The Society of Authors, the Writers Guild of Great Britain, and the Authors Guild in the US.
Susan is also an award-winning script writer, with scripts based on two of her own published works. Sight Unseen has garnered no less than five awards to date and her TV pilot, Reel Life, based on her debut novel, Cassandra by Starlight, was also a winner at the Oaxaca Film Fest.
The ‘unofficial’ stuff…
She loves going to the theatre, live music concerts (especially if it’s her man crush Adam Lambert or the divine Cumberbatch) walks in the countryside, a good G and T, lazing away afternoons reading a good book, and watching re-runs of Silent Witness and Wire in the Blood.
Her chequered past includes stories like being mistaken for a prostitute in the city of Johannesburg, being chased by a rhino on a dusty Kenyan road, getting kicked out of a youth club for being a ‘bad influence’ (she encourages free thinking) and having an aunt who was engaged to Cliff Richard
.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 15, 2021
Craving something romantic and fun? Susan Mac Nicol’s Rubbing One Out is the perfect sweet treat. An original and highly entertaining spin on Aladdin, I laughed, I cried, and was completely swept away by the creative way this adorable couple beats the odds to find their happily ever after.
Ben is an absolute doll of a man, and his personality is clear from the very first scene. As a zoo keeper of sea birds, his lighthearted row with Honey the penguin sets the stage for the humor which runs throughout this story. Ben loves his job, and has a great support network of friends, but at age thirty-two, he’s ready for something more.
A true romantic, Ben enjoys collecting antiques and cast-off items for the sense of history they provide. When he spots an old lamp at his favorite store, it sparks fond memories of antiquing with his parents, and reminds Ben of the fanciful tales his mother told him at bedtime. Hey, it can’t hurt to dream a little, and Ben’s got his fingers crossed that eventually a gorgeous man might pop out of that lamp!
Well Ben’s dreams do come true when Daeliel arrives. A gorgeous and exotic genie, who clearly returns Ben’s interest. Talk about looking for love in all the wrong places. If Ben knew all he needed to find the perfect guy, was to rub a magic lamp, I’m sure he’d have tried sooner!
Daeliel has a fascinating backstory, and this one will tug at your heartstrings. Everything Daeliel does is out of the goodness of his heart, and nobody is more deserving of unconditional love than this thoughtful, amiable guy.
The chemistry between these two is delightful, but it’s not just the obvious sexual attraction. As Ben and Daeliel get to know each other, and learn each other’s stories, they form a very special relationship. These are two wonderful people who deserve great things, and the way their tale plays out is ingenious and very clever.
Susan Mac Nicol’s writing is wonderfully descriptive. The scenes of Ben pondering his lamp purchase, and fantasizing about the dream man who might be inside it, are wonderful. And his reaction to having an actual genie appear from his impulse buy are clever and funny and beautifully written. I can just picture the rural village of Winchester, England, and the colorful folks who live there. Quirky and offbeat, serene and utterly charming, it’s the perfect backdrop for the romance between Ben and Daeliel.
I adore Susan Mac Nicol’s novels, and I’m struck once again by how thoroughly I got lost in Rubbing One Out. The messages she sends of unconditional love, kindness to our fellows, and finding the courage to follow our dreams, never get old. I just wish there was a magic lamp in every antique store, so there could be more people like Daeliel in this world.
Ben is an absolute doll of a man, and his personality is clear from the very first scene. As a zoo keeper of sea birds, his lighthearted row with Honey the penguin sets the stage for the humor which runs throughout this story. Ben loves his job, and has a great support network of friends, but at age thirty-two, he’s ready for something more.
A true romantic, Ben enjoys collecting antiques and cast-off items for the sense of history they provide. When he spots an old lamp at his favorite store, it sparks fond memories of antiquing with his parents, and reminds Ben of the fanciful tales his mother told him at bedtime. Hey, it can’t hurt to dream a little, and Ben’s got his fingers crossed that eventually a gorgeous man might pop out of that lamp!
Well Ben’s dreams do come true when Daeliel arrives. A gorgeous and exotic genie, who clearly returns Ben’s interest. Talk about looking for love in all the wrong places. If Ben knew all he needed to find the perfect guy, was to rub a magic lamp, I’m sure he’d have tried sooner!
Daeliel has a fascinating backstory, and this one will tug at your heartstrings. Everything Daeliel does is out of the goodness of his heart, and nobody is more deserving of unconditional love than this thoughtful, amiable guy.
The chemistry between these two is delightful, but it’s not just the obvious sexual attraction. As Ben and Daeliel get to know each other, and learn each other’s stories, they form a very special relationship. These are two wonderful people who deserve great things, and the way their tale plays out is ingenious and very clever.
Susan Mac Nicol’s writing is wonderfully descriptive. The scenes of Ben pondering his lamp purchase, and fantasizing about the dream man who might be inside it, are wonderful. And his reaction to having an actual genie appear from his impulse buy are clever and funny and beautifully written. I can just picture the rural village of Winchester, England, and the colorful folks who live there. Quirky and offbeat, serene and utterly charming, it’s the perfect backdrop for the romance between Ben and Daeliel.
I adore Susan Mac Nicol’s novels, and I’m struck once again by how thoroughly I got lost in Rubbing One Out. The messages she sends of unconditional love, kindness to our fellows, and finding the courage to follow our dreams, never get old. I just wish there was a magic lamp in every antique store, so there could be more people like Daeliel in this world.
April 15, 2021
To describe this in a few words? Fun, silly, good-hearted, original.
Ben is thirty-two and single, not by choice, but mister right guy never came along.
Who could guess finding a brass lamp would change Ben’s life forever.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, there is a beautiful half-naked man in his house. He introduced himself as Daeliel. He looks likes he just stepped out of a fairy tale.
That’s all nice, only it’s a bit of pity Ben is just dreaming, isn’t he?.
Oh well, he can play along.
The next morning the Djinn guy is still there. He’s a beauty but oh so annoying and irritating!
They sneer at each other. Ben is way too curious and asks too many questions, Dae doesn’t like it a bit. He can’t tell the truth to Ben. The only thing he tells Ben is that he can ask two wishes, after that Dae can leave..
The longer they are in each other’s company, the more they are attracted to each other.
Dae has a lot of explaining to do, Ben’s heart is breaking for him. The story isn’t how he thought it was, how can he keep Dae with him.
As we all know, wishes are to be solid and correct, or else they can be interpreted as something you didn’t wish for.
We know of course the stories about brass lamps and what can happen. I was happily surprised by the original twist coming from this narrative. I always wonder where things like these come from. It’s a gift I guess.
The whole story is fun, with two lovely main characters and a furry one 🙂 I also loved the supportive secondary characters.
The scenery was wonderfully and originally pictured.
Besides a lot of lighthearted banter and humor, there are also little pricks of hurt and emotional parts. The story has some delightful sexy passages.
Overall a lovely narrative which I enjoyed reading!
Reviewed for LoveBytesReviews
Ben is thirty-two and single, not by choice, but mister right guy never came along.
Who could guess finding a brass lamp would change Ben’s life forever.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, there is a beautiful half-naked man in his house. He introduced himself as Daeliel. He looks likes he just stepped out of a fairy tale.
That’s all nice, only it’s a bit of pity Ben is just dreaming, isn’t he?.
Oh well, he can play along.
The next morning the Djinn guy is still there. He’s a beauty but oh so annoying and irritating!
They sneer at each other. Ben is way too curious and asks too many questions, Dae doesn’t like it a bit. He can’t tell the truth to Ben. The only thing he tells Ben is that he can ask two wishes, after that Dae can leave..
The longer they are in each other’s company, the more they are attracted to each other.
Dae has a lot of explaining to do, Ben’s heart is breaking for him. The story isn’t how he thought it was, how can he keep Dae with him.
As we all know, wishes are to be solid and correct, or else they can be interpreted as something you didn’t wish for.
We know of course the stories about brass lamps and what can happen. I was happily surprised by the original twist coming from this narrative. I always wonder where things like these come from. It’s a gift I guess.
The whole story is fun, with two lovely main characters and a furry one 🙂 I also loved the supportive secondary characters.
The scenery was wonderfully and originally pictured.
Besides a lot of lighthearted banter and humor, there are also little pricks of hurt and emotional parts. The story has some delightful sexy passages.
Overall a lovely narrative which I enjoyed reading!
Reviewed for LoveBytesReviews
April 17, 2024
2 stars
Sometimes I pull something off my TBR without re-reading the blurb and then read the book and realise my tags were mistaken and wonder if I ever read the blurb at all. I thought this had a roadtrip in it, so grabbed it for a bingo square, spoiler alert: it does not, though roadtrips were not mentioned anywhere so that's totally my bad. Anyway.
So basically Ben is drawn to a lamp in an antique store, he buys it, and a few days later a genie appears and explains that Ben gets 2 wishes. Daeliel asks Ben to call him a djinn instead, but Ben seems really resistant to this and is kind of just an asshole overall.
In the first chapters I was enjoying this, but through the book I just got this increasingly weird impression. The book seems to skip all this context, and suddenly they're friendly and a nickname has appeared out of nowhere.
Then the djinn MC finds the human's dead guinea pig, covered in dirt on the doormat with a suspiciously dirty pet dog nearby. He does what any sane person would do and washes the guinea pig with hand soap, blow-dries it, and puts it back in the cage, to save the dog from being accused. Wait a second, no, that is absolutely bonkers. Ben finds this endearing though, so it's ok? WTF.
There were also many small inconsistencies that got on my nerves, such as the fact that Ben is an admittedly poor cook who only eats microwave meals, but then in the epilogue he seems to be a master griller and he manages to have an opinion on using crème fraîche vs sour cream vs thickened cream when making a stroganoff. Lol.
This just fell so flat and I think even the author didn't care about the MCs because she couldn't seem to keep the spelling of Daeliel's name straight, and didn't bother to give them any real character development. I'm annoyed at myself for finishing this and would not recommend it.
Sometimes I pull something off my TBR without re-reading the blurb and then read the book and realise my tags were mistaken and wonder if I ever read the blurb at all. I thought this had a roadtrip in it, so grabbed it for a bingo square, spoiler alert: it does not, though roadtrips were not mentioned anywhere so that's totally my bad. Anyway.
So basically Ben is drawn to a lamp in an antique store, he buys it, and a few days later a genie appears and explains that Ben gets 2 wishes. Daeliel asks Ben to call him a djinn instead, but Ben seems really resistant to this and is kind of just an asshole overall.
In the first chapters I was enjoying this, but through the book I just got this increasingly weird impression. The book seems to skip all this context, and suddenly they're friendly and a nickname has appeared out of nowhere.
Then the djinn MC finds the human's dead guinea pig, covered in dirt on the doormat with a suspiciously dirty pet dog nearby. He does what any sane person would do and washes the guinea pig with hand soap, blow-dries it, and puts it back in the cage, to save the dog from being accused. Wait a second, no, that is absolutely bonkers. Ben finds this endearing though, so it's ok? WTF.
There were also many small inconsistencies that got on my nerves, such as the fact that Ben is an admittedly poor cook who only eats microwave meals, but then in the epilogue he seems to be a master griller and he manages to have an opinion on using crème fraîche vs sour cream vs thickened cream when making a stroganoff. Lol.
This just fell so flat and I think even the author didn't care about the MCs because she couldn't seem to keep the spelling of Daeliel's name straight, and didn't bother to give them any real character development. I'm annoyed at myself for finishing this and would not recommend it.
Read
April 23, 2021DNF at 40%.
No, you don’t understand. I really tried and was intrigued by the idea behind this. Unfortunately it read like a trashy Wattpad fanfiction, and I didn’t even have the wherewithal to get to the sex because I was so annoyed.
I don’t even know WHY. Maybe it’s because I’m going through a lot right now and not much is working for me, but this made me want to bash my head in.
It wasn’t even that bad! It was charming in a weird way. Maybe if it was a bit more serious, and less spoofy.
Dae was intriguing. I felt no chemistry between him and the other MC though (yes he was so flat and annoying I can’t even remember his name).
I don’t know guys. I guess you get what you get, but I paid three bucks for this and had to return it. If it was on KU, by all means, but don’t waste your money.
No, you don’t understand. I really tried and was intrigued by the idea behind this. Unfortunately it read like a trashy Wattpad fanfiction, and I didn’t even have the wherewithal to get to the sex because I was so annoyed.
I don’t even know WHY. Maybe it’s because I’m going through a lot right now and not much is working for me, but this made me want to bash my head in.
It wasn’t even that bad! It was charming in a weird way. Maybe if it was a bit more serious, and less spoofy.
Dae was intriguing. I felt no chemistry between him and the other MC though (yes he was so flat and annoying I can’t even remember his name).
I don’t know guys. I guess you get what you get, but I paid three bucks for this and had to return it. If it was on KU, by all means, but don’t waste your money.
April 9, 2021
Can I first just say how much I loved that Ben’s job is at a zoo? Him and those penguins…right from the start that kicked things off with a wonderful level of cuteness. When it came to Daeliel, I did like that the reason he was in the lamp was original and I felt so sad for him and the situation in which he was so unfairly trapped.
While Ben and Dae don’t seem to mesh at the start—other than the obvious physical attraction—a connection slowly develops as they spend time together and learn more about each other. I say slowly because the story is told well enough that it feels like more time elapses than actually does. There are always the wishes hanging over their heads though, so as a reader you know there is probably a limit on anything between them.
I definitely enjoyed the matchup between these two, and the story was mostly lighthearted and fun, with just the right amount of sexiness and heat. It was the first time I think I’ve read a story with a djinn as a main character, so it was a nice change of pace with something unique.
Rubbing One Out was a 4.5-star read for me, and I would definitely recommend this story to any M/M romance reader looking for something refreshingly different from the usual supernatural/paranormal stories.
While Ben and Dae don’t seem to mesh at the start—other than the obvious physical attraction—a connection slowly develops as they spend time together and learn more about each other. I say slowly because the story is told well enough that it feels like more time elapses than actually does. There are always the wishes hanging over their heads though, so as a reader you know there is probably a limit on anything between them.
I definitely enjoyed the matchup between these two, and the story was mostly lighthearted and fun, with just the right amount of sexiness and heat. It was the first time I think I’ve read a story with a djinn as a main character, so it was a nice change of pace with something unique.
Rubbing One Out was a 4.5-star read for me, and I would definitely recommend this story to any M/M romance reader looking for something refreshingly different from the usual supernatural/paranormal stories.
September 24, 2022
Przyjemne, dość urocze, ale generalnie nic specjalnego...
April 10, 2021
Rubbing one out was a light and relaxing read. I haven’t read a story involving a genie (or Djinn as Dae likes to be called) and a lamp, and this was a humorous take on the story of Aladdin.
The author showed her research in describing the fun, and not so fun, moments of being a zoologist, and the opening scene with the stubborn penguin certainly made me chuckle.
I particularly liked the ending and how it was all resolved. This is a sweet, sort of insta-love but in a cute way, story that is a lovely refresher book or an escape read.
All my reviews can be found on my blog: The Word Nerd Reviews
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The author showed her research in describing the fun, and not so fun, moments of being a zoologist, and the opening scene with the stubborn penguin certainly made me chuckle.
I particularly liked the ending and how it was all resolved. This is a sweet, sort of insta-love but in a cute way, story that is a lovely refresher book or an escape read.
All my reviews can be found on my blog: The Word Nerd Reviews
Follow Me: Facebook & Twitter
April 29, 2021
Ben finds a lamp that ends up having a Djinn (Dae) inside ready to grant 2 (maybe 3) wishes. Ben doesn’t know what he wants right away, so Dae ends up staying with him. As they get to know each other, they end up falling for each other. Their relationship happened very fast. This only takes place over a month period, so it leads to a bit of Insta love. I do wish we had a little less of the friends/coworkers/clubbing so that we could focus more on these guys connecting together. I thought the end was great. I loved how it worked out.
I liked this overall, but the added emotion that actually led me to get tears in my eyes near the end has me bump it up to 4 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this overall, but the added emotion that actually led me to get tears in my eyes near the end has me bump it up to 4 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2021
This book just didn't do it for me. I found the writing to be very simple and I honestly did not like either character. The premise was grand but the execution was poor. My opinion only.
July 6, 2021
Aladdin and I Dream Of Jeannie mix together in Rubbing One Out for a deliciously fun, funny, and oh, so steamy M/M fantasy romance.
Ben is a zoologist with a penchant for antiques that stumbles across a brass lamp that he just can't help but buy. The mysterious and exotic-looking lamp makes him recall stories from his youth about genies and wishes and, well, other... whims of fantasy, which is plain silly but it will look stunning on his shelf. One night, his wildest fantasies come out of the lamp looking beautiful and lythe and oh so attractive. And now a fully grown and delicious man is talking to him about lamps and wishes and won't go away until he grants them. Ben, being the man of science and reason he is, is, well, justifiably skeptical and refuses not only to believe in the wishes but also to wish for anything until he fully and completely looks at the situation from all angles. Now, Daeliel is stuck in the human realm until his job is complete and Ben is refusing to make them, and the more time the two spend together, the more they realize they don't want to go their own ways. Can they find a way to be together before the mystical powers of the lamp and other powers that be separate them forever?
I will fully admit I had Rubbing One Out pegged (pardon the unintended pun) as just a complete smut fest, and I was here for it. But, it wasn't. It was completely steamy at parts BUT there was a lot of fun, feeling, and emotion that I wasn't expecting but also really glad for. Ben and Daeliel were fun, sweet, and fairly funny at times. For such a short book (novella- length? -IDK, it's right at 180 pages) I wasn't expecting such a cute story, but I certainly got one.
If you are looking for some light-hearted and steamy fantasy fun, you've definitely got a winner here.
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Ben is a zoologist with a penchant for antiques that stumbles across a brass lamp that he just can't help but buy. The mysterious and exotic-looking lamp makes him recall stories from his youth about genies and wishes and, well, other... whims of fantasy, which is plain silly but it will look stunning on his shelf. One night, his wildest fantasies come out of the lamp looking beautiful and lythe and oh so attractive. And now a fully grown and delicious man is talking to him about lamps and wishes and won't go away until he grants them. Ben, being the man of science and reason he is, is, well, justifiably skeptical and refuses not only to believe in the wishes but also to wish for anything until he fully and completely looks at the situation from all angles. Now, Daeliel is stuck in the human realm until his job is complete and Ben is refusing to make them, and the more time the two spend together, the more they realize they don't want to go their own ways. Can they find a way to be together before the mystical powers of the lamp and other powers that be separate them forever?
I will fully admit I had Rubbing One Out pegged (pardon the unintended pun) as just a complete smut fest, and I was here for it. But, it wasn't. It was completely steamy at parts BUT there was a lot of fun, feeling, and emotion that I wasn't expecting but also really glad for. Ben and Daeliel were fun, sweet, and fairly funny at times. For such a short book (novella- length? -IDK, it's right at 180 pages) I wasn't expecting such a cute story, but I certainly got one.
If you are looking for some light-hearted and steamy fantasy fun, you've definitely got a winner here.
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
April 7, 2021
2 stars
A very cute & fluffy romance without enough substance to it for my tastes, but an interesting premise & some cute animals kept me reading to the end.
[What I liked:]
•Ben has a cool job, & I learned some stuff about working with penguins at a zoo.
•I’m trying not to get spoiler-specific here, but I think the ending/resolution was done well. The problems don’t have overly simple, obvious solutions, & that helped maintain the narrative tension & keep things interesting.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•The story is a bit shallow for my tastes. It’s kinda insta-love (within 4 days they’re besotted), Ben doesn’t have much depth as a character outside of his job, there aren’t any side characters of substance (Hemmy really annoyed me tbh), & the plot is random events until the end of the story. If you are into cute & fluffy romance without much content, you may like this though.
•The prose isn’t terrible, but it isn’t the smoothest. The dialogue is a bit overdone at points.
•I think it’s weird how everyone in Quimaria (or is it all Fae in general?) are supposed to be pansexual. It is another realm, but that’s not how human sexuality works. I guess what made me uncomfortable is this info was dropped after a discussion about how sexually liberated Quimarians are compared to uptight & sexually repressed British people (not my opinion, but Ben’s, FYI). That made it sound like being sexually liberated & comfortable with it = pansexuality, which is not how it works. Maybe that’s not what was intended & im reading to much into it.
CW: brief descriptions of physical violence/torture (a severe beating)
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
A very cute & fluffy romance without enough substance to it for my tastes, but an interesting premise & some cute animals kept me reading to the end.
[What I liked:]
•Ben has a cool job, & I learned some stuff about working with penguins at a zoo.
•I’m trying not to get spoiler-specific here, but I think the ending/resolution was done well. The problems don’t have overly simple, obvious solutions, & that helped maintain the narrative tension & keep things interesting.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•The story is a bit shallow for my tastes. It’s kinda insta-love (within 4 days they’re besotted), Ben doesn’t have much depth as a character outside of his job, there aren’t any side characters of substance (Hemmy really annoyed me tbh), & the plot is random events until the end of the story. If you are into cute & fluffy romance without much content, you may like this though.
•The prose isn’t terrible, but it isn’t the smoothest. The dialogue is a bit overdone at points.
•I think it’s weird how everyone in Quimaria (or is it all Fae in general?) are supposed to be pansexual. It is another realm, but that’s not how human sexuality works. I guess what made me uncomfortable is this info was dropped after a discussion about how sexually liberated Quimarians are compared to uptight & sexually repressed British people (not my opinion, but Ben’s, FYI). That made it sound like being sexually liberated & comfortable with it = pansexuality, which is not how it works. Maybe that’s not what was intended & im reading to much into it.
CW: brief descriptions of physical violence/torture (a severe beating)
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
April 10, 2021
**ARC Received in Exchange of an Honest Review**
Love is an emotion and emotions are chemical changes in the body. Sciencey, as it may seem but to many, love, is a powerful force that is capable of weathering even the strongest storm and biggest king tide.
I am not new in the mm romance niche. I've read indie-published mm romance novels before. I have to say Rubbing One Out by Susan Mac Nicol is very different from those I've read before. Where Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston featured real-life fairytale, Rubbing One Out ventured into the actual fairytale realm.
Ben is a zoologist working at a local zoo. His life was pretty much the embodiment of what mundane looks like but he is contented, to say the least, thank you very much. He is an avid collector of anything antiques. Which how he finds himself, one day, at a local antique shop where he stumbled upon a manky old brass lamp. Easily recognisable as a reminder of a famous lamp from Aladdin, he rubs the lamp expecting something similar to what happened in Aladdin. But to his dismay, nothing happened. But the lamp grew in on him, so he bought it for five pounds less the price tag.
Everything changes when one morning he finds himself facing a man who materialised in his living room. The man claim to be from the lamp -- a genie. From there on, everything took a familiar turn to the story of Aladdin; a genie who grants two (not three) wishes and would eventually return to the lamp once the deed is done.
But unbeknownst to the two of them, there are rules that are bigger than their attraction. Time is a time bomb and before they even put a finger on it, they might find themselves torn apart if they make so much as a small mistake in using the wishes they are given.
The storytelling wasn't lyrical, to say the least. It was straightforward and full of uninhibited emotions and sexual tensions and that was obvious between Dae and Ben. I love how Ben didn't give too much shit about going crazy over what he feels for Dae; it was downright sexual attraction and thirst for affection. Something all of us would crave from a person we are attracted to. And I love that Dae didn't give so much shit as Ben did about the attraction he also feels. It might sound rushed that the characters got on with it right away. I thought so too. Until...
What I like about Mac Nicol's writing is that her pacing was uncomplicated. She was explicit in saying there's an attraction between Dae and Ben. So what better way to deal with it but than to get it on between the two, which is what normally happens in real life. However, the way she paced the sequence of events didn't feel rushed at all. If for anything, her pacing added to the whole dilemma and challenge in the plot itself. I mean, if time was a ticking time bomb, what would you have done with the time left before it explodes?
This book was, as what Mac Nicol wrote in one of the chapters in the book, "inventive, and fun, and as sexy as hell." This book was Aladdin re-imagined; a gay Arabian Knight story that will surely make you want to flip one page right after the other. It has love and hurt, and magic, and hope. But above all, it has a fairytale and a promise that love can weather anything.
Love is an emotion and emotions are chemical changes in the body. Sciencey, as it may seem but to many, love, is a powerful force that is capable of weathering even the strongest storm and biggest king tide.
I am not new in the mm romance niche. I've read indie-published mm romance novels before. I have to say Rubbing One Out by Susan Mac Nicol is very different from those I've read before. Where Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston featured real-life fairytale, Rubbing One Out ventured into the actual fairytale realm.
Ben is a zoologist working at a local zoo. His life was pretty much the embodiment of what mundane looks like but he is contented, to say the least, thank you very much. He is an avid collector of anything antiques. Which how he finds himself, one day, at a local antique shop where he stumbled upon a manky old brass lamp. Easily recognisable as a reminder of a famous lamp from Aladdin, he rubs the lamp expecting something similar to what happened in Aladdin. But to his dismay, nothing happened. But the lamp grew in on him, so he bought it for five pounds less the price tag.
Everything changes when one morning he finds himself facing a man who materialised in his living room. The man claim to be from the lamp -- a genie. From there on, everything took a familiar turn to the story of Aladdin; a genie who grants two (not three) wishes and would eventually return to the lamp once the deed is done.
But unbeknownst to the two of them, there are rules that are bigger than their attraction. Time is a time bomb and before they even put a finger on it, they might find themselves torn apart if they make so much as a small mistake in using the wishes they are given.
The storytelling wasn't lyrical, to say the least. It was straightforward and full of uninhibited emotions and sexual tensions and that was obvious between Dae and Ben. I love how Ben didn't give too much shit about going crazy over what he feels for Dae; it was downright sexual attraction and thirst for affection. Something all of us would crave from a person we are attracted to. And I love that Dae didn't give so much shit as Ben did about the attraction he also feels. It might sound rushed that the characters got on with it right away. I thought so too. Until...
What I like about Mac Nicol's writing is that her pacing was uncomplicated. She was explicit in saying there's an attraction between Dae and Ben. So what better way to deal with it but than to get it on between the two, which is what normally happens in real life. However, the way she paced the sequence of events didn't feel rushed at all. If for anything, her pacing added to the whole dilemma and challenge in the plot itself. I mean, if time was a ticking time bomb, what would you have done with the time left before it explodes?
This book was, as what Mac Nicol wrote in one of the chapters in the book, "inventive, and fun, and as sexy as hell." This book was Aladdin re-imagined; a gay Arabian Knight story that will surely make you want to flip one page right after the other. It has love and hurt, and magic, and hope. But above all, it has a fairytale and a promise that love can weather anything.
April 5, 2021
**ARC RECEIVED FOR HONEST REVIEW**
Firstly I want to say this; The fact that the author spent the day as a zoo keeper to help with research for this story is not only amazing, but also show how they wanted this story, the animal aspects of it at least, to be true to life, and it really does show!
Secondly, I'd like to add that whilst there's been many children's stories written in alternative ways (Beauty and the beast, snow white, sleeping beauty, etc) as well as many variations of Dracula etc written, I can honestly say I don't think I've ever heard of, or read, a different variation of Aladdin, so this was a pleasant, and interesting change!
Now, my review............
Firstly we meet Ben, a zookeeper, mainly looking after the Penguins, who is extremely single and despite this, doesn't do one night stands.
He has an affinity for for the local antique store and it's here where he happens across a lamp, much like the one in the story of Aladdin, which his mum read to him as a child.
When he first gets the lamp home and he does what we've all probably done with a lamp, and rubs it, nothing happens..............
Daliel is a Djinn, and has been banished to the lamp because of whom he loved.
He knows the drill by know, after far too many years: Grant the wishes and return to the lamp.
Upon his first meeting with Ben, which is rather comedic and quite flirtatious, he can tell things won't be as easy as with the others. He doesn't however, factor in how much he will fall for Ben, how Ben's unselfishness will appeal to him.
At first he's pushy regarding the wishes, but, as time passes, he realises he doesn't want Ben to use them too quickly as it means their time together will be short.
What follows is lots of fun and laughter, especially when Dae decides to make things more entertaining, lots of cute animals, some seriously hot sexy times and an absolutely BRILLIANTLY written story!
I honestly felt like Dae! I was excited to see what the story would bring when I first opened the book and, when I got close to finishing, felt my heart drop at the prospect of having to close the last page.
The research into the penguins really was fantastic, and as I've already said, shows just how much this author wanted this story to be realistic!
A superbly written story that I absolutely LOVED!!!!
Firstly I want to say this; The fact that the author spent the day as a zoo keeper to help with research for this story is not only amazing, but also show how they wanted this story, the animal aspects of it at least, to be true to life, and it really does show!
Secondly, I'd like to add that whilst there's been many children's stories written in alternative ways (Beauty and the beast, snow white, sleeping beauty, etc) as well as many variations of Dracula etc written, I can honestly say I don't think I've ever heard of, or read, a different variation of Aladdin, so this was a pleasant, and interesting change!
Now, my review............
Firstly we meet Ben, a zookeeper, mainly looking after the Penguins, who is extremely single and despite this, doesn't do one night stands.
He has an affinity for for the local antique store and it's here where he happens across a lamp, much like the one in the story of Aladdin, which his mum read to him as a child.
When he first gets the lamp home and he does what we've all probably done with a lamp, and rubs it, nothing happens..............
Daliel is a Djinn, and has been banished to the lamp because of whom he loved.
He knows the drill by know, after far too many years: Grant the wishes and return to the lamp.
Upon his first meeting with Ben, which is rather comedic and quite flirtatious, he can tell things won't be as easy as with the others. He doesn't however, factor in how much he will fall for Ben, how Ben's unselfishness will appeal to him.
At first he's pushy regarding the wishes, but, as time passes, he realises he doesn't want Ben to use them too quickly as it means their time together will be short.
What follows is lots of fun and laughter, especially when Dae decides to make things more entertaining, lots of cute animals, some seriously hot sexy times and an absolutely BRILLIANTLY written story!
I honestly felt like Dae! I was excited to see what the story would bring when I first opened the book and, when I got close to finishing, felt my heart drop at the prospect of having to close the last page.
The research into the penguins really was fantastic, and as I've already said, shows just how much this author wanted this story to be realistic!
A superbly written story that I absolutely LOVED!!!!
April 7, 2021
It has been quite a while since I have read (and really enjoyed) such a humorous, MM paranormal romance with a fascinating “Genie in the Lamp” theme. The plot is well-written with wonderful details & has good world building with excellent scene descriptions. The characters are endearing with their reactions to the unusual circumstances they find themselves in & have good chemistry between them. I was totally amused with the shenanigans they got up to & the resulting mayhem of their actions.
It is about: a male zoologist (Ben Sinclair) with an affinity for the (sometime troublesome) penguins in his care, but he also has a fascination for unusual antiques & decides to visit a favorite place (Craxton Mill) where he obtains a brass lamp & takes it home, sometime later he gets the shock of his life when a exceptionally good-looking Djinn (Daeliel aka Dae) suddenly appears.
There is: some drama, mild intrigue, friendship, humour, magic, confusion, disbelief, wishes, flirtations, mischievousness, snarkiness, annoyance, disagreements, sadness, memories, strange attractions, misunderstandings, a unexpected encounter, compromises, surprises, some steam, contentment & a delightful happy ending. This MM romance is delightfully entertaining & I would recommend it.
It is about: a male zoologist (Ben Sinclair) with an affinity for the (sometime troublesome) penguins in his care, but he also has a fascination for unusual antiques & decides to visit a favorite place (Craxton Mill) where he obtains a brass lamp & takes it home, sometime later he gets the shock of his life when a exceptionally good-looking Djinn (Daeliel aka Dae) suddenly appears.
There is: some drama, mild intrigue, friendship, humour, magic, confusion, disbelief, wishes, flirtations, mischievousness, snarkiness, annoyance, disagreements, sadness, memories, strange attractions, misunderstandings, a unexpected encounter, compromises, surprises, some steam, contentment & a delightful happy ending. This MM romance is delightfully entertaining & I would recommend it.
May 20, 2021
After reading this, I've decided there really aren't enough books that involve Genie's. And seriously - not I Dream of Genie style books - but definitely this very modern take on what happens when you find a magic lamp containing a genie.
Dae has been sent to serve out time as a Djinn in a lamp as punishment for daring to have a relationship with a royal prince. He's missing his family - but life in the lamp isn't Aladdin style (Phenomenal cosmic powers, itty bitty living space" - its more living in a different dimension, but apart from his family and homeworld. Most people make their wishes and get on with it - when Ben finds the lamp things go a little differently.
Ben is a zoologist in a smaller area of Great Britain. He loves antiquing and ends up with the lamp almost by accident. He takes his time figuring out what to do with his wishes and as he does - becomes closer and closer to Dae.
Dae is hilarious and over-the-top in just about everything he does. Ben is definitely more subdued and thoughtful. They are a wonderful combination and hilarious to watch. This is a very fun read - with just the right amount of tension to keep things pretty light - but still emotional.
If anyone wants to send a genie like Dae my way - I definitely have some wishes for him!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
Dae has been sent to serve out time as a Djinn in a lamp as punishment for daring to have a relationship with a royal prince. He's missing his family - but life in the lamp isn't Aladdin style (Phenomenal cosmic powers, itty bitty living space" - its more living in a different dimension, but apart from his family and homeworld. Most people make their wishes and get on with it - when Ben finds the lamp things go a little differently.
Ben is a zoologist in a smaller area of Great Britain. He loves antiquing and ends up with the lamp almost by accident. He takes his time figuring out what to do with his wishes and as he does - becomes closer and closer to Dae.
Dae is hilarious and over-the-top in just about everything he does. Ben is definitely more subdued and thoughtful. They are a wonderful combination and hilarious to watch. This is a very fun read - with just the right amount of tension to keep things pretty light - but still emotional.
If anyone wants to send a genie like Dae my way - I definitely have some wishes for him!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
April 1, 2021
I received an advanced copy via booksprout and this is my honest review.
💞🧞♂️A great start and a funny one as Ben was talking to himself or rather a penguin. When Ben picks up a brass lamp it'd change his life.
Oh I loved the first meeting with Ben and Daeliel sorry I may have burst out loud laughing. 🤣🤣
Oh of course Ben thinks its all a dream..how wrong is he, but he'll figure it out. Although they don’t really get along at the start with the snarky comments which just adds to the book.
The two are great and I got a sense of sadness from Daeliel he wasn't happy trapped. The little white porky lies may catch up with Ben's stories that he tells as a cover up, reckon he'll have some explaining to do. Mischief and mayhem included along with sexy scenes, this book is perfectly titled in more ways than one. All great things must come to an ending and time was running out.. A fantastic ending yah I was on the end of my seat to see what happens.
You guys are totally need to read this just to a great laugh and fantastic story.
Working at the Zoo Ben 32 years loved his penguins when they weren't being stubborn. A lover of antiques he often hunted for the unusual for is collections.
💞🧞♂️A great start and a funny one as Ben was talking to himself or rather a penguin. When Ben picks up a brass lamp it'd change his life.
Oh I loved the first meeting with Ben and Daeliel sorry I may have burst out loud laughing. 🤣🤣
Oh of course Ben thinks its all a dream..how wrong is he, but he'll figure it out. Although they don’t really get along at the start with the snarky comments which just adds to the book.
The two are great and I got a sense of sadness from Daeliel he wasn't happy trapped. The little white porky lies may catch up with Ben's stories that he tells as a cover up, reckon he'll have some explaining to do. Mischief and mayhem included along with sexy scenes, this book is perfectly titled in more ways than one. All great things must come to an ending and time was running out.. A fantastic ending yah I was on the end of my seat to see what happens.
You guys are totally need to read this just to a great laugh and fantastic story.
Working at the Zoo Ben 32 years loved his penguins when they weren't being stubborn. A lover of antiques he often hunted for the unusual for is collections.
April 10, 2021
Susan Mac Nicol has written this really fun take on a genie in a lamp. In this story it’s a genie and a zoo worker who end up finding each other. As is usual with her books Ms. Mac Nicol has created plenty of background to the characters and put them in a situation that they have to find their way out of. Of course there is plenty of humor both large and small bits that are another hallmark of her work. Honestly I could go on and on about how much I liked it but just let me say that if you like mm romance and particularly if you like humor and magic added in I’m pretty confident that you will like this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2021
Rubbing One Out was a hilarious book by Susan Mac Nicol. From the first page to the last, I laughed and fell in love. When Zoologist Ben Sinclair buys a brass lamp, he never thought a genie would come out of it. Daeliel finds himself in Ben's world. Who knew making those three wishes were going to be so hard?
I am going to highly recommend this book to everyone. I could easily see myself being friends with Ben and Daeliel. They are both very lovable. The writing style was brilliant. I got lost in this book for two days straight.
The book was written in a single person POV. The storyline was developed wonderfully and well written. I can't wait to read more books written by this author.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
I am going to highly recommend this book to everyone. I could easily see myself being friends with Ben and Daeliel. They are both very lovable. The writing style was brilliant. I got lost in this book for two days straight.
The book was written in a single person POV. The storyline was developed wonderfully and well written. I can't wait to read more books written by this author.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
April 13, 2021
I don’t usually do fantasy or such type books but I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them so when I read the blurb on this, I had to give it a try. This story is so much fun. I believe it took a lot of imagination to make this story work but it sure does. Ben has a huge heart and when he purchases a brass lamp as decoration, he has no idea what he is in for. Dae does not appear to be an ordinary Djinn. He is full of personality. The banter between these two completely entertained me. The secondary characters add snippets of fun to the story. To me this was a relaxing, entertaining story. I completely recommend it.
April 4, 2021
I want my own 🧞 Susan has an emotive writing style which I loved, complex loveable characters even animals, some snark, lots of laugh out loud moments, heartwarming and hot sensual scenes, this was an absolute pleasure to read. A keeper.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I absolutely recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I absolutely recommend this book.
March 30, 2021
Rubbing One Out is the story of a British Ben that rubs a lamp and meets Djinn Daeliel. They fall in love and the story has an interesting premise and is full of animals. The story is an interesting spin on the Genie/Lamp story and has some high heat and steamy scenes. Overall an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2021
Rubbing One Out is a cheeky , cute and steamy MM , paranormal, quick and short, romance tale with a HEA.
I think it's perfect as a palate cleaner between books with heavy topics.
I think it's perfect as a palate cleaner between books with heavy topics.
April 11, 2021
What an enjoyable book to read! With the the adorable scenes with the naughty penguins, some hot moments and some laugh out loud moments, this is a wonderful book to read.
Ben is a single, gay zoologist who works at the local zoo, mainly looking after the penguins who sometimes try his patience. especially when it comes to taking their medicine. He also loves antiques and regularly visits the local antique shop where the young man behind the counter has a crush on him and is always trying to get Ben to go on a date with him. However, Ben isn't into relationships or one night stands and always lefts Ryan down gently. One day whilst browsing around the shop, an old brass, antique lamp falls to the floor. Ben hastily picks it up as all damages must be paid for. However, he feels strangely drawn to the lamp and takes it home where he decides to live out a childhood fantasy of rubbing the lamp to see if anything happens. Much to his shock, the gorgeous Dae appears and Ben being forever practical refuses to believe he is real.
Dae, who's real name is Daliel is a Djinn and has been banished to the lamp for ten years as a punishment for loving the wrong man back on his home world. He is still heartbroken by the betrayal and expects Ben to make his two wishes quickly, so he can move onto the next person and the safety and comfort of the lamp. However, Ben isn't convinced at first and not being a selfish man, refuses to make just any old wish. He also realises that he's enjoying Dae being around. As Dae spends more time with Ben an attraction and friendship starts to build between the two men and when Ben wakes up with Dae in his bed, he realises it's grown to be much more than that. The question is then, how can Ben make Dae stay with him with the otherworldly pressures put on the Djinn to persuade him to make his wishes?
This was a very entertaining read and I especially loved the naughty penguin, the mischief that resulted when Dae used some of his magic at the zoo and the nightclub and the banter between the two men. Dae's world was painted in very vivid colours, some of which he bought to his spare room at Bens. I loved the ending, but was secretly hoping for a bit more …
I was given an ARC for a genuine review and I can honestly say I can recommend this book and I give it 5 stars.
Ben is a single, gay zoologist who works at the local zoo, mainly looking after the penguins who sometimes try his patience. especially when it comes to taking their medicine. He also loves antiques and regularly visits the local antique shop where the young man behind the counter has a crush on him and is always trying to get Ben to go on a date with him. However, Ben isn't into relationships or one night stands and always lefts Ryan down gently. One day whilst browsing around the shop, an old brass, antique lamp falls to the floor. Ben hastily picks it up as all damages must be paid for. However, he feels strangely drawn to the lamp and takes it home where he decides to live out a childhood fantasy of rubbing the lamp to see if anything happens. Much to his shock, the gorgeous Dae appears and Ben being forever practical refuses to believe he is real.
Dae, who's real name is Daliel is a Djinn and has been banished to the lamp for ten years as a punishment for loving the wrong man back on his home world. He is still heartbroken by the betrayal and expects Ben to make his two wishes quickly, so he can move onto the next person and the safety and comfort of the lamp. However, Ben isn't convinced at first and not being a selfish man, refuses to make just any old wish. He also realises that he's enjoying Dae being around. As Dae spends more time with Ben an attraction and friendship starts to build between the two men and when Ben wakes up with Dae in his bed, he realises it's grown to be much more than that. The question is then, how can Ben make Dae stay with him with the otherworldly pressures put on the Djinn to persuade him to make his wishes?
This was a very entertaining read and I especially loved the naughty penguin, the mischief that resulted when Dae used some of his magic at the zoo and the nightclub and the banter between the two men. Dae's world was painted in very vivid colours, some of which he bought to his spare room at Bens. I loved the ending, but was secretly hoping for a bit more …
I was given an ARC for a genuine review and I can honestly say I can recommend this book and I give it 5 stars.
April 17, 2021
The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! By the time you’ve figured out who is who and who to like and dislike, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
(Believe me when I say you won’t put it down until the last page is read…you will find yourself getting upset cause someone called, texted or bothered you while reading this one, you will find yourself up at ungodly hours just to finish it knowing you have to be at work early (like 3am early) the very next day) YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
I always say when you bring in fur babies and those animal babies without fur and that is what we get with Ben who works at the zoo with his penguins they are so cute both the man and penguins. Ben’s second love is old antiques, and this is how he meet the man in the lamp. Dae is a genie who has always granted other wishes but longs to be free to live outside of the lamp. The two of them didn’t get along from the start and I really love the back and forth between these two, also, how they bring out the worst and best in each other. The attraction, chemistry was instant and the protectiveness intense that magnetic pull can not and will not be ignored. Will they work on their differences, how will the wishes work to ensure Dae never has to go beck in the bottle and will they find happiness?
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
(Believe me when I say you won’t put it down until the last page is read…you will find yourself getting upset cause someone called, texted or bothered you while reading this one, you will find yourself up at ungodly hours just to finish it knowing you have to be at work early (like 3am early) the very next day) YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
I always say when you bring in fur babies and those animal babies without fur and that is what we get with Ben who works at the zoo with his penguins they are so cute both the man and penguins. Ben’s second love is old antiques, and this is how he meet the man in the lamp. Dae is a genie who has always granted other wishes but longs to be free to live outside of the lamp. The two of them didn’t get along from the start and I really love the back and forth between these two, also, how they bring out the worst and best in each other. The attraction, chemistry was instant and the protectiveness intense that magnetic pull can not and will not be ignored. Will they work on their differences, how will the wishes work to ensure Dae never has to go beck in the bottle and will they find happiness?
April 17, 2021
This was brilliant! When I read the word genie in the blurb, I'd expected a plot filled with wishes granted immediately and some shenanigans of the sexy kind, but what I found instead was the sweetest, most heartwarming of romances.
When Ben bought a brass lamp and took it home, he'd made a half joke in his mind about a genie popping out of it. Nothing happened at first, until Daeliel materialized, the personification of all of Ben's fantasies. I absolutely loved this two, complete opposites and so perfect together. Ben was an absolute dream of a man, with so many hidden depths and the most tender of hearts. Watching him interact with the penguins at the zoo made me melt...actually, everything about him did. Daeliel was not a sweet, accommodating genie. He was sassy, snarky, colorful and dramatic, challenging Ben at every turn, but also kind and giving.
At the beginning they were downright hilarious, bickering and riling up one another. But, soon Daeliel started to fill every lonely corner of Ben's heart and life, and in turn, Ben soothed the genie's hurt soul.
And while their story made me swoon and awwww and smile, it also kept me on edge when it became clear that their relationship had a time limit. I hoped for a happy ending, and getting there has been a difficult waiting game. Oh, but I enjoyed waiting so very, very much! Because this book had everything. Magic, humor, heart, heat, heartbreak and a hugely satisfying HEA. Ben and Daeliel truly deserved each other and all the happiness in the world, and reading their story brought me immense joy.
When Ben bought a brass lamp and took it home, he'd made a half joke in his mind about a genie popping out of it. Nothing happened at first, until Daeliel materialized, the personification of all of Ben's fantasies. I absolutely loved this two, complete opposites and so perfect together. Ben was an absolute dream of a man, with so many hidden depths and the most tender of hearts. Watching him interact with the penguins at the zoo made me melt...actually, everything about him did. Daeliel was not a sweet, accommodating genie. He was sassy, snarky, colorful and dramatic, challenging Ben at every turn, but also kind and giving.
At the beginning they were downright hilarious, bickering and riling up one another. But, soon Daeliel started to fill every lonely corner of Ben's heart and life, and in turn, Ben soothed the genie's hurt soul.
And while their story made me swoon and awwww and smile, it also kept me on edge when it became clear that their relationship had a time limit. I hoped for a happy ending, and getting there has been a difficult waiting game. Oh, but I enjoyed waiting so very, very much! Because this book had everything. Magic, humor, heart, heat, heartbreak and a hugely satisfying HEA. Ben and Daeliel truly deserved each other and all the happiness in the world, and reading their story brought me immense joy.
June 10, 2021
This is a fun, entertaining and romantic story. Dae was sent to the lamp as a punishment, but he's been trying to make the best of it. Ben gos to a local antique shop one day and discovers an old lamp. Thinking that it was really cool because it reminded him of his mother, who told stories of magic lamps, he bought it. When he got home he tried to rub it, half hoping a genie would appear, but when nothing happened he put it with his other treasured things. Later that night, he's awoken by tinkling bells. He has an usual reaction when he picks up the lamp to see if the noise came from there, so he quickly puts it back. Then turns to find a strange man behind him. Thinking he's dreaming, he goes back to bed. The next morning he funds that he wasn't dreaming, there's a man claiming to be a genie there. Dae tells him that he has 2 wishes, and to think about what he wants, then Dae will go back into the lamp. But while Ben thinks about the wishes, he and Dae become close. When Dae is warned that he must hurry up the wishes, both he and Ben realize that neither wants Dae to go back. But those are the rules, and they must follow them. Dae is a fun loving, sweet man with a wicked sense of humor. Ben is a caring, animal loving man who works at a zoo, mostly with penguins. Together they are funny, hot and sweet.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
April 10, 2021
One of the most delightful books I’ve read in a while.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Susan Mac Nicol and that’s kind of a shame because I’ve really enjoyed the ones that I have read. I’m glad I broke that dry spell with Rubbing One Out. I haven’t literally laughed out loud reading a book in quite a while but Rubbing One Out had me doing it more than once. (I got funny looks from my hubby.)
Finding a genie in a bottle is probably a fantasy that everyone who’s ever watched I Dream of Jeannie has had at one time or another. I was ten-years-old when it debuted on TV and it was one of my favorite shows. Rubbing One Out wasn’t campy like that show but it did remind me of it and brought back good memories.
Ben buys a brass lamp at his favorite antique store and later was shocked to learn that it contained a beautiful, and sometimes annoying, man/genie. Between the two of them they manage to have a few misadventures and soon realize that they don’t want to be parted.
There wasn’t one thing that I didn’t enjoy about this book. I loved how it made me LOL and also how it brought sad and happy tears towards the end. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Susan Mac Nicol and that’s kind of a shame because I’ve really enjoyed the ones that I have read. I’m glad I broke that dry spell with Rubbing One Out. I haven’t literally laughed out loud reading a book in quite a while but Rubbing One Out had me doing it more than once. (I got funny looks from my hubby.)
Finding a genie in a bottle is probably a fantasy that everyone who’s ever watched I Dream of Jeannie has had at one time or another. I was ten-years-old when it debuted on TV and it was one of my favorite shows. Rubbing One Out wasn’t campy like that show but it did remind me of it and brought back good memories.
Ben buys a brass lamp at his favorite antique store and later was shocked to learn that it contained a beautiful, and sometimes annoying, man/genie. Between the two of them they manage to have a few misadventures and soon realize that they don’t want to be parted.
There wasn’t one thing that I didn’t enjoy about this book. I loved how it made me LOL and also how it brought sad and happy tears towards the end. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
April 16, 2021
What if that strange looking old lamp you bought at the local antique store as a kind of joke really did have a djinn inside? What if he was smoking hot? I really liked the premise of this novel, and it’s definitely fun to see Dae the fantastical, opinionated magical fish-out-of-water adapt to life with Ben, the zoologist who likes spending time at home and hanging out with Tess, the farting, grave-robbing (that last bit isn’t quite as sinister as it sounds) dog. They definitely have lots of chemistry, and there’s the bones for a deep emotional bond as well, as Dae’s still reeling from the betrayal that got him his wish-granting gig in the first place, and Ben is definitely more interested in him as a person than he is in the wishes, so the desire for connection is, from the start, more than physical. There are some rough edges, and Ben has some occasional flashes of self-absorption that manifest in some cruel ways, like taking his feelings over a sick animal out on Dae, or talking about the novelty of getting off with a djinn to Dae, which is pretty much objectification 101, and therefore a bit ick. He is good about apologising, however, which is not nothing. Overall, this is a fun read and a sweet romance, with just the right HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2021
If you had two wishes, what would you wish for? Of course, there are rules.
Ben has been alone for a while. He isn’t into one-night stands and wants someone to come home to and share about his workday.
He was raised with all the mythical stories his mom loved to tell and loved antique shops. When he found the little lamp he wasn’t really interested but it seemed to have a draw. When he rubbed it and a genie actually appeared he was caught off guard. He had no idea what to wish for and wanted to take his time to make sure he got the most from his wishes, then the longer he was with Daeliel the less he wants him to go. Maybe he wouldn’t make any wishes.
I loved this story. The characters are amazing and I loved learning about penguins. You get the best of two worlds. Ben a down-to-earth man with a big heart then the paranormal twist of a genie or shin as Daeliel preferred to be called. The romance is fast-paced, there is a lot of heat and there is a nice heartwarming happy ending.
If you like zoologists, penguins, djinn, a bit of fantasy, some wit with lots of heat I highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ben has been alone for a while. He isn’t into one-night stands and wants someone to come home to and share about his workday.
He was raised with all the mythical stories his mom loved to tell and loved antique shops. When he found the little lamp he wasn’t really interested but it seemed to have a draw. When he rubbed it and a genie actually appeared he was caught off guard. He had no idea what to wish for and wanted to take his time to make sure he got the most from his wishes, then the longer he was with Daeliel the less he wants him to go. Maybe he wouldn’t make any wishes.
I loved this story. The characters are amazing and I loved learning about penguins. You get the best of two worlds. Ben a down-to-earth man with a big heart then the paranormal twist of a genie or shin as Daeliel preferred to be called. The romance is fast-paced, there is a lot of heat and there is a nice heartwarming happy ending.
If you like zoologists, penguins, djinn, a bit of fantasy, some wit with lots of heat I highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 18, 2021
Fun and Sexy Escapism
This book was loosely based on a fairy tale, Aladdin but definitely for adults. I found it lol hilarious, Ben a Zoologist who worked at a zoo and looked after the penguins and seals, was browsing in his local antique shop when he was drawn towards an old brass lamp and just had to buy it. Of course he tries rubbing it, as you do, and gets more than he bargained for when a gorgeous man appears and tells Ben he has two wishes, as opposed to the normal three we have always been led to believe!
Ben cannot think of any wishes and doesn’t want to waste them so he says he will have to think carefully before wishing. The longer Daeliel or Dae as Ben calls him stays with him the more he likes having him around and Dae isn’t keen on being back in the lamp either! As with all good fairy stories they fall in love but how can be together, Ben putting off wishing isn’t going to work when they discover there is a time limit on wishes.
There are some hilarious moments in this book, Dae is sarcastic, snarky and funny and some of his magic tricks had me lol especially on the ghost train ride!
If you want a fun, no angst read I would recommend this book.
This book was loosely based on a fairy tale, Aladdin but definitely for adults. I found it lol hilarious, Ben a Zoologist who worked at a zoo and looked after the penguins and seals, was browsing in his local antique shop when he was drawn towards an old brass lamp and just had to buy it. Of course he tries rubbing it, as you do, and gets more than he bargained for when a gorgeous man appears and tells Ben he has two wishes, as opposed to the normal three we have always been led to believe!
Ben cannot think of any wishes and doesn’t want to waste them so he says he will have to think carefully before wishing. The longer Daeliel or Dae as Ben calls him stays with him the more he likes having him around and Dae isn’t keen on being back in the lamp either! As with all good fairy stories they fall in love but how can be together, Ben putting off wishing isn’t going to work when they discover there is a time limit on wishes.
There are some hilarious moments in this book, Dae is sarcastic, snarky and funny and some of his magic tricks had me lol especially on the ghost train ride!
If you want a fun, no angst read I would recommend this book.
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