Got Me Looking

Vet Shop Boys #3

by Casey Cox

A jilted groom and a guy who doesn’t believe in monogamy fall in love? Yeah. Right.

After getting cheated on at my own goddamn wedding, I’m through with men. I’m approaching fifty, and all I’ve ever wanted is to settle down, get married, and live happily ever after. But yeah, that hasn’t exactly worked out great for me.

The last person I expect to understand me is Tate. Sure, he’s cute, curious, and clever. A firecracker with no filter who somehow manages to stay friendly and genuine at the same time. But he isn’t exactly a settle-down kinda guy. Oh, and did I mention he’s also twenty years younger than me?

There’s no way something could ever happen between the two of us, so how is it possible that Tate has got me looking at love––and him––in a whole new light?

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, LGBT, Contemporary Romance

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2022

About the author

Casey writes MM romance with plenty of 💕, 🔥, 🤣, and of course 🍆 + 🍑.

Click the "+ Follow" button so you never miss a new release!

Reviews

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow the author managed to up the emotional level once again!

Color me impressed! The author just blew me away with the truly different and fascinating love story in this book. Loved State's journey over the course of this story. Really adore this series cast of characters... The author has brought them to life as fully fledged people that I truly care about! So happy that there will be more love stories to come in this series.

[Ky · Rating 2 out of 5]

* 2 stars *

I can't say that I enjoyed this one. In fact, I struggled to finish it, because it was so outside of what I like to read.

I don't do sugary sweet, I don't do super romantic, I don't do heart eyes all over the place. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but those are just not the tropes for me and this book was full of them. I'm sure there are readers who like those kinds of stories and I guess they'll really like this book, but I'm not one of them.

I liked the beginning of the story and Gus's backstory was interesting.

I didn't like the endless coincedenses, their dates and the fake-boyfriend trope.

Usually I like that last one, but here it was very complicated and I didn't see the reason for them to keep pretending they were a couple while they were actually starting to date for real.

Also, for a book belonging in a series titled after a vet clinic, there weren't many animals present, which was kind of weird.

I don't think I'll read more from this series, but I'll try some other books by this author in the future to make sure this wasn't a one off.


~ I read an ARC of this book. ~

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boring, that’s what Gus’s ex told him he was, he’s boring in everything...every day. Gus just wanted to settle down with the man that he gave his heart to just like he had years ago with the one true love of his life, Andrew, who had passed away. Now he’s being called boring by the man who cheated on him just minutes after they had said their "I do's" and were still at the church, not even an hour after their wedding! Gus is determined to not do anything boring ever again. Gus, his best man and best friend along with his vet shop friends are his wingmen. Tate and Gus have mutual friends, so when one of Gus’s friends asks Tate to be keep an eye on Gus; Tate is more than willing. He's at least twenty years younger than Gus but he’s such a good listener, and that he's also very cute is a plus. Of course, they end up doing more than talking. They are sure that nothing more than friendship between them will ever work. Gus is a "one-guy" man while Tate is poly and convinced that he will never find his "everything" with just one person. Tates mother is determined to see her son, if not married, at least in a relationship that lasts more than a week...so Tate talks Gus into being his fake boyfriend while his mother is visiting. Gus is more than willing...but to Gus; it's anything but fake. In spite of their preconceived differences on relationships and dating they fall into a sweet romance with very little drama, which ends in an awesome happy ever after.

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC but I really enjoyed reading this book ans I hd a really good time reading it.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really sweet story in the vet shop boys series. I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the first one, but it’s still a very enjoyable read. This is perfect for when you want a story with very little angst. It’s age gap, but without the Daddy stuff I find such a turn off. I listened to the audiobook and John Solo is incredible as always.

[Heather Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet & Flirty

Is it possible for two people with fundamentally different ideas on relationships to fall ‘in everything’ together?

The answer lies in this very sweet book.

This is the third book in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a super sweet and low angst book (which I love, cuz angst gives me anxiety!) I’ve been looking forward to Gus’s story since the beginning. The man definitely deserves his happy ending. He’s 48 years old, owner of the Vet Shop Boys. He’s lost at love twice now. He’s caring and thoughtful, a great friend, great boss, but most of all he just wants to be a great boyfriend/husband. He wants hot sex, fun dates, and lots of snuggles.

28 years old Tate is drawn to Gus while he’s in his heartbroken party boy stage but quickly discovers there’s a lot more to him. Fun-loving, caring, thoughtful, and complex (and not bad in bed too!). Though he believes polyamory is the only way he can be fulfilled, that no one person can provide everything he needs, he begins to realize he may be wrong about that.

That in fact, it’s possible you can fall ‘In Everything’ with someone.

And maybe, just maybe Gus will finally find the One!

Though this wasn’t my favourite in the series it was still a fun read and hit’s all the HEA feels. I would for sure recommend it to others.

< ARC provided by GRR and this is my honest review >

[TeeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I have been looking forward to Gus' story since book one. And I have loved Tate's character since then as well. It's nice seeing side characters you have fallen in love with get their own story and have their moment to truly shine. Gus and Tate are such loveable characters. I loved seeing more of their friendship and how smoothly that turned into much more. Overall, this was thoroughly enjoyable and I wad so happy for our sweet Gus to get the HEA he has always deserved. That said, my only issue is how Tate's polyamory was handled. What the author told us was good, but what happened differed. It just felt odd to me and dinged it just a touch in the end. All in all, this was my favorite book in the series so far.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh I knew I shouldn’t have read this I was just so compelled to after everything that happened to Gus in books 1 and 2. The boss of the vet clinic, sad backstory of his much loved partner dying over 10years ago and then the disaster of his wedding and the slanklet wearing mess he was afterwards. I needed his HEA. Unfortunately it was a let down. Yes there was some cute moments, lots of fluffy sweetness and nice interactions with previous characters but I found myself skimming through most of this. Lots of telling rather than showing, so wordy. Heavy on the internal monologues. Boring extravagant dates. 20yr age gap. Weird take on the polyamory thing. The characters just weren’t endearing to me at all sadly. Yes there is enticing build up for Chase’s story but I’m going to learn from this and give it a miss.

[Shelf Blame · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've mostly enjoyed this series as the type of fluffy romance books that don't take much brain power (exactly what I look for when I don't want to think too hard) but the poly rep in this book is so incredibly bad and borderline offensive. If you're reading it for the poly rep, don't.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars. Boring, that’s what Gus’s ex told him, he’s boring in bed. Gus just wants to settle down, as he did with his one true love Andrew, who sadly passed away. So now he’s called boring by the man who cheated on him at their wedding. Gus is determined to do anything boring anymore in the future.

Gus his friends are his wingmen. Tate and Gus have mutual friends, when one of Gus’s friends asks Tate to be the wingman Tate is willing.

Tate is probably twenty years younger than Gus but he’s a good listener, and very cute.
After looking out for him all night they end up in bed and have a scorching night.

While Gus is a one-guy type, Tate is poly, they’ll never work, Tate knows for sure. He’s convinced he can’t find everything with one person.

Playing fake boyfriends in front of Tate’s mother is for Gus a chance to be close with Tate.
Gus yearns for a strong connection with someone. Tate is everything he wants and needs.
Pity, it will never work.

We can follow them having the best time, hot sex, dates, snuggles, fun, and doubts, doubts about their ideas about love, friendship, and commitment. Their minds work full time, can they work or will their different pov about relationships and love keep them apart. Their thoughts felt real and honest. I think I missed a bit of struggle or hurt. It went all quite smoothly.

It was a sweet and friendly romance, Gus is such a romantic determined guy, Tate didn’t have a chance not to fall in love. Both men’s characters and lives are nicely developed, the friends slash colleagues, we all know from this series, are present, the vet shop was a bit more in the background.

I loved this author’s work and especially this series. It’s quite emotional, without excessive drama, it feels real and honest. Very enjoyable.
There is an awesome happily ever after.

Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[Sarah C · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I loved this book almost as much as I have Casey's other Vet Shop Boys books, Got Me Looking left me slightly underwhelmed. I couldn't put the book down, but there was just some kind of spark missing between Gus and Tate.

It certainly wasn't with the characters themselves. I have loved Tate since book one and have been rooting for him and Gus since then. The attraction between them was evident in the first two books and I was very happy to see it get to play out in Got Me Looking. They balanced one another really well and let each other see beneath the surface.

I even enjoyed the fact that Tate was poly and Gus wasn't, and them trying to figure out how that could work. I think I would've enjoyed that if there'd been a few more conversations between them regarding it. Though I like the reason that they didn't have that conversation easily was because neither felt they should ask the other to change - which thank you Casey.

There was just something missing from this book that I can't quite put my finger on, some spark that just wasn't there. Everything else about the book I absolutely loved though and I will happily recommend it to anyone who will listen.

** ARC provided by GRR and this is my honest review **

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Gus fell in love at 19 and he and Andrew were perfect together. For almost a decade, they worked and slaved to build their veterinary practice. They were going to marry, have kids, live the perfect life … then a car accident took Andrew away from him. Then there was Marco, who Gus also loved. Who he married, only for his new husband to be found sucking off the floral designer during their wedding reception. But Gus still hasn’t given up on love. He wants someone to spend forever with, someone to wake up with, laugh with, cry with, live with. But at 40 and divorced, Gus is feeling every year of his age.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Chad James · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC….

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nayeli - per RFS
.
Tate è giovane, sexy, ironico e poliamoroso-pansessuale. Questo non ferma Gus, cinquantenne amante delle commedie romantiche, tradito e in crisi di mezza età, quando decide per una volta di lasciarsi andare all’attrazione.

Ma dopo che la serata viene replicata ancora e ancora, Gus inizia a chiedersi se il poliamore potrebbe diventare un problema tra loro, se lui sia di mente abbastanza aperta, o se il suo essere tradizionalmente monogamo dovrebbe essere considerato un limite.



«Perché non mi ci vedo a sistemarmi con una sola persona, ed è letteralmente l’unica cosa che lui vuole. Non sarebbe giusto per nessuno di noi sacrificare una parte così grande di ciò di cui abbiamo bisogno in una relazione, solo per compiacere l’altro.»



In realtà, sulle prime, l’atteggiamento aperto e positivo di Tate, così anticonformista e anarchico sulle regole convenzionali, sembra proprio una cosa positiva: fa sentire Gus più rilassato, riduce il senso di umiliazione dopo il tradimento subito, lo spinge ad aprirsi.

Gus è un cinquantenne con l’animo di un ventenne: una caratterizzazione che ho faticato un po’ a inquadrare. È un uomo divertente che però soffre di nascosto; impulsivo e capace di reazioni esuberanti ed eccessive, tranne quando si tratta di mostrare il proprio dolore.

Tate, al contrario, appare più maturo della sua età. È poliamoroso e a suo agio con il proprio corpo, con il sesso, la propria sessualità. È accogliente in generale, felice che i rapporti siano semplici, di qualsiasi natura essi siano, e un buon ascoltatore, riflessivo e senza giudizi.

I due uomini hanno una grande compatibilità tra le lenzuola, ma in particolare condividono un piacere nel dialogare, nel confidarsi, nel poter esprimere un lato di sé nascosto agli altri. Questo sentirsi ascoltato è un toccasana per Gus, abituato a essere l’anima della festa senza problemi.



«Sei stato gentile e premuroso, e non riesco a ricordare quando è stata l’ultima volta che mi sono divertito così tanto.» Mi sento proprio allo stesso modo. Lui si avvicina e mi attira a sé in un abbraccio stretto. Mi rilasso, lasciando che il mio corpo sprofondi nel calore del suo. Chiudo gli occhi e lo annuso, il suo odore, la sua energia, il suo tutto. Dio, mi fa stare così bene. Devo davvero impegnarmi per ricordare a me stesso che niente di tutto ciò è reale. È tutto finto, un accordo a breve termine che finirà domani, quando sarò di nuovo a Brookhaven. Eppure non posso negare che sia stato incredibile.



Tate, al contrario, si apre poco, non abituato a relazioni serie e convinto di essere destinato a storie aperte e multiple, senza complicazioni o drammi. Non è abituato al romanticismo, a essere corteggiato o a dover costruire qualcosa con impegno.

Dopo una prima notte esplosiva, i protagonisti sono costretti a trascorrere qualche giorno fingendo di essere fidanzati, cosa che alimenta la piccola scintilla già scattata. Per gioco, Gus si mette alla prova organizzando appuntamenti e piccole attenzioni romantiche, per mostrare a Tate la magia del ricevere fiori, del sapere che qualcuno ha passato del tempo pensando espressamente a lui.

Pur essendo entrambi consapevoli che si tratti di momenti artefatti a beneficio di terzi, è evidente quanto i due si trovino bene insieme, quanto le coccole e le tenerezze siano piacevoli, quanto affondi nelle loro menti l’immagine di un ipotetico scenario di una vita a due fatta di momenti dolci e piccole routine.



«Non mi sto innamorando di te, Gus.» «Cosa?» Si muove sul letto. «Tu… no?» Scuoto il capo. «No, amore è un termine troppo piccolo, troppo restrittivo. Non inizia nemmeno a contenere l’enormità di ciò che mi fai provare. Immagino che ciò che sto cercando di dire è che provo tutto per te, Gus, perché con te riesco a vivere ogni esperienza.



A volte ci si chiede come possa essere possibile che i due non si rendano conto che si stanno, di fatto, frequentando, e di avere una relazione non dichiarata, dato che stanno facendo tutto ciò che questo comporta: si piacciono, fanno sesso, escono insieme, hanno cura uno dell’altro… eppure temono che dietro la facciata della finta relazione non ci sia nulla, insistono nel dichiarare di non essere pronti per qualcosa di complicato o disposti ad avere un partner.

Nonostante le evidenze sull’innamoramento che sta affondando radici in entrambi, presto il dubbio che ha colpito Gus sulla natura del poliamore inizia a intaccare anche Tate: come può lasciarsi andare a un rapporto monogamo che va contro alle sue stesse convinzioni? Il conflitto tra ciò che sente davvero e ciò che crede di se stesso, ovvero l’etichetta che si è appiccicato addosso, diventa sempre più forte.

Lo stile è semplicemente adorabile (ironico, fresco, divertente, trascinante) porta a una lettura con un sorriso sulle labbra.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far this series has not exactly hit the mark for me. The books and characters are fairly enjoyable, but there is an undercurrent of boredom. Here, Gus is a wonderfully kind man who just wants to find his forever partner. Tate is the much younger, daring, fun man who is also poly. So, certainly not looking for his one person to settle down with.

I loved Gus, I liked Tate, and the way they came together was sweet. It was a journey. But it just didn't pull me in fully. I wasn't immersed in their story and it's been the same with every book in this series so far. I love Casey Cox - one of my favorite authors - but clearly this series just isn't hitting home with me.

One of the biggest issues I have with this series - it's minor but I just couldn't get past it - is how magically situations work out for these MCs. Here, Gus wants to open more vet clinics across Virginia, the country, and even the world! WOW - only a few years later he has clinics all over including one in Paris where he and Tate now live! That just doesn't even seem like good business decisions to open so many new locations in only 5 years. Not only that... guess what? Tate struggles to write his first book and AMAZINGLY it's a super best seller!! WHOA - who would have guessed the good luck these guys have!? And let's throw in there Haze from book 2 in the series who graduates from acting school and immediate gets a huge acting role - he must be the best actor EVER! And instead he turns it down to make his soaps that ALSO ARE A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS! Can you believe the good fortune of these guys? I literally said out loud at the end of this one, "Oh come on!" because it was just so over the top unnecessary.

2.5/5 stars for me. I will not be continuing with the series because I don't think I can take that much more good fortune.

[1000storie1000vite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innamorata persa!
Questo autore mi piace immensamente: la sua penna garbata e delicata, l'ironia lieve e giocosa, le storie d'amore calde e avvolgenti e, in questo caso, Tate e Gus!
Mi erano piaciuti fin dal primo romanzo della serie, ma adesso... li "tuttamo" (leggere il libro per capire 🤭)
Tate è luce, sorrisi e cuore, Gus è cuore, bontà e capacità di donarsi. Si è un po' perso ma, nonostante il dolore, non è mai diventato disilluso o amareggiato. Meravigliosi, entrambi!
Insieme a loro tutto il variegato e accogliente mondo dei Vet Shop Boys.
Le pagine scorrono fluide e avvincenti, tra sorrisi e riflessioni, facendo sentire il lettore parte della storia e della famiglia di questa clinica veterinaria da sogno.
Hugs&kisses

[Tammy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to finally get Gus's story! Even though things in his life haven't worked out the way he wanted them too, he still shows up and tries to be a good person to those around him. His methods are sometimes a bit messy and he needs a "babysitter" to keep him out of trouble on party nights. Tate was a strong character in a previous book and starts to see Gus differently as he spends more time one-on-one with him. These two have immense differences between them but I loved the way those differences melted away. This book was charming, sexy, and left a huge smile on my face. I love all of Casey's books and can't wait for the next in this series!

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to Gus’ story since the very beginning. He was such a great boss and friend, and you just knew there was more to know about him. I loved seeing the true heart of the “party boy” that he was initially portrayed as. Tate was an awesome match for him. I loved how they were thrown together in a fake but not fake situation. As poly, Tate struggled with settling down with one person. I liked how the idea of poly was explored here, and I liked seeing Tate actually process whether he could be with just Gus and if he wanted to be with just Gus.
I really enjoy this series.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tate was such a delight. He was so very much himself, and he didn't have any problem with his history and he was proud of the work that he had done. Then he got roped into babysitting Gus, and things went to a sexy place.

I liked watching Tate's journey and him figuring out things about himself. These things can change and evolve over the years, and it never hurts to take a good look at oneself and figure these things out.

Gus needed to go through his own journey, but it was slightly different than Tate's. It was just important though.

[Sara | sara.reads.too.much · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This series is just so darn cute!! I’m reading this series every time I need something low angst and super cute to get me by!

I was so so excited to read this one! Age gap is a favourite trope of mine and this one also had fake dating which is a MAJOR plus for me! Tate and Gus make me so happy and I can’t wait to read more of this series!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series and was heartbroken when Gus was cheated on. So I´m so happy that he got his own HEA. Tate and Gus just works together so well. I loved it and this book made me happy!

[Brey (lil Sebastian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute age gap read. I liked that there was no daddy kink, and that the dead partner trope was significantly in the past. These two complemented each other really well. I also listened to a ton of Pet Shop Boys songs after reading this book! Great read.

[HopeIt’sRomance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why bother writing a poly MC if the moral of the story is going to be that he only identified that way because he hadn’t found The One yet?

[L. Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a HEA and this delivered. That is not a spoiler. Can’t wait to see where this series goes. 4⭐️

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute sweet and fun. good story good writing and good plot. i enjoyed it all

[Vfields Don't touch my happy! · Rating 4 out of 5]

BooYah! I really enjoyed reading this. I enjoyed both characters, the situation, its lightness without being fluffy. It was just absolutely delicious. I feel it’s the strongest installment in the series to date and I’m just so happy I picked it up right now when I really needed a pick me up.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

RILETTI I PRECEDENTI VOLUMI!! 🤩

Una bellissima commedia romantica, divertente e una storia age-gap, tra il proprietario della clinica Vet Shop Boys, Gus Robinson e il giovane Tate Whitlock ex webcam model e ora provetto scrittore.
💖💖💖💖💖

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

¸.•´¸★*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤ Because in the simplicity of that simple act, I've found my home. ¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★

When I first discovered Vet Shop Boys, I knew it would be fun and different. Noah and Haze, riled me up. Fulton the nerd got his man in Bishop. But the one I was waiting on was Gus. His story was wounding, so I needed him to get his forever after. From having the love of his life leave him so early through death to thinking he'd found his peace, only be cheated on, Gus was determined not to let that get in his way. What I enjoyed most about Gus was, he never gave up. Hurt and destructions he dealt with as best as he could, but when Tate made himself known, Gus was willing to open himself again.

As for Tate, he was a contradiction. A polyamory man who lived his truth, until Gus stood in his path, changing his trajectory. The author did a good job with Tate, opening his eyes and changing his thoughts. I've marked this to be read again once the series wraps.

The ending was wonderful. And now I wait for Chase's story!

[Devy B]

Dnf somewhere but I checked how it ends because I was curious.
This is so bad !!!
How it got so many 5 and 4 stars !!

A sex fest.. a marathon sex at least 5 times in one night every time they hook up. I was quickly turned off by their first sex encounter the first night they spend time alone without their mutuel friends.
There’s no romance, no chemistry, no relationship development … just sex sex sex !!!

And man It took them almost the whole book to get together and realize they’re in love with each other. No not in love but “ in everything” with each other. That’s what they say to each other because “ in love” is a ridiculous notion.


And Gus !! I didn’t like him . He’s supposed to be 48 years old but he acts like a 20 years old the whole time. He was a mess, he still didn’t get over his 1st husband death who passed away many years ago and was heartbroken because his 2nd husband cheated on him in their wedding day a year ago. He was so fucked up, a pain in the ass to read over and over again.
Tate going from polyamory to monogamous for just one man .. Mostly because the sex is great an a man in his fifties can fuck him 5 times in one night and having his ass hole sore for days is wonderful:big eye roll:

No to mention his mother, after 7 failed marriage with 7 different men she turned into a lesbian out of the blue and got married with a woman !!

I should’ve known this is not good since none of my GR friends have read it or put in their tbr 😁
I won’t bother checking the other books.

I highly don’t recommend !!!!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I keep coming back to re-rate this lower because while on the surface it's a fun age-gap very different guy romance, it's the basic mis-portrayal of polyamory that continues to bother me.

Tate is self-described as polyamorous, but other than the occasional "monogamy is an outdated concept" screeds, he never interacts with any other partners in any way. It's more of a philosophical concept as presented (which to be fair does track with his character). And while there is a lot of lip service paid to ethical non-monogamy, the underlying threads treat being poly as a phase, as something the character sort of grows out of. While this is a romance novel so the formula pretty much requires a couple finding HEA with each other, it continues to leave a wierd taste iny mouth.

It's a fun read with engaging characters who communicate honestly about their feelings, I just keep coming back to "You just don't understand polyamory very well, do you?"