Fleshing It Out

Hope Harbor

by Karla Doyle

He's only supposed to be renting a room in her house, not making himself at home in her heart...
A steamy, small town, older woman/younger man, instalove romance LAURA When my son asks if I’ll rent the spare bedroom to his new friend from work, I figure, why not? The house is too quiet since my twenty-five-year-old baby moved out. I never thought I’d miss the sounds of video games, but apparently, I do. But that’s not the background noise I get when Hudson moves in. Turns out, my son’s coworker isn’t a likeminded gaming geek. Hudson doesn’t play video games. He works out. A lot. Now my house is filled with the masculine grunting of a very fit, very handsome, younger man who owns shirts, but isn’t inclined to wear them. Ditto for pants. Everywhere I turn in my tiny house, Hudson is there. Flexing. Smoldering. I can’t resist looking at him. Or using him for inspiration while I write my current romance novel. Fantasizing about him when I’m lying in my bed. He’s my tenant. My son’s coworker. A man fifteen years younger than me. Hudson is fodder for my mind, but that’s all he can be…until the night he puts every fantasy I’ve had to shame. HUDSON House hunting is a slow process, and hotel living sucks, so I jump at the opportunity to temporarily rent a room from my coworker’s mother. I’m told the place is clean, and the woman is easy to get along with. Perfect. What the guy across the office doesn’t tell me? That his mom is ten-out-of-ten hot. Single. And sexual, if the sounds seeping through the paper-thin wall separating our bedrooms are any indication. I’m not a pushy guy, but a man has his limits. Being perpetually hard around her, hearing her moan every night—it’s more than I can take. So I make a move. A big one. And it pays off, in the best ways possible. Our chemistry is red hot. We connect outside the bedroom, too. I’m only supposed to be here temporarily, but every minute I spend with Laura makes me determined never to leave.


* This book is intended for mature adult readers only *

Genres: Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

74 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2022

About the author

Karla grew up in a small town on the north shore of Lake Erie. She trained and worked in the fashion industry for over two decades, before embracing the writing muse. When she's not writing romance, Karla loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets, reading romance novels, and playing online Scrabble.

Reviews

[Ive]

Audio Book on Spotify „read me romance“. This podcast is a great way to find new authors and hear short sexy stories (range between 1,5-2h). This one was about a reverse age gap, which I loved , because yeah I am in my 40s and I love to read/hear about women over 20 :-) this could have been a bit more smexy/ hot for my liking. Nevertheless I’m going to hear the other stories as well. Oh and there are some from the host itself-> Alexa Riley, for you ladies who are interested in the bit more smexy stories. 😅

[Kim Lowery]

This was short. It was like the beginning and ending of a really great book. The only thing missing was the huge conflict they overcome. Despite the age difference, 15 years, she was in almost as soon as he was.

“Maybe he has a thing for older women. Some men do, and I’m not a shriveled shrew, so I’m going with it.”

We don’t see a lot of falling. He knows what he wants as soon as he sees her. But we do get a lovely first date where her ex gets a comeuppance. That’s always satisfying to see.

The setting is Ontario outside of Toronto in a fictional small town. Good thing is her awareness of the local gossip doesn’t stop her from living her life.

[Natasha Tucker]

I really enjoyed this story. Laura rented a room to her son’s coworker but wasn’t expecting the very hot Hudson. Hudson wasn’t expecting his new landlady to be so sexy. As soon as he saw her he knew she was his forever, convincing her proved to be difficult. Hudson wasn’t giving up. The story was hot, steamy, sweet and romantic. Hudson cut through all Laura’s hesitation and insecurities, he showed her how she should be treated and loved! Amazing story with a beautiful HEA . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brianna Citino]

Spicy and sweet! Age gap with older woman/younger man.

[casvec]

Laura is an empty nester, although she likes the thought of being alone, she misses the sounds of her son. When one of his coworkers needed a place to stay, she was all too willing to offer his room, but when Hudson showed up, he was nothing like her son.

Hudson just moved to town and was excited to have a place to stay that was not a hotel room, but when he saw his coworker's mom, she was more than he ever expected.

This is a great OW/YM story. The reaction and surprise of both Laura and Hudson made me smile as neither of them expected the other. Their chemistry will have you melting, the love and care Hudson show even though Laura struggles with the age different warms your heat. This is a great story from start to finish. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker]

Laura's son moved out two months ago, the house is quiet. He asks her to rent the spare bedroom to a co-worker. She expects the guy to be a geek like her son, he is far from it. She feels the instant attraction to Hudson, but he is fifteen years younger than her.

Hudson is expecting someone motherly, what he is not is how hot Laura is. He makes his desires known that first night, it might have happened if they had not run in to ex-husband. He will wait for as long as he needs to, he wants forever with her. These two are perfect together, he is just what she needed.

How long will she make him wait? Will she stay hung up on the age difference?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82]

This book was such a pleasure to read! Amazing characters, hotter than hot steam, sweet story, and a terrific ending. Laura and Hudson make such a fantastic couple and I adored them together. Laura is an empty nester looking to fill the noiseless void. She agrees to rent a room to her son’s coworker, Hudson, but he isn’t anything like she expected. I loved Hudson as a character! He may be younger than Laura but he’s able to know what he wants and to work towards making it happen, like getting her to fall for him. His defense of her to her ex husband was swoon worthy. His attempts to woo her are steamy and fun to read. This was a really great book that I would highly recommend reading.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima]

Laura, the female lead, is renting out a room to Hudson, the male lead and her son’s workmate, expecting someone young and geeky like him. Instead, Hudson is definitely a man and a man very interested in her…

This short story is dual POV, well written, and contains a determined, gently persistent male lead, willing to go to extreme measures to prove his devotion. I enjoyed the relationship development and the steamy intimate interactions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ksarak Kent]

So thankful to the authors who continue to write the Older Woman/Younger Man troop. I easily gravitate towards these stories because I love looking forward to the couple being found out and the reactions from family and friends.
So when a group of authors each released age gap stories, I immediately snapped up several of them.
Though I prefer series or longer books, I couldn't resist, the synopses were too interesting.

And here, Karla Doyle did not disappoint, bringing her usual heat and vivid characters wrapped around a fine story. Four stars!
Now off to the next!

[T Nelson]

HEA
Standalone, series about a small town of interconnected characters
*over 18 readers only*
Older woman, younger man age-gap of 15yrs

Trigger warning
Miscarriage (off page)

Her son talks her into renting a room to his coworker. The first meeting between them is awkward and funny. He was not at all what she expected. The run in with the ex... that was something.
This book is way more steamy than the other Hope Habor books. Hudson comes across as a jerk in one scene about his own ex, but it makes sense in the overall scheme of the book.

[Lisa]

Laura and Hudson set the house on fire. I love her strength and determination and her drive and her zest for life. I love the way he helps her find her way along their journey. She is hesitant but still gives everything her all. He is strong and confident and so sure for both of them. This is a steam filled HEA story worth the time. . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa D]

This was a great story. I love these stories about older women finding younger men who have a clue about how to treat a woman. Laura is amazing. She's a strong character who struggles with her attraction to Hudson. Hudson is so secure in who he is and what he wants. This is a great quick read, plenty of heat and steam. Loved it!!. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lea Ann]

I love that Laura is more mature and this is still a smoking hot story.
Laura had no idea that renting a room to her sons co-worker would change her life. Nobody told Hudson that Seth's mom is HOT. An author of smexy romance, she now has a new fantasy man...but she can't touch, he's too young. He doesn't care about age. He will make Laura HIS! Can he convince her this is no fantasy but the real thing?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Flachsmann]

This is my first time reading this author and I really liked the story! It was a pleasure to read about Laura finding romance with a younger man. It was also nice to see Hudson being secure in his feelings for this older woman that tried to push him away. These two were great together and it was such a good read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Topsy]

I haven't read/listened to a lot of older woman, younger man trope books. But this book is so good, I'm going to be looking for more. This was also my first Karla Doyle book, again I will be looking for more. I do usually prefer dual narration for dual pov but the female narrator of this book did an excellent job with both characters. I was able to listen this book (for free) on the Read Me Romance podcast, for which I am very grateful.

[Sarah Nielsen]

This was a cute reverse age gap romance. I liked the chemistry between Laura and Hudson. I really enjoyed how Laura had the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other, that was a witty mental image. I felt the story lacked a bit more of Laura and Hudson together but it was a really good story..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kanani]

Karla Doyle painted a steamy and romantic picture with Hudson and Laura's story. Their instant attraction and explosive chemistry sizzled and sparked right off the pages! Hudson is my dream guy! This was a charming story (that had me giggling out loud at times) with a perfect happily ever after. Must read!

[Debra]

A fast-paced, passionate, engaging, steamy, funny, and well written age gap page-turner in the In Praise of Older Women series! The characters are likeable; the chemistry between them is instant. Definitely recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Betty]

Laura is a divorce loving mother and a writer of romance books. Hudson is a thirty year old who works with her son. He's looking for a house and tire of living in hotels.Sam Laura's son tells him that he's mother has a room to rent till he can find a house. Laura thinks he's a gamer like her son but he's not that at all. Great read😊!

[Yury]

This was a steamy read! Felt hot being in public and reading it. This short story is about an older 45 single mom, Laura who let her son's co-worker, Hudson move in with her temporarily. They have instant chemistry and Laura is trying so hard to stop herself from enjoying Hudson. Amazing short story!

[Manisha Robinson]

This book is part of the In praise of older women series. This book is a page turner . The characters Laura and Hudson have great chemistry. This book is a must read . . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanie]

Short, HOT and Sweet

Wasn't sure how much hot and spicy could come in such a short story, but this one worked. And I love the age gap where the women is older. Sweet, hot and interesting to the end. 10/10 recommend!

[effin surrey]

I was enjoying the story up until the H telling the h the reason he had vasectomy when he was 25. His ex gf got pregnant with their child and he didn’t want it. He broke up with her and he was relieved when she miscarried. I was so turned off I stopped reading. DNF

[Carrie]

Super steamy age gap romance in which the age gap isn’t creepy (as defined by me so ymmv). It’s about 15 years with fmc in her 40s and mmc in his 30s. Bonus points for use of toys.

Listened to on Read Me Romance podcast.

[Theletter12]

Cute novella

She’s 15 years older and he’s a temporary tenant in her house as he’s looking to buy his own house. She’s a smutty romance writer.

He’s into her from the first and it isn’t temporary. 1st time together they have a*** sex…

Hea - he tells her “we are buying a house”

Proposal

[robert tabora]

Hopeless Romantic 🥰

Hudson and Laura’s love ❤️ story is so good. He is younger than her and she is so self conscious of it. They are so attacked to each other that they can’t keep their hands off each other.

[Becky Jean]

Fleshing It Out by Karla Doyle was really good. Older woman and younger hot guy. Insta love and a very HEA. Kudos!

[Nate]

Hudson & Laura had an entertaining read. It was very enjoyable. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Ellen]

Plot what plot. Hudson is also very controlling. Insta love, no plot, rushed and we didn't see the sons reaction. Really disappointing

[E.]

What a sweet and well written story. It is fast to read. I loved the storyline and the characters in it.