Jay Northcote

This is a group of short stories that are sweet, funny, and low angst. This collection is everything, actually. Each story is a standalone, allowing them to be read in order. What I love about this author is that he can weave a story so well, you feel as if you are a part of it or at least a voyager. The stories draw you in and you can't help but root for these sweet guys to get their happy endings.

Book #1 - Nothing Serious
We meet Mark and Jamie. Mark has finally admitted to himself that he is gay and ends his long-term relationship with his girlfriend. Then Jamie enters into the picture when the moving company he works for is hired to move Mark into his new apartment. This is the beginning of a dance that comes complete with a dropped box of "toys" and a friend with benefits agreement. As they navigate the ups and downs of their new attraction and agree that they might very well end up more than just friends.

Book #2 - Nothing Special
Now we meet Noah and Sol. This one is my favorite out of the group. It's nice to have a cutie appear in the start of a story line. Noah is a bit insecure and confides in his friend about the guy in the London zookeepers' uniform that he’s seen on the train, as he travels to and from work. In a brave move Noah posts an ad in the local paper, to get Sol’s attention...and it works! He certainly gets Sol’s attention. But will getting Sol’s attention be enough or will Noah’s insecurities drive them apart? I was rooting for these two throughout this really sweet story.

Book #3 - Nothing Ventured
Our couple in this final offering is Aiden and Matt. Talk about a long road to haul… These two guys work together but are not really friends. They only agree to train together for a charity race that their office is entering called "The Mud Masher" which I thought sounded simply awful. Aiden has been a bit of a couch bunny and needs to train for this race. Enter Matt, who is bi and not exactly "closeted" but doesn't make it openly know, and who reluctantly agrees to help Aiden train. As the training progresses and race day approaches the two guys begin to realize they are not as uninterested in each other, as they and their co-workers thought. The question hangs in the air "will Matt win Aiden’s heart or will they crash and burn?

Each story is complete with sexy times, wonderful banter, and completely delightful characters.… (mehr)