Emerett Has Never Been In Love
By Anyta Sunday
Love, Austen (Book 1)
A man who acts before he thinks, a man who thinks before he acts, and the ensuing mishaps on the path to the ultimate love match.
~ ~ ~
Emerett “Lake” Lakewood has a healthy ego and a flair for the dramatic. After losing his best friend to marriage—completely crushing his heart—he deems it prudent to distract himself, and what better way than playing cupid?
He’s already got his eye on two young men desperately seeking romance, and he has a plan to hook them up.
Barbecues.
Photoshoots.
Reciting Shakespearean love declarations.
Lake is killing it. Love is positively pulsing in the air. Anyone could see it.
Well, anyone other than Knight, his best friend’s dad, who cautions Lake to stop meddling. To leave love to its natural course.
Lake has always valued Knight’s frankness, but this time he’s wrong. Without him, two hearts might be doomed never to find love.
Besides, what does Knight know about romance? He’s barely dated in all the seven years Lake’s known him. He’s clueless. Though, there’s a thought. Knight has everything going for him. Sensibility. Kindness. Generosity. And for a forty-four-year-old, he’s—objectively—freaking hot.
Why is he single?
~ ~ ~
“. . . [T]here may be a hundred different ways of being in love.”
~ Jane Austen
And a hundred different ways not to recognize it.
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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Exclusive Excerpt:
Knight raised a brow. “Yes?”
“We’ve not really talked all day.” Not alone, at least.
Did Knight’s focus just drop to Lake’s lips?
Lake’s heart pounded.
Faintly, he was aware of Taylor in his bedroom, and of his view into the yard, and he shoved his hands into his back pockets and rocked on his heels.
The most beautifully pitched voice sailed over the backyard. Lake—and half the guests—spun toward the gazebo, where Josh gripped the microphone, eyes shut, pouring his soul into Brett Eldredge’s “The One You Need.”
Well.
Holy crap.
He’d forgotten just how amazing Josh could sing.
Lake clapped reluctantly when it was over, while the rest of the party whistled and encored him. Josh feigned modesty, but quite happily dove into another song.
Knight stood beside him, taking in the show. “He’s talented.”
God, yes. “I mean, they’re not exactly hard songs.”
A husky laugh. “Admit it. He’s exceptional.”
Lake’s chest heaved with disappointment—hurt? He folded his arms. “He’s not the one I care to see singing.”
Lake visualized Knight watching him on stage with the same reverence. Imagined Knight’s praise warming him . . .
This time his lips pulled into a pained smile when he clapped.
The second encore was too much. “How are you the best at everything?” He sighed.
He wasn’t sure, but he thought he heard Knight chuckle.
Josh chose a classic from Grease. As soon as the familiar melody started, Josh swung a finger over the gathering party. “Who’s gonna come up here and help me sing?”
“You’re the one that I want.” Knight pressed his soda against Lake, catching his eye. “I feel this one.” A secret smile played at his lips as he whisked toward the gazebo, calling for Josh’s attention.
Josh tossed him the second mic and Knight caught it deftly.
Hot, burning frustration fired Lake’s veins. Look how he thrust his whole body into the song. How he gave it his everything. He gave the Olivia Newton-John parts such a unique spin with his deep voice, it was making him shiver. Truly a magnificent sight, hips bucking seductively in the role, a damn glint in his eye.
The way he sang—to the crowd, to Josh . . .
Lake sipped Knight’s soda, scowling. It was the hottest act he’d ever seen, and Josh had been the one to lure Knight on stage.
Yep. Lake was a horrible person. Taylor and Knight were right from the beginning.
Lake didn’t like Josh at all.
Review
This was such a lovely read and some really great tropes that were written splendidly.
✔Best friend’s dad
✔Oblivious MC
✔Tons of Pining
✔Age gap (18 years)
✔Matctmaking disasters galore
This is also a retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, first in a series of Austen retellings. I cannot rate that part as I’m unfamiliar with her works. But I really enjoyed the romance and the chemistry between Knight and Lake was palpable.
It’s entirely from Lake’s (Emerett) POV and his obliviousness made me want to laugh and cry at the same time.
Knight is the absolute sweetest and I adored him and Lake together. It’s a slowburn only because Lake is oblivious to how whipped Knight is.
There’s a lot of side characters, some more developed than the others and I wonder if any of them will get a book in the series.
Really enjoyed it and highly recommended if you’re looking for a slowburn with a bit of angst, charming banter, dry humour and a sweet and sexy romance!
*ARC provided by the author via Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
Enter the Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Emerett Has Never Been in Love, Anyta is away a $20 Amazon voucher & e-set of her Signs of Love Series!
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About the Author:
I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.
Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.
I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of emotion, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.
My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Thai.
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/about-anyta/
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