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kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
J.L. Merrow writes some fun, quirky characters who are appealing and very British. Robert is shy, a little bumbling and clueless. He's been hurt somehow, and he's keeping to himself. But he's strong enough to be making a fresh start in his new job as a primary school teacher without compromising his own tastes or trying too hard to fit in.
Sean is self-confident, sweet, hot and a bit defensive about his job in pest control and his social status. He rides a motorcycle, likes kids, and is pretty perfect other than his tendency to stomp away hurt rather than stay and talk.
This is a story where the secondary characters add a lot of the appeal - the mischievous twins who are Sean's nephews and Robert's students sparkle, and various friends and neighbors help push the romance along and propel Robert out of his sheltered niche.
The romance in this was lightweight, with most of the story happening early as the two men try to decide whether they are interested and ever destined to be together. It's funny, sometimes hot or sweet, but rarely emotional. Even later on, moments of conflict or angst are fairly muted in tone. I was a bit irritated by Robert's extreme cluelessness in the beginning but he grew on me, and I became fond of him. If you like a small-town British atmosphere, nerdy characters, fumbling, kids and a light, sweet story, then this is worth the read.
Sean is self-confident, sweet, hot and a bit defensive about his job in pest control and his social status. He rides a motorcycle, likes kids, and is pretty perfect other than his tendency to stomp away hurt rather than stay and talk.
This is a story where the secondary characters add a lot of the appeal - the mischievous twins who are Sean's nephews and Robert's students sparkle, and various friends and neighbors help push the romance along and propel Robert out of his sheltered niche.
The romance in this was lightweight, with most of the story happening early as the two men try to decide whether they are interested and ever destined to be together. It's funny, sometimes hot or sweet, but rarely emotional. Even later on, moments of conflict or angst are fairly muted in tone. I was a bit irritated by Robert's extreme cluelessness in the beginning but he grew on me, and I became fond of him. If you like a small-town British atmosphere, nerdy characters, fumbling, kids and a light, sweet story, then this is worth the read.
walford's review against another edition
3.0
Well... 3.5
Charming and sweet with enough bite and humor to keep it from getting soppy. Well-written too (I do NOT take this for granted).
Will read more Merrow when the time for British Cozy comes around again.
Charming and sweet with enough bite and humor to keep it from getting soppy. Well-written too (I do NOT take this for granted).
Will read more Merrow when the time for British Cozy comes around again.
walford's review
3.0
Well... 3.5
Charming and sweet with enough bite and humor to keep it from getting soppy. Well-written too (I do NOT take this for granted).
Will read more Merrow when the time for British Cozy comes around again.
Charming and sweet with enough bite and humor to keep it from getting soppy. Well-written too (I do NOT take this for granted).
Will read more Merrow when the time for British Cozy comes around again.
the_novel_approach's review
5.0
4.5 Stars
Reading Caught! was like watching one of my favorite British rom-coms, like Notting Hill or Four Weddings and a Funeral. It was completely hilarious, charming, smart, and romantic. I loved every single bit of it.
Robert is fantastic. Unwittingly charming and funny, and a bit of an old soul, he had me smiling and giggling from the get-go. I think I fell in love with him, literally, on page one. I also pretty much already thought bow ties were sexy; but, if there was ever any question, there is none now. ;) Sure, Mr. Enemy…er, Emeny…AKA Emsy…comes across as a bit uptight, and certainly “nerdy”, but luckily his good friends find him endearing. And, as it turns out, so does Sean.
Sean is rugged, handsome, and down-to-earth. I love that he is a local Shamwell bloke, born and raised, and that he is so close with his sister and nephews. In fact, there are many things to love about Sean…Though some in the book see him as just a “rat-catcher”, Merrow gives his character so much depth and intelligence and wit that it’s easy to see how he’s perfect for Robert, and how much Robert needs Sean to ground him.
Just as there were many things to love about the main characters, there were many things to love about the story itself. The author touches on trust issues, overcoming one’s past, class struggles, and doubts about self-worth. Robert’s relationship with his friend Rose was a delight. His ease with his students, and seeing how much they clearly adored him, was refreshing and fun to read. His relationship with one student in particular, Charlie, and a surprise meeting Mr. Emeny has with the boy’s father was perhaps my favorite part of the book. AND, it was fun to learn so many new words and Britishisms!
What a wonderful, lovely book. I think anyone who picks this up will thoroughly enjoy it! I am also VERY happy that the title on GR includes ‘TheShamwell Tales #1’. That means there will be MORE, right??? :) I can’t wait to read more books in this universe (hopefully with these same characters). And, I will be checking out JLMerrow’s back catalog as well!!
Reading Caught! was like watching one of my favorite British rom-coms, like Notting Hill or Four Weddings and a Funeral. It was completely hilarious, charming, smart, and romantic. I loved every single bit of it.
Robert is fantastic. Unwittingly charming and funny, and a bit of an old soul, he had me smiling and giggling from the get-go. I think I fell in love with him, literally, on page one. I also pretty much already thought bow ties were sexy; but, if there was ever any question, there is none now. ;) Sure, Mr. Enemy…er, Emeny…AKA Emsy…comes across as a bit uptight, and certainly “nerdy”, but luckily his good friends find him endearing. And, as it turns out, so does Sean.
Sean is rugged, handsome, and down-to-earth. I love that he is a local Shamwell bloke, born and raised, and that he is so close with his sister and nephews. In fact, there are many things to love about Sean…Though some in the book see him as just a “rat-catcher”, Merrow gives his character so much depth and intelligence and wit that it’s easy to see how he’s perfect for Robert, and how much Robert needs Sean to ground him.
Just as there were many things to love about the main characters, there were many things to love about the story itself. The author touches on trust issues, overcoming one’s past, class struggles, and doubts about self-worth. Robert’s relationship with his friend Rose was a delight. His ease with his students, and seeing how much they clearly adored him, was refreshing and fun to read. His relationship with one student in particular, Charlie, and a surprise meeting Mr. Emeny has with the boy’s father was perhaps my favorite part of the book. AND, it was fun to learn so many new words and Britishisms!
What a wonderful, lovely book. I think anyone who picks this up will thoroughly enjoy it! I am also VERY happy that the title on GR includes ‘TheShamwell Tales #1’. That means there will be MORE, right??? :) I can’t wait to read more books in this universe (hopefully with these same characters). And, I will be checking out JLMerrow’s back catalog as well!!
l2intj's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A sweet, light-hearted book. Low on angst. High on humor. Likeable characters. Of the four books in this series, this is my second favorite (my absolute favorite being “Spun!”).
aprillen's review
3.0
A perfectly fine contemporary gay romance. Points detracted for being a bit slow and for having the big conflict at 75% due to an epic lack of communication, which is one of my most disliked romance tropes. Aside from that, it was rather charming and entertaining.
ifihadatail7's review
5.0
i love J.L.'s books, but this may be my favorite.
Smart, funny & romantic. i especially enjoyed the kids in Robert's class.
Smart, funny & romantic. i especially enjoyed the kids in Robert's class.
annen's review
4.0
This was a sweet, angst free and humorous read. I like how Merrow told this story, I liked the "terrible twins" they were mischievous and lively, I liked Rose and directness, I can't say that there was much written about Sean for me to feel strongly about, I think this was more about Robert and his small drastic move from an affluent life to teaching little kids in a small village than it was about romance between him and Sean. I think I knew more about Rose than Sean.
Still I liked the romance moments when they occurred, the sex scenes were quite limited and not too detailed which is okay seeing as it was a lovely story anyway.
After a few books by an author you begin to notice a pattern even when the stories seem so different, for Merrow, there is always an absentee father.
Still I liked the romance moments when they occurred, the sex scenes were quite limited and not too detailed which is okay seeing as it was a lovely story anyway.
After a few books by an author you begin to notice a pattern even when the stories seem so different, for Merrow, there is always an absentee father.
hullabaloo's review
2.0
This m/m romance with touches of Pygmalion/My Fair Lady would have been sweet, enjoyable, and forgettable. BUT... I kept cringing and being distracted by how every time the main character, Robert's friend Rose would be in a scene, observations were made about how much she ate or how "she must be fitter than she looked." Or that his mother would love Rose because she was at least 3 dress sizes bigger than her. Robert keeps these thoughts to himself and doesn't voice them aloud, but reading his mental criticisms and observations was NOT enjoyable.
I like the romance between Robert and Sean, but I won't be recommending this J.L. Merrow to friends.
I like the romance between Robert and Sean, but I won't be recommending this J.L. Merrow to friends.
lerossignolargent's review
4.0
Cute, fun, quick read. Really enjoyed how both MCs had issues and progressed a bit with them during the story. Also really enjoyed how real/believable it was!