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eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
Update: I'm rounding up to 4 because I reread parts of the book a few months ago. And it is a memorable read. I love Jude and Asa. And it is funny. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood when I first read it, but this is a book that I quite like. The "laugh track" feeling and my issues about Jude's job still stand, though. That's why the rating's still 3.5. Just rounded up now, instead of down.
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3.5 Stars
I'll admit that, after how much I loved Rule Breaker, and after seeing the wealth of positive reviews this book has received, I may have had high expectations. But I don't think that's coloured my opinions much. At least, I hope it hasn't.
And I wanna add that the reason for the lower rating in this case may be more subjective than it usually is. Something I'll elaborate later.
The book is about two guys, as one would expect from an M/M romance, and a kid. Jude is a highly successful model. We met in him in Rule Breaker and I loved him. His apartment is having some... maintenance done after a bathtub fell through his ceiling. Due to family reasons, he needs to find a cheap place to live in until the apartment gets fixed. One of his model friends suggest his cousin, Asa.
Asa is actor who's been taking some time off for the past few years to raise his son, Billy, who is now seven years old. Asa agrees to let Jude stay in his house as long as Jude helps him with some assistant stuff.
The two of them are attracted to each other. The point of contention is that Asa is very prejudiced against models. He thinks they're all shallow and dumber than a bag of bricks. Can't entirely blame him since his ex and his cousin fit "shallow" and "dumber than a bag of bricks" respectively, almost to a T. That's doesn't mean Jude has to put up with him being as ass. And instead of trying to prove Asa wrong, Jude decided to prove him right.
This is followed by a very fun segment of Jude messing everything up on purpose and Asa having to resist the urge to strangle him. This book was funny and both Jude and Asa were good and likable characters. I also loved everything that involved Billy, who was absolutely adorable and had an equally adorable relationship with Jude.
I also liked the story. You know, the history with Asa's ex and how it affected him, as well as the things that were going on with Jude's family. There were only two things that I didn't like but they weren't small things.
First is the humour. It wasn't my kind of humour, I guess, since I've read reviews saying they loved it and I know the author is funny after reading the first book in the series. It just didn't work for me. It felt like the book was trying too hard and worse, it kept telling me that a certain things was funny. Like a character would laugh or snort, indicating that I should be doing the same. It was almost like a laugh track, but in a sitcom that I didn't find entertaining. It didn't always bother me, but often enough to be grating.
The second issue is Jude's career. I don't claim to be an expert in how often models have to work, but it's more than once a month, right? They have to make certain appearance and all that? But if one were to believe Jude's life, models barely have to work at all. He doesn't even work out much! And the I-don't-gain-weight-no-matter-what-I-eat excuse only works to an extent.
Overall, this was an entertaining book and I still thinks you should give it a shot because it might work for you. But for me, it wasn't that funny or that memorable. In fact, the misfiring humour even took away from my investment in the characters. I definitely liked Rule Breaker more and because of that, even though this one was a bit of a miss, I'm still excited about the third book, which follows Henry.
**************************************************
3.5 Stars
I'll admit that, after how much I loved Rule Breaker, and after seeing the wealth of positive reviews this book has received, I may have had high expectations. But I don't think that's coloured my opinions much. At least, I hope it hasn't.
And I wanna add that the reason for the lower rating in this case may be more subjective than it usually is. Something I'll elaborate later.
The book is about two guys, as one would expect from an M/M romance, and a kid. Jude is a highly successful model. We met in him in Rule Breaker and I loved him. His apartment is having some... maintenance done after a bathtub fell through his ceiling. Due to family reasons, he needs to find a cheap place to live in until the apartment gets fixed. One of his model friends suggest his cousin, Asa.
Asa is actor who's been taking some time off for the past few years to raise his son, Billy, who is now seven years old. Asa agrees to let Jude stay in his house as long as Jude helps him with some assistant stuff.
The two of them are attracted to each other. The point of contention is that Asa is very prejudiced against models. He thinks they're all shallow and dumber than a bag of bricks. Can't entirely blame him since his ex and his cousin fit "shallow" and "dumber than a bag of bricks" respectively, almost to a T. That's doesn't mean Jude has to put up with him being as ass. And instead of trying to prove Asa wrong, Jude decided to prove him right.
This is followed by a very fun segment of Jude messing everything up on purpose and Asa having to resist the urge to strangle him. This book was funny and both Jude and Asa were good and likable characters. I also loved everything that involved Billy, who was absolutely adorable and had an equally adorable relationship with Jude.
I also liked the story. You know, the history with Asa's ex and how it affected him, as well as the things that were going on with Jude's family. There were only two things that I didn't like but they weren't small things.
First is the humour. It wasn't my kind of humour, I guess, since I've read reviews saying they loved it and I know the author is funny after reading the first book in the series. It just didn't work for me. It felt like the book was trying too hard and worse, it kept telling me that a certain things was funny. Like a character would laugh or snort, indicating that I should be doing the same. It was almost like a laugh track, but in a sitcom that I didn't find entertaining. It didn't always bother me, but often enough to be grating.
The second issue is Jude's career. I don't claim to be an expert in how often models have to work, but it's more than once a month, right? They have to make certain appearance and all that? But if one were to believe Jude's life, models barely have to work at all. He doesn't even work out much! And the I-don't-gain-weight-no-matter-what-I-eat excuse only works to an extent.
Overall, this was an entertaining book and I still thinks you should give it a shot because it might work for you. But for me, it wasn't that funny or that memorable. In fact, the misfiring humour even took away from my investment in the characters. I definitely liked Rule Breaker more and because of that, even though this one was a bit of a miss, I'm still excited about the third book, which follows Henry.
teenykins's review against another edition
5.0
3rd re-listen.
Comfort read and a listen to take me to my happy place because July sucks.... pity people just didn't leave me alone to enjoy it without pauses and distractions.
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2nd re-listen.
I needed something good to cheer me up. So I did a relisten to one of my most favorite stories ever. And you know how you go to your favorite places in a book you love? Well I went straight to the beginning. And from the first email I started laughing and didn't stop, apart from the moments where Asa and Jude broke my heart :)
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OMG!!! Joel Leslie just did a homerun here!!!
I loved it when I read it but listening to it, it was AMAZING!!! It was even more real, with great voices for Asa and Jude and a perfect Billy.
Definitely listen to it even if you don't like audiobooks!!! It's an unbelievable performance!!!
Comfort read and a listen to take me to my happy place because July sucks.... pity people just didn't leave me alone to enjoy it without pauses and distractions.
---------------------------
2nd re-listen.
I needed something good to cheer me up. So I did a relisten to one of my most favorite stories ever. And you know how you go to your favorite places in a book you love? Well I went straight to the beginning. And from the first email I started laughing and didn't stop, apart from the moments where Asa and Jude broke my heart :)
-------------
OMG!!! Joel Leslie just did a homerun here!!!
I loved it when I read it but listening to it, it was AMAZING!!! It was even more real, with great voices for Asa and Jude and a perfect Billy.
Definitely listen to it even if you don't like audiobooks!!! It's an unbelievable performance!!!
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
5.0
Ce nouveau roman de Lily Morton est une friandise à déguster sans modération !
J'ai dévoré l'histoire de Jude et Asa, j'ai adoré cette complicité qui s'instaure entre eux au fil du temps. Je me suis délectée de voir Jude jouer au parfait crétin, et voir en face les réactions d'Asa à cette incompétence crasse dont Jude fait preuve, tel un sale gosse. Leurs joutes verbales sont délicieuses, et peu à peu la tension va crépiter entre eux, ce qui donne un très beau slow burn qu'on meurt d'impatience de voir atteindre son paroxysme !
Il y a aussi Billy ... Ah Billy, qu'est qu'il m'a fait craquer ce petit bonhomme !! Malicieux, drôle et attachant, j'avais trop envie de le câliner ce petit chou ! Sa complicité avec Jude est très belle, ce qui rend d'autant plus touchant le geste qu'il a à la fin (que j'attendais certes, mais qui m'a quand même fait verser ma larmichette).
La romance entre Jude et Asa est belle, je crois que ce que j'aime ici, c'est qu'ils ont appris à se connaître, et fait naître une belle amitié complice avant de franchir une autre étape, et pour moi, cela rend leur couple plus attachant et plus beau.
Et puis, cerise sur le gâteau, ce roman est drôle !!! Drôle à en pleurer de rire parfois, quitte à ne pas être élégante quand on se prend un gros fou rire. La scène du hamster est un morceau d'anthologie, rien que d'y repenser, je suis pliée !
Les personnages secondaires sont extras, eux aussi, notamment le Droopy de service avec ses commentaires toujours moroses, et sa femme, sorte de marraine/bonne-fée qui m'a fait plaisir à voir, pour sa gentillesse, sa malice et sa complicité avec Billy, Jude et Asa.
Bref, pour la deuxième fois depuis cet été, Lily Morton, sa pétillante écriture et ses personnages au top m'ont conquise, et j'en redemande !!
4.5/5
J'ai dévoré l'histoire de Jude et Asa, j'ai adoré cette complicité qui s'instaure entre eux au fil du temps. Je me suis délectée de voir Jude jouer au parfait crétin, et voir en face les réactions d'Asa à cette incompétence crasse dont Jude fait preuve, tel un sale gosse. Leurs joutes verbales sont délicieuses, et peu à peu la tension va crépiter entre eux, ce qui donne un très beau slow burn qu'on meurt d'impatience de voir atteindre son paroxysme !
Il y a aussi Billy ... Ah Billy, qu'est qu'il m'a fait craquer ce petit bonhomme !! Malicieux, drôle et attachant, j'avais trop envie de le câliner ce petit chou ! Sa complicité avec Jude est très belle, ce qui rend d'autant plus touchant le geste qu'il a à la fin (que j'attendais certes, mais qui m'a quand même fait verser ma larmichette).
La romance entre Jude et Asa est belle, je crois que ce que j'aime ici, c'est qu'ils ont appris à se connaître, et fait naître une belle amitié complice avant de franchir une autre étape, et pour moi, cela rend leur couple plus attachant et plus beau.
Et puis, cerise sur le gâteau, ce roman est drôle !!! Drôle à en pleurer de rire parfois, quitte à ne pas être élégante quand on se prend un gros fou rire. La scène du hamster est un morceau d'anthologie, rien que d'y repenser, je suis pliée !
Les personnages secondaires sont extras, eux aussi, notamment le Droopy de service avec ses commentaires toujours moroses, et sa femme, sorte de marraine/bonne-fée qui m'a fait plaisir à voir, pour sa gentillesse, sa malice et sa complicité avec Billy, Jude et Asa.
Bref, pour la deuxième fois depuis cet été, Lily Morton, sa pétillante écriture et ses personnages au top m'ont conquise, et j'en redemande !!
4.5/5
rellimreads's review against another edition
4.0
KU. I think I may have liked this one even more than Rule Breaker. Likely due to the fact that we get a bit more insight into Asa’s POV. Jude & Asa have nothing been burned, but watching them come together was great. I love that Lily Morton really gives us so much time with her characters *IN* relationship that we can’t help but root for them. Neither are prefect, but they’re lovely. And hilarious.
I think Billy was also well done for a child. He was neither beyond his years, nor this “prop” that would conveniently disappear. He was woven so completely into the story that you could always feel how much he was loved by Asa & Jude.
We did get a few little appearances by Gabe & Dylan ~ which was fun.
I’m looking forward to Henry’s story!
I think Billy was also well done for a child. He was neither beyond his years, nor this “prop” that would conveniently disappear. He was woven so completely into the story that you could always feel how much he was loved by Asa & Jude.
We did get a few little appearances by Gabe & Dylan ~ which was fun.
I’m looking forward to Henry’s story!
bitchie's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I freaking loved this one, such a surprise after I wasn't blown away by book 1. For starters, Billy is my new favorite book kid, ever. He's age appropriate, cute without being syrupy, smart without sounding like a 30 year old. And Asa, oh, sweet Asa, such a sexy, sweet, wonderful man! He's been burned before, so was understandably wary, and he didn't make the best first impression, but he more than made up for that.
And Jude! He is a ball of insecurities, and I thought it took waaaay too long to find out his "big secret", which, really wasn't even a bad thing, just a stressful thing. I also thought it took him too long to realize the problem wasn't with him, but with the men he kept trying to have relationships with, and that Asa was nothing like those shallow men. That's the only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars, because, truly, I was entranced from the start, and had to force myself to go to sleep at the 30% mark (I started this entirely too late, not expected to be sucked in).
HIGHLY recommend this one for lovers of snarky, funny romance.
I freaking loved this one, such a surprise after I wasn't blown away by book 1. For starters, Billy is my new favorite book kid, ever. He's age appropriate, cute without being syrupy, smart without sounding like a 30 year old. And Asa, oh, sweet Asa, such a sexy, sweet, wonderful man! He's been burned before, so was understandably wary, and he didn't make the best first impression, but he more than made up for that.
And Jude! He is a ball of insecurities, and I thought it took waaaay too long to find out his "big secret", which, really wasn't even a bad thing, just a stressful thing. I also thought it took him too long to realize the problem wasn't with him, but with the men he kept trying to have relationships with, and that Asa was nothing like those shallow men. That's the only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars, because, truly, I was entranced from the start, and had to force myself to go to sleep at the 30% mark (I started this entirely too late, not expected to be sucked in).
HIGHLY recommend this one for lovers of snarky, funny romance.
evethingiread's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings. This was soo good, but ultimately my rating is only 3 because I found myself skimming through. LOVED the MCs personalities and the story flow, but i found the writing a bit annoying i guess.
bettylovesbooksgalore's review against another edition
5.0
Story of Jude and Asa
This book was probably the funniest I have read in a while. So much witty dialogue and scenes. I laughed all the way through it and couldn’t put it down.
Jude was so flipping funny! He really did come in and take Asa’s home and heart by storm. Ads is a gentle giant, both of them have big hearts and in the past both have been taken advantage of and their hearts broken.
So happy to see them get their HEA.
Great secondary characters, lots of support and interactions. Gabe, Dylan and Henry make appearances.
This book was probably the funniest I have read in a while. So much witty dialogue and scenes. I laughed all the way through it and couldn’t put it down.
Jude was so flipping funny! He really did come in and take Asa’s home and heart by storm. Ads is a gentle giant, both of them have big hearts and in the past both have been taken advantage of and their hearts broken.
So happy to see them get their HEA.
Great secondary characters, lots of support and interactions. Gabe, Dylan and Henry make appearances.
bee26's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
imme_van_gorp's review against another edition
5.0
|| 4.5 stars ||
Oh my god, this was absolutely amazing! The first half of this book was so hilarious, I nearly pissed myself laughing more times than I can count. Eventually, though, this developed into something so much deeper: It turned into a beautiful love story between two men with a true connection, who created the sweetest family possible with the cutest five year-old boy I’ve ever seen.
Jude is the main narrator of the story, and oh what a joy it was to be inside this guy’s head! He was the kindest, funniest, most loyal and most likable character imaginable. I adored him so much.
Jude is a model and the book starts with him needing to find a home to stay in after the roof of his flat collapses, which will take a few months to repair. He can stay with his best friend, Dylan, and his boyfriend, Gabe, but doesn’t particularly want to subject his delicate ears to the non-stop love-making these two get up to, so, no matter how much he loves them, he’d rather find some other place to stay.
After a hilarious misunderstanding, he becomes the live-in assistant to the 15 years older moviestar, Asa, who seems to have some negative presumptions about models and their “lazy attitudes and airy brains.” Jude isn’t too bothered by his judgements, but he does find some glee in taking his revenge, which means he pretends to be a dumb airhead whenever he’s around Asa, and manages to mess up all his given tasks in the most hilarious ways possible.
It doesn’t take Asa very long, however, to realise his mistake, and they both end up playing their game of pretending Jude is brain-dead, even though Asa is becoming increasingly more intrigued by the smart, funny, gorgeous man living in his house. Especially when he sees Jude interacting with his son, Billy, whom Jude shares an immediate bond with.
Billy’s relationship with both Asa and Jude was just absolutely heartwarming; they both cared about him so much, but also had a lot of fun with him. They joked around, but also treated him super softly and delicately. It was a beautiful display of perfect parenting and you could see how much that little boy loved them both; it truly warmed my heart.
Seriously, though, I loved this book so much! Jude and Asa had the best banter, and the overall story was just so freaking funny. It has a very dry wit and displays the perfect example of well-executed British humour!
Moreover, it was beautiful to see these two men grow closer and closer. They learned such intimate details about the other, and they truly saw the other for who they were inside. I can’t really explain how gorgeous the slow-burn relationship between them was, because I just cannot sum it up in a few sentences. I loved how full of life these two were when they were together, and how much they both adored every little part about the other’s personality. They had true love between them. Honestly.
'Mixed Messages' series:
1. Rule Breaker - 3.5 stars
2. Deal Maker - 4.5 stars
Short Stories:
1.2. Goodbye Fletcher - 3.0 stars
1.3. Jude’s Intervention - 3.0 stars
1.5. Scrambled Eggs and Lemsip - 2.5 stars
1.7. The Valentine Do-Over - 3.5 stars
2.4. Babysitting Billy - 4.0 stars
2.5. Green Eyed Monsters - 4.0 stars
2.6. Jude’s Christmas - 3.5 stars
3.2. Marrying Jude - 3.5 stars
Oh my god, this was absolutely amazing! The first half of this book was so hilarious, I nearly pissed myself laughing more times than I can count. Eventually, though, this developed into something so much deeper: It turned into a beautiful love story between two men with a true connection, who created the sweetest family possible with the cutest five year-old boy I’ve ever seen.
Jude is the main narrator of the story, and oh what a joy it was to be inside this guy’s head! He was the kindest, funniest, most loyal and most likable character imaginable. I adored him so much.
Jude is a model and the book starts with him needing to find a home to stay in after the roof of his flat collapses, which will take a few months to repair. He can stay with his best friend, Dylan, and his boyfriend, Gabe, but doesn’t particularly want to subject his delicate ears to the non-stop love-making these two get up to, so, no matter how much he loves them, he’d rather find some other place to stay.
After a hilarious misunderstanding, he becomes the live-in assistant to the 15 years older moviestar, Asa, who seems to have some negative presumptions about models and their “lazy attitudes and airy brains.” Jude isn’t too bothered by his judgements, but he does find some glee in taking his revenge, which means he pretends to be a dumb airhead whenever he’s around Asa, and manages to mess up all his given tasks in the most hilarious ways possible.
It doesn’t take Asa very long, however, to realise his mistake, and they both end up playing their game of pretending Jude is brain-dead, even though Asa is becoming increasingly more intrigued by the smart, funny, gorgeous man living in his house. Especially when he sees Jude interacting with his son, Billy, whom Jude shares an immediate bond with.
Billy’s relationship with both Asa and Jude was just absolutely heartwarming; they both cared about him so much, but also had a lot of fun with him. They joked around, but also treated him super softly and delicately. It was a beautiful display of perfect parenting and you could see how much that little boy loved them both; it truly warmed my heart.
Seriously, though, I loved this book so much! Jude and Asa had the best banter, and the overall story was just so freaking funny. It has a very dry wit and displays the perfect example of well-executed British humour!
Moreover, it was beautiful to see these two men grow closer and closer. They learned such intimate details about the other, and they truly saw the other for who they were inside. I can’t really explain how gorgeous the slow-burn relationship between them was, because I just cannot sum it up in a few sentences. I loved how full of life these two were when they were together, and how much they both adored every little part about the other’s personality. They had true love between them. Honestly.
'Mixed Messages' series:
1. Rule Breaker - 3.5 stars
2. Deal Maker - 4.5 stars
Short Stories:
1.2. Goodbye Fletcher - 3.0 stars
1.3. Jude’s Intervention - 3.0 stars
1.5. Scrambled Eggs and Lemsip - 2.5 stars
1.7. The Valentine Do-Over - 3.5 stars
2.4. Babysitting Billy - 4.0 stars
2.5. Green Eyed Monsters - 4.0 stars
2.6. Jude’s Christmas - 3.5 stars
3.2. Marrying Jude - 3.5 stars
theoguinto's review against another edition
4.0
Very very cute story. Billy was definitely the highlight since he was sooo incredibly adorable.
This certainly went in a very different direction that I was expecting. Jude from the first book didn't seem to have very many reservations about his modeling, but here he's characterized as not being a fan of it and instead wanting to be a teacher at a rural neighborhood. That's fine, but it seems to be a little out of character especially for the guy who dragged Dylan out to go clubbing in the first book (of which there's no mention of any sort of antics here)
I also find the premise a little hard to believe. Why was he so ready to become a stranger's personal assistant only to do a terrible (yet incredibly funny) job at it? If he was doing the assistant thing in exchange for the room, then shouldn't he have tried his best to not get kicked out?
Similarly with Asa, why didn't he fire Jude when he'd spent so long being incompetent? The book implies it's because he knew he was faking it (and that he found the situation to be humorous) but that doesn't mean he didn't suck as a personal assistant.
Also, Asa felt like a mary sue here. There was some initial talk about him being difficult to work with, hence why he needed a new personal assistant, but none of that was really shown. Instead he's characterized to be this warm reasonable father. He doesn't really have any personal flaws that can be spoken of.
Jude and Asa also don't really get very many alone scenes prior to them kissing at Jude's birthday. Most of their scenes together involve Billy or were generally very short.
I also felt like this was incredibly lacking in steamy spiciness with regards to the sex scenes (which were few and far between, if not just timelapsed away). I mean, Asa said he liked having a toys in him, I really wish that was explored. Especially coming off of Dylan and Gabe's wild sex life (of which is hilariously noted in this book multiple times by Jude, Henry, and even Dylan and Gabe themselves)
Weirdly, after I read the first book, I thought Jude would be paired off with Henry. I suppose that may have been to obvious though, Dylan and Gabe's respective best friends being a couple.
I will say that I greatly enjoyed the scene where Jude and Phillip were catty at each other. Thought I also feel like Asa's conflict with regards to Phillip feel wasted as he was built up to be this major point of sadness for Asa, only for it to disappear when he gets pushed into a pool and we never really hear from him again. Could've been a stronger source of conflict imo.
In general, I liked this book. Ended up being more fluffy than I expected, took Jude's character in a wildly different direction, and wasn't as sexy as the previous entry, but it was very cute and well written.
This certainly went in a very different direction that I was expecting. Jude from the first book didn't seem to have very many reservations about his modeling, but here he's characterized as not being a fan of it and instead wanting to be a teacher at a rural neighborhood. That's fine, but it seems to be a little out of character especially for the guy who dragged Dylan out to go clubbing in the first book (of which there's no mention of any sort of antics here)
I also find the premise a little hard to believe. Why was he so ready to become a stranger's personal assistant only to do a terrible (yet incredibly funny) job at it? If he was doing the assistant thing in exchange for the room, then shouldn't he have tried his best to not get kicked out?
Similarly with Asa, why didn't he fire Jude when he'd spent so long being incompetent? The book implies it's because he knew he was faking it (and that he found the situation to be humorous) but that doesn't mean he didn't suck as a personal assistant.
Also, Asa felt like a mary sue here. There was some initial talk about him being difficult to work with, hence why he needed a new personal assistant, but none of that was really shown. Instead he's characterized to be this warm reasonable father. He doesn't really have any personal flaws that can be spoken of.
Jude and Asa also don't really get very many alone scenes prior to them kissing at Jude's birthday. Most of their scenes together involve Billy or were generally very short.
I also felt like this was incredibly lacking in steamy spiciness with regards to the sex scenes (which were few and far between, if not just timelapsed away). I mean, Asa said he liked having a toys in him, I really wish that was explored. Especially coming off of Dylan and Gabe's wild sex life (of which is hilariously noted in this book multiple times by Jude, Henry, and even Dylan and Gabe themselves)
Weirdly, after I read the first book, I thought Jude would be paired off with Henry. I suppose that may have been to obvious though, Dylan and Gabe's respective best friends being a couple.
I will say that I greatly enjoyed the scene where Jude and Phillip were catty at each other. Thought I also feel like Asa's conflict with regards to Phillip feel wasted as he was built up to be this major point of sadness for Asa, only for it to disappear when he gets pushed into a pool and we never really hear from him again. Could've been a stronger source of conflict imo.
In general, I liked this book. Ended up being more fluffy than I expected, took Jude's character in a wildly different direction, and wasn't as sexy as the previous entry, but it was very cute and well written.