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☆ Todd's Reviews > Deal Maker
Deal Maker (Mixed Messages, #2)
by
Okay, apologies in advance, but let the profuse gushing begin! : )
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
As much as I enjoyed "Rule Breaker," this story was so up my reading tastes alley that, for me, "Deal Maker" blew the first book completely out of the water.
Jude was a 29 y.o., fun-loving, irreverent, underwear model and best friend to Dylan (from book 1) since they were in nursery school together. But when his upstairs neighbor's bath tub was suddenly dropped into his bedroom, he found himself without a place to live for the next several months.
Asa was a 44 y.o., well-known actor with horrible taste in romantic partners and father to his 5 y.o. son, Billy. On his step-brother Dean's recommendation, he decided to give Jude both a place to stay and a job as his assistant.
What happened after that was EVERYTHING.
Asa's very verbal assertion (straight to Jude's face) that he was nothing more than an empty-headed, Calvin Klein billboard was jarring, but Jude decided to make Asa suffer for that judgement, as he 'accidentally' screwed up nearly every job duty that Asa gave him. If Asa was expecting Jude to be an air-headed bimbo, well, Jude was going to give him just that -- with both barrels.
And it was freaking hilarious to witness.
My single favorite comedic scene from the book was meeting Billy at the front door of Asa's Pink Palace, where Jude began to work his way into their lives.
The book was chock full of hilarity from start to finish, but written with such cleverness and subtlety that I never felt that the book was trying too hard to evoke laughs.
But along with the humor, there are plenty of tender, touching chapters as well, some with steam and some steam-free. The section where Asa finally gave Jude a truly happy birthday, and the 2 years later "adapt me" epilogue?
GAH! All the feels, folks!
This story was as close to perfect as I've read in the last several months, with my only criticism being Morton's tendency (in this series, at least) to write "The Big Break-Up" scenes waaaaaaay OTT, leaving me slightly pissed off and yelling "WTAF was that???"
Those scenes were very out of character for the MC's, so I felt that that particular dialogue could have been written with much more tact and less hurtful anger, staying much more true to whom the characters had consistently shown themselves previously to be.
Yet, that one bit of head scratching near-fuckery aside, this was still a solid 5-star read and I'd highly recommend it.
** NOTE: The author also wrote a free short story, "Green Eyed Monsters (Deal Maker 1.5)," which is available on her web site at the following URL, so don't miss that! : )
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17...
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by
Okay, apologies in advance, but let the profuse gushing begin! : )
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
As much as I enjoyed "Rule Breaker," this story was so up my reading tastes alley that, for me, "Deal Maker" blew the first book completely out of the water.
Jude was a 29 y.o., fun-loving, irreverent, underwear model and best friend to Dylan (from book 1) since they were in nursery school together. But when his upstairs neighbor's bath tub was suddenly dropped into his bedroom, he found himself without a place to live for the next several months.
Asa was a 44 y.o., well-known actor with horrible taste in romantic partners and father to his 5 y.o. son, Billy. On his step-brother Dean's recommendation, he decided to give Jude both a place to stay and a job as his assistant.
What happened after that was EVERYTHING.
Asa's very verbal assertion (straight to Jude's face) that he was nothing more than an empty-headed, Calvin Klein billboard was jarring, but Jude decided to make Asa suffer for that judgement, as he 'accidentally' screwed up nearly every job duty that Asa gave him. If Asa was expecting Jude to be an air-headed bimbo, well, Jude was going to give him just that -- with both barrels.
And it was freaking hilarious to witness.
My single favorite comedic scene from the book was meeting Billy at the front door of Asa's Pink Palace, where Jude began to work his way into their lives.
A few minutes later it swings open again, and the little boy appears. “Oh, what now?” he sighs in a very world-weary manner.I love books with true-to-life representations of kids and Morton completely nailed Billy in this story. He was so much more than a two-dimensional, miniature, scene-stealing, little ham, which was truly entertaining to read. She made me love that (fictional) little boy so hard.
My lips twitch. “I’ve been thinking about your password.” He brightens instantly, and I lean back against the doorjamb. “Has it got the word poo in the password?”
He looks at me as if I’m Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking rolled into one. “It has,” he breathes wonderingly...
The book was chock full of hilarity from start to finish, but written with such cleverness and subtlety that I never felt that the book was trying too hard to evoke laughs.
But along with the humor, there are plenty of tender, touching chapters as well, some with steam and some steam-free. The section where Asa finally gave Jude a truly happy birthday, and the 2 years later "adapt me" epilogue?
GAH! All the feels, folks!
This story was as close to perfect as I've read in the last several months, with my only criticism being Morton's tendency (in this series, at least) to write "The Big Break-Up" scenes waaaaaaay OTT, leaving me slightly pissed off and yelling "WTAF was that???"
Those scenes were very out of character for the MC's, so I felt that that particular dialogue could have been written with much more tact and less hurtful anger, staying much more true to whom the characters had consistently shown themselves previously to be.
Yet, that one bit of head scratching near-fuckery aside, this was still a solid 5-star read and I'd highly recommend it.
** NOTE: The author also wrote a free short story, "Green Eyed Monsters (Deal Maker 1.5)," which is available on her web site at the following URL, so don't miss that! : )
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17...
-----------------------------------------------
This book is *FREE* with Kindle Unlimited membership.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
-----------------------------------------------
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Reading Progress
December 4, 2017
– Shelved
December 4, 2017
– Shelved as:
maybe
December 26, 2017
–
Started Reading
December 27, 2017
–
4.0%
"*SNORT*
A few minutes later it swings open again, and the little boy appears. “Oh, what now?” he sighs in a very world-weary manner.
My lips twitch. “I’ve been thinking about your password.” He brightens instantly[...]. “Has it got the word poo in the password?”
He looks at me as if I’m Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking rolled into one. “It has,” he breathes "
A few minutes later it swings open again, and the little boy appears. “Oh, what now?” he sighs in a very world-weary manner.
My lips twitch. “I’ve been thinking about your password.” He brightens instantly[...]. “Has it got the word poo in the password?”
He looks at me as if I’m Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking rolled into one. “It has,” he breathes "
December 27, 2017
–
9.0%
"*SNORT*
“We tell each other everything.”
“Not anymore,” Dylan adds hastily, looking at Gabe, but he shrugs unconcerned.
“Don’t try and cover it up, Dylan. Jude’s our very own Camilla - the third person in our relationship.”
“Why am I the old woman in this scenario?” I say indignantly. "
“We tell each other everything.”
“Not anymore,” Dylan adds hastily, looking at Gabe, but he shrugs unconcerned.
“Don’t try and cover it up, Dylan. Jude’s our very own Camilla - the third person in our relationship.”
“Why am I the old woman in this scenario?” I say indignantly. "
December 27, 2017
–
10.0%
"*HA* [You'll rue the day...]
“Is it something which means I need to give you my business card, in case it goes wrong?”
“It’s perfect. He thinks models are complete morons. I’m going to show him a moron. I’m going to scale the heights of moron. I’m going so high, I’ll find a new species of moron. So, maybe yes, you’d better give me your card. You know, just in case.” "
“Is it something which means I need to give you my business card, in case it goes wrong?”
“It’s perfect. He thinks models are complete morons. I’m going to show him a moron. I’m going to scale the heights of moron. I’m going so high, I’ll find a new species of moron. So, maybe yes, you’d better give me your card. You know, just in case.” "
December 27, 2017
–
15.0%
"*snort* [Model Math...]
“Oh my goodness, there’s six hundred and seventy calories in that. Can you believe it?” I hesitate as if worried and then add earnestly, “Of course, if you didn’t take such ginormous bites it would be fewer calories.” "
“Oh my goodness, there’s six hundred and seventy calories in that. Can you believe it?” I hesitate as if worried and then add earnestly, “Of course, if you didn’t take such ginormous bites it would be fewer calories.” "
December 27, 2017
–
17.0%
"*BWAHAHA!* [I fucking died...]
“Daddy, I want to tell you -” He stops suddenly, and I realise with horror that the pile of sex toys on the desk has caught his attention. It’s not a surprise, as the manufacturers persist in making them in shiny, sparkly primary colours. “Oh, Daddy,” he says in awed delight. “Is that a magic wand?” "
“Daddy, I want to tell you -” He stops suddenly, and I realise with horror that the pile of sex toys on the desk has caught his attention. It’s not a surprise, as the manufacturers persist in making them in shiny, sparkly primary colours. “Oh, Daddy,” he says in awed delight. “Is that a magic wand?” "
December 27, 2017
–
25.0%
"*HA!* [Witch, bitch, whatever...]
“Please tell Lucy I have holy water and I’m crossing myself as she speaks,” I snipe, and he snorts, before wiping his face clear when Lucy turns to glare at him. "
“Please tell Lucy I have holy water and I’m crossing myself as she speaks,” I snipe, and he snorts, before wiping his face clear when Lucy turns to glare at him. "
December 27, 2017
–
40.0%
"*Awww* [Birthday weekend away...]
I feel an unexpected peace steal across me, as though for the first time in forever, I am in the one place I want to be, with the people I’m meant to be with. "
I feel an unexpected peace steal across me, as though for the first time in forever, I am in the one place I want to be, with the people I’m meant to be with. "
December 28, 2017
–
49.0%
"*GAH* [Just for the summer...]
I massage my chest absently at the stab of pain I feel at the thought of him in the future with someone serious. Someone else who will sit at his table laughing and talking, someone who will kiss his son goodnight and sleep against his heart in the dark silence of the night, while I wander on in the world, never settling and never home. "
I massage my chest absently at the stab of pain I feel at the thought of him in the future with someone serious. Someone else who will sit at his table laughing and talking, someone who will kiss his son goodnight and sleep against his heart in the dark silence of the night, while I wander on in the world, never settling and never home. "
December 28, 2017
–
53.0%
"*Awww* [Keeping Billy safe...]
The ways in which I could fuck this up were legion and varied. However, once we were on the plane and he fell asleep on my lap, I had the sudden, blinding realisation that this wasn’t just some random child. This was my Billy, and I loved him. I also had the feeling Asa knew this all along, the canny bastard. "
The ways in which I could fuck this up were legion and varied. However, once we were on the plane and he fell asleep on my lap, I had the sudden, blinding realisation that this wasn’t just some random child. This was my Billy, and I loved him. I also had the feeling Asa knew this all along, the canny bastard. "
December 28, 2017
–
55.0%
"*WAH!*
No more warmth, no laughter, no real kindness. No sticky hugs from his son and hot steamy nights with him. Suddenly I want to throw up. I want Asa to bar the door and take the choice away from me. I know he won’t. He’s too good a person. Instead, he will watch me batter against the window like a moth, until eventually he’ll open it and let me fly away, and today, for the first time, I don’t want to. "
No more warmth, no laughter, no real kindness. No sticky hugs from his son and hot steamy nights with him. Suddenly I want to throw up. I want Asa to bar the door and take the choice away from me. I know he won’t. He’s too good a person. Instead, he will watch me batter against the window like a moth, until eventually he’ll open it and let me fly away, and today, for the first time, I don’t want to. "
December 28, 2017
–
61.0%
"*HAHAHA!* [Breakfast of Champions...]
“So you’re a model then? It must be a glamorous job. How do you stay so fit looking?” She runs her hand down my chest and I shoot a look at her husband, but he’s talking earnestly to Asa and hasn’t noticed. “Such muscles,” she coos. “What do you eat to maintain them?”
“Mostly fish and chips and Mars bars,” I say earnestly, and she gapes at me. "
“So you’re a model then? It must be a glamorous job. How do you stay so fit looking?” She runs her hand down my chest and I shoot a look at her husband, but he’s talking earnestly to Asa and hasn’t noticed. “Such muscles,” she coos. “What do you eat to maintain them?”
“Mostly fish and chips and Mars bars,” I say earnestly, and she gapes at me. "
December 28, 2017
–
62.0%
"*Psssh* [One little mistake, my ass, bitch...]
“It’s eleven minutes past time for you to fuck off,” I say sharply, unbearably stung by his mentioning Billy and all the memories these two must share. "
“It’s eleven minutes past time for you to fuck off,” I say sharply, unbearably stung by his mentioning Billy and all the memories these two must share. "
December 28, 2017
–
64.0%
"*BWAHAHAHA* [Hot and bothered...]
“Wait,” he pants. “Are you sure?”
I glare at him. “Weren’t you just in conquering mode? Quick, go back to it before I lose my erection.” "
“Wait,” he pants. “Are you sure?”
I glare at him. “Weren’t you just in conquering mode? Quick, go back to it before I lose my erection.” "
December 28, 2017
–
79.0%
"*SNORT* [Love the Gabe'ism...]
“Why am I stupid?” I say crossly, and then hesitate. “I really don’t want to know about the plug, but …”
He shakes his head. “No. We are not going down what Gabe calls one of our conversational cul-de-sacs.” "
“Why am I stupid?” I say crossly, and then hesitate. “I really don’t want to know about the plug, but …”
He shakes his head. “No. We are not going down what Gabe calls one of our conversational cul-de-sacs.” "
December 29, 2017
– Shelved as:
favorites
December 29, 2017
– Shelved as:
banter-snark
December 30, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-38 of 38 (38 new)
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by
Jade
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Dec 30, 2017 02:56PM
Yay! Great review. Have this on my Kindle, glad you liked it so much. Will have to bump it up on my TBR :-)
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JadeSarah. wrote: "Yay! Great review. Have this on my Kindle, glad you liked it so much. Will have to bump it up on my TBR :-)"Most of my friends still liked "Rule Breaker" better, but this one was SO. MY. STORY. : )
Agreed this was better!
Lauren wrote: "Agreed this was better!"It was Billy, right?
He sort of reminded me of a very young Ty, from "Bear, Otter and the Kid," one of my favorite stories ever. : )
I'm still afraid to read Rule Breaker because it's so not my taste (i hate asshole who's fucking around), i tried to read one chapter yesterday but stopped myself because i just can't. I think i will jump to read this book instead, this is more me, and btw, awesome review Todd!! <3
alis wrote: "I'm still afraid to read Rule Breaker because it's so not my taste (i hate asshole who's fucking around), i tried to read one chapter yesterday but stopped myself because i just can't. I think i will jump to read this book instead, this is more me, and btw, awesome review Todd!! <3"There were a few scenes where Gabe stuck Dylan's nose in the fact that he was with another man at the time (before they got together). I hated those, but enjoyed that first book overall.
And thanks. : )
I really loved this book too! So so good, my only criticism is that the epilogue was too long and dragged a bit...
LexyLovesBooks wrote: "I really loved this book too! So so good, my only criticism is that the epilogue was too long and dragged a bit..."Yeah, the epilogue was a bit more 'comprehensive' than they normally tend to be, but after "adapt me", GAH, I was a happy, little puddle on the floor. heh
you sir are the king of links. Always looking out for the rest of us. Thanks :)
Emma wrote: "you sir are the king of links. Always looking out for the rest of us. Thanks :)"I miss out on shit all the time, so I'm decent about trying to make sure you guys don't when I have a link handy. heh ;- )
YUP! This book was AWESOME!!
Santy wrote: "YUP! This book was AWESOME!!"Cool. So what's the verdict? Book 1 or 2 as your favorite?
☆ Todd wrote: "Santy wrote: "YUP! This book was AWESOME!!"Cool. So what's the verdict? Book 1 or 2 as your favorite?"
Book 2 HANDS DOWN!! It was near flawless for me.
Yes! brilliant review!!! I loved both books because I adore Lily Morton’s writing style. Fab banter and snark galore! So pleased you had a great time.
So sold! Great review Todd.
Ariana wrote: "Yes! brilliant review!!! I loved both books because I adore Lily Morton’s writing style. Fab banter and snark galore! So pleased you had a great time."Thanks. I sooooo want to "adapt" Billy, too. heh
Fabi wrote: "So sold! Great review Todd."Thanks. This was the most fun contemporary M/M I've read in a while. : )
I just finished it and I agree with every word of your wonderful review. I laughed out loud at some of the banter, the stories of what Jude did during his "I'm just dumb" act and the replies to the fans he wrote, and I think I fell in love with Billy and Asa right along with Jude. I'm glad that we're going to get to see them and Dylan and Gabe again. It felt like Henry has a story to tell.
Toni wrote: "I just finished it and I agree with every word of your wonderful review. I laughed out loud at some of the banter..."Thanks. : )
I loved Billy's "magic wand" scene. *snort*
You always articulate my thoughts better than I could in your reviews, you show the enjoyment in your writing.Everything about this was just right, when I read books I'm looking for that sweet spot where everything comes together, characters, plot, writing and that extra something.
I loved that in this book Jude came alive, I have to admit I stereotyped him a bit in the first book, but was put in my place straight away, I really liked him, like I want him to real so we can be friends*^_^*, I loved his snarky humour*epic fan replies* and loyalty to his family, and him and Billy were the best, as soon as Billy opened the door I knew I was going to love him to pieces.
Also, set in a place I know and love, yay.
Thanks for your recommendations btw, and the heads up about book offers.
Zoonz wrote: "I loved his snarky humour*epic fan replies* and loyalty to his family, and him and Billy were the best, as soon as Billy opened the door I knew I was going to love him to pieces."Heh, as soon as Jude used his "phone a friend" lifeline to figure out the "poo" password, I was soooooo sold on this book. heh
And thanks. : )
Reviewing books that you love is typically easy. It's the ones that leave you feeling "meh" that give me goddamn fits.
I read Rule Breaker on your say-so, Todd, and I had so many visceral feels and so many rushing thoughts--I haven't had that many from a book in a long time! After reading the blurb for book two, I was uninspired to pick it up, since it sounded like it held a lot of Do Not Wants and none of the topics I usually seek. After reading your review, I've changed my mind! I'm in, once again!
KimberlyRose wrote: "After reading the blurb for book two, I was uninspired to pick it up, since it sounded like it held a lot of Do Not Wants and none of the topics I usually seek. After reading your review, I've changed my mind! I'm in, once again!"Yes, you *must* read book 2, with Billy. I laughed a whole lot.
And yay, another book pimp victory! ;- ) hehe
Merve wrote: "Great review Todd!"Thanks. : )
Excellent review Todd!💖😉
Kat wrote: "Excellent review Todd!💖😉"Thanks. : )
Enjoyed the review. I love books that have great kid representation. Looking forward to read the series. Also are the books standalone or the order matters??
Mimi wrote: "Enjoyed the review. I love books that have great kid representation. Looking forward to read the series. Also are the books standalone or the order matters??"Yeah, it's a delicate mix for books with kids. Too much focus on them is annoying, too little leaves you wanting more. : )
This series features previous characters fairly-heavily, but "could" be read as standalones; however, the entire series is consistently good, soooooo... heh
Jacky wrote: "Loved ur comment and I so wanna dread the book now 😅😄"Book 1 was also really fun, but this one was still my favorite. : )
Enjoy!
Excellent review!Totally agree with you Todd - by far the best book - Joel Leslie narrates this audiobook amazingly and brings the character Billy endearingly to life - you can’t help but fall in love with this little boy. A boy any father would be proud of 😊
The storyline of this book is far more captivating than the first - don’t get me wrong, I liked the first book, but this is my favourite 🤩
N wrote: "Excellent review!Totally agree with you Todd - by far the best book."
Thanks! : )
Yeah, definitely my favorite of this series, with book 1 of the fake boyfriends book (yay, Damon!) being my favorite of that subsequent series.
Can I read this without having read the first one? Will it affect my understanding or enjoyment?
Lisa wrote: "Can I read this without having read the first one? Will it affect my understanding or enjoyment?"Fine as a standalone, but book 1 is also super-snarky, so I'd recommend reading both eventually. : )
Fine as a standalone, but book 1 is also super-snarky, so I'd recommend reading both ..."All right, I'll trust you. Just downloaded both.
Lisa wrote: "Fine as a standalone, but book 1 is also super-snarky, so I'd recommend reading both ..."All right, I'll trust you. Just downloaded both."
Cool. The restaurant scene where they first meet in book 1 is priceless.
And first meeting Billy (the kid) in the 2nd book was too cute. : )
Enjoy!
Fabulous review Todd!
Alexandra wrote: "Fabulous review Todd!"Thanks. 🙂
