Derek Bryer loves his life. His job as an assistant director at Joy Universe, the second-largest theme park complex on the planet, makes him indirectly responsible for bringing joy (pun intended) to millions of people. So what if none of his relationships are that close? Everyone he meets loves him.Except Trav Jones. For some reason, the visiting Broadway performer would rather Derek just go … Derek just go away. He appreciates Derek’s work ethic, though, and after Trav steps up when Derek desperately needs someone to fill in for his sick staff, Derek seizes the chance to convince Trav he’s not such a bad guy.
Falling in love while distracted by a murder at the park, food poisoning, and colleagues placing bets on their relationship won’t be easy, but between the two of them and with the magic of Joy Universe, they’ve got this.
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I adored this. It had me up at six am reading with the lights out so I didn’t wake my hubby up.
I loved the set-up of who Derek is. I love the meet-cute. And I especially loved Trav’s first reaction.
I’ve worked in the corporate world. And I’ve known people like Derek. So, this was an especially fun read for me.
There’s intrigue. Romance. Character development. And just a lot of hilarious moments.
For me, the side characters and the Joy Universe, itself, filled in a rich story.
5 stars. Brilliantly done.
JU village, they always deliver
I’ve come to learn all JU village stories are a fun read. This one is no different, you can’t predict the outcome, but it’s interesting getting there, I wish I lived there!
Nice premise, great characters but the storyline is very slow moving until BANG and it ends. Still an enjoyable read.
I’ve read this author before and a novella from this Joy Universe. This is a mm contemporary story set in the USA at a fictional theme park. Main characters are Trav and Derek. Can’t wait to read more from this author and series.
I just could not interest in the book, and by chapter 3, I had lost all interest. I purchased book 2 of this series at the same time as book 1, so I plan to try reading again in the coming Winter.
Knowing you are not alone, can be freeing. Fake it, til you make it! Derek’s life is the park, Joy Universe. As Asst Dir, he is used to doing well with the business. His mind works 360 as he goes about his daily duties. This is what makes him so good. Dimi’s mind works in parallel with him making them a formidable team. Two serious crisis hit the park at the same time and Derek and Dimi go to work with hail mary solutions. Trav is hired as an entertainer and immediately hates Derek’s presumed type and admires his actions for his employees. Trav’s baggage keeps bumping against his legs. Can he set it down and get to know Derek? Can Derek relax, take a breath and get to know Trav? Does Derek save the day? Do his crisis solutons, work? Will they compliment each other? The supporting characters/friends/co-workers are wonderfully supportive. I hope to hears their stories. Fantastic story! Lots of growth. Well done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Nice cover art!
4 CRANKY STORIES
I can only give this story 4 stars. It is a well written love story that takes place at the second largest amusement park in the country. The concept is a good one, but the characters are just mediocre. This writer in my opinion based these characters on stereotypes and not actual people. I don’t care if it’s a story involving gays, lesbians or heterosexuals but don’t be so blatant. I don’t think the LGBT community is this outlandish and it’s rude to portray them this way. For instance, our main character is the Assistant Director of this section of the park. He is good looking, well dressed and well liked. However, he constantly tells people how good he is and how hard he works to make people like him. When someone acts like they don’t care for him he gets all defensive. I don’t believe this is realistic.
The story starts out with a crisis and Derek rushes to the scene. It messes up his whole schedule at the park. Seems his assistant does all the work, he just looks nice, and tells Dimi what he wants and Dimi jumps. At least, he acknowledges that he needs to promote Dimi. A second crisis occurs, and they now have no actors for the shows for the next couple of days. They scramble to bring in actors from the other parks and the show in Joyville Village.
Along comes Trav from the Joyville Village show. As soon as Derek sees him, he wants him. However, Trav has had a bad history with the good looking, well-dressed jock types in high school and wants nothing to do with Derek. Problem- stereotyping, maybe, Trav is a dancer so he is automatically gay and someone for Derek to hit on. Not necessarily! When he snaps at Derek and walks away, Derek spends the next hours and days trying to figure out why he is hated by Trav. Afterall, “I work so hard at making people love me.”
Once we get back to the storyline, it’s a good story. It’s too bad I couldn’t enjoy it fully.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This book has been edited and tightened up, following being released from the previous publisher.
I enjoyed this, I really did!
I will admit, I had an old copy that I started to read ages ago, but never finished it. Something IS different about this copy to that, but I have no idea what!
It’s a warm and fuzzies, too stinking cute kinda book that just wiles away a couple hours, and you can forget about the laundry and the cleaning, and just fall into the Joy Universe!
I must admit, at first, for some reason, I thought that the Joy Universe was an ADULT place to be, you know? And I couldn’t place dancers in that world, not for the life of me! But all becomes clear when Derek starts to do his thing, dealing with a murder on site and an attack of food poisoning that decimates his dance troop!
Derek is a big ole teddy bear, that has a work smile I would be so proud of, but I loved that Trav can see right through that false smile, that work face Derek puts on. Loved that Trav could bring a real smile out of him, just by looking his way.
I understood Trav’s. . .not hatred, more a strong dislike of the image Derek puts across. When explained why he has that reaction, it makes a lot more sense.
The murder thing takes a twist, and I didn’t see it going that way. So I liked that.
Some sexy on screen time, some not. Some deep emotional bits, some a much lighter feeling comes at you. Just enough of everything, to make it interesting.
I liked this book, a LOT. But for one thing.
First person, present tense AND both Derek and Trav have a say. Maybe that’s why I didn’t finish it before, but I’ve made a decision to give a book a couple of chapters, even if it IS written in my least favourite way, and I’m glad I did.
Not a difficult or hard read, just what I needed at this point in time
4 good solid stars
**same worded will appear elsewhere**
At rhe start I felt Derek was almost smarmy until we got to know him. I like Trav and the way he faced his fear but this was a long time coming. The read felt slow in parts and could have been slightly condensed for a quicker , better flowing read.
Overall a likable book and a good look at how the JU world works for books going forward.
Louisa Masters is a new to me author and after reading the blurb (theme park and a murder) I was intrigued. While this read was cute and fit the whole theme park (think Disney) vibe, the murder was really not part of the story. The characters were likable, sweet together. The steamy parts between the MC’s Derek and Trav happen off page which is not my preference. Other than lagging a bit in the middle, all in all a cute read.
I totally liked I’ve Got This. I rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was a great mix of romance, game park drama, actors and some calamities. It was fast-paced, easy to read and such a cute romance. It was low angst and I loved how Derek handled business. I would recommend this book.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah –
3.5 stars
This is a fun, sexy read. The relationship that builds between a theme park executive and a Broadway star starts slowly, and a little bit awkwardly, but soon becomes something special. The characters are warm and engaging and I loved the ‘behind the scenes at Disney’ moments as Derek manages Joy Universe.
As I share Trav’s aversion to life’s perfect people, I loved his growly first response to Derek. To be honest, Derek had already rubbed me the wrong way by being far too happy on his morning commute and I loved his complete confusion over Trav’s reaction. Derek remains far too perfect throughout the story and like Trav, it took me a while to believe his endless bonhomme cheer is genuine. Derek is a little too good for my tastes and there are moments where he almost feels like a plastic caricature of himself. Trav is much more likeable – probably because his insecurities are closer to the surface and I love the way he makes situations awkward.
I like Derek and Trav’s connection and I love the sexual tension that builds between them. There are a few moments where we start to get to know them properly, but I’m not sure they ever completely came alive for me. The pacing in this story doesn’t quite work for me. I loved the explosive start, but the middle slows into a story of corporate politics and meetings that became quite tedious. Similarly, the start of Trav and Derek’s relationship is fun and exciting, but it slides into routine a little bit too quickly.
Overall, this is an entertaining story. I read it quickly and it left me smiling.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of I’ve Got This (Joy Universe #1) by Louisa Masters to read and review.
This is a very sweet love story between Derek and Trav. How the navigate getting know each other and communicate with each other. They help each other through their fears and fall in love! What a great story
I figured this would be a quick cute read and I’d 3 star it … but I loved this book! There is no on page sex, all fade to black or just mentioned, and it totally fit the tone of the story. Derek and Trav are lovely together and they bring out the best in each other. It’s instalove, but in a believable way. And the focus on the theme park (clearly based off Disney) is a great touch. I thought I wouldn’t be too into it, but It’s a unique and super interesting part of the story. I just wanted to learn more and more about Derek’s world. There is a murder at the start (not a spoiler, it’s in the blurb), but this is not a murder mystery and the way it affects the overall story is done so well!
I’m glad that this is the first book in the series. I’m eager to read more!
Title: I’ve Got This: Joy Universe #1
Author: Louisa Masters
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: 9/24/2019
Genre/ Trope(s): MM Romance
Page Count: 195p.
SteaMMy Swordplay: 2 out of 5
Sharonica-Stars: 5 out of 5
GoodReads AVG: 4.10
MMy Thoughts and Review:
One of The Backbones of Broadway stars alongside one of the Cornerstones of Joy Universe (think that HUGE theme park in Orlando) in this charming sometimes comical story about two very different men, who find a bit of themselves in the other. But, is it enough to lay to rest old demons and resurrect new monuments to love? Or will they fall prey to the whispers that often haunt the mind and heart?
The romance of Derek and Trav is one that despite “murder at Tiki”, panic over a massive salmonella outbreak, having to cancel morning shows, and a not so meet-cute between our MCs that starts rumors buzzing across the Universe (The theme park- not the actual…oh, you know what I mean), is actually really sweet.
Both Trav (who is a seasoned Broadway pro) and Derek (who is a district director of the theme park) along with a slew of secondary characters (I am MMad for Dimi!) just come alive thanks to Masters’ creative writing.
I loved being a part of this story and most especially when Derek would share thoughts and speak directly to the reader. It cracked me up a few times.
Dual POVs are my favorite, so I was glad I got to experience Trav’s highs and lows as he faced down a few demons.
This is my second read by Masters and it is official… I am a fan! If you are looking for a medium burn romance with more emotionally intimate moments than explicitly intimate ones, with a host of relatable characters, and a HEA that makes you look forward to book #2, this is for YOU!
5 universally-joyous-stars
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I absolutely LOVED this marvelous, grab-you-by-the-feels, amazing, slow burning, poignant, totally awesome, and delightfully different twist on your average enemies-to-lovers storyline. I would recommend getting this gem ASAP.
I love this cover. It really set the tone for Derek.
Derek is a work driven man and loves his job, but it leaves no room for romance. That is until he meets the one man that seems to not like him on the worse day of his life. He is faced with murder in one of his villas and almost all of his dancers get hit with salmonella. Trav Jones is a broadway performer in one of the shows and fills in for the sick dancers. but he doesn’t seem to like Derek like everyone else so Derek tries to find out why and sparks fly.
The story is interesting from the start the characters are all likable and intriguing and I didn’t want to put the book down once I started. It is a sweet, charming story.
Although it begins with a murder,this book is not really a mystery. Also,if you need sex within your romance read,you won’t find it in ‘ (there’s scarcely one scene).
BUT,what you will find aplenty is passion. Because Trav and Derek are passionate about their work and about their beliefs, and most definitely about each other. Ok,maybe they start off rocky,but the charm of the story is precisely the step by step development of their relationship.
They are both constantly surrounded by people,but surprisingly loners deep down. Creating connections beyond the superficial is difficult to both of them and it’s pretty incredible to watch how they slowly allow themselves to be vulnerable, to show their real selves to each other.
‘ is a fun,light read,but also heavy with feelings. Full of characters and interactions, crisis situations and I really enjoyed it.