“For him, control is everything…until it shatters, and now he’s come undone.” “Appasionata” by Emma BarryPiano technician Brennan Connelly lives to control details: the tension on a piano string or the compression of hammer felt. But he’s never faced demands like those heaped on him by Kristy Kwong, the diva who’s haunted his dreams for two decades. Kristy’s got her own secrets—the debilitating … decades. Kristy’s got her own secrets—the debilitating stage fright that’s kept her from performing publicly for years to start—and this concert is the last chance to save her career. But can he locate her lost passion without losing his precious control?
“Unraveled” by Olivia Dade
Math teacher Simon Burnham—cool, calm, controlled—can’t abide problems with no good solution. Which makes his current work assignment, mentoring art teacher Poppy Wick, nothing short of torture. She’s warm but sharp. Chaotic but meticulous. Simultaneously the most frustrating and most alluring woman he’s ever known. And in her free time, she makes murder dioramas. Murder dioramas, for heaven’s sake. But the more tightly wound a man is, the faster he unravels—and despite his best efforts, he soon finds himself attempting to solve three separate mysteries: a murder in miniature, the unexplained disappearance of a colleague…and the unexpected theft of his cold, cold heart.
“Caught Looking” by Adriana Herrera
When best friends Yariel and Hatuey’s gaming night turns into an unexpected and intense hook up, Hatuey can’t wait to do it again. Yariel is less certain—the major leaguer might seem to all the world like he has a heart of stone, but he’s been carrying a torch for his friend for years, and worries this will ruin the most important relationship in his life. That means Hatuey has to do all the work, and he’s planning to give it all he’s got. Yariel may be the one hitting home runs on the field…but Hatuey is playing a game of seduction, and he knows exactly how to make Yariel crumble.
“Yes, And…” by Ruby Lang
When rheumatologist Darren Zhang accidentally sits in on acting teacher Joan Lacy’s improv class, he’s unprepared for the attraction that hits him—and he’s a man who likes to be prepared. Joan is caring for her ailing mother and barely has time to keep up her art, let alone date. But as the pair play out an unlikely relationship during stolen moments, they both find themselves wanting to say yes, and… much more.
“Tommy Cabot Was Here” by Cat Sebastian
Massachusetts, 1959: Some people might accuse mathematician Everett Sloane of being stuffy, but really he just prefers things a certain way: predictable, quiet, and far away from Tommy Cabot–his former best friend, chaos incarnate, and the man who broke his heart. The youngest son of a prominent political family, Tommy threw away his future by coming out to his powerful brothers. When he runs into Everett, who fifteen years ago walked away from Tommy without an explanation or a backward glance, his old friend’s chilliness is just another reminder of how bad a mess Tommy has made of his life. When Everett realizes that his polite formality is hurting Tommy, he needs to decide whether he can unbend enough to let Tommy get close but without letting himself get hurt the way he was all those years ago.
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If you are looking for escape this anthology is perfect. Filled with actual sized women, murder houses (in miniature), sexy Dominicans, pianos, improv, and math there is something for everyone. While each story gives a natural break, I found it hard to put down. Many of these authors are new to me, but I will definitely be hunting down backlists.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love anthologies like this one. There is a thematic through line: starched men getting “unstarched” by love. However, the stories are all vastly different.
The only author I had read prior to this is Olivia Dade, and her offering was definitely my favorite. Her story is set in the same teaching world as her FABULOUS Teach Me. She chose to write in third person limited with the reader only being privy to the thoughts of the hero. I thought this was a brilliant choice.
The other stories were well crafted, as well. Some of the stories were more angsty than others, so there should be a story to appeal to every taste and mood.
He’s Come Undone
What a delightful collection of stories that provide a bit of something for everyone! I have to say I have read three out of five books but wanted to get this review posted before finishing the book because it is just that good.
I had read Emma Barry before and loved her work. The story she wrote for this anthology was a delight to my senses…al of them…I have played a number of musical instruments, know what the movements titling each section mean and understood Kristy and Brennan so very well…and…have to say that those practice rooms reminded me of some I visited in college. Loved this story!
Olivia Dade’s story had me signing up for her newsletter. I absolutely adored art teacher Poppy Wick and the way she seemed to be able to wind math teacher Simon Burnham up with so little effort. Poppy was a strong, smart, skilled artist and teacher. Simon was also strong, smart and a skilled teacher who was a lot more than his uptightness in the beginning made me think he was. Smiling as I think of the two of them
Adriana’s story is of two men that have been friends for over a decade. Perhaps they could have been together since high school but then again by waiting and really getting to know themselves and what they really want…well…their story was a fun read with a HEA that left me happy at the end.
I can’t wait to read the stories by Ruby and Cat so am going to stop writing now and get back to my reading.
Did I like this anthology? Yes
Would I read more by these authors? Definitely
Thank you to the authors for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Going into this book, I’ve only read Adriana Herrera. Once I finished He’s Come Undone, I immediately scoured my kindle for books by the other authors and read Teach Me by Olivia Dade in one sitting. Every single story in this book is unique and delicious. I’ll be the first to say that novella/short stories aren’t usually my thing. But each other is able to construct well developed characters and a believable love story for them in a short amount of pages. Asking me to pick a favorite would be like asking me to pick a favorite child. I do want to give a shout out to Olivia Dade for including something I never would have expected in a romance: murder dioramas. Seriously, read this book.
Ohmygoodness, this anthology is just delightful! Every single story is absolutely lovely–truly, I wish each author could have given us about ten more chapters each, but I guess I can settle for finding some full length novels from them all instead <3
"Appassionata" by Emma Barry
Just delightful! I loved the way that Kristy and Brennan helped each other to go beyond their fears, both in their personal/professional lives and in their relationship. Giving each chapter a music-y label was a nice touch. I'll definitely be looking for more from this author!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
"Unraveled" by Olivia Dade
OMG, this story! I *loved* Simon and Poppy's romance, told entirely from buttoned-up math teacher Simon. Watching him slowly become "unraveled" here was simply delightful.
(PLEASE tell me murder dioramas are a thing. I'm sure I couldn't possibly afford one, but just knowing they're out there in the world will make my true crime obsessed heart just a little happier.)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
"Caught Looking" by Adriana Herrera
This is a friends-to-lovers, what-do-you-mean-that-kiss-at-high-school-graduation-wasn't-a-fluke story that was OMG hot! Though this reader was at least as aggravated with Yariel's refusal to see what was right in front of him as Hatuey was, their HEA made it all worth it!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
"Yes, And..." by Ruby Lang
Oh, this story! Though yes, Darren definitely needed to "come undone," Joan was the one actively throwing up obstacles in the way of their relationship. Darren didn't give up, though, and I honest to goodness gave a happy sigh when they finally found their way to work toward an HEA.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
"Tommy Cabot was Here" by Cat Sebastian
Another friends-to-lovers, this one with even more second chance romance flavor! Everett has grown up to teach math at the boarding school where he met and fell in love with Tommy--and he's not at all prepared for how he'll feel when he encounters him again. But some things haven't changed--especially Everett's appreciation for order and predictability, and he can't possibly risk another broken heart...or can he?
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
Overall rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
3 of the stories were excellent, the rest, not so much, but all were a fun way to pass the time.
“Appassionata” by Emma Barry (m/f)
Pianist Kristy Kwong is struggling with performance anxiety and it’s hindering her ability to perform. Brennan Connelly is a piano technician who once dreamed of a career as a pianist and has always admired Kristy from afar. Most telling, Kristy cannot perform in front of anyone except Brennan. The writing in this story is gorgeous and the pacing of the story matches the music tempos that title each chapter. The relationship develops sweetly and it’s a thrill to see Brennan slowly let go of his rules. The black moment came out of nowhere but when it does happen, it makes sense in the context of what took place before. One of my favorites of the collection.
“Unraveled” by Olivia Dade (m/f)
Dade is an efficient storyteller and she does the short form very well. I found Poppy to be absolutely quirky and hilarious and Simon is the quintessential, buttoned-up math guy. Being a teacher myself, I got all the references and kept nodding my head, saying, yes, yes, all this! The romance arc was adorable and look, there are murder dioramas, okay? I generally hate misunderstandings as the basis for conflict but Dade wraps it all up very well and you feel good when it’s all over. Excellent read.
Caught Looking by Adriana Herrera (m/m)
I love that Yariel and Hatuey are secondary characters from the American Dreamers series, one of my favorite romance series ever. Friends to lovers has never been so hot, and in fact, this is the steamiest of all the stories. The story begins the morning after Yariel and Hatuey have given in to their ever growing attraction and it’s all an emotional mess-fest from there. Herrera does a wonderful job of showing the relationship between these two best friends evolving into something more. Yariel, in particular, struggles to accept that the friend he thought was straight might actually be in love with him as well. Hatuey, for his part, is patience with Yariel and gets him to accept that his feelings are a natural consequence of who he is, that they are rooted in both his identity and the deep bond he shares with Yariel. Herrera handles issues of the Dominican diaspora, family conflict and homophobia with the respect and sensitivity she brings to all her writing. One of the standouts of the collection.
“Yes, and…” by Ruby Lang (m/f)
Biter sweet and lovely, this story highlights Lang’s delicate and precise writing style. Dr. Darren Zhang accidentally finds himself in the wrong class and finds himself captivated by the instructor, Joan Lacy. Joan cares for her mom who is suffering from dementia. The relationship that blossoms between Darren and Joan is so gentle, it left me thinking about them long after the story was done. I hope she considers extending this story because I would love to read it.
Tommy Cabot was Here by Cat Sebastian (m/m)
Set in the 50s, this second-chance romance follows Tommy Cabot, who’s fallen out of favor with his wealthy and politically powerful family; and Everett who has pined so long for Tommy, it’s like an aching wound in his psyche. So many things just work in this story – the setting, the slow trust that Everett gives Tommy as they rediscover each other, Tommy’s son and ex-wife. Oh, and about the ex – she such a great character, I truly enjoyed her characterization. Without spoiling this story further, it’s just an incredible romance and has turned me on to Sebastian’s other works. One of the wittiest writers in the collection.
All of these romance novellas feature a tightly-wound hero or heroine and a partner determined to unravel them. All are very satisfying reads!
“Appassionata” by Emma Barry
She’s a piano virtuoso who hasn’t performed for two years due to crippling stage fright. He’s the finest piano technician, sweet and shy, doing his best to hide his years-long crush on her. Their steamy connection heals them both. I’ve never read such moving descriptions of music! A lovely, angsty story.
“Unraveled” by Olivia Dade
Seasoned romance! He’s a 40-something uptight math teacher assigned to mentor a 40-something art teacher whose messy, bohemian approach to teaching puts him off—until her passion turns him on. And—get this—she makes murder dioramas! Great sensory detail in this funny, touching tale.
“Caught Looking” by Adriana Herrera
M/M friends-to-lovers baseball romance. Smoking hot and very touching. Add a tropical setting and adorable kids, and you’ve got a winner!
“Yes, And…” by Ruby Lang
An improv class brings together a frustrated actress and an uptight physician. On the verge of giving up her dreams to care for her ailing mother, the surprise chemistry she finds with her new acting student gives her hope. Trouble is, he only wandered into her class by mistake. Lots of obstacles in this opposites-attract romance, and a heart-melting resolution.
“Tommy Cabot Was Here” by Cat Sebastian
Fifteen years later, boarding school lovers Tommy and Everett face off at parent day when Tommy drops off his son at their alma mater, where Everett now teaches. The scion of a wealthy New England family is not what he appears, and regrets breaking Everett’s heart all those years ago. Tommy faces an uphill battle to win back his tightly-controlled lover, but he’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The He’s Come Undone anthology features the stories of five prickly men who get their lives turned upside down by men and women who see past their thorny exteriors.
Each story is well written with unique and diverse characters. It’s a great way to spend some time when you need a mental break from this pandemic. There’s not a let down in this anthology. Plus, each author offers their unique take on the through line and so there’s a wide range of content for what you need at the exact moment.