Luca feels like he’s been asleep for a hundred years, but really it was just one bad night. He awakes in a room he’s never seen before with a note from a mysterious stranger who seems to have come to his rescue.
Before he can sneak out, he finds himself face to face with his gorgeous knight in shining armour. It turns out that Ryan saved him from more than just a bad hangover. In a day that … In a day that feels like a dream, Luca and Ryan discover their attraction, but as a simple tailor and a club bouncer, they’re completely opposite. Could this really be true love?
Rise and Shine is a 17K word steamy, standalone MM romance novella featuring a match-making Labrador, too much pizza, just the right amount of sofa snuggles, and a guaranteed HEA with absolutely no cliffhanger. Please note this story was previously released as a free giveaway. No content has been changed.
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Rise and Shine by Helen Juliet is a short, M/M fairytale retelling. Helen is a new to me author. You could loosely call this a Sleeping Beauty retelling.
Luca wakes up in a strange bed, in an unknown apartment in London. He has no memory of how he got there, only vaguely able to put together a few details of the night before. Luca is an apprentice tailor in London and had been out to celebrate his birthday with friends. But he wasn’t a big drinker and he can’t imagine how this might have happened.
“There was just something about Luca that was making Ryan’s heart beat a little faster.”
Ryan was the bouncer at the door of the club where Luca was celebrating. He knew that Luca needed help so he took him back to his own apartment for the night. Not only is Ryan a club bouncer, he’s also a fitness trainer. He’s big and full of muscles. But he’s all heart on the inside.
“His fairy tale wasn’t quite done with yet, after all.”
Luca couldn’t believe this beautiful man was his knight in shining armor. Ryan had no idea who Luca was and had helped him anyway. When Luca feels like he should leave and let his rescuer get on with his day, Ryan asks him to stay awhile. He’s just not ready to let him go yet. As they spend the day together, the attraction grows. Maybe this could be the start of their very own fairytale?
This was short but just what I needed. It was light and sweet and sexy. I enjoyed it and look forward to checking out more books by this author.
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted the audio file of this book.
I have one thing to say about this book: So freaking cute!!
I mean, its only short, just shy of 2 hours listening time /78 pages, but it is so bloody sweet, my teeth dropped out and I mean that as a VERY good thing!
Both Luca and Ryan both have a say, and they both have a LOT to say, for such a short book. I did think, for a while that only Luca would have a say but Ryan just has to wait a bit for his say. They both feel it, the pull towards the other, which was why Ryan took Luca home in the first place, but Luca needs to remember that, himself.
Its sweet (again, needs saying, good thing!) and sexy, although the on screen action is limited, since its so short. HOWEVER, I think this is a good thing here, I really do. I started to say I wished this was longer, meatier, grittier, but to be honest, I don’t think this would work as a major angsty book, I really don’t. What works best for this book is the relative LACK of angst, I think.
Kieran Flitton narrates and I *believe* (but feel free to correct me!) that this is only Mr Flitton’s second M/M romance narration. I listened to A Right Royal Affair by Helen Juliet and he nails that narration. As he does here! His *reading* voice is deep and clear, and I had no trouble keeping up. The voices for Luca and Ryan are different enough to be able to tell who was speaking without being told. He gets across all of Luca’s fears about where he is, and why. he gets across all of Ryan’s rapidly dawning realisation that he really does not want Luca to go. And he gets it across so beautifully! I could listen to Mr Flitton all day, especially if he is teamed up with Ms Juliet.
5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration
5 stars overall
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Luca wakes up with a pounding headache and no recollection of what happened the night before, but soon discovers that he was saved from what could’ve turned into a disaster of major proportions by a gorgeous stranger who took him home with him. Not ready to say goodbye to Luca, Ryan invites him to spend the day with him and his adorable puppy. But could this turn into more?
Yes, yes, it certainly could! This was such a delightful audiobook, just the perfect way to de-stress after a busy day. Luca and Ryan were so likable and their connection, while fast, was palpable. I just adored them together and that epilogue certainly put a huge smile on my face. Sometimes you just need something like this, sweet and short and hot and just perfect.
Kieran Flitton’s performance was amazing. He did a fantastic job bringing this story to life in such a charming way.
Pick this one up, you won’t regret it!
Oh my goodness, this short novella was the sweetest and fluffiest thing I’ve had the pleasure and joy of reading. From the first moment Luca and Ryan met, my heart was melting. Helen Juliet did such a wonderful job packing in so much story in such a short book. Not once did the novella feel rushed or lacking—the pacing of the plot was just perfect. There were a lot of wonderful elements to this book from the meet-cute to the delicious sex to the sweet epilogue that had me sighing in pleasure.
Kieran Flitton narrated this audiobook, and oh my, I ADORE his voice. He voice is beautiful and rich and it’s such a delight to listen to him narrate and perform this book. The character voices were wonderfully done and it was easy to follow along in the story. The audiobook production was well done and quite enjoyable.
Audiobook review:
Overall: 5
Performance: 5
Story: 5
Enjoyed it very much!
I’m pretty sure this is the first audiobook I’ve listened to by Kieran Flitton and it’s my first book by Helen Juliet. It’s short but sweet and just right for enjoying while I did a bit of work around the house. I loved the characters. Poor Luca overindulged and Ryan came to his rescue.
Some reviewers criticize shorter reads but I love them when they are well done and this one certainly was. I plan to enjoy more work by this author and narrator.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
This was a freebie short story from Helen, her last two books had been fabulous so I was really looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed, once again Helen Juliet brought it home. The characters are great, you get invested in them and as always an HEA.
A sweet short story with fairy tale undertones! Just perfect for a quick cavity inducing moment of cuteness!