A sexy, passionate, utterly addictive standalone MM romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!Every bartender should follow one simple rule—don’t go home with the customers.That’s been easy for me to stick to, until the night a cocky, confident, and sinfully charming hockey star walks into my bar. This sexy athlete is too hard to resist, especially when he makes it clear how much he wants the … the “sarcastic, witty, hot AF” guy behind the bar—also known as me.Still, I’m not keen on breaking my own rules since I know where that can lead—no place good.But when that man makes his case with one bone-searing kiss on the streets of London, I throw resistance out the window.What could go wrong with a hot, dirty, no-strings-attached fling before he leaves town in five days? Trouble is, soon our nights together lead to days, to long conversations, to getting to know each other, and to something I never expected—falling ridiculously hard for a man who’s getting on a plane to America when I live a world away. My life is here. His is there. And no amount of falling or feeling will change that one big problem. Warning: contains hot hotel nights, loads of dirty talk, PDA all over London, and two sexy, witty, charming alpha heroes…A Guy Walks Into My Bar is a sexy MM standalone romance in The Guys Who Got Away world! The other standalone romances in The Guys Who Got Away series include the MF romances The What If Guy, The Dream Guy Next Door, and Thanks For Last Night.
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If Lauren Blakely decides to rewrite a grocery’s list, It’s very likely that I’ll beg to read it.
I’ve to say that I’m feeling melted like ice cream in the sun, after finish this book.
Dean and Fitz’s love story is breathtaking, sweet and hot.
Dean Collins is a British bartender who along with his best friend Maeve, has conquered his own bar. He is so determined to not sleep with clients and pay his loan, that he decides they need a bet so he don’t fall into temptation.
James Fitzgerald (Fitz) is a cheerful and friendly hockey player for the New York team, and his desire has always been to give his mother and sisters a better life… Being on the team so far, has done that for him.
After a defeat in his last competition, he and his teammates make a promise of “no distractions” during the training camp, before the next season.
During a trip to London with his sister, Fitz meets Dean when he goes to his bar. A fun and hot week with a sexy Brit seems to be all he needs.
They are on the same page, and none of them wants a relationship. However, the sweeping chemistry they seem to have can make things more difficult to separate.
This reading is light and funny at all moments. I would recommend it to everyone that likes M/M romance.
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This book was fantastic from start to finish. This is the first M/M romance from Lauren Blakely and I honestly hope that she writes more because this one is the perfect mix of heat, laughs and just feel good romance.
Dean is a pub owner in London. He has his dad, his business partner and friend, Maeve, along with many other friends. He loves his business, his job, the group of people around him. He doesn’t do relationships, though. Fitz is helping to get his sister settled in London when they walk into a pub. He is also a professional hockey player, however, not well known in London. From the moment these two men meet there is something between them. However, Dean doesn’t hook up with customers and Fitz is only in town for five more days before returning home.
I LOVE everything about Dean and Fitz. Their personalities, their chemistry, their banter. These two men are perfection. One kiss and sparks were flying for these two. They knew that there was something more. With chemistry like theirs you can only deny if for so long. I loved the insta love feeling I got out of the relationship and how fast paced everything moved. There were steamy moments, sweet moments, swoon worthy moments and moments that just had you laughing out loud.
A Guy Walks Into My Bar is a MUST READ that you won’t want to end.
My very 1st time 😉 Reading M/M, that is.
When I heard that Lauren Blakely was writing an M/M book, I knew that it was time. I’ve never ventured into this trope before, but where Ms. Blakely leads, I will willingly follow, and I’m so glad that I dipped my toes into those hot, steamy waters.
Dean and Fitz were superb together, with their smoldering looks, hot chiseled bodies, and a chemistry that had sailed right off the charts. Sassy comebacks and enough innuendo to make anyone blush, and a story that just didn’t quit, ‘A Guy Walks Into My bar’ had IT ALL… and then some.
Lauren might be a newbie at this kind of story but it didn’t feel clunky or like she didn’t know where what went where!!! If you get my drift!!!
From their first banter-filled meeting to the last swoony scene, these two had it all. I got all the feels just as I did with her previous works.
One-Click this charmer and let the good times roll.
*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler-free review **
* 5 swoon-worthy stars *
It’s no secret Lauren Blakely has always been one of my favorite go-to authors. She never fails to entertain me with her sexy rom-com stories. Welp, Ms. Blakely has gone and done something to completely one-up herself. She has delivered the most swoon-worthy M/M romance that readers will adore. I fell hard for Fitz and Dean and no doubt you will too! If you are reluctant to read a M/M story, I urge you to give this one a try. Blakely’s writing is tasteful and beautiful and once you meet these two amazing men, you won’t be sorry!
Fitz……he’s the perfect hero….all athletic, sexy and cocky. I loved his confidence and his easy-going nature. He’s completely magnetic! Dean…..his English accent and witty personality drew me to him immediately. Together, these two are completely addicting! I loved everything about them from their easy banter to their adorable PDA to their sinfully sexy encounters. They are true perfection. Blakely wrote these two men the perfect story. They bring out the best in each other and watching them fall head over heels for one another was beautiful.
A Guy Walks Into My Bar is one of my favorite reads for 2020! It’s sexy, swoony and pure perfection. Strong characters, beautiful settings and two characters who bring out the best in one another will draw you in from the start and keep you invested and cheering for them until the very last page. I loved every part of this story and Fitz and Dean have now been added to my book boyfriend list. I couldn’t stop swooning over these two. This book is definitely a MUST read!!!! 5 stars
I just loved this story, my heart was full reading Fitz and Deans love story. This was not a book I could read just a few minutes at a time, I needed sit down and don’t bother me read time. I laughed and cried happy tears. Fell in love with Dean and Fitz and rooted for their romance. My fav quote “It’s incredible that one person can be it for you. Can be your great and fantastic love.”
I am in love with this book and will go back and reread in the future. Well done Lauren Blakely.
This is my first M/M story and it was amazing!!! Fitz is a professional hockey player and while visiting London he walks into Dean’s bar and he is a goner! Sexy, kind, gorgeous amd close to his family and friends can describe both of them. What started out at a five day fling may turn into so much more than they are willing to face. Fantastic characters and story and so much chemistry between Dean and Fitz that my kindle almost burst into flames!!! No spoilers but may be the best story Lauren Blakely might have written so far! I volunteered to review this arc.
Dean is on his way to his dreams, building the bar he owns with his business partner and best friend. They have an agreement: dating customers is to be avoided, and if one caves, they have to pay up. Dean hasn’t been tempted, and feels like he is on the cusp of winning the bet when this guy walks into his bar.
Fitz is in London to get his sister settled at art school. His hockey season starts soon and he is looking for a fling before the season locks down his focus. He finds who he wants when he walks into the Magpie with his sister, but convincing Dean to let go will be a bigger challenge than he imagined.
Holy hotness — Dean & Fitz are smoking. Their chemistry is off the charts as they flirt in the bar. And by the time they find themselves in a hotel room together there are serious flames. They have great banter and genuinely enjoy their time together. What starts as a light bit of fun leads them to question what they want and how they can work on anything but the fling they originally planned.
I loved both of these men. They are equally matched and both have great personalities. Dean is a loyal son, helping out his dad whenever he can. He is protective of his friends and has a very full social calendar. Fitz is full of energy, a bit of a whirlwind, and likes to get his way.
This may be Lauren’s first foray into M/M, but I hope it is not her last. These men are perfect, separately and together. They take turns narrating, and hearing from both men gives great insight into what is going on. I cannot wait to hear the audio version, as the teases from both the author and narrators make this one sound like one that I’ll need on audio too!
Smashing Good Time! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Dean’s story is one that I have longed for for a while. Lauren takes us back to before he came to NYC and before he met his great friend Leo (who loves LuLu… but that’s another story). Lauren takes us back a few years to when a guy walked into his bar and changed everything for him. Enter… James Fitzgerald! Hockey star and all around greatest guy ever! He has a big heart and just loves and loves life in a big way! Sparks more than fly between them and they soon agree to a week long romance… well really just good times and a lot of shagging. Watch their story unfold in the HOTTEST way possible!
This is Lauren Blakely’s first jaunt into the M/M romance world… SHE NAILED IT!
5 Scorching Hot Stars
I was so excited when I saw that Lauren Blakely was writing a M/M romance! I first met Fitz in Blakely’s ‘The What If Guy’ and couldn’t wait to read more about him. Fitz is visiting his sister in London, when he instantly connects with the sexy bar owner, Dean, while they were out one night. Dean doesn’t date customers and he definitely isn’t looking for a relationship. But he finds the sexy, american hockey player irresistible, so when they keep running into each other in London, he can’t say no to a ‘no strings attached’ fling with him. Fitz isn’t looking for more either after having his heart broken before. But He and Dean have fun together, click in so many ways, and their chemistry is off the charts hot! They begin to spend all their time together, knowing there is an end date when Fitz flies home. What happens when a week of fun starts to become more, and their hearts become involved, but their lives are on different continents? This book was special in so many ways, from the amazing writing, great characterization, clever story line, and a passionate romance between Fitz and Dean. I loved the connection between these two apparent opposites as both men struggled with their intense feelings, trying to resist falling for each other. But the fire blazing between them was too strong and their whirlwind romance turns into a love that is so tender, and absolutely beautiful.
Shane East, and Joe Arden, along with a supporting cast, were absolutely brilliant bringing these characters, and story to life. East and Arden were so perfectly cast as Dean and Fitz. They gave these men such warmth, humor, and passion, and made me feel their love in the purest way. I enjoyed all the talented narrators in this multi cast narration but it was East and Arden’s performance that completely captivated me. This is by far my favorite performance by them both. They helped to make this witty, totally irresistible, smoking hot, and super sweet romance audio gold!
Love, just pure love.
This is a MM romance but it is so much more. It is love, pure love and so well written that the focus for me leaves the fact that it is a MM book but it just becomes a passionate love story between two lovable characters that wasn’t looking for anything more than a hookup but found their HEA.
We have met these characters before in other books and I was so happy Mrs. B gave them their own story and what a story it is. There is instant attraction and the heat from that is off the charts. I was amazed at how hot and emotional it all was. Dean and Fitz are both passionate and both are all man so it’s just fantastic to go on their journey from off the chart flirting to passionate love to a true relationship. The love they have is what every person is looking for whether you prefer a MF, MM or FF relationship. We all want our partner to be passionate and over the top in love with us and that is exactly what Dean and Fitz are, in love and I loved their story.
The book itself is so good and so well written that just reading it is perfect but add to that the talents of Joe Arden and Shane East to narrate Fitz and Dean and it’s the best love story I have listened to I a long time. These two talented narrators are joined by a cast of other talents to make this a full production audiobook and it is one I will listen to again. There is also bonus scenes at the end and outtakes and an interview between Joe and Shane that is just so much fun to listen to how they went about recording this book.
I was fortunate to receive an early copy to both read and listen to and to then give my honest opinion of the book. I enjoyed it so much and thought it was not only hot and passionate but well rounded. We get to see these characters families and friends and get to experience their lives outside of this love and they are both wonderful characters that deserved this story. I loved it and highly recommend it. Even if a MM romance isn’t your typical choice to read, as it isn’t usually mine, I would recommend you give a go as I am so glad I did. I think I am permanently hooked.
Dean Collins own the Magpie Bar which is in London his life is full but not for love or commitment not going near that !
A guy walks into Dean’s bar , he is a professional NHL player James Fitzgerald also known as Fitz. He also has no time for love in his life…
One hot sarcastic extremely sexy bar owner serves a drink for one sinfully and also charming cocky athlete, then the sparks fly and fly they do …
For both there is instant attraction , perfect chemistry in a book I just couldn’t put down …
Their time in London was epic , they themselves are epic..
A fling they called it !
The hottest fling I have read !
Such a story and told beautifully this is my go to book .. it holds everything wonderfully and written with such love.
Deans father is a father anyone would want and to be proud of.
Maeve and Emma are wonderfully written as friends , sister and matchmakers …
I could go on and on as I absolutely loved this book , who would guess !!!!
I love Dean.
I love Fitz.
I love their banter.
I love their humor.
I love the story…
I could go on and on as I absolutely loved this book , who would guess !!!! I left the last 25 % for two hours as I needed to concentrate away by myself , and “OH, did my heart sing”.
This is a 10 star read…
Wow is this really Ms Blakely’s first M/M romance !!!!
This book took my breath away and if you are looking for a steamy, emotional yet fun romance A Guy Walks Into My Bar should be your next read.
Fitz and Dean are characters you can’t help loving, they are witty, adorable, loyal and guys you would love to call friends and once you add in the secondary characters you get a perfect read.
Two guys from different worlds, Fitz is a hockey player based in NY and Dean owns a bar in London so how is this romance going to work, well true be told it was only meant to be a fling, 5 days of fun but it turned into so much more and I’m so happy Ms Blakely took us their journey to find a HEA.
This book ticked all my boxes, I laughed, I swooned, I sighed a lot and I was left hopelessly in love with these guys. This is romantic comedy at its best because it still has emotions entwined in the story. So all that’s left for me to say is one click this gem you won’t be disappointed.
I’m so excited to listen to this one on audio
A Guy Walks Into My Bar is Lauren Blakely’s first MM book and I’ll admit it’s also my first MM book. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was classic Lauren Blakely and she has yet to disappoint.
I loved both Dean and Fitz. Their flirting set the pages on fire and I found myself eagerly anticipating their romance. They were everything!! Hot, romantic, swoonworthy and so honest and truthful with each other. Sigh!!
Dean and Fitz’s story will make you fall in love and you will root for them to overcome the obstacles between them. These two are soulmates and I loved every moment of this sweet, sexy, funny romance.
James Fitzpatrick and Dean Collins, holy moly! The Brit and the Yank. Oh hell yes!! The inked, bearded, cocky, charming and addictive hockey player and the sexy, sarcastic, strong and stubborn British bartender (their words), are everything I needed in this fun, romantic and truly endearing m/m novel. All the fun, flirty, Lauren Blakely banter I have come to love. Add in the wonderful writing, the fab story and of course the sexy characters and witty and snarky remarks and we have a world I can truly fall into. I couldn’t get enough of them, their friends, their family. I loved their honesty, their vulnerability and their openness. What an enjoyable, addictive and extremely sexy romantic comedy. Keep ‘em coming Ms Blakely.
This book could not have been any sweeter or hotter! I don’t read a lot of MM but I had a feeling Lauren could pull it off and she totally did! Fitz is an American hockey hottie and Dean is a hunky British bartender. It’s 2 of the best types of heroes but as a couple! If you even remotely like this genre, grab this book. You won’t be disappointed.
This is the story of a girl who spent her day curled up in bed reading a story about two alpha heroes that start as a fling and promises of it being nothing more although the ones watching it was abundantly clear that the chemistry between these 2 men is so much more than a no strings arrangement that they planned. She spent her day giggling and swooning right along with Dean and Fitz as they chased the happily ever after they never expected.
Dean and Fitz had explosive chemistry, the banter between them was everything, witty, charming, sarcastic, flirty, hot. They just had this way about them that made it so easy to fall in love with them as they fell hard and fast for each other. I loved how they were open with each other and how much vulnerability they showed while all the things they weren’t expecting started happening.
The balance in Dean and Fitz’s story isn’t like anything I have ever read before the witty banter they shared was next level the way they cleverly flung witty, sarcastic retorts to each other and the other sent it back without missing a beat was phenomenal. The level of swoon was so off the charts that I shed a few tears that has never happened before.
I had been waiting for this book and Lauren did not disappoint! I think you could truly give her any genre, any situation, and she’d write something great!
This is her first M/M book and she rocked it! I instantly fell in love with Fitz & Dean!5 amazing stars for this one!
You’ve met Fitz in a previous book, he’s an NHL hockey player for New York, comes from a supportive family regarding his lifestyle. His mom and sisters have done so much for him and accepted him just as he is. While making sure his younger sister gets settled in in London, they hit up a bar, and when he spots the bartender Dean, he can’t believe how beautiful and hot this man is.
Fitz and Dean hit it off, their banter is off the charts! But unfortunately Dean has one rule, he doesn’t sleep with customers…Can Fitz convince Dean to just give him one night, one night will be all he needs, then they can both walk away. But will they really leave each other? Sit back and relax and enjoy ever part of this story!
I have wanted this book since Lauren first mentioned working on it. After getting the chance to listen to an early copy, I can say without a doubt, that this book is everything I had hoped it would be and more! It was a story full of sexy flirting, unexpected romance and fantastic banter between all of the characters, most especially between the heroes. Basically everything a Lauren Blakely book always has. Fantastic characters that you fall in love with and words that make you feel all the feels. Lauren never disappoints me in the way she writes her stories. Always so full of emotion, humor and let’s not forget sexiness.
I cannot say enough about the performances by Shane East and Joe Arden. The duet style narration was the perfect format for this story and these guys really took it to a whole other level. On a few occasions they even made me cry with their emotional performances. Every line was delivered so naturally and full of steaminess, every single time. Shane and Joe were made to perform Lauren’s sexy as hell banter. Shane’s tone of voice seemed a little different than usual too, in a good way.
A favorite scene occurred between Dean and his father. It was such a wonderful father/son moment and Shane East and Ronnie Butler acted out the scene beautifully. Ronnie may have had a small part but it definitely had a huge impact in the story.
All of the side characters in the cast were also fantastic! Vanessa, Jakobi, Ronnie, Vikas, Emma, Zach, Stella and Maxine! I loved them all, but my favorite was Vanessa because I just adored Maeve. And Jakobi as Sam. And…Oh hell, I just adored them all.
I will be listening to this again and again! You’re gonna want to buy this book.
5 Penguin Stars! I absolutely loved and enjoyed Lauren Blakely’s first MM romance. Bravo!!! The chemistry between Dean and Fitz is electric and smoking hot! Their banter will turn you on and make you swoon. Their journey will have you rooting for them. I highly recommend this fantastic read!
When NHL star James “Fitz” Fitzgerald travels to London with his younger sister, he’ll go to a bar recommended by one of his friends in NY and meet a sexy bartender.
Dean Collins has a rule of never going home with a customer, but when a charming American walks into his bar and shamelessly flirts with him, he has to dig deep to hold on to this rule.
Right off the bat I have to admit that MM stories are not my cup of tea, but I’m one of those people that have to try something before dismissing it and I’ve read them in the past. In this case, I was curious to see how Ms. Blakely would handle her first venture into this genre and the end result is that I had mixed feelings as to how to rate this book, but after carefully dissecting it, I know exactly my likes and dislikes.
For one, I really liked both Fitz and Dean and the supporting characters that surround them. I also liked the way the story was laid out: their backgrounds, the reasons why they were both reluctant to fall in love, the banter, their personalities and so many other details. It made me laugh and cry and I truly enjoyed the way the relationship and their feelings unravel.
On the other hand, I feel the sexy scenes were a bit over the top and overpowered their story which is the reason I didn’t completely love it.
At the end of the day, I liked it, it appealed to my emotions and I love the fact that their story takes place in a world without judgment where one is free to love whoever they want without fear or regrets.
4 stars