Two men. One sweet dream of family and forever.Gabriel “Bull” del Toro loves his fast-paced globe-trotting job, but aches for an honest relationship and the trust that comes with it. After a few too many heartbreaks, he’s nearly given up hope of finding that special someone.Until Ben.Born deaf, Ben is used to working twice as hard for what he wants, but risking a newfound friendship on an … risking a newfound friendship on an impossible dream is scary. After all, there’s one lesson he’s learned: everything is temporary—freedom, friends, even family.
Neither man expects the undeniable spark between them or for every moment together to fuel that connection. For the first time, a happily ever after is within reach, but they must trust that the dream of acceptance, family, and a place to call home is more than a sweet fantasy.
It can be forever.
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Although part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone.
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As per author’s words, this book was very sweet. In fact it was the sweetest book in the series, but that does not mean it wasn’t angsty and at times heart-wrenching. It so was. The book covered many months in lives of Ben and Bull separately as well as together. They had time to become friends first then fall in love. The book was rather long due to internal musings of both MCs while they tried to figure out themselves and their feelings. Most of the story was steadily paced and didn’t contain much suspense but a lot of sweet affection and after some point scorching heat. Ben found his confidence and center while Bull found complete trust and absolute devotion. There was a bit of danger in the end and it livened the story. Enjoyable read as always.
Yet another wonderful addition to the series.
Ben’ story was really worth waiting for. Or should I say stories… When was half way I thought the guys found their HEA and I was reaching the end of the story. I couldn’t have been more wrong :). The first part was beautiful, sweet and romantic with some drama. In this part part Ben has found his footing and gained the confidence he so much needed (no high angst). The second part continues with Ben’s and Bull’s story, but with much more action and suspense. I loved this combination of sweet romance followed by action and suspense, but most of all I loved the man Ben became to be and Bull’s amazing character. Highly recommended!
A Sweet Man by Jaime Reese is book number seven in the Men of Halfway House series but can be read as a standalone. This is Gabriel “Bull” del Toro and Ben Reynolds’ story.
Oh my! This was a fantastic read. The characters felt so real and I could feel their emotions. Bull and Ben were perfect for one another. You feel the love that they had for one another. So special. I couldn’t put this book down. A really great read with great characters, passion, suspense, and true love.
I read this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription account.
Wow…. Just let me wipe my tears away… A very good story. I know the title of the book is true to the character Ben,but Gabriel(Bull) was a sweet man as well. Ben & Bull so deserve each other,they went through so much & both have a lot of love to give. Bull never blinked an eye at Ben’s disability which was awesome. Ben was a sweetheart and still is and didn’t deserve what he’d been through. Broke my heart… I loved the story,it was a slow burn then stuff started to heat up and everything’s good than BAM,tragedy and the tears come. So glad I knew the book would have an HEA,best books. A Must Read!
A Sweet Man is the seventh book in the The Men of Halfway House series by Jaime Reese. Each book can be read as standalone but once you read one, you will want to read them all. I have and have loved each one. I first met Ben in the fifth book and he was so just sweet and was excited when he was next up. I met Bull (Gabe) in book six, it more of a mention.
Ben is ashamed and embarrassed. He messed up last time he was at Halfway House and now with only a few months left on his probation he was back. He was afraid he disappointed the men who helped him but when he entered the house he was welcomed with open arms. He was later greeted to two other guests. One he instantly liked and the other who looked like trouble. But it was the man who he saw at his new job at the bakery who made him blush. He didn’t know who he was but there was something about him and when he sees him again, he likes him. But, he doesn’t want to mess this up. He didn’t want to disappoint him. He didn’t want another temporary person in his life. Another person who thought he was too much work. He wanted to be treated like everyone else. Not a deaf man who needed a handout.
Bull (Gabe) was tired. He did his service for fifteen years. He was now a bodyguard and ran security protocols for others. He was rarely home. Always in danger. He had his sister, and his best friend Aidan. They were the only reason he would even go home. Then he saw him. A man who didn’t give him a time of day. Didn’t fall for his dimple. He was standing there in his sister’s bakery and he instantly knew he was different. And after talking to him, he knew he could be the man that he wanted to settle down for. To come home to. Can he give up the life he has always had for a man who wanted permanent?
Awe!!! I loved it! These two are just so freaking sweet. It was even more than I expected. There is some added suspense. Some delicious treats and sweet kisses. Bull and Ben’s connection is undeniable!! They made me laugh, cry, and get hot and bothered. It was fun getting caught up with the men of halfway house and their partners.
Quotes:
Ben was sunshine—bright and beaming—and Bull wanted to bask in that light and roll around until he was scorched by Ben’s fire.
Are you flirting with me?
Gabriel looked away for a moment, likely reading the message. He returned his full attention to Ben and smiled. “Is it working?”
“For the record, I like it when you stare at me. Especially when your mind goes into that secret place that makes you blush.”
This is my second halfway house book and I need to go back and read the other’s, especially after this one. The relationship between Gabe and Ben develops slowly over time. Ben has been released from prison for the second time, although when you find out his crimes, you’ll scoff he got any time at all, and he moves back into Matt and Julian’s halfway house. There he meets Gabe; he’s patient, kind, sweet, and wants to take care of Ben in a way he hasn’t been since his mother passed.
I don’t want to give anything away in this lovely book, but I would have to say it’s been one of my top five favorites this year and I would highly recommend this book. Loved it!
Wow, I have loved the entire series of The Men of Halfway House and this book does not disappoint.
Ben has had a crappy life and things never goes the way he wants which lands him back in jail and back at the halfway house.
Bull lives half a life, he knows he is missing something but he isnt entirely sure what it is, until one day he goes into his sister’s bakery and his eyes land on the stranger in the back.
This story is so wonderfully written and gives you all the feels that a story needs.
I have been wanting and waiting to read Ben’s story for a long time now. I was so happy when I finally got to dive into this one. This has definitely been one of the most anticipated books of this year for me.
I am also very glad to say that it did not disappoint.
Ben, for as long as he has been around, has always been the softhearted one of the series. His big heart, and the fact that he trusts so easily, has sent him to jail and The Halfway House twice now…
Being back at the Halfway House again also means he has to work, which isn’t as easy, with him being deaf. There are only so many jobs he can do. This is where my awesome friend Aiden comes in though… He offers to talk to Natalie del Torro, the sister of his best friend Bull… She owns a bakery and might be willing to offer Ben a job.
So this is how Ben and Gabriel (Bull) meet. With a little meddling from Aiden…
For those of you who have been reading all the books in this series, Bull isn’t a stranger. He used to be Aiden’s partner, and even though they don’t work together anymore, they are still best friends. And Aiden seems to know exactly what his best friend needs…
After a rough first start, these two are off to a great friendship and an even better romance. I think Ben and Bull were absolutely perfect for each other and their “slow burn” build-up was delicious.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Jaime Reese book of there wasn’t also a splash of angst. Which I gobbled all up while licking my fingers 😛
I had a great time reading this one and I loved reconnecting with old favorites.
I highly recommend every single book in this series!!!
I really liked this story. Though it is book seven it does say d alone fine. I’ve only read maybe one other in the series but will go read the rest as all the characters are intriguing. I loved the premise of the story and the fact the characters had dubious backgrounds and most had been in prison and the Halfway House. This made the story unique and realistic and added a new dimension to the characters. I also loved that Ben was deaf and Gabriel knew sign language better than he did. They were such a perfect fit.
My main issue with the story was that it was so long and got a bit overboard with the mushy. I liked the slow build up of the relationship but it seemed at first they said I love you just so much and there was a lack of action and conflict….Though that did get made up for at the end. All and all the story was awesome, I just felt in my opinion it could have been a little shorter and still just as good.
If you like ex-cons, physically challenged men, security men, age-gap, and an allover good romance, this is for you.
In this one, we finally have Ben’s story.
Ben is more than a special character. Not only because he is a sweet person, who trusts people (which is why he ends up going to prison twice), but also because he is deaf.
After losing his parents and being separated from his sister (each went to a different foster house, and they only met years later), he was deceived by a friend and lost his parole.
Upon leaving prison, he was ashamed to return to Matt and Julian’s Halfway House. But Sam managed to convince him that he would have real friends there.
As a rule to be at Halfway House, Ben needed to work (and this is the only place he is allowed to go alone). As an ex-con, he cannot work anywhere he has to deal with money. But finally he gets a job at a bakery.
Ben is fascinated by the baked goods universe. Baking cakes recalled the time when he helped his mother in the kitchen.
Natalie del Toro owned the bakery and was aware of ASL because her grandfather was deaf. The two soon become friends. Ben was eager to learn new recipes and in a short time, he overcame Nat in baking different types of cakes.
Ben’s life seemed to be getting on track – even though he lacked contact with his sister, who hasn’t been looking for him since he returned to jail.
Soon he would be out of the Halfway House period, and could live in his own rented house and have his life back.
And then he meets Gabriel “Bull” del Toro.
Gabriel had been a soldier, Aidan’s partner (book #4) and now worked as a bodyguard and private security service.
He was bisexual and was tired of being betrayed by people of both genres, who thought that just because he was bi, he wanted to have a wanton life.
No, Gabriel was sincere and loyal, and he wanted to have a real relationship.
After returning from a long job on which he was traveling, he is encouraged by Aidan to visit his own sister’s bakery. And that’s where he sees Ben for the first time.
Well, let’s say that their first contact didn’t work out so well, but as soon as the obstacle was overcome, the attraction was there.
Gabriel was a tall, strong and very friendly man. As he is older than Ben, he feels the need to protect him, in addition to teaching ASL (when younger, Ben did not have the support of his family or foster care to learn ASL).
Ben needed a house to live in and a steady job to pay his expenses. The del Toros looked like angels on Earth helping him with what he needed (it wasn’t charity, it was love and friendship).
Ben proved to be the right partner for Gabriel; he did not ask or bother questions inopportune due to lack of trust.
Gabriel proved to be the strength that Ben needed to grow in self-confidence.
When Gabriel’s bodyguard job starts showing signs of danger beyond normal, he and Ben would need all the help of their friends so that the case could be resolved satisfactorily.
Here, the reader has the opportunity to revisit characters from previous books.
Gabe and Ben are a couple to make you sigh and fall in love. Perfect for each other.
In a way we start to believe that fairy tales can still be real… despite the pain and disappointments of those who should love us in the first place.