CASEYI’ve been putting my son first for so long that I’ve forgotten how to be me. Each monotonous day bleeds into the next, and I feel like I’m struggling to keep my head above water. But a kiss at the top of a Ferris wheel with a man I barely know changes that.Jay reminds me that I used to be bold. Vivacious. Funny.Strong.Now if only I could convince him his past mistakes don’t define the man he … don’t define the man he is today.
JAY
I can perform over a dozen illusions with a simple sleight of hand, but I can’t make the felony on my record disappear.
The last thing I should be doing is hanging around a young single mom and her kid.
But Casey doesn’t know that I’ve been watching her. That I want her for myself. That I’m addicted to her dimples, her tenacity, her fierce love for her child.
If I was a better man, I’d leave her alone, but she pulls off the biggest magic trick of all time: making me believe I’m a good guy.
Although MAGIC MAN is the fifth book in the Good Guys series, it can be read as a standalone.
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Dreaming Of A Family
An incredible romance that brings you through the harsh reality of life. This story will break your heart and then make you believe in good guys and second chances.
He’s a former felon working to move forward and not be defined by his past. She’s a young, single mother trying to make ends meet and break the cycle of poverty to give for her son more than she had.
Jay never really had a choice when it came to Casey, because once he saw her, his life was forever changed. She was his rainbow. His reason for becoming a better man.
Everyone deserves a second chance. Jay was working on making a new life for himself after some mistakes. He’s a good guy. Moving forward is challenging but forgiving yourself for your past is the bigger obstacle. Casey always knew he was worth loving, Jay just needed to believe it.
Casey is strong and determined. Her life has not been easy but it has never stopped her from being the best mom to her son, Gus. She does the best she can. Once Jay comes into her life, she finally has someone else to share her burdens.
There are ups and downs. There is romance, some really intense chemistry and a love that is all-consuming. There is loss and heartache. It’s the perfect mix for a beautiful love story. Enjoy Jay’s story. He truly is a good guy and you’ll love him and his dirty mouth.
Redemption
Magic Man is all about redemption in all its forms, about second chances for those thought to be a lost cause. Casey’s faith in Jay seems too good to be true, but Casey has something that Jay wants desperately. A ready-made family in her son Gus. I loved Jay and Casey, and I loved this incredibly special book!
I just loved this book. It’s a story that sticks with you for a long time and you think about it the entire next day. It’s about two young people who didn’t have a great start in life. They are 18 and 22 years old, but their behavior is more mature than that so it’s easy to forget how young they are.
I love characters that are really down and out. I like reading about how they struggle either emotionally or physically or both, and how they deal with their obstacles and overcome their problems. It’s so satisfying when they find that one person who can soothe their souls and make it easier to get through their days and they finally have their HEA.
So needless to say, I have a fondness for Casey, and especially for Jay. Casey does what she has to do day after day for the love of her son, but she’s barely holding it together and always feels like her best isn’t good enough. Then she hits a real rough patch and Jay is there giving her support and admiration. Jay however has a criminal history that holds him back, and he has self esteem issues and regrets that even Casey can’t help him overcome. He has to learn how to do that for himself and forgive himself. There are so many emotions in this book, from despondency to guilt to compassion to sadness to love and passion. It’s pretty much got it all, including a few surprises. There are so many great scenes in this book, but I have to say that my favorite by far is the Ferris wheel scene. Two pages describing a kiss. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
The little boy Gus—OMG everything about the way he was written was so spot on. And how cool is it that he wasn’t boxed into gender stereotypes? Even the parts about his asthma were accurate. Any mother can see how true to life the dynamic between that little boy and his mommy is.
I really can’t say enough good things about this book. I just loved it and didn’t want to put it down. I read this book as a standalone but I didn’t feel confused or like I was missing anything. I do want to go back and read the other books in the Good Guy series though. This one was so good. This is the first book I have read by this author but she’s a new favorite for sure.
4.75 Stars
Jay Langston, 22, is a reformed drug dealer trying to make amends for his mistakes. Single mom Casey Maxwell, 18, is just trying to get by and raise her young son on her own. (Dad is Mackenna’s psycho ex from Dropout.) Though it seems like a shaky foundation to build a solid relationship on, if anyone can pull it off, it’s the magic man.
Actually if anyone can pull that off, it’s Jamie Schlosser. Full disclose, I typically pass on by romance books where either the hero or heroine has a child to someone else. But having read the author’s previous works I had a hunch she could make this work. (Spoiler alert: She does!)
The magic here is in the solid characters, strong story building, and stellar message—supporting each other and inspiring each other to be the best of yourself. I loved how their relationship developed as they bonded and built trust. It wasn’t hinged on trite insta-anything. Instead it was two people separately isolated by their circumstances who were willing to believe in each other, be there for each other, when situations were less than ideal. Some of the most divine moments in life aren’t formed on expensive getaways or with cocky billionaires. It’s the person in the waiting room who’s there for you; it’s the inexpensive night out; or the unexpected make-out session at one in the morning.
Casey and Jay have great chemistry. Holy hotness alert! I love how their sexy times rock the down and dirty with the sweet and swoonworthy. I’ll be looking at recliners with new ideas eyes now.
Like the other heroes in this series, Jay is total book boyfriend material. I was intrigued with him during his appearance in Dropout and he didn’t disappoint.
Like Jimmy (who blesses us with some cameos) Jay emits that wet panty melting vibes of bad boy with heart of gold.
Casey was awesome too. I’ll admit in the beginning it was hard to connect with her simply because her life was much different from mine at that age, but I quickly grew to adore her. I floved that she wasn’t a shy or virginal and held her own when she and Jay got sweaty.
Told via their alternating first person POV, Magic Man is a feel-good romance with some life’s hard knocks twists but nothing angsty. There were a few moments that stung my own eyes, but the best line to bring a giggle to my throat: “Pickles.”
I read this book in one sitting. I loved Gus he was a little busy body.Magic man & the love of his life had the perfect for them ending .
Casey has never had it easy in life. Getting pregnant by a guy who was abusive and selling drugs starts her down the same road her mom was on. But Casey is doing it on her own. She’s making it (barely).
Jay has been watching Casey since he got out of jail. He knows she deserves better than him, but he can’t stay away. The pull – their chemistry – is too much. Despite his past, Casey sees the good in him even when he has a hard time believing in himself.
Jamie Schlosser does a great job of immersing you in their world. You love, laugh, and cry with them as they go on this journey and struggle and eventually win. As a big fan of Jamie’s, I know this book holds a lot of her heart and soul.
‘The good guys’ series is one of my favourite new adult series, so I’m always excited and happy when a new book comes out. And I was especially intrigued about this story because we already met Jay in the third book ‘Dropout’. In that story we met Jay as a friend of Jimmy (the main man character in that story). Sadly, in that story Jay is involved with drugs and he got even Jimmy in trouble with it. But in the end he did the right thing and took the blame for what happened. So I was really curious how the writer would transform this ‘bad’ boy into a ‘good’ guy.
But Jay isn’t the only one we met in that book. Casey was also in it. She was the young girl who got mislead by a really bad guy and even got pregnant by him.
So here we got two young people who had a difficult start in life and were trying their hardest to make a better life for themselves. That isn’t always easy but they will discover that it is easier when you have someone at your side. Someone to hold you and love you.
‘Magic man’ is a great story. I enjoyed it very much. You don’t have to read the previous books in this series to read this one. The story is told in both POV’s. I loved Jay and Casey very much. They are both strong, intelligent people and they have a good heart. You really felt that they belonged together. And Casey’s son Gus was so cute! He really brought something special to the story. This story really touched me. You could really feel the longing of both Jay and Casey to be good, to make the best of the situation that they lived in. To be a better person and to fight to give Gus a better future.
I hope that the writer decides to writes more books in this series.
This book was so beautifully written. You meet reformed bad boy Jay who is so enamored with Casey he tries to do right by her without her knowing. It’s two down on their luck souls finding each other and really learning that sometimes Love is enough. Throw in a cute toddler and you have a romance story with some real heart.
Magic Man was an incredible second chance romance that both broke my heart yet made me have faith in truly good guys and the magic of love.
Jay stole my heart from the very start. A “bad man” who never realized how truly huge his heart was Jay’s path crosses unexpectedly with Casey’s and neither of their lives were the same again. Several years later when their paths crossed again the spark that once flickered between them still remained.
Casey was such an incredibly strong and loving mother who was determined to give her son the best. In spite of not having the best example Casey was such an incredible mother. Her ability to deal with all the hurdles tossed her was was quite admirable and made me love her even more.
Casey and Jay were amazing together. Both had their walls up so high that I enjoyed watching as they learned to let their guards down as they began to trust each other. I loved how they each helped the other see their true worth. The scenes they both shared with Gus both together and separately stole my heart. I laughed, cried, swooned, ranted and rooted for these two.
Magic Man was a truly magical read that I adored. I can’t believe this is my first read from this author but I soon will remedy that and get acquainted with the rest of her Good Guys.
I just loved this story so much! Jay made some mistakes in his youth but he was a really good guy at heart. I just loved how he was with Casey and Gus. I was so happy that Casey didn’t judge him for his past. She saw what a good guy he was. So many feels with this book!
This magic man had one huge ace up his sleeve and he stole my heart. Jay’s wish for a family and the one he created with Casey touched my heart. His love and caring, her strength and sweetness, and little Gus-Gus’s jewelry fascination (the kid is right up my alley) made this heart-warming story sing.
We first met Jay and caught a glimpse of Casey in Dropout. This book takes place about two years after that one. I really loved these characters. Seeing how strong Casey is and watching Jay struggle to find any self worth after the things that happened in their pasts was very emotional at times. I really enjoyed how they became who they were meant to be with the love of each other. I wish there had been more resolution to the Jaxon part of both of these books, but overall this was a great read.
What did I just read!!?? Oh hello was this book one roller coaster of emotions from beginning to end!! And let me tell you I loved every single moment of it. I hate admitting this is my first Jamie book but it is and lord love a duck it’s not going to be my last. She knows how to weave a story that has you hanging on every word. Just waiting on what she’s going to throw at you next and makes you feel like it’s you that’s living in this world of hers. Jay and Casey had so much happen to them in their lives, especially Casey. And Jay doesn’t think he deserves any good in his life especially Casey. But sometimes you just need to listen to your heart not your brain. I absolutely loved this book and am not giving anything away because everyone needs to take it all in on their own. But I will tell you that you will not be disappointed at all and I highly recommend it!!!!! By Tina
This story was an emotional roller coaster for me. These two people had such rough beginnings to their lives. Casey was such a strong person but she did not see it. Jay showed her that she was while he showered her with romantic gestures. His own past was hard for him to move beyond, but Casey helped him see himself as she did. They were a wonderful couple, and I recommend this story.
I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
4.5 Stars
This book is so beautiful about second chances and hope. This book gives you raw true life. It doesn’t sugar coat and shows the trials people experience in life. Casey, she is a character that’s an inspiration. She has so much strength though she doesn’t see it. Life gives blow after blow and as a reader my heart breaks for her. Life also gives her beautiful gifts of her son and Jay. Jay has made mistakes in his past, but the true man underneath is worthy of Casey and her son too bad he doesn’t see it that way. This book will make you laugh, cry, and happy sigh. It’s a roller coaster ride that will pull all the emotions out of you. It’s truly a book you don’t want to miss. It’s a must read for sure!
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~~ 5 MAJESTIC STARS! ~~
“Sometimes we don’t get to choose who we love.”
MAGIC MAN left me completely and utterly transfixed!
Fact: I simply cannot get enough of Jamie Schlosser’s Good Guys series! And I am a SUCKER for a heart wrenching redemption tale. So, when I discovered that MAGIC MAN revolves around an ex-felon turner carnival magician who is looking for atonement—and becomes an unlikely white knight to a sweet and sassy single mom, I was already riding that cotton candy induced high!
THE PREMISE:
Casey Maxwell got knocked up at 16 by a psycho creep who’s now serving time behind bars. Now the struggling single mom is trying each and every day to keep her head above water for the sake of Gus, her adorable little toddler. But Jay Langston, the mysterious blue-eyed stranger who she once had serendipitous encounter with, is about to change all that…
After one of the worst nights of her life two years earlier, Jay unexpectedly showed up on her doorstep determined to do one last good deed before his sins caught up with him. And even though both their lives veered on drastically different directions after that point, Jay obsessed over the sweet, achingly beautiful young woman every day while he was incarcerated . Now he’s out and on a quest to make amends for the past and pave a good honest future for himself. However, landing a job with his record as a convicted felon has been an uphill battle until he gets hired as a magician at a local carnival. His good fortune seems to be improving on all fronts when he stealthily works behind the scenes to spread some magic to Casey’s humdrum life.
Sparks fly when the hardworking single mom crosses paths with Jay at the carnival after he heroically helps her avert a crisis involving Gus. Turns out she never forgot him either. And as they embark on a night of fun together she finds herself hopelessly attracted to this reformed bad boy with the heart of gold whose been secretly watch over her and her little boy. But as much as Jay is drawn to Casey and feels a powerfully protective bond toward baby Gus , deep down he feels he can never be good enough for them. But Casey and Jay’s magnetic connection is more hypnotic than any magical sleight of hand he could ever perform! Can Casey give her Magic Man the courage to finally lay his demons to rest, and can he, in turn, offer her the solace, sanctuary and love that she’s been seeking all her life?
MY MUSINGS:
MAGIC MAN is the kind of WONDEROUS, WILDLY ADDICTIVE romance that you devour. Revel in. And sigh over long after the last page is turned! The angsty feels were off the charts, the hot sexy times nearly made my Kindle burst into flames, and the romance was so sweet and profoundly touching it left me in a starry-eyed stupor!
This fifth Good Guys novel, which was told in dual POV, was a marvelously crafted romance that’s chock full of warm fuzzies, homespun charm, scorching sexual tension, stellar character development, and interlaced throughout is a really powerful, uplifting message about the healing power of love and forgiveness.
From start to finish, MAGIC MAN is brimming with so much poignancy and passion, juicy small-town drama and oodles of bittersweet emotion! This author never fails to write the most endearing, relatable characters that tug at your heartstrings and such is the case with Jay and Casey. Neither of them has had an easy life, but they are SO DESERVING of a second chance at happiness! Sighhhhh…if two kindred spirits were ever meant to find each other, it’s these two. On their own they were lost and isolated and just trying to put one foot in front of the other. But together the brass ring was finally within their grasp!
Even though their romance is quite the whirlwind, the author does a great job with the slow build of this relationship, taking her time with these wonderfully nuance characters and allowing them to find their footing as a couple as they strive for a better life without rushing anything for the sake of convenience. They fill an aching void in each other’s lives and together their broken pieces make a perfectly imperfect whole. And not only do they offer each other kindness and acceptance, love and devotion and lift each other up through thick and thin, but their interaction with little Gus was just absolutely enchanting!
And while the hero’s feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing did make my chest ache many times, I so admire how he takes full accountability for his wrongdoings and is committed to being a better man. One who is worthy of being loved by this incredible woman and child. And, for the record, Jay is the TOTAL BBF package for me. He’s sweet, charismatic, gruffly sexy, gentle-hearted and WOWZA can this deliciously broody Good Guy talk filthy in the heat of the moment! But this poor chap has a mighty bumpy road ahead of him filled with potholes galore! And fair warning, if you can’t resist a big, tatted, manly man who becomes a total softie in the presence of a lovely lady and her tiny little boy then prepare for some ovary exploding goodness!
As for Casey, oh my, what a fiercely devoted single mom and adoring and supportive girlfriend she was. She too has had some hard knocks in her life that took a toll on her self-esteem, but I admire a strong, resilient heroine who “takes life by the balls” and this is exactly the kind of heroine we have in Casey. She is sweet and bubbly, kind and compassionate, ferociously loyal and loving, and I simply adored her as much as Jay did!
The supporting cast is also incredible, and one of my favorite parts things about this series are the appearances of familiar faces from previous installments! Especially love the Jimmy and Mackenna cameos!
BOTTOM LINE:
MAGIC MAN was absolutely magnificent…and in my opinion Jamie Schlosser’s most POWERFUL AND PROVOCATIVE story to date! The riveting roller coaster ride that Jay and Casey embarked on together with baby Gus made me gush and cry, smile and swoon, and just feel so darn EUPHORIC! And the HEA is pure perfection! Ultimately this heartwarming tale proves that everyone deserves a chance at redemption and that the greatest magic of all is loving yourself and those around you….and embracing happiness with all your might!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Casey is a single mom to a son and hasn’t had any time to think about herself. She meets Jay at the carnival and a kiss changes things for her. Jay is an ex con and working at the carnival. He’s changed from the guy he used to be into a good guy. Casey is willing to take a chance with Jay but he has to realize he deserves happiness after all he’s been through in life. A good read and lesson about life.
Magic Man is hot, sexy & sweet! Jay & Casey each have their own pasts to reckon with, and their path to HEA isn’t easy, but that makes it all the more powerful. Little Gus is a scene-stealer if there ever was one! The way Jay wins Casey over just melted my heart—so protective, caring & swoon-worthy!
I’m sure this is cliche…but Magic Man is Magical!! I really enjoy that this series is about real, “normal”, hard working men. They are all amazing who want nothing more than their women to feel loved and be treated like queens!! Magic Man feels so real, you can relate to their struggles.
Jay has been making bad choices for a better part of his life but turning himself in is the best thing to happen. Once out of jail he knows he is ready to get his life back on track. But what does a felon have to offer? Most places don’t want to hire someone with a record and his magic tricks won’t pay the bills. He knows getting involved with someone isn’t a good idea but he can’t get Casey out of his mind. When tragedy strikes will he be the one she can lean on or will he disappear because he knows he isn’t good for her?
This book has all the feels!! Heartwarming and sexy!! Jay and Gus will make you swoon!! Such a sweet read
So I received an ARC of this book and had it read within a day! Of course, I had to wait to post my review, but since then, I’ve read it 2 more times. I seriously cannot get enough of this book!
Magic Man is the 5th book in the Good Guys Series by Jamie Schlosser and focuses on Jay and Casey. We get a small glimpse of them in Dropout (the 3rd book in the series) and let me tell you, it was a wait for them to finally have their story, and it was worth the wait!
Jay has a past that haunts him, making him believe he is a bad guy and not the right guy for Casey. Her past isn’t haunting, but still very much a part of her present in her son.
Jay does his best to stay away, but the allure of Casey and her son, Gus, is just too strong for him to. You can feel the undeniable sexual energy between them from the start. I can’t even describe the amount of tension between them. It is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“Show me a trick, Magic Man”
Holy hot scenes! These two are enough to set your kindle on fire. Legit. Jay had me swooning with his dirty mouth and Casey was everything he needed and more. I laughed with them, cried with them, nearly threw my kindle in anger. I felt all the feels, every single one of them throughout the course of this book.
“Oh, you’re under the impression you’re only coming once? That’s cute”
This whole book was full of amazing details that will set your heart racing and make you wish you were the one in the book. Jay rivals Travis (from Trucker – book 1) for my top Good Guy spot with his irresistible charm and all-around amazingness.
Five amazing stars.