Jasper was finally home after several failed business ventures, realizing he was far too laid back for the corporate lifestyle. Living in Echo Bay again was not how he saw his life going and opening a bar was never in the plan. Despite that, he does his best to learn to appreciate what he has and works hard to make a life for himself. When the adorable geek next door inadvertently starts a prank … prank war, he doesn’t hesitate to show him how to lighten up.
Ezra wanted to own his own bakery more than anything. Taking over his favorite childhood bakery only made the dream that much sweeter. What he hadn’t bargained for was the sexy and frustrating bar owner next door. When he develops feelings for his cocky neighbor, he realizes he may be in over his head.
When one of their pranks goes hilariously wrong, they realize they just might mean more to each other than they anticipated. But can a quiet geek and an outgoing playboy make things work?
This is a mm romance that contains sexual themes and is intended for readers 18+
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Enjoyed the characters but I did not feel their chemistry.
Great start to a new year of reading! I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s got everything. It starts out as a light rom-com, enemies to lovers book and you think you are getting a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form and then BAM! Major angst! And I am including that in the beginning on purpose not as a spoiler but as a warning. The blurb I read did not indicate the level of angst or its reason and it could seriously be a trigger for some people so be advised.
The MCs here are Ezra, the owner of a bakery in the town of Echo Bay and Jasper, the owner of the bar next door. When noise from Jasper’s bar annoys Ezra and he becomes increasingly irritated with Jasper he enlists the help of his best friend Leo to prank him. This instigates a prank war that is amusing and devious. Of course, this being a romance book the MCs fall into a relationship that is going well despite some baggage, especially from Ezra. When the crisis moment comes it’s a biggie and its heart wrenching. The authors do a sensitive job of portraying what occurs and while difficult to read it is superbly written.
The story arc moves well, and the secondary characters are great. It is clear that there is going to be a lot to build from for this series. I love a book with strong secondary characters that help to propel the story. It’s especially important when building a series that the reader becomes invested in the people and setting. The authors seem to recognize that they are not just building this story but stories to come and the start of the world building pulls the reader in. Lots of characters appear to have secrets and stories to tell. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. Strongly recommend.
*I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my objective review *
Pranked is the first book in the Echo Bay series by authors, J.J. Riley and Suki Gale. This book is written in dual pov.
There is a lot of love in this book. The chemistry between the characters is both believable and cute. The pranks just made me smile. This is the kind of romance I like not too heavy and just the right amount of fun.
Ezra is a morning person. He owns the local bakery. He is not into the clubbing scene. Too bad for him the local bar is his neighbor. He has been bounced around a lot as a kid in and out of foster homes. His best memory is with his mom and taking him to the bakery.
Jasper is good-natured. And very much a night owl. He owns the local bar. His parents had suggested he move back to his small hometown when living in the big city did not work out for him. His dad is the local sheriff.
He is a really laid back, kindhearted soul. He has a thing for the local nerdy-looking baker.
Jasper needs to take things more seriously in his life, and Ezra needs someone to loosen him up a little. The cute pranks they play on each other leads to much more for both them. Sometimes love is very unexpected.
I loved this story and cannot wait for more stories in this series.
Five Shooting Stars
This is my first book by JJ Harper and Suki Gale but deffinatly not my last, what a great start to a new series. I own a bakery and have long early days between baking and running my shop so I really look forward to my quiet nights. That is until the owner of the bar next door decides to turn the music up, Jasper can be very agravating at times but he’s also very cute. I decide to get even with him for calling me out about filing a noise ordinance complaint about the music by starting a prank war, just a little fun between us and maybe if I’m lucky this could lead to a little more, I really hope so. Really enjoyed this fun fast paced well written story, it was so good.
I loved Pranked, it was a great start to the new series, Echo Bay. I thought Ezra and Jasper were such sweet men and they definitely complimented each other. I am not a pranker, but I loved the pranks pulled in this story. It was a cute, fast-paced, sweet & sexy story. And there was still some angst and real emotion and issues. I loved meeting some of the secondary characters who I can see making it into their own stories coming up. I would definitely recommend this book.
Pranked is the first book in the Echo Bay series by J.J. Riley and Suki Gale. This is a contemporary m/m romance with lots of sweetness and heat. Ezra and Jasper are fun characters. There was little drama, lots of humor and steam. Highly recommend this book for a good reading time!
I really liked this book! The characters are awesome and I loved the storyline! Definitely worth the read!
I Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give This Book A 3.5/5 Star Rating, listing as 4.
HEA(?): Yes! I just wish there was a Part 2 to that epilogue.
Romance: 3.5-4/5
Heat: 3-3.5/5
Drama: 3.5/5
Suspense: 3/5
It did take me a bit to actually get a good feel and rhythm of the book, it felt a bit…clunky in the beginning.
It started like every other bakery romance I’ve read. After I got over that I really enjoyed the rest of the book. The pranks didn’t stand out to me as much as I was expecting them too, some I almost missed it and had to reread to catch it.
But other than that I really did enjoy this book 🙂
I definitely will read more from both these authors 🙂