“I wish this were real with you.”Geeky Jason Miller has never really been with a man, and his bullying colleagues at NASA know it. But when an innocent white lie gets out of hand, Jason never would have guessed his gorgeous-but-straight childhood friend would leap to his rescue. Firefighter Channing Forster saves people every day, so when protecting his former next-door neighbor turns into faking … neighbor turns into faking a relationship for a work getaway, he doesn’t hesitate. As the weekend goes on, though, Channing starts to think that he doesn’t just see cute Jason Miller as a buddy anymore.
Are Channing’s feelings for Jason real enough that he could be his first? Jason needs to accept his true self before he can love another. But when his colleagues and boss discover his many secrets, will he lose everything forever, including Channing?
Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains not-so-fake boyfriends, a stowaway kitty, and enough fireworks to out-shine the Fourth of July.
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**********Contains Spoilers**********
I really enjoyed this book. It was cool to get more of Channing. I liked the childhood friends who drifted apart then became friends/lovers story. Some aspects of the story seemed a bit fast paced like Jason ending things with Channing due to his boss & work mates finding out that they’d lied about being together but then was treated to a makeover/therapy session with some LGBTQ+ friends where they helped him find himself like what he felt comfortable which only happened in 1 day then he was secure in himself & actually felt like himself so he wanted to get back together with Channing it just seemed an unrealistic turn around for insecurities that Jason felt to just disappear but then again I’ve never felt like Jason so who knows it could help like that. I’m glad that Leroy finally got his as he’s a horrible human being, a cheater, a bully, a homophobe & a complete an utter a*sehole who I didn’t like him from the start as soon as he opened his mouth. This book was more about building their relationship from being fake to Channing working out he’s actually bi then they stop pretending so it’s a lot less steamy than others in the Men of Hidden Creek series (MOHC) & more sweet but it’s still on of my go to reads in the MOHC. I like that some of the characters from previous books are mentioned like Kris, Remy, Daisy, Allondra & Harrison etc I’m hoping that now that Harrison has had his top surgery, that he’ll get a book as with what he’s been through in his short life he deserves a happy ending. Also I loved how sweet & supporting Channing was and how he described Jason to Remi as a Jon Snow Hobbit I can totally picture it lol. I’d definitely recommend this book, the whole MOHC & author to anyone.
Another great book from HJ Welch and the Men of Hidden Creek Series. A wonderful story that covers so many controversial issues, including bullying in the work place, standing up for LGBT rights and a good honest live story. The MC’s are well defined that you honestly think you know them. This was my first Audio book but not my last, being able to listen/read the book whilst still doing daily tasks was incredible. My only issue was that in my brain when I read a book everyone has an English accent, so I was expecting a Stephen Fry voice instead I heard Nick Russo, I was shocked to begin with but what a wonderful narrator. I will definitely buy some more audio books. My only issue was I spent a whole day listening to the book and ignored the hubby, ohh well back to reality now.
I was expecting a cute, fluffy rom com and that’s about what was delivered! What makes it slightly different is that the story absolutely recognizes what it is, makes a few jokes, and then runs with it. All of the characters are great, and there are quite a few side characters. The plot is predictable, but it’s fun and the book is written well.
*spoilers*
I’m not a crazy fan of GFY or bi-discovery as it’s not often done well (in my opinion), but this book handles all of its tropes well. Both characters have to discover themselves in different ways before they can truly have a relationship. What a relief that they’re not trying to fix each other. There are no crazy revelations, but more recognition as things click into place, and that was also a breath of fresh air.
Now for the cons – these are my personal pet peeves / preferences and probably don’t bother plenty of other people. I hate miscommunication that’s drawn out, and this book has plenty of it. It doesn’t drag on for too long, but enough that I just wanted to yell at the main characters to speak to each other like adults and stop making assumptions for the other. This is such a popular point of conflict in romance and I wish it would just go away. I think this book could do with a bit more editing in the sense that there are rambling paragraphs and unnecessary repetition. And I am not a fan of the epilogue, at all. It’s basically a summary of everything you already know from reading the book and, in my opinion, adds nothing to the story.
With all that said – I absolutely recommend giving this a read! It was fun, light-hearted, and sweet. I’ve never read a book by HJ Welch before and I plan to read more from this author. Like the blurb says – this is completely a standalone and doesn’t need to be read in a particular order or with the rest of the series. Happy reading!
I was gifted the audio file of this book, that I write a review was not required, but I gotta, oh yeah, I GOTTA!!
I have not READ this book, just listened, so if my review lines blur, I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I can split the narration from the story itself, and I ususally at least TRY to.
Jason is a geek, a rocket scientist for God’s sake. Channing, a firefighter. They really don’t have much in common, other than a childhood of living next door to each other. So when Channing rescues Jason from the taunting that is a constant in his life from the guys at work, Jason does the only thing he thinks of, and asks Channing to be his *fake* boyfriend for a weekend work retreat. And Channing, the darling that he is, of course, says yes!
Oh! I LOVED these guys! I really did!
Jason is out and mostly proud. The guys at work make it hard for him though. Channing has only ever been with girls. But he thinks nothing of touching Jason, kissing him! Channing is, quite possibly, my favourite Ms Welch character! I loved how, while things creep up on Channing, when he questions them, to his best friend, Remi is, like *duh* well of course you are bisexual, you silly man!
When it all hits the fan, and their *fake* relationship is discovered, I loved how both men, separately and independently of each other, decided that they would wait for the other to make their own minds up, whether they wanted *this* to be real. Even if it meant they broke their hearts and had to walk away from the other. They did, of course they did, but it was painful but beautiful listening, as Jason dug deep into himself and found his TRUE self, not the one he THOUGHT he should be.
Nick J Russo narrates this book. And he does a cracking job!
His voices for Jason and Channing are different and distinctive, showing the marked differences in the lives so far. His reading voice is clear and even, and its part of why I love this narrator so much: his deep clear reading voice. You know the one, the one is telling the story. It makes for such easy listening, to a deaf head like me.
The voices for ALL the characters are clear, and I had no trouble keeping up with multi person conversations. I am intrigued by several of the supporting cast now, simply because of the voices that Russo gives them here! Remi and Kris especially! Harrison too.
Russo gets over all of Jason wish that they can work this out, that it be real. He gets over all of Channing’s dawning realisation of his true feelings for Jason, and we get all that love pouring out.
A narrator can only read the words they have been given, though and Ms Welch smashes this one out the park! Well, that was what I *THOUGHT* when I finished listening to this, I thought this was my favourite of this author so far. But before writing THIS review, I read Homeward Bound (Pine Cove #3) and now?? I can’t split them!
So, thank you, Ms Welch, for making the start of my work day a little more pleasant and thank you to Mr Russo for bringing these men to my ear (singular, like, cos one don’t work!)
5 full and oh so very cute stars for the book and the narration.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I truly dislike bullies but I love how the characters deal with it. I love how they learn to grow, trust and believe in what the other is saying. I love how they both come into themselves, be in how they see themselves or present themselves.
I have to admit that I wish we had seen more of Carmen because the glimpses we get make me think she is friends with the Grannies. Maybe we will see her more in the future.
* AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *
I loved this book, it’s about a big strong firefighter recognising his true feelings and a geeky man finally finding himself.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Great dialogues
I felt like I knew the characters at the ending, they developed in to realistic personalities that even with their differences fitted together so well.
The storyline progresses nicely to a happy ending
I’m in love with Hidden Creek.
5 stars
Heat Level: 4
Narration: 5
Pure Magic!!
I have only just found HJ Welch and their stories are truly magical. I feel their empathy, talent, and passion in every word of their stories and this one is just as amazing as the last!
Poor clueless Channing will melt your heart and make you laugh throughout this whole story! When he jumps in to help a childhood friend he doesn’t truly realize how much his life is going to change but it’s an adorable journey to watch. I loved his care and friendship for Jason and his somewhat cluelessness is adorkable, funny and endearing!
Now Jason is a special character! I felt of him from the start and could feel every dig and frustration along with him. I loved his innocence and smarts, his humor and guts. As the story went on Jason opened up and was finally able to discover and embrace himself in a way that felt cathartic to read and I feel like I was on that journey with him. This is probably weird but I feel like Jason spoke to me and people like me, who are still learning and discovering themselves especially with regards to gender identity.
HJ’s writing (especially the last few chapters) feels like the perfect hug that makes you feel like it’s all going to be okay (even if you don’t know who you are yet). I wish I could have Kris (& Jason) give me a makeover and help me discover myself though! I found this book really special and like it spoke to me on another level! This one will stay with me! I just loved it!!
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Hot firefighter Channing is unexpectedly reunited with childhood geeky next door neighbor Jason years after high school and going their separate ways in life. A chance encounter in a grocery store and a spontaneous impulse of Channing’s to defend Jason to a coworker bully results in the two of them reconnecting for real as friends and deciding to pose as boyfriends at Jason’s NASA workgroup teambuilding retreat weekend. What could go possibly go wrong?
Channing is straight, but almost immediately has feelings for Jason that he doesn’t completely understand. Jason is gay, and feels an instant attraction to Channing that he tries to suppress; in addition to his status as a virgin and insecure sense of self, he doesn’t think someone as hot as Channing could ever be interested in him, anyway. But this is Hidden Creek, perhaps the most LGBTQ+ positive locus on the planet… all of the elements are woven together here to tell a story that is sweet with a touch of angst and hot as a four alarm fire! Lots of smiles and all of the ‘feels’ that you would expect from HJ Welch, delivered with a fantastic narration/vocal performance by the extremely talented Nick J Russo. Highly recommended!
Workplace harassment rears its ugly head, but with a silver lining
September 6, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
A good, warmhearted story of childhood friends reuniting to confront a dilemma and, in the process, finding a new, romantic side to their relationship. Channing the firefighter is pretty laidback, tolerant, and open to re-evaluating his orientation and the trajectory of his life. Jason lacks confidence in everything but his love for his cat and his skill at his job. The harassment and lack of support Jason faces on the job because he’s gay and unattached is central to his insecurity. I liked the way both Jason and Channing dealt with bully Leroy. And, were it not for the bullying and constant badgering, this couple would not have had the push to rediscover their connection. So, thank you, Leroy, for your jerk behavior?!
I thought some scenes, like the bridge challenge at the weekend retreat, were a bit too drawn out, but, on the whole, a good romance with plenty of emotion, some cute, geeky moments, and a gradual build-up of passion.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.