Fresh out of college with a chemistry degree, Tim Ratliff’s desperate to move out on his own. He yearns for his own home, his own rules, and the freedom to find the kind of man he’s always dreamed of for his first time. Tim’s applied at every laboratory he can find, but his job search is coming up crickets.Monument Pharma would be his dream job, and Lorraine in Human Resources swears he’s a … he’s a shoo-in to be hired. Wonderful, except that’s the one job he dare not take.
At thirty-three, Carson Eddinger’s life is just about perfect—a great position at Monument Pharma, nice home, sweet ride—except for the no boyfriend part. And the constant sniping from the woman in Human Resources.
She isn’t just a thorn in Carson’s side at work—she’s also Tim’s mom, and she has a white picket fence plan for Tim that definitely doesn’t involve a happy ever after with Carson.
They’ve poked the bear. Now they have to outrun it.
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I would rate this 4.5 stars.
At 22, Tim is still being controlled by his mother, Lorraine, a HR specialist at a pharmaceutical company, where she is desperate to get him a job. Carson, who also works there, is on Lorraine’s bad side and it becomes increasingly clear it’s because he’s gay. Lorraine’s hatred, and need to control, spurs Carson into getting to know Tim a little better–and Tim certainly doesn’t mind. As attraction turns to love and friendship, Carson is increasingly the port in the storm that Tim needs to break free from the increasing danger he doesn’t even understand he is in.
As a young adult trying to flee the nest, Tim is completely age appropriate teetering between childish dreams and naivety, with startling moments of insight and strength. Carson has had no choice but to be a realist after learning his own harsh lessons about failed family relationships. Since the POV switches between the two of them, it’s sad to read enough to extrapolate Carson’s experiences and witness the loss of Tim’s innocence. Happily, Carson’s support and care allows Tim the time to catch up to reality. The genius of this book is Carson’s realization that when he tells Tim what to do, things don’t go well, but when he lets Tim make his own decisions, mistakes and all, that’s actually the way to be a good friend and partner, rather than be another controlling parental figure–especially with their inequities and age gap. I believe what Carson believes wholeheartedly, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Carson’s friend, a chemist named Wes, is a chaos-agent I wish was more rounded out. Ditto the coworker Angie, although she does indeed prove herself to be a “wonderful, wonderful human being.” The star here is Carson’s old math teacher Mrs. Hedstrom, who happens to be Tim’s neighbor. Tim’s brother Paul and his wife Miyoko round out the cast. I guess Paul didn’t want to poison the well with Tim about Lorraine; maybe he didn’t think Tim would believe him. Obviously Carson’s relationship with his neighbor John is close since Carson shows trust in him, but it wasn’t explored at all.
What at first seemed funny and annoying, soon turned scary, filling me with tension and anxiety. Sexual tension builds throughout the book as Tim navigates many firsts. This is all leading to the inevitable conclusion, mostly where I wanted it to go. I’m sorry for this spoiler, but my concern, after reading the whole book, is that actions have consequences; it was disheartening to see violent behavior not prosecuted. Still, watching Tim grow through this journey was as amazing as watching Carson release his tight hold on the past. I was rooting for them! I’m glad the epilogue reminded us all that friends are the family we choose. Well written, engaging, with likeable and relatable characters, this was more than I expected from the blurb.
I was so engaged with Tim and Carson’s journey as it unfolded from the very beginning! The character and storyline development was great which kept me turning the pages until the very last page!
Loved this storyline. The characters are well written and pull the reader onto their world and keep you hooked and routing for a HEA. Tim and Carson are made for each other.
I really enjoyed this book. Tim is twenty-two and has always been under his mother’s thumb, afraid to stand up to her and just be himself. Carson is thirty-three and went through the same thing Tim did but broke free. I like that with Carson’s help Tim learns to grow and become his own person.
Tim lives a life cant break away from his domineering mother. But a stop at his mothers place of work puts him in Carson’s line of sight whitch doesn’t make mommy happy. Carson should know better family is messy and often crazy especially when they refuse to understand or acknowledge who you are he learned the hard way just how dangerous family can be. But one obnoxious well meaning friend has managed to put these two together and Carlson hope’s that Tim doesn’t learn just how scary and ugly your family can get. But when Tim needs a friend and wants something more Carson will be there he just Hope’s that he doesn’t loose his heart in the process. Tim wants to get away the things his parents do to control him made me cringe the manipulation was only half of it. From his job to his love life it was just crazy and just as hes about to have a life of his own well things get dangerous. This book had some humor some steamy moments Tim grew up and Carson let go of old pain and let Tim in. The author tied up the ending really well.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout.
You can too pick your family! Tim, 22, recently graduated with a chemistry degree is ready to start the next phase of his life. He is looking for his man, his home and his dream job. Monument Pharma is his dream company. The woman, Lorraine in HR, his Mom, says he has a lock on the job! Carson, 33 has his dream job at MP, dream car and dream house. But he gets a lot of grief from Lorraine, in HR and he doesn’t understand why. Then he learns it’s because she is homophobic and he’s openly gay. These two sound like they could be a match. Does Tim get the job? Does Lorraine let him be his own man? Good story. Tim and Carson are good guys, nice character development. Nicely done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an interesting read and a good lesson to parents out there with control issues. Tim a young man who just graduated college is trying to find his way in the world but unfortunately like most young adults in this day and age relies on his parents. He has an AWFUL, controlling power hungry mother with a nasty attitude. Her nasty attitude is extended out to her coworkers…one guy in particular she hates is Carson. Carson is a wonderful gay man whose only fault in her eyes is being homosexual who can corrupt her young son. One day her son, Tim and Carson meet and all Hades breaks loose. There’s an instant connection and they follow up on it. With all her awful antics, their relationship grows stronger and Tim finally sees her for what she is and finds his path…which leads to freedom, happiness and love with Carson. A very nice romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Newly graduated from college with a chemistry degree, Tim Ratliff is applying to every lab he can think of for a job. He wants to move out and get his own place and start living. His controlling mother, Lorraine, works in Human Resources and promises he would easily be hired by Monument Pharma, the perfect dream job for him. But he absolutely can’t work there. There was no way he would put his professional career under his mother’s watchful eyes and commandeering manner! She had already told him what department to apply to and where to park her car to protect the doors while he came in to get the forms to apply – which he knew he would not fill out. She deliberately walked more slowly while he stood holding the door for her.
But when his mother dragged him along to get an application, he saw Carson Eddinger on his knees fixing the copier and he can’t think of anything else!
Carson Eddinger appreciates his job at Monument Pharma. It has brought him all that he needs or wants financially. But the woman in HR is Tim’s mom, and she has a plan for Tim that definitely doesn’t involve a happily-ever-after with Carson. She and Carson have had numerous run-ins in the past, since she despises his lifestyle. And Lorraine is not a very likable person with her obsessive, controlling attitude allowing for no compromise! Her son is grown, should be making his own decisions now, but she won’t let go. All his life, Tim has tried to please her. So if he makes his own choices now, it will not be a pleasant scene. His mother’s behavior has escalated to the point that the local Cluckets where Tim works has had to ban her when she verbally and almost physically attacked Carson for no reason at all. Will Tim and Carson find the strength and determination to stand up and fight for what they both seem to want? It will take a great deal of fortitude to stand up to Lorraine’s insanity and she seems ready to do anything at all to stop their happiness! But both men seem sure of their choices and more than willing to slowly get to know each other and appreciate the men they were.
This was a good story that let the reader see the attraction building and the difficulty of dealing with an outraged, insensitive mother who has lost all sense of boundaries. The author handled the issues in this story line very well. The characters are well-portrayed and, for the most part, very likable – even goofy Wes!
This book was a short and sweet read!
Tim is a dutiful son that follows his mother’s demands; that is until he realizes that there may be something worth more than getting a position at the Lab in the company in which his mother also works, enter Carson. Carson also works at the company, and spots Tim “the Cutie” leaving one day and is smitten. Tim just has to figure out if he has what it takes to break free from his parent’s control and go after what he truly wants! This could mean giving into his mother’s demands, going after his dream job or losing a man he may be falling for. Enter in Tim’s brother, a sweet elderly neighbor, and Wes; creates a perfect mix of characters that make these story even better!
I thought this book was a cute story, it was a fast read and it pulled you in with the conflict between Tim and his parents. I definitely recommend giving this book a chance. It is a nice lazy-Sunday-afternoon read with a HEA!
At twenty-two, Tim lives at home with his controlling mother Lorraine, and his father who goes along with everything his wife says and does. Tim is gay but has never been kissed. One day he is at his mother’s place of work and sees the gorgeous Carson. It is a pharmaceutical company where Tim’s mother wants him to apply for a job. What a horrible woman Lorraine is. This was a fantastic read and I absolutely loved it from beginning to end.
Love this amazing book! This is a true to life story that had me laughing and wanting to scream. It’s so well written and I couldn’t put it down. Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest through the trees. Tim lived his life to please his parents, his mother specifically. Whatever she wanted Tim did. Her one mistake was to bringing Tim into work to get him an application for a job. Tim walked right by Carson and his life was never the same. Tim learned just how far his mother would go to to keep him in line. And the sad part is there are toxic people all around.
I love Tim and Carson together. I love how from the very beginning Carson didn’t shy away and think Tim’s baggage was too much. They deserved their happy ending together. I’m sure everyone can relate to some part of this book.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It’s one of the best books I’ve read and I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.