Caelan James should’ve known better than to let a dating app set him up on a blind date. Nothing in life was guaranteed-perfect, especially not guys… and most definitely not guys in the immediate vicinity of tiny O’Leary, New York. And then sexy Navy SEAL Ash Martin walked into Cal’s bakery, and made him wonder if fate might have cooked up something sweet for him after all.Their connection was … connection was immediate, all-consuming, and definitely not vanilla… but could their perfect date last for more than just a night, or even a season?
Note: This is a 23k word SHORT STORY that first appeared in the Heart2Heart anthology as “The Baker and the SEAL.” It has been slightly expanded.
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Short and Sweet
A very short but extremely sweet story with Cal being a bakery owner… Seriously though, a well-written novella that gets you all warm and ready for the rest of the O’Leary series.
As I listened at 1.25 on Audible, Michael Dean did an excellent job as usual, and he was clear, precise, and easy to listen to. However, it did make a short book even shorter.
The Date
A Love in O’Leary Prequel Novella
By: May Archer
Narrated by: Michael Dean
Series: Love in O’Leary Series, Book 0.5
Length: 2 hrs and 29 mins
Overall
Narration
Story
Read at 1.25 speed on Audible
This novella prequel is a sweet mistaken identity with a side of baked goods romance. Caelan owns a bakery in small town O’Leary. He has a date set up for tomorrow through an online app but he’s not too excited about it. A nightmare bride walks into his bakery along with a gorgeous man, Ashley Martin, who he assumes is the groom. This book has a little bit of everything – sweet moments, strong friendships, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, and so much love. While short, the story was well written and the characters were well developed. I plan to continue to read this series.
This story is so cute! And the beginning of the wonderful series that is the Love in O’Leary one.
I have loved it since the first time I read it in the Heart2Heart anthology and I have lost count of how many times I re-read it: now listening tto it in audio, narrated by the oh so talented Michael Dean it was even better!
I love both Cal and Ash, for different reasons. Cal amuses me with his fiery temper and grumbly disposition, and despite his smaller size he his a force to be reckoned with. Ash, the former Navy SEAL, is just a huge teddy bear, especially in the capable hands of Cal!.
Insta-love, small town festival extravaganza and a touch of kink, what more could anyone want?
Oh Cal and Ashley! I love these two lol
This was very short, sweet and to the point. Maybe a little too quick? It was definitely an insta-love, which I don’t mind, but the pacing was real fast. Besides that, my only other complaint is Cal’s poor judgment of Ash which came from a simple misunderstanding. Something that could’ve been avoided if you asked questions!
Other than that, I loved these two in book 1, and I love them even more here!
I loved this novella that introduces the characters and setting of this magical little world. Caelan and Ash found insta-love even though Caelan didn’t believe in it at first but all it took was one date with Ash to make him change his mind. Cute and quick love story.
In this short prequel to the Love in O’Leary series, instalove and a case of mistaken identity combine when a baker and an ex-Navy Seal meet in this rural burg right out of a gay Hallmark movie. A perfect introduction to O’Leary and the men who run the bakery which is at its center, and despite this being a short read, it is packed with heat and all the feels. Several characters who figure prominently in future books are introduced, which only makes you want to come back for more.