When a young teacher connects with the principal of his school, work and ex issues, the possibility of happiness, and a chocolate Labrador called Penny means they have a lot to think over.
Newly appointed teacher, Jasper Taylor, can’t believe his luck. After a year, he’s found a job with the possibility of a permanent contract, which finally allows him to put his teaching degree to good use. … good use. After meeting the silver-haired principal of the school, Jasper discovers his new position offers an additional temptation. He knows he should retreat, but who said avoiding attraction was easy, especially when the man he’s crushing on seems too good to be true?
Well-respected and focused on his career, Austin Harrison is at the top of his game. He’s turned a struggling school around, has finally put up boundaries with his demanding ex, and may just have secured full custody of his chocolate Lab, Penny. The appointment of the new English teacher, Jasper, threatens to unsettle the stability he’s been working towards. Austin’s attraction is immediate, heady, and oh so complicated. But does complicated mean he has to walk away?
Join Jasper and Austin in Becca Seymour’s low-angst, feel-good LGBTQ series, True-Blue Book 4. In the small town of Kirkby, there are busybodies, dogs who cause chaos, families who have the “best” of timing, and where good men have the opportunity to find their perfect match.
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I was lucky enough to win an ARC copy of this but my opinions are only swayed by cupcakes and I received no cupcakes.
I loved this. I will fully admit to wanting to know more about Billy, and I found that distracting but that was a me issue. I just REALLY want to know more about the hot ex-cop.
Anyway.
I loved Jasper and Austin. Loved their romance. I hated the creepy, asshole of an ex Rupert. This was a fun story with a few moments of light angst and plenty of emotions.
It’s a great addition to the True Blue series. Definitely recommend.
I have read all the previous books of this series and this book is a nice addition to the world of friends and couples living in and around the small town of Kirkby. It includes many scenes with MCs of the first books and there are a few nice developments of their love stories.
What I liked of Jasper and Austin’s story was the almost immediate deep connection and the strong family values that unite them, despite their age gap and different life experiences.
Their relationship develops with very few bumps, aside from Austin’s ex interference – and this might be the aspect I least liked in this book; not because of the ex’s behaviour but because the character was just too stereotypical.
On the other hand, the storyline of Austin’s brother, Frankie, was much more engaging and heartfelt, and I can’t wait to read his story in the next book of the series.
Overall it was an easy read, relaxing, with low/medium heat level. No unnecessary struggle, angst or conflicts. It will leave you with a nice warm feeling that love may be grounded on common dreams and expectations without having to struggle and fight for it.
This my fourth Seymour book and, as usual, I fell in love with the characters. Ms. Seymour has a knack for writing truly lovable characters and Austin and Jasper are no exception. This a sweet and spicy romance with great side characters (Billy is very promising, wink wink) and, for those of us who have read the previous books in the series, cameos by characters we have come to love. Breezy read (I’m a terrible slow poke when it comes to reading and I read this one pretty quickly) with all the feels. Even though this is part of a series, you can read it as a standalone.
I really enjoyed this story for two main reasons. First, the school setting was well written and integrated into the plot. Second, the relationship between Jasper and Austin was a great take on the age gap and boss/employee tropes. Both men behaved like adults and the friendship to love development was completely believable and satisfying.
I love this book! Low angst, sweet, funny and adorable characters! Jasper and Austin were super sweet and steamy hot together, I like their chemistry. And of course Penny is wonderful addition is this story. We also meet Billy, Ian, Frankie and Tyler can’t wait to know more about them in the future. I like how professional both Jasper and Austin were in their jobs. Becca Seymour books are great I love her writing, the kind of book that left you with a smile on your face. Can’t wait to read the next book!
M/M
Boss/employee
Age gap
I was given a free arc copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.
This was such a great, low angst, low heat, sweet story with just a bit of drama. It drew me in from the very start and I couldn’t put it down til I finished it. The 2 MC were both well developed and loveable and had great chemistry. The plot is interesting and consistent the entire time. There wasn’t any draggy moments. It was well written with great world building. I enjoyed the side characters. I have not read the previous books. So this can definitely be read as a standalone but after this I definitely want to go back and read the other books. They definitely caught my interest. I would absolutely recommend this book and though this was my first time reading this author I can’t wait to read more by them. My only complaint would be that unfortunately there are some fade to black/off page moments.
Jasper was working as a teacher when his dad died and his mom fell into deep depression so he quit his job and moved back home to help her. After a year of struggling to find a teaching position he finally gets one working for Austin.
Austin is the high school principal. He works long hours and fills his remaining time with his sweet Pup Penny whom up til now he has had to share with his horrible ex who was just using him for money and cheated on him. In addition he is swamped at work and needs to hire a new English teacher. He gets more than expected when he is instantly attracted to Jasper and the feeling is mutual but of course dating an employee means keeping things on the DL in a gossipy small town.
Another great add to the series. Jasper and Austin are so easy to fall in love with! Great side characters weaved into this story; sweet moments and sexy chemistry and I couldn’t ask for more. Can’t wait for the next.
Holy moly! I loved this story! Austin and Jasper!! I loved the pace and progression of the story line! Their attraction and chemistry were perfect, low angst and swoon worthy. I’ve read a few of the previous stories in this series and I love revisiting with them! But I really loved Penny, she was a total scene stealer! It was fun to read. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.
This is Book #3 of the True-Blue series.
Austin Harrison is Crescent High’s principal while Jasper Taylor is the substitute teacher applying for an immediate teaching opening at the school. Attraction is immediate but their path is mutually slow as each has life goals to achieve and matters of the heart can only get in the way. Jasper wants to leave the Split Bean while Austin wants to make his school the best it can be. Family & well-intentioned friends interference abounds from both sides. Characters from previous books make themselves known in a nice reminder of those previous books. Angst is low key as it comes from Austin’s ex, but sweet justice is meted out near the end by Austin’s lil’ white lie to Rupert. In the end “trust” is what binds these two together. This is my review for the ARC I received via BookFunnel.
Another adorable addition to this growing series!! This one is a sweet little age gap romance between Austin the principal and the new temporary young teacher Jasper. We have an adorable dog Penny to keep things fun! This is a slow burn tentative relationship due to working together, but they are always open and honest with each other. We get both POV’s as well! It was cute how they both liked old Cars and trucks and Jasper also loved Austin’s Gothic home!!! Not a lot of angst, just an annoying EX!. Some sweet steamy times. I received and ARC of this book and it is Overall just an easy to read little romance about two regular guys finding one another!
What a breath of fresh air, but I totally did this backwards. This is book four in the series, and I started the series with this book. That said, it could be read as a standalone. Partway through the book, I began to realize there may be more to the side characters than what I’m getting in this book, and there is. It’s all in book one through three. Haha. Reading them in order would probably enhance your experience, but it isn’t necessary. Although…there is a wedding our main characters attend…so potential spoilers. You can bet I am going to back up and start over from the top!
Speaking of tops; according to a lady named Marcy, she’s overheard that Jasper likes to! This book was full of little gems, but that one is a classic. All I know is if I were to be around this group, I want Marcy for a wingman.
Jasper and Austin’s story is so sweet, that I may have a permanent grin on my face. Becca Seymour promised a feel-good book, and she delivered. The writing was top-notch, in my opinion, and I was quickly sucked into the story. I was kind of annoyed when life got in the way, but I persevered and was able to finish the book in one day. It’s one of those that you aren’t going to be able to put down easily.
I’m hoping this series at least has one more book in it. I would love to see Ian have his happy ever after. Frankie, too, perhaps. I’d wager…nah. Becca Seymour knows best for these gentlemen. I’m confident, if there were to be a book 5, she will make it perfect, and I’ll love it.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
Another adorable small town romance book set in this cozy series about men finding their happily ever afters. After meeting Jasper in Becoming Us, it was sweet to see him get his own happily ever after with Austin. I love the lower angst in this series, and that these are really easy and enjoyable books to breeze through. I have all my fingers crossed that Ian eventually finds love too!
Sweet read. A little drama, a lot of romance. I enjoyed it and really want to know more about the other characters we hear about here. Looking forward gor next book in series while feeling happy about this one.
I’m already in love with this series, and enjoyed this latest sweet romance story. I loved Austin and Jasper and thought they fit very well together. Their attraction was obvious as was their growing feelings for each other. I liked how they also spend time getting to know each other, and how their actions show their mutual love way before they speak the words.
Penny steals every scene she’s in.
I also liked the supporting cast, especially Billy and Ian. Austin’s ex is a total piece of work, and I loved Austin’s final words to him as he continuously tries to cause trouble. I loved seeing characters from previous books from the series, and seeing those characters through Austin’s eyes. Carter’s mother always makes me happy as she has absolutely no filters whatsoever. Barb totally rocks.
I liked that Austin and Jasper have the conversation about their professional/private lives very early on, as that was one I thought needed to happen. I thought the author did a great job in balancing their friendship/romance with everything else going on in their lives. Although this story is about their romance, it’s very much about family and friendship too, and I liked how Jasper’s friendship with Ian still played a good sized role.
The HEA was perfect for these guys, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in future books.