A Mary’s Boys Novella Vahin Arora, Hamburger Mary’s sexy bartender, plays the flirtatious role so well even his closest friends–his chosen family at Mary’s–don’t realize Vahin hasn’t had a hookup in months. Then Tall, Dark, and Handsome steps through the door, and Vahin’s libido races back to life. Being a black cop on the Denver police force is no easy job–Marlon Barton can’t imagine adding … job–Marlon Barton can’t imagine adding being gay to the equation. And while Marlon loves his work as an officer, his life has taken a turn for the hellish because of his new partner, the nephew of a senator.
Fleeing his partner’s company one night, Marlon stumbles into Mary’s for the first time… and wakes up with a hangover in the bartender’s bed. The one-night stand heats up into a budding romance, but not without stress as Marlon’s partner’s actions threaten Vahin’s livelihood and Marlon’s future on the force. Can Vahin and Marlon face the challenges and hold on to the love, friendship, and family they’ve found?
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Again I feel like these characters need more of a story but its a quick fun read set in a found family world. There’s just a lot of history that for me feels like I’m missing.
It’s finally Vahin’s turn to fall in love and find his HEA. He’s such a great character and more than deserved his time in the spotlight! Even though it’s Marlon who literally does so with a little friendly coercion from the fabulous ManDonna. As a black cop, Marlon already has a lot to contend with, however unfairly, which makes him hesitant to draw unwanted attention to himself by coming out at work, especially because his current partner is more than a little horrible, racist, homophobic (internalized?) and has a disturbing, even frightening, lack of morals. Vahin and Marlon don’t have it easy, but they have their chosen family to help them when things get rough. Pat is my easily my favorite secondary character in this entire series, and she really comes through for Vahin. I loved Vahin and Marlon’s story. Great addition to this series.
Vahin and Marlon were a great couple who turned a hookup into a romance. I really liked both characters and felt their stress and pain in my gut. The homophobic officer who was Marlon’s partner caused a lot of stress to the couple and to this reader, but there were still plenty of lighter moments to ease my mind.
This story was sexy, sometimes tense, and occasionally heartbreaking. I wanted to hug Marlon and fill in for Vahin’s absent mother. The family feeling of the Mary’s gang made me happy, as they supported and cared for each other without reservation. This was a great entry in a really good series.
Vahin is a fun character I read about in the first book. Sassy and flirty, he ends up with a cop after a hookup. The story talks about their romance and struggles like racism and bigotry. The road is not easy for these two. But they are adorable, just like all Mary’s boys. I enjoy this second installment of Mary’s Boys.
This second book in the Mary’s boys series, is about Vahin and Marlon and how they got together. However the story is also about confronting our past and beliefs, fighting against intolerance and discrimination, and accept ourselves in the name of love. Even with a topic so taxing, the book has just a few angst situations balanced with friendship, family and love so it is not difficult to read at all. Wonderful characters, interesting and challenging plot. Loved it!
I received this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I am voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.
Aarrrgh. What a great follow up to book one in Mary’s Boys series. We first met Vahin, the sexy bartender, in book one, so it was great to see him getting his story. He’s such a fun character.
Marlon did not get a good replacement as a partner, after his old one moved away. Where as Sam, his old partner, was kind and easy to work with, Andrew is not. He’s racist and homophobic, and it definitely plays out in his job as a police officer. As a black policeman, who’s also gay, Marlon has had to endure a lot from his ‘partner’ and even having a calm demeanor, he’s at the end of his rope.
This book was well written and the characters as delightful as ever. It was fun getting to know a little more about the side characters; especially Mandonna and Ariel. Even though this story deals with racism snd bigotry, it doesn’t neglect the friendship, witty banter, and the romance. It doesn’t make light of the issues, though, but it also reminds of the good things in life as well. I would definitely recommend this book. It’s the perfect length and has a good balance of drama and lighter moments, plus some tender, loving moments as well.
***I voluntarily accepted an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
This is another short story based in Hamburger Mary’s bar. Vahin is a sexy bartender there. One night when he’s working Marlon a police officer walks in. Vahin and Marlon have great chemistry and they work hard to be together. I loved this story. I definitely can’t wait to read more of these stories!
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received from Gay Romance Reviews. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
Marlon and Vahin had instant chemistry. After a lonely streak, Marlon sparked something in
Vahin, that made him think of a lasting relationship instead of a one night stand. However Marlon was still closeted in a lot of ways until an incident forced him out. For such a short book, there was a lot of drama but a lot of love as well not only between Vahin and Marlon but also the whole Hamburger Mary’s staff.
Vodka & Handcuffs: is the second book in the Mary’s Boys series by Brandon Witt. This contemporary m/m romance matches a sexy bartender with a hot police officer and together they create steam. But there is also some sweetness and humor mixed in there too. This quick read also delivers drama with threats of danger and ignorant fools. Vahin and Marlon are fantastic characters that made me smile and want more of this series.