Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Something’s Brewing at Joe’s
AUTHOR: S.J.D. Peterson
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 30th, 2017
BLURB:
The promise of a dream job lures Murphy to Tampa, but he arrives to the rude awakening that the offer is on hold. Now he’s got two choices: slink back to Michigan with his tail between his legs or stay and look for work. Things perk up when he goes into a coffee shop and learns the owner is looking for someone to renovate the apartment above it. He happily takes the job, only later realizing he’s met Joe Sterling, Kaffeinate’s proprietor, before… when they hooked up at a club Murphy’s first night in Tampa.
Murphy and Joe are both proud, passionate, and outspoken. Neither is looking for a relationship, though they can’t deny they go together as well as coffee and doughnuts, in spite of their tempers. But that’s before Joe learns Murphy will be working for the corporation he believes is harming local businesses and the environment—and if Murphy will be supporting it, Joe will want nothing to do with him, dooming any possibility of an unexpected happy ending.
REVIEW:
This is the type of story I find the hardest to review. I’ve loved several SJD Peterson stories in the past. She is an “auto buy” author in my book and when I saw that she had a new release coming out and I read the blurb my excitement multiplied.
Something’s Brewing at Joe’s start so well. I was immediately engaged. The heat level and attraction was through the roof and I couldn’t wait for these two characters to build on the emotional aspect of their relationship. Well, that never really happened. This story was a lot of sex, some angsty misunderstanding, stilted confusing dialogue and interactions, and plot developments that were too “evil bad guy” which only came off as fake.
My most favorite part about Something’s Brewing at Joe’s was the coffee shop and it’s supporting cast. Kallie, Doc, even the cinnamon rolls lady…they were all so charming and endearing. I liked the small town vibe from the coffee shop, it was an adorable addition. I sort of wish it were real so I can go visit it one day.
Joe Sterling loves running his coffee shop and being a part of historic Tampa. Looking to unwind he falls into bed with Murphy and the two share an explosive night of passion.
Both are shocked when it turns out Murphy’s renovating an apartment that’s owned by Joe. Both men realize an employer/employee relationship is more trouble than they’re worth but they can’t keep their hands off each other.
Things get even more tense between the two when Joe finds out the dream job Murphy’s been waiting for is working for a company Joe despises.
Misunderstandings, miscommunication, and a lot of unnecessary drama ensue which leave, Joe and Murphy, wondering if a relationship is worth it, especially when neither man wanted one to begin with.
Overall, this was just ok but I wanted more.
RATING: 
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