REVIEWED by Anabela M.

TITLE: Mischief Maker

AUTHOR: Andi Lee

Series: Animal Lark #1

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 200 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2019

BLURB:

BLURB:
What to expect when your pet rat is expecting, or how to fall in love at a pet show.

Jamie Hewett rescues and breeds prize-winning fancy rats. While he’s surrounded by supportive, animal-loving friends, his ex-boyfriend has never been one of them. One embarrassing breakup later, he definitely isn’t looking for love again, but perhaps a rebound relationship might ease his broken heart.

Liam Donnelly’s quirky dating life is the subject of a popular vlog, and his viewers have interesting ideas on where he might find romance. When they suggest he take Mabel, his new rat, to a pet show, he’s up for the adventure.

Although they can’t deny their growing interest in each other, neither Jamie nor Liam believes in love at first sight. They’ve both had bad luck with men, and Jamie isn’t pleased that Liam makes a living as a serial dater. On top of that, others are conspiring to keep them apart, and Jamie is left holding the baby—or twenty-plus babies—when their fur children have no trouble making a connection. Will a YouTube ukulele serenade convince Liam that Jamie’s love for him—and their unborn rat children—is for real?

REVIEW:

I admit I totally judged a book by its title with Mischief Maker. Without reading the blurb, I was expecting a comedy. Well, it’s not. Not completely. It’s absolutely fun to read, with an entertaining writing style, but it’s also a really intense, beautiful romance: the delightful, touching story of Jamie and Liam.

I quite enjoyed the hard falls on his ass, both literally and metaphorically, that the author has caused Liam during this book. The first one, when he bumped into Jamie and the second one later,when he fell in love. Why did I enjoy them, you ask? Because he needed them. Liam is obviously a sweet guy but too darn self absorbed, immature, and superficial and all he cares about is to increase the viewers of his vlog (…well, at least that’s the case at the beginning of the book…)

And then his cousin invites him to her wedding, but without a plus one. The reason? They don’t want the party to become a spectacle on the vlog, a show for Liam and his one night conquest. So, without proof of a serious, committed relationship, no plus one. Oh, but Liam has the solution: he just has to find a man willing to be his boyfriend for the wedding. Easy peasy, right?

Adoring owner of pet rat Mable, Liam goes to a Rat Show. Sadly, that’s also where douchebag Paul decides to break up with Jamie and Liam is ready to intervene. After that, it’s a no holds barred attack, because Liam wants Jamie and no one else would do as a fake boyfriend. You’d think that Jamie’s grumpiness would deter him, or the fact that his messages go unanswered might make him think twice. Did Liam stop for a second and consider that Jamie is heartbroken? No, sirree! He just pushes and pushes until Jamie gives in and agrees to spend time together.

I loved it when they agreed to have a ‘fake’, full with benefits, relationship. Both heedless of how good they are for one another. Neither of them seeing that Liam slowly stops putting his needs first, learning to give more of himself and being caring, tender. Blind to Jamie’s gradual healing, the hole left in his heart by Paul’s betrayal each day is more filled with joy and love, all because of Liam. Needing each other more and more, giving the other their own space in their lives and families…just sex soon turns to love making.

They’ll see it, though, because their feelings will be put to the test: a vengeful ex, accidental rat pregnancies, so many hurtful but not meant words. But there’s also a beautiful, tear-jerking song…my favorite part of the book. Thankfully they talk, get their priorities set, and Jamie reaches YouTube hall of fame, lol. And finally, finally the happy ending!

Oh! How could I forget? They’re also baby daddies to little rats! How cute is that?!?

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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