Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Keeping it Casual
AUTHOR: Jax Calder
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 143 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 9, 2023
BLURB:
Dustin
I moved to Mineral Creek so I could focus on my son. After my recent breakup, small-town life is exactly what we need, and I’m determined to stay single.
But the town’s resident matchmakers have other ideas. Every second person I meet tries to set me up with Mineral Creek’s one other gay single Dad.
Jeremy. King.
I’ve heard those two words so many times since we moved here. I might explode if the name is uttered one more time.
But when I finally meet the man himself, any potential combustion will be due to the chemistry between us.
Jeremy
My Mineral Creek neighbors have looked out for me since my divorce and are now determined to set me up with the new guy in town.
I feel bad that everyone is hounding Dustin to ask me out. I want to get them off his back. Enter my brilliant idea: the fake date.
Convincing the Mineral Creek matchmakers that we’re not compatible would be much easier if we’d kept to our script of uncomfortable silence instead of talking for so long that the restaurant kicked us out when they closed.
But nothing changes the fact that Dustin doesn’t want a boyfriend, and I’m not able to offer my heart to anyone anyway.
We can keep things casual between us, right?
This light-hearted, low-angst 36,000 word MM romantic novella is full of fun banter, steamy times and sweet times between two adorable guys who are desperately trying to pretend they are not falling in love.
REVIEW:
Dustin Knight, single dad to teenager Lachie, has moved to Mineral Creek after a bad breakup with a cheating ex. He feels guilty that he hasn’t been there for his son as his relationship with Robbie, his ex, was failing and he worries that the neglect and inattention were sending Lachie down the wrong path. So he moves from the city to a small town in hopes that they can reconnect and he can keep a better eye on him. When he gets the keys to his house, he’s told he has to meet Jeremy King – similar single gay dad in town. In fact, every where he goes, he’s told he needs to meet Jeremy.
When he meet Jeremy, it’s a hilariously awkward meet cute. Jeremy welcomes him to town. Subsequently, they keep running into each other with their kids in tow. Jeremy’s 9 year old Lucy and Lachie seem to get along ok whether it’s soccer, the library, or ice cream. So Jeremy and Dustin decide to go on a “fake date” to shut everyone up. But the date lasts beyond the restaurant closing and it’s clear that there is something there. Thus their friends with benefit begins. But what if it’s really more than that? Is Jeremy consigned to the friendzone forever? Can Dustin see the perfect man is right in front of him? You’ll have to read to find out 😀
If you’re in the mood for a fun and super sweet and sexy single dads finding their HEA story, this is just a scrumptious little morsel for you to enjoy. I really loved every single thing about this story from the embarrassing/awkward first meeting between Jeremy and Dustin to the surly teenager to the town matchmakers. It’s clear from the get-go that Jeremy and Dustin have a real connection. And their chemistry is off the charts, no matter what Jeremy tells Joyce 😉 Their “friends with benefits” arrangement is obviously not terribly accurate even from their first hookup, but they keep telling themselves that 🙂 Poor Dustin is so worried about being the perfect parent that loses perspective. Lachie is a teenager – no more, no less. It takes clearer heads to help Dustin see that making himself lonely and miserable will in now way enhance his parenting. In the meantime, Jeremy is working on his guilt of leaving his marriage to be his true self and hurting his ex-wife – who is still co-parenting with. The great thing is that the whole town seems to be invested in Jeremy finding a nice man and it’s so wonderful that Dustin turns up when he does 😀 As happens in small towns, the attention of everyone is focused on the new arrival and it’s hilarious how Dustin and Jeremy seem to be thrown together 😉
This is truly a delightful and fun story with a lot of humor and a lot of sexy times for two men who are really perfect for each other if they can get out of their own way. Highly recommended for a deliciously sweet story with a very happily ever after!
RATING: 
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