Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Shake Me Up
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Andrew Grey Books
LENGTH: 106 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 18, 2025
BLURB:
Ronny Ledbetter inherited a bar, The Gingerbread, from his father, and he’s been working his hands to the bone to update the building and keep the business functioning. What he really needs is help… and a life outside of work. What he doesn’t expect is a man like Arden to stumble into his life.
Turned out by his parents, Arden Thatcher is living in his aunt and uncle’s converted garage, and he needs a job. Getting desperate to find something, he approaches the sex-on-a-stick hot Ronny, who gives him a test behind the bar and then a job. But that only solves one of his problems; his controlling uncle is still attempting to run his life.
With all their issues, neither Ronny nor Arden is looking for a relationship, but one forms more quickly that either could imagine. Arden supports Ronny, helping him build the business. His skill behind the bar draws new customers, and Ronny backs Arden with his family issues that never seem to end. But Arden’s uncle poses a threat not only to Arden, but also his aunt and even the bar. It will take both Ronny and Arden’s combined strength to see things through to a possible future together.
REVIEW:
I always look forward to Andrew Grey’s books. This one was no exception!
Arden Thatcher life isn’t easy right now. His hypocritical and homophobic bar owner and Sunday bible thumper father has kicked him out of their family home and he lost his job at their bar. His Mom’s sister has graciously agreed to allow him to stay in the converted garage apartment but his drunk uncle is creepy and keeps staring in his windows and letting himself into the apartment when he’s not home. Plus, he is turning more and more violent in his actions. When Arden applies at The Gingerbread as a bartender and gets the job things are finally looking up. But his Uncle may ruin it all. And dumpster diving is currently his only food source. Ronny Ledbetter inherited The Gingerbread bar and has slowly but steadily been fixing up the old bar and making it more attractive to a more diverse clientele. But he can’t keep up the non-stop working without some more help. When the kid applies for a job he is surprised he’s even old enough but his ID and bartending skills prove he’s who he states he is. And the kid is cute and will attract a good following. But can Ronny keep business to business? Especially when Arden’s drunk uncle causes problems and assaults the boy at work?
This was a nice, quick read with an age-gap and employer/employee relationship forming. I loved that Arden was protective of his aunt and even forgave his mother when he had been tossed out of their home for having a boyfriend. And Ronnie tried to stay out Arden’s family problems but his caring heart just couldn’t stand to see Arden and his family be abused and taken advantage of. I would have loved to have witnessed Arden doing his fancy cocktails stuff at the bar because I find bartenders preforming while making cocktails entertaining.
This was a nice book with a sweet ending to warm your heart.
RATING: 
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