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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Jay Northcote is an auto buy/auto read author for me. I love how I know what I am getting when I start one of her books; great meet-cutes, adorable/sexy boys, low angst and hot physical scenes. It’s a comfort to me and this story was another fantastic read.
There are times you read a book at exactly the right time; where everything just fits and this was the perfect time for me. Nothing Ventured centers around Aiden and Matt as they train for the Mad Mucker and while I am not training for the same event, I am training to run a half marathon so the fitness aspect of this book, had me nodding along as they trained.
I had a thought when I started this book, as Aiden realizes he agreed to run the Mad Mucker with Liv and team, was that Aiden was not aware of the first rule of life; Tequila is Diablo. That devil of a spirit can talk you into the most deranged and debauched situations you would normally never get into. Lesson learned, Aiden? Okay.
Aiden, I loved this boy. From his thoughts on not wanting to get up early and exercise (I don’t do mornings, I get my runs in after a 9hr day at work) to his crush on his possibly straight training partner, being in his head was comfortable. It was comfortable and hot and I would have totally ogled Matt’s ass *ahem* arse - right along with him and any other part that boy was working out because, Matt is total eye candy.
Matt, our “straight” boy who gets a bit hands on with Aiden than necessary during training. I know he wants to help Aiden, to get things hard and he does a fine job of that as well as helping Aiden get fit. Bad Pun Penalty? Ha! Matt was fun and smart and… well.
These two, they were fun and frustrating. I think this is the most frustrating couple I have read from the author. I really liked that Matt was bisexual, not gay in the closet or pretending, he makes it clear he fancies both sexes but good lord, I wanted to beat Matt over the head a few times with a pair of muddy trainers. I know Aiden and Matt are our MC’s and that they will end up at some point with hopefully and HEA or at least an HFN but Matt fighting to be what a memory thought he should be, was frustrating. I get it, I do but the angst it caused hurt me and it hurt Aiden, as well as Matt hurting himself. Is Ms. Norhtcote delving into the side of angst as she produces more books? I am not sure but the few times I grunted with “Come the fuck on, Matt!” makes me wonder and really curious to see her go full angst on readers.
So back to the story, the boys start out as training partners – getting dirty on their runs and after a wrestle in the mud, they of course have to get clean. Right? Good Lord. Who would have thought a simple gesture of asking to borrow clothes after a separate shower with your mate/training partner would turn out so hot. I LOVED Aiden’s response to Matt and how they went from there – training partners with benefits and no strings. Oh the no strings situation… does that ever go as planned?
The pace of the story was perfect, the balance between the training for the race and the budding relationship between Matt and Aiden was told well. With both men fighting their own demons on commitment and what they thought was the right thing to do along with the sexy times they had together, in and out of Aiden’s shower was just wonderful. I fell hard and fast and couldn’t wait for that first kiss. Oh. My. Gawd. That first kiss! *swoon*
Nothing Ventured is another great read from the author. I absolutely adored these two along with the “Questers” as they overcame their own obstacles to become a team of acceptance. I loved Aiden and Matt and was right there with Liv at the end cheering Matt on and was nice sized puddle of goo with the epilogue.
Oh, one last thing. I will issue a warning to any perspective readers of this book… it will likely encourage you to lace up a pair of shoes and hit the pavement, trails, track or wherever your feet can make contact in good weather or bad. The fitness aspect will make you high as you catch the adrenaline rush with the boys as they train and you'll want to join them, instantly. Speaking of hitting the pavement, it’s my time for a run. Where’s Matt and his arse to lead the way?
There are times you read a book at exactly the right time; where everything just fits and this was the perfect time for me. Nothing Ventured centers around Aiden and Matt as they train for the Mad Mucker and while I am not training for the same event, I am training to run a half marathon so the fitness aspect of this book, had me nodding along as they trained.
I had a thought when I started this book, as Aiden realizes he agreed to run the Mad Mucker with Liv and team, was that Aiden was not aware of the first rule of life; Tequila is Diablo. That devil of a spirit can talk you into the most deranged and debauched situations you would normally never get into. Lesson learned, Aiden? Okay.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and all that.
Aiden, I loved this boy. From his thoughts on not wanting to get up early and exercise (I don’t do mornings, I get my runs in after a 9hr day at work) to his crush on his possibly straight training partner, being in his head was comfortable. It was comfortable and hot and I would have totally ogled Matt’s ass *ahem* arse - right along with him and any other part that boy was working out because, Matt is total eye candy.
It seemed he’d acquired a training partner. An annoying, bossy, sexy but tragically straight training partner. But at least the view of Matt’s arse would be nice while Aiden was trying to keep up with him.
Matt, our “straight” boy who gets a bit hands on with Aiden than necessary during training. I know he wants to help Aiden, to get things hard and he does a fine job of that as well as helping Aiden get fit. Bad Pun Penalty? Ha! Matt was fun and smart and… well.
These two, they were fun and frustrating. I think this is the most frustrating couple I have read from the author. I really liked that Matt was bisexual, not gay in the closet or pretending, he makes it clear he fancies both sexes but good lord, I wanted to beat Matt over the head a few times with a pair of muddy trainers. I know Aiden and Matt are our MC’s and that they will end up at some point with hopefully and HEA or at least an HFN but Matt fighting to be what a memory thought he should be, was frustrating. I get it, I do but the angst it caused hurt me and it hurt Aiden, as well as Matt hurting himself. Is Ms. Norhtcote delving into the side of angst as she produces more books? I am not sure but the few times I grunted with “Come the fuck on, Matt!” makes me wonder and really curious to see her go full angst on readers.
So back to the story, the boys start out as training partners – getting dirty on their runs and after a wrestle in the mud, they of course have to get clean. Right? Good Lord. Who would have thought a simple gesture of asking to borrow clothes after a separate shower with your mate/training partner would turn out so hot. I LOVED Aiden’s response to Matt and how they went from there – training partners with benefits and no strings. Oh the no strings situation… does that ever go as planned?
He was getting what he’d said he wanted, after all: no-strings sex and lots of it. He just needed to make sure they had better boundaries. The damn touchy-feely snuggle hormones were messing with his head. If they could get back to getting off and keep the intimacy at bay, he’d be fine. They’d be fine.
The pace of the story was perfect, the balance between the training for the race and the budding relationship between Matt and Aiden was told well. With both men fighting their own demons on commitment and what they thought was the right thing to do along with the sexy times they had together, in and out of Aiden’s shower was just wonderful. I fell hard and fast and couldn’t wait for that first kiss. Oh. My. Gawd. That first kiss! *swoon*
Two people who had feelings for each other, but both fighting against them for different reasons.
Nothing Ventured is another great read from the author. I absolutely adored these two along with the “Questers” as they overcame their own obstacles to become a team of acceptance. I loved Aiden and Matt and was right there with Liv at the end cheering Matt on and was nice sized puddle of goo with the epilogue.
Oh, one last thing. I will issue a warning to any perspective readers of this book… it will likely encourage you to lace up a pair of shoes and hit the pavement, trails, track or wherever your feet can make contact in good weather or bad. The fitness aspect will make you high as you catch the adrenaline rush with the boys as they train and you'll want to join them, instantly. Speaking of hitting the pavement, it’s my time for a run. Where’s Matt and his arse to lead the way?
Not a bad read. Super quick and relatively light. 3.5 rounded up.
A little short for my tastes- I think the story could have benefited from a bit more development, especially of the second half of the story, but still enjoyable. I was, however, able to read this one for free, and I don't think I would have been happy spending almost $5 on this one, especially given the length. But I do like Northcote's writing. And the sex was definitely hot. :)
A little short for my tastes- I think the story could have benefited from a bit more development, especially of the second half of the story, but still enjoyable. I was, however, able to read this one for free, and I don't think I would have been happy spending almost $5 on this one, especially given the length. But I do like Northcote's writing. And the sex was definitely hot. :)
I identify with Matt way more than I'd like and not in the exercise/healthy active life kind of way. I really hated Liz in the beginning but she got... more tolerable. Aiden was annoying but he stopped being such a whiney dickhead by the end. There's a lot of growth all around for these characters which I did like, but on a whole I just can't say I'd recommend this one.
It took me awhile to like this book. Aiden and Matt were just so buttheaded and wouldn't accept their feelings for each other but eventually when they did, it was nice. It was almost if their stubbornness had created a dam and behind it was waves & waves of feelings for each other just waiting to burst through. All it took was one event and then the dam burst and we had such a sweet romance. I could understand where they came from though. Aiden was burned by a relationship and never recovered and then Matt was so closeted & traumatized by a huge bigot of a father that he wouldn't accept that a life with a man was a possibility and exclusively subscribed to the wife, 2.4 children, and a house with a picket fence life. Sometimes you just don't realize what you have until it's right in front of you.
Il prolifico Jay Northcote ci regala una nuova piacevole storia da leggere, per passare qualche ora in buona compagnia, e devo dire che io l'ho gradita molto.
Aiden è un impiegato di trentatré anni che accetta controvoglia di partecipare a una corsa campestre di squadra a ostacoli, per far contenta la sua collega e cara amica Liv.
Essendo un percorso impegnativo, l'allenamento necessario per permettergli di arrivare al traguardo potrebbe essere la molla per dare una scossa a una quotidianità pigra e per tonificare il proprio corpo dai rotolini in eccesso e poi Aiden sa di non essere l'unico, in quella squadra variegata di colleghi, ad aver bisogno di un bel rodaggio.
L'incognita che Aiden non ha calcolato è Matt, un'aggiunta dell'ultimo minuto al team.
Matt è il cugino etero di Liv che è appena ritornato dall'Australia. È un trentenne dal fisico scolpito, riservato, con manie di controllo e adorazione per lo sport, che di lavoro fa per l'appunto il personal trainer in palestra, ed è quindi la persona perfetta per rimettere in sesto quel pelandrone di Aiden in tempo per la temuta corsa di resistenza nel fango.
Ed è così che i due uomini iniziano un allenamento progressivo ma costante e instaurano le basi per un'amicizia che presto diventa attrazione, che li conduce ad essere amici di allenamento con benefici – cosa che incentiva molto la pigrizia di Aiden a impegnarsi –, ma che non può evolversi in un tenero sentimento perché entrambi hanno le proprie, inderogabili ragioni: Aiden viene da una famiglia che lo ha traumatizzato sui legami ed è convinto che l'amore eterno non esista e che il matrimonio sia quasi una trappola, per questo ha una regola fondamentale: solo sesso senza complicazioni sentimentali; Matt, invece, è bisex ma non dichiarato e gli va bene così, soprattutto perché non vuole doversi giustificare davanti agli altri e non desidera andare contro un'imposizione familiare che gli si è radicata dentro, in una sorta di omofobia interiorizzata: gli uomini vanno bene per farci solo sesso, ma niente relazioni o sentimenti, per quello ci sono le donne da corteggiare e amare.
Entrambi i personaggi devono fare parecchia strada – e non parlo solo delle miglia che macineranno sotto le scarpe – per crescere ed evolversi, ma è stato bello fare il percorso con loro, conoscere le loro paure e i loro bisogni, soprattutto nei momenti vulnerabili.
Mi è particolarmente piaciuto Aiden, che contrariamente a tanti cliché narrativi è pronto a giocarsi tutte le carte piuttosto che dar retta all'orgoglio ed è una bella novità per me.
Tra una corsa e l'altra, c'è un sacco di ansimare e di sudare, merito anche di diverse scene sensuali e coinvolgenti che ho apprezzato molto.
Punto bonus per Liv, un po' confidente e un po' 'Grillo Parlante' che è una buona spalla per Aiden.
In queste lunghe e calde giornate estive, vi consiglio di sedervi davanti al condizionatore e di leggere questo bel libro: godetevelo e lasciate che i personaggi sudino anche per voi!
Aiden è un impiegato di trentatré anni che accetta controvoglia di partecipare a una corsa campestre di squadra a ostacoli, per far contenta la sua collega e cara amica Liv.
Essendo un percorso impegnativo, l'allenamento necessario per permettergli di arrivare al traguardo potrebbe essere la molla per dare una scossa a una quotidianità pigra e per tonificare il proprio corpo dai rotolini in eccesso e poi Aiden sa di non essere l'unico, in quella squadra variegata di colleghi, ad aver bisogno di un bel rodaggio.
L'incognita che Aiden non ha calcolato è Matt, un'aggiunta dell'ultimo minuto al team.
Matt è il cugino etero di Liv che è appena ritornato dall'Australia. È un trentenne dal fisico scolpito, riservato, con manie di controllo e adorazione per lo sport, che di lavoro fa per l'appunto il personal trainer in palestra, ed è quindi la persona perfetta per rimettere in sesto quel pelandrone di Aiden in tempo per la temuta corsa di resistenza nel fango.
Ed è così che i due uomini iniziano un allenamento progressivo ma costante e instaurano le basi per un'amicizia che presto diventa attrazione, che li conduce ad essere amici di allenamento con benefici – cosa che incentiva molto la pigrizia di Aiden a impegnarsi –, ma che non può evolversi in un tenero sentimento perché entrambi hanno le proprie, inderogabili ragioni: Aiden viene da una famiglia che lo ha traumatizzato sui legami ed è convinto che l'amore eterno non esista e che il matrimonio sia quasi una trappola, per questo ha una regola fondamentale: solo sesso senza complicazioni sentimentali; Matt, invece, è bisex ma non dichiarato e gli va bene così, soprattutto perché non vuole doversi giustificare davanti agli altri e non desidera andare contro un'imposizione familiare che gli si è radicata dentro, in una sorta di omofobia interiorizzata: gli uomini vanno bene per farci solo sesso, ma niente relazioni o sentimenti, per quello ci sono le donne da corteggiare e amare.
Entrambi i personaggi devono fare parecchia strada – e non parlo solo delle miglia che macineranno sotto le scarpe – per crescere ed evolversi, ma è stato bello fare il percorso con loro, conoscere le loro paure e i loro bisogni, soprattutto nei momenti vulnerabili.
Mi è particolarmente piaciuto Aiden, che contrariamente a tanti cliché narrativi è pronto a giocarsi tutte le carte piuttosto che dar retta all'orgoglio ed è una bella novità per me.
Tra una corsa e l'altra, c'è un sacco di ansimare e di sudare, merito anche di diverse scene sensuali e coinvolgenti che ho apprezzato molto.
Punto bonus per Liv, un po' confidente e un po' 'Grillo Parlante' che è una buona spalla per Aiden.
In queste lunghe e calde giornate estive, vi consiglio di sedervi davanti al condizionatore e di leggere questo bel libro: godetevelo e lasciate che i personaggi sudino anche per voi!
So far this series has been made up of cute, fluffy, low angst reads and I expected more of the same from this one. Wrong. This one has more bite than the others. The opportunity for disaster is there, a huge iceberg of emotions waiting to scupper everything, and when it hit there were tears. Mine, although some from the characters as well, I expect.
I've really enjoyed this series, and in my opinion they just kept getting better. This one was my favourite.
I've really enjoyed this series, and in my opinion they just kept getting better. This one was my favourite.
3.5 Stars
Aiden agrees to run a crazy, grueling obstacle course and his best friend's cousin is ready to whip him into shape. What starts off as a grudging trainer/trainee relationship morphs into an excellent friends with benefits scenario.
Aiden doesn't do emotions or relationships.
Matt is firmly in the closet - he's bi but why go through the lengthy process of explaining that to anyone?
Not surprisingly, feelings and attachments develop. Since both stated they wanted sex only with no strings attached, how do they move beyond that?
Like the other books in this series, this was simple, quick, and easy with what I thought was some decent angst. The hotness factor only added to my enjoyment!
Aiden agrees to run a crazy, grueling obstacle course and his best friend's cousin is ready to whip him into shape. What starts off as a grudging trainer/trainee relationship morphs into an excellent friends with benefits scenario.
Aiden doesn't do emotions or relationships.
Matt is firmly in the closet - he's bi but why go through the lengthy process of explaining that to anyone?
Not surprisingly, feelings and attachments develop. Since both stated they wanted sex only with no strings attached, how do they move beyond that?
Like the other books in this series, this was simple, quick, and easy with what I thought was some decent angst. The hotness factor only added to my enjoyment!
I liked this story very much. I enjoyed plot and characters as of all matters relating to training and the race. Besides, towards the middle of the book we got to know that Aiden shaves his head -I love baldies!- but then, how is Liv ruffling his hair at the end of chapter sixteen? Edition fail, I think.