It’s just a one-night stand, they said. It’ll be simple, no-strings fun, they said. They. Lied.
I’m done with love and being broken-hearted. The only dogs I want to deal with are the ones I treat in the veterinary clinic I work at.
But at thirty-four, having my first one-night stand can’t hurt. Right? The rules are pretty simple.
1. Don’t spend the night.
2. Don’t see him again.
3. Don’t share anything personal.
4. Don’t fall in love with him.
But when Haze, the guy I spent a blazing hot night with and haven’t been able to forget about, shows up as our new receptionist, the rules fly out the window.
There’s no way one night could lead to anything more. So why has Haze got me hoping this might just last?
Got Me Hoping is book 1 in the Vet Shop Boys series and can be read as a stand-alone. Expect plenty of humor, found family, an adorable golden retriever, a foul-mouthed parrot, a whole new way of getting clean (as well as very, very dirty) and a heartwarming happily ever after!
Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
My thoughts screech to a halt when the guy I’ve been subtly ogling all evening practically bowls me over. Okay, I admit, I may have strategically positioned myself near the hallway that leads to the men’s room so that we’d maybe bump into each other as he left. I wasn’t expecting it to happen quite so literally, though.
He’s nervous, and it’s cute as hell. Maybe that’s why it unleashes a cheekiness in me. As we settle at the bar and have a drink, I’m struck by his eyes. Yes, he’s got the whole Henry Cavill thing going on, and seriously, those biceps are beyond ridiculous, but it’s his eyes that pull me in. They’re a rich, mossy green, but more than that, they’re kind. You can tell a lot about a person by their eyes, and his tell me he’s a decent guy.
Even as we’re chatting away, I can see that he’s a little on edge. It’s endearing, though, and when he tells me he’s never had a one-night stand, the pieces fall perfectly into place.
He’s still a little skittish as we wait for an Uber outside the bar. I zip my bomber jacket all the way up and blow out a puff of steam into the cold night air. “I’ve only had four drinks,” Noah tells me, eyeing the road, on the lookout for the car. “I’m just erring on the side of caution, is all.”
“It’s okay,” I assure him, gripping his forearm. He’s got that irresistible hard-jaw, soft-eyes combination that makes everything okay.
The ride back to his place is a silent one. Our fingers play with each other across the middle of the backseat, threads that tangle, then loosen. His thumb caresses the top of my hand.
We smile at each other, and his eyes gleam under the passing streetlights.
So this was…fine. Nice. Readable. Cute. It is definitely not a book I am going to remember past tomorrow.
I love the setting of the book (and series) a veterinary clinic that is called The Vet Shop Boys. I do have to say that maybe those younger won’t get that. But I enjoyed it. And care was used in representing veterinarians and all they go through. From the cost of school to the long hours and the sadness. But also that most really, really love their jobs. And these guys that work together are all friends and a great support system for each other.
And it was those friends who couldn’t believe that Noah had never had a one night stand. So of course, that means he will have one NOW! TONIGHT! Enter Haze (I eye rolled the name at first but then further along in the book it is explained and I aww’d) super hot guy in the bar who is down for that one night stand. Especially because he is going to London for six months. But of course, they connected. And, of course, when Haze gets back from his six months abroad he starts working at the clinic.
From there it’s a lot of flirting until they finally admit they have feelings. But Haze was so wishy washy. For someone “studying to be an actor” in college (after finishing some bio-something degree) he never talks about acting. Literally. Kind of a weird thing to study- in college- if it isn’t something you had ever done. I don’t know. It was so throw away but a plot point. So it’s a plot point that had no backing.
And if he said, one more time that he was “almost 30” I was ready to throw my kindle. Oy.
Weird plot point intrudes so that Haze has to make a decision. That was also odd. You’ll see.
I just don’t feel like the whole story line was well thought out. The acting thing was completely misplaced and the little side story with the owner of the clinic was seen from LITERALLY the beginning of the book, but Noah didn’t see it? Really? That naive?
If you want kind of mindless fluff, go for it. But I don’t think I will be seeking out book 2.
3 pieces of eye candy
I’ve been wanting to do this ‘authoring’ thing since forever. But this thing called ‘life’ kept getting in the way. And then this thing called ‘turning 40’ happened. Eep!
So I did what any responsible newcomer to middle-age-hood would do: I quit my day job, started drinking copious amounts of coffee, and reconnected with my life long passion–donuts, er, I mean writing.
So here I am. And there you are… Hello!
I live on the east coast of Australia, I’m the proud paw-rent of two of the most utterly adorable French Bulldogs, Ralphie and Lilly, and when I’m not writing, you’ll most likely catch me down at the beach (I’m the one drinking Rosé and eating donuts while other people are doing healthy things like ‘walking’ and ‘swimming’).
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