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Falling for Archie
Harris writes instruction manuals for a living and is self-conscious at the best of times. He's not pleased when he manages to break a leg—but he's even less pleased when a pushy friend sends someone to help him around the house while it heals.
When the young man in question rides up on a motorcycle, Harris expects the worst.
He certainly never plans to fall in love. But Archie—short, clumsy, and utterly gorgeous—doesn't make it easy.
When the young man in question rides up on a motorcycle, Harris expects the worst.
He certainly never plans to fall in love. But Archie—short, clumsy, and utterly gorgeous—doesn't make it easy.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2013
2 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 18, 2014
What a lovely, lovely read. Smart, hilarious, romantic, and sexy!
Harris is comfortable in his routine and set in his ways. Things are quiet, safe, and organized. That is until a fall sets him up with crutches and a live-in aide. A young man who comes rev, rev, revv-ing into his world all lite up with adorable, clumsy, nervous energy. Come…
You have to meet Archie Freestone. You will fall in love right along with Harris even though the little man can’t make a decent cup of tea to save his life. Haha….Oops. *whispers….Don’t tell Archie I called him little.* :D
I adore how Harris talks about Archie. And not just his looks—it was the way Harris described his “aliveness” and energy and grace that made my heart melt. You can feel Harris fall with every look, touch, almost touch, and warm moment between them. Watching Harris come alive is inspiring and beautiful. Sometimes we don’t realize how lonely we are until a blast of life whips in and out. Archie and Harris open up, share, and really get to know each other over cups of tea, music, laughs and quiet. Such a warm and wonderful vibe.
That’s not to say it doesn’t have a bit of sexy as well…
“He was youthful-looking, expressive, and really rather pretty. Yet there were moments when his masculinity took Harris’s breath away. Stripped to his t-shirt and jeans, bending over to work on his bike, the sight of him made Harris gulp and turn away, feeling hot and prickly inside.”
This was my very first Hollis Shiloh story and it will not be my last. I loved the tone and words. A pleasure from the first word to the last.
I want to give a huge shout out of thanks to Em for pointing out Shiloh. I would not have picked this story up without your glowing reviews. Thank you! :)
This was just one of my favorite sweet & subtle moments:
Harris startled. “Sorry. Don’t let me keep you.” He released Archie quickly. Hadn’t realized he’d still been holding onto him.
“Oh, I think you could,” said Archie quietly as he moved away.
January 17, 2014
3.75*
This was a freebie for a little while on amazon and I grabbed it.
I'm glad I did, it was cute.
Harris is getting close to 40, he's introverted and solitary. He writes instruction manuals for home and really only has one friend.
Archie is younger, cuter and clumsier. He is hired to help Harris around the house, although some of his skills are sort of lacking, but he makes up for it, by being sweet and friendly and all of a sudden Harris isn't lonely anymore.
Now this is told completely from Harris' POV, I think I would have liked to get a little look at Archie's POV.
This is a very 'muted' story, in the sense that there are no real on page sex scenes, more fade to black and no constant hard-ons or leaking dicks either, which was a nice change. Also no dramatics or drama, just a couple of nice guys finding each other.
This was a freebie for a little while on amazon and I grabbed it.
I'm glad I did, it was cute.
Harris is getting close to 40, he's introverted and solitary. He writes instruction manuals for home and really only has one friend.
Archie is younger, cuter and clumsier. He is hired to help Harris around the house, although some of his skills are sort of lacking, but he makes up for it, by being sweet and friendly and all of a sudden Harris isn't lonely anymore.
Now this is told completely from Harris' POV, I think I would have liked to get a little look at Archie's POV.
This is a very 'muted' story, in the sense that there are no real on page sex scenes, more fade to black and no constant hard-ons or leaking dicks either, which was a nice change. Also no dramatics or drama, just a couple of nice guys finding each other.
May 5, 2013
Very nice, feel good story. Again - the writing style is wonderful.
August 25, 2018
This one was really cute and fun. I loved Archie. He was happy go lucky guy and the perfect balance to Harris's more stoic personality. It's a slow burn with lots of WAFF.
February 26, 2018
Harris and Archies love story was unexpectedly moving. The loneliness and ache of Harris combined with the joyful bounce and yet awkwardness of the much younger Archie.
This is a wonderful slow burn romance with the sexy times taking place behind closed doors. The falling in love and not being able to say for good reasons made me cry.
A sweet joy when these two got together. Body images is look at through several difference lens in compelling ways with a short hero and plain Joe not slim hero.
I would have loved to see more of their life together and had a better sense of place but this is a very good novella with and emotionial punch and cuddle.
This is a wonderful slow burn romance with the sexy times taking place behind closed doors. The falling in love and not being able to say for good reasons made me cry.
A sweet joy when these two got together. Body images is look at through several difference lens in compelling ways with a short hero and plain Joe not slim hero.
I would have loved to see more of their life together and had a better sense of place but this is a very good novella with and emotionial punch and cuddle.
December 16, 2024
A sweet read with adorable characters.
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December 26, 2013I have liked a few of this author's short stories/novellas yours Johnny comes to mind, however this one didn't do it for me.
March 28, 2013
This is an honestly sweet, quiet romance. I love these kind of simple characters that just happen.
December 30, 2013
This could use some heavy editing. The story itself wasn't a bad one. I enjoyed the characters but the poor formatting and monologue tangents really did this book a disservice.
April 19, 2015
3.5 stars
March 22, 2021
Another short novella. It was a slow-ish burn for it being quite brief, but despite a couple of rocky moments, I really liked how the story was resolved. It was sort of a surprise compromise that felt very genuine.
February 11, 2020
It's a sweet slow-burning mm romance between a homebody and a short but scrappy klutz.
April 26, 2013
Sweet, yes, but nothing special
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The two men are very different: one is fastidious and the other is totally laidback. It makes for a fun read. I wanted to see the ways in which their differing personalities would rub off on each other.
- I liked both of the guys. Archie is charming and almost childlike in some ways, easy and innocent-seeming, but with adult desires and mannerisms. Harris is dorky and completely clueless about relationships, which I found endearing.
- The descriptions of Harris’s burgeoning affection and attraction are well done. His love for Archie develops very slowly.
- The men’s insecurities about themselves are mirrored in each other, and the scene in which they reassure each other is very sweet.
CONS:
- There’s something awkward about the writing. It’s twitchy, as though the sentences are constantly starting, pausing, and then jerking forward again.
- The setting is ambiguous, but it felt to me as though the book was written as though it takes place in the United States. The problem for me was that the whole thing has a decidedly British feel to it. It just felt slightly off in that regard.
Overall comments: Part of me enjoyed the slow buildup to the relationship, but part of me found it a little frustrating because it made the story move slowly for me. I had to take several breaks while reading it; it didn’t have my undivided attention. The title is certainly accurate. I love a sweet love story, but this one’s almost too sweet for me. It borders on schmaltzy at times.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The two men are very different: one is fastidious and the other is totally laidback. It makes for a fun read. I wanted to see the ways in which their differing personalities would rub off on each other.
- I liked both of the guys. Archie is charming and almost childlike in some ways, easy and innocent-seeming, but with adult desires and mannerisms. Harris is dorky and completely clueless about relationships, which I found endearing.
- The descriptions of Harris’s burgeoning affection and attraction are well done. His love for Archie develops very slowly.
- The men’s insecurities about themselves are mirrored in each other, and the scene in which they reassure each other is very sweet.
CONS:
- There’s something awkward about the writing. It’s twitchy, as though the sentences are constantly starting, pausing, and then jerking forward again.
- The setting is ambiguous, but it felt to me as though the book was written as though it takes place in the United States. The problem for me was that the whole thing has a decidedly British feel to it. It just felt slightly off in that regard.
Overall comments: Part of me enjoyed the slow buildup to the relationship, but part of me found it a little frustrating because it made the story move slowly for me. I had to take several breaks while reading it; it didn’t have my undivided attention. The title is certainly accurate. I love a sweet love story, but this one’s almost too sweet for me. It borders on schmaltzy at times.
March 25, 2017
Who knew Cupid could be so grumpy?
Archie rides a motorcycle and Harris writes owners manuals for a living. The only thing these two characters seem to have in common is their unique friendship with Grim, a larger than life man who is more than a bit rough around the edges.
When Harris unexpectedly finds himself in need of help, the last person he expects to find on his doorstep is awkwardly energetic Archie. Harris is slightly horrified to find himself attracted to the much younger man, but as time goes on they are surprised to discover that this May to December romance may be just what the doctor ordered.
Sweet and well written, this thoroughly delightful story is one that will warm your heart and leave you smiling. Another tender tale from the emotionally charged pen of Hollis Shiloh.
Archie rides a motorcycle and Harris writes owners manuals for a living. The only thing these two characters seem to have in common is their unique friendship with Grim, a larger than life man who is more than a bit rough around the edges.
When Harris unexpectedly finds himself in need of help, the last person he expects to find on his doorstep is awkwardly energetic Archie. Harris is slightly horrified to find himself attracted to the much younger man, but as time goes on they are surprised to discover that this May to December romance may be just what the doctor ordered.
Sweet and well written, this thoroughly delightful story is one that will warm your heart and leave you smiling. Another tender tale from the emotionally charged pen of Hollis Shiloh.
February 14, 2016
For a little short this one packs a bit of an emotional punch. Harris is just so awkwardly lonely and yet painfully shy at times. He doesn't know how to communicate with people and when Archie comes bounding into his life with all his exuberant energy that he just can't contain Harris is enthralled.
Since both of these characters are incredibly shy, but in their own vastly different ways it was almost painful to watch them skirt around each other when you just new that if they could only admit what they were feeling they'd both be ever so happy. But it was just so sweet too!
I really enjoyed the quiet nature of this story. And this is one of the few shorts I've read that makes a strangers to lovers story work so quickly. Really well done.
Since both of these characters are incredibly shy, but in their own vastly different ways it was almost painful to watch them skirt around each other when you just new that if they could only admit what they were feeling they'd both be ever so happy. But it was just so sweet too!
I really enjoyed the quiet nature of this story. And this is one of the few shorts I've read that makes a strangers to lovers story work so quickly. Really well done.
July 9, 2020
One I picked up for free on Amazon.
A sweet story, as it is titled, so no sex scenes. It reminded me of a 1950's style world, though it is contemporary set, I think because of the formal style of writing and the referral of Harris as old at 38 ( and he did seem old fashioned in his maanerisms) and Archie young at 28 (though he was portrayed as very young and bouncy). And the story was very simple too, in the sense of no big drama, just a nice story.
It is told as a narrative, and is fairly short, so reads quite quickly.
9.7.20 reread : bouncy child like Archie ensnares the heart of a (young) curmudgeonly Harris.
A sweet story, as it is titled, so no sex scenes. It reminded me of a 1950's style world, though it is contemporary set, I think because of the formal style of writing and the referral of Harris as old at 38 ( and he did seem old fashioned in his maanerisms) and Archie young at 28 (though he was portrayed as very young and bouncy). And the story was very simple too, in the sense of no big drama, just a nice story.
It is told as a narrative, and is fairly short, so reads quite quickly.
9.7.20 reread : bouncy child like Archie ensnares the heart of a (young) curmudgeonly Harris.
January 19, 2015
This has to be one of the sweetest books I have read in quite a while. It's the kind of sweet that leaves you with a big smile on your face and a feeling of contentment for a long time. Both characters come off as real people with quirks and imperfections, but together they are just perfect. If I had to pinpoint my favourite moment in the book, it would be when Archie tells how tall he feels when he is with Harris. I'm not overly emotional, but that paragraph made me teary-eyed. With that said, I highly recommend Falling for Archie and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
May 21, 2016
Wonderfully sweet in the way that only Hollis Shiloh can be! Hollis creates characters that you just want to wrap up and take home. Clumsy, eager Archie is such a great foil for staid, gentle Harris. Even when you know that they'll wind up happily-ever-after, you can't wait to see how they'll get there. The gentle pace, the small details, and the way their love making is described in tender, reverent terms with a low heat that matches the tone of the story, make this a real treasure. I love that, at the end of this book, I have a smile on my face and feel that I've watched the perfect happy ending between two great people.
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February 8, 2013I tried a sample on my Kindle,and I just don't think this is for me. It needed some editing, the dialogue was stilted, and... well, it just didn't work. The one character, Harris thinks to himself that at thirty-eight he's past the time of life when he should be thinking of sex. Really? Guys twice that age still think of sex. I think that's where I gave up.
February 3, 2014
That was all kinds of lovely! ♥ I believe I'm getting super fond of stories like these... sweet and with a bit of an age gap! :)
I adored Harris and Archie was wonderful. Grim was super awesome, too! The letters were great and some parts made me tear up and I just really liked this a lot. It made me happy!
I adored Harris and Archie was wonderful. Grim was super awesome, too! The letters were great and some parts made me tear up and I just really liked this a lot. It made me happy!
November 8, 2015
What a fantastic little book.
After he breaks a leg, Harris' friend sets him up with a carer to help him while he recovers. Unfortunately, the help Archie, cant cook and is extremely clumsy.
I loved Archie and Harris together, this book was funny and super cute and no angst.
A nice way to spend an hour. Highly recommended.
After he breaks a leg, Harris' friend sets him up with a carer to help him while he recovers. Unfortunately, the help Archie, cant cook and is extremely clumsy.
I loved Archie and Harris together, this book was funny and super cute and no angst.
A nice way to spend an hour. Highly recommended.
April 6, 2016
This was a sweet love story, just like so many of Hollis Shilo's books. Sometimes it was almost too sweet and the build up was rather slow. The fluid language and the feelings made up for that.
I loved that the characters weren't mainstream stereotypes, the biker is small and the shy big guy is the geekin the story. It is still opposites attract, but it works for me.
I loved that the characters weren't mainstream stereotypes, the biker is small and the shy big guy is the geekin the story. It is still opposites attract, but it works for me.
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December 28, 2013Woo
really cute and sweet. it's a quick read but I enjoyed it and the characters are both likable. I sat down and read it in one sitting.I look forward to reading more of this author's work!
really cute and sweet. it's a quick read but I enjoyed it and the characters are both likable. I sat down and read it in one sitting.I look forward to reading more of this author's work!
July 27, 2014
I couldn't stop picturing the three stars of BBC's Top Gear as the main characters. I don't know if that was the author's intention or if that was just where my brain went, but once I had the thought, I couldn't unthink it.
September 16, 2016
This was very simple, but so darn cute and sweet, I think I need to see a dentist.
I'm surprised by how much it made me smile.
I'm surprised by how much it made me smile.
February 5, 2013
This author has two other books available on Amazon. Nice comfy romances, well written, humorous.
July 10, 2015
It was a cute story, but the writing style just didn't work for me.
April 3, 2013
very sweet and lovely story.
January 6, 2015
Not a bad little love story. The characters were funny and it was interesting. Could definitely use some editing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews