Pebble

Elemental Men #5

by Louisa Masters

“Most days, I’m invisible.”

My whole life, I’ve been overlooked and unappreciated, until I no longer wanted anyone to notice me. Not until George. He’s been a true friend to me, and nothing could ever change things between us. Even if I want them to.

I’m too shy to risk my friendship with George by asking for more… and he doesn’t want that anyway. Does he?

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Novella, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook

79 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2024

About the author

LOUISA MASTERS started reading romance much earlier than her mother thought she should. While other teenagers were sneaking out of the house, Louisa was sneaking romance novels in and working out how to read them without being discovered. She’s spent most of her life feeling sorry for people who don’t read, convinced that books are the solution to every problem. As an adult, she feeds her addiction in every spare second, only occasionally tearing herself away to do things like answer the phone and pay bills. She spent years trying to build a “sensible” career, working in bookstores, recruitment, resource management, administration, and as a travel agent, before finally conceding defeat and devoting herself to the world of romance novels. Louisa has a long list of places first discovered in books that she wants to visit, and every so often she overcomes her loathing of jet lag and takes a trip that charges her imagination. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, where she whines about the weather for most of the year while secretly admitting she’ll probably never move.

Reviews

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was definitely my favourite as poor grumpy George aka Pebble, pined longingly for the guy he'd met at the garden centre attached to a quarry three years ago.

Clay's had a rough life, neglected and then thrown out by his parents, he's got anxiety and he's cripplingly shy, his only friends being Penny, who found him on the streets and gave him a home - and a job - and George, the guy who's been hanging round for a few years.

These two clueless idiots have obviously been in love the whole time but each feared changing the status quo when Penny had mistakenly given them the friends tag at the moment George was going to ask Clay on a date.

Watching the rest of the gang have to spell it out to Mr Oblivious that his best friend is his fated mate is very funny. George just can't take the final leap until Aether and Perry stick their noses in big time, Flame also adding to the pressure when he reveals their secret to Clay.

Of course, all comes right in the end and, as the series wraps up, Perry is able to tell them all that the fate of the world is now moving in the right direction and Planet Destruction doesn't have to take place.

All in all this has been a very sweet series with an underlying serious message about conservation and how our planet needs everyone to do their bit to try and combat the effects of global warming.

Unfortunately on our Planet Earth, we don't have a set of elemental superheroes who spring to life to try and address the balance.

#ARC received from the author via The Author Agency, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th and final novella in the Elemental Men series. What a great finale! In this one, I felt like we got to know the MCs a little better/deeper than in the previous books. Poor, sweet Clay has sure had a tough life - he is so shy that he doesn't really have friends aside from Penny, who pretty much rescued him off the streets when he was 18. Clay works at a garden center, raising plants to sell them in stone planters. How perfect for grumpy George, who is the element earth and who loves soil, sand, rocks, and other things from the earth....and who meets Clay and loves him too. After they meet, Clay and George decide to be friends and over the course of 3 years, their friendship blossoms (haha). Will George ever find his fated mate? And if he does, will the mate accept the fact that George will always only love Clay? Aside from the conservation elements threaded throughout each novella, this one also has the trope of friends to lovers, but in their case, it's really idiots to lovers, lol. Thanks goodness they have some friends who help them to TALK to each other! It was great to see the whole gang interacting together. I would have like to know if Clay ever moves in to the house with everyone else or if he stays with Penny....

This entire book is super cute and wholesome!

I received a complimentary copy and this is my honest review.

[Bernice Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

✍︎ 𝙾𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝙰𝚝𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚜
✍︎ 𝙶𝚛𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚢 𝚇 𝚂𝚑𝚢 𝚂𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝
✍︎ 𝙵𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚃𝚘 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜
✍︎ 𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚕 𝙼𝙲
✍︎ 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙿𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐
✍︎ 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝙵𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢
✍︎ 𝙸𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚝𝚜 𝙸𝚗 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎




✎ 𝙿𝙴𝙱𝙱𝙻𝙴 is the last and final book in the 𝙴𝙻𝙴𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙻 𝙼𝙴𝙽 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 and omg,this book is my favorite book in the whole series.

✎ 𝙿𝚎𝚋𝚋𝚕𝚎 and 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚢 have my whole heart. 𝙿𝚎𝚋𝚋𝚕𝚎 is the sweet yet grumpy man who only smiles around 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚢,the shy sweet man who loves plants and gardening and thinks he’s not worthy of love or being treated well but 𝙿𝚎𝚋𝚋𝚕𝚎 made sure to change his mind about that,and showed him that he’s loved,appreciated and more than enough.And he has friends and family who loves him and will always be there for him and always protect him.

✎ Have you ever started reading a book and immediately thought,this is going to be my favorite book,it’s going to be a five star book,just after reading chapter one,because this book was that kind of book for me.I loved the characters from chapter one, 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚢'𝚜 character pulled on my heart strings,their struggles way his family and the world treated him was so cruel and heartbreaking and I’m happy he found amazing people and was able to form a new beautiful family with them.

✎ This book was everything and more,was the story short? yes, but it also gave everything and I was satisfied with the pace and the way the relationship between the characters grew,nothing felt rushed and everything happened exactly how it was supposed to happen.

✎ 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙰+ 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎,𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎,𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚟𝚒𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜.

[Leigh Gaskill · Rating 4 out of 5]

George has been keeping a secret, but for all the wrong reasons.

He sees Clay and immediately falls in love with him, but due to a miscommunication they remain friends only for three years. When Clay finally meets the rest of the group by chance, the fact he was kept secret from them does NOT go over well.

*𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.*

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn't sure what to expect of George's love story, but it was surprisingly the best developed one of the bunch. I'd have to call it the best book of the series. Definitely the only one that didn't make me feel that it was missing something. Especially because the romance and the overarching plot were actually balanced for once

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was such a cute conclusion to this series. Finally George has his mate!!

George and Clay are so adorable together. They don’t want to push the other, but both want more from the other.

Poor George worrying that he would find a fated mate as well but not be able to live them properly because he loves Clay!

For three years they just went on as friends when they could have been together. I loved how they taught each other things and moved out of their respective comfort zones for the other.

Through the entire series I loved how the guys interacted and balanced one another. They are this bizarro family they doubled in size.


Quotes

“You have serious issues, George. Serious. Issues.”


“I know,” I tell him patiently. “I’m in love with someone who doesn’t love me back, and somewhere out there is my fated mate. One day they’ll turn up, and then I’ll have to deal with having a mate I don’t love who has to be part of my life because he’s probably destined to help us save humanity.”

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

And that's a wrap on the Elemental Men series! These novellas were so cute! Especially George and his mate Clay. All those years secretly pining for each other. I do believe that the MCs having such a strong bond of friendship first was important in their relationship. Clay is so shy and his years of friendship with George worked on getting him out of his shell bit by bit.

I loved how all the guys were just as wonderful and accepting of Clay as all the human mates. Clay's friendship with Aether was adorable. Those two are plant buddies for life. And his friendship with Perry was just as precious.

I've enjoyed the Elemental Men novellas. Though these were all fictitious romances, there was one major underlying message throughout. Protecting the environment is the duty of all people if we want those after us to inherit the planet and thrive.

[Danielle Hilliard · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard about this series, my immediate thought that this was going to be a spicy take on Captain Planet. I was wrong about the Captain Planet (though I did enjoy the reference in book 4) but right about the spicy. These are adorable, funny, smexy reads that I would recommend bingeing back to back because they become addictive. Each book has a different couple but has an overarching theme of conservation and whether humanity can be saved. You'll have to read to the end to find out.

The only downside to this series is that I wish the novellas were longer because I really enjoyed the premise.

I received an eARC and because its freaking cold despite being almost halfway through October (really not enjoying climate change) I have left an honest review

[Ziezie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 stars

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reseña corta de los cinco libros aquí:

¿Ha sido lo mejor de la autora? No
¿Me lo he pasado bien? Sí
¿La recomendaría? Si quieres algo sencillo y pasar el rato sí.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is Louisa Master's "Pebble." It's the fifth book in her Elemental Men series.

["“Most days, I’m invisible.”

My whole life, I’ve been overlooked and unappreciated, until I no longer wanted anyone to notice me. Not until George. He’s been a true friend to me, and nothing could ever change things between us. Even if I want them to.

I’m too shy to risk my friendship with George by asking for more… and he doesn’t want that anyway. Does he?"]

Finally!! George’s HEA! Highly anticipated by all and well won for Pebbles and Clay.

I love best friends to lovers, and like the culmination of the series, this couple was worth the wait. They were perfect. Even if this whole drama would have been resolved years ago if they just communicated their feelings.

I know this series is fiction, but like many well-written books, it’s uplifting and inspiring. Our world isn’t perfect. The planet is fucked up. In some ways, it’s a looot better than it was a decade ago, but in others, it’s so much worse. And this series highlighted that really well. It also showed readers to never give up. Though, no one knew what political shit would happen in the US, effecting the entire planet, in 2025; so here’s to hope.

#aether #aqua #flame #zephyr #pebble #louisamasters #elementalmen #elementalmenseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Khushi Gala · Rating 4 out of 5]

So it's a wrap on George by Louisa Masters!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an MxM Romance Novella!

This book was short and easy to read.

This book touches upon the topic of Climate change brought upon by Humans on Earth 🌍 and how Mother Nature is running it's course by having natural disasters and calamities.

To prevent those natural disasters and calamities from destroying humanity, the five elements are born or incarnated. This book is about George/Pebble which is the Earth Element!

He is Rock, Sand, Land and Earth. He can create and control Earthquakes. He has knowledge of everything the Earth touches.

He is mated to Clay, a gardener who works in a flower shop owned by a friend. That's where George and Clay meet. They have a bit of self doubt in the beginning of their story but all clears up buy the end of story. They have a beautiful romantic ending!

They are literally fated to be together and it's beautiful. This story is quick, interesting and very eye opening!

I was lucky to receive the ARC of this book so thanks Louisa, I truly grateful and this books was worth it!!

I hope you guys love reading this book as well!

Happy Reading!!

[Kassandra Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I luckily received a free copy of this book in a complete collection of all five books from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. That being said, some of this review may be repeated in parts of my reviews of the other books.

The stories are fairly short but still give you a sense of completeness with a central overarching subplot… kind of. I’m probably not making much sense but if you know Louisa’s writing you’ll more than likely love the books and want to binge read them all. Then you’ll see what I was talking about… or maybe I’m just talking out of my squirrel brain and it only makes sense to me. 🤔 🤷‍♀️

Loved reading about George and sweet, adorable Clay. The perfect end to the series… although I still want more of everyone.

With how short the stories are, I think this will definitely go on my reread list.

Highly recommend the whole series. Definitely best read in order. Each book follows the ones before it with time period jumps in between ranging from weeks to years.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every single book in this series and I’m kind of sorry to see it end. I loved each of the element’s story of finding their fated mate but Pebble’s/George’s story was so sweet that it just might be my favorite.

Clay has had it rough and only has one real friend – that is until he meets George. Clay is so shy and George is so afraid of losing him as a friend that he won’t tell Clay how he has felt about him for years. Talk about slow burn! These two are friends for years, secretly pining for each other, before the other elements stage an intervention and help them finally get together.

I loved how all of the guys helped Clay to come out of his shell and be more confident. And I loved how protective George was of Clay. This was a satisfying conclusion to a fun series that also conveys an important message: humans need to take better care of our earth.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

[Rachel Nahabedian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

George (aka Pebble) is the last of our Elemental Men to find his mate. The entire series so far he's been the most mysterious yet, I think, funniest. He's super shy and kinda always fades into the background when around the other guys, but that made his quips funnier to me. It wasn't expected.

Knowing that he was mysteriously disappearing in the other novellas to go see Clay is so cute! Their friendship over the last 3 years was so perfect for both Clay and George. Clay is so sweet and has really had a rough life, but knowing that he now has George and the guys and a much better family than what he had makes me happy.

The overall story of is Perry going to give up hope on humanity and the world being destroyed was kind of a "meh" ending, but considering it's a story made up of 5 novellas, it is what it is. I didn't really come for the world-ending issue, I came for the men and the looooove lol.

🪨Opposites Attract
🪨Grumpy x Shy Sweetheart
🪨Friends-to-Lovers
🪨Cinnamon Roll MC
🪨All. The. Pining

Thank you, Louisa and The Author Agency for the ARC

[Mari Cardenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

Pebble is the fifth and last novella in the Elemental Men series, and you need to read the first four first since it has a continuing storyline, even if each book focuses on a new couple.

George is the embodiment of the Earth (ground, soil, stone), and he's the grumpiest of all the elements. Frankly, he's so grumpy that I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy his story as much as I did. Clay was shy and a total sweetheart. They were perfect for each other, even if it took them forever to get together. Actually, I wanted to slap some sense into George (and probably shake Clay a bit, too) so I could totally relate to Perry when he realized they've both been hiding their feelings from each other for fear of losing their friendship.

This was a fantastic ending to a fabulous series. I had so much fun reading it, it's hilarious and I just adored getting to know all the elements and their mates. Highly recommendable!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

[Flick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this wasn’t the last book!!!

Oh George. I’ve always found it amusing that I loathe the miscommunication trope and yet adore the sweet idiots don’t know they’re in love with each other/have already been dating trope. George and Clay fall squarely into the big idiots trope and I was totally here for it. They are beyond clueless and I honestly actually felt bad for the both for a bit because they were so scared of losing what they had that they refused to see reality. Luckily some of our lovely past MCs got right in and decided to fix the problem themselves lol. The series as a whole ends on a really positive note; it reinforces that we have the ability to change things, we just have to want to and make the effort. Hopefully we have our own elements out there somewhere finding their fated mates and helping us get to a safer timeline. I’m going to miss these guys, but hopefully we’ll see glimpses of them at least in the future.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

George (Pebble) and Clay story was a little heart-breaking as miscommunication, misunderstandings, assumptions, and misconceptions keep accumulating and cause heartache, sadness, and a need to secrecy to avoid separation.
Past hurts cause insecurities, lack of self-worth, and shyness, so a high susceptibility to being rejected that influence his demeanour and choices.
The little interventions from friends are like manna, as they are needed to discuss and communicate openly about their feelings.
I liked George’s patience afterwards in assuring Clay and in making him a more confident person.
I liked that they all have their significant other alongside them, the changes that resulted, and the blooming hope for a better future.

[Xanthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saved the best till last!
I have been eagerly awaiting George's story and it hasn't disappointed. Clay is an adorable delight and a surprisingly perfect fit for the grumpy man. George is so sweet in wanting Clay to be at ease, comfortable so as not to stress his nerves or shyness but you can't deny the draw of the group of men who now work together to try and save the planet.
It's easy to see what impact all of the mates have had on the elementals and how that may improve the chances of saving the world.
This has been a fantastic series to read. Something different that is an easy read, low angst with enough plot, and character and relationship development to keep you interested throughout.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish this series was longer, but this ending was alright. The problem with doing a series like this is that when the author introduces other elements to the plot, (for instance, Clay's family dynamic, which we never got to see), and doesn't expand on that, then it just seems misplaced or unnecessary. This book had no real angst at all besides a whole lot of miscommunication going on, which I never like. But overall this was another cute series by Masters. I just wish it was a real one and not a group of novellas.
Side Note: it would have been great if we could have seen the group actually take on a massive hurricane, or an earthquake, or seen them go abroad with their message. Just saying, there was a lot of potential here.

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 5 out of 5]

story of Clay and George

This is a fated mates romance, featuring Clay and George, and is book five in the Elemental Men series. This book is a novella.

I knew I would love this book. George and Clay are fated mates but they were both too worried about losing each other as friends that neither of them make a move. There is so much pining in this one but they do get their HEA. Grumpy Pebble gets his fated mate yay!

This whole series is so sweet. It’s a great read and now I’m sad it’s finished.

Things to expect in this MM romance are:
5th book in series
MM Novella
Element x Plant Expert
Opposites attract
Grumpy x Shy sweetie
Fated mates
Light stalking
Friends to more
Both have a crush
Both Pining
Virgin MC
Joining the team
HEA

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

MM novella. This is the last book in the series. Another time jump, but we can see how their work has started to make a difference.

I've been waiting for George's book. It’s time for the grumpy guy to finally get his own mate.

Clay is super shy and avoid everyone, but George manages to friend-zone himself when they meet and does think Clay is interested. I love how these guys have the time to get to know each other. The other guys were mostly instant attractions.

George is such a sweetie with Clay, but I love how he's still a grump around the other guys still. He's been my favourite of this series.

[Cierra Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth and final installment of the elemental men. I loved the idea of these, and enjoyed the cheesy goodness that came along with it. I was kind of disappointed that we didn't get a little more. All the boys got their happy endings. George deserved his happiness, our little grump. Clay was the perfect little light for the lump of stone.

Again, I loved the idea of spreading awareness through these books. I will always stand by attempts to help educate. I hope to see a bit more to their story. There's so much potential. We didn't get a bunch of action or lovey-dovy this novella. It was still really cute.

[Becky A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pebble" received FOUR stars.

Nooooo! Please don’t say this is the end of the series! 😭

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh, my heart! The sweet, kind, socially awkward friends to lovers pining! George and Clay were my favorite. I relate both to George's grumpy persona while also caring deeply for others! As well as Clay's social awkwardness and struggles with self esteem.

I squee'd and kicked my feet for them, and I just loved it. Full stop. I miss them already.

It was a great finish for the series. It also had a pro-hope and effort message for the Captain Planet/climate care theme.


*advanced reader. thoughts and opinions my own*

[nic✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this has to be my favorite out of the series, George and Clay were just the absolute cutest together. I loved how Clay didn’t believe that George could love him and how George thought just the same but once they talked it out they learned that they loved each other with all they had. This series has been an absolute blast to read and I can’t wait to see what’s next from Louisa Masters.

Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice level: 🌶️

Tears shed: 💧

I received an advance review copy for free from The Author Agency, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope, but this might've been the sweetest, cutest mutual pining miscommunication trope ever. George and Clay are super sweet as best friends, and Clay is definitely some flavour of neurodiverse. Seeing the others help them work through their miscommunication was hilarious and pretty much everything about this story made my heart warm. Now that we've met all the guys and their partners, I really wish there was more in this verse... I really want that fantasy happy ending save the world thing that we might not get in my lifetime.

[Kaity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio: 4 stars for Joel Leslie, the audio is found on Louisa's website.
Book: 2 stars-least favorite of the whole series

Sooo we hear a lot about this end of the world/big thing that can happen... because that is why all the elements come to be, and nothing happens...

Also, the lack of communication between Clay and George was too annoying especially since these stories are so short, and the fact that they didn't talk about their feelings until 80% of this short, short book haha

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read a final novella in the series. This is a friends to lovers that has a very slow burn. They are super sweet in their ignorance and I love how protective George is of his best friend.


George met Clay 3 years earlier. Although he felt an instant attraction he questions himself if Clay could be his soulmate. This is largely because Clay doesn’t appear to have the same feelings. These two easily fall into the friend zone.

It takes George’s friends meddling that make Clay and George both acknowledge their feelings.

[Elizabeth D · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Ah, these two! I loved George and Clay, and I really wanted to knock their heads together and make them talk. It hurt every time Clay took something that George said wrong (but I couldn’t blame him based on what George kept saying, lol). I liked how everyone accommodated Clay’s shyness but didn’t treat him like he was abnormal. I’m glad that Clay and George’s friendship was able to flourish as it did (even though it inadvertently brought some angst). Penny was an awesome friend, and the group is awesome together. I wish we had as much hope IRL!