Family Man

by Devyn Morgan

Back in the heartland town he escaped years ago, Van Farley finds the occasional beer and eye candy at the one and only local gay bar, catering to the Stetson set. Everyone’s got eyes for the new man, but Van must keep his head down and not risk his job as a teacher. That’s fine, until hot-and-doesn’t-know-it Jacob Strickland walks in. Jacob grew up fast, settling down to give his pregnant, teenaged sister some stability. He doesn’t date, dedicating himself to being a suitable father figure for both his sister and his nephew, now old enough to start school. When Jacob gets dragged out to a local club, a sex-on-legs stranger gives him a night to remember. One night only. No repeats. They’ll never see each other again. Until the first day of school. Family Man is a standalone novella with hot guys, a cute kid, and an HEA.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Westerns, Gay, Parenting

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2017

About the author

Devyn Morgan is a contemporary man with a love of contemporary romance! He grew up in several different states due to his parents' careers, which instilled in him a love of travel and seeing new places. After finishing college, he traveled around the globe for two years in search of romance, experiences, and adventures. In that time, he came up with more story ideas than he could ever use, so he started to write gay fiction.

He currently lives in the eastern US with his partner and a dog, but he still considers himself a free spirit.

Reviews

[☆ Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I'm giving this story 3 stars overall, *BUT* that's definitely not going down without some huge disclaimers here, guys.



Some parts of this story were TRULY AWFUL, to the point of me almost giving up and DNF'ing the entire thing.

Most notably, how Jacob kept mentally referring to Van as "Cowboy," totally attempting to fetishize his overly-masculine, man-of-few-words persona. The word "Cowboy" was used in replace of Van's a name 88 times and, sweet baby Jesus, did that get old fast.

Then the thing with Van's various names. He starts out as "Steve" (his trick name), then later Jacob thinks his name is Gary, before he finally discovers that it's Van. It all felt confusing and unnecessary.

And lastly, how the story was set in Alabama, about the reddest of redneck states in all of Trumplandia; however, for the small-town setting to have been described as "wide spot on the road", there are virtually zero Southernisms in the way that anyone spoke.

For example, the words "ain't" and "y'all" are in the book precisely *zero* times, which would never happen that deep in the south. The most southern thing about the book was that they drank sweet tea.

But I kept reading and finally, blessedly, began to connect with the characters, the story line and some of the feels.

I did end up really liking Jacob, who'd set his own life and happiness aside to take care of his kid sister and young nephew, but would have loved more page time with the nephew. I love kids, so I found the "cute shit kids say and do" aspect of this story definitely underutilized.

And I also really liked Van, once he dropped the hot Cowboy man-whore persona and settled into his more mild-mannered school teacher and caring grandson role.

As for homophobia and intolerance in this story, there was surprisingly, and slightly unrealistically, none to be found. Not a single word, even when Van was remembering his time growing up in that small redneck patch of the country.

So yeah, the book started as a bit of a shit show for me, but ended up giving me a case of the warm fuzzies. Not an amazing story, but it finally got its act together and I found it *mostly* enjoyable, hence the aforementioned 3 star rating.

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[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** Cute story with a clever mix-up ! *****
Gotta love a cowboy ! Jacob, 27,

got talked into going out by his wild cousin, Cody.
Van, 29, spots Jacob across the room. Eyes lock !


Jacob sees the hot cowboy and is frozen. It's a hook up made in heaven, a night of flaming passion and wild, uninhibited sex. Mmmm.
Then it's back to reality. Jacob stepped up to help his younger sister get through college and help raise her son, 6 yr. old, Andy. It's a big responsibility, but he took it on fully. He also owns his auto repair business. Van, our sexy cowboy, has come back from the city to his home town. His Grandpa, who raised Van and his sister, needs help on the farm while Grandpa recovers. He'll have to stay awhile, so he gets a teaching job.


Our men keep running into each other, but Van is under the wrong impression. It's a cleverly written merry mix up and we are along for the fun ride. Truths are revealed, conversations held, and we get a fantastic epilogue.
Great fun ! Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
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[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up.

What a sexy and sweet story.

I'm a sucker for books with kids in them and in Family Man we have Andy, Jacob's six-year-old nephew. I love a good romance. We have that in spades with Jacob and Van. I love a good sexy story. The scene where the two men meet in a bar is one hell of a sexy scene. God, Van. That's all I'll say about that. :)

There are a few misunderstandings - and more than one bonehead moment by Van - but in the end everything comes together beautifully. A great story that I highly recommend.



Full review can be found at -

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not the worst m/m I have ever read, but while the setup and the characters deserve four or maybe even five stars, sadly the execution was rather faulty. I'd have rounded up from 2.5 stars, actually, if it hadn't been for the sentence "Houston, we have prostate" which may serve as an example for some of the out of character lines in this story. It's too bad, really, because the story was sweet, but the writing made me cringe a few too many times and there were too many things that required suspension of my disbelief. I actually think this story has a lot of potential and might work better 200 pages long and some proper betaing.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75☆

Cute short story

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a romance southern style. You have all the sexy heat, bumbling misunderstandings, and well meaning family that makes a true romance read. Great characters with lots of depth. Jacob and Van are perfect for each other. i was given the privilege and opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. I love Devyn Morgan's work. After reading this one I need to know if Cody is going to get his own story. Though it'll take a heck of a guy to lasso him. Hmm...

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wonderful characters, appropriately simple story, but the execution was frustrating. The pacing of the story was jerky, and the character's viewpoints switched rapidly at times. The reasons that they give themselves that they can't be together are logical at first (if based on misunderstandings,) BUT they are also not consistent, which gets confusing. Most frustratingly, much of the book was an awkward and ineffective attempt at combining stream-of-conciousness with prose that managed to nail neither approach. Some of the worst (NSFW) offending passages:

"Fumbling, a few grunts, slick fingers at his opening, pushing in, Ahhh... tight, gripping, loosening, and... damn! Houston, we have prostate. And stars. Lots and lots of stars."
"Jeez! Oh damn! Thinking? Overrated. Feeling? Hell yeah! Yes! Right there!"

So... frustrating.

1.5/5, rounded up due to the lovely principal and supporting characters, but I can't go any higher.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and others I've read from this author. This is a beautiful story for Jacob and Van. Hot chemistry once they meet but an misunderstanding after keeps them apart. Chemistry can never be denied once its lit. Well written story and highly recommended for a feel good romance. A hot machanic and a teacher things couldn't be hotter.
Jacob tagged along with his cousin was a bad idea from the start but it could get better. Jacob's attention was riveted on a 6ft adonas just walking his way eyes deep in connection. Jacob dont do one night stands but for Steve he considers it.
Steve was certainly taken with Jacob.
Van 29 yrs wakes the next morning thinking of last night at the bar and a hot guy he'd had fun with. Van was visiting his home town while his grandpa got well. While here he had to get a job in teaching and was lucky to get a first graders class. Can misunderstandings be sorted out. Highly recommended.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really entertaining story about two men, a lot of misunderstanding, a ton of angst, a nosy cousin and a sister who is grown up, but her brother hasn't noticed it. Jacob lives for his family, working hard at his garage. Van His a gay man, who is in the closet, family means everything to him too. Jacob takes care of his sister and small nephew and Van came back to town to take care of his beloved grandfather. Both stuck in situations that they didn't make, but stepping up to bat anyway, they go to a gay bar to appease their yearnings. Jacob and Van fall for each other, but misunderstandings about each others lives, lead to heartache for both men. Will they discover the things about each other and about their changing lives in time to make a life together? An excellent story and would recommend to anyone to read. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Devyn Morgan!

Sweet sweet love story. Everything happens for a reason. For these two lovely men, they were in the right place at the right time. Signals got crossed but what's the path to everlasting love but a few bumps in the road?
The only little sticking point I noticed in the flow of the story was all the time Andy was in Van's classroom he actually never said "my Uncle Jacob..." ? Seemed a little implausible. Other than that , it was a sweet story with a satisfying HEA.

[Jenn Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, sweet read from Devyn Morgan where I totally fell in love with these characters and their story! There's hot chemistry, a sexy hook-up and quite a few misunderstandings and all together it makes for a very enjoyable story. Devyn has a great ability to fit a lot into a shorter story and he's definitely proven it again with Family Man. There is definitely a lot going on for Van and Jacob and yet they still find a way to make it together. I loved the push and pull with these two and it all leads up to a happy heart!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this story. I am usually into reading about anything to do with cowboys but this story just worked for me. I liked the characters and I found the supporting characters fun. The sex in this book was just awesome. It was so hot. The two main characters were electric with each other. Sparks flew with them. I loved the sex scenes because I thought they were also well written.
I received a free ARC.

[Raymond L. Macon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different Characters and Setting

One would hardly expect a mechanic and a schoolteacher to be main characters in a gay romance or that a small town in rural Alabama to be its setting. But Devyn Morgan makes them work in this novella. He pulls it off by keeping the focus squarely where it should be: on Jacob and Van. The other characters play nice supporting roles so the reader remains engaged with the story until it's satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed reading it.

[Kirbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Sweet caring and loving Jacob to the rescue taking in his sister and nephew after being turn away by family made Jacob grow up and to see what life had to offer made Jacob close himself off but he meets Van and life changes so for him allow himself to love is what he needed to do Love wins

[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far this authors BEST BOOK EVER! I fell in love with the characters, the plot, and the overall story. It was beautifully written and left me with so many happy emotions. I really want these men as my best friends! LOVED IT!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Man by Devyn Morgan is a cute story. It's well written with loveable characters. Van and Jacob had great chemistry and some pretty hot scenes. And Cousin Cody is a riot. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Nerea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice novella! Is cute but the misunderstanding go for TOO LONG!! I really wish they know about each other sooner so we could have pretty scenes after...

Also, the cousin Cody got in my nerves , I hope he could finds love someday xD

[Nancy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and sweaty

Loved the tension from fist look, touch and kiss between the main characters. Absolutely a fantastic read that kept me wanting more and more.

[Achim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, nice and easy. Everything is going smoothly even the unavoidable misunderstandings but mostly it's nice.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short n sweet

Short and sweet. Nice read for downtime. Good story line. Liked the angst and love. Just enough to make it real

[Lene · Rating 3 out of 5]

MM romance.

[Wendy Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fun, feel good read!!

[Pablito · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* actually
The writing is dashed, with lots of fragments, but it moves. A cute fling of a novel.

[Patrick J · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book.

[Sarah L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Manfred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and short story, nothing spectacular, don't expect too much,
but for a free KU read that was quite okay.

[Enid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly sweet and entertaining.

[Lisa McAteer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[Kevin]

I couldn't muster enough interest to finish.