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The Subtle Build of Perfection
Connor Morgan lives a life of mediocrity. Hopelessly single, he spends his time working at the video store with his insane friend Boyd. But Connor gets the distraction he needs in the form of his newest beautiful, green-eyed Dane Masters. Before Connor can wrap his mind around their instant connection, he's dealing with the kind of obsession that can only lead to disaster.
With Boyd's dubious help, Connor manages to get Dane on a date, and soon they're racing towards something that looks like a relationship. But fate has no intention of letting them find happiness so easily...
With Boyd's dubious help, Connor manages to get Dane on a date, and soon they're racing towards something that looks like a relationship. But fate has no intention of letting them find happiness so easily...
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 23, 2017
"The Subtle Build of Perfection" was just that.
My very favorite part of romances is the part at the beginning. Meeting that person, overcoming awkwardness enough to ask them out. The first few dates, feeling one another out, getting to know the other person and their quirks. It's just so much fun.
And that's precisely what this story was. It spanned the first two weeks in the relationship of video clerk Connor and social worker Dane, as they met and began to fall in love.
I loved the snark and banter in this story, especially between Connor and his best friend Boyd. When they started in on one another, there was a lot of humor on page.
The story was relatively angst-free, except for one "why did he stop calling me?" part, which was easily enough explained away in a logical, believable manner, which did actually add to the story vs. simply being a contrived distraction.
This short ended with a bit of (pretty hawt) steam and a solid HFN, working toward being something more, so extremely hopeful.
My only niggle about this one was that it was too damn short, and I would have loved many more pages, which would have likely taken it from my current 4 star rating up to 5.
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April 4, 2015
The entire story happens in a vacuum, with no sense of time or place. No one talks about vacationing in the "South East." What does that even mean?
And who works in a video shop? There hasn't been a brick and mortar video store within 100 miles of my house for five years. Even my parents stream movies.
Still, this was a super cute novella with some fun dialogue; almost no steam but lots of sweetness.
The ending came far too quickly, but I enjoyed the easy humour and Boyd the Genius.
And who works in a video shop? There hasn't been a brick and mortar video store within 100 miles of my house for five years. Even my parents stream movies.
Still, this was a super cute novella with some fun dialogue; almost no steam but lots of sweetness.
The ending came far too quickly, but I enjoyed the easy humour and Boyd the Genius.
May 30, 2016
*4.5 stars*
D'aww......you guys! I loved this short story!
Lola Carson/ L.M.Turner or whatever her name is, should write MORE!
This is a pretty simple story but it definitely fullfills its purpose and captures ALL the feelings about:
...having a crash on someone and melting a little bit every time you see them.
...the first few dates when you feel all giddy and nervous and tongue-tied.
...the first few kisses and trying to not come on too strong when all you want to do is tackle them to the ground and....you know.
...the slow burn! It's slow but it burns so good.
I even liked weird Boyd. No, I LOVED weird Boyd. There is sweetness, anticipation, humour, witty and funny dialogue, and just the right amount of steam.
I read the whole thing with a big smile on my face. My only complaint is that it was too short.
Recommended!
D'aww......you guys! I loved this short story!
Lola Carson/ L.M.Turner or whatever her name is, should write MORE!
This is a pretty simple story but it definitely fullfills its purpose and captures ALL the feelings about:
...having a crash on someone and melting a little bit every time you see them.
...the first few dates when you feel all giddy and nervous and tongue-tied.
...the first few kisses and trying to not come on too strong when all you want to do is tackle them to the ground and....you know.
...the slow burn! It's slow but it burns so good.
I even liked weird Boyd. No, I LOVED weird Boyd. There is sweetness, anticipation, humour, witty and funny dialogue, and just the right amount of steam.
I read the whole thing with a big smile on my face. My only complaint is that it was too short.
Recommended!
July 10, 2014
You know those in-between reads that are just romantic and plain cute? That's this one. It was a simple man-man love story with cute characters and sweet buildup. Me likey. No drama just cuteness but I didn't get a cavity from reading.
I'm going to go find a heart shaped pillow to go hug now (don't own one but next heart shaped item I see is getting a hug, damn it).
NARF!
I'm going to go find a heart shaped pillow to go hug now (don't own one but next heart shaped item I see is getting a hug, damn it).
NARF!
April 27, 2015
I really, truly loved this book. The characters were compelling and witty and there were several scenes with MC Connor's best friend Boyd that had me laughing out loud, but this didn't pass the muster for me as a romance novella.
Video clerk Connor meets social worker MC Dane at his store and the two start a lengthy flirtation before finally starting to date. They are obviously smitten with one another and well on their way to a stunning romantic romance full of passionate, mind melting sex. But the reason I can't give this a higher rating is because of the fact that the story ends just as the romance gets going. Almost as if the author stopped writing just when things were heating up. If felt like half a book with barely a HFN ending. Just one more chapter and maybe a nice epilogue would have this book sitting on my favorites shelf.
If you enjoy sweet flirtation, a fabulous secondary character who bring the funny and the beginnings of an epic romance, please read this one! But if you are looking for passion and emotion and a grand HEA, you will need to fill in the blanks yourself after the last page.
December 26, 2018
Pay no attention to the bad cover or even the blurb (it's not really all that accurate of a portrayal in my opinion), and listen up! This is my most favorite novella of all time! It's utterly perfect in every way.
Connor works at a video store, and he falls right into the most beautiful green eyes he's ever seen that belong to a customer. That's it, that's all I'm giving you.
I'm one who really prefers full-length to novellas, but this story is one of my all time favorite reads. The perfection of this one is two-fold.
First - it's the way we would all like to fall in love. It spans the first two weeks of a developing relationship. Every "forever" relationship should begin this way. If I were single, this is how I would describe the perfect start to the rest of my life. And not because it's lovey dovey or sappy. It's perfectly real, and I smiled through every page of it!
Second - the wit in this book. This isn't laugh-out-loud funny. It's the subtle wit on every page that will keep you smiling. It's the kind of humor we share with our friends in everyday life.
The title says exactly what this book is. It subtlely creates perfection for me on every page from beginning to end. And for those who think like me, there is a fair amount of steam as well. Please read this story if you haven't. It's on my all time favs list for a reason.
Reread 3/29/15
Connor works at a video store, and he falls right into the most beautiful green eyes he's ever seen that belong to a customer. That's it, that's all I'm giving you.
I'm one who really prefers full-length to novellas, but this story is one of my all time favorite reads. The perfection of this one is two-fold.
First - it's the way we would all like to fall in love. It spans the first two weeks of a developing relationship. Every "forever" relationship should begin this way. If I were single, this is how I would describe the perfect start to the rest of my life. And not because it's lovey dovey or sappy. It's perfectly real, and I smiled through every page of it!
Second - the wit in this book. This isn't laugh-out-loud funny. It's the subtle wit on every page that will keep you smiling. It's the kind of humor we share with our friends in everyday life.
The title says exactly what this book is. It subtlely creates perfection for me on every page from beginning to end. And for those who think like me, there is a fair amount of steam as well. Please read this story if you haven't. It's on my all time favs list for a reason.
Reread 3/29/15
October 2, 2011
This a "what I needed, when I needed it" type of book. Short, cute, light, sweet, zero drama that had me grinning. And Boyd was awesome-"Dude, are you sexiling me?" That was a first for me, lol.
Anyway, so now I see this author also wrote Resistance. I read it, I rated it, I even wrote a brief sentence stating how much I liked it...and don't remember anything about it, nothing, not even reading it. Weird, I usually remember at the very least if I read a book and the general feeling. It's like getting a whole new book! I'll be getting reacquainted with it today. :)
Anyway, so now I see this author also wrote Resistance. I read it, I rated it, I even wrote a brief sentence stating how much I liked it...and don't remember anything about it, nothing, not even reading it. Weird, I usually remember at the very least if I read a book and the general feeling. It's like getting a whole new book! I'll be getting reacquainted with it today. :)
August 9, 2015
...it had been a couple of weeks, hardly any time at all, but fuck it—it was enough. Enough to love.
Why haven't I read this before??? ACK!! This was adorable. I loved Connor and Dane and how they fell so hard and fast for one another. But even though they fall hard, this was a believable, realistic, sweet and sexy whirlwind romance.
This was so good.
Why haven't I read this before??? ACK!! This was adorable. I loved Connor and Dane and how they fell so hard and fast for one another. But even though they fall hard, this was a believable, realistic, sweet and sexy whirlwind romance.
This was so good.
August 13, 2017
Very sweet.
December 13, 2010
This is a very cute short novella about a video store clerk and the customer he falls for. The story is sweet and romantic, detailing the romance between Connor and Dane that mostly happens over the phone since Dane leaves town soon after their first date. The two come to know each other long distance and their connection is only cemented when Dane returns to town. This is not explicit and the roommate Boyd nearly steals the show. It’s a good introduction to the author and makes for a fun, adorable read without being too memorable.
January 20, 2011
3.5 stars
It's a cute story about the beginning of a relationship, between a video store clerk and a social worker. The event happened for two weeks but half of them they are actually apart, and there were some cute phone exchange in between. While as a reader, at one point, I wanted to pull my hair in frustration because the two seem to tease but did not make it through more than just a couple of kiss, I still enjoy the "build of perfection" ... because it's nice to read that point than simply just pages and pages of sex.
It's a cute story about the beginning of a relationship, between a video store clerk and a social worker. The event happened for two weeks but half of them they are actually apart, and there were some cute phone exchange in between. While as a reader, at one point, I wanted to pull my hair in frustration because the two seem to tease but did not make it through more than just a couple of kiss, I still enjoy the "build of perfection" ... because it's nice to read that point than simply just pages and pages of sex.
April 18, 2011
If you're looking for a good palate cleanser after all the angst-filled, drama ridden stories that flood the genre, this is what you want to read. It was so refreshing to read a book about two normal guys (no cops, no secret agents, no rent boys, no self-loathing closet cases) who meet in a normal way (at a video store), who flirt for awhile and then go on a date (no insta-love but no months of denying it either) and make a connection. This is what love is like in the real world and it made the growing relationship between the two that much more romantic. I'd love to read more about Dane and Connor.
August 17, 2011
Tall, laid-back Jared Connor works in a video store with his roommate Chad I forget his name Chad; pretty green-eyed social worker Jensen Dane meets him while returning videos. Not much happens, in an enjoyable way. Sweet but sketchy -- could have used more scene-setting (I don't even know what continent the city they live in is) and a bit more character description.
Nice enough, but you can find better J2 for free.
Nice enough, but you can find better J2 for free.
November 6, 2012
3.5*
This is a sweet and easy read..no drama, no angst, no shootouts or homophobic family or near death experiences ...
Just Conner who works in a video store and meets Dane at work.
Dane keeps coming into the store and there really is a subtle build up to their relationship, except of course when Boyd gets involved, he is not subtle, but he is very funny!
So, I'm not sure if it will stay with me long, but I enjoyed it while I was reading it!
This is a sweet and easy read..no drama, no angst, no shootouts or homophobic family or near death experiences ...
Just Conner who works in a video store and meets Dane at work.
Dane keeps coming into the store and there really is a subtle build up to their relationship, except of course when Boyd gets involved, he is not subtle, but he is very funny!
So, I'm not sure if it will stay with me long, but I enjoyed it while I was reading it!
January 10, 2014
See, guys can get to know each other and take it slow in m/m romances. I enjoyed Connor and Dane's slow build of perfection. Boyd was very witty and I loved his snarky comments! I wish we were given the guys' ages but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella.
January 8, 2016
Warm, fuzzy feelings all around!
Loved this little gem. Funny, sweet, light, and the characters were adorable. Especially Boyd! I wouldn't mind if author turned him gay and wrote a sequel about him. ;)
Loved this little gem. Funny, sweet, light, and the characters were adorable. Especially Boyd! I wouldn't mind if author turned him gay and wrote a sequel about him. ;)
January 8, 2011
This is a sweet, no angst story of how video clerk Connor and social worker Dane meet and fall in love. Connors roommate Boyd adds some snarky comic relief and the guys are cute.
August 13, 2017
A sweet and cute lazy Sunday morning read. It might work even better if it was longer and more fleshed out, but if you want something short and sweet this is a good choice.
October 7, 2010
I don’t usually give novellas anything higher than a 3 mainly because they usually lack the connection I like to make with the characters, but this book was just so sweet that I couldn’t resist. I loved Connor in all his naive, bumbling insecurity and Dane is a beautiful, teasing character, not to mention the hilariously sarcastic Boyd. The plot, though short, held my interest and I couldn’t wait for the couple to actually get together. A sweet, sweet read I’d recommend. I hope to find more by this author.
December 14, 2010
This book should have been called, The Slow Build of Perfection. Though I hesitate to see where the word perfection was in relevance to this book. I wasn't happy with the ending. It felt like it was cut way too short and I was left feeling like I just didn't get it. Would have been much happier if I knew there was another book coming out that would explore their relationship-after the fact that they are officially together. I hate it when the characters finally get it on and then the book is done. What happens next???
May 8, 2011
This was a shorty at ~20k words, so there's not much to review. Boy meets boy, boy flirts with boy, boys have slight misunderstanding, boys have sex, boys fall in luuuuuuurve.
What marks this as below average for me is a herky-jerky writing style with abrupt scene changes, a lack of internal conflict and a rather rushed ending. It's remarkably unsubstantial for the purchase price.
What marks this as below average for me is a herky-jerky writing style with abrupt scene changes, a lack of internal conflict and a rather rushed ending. It's remarkably unsubstantial for the purchase price.
September 22, 2010
Fun, sweet albeit short story. This novella has great characters and a great story. Connor and Dane are shy, insecure, sweet and wonderful together.
My only complaint is that the story ended before I wanted it to! I highly recommend it.
My only complaint is that the story ended before I wanted it to! I highly recommend it.
September 27, 2010
Good short m/m romance about a video store clerk and the video store customer who keeps coming in and renting movies to see him. This story definitely managed to capture the awkwardness of meeting someone, trying to figure out if that person is attracted to you, and so forth.
November 10, 2010
3.5 stars. Cute short story.
From my blog (October Reads, 2010 post)
B- Very good not very explicit ebook short story about a video store clerk and the customer who falls for him. Shows the early development of a relationship and the "does he like me?" very well.
From my blog (October Reads, 2010 post)
B- Very good not very explicit ebook short story about a video store clerk and the customer who falls for him. Shows the early development of a relationship and the "does he like me?" very well.
May 22, 2011
This was my first foray into m/m romance. A friend recommended this book so I decided to give it a try and much to my surprise, I totally enjoyed it from start to finish. I love this author's voice and the way she tells a story, so much so that I'll be checking out her other book too. =)
Anara
Anara
February 4, 2015
An enjoyable read about Dante social worker comes into an video store to rent movies but thats not all he wants he want conner bt finally manages to build up to asking on a date. funny moments. read if u like something simple and short
September 3, 2010
An apt title. A funny, feel good read.
January 25, 2011
A very sweet and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews