Just Add Argyle

Reviewed by Morningstar for Diverse Reader

Holy moly I loved these guys! Like I couldn’t get enough of listening to this book.



Tate was freaking fantastic. His personality could seem abrasive sometimes to some but to me, it was low self-esteem brought on by his family and disability. He was bright and sweet and a firecracker. Jaime was everything. He was sure and strong and a little sad but he loved with every part of himself. Family, friends, and eventually Tate.



They were this perfect balance. They each needed something the other gave and the rocky part of their relationship only made the story better. It wasn’t over the top or underwhelming. They played off each other like planets revolving around the sun. When one made their move the other made a coordinating move. But in more of a romance-y sexy cute way and not a scientific way LOL.



And once again the heat level in KC Burn’s books are fire and heat and everything sweet. There was purpose and want and emotion in every one of the sexy time scenes. They weren’t just there to be there. I like sex in my books as much as the next reader but I do love when they serve a purpose and are not just kinky filler.



The secondary characters were great, especially Jaime’s family. They didn’t play a huge roll and at one point I thought I was going to end up hating Jaime’s mom but luckily for her I didn’t because I had a couple of slaps saved up just in case.



David Ross did an even better job on these two guys than he did on the last one! Each guy was unique and I was sad when they story was over. I’m not sure if there are anymore books coming out for this series but if there are and David Ross is narrating I’ll be waiting in line to listen.

The audiobook of Just Add Argyle was an enjoyable story with a good narrator. This is the third book in the Fabric Hearts series, but each features a single couple making the books easy to read as standalones or out of order. Just Add Argyle is more in line with a hurt/comfort story with paramedic Jaime- a secondary character in the previous books- finding his match in Tate, a cast aside young adult. There was a good assortment of tropes beyond the hurt/comfort aspect, including an age gap and opposites attracting. I was pleased how well each trope worked well within the plot, keeping things interesting and adding distinct conflicts, but never getting overwrought with angst.

In the second book, I struggled with liking one of the heroes. That wasn’t the case in Just Add Argyle as both Jaime and Tate were impossible not to like. Tate had such a difficult life up to meeting Jaime and I couldn’t help but want the best for him. I liked seeing the protective caring side surge in Jaime as he learned of Tate’s hardships and I liked that he wanted to get to know him and not just make assumptions based on other’s opinions. The author did a good job making sure the rapid progression of feelings and Jaime’s unwavering pursuit of Tate made sense given the plot details, while showing a side to Jaime’s character readers previously caught glimpses of in the first two books of the series. Although I definitely liked how much Tate’s character blossomed with Jaime’s help and how Tate’s love in turn helped Jaime overcome some of his own personal hang-ups, I wished there was a bit more depth to both characters. With both men having such intense histories and experiences, I felt some of the character development and emotions were more toned down than I expected. That said, I enjoyed the story and thought the plot and conflicts were well thought out and resolved. The writing was solid and the narration by Mr. Ross was steady and pleasant. If you’re looking for a hurt/comfort story with some angst but not overblown heartache, Just Add Argyle would be a great choice.

*Reviewed audiobook for Alpha Book Club*

5 fantastically fabric stars!

I cannot begin to capture how much I absolutely love this series – I keep waiting for the next one to come out, and grabbing it as soon as I see it. This is the third book in the series, but they can all be read as standalones because each book is centrally focused on different characters with only tangential interaction with the previous stories (which of course I love too).

In this book, we dive into Jaime’s story – he’s always been a player, the “out” gay man in his conservative Latino family who tends to “play the part” instead of just being himself. But as soon as he lays eyes on Tate in a chance meeting, everything changes. For the first time in a long time, Jaime wants to settle down and thinks Tate is just exactly the person to do that with.

Tate is a fireball – he’s had a really rough life and can’t seem to catch a break, not to mention his need to fight injustice, particularly against gay crimes, just won’t keep him out of trouble. He’s not at his finest moment when he meets Jaime at a crime scene, and he’s definitely not open to exploring a relationship, but Jaime makes it worth taking a risk – and they both end up coming together and making a deep connection.

The depth of both characters in this book, is a specialty of Burn’s – and it doesn’t disappoint in this installment. Jaime and Tate are very different, coming from extremely different backgrounds and life experiences, but still are able to find a way to fit their views together… with a few bumps in the road. And they both get exactly what they need from the other person – Tate finds the love and security he’s never experienced in his life, and Jaime finds the feisty partner he can cherish that he needs.

There isn’t a lot of “heat” in this book, but it’s not missing at all. Instead, you’re pulled into the plot and characters – through every turn and injustice… I felt like I was friends with them by the end of the book. This is a great read for anyone who loves a good love story – with struggles, real life experiences, and finding their missing puzzle piece. Also, I cannot recommend this enough: but go read the entire series!!! Can’t wait for the next one…

Review Copy of Just Add Argyle provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest review. Reviewed by Mel at Alpha Book Club.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Just Add Argyle is Book 3 of K.C. Burn's Fabric Hearts series. It is possible to read and enjoy this book without having read the first two in the series, but the couples from the first two books are supporting characters in this book, so go ahead and read them first! Let me preface this by saying, I don't like picking favorites... but this is my favorite book in the series.

If you've read the previous books, you'll recognize Jaime. With his friends, he's considered a player who has a revolving door of men but in reality, Jaime is a workaholic who wants what his cousin and friends have, a relationship. Jaime comes from a large, very in your business family but feels like an outsider with them. His cousin was his rock, but now that he's found his soulmate, Jaime feels even more adrift. Jaime was also in the military and has lingering PTSD issues. Jaime wants to meet the man he's meant to have a relationship with, but he doesn't waste his time dating any guy who doesn't feel right from the start. One night while on call, Jaime is called to treat a man who was injured in a fight. He's attracted to the man, and though he doesn't have very much information, he can't stop thinking about him.

Getting into fights is just a normal part of Tate's life. He's impulsive, and despite his small stature, he is willing to jump in the middle of any fight to defend someone being attacked. That night, he saved an acquaintance from an attack and fought against the two men until police showed up. Tate thinks about the attractive EMT after that night, but his life doesn't allow for a lot of daydreaming. He needs to find a job so he can pay his mom rent, otherwise, he's going to find himself homeless. Tate lives a horrific life. When Jaime does find him again, and asks him out, Tate can't imagine someone is willing to go on a date with him. Jaime shows him a world and life that Tate never thought possible for himself and he doesn't trust any of it. After all, he's never been able to trust anyone or anything in his life so far.

This book is a slow burn and entirely worth the wait. There are a lot of heavy issues that this book is dealing with, and honestly, if the author had rushed the relationship between these two men, it would have been completely unbelievable. By the time the relationship seems to be on fast forward, the two men have experienced more than couples in longer relationships. I absolutely loved Jaime. He is full of compassion, empathy and is willing to give everything he is to have Tate. Tate broke my heart. He was such a fierce character and misunderstood by most people around him. Seeing him develop his first friendship, something he never even thought possible was sad. But, with all the heartbreak of his life, I loved Tate's love of the library and seeing what a different person he is inside those walls. And the growth of Tate from the beginning to the Tate at the end, when he's made friendships was beautiful to see.

I loved this book, and will definitely be reading it again. Next time at a slower pace so I can enjoy Jaime and Tate all over again. Obviously, I highly recommend this book! And, I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

Rating: 5++++ stars

I adore the covers to this series, and I can see Tate in this cover.
Just add Argyle is another great addition to this series. Just Add Argyle is book three in Fabric Hearts, but you can read them in any order.
Jaime is an EMT and has a little money from an inheritance. He isn't egotistical and doesn't brag about his wealth. As a matter of fact if it isn't talked about late in the book you really don't know it's there. Jaime is getting tired of hookups and with his best friend and cousin Caleb settling down is wishing he could too. But he doesn't know how to find the right person. It surely isn't on Grindr or a club. So he takes extra shifts. One one night shift he gets a call to a fight at a mini golf course. When he arrives, he sees a little redhead that reminds him a lot of a man he cared about. Not in looks but attitude. The man was small but had taken on two enormous guys that were attempting to rape a small blonde.

Tate is Jaime's opposite. Much smaller, fiery temper, anger management problems, and poor as a church mouse. Tate can't hold down a job and hates being called stupid. He automatically is attracted to Jaime but knows the EMY is out of his league.

I adored Tate. You can't help but feel sorry for him. The poor guy has been dealt a really crappy hand in life. Even though they are opposites in every way, Tate and Jaime click like pieces of a puzzle. I love all the characters in this series, and I think Tate has become my favorite.
The story line is fast-paced, intriguing and it is a great feel-good romance.

If you are looking for a happy, sweet romance like opposites attract, interracial romance, firey redheads, sexy EMTs, and an allover feel-good love story you will love this one!