Something's Brewing at Joe's

I can't help it I love reading stories that take place in my home state especially when the are in an area I know a bit about so this story caught my attention right away. Murphy is looking forward to a new life but isn't so sure about the humidity. But of course things aren't going right but he's finding a way to get by. Joe is an established business order and isn't really looking for a life partner but suddenly they are thrown together and hit if off. In the course of getting to know each other they must battle evil bosses, do some spying, and fall in love.

I'm a total sucker for a Jo Peterson read and I wasn't too far along when I realized that this was the perfect book for me to be reading right now. Two strong, charismatic men, a lot of unbridled passion and sweaty sex, mixed with a little drama, and a family bound by love, not blood. Oh yes. Murphy and Joe were a pleasure to read.

Joe owns Kaffeinate, a coffee shop that he loves. He loves everything about it, from his staff, to his customers, to the work. Kallie is the minidictator who pretty much tells Joe what to do, and he lets her because he'd be lost without her at the counter. He might also be a little afraid of her, but he isn't owning up to it. I fell in love with the coffee shop and the banter between Joe, Kallie, and some of the regulars. I might go back to drinking coffee in that environment.

Murphy and Joe have some amazing chemistry right from the start. There are more than a few “I might need a cold shower” moments between them, but the way they get along, and how their personalities mesh, is insanely sexy, too. Until Joe finds out that the construction company Murphy came down to work for is contracted with FF&C, a very shady company who only manage to stay out of court because they have money to bribe officials and pay for expensive lawyers. Murphy isn't happy to hear about Joe’s own difficulties with FF&C, but as far as he's concerned he isn't working for them, he's working for a company contracted with them. Until his company subcontracts him to FF&C, and then Murphy is full of conflicting feelings.

The problem with two strong, stubborn men, who both have baggage from prior relationships, is that anger is usually the first response, along with words they end up regretting. That much passion and heat is great in the bedroom, but not easy to deal with outside of it, unless both people are committed to good communication. And, well, these are two hotheaded men with strong convictions who often speak before they think it through. It made for some rough weather between Joe and Murphy… and a highly entertaining read for me.

It has been a long time since I read an easy, light, contemporary, erotic romance with a little drama and seriously sweaty sex. I really fell for both characters and their romance was such fun to witness. Thanks, Jo, just what the doctor ordered!

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

Reviewed by Morningstar for Diverse Reader

I struggled a lot in this book to like Murphy, to connect with him in a way that would get me to care enough that he got his happy ending. He was snappy and short with people. Yes always apologizing but what’s the point of saying “I'm Sorry” just to repeat the same behavior again?

I’m the type of reader that struggles to finish a story if I truly cannot stand a character which I do have to say rarely ever happens. Often I don’t connect with them but out and out not like them hardly ever happens. It happened here which made reading this book frustrating.

The other part that was particularly annoying was the sex. There was a lot of it, too much to call this a story with plot and characterization. I love sex in my books. Prefer it, really. But it has to have meaning and help further the plot. Here it does tell you what their relationship is, a hook up basically. But the author didn’t give the words or time in the story to fall in love with the characters falling in love. Which also turns into that moment when you can’t feel their
connection, their love for each other.

And a big pet peeve...no communication. I get it in some rare cases, but here it made me think if they kept their toy in their pants they could've talked more. Lack of communication seems like a cop out for characters. The struggle should feel more believable, and it’s the author's job to sell it. I wasn’t sold.

The writing was good as it is in all SJD’s books and if you want a hot and heavy, light read this one could be for you.

Murphy and Joe
Both very emotional passionate men. Their heart on their sleeves and their sex life is very dynamic.

Murphy goes to Tampa to make a new start and having his dream job......not....
Disillusioned he tries to make the best of it.

Joe oh goshhh Joe horny basterd but so sweet and dedicated.....Joe has a bar 'Kaffeinate'

They meet in a (another) bar and bam when they see each other they are very open about the fact they want the other....now!
Almost running to Joe's place and they have passionate sex....

When Joe hears Murphy has no job he offers him a job to rebuild the apartment above the bar. He can sleep there also...

The are cranky with each other. They argue and fight but ohhh they always make up and how!!
When Joe finds out where Murphy will soon work he is furious....and the reason......find out yourself..

A hot steamy story. Two horny men....witty...steady and sweet...lots of arguments and fights.
The pace was very fast, an entertaining way of writing and sometimes I couldn't see my screen because of the steam.
Very enjoyable if you don't mind kissing , licking, nipping, biting on every part of the body :)

An ARC received through Divine Magazine from Dreamspinner Press

*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.*

Murphy accepts a job in Florida and is happy to leave his life in Michigan behind. But, when he gets to FL there's a delay with his job and now he has to decide if he should risk staying or tuck his tail between his legs and go back home. I related to Murphy in his happiness to get to a warm climate, but I didn't like him. He was a jerk throughout the story, always with an excuse for needing coffee or being tired, but he treated others like crap quite often. He'd apologize, typically fairly quickly after his reaction to them, but I felt if he was truly sorry for treating people like crap, he'd quit doing it. Murphy meets Joe at a bar and goes home with him for a hookup and both of their needs are met (and it was hot!!). Joe can't stop thinking about the man he met, and is surprised to find out that Murphy was hired to renovate an apartment over the coffee shop that Joe owns. I liked Joe! He had a great relationship with his employees and his customers and seem to enjoy life. But, both of these men had tempers that caused them to overreact and not talk to each other.

Many people are going to think I'm crazy, and I don't think I've ever said this before, but there was too much sex in this story. I never felt the chemistry or connection between these two men. By the amount of time they spent naked, they obviously lusted after each other, but I wish more time had been spent on developing their connection and less time getting them naked. I can't even believe I typed that! Really, had they spent some time talking, they wouldn't have had the issues from their lack of communication!

There was a little drama when Murphy finds himself working for an unethical company and he overhears their plot to get Joe's business, but even that was anticlimactic. The situation was resolved quickly, and off page, and that was the end of it.

I think many people will enjoy this book, and will immediately buy it just on the basis of the "too much sex comment"! This will be an easy read, and if you're looking for a book without a lot of angst, this one is for you!

Rating: 3 stars