Review of Owning It by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack

 Review of Owning It by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack

5 stars

Just out of an eighteen-year marriage, the last thing Jackson expects the first time he visits a gay bar is for a sexy, drunk, twenty-six-year-old twink to mistakenly climb into his Jeep. The twink part he’s good with, the drunk part…not so much. As far as Jackson’s concerned, the boy should come with a warning label. But Derek is not as flighty as Jackson thought…he’s actually pretty incredible. Getting to know the wild, funny man is a breath of fresh air. And when Derek calls him Daddy? Christ, he never thought something like that would feel so right.

Derek has serious daddy issues, and his name is Jackson. He’s stubborn and controlling…and ever since Derek woke up in the silver fox’s condo, he can’t get Jackson out of his mind. Maybe because no matter how many times he throws himself at him, Jackson doesn’t take the bait. And maybe because Jackson is the one person who sees him for who he really is. But Derek loves a challenge, and he’s eager to rock Jackson’s world.

Jackson isn’t interested in a meaningless hookup. He wants the real Derek, not just the sassy jokester everyone else sees. But it’s not easy for Derek to open up. He feels much safer guarding his heart. And Jackson needs to figure out the balance between living for himself and the mountain of responsibilities weighing him down. Derek and Jackson must find the common ground between hookup and commitment—if they can’t own their issues and work together to overcome their faults, they could smother the flame between them that’s just beginning to ignite.

So happy to finally read this book – Derek is a favouite character in the Metropolis series, and this book delivers his happy ending and SO much more.   We will start by saying that reading the description we weren’t overly excited for Derek’s story, and some Daddy kink, boy were we wrong, this is smoking hot, sweet, sexy and the best of the Metropolis series. 

Owning It is the 3^rd installment in the Metropolis Series, based around an apartment complex.  Derek is considered a twink, a go-to-fun guy, the life of the party, flirty and fun, and he plays his charter well.  After a drunken night of fun he stumbles in KJackson’s car thinking he is the Uber driver.  Jackson is newly divorced with a teenage son, and finally allowing himself to live his life for himself, and in walks hurricane Derek. 

Sign, this book is pure magic.  We love that Derek isn’t just a hook up to Jackson.  Derek struggles with letting everyone see his real self, and Jackson sees through his fun flirty exterior and wants to see the man underneath.  Derek needs someone to fight for him, to nurture him, someone he can lean on and Jack son is that.  Jackson really wants Derek to see his worth, and it creates this slow burn romance those notches up the sexual tension.  Let’s talk Daddy kink, woohooo, it is smoking hot.  Actually, this is our first Daddy kink book (say that 3 times fast!) , and there is something so sexy about Derek and Daddy Jackson, the heat literally melts the pages.  We thought it might be a little weird, but it fits Derek and Jackson, and only adds to the book.

Riley Hart and Devon McCormack are a formidable writing team, their voices blend seamlessly, and they weave a story that feels like every word moves the story along.  There is no unnecessary angst, ill-communication, or the usual pitfalls couples fall into.  Building through the Metropolis series, it is fun to revisit our favourite couples, but really excited about some of the new men being introduced. 

Owning It is a fun, flirty read that is one of our favourites this year.  If the Metropolis series keeps going this way we can’t wait to read the next books!

Review of Working It by Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

By Riley Hart and Devon McCormack
  
 4 Stars

 Such a fun read.  If you a looking for a sweet, romantic m/m loving good time, then Working It, the 2^nd in the Metropolis Series is one you should pick up!

The Metropolis series focuses around a group of single males all living in the same apartment complex.  And although this is the 2^nd story of the series (Faking It being the first) it is not, per se, a continuing story.  However, we do get to visit with some our favorite characters form the first book, the delicious Travis and Gary and the smart-mouthed Derek.  So much fun.  Working It can be ready as a standalone story.  

Working It focuses on the story of Hayden and Cody.  Hayden is a sweet, nerdy math fellow, who is struggling with the direction of his life after the end of a 3-year relationship.  Cody is a free-spirited, easy-going tattoo artist who has had his own trying journey with family.  They are brought together when Hayden needs a room to rent and Cody is willing give a hand-up to a friend-of-a-friend.  The outcome is hot, sexy and sweet!  

We really liked this book, there isn’t much angst, the plot line is pretty familiar (friends-to-lovers), and the story moves along.  But what really sets it apart from other similar books, are the characters.  You really feel like you know Hayden and Cody, and can feel the comfort, friendship, love and SPARKS between them.  Cody has a pretty one sided story; kicked out by parents, taken in by a stranger, but his optimistic streak helps Hayden move through his self-esteem issues and end up really complementing each other. 

Let’s talk about the good stuff!  Even though I have used sweet 10+ times describing this book, there is some serious heat, serious….like the threesome kind.  Yes, Yes and YES.  These 2 authors (Riley Hart & Devon McCormack) produce some pretty steamy books, but seem to have found the right level of heat vs. story for Working It.  The sex seems to enhance the love story and doesn’t overwhelm.

 

So, do you want an easy, fun, sweet, sexy read, then pick up Working It, you won’t be disappointed!