"Learned Behaviors," by Jayce Ellis
Contemporary MM Romance
1 Smooch ~ Cozy
2 Smooches ~ Warm
3 Smooches ~ Simmering
4 Smooches ~ Red-Hot
5 Smooches ~ Scalding
Book Blurb
Two single dads meet at the office, where it’s hate at first sight in this new series from acclaimed author Jayce Ellis.
Sending his daughter off to college is the proudest day of single dad JaQuan Reynolds’s life. Everything took a back seat to raising her—including his career. He has no idea what comes next, but his newfound freedom is quickly curtailed by a crash deadline at work and the uptight, hovering presence of consultant Matthew Donaldson. He’s surly and insufferably sexy, and Jaq’s ready to check him out and write him off—right up until a work assignment forces them together.
Every day. From now until Thanksgiving.
Work and fatherhood have been Matt’s whole world for years now, ever since his marriage ended. His eldest son is getting hitched over Thanksgiving weekend, and he’s not going to let a work deadline get in the way of celebrating with his family—not this time. The hours aren’t a problem, but the executive assistant on the project might be. Jaq’s sexy voice makes Matt yearn for things he let go of a long time ago.
Lust isn’t on the schedule, and neither is longing. But as the weeks go by, Matt and Jaq are forced to reevaluate their plans…and discover that even the most tight-knit of families can make room for one more.
My Review
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book. I am providing a voluntary review. All thoughts and views are my own.
You know those books—I know you do—the ones where your heart aches and you can’t stop reading until the characters find their HEA because you want it so dang bad?? Yeah, well, Learned Behaviors is absolutely one of those books. I fell hard for Matt and Jaq, and I was so dang invested in them finding their HEA that I, more than once, just completely stopped everything so I could sit in random places to read until I got through a part of the story that had me on the edge of my seat. Because I couldn’t not know everything was okay. For a bit, at least.
Goodness, this story brings the feels. It just does. Ellis does such a fabulous job of hitting all those important beats in her stories, keeping things interesting and the reader engaged. She’s never guilty of having a “soggy middle” with her stories because there is always a bit of a gray moment for the characters to fight through that keeps things moving forward at a fast and intriguing pace.
Where to begin with Jaq and Matt? One of the things I love about Ellis’s character development is that she never writes one-dimensional characters who are too perfect or without relatable flaws. Even her side characters are always unique and possess their own brand of imperfection. It brings her world alive and makes every moment feel real and down-to-earth. Like, it takes some serious skill to be able to create so many different and easily distinguishable side characters. Ones that heighten the story beyond words. But this is especially true of Jaq and Matt. Neither is perfect. In fact, they each have some fairly substantial flaws—in my opinion, Matt especially. There were times I wanted to bop him over the head. However, there isn’t a single thing about the way he is that isn’t 100% realistic. I’ve known many, many people who have the issues he does, and his rationale for being the way he is makes so much sense it hurts. As for Jaq? I was shocked when the black moment hit… I thought for sure it would be all Matt screwing up, but Jaq managed to play a role as well. Of course, I’m not going to tell you what he did, because you’ve gotta read it for yourself, but it was so real.
That’s one of Ellis’s other (of many) strengths. Her black moments are never contrived, nor do they ever feel forced. They flow with the story and match the characters and are never just randomly there. You might not see them coming until they happen, but then you realize she’s been carefully crafting their eruption throughout the entire story and it’s just perfection.
Anyway… I could probably ramble forever and ever if I don’t put a muzzle on myself. Suffice it to say, I would recommend anything by Jayce Ellis to pretty much all readers. Now, I know not everything is for everyone. Some people just aren’t into romance, and that’s cool. But if you enjoy love stories even a little bit, I highly encourage you to give this fabulous author and all of her works a read. In fact, next week, I’ll be doing another review of the second book in the Higher Education series… which, shocker, I will also be rambling and in love with. Trust me. (Because, yeah, I’ve already written that review. Don’t ask. lol)
Jayce Ellis
She/Her
Jayce Ellis started writing as a child (just ask the poor sixth-graders forced to listen to her hand-written cozy mystery), then made the tragic mistake of letting the real world interfere for the next two decades. When she finally returned to her first love (her husband and two turtles, Chompers and Desi, remain locked in an eternal battle for second), she’d transitioned from mystery to romance, and there she’s found her true passion.
Jayce writes about people a bit like her, Black and queer and striving to find the good in a world fixated on the bad. She prefers her angst low and her characters hot—a term encompassing all shapes, sizes, and complexions.
There may be a hint of irony in Jayce’s day job as a family law attorney, but she soothes herself in worlds where people communicate and find a way to work things out and reach a real and true HEA, even if there’s rarely a neat, tidy little bow wrapping everything else up. Because really, where’s the fun in that?
Connect with Jayce below!
So, what are you waiting for? Learned Behaviors is available for your immediate reading pleasure! Get your copy today!! 📖
