Nothing Serious by Jay Northcote

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What happens when “nothing serious” turns into something more complicated?

Mark O’Brien is finally being honest with himself. His relationship with Rachel is over and he’s moving out of the home they’ve shared for six years. They get along, but he can’t fix a relationship when the person he’s with is the wrong gender.

Jamie Robertson, one of the removal men, is huge and ridiculously gorgeous, and Mark is smitten at first sight. When a cardboard box splits, revealing items of a personal nature that Mark never wanted anybody to see, he’s mortified. But it sparks the start of a beautiful friendship with benefits.

As Jamie initiates Mark into the joys of gay sex, the two men get increasingly close and “nothing serious” turns into something rather important to both of them. But communication isn’t their strong point. Will either man ever find the courage to be honest about his feelings?

First Edition published with Dreamspinner Press October 23, 2013

Please Note: Although this edition has been re-edited for publication, there is no new or additional content.

REVIEW - 5 Stars! 

Nothing Serious, by Jay Northcote, is being re-released with a stunning new cover. But, as always, Jay is gifting us with a sweet and romantic love story.

When we first meet Mark, he’s broken up with Rachel after realizing there’s no way to fix a relationship if you are with the wrong sex. Then, as he’s standing in just a towel, he meets Jamie, one of the moving men. What follows is awkward and unexpected, as Jamie mistakenly sees Mark’s box of porn, lube and toys.

Mark, newly separated, is completely inexperienced with gay sex, while Jamie loves sex, but has never wanted a serious relationship. Next thing Mark knows, Jamie is offering to help him with his lack of experience, wanting to teach him the ins and outs of gay sex.

Soon, they start a casual, benefits only relationship. But as time goes on, their connection starts to get a little serious and things get complicated as the lines between friends and lovers start to blur. Developing feelings was never part of the plan, and falling in love was never supposed to happen. 

Jamie and Mark’s road to happily ever after is paved with a whole lot of insecurities about being in a relationship, regret for having waited so long to come out, and some steamy sex! Yes, Jamie does a fantastic job of teaching Mark about gay sex!

I love that Jamie has dyslexia. I am familiar with dyslexia and like when it’s explained through a character. Jay Northcote does a great job of handling this with knowledge and compassion. We get glimpses of Jamie’s past, as he reflects back on how difficult school was, leaving him feeling stupid as he could never catch up with his classmates.

And we see how Jamie still struggles with many things, like writing, as a result of his learning difference. Two quotes of his perfectly explain some of his struggles, “‘I just get my thoughts muddled up. I know what I want to say, but I find it hard to structure it when I’m writing.’” And “‘The bloody spell check has underlined nearly every other word as usual.’”

A wonderful addition to Nothing Serious is Jamie’s fun, loveable and wonderful family. And in what is a very welcome change from most stories, Mark’s ex is friendly and understanding.

In Nothing Serious, Jay Northcote continues to enchant me with some regular guys who, when put together, are magical. His writing is riveting, and leaves me wanting to re-read this feel good romance.