Operation Fake Relationship by Jay Northcote

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh

Goodreads

Can a fake relationship between best friends turn into the real thing?

After years of estrangement from his parents, Nick is finally going home for Christmas, but not without backup. He wants moral support, so his best friend and flatmate, Jackson, agrees to pretend to be his partner so he can go with him.

It’s easy for Jackson to be convincing when his feelings for Nick are as genuine as ever. He put his crush on the back burner long ago, but acting out a role he’d love to play for real is harder than he imagined. Holding hands, kissing under the mistletoe, even sharing a bed for the sake of the charade... He can’t help wondering what he’s let himself in for, and whether his heart can take it.

Emotions run high as Nick grapples with family issues, and the sexual tension between him and his best friend becomes difficult to ignore. But if he and Jackson give into the temptation to be fake boyfriends with benefits over the holiday, what will it mean for their future as friends once Christmas is over?

Contains: best friends to lovers, pretend boyfriends, daddy issues, mistletoe, and a happy ending—of course.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Jay Northcote's Operation Fake Boyfriend is a fantastic romance. I love every moment of this friends to lovers tale.

If you enjoy best friends falling in love, you will adore Nick and Jackson's story. They're best friends and roommates, who discover some new found feelings during a fake relationship agreement.

There's so much to love about this romance. The forced proximity, the new feelings, and the family issues are all enjoyable. But, most of all, it's seeing Nick realize his feelings for his best friend that will leave you mushy. Having always known he loves Jackson, he never realized that he is actually in love with him. 

Nick and Jackson are just meant to be. Seriously. They are a bromance that you'll love. Thus, seeing them turn from bromance to romance is wonderful.

As for the family issues, they add a lot to the story. Nick's issues with his father is heart wrenching, and we get a clear view into their problems. If you didn't understand Nick before this scene, you will after it. It's realistic, well developed, and will leave you satisfied with this reconciliation.

The writing is lovely, with everything we've come to expect from this author. The characters are relatable and likable. Their layers are evident, and there's plenty of secondary characters to add to the charm. The setting is great, and the scenes well established, including that with a pirate tree. 

Operation Fake Relationship is a feel good Christmas romance. This Jay Northcote gem is the perfect choice when you're in the mood for a tender friends to lovers tale. I know it's going on my re-read list!

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Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press.

Website: https://jaynorthcote.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jay_Northcote

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotewriter

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotefiction

Facebook author group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jaysplayground

Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/JN-readers

Jay’s books: http://author.to/JayNorthcote

Christmas Crackers: An MM Holiday Romance Collection by Jay Northcote

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh

Goodreads Link

Christmas Crackers: An MM Holiday Romance Collection

Three sweet and sexy MM Christmas stories in one great collection!

Best friends snowed in together. When the heat rises, will they get cold feet?

Getting snowed in at a remote cottage in Wales with someone he’d fancied for ages isn’t exactly how Sam expected to spend Christmas. His feelings for Ryan are pointless. Ryan’s straight—or so he thought.

Until now, Ryan’s kept his feelings for Sam buried. Why ruin a friendship over what might only be gay experimentation? Playing it cool seems safer, until a cold snap makes sharing body heat vital. In their Welsh safe haven, anything seems possible.

As Ryan’s reserve melts away, Sam wants more than stolen kisses under the mistletoe. But a sudden thaw means making decisions. They could face the New Year together—unless one of them gets cold feet.

***

When two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?

Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.

Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.

In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas… right?

***

Zac never had a family of his own, but Rudy has enough to share.

Shy, inexperienced Rudy has a crush on Zac from the moment his new colleague walks through the door. On an office night out before Christmas, Rudy finds the courage to make a move, and they form a tentative bond. When he discovers Zac will be alone at Christmas, he invites Zac to come home with him.

Zac prefers to keep people at arm’s length. Yet when Rudy offers him a family Christmas it’s impossible to resist. With no parents of his own, Zac is pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by Rudy’s. The only drawback is that everyone assumes they’re a couple. Unwilling to disappoint Rudy’s mum and make Christmas awkward, they decide not to deny it.

It’s not a chore for Zac to pose as Rudy’s boyfriend, but the pretence makes him want things that scare him—things like a real relationship with Rudy. Zac’s suffered enough rejection in his life already and is afraid to risk his heart. If he can get over his past rejection and let Rudy inside his armour, he might get more for Christmas than he ever imagined.

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My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

If you enjoy Christmas collections, you'll love this Jay Northcote book set. Christmas Crackers is a collection of three previously released stories. I enjoyed each of these stories when they were originally released, and it's a treat to read them again. 

In Cold Feet, we get a delightful friends to lovers romance. Their tale includes forced proximity in the form of a snowstorm, and a wonderful setting. Sam has long been in love with Ryan, but Ryan's never been into guys. What follows is a warm and tender out for you story. You'll love this story of falling in love with your best friend during a snowstorm.

What Happens at Christmas is a fantastic romance. I love this friends to lovers tale. Justin's the man who never had to come out because everyone just assumed he was gay. Sean meanwhile was slow to come out. With some forced proximity, and a pretend boyfriend moment, these two finally get a chance to admit their feelings. And it's all perfectly charming and passionate.

A Family For Christmas is the romance of Rudy and Zac. This is a co-workers romance with a Christmas party that helps break down some of the reclusive Zac's walls. What follows is Zac joining Rudy for the holidays. It's a tale of learning to trust and of family. You'll adore the secondary characters, who make for some awesome family holiday moments. Their story is one of fake boyfriends, which turns to more.

Overall, Christmas Crackers is a charming and sweet collection of three holiday romances. I like that each story revolves around people who already know one another, but just need that special nudge to get together. Jay Northcote will definitely leave you in the mood for Christmas and believing in the magic of love.   

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Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press.

Website: https://jaynorthcote.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jay_Northcote
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotewriter
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotefiction
Facebook author group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jaysplayground
Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/JN-readers
Jay’s books: http://author.to/JayNorthcote

Happy Place (Rainbow Place #5) by Jay Northcote

Amazon Link - Available in KU 

Goodreads Link

Blurb

A first kiss from a younger man leads to a sexual awakening…

George’s strict upbringing has left him ashamed of his sexuality. In his forties now, he's yet to come out or even kiss a man—until he meets Quentin.

Quentin has had enough of bad relationships with men who won't commit. Still raw from the last one, he’s not ready to try again. But George is sweet, and helping the older man get some experience might be a fun diversion.

Swept rapidly into a deeper connection than they bargained for, they face a dilemma. George isn’t ready to come out, and Quentin wants a boyfriend who isn’t afraid to be seen with him in public. Can they find a way to navigate the unpredictable waters of their new relationship and find happiness together?

Contains: Age gap, gay first times, sexual exploration, out for you.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

As I've come to expect from Jay Northcote, Happy Place is a fantastic Out For You romance. The fifth book of his Rainbow Place series, it is every bit as wonderful as the previous books.

Aww...Quintin and George. These two are seriously wonderful together. George is coming to terms with his sexually. Divorced, with a kid, he is finally allowing himself to explore his attraction to men.

Their story is full of great first times entwined with a tender tale of coming out. It is authentic in it's development of a middle age closeted man exploring sex with a man, all while falling in love with that same man. It's an emotional tale that also explores the difficulty and fear of coming out. 

Both men are interesting characters; individually and as a couple. Their story is well done, with plenty of tender moments, lots of heat, and a happy ending.

The author does a great job illustrating someone coming out a little later in life; of coming out after having denied that side of themselves for their whole life.

Happy Place is perfect when you're in the mood for your next Out For You romance. Jay Northcote as usual develops intriguing characters and takes the reader on an emotional journey. Basically, he is a must read and Happy Place is a must read.

Rainbow Place Series - 

Book One - Rainbow Place
Book Two - Safe Place
Book Three - Better Place

Book Four - Mud & Lace

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Where Loves Grows by Jay Northcote

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Length: 70,000 words approx.

Goodreads Link

Blurb

When two broken men look to each other for help, an unexpected romance blooms.

Stephen’s home, deep in the heart of the Welsh valleys, suits his reclusive nature. However, as he recovers from illness, he’s struggling to manage alone. As nature reclaims the land he’s poured his heart into cultivating, he becomes increasingly unhappy. His only outlet is his blog, where he documents the decline of the garden that had been his pride and joy.

Luke is more used to a concrete jungle. He was a high-flyer, living and working in London, until addiction sent him into free fall. Now on the road to recovery, he still wants to make some changes, but he’s unsure where to find the purpose and fulfilment he craves.

A mutual acquaintance suggests Luke visits Stephen to help him out for a while, and a seed of hope is planted. From prickly beginnings, shoots of friendship emerge, blossoming into a deeper connection when they act on their mutual attraction.

This was only ever supposed to be a temporary arrangement, and soon Stephen will be able to manage on his own again. But both men need each other in ways they’re afraid to admit. If their love is going to last for more than one season, they’ll need to find the courage to be honest.

Review 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Where Love Grows got off to a slow start for me, but in the end, this Jay Northcote book is beautiful.

Stephen and Luke are two men who desperately need one another. They just don't know it. Both men have tough pasts, one has had to endure many physical issues, the other a mess of mental issues.

Stephen's background is absolutely tragic, with a horrific accident that left him physically disabled. He's still trying to come back physically to being able to do what he loves. 

Luke's tough past started early, with serious issues during his young years. Having dealt with a lot of his own issues, he's struggling to overcome his addiction. 

Their story full of fear, confusion, and hurt. These are two men who are drowning in their fears. Their tale does a great job of exploring the natural inclination to not trust in a future or in happiness.

The author expertly explores the importance of spending some time with nature, connecting with the beauty of the world we live in. The differences between living in the city versus living in the suburbs and getting to spend time outdoors are well explored. As the author notes at the end, this part is written with knowledge, and personal inspiration. It's a tender and meaningful aspect to this story. 

In the end, Where Love Grows is a tender and beautiful story of hope and survival.

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press.


Website: https://jaynorthcote.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jay_Northcote

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotewriter

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotefiction

Facebook author group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jaysplayground

Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/JN-readers

Jay’s books: http://author.to/JayNorthcote

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RELEASE BLITZ - Mud & Lace (Rainbow Place #4) by Jay Northcote

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Length: 240 pages

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Goodreads Link

Rainbow Place Series

Book #1 - Rainbow Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book #2 - Safe Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book #3 - Better Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

When Wicksy falls for drag queen Charlie, they discover that both sexuality and gender can be fluid.

Simon Wicks—Wicksy to his rugby teammates—has only ever been interested in women. But when he sets eyes on Lady Gogo, a drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place, he can’t stop thinking about her. He knows there’s a guy behind the fishnets and make-up, but he’s ready to explore his fantasies, and Lady Gogo is game for making them come true.

Charlie adores performing in drag. It allows him to indulge in his love of cross-dressing while earning some extra cash. Fooling around with a mostly straight guy in secret seems like a fun diversion, and gives him the chance to explore his feminine side. He feels safe wearing the mask of his confident alter ego, because the real Charlie is hidden from view.

When Wicksy sees more of the guy behind the make-up and glitter, his attraction to Charlie persists, and he realises he’s bisexual. In turn, Charlie begins to understand and accept his gender fluidity. As their mutual journey of self-discovery brings them closer, the secrecy becomes increasingly hard to deal with. If they’re going to have a future together, they both need to find the courage to show people who they really are.

Although this book is part of a linked series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Damn! I love Jay Northcote's Mud & Lace, the fourth book in his Rainbow Place series. With all the charm we've come to expect from Jay Northcote, this one explores some fantastic themes.

Simon can't help falling for Lady Gogo, the drag queen. As Simon's never been attracted to a guy, he's confused by this attraction. And then he gets to know the man behind the makeup and Charlie is more than he ever expected. What follows is a beautiful exploration of Charlie's gender identity, as well as Simon's exploration of his feelings for a man.

I found Simon and Charlie to be a fantastic couple. Even more, though, I love what they are able to do for each other, and how they help one another understand themselves better.

Their self explorations are wonderfully developed and dealt with in a fantastic manner. Both realistic and knowledgeable, these aspects are written with care, tact, and heart. Both these men have a lot of self discovery to do and it's a splendid journey for the reader. 

Their romance is one of secrets, deception, and hiding. It's about revelations and acceptance. And it's beautiful.

Mud & Lace is a stellar addition to Jay Northcote's Rainbow Place series. If you're a fan of Jay's work, pick this one up immediately!

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.


One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Website

Twitter

Facebook profile

Facebook author page

Facebook author group

Newsletter

Jay’s books

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REVIEW TOUR - Better Place (Rainbow Place #3) by Jay Northcote

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Length: 66,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Goodreads

Rainbow Place Series 

Book #1 - Rainbow Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK

My Review

Book #2 - Safe Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK

My Review

Blurb

Joe deserves better. Meeting Dylan helps him see that.

After a recent redundancy, Joe takes a few months off to try and make it as a writer. His partner, Harry, is less than supportive but Joe is used to that after ten years together, just like he’s used to Harry’s controlling nature and his drinking habit.

Dylan, a server at Rainbow Place, is fascinated by Joe as he sits in the café and works on his laptop. His attempts to flirt are met with awkwardness at first, but gradually Joe opens up. Dylan is disappointed when he learns Joe isn’t single. As their friendship develops he begins to worry about the nature of Joe’s relationship, especially when he witnesses Harry’s behaviour in person. Abuse isn’t always physical, and Dylan knows that from experience. His concern helps Joe see his relationship for what it is, and gives him the courage to end things with Harry.

Free to act on their mutual attraction, Joe and Dylan dive headlong into something that becomes serious fast. Joe revels in the passion and intimacy he’s been missing out on for so long, but Dylan is worried that Joe is on the rebound. He puts on the brakes, knowing that they need to slow down to make this last. For this new relationship to work, Joe needs to show Dylan that he’s ready to move on from the past.

Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone and has a satisfying happy ending.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

As an avid fan of Jay Northcote's writing, I am excited for any new book by Jay. His latest, Better Place, may just be my all time favorite Jay book. As the third book in the Rainbow Place series, Better Place is the story of Dylan and Joe. 

When Dylan meets Joe at his work, he's instantly attracted to him and extremely intrigued by the older man. But as he gets to know him, he sees things he doesn't like and wants to help him. This story explores the aspects of being in a controlling and abusive relationship. Joe's issues are written with knowledge, care, and understanding.

Both men are great characters, full of depth. Dylan's a young man but he's so damn caring and compassionate. He's a breathe of fresh air. His maturity is inspiring, and the men make some tough, yet very mature decisions. 

Of course we also have appearances from the other men of Rainbow Place, which is always fun and enjoyable. I love the way this author creates connecting books, as he did in his Housemates series, and now in Rainbow Place series.

Jay Northcote always manages to create a worthwhile story, but this one is extraordinary. The story tackles an important topic, is riveting, and extremely entertaining.  I love everything about Better Place. The writing style is excellent and the pace flows wonderfully. I can't recommend this book enough.

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Website

Twitter

Facebook profile

Facebook author page

Facebook author group

Newsletter

Jay’s books

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