Mr. Uptight

How do I love Jude and Mason? Let me count the ways. From the start this captivated my attention and I did not, would not, could not put this one down. Best friend's brother, secret crush, one-night stand (or not so much), this one hit some of my favorite tropes off the bat. And that tag line? LOVE IT.I loved how Jude, as buttoned-up (and yes, uptight) as he is, slowly opened up and learned to enjoy life the way one is meant to as he spent more and more time with the enthusiastic Mason, and in turn, he seemed to ground Mason, to give him the support he needed to realize his full potential. The two were so much fun together, and though they were hot (scorching), that was merely a bonus. I loved these characters, their story, and I wanted so much for Jude and Mason to find their happy, both individually and together. I was not disappointed. Their HEA was full of schmoop and fun and all the emotion I needed, and I smile whenever I think of them.With a great storyline and amazing secondary characters (Edith is the BEST), this is easily my new favorite Felice Stevens book. This one goes into the "read, read, and read again a million times" pile.

Felice Stevens always does her best to toss you a bone or two while she chews up the scenery and the psyches of her often totally screwed up men. In this one she returns to her Nice-Jewish-Boys-From-New-York trope although you don't get any idea that this one is going to be Kosher until well through the action. And it's really just an aside because what action it is!Mr. Uptight (Jude on the cover, woof!) is so much his nickname from the way life has dealt him some overwhelming caretaker issues (which he has a tendency to take too seriously) that he cannot believe where he finds himself on page one.Drunk on rum from the night before he doesn't remember how he put on a somewhat public display of sexual gratification at his sister's wedding. When he wakes up next to his co-star only to realize that the man is Mason, younger wastrel blond-bomber brother of his sister's new husband, who also happens to be Jude's business partner, he is horrified that he is in a slosh of in-law stew.Oy-MG!This book starts on another planet when it comes to how Ms. Stevens gets her men together--she then launches them on a shuttle around the universe, a journey which uncovers deeply introspective and sometimes too convenient but always page-turner situations and encounters.Jude and Mason are a super annoying couple and that's what makes them so enjoyable. The supporting cast is brilliantly crafted and stubbornly incapable of staying out of the various messes the two men create. There are lots of hoots here.This is one of Ms. Stevens' most carnal, and yet most gut-wrenching, books. It will take you a couple of minutes to get over the first few pages which, as it turns out, are so based on reality and not a stupid mistake, and when you recover, you will sail right through.Loved it as always.

Felice does it again with Mr. Uptight. Jude and Mason have chemistry and steam that absolutely sizzles on the page. Best Friend's Father/Brother is probably my second favorite trope (Daddy/Son is my absolute favorite) in the MM Romance genre, and Mr. Uptight hits ALL of my buttons. Jude is SO sexily frustrating. I sincerely wanted to smack him a few times and just shake him by the shoulders to tell him to loosen up already! When he finally allows himself to just be with Mason, the beauty of his truly loving heart is finally visible. Felice doesn't make it easy for Jude and Mason, and there are SO MANY mixed messages that both of them send to each other (Jude isn't entirely guilty here), but as always, her boys always get their happy ending. READ THIS BOOK!

Best friend's brother, enemy to lovers, boss/employee. This is THE #mmromance you want to #read this week. I thoroughly enjoyed Jude & Mason's chemistry, the pace of this story & the evolution of their relationship.4.5 stars

Yes, I liked the premise, I liked the characters, I liked the plot, and I liked the ending... There are moments when I thought I saw trouble on the horizon, but resolutions were satisfying... Even in the epilogue, you made me nervous... Thank you.

An enjoyable read, lots of angst, but also lots sexy love. Jude had to grow up at a very young and and look after his little sister as their Mother slowly faded away, he never really lived a proper life and as such grew into a deeply serious and lonely man. I just loved Mason, for all his disastrous past shenanigans he's grown into a confident, caring young man, if only Jude could see that and forget the rebel he remembers. Right from the very first mention of his name I just knew Pryce was trouble, but I guess it was fairly obvious. I found in the second half the dialogue between Mason and Jude rambled on a bit, constantly talking over their feelings, but not enough to put me off the storyline at all.