Factory security guard Milo is irresistible - honest, free and open with his feelings. Narrator Teddy Hamilton gives him his Boston accent, which adds to his rambunctiousness.

Businessman and the factory's owner, Renner is buttoned up, stressed, overworked, gay. The two strike a bargain where Milo will introduce him to relaxation - yoga, etc - and Renner will show him how to relate to men now that Milo suspects he is gay.

The story is basically the push and pull between the two as they open to and discover each other. Some of it seems a bit contrived because each man takes a turn getting weird on the other in a somewhat incomprehensible way.

But at the end of the day - and much enhanced by the narrator - this is an intense and seductive love story, without as much of the romcom I've found in other Tessa Bailey m/f novels I've read.

Also, I haven't read any M/M romance from Bailey before this book - although I've only consumed x of the countless books she's written - is it her first? If so, bravo! It's fresh and wicked.

(Later) Before this returned to the library I listened to the last few hours (it is only 5 hours in total). This time I heard a golden shower of extra detail in Tessa Bailey's text. That's a bit flowery, but on the first listen, the drama of the story dominated and there were little signposts and enrichments I missed.

That's the thing about listening, the story is diluted by one's mind snagging on the aural bleeps while one's imagination adds its own colour. Sure, those moments of deafness create some confusion and ambiguity but that's nothing compared to the emotional reward from co-authoring! I am discovering that the second (or subsequent) listen is a delicious mix of reliving a tantalising scene, and kicking up little unseen sparkles. I'm applying an extra half star to my review! ( )

This is a hard one for me to rate and review. Was it a good m/m? yes. However, was it a good story? I am mixed on that because the majority, more so than normal Tessa Bailey books, it felt like more sex than anything else. I feel like it had the potential to be so much more.

The scenes were hotter than Hades and the dirty talk was delicious. I just wanted more. However, even though this was not my favorite book of this author it definitely would keep the "blues" away in a pinch.
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Milo and Renner's story was amazing! Go read it! Trust me because I'd never steer you wrong if you love a frenemies to lovers story. Well, not really frenemies. More like I-am-really-reluctant vs I-am-going-to-win-you-over.

Before we get to deep into the review, true confessions: I series hopped. I know I preach the no-no I think should be followed, but this was recommended by my book pimp so I HAD to read it. And you know, I really think I don't think I lost anything from not reading about Renner in previous Made in Jersey books. The story truly stood alone, and as a reader you got what a conflicted man Renner was. However, having such a strong alpha male persona, you'd think he'd need his equal. But Milo is both disarmingly charming to both Renner and the reader.

This is one of those stories where you understand the walls that each character has and yet, anxiously await both to breach them. I was charmed by these characters that seemed more relatable to the everyday man in a long time. 5 out of 5 stars.
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Great first time contemporary romance. ( )