Blitz: Undone (Vino & Veritas) by Leslie McAdam
Book Details:
Book Title: Undone (Vino and Veritas series)
Author: Leslie McAdam
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press LGBTQ
Cover Artist: Christine Coffey
Release Date: August 12, 2021
Genre: Contemporary M/M romance
Tropes: Roommates, friends-to-lovers
Theme: Bi-awakening
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 90 000 words
It is a standalone story. There are 18 books in the series, all by different authors.
They are part of Sarina Bowen’s True North World. This is the LGBTQ line called Vino and Veritas.
@Archaeolibrary, @gaybookpromo, @LeslieMcAdam,
My new roommate has the worst taste in men.
I mean, Murph’s special. He’s funny and flamboyant and full of life.
While I’m straight, even I can tell these guys aren’t good enough for him.
I had to yell at one date, toss another one out the door, and throw a beer in another’s face.
Kind of embarrassing, really. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.
I ask my sister what’s wrong with me and she says I’m jealous.
Jealous? Please. Me?
Come on.
Only thing is, I hate the thought of Murph kissing any guy. Ever.
Except, maybe ... me?
Undone is a contemporary m/m romance about a dreamy insurance agent that might not be as straight as he thinks, an adorable bartender who adds sparkle wherever he goes, and maybe one or two jokes about swords.
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Murph’s perspective
A few hours later, all my things are in the room. We centered the rug on the floor, and it lies under a bed that we’re almost done assembling.
Currently, Jason’s sprawled on my floor mechanic-style as he screws the sideboards to the headboard. I’m holding the two pieces together for him like I’m at a perfume counter handing out samples.
While all I want to do is straddle him. I mean, he’s just lying there on his back, waiting to be ridden.
Down, boy, I scold myself, and adjust my jeans.
In addition to a library’s worth of books, Jason helped haul up the mattress and the dresser. Navigating the stairs with the box spring turned out to be tricky, but we managed not to punch a hole in it or the walls, so I count that as a win.
Plus, I got to see his biceps flex. Bonus.
“I’m normally not this much of a wuss,” I say, as I hold the pieces together while he uses the drill. “I, you know, lift weights and stuff.”
That’s a lie.
“You do?”
“No,” I admit instantly. “But I like to run. And if you take me out, I’ll dance with you.”
I expect him to tell me he doesn’t take men out, but instead he asks, “How were you going to move all this in without me?” With a big hand, he gestures to everything piled in my new room.
My first thought is that I never want to do anything without him ever again. But that might be coming on a tad strong, especially since he’s my landlord.
Like that’s the only reason not to flirt with him. I might as well flirt with a mirror—then at least I’d know I was talking to a gay boy.
I shrug. “I suppose I’m like Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. ‘I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.’”
His voice drops an octave and gets even gruffer. I had no idea that was possible. “My pleasure. I’m happy to help.” He sits up and dusts his hands off. “All done. Now you’ve got a place to sleep.”
“Or do other things.”
Shit. I said that out loud. In a singsong voice.
Change the subject, Murph.
Jason only smiles and gazes at me like I’m some fascinating specimen. Like he doesn’t know what to do with me.
It’s an almost indulgent look, and it makes me really happy.
“Am I keeping you from something? Work?” A girlfriend? Yeah, I’m fishing and deflecting. Two of my many talents that involve my tongue.
But I don’t want the confirmation about women. Not yet. Let me have at least one day of fantasy.
“No.” He starts tugging the box spring onto the bed frame. I guess I should help instead of standing here watching his back muscles tango under his shirt. Together we maneuver the box spring into place and set the mattress on top. “Took the afternoon off to help my new roommate move in.”
“I’m gonna tell your sister you played hooky. She said you work too much.”
He closes his eyes and smiles like he’s going to throttle her the next time he sees her. “She’s always on me about that. I’m fine. But no, I’m not working for the rest of the day.”
“And you’ve spent your day off helping me move. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
I like the way he says that. So many people say, “No problem,” but that implies that whatever you thanked them for could be a problem.
Being Jason’s pleasure, though?
That’s tempting.
5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Have you ever missed out on a whole series, read one story, and then put the whole lot of the others on your TBR list? Because that's what I've done on the back of this one story by Leslie McAdam. UNDONE is book eighteen in the Vino and Veritas series, and I want more.
In this instalment, we meet Jason and Murph. Jason has a friends with benefits arrangement going on with Marnie that suits him just fine, and Marnie says she is happy with how it is too. Murph is his new roommate, and what an eye opener he is! Murph is strong and confident, but still has his own worries and concerns. What you get is a HOT slow-burn romance with lots of self-discovery and laughs along the way.
Oh, man. These two! They about killed me, they really did. Both of them are absolutely gorgeous inside and out and have so much to learn about themselves and each other. Watching Jason's jealousy when he had no idea what it was he was feeling was just wonderful. Murph has been seriously hurt before and is understandably wary of Jason when they do get together. Communication and acknowledgement of each other's needs wins the day though, and how fantastic was that?!
After a quick check on Goodreads, it appears this is the first book by this author I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. Leslie McAdam's writing style is warm, well-paced, and character-lead. This story blew me away and I loved the bi-realisation aspect of it. I also loved how they got to know each other first. Of course, as far as Jason was concerned, Murph was just a possible friend. Their flirting, innocent as it was (or not in Murph's case!) was heart-warming.
I could go on, but I think I've waffled on enough. I have loved this new-to-me world of Vino and Veritas and will definitely be reading more. As for Leslie McAdam, well, she's definitely one to watch. Now, if you will excuse me, I've got an author's backlist to go through, plus a whole series.
Absolutely and utterly recommended by me!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
USA Today bestselling author Leslie McAdam is a California girl who loves romance and well-defined abs. She lives in a drafty old farmhouse on a small orange tree farm in Southern California with her husband and two small children. Leslie's first published book, The Sun and the Moon, won a 2015 Watty, which is the world's largest online writing competition. She's gone on to receive additional literary awards and has been featured in multiple publications, including Cosmopolitan.com. Her books have been Top 100 Bestsellers on both Amazon and Apple Books. Leslie is employed by day but spends her nights writing about the men of your fantasies.
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