| Title | : | Just a Feeling |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 78 |
| Publication | : | First published July 16, 2015 |
My name is yours to give, I’m a new father, whose best friend in the world just died and took with her all the magic of being an uncle, leaving only the harsh reality of being a father with no idea how to do that, AT ALL. Thing is, I’m looking for a nanny, my child is a colicky baby trying to wake the dead screaming, I haven’t slept in a while, and this handsome stranger who’s knocking on my door seems to be the answer to my desperate pleas… Only, he seems to know an awful lot of things about me and my baby that even I don’t know, can I trust him? Should I let him near my child?
Photo Description:
A man holds his sleeping newborn. The baby clutches a set of dog tags while resting his chin on the man’s shoulder. The word “family” is tattooed across the father’s back.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
Just a Feeling Reviews
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My review of Just a Feeling by J.H. Knight
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Gush-ation
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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I've been waiting for this one not even the psychic tag is going to deter me...because I really love nanny romances.
Um...my heart melts when I see a tattooed, burly guy with a baby.
Pardon me.
Um...this story is somewhere in the 4.5 - 5 stars range, so I'm just cutting to the chase and round this shit because this is totally one of my favorites of the event.
It was sweet but not overly sticky, it was funny but not at the expense of the characters, it was real because babies don't come with a manual and it was touching because through grief came a pretty solid HFN/HEA that read organic.
This is my first J.H. Knight too! Yay!
Mark is an ex-solider who planned on being uncle to his best friend's baby and due to an unfortunate event, he's a father to a baby boy he can't even name. He's tired, he's heartbroken and he is in love with the tiny human who is colicky and drives him up the wall.
But he knows the baby has him as his protector. And Mark is the kind of guy who will step up to the plate.
Ian, the auburn haired (I swear he's a great character, I'm not rhapsodizing just because he's a ginger) nanny, who is snarky and overly qualified, makes Mark realize a few things:
- that he can accept help
- that he can learn to balance this parenting thing with an extra set of hands
- that he can possibly...have a meaningful relationship
Ian is a great character from a big family who gets people, how different personalities work. He's adaptable but firm in his beliefs when it counts.
Reading Mark fall for Ian was beautiful. He was trying to fight it but it's inevitable. *pink and gushy sigh*
My only complaint? I wished this was longer. :D
I loved Ian's family (Dave and his mouth is the shit! The shit!) And the snark, great level of snark. Yup. :D
Um...it's safe to say I'll try to fit in the books I have by this author collecting dust on my Kindle sooner than later.
Highly recommended for nanny romance lovers, lovers of babies in romances and happy (let me borrow from Cupcake) squishy feels.
It's a feel good romance.
My thanks to the author and the team behind the event! *♡* -
This is an fluffy, sweet, easy read with LOTS (lots!) of baby scenes. OMG, so much baby.
Despite the traumatic setup, this is a feel-good story about two men and, you guessed it, a baby.
Warning: If you're not a fan of babies, medicate yourself with tequila before reading.
Mark, despite being unexpectedly shoved into the Daddy role following his best friend's passing in childbirth*, becomes a very dedicated parent.
I don't know about you, but when my kids were babies, I would pretty much throw them at anyone who came to visit. If someone had actually offered to watch them for a whole day, I would have sprinted out of the house and not looked back.
But Mark is ... cautious, and sort of a douche at the beginning. He doesn't want to hire a male nanny because they're all pervs and pedophiles. This coming from a man who's going to be raising a child on his own. UM, the fuck?
The entire story is one SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW burn. Mark refuses to sleep with Ian, because he doesn't want to fuck up his nanny situation by fucking the nanny.
This is a cute story, but it needed less buildup, more action (and not just of the sexy variety).
The guys don't get together until 93 (!) percent, and the story ends immediately after. This one screamed for an epilogue.
*Ranty bit:
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Two men and a baby. It's an adorable fluff.
Sometimes the obvious choice is obvious for a reason.
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This didn't warm 'n fuzzy me like it did for most of you, but I did enjoy it. Mark was a bit too gruff for my taste, but throw in sweet Ian and an adorable baby, and I'm mush.
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This prompt, plus JH Knight....gimme, gimme, gimme.
Not sure I'll be able to wait for downloads...
...and I couldn't, thank god, this story was exactly what I needed to read right now. I knew it would be a winner. I desperately want more about Mark and Ian. Please JH Knight. Please. :)
The friendship between these guys was brilliant, the slow burn of a developing relationship perfect. I seriously want more of Ian's family though...I heart Dave! also, I want to know what happens now. Don;t grt me wrong this is a perfect story as it is, but I fell for these guys and I'm not ready to let them go.
Thank you for this amazing story. x -
Totally adorable and sweet. It made me feel all nesty--time for explosions or serial killers to purge that.
Thanks to the author for participating in the MM Group's 2015 DRitC event, Love is an Open Road -
*** 4.5 Stars ***
This story was sweet, simple perfection.
I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a sugar rush with a side of adorable baby inspired awwwwz. -
This was a cute read, but I was a little disappointed. All we get is baby, baby, baby and then the last part we're finally there and......end. Great writing, good story, but I felt let down a bit.
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This was just super cute and fluffy! I love a good manny story, and this one totally delivered.
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Super adorable and fluffylicious!
Mark is upgraded from uncle to baby daddy when the mother, his friend Tracy, dies during childbirth. So, with that obvious sadness hanging over his life, he also has a brand-new baby on his hands and not much of a clue what to do. His boss, Darren, suggests a nanny, which brings Ian to Mark's doorstep.
Slowly but surely, Ian guilelessly works his way into Mark's home, his life, and his heart. Add a large, boisterous, and awesome family with quirky characters on Ian's side, a few ah-ha moments for Mark, and a hot but emotional ending, and this novella was perfect for a quick, enjoyable hour.
Free from the M/M Romance group's Love Is An Open Road event. My thanks to the author!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... -
This was a cute, short read.
I liked Mark and Ian, especially Ian. He was a really great guy. But I felt like this needed more of them together. -
Thanks to the author for participating and offering this freebie
baby BABY baby BABY - I'm not geared to like this for long!
Was quickly looking to pass the story back to it's parent!
Mum conveniently killed off with no explanation it leaves male ex-army best friend to be mummy while fighting attraction to super-smiley manny.
It's cute and sweet if you like that sort of thing. I ended up skimming and quitting not long past the big family gathering. I may be kid-phobic, I find I can live with that realisation!
Also he opens the door shirtless and the baby who is just in a towel pees on him. He doesn't wash! Super-manny-to-be feeds baby and gets ordered to wash his hands, he lathers up. Army guy is still sitting there covered in baby-pee!!!! It bothered me.
It's cute baby-pee aside but not for me, I wanted more of the adults less of the strangely immediate domesticity. -
Such an aww... inducing story!
There is something really sexy about a hot, tatooed,ex military guy with a baby, right?
Yeah, right, tell this to Mark who found himself in charge of a newborn after losing his friend. And because, unfortunately, babies don't come with a manual (don't I know it!) he is way over himself.
Ian is a male nanny who comes to his rescue.
This story is light on the steam but the slow burn is there. And we all know that Knight can do slow burn. I would have liked more time with the couple and less with the baby tho...
The psychic part is pretty light. To be honest I don't think it adds anything to the story.
Overall a great shortie for one of the most gorgeous prompt pics of the event:)
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3.5 stars
This has A LOT of baby scenes -- but I really liked it. The whole single Dad thing played my heart-strings just right, you know? Sure the ending felt rushed. I would've liked for more Mark and Ian together after the 'dance-around-their-feeling' that we were given throughout. BUT I guess baby Leo (and how Mark dealt with him) was just too adorable for me to make a big fuss out of it. -
3.7 Baby daddy stars
This was the sweetest book!!!! It was sweet and sad and just beautiful. I just needed a bit more bed action between Ian "The Nanny" and Mark "The Dad" but otherwise it was so worth the read.
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Loved it! But that's to be expected from me. I can't imagine not loving anything
J.H. Knight wrote. -
it was just fine but nothing really special. kinda disappointed from all the reviews I saw.
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This thing was pushing even my limits for children in romance. My lord, y'all. Every single page, baby stuff everywhere. And you want to know the harsh truth about babies? They're boring. There, I said it.
Cute fluff if you need something conflict-free and have the ability not to question things too much. Like why didn't Mark take FMLA from work? Dads get bonding time now too. Why wasn't Grandma around to help out for the first few weeks or so? I would assumed she'd plan to do so before But those things would've just been delays for what he eventually had to do anyway - hire a nanny.
So in conclusion:
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Squishy good feels.
I ordinarily am not a huge fan of kid stories but I needed a 'J' for a challenge and Baby said I must read it. Like a coon's age ago but better late than never, right?
Mark has become a single dad after his best friend Tracy died in childbirth. He knew he would be heavily involved in the child's life since she had no idea who the father was, but he never could've envisioned how involved. I got a bad case of the feels with how Tracy's death affected Mark. All of which read organic and infinitely relatable.
He's overwhelmed with a colicky baby but he's got to go back to work. Interviews don't go well, even Ian's. How attached he is to Leo was adorable, but he felt Ian was the most genuine so they give it a "trial run".
Did I mention Ian's a ginger? *eyebrows* Ian has a big family that are hella close and he and his mother have a special gift. The psychic thing wasn't overdone or heavy handed.
It is a slow burn with an HFN, but I have a feeling they'll make it.
My thanks to J.H. Knight for participating in the LOR event. My first Knight but not my last! -
3.5 stars
I'm a huge fan of The Last Thing He Needs, so was ecstatic to see a new story by J.H. Knight. This was a sweet story and a solid delivery on the prompt which will surely appeal to those that enjoy the manny trope. I liked this, it was sweet and we do get more than kisses. Not quite the same magic for me as TLTHN, though. -
I just L.O.V.E.D the first part of this book. I laughed at Mark and his checklist and the fact that Baby stayed baby for heaven only really knows how long after seeing the light.
I think it was a sweet and sometimes funny little short read that made me feel good. The ending was a little to abrupt to my taste but still done well. I love the plot, I would LOVE to read a full length novel around the same idea with of course LOTS and Lots of “more”. More detail more feeling more get together just... more. Anybody got something like that for me please give me a shout out. -
This was exactly what I needed! Great story, well-rounded - ok, normally I'm totally not a fan of the mother-has-to-die-so-the-guy-can-be-a-dad storyline, but this was the prompt! Therefore I was hesitant to read it, but Mrs. Knight did a great job with it, so I totally enjoyed reading it. I'm already looking forward to reading her next book.
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This was a really simple story but realistic one about a guy unexpectedly becoming a father. I really liked Ian and Mark wasn't bad either. It was funny when Mark couldn't decide on the baby's name. I can see Mark and Ian's relationship lasting. I like that.
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How the hell could this author be so completely off my radar until now?
This story was nice. Seriously lovely. Yes, I know, kid stuff isn't for everyone, and there's a lot of kid in this little novella. But I didn't mind that at all, primarily because the kid and all the issues involved in the childcare felt actually reasonably authentic (it reminded my of my own little tyrant, that's for sure).
There were a few things I had slight issues with (), but all in all, these issues were tiny compared with the fun I had reading this. It was well paced, carefully written with good, natural phrasings, a nice flow, and lovely characters.
I so need to check out this author - I'm sure there are a few more jems hidden in her shelf. -
Cute contemporary short story
When Mark agreed to put his name down as being the father of his best friend's child he was doing it as a favour, he didn't expect to be left literally holding the baby. But that is what happens when Tracey dies during childbirth. With no experience, a full time job and a baby to raise, he turns to an agency for help, and on the seventh attempt they send him Ian, an experienced nanny and almost thirty year old gay man. Mark returns to work and Ian looks after Leo during the day, but in the evening the two men spend time getting to know one another. The attraction grows but neither act on it, not wanting to rock the boat, until things come to a head after Mark goes out on a blind date when he realises what his true feelings for Ian are. Oh and the baby is just a baby, not a precocious scene stealer. very enjoyable. -
Loved this.
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Great story about Mark, an IT guy whose best friend dies after childbirth, leaving him with her son because his name is on the birth certificate. Colic, nighttime feedings, lack of sleep, grief and what not, leave their toll on Mark. A call from his boss pushes Mark to start interviewing candidates for a live-in nanny.
Ian isn't the type of nanny he would have considered, but he comes so highly recommended that Mark, after a lot of consideration and anxiety, hires him. And from there, things begin to slot into place again in his life. Ian has this intuition about things, knowing things Mark is feeling and thinking, and he helps calm the fears inside of Mark. He had such a comforting presence in Mark and Leo's life.
Man, I loved these two. Mark was struggling with so much in his life after his friend's death. Ian was there for him in such wonderful ways, knowing and understanding, picking up the slack, reassuring Mark when he faltered in such gentle ways. No wonder Mark felt drawn to him. Their interactions with baby Leo made for some great and realistic times.
The secondary characters, mainly Mark's boss and Ian's immediate family, were developed and interesting. Especially Ian's mother, Rachel. I enjoyed the insight it gave us into why Ian was the person he was.
This is one that I'll want to read again. -
4 Stars
Oh how much did I love how JHK actually portrayed how hard it can be as a parent? Not all sunshine and puppies for some; lotsa love for including the negative, scary thoughts as well. I think if more moms & dads knew that this was a regular occurrence, that it didn't make them bad people or horrible parents, that they might seek out more help when they needed it and didn't feel pressured to be a superman/woman, taking care of everything all on their own.
I only wish it were longer because I'm not really satisfied with the it'll work itself out resolution. I'm that PITA that wants to know how did it work out? What concessions had to be made? Was he still the nanny and if so, did that feel a little pervy (paying someone while having sex with them)? Those are the details I wanted explained (especially after all the great, in-depth specifics about babies and how much freaking work they are to deal withsomemost of the time)! -
Adorable. I love babies. I love men with babies. And this story...my heart was happy :)
Side note:
Six weeks before the baby is named?
...Really? -
3.5 stars
Super cute with the baby and all. But the long dance and that's suddenly how it ends? Not the best feeling...
