Jam Packed (Destination Daddies) by R.J. Moray

Jam Packed (Destination Daddies) Reviews

• 
  Susan

  I decided to pick this up again only because I wanted to know how the thing with Sammy’s nasty business partner would turn out.
  
  Well, I should have stopped at 35%.
  
  I love books with insecure characters, I really do. But not if that’s the main plot.
  
  Like, we had Sammy who was super insecure about himself, and especially his weight. Then we had Axel, the daddy, who I wanted to reassure Sammy. And while he did do that to some extent, he also had a lot of insecurities of his own, since Axel had real commitment issues and didn't want a relationship.
  
  And if it’s one thing I hate in books, it’s that one of the characters is constantly stating how it’s just sex, and not a relationship. And this coming from the daddy in the book really got onto my nerves.
  
  And the whole thing with Carson, Sammy’s ‘friend’ and business partner did not go as I expected..
  
  I guess I expected for either Sammy to stand up to Carson and then Carson would either be out of the picture or he would grovel and all would be well. Or Axel would do that for Sammy.
  
  But what happened was that it became this thing between Sammy and Axel. Sammy would defend Carson and Axel would say that Sammy should evaluate their partnership and look more closely at the business' finances and stuff.
  
  Overall these guys absolutely tired me. Sammy with his insecurities and Axel with his inability to really step up as Sammy’s daddy and to commit to him.
  
  Ugh, I should have really stopped at 35%.
  
  --------------------
  
  DNF at 35%
  
  I'm bored out of my mind.
  I'm not feeling it. :(
• 
  vrstal (Ezra S.)

  Jam Packed is an absolutely amazing new read from Moray. It is sweet, sentimental, and spicy. It earned every star, 5/5, for not only how well written it was but for the wonderful storytelling that pulled at my heart strings.
  
  I am a fat trans, gay man who also has ADHD and I felt wholly connected to Sammy and his inner dialogue. I highlighted paragraphs that made me tear up and cry because I felt them *that* deeply, a shared connection and fear, that I felt so seen in. That was 20 different highlights in total.
  
  —
  “I’m fat”, Sammy said. It was true. Neither of them could deny it. Axel smiled. He stroked Sammy’s belly. “Yeah. Fat and gorgeous.”
  —
  
  YES!! This is what I’m talking about. Fat is not a dirty word. It just is. There was so many good moments here where Sammy’s size is not downplayed or ignored, but part of his beauty because he is beautiful and fat, and Axel likes that. Their relationship was sweet and while I’m not the biggest fan of ‘will-they-won’t-they’, in this story it felt genuine and authentic how their relationship developed. I know some people might think some of the dating situations Sammy described previously seem realistic but from another fat person: yeah. That is realistic. People will shame you with no care because fatphobia is celebrated.
  
  The plot around Carson and Sammy was interesting and I won’t spoil it here, but I liked that it was more a grey issue than an obvious route one could have taken. I also loved Meghan and Jasmin, love lesbian moms, and if there was ever to be another book I would love to read about Simon finding his 24/7 discipline dynamic with another sweet chubby boy. The scene with him comforting Sammy was heartwarming and enjoyable. He seemed like a really great guy. Axel’s father and the way he talked to him about love and marriage was perfect. The touch of realism, but even Sammy’s optimism was oh-so-contagious.
  
  I loved the way the epilogue went for Axel and Sammy as well, because it was just so *them*. I could read another book with them for sure but it was also just right how it was written. IDK. I love everything about this book. I would marry this book.
  
  Thank you, Robin, for writing this. You made a fat boy like me feel seen, and that love is out there. Maybe I won’t find an Axel but I can always dream!
  
  **I received an ARC in exchange for a review, all opinions are honest and my own.**
• 
  Andi

  This is the first book.I've read by this author. Though it was an okay read for me, I do plan on reading another book by her one day. I was a little bored with this story and both characters frustrated me. It took me three days to finish this story. That's a long time for me, but I finished it and I'm sorry to say there's not much about it that I loved about it. All in all it was just kind of bland.
  
  I did not like Axel *the older hero* much. For a Daddy/Dom his decision making and insecurities are a mess. When he should protect Sam, he doesn't. He is just all over the place and I didn't care for him.
  
  I HATED his nickname for Sam. Period. I almost stopped reading this story, and in a way I wished I had, when he gives Sam his nickname. Even Sam wasn't that crazy about it. It sucked. I don't know many people who would've liked it...fat or thin.
  
  Sam was just a sweet man who.is very insecure about himself and his life. I felt sorry for him. I liked him and wanted to love him because he is just a nice man. But his loud, insecure inner voice never really evolved into a stronger more confident man. He deserves a good life. I'm just not sure its going to be with Axel.
  
  Maybe he will. Or maybe I stopped caring one way or another.
  
  What I loved about the book is that Sam is a chubby hero. He owned it. By this I mean he wasn't plaguing himself with diets and suddenly becoming a gym rat. It was refreshing to see that. I just wish he'd been more secure about himself. Bigger people are beautiful too. Just ask my husband. He's on the portly side and he rocks it. *shivers*
  
  Anyway, I am one of the few that had problems with this story. Many readers love it, so if you are interested in reading it, give it a try. It definitely had great potential for me, and it might meet that potential for you.
  
  2.5 stars rounded up
• 
  Anna

  5+
  
  A shy fat boy who makes jam for a living and a hot tattooed older daddy? Are you kidding? This book is amazing. The fat rep is stunning and I was worried at moments but there's a particular scene were Sammy mentions that he's fat, and instead of brushing it off, Axel responds "your fat and gorgeous" or something similar and it was just so good. I don't know if I've ever actually had fat romance rep before that treated the term fat as an ambivalent term instead of villainizing it. I loved that there was substance to this book and each character had their own shit to deal with. It wasn't a "fall into bed and live HEA". There's heartbreak and misunderstanding and stupid men thinking they don't need a relationship because they've been hurt before. There's friendship drama in both the best and worst ways and also some wonderful parent rep. Highly recommend this one. also, do yourself a favor and click on the linked pinterest board in the ebook copy, it's amazing and also validating that the author really did intend to make an unapologetic fat character.
  
  Age gap, daddy/boy but no age play more Dom/sub light version. No pain or impact play, praise kink, size kink.
  
  Fat white gay MC, gay white MC
• 
  Natalie

  2.5 stars. It was alright but nothing really jumped out at me about this one. It would be interesting to see them after they’ve been married for a bit. It was a little sweet and soft. I didn’t like the piglet nickname or the whole situation with Carson. The guy treated Sammy like trash, screwed him over in the business but still genuinely cares and they’re still talking. Axel was pretty hands off about the situation and decisions were made by outside interference. Not for me this one.
• 
  Airy

  This was a sweet daddy/boy romance. Sammy and Axel were very great characters. I especially liked Sammys development. It´s also been so far the best book in this series for me.
• 
  MC ☘️ Persnickety Peruser

  A daddy kink m/m romance
  
  We have a 47-year-old Daddy (Axel) who makes wooden bowls, with a 28-year-old boy (Sammy) who makes jam. They meet at a "Cuff'd Destination Daddies" dating event at a B&B.
  
  Let's start with the book cover. Here's an example of a cover that causes a negative visceral reaction. I literally cannot stand looking at it. If that's supposed to be the "Daddy" in this book, then he is not as described:
  "really, really hot."
  "...with salt outrunning the pepper in his hair, and a lean, tight-muscled body. He looked good, masculine, confident, with a well-groomed beard..."
  Ugh, I hate bad book covers. 😠
  
  I like that the boy in this story is chubby. That was the only unique thing about it. The Daddy was sadly disappointing.
  
  The author inserted this overused trope:
  Axel had 🄾🄽🄴 relationship that ended badly, therefore he will never love again. He is now a broken man, and his boy deserves better.
  
  Ugh, I cannot tell you how many Daddy/boy books have used this trope, but I'm very tired of reading it.
  
  So here we have an insecure Daddy with an insecure boy.
  They decide to have a sex-only relationship until the 92% mark, when they finally enter into a real relationship. I read the first sex scene, but I had no interest in reading the ones after that. Sex for the sake of sex, with no emotional involvement, does little for me.
  
  It all boils down to a story that is -
  
  about a pathetic older guy and a desperate young man.
  
  The best thing I can say about it, is that I liked Sammy. He was very sweet and wanted to please everyone. He was my favorite character. I just wish he could have had a better Daddy. 😥
  
• 
  Jenn (not Lily)

  I loved every bit of this story! It was so good to see that both Sammy and Axel have some issues, not just the younger one working out his emotions and the older one with all his shit together. Even by the end of the story, after time has passed, everything isn't perfect -- instead, life has been moving on and our heroes are still working on getting it right, and it's wonderful!
• 
  Grace

  Sweet, sexy, a bit kinky. Pretty quick read, and it was exactly what I was in the mood for. Nothing too deep or complicated. Plus, chubby MC and jam-making!
• 
  Amanda

  I gave into my urge to reread and regret nothing 🥰
  ---
  4.5⭐
  OMG I adored this book and loved sweet rambling jam making Sammy and Daddy Axel so much! Daddy/Boy kink (no age play) and wonderful fat rep.
• 
  Allison

  **I received an ARC with the understanding I would post an unbiased review**
  
  4.5 stars of perfectly sweet goodness!
  
  This book is just wonderful. The fat rep is wonderful and felt authentic, as did the age rep. I felt like Carson was a tiny bit obvious as a character, but everything else about this had me smiling and sighing happily so it was easy to overlook that. Sammy is such a lovely person my heart ached for his very understandable insecurities. I loved his mom too and would love to have had her on page in person and to get to see her meeting Axel (maybe someday?). Axel is so caring and careful about how he treats Sammy, we all need an Axel in our lives. Axel's friends were great as well, we all can do with friends who push us or support us when necessary and they were always there for him. Sammy did occasionally seem younger than his age, but it fits his character, he was clearly naive and sheltered, and once his mom is introduced you can see from where he gets his open nature. I also love that they sometimes messed up, in their attempts to be exactly what the other needed they lost their way at times which also felt very real. Basically this story is about how much self-doubt and previous experience can mess us up so we miss the opportunities that are in front of us. I love that they both had to overcome that to find their way to each other, it made it all the more heartwarming.
  
  This is the kind of book I'll read when I want to feel all sweet and melty, it's definitely going into the feel good rotation.
• 
  ♥ Rebecca ♥

  This book was ok. Great plus-sized rep. But the book was too short to develop the romance fully. And it never fully explained what was going on with Carson which was really annoying.
• 
  Kerry

  Axel and Sammy were so sweet together. They made the perfect couple, each being exactly what the other was looking for. Sammy was insecure and self-conscious about his weight, so he had trouble believing that anyone could be interested in him, especially someone like Axel. Axel was an older, good-looking man who just wanted to be someone's Daddy. However, after having had his heart broken by a previous relationship, he was hesitant to start anything more than a casual hook-up. Meeting Sammy changed all that.
  
  Together, Axel and Sammy gave each other confidence, security and love. Sammy's friend Carson was no friend at all IMO, but I loved Sammy's mom. And Axel's friend Meghan was awesome. She gave Axel the push he needed to start dating again. The epilogue was perfect.
• 
  Amanda

  So, so good.
  
  Sammy was allowed to be a boy, allowed to be fragile. Except...except he wasn’t, really, because while half the time people dismissed him as too stupid to take care of himself, the rest of the time they figured he was thick skinned enough to eat an insult because, well, they figured he’d eat anything.
  
  I think this is the best fat rep I've run into in a read to date. So much of it resonated.
  
  “Baby boy, you’re gorgeous.”
  “I’m fat,” Sammy said.
  It was true. Neither of them could deny it. Axel smiled. He stroked Sammy’s belly. “Yeah. Fat and gorgeous.”
  
  It's sensitively handled and soft without the usual horror show devolution other books with fat protagonists become—the ott abuse that just triggers damage we already have from existing in fat bodies.
  
  Everything about this story is soft. Both protagonists are damaged from past experiences and afraid to ask for what they want. They take a while to get there, but the ending is very satisfying.
  
  There is a lot of praise kink and daddy kink to be found in here, but no age play if you're looking to avoid that. Just a very sweet story about a late 20's boy and his late 40's Daddy.
• 
  Rachel Emily

  Ohmygoodness, I just adored this. Sammy is just such an endearing, sweet, lovely character and you just want all the happiness in the world for him right away.
  
  I love Sammy, how he just wants love and yes, sex too, and has a hard time finding guys that respect him and treat him well due to his weight. And he really wants a daddy most of all. I loved his relationship with his mom, I wanted a better friend for him, I loved his inner thoughts and growing confidence, and I just loved him and Axel together.
  
  Axel is 20 years older than Sammy and can't quite move on from his past heartbreak. I know that these two had some bumps in communication to provide the main conflict, but overall I really liked that they talked to each other and didn't let big misunderstandings drag on too long.
  
  RJ Moray writes some crazy good kink and steam, and this was a bit sweeter than her main Boy Next Door series, and it worked so well for these two. I really loved them together.
  
  I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Smut Librarian

  This book is so heart clenchingly good!
  It has the perfect balance of sweetness and kink.
  So many readers are looking for characters with realistic body types and this story addresses those issues head on. Sammy's reactions are so raw and authentic that it gives an instant connection to this character. I know I identify strongly with the feelings and judgement Sammy faces throught this story and the brilliantly written descriptions and dialogue made me feel every nuance.
  I also adored Axel's character and the way he cares deeply, even if this caused him hurt in the past. His sweet and nurturing nature makes him the most swoon worthy Daddy as he provides Sammy with all the support and careful praise he needs to bloom. It's beautiful.
  Their journey is gentle and sweet and just a little bit dirty and I could hardly put this book down.
• 
  Meg (queer_book_recs)

  I’ve read some really great stuff from RJ Moray so this one was a bit disappointing. It was cute, but there were a few cringey moments. There were aspects of it I really liked, but not totally comfortable recommending this one.
• 
  Sara

  Great fat positivity
  
  Just a very cute and sweet story. Loved the fat positively and that Sammy had a jam making business. An engaging and adorable read.
• 
  Bess

  dnf at piglet (iykyk)
  
  fairly dull up until that point and based on the other reviews I'm not missing much!
• 
  Lisa KK

  I expected more of Moray. Usually the characters are so well fleshed out. Sammy was a delight. He felt so real. Axel though. He was just there. Maybe it would have been better as a single pov story.
• 
  Rainbow Reads and Reviews

  Most of us know Robin from her His Boy Next Door series and her other books that are kinky and can bring the heat.....this one didn't.
  
  A tale as old as time. A fat character who hates themselves falls for a stereotypical "hot" character who happens to find the fat character attractive. Fat character can't believe it and spends the entire book wallowing in their insecurity all while questioning why someone so hot would want to be with them.
  
  I was not a fan of Axel. He basically used Sammy knowing that Sammy was extremely insecure and unsure. Axel felt like he was catching feelings and basically tosses Sammy aside like yesterday's garbage. I also hate the nickname Piglet. I think Robin was trying to make it cute and empower Sammy with a nickname, but it missed the mark for me. Again, Axel could already see just how insecure Sammy was. Why he thought, as a Daddy, that calling a fat boy Piglet would be ok, is another strike against him. Yes, Sammy had a piglet toy on is bag, but again, I don't know many fat people who would want a complete stranger to call them piglet...and Sammy doesn't even like it. He has to convince himself, later in the book, that he likes it. UGH It's not endearing...it makes Axel a jerk.
  
  My other main issue with this book was the lack of heat. The intimate scenes were boring. Channon and Jack have some smoking hot scenes....Axel and Sammy could have as well....and they just didn't.
  
  Don't get me started on the epilogue... you know I hate when authors end books on sex scenes....it felt out of place and I wish Sammy had a more romantic proposal. If there was ever a character that deserved it, it was him.
  
  It's not an awful book, but not one I'll want to read again.
  
  
• 
  Shawna (endemictoearth)

  This was a lovely tale with a good portrayal of diverse body types. I'm always looking for books that include fat characters that aren't just caricatures or focused only on their size, and this one balanced that aspect nicely. I don't read a lot of daddy/boy books, personally, but this one was a very mild version of that dynamic. I really enjoyed how they complemented one another in more ways than just sexually. I also really liked the choice to include Simon as a character at the mixer; he was also interested in Sammy, and Sammy liked him, too, but he isn't attracted to him the same way as Axel . . . it's a small thing, but when you have a character with self-esteem issues, it's nice to show that it's not just the other MC that finds them sexy.
• 
  Bizzy

  3.5/5 stars. A shy boy hooks up with an older Daddy. Sammy was sweet and wonderful, and I loved that both the book and Axel fully embraced (and loved) that he’s fat, and also that his body insecurities weren’t the main conflict in the book, because he’s much more than what he looks like. I would love to see more romance protagonists like him. I felt like Axel was kind of a jerk though, like he knew he was leading Sammy on but refused to do anything about it. The details behind his commitment issues were concealed too long; as a result, there were few developments in that part of the story for most of the book, which was tiresome. Still, my enjoyment of Sammy and the dynamic between him and Axel outweighed my complaints and I recommend this one.
• 
  Emily Hernandez

  I can't believe how adorably sweet Sammy and Axel were!
  
  I've devoured several of Robin's steamy romances, but this story was one to be savoured. Sweet, anxious Sammy was such a lovable character, and I adored watching him gain confidence in himself as this book progressed. His and Axel's relationship was very different from anything else I've read by Robin--much softer and caring, with a tendency towards sweet cuddles instead of adventurous bedroom activities. Axel was very much the Daddy that Sammy was searching for, but instead of humiliation and pain, I got to watch them fall in love one tender moment at a time. I was a huge fan of the change of pace, not just because it fit who these men were but because it made me feel closer to them on an emotional level. My entire heart was wrapped up in the growth of their relationship (even when they refused to acknowledge it was anything more than sex), and it was wonderful to see Axel and Sammy spend so much time together as Daddy and boy. I knew it was only a matter of time before they realized how perfect they were for each other, and the way they handled their one and only fight showed me that they were willing to put their hearts on the line to keep their relationship moving forward. Even when things got messy in Sammy's personal life, it was Axel he turned to for love and support. It made my heart so happy to get a tiny peek into the happiness they shared together one year down the line, and I have no doubt in my mind that these men are fully, 100% committed to each other.
  
  **I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
• 
  Juniper

  This is, at its heart, a deeply sweet love story-- much like the jam that Sammy makes, it’s a nuanced, at times tart kind of sweetness, one that builds between two people who’ve been burned by past relationships and yet find the courage to take a chance on each other, which is, I have to admit, my all time favorite thing in a romance. I like that both Sammy and Axel have a million reasons not to take a chance, but, after trial, error, angst, and, of course, plenty of sweetness, do it anyway. I like that both of them have to find different kinds of courage-- Sammy to stand up for himself and what he wants, Axel to be honest with himself and Sammy about *what* he wants and why he’s afraid of getting it. I loved the gentleness of their Daddy/boy dynamic, and how much it brings to them both. I think it would have been easy, had the author not made his emotional process so accessible, to be frustrated with Axel for the things he does, which are meant to protect himself but wind up hurting both him and Sammy. I found it impossible, however, not to feel for him, as the baggage from his last relationship, and his own preconceptions about love and relationships, are clearly heavy burdens-- it’s a huge relief when he finally sets them down. All in all, I loved this book: the blend of heat and feeling, the utterly likeable and relatable characters (plus some awesome and one not-so-awesome supporting characters) the utterly fitting HEA-- it all adds up to a very enjoyable read.
  
  *I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
  
• 
  Trae

  This is the third book of the series and I have to say that it’s interesting how different all the ways authors can run with daddy kink. I was excited for this book because I’m a huge fan of the author’s other work. Specifically HBND. This is for sure different from the Santa Rita Doms universe. (I liked the characters here but they can’t all be as awesome as Jack, Channon, Nate, and Ewan.)
  
  The book is well written for being what I’m thinking is a rush together job for the entire series. I think that I only came across one typo. RJ Moray always writes very well and I can always be sure that I’m not silently correcting grammar when reading her stuff.
  
  That being said, I did feel like there were points that more would have been helpful or meaningful in the story. It felt abbreviated in a way that I don’t generally enjoy. Just some unfinished strings. And I’m the type to pick at strings until they unravel half my clothing. I’m glad Sammy and Axel get their HEA and would love more from Sweet Hill and the Inn.
  
  I do like the way this series makes a point to include those that don’t fit into a neat and tidy relationship and/or appearance type. I applaud those that try to give us the perspective of different body and personality types.
  
  It’s one of the books in the series I’ve purchased rather than just reading once from KU. I’m sure it will get a reread from me in the future.