When He Beckons by Halli Starling

When He Beckons Reviews

• 
  NicoleR.M.M.

  I forgot to write a proper review for this one, but I remember I was pleasantly surprised by it. The writing was good and engaging and I know I loved both main characters. There was a little bit of getting used to Deacon, but once I got to know him better, he really grew on me.
• 
  Vanna (on-hiatus)

  4 Loved it stars!! ❤️❤️ This was a short sweet low angst novella with mature MCs who have a “meet-cute” moment.. and from there starts a connection between 2 very different people. They bond over their mutual love of books and the outdoors.. and the chemistry between them is incredible 😍
  I loved that the MCs were older (exact ages are not disclosed.. but late thirties or early forties) but they were not jaded.. just more experienced and vulnerable because of that. I enjoyed the banter between them as well as the passion 🔥 Highly recommended to all fans of sweet, tender low-angst novellas 👍🏻👍🏻
  P. S. Thanks Lilly for the recommendation 🥰
• 
  Lilly [Hiatus due to School]

  When He Beckons is a cute and steamy story of two older men whose paths cross after a chance meeting. I liked that for a short story the pacing was well done and it did not feel rushed or that it was missing something. The writing style was also charming. It had a very much quirky and whimsical feel to it.
  
  I love how Zan and Deacon are older men! They are in their late 30s and 40s, and the insta attraction that blossoms into something more is wonderful to see. It was drama-free and had a very much mature vibe while keeping that fresh and youthful feel you find in new budding relationships. These two men seem different at first glance but fit so perfectly together!
  
  Overall, I really enjoyed this novella! I randomly picked it up to read a few months ago, and glad I finally did. Halli Starling is new to me author, and I will keep an eye out for their future works!
• 
  AngelFire

  DNF @ 45%. No rating.
  
  So here's the thing. I add books to my TBR and sometimes don't read them for months because I try to read my TBR chronologically. When it's finally time to read some books, I often don't remember anything about them, I just know that I added them to my TBR for a reason. When I start reading, the point of the story usually becomes clear very quickly and I remember why I added them to my TBR.
  
  That wasn't the case here. I read nearly half of it and absolutely nothing interesting happens. The characters meet at a skate park and while one of the MC's is kind of strange (more on him later), it's a pretty normal interaction between two strangers who chit chat for a few minutes before moving on. They meet up again when one of them (a romance publisher) hires the other (a printing company) to be his new printer. There's more casual chit chatting, they agree to go on a date, they meet up for that date and asides from some rainy weather, the boring nothingness continues.
  
  Their conversations were so mind numbingly boring that I struggled not to fall asleep. They talk about Printing Guy's favorite author (who is the publisher company's client) - they discuss the author and Printing Guy's favorite book by her, but none of that was interesting because it's all made up crap that I didn't care about. They also spend ages chit chatting about cloud shapes when they're on their date. Listen - kudos to the author for keeping things realistic because yeah, these kind of inane, nothing chats are exactly the type of conversations two people have when they don't know each other but that's not what I want to read about.
  
  Also - I didn't understand what the author was going for with Deacon's characterization. The guy is huge and covered in tattoos, yet he also acts and talks like a hippie yoga master and he also runs his own publishing company so he spends some days walking around in a fancy suit and other days walking around wearing flowers on his head. I'm sure the characterization worked in the author's head and this was a me-problem, but I didn't get it.
  
  The MCs randomly kiss at 34% and sure enough - clothes are coming off by 45%. There's zero chemistry, I didn't care about either MC and this was nearly halfway through the book! This was a big Nothing Burger.
  
  I couldn't understand why on earth I had added this to my TBR so I went to the GR listing for it to investigate. The summary is as boring as the actual story was so I knew that hadn't attracted my attention. Then I saw some reviews and I realized what made this book 'special'...both MCs are in their 40s. Unfortunately, nothing about their characterization made them feel like they were in their 40s so this whole gamble didn't pay off.
• 
  Jazer (catching up on TBRs)

  I didn't think novellas can feel complete with how short they are but this one somehow felt like it. From the meet cute to dating and relationship development to confession, that's 98 pages of good stuff. I enjoyed it! 🥰
• 
  Anna

  Thank you BookSprout and Halli Starling for providing an ARC. Here is my honest review:
  
  “When He Beckons” by Halli Starling
  
  5⭐️/5⭐️
  4🌶/5🌶
  
  “You don’t gotta believe in ol’ Fate to wonder if we shouldn’t take a chance here or there. Been a while since I leapt without looking.”
  
  A meet-cute in a skate park. Two bookworms. A chance encounter at work. Zan is surprised when his new client, Deacon, ends up being the man he met hours prior in a skate park. The two exchanged a few words, but now that they’ve met again, they can finally get to know each other. The two men quickly realize the mutual attraction, and venture forth, exploring feelings and desires. “When He Beckons” is a low-angst spicy novella, filled with engaging characters and a sweet romance.
  
  -I had such a difficult time picking one quote for this review, because there were so many brilliant passages I highlighted. My goodness, Halli really wrote something special with this novella. I don’t read short novellas very often, and when I do I rarely connect with the characters and romance in a significant way. This story is the exception, and I think it’s a perfect example of Halli’s talent as a low-angst writer. She excels in writing realistic romances that don’t need to rely on any drama to sustain reader interest. Every character she has written has been unique, different, and completely approachable.
  
  -Deacon had me smiling as soon as he said his first bit of dialogue; the man is smooth and oozes charm. You kind of can’t help but kick your feet in excitement whenever he talks, because the way he expresses his thoughts and emotions are unlike anything I’ve read before. Truly, this is a one-of-a-kind character. He is so poetic, while also being very grounded in reality. I appreciated how upfront he was with Zan about his feelings and expectations; he’s whimsical, but also a realist.
  
  -I found myself relating to Zan so much when he talked about his favorite book, “Philosophy of Ivy and Mercy”. Really, whenever Zan talked about books and how they have influenced and changed his life, I kept thinking “yes! Same!”. Zan really personifies the type of reader who feels deeply when they connect with a book on a soul level.
  
  -There is no angst in this story, as I mentioned above. And there doesn’t need to be. While I love reading angsty romances, it’s so nice to take a break from dramatics and read something that is straightforward and sweet. There are no major conflicts, and there doesn’t need to be; romances don’t have to have big disputes in order to be compelling.
  
  -This is the spiciest Halli Starling story I’ve ever read, and I’m here for it! Deacon and Zan are a little older than most MCs I read about, but their age never interferes with how hot the spice is. Halli doesn’t hold back, the scene in the cabin is explicit and wonderful and everything I wanted to read between the two characters.
  
  -I cannot recommend this story enough if you are: looking for a quick read, need something low-angst, or want to read about older MCs.
  
• 
  Amur Thera

  The good
  + Their immediate connection
  + Deacon showing the man behind the confidence to Zan
  + Zan showing Deacon he's not as timid as he seems
  + The discussion of safe sex
  + Both of them having a not-so-secret praise kink
  + Their openness and honesty towards each other
  + So many dates
  + Fucking in the boss's cabin. Did not see that coming!
  + Their talk about cheesy romance books, and how they basically lived one (both in their pretend-roleplay and for real, with the cabin in the storm and the kiss on a stage)
  + Both having homes that suit them perfectly. Often, authors make one character live in a home he doesn't really need, to make it easier to shove them into living together by the end of the book. But these men were both established adults, and their homes fit them really well. I hope they kept both homes
  + Head scratches
  + Zan taking the time to help Teny with a different approach to learning his job, instead of trying the same thing over and over again. That was such a character-defining moment, and nobody was there to witness it (except Teny, but Zan basically adopted him anyway)
  
  The neutral
  o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
  o Zan's father was Leopold Van Alsden. Does that make Zan's full name Zan Van Alsden? Leo, don't give your kids names that make them targets for bullies
  
  The bad
  - Teny was left hanging. I really thought Zan could do something for him to help him forward, but the poor guy is still stuck
  
  Quotes
  x In Zan's haste to get his clothes off, he'd forgotten the two buttons inside his cowled sweater; the ones meant to keep the ends from flapping in the wind. But now one was snagged in his hair and he was hopelessly stuck. "Save me?" he pleaded, batting his eyes at Deacon through the bottom of his sweater.
  
  
  These guys were just so much fun together. They laughed a lot, shared enough hobbies to never run out of things to do together, and were honest with each other right from the start. If that isn't a good foundation for a relationship, then I don't know anymore. I just really liked it. Would definitely recommend as a cozy read with no angst.
• 
  Ellie

  4 stars
  
  Funny self-aware romance with fabulous leads in their 40s
  
  What a nice surprise this was!
  
  It's very romantic in a meta, self-aware kind of way and that really worked for me. The leads play out a typical romance scenario, while joking about how clichéd it is that they're stuck in the rain after their canoeing date and have to shelter in an abandoned cabin. I'm sure you see where this is going...but there's a little surprise at the end that had me positively cackling.
  
  I especially liked the characters. In a lot of romances, you see one MC who's in a somewhat transient position, which makes it easier for them to jump into things headfirst, abandon their old life, etc, etc; it was nice to see both MCs quite settled here. They're both in their 40s, well-established in their careers, living in homes that represent them and that have a lot of sentimental attachments.
  
  This features a pairing that I love which is the kind of cocky, brash guy who is actually super nervous about getting things wrong and the plain/geeky boy with a big, dirty mouth. They were both well-rounded people and they had a lot of things in common which made their romance feel very genuine. I mean they're both total dorks (this is a compliment) and they play a tabletop RPG together! Nice.
  
  There is no drama here whatsoever. It's just a story about two men, who go on some romantic dates, talk openly with each other and have hot sex. Oh, did I mention that one MC has dick piercing(s)? Nice.
  
  The only thing I thought was missing was a glimpse a bit further into their future. I just wanted to see them 5 years down the track, splitting time between their 2 houses or something, and still being all romantic. I'm not sure when I started liking epilogues but here we are.
• 
  Reading_ Tamishly

  Okayish.
• 
  Oceane

  First things first, this audiobook had a great narrator. Mick Janek's inflection, tone, and pacing were perfect. It was easy to stay wrapped up in the story. The first meeting between Deacon and Zan is serendipitous. As is their next meeting when Deacon walks into Zan's office and hires him as his printer.
  
  There was definitely instalust, an age gap, and some pseudo-role play during a romantic canoe ride. They have the kind of relationship where they're both grateful for each other, which I really appreciate. I wasn't head-over-heels, "can't put this book down" in love with the story. It was a unique and sweet novella that I could see myself listening to again in the future if I was in the mood for something simple. Bonus points for naming the kitties "Bacon" and "Eggs"!.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  DJ McCready

  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
  I had difficulty relating to this book. The plot is smoothly developed but I found the real difficulty lay with trying to relate to the two main characters. Personalities were not devloped well and even circumstances seemed unreal at times.
• 
  Coco.V

  🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/18/2023)! 🎁
• 
  LssBookLounge

  This book is a quick read with some serious nerd leanings. I find that quality to be a point in its favor.
  
  Deacon is the owner of a publishing company and Zan works for a printing company. You’d think that would be how they met, but surprise! it isn’t. 😂 These two have excellent banter and some truly fascinating conversations. I was glad that the author put a good deal of time into the relationship development between Deacon and Zan. It felt much more like a relationship that is possible in the real world and not some instalove how-did-I-ever-live-without-you shtick. They are such a fun couple and that kept me flipping pages to see how their story would turn out.
  
  Now for the things that rubbed me wrong as a reader. I have a huge pet peeve when it comes to the use of the phrase “the man”. While it’s appropriate in certain circumstances, I have found that often when an author is using it, a regular old pronoun would work so much better. The pronoun would also provide a more intimate feel to a scene. “The man” puts distance between the characters and that is the last thing you want when establishing a relationship. One other thing that I noticed is that in the cabin scene there is a point where it’s a tad confusing who is doing the speaking when they’re starting to get their groove on. Mainly it’s who was blessed as being well endowed. I also was confused by the switch comment. I know what one is, but it’s never stated if both are or if just one is. Not that it matters in the grand scheme, but it is something I noticed.
  
  Overall, I enjoyed reading Deacon and Zan’s story. In fact, I loved these characters so much, I wouldn’t mind reading a full length book about them.
  
  I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
• 
  Heather Duff

  
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  For all the book lover nerds out that like reading about fellow book-loving nerds…this one is for you.
  
  A heartwarming story between a book publisher and a book printer with a lovely meet cute, and an even better first date!
  
  An instant attraction between two slightly older men (30s/40s) that has the maturity that is owed them. Their witty banter, creative dates, and chance to find a person that actually gets them are all perfect.
  
  “See, I’m not a gentleman. I’m a rogue and a scoundrel”
  
  This was a quick read, but a perfect way to spend an afternoon letting my book-loving heart soar.
  
• 
  DLB2572

  A chance meeting starts the relationship between Deacon and Zan which is the focus of this novella. It isn't a very long read but it is good and worth it.
  
  I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
• 
  Jenn (not Lily)

  Fantastic! I love when someone's recommendation hits all my favorite spots, and this one is in the Goldilocks territory: just right on size, sweetness, and steam. I need to look up more by this author ASAP.
• 
  James Cooper

  2.5 ⭐️
  TW: mentions of sexual content and cursing in this book
  
  Thank you to BookSirens and Halli Starling publishers for accepting me to be a pre-publication reviewer in exchange for an honest review.
  
  The plot: late 30s Zan meets 40-something Deacon at a skate park and there’s some attraction there. Later, the two men meet again at Zan’s job at Oakside printing because Deacon is a potential customer owning Rochester publishers. Zan gives him a tour and there is some flirting happening so on a whim invites Deacon for a canoe/picnic date. The story moves on from here with cutesy flirtatious parts, some smut and general getting to know each other more.
  
  The writing was okay but I did find it a bit amateur at times. For example: “The guy’s energy was infectious even now, and as Deacon was dressed in lightweight hiking clothes and heavy-treaded boots.” It doesn’t flow right, no? and what? I also found there to be quite a lot of unnecessary cursing and usage of the f word when it didn’t really seem appropriate.
  
  I guess I should have read the description a bit more but I didn’t expect smut as I found out recently that I do not have any interest in this genre. It was show to be ‘A fluffy, spicy novella full of romance tropes, books, good meals, and finding love,’ so I was expecting more romance and the sex scenes dragged on a bit too. It was also a bit cringey, referring to the Deacon “flinging the case onto the bed” umm what? no thank you. That being said, bringing up safe sex and consent was good to see, adding a maturity.
  
  Some love for the book now. I liked that the two protagonists were older men as opposed to the more angsty, dramatic characters prevalent in other romancey books. They both clearly had stability in their lives, were nice and lovable, knew what they wanted and it was nice to see a level of sophistication in their relationship. For the romance, this was my favourite parts where they were getting to know each other better, rekindling old nostalgic passions like the ‘Dungeon Delve’ board game. This discussion of passions is something I absolutely adore to read about: “Deacon’s obvious passion rang in his ears and made Zan’s heart pound hard.” The love of books and literature was an added bonus I guess. Similarly, exploring this sense of possibilities in budding relationships and the future was nice, like this quote: “Deacon wasn’t like anyone else, and Zan hoped he’d get the chance to unravel the fascinating ways he saw the world.” Deacon’s cats Bacon and Eggs were really sweet too.
  
  Overall, it was an okay story with okay writing and okay characters. Not too much development but it was a novella not really allowing for too much. Would recommend if it sounds interesting but I wasn’t too keen personally.
• 
  Alex (soulfullyalex)

  Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book.
  
  Alright, I’m not going to lie to you. I have loved everything I’ve read from Starling so far. I am already excited for anything new that gets released and backlist titles.
  
  But, I won’t gush too much because then it will just become incoherent screaming and I think I do that enough. Alright. When He Beckons. For starters I was hooked immediately. We enter the story at Zan and Deacon’s first meeting and it’s the weirdest, flirtiest things I’ve ever seen. I adored it. The further we get into the story the more it just seems like these two clicked immediately. Like that feeling when you meet someone for the first time and you know you’ll just hit it off with them. Like their weird perfectly matches your weird. That’s what Zan and Deacon had and that’s what I loved about them. Their chemistry was immediate, but it didn’t feel forced. They had time to actually get to know each other and explore their feelings for each other before making any moves past planning a date.
  
  I really loved that these were two men in their 30’s and 40’s, that were well established in their lives and happy with what they do and how they live. They weren’t trying to change each other or themselves, they were just looking for someone who could appreciate them and what they appreciated. I really liked how the two of them opened up to each other about their interests and that those interests overlapped. But it never felt like they were perfect either. Some stories have characters that their interest overlap and they click really well, but it doesn’t feel real. Like there’s not enough differences between them to feel like real people. Zan and Deacon felt like real people to me. They felt like people I could meet out in the world and they would be just how they were in the book. A little eccentric, but fun and sweet.
  
  The only downside to this book was that it wasn’t like a million pages longer. I mean, honestly, it’s one of those books that’s warm and soft and I could just curl into and read hours and hours of, if that existed. I do think that (though I would have happily read more) the ending was perfect and I will definitely be going back to this novella when I need a soft story with some spice thrown in.
• 
  Tony Farnden

  When He Beckons is a story about falling in love in your late thirties and concerns Zan and the somewhat older Deacon. Zan works for a printer. When I say works I mean he does the hard work of making sure everyone is pulling their weight and is happy doing it. He is the go to guy when things need doing. He is called in on his day off to meet a potential client. When he gets there he finds the new client is the guy he met earlier in the day when he was out on his bike. Deacon is the client and a publisher of fringe works and romantic/erotic fiction. He looks like a cross between a Victorian scoundrel and a fading rock star and he presses all of Zan’s buttons.
  
  We get to accompany the two as they date and build something important between them. Their relationship is sweet and mature. It is also something unexpected by the two guys. They have both been in relationships that have failed or never really sparked. They have no expectations. They are also more vulnerable than they would ever admit but they click and open up their hearts to each other.
  
  This is all for the good and I enjoyed spending the time with them. It is not perfect but it warms your heart. If swearing is not you thing the eighty plus f-bombs might be more than you can stomach when it comes to a short work. We get a good look at Deacon but when it comes to Zan we get little by way of a description. We know him but not what he looks like. As this is told from Zan’s point of view that’s fine. We know he considers himself average looking but I think we must go with Deacon and realise he is more than just average looking.
  
  An enjoyable read that takes its time to tell us what is happening between the main protagonists. There are a couple of reveals that do nothing for the story; the revelation of who Zan’s father is and the revelation of who the owner of the cabin in the forest is. There are some throwaway characters I’d like to know more about. I’m hoping that they may get their own stories in the future. Those things aside, I may be returning to this book again some time soon.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Shelia

  Zan and Deacon's story is full of humor and insight. They are both a bit of deep thinkers, but they also have a true love for an old Dungeon Delve game. They meet by chance, and it is the best thing to ever happen to either of them. Both are old enough that they do not want or need to play games with a relationship and just know they have found their person in each other. Their relationship starts quickly with sleeping together on the first date, hey getting trapped in a cabin during a thunderstorm while canoeing will do that to you! Even though they have great chemistry between the sheets, they also have a deep connection outside the bedroom as well. Zan is probably the only person in the world that can keep up with Deacon's thoughts because as he stated, "Cartwheels up here, sometimes. Like drunken hamster cartwheels." I truly enjoyed how they became friends and lovers at the same time because you could just feel that they belonged together. There is also a supporting character or two named Bacon and Eggs. These would be the cats belonging to Deacon. Eggs is not a fan of human food but watch out for Bacon, he is a definite pancake stealer!
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Janice Wilson

  Zan and Deacon meet one morning at a skate park, where flirting may or may not have occured, and later meet again when Deacon ends up being the new client for the printing company for which Zan works. Sparks fly and they end up dating. They have lovely adventures and fall in love.
  
  This book is a pretty easy book to get into. It is very low angst and you can tell the MC's are very attracted to each other. But what the author does not do is let us get to know the MC's beyond a very superficial level. Yeah, they have books in common. Yeah they like that dragon role playing game. And yeah, the MC's have plenty of deep, meaningful conversations, but the reader is not privy to those meaningful conversations, so we do not get to know the characters beyond the shallow impressions. And the story really did not have much plot, just kind of a rambling story of two men falling in love. For those reasons, I had to give it 4 stars, instead of the 5 it should have gotten if those issues were addressed.. The writing and tone of the story was excellent. This author has great potential. While, I love two men falling in love with very low angst, I think this book could have a little something more. That's just my two cents.
  
  I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Kitty

  4.5 stars
  
  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this title. Both MCs are quirky, funny and loveable, and I was drawn in almost immediately. I don't normally care for novellas but I loved this one, it was great. I hadn't heard of the author before but have picked up another title by them and hope to get to it soon.
  
  I enjoyed how self-aware the book was, it was tongue-in-cheek and slightly taking the michael out of publishing in general and romance novels in particular. This awareness simultaneously elevated it and also made it seem utterly unpretentious, which was a neat trick, and only added to how much I enjoyed it. In addition to being sweet, funny and romantic, it was also filthy, which was a delightful surprise in a novella of this length.
  
  I listened to this title on audiobook, narrated by Mick Janek, and I enjoyed the audio performance, it was clear and understandable. Halli Starling seems to be a newish author, but I was impressed by their talent and style and will be looking out for more of their books.
• 
  Hanna

  “See, I’m not a gentleman. I’m a rogue and a scoundrel,”
  
  A novel for book lovers, by a book lover, about book lovers. This was a sweet and heartwarming romance. A great read on those nights in or a treat on a self care day. This story leaves you feeling warm and fuzzing on the inside. I loved it as an Ebook and can’t wait to pick it up as a paperback.
  
  The novel features opposites attract and instant attraction themes that are incredibly well done with none of the awkward tension. The quirky banter and amazing chemistry give way to a great read as Zan and Deacon discover more about each other and that love can still be found later in life. One of my favorite little design features are the page dividers, they are a beautiful design that remedies me of a carved bookshelf. Last but not least, I also loved Bacon and Eggs.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
• 
  Von Jess

  Zan works for a printing company and loves his job, but also dislikes his boss that keeps calling him in on his days off. Outside of work he enjoys biking and canoeing. When riding past the skatepark he meets Deacon. He’s older, has some gray sprinkled through his longer black hair and seems a bit quirky.
  
  When they meet hours later at Zane’s work, they both can’t deny there’s some serious chemistry going on.
  
  Both Deacon and Zan were acting a bit younger but also their age? Hard to describe, but they just fit together.
  
  This book is from Zan’s POV. I think one or two chapters from Deacons POV and or history would have added some fillers. I know this is a novella, but Deacon is still a mystery to me.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Kesse

  When He Becons by Halli Starling
  
  This is such a feel-good novella! No angst, just the normal development of a relationship between two mature people. There's instant attraction, dating, getting to know each other, and falling in love. No misunderstandings, miscommunications, or too high expectations since both Zan and Deacon have learned from their previous relationships. The story is quite short and told from Zan's POV. It's fast-paced, without any long and dragging inner monologues. Beautifully written hot scenes, fun nerdy conversations, unique personalities, and a lot of moments relatable to any bookworm. Plus, there are cats with the best pet names ever :)
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.