Book Review: Nothing Serious by Jay Northcote

Title: Nothing Serious
Author: Jay Northcote
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: October 23, 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

Mark O’Brien is finally being honest with himself. His relationship with Rachel is over and he’s moving out of the home they've shared for six years. They get along, but he can’t fix a relationship when the person he's with is the wrong gender.

Jamie Robertson, one of the removal men, is huge and ridiculously gorgeous, and Mark is smitten at first sight. When a cardboard box splits, revealing items of a personal nature that Mark never wanted anybody to see, he's mortified. But it sparks the start of a beautiful friendship with benefits.

As Jamie initiates Mark into the joys of gay sex, the two men get increasingly close and “nothing serious” turns into something rather important to both of them. But communication isn’t their strong point. Will either man ever find the courage to be honest about his feelings?

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Enjoyable romance with a lovely British flavor.

The Set Up: Mark has told his best friend and girlfriend Rachel that he’s gay and is moving out of the house they share. Athletic and giant Jamie is one of the movers who Mark hires to help. When Jamie accidently lifts a box with Mark’s gay pornography, Mark is embarrassed but excited when Jamie offers to initiate him into the joys of gay sex. Jamie and Mark both agree this isn’t a serious relationship but what happens when they both start to feel otherwise?

Why I Read this Book: Synopsis seemed interesting.

What I Liked: This is an enjoyable romance of two everyday men starting a sexual relationship and slowly adding emotional intimacy. Mark is beyond excited to have sex with Jamie and Jamie is happy to show him the ropes but the real fun for me was when their relationship veers into friendship. Mark gets sick and Jamie arrives to care for him; they start having Star Warts movie nights; Mark attends one of Jamie’s soccer matches to cheer him on. The sex is fine, of course, but the best part was seeing the men’s developing friendship and how they come to rely on each other for emotional support.

What I Also Liked: I simply adored the British setting. I’ve always wanted to visit the UK and I felt immersed in it here. The men drink tea and eat biscuits. The language is British English, like calling Jamie a removal man instead of mover (where I’m from a removal man works for the mob!)

I also enjoyed Jamie’s family. He lives with them still and his mum and dad are lovely characters, accepting and emotionally generous. Jamie’s younger sister is the classic bratty sister but fun in her ongoing quest to get Jamie’s larger room for herself. The scene where Mark is invited to Sunday dinner is heartfelt and fun.

What I Didn’t Like: This isn’t an angsty romance but just a good one. The tension to keep the men apart would have bugged me big time if the novel had been any longer because let’s face it, EVERYONE knew this was a serious relationship but Jamie and Mark. I was nearly at the point of slapping these two when the emotional denouement finally happened.

IMO: Nothing Serious was a good, simple romance that I enjoyed. Now I’m off to have a spot of tea.

J9’s Rating:

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