Release Review: Jonty and Devan's Big Day: Barbara Esborg
Jonty and Devan's Big Day
Barbara Esborg
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Release Date May 20, 2022
A novella in the world of Jonty Bloom
It’s going to be the day of their lives—their wedding, their way, where it all started: The Dunes Hotel in Northumberland. But from the moment the planning starts, Jonty is overwhelmed. When Devan’s mother starts making suggestions, Jonty’s mouth runs away with him and his inner Groomzilla is in danger of escaping. But it’s when Jonty goes quiet that Devan knows he’s in trouble.
Devan’s not going to let his mother spoil their perfect day. Suddenly, he’s a man on a mission. The venue? Booked. The guest list? A secret. The stag do? In Cato’s somewhat dodgy hands. Devan’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure Jonty gets what he wants. Even if that includes alpacas and penguins and the Northern Lights in the middle of summer. Now it’s time to prove he is the Best Fiancé in the Entire Multiverse.
A Long Way Back
(Unfinished Business #2)
There is just something and Jonty Bloom and the way the thinks, acts, and just shines that is hard to resist. He is snarky, funny, witty, silly, chaotic, and over the top. But he has gone through so much in his life, and still is so positive and loves so hard.
Devan was in a dark place when they met, but Jonty shined a light in his life. They could not be more opposite but gravitated toward each other anyway.
Devan is Jonty's perfect counterbalance. He is sensible, organized, in control, protective, and generous. And he just lets Jonty be his true self in all of his glory...and loves him unconditionally. And even though he takes Jonty's antics in stride, he can see when Jonty is getting overwhelmed and in his head. And their wedding planning, family involvement, and so many decisions might just be enough to send Jonty off the edge. I just love how Devan handles Jonty when needed. But Jonty also knows how to manage Devan as well. They just work so well together despite their differences and their lives are never boring.
This brings back many of the characters from the series and follows Jonty and Devan into the next progression of their relationship. It has the characteristic humor and shenanigans, but also all the feels. This couple is just so special and a lot goes into making their special day perfect for them. I could not help but smile, laugh, and swoon.
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Kim's 4/4.5 star review
Finding his fiancé in bed with his brother was bad enough, finding out they’re getting married is the final blow.
Devan Smith needs to cool his anger. He needs to forget the lies and betrayals and work on resetting his life. When his boss orders him to scope out a remote hotel for a possible buyout, Devan’s only interested in getting the job done and getting out. What he’s not interested in is the guy with the piercings, bleached hair, and the smart, kissable mouth behind the reception desk.
Working the hotel reception is the only thing that’s stable in Jonty Bloom’s unstable life. His best friend has had a terrible accident, his ex refuses to move on, and his eight-year-old self is still waiting for his mother to collect him from school. Jonty needs his job. What he doesn’t need is the rude, arrogant, and hot as they come guy who’s rocked up demanding he be let into his room right now.
Thrown together by a freak accident, Devan and Jonty’s lives entwine, and neither wants to loosen the knot. Can the irrepressible Jonty be the reset Devan needs? Can Devan be the making of Jonty Bloom, or will secrets drive them apart?
Jonty's Christmas
When Devan, Best Boyfriend in the Entire World, books them a trip to Russia in February, Jonty’s excitement knows no bounds. There’s packing to do, plans to be made, and places to see.
Armed with his smile and a handful of dubious Russian Phrases, Jonty is ready for the delights Vladivostok has to offer—the famous glass beach he’s dreamed about, ice skating on a frozen sea, and snow. And maybe even vodka.
But, is Vladivostok ready for Jonty Bloom?
This takes place after 'Jonty's Christmas' and before the epilogue in 'The Making of Jonty Bloom'
Jonty's Christmas
Have you ever had something that you’re really looking forward to but dreading at the same time?
Jonty’s always longed for a traditional family Christmas, and his boyfriend Devan thinks it’s the perfect time for Jonty to meet his big, boisterous, Christmas-loving family. But Jonty’s sure Devan’s parents aren’t going to think he’s good enough for their son. He probably isn’t. But he is good for Devan and the arrival of an unexpected guest gives him a chance to prove it.
Jonty never backs down from a challenge. His mouth won’t let him. But his brain is telling him that if he interferes, he might wreck any hope of acceptance. On the other hand, could his reward be the best Christmas present ever?
A little Christmas story that takes place before the epilogue of The Making of Jonty Bloom but can be read as a standalone.
Jonty In Russia
(Unfinished Business #1.6)
(Unfinished Business #1.6)
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Kim's review
When Devan, Best Boyfriend in the Entire World, books them a trip to Russia in February, Jonty’s excitement knows no bounds. There’s packing to do, plans to be made, and places to see.
Armed with his smile and a handful of dubious Russian Phrases, Jonty is ready for the delights Vladivostok has to offer—the famous glass beach he’s dreamed about, ice skating on a frozen sea, and snow. And maybe even vodka.
But, is Vladivostok ready for Jonty Bloom?
This takes place after 'Jonty's Christmas' and before the epilogue in 'The Making of Jonty Bloom'
A Long Way Back
(Unfinished Business #2)
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Kim's 4.5/5 star review
A serious accident may have left Tay’s body broken, but he’s determined to live an independent life at any cost. Except he’s barely coping. Alone and isolated in London, his only solace comes from the pain numbing drugs he’s become addicted to.
Ink’s on the run. He keeps his head low, but London streets don’t feel safe. The only way to stay under the radar is to keep moving and not let anyone or anything get close. But the stray mutt that’s latched onto Ink has other ideas.
A chance encounter and Ink’s bungled attempt to free himself from his four-legged companion leads to the offer of a job as a live-in helper. Tay’s moody and difficult, but he’s also scared and vulnerable, and Ink finds himself saying yes when he should be saying no.
Can Tay and Ink find a clear path on the road towards true love? Or will their broken lives prove to be one roadblock too many?
This is the second book in the Unfinished Business series but can be read as a standalone.
This story has dark elements and possible triggers for some—bullying, death of a minor, violence, terrorism and drug addiction.
Reinventing Cato
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Kim's 4.5 star review
Fate is not always written in the stars…
Being headhunted by NASA might be his ultimate dream, but Cato’s life still sucks. He’s tired of anonymous one-night stands. He’s tired of being lonely. And, frankly, he’s tired of himself. As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, he realises the only thing to do if he wants to be happy is to reinvent himself.
Persuaded by his sister to spend New Year’s Eve in Scotland with his parents, Vigge is counting down the hours until he can escape the memory of why their family fractured, and his part in it. He hasn’t belonged anywhere since he left eighteen years ago. He’s channelled the guilt he feels into finding truth and justice for others, but his own life is empty and cold.
A chance encounter in a blizzard brings Vigge and Cato together. Vigge’s held himself back from looking for love for so long, traumatised by what happened when he came out—and now he’s pent up and falling hard for a guy he’s picked up in a snow storm. This has to stop now.
Have Vigge and Cato thrown away the chance of something lasting? Or is it written in the stars that this is just the beginning?
Book 3 in The Unfinished Business Series but is a standalone
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Kim's 4 star review
Ruari Byrne may not have had an easy life, but now he’s determined to live in the present, not his past. Trouble is, it’s hard to be independent when you’ve no money and no qualifications. All Ru knows is horses, and when he finds out that his beloved Joni and Cookie are off to auction, his heart is in his throat. How can he protect them if he can’t even look after himself?
Jasim bin Rajhi hadn’t intended to buy two working mares; the horses in his rarefied life are priceless polo ponies, but there’s something that intrigues him about the guileless young man who’s so concerned for their welfare. They might be worlds apart in every way, but Jasim doesn’t want this to be the last time he sees Ru. It can’t be because Ru might just be the one he’s been waiting for.
Reunited at Jasim’s polo grounds, the pair bond over lives lived in darkness and secrecy. But there’s a truth about Jasim that should make Ru bolt like his beloved horses. Jasim knows he should let Ru go for his own safety, and yet it feels like happiness might be within their grasp. Can they overcome their pasts and trust in a future, or will Jasim’s obligations forever have a hold on him?
Warning: contains references to past abuse and paid-for sex, physical violence and abduction. There is one oblique reference to suicide. But no horses were harmed in the making of this tale.
Jonty's Halloween
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Jonty and Devan’s Big Adventure travelling around the world is cut short when Devan’s mother falls ill, and they have to fly home. Leaving Jonty to his own devices is never a good idea and before Devan can say no, Jonty has talked his way into hosting a Halloween extravaganza at The Dunes hotel.
Family and friends are roped in to help and perform on the evening, but someone has it in for Jonty who gets a fright he hadn’t expected.
Join Jonty and his friends and family in a Halloween extravaganza with a surprise ending!
Barbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the South of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they were to write.
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