Lily MortonDeal Maker: Mixed Messages, Book 2

Lily Morton has very quickly become an auto-buy author for me, and Deal Maker is another shining example of why. She excels at delivering unforgettable stories with relatable, complex, and captivating characters who make me laugh almost constantly - even as that sharp and witty humor is intertwined with some angst, sizzling chemistry, and the joys and heartaches falling in love can bring. I loved Rule Breaker and have been ridiculously excited for Jude's story ever since, and I have to say I was blown away by this one. In fact, I think this might be my favorite Lily Morton book to date. Jude and Asa are both intelligent, kind-hearted, sexy men who are haunted by their pasts and chained by their presents. Thanks to Lily's incredible talent as a writer, the soul-deep connection that develops between them is authentic and practically tangible. You know that feeling you get when you are falling for someone? You know.. when you see them or think of them, and your heart skips a beat, chest tightens, and you lose your breath for a moment? That feeling right there... that scary yet incredible feeling.. yeah, I got that just READING this book at times. And that? That is not easy to find. Bravo, Lily Morton.. You've made a fan for life.This is a very character-driven book, and it was an absolute joy from start to finish (even as I laughed uncontrollably at certain times yet bawled at others). Billy, Peggy, and Amos are incredible side characters who made this book what it is. The responses from "Asa" (aka snarky Jude) to fan letters at the beginning of each chapter had me almost in tears at times I was laughing so much. I was thrilled to get more Dylan and Gabe in this book as well, and cannot wait for Henry's story next! The writing in Deal Maker is clear and sharp, the story flows seamlessly, and editing and proofing is on point. This book can be read as a standalone, but why not start at the beginning with Dylan and Gabe?? These are books you do NOT want to miss!

Boy did Deal Maker by Lily Morton, have some tough shoes to follow. For me, Rule Maker, its predecessor, burst out of nowhere to make it on everyone's favorite of the year lists. I was equal parts excited and nervous; I mean I didn't want to be disappointed if it didn't measure up. Well, not only did it measure up but I loved it more. It had a more emotional, softer side than Rule Maker, but it also still had the same hilarious, biting banter.We have two men who have been hurt. One is carrying a heavyweight, and the other has been betrayed in the past. In the middle is a funny little boy who will steal your heart.Some highlights:-ASAAAAA! Oh my gosh. Tall, dark, handsome, kind, funny, and sexy as hell. This man turned me into putty. Good lawd!!!-Jude. He certainly lived up to the image I had in my head of him from RM. He was every bit as loving and loyal as I had built him up, and his sense of humor was a big bonus.-Banter. Calling all banter lovers! Just like in book 1, that hilarious British humor carried into this book. Lily Morton is one funny lady. I imagine she must keep her hubby on his toes.-Relationship development. My favorite part of this story. I got the feeling that I was witnessing these men falling in love and becoming a family. It was lovely and heartwarming.-Chemistry. The attraction was palpable from their first meeting, and it only grew from there.-Billy. Billy is Asa's son and having a child in books is tricky-it either works or it doesn't. In this case, it does. His presence in the story never became overwhelming and annoying, and I loved the little guy. He was precious.-The epilogue. The end had me crying happy, sappy tears.Can this be read as a standalone? Yes, but don't. Read Rule Maker! You won't regret it.All in all, I'm giving Deal Maker 5 Big Stars! I love when books make me feel an array of emotions. Here, I laughed, I cried, I got hurt, and in the end, was left incredibly happy.P.S. I can't wait for our resident redhead's turn!

I love these books but I have been reading the out of order. I read Dean's book before this one. Don't do that or you will lose the plot getting mad ever time they make a stupid joke about Dean. I enjoyed the book and had lots of laughs.

This book was perfect in so many levels I can't even. I'm riding a high... I was so into this I decided to skip sleep in order to finish this. Lily Morton has that je ne sais quoi that differentiates a great writer from the rest. She makes beautiful sentences, that engage you with the story effortlessly (or so it seems), she creates and crafts real characters, people with dimension, with flaws and personality and sense of humor. [Thank God for Sarcam users and witty answers]I personally adored her sense of humor in this book, I was laughing my "arse off" since the first paragraph all the way to the last. I loved the setting of the story, the amaaaazing buildup. This book reminded me how hopelessly a romantic I am! I loved the fact that even though the attraction is there since the first minute, their relationship takes a long time, it's build brick by brick. It never fills rushed or out of the blue. We know it was gonna happen because it was kind of "meant to be"? Not because it was just thrown in our faces.And now that we're at it, this book had some of the hottest sex scenes I've read!! I don't know why it felt that way, was it the long wait? All the foreplay? How they fit? How they talked to each other? I honestly don't know, but it worked out fabulously for me. At some points I had to fan myself to calm down a little. It was THAT sexy.The humor was so high that the selected moments of chaos and drama, were endurable. The book is not angsty forever-non-stop, but deals with some serious issues not horribly seriously, so it was fine.I think I should wrap this up, 'cause I'm very cabaple of rambling forever on how good this whole thing was. I'll just say this: Billy was the sweetest, most lovely little boy. He upgraded the book to like an eleven. You should just go ahead and read it, of you haven't still.

Another absolutely amazing book!Now following Dylan's best friend Jude, we get to see what is going on behind the curtain of his life. Jude is a model, a big ticket one but not overly famous, and he makes good money. But for some reason money is perpetually tight so when his apartment gets shut down for water damage he needs somewhere to stay that won't cost him more. A friend directs him to Asa's house to do a bit of a work and stay so that he can stay for free. But when it turns out that Asa hates models it all goes a bit sideways, even as it oddly works out so right.Jude has a lot going on that you don't see in the first book. It was implied that there was something in his past that made him gun shy about relationships, but it quickly becomes clear he had once been a bit of a romantic. Asa, his house, his friendliness, and his family, really check off all the boxes that Jude once had. But he keeps holding himself back as we slowly learn all that has happened and why he feels he can't commit. It is bittersweet and takes both personal reflection and working with others to work it out.Asa has his own issues to do with relationships past. Burned in a specific situation is with a model he is leary of them, but still open to love. Jude quickly proves him wrong about models but it is clear that whatever they could have couldn't be long term. Asa has a family and home and stability, but some of that stability is fragile and he will fight tooth and nail to keep it. Whether Jude is on the inside of that or not is the question.A really great read with amazing characters, a great build on a relationship, and some complex and simple emotional situations, it was great from beginning to end!

Lily Morton is the queen of Rom Coms, her novels are full of snarky banter, laughs and classic perfect romance.

I read the Mixed Messages series out of order, as they can be read as stand alones. And this was the last. I don't know how I knew it, but I saved the best for the end. I love the other books, but this one is special. Jude is everything I like in a character. Asa couldn't be more perfect. And Billy? He's the cherry on top. This is just brilliant. Funny, snarky, warm. Just so full of love. I am happy I read this. Truly happy.

This was totally Jude's book! Only after reading mid way did I understood how Jude's own love for historical British romance, which used to be heavy with scenic descriptions and narration of gentle falling in love tropes, crafted this book.His character's primary dreamy trait was heavily observed in the writing of this book. It's so clever and heart-warming. The steamy scenes more than made up for the throwback to the past.Laughed and swooned the entire time. Totally worth it!

Book 1 was not a fluke! Gah! I'm loving this!! Brilliant series i know i'll re-read time and time again!Jude is Dylan from book one's best friend. He's now living on his own since Dylan moved out and is struggling with money. He's in lots of debr and his only aim in life is to make as much money as he can for his family. So he uses his looks to make it. Endless boring photo shoots take its toll on Jude but he has no choice and he hates that his looks are all people see. After an accident leaves his home inhabitable for a while he has no choice but to accept help and cheap accomodation from a hookups step brother.Asa is a busy man. A single father to Billy and a successful actor he has no time or inclination for a relationship. Burned by the last one he will never again fall for a pretty air headed model. When a man turns up on his doorstep, sent by his annoying model step brother Asa knows he should turn him away. But something about Jude stops him and he reluctantly gives Jude a job and a place to stay.I didn't think this would top book one but boy did it ever! Hilarious and sexy i bloody loved it!Asa was burned and guarded but i just loved how Jude smashed his walls down! I loved their relationship and the connection they shared and young master Billy just stole my heart! Who doesn't love a hot single dad!I loved Jude in book one and this just showed him in all his glory! So funny and sweet and loving and sexy and just all the things!Loved the storyline it kept me turning those pages with lightening speed! I devoured this book! I can't get enough of this series! Its given me the biggest smiles!Loved seeing Gabe and Dylan and i love this little group of friends being made in this series!Highly recommend!