User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
A Guy Walks Into My Bar is a M/M, stand alone romance by Lauren Blakely. Full disclosure here is that I have only read a couple of Lauren’s books although I thoroughly enjoyed them. But I have such a huge love for M/M romance so when I saw she was releasing one, I knew I had to read it. But I wasn’t prepared for the level of love I felt for this book, for these two men! When I wasn’t reading, I was walking around with my head in the clouds thinking about them. I hope you’ll take a minute and let me tell you about these two.
“If you don’t have rules, that’s when you run into trouble.” Dean Collins is thirty one years old and lives in London. He is living his dream, owning a bar called The Magpie with his business partner and closest friend, Maeve. His flat is near the bar and also near his dad whom he is very close to. He has friends, family and work that keeps him busy and happy. What he doesn’t do is relationships. He and Maeve have an ongoing bet that keeps them from sleeping with the customers and Dean is very competitive. He will not lose the bet. But then a very sexy American walks into his bar, and changes everything.
James “Fitz” Fitzgerald is a professional hockey player, a defenseman for his team in New York. Spring training starts in a week so Fitz is in London with his younger sister, Emma, getting her set up to attend art school there. He views this as a little vacation before his entire focus will be on hockey. When he walked into The Magpie, he couldn’t see anything but the sexy British bartender. He knew he wanted him and was determined to change his no to a yes!
“And I want. I want Fitz so much I can feel it in my lungs. I want him ferociously, with a desperation I haven’t known in ages. Or maybe I’ve never known it could be quite like this. This intense. This devouring.” 
One kiss was all it took for Fitz and Dean to realize that this thing between them wouldn’t and couldn’t be ignored. It might have started out as just sexual. And let me tell you that these two threw sparks like a wildfire that couldn’t be extinguished. But the level of intensity of their sexual connection led to more, so much more. They both knew, though, that they had an expiration date, five days until Fitz left to return to New York. No strings, that’s what this was supposed to be, a fling. Then good-bye.
“Don’t go.”
“I wasn’t leaving. You always think I’m leaving.”
“Maybe because I always want you to stay.” 
I think I’ll stop there. Just typing this is giving me all the feels all over again. I loved these two so much. I’m particular about my M/M romances. I prefer it when both partners are physically equal and these two both were. They were sarcastic, fun, sexy, and both had hearts that were so big. I loved how they were afraid to voice their growing feelings but they showed each other with their bodies, with their kisses.
I am just so in love with this book, with Fitz and Dean, the Brit and the American who live an ocean apart from each other but found a connection that couldn’t be denied. This was fun, sexy, swoony, made me sigh, smile and maybe even gasp! I couldn’t put it down. I was so excited to learn that Lauren is writing another M/M romance entitled One Time Only. It’s on my tbr list and I can’t wait for her to make me fall in love all over again. But for now, I just want to say thank you for Fitz and Dean.
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Rating: really liked it
Audiobook - 4 stars
Story 1.5 for the first 60% - DNFThey have been flirting and having sex ever since they met, which was like a second ago and now they are in love?😣 I just can't do it.
If I hear the words, "You are falling in love with him, he is feeling the same way, you just can't see it"🙄🙄🥱🥱 I am going to break my phone. But since I am broke, I'd rather dnf.
Rating: really liked it
dnf @ 60%I'm not a fan of the writing style. The characters are nice, but they don't feel real to me. There's no depth to them. They talk a lot without really saying anything and I find their flirting a bit boring, to be honest.
The side characters are also nice, but they all feel the same to me and their only purpose in this story is to "point the MCs in the right direction“.
Rating: really liked it
I fucking love this book. That is all.
This was my first foray into a Lauren Blakely book and dammit it was so awesome.
On top of incredibly sizzling hot scenes, I loved the actual romance. The effortlessness of Dean and Fitz's connection, how they fell for each other so instantly and somehow, despite the fear, baggage and reservations had the guts to see and acknowledge it.
I also loved the endless epilogues, giving us a real view into life after the big romantic gesture and HEA.
6 stars and a martini that goes to your head.
Rating: really liked it
Audio – 5++++ Stars!
Update: I just finished listening to the interview with Shane East and Joe Arden and....OMG! Epic! Loved it! I'm so grateful it was included in the audiobook! INFINITE FUCKING STARS!!
Story – 4 Whirl Wind Romance Stars
This is one of those stories where a lot happens between the MCs in a very short amount of time. I’m normally turned off by that kind of romance, but the author made me believe that sometimes
“you just know you found the one” in a very short amount of time can happen. This was mostly a low angst, humorous, and
hellah hawt romance that I really enjoyed.
Why 4 stars instead of 5? Because it did feel a bit long-winded at times (and that's before the bonus epilogues). I also would have preferred if the author had given a more detailed description of the MCs besides them having hot and fit bodies. At times it felt a bit shallow. She gives enough so that the reader knows this is a story of an interracial couple, but it’s the bare minimum.
Rating: really liked it
Blakely scored with this MM romance. It was her first and it was so fucking good!! It was hot and sexy and emotional and I couldn't put it down.
First of all, the fact that Dean, the Brit, could pass for Michael B Jordan sealed the deal for me. Their instalust turned instalove was everything. Those normally aren't my thing but it just worked. The fling turned relationship clicked in place with how well they got on.
And I really adored how happy and open Fitz's character was. He was fearless with his pursuits and his words.
And I loved their support characters. Fitz's sisters. Dean's dad and his crew of friends, especially Maeve. They helped make their story what it was. Dean and Fitz had all the love and encouragement they could ever need.
10 stars, highly fucking recommended!!
I fucking loved it. That is all!!!
Rating: really liked it
**ARC provided courtesy of the Author**
TEN STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been DYING to get my hands on this book from the moment Lauren Blakely hinted that she was working on it. If you ask any of my friends or family what my most anticipated book to read this year was they would tell you this title. It was everything I wanted it to be and so much more; I fucking loved it. This book is hot, sexy, passionate, romantic and just perfect. If I could rate it ten stars I would.
A Guy Walks Into My Bar gives us the story of Dean and Fitz, yes that's right, it's Lauren Blakely's first M/M story. Now I understand that may not be everyone's cup of tea...but if you haven't tried this genre before I would strongly encourage you to start with this book. This is a love story through and through, with fabulous characters, hot sexy times and tons of flirty banter.
Dean, voiced by Shane East, is a bartender in London. He serves up delicious drinks and banter with ease. He's sexy as sin and he is such a fabulous flirt!! Dean guards his heart carefully, though, and never crosses the line with his customers. He had me smiling from the start and I loved getting to know him. Dean definitely had some moments that made me teary eyed, and one that flat out made me cry. I absolutely adored him.
Fitz had me right from the start. This man is also sexy and hot with so much to offer. He's got a strong protective side, which I love. He's also direct and knows what he wants and pursues it relentlessly. Seeing him go after Dean, and get Dean to say Fitz's favorite word, was so much fun. Now, there was a moment I wanted to shake him. But I do understand where he was coming from and he redeemed himself perfectly. I loved him.
These two together crackle with chemistry immediately. The spark is there and just grows and grows until they combust. I rank first kisses from this author...and this is my new favorite first kiss. Their sexy times? Ladies, grab a fan and make sure you have plenty of batteries; you're going to need them! Now it wasn't all sex, though the sex was amazing, and watching these two figure out their relationship was beautiful. I liked seeing them just BE together. Dean and Fitz had me captured the entire time.
The supporting characters here were fabulous as always, but there's a scene with one of them that I just loved. I won't say who, because I want you to enjoy it the moment you read it...or listen. The writing is strong and flirty and the story just flows so perfectly.
Now...I listened to an advanced copy of this book. Oh. My. God. If you only listen to one audiobook this year, PICK THIS ONE!!! Shane East and Joe Arden bring Dean and Fitz to life in a way I'm convinced that no other narrators could. I am officially team #Eaden. The performance just blew me away from start to finish. I could close my eyes and just listen to this beautiful story for days. The supporting narrators as well are amazing.
This book is incredibly special. It is hot, sexy, passionate, romantic. This is my favorite book of 2020, no questions asked. Dean and Fitz are an incredible couple and Lauren Blakely just knocked it out of the park with this one. I fucking loved it and could not recommend it more. This is a ten star book for sure!
**This and other reviews featured on our blog, Booked All Night, http://www.BookedAllNightblog.com**
Rating: really liked it
This is by far my favorite Lauren Blakely book EVER!!!!!!! Lauren you MUST write more M/M romance novels, it is your new calling!
I am absolutely in love with these characters.
Fitz is a NHL defense man. His loves, Hockey, his family, his friends. He takes a trip to England with his sister and his life changes when he walks into a bar his English friend from the States had recommended to him.
Dean has his loves, his friends, his dad and the bar he opened a year ago. Then a guy walks into his bar. And it changes everything.
Lauren tells the story so well that I can actually hear Dean's British accent as I was reading this.
I laughed as their banter was hysterical, the sexy times they had together were off the charts hot hot hot!!!!!! MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!
Rating: really liked it
I want to give this ALL the stars!
Absobloodylootly one of my favorites this summer!I can't get over how this is her first M/M romance! WOW!
Love has landed, and it has landed hard. More ways than one!Lauren Blakely's first ever M/M romance is one not to be missed by romance readers. Her writing style makes the scenes and storyline flow so realistically in any of her books, this one does not disappoint. Certainly a swoon worthy, hot and heavy romance to keep your attention right up until the final page!
Dean, a thirty-one-year-old, Michael Jordan-look-a-like bar owner loves his London life and wants no part in changing it, that is until Fitz, a New York hunk of a hockey player walks into Dean's bar and connection zings even before their first words are spoken. Temptations fly, no, they soar so damn high! What starts as a fling turns into more. Feelings begin to heighten and both men find it difficult to voice what they truly desire in their futures. Neither want to give up their wonderous lives nor can they give up what the other brings to their true happiness. What starts out as a five-day fling turns into a lust filled battle between mind, body, and heart. Not to mention the over three thousand miles and an ocean between them; the two men can't come to terms with any solution to make it work between them. It doesn't take long before their friends and family see the changes in both Dean and Fitz; their demeaners are harder, edgier, more distant, they wanted back the man they knew, but most of all they wanted them to be happy and fulfilled in their life.
The ending and epilogues are set perfectly, giving us a glimpse into the life of Dean and Fitz's longtime friends as well as their own journey years later.
I laughed so much, felt the emotional moments, then tension, the teasing, the bantering, and the all around vibe that the author was going for.
Give this book a chance! You will LOVE it!
Such a wonderful story that I have read at least three times and will undoubtedly listen to the amplified swooning again and again once the audiobook is released!
*I was given an ARC courtesy of the author and Candi Kane. I am voluntarily giving my review of this novel*
Rating: really liked it
New Review!!Decided to give this 3 stars because to me it felt like nothing really happened here other than flirtations and banter between the characters. Almost no depth at all. Cheesy, yes, but wish there was more substance into the story. Maybe just me!!
_________________________________________________
A Guy Walks Into My Bar is Lauren Blakely's first MM romance and honestly wow. Just WOW. I highly enjoyed and appreciate her take to this genre. Dean Collins and James Fitzgerald's whirlwind of a romance was definitely swoon worthy. The sex was steamy. The banter was good and funny. Everything was perfect for them.
Too perfect.
The only thing I didn't liked in this was the length. There was this part of the book that could have ended it but no the story still went on. The last 100 pages or so felt unnecessary to me. It was still entertaining but I just wanted for everything to wrap up already. And 3 epilogues in the end? Kill me now.
I hope I could read more from this author!
Rating: really liked it
Wait, what?
That's how the book ends?
This was a solid 4 star read for the first 83% of the book. I was loving the relationship development and all the banter.
Then the climax came and......what the hell was that? That's not how you end it! That's cheezy, dumb, and totally unrealistic.
Rating: really liked it
I tend to be super late to parties for hyped books just because ... I'm a curmudgeon. There. I said it. But I've read some of Lauren Blakely's M/F contemporaries and I've been okay with them so I decided to try this despite signs that it would probably not be for me. The signs were right.
Firs off I did the AB, which thankfully is on
Audible Escape. I know lately a lot of listeners are keen on multicast and duet narrations but they just make me think of radio soaps of yore. The duet is fine?, I guess, but not something I need or want. Frankly one good, appropriate for the story, narrator is all I want. For me an AB isn't a performed play or movie script. It's a novel narrated with intention but not necessarily "acted out". I'm not sure if I'm expressing myself clearly but there it is. All of this is to say that while Shane West and Joe Arden are perfectly fine as Dean and Fitz the rest seemed like tinsel, bells, and whistles. IMO they added nothing to the story.
THE STORY: my fears were realized. Not in a good way. Dean & Fitz meet at the aforementioned bar and all the MF cliches that make my skin burn were present. They're swept away by lust at first sight but of course both MC have some trite reason why he's not looking for love, absolutely cannot do relationships etc., while at the same time can't keep away from the other MC. They're 31 & 28? but to me read like they were 18. Besides the physical attraction I wasn't able to determine what else brought them together, which is fine, relationships are built on less ... I guess.
Dean is prickly like a cactus and seemed to be F in an M/F where Fitz is always apologizing for some wrong doing, bending to Dean wishes or otherwise making up to him. The sex was fine. The usual mind-blowing, never-before experienced Os etc. and maybe you could say there was too much but I'll give it a pass since his kicks off as a vacation affair and those are all about the smex. So ... sure. Why not?
My other issue is that this book/story seems to have been concocted without even a reference to OWN VOICES and more like from market research. The target audience surely isn't a gay one. The characters are gay but we only know it because the author told us so. They could be anyone.
As for the rest, the AB at least, seemed to never end. Once the I-LOVE-YOUs were exchanged (super fast) they were repeated to the point of barf, there were was a wedding epilogue, a "some years later" epilogue, story about Dean's friends Maeve & Sam and their little love story, an interview with the main narrators, bloopers, and more! It was eternal. Or maybe it just felt that way because I don't think I'll remember the name of these two by tomorrow. For me this story was just surface and it's a pity because as I generally like this author.
***As usual YMMV***
Rating: really liked it
4-4,5 STARS
I need more M/M from Lauren Blakely, sigh!I freaking loved it!I can't believe this is her first, it was so good.The romance make me swoon!
Dean and Fitz's connection was so good.I loved their banter, they were flirty and omg super hot!I can't get over them!They were so good together!Fitz is sexy,cocky and persistent.Dean is sweet and fun!
This is a fun,super hot and sweet romance!
Rating: really liked it
COVER REVEAL!!
A sexy, passionate, utterly addictive standalone MM romance!! Check out this gorgeous cover and preorder A Guy Walks Into My Bar everywhere today!!
✦ Kindle ➜ https://amzn.to/31uPg4g
✦ Apple ➜ https://blkly.pub/AppleAGuyWalksIn
✦ Nook ➜ https://blkly.pub/NookAGuyWalksIn
✦ Kobo ➜ https://blkly.pub/KoboAGuyWalksIn
✦ Google ➜ https://blkly.pub/AGuyGoogle
✦Amazon PB ➜ https://blkly.pub/PaperbackAGuyWalksIn
✦Audible ➜ Duet narration from Joe Arden & Shane East, with a full supporting cast: http://blkly.pub/AudibleGuyWalksInto
Rating: really liked it
So, KILL ME over another 2 star review of a book people are RAVING about. Wait, you don’t know where I live, so, I’m safe. 😉
Against my friends’ better (and decidedly more intelligent) advice, I succumbed to the hot cover of this book and the fact that one MC was a hockey player. Stick handlers are my kryptonite.
I was also intrigued by the ensemble cast since that’s something we don’t see in our corner of MM romanceland. My votes are in: male MCs - GREAT! Female characters — high voices with little ease in their language. Every time I heard one, I dropped out of the story.
I’ll admit, I didn’t make it far—just 15%. But I looked at that 15%, thought about my enjoyment, thought about HOW FUCKING RIGHT MY FRIENDS WERE, and I decided to call it. 😵
You may think it unfair for me to rate a book I’m DNF’ing. You are entitled to think so. My two stars are based on the fact that I started the book with a 3.5 in mind (surprise!), but the slow and steady hemorrhaging of star points reminded me that it likely wasn’t going to get much better (I KNOW THIS BECAUSE: FRIENDS WHO ARE SMARTER THAN ME TOLD ME SO).
There it is. Do what you will with this first foray into MM by an MF novelist. Many loved the shit out of this. The audiobook won an award here this year. 🤷🏻♀️
Grouchy I may be after reading the second 2 star book in a row. But hey, it’s my opinion & take it with a grain of salt.
My rec? If you dig superficial & OTT dialogue, then this is your jam!
