Piece of Cake (A Matter of Time Series Book 8)

Jory and Sam are finally getting married. There are more than a few bumps in the road – including an attempted assassination and the extravagant wedding of Jory’s ex-husband – but nothing will get in Jory and Sam’s way as they finally, officially tie the knot together in Chicago.

This is a really fun, well paced story. I have to admit I got quite lost in the opening chapter. In very quick succession (the first three or four pages) we jump time three times with no explanation other than a large paragraph break. I found this highly disorientating and although I instantly enjoyed Jory’s voice and style in telling me, the reader, his story, I had no clue at all what was going on – whether we were at his wedding, or his ex-husbands wedding. While I’m sure this organized-chaotic style of opening will seem fresh and unique to many readers, it left me, personally, lost and feeling like I’d missed something big and important. For such a relatively short story, having to go back and reread the first few pages again was a little difficult and annoying. But I really did enjoy Jory’s tone and voice, and with perseverance I was paid off by a thrilling and fun tale.

Aside from feeling lost now and then, I really thoroughly enjoyed this M/M romance tale. I found it full of emotional scenes, fun and laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of lighthearted romance. While definitely a M/M, there is nothing too outrageous sexually in this book and would be an excellent story I feel for readers wanting something more romance and emotional rather than kinky and strongly erotic.

Grab a lovely drink, put your feet up and relax with this fun, fast and delightful short story. I found the ending deeply satisfying and wonderfully romantic. After such a roller coaster ride it was a true pleasure to read Jory and Sam finally getting their happily ever after. A lovely story and one I will enjoy reading again.

originally posted at long and short reviews

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.com Review (A MelanieM Review)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 ★★★★★

After years of domestic partnership, Jory Harcourt and Sam Kage are finally going to make it official in their home state of Illinois. It’s been a long and rocky road, and nothing—not disasters at work, not the weather, not a possible stalker, not even getting beat up and having to attend the ceremony looking like he just got mugged—will make Jory wait one more day to make an honest man of the love of his life.

Should be a piece of cake, right?

Jory Harcourt and Sam Kage hold a special place in my M/M book heart as does their series, A Matter of Time. They were my first introduction to Mary Calmes, her stories and couples which I love so much.. So approaching Jory and Sam’s final story with any sort of objectivity is close to impossible, not only for me but I expect for a huge number of Mary Calmes fans who found her in the same manner.

Here at Piece of Cake, the eighth book, we know what to expect from Jory’s behavior. Adorable, stubborn, over the top in love with Sam and his kids, still a magnet for trouble…which always finds him. We know what to expect from Sam Kage. Totally in love with Jory, a lot of bellowing and roaring (not the same thing), a little waving of guns and scaring people, and lots of sex and love.. Here are the adorable kids, which arrived in the latter books, and always more trouble as well as domestic bliss. Was it predictable at times? Yes, but we knew that going in, perhaps, that was even part of the charm. We wanted them happy, we loved the arguments, the makeup sessions, and laughter, the familiarity of it all. Now at the series final, we are all close friends, wishing each other well and a happy bon voyage. No, that’s not a time for objectivity but for goodbyes.

Piece of Cake has not one but two weddings! Ok, one is a couple of scenes at the beginning when police Lieutenant Duncan Stiel and husband (and Jory’s ex) billionaire real estate mogul Aaron Sutter get married again in Chicago. Still! Two weddings! It should have been a double wedding with Jory and Sam. Didn’t happen because each man, Aaron and Jory, had vastly different ideas of what their weddings should be. Jory and Sam’s children, Hannah and Kola, Sam, and Jory are sitting in the 2nd row, and instead of watching the ceremony, all four are having a family “whisper style” argument over the use of the word “crap” at a wedding. Somehow that rang very true. And funny.

That’s exactly why I love these stories so. Mary Calmes combines the love that Jory and Sam have for each other and their children into a funny, human moment any parent will recognize. Its a balance she maintains throughout this story and all the others. That moment of family squabbling, whispered so not to attract any (more) notice but you know that’s unavoidable yet you are treating your kids and their questions/statements with the attention they deserve. Later on, when Jory ignores the danger signs pointing ginormouse arrows at his head and you want to roll your eyes a teensy bit, those earlier moments pull you back, and let you believe that its all just a part of Jory’s character makeup. Jory is Jory, and you’ve long come to accept and love his shortcomings as has Sam Kage.

Now Jory and Sam are preparing to get married in their backyard with their friends and family in attendance, so what could go wrong? Hmmm.

Well, there’s that strange car that seems to be following Jory everywhere…that he’s not taking seriously. Yep, that sounds familiar. Of course its a villain from the past to be dealt with, which happens. All their family and friends we have met and gotten fond of have small parts here, if nothing else as guests at the backyard wedding. Finally Sam and Jory get married and live happily ever after.You just know they do. In short, Mary Calmes gives us and Jory and Sam exactly what we wanted. We all get a Happily Ever After. Sigh.

I happily recommend Jory and Sam and their series, A Matter of Time. Please don’t start here if you haven’t read any of these stories before. This doesn’t give new readers enough of a feeling for the couple, their history, and their relationship for them to enjoy it like those of us coming to it with a ton of good will and back knowledge.

Bon voyage, Jory and Sam, its been a treat!

Cover artist is Reese Dante. That cover is about right. Guns and wedding cake, perfect for Jory and Sam.

Reviewed by Annie and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

When I learned that Mary Calmes was writing another book for Sam and Jory, I literally jumped up and down with excitement. These boys have to be one of my favorites in the genre. You can’t help but love Jory and his hilarious narration. He’s just so endearing, even when he is completely clueless. With Sam, they are the perfect balance and now that they have a family, it makes my heart swell to see them all so happy.

However, that happiness doesn’t last very long because if you’ve followed the series before, then you know that Jory is a trouble magnet. Even though he is his happy-go-lucky and charming self, he still manages to get punched.utc-top-pick

While there is a bit of suspense and mystery, it’s very very light. The threat isn’t very high and the conclusion happens pretty much happens all behind the scenes so while it can be disappointing to some, I didn’t really mind it because there are so many other amazing things that I adore about this book that make up for it.

Sam and Jory are planning to get married. Getting to see them with their kids is just so entertaining. I love how Jory out-smartens his little girl and even how Sam tries to be that mixture of strict Dad and loving father. Duncan and Aaron are in it too so it’s a lovely conclusion to the series. However, if Mary Calmes decides to write more in this series, you definitely won’t hear me complaining!

I received a free copy via Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.

Short and over-the-top in the best way, this is unapologetically ridiculous. At no point does it take itself seriously, and that's what makes it fun.

This is part of a larger series, and it does help to have read some of them for context about who the characters are. However, it can still be enjoyed for what it is regardless.

Everything in this story is larger than life. There's a plot, more or less, but the real fun is in Jory's relationships with the people around him, including Sam. Even though it was a bit shallow, it was still a nice, quick read.

Jory and Sam are my all-time favourite couple.
Also their seriesA Matter of Time: Vol. 1 are my top one
Their chemistry is just always great, and getting better every time.
And Jory will just manage you not to get to read their life together without thrilling...even on the most ordinary day.
So you can count on their Best day to be just as 'fun'.
Really I can read their stories for ever...just love them.

However, I don't understand why the store set price for this book, while the author gave it to readers for free???
Why?!

I'd been looking forward to this book, despite knowing that Sam and Jory had gotten married in Canada (off page) in one of the earlier books, as well as having a civil partnership. I am SO glad that I got it for free from Dreamspinner Press, as I would not have been happy paying for this mishmash of weddings, stereotypical Jory-happenings, stereotypical Sam-isms, and an overly precocious B.

In fact, Sam and Jory's wedding was almost anticlimactic, as it came right at the end of the book, after so much stuff had happened, and barely got any page-time. Yes, it was nice to read about Duncan and Aaron, but did Miro and Ian really need page-time in a totally superfluous scene about muted phones/not? Did Aja and her stance on educating need to come into it, and did her stance on racism? Did we need to hear about Fallon and Devon? Did we need all the drama? For once, couldn't Jory have gotten himself out of an avoidable situation where he hurt himself?

This was a case of too many cooks, and read as if an editor hadn't had a pass at this. If you really want to read this, I'd recommend downloading it for free from Dreamspinner Press.