REVIEW: I’ve Got This, by Louisa Masters

Title: I’ve Got This

Author: Louisa Masters

Genre: Contemporary

LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Pages: 200

Reviewer: Pat

About The Book

Derek Bryer loves his life. His job as an assistant director at Joy Universe, the second-largest theme park complex on the planet, makes him indirectly responsible for bringing joy (pun intended) to millions of people. So what if none of his relationships are that close? Everyone he meets loves him.

Except Trav Jones. For some reason, the visiting Broadway performer would rather Derek just go away. He appreciates Derek’s work ethic, though, and after Trav steps up when Derek desperately needs someone to fill in for his sick staff, Derek seizes the chance to convince Trav he’s not such a bad guy.

Falling in love while distracted by a murder at the park, food poisoning, and colleagues laying bets on their relationship won’t be easy, but between the two of them and with the magic of Joy Universe, they’ve got this.

The Review

Every once in a while, a book comes along that is so enjoyable that I just want to have access to billboards around the world so that I can shout to everyone riding by: READ THIS BOOK! YOU’LL LOVE IT!

When I stop to think about the millions of readers out there, however, I realize that not everyone will love this book as much as I do. (But they should. Just kidding, sort of.)

So maybe I should amend my statement to be something like, “If you like the kinds of books I do, you’ll adore this book.”

But really, what’s not to like?

Charismatic Derek Bryers, an assistant director at Joy Universe, the second-largest theme park complex in the world (think second to the Disney empire), is having an exceptionally miserable day. First, a woman has brutally murdered her husband in a cabin in the part of the park he runs. Then he finds out almost all the entertainers in his part of the park have suffered food poisoning from a celebration off-site.

Derek is nothing if not organized, so he jumps into action. Readers get everything they need to know about his dedication to his job, his expert and kind handling of employees and coworkers as well as guests, and his quick thinking when others in charge are floundering.

He can’t do anything about the murder except give the police whatever they need to get their job done—which granted isn’t much. But he can work to solve the park’s entertainment crisis by drawing on all the available talent in the area, both professional and amateur.

Into Derek’s life dances Trev Jones, who unlike just about everyone else in the vicinity at first reacts negatively to Derek’s stunning good looks and affability in the face of disaster. His antipathy stuns Derek who has a good handle on how charming he is and how to use it to his advantage.

Although they start off on the wrong foot, it’s only a question of ironing out the misunderstanding, which author Masters handle right away without drawing it out. With that done, the story becomes a charming and unusual (because it’s so often not done) story about how to completely different men can realistically come together and make their relationship work.

A wonderful cast of supporting characters give the story flesh and blood, many of which are just begging for their own romances. Fortunately, this book is billed as the first of a series.

I fell in love with Derek and Trev and think every other reader will too. If the rest of the Joy Universe books are as beautifully written as I’ve Got This, author Masters will rightly amass many new readers and those of us who already enjoy her work will be very happy campers.

The Reviewer

Pat Henshaw:

Is a she, not a he.
Writes MM romances.
Has interviewed Arlo Guthrie, Big Bird, Fred Rogers, Liberace, and Vincent Price.
Has lived and worked on all three US coasts and in the middle of the country, too.
Has been a reviewer, costumer, librarian, and teacher.
Has ridden an elephant, touched the pyramids, and stood at the edge of a volcano.
Believes love is essential to everyone’s happiness.
She wants you to remember: Every day is a good day for romance!

U Might Have Missed

Word Count: Click here to reveal60,000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Lesbian (Click here to hide)

Summary: When I arrived at Prince Eldran’s estate, I had no memory of who I was or how I’d gotten there, but everything was prepared and waiting for me as though I’d been expected. As I struggled to piece together my past, I met Sorcha, whose memories were as fragmented as mine. We quickly became friends and our connection developed into one that I could only describe as magical. During the Prince’s glittering masquerade ball, I realised that I loved her deeply and I wanted to discover what it meant to share my life with her. Our love blossomed like the beautiful gardens that surrounded the estate, but something dark was brewing in the realm beyond the mansion. The fae had seemed a peaceable people, but there was much I’d forgotten and war has a way of opening your eyes to the truth. When it reached the shores of Prince Eldran’s enchanted island, Sorcha and I were forced to defend our home and fight for our lives. We’ve faced so much, but malevolent forces threaten to tear us apart and destroy the life we’ve built together. Only through an unimaginable sacrifice can we hope to survive and help our people… but with so much at stake, can we conquer our enemies and ensure a future for our love? Reader Note: This collection contains three novella-length F/F fantasy romance books (approximately 60,000 words total) featuring Sapphic love (the steamy and sweet kind), adult language, and unexpected danger. Two women, who will face any foe to keep their love intact and fight for their future, await you!

Check This Out Too

Word Count: Information not available

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: After training under the famed Escoffier, Henri is now Head Chef at the Royal Tea Room - the jewel in the crown of the newly opened Hartridge & Casas department store. With his sights set on one day opening his own restaurant, Henri has no time for distractions, especially not love. But his moorings are shaken loose when Nico, a charming and gorgeous new waiter, appears. However, the interfering adventurer Lord Ockley is determined to have Nico all to himself. When he can't, he threatens to expose Nico and Henri's relationship, risking not only the destruction of their careers and reputations, but possibly even worse. Will Henri abandon his career dreams for the love of the only man who has ever touched his soul? Can Nico convince Henri that love is the most important dream of all? Set against the backdrop of the 1908 Summer Olympics and the historic Franco-British Exhibition, Catering to Love is the story of two men trying to find love in a society where the mere mention of their passion risks ruin. Buoyed by a colorful cast of characters, they cook up a new meaning to romance. It's a new century, with London blossoming into modernity, and love is the most important ingredient.