#SlidingIntoMyDms By Nell Iris
Genre: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM
Tropes: Friends-to-lovers
Released: February 17, 2021
Publisher: JMS Books
Length: 21,998 words
Cover Design: Written Ink Designs
It all started with a DM on Instagram
“Hi. I heard you’ve been sick.”
Eddy Pennington is recovering from a severe bout of pneumonia when an old acquaintance, Moss, sends him a message on social media. They haven’t spoken in years, but Eddy is pleasantly surprised. He always liked Moss even if they were never close friends.
Moss Fanning has no ulterior motive with his message: all he wants is wish Eddy a speedy recovery. He got over the crush he used to have on Eddy a long time ago.
They reconnect easily and have even more in common now. And when they meet in person, the attraction is instant. Will an innocent, well-meaning message on social media lead to something more? Something deeper? Something…everlasting?
Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003
This hit me right in all the feels!
I have said time and time again that Nell Iris is the queen of writing short MM romance stories. She can turn me inside out in fewer words than any other writer. I believe that it takes a special skill to tell a complete story in such few words and boy did she do it with #SlidingIntoMyDms.
The story is told in first person by Eddy, who has been really sick with pneumonia. An old friend, Moss, sends him a message on Instagram after he learns that Eddy has been sick. They haven’t seen each other in years but Eddy is touched that Moss remembers him and cares enough to send him a message. Their friendship is rekindled and turns into so much more.
This is a slow-burn story but boy did it bring out so many emotions. Eddy and his older sister had a really rough time with their parents when they came out. It left more of a mark on Eddy then he or his sister realized until Eddy stars to pull back from a relationship with Moss.
Maybe it was just my mood when I read this but at around the 50% mark on my ereader I had tears streaming down my face. This is generally a sign of how much I love what I’m reading and it definitely was the case with this book.
If you love sweet – with just a touch of spice – romance don’t miss this one; it’s really great and has a wonderful HEA!
♥♥♥♥♥
O Factor: Spicy
I bump my shoulder against his. “You are fucking perfect, Moss Fanning.”
His hand brushes against mine, sending a shower of sparks up my arm. “Nah.”
“Don’t fight me on this. You don’t want to upset a poor, sick man.”
Moss chuckles. “No indeed.”
We continue a while in silence before he speaks again. “If you think I’m perfect, I guess that increases the chances of you considering this a date.” It’s a calm statement, casually put out in the universe, and I like that he shows no hesitation.
So I hook my pinkie with his. “I guess it does.”
“Good.”
Huh. I guess I’m on a date. My belly does a happy flip.
After a few more steps spent in silence, he slips his entire hand into mine. His rough palm sends a wave of happiness up my arm, coiling itself around my soul. Our shoulders brush and intensify the emotion.
I had no idea a simple walk could be so intense.
“Did you have a hard time finding work here?” I try to keep my tone casual, not wanting to betray what holding his hand does to me, not wanting to draw attention to the easy way a slow walk slipped into a date. I like the ease; I hate complicated and games and playing hard to get. I hated it in my twenties, and I hate it even more now.
“No. I come highly recommended. I’m a damned good carpenter.”
“All the more reason to take you to Anne and Rosa.”
He laughs. “You just want me for my skills, is that it?”
“Nu-uh.”
“Then what?”
I stop on the path and make a show out of checking him out, slowly letting my gaze travel from his face, down his chest and rounded belly, lingering on his thighs—I have a thing for thick thighs—and then reversing course until I meet his gaze.
Moss shakes his head with a fond smile and tugs my hand to get me moving again. “You’re not well enough for any of that.”
“Nope. But I’m getting better.”
“I’m glad. We can revisit that discussion when you’re capable of walking faster than a quarter of a mile an hour.”
“Hey!”
He laughs at my indignation, and Balderik joins in the fun by letting out a playful ruff.
I squeeze his hand. “In all seriousness, I like you for your no-nonsense attitude. It’s very attractive.”
“Thank you.” His husky voice reverberates up my arm. “I appreciate you saying that. Not everyone likes blunt honesty, but I knew you could take it before, so I took a chance you still can.”
“Oh, I can.”
“Good.”
All too soon we reach the end of the trail, and we’re back where we started by Moss’ SUV. Another car has parked in the clearing while we were walking, but there’s no trace of the owners. The daylight is fading fast and so is my energy, and no matter how much I’d like to be able to continue our walk forever, I have to admit defeat.
Moss opens the car door for me and helps me inside. “I’m sorry,” he says.
“What for?”
“You weren’t ready for such a long walk.”
I take his hand again, a shudder racing up my arm when his palm rasps against mine. “I was. I admit I’m tired and I’ll probably fall asleep in the shower later, but this walk helped heal my soul and that’s important, too.”
“Yeah, sure. But—”
“Don’t feel bad. Please. Just drive me home and promise we’ll come back here soon. Promise my weakness didn’t scare you off.”
He brushes his thumb over the back of my hand. “I promise.”
Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies room), loves music (and singing along at the top of her voice but she’s no Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (Make it so). She loves words, bullet journals, poetry, wine, coffee-flavored kisses, and fika (a Swedish cultural thing involving coffee and pastry!)
Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.
Nell is a bisexual Swedish woman married to the love of her life, a proud mama of a grown daughter, and is approaching 50 faster than she’d like. She lives in the south of Sweden where she spends her days thinking up stories about people falling in love. After dreaming about being a writer for most of her life, she finally was in a place where she could pursue her dream and released her first book in 2017.
Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angsty, short over long, and quirky characters over alpha males.
Amazon | Bookbub | Contact | Facebook Page | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | QueeRomance Ink | Twitter | Website
Previous:
New Release Audiobook Review: Unforgotten by Garrett Leigh, Performed by Dan Calley
Next:
Review Tour and Giveaway: Breakaway by Kindle Alexander
You may also like
-
19 Aug
Audio Release Blitz, Review, Excerpt and Giveaway: Better Than Home by Lane Hayes, Performed by Nick J. Russo
Giveaway5 STARS!! Life is good. A few years ago, I met someone special, came out as bi, fell head over heels, and married the love of my life. A man. But not just any man. The lawyer, the diva, and a new adventure…
-
08 Feb
Teaser Tuesday: Up in Arms by Kindle Alexander
GLBTQ RomanceComing Feb 14!! When a dangerous mission blows their world apart, Reed doesn’t let anything stop him from jumping in. But can he convince Trevor that they belong together…that he deserves a chance at love?
-
5.0
01 Mar
Review: Navy SEAL Survival by Elle James
Category RomanceAfter feeling the heat in Honduras cleaning up a terrorist training camp, Duff Callaway is ready for some serious chilling in Cancun. Fun in the sun becomes a perilous rescue mission when the navy SEAL saves his beautiful diving partner from an underwater attack. Except Natalie Layne wasn't chosen at random.
-
5.0
13 May
Release Blitz, Excerpt and Review: Love’s Lawyer by Janice Jarrell
GLBTQ RomanceThey’d been through so much and survived. Would law school be the storm they could not weather? Would it do what a drug lord’s bullet could not and hand Colin Campbell the bitter defeat he never believed he’d have to face?