Release Day REVIEW: Shake Me Up – Andrew Grey

by
Shake Me Up Book Cover Shake Me Up
Andrew Grey
LGBTQ+, Alpha Male, Gay romance
self
2/18/25
Kindle
101
Amazon

Amazon Link: Amazon

Ronny Ledbetter inherited a bar, The Gingerbread, from his father, and he’s been working his hands to the bone to update the building and keep the business functioning. What he really needs is help… and a life outside of work. What he doesn’t expect is a man like Arden to stumble into his life.

Turned out by his parents, Arden Thatcher is living in his aunt and uncle’s converted garage, and he needs a job. Getting desperate to find something, he approaches the sex-on-a-stick hot Ronny, who gives him a test behind the bar and then a job. But that only solves one of his problems; his controlling uncle is still attempting to run his life.

With all their issues, neither Ronny nor Arden is looking for a relationship, but one forms more quickly that either could imagine. Arden supports Ronny, helping him build the business. His skill behind the bar draws new customers, and Ronny backs Arden with his family issues that never seem to end. But Arden’s uncle poses a threat not only to Arden, but also his aunt and even the bar. It will take both Ronny and Arden’s combined strength to see things through to a possible future together.

Review By Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

Amazon Link: Amazon

Ronny Ledbetter owns The Gingerbread bar that he inherited from his father. He has put a lot of work into bringing it up to date which in addition to running the bar leaves him little or no personal time. He fears hiring someone since the last person he hired stole from him nearly bringing an end to the bar.
Then a young man comes asking for a job and Ronny has a good feeling about him. Arden Thatcher worked for his father in his bar until his father discovered he was gay and then he was thrown out. He is very familiar with working the bar and Ronny takes a chance on him.
Arden proves he is familiar with running a bar like he promised and becomes a asset but Arden has personal problems that will draw Ronny into his drama.
Arden is living in the garage apartment owned by his aunt and uncle only his uncle is creepy, watching him and always trying to get his attention. With no money Arden has no choice but stay there, he isn’t charged rent, but he needs food and currently dumpster dives for food.
When his uncle comes to the bar, he insists that Arden pays his tab which Ronny doesn’t allow. His uncle is not very well liked in town. Arden tries to keep away from his uncle but when his uncle attacks him at the bar Ronny has him arrested and is pressing charges. He is very protective of the people who work for him especially Arden who he is very attracted to.
When Arden discovers his aunt is being physically abused by his uncle, he takes steps to protect her and convince her she deserves better. With Ronny’s help and his uncle presently in prison for attacking Arden he sets things in motion to assure his aunt will not be hurt any longer.
As Ronny and Arden work together against his uncle and at the bar they become close and decide to ignore the fact that they are boss and employee. The heart wants what the heart wants and letting their working relationship interfere is out of the question.
Arden also makes discoveries that he never expected just pushing him into more drama. This story is a look at what women go through when abused and how they are afraid to leave their abusive situation. It is easy to say leave, but it is not always easy to do.
This story was sad when the reality of abuse is realized and the difficulty to make the choice to leave. I hurt for all the people out there who suffer from abuse, kids, adults, male and female and Mr. Grey does a wonderful job of bringing it into the light.

 

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