Series: -
Volume: 1/1Publisher: Rainbow Tree Publishing
Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance
Length: 46 000 words
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✬
Elijah and Sebastian meet for the first time in Elijah's bar and the same day the man offers Seb a job. They can't hide their mutual attraction, so what is the point of resisting it? The problem is that the men haven't planned to get involved in any relationship. In such a situation, will they be ready to give this feeling that blooms between them a chance?
"Not Used To Cute" by Becca Seymour is a fairly short novel that mostly focuses on a "give love a chance" type of story. What I like about Elijah and Seb's love story is that, despite the serious themes and problems that the novel raises, a lot of emphasis has also been put on the humorous side of this novel. On the one hand, it's all thanks to Seb, as this boy really is unique, especially when he starts talking, and on the other hand, we owe the fun to Elijah who at first tries to ignore his clear and visible attraction to Seb. Everyone around him can see that he is very interested in the young man, his behavior betrays him and when he tries to get away from his feelings by taking a step back, he fails. The reactions of this stubborn man often amuse his friends, and thus also the readers. After all, the more Elijah tries to escape from his feelings, the more powerless he is against this attraction.
The problem of homophobia is also extremely important in the novel, and more precisely the fact that it deprives people against whom it is directed of a sense of security, it takes away the joy of being in a place where they previously felt good and safe, makes them fear for themselves and their loved ones every day. There are many ways to approach the problem of homophobia, and I am glad that the author chose this one. For some time now, homophobia has been affecting bars and other places where non-heterosexual people can be themselves and have fun among people who fully accept them. Losing one's sense of security in such places through homophobic attacks is therefore a big problem that needs to be discussed. So I'm glad that in “Not Used To Cute” it was touched in a rather gentle, but also very emotional way.
I think that an important feature of "Not Used To Cute" is that reading this novel we get to know not only Seb's and Elijah's stories, but also those of other characters. The thing that most of them have in common is the fact that they give us a chance to get to know better people who don't play a big role in this novel, but are really strong because at some point they were able to overcome their problems, get rid of toxic people in their life and start anew. All the things we learn, make us want to know even more about these characters, we want to see their lives flourish as their strength brings positive results. I really like the fact that "Not Used To Cute" is a novel that not only provides the reader with great entertainment and amusement, but also lets us see a group of strong people who, in the face of all kinds of difficulties, show us that we can change something, face our past, life, people, the world.
As for the main characters, they undoubtedly have a lot to offer. Seb is my favorite. Why? There are many reasons, but one of the most important is the fact that he is a rather small man who doesn't like being seen through the prism of his physical characteristics. So what if his body isn't particularly impressive, since he is mentally incredibly strong, stubborn and thanks to his inner strength he can cope with any situation. Seb is actually another example of a strong person, after the side characters we get to know in "Not Used To Cute". I admit that Elijah is also a very interesting one, because he is an overprotective person, but what's important, it is not due to the weakness of the person he cares about. Elijah is clearly overprotective by nature. Thanks to this fact, he is able to make Seb feel safe, but not powerless. It is very important and I am glad that the author emphasised it in her novel.
Taking all that into consideration, "Not Used To Cute" is a very interesting novel that you definitely want to read in one sitting. Although it is short, the author managed to cover many important and serious topics and also makes the reader smile. Thanks to this, the novel is neither heavy nor excessively light. It is just right. And the characters? You will fall in love with them! That's why you should read "Not Used To Cute". It's worth it.
Headcanon: Elijah has a secret photo album with the sweetest photos of Seb.
Fanfiction idea: Elijah dreams that during a party in the bar, some guy is flirting with Seb and they even dance together. Waking up, Elijah is in a very bad mood so Seb tries to cheer him up but he doesn't know why Elijah is so grumpy.
AU idea: Science fiction!AU, the same events, but in the world of the future.
Here's some more about:
Book Title: Not Used To Cute
Author: Becca Seymour
Cover Artist: BookSmith Design
Release Date: August 22nd 2020
Trope/s: Hurt/comfort, big/small
Themes: Trust, homophobia
Heat Rating: 4 flames
It is a standalone story.
Will they find the courage to take what they want?
Blurb
Blurb
A bar owner who’s not looking for a relationship. A lost soul who’s afraid to trust. When Elijah and Seb meet, sparks fly. But will either of them find the courage to take what they want?
Pouring his all into his business, Elijah is perfectly content running his bar. With its prime location and its infamous drag shows, Bar QK is the place to be. Elijah is used to meeting new and sometimes interesting people, but it’s rare anyone catches his interest for anything longer than a five-minute conversation.
It takes a wandering, unfiltered surfer, who’s tired of the chase and dog-tired of people taking advantage of him, to spark long-buried interest in Elijah.
While kindness runs through his veins, Seb doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He has a past he’d rather forget and has no real expectations for his future. He believes it’s safer to not make assumptions about anything or anyone; that way, he’ll remain safe.
It takes his elusive, aloof boss, whose mixed messages are more confusing than Ikea furniture instructions, to show Seb that opening his heart can be worth the risk.
When Elijah and Seb find themselves working on a common goal, the high stakes may be just the nudge they need.
Pouring his all into his business, Elijah is perfectly content running his bar. With its prime location and its infamous drag shows, Bar QK is the place to be. Elijah is used to meeting new and sometimes interesting people, but it’s rare anyone catches his interest for anything longer than a five-minute conversation.
It takes a wandering, unfiltered surfer, who’s tired of the chase and dog-tired of people taking advantage of him, to spark long-buried interest in Elijah.
While kindness runs through his veins, Seb doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He has a past he’d rather forget and has no real expectations for his future. He believes it’s safer to not make assumptions about anything or anyone; that way, he’ll remain safe.
It takes his elusive, aloof boss, whose mixed messages are more confusing than Ikea furniture instructions, to show Seb that opening his heart can be worth the risk.
When Elijah and Seb find themselves working on a common goal, the high stakes may be just the nudge they need.
Excerpt
“What happened?”
His words registered though made no sense.
“Just,” he clarified, “everything was fine. You smiled, then it all changed. I lost it.”
“Lost it?” I was convinced I’d been dropped into a conversation midpoint as I floundered to catch up. Elijah was direct, as I was, or usually was. I liked that about him. A lot. But he also had a habit of using clipped questions, or short sentences that took me a while to work out what he meant.
“I lost your smile.”
“Oh.” Oh! What the heck was a guy to say to that? Yeah, he’d asked a question that he wanted answered, but hot damn, that he’d lost my smile? I really hoped to God that that meant what I thought it meant. But far out, I wasn’t sure my heart could handle a man like Elijah.
From the moment we’d met at his bar, there’d been a connection. It was undeniable, but still, at work he kept his distance. Admittedly, he took time out to make sure I was coping and settling in okay, but he was the boss. And he occasionally brought me treats. And maybe we chatted about a few things other than work sometimes. It was his job. Right? Right? Okay, so perhaps he didn’t quite keep his distance at work.
And then when I’d told him about what had happened with the paint, he’d seemed to have lost his guard for a few seconds and had mentioned an “us.” At the time, a flurry of activity had burst free in my gut, pretty similar to the havoc currently taking place there. The thought that it was more, the possibility that he could actually likeme like me and that Harriet was right…. Then there was the mention of that kiss, which I was sure had happened and hadn’t been a figment of my imagination brought on by shock.
Heat crept through my body. I had no idea where it travelled from or was heading to, but my senses flared to life. The subtle shift of his fingers as they still made contact with my cheek, the fresh masculine scent of his aftershave hovering between the two of us, the controlled sound of his breathing, which actually deepened a little… all caught up with me and, honest to God, weakened my knees.
I wobbled a little, and he reached out his other hand, not realising I’d been leaning into him. He placed his hand on my hip to steady me.
Not quite flush with him, it didn’t seem to matter as his body heat pushed against me. Warmth that was welcome and comforting pulled me in and made unbidden words spill forth. “You like my smile?” When his lips moved and it looked like he was about to speak, my filter vanished, was whisked away into the abyss and I was powerless to stop it.
“So does this mean you like me”—please stop—“because if you do, which is great, but are you sure? It’s just that you said I was, well you know, small and stuff, and I don’t know, everyone at work says you’re into big guys, or at least bigger than me.” Please, make it stop. I didn’t listen to myself, despite my last comment causing his brows to lift. “You just don’t seem like the kind of guy that would go for someone like me. It’s just, I’m not saying I’ve been bashed with the ugly stick or anything”—a nervous, awful laugh escaped my lips, carrying my words—“I know some people think I’m good-looking. Not that I’m vain or anything. Nothing like that. But I saw some of the men at the bar who I know you’ve hooked up with, and they’re nothing like me. They have a good few inches on me—in height,” I quickly added. “I’m packing, and”—for the love of all that is holy, make it stop. I prayed for a hole, a tsunami, a vortex—“anyway, I just, well, I like it when you smile, too.” I finally ran out of steam with no clue what I was talking about or even if I had a point or answered his damn question.
About the Author
Becca Seymour lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.
Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.
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