Book Title: Abstract Love
Author: Sara Dobie Bauer
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Release Date: September 4, 2020
Genre/s: Contemporary MM romance
Trope/s: enemies-to-lovers, age gap, co-workers, office romance,
bisexuality, businessmen, artists, bondage, comedy
Themes: sexual awakening
Possible triggers: depression, suicidal ideations, biphobia
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 71 000 words
It is a standalone book.
Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited
I hate Sam Shelby. So why do I want to kiss him?
Blurb
Sam never expected to move back to Cleveland.
Donovan never expected to be attracted to a man.
Well, shit happens.
After high school, Sam Shelby moved to New York. Eight years later, he returns to Cleveland and lands a job at the best ad firm in town. It would be the perfect gig, if his boss weren’t such an ass.
After his wife leaves, Donovan Cooper questions everything. The arrival of a young, arrogant, gifted graphic designer at Donovan’s firm is the last straw.
Tempers flare over office gossip, and following a nasty argument and scathing kiss, Donovan flails away from heterosexuality while Sam struggles to keep his “no relationship” rule intact.
Despite ugly socks, fiery fights, and their best intentions to not fall in love, these bullheaded coworkers can’t deny their chemistry. Donovan seeks happiness while Sam seeks success, but is there room for more?
Excerpt
Donovan sifted through a few hand-drawn logos on the desk and froze when he found a crudely drawn sketch of himself. Sam must have done it during a meeting at some point, capturing Donovan’s faux hawk, wide jaw, and severe expression.
Jesus, was this what other people saw when they looked at him? Did he really look so miserable?
“Make yourself at home?”
Donovan dropped the picture and stood straight at the sound of Sam’s voice.
He leaned against the doorframe, with one ankle crossed over the other.
“It’s really bullshit when people say that, you know?” Sam said. “Make yourself at home. No one actually wants their friends to take off their pants, drink all their beer, and binge The Great British Bake Off.” He paused. “What are you doing in my office?”
“I didn’t mean to snoop.”
The office door closed as he stepped inside. “Sure you did, or you wouldn’t be in here, so what’s up?”
Sam circled the desk, so Donovan circled the other way, although he noticed it was true what coworkers said: Sam did smell good—like clean laundry and cedar. “I think we started off on the wrong foot.”
Sam snort laughed and flipped through some files on his desk. “More like wrong continent, man.” When he found what he was looking for, he tapped the file’s corner against his palm. “I can handle guys like you, you know.”
Donovan shifted back on his heels. “Guys like me?”
“Hmm. Corporate assholes. All you see are dollar signs. You take no pleasure in your work. Advertising is money to you, not art, but without the artists, there wouldn’t be advertising, so…” He sucked his cheeks into his mouth, a momentary fish face.
Donovan wanted to tell him it wasn’t true. Donovan loved art.
He used to love art.
Sam continued, “I know I look like a six-foot-two Disney princess, but you’re not gonna rattle me.” To prove his point, Sam got right up in Donovan’s personal space until Donovan took a step back. Again, he was not used to dealing with someone his own height. “And I’m right about the Great Lakes ad campaign. If you’d pull your head out of your ass, maybe you’d notice.” He turned away abruptly.
“Sam.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.” Ouch, that hurt coming out.
Sam’s rebuttal: “Prove it.”
“Excuse me?”
He rested a hand on the desk and cocked his hip out—the very picture of young attitude. “Listen to me in meetings.”
“I was listening.”
“Nope.” He shook his head and ran a hand through his unkempt, unprofessional hair. “No, you were hearing. I need you to listen. There’s a difference. And I know I’m just some fucking kid to you, but I ruled the New York City advertising scene. I know what I’m doing, Donovan, so let me do it.”
“Fine.” He’d had enough. He’d apologized, okay, so he’d done his Monica-enforced duty. He didn’t owe Sam anything else.
He didn’t run for the door, but he definitely moved with speed.
I don't have to pineapple with you 🤗
Don't pass this up - All of the feels
One of the best reads of 2020!
I laughed so hard
I broke
I loved
“We live in the same building. The walk of shame would be really short.” - Sam
Sam used flamboyance and snark as his shield against emotional attachments.
“Depression is easy, Donovan. It’s the other shit that’s hard.” - Sam
Donovan was completely unaware of how robotic his reactions to life had become. Being able to see him the real him as things unfolded...
“Dunno, do you want to stay?” “This is an annoying conversation.” “You’re an annoying human.” “Look who’s talking,” - Sam and Don
The back and forth between these two was off the charts entertaining. Sam pushed every button Donovan had and naturally Donovan being the grumpy old butt he was pushed back.
So much more to these two than what they presented on the surface. But isn't that true for most of us? They had both settled into lives that were more acts of emotional defense than living. Changed the core of who they were because it was easier than fighting against the current.
That was until fate brought them together and indulged her twisted sense of humor by tossing them from atop the proverbial waterfall
- tied together
Battered and worn down they soon found that together the waters were calmer and for the first time in a long time, they could breathe.
I do not know how else to describe this romance but:
A grumpy older boss + A young snarky designer + A cataclysmic collision of epic proportions =
A romance that touches on all the feels and stays with the reader long after the pages are closed
Author Interview
Tell us a little about yourself and your writing goals.
I’m a Halloween-obsessed extroverted introvert who loves yoga, pizza, horror movies, and my sexy rock-climber husband. I live in Cleveland, Ohio, but I’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film. I bartend to retain my sanity. Don’t yell at me, but I’m not a goal maker. I’m more go-with-the-flow and enjoy-the-ride.
Congratulations on your new release. Please tell us a little bit about it. What’s your favorite aspect or part of the story? Do you have a favorite character? Who/Why?
Abstract Love is an enemies-to-lovers MM romantic comedy with an age gap and an employer/employee dynamic. Sam never expected to move back to Cleveland, and Donovan never expected to be attracted to a man. Well … sh*t happens, as you’ll read. I love the banter between Donovan and Sam. These two are freaking hilarious together. No favorite character. That’s like picking a favorite kid. Can’t do it.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Stop listening to other people; write for you. Rejection is a constant, so get over it. Enjoy the process, not the end game. Writing is your job but not your life. No matter what you do, some people will never like you.
What is the best money you ever spent as an author?
Ha, don’t know if this qualifies, but I achieved the bucket list dream of ordering a pair of Louboutin heels. I used my very first royalty check to buy my beautiful babies. I whisper sweet nothings to them in the dark of night.
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
Think about? Very little. I’m usually too busy singing.
What were you like in high school?
An annoying over-achiever. Star of all the school plays. Story editor of the school newspaper. Voted “Most Likely to be Famous.” The big secret? I was very sad most of the time but learned how to paste on a smile—a skill I’ve successfully carried into adulthood.
What are the three best things about you?
My empathy. My sense of humor. My courage to be unabashedly honest about my flaws.
If you could time-travel, where would you go?
1920s Paris. I’d spend all my time at Harry’s New York Bar with Hemingway and the Fitzgerald duo. (I just consumed way too many martinis at Harry’s in March. I miss it, like, A LOT.)
About the Author
Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling author, model, and mental health / LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film.
Author Links
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Join us for the #Releasetour with Author Interview
#abstractedlove #mmromance #saradobiebauer #kindleunlimited #bookreview
@saradobie
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