Fun, flirty, and full of misunderstandings is the basis for this romantic tale that has a guy doing whatever necessary in the name of love to get the girl he thinks is "the one". Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of Clam Jam by RC Boldt, along with my impressions of it, then learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour before adding it to your bookshelf. In honor of this rom-com make sure to fill out the form for the chance to win a $5 Amazon GC too!
Clam Jam
Definition: the female equivalent of a cock block.
Example: You’re chatting with a guy you’re interested in and your friend comes along and lays claim to him.
Maggie
That’s my life—except it’s worse. My friend who keeps “jamming” me is my gay roommate and if that isn’t a W.T.F. moment, I’m not sure what is.
Fact: He went home with three—yes, three—of the guys I had been so sure were into me.
Fact: He’s really pissing me off. I mean, hello? I’m trying to get back in the saddle, but I’ll never manage to get a boyfriend before the age of fifty if he keeps this up.
Fact: Secretly, I wonder what it would be like if he weren’t gay. Why do all the hot, sweet, tender-hearted guys have to be gay?
Fact: My gay-dar needs a serious tune-up.
Ry
The day I interviewed for the room to rent, everything changed. I knew I had met “the girl”, except there was one small problem: she didn’t want anything to do with men. I recognized a top-notch force field when I saw one. She’d been burned badly and didn’t want to deal with a heterosexual guy as a roommate. I could’ve turned around and found another place to live, but I wanted to live there—with her.
So I had to go “undercover".
Fact: I’m in love with my roommate.
Fact: I’m a likely candidate for carpal tunnel surgery since all the action I’ve had for the past year has been my hand.
Fact: She’s going to hate me if I come clean now.
Fact: I’m not giving up. Which means, I’ll just have to continue to run defense until I figure out a way to get Maggie to see the “real” me.
The me that loves her.
The me that would never do her wrong.
Until then, I’ll keep running off every guy who shows any interest.
Until then, I’ll continue to Clam Jam.
EXCERPT:
“But she doesn’t want anything to do with men, Ry. What are you going to do? Just casually bring it up one morning that you’re actually hetero?” He scoffs, shaking his head at me. “I see that going over real well."
“I haven’t gotten that far but, this way, I can get to know her without all that shit getting in the way. The whole nervousness, the whole showing the other person your best at all times until you’re really committed and then it all comes out."
“And you’re going to do this by being dishonest from the get-go."
Running my hands down my face, I let out a frustrated groan. “What was my other option? To let her go, to never have an opportunity to get to know her—to never get to be her friend, at the very least—without her feeling like I have any ulterior motives--"
“Which you do."
“—and be faced with the possibility of me being too late and another guy getting to her when she decides she’s ready to start dating again?"
“I’d like to go on record and say that you’ve been watching too many damn chick flicks."
“Whatever."
He’s silent for a moment, staring at me before his lips twitch, slowly forming a smirk. “So how long have we been together, love muffin?"
The breath I’ve been holding in comes out in a slow exhale. “For a while.” Holding up a finger, I add, “But we have an ‘open’ relationship."
His eyebrows arch at that. “Why, you little player, you. Won’t commit to being monogamous, huh?” He tips his beer to his lips, takes a swig, and grins. “I bet I can convince you to be mine within a few months tops, pookie bear."
I make a face, scoffing, “Not likely."
He waves a hand dismissively. “You’ll be putting out before long. Mark my words."
“You’re not right.” I laugh, shaking my head at him.
“You’re the one who’s pretending to be gay."
“Point taken."
We both take a swig of beer and fall silent for a moment before Jack finally speaks.
“Can’t say that I’ve ever pretended to be someone’s gay lover before.” His face stretches into a wide, toothy grin.
And, just like that, my best friend is officially involved in my game plan. All for the sake of a woman I’m convinced is “the one.”
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
From the moment I read the synopsis of this book I was reminded of the screwball comedies of the 50's and 60's, particularly "Pillow Talk" with its theme of a ladies-man pretending to be gay to win over the woman who hates him. From its smile-inducing interactions to its witty banter Ms. Boldt has created a romantic comedy that will keep readers entertained while charming them with immensely appealing characters and an unforgettable story.
Maggie Finnegan's love life was going great until she found her fiancee in bed with another woman. Throwing him out of her home, and her life, leaves her on the hunt for a new roommate though and a vow to give up on men for awhile. Into her life enters the sweet and sexy Ryland who looks like the perfect candidate...even if he is a man. Luckily he says he's gay which means, despite her instant attraction to him, that her heart will be safe while she heals from her cheating ex. Long heartfelt talks, common ground humor, and laugh-filled days and nights leads to a friendship teeming with sexual tension between her and Ry that has her picturing him naked. When a steamy, unexpected kiss leads to more one night the line between love and friendship blurs, leaving her conflicted and uncertain. Dipping her toes back into the dating pool has her becoming even more uncertain as each date ends in disaster with each man preferring Ry over her. Everything soon becomes clear, every lie and every sweet and sensual act, in a crushing and heartbreaking moment of truth that leaves her HEA in doubt. Maggie's a very likable heroine, funny and caring, who's had a lot of losses in her life. It's all made her stronger though, willing to put herself on the line in order to find love. Her and Ry have an instant connection, a connection that's easy and entertaining to watch as they're like two peas in a pod. Her attraction to Ry's undeniable, but for the sake of loyalty to the man she believes he's with, she fights a hard fight to keep her feelings hidden. In many ways she's a delightful heroine, easy to relate to, but when it comes to seeing Ry's machinations in her love life she's a bit clueless.
Ryland James has been drawn to Maggie since the first time he saw her getting coffee. Seeing her every day becomes the highlight of his day, as he quickly realizes she's "the one". Having the chance to live with her, and connect with her, has him making an unexpected declaration that will change both of their lives forever once he applies to be her roommate. Ry loves her and knows his lie will lead to disaster but he's enjoying their time together too much to jeopardize telling her the truth. Longing glances and dirty dreams keep him company as their friendship flourishes, but once she starts dating again it's jealousy that drives him to sabotage every single date she makes with hilarious results. When their feelings can no longer be contained friendship leads to combustible encounters that gives him a glimpse of heaven. With his lie hanging over them though readers will be on edge waiting for disaster to strike along with Ry's Grand Gesture of atonement that brought a tear to my eye in an immensely satisfying conclusion. Ry's a sweet and sexy hero who wears his heart on his sleeve. He treats Maggie like a queen, always there for her before she even realizes what she needs, and it endeared him to me. Though it was wrong of him to lie his attempts to clam jam led to lots of chuckles and a few unexpected results that added even more humor. His love for Maggie was obvious from the start and his romantic words and deeds, sprinkled overtly and subtly throughout the story, left me charmed and rooting for him every step of the way.
Ryland and Maggie are a delightful couple, both as friends and as lovers, with a connection that crackles. Their time together made me smile while their sexual interludes burned up the sheets and my iPad in a romance that was erotic yet playful. Though Ryland's feelings bordered on insta-love at the start, the author gave the two of them plenty of time to build a romantic foundation that had me buying into their romance wholeheartedly and rooting for their HEA. Along with these two engaging main characters readers got to know their friends, Jack and Sarah. Sarah's funny, supportive, and pushed Maggie when she needed it the most. She never felt like a third wheel in gatherings that made me feel like I was a part of too. Jack's role was as Ryland's pretend boyfriend which gave him lots of fodder by which to make fun of him. Jack was shameless at times, poking at Ryland over the position he was put in resulting in snarky interactions and lots of belly laughs that had me longing to learn more about Jack. On a whole this was a delightful romance full of humor and charm that went on a bit longer than necessary but ended on the highest of notes that has me excited for what Ms. Boldt crafts next!
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
RC Boldt is the wife of Mr. Boldt, a retired Navy Chief, mother of Little Miss Boldt, and former teacher of many students. She currently lives on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.
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