Must Love Coffee
by Leigh Lennon
Series: 425 Madison, #1
Series: 425 Madison, #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 31, 2019
Gwen
I was stripped of all my own desires and wants when I was married to my ex-husband. I now carry a list with me—a list that will help me choose a man that will put me first in life. Then the storm cloud of an entitled millionaire appears in my life and knocks me off my axis. This man sends so many mixed signals, my body either quakes with anger or passion when I’m around him.
I'm his son's teacher and his tenant, but I find myself wanting more.
Leo
My life is run with precision with little regard for others until a woman in crazy clothes challenges me to be a better father. She’s one of the few people that puts me in my place and maybe for this very reason—I want her more than I can articulate. With her failed marriage and list of requests she needs from her next partner, I know she’s my future. My life is less than perfect, and with it—baggage that follows me everywhere. Does she want my kind of crazy in her life?
I'm her landlord and an a**hole, but I find myself wanting more.
Where to begin? For starters, you must love coffee...
After all, 425 Madison Avenue is the perfect place to fall in love.
*Each story is completely standalone.
Gwen:
Leo stands with so much force it pushes his chair over, bumping the table and knocking some of Teague’s test results to the floor.
“Mason, this teacher is clearly incompetent and I want her replaced—no, fuck that—I want her fired.”
I don’t give Mason much time to reply. I stand just as fast and, though he has a good six inches on me, I’m in his face.
“Okay, Mr. Eastman, you want me fired so badly, answer me this. How much time do you spend with Teague each day on his homework? I’ve sent home small readers with questions to be answered each day, even if you have to write the responses for him. I’ve never gotten a completed form in return.” As I speak, the harsh teacher tone takes over and demands his attention. I don’t miss how his hands curl into fists when I continue. “I’ve sent him home with a phonetical set of flash cards and a completion sheet. After ten times, he gets a reward. I have yet to receive that back. The same goes for number recognition. So, you tell me I’m not doing my job. But, since turnabout is fair play, how are you doing on your end? It takes a village, Mr. Eastman. Let me know when you move in and we can talk.”
*****
Leo:
How is it that a man who has access to countless hot women wakes on the morning of his kid’s playdate like it’s fucking Christmas? And with a jolly ripe boner at the thought of his son’s teacher. Yeah, this guy here. I’m not ashamed of it but is it appropriate to ask this woman out while we are essentially chaperoning our daughters? See, I haven’t always been a manwhore. With Dez, I was the most committed father and husband—I only had eyes for her. And maybe these new feelings make it obvious I’m ready to start over again.
With the first glance at my phone, I’m accosted with a shit-ton of texts from Donna. She invited me over last night but I’d told her I was taking my kids to the movies. This crazy, bleached-blonde tried to invite herself with us to see Venom. She had no idea it was a Marvel movie, in addition to being oblivious to the fact that I’d never let her get within arm’s reach of my kids. A good fuck she’s been but that’s all she ever could be. And now, after imagining the teacher as a person I want more than sex with, I’m on the offensive with today’s playdate. But don’t fucking get me wrong—I sure as fuck want to fill her up—but I want more than that. I can’t fucking believe that I, Leo Eastman, am admitting to this.
Shit, shit, shit. But it’s true.
Leo stands with so much force it pushes his chair over, bumping the table and knocking some of Teague’s test results to the floor.
“Mason, this teacher is clearly incompetent and I want her replaced—no, fuck that—I want her fired.”
I don’t give Mason much time to reply. I stand just as fast and, though he has a good six inches on me, I’m in his face.
“Okay, Mr. Eastman, you want me fired so badly, answer me this. How much time do you spend with Teague each day on his homework? I’ve sent home small readers with questions to be answered each day, even if you have to write the responses for him. I’ve never gotten a completed form in return.” As I speak, the harsh teacher tone takes over and demands his attention. I don’t miss how his hands curl into fists when I continue. “I’ve sent him home with a phonetical set of flash cards and a completion sheet. After ten times, he gets a reward. I have yet to receive that back. The same goes for number recognition. So, you tell me I’m not doing my job. But, since turnabout is fair play, how are you doing on your end? It takes a village, Mr. Eastman. Let me know when you move in and we can talk.”
*****
Leo:
How is it that a man who has access to countless hot women wakes on the morning of his kid’s playdate like it’s fucking Christmas? And with a jolly ripe boner at the thought of his son’s teacher. Yeah, this guy here. I’m not ashamed of it but is it appropriate to ask this woman out while we are essentially chaperoning our daughters? See, I haven’t always been a manwhore. With Dez, I was the most committed father and husband—I only had eyes for her. And maybe these new feelings make it obvious I’m ready to start over again.
With the first glance at my phone, I’m accosted with a shit-ton of texts from Donna. She invited me over last night but I’d told her I was taking my kids to the movies. This crazy, bleached-blonde tried to invite herself with us to see Venom. She had no idea it was a Marvel movie, in addition to being oblivious to the fact that I’d never let her get within arm’s reach of my kids. A good fuck she’s been but that’s all she ever could be. And now, after imagining the teacher as a person I want more than sex with, I’m on the offensive with today’s playdate. But don’t fucking get me wrong—I sure as fuck want to fill her up—but I want more than that. I can’t fucking believe that I, Leo Eastman, am admitting to this.
Shit, shit, shit. But it’s true.
What a wonderful read that was romantic and sweet, with the right amount of heat, that delivered a happy ever after that left my heart happy.
Gwen was such a refreshing heroine. She’s finally living her life on her terms, no longer under the thumb of her ex-husband. She’s determined to stay true to who she is and has made a vow to never allow another man, or person, to change who she is. Her world revolves around her daughter and she’s doing everything she can to ensure that her daughter won’t make the same mistakes that she has.
Leo is going through the motions since his divorce. He’s focused on work and ensuring the future for his children, but what he doesn’t see is all that he is missing out on with his kids by not being present…that is until his son’s teacher lets him know in no uncertain just how badly he is doing in that department – and opens his eyes to just how absent he has been for his kids.Checking in on Luna gives me a peace that I hope I’m instilling in here; that I can stand on my own, therefore she can, too. I just hope it’ll pay off in the end. A partner should be someone who completes you but never changes you. They should love you for the way you are, quirks and all. Dwayne never got this. And I hope my girl understands this when she falls in love.
Gwen and Leo were perfect for each other, and the “Must Love” notes added so much to the story. I loved how Leo made romancing Gwen his priority, always having just the right response to each of her notes. There was a great buildup of tension between these two, but once they do get to the sexy times they could certainly bring some heat to the page. I loved how down to earth they both were, keeping things real and minimizing the angst that could have taken over at times. And even when Leo’s ex-wife and Gwen’s ex-husband threaten to come between them, both Leo and Gwen follow what is in their hearts, and find their way back to each other without too much drama.A slight chuckle escapes my lips and I pull her in for a hug. “Yes, Mary. I owe you so much for helping me but I think it’s time I start acting like their dad, don’t you? And, by the way, I’ll be home by five fifteen every day and I’ll come get the kids from your place.”
Mary, a devout Catholic, surprises me with her next words when she looks squarely in my face and says, “You know, Leonardo, I love you like a son, but…it’s about fucking time.” She kisses me on the cheek and leaves for her apartment for the night.
The extended cast of characters helped bring Leo and Gwen’s characters to life. Their children were written very well, right down to the sass and attitude you would expect from the girls to the precociousness of Leo’s son. Several other residents of the 425 Madison building were introduced, and I am really looking forward to reading their stories in this series. I wasn’t a big fan of either of the ex’s, but they served their purpose in helping to tell both Gwen and Leo’s story.
This was a great start to this series of inter-connected stories by various authors. I think it set the perfect stage for the other residents of 425 Madison and is definitely worth checking out!
About the 425 Madison Series
Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Nine delicious romances set in fast-paced & sexy NYC just waiting for you to read.
The series features stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, and C. Lesbirel.
Join these authors as they come together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy.
Featuring some of readers' favorite tropes: second-chance romance, best friends sibling romance to a good ol' enemies to lovers romance. We've got you covered with a sports romance, a fake relationship and even an ugly duckling or two. Don't forget a brother's best friend and falling for your soul mate. Maybe a little love triangle as well. Each tale offers you something new, something different. After all, 425 is the perfect place to fall in love
For more information, visit the series website ➝ www.425madisonseries.com
Follow the series on Facebook ➝ https://www.facebook.com/425MadisonSeries
Books two and three in the series are coming soon! Add them to your Goodreads shelf today!
Let Me Love You by MK Moore, Book #2
A Best Friend’s Sibling Romance
Goodreads
Just Swipe Right by Allie York, Book #3
A Love Triangle Romance
Goodreads
This release event is brought to you by Forever Write PR -
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