Something's Brewing at Joe's by SJD Peterson

The promise of a dream job lures Murphy to Tampa, but he arrives to the rude awakening that the offer is on hold. Now he’s got two choices: slink back to Michigan with his tail between his legs or stay and look for work. Things perk up when he goes into a coffee shop and learns the owner is looking for someone to renovate the apartment above it. He happily takes the job, only later realizing he’s met Joe Sterling, Kaffeinate’s proprietor, before… when they hooked up at a club Murphy’s first night in Tampa.

Murphy and Joe are both proud, passionate, and outspoken. Neither is looking for a relationship, though they can’t deny they go together as well as coffee and doughnuts, in spite of their tempers. But that’s before Joe learns Murphy will be working for the corporation he believes is harming local businesses and the environment—and if Murphy will be supporting it, Joe wants nothing to do with him, dooming any possibility of an unexpected happy ending.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
Mmm – a cozy local coffee shop, a home renovation, and a little bit of suspense make for a fun romance. I’ve got a thing for romances that start with an anonymous hookup and the one-night stand that starts this book is definitely memorable.

Murphy and Joe are well matched. The relaxed coffee shop owner is an unlikely partner for the driven, detail-oriented contractor, but they complement each other well. This is a steamy read and there is possibly more sex than character or relationship development and a good deal of character and relationship development through sex. But these two are hot together and parts of this book push towards erotica territory.

Beyond the heat, this story is actually a little bit slow. I enjoyed the characters in the coffee shop and I was glad for the suspense storyline that picks up at the end. Murphy and Joe are pretty believable as men who fancy each other, but part of that believability comes with a lack of a relationship trajectory or any sense of urgency. I enjoyed Murphy’s renovation work and I liked the more complicated storyline around his work situation.

This is sweet, fun, and very steamy. It doesn’t have the most clearly developed plot but I did enjoy the story and I really liked both Murphy and Joe.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
Murphy can't believe his luck when he moves to Florida and his dream job has been put on hold. With little money to his name, he has to find something and fast because he doesn't want to go back home. Joe owns a coffee shop and is a workaholic. When these two meet and hook up, the chemistry if off the charts! There is loads of sex in this book, which I happen to like. There is a little drama with Murphy and his job, which was wrapped up all nice with a little bow, which was a little unbelievable but it is a book. I did like both Murphy and Joe and even the secondary characters were good. If you are looking for a fast read, heavy on sex, and just a bit of drama, this book is for you.

SJD PETERSON, better known as Jo, is a bestselling and award-winning author of gay romance. She lives in Michigan with her Itty Bitty Kitty and Little Man. She does her best writing when under pressure of deadlines and at 3:00 a.m. when the world is quiet. Jo loves to tell stories about real people with real flaws. The happily ever after isn’t guaranteed unless it’s earned through hard work and growth. Oh, but when it comes, the rewards are all the better!

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Something's Brewing at Joe's by SJD Peterson to read and review.