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pontiki's review against another edition
4.0
Derek loves his job as an assistant director at an entertainment complex. When someone is murdered at one of his deluxe cottages, and on the same day 100 performers come down with food poisoning, he and his assistant Dimi go into high gear.
They look after the poor housekeeper who finds the body, send EMTs to everyone who’s sick, and make sure they’re well taken care of. Then they hire alternate dancers for the shows and pull out all the stops to protect the guests from knowing anything is wrong.
Trav is a dancer who’s willing to help out, and he has a lot of fun. Derek triggers him because he reminds him of guys who bullied him at school, so they get off to a bad start.
Once Trav sees how great Derek really is and gets past his polished facade, they form a real connection. They help each other feel safe so that when they need to overcome obstacles, they’re there for each other.
Great story. I love the behind the scenes chapters where Derek and Dimi do all that’s needed to keep things running smoothly. It’s sad that Trav is so restricted by his trauma, but it’s an all too real circumstance in so many lives.
Looking forward to more Joy universe.
KU
They look after the poor housekeeper who finds the body, send EMTs to everyone who’s sick, and make sure they’re well taken care of. Then they hire alternate dancers for the shows and pull out all the stops to protect the guests from knowing anything is wrong.
Trav is a dancer who’s willing to help out, and he has a lot of fun. Derek triggers him because he reminds him of guys who bullied him at school, so they get off to a bad start.
Once Trav sees how great Derek really is and gets past his polished facade, they form a real connection. They help each other feel safe so that when they need to overcome obstacles, they’re there for each other.
Great story. I love the behind the scenes chapters where Derek and Dimi do all that’s needed to keep things running smoothly. It’s sad that Trav is so restricted by his trauma, but it’s an all too real circumstance in so many lives.
Looking forward to more Joy universe.
KU
rachshead77's review against another edition
3.0
I had very mixed feelings about this book. I found Derek to be irritating and hard to relate to and his perpetual happiness, he as a theme park manager is portrayed as having a perfect life, which rubbed me wrong. Trav seems so down to earth and realistic in comparison which I liked and kept me reading. The relationship built slowly but turned into something hot and special quite quickly. The story started well, slows down in the middle seeming to concentrate on the minutiae rather than the plot but the couple get their happy ever after in the end.
This is a nice enough story that will keep you entertained for a while, worth reading.
This is a nice enough story that will keep you entertained for a while, worth reading.
lazareen's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mezmerising's review against another edition
4.0
Welcome to the Joy world. Where the customer experience is key and the people that run the parks are always on the ball.
Derek and Trav, a match you wouldn’t expect, especially from their first meeting. Derek is thrown into the deep end and sinking is not even an option. I loved these two, they were adorable together and this book had some amazing swoon worthy scenes.
Derek and Trav, a match you wouldn’t expect, especially from their first meeting. Derek is thrown into the deep end and sinking is not even an option. I loved these two, they were adorable together and this book had some amazing swoon worthy scenes.
verlorenimbuecherregal's review against another edition
3.0
Die Kennenlern-Grundlage war ein bisschen dünn, auf 200 Seiten kann natürlich kaum tiefe Bindung (weder zwischen den Charakteren noch Lesende-Protas) aufgebaut werden. Die regelmäßige direkte Ansprache der Lesenden fand ich etwas weird, aber dann doch charmant.
pathenshaw's review against another edition
5.0
Every once in a while, a book comes along that is so enjoyable that I just want to have access to billboards around the world so that I can shout to everyone riding by: READ THIS BOOK! YOU’LL LOVE IT!
When I stop to think about the millions of readers out there, however, I realize that not everyone will love this book as much as I do. (But they should. Just kidding, sort of.)
So maybe I should amend my statement to be something like, “If you like the kinds of books I do, you’ll adore this book.”
But really, what’s not to like?
Charismatic Derek Bryers, an assistant director at Joy Universe, the second-largest theme park complex in the world (think second to the Disney empire), is having an exceptionally miserable day. First, a woman has brutally murdered her husband in a cabin in the part of the park he runs. Then he finds out almost all the entertainers in his part of the park have suffered food poisoning from a celebration off-site.
Derek is nothing if not organized, so he jumps into action. Readers get everything they need to know about his dedication to his job, his expert and kind handling of employees and coworkers as well as guests, and his quick thinking when others in charge are floundering.
He can’t do anything about the murder except give the police whatever they need to get their job done—which granted isn’t much. But he can work to solve the park’s entertainment crisis by drawing on all the available talent in the area, both professional and amateur.
Into Derek’s life dances Trev Jones, who unlike just about everyone else in the vicinity at first reacts negatively to Derek’s stunning good looks and affability in the face of disaster. His antipathy stuns Derek who has a good handle on how charming he is and how to use it to his advantage.
Although they start off on the wrong foot, it’s only a question of ironing out the misunderstanding, which author Masters handle right away without drawing it out. With that done, the story becomes a charming and unusual (because it’s so often not done) story about how to completely different men can realistically come together and make their relationship work.
A wonderful cast of supporting characters give the story flesh and blood, many of which are just begging for their own romances. Fortunately, this book is billed as the first of a series.
I fell in love with Derek and Trev and think every other reader will too. If the rest of the Joy Universe books are as beautifully written as I’ve Got This, author Masters will rightly amass many new readers and those of us who already enjoy her work will be very happy campers.
When I stop to think about the millions of readers out there, however, I realize that not everyone will love this book as much as I do. (But they should. Just kidding, sort of.)
So maybe I should amend my statement to be something like, “If you like the kinds of books I do, you’ll adore this book.”
But really, what’s not to like?
Charismatic Derek Bryers, an assistant director at Joy Universe, the second-largest theme park complex in the world (think second to the Disney empire), is having an exceptionally miserable day. First, a woman has brutally murdered her husband in a cabin in the part of the park he runs. Then he finds out almost all the entertainers in his part of the park have suffered food poisoning from a celebration off-site.
Derek is nothing if not organized, so he jumps into action. Readers get everything they need to know about his dedication to his job, his expert and kind handling of employees and coworkers as well as guests, and his quick thinking when others in charge are floundering.
He can’t do anything about the murder except give the police whatever they need to get their job done—which granted isn’t much. But he can work to solve the park’s entertainment crisis by drawing on all the available talent in the area, both professional and amateur.
Into Derek’s life dances Trev Jones, who unlike just about everyone else in the vicinity at first reacts negatively to Derek’s stunning good looks and affability in the face of disaster. His antipathy stuns Derek who has a good handle on how charming he is and how to use it to his advantage.
Although they start off on the wrong foot, it’s only a question of ironing out the misunderstanding, which author Masters handle right away without drawing it out. With that done, the story becomes a charming and unusual (because it’s so often not done) story about how to completely different men can realistically come together and make their relationship work.
A wonderful cast of supporting characters give the story flesh and blood, many of which are just begging for their own romances. Fortunately, this book is billed as the first of a series.
I fell in love with Derek and Trev and think every other reader will too. If the rest of the Joy Universe books are as beautifully written as I’ve Got This, author Masters will rightly amass many new readers and those of us who already enjoy her work will be very happy campers.
elleyotter's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so I'm reading Louisa Masters' book all out of order, but oh well! I met Derek as a side character in Mr. Romance (Franklin U #3, which if you haven't read it - GO READ IT!) I had so much fun with Liam and Charlie's trip to Joy Universe, I knew I needed to pick up this series next!! And oh boy, I was not disappointed.
The initial rockiness to Trav and Derek's relationship is a bit contrived, maybe, but it did set up some fun storyline, so I'm down with it. I also didn't love the way both MCs would occasionally break the fourth wall and talk to the reader (example "You caught that, did you?" after something somewhat revealing was written).
All that being said, I still really loved this book. The world-building of Joy Universe is just so fun, and I will admit that I fell immediately head over heels for Derek. As someone who is very upbeat and optimistic on the outside (and also the one that does all the organizing, hello!) who struggles internally, I could really empathize with him when he is struggling to keep everything on track when the universe keeps trying to shove it all off the rails. I love that Trav and Derek both have flaws and insecurities that they help each other deal with.
Also, their chemistry is great. While there are plenty of hot moments, the overall tone of this book is more cozy and sweet than anything. The push and pull, thrill of the chase at the beginning of their relationship is fun, and then later on once they've settled in a bit it really tugged at my heart strings.
This is the first book in the Joy Universe series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but you're definitely going to want to see what Dimi is up to next in the second book, Follow My Lead!
The initial rockiness to Trav and Derek's relationship is a bit contrived, maybe, but it did set up some fun storyline, so I'm down with it. I also didn't love the way both MCs would occasionally break the fourth wall and talk to the reader (example "You caught that, did you?" after something somewhat revealing was written).
All that being said, I still really loved this book. The world-building of Joy Universe is just so fun, and I will admit that I fell immediately head over heels for Derek. As someone who is very upbeat and optimistic on the outside (and also the one that does all the organizing, hello!) who struggles internally, I could really empathize with him when he is struggling to keep everything on track when the universe keeps trying to shove it all off the rails. I love that Trav and Derek both have flaws and insecurities that they help each other deal with.
Also, their chemistry is great. While there are plenty of hot moments, the overall tone of this book is more cozy and sweet than anything. The push and pull, thrill of the chase at the beginning of their relationship is fun, and then later on once they've settled in a bit it really tugged at my heart strings.
This is the first book in the Joy Universe series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but you're definitely going to want to see what Dimi is up to next in the second book, Follow My Lead!
danisadler's review against another edition
4.0
What I loved most about this book is that I genuinely felt like I was seeing the world through Derek's eyes. I love how you can feel exactly how high energy and fast paced his job is, and the genuine confusion about why someone would ever dislike him! Derek is pure golden retriever energy and I loved it.
Trav was prickly but again, in the chapters from his POV it was easy to feel like you were seeing things as if you were him. I love when an author can do that with their writing!
Also I now have a huge crush on Derek and Dimi because organisation and competence is definitely my kink
Trav was prickly but again, in the chapters from his POV it was easy to feel like you were seeing things as if you were him. I love when an author can do that with their writing!
Also I now have a huge crush on Derek and Dimi because organisation and competence is definitely my kink
mpyff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0