I love when a contemporary romance catches me off guard and throws a little something extra unexpected into the storyline. Jayce Ellis did that with André, the second book in her High Rise series, and I appreciated not only the surprise of it but the statement she made about destigmatizing relationship roles through her characters.

André is an Office Romance lovers romance, and by the end, I was totally gone for both him and his one-night-stand/intern/love interest, Marcus. The way they met wasn’t as much of a surprise as the shock they felt upon realizing that the guy they’d each hooked up with just a couple of nights before was the same guy they’d be working with in close proximity for the next three weeks—namely, each other. Marcus looking down his nose at André’s small, but ambitious, financial advisory firm is the bucket of ice water thrown on the fire of their attraction to each other, and it’s all business between the two of them from there…for about a minute. Oh, they tried to go back to being just the boss and the intern, but that was a bit like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.

Marcus being a grad student who has no interest in working for a company that doesn’t even show up on page one of a Google search becomes a factor in the story, most especially as his feelings for André evolve into something more than simple lust. As Marcus invests himself in the project he’s been assigned at Ellison Financial, he not only gains new respect for how hard André works, but Marcus also begins to reflect on what he’d always thought he wanted, how that fits in with the life he’s beginning to envision with André, and the specific stereotypes associated with wearing a multitude of hats, fulfilling myriad roles, providing a multiplicity of support, and having all that work, in the end, not being assigned a dollar value. I feel a certain type of way about that, and I loved Marcus all the more for giving voice to his options and his opinions about the subject. Respect and equity in a relationship really isn’t that difficult if the people in the relationship work to make it so….

Moving on, there are a few side characters who contribute to the story as well. André’s backstory comes into play, specifically in what prompted him to start his own company, as does family and their inherent complications and sometimes toxic attitudes, and friends and allies of both he and Marcus. I adored André’s friend Fiona in every possible way. Strong, feisty, and not afraid to put some folks in their place when they needed putting, Fiona stole nearly every scene she was in. I also love the every-dad Mr. Johnson, who isn’t just the concierge at the Crestline Apartments, but he watches over his tenants and metes out wisdom when it’s needed too. Marcus’s roommate Jake also factors in at a critical juncture, and Jeremiah and Collin (from Book One) even make a minor cameo appearance just before the end.

André is a story about figuring out what it is you want, and then going for it. I loved so much about this book and am looking forward to seeing who’s up next in the High Rise series.

I received a copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jayce Ellis is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. This is the second book of hers I’ve read and her storytelling only gets better. André is the second book in the High Rise series, and I am already eagerly awaiting the next installment. Ellis has this way with words and character building and emotion that just draws me in and won’t let me go.

This book, much like Jeremiah, does a wonderful job of weaving in cultural aspects that truly prove why it’s so important that we not only have BIPOC representation in Romancelandia characters but also that we have actual BIPOC authors writing these characters. There is no better way to learn about and experience another culture than to see it through the eyes of a member of that culture.

André and Marcus have an incredible journey in this book. They start off hot and just get hotter, yet they face some very real obstacles that keep their story down to Earth and relatable. I was rooting for these two from the get-go and my heart went out to them as they fought tooth and nail to find and keep the love they both deserved.

I honestly cannot wait to see what Ms. Ellis puts out next. She is going on my watch list and you’ll likely be seeing another review from me very, very soon following her next release! I would recommend this—and Jeremiah!—with all my heart to any and all readers of romance. Especially those who enjoy real, gritty characters; honest and genuine character-driven plots; and a heaping spoonful of sexy love.

André and Marcus both go outside of their comfort zones for a rare night out ending in the best one-night stand of their lives. Both think oh, what could have been, until Marcus walks into André's office as his new intern.

Trying to put aside their desire so they can work on the project that could mean everything for André's financial advising business only works so long before these two explode into something that could mean forever. But past professional and personal hurts haunt both André and Marcus, making their HEA both hard won and a all the more satisfying.

The exploration of the power dynamics in both business and bed was exquisite. Ellis's characters are so well drawn and thoughtfully portrayed, including the secondary characters. You don't need to read Jeremiah first but you should!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!

CW: casual homophobia from family, harassing language, past blackmail with a sex tape, parental death (in the past).

André heads to the club on a Friday night, meets a younger guy, and enjoys a super hot hookup.

On Monday morning and meets his new intern. Guess who it is?

Yup, that’s right: it’s Marcus, his weekend hookup.

André and Marcus agree to keep things professional while they’re working together on a major project, but that’s easier said than done since they have such strong chemistry.

Because the project was so important, I expected the presentation and its result to be the big climax (no pun intended), but it didn’t turn out that way. This worked well; the project did lead to some forced proximity situation, but it was more of a catalyst than the focus.

André and Marcus are both Black, and while they are out, there were still issues for them to navigate, like the perception of masculinity. André’s family’s acceptance is tacit, dependent upon him always being the “man” in his relationships. This leads André to feel guilt and shame about wanting certain things in the bedroom, and while some lovers might be annoyed by André’s reticence, Marcus is patient and willing to work with him.

On that note, it was sweet to see Marcus taking care of André by bringing him food and making sure he eats during the long days at the office, even on the weekends. Marcus is working on his MBA, but he loves cooking, which is something he’s not “supposed” to like because it’s too feminine. So, in that regard, both men have to reconcile these lingering issues before they find happiness together.

André and Marcus are supported by some great secondary characters. I especially loved Fiona, the office manager at André’s company. Not only was she the one who made sure everything got done, but she was also a great friend—and hilarious too!

I would recommend André. This is the second book in the High Rise series, but it works well as a standalone: the only connection to the first book is the Crestline Apartments; the characters don’t know each other. I just loved André and Marcus together—there’s a bit of an age gap, but André is only 34, so there’s just enough for them to perceive things differently, but not too much. Also, reading this book made me hungry, and I want to eat everything Marcus cooked up over the course of the book. I’m already looking forward to reading Ellis’ next book!

This was excellent. I loved the way that both the main characters were allowed to know themselves as they escaped the boxes they had placed themselves in. It's such a great demonstration of why books need POC characters. The emotions and how Marcus and André showed both weakness as well as their strength is so important to their story and also something I feel like is often missing from contemporary stories. The story and plot as a whole is a masterpiece it is both well written and relatable. I can't wait to read more from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Carina press for the ARC

This was an incredibly steamy, yet still sweet read. I loved the MCs Andre and Marcus. I appreciated that the author made it clear that while they were working together on a project, this was not a boss/ employee relationship. there wasn't a skewed or sketchy power dynamic.
The chemistry between these two was OFF THE CHARTS. Even from that very first time their eyes locked across the room, you knew that things were going to be hot. I also loved how even when Andre had certain issues related to sex, Marcus never rushed or shamed him. He continued to tell Andre that they would take things at Andre's pace. SO. MUCH. RESPECT. Love it. And the fact that this book featured 2 gay, Black MC's that are never looked at as feminine, weak, etc. was fantastic. We need more characters like that!
I also really loved how an....not unusual, but non-traditional life/ career choice is discussed and processed. Also, karma coming for a crappy ex? Fabulous. I
This could have been a 5 star review for me except I felt like the issues with Andre's family and their friends was left unresolved. I think things could have been better addressed, especially with his brother George. And also the trauma that his dad caused him. It made me really angry. It would be great if those plot points could be wrapped up and dealt with.

I didn't read the first book in this series, and don't believe I have missed anything. I checked some reviews and don't recall a 'Jeramiah' being in this one, so I think they will be standalones, all connected by the building (maybe?)

Andre runs his own finance business and it's soon clear that he really needs this big partnership he's about to put in a bid for, and it's this motivation that drives both the narrative and the tension. Having an amazingly sexy, fulfilling one night stand with the person who's the intern to help Andre is not the best way to begin a business arrangement, but this is what happens between boss and underling, Marcus.

These two African American gay boys have both internalised expectations and recriminations from society and their parents so that there is a strong conflict from being black and gay. This social commentary element of the story works well, especially as it explores mental health issues, although less convincing is the internal office machinations created by weasel Phil.

I also found the slang between the romantic leads were often confusing for this middle-ages white woman, but I could work out meaning through context, and do recognise how much authenticity and immediacy this language contributes to the characters and tone of the story.

The last section went off in directions that don't interest me in my mm fiction ((view spoiler)), but I did love the way both men confront their families and explain their desires from a relationship, and try to explain nicely how much they need to reject the assumptions from their parents.

It's important to see diverse characters in fiction, and for that reason alone, I recommend this very hot, and romantic novel. Thanks to Carina press and Netgalley for advanced copy. Andre is out on July 13.

What a treat this book is! Vivid characters, snappy dialogue, and an engaging love story that doesn't ignore the complexities of career and family in building a happily-ever-after for its heroes, Ellis' supporting characters are great, too. I'm going to make sure my library obtains this series so that I can put them directly into the hands of patrons.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

If JEREMIAH was good (it was), ANDRÉ is great. This is an author coming into her own. ANDRÉ is by turns heartwarming, thought-provoking, gut-punchingly real, and so hot you’ll want to open a window. Let me be clear: more of you should be talking about ANDRÉ, because it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year.

The setting here is so familiar; we’re not talking about untouchable billionaires, we’re talking about the people who work for them in the real world. In the first book, it was emergency services and legal administration. Here, it’s financial advisors. It’s so delightfully realistic and yet also seems so unprecedented; some of these jobs are, frankly, super boring, and yet Ellis points out that the people who do them certainly aren’t. The side characters are once again a delight, helping to move the plot forward while still being interesting, well-rounded people in their own right, exactly as side characters should be. I loved Fiona, Jake, Brian, and Howard. But they had nothing on André and Marcus. These characters are SO GOOD. Jayce Ellis has proved she has a fantastic narrative voice, and it’s even better here than it was in the first book. I sank happily into both main characters’ heads, easily finding myself within their distinct personalities, informed by so much of their personal histories.

The casual cruelty in André’s family’s supposed acceptance of his sexuality hits home in a heartbreaking and familiar way; so many have experienced the way that ‘support’ can come couched in conditions that are designed to break you. The long-lasting impact of his family’s treatment of him is explored thoughtfully, with self-awareness on his part that is often lacking in so many characters (and people!). It’s paired with additional trauma that has an impact on his career, and it seems almost insurmountable. And there’s no magic cure, as there shouldn’t be. It’s something he has to work through, unfair as it is – so much of what has caused his issues is not his fault. It’s external – people, family, culture. And we all internalize that stuff, as André does, and turn it into our own personal weight to bear. He struggles with his own expectations of himself as much as Marcus does, in different ways.

Marcus’ plotline is one that hit me really, really hard, in ways I can’t talk about without spoiling a pretty big plot twist that, frankly, surprised me as much as it did Marcus. And I loved it. It was such an unexpected turn for this book to take, and I deeply appreciated the way Ellis approached an issue that is almost never addressed in modern romance novels. And Marcus went. through. it. trying to figure himself out, while still balancing everything he needed to keep up with (I think we all know that I appreciate a book that addresses the practicalities of a situation – in real life, you can have all the personal crises you want but if you can’t keep up with your schoolwork, or your career work, there are longer lasting consequences than a novel has room for, so the fact that both Marcus and André cling grimly to getting shit done is deeply appreciated over here).

The happy ending in this book is so thorough, so hard-won and solid, that even the villain of André’s past getting his well-deserved and solid comeuppance registers as barely a footnote with the protagonists, so secure with each other that while they’re satisfied to see it happening, they don’t really need the ‘closure.’ It’s like sprinkles on the top of their (and the reader’s) sundae of happiness, and I’m here for it. This whole book is about moving past things that you couldn’t control, and coming into your own with the life you truly want. Like JEREMIAH, I’m deeply satisfied that these people will be WORKING for their happy ending; they’ve formed a partnership with clear goals in mind but they haven’t actually REACHED those goals. It’s such a realistic, wonderful way to end a romance; with characters who are in love and working together towards a bright future, with acknowledgement that they still live in the real world and have commitments. I said in my review of JEREMIAH that I loved the fact that you could picture these two together, their story ongoing, after the book ends, and the same is true here. André and Marcus have more life to live, and they’re going to live it together. (And PS, there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo that is delightful, as the setting for this series is the apartment building that several characters live in.)

I honestly don’t have enough words to describe how much I loved this book. There’s so much more about it to say, and I’m flailing trying to describe the impact it had on me. I’m trying to write a review for something I flew through in three hours because I couldn’t stop reading it, something that I identified with in SO MANY WAYS, something that was a joy to read for a multitude of reasons. I’m mad that I didn’t read this the SECOND it became available to me. I want to read it again, to pick up all the nuances I missed, to wallow in these characters, to enjoy those steamy scenes again – both the ones where they were having sex and the ones where they weren’t! I want to think more about gender roles, and race, and mental health, and family, and community, and everything else this book wraps up into a compelling package. I want you to read it, too.

Andre is the second book in the High Rise series and Jayce Ellis has really hit this one out of the park! The characters are so well-developed - including some extremely lovable supporting characters- it's a joy to read.

The M/M Romance genre has needed more books that focus on POC in a true and realistic light. Ellis has done a wonderful job sharing some of the unique cultural and family responses and challenges to and for gay black men in America.

Really well done. Excited to read the next one!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was fantastic. I liked it even more than the first in the series and I enjoyed that one. André and Marcus are such great partners, both at work and in their life, and their chemistry is off the charts. I loved their dynamic and I especially love how that dynamic took a turn I entirely wasn’t expecting. Here’s to blowing patriarchal norms out the water! I flew through this book and was thrilled with it the whole way through. And we even get a quick cameo of Jeremiah and Collin from book one! A solid new book I definitely recommend.

Andre Ellison is a 34 year-old black man living in D.C. and running his one-man financial analyst company, which caters to small-time investors. He's got a degree from the Wharton Business school, and had a career working at a big investment company, until his STILL closeted ex-boyfriend (who STILL works for that firm) filmed Andre in a super compromising position and then "anonymously" shared the video with the firm's partners. Andre could have fought through the situation, but he used it as an opportunity to make a clean break, against the wishes of a partner, and Andre's mentor, Harold. Andre has a long-term complex about his sexuality, with hypermasculine ideals stemming from the barely disguised contempt of his brother and the pernicious way this had colored his family interactions. Andre is nearly apologetic about his sexuality, and though he desires trying bottoming, that switch in his head is set to "better be the man not the woman" and messes with his mojo.

Though Andre left Harold's firm four years ago, Harold has recently asked Andre to submit a proposal for a small firm-big firm partnership to manage the wealth of a multi-generational old-money family, the Penningtons. Andre's firm has make the cut of three--and he's getting an intern from Harold's firm to manage the final proposal. Andre is anxious about all of this, because he's a micromanager and he knows this portfolio would be the make-or-break opportunity that would enable him to hire full-time help. He goes out to a nearby club to blow off some steam on the Friday night before his intern is set to start, and meets a delicious specimen of masculinity, Marc, who tests all of Andre's boundaries. They hook up, and it's amazing, but was only destined to be one night.

Marcus Thompson a black 25 year-old Wharton MBA student nearly finished with his summer internship for a big-time wealth management company and he's sticking to his plan of managing foreign investment portfolios. There's a level of detachment in that, and he's big on risk assessment. He's also grown up in a family where his father pushed hypermasculine ideals--which intensified when Marcus came out at age 11. All the cooking and housework he did while caring for his sick mother was highly frowned upon by his father, though they otherwise accept him. It was his dad's idea to go into finance, and Marcus has no real passion for it. Yet, he's pretty sure he's being pawned off on a small firm project as punishment for his unwillingness to "play nice" and go out drinking with his fellow interns. He's mad enough to go out clubbing with his long-time friend, and summer housemate, Jake. Marcus thinks he can blow off his frustration so he can blow the mind of his new "boss". And, Dre makes one hot bed partner for the night. Shit hits the fan, however, when he turns up at Ellison Investments on Monday morning and learns that Andre is the man he'd had on his mind all weekend. He does NOT want to play nice anymore.

This is an engaging twist on the boss-employee love story. First, Andre and Marcus are both very stubborn men who are inadvertently in close quarters after they developed a sexual connection. Second, both men have some internalized self-hatred to exhume to get on track. Third, their professional partnership is destined to last three weeks at most--so they decide to bank their simmering attraction until the project is complete. Fourth, Marcus has no desire to work in Andre's firm, but he's drawn to the man--and he's intensely passionate about caring for Andre, who works crazy hours to manage his client list. Fifth, Andre is not TECHNICALLY employing Marcus, as he's paid from Harold's firm. Still a power imbalance remains.

I really liked how the attraction grew over the course of the few weeks of their close acquaintance. Further, each man helps the other to confront and deconstruct the toxic masculinity they've absorbed through their male family members. They each meet the other's family--not always by design--and their fresh perspective makes all the difference in the interpersonal interactions and their own internalized loathing. Those moments were especially rewarding because they were points of great self-reflection and growth for each man.

Naturally, while the romance is developing and the professional side is becoming promising, there will be moments of intense conflict. I think this was handled deftly, because it could have been wrapped up quicker, but in a way that may have been less satisfying. These are both strong, educated, intelligent black men. They need time to work through their feelings, and plot a course to reconciliation. Marcus was the one to walk away, and he's not sure how to ask forgiveness. Andre has realized that he's met his forever man, and even if their relationship might be unconventional--even for a gay partnership--he's willing to be the man Marcus wants to care for. It's a satisfying read, and definitely reflects cultural touchstones of Afro-American life, both middle class and beyond. I loved Andre's dear friend and colleague Fiona, who is a proud black Domme with a white boy sub connected to Marcus' sphere. She rocks it all day, every day.

While part of a "series" the connection points are made within the apartment building in which Andre lives, where Mr. Johnson, the doorman, takes great interest in making sure his "children" (Andre and Fiona) are well-cared-for. I loved that "old heads" nod to the Afro culture; Marcus knew he needed to earn that man's respect if he was going to be a part of Andre's life long-term. The family dynamics are clearing up for both Andre and Marcus, thanks to some frank conversation, and their happily ever after is 100% assured by the end of this story. Expect some hot office innuendo, and scorching sexytimes from the outset.

Blog post will be live on 7/13/2020

What a delightful love story!

Marcus and Jeremiah were both such likable characters. I personally wanted a little more awkwardness with the surprise working together but that’s just my preference. These characters were well developed and I was onboard with their relationship. I also loved that these men were unapologetically Black. The author wrote these characters like men in my real life and it was a joy to read about these delicious, sexy, successful men.

Going from one night stand to working together is becoming one of my favorite tropes. I really like the tension and frustration it creates, which may sound a little odd. Loved that André is self-made and Marcus’s decisions about his career and struggles around that were unique to read. Their chemistry and dynamic is excellent.

Thank you Carina Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book made me happy! I loved it and loved it hard! Why? Simple. It was very relatable to me as a POC.

It also brought to the surface my long-held belief of the need for more POC representation in the M/M romance genre. This book made a strong case for why books like these should be more of the norm and not outliers like they currently are.

Marcus and André have made it unto my "favourite couple" list and I couldn't have been more glad. I enjoyed the heat of their initial encounter and the subsequent roller coaster ride that was the development of their relationship.

Let me tell you, the journey those two went from a "simple" hook-up, to pseudo-boss/employee, to "friends" then finally lovers made me root so hard for them.There was no unecessary drama and even when they had issues, after their initial emotional blowups, they faced them head-on and worked through it. They were a joy to read about and when they got their HEA / a very very strong HFN, I virtually swooned. *happy sigh*

If you check my updates <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user_status/show/291184025?type=userstatus#rating_291941272">HERE</a> you can tell just how much this book WORKED for me. I loved the way the writing flowed, the way the characters remained true to themselves all throughout, the realness of the emotions the story evoked from me and ultimately how well everything was put together structurally.

I hadn't heard of this author before I saw this ARC on Netgalley , but I will be keenly following her releases from now on. She has found a fan in me.

<i><b> eARC Graciously Provided by Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review </b></i>

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Andre was up for a promotion from his old firm and they sent him an intern to help him with the project. The problem was that his one night stand from the previous weekend Marcus was the new intern. The interaction between them was very sweet and at times hot.
I didn’t care for Andres family members. I thought the remarks stated to him about his sexuality was awful. And I don’t understand how his parents can allow that behavior and not do anything. I needed more of a resolution for that part of the story. That being said the love story between Andre and Marcus was very sweet and it flowed very well. Thank you for my copy!!

Workplace romance and domestic desires clash in André, a story of romance and ambition.

André Ellison works at Ellison Financial in the middle of the pack while hoping to make his way up the corporate ladder.  When his mentor, Harold, calls him in for a meeting, his heart starts to pound – a chute or a ladder may be facing him right now.  Fortunately it’s a ladder. A proposal he’s submitted to a high-profile client has drawn their interest, putting him on a shortlist (of four) for promotion. This could make his career and mean he’ll finally get to move away from dealing with fussy clients.

To split the workload, André will be dealing with his worst nightmare – an intern provided by Clarymore and Toth, the firm with which André will soon be collaborating. He hasn’t trained one in nine years, and the last thing his go-getting self wants to do is do it again.

Said intern Marcus – Marc to his friends – Thompson is not exactly enthusiastic about working at this new place, as he’s got some ambivalent feelings about his job in general.

Neither man knows much more than the other’s name when they meet at a bar and subsequently spend the weekend together.  The Monday after unites them at work, and they are horrified to realize they must put aside their incredible weekend and be solely business associates or risk their jobs. They vow to put both sex and romance aside for the sake of the project, but it’s soon a prospect that falls by the wayside.  When things get serious, they have to confront a domestic situation that might split them for good.

Warning to those who don’t like boss-employee romances; André is definitely that, but also a story of how two men negotiate their expectations and dreams into the reality of their relationship.  But there isn’t a sense of inequity in the union – it’s about negotiating for what you want – good sex, domestic bliss, and that account you’ve been craving.

André and Marcus go from being lovers to a tentative relationship to the hope of marriage during the course of the story, and it takes a lot of work to get them there.  Marcus struggles with his desire to be a house husband, and André learns to support what his boyfriend wants while pursing his own ambitions, but not letting them, this time, drown out the other things in his life.

I loved the supporting characters, André’s mother and co-workers, Marcus’ brother and friends.  I loved the setting, filled with glass towers and warm apartments.  And the pacing and general dialogue are good, though the pat progression of the plot sometimes drags the book down.

But overall, André is a really nice, sensual, and well-paced contemporary romance that’s beautifully rendered and portrayed with sensual, gladdening and sometimes heartbreaking emotion.

Buy it at: Amazon
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