A nice opposites attract romance. Mak and Rutherford were great characters and I enjoyed watching their different personalities mesh. All in all a sweet little read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Netgalley*

Business and the Beat is a sweet little romance about a self-repressed financial advisor and an outlandish but tender-hearted rock star.

Rutherford Fitzhugh comes from a super conservative well-to-do family in Virginia. He's shy, subdued, solely focused on his work, and more than happy to stay in his professional and personal rut. His new boss insists on setting him up to represent a new avenue from the firm and assigns him to advise a high-profile band with updating their financial portfolio. On his first meeting with the band, Rutherford inadvertently becomes the target for Mak's, the band leader, latest prank. Mak Makana, is an extroverted goofball and due to his extreme notoriety, hasn’t had a serious relationship in years having learned the hard way that most were more interested in his fame than him. When he accidentally smears his new financial adviser with a prank set for his bandmates he finds himself more than humbled at his error and maybe more than a little intrigued by the unintended prankee.

This was my first book by Kellum Jeffries and I am super excited to have finally found her. Business and the Beat was cute, steamy, and fairly low angst- all the wonderful things I look for. Rutherford and Mak were cute and fun together. I love a good opposites attract sort of situation so this was just right up my alley. And, I mean, who doesn't love goofball rockstars? Am I right?

I really enjoyed Business and the Beat and am totally on the hook for more.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I'm upset because I was so excited about this book and it didn't live up to my expectations.
I felt like something was missing the entire time and by the end I was expecting for something big or exciting to happen but... nada.
It was the typical boy meet boy and then they fall in love. There was a bit of drama and angst but nothing huge. I wanted banter with the band but honestly what band? They were barely in the story.
Overall I'm upset that I didn't... couldn't enjoyed this more.

Ford likes a lot of structure and isn't crazy about adventure, which is why his attraction to Mak, a bass player, is so surprising. Mak's policy of keeping relationships short might not work for Ford, so will they find a way to compromise?
It's easy to care about both of the main characters and to see why they are interested in each other. Mak, in particular, was easy for me to picture and understand. The way the characters develop is realistic, and I found the book difficult to put down.
I still have doubts about the resolution of the book, and whether the elements that went into that resolution would have gone far enough to make that ending successful in the long term (no spoilers here!). However, Jeffries writes with enough charm that I would still recommend Business and the Beat to other people.

A nice book of opposites attracts type of relationship. A decent build-up of the relationship. Do get the different personalities and dynamics of them.

I absolutely loved this MM romance.

Such a great book with a solid storyline and great characters.

I eagerly look forward to reading more from this author.

A definite recommend!

Short and sweet, I suppose. I didn't really connect to the characters but that was mostly because of the length most likely. The relationship was a bit insta-lovey but that's a common issue with shorter stories so it's not a big problem. Would just generally have liked it more if it was longer and more fleshed out, I guess.

4.5 Stars

Rutherford Fitzhugh is a proper and staid financial advisor who's a bit afraid of life thanks to his overbearing and meddling parents. He works for a respectable company and is trying hard to roll with the new high-profile client his new, sassy and young boss, Jen, has lined up for him. Jen is the company founder's daughter, and her contacts range the eclectic. So, Rutherford is suitably unnerved when Jen proposes to connect him to Mak Makana, lead singer of Memo to Myself, a hot band. He can't imagine that Mak really knows one end of a portfolio from another, and his reception upon arrival is nothing less than mortifying.

Mak and his bandmates are notorious pranskters, and since they all live together in neighboring houses on a gated compound it's not usual to have unexpected visitors. So, it's a huge surprise when Rutherford steps into Mak's epic booby trap. And, it's an intriguing mess. "Ford" as Mak starts calling him, is an amazing good sport, thinking that losing Mak as a client, no matter how humiliated he is, is a surefire way out of his ordinarily comfortable job. Mak is an equal-opportunity lover, finding attraction in people, but never really connecting. So, he's genuinely impressed with Ford's unflappable demeanor and professional insights.

Mak isn't willing to be tied down, but he's really into Ford, and Ford is more than a little attracted, himself. With a few weeks before Memo to Myself is due to begin touring, both men think this could be a lighthearted fling, something Rutherford has never done while it's Mak's standard operating procedure. The business part really gets cut off rather quick; as Rutherford's ethics are unimpeachable he steps aside on the portfolio management so that he can begin this fling. The sweet and fun vibe grows as Mak and Ford spend more and more personal time together--gaming, hanging out for pool parties with the band. Ford likes who he is with Mak, but he's also a little afraid that he's losing himself, and setting himself up for a big heartbreak, because he knows he won't tie Mak down. Meanwhile, Mak is really scared that he's going to lose a piece of himself with he leaves on tour and Ford is left behind. Without recognizing it, both of these men have forged a deep bond, and despite their initial promises, they are not prepared to forgo it, even if it's difficult.

I loved the intimate moments as much as the group chill sessions with the band, and the concerts that are a little bittersweet as Ford and Mak expect these to be endings--though they do not get that far. The end is so sweet, and funny as Ford gets a little of his own back as he pranks Mak--and their romance comes full circle. Expect a bit of sexytimes and a lot of sweetness.

Can true love grow from being slimed?

Business and the Beat opens with an epic meet-cute, when financial planner Rutherford is accidentally slimed by rock star Mak in a prank gone wrong. Rutherford is a proper Southern gentleman, old before his years, and Mak is easy going and always up for fun. They wouldn’t seem to be an ideal couple. But Mak is fascinated by Rutherford’s stuffiness while Rutherford wants to relax and have fun for a change, and soon they are spending all their time together. At least until their insecurities get in the way . . .

This novella is just super cute. It’s very low angst; Mak and Rutherford are both good guys whose relationship gets derailed by their fears before they ultimately figure out they really are meant to be together. I didn’t find it laugh out loud funny, but there’s an underlying humor at work that had me smiling. The word “cheerful” gets used several times in the story (including to describe earlobes, which Mak has a fondness for—quirky, right?), and that’s how story mostly made me feel, breakup aside.

It’s not an epic love story, but it’s a fun light read, and I’m glad I took a chance on a new-to-me author and gave it a try. Recommended!

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

A Quick, Gorgeous, Lovely, Delightful MM Romance AS A Fling leads to Forever!
I adored Rutherford & Mak❤. This was another one of those books I Stumbled upon Netgalley & don't regret it, DEVOURED this in Around 3hrs!
#This was my 1st by Kellum & I'll surely check out more!

Rutherford (who no one can believe his parents named This) Is introvert & Professional. A Financial Advisor, he's happy with what he has. Not knowing he was missing the excitement until meeting Mak. He's Gay & Technically Out, just doesn't flaunt it & his parents don't believe it when he said that previously.

Mak (Why is he the 2nd Hawaiian hero I read whose name starts with Mak? But No probs) is Extrovert, Fun Goofball, Prankster & Renowned Rockstar! He has an awesome family (that we didn't meet..but I'd have loved too). He's been out for years.

The Blurb is VERY Enticing & Perfect!

The two met for work but From Mak's 1st Gooey Prank, they were a goner! Cue Intense Sparks🔥.
But Wanting to Fuck the Client is Wrong, right? Well, that problem was solved quickly! I liked Ford's (I love Mak's nickname for Rutherford) Boss, she's awesome & a great friend (along with His other Coworker- Mackenzie).
Hence their "Fling" Ensues! There's Hot Gay Sex + Swoony times..But then those pesky things called feelings come into play...
Which makes their Inevitable Goodbye, as Mak's going on a tour, Really Awkward & of No Closure.

A lot happens in the story Along the above relationship growth & after this "Break" too. Being away gave them both a lot of time to come in terms with their Feelings, make necessary Changes, have Realisations + Confrontation & get their life on track. Especially for Rutherford, His Personal Development shined here!

Mak's burned by a Fame-Wanter before so it's easy for him to avoid Relationship but when he realizes nothing's the same without Ford..He knows (with a Little nudge from his Friends/Bandmates) He must Win Ford back. And what he did was so incredibly Swoony.. Public Declaration + A Love Song!! How can Ford Resist or be angry? Clue: He won't be! Cue HEA❤.

I loved Seeing them Happy, They're incredibly cute😍 together.
The epilogue's so Lovely+Fun!! #TourTogether

Oh my goodness I loved this book so much! The first paragraph had me hooked and I didn't put it down until I was done. Rutherford is the kind of person you'd love to know in real life and Mak and the band were adorable. It was sweet and hilarious and I wish it were longer because I wasn't ready for it to end.

This was a quick and easy read but I couldn't find myself connecting with any of the characters.
I got the impression that the story was told in a very superficial way - by that I mean that I feel like I didn't get to know anyone. Not really.
I also felt like there wasn't a lot of build up. Everything was just happening and when issues arose they were pretty quickly dissolved.
I think had this book been a little longer and the spotlight had been on more than just Ford and Mack, I really could've liked this.

Both plot and writing were simple and straightforward, making this a quick and easy read.

What made this a lovely read were the characters. Strong main characters with distinct personalities and significant character growth, supported by a interesting cast of secondary characters. Ideally I would have liked the story to have been a bit more fleshed out with some of those supporting characters, but I'm assuming we're maybe going to be seeing more of them in future books?

The star of the book though was most definitely Rutherford. He was sweet, shy and quirky with such a good and open heart. He was just a delight to read about.

Heartfelt with comedic moments, it was a lovely read.

Unfortunately business and the beat was in the book for me I found the writing itself to be trying a bit too hard almost as if it was trying to be something I wasn’t there was a lot of exposition and a lot of telling and not showing. I think this book had potential but the initial plot points weren’t executed in a unique or new way and personally for me, I think the main issue I had was the writing style. I just didn’t mesh with it. I do think this book could work for those who are looking for something really light and a quick and easy read in the romance genre. For me, unfortunately it wasn’t something that I will go back to. I do however look forward to seeing what else Jeffries has to offer in the romance genre.

What a beautiful, and cute story. I really enjoyed the love story between Rutherford and Mak. How they complimented and really appreciated each other was amazing. The only thing was that I wished for was a longer epilogue but I’m a bit selfish that way. Overall, it was a fast paced read that had a lovely story between two different men that loved each other. Love wins!

I received this Arc from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Thank you for my copy

Short and sweet. I wish it had been fleshed out more because I really enjoyed the two main characters.

Business and the Beat is an m/m romance about Rutherford Fitzhugh and Mak Makana, two people who make a very unlikely match at first glance. It's quite a short, fast read. I settled down to read a little bit and then stop, because I had chores to do, but I couldn't put the book down. Rutherford Fitzhugh is a financial advisor, and is assigned to work with Mak Makana, a bassist in a famous rockband, to organise his finances. There is instant sexual interest between the two of them, but circumstances threaten to tear them apart. The first sentence hooked me because I needed to know why he was going to be dyed blue!

I loved the introvert/extrovert dynamic. The two are opposites, but the romance works. There is instant attraction between the two, a big helping of sexual tension, and plenty of pining.

Rutherford was my favourite character. I found him incredibly relatable. Whether it was intended or not I read him as some flavour of neurodivergent. I mean, the routines, the chronic earliness, the hatred of change, the doodling, infodumping, and even being afraid of driving (like me!). I instantly loved him. Mak was a great character as well. He was a little harder to understand at first, but he grew on me. Also, bi rep! I love books with bi rep. I particularly liked it when Jen said 'You know bisexuals are a thing that exists, right?' Sometimes, reading m/m romance novels, it does feel like the writer just doesn't know that bi people exist, so I'm always excited when a character is explicitly bi or pan.

On the whole, this book is just really cute. It has lots of comedic moments that made me chuckle, and so many feelings and so much character development. It might be a short book, but there's a lot happening in it. Rutherford occasionally seems weirdly clueless for a 26 year old, and I am now even more firm in my knowledge that mess is definitely NOT my kink, but other than those things I loved the book. Also, the ending made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Business and the Beat, Kellum Jeffries

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance

I hadn't realised this was a novella, usually I avoid them, preferring long reads. Sucked in by the rock band romance tag, my sneaky weakness, I didn't look further. Thank goodness, as it proved a great read. And one I will reread.
This may be short but its intense, packed with the drama and emotion I love. There's no filler, no bits that lag, every page adds to the story and that was perfect. I could swap some longer reads for that! Those with pages of stuff that feels added just to provide words. This one was all story.

Ford, what a wonderful guy. He's kind, but very introverted, with the most horrible, overbearing, old fashioned parents. You can see just why he is the way is is, bullied out of all his own opinions. His drawing talents was incredible, I really enjoyed reading about his creations. Thank goodness for his boss and work colleague who see behind stuffy Rutherford and are determined to bring out the man they know he is.
Then Mak, that first meeting – just wonderful. It shows him just how he is, light, full of fun, loves his family, the band. Then we see he too had a sad history, one that's made him devote his love to his band, and relegate romance to be kept to short spans and move on periods.

When Mak meets Ford this is made clear, but as the expiry date grows closer neither are feeling like the end is right, but of course.....and that leads to some fantastic drama, stuff that was drawn out beautifully, really let emotions reign. Not just over in two pages even though the novel was brief.
Peach, Peach, I thought that was going to be something I wouldn't like but....Kellum handles it perfectly, it shows just how Mak really feels, makes him start looking closer at himself. Peach himself, I'd love to read a book about him when he's a bit older. He feels a real character, one worth exploring.

Stars: Five. Fantastic read, brief but with everything I want in a good romance.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Rutherford is a financial advisor who gets assigned to work for a rock band. When he gets the first glimpse of gorgeous bass-player, Mak - it's through blue slime that has just dropped on his head. It turns out that the bandmates get up to some serious pranking in their downtime.

Rutherford is well put together, serious about his job, and ... all together different from Mak. Mak is carefree...and has sworn off dating. He's all about having fun for a couple of weeks and then heading off on tour. Rutherford finds himself kissing Mak one afternoon and has to slink back to the office to get taken off the account. Fortunately, that leads to him and Mak being able to see each other.

Both men enter into the relationship believing that they can keep things light and don't worry about the future. Until that is, they are faced with Mak going away on tour.

This is a light-hearted quick read that's got some steamy scenes. There's a lot of chemistry between the two main characters ... and I loved the descriptions of the band members and their relationships.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adore this book. I'm normally not a huge fan of Rockstar romance because a lot of the focus lies on the famous aspect and how it makes the relationship difficult. While of course the topic is touched upon it isn't a central part of the story.
Rutherford is so lovely and sweet and he and Mak fit together so well. I had a lot of fun getting to know both of them and see them grow separately and as a couple. Overall it's a very cute story with great characters.