Please note: My review will also be cross-posted by www.myfictionnook.com closer to publication date.

~4.5~

Daily Grind is one emotional, sexy ride, which can be read as a standalone.

Rob walks into Brian's coffee shop and ZING. It's not love at first sight, not quite, but Rob and Brian have an instant connection.

Rob is the CEO of a robotics company where Todd (one of the MCs from book 3) works. He's British but has made Pittsburgh his home. Brian owns a coffee shop, Grounds N'at.

I love when the setting of a story comes alive, like it did here. Brian is a Pittsburgh native and knows so much about the area, its history, sights, and sounds. Both men have a passion for biking and photography, and Brian knows the best places and trails to explore.

Brian convinces Rob that he has an artist's eye and that his pictures are worth printing. Rob's parents discouraged something as frivolous as the arts, so Rob still feels vaguely guilty looking at his photography as anything other than a silly hobby.

Brian's coffee shop is his capricious mistress. Brian lives and breathes coffee. He doesn't trust most of his employees to open or close, and he feels anxious whenever he takes a day off. The immense stress of running the shop took a huge toll on his last relationship, and it threatens to destroy what he's building with Rob.

Rob wants to help (he know a thing or two about owning a business after all), but Brian is having none of that. There's a moment when Brian, stressed and exhausted, takes his desperation out on Rob, and the shit that comes out of his mouth . . . wow, just NO. I have never spoken to anyone like that EVER, much less a lover. I was appalled. So was Rob.

The only angst in the story is the one Brian imposes on the relationship by working himself into the ground. Rob wants to be more than a cock, a quick fuck at the end of the day, and when Brian lashes out, Rob doesn't just take it. Brian has to grovel to get his man back.

In the end, Brian and Rob talk through things like mature adults. There's no melodrama, no homophobia, no crazy family antics, no shame. Brian's parents are completely on board with Brian dating a man; they're not even surprised when he comes out as bi.

The sexy times in this book are sizzling. When Brian bottoms for the first time, mother of all that is holy, that about melted my Kindle. I so appreciate that Brian is willing to embrace his bisexuality and, although he's only ever dated women, doesn't want to hide Rob. He owns it, and that's awesome!

Even though this book is dirty, the sex doesn't feel gratuitous. There are so many tender moments between the guys too, the way they hold hands, the way Brian is obsessed with Rob's red hair and freckles, the inside coffee jokes (Rob calls Brian his "Americano," and they both tease each other about leaving room for cream. *ahem*)

My one niggle with this story is that Brian's bisexuality is like a Thing, a Big Thing. At the beginning especially, he compares having sex with a woman to having sex with a man. Rob isn't threatened, not at all, which again awesome, but I didn't like the many references to Rob having sex with his ex, Anita. (I would have felt the same had the ex been a man.)

During one scene, Rob tells Brian that he's his "bisexual barista who likes sucking cock as much as he likes eating pussy." What? I can't even fathom my ex-girlfriend saying something like that to me. She knew I'd been with men, but it wasn't like a constant source of conversation, because at the time I was with HER.

This rubbed ME the wrong way, and that's on me. For real.

This book is pretty close to perfection. The epilogue is a lovely, but realistic, HEA. Brian's business problems aren't solved overnight, but he tries so hard to be the man Rob deserves.

"You." Brian clutched his mug like a talisman. "Being with you. This, now. The bike rides. Hiking. Photography. The way you smile. Your hands. Your freckles. Your voice, You. All of you . . . I'd rather lose the shop than lose you."

This was a sweet addition to the Takeover series. This one stars Brian who owns the coffee shop on the ground floor of the building where the prior characters all work (where Justin used to be a barista). He's a super nice guy who is struggling to keep his business afloat and as a result has become a work-a-holic who never puts his relationships first. Rob has recently moved to town and comes in to get coffee one day and there is an immediate and powerful wave of chemistry between the two men.

The author grabs your attention right away because the chemistry between these two jumps off the page and it starts from the first/second page of the book. The steamy parts are a high point of the story. These two sizzle up the pages. The romance itself is sweet and fairly angst free. It is pretty close to insta-love but while I don't usually like that, it worked here because they acknowledged it and discussed it. The communication between these two a strong point of the book imo. It's nice to see characters that discuss many things along the way rather than a plot based on miscommunication (giant pet peeve of mine)

There are a few issues discussed in the book, the workaholic stuff, as well as the fact that while Brian is bisexual, he's never acted on it so this is his first time with a man. I felt like this issue was handled really well. No drama and lot's of talking.

Many of the characters from the previous books are in this one and it's nice seeing them all again (especially Eli and Justin since they're my favorites). There are a few other side characters, mostly Brian's family, and they were all a nice addition to the story.The guys hit a bump in the road but overcome it pretty quickly. I enjoyed the fact that this book had a lot of things.....low, almost non-existent angst, good communication, a sweet romance, loving and accepting family members and a great steam level.

**ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

You walked into my shop and brought the freaking sun with you. I’ve been blinded since.”

What happens when you have always known you were bisexual, but never let yourself explore your sexuality? Brian Keppler, owner of Ground N'At, the coffee shop beneath SR Anderson Consulting, finds out when he meets, sexy ginger Robert Ancroft.

Anna Zabo has written another hot as hell story where two men are drawn to each other, and make no apologies for their desires. CEO Rob Ancroft wants to find someone he can build a life with. A workaholic by rights, he finally has his business stable and is able to focus on the next chapter in life. Love. He has been burned and is a little gunshy but when he walks into Grounds N'At and sees the sexy barista he is smitten. Wanting more than just a casual hook up he sits and talks to the barista, Brian, who he finds out is the owner of the bustlying quaint coffee shop. He is intrigued and he wants to know more.

Brian can't believe his luck. A sexy man walks in off the street and wants him. He is drawn to this fair skinned ginger and decides no more hiding who he really is, he is bisexual and he is going to own it. If he can ever get time away from his shop, that is...you see, he is slammed and devoted to making his shop thrive. Even if that means not having a love life or a partner. If people don't understand his priorities then they simply are not meant to be.

When these two start out Rob is understanding of Brian's commitment, why wouldn't he be...it hasn't been long since he was burning the candle at both ends. But when enough is enough and Rob fears Brian is burning out, he puts his foot down.
Is their relationship strong enough? Who will win, the coffee shop or the relationship? You have to read to find out if Brian can pull himself away from killing himself in the daily grind.

Beyond the story, I have to give the author kudos for always making me starve during her stories. There are constantly mentions of great restaraunts, cuisine, coffee, and desserts - and the whole story, I am drooling! A+ for world building as I feel like I have travel the streets of Pittsburgh during this sotry. There were mention of several places that I found myself googling from unique restaraunts to retired steel mills. I learn more about the area with each story.

In addition to superb characters and world building, chemistry is something you never have to worry about with Anna Zabo. Her books are smokin' hot. Sometimes to the point where you may only want to read in private.

"Brian could kiss. Passionately , sweetly, as demanding as fuck. All three at once. Every time those lips met his, Rob’s world tilted."

“Right now, you have one job.” He leaned down as close to Brian’s head as he could manage. “Take my cock and love every single second of it.”

Overall, 5 *Vanilla Americano stars WITH cream* Stars (you will totally get it after you read it), and a great story for all lovers of romance.

Review Copy of Daily Grind provided by InterMix for an honest Review