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Allison Temple
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Top Shelf (Seacroft Stories Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Allison Temple (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 384 ratings

Martin is a ghost. Well, not really, but he might as well be. Job gone, home gone, self-respect gone, and no one even seems to notice. The only person who really sees him is Seb, the artist who lives above the used bookstore.
Seb haunts the edges of Seacroft in search of beauty. He knows how to excavate the hidden value in abandoned things—whether it's in the pages of forgotten books or in Martin's stuttering attempts to rebuild his life—and transform them into works of art.
Two lost souls, Seb and Martin discover the strength they need to face eccentric townies and their dysfunctional families together. But as friendship sparks toward something more, neither man wants to risk what they’ve only just found. It takes two to fall in love, but it will take the whole community to bring their beauty to life.

Top Shelf is an 81k slow burn friends-to-lovers MM romance. It features an anxious professor, a drama queen artist, a bookstore that might be haunted, and a full-blown heart-eyes HEA.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Seacroft Stories
  2. Print length
    308 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 20, 2019
  6. File size
    2.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Top Shelf is a gorgeous hurt/comfort novel I devoured in one sitting...Top notch storytelling." - Diverse Reader Blog"Top Shelf kicked off the series strongly. I can't wait to see where Allison Temple takes her readers next." - Dog Eared Daydreams"This innovative slow burn romance is a delight." - Bayou Book Junkie

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07R81RWV4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allison Temple Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 20, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1775314400
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Seacroft Stories
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 384 ratings

About the author

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Allison Temple

Allison Temple

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Allison lives in Toronto with her very patient husband and the world’s cutest team of rescue pets. She tries to split her time between writing, exploring Toronto’s parks, and traveling anywhere that has good wine. Tragically, this leaves no time to clean the house.

Allison writes queer fantasy as Alli Temple.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
384 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a well-developed story with endearing characters, and one review describes it as a gritty powerful tale of redemption. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting the author's excellent control of language. Customers appreciate the book's readability, and one review highlights its whimsical elements.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentWriting qualityReadabilitySweetness
19 customers mention "Story quality"16 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed storyline of this book, describing it as a charming and angsty love story with a satisfying epilogue.

"...But I liked Seb and really felt for Martin. I was happy to explore their time together...." Read more

"This is not a light, fluffy romance but a deep, unrelenting probing into the human experience in which pain and rejection and hurt and anger are..." Read more

"...of the location-based novels set in Seacroft, Top Shelf is a feel-good MM romance...." Read more

"Top Shelf was a good story with likable characters and a solid plot...." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding the principal characters endearing, with one customer noting they are written in a bold manner.

"...I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the writing and the characters...." Read more

"...It introduces us to a lot of characters, in varying situations, so you have to focus to remember who is doing what...." Read more

"...The principal characters are endearing, with the supporting cast of families and townies given plenty of color to complete the pallet...." Read more

"Top Shelf was a good story with likable characters and a solid plot...." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one noting its bold clarity and another describing it as a quick read.

"...I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the writing and the characters...." Read more

"...Alison Temple writes with a bold clarity and an unrelenting pen that digs deeply into the human psyche, but in a manner that is always somehow..." Read more

"...small town charm of Seacroft and appreciated the steady pace and smooth writing...." Read more

"...It was written well enough and held my interest mostly." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, with one mentioning it has a happily ever after ending.

"...All in all, Top Shelf was a good read and I think readers who like seeing characters get a second chance will enjoy it...." Read more

"...' dynamic as they go from antagonistic to friends to lovers is excellently done. There's a nice twist on meet the parents/only one bed...." Read more

"...This story contains hurt, angst, and happily ever after. A bit hard to start, but satisfying." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. I liked that both Seb & Martin are vulnerable, but express that fear of opening up in very different ways...." Read more

6 customers mention "Sweetness"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the sweetness of the book, with individual reviews highlighting its whimsy, beauty, originality, and colorful art.

"...I love her style. I love the excellence of her control of language. I love her story telling. I highly recommend this book." Read more

"...with the supporting cast of families and townies given plenty of color to complete the pallet...." Read more

"...They are who they are without apologies. It is...sweet, and anxious, and hot, and tearful, and beautiful." Read more

"...I enjoyed the plot and characters, both of which were pretty original." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Anastasia
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I don't often leave reviews but I felt compelled to in this case. The cover doesn't do this book justice and the short description made it seem far more trope filled and generic. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the writing and the characters. I like it when I read about people who feel real, who are messy, who have flaws and choose to stay together and work on them.

    A see a lot of reviews talking about not feeling like the understand the characters but I related so much to have people judge you, the anxiety of that and the trauma it can create. Maybe some folks can't, and I envy that a little but the story of this book really connected with me at the right time. It moved slowly to set the scene, go build the tension, to be measured instead of instant attraction and non stop copulation.

    I'm excited to read the rest of the series and the author has a new devoted reader/fan.
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  • amf0001
    4.0 out of 5 stars Solid B+
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I don't often comment on cover art, but this cover is so wrong, that I keep forgetting if I've read the story because the cover so doesn't relate to the content. It doesn't look like either mc or their situations and the title makes me think about tops and bdsm. So the package doesn't match the inside (something I know most authors have zero control over, mores the pity)

    So now we get to the book. It's slow to start and has it's odder moments, but overall I rate it satisfying and I'll read the next in the series. It introduces us to a lot of characters, in varying situations, so you have to focus to remember who is doing what. But I liked Seb and really felt for Martin. I was happy to explore their time together. I did feel that the outside dramas were about to impinge on the plot, and the last third kind of careered all over the place but it still worked well enough for me and I'm off to read Oliver's story. Just don't pay any attention to the cover/title and it works better!
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  • Jem
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gritty powerful story of redemption and affirmation.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is not a light, fluffy romance but a deep, unrelenting probing into the human experience in which pain and rejection and hurt and anger are faced squarely in an often very brutal confrontation. It's a story of humanity in which dysfunction is almost a norm. What is so redemptive and glorious is that in the midst of all this angst two people reach out to each other in extraordinary ways in which they both find the other accepting them as they are and respecting and affirming and loving them. If that is not a beautiful thing, then I don't know what is. Alison Temple writes with a bold clarity and an unrelenting pen that digs deeply into the human psyche, but in a manner that is always somehow understated so that the reader must draw their own conclusions often. I love her style. I love the excellence of her control of language. I love her story telling. I highly recommend this book.
    Helpful
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  • KC
    4.0 out of 5 stars Art and Poetry
    Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    First of the location-based novels set in Seacroft, Top Shelf is a feel-good MM romance. The principal characters are endearing, with the supporting cast of families and townies given plenty of color to complete the pallet. The plot is a little hokey, with an almost satisfying epilogue.

    As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, Bookhub, BookFunnel, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.
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  • AT
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good story about starting over
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Top Shelf was a good story with likable characters and a solid plot. I really liked the theme of starting over after a difficult experience that shakes your core and plans. I also liked the small town charm of Seacroft and appreciated the steady pace and smooth writing.

    While I liked much of the foundational elements of Top Shelf and was excited for a series featuring a small town with lots of interwoven histories and characters, I struggled a bit with Top Shelf. Seb and Martin never fully captured my attention and I felt a little removed from the story. So much is covered in this story, and with two damaged souls, I expected to be more drawn into the romance and excited for their happy ending. Unfortunately, by the end I wasn't all that invested.

    All in all, Top Shelf was a good read and I think readers who like seeing characters get a second chance will enjoy it. I plan on trying the next book in the series simply because I do really like this author's writing, but this may not be the series for me.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Andrea Hall-Cuccia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Feel Good Romance
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    M/M, new relationship, explicit. This is a feel-good, low angst romance. The characters' dynamic as they go from antagonistic to friends to lovers is excellently done. There's a nice twist on meet the parents/only one bed. Seb's relationship with his parents has depth and is explored well. A fun way to pass the time.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Misanthropic
    4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Mixed feelings for this one. Seb was such an a$$, I don’t know what Martin was supposed to have seen in him. Martin’s characterization and some of the plot felt rather thin at times. It was written well enough and held my interest mostly.
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  • L. Roy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Angst-filled love story
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Top Self is the story of birth families and found families. Birth families may be the first to define your sense of self, but those people you find and surround yourself with truly reflect who you are. This story contains hurt, angst, and happily ever after. A bit hard to start, but satisfying.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • E.Muddle
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful slow-burn romance
    Reviewed in Australia on June 18, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book is written beautifully and the MCs, Seb and Martin, are both complex characters dealing with difficult issues from their pasts. Seb, as a snarky artist, and Martin, as a timid but adorable professor, bring so much humour and sweetness when they're together. Both characters were fleshed out well and, although it was hard reading about their pain at times, this is where the emotional depth came into the story so well. The heavy emotional atmosphere doesn't overpower the happy and sweet story at all and in fact, it is touched on in just the right way. We see Martin and Seb both grow as they lean on each other and refuse to give up. If you're looking for a heartwarming, emotional read with a sweet slow-burn romance and a beautiful HEA, I highly recommend this book!
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  • Annie - QueerBooksUnbound.com
    4.0 out of 5 stars I adored it
    Reviewed in Germany on November 19, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Top Shelf is the story of shy Martin and the (sometimes grumpy) artist Seb.

    Martin was a Professor at Mount Garner but after some trouble he quit his job and moved in with his brother who lives in Seacroft. Martin is still dealing with the aftermath of what happened at Mount Garner. He craves a more quiet life, without stress and drama. Being in Seacroft - and then taking a job in a small secondhand bookstore is supposed to help him get his life back in order.

    Seb is an artist who mostly works with books, so it is quite useful that his appartment is located above the bookstore. That is also how Seb and Martin meet. Though their first time meeting - and their second one as well for that matter - don't really go over well. Seb is stressed out when he first meets Martin and reacts more harshly than he normally would when Martin touches one of Seb’s art pieces.

    I'll be honest that I really had trouble liking Seb at first. Rereading the book really helped me understand him better in that first third of the book. Seb appears to be very mysterious in the beginning of the story since he doesn't share a lot about himself and the rest of the time he just seems to be a rude a##hole. (He's not! Or well... not when he listens before he reacts ;))

    Martin on the other hand is just the sweetest sweetheart and in the first half of Top Shelf I constantly wanted to give him a big warm hug. He's shy and anxious and feels insecure when he first comes to Seacroft. His whole life was thrown for a loop and he's just trying to catch his footing again when he meets Seb.

    As I mentioned above these two don't get along right away. It takes them a bit to warm up to each other and clear up a misunderstanding. But after that they just clash in the best way. Seb might not have been what Martin was looking for, but he was definitely what Martin needed and vice versa. I loved how they both challenged each other and then slowly fell in love.

    I adored Top Shelf! I loved the setting in a bookstore in a quiet town like Seacroft where everyone knows everyone's business. Have you ever read a book that was set in a small town and you really just wanted to move there and be friends with everone because it just sounded so lovely? Seacroft is like that for me.
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  • David Ross
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful crafting of the characters in this Seacroft story
    Reviewed in France on February 25, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The slow revealing of the main characters in this tale just grabs you. Each new person is a part of a truly believable family with strong emotions. I am looking forward to more of the i
    nteresting people in Seacroft.
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  • Laora
    4.0 out of 5 stars Martin & Seb
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on August 18, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Martin and Seb are the MCs in this book, about a slightly damaged academic and an artist who appears brawny. When they open up and let eachother in they see that they are stronger together.Hea guaranteed. The bonus scen( on the authors sit) is a nice look back into there lives years later. 4,5 *
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  • cc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
    Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Top Shelf was an accidental find, and I couldn’t be happier with my newly discovered author. I enjoyed the laughs, commiserated with the characters’ angst, and celebrated a perfect happy ending with Martin and Seb. I am so excited to read other works by Ms. Temple, and I’m looking forward to reading Oliver’s story. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Top Shelf!
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