This was a short story to serve as an intro to this author’s series. As with all short stories, I think they inevitably suffer from a lack of developmThis was a short story to serve as an intro to this author’s series. As with all short stories, I think they inevitably suffer from a lack of development in the storyline as well as the characters. That said, I think this one does a decent job here. Did I want more? Absolutely. Yes. I think these two in a full-length book would have been a good read. I really loved the bond these two had.
Friends to lovers trope is another one of my favorites. There is something so comforting about falling in love with your best friend. Add to that themes of sexual exploration/discovery and I’m so there for it. I love reading about people going after what they want and stepping out of their comfort zones.
That said, there were parts where the short length created � issues. I didn’t care for Ryder’s date after the night they spent together, or his use of the word �experiment� as it cheapened what the two of them had just shared. Also, around this time in the story, Ryder’s internal dialogue goes a bit haywire. Again, a letdown by the length of the story. It’s difficult to adequately portray Ryder’s struggle/coming to terms with his feelings for Nate and men in general in just a few pages.
Overall though, this was a sweet short that I enjoyed.
This book is free from the author’s Prolific Works account which you can find .
This should've been a perfect book for me. I love fake relationship, friends to lovers themes, but, I had some issues after say....the firs3.5 stars.
This should've been a perfect book for me. I love fake relationship, friends to lovers themes, but, I had some issues after say....the first half I guess. 4 stars for the first half I think....maybe. I'm torn.
This was very sweet, bordering on saccharine ... until about 80% where it took a catapulting leap so far into saccharine territory, I had to get up and find something salty to counteract it. [image]
Don't get me wrong. I liked the book, more or less. The story and the meaning behind it were great. I loved it! The message that you don't need to change who you are in order to find someone who loves you is very heartwarming. Especially when it ends up being your best friend.... your straight best friend. I love stories about sexual discovery.
That said, I just don't think it was my cuppa. If you're looking for something to render you into a sickeningly sweet puddle of goo, then this is your couple. Me? I like my men a bit more ...
[image]
Jude, who is portrayed as a gorgeous, tattooed god, which does it for me frankly, but his behavior in the book was repeatedly at war with my image of him. YMMV. I just didn't see him as someone who would cry, more than once, during sex. That sort of thing...
[image]
But I loved the cast of characters, friends of both men were fun and flirty, and made me laugh on more than one occasion. I'm curious who gets their own books. I liked Casper, Gen and Saint too. They all had a quiet vulnerability that made me want to know more about them. Gen is perhaps my favorite though. I'd like to read him next, but I think the book set up Saint for our next couple. We'll see.Â
If you're looking for a low angst, quick read with no shortage of warm & fuzzies to get lost in for a few hours, pick it up.
I'm still deciding on whether to give it 2.5 or 3 stars. I need to think on it for a day or two. RTC.I'm still deciding on whether to give it 2.5 or 3 stars. I need to think on it for a day or two. RTC....more
I really enjoyed this one....Until the last 25-ish%, so I rounded down. The UST in this one was delicious and frustrating all at once, as it3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this one....Until the last 25-ish%, so I rounded down. The UST in this one was delicious and frustrating all at once, as it should be. And then when we get to the part that we've been waiting for almost the entire book where they finally give in? It was kinda, meh. I was really expecting an explosion after that much build up...
[image]
What I liked:
Mel & Ella, their friends/coworkers. They made me laugh and truly cared for both Hale & Q
Hale � Quell - I really enjoyed the way their friendship built throughout the book. They had good chemistry. Some of my favorite scenes were just the two of them cuddling. Which was fairly often b/c it helped with the depression Quell struggled with.. at least, that's what he tells himself. Some hurt/comforty goodness here guys. =D
[image]
What I didn't like: Rachael - I didn't like her characterization at all. I think the same result could've been achieved without making her an elitist, entitled, insensitive bitch who probably did far more damage to Quell's psyche than questioning his sexuality and the depression ever could. Seriously, every time she appeared I wanted to punch her. And I am not a violent person!
[image]
The last 25ish%
[image]
So, I'm not sure what happened here, but something was different after the premiere. Not bad...just, different. It didn't seem like the same couple sometimes. Idk.
Regardless, I actually did enjoy the book. I plan to read the second one. �...more
My favorite smart-assed, man-whore drummer has his own book. It's by far my favorite of the three in this series. O4 stars!
Oh Matt, I've missed you! �
My favorite smart-assed, man-whore drummer has his own book. It's by far my favorite of the three in this series. One that makes my hopeless romantic heart happy. There were several parts where I just got all and heart-eyed and melted into a puddle of goo complete with the obligatory "A." And then, Matt being Matt, would say something utterly and completely inappropriate where I would bust out laughing.
The only thing I didn't like was the use of my two most hated plot devices, but because I completely fell in love with Matt, I will forgive Ms. Haken for that. They did not drag on long anyway, so it was not a big deal in the grand scheme of things and actually did not dampen my enjoyment of the book. Overall, it was more of a character-driven story anyway.
If you're a romantic at heart with a good sense of humor, I recommend it. �...more
An old favorite and sexy as hell. I've always wished it was longer though.An old favorite and sexy as hell. I've always wished it was longer though....more
This was adorable. I loved the ease with which the relationship between Derek & Shane developed. I liked how there were no major life altering identitThis was adorable. I loved the ease with which the relationship between Derek & Shane developed. I liked how there were no major life altering identity crises. It all felt just very natural. And I loved Derek. He was a little of everything, shy at times, sexy at others, but was very good match for Shane. I hope we get to see more from them someday.
Sweet with very low angst. It's one of the books that gave me a case of the warm & fuzzies. � Enjoyable....more
Loading...
