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amris's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, and Homophobia
ohyayitsapril's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nice little palate cleanser between horror books! Plus, steamy gay scenes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
cmvorra's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment
babyjay's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was an easy read and a pleasant book to fall back on between other books. If you’re looking for substance or something new, this isn’t it. There’s a lot of homophobia in the book and unresolved trauma that makes it kind of heavy and annoying. I actually really liked both characters and get for their struggle, but I also wish that every macho mlm romance wasn’t so hung up on homophobia—not because it’s not realistic but because it’s radical to just let gay people give and receive love and this was tired. There’s a HEA though, and having experienced it, I do love seeing the queer military mafia represented.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma
redhairedashreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 stars - I loved it!
Navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace so he trades in the barracks for a fixer-upper rental. What he doesn’t want is a roommate, especially Pike who’s arrival will spark Zack’s teammates to question his own sexuality.
This was wonderful! Zack has never revealed to anyone, even himself, that he is gay. He does everything he can to come off as straight, including allowing himself to be bullyed by a homophobic team mate. Zack really has a lot of fear to work though. His parents are homophobic and toxic towards him so he feels he constantly has to appear as perfect, and deny himself. This causes a lot of problems with Pike but eventually he does realize he needs to live for himself.
“I just know that I’m so tired of hating myself every second of every day, and when I’m around you, I don’t hate me so much. I’ve spent the last year trying to make sense of me, but when I’m around you, it feels like the answer might actually be out there.”
Pike is a flirt who loves to tease Zack. What he doesn’t expect is to really like the man behind all the grump. Once he gets to know Zack, and understands his fears at coming out, he really falls for how sweet and caring Zack can be. I really loved how Pike let Zack set the pace for his sexual experimentation, but he didn’t let him use sex to hide his feelings. He pushes Zack to talk about his feelings and fears, which is what he needed.
Zack and Pike had a very emotional relationship that I really loved. I loved how Pike taught Zack to embrace his sexuality and the importance of being himself. These two were super sweet together. Zack and Pike were both amazing characters and I loved seeing them grow as they came closer. Overall, this was an amazing start to a series and I can’t wait to read the next book.
Trigger warnings: homophobia, bullying, toxic parents, near death experience from ruptured appendix
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Homophobia
beckyreadsitall's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
ollie_again's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying
bellarinabookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
taliabasma's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Aside from the fact that I doubt Zack would have had this HEA in real life, I’m a sucker for escaping the hate of society so well ZACK AND PIKE WERE SO CUTE TOGETHER. Zack was just the right of hesitant grump and then Pike was a cinnamon roll with a kick. Will be reading the rest of the series hehe
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
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