Scan barcode
galleytrot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
READ: Feb 2024
FORMAT: Digital
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3 / 5⭐
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.5 / 5⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 3.25 / 5⭐
In this book, Adam returns from a decade-long failed attempt at kicking off a life for himself on the other side of the country, a nasty divorce nipping at his heels. Back in the small Colorado town, he is forced to face the people he left behind and slowly lost connection with; most notably, his best friend Bennett. Bennett has been harboring a crush on his lifelong-straight-best-friend, but putting aside all of his hurt and abandonment is a foregone conclusion when it comes to guiding out of his state of brooding and self-pity.
Boy, did I leave this book with some thoughts and opinions. It started out decently well, and I was vibing with the characters and the author’s form of dialogue, which – while it’s never especially clever, it’s highly realistic. Every bit of dialogue held in this book sounds exactly like something I would overhear from actual people in casual conversation, more or less. My largest problem with this story – and the characters themselves are aware of it – is that the whole “I’m in gay love with my straight best friend” cliché requires a little something extra in order to stand out among the genre.
It's here that the book took a buckwild turn that I absolutely couldn’t get behind, because the author decided to have the not-completely-divorced ex hunt Adam down with a surprise Baby Trap. As a plot device, I don’t fault this for being effective. The actual problem I had is, knowing a number of people who have been horribly baby trapped into living with extremely toxic relationships, this was something that enraged me to my core and nearly caused an immediate DNF. Only my appreciation for Bennett’s character could keep me strapped in for the rest of the ride.
I have one more thing to address before wrapping up: in proper romance-series fashion, many future characters were introduced within this book. That’s fine, and normal, and expected. What I absolutely couldn’t believe is how many of the future pairings were revealed, especially in the epilogue. I’ve never seen a romance series spoil itself so hard, granting so much plot armor to future stories that I couldn’t possibly be less interested in continuing with this series. Hell, one pairing actually goes though an important plot beat within this book, and while the conversation is held off-page the results of that conversation are made very clear. I won’t speak for anyone else, but personally? This is a highly ineffective method to pique my interest.
This book has representation for gays and bisexuals. There is otherwise little else in the way of diversity.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
This book contains: mentions of past murders/attempted murders; alcohol use; a very gross conversation normalizing sex pests and no-means-yes culture; assault; past parent deaths; past gun violence; past accusations of assault (implied sexual?); past spousal and child abuse (physical); drug addiction, withdrawal/recovery (off page); pregnancy, on-page process of childbirth; mention of past fatal car crash, death of family, including children; mention of past drug-induced family annihilation; off-page gas line fire disaster; and, mention of past vomiting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
jennp28's review
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? It's complicated
4.0
I love Adam and Bennett. They are so sweet to each other even after all they go through. If only all guys were as open to falling in love with a friend no matter their gender, the world might be a better place.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse and Fire/Fire injury
More...