mmromancereviewed's review
5.0
Strictly Curious is a stepbrother romance with bisexual awakening and all the steam! A new adult story of self discovery, long time crushing and family dynamics comes together in Strictly Curious when Ty walks in on Garrett getting a blow job from another guy and it opens a floodgate that neither of them expects...
Not just stepbrothers, but best friends and potential lovers, this story unfolds in a sweet and lightly angsty way, as the two men discover more about each other and worry about how the world will see them once they emerge from their private world...
This book is a little light on relationship building, but it's understandable since they've been together since they were ten years old, so the story focuses on the new element of their relationship - the passion and I was there for all of it!
Rating: 5 Very Steamy Stars
Not just stepbrothers, but best friends and potential lovers, this story unfolds in a sweet and lightly angsty way, as the two men discover more about each other and worry about how the world will see them once they emerge from their private world...
This book is a little light on relationship building, but it's understandable since they've been together since they were ten years old, so the story focuses on the new element of their relationship - the passion and I was there for all of it!
Rating: 5 Very Steamy Stars
shayds_'s review
Felt like the story didn't flow, needed some more detail. The emotion wasn't there and I found it unrealistic because of that.
10111111111's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
julcsiii's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bexbookrex's review
4.0
Light-hearted and sweet, "Strictly Curious" is a good book with a lot of steam! Not too deep, just a little romance... I enjoyed it and recommend it as a lovely quick read that will leave you with a smile on your face.
azzyandherbooks's review
4.0
The beginning of this book was so heartwarming, the AWWWW actually came out of my mouth. When Tyler's dad comes home from Vegas with a new wife and stepson, he wants nothing to do with the situation. Garrett tries to make friends with him, and it works. Before long, the two are inseparable. Except Garrett holds a secret from Tyler from day one.
Time moves forward and when they're 19, Tyler discovers that Garrett is bi in a shocking way. It sets Tyler on a path of self-discovery that is kind of terrifying to him. There are many intense conversations between Tyler and Garrett about feelings and any moments of exploration.
It's an interesting dynamic with Garrett finally getting his crush realized but not wanting to go too fast, which is exactly where Tyler is headed. It's push/pull at it's best. Garrett is very protective over Tyler in all aspects, even before the dynamic shift. Neither of them like seeing anyone with the other and it made me laugh that it took so long for Tyler to realize what was really going on between the two of them.
Always check the TW/CW:
Time moves forward and when they're 19, Tyler discovers that Garrett is bi in a shocking way. It sets Tyler on a path of self-discovery that is kind of terrifying to him. There are many intense conversations between Tyler and Garrett about feelings and any moments of exploration.
It's an interesting dynamic with Garrett finally getting his crush realized but not wanting to go too fast, which is exactly where Tyler is headed. It's push/pull at it's best. Garrett is very protective over Tyler in all aspects, even before the dynamic shift. Neither of them like seeing anyone with the other and it made me laugh that it took so long for Tyler to realize what was really going on between the two of them.
Always check the TW/CW:
lillyreads_08's review
4.0
Strictly Curious is a cute low-angst stepbrother to lovers story! It is a sweet story of sexual discovery between two teens. I liked how we get to see their lives from when they first met at 10 to the present at 19.
We have Garrett, who has had very non-brotherly love towards his new stepbrother Tyler for a long time. In order to not lose the closeness they have, he has kept not only his unbrotherly love but his sexuality from Tyler. However, things change when Tyler catches Garrett in a compromising situation.
This was a cute sexual discovery story between two teenagers (19) as they entered adulthood. I always enjoy a virgin MC, and I liked how Garrett took it slowly with Tyler. I enjoyed the intimate moments, the touching, sleeping together and cuddling! The sex was hot as well!
While the topic is taboo, the book did not feel like it was. While there were some issues of them getting together via their parents, friends and other conflicts, it was resolved relatively quickly without too much drama. There were no moments of "we should not be together; let's break up", which I am thankful for.
I would say most of the angst and issues come from being outed rather than the stepbrother aspect.
An issue I had was Garrett outing his own brother. He kept his sexuality a secret from him, which is fair enough. Yet, he had no problems outing his brother to people he never even knew. It doesn't matter if they're your friends or are also queer. Never out them before they are ready, and do not take away their agency to control who they want to come out to. The story addresses this, but I felt bad for Tyler.
Overall it was a cute easy read. If you like low-angst stepbrothers to lovers story you'll enjoy this story!
Please check TWs
We have Garrett, who has had very non-brotherly love towards his new stepbrother Tyler for a long time. In order to not lose the closeness they have, he has kept not only his unbrotherly love but his sexuality from Tyler. However, things change when Tyler catches Garrett in a compromising situation.
This was a cute sexual discovery story between two teenagers (19) as they entered adulthood. I always enjoy a virgin MC, and I liked how Garrett took it slowly with Tyler. I enjoyed the intimate moments, the touching, sleeping together and cuddling! The sex was hot as well!
While the topic is taboo, the book did not feel like it was. While there were some issues of them getting together via their parents, friends and other conflicts, it was resolved relatively quickly without too much drama. There were no moments of "we should not be together; let's break up", which I am thankful for.
I would say most of the angst and issues come from being outed rather than the stepbrother aspect.
An issue I had was Garrett outing his own brother. He kept his sexuality a secret from him, which is fair enough. Yet, he had no problems outing his brother to people he never even knew. It doesn't matter if they're your friends or are also queer. Never out them before they are ready, and do not take away their agency to control who they want to come out to. The story addresses this, but I felt bad for Tyler.
Overall it was a cute easy read. If you like low-angst stepbrothers to lovers story you'll enjoy this story!
Please check TWs
heartstrings's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
I enjoy this trope so I genuinely wanted to like this book. But, unfortunately, the writing is so overly descriptive and mechanical that it often felt like reading an elementary grade educational text rather than a story based on romance, emotion, and connection.
huono_lukija's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5