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tyras_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
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
3.5
I was a little skeptical and confused at first by Olu’s dramatic inner monologue. I literally thought he was a previous human turned alien looking for love (and I would have loved to read about it) but really he’s just a heartsore human looking to run away from his troubles. I get it, join the club.
So he flits off to this little town (in the same universe as Hibbert’s The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco and Untouchable so there are some fun cameos) where he meets our lovely resident grump Griff.
Griff (with a ton of dead mama issues and a general lack of self-esteem because the people of the village treat him terribly) and Olu (with a ton of alive but abusive daddy issue and maybe too much entitlement but also a bruised, and rightfully so, ego) hit it off in a weird, grumpy, flirty sort of way that makes you think the book will be an immediate “lovers” vibe.
Plot twist: not so much!
So they are into each other but Olu has some trauma and lashes out—the man is like 36 and needs some therapy. Not judging his journey but being mean isn’t hot—which makes it very awkward when Olu shows up the next day at Griff’s job! I really thought his fake reason for being in the village and visiting the farm was gonna mean more later and it doesn't which feels like a miss but there was plenty of drama between the men so that's fine.
BTW, Griff is my favorite and I would definitely choose him if they broke up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
amris's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Outing
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Medical content, Car accident, and Pregnancy
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed the clever dialogue between the two main characters, Griffin (Griff) and Keynes (Olu), and found myself laughing out loud a few times. The development of their relationship has a nice, slow-moving quality to it that I appreciated. But then bam! They're a couple that is fully in love/lust and at least one of them is willing to upend their life after just knowing the other for 3 weeks. That's like something you'd expect from a young teen, not an adult with an established business who would have to sacrifice their way of life and transition to an environment that might end up being uncomfortable for their insulated personality type.
I prefer mature romantic relationships that are built on mutual respect and compromise, where people don't get to the point of being so desperate they have to sacrifice everything to keep a flawed romantic, and self-admitted asshole, partner in their life. But this just me and maybe I'm more selfish than other people so I've never been willing to give up everything for a person I've only recently met who won't at least entertain the thought of doing the same for me.
I didn't hate this book, I just found myself losing interest as soon as Griff and Olu became lovers that were more or less hyper-focused on each other. I understand that Griff has felt like an outsider growing up and living in a small town, but he has a successful business and friends. I really liked Griff. But I did not like Olu who, while honest about their faults and acknowledging the devastation of a recent lost love, had a personality I just never warmed to. But I suppose a lot of real-world relationships are not in balance, depending on who you ask, and lots of reviewers adore this book, so it might be worth a read for fans of Talia Hibbard who are looking for a quick little romance where two men are able to find what feels like a safe harbor with each other.
I listened to the audiobook and there are two narrators. Each of the narrators portrays the lead role of either Griff or Olu, and also voices the other during their parts of the story they narrate. One of the narrators made 28-year-old Griff sound like an 80-year-old cockney chimney sweep with a 3-pack-a-day cigarette habit. This was distracting, especially when the small town Griff with the gravelling old man voice would call Olu "babe" or "honey" or some other endearment. It was almost off-putting and I'm older, so not being an agist, but it just didn't land well to my ears. I got through the book, but be warned, if you listen to the audiobook, it may be a little confusing because it sounds like there are suddenly four characters involved in a love tangle, and one of them is an old fart chain smoking pirate with an accent I think doesn't even fit with the part of England he's from.
I prefer mature romantic relationships that are built on mutual respect and compromise, where people don't get to the point of being so desperate they have to sacrifice everything to keep a flawed romantic, and self-admitted asshole, partner in their life. But this just me and maybe I'm more selfish than other people so I've never been willing to give up everything for a person I've only recently met who won't at least entertain the thought of doing the same for me.
I didn't hate this book, I just found myself losing interest as soon as Griff and Olu became lovers that were more or less hyper-focused on each other. I understand that Griff has felt like an outsider growing up and living in a small town, but he has a successful business and friends. I really liked Griff. But I did not like Olu who, while honest about their faults and acknowledging the devastation of a recent lost love, had a personality I just never warmed to. But I suppose a lot of real-world relationships are not in balance, depending on who you ask, and lots of reviewers adore this book, so it might be worth a read for fans of Talia Hibbard who are looking for a quick little romance where two men are able to find what feels like a safe harbor with each other.
I listened to the audiobook and there are two narrators. Each of the narrators portrays the lead role of either Griff or Olu, and also voices the other during their parts of the story they narrate. One of the narrators made 28-year-old Griff sound like an 80-year-old cockney chimney sweep with a 3-pack-a-day cigarette habit. This was distracting, especially when the small town Griff with the gravelling old man voice would call Olu "babe" or "honey" or some other endearment. It was almost off-putting and I'm older, so not being an agist, but it just didn't land well to my ears. I got through the book, but be warned, if you listen to the audiobook, it may be a little confusing because it sounds like there are suddenly four characters involved in a love tangle, and one of them is an old fart chain smoking pirate with an accent I think doesn't even fit with the part of England he's from.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
downtown_kb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
Needing a vacation, or maybe a place to hide, Olu finds himself on Griff's small town farm. I liked Griff's character. He was that gentle giant who is misunderstood in his small town. Insecure about his intelligence dude to long term assumptions. However, I never liked Olu. I usually like prickly and mean from being hurt in the past but I felt we were told he was actually nice and I never really had a chance to grow to like him. His inner monologue was still pretty mean. He could dish but not take it too. I also felt the plot was predictable so I wasn't that invested in it because it happened exactly as I thought it would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
peachani's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Racism, Suicide, Medical content, Pregnancy, Outing, Alcohol, and Classism
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was solid. It didn’t blow me away (which actually came as a surprise; I thought I’d devour this). I think my issue was I didn’t realize this was part of a series (???) and if it’s meant to work as a standalone, I’m not sure it succeeded. There’s a lot about Olu in particular that I felt like I was missing. Parts of his character and his story where I felt context should have been given and it just wasn’t.
Again, that’s probably because I was reading out of sequence, but if the book is meant to be a spin-off capable of standing on it’s own, those things have to get explained on page? Idk, maybe I’m being unfair (like those people who make huge changes to online recipes then comment to complain it turned out bad).
But other than that, I enjoyed this! There were a lot of really beautiful, tender moments, and I think that’s where the book was really strong. I highlighted so many quotes that had me swooning and even getting a bit misty-eyed at times. I appreciated the focus on Olu’s depression and I loved the way that Griff handled him with such care and gentleness.
Again, that’s probably because I was reading out of sequence, but if the book is meant to be a spin-off capable of standing on it’s own, those things have to get explained on page? Idk, maybe I’m being unfair (like those people who make huge changes to online recipes then comment to complain it turned out bad).
But other than that, I enjoyed this! There were a lot of really beautiful, tender moments, and I think that’s where the book was really strong. I highlighted so many quotes that had me swooning and even getting a bit misty-eyed at times. I appreciated the focus on Olu’s depression and I loved the way that Griff handled him with such care and gentleness.
“I raise a slow hand toward his side, and when he doesn’t flinch or stiffen or go cold in front of me, I touch him. Press my palm against his body and wait patiently for an answer. That’s me: patient. I’ll be so fucking patient for you.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide and Outing
Minor: Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
terryegreen's review against another edition
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I’m biased because I am a Talia Hibbert stan til the day I leave earth!!!!
Look, it’s ~*~Talia Hibbert~*~ so expect tenderness, prickly characters, and lots of individual as well as relationship growth🫶🏽
You’ll find:
-M/M with grumpy x grumpy dynamic
(&they become such softies for each other😭)
-Age gap (~10 years)
-Small village/town
-Therapy & mental health rep (depression)
-Addiction, loss, & grief discussed
-Two humans who deserve love regardless of their “baggage” 🥰
I listened to the audiobook on Everand — both narrators (dual first-person, present-tense POV) were fantastic!
I had a wonderful time & will read anything TH writes!
steam rating: 4/5 — they’re so horny lmao🤭 I love them your honor !!!!
see content warnings below
I’m biased because I am a Talia Hibbert stan til the day I leave earth!!!!
Look, it’s ~*~Talia Hibbert~*~ so expect tenderness, prickly characters, and lots of individual as well as relationship growth🫶🏽
You’ll find:
-M/M with grumpy x grumpy dynamic
(&they become such softies for each other😭)
-Age gap (~10 years)
-Small village/town
-Therapy & mental health rep (depression)
-Addiction, loss, & grief discussed
-Two humans who deserve love regardless of their “baggage” 🥰
I listened to the audiobook on Everand — both narrators (dual first-person, present-tense POV) were fantastic!
I had a wonderful time & will read anything TH writes!
steam rating: 4/5 — they’re so horny lmao🤭 I love them your honor !!!!
see content warnings below
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
30something_reads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
If Talia writes it, I'm going to read it.
I seem to be going through the backlist before getting to her recent work but I absolutely loved this one! (Have not read the other books in this series though.)
MM Contemporary Romance
Age gap (10 years)
Small town (village) vibes
Opposites attract
Delightful banter
Depression rep and (as always) characters with healthy mindsets surrounding therapy and seeking help.
Griffin and Olu were so sweet and achingly romantic and I love them both fiercely.
I seem to be going through the backlist before getting to her recent work but I absolutely loved this one! (Have not read the other books in this series though.)
MM Contemporary Romance
Age gap (10 years)
Small town (village) vibes
Opposites attract
Delightful banter
Depression rep and (as always) characters with healthy mindsets surrounding therapy and seeking help.
Griffin and Olu were so sweet and achingly romantic and I love them both fiercely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia and Outing