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avronica's review against another edition
1.0
No… just no no no
I didn’t like the characters
I didn’t like their relationship
I found Jamie very pushy and resented him most of the book
I didn’t believe Ryan’s sudden change of heart
The sex didn’t seem intimate nor good
I didn’t even like the secondary characters (besides Hannah, which says a lot)
Just a big fat no
I didn’t like the characters
I didn’t like their relationship
I found Jamie very pushy and resented him most of the book
I didn’t believe Ryan’s sudden change of heart
The sex didn’t seem intimate nor good
I didn’t even like the secondary characters (besides Hannah, which says a lot)
Just a big fat no
idratherbereading542's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
- MMC's: James (aka Jamie), Ryan
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (James, Ryan), Tristan
- Book Playlist (Best Friends to Lovers Playlist)
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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
James Grayson (aka Jamie) and Ryan Hardaway have been best friends since they met at eight years old.
But what Ryan doesn't know is that James has been in love with him for just as long. And their rather unconventional overly affectionate friendship doesn't help the problem.
So when James finally tells Ryan the truth, their worlds start to crumble around them. Because Ryan would do anything to keep from losing Jamie. But Ryan doesn't think he can give Jamie what he needs from him.
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REVIEW:
Hmm. Okay so I liked some things about this one, and others not so much.
First off, series-connection-wise, James is Tristan's (from Just a Bit Wrong) half brother. James doesn't know this at first, though (Tristan does). And Ryan is Zach's brother (also from Just a Bit Wrong).
We met both of them in Tristan and Zach's book and I was really looking forward to their book because I'm SUCH a sucker for best friends to lovers (especially in m/m romance). I loved that that was the trope for this book.
I also loved the affection between Jamie and Ryan and their almost inappropriate closeness before they even start a relationship. Loved all of this.
What I didn't like was that this one reminded me a lot of Just a Bit Unhealthy (with Jared and Gabriel) because it felt like Ryan never really came around to being gay until the very end. It just felt like he was going through the motions because he loves Jamie and doesn't want to disappoint him, but not that he actually wanted it. In the end he clearly wants it, but along the way I found it really confusing and frustrating.
One thing that really bugs me about this series is the absence of the choice of being bisexual. Several of the couples along the way end up being "gay for you", but never once do they just admit to being bisexual. It's either you're gay or you're straight. Some of them don't even admit to being gay even after being in a relationship with a man for a long time. And I think many of the guys along the way could've simply admitted that they were probably bisexual since they are still attracted to women. That's okay too. Even if this isn't a ménage romance, they can come to that conclusion about their sexuality. But it is never even an option for any of them to choose that. And I find that frustrating.
The sexual encounters between Ryan and Jamie were passionate and steamy. But also left me feeling very bad for poor Jamie. All the way up until the end Ryan is clear that he's okay fucking him, but not being in a relationship with him. It was just sad.
Overall not my favorite from the series. I get that a lot of these books are "gay for you" type of tropes. But I find the characters who adamantly claim to be "100% straight" while at the same time being aroused by being with a man to be annoying and just in denial. I would love to see the awakenings be a little less black and white.
- MMC's: James (aka Jamie), Ryan
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (James, Ryan), Tristan
- Book Playlist (Best Friends to Lovers Playlist)
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
James Grayson (aka Jamie) and Ryan Hardaway have been best friends since they met at eight years old.
But what Ryan doesn't know is that James has been in love with him for just as long. And their rather unconventional overly affectionate friendship doesn't help the problem.
So when James finally tells Ryan the truth, their worlds start to crumble around them. Because Ryan would do anything to keep from losing Jamie. But Ryan doesn't think he can give Jamie what he needs from him.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
Hmm. Okay so I liked some things about this one, and others not so much.
First off, series-connection-wise, James is Tristan's (from Just a Bit Wrong) half brother. James doesn't know this at first, though (Tristan does). And Ryan is Zach's brother (also from Just a Bit Wrong).
We met both of them in Tristan and Zach's book and I was really looking forward to their book because I'm SUCH a sucker for best friends to lovers (especially in m/m romance). I loved that that was the trope for this book.
I also loved the affection between Jamie and Ryan and their almost inappropriate closeness before they even start a relationship. Loved all of this.
What I didn't like was that this one reminded me a lot of Just a Bit Unhealthy (with Jared and Gabriel) because it felt like Ryan never really came around to being gay until the very end. It just felt like he was going through the motions because he loves Jamie and doesn't want to disappoint him, but not that he actually wanted it. In the end he clearly wants it, but along the way I found it really confusing and frustrating.
One thing that really bugs me about this series is the absence of the choice of being bisexual. Several of the couples along the way end up being "gay for you", but never once do they just admit to being bisexual. It's either you're gay or you're straight. Some of them don't even admit to being gay even after being in a relationship with a man for a long time. And I think many of the guys along the way could've simply admitted that they were probably bisexual since they are still attracted to women. That's okay too. Even if this isn't a ménage romance, they can come to that conclusion about their sexuality. But it is never even an option for any of them to choose that. And I find that frustrating.
The sexual encounters between Ryan and Jamie were passionate and steamy. But also left me feeling very bad for poor Jamie. All the way up until the end Ryan is clear that he's okay fucking him, but not being in a relationship with him. It was just sad.
Overall not my favorite from the series. I get that a lot of these books are "gay for you" type of tropes. But I find the characters who adamantly claim to be "100% straight" while at the same time being aroused by being with a man to be annoying and just in denial. I would love to see the awakenings be a little less black and white.
wanderlustsleeping's review
fast-paced
3.0
Genuinely don’t know how I’m supposed to feel. Felt a pushy, wish was uncomfortable at times:
intostarlight's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Friends to lovers is one of my least liked tropes and it shows. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I hoped. The "like my little brother", "gross", "I love you but not like that", etc comments got on my nerves after a while, especially considering they were still happening at 90%. I liked how Ryan was so protective of Jamie and wanted to make him happy more than anything in the world though.
kaygo2490's review against another edition
3.0
Alright. One more to go and I'm done with these embarrassingly addictive books lol
jessbookrecs's review against another edition
4.0
This love story made me feel slightly uncomfortable but idk what it says about me because I was also giddy sigh.
imtoostubborn's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
daddledoo's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.0