unwise_samwise's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
doseofromance's review
5.0
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly don't have a lot to say about this book except that I really enjoyed it and got exactly what I expected. It's a very sweet and short read that checks all my boxes. I wouldn't have minded reading from Toma's POV for a chapter but with short stories a dual POV is a little tricky so I'm not mad about it.
I honestly don't have a lot to say about this book except that I really enjoyed it and got exactly what I expected. It's a very sweet and short read that checks all my boxes. I wouldn't have minded reading from Toma's POV for a chapter but with short stories a dual POV is a little tricky so I'm not mad about it.
whatjanereads's review
5.0
This was so damn cute!!!
It’s just a shortstory with under 100 pages and I think it’s very hard to put much into such a short story and make you feel anything...well this one didn’t disappoint a bit!
I absolutely loved the queer friend group, every single character was so well elaborated and individual, I could 100% see them right before my eyes.
I loved the flashbacks the most, they gave us an actual background story and made me completely fall in love with Owen and Toma...and of course ship them very hard.
Owen was super funny (and the misdirected messages of course! So much secondhand embarrassment!), Toma was super sweet, I loved them together. Jock x Nerd is one of my favourite tropes anyway.
I felt so sorry for Owen, who was hurting after his accident in the past and also because he was so embarrassed in the present.
It made me so happy how Owen and his nerdy friendgroup stuck together through all of it.
I would have definitely read a whole novel about them!
I need to get my hands on the other books in this series!
It’s just a shortstory with under 100 pages and I think it’s very hard to put much into such a short story and make you feel anything...well this one didn’t disappoint a bit!
I absolutely loved the queer friend group, every single character was so well elaborated and individual, I could 100% see them right before my eyes.
I loved the flashbacks the most, they gave us an actual background story and made me completely fall in love with Owen and Toma...and of course ship them very hard.
Owen was super funny (and the misdirected messages of course! So much secondhand embarrassment!), Toma was super sweet, I loved them together. Jock x Nerd is one of my favourite tropes anyway.
I felt so sorry for Owen, who was hurting after his accident in the past and also because he was so embarrassed in the present.
It made me so happy how Owen and his nerdy friendgroup stuck together through all of it.
I would have definitely read a whole novel about them!
I need to get my hands on the other books in this series!
amcheri's review
4.0
Bold Strokes has been publishing m/m romances for a good long time now and I've been meaning to read one. I mean, I like romance and men are nice. I picked up two m/m books previously - one BSB and one non-BSB - but couldn't get into either of them. When I saw this one included nerdy gamer boys (tabletop and D&D are two of my very favorite things!!) I knew this one would be the one. And it was.
Owen is an awkward, insecure, and sweet guy who has fallen for his hunky physiotherapist. Then Bittersweets Club, April Fool's Day, and mistaken identity happens. It appears that this is part of a series but I didn't feel like I was missing out anything. The rest of the guys were there but definitely in the periphery. I really liked the novella and had a big smile on my face when I got to the last page.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for helping me to find the perfect m/m romance to start off with.
Owen is an awkward, insecure, and sweet guy who has fallen for his hunky physiotherapist. Then Bittersweets Club, April Fool's Day, and mistaken identity happens. It appears that this is part of a series but I didn't feel like I was missing out anything. The rest of the guys were there but definitely in the periphery. I really liked the novella and had a big smile on my face when I got to the last page.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for helping me to find the perfect m/m romance to start off with.
amphipodgirl's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This series continues to be wholesome and sweet as hell. I loved the geek rep -- board-gaming buddies! -- and a certain twist.
kt42reads's review
5.0
A delightful little book about friendship, flirting, and fantasy. I really loved the warmth of the characters and how much they truly care for one another. Looking forward to more Village stories.
jefener's review
3.0
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review
Despite me giving the book 3 stars I did enjoy the book. Let's not get that twisted. Owen seemed like your every day person so he was very easy to relate to. Plus, I have been in his position before with rehab (minus the hunky physio) so I did appreciate moments of "This is what I went through, this is the process of rehab, this is what I still deal with even after rehab." Because that is a big thing in peoples lives.
Owen's friend group was fun and I loved them all as well.
My main problem is the story had so much potential but it felt was missing quite a bit. Owen's current state after his crash is mentioned at the beginning as something that affects his life quite a bit still, but doesn't really get mentioned much again. I also didn't get a real feel for Toma. In the end the romance was good but I felt like since I didn't get to know Toma as an individual (mainly just from Owen's perspective of him) he didn't feel quite real to me. Cute romance. Would have appreciated more time with Toma and his own thoughts.
Despite me giving the book 3 stars I did enjoy the book. Let's not get that twisted. Owen seemed like your every day person so he was very easy to relate to. Plus, I have been in his position before with rehab (minus the hunky physio) so I did appreciate moments of "This is what I went through, this is the process of rehab, this is what I still deal with even after rehab." Because that is a big thing in peoples lives.
Owen's friend group was fun and I loved them all as well.
My main problem is the story had so much potential but it felt was missing quite a bit. Owen's current state after his crash is mentioned at the beginning as something that affects his life quite a bit still, but doesn't really get mentioned much again. I also didn't get a real feel for Toma. In the end the romance was good but I felt like since I didn't get to know Toma as an individual (mainly just from Owen's perspective of him) he didn't feel quite real to me. Cute romance. Would have appreciated more time with Toma and his own thoughts.
overulikethesun's review
I put this down at 45% of the way through. Not because I don’t like it, because I absolutely adore it. But I’ve gotten into a major reading slump and I don’t know when I’ll be in the mood to pick this back up.
I absolutely adore the friendships Owen has, and I’m so into this romance. It’s all just so adorable and low-key makes me jealous of Owen. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and I’ll definitely be picking up more of their books, especially this series. I’m so glad I picked this book up because even though it’s not the first book in the series it’s like a standalone and I have a feeling that when I pick up the series I’m going to love the characters even more.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc of this book.
I absolutely adore the friendships Owen has, and I’m so into this romance. It’s all just so adorable and low-key makes me jealous of Owen. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and I’ll definitely be picking up more of their books, especially this series. I’m so glad I picked this book up because even though it’s not the first book in the series it’s like a standalone and I have a feeling that when I pick up the series I’m going to love the characters even more.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc of this book.
authorjendesmarais's review
5.0
The only complaint I have with this book is that it ended. I could have read so much more from Owen's POV. He is so relatable.