sophiereadsstories's review
5.0
I LOVE a good redemption story, and Hank's must be one of my absolute favourites!
We meet Hank in [b:Laying Pipe|54862957|Laying Pipe (Blue Collar Hearts, #1)|Kiki Clark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596987487l/54862957._SY75_.jpg|85603290] as Lukas' (very brief) bit of an asshole ex-boyfriend. I read quite a few reviews that talked about what a piece of work Hank was in Laying Pipe, but honestly, I thought that, while he was insensitive with Lukas when the former had a real emergency, Lukas never gave Hank any kind of real explanation why he broke things off so suddenly and completely. Hank coming to Lukas' job to try and talk to him did not seem stalkerish to me at all, but rather as someone who wanted to know what was going on.
So, I was definitely prepared to like Hank and his redemption.
The character I actually struggled to like, and that had more of a redemption arc to me, was Kevin. Kevin was an absolute asshole to Hank when Lukas told him how things ended between them, which is understandable as he's Lukas' best friend. But once Lukas and Hank sorted out their past and moved forward, and they all became friends, Kevin held on to that grudge like it was a prized family heirloom.
Hank really and truly tries to show Kevin that he's actually a very decent guy and that he's learned from his past mistakes and grown as a person, but it is incredibly difficult for Kevin to believe him. Even when it's quite clear that there is an obvious and very strong attraction between them.
Luckily, Kiki Clark does such a great job of explaining why Kevin is the way that he is and how past experiences have shaped his worldview and his view of Hank. What I loved was how Hank realized this as well and set out in his quiet but pushy and kind way to show Kevin that not only was he interested in Kevin, he was here to stay.
Hank has to be one of my favourite characters for 2023, for the way in which he learned from his mistakes, for the wonderful way that he very kindly and gently loves Kevin in ways that show he sees Kevin for who and what he really is, and for the stability and home that he is able to give Kevin.
The dates this man takes Kevin on! Oh, and the flowers! It was absolutely swoon-worthy.
Bangers was a fantastic book to read, and I cannot wait to see what's next in this series.
We meet Hank in [b:Laying Pipe|54862957|Laying Pipe (Blue Collar Hearts, #1)|Kiki Clark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596987487l/54862957._SY75_.jpg|85603290] as Lukas' (very brief) bit of an asshole ex-boyfriend. I read quite a few reviews that talked about what a piece of work Hank was in Laying Pipe, but honestly, I thought that, while he was insensitive with Lukas when the former had a real emergency, Lukas never gave Hank any kind of real explanation why he broke things off so suddenly and completely. Hank coming to Lukas' job to try and talk to him did not seem stalkerish to me at all, but rather as someone who wanted to know what was going on.
So, I was definitely prepared to like Hank and his redemption.
The character I actually struggled to like, and that had more of a redemption arc to me, was Kevin. Kevin was an absolute asshole to Hank when Lukas told him how things ended between them, which is understandable as he's Lukas' best friend. But once Lukas and Hank sorted out their past and moved forward, and they all became friends, Kevin held on to that grudge like it was a prized family heirloom.
Hank really and truly tries to show Kevin that he's actually a very decent guy and that he's learned from his past mistakes and grown as a person, but it is incredibly difficult for Kevin to believe him. Even when it's quite clear that there is an obvious and very strong attraction between them.
Luckily, Kiki Clark does such a great job of explaining why Kevin is the way that he is and how past experiences have shaped his worldview and his view of Hank. What I loved was how Hank realized this as well and set out in his quiet but pushy and kind way to show Kevin that not only was he interested in Kevin, he was here to stay.
Hank has to be one of my favourite characters for 2023, for the way in which he learned from his mistakes, for the wonderful way that he very kindly and gently loves Kevin in ways that show he sees Kevin for who and what he really is, and for the stability and home that he is able to give Kevin.
The dates this man takes Kevin on! Oh, and the flowers! It was absolutely swoon-worthy.
Bangers was a fantastic book to read, and I cannot wait to see what's next in this series.
whatselizabethreading's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
As the adult child of an alcoholic, there were some rough moments with this book for me, even as I enjoyed reading Kevin and Hank's love story. The explanation of Hank's reluctance to show his prior bf (Kevin's best friend) that he didn't know how to do something, rather than figure it out himself, certainly rang true of boneheaded male behavior, and Kevin's shitty roommate situation leading to their moving in together certainly helped progress the plot. If you think you might enjoy reading about a blue collar gentleman learning how to court the skittish friend of his ex, this is the book for you.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am posting my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am posting my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
punkrockromance's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jessie_h's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I didn't know what to expect from Kevin and Hank's book but I love them, y'all! I need more pages of them being together.
abcdefgerda's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another lighthearted and fun read but this one actually touched my feels and gave me (the good kind of) pain. Kevin's love of reading and Hank's indulgence is such a dream. I'm simultaneously soso happy but also.. jealous?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Alcoholism
erica_g's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
sglance9's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
ashleystory's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
shawnthulu's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one was cute. If I have a complaint I would say that it was honestly too short. These two have a good dynamic and I wish it would have been explored a little further. It was cute though. Hank being so enamored with Kevin was just so great.
enayqueerbooklover's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
I do enjoy a good redemption story, and this one features Hank, the ass-ish, kinda desperate ex-boyfriend of Lukas from the first book in the series, “Laying Pipe”. Interestingly, Hank is pretty loveable, and kind from the outset, but it’s the other main protagonist Kevin who’s harder to like. He’s Lukas’ best friend & unwilling to forgive Hank, even though Lukas has. So when Hank expresses interest in Kevin, despite Kevin having been low-level attracted to him for a while, Kevin is super snarky & nasty to Hank.
Despite this rough start, we get to see that Kevin’s earlier family life has left some hidden trauma, and has contributed to his current life being a bit dismal, so once we understand him better we understand his spikiness towards Hank. And once Hank sets his sites on his and is determined to earn his trust, we see the best of both of them. In different ways, both Hank and Kevin really want to be caretakers in a relationship - Hank wants to give Kevin stability, and Kevin wants to be a homemaker. It’s nice to see this role normalised here - no one should be EXPECTED to do this, but many men & women enjoy it. The character arcs for both Kevin and Hank, from the previous book to this one, are just lovely, especially to see two lonely guys get their HEA.
And have I mentioned the steam? No I haven’t… and let me tell you… Kiki knows how to write absolutely gut-clenchingly S3XY times!! With the significant size difference in body type AND relevant appendages 😉, Hank’s gold class rimming skills & dirty talk, and their shared breeding kink….. JEEEEEEZUS. Cold shower coming up…
Hoping there’s more books in this series, because I like this group of friends & average, hardworking guys finding love.
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Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism