caseytogo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content and Outing
soobooksalot'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? Yes
4.0
Everyone needs a GBF. But what expectations does that put on the GBF himself?
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada/Sourcebooks and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
The Gay Best Friend by Nicolas Didomizio is a fast-paced, humorous read.
Dominic is best friends with Patrick and Kate, and is best man for their upcoming wedding. Thus, he is participating in both of the time-honoured traditions of the Bachelor and Bachelorette weekends. (In Mystic, no less! Yes, I'm a Mystic Pizza fan from way back.)
Dom's own engagement was recently called off, and at the guys event he is reacquainted with friend-of-a-friend, pro golf star Bucky Graham.
Seems Bucky's straight man persona is for show, and sparks between he and Dom become apparent.
Add in the inevitable drama among friends, spouses and partners, the heartache of self-acceptance and you have a bittersweet, slightly spicy and fun tale. It's perfect for June Pride reading, summer, and anytime. Recommended!
Released on June 6.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada/Sourcebooks and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
The Gay Best Friend by Nicolas Didomizio is a fast-paced, humorous read.
Dominic is best friends with Patrick and Kate, and is best man for their upcoming wedding. Thus, he is participating in both of the time-honoured traditions of the Bachelor and Bachelorette weekends. (In Mystic, no less! Yes, I'm a Mystic Pizza fan from way back.)
Dom's own engagement was recently called off, and at the guys event he is reacquainted with friend-of-a-friend, pro golf star Bucky Graham.
Seems Bucky's straight man persona is for show, and sparks between he and Dom become apparent.
Add in the inevitable drama among friends, spouses and partners, the heartache of self-acceptance and you have a bittersweet, slightly spicy and fun tale. It's perfect for June Pride reading, summer, and anytime. Recommended!
Released on June 6.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Outing, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Homophobia
fanboyriot's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
Read For:
Rom-Com
Happy Ending
Secret Relationship
Adult Contemporary
Best Friends Wedding
This book was super cute. I read a review where someone said it was like “Emily Henry but gay” and I totally agree. It gave the best rom-com vibes, good humor, and realistic friendships. The narrator also did such a good job bringing this to life. It’s a great and lighthearted, drama filled, summer read. I read right through this (technically listened to it but still) it was wonderful.
The main character’s commentary and internal dialogue was everything. I loved the friendships and how they worked out in the end, the self-discovery the main character went through was written so well. Dom started as a people pleaser and through the months of trying to be there for both sides of two of his closest friends wedding he figured out it wasn’t possible.
Rom-Com
Happy Ending
Secret Relationship
Adult Contemporary
Best Friends Wedding
This book was super cute. I read a review where someone said it was like “Emily Henry but gay” and I totally agree. It gave the best rom-com vibes, good humor, and realistic friendships. The narrator also did such a good job bringing this to life. It’s a great and lighthearted, drama filled, summer read. I read right through this (technically listened to it but still) it was wonderful.
The main character’s commentary and internal dialogue was everything. I loved the friendships and how they worked out in the end, the self-discovery the main character went through was written so well. Dom started as a people pleaser and through the months of trying to be there for both sides of two of his closest friends wedding he figured out it wasn’t possible.
I was a little hesitant to like Bucky but in the end I loved seeing him accept himself even if part of it wasn’t totally his choice; he dealt with it so well in the end. His quotes were an iconic part of his southern charm, but my favorite was probably:
“You can put your boots on in the oven but that doesn’t make them biscuits.”
And Kitty (hopefully I’m spelling that correctly) was one of my favorite side characters; she is an icon. Her friendship with Dom was hilarious. Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
(First Person POV)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (mentioned, nothing too explicit)
Rep: Gay
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Homophobia
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
mad1moody's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
The Gay Best Friend by Nicolas DiDomizio
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
“Son, worryin’ only gives small things big shadows.”
Woah - I picked up this ARC on NetGalley mainly because the cover was just too pretty not to request but it was truly impossible to put down.
Between the lighthearted comedy and steamy romance, there was so much scandal and truly meaningful lessons. I’m so glad the author included some book club questions at the end of the book so I could truly think through everything I read. It was nice to read from a perspective different to my own, and I feel like I learnt a lot about queer men and the damaging stereotypes and hardships they get put through.
I loved being able to read the scenarios Domenic was put through and have him overcome so many of them, especially learning to prioritise himself while still having respect for what the people around him are going through.
This book was overall incredible and I loved it so much. I think if you like Casey McQuistons queer romances but with a bit of an older demographic then The Gay Best Friend is for you!
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Homophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
More...