rollinsad's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*Thanks to @netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
The Gay Best Friend was the summer read that I needed to wind down #PrideMonth 2023. I had seen a few reviews of it before reading but wasn’t sure if I would like it. Spoiler alert - I loved it.
In this novel, Domenic has just come to the end of his own relationship with his fiancé Ted, while trying to help plan his best friend, Patrick’s wedding to his other best friend, Kate. While he is working through his own relationship drama, he has to throw a bachelor party for Patrick and attend a bachelorette party for Kate a few weeks apart. Kate, though, has her own past issues with trust and asks Domenic to report back to her on the happenings at the Bachelor Party. In such an awkward position, Domenic is torn between his two best friends and who he should protect (more). Throw into the mix the handsome - assumedly straight - pro golfer that is Patrick’s other best friend, and things get messy. Domenic must learn to navigate toxic communication styles, drama, and trust issues to make it through to the wedding. Is Bucky actually straight? Is Patrick? What does this mean as Domenic works through his own relationship woes?
I really appreciated the clarity of writing in this book and the exploration of messy queer issues. This one explores friendship and trust in all of the myriad ways it shows up in real life. This was not an overly romanticized rom-com, but it did carry the tropes that most people look for in a queer romance/rom-com kind of book. It was just more authentic. If you enjoyed Just by looking at Him, you’d probably enjoy this one too. This is an easy, breezy summer read.
4 Stars!
Content Warnings: violence, homophobia
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
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