Reviews

Cali Boy by Charli Meadows

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ceciliasrose's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-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

3.0

I could’ve told you exactly what would happen in this after the first 20 pages of the book but whatever. They were sweet to each other and never broke up so I was content with it.

mackenzie32's review against another edition

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emotional 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

3.75

j_readsbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

Oliver and Finn were just absolutely the cutest. Grumpy/sunshine, step brothers, high school, forbidden romance.
Both Ollie and Finn are dealing with their own past traumas. Both trying to or wanting to escape their lives in hopes of something better. But meeting each other and falling for each other isn’t something either of them expected. Finn is instantly drawn to Ollie, his sunshine, his painted nails, the way he eats his food. He’s super protective and it’s just cute as f*ck. Ollie feels safe for the first time with Finn.
I loved the story as much as I love Finn and Ollie. The only thing I wish there was a little bit of an explanation about why Eric hated Ollie.

ashreadsalott's review against another edition

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5.0

This is insta-love meets step brothers meets slowish burn and trauma.

It was honestly lighter than I was expecting given the pasts of the MC's. It isn't light at all, just lighter. I think I expected it to hit harder.

Finn and Oliver are the perfect duo. The big brooding protector and the kind, sunshiny, golden retriever. I live for this trope so i'm not shocked that I loved this.

It's just young love and young drama. I don't usually read high school romances for obvious reasons but this was so sweet. A bit naive but sweet.

j_readsbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

monicaholm's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lauralou_reads_'s review against another edition

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5.0

Cali Boy by Charli Meadows is the first book in the Loyal Boys Series. This is a MM stepbrother romance story about Finn and Oliver. I am a big fan of stepbrother romances and was pleasantly surprised this wasn't the typical enemies to lovers stepbrother story. I wasn't expecting them to both fall hard and fast for each other, but I absolutely loved it. I totally swooned seeing the grumpy Finn being so protective and possessive of his sunshine Ollie. I loved how they could count on each other for support and comfort with everything they were going through. Finn and Oliver had such amazing chemistry and the steamy scenes were hot. These two were so sweet together and definitely deserved their HEA. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!