tobyryan's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chelseasofia's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
chambersaurusrx'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
isalaur's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
This is a sweet, low angst book where childhood best friends who were inseparable find their way back to each other in a new way.
Roo is epileptic and had seizures constantly throughout his childhood. Tanner, who suffers from dyslexia and the belief he is dumb, is his best friend who has constantly looked out for him. Roo last at 18 to go back to Australia with his parents to get the medical treatment he needed. Now he is back in Oregon five years later.
The story is very sweet. Roo has always been in love with Tanner and he knows he has to tell him and let the chips fall where they may because he can’t get over him which means he’ll never be able to move on. Tanner believes he is straight but he knows he can’t lose Roo again. The story of their struggles and their making their way to each other (in a way everyone around them already believed was true) is so sweet and hopeful.
I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope so there were points in the book where I was just yelling at the pages “just freaking talk to each other already!” but it’s a romance staple so I soldiered on. The hurt/comfort storylines were actually my favorite parts because of the depths of love and devotion they demonstrated.
The secondary characters play important roles which I always enjoy. There are lots of non-American English speaker vibes which get distracting as Tanner isn’t the Australian. There are a couple of elements that got thrown out but never fully addressed so I’m assuming we’ll see them again in future books. One intriguing one comes up at the end of the book and I’m quite curious.
An enjoyable one sitting read.
Roo is epileptic and had seizures constantly throughout his childhood. Tanner, who suffers from dyslexia and the belief he is dumb, is his best friend who has constantly looked out for him. Roo last at 18 to go back to Australia with his parents to get the medical treatment he needed. Now he is back in Oregon five years later.
The story is very sweet. Roo has always been in love with Tanner and he knows he has to tell him and let the chips fall where they may because he can’t get over him which means he’ll never be able to move on. Tanner believes he is straight but he knows he can’t lose Roo again. The story of their struggles and their making their way to each other (in a way everyone around them already believed was true) is so sweet and hopeful.
I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope so there were points in the book where I was just yelling at the pages “just freaking talk to each other already!” but it’s a romance staple so I soldiered on. The hurt/comfort storylines were actually my favorite parts because of the depths of love and devotion they demonstrated.
The secondary characters play important roles which I always enjoy. There are lots of non-American English speaker vibes which get distracting as Tanner isn’t the Australian. There are a couple of elements that got thrown out but never fully addressed so I’m assuming we’ll see them again in future books. One intriguing one comes up at the end of the book and I’m quite curious.
An enjoyable one sitting read.
rustypumpkin's review
5.0
I really like Saxon James and I decided to give this one a chance despite the terrible names which honestly I had to just ignore with my iron will. This was wonderful though and it cemented something I was lying to myself about: I do love friends to lovers! I thought it was a trope for boring people and cowards but It's time for me to be honest with who I am (like Tanner). While I'm here, Tanner is quite possibly the unicorn of all book boyfriends, I can't believe how wonderful he is in all ways, it was distracting. I'm glad Royce didn't have to suffer from that "platonic" insanity for too long. I was in an awful reading slump and this was delightful, the stakes COULD NOT have been lower. Just two nerds in love and all their friends and family know before they do but not in a condescending way.
bharmonyauthor's review
5.0
Where do I even start with the book that sent my heart into a steady pitter-patter from the first word until the last? I absolutely loved Roo and Tanner... LOVED them.
This is the perfect friends-to-lover story with GFY/bi awakening themes. This book handled the two MCs friendship with such emotion that I literally felt like my heart was beating out of my chest for them. I audible squealed when Tanner hit his realization. My gawd, that man is just too adorable for words.
And Roo, this man, stubborn, sarcastic, and a walking Fort Knox to protect himself. I just wanted to hold him in the same way Tanner 'needed' to.
This one has it all, and a well deserved five-stars. It's sweet with just enough steam for me. And based on foreshadowing I just know that I am excited for book 2 in this series.
This is the perfect friends-to-lover story with GFY/bi awakening themes. This book handled the two MCs friendship with such emotion that I literally felt like my heart was beating out of my chest for them. I audible squealed when Tanner hit his realization. My gawd, that man is just too adorable for words.
And Roo, this man, stubborn, sarcastic, and a walking Fort Knox to protect himself. I just wanted to hold him in the same way Tanner 'needed' to.
This one has it all, and a well deserved five-stars. It's sweet with just enough steam for me. And based on foreshadowing I just know that I am excited for book 2 in this series.
llpantz's review
4.0
Adorbs
This book is freaking adorable!!! I loved Roo and Tanner together. I can't wait for Circus and Rowan's story too.
This book is freaking adorable!!! I loved Roo and Tanner together. I can't wait for Circus and Rowan's story too.
loulou87's review
3.0
It was cute.
I wanted to see more of them after they both pulled their heads out of their asses.
The noncommunication got a bit tedious as well.
Kirt handled this better than Alexander in terms of narration. Alexanders timing was a bit off.
I wanted to see more of them after they both pulled their heads out of their asses.
The noncommunication got a bit tedious as well.
Kirt handled this better than Alexander in terms of narration. Alexanders timing was a bit off.
coffeeandthebibliophile's review
5.0
Genre/Tropes: MM, Friends-to-Lovers, Bi-Awakening
POV: 1st, Dual
Series: Never Just Friends, Book 1
STEAM LEVEL: