seriously_booked's review
5.0
We know her for those feisty Brown sisters, but did you know Talia Hibbert wrote a gem of a MM romance too?! I had NO idea, but since I’ve loved her other books I just knew I had to dive into this one once I found it.
Work For It is a beautiful exploration of depression, anxiety and vulnerability. As someone with similar mental health struggles, I was so impressed with how raw and honest Olu’s struggles were and how delicately Griffin was with him. Sure it was angsty, but yet also somehow lighthearted.
Now I’m a sucker for a good grump/sunshine trope … but TWO grumps getting together?! An untapped trope I want more of, please! Griffin was definitely a soft heart under that grump, but Olu’s sass and spark were endearing as hell. They were SO wary at first: slow to trust, slow to open up, but it grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. All. The. Feels.
Work For It is a beautiful exploration of depression, anxiety and vulnerability. As someone with similar mental health struggles, I was so impressed with how raw and honest Olu’s struggles were and how delicately Griffin was with him. Sure it was angsty, but yet also somehow lighthearted.
Now I’m a sucker for a good grump/sunshine trope … but TWO grumps getting together?! An untapped trope I want more of, please! Griffin was definitely a soft heart under that grump, but Olu’s sass and spark were endearing as hell. They were SO wary at first: slow to trust, slow to open up, but it grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. All. The. Feels.
alatenightreader's review against another edition
3.25
I struggled to see what attracted the couple to each other apart from good looks in the beginning. But once I accepted it, I enjoyed the two of them figuring out to be less broken together.
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I’m biased because I am a Talia Hibbert stan til the day I leave earth!!!!
Look, it’s ~*~Talia Hibbert~*~ so expect tenderness, prickly characters, and lots of individual as well as relationship growth🫶🏽
You’ll find:
-M/M with grumpy x grumpy dynamic
(&they become such softies for each other😭)
-Age gap (~10 years)
-Small village/town
-Therapy & mental health rep (depression)
-Addiction, loss, & grief discussed
-Two humans who deserve love regardless of their “baggage” 🥰
I listened to the audiobook on Everand — both narrators (dual first-person, present-tense POV) were fantastic!
I had a wonderful time & will read anything TH writes!
steam rating: 4/5 — they’re so horny lmao🤭 I love them your honor !!!!
see content warnings below
I’m biased because I am a Talia Hibbert stan til the day I leave earth!!!!
Look, it’s ~*~Talia Hibbert~*~ so expect tenderness, prickly characters, and lots of individual as well as relationship growth🫶🏽
You’ll find:
-M/M with grumpy x grumpy dynamic
(&they become such softies for each other😭)
-Age gap (~10 years)
-Small village/town
-Therapy & mental health rep (depression)
-Addiction, loss, & grief discussed
-Two humans who deserve love regardless of their “baggage” 🥰
I listened to the audiobook on Everand — both narrators (dual first-person, present-tense POV) were fantastic!
I had a wonderful time & will read anything TH writes!
steam rating: 4/5 — they’re so horny lmao🤭 I love them your honor !!!!
see content warnings below
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Addiction, Mental illness, Drug use, and Sexual content
daffodill37's review against another edition
3.0
(Audio)
Ok so I didn't hate this book so therefore I didn't give it a terribly low rating but I do have some issues with the story.
The opening scene is weird. He's describing himself as an alien and I really didn't understand that choice for our author.
I'm pretty sure Olu is black (?) But the descriptions of both characters in this book were really hard to follow and it got confusing and distracting.
There's a day that they spend together and are getting to know each other, early in their relationship. We don't really get to see much of them getting to know each other, their conversation and flirting and such. This is a good opportunity for our author and a huge disappointment for me as the reader.
The day they're playing Pooh Sticks I felt like they were little boys, not grown men.
Overall, I had a hard time believing the story, the falling in love. It all came too quickly and the pet names were awkward.
Also, I started the audio before I saw all the reviews. Olu's narration wasn't great.
Overall, I probably wouldn't pick this one up again.
Ok so I didn't hate this book so therefore I didn't give it a terribly low rating but I do have some issues with the story.
The opening scene is weird. He's describing himself as an alien and I really didn't understand that choice for our author.
I'm pretty sure Olu is black (?) But the descriptions of both characters in this book were really hard to follow and it got confusing and distracting.
There's a day that they spend together and are getting to know each other, early in their relationship. We don't really get to see much of them getting to know each other, their conversation and flirting and such. This is a good opportunity for our author and a huge disappointment for me as the reader.
The day they're playing Pooh Sticks I felt like they were little boys, not grown men.
Overall, I had a hard time believing the story, the falling in love. It all came too quickly and the pet names were awkward.
Also, I started the audio before I saw all the reviews. Olu's narration wasn't great.
Overall, I probably wouldn't pick this one up again.
swampgoddess's review
5.0
I am hooked on Talia Hibbert. This story was especially beautiful. The depth of the characters in this books - as with all Hibbert's work - is fantastic. The narrators of the audiobook were also exceptional.
readingwithhippos's review
5.0
I cannot resist a small-town romance, especially if that small town is British and full of charming people like the one in Work For It. Griff is the strong, silent type who works on a farm and shuts people out because he isn’t terribly good at socializing. Olu is a city boy with baggage with a capital B who has escaped to the country to try to get his mental health back on track. They’re intrigued by each other, but they both have a lot to overcome before they’ll be able to admit their feelings. If I had to pick a favorite romance writer, Talia Hibbert is it. Her books never fail to lift my spirits and make me feel better about the world.
thelostvoid's review against another edition
4.5
I had pretty high hopes and my god were they fucking achieved Talia Hibbert you continue to be amazing. I figured since she writes simply incredible men that her m/m romance would have some brilliant main characters and I was riiight, she continues to astound with both her leads and their friends and family.
I don't have a lot of words other than this is great and I loved it, even teared up a bit at the end.
I don't have a lot of words other than this is great and I loved it, even teared up a bit at the end.
lunashie23's review
5.0
I love this story very much. After I finished reading the "Just for him" series, I was left wanting more. Keynes was such an interesting character, and his semi introduction on the other books was cool. So when it popped on my recommendation to read next, I was a bit apprehensive. See, I don't usually enjoy reading book in first person, so I was thinking I was going to hate it. I love Olu so much, so I decided to give it a try.
It was hot, it was emotional, and I cried so much. I am still tearing a bit as the emotion this book brought me. I really happy for Olu's story, even if I am like years behind it.
Thank you, and can't wait for more stuff.
It was hot, it was emotional, and I cried so much. I am still tearing a bit as the emotion this book brought me. I really happy for Olu's story, even if I am like years behind it.
Thank you, and can't wait for more stuff.
unfocusedcuriosity's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0