A review by reading_rainy
The Secrets in My Scowl by A.E. Via

3.0

Let’s start with the good. Tor Thom did a great job at narrating the multiple characters in the story.

The two main characters don’t meet until around the 30% mark. It gives plenty of time to get to understand these heroes and their personalities before they become a couple. Please be aware that one of the main characters is in another relationship beginning of the story.

The main relationship here was written very well, and I liked these two men. Polar opposites, a wedding planner and a divorce attorney. What made the story uncomfortable was Jacob’s previous partners continue to be a part of his current life. For over five years he basically has a friends with benefits buddy. Whenever Jacob calls or texts him, they hook up.

Jacob’s reasoning for becoming closed off and heart-hardened against any kind of loving relationship feels slightly contrived. His mother left when he was a boy. He has a couple shitty relationships that ends in heartache.

Wylde is a carefree, fun to be around kind a guy that you’d expect to find in a wedding planner. He is used to drama in his profession, so when he meets Jacob, and Jacob is a complete ass, Wylde isn’t bothered by him at all. There is an instant attraction between the two of them, that slowly becomes more.

What really made the story crash and burn was the ending.

Huge spoilers below:

Are you really telling me the entire reason Jacob’s mother left him is a young boy and her loving husband is because she had cancer? She didn’t want them to watch her suffer? So instead she left them both heartbroken to the point or Jacob’s father never recovered, and became a raging alcoholic, and a terrible father? What an incredibly selfish mother and wife!!!

The cherry on top is the fact that Jacob’s man from the beginning of the story, has become a somewhat famous songwriter, and writes a song for Jacob and Wylde’s wedding. Jacob also defends his ex (who cheated on him and then married the dirtbag) during his divorce. BUT WAIT…Jacob’s best man standing right next to him when he is getting married just happens to be his friends with benefits call-me-when-you-want-to-fuck buddy. Most. Romantic. Wedding. Ever.