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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
We start off the book when Tyler and Garrett meet as new stepbrothers at 12. I like that we got a close glimpse of them as young boys. Then we jump to 19. Tyler is all confused awkward innocence still. Garrett is of course more confident and overprotective. It was interesting to watch them fumble in the beginning. Completely understandable given their age and stepbrother status. We get a lot of steamy young exploring with these two and of course Tyler's first time. I really appreciated the support and acceptance from their friends. Kept the book a spicier and fluffier read for those enjoy coming of age romances.
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tyler and Garrett are 10 years old when they’re thrust together without warning. Tyler’s dad and Garrett’s mom went to a work conference and came home married. Tyler is not happy when this woman and her son show up at his house, hiding in his room, crying. Garrett comes to him and talks to him, makes him feel better and that begins a beautiful friendship between the two boys. They share a room, often a bed and are attached at the hip.
9 years later, Tyler dates girls, one of whom is his (supposed) best girl friend, but they never consummate their relationship. He just couldn’t… rise to the challenge and make it happen. He feels things for his stepbrother, who is his best friend, the other half of his heart and the main source of his confusion about what’s happening in his mind. He’s not sure what those feelings are until he walks in on Garrett being orally pleasured by his friend. He can’t look away and feels betrayed, but doesn’t really get why. He also feels hurt, because Garrett had kept this side of himself a secret when they share everything with one another.
Garrett didn’t want to keep his sexuality a secret from Tyler, but he worried that it would change their close relationship – especially since he pictures Tyler when he’s with the guys he’s been with. When Tyler catches him in the shower, he knows that this will change their relationship, he just doesn’t know how and if it will be a good change or a devastating change.
When Tyler tries to convince Garrett to fool around with him to satisfy his curiosity about the feelings he has, Garrett refuses at first. They’re stepbrothers and, more importantly, the person he knows is the other half of his soul. He doesn’t want to be an experiment and risk losing what they have, but can he really say no and risk not having the chance to fulfill his years-long dream of having Tyler want him the same way he wants Tyler?
When their budding romance is outed without their permission by people they thought were their friends, is their new relationship strong enough to withstand the crap-storm it unleashes or will Tyler consider himself curious no more and stop accepting the feelings he realizes that he’s always had for Garrett?
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
[b:Strictly Curious|60908785|Strictly Curious|Joelle Lynne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663981094l/60908785._SY75_.jpg|96071056]
[a:Joelle Lynne|21848879|Joelle Lynne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1633101290p2/21848879.jpg]
9 years later, Tyler dates girls, one of whom is his (supposed) best girl friend, but they never consummate their relationship. He just couldn’t… rise to the challenge and make it happen. He feels things for his stepbrother, who is his best friend, the other half of his heart and the main source of his confusion about what’s happening in his mind. He’s not sure what those feelings are until he walks in on Garrett being orally pleasured by his friend. He can’t look away and feels betrayed, but doesn’t really get why. He also feels hurt, because Garrett had kept this side of himself a secret when they share everything with one another.
Garrett didn’t want to keep his sexuality a secret from Tyler, but he worried that it would change their close relationship – especially since he pictures Tyler when he’s with the guys he’s been with. When Tyler catches him in the shower, he knows that this will change their relationship, he just doesn’t know how and if it will be a good change or a devastating change.
When Tyler tries to convince Garrett to fool around with him to satisfy his curiosity about the feelings he has, Garrett refuses at first. They’re stepbrothers and, more importantly, the person he knows is the other half of his soul. He doesn’t want to be an experiment and risk losing what they have, but can he really say no and risk not having the chance to fulfill his years-long dream of having Tyler want him the same way he wants Tyler?
When their budding romance is outed without their permission by people they thought were their friends, is their new relationship strong enough to withstand the crap-storm it unleashes or will Tyler consider himself curious no more and stop accepting the feelings he realizes that he’s always had for Garrett?
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
[b:Strictly Curious|60908785|Strictly Curious|Joelle Lynne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663981094l/60908785._SY75_.jpg|96071056]
[a:Joelle Lynne|21848879|Joelle Lynne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1633101290p2/21848879.jpg]
Rating: 3.5 stars
I actually took a break in the middle of this book to read another book with extremely similar vibes, except the other book (You're My Home by Katie Moore) was so explosively amazing, coming back to this one suffered a bit by comparison. I got really confused by Tyler and Toby's names being so similar. There's also a lot of unnecessary drama that sort of rang hollow. And the way Tyler relentlessly went after Garrett all of a sudden was kind of gross to me? Like he pushed a creepy amount of hard sometimes.
Still, there are a lot of cute moments, like the happens in every single school romance anime moment of one of them twisting their ankle while on a camping trip and needing to be carried, or the very sweet shaving scene.
This book is... fine. It's not horrible, but it doesn't make me want to go shouting from the rooftops and throwing it at my bestie's face demanding she read it (which is obviously the hallmark of an excellent book). Check it out if you're into stepbrother romances that are pretty low angst and full of self exploration.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
I actually took a break in the middle of this book to read another book with extremely similar vibes, except the other book (You're My Home by Katie Moore) was so explosively amazing, coming back to this one suffered a bit by comparison. I got really confused by Tyler and Toby's names being so similar. There's also a lot of unnecessary drama that sort of rang hollow. And the way Tyler relentlessly went after Garrett all of a sudden was kind of gross to me? Like he pushed a creepy amount of hard sometimes.
Still, there are a lot of cute moments, like the happens in every single school romance anime moment of one of them twisting their ankle while on a camping trip and needing to be carried, or the very sweet shaving scene.
This book is... fine. It's not horrible, but it doesn't make me want to go shouting from the rooftops and throwing it at my bestie's face demanding she read it (which is obviously the hallmark of an excellent book). Check it out if you're into stepbrother romances that are pretty low angst and full of self exploration.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
solid smut, but holy cow, too many people are way too chill with it right away, which i thought was a little strange.
A fun little taboo romp. Normally I would put step-siblings into the “forbidden” category, but the parents married when the boys were young, so “taboo” feels a little more appropriate.
Plus the boys refer to each other as brothers throughout and the author leans hard into the potential societal repercussions.
It’s not Nyla K, but it was still a fun read. I’d definitely be happy reading more by this author.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Overall enjoyable mm romance