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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
⭐︎4.5 "Cali Boy" Stars!⭐︎
A very wonderful debut from this author. I can't wait for more from her.
Cali Boy is about Wyatt "Finn" Finnegan, who at the very start of this loses his mother, who he adored, in a car crash he's in as well. He lives, she doesn't, and Oliver Chase, who needed to get out of his small California hometown where he's faced rampant homophobia and bullying ever since he came out to his supposed best friends.
Finn's father, who is a big asshole, had a whirlwind romance online with Oliver's mother, and have gotten married before Finn even knew she existed, and he's told about her and her son who is the same age as him moving into their house the very next day.
It's been 14 months since he lost his mother, and Finn is not the happy-go-lucky boy he once was. He's grumpier, angrier, and grief-stricken. His asshole of a father hasn't helped matters.
But when his father makes him invite his new stepbrother to his Sunday football with his friends, Finn reluctantly goes to do it - but then he meets Oliver for the first time, and his attitude changes.
In this we don't get treating Oliver badly. Oliver is just too kind and sweet and the sunshine to his grump that he becomes protective over him quick.
It is pretty much insta-lust/love between these two, things do happen quickly between them, but they worked so well together and the chemistry was just so good that I didn't mind. Finn was putty in Oliver's hands from that first meeting and Oliver was just so kind and sweet and good that it made sense.
When their parents go on a 2 week honeymoon, they get the house to theirselves and that really allows them to fall for each other.
I guess my only gripe and the reason for giving this .5 stars off is because again, the step-brother thing is introduced in this story, but nothing really comes of it. I mean, they meet and fall in love real quick, so it's not like they had time to settle into being step-brothers, so that whole aspect felt almost like a non-issue.
I guess I just feel like if books are going to include the step-brother aspect, they should include how taboo it's supposed be, and how other people would react like it's this horrible and shocking thing.
Oliver's mother is amazing and just accepts it right away - which IS in line with her character so I wasn't too surprised - but Finn's father accepted it too easily for me. He was a bit bothered, but after a talk with Oliver's mother, he was able to accept it. Not 100%, but he wasn't raging or freaking out or anything either.
All their friends accept it wonderfully as well. Which is great, but also...where's my drama? Haha.
Instead the drama comes from these two characters, Eric and Hazel, who are just straight up bullies, and have no real reason as to why they hate Oliver and are targeting him - and we never learn why. Guess it's just jealousy, which is the obvious answer, that Oliver is so close to Finn. Hazel had a brief thing with Finn, so it makes sense on her end, but Eric was more of a question mark. I wondered if he was deeply closeted and had a thing for Finn and was jealous of Oliver because of that? Who knows - but they are targeting him.
They even, near the end, conspire to and of course they get off fairly easy because their families are rich as fuck. But they do face some consequences, at least.
I felt no sympathy for Eric. Whether he knew exactly what he was doing or not, he knew something would happen to Oliver and it wouldn't nice or fun or good, so even if he didn't mean to, he still wanted to hurt and humiliate Oliver, so fuck him, and Hazel. Good riddance to them both.
So yeah, there wasn't too much angst about the step-brother thing, which I wanted and wish had been included, so that's my reason for .5 stars off.
Buttt, ignoring that aspect, I just loved these two so much and their chemistry was wonderful. The sex scenes were done really well, too and they were frequent enough that I felt satisfied by what we did get.
We got to see these two fall so deeply in love with each other, and I loved reading it.
This was a very well done first novel, and I highly recommend it! This is definitely a strong start for this new author.
I definitely can't wait for more and will keep my eyes peeled for the next Charli Meadows book!
A very wonderful debut from this author. I can't wait for more from her.
Cali Boy is about Wyatt "Finn" Finnegan, who at the very start of this loses his mother, who he adored, in a car crash he's in as well. He lives, she doesn't, and Oliver Chase, who needed to get out of his small California hometown where he's faced rampant homophobia and bullying ever since he came out to his supposed best friends.
Finn's father, who is a big asshole, had a whirlwind romance online with Oliver's mother, and have gotten married before Finn even knew she existed, and he's told about her and her son who is the same age as him moving into their house the very next day.
It's been 14 months since he lost his mother, and Finn is not the happy-go-lucky boy he once was. He's grumpier, angrier, and grief-stricken. His asshole of a father hasn't helped matters.
But when his father makes him invite his new stepbrother to his Sunday football with his friends, Finn reluctantly goes to do it - but then he meets Oliver for the first time, and his attitude changes.
In this we don't get treating Oliver badly. Oliver is just too kind and sweet and the sunshine to his grump that he becomes protective over him quick.
It is pretty much insta-lust/love between these two, things do happen quickly between them, but they worked so well together and the chemistry was just so good that I didn't mind. Finn was putty in Oliver's hands from that first meeting and Oliver was just so kind and sweet and good that it made sense.
When their parents go on a 2 week honeymoon, they get the house to theirselves and that really allows them to fall for each other.
I guess my only gripe and the reason for giving this .5 stars off is because again, the step-brother thing is introduced in this story, but nothing really comes of it. I mean, they meet and fall in love real quick, so it's not like they had time to settle into being step-brothers, so that whole aspect felt almost like a non-issue.
I guess I just feel like if books are going to include the step-brother aspect, they should include how taboo it's supposed be, and how other people would react like it's this horrible and shocking thing.
Oliver's mother is amazing and just accepts it right away - which IS in line with her character so I wasn't too surprised - but Finn's father accepted it too easily for me. He was a bit bothered, but after a talk with Oliver's mother, he was able to accept it. Not 100%, but he wasn't raging or freaking out or anything either.
All their friends accept it wonderfully as well. Which is great, but also...where's my drama? Haha.
Instead the drama comes from these two characters, Eric and Hazel, who are just straight up bullies, and have no real reason as to why they hate Oliver and are targeting him - and we never learn why. Guess it's just jealousy, which is the obvious answer, that Oliver is so close to Finn. Hazel had a brief thing with Finn, so it makes sense on her end, but Eric was more of a question mark. I wondered if he was deeply closeted and had a thing for Finn and was jealous of Oliver because of that? Who knows - but they are targeting him.
They even, near the end, conspire to
Spoiler
basically murder Oliver. Eric is all "i thought it'd be a funny joke that he'd just break out in hives blah blah blahhh" as he put peanut butter on a sandwhich that Oliver eats when he knows that Oliver is allergic to nuts.I felt no sympathy for Eric. Whether he knew exactly what he was doing or not, he knew something would happen to Oliver and it wouldn't nice or fun or good, so even if he didn't mean to
Spoiler
almost commit murder!So yeah, there wasn't too much angst about the step-brother thing, which I wanted and wish had been included, so that's my reason for .5 stars off.
Buttt, ignoring that aspect, I just loved these two so much and their chemistry was wonderful. The sex scenes were done really well, too and they were frequent enough that I felt satisfied by what we did get.
We got to see these two fall so deeply in love with each other, and I loved reading it.
This was a very well done first novel, and I highly recommend it! This is definitely a strong start for this new author.
I definitely can't wait for more and will keep my eyes peeled for the next Charli Meadows book!
*slams this book onto my top books of the year list*
The relationship between Ollie and Finn is beautiful and sexy af and I never wanted the book to end! Not a ton of angst, but enough to provide an interesting background to the relationship.
I swear to God the purity of this story killed me. These young men love with all they have and it shows. Want to renew your faith in humanity- read this book.
(As a side note, I didn't see it mentioned in triggers, but there's an on page death at the beginning.)
The relationship between Ollie and Finn is beautiful and sexy af and I never wanted the book to end! Not a ton of angst, but enough to provide an interesting background to the relationship.
I swear to God the purity of this story killed me. These young men love with all they have and it shows. Want to renew your faith in humanity- read this book.
(As a side note, I didn't see it mentioned in triggers, but there's an on page death at the beginning.)
This book was a great debut novel and I’ll definitely be picking up more from this new author!!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cali Boy
Finn and Ollie
I adored these two. I loved that this was a fast paced romance. Like as soon as Finn realized his feelings, he was all in 100 percent. And sometimes you just need that. I'm excited to read to the rest of the books by this author.
Finn and Ollie
I adored these two. I loved that this was a fast paced romance. Like as soon as Finn realized his feelings, he was all in 100 percent. And sometimes you just need that. I'm excited to read to the rest of the books by this author.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Is it the most realistic story?
Nope!
Is it cute and soft and swishy and funny?
Yep!
This was an enjoyable read in one of my favorite tropes. The devotion, protectiveness, and possessiveness was so endearing.
My only complaint…bro and dude were used entirely too much
Nope!
Is it cute and soft and swishy and funny?
Yep!
This was an enjoyable read in one of my favorite tropes. The devotion, protectiveness, and possessiveness was so endearing.
My only complaint…bro and dude were used entirely too much
Sweet and Spicy!!!!! I can’t believe this was a debut book. It was beautifully written and Finn and Ollie’s story was amazing. Their love was beautiful!!! I fell in love right away. Couldn’t put it down. Charli I can’t wait to see what else you have in you!! This was a beautiful love story in my opinion!!!
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Taboo romances are my guilty pleasure but insta-love, not so much.
I was expecting a little hesitance or pushback from Finn at the beginning at the idea of getting a new stepfamily so soon after his mother's death, especially how he was combative in the beginning. How Finn took to Oliver so quickly didn't seem believable to me, but his protectiveness over his new stepbrother was endearing.
The high school drama wasn't new nor unpredictable: the jilted ex-lover and the jealous asshole who made Oliver's life miserable was indeed horrible but not at all implausible. There are always those who prey on the weak to compensate for their shortcomings.
What is surprising is how Finn's other friends rally around them, including Finn's father who was initially cold and distant to his son, but came around with the influence of his new wife's sunny disposition.
Cali boy is a decent read if you are looking for a predictable romance with low angst and high school shenanigans that wrap up nicely because that's how rich kids roll.
I was expecting a little hesitance or pushback from Finn at the beginning at the idea of getting a new stepfamily so soon after his mother's death, especially how he was combative in the beginning. How Finn took to Oliver so quickly didn't seem believable to me, but his protectiveness over his new stepbrother was endearing.
The high school drama wasn't new nor unpredictable: the jilted ex-lover and the jealous asshole who made Oliver's life miserable was indeed horrible but not at all implausible. There are always those who prey on the weak to compensate for their shortcomings.
What is surprising is how Finn's other friends rally around them, including Finn's father who was initially cold and distant to his son, but came around with the influence of his new wife's sunny disposition.
Cali boy is a decent read if you are looking for a predictable romance with low angst and high school shenanigans that wrap up nicely because that's how rich kids roll.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Outing
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No