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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
If there’s one thing I love it’s M/M stepbrother romances. My favourites are usually full of angst and tension… but this wasn’t that.
Cali Boy is a insta-lust/love story; Finn is automatically protective of Ollie pretty much from the moment they meet. The attraction formed a little too quickly for me, but it works for this book. Given it’s such a short read, I understand why the romance element gained pace so quickly.
I really liked Ollie as a character. He’s sweet, funny and very quirky. His backstory of what happened to him in California really makes you feel for him, especially because he’s so innocent and just an all-round good guy.
Finn… I didn’t like as much. I was hoping for more of a grumpy/sunshine trope, but Finn’s soft side comes out pretty much straight away. We still see the grump, just not as often as I would have liked.
Both characters are 18 and still in high school, and while I think there are a lot of books that work in this setting, there was maybe a little too much high school drama going on. Don’t get me wrong, I understand they’re in HIGH SCHOOL so durr… why wouldn’t there be juvenile drama, but I felt sometimes that the mature, let-me-do-a-really-long-drawn-out-poetic-speech thing didn’t mix with some of the story that unfolded.
The spice was pretty solid though. Would have thought Finn would be dirtier but hey, we can’t always get what we want. I’m a sucker for steamy first times and this one delivered… on multiple occasions.
If you’re a fan of smooshy, snuggly insta-romances, this one is for you. I still smashed it, still enjoyed it, just felt it was a tad overhyped. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Charli brings to her next book, because I think once she finds her rhythm she’s going to be amazing.
Cali Boy is a insta-lust/love story; Finn is automatically protective of Ollie pretty much from the moment they meet. The attraction formed a little too quickly for me, but it works for this book. Given it’s such a short read, I understand why the romance element gained pace so quickly.
I really liked Ollie as a character. He’s sweet, funny and very quirky. His backstory of what happened to him in California really makes you feel for him, especially because he’s so innocent and just an all-round good guy.
Finn… I didn’t like as much. I was hoping for more of a grumpy/sunshine trope, but Finn’s soft side comes out pretty much straight away. We still see the grump, just not as often as I would have liked.
Both characters are 18 and still in high school, and while I think there are a lot of books that work in this setting, there was maybe a little too much high school drama going on. Don’t get me wrong, I understand they’re in HIGH SCHOOL so durr… why wouldn’t there be juvenile drama, but I felt sometimes that the mature, let-me-do-a-really-long-drawn-out-poetic-speech thing didn’t mix with some of the story that unfolded.
The spice was pretty solid though. Would have thought Finn would be dirtier but hey, we can’t always get what we want. I’m a sucker for steamy first times and this one delivered… on multiple occasions.
If you’re a fan of smooshy, snuggly insta-romances, this one is for you. I still smashed it, still enjoyed it, just felt it was a tad overhyped. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Charli brings to her next book, because I think once she finds her rhythm she’s going to be amazing.
3.5 stars
I’m not big on taboo romances, but I figured stepbrothers was okay because they’re not blood related and they can be considered more of childhood friends than brothers. But what bothered me was that the characters simultaneously think of each other romantically and as brothers. I mean if you’re going to think of someone romantically, at least don’t think of them as your brother, even if that’s what they technically are. (“I can’t wait to get home and show my stepbrother all the perverse things running through my mind right now.”) I guess the author was playing up the taboo factor for people who actually enjoy it.
The pacing wasn’t great. The characters are pretty much instantly attracted to each other, don’t try to hide it or deny it, and are hooking up within days of meeting. They don’t seem at all bothered that they are stepbrothers. I would have liked more forbidden pining. That being said, they get together and get committed pretty fast, so we get to spend the majority of the book with the couple actually together, which I loved. I wish there was more secrecy involved, though. Basically no one cares when the secret gets out, and people are more shocked with the gay aspect of it all than the stepbrothers aspect.
There’s a lot of unhealthy behaviors in the name of being “caring” in this book, which I’m not a big fan of. Like being controlling while calling it protectiveness. (“He better be in his room and not on the fucking roof again, or I may not hesitate to bend him over my knee and teach him a lesson.”) Blocking someone from leaving the room when they want to end the conversation. Forcing people to talk about past trauma against their will. Stopping others from flirting with someone you have no claim on with jealous / possessive behavior. Opening and barging into a locked bedroom without permission. Et cetera. That kind of behavior is not romantic, it’s a red flag.
There’s also a scene where one MC gives the other a wake up blowjob (starting while asleep) without any prior discussion, which I would consider dubcon. There is no content warning for this.
Finn’s ex-girlfriend is portrayed as a “slut” (book’s words, not mine), and I didn’t appreciate that level of misogyny. Why does one of the only prevalent female characters in the book have to be portrayed in that manner? Why is she called out for dressing like a “slutty school girl” when she’s just wearing the school’s standard uniform? Why is sleeping around portrayed as a bad thing for female characters and a normal thing for male characters? She’s demonized for everything down to drinking kombucha. I mean, what’s wrong with drinking kombucha? She has no purpose in the book except for playing the one-dimensional, evil, slutty ex-girlfriend. And she’s not the only girl - all the girls in the entire school are treated as bratty rich-girl sluts except for the MCs’ only female friend (who also flaunts her assets but apparently it’s only okay for her to do).
There’s also a lot of toxic masculinity in this book. One of the MCs paints his nails and is constantly shamed for it. There’s a lot of calling each other pussies and girls as insults, and there’s a point where one of the MCs states that he wouldn’t be interested in a spa day because he’s a guy. There’s one scene where a group of guys go to a club with a group of girls and the guys call dibs on the girls like they’re objects to claim.
The ending was a bit too easy. No one cared that the characters were together, the antagonists got punished, and the MCs use their trust fund to quit school and get a penthouse apartment AND a beach house while following their dreams of opening a car museum and being an artist. Like life is that easy.
Overall, this book was okay, but problematic in a lot of ways.
I’m not big on taboo romances, but I figured stepbrothers was okay because they’re not blood related and they can be considered more of childhood friends than brothers. But what bothered me was that the characters simultaneously think of each other romantically and as brothers. I mean if you’re going to think of someone romantically, at least don’t think of them as your brother, even if that’s what they technically are. (“I can’t wait to get home and show my stepbrother all the perverse things running through my mind right now.”) I guess the author was playing up the taboo factor for people who actually enjoy it.
The pacing wasn’t great. The characters are pretty much instantly attracted to each other, don’t try to hide it or deny it, and are hooking up within days of meeting. They don’t seem at all bothered that they are stepbrothers. I would have liked more forbidden pining. That being said, they get together and get committed pretty fast, so we get to spend the majority of the book with the couple actually together, which I loved. I wish there was more secrecy involved, though. Basically no one cares when the secret gets out, and people are more shocked with the gay aspect of it all than the stepbrothers aspect.
There’s a lot of unhealthy behaviors in the name of being “caring” in this book, which I’m not a big fan of. Like being controlling while calling it protectiveness. (“He better be in his room and not on the fucking roof again, or I may not hesitate to bend him over my knee and teach him a lesson.”) Blocking someone from leaving the room when they want to end the conversation. Forcing people to talk about past trauma against their will. Stopping others from flirting with someone you have no claim on with jealous / possessive behavior. Opening and barging into a locked bedroom without permission. Et cetera. That kind of behavior is not romantic, it’s a red flag.
There’s also a scene where one MC gives the other a wake up blowjob (starting while asleep) without any prior discussion, which I would consider dubcon. There is no content warning for this.
Finn’s ex-girlfriend is portrayed as a “slut” (book’s words, not mine), and I didn’t appreciate that level of misogyny. Why does one of the only prevalent female characters in the book have to be portrayed in that manner? Why is she called out for dressing like a “slutty school girl” when she’s just wearing the school’s standard uniform? Why is sleeping around portrayed as a bad thing for female characters and a normal thing for male characters? She’s demonized for everything down to drinking kombucha. I mean, what’s wrong with drinking kombucha? She has no purpose in the book except for playing the one-dimensional, evil, slutty ex-girlfriend. And she’s not the only girl - all the girls in the entire school are treated as bratty rich-girl sluts except for the MCs’ only female friend (who also flaunts her assets but apparently it’s only okay for her to do).
There’s also a lot of toxic masculinity in this book. One of the MCs paints his nails and is constantly shamed for it. There’s a lot of calling each other pussies and girls as insults, and there’s a point where one of the MCs states that he wouldn’t be interested in a spa day because he’s a guy. There’s one scene where a group of guys go to a club with a group of girls and the guys call dibs on the girls like they’re objects to claim.
The ending was a bit too easy. No one cared that the characters were together, the antagonists got punished, and the MCs use their trust fund to quit school and get a penthouse apartment AND a beach house while following their dreams of opening a car museum and being an artist. Like life is that easy.
Overall, this book was okay, but problematic in a lot of ways.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
After reading a lot of really dark books I needed something lighter. Ollie & Finn were perfect from the minute they met you could feel their chemistry. When one of Finns so called friends devised to target Ollie Finn and the rest of their friends had his back and I loved the interactions with Ollie & Bethany.
Bad. Started off kinda strong and then disintegrated as the book went on. After about 50% i started skimming tbh.
This was a super cute and sweet read. Finn was obsessed since day ONE. He was so protective over Ollie since day ONE AGAIN. And so adorably caring and always took care of him since DAY ONE. He could NOT stop his attraction to Ollie since DAY ONE. He was always so thoughtful and attentive towards Ollie. Finn fell head over heels for Ollie and I loved every single second of it. He definitely fell first and harder. He always checked beforehand if the place they were going to eat had peanuts or made sure all of the food Ollie ate had no peanuts because Ollie had an allergy to peanuts. He always took care of him when he was hurt or sick. He created an ENTIRE ART STUDIO for Ollie. And then Ollie was quite literally the sun that brought light into his life after he’d been in the dark for so long. Ollie helped Finn overcome his negative and self-deprecating thoughts. And he helped him create a better relationship with his father. He showed Finn that it’s okay to let people in. And Ollie fit so perfectly into Finn’s friend group and they were so welcoming except for one measly rat. They were each other's person, there’s no doubt about it.
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“I never blush, and I’m never off my game, but Oliver is breaking down my walls without even trying.” (Finn)
“A light blush settles on Oliver’s cheeks, and I’m pissed I wasn’t the one to put it there.” (Finn)
“Oliver is now the sun, and I've been pulled into his orbit, wanting to revolve around him. And it’s completely out of my control. His shine is so bright, and I’m so close, I’m fucking burning.” (Finn)
“I’ve tried to be chill about it. But I want you so fucking bad, I can’t hold back anymore. Tell me you want me too, Ollie?” (Finn)
“What is this boy doing to me? I feel like the Tin Man who finally gets a heart.” (Finn)
“Under the hard, angry exterior is a sweet, kind boy that I just want to wrap my arms around and protect.” (Ollie)
“He’s smiling so wide I think I can see every fucking tooth in his mouth—even his molars. And the dimples. . . fuck. . . the dimples get me every damn time.” (Finn)
“I’ve never wanted to be so close to another person in my life. Being inside his body isn’t enough. I want to be inside his soul.” (Finn)
“I’d take care of him for the rest of my life if he’d let me.” (Finn)
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“I never blush, and I’m never off my game, but Oliver is breaking down my walls without even trying.” (Finn)
“A light blush settles on Oliver’s cheeks, and I’m pissed I wasn’t the one to put it there.” (Finn)
“Oliver is now the sun, and I've been pulled into his orbit, wanting to revolve around him. And it’s completely out of my control. His shine is so bright, and I’m so close, I’m fucking burning.” (Finn)
“I’ve tried to be chill about it. But I want you so fucking bad, I can’t hold back anymore. Tell me you want me too, Ollie?” (Finn)
“What is this boy doing to me? I feel like the Tin Man who finally gets a heart.” (Finn)
“Under the hard, angry exterior is a sweet, kind boy that I just want to wrap my arms around and protect.” (Ollie)
“He’s smiling so wide I think I can see every fucking tooth in his mouth—even his molars. And the dimples. . . fuck. . . the dimples get me every damn time.” (Finn)
“I’ve never wanted to be so close to another person in my life. Being inside his body isn’t enough. I want to be inside his soul.” (Finn)
“I’d take care of him for the rest of my life if he’d let me.” (Finn)
Meh it was just a typical and predictable high school love story with lots of high school drama and family drama and past trauma here and there.
What makes it different is that they're stepbrother I guess that's what the hype is all about.
I feel like I've read a thousand stories like this before just same Ole same Ole.
I liked the character development tho so there's that,
The growth of the characters felt earned .
What makes it different is that they're stepbrother I guess that's what the hype is all about.
I feel like I've read a thousand stories like this before just same Ole same Ole.
I liked the character development tho so there's that,
The growth of the characters felt earned .
I did like this but there’s a lot i didn’t enjoy.
The way they became obsessed with each other on day one was too insta love for me, i did like them together tho.
Finn is described as a “bad boy” but he’s really really not. I cannot name a single “bad” thing he did.
I’m also pissed Finn dad got a happy ending like he is the least deserving.
The way they became obsessed with each other on day one was too insta love for me, i did like them together tho.
Finn is described as a “bad boy” but he’s really really not. I cannot name a single “bad” thing he did.
I’m also pissed Finn dad got a happy ending like he is the least deserving.
⭐︎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!
Was this objectively good? Debatable. Did I enjoy it? Yes. It’s a candy book. A guilty pleasure.