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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Roommate Arrangement: ★ ★ ★ ★ . 5
Saxon James
“You’re the one who was always meant for me.”
When a newly divorced Payne moves back into his small town, he needs a place to stay. So when his brother’s friend—Beau—offers up the spare bedroom, he doesn’t say no. Little does he know, however, that Beau has had a crush on him for about 20 years, so this is going to be a little bit more tricky than he thought.
Tropes:
— Brother’s friend
— Forced proximity
— Childhood crush
This is really cute! And I absolutely love the beginning of this series so far. Beau is a scatterbrained workaholic, and he is absolutely convinced that he needs to change who he is in order to find someone, but as Payne gets to know him, he disagrees. That was probably one of my favorite parts about the story because they really just loved each other for who they are, and there was no judgment for the things that they went through or the things that they feel. The two of them were really supportive of one another in every single way and they were always there for each other when they needed them. I really liked the bit of jealousy from Payne as he was trying to figure out his own feelings and the adorable paper cranes and coloring tattoos and everything in between. It’s just a really sweet story overall and I’m really excited to continue!
Saxon James
“You’re the one who was always meant for me.”
When a newly divorced Payne moves back into his small town, he needs a place to stay. So when his brother’s friend—Beau—offers up the spare bedroom, he doesn’t say no. Little does he know, however, that Beau has had a crush on him for about 20 years, so this is going to be a little bit more tricky than he thought.
Tropes:
— Brother’s friend
— Forced proximity
— Childhood crush
This is really cute! And I absolutely love the beginning of this series so far. Beau is a scatterbrained workaholic, and he is absolutely convinced that he needs to change who he is in order to find someone, but as Payne gets to know him, he disagrees. That was probably one of my favorite parts about the story because they really just loved each other for who they are, and there was no judgment for the things that they went through or the things that they feel. The two of them were really supportive of one another in every single way and they were always there for each other when they needed them. I really liked the bit of jealousy from Payne as he was trying to figure out his own feelings and the adorable paper cranes and coloring tattoos and everything in between. It’s just a really sweet story overall and I’m really excited to continue!
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Because.... I don't like when the sex is too easy
funny
hopeful
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
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
3.5 rounded up
I went into this with a healthy level of skepticism--I wasn't impressed with the short prequel, this author is hit or miss for me, and the reviews have been mixed--but I ended up quite enjoying it.
I felt the cheating husband angle was a little overdone/on the nose and would have appreciated a smidge more subtlety there--I feel like it was done to make the fact that he apparently moves on and finds the *real* love of his life like a month later, and yeah, that still feels really fast to me.
That being said, I actually appreciated Payne's honesty and hesitation here. The whole friends with benefits where one has had a crush on the other forever is such a common trope, but the way it was approached here, with both characters being up front and honest about their feelings and expectations really worked for me. Payne not knowing if he was able to commit to a relationship while his divorce wasn't even final yet felt very understandable, and I really liked that Beau was honest about his crush, and also owned his ability to make his decisions. Yes, he acknowledged that it might not be smart/he might get his heart broken, but if he did, that was his choice and he's an adult with autonomy.
I didn't love the Lee storyline, mostly because I didn't see the need to make Lee so unlikable. Payne's jealousy was annoying, but I also thought it was handled realistically, with his friends calling him on how unfair he was being, and him acknowledging that he was allowed to be jealous because humans are complex, but wasn't allowed to sabotage Beau moving on.
I do wish we'd got a little more of Payne's personality, as Beau was really strongly characterized and Payne felt a bit bland in comparison. I also just personally struggled with how deep their relationship became so quickly, and SO soon after Payne leaving his partner of 12 years very suddenly. Literally like 2 months--it just didn't quite spell happily ever after for me, and I wish the author had set it even like, 6 months after Payne left just to feel a little more believable for me.
I went into this with a healthy level of skepticism--I wasn't impressed with the short prequel, this author is hit or miss for me, and the reviews have been mixed--but I ended up quite enjoying it.
I felt the cheating husband angle was a little overdone/on the nose and would have appreciated a smidge more subtlety there--I feel like it was done to make the fact that he apparently moves on and finds the *real* love of his life like a month later, and yeah, that still feels really fast to me.
That being said, I actually appreciated Payne's honesty and hesitation here. The whole friends with benefits where one has had a crush on the other forever is such a common trope, but the way it was approached here, with both characters being up front and honest about their feelings and expectations really worked for me. Payne not knowing if he was able to commit to a relationship while his divorce wasn't even final yet felt very understandable, and I really liked that Beau was honest about his crush, and also owned his ability to make his decisions. Yes, he acknowledged that it might not be smart/he might get his heart broken, but if he did, that was his choice and he's an adult with autonomy.
I didn't love the Lee storyline, mostly because I didn't see the need to make Lee so unlikable. Payne's jealousy was annoying, but I also thought it was handled realistically, with his friends calling him on how unfair he was being, and him acknowledging that he was allowed to be jealous because humans are complex, but wasn't allowed to sabotage Beau moving on.
I do wish we'd got a little more of Payne's personality, as Beau was really strongly characterized and Payne felt a bit bland in comparison. I also just personally struggled with how deep their relationship became so quickly, and SO soon after Payne leaving his partner of 12 years very suddenly. Literally like 2 months--it just didn't quite spell happily ever after for me, and I wish the author had set it even like, 6 months after Payne left just to feel a little more believable for me.
I really loved this story - yes, please more romances with men in their late 30’s/early 40’s!
Payne moves back home after his bad divorce and winds up having to move in with Beau, his younger brother’s friend, until he can get back on his feet.
I loved these two together and also apart. I just wanted to give Beau a big hug and tell him that he is perfect just the way he is and that Payne will totally love him, quirks and all, and I wanted Payne to find a guy who deserved him. Saxon James writes excellent unrequited longing and all the feels when one doesn’t think the other wants them back. I am SO here for it.
I can tell this is going to be a fun series - lots of friends and a group of friends to meddle and help each other out. I can’t wait for the next one!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Payne moves back home after his bad divorce and winds up having to move in with Beau, his younger brother’s friend, until he can get back on his feet.
I loved these two together and also apart. I just wanted to give Beau a big hug and tell him that he is perfect just the way he is and that Payne will totally love him, quirks and all, and I wanted Payne to find a guy who deserved him. Saxon James writes excellent unrequited longing and all the feels when one doesn’t think the other wants them back. I am SO here for it.
I can tell this is going to be a fun series - lots of friends and a group of friends to meddle and help each other out. I can’t wait for the next one!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
[4.5] I'M A REAL SAP FOR SMALL GESTURES AND THIS SINGLEHANDEDLY TOPPED MY MONTHLY FLUFF QUOTA.
while nothing markedly revolutionary, per se, the story contained plenty of sweet, gentle spins to the trope that had me puking sparkles and hearts like no tomorrow. from tattoo coloring to sword fights to paper crane notes to making sure s/o is fed with warm food, JUST STAHP ALREADY
while nothing markedly revolutionary, per se, the story contained plenty of sweet, gentle spins to the trope that had me puking sparkles and hearts like no tomorrow. from tattoo coloring to sword fights to paper crane notes to making sure s/o is fed with warm food, JUST STAHP ALREADY