Scan barcode
laurenkohout's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Such a sweet one with so much heartache! Ian is a collegiate swimmer with his sights set on Olympic gold. He's openly gay, but his coach has made it clear that he doesn't approve of his "choices" so Ian feels like he has to hide a lot. He's also struggling with the loss of his best friend and sometimes lover, as well as his parents, who all died within five years. One part of himself he's been hiding is his attraction to a particular drag queen. He decides he's finally going to go to the club where Rosie Riveting is performing to ask her out.
Rosie, also known as Ricky when he's not dressed as his drag persona, has struggled when it comes to dating. He's used to being fetishized and used by straight guys or shunned by gay guys who can't accept both sides of him. When Ian is recognized at the club by former classmate Lowell, he panics and worries he'll be spotted and it'll get back to his coach and his uptight brother, so Rosie helps him hide in her dressing room. They hit it off, even with a 13-year age gap, but Ian messes it up the next morning. He has to figure out a easy he can be with both Rosie and Ricky.
🔥: These two are so passionate together and their scenes are steamy. They get spicy in quick- to medium-paced scenes and we get all the graphic details.
😆: We get some good laughs along the way, especially when Ricky's friends are around. Lowell still cracks me up!
ðŸ˜: Your eyes may water with this one thanks to all of the grief and loss these two have dealt with. Oof, so much grief.
Loved this series! It's so intense at some points but so worth the heartache to see these couples earn their HEA!
CW: parents' death in a car accident, friend's death by heart attack, friend's death by drowning, homophobia, discussion of past attempted assault
Rosie, also known as Ricky when he's not dressed as his drag persona, has struggled when it comes to dating. He's used to being fetishized and used by straight guys or shunned by gay guys who can't accept both sides of him. When Ian is recognized at the club by former classmate Lowell, he panics and worries he'll be spotted and it'll get back to his coach and his uptight brother, so Rosie helps him hide in her dressing room. They hit it off, even with a 13-year age gap, but Ian messes it up the next morning. He has to figure out a easy he can be with both Rosie and Ricky.
🔥: These two are so passionate together and their scenes are steamy. They get spicy in quick- to medium-paced scenes and we get all the graphic details.
😆: We get some good laughs along the way, especially when Ricky's friends are around. Lowell still cracks me up!
ðŸ˜: Your eyes may water with this one thanks to all of the grief and loss these two have dealt with. Oof, so much grief.
Loved this series! It's so intense at some points but so worth the heartache to see these couples earn their HEA!
CW: parents' death in a car accident, friend's death by heart attack, friend's death by drowning, homophobia, discussion of past attempted assault
rhidee's review
5.0
I was SO READY for this one because I knew it was going to heavily feature our resident series drag queen, Ricky/Rosie - and honey, I am here for more romance books with drag queens!
I loved the portrayal of Ricky so much. The way he struggles with both sides of his identity being accepted, contrasted against the security he has in all other areas of his personal life. I almost could switch off from Ian's storyline because I just wanted to know more about Ricky, his friends, and everything in their lives. Not to say I didn't like Ian - his backstory with his parents and best friend was also really interesting and touching. Needless to say, I loved it!
Loved: How Ricky's chapters were in 'he', and Rosie's were in 'she'. Effortless, stunning, and showing us all the way for correct gender representation.
Liked: The intrigue all around the other characters.
Disliked: Not getting the answers! I mean, I know this is a set-up for the next book, but the next book isn't out yet and I am way too impatient to find out!
Burning Question: There are a few, but I'm going to have to go with one - do we get to find out the mystery with the club in the next book?!? I really, really hope so. I'm dying to know what the deal is with Jason and Damon...
I received a free ARC copy of this book but my review is my genuine opinion.
I loved the portrayal of Ricky so much. The way he struggles with both sides of his identity being accepted, contrasted against the security he has in all other areas of his personal life. I almost could switch off from Ian's storyline because I just wanted to know more about Ricky, his friends, and everything in their lives. Not to say I didn't like Ian - his backstory with his parents and best friend was also really interesting and touching. Needless to say, I loved it!
Loved: How Ricky's chapters were in 'he', and Rosie's were in 'she'. Effortless, stunning, and showing us all the way for correct gender representation.
Liked: The intrigue all around the other characters.
Disliked: Not getting the answers! I mean, I know this is a set-up for the next book, but the next book isn't out yet and I am way too impatient to find out!
Burning Question: There are a few, but I'm going to have to go with one - do we get to find out the mystery with the club in the next book?!? I really, really hope so. I'm dying to know what the deal is with Jason and Damon...
I received a free ARC copy of this book but my review is my genuine opinion.
toshi21's review
5.0
I loved this book by Brigham. It made me swoon and sigh and hurt all throughout the book.
The characters are amazing and they are so perfectly imperfect as they try to balance who they are with who they love.
Ian is an Olympic hopeful who’s had quite a few knocks and he’s just trying to find his feet when he meets Ricky/Rosie Riveting, a drag queen.
Brigham brings out the best in these characters and makes you root for them even as you shake your head at a certain person’s stupidity.
There is so much depth and personality to all the characters. Ian’s not just a closeted jock. He’s a hurting swimmer who’s just keeping his head above water and Ricky wants someone to love both him and Rosie.
The book was riveting and I couldn’t put it down.
Highly recommend. HIGHLY!!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review
The characters are amazing and they are so perfectly imperfect as they try to balance who they are with who they love.
Ian is an Olympic hopeful who’s had quite a few knocks and he’s just trying to find his feet when he meets Ricky/Rosie Riveting, a drag queen.
Brigham brings out the best in these characters and makes you root for them even as you shake your head at a certain person’s stupidity.
There is so much depth and personality to all the characters. Ian’s not just a closeted jock. He’s a hurting swimmer who’s just keeping his head above water and Ricky wants someone to love both him and Rosie.
The book was riveting and I couldn’t put it down.
Highly recommend. HIGHLY!!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review
airy's review
4.0
I liked this book the best out of all the series. Ricky and Ian made an adorable couple and they both were very interesting characters. I disliked Ricky being very overdramatic from time to time but in the end this was a great read.
More...