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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This wasn’t my favorite, but it was cute.
What a blissful surprise! How did I not realize that Robbie and Marshall were brothers? Haha
I’ve actually come to enjoy miscommunication tropes now. Judge me! It doesn’t mean I didn’t get frustrated, but I did enjoy it. Though, maybe it would’ve helped if Marshall had mentioned being Demi, especially since they both knew the other was interested.
The hurt they both felt, thinking the other might not want it, was painfully good. At the same time, though, not really, because it was obvious they’d end up together.
It’s easy, or people think it is, because it’s fiction. If I were scared and uncertain, I probably wouldn’t say anything either because I’d be scared of rejection too. Sue me.
Marshall was so sweet, thoughtful, and caring. I loved that he didn’t conform to social norms regarding sex. He had clear boundaries and knew he wasn’t wrong for not wanting it without a connection first. I loved his love language, from words of affirmation to acts of service—just all of it. The Demi representation was fantastic.
What a blissful surprise! How did I not realize that Robbie and Marshall were brothers? Haha
I’ve actually come to enjoy miscommunication tropes now. Judge me! It doesn’t mean I didn’t get frustrated, but I did enjoy it. Though, maybe it would’ve helped if Marshall had mentioned being Demi, especially since they both knew the other was interested.
The hurt they both felt, thinking the other might not want it, was painfully good. At the same time, though, not really, because it was obvious they’d end up together.
It’s easy, or people think it is, because it’s fiction. If I were scared and uncertain, I probably wouldn’t say anything either because I’d be scared of rejection too. Sue me.
Marshall was so sweet, thoughtful, and caring. I loved that he didn’t conform to social norms regarding sex. He had clear boundaries and knew he wasn’t wrong for not wanting it without a connection first. I loved his love language, from words of affirmation to acts of service—just all of it. The Demi representation was fantastic.
“What am I to you?”
Everything. You’re every single thought, decision, and daydream I have. Every single day.
“Marshall has a big heart, and he’d treat you like you were worth the whole world. He’s the kind of guy whose affection would smother you if you weren’t ready for it. You’d never have to worry about there being someone else for him, and he deserves the same right back.”
Felix was feisty, funny, a bit over the top flirtatious, but actually super sweet. He craves to love and give but struggles with his self-worth, feeling like he’s “not enough.” He’s a bit dramatic, but he knows his flaws and tries to get better, so it’s impossible not to like him.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d like them together, but they actually match each other perfectly. Their friendship and relationship turned out to be super sweet.
Also loved seeing couples from previous books. It’s always a nice surprise, and getting glimpses of others from different POVs was lovely. I loved how the worlds and series are all interconnected.
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Felix!!! After reading about him in the Divorced Dads series it was really cool to finally read his story and get his POV <3
I freaking hate Felix
After dipping my toes in some other ponds, I decided to circle back to the Franklin U series to give the second book in the series a try. I really enjoyed Saxon James' other works (the himbos in the Frat Stars series are top tier) so I was so excited to see that they had written this installment, The Dating Disaster. The story follows Felix and Marshall, two young men at Franklin University who share a really bad first date. Things only become more awkward when Marshall rents the free room in Felix’s living space. This is a romance, so it isn’t difficult to figure out what comes next! Here are my thoughts, with spoilers:
The prologue was hot, but annoying. I was instantly turned off by Felix’s shitty attitude! Listen, I champion sex positivity. Lean in, shout it out, do your thing. He judges Marshall rather harshly before allowing Marshall the opportunity to judge him. It seemed like a defense mechanism that would play part in some communication issues down the line, so I prepared myself for that. On the other hand, while being sex positive is a great thing, being so sexually forward in a somewhat aggressive manner with someone on a first date while bemoaning your lack of stability in a partner…is not quite it. Either cool your jets or your expectations, kid.
Turns out Marshall is demisexual, which is why Felix’s advances were so ill-received. Although there were a few moments of subtle judgment on Marshall’s part, I found him to be much more tolerable when compared with Felix’s persistent petulance. I think one positive of this situation was that it allowed for a unique take on the whole miscommunication issue. It also felt somehow off to me, but I’m by no means an expert on demisexuality or what that representation should look like in the romance genre so that’s a line of thinking I didn’t want to explore too much (at least without further research.)
I think the sex positivity messaging was where it really felt like this book missed the mark. Like, Felix celebrates his sexual expression, but also feels very limited by it. He seems to recognize that much of his own sexual activity and feelings arose as a result of his parent’s divorce. There’s a lot of conflation between sexuality and self worth going on in this book, and I’m not saying these things can’t exist alongside or as part of sex positivity, but it didn’t feel like these issues were given the proper consideration. As a result Felix comes across as a really problematic character for much of the story.
At the halfway point, I couldn’t see any reason why Marshall should be interested in Felix. He’s twinky and has curls. That’s it. He reduces Marshall to the level of sexual access he has to him. He is then angered when he overhears a conversation where Marshall tells his friend that he has lost his virginity. His friend jokes about losing it to someone “easy” (Felix is not identified by name in this conversation) and storms away before he can even hear Marshall’s response. Personally, I was more annoyed that Marshall lost his virginity in a scene on the beach after going for a walk to get tacos with Felix. Sandy, post-taco anal sex does not sound ideal.
I thought it was nice when Bowser half-heartedly called out Felix for his constant objectification of other men and warned him to back off of Marshall. Seeing another character call out this behavior and having Felix recognize it definitely went a long way. I also appreciated the way Felix adjusted his behavior after Marshall reveals that he is demisexual, but the damage for his character was already done. While I thought the scenes of Felix among Marshall’s family were certainly nice, I still couldn’t find a mutual connection between the two men by this point. Marshall clearly adores Felix, but the reasons seemed superficial. We never really see the character atone for his judgment or do anything romantically reciprocal with Marshall.
My feelings toward Felix definitely tempered my reaction to the epilogue as well. Set ten years in the future, we revisit Marshall and Felix as they are watching their niece and nephew. They contemplate having children of their own and Felix playfully insists that Marshall not love their children more than him or find them cuter than him. I literally groaned. I know this was mean jokingly, but it also seemed very on brand for his character. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was indeed still that girl ten years later.
After dipping my toes in some other ponds, I decided to circle back to the Franklin U series to give the second book in the series a try. I really enjoyed Saxon James' other works (the himbos in the Frat Stars series are top tier) so I was so excited to see that they had written this installment, The Dating Disaster. The story follows Felix and Marshall, two young men at Franklin University who share a really bad first date. Things only become more awkward when Marshall rents the free room in Felix’s living space. This is a romance, so it isn’t difficult to figure out what comes next! Here are my thoughts, with spoilers:
The prologue was hot, but annoying. I was instantly turned off by Felix’s shitty attitude! Listen, I champion sex positivity. Lean in, shout it out, do your thing. He judges Marshall rather harshly before allowing Marshall the opportunity to judge him. It seemed like a defense mechanism that would play part in some communication issues down the line, so I prepared myself for that. On the other hand, while being sex positive is a great thing, being so sexually forward in a somewhat aggressive manner with someone on a first date while bemoaning your lack of stability in a partner…is not quite it. Either cool your jets or your expectations, kid.
Turns out Marshall is demisexual, which is why Felix’s advances were so ill-received. Although there were a few moments of subtle judgment on Marshall’s part, I found him to be much more tolerable when compared with Felix’s persistent petulance. I think one positive of this situation was that it allowed for a unique take on the whole miscommunication issue. It also felt somehow off to me, but I’m by no means an expert on demisexuality or what that representation should look like in the romance genre so that’s a line of thinking I didn’t want to explore too much (at least without further research.)
I think the sex positivity messaging was where it really felt like this book missed the mark. Like, Felix celebrates his sexual expression, but also feels very limited by it. He seems to recognize that much of his own sexual activity and feelings arose as a result of his parent’s divorce. There’s a lot of conflation between sexuality and self worth going on in this book, and I’m not saying these things can’t exist alongside or as part of sex positivity, but it didn’t feel like these issues were given the proper consideration. As a result Felix comes across as a really problematic character for much of the story.
At the halfway point, I couldn’t see any reason why Marshall should be interested in Felix. He’s twinky and has curls. That’s it. He reduces Marshall to the level of sexual access he has to him. He is then angered when he overhears a conversation where Marshall tells his friend that he has lost his virginity. His friend jokes about losing it to someone “easy” (Felix is not identified by name in this conversation) and storms away before he can even hear Marshall’s response. Personally, I was more annoyed that Marshall lost his virginity in a scene on the beach after going for a walk to get tacos with Felix. Sandy, post-taco anal sex does not sound ideal.
I thought it was nice when Bowser half-heartedly called out Felix for his constant objectification of other men and warned him to back off of Marshall. Seeing another character call out this behavior and having Felix recognize it definitely went a long way. I also appreciated the way Felix adjusted his behavior after Marshall reveals that he is demisexual, but the damage for his character was already done. While I thought the scenes of Felix among Marshall’s family were certainly nice, I still couldn’t find a mutual connection between the two men by this point. Marshall clearly adores Felix, but the reasons seemed superficial. We never really see the character atone for his judgment or do anything romantically reciprocal with Marshall.
My feelings toward Felix definitely tempered my reaction to the epilogue as well. Set ten years in the future, we revisit Marshall and Felix as they are watching their niece and nephew. They contemplate having children of their own and Felix playfully insists that Marshall not love their children more than him or find them cuter than him. I literally groaned. I know this was mean jokingly, but it also seemed very on brand for his character. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was indeed still that girl ten years later.
lighthearted
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
Very, very nice installment in the Franklin U series.
Saxon James's books are usually very very sexy with her protagonists loving physicality and having no trouble getting started.
Felix, the ginger twink, certainly fits the bill - he's making up the time he "wasted" while being closeted in high school. The downside: everyone only sees him as the perfect hook-up, but not dating material. But he wants his very wild days to be over. He longs to find his significant other and almost despairs that this person doesn't exist. Yes, young 20 somethings are easily desperate, but this makes up for a lively story.
Because the guy his friend has him meet up for a date is absolutly not what he expected.
Marshall ticks all his boxes - tall and big, not too athletic, handsome etc. But he doesn't seem to have put much effort in the date - which is at his work place just after his shift, so he's kind of sweaty and in his work clothes. And the small talk is stilted and the whole experience a disappointment. Even more so when Marshall doesn't agree to a hook-up even when their kissing was fantastic. Yes, Felix was disappointed about his date but not as disappointed that he didn't try to have a bit of fun with the guy who didn't seem to make an effort.
Shortly afterwards, it turns out that Marshall will be Felix's new roommate. Which otherwise easygoing Felix is not happy about. The rejection still stings badly.
What he of course doesn't know is that Marshall didn't want to reject him, that there were good reasons why he turned up in sweaty work clothes, why he squinted and had problems with small talk, that he wasn't into having sex with Felix.
Very, very slowly those two get to know each other, start a tentative friendship which of course (it's a romance!!) turns into more.
Marshall is demi, bi and a virgin at 21. He's also a very considerate and kind guy (which becomes obvious to Felix and lays the foundation of their friendship). Felix is absolutely his type and vice versa. But neither wants to ruin their friendship by making a wrong move. Also, they have trouble communicating at first - very in character for college students/guys at that age. So not all goes smoothly, but it's such a pleasure following their way to a HEA!
I really loved that we got a slower pace when it came to sex. Marshall is absolutely not anti-sex, but first of all he's into Felix as a person. And that's a great starting point. Also, in spite of the early hiccups, Marshall is a confident guy while being considerate. Him being a history buff is also a perk. And I can soooo relate to his self doubts about being boring because he's not such an extroverted jock.
A plus as well: the interconnection with Saxon James' other series yet the connections not being too overbearing (Marshall is brother to Robbie from one of the Frat Wars books).
It's easily the book by Saxon James that I liked the most of this author.
However, those college books all feel a bit like fairy tales, very sweet withouth bumps in their road to happiness. And with too little of the actual college life (the learning part, not the partying) to make it a five star read.
But a PERFECT book to have a very nice time reading and smiling along.
Saxon James's books are usually very very sexy with her protagonists loving physicality and having no trouble getting started.
Felix, the ginger twink, certainly fits the bill - he's making up the time he "wasted" while being closeted in high school. The downside: everyone only sees him as the perfect hook-up, but not dating material. But he wants his very wild days to be over. He longs to find his significant other and almost despairs that this person doesn't exist. Yes, young 20 somethings are easily desperate, but this makes up for a lively story.
Because the guy his friend has him meet up for a date is absolutly not what he expected.
Marshall ticks all his boxes - tall and big, not too athletic, handsome etc. But he doesn't seem to have put much effort in the date - which is at his work place just after his shift, so he's kind of sweaty and in his work clothes. And the small talk is stilted and the whole experience a disappointment. Even more so when Marshall doesn't agree to a hook-up even when their kissing was fantastic. Yes, Felix was disappointed about his date but not as disappointed that he didn't try to have a bit of fun with the guy who didn't seem to make an effort.
Shortly afterwards, it turns out that Marshall will be Felix's new roommate. Which otherwise easygoing Felix is not happy about. The rejection still stings badly.
What he of course doesn't know is that Marshall didn't want to reject him, that there were good reasons why he turned up in sweaty work clothes, why he squinted and had problems with small talk, that he wasn't into having sex with Felix.
Very, very slowly those two get to know each other, start a tentative friendship which of course (it's a romance!!) turns into more.
Marshall is demi, bi and a virgin at 21. He's also a very considerate and kind guy (which becomes obvious to Felix and lays the foundation of their friendship). Felix is absolutely his type and vice versa. But neither wants to ruin their friendship by making a wrong move. Also, they have trouble communicating at first - very in character for college students/guys at that age. So not all goes smoothly, but it's such a pleasure following their way to a HEA!
I really loved that we got a slower pace when it came to sex. Marshall is absolutely not anti-sex, but first of all he's into Felix as a person. And that's a great starting point. Also, in spite of the early hiccups, Marshall is a confident guy while being considerate. Him being a history buff is also a perk. And I can soooo relate to his self doubts about being boring because he's not such an extroverted jock.
A plus as well: the interconnection with Saxon James' other series yet the connections not being too overbearing (Marshall is brother to Robbie from one of the Frat Wars books).
It's easily the book by Saxon James that I liked the most of this author.
However, those college books all feel a bit like fairy tales, very sweet withouth bumps in their road to happiness. And with too little of the actual college life (the learning part, not the partying) to make it a five star read.
But a PERFECT book to have a very nice time reading and smiling along.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes