Reviews - Poolside | The StoryGraph

40 reviews for:

Poolside

Taylor E. Weston

4.35 AVERAGE

ijholets's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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: No

susanj_'s review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

Tommy and Chuck's story was everything I hoped for after reading Courtside last year! I intended to take my time reading this one but from the first page, I was invested in these wonderfully real characters and their supportive friends. The whole crew of supporting characters brought so much depth and humor to the story. There were plenty of sweet romantic moments that had me giggling, kicking my feet. But what struck me the most was Taylor's willingness to explore the more complex and bittersweet realities of life and falling in love. As someone who also navigates life with depression, Chuck's experiences really resonated with my own lived experience. I really appreciate that the heavier topics in the story were explored with so much care and compassion. Taylor E. Weston has earned a spot on my favorite authors list, and so I'm excited to see what's next!

Some of my favorite, possibly spoiler-y quotes:

"His heart hungered for that kind of care, to be with someone who knew him well enough to do those seemingly small, important things"
"I'm asking you if you think someone can love you and your depression. On the days where it's hardest and it hurts the most, do you believe you are worthy of being loved?
"If I he was going to do something this stupid, he might as well hold nothing back"
"Make your way to safety and brace for bisexual vomit"
"Dan, did you hear that? Our two favorite boys are in love! Tell me you're in love, Thomas. Oh, I'm so happy for you"

baileylovesreading's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring 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: Complicated

blossom_binds's review against another edition

5.0

emotional 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

Ahhh I loved this book SOOOO much!! It is a heavy emotional read (HUGE on the mental health rep) but Taylor did an amazing job with navigating the heavy topics in such a realistic way and the romance between Chuck and Tommy.

Tommy is struggling with what to do with his life after his divorce, and Chuck is just straight up struggling with his emotions. I really loved how Taylor fleshed out Tommy and Chuck's characters in this book, their emotional growth, and yes COMMUNICATION!! The dual POV was incredibly insightful into both characters and enhanced my emotional connection to the two. I do resonate with Chuck and his depression, I love that it's portrayed accurately in how it can affect those in a relationship when one person has depression.

This book also navigates the struggles/fears of coming out, having a bi/demi awakening, and also holy hell it is SPICYYY.

Thank you Taylor E. Weston for the eARC!

jsnider2025's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

This book is a wonderful M/M romance. Watching Tommy’s journey of self discovery and the evolution of his relationship with Chuck is beautiful but it’s the mental health rep that elevated this story to so much more than just a contemporary romance book. Chuck’s struggles with his mental health are painfully relatable in the best way. It was handled in a manner that was so sensitive but didn’t pull any punches. And it felt organic to the story, not just a token nod. It was an integral plot point and it made the love story just that much sweeter. And the ensemble of characters around Chuck & Tommy are great too. The queer rep and found family vibes add extra flavor to this spicy & delicious story that I devoured in 2 days!

Content Warnings

cie_didsomeonesay_dracomalfoy's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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: Complicated

I was so excited to read Poolside🤩

Taylor E. Weston is definitely one of my favorite authors and she exceeded all my expectations towards this book🤩

Chuck and Tommy are just so precious, these boys are everything to me now 😍 after just few chapters I already cared so much about them, just instantly fell in love with them.

There were some sensitive issues raised and Taylor presented them all so beautifully and with such care, it felt very comforting to read and reflect, and see how the characters are going through their struggles.

A great story, a million stars out of 10, I cannot wait to re-read this after the release 🤩

krakar's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny 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: No

I was excited to read this after meeting Taylor and hearing about this book at Sports Romance Con, but I was not prepared for it to hit me like it did. The relationship that grows between Tommy and Chuck was sweet, funny, and tender in all the best ways.
Tommy’s confidence and unwavering sense of self through the story had me smiling.

The ways he loved Chuck and showed up for him during his depressive episode had me tearing up. And watching Chuck really lean into his authentic self with his found family after realizing they weren’t going to abandon him for being gay was so heartwarming

readingwtara's review against another edition

4.0

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

pt_reads's review against another edition

4.75

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring

Such a great read. After meeting Chuck and Tommy in Courtside, it was fun to read their story in Poolside. I was pulled into the story from the start. Chuck is a college swimming coach who is figuring out life with depression and the side effects of SSRIs. Tommy has a demanding job and asks his best friend Chuck to coach him in long-distance swimming so he can beat the competition at his boss's lake retreat. I absolutely loved Tommy – especially his bi-awakening and realization he was in love with his best friend and being an absolute supportive golden retriever. Tommy painting Chuck's nails is a scene that just warmed my heart.

Thank you, Taylor, for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I've loved your fanfics and Courtside and Poolside did not disappoint! I am looking forward to reading more in the Southeastern Alumni series!

10/10 recommend to those looking for a sweet MM friends-to-lovers romance.

bookscatsandtats's review against another edition

4.75

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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

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