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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
I dare you not to love this book.
As a friends to lovers enthusiast I’m biased but I loved Aspen & Keene’s dynamic. They knew each other inside and out, letting each other see parts of themselves nobody else ever has or they would ever allow. You could see the platonic love from the start and how that eventually morphed into something more.
I loved the banter and general silliness of it all, not only from the MMCs but also the side characters. I wanted something fun and that’s what I got.
Of course with the trope miscommunication seems to follow in most cases and whilst it did play a part in this it felt very on and off. There were points in the story I wanted to bang my head against the wall and then suddenly things were ok? Looking back I understand it suits for the situation in terms of their uncertainty and then their friendship sort of saving the day (I think it does, don’t quote me I’m an unreliable source
As a friends to lovers enthusiast I’m biased but I loved Aspen & Keene’s dynamic. They knew each other inside and out, letting each other see parts of themselves nobody else ever has or they would ever allow. You could see the platonic love from the start and how that eventually morphed into something more.
I loved the banter and general silliness of it all, not only from the MMCs but also the side characters. I wanted something fun and that’s what I got.
Of course with the trope miscommunication seems to follow in most cases and whilst it did play a part in this it felt very on and off. There were points in the story I wanted to bang my head against the wall and then suddenly things were ok? Looking back I understand it suits for the situation in terms of their uncertainty and then their friendship sort of saving the day (I think it does, don’t quote me I’m an unreliable source
I’m gonna say that this book is a solid 3.75 stars. And I say this because overall, the book was good, but it wasn’t great or spectacular. The friends to lovers trope will always be one of my favorite tropes ever and I think that this book was just a lot of, exploring and nothingness honestly. Now there’s nothing wrong with it but the nothingness came in where at times it just felt I don’t know how to describe it but it just felt like nothing was added in certain points or it wasn’t needed. I don’t know how I’m trying to say this or how to put it but that’s just how I feel, but the parts that were good they were good great even but yeah. Overall, I thought it was a good book and I really liked Keene and Aspen as people and at times I really love their friendship dynamic, as well as when they got together later on.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The amount of emotional complexity in this books invalidates any comments that might call it a pure smut book.
You could physically feel the pain Pen and Kee were going through during their breakup. Ce Ricci really surprised me with this one.
You could physically feel the pain Pen and Kee were going through during their breakup. Ce Ricci really surprised me with this one.
medium-paced
Really enjoyed this, it’s not often I read friends to lovers but I did really like this. I’m such a fan of MM books so was looking forward to reading this. Loved the friendship between them and how it turned more. Loved Aspen also finding himself while thinking he was just helping Keene. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the timescale apart at the end but that’s just personal preference. Although a good easy read!
"There are far worse things in the world than falling in love. No matter who it's with."
"My unexpected inevitable. My fucking everything"
C.E Ricci will always be famous for writing stories that pulls your heart. Her characters and their depths will just proves it.
I fucking love everything about this books. It's a wild ride and its so so fun. Full of love and life. Some moments are heartbreaking but it all works out in the end.
I love Aspen and Keene. Their friendship, care and love for each other is everything. I want that for myself!!!!
"My unexpected inevitable. My fucking everything"
C.E Ricci will always be famous for writing stories that pulls your heart. Her characters and their depths will just proves it.
I fucking love everything about this books. It's a wild ride and its so so fun. Full of love and life. Some moments are heartbreaking but it all works out in the end.
I love Aspen and Keene. Their friendship, care and love for each other is everything. I want that for myself!!!!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
if there’s one thing that’s sure to make my heart sink to my ass in a book, its characters being outed. i sensed a breakup towards the end, the buildup to Aspen’s fears and insecurities were CHEF’S KISS! i knew something was gonna happen but much like whenever those thoughts reared its ugly head, we were distracted with their relationship and moved on until we saw those moments again.
as heartbreaking as it was, i LOVED the way their reunion was handled. it wasn’t like Aspen came back and all he did was kiss his way into forgiveness. NUH UH!! Keene stood firm on not giving in so easily and then silence for three weeks?? IKTFR!!
i also liked how Keene voiced his side and it didn’t turn into an argument of “But me though!” with him and Aspen. Aspen knew he was in the wrong and took full accountability, even more so after hearing just how brutal it was for Keene when things went down and he left him THREE TIMES!! it’s been known throughout the book that Aspen’s avoidance issues were a big factor in the future of their relationship, so him owning that, addressing it, and then them having space from each other again so KEENE could do his thinking without worrying about Aspen was DIVINE!! we almost never get that in books!! we always see a half-baked recycled apology and then they’re off to their happily ever after. so i was VV happy about that!! <3
i think this was a great depiction (on both the guys’ counts) for the journey of self-discovery when it comes to sexuality. though their stories were connected, their journeys were different and it did a great way of showing how realizing who you are and what you’re attracted to isn’t the same for everyone.
kisses to the author, FUCK YOU TO AVERY, and Bristol?? WHAT’S UP MAMA 😛
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, Injury/Injury detail