Reviews

Medley by Layla Reyne

sarful's review against another edition

3.0

Following on the heals of the first book, this has the swimmers heading to Vienna to prepare for the Olympics. Bas and Jacob grew very close in the first book, but Bas hesitates to move things forward. Bas remains hot and cold the entire book, never once explaining why. He keeps thinking he’s doing Jacob a favor in denying a relationship but it gets tiring as it’s the most of the book.

And Jacob knowingly gets manipulated by Bas’s ex messing up a race. Then later he misses a heat. And all this during the damn Olympics! They worked so hard to get there and this nonsense childishness is their downfall? Luckily they figure it out in the end. But, by the end my investment in their relationship was waning. I kinda wish there was more Alex and Dane. This sequel just wasn’t as fun as the first book.

haletostilinski1's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars rounded up!

I enjoyed Bas and Jacob together, they were sweet together, and it was fun reading what happens when they finally get to the olympics and get to that medley relay they've all been stressing over for so long.

There is some drama here and there, but it wasn't near as heavy as in the first book, and in some ways I enjoyed that and in some ways I didn't that much. It was nice that this wasn't as drama filled as the first one, but I also felt that what drama there was, didn't quite feel right, like it wasn't genuine.

Like the relationship that Bas screwed up 4 years before in the last olympics,

Spoiler

the guy is there this time and tries to cause trouble but it didn't really go anywhere. So while there wasn't any OTT silliness with the drama...there also wasn't enough, and in the end I felt like "what was the point?" of this character coming back. He had barely any part in anything that he never felt like a real threat beyond the first meeting of him, and then he tries to get Bas back yet I never felt that much yearning or desire or plain want from the guy for Bas. He was felt pretty much...there, with lackluster attempts at trying to cause drama for these two. I didn't buy it.

.

There is also some drama with one of the female swimmers, but that felt a tad lackluster in that it only took about two conversations for her to get over shit and be a good friend to Jacob. Not that I want her to be a biphobic asshole, but I feel like in real life people who act like she act rarely get it after one actual conversation pointing out to her her stupidity. I mean I guess it wasn't that unrealistic, but it also, again, imo, left for very little drama and made what drama there was easily fixed.

It just left me with a bit of "what is the point of introducing these characters if they barely even did anything?" kind of feeling. And that reminds me, Dane's parents stop by in the story for like 5 seconds and then get bowled over pretty easily, so I also wonder what the point was of them showing up again. These characters meant to insight drama just didn't feel necessary in the story to me.

But I did enjoy Bas and Jacob's story, I loved their chemistry - although the sex scenes could have been steamier, imo - and I enjoyed their romance. I also enjoyed the secondary characters introduced - Jacob's father and cousin, and Bas's mother (although I wish we had gotten more of her) - and I loved seeing Alex and Dane again, happy and in love.

And Alex and Dane make me wish that we totally could get an open kiss at the olympics or any sporting event between two LGBT+ people because we never actually get that. Of course only in fiction does that actually happen - unfortunately ;)

So overall...I feel like I might be flipped as I saw not many enjoyed the first but a few have enjoyed this one more...but I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as the first one. The only true plot point in this book was getting Bas and Jacob together and it totally could have happened sooner, but was drawn out for the melodrama of it all, in my opinion. (Like Bas not just talking to Jacob about his reasons for pulling back until he almost loses Jacob, of course. That's almost always how it is, isn't it? It's frustrating, imo, the lack of communication. Which is understandable to a point...but when it takes basically a whole book to communicate - and nothing like misunderstandings or bad feelings and whatnot get in the way - then it just feels ridiculous).

So...still a good read for me, still enjoyable with enjoyable MC's with good chemistry and an adorable romance. Just not as good as other works I've read by this author.

***ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

bfdbookblog's review against another edition

3.0

I think it's time for me to be done with this series. I'm not liking the characters any better. I definitely didn't like the way Sebastian treated Jacob and his indecisive behavior.

I had such high expectations for this series because I love this author's other series but it's just not for me.

theresrachel's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

fsmeurinne's review against another edition

4.0

Entertaining story, Jacob is an interesting character, Bas well, he survived my wrath at times, their chemistry is there, I loved the secondary characters, the pacing was good the storyline was interesting enough, wished it was longer. The Olympic theme when we are actually watching the Olympics was what dragged me in, and I would've wanted to read more about the sport part of the story, the audiobook was well narrated, it's a 3rd person POV by Nick j Russo and was good enough for me to have a good time.




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mags_louise's review against another edition

4.0

4.5⭐

After really enjoying RELAY I was excited to jump straight into MEDLEY Jacob and Bas' story, and it didn't disappoint. As Jacob at just nineteen is the new boy on the Olympic swimming team and is struggling with his first trip abroad, the pressure to perform and with having to leave behind his dad an army veteran whose suffering PTSD. Not to mention the fact Jacob is Bi, a virgin and half in love with his teammate Bas. Yet, Bas a veteran of the team is determined to stay away from Jacob not only for the good of the team and their shot at gold but for Jacob too.

And with such brilliant characters, team dynamics, and a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance. This really was a fantastic read, that I had a hard time putting down.

Would happily recommend.

specificwonderland's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mommasaystoread's review against another edition

4.0

It's been a while since I've been so frustrated with a romantic couple and still wanted to see them together. But that was the case with Bas and Jacob. Both of these guys have pasts that affect how they look at relationships as well as how they look at themselves. Jacob is only 19, so his insecurities are right there at the surface while Bas has buried his deep enough that he doesn't have to look too closely. As these two tiptoe around each other with an almost constant push and pull, they nearly drove me to distraction. I kind of wished for someone to just lock them in a room together and refuse to let them out until they figured it out. Needless to say, that didn't happen, and the result is drama, drama, drama for this pair. Oddly enough, even when these guys irritated me, I liked them. I certainly didn't always like their decisions or actions, but I liked them, and I liked the chemistry between them. Of course, I liked them as secondary characters in the first book in the series, so it was easy to start this one with those feelings. This book does pick up where book 1 left off, and while the focus is one a different couple, the story continues. Nick J Russo is also back to voice the characters for this second book, and as expected, he does it wonderfully. From 19-year-old Jacob's insecurities to the more jaded Bas and his gruff attitude about relationships, Russo gives us all the emotion of the story. What it comes down to is this couple may have driven me crazy, but it was so worth it in the end.

rosegold_bibliophile's review against another edition

4.0

Story: 4 ⭐️
Steam: 3.5/6

kiki124's review against another edition

3.0

Caretakers in love.
Poorly researched swimming scenes,
but compelling guys.