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lezreadalot's review against another edition
3.0
I wondered how many more things like that I’d dismissed or undervalued, too distracted by the fact that I wasn’t getting the results I’d set my sights on. How often important, meaningful, real things had slipped away from me, unacknowledged, as I measured only their distance from what I’d wanted.
I really enjoyed this, and I love the writing and the characters and the setting just as much as the other books. But while I really liked the romance, I didn't enjoy it as much as the couples in the other books?
Which I'm kind of surprised at, because this is unconventional in ways that I thought I'd really enjoy. Non-monogamy, and people who don't experience romance in the ways as every one else is used to. After being introduced to Will's character in previous books, I was excited to see his romance with Leo, particularly because he's not the typical romance hero. All of those books are in first person, but Will felt even more enigmatic and unknowable than Rex and Rafe. But all of this, mind you, is by design. It's a little infuriating, but I understood the intent behind writing him that way, and having us experience him through Leo that way. His bluntness was a breath of fresh air; he said what he wanted, wasn't shy about setting his boundaries or articulating what he thought. His prickliness and grumpiness were actually entertaining. And I really loved Leo. His infatuation was adorable, and I really liked seeing him navigate his way through college, and making true friends for once in his life. Probably an unpopular opinion, but I LIKED that he had relationships outside of Will. I think he needed that growth, and it was just good to see.
All that said, though I liked so many things about the book, I didn't fall in love with the relationship. I definitely liked it, and I liked them together, but it often felt wrong-footed, like they were on different pages the whole time. And again, that was by design, it was an element of the plot to be worked out, but when the ending came, I still didn't know exactly what footing they were both on? They understood each other, but did they both understand their relationship? IDK. Also, I appreciated the way the book took on mental illness, but I didn't love the way it was talked about? Nothing outright ableist, but I just don't like it when writing concentrates on how hard things are for the family of the person with the illness, rather than, you know, the person themselves.
3.5 stars. Very enjoyable, just not my favourite.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointed with Will's character. I think Leo deserves way better.
clarence759's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Pleasant but uninspiring. Will, the main love interest is quite unlikeable. It lacks the coziness of the first book in this series, and the spiciness is bland. The going away to college and exploring a new life was more interesting than the romance.
writtenechoes's review against another edition
3.0
This was... hard for me to rate. I will start my review off by saying that I was looking forward to this book from the moment I met Leo in book one. I also kind of liked Will so I was interested to see this play out.
I just really fucking hated Will. Leo is a beautiful character, he's smart, kind, and knows what he wants and for some reason he wants Will. But Will very clearly has issues, after the way he grew up, even his sister, it's clear that he has trouble with intimacy. Not physical intimacy but emotional intimacy. I also, wanted to rate this like 1 star just because it pissed me off so much but I realize that's just because I was projecting how I would've reacted to this scenarios. These characters are not me. I applaud Roan for staying true to them even though I'm sure many people had issues with this book.
I think my main problem is it's clear Will does NOT want a relationship. At least, not at the start. But he led Leo along. He let Leo come into his life, share his home, let them start a physical relationship the entire time knowing that Leo wanted monogamy. I kept hoping that Leo would find someone else, move on, and I hate when I don't root for the couple in a romance novel. Even by the end I was kind of ... annoyed. Sure, Leo explained himself but he's still a fucking dick. And I'm team Leo deserves better.
So I kind of hope that by now, they've broken up and Leo is with someone that doesn't make him feel like shit for wanting monogamy bc that's not a bad thing to want.
Also, side note, fuck men named William. Oh my god. If I had another name maybe he would've been redeemable to me but for personal reasons I want him to rot in hell.
Okay, that's it.
I just really fucking hated Will. Leo is a beautiful character, he's smart, kind, and knows what he wants and for some reason he wants Will. But Will very clearly has issues, after the way he grew up, even his sister, it's clear that he has trouble with intimacy. Not physical intimacy but emotional intimacy. I also, wanted to rate this like 1 star just because it pissed me off so much but I realize that's just because I was projecting how I would've reacted to this scenarios. These characters are not me. I applaud Roan for staying true to them even though I'm sure many people had issues with this book.
I think my main problem is it's clear Will does NOT want a relationship. At least, not at the start. But he led Leo along. He let Leo come into his life, share his home, let them start a physical relationship the entire time knowing that Leo wanted monogamy. I kept hoping that Leo would find someone else, move on, and I hate when I don't root for the couple in a romance novel. Even by the end I was kind of ... annoyed. Sure, Leo explained himself but he's still a fucking dick. And I'm team Leo deserves better.
So I kind of hope that by now, they've broken up and Leo is with someone that doesn't make him feel like shit for wanting monogamy bc that's not a bad thing to want.
Also, side note, fuck men named William. Oh my god. If I had another name maybe he would've been redeemable to me but for personal reasons I want him to rot in hell.
Okay, that's it.
meatloafqueen's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the angst & slow burn of Leo and Will's relationship, Leo's relationships with his friends and his growth & self discovery, but I was not satisfied with the ending.
Will's whole hang-up on relationships was that he felt that people change themselves for their partner and cut themselves off from their friends, so it seemed a little hypocritical that Leo had to alter his expectations in order for him and Will to be happy together.
I felt that Leo deserved more of an apology after the "Tiramisu Incident". Instead he was blamed for being upset because Will told him they weren't going to be boyfriends. But if Will wasn't going to be sleeping with Leo exclusively, he should have made that clear to him rather than implied. I liked how Leo set boundaries for himself after the incident.. but was disappointed in how he came running to Will's side the minute he needed him.
I liked that Will and Leo have an unconventional relationship, but it felt like they were still on a rocky footing when the story ended. I don't believe in their HEA and I was left feeling like Leo could have been happier with someone else
Will's whole hang-up on relationships was that he felt that people change themselves for their partner and cut themselves off from their friends, so it seemed a little hypocritical that Leo had to alter his expectations in order for him and Will to be happy together.
I felt that Leo deserved more of an apology after the "Tiramisu Incident". Instead he was blamed for being upset because Will told him they weren't going to be boyfriends. But if Will wasn't going to be sleeping with Leo exclusively, he should have made that clear to him rather than implied. I liked how Leo set boundaries for himself after the incident.. but was disappointed in how he came running to Will's side the minute he needed him.
I liked that Will and Leo have an unconventional relationship, but it felt like they were still on a rocky footing when the story ended. I don't believe in their HEA and I was left feeling like Leo could have been happier with someone else
jen286's review
3.0
Well, I guess no one can be perfect. I knew it was bound to happen at some point that I would read a book by this author that I didn't absolutely love. And this was it. Not that I didn't enjoy it, just that I wasn't head over heels about it by the end. And definitely not as much as the other books in this series.
Now why didn't I love this book as much? Will. I didn't like Will. I hated how he treated Leo like dirt. I know Will doesn't always mean to do that, he is not very good with emotions, but still. I wish we would have gotten some chapters from his point of view as that would have helped me connect with him more. As it was by the end I don't know how Leo put up with him for as long as he did. And even at the end Will is not great. Leo still has to pull everything out of him and I wanted more for Leo. I loved Leo and my heart hurt so much for him. I felt so bad for him and everything he goes through with Will and I didn't get that oh everything is wonderful sunshine and roses ending that I wanted. For Leo it is as he is happy, but it is still difficult. More difficult than I would deal with so...I get Will. I understand where he is coming from and why he is the way he is, especially once you learn more about him, but that doesn't excuse how poorly he treats Leo. At least not for me.
Now Leo was so cute. He loves Will and is not willing to give up on him even when it hurts. He can't get Will out of his mind even if he tries. There is something there, and yes Leo is a lot younger than Will but that doesn't matter to him. Leo is a romantic and I loved reading him. I wanted nothing but the best for him and at least he was happy-ish by the end. I know things will probably get better and better the more they figure things out, but my heart still hurts for him. A good read, the author writes wonderful stories, for me it just wasn't as amazing as the other ones.
Now why didn't I love this book as much? Will. I didn't like Will. I hated how he treated Leo like dirt. I know Will doesn't always mean to do that, he is not very good with emotions, but still. I wish we would have gotten some chapters from his point of view as that would have helped me connect with him more. As it was by the end I don't know how Leo put up with him for as long as he did. And even at the end Will is not great. Leo still has to pull everything out of him and I wanted more for Leo. I loved Leo and my heart hurt so much for him. I felt so bad for him and everything he goes through with Will and I didn't get that oh everything is wonderful sunshine and roses ending that I wanted. For Leo it is as he is happy, but it is still difficult. More difficult than I would deal with so...I get Will. I understand where he is coming from and why he is the way he is, especially once you learn more about him, but that doesn't excuse how poorly he treats Leo. At least not for me.
Now Leo was so cute. He loves Will and is not willing to give up on him even when it hurts. He can't get Will out of his mind even if he tries. There is something there, and yes Leo is a lot younger than Will but that doesn't matter to him. Leo is a romantic and I loved reading him. I wanted nothing but the best for him and at least he was happy-ish by the end. I know things will probably get better and better the more they figure things out, but my heart still hurts for him. A good read, the author writes wonderful stories, for me it just wasn't as amazing as the other ones.
sbelasco40's review
5.0
I enjoyed this book so much. It's such a smart and fascinating dissection of two people who connect and come together from very different places, and though the age difference between them is an issue that is addressed, it doesn't proceed in the way you might think. The side characters are also so well-developed that I would read a book about any of them.
indiekay's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I've been slowly making my way through all of Roan Parrish's books over the last 3 months, and I think Will and Leo are one of my favourite couples of all of Parrish's books. They're kind of dysfunctional, and this feels more like a HFN than a HEA kind of an ending, but I felt super connected to the personalities of both characters -- they were just so vivid and full of life.
I've been slowly making my way through all of Roan Parrish's books over the last 3 months, and I think Will and Leo are one of my favourite couples of all of Parrish's books. They're kind of dysfunctional, and this feels more like a HFN than a HEA kind of an ending, but I felt super connected to the personalities of both characters -- they were just so vivid and full of life.
missysreadingcorner's review against another edition
5.0
Leo and Will are such a hot mess. At first, I didn't like the idea of them as a couple. Will did everything to show Leo he was not a monogamous person and Leo ignored them. When Leo walked in on Will with that dude (which I knew would happen eventually), Leo had no right to get angry but Will told him he didn't want a relationship. However, Will should have been honest about his feelings. He should have told Leo he was his best friend. The one thing I like about this book more than the first two were the minor characters. I really liked Leo's friends and how they helped him. I also liked Will's sister, who really needed help. Even though they are a hot mess, they work together.