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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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 was the first book of this series I read, but after seeing the gorgeous cover, I had to read it. While I definitely think I would have enjoyed the dynamic more had I read the other books in the series, I wasn't lost or confused at all coming into this so late.
Xander is such a sweetheart with so much sass. Saxon did such an amazing job writing his character. I adored him so much but also felt so heartbroken for everything he dealt with. All of his friends were so great with him and so patient, he had a fantastic support group. But as they are growing up and meeting their partners, life is changing and it's scary for Xander. He's happy for his friends, but he doesn't know what this means for him, especially since he can't have the man he wants.
For his part, Derek was great with Xander. He treated him kindly, but didn't coddle him like Xander's friends tended to do. He was patient and sweet. He felt torn, wanting to pursue his own life but feeling stuck by his need to help Xander. I understood what Derek was feeling, but it also was frustrating. He put his entire life on hold for a man he had feelings for, but he wouldn't make the necessary changes to pursue something with Xander.
I did feel like the way that Derek guided Xander to a relationship to make sure they were pursuing each other in a healthy, positive way was really great. He set boundaries and for the most part stuck to them. He gave Xander structure and made sure that they were both in the right headspace. He also learned that he couldn't put everything on hold for Xander and had to give himself permission to pursue his own dreams.
I love Saxon's writing and character development. This was another hit for me and Xander is going to live rent free in my head for a long time.
Xander is such a sweetheart with so much sass. Saxon did such an amazing job writing his character. I adored him so much but also felt so heartbroken for everything he dealt with. All of his friends were so great with him and so patient, he had a fantastic support group. But as they are growing up and meeting their partners, life is changing and it's scary for Xander. He's happy for his friends, but he doesn't know what this means for him, especially since he can't have the man he wants.
For his part, Derek was great with Xander. He treated him kindly, but didn't coddle him like Xander's friends tended to do. He was patient and sweet. He felt torn, wanting to pursue his own life but feeling stuck by his need to help Xander. I understood what Derek was feeling, but it also was frustrating. He put his entire life on hold for a man he had feelings for, but he wouldn't make the necessary changes to pursue something with Xander.
I did feel like the way that Derek guided Xander to a relationship to make sure they were pursuing each other in a healthy, positive way was really great. He set boundaries and for the most part stuck to them. He gave Xander structure and made sure that they were both in the right headspace. He also learned that he couldn't put everything on hold for Xander and had to give himself permission to pursue his own dreams.
I love Saxon's writing and character development. This was another hit for me and Xander is going to live rent free in my head for a long time.
emotional
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
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
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:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
AUDIO REVIEW
This was the perfect ending to the series.
Xander and Derek were everything I expected and more. I knew I was going to love Xander's story the moment I listened to The Husband Hoax. He always intrigued me and I knew his story was going to be difficult but so worthwhile.
I enjoyed that this one was a slow burn. It made more sense given Xander's history of abandonment and mental health. He had to learn to help/love himself before he could truly love Derek.
And Derek was the most patient and gentle man to Xander. When he had to put his foot down with Xander and give him an ultimatum, my heart broke for both of them. But it was necessary as they couldn't have a future if Xander didn't get help.
Their journey was messy and difficult, but the way they grew individually and together was so beautiful.
🌶🌶
Tropes/themes
✨nurse x patient/artist
✨slow burn
✨friends to more
✨forbidden
✨hurt/comfort
✨mental health rep
This was the perfect ending to the series.
Xander and Derek were everything I expected and more. I knew I was going to love Xander's story the moment I listened to The Husband Hoax. He always intrigued me and I knew his story was going to be difficult but so worthwhile.
I enjoyed that this one was a slow burn. It made more sense given Xander's history of abandonment and mental health. He had to learn to help/love himself before he could truly love Derek.
And Derek was the most patient and gentle man to Xander. When he had to put his foot down with Xander and give him an ultimatum, my heart broke for both of them. But it was necessary as they couldn't have a future if Xander didn't get help.
Their journey was messy and difficult, but the way they grew individually and together was so beautiful.
🌶🌶
Tropes/themes
✨nurse x patient/artist
✨slow burn
✨friends to more
✨forbidden
✨hurt/comfort
✨mental health rep
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
What a fantastic way to wrap up the series!! I had been waiting for Xandar’s story, even if I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out with all his issues. I have to say it surprised me with how much I liked Xander and Derek’s relationship. I loved this series finale!
One of the things I really liked is that the timeline in the book isn’t rushed. Xander needs time to work in his mental health and accept that he needs help.
Derek and Xander begin stablishing a friendship which later on works as a foundation for their romantic relationship. They both have things to work on in relation with their mental health, and I like that not everything is treated together. There’s aspects that they have to work on their own, and even if Xander doesn’t agree at the begining, he ends up respecting Derek’s boundries. Derek respects and understands that Xander and Seven come as a package deal, and the friendship that he forms with the other Bertha boys (and partners) is really wonderful too.
I really loved the book and it made me emotional at the end with how wonderfuly wrapped up was the series.
emotional
reflective
fast-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
Was this a hard read? Yes.
Was it worth it? Totally.
I have been waiting for Xander’s story since I read the first book in the Accidental Love series.
I needed him to have his HEA.
Derek and Xander ripped my heart out multiple times. Xander’s panic made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. And Derek’s want to help could be felt in my bones.
BUT my most favorite part of this book, was Derek advocating for himself and what he needed while also helping Xander at the same time.
It was written beautifully!
And that ending 🥹 uhhh I lost it!! ðŸ˜
This series is so worth the read if you haven’t given it a try. The Big Bertha Boys are worth every page 🧡
Was it worth it? Totally.
I have been waiting for Xander’s story since I read the first book in the Accidental Love series.
I needed him to have his HEA.
Derek and Xander ripped my heart out multiple times. Xander’s panic made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. And Derek’s want to help could be felt in my bones.
BUT my most favorite part of this book, was Derek advocating for himself and what he needed while also helping Xander at the same time.
It was written beautifully!
And that ending 🥹 uhhh I lost it!! ðŸ˜
This series is so worth the read if you haven’t given it a try. The Big Bertha Boys are worth every page 🧡
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced