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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sometimes you need to read the same story again. and sometimes you dont. this is that same story, and same characters, again.
emotional
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
Another uni romance, and again, idk how to rate this. I've just read too many of those, and they feel so similar π
Sometimes I like that, something familiar, but I guess I need to leave more time before reading the next one. All in all, I liked it. They had some great moments. It just was a bit too long, the beginning was kinda weird, and the back and forth at the end annoyed me a bit.
It's a best friends to lovers situation. Keene and Aspen have been super close practically since birth (their parents are friends), and when they kiss because of a dare at the end of high school, Keene can't stop thinking about it. They go to uni, even live together, and at some point, he can't keep it to himself anymore. Surprisingly, Aspen says he would be fine with Keene using him to figure out his sexuality and they start this journey of self-discovery.
Well, to have "emotion free" hook-ups with your bestie to figure out if you're into guys isn't the best idea, and I thought it was really weird how they agreed to this π Especially since Aspen was still sure to be straight at that point and Keene wasn't one for casual hook-ups, so it was more than clear how this would go. Aspen even said so himself and that he didn't want to hurt Keene, but then kinda just forgot about these (valid) arguments π€·π»ββοΈ Though, I did like how they used the dares to initiate stuff.
Then, they slipped into relationship behavior, again, way too fast π But at that point, I really enjoyed their relationship, and they had some great moments. That was what I liked most about the book. I generally love friends to lovers stuff with the whole "you've always been the most important person to me" stuff β€οΈ But this is also why I'm always confused why it is such a big step for them to actually get together because in my eyes they already are! The only difference is saying it's official π So that typical third act breakup felt especially harsh to me. I didn't understand what the big problem was. Like wdym "I can't be that for you." You already are!! π© I could really understand the other ones' anger. That whole back and forth was a bit long, but the conversations with their mother/sister were nice.
If you can't get enough of these kinds of spicy uni romances, this is a good one. I just need a break (but I know I'll be back soon, making that same mistake again when I can't concentrate on something complex, like fantasy π©π). Btw, this also had more sports (baseball) than some sports romance I've read recently π (not actually much though, so I'm glad it wasn't categorized as such).
It's a best friends to lovers situation. Keene and Aspen have been super close practically since birth (their parents are friends), and when they kiss because of a dare at the end of high school, Keene can't stop thinking about it. They go to uni, even live together, and at some point, he can't keep it to himself anymore. Surprisingly, Aspen says he would be fine with Keene using him to figure out his sexuality and they start this journey of self-discovery.
Well, to have "emotion free" hook-ups with your bestie to figure out if you're into guys isn't the best idea, and I thought it was really weird how they agreed to this π Especially since Aspen was still sure to be straight at that point and Keene wasn't one for casual hook-ups, so it was more than clear how this would go. Aspen even said so himself and that he didn't want to hurt Keene, but then kinda just forgot about these (valid) arguments π€·π»ββοΈ Though, I did like how they used the dares to initiate stuff.
Then, they slipped into relationship behavior, again, way too fast π But at that point, I really enjoyed their relationship, and they had some great moments. That was what I liked most about the book. I generally love friends to lovers stuff with the whole "you've always been the most important person to me" stuff β€οΈ But this is also why I'm always confused why it is such a big step for them to actually get together because in my eyes they already are! The only difference is saying it's official π So that typical third act breakup felt especially harsh to me. I didn't understand what the big problem was. Like wdym "I can't be that for you." You already are!! π© I could really understand the other ones' anger. That whole back and forth was a bit long, but the conversations with their mother/sister were nice.
If you can't get enough of these kinds of spicy uni romances, this is a good one. I just need a break (but I know I'll be back soon, making that same mistake again when I can't concentrate on something complex, like fantasy π©π). Btw, this also had more sports (baseball) than some sports romance I've read recently π (not actually much though, so I'm glad it wasn't categorized as such).
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
It was fine, but definitely went on longer than it should have
emotional
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:
No
I am having a difficult time figuring out how to rate this book. I read this during a slow two days at work and it was great to fill that slot. Aspen and Keene were two charming characters. They really were 20 years old though...Like supremely 20 years old. Both in their decision-making and in their stamina. This book was probably 65% fucking which seems impressive for a 400 page book. Their little game of "Don't You Dare" was a fun and funny way to spur the plot along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Outing
5 βοΈ
Re-read February 2025: Wanted a re-read after Avery and Kalebβs book. Still love Pen and Kee so so much. This book still gets my top spot for this author and the narrators are really good for this.
I read this back in Feb and it has lived rent free in my mind ever since. I love MM friends to lovers and this one is perfection.
Kee and Pen have really distinct voices throughout and their friendship is soooo cute. The spice in this book is legit some of the best Iβve ever read and Iβve read a lot
Re-read February 2025: Wanted a re-read after Avery and Kalebβs book. Still love Pen and Kee so so much. This book still gets my top spot for this author and the narrators are really good for this.
I read this back in Feb and it has lived rent free in my mind ever since. I love MM friends to lovers and this one is perfection.
Kee and Pen have really distinct voices throughout and their friendship is soooo cute. The spice in this book is legit some of the best Iβve ever read and Iβve read a lot
medium-paced