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a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
Another win for this series!
Ravi and Tristan may start off as adversaries, but a forced working situation reveals all sorts. As they get to know each other, those harsh feelings are quickly squashed and are replaced by admiration and desire.
Keeping in line with the enjoyable fluff factor, this had just enough angst to propel the story forward, as it touches on fear of truly coming out and being proud, as well as tough family dynamics. Of course it doesn't hurt that there's some fabulous, smexy exploration and awakening.
Albert consistently and perfectly shows how Ravi and Tristan - though complete opposites - fit together like nobody's business. They both realize their initial reservations and hangups don't have a leg to stand on, and that taking a chance could be so worth the risk.
Again, this was seriously sexy, emotionally engaging, and I for one, am eagerly looking forward to the next installment!!
Ravi and Tristan may start off as adversaries, but a forced working situation reveals all sorts. As they get to know each other, those harsh feelings are quickly squashed and are replaced by admiration and desire.
Keeping in line with the enjoyable fluff factor, this had just enough angst to propel the story forward, as it touches on fear of truly coming out and being proud, as well as tough family dynamics. Of course it doesn't hurt that there's some fabulous, smexy exploration and awakening.
Albert consistently and perfectly shows how Ravi and Tristan - though complete opposites - fit together like nobody's business. They both realize their initial reservations and hangups don't have a leg to stand on, and that taking a chance could be so worth the risk.
Again, this was seriously sexy, emotionally engaging, and I for one, am eagerly looking forward to the next installment!!
evethingiread's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audiobook. And the narrator did not do a good job with the accents. It was so distracting. The story itself was fine. Nothing memorable about Ravi and Tristan.
jelam0721's review
emotional
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
4.0
raynebair's review against another edition
4.0
Two guys both needing to hide their relationship for different reasons. Both struggling to deal with somewhat non-accepting families. But they are so cute together. Tristan with his button ups and spreadsheet, the ultimate nerd. Yet, fitting in with the laid back gamers in their t-shirts and jeans. Ha! This was a fun read and Sean Crisden did a really good job narrating. I was easily able to tell who was talking.
jagiaquinto's review
5.0
Love the Indian rep!
I love this book! I love the enemies to friends trope and even though they weren't really enemies there was competition between Ravi and Tristan. They are so cute!
I love this book! I love the enemies to friends trope and even though they weren't really enemies there was competition between Ravi and Tristan. They are so cute!
tildasaali's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
linda_1410's review against another edition
3.0
While I liked this book for many of the same reasons that I liked Status Update, this one suffers from being a variation on the same theme. Two guys, one quasi-closeted from an ultra conservative family and the other one openly gay and from a not quite as conservative family meet and fall in love while on a road trip, where they have to make an unexpected stop when their van dies. The plot was just too "I just read this" for me to be all that interested in the story's progression.
There are differences. The characters themselves aren't exact replicas of Adrian and Noah (who make very brief appearances in this book), and their backgrounds are pretty different, and the reasons for Tristan being on the downlow are much different from Noah. I was kind of with Ravi at first in the "just lose 'em" mentality when Tristan's parents were putting so much pressure on him to "be discreet," but as we learn more about the situation it makes a lot more sense. I also didn't feel like Ravi was as pushy with Tristan as Adrian was at times with Noah, though they both only have the others' interest at heart.
Also, there was no actual beta testing going on in this book. Relationship-wise, sure, I guess, but on the tech front? Not so much. Just in case anyone was going into this with dreams of geek love blooming over technobabble innuendo.
Given the extremely problematic books we've seen recently in M/M when it comes to characters of color, I found it refreshing how Ravi was written here. Never did I feel the need to cringe about what might possibly be coming, and never did I feel like Ravi's ethnicity was just set dressing. The author didn't make a big deal out of it when describing him, but there were little things throughout that can and do happen to people of Asian Indian descent, or really anyone with even a hint of brown in their skin - like being mistaken for a Muslim and therefore a terrorist (this has happened to so many people I know, and we're Hispanic, y'all), or someone making a comment that ethnic guys are hot (as if it were a kink, which I've heard at least some POC complain about). Even Tristan asks if everyone in Ravi's family watches Bollywood movies - and immediately apologizes for his ignorance of Indian culture. It's not sinister and isn't taken that way. It's asked in much the same way you might ask someone from England if they like tea. Ravi's race is not the focus of the story or his characterization, but it's not ignored either, and I feel like it was handled respectfully and realistically. If there were problematic elements to it, I didn't pick up on them.
There are differences. The characters themselves aren't exact replicas of Adrian and Noah (who make very brief appearances in this book), and their backgrounds are pretty different, and the reasons for Tristan being on the downlow are much different from Noah. I was kind of with Ravi at first in the "just lose 'em" mentality when Tristan's parents were putting so much pressure on him to "be discreet," but as we learn more about the situation it makes a lot more sense. I also didn't feel like Ravi was as pushy with Tristan as Adrian was at times with Noah, though they both only have the others' interest at heart.
Also, there was no actual beta testing going on in this book. Relationship-wise, sure, I guess, but on the tech front? Not so much. Just in case anyone was going into this with dreams of geek love blooming over technobabble innuendo.
Given the extremely problematic books we've seen recently in M/M when it comes to characters of color, I found it refreshing how Ravi was written here. Never did I feel the need to cringe about what might possibly be coming, and never did I feel like Ravi's ethnicity was just set dressing. The author didn't make a big deal out of it when describing him, but there were little things throughout that can and do happen to people of Asian Indian descent, or really anyone with even a hint of brown in their skin - like being mistaken for a Muslim and therefore a terrorist (this has happened to so many people I know, and we're Hispanic, y'all), or someone making a comment that ethnic guys are hot (as if it were a kink, which I've heard at least some POC complain about). Even Tristan asks if everyone in Ravi's family watches Bollywood movies - and immediately apologizes for his ignorance of Indian culture. It's not sinister and isn't taken that way. It's asked in much the same way you might ask someone from England if they like tea. Ravi's race is not the focus of the story or his characterization, but it's not ignored either, and I feel like it was handled respectfully and realistically. If there were problematic elements to it, I didn't pick up on them.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to connect with Tristan and Ravi, but once I did I was head over heels for their story. I really liked how they were such polar opposites of each other, but still managed to connect on many levels. I was so proud of Tristan for how he dealt with his parents. (I only wish they could have had some kind of come to Jesus moment and realize how messed up they let their relationship with him get)
haydemoone's review
lighthearted
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
3.5
leelee68's review
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up to 5...I thought this one was sweet. I enjoyed both MC's. I thought they brought out the best in each other.