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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Thank you Joel Rustin for this ARC!
First off I loved Parker’s and Brandon’s banter. Because with everything that they both were going through they still tried to make the best of things especially when they had each other. Even though they lost touch for a few years because of some miss communication I loved reading how they grow and become better for themselves and each other. Their story was emotional, with each of them having their own drama with their families and personal issues it was great watching them become better versions of themselves and finally being honest with what they both want and what they were feeling. I loved their HEA it was well deserved.
“Dancing with your best friend sounds like a great way to spend an evening”, He holds out his hand. “But dancing with the love of your goddamn life? That sounds pretty fucking perfect to me. Shall we?”
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Joel Rustin. The author is British - which means you get British-isms mixed with American-isms, which I found to be fun.
Brandon is a college soccer player who has been in love with his best friend, Parker, since high school. Unfortunately, at the end of their high school years, there isa miscommunication (that comes to light later), resulting in them not speaking for 3 years. Brandon is injured during a game and sent to a rehab facility where, surprise, Parker is working.
Parker is an aspiring MMA fighter wanting to follow in his dad’s footsteps after he passed away. He gets kicked out of college due to fighting and ends up working at the same soccer rehab facility where he ends up rekindling his friendship with Brandon.
I really enjoyed the development of both Brandon and Parker and the natural progression from a rekindled friendship to a relationship. It didn’t feel forced. I also really enjoyed how both Brandon and Parker supported the other in their struggles, whether that be family struggles or coming out struggles or future making struggles. Both boys really had the other’s back.
I also really enjoyed how mental health was represented and not shied away from. Therapy was constantly mentioned as a way to help and have an unbiased perspective to their struggles - and I think it’s so important for therapy to not be a dirty word.
What you’re getting:
Best friends - strangers - friends - lovers
Bi awakening
Second chance
Aspiring MMA fighter x soccer player
Unrequited love
Secret relationship
Mental health rep
HEA
TWs: death of a parent (off page), misunderstanding leading to internalized homophobia, family dramas
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
**ARC review**
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Joel Rustin. The author is British - which means you get British-isms mixed with American-isms, which I found to be fun.
Brandon is a college soccer player who has been in love with his best friend, Parker, since high school. Unfortunately, at the end of their high school years, there isa miscommunication (that comes to light later), resulting in them not speaking for 3 years. Brandon is injured during a game and sent to a rehab facility where, surprise, Parker is working.
Parker is an aspiring MMA fighter wanting to follow in his dad’s footsteps after he passed away. He gets kicked out of college due to fighting and ends up working at the same soccer rehab facility where he ends up rekindling his friendship with Brandon.
I really enjoyed the development of both Brandon and Parker and the natural progression from a rekindled friendship to a relationship. It didn’t feel forced. I also really enjoyed how both Brandon and Parker supported the other in their struggles, whether that be family struggles or coming out struggles or future making struggles. Both boys really had the other’s back.
I also really enjoyed how mental health was represented and not shied away from. Therapy was constantly mentioned as a way to help and have an unbiased perspective to their struggles - and I think it’s so important for therapy to not be a dirty word.
What you’re getting:
Best friends - strangers - friends - lovers
Bi awakening
Second chance
Aspiring MMA fighter x soccer player
Unrequited love
Secret relationship
Mental health rep
HEA
TWs: death of a parent (off page), misunderstanding leading to internalized homophobia, family dramas
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
**ARC review**
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
A soccer player x aspiring mma fighter second chance-ish dual timelines-ish romance that had me audibly screaming at every new reveal.
These dumb boys (affectionate) instantly captured my heart and dragged me around on a wild ride. It’s angsty, it’s sweet, it’s miscommunications and grief, it’s the full range of human emotions bottled up in a safe and comforting hug. I was not prepared for how much this was going to make me cry today, but it certainly was cathartic! An incredibly strong debut from an author who wholeheartedly earned a spot on my must-read list.
These dumb boys (affectionate) instantly captured my heart and dragged me around on a wild ride. It’s angsty, it’s sweet, it’s miscommunications and grief, it’s the full range of human emotions bottled up in a safe and comforting hug. I was not prepared for how much this was going to make me cry today, but it certainly was cathartic! An incredibly strong debut from an author who wholeheartedly earned a spot on my must-read list.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Abandonment