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friends2lovers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Gun violence
readsbykayla's review against another edition
4.5
This was positively delightful and a lovely way to start the new year. I adored Courtney and Julian's story - I loved how this tied into the other Turner books. Courtney and Julian were so broken and just needed each other's affection and I'm an absolute sucker for this. I also thought the chronic illness rep and recovering addict storylines were extremely interesting and delicately written.Cat Sebastian never disappoints and this is no different.
sleepingwren's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
lexi_bear's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-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
3.75
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
Bro. Bro!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really loved this novel. Here are some of the things contained therein:
- A stiff, stuffy, social climber of a hero who gradually learns that societal acceptance is way less important than he'd previously thought. I liked that Julian thought of himself as thoroughly unromantic, but he freaking fell in love with a dude through seeing his portrait and hearing tales of him. Lovely. His gradual realisation that he's worthy of love and capable of giving it was just the best. (God and the same for Courtenay, too.)
- The most wonderful declaration of love scene I've ever encountered in a romance, probably. "I wish you only the best." I recently read the Mason Deaver book and this line made me scream lmao.
- Loving and careful D/s.
- An ending where all of the characters of the series come together and have a big gay picnic where they're all aware of their natures, but no one speaks about it, but they're all comfortable and happy and fuck that made me so happy and weepy. Especially as seen through Courtenay's eyes.
- Little revelations and big revelations that made me gasp. (Like, when we realise that Don Lorenzo was mostly based on Julian himself, that he'd cast HIMSELF as the villain. T_T)
- Lots and lots of kittens. Like, therapeutic amounts of them.
A word on he narrator: I liked him! He does a pretty okay accent, and I actually really liked his drawl for Courtenay.
Oh man I really enjoyed this book. The standout for me is Courtenay, who was funny and charming and a bit of a dick and kind and brave, in how he exposed himself and his heart even after enduring so much of society's hate and scorn and I'm just so glad to see him, in particular, get a happy ending. There are doubtless other things I liked about the book, and definitely things I didn't like that I can't remember right now. But all in all... gah. Really good.
4.5 stars.
I really loved this novel. Here are some of the things contained therein:
Spoiler
- A charming, devilish rake of a hero who's secretly super vulnerable and aching and yearning for love after searching for it in many quarters and being denied it in most of them. Courtenay's ALLOWED to be vulnerable, though the journey there is tough for him. This wasn't the trope where there's an asshole character with a heart of gold; he's a freaking sweetheart who heaps on the charm and sarcasm and has been free with his body while his heart was neglected. And I loved that. I loved HIM from almost there very beginning because he was a damned nice person and it didn't take a lot of digging to see that.- A stiff, stuffy, social climber of a hero who gradually learns that societal acceptance is way less important than he'd previously thought. I liked that Julian thought of himself as thoroughly unromantic, but he freaking fell in love with a dude through seeing his portrait and hearing tales of him. Lovely. His gradual realisation that he's worthy of love and capable of giving it was just the best. (God and the same for Courtenay, too.)
- The most wonderful declaration of love scene I've ever encountered in a romance, probably. "I wish you only the best." I recently read the Mason Deaver book and this line made me scream lmao.
- Loving and careful D/s.
- An ending where all of the characters of the series come together and have a big gay picnic where they're all aware of their natures, but no one speaks about it, but they're all comfortable and happy and fuck that made me so happy and weepy. Especially as seen through Courtenay's eyes.
- Little revelations and big revelations that made me gasp. (Like, when we realise that Don Lorenzo was mostly based on Julian himself, that he'd cast HIMSELF as the villain. T_T)
- Lots and lots of kittens. Like, therapeutic amounts of them.
A word on he narrator: I liked him! He does a pretty okay accent, and I actually really liked his drawl for Courtenay.
Oh man I really enjoyed this book. The standout for me is Courtenay, who was funny and charming and a bit of a dick and kind and brave, in how he exposed himself and his heart even after enduring so much of society's hate and scorn and I'm just so glad to see him, in particular, get a happy ending. There are doubtless other things I liked about the book, and definitely things I didn't like that I can't remember right now. But all in all... gah. Really good.
4.5 stars.
cathd's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
rubyslayer's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
diamondrust's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it, for the most part. Found Julian's character edging into stereotypical repressed, and the twist of him being a dramatic novelist was just a little on the nose. But he mostly balanced out with Courtenay, who was a fun take on the 'rake' character. Cat Sebastian managed to do some fun things with the stereotype and make him interesting.
Also plausible era-appropriate H/C, with Julian suffering from malaria. Not usually my thing but she did it well.
Also plausible era-appropriate H/C, with Julian suffering from malaria. Not usually my thing but she did it well.
p0kefan24601's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a lighthearted and fun romance between two bisexual men. Courtenay is the epitome of hedonism, while Julian is much more reserved. What starts as two personalities clashing develops into an (at times steamy) romance. The premise is that Julian will help Courtenay become more respected in society via association with Julian. The story also has some good characterization below the romance, touching on the effects parents have on their kids, having to grow up too soon, and living with a lifelong illness.
I accidentally read this one first, not realizing it was the 3rd in a series. I didn't find myself lost at all, though, as I gather the other two stories are somewhat standalone (though characters may appear in other novels). So it can be read first, but I'd probably recommend starting at the beginning for the full experience. (The first two books are next on my to read pile for sure).
Cat Sebastian has quickly become my go-to author for queer romance stories.
I accidentally read this one first, not realizing it was the 3rd in a series. I didn't find myself lost at all, though, as I gather the other two stories are somewhat standalone (though characters may appear in other novels). So it can be read first, but I'd probably recommend starting at the beginning for the full experience. (The first two books are next on my to read pile for sure).
Cat Sebastian has quickly become my go-to author for queer romance stories.