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bitterfate's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
jaxsyms's review
emotional
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
4.5
secret_librarian's review
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5
Steam: 3
PoV: single, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: friends to lovers, small town, hurt / comfort
Divine River was a really sweet, heart-warming story that had me smiling a lot!
I loved Mike and Jason, they took their time but was obviously gone for each other long before they realised what was happening. Mike was struggling with his sexuality and identity, and it hurt to read at times, how he was hiding parts of himself and not having anyone to rely to. He was really prickly at times, and I adored how Jason just sort of inserted himself into Mike's life.
The intimacy and trust that built between them was so beautiful and it was definitely an emotional read. I loved seeing Mike finding himself and becoming more comfortable in his own skin, and the way Marina wrote his feelings and identity was fantastic.
Divine River was a beautiful read and I loved Mike and Jason's story. It was moving to see the personal growth that Mike went through and how understanding and supportive Jason was. I love Marina's writing and stories, and I really recommend picking one of them up if you haven't already!
“I’ve been described as ‘difficult’.”
“Yeah? Are you easy just for me? Because look at you, baby. You’re a fucking softy for me.”
“I’m really fucking into you, Mikey, and I… how you express yourself—clothes and gender and whatever else there is—that doesn’t change how much I… am into you. The more you show yourself, the more psyched I am, honestly.”
Steam: 3
PoV: single, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: friends to lovers, small town, hurt / comfort
Divine River was a really sweet, heart-warming story that had me smiling a lot!
I loved Mike and Jason, they took their time but was obviously gone for each other long before they realised what was happening. Mike was struggling with his sexuality and identity, and it hurt to read at times, how he was hiding parts of himself and not having anyone to rely to. He was really prickly at times, and I adored how Jason just sort of inserted himself into Mike's life.
The intimacy and trust that built between them was so beautiful and it was definitely an emotional read. I loved seeing Mike finding himself and becoming more comfortable in his own skin, and the way Marina wrote his feelings and identity was fantastic.
Divine River was a beautiful read and I loved Mike and Jason's story. It was moving to see the personal growth that Mike went through and how understanding and supportive Jason was. I love Marina's writing and stories, and I really recommend picking one of them up if you haven't already!
“I’ve been described as ‘difficult’.”
“Yeah? Are you easy just for me? Because look at you, baby. You’re a fucking softy for me.”
“I’m really fucking into you, Mikey, and I… how you express yourself—clothes and gender and whatever else there is—that doesn’t change how much I… am into you. The more you show yourself, the more psyched I am, honestly.”
ashlikes's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Grief, Medical content, Child abuse, and Death of parent
captwinghead's review
3.0
Pretty cute m/m story about a closeted guy living in a small town. He makes friends with a talkative guy that moves in nearby and they grow close. Most of the conflict revolves around Mike, the MC, being closeted and dealing with internalized homophobia. After one dust up, it’s pretty much just fluff and self discovery after that.
Deals some with gender identity and non-conformity.
Deals some with gender identity and non-conformity.
purple676's review
3.0
a good mix of adorable and hot. My only problem with the book was the dialogue, it was kinda amature and too much dude bro but it was still a good time. I really liked Mike’s character.
sunraven's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
The journey between Mike and Jason is so beautiful to read. Marina is becoming one of my favourite authors with regards to emotional and heartfelt stories.
layla87's review
4.0
This was delightful.
I loved this low-angst novella:
- neighbors
- opposites attract
- Friends to lovers
- Instant connection (NOT insta-love)
- Sweet moments and banter
- Sexy steamy scenes
- Finding oneself and being content with who you are.
- HEA
I wish we had more tbh. These two men were sweet.
I loved this low-angst novella:
- neighbors
- opposites attract
- Friends to lovers
- Instant connection (NOT insta-love)
- Sweet moments and banter
- Sexy steamy scenes
- Finding oneself and being content with who you are.
- HEA
I wish we had more tbh. These two men were sweet.
bronwynheeley's review
4.0
This was everything it was set out to be with the emotional kick Vivancos gives her books. It’s about accepting himself, and though I wished it went a little further as it felt like just the start of the story, I appreciate what it gave us.
writtenechoes's review
5.0
“I’m really fucking into you, Mikey, and I… how you express yourself—clothes and gender and whatever else there is—that doesn’t change how much I… am into you. The more you show yourself, the more psyched I am, honestly.”
Maybe love IS real.
Maybe love IS real.