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A review by kp_hobbitreads
Screens Apart by Charlie Novak
4.0
Screens Apart: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
This was a super sweet, low-angst, friends to lovers, roommate romance. You can definitely tell that this was originally published as a newsletter, but I'm honestly glad she didn't try to go back and break it up into chapters because I think the sections really worked towards the stories advantage. And, the epilogue was the perfect way to finish this story.
Simon has been secretly running an anonymous blog where he posts pictures of himself dressed in things that make him feel good. Through the blog he's met an online friend Mr. Smith who he has struck up a flirty banter with. But, things get complicated when is IRL crush/roommate Taylor suggests they start a friends with benefits type situation. As Simon's feelings start to shift from a harmless crush to falling in love, he's not sure what to do. Especially since Mr. Smith seems to be finding himself in the same situation. But, Taylor and Mr. Smith couldn't be the same person...right?
I really loved both Simon and Taylor as characters, and they work so well together. And, I really liked that their dynamic flipped the heteronormativity you often seen in mlm romances on its head. Simon is a bigger guy who prefers to bottom and loves wearing lacy things. Tayler is a smaller, snarky guy who much prefers to be in charge. I also think it really helped the pacing of the story that these two are already friends when we meet them, it allows for their relationship development to feel believable despite this story not being super long.
Three Thoughts:
1. I love that Simon doesn't give up his blog after he and Taylor get together. Especially that Taylor never even considered asking - for him it was a given that Simon would keep posting.
2. The care taking scenes in this were *chef's kiss*. I'm a sucker for characters showing how much they care before they even realize it.
3. I loved that we got a Connor cameo from Strawberry Kisses. I love when authors put all their books in the same "universe" with little cameos like that.
If you are looking for something fun and steamy that you can read in one sitting, you should give this a try.
content warnings: insecurity around body size, sex (on page), d/s elements
This was a super sweet, low-angst, friends to lovers, roommate romance. You can definitely tell that this was originally published as a newsletter, but I'm honestly glad she didn't try to go back and break it up into chapters because I think the sections really worked towards the stories advantage. And, the epilogue was the perfect way to finish this story.
Simon has been secretly running an anonymous blog where he posts pictures of himself dressed in things that make him feel good. Through the blog he's met an online friend Mr. Smith who he has struck up a flirty banter with. But, things get complicated when is IRL crush/roommate Taylor suggests they start a friends with benefits type situation. As Simon's feelings start to shift from a harmless crush to falling in love, he's not sure what to do. Especially since Mr. Smith seems to be finding himself in the same situation. But, Taylor and Mr. Smith couldn't be the same person...right?
I really loved both Simon and Taylor as characters, and they work so well together. And, I really liked that their dynamic flipped the heteronormativity you often seen in mlm romances on its head. Simon is a bigger guy who prefers to bottom and loves wearing lacy things. Tayler is a smaller, snarky guy who much prefers to be in charge. I also think it really helped the pacing of the story that these two are already friends when we meet them, it allows for their relationship development to feel believable despite this story not being super long.
Three Thoughts:
1. I love that Simon doesn't give up his blog after he and Taylor get together. Especially that Taylor never even considered asking - for him it was a given that Simon would keep posting.
2. The care taking scenes in this were *chef's kiss*. I'm a sucker for characters showing how much they care before they even realize it.
3. I loved that we got a Connor cameo from Strawberry Kisses. I love when authors put all their books in the same "universe" with little cameos like that.
If you are looking for something fun and steamy that you can read in one sitting, you should give this a try.
content warnings: insecurity around body size, sex (on page), d/s elements