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xanthe87 's review for:
Finance Bros
by August Jones
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**3.5**
This is a hard review to write because overall, I enjoyed the book.
The enemies to lovers aspect is clear from the start when Ryan and Malcolm don't want to be around each other. Understandable from how Malcolm treated Ryan after an accidental revelation that Ryan was in love with his stepbrother when they were teenagers. Now grown men, working at an internship at a finance company together, it's a decision as to whether they ignore each other the whole time, or work together to beat the others.
The chemistry is strong, even with Malcolm sure that he is straight. It's the sudden appearance of Ryan in his life again, and how he has changed from when he last saw him that has him suddenly reacting in a different way. However, Malcolm does start the book with a girlfriend that he has been with for ten years. *They are on a break when anything happens, so technically, there is no cheating.* The heat between them gets intense and it's a surprise just how well matched they are in everything! What threatens to keep them apart is Ryan's inability to trust anyone again after also being in a bad relationship and Malcolm having never committed to anything apart from his relationship with Kaylin, his girlfriend, which was mostly apathetic.
Now, it took me quite a while to get into the story. That could be a me thing or the writing style but I didn't really connect to either MC. I wasn't a fan of Malcolm with the way he thought of Ryan or the homophobic thoughts he was having. I know that it was a part of the character but it didn't come across in the right way for me. I had to keep reading to see how things turned out, and I am glad that I did as the two men develop quite a close relationship and there are side characters that really help to bring things together as well as moving them along. Bailey especially makes a mark, despite seeming quite surly and antisocial at the start.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
This is a hard review to write because overall, I enjoyed the book.
The enemies to lovers aspect is clear from the start when Ryan and Malcolm don't want to be around each other. Understandable from how Malcolm treated Ryan after an accidental revelation that Ryan was in love with his stepbrother when they were teenagers. Now grown men, working at an internship at a finance company together, it's a decision as to whether they ignore each other the whole time, or work together to beat the others.
The chemistry is strong, even with Malcolm sure that he is straight. It's the sudden appearance of Ryan in his life again, and how he has changed from when he last saw him that has him suddenly reacting in a different way. However, Malcolm does start the book with a girlfriend that he has been with for ten years. *They are on a break when anything happens, so technically, there is no cheating.* The heat between them gets intense and it's a surprise just how well matched they are in everything! What threatens to keep them apart is Ryan's inability to trust anyone again after also being in a bad relationship and Malcolm having never committed to anything apart from his relationship with Kaylin, his girlfriend, which was mostly apathetic.
Now, it took me quite a while to get into the story. That could be a me thing or the writing style but I didn't really connect to either MC. I wasn't a fan of Malcolm with the way he thought of Ryan or the homophobic thoughts he was having. I know that it was a part of the character but it didn't come across in the right way for me. I had to keep reading to see how things turned out, and I am glad that I did as the two men develop quite a close relationship and there are side characters that really help to bring things together as well as moving them along. Bailey especially makes a mark, despite seeming quite surly and antisocial at the start.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Bullying