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A review by kp_hobbitreads
Like I Promised by Charlie Novak
4.0
#0.5 Like I Pictures: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#1 Like I Promised: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
This was surprisingly low-angst for being a second chance romance, but I'm not mad about it.
Oliver had no plans to return to the hometown he left behind when he went off to college until his grandmother passed away and left him her cottage. It's in desperate need of repairs, and he doesn't want his mom cutting her long-planned trip short to oversee it. But, things get complicated fast when the man in charge of the construction just so happens to be Oliver's childhood best friend and ex-boyfriend. Lane has spent the last nine years trying to pretend that he's completely over Oliver so when the two are forced back into each other's orbit, he's convinced he can managed a casual, no-strings fling. But, the more time they spend together, Lane and Oliver realize that their feelings may not be as past tense as they thought. And, they have to decide if their second chance is worth fighting for.
I really liked both Oliver and Lane. And, I really loved this take on a second chance romance. It's really rare to see this trope when one (or both) of the characters isn't portrayed as the "bad guy". Yes, they had a bad break-up when they were kids...but, they were kids. They neither one set out to hurt the other, it just happened. There was no major betrayal, just life. And, I found that really compelling, It made it so much easier to root for the romance when there was no massive groveling required. Just two adults who have to learn how to communicate with each other (something they simply didn't have the skills to do as teenagers.)
Three Thoughts:
1. Talking about how hot their both found an adult film star the first time they get busy was kinda jarring. Obviously YMMV, but if someone tried to get me in the mood by telling me how hot they found someone else, my desire would exit stage left in a hurry
2. I love that author always manages to work in some commentary on real world issues (i.e. rent prices and airbnbs.) It grounds the story without feeling preachy.
3. "There was no point assigning blame in a conflict that had no victors." This. This was *chef's kiss*
Love this group of friends, and I absolutely need to see them all get their own HEAs.
content warnings: loss of a loved one (resent past), brief mentions of grief, sex (on page)
#1 Like I Promised: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
This was surprisingly low-angst for being a second chance romance, but I'm not mad about it.
Oliver had no plans to return to the hometown he left behind when he went off to college until his grandmother passed away and left him her cottage. It's in desperate need of repairs, and he doesn't want his mom cutting her long-planned trip short to oversee it. But, things get complicated fast when the man in charge of the construction just so happens to be Oliver's childhood best friend and ex-boyfriend. Lane has spent the last nine years trying to pretend that he's completely over Oliver so when the two are forced back into each other's orbit, he's convinced he can managed a casual, no-strings fling. But, the more time they spend together, Lane and Oliver realize that their feelings may not be as past tense as they thought. And, they have to decide if their second chance is worth fighting for.
I really liked both Oliver and Lane. And, I really loved this take on a second chance romance. It's really rare to see this trope when one (or both) of the characters isn't portrayed as the "bad guy". Yes, they had a bad break-up when they were kids...but, they were kids. They neither one set out to hurt the other, it just happened. There was no major betrayal, just life. And, I found that really compelling, It made it so much easier to root for the romance when there was no massive groveling required. Just two adults who have to learn how to communicate with each other (something they simply didn't have the skills to do as teenagers.)
Three Thoughts:
1. Talking about how hot their both found an adult film star the first time they get busy was kinda jarring. Obviously YMMV, but if someone tried to get me in the mood by telling me how hot they found someone else, my desire would exit stage left in a hurry
2. I love that author always manages to work in some commentary on real world issues (i.e. rent prices and airbnbs.) It grounds the story without feeling preachy.
3. "There was no point assigning blame in a conflict that had no victors." This. This was *chef's kiss*
Love this group of friends, and I absolutely need to see them all get their own HEAs.
content warnings: loss of a loved one (resent past), brief mentions of grief, sex (on page)