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evethingiread's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this. While I did feel some parts were unnecessary and I did skip them, overall I really enjoyed this story. It felt as if I was traveling myself. A very enjoyable holiday read. Kieran is wonderful, i loved him so much. And Kennedy is so hot.
sammy_lou's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this book. It takes a while to get into it, but when you do it's amazing, I loved the characters and the way they evolved through the book. Kennedy is all about business and doesn't really have a life away from it. All he has is one month break a year where is goes on a holiday with his group of friends and his travel companion he pays for. This time his companion is Kieran, who is desperate for the money and agrees to do it despite being straight. Even from the start of the holiday Kieran is there for Kennedy and helps him through a lot that he's going through. He helps Kennedy to get closer to his family and he starts to relax. Kieran brings out the best in Kennedy and it's amazing watching them grow closer. Kieran doesn't get confused and run away from the idea of being with a man he accepts and embraces it. Kennedy's friends are amazing and are there for him when he truly needs them. I loved their happily ever after and it's well deserved for both of them. They both make the other a better person and are so meant to be together. It was a joy reading their journey and love story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
books_and_cha's review against another edition
3.0
Short and sweet, Brian Lancaster's Companion Required follows the story of Kieran West and Kennedy Grey. Kennedy hires Kieran - after some convincing - to be his plus one for his holiday cruise and Kieran, in need of the money, signs right up.
Most of the book deals with Kieran and Kennedy realizing how good they are together, appreciating the mutual friendship and support the arrangement brings them, and slowly falling into a relationship. Kieran obviously has some sexuality exploring to do, but that all takes place with minimal fuss and all in good time. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was a fun few hours.
If you're looking for a vacation-themed beach read with low angst, healthy communication, and a good amount of sexy times, pick this one up.
Most of the book deals with Kieran and Kennedy realizing how good they are together, appreciating the mutual friendship and support the arrangement brings them, and slowly falling into a relationship. Kieran obviously has some sexuality exploring to do, but that all takes place with minimal fuss and all in good time. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was a fun few hours.
If you're looking for a vacation-themed beach read with low angst, healthy communication, and a good amount of sexy times, pick this one up.
robazizo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Kennedy and Kieran were both lovely characters and it was obvious early on that they fit together very well. Things progressed a little too easily after the first kiss, especially on Kieran's end, and the reunion also felt rushed and the epilogues a bit trite. But overall this was an enjoyable read.
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review against another edition
4.0
**AUDIO REVIEW**
I believe this was my first book by this particular author and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. Every year since his ugly split with his boyfriend Patrick of 9 years rich CEO Kennedy advertises for a gay companion to join him on a month long holiday with friends, including his ex. It's all expenses paid, including a 5 thousand pound bonus, and after the vacation is up, he never has to see them again.
Kieran, whom most definitely doesn't fit the bill of Kennedys requirements of a basically an airhead twink, overhears Kennedy in a coffee shop conducting his interviews with said airheads. Thinking Kennedy is interviewing for a PA job of some sort, Kieran who could use the cash decides to throw his metaphorical hat in the ring for the job. He realizes he doesn't exactly make the list of attributes. Kieran is taller than Kennedy, older than specified, has a brain in his head, and oh yeah he isn't gay.
Low and behold, against his better judgment, Kennedy decides to offer Kieran the job. They embark on their holiday and soon they both come to see how much they enjoy each other's company. Kieran also blends in seamlessly with Kennedys family and friends, almost like he has been a part of his life all along. One spur of the moment kiss under the guise of making Kennedy's ex jealous leaves both men reeling. Kennedy because he feels like he forced it on Keiran, and Kieran because he's never had a kiss that felt like that. I liked how Kieran didn't spend time on a big gay freak-out. He acknowledges this is something new about himself and decides to jump right in. He's never felt this kind of pleasure before that he does with Kennedy.
A month in close quarters is plenty of time to get to know a person and although Kieran knows he has feelings for Kennedy he respects the deal made. Once the holiday is over they will part ways, never to contact each other again. A deal is a deal after all and Kennedy has made no sign that he was wanting to renegotiate. It took Kennedy longer than I would have wanted to pull his head out of his ass. If I was Kieran I would have wanted a bit more groveling, but that's me. Kennedy is the first person that Kieran has ever felt this strongly for so I can see why he'd want to cave sooner than later. The epilogue was sweet and happy giving us a satisfying ending to their story.
As for the narration portion of the audio, I struggled with it. It didn't quite keep me engaged and maybe because it just wasn't to my particular tastes. I like a bit more emotion I guess I could say and it was tough at times to distinguish between the MC voices. It also may be due to the way I received this particular audiobook. The file on the site is given as an MP3 and I had no way to pause or restart like on the audible app. I just had to remember where I finished and then scroll to the point I was when I paused my listen. It was tedious and I found it difficult enough that I don't think I will use this particular site again.
I believe this was my first book by this particular author and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. Every year since his ugly split with his boyfriend Patrick of 9 years rich CEO Kennedy advertises for a gay companion to join him on a month long holiday with friends, including his ex. It's all expenses paid, including a 5 thousand pound bonus, and after the vacation is up, he never has to see them again.
Kieran, whom most definitely doesn't fit the bill of Kennedys requirements of a basically an airhead twink, overhears Kennedy in a coffee shop conducting his interviews with said airheads. Thinking Kennedy is interviewing for a PA job of some sort, Kieran who could use the cash decides to throw his metaphorical hat in the ring for the job. He realizes he doesn't exactly make the list of attributes. Kieran is taller than Kennedy, older than specified, has a brain in his head, and oh yeah he isn't gay.
Low and behold, against his better judgment, Kennedy decides to offer Kieran the job. They embark on their holiday and soon they both come to see how much they enjoy each other's company. Kieran also blends in seamlessly with Kennedys family and friends, almost like he has been a part of his life all along. One spur of the moment kiss under the guise of making Kennedy's ex jealous leaves both men reeling. Kennedy because he feels like he forced it on Keiran, and Kieran because he's never had a kiss that felt like that. I liked how Kieran didn't spend time on a big gay freak-out. He acknowledges this is something new about himself and decides to jump right in. He's never felt this kind of pleasure before that he does with Kennedy.
A month in close quarters is plenty of time to get to know a person and although Kieran knows he has feelings for Kennedy he respects the deal made. Once the holiday is over they will part ways, never to contact each other again. A deal is a deal after all and Kennedy has made no sign that he was wanting to renegotiate. It took Kennedy longer than I would have wanted to pull his head out of his ass. If I was Kieran I would have wanted a bit more groveling, but that's me. Kennedy is the first person that Kieran has ever felt this strongly for so I can see why he'd want to cave sooner than later. The epilogue was sweet and happy giving us a satisfying ending to their story.
As for the narration portion of the audio, I struggled with it. It didn't quite keep me engaged and maybe because it just wasn't to my particular tastes. I like a bit more emotion I guess I could say and it was tough at times to distinguish between the MC voices. It also may be due to the way I received this particular audiobook. The file on the site is given as an MP3 and I had no way to pause or restart like on the audible app. I just had to remember where I finished and then scroll to the point I was when I paused my listen. It was tedious and I found it difficult enough that I don't think I will use this particular site again.
sharingthebooklove's review against another edition
4.0
A new author to me, I enjoyed the premise of the book and love how Keiran pulls Kennedy from his shell almost and well GFY is just a fave trope of mine - or maybe I was always but didn't click silly boys!
This is a cute read, with low angst and great side characters. Some I wanted to hug and some I wanted to slap.
This is a cute read, with low angst and great side characters. Some I wanted to hug and some I wanted to slap.
shannahaun's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
roryta86reads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this. While I did feel some parts were unnecessary and I did skip them, overall I really enjoyed this story. It felt as if I was traveling myself. A very enjoyable holiday read. Kieran is wonderful, i loved him so much. And Kennedy is so hot.
amazingchester's review
2.5
Aww this was cute.
Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and the fact that a lot of people already knew was different but good.
I got confused a few times about who's POV I was reading, since Kennedy and Kieran look similar while reading. (Dyslexic brain)
I'm exited to read Trevor's and Rudy's story, would love to read a book about Patrick and Joey as well.
Something that I felt was completely out of the blue was the sperm donor thing. It's a weird thing to ask of a person who you've only known less than a month but it't the fact that this part of the storyline was random, a bit pointless
Overall I loved the characters and where things ended up
Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and the fact that a lot of people already knew was different but good.
I got confused a few times about who's POV I was reading, since Kennedy and Kieran look similar while reading. (Dyslexic brain)
I'm exited to read Trevor's and Rudy's story, would love to read a book about Patrick and Joey as well.
Something that I felt was completely out of the blue was
Overall I loved the characters and where things ended up
readingvoyage's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75