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donttakemybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Intense and raw. Overall I enjoyed this, but there were some parts that needed to be fleshed out a bit more.
sarful's review against another edition
4.0
Toby was the only black gay kid in his little town growing up. He had his best friend, but it wasn’t enough. He had his father, but since his mother’s disappearance, he’s quiet and riddled with too much guilt. So with going to college in San Fran came bright lights, diversity and lots and lots of men.
Levi is Toby’s best friend’s brother. He’s also been the leading player in Toby’s sexual fantasies since the moment they met. And after bumping into him at a gay club, the two strike up a friendship.
Toby has long feared the people he loves will inevitably leave him. He’s not into relationships, at all, nor friendships aside from his only best friend. But, when Levi slips through his defenses, Toby finally feels contentment. And it scares him. Levi doesn’t have it all together like Toby had thought. Levi isn’t perfect, like Tobi has thought. But, Toby is perfect for him, once he gets his head out of his ass. And it’s wonderful.
I enjoyed their friends to lovers connection. I enjoyed Toby growing into adulthood and dealing with his issues. I really enjoyed this book.
Levi is Toby’s best friend’s brother. He’s also been the leading player in Toby’s sexual fantasies since the moment they met. And after bumping into him at a gay club, the two strike up a friendship.
Toby has long feared the people he loves will inevitably leave him. He’s not into relationships, at all, nor friendships aside from his only best friend. But, when Levi slips through his defenses, Toby finally feels contentment. And it scares him. Levi doesn’t have it all together like Toby had thought. Levi isn’t perfect, like Tobi has thought. But, Toby is perfect for him, once he gets his head out of his ass. And it’s wonderful.
I enjoyed their friends to lovers connection. I enjoyed Toby growing into adulthood and dealing with his issues. I really enjoyed this book.
shaunnah511's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This was my first mm that wasn't a gfy, and I really appreciated that aspect of the story. I liked that their obstacles stemmed from something I haven't read a lot about in this genre. I also love a good "best friend's older brother" romance, and this one was excellent.
Toby and Levi were so sweet and beautiful. I loved their vulnerabilities and watching them come together to be stronger people. They had a really great relationship that made me smile constantly.
So glad I read this one, definitely recommend if you're looking for a romance that doesn't involve that well-worn gfy trope!
This was my first mm that wasn't a gfy, and I really appreciated that aspect of the story. I liked that their obstacles stemmed from something I haven't read a lot about in this genre. I also love a good "best friend's older brother" romance, and this one was excellent.
Toby and Levi were so sweet and beautiful. I loved their vulnerabilities and watching them come together to be stronger people. They had a really great relationship that made me smile constantly.
So glad I read this one, definitely recommend if you're looking for a romance that doesn't involve that well-worn gfy trope!
emmascc's review against another edition
4.0
"You’re right, though. The things that matter aren’t easy. Not most of the time."
I loved absolutely everything about this book. Toby and Levi were great, and I loved how their relationship played out. I only wish this book was longer or had a sequel!
I loved absolutely everything about this book. Toby and Levi were great, and I loved how their relationship played out. I only wish this book was longer or had a sequel!
kolymaarasto's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.25
breadedbookpages's review against another edition
4.0
The rep here is so excellent i love toby so much and eli's worries were so fucking VALID
cadiva's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet college romance is handled with skill
This has a lot happening for a relatively short story but it never feels rushed or that drama is thrown in fir the sake of it.
I love stories where there is a friendship first or, like in this one, a sibling of a friend is one of the MCs. Both Toby and Levi were cool, flawed and realistic characters but with plenty of hope and sweet emotional connection.
The steam level is low, as expected in a new adult story, but what's there is done well and it carries a lot of feelings along with it.
It would be nice to revisit these guys maybe a few years later and see if Levi ever did tell his dad he wasn't sure about his career path. Gorgeous cover too.
This has a lot happening for a relatively short story but it never feels rushed or that drama is thrown in fir the sake of it.
I love stories where there is a friendship first or, like in this one, a sibling of a friend is one of the MCs. Both Toby and Levi were cool, flawed and realistic characters but with plenty of hope and sweet emotional connection.
The steam level is low, as expected in a new adult story, but what's there is done well and it carries a lot of feelings along with it.
It would be nice to revisit these guys maybe a few years later and see if Levi ever did tell his dad he wasn't sure about his career path. Gorgeous cover too.