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raynebair's review
4.0
Friends to lovers. Always the best kind of love. Someone who already knows you inside and out, and loves you anyway, flaws and all. Some of my favorite authors came together to create some great stories here and it was just a pleasure to read them all.
fishreads's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ROUGH EDGES BY CARDENO C. (4 stars)
Story opens with Kyle being a somewhat of a judgmental (definitely resentful) asshole towards Brent, a guy in his friends group who thanks to his rich family doesn't have a job. When Kyle hits a rough patch and losses his job, his apartment and his savings in one fell swoop Brent offers him his spare room. Kyle holds on to his animosity towards Brent but Brent is not bothered by it and soon enough Kyle is forced to reevaluate his opinions about Brent and what matters in life. This was a really sweet, feel good story with likable characters.
Themes: dual POV, opposites attract, frenemies to lovers
UNEXPECTED TURN BY ELLA FRANK (3,5 stars)
Bisexual awakening with slight cheating. Despite both of them being in relationships, after Tyler's comment makes Connor start seeing him in a new light, Connor can't stop himself from kissing him the night before Tyler's sister's wedding. Some drama due to Tyler's asshole boyfriend, while Connor's girlfriend turns out way too understanding.
DARE YOU TO BY RILEY HART (4 stars)
Story opens with Kyle being a somewhat of a judgmental (definitely resentful) asshole towards Brent, a guy in his friends group who thanks to his rich family doesn't have a job. When Kyle hits a rough patch and losses his job, his apartment and his savings in one fell swoop Brent offers him his spare room. Kyle holds on to his animosity towards Brent but Brent is not bothered by it and soon enough Kyle is forced to reevaluate his opinions about Brent and what matters in life. This was a really sweet, feel good story with likable characters.
Themes: dual POV, opposites attract, frenemies to lovers
UNEXPECTED TURN BY ELLA FRANK (3,5 stars)
Bisexual awakening with slight cheating. Despite both of them being in relationships, after Tyler's comment makes Connor start seeing him in a new light, Connor can't stop himself from kissing him the night before Tyler's sister's wedding. Some drama due to Tyler's asshole boyfriend, while Connor's girlfriend turns out way too understanding.
DARE YOU TO BY RILEY HART (4 stars)
Austin is a homebody who enjoys reading books and working as a youth counselor at the LGBTQ center, and Dare is an adrenaline junkie who owns a successful bar, Wild Side. Despite being polar opposites, the two have been best friends almost as long as they have been neighbors. After Austin's boyfriend breaks up with him and calls him boring, Austin kisses Dare, but it freaks them both out, and they decide to ignore it. When Austin decides he needs to change some things in his life and tries to meet with a guy from a dating app, Dare stops him from going, and the two give in to their mutual attraction again.
This was quite a touching friends-to-lovers story in which two best friends take a chance on love, despite being afraid of ruining their friendship.
Themes: dual POV, friends to lovers, opposites attract
Themes: dual POV, friends to lovers, opposites attract
LEANING INTO LOVE BY LANE HAYES (2 stars)
Eric and Zane have known each other since high school but became friends once they attended the same college together. After their mutual friend, Eric's ex (fuckbuddy), and current business partner Nick, announces his engagement to a daughter of one of their investors, Eric finds himself somewhat miffed at having no personal life of his own. That is where Zane comes in, wanting to spend more time with Eric without their other friends and accompanying Eric to Nick's engagement party. Eventually, the two of them start dating in secret, but things don't go so smoothly
Eric and Zane's story didn't work for me at all, and that had both to do with Eric's character and Nick's selfish behavior. It was implied that Nick was the brains and Eric was the heart of their operations, except all the events of the story pointed out at Eric actually being pretty crap at interpersonal relationships. There were so many times throughout the story that Eric dropped the ball that it wasn't even funny. He is supposedly great at giving speeches, yet when he's confronted
On the other hand, Nick was such a toxic presence in the story and any chance of enjoying developing romance between Zane and Eric was ruined by Nick getting a significant amount of screen time in the story with his incredibly selfish actions directly affecting Zane and Eric's relationship.
The pacing of the story was incredibly uneven. Instead of getting to see actual Eric and Zane's relationship development, we were treated to scenes of the two of them having sex and scenes of Nick causing unnecessary drama. The major conflict in the story and supposed obstacle to Eric and Zane's relationship gets introduced in the last chapter only to be completely hand-waved in the epilogue.
I found their whole friends group dynamic incredibly strange with supposedly mature, successful men not behaving according to their supposed age. This novella didn't feel like a complete story of its own but more of an introduction to the rest of the series, except I have zero interest in reading more about Eric and Zane's drama or about any of the immature secondary characters that made an appearance in this story and have their own books in the series. No, thank you.
Themes: single POV, friends to lovers, opposites attract
THE SWEETEST GOODBYE BY CHRISTINA LEE (3,5 stars)
Billie and Leo were each others first love but broke up when Leo moved away four years ago. Despite Leo encouraging Billie to continue living his life and just be happy Billie is intent on pinning away for Leo. Billie runs Montgomery’s Sweets, his family's bakery and his only employee is also his best friend, Dylan.
Dylan has been half in love with Billie since high school but with Billie stuck on Leo, he's content with being his best friend, helping Billie run the bakery and relax occasionally when they go out on a Saturday night. Things between them get complicated when their nights out progress bit further than just dancing. Billie is convinced Dylan doesn't do relationships and he's waiting for Leo to come back back home anyway.
This was at times frustrating best friends to lovers story, but I also enjoyed ramping up of the sexual tension between the two. It was also quite touching story as beside Dylan, Billie's other companion was his aging service dog, Bullseye. (Billie has epilepsy.) This novella was connected to The Deepest Blue, where Billie first made an appearance as Callum's younger brother so it was also a nice way to catch up with Montgomery family (if you have read it beforehand, which I haven't).
Themes: dual POV, best friends to lovers, character with a medical condition, dog
PLEASE DON'T GO BY FELICE STEVENS (2 stars)
Danny and Paul met at summer camp and became best friends. Danny realized he was in love with Paul but then one year Paul didn't come back disappearing completely from Danny's life. Danny is pretty discontent with his lonely existence, no friends or family and working as a CPA. Things change when one of the new transfers to their office turns out to be none other than Paul. As it turns out Paul and his mother ran away from his abusive father, and spent the rest of Paul's adolescence on the run. Paul is overjoyed to be reunited with Danny, but Danny, hurt by Paul abandoning him all those years ago, gives him the cold shoulder.
This didn't work for me as I found Danny's treatment of Paul completely unreasonable. They were friends from summer camp who saw each other once a year, yet judging from Danny's behavior you would assume they were engaged to be married when Paul disappeared from Danny's life. I wasn't all that invested in seeing Paul woo Danny back because I just found Danny's whole personality grating on my nerves.
Themes: dual POV, second chance, childhood best friends to lovers, office romance
PERFECT CATCH N.R. WALKER (3,5 stars)
Cal and Troy are best friends who became fast friends at fourteen when they realized they were both gay. They have been in love with each other for nearly the same amount of time they've been best friends but the moment to confess their feelings for each other was never right and the longer they've been friends the more they got scared of ruining their friendship. Things come to head when they go away for the weekend of camping and fishing, all their other friends opting out in hopes that being alone together will finally make them confess their feelings for each other. I loved the story setting in Australia. I really enjoyed both Cal and Troy's characters, seeing their easy friendship turn into something more. Things fell apart a bit for me in the last chapter where they have more sex followed by more reassurances that they're serious about each other. It felt a bit forced and repetitive and didn't have the easy flow as majority of the story until that point.
Themes: single POV, friends to lovers, camping, Australia
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse
leelee68's review
4.0
Rough Edges by Cardeno C.
**3 1/2 stars** .I just never really connected with Kyle in this one. He was such an ass ! I didn't really like him.. So when him and Brent finally got together it wasn't an awww moment for me.
Unexpected Turn by Ella Frank
**5 stars** ... I loved this one. I loved how they discovered their love for each other. It's funny how others could see it before they did. They were super sweet and so hot together. Even though this was a short book it almost felt like a longer book.
Dare You To by Riley Hart
**4 stars**...I enjoyed Austin and Dare together. I love how the couples are discovering how they love their best friends.
Leaning Into Love by Lane Hayes
**3 stars**...This one was a little interesting for me. I know it's the start of a new series but I honestly thought it was a continuation to one. I felt like I was missing something. It wasn't bad.
The Sweetest Goodbye by Christina Lee
**4 stars**...This one was pretty good. Sometimes people don't know what they have in front of them. Glad Billie figured it out. Dylan was perfect for him. I thought they both were so sweet and really hot together. Yes I cried at the part. That was sad ;-( You'll know once you read it.
Please Don't Go by Felice Stevens
**5 stars**... I enjoyed this one and didn't even care it went fast for some. No problem for me. I enjoyed both Danny and Paul. I would have loved for this to be a longer book. I enjoyed these two together and would have loved more time with them.
Perfect Catch by N.R. Walker
**4 stars**..I enjoyed this one too. I thought Cal and Trol were very sweet together. So glad they finally told each other how they felt.
**I enjoyed the stories in here some more than others.My two favorites were "Unexpected Turn" by Ella Frank and "Please Don't Go" by Felice Stevens . I also realized two things even though I enjoyed these stories, I'm just not an anthology person. I feel like I have to read every story, even if I don't want to. I just prefer getting separate books and have no problem paying for them separately. The other thing is "Friends to Lovers" is not my jam. I actually like when they're meeting for the first time. Doesn't mean I won't ever read another one but it just might not be my first choice unless the book sounds extra good. **
**3 1/2 stars** .I just never really connected with Kyle in this one. He was such an ass ! I didn't really like him.. So when him and Brent finally got together it wasn't an awww moment for me.
Unexpected Turn by Ella Frank
**5 stars** ... I loved this one. I loved how they discovered their love for each other. It's funny how others could see it before they did. They were super sweet and so hot together. Even though this was a short book it almost felt like a longer book.
Dare You To by Riley Hart
**4 stars**...I enjoyed Austin and Dare together. I love how the couples are discovering how they love their best friends.
Leaning Into Love by Lane Hayes
**3 stars**...This one was a little interesting for me. I know it's the start of a new series but I honestly thought it was a continuation to one. I felt like I was missing something. It wasn't bad.
The Sweetest Goodbye by Christina Lee
**4 stars**...This one was pretty good. Sometimes people don't know what they have in front of them. Glad Billie figured it out. Dylan was perfect for him. I thought they both were so sweet and really hot together. Yes I cried at the part. That was sad ;-( You'll know once you read it.
Please Don't Go by Felice Stevens
**5 stars**... I enjoyed this one and didn't even care it went fast for some. No problem for me. I enjoyed both Danny and Paul. I would have loved for this to be a longer book. I enjoyed these two together and would have loved more time with them.
Perfect Catch by N.R. Walker
**4 stars**..I enjoyed this one too. I thought Cal and Trol were very sweet together. So glad they finally told each other how they felt.
**I enjoyed the stories in here some more than others.My two favorites were "Unexpected Turn" by Ella Frank and "Please Don't Go" by Felice Stevens . I also realized two things even though I enjoyed these stories, I'm just not an anthology person. I feel like I have to read every story, even if I don't want to. I just prefer getting separate books and have no problem paying for them separately. The other thing is "Friends to Lovers" is not my jam. I actually like when they're meeting for the first time. Doesn't mean I won't ever read another one but it just might not be my first choice unless the book sounds extra good. **
robazizo's review
Read before: Leaning Into Love (3 stars) and The Sweetest Goodbye (3.5 stars).
Dare You To: 20/09/20 3.5 stars
Perfect Catch: 20/09/20 3.5 stars
Dare You To: 20/09/20 3.5 stars
Perfect Catch: 20/09/20 3.5 stars
papercranestitches's review
3.0
A big thanks to all of the authors who donated their time, skill, and passion in order to contribute to this anthology benefiting the fantastic One.N.Ten organization. You guys rock! :)
See status updates for my feelings about individual stories.
See status updates for my feelings about individual stories.
mags_louise's review
4.0
4.5☆
An really enjoyable collection of novellas. Some from authors I know well and others by authors who are completely new to me. My favourites were Unexpected Turn by Ella Frank, Dare You by Riley Hart, Please Don't Go by Felice Stevens and Perfect Catch by N.R Walker. As for the other three stories one I didn't read as it seemed to be part of a series I've not read, and the other two were enjoyable especially Leaning Into Love by Lane Hayes.
Overall though it was a great collection and I have definitely discovered some new authors which is always a good thing and would happily recommend this anthology to others.
An really enjoyable collection of novellas. Some from authors I know well and others by authors who are completely new to me. My favourites were Unexpected Turn by Ella Frank, Dare You by Riley Hart, Please Don't Go by Felice Stevens and Perfect Catch by N.R Walker. As for the other three stories one I didn't read as it seemed to be part of a series I've not read, and the other two were enjoyable especially Leaning Into Love by Lane Hayes.
Overall though it was a great collection and I have definitely discovered some new authors which is always a good thing and would happily recommend this anthology to others.
ilovebakedgoods's review
5.0
Every story in this collection fits the friends-to-lovers trope, which is one of my favorites.
Proceeds from the sales of this book benefit http://www.onenten.org, an organization that supports LGBTQ youth between the ages of 14-24, providing them with social and service programs to help them with self-esteem, healthy choices, housing for homeless teens, legal assistance, educational assistance and more. A worthy cause!
Proceeds from the sales of this book benefit http://www.onenten.org, an organization that supports LGBTQ youth between the ages of 14-24, providing them with social and service programs to help them with self-esteem, healthy choices, housing for homeless teens, legal assistance, educational assistance and more. A worthy cause!
zelda75's review
5.0
**All money for this Anthology will be donated to the charity One.n.Ten**
This is the first reason to buy the anthology but then when you see who are the authors of the seven stories? no way you can not buy it !!! obviously there are stories that I liked more than others, those who have made me laugh and the one that made me cry (and it's not nice to cry while waiting for the train at the station with dozens of people around).
Really love stories with friends-to-lovers so this Anthology was so for me!
This is the first reason to buy the anthology but then when you see who are the authors of the seven stories? no way you can not buy it !!! obviously there are stories that I liked more than others, those who have made me laugh and the one that made me cry (and it's not nice to cry while waiting for the train at the station with dozens of people around).
Really love stories with friends-to-lovers so this Anthology was so for me!
karlijnmerle's review
4.0
Cardeno C. 3 stars
Ella Frank 4 stars
Riley Hart 4 stars
Lane Hayes 4 stars
Christina Lee 3.5 stars
Felice Stevens 4.5 stars
N.R. Walker 5 stars FAVORITE
Ella Frank 4 stars
Riley Hart 4 stars
Lane Hayes 4 stars
Christina Lee 3.5 stars
Felice Stevens 4.5 stars
N.R. Walker 5 stars FAVORITE