Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by hdmartin88
It Was Always You by Riley Hart, Cardeno C., Lane Hayes, Ella Frank, Felice Stevens, N.R. Walker, Christina Lee
5.0
***An ARC was received from an author for an honest review****
This anthology was written by the authors of the M/M Daily Grind and proceeds will benefit the charity One.n.Ten. Find out more about the charity and how you can help here: http://onenten.org/
This is a great organization helping LGBTQ youth! All seven authors have a friends to lover novella in this story so it's sure to please all!
The first novella in the book is from Cardeno C, Rough Edges
This novella is about frenemies Kyle and Brent. Brent considers Kyle a friend, has a crush on him, and puts up with a lot of crap from Kyle because of it. Kyle hates Brent and what he judges Brent to stand for. Kyle came from nothing and has worked hard to have a good college education and job. When life kicks him, he has to give up his pride and accept help from Brent, who he hates because he's wealthy and doesn't work. Brent is a saint! He understands where Kyle is coming from and instead of pointing out that Kyle is a judgmental jerk, he continues to help him out. By the end, Kyle redeems himself but I really didn't like him through most of the story.
Novella 2 is Unexpected Turn by Ella Frank
This novella is a best friends to lovers story. The MC's Connor and Tyler are roommates and both have significant others. Tyler's sister is getting married and they decide to drive to the wedding venue together, meeting their significant others there. Connor is out of sorts the whole trip because he's suddenly started noticing Tyler and so hasn't his body, making things uncomfortable for him when Tyler's near. Tyler knows something is wrong with his best friend but can't figure out what. When he pushes for answers, he's surprised by what Connor has to tell him and show him. I really enjoyed this story and both MC's. I'd love a follow-up story on both Connor and Tyler!
Novella 3 is Dare You To by Riley Hart
The MC's in this best friends to lover story is Dare and Austin. Dare and Austin are neighbors and best friends. They spend every Sunday watching movies and eating popcorn together, and don't allow anything to interfere with that time together. Austin's life is scheduled, with most of his focus going to the shelter for LGBTQ teens, spending time with Dare and squeezing in dating. He's become predictable, and in his opinion, boring. Dare is all about the adventure, every day. He owns a nightclub and spends his time surfing, trying new things and hooking up. When Austin wants change, Dare decides to get him out of his rut. Austin and Dare are great characters and as can be expected of a Riley book, they have amazing chemistry! This friends to lover story is about comfort and love and healing.
Novella 4 is Leaning Into Love by Lane Hayes
The MC's in this friends to lover story are Eric and Zane. Eric and Zane knew each other in high school and became friends in college. Zane has had a crush on Eric but Eric just sees him as a friend and Zane decides it's time to get him to open his eyes. I'm looking forward to reading more about the group of guys introduced in this book in Lane's upcoming series.
Novella 5 is The Sweetest Goodbye by Christina Lee
This is a friends to lover book between Billie (Will) and Dylan. Billie is waiting for his childhood boyfriend to come back to town and completely misses that his best friend is in love with him. But, when it matters the most, Billie sees what was in front of him the whole time. I really enjoyed this novella, even if I may have cried a little. This is a spin-off of one of Christina's series but it can be read on its own.
Novella 6 is Please Don't Go by Felice Stevens
This is a reunited friends to lovers story. MC Danny is left alone in life after his mother died and his father had long ago walked out on the family. He's a solitary person that keeps to himself, especially at work. One day at work a new group of employees come in and he's reintroduced to Paul, an old childhood crush. Danny is mad at Paul because Paul disappeared from his life too. Danny has to grow up and accept that sometimes people have to leave through no fault of their own.
Novella 7 is Perfect Catch by NR Walker
This is a best friends to lovers story. Cal and Troy have been best friends since their teen years and into adulthood. Until this period in their lives, they have never both been single. All their friends back out of a camping trip to give the two the opportunity to see what everyone already knows. That they love each other. It doesn't take long into their camping trip before they both are honest with each other about how they feel and the weather helps them out by making them spend a lot of time in the tent.
I enjoyed all of the Novellas and love that the authors are supporting such a great cause! Make sure you buy this book, every novella is worth reading!
This anthology was written by the authors of the M/M Daily Grind and proceeds will benefit the charity One.n.Ten. Find out more about the charity and how you can help here: http://onenten.org/
This is a great organization helping LGBTQ youth! All seven authors have a friends to lover novella in this story so it's sure to please all!
The first novella in the book is from Cardeno C, Rough Edges
This novella is about frenemies Kyle and Brent. Brent considers Kyle a friend, has a crush on him, and puts up with a lot of crap from Kyle because of it. Kyle hates Brent and what he judges Brent to stand for. Kyle came from nothing and has worked hard to have a good college education and job. When life kicks him, he has to give up his pride and accept help from Brent, who he hates because he's wealthy and doesn't work. Brent is a saint! He understands where Kyle is coming from and instead of pointing out that Kyle is a judgmental jerk, he continues to help him out. By the end, Kyle redeems himself but I really didn't like him through most of the story.
Novella 2 is Unexpected Turn by Ella Frank
This novella is a best friends to lovers story. The MC's Connor and Tyler are roommates and both have significant others. Tyler's sister is getting married and they decide to drive to the wedding venue together, meeting their significant others there. Connor is out of sorts the whole trip because he's suddenly started noticing Tyler and so hasn't his body, making things uncomfortable for him when Tyler's near. Tyler knows something is wrong with his best friend but can't figure out what. When he pushes for answers, he's surprised by what Connor has to tell him and show him. I really enjoyed this story and both MC's. I'd love a follow-up story on both Connor and Tyler!
Novella 3 is Dare You To by Riley Hart
The MC's in this best friends to lover story is Dare and Austin. Dare and Austin are neighbors and best friends. They spend every Sunday watching movies and eating popcorn together, and don't allow anything to interfere with that time together. Austin's life is scheduled, with most of his focus going to the shelter for LGBTQ teens, spending time with Dare and squeezing in dating. He's become predictable, and in his opinion, boring. Dare is all about the adventure, every day. He owns a nightclub and spends his time surfing, trying new things and hooking up. When Austin wants change, Dare decides to get him out of his rut. Austin and Dare are great characters and as can be expected of a Riley book, they have amazing chemistry! This friends to lover story is about comfort and love and healing.
Novella 4 is Leaning Into Love by Lane Hayes
The MC's in this friends to lover story are Eric and Zane. Eric and Zane knew each other in high school and became friends in college. Zane has had a crush on Eric but Eric just sees him as a friend and Zane decides it's time to get him to open his eyes. I'm looking forward to reading more about the group of guys introduced in this book in Lane's upcoming series.
Novella 5 is The Sweetest Goodbye by Christina Lee
This is a friends to lover book between Billie (Will) and Dylan. Billie is waiting for his childhood boyfriend to come back to town and completely misses that his best friend is in love with him. But, when it matters the most, Billie sees what was in front of him the whole time. I really enjoyed this novella, even if I may have cried a little. This is a spin-off of one of Christina's series but it can be read on its own.
Novella 6 is Please Don't Go by Felice Stevens
This is a reunited friends to lovers story. MC Danny is left alone in life after his mother died and his father had long ago walked out on the family. He's a solitary person that keeps to himself, especially at work. One day at work a new group of employees come in and he's reintroduced to Paul, an old childhood crush. Danny is mad at Paul because Paul disappeared from his life too. Danny has to grow up and accept that sometimes people have to leave through no fault of their own.
Novella 7 is Perfect Catch by NR Walker
This is a best friends to lovers story. Cal and Troy have been best friends since their teen years and into adulthood. Until this period in their lives, they have never both been single. All their friends back out of a camping trip to give the two the opportunity to see what everyone already knows. That they love each other. It doesn't take long into their camping trip before they both are honest with each other about how they feel and the weather helps them out by making them spend a lot of time in the tent.
I enjoyed all of the Novellas and love that the authors are supporting such a great cause! Make sure you buy this book, every novella is worth reading!