Best Friends to Lovers

I very much enjoyed listening to this book. It’s probably one of the best depiction of demi sexual awakening.

Sloane being completely straight (or so he thought) found himself questioning his sexuality and the ‘weirdness’ of it all because no guy could do it for him except for his best friend, Dean.

I adore Dean. He’s the perfect balance for Sloane.

This book is low-angst, yet realistically written when someone is discovering a new part of himself that he hasn’t even thought about before. I, most of all, love the strength and bond of Dean and Sloane’s friendship and it was the foundation in which their relationship evolved to something greater.

Michael Ferraiuolo’s narration is excellent, as always. He brought life to this sweet story.

**thank you for the opportunity to listen and and provide an honest review**

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A sweet, feel-good story

Plot: Friends to lovers, gfy

Feels: sweet, feel-good

Drama: none

Heat: 3/5

Characters: love Sloane’s mom and hope Marco finds his own HEA, and what’s the mystery around Simmons in the epilogue...hmmm...such a tease

Pacing: normal

Length: just right

Ending: HEA

Performance: Michael Ferraiuolo is great - smooth, soft tone, precise enunciation, good acting

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Best friends taking the next step

This book speaks to every gay man who has fallen for his best straight male friend, who has no idea that his gay buddy is in love with him. We've all been there, done that, cried over it, and vowed to never ever do it again because it ends with your heart broken and watching the Golden Girls marathon. Dean who represents us, is our hero and of course his straight best friend, Sloan, is completely oblivious and to die for. Aren't they always? I loved this book. So many times I could relate to Dean and so many times I screamed, why couldn't that happened to me? Dang it!!! Fantastic book and I look forward to the next.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Enjoyable

I liked this mm story a lot, and of course it had amazing narration. But it is fairly short title and the authors seemed to be trying to cram quite a bit of subplot into this tale. There was getting to know co-workers, learning about family backgrounds, back stories on the MCs military histories, vignettes from current jobs, and all the current relationship stuff going on between these two very likable men. All of these story lines only serve to muddy the waters imo. I need more clarity as to who the MCs are and what their present day situation is.

One aspect I found very confusing was Dean's job. Was he a doctor? Was he a medic? Was he some kind of physician's assistant? If he was an actual physician, its pretty unlikely he would have been on the front lines, and he is depicted as having been there. Also, if the Army paid for his medical school he would have had to sign up for 20 years, and that doesn't fit the events in the story either. And while this may seem minor, the Army has Forts, but you are 'on post' when you are present *at* the Fort. (Army brat here! Can you tell? Lol!). Trust me, it is not a minor distinction.

So, while I liked this book and recommend it, I would suggest the authors either leave out the extraneous stuff or write a full-length novel (8-10 hours) where all of that background material can be fully explored. Do more research into modern Army life, the vernacular, the job descriptions, etc. If nothing else, read Army Wives; there is a lot of info for newbies in there! One other niggle: I think Sloane is meant to be demi-sexual and a lot of the reviews are describing this as a gay-for-you story. While it is that as well, I think this man's quiet-to-nonexistant sex life fits better in the demi-sexual continuum. It isn't especially clear, but that was the impression I walked away with.

Michael Ferriaiuolo does his usual outstanding job in the narration booth. He has such a versatile voice, his voice acting is great, and he sells the story effortlessly. His is a voice I never tire of, he is both gifted and a gift to his listeners! :::sigh:::

I do recommend this with the above reservations, and I am looking forward to the next installment of the series!

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Typical Straight-Gay Fare

I listened to the entire book on a short road trip, so I guess I liked it. (I'm the type to turn an audible book off after 5 minutes if it doesn't hook me right away.)

It's a predictable story with all the expected tropes covered. I kept finding myself annoyed with how many times they said the word "cock." I think someone forgot to text the author other words for the male organ.

The reader did a really good job of voicing the different characters. I never struggled to differentiate any of them. While I would listen to him read most books, his voice took me out of the story a few times. His voice just didn't sound like it would belong to the two main characters (My husband caught me listening to the end of the book, the middle of an explicit scene, and said "Not the voice I would have picked to read that scene.")

To be fair, I'm hypercritical of things I enjoy, and I did enjoy this story. Overall, it's worth the time it takes to listen to it. Despite the few drawbacks I've mentioned, I don't regret my purchase, and I'll probably be checking out other books by the author.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Good but felt short

Good book but it's like it ends once it gets started I want more. Only credit worthy.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Loved it!

I enjoyed listening to this story a lot. I love the best friends to lovers trope and also a bi-awakening, though Sloane may actually be pan just by the dialogue of the way he feels about Dean. Also the narrator did a great job. My only complaint was it was too short, I could have easily listened to another few chapters of these two.

A Danielle Steele Romance with a bit of 50 Shades of Gray for gays.

Laugh, cry, get turned on, repeat… can’t wait to read the next one! Authors have created a real winner here.

Adored it!

This was so cozy and just a downright joy to listen to! I highly recommend it to anyone who likes friends to lovers. It was a great segueway to a discovery of a different sexuality than first assumed.

A realistic love story

This book is definitely worth the read. A realistic love story between two friends. Truth be told there are true loves stories that happen like this more than we know. This book sucked me in and I didn’t want to stop listening. I wish it would have continued. I could listen about these two’s life for hours.