This was so obviously inspired by Bridgerton season two’s Kate and Anthony (or The Viscount who Loved me) - but make it gay and an ABO romance and I gThis was so obviously inspired by Bridgerton season two’s Kate and Anthony (or The Viscount who Loved me) - but make it gay and an ABO romance and I gobbled that shit up...more
I made a grave mistake and chose to pick up this book during the busy holidays.
Because… this is one of those books that sucks you in and doesn’t want I made a grave mistake and chose to pick up this book during the busy holidays.
Because… this is one of those books that sucks you in and doesn’t want to let you go. Makes you stay up way past your bedtime and sneak out of family time to read, read, read just five more minutes. Takes up permanent space in your brain and makes you nod along to your uncle talking about motorcycles during Christmas dinner, while actually reliving the latest jousting tournament, fantasising about stolen moments at secret lake shores, plotting the next steps in court politics and rooting so hard for these two beautiful, unique, deserving men to find their HEA in each other even though it seems hopeless at times. So yeah, one of those books, y’know?
This was simply amazing and utterly captivating and I strongly recommend picking this one up, if you haven’t already. But be smarter than me and choose a weekend where you don’t have anything going on, because believe me: you won’t be able to put it down.
This. Was. So. GOOD. Honestly, I think this might be the best short story I’ve ever read? This had it all: a gorgeous setting in wintery York, best frThis. Was. So. GOOD. Honestly, I think this might be the best short story I’ve ever read? This had it all: a gorgeous setting in wintery York, best friends to lovers done right, a fun set up, lovely British banter, unlimited pining, so much CHEMISTRY (I mean, come on, the dancing scene?! I’m still tingling from that one ...more
Ehm okay wow. This was such a special, warm, tender, slow, emotional, poetic, cozy, sensual, different, dreamy, sweet, butterflies inducing, heartbreaEhm okay wow. This was such a special, warm, tender, slow, emotional, poetic, cozy, sensual, different, dreamy, sweet, butterflies inducing, heartbreaking and uplifting debut novel.
Maybe it was the setting in which I was reading it - under the fluffiest blanket, a cat on my lap, tea in hand, rain outside and fire crackling sounds - that made this reading experience so special, maybe it was the book itself - probably a bit of both - but either way: this was beautiful.
It wasn’t an easy read in the sense that I had to reread a lot of passages to make sure I got what everyone was thinking and feeling because the writing - which was kind of dreamy with a lot of things not said directly, only implied - forced you to think along. The characters were imperfect and sometimes behaved in a way I didn’t like, while also making sure to get the point across, that sometimes there aren’t any bad guys, just people who make (sometimes questionable) decisions based on their past issues and what they think is best in the moment. And it was a different read in the sense that the tropes - especially the bi/gay awakening - were handled in a way I never read before, leaving a lot of room for the reader to piece things together. But it worked, at least for me, and gave the story an extra interesting layer.
So yeah, this wasn’t perfect and I’m confident in saying this book won’t be for everyone but for me the beautiful story telling and writing - lyrical while remaining natural - and the whole vibe the book gave me far outweighed the niggles I had throughout. 4,5⭐️...more
It’s official. This is the most wholesome series in existence and you can’t convince me otherwise. I’ve loved every single book of the author so far, It’s official. This is the most wholesome series in existence and you can’t convince me otherwise. I’ve loved every single book of the author so far, and this is no exception. E.L. Massey just knows how to write complex, beautiful, soft, diverse and entirely loveable characters, who make you smile from ear to ear, make you swoon, make you hurt, make you fall in love right along with them. This is a slow burn strangers-to-friends-to-lovers done right and utterly convincingly.
Like in the other books of the Breakaway series, the cast in this one was strong: Matts was pure magic (who would have thought?), Sydney someone you instantly want to be friends and/or fall in love with. Her trans-ness was handled the only right way in my opinion - making it an important part of who she is, but not the most interesting thing about her. The story also reunites us with familiar faces - Rome, Damian, Alex, Eli (and Hawk of course!), Kuzy and the rest of the team - while also introducing absolutely likeable new characters such as Syd’s band-family Devo, Sky and Rex. I love them all. Like, so much.
The writing was beautiful (no surprise here), full of quite educational literary and music references as well as so many great (not so fun, but very enlightening) fun facts. This will forever be my comfort series. 4,5⭐️
PS: These covers are so fucking GORGEOUS, I adore that Matts‘s crazy mullet made the cover on this one ...more
Okay, I think we can all agree these are some pretty shitty times we’re living through at the moment. And if you’re anything like me, you’re looking fOkay, I think we can all agree these are some pretty shitty times we’re living through at the moment. And if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for a bit (a lot) of escapism and goodness in book-form right about now. Look no further people, you have found that book.
This was just *sigh* so incredibly lovely and wholesome and good and full of butterflies and joy and no angst, nothing heavy at all, no other shoe will drop. It’s just a simple story of two beautiful men meeting, going on dates, kissing a lot and falling stupidly in love. Period. Add in some pottery scenes from Ghost, an ode to the older generation of queer folks who’ve paved the way, found family and Hawaiian shirts and you will be smiling and squealing and hugging your kindle to your chest from page one, just like I did.
I can’t explain it, but Briar Prescott and I just vibe.
This had a bit of everything that I enjoy reading about: ✨ College setting and hockey world ✨ GI can’t explain it, but Briar Prescott and I just vibe.
This had a bit of everything that I enjoy reading about: ✨ College setting and hockey world ✨ Grumpy/sunshine ✨ Nerd/Jock dynamic ✨ Bi-awakening ✨ Obsession/ ‘mine’ ✨ Stepbrothers/enemies to lovers ✨ A sprinkle of fake dating/ marriage of convenience (but in secret so it doesn’t play a big role at all) ✨ Complicated/complex MCs ✨ Hurt/comfort ✨ Actual fighting for the relationship and wooing ✨ Amazing banter and scorching hot chemistry
The pacing was well done, the character/relationship development convincing, the writing addictive. I was completely invested and rooting HARD for those two beautiful boys.
So yeah, Briar and I just vibe for real. This was so good! It ends with a HFN but with a promise that their story will continue in the next book of the series! I CAN’T WAIT! 4,5⭐️
”Because it’s you,” he says. “What does that even mean?” “Means I’m in your corner. I know you think you’re the badass loner with nobody on your side, but ever since we met, I’ve always been there. On your side. In your corner. On your team. You’ve always had me.”...more
I don’t think I’ve ever swooned that hard at anything, ever?! What a wonderful, cozy, absolutely romantic, unique, steamy and just… SWOONY story… and I don’t think I’ve ever swooned that hard at anything, ever?! What a wonderful, cozy, absolutely romantic, unique, steamy and just… SWOONY story… and exactly what I needed with the shitshow these last 12 hours have been.
Damn, I’m on a roll with my novella picks lately ...more
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be intense.
The writing, the setup, the characters, their emotions, their backstories,If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be intense.
The writing, the setup, the characters, their emotions, their backstories, their primal desires, obsessions, sexual encounters… even the weather with its downpours and storms. Everything was just so much: the joy of getting to know one another, of finally being listened to, understood, seen and the earth shattering heartbreak of letting go and trying to move on, because it was all at the wrong time, at the wrong place.
And while I loved the set up of the story and the two complex characters, their breakup and the following three and a half years of separation irritated me to no ends. I hate the martyr kind of break-up with all its ‘you’ll be happier without me’ and ‘you’re going to find someone better’-blabla. And why can’t they talk on the phone after? To soften the blow? To keep in touch with each other’s journeys they’ve been a massive part of so far? Yeah, wasn’t a fan of it, even though I understood it was necessary for their individual character growth. But I have to admit, their reunion, their journey of finding each other again, the epilogue and the letters (*sigh*) made up for it.
So. All in all, this deeply romantic story, and the two wonderful, broken but perfect men sucked me in and wouldn’t let me go. I DEVOURED this book, wanting it to end so badly to stop feeling all these intense emotions and simultaneously never wanting to let go of Nolan and Skyler. I’m gonna need a minute to recover. 4,5⭐️
Also: This was some of the best steam I think I’ve ever read, holy SHIT ...more
Ehm, excuse me, how was this so good? I expected an easy fluffy palette cleanser and instead I got an epic steamy tale about a broken, depressed bi boyEhm, excuse me, how was this so good? I expected an easy fluffy palette cleanser and instead I got an epic steamy tale about a broken, depressed bi boy and a prickly, fierce demi grump who shouldn’t work together but absolutely, completely do? ...more
Reread 5/2025 Came back for the pictures, smut and possessive ‘touch him and literally die’ vibes; skipped the drama and had a grand old time overall. Reread 5/2025 Came back for the pictures, smut and possessive ‘touch him and literally die’ vibes; skipped the drama and had a grand old time overall.
These tropes - billionaire x baker, pay for play, anonymous texting, daddy/baby boy (without age play), extreme possessiveness, BDE MC is only soft for his boy and literally no one else - just do it for me, what can I say ...more
Wow, wow wow wow, what an incredible debut novel and one of the best hurt/comfort romances I’ve ever read. Fuck, I gobbled that shit up from page one.Wow, wow wow wow, what an incredible debut novel and one of the best hurt/comfort romances I’ve ever read. Fuck, I gobbled that shit up from page one.
I can’t believe this series is over. I’m heartbroken. I’m so happy. I’m exhausted from all the crying I just did. I’m grateful. What a way to end thisI can’t believe this series is over. I’m heartbroken. I’m so happy. I’m exhausted from all the crying I just did. I’m grateful. What a way to end this year.
The first part of the book was difficult to get through, I felt almost drunk while reading it. The writing felt distorted, muddy, vague, which of course was exactly what Klune wanted. He wanted to portray Carter slowly slipping and boy, he did. I ached for him and for Gavin and for Kelly, who - even if he wasn’t real - was such a big part of this first part of the book. I felt their pack pulling and pulling at them, yelling at them to come home, to be packlovesonbrother again. And when they went? When they were all reunited? Finally?! I felt like I could breathe again.
This book felt like the end of an era. Everyone got their moment, every incredible theme of the series roared one last time: pack, family, friendship, loss, loyalty, hope, home, love and brotherhood. This last theme taking up even more space than in the previous books: Joe, Kelly, Carter and their deep connection, Gordo and Gavin and their newfound bonds were at the centre of this story.
Speaking of Gavin. I already knew I loved Carter from all the previous books, but I was overwhelmed with the utter adoration I felt for Gavin, too. Gavin listening and swaying to Elizabeth’s singing, his grumpiness, smugness and hidden humour, his hate for clothes and cutlery, his love for pink, his lack of concern for personal space, his fear of Carter suddenly dying, his and Carter’s thump thump thump. They made me giddy and swoon and laugh.
But this book was about so much more than just about the romance between Gavin and Carter. Instead it was about everything and everyone, about our pack, that made this whole series so incredibly special.
This is my favourite series of 2024, maybe even of all time. My heart seriously hurts, that I’ll need to leave these characters and Green Creek for now. But I will come back, I will find my way back home, to candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome, to dirt and leaves and rain, to grass and lake water and sunshine, to the untouched, wild forest.
I feel like I really am part of the packpackpack, and isn’t that the most wonderful thing? ...more
Okay, okay, that’s it. I suspected it would come to this early on but this book just sealed the deal. Are you ready for these news? Here we go: OLIVEROkay, okay, that’s it. I suspected it would come to this early on but this book just sealed the deal. Are you ready for these news? Here we go: OLIVER AND COOPER ARE OFFICIALLY MY MOST FAVOURITE COUPLE EVER THEY ARE THE ABSOLUTE SWEETEST AND FUNNIEST AND HOTTEST AND MOST LOVABLE AND HAVE TAKEN 1st PLACE.
It’s hard to comprehend for me, that I, the one who has virtually no interest in reading sequels with already established couples, am loving this series and relationship as much as I do. I’m so fucking INVESTED and IN LOVE with this world and everyone in it and never want it to end. I want to read about Cooper and Park for all eternity and am honestly scared of the series-hangover once I’m finished. All this comes down to the incredible plotting, pacing and writing of Charlie Adhara, who manages to keep me engaged in their relationship (and of course their cases but let’s be real we’re all here for these two magnificent men) throughout this series, with each book getting better and better.
THE CHARACTER GROWTH AND RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT, PEOPLE, it’s honestly the best I think I’ve ever read? Can you even remember the defensive, prickly ‚I-don’t-want-to-talk‘ Cooper and blank, unreadable, emotionless Park? Because… they understand themselves and their needs and wants and boundaries better now, they COMMUNICATE, honestly and openly, are vulnerable and familiar and secure in their relationship, have cuddle sessions that melt you, have the most amazing banter I’ve ever come across and fuck like kinky bunnies and I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH.
Ugh, I love them so much. I wasn’t THAT interested in the case tbh, because HELLO? They are AT A RURAL COUPLES THERAPY RETREAT. There was no room to focus on anything else, sue me. The case got me more intrigued towards the end though when the plot thickened and I really liked the dramatic climax! Also again, I had no clue who did it.
STOP PLAYING WITH MY EMOTIONS LIKE THAT JESUS CHRIST this was a ROLLERCOASTER.
A sentence that seems to about sum it up is Cooper telling Park: ‘I donSTOP PLAYING WITH MY EMOTIONS LIKE THAT JESUS CHRIST this was a ROLLERCOASTER.
A sentence that seems to about sum it up is Cooper telling Park: ‘I don’t know anything. Because you never bothered to tell me anything.’ Oh boy, how right you are my poor baby Cooper. I genuinely COULDN’T with Park for most of the book because seriously, how could he not tell Cooper, like, ANYTHING AT ALL?! I was fuming on his behalf, he just stumbled into all this mess, no one explained anything, everyone mistrusted him, Park was leaving him utterly alone, lying to him and keeping all these SECRETS. But then Park did something half regretful or cute or hot or protective and all my irritation flew right out the window and I was like I LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOU CAN DO NO WRONG. I’m telling you, fucking rollercoaster. Apropos unconditional love, can we talk about Cooper and his incredible growth and character development?! He was absolutely amazing in this book: vulnerable and certain and resilient and strong and soft and COMMUNICATIVE (not like a certain someone else). I legit squeal-screamed when he finally told Park off, telling him about the difficulties he faced with letting himself be vulnerable and open and how he expected the same from ‘perfect Park’, or else. YES COOPER, YOU GO GIRL! The end was also wholesome as fuck, I can’t get enough of these two I love them so damn much. The ‚With you I’m finally home‘?! Gaaah ...more
Wow. That was INCREDIBLE. So moving, interesting, intense, scary, hopeful, funny, educating, sexy, nuanced and full of all the love. It was incredibleWow. That was INCREDIBLE. So moving, interesting, intense, scary, hopeful, funny, educating, sexy, nuanced and full of all the love. It was incredible to get a (I presume) somewhat authentic look into a recovering addicts brain, while simultaneously learning about the trauma that comes with being an addicts child. But even though these are some heavy topics, the tone of the story is positive, optimistic. Gage and Alexei were everything. Individually but more so together. They were so different and complex and complicated and wholesome in their own weird way and I couldn’t have loved them more if I tried. I don’t even know what my fave part of the book was, here are a few.
The soulmateship The open and honest conversations The renovation The quilting The black and blue and sunset orange The 3.000 cookies The 2am family tea parties The mugs The forging The ‚no-flirting-tax‘ The steam, Jeeeez, the steam ...more
What can I say? I don’t really have anything to add to my original joyous blubbering, except that this was - unbelievably - even better on Reread 5/25
What can I say? I don’t really have anything to add to my original joyous blubbering, except that this was - unbelievably - even better on a reread, mostly because of the utterly lovely Teru with whom I could share in all the squealing and crying, and feeling and melting. You’re the best ...more
Fuck, that was incredibly adorable and… refreshing? Which is a hard thing to be with so many hockey romances out there. I think what made this stand ouFuck, that was incredibly adorable and… refreshing? Which is a hard thing to be with so many hockey romances out there. I think what made this stand out was first of all the absolutely perfect sunshine character in form of Casey. You couldn’t NOT love him, seriously, I dare you ...more