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South Haven #1
A Little Bit like Love
What if you had everything in the world you wanted…except the man you’d left behind?
Jackson Davenport, the charismatic, strait-laced heir to the Davenport fortune, has a secret. One he’s been hiding since he graduated from South Haven all-boys academy—and that secret’s name is Lucas.
When a work trip takes Jackson back to his old stomping grounds, memories of the year he shared with Lucas come crashing to the surface. With growing pressure from his father to settle down and take over the family business, Jackson knows he’s on borrowed time, and sets out to find the free-spirited daredevil he once knew.
But Lucas isn’t the same man he was eight years ago.
One night. A shattered heart. And an endless parade of nameless faces. Lucas Sullivan is South Haven’s ultimate playboy, a reputation he’s honed since the only boy he ever loved left without a trace. To the world, he’s brash and confident, an in-demand artist who spends his days designing one-of-a-kind pieces and his nights as king of the downtown scene.
Many have tried and failed to get past the barrier he’s carefully constructed, but it’s the shy, studious boy he once coaxed out of his shell who still haunts him.
Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe it was lust. Or maybe…it was a little bit like love.
Jackson Davenport, the charismatic, strait-laced heir to the Davenport fortune, has a secret. One he’s been hiding since he graduated from South Haven all-boys academy—and that secret’s name is Lucas.
When a work trip takes Jackson back to his old stomping grounds, memories of the year he shared with Lucas come crashing to the surface. With growing pressure from his father to settle down and take over the family business, Jackson knows he’s on borrowed time, and sets out to find the free-spirited daredevil he once knew.
But Lucas isn’t the same man he was eight years ago.
One night. A shattered heart. And an endless parade of nameless faces. Lucas Sullivan is South Haven’s ultimate playboy, a reputation he’s honed since the only boy he ever loved left without a trace. To the world, he’s brash and confident, an in-demand artist who spends his days designing one-of-a-kind pieces and his nights as king of the downtown scene.
Many have tried and failed to get past the barrier he’s carefully constructed, but it’s the shy, studious boy he once coaxed out of his shell who still haunts him.
Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe it was lust. Or maybe…it was a little bit like love.
332 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2017
About the author
Brooke Blaine
53 books2,090 followersBrooke Blaine is a USA Today Bestselling Author best known for writing romantic comedy and M/M romance. Her novels lead with humor and heart, but Brooke never shies away from throwing in something extra naughty that will scandalize her conservative Southern family for life (bless their hearts).
She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus.
She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 589 reviews
August 2, 2017
~3.5~
It turns out I like Brooke Blaine writing alone much more than Blaine writing with Ella Frank, whose style doesn't appeal to me.
A Little Bit Like Love is an easy read with:
- plenty of ANGST
(A huge misunderstanding, manipulated by outside sources, drove the men apart when they were 18, and neither has been able to move on emotionally.)
- some steam
(There's only one true sexy scene, but a lot of eye fucking, lusting, and dirty promises.)
- immature behavior on the part of both MCs
(I didn't like that Lucas reverted to his slutty ways the second Jackson did something he didn't like without talking to Jackson first or giving Jackson a chance to explain. And Jackson really could have called/texted Lucas after disappearing with Sydney; he owed her an explanation, but not at the expense of his relationship with Lucas.)
- believable HEA
(Yes, the ending was slightly rushed, what with Sydney, the evil father, and Jackson's life-changing decisions, but the FEELS were there.)
- awesome secondary characters
(I loved Bash and Shaw and want their stories yesterday.)
Overall, I'd call this one a win.
Thanks to all my friends who put this one on my radar with their great reviews.
It turns out I like Brooke Blaine writing alone much more than Blaine writing with Ella Frank, whose style doesn't appeal to me.
A Little Bit Like Love is an easy read with:
- plenty of ANGST
(A huge misunderstanding, manipulated by outside sources, drove the men apart when they were 18, and neither has been able to move on emotionally.)
- some steam
(There's only one true sexy scene, but a lot of eye fucking, lusting, and dirty promises.)
- immature behavior on the part of both MCs
(I didn't like that Lucas reverted to his slutty ways the second Jackson did something he didn't like without talking to Jackson first or giving Jackson a chance to explain. And Jackson really could have called/texted Lucas after disappearing with Sydney; he owed her an explanation, but not at the expense of his relationship with Lucas.)
- believable HEA
(Yes, the ending was slightly rushed, what with Sydney, the evil father, and Jackson's life-changing decisions, but the FEELS were there.)
- awesome secondary characters
(I loved Bash and Shaw and want their stories yesterday.)
Overall, I'd call this one a win.
Thanks to all my friends who put this one on my radar with their great reviews.
February 16, 2023
I feel like I've read similar stories many times before. I found it very predictable and a bit superficial with a lot of clichés, like Not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just that nothing took me by surprise here.
I liked both MCs. I liked the flashbacks and I wish we got to experience the connection they had before. It felt like their present-day relationship relied too much on their pyhsical attraction.
Lucas’s friend Shaw and Sebastian were great. Even though it was another cliché, I really liked the way Sebastian put Jackson’s father in his place.
Fun fact, right before starting this book I read the sample of Lucy Lennox’s Prince of Lies and there’s a character called Sebastian/Bash. Imagine my surprise when I started listening to this one and a Sebastian/Bash makes an appearance. I thought I got the stories mixed up. 😅
Anyway, this was an easy read. I enjoyed it overall, even though it didn’t make me swoon. The audiobook was enjoyable, too.
I liked both MCs. I liked the flashbacks and I wish we got to experience the connection they had before. It felt like their present-day relationship relied too much on their pyhsical attraction.
Lucas’s friend Shaw and Sebastian were great. Even though it was another cliché, I really liked the way Sebastian put Jackson’s father in his place.
Fun fact, right before starting this book I read the sample of Lucy Lennox’s Prince of Lies and there’s a character called Sebastian/Bash. Imagine my surprise when I started listening to this one and a Sebastian/Bash makes an appearance. I thought I got the stories mixed up. 😅
Anyway, this was an easy read. I enjoyed it overall, even though it didn’t make me swoon. The audiobook was enjoyable, too.
October 16, 2021
this was okay-ish overall i guess? nothing special. i was honestly a little bored most of the time. this did keep my interest until around 40%, but then i had a lot of trouble picking the book back up.
⚡️ second-chance-romance.
⚡️ best-friends-to-lovers.
“our friendship. you in my life. it meant everything. and i miss you every goddamn day, Lucas.”
⚡️ alternating, dual POV.
⚡️ your first love never dies type of love.
“Lucas had once been so much a part of me that i’d felt like half of myself when he wasn’t around, and as we reconnected with each other, it was like finding a part of myself i’d forgotten i’d lost.”
⚡️ a huge misunderstanding and a shitty family member drove the mcs apart and now they’re meeting again after 8 years.
⚡️ some flashbacks to the past.
⚡️ one of the mcs - Lucas - is a little bit of a manwhore. he doesn’t let anyone in, because he’s been hurt in the past. he hides all his pain behind a brash bravado and a lot of walls.
⚡️ the other mc - Jackson - is basically the opposite. he's very strait-laced and has been under his father’s thumb his entire life.
⚡️ lots of angst.
⚡️ lots of tension and mutual desire between the mcs.
⚡️ Jackson’s girlfriend/fiancé back home was constantly at the forefront of my mind, since he was basically cheating on her.
the way this whole gf/fiancé situation was handled was terrible. i know it was an arranged marriage and neither of them were really in love with each other, but still, you’d think the decent thing would be to tell her the truth, and not let her find out about Jackson and Lucas the way she did. if Jackson didn’t wanna marry her, he should have just told her, especially when he knew he was gonna get involved with Lucas again.
and, of course, there was a stupid misunderstanding after, and Lucas jumped to the wrong conclusions, without even knowing all the facts. the way his first reaction to that was going to the club, getting drunk and going back to his old manwhore habits…🙄 i hate it here.
the whole situation was resolved pretty quickly, but still, all this drama was unnecessary.
anyways… this whole book was honestly very predictable and i was probably bored mostly because of that.
not sure if i’m interested enough to read book 2. Shaw was a pretty intriguing character in this, but idk. i just don’t really have high hopes for the romance aspect, since the romance in this book made me feel lukewarm at best.
⚡️ second-chance-romance.
⚡️ best-friends-to-lovers.
“our friendship. you in my life. it meant everything. and i miss you every goddamn day, Lucas.”
⚡️ alternating, dual POV.
⚡️ your first love never dies type of love.
“Lucas had once been so much a part of me that i’d felt like half of myself when he wasn’t around, and as we reconnected with each other, it was like finding a part of myself i’d forgotten i’d lost.”
⚡️ a huge misunderstanding and a shitty family member drove the mcs apart and now they’re meeting again after 8 years.
⚡️ some flashbacks to the past.
⚡️ one of the mcs - Lucas - is a little bit of a manwhore. he doesn’t let anyone in, because he’s been hurt in the past. he hides all his pain behind a brash bravado and a lot of walls.
⚡️ the other mc - Jackson - is basically the opposite. he's very strait-laced and has been under his father’s thumb his entire life.
⚡️ lots of angst.
⚡️ lots of tension and mutual desire between the mcs.
⚡️ Jackson’s girlfriend/fiancé back home was constantly at the forefront of my mind, since he was basically cheating on her.
the way this whole gf/fiancé situation was handled was terrible. i know it was an arranged marriage and neither of them were really in love with each other, but still, you’d think the decent thing would be to tell her the truth, and not let her find out about Jackson and Lucas the way she did. if Jackson didn’t wanna marry her, he should have just told her, especially when he knew he was gonna get involved with Lucas again.
and, of course, there was a stupid misunderstanding after, and Lucas jumped to the wrong conclusions, without even knowing all the facts. the way his first reaction to that was going to the club, getting drunk and going back to his old manwhore habits…🙄 i hate it here.
the whole situation was resolved pretty quickly, but still, all this drama was unnecessary.
anyways… this whole book was honestly very predictable and i was probably bored mostly because of that.
not sure if i’m interested enough to read book 2. Shaw was a pretty intriguing character in this, but idk. i just don’t really have high hopes for the romance aspect, since the romance in this book made me feel lukewarm at best.
September 9, 2017
This is your typical, predictable, and very sweet m/m romance. The second chance, come out of the closet romance that leaves you smiling 💗
I enjoyed Lucas & Jackson's story to their HEA. Although it was predictable, it was cute
I enjoyed Lucas & Jackson's story to their HEA. Although it was predictable, it was cute
July 27, 2017
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Brooke Blaine, you owe me a new Kindle! Mine just exploded from the heat you threw at me in the form of Jackson and Lucas.
A Little Bit Like Love is actually a whole lot of love and steaminess. Jackson and Lucas had one of the best sexual tension relationships I've read about in awhile and I couldn't get enough of it. It was this push/pull kind of raw neediness from both of them that had me turning my fan on high.
These characters couldn't have been more opposite, but it was those differences that made them so great together. Where Lucas wasn't ashamed of himself at all and loved to live life to the fullest, Jackson was a bit introverted and used to skating through life doing what his family demanded of him. But when they came together there was so much passion that neither of them could hold back their true feelings.
This story had my heart melting for these characters and I honestly wish I could go back and read it for the first time all over again. Through all of the steaminess and the angst that came with Jackson and Lucas there was also an over abundance of sweetness between them that I loved seeing.
I'm actually not even a huge fan of second chance romance but this is one that I loved and cannot recommend hard enough. It has everything you could ask for with the drama, the man on man scenes that will have you reaching for some cold water, and a romance that will leave you deliriously happy.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Brooke Blaine, you owe me a new Kindle! Mine just exploded from the heat you threw at me in the form of Jackson and Lucas.
A Little Bit Like Love is actually a whole lot of love and steaminess. Jackson and Lucas had one of the best sexual tension relationships I've read about in awhile and I couldn't get enough of it. It was this push/pull kind of raw neediness from both of them that had me turning my fan on high.
These characters couldn't have been more opposite, but it was those differences that made them so great together. Where Lucas wasn't ashamed of himself at all and loved to live life to the fullest, Jackson was a bit introverted and used to skating through life doing what his family demanded of him. But when they came together there was so much passion that neither of them could hold back their true feelings.
"Fall for me."
This story had my heart melting for these characters and I honestly wish I could go back and read it for the first time all over again. Through all of the steaminess and the angst that came with Jackson and Lucas there was also an over abundance of sweetness between them that I loved seeing.
I'm actually not even a huge fan of second chance romance but this is one that I loved and cannot recommend hard enough. It has everything you could ask for with the drama, the man on man scenes that will have you reaching for some cold water, and a romance that will leave you deliriously happy.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2022
Audiobook (June 2022): ***4 Stars***
************************
Original review (August 2017):
***4.5 Stars***
I bet every single one of us know this feeling. The butterflies in your stomach when he smiles at you, the first time he kisses you, the first time you let yourself truly become comfortable with someone else, the first time your guard comes down completely and the first time you let someone see who you are in all your entirety.
What if it is not only your first love, though? What if it is the love and you get ripped apart by someone who should always have your back, someone who should respect your feelings no matter what, but who is the only family you have left? You will get torn between obligation and love and when you are young you might not always make a rational decision and stand up for yourself...
This is the story of Jackson and Lucas, two eighteen year old schoolmates who found their soulmate in each other at this very young age, but then Jackson get summoned back home by his patriarchic father and he is forced to leave Lucas behind after one night of sweet love.
After eight years, chance -or maybe fate?- brings Jackson back face to face with Lucas during a business trip to Lucas's hometown. Lucas is not the man -or boy- he was back then, though. Deeply hurt he shies away from everyone coming close to him, just to not get hurt again. He has cultivated the image of a playboy, only doing hookups and his somewhat dangerous aura keeps people at bay. When Jackson who is expected to marry Sydney, a woman he knows since childhood, and Lucas meet again, long buried feelings came crashing down on them and and even if they -well, especially Lucas tries his damnedest to move on and not to go down memory lane, he cannot escape his feelings. When Jackson and Lucas discover that they have been played back then, they have to decide if they can overcome the past and take their second chance for a new beginning and -more important- love.
The first thing that lured me into reading this was the blurb and the glowing reviews (granted, they came from people I don't know) and intrigued I called my girls Karen, Josy and Christelle together and asked if they were up to do a BR for this book. Well, then more mixed reviews from friends popped up and I was like 'girls, please don't shoot me when you don't like the book, okay?', but once again we were on the same page -um, yeah quite literally- and got pretty much hooked from the start.
This story is a perfect fit for a BR, to throw opinions around as to certain actions of the charaters and if there is cheating involved due to Jackson's somewhat one-sided relationship with Sydney. I stick to my opinion that it is not cheating, but the final verdict is still out on this one. ;-) This is a book about how assumptions can affect your actions -if not your life- and that also applied to us while reading it. We had to remind each other more than once to be patient and not overzealously jump to conclusions, but that's what friends are for, right? ;-)
The writing style is great and the story is told in alternating POVs of both, Jackson and Lucas, which I loved because it contributes a lot to understand their feelings. Their deep connection is only slowly revealed through a few flashbacks, which I'm normally so not a fan of, but they were only short and fit perfectly into the storyline.
I loved all the characters in this book, except for one. Guess who that might be? Yeah, right, Jackson's father. Goddammit, he was and stayed the asshole I suspected him to be from the start and sometimes I'm really a bit embarrassed and horrified about my homicidal tendencies when it comes to certain book characters. I could have kissed Jackson, though, especially towards the end of the book, where he was simply awesome and of course I always have a penchant for a guy with a tortured soul like Lucas.
And then there were Lucas's friends, Shaw and Bash... Holy Moly! I'm so in for their story, especially for kinky-Shaw-is-kinky's that will come next. ;-)
Another heartfelt thank you to my lovely ladies Karen, Josy and Christelle and also to Dani for butting in! You made this once again a very special read! ❤️
************************
Original review (August 2017):
***4.5 Stars***
"Do you remember?" Jackson said softly, his gaze locked on the same spot mine was, as if he were reliving the memory too.
"Yes."
"That... was a good night."
Every night with you was a good night. Every fucking day, too.
I bet every single one of us know this feeling. The butterflies in your stomach when he smiles at you, the first time he kisses you, the first time you let yourself truly become comfortable with someone else, the first time your guard comes down completely and the first time you let someone see who you are in all your entirety.
First love. Unforgettable.
What if it is not only your first love, though? What if it is the love and you get ripped apart by someone who should always have your back, someone who should respect your feelings no matter what, but who is the only family you have left? You will get torn between obligation and love and when you are young you might not always make a rational decision and stand up for yourself...
This is the story of Jackson and Lucas, two eighteen year old schoolmates who found their soulmate in each other at this very young age, but then Jackson get summoned back home by his patriarchic father and he is forced to leave Lucas behind after one night of sweet love.
After eight years, chance -or maybe fate?- brings Jackson back face to face with Lucas during a business trip to Lucas's hometown. Lucas is not the man -or boy- he was back then, though. Deeply hurt he shies away from everyone coming close to him, just to not get hurt again. He has cultivated the image of a playboy, only doing hookups and his somewhat dangerous aura keeps people at bay. When Jackson who is expected to marry Sydney, a woman he knows since childhood, and Lucas meet again, long buried feelings came crashing down on them and and even if they -well, especially Lucas tries his damnedest to move on and not to go down memory lane, he cannot escape his feelings. When Jackson and Lucas discover that they have been played back then, they have to decide if they can overcome the past and take their second chance for a new beginning and -more important- love.
If anyone walked by and could see me now, they wouldn't know who I was or what had gotten into me. But I knew. I'd always known.
Jackson Davenport had burrowed his way into my soul a long time ago, and damn if he hadn't ever let go.
The first thing that lured me into reading this was the blurb and the glowing reviews (granted, they came from people I don't know) and intrigued I called my girls Karen, Josy and Christelle together and asked if they were up to do a BR for this book. Well, then more mixed reviews from friends popped up and I was like 'girls, please don't shoot me when you don't like the book, okay?', but once again we were on the same page -um, yeah quite literally- and got pretty much hooked from the start.
This story is a perfect fit for a BR, to throw opinions around as to certain actions of the charaters and if there is cheating involved due to Jackson's somewhat one-sided relationship with Sydney. I stick to my opinion that it is not cheating, but the final verdict is still out on this one. ;-) This is a book about how assumptions can affect your actions -if not your life- and that also applied to us while reading it. We had to remind each other more than once to be patient and not overzealously jump to conclusions, but that's what friends are for, right? ;-)
The writing style is great and the story is told in alternating POVs of both, Jackson and Lucas, which I loved because it contributes a lot to understand their feelings. Their deep connection is only slowly revealed through a few flashbacks, which I'm normally so not a fan of, but they were only short and fit perfectly into the storyline.
I loved all the characters in this book, except for one. Guess who that might be? Yeah, right, Jackson's father. Goddammit, he was and stayed the asshole I suspected him to be from the start and sometimes I'm really a bit embarrassed and horrified about my homicidal tendencies when it comes to certain book characters. I could have kissed Jackson, though, especially towards the end of the book, where he was simply awesome and of course I always have a penchant for a guy with a tortured soul like Lucas.
And then there were Lucas's friends, Shaw and Bash... Holy Moly! I'm so in for their story, especially for kinky-Shaw-is-kinky's that will come next. ;-)
Another heartfelt thank you to my lovely ladies Karen, Josy and Christelle and also to Dani for butting in! You made this once again a very special read! ❤️
July 24, 2017
✮✮✮ 5 STARS ✮✮✮
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
On a business trip for his dad's company he overhears a conversation in a diner between two men that has Jackson's heart in his throat. Lucas Sullivan, the one that got away, can be found at a night club, that evening. As a combination of terror and hope fills him he contemplates seeing the love he left behind again. For eight years he has been squashing his lingering feelings him. Right there, in this diner in a place so close to where he last saw Lucas, they all come rushing back to the surface.
Argos is Lucas' hunting ground. He is on the prowl to get a faceless body underneath him. It's a temporary fix for the emptiness, the deep seated loneliness that has taken root in his heart and mind. Every time a different body. No repeats. No exceptions. When he catches a glimpse of a familiar face, a face he hasn't seen in a long time yet is still etched vividly in his mind, he needs to know if it's really Jackson. The man who broke his heart so thoroughly.
Jackson wants nothing more than apologize for the way he left him all those years ago but Lucas doesn't give him the time of day until a tropical storm forces them together for a night. Lucas isn't just holding a grudge, around the wall built around his heart there is also a barbed wire fence and he lashes out at Jackson. Things come to light, however, things that will change everything they thought happened eight years ago when Jackson left school just before graduation.
Jackson is everybody's darling. He is friendly, kind and sweet, comes from old money and has stunning good looks and boyish charm.
Lucas' character is the polar opposite, except in the looks department. He is the local sex god and man-ho and he makes good use of his reputation. Guys flock him and he can choose from an array of tourists that visit South Haven. Having Jackson back in his life means having to face and work through the past and that's not what he wants. Lucas fights Jackson with tooth and nails and settles firmly in jerk territory.
He doesn't realize that he hurts himself the most when he lashes out at Jackson. He only knows that he can't get hurt again like he did eight years ago. Him being a grade A asshole towards Jackson doesn't make him sound very likable but despite it all I still did. Lucas' loneliness and hurt is coming off the pages so vividly that you just can't help and feel for him. And when he starts to open up you see the sweet, funny, mischievous guy from Jackson's memory coming back.
If Jackson was anything less but as patient and understanding as he was, Lucas train wreck of a life would end like that - lonely and bitter. Jackson is a good man, the better man really, and the way Lucas treated him sometimes would have chased every other guy away but he can see right through Lucas' facade. It couldn't have been anyone else saving this abrasive, acrimonious man. Jackson was incredibly lovable and endearing and everything Lucas needed to let go of his fear.
This story had everything that ticks my boxes, angst, lighthearted humor, a gripping plot and fascinating characters. Anxiety tightened my chest not just once and when Lucas fired off his barbs my eyes stung with tears a couple times. He could be such an asshole.
The set of secondary characters is amazing and while I'm looking forward to both Shaw's and Bash's stories, the scales tipped slightly in Bash's favor towards the end. He is such a scintillating, colorful character! Having said that though, I LOVED Shaw.
This is the first MM romance Brooke Blaine wrote alone and didn't co-author. I am tremendously impressed how riveting, hot and intense this story was. Ms. Blaine wanted to give her readers her very best and let me tell you, it is one of the best MM books I've read this year. Whenever I wasn't studying my eyes were glued to my Kindle. If you read MM do yourself a favor and pick this up. Now the waiting for Shaw's story begins.
A Little Bit Like Love is the first installment of the South Haven series.
All teasers courtesy of the author
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
Jackson Davenport had burrowed his way into my soul a long time ago, and damn if he hadn’t ever let go.
On a business trip for his dad's company he overhears a conversation in a diner between two men that has Jackson's heart in his throat. Lucas Sullivan, the one that got away, can be found at a night club, that evening. As a combination of terror and hope fills him he contemplates seeing the love he left behind again. For eight years he has been squashing his lingering feelings him. Right there, in this diner in a place so close to where he last saw Lucas, they all come rushing back to the surface.
Argos is Lucas' hunting ground. He is on the prowl to get a faceless body underneath him. It's a temporary fix for the emptiness, the deep seated loneliness that has taken root in his heart and mind. Every time a different body. No repeats. No exceptions. When he catches a glimpse of a familiar face, a face he hasn't seen in a long time yet is still etched vividly in his mind, he needs to know if it's really Jackson. The man who broke his heart so thoroughly.
Jackson wants nothing more than apologize for the way he left him all those years ago but Lucas doesn't give him the time of day until a tropical storm forces them together for a night. Lucas isn't just holding a grudge, around the wall built around his heart there is also a barbed wire fence and he lashes out at Jackson. Things come to light, however, things that will change everything they thought happened eight years ago when Jackson left school just before graduation.
Even after all this time. I thought I’d gotten over it. Accepted it, moved past it. But seeing him again brought back every ounce of hurt and shame I’d felt back then, which pissed me off because it meant I was still broken. And it was all his fucking fault.
Jackson is everybody's darling. He is friendly, kind and sweet, comes from old money and has stunning good looks and boyish charm.
Lucas' character is the polar opposite, except in the looks department. He is the local sex god and man-ho and he makes good use of his reputation. Guys flock him and he can choose from an array of tourists that visit South Haven. Having Jackson back in his life means having to face and work through the past and that's not what he wants. Lucas fights Jackson with tooth and nails and settles firmly in jerk territory.
“I lost my parents. I lost you. Then Gram passed. Putting up walls is the only way I know how to cope at this point.”
He doesn't realize that he hurts himself the most when he lashes out at Jackson. He only knows that he can't get hurt again like he did eight years ago. Him being a grade A asshole towards Jackson doesn't make him sound very likable but despite it all I still did. Lucas' loneliness and hurt is coming off the pages so vividly that you just can't help and feel for him. And when he starts to open up you see the sweet, funny, mischievous guy from Jackson's memory coming back.
Lucas groaned and pushed me away as I laughed. “Fucking tease,” he muttered.
“What was that?”
He plastered a fake smile on his face. “I said do you like any of these?”
If Jackson was anything less but as patient and understanding as he was, Lucas train wreck of a life would end like that - lonely and bitter. Jackson is a good man, the better man really, and the way Lucas treated him sometimes would have chased every other guy away but he can see right through Lucas' facade. It couldn't have been anyone else saving this abrasive, acrimonious man. Jackson was incredibly lovable and endearing and everything Lucas needed to let go of his fear.
A thousand words were said in those moments of silence, and most of them began with, “I’m sorry.” All of the anger and hurt and resentment washed away as we sat there making up for our offenses without saying a word.
This story had everything that ticks my boxes, angst, lighthearted humor, a gripping plot and fascinating characters. Anxiety tightened my chest not just once and when Lucas fired off his barbs my eyes stung with tears a couple times. He could be such an asshole.
The set of secondary characters is amazing and while I'm looking forward to both Shaw's and Bash's stories, the scales tipped slightly in Bash's favor towards the end. He is such a scintillating, colorful character! Having said that though, I LOVED Shaw.
This is the first MM romance Brooke Blaine wrote alone and didn't co-author. I am tremendously impressed how riveting, hot and intense this story was. Ms. Blaine wanted to give her readers her very best and let me tell you, it is one of the best MM books I've read this year. Whenever I wasn't studying my eyes were glued to my Kindle. If you read MM do yourself a favor and pick this up. Now the waiting for Shaw's story begins.
A Little Bit Like Love is the first installment of the South Haven series.
All teasers courtesy of the author
February 16, 2018
I liked this story quite a bit. It had tons of angst, but the guys were pretty immature in their actions more often than not.
And Jackson's father's manipulations, just... wow. He can go straight to hell. That shit was straight-up crazy town.
Oh, and the girlfriend scene, with Jackson That bit felt entirely manufactured to facilitate "the big, final, deal-breaking misunderstanding" of which I wasn't a fan.
So yes, there was some eye-rolling to be had, but overall, I liked the MC's and am looking forward to the rest of the series with Bash and Shaw.
3.5 stars.
August 25, 2017
**4.5 stars because it wasn’t just “a little bit like love” : this second-chance romance was a perfect hit for me !
Jackson and Lucas met their last year of high school in Savannah (let me digress here : Savannah...I so loved discovering this city while vacationing). Even being opposite, right from the start, they clicked, until Jackson disappeared out of the blue just before graduation.
Fast forward eight years later. Jackson has done everything expected and required by his father to become the heir of the company. A business deal brings him back to Savannah, making Jackson reminisce of Lucas and, by chance, he gets the opportunity to see him again.
The confrontation is brutal for both of them, but fate make them discuss and discover all the manipulations, the deceit and the hurt they have been through. As adults, they now have to act on all these revelations. And on the powerful pull they feel for each other.
I loved this web of manipulations, interpretations and assumptions thrown at the MCs and at us, readers. The unravelling of what happened was well executed and the path Jackson and Lucas choose from there and how they act to make things right were exactly to my liking. I simply loved it all.
Let's mention that, during the last portion of the story, Jackson was THE bomb and he stole my heart.
Add to that a good amount of steam, some great secondary characters (Shaw, we need a book about Shaw !!!) and a great BR with my usual partners in crime (I name Karen, Josy and Simone) and reading couldn’t have been better.
Oh, let's not forget the element of surprise. I was sceptical reading that book as I didn’t enjoy “Ace”. Just as shown in this awesome story, beware of assumptions and give a second chance. Thanks to Simone, I did. And I don’t regret it.
Jackson and Lucas met their last year of high school in Savannah (let me digress here : Savannah...I so loved discovering this city while vacationing). Even being opposite, right from the start, they clicked, until Jackson disappeared out of the blue just before graduation.
Fast forward eight years later. Jackson has done everything expected and required by his father to become the heir of the company. A business deal brings him back to Savannah, making Jackson reminisce of Lucas and, by chance, he gets the opportunity to see him again.
The confrontation is brutal for both of them, but fate make them discuss and discover all the manipulations, the deceit and the hurt they have been through. As adults, they now have to act on all these revelations. And on the powerful pull they feel for each other.
I loved this web of manipulations, interpretations and assumptions thrown at the MCs and at us, readers. The unravelling of what happened was well executed and the path Jackson and Lucas choose from there and how they act to make things right were exactly to my liking. I simply loved it all.
Let's mention that, during the last portion of the story, Jackson was THE bomb and he stole my heart.
Add to that a good amount of steam, some great secondary characters (Shaw, we need a book about Shaw !!!) and a great BR with my usual partners in crime (I name Karen, Josy and Simone) and reading couldn’t have been better.
Oh, let's not forget the element of surprise. I was sceptical reading that book as I didn’t enjoy “Ace”. Just as shown in this awesome story, beware of assumptions and give a second chance. Thanks to Simone, I did. And I don’t regret it.
August 31, 2020
Audiobook - Lucas's narrator - 3 stars
Jackson's narrator - 4.5 stars
Story - 3.5 stars
I liked this one. Solid story from Brooke Blaine.
I liked Lucas and Jackson, they had enough chemistry going to help me through all the drama llama that was unecessary.
The secondary characters, Shaw and Bash were amazing. I hope Shaw's book is going to be good.
Overall, it was a descent story and i liked it.
Jackson's narrator - 4.5 stars
Story - 3.5 stars
I liked this one. Solid story from Brooke Blaine.
I liked Lucas and Jackson, they had enough chemistry going to help me through all the drama llama that was unecessary.
The secondary characters, Shaw and Bash were amazing. I hope Shaw's book is going to be good.
Overall, it was a descent story and i liked it.
March 1, 2019
3.5 Stars
A Little Bit Like Love is a solid intro to Blaine's fresh new M/M series set in South Haven, Georgia.
This second chance romance follows teenage sweethearts Jackson Davenport and Lucas Sullivan, who met and fell in love at South Haven's prestigious all-boys school during their final year. But before their relationship could really take off, they were abruptly separated, (unknowingly) due to a manipulative parent and poor teenage boy communication, causing a lot of (avoidable) hurt and heartache along the way.
In the aftermath of their separation, Jackson moved back to Connecticut to follow his (asshole) father's life-plan to join the family business, as was expected of him. Meanwhile, Lucas stayed in South Haven and became a bit of a playboy, sleeping his way through the townsfolk and the tourists alike, never taking names and keeping his heart locked tight to avoid further heartbreak.
Eight years later, the two men are suddenly reunited when Jackson comes to town on business. Initial interactions are filled with anger and resentment, but their bond is still unavoidably present, and once shocking truths are revealed and past actions are forgiven, Jackson and Lucas tentatively rekindle a love that they thought was lost forever.
I enjoyed this story, and although I generally liked Lucas and Jackson as characters, they both did things that irked me the wrong way. From the first page, I struggled with Jackson’s doormat behaviour towards his clearly tyrannical father. I could only feel so sorry for the love he lost and the life he was “stuck” living up to a point, because I simply thought he handled things wrong and a lot of his own heartache (and Lucas’s) was his own damn fault. I will, however, give him points for the way he loved Lucas and for making good choices once he was back in South Haven. Now, I had a slightly opposite reaction to Lucas. I liked and understood his feelings and actions from the get-go. He was a lovely, hurt and lonely character, who finally got his lost love back. This was all great, until that last little section of the story when he tried to self-sabotage for the stupidest reasons ever. It just seemed so out of character and such an overdramatic reaction to the situation he was faced with. Sure, it all resolved itself fairly quickly, but it definitely resulted in me knocking a half star off my ultimate rating, which is a damn shame.
I must say, that my favourite thing about this story was the great secondary characters, particularly Lucas’s best friends, Shaw and Bash. Bash stole every single scene he was in, and I for one cannot wait to get to his story within the series!
Overall, this was a sweet and sexy second chance romance, and a great first solo M/M offering from Blaine. I eagerly await Shaw’s story next.
A Little Bit Like Love is a solid intro to Blaine's fresh new M/M series set in South Haven, Georgia.
This second chance romance follows teenage sweethearts Jackson Davenport and Lucas Sullivan, who met and fell in love at South Haven's prestigious all-boys school during their final year. But before their relationship could really take off, they were abruptly separated, (unknowingly) due to a manipulative parent and poor teenage boy communication, causing a lot of (avoidable) hurt and heartache along the way.
In the aftermath of their separation, Jackson moved back to Connecticut to follow his (asshole) father's life-plan to join the family business, as was expected of him. Meanwhile, Lucas stayed in South Haven and became a bit of a playboy, sleeping his way through the townsfolk and the tourists alike, never taking names and keeping his heart locked tight to avoid further heartbreak.
Eight years later, the two men are suddenly reunited when Jackson comes to town on business. Initial interactions are filled with anger and resentment, but their bond is still unavoidably present, and once shocking truths are revealed and past actions are forgiven, Jackson and Lucas tentatively rekindle a love that they thought was lost forever.
I enjoyed this story, and although I generally liked Lucas and Jackson as characters, they both did things that irked me the wrong way. From the first page, I struggled with Jackson’s doormat behaviour towards his clearly tyrannical father. I could only feel so sorry for the love he lost and the life he was “stuck” living up to a point, because I simply thought he handled things wrong and a lot of his own heartache (and Lucas’s) was his own damn fault. I will, however, give him points for the way he loved Lucas and for making good choices once he was back in South Haven. Now, I had a slightly opposite reaction to Lucas. I liked and understood his feelings and actions from the get-go. He was a lovely, hurt and lonely character, who finally got his lost love back. This was all great, until that last little section of the story when he tried to self-sabotage for the stupidest reasons ever. It just seemed so out of character and such an overdramatic reaction to the situation he was faced with. Sure, it all resolved itself fairly quickly, but it definitely resulted in me knocking a half star off my ultimate rating, which is a damn shame.
I must say, that my favourite thing about this story was the great secondary characters, particularly Lucas’s best friends, Shaw and Bash. Bash stole every single scene he was in, and I for one cannot wait to get to his story within the series!
Overall, this was a sweet and sexy second chance romance, and a great first solo M/M offering from Blaine. I eagerly await Shaw’s story next.
February 10, 2023
I’m usually not a fan of second chance romance but this was pretty good.
January 5, 2024
4/5
I knew I would love the South Haven boys' squad books. After reading Bash's story first, Lucas and Jackson were actually the least anticipated after Shaw and Trent, but now I think they might be my second favorite couple.
The main trope of the book is a second chance romance and all I can say is that it was done really well. There was no miscommunication that caused this, so I was grateful.
Lucas and Jackson were so cute and I love their possessiveness towards each other (I love possessive couples). They were truly soul mates.
I've read Bash's book before, but I wish I'd read this series first because I love his character, and I wanted to know him before his book. I hope I will like Shaw and Trent's book as well.
I knew I would love the South Haven boys' squad books. After reading Bash's story first, Lucas and Jackson were actually the least anticipated after Shaw and Trent, but now I think they might be my second favorite couple.
The main trope of the book is a second chance romance and all I can say is that it was done really well. There was no miscommunication that caused this, so I was grateful.
"Lucas brought our hands to his lips and brushed a kiss against my knuckles. “We have all the time in the world, Jackson. You and me.”
Lucas and Jackson were so cute and I love their possessiveness towards each other (I love possessive couples). They were truly soul mates.
I've read Bash's book before, but I wish I'd read this series first because I love his character, and I wanted to know him before his book. I hope I will like Shaw and Trent's book as well.
August 4, 2022
4.25**** stars
It was quite different from what I’ve been expecting from this book (don’t ask, I don’t know) but I really liked this beautiful Second Chance romance.
The friendship and more Lucas & Jackson had when they were eighteen had left an imprint on each others hearts and souls neither could forget the other even after years apart.
I’m excited to visit South Haven to read all about Jackson’s best friend Shaw finding love. The book for his other best friend Bash was cancelled from the series and instead ended up in a cross-over colab with Ella Frank.
**********
As I listened to the scene where Lucas was propositioning a business deal to one of Jackson’s best friends on behalf of his father’s company, I realised something. I knew Sebastian "Bash“ Vogel already and couldn’t quite believe I didn’t like him much before.
See here what I’m talking about.
It was quite different from what I’ve been expecting from this book (don’t ask, I don’t know) but I really liked this beautiful Second Chance romance.
The friendship and more Lucas & Jackson had when they were eighteen had left an imprint on each others hearts and souls neither could forget the other even after years apart.
Lucas had once been so much a part of me that I’d felt like half of myself when he wasn’t around, and as we reconnected with each other, it was like finding a part of myself I’d forgotten I’d lost.
I’m excited to visit South Haven to read all about Jackson’s best friend Shaw finding love. The book for his other best friend Bash was cancelled from the series and instead ended up in a cross-over colab with Ella Frank.
**********
As I listened to the scene where Lucas was propositioning a business deal to one of Jackson’s best friends on behalf of his father’s company, I realised something. I knew Sebastian "Bash“ Vogel already and couldn’t quite believe I didn’t like him much before.
See here what I’m talking about.
September 26, 2022
BR with my girl Cass
Lucas and Jackson meet senior year of high school at a private boy’s academy. They become thick as thieves before friendship morphs into so much more. But Jackson’s controlling father can’t have that so he rips his son out of the school days before graduation.
Eight years later Jackson finds himself back in Georgia where he met and fell in love with Lucas. He overhears his name at a diner and just has to see him.
Yeah, mistakes were made, on both sides I might add but Lucas is a bit of a dramatic bish! He is selfish and super promiscuous so it was hard for me not to always pick Jackson’s side.
Jackson had his reasons and he regretted them so he apologized. I mean I didn’t expect Lucas to drop everything and take him back. Yeah, I think they both needed to work for it but Jackson needed to chill at times.
That didn’t take away from the story for me, it added drama and nuance. The steam was spicy but the drama was better. I’m starting to think I actually prefer the drama over the sex. 🙀
The best part of this was Bash, omg I adore that man. Makes me wish I had read this and Shaw’s book before Bash’s but it is what it is.
Overall a good read with fun sexy times and all the drama I crave.
Lucas and Jackson meet senior year of high school at a private boy’s academy. They become thick as thieves before friendship morphs into so much more. But Jackson’s controlling father can’t have that so he rips his son out of the school days before graduation.
Eight years later Jackson finds himself back in Georgia where he met and fell in love with Lucas. He overhears his name at a diner and just has to see him.
Yeah, mistakes were made, on both sides I might add but Lucas is a bit of a dramatic bish! He is selfish and super promiscuous so it was hard for me not to always pick Jackson’s side.
Jackson had his reasons and he regretted them so he apologized. I mean I didn’t expect Lucas to drop everything and take him back. Yeah, I think they both needed to work for it but Jackson needed to chill at times.
That didn’t take away from the story for me, it added drama and nuance. The steam was spicy but the drama was better. I’m starting to think I actually prefer the drama over the sex. 🙀
The best part of this was Bash, omg I adore that man. Makes me wish I had read this and Shaw’s book before Bash’s but it is what it is.
Overall a good read with fun sexy times and all the drama I crave.
July 27, 2017
Eight years ago Jackson and Lucas were each other's ... everything. For a short eight months, they were best friends, and so much more. But then Jackson's father dragged him out of the Georgia all-boy's academy two weeks before graduation - to 'get ready for Yale' back home in Connecticut.
But we all know that he must've found out about the queer boy corrupting his son.
They haven't seen each other in eight years.
But now Jackson has business down in South Haven.
And Lucas is a famous artist (and sex god/man whore) in town. Who is a tiny little bit mad at Jackson for how things ended back then.
Can this finally be the second chance for Jackson and Lucas?
Or have all those secrets, lies, omissions, misunderstandings and whatnots destroyed everything?
And will Jackson be able to finally stand up to his father? Fight for what he really wants?
WHAT WiLL HAPPEN WiTH JACKSON & LUCAS???
WiLL THERE FiNALLY BE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER???
READ THE BOOK TO FiND OUT! ☺
══════════════════════════
LOOOVED IT!!
Such an adorable second-chance love story!
You immediately love both Jackson and Lucas.
They're both so very different, but at the same time, they're just the same. Both pretty much all alone in the world.
They should've been together all these years, but now they finally get that second chance. Let's just hope they fight hard enough for it! We want that Happily Ever After!!!!
This was such an erotic and adorable and moving and frustrating and beautiful romance!
I loved every second of it!
Can't wait to see what Shaw will have to tell us in the 2nd book:
A little bit like Desire - coming this fall!!!!☺
A LITTLE BIT LIKE LOVE was such an adorable & sexy & moving second chance love story! Hurry to your nearest amazon for your own Lucson/Jackas!!! These two are MINE! ☺
♡
♡
♡
♡
August 24, 2017
Thank heavens for friends...
I have to admit I saw this one and I read the blurb saw some reviews and truthfully I was going to take a pass on it but then I kept seeing the reviews and some friends started rumblings about a buddy read and I checked it out again and again and I really thought about it...well then I got to wondering why aren't I reading this book? It's totally in my wheelhouse and the reviews look good and what the hell, right? Sign me up and that was all she wrote, boys and girls. I needed a buddy read and this one filled the bill to perfection.
'A Little Bit Like Love' was a lot like awesome. Lucas and Jackson first met when they both attended a private boys school. They started out as friends but after a few months it turned in to more. When circumstances force Jackson to leave without even so much as a good-bye, Lucas finds himself at a loss as to why and after the initial shock wears off. He gets on with his life becoming a well known and sought after local artist and sex god.
it's eight years later and Jackson's returned to the scene of the crime so to speak and through a total fluke he overhears a conversation that brings the name of the boy he left behind to his ears once again. He knows he shouldn't but his heart isn't going to be denied this time and he sets out to see for himself that Lucas has gotten over him and gone on with his life...or at least that's what he tells himself.
This book was simply awesome. I loved it and reading it with my buddy read besties Josy, Christelle and Simone only added to the awesomeness of it all. As always you ladies make every read a good one, but this one was definitely better than good and thank you for helping me break my Buddy Read dry spell. it's been way to long since we enjoyed a good book together and I'm looking forward to our next one...see you Friday.
I loved the emotional roller coaster ride that this one took us on. There was anger, rage, resentment, frustration...all kinds of frustration, passion, forgiveness, love, happiness and on and on. I have to admit I'm surprised I don't have a bit of an emotional hangover but this one worked. Sometimes it's good to go on those journeys that make us exercise our emotional empathy.
The other thing that really hooked me with this one was the secondary characters...Lucas's best friends Drew (and oh hell yeah, his story is next). Drew's a bit enigmatic and he's also tall and built and covered in tats and damn excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard, ok? and then there's Lucas's other friend...Sebastian or Bash as he's also known. Bash to me seemed to be his own force of nature...so yeah, you can bet I'm looking for his story too and then we have Sydney. She's Jackson's co-worker/friend/sorta' girlfriend/it's complicated and I won't even lie for a good part of this story I was so not a fan of Sydney but that definitely changed once we got to see Sydney and not just get bits and pieces of her. Sydney's awesome and I would so take her out drinking on girls night and last of all we have Jackson's father...or daddy dearest as I like to think of him...what can I say every book needs a villain.
'A Little Bit Like Love' is probably my biggest surprise read so far this year. I wasn't surprised that I liked it, but I was surprised by just how much I loved this book and yes, maybe that's due in part to the awesome company that I had while reading it, but mostly it was because this story just worked for me. It ticked all the boxes and rang all the right bells and I am so ready for book 2 or in the immortal words of Dwayne Johnson otherwise known as 'The Rock', back in the day..."Just bring it!"
I have to admit I saw this one and I read the blurb saw some reviews and truthfully I was going to take a pass on it but then I kept seeing the reviews and some friends started rumblings about a buddy read and I checked it out again and again and I really thought about it...well then I got to wondering why aren't I reading this book? It's totally in my wheelhouse and the reviews look good and what the hell, right? Sign me up and that was all she wrote, boys and girls. I needed a buddy read and this one filled the bill to perfection.
'A Little Bit Like Love' was a lot like awesome. Lucas and Jackson first met when they both attended a private boys school. They started out as friends but after a few months it turned in to more. When circumstances force Jackson to leave without even so much as a good-bye, Lucas finds himself at a loss as to why and after the initial shock wears off. He gets on with his life becoming a well known and sought after local artist and sex god.
it's eight years later and Jackson's returned to the scene of the crime so to speak and through a total fluke he overhears a conversation that brings the name of the boy he left behind to his ears once again. He knows he shouldn't but his heart isn't going to be denied this time and he sets out to see for himself that Lucas has gotten over him and gone on with his life...or at least that's what he tells himself.
This book was simply awesome. I loved it and reading it with my buddy read besties Josy, Christelle and Simone only added to the awesomeness of it all. As always you ladies make every read a good one, but this one was definitely better than good and thank you for helping me break my Buddy Read dry spell. it's been way to long since we enjoyed a good book together and I'm looking forward to our next one...see you Friday.
I loved the emotional roller coaster ride that this one took us on. There was anger, rage, resentment, frustration...all kinds of frustration, passion, forgiveness, love, happiness and on and on. I have to admit I'm surprised I don't have a bit of an emotional hangover but this one worked. Sometimes it's good to go on those journeys that make us exercise our emotional empathy.
The other thing that really hooked me with this one was the secondary characters...Lucas's best friends Drew (and oh hell yeah, his story is next). Drew's a bit enigmatic and he's also tall and built and covered in tats and damn excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard, ok? and then there's Lucas's other friend...Sebastian or Bash as he's also known. Bash to me seemed to be his own force of nature...so yeah, you can bet I'm looking for his story too and then we have Sydney. She's Jackson's co-worker/friend/sorta' girlfriend/it's complicated and I won't even lie for a good part of this story I was so not a fan of Sydney but that definitely changed once we got to see Sydney and not just get bits and pieces of her. Sydney's awesome and I would so take her out drinking on girls night and last of all we have Jackson's father...or daddy dearest as I like to think of him...what can I say every book needs a villain.
'A Little Bit Like Love' is probably my biggest surprise read so far this year. I wasn't surprised that I liked it, but I was surprised by just how much I loved this book and yes, maybe that's due in part to the awesome company that I had while reading it, but mostly it was because this story just worked for me. It ticked all the boxes and rang all the right bells and I am so ready for book 2 or in the immortal words of Dwayne Johnson otherwise known as 'The Rock', back in the day..."Just bring it!"
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 18, 2019You know it's time to DNF when...
...You notice you're no longer seeing the words on the page, and your forehead is all scrunched up with the effort of constructing a credible scenario for armed intruders to break into the house and gun down both MCs.
DNF @ 25%. At least this way they get to live.
...You notice you're no longer seeing the words on the page, and your forehead is all scrunched up with the effort of constructing a credible scenario for armed intruders to break into the house and gun down both MCs.
DNF @ 25%. At least this way they get to live.
Read
April 16, 2024
actual footage of me & hayley while reading this book ^
holy shit this was everything i could have asked for in a MM romance
you've got 2 boys who meet at boarding school and are savagely ripped away from each other. one remains almost celibate, the other hides his emotions while being a big man whore. they come together again, DRAMATICALLY, and we're given a look at their past and their present.
it was fucking hot and the characters were fucking amazing
there's honestly not much more to say. it was delightfully tingle inducing and the drama was just enough without verging into soap opera territory.
i'm mostly just upset that i didn't read brooke blaine before now. don't worry, i won't make that same mistake again.
angsty song rec for this book: heartbreak warfare, john mayer
-------------------------------------
yet another MM buddy read with the one and only, hayley
August 2, 2017
It was my first MM romance and I'm enchanted. Although I have no comparison, now I know why you all love them. And damn, it was so hot too.
Jackson and Lucas met at an all-boys boarding school in South Haven. Something that started as a friendship turned into unfamiliar feeling. They spent only one night together, after which Jackson was forced to leave school and forget about his true desires.
Eight years later, Jackson returns to town for business. He doesn't plan to meet with Lucas, but his curiosity is strong to see his old friend. But Lucas is already quite different man.
Like you can see it's a second chance story. I liked that it wasn't just about finding your sexuality and admitting to it or not. There is a lot more to the story and it quickly pulled you into the plot.
Their story has many twists and turns, gonna make you a little anxious, but also will be fun and sweet. Great secondary characters Shaw and Bash, also have a large share in this. They are a great addition and I'm counting on their separate stories.
I have to admit I'm surprised. It was really cool and quite different. Charming, engaging and truly sensual. This couple had amazing chemistry together. Noteworthy is well written very hot scenes.
Sometimes I had a problem with the povs. You know, when we have a woman and a man, you know exactly with dual pov who tells the story. Here sometimes I had to think about it. Maybe it's a beginner mistake, or I just have to focus better.
In conclusion, I loved it. Brooke Blaine is one of my favorites and her books are always a wonderful experience for me. This time was no different, no matter a book genre.
***
ARC kindly provided for an honest review. Thank you!
“I’d tasted those lips only a few times, not nearly enough to quench a starving man’s hunger.”
Jackson and Lucas met at an all-boys boarding school in South Haven. Something that started as a friendship turned into unfamiliar feeling. They spent only one night together, after which Jackson was forced to leave school and forget about his true desires.
Eight years later, Jackson returns to town for business. He doesn't plan to meet with Lucas, but his curiosity is strong to see his old friend. But Lucas is already quite different man.
“Kissing Jackson would complicate everything . It was throwing myself out to sea without a lifeboat or a preserver or any damn thing to hold on to to save myself.”
Like you can see it's a second chance story. I liked that it wasn't just about finding your sexuality and admitting to it or not. There is a lot more to the story and it quickly pulled you into the plot.
Their story has many twists and turns, gonna make you a little anxious, but also will be fun and sweet. Great secondary characters Shaw and Bash, also have a large share in this. They are a great addition and I'm counting on their separate stories.
I have to admit I'm surprised. It was really cool and quite different. Charming, engaging and truly sensual. This couple had amazing chemistry together. Noteworthy is well written very hot scenes.
“Lucas had once been so much a part of me that I’d felt like half of myself when he wasn’t around , and as we reconnected with each other, it was like finding a part of myself I’d forgotten I’d lost.”
Sometimes I had a problem with the povs. You know, when we have a woman and a man, you know exactly with dual pov who tells the story. Here sometimes I had to think about it. Maybe it's a beginner mistake, or I just have to focus better.
In conclusion, I loved it. Brooke Blaine is one of my favorites and her books are always a wonderful experience for me. This time was no different, no matter a book genre.
***
ARC kindly provided for an honest review. Thank you!
September 25, 2018
4.5 was not expecting this stars
“Quite simply, I’d been lost to him the first time I laid eyes on him.”
So for who doesn't know I'm a sucker and a really big fan of m/m romances (I think is really easy to know that considering that more than half of my favorites books have an m/m romance in it) so when I find a book that has good rating the first thing that I do is add to my TBR shelf and find time to read it.
And that's exactly what I did with this book.
I was expecting to like it but not as much as I did, and that's because I'm usually not a fan of second chances romances, but this one was a fast, cute, light read, with not so much angst - that was very surprising - and the mistake that happened in the past was not the falt of the two main characters. So it was easier to ''forgive'' because one of the things I hate the most in second chances romances is that normally one of the people in the relationship kiss or did something with someone else (not all of them, but the majority that I have read were like that).
“If you really love someone, that doesn’t just go away because they decide they don’t love you back, right? Or because they leave? It’s not a switch you can flip off because trust me, I’ve tried.”
Okay, so going back to this book, I absolutely adore that they were each other first loves. That makes me really happy, seriously, I love that this book show that they don't have to compete with anyone, because they were each other only love (okay so I may have just read a book that had the "dead ex-trope" - that I'm not a fan of - so that might be the reason I wanted to put this in the review, lol).
The writing was easy and fast to read and I adore it. Okay, confession, I adored a lot of things about this book.
This doesn't have a lot of sex scenes, so if you are not comfortable reading to many steamy scenes this book is for you, although there is a lot of hot, sexy scenes but not all of them involved actual sex.
“At the word “force,” and the image of him doing just that, I had the urge to reach down and adjust myself, but my self-control was stronger.
“Careful, Jackson. You might remember how much I enjoy that.”
He swallowed.”
They don't instantly meet again and just jump right into the romantic stuff, they talk, they fight, they argue, so it can be considered a slow-burn romance, and that just made this more realistic. They are so sweet and cute, I ship them a lot, and I love both characters so much!
Overall this was a surprise of the good kind. Is a read that definitely recommend if you are in a mood for a standalone that involves the right amount of angst and trouble to make this a fun and interesting read.
February 5, 2018
3,5 rounded up
I absolutely adored the writing, but unfortunately this story was super predictable. I've buddy read this one with my best friend and it was great sharing our thoughts and highlights, but we both felt it was too predictable and well the end didn't give us what we were looking for. Nothing out of the ordinary.
The author could have done a better job, but she chose to use SO many of the overused tropes.
I hate it when I already know what we'll get later and there were only a few surprises along the way.
I loved Bash, but I saw we get Shaw's book next. I think I'll give it a try anyway, hoping the author will give us more.
I absolutely adored the writing, but unfortunately this story was super predictable. I've buddy read this one with my best friend and it was great sharing our thoughts and highlights, but we both felt it was too predictable and well the end didn't give us what we were looking for. Nothing out of the ordinary.
The author could have done a better job, but she chose to use SO many of the overused tropes.
I hate it when I already know what we'll get later and there were only a few surprises along the way.
I loved Bash, but I saw we get Shaw's book next. I think I'll give it a try anyway, hoping the author will give us more.
October 17, 2019
*** Teen first love... now... tension, a shadowed past, plus questions to answer. ***
Why did Jackson leave 8 years ago, just before graduation?
Now, both men are big, strong, 26, and businessmen.
Lucas was deserted,
and he's still bitter and angry as he lashes out. We care about these men right away. There has to be more going on than they, or we, know. The worst of all of the problems, all lead to one man, Jackson's scheming father.
Our men don't clear the air immediately because Lucas, artist, refuses to listen, but during a heated argument, truths are revealed, leaving Jackson stunned.
We do get to have the very hot sexy times with these two; revelations in bed also.
Sydney, the girl Jackson refuses to marry, was a match arranged by Jackson's father. That issue gets resolved, but does spur a jealous reaction.
Interesting characters, deep issues, good talks, and even better reactions. I liked the flamboyant businessman, Sebastian, and tattoo artist, Shaw; both are terrific.
There is lots happening that will keep you riveted.
ENJOY !
====
Thank you for the rec sweet Darlene ! ...and it's free on KU
======
Why did Jackson leave 8 years ago, just before graduation?
Now, both men are big, strong, 26, and businessmen.
Lucas was deserted,
and he's still bitter and angry as he lashes out. We care about these men right away. There has to be more going on than they, or we, know. The worst of all of the problems, all lead to one man, Jackson's scheming father.
Our men don't clear the air immediately because Lucas, artist, refuses to listen, but during a heated argument, truths are revealed, leaving Jackson stunned.
We do get to have the very hot sexy times with these two; revelations in bed also.
Sydney, the girl Jackson refuses to marry, was a match arranged by Jackson's father. That issue gets resolved, but does spur a jealous reaction.
Interesting characters, deep issues, good talks, and even better reactions. I liked the flamboyant businessman, Sebastian, and tattoo artist, Shaw; both are terrific.
There is lots happening that will keep you riveted.
ENJOY !
====
Thank you for the rec sweet Darlene ! ...and it's free on KU
======
August 10, 2021
I am a big fan of Brooke Blaine, I enjoyed her LA Liaisons series and her PresLocke series which she collaborated with Ella Frank on so I know she can do m/m, so when I saw that she was writing an m/m series on her own I was excited for this to arrive on my kindle.
I was not disappointed as A Little Bit Like Love was wonderful I enjoyed every single minute I spent with Jackson and Lucas, this is a second chance at romance which I love. These two were torn apart years ago and Lucas is holding a grudge against Jackson now that Jackson is back in town for business can they reconnect or has it been too long?
I adore both Jackson and Lucas they are both sexy and bossy and the sex is HOT between them, Lucas can be a jerk at times towards Jackson but he is only guarding his heart and poor Jackson has been lied to for years by someone who is supposed to love and protect him not use him.
Their relationship has highs and lows, I loved how the story progresses and the balance we had of steamy sex and deep conversations talking everything through with some great banter and good friends to have your back. I especially loved the last few chapters I had to finish it to find out what would happen.
I cannot wait for this series to continue I will be reading on release day CONGRATULATONS Brooke on another great series.
I have been reading more m/m recently and this is in my top 5 m/m reads this year.
P. S.
Jackson and Lucas at times reminded me of Dylan and Ace which was a bonus.
I was not disappointed as A Little Bit Like Love was wonderful I enjoyed every single minute I spent with Jackson and Lucas, this is a second chance at romance which I love. These two were torn apart years ago and Lucas is holding a grudge against Jackson now that Jackson is back in town for business can they reconnect or has it been too long?
I adore both Jackson and Lucas they are both sexy and bossy and the sex is HOT between them, Lucas can be a jerk at times towards Jackson but he is only guarding his heart and poor Jackson has been lied to for years by someone who is supposed to love and protect him not use him.
Their relationship has highs and lows, I loved how the story progresses and the balance we had of steamy sex and deep conversations talking everything through with some great banter and good friends to have your back. I especially loved the last few chapters I had to finish it to find out what would happen.
I cannot wait for this series to continue I will be reading on release day CONGRATULATONS Brooke on another great series.
I have been reading more m/m recently and this is in my top 5 m/m reads this year.
P. S.
Jackson and Lucas at times reminded me of Dylan and Ace which was a bonus.
July 30, 2017
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
It’s a Brooke Blaine book so naturally it’s given that I WOULD READ this book since it’s pretty much obvious how much I LOVE her writing and how could I not when she writes stories that are packed with heat, passion, sexiness, and raw emotions whether it be romantic comedy, suspense, or an M/M love story. Either way, her books are always phenomenal. And in her latest M/M novel, A Little Bit Like Love, I more than like this book. I LOVED IT!!!!! This book was everything and so much more. It was a second chance romance that packs all the punches. It had steam, sexiness, sophistication, class, and characters that you instantly fell in love with. Oh and as for the writing, it was beyond amazing as Brooke took me on an emotional high where I was reminded of what it feels like to have your heart flutter and beat wildly for the union of Jackson and Lucas. So if you are looking for a dramatic and beautiful love story that will leave you breathless, then A Little Bit Like Love is the book for you.
Brooke Blaine
It’s a Brooke Blaine book so naturally it’s given that I WOULD READ this book since it’s pretty much obvious how much I LOVE her writing and how could I not when she writes stories that are packed with heat, passion, sexiness, and raw emotions whether it be romantic comedy, suspense, or an M/M love story. Either way, her books are always phenomenal. And in her latest M/M novel, A Little Bit Like Love, I more than like this book. I LOVED IT!!!!! This book was everything and so much more. It was a second chance romance that packs all the punches. It had steam, sexiness, sophistication, class, and characters that you instantly fell in love with. Oh and as for the writing, it was beyond amazing as Brooke took me on an emotional high where I was reminded of what it feels like to have your heart flutter and beat wildly for the union of Jackson and Lucas. So if you are looking for a dramatic and beautiful love story that will leave you breathless, then A Little Bit Like Love is the book for you.
Brooke Blaine
July 27, 2017
4.5 stars
Brooke Blaine is rapidly becoming a 1-click author for me. She proves why once again with A Little Bit Like Love, a second chance M/M romance that hit all the right notes with me. An ill-fated couple with incredible chemistry? Definitely. Heart? In abundance. Angst? You’ve got it. Colorful supporting characters with humor? Check. An antagonist you love to hate? Oh yeah.
Jackson and Lucas were doomed almost as soon as their tentative romance began at an all-boys boarding school in South Haven, Georgia. It’s now eight years later and Jackson finds himself temporarily back in the town where he suddenly disappeared from Lucas’s life. The openly gay scene in South Haven is a far cry from the straight-laced lifestyle Jackson is used to in Connecticut.
I appreciate that the author doesn’t make a huge production over Jackson questioning his sexuality. It’s refreshing. Brooke Blaine knows how to incorporate plenty of other obstacles to make the story interesting. Lucas and Jackson have some serious crap to wade through in order to heal old wounds, break down stubborn walls, and deal with Jackson’s interfering father.
Jackson is so honest, mature, and very patient with Lucas, who keeps his emotions well guarded. The push and pull between them as they try to define their relationship is delicious. I loved the unexpected ways in which the changes in Lucas’s life—both good and bad—are revealed.
Lucas’s completely over the top, hilarious best friends Shaw and Bash are major highlights! Their comic relief helps balance out the inevitable conflicts.
This well-planned story comes together nicely and left me quite entertained as well as pleasantly touched. Cheers to another Brooke Blaine winner.
Recommended for fans of:
Second chance romance
M/M romance
Popular gay clubs
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
Brooke Blaine is rapidly becoming a 1-click author for me. She proves why once again with A Little Bit Like Love, a second chance M/M romance that hit all the right notes with me. An ill-fated couple with incredible chemistry? Definitely. Heart? In abundance. Angst? You’ve got it. Colorful supporting characters with humor? Check. An antagonist you love to hate? Oh yeah.
Jackson and Lucas were doomed almost as soon as their tentative romance began at an all-boys boarding school in South Haven, Georgia. It’s now eight years later and Jackson finds himself temporarily back in the town where he suddenly disappeared from Lucas’s life. The openly gay scene in South Haven is a far cry from the straight-laced lifestyle Jackson is used to in Connecticut.
I appreciate that the author doesn’t make a huge production over Jackson questioning his sexuality. It’s refreshing. Brooke Blaine knows how to incorporate plenty of other obstacles to make the story interesting. Lucas and Jackson have some serious crap to wade through in order to heal old wounds, break down stubborn walls, and deal with Jackson’s interfering father.
Jackson is so honest, mature, and very patient with Lucas, who keeps his emotions well guarded. The push and pull between them as they try to define their relationship is delicious. I loved the unexpected ways in which the changes in Lucas’s life—both good and bad—are revealed.
Lucas’s completely over the top, hilarious best friends Shaw and Bash are major highlights! Their comic relief helps balance out the inevitable conflicts.
This well-planned story comes together nicely and left me quite entertained as well as pleasantly touched. Cheers to another Brooke Blaine winner.
Recommended for fans of:
Second chance romance
M/M romance
Popular gay clubs
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
September 1, 2017
Brooke Blaine nailed her first solo M/M story. I was instantly enthralled from the first chapter. Jackson and Lucas were two amazing characters who complemented each other flawlessly.
Because Logan had been hurt in the past he now had his walls closed around him, never letting anyone in only his two friends Bash and Shaw. Now he's a party and one night stand kind of guy.
Jackson works for his father's company and doing what everyone else wants and expects of him making him feel lonely and not who he really is.
The chemistry between these two guys was insane. I loved the push and pull between them and how Lucas tried to push Jackson away but he wouldn't budge. Jackson was determined to show Lucas that nothing would come between them again. Their past history was also something that made me connect and fall in love with them even more. Lucas' friends Bash and Shaw were fabulous. I loved them just as much and they flowed well with story. A great introduction of the two of them.
I've read Brooke Blaine's L.A. Liaisons series and loved that as well. With A Little Bit Like Love Blaine has created another wonderful series with intriguing characters who have so many layers. I'm so excited for the next book cause this one was absolutely fantastic.
5 BadAssDirtyLetMeInStars
Because Logan had been hurt in the past he now had his walls closed around him, never letting anyone in only his two friends Bash and Shaw. Now he's a party and one night stand kind of guy.
Jackson works for his father's company and doing what everyone else wants and expects of him making him feel lonely and not who he really is.
The chemistry between these two guys was insane. I loved the push and pull between them and how Lucas tried to push Jackson away but he wouldn't budge. Jackson was determined to show Lucas that nothing would come between them again. Their past history was also something that made me connect and fall in love with them even more. Lucas' friends Bash and Shaw were fabulous. I loved them just as much and they flowed well with story. A great introduction of the two of them.
I've read Brooke Blaine's L.A. Liaisons series and loved that as well. With A Little Bit Like Love Blaine has created another wonderful series with intriguing characters who have so many layers. I'm so excited for the next book cause this one was absolutely fantastic.
5 BadAssDirtyLetMeInStars
August 9, 2017
THIS WAS NOT MY CUPPA, DNF AT 50%
I seem to be in the minority here regarding this book so let me explain my rating. This romance was so fake to me I'm sorry. It read like insta-love or insta-lust but yet these men have a "past". Where was the relationship build up? They reportedly love each other but you didn't know why? And half of the time they acted so shitty to each other it was grating. Where were the deep feelings of affection, loyalty, and comfort. OH SURE WE GOT THE DESIRE, but lust is a poor substitute for the things that make a love meaningful. And I believe it was the glowing ratings that had me re-evaluate what exactly my problem was, but only served to make me angry because I wish I saw what everyone else saw, but I didn't. I felt deceived because I went in expecting something a little more profound than this meaningless soap opera. I wish I was warned that it was that type of book because at least I would've been prepared. I can read mindless erotica as well, but only if I want to and am in the right mindset. I didn't mean to take it seriously but that is what was advertised to me. Especially since the title is A LITTLE BIT LIKE LOVE! LOL this book wouldn't know what love is if it was hit by cupid's arrow.
If you would like a simplistic rant that is straight and concise about the problems in this book scroll below. But if you want to really understand the crucial flaws in this, read the next paragraph.
Let me delve deeper into the meaning behind the 1 star. And that is the simple question, where was the love? I didn't feel it. This romance novel read like the M/M equivalence to a doctored Marvel movie that is an obvious cash grab. I'm supposed to just know that these guys liked each other for reasons beyond their looks? Because it didn't feel like that. Not once in the first half of the book did either of the characters comment on what they liked about one another. They didn't make each other laugh, they didn't like the way the other talked animatedly about the things that they loved. Heck they didn't even know anything about one another, even though they were supposedly best friends. Where was the romance? Where was that lovely rediscovering of your first love? Second chances at love novels should have the part where they rediscover everything they loved about each other. But this was severely lacking. The love felt fake, like a science experiment with some parts but missing the crucial ingredients. And the flashbacks were no help. Flashbacks ONLY WORK when the present day compliments the past. The flashbacks read like they were part of a different book that I would've preferred to read, instead of this junk. I hate the romances where the characters use sex as a tool to avoid conversations or the hard realities. They use it as a means to distract their partner and the reader of the shit fest we are seeing. It felt like this author took the reader as dumb! Sure if this was clearly OUTLINED AS MEANINGLESS SMUT THAN I WOULD'VE HAD NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING IN FOR! But the author teases the reader as if to say I could write a better romance than this but your simple mind doesn't deserve that, let me just give pointless angst that only serves to piss you off. And the reviews made it seem like it was deeper than it actually was. So I feel duped and deceived. This was NOT what i was looking for. If I wanted mindless erotica I would read mindless erotica. Why lie about what it so obviously is?
Philosophical and altruistic review done. CLEAR AND CONCISE RANT AHEAD
1. MISCOMMUNICATION as a plot device is a NO for me dawg. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If and when my future boyfriend comes along, NOTHING WILL BE LEFT UNSAID. I've read enough M/M Romance novels to know that is a recipe for disaster. WHAT DO YOU HAVE WHEN YOU CAN"T EVEN COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARTNER? These guys felt so many things but never said a word! They just let things fall by the wayside and resorted to sex, like that would fix anything. It seems like the author wanted to use sex as a way to establish a connection but sex doesn't work like that. You establish something and then use sex. Jackson is hurt, Lucas is hurt, everybody is SO hurt but they don't want to talk about it!
2. ALL THE BOOK WAS INTERESTED IN WAS the physicality of the characters. How hot Lucas is, how sexy Jackson is. EVERYONE in this book read like a male model! Am I supposed to care about their relationship because they are two beautiful men who read like teenage boys who don't know what they want? These aren't men. A MAN knows what he wants and goes for it. He doesn't resort to petty adolescent insecurities and miscommunication. WHY DID THEY LOVE EACH OTHER, WHAT DREW THEM IN TO EACH OTHER? WHAT DO THEY SEE? I COULDN'T EVEN ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND THAT IS A PROBLEM .
3. Both of them were shitty people. I didn't want to root for any of them. Lucas was a cocky man-whore with so much stored up ANGST!! Jackson was the biggest doormat to everyone in his life. Like GROW A PAIR!
All in all would not recommend unless you want a shallow read, in which case go ahead.
I seem to be in the minority here regarding this book so let me explain my rating. This romance was so fake to me I'm sorry. It read like insta-love or insta-lust but yet these men have a "past". Where was the relationship build up? They reportedly love each other but you didn't know why? And half of the time they acted so shitty to each other it was grating. Where were the deep feelings of affection, loyalty, and comfort. OH SURE WE GOT THE DESIRE, but lust is a poor substitute for the things that make a love meaningful. And I believe it was the glowing ratings that had me re-evaluate what exactly my problem was, but only served to make me angry because I wish I saw what everyone else saw, but I didn't. I felt deceived because I went in expecting something a little more profound than this meaningless soap opera. I wish I was warned that it was that type of book because at least I would've been prepared. I can read mindless erotica as well, but only if I want to and am in the right mindset. I didn't mean to take it seriously but that is what was advertised to me. Especially since the title is A LITTLE BIT LIKE LOVE! LOL this book wouldn't know what love is if it was hit by cupid's arrow.
If you would like a simplistic rant that is straight and concise about the problems in this book scroll below. But if you want to really understand the crucial flaws in this, read the next paragraph.
Let me delve deeper into the meaning behind the 1 star. And that is the simple question, where was the love? I didn't feel it. This romance novel read like the M/M equivalence to a doctored Marvel movie that is an obvious cash grab. I'm supposed to just know that these guys liked each other for reasons beyond their looks? Because it didn't feel like that. Not once in the first half of the book did either of the characters comment on what they liked about one another. They didn't make each other laugh, they didn't like the way the other talked animatedly about the things that they loved. Heck they didn't even know anything about one another, even though they were supposedly best friends. Where was the romance? Where was that lovely rediscovering of your first love? Second chances at love novels should have the part where they rediscover everything they loved about each other. But this was severely lacking. The love felt fake, like a science experiment with some parts but missing the crucial ingredients. And the flashbacks were no help. Flashbacks ONLY WORK when the present day compliments the past. The flashbacks read like they were part of a different book that I would've preferred to read, instead of this junk. I hate the romances where the characters use sex as a tool to avoid conversations or the hard realities. They use it as a means to distract their partner and the reader of the shit fest we are seeing. It felt like this author took the reader as dumb! Sure if this was clearly OUTLINED AS MEANINGLESS SMUT THAN I WOULD'VE HAD NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING IN FOR! But the author teases the reader as if to say I could write a better romance than this but your simple mind doesn't deserve that, let me just give pointless angst that only serves to piss you off. And the reviews made it seem like it was deeper than it actually was. So I feel duped and deceived. This was NOT what i was looking for. If I wanted mindless erotica I would read mindless erotica. Why lie about what it so obviously is?
Philosophical and altruistic review done. CLEAR AND CONCISE RANT AHEAD
1. MISCOMMUNICATION as a plot device is a NO for me dawg. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If and when my future boyfriend comes along, NOTHING WILL BE LEFT UNSAID. I've read enough M/M Romance novels to know that is a recipe for disaster. WHAT DO YOU HAVE WHEN YOU CAN"T EVEN COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARTNER? These guys felt so many things but never said a word! They just let things fall by the wayside and resorted to sex, like that would fix anything. It seems like the author wanted to use sex as a way to establish a connection but sex doesn't work like that. You establish something and then use sex. Jackson is hurt, Lucas is hurt, everybody is SO hurt but they don't want to talk about it!
2. ALL THE BOOK WAS INTERESTED IN WAS the physicality of the characters. How hot Lucas is, how sexy Jackson is. EVERYONE in this book read like a male model! Am I supposed to care about their relationship because they are two beautiful men who read like teenage boys who don't know what they want? These aren't men. A MAN knows what he wants and goes for it. He doesn't resort to petty adolescent insecurities and miscommunication. WHY DID THEY LOVE EACH OTHER, WHAT DREW THEM IN TO EACH OTHER? WHAT DO THEY SEE? I COULDN'T EVEN ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND THAT IS A PROBLEM .
3. Both of them were shitty people. I didn't want to root for any of them. Lucas was a cocky man-whore with so much stored up ANGST!! Jackson was the biggest doormat to everyone in his life. Like GROW A PAIR!
All in all would not recommend unless you want a shallow read, in which case go ahead.
July 9, 2018
Loved, absolutely loved this tale of second chances, of finding your place, of going back and making something right, of getting the boy you never forgot and throwing out the damaging things which have made you unhappy.
Brooke Blaine is supremely good at this type of romance, she builds up the tensions but never throws in "plot for plot's sake" dramady (as I like to call it). The drama in this book comes wholly from within the narrative and follows the natural progression of two men - who were each tricked into thinking the other had dismissed them as unimportant after a single night of passionate commitment - when they find out the truth nearly a decade later.
I loved Lucas and Jackson, I loved the way they eased back into their teenage experiences but with a hint of holding back just in case but then, when everything came out in the open, how they embraced the fact they'd never stopped holding a torch for the other.
It made perfect sense for Lucas to react as he did, the pain he'd kept inside him for eight years had been lanced and then he saw something which he felt was taking him back to the night his heart had been broken. And Jackson, he needed to have the confrontation with his past so that he could finally make the break from a life he'd been neatly slotted into without ever having a choice.
And the setting, this is the beginning of a new series with a whole host of beautifully drawn secondary characters who will be getting their stories too and I can't wait to find out more about Shaw and Bash and I hope we still hear from Syd as it's such a pleasant change to have "the female rival" not be an utter witch.
This romance is sexy, it's spicy, it's hot and passionate but it's also about finding and reconnecting, it's about emotions and love and it's about making the choice to trust even though you've been hurt by the person to whom you're handing over your heart.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Brooke Blaine is supremely good at this type of romance, she builds up the tensions but never throws in "plot for plot's sake" dramady (as I like to call it). The drama in this book comes wholly from within the narrative and follows the natural progression of two men - who were each tricked into thinking the other had dismissed them as unimportant after a single night of passionate commitment - when they find out the truth nearly a decade later.
I loved Lucas and Jackson, I loved the way they eased back into their teenage experiences but with a hint of holding back just in case but then, when everything came out in the open, how they embraced the fact they'd never stopped holding a torch for the other.
It made perfect sense for Lucas to react as he did, the pain he'd kept inside him for eight years had been lanced and then he saw something which he felt was taking him back to the night his heart had been broken. And Jackson, he needed to have the confrontation with his past so that he could finally make the break from a life he'd been neatly slotted into without ever having a choice.
And the setting, this is the beginning of a new series with a whole host of beautifully drawn secondary characters who will be getting their stories too and I can't wait to find out more about Shaw and Bash and I hope we still hear from Syd as it's such a pleasant change to have "the female rival" not be an utter witch.
This romance is sexy, it's spicy, it's hot and passionate but it's also about finding and reconnecting, it's about emotions and love and it's about making the choice to trust even though you've been hurt by the person to whom you're handing over your heart.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 23, 2023
DNF @ 47%
Bored out of my mind. Nothing special about this imo. I honestly couldn’t care less for the characters and I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. The side characters (Shaw and Bash) were more interesting than Jackson and Lucas. I definitely still want to read book 2 since it’s Trent’s story from the Fallen Angel series by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine (aka my fav series of all time 😍).
Bored out of my mind. Nothing special about this imo. I honestly couldn’t care less for the characters and I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. The side characters (Shaw and Bash) were more interesting than Jackson and Lucas. I definitely still want to read book 2 since it’s Trent’s story from the Fallen Angel series by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine (aka my fav series of all time 😍).
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