One Lovely Lie

One Lie #1

by Addison Beck

Someone needs to tell me it's not okay to be in love with my best friend.

All of my life, Magnus has been my entire world. It's not easy being in love with your perfectly hot, perfectly incredible best friend. It's not easy seeing him jump from guy to girl to guy at the drop of the hat, but I was surviving. Mostly. Mostly surviving.

So, when he proposes teaching me all about sex, how can I say no?

Despite all the reasons this is a terrible idea, I jump on the chance. If this is the only way I can have him then I won't give it up for anything. Let's just hope this doesn't end in a ruined friendship and a broken heart.

A guy has gotta be optimistic, right? This is a fast-paced, steamy, friends-to-lovers romance with quirky friends, swoon-worthy moments, and a HEA that'll melt your heart. Content drug use, side character exhibiting signs of mental illness.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, M M Contemporary, High School

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2023

Reviews

[~839 book boyfriends~ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I AM SOO MAD!!!
i don’t even know why i gave this stupid book a chance
i hate reading about manwhore/virgin books in m/f romances lord knows why i gave it a chance in an m/m one
ughhh i’m so dumb😫🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Magnus was THE BIGGEST MANWHORE in town!!!!
he fucks around but leaves at the first sight of commitment, and blames it all on his “childhood” ughh like i haven’t heard that one before

but what made me mad the most was this
“While all these lovely men come and go like the seasons, amazed by my magnificent skills, awed by my humongous—”
“Do you have a point?” I ask, and I can’t help but laugh nervously. The last thing I want to think of right now is his humongous…well, you know.
“You’re my tree.”
“A fucking tree?”
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until my dying day. Forget about all of them because you will always be my leading man.”
let me translate this:
while i fuck every thing that moves and live my best life whoring around YOU are the one i will come to when i need emotional stability
WTFFFF🤢🤢🤢

oh also daniel has numerous times seen magnus make out with people and yet saves himself for magnus bc ofc he’s the one, we see daniel see magus make out with two people!!!!
and theres even a scene with om ughhh🤮🤮🤮

and when magnus finds daniel’s a virgin he’s like oh let me make it special for you and shit yeah right asshole🙄🙄🙄

i couldn’t take any more of this crap so thought i’d skip ahead and see the third act break up
and guess what, when things get hard, MAGNUS leaves not surprising at all
all bc he’s scared, he breaks the heart of the man he “loves” and then bitches about it

daniel being the doormat he is takes him back the moment magnus apologises🤦‍♀️🫤🙄

the problem was not magnus sleeping around, the problem was daniel pinning for him like a spineless doormat, he wasn’t going to intervene or let magnus know about his feelings at all and never told him he was uncomfortable with watching him with op!!
and all the op drama in the book where magnus is soo happy istg i’m not kidding opening of maybe the 2/3rd chapter he’s balls deep inside om thinking how amazing his life is while daniel is slowly suffocating and miserable was too much😑😑😑
i hate to see such power imbalances in my books
sorry, not sorry

to make things worse, this was the first m/m romance i’ve read and i am beyond scarred!!!!
I WANNA ERASE THIS FROM MY BRAIN😭😭😭😭

[Lilly [Hiatus due to School] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daniel and Magnus have been friends since childhood. Both come from very affluent families and end up attending a boarding school in Switzerland. They are being raised to hopefully become the next generation to lead their respective families' businesses. Daniel has been hopelessly in love with his best friend, but his best friend has been busy with never-ending rotation of partners, never picking up on his feelings.

However, that all changes when Magnus learns that Daniel is a virgin and wants to be the one to help him with all that is sex. Daniel agrees, despite knowing it might be a bad idea, because even if their temporary agreement expires, he can be close to his childhood friend in the way he's always wanted to be.

This story was okay. It was a pretty rapid pace as their feelings changed (well, for Magnus) from friends to lovers. I liked that due to their connection as best friends, it was still sweet and tender even in their brief friends-with-benefits moment. Despite the issues and their ups and downs you know they really do care for one another deeply. I loved that aspect of their relationship.

I enjoyed the writing and I think it was really good for a debut writer. It kept me engaged, and I read it to the end. I will say that while the story was good, it was not anything new but I ate it right up. There's a great cast of side characters who I am curious about and I look forward to their stories.

Overall it was a good debut from this author and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

- best friends
- sex lessons
- virgin/playboy
- first times
- boarding school
- fast burn + high steam

Magnus and Daniel have been best friends since they were in diapers, and now are attending boarding school thanks to their parents plans for their future.

Magnus embraces the freedom away from their parents and goes a bit wild, partying and sleeping his way through the school, while Daniel secretly pines for him.

After Magnus learns at a party that Daniel is a virgin, he offers to teach him the one things he’s good at—sex. Despite knowing it’s a terrible idea and only going to break his heart, Daniel agrees to Mag’s plan.

Lots of steaminess ensues, but being with Daniel brings out a softer side to Magnus that was really sweet to see. Their transition from friends to lovers isn’t exactly smooth through, there’s lots of insecurity thanks to Magnus’s past, and Magnus does not feel good enough for Daniel.

The boys do get the happy ending they deserve and I cannot wait for Avery’s book!

[ivy]

DNF at 50-something %

[peoniesandmm · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was so cute

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

How is this Addison Beck’s first book?
I demolished this. Hooked from start to finish.

Our story is of 2 best friends who have known each other their entire lives and we meet them as they head off to boarding school together.
Daniel the little innocent cutie and Magnus our resident man ho.
We are also introduced to their friendship group who I can’t wait to see more of.

This story is gorgeous and gives you ALL the feels. So much smoosh and adorableness wrapped up in this package. If you want a fun, easy feel good read then this is definitely a good pick.

I’m so excited to see what happens next with our boys.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a really enjoyable debut. I had a hard time putting it down. I felt like the pacing definitely kept it moving. The set up for the series is interesting as it’s an elite boarding school for the children of the Uber rich. It’s a bit fantastical in that way.

The friendship between Magnus and Daniel was quite intimate. They shared so much affection but never crossing that line, even if Daniel had been in love with Magnus for as long as he could remember. Magnus was so open with Daniel about all of his exploits- never knowing how much it was killing Daniel inside. But they were besties so he thought nothing of it.

I felt for Daniel so much - those intense feeling of unrequited love as a teenager are chaotic and overwhelming. He was such a sweetheart and didn’t deserve that heartache but he also didn’t want to ruin their friendship. Magnus for his part just thought he was sharing with his best friend.

Magnus offering to help Daniel with his lack of experience was all in good fun but I could feel Daniel’s worry and possible impending heartbreak.

I loved how much emotion we got from these two. I was so apparent the magnitude of their friendship and love. It was also very clear how much Magnus’s parents disdain for him made him feel unworthy of actual emotional bonding with anyone other than Daniel.

I’ll definitely be reading the other books in the series.

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely blown away that One Lovely Lie is this author’s debut novel. If you’re looking to support a new author and enjoy a best friends to lovers high school academy romance I absolutely recommend!

Daniel and Magnus were a great pair to read about. My heart broke for Daniel a lot throughout this book. The unrequited love for his best friend Magnus who gets together with anything that moves was strong in this story! When they finally get together I had my reservations but I slowly started to see that Magnus really was the best person for Daniel. I loved seeing how happy they were together.

There is some angst in this story from outside sources, family pressures etc. but I felt it was really well done. I would have loved to see an epilogue farther in the future but was happy at least knowing they are together in the end of course!

I was incredibly intrigued by the side characters in this story. I am really excited to read Avery and Sebastian’s story. Avery seems to have a lot going on and I can’t wait to see how him and Sebastian get together!

[paisean13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so tired. So very, very tired. I mean, I truly don't mind a good ol' pining aka unrequited love story. However, I am very exhausted by MCs who pine away with their chastity belt securely intact whilst the object of their unbeknownst affection is living it up and sleeping with everyone in a one mile radius. I wish more authors took note that an MC can still pine for another while dating/having sex with/flirting with others. That both MCs can live it up equally. Honestly, I think it makes for a more interesting and intense love story when MC1 is not sitting around waiting for MC2 to figure out that MC1 is in love with them.

Personally, I think that making one character a virgin doormat and the other a commitment phobe manwhore does not make for an appealing heartwarming love story. I do, however, give this book 2 stars versus 1 star as the writing is well done and I actually enjoy some of the secondary characters.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 46%

[DeniReadsMostlyMM · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC Review***

This is my honest review for the ARC I received.

This is a sweet and steamy best friends to lovers story. Daniel and Magnus have been friends since birth. Daniel has secretly been in love with Magnus since he was twelve. The story picks up with then fourteen year old Daniel and Magnus heading off to boarding school in Switzerland (though they live in New York). Both Daniel and Magnus come from money. One major source of conflict in the story is Magnus’s dad and the way that he dangles his trust fund over him. His dad is also verbally abusive and both of his parents emotionally neglect him.

The bulk of the story takes place during Daniel and Magnus’s senior year of boarding school when they are eighteen years old. Magnus is pro-sex. Daniel is a virgin. The lines between them blur when Magnus learns about Daniel’s virginity status at a party, and proposes teaching Daniel about sex. Daniel doesn’t want to be another temporary hookup. Magnus doesn’t want someone else having Daniel’s firsts. Although he’s always been protective of Daniel, Magnus doesn’t realize the depth of his feelings for him until after their friendship/relationship changes. Both MCs are somewhat codependent with one another.

Magnus rebels against his parents. Daniel follows the rules. That becomes a point of contention when a French aristocrat comes into the mix. I was worried about both guys for a bit, but they manage to stand up to their parents and resolve their issues. There is a very heartfelt (and public) declaration at the end of the novel that made my heart clench. So sweet! The epilogue solidifies the MCs commitment to one another.

The cast of characters is rounded out with Ozymandias, Carter, Avery, and Sebastian. These guys keep the story entertaining, though Avery is going through some things. This is Addison Beck’s first book and I really enjoyed it. She does a great job describing young love. I will definitely read more of her work in the future!

Potential triggers: drug use and signs of mental illness in a side character

[M's ☆~HEA~☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Please. Forgive me because I can’t fucking breathe without you.”

So romantical!!! This book stressed me OUT. omg. It's like a 90's (the best era for movies & life in general) teen drama-romance movie.

I generally hate sex on page that isn't between the MC's but with this book you're going to have to deal with it in the beginning. Not a lot, and it's before they start hooking up totally, but there are scenes. I got over it.

I also generally dislike F2L that are angsty. And this book flung stressy-balls at me left & right. The OTT parental drama had me pissed. But they are teenagers so the parents are going to have a huge say in their lives unfortunately.

With all that said I loved their friendship and loving steamy relationship. There is zero cheating or evenly mildly unfaithful behavior after they get together. The drama is always short-lived and resolved nicely.

I loved the ending - so damn sweet even though it's very 90's teen drama.

[Tanya Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a friends to lovers. It is AMAZING. Daniel and Magnus totally a swoon worthy couple. 1000% recommended

[epicbookjoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

favorite quote 💬
“Remember, no matter what, we’ll always be cradle to grave.”

Magnus and Daniel are two best friends. They’ve been bff’s ever since they were in diapers. However, Magnus is so oblivious that Daniel is deeply in love with him that he flaunts his playboy ways in front of Daniel, never knowing that he’s breaking his closest friends heart each and every time.

One night Magnus finds out that his best friend is a virgin and proposes to teach Daniel what he know best, sex. Daniel can’t help himself, he knows it’s a terrible idea, but agrees anyway.

There are so many tender moments between the MC’s which I thoroughly enjoyed. They’ve known each other their whole lives and the way they look at each other, talk to each other and touch so intimately just pulled me in deeper.

This is a debut novel for a new author and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and story line.

This book contains:
▪️found family
▪️friends-to-lovers
▪️size difference
▪️virgin mc
▪️low angst (outside issues)
▪️high school romance

I’m looking forward to book 2 in this series!

[Amy Voce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and although the characters were extremely flawed. I was hooked just enough to keep reading. The writing and the pace of the book worked for me (I was never bored, that's for sure!) and I'm excited to see where this series takes us, as there were definitely some interesting side characters that I'm eager to read about their stories.

[Daryn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!

[erm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 but rounding down cuz magnus at the beginning of this book was just NOOOOOOOOOO

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️

This follows Magnus and Daniel.
They have been best friends since they were very young. Now they are at boarding school and Daniel is in love with Magnus, has been for years, but refuses to tell him. He's a v*rgin because he has never been able to move past his feelings for Magnus while Magnus is a playboy. Magnus doesn't do relationships and won't let anyone close to him.
They both have high expectations from their families. Daniel goes along with them while Magnus fights it every step of the way.
When Magnus finds out that Daniel is a v*rgin he suggests they hook up so he can give Daniel a good first time. But a few times kissing and hooking up proves to not be enough for either of them. Magnus doesn't understand his feelings completely and Daniel is falling even more in love with him. It all comes to a head, and they agree to become boyfriends.
Right after they work things out their parents come in and ruin everything. It was aggravating and frustrating. I am not a fan of the parents having so much say over their kids' lives and forcing them into marriages and jobs. This story had that trope hanging over them the entire time, so I knew it was coming but it still annoyed me.

I enjoyed this and love Addison's writing. I was happy to stay inside the little bubble with the guys for the majority of the book. I'm also glad that the issues surrounding the families was pretty quickly resolved and wrapped up.

[Bettina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ RTC

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me it’s either ..( and very briefly) - 5 stars (perfect, memorable) 4stars (enjoyable, great time) 3 stars (ehhh not bad and forgettable) or 1 star (wtf is this)

So how tf is this a 2 stars!?!?!
Idk. You know what DID make it forgettable and “wtf is this”… that one character, the other playboy best fiend (I forgot his name already). The one so oblivious to the boy he calls best friend’s feelings. The one who has to convince himself he wants a relationship with someone he says he deeply cares about and never wants to hurt. Which okay, that’s fine, but that inner monologue had me ripping my hair out.
That guy.

That guy… omg is the equivalent of being stuck in traffic… effing annoying but still a forced presence. I have to be stuck in. Living it.
And I hate it.

Goodnight.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Lovely Lie (One Lie Book 1) by Addison Beck

💜 Best friends to lovers
💜 First times
💜 Boarding school

💖 "Cradle to grave" 💖

Daniel and Magnus have been best friends their whole lives, they've both grown up in high society and gone through homeschooling and subsequently boarding school together. When sexually experienced Magnus finds out Daniel is a virgin he offers to show him the ropes, oblivious to the fact that Daniel is madly in love with him.

It's hard to believe that this is Addison Beck's first book. The story as a whole is really fantastic with an interesting plot, engaging characters and lots of sweet and spicy moments.

In the first chapter we are shown younger versions of the mc's and their already intense and solid friendship, which leads to the deep connection they share later in the book. There were definitely a lot of ups and downs in this story but they eventually led the mc's to a satisfying HEA.

I found the side characters to be really enjoyable, they all added their own flare to the story and showed promise for future books themselves. I'm looking forward to Avery and Sebastian's story which is next in the series and seeing more from this new author!

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭🤭
Intimacy: 🫂🫂🫂🫂
Angst: 🥺🥺🥺

First person dual pov 👀

CW (from author): drug use, side character exhibiting signs of mental illness.

CW (from me): controlling and verbally abusive parents, parental neglect.

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Daniel and Magnus have been friends since childhood. They both come from rich families and go to a boarding school in Switzerland. Their families want them to take over their businesses one day. Daniel has a big crush on Magnus, but Magnus is sleeping his way through everyone at the school and doesn't realize how Daniel feels.

After Magnus learns that Daniel is a virgin, everything changes, and Magnus want to be the one to help him with all that is sex. Despite knowing what a bad idea it might be, Daniel agrees because it's a chance for him to be close to his childhood friend in the way he's always wanted to be.

I really enjoyed reading this even though I didn't like how fast they went from friends to lovers/how fast their feelings changed. I love reading friends to lovers because of the connection the characters have, it was very sweet. Despite everything you know they really do care for each other deeply.

Overall, I really enjoyed the writing. And while the story wasn't anything new I ate it right up, it was very easy to read and kept me engaged and I just had to read it to the end. I also loved the side characters and can't wait to read their stories!

[m]

4.5⭐️ 3.5🌶️

Friends since birth and now at boarding school together, Magnus embraces his years away from his parents with lots of parties and casual hookups but Daniel is secretly in love with Magnus and just focuses on studying. When Magnus learns Daniel is still a virgin their senior year he offers to teach him and Daniel can’t help but agree despite knowing it’ll break his heart in the end..

I just loved this! There are so many obstacles for these boys both within their relationship and outside of it. I couldn’t wait to see how everything was going to work out and it definitely didn’t all go as I expected! At their core though, these boys have so much love for each other. A little codependent at times, but it made the progression of their relationship feel inevitable.

A fantastic debut!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I can’t wait for more in this series - we get a teaser for who is next and their dynamic is going to be so fun to watch.

I received an advanced copy for review - all opinions are my own.

[Obsessed · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Salad Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is super exciting for me, I have never had the pleasure to read a debut at the moment it debuted, so, this is a treat!

First, go Addison! I think it takes a lot of courage to put oneself out there for the world to read, especially in a saturated market like this one and with so many great authors to be compared with. In my opinion, Addison did a great job with her debut novel and it’s much more entertaining, better written, and cohesive than some books I’ve read from renowned and experienced writers.

I really liked One Lovely Lie. It has a good pace, nice and well-developed characters, a cool world-building, and a sweet, funny, interesting, and engaging story. It has plenty of funny moments that had me laughing hard, and some hot ones as well. It’s one of those books that leave you with a warm and happy feeling when you finish reading them. I enjoyed it and checked many times how many pages I had left because I didn’t want to finish it.

All characters are funny and interesting, and I fell in love with the MC easily.
Even though this is a popular trope: best friends-to-lovers where one of them has been in love with the other for ages, the way Addison tells the story and the world she built for it sets it apart from the rest of the books with the same trope.

My only complaint is that I wished it was longer! I think Addison held back a little with the length and the secondary plots and chose to focus on the main one instead. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I do believe she could have dug deeper with the other stories and explored more of the world she built, and the book would still have a good pace and be interesting and fun to read.

I am guessing this can be a consequence of this being her first book, I know I would have been worried if it was me… what to keep, what to discard, what to cut off… and in the long run, less is more, right? So, it’s better to leave readers wanting more than having them give up on the book.

I am far from an editor or an expert, but I do believe I have to keep an eye on Addison because she’s off to a great start and I’m positive she’ll deliver more good stories.

If you like funny and sweet stories without angst and a HEA, give this book a try. I honestly can’t wait for book two.

[Tajie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me set my day for you: I decide to pick up a new book at around 7:45 am est. Yes bish that is important, stop hassling me so early. I’ll get there at my own damn pace! I figured why not start a new author that I have never heard of, this is the first book and just see how it feels. It is exactly 10:32 pm est and I am done. Yup. In exactly 16 hours I absolutely inhaled this couple. I was NOT sleeping until it was finished. The only thing I knew is this was set in a prep school and I was worried. Ehhhh that’s not really my thing. I like me some taboo sh!t, but when they are in HS I need them to have failed a grade or six or I get all weird and blushy. I did blush. It ain’t from de age do!!! These men have LIVED LIVES ahead of their 18 years. They are held to a standard we can’t even dream about. I was SWEPT off my feet and hauled to a place of money, status and POWER. And it was GLooooOooRIOUS. Thrust me into the woods puhhhhlease because they taking care of virgins up in there. WOW. Ok y’all came for blood. I’m a virgin. I swear it. I deserve my time to be ravaged in the woods dammit!
I fell head over heels in love with Daniel from the start. He was just soooooo in love. He was sweet and tender, but also so so so loyal. He actually wanted what was on track for him. He was everything they needed him to be. He would do ANYTHING to save the company soon to be his. Then STORMS in Magnus. He didn’t want a f*cking thing to do with what was required of him. He just wanted fun, sex, and his best friend by his side. Ooo also money. He needed the trust fund for payment. The way they treated him would all be worth it when he had the cash to do whatever he wanted.
This story had some serious nail biter moments. My stomach dropped right out of my butt at the instant money became more important. I thought they would not recover. There is no way you do that to a person and then it be ok. I sat on the edge begging for it to be ok. Just please tell him the truth and pray that he has the heart to forgive you. Uhhhh this was a lot. It was sooo worth the lies… at least I think… but for now I’ll just sit here waiting to see what the parents think of the next couple in line.

[LGO · Rating 4 out of 5]

4´5 estrellas

⚪ M/M Romance
⚪ Best Friends to Lovers
⚪ High School Romance
⚪ Virgin MC

Daniel y Magnus han sido mejores amigos desde su infancia. Los dos pertenecen a familias ricas y poderosas. Son enviados a un internado a Suiza a los 14 años con el objetivo de ser educados para cumplir el camino marcado por sus familias. Pasan 4 años en el internado donde Magnus, que es bisexual, encadena conquistas casuales en su cama. No quiere tener nada serio con nadie porque, después de ser testigo de la relación de sus padres, cree que enamorarse es lo peor que te puede pasar. Además, tiene a su mejor amigo Daniel que es su apoyo incondicional y una constante en su vida. Daniel es gay, está profundamente enamorado de su mejor amigo Magnus y todavía, en su último curso en el internado y a sus 18 años, es virgen. Son distintos el uno del otro. Magnus se rebela con sus padres siempre que puede mientras que Daniel es complaciente con ellos y quiere continuar con su legado.
Cuando Magnus en una fiesta gracias a un juego se entera de que Daniel es virgen y ni siquiera ha besado a nadie, se ofrece a ayudarle a descubrir los placeres del sexo. Daniel sabe que es mala idea debido a que tiene sentimientos por Magnus, pero es incapaz de decir que no. Aunque sabe que es un acuerdo temporal, lo ve como la única oportunidad de tener a su mejor amigo como siempre ha querido y deseado. Daniel acaba confesando lo que siente por Magnus y, aunque en ese momento, Magnus no se siente igual sabe que si puede tener una relación con alguien es con Daniel. Poco a poco, se va dando cuenta de que también está enamorado de él. Sin embargo, no es fácil para ellos hacer que su relación tenga éxito: las inseguridades de Daniel respecto al pasado de Magnus, Magnus no sintiéndose que es suficiente para Daniel y los planes que sus respectivos padres tienen para ellos pueden separarles.

Es el libro de debut de Addison Beck y la verdad es que me ha gustado mucho. Es un romance de instituto de mejores amigos a amantes, con un protagonista virgen y un montón de primeras veces. Los protagonistas son bastante co-dependientes el uno del otro pero me ha gustado mucho la historia. Tengo ganas de leer las historias de Oz, Carter y Avery.

[Ren || Reading What I Want · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴: MM, Friends to Lovers

So this is Addison’s debut novel and start to a new series, I believe. Magnus is the outgoing rebel and Daniel is the shy, slightly awkward good boy. They’re attached at the hip and while their “romantic” relationship was built upon lust, looking back it’s clear they’re both crazy about each other, more obvious for Daniel. This was a PHENOMENAL debut novel, bravo!!!

I will admit, I didn’t like Magnus in the beginning. He was arrogant and so full of himself. Add in the fact that he was oblivious to Daniel’s feelings and yet he was constantly touching and hugging him (inadvertently leading him on) and it was a mess. He was a playboy who then offers to teach his best friend about s*x. I wanted to throat punch him. BUT I realized along the way he always had feelings, he was just so wrapped up in not turning out like his parents he refused to really “feel.” I felt for him then. His eventual possessiveness and jealousy was *chefs kiss*

𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐈’𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞.

My sweet Daniel. His unrequited love was heartbreaking. He was so wrapped up in his best friend he was miserable. Everyone could see it except the one person who needed to. Even when their friendship turns to more Daniel was always two steps ahead in his feelings. He knew it was a disaster in the making but he wanted to do anything for just a moment with Magnus. Le sigh.

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐰𝐞’𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞.

I honestly can’t wait for more! This was a fairly angsty love story with a bit of heartbreak but their hard won HEA is perfect!

POV: 1st, Dual
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🅁🄰🅃🄸🄽🄶: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚. 𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮.

[10111111111 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars (7/10), 💥💥
I'm sad that I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to, because the premise sounded absolutely perfect. I was not expecting the whole 'children of empire owners', but that was definitely an interesting spin and I enjoyed the kind of problems it brought to the story. While I really did like Daniel and Magnus and enjoyed the struggles they had and the way they worked through them, and even taking into account they're basically still children at only 18 and in their final year, it still feels a little overdramatic and a bit funny at times. I think when Daniel's thoughts started reflecting those of the women in Colleen Hoover's books who just accept the stupid MMC BS is when I first really felt pulled out of the story. I also felt like the ending was really rushed given the delicacy that the whole situation really needed. I did find that dinner scene hilarious though, but I just needed more. I need more grovelling, more talking, more working out their insecurities and helping each other. I even get like there wasn't as much smut as I would expect for this kind of story. We only really focus on that for about 25% of the story once things finally happen. And for all the imaging about taking Daniel's huge 🍆 that Magnus did, for it to never be talked about again felt like I was cheated of seeing that. I did really like their relationship and the angst, but I just felt like I needed more good times for them, maybe longer experimenting and more time watching Magnus falling and being in love with Daniel. I think the idea and the plot were great, but I think it just needed more.