What do you think?
Rate this book
Florida Books #4
But My Boyfriend Is
The most dangerous lies are the ones you tell yourself.
Dylan Williams is not gay. Sometimes he gets off with other guys, but so what? He plans to get married someday—really married, like with a wife and kids. And he’s determined that his future family’s life will be the normal one he and his brothers never had.
Mike Aurietta is gay, but his job keeps him in the closet. He doesn’t usually risk frequenting infamous cruising places like Webber Park. But when he’s cutting through one night, he finds himself defending a victim from gay bashers.
It’s all Dylan can do to process the shock that anyone would want to hurt his quiet twin brother. At first he needs Mike’s eyewitness report to satisfy the gut-wrenching desire for revenge. Then he finds himself needing Mike’s solid, comforting presence…and the heat that unexpectedly flares between them.
In the aftermath, Mike quickly learns not to expect too much from his conflicted lover. Though he never thought his good deed would come back to bite him in the ass. Or that hanging on to the possibility of love could force too many secrets out of the closet—and cost them both everything.
Warning: Contains more denial than you can float a barge on, bigger issues than a special end-of-the-year compilation of your favorite magazine, and better sex than most people deserve. After all, it takes place in Texas.
Dylan Williams is not gay. Sometimes he gets off with other guys, but so what? He plans to get married someday—really married, like with a wife and kids. And he’s determined that his future family’s life will be the normal one he and his brothers never had.
Mike Aurietta is gay, but his job keeps him in the closet. He doesn’t usually risk frequenting infamous cruising places like Webber Park. But when he’s cutting through one night, he finds himself defending a victim from gay bashers.
It’s all Dylan can do to process the shock that anyone would want to hurt his quiet twin brother. At first he needs Mike’s eyewitness report to satisfy the gut-wrenching desire for revenge. Then he finds himself needing Mike’s solid, comforting presence…and the heat that unexpectedly flares between them.
In the aftermath, Mike quickly learns not to expect too much from his conflicted lover. Though he never thought his good deed would come back to bite him in the ass. Or that hanging on to the possibility of love could force too many secrets out of the closet—and cost them both everything.
Warning: Contains more denial than you can float a barge on, bigger issues than a special end-of-the-year compilation of your favorite magazine, and better sex than most people deserve. After all, it takes place in Texas.
268 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2012
15 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Mitchell
43 books1,112 followersK.A. Mitchell discovered the magic of writing at an early age when she learned that a carefully crayoned note of apology sent to the kitchen in a toy truck would earn her a reprieve from banishment to her room. Her career as a spin-control artist was cut short when her family moved to a two-story house, and her trucks would not roll safely down the stairs. Around the same time, she decided that Chip and Ken made a much cuter couple than Ken and Barbie and was perplexed when invitations to play Barbie dropped off. She never stopped making stuff up, though, and was surprised to find out that people would pay her to do it. Although the men in her stories usually carry more emotional baggage than even LAX can lose in a year, she guarantees they always find their sexy way to a happy ending.
http://www.facebook.com/authorkamitchell
http://www.facebook.com/authorkamitchell
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
m-m-to-read
May 10, 2015I'm buying this because Mitchell did not commit Epic Name Fail with the black character! His name is Dylan. NOT D'Juan or whatever stereotype "black" name some authors come up with. GA Hauser and Carol Lynne, I'm talking to YOU!!!
August 23, 2012
First off, I hate that Samhain books end at around 92%. I feel like there are things happening in the story in that 8%, only I don't get to see them because I have to read a synopsis and an excerpt from Bad Boyfriend. Dude, I don't need to read that excerpt! I've already read the book! But even if I hadn't, if you think I read any further after the book has ended, I got news for you: I don't. I press "Home" and select the next book on my reading list.
Anyway. Dylan. He was all right. But his "I'm not gay" mentality started to grate on my nerves from a certain point onward. Whatever, man. You enjoy sweeping another guy's chimney—and you're ready to have him sweep yours—but heaven forbid that anyone utters the G-word around you. You don't have issues. Nah.
Then there's your twin who acts like a total ass and pulls a vanishing act because he's afraid being gay might be hereditary and that, with two brothers already "bending over", his days as a hetero might be counted. Wow. And you're supposed to be the brilliant one in the family. Kudos.
Mike. I don't have much to say about Mike, either. He was plain. I didn't find him particularly endearing or sexy. And since Dylan hooked up with him because he (Dylan) wanted something uncomplicated and to not be alone, he (Mike) reminded me of those pillows some therapists use in anger management. Also, he started off as a convenient fuck buddy and ended up being much more but it wasn't really clear how he managed that. Other than being a good lay, that is.
As usual with K.A. Mitchell, the sex was hot (even though Dylan's post-coital reactions were a little anticlimactic: It's just semen, Dylan. It won't stain you forever); it wasn't as hot as in Collision Course but maybe I felt the chemistry between Aaron and Joey better. Speaking of which, I enjoyed the parts with Joey and Aaron best. Even if Dylan didn't.
Overall, I enjoyed this—it’s still top-notch stuff—but I caught myself brushing off things I wouldn't have dismissed so easily if it were any other author. Hence the three stars; because I expect much more from K. A. Mitchell.
Anyway. Dylan. He was all right. But his "I'm not gay" mentality started to grate on my nerves from a certain point onward. Whatever, man. You enjoy sweeping another guy's chimney—and you're ready to have him sweep yours—but heaven forbid that anyone utters the G-word around you. You don't have issues. Nah.
Then there's your twin who acts like a total ass and pulls a vanishing act because he's afraid being gay might be hereditary and that, with two brothers already "bending over", his days as a hetero might be counted. Wow. And you're supposed to be the brilliant one in the family. Kudos.
Mike. I don't have much to say about Mike, either. He was plain. I didn't find him particularly endearing or sexy. And since Dylan hooked up with him because he (Dylan) wanted something uncomplicated and to not be alone, he (Mike) reminded me of those pillows some therapists use in anger management. Also, he started off as a convenient fuck buddy and ended up being much more but it wasn't really clear how he managed that. Other than being a good lay, that is.
As usual with K.A. Mitchell, the sex was hot (even though Dylan's post-coital reactions were a little anticlimactic: It's just semen, Dylan. It won't stain you forever); it wasn't as hot as in Collision Course but maybe I felt the chemistry between Aaron and Joey better. Speaking of which, I enjoyed the parts with Joey and Aaron best. Even if Dylan didn't.
Overall, I enjoyed this—it’s still top-notch stuff—but I caught myself brushing off things I wouldn't have dismissed so easily if it were any other author. Hence the three stars; because I expect much more from K. A. Mitchell.
Want to read
May 10, 2012Someone somewhere said that this is one of the twins from Collision Course which I remember liking A LOT. I also love multicultural romance. I'm all over this! Make it be August NOW!!
December 31, 2015
3.5 stars
At first glance this seems to be structured around a hate crime. Dylan’s twin brother Darryl gets stomped in a park known to be a hook-up spot for gay men. Unfortunately for Darryl, it’s a case of mistaken identity, it’s really Dylan the haters are after. To add to the mix-up, Dylan is confused and in denial about his sexual identity. He has plans to get married someday to some nice girl and produce a passel of kids. Even though he also loves to get his dick sucked by anonymous guys in a public park.
Looking deeper, this is really about fear -- about twin brothers facing the fact that one of them is gay, and the other is afraid that he might be, and not knowing how to talk about it. It’s the focal point of all the action… failure to communicate.
I’ve really enjoyed the other books in this series. They present a nice pairing of two interesting characters with interesting issues one being that they can’t keep their hands off each other. One guy is usually a hard ass who needs some softening up. With the persistent and patient ministration from the other guy, ‘the one’, hard ass learns about life, love, and even, self love. Dylan is very lucky when he meets Mike, a good Samaritan who steps in and saves twin Darryl from the fatal attack in the park. Unfortunately, they are a couple afflicted with the same old miscommunication/non-communication dilemma.
As with book three in the series, I really like the interracial aspect, something not often found in the genre. So, that draws me in. But Dylan is such a butt-head for much of the story. You just want to smack him. And Mike is such a very, very good guy. He gives and gives and seems ok with not getting much in return. He’s that hot for Dylan’s cock.
The lure, once again, is the idea that some special guy can see through to the core of you, through all the crap, and fight for all the good he sees there. How can you not like Mike even if he does seem too good to be true?
I didn’t connect with this one as much as the first three books in the series. I got impatient with waiting for Dylan to take his head out of his very fine ass and let Mike make better use of it. But, there is still much to like here. We get more of Aaron and Joey of book two. And as with the other books in the series Dylan and Mike have some seriously scorching sex. In the end, it’s the tender moments between wise, kind-hearted Mike, and the slowly improving Dylan that I really appreciated.
August 27, 2012
I'm so exhausted with "but I don't want to people to think I'm gay" books, but Mitchell's an auto-buy. Why does it take her so long to write books???
Update 8/27/12:
Conflicted! I liked the MC's and I just wanted to hug Dylan until he couldn't breathe. And there were some scenes, mostly with Joey, that were really good and some dialogue that I wanted to print out and hang on my wall.
But ultimately, what the hell was this book even about? I have no idea. It was your typical K.A. Mitchell with prickly, hard to like characters and it was really really really low on the sugar scale, but seriously hot. If you're looking for a sweet love story, you're going to have to look really hard and make some of it up yourself in your mind. It was alright, but not worth four or five stars.
Update 8/27/12:
Conflicted! I liked the MC's and I just wanted to hug Dylan until he couldn't breathe. And there were some scenes, mostly with Joey, that were really good and some dialogue that I wanted to print out and hang on my wall.
But ultimately, what the hell was this book even about? I have no idea. It was your typical K.A. Mitchell with prickly, hard to like characters and it was really really really low on the sugar scale, but seriously hot. If you're looking for a sweet love story, you're going to have to look really hard and make some of it up yourself in your mind. It was alright, but not worth four or five stars.
November 1, 2013
There is no doubt in my mind that K.A. Mitchell is a great author. She writes smart dialogue, interesting characters and just plain good story lines. But My Boyfriend Is was no exception. However, this is one of those rare times when I really must set aside my own preferences and dwell on why the story worked because unfortunately I never really connected with any of these characters, not one bit.
The story is actually fairly straightforward but the layered emotional connections were far from that and truly gave this story its higher rating. Dylan is so far in the closet he has convinced himself that letting a man occasionally give him oral sex means nothing. He trolls the local park for anonymous hookups and one night rebuffs someone without a thought as to any consequences. Dylan has an identical twin, Dare (Darryl). Unbeknownst to Dylan, Darryl suspects that Dylan is gay like their brother Aaron. Naively, Dare is concerned that he too might be gay, since he and Dylan are identical and so goes to the park to see if he can be tempted by a man. While there, the man his twin rebuffed earlier sees him and along with his two buddies beats Dare, severely wounding him. Dare is rescued by Mike, who, himself is gay, and happened to be in the park that night. Mike calls the police and gets Dare to the hospital and it is there that he meets Dylan and the sexual tension between them is palpable.
As the story progresses, these two men, Dylan and Mike will engage in an ofttimes angry and denied relationship that goes far beyond casual hookup for sex, although this is what Dylan tells himself repeatedly even as he lays in bed beside Mike. Meanwhile, Mike continues to lie to himself and his roommates that the feelings he has for Dylan go far beyond friendship and he, too, lies to himself about how much he is willing to give up to somehow keep Dylan who refuses to admit he is gay. How these two can possibly resolve their issues and come to the idea of a life together hangs in the balance through most of this novel.
The incredible way in which author K.A. Mitchell defines and draws her characters is really stunning to behold. While I had a difficult time liking these guys, I can assuredly tell you that they were the most conflicted people I have ever read about. Dylan was so angry, so guilt ridden and so often right on the edge of admitting he was gay yet each time he pulled himself back, unwilling, almost frightened to admit he could really love another man. And Mike who kept his life so compartmentalized, desperately hung onto to his career in sports medicine, knowing that telling anyone he was gay would out him. He sacrificed relationships for his work and convinced himself that it was his exes that were too demanding. Not until he was confronted with a reluctant Dylan did he realize how much he had been hiding and had cut himself off from the very idea of ever having a boyfriend.
Two proud and utterly conflicted men and they find themselves falling in love with each other--it was a recipe for disaster and author K.A. Mitchell certainly knew how to put it all together into a well written story. While I could not necessarily muster up the investment needed to appreciate these well-done characters, this was not the reason for the loss of a star in the ratings. Rather, it was the dynamic between the three brothers. Aaron was just really mean--nasty mean and while I recalled him being as such in his own novel in this series, I thought that life with his sweet partner Joey might have mellowed him a bit. Instead, he was so angry, (much like Dylan) and extremely insensitive. And for Joey, who was a counselor, to sit back and allow that dynamic to play itself out seemed really at odds with his character as well. Between that and this unreasonable assumption that Dylan would keep tabs with the police and find out the status of the case while the rest of the family along with the victim, Dare, went to Florida, I was really flummoxed. These two plot points were so over the top for me. I felt that they detracted rather than added to the story. The reality was that Dylan was a young, street-wise black man who knew the score and the police were less than interested in finding the offenders considering this was not only a race issue but a gay issue as well so for the family to put all that additional pressure on Dylan was just unfair and seemed unrealistic in the story.
All in all, But My Boyfriend Is by K.A.Mitchell was a worthy installment to this well done series.
The story is actually fairly straightforward but the layered emotional connections were far from that and truly gave this story its higher rating. Dylan is so far in the closet he has convinced himself that letting a man occasionally give him oral sex means nothing. He trolls the local park for anonymous hookups and one night rebuffs someone without a thought as to any consequences. Dylan has an identical twin, Dare (Darryl). Unbeknownst to Dylan, Darryl suspects that Dylan is gay like their brother Aaron. Naively, Dare is concerned that he too might be gay, since he and Dylan are identical and so goes to the park to see if he can be tempted by a man. While there, the man his twin rebuffed earlier sees him and along with his two buddies beats Dare, severely wounding him. Dare is rescued by Mike, who, himself is gay, and happened to be in the park that night. Mike calls the police and gets Dare to the hospital and it is there that he meets Dylan and the sexual tension between them is palpable.
As the story progresses, these two men, Dylan and Mike will engage in an ofttimes angry and denied relationship that goes far beyond casual hookup for sex, although this is what Dylan tells himself repeatedly even as he lays in bed beside Mike. Meanwhile, Mike continues to lie to himself and his roommates that the feelings he has for Dylan go far beyond friendship and he, too, lies to himself about how much he is willing to give up to somehow keep Dylan who refuses to admit he is gay. How these two can possibly resolve their issues and come to the idea of a life together hangs in the balance through most of this novel.
The incredible way in which author K.A. Mitchell defines and draws her characters is really stunning to behold. While I had a difficult time liking these guys, I can assuredly tell you that they were the most conflicted people I have ever read about. Dylan was so angry, so guilt ridden and so often right on the edge of admitting he was gay yet each time he pulled himself back, unwilling, almost frightened to admit he could really love another man. And Mike who kept his life so compartmentalized, desperately hung onto to his career in sports medicine, knowing that telling anyone he was gay would out him. He sacrificed relationships for his work and convinced himself that it was his exes that were too demanding. Not until he was confronted with a reluctant Dylan did he realize how much he had been hiding and had cut himself off from the very idea of ever having a boyfriend.
Two proud and utterly conflicted men and they find themselves falling in love with each other--it was a recipe for disaster and author K.A. Mitchell certainly knew how to put it all together into a well written story. While I could not necessarily muster up the investment needed to appreciate these well-done characters, this was not the reason for the loss of a star in the ratings. Rather, it was the dynamic between the three brothers. Aaron was just really mean--nasty mean and while I recalled him being as such in his own novel in this series, I thought that life with his sweet partner Joey might have mellowed him a bit. Instead, he was so angry, (much like Dylan) and extremely insensitive. And for Joey, who was a counselor, to sit back and allow that dynamic to play itself out seemed really at odds with his character as well. Between that and this unreasonable assumption that Dylan would keep tabs with the police and find out the status of the case while the rest of the family along with the victim, Dare, went to Florida, I was really flummoxed. These two plot points were so over the top for me. I felt that they detracted rather than added to the story. The reality was that Dylan was a young, street-wise black man who knew the score and the police were less than interested in finding the offenders considering this was not only a race issue but a gay issue as well so for the family to put all that additional pressure on Dylan was just unfair and seemed unrealistic in the story.
All in all, But My Boyfriend Is by K.A.Mitchell was a worthy installment to this well done series.
August 29, 2012
Finally one more book for the series! Can't help but feel a little giddy, since K.A. Mitchell delivers some of the best i'm-gonna-sex-you-up-so-bad-you-won't-be-thinking-about-anything-else-for-a-long-time stories with a fine touch of realism.
***- UPDATE 8/29/2012 -***
Are you looking for something romantic, somewhat dramatic, God-help-me sexy and realistic to read? Well, duh, you found it!
"But my Boyfriend is" consists of a well-woven plot and a perfectly developed and delivered story about one of Aaron's younger siblings, Dylan.
Being a twin, Dylan always felt the need to tag along his brother, Darren. Until one day Darren gets gay-bashed and all hell breaks lose. Both twins kept secrets from each other - Dylan being bi and Darren striving for independence and not being labeled for his brothers' choices - Aaron and Joey barge in and take Darren with them, and Mike, a perfect stranger till then, comes into the picture.
Do you think that's a lot? Wait till you see the issues that arise in Mike's & Dylan's i'm-not-gay-just-getting-off-with-another-man relationship. Dylan has so much pent-up anger and frustration, that was the character I felt for from beginning to end, despite him being grouchy and unreasonable more often than not. His short temper, clipped sentences and watchfullness at all times showed how dysfunctional his family was throughout the years. Talking might not get you anywhere, but it certainly is a step further in resolving whatever plagues you. And that is what Dylan is being taught by Mike.
All his denial, attitude and aversion to human touch and company, gradually wither away and he realises that there is something more apart from being a good brother for his family or labeling himself based upon his sexual preferences.
Now on to Mike. He was a good male lead, but he was overshadowed by Dylan. Not to reduce his standing in the picture or anything - the man was there every single time, saying and doing the right things and being patient to the point of sainthood. But reading this book, you'll be so overwhelmed by Dylan's presence that there won't be room for much thought beyond that.
The dialogues, working around issues and sex scenes were simple and breath-taking. As for the characters, they all grow up eventually one way or another and learn how to deal with everything and everyone.
I'm left wanting more and boy do I expect deliverance?! Don't want to sound pushy, but K.A. Mitchell I sure as hell hope you're in front of your screen typing and typing and typing a brand new mind-blowing book, because ...damn, we need it!
***- UPDATE 8/29/2012 -***
Are you looking for something romantic, somewhat dramatic, God-help-me sexy and realistic to read? Well, duh, you found it!
"But my Boyfriend is" consists of a well-woven plot and a perfectly developed and delivered story about one of Aaron's younger siblings, Dylan.
Being a twin, Dylan always felt the need to tag along his brother, Darren. Until one day Darren gets gay-bashed and all hell breaks lose. Both twins kept secrets from each other - Dylan being bi and Darren striving for independence and not being labeled for his brothers' choices - Aaron and Joey barge in and take Darren with them, and Mike, a perfect stranger till then, comes into the picture.
Do you think that's a lot? Wait till you see the issues that arise in Mike's & Dylan's i'm-not-gay-just-getting-off-with-another-man relationship. Dylan has so much pent-up anger and frustration, that was the character I felt for from beginning to end, despite him being grouchy and unreasonable more often than not. His short temper, clipped sentences and watchfullness at all times showed how dysfunctional his family was throughout the years. Talking might not get you anywhere, but it certainly is a step further in resolving whatever plagues you. And that is what Dylan is being taught by Mike.
All his denial, attitude and aversion to human touch and company, gradually wither away and he realises that there is something more apart from being a good brother for his family or labeling himself based upon his sexual preferences.
Now on to Mike. He was a good male lead, but he was overshadowed by Dylan. Not to reduce his standing in the picture or anything - the man was there every single time, saying and doing the right things and being patient to the point of sainthood. But reading this book, you'll be so overwhelmed by Dylan's presence that there won't be room for much thought beyond that.
The dialogues, working around issues and sex scenes were simple and breath-taking. As for the characters, they all grow up eventually one way or another and learn how to deal with everything and everyone.
I'm left wanting more and boy do I expect deliverance?! Don't want to sound pushy, but K.A. Mitchell I sure as hell hope you're in front of your screen typing and typing and typing a brand new mind-blowing book, because ...damn, we need it!
August 24, 2012
OMG, this book drove me nuts! Dylan is a total jackass through 90% of the story. I think if I heard "I'm not gay" one more time, I was going to scream. And Mike, who was gay but not out for work reasons, should have left Dylan in the dust in the beginning. But it did seem to work for them for the most part, as their issues seemed to work for each other, if that makes sense.
Aaron and Joey. I seriously do not remember Aaron being such a jerk to Dylan on such a consistant basis. As much as Dylan drove me crazy, I had to feel bad watching Aaron constantly putting him down or berating him. One of my favorite things about this book was watching the way Joey handles Aaron. He doesn't take his crap and has no problem putting him in his place.
Daryl was a bit of a bitch as well. Yes, I felt bad he was bashed, and even though he had bigger issues to explain his behavior, I still didn't think it was in any way acceptable.
Garrett and Tate, Mike's roommates, were two of my favorites as well. Tate was really sweet, though I was really worried for him after his Grindr pickup.
All in all, I guess I enjoyed the side characters here more than the MCs, but I liked that I didn't want to put it down until I knew how things would turn out, so this gets a solid 3.5 stars from me.
Aaron and Joey. I seriously do not remember Aaron being such a jerk to Dylan on such a consistant basis. As much as Dylan drove me crazy, I had to feel bad watching Aaron constantly putting him down or berating him. One of my favorite things about this book was watching the way Joey handles Aaron. He doesn't take his crap and has no problem putting him in his place.
Daryl was a bit of a bitch as well. Yes, I felt bad he was bashed, and even though he had bigger issues to explain his behavior, I still didn't think it was in any way acceptable.
Garrett and Tate, Mike's roommates, were two of my favorites as well. Tate was really sweet, though I was really worried for him after his Grindr pickup.
All in all, I guess I enjoyed the side characters here more than the MCs, but I liked that I didn't want to put it down until I knew how things would turn out, so this gets a solid 3.5 stars from me.
August 22, 2012
Very good m/m romance about a deeply closeted guy with a lot of guilt about his straight identical twin being gay bashed. Can he keep lying to himself about the attraction he feels to the guy who stepped into the fray and saved his twin's life? This started out a bit rough for me, as I wasn't feeling much sympathy for the closeted twin until about halfway through the book. Anyone want to bet that the next book's about Tate? ;)
Later: The more I think about it, the more I feel like I got cheated out of a couple of chapters that should've been between the last two chapters, or the last chapter and the "I'm really an epilogue, but I'm called the final chapter" chapter... :(
Later: The more I think about it, the more I feel like I got cheated out of a couple of chapters that should've been between the last two chapters, or the last chapter and the "I'm really an epilogue, but I'm called the final chapter" chapter... :(
August 27, 2012
This is actually closer to 3.5 than 4 stars, but Joey was in it a lot and I love the fuck out of that guy and he carries half a star in his bubble butt, so.
But My Boyfriend Is felt a bit off. I liked it fine and there's pretty much nothing that K.A. Mitchell can dish out that I will not read, but considering how hot Collision Course was, I expected so much from this book. It's still pretty great, I still adore the banter, and there are some pretty hot sex, but everything felt dialed down that the entire thing read like K.A. Mitchell Lite.
Angst. Not as much as I would think there'd be. There was a lot of denial coming from Dylan (Aaron's younger brother) regarding his sexual preference, but I couldn't bring myself to care enough to actually feel all angry or twisted or upset about it. He likes getting it on with guys, cannot admit to liking getting it on with guys, and is an asshole when confronted about it. That should have pissed me off, but... nothing. There was some self esteem issues, family members that should be hit upside the head with a folded newspaper, and lots of guilt, all of which should have gotten to me, but nada. I just made like Joey most of the time and shrugged shit off.
The thing is - as much as I think Dylan's hot and Mike's pretty okay - I didn't feel there was more between them than just really great sex. I'm not convinced of the falling in love part and I didn't feel like there was enough there to justify the epilogue-ish ending chapter. I guess I missed the part where these two looked at each other as more than just a fuck.
And the fuck. This is where I'm kinda pissed a bit. What the hell, Mitchell?! That was it? Call me spoiled, but reading the serious stretching the MC did in Diving in Deep to do two things at once to the other MC plus the light but sexy kink in Collision Course had me disappointed in the sexy times in this book. One car ride in Bad Boyfriend that didn't even end in an orgasm turned me on more than everything Dylan and Mike did combined. I can't believe I'm complaining about not having enough raunch, but I've come to expect that in a Mitchell book. I'm not sure how to handle just getting the Lite version.
Despite my whining, though, this is still a pretty great book. Better than most erotic m-m romances out there. Mitchell is a great author and she writes memorable characters and hot man lovin'. Compared with her other work, though, reading this just made me wanna grab Collision Course or Bad Boyfriend to ease my disappointment. Plus ice cream. Definitely some ice cream.
But My Boyfriend Is felt a bit off. I liked it fine and there's pretty much nothing that K.A. Mitchell can dish out that I will not read, but considering how hot Collision Course was, I expected so much from this book. It's still pretty great, I still adore the banter, and there are some pretty hot sex, but everything felt dialed down that the entire thing read like K.A. Mitchell Lite.
Angst. Not as much as I would think there'd be. There was a lot of denial coming from Dylan (Aaron's younger brother) regarding his sexual preference, but I couldn't bring myself to care enough to actually feel all angry or twisted or upset about it. He likes getting it on with guys, cannot admit to liking getting it on with guys, and is an asshole when confronted about it. That should have pissed me off, but... nothing. There was some self esteem issues, family members that should be hit upside the head with a folded newspaper, and lots of guilt, all of which should have gotten to me, but nada. I just made like Joey most of the time and shrugged shit off.
The thing is - as much as I think Dylan's hot and Mike's pretty okay - I didn't feel there was more between them than just really great sex. I'm not convinced of the falling in love part and I didn't feel like there was enough there to justify the epilogue-ish ending chapter. I guess I missed the part where these two looked at each other as more than just a fuck.
And the fuck. This is where I'm kinda pissed a bit. What the hell, Mitchell?! That was it? Call me spoiled, but reading the serious stretching the MC did in Diving in Deep to do two things at once to the other MC plus the light but sexy kink in Collision Course had me disappointed in the sexy times in this book. One car ride in Bad Boyfriend that didn't even end in an orgasm turned me on more than everything Dylan and Mike did combined. I can't believe I'm complaining about not having enough raunch, but I've come to expect that in a Mitchell book. I'm not sure how to handle just getting the Lite version.
Despite my whining, though, this is still a pretty great book. Better than most erotic m-m romances out there. Mitchell is a great author and she writes memorable characters and hot man lovin'. Compared with her other work, though, reading this just made me wanna grab Collision Course or Bad Boyfriend to ease my disappointment. Plus ice cream. Definitely some ice cream.
December 1, 2015
I was gifted this book by the author at GRL 2014, and just now got around to reading it, because paperback. It sat on my shelf all year, looking lonely and neglected.
I had read book 2 of this author's series a while back, and was looking forward to reading this one, and it didn't disappoint.
It was weird, though, reading a paperback, I'll tell you that. Seriously weird, after so many years of reading only ebooks.
I liked the characters in this book, both the in-the-closet Mike and the "I'm not gay" Dylan, who are thrown together by chance when Mike comes to the rescue while Dylan's twin brother is being bashed in a local park. From the start there seem to be hints that the bashing victim was supposed to be Dylan, and oh boy, the guilt of that is getting to Dylan right away.
Dylan seems to think he's not gay, because he eventually wants a wife and kids, but he can't stop thinking about Mike and showing up at Mike's apartment.
Mike figures out pretty quick that he can't get in too deep, but his heart didn't get that memo. And Mike's not out at work, where he's a physical trainer for the local college football team.
But shit keeps happening, with Dylan set on finding the assholes who beat up and nearly killed his twin, and Mike getting pulled into that plan, and the two getting closer. Dylan of course keeps lying to himself, and Mike is at risk of getting his heart broken, when they figure out who's behind the bashing and then do something rather stupid, that Dylan in his mind justifies as keeping Mike from losing his job.
This book is a rollercoaster, for sure, with high highs and really low lows, and a bunch of drama, but also really good snark in the dialogue, and some nicely developed characters. We even get to see Aaron and Joey again, though I must say that Aaron is still an asshole, and I despised how he talked to Dylan and how pretty much the whole family made him feel like he was worthless.
So, thank you, KA Mitchell, for this gift. I really enjoyed reading your book!
I had read book 2 of this author's series a while back, and was looking forward to reading this one, and it didn't disappoint.
It was weird, though, reading a paperback, I'll tell you that. Seriously weird, after so many years of reading only ebooks.
I liked the characters in this book, both the in-the-closet Mike and the "I'm not gay" Dylan, who are thrown together by chance when Mike comes to the rescue while Dylan's twin brother is being bashed in a local park. From the start there seem to be hints that the bashing victim was supposed to be Dylan, and oh boy, the guilt of that is getting to Dylan right away.
Dylan seems to think he's not gay, because he eventually wants a wife and kids, but he can't stop thinking about Mike and showing up at Mike's apartment.
Mike figures out pretty quick that he can't get in too deep, but his heart didn't get that memo. And Mike's not out at work, where he's a physical trainer for the local college football team.
But shit keeps happening, with Dylan set on finding the assholes who beat up and nearly killed his twin, and Mike getting pulled into that plan, and the two getting closer. Dylan of course keeps lying to himself, and Mike is at risk of getting his heart broken, when they figure out who's behind the bashing and then do something rather stupid, that Dylan in his mind justifies as keeping Mike from losing his job.
This book is a rollercoaster, for sure, with high highs and really low lows, and a bunch of drama, but also really good snark in the dialogue, and some nicely developed characters. We even get to see Aaron and Joey again, though I must say that Aaron is still an asshole, and I despised how he talked to Dylan and how pretty much the whole family made him feel like he was worthless.
So, thank you, KA Mitchell, for this gift. I really enjoyed reading your book!
August 23, 2012
I am giving this a four star, although really a 3.5.
What I liked:
1. I really liked the fact that neither Dylan or Mike is perfect, that both of them have issues that are not resolved in the first few pages.
2. The storyline was not just the same rehashing of the others, but original problems.
3. Joey. There is just something about this character that makes me smile.
4. The last couple chapters are f'ing amazing and redeemed one character that was pissing me off.
What I didn't love:
1. I was surprised about one character's attitude that really pissed me off! (not Dylan or Mike). Not saying that there was anything wrong with the writing, just that the character pissed me off.
2. If you are overly sensitive about cheating (meaning, the from the first moment they see each other there should be no frolicking with others) be prepared. It did not bother me, how it was handled, but some folks can be picky.
Overall, a pretty good book, it was on par with the others, but not as good as Joey's. I am hoping that we see Tate the roommate in the next book.
What I liked:
1. I really liked the fact that neither Dylan or Mike is perfect, that both of them have issues that are not resolved in the first few pages.
2. The storyline was not just the same rehashing of the others, but original problems.
3. Joey. There is just something about this character that makes me smile.
4. The last couple chapters are f'ing amazing and redeemed one character that was pissing me off.
What I didn't love:
1. I was surprised about one character's attitude that really pissed me off! (not Dylan or Mike). Not saying that there was anything wrong with the writing, just that the character pissed me off.
2. If you are overly sensitive about cheating (meaning, the from the first moment they see each other there should be no frolicking with others) be prepared. It did not bother me, how it was handled, but some folks can be picky.
Overall, a pretty good book, it was on par with the others, but not as good as Joey's. I am hoping that we see Tate the roommate in the next book.
April 27, 2013
2.5 Stars
Darryl Williams falls victim to a gay bashing in Webber Park and Mike Aurietta saves him. At the hospital, Mike meets Darryl's twin, Dylan, and sparks fly. Even though Dylan does not consider himself gay and Mike is in the closet for the sake of his job, the two start a secret and steamy love affair. When all is said and done, Mike and Dylan must decide whether to be true to themselves or hang on to denial and remain in the closet.
This one was okay. At first, I didn't care for Dylan. He was abrupt, irritating, and too cliche. I liked Mike but he was nothing to write home about. The two grew on me after awhile and I did get into the story. But then Dare came along and things took a dive. What. A. Dick. He was homophobic and narcissistic and repugnant. He worried that being gay was "contagious." Ugh. Yuck. And he felt this way despite the fact that his two brothers (one of which is his twin) are gay. *gag* I. Despised. Dare.
Bottom line: nothing to write home about.
Darryl Williams falls victim to a gay bashing in Webber Park and Mike Aurietta saves him. At the hospital, Mike meets Darryl's twin, Dylan, and sparks fly. Even though Dylan does not consider himself gay and Mike is in the closet for the sake of his job, the two start a secret and steamy love affair. When all is said and done, Mike and Dylan must decide whether to be true to themselves or hang on to denial and remain in the closet.
This one was okay. At first, I didn't care for Dylan. He was abrupt, irritating, and too cliche. I liked Mike but he was nothing to write home about. The two grew on me after awhile and I did get into the story. But then Dare came along and things took a dive. What. A. Dick. He was homophobic and narcissistic and repugnant. He worried that being gay was "contagious." Ugh. Yuck. And he felt this way despite the fact that his two brothers (one of which is his twin) are gay. *gag* I. Despised. Dare.
Bottom line: nothing to write home about.
August 22, 2012
Not enough m/m authors are writing interracial romance, so kudos to K.A. Mitchell for that. The writing was good, as always, and the story was compelling enough to keep me reading. The closet-case angst was exhausting, though. Each time Dylan threw an "I'm not gay" tantrum, I liked him less and less. The ending seemed rushed; I feel like we missed out on some major emotional payoff. Also,
November 29, 2012
Not sure I am all that objective about this authors work, because I enjoy her voice so much. The angst and anger of Dylans character really appealed and I lovedtrue book.I thought the storytelling was really tight and the arc was done beautifully. Sex was hot and captured Dylans feelings nicely, nervous but aggressive. Liked it lots. I think if you're new to the genre, KA Mitchell is a great place to start, cause the writing is just that good. Magic.
Re read end of 2012. Sigh, still liked it QUITE a lot.
Re read end of 2012. Sigh, still liked it QUITE a lot.
probably-not
August 21, 2012Has this been released somewhere already? It still shows as preorder at the sites I buy through, but there's all these reviews already??
Can't . . . wait . . . till . . . August . . . need . . . book . . . now . . .
Can't . . . wait . . . till . . . August . . . need . . . book . . . now . . .
August 22, 2012
I discovered KA Mitchell this past November thanks to Dear Author’s former reviewer Sarah, who I think has reviewed all of Mitchell’s books (you can see the reviews here). I started with Collision Course, which still remains my favorite of her books. In this one, Dylan is the brother of Aaron (hero in Collision Course). Dylan is twenty-two, has sex with women, but also cruises a park that is known for gay sexual hook-ups, because he refuses to acknowledge to anyone he might be gay. After being harassed one night at this park, the next night his identical twin brother Darryl, who was just innocently cutting through the park, gets beaten really bad by gay bashers.
Mike, a total stranger to Darryl, witnesses this attack and runs over to stop the fight. The attackers flee, and Mike calls 9-1-1. Everyone ends up at the ER, where Darryl lives, but is in bad shape for awhile. He ends up going home with Aaron and his boyfriend to recover, leaving Dylan on his own. Dylan and Darryl are extremely close, but Dylan blames himself for Darryl’s beating. He is also too afraid to tell his family his part in this beating.
But let’s get to where Mike comes into the picture. Mike is gay and an athletic trainer at a nearby college. HIs parents don’t approve of him being gay, and he keeps his sexual orientation under wraps at work since he works on half naked guys in the locker room. But his roommates know, and he soon works it out that Dylan may play for his team as well. Mike has never dated a black guy, but race doesn’t play a big factor in this story.
Dylan has anger issues and that is putting it lightly. He is so in denial about having feelings for men which takes the entire book to pull him out of it. Yeah, he admits he may once in awhile enjoy getting sucked off by another man, but he would never do the sucking. In his opinion, that would make him less of a man. His father is in prison, and his mother left when he was eight. Eventually, Aaron took over guardianship and as adults, from the outside they all are a close family. But Dylan never feels worthy. He always feels like the screw-up (Darryl is going to graduate school while Dylan is a line cook). And he feels Darryl getting beat-up because of him, is just another screw-up in life.
He can’t get Mike out of his head though. Once Darryl leaves the state to recover, he finds himself knocking on Mike’s door almost every night. Just for sex of course, nothing about those silly emotions. Mike lets him get away with this for awhile. He has a lot of patience and I think realizes that it is going to take time for Dylan to admit his feelings to anyone, including himself.
Dylan’s attitude didn’t bother me in this book – I think his reluctance and ‘tough guy’ façade is well done because there is such a vulnerability below the surface. Mike knows this and slowly drags it out of him. My one complaint is that I wish we got to see the two of them in a happy place for a bit longer. The end felt a little rushed to me. I wanted to explore the ‘I am gay’ side of Dylan more.
As always, KA Mitchell gives us the most erotic sex scenes. I think she does such a great job with giving us sex scenes that forward the emotional journeys of each character, not just throwing them in there to get the book classified as erotic. In this book, each one breaks down Dylan just a little more each time.
I feel like I talked about Dylan this entire review and not much of Mike. In a way, this is Dylan’s story. It’s his story of finding himself, his relationship with both of his brothers, and the beginning of love and acceptance with Mike. Mike comes to learn about family and he is thrown into quite a crazy one, but ultimately it is Dylan’s journey.
If you are new to this author or series, I suggest starting with Collision Course and reading the series from there. You really can’t go wrong with a KA Mitchell book.
Rating: B
P.S. – I just realized I didn’t mention Joey once! My favorite KA Mitchell character!!! (boyfriend of Aaron). He has a big role in this book and I adored every scene he is in.
Mike, a total stranger to Darryl, witnesses this attack and runs over to stop the fight. The attackers flee, and Mike calls 9-1-1. Everyone ends up at the ER, where Darryl lives, but is in bad shape for awhile. He ends up going home with Aaron and his boyfriend to recover, leaving Dylan on his own. Dylan and Darryl are extremely close, but Dylan blames himself for Darryl’s beating. He is also too afraid to tell his family his part in this beating.
But let’s get to where Mike comes into the picture. Mike is gay and an athletic trainer at a nearby college. HIs parents don’t approve of him being gay, and he keeps his sexual orientation under wraps at work since he works on half naked guys in the locker room. But his roommates know, and he soon works it out that Dylan may play for his team as well. Mike has never dated a black guy, but race doesn’t play a big factor in this story.
Dylan has anger issues and that is putting it lightly. He is so in denial about having feelings for men which takes the entire book to pull him out of it. Yeah, he admits he may once in awhile enjoy getting sucked off by another man, but he would never do the sucking. In his opinion, that would make him less of a man. His father is in prison, and his mother left when he was eight. Eventually, Aaron took over guardianship and as adults, from the outside they all are a close family. But Dylan never feels worthy. He always feels like the screw-up (Darryl is going to graduate school while Dylan is a line cook). And he feels Darryl getting beat-up because of him, is just another screw-up in life.
He can’t get Mike out of his head though. Once Darryl leaves the state to recover, he finds himself knocking on Mike’s door almost every night. Just for sex of course, nothing about those silly emotions. Mike lets him get away with this for awhile. He has a lot of patience and I think realizes that it is going to take time for Dylan to admit his feelings to anyone, including himself.
Dylan’s attitude didn’t bother me in this book – I think his reluctance and ‘tough guy’ façade is well done because there is such a vulnerability below the surface. Mike knows this and slowly drags it out of him. My one complaint is that I wish we got to see the two of them in a happy place for a bit longer. The end felt a little rushed to me. I wanted to explore the ‘I am gay’ side of Dylan more.
As always, KA Mitchell gives us the most erotic sex scenes. I think she does such a great job with giving us sex scenes that forward the emotional journeys of each character, not just throwing them in there to get the book classified as erotic. In this book, each one breaks down Dylan just a little more each time.
I feel like I talked about Dylan this entire review and not much of Mike. In a way, this is Dylan’s story. It’s his story of finding himself, his relationship with both of his brothers, and the beginning of love and acceptance with Mike. Mike comes to learn about family and he is thrown into quite a crazy one, but ultimately it is Dylan’s journey.
If you are new to this author or series, I suggest starting with Collision Course and reading the series from there. You really can’t go wrong with a KA Mitchell book.
Rating: B
P.S. – I just realized I didn’t mention Joey once! My favorite KA Mitchell character!!! (boyfriend of Aaron). He has a big role in this book and I adored every scene he is in.
August 26, 2012
I loved this book. The rating says it all.
Perhaps the angst level was a bit much but it felt right as I read it now. Hope it doesn't change on the second reading XD I thoroughly enjoyed following the path that brought Dylan and Mike together. I'll be looking out for the paperback version as well as another installment in this series.
Perhaps the angst level was a bit much but it felt right as I read it now. Hope it doesn't change on the second reading XD I thoroughly enjoyed following the path that brought Dylan and Mike together. I'll be looking out for the paperback version as well as another installment in this series.
February 18, 2013
Beautiful. And full of deep truths, not really what you'd expect of a romance/erotica story. I liked this very much because there were words of wisdom here, words that more people should hear.
Dylan is a riot, in EVERY sense of the word. He is quick to throw a punch, and quick to laughter—and actually does both of those a lot, together with all the I'm-not-gay sex he's having in this book. Yeah, right. Dylan has a way to go still, to get to insight.
Don't know what to put in my excerpts this time, but maybe I'll just go with this one sentence that cracked me up:
"Two guys trying to make a baby?" Dylan's smile started slow then brightened to a grin as he grabbed Mike's hips. "Might have to try for a really long time."
If you enjoy m/m-romance and like your boys to come full circle from denial to insight, this is a good one. I really like this author. And that FINALLY not all protags are shining white caucasian just make it all the much better. Dylan sounds like he is truly beautiful.
This was the fourth in a series (where I seem to have jumped #3, which I am correcting as we speak), and all well worth reading. I love it when I find I can spend my hard earned cash on stuff that delivers.
***
I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money, as I do for all the books I read, all the music I listen to and the movies I watch.
Dylan is a riot, in EVERY sense of the word. He is quick to throw a punch, and quick to laughter—and actually does both of those a lot, together with all the I'm-not-gay sex he's having in this book. Yeah, right. Dylan has a way to go still, to get to insight.
Don't know what to put in my excerpts this time, but maybe I'll just go with this one sentence that cracked me up:
"Two guys trying to make a baby?" Dylan's smile started slow then brightened to a grin as he grabbed Mike's hips. "Might have to try for a really long time."
If you enjoy m/m-romance and like your boys to come full circle from denial to insight, this is a good one. I really like this author. And that FINALLY not all protags are shining white caucasian just make it all the much better. Dylan sounds like he is truly beautiful.
This was the fourth in a series (where I seem to have jumped #3, which I am correcting as we speak), and all well worth reading. I love it when I find I can spend my hard earned cash on stuff that delivers.
***
I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money, as I do for all the books I read, all the music I listen to and the movies I watch.
March 22, 2014
This is a story of a set of twins, Dylan and Dare Williams. They are identical, but opposites in personalities. Dare is the nerd. Dylan is the one "not going to amount to much" from his family's point of view.
Dylan wants life to stay as it is, but Dare has other ideas when he plans to further his college education that does not include Dylan.
One night changes them forever, when Dare is brutally attacked on his way home through a cruising park near the UT campus. The attack is meant for Dylan, who had previously denied a man a hook up. Dare is saved by a UT athletic trainer, Mike Auriette. This act brings Dylan and Mike together. Dylan is in deep denial about his sexuality, and Mike is in a very deep closet. The attraction is volatile. Neither wants to give in or give up. Throw in Mike's roommates, one straight and one gay. Add Dylan's family, especially his older gay brother Aaron, who is a royal pain. Mix all the ingredients and you have an exciting, explosive read. Sometimes, I wanted to hug them, sometimes I wanted to punch them. I believe that was the point!.
Once again K.A. Mitchell has proven to me why she is one of my very favorite writers, and why I just cannot get enough of her characters.
I give this a college campus full of stars.
Dylan wants life to stay as it is, but Dare has other ideas when he plans to further his college education that does not include Dylan.
One night changes them forever, when Dare is brutally attacked on his way home through a cruising park near the UT campus. The attack is meant for Dylan, who had previously denied a man a hook up. Dare is saved by a UT athletic trainer, Mike Auriette. This act brings Dylan and Mike together. Dylan is in deep denial about his sexuality, and Mike is in a very deep closet. The attraction is volatile. Neither wants to give in or give up. Throw in Mike's roommates, one straight and one gay. Add Dylan's family, especially his older gay brother Aaron, who is a royal pain. Mix all the ingredients and you have an exciting, explosive read. Sometimes, I wanted to hug them, sometimes I wanted to punch them. I believe that was the point!.
Once again K.A. Mitchell has proven to me why she is one of my very favorite writers, and why I just cannot get enough of her characters.
I give this a college campus full of stars.
August 27, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/08/27/...
I absolutely love and adore Mitchell’s writing, and the first book I ever read by her, Collision Course, remains one of my all time favorite m/m reads. I was so excited to not only jump back into the Florida series, but also get the chance to see my favorites Joey and Aaron in action once again. Unfortunately, for me, Dylan didn’t live up to my own internal hype.
Dylan refuses to admit that he may or may not be gay, but when his twin brother gets beat up in a hate crime meant for him, Dylan might finally have to admit that his sex life isn’t exactly normal. And given the way he keeps reacting to Mike, the guy who stepped in to help Daryl, Dylan will have to come to grips with his lifestyle fast.
Mike has accepted his homosexuality, but given his job, he must stay firmly in the closet. Dylan is the last guy he ever expected to be attracted to, but there is something about Dylan that keeps Mike coming back for more. But despite the fact that Mike is in the closet, Dylan’s inability to accept himself starts to wear on their relationship and Mike wonders if he will ever be comfortable with Dylan and just how far in the closet he really is.
I’ll admit that although Dylan drove me up the wall, I still love and adore Mitchell. She writes some of the best m/m sex scenes, characters and overall stories I’ve ever read. Let me start with the one aspect of the book that drove me crazy from start to finish: Dylan and his piss-poor attitude.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a black man living in the south, and one who also is struggling with the idea of being gay. So I really do have no idea what was going through Dylan’s head, but he was a self-obsessed D-bag from the very beginning. He lied to his twin day in and day out, he lived a double life, hiding his true self from others and ever would lie to himself about it. He treated those around him; friends, enemies, and loved ones with an air of disdain and an over inflated self importance. He wasn’t an easy character to like. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I really didn’t like him at all – beginning or end.
Everything else about the book I pretty much loved. Mike was a great hero. Although he lived his life somewhat in the closet because of his job, he was also out and open with his friends, he was supportive of those in his life, and he put up with a lot of BS from Dylan in order to be with him. Mike was one of the silent-type heroes who kinda sneaks up and takes you by surprise with how sweet and wonderful he is. I thought he deserved so much more than what Dylan was willing to give him.
The romance, for me, was not as good as Mitchell normally does. I think it was probably because Dylan struggled SO HARD with accepting himself and his homosexuality that he never really gave Mike (or himself) the chance to be a boyfriend. And while we did get to see their HEA at the very end, it was a VERY short scene and didn’t really give me the satisfaction I was looking for in their relationship. There was sooooo much angst and drama in the beginning for these two, that the brief look into their lives ever after just wasn’t enough to appease my appetite.
I was extremely happy to see some of my favorites back for this story though. Getting page time with Joey and Aaron is a huge treat, and I love that Joey still manages to find ways to “shrink” everyone without them really catching on. Anytime I get to see Joey and Aaron on the page together is a present for me, so them being there for Dylan throughout the story really helped break up some of the angst.
All in all this is probably my least favorite of the Florida books by Mitchell, and yet still a winner. The way she tackles the ongoing issues of dealing with homosexuality and finding love between two men continues to astound me. She does an incredible job writing steamy love scenes, and then bouncing into a particular emotionally draining moment. While Dylan was a big jerk, Mike had me falling in love.
I give But My Boyfriend Is a C
I absolutely love and adore Mitchell’s writing, and the first book I ever read by her, Collision Course, remains one of my all time favorite m/m reads. I was so excited to not only jump back into the Florida series, but also get the chance to see my favorites Joey and Aaron in action once again. Unfortunately, for me, Dylan didn’t live up to my own internal hype.
Dylan refuses to admit that he may or may not be gay, but when his twin brother gets beat up in a hate crime meant for him, Dylan might finally have to admit that his sex life isn’t exactly normal. And given the way he keeps reacting to Mike, the guy who stepped in to help Daryl, Dylan will have to come to grips with his lifestyle fast.
Mike has accepted his homosexuality, but given his job, he must stay firmly in the closet. Dylan is the last guy he ever expected to be attracted to, but there is something about Dylan that keeps Mike coming back for more. But despite the fact that Mike is in the closet, Dylan’s inability to accept himself starts to wear on their relationship and Mike wonders if he will ever be comfortable with Dylan and just how far in the closet he really is.
I’ll admit that although Dylan drove me up the wall, I still love and adore Mitchell. She writes some of the best m/m sex scenes, characters and overall stories I’ve ever read. Let me start with the one aspect of the book that drove me crazy from start to finish: Dylan and his piss-poor attitude.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a black man living in the south, and one who also is struggling with the idea of being gay. So I really do have no idea what was going through Dylan’s head, but he was a self-obsessed D-bag from the very beginning. He lied to his twin day in and day out, he lived a double life, hiding his true self from others and ever would lie to himself about it. He treated those around him; friends, enemies, and loved ones with an air of disdain and an over inflated self importance. He wasn’t an easy character to like. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I really didn’t like him at all – beginning or end.
Everything else about the book I pretty much loved. Mike was a great hero. Although he lived his life somewhat in the closet because of his job, he was also out and open with his friends, he was supportive of those in his life, and he put up with a lot of BS from Dylan in order to be with him. Mike was one of the silent-type heroes who kinda sneaks up and takes you by surprise with how sweet and wonderful he is. I thought he deserved so much more than what Dylan was willing to give him.
The romance, for me, was not as good as Mitchell normally does. I think it was probably because Dylan struggled SO HARD with accepting himself and his homosexuality that he never really gave Mike (or himself) the chance to be a boyfriend. And while we did get to see their HEA at the very end, it was a VERY short scene and didn’t really give me the satisfaction I was looking for in their relationship. There was sooooo much angst and drama in the beginning for these two, that the brief look into their lives ever after just wasn’t enough to appease my appetite.
I was extremely happy to see some of my favorites back for this story though. Getting page time with Joey and Aaron is a huge treat, and I love that Joey still manages to find ways to “shrink” everyone without them really catching on. Anytime I get to see Joey and Aaron on the page together is a present for me, so them being there for Dylan throughout the story really helped break up some of the angst.
All in all this is probably my least favorite of the Florida books by Mitchell, and yet still a winner. The way she tackles the ongoing issues of dealing with homosexuality and finding love between two men continues to astound me. She does an incredible job writing steamy love scenes, and then bouncing into a particular emotionally draining moment. While Dylan was a big jerk, Mike had me falling in love.
I give But My Boyfriend Is a C
Read
August 22, 2012I can't decide how to rate this book. It was hard for me to get into this book because Dylan was so obnoxious, but I did feel bad for how his family seemed to treat him, and I was so glad This book totally did not go the way I thought it would, and while it's nice to be surprised sometimes, I feel like nothing really happened. It's like where there was supposed to be a climax where the characters grow and move forward, the story just sort of plateaued. There didn't seem to be one of those AHA moments for Dylan, and I'm still not sure if he's ok with himself being gay, and whether he actually, really wants to be with Mike. And I used to like Dare because he was less obnoxious than Dylan, but , and it made me like Dylan a little more. Even Joey's fun personality didn't seem to appear in this book.
I am wondering if this series will continue or if Dylan is the last because Dare isn't gay?! Although, I did like Tate and would like an update on him and his man from the club.
I am wondering if this series will continue or if Dylan is the last because Dare isn't gay?! Although, I did like Tate and would like an update on him and his man from the club.
November 27, 2012
I enjoyed this more than I expected to, based on comments by other reviewers. K.A.Mitchell makes no apologies about writing lots of sex scenes and does it so well. In this case, her character's emotional reaction during the sex scene was an important part of the plot as was the number. Any less, and Mike's feeling at times that he was just being "used" had to feel justified.
From Dylan's perspective, he had to see it as scratching an itch, because admitting to the underlying emotional involvement was a bridge he wasn't willing to cross.
It's not easy drawing in characters who have starred in previous books, but I felt that was done well and not gratuitously. Aaron is a closeted softie and Dylan is a chip off the old block. The most cynical people are idealists who have been burnt. They push people and good thoughts away as they're scared of being vulnerable. I "get" Aaron (which probably says more about me than anything)
I love the way KAM always manages to include some new medical twists to her stories.
Compared to other books in the genre, this is a solid 5 stars for me.
From Dylan's perspective, he had to see it as scratching an itch, because admitting to the underlying emotional involvement was a bridge he wasn't willing to cross.
It's not easy drawing in characters who have starred in previous books, but I felt that was done well and not gratuitously. Aaron is a closeted softie and Dylan is a chip off the old block. The most cynical people are idealists who have been burnt. They push people and good thoughts away as they're scared of being vulnerable. I "get" Aaron (which probably says more about me than anything)
I love the way KAM always manages to include some new medical twists to her stories.
Compared to other books in the genre, this is a solid 5 stars for me.
October 6, 2012
I didn't think I would love this as much as I did. Collision course is one of my favourite books and I just didn't think this one could measure up. I remembered Dylan as a guy with a lot of attitude and it was very interesting to see him "grow up" and follow that journey.
both Mike and Dylan (and Darryl, the twin) have a lot to deal with, but it still isn't all deep dark angst. it feels like the guys are working things out and sure there is some door slamming and walking out kind of drama, but it was still within how I would have believed these guys to react to situations. Actually through all of the situations they acted the way I thought fit with their character.
and of course it was great to catch up with Joey and Aaron.
Not everyone will like Dylan, but I really did. Even though he sometimes acted like an ass because of his insecurities, he still gave enough of him self to Mike, body and soul. Piece by piece.
(hope review doesn't look to wierd. typed it up on phone. autocorrect and all)
both Mike and Dylan (and Darryl, the twin) have a lot to deal with, but it still isn't all deep dark angst. it feels like the guys are working things out and sure there is some door slamming and walking out kind of drama, but it was still within how I would have believed these guys to react to situations. Actually through all of the situations they acted the way I thought fit with their character.
and of course it was great to catch up with Joey and Aaron.
Not everyone will like Dylan, but I really did. Even though he sometimes acted like an ass because of his insecurities, he still gave enough of him self to Mike, body and soul. Piece by piece.
(hope review doesn't look to wierd. typed it up on phone. autocorrect and all)
October 1, 2012
The story was really good, I liked both guys a lot, even though Dylan spent most of the book as a giant ass.
The only reason I gave this 3 stars instead of 4 is because my copy of this book was formatted REALLY badly. Like, it seemed to skip around, stopping in the middle of a chapter, backtracking several chapters, only to pick back up where it left off on the chapter I was reading. That threw me out of the story more than once, and there were also several times where it felt like a whole chapter or section was omitted altogether. Where the guys are outside kissing, and next thing you know they're stripping down in the bedroom, with no mention of them coming inside. Or Dylan's friend with benefits being there out of the blue, middle of a chapter. It just all threw me out of the story, many many times.
The only reason I gave this 3 stars instead of 4 is because my copy of this book was formatted REALLY badly. Like, it seemed to skip around, stopping in the middle of a chapter, backtracking several chapters, only to pick back up where it left off on the chapter I was reading. That threw me out of the story more than once, and there were also several times where it felt like a whole chapter or section was omitted altogether. Where the guys are outside kissing, and next thing you know they're stripping down in the bedroom, with no mention of them coming inside. Or Dylan's friend with benefits being there out of the blue, middle of a chapter. It just all threw me out of the story, many many times.
October 2, 2019
I have always love this book and still continue to love this story for years to come. It has earn as spot in "my boo book for life" shelf. Dylan is absolute mess about his sexuality and at this point I'm not sure if he gay or bi but what matters is that he ultimately ends up happy. Interracial couple where one is black is a handle well in here. I didn't feel like it stereotype and filled with outdated slang and excessive mentioning of skin tone. I rather know more of who's this person then about how beautiful his chocolate or mocha skin is. This is my favorite book in the series( I have only read this one and first one) and ultimate favorite K.A. Mitchell's book.
August 24, 2012
2.5 stars for me. I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. Everybody except for Joey and Mike acted like idiots throughout which made me not really care what was happening to them. I didn't like Darryl or Dylan in this one for so many reasons. Somebody as smart as Darryl is I don't believe would have behaved that way - stretched credibility totally for me. And Aaron was completely over the top as well. Seems to me there could have been at least one honest conversation before 85% of the way through the story - between any of them. This one is a bit of a miss for me.
August 24, 2012
3.5 stars
I would have liked to have read more after Dylan stopped being an ass. Mike should have dropped him and never looked back.
I did like catching up with Aaron and Joey...and seeing emotions out of Aaron is what saved this book for me.
I would have liked to have read more after Dylan stopped being an ass. Mike should have dropped him and never looked back.
I did like catching up with Aaron and Joey...and seeing emotions out of Aaron is what saved this book for me.
August 29, 2012
I really liked it and am going with 4.5 Stars. Many reviews stated that Dylan was an ass, but I thought it played well into his character. I liked how he didn't just immediately change and it took him some time. I thought the ending was great and liked how Dylan and Mike ended up in the epilogue.
October 6, 2012
KA is an auto buy for me, and I always love her work, even when it isn't my favorite. This isn't quite as OMFG! as Bad Boyfriend but it's strong in its own way. Made me think, made me care, made me lose myself in story. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews