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City Boys Never Sleep #2
Stepping Up
One man’s tortured past clashes with another man's fear of the future as they stumble through life’s twists and turns.
Mason Talbot is living the dream life in the City that Never Sleeps.
But despite his newfound financial security and loving support system, he can’t shake the ghosts that still haunt him. He always prided himself on being the sturdy foundation and strong protector for his twin brother. Underneath this mask hides a broken man without a clue about who he really is or what he wants from life. He flounders even more when surprising new feelings begin to take root whenever he thinks about his uptight assistant.
Wickham Bennet is a man who thrives on routine.
His carefully crafted regimen staves off his paralyzing dread over a future he doesn't want, but the scaffolding was destroyed when Mason came crashing into his life. He shouldn't want what he can't have, but his heart takes the wheel and sends them both careening into the unknown without a road map. And as much as he wants to steer things back on course, fate has other plans.
One tragic incident after another drags them into a spiral of uncertainty.
As Mason’s past returns to haunt him, Wickham’s desperation to maintain distance suffers, and they are left clinging to one another as the facades crumble. Stripped bare and cut raw, they must confront the old habits holding them back and rebuild their foundations or risk losing it all. And the only way to move toward the future is to let go of the past.
STEPPING UP is the second book in the City Boys Never Sleep series, a trilogy of contemporary gay romance novels set in NYC that should be read in order of appearance. This novel follows the bi-awakening, friends-to-lovers story of Mason and Wickham. Intended for an adult audience, the narrative explores heavy topics, and reader discretion is advised. Please consult the author’s website for a comprehensive reader advisory.
Mason Talbot is living the dream life in the City that Never Sleeps.
But despite his newfound financial security and loving support system, he can’t shake the ghosts that still haunt him. He always prided himself on being the sturdy foundation and strong protector for his twin brother. Underneath this mask hides a broken man without a clue about who he really is or what he wants from life. He flounders even more when surprising new feelings begin to take root whenever he thinks about his uptight assistant.
Wickham Bennet is a man who thrives on routine.
His carefully crafted regimen staves off his paralyzing dread over a future he doesn't want, but the scaffolding was destroyed when Mason came crashing into his life. He shouldn't want what he can't have, but his heart takes the wheel and sends them both careening into the unknown without a road map. And as much as he wants to steer things back on course, fate has other plans.
One tragic incident after another drags them into a spiral of uncertainty.
As Mason’s past returns to haunt him, Wickham’s desperation to maintain distance suffers, and they are left clinging to one another as the facades crumble. Stripped bare and cut raw, they must confront the old habits holding them back and rebuild their foundations or risk losing it all. And the only way to move toward the future is to let go of the past.
STEPPING UP is the second book in the City Boys Never Sleep series, a trilogy of contemporary gay romance novels set in NYC that should be read in order of appearance. This novel follows the bi-awakening, friends-to-lovers story of Mason and Wickham. Intended for an adult audience, the narrative explores heavy topics, and reader discretion is advised. Please consult the author’s website for a comprehensive reader advisory.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2024
5 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Jay Leigh
15 books98 followersJay Leigh is an author (duh) as well as a voracious reader of primarily M/M romance novels filled with all sorts of goodies like action, suspense, emotions, and spice. Lots of spice.
Plot twist: It’s actually just three mischievous raccoons in a trench coat fueled by levels of caffeine known to cause cancer in the state of California. Good thing they live in New York!
Plot twist: It’s actually just three mischievous raccoons in a trench coat fueled by levels of caffeine known to cause cancer in the state of California. Good thing they live in New York!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 4, 2024
This was great. Mason and Wick are adorable. They’re also, “So okay. Okayest okay ever.” IYKYK
I loved seeing everyone from book 1. Trey is my favorite grouchy Frenchman.
The epilogue was perfection.
Hope to add a bit more to this review in the next few days.
I loved seeing everyone from book 1. Trey is my favorite grouchy Frenchman.
The epilogue was perfection.
Hope to add a bit more to this review in the next few days.
November 3, 2024
It’s not super rare for me to love a second book as much as the first one but I already knew I would. First of all, there’s something about a Demi/Ace awakening that I really just drool over! I also love when the character going through the awakening doesn’t care about why they’re feeling their feelings they just go with it because gender doesn’t matter. It just warms my pan little heart 💖💛💙
I love how obsessed Mason and Wick were with each other, not unhealthy obsession but one of making sure the other always felt seen and cared for, I just swooned for their love. I loved that Mason and Shiloh both found their person that loved and balanced them completely which in turn only strengthened their own brotherly love and already close relationship. 💕 Jay Leigh’s writing scratches my brain in the perfect way!
I love how obsessed Mason and Wick were with each other, not unhealthy obsession but one of making sure the other always felt seen and cared for, I just swooned for their love. I loved that Mason and Shiloh both found their person that loved and balanced them completely which in turn only strengthened their own brotherly love and already close relationship. 💕 Jay Leigh’s writing scratches my brain in the perfect way!
April 8, 2024
THIS BOOK IS GETTING ALL THE STARS!!
But first things first.
I wasn't very fond of Mase in Checking Out, the 1st book in City Boys Never Sleep series. And now I'm ready to apologize every day of my life, if needed. Mason completely stole my heart!
Paraphrasing our favourite surly Frenchman, story of Talbot twins is not for the faint of heart. It's extremely touching and heartbreaking, yet also full of love and hope.
Once Shiloh is settled, Mason finds himself floating. He's used to take care of his brother, used to being constantly needed. So to find yourself in such an unknown territory with gazillion other changes that happened in a less than a year? It must be terrifying! Especially for my boy Mason, who feels and loves so strongly 🥺
Enters Wick, this beautiful creature who has his own demons to take care of. And while I'm not a fan of co-dependency in books, these two were absolutely amazing. Somehow it was so healthy, and the most beautiful thing of it all is that everytime Mase and Wick became stronger and stronger. Neither of them is perfect and all the ups and downs show it, but helping and trusting each other, surrounding themselves with people who cares -- that's what makes it perfect in its own way.
One of the most beautiful things that was explored here was Mason's demi awakening. Wow. This is THE standard from now on. The tenderness and intensity, his exploration and his Wick made it so good 🥹 I kinda want to reread the whole thing, can I?
You can totally trust Jay to make you weep over the most random things. And I will never get tired of repeating that if you're searching for a wonderful mental health rep, look no further. THIS is what you need. And if I'll need to shove the book (both of them, actually) into your face, I'll do it 💪🏼
Oh, special shoutout to Trey! If you think you can't fall in love more with him, you're wrong 😎 Every single cameo shows him in a whole new light and I'm so happy for him 🖤 Knowing what he's gone through, Trey deserved his HEA so, so much, even though I know he's muttering all the creative French swear words out there 🖤
Don't sleep on Talbot twins! They are totally worth your time!
But first things first.
I wasn't very fond of Mase in Checking Out, the 1st book in City Boys Never Sleep series. And now I'm ready to apologize every day of my life, if needed. Mason completely stole my heart!
Paraphrasing our favourite surly Frenchman, story of Talbot twins is not for the faint of heart. It's extremely touching and heartbreaking, yet also full of love and hope.
Once Shiloh is settled, Mason finds himself floating. He's used to take care of his brother, used to being constantly needed. So to find yourself in such an unknown territory with gazillion other changes that happened in a less than a year? It must be terrifying! Especially for my boy Mason, who feels and loves so strongly 🥺
Enters Wick, this beautiful creature who has his own demons to take care of. And while I'm not a fan of co-dependency in books, these two were absolutely amazing. Somehow it was so healthy, and the most beautiful thing of it all is that everytime Mase and Wick became stronger and stronger. Neither of them is perfect and all the ups and downs show it, but helping and trusting each other, surrounding themselves with people who cares -- that's what makes it perfect in its own way.
One of the most beautiful things that was explored here was Mason's demi awakening. Wow. This is THE standard from now on. The tenderness and intensity, his exploration and his Wick made it so good 🥹 I kinda want to reread the whole thing, can I?
You can totally trust Jay to make you weep over the most random things. And I will never get tired of repeating that if you're searching for a wonderful mental health rep, look no further. THIS is what you need. And if I'll need to shove the book (both of them, actually) into your face, I'll do it 💪🏼
Oh, special shoutout to Trey! If you think you can't fall in love more with him, you're wrong 😎 Every single cameo shows him in a whole new light and I'm so happy for him 🖤 Knowing what he's gone through, Trey deserved his HEA so, so much, even though I know he's muttering all the creative French swear words out there 🖤
Don't sleep on Talbot twins! They are totally worth your time!
May 1, 2024
My favorite brand of happily ever after
If you know me, you know Jay is one of my dear friends. I even beta-ed Checking out, so the series hold a special place in my heart. Those characters are dear to my heart and seeing all of them obtaining their happiness was so gratifying.
While the first one made me cry a lot, this one made me giggle, sad and so so happy.
On one side we have Mason, Shiloh's twins, who's trying to deal with the years of abuse from the people who were supposed protect him. As seen in the first book he has lots of anger inside him and he doesn't always know how to deal with it.
On the other side, Wick, Mason's assistant and friend. He's dealing with his crush on Mason and also trying to escape his mother plan to get him a wife 💀.
And then they were fake dating (for like 3 seconds). Their relationship is one of beauty. I couldn't help but coo out loud at them when they were navigating what it meant to be a couple together.
Tbh I can't add much because I think everyone should give this series a shot. Those twins will break your heart because Jay is a master at creating beautiful broken boys 🥹
OH AND TREY IS HERE. MY SASSY FRENCH BOY.
Anyway go read Jay's work 🔪🔪🔪🔪
If you know me, you know Jay is one of my dear friends. I even beta-ed Checking out, so the series hold a special place in my heart. Those characters are dear to my heart and seeing all of them obtaining their happiness was so gratifying.
While the first one made me cry a lot, this one made me giggle, sad and so so happy.
On one side we have Mason, Shiloh's twins, who's trying to deal with the years of abuse from the people who were supposed protect him. As seen in the first book he has lots of anger inside him and he doesn't always know how to deal with it.
On the other side, Wick, Mason's assistant and friend. He's dealing with his crush on Mason and also trying to escape his mother plan to get him a wife 💀.
And then they were fake dating (for like 3 seconds). Their relationship is one of beauty. I couldn't help but coo out loud at them when they were navigating what it meant to be a couple together.
Tbh I can't add much because I think everyone should give this series a shot. Those twins will break your heart because Jay is a master at creating beautiful broken boys 🥹
OH AND TREY IS HERE. MY SASSY FRENCH BOY.
Anyway go read Jay's work 🔪🔪🔪🔪
May 8, 2024
Mason Talbot was too pure and good for this world. I was blessed to be able to call him mine.
I have been eagerly awaiting Wick and Mason’s story and I was thrilled to read it, it was amazing!
I love Mason, sweet kind protective and a bit heartbreaking with so much bottled up inside and Wick serious, sincere and contained, he’s been pining a bit and gets his man. I wasn’t expecting it but these two were steamy together, the spice was really spicing with all sorts of firsts and awakenings and role reversals. I really enjoyed how this story didn’t follow the phases of a typical romance book and went full steam ahead to tackle even what happens when you get together and then get to deal with each other challenges and learning to support each other through some tough times.
I love that Leigh’s characters feel real, flawed, come with triggers and baggage and a past they are still grappling with and yet manage to work to navigate the challenges that come in the way of their HEA.
I absolutely love how their HEA itself isn’t static but a wholly perfect thing for them. I also always appreciate the affirming themes of found family and mental health and well being.
Highly recommend checking this gem of a book out.
Expect:
* Friends to lovers
* Demi rep
* Fast burn
* First times
* Sexual awakening
* Steamy
* Little bit of pining
* Opposites attract
* Found family
* Swoony
* Hurt comfort
* Mental health rep
Remember you said you're going to keep me forever? This is a forever kind of thing, Mason. And I love you.” His smile brought tears to my eyes as he nuzzled my nose and sighed a breath of ease. “Definitely a forever kind of thing, Wick. I love you too.”
April 6, 2024
I’ve wanted Mason’s story since I finished book one, and he and Wickham have most delightfully messy of beginnings.
Restless one night, Mason heads to the club to people watch, and there for the watching is a surprisingly unwound Wick.
Despite never ever experiencing a lick of attraction in his life, Mason finds himself having An Awakening (a recurring, escalating and 🔥 theme) Wick, who had long since resigned himself to hopeless pining for Mason, welcomes this confusing new development
Adding to the messy mess, the next day Wickham thwarts his mother’s attempts to push yet another woman on him by blurting out that he already has a date for the next society event, Mason.
It starts out as a friend agreeing to do a favor, but Mason is SO on board to see what the boyfriend business is about that it stays fake for almost no time at all. Zero chill, love it
Wick’s father is almost entirely absent and his mother so terrible it would’ve been better if she’d been as well.
Still, even dealing with that, he tries his best to help Mason. Not an easy journey, or perfect. Case in point - giving him a safe word for a social event, good. Not realizing it was the single most triggering benefit he could have taken him too, less good.
Watching Mason struggle his way through a world where everything is So Much, All Of The Time pulled at my heartstrings. Seeing him grow better at asking for and accepting help when he needed it was nice - starting therapy journey ftw
This one has the healing found family you’d expect along with some surprisingly strong feelings about the hunt for the perfect slice, one *extraordinarily* satisfying Princess Bride quote, park bench related emotions, and a Walmart run that oddly hit me more than any of the twin’s other splurges put together.
It was good to see Shiloh and Trey again (if it’s possible I got to like Trey even more)
The epilogue was lovely, no notes.
I loved this story so much, and am still up in my feelings about it (so thanks to the author for the arc and please excuse the wild tangents and buckets of punctuation I threw at this review)
Restless one night, Mason heads to the club to people watch, and there for the watching is a surprisingly unwound Wick.
Despite never ever experiencing a lick of attraction in his life, Mason finds himself having An Awakening (a recurring, escalating and 🔥 theme) Wick, who had long since resigned himself to hopeless pining for Mason, welcomes this confusing new development
Adding to the messy mess, the next day Wickham thwarts his mother’s attempts to push yet another woman on him by blurting out that he already has a date for the next society event, Mason.
It starts out as a friend agreeing to do a favor, but Mason is SO on board to see what the boyfriend business is about that it stays fake for almost no time at all. Zero chill, love it
Wick’s father is almost entirely absent and his mother so terrible it would’ve been better if she’d been as well.
Still, even dealing with that, he tries his best to help Mason. Not an easy journey, or perfect. Case in point - giving him a safe word for a social event, good. Not realizing it was the single most triggering benefit he could have taken him too, less good.
Watching Mason struggle his way through a world where everything is So Much, All Of The Time pulled at my heartstrings. Seeing him grow better at asking for and accepting help when he needed it was nice - starting therapy journey ftw
This one has the healing found family you’d expect along with some surprisingly strong feelings about the hunt for the perfect slice, one *extraordinarily* satisfying Princess Bride quote, park bench related emotions, and a Walmart run that oddly hit me more than any of the twin’s other splurges put together.
It was good to see Shiloh and Trey again (if it’s possible I got to like Trey even more)
The epilogue was lovely, no notes.
I loved this story so much, and am still up in my feelings about it (so thanks to the author for the arc and please excuse the wild tangents and buckets of punctuation I threw at this review)
April 3, 2024
Just finished the second piece of this series. Pure perfection and a great HEA for all the characters involved, except Wickham's mom, she can rot.....
April 26, 2024
4.5 / 5
I was hesitant to start this because I was afraid it would be too angsty for my tastes, and I don’t mind angst if it’s not in the relationship- I can do outside angst as long as the relationship is solid. And in this? The relationship was perfect. The MCs felt like they were created from my list of favorite characteristics. I loved them SO MUCH.
Although things/characters from the previous story are heavily involved in this one I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read the previous book. I loved Maggie, Shiloh and Trey just as much as Mason and Wick!
In here we have:
♥︎ Demi awakening
♥︎ First times (So spicy)
♥︎ Early relationship development (boyfriends very early on! We even get ILYs shared wayyyyy before the ending ! )
♥︎ Dates
♥︎ SO MUCH non-sexual intimacy. Loads of cuddling, hand holding, nuzzling, embracing, lap sitting!
♥︎ Hurt / Comfort (Lots of trauma, check author’s TWs)
♥︎ Found family
♥︎ No breakups. No intense misunderstandings.
♥︎ Mutual obsession and bits of possessiveness.
♥︎ Beautiful HEA. Adorable epilogue(5 years later)
I really love love love this couple.
HEAVY SPOILERS WARNING.
Now, for things that I thought weren’t the best:
-The ‘darling’ endearment, I honestly cringed everytime it happened. It seems like a lot of people don’t like the “baby” endearment, I love it, it’s in here too ! But the darling was really throwing me 🙈
-Wick’s father. He was mainly absent from participating in anything related to the family and barely talked to his kids while his wife would belittle them and make them feel awful about themselves and apparently was also an alcoholic or at the very least was using alcohol to self-soothe. Apparently we are meant to believe that the father had NO IDEA his kids were so miserable and that the mother was treating them so poorly. He was so oblivious in fact that once he found out the wife was trying to shove Wick back into the closet it’s like he had a come to Jesus moment and realized he had to divorce the wife and try to rebuild the relationship with his kids. This whole plot was kinda weird to me, I feel like it wasn’t explained enough for it to be believable. I don’t like when bad parents suddenly try to be good parents so I’m always skeptical of this being a plot point, I wanted to see what the father had to say to his kids when trying to explain his past behavior in being absent as well as being there for them going forward. It’s definitely mentioned that the dad is putting in effort but it felt pretty vague.
-Some instances that turned into a lot of telling instead of showing.
-Some time skips made me confused as to what was going on the in between. They always seemed to be together but I didn’t know who’s house they were at or if it was a weekend, they weren’t living together so who stayed with who and how did it happen?
-They do talk about moving in after everything is done and on track so that was good but I wanted to see the process of moving in together, especially since in Mason’s POV he saw Wick’s home as comforting and his own place as dark and lonely.
-Thank goodness we got a proposal but why couldn’t we get the family’s reaction to the news? 😭
-The epilogue was adorable but why didn’t we get to experience the wedding? I feel so robbed.
I was hesitant to start this because I was afraid it would be too angsty for my tastes, and I don’t mind angst if it’s not in the relationship- I can do outside angst as long as the relationship is solid. And in this? The relationship was perfect. The MCs felt like they were created from my list of favorite characteristics. I loved them SO MUCH.
Although things/characters from the previous story are heavily involved in this one I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read the previous book. I loved Maggie, Shiloh and Trey just as much as Mason and Wick!
In here we have:
♥︎ Demi awakening
♥︎ First times (So spicy)
♥︎ Early relationship development (boyfriends very early on! We even get ILYs shared wayyyyy before the ending ! )
♥︎ Dates
♥︎ SO MUCH non-sexual intimacy. Loads of cuddling, hand holding, nuzzling, embracing, lap sitting!
♥︎ Hurt / Comfort (Lots of trauma, check author’s TWs)
♥︎ Found family
♥︎ No breakups. No intense misunderstandings.
♥︎ Mutual obsession and bits of possessiveness.
♥︎ Beautiful HEA. Adorable epilogue(5 years later)
I really love love love this couple.
HEAVY SPOILERS WARNING.
Now, for things that I thought weren’t the best:
-The ‘darling’ endearment, I honestly cringed everytime it happened. It seems like a lot of people don’t like the “baby” endearment, I love it, it’s in here too ! But the darling was really throwing me 🙈
-Wick’s father. He was mainly absent from participating in anything related to the family and barely talked to his kids while his wife would belittle them and make them feel awful about themselves and apparently was also an alcoholic or at the very least was using alcohol to self-soothe. Apparently we are meant to believe that the father had NO IDEA his kids were so miserable and that the mother was treating them so poorly. He was so oblivious in fact that once he found out the wife was trying to shove Wick back into the closet it’s like he had a come to Jesus moment and realized he had to divorce the wife and try to rebuild the relationship with his kids. This whole plot was kinda weird to me, I feel like it wasn’t explained enough for it to be believable. I don’t like when bad parents suddenly try to be good parents so I’m always skeptical of this being a plot point, I wanted to see what the father had to say to his kids when trying to explain his past behavior in being absent as well as being there for them going forward. It’s definitely mentioned that the dad is putting in effort but it felt pretty vague.
-Some instances that turned into a lot of telling instead of showing.
-Some time skips made me confused as to what was going on the in between. They always seemed to be together but I didn’t know who’s house they were at or if it was a weekend, they weren’t living together so who stayed with who and how did it happen?
-They do talk about moving in after everything is done and on track so that was good but I wanted to see the process of moving in together, especially since in Mason’s POV he saw Wick’s home as comforting and his own place as dark and lonely.
-Thank goodness we got a proposal but why couldn’t we get the family’s reaction to the news? 😭
-The epilogue was adorable but why didn’t we get to experience the wedding? I feel so robbed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
Jay has delivered an emotional love story that is filled with growth, understanding, and support.
Mason and Wickham's journey is filled with so many small moments that hold an amazing amount of emotions. A park bench, pizza with Sprite. Who knew these things could bring me to tears. I absolutely love Mason and Wickham together. They show up and support each other through it all. I love that Wickham is so patient and honest with Mason when he is curious about anything. They have an openness in their relationship that allows Mason to feel safe. Wick makes sure that as their relationship develops, Mason knows that everything goes at his pace. I enjoyed the natural feel of their relationship.
Jay does a brilliant job showing the growth of not only their relationship with each other but with the other characters as well. Seeing the relationship between Wickham and Trey change is so great. I love that Wick is also able to develop a deeper relationship with Shiloh and Maggie. But I think the one that gets me the most is seeing Mason realize that it's okay for him to allow those he loves to help him. Also, the relationship between Mags and Mason is just beautiful.
For me, this one is definitely a character driven story that shows how having people around you who love and support you can make a world of difference in your life. If you are looking for found family, angst, mental health rep, demi rep, and hurt/comfort. Then this one is definitely for you.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mason and Wickham's journey is filled with so many small moments that hold an amazing amount of emotions. A park bench, pizza with Sprite. Who knew these things could bring me to tears. I absolutely love Mason and Wickham together. They show up and support each other through it all. I love that Wickham is so patient and honest with Mason when he is curious about anything. They have an openness in their relationship that allows Mason to feel safe. Wick makes sure that as their relationship develops, Mason knows that everything goes at his pace. I enjoyed the natural feel of their relationship.
Jay does a brilliant job showing the growth of not only their relationship with each other but with the other characters as well. Seeing the relationship between Wickham and Trey change is so great. I love that Wick is also able to develop a deeper relationship with Shiloh and Maggie. But I think the one that gets me the most is seeing Mason realize that it's okay for him to allow those he loves to help him. Also, the relationship between Mags and Mason is just beautiful.
For me, this one is definitely a character driven story that shows how having people around you who love and support you can make a world of difference in your life. If you are looking for found family, angst, mental health rep, demi rep, and hurt/comfort. Then this one is definitely for you.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 7, 2024
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Twins Mason and Shiloh will break your heart with the things they’ve endured, including losing a father before they knew how much he loved them. It was difficult watching Mason in book one as he struggled to deal with Shiloh finding someone to love that wasn’t him. But it’s all part of their journey, finding their way in this new life. And for Mason, this new life in this big city is a struggle. It’s A LOT!
But in the process, he finds a friend. Wickham.
Wickham has his own issues - mainly dealing with his horrible mother and absent father. He wants to live his own life, choose his own career, and find his own life partner, but Mommy Dearest isn’t making it easy.
These show each other so much kindness and support, and a safe place for them each to find their way. It’s not just grandiose things, it’s the small moments too.
These two, along with Shiloh, Trey, and Mags make an amazing found family. Full of growth and tenderness.
Twins Mason and Shiloh will break your heart with the things they’ve endured, including losing a father before they knew how much he loved them. It was difficult watching Mason in book one as he struggled to deal with Shiloh finding someone to love that wasn’t him. But it’s all part of their journey, finding their way in this new life. And for Mason, this new life in this big city is a struggle. It’s A LOT!
But in the process, he finds a friend. Wickham.
Wickham has his own issues - mainly dealing with his horrible mother and absent father. He wants to live his own life, choose his own career, and find his own life partner, but Mommy Dearest isn’t making it easy.
These show each other so much kindness and support, and a safe place for them each to find their way. It’s not just grandiose things, it’s the small moments too.
These two, along with Shiloh, Trey, and Mags make an amazing found family. Full of growth and tenderness.
August 30, 2024
I devoured this. I loved the first one and I loved this one too just maybe slightly less. I try not to compare books too hard but since they are in the same series I think I just liked the emotions of the first book more.
This book was still absolutely fantastic though. It was tugged hard at my heart strings and brought tears to my eyes. I did think the way the characters just fell into a relationship was a little different, fake dating but not, friends to lovers adjacent, and I wouldn’t have liked it if they hadn’t had an established friendship first. The side characters were all still amazing, and I loved the little moments between Wick and Trey where they had a “I’m dating a Talbot twin” bond. So many sweet tender moments between the MCs that balanced out the emotional pains. I love how this author can write complex trauma and “damaged” hurting characters without sacrificing the relationship as a plot point. They went through hell and never wavered in their love for each other.
This book was still absolutely fantastic though. It was tugged hard at my heart strings and brought tears to my eyes. I did think the way the characters just fell into a relationship was a little different, fake dating but not, friends to lovers adjacent, and I wouldn’t have liked it if they hadn’t had an established friendship first. The side characters were all still amazing, and I loved the little moments between Wick and Trey where they had a “I’m dating a Talbot twin” bond. So many sweet tender moments between the MCs that balanced out the emotional pains. I love how this author can write complex trauma and “damaged” hurting characters without sacrificing the relationship as a plot point. They went through hell and never wavered in their love for each other.
May 14, 2025
This is the second story about these twins, and I couldn’t wait to read Mason’s story. I
love these broken boys, how the find people who loves them for who they are and for their views on the world.
The mental health rep is beautifully and respectfully written. The author does an amazing job, in my opinion, to let us in on the characters struggles. And it doesn’t get brushed off as an easy fix, just because they are getting therapy. Mental health issues are seldom an easy fix, but we get to see these men grow and heal.
Mason doesn’t need to put a label on what he is, he just loves Wick! And has never felt anything close to how he feels about him. Wick is the perfect man for Madon, tender, kind and generous with his love.
I’m so sad to leave this series, but I’m so happy I read it. The ending is beautiful and had me all in tears 💛
love these broken boys, how the find people who loves them for who they are and for their views on the world.
The mental health rep is beautifully and respectfully written. The author does an amazing job, in my opinion, to let us in on the characters struggles. And it doesn’t get brushed off as an easy fix, just because they are getting therapy. Mental health issues are seldom an easy fix, but we get to see these men grow and heal.
Mason doesn’t need to put a label on what he is, he just loves Wick! And has never felt anything close to how he feels about him. Wick is the perfect man for Madon, tender, kind and generous with his love.
I’m so sad to leave this series, but I’m so happy I read it. The ending is beautiful and had me all in tears 💛
April 14, 2024
i know i complained a lot about the first book, but this one was so, so perfect. i read the whole thing in less than a day! and the epilogue? i have a bad habit of skimming through epilogues, but i devoured every word of this one. mason, wick, shiloh, trey and maggie all got the happy ending they deserved, and i for one never thought i could feel so much joy for fictional characters.
May 5, 2024
Stepping Up is the fantastic second book in the City Boys Never Sleep series.
The trauma of the past year hasn’t disappeared as twins Mason and Shiloh settle into their new lives. It echoes even as Shiloh has found happiness with Trey, and Mason tries to manage his independence.
When Wickham blurts out he and Mason are dating to get out of an awkward social situation, it changes things for the friends. (Wick’s mom rivals Adelaide for sheer awfulness - IYKYK) Mason is cool with the ruse, and pretend quickly becomes real. I loved how Mason’s demisexuality is explored. Sweet. Funny. Sexy. Emotional. And so very sensual.
Mason seeing physical proof that the father he thought abandoned them died still desperately trying to find them is so heartbreakingly sad. His spiraling reaction is a painful, but truthfully rendered depiction of Mason’s mental health struggles. Seeing how Wick and Shiloh, Trey, and Maggie took care of him was everything.
Taking a break from the city and their sudden notoriety brings levity. The joy Shiloh and Mason take at shopping at Walmart without a budget. My heart… I used to think Shiloh was more fragile because of his shyness. But domesticity and constant support from Trey make his situation more stable. There’s still work to be done, but they are in a good place. Mason was just better at hiding his struggles. His helplessness, anger, and insomnia are raw and real. Your heart will hurt for him.
Other things I loved: the piercings Wick keeps hidden under his preppy attire, the sharing of clothes (I don’t know why I find it hot, but I do), and Mason may look like Thou, but has the sensitive soul of a poet. And everyone deserves a Maggie in their life.
I love a hard-fought HEA, and Jay never disappoints. Mason and Wick are fare from perfect, but so very right for each other. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The trauma of the past year hasn’t disappeared as twins Mason and Shiloh settle into their new lives. It echoes even as Shiloh has found happiness with Trey, and Mason tries to manage his independence.
When Wickham blurts out he and Mason are dating to get out of an awkward social situation, it changes things for the friends. (Wick’s mom rivals Adelaide for sheer awfulness - IYKYK) Mason is cool with the ruse, and pretend quickly becomes real. I loved how Mason’s demisexuality is explored. Sweet. Funny. Sexy. Emotional. And so very sensual.
Mason seeing physical proof that the father he thought abandoned them died still desperately trying to find them is so heartbreakingly sad. His spiraling reaction is a painful, but truthfully rendered depiction of Mason’s mental health struggles. Seeing how Wick and Shiloh, Trey, and Maggie took care of him was everything.
Taking a break from the city and their sudden notoriety brings levity. The joy Shiloh and Mason take at shopping at Walmart without a budget. My heart… I used to think Shiloh was more fragile because of his shyness. But domesticity and constant support from Trey make his situation more stable. There’s still work to be done, but they are in a good place. Mason was just better at hiding his struggles. His helplessness, anger, and insomnia are raw and real. Your heart will hurt for him.
Other things I loved: the piercings Wick keeps hidden under his preppy attire, the sharing of clothes (I don’t know why I find it hot, but I do), and Mason may look like Thou, but has the sensitive soul of a poet. And everyone deserves a Maggie in their life.
I love a hard-fought HEA, and Jay never disappoints. Mason and Wick are fare from perfect, but so very right for each other. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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