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Loud Places
Two boys, best friends, embark on separate journeys of self-discovery, friendship, and ultimately, love.
Ethan/Avery
It's been three years since Matty ran away. With high school over, nothing stands in Ethan's way to track Matty down. With nothing but a hand-drawn map, and a postcard from Maine, Ethan's ready to embark on a journey cross-country to reunite with his best friend.
But a lot can happen during the course of a few weeks. Ethan's chance encounter with Avery, a young archeologist, leads to a journey of self-discovery, sexual awakening and love. An encounter that tips Ethan's entire life on its axis and threatens to derail his quest.
Matty/Austin
Sometimes you just need to get away before it's too late. Even if your best friend won't understand or forgive you. In Maine, Matty has finally found the family he was always looking for, healing past wounds with the help of his boyfriend, Austin. Both dealing with past neglect, Matty and Austin fight for a shared future and or their love.
But something is still missing. Ethan. Matty is not complete without his best friend.
Loud Places is the coming-of-age story of Ethan and Avery, and of Matty and Austin. It's a story of being lost. Of searching for freedom. And of finding your path and your place in the world. But above all, it is a story of friendship and love.
*Please note: Loud Places is an MM and not an MMMM romance. It features mature content and adult themes.
*TW: domestic abuse including verbal abuse, mentions of bullying, loss of sibling during childhood, abandonment by parent during childhood, mentions of alcohol abuse and underage drinking, sexual dominance including mild breath play and demeaning language during sexual encounters. All consensual.
Ethan/Avery
It's been three years since Matty ran away. With high school over, nothing stands in Ethan's way to track Matty down. With nothing but a hand-drawn map, and a postcard from Maine, Ethan's ready to embark on a journey cross-country to reunite with his best friend.
But a lot can happen during the course of a few weeks. Ethan's chance encounter with Avery, a young archeologist, leads to a journey of self-discovery, sexual awakening and love. An encounter that tips Ethan's entire life on its axis and threatens to derail his quest.
Matty/Austin
Sometimes you just need to get away before it's too late. Even if your best friend won't understand or forgive you. In Maine, Matty has finally found the family he was always looking for, healing past wounds with the help of his boyfriend, Austin. Both dealing with past neglect, Matty and Austin fight for a shared future and or their love.
But something is still missing. Ethan. Matty is not complete without his best friend.
Loud Places is the coming-of-age story of Ethan and Avery, and of Matty and Austin. It's a story of being lost. Of searching for freedom. And of finding your path and your place in the world. But above all, it is a story of friendship and love.
*Please note: Loud Places is an MM and not an MMMM romance. It features mature content and adult themes.
*TW: domestic abuse including verbal abuse, mentions of bullying, loss of sibling during childhood, abandonment by parent during childhood, mentions of alcohol abuse and underage drinking, sexual dominance including mild breath play and demeaning language during sexual encounters. All consensual.
First published September 1, 2023
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September 18, 2023DNF @ 36% - I tried, I really did. It's not like me to give up on a book, but this just isn't for me in any way. I appreciate the story the author is trying to tell and the way they're trying to tell it, but they're doing too much and it's making the focus of the story blurry. I can handle a non-linear story structure and multiple POV's no problem, but this book is trying too hard to be too many things at once and I've completely lost interest.
March 30, 2024
Ethan and Matty The Friendship.
This was a beautiful coming of age relationship, where you’re just peaking on the side of being adults but you’re not quite there yet and everything you want to do is just out of reach. Anja captured the beauty in these boys as they grew into men, the struggles, the bond, the loss and the growth of both Ethan and Matty.
There’s nothing like a great friendship, one that bonds you, ties you to each other even if you’re not in the same part of the world, it’s there, you feel it.
Ethan was Mattys saviour, he gave him comfort, love, a promise to always be there, even through the bad times and the suffering, he knew he’d have Ethan…..always.
Ethan is a young man who dedicated himself to his friend and his family, he took on the responsibility’s of grown ups, if anyone needed help he would be there, he was selfless. He knew he couldn’t save his friend but he could be there for him, try to give him the things he was missing in his life, be his safe place.
Matty was the sweetest boy, his struggles in life are real, the only comfort he has is his best friend, all his worries went away when he was with Ethan, he could be himself and pretend life was good, but sometimes even that’s not enough to help you when the chief of police comes home.
These two boys spent happy days in the cornfields, riding bikes and making plans, it was only the night time when the monster come for Matty. He just had to remember that he had plan, him and Ethan, and the first chance they got they were going to go explore the world and make a life for themselves with the dreams they had planed out as kids. But life don’t always go the way you want, sometimes you need a plan B, sometimes you just have to be selfish, sometime you just need to run. They just both had to hold on to the hope that they would find each other again.
These boys have my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤍Hurt/Comfort
🤍Friendship
🤍Safe place
🤍Childhood trauma
🤍Big dreams
Ethan and Avery
Ethan had just graduated, the plans he made growing up with Matty his best friend didn’t work out when Matty had to leave. He always wondered if he was ok in the 3 years they’d spent apart. Now Ethan was free from school he was going to road trip to all the places they dreamed of and go find his friend, he needed to know he was safe, that he was happy. But somewhere along the way he run into his feelings, something he didn’t quite understand and wasn’t ready for, but he also couldn’t stay away. His feelings were called Avery.
Avery was doing all the things he enjoyed while he still could, come September he would be stuck in job he didn’t really want, with a family that didn’t really care. He wanted to be free to draw and discover. A chance meeting with a young man who was on his own journey, pulled him in, he gave him something he was missing in his life.
Bless Ethan, he was on a journey to find his friend but somewhere along the route to Maine he found something he didn’t know how to deal with. He’d always been there for everyone else and he didn’t know how to be there for himself, my heart broke for him and Avery. The connection they had was fire. The role reversal due to the age gap was on point. The trust they had in each other was perfect. The rain scene 🫠
Although I struggled at first with the way this story was going, I can see now that it’s just the authors way of throwing us a curve ball, not walking the straight and narrow paths books go down, and I’m so glad for it and her writing style. It kept me up all night as I couldn’t put it down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
🤍Big feelings
🤍Road trip
🤍Age gap
🤍Kink exploration
Matty and Austin
Matty, finally had enough, he couldn’t take the life he was living anymore, one fateful night saw him taking his childhood plan and run. He hated to leave his best friend but he was going to hold onto the hope that one day they would meet again.
He found himself in Grants Harbour, he always wanted to be a fisherman, he just hoped at nearly 16 someone would take pity on him and help him out. Will the gruff man and his wife saw something in Matty, they took him under their wing, they were kind and caring and finally Matty had something in his life that all kids should have. Safety.
As the years went by Matty started to feel at home, he had a job, had a house and even got himself a partner, but you can’t outrun your past forever, it will catch up with you he just hopes his new family will stand by him.
Austin wanted Matty the first time he saw him, he took his time over the years making sure Matty knew how special he was, showered him with love and affection that he craved, gave him the stability to be himself. They both learned to give and take and Austin hoped one day Ethan would turn up to complete the piece of the puzzle that was missing for Matty.
Matty has my heart, he goes through trauma that no kid should go through, but he’s stronger than he realised, he just needed the right tools for the job and he found them in Grants Harbour. I loved his found family they are so good for Mattys growth, providing basic needs and unconditional love.
I loved how this whole book turned out, it takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride that’s for sure. If you love being broken, then slowly put back together, then this book is for you. A must read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🤍Freedom
🤍Growth
🤍Sexual awakening
🤍Found family
This was a beautiful coming of age relationship, where you’re just peaking on the side of being adults but you’re not quite there yet and everything you want to do is just out of reach. Anja captured the beauty in these boys as they grew into men, the struggles, the bond, the loss and the growth of both Ethan and Matty.
There’s nothing like a great friendship, one that bonds you, ties you to each other even if you’re not in the same part of the world, it’s there, you feel it.
Ethan was Mattys saviour, he gave him comfort, love, a promise to always be there, even through the bad times and the suffering, he knew he’d have Ethan…..always.
Ethan is a young man who dedicated himself to his friend and his family, he took on the responsibility’s of grown ups, if anyone needed help he would be there, he was selfless. He knew he couldn’t save his friend but he could be there for him, try to give him the things he was missing in his life, be his safe place.
Matty was the sweetest boy, his struggles in life are real, the only comfort he has is his best friend, all his worries went away when he was with Ethan, he could be himself and pretend life was good, but sometimes even that’s not enough to help you when the chief of police comes home.
These two boys spent happy days in the cornfields, riding bikes and making plans, it was only the night time when the monster come for Matty. He just had to remember that he had plan, him and Ethan, and the first chance they got they were going to go explore the world and make a life for themselves with the dreams they had planed out as kids. But life don’t always go the way you want, sometimes you need a plan B, sometimes you just have to be selfish, sometime you just need to run. They just both had to hold on to the hope that they would find each other again.
These boys have my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤍Hurt/Comfort
🤍Friendship
🤍Safe place
🤍Childhood trauma
🤍Big dreams
Ethan and Avery
Ethan had just graduated, the plans he made growing up with Matty his best friend didn’t work out when Matty had to leave. He always wondered if he was ok in the 3 years they’d spent apart. Now Ethan was free from school he was going to road trip to all the places they dreamed of and go find his friend, he needed to know he was safe, that he was happy. But somewhere along the way he run into his feelings, something he didn’t quite understand and wasn’t ready for, but he also couldn’t stay away. His feelings were called Avery.
Avery was doing all the things he enjoyed while he still could, come September he would be stuck in job he didn’t really want, with a family that didn’t really care. He wanted to be free to draw and discover. A chance meeting with a young man who was on his own journey, pulled him in, he gave him something he was missing in his life.
Bless Ethan, he was on a journey to find his friend but somewhere along the route to Maine he found something he didn’t know how to deal with. He’d always been there for everyone else and he didn’t know how to be there for himself, my heart broke for him and Avery. The connection they had was fire. The role reversal due to the age gap was on point. The trust they had in each other was perfect. The rain scene 🫠
Although I struggled at first with the way this story was going, I can see now that it’s just the authors way of throwing us a curve ball, not walking the straight and narrow paths books go down, and I’m so glad for it and her writing style. It kept me up all night as I couldn’t put it down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
🤍Big feelings
🤍Road trip
🤍Age gap
🤍Kink exploration
Matty and Austin
Matty, finally had enough, he couldn’t take the life he was living anymore, one fateful night saw him taking his childhood plan and run. He hated to leave his best friend but he was going to hold onto the hope that one day they would meet again.
He found himself in Grants Harbour, he always wanted to be a fisherman, he just hoped at nearly 16 someone would take pity on him and help him out. Will the gruff man and his wife saw something in Matty, they took him under their wing, they were kind and caring and finally Matty had something in his life that all kids should have. Safety.
As the years went by Matty started to feel at home, he had a job, had a house and even got himself a partner, but you can’t outrun your past forever, it will catch up with you he just hopes his new family will stand by him.
Austin wanted Matty the first time he saw him, he took his time over the years making sure Matty knew how special he was, showered him with love and affection that he craved, gave him the stability to be himself. They both learned to give and take and Austin hoped one day Ethan would turn up to complete the piece of the puzzle that was missing for Matty.
Matty has my heart, he goes through trauma that no kid should go through, but he’s stronger than he realised, he just needed the right tools for the job and he found them in Grants Harbour. I loved his found family they are so good for Mattys growth, providing basic needs and unconditional love.
I loved how this whole book turned out, it takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride that’s for sure. If you love being broken, then slowly put back together, then this book is for you. A must read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🤍Freedom
🤍Growth
🤍Sexual awakening
🤍Found family
July 15, 2023
I'll write a full review once the book is out but no spoilers: there were some tears shed, and this book is writen in a format I've never read before and it's amazing. Woohoo.
March 24, 2025
I think I internally cringed about 95% of this book. Also I am not a fan of when exclamation marks are used at the most inappropriate times and I felt like that was a lot in this book
August 24, 2023
This book!!!! Amazing, Perfect, Outstanding, Brilliant!
I don't think my review will do justice to this wonderful book.
Ethan and Matty are absolutely the best of friends they had trust, equality, compassion, honesty, and independence only for Ethan, until one day Matty was gone!
You know that feeling when the one left behind feels like half a person, that was how Ethan felt at the time and is still feeling the same.
They had dreams they were to fulfil for their future, unfortunately with Matty gone, those dreams were put on hold until Ethan was able to pursue their dreams and plans.
Watching these boys grow, and mature into young adults going their way and listening to their hearts wasn't an easy move at all for them,
Extremely emotional, brilliantly written, your heart shatters but slowly is put together.
I can't recommend this book enough as a privilege to read.
A E. Jensen is such a fabulous and talented author.
I don't think my review will do justice to this wonderful book.
Ethan and Matty are absolutely the best of friends they had trust, equality, compassion, honesty, and independence only for Ethan, until one day Matty was gone!
You know that feeling when the one left behind feels like half a person, that was how Ethan felt at the time and is still feeling the same.
They had dreams they were to fulfil for their future, unfortunately with Matty gone, those dreams were put on hold until Ethan was able to pursue their dreams and plans.
Watching these boys grow, and mature into young adults going their way and listening to their hearts wasn't an easy move at all for them,
Extremely emotional, brilliantly written, your heart shatters but slowly is put together.
I can't recommend this book enough as a privilege to read.
A E. Jensen is such a fabulous and talented author.
September 26, 2023
I have basically been screaming in lower case letters about this book for a few days in all of my group chats. I thought the blurb was a little confusing so I went in waiting for Matty and Ethan to end up together for the first few chapters and was confused until Avery showed up. To be clear, this book is Ethan-Avery and Matty-Austin. Definitely not a MMMM. Ethan and Matty are platonic soul mates though.
Matty flees town when he is 15 after another violent assault from his father and only sends Ethan one postcard to show that he's ok. Years later, right after graduation, Ethan gets in the car and drives from Texas to Maine to hopefully find his best friend and make sure he's ok. Matty lands in Maine when he runs and finds safety and all good things in a small fishing town including a wildly hot fisherman. The book gives us a whirlwind romance between Ethan and Avery and an extremely hard won years long relationship between Matty and Austin. I was dying for the timelines to sync up and see Ethan and Matty's reunion. You'll have to wait for it but it was lovely.
The only thing that I thought was jarring about this book was that we'd have some fairly intense sexual scenes with Ethan and Avery and shift straight into a romantic or emotional moment with Matty and Austin. It took me a minute to change emotional gears.
Still? One of the best books of the year for me and I'm upwards of 350 reads in 2023.
Matty flees town when he is 15 after another violent assault from his father and only sends Ethan one postcard to show that he's ok. Years later, right after graduation, Ethan gets in the car and drives from Texas to Maine to hopefully find his best friend and make sure he's ok. Matty lands in Maine when he runs and finds safety and all good things in a small fishing town including a wildly hot fisherman. The book gives us a whirlwind romance between Ethan and Avery and an extremely hard won years long relationship between Matty and Austin. I was dying for the timelines to sync up and see Ethan and Matty's reunion. You'll have to wait for it but it was lovely.
The only thing that I thought was jarring about this book was that we'd have some fairly intense sexual scenes with Ethan and Avery and shift straight into a romantic or emotional moment with Matty and Austin. It took me a minute to change emotional gears.
Still? One of the best books of the year for me and I'm upwards of 350 reads in 2023.
September 5, 2023
Loud Feelings
Loud Places was definitely an unexpected pleasure. It's told through Matty, Ethan, Austin, and Avery's POV, and it goes back and forth to past and present. Matty and Ethan have a special bond that nothing can break, like brothers. For reasons Matty leaves, and as soon as Ethan could, he goes to find him. I loved their journey to find themselves, their happiness, and each other again. This book evoked so many feelings for me, loud feelings, such as pain, sadness, and fright, but most of all, love. All the characters/ found family were wonderful, and I loved this story and the ending so much, left my heart happy.
Loud Places was definitely an unexpected pleasure. It's told through Matty, Ethan, Austin, and Avery's POV, and it goes back and forth to past and present. Matty and Ethan have a special bond that nothing can break, like brothers. For reasons Matty leaves, and as soon as Ethan could, he goes to find him. I loved their journey to find themselves, their happiness, and each other again. This book evoked so many feelings for me, loud feelings, such as pain, sadness, and fright, but most of all, love. All the characters/ found family were wonderful, and I loved this story and the ending so much, left my heart happy.
November 26, 2025
♾️⭐️
I will be putting together a better review when my thoughts are gathered. Just please read this!!!
I will be putting together a better review when my thoughts are gathered. Just please read this!!!
January 11, 2026
4.5 stars, rounded up!
What better way to start off the year than with another book by one of my favorite discoveries from last year? A.E. Jensen has a way with words that continues to surprise me, and this book is no different.
Loud Places is so much more than just a romance novel. Yes, there is romance. Two romances, even. But the beating heart of this book is a friendship. This is a story of two friends that got separated when one was forced to run away. This is the story of a guy setting out to find his friend. This is the story of a guy who ran from home and found so much more than he thought possible. It's a story of finding your place in the world, finding your people, finding your person, finding a place to belong, finding a purpose. Most of all, it's a story about finding yourself.
I really do not want to tell you much more because I think you'll have the best experience when you go in as blind as possible. Of course, do mind the trigger warnings, because this does deal with some heavy topics. And though they were handled beautifully and with immense grace and care, it's important to take your own boundaries into account.
Loud Places is a truly stunning story that will stay with me for a long, long time. It touched my heart in a very special way, and I am so glad that this ended up being my first book of the new year. Highly recommended, in case that wasn't obvious yet.
What better way to start off the year than with another book by one of my favorite discoveries from last year? A.E. Jensen has a way with words that continues to surprise me, and this book is no different.
Loud Places is so much more than just a romance novel. Yes, there is romance. Two romances, even. But the beating heart of this book is a friendship. This is a story of two friends that got separated when one was forced to run away. This is the story of a guy setting out to find his friend. This is the story of a guy who ran from home and found so much more than he thought possible. It's a story of finding your place in the world, finding your people, finding your person, finding a place to belong, finding a purpose. Most of all, it's a story about finding yourself.
I really do not want to tell you much more because I think you'll have the best experience when you go in as blind as possible. Of course, do mind the trigger warnings, because this does deal with some heavy topics. And though they were handled beautifully and with immense grace and care, it's important to take your own boundaries into account.
Loud Places is a truly stunning story that will stay with me for a long, long time. It touched my heart in a very special way, and I am so glad that this ended up being my first book of the new year. Highly recommended, in case that wasn't obvious yet.
September 5, 2023
Ugh. It’s been days since I finished and I’m still not ready to move on.
Anja. This story was so beautiful. I laughed. But oh how I cried. I still don’t have the words for everything this book made me feel.
Sweet Matty. Everything that he went through. But he went out and got the life he deserved. Austin was so perfect for him. Their relationship growth was amazing to see.
Ethan and Avery actually had me all in my feelings. I’m so glad they got their happily ever after. They both deserved it.
And Ethan and Matty’s friendship was everything. It withstood the distance and the years of separation. They truly were brothers.
Anja, you write characters that this world needs to read about. And stories that stay with us long after we have set the book aside. Thank you for sharing your art with me.
Anja. This story was so beautiful. I laughed. But oh how I cried. I still don’t have the words for everything this book made me feel.
Sweet Matty. Everything that he went through. But he went out and got the life he deserved. Austin was so perfect for him. Their relationship growth was amazing to see.
Ethan and Avery actually had me all in my feelings. I’m so glad they got their happily ever after. They both deserved it.
And Ethan and Matty’s friendship was everything. It withstood the distance and the years of separation. They truly were brothers.
Anja, you write characters that this world needs to read about. And stories that stay with us long after we have set the book aside. Thank you for sharing your art with me.
September 4, 2023
3.25 stars
A sweet safe read
A sweet safe read
September 18, 2023
I completely devoured this book but some parts I do have mixed feelings about.
If I was rating the story on Matty/Austin it would be 5 stars all the way. I was so proud of Matty for building that life for himself and I fell in love with Will and Millie and the little town 😭 Austin was so precious and his and Matty’s love story was just flawless and I loved every moment of it.
Ethan and Avery I have mixed feelings about. I didn’t love their first sexual encounter, they hadn’t really had any conversation about their sexual preferences and what their limits were and it made me a bit uncomfortable. Avery eventually says he doesn’t like degradation but then Ethan persistently speaks to him degradingly during sex and I didn’t like that. They also engaged in choking/breath play several times before it’s made clear that they had a ‘safeword’ type thing in place. Finally my last issue with them was how Avery treated Ethan when Ethan needed to go back home. Avery was 9 years older than Ethan but he acted like a child. It was completely unreasonable of him to put so much pressure on Ethan to make such big life choices for him, they’d only known each other a few weeks and Ethan was only 19 years old. I didn’t like that either. Ethan and Avery only get 3 stars.
I did love the friendship between Ethan and Matty, it was so pure and wholesome and it was beautifully written. Overall I’d say this book is 4 stars but if it wasn’t for Matty and Austin I’m not sure I’d feel the same way.
If I was rating the story on Matty/Austin it would be 5 stars all the way. I was so proud of Matty for building that life for himself and I fell in love with Will and Millie and the little town 😭 Austin was so precious and his and Matty’s love story was just flawless and I loved every moment of it.
Ethan and Avery I have mixed feelings about. I didn’t love their first sexual encounter, they hadn’t really had any conversation about their sexual preferences and what their limits were and it made me a bit uncomfortable. Avery eventually says he doesn’t like degradation but then Ethan persistently speaks to him degradingly during sex and I didn’t like that. They also engaged in choking/breath play several times before it’s made clear that they had a ‘safeword’ type thing in place. Finally my last issue with them was how Avery treated Ethan when Ethan needed to go back home. Avery was 9 years older than Ethan but he acted like a child. It was completely unreasonable of him to put so much pressure on Ethan to make such big life choices for him, they’d only known each other a few weeks and Ethan was only 19 years old. I didn’t like that either. Ethan and Avery only get 3 stars.
I did love the friendship between Ethan and Matty, it was so pure and wholesome and it was beautifully written. Overall I’d say this book is 4 stars but if it wasn’t for Matty and Austin I’m not sure I’d feel the same way.
August 30, 2023
After reading the authors debut in the summer I was very excited to read her new novel and I was absolutely blown away. At its core its touching coming of age story full of courage and exploration and experiences but also a beautiful tale of deep connections, found family, epic friendship and forever love.
Things I loved:
* Ofcourse Matty and Ethan’s unshakeable friendship
* Strong messages of found family in the Bishops and Will and Millie and everyone really in the that small town in Maine
* The loyalty, heart and resilience, building and growing from traumatic experiences for all 4 characters, is so skilfully revealed as their connections are being built
* Cheeky humour and the simultaneous balance between that inherent conviction and doubt, innocence and wisdom that is so signature of the age of these characters
* The unique and skilful execution of laying out the story across voices and time periods.
* Matty healing, Ethan finding freedom and each finding their home in Austin and Avery. How Avery and Austin show up for their men and find what they need to.
* The moment of Matty and Ethan reuniting made me teary
* How Matty almost wisely and preternaturally knew where is life awaited and through sheer grit made it there.
* How the Bishops champion their child following his heart
I feel so fond of these characters by the end of this story, I was not ready for it to be over, at various times I wished things would be easier for them and I absolutely loved the story of these 2 friends finding their hard won HEAs. They are going to stay with me for a long, long time to come.
Expect:
* Coming-of-Age
* Freedom
* Friendship
* Found Family
* Past Trauma
* Sexual Awakening
* Sexual Exploration / Kink Exploration
* Road Trip
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Swoon: ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Angst: ❤️🩹❤️🩹.5
Things I loved:
* Ofcourse Matty and Ethan’s unshakeable friendship
* Strong messages of found family in the Bishops and Will and Millie and everyone really in the that small town in Maine
* The loyalty, heart and resilience, building and growing from traumatic experiences for all 4 characters, is so skilfully revealed as their connections are being built
* Cheeky humour and the simultaneous balance between that inherent conviction and doubt, innocence and wisdom that is so signature of the age of these characters
* The unique and skilful execution of laying out the story across voices and time periods.
* Matty healing, Ethan finding freedom and each finding their home in Austin and Avery. How Avery and Austin show up for their men and find what they need to.
* The moment of Matty and Ethan reuniting made me teary
* How Matty almost wisely and preternaturally knew where is life awaited and through sheer grit made it there.
* How the Bishops champion their child following his heart
I feel so fond of these characters by the end of this story, I was not ready for it to be over, at various times I wished things would be easier for them and I absolutely loved the story of these 2 friends finding their hard won HEAs. They are going to stay with me for a long, long time to come.
Expect:
* Coming-of-Age
* Freedom
* Friendship
* Found Family
* Past Trauma
* Sexual Awakening
* Sexual Exploration / Kink Exploration
* Road Trip
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Swoon: ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Angst: ❤️🩹❤️🩹.5
May 19, 2025
3.5 stars. So this was a very interesting story. It’s an MM coming-of-age story with two main characters. However, they are just best friends and both have their own love interests (who we also get chapters from their POVs eventually). It was kind of neat that way. I loved the beginning and end, but in the middle I wasn’t a huge fan of one MC and really wished it had been two books.
It starts off from Ethan’s POV and I loved seeing Ethan and Matty as best friends. They were cute and I loved how protective Ethan was. The story is then about how Matty runs away from an abusive home and Ethan goes on a road trip later to find him. The story goes back and forth in time and switches between four POVs so it did get a little confusing at times.
I loved loved loved Matty and Austin. They are honestly what kept me going through this story. If it would have just been their story I would have fallen head over heels for this book. Seeing Matty find people who love him no matter what was so beautiful!
I was not a huge fan of Ethan and Avery’s story. I saw their chemistry but it was a little strange to me and I’m not big on degradation and that was a lot of their sexual relationship so I had to skip a few chapters. I liked their HEA but not how they got there I guess.
Overall this was a good story and I would recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different! I would definitely read this author again.
It starts off from Ethan’s POV and I loved seeing Ethan and Matty as best friends. They were cute and I loved how protective Ethan was. The story is then about how Matty runs away from an abusive home and Ethan goes on a road trip later to find him. The story goes back and forth in time and switches between four POVs so it did get a little confusing at times.
I loved loved loved Matty and Austin. They are honestly what kept me going through this story. If it would have just been their story I would have fallen head over heels for this book. Seeing Matty find people who love him no matter what was so beautiful!
I was not a huge fan of Ethan and Avery’s story. I saw their chemistry but it was a little strange to me and I’m not big on degradation and that was a lot of their sexual relationship so I had to skip a few chapters. I liked their HEA but not how they got there I guess.
Overall this was a good story and I would recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different! I would definitely read this author again.
March 5, 2024
I don’t even know where to begin with this one. I’ll start by saying I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Anja is such an eloquent writer, you can visualize the entire book in your mind, almost like gorgeous frames in a film full of vivid colours, subtle expressions, sublime imagery and beautiful and meaningful dialogue.
Anja adores her characters, you can read the affection in her writing and one can’t help but fall in love with them, understand them and empathize with them. She writes sensitively and it gives you all the warm and fuzzies you need.
This absolute beauty of a book is surprising, adorable, it breaks your heart and the slowly and lovingly puts it back together. Anja, you are a star ⭐️
Thank you for the ARC it made my week?
Anja is such an eloquent writer, you can visualize the entire book in your mind, almost like gorgeous frames in a film full of vivid colours, subtle expressions, sublime imagery and beautiful and meaningful dialogue.
Anja adores her characters, you can read the affection in her writing and one can’t help but fall in love with them, understand them and empathize with them. She writes sensitively and it gives you all the warm and fuzzies you need.
This absolute beauty of a book is surprising, adorable, it breaks your heart and the slowly and lovingly puts it back together. Anja, you are a star ⭐️
Thank you for the ARC it made my week?
August 22, 2023
Thank you for trusting me with your work 🖤
Book review seems a bit... I'm not sure I can do it.
I'll just tell you how it made me feel instead.
Like I'm real. Like I matter. Like I'm not entirely lost.
I know Anja writes from the heart, and her characters are parts of her she generously shares with the world. In her words, I see myself so clear it freaking hurts.
This book is gorgeous.
I went overboard with quotes.
I had a few big cries.
But in the end, it left me feeling hopeful.
Ethan and Matty are the epitome of a childhood robbed, innocence corrupted by violence and taking on the worries of grown-ups. Their lives couldn't be more difficult, yet both yearned for escape from a life that was filled with dread. Fear over physical violence or constant worry about not doing enough to contribute to the growing family experiences.
This pain, the burden, the fear, none of it mattered when they were together and planned out their future escape from Eden, but more so the reality of their lives.
Matty is usually the one to follow Ethan, yet years later, Ethan is the one tracking him down, hoping to put back together the pieces of his broken heart, as without his best friend everything seems off kilter. It's like he can't move forward unless he knows Matty is out there safe and happy.
And here comes Avery...this man...Ethan didn't know how to love him at first, bless his heart. He knew there was something amazing about Avery, but the words and the understanding didn't come right away. How could they? What did Ethan know of love so big, you never knew was even possible? How do you dive freely into the longing eyes of an angel looking at you like you're worthy of love and devotion? And Avery did! He looked at Ethan like he hung the moon and the stars and painted his world in light and laughter.
I'm still pretty emotional over this read, I absolutely loved it!
Book review seems a bit... I'm not sure I can do it.
I'll just tell you how it made me feel instead.
Like I'm real. Like I matter. Like I'm not entirely lost.
I know Anja writes from the heart, and her characters are parts of her she generously shares with the world. In her words, I see myself so clear it freaking hurts.
This book is gorgeous.
I went overboard with quotes.
I had a few big cries.
But in the end, it left me feeling hopeful.
Ethan and Matty are the epitome of a childhood robbed, innocence corrupted by violence and taking on the worries of grown-ups. Their lives couldn't be more difficult, yet both yearned for escape from a life that was filled with dread. Fear over physical violence or constant worry about not doing enough to contribute to the growing family experiences.
This pain, the burden, the fear, none of it mattered when they were together and planned out their future escape from Eden, but more so the reality of their lives.
Matty is usually the one to follow Ethan, yet years later, Ethan is the one tracking him down, hoping to put back together the pieces of his broken heart, as without his best friend everything seems off kilter. It's like he can't move forward unless he knows Matty is out there safe and happy.
And here comes Avery...this man...Ethan didn't know how to love him at first, bless his heart. He knew there was something amazing about Avery, but the words and the understanding didn't come right away. How could they? What did Ethan know of love so big, you never knew was even possible? How do you dive freely into the longing eyes of an angel looking at you like you're worthy of love and devotion? And Avery did! He looked at Ethan like he hung the moon and the stars and painted his world in light and laughter.
I'm still pretty emotional over this read, I absolutely loved it!
September 3, 2023
ARC Review of “Loud Places” by A.E. Jensen.
I fell in love 4x. Are you trying to wreck my heart Ms. Jensen?
All I ask…..will you please wreck it some more?
So, we have four beautiful characters and two storylines woven together seamlessly. My heart is overflowing with love for the main characters; our stubborn and fiercely loyal cowboy, Ethan, our dear-heart and our sweetheart, Matty, intellectual & intelligent Avery, and the hot funny fisherman with a HUGE heart, Austin.
However, my heart was snatched up in the very beginning, by our sweet vulnerable soul, Matty.❤️🩹
Also, the side characters are absolutely yummy delicious, from Texas (Ethan’s family) to Maine. I personally could not get enough of the whole gang in Grant’s Harbor, Maine! 🦞
There is so much chemistry between the characters, I thought my Kindle was going to explode, and I could not get to the next chapter fast enough, truly. I don’t think I ever turned a page so fast!🔥
I thought I had everything figured out in the story too, but no, I definitely did not. The element of surprise is always a favorite thing of mine in any story, and I was intrigued the entire time I was reading. The pace and execution of this coming of age story is absolutely brilliant.
Final thoughts…
I promise, this journey is like no other. It is truly a fresh breath of air, and Anja’s elegant storytelling will transport you straight into this story!🚀🚀🚀
💫 One word to describe this heartfelt story….𝘔𝘈𝘚𝘛𝘌𝘙𝘗𝘐𝘌𝘊𝘌! I look forward to Anja Jenson breaking and mending my heart many, many times, as I expect to see incredible things from this author. Her debut book, Home Then, is a five star novel and this sophomore book, I’ll say it again…..𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦.
♥️Bravo, bravo, bravo and a thousand woohoooooos, Anja Jensen! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I highly recommend dropping everything to read it!! And bring your tissues, they are definitely needed!!
⚠️⚠️Read the trigger warnings⚠️⚠️
I fell in love 4x. Are you trying to wreck my heart Ms. Jensen?
All I ask…..will you please wreck it some more?
So, we have four beautiful characters and two storylines woven together seamlessly. My heart is overflowing with love for the main characters; our stubborn and fiercely loyal cowboy, Ethan, our dear-heart and our sweetheart, Matty, intellectual & intelligent Avery, and the hot funny fisherman with a HUGE heart, Austin.
However, my heart was snatched up in the very beginning, by our sweet vulnerable soul, Matty.❤️🩹
Also, the side characters are absolutely yummy delicious, from Texas (Ethan’s family) to Maine. I personally could not get enough of the whole gang in Grant’s Harbor, Maine! 🦞
There is so much chemistry between the characters, I thought my Kindle was going to explode, and I could not get to the next chapter fast enough, truly. I don’t think I ever turned a page so fast!🔥
I thought I had everything figured out in the story too, but no, I definitely did not. The element of surprise is always a favorite thing of mine in any story, and I was intrigued the entire time I was reading. The pace and execution of this coming of age story is absolutely brilliant.
Final thoughts…
I promise, this journey is like no other. It is truly a fresh breath of air, and Anja’s elegant storytelling will transport you straight into this story!🚀🚀🚀
💫 One word to describe this heartfelt story….𝘔𝘈𝘚𝘛𝘌𝘙𝘗𝘐𝘌𝘊𝘌! I look forward to Anja Jenson breaking and mending my heart many, many times, as I expect to see incredible things from this author. Her debut book, Home Then, is a five star novel and this sophomore book, I’ll say it again…..𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦.
♥️Bravo, bravo, bravo and a thousand woohoooooos, Anja Jensen! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I highly recommend dropping everything to read it!! And bring your tissues, they are definitely needed!!
⚠️⚠️Read the trigger warnings⚠️⚠️
August 23, 2023
This book is worth so much more than five stars. It deserves all the stars in the sky ✨️
This book is a journey, a heartbreaking, soul crushing beautiful journey of two boys who are slowly becoming men, who between them have gone through things no child should have to experience but come out the otherside.
This book is about unwavering friendship and discovery and finding beauty and happiness in the most unlikely of places.
Ethan and Matty are the epitome of friends who are soulmates. Their bond is absolutely unshakeable. Even when they spend years apart, they are always thinking of each other, and when they will meet again.
Matty finds himself in Grants Harber, which was on his and Ethans' list of perfect places. There, he finds a group of people who become the family he never had, and amongst them, he finds Austin.
Matty and Austins relationship is so beautiful to read. Austin takes Matty as he is and wants to protect him and love him, and it just made my heart so happy. I think I highlighted every sweet and loving thing Austin ever said to Matty throughout the book 🥰. I was so happy that matty found his happiness with Austin.
When Ethan decides to take a road trip in search of Matty, he follows the map of perfect places, and at one of those places, he meets Avery. Ethan and Avery hit it off straight away, and their relationship comes so easy. I loved seeing Ethans dominant side and how he really got to be himself with Avery. I was utterly hearbroken at times reading Ethan and Avery's story. Those boys sure know how to lay on the angst and bring the heart shattering moments that left me a sobbing mess.
This book was utterly breathtaking. The writing is phenomenal. The character development is suberb. The transition for Ethan and Matty from boys to men was written perfectly.
Anja takes us on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster filled with such soaring highs and earth-shattering lows. But what an absolutely stunning rollercoaster ride it was.
This book is a journey, a heartbreaking, soul crushing beautiful journey of two boys who are slowly becoming men, who between them have gone through things no child should have to experience but come out the otherside.
This book is about unwavering friendship and discovery and finding beauty and happiness in the most unlikely of places.
Ethan and Matty are the epitome of friends who are soulmates. Their bond is absolutely unshakeable. Even when they spend years apart, they are always thinking of each other, and when they will meet again.
Matty finds himself in Grants Harber, which was on his and Ethans' list of perfect places. There, he finds a group of people who become the family he never had, and amongst them, he finds Austin.
Matty and Austins relationship is so beautiful to read. Austin takes Matty as he is and wants to protect him and love him, and it just made my heart so happy. I think I highlighted every sweet and loving thing Austin ever said to Matty throughout the book 🥰. I was so happy that matty found his happiness with Austin.
When Ethan decides to take a road trip in search of Matty, he follows the map of perfect places, and at one of those places, he meets Avery. Ethan and Avery hit it off straight away, and their relationship comes so easy. I loved seeing Ethans dominant side and how he really got to be himself with Avery. I was utterly hearbroken at times reading Ethan and Avery's story. Those boys sure know how to lay on the angst and bring the heart shattering moments that left me a sobbing mess.
This book was utterly breathtaking. The writing is phenomenal. The character development is suberb. The transition for Ethan and Matty from boys to men was written perfectly.
Anja takes us on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster filled with such soaring highs and earth-shattering lows. But what an absolutely stunning rollercoaster ride it was.
August 31, 2023
LOUD PLACES by A.E. Jensen
Two unforgettable love stories ❤️💙
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Book Review
Loud Places by A.E. Jensen is one of the most anticipated and my favorite books this year. I love everything about this amazing story of coming of age and finding love. The story of Ethan and Matty, and their unwavering friendship and love for each other. The story of Avery and Austin, who will play significant roles in their lives and who have the courage to go after who they love. Trust the author, where she takes you with this breathtakingly beautiful, gripping, and sweet story.
Anja, you really surprised me in a good way. ❤️💙❤️💙
Matty´s life is to survive the abuse at home, which no child should endure. Ethan wants to protect Matty and they plan to leave the town after graduating the school. Only Matty has to run away earlier, after an event that happens at home. Three years will pass before Ethan can go to find Matty and the journey begins. One of them will meet Avery and the other one will discover Austin.
This is A.E. Jensen´s second book and her writing style is phenomenal and sweetly real. I felt like I was one of the boys. Each of the courageous boys has a life-altering journey and finds love where they did not expect.
I adored and fell in love with Ethan, Avery, Matty, and Austin. They are amazing and heartbreakingly beautiful souls, possessive in a good way, and adorably sexy. I will love them forever! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
How sweet it feels, the quote from the book: “ In every look and in every touch. In every gesture and in every smile, Avery had told him. I love you. Please, be mine because I am already yours.”
A.E. Jensen weaves the story so uniquely between now and then, and how these boys find their love, new friendships, and found family.
She is already one of my favorite writers. If you love to read MM love stories written with love and about passionate young men with beautiful souls, then I highly recommend Loud Places.
I also love this gorgeous book cover. It tells you a story. ❤️
Advised to read TW.
This is my honest ARC review.
#loudplaces #authoraejensen #mmromanceauthors #mm #mmromance #lgbtq #roadtrip #kinks #freedom #gayromancenovel #booksilove #bookstoread #comingofage #love #friendship #foundfamily #booklovers #foundfamily
Two unforgettable love stories ❤️💙
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Book Review
Loud Places by A.E. Jensen is one of the most anticipated and my favorite books this year. I love everything about this amazing story of coming of age and finding love. The story of Ethan and Matty, and their unwavering friendship and love for each other. The story of Avery and Austin, who will play significant roles in their lives and who have the courage to go after who they love. Trust the author, where she takes you with this breathtakingly beautiful, gripping, and sweet story.
Anja, you really surprised me in a good way. ❤️💙❤️💙
Matty´s life is to survive the abuse at home, which no child should endure. Ethan wants to protect Matty and they plan to leave the town after graduating the school. Only Matty has to run away earlier, after an event that happens at home. Three years will pass before Ethan can go to find Matty and the journey begins. One of them will meet Avery and the other one will discover Austin.
This is A.E. Jensen´s second book and her writing style is phenomenal and sweetly real. I felt like I was one of the boys. Each of the courageous boys has a life-altering journey and finds love where they did not expect.
I adored and fell in love with Ethan, Avery, Matty, and Austin. They are amazing and heartbreakingly beautiful souls, possessive in a good way, and adorably sexy. I will love them forever! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
How sweet it feels, the quote from the book: “ In every look and in every touch. In every gesture and in every smile, Avery had told him. I love you. Please, be mine because I am already yours.”
A.E. Jensen weaves the story so uniquely between now and then, and how these boys find their love, new friendships, and found family.
She is already one of my favorite writers. If you love to read MM love stories written with love and about passionate young men with beautiful souls, then I highly recommend Loud Places.
I also love this gorgeous book cover. It tells you a story. ❤️
Advised to read TW.
This is my honest ARC review.
#loudplaces #authoraejensen #mmromanceauthors #mm #mmromance #lgbtq #roadtrip #kinks #freedom #gayromancenovel #booksilove #bookstoread #comingofage #love #friendship #foundfamily #booklovers #foundfamily
September 1, 2023
This is a beautiful tale of coming of age, bonds between friends, found family, surviving, and love.
Loud Places is unlike anything I’ve read before. A.E. Jensen weaves two beautiful love stories into one book. Each one was as heartbreakingly good as the other.
Matty is my favorite character. His resilience is so admirable. He left his home in search of something and what he found was himself. The things he went through as a child could’ve easily break him, but he never let that stop him from living his life, even if it meant leaving his mom and his best friend.
The people Matty and Ethan met along the way, not only enriched their lives, but also helped them realize who they wanted to be as they navigate the complex world of adulthood.
The sweet and tender moments in this book will make you swoon and the steamy parts will make you sweat!
This had one of the most satisfying and unexpected endings, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Extra kudos for painting the places visited in the book so vividly!
Read. This. Book.
Loud Places is unlike anything I’ve read before. A.E. Jensen weaves two beautiful love stories into one book. Each one was as heartbreakingly good as the other.
Matty is my favorite character. His resilience is so admirable. He left his home in search of something and what he found was himself. The things he went through as a child could’ve easily break him, but he never let that stop him from living his life, even if it meant leaving his mom and his best friend.
The people Matty and Ethan met along the way, not only enriched their lives, but also helped them realize who they wanted to be as they navigate the complex world of adulthood.
The sweet and tender moments in this book will make you swoon and the steamy parts will make you sweat!
This had one of the most satisfying and unexpected endings, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Extra kudos for painting the places visited in the book so vividly!
Read. This. Book.
September 25, 2023
This was such a lovely story that will hit you in the feels like a Mack truck.
I was just watching S4 of Sex Education on Netflix and the beauty of that show in the end is that it focused on the beautiful friendships between the characters (especially between Otis & Eric) as being just as important as the romantic relationships. And this book does the same thing extremely well!
Not only does it tell the story of Ethan and Matty as they grow into adulthood and find their love interests, but at its core it tells the story of this strong friendship that withstood the test of time, distance, and separation.
Though the ending/epilogues are satisfying I would loved to see a few more of the important moments for the two sets of MCs on page…but maybe we will get some bonus content if we ask nicely and repeatedly enough 🤣
I was just watching S4 of Sex Education on Netflix and the beauty of that show in the end is that it focused on the beautiful friendships between the characters (especially between Otis & Eric) as being just as important as the romantic relationships. And this book does the same thing extremely well!
Not only does it tell the story of Ethan and Matty as they grow into adulthood and find their love interests, but at its core it tells the story of this strong friendship that withstood the test of time, distance, and separation.
Though the ending/epilogues are satisfying I would loved to see a few more of the important moments for the two sets of MCs on page…but maybe we will get some bonus content if we ask nicely and repeatedly enough 🤣
September 7, 2023
When I first started this book, I thought it would totally go in a different direction. I’m so happy I was wrong, because I was already starting to like characters who weren’t “main” at that point and the heartbreak that would follow if the story changed direction, would be bad..
I loved this book, the story and all the characters. Heartwarming and beautiful, emotional and dreamy. Looking forward to reading more books from this author. The writing style is very attractive and the one I prefer over sappy/funny/shallow ones.
Perfect.
I loved this book, the story and all the characters. Heartwarming and beautiful, emotional and dreamy. Looking forward to reading more books from this author. The writing style is very attractive and the one I prefer over sappy/funny/shallow ones.
Perfect.
September 6, 2023
So after having DNF the first book by this author, I actually enjoyed this one quite a lot. I had my doubts when I saw that there would be 2 stories being told at the same time, with 4 MCs all together, and wondered if the stories would feel undeveloped but glad that I did not see that. Could it have been done one story at a time divided in 2 parts? Sure, but it would not have had the same impact so I applaud the author for this choice. Looking forward to see what's next.
June 19, 2024
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟- Best Friends Forever
I’ve had ‘Loud Places’ on my Waiting To Read list for ages, as my favourite trope is best friends since childhood. I kept deferring to start it, because having the read the blurb, I thought that this one was going to be a real tearjerker, a friend setting out, after a long time, to find the other who left without a goodbye. So I just had to place my trust in A.E.Jensen’s storytelling, she wouldn’t just go breaking my heart, but she did have me crying for the young Matty Craig.
Ethan Bishop had always looked out for his best friend, Matty Craig, as they grew up as neighbours in the backwaters of West Texas, ironically named Eden, which it definitely wasn’t, particularly for Matty. Nearly everyday at school Ethan could see fresh bruises covering Matty’s arms or legs. Always with the excuse that he was clumsy. After a while everyone knew it was his father’s handiwork but were afraid to speak out.
His father was the Chief of Police in Eden. Ethan, despite towering over Matty In size, he felt helpless as well as angry, just like the rest if the neighbours.
While spending most of his free time in Ethan’s house they had made plans for their future, drawing maps outlining their journey from West Texas to the coast of Maine. Except, Matty took that journey on his own, following a horrendous event in his home, without his very best friend.
So ‘Loud Places’ is the story of Ethan’s journey to find his best friend who he has missed to much, and check that he is safe and OK. He had to wait 3 years just until he graduated, and saved enough for the journey. All he had to go on was a postcard of a tiny fishing village in Maine with a picture of a boat.
It took me a while to adjust to the constant jump between ‘then’ and ‘now’ for both Ethan’s and Matty and their dual POV in the timeframes. It made Ethan’s journey seem longer, than the two weeks, as he stopped at each of the places that he and Matty had planned to visit together. Plus he had a huge distraction his first stay at his Campsite which ended up with him having a travelling companion along for the journey as far as Boston.
Matty, I just adored him, what he managed to do with his life in the 3 years since he left Texas was amazing. Of course with unbelievably kind people like Will and Millie Hart he probably wouldn’t have fared so well. Grants Harbour was full of terrific neighbours, and special characters.
Surprisingly, despite Ethan being such a good friend to go looking for Matty, I didn’t like how he used Avery. Plus, for all his bossiness, he still behaved like a victim regarding his supposed family expectations.
He needed a good shake up.
I was so taken aback when the story proceeded against all my expectation’s, a great twist on the road, right to the end.
A. E Jensen always delivers terrific stories with great characters that are hard to forget and ‘Loud Places’ does exactly that. Well developed storyline and very interesting side characters that I’ve deliberately not mentioned. Just grab a copy and find out for yourself how these two 16 y.o boys become wonderful young men. Oh and yes, there is a lot of 🔥💥 🥰along the way.
I’ve had ‘Loud Places’ on my Waiting To Read list for ages, as my favourite trope is best friends since childhood. I kept deferring to start it, because having the read the blurb, I thought that this one was going to be a real tearjerker, a friend setting out, after a long time, to find the other who left without a goodbye. So I just had to place my trust in A.E.Jensen’s storytelling, she wouldn’t just go breaking my heart, but she did have me crying for the young Matty Craig.
Ethan Bishop had always looked out for his best friend, Matty Craig, as they grew up as neighbours in the backwaters of West Texas, ironically named Eden, which it definitely wasn’t, particularly for Matty. Nearly everyday at school Ethan could see fresh bruises covering Matty’s arms or legs. Always with the excuse that he was clumsy. After a while everyone knew it was his father’s handiwork but were afraid to speak out.
His father was the Chief of Police in Eden. Ethan, despite towering over Matty In size, he felt helpless as well as angry, just like the rest if the neighbours.
While spending most of his free time in Ethan’s house they had made plans for their future, drawing maps outlining their journey from West Texas to the coast of Maine. Except, Matty took that journey on his own, following a horrendous event in his home, without his very best friend.
So ‘Loud Places’ is the story of Ethan’s journey to find his best friend who he has missed to much, and check that he is safe and OK. He had to wait 3 years just until he graduated, and saved enough for the journey. All he had to go on was a postcard of a tiny fishing village in Maine with a picture of a boat.
It took me a while to adjust to the constant jump between ‘then’ and ‘now’ for both Ethan’s and Matty and their dual POV in the timeframes. It made Ethan’s journey seem longer, than the two weeks, as he stopped at each of the places that he and Matty had planned to visit together. Plus he had a huge distraction his first stay at his Campsite which ended up with him having a travelling companion along for the journey as far as Boston.
Matty, I just adored him, what he managed to do with his life in the 3 years since he left Texas was amazing. Of course with unbelievably kind people like Will and Millie Hart he probably wouldn’t have fared so well. Grants Harbour was full of terrific neighbours, and special characters.
Surprisingly, despite Ethan being such a good friend to go looking for Matty, I didn’t like how he used Avery. Plus, for all his bossiness, he still behaved like a victim regarding his supposed family expectations.
He needed a good shake up.
I was so taken aback when the story proceeded against all my expectation’s, a great twist on the road, right to the end.
A. E Jensen always delivers terrific stories with great characters that are hard to forget and ‘Loud Places’ does exactly that. Well developed storyline and very interesting side characters that I’ve deliberately not mentioned. Just grab a copy and find out for yourself how these two 16 y.o boys become wonderful young men. Oh and yes, there is a lot of 🔥💥 🥰along the way.
August 31, 2023
LOUD PLACES by A.E. Jensen
Two unforgettable love stories ❤️💙
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Book Review
Loud Places by A.E. Jensen is one of the most anticipated and my favorite books this year. I love everything about this amazing story of coming of age and finding love. The story of Ethan and Matty, and their unwavering friendship and love for each other. The story of Avery and Austin, who will play significant roles in their lives and who have the courage to go after who they love. Trust the author, where she takes you with this breathtakingly beautiful, gripping, and sweet story.
Anja, you really surprised me in a good way. ❤️💙❤️💙
Matty´s life is to survive the abuse at home, which no child should endure. Ethan wants to protect Matty and they plan to leave the town after graduating the school. Only Matty has to run away earlier, after an event that happens at home. Three years will pass before Ethan can go to find Matty and the journey begins. One of them will meet Avery and the other one will discover Austin.
This is A.E. Jensen´s second book and her writing style is phenomenal and sweetly real. I felt like I was one of the boys. Each of the courageous boys has a life-altering journey and finds love where they did not expect.
I adored and fell in love with Ethan, Avery, Matty, and Austin. They are amazing and heartbreakingly beautiful souls, possessive in a good way, and adorably sexy. I will love them forever! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
How sweet it feels, the quote from the book: “ In every look and in every touch. In every gesture and in every smile, Avery had told him. I love you. Please, be mine because I am already yours.”
A.E. Jensen weaves the story so uniquely between now and then, and how these boys find their love, new friendships, and found family.
She is already one of my favorite writers. If you love to read MM love stories written with love and about passionate young men with beautiful souls, then I highly recommend Loud Places.
I also love this gorgeous book cover. It tells you a story. ❤️
Advised to read TW.
This is my honest ARC review.
#loudplaces #authoraejensen #mmromanceauthors #mm #mmromance #lgbtq #roadtrip #kinks #freedom #gayromancenovel #booksilove #bookstoread #comingofage #love #friendship #foundfamily #booklovers #foundfamily
Two unforgettable love stories ❤️💙
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Book Review
Loud Places by A.E. Jensen is one of the most anticipated and my favorite books this year. I love everything about this amazing story of coming of age and finding love. The story of Ethan and Matty, and their unwavering friendship and love for each other. The story of Avery and Austin, who will play significant roles in their lives and who have the courage to go after who they love. Trust the author, where she takes you with this breathtakingly beautiful, gripping, and sweet story.
Anja, you really surprised me in a good way. ❤️💙❤️💙
Matty´s life is to survive the abuse at home, which no child should endure. Ethan wants to protect Matty and they plan to leave the town after graduating the school. Only Matty has to run away earlier, after an event that happens at home. Three years will pass before Ethan can go to find Matty and the journey begins. One of them will meet Avery and the other one will discover Austin.
This is A.E. Jensen´s second book and her writing style is phenomenal and sweetly real. I felt like I was one of the boys. Each of the courageous boys has a life-altering journey and finds love where they did not expect.
I adored and fell in love with Ethan, Avery, Matty, and Austin. They are amazing and heartbreakingly beautiful souls, possessive in a good way, and adorably sexy. I will love them forever! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
How sweet it feels, the quote from the book: “ In every look and in every touch. In every gesture and in every smile, Avery had told him. I love you. Please, be mine because I am already yours.”
A.E. Jensen weaves the story so uniquely between now and then, and how these boys find their love, new friendships, and found family.
She is already one of my favorite writers. If you love to read MM love stories written with love and about passionate young men with beautiful souls, then I highly recommend Loud Places.
I also love this gorgeous book cover. It tells you a story. ❤️
Advised to read TW.
This is my honest ARC review.
#loudplaces #authoraejensen #mmromanceauthors #mm #mmromance #lgbtq #roadtrip #kinks #freedom #gayromancenovel #booksilove #bookstoread #comingofage #love #friendship #foundfamily #booklovers #foundfamily
November 29, 2025
Loud Places
A.E Jensen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Ethan & Avery
Road trip
Age gap
Kink exploration
Matty & Austin
Founds family
True Love
Freedom & Growth
Two love stories and one book. Wow, so this was fantastic. I was not sure what to expect, I truly think you should just go in blind knowing this is a best friends coming of age story, but 2 separate love stories, not with the best friends.
Ethan met Matty at a young age, his family took on Matty and loved him as their own. Matty had a horrible upbringing with an abusive father, at 15 years old he ran and never looked back.
Matty and Ethan had also spoken about leaving their hometown Eden, going to Maine and buying a boat. I think Ethan would have done anything to see his best friend happy.
Now that Ethan is 18, he is determined to find Matty, after being without for 3 years, he needs to know he is ok.
On his road trip to Matty he meets Avery, he instantly connects with him, these two I think were so lusty for each other. Ethan saw what he always craved in Avery, a sub, no matter if Avery was older. These two were fantastic together.
Oh my heart, Matty did make it to Maine, and there he found a perfect, beautiful family that he always deserved. Will and Millie saw the son they were never able to have in Matty and took him in and loved him as he always should have been.
There he eventually met Austin, what a sweet boy. OH, how he loved Matty. He showed Matty was real true love, and soft touches was all about. In this beautiful new town of his, he truly began to believe he deserved all the love he got there.
This was so beautiful, incredibly well done. How these two best friends had separate journeys and found themselves and found love.
What a fantastic book.
A.E Jensen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Ethan & Avery
Road trip
Age gap
Kink exploration
Matty & Austin
Founds family
True Love
Freedom & Growth
Two love stories and one book. Wow, so this was fantastic. I was not sure what to expect, I truly think you should just go in blind knowing this is a best friends coming of age story, but 2 separate love stories, not with the best friends.
Ethan met Matty at a young age, his family took on Matty and loved him as their own. Matty had a horrible upbringing with an abusive father, at 15 years old he ran and never looked back.
Matty and Ethan had also spoken about leaving their hometown Eden, going to Maine and buying a boat. I think Ethan would have done anything to see his best friend happy.
Now that Ethan is 18, he is determined to find Matty, after being without for 3 years, he needs to know he is ok.
On his road trip to Matty he meets Avery, he instantly connects with him, these two I think were so lusty for each other. Ethan saw what he always craved in Avery, a sub, no matter if Avery was older. These two were fantastic together.
Oh my heart, Matty did make it to Maine, and there he found a perfect, beautiful family that he always deserved. Will and Millie saw the son they were never able to have in Matty and took him in and loved him as he always should have been.
There he eventually met Austin, what a sweet boy. OH, how he loved Matty. He showed Matty was real true love, and soft touches was all about. In this beautiful new town of his, he truly began to believe he deserved all the love he got there.
This was so beautiful, incredibly well done. How these two best friends had separate journeys and found themselves and found love.
What a fantastic book.
September 1, 2023
My heart belongs to Matty !!
Oh boy where to even begin. 🤯🤭 I love a book that is different and creative! This book follows best friends Ethan and Matty. They've been close since they were super young, but find themselves separated after some unforseen circumstances.
This isn't your typical best friends to lovers story. While Matty is off searching for safety and happiness, and Ethan starts his search for his best friend, they both meet someone they weren't expecting, that turn both of their worlds upside down. But in a good way !
I loved the storyline a ton. I love the scenery in Maine with the harbor and the docks and boats that Anja pictures for us. The side characters there will make you feel warm and fuzzy and crave some of grandma's pie !
Ethans road trip across the country is exciting, esp when he meets a firecracker of a man at one of his stops.
Although were following two different people, that quickly turns into 4, you never loose track of anyone. Both characters and storylines are full and your never left feeling you're getting more than one or the other. Nobody feels left out in the story. And that's big esp since we're essentially following two different people in different worlds until everything falls into place.
Oh boy where to even begin. 🤯🤭 I love a book that is different and creative! This book follows best friends Ethan and Matty. They've been close since they were super young, but find themselves separated after some unforseen circumstances.
This isn't your typical best friends to lovers story. While Matty is off searching for safety and happiness, and Ethan starts his search for his best friend, they both meet someone they weren't expecting, that turn both of their worlds upside down. But in a good way !
I loved the storyline a ton. I love the scenery in Maine with the harbor and the docks and boats that Anja pictures for us. The side characters there will make you feel warm and fuzzy and crave some of grandma's pie !
Ethans road trip across the country is exciting, esp when he meets a firecracker of a man at one of his stops.
Although were following two different people, that quickly turns into 4, you never loose track of anyone. Both characters and storylines are full and your never left feeling you're getting more than one or the other. Nobody feels left out in the story. And that's big esp since we're essentially following two different people in different worlds until everything falls into place.
September 6, 2023
Beautiful story
Beautiful story of childhood best friends, Ethan and Matty, that follows them through their teens, first and forever love, family found and becoming the men they were meant to be.
Matty had a hard childhood with his abusive father and mother, who was too weak and a town who never did anything about it.
Ethan and his family were his escape, and their friendship was the only thing that kept him sane and able to dream of leaving at 18 and having a better life. Circumstances suddenly change, and Matty is forced to leave Eden, but Ethan never gives up hope of following their dream and one day finding his best friend in a better place.
Once Ethan finishes high school, he starts the journey following the route he and Matty had dreamed of doing three years earlier. Along the way, he meets Avery, who is older, but they feel this strong attraction, and Ethan discovers first love and himself.
The book follows 2 men and 2 couples and has various points of view and also goes back and forth between past and present. I loved the story of the best friends, family found, and strong bonds that happen in this book.
Beautiful story of childhood best friends, Ethan and Matty, that follows them through their teens, first and forever love, family found and becoming the men they were meant to be.
Matty had a hard childhood with his abusive father and mother, who was too weak and a town who never did anything about it.
Ethan and his family were his escape, and their friendship was the only thing that kept him sane and able to dream of leaving at 18 and having a better life. Circumstances suddenly change, and Matty is forced to leave Eden, but Ethan never gives up hope of following their dream and one day finding his best friend in a better place.
Once Ethan finishes high school, he starts the journey following the route he and Matty had dreamed of doing three years earlier. Along the way, he meets Avery, who is older, but they feel this strong attraction, and Ethan discovers first love and himself.
The book follows 2 men and 2 couples and has various points of view and also goes back and forth between past and present. I loved the story of the best friends, family found, and strong bonds that happen in this book.
September 9, 2023
“Everything that happens… The good and the not so good. I can face it all because I know that you’ll always have my back. Just like I’ll always have yours. That’s real friendship, Eth.”
This is the story of Ethan and Matty and how their friendship changed both of their lives. I really love a good coming of age story. There is so much heart and emotion as they navigate their teens and early 20s. They grapple with adversity, past trauma, love and loyalty, and trying to figure out their place in the world. With everything they go through, even when separated by many miles, their friendship is so strong and beautiful. It’s a love and relationship that sustains them through so much. I don’t want to say too much to give away a lot of the story, but it wasn’t what I was expecting, in a really great way. There’s also a good bit of spice; it’s getting 3 out of 5 🌶️
Overall, another great read that I recommend adding to the top of your TBR!
This is the story of Ethan and Matty and how their friendship changed both of their lives. I really love a good coming of age story. There is so much heart and emotion as they navigate their teens and early 20s. They grapple with adversity, past trauma, love and loyalty, and trying to figure out their place in the world. With everything they go through, even when separated by many miles, their friendship is so strong and beautiful. It’s a love and relationship that sustains them through so much. I don’t want to say too much to give away a lot of the story, but it wasn’t what I was expecting, in a really great way. There’s also a good bit of spice; it’s getting 3 out of 5 🌶️
Overall, another great read that I recommend adding to the top of your TBR!
September 19, 2023
'What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.'
- Aristotle
This quote immediately came to mind as soon as I read the first few pages of this book. Such a beautiful story! 🥹 I don't know how articulate this will be because I'm almost at a loss for words.
I feel such a connection to all four of these young men. Getting to go on this journey with them was such an honor and pleasure. Ethan and Matty remind me of me and my best friend in the entire world. Just like they call each other brothers, we call each other sisters. Like Ethan, I come from a very loving and supportive family, while just like Matty, my best friend comes from a very dysfunctional family. We have a matching tattoo with the quote I used above. We really are soul mates and so are Ethan and Matty.
Ethan, ever the protector, putting himself last, always worrying about the well-being of his family and Matty. Being the only constant in Matty’s life, supporting him through everything and anything; sharing dreams of their future and 'Etans and Mattys Purfekt Plases.'
Matty, sweet and beautiful in every way. A precious child that was forced to grow up way too quickly. A bright soul darkened by the people who were meant to love him unconditionally. Having Ethan as his best friend to remind him that he has a place in the world, that he's worthy and special.
"Please be there, Matty. Please wait for me. I’m sorry it took me this long, but I’m coming for you now."
"Ethan. Please come find me, Ethan. As soon as you can."
I often tell my husband that he's this perfect combination of all of my favorite people. Another soul mate that feels like an amalgamation of all the best bits and pieces of the others that are a part of my life; past, present, and future. Avery and Austin are exactly that for Ethan and Matty. They are everything that Ethan and Matty found in each other plus so much more.
I encourage everyone to read this book; to embark on this wonderful and stunning journey. 💙
"These… I don’t know… loud places, you know?”
“Loud places?”
“Yes. Loud places,”...“Places that are so spectacularly beautiful that they make so much noise that it wakes up your dormant heart..."
- Aristotle
This quote immediately came to mind as soon as I read the first few pages of this book. Such a beautiful story! 🥹 I don't know how articulate this will be because I'm almost at a loss for words.
I feel such a connection to all four of these young men. Getting to go on this journey with them was such an honor and pleasure. Ethan and Matty remind me of me and my best friend in the entire world. Just like they call each other brothers, we call each other sisters. Like Ethan, I come from a very loving and supportive family, while just like Matty, my best friend comes from a very dysfunctional family. We have a matching tattoo with the quote I used above. We really are soul mates and so are Ethan and Matty.
Ethan, ever the protector, putting himself last, always worrying about the well-being of his family and Matty. Being the only constant in Matty’s life, supporting him through everything and anything; sharing dreams of their future and 'Etans and Mattys Purfekt Plases.'
Matty, sweet and beautiful in every way. A precious child that was forced to grow up way too quickly. A bright soul darkened by the people who were meant to love him unconditionally. Having Ethan as his best friend to remind him that he has a place in the world, that he's worthy and special.
"Please be there, Matty. Please wait for me. I’m sorry it took me this long, but I’m coming for you now."
"Ethan. Please come find me, Ethan. As soon as you can."
I often tell my husband that he's this perfect combination of all of my favorite people. Another soul mate that feels like an amalgamation of all the best bits and pieces of the others that are a part of my life; past, present, and future. Avery and Austin are exactly that for Ethan and Matty. They are everything that Ethan and Matty found in each other plus so much more.
I encourage everyone to read this book; to embark on this wonderful and stunning journey. 💙
"These… I don’t know… loud places, you know?”
“Loud places?”
“Yes. Loud places,”...“Places that are so spectacularly beautiful that they make so much noise that it wakes up your dormant heart..."
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