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Praising Haru
Can we turn a temporary fling into forever?
Two chance meetings ten years apart lead to an online friendship with Kyle. We’re opposites, there are two hundred miles between us, and he’s my best friend.
But when we meet…sparks fly. I help him explore his dominant side. He makes my heart flutter whenever he praises me.
But…
(There’s always a but, isn’t there?)
My sights are set on returning to London to work in the fashion industry, while Kyle is a homebody brickie who wants to stay near his family.
Can I have everything I’ve ever wanted, or will I be forced to choose between Kyle and my career?
Praising Haru is an opposites attract M/M romance with a size difference, lots of praise, snuggles, and heat, lovers who enjoy reading to each other, adoptive families who want what’s best for their sons, and a cactus called Arthur.
Two chance meetings ten years apart lead to an online friendship with Kyle. We’re opposites, there are two hundred miles between us, and he’s my best friend.
But when we meet…sparks fly. I help him explore his dominant side. He makes my heart flutter whenever he praises me.
But…
(There’s always a but, isn’t there?)
My sights are set on returning to London to work in the fashion industry, while Kyle is a homebody brickie who wants to stay near his family.
Can I have everything I’ve ever wanted, or will I be forced to choose between Kyle and my career?
Praising Haru is an opposites attract M/M romance with a size difference, lots of praise, snuggles, and heat, lovers who enjoy reading to each other, adoptive families who want what’s best for their sons, and a cactus called Arthur.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2023
37 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Colette Davison
66 books431 followersI'm an indie author from the UK, who writes contemporary and paranormal M/M romance. My books have flawed characters, happy endings, and lots of heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 3, 2023
Cute I guess…The kink was soft and rather boring but the guys were sweet.
November 21, 2023
I would've liked it better if they took the bdsm part out of the book,
Not the book problem just me,
I think their met cute was very cute I love their interaction with each other and their fams, and umm the conflic i thought was really stupid because it was so easily solved but the author makes us thing there's a reason why haru can't work in his hometown??
Not the book problem just me,
I think their met cute was very cute I love their interaction with each other and their fams, and umm the conflic i thought was really stupid because it was so easily solved but the author makes us thing there's a reason why haru can't work in his hometown??
October 17, 2023
❝I don´t deserve you.❞ Did I say that out loud?
❝Yes, baby, you do.❞
He hugs me and kisses my forehead.
4 stars for praising haru because... it was just swoony for me. this book definitely fed my jordan riki delusions. wish we could have seen more of the characters in their own respective fields namely haru being a designer and kyle as this hot big rugby guy who is also a brickie.
August 29, 2025
Can we turn a temporary fling into forever? Two chance meetings ten years apart lead to an online friendship with Kyle. We’re opposites, there are two hundred miles between us, and he’s my best friend. But when we meet…sparks fly. I help him explore his dominant side. He makes my heart flutter whenever he praises me. But… (There’s always a but, isn’t there?)
Haru and Kyle first met in school when they were both students. Then ten years go by, and they lost track of one another, but neither of them forgot the other one. Haru lives and works in London, as a fashion designer, and Kyle has a life in Leeds as a brick worker. They accidently found one another online and have kept an online friendship. They are really opposites of one another and to further complicate matters, they live two hundred miles away from each other now. In spite of that they are still best friends. When Haur loses his job in London they finally meet in person again as adults...and the sparks between them can't be denied, nor do they wish them to be.
Haru is helping Kyle explore his dominant side. Haru's heart does funny things whenever Kyle compliments or praises him. But...there's always a "but" in these stories... Haru feels that he needs to return to London so he can search for another career in the fashion industry...but...here's another of those "buts"... Kyle is a homebody and needs to stay in Leeds to be near his mom and dad. His dad had already had one close-call medical emergency. The question...yeah, there's always one of those in these stories too...will Kyle have to be the "choice" Haru will have to make between their growing love and his career, or can they somehow, compromise and work something out?
I own several of Coleen Davidson's books, including of course, this one, and I have always liked her writings, so it was no surprise that I liked this one also. The two guys and their friendship made for a perfect, as well as a totally believable story. Oh....I almost forgot. Just wait until you meet the two cacti. I'm not joking...they added a real prickly part to the story, and I loved the names they gave them; Josephine and Arthur:) I Thought that I was the only one that named their plants:) My husband says it's so that I will know what name to put on their tombstones. Plants aren't ever long for this world when I'm in charge of them.
Karu's and Kyle's relationship was started off on the "right foot" from the beginning; first with friendship and then to love, and then to something more physical. There were some sad, almost heartbreaking moments but there were also many more moments of happiness and joy. It's an easy to read, easy to feel, easy to love, type of story.
Haru and Kyle first met in school when they were both students. Then ten years go by, and they lost track of one another, but neither of them forgot the other one. Haru lives and works in London, as a fashion designer, and Kyle has a life in Leeds as a brick worker. They accidently found one another online and have kept an online friendship. They are really opposites of one another and to further complicate matters, they live two hundred miles away from each other now. In spite of that they are still best friends. When Haur loses his job in London they finally meet in person again as adults...and the sparks between them can't be denied, nor do they wish them to be.
Haru is helping Kyle explore his dominant side. Haru's heart does funny things whenever Kyle compliments or praises him. But...there's always a "but" in these stories... Haru feels that he needs to return to London so he can search for another career in the fashion industry...but...here's another of those "buts"... Kyle is a homebody and needs to stay in Leeds to be near his mom and dad. His dad had already had one close-call medical emergency. The question...yeah, there's always one of those in these stories too...will Kyle have to be the "choice" Haru will have to make between their growing love and his career, or can they somehow, compromise and work something out?
I own several of Coleen Davidson's books, including of course, this one, and I have always liked her writings, so it was no surprise that I liked this one also. The two guys and their friendship made for a perfect, as well as a totally believable story. Oh....I almost forgot. Just wait until you meet the two cacti. I'm not joking...they added a real prickly part to the story, and I loved the names they gave them; Josephine and Arthur:) I Thought that I was the only one that named their plants:) My husband says it's so that I will know what name to put on their tombstones. Plants aren't ever long for this world when I'm in charge of them.
Karu's and Kyle's relationship was started off on the "right foot" from the beginning; first with friendship and then to love, and then to something more physical. There were some sad, almost heartbreaking moments but there were also many more moments of happiness and joy. It's an easy to read, easy to feel, easy to love, type of story.
August 28, 2023
Praising Haru is a sweet and steamy friends to lovers story. Kyle and Haru have been online friends for about a year. When Haru loses his job and finds himself back in his hometown where Kyle lives, they decide to meet up, and the attraction is immediate by both parties. The more time they spend together, the more they realize how perfect they are for one another and fall in love. Also, Haru introduces some new kinks to Kyle, and it was hot exploring their new experiences together and watching them grow, sexually and as a couple. Haru is torn between his dream job and dream guy. I loved this story and the characters. They were just so cute, sweet, and so loving and supportive of one another, so swoon worthy, especially the ending!! Really enjoyed and definitely recommend!
August 30, 2023
I have to admit it was a little disappointing. The kinky aspect mentioned in the synopsis were more like a vanilla version of it. Which I guess would be a good thing for someone who's not so sure about trying those kind of themes. But to me the praise kink was so repetitive that it became very boring and was pretty much limited to Haru . Same thing with the dirty talk where by the end of the book it felt more like porn dialogues than anything else 😅
I also think that the thing about them meeting in their teenage years and them both being adopted ended up mattering very little. It was brought up again near the end when but it was pretty anticlimactic. If they had simply met again through a dating app let's say when Haru was visiting his parents for a few days, never got to meet that time but kept in touch until he had to comeback, this book wouldn't change much.
I also think that the thing about them meeting in their teenage years and them both being adopted ended up mattering very little. It was brought up again near the end when but it was pretty anticlimactic. If they had simply met again through a dating app let's say when Haru was visiting his parents for a few days, never got to meet that time but kept in touch until he had to comeback, this book wouldn't change much.
May 31, 2024
1.5 stars, but rounding up because I actually finished this one. This book had the feel of like a fictionalized educational tract on how do to BDSM lite. It was so unbearably cheesy and instructive and polite that I was cringing the ENTIRE time. The premise is that Haru (a twinky clothing designer) and Kyle (a career bricklayer) are online buddies and end up meeting IRL. They immediately have mad chemistry and then end up in bed, but Haru has a praise kink (which I thought I would find hot, but actually just found kind of pathetic) and so he takes good old lad Kyle on this gentle kink journey that honestly was about as exciting as staring at the ceiling. Kyle laid it on so thick, every sentence ended in 'gorgeous' or 'pretty boy' or 'beautiful'. It was so grating after a while. All I felt for these boys was vague irritation. This book was like the mushy peas of kink - truly the most British BDSM novel I have ever read, and not in a good way.
September 3, 2023
**4.5**
Haru and Kyle make the most adorable non-couple. Online friends for most of a year, they build a really strong friendship starting with a huge amount of support after Kyle gets some shocking news. Being made redundant means Haru has to move back to Leeds for a while, until he's able to find a new job in fashion. The one bright spot is that Leeds has Kyle, meaning they can meet in person. Friendship soon comes with benefits and they easily move to include that he's aspect in their relationship. Haru also introduces Kyle to some kinks and they may align even better than either could have dared to hope for.
It makes for a low angst, easily enjoyable read that has a good amount of kink that both men explore together, meaning several hot and heavy scenes between them. The only worry is the expiry date hanging over their heads about when Haru goes back to London. They are clearly so perfect for each week their that it would be a travesty if they didn't get their own HEA. Definitely another recommended read from Colette Davison, I know I'm always guaranteed an entertaining story with lovable characters and a good kink relationship.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Haru and Kyle make the most adorable non-couple. Online friends for most of a year, they build a really strong friendship starting with a huge amount of support after Kyle gets some shocking news. Being made redundant means Haru has to move back to Leeds for a while, until he's able to find a new job in fashion. The one bright spot is that Leeds has Kyle, meaning they can meet in person. Friendship soon comes with benefits and they easily move to include that he's aspect in their relationship. Haru also introduces Kyle to some kinks and they may align even better than either could have dared to hope for.
It makes for a low angst, easily enjoyable read that has a good amount of kink that both men explore together, meaning several hot and heavy scenes between them. The only worry is the expiry date hanging over their heads about when Haru goes back to London. They are clearly so perfect for each week their that it would be a travesty if they didn't get their own HEA. Definitely another recommended read from Colette Davison, I know I'm always guaranteed an entertaining story with lovable characters and a good kink relationship.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
October 15, 2023
3.75 stars
This is just adorable. Haru and Kyle have a bit of a slow burn since the relationship starts online for a year. Once they meet in person, the smut makes an appearance. It's hot to read about Kyle praising Haru. Praise kink is one of my favorite types of kink, probably because my number one love language is words of affirmation. It also helps make the over the top declarations palatable instead of cringey. The conflict is also done very well, with no third act breakup. I can see revisiting this for a comfort read.
This is just adorable. Haru and Kyle have a bit of a slow burn since the relationship starts online for a year. Once they meet in person, the smut makes an appearance. It's hot to read about Kyle praising Haru. Praise kink is one of my favorite types of kink, probably because my number one love language is words of affirmation. It also helps make the over the top declarations palatable instead of cringey. The conflict is also done very well, with no third act breakup. I can see revisiting this for a comfort read.
March 7, 2025
Very sweet.
August 28, 2023
Praising Haru by Colette Davison is the story of Haru and Kyle. I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
October 8, 2023
Praising Haru is a hot 🔥🔥book to read if you love sexy scenes.
Kyle and Haru first meet while they are in school. Haru was being bullied but Kyle puts a stop to that fast.
Time jumps ten years; Kyle, 28 years, finds out he’s adopted and through a chat he reconnects to Haru, 22.
I was immediately drawn into their story.
Through the texting they become friends but when Haru moves back home their relationship starts a new steamy level. I loved the messaging stage in this with them getting to know each other.
The book has a perfect title which fits in the storyline for Haru. The second half they are having sex a lot what felt like every 5 minutes which was why Ive rated this a 4 star otherwise I would have love this one.
This was a gorgeous story of Haru trying to find his dream of a fashion designer again when he losses his job. Haru thought he need to be in London.
Hot sexy scenes and Kyle learns something new about himself from his friendship. A Dom and his boy discover kinks of praise, bondage and submission for their HEA ending.
Kyle and Haru first meet while they are in school. Haru was being bullied but Kyle puts a stop to that fast.
Time jumps ten years; Kyle, 28 years, finds out he’s adopted and through a chat he reconnects to Haru, 22.
I was immediately drawn into their story.
Through the texting they become friends but when Haru moves back home their relationship starts a new steamy level. I loved the messaging stage in this with them getting to know each other.
The book has a perfect title which fits in the storyline for Haru. The second half they are having sex a lot what felt like every 5 minutes which was why Ive rated this a 4 star otherwise I would have love this one.
This was a gorgeous story of Haru trying to find his dream of a fashion designer again when he losses his job. Haru thought he need to be in London.
Hot sexy scenes and Kyle learns something new about himself from his friendship. A Dom and his boy discover kinks of praise, bondage and submission for their HEA ending.
July 20, 2025
My issues with this book can be summed up in one word: Balance. This book is UNbalanced in several ways.
Characters:
Haru and Kyle are utter Mary Sues. In all of their interactions they show each other complete acceptance and validation. There are no annoying habits or irritating tics, no disagreements and barely any differences of opinion. They are both practically perfect in every way. In other words, completely unrealistic.
Relationship:
Haru and Kyle's relationship was unbalanced too. Everything was focused on Haru. Kyle gave and Haru took (outside their conversation about adoption and a few meals). The rest of the book focused on Kyle taking care of Haru, supporting Haru, encouraging Haru.... and Haru doing very little in return. And of course praising Haru, in almost every sentence, dozens of times in every paragraph. Like trying to sleep when you can hear water dripping, over and over until you can't stand it anymore. I started out liking Haru but by the end of the book I kind of thought he was a pampered brat who needed constant praise to function.
Even in bed all focus was on Haru and his kinks. Sure, Kyle enjoyed himself too but still. You'd think that Haru would think, "Our entire sex life revolves around catering to my kinks, maybe I should ask Kyle was his sexual fantasies are...." but nope, not even once.
Writing/plot:
The worst way that the book is unbalanced is in the plot. I actually liked the first part of the book, until they had sex for the first time. Then the plot completely dissolved. Then it was have sex - explore kink - have sex - talk about kink - all sex and no substance. I even started skimming the spicy scenes because I was just tired of it. Then when Haru finally gets a job offer and the plot picks up again, all of the sex scenes become off the page, no detail, fade to black. Until the plot is resolved, then there is another detailed scene. It's like the author can write plot or sex but not both at the same time. If the two had been mixed together more the book would have been better balanced and more enjoyable to read.
Characters:
Haru and Kyle are utter Mary Sues. In all of their interactions they show each other complete acceptance and validation. There are no annoying habits or irritating tics, no disagreements and barely any differences of opinion. They are both practically perfect in every way. In other words, completely unrealistic.
Relationship:
Haru and Kyle's relationship was unbalanced too. Everything was focused on Haru. Kyle gave and Haru took (outside their conversation about adoption and a few meals). The rest of the book focused on Kyle taking care of Haru, supporting Haru, encouraging Haru.... and Haru doing very little in return. And of course praising Haru, in almost every sentence, dozens of times in every paragraph. Like trying to sleep when you can hear water dripping, over and over until you can't stand it anymore. I started out liking Haru but by the end of the book I kind of thought he was a pampered brat who needed constant praise to function.
Even in bed all focus was on Haru and his kinks. Sure, Kyle enjoyed himself too but still. You'd think that Haru would think, "Our entire sex life revolves around catering to my kinks, maybe I should ask Kyle was his sexual fantasies are...." but nope, not even once.
Writing/plot:
The worst way that the book is unbalanced is in the plot. I actually liked the first part of the book, until they had sex for the first time. Then the plot completely dissolved. Then it was have sex - explore kink - have sex - talk about kink - all sex and no substance. I even started skimming the spicy scenes because I was just tired of it. Then when Haru finally gets a job offer and the plot picks up again, all of the sex scenes become off the page, no detail, fade to black. Until the plot is resolved, then there is another detailed scene. It's like the author can write plot or sex but not both at the same time. If the two had been mixed together more the book would have been better balanced and more enjoyable to read.
February 12, 2025
📚 Parto con il dire che ho già avuto il piacere di leggere altro dell'autrice, ed era stata una lettura leggera, dolce e delicata. Iniziando questo (a scatola chiusa) mi aspettavo esattamente questo ma... invece no.
📚 Praising Haru è la storia di Haru, per l'appunto, vittima di bullismo sin dalle scuole medie che viene "salvato" da Kyle 11 anni prima dell'inizio della nostra storia. Si rincontrano, per così dire, su un forum di persone adottate e da lì inizieranno a sentirsi costantemente per messaggi per il successivo anno.
📚 Questa storia mi ha stupito perché sicuramente non mi aspettavo dinamiche kinky e BDSM e quando l'ho capito ne ero per metà estasiata perché ormai sapete che adoro il genere e per metà un pochino frustrata perché avevo bisogno di altro in questo momento ma l'ho comunque concluso e apprezzato.
📚 Andiamo alle criticità: questo libro è estremamente ripetitivo, credo di aver letto la parola "lodato" in tutte le sue forme almeno un centinaio di volte e lo stesso vale per termini come "bellezza" e "dolcezza".
📚 Lo definirei uno spicy without plot, perché alla fin fine, in quanto a trama, non succede assolutamente niente, sono descritte dinamiche della vita quotidiana, il sogno di un designer che vuole affermarsi, la problematicità di una possibile relazione a distanza, l'angst sta letteralmente a 0 e anche lo spicy non l'ho trovato granché.
📚 Detto questo, però, non posso non consigliarvelo perché, nonostante la scrittura decisamente troppo immediata, è un libro che ha in sé, nonostante le tematiche, una dolcezza di fondo, un golden boy (Kyle) che è estremamente adorabile soprattutto con Haru, è un tuffo in dinamiche che si affrontano giornalmente con quella dose di smut che male di certo non fa.
📚 Comunque, anche se ne sono uscita leggermente delusa da questa lettura, soprattutto perché cercavo altro quindi magari non l'ho apprezzato fino in fondo anche per questo, leggerò sicuramente altri suoi titoli.
📚 Praising Haru è la storia di Haru, per l'appunto, vittima di bullismo sin dalle scuole medie che viene "salvato" da Kyle 11 anni prima dell'inizio della nostra storia. Si rincontrano, per così dire, su un forum di persone adottate e da lì inizieranno a sentirsi costantemente per messaggi per il successivo anno.
📚 Questa storia mi ha stupito perché sicuramente non mi aspettavo dinamiche kinky e BDSM e quando l'ho capito ne ero per metà estasiata perché ormai sapete che adoro il genere e per metà un pochino frustrata perché avevo bisogno di altro in questo momento ma l'ho comunque concluso e apprezzato.
📚 Andiamo alle criticità: questo libro è estremamente ripetitivo, credo di aver letto la parola "lodato" in tutte le sue forme almeno un centinaio di volte e lo stesso vale per termini come "bellezza" e "dolcezza".
📚 Lo definirei uno spicy without plot, perché alla fin fine, in quanto a trama, non succede assolutamente niente, sono descritte dinamiche della vita quotidiana, il sogno di un designer che vuole affermarsi, la problematicità di una possibile relazione a distanza, l'angst sta letteralmente a 0 e anche lo spicy non l'ho trovato granché.
📚 Detto questo, però, non posso non consigliarvelo perché, nonostante la scrittura decisamente troppo immediata, è un libro che ha in sé, nonostante le tematiche, una dolcezza di fondo, un golden boy (Kyle) che è estremamente adorabile soprattutto con Haru, è un tuffo in dinamiche che si affrontano giornalmente con quella dose di smut che male di certo non fa.
📚 Comunque, anche se ne sono uscita leggermente delusa da questa lettura, soprattutto perché cercavo altro quindi magari non l'ho apprezzato fino in fondo anche per questo, leggerò sicuramente altri suoi titoli.
August 26, 2023
Sometimes you can’t help falling for someone even when it’s meant to stay casual. That’s the dilemma Haru and Kyle find themselves in after a year of chatting and supporting one another over something they have in common: being adopted. When Kyle finds out he’s adopted at age 28, he reaches out to a support forum for adoptees and Haru--who has known he was adopted his whole life--is the one to come to his aid. The same way Kyle came to Haru’s rescue when they were kids, as it turns out.
I loved that Kyle had already saved Haru and demonstrated his caregiver aptitude even back then. And then Haru got to come to Kyle’s rescue 10 years later when Kyle was the one in need of help. I thought that was just beautifully poetic. They take care of each other from then on, even if Kyle is the one that’s more in the “taking-care-of-you” role for a lot of their friendship and casual relationship once they meet again face to face in their hometown. Despite their plans to keep casual and fun, despite knowing it can’t last forever since Haru plans to move away again when he gets a new job, their fling turns into something deeper and more meaningful as they get to know one another on a different level, while exploring their desires and Kyle’s first steps into the kink world together. The journey they take together is absolutely beautiful to witness.
I loved that Kyle had already saved Haru and demonstrated his caregiver aptitude even back then. And then Haru got to come to Kyle’s rescue 10 years later when Kyle was the one in need of help. I thought that was just beautifully poetic. They take care of each other from then on, even if Kyle is the one that’s more in the “taking-care-of-you” role for a lot of their friendship and casual relationship once they meet again face to face in their hometown. Despite their plans to keep casual and fun, despite knowing it can’t last forever since Haru plans to move away again when he gets a new job, their fling turns into something deeper and more meaningful as they get to know one another on a different level, while exploring their desires and Kyle’s first steps into the kink world together. The journey they take together is absolutely beautiful to witness.
July 25, 2025
This should have been right up my alley but I just found it so boring. I really liked the beginning but then as soon as Haru and Kyle got together it just became blah. The kink was boring. And I never thought I would say this in my life, but there was too much praise. It just felt disingenuous and clunky. Everything just kind of went fine all the time, there wasn't any conflict between Haru and Kyle, there was just the problem of Haru maybe moving back to London but for a fashion designer (very competitive) he doesn't hustle at all, he applied to a few jobs and was like ahhh well they haven't called me back so idk what to do. Come on, even Andy Sachs (Devil Wears Prada) brought news articles and talked about shit she wrote. Everything Haru did, Kyle liked, and vice versa, all his food he cooked was perfect, all his reactions were perfect, Kyle was super hot, lalala. I would have expected some differing values from a book that has a character exploring kink for the first time. For example maybe Kyle was always rough with his past lovers but Haru likes it gentler and to be praised. Also there was really very little discussion of anything Kyle wanted to do, it was just kind of the Haru show? Finally literally every chapter Haru shivers at something Kyle says, I almost DNF'd it a few times just because of that.
August 28, 2023
Rating: 5
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
MM | friends to lovers | BDSM / kink | size difference
This story really had everything I could have asked for; Praising Haru was a well written, sweet, steamy and kinky read with adorable characters!
I loved the background these two shared, their chance meetings and online chatting, and it was lovely to see their friendship develop through their messages. I found the format and the time jumps at the beginning a little confusing, but once the present time story got going the story totally drew me in.
Haru and Kyle had such amazing chemistry, and they were just the sweetest. I really enjoyed their kink explorations - the praise was great and I loved the bondage and D/s dynamic they explored as well. Everything between them felt so natural and seamless, and I adored the way they took care of each other.
There was a depth to the characters, and even if they were opposites in a lot of ways, they still had things in common that they bonded over. Their cuddles and how they shared their favourite books by reading out loud to each other melted my heart. So. Much. Sweetness!
I completely adored Kyle and Haru - their story was a delightful, steamy and heartwarming read!
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
MM | friends to lovers | BDSM / kink | size difference
This story really had everything I could have asked for; Praising Haru was a well written, sweet, steamy and kinky read with adorable characters!
I loved the background these two shared, their chance meetings and online chatting, and it was lovely to see their friendship develop through their messages. I found the format and the time jumps at the beginning a little confusing, but once the present time story got going the story totally drew me in.
Haru and Kyle had such amazing chemistry, and they were just the sweetest. I really enjoyed their kink explorations - the praise was great and I loved the bondage and D/s dynamic they explored as well. Everything between them felt so natural and seamless, and I adored the way they took care of each other.
There was a depth to the characters, and even if they were opposites in a lot of ways, they still had things in common that they bonded over. Their cuddles and how they shared their favourite books by reading out loud to each other melted my heart. So. Much. Sweetness!
I completely adored Kyle and Haru - their story was a delightful, steamy and heartwarming read!
August 28, 2023
I adored this book. It’s simply a well written contemporary story of two men slowly falling in love. While the two meeting rather briefly early-on in life, they do not meet again until many years later, online. Over the course of many chats, then texts, the two men get to know one another until an unfortunate occurrence has them both living back in the same city, where they can meet again in person, and find their mutual online attraction can turn into more.
There’s definitely a kink theme to the story, but despite the title, I don’t think it’s necessarily a kink-focused book. The author weaves the kink in a way that enhances the story and the relationship without it being the main focus of the story. There’s also no insta-love; I appreciated the story spanned some time over the online interactions to give a more realistic feeling to the development of the relationship.
The two boys were also genuinely lovely characters who were easy to read, easy to relate to, and very enjoyable to get to know and to watch develop into an amazing couple.
There’s definitely a kink theme to the story, but despite the title, I don’t think it’s necessarily a kink-focused book. The author weaves the kink in a way that enhances the story and the relationship without it being the main focus of the story. There’s also no insta-love; I appreciated the story spanned some time over the online interactions to give a more realistic feeling to the development of the relationship.
The two boys were also genuinely lovely characters who were easy to read, easy to relate to, and very enjoyable to get to know and to watch develop into an amazing couple.
September 13, 2023
The perfect mix of sweet & kink! My favourite :)
I loved how we follow their relationship through time and how it goes against some cliche. I think it would have been easy to make the “oh you saved me 10 years ago, I had such a crush on you” an easy plot but the author didn’t and surprised me nicely all along. I loved that I honestly didn’t guess how they could solve their issue and I loved that Haru was so confident about kink. As soon as he talks about it to Kyle he’s not hesitant, he knows what he likes and he knows how to explain everything to his friend. It was refreshing not to have this being a big secret or a shameful admission for him. It was nice to see Kyle learn about his dom side as well.
The adoption stories were interesting and overall it was a very sweet and stress free read with a good side of steam!
I’ve read other books by this author this year and she knows how to combine steam and feelings well!
There was nothing I didn’t like in the book.
(Oh there was a mini continuity error but it was a detail and I noticed it in a sweet scene so I didn’t mind :D)
I loved how we follow their relationship through time and how it goes against some cliche. I think it would have been easy to make the “oh you saved me 10 years ago, I had such a crush on you” an easy plot but the author didn’t and surprised me nicely all along. I loved that I honestly didn’t guess how they could solve their issue and I loved that Haru was so confident about kink. As soon as he talks about it to Kyle he’s not hesitant, he knows what he likes and he knows how to explain everything to his friend. It was refreshing not to have this being a big secret or a shameful admission for him. It was nice to see Kyle learn about his dom side as well.
The adoption stories were interesting and overall it was a very sweet and stress free read with a good side of steam!
I’ve read other books by this author this year and she knows how to combine steam and feelings well!
There was nothing I didn’t like in the book.
(Oh there was a mini continuity error but it was a detail and I noticed it in a sweet scene so I didn’t mind :D)
August 30, 2023
Haru and Kyle met ten years ago and they maintained an online friendship. They are opposites and live two hundred miles apart but are also best friends. When they meet for real sparks fly between them and Haru helps him explore his dominant side as Haru's heart flutters whenever he is praised by Kyle. But Haru wants to return to London to work in the fashion industry whereas Kyle is a brickie and a homebody who wants to stay near to his family. Will there have to be a choice between Kyle and Haru's career or will everything work out?
I really liked this story of the two men with a common background and their friendship which was lovely to see. I loved the name of the cactus lol Their relationship was perfect from the start with their friendship and then they changed to something more physical and then love. There were sad heartbreaking moments but also moments of happiness and joy. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.
I really liked this story of the two men with a common background and their friendship which was lovely to see. I loved the name of the cactus lol Their relationship was perfect from the start with their friendship and then they changed to something more physical and then love. There were sad heartbreaking moments but also moments of happiness and joy. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.
December 31, 2023
Oh this was so freakin' cute
This book was adorable in every sense of the word. Kyle and Haru were so sweet together. They clearly have no understanding of what a friend's benefits relationship is but are now what I want from my friends with benefits relationship stories. I loved the family aspects, the friendships, The really sweet author note at the end that almost made me cry, just everything about this. It's on the sweeter side of kink and with dark romance taking over, I don't think we see too much of that these days so it was a nice reprieve. Don't get me wrong, the smut was still filthy but in a sweet way.
If you're looking for a comfort read or something sweet but still really emotional and flushed out, I think you will love this. Colette Davison never fails. Five stars because seriously don't skip the author note at the end.
This book was adorable in every sense of the word. Kyle and Haru were so sweet together. They clearly have no understanding of what a friend's benefits relationship is but are now what I want from my friends with benefits relationship stories. I loved the family aspects, the friendships, The really sweet author note at the end that almost made me cry, just everything about this. It's on the sweeter side of kink and with dark romance taking over, I don't think we see too much of that these days so it was a nice reprieve. Don't get me wrong, the smut was still filthy but in a sweet way.
If you're looking for a comfort read or something sweet but still really emotional and flushed out, I think you will love this. Colette Davison never fails. Five stars because seriously don't skip the author note at the end.
August 28, 2023
This is a very sexy romance that is also incredibly sweet.
Haru and Kyle had a brief meeting at school, where Kyle showed his heroic side. When they two find each other on an adoption site, despite not knowing each other’s identities, it is Haru’s turn to come to Kyle’s aid.
I love everything about these men!
A friends with benefits relationship is all the two can promise each other since Haru has big plans for his future, but they grow closer every day. They are enamored with each other, and it’s easy for Kyle to engage in the praise kink Haru enjoys. Watching their feelings blossom into something amazing is very satisfying.
I adore this couple and their story. The friendship is special, the kink is fun and sexy, and the love is real. I will read this again.
Haru and Kyle had a brief meeting at school, where Kyle showed his heroic side. When they two find each other on an adoption site, despite not knowing each other’s identities, it is Haru’s turn to come to Kyle’s aid.
I love everything about these men!
A friends with benefits relationship is all the two can promise each other since Haru has big plans for his future, but they grow closer every day. They are enamored with each other, and it’s easy for Kyle to engage in the praise kink Haru enjoys. Watching their feelings blossom into something amazing is very satisfying.
I adore this couple and their story. The friendship is special, the kink is fun and sexy, and the love is real. I will read this again.
August 28, 2023
Kyle and Haru met briefly in secondary school when Kyle stood up for Haru when he was being bullied. Fast forward 10 years and they start talking on an adoption message board after Kyle finds out he was adopted. They grow close. When Haru loses his job and has to move back to live with his parents in Leeds, they decide to meet up and there's an instant connection and chemistry between them. Kyle has always been quite vanilla but Haru has a praise kink but Kyle embraces it. They fall for each other but the elephant in the room still is the fact Haru feels he needs to find another job in London but Kyle encourages him to believe in his own designs and show him that he can be happy in Leeds. I thought it was such an adorable, sweet and hot story. The story had me hooked from the start.
August 30, 2023
Praising Haru By Colette Davison. I enjoyed this book, the characters are cute and fun and the plot is set out in two different ways, through the chat messages and the story. They met at school, and years later Kyle finds he's adopted when his father is ill and he posts to a forum and Haru answers his post, from there they post n text, discovering new things about each other as the months go past. Haru work closes down and he moves back home. They decide to meet and the heat goes from there, like they were ment to be together. The book is both awwww so cute, but also hard hitting with family truths, dominant/submissive and we mustn't forget Arthur he's the most prickly character in the book (shh he's a cactus)
September 4, 2023
This is yet another example of why I love Davison’s writing. Each book is just a little different and even if it follows a common trope, there’s always something unique about each story. In this case, the relationship between Kyle and Haru develops over time and we get to see that evolution - before they even meet! Through a chance of fate they end up in the same place and then things heat up. Davison has a unique way of exploring kink in that each character really is a little different — and Kyle and Haru are no different. In this case it’s not a kinky story per se, more the relationship happens to have kink. These two are adorable and wonderful and squeezable and yes just go ahead and read it and feel good.
September 8, 2023
This is such a sweet story. Like beyond sweet, from start to finish. Kyle is a caretaker, understanding, and one hundred percent perfect for Haru. Haru had a sad start when he had to deal with bullies, but he thrived in reaching for his design dreams. There was a bit of a lull in the middle of the story, yes we know you plan on leaving back to London Haru, yes we know you’re great at praising Haru Kyle. But the last third of the book picked up and brought me right back in to the story. Kudos to friend Hayley. She gives good dang advice and she is a smart cookie. Helped these love bugs realize there are more options in life than you think. Very good story. Plus, Colette’s author’s note is so awesome and uplifting. Love you girl.
August 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. It was amazing seeing how Kyle begins his journey discovering his Dom/kinky side. He learns how to praise Haru, and even if he second-guess himself, he tries and trust Haru to tell him if he did anything wrong. Praise kink isn't often showed, and it was very nice reading about it.
I liked how Colette faced the adoption topic, focusing more on the "you're my parents regardless" than the "why my birth parents didn't want me".
The change your dream philosophy resonated with me a lot, I felt exactly like Haru when that happened to me.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.
I liked how Colette faced the adoption topic, focusing more on the "you're my parents regardless" than the "why my birth parents didn't want me".
The change your dream philosophy resonated with me a lot, I felt exactly like Haru when that happened to me.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.
August 28, 2023
This book was full of sweetness and feels - from the first time they met to the present, Kyle has proven that he's a protector and that he can adapt. Haru is just tired of being beat up and let down... and it's lovely that they grow closer as friends who text long before meeting up and finding out that they're attracted to each other...
This book is well balanced with lovely feels, some exploratory bondage, lots of praise and cuddles and a chance for two men to truly find themselves in each other. It was a quick read and the dash of angst comes from life outside the relationship impacting the burgeoning love.
This book is well balanced with lovely feels, some exploratory bondage, lots of praise and cuddles and a chance for two men to truly find themselves in each other. It was a quick read and the dash of angst comes from life outside the relationship impacting the burgeoning love.
August 30, 2023
Gahhh Colette has done it to me again, made me fall head over heels for these two cuties.
For me this was everything that exploring sex and kinks should be, it was fun,sweet,respectful and showed great communication between Haru and Kyle. These two are on fire together and even though Kyle is exploring a new side to himself you can really see the care giver in him shining through which helps to make him such a kind and caring Sir. Kyle really is Perfect for Haru and when they met again via a forum neither of them would have thought anything would happen between them. Kyle and Haru really feel like they are each others missing piece.
For me this was everything that exploring sex and kinks should be, it was fun,sweet,respectful and showed great communication between Haru and Kyle. These two are on fire together and even though Kyle is exploring a new side to himself you can really see the care giver in him shining through which helps to make him such a kind and caring Sir. Kyle really is Perfect for Haru and when they met again via a forum neither of them would have thought anything would happen between them. Kyle and Haru really feel like they are each others missing piece.
August 28, 2023
Haru and Kyle were so sweet together. Kyle came to Haru's rescue when he was just a boy, and years later, Haru kind of returns the favor. Their friendship blossoms and turns sexy when Haru is forced to return to his hometown, where Kyle still resides. Even though things are supposed to be casual, the heart wants what it wants and deeper feelings start to emerge. I loved how Kyle listened to Haru's passionate requests and was more than willing to try things that were new to him. The communication between these two was beautiful and their scenes were scorching!
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