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Christmas Daddies #2
You Can Count On Me
They say you should love thy neighbor, but I don’t think they meant it the way I want to love mine.
Miles “Rooster” Johnson: As a young single-dad with a teaching job, I haven’t had much opportunity to date. My son is my entire world, and though I would love to have a partner and someone to count on, the passing years have shown that it’s just not in the cards for me. So when the gorgeous lumberjack of a man—the same man that I’ve had a massive crush on since the moment we became neighbors—suddenly asks me out on a date, I’m completely blindsided. Trent could have anyone he wants. He’s charming, flirtatious, and outgoing—the exact opposite of my awkward, anxious self. I don’t know what he sees in me. All I know for sure is that I absolutely need to make this date go well.
Trent Montgomery: I know I have a playboy reputation in our small town, but there’s nothing wrong with playing the field. It’s worked for me so far, even if I have felt some discontent lately. My mama thinks I need to settle down and find someone nice. But she doesn’t understand that I’m just not ready. No matter how beautiful and tempting my neighbor Rooster is or how eager I am to get the silent mountain of a man to open up—no matter how adorable his little boy is, even when he’s threatening me at bat-point to take his daddy out on a date—I know I can’t be everything that they need. I agreed to ask Rooster out, but I think maybe I made a big mistake. All I know for sure is that I absolutely need to sabotage this date.
You Can Count On Me is a standalone slow burn Holiday MM romance with high heat, a HEA, and no cliffhangers. With a blossoming friends-to-lovers romance between a single father and his adorably flirty neighbor, together these two are warm, young, and tooth-achingly sweet. If you like funny stories with too many dad jokes, holiday magic, positive mental health rep, primal play, graphic steam, and the slowest, sweetest of all burns then read on!
Miles “Rooster” Johnson: As a young single-dad with a teaching job, I haven’t had much opportunity to date. My son is my entire world, and though I would love to have a partner and someone to count on, the passing years have shown that it’s just not in the cards for me. So when the gorgeous lumberjack of a man—the same man that I’ve had a massive crush on since the moment we became neighbors—suddenly asks me out on a date, I’m completely blindsided. Trent could have anyone he wants. He’s charming, flirtatious, and outgoing—the exact opposite of my awkward, anxious self. I don’t know what he sees in me. All I know for sure is that I absolutely need to make this date go well.
Trent Montgomery: I know I have a playboy reputation in our small town, but there’s nothing wrong with playing the field. It’s worked for me so far, even if I have felt some discontent lately. My mama thinks I need to settle down and find someone nice. But she doesn’t understand that I’m just not ready. No matter how beautiful and tempting my neighbor Rooster is or how eager I am to get the silent mountain of a man to open up—no matter how adorable his little boy is, even when he’s threatening me at bat-point to take his daddy out on a date—I know I can’t be everything that they need. I agreed to ask Rooster out, but I think maybe I made a big mistake. All I know for sure is that I absolutely need to sabotage this date.
You Can Count On Me is a standalone slow burn Holiday MM romance with high heat, a HEA, and no cliffhangers. With a blossoming friends-to-lovers romance between a single father and his adorably flirty neighbor, together these two are warm, young, and tooth-achingly sweet. If you like funny stories with too many dad jokes, holiday magic, positive mental health rep, primal play, graphic steam, and the slowest, sweetest of all burns then read on!
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2023
377 people are currently reading
2795 people want to read
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November 11, 2023
i honestly don’t know how to explain how much i love this🥹 i was a little nervous at first because Trent was flirty and had much more experience, i wasn’t sure if i would love him but oh boy i was so wrong🫣
Miles had Trent wrapped around his finger from the very first weeks. Trent would do anything for him and his son Bubba(his green eyed babies)😭
🫀 Miles was everything I’d never known I needed. Serious when he needed to be, loyal, protective—and yet…playful, soft, and needy.
He was the kind of person that made a house a home.
Trent was lonely for a while and he didn’t think he could have a family and that he was not worth it. he looked so confident outside but he had his own demons and insecurities and i loved seeing how he overcome those insecurities for himself and for a future with his green eyed babies 💚
🫀 Trent Montgomery was a happy ending if I ever saw one. He had a pretty-pretty smile like a fairytale prince, and he wanted to save me.
Miles🥹🥹he was so shy and anxious that he couldn’t even speak with Trent at first(lila and i were waiting for him to speak *patiently*) he had a hard childhood with his mom and bullies so he was struggling with things in life. they healed each other😭🩷
🫀 “I think he loves you,” Bubba said, and my heart stopped. “I’d tell you not to hurt him, but I don’t think you ever would. I think Pops loves you, but I think you love him more. And maybe now you’re around I don’t have to protect him anymore. You can do it for me.”
i want myself a Bubba🤚🏻 his tiny back must be hurting from carrying the book on his back🤭 he was so wise for an eleven years old boy and i loved that he cared about his pops so much🥹
🧿 there was no drama, lots of fluff and lots of emotions and tears🥹 it’s low angst with many domestic scenes like cooking, dancing, taking care of while sick and i adored every second of this book! 💖
🩵 “God, you have the prettiest damn smile I’ve ever seen, you know that? Prettier than sunsets over the mountaintops, or dew on grass, or the lake my dad took us to when we were little. If I could bottle it up like sunshine I would. Put it on my mantel and save it for a rainy day when I need it the most.”
💜 “Husband?” I asked.
“Husbands.” he agreed.
🩶 He was comfort.
He was companionship.
He was tranquil lake water and tumbled river stones.
He was innocence. First love the way it’s meant to be.
He was happy days, butterflies, and the promise of a future all wrapped in a big cow print covered body.
I couldn’t lose him.
my only complaint is some of the word choices🫣 if i don’t see yummy or squelch words ever again i will be a happy person🤚🏻 the words traumatized us😔
the best thing about this was reading it with lila 🩷 🥹 iloveyousomuch🫵🏼 💖
(this one is for my lila because she loves the pictures)
~~~~~
reading with my lovely lila 🩷
Miles had Trent wrapped around his finger from the very first weeks. Trent would do anything for him and his son Bubba(his green eyed babies)😭
🫀 Miles was everything I’d never known I needed. Serious when he needed to be, loyal, protective—and yet…playful, soft, and needy.
He was the kind of person that made a house a home.
Trent was lonely for a while and he didn’t think he could have a family and that he was not worth it. he looked so confident outside but he had his own demons and insecurities and i loved seeing how he overcome those insecurities for himself and for a future with his green eyed babies 💚
🫀 Trent Montgomery was a happy ending if I ever saw one. He had a pretty-pretty smile like a fairytale prince, and he wanted to save me.
Miles🥹🥹he was so shy and anxious that he couldn’t even speak with Trent at first(lila and i were waiting for him to speak *patiently*) he had a hard childhood with his mom and bullies so he was struggling with things in life. they healed each other😭🩷
🫀 “I think he loves you,” Bubba said, and my heart stopped. “I’d tell you not to hurt him, but I don’t think you ever would. I think Pops loves you, but I think you love him more. And maybe now you’re around I don’t have to protect him anymore. You can do it for me.”
i want myself a Bubba🤚🏻 his tiny back must be hurting from carrying the book on his back🤭 he was so wise for an eleven years old boy and i loved that he cared about his pops so much🥹
🧿 there was no drama, lots of fluff and lots of emotions and tears🥹 it’s low angst with many domestic scenes like cooking, dancing, taking care of while sick and i adored every second of this book! 💖
🩵 “God, you have the prettiest damn smile I’ve ever seen, you know that? Prettier than sunsets over the mountaintops, or dew on grass, or the lake my dad took us to when we were little. If I could bottle it up like sunshine I would. Put it on my mantel and save it for a rainy day when I need it the most.”
💜 “Husband?” I asked.
“Husbands.” he agreed.
🩶 He was comfort.
He was companionship.
He was tranquil lake water and tumbled river stones.
He was innocence. First love the way it’s meant to be.
He was happy days, butterflies, and the promise of a future all wrapped in a big cow print covered body.
I couldn’t lose him.
my only complaint is some of the word choices🫣 if i don’t see yummy or squelch words ever again i will be a happy person🤚🏻 the words traumatized us😔
the best thing about this was reading it with lila 🩷 🥹 iloveyousomuch🫵🏼 💖
(this one is for my lila because she loves the pictures)
~~~~~
reading with my lovely lila 🩷
Read
December 12, 2023DNF @50%
I know I know , everybody loves this , it’s Christmassy and sweet and bla bla and I’m a witch for dissing it . Last year I tried with the previous book and dnf it because reasons and then everybody looooved it and I thought maybe I had been in a bad mood and maybe I misjudged the book . So I started this one (it’s also true that it’s the covers’ fault, they’re extremely pretty and attractive) and I still have to dnf.
Look, this author is very promising, I don’t dislike her writing in general but her characters are not the most realistic, on the contrary they’re usually OTT , either in their kindness and sweetness or their pettiness and assholery.
This book started great, I loved both characters, I liked the snarky, cocky slutty and commitment-phobic neighbor and the shy,awkward and anxiety-ridden single dad (I also ADORED the kid).
Their first date was a train wreck and it broke my heart and made my eyes wet a bit-I love this sort of dynamics, where in the beginning one guy doesn’t find the other guy attractive or interesting and he wants to get rid of him (without being an asshole about it) and then he slowly starts to see what a stand up guy he is and falls for him. And I thought this is what the book was aiming for but apparently not because LITTERALY the next day the commitment-phobic neighbor suddenly develops a huge crush on the single dad. Out of the freaking blue he’s in love !! He was so adamant and very vocal against settling down and 2 days later he sees himself occupying the third chair at Miles’ table and in his house.
And I would have understood this intense insta love if this had been a short Christmassy book but it’s 405 pages, ppl!! 405 pages and the guy was in love by 10%!
Another thing that made this insta love so ..annoying is the fact that the book has way way too little dialogues and every freaking thing happens off page. Pages and pages of internal monologue. And look, I know the author can write, ok? She is skilled and she tries to insert some good prose in there but for the love of all that’s holy, please cut back the bla bla bla . On top of the fact that there is little dialogue, the little there was was always interrupted by the characters’ repeated musings about their childhoods or feelings or how the other Mc looks like when he bends over. Just like that, in the middle of a dialogue!! I had to skip page after page of bla bla to see the answer to a question the other Mc had asked 6 pages before!
Very very little action happens on page. For instance I’m at 50% and apart from a single sentence I didn’t see a dialogue between Miles and his son !! There is no interaction between them, it’s always Bubba and Trent. And this is not an exaggeration . The same with the guys, we are being told but we see very little of them doing things together .
“When I was with Rooster, the darkness disappeared—like magic. We could be doing something as simple as sharing a beer on the couch, or playing catch with Bubs in his front yard, and that was all it took for the doubts to flee like they’d never been there in the first place. He was light. With his snort-laughs, his lemon cookies, and the audiobooks he always paused when I came into the room”
Umm, when did this happen?? We only saw their trick or treat and when they made art craft for Mile’s school. Other than that we don’t see him interacting on page, only in their internal musings while remembering.
Also, THAT kind of intensity and “OMG he is EVERYTHING” is kind of weird coming from a guy who for 5 years didn’t give a fuck about you and your kid. Where’s this..adoration coming from? It’s been 2 weeks in which Miles didn’t say a word because of his anxiety. Not even a single word (again, not an exaggeration).
There were a few more niggles, like how could Miles function alone as a father for 11 years when he apparently needed someone to take care of him all the time because as far as we could see he couldn’t find himself in any kind of (mildly) stressful situation without having a huge anxiety and panic attacks? How come he doesn’t see a therapist for them?
I also HAVE TO mention how incredibly shitty is Trent’s mother.She met them in the restaurant and she simply didn’t acknowledged Miles, she didn’t even say hello considering she was Miles’s boss and a school principal!! And not only that, in front of Miles she asks her son if that was a date or he’ll just fuck Miles . As if Miles weren’t even there. As I said, OTT, because I really don’t think a school principal can be so crass in front of one of her teachers (in public at least).
So you can stone me all you like but I didn’t like this book either. The guys are great at first but the author creates too much internal melodrama and she makes her characters too OTT and intense with absolutely no reason. Not to mention her overcomplicated way to paint a simple picture and dragging a quite simple story for over 400 pages.
I know I know , everybody loves this , it’s Christmassy and sweet and bla bla and I’m a witch for dissing it . Last year I tried with the previous book and dnf it because reasons and then everybody looooved it and I thought maybe I had been in a bad mood and maybe I misjudged the book . So I started this one (it’s also true that it’s the covers’ fault, they’re extremely pretty and attractive) and I still have to dnf.
Look, this author is very promising, I don’t dislike her writing in general but her characters are not the most realistic, on the contrary they’re usually OTT , either in their kindness and sweetness or their pettiness and assholery.
This book started great, I loved both characters, I liked the snarky, cocky slutty and commitment-phobic neighbor and the shy,awkward and anxiety-ridden single dad (I also ADORED the kid).
Their first date was a train wreck and it broke my heart and made my eyes wet a bit-I love this sort of dynamics, where in the beginning one guy doesn’t find the other guy attractive or interesting and he wants to get rid of him (without being an asshole about it) and then he slowly starts to see what a stand up guy he is and falls for him. And I thought this is what the book was aiming for but apparently not because LITTERALY the next day the commitment-phobic neighbor suddenly develops a huge crush on the single dad. Out of the freaking blue he’s in love !! He was so adamant and very vocal against settling down and 2 days later he sees himself occupying the third chair at Miles’ table and in his house.
And I would have understood this intense insta love if this had been a short Christmassy book but it’s 405 pages, ppl!! 405 pages and the guy was in love by 10%!
Another thing that made this insta love so ..annoying is the fact that the book has way way too little dialogues and every freaking thing happens off page. Pages and pages of internal monologue. And look, I know the author can write, ok? She is skilled and she tries to insert some good prose in there but for the love of all that’s holy, please cut back the bla bla bla . On top of the fact that there is little dialogue, the little there was was always interrupted by the characters’ repeated musings about their childhoods or feelings or how the other Mc looks like when he bends over. Just like that, in the middle of a dialogue!! I had to skip page after page of bla bla to see the answer to a question the other Mc had asked 6 pages before!
Very very little action happens on page. For instance I’m at 50% and apart from a single sentence I didn’t see a dialogue between Miles and his son !! There is no interaction between them, it’s always Bubba and Trent. And this is not an exaggeration . The same with the guys, we are being told but we see very little of them doing things together .
“When I was with Rooster, the darkness disappeared—like magic. We could be doing something as simple as sharing a beer on the couch, or playing catch with Bubs in his front yard, and that was all it took for the doubts to flee like they’d never been there in the first place. He was light. With his snort-laughs, his lemon cookies, and the audiobooks he always paused when I came into the room”
Umm, when did this happen?? We only saw their trick or treat and when they made art craft for Mile’s school. Other than that we don’t see him interacting on page, only in their internal musings while remembering.
Also, THAT kind of intensity and “OMG he is EVERYTHING” is kind of weird coming from a guy who for 5 years didn’t give a fuck about you and your kid. Where’s this..adoration coming from? It’s been 2 weeks in which Miles didn’t say a word because of his anxiety. Not even a single word (again, not an exaggeration).
There were a few more niggles, like how could Miles function alone as a father for 11 years when he apparently needed someone to take care of him all the time because as far as we could see he couldn’t find himself in any kind of (mildly) stressful situation without having a huge anxiety and panic attacks? How come he doesn’t see a therapist for them?
I also HAVE TO mention how incredibly shitty is Trent’s mother.She met them in the restaurant and she simply didn’t acknowledged Miles, she didn’t even say hello considering she was Miles’s boss and a school principal!! And not only that, in front of Miles she asks her son if that was a date or he’ll just fuck Miles . As if Miles weren’t even there. As I said, OTT, because I really don’t think a school principal can be so crass in front of one of her teachers (in public at least).
So you can stone me all you like but I didn’t like this book either. The guys are great at first but the author creates too much internal melodrama and she makes her characters too OTT and intense with absolutely no reason. Not to mention her overcomplicated way to paint a simple picture and dragging a quite simple story for over 400 pages.
December 18, 2023
IF YOU WANT TO BE KICKING YOUR FEET BACK AND FORTH AND GIGGLING LIKE A SCHOOL GIRL, READ THIS!
November 12, 2023
~4.5~
This is an absolutely gorgeous, well-written story with complex characters, a slow burn, and great dialogue.
Suffering from severe anxiety that renders him selectively mute, Miles has been crushing on his sexy neighbor, Trent, for years. Miles is the sweetest bear of a man, but he doubts himself every step of the way.
Miles' son, Bubba, takes matter into his own hands and threatens (as much as a skinny 10-year-old science nerd can threaten) Trent with bodily harm if he doesn't take his dad on a date. Trent sleeps around and doesn't do commitments. He has a bad case of imposter syndrome
Needless to say, the first date is terrible in every way.
Miles doesn't say one word and spills spaghetti all over himself, and Trent, while surface nice, doesn't try to understand or help Miles. He writes Miles off before the date even begins, then ends the evening by telling Miles there's no chemistry between them.
Fortunately, Bubba and Trent's mom, who happens to be the principal of the school where Miles teaches art, don't give up, and a beautiful friendship blossoms between the MCs.
The relationship development is believable and nuanced. The secondary characters (including Baxter and Paxton from Let Your Hearts Be Light) add interest to the story. I liked Bubba a great deal, even though kids in romance novels are very much not my thing.
You Can Count On Me begins early October and ends on Christmas Eve, with the epilogue taking place the following fall. Christmas cheer is not front and center, like it was in the first book, so this is only incidentally a holiday story.
Be prepared for some angst, with mentions of anxiety, child neglect, and bullying. Even so, the joy prevails! The HEA is glorious and sexy and every good thing.
I loved this book to pieces.
This is an absolutely gorgeous, well-written story with complex characters, a slow burn, and great dialogue.
Suffering from severe anxiety that renders him selectively mute, Miles has been crushing on his sexy neighbor, Trent, for years. Miles is the sweetest bear of a man, but he doubts himself every step of the way.
Miles' son, Bubba, takes matter into his own hands and threatens (as much as a skinny 10-year-old science nerd can threaten) Trent with bodily harm if he doesn't take his dad on a date. Trent sleeps around and doesn't do commitments. He has a bad case of imposter syndrome
Needless to say, the first date is terrible in every way.
Miles doesn't say one word and spills spaghetti all over himself, and Trent, while surface nice, doesn't try to understand or help Miles. He writes Miles off before the date even begins, then ends the evening by telling Miles there's no chemistry between them.
Fortunately, Bubba and Trent's mom, who happens to be the principal of the school where Miles teaches art, don't give up, and a beautiful friendship blossoms between the MCs.
Forgiveness tasted like forty kinds of hot cocoa, felt like borrowed hoodies, and smelled like Trent's cologne.
The relationship development is believable and nuanced. The secondary characters (including Baxter and Paxton from Let Your Hearts Be Light) add interest to the story. I liked Bubba a great deal, even though kids in romance novels are very much not my thing.
You Can Count On Me begins early October and ends on Christmas Eve, with the epilogue taking place the following fall. Christmas cheer is not front and center, like it was in the first book, so this is only incidentally a holiday story.
Be prepared for some angst, with mentions of anxiety, child neglect, and bullying. Even so, the joy prevails! The HEA is glorious and sexy and every good thing.
I loved this book to pieces.
"Let me carry the weight for you. Let me be in charge. Let me hold you. Let me fuck you. Talk to me when you need to - pick me. Let me in. Let me fight your battles. Let me stand beside you. Let me share your secrets. Let me keep you safe."
November 10, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Miles ‘Rooster’ Johnson is a cinnamon roll and must be protected at all costs 😭
- single dad
- hurt x comfort
- neighbors to friends to lovers
- found family
- small town
- primal play
Trent and Miles have been neighbors for years, but have never really been on speaking terms. That is until Miles’s cute little boy, Bubba, strong arms Trent into asking his dad out on a date—which ends up going very poorly.
What Trent doesn’t know is that Miles has severe anxiety and occasionally goes nonverbal when overwhelmed, but he’s not at fault here! Trent had planned to sabotage the night to begin with, and after an awkward dinner he tells Miles there’s just no sparks between them. Ouch!
Trent soon realizes he’s been a massive asshole, and with more matchmaking attempts from Bubba, he strikes up a sweet friendship with Miles. As he gets to know the kind and quiet man better, the spark Trent thought was missing is very much there and turns into a wildfire.
I honestly wasn’t prepared for how emotional Trent and Miles’s story was going to be, and I ended up crying a lot 🤣 that being said, You Can Count On Me had me busting out laughing so many times! I seriously just loved this so much.
Miles ‘Rooster’ Johnson is a cinnamon roll and must be protected at all costs 😭
- single dad
- hurt x comfort
- neighbors to friends to lovers
- found family
- small town
- primal play
Trent and Miles have been neighbors for years, but have never really been on speaking terms. That is until Miles’s cute little boy, Bubba, strong arms Trent into asking his dad out on a date—which ends up going very poorly.
What Trent doesn’t know is that Miles has severe anxiety and occasionally goes nonverbal when overwhelmed, but he’s not at fault here! Trent had planned to sabotage the night to begin with, and after an awkward dinner he tells Miles there’s just no sparks between them. Ouch!
Trent soon realizes he’s been a massive asshole, and with more matchmaking attempts from Bubba, he strikes up a sweet friendship with Miles. As he gets to know the kind and quiet man better, the spark Trent thought was missing is very much there and turns into a wildfire.
I honestly wasn’t prepared for how emotional Trent and Miles’s story was going to be, and I ended up crying a lot 🤣 that being said, You Can Count On Me had me busting out laughing so many times! I seriously just loved this so much.
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 11, 2025
You Can Count On Me is the second book in the Christmas Daddies series by Fae Quin. I loved the first book in this series and finally got around to reading this second book. This is Trent and Miles’s story. It’s about two men, both lonely, who through a devious little eleven year old matchmaker, find each other.
Miles “Rooster” Johnson is twenty nine years old and is the single dad to his eleven year old son, Bubba. Miles is the art teacher at the elementary school. Miles is a huge man with a big, giant, soft heart. He didn’t have a very good childhood but is determined to do everything in his power to make sure his son has everything his own upbringing lacked, the most important thing being love. Bubba is his life.
Trent Montgomery is thirty seven years old and is the youngest of the Montgomery siblings. He runs the family farm. Trent’s childhood was filled with love but lost his father when he was young. Since, he has struggled to find his own way, never allowing himself more than a one night stand. But most of the time, the encounters leave him feeling more lonely than ever.
“We were evolving into what? I didn’t know. But I couldn’t wait to find out.”
Miles’s son decides that Trent needs to date his daddy and coerces him into asking him out. Trent isn’t the least bit interested but can’t turn down the cute boy. And of course, the date doesn’t go well, at all. But little Bubba isn’t giving up and little by little he weaves Trent into their lives.
“It was all okay. Because Trent was sunshine, laughter and broad shoulders. And he might be strong enough to carry us both.”
These three couldn’t have been more cute! This little boy was wise way beyond his years. And I’ve never seen two men more besotted with each other. But both had plenty of ghosts haunting them. They both had to let go of their fears before they could move forward. I loved seeing how Trent slowly found his place with Miles and Bubba. What kept this from being a five star read, though, was there was just too much inner dialogue. It’s a pretty long book and at times, I skimmed through a couple of paragraphs to get to the next actual parts of their conversation. Still, though, it was a sweet, steamy story and I truly did adore these characters. The next book is Miles older brother, Robin and Trent’s older brother, Ben’s book.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Miles “Rooster” Johnson is twenty nine years old and is the single dad to his eleven year old son, Bubba. Miles is the art teacher at the elementary school. Miles is a huge man with a big, giant, soft heart. He didn’t have a very good childhood but is determined to do everything in his power to make sure his son has everything his own upbringing lacked, the most important thing being love. Bubba is his life.
Trent Montgomery is thirty seven years old and is the youngest of the Montgomery siblings. He runs the family farm. Trent’s childhood was filled with love but lost his father when he was young. Since, he has struggled to find his own way, never allowing himself more than a one night stand. But most of the time, the encounters leave him feeling more lonely than ever.
“We were evolving into what? I didn’t know. But I couldn’t wait to find out.”
Miles’s son decides that Trent needs to date his daddy and coerces him into asking him out. Trent isn’t the least bit interested but can’t turn down the cute boy. And of course, the date doesn’t go well, at all. But little Bubba isn’t giving up and little by little he weaves Trent into their lives.
“It was all okay. Because Trent was sunshine, laughter and broad shoulders. And he might be strong enough to carry us both.”
These three couldn’t have been more cute! This little boy was wise way beyond his years. And I’ve never seen two men more besotted with each other. But both had plenty of ghosts haunting them. They both had to let go of their fears before they could move forward. I loved seeing how Trent slowly found his place with Miles and Bubba. What kept this from being a five star read, though, was there was just too much inner dialogue. It’s a pretty long book and at times, I skimmed through a couple of paragraphs to get to the next actual parts of their conversation. Still, though, it was a sweet, steamy story and I truly did adore these characters. The next book is Miles older brother, Robin and Trent’s older brother, Ben’s book.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
November 11, 2023
2.5 rounded up
Although I did enjoy the overall story, I wasn’t a fan of the storytelling. And although there are an abundance of adorable and cute moments, some of the time they become muddled by overly sexualized thoughts with weird and cringy descriptions.
The first date was especially hard for me to get through; I just couldn’t wrap my mind around how Miles’s anxiety is SO BAD that he’s literally mute around Trent for the whole date, and by the end of it, he’s suddenly BRAVE ENOUGH to kiss his crush???? The same crush that has him too anxiety riddled to speak???? My second-hand embarrassment was through the roof, and I literally had to put the book down for a few minutes.
Edit: I google’d selective mutism cos that’s what Miles seems to have, I’m not ignorant to that but I just can’t see how he went in for a kiss when the date was going awful already 🙈
Miles considered himself to "be halfway in love with Trent” even though he hadn’t ever spoken to him. He’s just seen him bring people to his house because he likes to sleep around. And Trent considered himself a playboy; he liked to sleep around, and we even get a very descriptive note about how he deals with his “lonlieness” every other weekend at the very start of the book. He’s very into the idea of having sex with Miles, but that's it—until his failed date and hearing his “sexy voice” defending Trent to his mom.
The start of the story seemed extremely superficial. And there were often times where things were told instead of shown in present time. I think if I had seen more meaningful bonding moments between the MCs earlier on, I would’ve liked this more. It seems I had the same struggle with the previous book, where I enjoyed the story more once the MCs were closer to being on the same page.
I don’t know if it’s because of my obsession with hurt/comfort, but by far, my favorite scene was when Miles was taking care of Trent when he was sick—the hair petting, snuggling into the coat. 🥺
So in conclusion, if I focused just on Bubba and the cute moments (there are a lot of them!!!) I would give this a 4 star rating, but with everything else written as it was, my rating is a lot lower. Personally, I just think this author is not for me.
Please excuse my spelling and grammar mistakes, I never claimed to be good at writing reviews, they are just my stream of thoughts after reading a story. My ratings always reflect my enjoyment of the story. Just because it aligns or doesn’t align with my tastes does not mean it’ll be the same for you. Try reading it for yourself ! ❀
Although I did enjoy the overall story, I wasn’t a fan of the storytelling. And although there are an abundance of adorable and cute moments, some of the time they become muddled by overly sexualized thoughts with weird and cringy descriptions.
The first date was especially hard for me to get through; I just couldn’t wrap my mind around how Miles’s anxiety is SO BAD that he’s literally mute around Trent for the whole date, and by the end of it, he’s suddenly BRAVE ENOUGH to kiss his crush???? The same crush that has him too anxiety riddled to speak???? My second-hand embarrassment was through the roof, and I literally had to put the book down for a few minutes.
Edit: I google’d selective mutism cos that’s what Miles seems to have, I’m not ignorant to that but I just can’t see how he went in for a kiss when the date was going awful already 🙈
Miles considered himself to "be halfway in love with Trent” even though he hadn’t ever spoken to him. He’s just seen him bring people to his house because he likes to sleep around. And Trent considered himself a playboy; he liked to sleep around, and we even get a very descriptive note about how he deals with his “lonlieness” every other weekend at the very start of the book. He’s very into the idea of having sex with Miles, but that's it—until his failed date and hearing his “sexy voice” defending Trent to his mom.
The start of the story seemed extremely superficial. And there were often times where things were told instead of shown in present time. I think if I had seen more meaningful bonding moments between the MCs earlier on, I would’ve liked this more. It seems I had the same struggle with the previous book, where I enjoyed the story more once the MCs were closer to being on the same page.
I don’t know if it’s because of my obsession with hurt/comfort, but by far, my favorite scene was when Miles was taking care of Trent when he was sick—the hair petting, snuggling into the coat. 🥺
So in conclusion, if I focused just on Bubba and the cute moments (there are a lot of them!!!) I would give this a 4 star rating, but with everything else written as it was, my rating is a lot lower. Personally, I just think this author is not for me.
Please excuse my spelling and grammar mistakes, I never claimed to be good at writing reviews, they are just my stream of thoughts after reading a story. My ratings always reflect my enjoyment of the story. Just because it aligns or doesn’t align with my tastes does not mean it’ll be the same for you. Try reading it for yourself ! ❀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2023
well, damn, i’m confused.
first of all, i only like this author’s contemporary books. that’s good news, i guess.
somehow the long internal monologues didn’t bother me here, even though i could’ve done without a lot of them.
all in all, i enjoyed this, both the story and the characters.
but that role play at the end??? what was the reason??? i mean, i enjoyed it, but why?
and i definitely wouldn’t say this is a christmas book
first of all, i only like this author’s contemporary books. that’s good news, i guess.
somehow the long internal monologues didn’t bother me here, even though i could’ve done without a lot of them.
all in all, i enjoyed this, both the story and the characters.
but that role play at the end??? what was the reason??? i mean, i enjoyed it, but why?
and i definitely wouldn’t say this is a christmas book
December 20, 2024
Cheesy and overwrought but it was cute…sort of. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Bubba was adorable though, he was the star of the story for me.
2.75 stars
2.75 stars
December 13, 2023
I am so freakin' in love with this series it's insane. Just as with the first book, we've got max-level fluff, max-level spice, and max-level enjoyment cause it's done SO. WELL. Like, FUCK, this book brought me SO MUCH JOY. Maybe even more than the first book but idk, they're both just so special in their own way! Fae is the absolute queen of combining the sweet with the spicy and making it heartfelt and beautiful and REAL and UGHGHHH.
Trent, Miles, & Bubba are FUCKING ADORABLE. Everything about this story made my heart so warm and full and once again, I already want to reread my favorite parts immediately.
AND THE SPICE. Add my name to the naughty list and "Christmas Tree Farm Primal Play" to my bucket list cause GOD. DAMN. am I into it.
I'm so glad that we're still with the Montgomery brothers and that we got to see a bit of Paxton in this one too! I can honestly see myself rereading this entire series every year as a lil Christmas treat. I CAN'T WAIT FOR BEN'S STORY OMG.
December 10, 2024
I skipped a looot of the never ending inner thoughts 🙃
October 29, 2023
This was a sweet read about family and acceptance. I loved the first book and although I didn’t love this one I liked the relationship between Trent and Mikes and Bubba was adorable.
For me the book dragged at times. I felt like thoughts and conversations were repetitive. I didn’t get the holiday feeling either like with the first book.
This is a really nice story though and the characters are likable and you can’t help rooting for them.
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
For me the book dragged at times. I felt like thoughts and conversations were repetitive. I didn’t get the holiday feeling either like with the first book.
This is a really nice story though and the characters are likable and you can’t help rooting for them.
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
November 18, 2023
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
For someone like me, friendships were precious, rare things. I told myself this. Reminded myself of it over and over in an attempt to make it less painful that he didn’t want me.
I’m sad to say this was kinda disappointing. It started so well and I was super excited after reading the first book. The premise was original, it was emotional and the character introduction intrigued me tons. Unfortunately it just became kinda stagnant. Nothing really happened for a very long time. I think this book is just way too long, unfortunately. I really wanted to finish it because I had made a connection to the characters, but by the end I didn’t really care anymore, which isn’t great. It was all sweet, the sex was hot and the emotional aspect was on point. It didn’t outweigh my issues with it this time, though.
“The sass,” I shook my head in disbelief. “I feel like if I told people how sassy you can be sometimes, they wouldn’t believe me.”
One thing I feel I need to mention was the frankly obscenely excessive use of repetition. Repeated phrases, repeated words, and repeated internal monologue (intentional or not). It was cute early on, but by the end it felt like someone was pranking me. If i never see a word repeated three times again, it’s too soon. soon. soon. Please stop that.
2.75 stars
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Commitment-phobe
Big boys
Single dad
Small town
First times
Primal kink
Disaster date
Scheming kid
Pansexual MC
Slow burn
Found family
Mental health rep
Outdoor shenanigans
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Primal kink
Anxiety
Explicit sexual content
Panic attacks
Mentions of parent death
Grief
Mentions of homophobia (past)
Brief Mentions of bullying (past and present)
Mentions of incarceration (juvie, past)
Family abandonment
Neglectful parent (MCs parent)
37 and 29
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 29 and 37
If ass eating was an Olympic sport, Trent Montgomery would’ve won the gold fucking medal.
And he terrified me, because what was I supposed to do if I loved him…if I loved him, and he didn’t love me back?
For someone like me, friendships were precious, rare things. I told myself this. Reminded myself of it over and over in an attempt to make it less painful that he didn’t want me.
I’m sad to say this was kinda disappointing. It started so well and I was super excited after reading the first book. The premise was original, it was emotional and the character introduction intrigued me tons. Unfortunately it just became kinda stagnant. Nothing really happened for a very long time. I think this book is just way too long, unfortunately. I really wanted to finish it because I had made a connection to the characters, but by the end I didn’t really care anymore, which isn’t great. It was all sweet, the sex was hot and the emotional aspect was on point. It didn’t outweigh my issues with it this time, though.
“The sass,” I shook my head in disbelief. “I feel like if I told people how sassy you can be sometimes, they wouldn’t believe me.”
One thing I feel I need to mention was the frankly obscenely excessive use of repetition. Repeated phrases, repeated words, and repeated internal monologue (intentional or not). It was cute early on, but by the end it felt like someone was pranking me. If i never see a word repeated three times again, it’s too soon. soon. soon. Please stop that.
2.75 stars
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Commitment-phobe
Big boys
Single dad
Small town
First times
Primal kink
Disaster date
Scheming kid
Pansexual MC
Slow burn
Found family
Mental health rep
Outdoor shenanigans
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Primal kink
Anxiety
Explicit sexual content
Panic attacks
Mentions of parent death
Grief
Mentions of homophobia (past)
Brief Mentions of bullying (past and present)
Mentions of incarceration (juvie, past)
Family abandonment
Neglectful parent (MCs parent)
37 and 29
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 29 and 37
If ass eating was an Olympic sport, Trent Montgomery would’ve won the gold fucking medal.
And he terrified me, because what was I supposed to do if I loved him…if I loved him, and he didn’t love me back?
November 9, 2023
This is on par with the first book, it was so good, I absolutely loved it.
In this we're focused on Trent, the youngest Montgomery brother (Paxton from the first book's brother) and Miles, his across the street neighbor.
For the past five years, they've only ever really seen each other in passing. One, because Trent didn't want to make any connections, as he has fears of not living up to his dad's image, that if he's not "perfect" like he saw his dad as, that he can't be committed in a relationship, with kids and everything. So he's just slept around over the years instead.
Two, because Miles has high anxiety, and he has trouble speaking around most strangers and/or those he might have a crush on.
And boy does he have a doozy of a crush on Trent. So around him he can't even speak and is a fumble-y, adorable mess.
He also has a son, Bubba (real name Robin, but he goes by Bubba), who is an adorable pipsqueak who is determined to find someone for his dad.
And at the beginning of this, we find out he's determined to have that person for his dad be Trent.
Trent is resistant at first, and only agrees because Bubba is kinda adorable and persuasive with his baseball bat and all - not that Trent was scared he'd use it, but it shows Bubba's bravery and determination, that's for sure haha.
He's decided he'll fumble the date, though, and not even really try, as he's still scared of commitment. But at least this way he can say he "tried."
But sweet, kind, Miles is actually pretty excited, because he's so into Trent. Only he's so anxious and nervous about it that he can't speak the whole time, and it altogether doesn't go well.
But when Trent overhears Miles talking to his mother and take all the blame for the date going wrong, something shifts in Trent, and he feels the need to apologize.
He does so, but also Bubba is still a determined little guy, and he comes up with "excuses" for Trent to come over and help around the house, that soon aren't excuses anymore, and soon enough is them just hanging out as friends.
And the more they get to know each other, the harder they start to fall. Trent goes from "it's not gonna work out" to "this man is my forever" pretty damn quick, and I loved to see it.
Just like the first book, this is one of the best Christmas romances I've ever read. It's just so so good!
And of course the romance, the sex, was all top tier. And also seeing Trent become Bubba's other father as well, and transition into that role so seamlessly, despite Trent fearing that he wouldn't be a good father. But we see quite well how good of a father he is.
So he falls in love with Miles, but he falls in love with Bubba as well. He earns the title of "Dad" from Bubba by the end of this and it's so damn adorable.
This was just so so good, and if you loved the first book in this series, I highly recommend reading this one as well. (And yes, you could read this as a standalone, it's just that the first one is amazing as well so I recommend reading that one too just so you don't miss out on that wonderful story as well.)
Also, Miles' brother Robin (and Bubba's bio dad) is coming home, and he's definitely going to be Ben's (the other single Montgomery brother) love interest...
I just wonder how it'll work, since Ben has twins, and Miles became Bubba's father because Robin couldn't, at the time, handle being a father. So he and Ben will get together and so that'll mean he becomes a father to the twins as well, but...what about Bubba? Will he kinda be a third dad to him as well or no? It'll just be weird if he becomes "Dad" to the twins, but his bio kid is the son of his brother and his partner, ya know? Well anyway, will be interesting to see how that works. And to get Ben and Robin's love story next year 😍
My Ratings for the Christmas Daddies Series:
⭐️ Let Your Hearts Be Light: 5 stars (my review)
⭐️ You Can Count On Me: 5 stars
In this we're focused on Trent, the youngest Montgomery brother (Paxton from the first book's brother) and Miles, his across the street neighbor.
For the past five years, they've only ever really seen each other in passing. One, because Trent didn't want to make any connections, as he has fears of not living up to his dad's image, that if he's not "perfect" like he saw his dad as, that he can't be committed in a relationship, with kids and everything. So he's just slept around over the years instead.
Two, because Miles has high anxiety, and he has trouble speaking around most strangers and/or those he might have a crush on.
And boy does he have a doozy of a crush on Trent. So around him he can't even speak and is a fumble-y, adorable mess.
He also has a son, Bubba (real name Robin, but he goes by Bubba), who is an adorable pipsqueak who is determined to find someone for his dad.
And at the beginning of this, we find out he's determined to have that person for his dad be Trent.
Trent is resistant at first, and only agrees because Bubba is kinda adorable and persuasive with his baseball bat and all - not that Trent was scared he'd use it, but it shows Bubba's bravery and determination, that's for sure haha.
He's decided he'll fumble the date, though, and not even really try, as he's still scared of commitment. But at least this way he can say he "tried."
But sweet, kind, Miles is actually pretty excited, because he's so into Trent. Only he's so anxious and nervous about it that he can't speak the whole time, and it altogether doesn't go well.
But when Trent overhears Miles talking to his mother and take all the blame for the date going wrong, something shifts in Trent, and he feels the need to apologize.
He does so, but also Bubba is still a determined little guy, and he comes up with "excuses" for Trent to come over and help around the house, that soon aren't excuses anymore, and soon enough is them just hanging out as friends.
And the more they get to know each other, the harder they start to fall. Trent goes from "it's not gonna work out" to "this man is my forever" pretty damn quick, and I loved to see it.
Just like the first book, this is one of the best Christmas romances I've ever read. It's just so so good!
And of course the romance, the sex, was all top tier. And also seeing Trent become Bubba's other father as well, and transition into that role so seamlessly, despite Trent fearing that he wouldn't be a good father. But we see quite well how good of a father he is.
So he falls in love with Miles, but he falls in love with Bubba as well. He earns the title of "Dad" from Bubba by the end of this and it's so damn adorable.
This was just so so good, and if you loved the first book in this series, I highly recommend reading this one as well. (And yes, you could read this as a standalone, it's just that the first one is amazing as well so I recommend reading that one too just so you don't miss out on that wonderful story as well.)
Also, Miles' brother Robin (and Bubba's bio dad) is coming home, and he's definitely going to be Ben's (the other single Montgomery brother) love interest...
I just wonder how it'll work, since Ben has twins, and Miles became Bubba's father because Robin couldn't, at the time, handle being a father. So he and Ben will get together and so that'll mean he becomes a father to the twins as well, but...what about Bubba? Will he kinda be a third dad to him as well or no? It'll just be weird if he becomes "Dad" to the twins, but his bio kid is the son of his brother and his partner, ya know? Well anyway, will be interesting to see how that works. And to get Ben and Robin's love story next year 😍
My Ratings for the Christmas Daddies Series:
⭐️ Let Your Hearts Be Light: 5 stars (my review)
⭐️ You Can Count On Me: 5 stars
December 28, 2024
‘You think you’ve seen everything by the time you hit thirty-seven. But then a familiar tiny blond eleven-year-old shows up at your house just after dark, wielding a baseball bat in one hand and an inhaler in the other. And he threatens you with it—the bat, not the inhaler—until you agree to take his dad on a date, and you realize you were wrong. You definitely haven’t seen everything. Nope. Not even close.’
THE GAY SCREAMING I DID reading this book! It was so cute and cozy and just what I needed around the holiday times. Trent and Miles were cute but Bubba stole the show for me. I’m not one for kids in my book and I’ve mentioned this before BUT I think I’m a sucker for a kid in a book because Bubba was absolutely precious. His storyline with the bully’s was heartbreaking but so accurate for just any children at that age. Bullies suck and you don’t wanna narc and be known as the snitch but your also kinda alone and have to be brave for your Dad.
Mike’s anxiety rep and non verbal was so painstakingly accurate it hurt me to read. I know that Miles I’ve been that Miles I have friends who are Miles. Bravo for that!
Anyways yeah this was cute! Thanks Ally and Sully for the Rec 🎄🎁💜
THE GAY SCREAMING I DID reading this book! It was so cute and cozy and just what I needed around the holiday times. Trent and Miles were cute but Bubba stole the show for me. I’m not one for kids in my book and I’ve mentioned this before BUT I think I’m a sucker for a kid in a book because Bubba was absolutely precious. His storyline with the bully’s was heartbreaking but so accurate for just any children at that age. Bullies suck and you don’t wanna narc and be known as the snitch but your also kinda alone and have to be brave for your Dad.
Mike’s anxiety rep and non verbal was so painstakingly accurate it hurt me to read. I know that Miles I’ve been that Miles I have friends who are Miles. Bravo for that!
Anyways yeah this was cute! Thanks Ally and Sully for the Rec 🎄🎁💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2024
In Bubba we trust 🫡 RTC.
“ Love was patience. Love was imperfection. Love felt like…falling knowing there was somewhere soft to land.”
The plot: Miles Johnson is a single father to an adorable 11-year old son, he also teaches art at the local elementary school. Trent Montgomery is the town’s silver tongued, charismatic farm owner and between being pressured by his mom and literally threatened by Miles’s son (😂) he finds himself on a very awkward first date with Miles. Trent let’s Miles down gently, until he overhears him sticking up for him-against Trent’s formidable mom no less!-and decides to do whatever it takes to make things right between them. A wary friendship forms between them; but as romantic feelings blossom, Trent and Miles realize that they have more in common then they initially thought.
UGH MY HEART. This was everything. As someone who lives with anxiety, I loved that Miles’s anxiety was handled with so much care. I loved how patient and understanding Trent was, I loved how protective Bubba was over his dad. I wanted to wrap every character in this book with bubble wrap 🥹
In order to organize my thoughts, in true Virgo fashion I will compile a list what I loved:
1. BUBBA. Dare I say, Bubba was the best part of this book? He notices that his dad needs help, he notices that his dad is lonely and he’s like “Not. On. My. Watch.” I need Bubba and his baseball bat in every romance novel, it doesn’t matter what time period it’s set in; picture Bubba telling Sebastian St. Vincent to get over himself and admit that he’s fallen in love with his wife. Now picture him threatening Valentine Napier with his bat and demanding that he stop kidnapping people. I’m giggling just thinking about it.
2. Miles breaking the cycle. Whenever Miles would feel safe enough to open up about his past, it broke my heart. His mother was horrible and he was labeled a “troubled” teen. And unfortunately, once a label is attached to you it’s hard for people to see you as anything else. But he did the work and built a life and family for himself. He’s also a fabulous father and he teaches his son to be a kind, respectful and empathetic young man.
3. The slow burn was delicious 🔥
While this book was fabulous, I’m gonna nitpick as a little treat and list the things that didn’t work for ME *inserts that’s my opinion. Gif*
1. I’m ok with “Baby” as a term of endearment but I need it to be used sparingly 🥴 There are A LOT of “Baby” ‘s in this book 🙃
2. “Juicy” used in one love scene is unacceptable. “Juicy” used in TWO?!? I can’t…I can’t. Especially when I’m already contending with “squelch” being used…repeatedly 😭
3. I would’ve liked more holiday vibes throughout the book. We only got them towards the end!
But overall, this was a fabulous book. Would highly recommend.
“ Love was patience. Love was imperfection. Love felt like…falling knowing there was somewhere soft to land.”
The plot: Miles Johnson is a single father to an adorable 11-year old son, he also teaches art at the local elementary school. Trent Montgomery is the town’s silver tongued, charismatic farm owner and between being pressured by his mom and literally threatened by Miles’s son (😂) he finds himself on a very awkward first date with Miles. Trent let’s Miles down gently, until he overhears him sticking up for him-against Trent’s formidable mom no less!-and decides to do whatever it takes to make things right between them. A wary friendship forms between them; but as romantic feelings blossom, Trent and Miles realize that they have more in common then they initially thought.
UGH MY HEART. This was everything. As someone who lives with anxiety, I loved that Miles’s anxiety was handled with so much care. I loved how patient and understanding Trent was, I loved how protective Bubba was over his dad. I wanted to wrap every character in this book with bubble wrap 🥹
In order to organize my thoughts, in true Virgo fashion I will compile a list what I loved:
1. BUBBA. Dare I say, Bubba was the best part of this book? He notices that his dad needs help, he notices that his dad is lonely and he’s like “Not. On. My. Watch.” I need Bubba and his baseball bat in every romance novel, it doesn’t matter what time period it’s set in; picture Bubba telling Sebastian St. Vincent to get over himself and admit that he’s fallen in love with his wife. Now picture him threatening Valentine Napier with his bat and demanding that he stop kidnapping people. I’m giggling just thinking about it.
2. Miles breaking the cycle. Whenever Miles would feel safe enough to open up about his past, it broke my heart. His mother was horrible and he was labeled a “troubled” teen. And unfortunately, once a label is attached to you it’s hard for people to see you as anything else. But he did the work and built a life and family for himself. He’s also a fabulous father and he teaches his son to be a kind, respectful and empathetic young man.
3. The slow burn was delicious 🔥
While this book was fabulous, I’m gonna nitpick as a little treat and list the things that didn’t work for ME *inserts that’s my opinion. Gif*
1. I’m ok with “Baby” as a term of endearment but I need it to be used sparingly 🥴 There are A LOT of “Baby” ‘s in this book 🙃
2. “Juicy” used in one love scene is unacceptable. “Juicy” used in TWO?!? I can’t…I can’t. Especially when I’m already contending with “squelch” being used…repeatedly 😭
3. I would’ve liked more holiday vibes throughout the book. We only got them towards the end!
But overall, this was a fabulous book. Would highly recommend.
January 24, 2024
This was a mixed bag for me. While I liked the story, I didn't particularly care for the writing and how it was told.
I did like the characters and the overall plot. There were some sweet moments in this slow-burn romance as Trent and Miles and Miles' son Bubba got to know each other and became a family. The primal play aspect was a fun, light aspect of the story and fairly light, but I did like how it came about. There were some good secondary characters, a nice dose of hurt/comfort, and a bit of humor with some serious topics.
On to the not-so-good. The book is overly long and a lot of that is down to repetitive internal thoughts and overly flowery descriptions/cringy dialog. There was also a lot of telling but not showing. Quite a few moments I thought were significant were just mentioned. I also struggled at the start and skimmed many of the later parts.
Fae Quinn is a new-to-me author so I'm not sure if this is indicative of their writing style, but the story would benefit greatly from some editing and proofreading. Not sure if I will read the previous book, but I am intrigued by the next pairing so I may give them another shot.
I did like the characters and the overall plot. There were some sweet moments in this slow-burn romance as Trent and Miles and Miles' son Bubba got to know each other and became a family. The primal play aspect was a fun, light aspect of the story and fairly light, but I did like how it came about. There were some good secondary characters, a nice dose of hurt/comfort, and a bit of humor with some serious topics.
On to the not-so-good. The book is overly long and a lot of that is down to repetitive internal thoughts and overly flowery descriptions/cringy dialog. There was also a lot of telling but not showing. Quite a few moments I thought were significant were just mentioned. I also struggled at the start and skimmed many of the later parts.
Fae Quinn is a new-to-me author so I'm not sure if this is indicative of their writing style, but the story would benefit greatly from some editing and proofreading. Not sure if I will read the previous book, but I am intrigued by the next pairing so I may give them another shot.
November 8, 2025
#TRILESFOREVER
ugghhhhh, what the fuck, y'all? I LOVED this book. its been so long since I've read a decently long book in less than a day.
but I DEVOURED this book.
miles and trent. and bubba. these three babies.
trent was a hard no at first.bbut his swift and romantic and passionate character arc? OBSESSED.
every once in a while you read a story where 2 characters were meant to be written together and that's miles and trent.
this one wasn't as "festive" as the first book but I can still consider this a seasonal read. and I LOVED it.
so much.
I've heard mixed reviews about Robin's book but I'm going into it with an open mind. that whole monologue miles had about his brother broke my heart. so I can't wait to see what I think.
oh, and the spice was niiiiiice. love that primal play (and the twist about the book series had me cackling).
ugghhhhh, what the fuck, y'all? I LOVED this book. its been so long since I've read a decently long book in less than a day.
but I DEVOURED this book.
miles and trent. and bubba. these three babies.
trent was a hard no at first.bbut his swift and romantic and passionate character arc? OBSESSED.
every once in a while you read a story where 2 characters were meant to be written together and that's miles and trent.
this one wasn't as "festive" as the first book but I can still consider this a seasonal read. and I LOVED it.
so much.
I've heard mixed reviews about Robin's book but I'm going into it with an open mind. that whole monologue miles had about his brother broke my heart. so I can't wait to see what I think.
oh, and the spice was niiiiiice. love that primal play (and the twist about the book series had me cackling).
November 3, 2023
I enjoyed last year's Fae's book very much and I was looking forward to this one. It's been extremely beautiful and moving.
Miles was the star of this book. He was lost and struggling with his anxiety while trying to raise a kid. Bubba, an eleven year old kid who had a special attachment to his baseball bat, was sweet and smart, and so grown up. The relationship they both had was touching and I absolutely loved them both.
Trent was just going through life without real plans. He didn't even know what he wanted or needed in his life until Bubba threatened him with his bat. That first day between Miles and Trent was a total disaster, but it led to something beautiful and precious.
I loved how perfect Trent and Miles were together. They understood each other, and Trent was the most amazing boyfriend ever, so patient and understanding with Mile's struggles. It was like watching, or reading in this case, the perfect love story. Not everything was perfect, which I liked very much, but their flaws made them perfect for each other.
This book showed that loving someone and being loved in return can make a world of difference when someone is having a hard time to go through life. This is the story of two soulmates that lived so close not knowing they were the other half. But then they finally met, it made the world right for both of them.
This novel is beautiful, emotional, it made me cry and wish I could hug Miles all the time to comfort him. He was such a special human that I was very happy he found Trent. This story is about love, family, getting to know the love of your life and letting others help you when you're struggling. It is one of the best reads of this year for me.
Miles was the star of this book. He was lost and struggling with his anxiety while trying to raise a kid. Bubba, an eleven year old kid who had a special attachment to his baseball bat, was sweet and smart, and so grown up. The relationship they both had was touching and I absolutely loved them both.
Trent was just going through life without real plans. He didn't even know what he wanted or needed in his life until Bubba threatened him with his bat. That first day between Miles and Trent was a total disaster, but it led to something beautiful and precious.
I loved how perfect Trent and Miles were together. They understood each other, and Trent was the most amazing boyfriend ever, so patient and understanding with Mile's struggles. It was like watching, or reading in this case, the perfect love story. Not everything was perfect, which I liked very much, but their flaws made them perfect for each other.
This book showed that loving someone and being loved in return can make a world of difference when someone is having a hard time to go through life. This is the story of two soulmates that lived so close not knowing they were the other half. But then they finally met, it made the world right for both of them.
This novel is beautiful, emotional, it made me cry and wish I could hug Miles all the time to comfort him. He was such a special human that I was very happy he found Trent. This story is about love, family, getting to know the love of your life and letting others help you when you're struggling. It is one of the best reads of this year for me.
June 22, 2024
I love Triles!
You Can Count On Me is a sweet and deliciously steamy small town romance. It follows neighbors, Trent and Miles, who is a single dad, journey from neighbors to friends and eventually, from friends to lovers. They both have their inner struggles to work through, but once they give into one another, things get extremely hot! I can't begin to express how much I loved this story! The hurt/comfort, the banter, the family bonding, and let's not forget the primal play! Soooooo good!! It left me with all the warm and fuzzy feels, a smile on my face, and excited for the next installment of the series! I definitely recommend this book for a heartwarming, feel-good, and steamy read.
Just listened to the audio, and I love this story even more! The narrators were spectacular!!
You Can Count On Me is a sweet and deliciously steamy small town romance. It follows neighbors, Trent and Miles, who is a single dad, journey from neighbors to friends and eventually, from friends to lovers. They both have their inner struggles to work through, but once they give into one another, things get extremely hot! I can't begin to express how much I loved this story! The hurt/comfort, the banter, the family bonding, and let's not forget the primal play! Soooooo good!! It left me with all the warm and fuzzy feels, a smile on my face, and excited for the next installment of the series! I definitely recommend this book for a heartwarming, feel-good, and steamy read.
Just listened to the audio, and I love this story even more! The narrators were spectacular!!
December 20, 2024
This book made me cry, made me laugh, made me hurt, and made me smile. It took me on an emotional journey with the sweetest story, the most lovable characters, and utterly heartbreaking love story.
You Can Count on Me is a sweet single dad holiday romance that will definitely make you FEEL things. I was enamoured the whole way I was reading it.
Trent and Miles' story is so soft. After a disastrous first date that neither of them were ready for and was orchestrated by the threats of an eleven year old (Bubba), the neighbours fall into slow friendship.
I love how their first interaction opens up Trent's eyes to the precious little family living across from him. I love how Bubba schemes behind his pops' back to get him a boyfriend. I love how Miles slowly starts to trust in Trent after weeks of careful affection.
The story is structured in a way that all the little moments between Miles and Trent, or between their little impromptu family unit, build up the beautiful connections between them. I never felt like the scenes do not contribute to the whole of the story, however small or insignificant they seemed.
The book is very much based on feelings and characters. The plot is there to emphasise them. Like how all the sweet moments Trent and Miles and Bubba share together to show us the tentative bond and affection building between them. Or Trent's small gestures and determined presence show how good and trustworthy and caring he is. Or how there are several inner monologues where we can see into Miles past to help us understand his history, his anxiety, and his fears. Or how Bubba's relentless meddling and comments show how much he cares about Miles and his happiness.
As far as characters go, Trent, Miles, and Bubba are wonderful.
Miles has anxiety that makes it hard for him to speak to strangers. His tongue tied a good chunk of the first part of the book when he interacted with Trent because his so nervous. I liked how his mental health is treated with so much care. Good anxiety and mental health representations are very important, and I'm so glad it is included here. Miles is also this adorable gentle giant with a big heart. I always just wanted to protect him. Just like Trent.
Trent is a surprisingly complex character. His smiles and good nature hide a deep need for comfort and belonging that even he can't seem to see at first. Not until he becomes part of the daily life of Miles and Bubba. His struggles are different yet a little bit the same as Miles', but his insecurities mostly come from thinking he'll never be enough. While Miles mostly thinks no one will want to stay with him.
Their hurt was handled with care. It also shows that while a person you can lean on makes all the difference while healing, it is not enough. Ultimately, you need to resolve your problems yourself.
And then there's Bubba. Bubba stole my heart from the first moment. He's eleven years old. He's wonderful and caring. And he just wants his pops to be happy, too. He provided the most hilarious and most heartbreaking scenes in the book. His innocent and honest care was the sunshine in the shadows. I love him.
I'm constantly amazed by Fae's writing style. The way she is able to bring forward these strong emotions, like sadness, joy, hope, anger, devastation, and love, sometimes even in the same scene, is insane. She is able to rope in the reader by immediately creating an emotional bond towards the characters. And she does that while writing beautifully. I always feel like I'm sitting in the middle of every scene, there with characters, feeling everything they feel.
This book brought me so much joy! I'm so incredibly happy about how it turned out. LYHBL left big shoes to fill last year, but YCCOM delivered.
The holiday side of the story is a little bit less in focus in this book because of the wider time span, but still, the wonderful autumn and winter moments were so joyful.
The spice is kind of sneaky in this story. Imagine reading a sweet, rom-com movie worthy love story and then BAM! Spice. The spice levels are definitely scorching hot, but the relationship between Trent and Miles is built in a way that it is also emotionally loaded. And it's also slow burn with amazing build-up.
Overall, I can only repeat myself when I say this book is joyful and emotionally charged. You will definitely FEEL a lot of things and fall in love with the sweet characters.
I highly recommend this and also Let Your Hearts Be Light if you're looking for a holiday romance.
You Can Count on Me is a sweet single dad holiday romance that will definitely make you FEEL things. I was enamoured the whole way I was reading it.
Trent and Miles' story is so soft. After a disastrous first date that neither of them were ready for and was orchestrated by the threats of an eleven year old (Bubba), the neighbours fall into slow friendship.
I love how their first interaction opens up Trent's eyes to the precious little family living across from him. I love how Bubba schemes behind his pops' back to get him a boyfriend. I love how Miles slowly starts to trust in Trent after weeks of careful affection.
The story is structured in a way that all the little moments between Miles and Trent, or between their little impromptu family unit, build up the beautiful connections between them. I never felt like the scenes do not contribute to the whole of the story, however small or insignificant they seemed.
The book is very much based on feelings and characters. The plot is there to emphasise them. Like how all the sweet moments Trent and Miles and Bubba share together to show us the tentative bond and affection building between them. Or Trent's small gestures and determined presence show how good and trustworthy and caring he is. Or how there are several inner monologues where we can see into Miles past to help us understand his history, his anxiety, and his fears. Or how Bubba's relentless meddling and comments show how much he cares about Miles and his happiness.
As far as characters go, Trent, Miles, and Bubba are wonderful.
Miles has anxiety that makes it hard for him to speak to strangers. His tongue tied a good chunk of the first part of the book when he interacted with Trent because his so nervous. I liked how his mental health is treated with so much care. Good anxiety and mental health representations are very important, and I'm so glad it is included here. Miles is also this adorable gentle giant with a big heart. I always just wanted to protect him. Just like Trent.
Trent is a surprisingly complex character. His smiles and good nature hide a deep need for comfort and belonging that even he can't seem to see at first. Not until he becomes part of the daily life of Miles and Bubba. His struggles are different yet a little bit the same as Miles', but his insecurities mostly come from thinking he'll never be enough. While Miles mostly thinks no one will want to stay with him.
Their hurt was handled with care. It also shows that while a person you can lean on makes all the difference while healing, it is not enough. Ultimately, you need to resolve your problems yourself.
And then there's Bubba. Bubba stole my heart from the first moment. He's eleven years old. He's wonderful and caring. And he just wants his pops to be happy, too. He provided the most hilarious and most heartbreaking scenes in the book. His innocent and honest care was the sunshine in the shadows. I love him.
I'm constantly amazed by Fae's writing style. The way she is able to bring forward these strong emotions, like sadness, joy, hope, anger, devastation, and love, sometimes even in the same scene, is insane. She is able to rope in the reader by immediately creating an emotional bond towards the characters. And she does that while writing beautifully. I always feel like I'm sitting in the middle of every scene, there with characters, feeling everything they feel.
This book brought me so much joy! I'm so incredibly happy about how it turned out. LYHBL left big shoes to fill last year, but YCCOM delivered.
The holiday side of the story is a little bit less in focus in this book because of the wider time span, but still, the wonderful autumn and winter moments were so joyful.
The spice is kind of sneaky in this story. Imagine reading a sweet, rom-com movie worthy love story and then BAM! Spice. The spice levels are definitely scorching hot, but the relationship between Trent and Miles is built in a way that it is also emotionally loaded. And it's also slow burn with amazing build-up.
Overall, I can only repeat myself when I say this book is joyful and emotionally charged. You will definitely FEEL a lot of things and fall in love with the sweet characters.
I highly recommend this and also Let Your Hearts Be Light if you're looking for a holiday romance.
Read
November 13, 2023I have to DNF at 20%. I’m finding myself getting too distracted and irritated. Why was Bubba portrayed so oddly? He is an 11 year old written as if he’s only 6. It is so far off base that I found it off-putting and a huge disconnect. Additionally, Bubba may be small but that’s not a personality trait.
There are so many things that don’t add up with Trent and Rooster. They literally do not talk to each other. Rooster has some kind of anxiety induced selective mutism. Which is fine but he never writes anything down and Trent, who is quite vocal, doesn’t talk either. Apparently they communicate thru looks and glances. Which I just can’t even. There is just so much internal dialogue, that is not only redundant but doesn’t progress the plot.
Also we’re supposed to believe that Rooster has been half in love with Trent for 5 YEARS when Trent has never even spoke to him and straight up ignored him and his son. But also Bubba is just magically hanging out at Trent’s daily. As a parent myself - umm NO! Meanwhile, Trent is an ass to Rooster but the moment he hears his voice, he’s practically in love but he’s always been a commitment phob (who also hated kids.) Also, I guess Rooster doesn’t know how to change his own lightbulbs cause Trent just had to do it. Why is Rooster written like a helpless sap but is apparently capable enough to raise a kid? I just want it to make sense.
So instead of forcing myself to continue, I’m going to stop. I really enjoyed last years holiday book so this is disappointing and while I’m sure the spice and connection improve later in the book, it’s over 400 pages and I don’t have it in me to plow through.
There are so many things that don’t add up with Trent and Rooster. They literally do not talk to each other. Rooster has some kind of anxiety induced selective mutism. Which is fine but he never writes anything down and Trent, who is quite vocal, doesn’t talk either. Apparently they communicate thru looks and glances. Which I just can’t even. There is just so much internal dialogue, that is not only redundant but doesn’t progress the plot.
Also we’re supposed to believe that Rooster has been half in love with Trent for 5 YEARS when Trent has never even spoke to him and straight up ignored him and his son. But also Bubba is just magically hanging out at Trent’s daily. As a parent myself - umm NO! Meanwhile, Trent is an ass to Rooster but the moment he hears his voice, he’s practically in love but he’s always been a commitment phob (who also hated kids.) Also, I guess Rooster doesn’t know how to change his own lightbulbs cause Trent just had to do it. Why is Rooster written like a helpless sap but is apparently capable enough to raise a kid? I just want it to make sense.
So instead of forcing myself to continue, I’m going to stop. I really enjoyed last years holiday book so this is disappointing and while I’m sure the spice and connection improve later in the book, it’s over 400 pages and I don’t have it in me to plow through.
January 31, 2024
Tropes:
~slow burn
~cinnamon roll hero
~single father
~neighbors (to friends to lovers)
~forced proximity
~small town
~hurt/comfort
~mental health rep (one hero has anxiety)
~primal play
This was saccharine sweet, and made me grin so hard at times that my cheeks hurt! I didn't love it quiiite as much as the first book in the series, but Fae Quin's writing never fails to draw me in and make me fall in love with her characters. I really need to try her paranormal series next, especially to tide me over until the next book. I definitely squealed in excitement when I saw who the couple is going to be!
If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics
"My, my love had been frozen
Deep blue, but you painted me golden"
✨💛✨
~slow burn
~cinnamon roll hero
~single father
~neighbors (to friends to lovers)
~forced proximity
~small town
~hurt/comfort
~mental health rep (one hero has anxiety)
~primal play
This was saccharine sweet, and made me grin so hard at times that my cheeks hurt! I didn't love it quiiite as much as the first book in the series, but Fae Quin's writing never fails to draw me in and make me fall in love with her characters. I really need to try her paranormal series next, especially to tide me over until the next book. I definitely squealed in excitement when I saw who the couple is going to be!
If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics
"My, my love had been frozen
Deep blue, but you painted me golden"
✨💛✨
dnf
December 27, 2023DNF. I liked the first installment but this one just wasn't good. No dialogue and so much internal useless rambling that I lost track of what was happening and was mostly bored. The characters were also awkward as hell and I was cringing for most of the 23% I actually managed to read. Disclaimer: the awkwardness I felt has nothing to do with the selected mutism in one of the characters.
September 6, 2024
Didn't like it as much as the 1st. Too long, slow, a little random? didn't like the smiley thing.
The kid was precious though.
---------------------
Reading because of buket's review
The kid was precious though.
---------------------
Reading because of buket's review
December 17, 2023
In which Trent becomes a real boy and falls hard for his neighbor across the street who's tongue-tied around him but is utterly amazing. Even if initially Miles' young son threatens Trent into a date with Miles.
This was a lovely story, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
This was a lovely story, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
November 5, 2023
“You don’t need to earn love, baby. That’s the best part about being human. We make mistakes, sure. But we all deserve to be loved.”
ARC Review~
These books are such fun holiday romances - they give me OTT cosy Hallmark vibes and I really enjoyed this one! The town slut meets the world’s most anxious and shy single dad and after a horrible first date where Miles literally doesn’t speak and Trent blows it off, a bit of holiday magic (but really just coincidence) shows Trent a different side of the shy guy and suddenly he’s desperate to know him.
I loved how swoony and slow the romance went - although overall the book dragged a bit and could’ve been streamlined. Fae has such a talent for making you root for the characters and love them as the friendship and then romance develop. Bubba was a really fun addition and I’ll say it again that often authors write children really weirdly (too young or too old for the intended age) but Bubba felt like an 11 year old!
There were some aspects that didn’t work for me but Triles was a wonderful couple to read and I just loved them! The gym date will forever live rent free in my head 😝
ARC Review~
These books are such fun holiday romances - they give me OTT cosy Hallmark vibes and I really enjoyed this one! The town slut meets the world’s most anxious and shy single dad and after a horrible first date where Miles literally doesn’t speak and Trent blows it off, a bit of holiday magic (but really just coincidence) shows Trent a different side of the shy guy and suddenly he’s desperate to know him.
I loved how swoony and slow the romance went - although overall the book dragged a bit and could’ve been streamlined. Fae has such a talent for making you root for the characters and love them as the friendship and then romance develop. Bubba was a really fun addition and I’ll say it again that often authors write children really weirdly (too young or too old for the intended age) but Bubba felt like an 11 year old!
There were some aspects that didn’t work for me but Triles was a wonderful couple to read and I just loved them! The gym date will forever live rent free in my head 😝
November 27, 2024
3.5
I loved their emotional moments, Bubba & the smut was fire. 🔥👀
Very cute story but unnecessarily long 📖 . Seriously this could have been cut down 100 pages for pacing issues. Still hot tho
Will be waiting for the next books audio
I loved their emotional moments, Bubba & the smut was fire. 🔥👀
Very cute story but unnecessarily long 📖 . Seriously this could have been cut down 100 pages for pacing issues. Still hot tho
Will be waiting for the next books audio
Read
November 29, 2024DNF @ 17%
I am not vibing with this so moving on.
I am not vibing with this so moving on.
February 15, 2025
Crime: Having one MC who uses MULTIPLE superlatives about the other's bountiful ass and then having the cover art cut off right before their waists. It's like.... WHY WON'T YOU LET THE READER GET AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE?
He said it was bouncy. And jiggly. And massive. And all sorts of other things.
Why can't we see??? 😒😒😒
Anyway.
This was surprisingly better than I expected. I don't know what I expected.
Miles 'Rooster' has been into Trent for years, apparently, but is too shy and socially anxious so hasn't ever talked to him.
Trent doesn't 'do' serious, especially with single dads because he believes he's not good enough to commit and doesn't want to hurt a child.
Enter Bubba. And his baseball bat. Precocious 11 year old who worries about his dad(Miles) and has decided Trent should date him. He(Trent) seems nice enough, he lives across the street from them AND he has a dog, so. Obviously it makes sense.
After Bubba demands Trent take Miles out on a date, the literal first date from hell ensues and I kinda agreed with Trent on not wanting to take Miles out again because he wouldn't(couldn't) talk and drew actual blood when he kissed him.
Fine. Trent doesn't like him so no reason he should pursue anything, right?
Except Trent's apparently really weird because slowly but steadily, he talks himself into being INTO Miles😂
Like dude......you told that man there was no spark??? He said he understood and tried to move on with his life???
And now here goes Trent, becoming besties with Bubba, showing up at their house daily, wiggling himself into the little cracks of their lives, inviting himself over to watch football and bringing beer, telling Miles it's okay, he 'doesn't have to talk', stepping in when he sees Bubba getting bullied at school and saying shit like 'What do you think you're doing to MY kid?!'
God. DAMN. It.
I liked Trent. The more I saw of him, the sweeter he was. He was so gentle with Miles😭😭😭.
And Bubba was (very obviously conniving) against them both by ensuring he got them to spend as much time together as possible so his dad could feel comfortable through 'ex-poo-sure therapy', bless his heart. I also loved how he kept explaining it to them like they were too dumb to know what it meant but 'don't worry I'll do everything so you guys don't have to'.
I hate kids in books but I DID NOT HATE BUBBA.
And as adorable as I found it, I really hope that's not his government name.
Moving on.
These were two sweet idiots in love but both scared of admitting it to the other even though it was pretty obvious the other was really gone for them, too.
I don't understand why this is part of Christmas series (?) there's really nothing Christmasy about it, except that Christmas happens at some point like 80% in maybe?
I also don't understand why it needed to be 12 hours but I enjoyed the narration so, fuck it, we ball.
I also don't understand "I know you're probably disappointed because you wanted to be fucked in the woods like an animal but for your first time...." —wait, wait, WAIT!
Hol up. He wanted to what? 😂
Sweet, shy, nervous as hell Miles wanted to be FUCKED IN THE WOODS LIKE AN ANIMAL?! 💀
Well, okay, then.
And I LOVED the 'Pick Me' monologue from Trent.
Horrendously down bad behavior.
Incredibly sweet. Including the 'Let ME fuck you' bit.
Unfortunately unnecessary. Miles had been into him for 5 years even though they'd not known each other so if anything it was Trent playing catch-up.
Gagged.
Loved it for our bouncy-assed gentle giant🍑.
He said it was bouncy. And jiggly. And massive. And all sorts of other things.
Why can't we see??? 😒😒😒
Anyway.
This was surprisingly better than I expected. I don't know what I expected.
Miles 'Rooster' has been into Trent for years, apparently, but is too shy and socially anxious so hasn't ever talked to him.
Trent doesn't 'do' serious, especially with single dads because he believes he's not good enough to commit and doesn't want to hurt a child.
Enter Bubba. And his baseball bat. Precocious 11 year old who worries about his dad(Miles) and has decided Trent should date him. He(Trent) seems nice enough, he lives across the street from them AND he has a dog, so. Obviously it makes sense.
After Bubba demands Trent take Miles out on a date, the literal first date from hell ensues and I kinda agreed with Trent on not wanting to take Miles out again because he wouldn't(couldn't) talk and drew actual blood when he kissed him.
Fine. Trent doesn't like him so no reason he should pursue anything, right?
Except Trent's apparently really weird because slowly but steadily, he talks himself into being INTO Miles😂
Like dude......you told that man there was no spark??? He said he understood and tried to move on with his life???
And now here goes Trent, becoming besties with Bubba, showing up at their house daily, wiggling himself into the little cracks of their lives, inviting himself over to watch football and bringing beer, telling Miles it's okay, he 'doesn't have to talk', stepping in when he sees Bubba getting bullied at school and saying shit like 'What do you think you're doing to MY kid?!'
God. DAMN. It.
I liked Trent. The more I saw of him, the sweeter he was. He was so gentle with Miles😭😭😭.
And Bubba was (very obviously conniving) against them both by ensuring he got them to spend as much time together as possible so his dad could feel comfortable through 'ex-poo-sure therapy', bless his heart. I also loved how he kept explaining it to them like they were too dumb to know what it meant but 'don't worry I'll do everything so you guys don't have to'.
I hate kids in books but I DID NOT HATE BUBBA.
And as adorable as I found it, I really hope that's not his government name.
Moving on.
These were two sweet idiots in love but both scared of admitting it to the other even though it was pretty obvious the other was really gone for them, too.
I don't understand why this is part of Christmas series (?) there's really nothing Christmasy about it, except that Christmas happens at some point like 80% in maybe?
I also don't understand why it needed to be 12 hours but I enjoyed the narration so, fuck it, we ball.
I also don't understand "I know you're probably disappointed because you wanted to be fucked in the woods like an animal but for your first time...." —wait, wait, WAIT!
Hol up. He wanted to what? 😂
Sweet, shy, nervous as hell Miles wanted to be FUCKED IN THE WOODS LIKE AN ANIMAL?! 💀
Well, okay, then.
And I LOVED the 'Pick Me' monologue from Trent.
Horrendously down bad behavior.
Incredibly sweet. Including the 'Let ME fuck you' bit.
Unfortunately unnecessary. Miles had been into him for 5 years even though they'd not known each other so if anything it was Trent playing catch-up.
Gagged.
Loved it for our bouncy-assed gentle giant🍑.
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