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Neptune State University #2
Best Friends Float
When I fall, he always catches me. But what happens when he falls for me?
My best friend is a giant made of hard muscles, soft smiles, and an easy-going popularity. Jance Stringfellow has protected me from bullies and my own clumsiness all these years. But now that we're on Neptune State's swim team, things are different.
He's straight, but his friendly back rubs linger. His fingers tug on my curls. When I hug him, I feel his heart racing against my cheek. And when I accidentally walk in on him during the middle of the night...
I've always known how big Jance looks. Now I need to know how big he feels.
I hope the size of my heart is enough to handle this massive man. He promises to always catch me. But we're in unfamiliar waters now. The fear of losing one another is dragging us both under.
So how do we let go long enough to float?
Best Friends Float is a 72,000-word sweet-and-spicy, best-friends-to-lovers MM romance with a bi-awakening and a first-time, size difference, hurt/comfort, and cartoon animal underwear as a love language. It is the second in a series of standalones following the Neptune State University men's swim team and all their HEAs.
My best friend is a giant made of hard muscles, soft smiles, and an easy-going popularity. Jance Stringfellow has protected me from bullies and my own clumsiness all these years. But now that we're on Neptune State's swim team, things are different.
He's straight, but his friendly back rubs linger. His fingers tug on my curls. When I hug him, I feel his heart racing against my cheek. And when I accidentally walk in on him during the middle of the night...
I've always known how big Jance looks. Now I need to know how big he feels.
I hope the size of my heart is enough to handle this massive man. He promises to always catch me. But we're in unfamiliar waters now. The fear of losing one another is dragging us both under.
So how do we let go long enough to float?
Best Friends Float is a 72,000-word sweet-and-spicy, best-friends-to-lovers MM romance with a bi-awakening and a first-time, size difference, hurt/comfort, and cartoon animal underwear as a love language. It is the second in a series of standalones following the Neptune State University men's swim team and all their HEAs.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2023
73 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Camden Jess
3 books28 followersCamden writes steamy, sporty MM romances about the passion of attraction. The poetry of vulnerability. Of handsome, hardworking guys who fill each other's holes wholeheartedly. Emotionally. And sweatily. Because love works out when it's a two-person workout.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 22, 2023
2 stars
68% - I'm out.
I wasn't enjoying the writing style so I skimmed from 20% until finally at 68% it was really well past time to go to bed and I decided to just give up.
I promise you, this is the last instalment in my unintentional Travel Brain Fails series. For some reason, after 37 hours awake, instead of sleeping, I found myself browsing the new releases. This book called to me, so I borrowed it on KU. The next day, 13 hours of sleep later, it still seemed like a good idea so off I went.
I love best friends to lovers. I love friends who are practically a couple and just haven't quite worked it out yet. I love platonic cuddles, especially as they gradually become "platonic". This is even one case where I can live with reading about jealousy, something that I typically find very difficult.
But this just wasn't it.
Brighton's perspective was so childish as to make me uncomfortable. I think this was a way to show him as being on the ace spectrum, in the sense that he had never really felt arousal before and so didn't quite know what to do with it. Brighton calls Jance's penis his "thing" and globally seems not to be familiar with a lot of sexual concepts. I don't know, maybe I'm making a massive assumption about what the author was intending here, but the asexual = childish equivalency seems pretty toxic to me.
The objectification in this is also pretty full-on. Quite odd when you consider the body dysmorphia and reassurance put on how attractive Jance finds Brighton, even when, especially when, he's small and thin.
Them both pretending to date other people (admittedly, both women knew what was going on so at least it wasn't too disingenuous) was one thing. When Brighton realises that Jance is attracted to him, but seems uncomfortable about it, he eggs him on by continuing to touch him and force things between them.
Jance admits that he tried to forget Brighton when he moved to college a year earlier than Brighton. Ouch. Once reunited, I'd have appreciated some more time spent with them as friends, getting to know each other in this new stage of life.
Instead, it was just instant angsty horndoggery and ridiculousness. That's a no from me.
68% - I'm out.
I wasn't enjoying the writing style so I skimmed from 20% until finally at 68% it was really well past time to go to bed and I decided to just give up.
I promise you, this is the last instalment in my unintentional Travel Brain Fails series. For some reason, after 37 hours awake, instead of sleeping, I found myself browsing the new releases. This book called to me, so I borrowed it on KU. The next day, 13 hours of sleep later, it still seemed like a good idea so off I went.
I love best friends to lovers. I love friends who are practically a couple and just haven't quite worked it out yet. I love platonic cuddles, especially as they gradually become "platonic". This is even one case where I can live with reading about jealousy, something that I typically find very difficult.
But this just wasn't it.
Brighton's perspective was so childish as to make me uncomfortable. I think this was a way to show him as being on the ace spectrum, in the sense that he had never really felt arousal before and so didn't quite know what to do with it. Brighton calls Jance's penis his "thing" and globally seems not to be familiar with a lot of sexual concepts. I don't know, maybe I'm making a massive assumption about what the author was intending here, but the asexual = childish equivalency seems pretty toxic to me.
The objectification in this is also pretty full-on. Quite odd when you consider the body dysmorphia and reassurance put on how attractive Jance finds Brighton, even when, especially when, he's small and thin.
Them both pretending to date other people (admittedly, both women knew what was going on so at least it wasn't too disingenuous) was one thing. When Brighton realises that Jance is attracted to him, but seems uncomfortable about it, he eggs him on by continuing to touch him and force things between them.
Jance admits that he tried to forget Brighton when he moved to college a year earlier than Brighton. Ouch. Once reunited, I'd have appreciated some more time spent with them as friends, getting to know each other in this new stage of life.
Instead, it was just instant angsty horndoggery and ridiculousness. That's a no from me.
September 21, 2023
Jance and Brighton have been inseparable since childhood, until Jance goes off to NSU and realizes he’s barely spoken to Brighton since coming to college.
Now that he and Brighton are both at NSU and on the same swim team, things pick up as if they were never apart. Except now both Brighton and Jance realizes their feelings for each other are not just of the friendly variety.
Honestly, I didn’t really vibe with the author’s writing style, and felt like Jance and Brighton’s inner turmoil about their feelings for each other was a bit too drawn out. Otherwise their story was fine and I enjoyed it for the most part.
Now that he and Brighton are both at NSU and on the same swim team, things pick up as if they were never apart. Except now both Brighton and Jance realizes their feelings for each other are not just of the friendly variety.
Honestly, I didn’t really vibe with the author’s writing style, and felt like Jance and Brighton’s inner turmoil about their feelings for each other was a bit too drawn out. Otherwise their story was fine and I enjoyed it for the most part.
September 19, 2023
3.5 stars
I didn't connect immediately with this book, it was like I started in the middle of the story and a lot of things were left unsaid: the relationship between Jance and Brighton , when they were still in high school, is not told except for brief mentions. There's also the fact that Jance basically ghosted Brighton when he went to college (he later admits that he wanted to forget Brighton), so I really struggled to feel the intensity of their connection.
I think my issues were more because of Jance than Brighton.
Brighton is amazing, precious, innocent, he adores his best friend but his very low self esteem (and Jance's shitty behaviour) will make him believe he could never be enough for someone like his friend.
"I held you back...Everybody loves you. Everybody wants you. Why do you waste your time with me?"
I felt so sorry for Brighton, he thought he needed to change himself and his body in order to be worthy of Jance and that was very very sad.
Jance was a bit of a coward and hurt Brighton in the process, especially with the fake girlfriend situation. He never really talked with his friend about his new food and work out habits and he seemed to give in into his attraction for Brighton only when he wore his roommate's clothes.
One thing I really really appreciate was the development of the sexual side of their relationship: it's not clear if Brighton is demi or gray and it doesn't really matter; the important part is that he takes all the time he needs before engaging in any physical acts and, for a while, he prefers only satisfying Jance and not himself.
I think it's important to represent that not everyone is the same, there's no right or wrong and that there are a lot people who live their sexuality differently but who are all worthy and deserving of love.
In this regard, the sex scenes are very sweet and romantic.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
I didn't connect immediately with this book, it was like I started in the middle of the story and a lot of things were left unsaid: the relationship between Jance and Brighton , when they were still in high school, is not told except for brief mentions. There's also the fact that Jance basically ghosted Brighton when he went to college (he later admits that he wanted to forget Brighton), so I really struggled to feel the intensity of their connection.
I think my issues were more because of Jance than Brighton.
Brighton is amazing, precious, innocent, he adores his best friend but his very low self esteem (and Jance's shitty behaviour) will make him believe he could never be enough for someone like his friend.
"I held you back...Everybody loves you. Everybody wants you. Why do you waste your time with me?"
I felt so sorry for Brighton, he thought he needed to change himself and his body in order to be worthy of Jance and that was very very sad.
Jance was a bit of a coward and hurt Brighton in the process, especially with the fake girlfriend situation. He never really talked with his friend about his new food and work out habits and he seemed to give in into his attraction for Brighton only when he wore his roommate's clothes.
One thing I really really appreciate was the development of the sexual side of their relationship: it's not clear if Brighton is demi or gray and it doesn't really matter; the important part is that he takes all the time he needs before engaging in any physical acts and, for a while, he prefers only satisfying Jance and not himself.
I think it's important to represent that not everyone is the same, there's no right or wrong and that there are a lot people who live their sexuality differently but who are all worthy and deserving of love.
In this regard, the sex scenes are very sweet and romantic.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
September 23, 2023
Wow. Just wow. After reading Camden Jess's fantastic debut Drowning In You, a small part of me wondered if they could do it again. Well, they can and they have, both with their short Soaking Wet Stepbrother and this amazing new book. I was already deeply invested in Brighton from seeing him in the previous book (the books are connected but can be read as standalones) so I was so excited to see him get an entire book to himself, and his relationship with Jance is so perfect. They are the sweetest best friends, and it's an amazing and complex story watching them turn into more.
It's no secret I love Camden's brilliant and beautiful writing, and in this book they continue to hone their craft. I often had to stop to read something over again, it's just so damn lovely. I really hope these books can be made into audiobooks at some point, I would love to hear the fantastic writing performed by a talented narrator. I wholeheartedly recommend Best Friends Float, it's a fantastic book that made me incredibly emotional at points, I connected so much with the main characters, and also the supporting cast, who are all strong and distinct characters in their own rights.
Honestly, I always struggle with this author, it's really hard to explain just how good they are. Quite ridiculously good, to the point where it's indescribable. I actually read Best Friends Float twice over in a short space of time, and I can see all their books becoming frequent rereads. They were already one of my favourite authors after the previous book, and this gorgeous story has just cemented that position. Best Friends Float has a very different vibe to their debut, but is equally wonderful. Highly recommend anything and everything by this author.
It's no secret I love Camden's brilliant and beautiful writing, and in this book they continue to hone their craft. I often had to stop to read something over again, it's just so damn lovely. I really hope these books can be made into audiobooks at some point, I would love to hear the fantastic writing performed by a talented narrator. I wholeheartedly recommend Best Friends Float, it's a fantastic book that made me incredibly emotional at points, I connected so much with the main characters, and also the supporting cast, who are all strong and distinct characters in their own rights.
Honestly, I always struggle with this author, it's really hard to explain just how good they are. Quite ridiculously good, to the point where it's indescribable. I actually read Best Friends Float twice over in a short space of time, and I can see all their books becoming frequent rereads. They were already one of my favourite authors after the previous book, and this gorgeous story has just cemented that position. Best Friends Float has a very different vibe to their debut, but is equally wonderful. Highly recommend anything and everything by this author.
September 20, 2023
I'm rounding this up from 3.5. I did enjoy the story but it did take me some time to really get into it.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
October 28, 2023
3.5 “Corrupt Me, Pretty Please” ⭐️s
Brighton is the definition of innocence. His knowledge on sex stems from an awkward PowerPoint presentation given by his mother. So, when he spends a year away from his best friend and they reunite, he doesn’t understand why things feel so different between them. All he knows is that he’s feeling things he’s not sure he should be, and he doesn’t want these feelings to ruin his friendship.
Jance has spent the past year sowing his young and wildly horny oats, but it’s not until he has his best friend back in reaching distance that he realizes he’s been missing something. Brighton is finally attending college with him and now he’s seeing him in a new light. He doesn’t understand what these feelings mean, but he knows that hurting Brighton is the very last thing he wants.
Brighton was super cute, but at times his innocence seemed to be perpetuated in an infantilizing manner. It made me a little uncomfortable. He’s only eighteen, so I’m not saying it’s totally unbelievable but I’m not sure his character was done justice in this portrayal. He calls his 🍆 his “thing” and can’t even say the word cum/come. I’m not saying that I disliked his character (I actually really adored him) but I do feel that he was almost too childlike. When he finally says the f-word out loud I cringed. He’s just written so wholly sweet and boyish that it kind of shocked me. Jance had a little less depth to him. He has his family issues (overbearing rich mother, and a chronically ill father) so it’s not like he’s boring, but Brighton was the more thought out character. The first 50% has a lot of mildly angsty buildup where these two pine and pine and pine for one another, but I didn’t mind waiting.
Brighton is very insecure. He grew up bullied and has been made to feel weak, where his best friend is a giant, muscled Adonis. So, he gets it in his head that he needs to be more. He needs more muscle, to look cooler, act cooler. It’s achingly sweet that he doesn’t realize how much Jance adores him as just as he is. But— sigh —I do wish this had panned out better. The resolution to his body dysmorphia is glossed over and barely mentioned (it’s revealed in the last chapter that he’s in therapy for these issues and is working on his self esteem). Writing this as a major plot driving detail and having it be smoothed over in a single paragraph was a bit of a let down.
All that being said, I did enjoy the book. There are a lot of feelings in the writing and characters. This author is someone I’ll definitely be looking out for in the future!
If you like…
New Adult (college) MM Romance
Sports 🏊♂️ 🌊
First Times
Bi-Awakening
Size Difference
Best Friends-to-Lovers
Medium Burn
Spice 🌶️ 🌶️ /5
Low Angst and
HEAs
Then give this one a read!
Brighton is the definition of innocence. His knowledge on sex stems from an awkward PowerPoint presentation given by his mother. So, when he spends a year away from his best friend and they reunite, he doesn’t understand why things feel so different between them. All he knows is that he’s feeling things he’s not sure he should be, and he doesn’t want these feelings to ruin his friendship.
Jance has spent the past year sowing his young and wildly horny oats, but it’s not until he has his best friend back in reaching distance that he realizes he’s been missing something. Brighton is finally attending college with him and now he’s seeing him in a new light. He doesn’t understand what these feelings mean, but he knows that hurting Brighton is the very last thing he wants.
Brighton was super cute, but at times his innocence seemed to be perpetuated in an infantilizing manner. It made me a little uncomfortable. He’s only eighteen, so I’m not saying it’s totally unbelievable but I’m not sure his character was done justice in this portrayal. He calls his 🍆 his “thing” and can’t even say the word cum/come. I’m not saying that I disliked his character (I actually really adored him) but I do feel that he was almost too childlike. When he finally says the f-word out loud I cringed. He’s just written so wholly sweet and boyish that it kind of shocked me. Jance had a little less depth to him. He has his family issues (overbearing rich mother, and a chronically ill father) so it’s not like he’s boring, but Brighton was the more thought out character. The first 50% has a lot of mildly angsty buildup where these two pine and pine and pine for one another, but I didn’t mind waiting.
Brighton is very insecure. He grew up bullied and has been made to feel weak, where his best friend is a giant, muscled Adonis. So, he gets it in his head that he needs to be more. He needs more muscle, to look cooler, act cooler. It’s achingly sweet that he doesn’t realize how much Jance adores him as just as he is. But— sigh —I do wish this had panned out better. The resolution to his body dysmorphia is glossed over and barely mentioned (it’s revealed in the last chapter that he’s in therapy for these issues and is working on his self esteem). Writing this as a major plot driving detail and having it be smoothed over in a single paragraph was a bit of a let down.
All that being said, I did enjoy the book. There are a lot of feelings in the writing and characters. This author is someone I’ll definitely be looking out for in the future!
If you like…
New Adult (college) MM Romance
Sports 🏊♂️ 🌊
First Times
Bi-Awakening
Size Difference
Best Friends-to-Lovers
Medium Burn
Spice 🌶️ 🌶️ /5
Low Angst and
HEAs
Then give this one a read!
September 17, 2023
⚠️Trigger Warnings:
•depictions of body dysmorphia, fixation on food/diet, a chronically ill parent, and a toxic parental relationship
Tropes:
🌈Best Friends to Lovers
🌈Sports Romance-Swim Team
🌈College
🌈Hurt/Comfort
🌈Size Difference
🌈Double Bi-Awakening
This is my first book by Camden Jess and omg 😍! I officially can no longer say I don’t like sports or college romances (in MM anyways) because this book solidifies it! If it wasn’t for a migraine I would have finished this in two days. This has all the things that you love in a best friends to lover story. You will fall in love with Jance & Brighton.
•depictions of body dysmorphia, fixation on food/diet, a chronically ill parent, and a toxic parental relationship
Tropes:
🌈Best Friends to Lovers
🌈Sports Romance-Swim Team
🌈College
🌈Hurt/Comfort
🌈Size Difference
🌈Double Bi-Awakening
This is my first book by Camden Jess and omg 😍! I officially can no longer say I don’t like sports or college romances (in MM anyways) because this book solidifies it! If it wasn’t for a migraine I would have finished this in two days. This has all the things that you love in a best friends to lover story. You will fall in love with Jance & Brighton.
September 23, 2023
He has always been there for them no matter what, he has picked him up when they have fallen. Now they have fallen for him but he is straight isn’t he? Things seem to be changing between them and it may be time to take a step into the unknown. How will it go? Will they find a common ground? Will they share a bed together? See how it will all go for them
September 19, 2023
If you’ve read book one, Drowning in You, then you’ve met most of this characters already so this is Brighton & Janice’s story.
These two have been best friends for around ten years but lost touch a bit for the last year when Jance went to college. Now that Brighton is attending NSU and they are teammates, feelings and behaviors resurface and quickly.
Grab a drink and blanket and get comfortable because once you start this you won’t want to put this down. I do highly suggest reading book one and the prequel (you get this when signing up for Camden’s newsletter) first so you understand all these characters better.
My favorite quote from Brighton:
“Maybe a teammate will have some sympathy and teach me how to defend myself against random jerks. There’s also pepper spray, bear spray, probably butthead spray, too. I bet the stuff for jock itch would work just as effectively in a bully’s eyes. May as well get some knee pads, a helmet, and probably—“
🖤🔥🏊♂️🔥🖤
These two have been best friends for around ten years but lost touch a bit for the last year when Jance went to college. Now that Brighton is attending NSU and they are teammates, feelings and behaviors resurface and quickly.
Grab a drink and blanket and get comfortable because once you start this you won’t want to put this down. I do highly suggest reading book one and the prequel (you get this when signing up for Camden’s newsletter) first so you understand all these characters better.
My favorite quote from Brighton:
“Maybe a teammate will have some sympathy and teach me how to defend myself against random jerks. There’s also pepper spray, bear spray, probably butthead spray, too. I bet the stuff for jock itch would work just as effectively in a bully’s eyes. May as well get some knee pads, a helmet, and probably—“
🖤🔥🏊♂️🔥🖤
September 22, 2023
This book was a very good read. Brighto and Jance are best friends who go to college together. They end up having feelings for each other. I l9ved the way they end up together.
September 19, 2023
Best friends float is an incredibly adorable, steamy, sweet and well written best friends to lovers MM romance. Jance and Brighton are amazing together. Brighton is a clumsy, small guy who swims long distance as a freshman in college. Jance is a sophomore, who towers over Brighton, and also swims for the college. These two have been best friends since they were kids when Jance carried Brighton to the nurses office after he skinned his knees when a bully pushed him. And they’ve been friends ever since, even though Jance was a grade ahead of him. There was some distance between the two of them at the start of the book that they had to work through. It had been a year since they’d seen each other (and rarely talked), because Jance started college a year ahead of Brighton and didn’t come home or around. Their feelings for one another have started to shift from friendly to more and it left both these guys freaked out. So, lots of distance and awkwardness to get over. They are so cute while they do it, too. We get fake girlfriends, fake excuses, and total avoidance, while also trying to make the other jealous or turn them on. Lemme tell you, it led to some very funny and cute moments. And wow, when they finally do work out their stuff? Jance and Brighton together are just everything. And Jance says some of the most romantic stuff ever. “Everything that changes. Everything that stays the same. Every version of you is the best version. I’ll claim them all.” - Jance. I mean, I just melted. Jance just always loved Brighton, as a friend, as a lover, as an everything. And he didn’t care if Brighton was small, with no muscles or he had muscles…or if he wore geeky cartoon underwear (which were just too cute), or if he wore sexy jockstraps. To Jance it didn’t matter because it was Brighton. Jance was wise in the way he looked at things, even if he didn’t realize it. “Even if you always carry, you need to be carried sometimes. No one is too strong to never fall.” - Jance. He knew that not everyone could always be strong. Sometimes even the strong need support, need a hand. On top of the relationship drama, Jance had to overcome issues at home, a sick dad and a distant mother. His family was cold and distant. That is the one disappointment I really had, we never know what was wrong with his dad. The one time it is really brought into focus, it’s Brighton who isn’t quite sure, either an auto immune disease or something with his muscles…I wanted more. I wanted to see how Jance felt with the diagnosis, what it was…it just left us in the dark. Which was my only issue with the entire book and it’s really not a big issue. Now, Jance isn’t the only one that had other issues to deal with, poor Brighton has always been bullied and with wanting Jance, he got so focused on his body image and really spiraled on that, which led to a lot of issues and friction between Jance and Brighton, but they worked it out in the end. Brighton put in the work. This book made me smile, laugh, and was steamy. The writing was wonderfully done, at times a real poetry to it. The way they described their love and emotions, their relationship and friendship. It was beautiful. One last Jance quote, “Love isn’t what you know, Mother. It’s what you do.” You really can’t say it any better than that. Love is actions, not just words. Don’t get me wrong, words are great to hear but actions, those are where it’s really at. And these two get that. These two are the epitome of an epic love story, of soulmates. This story surprised me, it really caught me off guard how much I loved it. From the very beginning I was in love with these two guys and their story, their journey. Not just their journey to one another but through finding themselves. This story is just as much a love story as it is self-love and discovering who you are and embracing that person. And the way it ends? It was perfect. Jance and Brighton at every turn were unexpected. Everyone needs a best friend that becomes their everything, that not only always catches them but is always caught.
September 20, 2023
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
This is the second book in the Neptune State University series. I did not read the first book but didn’t seem lost at any time. Brighton and Jance are a year apart, so when Brighton comes to college as a freshman, Jance has been there a year. Since Jance has always been big and always looked older, he tends to hang out with upperclassmen. Jance comes from a wealthy family and his mother puts a lot of pressure on him. Brighton, raised vegan by pretty hippie parents (who he calls Delia and Gunther) and is pretty supported.
I admit to being conflicted about this story. I love new adult books, friends to lovers is my trope of choice and cartoon undies are always a sure thing. It’s just that here, nothing was a sure thing. There are trigger warnings of body dysmorphia, toxic parental relationship, chronic illness of a parent and fixation on food diet. Some of these things were very evident – Jance’s relationship with his mother is toxic, for sure and his dad got sick while Jance was in high school and remains pretty ill. However, I don’t know if I missed it somehow but I didn’t see a big fixation on food, although Brighton does seem to have some body dysmorphia, as he views himself as too small, almost tiny, even though he is not. The size difference mentioned is due to Brighton being a slender man with a distance swimmer’s body and Jance is huge with a burst swimmer’s body.
We are told Brighton and Jance have been friends since they were young but honestly we don’t really see that. Jance went away to college and basically shut Brighton out. Now that they are both at the same college and both on the swim team, there is a little more interaction but, at least in the beginning, not much. “I don’t mention that this is the longest we’ve talked since official team practices started two weeks ago. Or since the last swim practice we shared over a year ago at our club team.” We are talking no calls, few texts, nothing. “It scares me how easily I moved onto campus and kinda shed the relationship. The memories.” That was Jance, who then has the audacity to think, “I hope my absence didn’t hurt him…”.
Brighton does change a lot, but I didn’t necessarily think it was a bad thing. That’s what college is known for, figuring out who you are. It was the thought that he was changing for Jance that was an issue.
There are some great supporting characters, particularly Carrigan and Tillie. What got me bogged down some was all the inner turmoil about being gay, being attracted to your bestie, ignoring/avoiding said bestie, etc. It was a little redundant at times and I found myself having to go back several times to reread things. There are some funny moments. “Bitch dick.”, which I will not spoil. Delia’s instructional seminar via PowerPoint. Just the name Might Morphin’ Meat Rager.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad story, just not really my cup of tea.
This is the second book in the Neptune State University series. I did not read the first book but didn’t seem lost at any time. Brighton and Jance are a year apart, so when Brighton comes to college as a freshman, Jance has been there a year. Since Jance has always been big and always looked older, he tends to hang out with upperclassmen. Jance comes from a wealthy family and his mother puts a lot of pressure on him. Brighton, raised vegan by pretty hippie parents (who he calls Delia and Gunther) and is pretty supported.
I admit to being conflicted about this story. I love new adult books, friends to lovers is my trope of choice and cartoon undies are always a sure thing. It’s just that here, nothing was a sure thing. There are trigger warnings of body dysmorphia, toxic parental relationship, chronic illness of a parent and fixation on food diet. Some of these things were very evident – Jance’s relationship with his mother is toxic, for sure and his dad got sick while Jance was in high school and remains pretty ill. However, I don’t know if I missed it somehow but I didn’t see a big fixation on food, although Brighton does seem to have some body dysmorphia, as he views himself as too small, almost tiny, even though he is not. The size difference mentioned is due to Brighton being a slender man with a distance swimmer’s body and Jance is huge with a burst swimmer’s body.
We are told Brighton and Jance have been friends since they were young but honestly we don’t really see that. Jance went away to college and basically shut Brighton out. Now that they are both at the same college and both on the swim team, there is a little more interaction but, at least in the beginning, not much. “I don’t mention that this is the longest we’ve talked since official team practices started two weeks ago. Or since the last swim practice we shared over a year ago at our club team.” We are talking no calls, few texts, nothing. “It scares me how easily I moved onto campus and kinda shed the relationship. The memories.” That was Jance, who then has the audacity to think, “I hope my absence didn’t hurt him…”.
Brighton does change a lot, but I didn’t necessarily think it was a bad thing. That’s what college is known for, figuring out who you are. It was the thought that he was changing for Jance that was an issue.
There are some great supporting characters, particularly Carrigan and Tillie. What got me bogged down some was all the inner turmoil about being gay, being attracted to your bestie, ignoring/avoiding said bestie, etc. It was a little redundant at times and I found myself having to go back several times to reread things. There are some funny moments. “Bitch dick.”, which I will not spoil. Delia’s instructional seminar via PowerPoint. Just the name Might Morphin’ Meat Rager.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad story, just not really my cup of tea.
September 21, 2023
Jance and Brighton ❤️
✅Best Friends to Lovers
✅Hurt/Comfort
✅HEA
✅Sweet❤️Spice🔥
If I'm being honest, I really loved some parts of this book but others come off a bit....immature. Let me explain, Brighton's inner dialogue sounded more like a young child and not like a young man who just entered college. He would refer to his d*ck as his thing...I was like huh? The more he said it and the more he talked about how his thing felt the cringier it got. I set that niggle aside and powered through, that specific phrasing eventually stopped so I was content. I'm glad I didn't give up. This relationship from friends to lovers ended up being super sweet, emotional and sexy. The bond and love these two shared was heartwarming, they were each others other half, it just took some time for Jance to catch up. One of my favorite moments in this book was when Jance came to realize that he was a lot like his mother, he spoke to her from his heart with an absolutely swoon worthy explanation of just what Brighton meant to him ❤️ It actually brought tears to my eyes. Now let's talk about the epilogue, I loved it. It was everything that I wanted for these two. I would recommend this book, it ended up being one great story.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
✅Best Friends to Lovers
✅Hurt/Comfort
✅HEA
✅Sweet❤️Spice🔥
If I'm being honest, I really loved some parts of this book but others come off a bit....immature. Let me explain, Brighton's inner dialogue sounded more like a young child and not like a young man who just entered college. He would refer to his d*ck as his thing...I was like huh? The more he said it and the more he talked about how his thing felt the cringier it got. I set that niggle aside and powered through, that specific phrasing eventually stopped so I was content. I'm glad I didn't give up. This relationship from friends to lovers ended up being super sweet, emotional and sexy. The bond and love these two shared was heartwarming, they were each others other half, it just took some time for Jance to catch up. One of my favorite moments in this book was when Jance came to realize that he was a lot like his mother, he spoke to her from his heart with an absolutely swoon worthy explanation of just what Brighton meant to him ❤️ It actually brought tears to my eyes. Now let's talk about the epilogue, I loved it. It was everything that I wanted for these two. I would recommend this book, it ended up being one great story.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
September 23, 2023
SWEET BEST FRIENDS TO LOVERS!
“It’s not about the size or the shape,” he whispers. “It’s the story.”
“It’s the story,” I repeat. “Where yours meets mine.”
Their love story unfolds at the same time Rainer and Clouds journey started in the first book…
I loved their connection that they had even as kids when kids tried to bully Brighton Jance was there to pick him up and protect him…
Their dynamic was sweet and steamy as soon as they admitted to each other what they were both feeling but they first had to learn about each other from the year they were separated and drop the pretend girlfriends that were basically their wingwomen…
Jance’s family dynamic with his mother was stilted until Brighton taught him about love…
I loved how they picked each other up and kept each other afloat in dire times also with the support of their teammates…
“Because when we fall, we’ll fall together. The water will catch us. Like it always does. And then we’ll float. Like we always will.”
This was a sweet, poignant yet complex love story between two destined souls who were made for each other!
I look forward to more teammates finding their forever…
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.
“It’s not about the size or the shape,” he whispers. “It’s the story.”
“It’s the story,” I repeat. “Where yours meets mine.”
Their love story unfolds at the same time Rainer and Clouds journey started in the first book…
I loved their connection that they had even as kids when kids tried to bully Brighton Jance was there to pick him up and protect him…
Their dynamic was sweet and steamy as soon as they admitted to each other what they were both feeling but they first had to learn about each other from the year they were separated and drop the pretend girlfriends that were basically their wingwomen…
Jance’s family dynamic with his mother was stilted until Brighton taught him about love…
I loved how they picked each other up and kept each other afloat in dire times also with the support of their teammates…
“Because when we fall, we’ll fall together. The water will catch us. Like it always does. And then we’ll float. Like we always will.”
This was a sweet, poignant yet complex love story between two destined souls who were made for each other!
I look forward to more teammates finding their forever…
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.
September 22, 2023
Brighton stole my heart
This was a very mixed bag for me. On the positive side, I absolutely adored Brighton and wanted to wrap him up and give him cuddles. He was such a sweet, lovely guy whose confidence had been badly knocked. He was kind and gentle and such a good friend to Jance (and then partner). The problem is, Brighton deserved so much better than Jance and at the end of the story I honestly was kind of wishing that he didn’t love him so much because I wanted him to find someone who deserved him, who was good enough for him and would genuinely honour the person he was. Jance… I’ll be honest I kind of hated him. Maybe if I didn’t love Brighton so much I might have warmed to him. But Jance hurt Brighton continually through his own selfishness and cowardice. He didn’t see that Brighton was turning himself inside out to try to be something worthy of him when it was Jance who was never worthy. The writing wasn’t bad, the pace of the story was okay, I just hated Jance so much that I didn’t enjoy the HEA. Maybe I’m just being harsh; that being said, I’m so glad I got to meet Brighton because he was a fantastic character.
This was a very mixed bag for me. On the positive side, I absolutely adored Brighton and wanted to wrap him up and give him cuddles. He was such a sweet, lovely guy whose confidence had been badly knocked. He was kind and gentle and such a good friend to Jance (and then partner). The problem is, Brighton deserved so much better than Jance and at the end of the story I honestly was kind of wishing that he didn’t love him so much because I wanted him to find someone who deserved him, who was good enough for him and would genuinely honour the person he was. Jance… I’ll be honest I kind of hated him. Maybe if I didn’t love Brighton so much I might have warmed to him. But Jance hurt Brighton continually through his own selfishness and cowardice. He didn’t see that Brighton was turning himself inside out to try to be something worthy of him when it was Jance who was never worthy. The writing wasn’t bad, the pace of the story was okay, I just hated Jance so much that I didn’t enjoy the HEA. Maybe I’m just being harsh; that being said, I’m so glad I got to meet Brighton because he was a fantastic character.
September 22, 2023
I love a sports romance and this series about colleges swimmers is to die for. I loved book one but book two raised the bar. The main characters, Jance and Brighton, are long time best friends who drift apart when one leaves for college, but fortuntately for the reader they reconnect a year later at college as teammates on the swim team. And of course much has changed in that one year apart. Suddenly they are having more than best friends feelings and it scares both of them immensely. Like real life their responses are written realistically and typical of many young first loves and accepting who you are. I love that Jane is such a protector but yet such a romantic and love that Brighton is so sweet and easy to love. This one was a feel good read for me, despited some touchy and sensitive topics that do add some depth, but at it's core it is a love story and romance. I wanted them to work our their issues and find what was in their hearts. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.
September 18, 2023
I enjoyed this book, but I wasn’t blown away by it. Maybe because I have been reading heavier books lately, but I felt it missed some highs and lows. I liked the characters, I could connect with them well, but I missed a bit of a journey in the story. They are best friends to lovers, and the emotions and new situations that come with that are well represented. I just missed the real struggle that usually comes with a book, an obstacle to overcome. They had little troubles but nothing earth shattering.
I liked the writing, it was nice to follow along with, it read easy and quick, working well overall. So, if you’re looking for a really light and quick read this is a book for you!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the writing, it was nice to follow along with, it read easy and quick, working well overall. So, if you’re looking for a really light and quick read this is a book for you!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2023
Stop saying my boy, and stop grinding in a public swimming pool in the middle of a swimming competition wtff
I want to give credit: I only read the first ~20 pages of the previous book in the series (before I decided I couldn't stand Rainer), but in both books, the character voices are really distinct and strong, which I appreciate (it's also kind of why I despise Rainer, but it's nice). There are also some pretty solid plotlines in this book. However, I had to push myself to finish this book. It took me four days to read the last 30 pages because I just didn't want to do it. If I was struggling that much it means I did not like this book, it was just not for me. 1.5 stars bumping up, because even though I didn't enjoy it, I could see someone else finding a lot of value here.
I want to give credit: I only read the first ~20 pages of the previous book in the series (before I decided I couldn't stand Rainer), but in both books, the character voices are really distinct and strong, which I appreciate (it's also kind of why I despise Rainer, but it's nice). There are also some pretty solid plotlines in this book. However, I had to push myself to finish this book. It took me four days to read the last 30 pages because I just didn't want to do it. If I was struggling that much it means I did not like this book, it was just not for me. 1.5 stars bumping up, because even though I didn't enjoy it, I could see someone else finding a lot of value here.
September 17, 2023
Brighton and Jance’s story takes the friends-to-lovers-trope and imbues it with tons of feelings. The connection between the two characters feels for the most part deep and real, and their evolving relationship takes shape against a backdrop that contains some real challenges, including body dysmorphia and toxic parenting. The characters and their circumstances are brought to life by a clear, vivid prose style, and it’s easy to get sucked into this story. As a last thought here, reading the previous book in the series will give added context for the characters in this one, but I think the romance here can stand alone.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 18, 2023
Book#2 in this series, but I haven't read the first one so here we go:
Brighton and Jance have been best friends since they were young and then they somewhat grew apart after Jance leaves for college a year before Brighton can. Once they reconnect, unfamiliar feelings begin to surface that they hadn't had before, but since they trust each other completely, there is little angst about their budding relationship, at least to them.
This was a quick read with an HEA, but please read the Trigger Warnings at the beginning in case you're not comfortable with some of the heavier topics mentioned.
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Brighton and Jance have been best friends since they were young and then they somewhat grew apart after Jance leaves for college a year before Brighton can. Once they reconnect, unfamiliar feelings begin to surface that they hadn't had before, but since they trust each other completely, there is little angst about their budding relationship, at least to them.
This was a quick read with an HEA, but please read the Trigger Warnings at the beginning in case you're not comfortable with some of the heavier topics mentioned.
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
September 19, 2023
This is another good addition to the authors debut series again it is well written, this one is a bit lighter than the first book Cloud and Rainer’s story which was an enemies to lovers, bi-awakening story and was a bit more angst than this best friends to lovers bi-awakening, the books can all be read individually but if you’ve read book one, then you’ve already met most of the characters in the series, this is Brighton and Jance’s story and what a great pair of characters they are it would be so hard not to fall in love with them, can’t wait to read what comes next from this author and series.
September 20, 2023
The narrative of Brighton and Jance takes the cliche of friends-to-lovers and injects it with a plethora of sentiment. The two main characters have a strong emotional bond that seems genuine, and their romance develops against a realistic backdrop of issues like body dysmorphia and abusive parents. It's simple to be drawn into this novel because of the clear, vivid literary style that brings the characters and their situations to life. As a last note, I think the romance here may stand alone, but I would recommend reading the first book in the series if you haven't already.I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
September 22, 2023
I really like Brighton’s character in this, he is well defined, interesting, and intelligent. I enjoyed his journey of coming to know himself better. It’s a very relatable college story. I struggled with Jance however. It’s easy to have empathy for him, his family life is tough and his mother is pretty awful. However, his treatment of his so called best friend was hard to excuse. I would have liked some more evidence of their long standing friendship. The friendship was hard to see from what on the page, so for me a pretty integral part of a best friends to lovers story felt lacking.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 24, 2023
When I read this title, the first thing I thought of wasn't a swim team, but an ice cream and root beer float. Somehow, that vision still makes sense to me after reading this wonderful story about Brighton and Jance. As friends, Jance has always been there like the solid base of vanilla ice cream in the float. As they start to become more to each other in this story, their relationship begins to get that wonderful fizz from the soda and all kinds of feelings bubble up. These two have some things to work through as what they are to each other changes, but in the end all the elements blend together for a rich and satisfying treat. Can't wait to see more of they swim team find their HEA.
September 24, 2023
Don't give up. Jance has been best friends with Brighton since they were kids. Jance being bigger, protected Brighton from the bullies and he offered comfort. They were seperated when one went to college first. When they reunited, there was an awkwardness. The separation opened new channels of thought. Jance and Brighton are really nice young mean and they get better as they age. College is challenging enough but now Jance and Brighton have to grow up reform their friendship, who they are to each other in a new environment. Growing up, learning who you are and who you are to each other, good story. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2023
Best friends since they were 10, only to be separated when Jance being a year older left for college and Brighton followed soon after but the year away from each other has made their relationship strain. Now they are back hanging out with each but unfamiliar feelings are surfacing and they are struggling to understand the feelings. Brighton is adorable and Jance nicely balances him out. This is lighter than the previous book in series but still really enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 19, 2023
I really enjoyed "Best Friends Float". The story has good flow and the characters are well written. Brighton is so pure and full of light. At times it is difficult to watch him struggle. Jance isn't having an easy go of it and when dealing with things in his way he winds up hurting Brighton. The sex between them is steamy and sweet and once they get on the same page it is wonderful to watch their HEA evolve.
I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2023
This is a brand new author for me, but I absolutely loved this story! So well written! Loved the two main characters - Jance and Brighton! Childhood best friends - both swimmers - who are a year apart. After Jance heads to college alone, they drift apart. After that year apart, they are then back together swimming at the same college and pick their friendship back up where it left off and more....
Beautiful story! Will be reading book 1 from this Neptune State Univ series next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Beautiful story! Will be reading book 1 from this Neptune State Univ series next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2025
2.5★
Yeah I didn’t enjoy it to be honest. The writing wasn’t for me, I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters and I didn’t fell anything throughout most of the book.
Jance and Brighton were sweet together but they didn’t do anything for me. I’m just really disappointed because I wanted to read this book to scratch my friends to lovers itch and was given nothing.
I only like the last 50 pages where we saw more of their relationship and also the epilogue with their mothers together - that was cute.
Yeah I didn’t enjoy it to be honest. The writing wasn’t for me, I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters and I didn’t fell anything throughout most of the book.
Jance and Brighton were sweet together but they didn’t do anything for me. I’m just really disappointed because I wanted to read this book to scratch my friends to lovers itch and was given nothing.
I only like the last 50 pages where we saw more of their relationship and also the epilogue with their mothers together - that was cute.
September 19, 2023
This is the second book in the Neptune State University series and it's even better than the first, this is a standalone but I think it was better to have read the first book. This has some of my favorite tropes including, friends to lovers, sports, and bi-awakening, though I do recommend you check the trigger warnings before reading. I adored Jance and Brighton so much together, they were so good. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
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