Fools

Fools Errand

by Shadiya Lyons

Kellen

The entire world is convinced that something is going on between my best friend and I.

Okay, maybe not the entire world— but a good chunk of our fans think we're secretly together.

But ever since our band, Fool's Errand, blew up three years ago, people have mistaken our close friendship for romance.

And, okay— maybe before then too, but we're just the best friends ever.

Everyone is sure that we're hiding or in denial, but we've been close since we were young, and it's not our fault other people don't understand affection.

We might show it differently than other friends—

but that's all we are—

Friends.

Until an awkward interview changes things between us.

And denying that Oliver isn't the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen gets harder than—

Well, you get the picture.

Though we try to avoid it, fate has other plans when we end up stuck together with no escape.

Oliver is terrified that whatever we're doing will ruin our friendship.

I'm sure that it would never be the same regardless.

How can I convince my overthinking best friend that change can be good?

Especially when I'll do anything for him, even if that means pretending that everything is fine when it soclearly isn't.

I was under the impression that shippers are stupid.

But, I'm beginning to think all those people were onto something

And maybe...

We're the fools after all...

Fools is a spicy, 20k word best friends-to-lovers MM rockstar romance novella with oblivious best friends, pushy bandmates, cute nicknames, crazy fangirls, a double bi-awakening, and a ridiculous forced-proximity plotline. It's book one of the Fool's Errand mini series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Novella, M M Romance, Queer, Contemporary, Music

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2023

About the author

Shadiya Lyons (they/them) is a queer romance author and actor hailing from Aurora, Colorado and for that very reason, they should be a lot better at writing bios.

Shadiya writes love stories that they would want to read if they weren't written by them. Diversity and inclusion are a priority because they could be the poster child for the word "minority."

I have a personal page for reviews and ratings.

Reviews

[alex :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

a sweet, fluffy read, but was a bit too fast-paced. i get this is a novella, but the time jumps seemed a bit excessive. also, these guys are supposed to be rockstars, but i just didn’t get that vibe at all. they were basically two best friends who had feelings for each other, which is fine, but where was the fame and success that was constantly being brought up? honestly, i can’t remember much of what happened and was kinda reading just to read at about halfway through.

[Renae Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this debut novella. The relationship was very sweet and exciting to see these two friends discover their feelings for one another. An exciting romance that was full of steamy moments. Overall quite an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravo, young debut author on your first novella!
Pacing is on point.
Emotions are on point.
Looking forward to more in this world.

Give it try if you love rockstar romance, childhood besties that can’t keep their hands off each other, the trust, the honesty, double bi-awakening, and the drama behind the scenes that comes from fan “shipping”.

”As if I’d ever fucking say no to him.” It’s like that.

[☆diya☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wrote this so... i gotta hype myself lmao

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute, not bad for a novella or a debut. Kellen and Oliver have been best friends for years and they have always loved each other but now they understand that that love is more and fuller in a way. Kellen was all in, no matter what he had to do, he was not going to lose Oliver. Oliver just got overwhelmed sometimes and his head did the thinking instead of his heart. But everything worked out and they were very cute

[book_reader_addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet novella by a baby-author ❤️ it’s well written, best friends to lovers, forced proximity and double bi-awakening ❤️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[michaela *ੈ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a short story queer rockstar romance that includes diversity and coming to terms with sexuality. i think that this novel was super cute and fun but that it could have dove deeper into more of the “rockstar life”. nonetheless, i liked it. give it a read, you will not regret it.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Friends to lovers stories!
THIS WAS SO FUCKING CUTE 💕 I wish it was longer, didn't want to stop reading about this two.

Loved how oblivious Oli was and how patient Kellen was all the time, they were perfect for each other!



*I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver + Kellen

-MM
-rockstar romance
-friends to lovers
-autism rep

short & quick read that was surprisingly well done by a debut author like this. loved it

[Brittanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of friends to lovers but this novella is an exception.

I really enjoyed the story, Oli & Kellen were adorable. I love the healthy dynamic and the constant consent. Because consent is sexy.

I had butterflies, my stomach dropped, and I definitely was emotional at the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[myqueerbookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

« ARC REVIEW »

Fools by Shadiya Lyons is a best friends-to-lovers mm rockstar romance novella. It is book one of the fool's errand mini series and can be read as a stand-alone.

« childhood best friends to lovers »
« double bi-awakening »
« first times »
« size difference »
« codependent MCs »
« rock stars / bandmates »
« spicy & sweet »
« forced proximity »
« autistic MC »

Oliver and Kellen are childhood best friends and bandmates of Fools Errand. Fans are shipping them hard, despite them only being friends. During an interview the two kiss and something shifts between them.

"I lean down, pressing my lips against his. It feels like coming back home."

Fools is equal measures spicy and sweet. The way that Kellen takes care of Oli makes me MELT. Kellen and Oliver have been best friends since they were in the 6th grade and are completely codependent on each other. Props to Kellen, once he realizes he is attracted to Oli and wants him, he is all in. There is no hesitation on his part even when it came to sex even though neither MC have been with a man before. I liked the element of consent between Kellen and Oli, after all consent is sexy! Kellen is protective of Oliver and just wants him to be happy. I loved seeing their friendship and relationship evolve with their friendship being the foundation.

"There’s nothing quite as beautiful as watching him fall apart for me. He is really is angel, someone so lovely could only be heaven-sent."

I am a big fan of nicknames and terms of endearment and this novella had them in spades! Don’t even get me started on the epilogue – my heart can’t take it! So freaking sweet. Just one more example of how well Kellen knows Oliver. I just love Kel and Oli together. I am looking forward to the rest of this mini series!

“I love music, but the best part is that it helped me find you.”

[I received an ARC of this book from Indie Author Creative and this is my honest review]

[Angela I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎸 Bi Awakening
💜 Band mates / music
🎸 Best friends to lovers
💜 Austism representation
🎸 Forced proximity

Fools is Shadiya Lyons' debut novella, and it's book 1 in the mini series Fools Errand.
We get to meet Oliver and Kellen, best friends since 6th grade, and band mates in Fools Errand, an upcoming band.

I love to see him happy, to see him smile. His smile is like a visual hug, it’s pure comfort and beauty.

While everyone believes Oliver and Kellen are an item, fans shipping for them endlessly, they both believe they are straight and only friends. Until one tiny moment during an interview when everything they thought suddenly shifts...

Oliver and Kellen are so cute, and their relationship is so genuine. They've know each other forever, and they care about each other. Kellen protects Oliver at all cost and takes on the role effortlessly.
Oliver always felt on a different level than everyone else in life, except with Kellen whom he trusts wholeheartedly.

“God, baby, you’re so pretty like this. All laid out for me. I love the way your body moves. I love the sounds you make for me.”

I gave this debut novella (and author) a chance because there is always a beginning for everything. And without readers' support, new authors are not given a chance to succeed.
I'm really glad that I read this story because it's a very good one, the characters are awesome, and I can't wait to read about the other band mates that were introduced in the book.

Thank you Shadiya for putting yourself out there and sharing this story with us. I hope there will be much more stories to come 🖤

✧˖°Instagram°˖✧

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creatives and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Fools” is a novella about Oliver and Kellen, best friends since 6th grade and now apart of a band together. They’ve always been close - to the point where fans and pretty much everyone wonder if they’re together. While both claim to be straight, a quick kiss in an interview causes them to rethink their feelings for one another. When the hotel they stay in goes under quarantine, things begin to change between Ollie and Kellen as they explore these newfound feelings.

As with any novella, this is a quick, light read. However, it did feel rather fast paced. Jumping from a concert to hotel quarantine rather quickly. I would’ve liked more background on Kellen and Ollie’s friendship and their rockstar life.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MeadowsLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fools by Shadiya Lyons
Book 1, Fools Errand series

This is a cute first novella by a new author that features the band members of Fools Errand. Kellen and Oliver’s friendship has been mistaken for more by their fans ever since they’ve been in the public eye. But they’re just friends...right? I really liked the “intervention” at the end. Super cute.

If you like reading about:

🎤 Friends to lovers
🎤 Bi-awakening x 2
🎤 Forced proximity
🎤 Autism rep
🎤 Oblivious guys

Then this book is for you!

🔥🔥🔥

[TaurReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author and I really enjoyed the book. Kudos on doing a great job on a debut short story/novella.

Kellen and Oliver were well written. The story was super heartwarming. It gives all the feels. Definitely recommend giving this book a read. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fool's Errand is a short, novella lenght, book that is very lighthearted and a cute read overall. It's a love story between Olliver and Kellen who are best friends, in a band together and both "straight". There's also a forced proximity situation happening. I'd say this book is a perfect palate cleanser. It's very enjoyable and a light read.

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lived up to my anticipation!

I love a good book of two friends who finally act on their feelings for one another. Neither were shy on the steam either. Everything about this debut novel flowed nicely, and I do hope to see more.

**I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.**

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story but it is a very good debut by this author. I enjoyed the story a lot and I look forward to more from them.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stfnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this was a bit cute, I don’t really get the high rating honestly. I liked the idea of long time friends realizing they mean more to each other. But for me the character development was too shallow to feel any depth in their relationship. Because of that this book felt juvenile to me.

[CassInTheStacks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read....

This was a great short read. The characters were interesting and you really got more into their minds than I expected with a novella. Will definitely read the next book when it releases.

[Bre Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO CUTE! Kellen and Oliver are such an adorable couple and I just love them so much. I really feel like I connected with these two characters and that’s hard to do with a novella.

🎸Rockstar
🏳️‍🌈MM
📓Novella
💕Friends To Lovers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5

[Tanya Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing read. I like how the MCs deal with being quarantined. I love how Kellen fights for how he feels for Oliver

[Greads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet debut!

[Zigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very cute

It's a short, fluffy and sweet romance between friends that everyone think are dating! Both of them were really sweet and their interactions got me giggling!