Blurred Lines

Darby U Hockey Boys #2

by Andi Jaxon

I’ve been in love with my best friend for years.
The problem?
He thinks I’m straight.
And now that I share a dorm with him, his insistent need to cuddle -and lack of clothes- are blurring the careful lines I’ve drawn.
I'm struggling to keep my defenses up.
I love him but I’m afraid.
Afraid I’m not enough to make him stay.
Afraid he’ll rip my heart out.
Afraid he won’t love me back.
But I see a side of him no one else does.
In the security of our room, he lets his mask fall.
Lets me hold him.
Something lurks in the dark recesses of his mind that keeps him from going all in.
He’s just as hesitant about this as I am, but I don’t understand why.

Can I convince him to let me love him the way he deserves…
or will he take my heart and run away with it?

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Hockey, Sports, Sports Romance, Romance, College

374 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2023

About the author

From Dyslexic kid with a love of Algebra to a published author, no one is more surprised to find me here, than I am. I love to write about tortured pasts and hot sex, a happily ever after that has to be worked for. My stories tend to be a little dark but with some comic relief, typically in the form of sarcasm.

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Reviews

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

I'm going to be short here (or maybe not), because there's really not much to tell. This book doesn't even come close to Hidden Scars. Not even close. I'm pretty disappointed, but not really disappointed, more thinking what a waste of time this was. And over 300 pages for 2 characters that aren't even that interesting for the story to be this long!

🟢 Hockey romance
🔵 Best friends to lovers
🟣 Hurt/comfort
🟡 Both MMCs bisexual, but not out
🌶️ A lot of spice, but boring (to me)
❗ Bullying, sexual assault

If you've read Hidden Scars, then you remember Brendon, who's Jeremy's best friend and for a while there his go-to hook-up. He gets cast aside as a lover when Preston comes into play, but Brendon also has a bestie, and that's Paul, who's a bit older, but a total rock for him.

Paul's always there for Brendon, he accepts him and gives him what he needs, that's mostly cuddling and support no matter what. Paul, on the other hand, has been in love with Brendon for quite a while.

Brendon and Paul's past was briefly described and based on that, I was also hoping for an angsty wild ride, but their story had absolutely no emotional weight.
Brendon had a specifically terrible past with him being severly bullied and sexually assaulted, yet when Brendon's bully comes back into the picture, there's a brief contact between the two, but absolutely nothing gets resolved. The bully doesn't get what's coming to him, the situation is just left hanging in the air, so there's no real closure there. That was a first big miss.

As far as Brendon and Paul's developing relationship go, I think they went from best friends to lovers without a single hiccup. Not one. One day they're friends, the next they're jerking each other off, then they're deciding if they're boyfriends and in the end they get quickly married. Tadaaa, end of story. Could be done with 100 pages less.

No, absolutely no emotional weight, everything about these two was bland. They were either crying or talking like they're not even adult young men in college, Brendon - as much as I felt for him in the prologue - turned out to be a bit of a dick, at least for me. He's needy and attached, gets serious with Paul, talks about exclusivity and weeps about Paul maybe not wanting him, then he turns around and dances with other guys and kisses with other girls. It looked like he's doing it because Paul's not out yet, so that was even more pathetic, Brendon was a dick, he didn't seem like he's ready to be anyone's boyfriend, much less a husband.

Don't even get me started with the puck bunny aka stalker! Wow, that was some serious, not appropriate literal stalking going on - without any kind of consequences, Brendon's team was alarmed by it, but he just kept yapping about how this woman - who's popping in his room, his dorm, the cafeteria, sleeping in his bed, taking his pictures - is just lonely! Yeah, she's just lonely and wants a friend. Right.
And by the end of the book she disappeared somewhere. Case closed.

🌶️ The sex was boring, oh, there was a lot of it, but it didn't have the right effect, well, at least on me. These two were really getting on my nerves. Boring AF, they talked too much and Paul had this dominant side to him that was absolutely out of place, it was weird, I didn't like it. By the end of it I was just hoping they'd stop, please stop fucking and let something of greater importance happen already!

"I want to fuck you Brendon. Fill you with so much cum you need electrolytes."



Preston and Jeremy were present a lot in this book and thank fuck, because if that weren't the case, I don't know where this book would be.

I think the only event I liked in this book was of another secret couple, and that's Carp and Nick.

"That's fine, I was done anyway. Gotta go study." Nick leans over Carp, hand on his throat, and kisses him. Everyone at the table freeezes before Willis shouts, "I fucking knew it!"

That's it, the only thing. Oh yeah, maybe also the time where Paul was blowing Brendon for the first time, didn't really know how, so when Brendon came, he chocked on his spunk, started almost throwing up and spitting everything on the floor in the hall. Yeah, that was a highlight in this story, for sure. (I'm serious.) 😀😐


🔴 As far as Chad the bully goes, the author wrote that the resolve didn't come in this book, because it's just how it is in life sometimes. Fine, but this is not life. This is fiction. It needs to be dealt with in order for the story to really come full circle.
Another thing is - and this is just my humble suggestion - since we didn't see Chad get annihilated here, how about him getting his own book? Is a hardcore bully book too much to ask for? Maybe he's a victim himself and that stepdad of his has him under control, he's bullied too and is just a tool for his stepdad. I have no idea, I'm just thinking that it might be possible, so Chad could eventually get his redemption arc.
If he does, that'll be one good thing coming out of this story.

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... Blurred Lines is a beautifully emotional best-friends-to-lovers romance between teammates Paul and Brendon. I loved getting each of their backstories, which completely emotionally wrecked me. Both at such young ages go through intense traumatic experiences, which makes their present relationship with one another so much more intense, meaningful, and poignant.

I enjoyed getting to see beyond Brendon's playful persona, which is a carefully curated version of himself he uses for protection. Paul is an absolute sweetheart. His love and care for his best friend are evident immediately, which is further enhanced due to Brendon's intense need for physical touch and affection. Together they have such a strong bond that I loved how it was explored and developed.

Another great aspect of this story is how I was pleasantly surprised throughout this story. There is one moment in particular that had me laughing at the audacity of these two guys, their utter lack of impulse control, which leads to one of the sweetest moments in their story that had me so happy for the both of them.

Overall this is another classically angsty and emotional story from this author, but the best friends-to-lovers element adds a new layer with so many emotions and beautiful moments between these two. I loved getting their story and I cannot wait for more from these characters. Another fantastic entry in this series that I could not put down.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[Kati *☆･ﾟ]

***no rating***
dnf @25%


Yeah, nah. I’m so not feeling this one. Might be because the friends-to-lovers trope doesn’t do it for me in general or that I found Paul and Brendon already too uninteresting from book #1 to read their story. Maybe, probably, both.


**************
Darby U Hockey Boys Series

Book 1 - Hidden Scars 4.75 stars
Book 2 - Blurred Lines - dropped
Book 3 - Off Sides - 3.75 stars

[Noa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Being in love with one of your best friends fucking sucks."

Paul has been in love with Brendon ever since they became best friends and roommates.
The only issue? Brendon is sure Paul is straight.
But Paul has been secretly pining for Brendon for a long time.
So what happens when the truth finally comes out?
And what will Paul find out about Brendon that he didn't know before?

"The second he showed up as my roommate, I knew I was fucked."

Brendon and Paul have been best friends for like forever.
Brendon is always fine. At least that's what he tells everyone.
And everyone accepts it, but Paul knows the truth.
So will something change when Paul and Brendon become closer?
Will Brendon feel like enough?

"Paul is one of the few people who sees me. Really sees me and accepts me. I'm a mess."

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

💫 4.75 stars 💫

Paul and Brendon are best friends and roommates. Both hiding feelings from each other because of different reasons. So what happens when they've had enough and collide? And what will happen after?

"He's my everything. And that terrifies me. I'm so gone for this boy."

Ever since "Hidden Scars" I have been waiting for Paul and Brendon's story. The little nibbles we got in the first book was enough to make me feral!! And I am so glad that we finally got their story, even if it did make my heart hurt a little, but hey that's Andi Jaxon books for you.

"If only the internal scars could be washed away as easily."

As most of you know, I am not the biggest fan of "Friends-to-Lovers" books. Most of the time it is very hard for me to be interested in that. But this book makes it's way into the "exceptions" list and that is a very prestigious list let me tell you!!

"Nothing makes sense right now, and I know if I look at him, all I'll want is crawl into his lap and have him pay with my hair."

Paul wants to love Brendon but he's afraid of coming out and his past is heartbreaking. And Brendon is one of the characters that I relate to the most. Always feeling too much, like he is unable of being loved, too loud, has to be quiet, always has to make sure everyone loves him and no one hates him. Trust me it was a too real look into my mind… This next quote is basically my thoughts %70 of the day and it is very sad so I warned you.

"I hate that I need reassurance from the people around me that they don't hate me."

Anyways… This playlist is THICKKKK people so be careful (link if interested: https://spotify.link/ZIEJ7SL0ADb)

🎙️ "Breathe (2AM)" - Anna Nalick
🎙️ "When I Grow Up" - The Pussycat Dolls
🎙️ "birthday cake" - Dylan Conrique
🎙️ "The Boy is Mine" - Brandy, Monica
🎙️ "I feel everything" - Amelia Moore
🎙️ "doomsday" - Lizzie McAlpine
🎙️ "stacy's brother" - Mad Tsai
🎙️ "High Enough" - K.Flay
🎙️ "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎙️ "IT'S GONNA BE OKAY, RIGHT?" - Cami Petyn
🎙️ "separation anxiety" - Royal & the Serpent
🎙️ "that way" - Tate McRae
🎙️ "Cannibal" - Ke$ha
🎙️ "Stronger" - Britney Spears
🎙️ "Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol
🎙️ "Numb Little Bug" - Rain Paris
🎙️ "Sunroof" - Nicky Youre, dazy
🎙️ "Hurt" - Christina Aguilera
🎙️ "Why Am I Like This?" - Orla Gartland
🎙️ "Heather" - Conan Gray
🎙️ "DANCING ALL ALONE" - Clinton Kane
🎙️ "Wish You Were Sober" - Conan Gray
🎙️ "Eat You Young" - Hozier
🎙️ "Fire on Fire" - Sam Smith
🎙️ "Hot Mess" - Zoe Clark
🎙️ "You are Enough" - Sleeping At Last
🎙️ "engravings" - Ethan Bortnick
🎙️ "Give Your Heart a Break (with Bert McCracken) - Rock Version" - Demi Lovato
🎙️ "Creepin'" - The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, 21 Savage
🎙️ "Crazy" - Natalie Jane
🎙️ "Elastic Heart" - Sia
🎙️ "Bruises" - Lewis Capaldi
🎙️ "Habits (Stay High)" - Rain Paris
🎙️ "I'm a Mess" - Bebe Rexha
🎙️ "Dancing With The Devil" - Demi Lovato
🎙️ "Panic Room" - Au/Ra
🎙️ "Shatter" - Maggie Rogers
🎙️ "All I Want" - Olivia Rodrigo
🎙️ "Train Wreck" - James Arthur
🎙️ "Unsaid Emily (from Julie and The Phantoms)" - Charlie Gillespie
🎙️ "Boys Will Be Boys" - Dua Lipa
🎙️ "Let Me Love You" - Mario
🎙️ "Half a Man" - Dean Lewis
🎙️ "Unfinished Business" - Fae
🎙️ "Secret Love Song" - Little Mix
🎙️ "Tell Me You Love Me" - Demi Lovato
🎙️ "Fix You" - Coldplay
🎙️ "Lean on Me" - Bill Withers
🎙️ "I'm Tired" - Zendaya, Labrinth
🎙️ "Lipstick" - Charlie Puth
🎙️ "Do it For Me" - Rosenfeld
🎙️ "I Don't Wanna Be Pretty" - Alexa Villa, FLASCH
🎙️ "Make it Home" - Dezi
🎙️ "Vegas" - Doja Cat
🎙️ "Infinity" - Jaymes Young
🎙️ "Love of My Life" - Queen
🎙️ "Fighter" - Christina Aguilera
🎙️ "Please Don't Leave Me" - P!nk
🎙️ "Power Over Me"- Dermot Kennedy
🎙️ "I'm Still Standing" - Elton John
🎙️ "Just the Way You Are" - Bruno Mars

And if you thought I would leave it like this, well you know me by now 😏😏😏

"You're mine. No one touches you but me. Do you understand?"

"Be a good boy and I'll let you make me come later."

🍕 Tropes 🍕

🏒 Friends to Lovers
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Roommates
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Trauma
🏒 Comfort/Hurt
🏒 You are enough

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last time I read a book was September 12th so I’m celebrating that I’ve read ~something~!!! This wasn’t great and at times I thought it was downright terrible but tis the season for me hopefully getting into reading again so I’ll give this three stars. I’m feeling jolly. Pretty ridiculous at times, drawn out for no reason, sweet but also has an undercurrent of sadness that has you hoping for the best and expecting the worst. I have a soft spot for Andi Jaxon’s books. I didn’t love this but it was still worth the read. And please nobody pay attention to me changing my reading goal…who amongst us hasn’t gotten horribly sidetracked by becoming invested in a reality tv ship!!!!🤠

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andi knows how to bring the trauma and she delivers that here. Both Paul and Brendon have suffered so much before they ever meet and before we meet them in Hidden Scars. Luckily, they meet each other and form an important connection to each other.

Brendon is one of those people who came into my life and changed it. We connected immediately like kindred spirits. In a matter of weeks, I couldn’t imagine my life without him. In less than six months, I knew I loved him. I tried to ignore it, pretend it wasn’t true, but there’s no one else for me. He’s my sun, and I revolve around him.

The way these two CUDDLE together. Damn. I loved the shit out of all of that. They had such a lovely intimacy with one another, even just as friends.

Brendon puts his arm around the back of my chair like he usually does. He’s a toucher, and over the last few months of living together, I’ve gotten so used to it that I miss it when I don’t have it. It’s also why I can’t fucking get over him. He’s in my space all the time, so fucking close, touching me, but I can’t have him. Not really. Not the way I crave.

Paul knows he’s not straight, but no one else does and he’s not sure how to handle that. All he wants is to be with Brendon. They are so hot and passionate together once they finally connect sexually. I enjoyed getting to watch Brendon explore his sexuality.

Watching this strong man give in to the pleasure I force on him gives me an appreciation for strength that I didn’t have before. It takes so much power to submit. He takes me so beautifully, letting me use him in any way I want with no hesitation.

The pacing of this was a bit inconsistent and there was a storyline in this that didn’t really add anything to the story for me and I wish it had been handled differently. Also, somewhere towards the middle, the dialogue felt a bit repetitive. All that being said, I did still enjoy this entry with the Darby U boys and I especially loved seeing Jeremy and Preston.

*** I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion. ***

[megan ◡̈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I love you, Brendon, until my heart stops beating.”
“Then I’ll make sure it never does.”

HAPPY PUB DAY TO TWO OF MY FAV BOYS!!!!

okay so to start, i cant settle on 3.8ish or 4 stars for me. i want to be super clear that i LOVED these boys with everything in me, they were so sweet and im such a sucker for a “im secretly in love with my best friend” trope especially when its reciprocated.

however, the plot in this book is so absent which is why i’m so conflicted on my rating, bc i loved them enough to be like FIVE STARS but again no plot. we started off really strong because Paul & Brendon both have extremely traumatic things they have gone through, for a little while you get to see how it has affected them and why they act the way they do and then somewhere along the way it just kind of completely falls off and gets really chaotic? which is a bummer since there are so many different elements in this book that would in fact be a strong plot but then just kinda of fizzle out and are left unresolved.

i’m not sure if bc in book one the plot was just *chefs kiss* for me and i had expectations even though i tried not to. couple wise though, these two are superior.

that being said bc it was my only issue (which i know its big but whatever) you do get the most insane amount of adorable content. you follow them around just a bunch of different life events, game days and casual days. you will laugh constantly bc of just how ridiculous all the characters are in this book. you’ll get teary eyed bc youll probably really relate to Brendon and his struggles heavy or you’ll be the paul and get sad just wishing that everything would be okay in B’s pretty little head 🥲

Jeremy and Preston were real mvps in this book and i loved seeing all their cameos, i loved seeing them help P & B work through their issues and also coming to their defense.

i can confidently say that it’s actually impossible to guess what is going to happen next through out this book. there were so many times where i was completely blown away by how out of pocket something felt 😂

long story short, i loved this book. i had a great time reading it. i just needed a bit more structure for it to have been perfect 😭

i definitely recommend reading hidden scars before this one, both books are VERY interconnected and i think there are many points where you wont get the full concept of whats happening without having read both :)

[lakshmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

actually bored me to tears <3

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't been in the mood for contemporary romances lately (much less sports ones!) and I never pick up books in the middle of a series first, but I saw someone post a review for this on instagram and something about it sounded like exactly what I needed as a palette cleanser right now, and it was!

Blurred Lines is a really sweet, angsty romance featuring long-time best friends hiding secret loves for one another, which is a combination of so many of my favorite tropes rolled into one. It wasn't anything ground-breaking and some plot moments seemed silly or over-the-top, but I don't mind that in a swoony romance. What mattered most was that the chemistry between these characters was absolutely there and I found myself rooting for their romance so easily!

Also, Brendan is clearly neurodivergent-coded and I saw myself so much in that depiction and the pain he carried about being told he was too much, too needy, too loud, etc. I think just about everyone who grows up neurodivergent knows what it's like to need to mask your truest self to please the people around you so they don't leave, and oof, it was tough to read his inner thoughts at times but I definitely related. 💔

I recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet queer sports romance, as long as you don't mind some tough topics (check my trigger warnings below if you need to!).

✨ Representation: both MMCs are bi/pan, multiple queer side characters, Brendan is implied to be neurodivergent

✨ Content warnings for: implications of rape/assault, outing without consent, homophobia, bullying, parent death, grief, emotional neglect of a child, medical content/surgery/minor illness, sports-related violence, anxiety, PTSD, alcohol, vomiting, stalking

———
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[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's my everything. And that terrifies me. I'm so gone for this boy.

🌟 Star Rating - 4/5
🔥 Spice Rating - 3/5

What To Expect:
🖤 MM Romance
❤️ Friends to Lovers
🖤 Roommates
❤️ Hurt/Comfort
🖤 Hockey
❤️ HEA

Being in love with one of your best friends fucking sucks.

𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘

I could not wait for this one after reading Hidden Scars and I knew it was going to be my weakness. The pining oh it was so good!! These two are so beautiful together and the author really knows how to write relatable characters in realistic situations. From the very beginning my heart was broken from the prologue and it still hurts thinking about it. This book really showed that despite someone being all happy and bubbly on the outside, they can be hurting big time on the inside. I don't want to ruin anything that happens in here but be warned, your heart will hurt. Overall another good book from this author.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

«I’ve been living and breathing your touch lately. If I don’t come up for air, I’ll drown in you.»

Friends-to-lovers, college setting hockey romance.

Paul and Brendon’s story picks up somewhere towards the end of the Hidden Scars storyline.
Although it presents with different tropes, the vibes are very similar to the previous book — very angsty, jock vs jock dynamic and a great dose of hurt/comfort.

The couple was very rocky at first, and the push and pull they had going on was a little frustrating at times. They’re both struggling with various issues and were quite broken inside, but seeing them come together at the end was heart-warming and worth the pain.

There are a couple of triggers that I do feel are necessary for some to know beforehand, so I will be listing them below, along with the tropes and NSFW content. Spoiler alert, for those who don’t wish to know stop reading this review.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Teammates and roommates
- MC with ADHD, anxiety and depression
- Death of a parent
- Sexual assault and bullying
- Vers MCs
- Flip-fucking

[Bookish Meag &#x1fa75; · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of the Darby U Hockey Boys series. Andi Jaxon takes us on such an emotional journey but delivers with that HEA.

MM Romance
Roommates
Hockey Team
Hurt/Comfort
Puppy Energy
Traumatic Past
All The Cuddles
Sports Romance
Forced Proximity
College Romance
Sexual Exploration
Best Friends to Lovers

Paul has been in love with his best friends for years but kept it a secret. Brendon thinks Paul is straight and therefore off-limits. When Brendon becomes his college roommate, it test all of Paul’s limits. Things heat up rather quickly between these two.

Andi Jaxon gives us two tortured boys with hard past. Reading about what they went through broke me a little. I just wanted to bundle them up and love them a little extra.

Brendon is constantly needing extra little touches and reassurance, which Paul easily gives to him. Brendon just wants to be loved for who he is and to no longer have to wear the mask he hides behind.

Paul has abandonment issues, and swore he would never fall in love after his father left him. He is afraid of losing Brendon and what it would do to him.

This story takes you through the journey of overcoming your fears, and accepting who you are. Teaching you that it’s ok to love and that you are not your parents. You also learn the right ones loved you along the way, despite what you may have thought.

Paul is quite the dirty talker. I loved how he could go from so dominant with Brendon to so sweet. The chemistry with these two as well as the spice level was amazing. You couldn’t ask for more from a book.

Please read the list of trigger warnings before picking this one up.

TW:Car accident, death of a parent, abandonment of a parent, bullying, assault, anxiety/depression/ADHD

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Brendon and Paul ❤️

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️&#x1f3a7;&#x1f4da; Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 2 Stars

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andi Jaxon has wowed me once again. I have been dying to get this story since finishing Hidden Scars, and it was so worth the wait! I absolutely love Paul and Brendon, they’re just so good together. If you’re looking for the perfect friends to lovers hockey romance that’s super spicy and sweet, then this is the book you’re looking for! Make sure you read Hidden Scars first since that’s where we meet these two.

[Lb [worlds longest slump] · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a certified train wreck 🚂 I’m sorry.
1.5 ⭐️

The only reason this gets more than a single, lone star is because even though I seriously considered DNFing it multiple times, I didn’t. The banter was sometimes funny and I liked the cameos from Preston and Jeremy, because I love them from book one in this series.

The author says in her authors note at the end that she struggled with this book. It shows. The writing was dull and lifeless, almost completely emotionless, and the plot had no purpose and didn’t go anywhere. Why did Brendan have a stalker? What was her end goal? What was the point? What happened to her? No idea cause it was never resolved!! The two MCs, Brendan and Paul, also just seem to have trauma for trauma’s sake, basically. Neither of them overcame their trauma or dealt with it in any meaningful way so it was really just there as an explanation as to why they were both so insecure. It was honestly just really disappointing.

This is a story of two emotionally stunted, immature, insecure boys who get married before they’re even in a proper relationship and chaos ensues due to their lack of communication and downright immaturity. And I’m supposed to care? About them? About their relationship? For over 300 pages? When nothing happens? Nah. There’s absolutely no tension between them or their relationship. For how long Paul supposedly pines after Brendan while thinking he’ll never get him, they sure go from 0 to 100 real quick without any hesitation whatsoever. They’re just friends, then fucking then married 5 minutes later with no hiccups at all.

Firstly, what exactly is the authors obsession with making their characters, who are all barely more than teenagers (these two are 21 and 22) get married immediately?!?! It’s giving me the ick. These two getting married at 50% was the dumbest plot device I’ve ever read. They got MARRIED before Paul would even hold Brendan’s hand in public? Make it make sense. They’re lining up IN A CHAPEL to get MARRIED and Brendan won’t hold his hand or kiss him because he doesn’t want anyone to see them in a compromising position to out Paul. YOU’RE IN A FUCKING CHAPEL, MY DUDE. IM PRETTY SURE THAT WOULD GIVE IT AWAY FIRST.

They were also both SO insecure that even after they’re married they’re still lamenting about how they don’t know where they stand with the other, if the other wants them, wondering when the other will leave them and SO ON AND SO FORTH forever and ever amen. Good christ I was so over it. YOU’RE MARRIED, HE OBVIOUSLY FUCKING LOVES YOU. And they cry about everything all of the time 🙃 I’m all for an emotionally attuned man but it was just the same thing over and over again. It was also never addressed how Brendan seems to self harm… which I found really wild. He’s scalding himself in the shower as ‘punishment’ and it’s just… not addressed at all. Where was the character growth for these two? Paul only decides he’s going to publicly come out after his, what, near death experience (with appendicitis LMAO)???

Paul being this dominant daddy type was also just totally out of pocket to me. Half the time he’s going on about being basically a virgin (I know he’s not actually but it’s always ‘he’s so inexperienced’) and then he randomly pulls out these one liners about things he’s never even done before? Also the fact that Paul used degradation on Brendan, who is chronically insecure, without actually talking about it first was so yuck to me. The first time he does it in the cafeteria Brendan actually reacts badly, feeling insecure afterwards, but it’s completely glossed over. I’d also happily never read someone seriously say “fuck stick” seriously ever again. Thanks 😐

As a side note, as someone who has had their appendix removed via laparoscopy, homeboy was NOT jumping around at a hockey game 12 hours after being discharged from hospital, lifting up a dog, twisting around in the car etc. LMAO I know this is so minor but it pissed me off. You can’t lift for like two weeks!!! Your abdominal muscles are all fucked up! Be serious

Annul your marriage and go to therapy, boys. Come back when you’ve sorted your shit out.

What a mess 😂

[Miki_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so full disclosure I didn't really like the first book in this series but THIS ONE WAS CUTE.

It was mostly no plot, just vibes, but I love codependent bestfriends who act like boyfriends before they're together soooo it worked for me. Both of these characters were likeable, and I had a lot of fun reading this. Brendon is every bit the sunshiney ball of energy whilst Paul is more reserved/responsible, and I frigging froth that dynamic. I even liked Preston in this and I did not care for him at all in the last book.

I will say it did feel a little long at points and got a bit repetitive at times, but overall, it was a quick, fun read.

Ratings
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶


*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[KaylaMarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

✰1.5-2 stars✰

I actually feel kind of bad that my rating is this low, but this just wasn’t for me. I read some reviews from mutuals and some agreed with me, and for those who enjoyed it I’m so happy you did, genuinely. Even when something isn’t for me, I’m truly happy when it works for someone else.
I really enjoyed Hidden Scars but this book felt like a totally different author and just all over the place.

Paul and Brendon felt very out of character from what I expected of them the whole time, based on the perspective we get from them in the last book.

The side plot with the stalkerish Nikki was weird, not really necessary and ended with one line? It didn’t even have a satisfying ending to make it clear why it was needed.

That isn’t the only one either. There’s a lot of random side plots that don’t feel like they add much. The Vegas thing (I won’t spoil) adds a little, but the dog in the road, the appendicitis, the broken nose, all the weird back and forth, and probably more I’m missing just felt very confusing and like a side tangent.

During parts of the book I was so confused I had to stop reading, go back and reread to try to figure out what was happening and why . And I couldn’t sometimes. It felt very dissociative as a reader. I almost DNFed this several times but stuck it out because I hoped hoped hoped it would get better.
It didn’t for me.

The sex was hot sometimes, some moments really worked (as cliche as some lines were), but there were also some really uncomfortable moments that were not for me. For example “I want to fuck you Brendon. Fill you with so much cum I’ll need electrolytes.” or the one that was something along the lines of “you ready for breakfast?” as he was about to come in his mouth.
There’s plenty more but I’ll spare you, go read it if you wish to know more.

I feel torn about leaving this harsh of a review, and I almost left it unrated but decided that I’d give it one because that’s kind of why a lot of us review on here, for honest reviews and not to beat around the bush.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as much as book one.

This could've been amazing: full of angst, tension, pining, and finally requited love.

But we don't get any of that. The switch from friends to lovers was instantaneous and their relationship felt superficial and shallow. We have the background of their long-standing friendship, but that doesn't mean you can just skip over the necessary relationship development to really make this convincing.

Brendon was emotionally immature and his dependence on Paul was concerning. The whole "intense" puck bunny subplot was really random and I didn't understand why it had to be included. I was really disappointed that past traumas weren't actually addressed either?

Ultimately, this was kinda boring, more smut than substance, but there's lots of hurt/comfort for those who love that.

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes: secret relationship, friends to lovers, hockey teammates, bad communication
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: dirty talk, praise, toys
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: death of a parent, abandonment of a parent, bullying, sexual assault of MC, assault, anxiety/depression/ADHD, messy demi dynamic, stalker, injuries

Brendon and Paul are in college. It's not clear what year. They have been best friends for a few years now. They are very codependent, live in each other's pockets. They play hockey together and are teammates, roommates, and best friends.

When Brendon was about 14 or 15 he went through a pretty long period of time of being bullied by his former teammates. It got progressively worse over time. He was physically assaulted, sexually assaulted, and his coach knew about it and did nothing about it. This messed him up quite a bit. He puts on a happy face and is goofy to hide his hurts, but he has a lot of insecurities and issues. He keeps seeking out Paul for platonic cuddles to fill the need for a comforting connection that he has. Brendon thinks Paul is straight.

Paul lost his mother when they were in a car crash when he was 14. His father was devastated by grief and abandoned him after his wife's death. He was raised by his grandmother and grandfather. He's really close to them. Paul isn't sure about his sexuality. From what he talks about experiencing, it sounds like he's on the demisexual spectrum. He's reluctant about coming out as being attracted to guys as well as girls, I don't fully understand why because it doesn't really gel with some other things about his personality. Paul has been in love secretly with Brendon for 2 years. He's been pining over him and hurt and jealous over Brendon having a f*** buddy relationship with Jeremy, their other best friend for 2 years. That's over now and Jeremy is in a committed relationship with someone else, Preston, they had their own book, so Paul's jealousy has settled. But that's an icky plot line for me.

Paul and Brendon start making their attraction to each other obvious. And once they both realize the attraction is mutual, they start hooking up. They have a bunch of miscommunication and bad communication. These boys don't know how to talk and when they do talk they aren't doing it smartly, they're just throwing thoughts and decisions out there and kind of accidentally emotionally pressuring and hurting each other. They already love each other as friends so they leap pretty quickly into being in love and saying they love each other, but neither really trust the emotion or the relationship because of their respective issues. Add in that they have to deal with a stalker, injuries, and Brendon having an emotional breakdown when he meets his bullies again. By the way, the stalker thing was weird. I didn't get my Brendon was defending her and still hanging out with her after it was clear she was bad news.

I don't like when a book makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious. And this one made me feel that. There was a lot of emotional insecurity and miscommunication. They moved fast and kind of pressured each other. I didn't like that Brendon's bullies didn't get any type of justice served. The author's notes at the end of the book make some vague reference to maybe something happening in the future. I swear if the author gives Chad a book and a redemption arc I will be sooo mad. I can't forgive rape, especially under the circumstances we saw, with the pervasive bullying and assaults, the ganging up to take advantage of someone your friends were holding down, and the zero regrets, rubbing it in his face years later.

Brendon and Paul were nice enough. Wish they had got together earlier. I liked the appearances of Jeremy and Preston. I liked the idea of Brendon and Paul's secret relationship and then them coming out as a couple and people not being surprised.


Some notable moments:

So in character of Preston! "“He has appendicitis and had to have surgery this morning.” “Did you tell Coach?” Preston asks. “Is he okay?” Jeremy smacks Preston’s arm and gives him a look that clearly says “wrong question, dumbass.”"

"Somehow, I managed to trick this guy into putting up with my shit for the rest of my life. Or his. He’s told me I can’t name the kids by myself, which is probably best for everyone. He keeps me grounded but lets me fly. He’s the Batman to my Robin. The peanut butter to my jelly."


*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a fact universally acknowledged that when the MCs confess their love for each other 33% in, the fuckery that is sure to follow will leave your heart in ruins. That was only mildly true in this case. Thank fuck.

These two were sweet but codependent. With exactly the same insecurity issues. I expected a third act breakup and was pleasantly surprised.

I really thought the Nikki storyline was headed somewhere. I was actually convinced she'd poisoned Paul lol.

God, Nikki. She really couldn't get a hint if it walked up to her and said hello. The second hand embarrassment from all her attempts💀💀💀

Also, I hate hate HATE the nickname P Daddy. Random non sequitur but I really needed to say it.

Brendon ❤️❤️❤️❤️ a very funny MC.

“We’ll be okay. Come hell or hot water.”

“Oiler’s Pizzeria and Crematorium, our ovens are always on.”

Really an oddball. And Paul loved him just as he was.

"He keeps me grounded but lets me fly."

These two 😫😫😫😫

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I love this boy, this man, with everything I am. It’s terrifying, but I can’t stop it. Putting distance between us only hurts both of us. I have to embrace it, embrace him, and hope he isn’t taken from me. It would destroy me, but not having him at all would be worse."

Blurred Lines is the second book in the Darby U Hockey Boys series by Andi Jaxon, which is a series of linked standalone books set around an ice hockey team. Whilst they can be read as standalones, you do get some cameos from characters in previous books, so I would recommend that you read them in order. This is Paul and Brendon's story and it has a completely different vibe from book 1, Hidden Scars, which I totally adored (but it's much darker).

Blurred Lines is an angsty, best friends to lovers story full of pining, angsty moments, past trauma, hockey and hidden feelings. This one will be for you if you love:

🏒Best friends to lovers
🏒 MM sports romance
🏒 Room mates
🏒 Forced proximity
🏒 Past trauma
🏒 Hurt/comfort
🏒 Steamy times
🏒 It's always been you
🏒 All the angst
🏒 All the pining
🏒 HEA

4 stars

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book as I loved Hidden Scars. As per the authors note she had some issues with this book and unfortunately we can see that. We all still wanted their story so I’m really happy we got to see it even though it wasn’t as amazing as book 1. What I’m going to do for this review is focus only on the things I absolutely loved in this book.

Preston and Jeremy. They were amazing characters and I loved how much they were still a huge part of this book. Every scene that they were in was so much fun and really made me want to read their book again. I also loved seeing some scenes from Hidden Scars but from Brendon and Paul’s POV.

Another thing I loved was how Brendon and Paul eventually came out to their world. It was kind of forced on them but not really but I loved how they reacted to it. Their pictures and statements were spot on and so perfect!

I will be honest that I did struggle to finish this book but I’m happy that I was able to finish and it and absolutely look forward to reading more books by this author in the future. This story will in no way affect that.

[E.L. Ough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh this book, these boys. I loved them both so much.

This is a book about healing and friendships. The understanding between Paul and Brendan was beautiful, even before they become a couple they had a special bond, no one was coming between them and the friendship they formed.
You could call it co-dependency but I’d rather call it love. When you love someone you will do anything to make them happy, to make sure they are cared for, and that’s what these two provide for each other.

The sweet soft moments were my favourite, I’m so here for all the kisses and any kind of touching, from hand holding to a swipe of your partners hair.

This book is perfect, these boys flaws and all are perfect.

I loved the team being part of the story and I especially loved Jeremy and Preston from Hidden Scars.

Andi did a great job bringing everyone together and healing two men. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Trigger warning in back of book

💜Friends to Lovers
💜Sexual Exploration
💜Roommates
💜Bratty top
💜Dominant bottom
💜All the feels
💜Lots of cuddles

[Milo (if lost, return to hot fictional character) · Rating 4 out of 5]

did i finish this at work.... maybeeeee


anyway, this book didn't fall in the usual plotline format if you get what i mean. the plot was kinda all over the place which did make me wanna read more, but it also felt like it wasn't editted well.

nonetheless still very much enjoyed this!

usually im not one for the friends to lovers trope, it just seems stupid to me that they have been in love for so long without doing anything about it, so i was glad that wasn't the case in this one! their relationship formed very organically and it was exciting to see where they would go next.

4,5/5

[Paulina | bitofabookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I knew you loved me. You feed me."

I fell in love with Darby U hockey boys in Hidden Scars, and I fell for them even more while reading Paul's and Brendon's story.

This book was so fun to read! Paul and Brendon are best friends and Brendon is sure that Paul is straight. What he doesn't know, that Paul is pining for him for years. And when they take the step? It's the bessssst.
Their friendship and relationship in general is so beautiful. Usually (like, 99%) I really do NOT love codependency stuff because I believe each person still is individual in any relationship. And I was very surprised when in the end of the book I found myself not annoyed at all about this! Yes, Brendon and Paul lean on each other A LOT, but it's somehow empowering. They are still their own human beings, not overshadowing each other or anything. Somehow Andi made it happen just right.
Also I was really surprised by Paul's dominant side. It gave me whiplash everytime and I loved it :D I know I'm not the only one (looking at you, Brendon). But nothing compares with how caring he is. Paul is always taking care of his bestie and his busy brain (I swear, this is the most precious thing that can be said about ADHD brain; it is not stated, though, but it's enough buzzing on Brendon's side that you can safely say that). This is portrayed so beautifully and since Brendon always thought of it as a weakness, Paul makes it the biggest advantage.

Not being able to touch him is killing me. It's so weird for him to not want it. It scares me.

It's not always funny and fluffy, though. Both guys have a different trauma overcome and they are constantly overshadowed by it. Andi REALLY knows how to write prologues, I must say. I was left shook from the very beginning (the same did happen with Hidden Scars) and was glad to see the growth of our boys. Their experiences were horrible and since I wanted some different closure moments on some things, I believe we'll get them in the future. Let's just say, Brendon and Paul are so lucky to have each other (and Jeremy and Preston as friends!) that nothing should scare them anymore.

Needless to say that you really should read this. It has hockey, solid friendships, spicy spice, dominant and bratty sides of MCs and so much love!
Just make sure you've read Hidden Scars first - timelines overlap and characters just make more sense that way (also, if you read just Blurred Lines, you could just spoil yourself some great scenes from HS, and no one needs that).

**This is an ARC review**

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nothing has ever felt as right as this moment, with this man, in this room. He's my everything.
And that terrifies me.
I'm so gone for this boy."


Holy fuck. Talk about a gut punch right out of the gate. I knew there were TW for this book, but man, I was not prepared to be tearing up by the end of the prologue. I think that was the hardest part of the book for me to read. If you're on the fence about it, I recommend skipping the prologue and starting at Chapter 1. You'll still find out what happened later in the book, but you won't have to actually read it live.

I really loved Paul and Brendon. They are both men who have been hurt and shaped by their pasts. Paul suffers an unimaginable loss, while Brendon goes through his own horrific trauma. It's made their self esteem take a huge hit and that is a driving factor for much of the angst in their story. Paul is terrified of not being enough and losing his best friend. Brendon is scared that one day Paul is going to realize he's too much of a hassle to be worth his time. It was heartbreaking because it was obvious to everyone but themselves how much these two meant to one another.


"He keeps me grounded but lets me fly."


Brendon was definitely kind of a hot mess and I loved how Paul didn't care one bit. He enjoyed being the one to take care of Brendon. He liked being needed and how much Brendon leaned on him. He even liked how crazy Brendon's mind could be sometimes, jumping from one idea to the next. All his life Brendon's been told he's too much so it was difficult for him to understand when Paul would tell him he loved him just as he was. Difficult, but exactly what the man needed.

Paul just simply wanted to feel needed. He wanted to feel like someone couldn't live without him, that he was enough to make someone want to stay. Their relationship was definitely super codependent, but it worked for them. Their dynamic gave the other exactly what they craved, even if an outsider might consider it far from healthy. That's not even mentioning what they got up to in the bedroom...or out of it. These two were insatiable for one another. I think it helped them feel connected and desired, which in turn fed into their need to be wanted. Paul and Brendon just fit and I have no doubts these two were in it for the long haul by the end.

[TrippyBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends to Lovers each with past trauma that was never really resolved. They also both have deep insecurities. I don’t think either one of them went to therapy.

A random stalker girl storyline that was kind of annoying because both of them were too chicken to just tell her to go away?

Idk for me this was just meh.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the long-awaited story of Brendon and Paul who we got to meet and fall in love with during Hidden Scars. One of the best parts of this book was that we got to see Preston and Jeremy and even some set-up for a third book in the series, I think.
Friends-to-lovers, mutual pining and a lot of angst combine in Blurred Lines. There are some fun scenes, some steamy ones and the usual shenanigans you will chuckle at.

What I was missing in this book was the growth. While I really enjoyed Paul and Brendon, there was a repeated cycle in scenes over and over again and even after heart-to-hearts, or a very unexpected 50% plot twist and some confessions, there was still the exact same angst and insecurities recycled in the same words that were used two chapters prior.
A review I read said that you could open up the book at a random page and read a scene and you wouldn't know whether this was 20% or 80% into the romance and in all honesty, I have to agree. Some scenes from the 40% mark were taken entirely (no kidding, same inner monologue with little to no variation of the actual phrasings, only switched to the other PoV) and used in a scene around the 70% mark. You couldn't actually tell that any kind of development had happened which was frustrating because (as much as Paul and Brendon are both convinced they don't deserve the other) I thought they'd have deserved more of an actual journey. I think this had a lot of potential and I would have loved for a bit more resolving of the trauma on Brendon's side but overall, I think the HEA to this story will make readers very happy.

Pick this up if you like:
🧡 Best friends to lovers
🧡 And they were roommates vibes
🧡 Past trauma
🧡 Hurt/comfort.

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

[Sheena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

i can’t believe i just rated a friends to lovers 2 stars 🫣 this was so boring and it dragged so fucking much 😵‍💫 the ending especially was frustrating bc they had a good ending and there was 75 or so pages left and no epilogue???? like hello 🤨

it’s two stars solely for the fact that Paul and Brendon were cute as fuck 🥺 but it doesn’t beat hidden scars. reading this after that was a mind fuck.

some quotes i loved 🥹

Brendon may have been the one to need touch first, but he’s made me crave his nearness. Nothing calms me like he does, like his skin against mine, his heart beating with mine. The raging, turbulent emotions ease into a calm, flat sea.
“Get some sleep, love,” he says against my lips, and I smile, lying down on his chest once again. I know it will take time to process the scars left on my heart that day, but I’m on my way.

“I love you the way you are.”
Brendon presses his lips to mine. It’s salty with tears but healing.
“I can’t imagine my life without you,” he says, his voice rough. “You’re it for me.”

I’m lost in him. In this second of time that’s standing still. Wrapped around the man I’ve loved for years and never thought I could actually have, I’ve found peace. The part of me that has been broken since my mom died heals. The scar still shiny and fragile, but it’s there, knitting me back together.

Brendon is one of those people who came into my life and changed it. We connected immediately like kindred spirits. In a matter of weeks, I couldn’t imagine my life without him. In less than six months, I knew I loved him. I tried to ignore it, pretend it wasn’t true, but there’s no one else for me. He’s my sun, and I revolve around him.

literally so fucking adorable 😭