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Tell Me a Lie
Lucas
I take one look at Sage's pretty face and know that I could never deny him. When he's promising to be mine as long as I do what he wants, I know that I'll give him anything.
"Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours."
It's the strangest thing a hookup has ever asked for, but if one little lie makes him mine, I'm eager to do it.
And after it's over, I know that it's the best thing I've ever done.
Sage
All that I am is a burden that nobody loves.
That's fine. I can deal with it because I have no choice. And now that I'm away from my parents and living with my brother, who doesn't know why I ran away, it's easier to handle.
But being lonely is hard, and one night, when I'm feeling particularly sad, I go looking for love in the last place I should. I know going into a one-night stand expecting intimacy is a borderline delusional wish, but I just need to hear it. Just once, even if it is a lie. It's the most embarrassingly desperate thing I've ever done.
I should be happy when it's over, that he's given me what I was craving. But as I'm leaving, knowing that I'll never see him again, I can't help but feel that it's the last time I'll ever feel loved.
Getting a taste just to never have it again might be the biggest mistake I've ever made.
**Tell Me a Lie is a steamy MM hurt/comfort story with moderate angst that features an age-gap relationship between consenting adults. Please be advised that this story features content that may be triggering to some readers. For a list of TWs, please feel free to use the Look Inside feature.**
I take one look at Sage's pretty face and know that I could never deny him. When he's promising to be mine as long as I do what he wants, I know that I'll give him anything.
"Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours."
It's the strangest thing a hookup has ever asked for, but if one little lie makes him mine, I'm eager to do it.
And after it's over, I know that it's the best thing I've ever done.
Sage
All that I am is a burden that nobody loves.
That's fine. I can deal with it because I have no choice. And now that I'm away from my parents and living with my brother, who doesn't know why I ran away, it's easier to handle.
But being lonely is hard, and one night, when I'm feeling particularly sad, I go looking for love in the last place I should. I know going into a one-night stand expecting intimacy is a borderline delusional wish, but I just need to hear it. Just once, even if it is a lie. It's the most embarrassingly desperate thing I've ever done.
I should be happy when it's over, that he's given me what I was craving. But as I'm leaving, knowing that I'll never see him again, I can't help but feel that it's the last time I'll ever feel loved.
Getting a taste just to never have it again might be the biggest mistake I've ever made.
**Tell Me a Lie is a steamy MM hurt/comfort story with moderate angst that features an age-gap relationship between consenting adults. Please be advised that this story features content that may be triggering to some readers. For a list of TWs, please feel free to use the Look Inside feature.**
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2023
201 people are currently reading
1112 people want to read
About the author
Brianna Flores
3 books444 followersWhen Brianna Flores isn't writing romance books, she's reading them! She currently lives in Arizona, and if you're nearby, you can probably hear her arguing with the fictional characters she conjures up in her head as she sips on the tenth cup of coffee she's had that day.
If you want to tell her it's weird to talk to imaginary people–no matter how attractive they are–you can email her at BriannaFloresAuthor@gmail.com.
If you want to tell her it's weird to talk to imaginary people–no matter how attractive they are–you can email her at BriannaFloresAuthor@gmail.com.
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January 29, 2024
|| 2.0 stars ||
The idea behind this was good, the premise had a lot of potential and the characters had the kind of dynamic that I normally love, but, unfortunately, the right execution was just not there. It’s supposed to be a hurt/comfort romance, but everything was just based on lust. There was no emotional depth and no true comfort.
Lucas never really showed empathy or sympathy towards Sage’s pitiful situation, and he was only ever focused on how horny Sage made him.
Whenever Sage cried, which was a lot of times, Lucas didn’t even feel that bad or really tried to make him feel better; no, it only ever turned him on.
So, all he ever thought about in every situation and all he ever suggested as help was sex, sex, sex, sex. Meanwhile, Sage remained an absolute mess throughout the entire story, and Lucas didn’t really care.
This relationship was just very smutty and even a bit dirty; it was definitely not sweet. The only thing that connected these two was their lust for each other. Which is honestly just not what I’m looking for, especially not in a hurt/comfort romance.
The idea behind this was good, the premise had a lot of potential and the characters had the kind of dynamic that I normally love, but, unfortunately, the right execution was just not there. It’s supposed to be a hurt/comfort romance, but everything was just based on lust. There was no emotional depth and no true comfort.
Lucas never really showed empathy or sympathy towards Sage’s pitiful situation, and he was only ever focused on how horny Sage made him.
Whenever Sage cried, which was a lot of times, Lucas didn’t even feel that bad or really tried to make him feel better; no, it only ever turned him on.
So, all he ever thought about in every situation and all he ever suggested as help was sex, sex, sex, sex. Meanwhile, Sage remained an absolute mess throughout the entire story, and Lucas didn’t really care.
This relationship was just very smutty and even a bit dirty; it was definitely not sweet. The only thing that connected these two was their lust for each other. Which is honestly just not what I’m looking for, especially not in a hurt/comfort romance.
December 18, 2023
This is a very sad book and a very smutty book and it has great potential. Really very good for a debut. I like the writing and the style in which the story is told.
Important at the beginning, not only the TWs should be read, but also the author's note. Without this, many things in the book could be misunderstood and I am grateful for this note, otherwise I might have abandoned the book too soon.
In any case, I unfortunately still had a few difficulties.
Maybe I'm too sensitive here, I miss that Sage gets professional help and he should also get much more help from his "boyfriend" Lucas. Don't misunderstand, he gets both and it satisfied me, but it comes very very late in the book and that's a bit upsetting for me.
Overall, the book is heavy on the depressing side and I love it.
I love Sage as a character. He's such a sad boy and it's really wonderfully portrayed how he feels and it's absolutely palpable.
For that alone the book should get an award, I think it's rare that authors can wrap up so much trauma and sadness so artfully without overburdening the character too much.
There is so much wrong with me, it’s pathetic. I’m pathetic. I am – to my absolute core – just flat-out wrong. My entire being, my existence, my everything is like one big wrong answer. 🥺😢😭
I could just be numb. I’ve been that lots of times. Most of the time, really. And it’s preferable. I’m someone who either feels nothing at all or too much to handle and, yeah, they both suck. At least with the emptiness, there’s less chance of me embarrassing myself. Or hurting myself. 🥺😢😭
I love the concept that is in the title of the book, which I didn't understand at first. But it's wonderful. And I love how nuts Sage is about sex.
I’m a whiny, slutty, and totally deranged mess, and it’s all his fault, so he better be ready to handle it. 🤤😍🤤
I have to look, see for myself how destroyed his little hole is, and groan at the sight. He’s flushed a deep maroon, swollen and open with the slightest gape. My eyes on him trigger a clench, and I watch as my come gushes out of him. 🤤😍🤤
Important at the beginning, not only the TWs should be read, but also the author's note. Without this, many things in the book could be misunderstood and I am grateful for this note, otherwise I might have abandoned the book too soon.
In any case, I unfortunately still had a few difficulties.
Maybe I'm too sensitive here, I miss that Sage gets professional help and he should also get much more help from his "boyfriend" Lucas. Don't misunderstand, he gets both and it satisfied me, but it comes very very late in the book and that's a bit upsetting for me.
Overall, the book is heavy on the depressing side and I love it.
I love Sage as a character. He's such a sad boy and it's really wonderfully portrayed how he feels and it's absolutely palpable.
For that alone the book should get an award, I think it's rare that authors can wrap up so much trauma and sadness so artfully without overburdening the character too much.
There is so much wrong with me, it’s pathetic. I’m pathetic. I am – to my absolute core – just flat-out wrong. My entire being, my existence, my everything is like one big wrong answer. 🥺😢😭
I could just be numb. I’ve been that lots of times. Most of the time, really. And it’s preferable. I’m someone who either feels nothing at all or too much to handle and, yeah, they both suck. At least with the emptiness, there’s less chance of me embarrassing myself. Or hurting myself. 🥺😢😭
I love the concept that is in the title of the book, which I didn't understand at first. But it's wonderful. And I love how nuts Sage is about sex.
I’m a whiny, slutty, and totally deranged mess, and it’s all his fault, so he better be ready to handle it. 🤤😍🤤
I have to look, see for myself how destroyed his little hole is, and groan at the sight. He’s flushed a deep maroon, swollen and open with the slightest gape. My eyes on him trigger a clench, and I watch as my come gushes out of him. 🤤😍🤤
April 3, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
"I know it's not real. I––you don't have to mean it. Just think of it as a lie. Please? Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours."
Okay, wow. I can’t believe this is a debut. I read it in one sitting, not even exaggerating a little. I am thoroughly impressed by the emotional depth in this, considering how amazingly smutty it is, lol. I am a fiend for ‘sad boy’ characters and hurt/comfort, and that is this book to a T. It’s also probably the hottest book I’ve read in a while, so take a gander at the tropes and tags if you wanna know what you’re in for. Good stuff.
Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening.
I love age gaps, and it usually feels a little strange when I read a book without one, but I have to admit I was the tiniest bit worried when I found out that Sage is only 18 (turns 19 in the book), but I thought it was handled beautifully. Lucas doesn’t at all give an ‘old man’ vibe. He’s older, but he’s playful, sweet, caring, and just the teeniest bit obsessed with Sage. Well, they’re obsessed with each other, and I loved it. Their dynamic just got better and better throughout the book, and the banter and general fun they had together put a huge smile on my face. You also get the idea that they’re both family people. They want a home and love, and are able to give each other that. Lucas did mess up badly a couple times, but I’m glad he realized and apologized quite quickly.
Is that a kink? Caregiving? If it is, I have it, and this wasn't something I knew about myself before him.
The heavy themes were handled well, and it really did turn into such a beautiful love story. Again, if my friend hadn’t told me beforehand, I would’ve never guessed this is a debut. 100% an author to keep an eye out for, and I can’t recommend the book enough. If you want really hot spice, emotional moments that will make you tear up, and chemistry that will make you giggle, this is the one.
Somehow, 'I didn't know he was only eighteen' doesn't sound noble to admit, and it definitely doesn't make the situation any less inappropriate. I fucked him and then hired him.
Oh, and Sage is probably the most 🐓-hungry (and loud!) dude I’ve read about, and I gosh darned loved it.
Double oh, the cover drew me in immediately. The photo is beyond pretty.
Another edit as I keep thinking of more to say: I adored the epilogue. I thought it really fit with the life both MCs seemed to want, and I *love* a several-years-later-moment (especially with a large age gap), as it makes the HEA more believable to me.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Hurt/comfort
Mental health rep
Size difference
Age gap
Forced proximity
Boss/employee
Sad boy
ONS to coworkers to lovers
C*ck-hungry bottom
Fingering
C*m play
Felching
Office and car shenanigans
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Explicit sexual content
References to past self harm
Harmful behavior (cold showers to calm anxiety)
Homophobia
Symptoms of depression
Disowned/kicked out by family
Internalized homophobia
Underage drinking
Mild case of dubious consent after drinking
Mentions of MC attending conversion camp
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: A bit of jealousy, but never founded.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 18 and 35
Pages: 216
His very presence seems to erase parts of my brain. I forget to speak. Sometimes, I forget to breathe normally. I always thought that that was an exaggeration used in silly little romance books. They released a breath they didn’t know they were holding, blah, blah, blah, but no. It happens. I do it regularly.
You don’t become the kind of person who goes to gay bars to find a stranger just to ask him to tell you he loves you without getting acquainted with the feeling of being unloved. That’s not normal. I’m not normal. I just want someone to want me. To want to keep me. To be sad when I disappear, not relieved.
I’m not normally one for adding a bunch of spicy quotes, but there’s a fair few in this that deserve a shoutout, lol.
"You know, all the drying semen on your cheeks kind of lessens the power of that glare you’re giving me."
"We should, you should always be in me. Just fuck me full of come and plug me up so it stays in me." This. This is why a sleepy Sage makes me so fucking feral. He’s so needful, so deprived, and hard up. I haven’t even said anything. He’s just talking himself into a total upset, writhing away on my bed and begging for my come like a total whore while his pretty little cock is peeking out of those obscenely short shorts of his. Leaking on his smooth belly.
"Don’t do that. Fuck." I have to risk hurried glances back and forth as he slides his underwear over his knees. He leans the seat back, actually puts his heels into the seat, and looks at me as he sucks on two of his fingers salaciously. "Baby," I warn. "Don’t fucking do it." He ignores me. "Stop moaning! We’ll be home in like––"
"Baby, stop. Let me see." "No." "There’s no fucking way you’re too embarrassed to show me your asshole right now. I’ve sucked my come out of that hole, then spit it in your mouth."
"I know it's not real. I––you don't have to mean it. Just think of it as a lie. Please? Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours."
Okay, wow. I can’t believe this is a debut. I read it in one sitting, not even exaggerating a little. I am thoroughly impressed by the emotional depth in this, considering how amazingly smutty it is, lol. I am a fiend for ‘sad boy’ characters and hurt/comfort, and that is this book to a T. It’s also probably the hottest book I’ve read in a while, so take a gander at the tropes and tags if you wanna know what you’re in for. Good stuff.
Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening.
I love age gaps, and it usually feels a little strange when I read a book without one, but I have to admit I was the tiniest bit worried when I found out that Sage is only 18 (turns 19 in the book), but I thought it was handled beautifully. Lucas doesn’t at all give an ‘old man’ vibe. He’s older, but he’s playful, sweet, caring, and just the teeniest bit obsessed with Sage. Well, they’re obsessed with each other, and I loved it. Their dynamic just got better and better throughout the book, and the banter and general fun they had together put a huge smile on my face. You also get the idea that they’re both family people. They want a home and love, and are able to give each other that. Lucas did mess up badly a couple times, but I’m glad he realized and apologized quite quickly.
Is that a kink? Caregiving? If it is, I have it, and this wasn't something I knew about myself before him.
The heavy themes were handled well, and it really did turn into such a beautiful love story. Again, if my friend hadn’t told me beforehand, I would’ve never guessed this is a debut. 100% an author to keep an eye out for, and I can’t recommend the book enough. If you want really hot spice, emotional moments that will make you tear up, and chemistry that will make you giggle, this is the one.
Somehow, 'I didn't know he was only eighteen' doesn't sound noble to admit, and it definitely doesn't make the situation any less inappropriate. I fucked him and then hired him.
Oh, and Sage is probably the most 🐓-hungry (and loud!) dude I’ve read about, and I gosh darned loved it.
Double oh, the cover drew me in immediately. The photo is beyond pretty.
Another edit as I keep thinking of more to say: I adored the epilogue. I thought it really fit with the life both MCs seemed to want, and I *love* a several-years-later-moment (especially with a large age gap), as it makes the HEA more believable to me.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Hurt/comfort
Mental health rep
Size difference
Age gap
Forced proximity
Boss/employee
Sad boy
ONS to coworkers to lovers
C*ck-hungry bottom
Fingering
C*m play
Felching
Office and car shenanigans
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Explicit sexual content
References to past self harm
Harmful behavior (cold showers to calm anxiety)
Homophobia
Symptoms of depression
Disowned/kicked out by family
Internalized homophobia
Underage drinking
Mild case of dubious consent after drinking
Mentions of MC attending conversion camp
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: A bit of jealousy, but never founded.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 18 and 35
Pages: 216
His very presence seems to erase parts of my brain. I forget to speak. Sometimes, I forget to breathe normally. I always thought that that was an exaggeration used in silly little romance books. They released a breath they didn’t know they were holding, blah, blah, blah, but no. It happens. I do it regularly.
You don’t become the kind of person who goes to gay bars to find a stranger just to ask him to tell you he loves you without getting acquainted with the feeling of being unloved. That’s not normal. I’m not normal. I just want someone to want me. To want to keep me. To be sad when I disappear, not relieved.
I’m not normally one for adding a bunch of spicy quotes, but there’s a fair few in this that deserve a shoutout, lol.
"You know, all the drying semen on your cheeks kind of lessens the power of that glare you’re giving me."
"We should, you should always be in me. Just fuck me full of come and plug me up so it stays in me." This. This is why a sleepy Sage makes me so fucking feral. He’s so needful, so deprived, and hard up. I haven’t even said anything. He’s just talking himself into a total upset, writhing away on my bed and begging for my come like a total whore while his pretty little cock is peeking out of those obscenely short shorts of his. Leaking on his smooth belly.
"Don’t do that. Fuck." I have to risk hurried glances back and forth as he slides his underwear over his knees. He leans the seat back, actually puts his heels into the seat, and looks at me as he sucks on two of his fingers salaciously. "Baby," I warn. "Don’t fucking do it." He ignores me. "Stop moaning! We’ll be home in like––"
"Baby, stop. Let me see." "No." "There’s no fucking way you’re too embarrassed to show me your asshole right now. I’ve sucked my come out of that hole, then spit it in your mouth."
December 27, 2023
I want to start this review by saying that Sage is the sweetest little baby I have ever read about, and I want to wrap him in bubblewrap and a big fluffy blanket and never let him out of my sight. To sum that up, I love him so so so much. My sweet little angel.
This was such a good book. I read it on kindle unlimited, but I had to go and buy my own copy because I enjoyed it so much. One of my favorites this year, for sure. My bestie Martina told me to read it based just on how good the prologue was, and she wasn’t wrong. This was muy bien.
Here’s the juice.
The prologue starts us off with a sex scene, and I was like oh hello this author knows just how to get me. A very very very good sex scene, too. Sage met Lucas at a gay club and told him that he can do whatever he wants as long as he tells Sage a lie. He needs Lucas to tell him that he loves him. He just needs to hear it for once. So that’s what we get. A steamy sex scene that ends with a fake love confession. And then when Lucas gets up to go to the bathroom, Sage leaves.
Fast forward 4 months later. Sage’s brother tells him he can have this old car as long as he promises to get a part time job. Sage takes the car to the mechanic, and is talking to the lady up front about their help wanted sign for a new receptionist. Imagine Sage’s surprise when he finds out Lucas owns the mechanic shop. And imagine Lucas’s surprise when he finds out that the man he hasn’t stopped thinking about for the last 4 months isn’t over 21, but is actually 18. 17 years younger than him. My brain was screaming omg. But, Lucas still hires him because pretty boy. Now here comes the fun part. Watching them try to stay away from each other because it’s “inappropriate” for a boss to date his employee. While I know that’s actually true, my book brain doesn’t think anything is inappropriate, so I was like can y’all get on with it. But it was so good watching their little dance. And when they gave in? Amazing. Gold stars.
I briefly mentioned it before, but I’m doing it again. The sex!!! It was so good. This book had everything in it that I love. We got the size difference. Lucas is like this huge 6’5” dude with a monster sized *cough* and then Sage is this little 5’6” twinkie. And he’s definitely a size queen, and we love that!!! So yeah I was in heaven. We also had lots of terms on endearment. Lucas called Sage baby which is my kryptonite, but we also ventured into sweet terms like “you’re such a slut for me” and “my slutty baby” and I was like hell yeah. So I will reiterate that I was in heaven. Thank you Miss Brianna Flores. Hugs and kisses to you.
I wish Sage’s past was a little more fleshed out. He had a ROUGH past and awful family members, but I wished it was talked about a little more. It didn’t have to be details because I know that’s hard, but I would’ve liked to know a little more exactly of what all happened instead of getting most of it right at the end. Obviously I had an idea based on the hints along the way, but I just wanted to know for sure, you know? Anyway. I’m not upset or anything, but it’s just the only thing I can think of that would’ve made it better for me. That being said though, check the trigger warnings before going into this.
To sum everything up, I really liked this. I liked how it read. I liked the writing. I liked it all. This was fabulous for a debut book. I’ll probably go back and re-read this in the future. So fun!
Also P.S. the epilogue was super cute.
This was such a good book. I read it on kindle unlimited, but I had to go and buy my own copy because I enjoyed it so much. One of my favorites this year, for sure. My bestie Martina told me to read it based just on how good the prologue was, and she wasn’t wrong. This was muy bien.
Here’s the juice.
The prologue starts us off with a sex scene, and I was like oh hello this author knows just how to get me. A very very very good sex scene, too. Sage met Lucas at a gay club and told him that he can do whatever he wants as long as he tells Sage a lie. He needs Lucas to tell him that he loves him. He just needs to hear it for once. So that’s what we get. A steamy sex scene that ends with a fake love confession. And then when Lucas gets up to go to the bathroom, Sage leaves.
Fast forward 4 months later. Sage’s brother tells him he can have this old car as long as he promises to get a part time job. Sage takes the car to the mechanic, and is talking to the lady up front about their help wanted sign for a new receptionist. Imagine Sage’s surprise when he finds out Lucas owns the mechanic shop. And imagine Lucas’s surprise when he finds out that the man he hasn’t stopped thinking about for the last 4 months isn’t over 21, but is actually 18. 17 years younger than him. My brain was screaming omg. But, Lucas still hires him because pretty boy. Now here comes the fun part. Watching them try to stay away from each other because it’s “inappropriate” for a boss to date his employee. While I know that’s actually true, my book brain doesn’t think anything is inappropriate, so I was like can y’all get on with it. But it was so good watching their little dance. And when they gave in? Amazing. Gold stars.
I briefly mentioned it before, but I’m doing it again. The sex!!! It was so good. This book had everything in it that I love. We got the size difference. Lucas is like this huge 6’5” dude with a monster sized *cough* and then Sage is this little 5’6” twinkie. And he’s definitely a size queen, and we love that!!! So yeah I was in heaven. We also had lots of terms on endearment. Lucas called Sage baby which is my kryptonite, but we also ventured into sweet terms like “you’re such a slut for me” and “my slutty baby” and I was like hell yeah. So I will reiterate that I was in heaven. Thank you Miss Brianna Flores. Hugs and kisses to you.
I wish Sage’s past was a little more fleshed out. He had a ROUGH past and awful family members, but I wished it was talked about a little more. It didn’t have to be details because I know that’s hard, but I would’ve liked to know a little more exactly of what all happened instead of getting most of it right at the end. Obviously I had an idea based on the hints along the way, but I just wanted to know for sure, you know? Anyway. I’m not upset or anything, but it’s just the only thing I can think of that would’ve made it better for me. That being said though, check the trigger warnings before going into this.
To sum everything up, I really liked this. I liked how it read. I liked the writing. I liked it all. This was fabulous for a debut book. I’ll probably go back and re-read this in the future. So fun!
Also P.S. the epilogue was super cute.
January 12, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
The themed BR w/Hugo is back 🤗
First of all, this was a good debut. I really enjoyed the writing I couldn’t put it down. Such a page turner.
Lucas is such a charismatic, gentle and lovely person and complemented Sage’s sensitive nature. One of the couples that are easy to be immersed into. However, they bonded over sex so it was quite difficult to see the personality values that they like of each other. It was more like an attachment. And I kinda want them to bond over something else and actually talk about things under emotional level than just sex and arguments.
I know it is mentioned in the authors note that the storyline narrates in a lighter tone and less angst. While I do enjoy the light angst, I do think some parts of this book needed the depth. The initial “I love you” brings such deep sadness and gloominess in me, but over time, with the lack of storytelling and more sex, the emotions I felt was diminished. Same with the issue with Sage’s mother, which lacks of necessary depth and satisfaction. Given Sage’s personality, there are a lot of untapped potential to the storyline the angst could have used his character for the depth. Idk how to say it. In essence, the book is good, but it leaves an unfulfilled yearning for more.
I get the attachment Sage had for the family, I think that was one of the core of the story that I can wholly relate. How he has to bear all of those homophobic comments by his brothers is what I have to endure at my own home every day. And how Sage keeps coming back to his mom despite everything, is what I feel with my mom because at the end of the day, I still cry for my mom at night despite knowing what she’ll do to me knowing I am queer. On that part, I salute to the author 🫡
Overall, for a debut, it was good. I wish all the best for the author in the future. As a reader, I hope for more of emotional depth in characters, character development, plot >>> sex, and less of discrimination against woman in books.
Thanks bestie for the rants ;)
The themed BR w/Hugo is back 🤗
First of all, this was a good debut. I really enjoyed the writing I couldn’t put it down. Such a page turner.
Lucas is such a charismatic, gentle and lovely person and complemented Sage’s sensitive nature. One of the couples that are easy to be immersed into. However, they bonded over sex so it was quite difficult to see the personality values that they like of each other. It was more like an attachment. And I kinda want them to bond over something else and actually talk about things under emotional level than just sex and arguments.
I know it is mentioned in the authors note that the storyline narrates in a lighter tone and less angst. While I do enjoy the light angst, I do think some parts of this book needed the depth. The initial “I love you” brings such deep sadness and gloominess in me, but over time, with the lack of storytelling and more sex, the emotions I felt was diminished. Same with the issue with Sage’s mother, which lacks of necessary depth and satisfaction. Given Sage’s personality, there are a lot of untapped potential to the storyline the angst could have used his character for the depth. Idk how to say it. In essence, the book is good, but it leaves an unfulfilled yearning for more.
I get the attachment Sage had for the family, I think that was one of the core of the story that I can wholly relate. How he has to bear all of those homophobic comments by his brothers is what I have to endure at my own home every day. And how Sage keeps coming back to his mom despite everything, is what I feel with my mom because at the end of the day, I still cry for my mom at night despite knowing what she’ll do to me knowing I am queer. On that part, I salute to the author 🫡
Overall, for a debut, it was good. I wish all the best for the author in the future. As a reader, I hope for more of emotional depth in characters, character development, plot >>> sex, and less of discrimination against woman in books.
Thanks bestie for the rants ;)
Read
December 20, 2023DNF at 12% for the pettiest of reasons: the LI lives in a gated community, and this is somehow a positive thing.
Hear ye, hear ye: "gated community" is an oxymoron.
Hear ye, hear ye: "gated community" is an oxymoron.
September 15, 2024
3.75**** stars
Man, I love how smutty Brianna Flores’ books are. And I adored Lucas and Sage as well as their story. There is just something about gentle giant’s holding all the broken pieces of their boys together that is just doing it for me.
This debut sure has its flaws but I’m happy I gave it a shot.
Man, I love how smutty Brianna Flores’ books are. And I adored Lucas and Sage as well as their story. There is just something about gentle giant’s holding all the broken pieces of their boys together that is just doing it for me.
This debut sure has its flaws but I’m happy I gave it a shot.
It was a heat-of-the-moment type thing, I’m sure, but I really wish it was an I-licked-it-so-it’s-mine type thing.
January 12, 2024
★★★☆☆ 3.5 - 4 stars
This was such a solid debut actually!
Sage inner thoughts sometimes can hit a little bit too close to home 💀💀 I relate to his pessimistic and overthinking nature.
Lucas term of endearment made me folded so bad my god and he's also so hot I swear, he's so reassuring and charming.
There should be more vulnerable moments between them and deep discussions and I should've say less sex but no the sex actually good the author knows how to write it, the vulnerable moments needs to be added more, I feel like it got wrapped up too quickly and rushed at the end for me at least.
I don't loved this book but I also don't hate it,
The writing was good and easy yet still carried weight but I just wished there more than just the sex, I need connections based on communications.
I wanna punch sage's mom and brother and also Lauren.
Buddy read with iman.
This was such a solid debut actually!
Sage inner thoughts sometimes can hit a little bit too close to home 💀💀 I relate to his pessimistic and overthinking nature.
Lucas term of endearment made me folded so bad my god and he's also so hot I swear, he's so reassuring and charming.
There should be more vulnerable moments between them and deep discussions and I should've say less sex but no the sex actually good the author knows how to write it, the vulnerable moments needs to be added more, I feel like it got wrapped up too quickly and rushed at the end for me at least.
I don't loved this book but I also don't hate it,
The writing was good and easy yet still carried weight but I just wished there more than just the sex, I need connections based on communications.
I wanna punch sage's mom and brother and also Lauren.
Buddy read with iman.
December 19, 2023
i usually stay away from sad books but i have to say that this didn’t feel heavy at all.
i actually liked it a lot, it’s close to 5 stars and impressive for a debut, however it is a bit repetitive and those themes could have been swapped with some character development.
i’ll definitely read this author’s books in the future
i actually liked it a lot, it’s close to 5 stars and impressive for a debut, however it is a bit repetitive and those themes could have been swapped with some character development.
i’ll definitely read this author’s books in the future
August 27, 2024
I thought a lot about to write an entire essay but then I decided I do not because I don’t really wanna waist my words on it.
I liked the beginning and I got a nice connection to both MCs. But as I got further into the story I just started to hate Lucus more and more. Especially as he got mad because Sage ONLY took a number from another guy and then Lucus called him a slut. Bro just…wth??? I mean you don’t say things like that if you don’t believe it. After that moment I just wasn’t able to enjoy this story anymore. And if I’m honest Lucas gave me really manipulative vibes and there were also so many other red flags that I was just disappointed in this book .
I do have to say I enjoyed the writing style and I want to try another book from this author but this one really wasn’t for me.
I liked the beginning and I got a nice connection to both MCs. But as I got further into the story I just started to hate Lucus more and more. Especially as he got mad because Sage ONLY took a number from another guy and then Lucus called him a slut. Bro just…wth??? I mean you don’t say things like that if you don’t believe it. After that moment I just wasn’t able to enjoy this story anymore. And if I’m honest Lucas gave me really manipulative vibes and there were also so many other red flags that I was just disappointed in this book .
I do have to say I enjoyed the writing style and I want to try another book from this author but this one really wasn’t for me.
January 12, 2024
3.5 round up to 4 but infinite ⭐️ to that lovely cover 🩶💚
Sweet, hot but so so sad…. Sad and depressing honestly… glad Sage got his HEA with Lucas. It was hard getting there thought.
“I just want someone to want me. To want to keep me. To be sad when I disappear, not relieved.”
While I love size difference, and this kind of age gap, I have a hard time with such needy characters… I’m just there waiting for them to wake up and live life truly, and in this case it took some time for they to happen… Sage is just so in his own head, his insecurities and still so controlled by his shitty family… poor pretty boy.
“It hurts. Just being me, it hurts. Pretending like I know and understand where he’s coming from. It. Hurts. That nod, I feel it like an ice pick just chipping away at my very being. But it’s better this way. I hate that it is, but I know it’s better to pretend. I can’t be who I am here, and it was stupid of me to even think or hope that I could.”
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this has to much sex, and it focus so much on that… it’s like is the only cure for their problems….we don’t get to see them do absolutely nothing ordinary besides fucking…. Sage is very eager, very very very eager 👀
“Now. Please, Lucas. Hurry up!”
“Slutty baby,” I lean down to kiss him, and though he kisses me back, sucks on my tongue like he’s desperate for it, I don’t miss it when he rolls his eyes at me. “Your little hole is so fucking needy, just desperate for a cock, huh?”
“Yours.” He nods his head. “You, please,” he breathes, panting now that I have the lube in my hand.“Mine,” I agree. Mine. Fuck, he is. I know that’s not what he means, that he’s just eager for a good dicking down, but I mean it. I do.”
I have some foul words for Sage’s family, them can go fuck themselves, and on the way take Lucas sister with them!
There some cringe moments and lines, but well…
The epilogue was sweet and happy for them, and I’m so so glade that Sage asked Lucas to tell him that lie ❤️ but I felt we didn’t get enough living material for that ending to make sense. I just hate when they throw kids in the mix just because.
“Baby, I love you.”
“Do you really?” His voice cracks and I reach out to stroke his cheek.
“I really do. You’ll see. I’ll show you.” He stands on his tiptoes, reaching for my face and pulling me down to kiss him.
“I love you, too.” He wraps his arms around my neck, burying his head there before I process what he said.”
Sweet, hot but so so sad…. Sad and depressing honestly… glad Sage got his HEA with Lucas. It was hard getting there thought.
“I just want someone to want me. To want to keep me. To be sad when I disappear, not relieved.”
While I love size difference, and this kind of age gap, I have a hard time with such needy characters… I’m just there waiting for them to wake up and live life truly, and in this case it took some time for they to happen… Sage is just so in his own head, his insecurities and still so controlled by his shitty family… poor pretty boy.
“It hurts. Just being me, it hurts. Pretending like I know and understand where he’s coming from. It. Hurts. That nod, I feel it like an ice pick just chipping away at my very being. But it’s better this way. I hate that it is, but I know it’s better to pretend. I can’t be who I am here, and it was stupid of me to even think or hope that I could.”
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this has to much sex, and it focus so much on that… it’s like is the only cure for their problems….we don’t get to see them do absolutely nothing ordinary besides fucking…. Sage is very eager, very very very eager 👀
“Now. Please, Lucas. Hurry up!”
“Slutty baby,” I lean down to kiss him, and though he kisses me back, sucks on my tongue like he’s desperate for it, I don’t miss it when he rolls his eyes at me. “Your little hole is so fucking needy, just desperate for a cock, huh?”
“Yours.” He nods his head. “You, please,” he breathes, panting now that I have the lube in my hand.“Mine,” I agree. Mine. Fuck, he is. I know that’s not what he means, that he’s just eager for a good dicking down, but I mean it. I do.”
I have some foul words for Sage’s family, them can go fuck themselves, and on the way take Lucas sister with them!
There some cringe moments and lines, but well…
The epilogue was sweet and happy for them, and I’m so so glade that Sage asked Lucas to tell him that lie ❤️ but I felt we didn’t get enough living material for that ending to make sense. I just hate when they throw kids in the mix just because.
“Baby, I love you.”
“Do you really?” His voice cracks and I reach out to stroke his cheek.
“I really do. You’ll see. I’ll show you.” He stands on his tiptoes, reaching for my face and pulling me down to kiss him.
“I love you, too.” He wraps his arms around my neck, burying his head there before I process what he said.”
December 17, 2023
4.5 stars. I am beyond surprised that this is a debut novel. It absolutely does not read like one at all. The story was really well done and even though there’s quite a bit of tropes included I didn’t find that it was too much or took away from the story at all. Everything worked really well together.
Sage was the sweetest, most loveable, we need to protect him always, he can do no wrong character. I loved him so much from the very beginning. He deserves all the things. I’m so happy that he finally found someone to love!
I really liked Lucas at the beginning and the end. I had my moments with him in the middle where I was quite upset with him (and his sister) and complained quite a bit to my friends who have already read this story haha. But you know you’re invested in the story and love it when you get so upset and hurt so bad when a character does something so stupid you just want to shake them!!!!
There are some tough triggers in this book, kind of. It seems like the author wanted a tough back story but didn’t want too many triggers in the actual story and I get that but sometimes I felt like I was missing some information and I had to guess at things. I like things spelled out for me so that’s just a personal preference.
Their HEA was absolutely fantastic. Can’t go wrong with such a future dated epilogue! Those are my absolute favourite. If you love hurt/comfort, age gap, size difference and super sweet angel who can never be fully sated this is absolutely the book for you!
Sage was the sweetest, most loveable, we need to protect him always, he can do no wrong character. I loved him so much from the very beginning. He deserves all the things. I’m so happy that he finally found someone to love!
I really liked Lucas at the beginning and the end. I had my moments with him in the middle where I was quite upset with him (and his sister) and complained quite a bit to my friends who have already read this story haha. But you know you’re invested in the story and love it when you get so upset and hurt so bad when a character does something so stupid you just want to shake them!!!!
There are some tough triggers in this book, kind of. It seems like the author wanted a tough back story but didn’t want too many triggers in the actual story and I get that but sometimes I felt like I was missing some information and I had to guess at things. I like things spelled out for me so that’s just a personal preference.
Their HEA was absolutely fantastic. Can’t go wrong with such a future dated epilogue! Those are my absolute favourite. If you love hurt/comfort, age gap, size difference and super sweet angel who can never be fully sated this is absolutely the book for you!
January 6, 2025
Tropes: failed one night stand, hurt/comfort, size difference, workplace romance, forbidden relationship
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3.75/5
Kinks: needing to be filled kink, size kink, come eating, come kink, somnophilia, mild exhibitionism, semi public sex
Angst: medium/high
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: conversion therapy, homophobic religious mother and brother, self harm, panic attacks, PTSD, homelessness, dubcon (between MMCs), a past sexual encounter that was bordering on rape (Sage/Cole)
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: Neither MMC was with anyone else during book, neither was with anyone after their first hookup. There were some other people around that made Lucas and Sage jealous, but neither of them were interested in the other people.
4.5 stars
Sage is 18 years old. He left home when he was about 16 years old because his mom found out he was gay and put him through conversion therapy because she's homophobic and religious. All experiences with conversion therapy are extremely traumatic, but he had an especially traumatic experience. He's been living with his brother who was 10 years older than him, for the past almost 2 years, and his brother doesn't know about Sage being gay. The brother, Forrest, also had a falling out with the family. Sage has only had one hookup before, and it was something he consented to, but the guy was so horrible to him it was bordering on rape. Sage suffers from panic attacks, mostly triggered by his family's homophobia. Sage has never felt loved. He goes to a gay bar and has a one-night stand with Lucas, he asks him to lie to him and tell him that he loves him. It's a hot hookup, and then Sage leaves when Lucas goes to shower.
A few months later, Sage takes his car into his brother's mechanic and meets Lucas again. Lucas owns the mechanic shop. And coincidentally, he's hiring a new receptionist. Sage applies for the job, because his brother wants him to get a job. Lucas hires him, and tries his best to stay away from Sage. But both Lucas and Sage are really obsessed with each other, they are both jealous and possessive of each other and anyone that comes near them. They end up having sex again.
Sage finds out that Forrest is homophobic, when he casually starts spouting homophobia when recounting something going on at work. Sage is disappointed to find out that what he thought was his safe space isn't that safe, and he leaves his brother's home and is homeless. Thankfully he has enough money that he can afford a cheap motel so he's not on the streets. Sage's mother keeps reaching out, trying to get him into another conversion therapy camp, causing more trauma.
At the 50% mark, Lucas has found out that Sage is homeless and takes him home with him. That first night that he takes him home, they have sex. I'm surprised that Lucas is willing to have sex with him, because while it wasn't an even power balance the last time they hooked up in his office as boss and employee, it's even worse now when Sage is even more dependent on him because he's homeless. I actually have more of a problem with this hookup because it was before they had talked about consent, then I did with Lucas and Sage having sex when Sage was drunk, because they had talked about consent and Sage had given explicit consent to free use and Sage was the one insisting on them hooking up in spite of his inebriation. They can't stay away from each other, and they keep hooking up, and to Lucas Sage is his boyfriend, but they don't really talk about it. They have some conflict because of the age difference and Sage thinking that Lucas is ashamed of him.
This was the author's debut novel. This was absolutely amazing for a debut. I really loved the depth of emotion and complexity of the characters. Sage was so real and vulnerable, and Lucas felt so deeply for him. The sexual chemistry, the angst, the jealousy and possessiveness, it was top tier. This was a tough read at times because of the power imbalance between Sage and Lucas, because of the conversion therapy, and the active mental health and self-harm issues that Sage was struggling through. But it was really well done. I liked that we saw an epilogue 10 years in the future where they were so happy, healthy, and had a family.
One critical thing... It was only at the 96% mark that and Sage started revealing to Lucas that he had been in conversion therapy, that he struggled with panic attacks, and that his mother was abusive. I wish that this had happened a little bit earlier in the book, because it feels like Lucas should have known Sage a bit more deeper earlier. But on the other hand, it is natural that Sage didn't spill his guts early. I read a different book earlier this week where one of my biggest complaints was how one MMC overshared his every feeling and made himself overly vulnerable in such an unrealistic way. Sage is much more realistic! But I wish Lucas had known him better earlier.
Some notable moments:
Lucas is obsessed with Sage "Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening."
"I tuck my head in the crook of his neck and inhale slowly so he doesn’t hear me as I breathe him in. He smells so good and manly, and I shiver like I just did a line of drugs because it’s that good. "Lucas." My voice is shaky, impossibly needy already, and my hips are grinding, ever-so-slightly humping him. He groans, the sound loud and deep enough and right in my ear so I get to feel it vibrate throughout me. "Please," I whisper, not even sure what I’m asking for, but, god, do I need it."
""You’re not mad, right?" "Nah, it’s fine. This’ll be good for you. I’m a little bummed we won’t be able to fuck in my office anymore, but I’ll live." "We can still… I mean, after work." My cheeks flush. What is wrong with me? "I mean, we probably shouldn’t. I still can’t look Nicky in the eye.""
*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.
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3.75/5
Kinks: needing to be filled kink, size kink, come eating, come kink, somnophilia, mild exhibitionism, semi public sex
Angst: medium/high
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: conversion therapy, homophobic religious mother and brother, self harm, panic attacks, PTSD, homelessness, dubcon (between MMCs), a past sexual encounter that was bordering on rape (Sage/Cole)
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: Neither MMC was with anyone else during book, neither was with anyone after their first hookup. There were some other people around that made Lucas and Sage jealous, but neither of them were interested in the other people.
4.5 stars
Sage is 18 years old. He left home when he was about 16 years old because his mom found out he was gay and put him through conversion therapy because she's homophobic and religious. All experiences with conversion therapy are extremely traumatic, but he had an especially traumatic experience. He's been living with his brother who was 10 years older than him, for the past almost 2 years, and his brother doesn't know about Sage being gay. The brother, Forrest, also had a falling out with the family. Sage has only had one hookup before, and it was something he consented to, but the guy was so horrible to him it was bordering on rape. Sage suffers from panic attacks, mostly triggered by his family's homophobia. Sage has never felt loved. He goes to a gay bar and has a one-night stand with Lucas, he asks him to lie to him and tell him that he loves him. It's a hot hookup, and then Sage leaves when Lucas goes to shower.
A few months later, Sage takes his car into his brother's mechanic and meets Lucas again. Lucas owns the mechanic shop. And coincidentally, he's hiring a new receptionist. Sage applies for the job, because his brother wants him to get a job. Lucas hires him, and tries his best to stay away from Sage. But both Lucas and Sage are really obsessed with each other, they are both jealous and possessive of each other and anyone that comes near them. They end up having sex again.
Sage finds out that Forrest is homophobic, when he casually starts spouting homophobia when recounting something going on at work. Sage is disappointed to find out that what he thought was his safe space isn't that safe, and he leaves his brother's home and is homeless. Thankfully he has enough money that he can afford a cheap motel so he's not on the streets. Sage's mother keeps reaching out, trying to get him into another conversion therapy camp, causing more trauma.
At the 50% mark, Lucas has found out that Sage is homeless and takes him home with him. That first night that he takes him home, they have sex. I'm surprised that Lucas is willing to have sex with him, because while it wasn't an even power balance the last time they hooked up in his office as boss and employee, it's even worse now when Sage is even more dependent on him because he's homeless. I actually have more of a problem with this hookup because it was before they had talked about consent, then I did with Lucas and Sage having sex when Sage was drunk, because they had talked about consent and Sage had given explicit consent to free use and Sage was the one insisting on them hooking up in spite of his inebriation. They can't stay away from each other, and they keep hooking up, and to Lucas Sage is his boyfriend, but they don't really talk about it. They have some conflict because of the age difference and Sage thinking that Lucas is ashamed of him.
This was the author's debut novel. This was absolutely amazing for a debut. I really loved the depth of emotion and complexity of the characters. Sage was so real and vulnerable, and Lucas felt so deeply for him. The sexual chemistry, the angst, the jealousy and possessiveness, it was top tier. This was a tough read at times because of the power imbalance between Sage and Lucas, because of the conversion therapy, and the active mental health and self-harm issues that Sage was struggling through. But it was really well done. I liked that we saw an epilogue 10 years in the future where they were so happy, healthy, and had a family.
One critical thing... It was only at the 96% mark that and Sage started revealing to Lucas that he had been in conversion therapy, that he struggled with panic attacks, and that his mother was abusive. I wish that this had happened a little bit earlier in the book, because it feels like Lucas should have known Sage a bit more deeper earlier. But on the other hand, it is natural that Sage didn't spill his guts early. I read a different book earlier this week where one of my biggest complaints was how one MMC overshared his every feeling and made himself overly vulnerable in such an unrealistic way. Sage is much more realistic! But I wish Lucas had known him better earlier.
Some notable moments:
Lucas is obsessed with Sage "Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening."
"I tuck my head in the crook of his neck and inhale slowly so he doesn’t hear me as I breathe him in. He smells so good and manly, and I shiver like I just did a line of drugs because it’s that good. "Lucas." My voice is shaky, impossibly needy already, and my hips are grinding, ever-so-slightly humping him. He groans, the sound loud and deep enough and right in my ear so I get to feel it vibrate throughout me. "Please," I whisper, not even sure what I’m asking for, but, god, do I need it."
""You’re not mad, right?" "Nah, it’s fine. This’ll be good for you. I’m a little bummed we won’t be able to fuck in my office anymore, but I’ll live." "We can still… I mean, after work." My cheeks flush. What is wrong with me? "I mean, we probably shouldn’t. I still can’t look Nicky in the eye.""
*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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2024
tw: homophobia, mentions of conversion therapy and self-harm, anxiety, depression
”He just can’t help it that he’s awkward.
And I happen to find that part of him endearing. It’s so fucking cute, and isn’t that just disgusting? I’m thirty-five years old and completely enamored with this barely legal kid.
Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening.”
If I could come up with a description of this book it would be the sweetest steamiest angst I’ve ever read. It’s also an impressive debut novel.
Sage, eighteen-years-old, is a sweet and vulnerable boy with a traumatic backstory who has never experienced love. His conservative family rejected him as soon as they discovered he was gay. Desperate to hear the three words he has never before heard in his life, he goes out to a gay bar one night and asks his hookup to tell him a lie—“I love you.” He ends up with Lucas and never expects to see him again. A few weeks later Sage meets Lucas again when he takes his brother’s car in to his garage to get it fixed.
Sage’s relationship with Lucas is so sweet and steamy. Lucas, thirty-five years old, is sexy and protective, and possessive in a good way. Sage is petite and has beautiful delicate features. He feels worthless and is timid and insecure because of his emotional baggage. But Lucas, who is a big and imposing guy, is patient with him and affirming. The size difference is an added dimension to their hot sexual dynamic—lots of dirty talk with praise kink and Lucas calling him “sweet baby”.
Even though Sage carries a lot of emotional scars, his relationship with Lucas is such a bright and sweet spot that it offsets a lot of the heaviness. What lingered in my memory at the end was their loving, sexy dynamic rather than the sad moments.
”He just can’t help it that he’s awkward.
And I happen to find that part of him endearing. It’s so fucking cute, and isn’t that just disgusting? I’m thirty-five years old and completely enamored with this barely legal kid.
Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening.”
If I could come up with a description of this book it would be the sweetest steamiest angst I’ve ever read. It’s also an impressive debut novel.
Sage, eighteen-years-old, is a sweet and vulnerable boy with a traumatic backstory who has never experienced love. His conservative family rejected him as soon as they discovered he was gay. Desperate to hear the three words he has never before heard in his life, he goes out to a gay bar one night and asks his hookup to tell him a lie—“I love you.” He ends up with Lucas and never expects to see him again. A few weeks later Sage meets Lucas again when he takes his brother’s car in to his garage to get it fixed.
Sage’s relationship with Lucas is so sweet and steamy. Lucas, thirty-five years old, is sexy and protective, and possessive in a good way. Sage is petite and has beautiful delicate features. He feels worthless and is timid and insecure because of his emotional baggage. But Lucas, who is a big and imposing guy, is patient with him and affirming. The size difference is an added dimension to their hot sexual dynamic—lots of dirty talk with praise kink and Lucas calling him “sweet baby”.
Even though Sage carries a lot of emotional scars, his relationship with Lucas is such a bright and sweet spot that it offsets a lot of the heaviness. What lingered in my memory at the end was their loving, sexy dynamic rather than the sad moments.
January 10, 2024
This had some elements I really enjoy.
Sage is such a Sad Boy TM. So sad. The saddest, really. It was great.
I love the age gap (though I wish Sage was older). Thankfully, Lucas was also concerned about Sage’s age.
I love all the fingering, pre and post… during… dicking him down. The felching and then feeding it to Sage? *chef kiss* Sage being the neediest little slut? Also amazing.
As for the negatives…
The CWs were great, but that centred, bolded and italicized font was not easy on the eyes.
Lucas’ jealousy act towards . That almost made me call it quits. Sage should have been more upset and for longer and Lucas should have had to grovel.
I could have done without drunk Sage, but it’s true, “free use” as he said.
But the main reason this isn’t getting 5 stars is the epilogue. Yes, I don’t like epilogues in general, that is true. And while I appreciate it was set years later and not just a few weeks or months, I just really could have done without .
Sage is such a Sad Boy TM. So sad. The saddest, really. It was great.
I love the age gap (though I wish Sage was older). Thankfully, Lucas was also concerned about Sage’s age.
I love all the fingering, pre and post… during… dicking him down. The felching and then feeding it to Sage? *chef kiss* Sage being the neediest little slut? Also amazing.
As for the negatives…
The CWs were great, but that centred, bolded and italicized font was not easy on the eyes.
Lucas’ jealousy act towards . That almost made me call it quits. Sage should have been more upset and for longer and Lucas should have had to grovel.
I could have done without drunk Sage, but it’s true, “free use” as he said.
But the main reason this isn’t getting 5 stars is the epilogue. Yes, I don’t like epilogues in general, that is true. And while I appreciate it was set years later and not just a few weeks or months, I just really could have done without .
December 21, 2023
4.5⭐️ - what a banger (literally) debut book!! I am so excited to see what this new author has in store for us.
Look, it wasn’t perfect (nothing is) but damn I was so into it. I thought it was a bit choppy and lacked flow at the beginning of the book but once it really started moving, that seemed to kind of level out. I will say that I wanted more depth from Lucas but his character was fairly consistent throughout so I wasn’t too upset with that.
The star is definitely Sage! Our sweet angel baby deserved all of the love. Normally I’m all for the most angst but this lighter approach definitely worked for this book. That’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of drama and emotion, cause there was, but I wasn’t a snotty sobbing mess. My heart ached for Sage!
This book is hot - like inferno hot! One could say it’s mostly sex and while there is a ton, it was fukkin great! It was passionate and gentle but filthy and uninhibited too. It was all of the things! And Sage really came alive with Lucas and I looooved it!! Ugh!!! So good!
The epilogue really sealed the deal! Just a delight to read!
Look, it wasn’t perfect (nothing is) but damn I was so into it. I thought it was a bit choppy and lacked flow at the beginning of the book but once it really started moving, that seemed to kind of level out. I will say that I wanted more depth from Lucas but his character was fairly consistent throughout so I wasn’t too upset with that.
The star is definitely Sage! Our sweet angel baby deserved all of the love. Normally I’m all for the most angst but this lighter approach definitely worked for this book. That’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of drama and emotion, cause there was, but I wasn’t a snotty sobbing mess. My heart ached for Sage!
This book is hot - like inferno hot! One could say it’s mostly sex and while there is a ton, it was fukkin great! It was passionate and gentle but filthy and uninhibited too. It was all of the things! And Sage really came alive with Lucas and I looooved it!! Ugh!!! So good!
The epilogue really sealed the deal! Just a delight to read!
December 18, 2023
I must be the only person who hasn't liked this one. It reminds me of you're my home, which I did not like at all and ended up DNF-ing. I persisted with this one but it was a struggle. I guess the co-dependent genre is not for me. The writing is good though.
December 20, 2023
4⭐️ This was sad and sweet with a very original plot. Pretty good for a debut novel. I don’t normally enjoy books that are mostly sex but Sage’s sad story and emotional vulnerability just sucked me in, and I read this in one sitting. Definitely worth a read if you love hurt/comfort and high heat.
February 5, 2024
Unfortunately I have mixed feelings about Tell me a lie,
till about half way through I was really enjoying it especially the relationship between Lucas and Sage that we see slowly develop. However as we got further in it became lack lustre which is a shame as it had so much potential and contained sensitive issues that could have been explored more.
Also the smut was very sexy but became very repetitive quickly and the epilogue was so unexpected I was a little shocked.
till about half way through I was really enjoying it especially the relationship between Lucas and Sage that we see slowly develop. However as we got further in it became lack lustre which is a shame as it had so much potential and contained sensitive issues that could have been explored more.
Also the smut was very sexy but became very repetitive quickly and the epilogue was so unexpected I was a little shocked.
December 26, 2023
Wow. 😮💨
I loved this book so damn much.
I’ll be honest and say I kinda didn’t want to like it because I’ve seen lots of other people liking it, and I guess I was in a ✨ mood ✨… Well I came outta that mood real quick. I could tell this book was something special even when I was in the prologue.
Things I loved:
✅ MC1 (Sage): so vulnerable, adorable, neeeeedy. Gods, I loved the neediness.
✅ MC2 (Lucas): obsessed with Sage. Wants to give Sage everything. Basically I loved Lucas for loving Sage so well, even if there were some times I wanted to whack Lucas on the back of the head (with love), lol. We’ve all wanted to smack a MC before, eh?
✅ The epilogue. No spoilers here, I’m just saying I really liked it.
✅ The spice. My gods, it was delicious. The amount of spice was perfect for me and the quality of the spice was 😗🤌🏻 … the fingering, the “this hole always needs to be filled” aspect of it… there were some other things that I’m not normally into but in this book I WAS INTO IT!
✅ The writing. Listen, the writing… was so good. And I totally get that writing style is subjective. So feel free to ignore me on this, but like… nothing made me cringe. The dialogue felt natural. The voices between the MCs were distinctive.
I am so impressed with this book. And yeah, it’s impressive to be a debut book, FOR SURE. But if it had been the author’s 1000th book I’d still be impressed. This was just a great read, and Sage is going to live rent-free in my mind for the foreseeable future. Lucas can come too lol.
I loved this book so damn much.
I’ll be honest and say I kinda didn’t want to like it because I’ve seen lots of other people liking it, and I guess I was in a ✨ mood ✨… Well I came outta that mood real quick. I could tell this book was something special even when I was in the prologue.
Things I loved:
✅ MC1 (Sage): so vulnerable, adorable, neeeeedy. Gods, I loved the neediness.
✅ MC2 (Lucas): obsessed with Sage. Wants to give Sage everything. Basically I loved Lucas for loving Sage so well, even if there were some times I wanted to whack Lucas on the back of the head (with love), lol. We’ve all wanted to smack a MC before, eh?
✅ The epilogue. No spoilers here, I’m just saying I really liked it.
✅ The spice. My gods, it was delicious. The amount of spice was perfect for me and the quality of the spice was 😗🤌🏻 … the fingering, the “this hole always needs to be filled” aspect of it… there were some other things that I’m not normally into but in this book I WAS INTO IT!
✅ The writing. Listen, the writing… was so good. And I totally get that writing style is subjective. So feel free to ignore me on this, but like… nothing made me cringe. The dialogue felt natural. The voices between the MCs were distinctive.
I am so impressed with this book. And yeah, it’s impressive to be a debut book, FOR SURE. But if it had been the author’s 1000th book I’d still be impressed. This was just a great read, and Sage is going to live rent-free in my mind for the foreseeable future. Lucas can come too lol.
January 22, 2024
3.75/5
oh how i love sage!!!
i picked this up because i am in the middle of rereading and annotating redeeming six and i needed a reprieve. this was also sad so i don’t know if it really worked but i had a good time. this book was very short and to the point and i liked that. i wasn’t in the mood to deal with lots of exposition so this instalovey type book worked really well. if i had read this at another time i might not have liked it so much just because it is so short and i got to the end and wanted more but also less?? idk the book got a little repetitive but i still had a great time and think this was a good, short and sweet debut!
lucas and sage were very likable and from the prologue you’re rooting for them so this book is hard to dislike. this felt like a novella so i feel like i don’t know the characters enough to really tell you about them. with some more plot, more pages, and more character development, this could’ve been a new favorite. it was really good and i can’t wait to see what this author writes next! i’m just mad because i wanted to spend more time in this story!
oh how i love sage!!!
i picked this up because i am in the middle of rereading and annotating redeeming six and i needed a reprieve. this was also sad so i don’t know if it really worked but i had a good time. this book was very short and to the point and i liked that. i wasn’t in the mood to deal with lots of exposition so this instalovey type book worked really well. if i had read this at another time i might not have liked it so much just because it is so short and i got to the end and wanted more but also less?? idk the book got a little repetitive but i still had a great time and think this was a good, short and sweet debut!
lucas and sage were very likable and from the prologue you’re rooting for them so this book is hard to dislike. this felt like a novella so i feel like i don’t know the characters enough to really tell you about them. with some more plot, more pages, and more character development, this could’ve been a new favorite. it was really good and i can’t wait to see what this author writes next! i’m just mad because i wanted to spend more time in this story!
December 17, 2023
Damn I can’t believe this was the authors first book. This was an amazing debut novel. I really loved the interactions between the characters, and I loved how needy they were for one another. Sage really needed someone to love and to love him. The two were a little kinky too and so obsessed. I 100% recommend this book. I might come back and leave a longer review but I’m trying to get better about leaving little reviews now lol.
January 14, 2024
Seeing a lot of reviews talking about how they can’t believe this is the authors debut novel and I’m right there with them! For a first book, this was sooo good!
I’m not gonna lie, I was hesitant going into this because I thought it was going to be a lot more angsty than it actually was, most of the angst had to do with Sage’s family and not so much the relationship.
Lucas and Sage were obsessed with each other and even tho I would’ve liked Lucas to explain his intentions a lot earlier on so that Sage wasn’t so confused, it was still a pretty enjoyable story. 😊
Very very smutty but it’s the obsessive and possessive kind so it’s fine 🥰
I’m not gonna lie, I was hesitant going into this because I thought it was going to be a lot more angsty than it actually was, most of the angst had to do with Sage’s family and not so much the relationship.
Lucas and Sage were obsessed with each other and even tho I would’ve liked Lucas to explain his intentions a lot earlier on so that Sage wasn’t so confused, it was still a pretty enjoyable story. 😊
Very very smutty but it’s the obsessive and possessive kind so it’s fine 🥰
March 19, 2024
I had two very distinct experiences while reading this book. The part of me that loves smutty romance and wholeheartedly embraces the tropes absolutely loved this book. It was so filthy, and we get a lot of jealous, possessive behaviour, there's a big size difference and the littler one gets called 'baby' a lot. Ugh, love. But the other part of me, the adult living in the world in 2024, was appalled.
This book features a romance between a really damaged 18-year-old queer adolescent and his grown-ass boss. Sage left a homophobic household where he never felt loved and ends up in the arms of someone who he immediately imprints on like a horny duckling. He meets Lucas before he ends up working for him, but Lucas also does absolutely nothing to discourage Sage, in fact he pursues him as his employer. But Flores gets us to sympathize with both MCs. We see from Lucas's perspective that he doesn't set out to take advantage of Sage, this is not a pattern for him, that his feelings are sincere, and that does help a bit. Sage REALLY needed therapy, gosh, he was all kinds of fucked up. I felt so sorry for him at times, but he does get his HEA.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book if I put my reality-blurring goggles on, but make no mistake, if this was an IRL story I was hearing about, I would have been absolutely disgusted by it.
This book features a romance between a really damaged 18-year-old queer adolescent and his grown-ass boss. Sage left a homophobic household where he never felt loved and ends up in the arms of someone who he immediately imprints on like a horny duckling. He meets Lucas before he ends up working for him, but Lucas also does absolutely nothing to discourage Sage, in fact he pursues him as his employer. But Flores gets us to sympathize with both MCs. We see from Lucas's perspective that he doesn't set out to take advantage of Sage, this is not a pattern for him, that his feelings are sincere, and that does help a bit. Sage REALLY needed therapy, gosh, he was all kinds of fucked up. I felt so sorry for him at times, but he does get his HEA.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book if I put my reality-blurring goggles on, but make no mistake, if this was an IRL story I was hearing about, I would have been absolutely disgusted by it.
December 10, 2023
4/5⭐️ 4/5🌶️
Brianna hits the scene with a bang (🥵) in this debut novel.
Oh Sage, my love. Sage is just the most worried wort of them all. Filled with misguided assumptions and anxiety. I was proud of him for trying to work through his anxiety and his trauma in his own way instead of letting it consume him. Lucas, his boss and lover boy, was just everything I needed him to be. He was protective and possessive (and mostly non-toxic).
The book starts and ends with smut. Just smutty smut. The smut is amazingly written.
Sages mom made me rationally (not irrationally) angry, as most moms like her do. I am glad that these boys got their happily ever after regardless of her.
There were a few times that I felt like things could have been expanded on or characters developed more. There were some supporting characters that were mentioned frequently but didn’t ever appear or characters that were mostly irrelevant that were there all the time. That was my only ehh thing but overall I loved this book so much. I was okay with focusing on these guys and letting other things go.
I’m excited to read any future works Brianna puts out!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brianna hits the scene with a bang (🥵) in this debut novel.
Oh Sage, my love. Sage is just the most worried wort of them all. Filled with misguided assumptions and anxiety. I was proud of him for trying to work through his anxiety and his trauma in his own way instead of letting it consume him. Lucas, his boss and lover boy, was just everything I needed him to be. He was protective and possessive (and mostly non-toxic).
The book starts and ends with smut. Just smutty smut. The smut is amazingly written.
Sages mom made me rationally (not irrationally) angry, as most moms like her do. I am glad that these boys got their happily ever after regardless of her.
There were a few times that I felt like things could have been expanded on or characters developed more. There were some supporting characters that were mentioned frequently but didn’t ever appear or characters that were mostly irrelevant that were there all the time. That was my only ehh thing but overall I loved this book so much. I was okay with focusing on these guys and letting other things go.
I’m excited to read any future works Brianna puts out!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 20, 2023
I will round this up to a 3, but it was a 2.5 for me personally. I felt it had a lot of potential to be a good book however the two main characters I felt were developed oddly. The book just felt odd with the dialogue, the storyline and just putting the two characters together.
Sage and Lucas...you know I can't say I dislike them as characters but I did not enjoy them either. Sage had a lot of potential to be a lovely, vulnerable character but he just became a mess of emotions that I could not work out. His inner dialogues were all over the place and I just felt he at times just seemed like a completely different character than what the author was trying to portray. Also, this may be minor but I do not think it was necessary to make him 18 turning 19. It connects to his story in a way but I think you can make the character older while still showing these storylines.
Lucas was just there for me. I felt no feelings for him honestly, he was just there vibing and I felt he was an underdeveloped love interest. His inner dialogue made me frustrated because he felt "blah" and then he was just odd. At one point he calls Sage a slut and it is just so out of pocket and mean and that was the point where I was done with the story. Sage doesn't even call him out on this until 91%.
It wasn't the worst to read, it was pretty quick to read, but I think with more time and development it could have been really good. I wouldn't recommend it personally but it's not going to hurt you to read.
Sage and Lucas...you know I can't say I dislike them as characters but I did not enjoy them either. Sage had a lot of potential to be a lovely, vulnerable character but he just became a mess of emotions that I could not work out. His inner dialogues were all over the place and I just felt he at times just seemed like a completely different character than what the author was trying to portray. Also, this may be minor but I do not think it was necessary to make him 18 turning 19. It connects to his story in a way but I think you can make the character older while still showing these storylines.
Lucas was just there for me. I felt no feelings for him honestly, he was just there vibing and I felt he was an underdeveloped love interest. His inner dialogue made me frustrated because he felt "blah" and then he was just odd. At one point he calls Sage a slut and it is just so out of pocket and mean and that was the point where I was done with the story. Sage doesn't even call him out on this until 91%.
It wasn't the worst to read, it was pretty quick to read, but I think with more time and development it could have been really good. I wouldn't recommend it personally but it's not going to hurt you to read.
December 18, 2023
I enjoyed this soooo, so much. I already have a weakness for age-gap and size difference romance and those tropes here were done perfectly.
Sage's story really broke my heart. All I wanted to do was hold him and tell him how much I loved him. Lucas was everything Sage needed and I loved how patient Lucas was with him.
The steam levels in this story was beyond scorching... 🥵🔥🌶️
I love that this is a debut and I'm certainly looking forward to more from this author... 💙🥰💙
Sage's story really broke my heart. All I wanted to do was hold him and tell him how much I loved him. Lucas was everything Sage needed and I loved how patient Lucas was with him.
The steam levels in this story was beyond scorching... 🥵🔥🌶️
I love that this is a debut and I'm certainly looking forward to more from this author... 💙🥰💙
December 13, 2023
Oh, my mother’s heart just wants to wrap Sage up in a hug and never let him go. This poor young man has just gone through so much, and the people who are supposed to love him are the problem! I hate how grateful he feels for his brother, but also feel sad for his brother because it’s indoctrination… he almost escaped but not quite. Now, I LOVE Lucas; who didn’t always do or say all the right things, but was always on Sage’s team and was always trying to be a good person and to be the person Sage needed.
This is a lovely story about utterly imperfect people who turn out to be perfect for each other. It’s sooooo well-written and emotional and engaging, I simply couldn’t put it down. It was tough to power through some of the parts where Sage was confronting with his feelings for how he was treated by his family, and the author’s note at the front did prepare me for those moments, but the author also managed to make me FEEL like I was in his skin and it was a terribly sad, uncomfortable, and sometimes almost overwhelming place to be. She does a brilliant job of bringing him to life and making his struggles relatable even as they seem so foreign and strange. I love how Lucas never makes him feel like he’s “weird,” and even when he’s amused by Sage, it’s never with cruel intentions or in a mocking way, which Sage is also clever enough to know. I love how even though Sage was clearly naive and had been raised in a very isolated way, he wasn’t stupid or gullible and he definitely knew how to stand up for himself and did so. Overall, while I was on a roller coaster with these two, I loved this book and will definitely read others by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a lovely story about utterly imperfect people who turn out to be perfect for each other. It’s sooooo well-written and emotional and engaging, I simply couldn’t put it down. It was tough to power through some of the parts where Sage was confronting with his feelings for how he was treated by his family, and the author’s note at the front did prepare me for those moments, but the author also managed to make me FEEL like I was in his skin and it was a terribly sad, uncomfortable, and sometimes almost overwhelming place to be. She does a brilliant job of bringing him to life and making his struggles relatable even as they seem so foreign and strange. I love how Lucas never makes him feel like he’s “weird,” and even when he’s amused by Sage, it’s never with cruel intentions or in a mocking way, which Sage is also clever enough to know. I love how even though Sage was clearly naive and had been raised in a very isolated way, he wasn’t stupid or gullible and he definitely knew how to stand up for himself and did so. Overall, while I was on a roller coaster with these two, I loved this book and will definitely read others by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 22, 2023
4.5 stars for Lucas and his pretty baby.
Not gonna lie I feel like that term of endearment would usually make me cringe but I actually really liked it here. Also this is a debut novel? It surprises me because I thought the writing was so good. It was simple and easy to read. There wasn’t descriptions of every thing in sight and I actually understood what I was reading! So really nice job there.
So this story began a little differently than others I’ve read. We have Sage who goes to a bar and meets Lucas. He tells Lucas he can take him home if he lies to him and tells him he loves Sage while they’re being intimate. Hence the title “Tell me a lie.”
Lucas, being the nice guy that he is, jumps at the chance to be with Sage. I’m not being sarcastic here, Lucas was honestly such a nice guy. I really liked his character and how he just accepted Sage as is. It was four months in between the night they met and the day they meet again. Lucas thought about Sage all the time and hasn’t touched anyone since. I loved how obsessed Lucas was with Sage. He hires him at his auto shop and basically watches him all day. I loved that he wasn’t ashamed about his feelings for Sage either. He does say something hurtful to Sage because he was jealous but he immediately rectifies it.
Sage had a lot of baggage. He left his parents home at 16 after being forced to go to conversion therapy and moved in with his brother. He has panic attacks, social anxiety and he is very insecure. Understandably so. He’s also somewhat immature and dramatic but he’s 18/19 so I was definitely able to look past that. I did really like Sage as well I feel like Lucas was the perfect person for him. Also parts of his POV were honestly so funny!!
The drama with Sages mother was just a little excessive but that was easy to overlook as well. Also there can’t be a MM book without an annoying female character and that was definitely Lauren, I didn’t like her at all!! I do wish there would have been some closure with Sage’s brother as well since he ended up being a big jerk.
But I can’t wait to read more by this author!!!!
Age gap 18/19 and 34
Boss/employee
Size difference
-NO CHEATING
-OP DRAMA THAT DIDNT REALLY MATTER BECAUSE THEY JUST GOT JEALOUS OF PEOPLE FLIRTING WITH THE OTHER
-NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP
-PAST TALK OF CONVERSION THERAPY WHICH IS COUPLED WITH CHILD ABUSE
Not gonna lie I feel like that term of endearment would usually make me cringe but I actually really liked it here. Also this is a debut novel? It surprises me because I thought the writing was so good. It was simple and easy to read. There wasn’t descriptions of every thing in sight and I actually understood what I was reading! So really nice job there.
So this story began a little differently than others I’ve read. We have Sage who goes to a bar and meets Lucas. He tells Lucas he can take him home if he lies to him and tells him he loves Sage while they’re being intimate. Hence the title “Tell me a lie.”
Lucas, being the nice guy that he is, jumps at the chance to be with Sage. I’m not being sarcastic here, Lucas was honestly such a nice guy. I really liked his character and how he just accepted Sage as is. It was four months in between the night they met and the day they meet again. Lucas thought about Sage all the time and hasn’t touched anyone since. I loved how obsessed Lucas was with Sage. He hires him at his auto shop and basically watches him all day. I loved that he wasn’t ashamed about his feelings for Sage either. He does say something hurtful to Sage because he was jealous but he immediately rectifies it.
Sage had a lot of baggage. He left his parents home at 16 after being forced to go to conversion therapy and moved in with his brother. He has panic attacks, social anxiety and he is very insecure. Understandably so. He’s also somewhat immature and dramatic but he’s 18/19 so I was definitely able to look past that. I did really like Sage as well I feel like Lucas was the perfect person for him. Also parts of his POV were honestly so funny!!
The drama with Sages mother was just a little excessive but that was easy to overlook as well. Also there can’t be a MM book without an annoying female character and that was definitely Lauren, I didn’t like her at all!! I do wish there would have been some closure with Sage’s brother as well since he ended up being a big jerk.
But I can’t wait to read more by this author!!!!
Age gap 18/19 and 34
Boss/employee
Size difference
-NO CHEATING
-OP DRAMA THAT DIDNT REALLY MATTER BECAUSE THEY JUST GOT JEALOUS OF PEOPLE FLIRTING WITH THE OTHER
-NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP
-PAST TALK OF CONVERSION THERAPY WHICH IS COUPLED WITH CHILD ABUSE
December 20, 2023
Loved it!!!
I absolutely loved this book! Sage is adorable and Lucas is definitely swoon-worthy! My only complaint is that it ended. Poor Sage has been through so much. His family is horrible and he just wants to be loved so badly. Lucas is such a good guy and exactly what Sage needed. The epilogue is super cute and so satisfying. I couldn’t put this down and can’t wait for the next book from this author. Congratulations Brianna on an amazing debut!
I absolutely loved this book! Sage is adorable and Lucas is definitely swoon-worthy! My only complaint is that it ended. Poor Sage has been through so much. His family is horrible and he just wants to be loved so badly. Lucas is such a good guy and exactly what Sage needed. The epilogue is super cute and so satisfying. I couldn’t put this down and can’t wait for the next book from this author. Congratulations Brianna on an amazing debut!
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