Boo Thang

by Rilzy Adams

For Piper James, the scariest thing about this Halloween is how badly she wants her best friend’s little brother.

Piper’s birthday plans go up in smoke when a series of unfortunate events leave her best friend, Angie, unable to travel to Mexico for the Halloween weekend they planned. Angie thinks she’s found the perfect solution when her little brother, Zeke, offers to take her place but Piper disagrees. A weekend trip with Zeke is a disaster waiting to happen. It’s the exact type of disaster she’s been trying hard to avoid since a drunken kiss between them ignited sexual tension that begs to be explored. Piper cannot think of anything more stressful than spending her birthday weekend trying to resist Zeke. Once the dust settles, she realizes this might be the perfect solution after all. She and Zeke can spend the weekend getting each other out of their systems then return home and continue like nothing happened.

Zeke has been halfway in love with Piper since he was a teenager. He thought his desire for her was just leftover feelings from all those years of pining after his sister’s best friend but the kiss they shared proved him wrong. His feelings are real… strong… and very adult. He cannot believe his luck when he offers to accompany Piper to Mexico for her birthday and she reluctantly accepts. He doesn’t take her reluctance personally since he knows she’s only skittish because of the attraction she’s afraid to acknowledge. Zeke happily agrees when Piper suggests they spend the weekend exploring the sexual tension between them and calling it quits once they leave Mexico. Zeke wants more than a weekend fling, but Piper has been an unattainable dream for so long that he’ll accept whatever she is willing to offer.
It’s better to have her for a short time than never to have had her at all.

The trip is more than either of them bargained for and the harsh reality creeps in as the clock ticks down to their flight can a weekend possibly be enough ?

Genres: Novella, Romance, Holiday, Halloween, Contemporary, Holiday Romance, Friends To Lovers

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2023

About the author

Rilzy Adams needs only five things to survive: sushi, coffee, Prosecco, cuddles and words (though not in that order).

She's a lawyer by day - writer by 'whenever she can get the free time' and believes that love makes the world go 'round. It is no small wonder, then, that she can't help but pen tales of people falling in love.

Reviews

[Dahyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper and Zeke

Zeke and Piper were extremely cute. Zeke's intentionality was heartwarming. At first, I thought it was only sex for them, but when Zeke started expressing his feelings, I realized it was more and I loved every bit of it.
That ending 🥰🥰
4⭐️

[The Love Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s never too late for a smutty Halloween themed novella! Piper‘s best friend can’t make it to Piper’s Halloween themed birthday vacation, so who better to take her place than bestie’s little brother, Zeke?! Zeke has been pining after Piper for years. Piper realized he’s all grown up now after a HOT drunken kiss few months ago at a party.

Mexico was the perfect place for Piper and Zeke to discover that they fit better together as lovers than friends! He was so down for her, and I was swooning the whole time. His birthday gift to her…his words…the smex…everything just screamed I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED YOU.

I understood Piper’s hesitation, given how close she was with Zeke’s sister, but his sister was understanding, which I loved! I could’ve read a whole book on Zeke and Piper, but the epilogue was a great way to close out their story!

TROPES: novella; BIPOC/black romance; Halloween; best friend’s brother; older woman; he falls first/pining; Mexico vacation; friends to lovers

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This author knows how to write sex scenes! Damn, I was very turned on while reading this erotic novella. As with good novellas, I wish it was a full length novel. The characters are so engaging. But the inevitable third act conflict would probably piss me off if there were 200 more pages. So I'll enjoy this short and will probably read it again for Halloween.

[Jahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boo thang was cute read about Piper’s Halloween weekend with her best friend’s brother.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boo Thang is a Halloween novella that had been on my TBR since last fall! I have enjoyed quite a few from this author in the past and this was a fun enough one. This is a best friend’s brother, she’s older, friends to lovers, he fell first/pining for years, vacation romance novella!

“I intend to give you all the things you deserve on this trip.”

We follow Piper and Zeke. Piper’s best friend can’t make a trip to Mexico they had planned over Halloween weekend. But her best friend’s brother, Zeke, is able to come in her place and make the trip! Zeke has crushed on Piper for years since he was a teen and it’s finally his chance to woo her. He’s determined to prove to her they’re more than just a weekend, vacation fling. Cute, steamy, and fun, but I’ve just enjoyed other books more from this author.

[Tanira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure perfection. I’ve been waiting for a new Rilzy read about as long as Zeke was waiting for Piper, but it was definitely worth the wait.

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute Novella

I read a couple of books by Rilzy Adams and this was such a cute novella. I really enjoy Piper and Zeke connection. I love Rilzy pen and I will be reading more books by her.

[EricaLenise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zeke and Piper are so cute. I loved this story. It was short but it was fulfilling.

[Ebony Essence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too cute

Rilzy did what needed to be done with Piper and Zeke’s story. The spice and electric energy between them was just right. Zeke took his shot and made sure piper would never forget. He stood on business to let her know the thoughts that ran through his mind about her and his actions backed up exactly that. Piper tried to down play her feelings but a weekend in Mexico for her bday is all it took. Glad Angie (the best friend and sister to Zeke) called piper out about her feelings because go get your man. Special shoutout to the cat Lol.

-HEA.
-Best friend’s brother.
-Forbidden romance.
-Slight age gap (6 years). Woman is older.

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story!!! Why? Because Piper and Zeke finally realized their happiness belongs only to them, and age is just a number.

Zeke has been in love with Piper since he was 14. Currently she is 36 years old and he is now 30. Unfortunately, she constantly views him as "the little boy" he used to be.

However, on Piper's Halloween birthday trip to Mexico, Zeke is determined to show Piper he is a grown a$$ man who knows how to thoroughly satisfy his woman!

[BetweentheCoversLiterary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking cute

I loved this cute holiday read and I can’t get enough of Zeke and Piper. I loved how Zeke knew exactly what he wanted and Ms. Piper almost messed it up and I’m glad she turned it around because I need more of them

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

Such a sweet novella. This one really tugged at my heart strings. Everything was so painstakingly beautiful and Zeke is really THAT guy. I love how sweet and patient he is. Another hit from Rilzy!

[Alisha 🦋💗 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little spicy novella!

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rilzy Adams writes some of the best smutty novellas.
It's a quick, mindless read, the spice is on point but it also gives cutesy romcom vibes and is great for the season.

[Anna Morelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute read. I loved Zeke...he's definitely top tier book boyfriend material. At times it got a little old constantly read how they just couldn't be together and this was going to be a one time thing. Other than that it was an excellent read. Very quick, cute and spicy.

[SL Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

love is patient

Another great one from Ms. Adams. We open the story with Piper and her best friend who has had accident. Now this friend can’t go on a planned trip to celebrate Piper’s birthday but Zeke, her friend’s brother can. He can finally admit how he has felt for a long time. But we know then road to love isn’t easy so please read this steamy book to see where Piper and Zeke end up.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

This was decent. I could have used a little more of the Mexico setting outside of the hotel. There were also some inconsistencies in the writing. I also struggle to get into BIPOC romances because part of my enjoyment in reading a romance is picturing myself as the main character, and it's harder to do with a BIPOC character. I enjoy the representation, but as for the romance it kind of takes me out a little bit. I think my main issue here was solely my fault, I thought this book was something it wasn't. I thought (wrongly) that this was an MMF monster romance with the best friend's little brother. It wasn't (again my fault), but I was still a little disappointed that we didn't get something more with this Halloween novella. It was just a contemporary romance. Which isn't typically my thing. I like my romances to have some kind of fantasy, paranormal, or sci-fi element. Or even have a historical or mystery element. This was just a straight forward best friend's little brother romance. Decent, just not for me. I absolutely can see some people loving this.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper and Zeke had a chemistry that couldn’t be denied and while Piper thought it was just going to be a sexual thing for the weekend she quickly learned it was more than that. I liked how Zeke’s main goal was to make sure Piper was happy regardless if it meant giving her sexual pleasure or playing along in her Halloween festivities and I also liked how he took his shot at more even if he knew it may not work in his favor.

I felt Piper should have had a convo with Angie first instead of making assumptions about what she would think if her and Zeke got together but I’m glad Angie saw between the lies and actually sat Piper down and they were able to talk about everything. Overall I was happy with the way the book came together and Piper got the love she’d been looking for in the least expected person.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

What a steamy novella!! Rilzy Adams is an author on my TBR list, and I decided to read this novella first. What an introduction! This novella covers the best friend's brother and age-gap romance.

Piper loves everything Halloween; she even celebrates her birthday on the same day. Piper has decided to take a Halloween-themed vacation with her best friend this year. However, that does not work out, and she needs another travel partner. In steps Zeke, her best friend's brother.

Zeke has had an attraction for Piper since his teenage years. He is now 30, but still that attraction keeps growing. He also believes Piper is attracted to him too.

Will this holiday weekend break down this crush, or will it become more? This story is well-written, and the characters are lovely. Zeke is a definite book husband.

[Gemini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calm Down

I love the falling for my best friend’s brother trope. Piper and Zeke had really intense chemistry. I thought their trip would give off perfect baecation vibes. I enjoyed the concept, but the writing was too dramatic for me. There was so much hearts thumping in their chests and bodies in free fall from every little interaction. Climaxing on a plane from him rubbing her hand was just too much. There was a lot of “I like you, but I’m not supposed to like you” angst. The good thing is that they got the inevitable happily ever after with plenty of spicy moments. I could appreciate that even if the writing was giving soap opera vibes. I usually really like this author’s work. This book just wasn’t my cup of tea.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rilzy Adams is going to give me a toothache before I even get a chance to touch a piece of candy by how sweet their romantic getaway was. I loved everything about this one. It had one of my favorite tropes, OWYM mixed in with it's always been you. The way Zeke was down bad for Piper and had no qualms about letting it be known.

Both Piper and I underestimated him... because he did not come to Mexico to play. One he took her hands on the plane to soothe her and layered in his seductive words I was a goner. Then layer on that mirror scene.... DAMN.

Absolutely no notes from me!

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boo Thang

This was a super cute and sweet love story. It gave me older woman/younger man, best friends brother and forbidden romance all in one. I loved how Zeke was all about Piper and wasn’t shy with expressing his feelings for her on their trip with hopes that maybe things could go past a weekend. I liked that Piper came to her senses and allowed herself to accept her growing feelings for Zeke. It was good to see Zeke and Piper find their happily ever after.

[Shanara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo! I deserve you!

It’s always tricky when someone you grow up with suddenly becomes a love interest! Even more tricky when it’s your best friends little brother!
Zeke and Piper had such amazing chemistry but was it worth exploring and risking life long friendships? Absolutely! I’m so happy Zeke got his boo! Piper deserved to be loved by someone who thinks the world of her! They just work together!

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can be picky with novellas since there is such a short amount of time to give a believable story. But this was a solid "best friend's brother" novella where them falling in love was believable and the scenes were sexy. I enjoyed this like all Rilzy Adams books and like that she gave us a surprise, end of year treat.

[amirahlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

“Being with you is simultaneously everything I’ve ever dreamed it to be and surpasses everything I thought was possible.” ~Zeke

I loved this so much. I love childhood friends to lovers. Especially when the man has been in love with the fmm his whole childhood. That’s the case in this story and it was adorable. Zeke was so thoughtful when it came to his Boo

[Kelsey Kiernozek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly what I expected from this book so can’t be upset. I liked how the feelings he had for Piper only continued to grow and how he continued to show her how she deserved to be treated even when he was feeling the heartbreak coming. The spicy scenes were good, expect I’m still trying to make sense of the airplane one

[Brisace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boo Thang is a quick, steamy read that still manages to tug at your emotions, proving that sometimes the scariest thing about love is realizing it might actually last. It had all the right ingredients heat, humor, and that forbidden pull between Piper and Zeke but I couldn’t shake the feeling of loss that lingered throughout. I wanted to enjoy this one so badly, but it just didn’t meet my expectations.

[Tangee Augustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

YN for the win!

This story was so cute — the perfect Halloween-season treat! An age-gap romance that proves not all YNs are for games 😏. Zeke got his chance and made it count, period. Piper didn’t stand a chance (in the best way). Funny how a cat, an injury, and a little forced proximity turned into something so beautiful. Sweet, spicy, and totally charming.

[N.G. Peltier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Rilzy did the damn thing with this one and i'm always a sucker for the guy falls first. And we got best friend's younger bro who's had a crush foreverrrr. The perfect set up for me.

Rilzy brought the sweet and steamy and I ate it allll up!!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friend’s younger brother

I really enjoyed this! There’s a teeny bit of angst and it’s pretty sexy. Always a good conbo. I do enjoy when the MMC is gone for the FMC and willing to wait for her to come around.