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Museology #3
Exhibited: A Gentle Love Story
EXHIBITED (verb)
1. to have publically displayed in an art gallery or museum
2. to have manifested or deliberately displayed a quality or behavior
Jeremy Rinci, exhibit designer, was raised in New York City and educated in Philadelphia, before ending up in Colorado in search of...something. After a few years (and one pandemic) working for a University Museum, Jeremy is looking for a spark. He’s got friends, he has a career, he even has a house, but something is still missing. It's the perfect time to reopen his exhibit consulting business, because what is being in your thirties for if not floundering?
Nathaniel Davis (not Nate, just Davis) is a forest ranger, but he prefers to fade into the background, for people to focus on the nature around him instead. Colorado is different from his West Virginia upbringing, but something about the forest in the Rockies makes sense to him in a way not much else has in his life. When tasked with updating the Visitors Center at the National Forest, Davis hires Jeremy to help with the design. Quickly, the two men become unlikely colleagues and even unlikelier friends.
Their time together illuminates plenty of surprising common ground, including a shared attraction. Navigating a new relationship is difficult, but navigating a relationship in two cities is harder. On tender dates at art museums, baseball games, and fire watch towers, Jeremy and Davis share their drastically different pasts and perspectives – and different pasts result in differing expectations of what love looks like to each man. Can Jeremy and Davis learn to bridge the gap together and find a way to put their hearts on display?
1. to have publically displayed in an art gallery or museum
2. to have manifested or deliberately displayed a quality or behavior
Jeremy Rinci, exhibit designer, was raised in New York City and educated in Philadelphia, before ending up in Colorado in search of...something. After a few years (and one pandemic) working for a University Museum, Jeremy is looking for a spark. He’s got friends, he has a career, he even has a house, but something is still missing. It's the perfect time to reopen his exhibit consulting business, because what is being in your thirties for if not floundering?
Nathaniel Davis (not Nate, just Davis) is a forest ranger, but he prefers to fade into the background, for people to focus on the nature around him instead. Colorado is different from his West Virginia upbringing, but something about the forest in the Rockies makes sense to him in a way not much else has in his life. When tasked with updating the Visitors Center at the National Forest, Davis hires Jeremy to help with the design. Quickly, the two men become unlikely colleagues and even unlikelier friends.
Their time together illuminates plenty of surprising common ground, including a shared attraction. Navigating a new relationship is difficult, but navigating a relationship in two cities is harder. On tender dates at art museums, baseball games, and fire watch towers, Jeremy and Davis share their drastically different pasts and perspectives – and different pasts result in differing expectations of what love looks like to each man. Can Jeremy and Davis learn to bridge the gap together and find a way to put their hearts on display?
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2024
20 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Nellie Wilson
12 books261 followersNellie Wilson is the pen name of a teacher and historian in her 30s who doesn't want her students to read her spicy books. Originally from western Pennsylvania, Nellie spent time in Ohio and Colorado before settling in San Diego. She enjoys drinking beer, talking about true crime and medical history, listening to emo music from the 2000s, and making up songs about her dog. When not writing books, she teaches sixth grade. When not doing that, she studies the history of San Diego city planning. When not doing that, she pours beer. "Need S'more Time" is her first book, but she has many more planned. You can find her on Instagram at @woahnelliewrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
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May 28, 2024Nellie Wilson has been on my TBR for a while due to her focus on the millennial experience, something I’ve been trying to unpack in my own life as someone in this demographic. And Exhibited succeeds so well in showing what people in this age group are up against when trying to build a meaningful life for themselves. Jeremy and Davis do their best with the inner and outer resources that they have, choosing to challenge themselves to make love and connection work despite the fact that on the surface, they both pretty much have the lives they wanted. Why bother with anything more? But they do reach for more, and it’s inspiring to see them do it by reaching for each other again and again even when their insecurities tell them to turn back. A good read—and I assume, based on the cast, a good series—for anyone who wants to see realistic depictions of what love can look like in the here and now.
August 4, 2024
4.2 ⭐️
This was precious. I took my time reading this because I wanted to enjoy the gentle nature of the story and it lived up to my expectations. It was sweet and wholesome and sometimes heart wrenching. I immediately loved Davis because of how much I relate to his anxious little heart. I was rooting for him from the get go. I loved Jeremy in the previous books because he was just a wholesome friend but seeing inside his mind and seeing his own anxiety come out made my feel for him. The two of them together were perfect for each other honestly. I loved their dynamic and the slow affection that built up.
*I will admit that some moments of the story were a bit slow abut I still enjoyed the overall effect of slowing things down and showing the mundanity of life.
I enjoyed seeing the other characters as well and the different dynamics they evolved into. Overall, a really gentle and enjoyable love story with some precious doggos 🐶
This was precious. I took my time reading this because I wanted to enjoy the gentle nature of the story and it lived up to my expectations. It was sweet and wholesome and sometimes heart wrenching. I immediately loved Davis because of how much I relate to his anxious little heart. I was rooting for him from the get go. I loved Jeremy in the previous books because he was just a wholesome friend but seeing inside his mind and seeing his own anxiety come out made my feel for him. The two of them together were perfect for each other honestly. I loved their dynamic and the slow affection that built up.
*I will admit that some moments of the story were a bit slow abut I still enjoyed the overall effect of slowing things down and showing the mundanity of life.
I enjoyed seeing the other characters as well and the different dynamics they evolved into. Overall, a really gentle and enjoyable love story with some precious doggos 🐶
May 19, 2024
Nellie does it again, and this time it’s by giving our beloved Jeremy a story with an adorable love interest in Davis, a forest ranger working in the mountains who needs an exhibit designer for the dilapidated visitor center.
Their story is full of vulnerability as Davis learns to love out loud since he comes from a very different background compared to Jeremy and as Davis learns that he doesn’t need all the fancy degrees to fit in. His journey with dyslexia, sobriety, and his sexuality (bi) was heartbreaking as he learned that people who love you will accept you the way you are. Him and Jeremy might be polar opposites, but they worked so well and brought out the best in each other. I loved the focus on making conservation and the outdoors accessible to everyone and the dual POV was fantastic as I’ve really been wanting to get into Jeremy’s head after him being a side character for the first couple of books.
This really is the gentle love story that it’s advertised as and I hope it inspires people to look at nature a little differently and with a little more appreciation. There’s plenty of references for conservation nerds (like myself) to enjoy and this story will leave you content and yearning for your own gentle love story and for fresh mountain air in your lungs!
(Thank you to Nellie for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!)
Their story is full of vulnerability as Davis learns to love out loud since he comes from a very different background compared to Jeremy and as Davis learns that he doesn’t need all the fancy degrees to fit in. His journey with dyslexia, sobriety, and his sexuality (bi) was heartbreaking as he learned that people who love you will accept you the way you are. Him and Jeremy might be polar opposites, but they worked so well and brought out the best in each other. I loved the focus on making conservation and the outdoors accessible to everyone and the dual POV was fantastic as I’ve really been wanting to get into Jeremy’s head after him being a side character for the first couple of books.
This really is the gentle love story that it’s advertised as and I hope it inspires people to look at nature a little differently and with a little more appreciation. There’s plenty of references for conservation nerds (like myself) to enjoy and this story will leave you content and yearning for your own gentle love story and for fresh mountain air in your lungs!
(Thank you to Nellie for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!)
May 15, 2024
*Review Provided as part of ARC selection*
I am not usually a M/M romance reader, but I came for the continuation of the Museology series and I am happy I did!
Jeremy and Davis are two souls from different upbringings who find their way to Vanberg, and to each other. I learned about the forest and environment protections from Davis, but also felt the commitment and yearning of Jeremy.
5/5 #dogdads #rockingchairs #milleniallove
ALSO
The scene of Emmy and Davis at the baseball game! What a fantastic representation of queer life and a friend learning and becoming a better person from it!!!!
I am not usually a M/M romance reader, but I came for the continuation of the Museology series and I am happy I did!
Jeremy and Davis are two souls from different upbringings who find their way to Vanberg, and to each other. I learned about the forest and environment protections from Davis, but also felt the commitment and yearning of Jeremy.
5/5 #dogdads #rockingchairs #milleniallove
ALSO
The scene of Emmy and Davis at the baseball game! What a fantastic representation of queer life and a friend learning and becoming a better person from it!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2024
Sooooooo I loved Curated and I LOVED Educated and while this ARC (thank you @nellie 🤭) was well written and cozy, it just didn’t give me the UMPH I needed. I still enjoyed it but not in an I-couldn’t-put-it-down way, so that was a bit disappointing. Overall, I’d still recommend to finish up the trilogy ♥️
May 29, 2024
Diving into a book by Nellie Wilson is always a joy. Nellie writes characters that I wish could be my real life friends, she describes places that make me feel like I am right there, and through her words, she takes my heart and soul on a beautiful journey to an HEA.
Davis and Jeremy’s story is now my new fave book by Nellie. It is soft, gentle, and loving, yet also allows for deep reflection on ongoing challenges we face as individuals and society, whether it’s tackling queer phobia, grief, millennial angst, pandemic recovery, sobriety, and more.
Jeremy and Davis are so dissimilar in many ways: Jeremy is a city/town boy who loves to one and beautiful yet possibly uncomfortable furniture while Davis is happiest in the forest, wearing his khakis and living quietly. But their values are what pulls them together: loyalty, kindness, respect for those who came before us and what came before us, and a desire to conserve and educate future generations.
When a work opportunity brings the two together, they are inextricably drawn together, getting to know one another and caring for each other. As they start to date and begin falling in love, Jeremy and Davis slowly learn how to find the balance in their lives. It’s not without challenges, of course, and Nellie writes these challenges with such love and care that as a reader, my heart broke for both Davis and Jeremy, but also was comforted in knowing that Nellie would ensure the HEA would be authentic and kind and beautiful.
Nellie continues to deliberately include references to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental illness, millennial challenges and so much more, which are all vitally important and is helping to establish Nellie and her books as important historical references for future generations to understand what life is like in the 2020s for many millennials. She doesn’t sugarcoat issues, and she doesn’t tie up all the challenges her characters face with a neat bow, which all serve to make her characters and stories realistic and deserving of the empathy and love.
Thanks to the author for an early copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
Davis and Jeremy’s story is now my new fave book by Nellie. It is soft, gentle, and loving, yet also allows for deep reflection on ongoing challenges we face as individuals and society, whether it’s tackling queer phobia, grief, millennial angst, pandemic recovery, sobriety, and more.
Jeremy and Davis are so dissimilar in many ways: Jeremy is a city/town boy who loves to one and beautiful yet possibly uncomfortable furniture while Davis is happiest in the forest, wearing his khakis and living quietly. But their values are what pulls them together: loyalty, kindness, respect for those who came before us and what came before us, and a desire to conserve and educate future generations.
When a work opportunity brings the two together, they are inextricably drawn together, getting to know one another and caring for each other. As they start to date and begin falling in love, Jeremy and Davis slowly learn how to find the balance in their lives. It’s not without challenges, of course, and Nellie writes these challenges with such love and care that as a reader, my heart broke for both Davis and Jeremy, but also was comforted in knowing that Nellie would ensure the HEA would be authentic and kind and beautiful.
Nellie continues to deliberately include references to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental illness, millennial challenges and so much more, which are all vitally important and is helping to establish Nellie and her books as important historical references for future generations to understand what life is like in the 2020s for many millennials. She doesn’t sugarcoat issues, and she doesn’t tie up all the challenges her characters face with a neat bow, which all serve to make her characters and stories realistic and deserving of the empathy and love.
Thanks to the author for an early copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2025
Thank you so much for the early ARC of this beautiful book! It is exactly what is says on the tin, a gentle love story of gentle men who need a little help accepting that they get to be loved. Also baseball comes into it because baseball is the most romantic!! I love stories that are less about falling in love and more about stepping into it with your eyes and your heart wide open and that is exactly what this book feels like. Just a really lovely time!
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July 17, 2024this book...or rather, this kind of relationship is kind of what lends me life. the kind where BOTH the MCs are somewhat introverted, shy, gentle, KIND, where the relationship is born out of an innate understanding of each other.
i do have some reservations around the other aspects of the book, but let's start from the basics.
☆ the writing was devastatingly beautiful. it had a softened cadence to it that read like a lulluby, at once soothing and bright.
☆ i loved the juxtaposition of the MCs' characterizations. even tho both are similar in temparaments, their approaches to life were quite different, which made for some lovely unconventional choices in their relationships.
Davis, a quiet grubby, hard-shelled forest ranger, managing sobriety wholeheartedly, someone you'd want to wrap in a wool blanket. my heart gave out seeing him come into his own, battling his low self-esteem and toxic upbringing, allowing himself to understand and learn a little bit more about himself every day.
Jeremy, a not-quite-shy art designer, who likes indoors more than outdoors. his understandering, and love for his parents made my chest hurt.
☆ but my favorite part was their relationship, hands down. if i were to describe it with one word, i'd say: soft. from the way they interacted to how they slowly got to each other breath by breath, establish a sweet friendship, to how they became /more/, how they listened to each other and were invested in the other's interest, how they literally weren't afraid to get hurt in biking down trails...everything was soft, big-hearted, warm. rarely i find both of the MCs sweet and kind-natured and not some cocky misunderstood asshole, so i loooved that.
through the story were, gently and compassionately, woven difficult themes of grief and sobreity. the many ways grief seems to waylay into us if we don't manage a path to deal with it, the reality of living sober even when it feels precarious, the ways it changes our lives and people around us.
☆ a lot of queer discourse was briefly highlighted too: • the necessity of Coming Out for queer people and how that always doesn't always feel liberating, but as if your whole idenity is always public property, something that's owed to everyone at any given time, • how toxic parenting/environment and internalized homophobia shape even our subtlest subconscious behaviors/thoughts, and take a lot of work to completely clear out from our bloodstreams, • how queer couples are programmed with different techniques of hiding away their true selves by the society • and the dichotomy of disparate effects of being brought up in a queernormative world vs a queerphobic one. so it was quite a good spending of my time.
but i do have some gripes:
~ the first quarter was pretty clunky and just heavy with descriptions and history that seemed redundant or unnecessary. it could've been done in 10 few lines each time & simply made the pace drag for me in the first half.
~ another author who couldn't stop dropping McDonald's, even tho it's been 9 months into the gen0cide of Palestinians and these big corporations are being boycotted in solidarity for funding it.
~ more disappointing was the selective political commentary, bc this book wasn't devoid of *some* political rhetoric: it briefly highlighted importance of queer history and mentioned Stonewall Inn and alluded to the riot and its place in queer movement, and it also spoke of the heinous effect of white supremacy, and the fight of Native Americans with colonialism.
and yet, when it came to P@lestine, it was mentioned for one second as "devastating international issues". honestly i would've been fine if nothing had been hinted at here, but a. there was no reason to bring this up as vaguely and utterly uselessly as this, and b. it's cowardly to not directly talk about it when you have talked about other humanitarian issues openly before.
so ig i'm not sure what to feel about it at the end. i wish authors took more care into writing about these things.
i do have some reservations around the other aspects of the book, but let's start from the basics.
☆ the writing was devastatingly beautiful. it had a softened cadence to it that read like a lulluby, at once soothing and bright.
☆ i loved the juxtaposition of the MCs' characterizations. even tho both are similar in temparaments, their approaches to life were quite different, which made for some lovely unconventional choices in their relationships.
Davis, a quiet grubby, hard-shelled forest ranger, managing sobriety wholeheartedly, someone you'd want to wrap in a wool blanket. my heart gave out seeing him come into his own, battling his low self-esteem and toxic upbringing, allowing himself to understand and learn a little bit more about himself every day.
Jeremy, a not-quite-shy art designer, who likes indoors more than outdoors. his understandering, and love for his parents made my chest hurt.
☆ but my favorite part was their relationship, hands down. if i were to describe it with one word, i'd say: soft. from the way they interacted to how they slowly got to each other breath by breath, establish a sweet friendship, to how they became /more/, how they listened to each other and were invested in the other's interest, how they literally weren't afraid to get hurt in biking down trails...everything was soft, big-hearted, warm. rarely i find both of the MCs sweet and kind-natured and not some cocky misunderstood asshole, so i loooved that.
through the story were, gently and compassionately, woven difficult themes of grief and sobreity. the many ways grief seems to waylay into us if we don't manage a path to deal with it, the reality of living sober even when it feels precarious, the ways it changes our lives and people around us.
☆ a lot of queer discourse was briefly highlighted too: • the necessity of Coming Out for queer people and how that always doesn't always feel liberating, but as if your whole idenity is always public property, something that's owed to everyone at any given time, • how toxic parenting/environment and internalized homophobia shape even our subtlest subconscious behaviors/thoughts, and take a lot of work to completely clear out from our bloodstreams, • how queer couples are programmed with different techniques of hiding away their true selves by the society • and the dichotomy of disparate effects of being brought up in a queernormative world vs a queerphobic one. so it was quite a good spending of my time.
but i do have some gripes:
~ the first quarter was pretty clunky and just heavy with descriptions and history that seemed redundant or unnecessary. it could've been done in 10 few lines each time & simply made the pace drag for me in the first half.
~ another author who couldn't stop dropping McDonald's, even tho it's been 9 months into the gen0cide of Palestinians and these big corporations are being boycotted in solidarity for funding it.
~ more disappointing was the selective political commentary, bc this book wasn't devoid of *some* political rhetoric: it briefly highlighted importance of queer history and mentioned Stonewall Inn and alluded to the riot and its place in queer movement, and it also spoke of the heinous effect of white supremacy, and the fight of Native Americans with colonialism.
and yet, when it came to P@lestine, it was mentioned for one second as "devastating international issues". honestly i would've been fine if nothing had been hinted at here, but a. there was no reason to bring this up as vaguely and utterly uselessly as this, and b. it's cowardly to not directly talk about it when you have talked about other humanitarian issues openly before.
so ig i'm not sure what to feel about it at the end. i wish authors took more care into writing about these things.
May 27, 2024
Thank you Nellie for an ARC of Exhibited. It did not disappoint!
We finally get to Jeremy's love story! While this book is the third in the series and interconnected with more of the Nellieverse books it is a stand-alone and reading the other books is not necessary to enjoy this one.
Davis is an introverted forest ranger whose constant worry about "fitting in" drives him to seek out isolation from those around him. From a small town in West Virginia, and working in an industry historically dominated by a good ol' boys clube, he's never felt supported in his otherness (bisexual, dyslexic, sober). But, when Davis is tasked to revitalize a national forest visitors center - to appeal to and educate a greater audience about accessibility for all - he begins to hope that maybe he can make a difference to people like him, without standing out or being noticed.
Jeremy is a vivacious, artist and museum exhibit designer whose life is filled with activities, friends and indoor activities. Jeremy has always been validated and supported in his endeavors and was embraced by his deceased parents for his persona. As his friends start pairing off he seeks to fill the new won free time with consulting for exhibits outside of his university museum.
When Davis hires Jeremy to help with the visitor center project attraction between Davis and Jeremy is instant. And their gentle relationship (it really is) is given space and time to unfold without the pressure of dramatic external forces (well with the exception of a work emergency for Davis).
What kept me from rating it a 5 - I was disappointed in the dyslexia rep. I love that it's there. I love the discussion of how accommodations at work etc. But, as a dyslexic individual myself I felt that the description was too superficial. Don't get me wrong it is as good as I would usually expect from other writers but Nellie set the bar of neurodivergent description so high in her book Curated that I was disappointed by the execution here.
4/5 Stars
3/5 Steam
What to Expect:
Reps: dyslexia; gay, bisexual, queer, grief; alcoholism/sobriety (one MC is sober and does not break sobriety during the book); panic attack.
Tropes [Spoiler] instalove, opposites attract, workplace romance, forced proximity, friends to lovers, meddling friend group, nature boy vs city boy.[/Spoiler]
TW/CW [Spoiler] death of parents, past homophobia (non-specific), closeted character [/Spoiler]
We finally get to Jeremy's love story! While this book is the third in the series and interconnected with more of the Nellieverse books it is a stand-alone and reading the other books is not necessary to enjoy this one.
Davis is an introverted forest ranger whose constant worry about "fitting in" drives him to seek out isolation from those around him. From a small town in West Virginia, and working in an industry historically dominated by a good ol' boys clube, he's never felt supported in his otherness (bisexual, dyslexic, sober). But, when Davis is tasked to revitalize a national forest visitors center - to appeal to and educate a greater audience about accessibility for all - he begins to hope that maybe he can make a difference to people like him, without standing out or being noticed.
Jeremy is a vivacious, artist and museum exhibit designer whose life is filled with activities, friends and indoor activities. Jeremy has always been validated and supported in his endeavors and was embraced by his deceased parents for his persona. As his friends start pairing off he seeks to fill the new won free time with consulting for exhibits outside of his university museum.
When Davis hires Jeremy to help with the visitor center project attraction between Davis and Jeremy is instant. And their gentle relationship (it really is) is given space and time to unfold without the pressure of dramatic external forces (well with the exception of a work emergency for Davis).
What kept me from rating it a 5 - I was disappointed in the dyslexia rep. I love that it's there. I love the discussion of how accommodations at work etc. But, as a dyslexic individual myself I felt that the description was too superficial. Don't get me wrong it is as good as I would usually expect from other writers but Nellie set the bar of neurodivergent description so high in her book Curated that I was disappointed by the execution here.
4/5 Stars
3/5 Steam
What to Expect:
Reps: dyslexia; gay, bisexual, queer, grief; alcoholism/sobriety (one MC is sober and does not break sobriety during the book); panic attack.
Tropes [Spoiler] instalove, opposites attract, workplace romance, forced proximity, friends to lovers, meddling friend group, nature boy vs city boy.[/Spoiler]
TW/CW [Spoiler] death of parents, past homophobia (non-specific), closeted character [/Spoiler]
May 13, 2024
I just finished reading an ARC copy (Thank you Nellie!) —and it was such a delight! It was just such a gentle love story between Davis & Jeremy. (Who, are in their mid & late 30's YES!!!! I love reading characters who are closer to my own age)
Davis really stood out. His tough journey growing up in West Virginia, along with his family's rejection for being queer, pulled right at the heartstrings, and left me wanting more. I just wanted to hug him! He was such a smarty, but lacked confidence when it came to anything outside of his forest expertise.
While Jeremy's past felt a bit rushed, (the details of his parents passing was quick) together, these two create something really special. Their honesty and effort in making their relationship work were just heart warming. (I wanted to see more!) I loved the forest ranger setting. That's a new trope for me -- lol, but I'll def be thinking about husky forest rangers now. 🔥 My only real reason for only giving a 4 star --- I felt like some parts were rushed over, and I had a hard time knowing how much time had passed. Had it been months, or weeks? Then suddenly the exhibit was complete and they were opening. It didn't necessarily take away from the book, but a few times I felt like, whoa.. there was a jump that wasn't necessarily explained. Also, the third act breakup (felt pretty rushed and they just dont talk for a while but its not really explained how long that is, and it just felt... Long! I hate no communication -- not even a text after all you've been through together?)
If you’re stuck in a book slump, and love HFN, MM Romance -- This is just what you need to get back in the groove. It’s light, it’s uplifting, and it’s sure to leave you feeling good.
Thank you Nellie Wilson for the ARC copy. This is my first read of any of her work -- and I'm probably going to go back and read the first books in the series.
Davis really stood out. His tough journey growing up in West Virginia, along with his family's rejection for being queer, pulled right at the heartstrings, and left me wanting more. I just wanted to hug him! He was such a smarty, but lacked confidence when it came to anything outside of his forest expertise.
While Jeremy's past felt a bit rushed, (the details of his parents passing was quick) together, these two create something really special. Their honesty and effort in making their relationship work were just heart warming. (I wanted to see more!) I loved the forest ranger setting. That's a new trope for me -- lol, but I'll def be thinking about husky forest rangers now. 🔥 My only real reason for only giving a 4 star --- I felt like some parts were rushed over, and I had a hard time knowing how much time had passed. Had it been months, or weeks? Then suddenly the exhibit was complete and they were opening. It didn't necessarily take away from the book, but a few times I felt like, whoa.. there was a jump that wasn't necessarily explained. Also, the third act breakup (felt pretty rushed and they just dont talk for a while but its not really explained how long that is, and it just felt... Long! I hate no communication -- not even a text after all you've been through together?)
If you’re stuck in a book slump, and love HFN, MM Romance -- This is just what you need to get back in the groove. It’s light, it’s uplifting, and it’s sure to leave you feeling good.
Thank you Nellie Wilson for the ARC copy. This is my first read of any of her work -- and I'm probably going to go back and read the first books in the series.
August 4, 2024
Opposites attract + MCs in their 30s + caretaking!
Jeremy is looking for a spark. He has all the things he thought he wanted, but now it's time to reopen his exhibit consulting business.
Davis prefers to fade into the background, always wanting people to see nature instead of him as the forest ranger.
When Davis needs to update the visitor's center for the National Forest, he hires Jeremy to help with the design.
Read if you love...
💬texts on page
✨opposites attract
🐶a perfect rescue pup
✨a sober MC
🫶🏼dual perspective
✨MCs in their 30s
🔥open door
✨meddling friends
🌲MC forest ranger
✨MC exhibit designer
🚵🏼mountain biking
✨caretaking
🎨art
✨workplace romance
⚾️baseball
✨therapy positive
🥾hiking
Absolutely here for two soft MCs! I love Jeremy and Davis, and Mary Anne!
First off, caretaking is an underrated trope and this one absolutely slayyyyed for a caretaking scene that I could spend forever talking about but minor spoilers!
I absolutely loved the premise behind this one, and the mix of tropes was just wonderful! I also really loved the added layer of depth with Jeremy losing his parents, Davis's background growing up in a family / area where there was very little queer rep and was generally anti-queer, and Davis being sober. These were all things Jeremy and Davis had to not only navigate within their friendship and relationship, but added to their character growth.
As this is the fourth book in this series, I love that not only did we get a few new side characters in Davis's friends but we got so many cameos from all of the previous MCs and the stellar best friend group!
While this one can be read as a standalone, I definitely recommend you read the first three!
📍Colorado
✨Representation: bisexual MC; gay MC; dyslexia
‼️Content: death of parents, past; grief; mentions of experiences with anti-queer; depiction of forest fires
Jeremy is looking for a spark. He has all the things he thought he wanted, but now it's time to reopen his exhibit consulting business.
Davis prefers to fade into the background, always wanting people to see nature instead of him as the forest ranger.
When Davis needs to update the visitor's center for the National Forest, he hires Jeremy to help with the design.
Read if you love...
💬texts on page
✨opposites attract
🐶a perfect rescue pup
✨a sober MC
🫶🏼dual perspective
✨MCs in their 30s
🔥open door
✨meddling friends
🌲MC forest ranger
✨MC exhibit designer
🚵🏼mountain biking
✨caretaking
🎨art
✨workplace romance
⚾️baseball
✨therapy positive
🥾hiking
Absolutely here for two soft MCs! I love Jeremy and Davis, and Mary Anne!
First off, caretaking is an underrated trope and this one absolutely slayyyyed for a caretaking scene that I could spend forever talking about but minor spoilers!
I absolutely loved the premise behind this one, and the mix of tropes was just wonderful! I also really loved the added layer of depth with Jeremy losing his parents, Davis's background growing up in a family / area where there was very little queer rep and was generally anti-queer, and Davis being sober. These were all things Jeremy and Davis had to not only navigate within their friendship and relationship, but added to their character growth.
As this is the fourth book in this series, I love that not only did we get a few new side characters in Davis's friends but we got so many cameos from all of the previous MCs and the stellar best friend group!
While this one can be read as a standalone, I definitely recommend you read the first three!
📍Colorado
✨Representation: bisexual MC; gay MC; dyslexia
‼️Content: death of parents, past; grief; mentions of experiences with anti-queer; depiction of forest fires
May 28, 2024
So I have been in a bit of a romance slump – things have been *fine* but nothing has been hitting, and I knew it was because of me rather because of the books. Which is to say when I got an ARC of Nellie Wilson’s Exhibited, I was *so excited* because I adore everything I’ve read from her, but also a bit nervous.
But I had nothing to worry about.
The third book in Nellie’s Museology series of interconnected standalones, Exhibited follows Jeremy, an exhibit designer who works at a university museum, and Davis, a forest ranger who hires Jeremy to revamp the visitor’s center where he works.
Nellie delivers a tender, slow-burning story that explores attraction and identity between two men in their 30s from very different backgrounds – Jeremy grew up in NYC’s intellectual art world and has always been openly gay, while Davis is from West Virginia, prefers nature to people, and is quietly bi as well as sober. As Jeremy and Davis get to know each other and become more entangled, their stories are told in ways that are deeply respectful of the experiences these characters represent.
Though this is a deeply emotional tale, Nellie’s signature humor and banter is all over it, and characters from previous books pop up along the way – and it is *very* interesting to see them all through Davis’s eyes. And yes, this book does deliver open-door scenes (!!) and is extremely swoony. Seriously. Very seriously.
Also there is a rescue dog, and a GREAT romantic gesture, and an extremely touching scene involving Clyfford Still’s artwork, and I just really loved this a whole lot.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry and swoon in all the best ways, then Exhibited is for you!
But I had nothing to worry about.
The third book in Nellie’s Museology series of interconnected standalones, Exhibited follows Jeremy, an exhibit designer who works at a university museum, and Davis, a forest ranger who hires Jeremy to revamp the visitor’s center where he works.
Nellie delivers a tender, slow-burning story that explores attraction and identity between two men in their 30s from very different backgrounds – Jeremy grew up in NYC’s intellectual art world and has always been openly gay, while Davis is from West Virginia, prefers nature to people, and is quietly bi as well as sober. As Jeremy and Davis get to know each other and become more entangled, their stories are told in ways that are deeply respectful of the experiences these characters represent.
Though this is a deeply emotional tale, Nellie’s signature humor and banter is all over it, and characters from previous books pop up along the way – and it is *very* interesting to see them all through Davis’s eyes. And yes, this book does deliver open-door scenes (!!) and is extremely swoony. Seriously. Very seriously.
Also there is a rescue dog, and a GREAT romantic gesture, and an extremely touching scene involving Clyfford Still’s artwork, and I just really loved this a whole lot.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry and swoon in all the best ways, then Exhibited is for you!
May 24, 2024
Thank you Nellie for an ARC of this book!
Can I give you a hug and call it a day? Bc that's how this book made me feel. They were so freaking PRECIOUS, treading carefully to not overstep boundaries, all while desperately wanting the other.
WE MUST PROTECT DAVIS AT ALL COSTS. The way this man doubted his own expertise and worried he bore people talking about the things that excited him? Don't stop. Tell us more! And did I mention he had a dog bc omigod, she had him wrapped around her paw and watching Davis love on her was the cutest thing EVER!!! And all I wanted for Davis was to find peace, without having to constantly calculate what he could and couldn't reveal of himself. Bc goddammit, we all just want to be our true, authentic selves but for reasons felt deeply esp by us, we stash parts of ourselves away to avoid rejection and its consequences. And we all, including Davis, deserve to have a safe place.
Enter Jeremy. I wanted just as much for him. Bc even with great friends, there's something lonely about not having your person. And that's where Jeremy was. Having experienced great losses in his past, he needed someone to help him fill the void that grief left him. I loved that he found this with Davis bc suddenly home wasn't so empty. I also appreciated how thoughtful Jeremy was of Davis and how he made the latter feel heard. He doesn't drink alcohol? How about a seltzer? The exhibit isn't working? Tell him more. And this relationship was just so perfect but ofc Davis reciprocated in kind. 😊
CN: open-door romance, sobriety with past history of alcoholism (no relapse), past death of parents, grief, mentions of past homophobic experiences, forest fires
Can I give you a hug and call it a day? Bc that's how this book made me feel. They were so freaking PRECIOUS, treading carefully to not overstep boundaries, all while desperately wanting the other.
WE MUST PROTECT DAVIS AT ALL COSTS. The way this man doubted his own expertise and worried he bore people talking about the things that excited him? Don't stop. Tell us more! And did I mention he had a dog bc omigod, she had him wrapped around her paw and watching Davis love on her was the cutest thing EVER!!! And all I wanted for Davis was to find peace, without having to constantly calculate what he could and couldn't reveal of himself. Bc goddammit, we all just want to be our true, authentic selves but for reasons felt deeply esp by us, we stash parts of ourselves away to avoid rejection and its consequences. And we all, including Davis, deserve to have a safe place.
Enter Jeremy. I wanted just as much for him. Bc even with great friends, there's something lonely about not having your person. And that's where Jeremy was. Having experienced great losses in his past, he needed someone to help him fill the void that grief left him. I loved that he found this with Davis bc suddenly home wasn't so empty. I also appreciated how thoughtful Jeremy was of Davis and how he made the latter feel heard. He doesn't drink alcohol? How about a seltzer? The exhibit isn't working? Tell him more. And this relationship was just so perfect but ofc Davis reciprocated in kind. 😊
CN: open-door romance, sobriety with past history of alcoholism (no relapse), past death of parents, grief, mentions of past homophobic experiences, forest fires
May 28, 2024
“How did you tell someone that you didn’t deserve them, but that you were grateful for their presence in your life, even if you knew they should move on?”
I adored Davis and Jeremy’s story, it was a true breath of air during this gloomy month. If you want an adorable story, with two endearing –but all flesh and relatable– guys, this one should please you. If you like a story with a cute dog too.
I loved them both, but Davis particularly fascinated me. I adored his uncertainties, the way he self-censors himself because of his poor self-esteem. Learning challenges (dyslexia, and –in my opinion– more neurodiversity) are discussed with a lot of delicacy and reserve, the only judgment being the one Davis has on himself. That’s the same for internalized homo/bi-phobia, and alcoholism. The whole allows a lot of character development, and I loved rooting for Davis since page one. His love language –between info-dumping and daily gestures– is so perfect, and made me swoon more than once.
I liked Jeremy too, especially the turn he takes in the third act. It was amazing to finally see him fragile too, to examine the source of his insecurities.
Exhibited is the last in a series, but I read it like a stand alone, although I believe that reading the others could be a plus, because Jeremy’s friends are truly interesting characters. I need to belong to that group of “inadapted” PhDs, who perfectly redefine the notion of Found –and Chosen– Family. I, personally, will read the other books of this series ASAP to spend more time with them all”.
Rate 4.5/5
Thank you very much Nellie Wilson for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
I adored Davis and Jeremy’s story, it was a true breath of air during this gloomy month. If you want an adorable story, with two endearing –but all flesh and relatable– guys, this one should please you. If you like a story with a cute dog too.
I loved them both, but Davis particularly fascinated me. I adored his uncertainties, the way he self-censors himself because of his poor self-esteem. Learning challenges (dyslexia, and –in my opinion– more neurodiversity) are discussed with a lot of delicacy and reserve, the only judgment being the one Davis has on himself. That’s the same for internalized homo/bi-phobia, and alcoholism. The whole allows a lot of character development, and I loved rooting for Davis since page one. His love language –between info-dumping and daily gestures– is so perfect, and made me swoon more than once.
I liked Jeremy too, especially the turn he takes in the third act. It was amazing to finally see him fragile too, to examine the source of his insecurities.
Exhibited is the last in a series, but I read it like a stand alone, although I believe that reading the others could be a plus, because Jeremy’s friends are truly interesting characters. I need to belong to that group of “inadapted” PhDs, who perfectly redefine the notion of Found –and Chosen– Family. I, personally, will read the other books of this series ASAP to spend more time with them all”.
Rate 4.5/5
Thank you very much Nellie Wilson for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
June 18, 2024
I received an eARC and am leaving an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
TROPES
🍵 Opposite Attracts
🍵 City Boy x Country Boy
🍵 Dual POV
CW
🟩 Sober Character w/ History of Alcoholism (no relapse)
🟩 Forest Fires
🟩 Parent Death (off page, previous)
🟩 Past Experiences with Homophobia (off page)
I’ve been waiting what feels like forever (in reality, like, 14 months) for Jeremy’s story. Because the other two books of this series happen semi-concurrently with this one, it means I got to read those brief glimpses into Jeremy’s love life with Davis, but it was so nice to finally experience it and watch them fall so deeply for one another.
Part of what I love so much about Nellie Wilson’s writing is that these are characters that are not only working through different parts of themselves (grief, anxiety, etc.), but they find their person in that they find the individual that loves them through these things. Watching Davis find people, both friends and Jeremy, that don’t make his sobriety a big deal makes my heart happy. He never has to explain himself and people don’t question it. They just move on to offering him seltzer or a diet coke in the most accepting way possible.
It’s wonderful to see Jeremy find that person, especially after he’s watched his friends find them. The epilogue scene especially got me, since he and Davis have found the perfect way to both have the careers they want while including the other in their lives, and it’s great to watch Jeremy’s (what I can only imagine is beautiful because I’ll never get to see it in person) house become a home.
The fire tower scene. That is all. 🔥
⭐⭐⭐⭐
TROPES
🍵 Opposite Attracts
🍵 City Boy x Country Boy
🍵 Dual POV
CW
🟩 Sober Character w/ History of Alcoholism (no relapse)
🟩 Forest Fires
🟩 Parent Death (off page, previous)
🟩 Past Experiences with Homophobia (off page)
I’ve been waiting what feels like forever (in reality, like, 14 months) for Jeremy’s story. Because the other two books of this series happen semi-concurrently with this one, it means I got to read those brief glimpses into Jeremy’s love life with Davis, but it was so nice to finally experience it and watch them fall so deeply for one another.
Part of what I love so much about Nellie Wilson’s writing is that these are characters that are not only working through different parts of themselves (grief, anxiety, etc.), but they find their person in that they find the individual that loves them through these things. Watching Davis find people, both friends and Jeremy, that don’t make his sobriety a big deal makes my heart happy. He never has to explain himself and people don’t question it. They just move on to offering him seltzer or a diet coke in the most accepting way possible.
It’s wonderful to see Jeremy find that person, especially after he’s watched his friends find them. The epilogue scene especially got me, since he and Davis have found the perfect way to both have the careers they want while including the other in their lives, and it’s great to watch Jeremy’s (what I can only imagine is beautiful because I’ll never get to see it in person) house become a home.
The fire tower scene. That is all. 🔥
May 16, 2024
ARC Review
I'd recommend this story if you're looking for something with:
- fairly low angst levels 😌
- characters from a variety of different backgrounds
- strong friendships / chosen family 💙
- a rescue pupper 🐶
- opposites attract (but characters don't concede on their values ‼️)
- a grand gesture ✨
I'm a fan of Nellie's other books, as I enjoy her characters being a bit further along in life and the bite of reality they seem to have. This book was consistent with that experience!
Reading this, it felt like it was about two characters and their unique experiences, and then there was a side story of their romance. The moments between them that were romantic were very sweet.
They had a unique dynamic and their story highlighted how you can be fundamentally different from someone (career, upbringing, home base preference) and yet fundamentally the same (enjoying the quiet alongside someone, wanting a dog). Love can really be as simple as you make it.
I like that while Davis had hesitations and reservations, it was realistic in how he handled and overcame them. I saw a lot of myself in Davis, most offensively the elongated vowel accent 💀 also the insecurity, the wanting better for myself, having a soft but good heart 💜
As usual I'm blown away by how Nellie can write expertly about anything. So much detail goes into the background of the careers of these characters, I always learn something new 🌲
Lastly, Jeremy's friendship with Yuna and Foster was a highlight for me. Quite a few laughs there 😄
I'd recommend this story if you're looking for something with:
- fairly low angst levels 😌
- characters from a variety of different backgrounds
- strong friendships / chosen family 💙
- a rescue pupper 🐶
- opposites attract (but characters don't concede on their values ‼️)
- a grand gesture ✨
I'm a fan of Nellie's other books, as I enjoy her characters being a bit further along in life and the bite of reality they seem to have. This book was consistent with that experience!
Reading this, it felt like it was about two characters and their unique experiences, and then there was a side story of their romance. The moments between them that were romantic were very sweet.
They had a unique dynamic and their story highlighted how you can be fundamentally different from someone (career, upbringing, home base preference) and yet fundamentally the same (enjoying the quiet alongside someone, wanting a dog). Love can really be as simple as you make it.
I like that while Davis had hesitations and reservations, it was realistic in how he handled and overcame them. I saw a lot of myself in Davis, most offensively the elongated vowel accent 💀 also the insecurity, the wanting better for myself, having a soft but good heart 💜
As usual I'm blown away by how Nellie can write expertly about anything. So much detail goes into the background of the careers of these characters, I always learn something new 🌲
Lastly, Jeremy's friendship with Yuna and Foster was a highlight for me. Quite a few laughs there 😄
May 28, 2024
So charming!!! I wanted to give it a 5. So close to it. I’ll explain why it was just shy in a bit.
Davis is an introverted forest ranger. He has a hard time talking unless it’s about forestry. He hasn’t felt supported in his life and career. He feels like all the things that make him unique are shameful and to be hidden. His choice to be sober, to not share his queerness at work, his dyslexia. He feels like he won’t be accepted, so he doesn’t try to fit in.
Jeremy seems to be pretty well adjusted. He has a great friend group, was raised by loving and supportive parents who have passed. Has a job he actually likes. But for all that, still feels a bit……unfinished.
There is instant attraction when Davis and Jeremy meet , though Davis lives his life concealed. Reading about the mutual crushes was adorable. They become friends. And once Davis shares he’s bi with Jeremy - well it’s on!!!
There was a lot of thoughtful conversations among the friend group. Lots of group activity. It took a while for Davis to realize he was part of a group of friends now.
There was some miscommunication, exacerbated by a work emergency that put time pressure on and an inability to take the time to say what needed to be said.
And what kept me from rating it a 5 - I found it a bit difficult to get in to. But maybe that was laying the necessary character traits to make it more believable as they moved from colleagues to friends to lovers. By the time Davis had decided to go for it - I was hooked.
The subtitle on this book is “a gentle romance”. And I agree. There’s a softness in the characters and story.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy to read and review.
Davis is an introverted forest ranger. He has a hard time talking unless it’s about forestry. He hasn’t felt supported in his life and career. He feels like all the things that make him unique are shameful and to be hidden. His choice to be sober, to not share his queerness at work, his dyslexia. He feels like he won’t be accepted, so he doesn’t try to fit in.
Jeremy seems to be pretty well adjusted. He has a great friend group, was raised by loving and supportive parents who have passed. Has a job he actually likes. But for all that, still feels a bit……unfinished.
There is instant attraction when Davis and Jeremy meet , though Davis lives his life concealed. Reading about the mutual crushes was adorable. They become friends. And once Davis shares he’s bi with Jeremy - well it’s on!!!
There was a lot of thoughtful conversations among the friend group. Lots of group activity. It took a while for Davis to realize he was part of a group of friends now.
There was some miscommunication, exacerbated by a work emergency that put time pressure on and an inability to take the time to say what needed to be said.
And what kept me from rating it a 5 - I found it a bit difficult to get in to. But maybe that was laying the necessary character traits to make it more believable as they moved from colleagues to friends to lovers. By the time Davis had decided to go for it - I was hooked.
The subtitle on this book is “a gentle romance”. And I agree. There’s a softness in the characters and story.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy to read and review.
May 26, 2024
Look I’m a ride or die Nellie Wilson fan, and have been for some time, but the best part of loving an author is watching someone good or even great become somehow inexplicably even better. And that’s what we’ve got here in the last of the museum love story series - pure fucking magic.
Jeremy, a museum exhibit designer who is starting to feel a bit stuck, takes a job helping Davis, the quiet but hunky Forrest ranger who’s recently gotten a grant to redo his visitor’s center. As the two work closely together, the bi and not quite out Davis and the I’ve always been gay and proud Jeremy fall for each other and help each other heal from their pasts. I loved how much of an opposites complete each other this was - New York Jeremy with his Eames furniture and Appalachia West Virginia Davis with his woodsy cabin and his ability to talk all day about the wilderness were just the absolute sweetest pairing.
Both Davis and Jeremey are battling some childhood demons (I mean who amongst us isn’t, am I right), and the way they make space for each other to grow and be loves was so freakin sweet. I love the bringing together of Jeremy’s found museum family and Davis’s newer forest ranger found family. Both play such an important role and I love love found family so much. I would do anything for Davis, he is just the sweetest baby angel of all times and I love him so much. I think I am Jeremy to be honest.
This is for you if you love:
🌳opposites attract
🌳bi rep in mm romance
🌳friendly to lovers
🌳found family
🌳when everyone makes the grand gesture
🌳healing childhood trauma through love
🌳city boy meets country boy
🌳a little history in your romance (Nellie, was this special for me?! It seems like it)
Anyway, this was stunning and you should all read it.
Jeremy, a museum exhibit designer who is starting to feel a bit stuck, takes a job helping Davis, the quiet but hunky Forrest ranger who’s recently gotten a grant to redo his visitor’s center. As the two work closely together, the bi and not quite out Davis and the I’ve always been gay and proud Jeremy fall for each other and help each other heal from their pasts. I loved how much of an opposites complete each other this was - New York Jeremy with his Eames furniture and Appalachia West Virginia Davis with his woodsy cabin and his ability to talk all day about the wilderness were just the absolute sweetest pairing.
Both Davis and Jeremey are battling some childhood demons (I mean who amongst us isn’t, am I right), and the way they make space for each other to grow and be loves was so freakin sweet. I love the bringing together of Jeremy’s found museum family and Davis’s newer forest ranger found family. Both play such an important role and I love love found family so much. I would do anything for Davis, he is just the sweetest baby angel of all times and I love him so much. I think I am Jeremy to be honest.
This is for you if you love:
🌳opposites attract
🌳bi rep in mm romance
🌳friendly to lovers
🌳found family
🌳when everyone makes the grand gesture
🌳healing childhood trauma through love
🌳city boy meets country boy
🌳a little history in your romance (Nellie, was this special for me?! It seems like it)
Anyway, this was stunning and you should all read it.
May 28, 2024
I’m a big fan of Nellie Wilson’s novels - if you’re looking for a brilliant indie author, look no further! Her words will suck you in, give you a warm fuzzy feeling, fill you with millennial energy and at the end, you’ll feel like you want to be friends with and live in this book world (all are interconnected standalones so all the characters crossover). Jeremy and Davis are just the latest pair that remind me how much I’d like to move to the Colorado town of Vanberg.
Davis is a forest ranger who needs help to put together an exhibition for his forest, with a new grant he received. He finds Jeremy’s website offering exhibit programs as his side-gig outside the Uni, and he sets up a meeting. Jeremy ends up driving out to the forest and the pair ends up hitting it off, though they pine after each other (hah, punny!), as neither realizes the other is queer while they’re both attracted to the other.
It’s a very sweet slow burn romance and with Wilson’s usual fantastic writing style, you know you’re in for such a fantastic ride - and once everything is worked out, she gives us such perfect steam! I love the pacing of the love story, the way they come out (completely right in this story), and exactly how much of our favorite past characters we get to see again!
I highly recommend this one - whether you’ve read the previous works by Wilson or not, you can read this as a standalone queer romance and beautiful M/M love story. Thank you Nellie for an advance copy - this is my honest opinion.
Davis is a forest ranger who needs help to put together an exhibition for his forest, with a new grant he received. He finds Jeremy’s website offering exhibit programs as his side-gig outside the Uni, and he sets up a meeting. Jeremy ends up driving out to the forest and the pair ends up hitting it off, though they pine after each other (hah, punny!), as neither realizes the other is queer while they’re both attracted to the other.
It’s a very sweet slow burn romance and with Wilson’s usual fantastic writing style, you know you’re in for such a fantastic ride - and once everything is worked out, she gives us such perfect steam! I love the pacing of the love story, the way they come out (completely right in this story), and exactly how much of our favorite past characters we get to see again!
I highly recommend this one - whether you’ve read the previous works by Wilson or not, you can read this as a standalone queer romance and beautiful M/M love story. Thank you Nellie for an advance copy - this is my honest opinion.
May 7, 2024
A while back, I was talking with Nellie over Instagram DMs about character names. She expressed wanting a name for her forest ranger, one that is a last name that is fine enough as a first name but is still clearly a last name. I suggested Davis, after my best friend of ten years. And Nellie ran with it.
Nellie doesn't know this, but her Davis and mine are similar. My best friend is also short, stocky, and ridiculously strong. She's fiercely loyal, private with her emotions, but an outspoken lover of rescue animals and baseball (in fact, she taught me how to score games). She is queer, but she has frequently talked to me about how that isn't something she enjoys broadcasting, because that's only a part of her.
Simply put: I love the Davises in my life, both real and fictional.
This isn't a very helpful blurb, and it is not one that can be used for cute quotes and Instagram graphics. Sorry about that, Nellie. But I wanted to talk about my best friend instead, which I think is something your characters could relate to, so I'm using my platform for that.
PS: This should not be considered a stand-alone. All of Nellie's books are VERY interconnected and will make a lot more sense if you read them in order of publication.
Nellie doesn't know this, but her Davis and mine are similar. My best friend is also short, stocky, and ridiculously strong. She's fiercely loyal, private with her emotions, but an outspoken lover of rescue animals and baseball (in fact, she taught me how to score games). She is queer, but she has frequently talked to me about how that isn't something she enjoys broadcasting, because that's only a part of her.
Simply put: I love the Davises in my life, both real and fictional.
This isn't a very helpful blurb, and it is not one that can be used for cute quotes and Instagram graphics. Sorry about that, Nellie. But I wanted to talk about my best friend instead, which I think is something your characters could relate to, so I'm using my platform for that.
PS: This should not be considered a stand-alone. All of Nellie's books are VERY interconnected and will make a lot more sense if you read them in order of publication.
Read
August 16, 2024🌲 Exhibited by Nellie Wilson 🌲
This romance love story was somehow the best slow burn meets sweet and sappy dramody in all the best ways. As someone who has been into darker romances lately, this book was a refreshing breath of opposites attract love in the sweetest ways.
Jeremy and Davis have such distinctly different interests, career paths, and outlooks on life, and it was such a wonderfully woven tale of how to make differences make sense and feel real. From loss to growth to acceptance to creative mindsets, we see Jeremy and Davis undergo a beautiful transformation of sorts together.
ALSO - I love the Declan stan continuing on this book - one of the best book boyfriends (Declan) is comforting in all the best ways and delivering great reminders about life and friendship.
As the final storyline in this series, Nellie has woven everyone together, and it’s just so damn beautiful. And I can’t speak to specifics, but the ending of this book? Absolute freakin’ perfection with how love and relationships work and can find compromise.
For a book that’ll make you want to brave the outdoors, have a cup of tea afterward, and definitely visit an art museum, strongly recommend this beauty.
Would recommend: Yes — AND the entire trilogy too!
Spice: 🌶️.5
This romance love story was somehow the best slow burn meets sweet and sappy dramody in all the best ways. As someone who has been into darker romances lately, this book was a refreshing breath of opposites attract love in the sweetest ways.
Jeremy and Davis have such distinctly different interests, career paths, and outlooks on life, and it was such a wonderfully woven tale of how to make differences make sense and feel real. From loss to growth to acceptance to creative mindsets, we see Jeremy and Davis undergo a beautiful transformation of sorts together.
ALSO - I love the Declan stan continuing on this book - one of the best book boyfriends (Declan) is comforting in all the best ways and delivering great reminders about life and friendship.
As the final storyline in this series, Nellie has woven everyone together, and it’s just so damn beautiful. And I can’t speak to specifics, but the ending of this book? Absolute freakin’ perfection with how love and relationships work and can find compromise.
For a book that’ll make you want to brave the outdoors, have a cup of tea afterward, and definitely visit an art museum, strongly recommend this beauty.
Would recommend: Yes — AND the entire trilogy too!
Spice: 🌶️.5
May 19, 2024
This was a lovely way to round off the Museology series. (The second epilogue was pure fan service and I ate it up with a spoon!)
I’m not usually one for MM romance but seeing Jeremy and David tiptoe up to love was such a wonderful journey to follow. This book felt a bit “darker” than the other two in the series and dealt with some serious subjects, like grief, coming out and contemporary sexuality, with sensitivity and care.
Jeremy and Davis are realistic opposites attract, and you can see them going the distance and living beyond the pages of the book.
This book gave Jeremy depth and it was nice to see the world through his eyes - especially as Emmy, and to a lesser extent Phoebe, are such big characters, that they can eclipse him in the other books.
Nellie Wilson is an “auto buy” author for me now, and I recommend her books for people who are looking for grounded, fun, contemporary romances.
This series does need to be read in order, but trust me, it’s no hardship and you’ll come to love the Vanberg crew as much as I do.
I read this as a Patreon Arc, but I would have bought it anyway.
I’m not usually one for MM romance but seeing Jeremy and David tiptoe up to love was such a wonderful journey to follow. This book felt a bit “darker” than the other two in the series and dealt with some serious subjects, like grief, coming out and contemporary sexuality, with sensitivity and care.
Jeremy and Davis are realistic opposites attract, and you can see them going the distance and living beyond the pages of the book.
This book gave Jeremy depth and it was nice to see the world through his eyes - especially as Emmy, and to a lesser extent Phoebe, are such big characters, that they can eclipse him in the other books.
Nellie Wilson is an “auto buy” author for me now, and I recommend her books for people who are looking for grounded, fun, contemporary romances.
This series does need to be read in order, but trust me, it’s no hardship and you’ll come to love the Vanberg crew as much as I do.
I read this as a Patreon Arc, but I would have bought it anyway.
May 27, 2024
Davis works as a forest ranger, and wants to spruce up the visitor center. He hires Jeremy to work on the exhibit. Jeremy has been feeling stuck and decided to dust off his consulting business.
*spoilers*
This was a such a lovely romance. I really liked watching Jeremy and Davis fall in love. There was so much sweetness packed into this one but also a lot of meaningful issues that were great to see represented. Grief, coming out, panic attacks, sobriety. These are just a few of the topics that grace the pages of this book. Not only that - but the main characters are in their mid to late 30s which is still quite uncommon in the romance genre. Loved seeing that here!
I laughed a lot and teared up as well. The mutual grand gesture at the end had me giggling to myself with how cute it was. But more than that grand gesture (and your girl LOVES a grand gesture), I loved the quiet intimacy displayed page. Stocking someone’s favorite drink. Making sure your partner feels supported. A hand squeeze. Communication.
This one is out tomorrow! Make sure to give it a read. Thank you @woahnelliewrites for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
*spoilers*
This was a such a lovely romance. I really liked watching Jeremy and Davis fall in love. There was so much sweetness packed into this one but also a lot of meaningful issues that were great to see represented. Grief, coming out, panic attacks, sobriety. These are just a few of the topics that grace the pages of this book. Not only that - but the main characters are in their mid to late 30s which is still quite uncommon in the romance genre. Loved seeing that here!
I laughed a lot and teared up as well. The mutual grand gesture at the end had me giggling to myself with how cute it was. But more than that grand gesture (and your girl LOVES a grand gesture), I loved the quiet intimacy displayed page. Stocking someone’s favorite drink. Making sure your partner feels supported. A hand squeeze. Communication.
This one is out tomorrow! Make sure to give it a read. Thank you @woahnelliewrites for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 1, 2024
This sweet, soft book you guys! I absolutely adored Davis the forest ranger, a man focused on "the day to day, a series of small, good deeds to better his community." He hides on the sidelines, protecting himself through invisibility, so no one judges him for his learning/processing style, his social skills, his sexuality. Jeremy works in a museum, and feeling at a bit of a burnt-out crossroads, takes on some extracurricular work. They way they came together and made space for each other and worked out their issues in a way that worked for them was lovely. The third act breakup had me holding my breath - a fight about one thing that turns into a fight about all things, and then a rupture where neither party wants it. Whew. There's an exchange at 84% that had me putting a hand to my mouth like I was a witness in the room. I couldn't stop reading this book at any point.
I came into this book (3rd of a series) and was definitely catching up on the side characters, who play a big role, but Wilson does a great job of giving enough information that a reader is where they need to be.
I came into this book (3rd of a series) and was definitely catching up on the side characters, who play a big role, but Wilson does a great job of giving enough information that a reader is where they need to be.
July 27, 2024
Jeremy & Davis ❤️
🐾Davis is forest ranger, working in a forest park with his two colleagues. When the trio are challenged to spend the remaining budget on a project, Davis has the idea to revamp their visitor centre.
🎨He contacts Jeremy, who is based in the small university town nearby (down the mountain!) to assist with revamping the exhibit space.
🌳The attraction that Davis feels for the lanky artist is immediate, but Davis isn’t open about his sexuality. Jeremy is certain the burly outdoorsman is straight. Except when all the restraint the pair are holding onto starts fraying at the edges.
📚I have read the two previous books in Nellie Wilson’s series and while I am sure you could read Exhibited as a standalone, you would be missing out on all the super writing, the caring and kind friend group that makes up Jeremy’s found family. The side characters don’t only love and accept him, they take Davis as one of their own in the nicest ways. ❤️
Read on Kindle Unlimited
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🐾Davis is forest ranger, working in a forest park with his two colleagues. When the trio are challenged to spend the remaining budget on a project, Davis has the idea to revamp their visitor centre.
🎨He contacts Jeremy, who is based in the small university town nearby (down the mountain!) to assist with revamping the exhibit space.
🌳The attraction that Davis feels for the lanky artist is immediate, but Davis isn’t open about his sexuality. Jeremy is certain the burly outdoorsman is straight. Except when all the restraint the pair are holding onto starts fraying at the edges.
📚I have read the two previous books in Nellie Wilson’s series and while I am sure you could read Exhibited as a standalone, you would be missing out on all the super writing, the caring and kind friend group that makes up Jeremy’s found family. The side characters don’t only love and accept him, they take Davis as one of their own in the nicest ways. ❤️
Read on Kindle Unlimited
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
May 12, 2024
So the thing is that I really do love this series! And this author is SO charming in how she develops her characters, I just want to curl up in these worlds sometimes. But here's the thing. This is the third book in this series, and it's the third book where I felt like the major fight near the end that broke up the couple temporarily before the big romantic ending just TOTALLY ignored all of the character growth and development that we've gotten since the book started??? It's almost like the fights were all written first, and then not revised, or something? I still completely recommend this series to everyone, but also I just don't understand, why does it always feel like they're taking a gigantic step backward instead of making new but related mistakes??? I swear I did like Exhibited and all of the other Museology books! I just don't understand this particular characterization quirk /0/
(This is an honest review in exchange for a free advance copy.)
(This is an honest review in exchange for a free advance copy.)
May 13, 2024
Did I stay up too late to finish reading Jeremy and Davis’s story? Yes, yes I did. I needed to see these two find their way to each other in a way that works for them. They are the definition of opposite attract, coming from very different backgrounds with very different experiences while ultimately wanting the same thing. I like how Jeremy took the time to check in with Davis and met him where he was at and how Davis’s confidence in being himself out grew from being around Jeremy.
This was such a fun story and it was great to see the couples from the previous books because they are all such good friends and I love how they included Davis and that bonus epilogue makes me so excited for the next series. Also, I’m always a sucker for a fun story with a cute four legged companion and I just loved how even though Mary Ann started out as Davis’s dog she just knew she was their dog without it being said.
Thank you @woahnelliewrites for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
This was such a fun story and it was great to see the couples from the previous books because they are all such good friends and I love how they included Davis and that bonus epilogue makes me so excited for the next series. Also, I’m always a sucker for a fun story with a cute four legged companion and I just loved how even though Mary Ann started out as Davis’s dog she just knew she was their dog without it being said.
Thank you @woahnelliewrites for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
May 15, 2024
⭐ARC Review⭐
Wilson does it again, this book was exactly as described a gentle love story that had me kicking my feet and getting butterflies. These two dorks (Jeremy & Davis) had my heart with their little flirting and sweet talking, even their concerns about not being enough for each other and the struggles they did face were handled in such sweet and honest ways. Their growth together, while painful at times, felt real and reflected how two people were trying to join their lives while reconciling with their past. This happy ending was one just perfect for these two, for their relationship and for their life. I cannot sing the praises high enough. Please read this entire trilogy and enjoy some nerdy museum/art love with a beautiful neurodiverse and queer cast of characters. I am sad to see this series end but I cannot wait to see what Wilson does next!
Wilson does it again, this book was exactly as described a gentle love story that had me kicking my feet and getting butterflies. These two dorks (Jeremy & Davis) had my heart with their little flirting and sweet talking, even their concerns about not being enough for each other and the struggles they did face were handled in such sweet and honest ways. Their growth together, while painful at times, felt real and reflected how two people were trying to join their lives while reconciling with their past. This happy ending was one just perfect for these two, for their relationship and for their life. I cannot sing the praises high enough. Please read this entire trilogy and enjoy some nerdy museum/art love with a beautiful neurodiverse and queer cast of characters. I am sad to see this series end but I cannot wait to see what Wilson does next!
June 2, 2024
Jeremy and Davis are everything! They are the perfect opposites attract, work colleagues to lovers couple. Their story is gentle and kind and filled with so much love!
The cast of characters is my favourite. They rally for one another, are empathetic and supportive, and respond to one another with kindness and love.
Exhibited has history, spice and a serious love and appreciation for nature weaved throughout the pages.
Things I loved:
The best dates!
The historical tidbits that are sprinkled throughout the book
Consent
Grief Representation
Sobriety
All my favourite couples from Vanberg deciding what happily ever after means to them!
Sandlot Reference - Nellie's books are a full of millennial nostalgia
Favourite Quote: "Because you deserve to dream about being on a porch with a partner, no matter who it is."
The cast of characters is my favourite. They rally for one another, are empathetic and supportive, and respond to one another with kindness and love.
Exhibited has history, spice and a serious love and appreciation for nature weaved throughout the pages.
Things I loved:
The best dates!
The historical tidbits that are sprinkled throughout the book
Consent
Grief Representation
Sobriety
All my favourite couples from Vanberg deciding what happily ever after means to them!
Sandlot Reference - Nellie's books are a full of millennial nostalgia
Favourite Quote: "Because you deserve to dream about being on a porch with a partner, no matter who it is."
June 27, 2024
"And then I met you. And you feel safe."
Finding your person can happen when you least expect it and in the last place you'd think to look. All the hype for this last book in the Museology trilogy I read and saw was calling this a gentle love story and Nellie nailed it. It's not often that I'm genuinely moved to tears (or very near tears, because emotions are hard) while reading a book and Jeremy and Davis were the softest for each other and I was LIVING for it.
My heart ached with Davis's struggles and fears to be an openly queer man in a role that's often very heteronormative. Jeremy's emotions journey of having to navigate love in the shadow of idolizing parents relationship and not having them with him to celebrate finding that kind of love for himself too.
I can't wait to continue to see more of the Vanberg crew in the next set of stories!!
Finding your person can happen when you least expect it and in the last place you'd think to look. All the hype for this last book in the Museology trilogy I read and saw was calling this a gentle love story and Nellie nailed it. It's not often that I'm genuinely moved to tears (or very near tears, because emotions are hard) while reading a book and Jeremy and Davis were the softest for each other and I was LIVING for it.
My heart ached with Davis's struggles and fears to be an openly queer man in a role that's often very heteronormative. Jeremy's emotions journey of having to navigate love in the shadow of idolizing parents relationship and not having them with him to celebrate finding that kind of love for himself too.
I can't wait to continue to see more of the Vanberg crew in the next set of stories!!
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