Final Boy at Randy's

Diner Days

by Loren Leigh

I don’t like him.

Reed Chambers reminds me of every guy who was ever a jerk to me. With his drop dead good looks and overly confident stroll. His quiet, cold eyes that send shivers across my shoulders.

But since we’re stuck together working on an indie horror movie that is my brother’s entire life's passion, not to mention that the guy is my best friend’s new fling, I guess I should give him a chance.

The thing is… I don’t want to.

Then we get caught in the dark. Alone. Only the circles of our flashlights to see. Our words drop into whispers as he leans in closer, warmth brushing my forearm. A spark flutters in my chest. His breath catches.

And the only thing I can think is, “Oh, fu*k.”

Love beyond the binary, serving up trans romances at Randy's Diner

Final Boy at Randy’s is a medium-angst standalone m/m best friend’s boyfriend, opposites attract romance with a boundary-pushing MUA, a condemned hotel that might or might not be haunted, and a misunderstood jock with a stomach dropping smile and secrets of his own. It features a trans/cis pairing.

Genres: Transgender, M M Romance, LGBT, Romance, Queer, Adult, Contemporary

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2024

About the author

Loren's characters want nothing more than to fall in love--wholeheartedly, deeply and wildly--and they're ready to take you on the journey with them.


Loren writes contemporary m/m romance, spanning from college romance to romantic suspense, with characters who jump off the page and chemistry that's burning hot.


Join Loren's Facebook readers group here:
www.facebook.com/groups/lorenstarlights/

Reviews

[⊹ ⁺ ₊ ✧ she's book obsessed ✧ ₊ ⁺ ⊹]

A NEW LOREN LEIGH BOOK UNLOCKED OMG

[San Lemonade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diner Days Series: All Trans Romance
Final Boy at Randy's by Loren Leigh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

⬆️ ARC Read

💙💓🤍💓💙
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Contemporary Romance With A Focus On Gender Reflection.

🌈📒🖍🎨💄💋👉 MC: Lennox aka Lenn 👉 Trans-Man (he/him) early 20s, dark brown eyes, black hair. He works at the public library, and he's an artist and a makeup artist (MUA). He has been picking up gigs on Fiverr for about three years now, drawing NSFW artwork. He is roommates with his younger brother and his friend, Indy.

5️⃣🌊🏐🥅🩳👉 MC: Reed Chambers 👉 Cis Male (he/him) early 20s, brown eyes, is tall with long legs, athletic and well-built, wears small black gauges in his ears, and has black ink tattoos covering his right arm.
He’s a water polo player and an assistant coach at BU, but what he really wants is to play professional water polo. He shares a house with his teammates. He's dating Indy; it’s very new.
Indy studied at BU and is one of the film's stars.

🔀 Dual First-Person POV
👻 MM Paranormal Romance
😱 Ghostly Suspense & 🕸🕷 Abandoned (Haunted?) Hotel 🛎🕯
🤞 Includes Light Horror Elements 🎬 Not A Horror Story🩸🪓
💄💋 Make Up Artist x Water Polo Player 💪🏐
😵‍💫 Like A Déjà vu & 😲 The Unintentional Lookalike
👉😳 First Times (Losing the V-Card 🍒)
💄 Boundary Pushing Mua & Misjudged Jock w/ A Stomach Dropping Smile 🤤
😳👀 A Lot of Longing Looks
🧲 Close Proximity
😤 Dislike to Love 😍
😅🧲 Opposites Attract
😯 Mysterious Drawings 😇
😏 Size difference (I love it🥵)
🥵 Slow-burn🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (but... some hot steamy scenes)
👉 Medium-Angst
👉 Cheating
😬 Best Friend's Boyfriend
⚠️ Discussions Of ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder)
⚠️ Transphobic Comments By A Side Character
⚠️ Discussion of When Lennox Was Outed By His Ex To Their Classmates
⚠️ Mention Of A Drug Overdose
👉 Found Family
👏 Solid Character Development
💯 Best Side Characters
👉 Can Be Read As A Standalone
😍 Love The Ending
😍 HEA

Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

👉 This story pulled me in right from the start, and I loved every moment. While it has a few "undertones" of horror and chilling situations, it’s not a horror story.
The setting, an abandoned hotel that might be haunted, adds an eerie to the atmosphere 😬🤭, at the heart of it, though, is a sweet trans romance with hints of mystery.
The characters felt real, with genuine depth, and the chemistry between the two MCs was truly moving.
🎬📽 Alongside this romance, there’s a strong sense of friendship in the group as they help Jamie, Lennox's brother, shoot a horror movie in the hotel. 🎞
The story weaves together suspense, connection, and heartfelt moments beautifully.

NOTE: I usually avoid books where one of the main characters is still in a relationship when they start getting involved with someone else.
I don’t like the weight of potential betrayal and prefer stories where everyone is free to follow their feelings.
The relationship between Indy and Reed is still very new, they haven’t even shared a kiss yet, and there’s a clear spark between Jamie and Indy, a sense of connection and affection that’s hard to miss.

Still, I read this book and ended up enjoying it, though I felt the betrayal wasn’t necessary for the story to work.

▪︎FAV QUOTES▪︎

😲📚📖 ■ "Lennox : "Unbelievable," Reed whispers. He leaves the cart at the door, his flashlight scanning over the bookshelves. “Eerie as fuck but beautiful.”
I swallow. My heart rate has slowed, but it’s still elevated. I don’t know if it’s going to calm down until we leave. “It is beautiful.”
My fingers itch to draw it. It's almost otherworldly, the library and the books, the drifts of dust in the diffused glow from the skylight, and the way that it almost paints Reed, his jaw still lit from underneath, one arm dark from those tattoos. It’s all beautiful.
Fuck, I should not think that about Indy’s boyfriend.
But in art, beauty is symmetry and contrast. And Reed definitely has that. Symmetry in his face, contrast between his tattoos and his skin."

■ "Reed: That curve of his lips, thicker lips, and those dark irises, black brows, a trace of stubble, and his hand sweeping back his hair with those black-painted nails. The hug of his jeans on his legs, the rips over his knees.
He’s so crisp, so clear, in the half-world where I’m floating. A place where I’m not tethered to anything, where I’m not stuck on who I’m supposed to be, or who I’m expected to be. And I do what I should absolutely not be doing, my hand moving without permission, that exhaustion melting away."

■ "Reed: “I think we should all be confused more,” he continues. “I think we should fucking normalize it. That we should appreciate it.” He pauses. “I don’t want to live my life stuck in the same spot where I never feel confused, never grow, never discover something new. Being confused shows character and intelligence and reflection and a willingness to change. I think it shows the person you really are, Reed.”
I stare back at him..." 👏

■ "Lennox: “It’s not just physical.” His forehead lines. “It’s not just a physical need. It’s more. I want…” He swallows deeply. “I want to be in here. Your room, your world, your mind. Your body is part of that, but it’s only one part. And I don’t want to rush through it.”
I run my thumb along his jaw. “We can take it slower.”
“Are you sure?”
My lips rise. “We can try.” (😏🤭 I bet they can try, with these two so eager for each other and hot as they are...)

👍I'm definitely going to read this again.

🥰 I'm looking forward to reading the following books on this series and learning more about the trans community.

😉 Thanks for reading hope this helps you out!

Diner Days Series:
1. Written At Randy’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
2. Final Boy At Randy’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
3. Cramming at Randy's - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
4. Temptation At Randy’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
5. Hitched At Randy’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
6. Gaming at Randy's - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
7. Striking A Chord At Randy’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
8. Composed At Randy’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
9. Roleplay at Randy's - Coming 15/12/2024
10. Finding Home At Randy’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
11. Aftercare at Randy's - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

I received this book as a gift from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.

BookBub Review
StoryGraph Review
Reviews On Goodreads
My Socials

[Valen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: this didn’t capture me initially but I’m so glad I kept reading. Once it picked up, it held me fully. I adored both MCs so much that I’m willing to overlook the cheating. Indy was such a queen forgiving them as quickly as she did. I want to know more about Jamie! Loren Leigh delivers, as usual. 4.5


———
NEW LOREN LEIGH?? YES PLEASE!

(I'm still waiting for the next IFU Hockey to find out about those M&Ms, IYKYK)

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Diner Days Series: 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
💙1,0. Written At Randy's by Katherine McIntyre - MX trans masc & bigender MCs - 4,5 stars 💙
💖 2. Final Boy At Randy's - MM trans guy & cis guy MCs💖
🤍 3. Cramming at Randy's by Alex Silver - XX genderqueer & demiboy MCs🤍
💖 4. Temptation At Randy's by Emily Alter - FX trans femme & non-binary MCs💖
💙 Expected on 19/10/2024:
5. Hitched At Randy's by A.E. Madsen - MM trans guy & cis guy MCs💙
💖 6. Gaming At Randy's by Duckie Mack - MM trans guy & trans guy MCs💖
🤍 Expected on 03/10/2024:
7. Striking a Chord At Randy's by K.C. Carmine - MM cis guy & trans guy MCs🤍
💖 Expected on 10/10/2024:
8. Composed At Randy's by Zile Elliven - MM trans guy & cis guy MCs💖
💙 Expected on 07/11/2024:
8. Roleplay At Randy's by Rikki Leighton - MM trans guy & cis guy MCs💙
💖 Expected on 24/10/2024:
10. Finding Home At Randy's by Abrianna Denae - MMX trans guy & trans guy & non-binary MCs💖
🤍 Expected on 31/10/2024:
11. Aftercare At Randy's by R.A. Frick - FXM trans femme & non-binary & trans masc MCs🤍


🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈P.S. There even exists a FB Group made by the authors.
Here is the link if you're interested: Diner Days Reader Group.🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know I needed a trans romance with horror vibes until I read this. Gaaaah, the build up to their relationship was so tense and the fear factor of the Belmont had me on edge waiting for something to happen. I loved how REAL this book was - the feelings, the inner monologues. The characters had so much depth. I absolutely loved the suspense and the smut and ugh it was just really good overall!!

[Rin (indefinite hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing happens in this book until after the 60% mark. And there is SO MUCH going on, so many side plots and “things,” that that last 40% was just jam packed. But I am glad I stuck through those eye rolls in the first 60% because I did enjoy the rest. But if I wasn’t bedridden and sick and needing entertainment, I probably would have DNF’d.

The trans rep is done fairly well, but it definitely felt more like a “I’m going to read other cis MM author’s books about trans men for reference” instead of actually talking to real trans men but… that’s just me.

This author is REALLY good at tension and instant intense connection. Which is why it pisses me off every time I read her because while that part of her writing is good, the rest isn’t. So much of this book is internal ruminating. Most of that first 60% is internal ruminating. And I seriously don’t need entire chapters of walking down spooky hallways. It’s just filler and annoyed the crap out of me.

The whole “making out with my friend’s boyfriend” and “the love of my life is friends with my mortal enemy” plot points were melodramatic and honestly cheapened this book.

I loved the love between these two though. I was sucked in 🤷🏻

This author has so much potential and I understand why she’s popular, and it’s why I picked this up… but I wish she’d clean up her writing 😭

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･ Loren Leigh never, and I mean, NEVER misses I'm afraid ༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･

You know, I was worried because I usually don't read angst books but Loren does mention that this is medium on the angst, so I was willing to try it out. Of course, I loved Loren's other two books, which was also a plus for me thinking about reading Final Boy at Randy's. The trope it has is best friend's date/boyfriend. I wouldn't say Reed is Indy's boyfriend though because they're just hanging out, so the best way to name this trope is def "best friend's date". WHICH ALREADY IS MESSY YOU KNOW??? Like how come you're falling and flirting with your best friend's date she brought to hang out with everyone multiple times lmao.

But you know what... Loren Leigh does it so well and you clearly see Reed and Indy don't really have any connection or don't really care much about each other, I don't know? I mean, they like each other and are nice people, but romantically speaking, they know they're not meant to be. Still that doesn't mean Lennox, our main character, knows that, because obviously he thinks that maybe they do like each other. Even though this could lead to an angst-fest, Leigh writes a very soft, cozy kinda book? Lennox and Reed's relationship was so perfect and I love everything about it. The first meeting, the development, the banter, the attraction - everything was done so well.

Maybe Loren Leigh loves writing messy situations because I remember in Loren's other book, Always, the love interest had a lil something with the main character's brother and oh my god that really was angsty for me. The vibes are different of course between that book and Final Boy at Randy's, so tbh I much prefer this one!!! It was so fabulous and I loved it so much. I swear I read it so fast, I just wanted to know what would happen next જ⁀➴

I feel like this book is a perfect read for Halloween, because it takes place around an abandoned, haunted hotel and the vibes are IMMACULATE. The book is set during the filming of a horror movie so it's such a fun scenario, I don't believe I've ever read a story set around that.

Loren Leigh has a fan in me FOREVER. And I'm so excited and def anticipating the next title.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reed and Lennox's romance is forbidden in that Reed is going out with Lennox's best friend and roommate, Indy, though it is a very new thing.
The attraction to another man comes completely out of the blue for Reed and so he has that to deal with alongside currently seeing someone else.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between them. I'm very much someone who won't read a cheating storyline but this one was on the light side (?) not that it excuses the behaviour. Reed goes through quite a bit in this book, not feeling too settled in life at the moment as well as whatever it is that he's feeling over Lennox. It's great, though, that I could feel the connection and chemistry between the two, whether they were bickering, getting to know each other or exploring something more.
There are strong bonds of friendship among the core group of people who are helping Jamie, Lennox's brother, to film a horror movie in an abandoned hotel. Reed only tags along because of Indy and it turns into equally one of the best and worst decisions. There are a couple of creepy bits that bring the MC's closer together and help push the haunted vibe of the hotel.
Overall, this is a great story and I enjoyed it from the start. One part that may need caution for some is the discussion of when Lennox was outed by his ex to their classmates.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[read_romance.withgloria Gloria Worlikar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have picked up this book just because I felt it and may have also skimmed it because it was too slow paced for me. But I loved the characters and their relationship was amazing.

Being me I was more interested in the background plot, a story of a horror hotel and graffiti works (don't want to spoil) that part intrigued me a lot, I was nearly waiting for someone to make an appearance but it was just an animal. But I liked how we got a HEA for that story as well, so if the author decides to write them a story or Lenn and Reed meeting them bonus scene, I would love to read it.

Also, I loved how the author has written the horror scenes in this book, it really kept me on edge.

Ps: My ratings are based on the characters and the glimpses of the story I got when I skimmed it.

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much 4.5⭐️

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I can't quite give this the round-up to 5. It's a 4.5 on StoryGraph, but Goodreads is rigid and unbending.

This felt very fanficcy, but in a good way: the feelings, the EMOTIONS, the yearnings, the LONGINGS, the confusion and intoxication of lightning bolt love right after the strike. God, it's making MY prose practically purple. Overall, I did really love this, but I think there were a few tricks that could have be employed to rack the focus a bit (appropriate cinematic reference) and made the squiffy bits around the edges seem more . . . purposefully squiffy?

The beating heart of this book is the two beating hearts of our MCs. I think we maybe are supposed to think that there is something a little otherworldly and predestined about their meeting. Lennox is the sole makeup artist on his brother's guerilla horror film shoot in an abandoned and soon to be demolished grand hotel. Reed is a water polo player who tags along to the shoot with the girl he's been very casually seeing, one of the film's stars, and roommate to Lennox and his brother. We start out with a bit of a mess, and it only gets untidier from there.

Lennox gets this weird dejavu around Reed; he's physically similar to the boy he fell in love with in high school who outed him as trans. As it turns out, Reed plays water polo with the very same asshole. Not as much is made of that as might have been, and it did lend and edge of tension to the reading experience, waiting to see how that will be revealed. It's not dealt with until quite late in the game, but there is a very satisfying scene near the end.

The other squiffy story line is about this eerie/ethereal graffiti and art (and later journals) they find around the hotel's lower level. I do think there were some ways to handwave the fact that this was not well developed or explored by having one or both of the MCs say something about how they might have been more interested in the mystery of the art and messages if they hadn't been so single-mindedly obsessed with each other.

I highlighted a lot of swoony thoughts and speeches, and generally just love the intense emotions Leigh conveys in the writing, so I'm willing to shrug my way past some of the missed opportunities with subplots to luxuriate in the capital R Romance.

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well… that wasn’t what I was expecting at all.

First, before everyone throws a fucking fit on me, I would like to point out that I liked it. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the love. It was interesting and complex and had a lot of elements that really drew you in, even though I’m not a fan of cheating in any way and I’m not big on horror themes or angst.

But if I hadn’t known beforehand it was in this series, I wouldn’t have placed it in the lineup. And I sorely missed that deep…interconnected-ness, I guess…that the previous books have had so far. I missed the casual mentions of the satellite characters and the mystery of Randy and everything else that has endeared me to this world and the diner within it.

I also missed the constant and unabashed joy from the previous books. It took until after 70% for the joy to surface in here. And I get it, truly. I get the choices made, because they fueled the storyline and showed the MCs growing and changing and finding that joy I missed so much.

I understand, but I still wouldn’t have placed this book in this series if I had gone in blind.

This book was just completely different from its predecessors, which could actually be a welcomed break in the fluff bombing for a vast majority of folx. It just… the fluff and the joy and the ease is what I came for. The seeing queer folx loving and living their lives, getting their happiness streamlined to them by existing as themselves. I wasn’t prepped and ready for the heaviness and the angst and the jarring differences in vibes and energy.

Two things can be true at the same time, and this book proves it. I loved it, it just wasn’t what I was expecting or like the others. And that’s okay, but I can’t not have my feelings and opinions on it.

4.5/5. Because my opinions don’t change that it’s a damn solid book and the enjoyment factor is high if the content isn’t triggering or just not for you. And the intensity of their joy after the hard fight to get there was worth the struggle I had to hold on to the hope of the promised HEA I knew was coming. Also, can we just appreciate the symbolism in the artwork throughout? Because that was fucking brilliant, and I love even more that it wasn’t pointed out in plain text at any point. All of the chef’s kisses, babes!





**[I received an ARC from the author. All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.]**

[Bluemoonchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]

If Loren Leigh writes it, I'm going to read it, and this didn't disappoint.

A very different vibe from the previous books in the series, Final Boy at Randy's delivers a deep, intense romance set against the backdrop of a possibly haunted, abandoned hotel during the filming of a horror movie. The tension between the two main characters - Lennox and Reed - is thick enough that it almost physically surrounds you while you're reading. On more than one occasion, I had to put the book down just to catch my breath - which sounds dramatic, but I'm not normally a fan of horror, so...yeah.

Lennox is a trans man who instantly dislikes Reed, the guy his best friend has been dating, but who can't deny there is something that draws him to the other man. Despite his wariness and the way Reed reminds him too much of an ex who is better left in the past, Lennox finds himself wanting to interact with him. Their initial interactions are filled with barely tempered hostility from Lennox and a distinct chill from Reed. Still, Lennox wants to know more.

Reed might be dating Indy, but they aren't a couple. They haven't even kissed, despite the hints from Indy that she wants to. Meeting Lennox shakes him to his core, even if he doesn't show it. Because what is this pull he feels toward the other man, and why has he never felt this way before?

This book handles Reed's sexuality self-discovery with care and realism - Reed doesn't just accept that he is gay. He struggles with it, and his internal conflict feels genuine. Lennox, on the other hand, needs to come to terms with his past experiences and learn how to put them behind him in order to fully accept his feelings for Reed.

Adding to the emotional depth is the horror aspect of the story, which only heightens the atmosphere of tension. The abandoned hotel, where two murders took place, serves as more than just a spooky setting—it’s almost a character in itself, amplifying the fear, uncertainty, and suspense. The group of friends filming a horror movie within its walls feels like a perfect vehicle for exploring the characters’ emotions, fears, and connections. It’s the kind of setting where buried emotions come to the surface, and in this case, it makes Lennox and Reed’s growing attraction all the more intense.

Overall, Final Boy at Randy's is a raw and honest portrayal of two men navigating their way through the unknown. The tension - both romantic and paranormal - makes this book a gripping read. If you're looking for a love story with heart, complexity and some ghostly suspense (or a Boston Wombat), this is the book for you.

[Marie-Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final Boy at Randy's by Loren Leigh is part of the multi author series Diner Days.

I totally went into this book blind but I wasn't worried at all, because everything Loren Leigh writes is a hit for me. And guess what? I LOVED it.

This book was like nothing I've read before. The horror movie filming and the spooky element that the movie set brought to the romance was just fascinating. I was actually nervously reading some of the scenes and was captivated by the hotel's back story.

The first few chapters are all under Lennox's POV and I wasn't sure if I was going to like Reed for some reason but BOY OH BOY as soon as Reed's POV hit, I was HOOKED. I don't know how to explain it but his journey was a complex one, and he handled it like a pro, with such maturity and reason. I loved being in Reed's head.

Lennox was such a strong and caring character. I could see how affected he was by his feelings for Reed yet wanted to keep a clear head. But when he found the person he's supposed to kiss, he just let himself feel those feelings. It was so beautiful to see him be himself.

These two guys were IT for each other. So much love and acceptance. Loren has such a way with words. She makes our hearts burst with all the passion and the sparks.

I also want to say that the whole cast of this book was so special. I loved the friends' group and how they interacted with each other. And in the middle, Reed and Lennox, who were the whole heart of this story.

Really felt that one to my core, as with every Loren Leigh book I read.

[Nessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Loren Leigh's books. I adore her tension build up and her ability to make me blush more than when i'm reading much filthier books. This wasn't my favorite though. It' s not a bad book, but there isnt much storyline. I didn't even read the blurb after seeing Loren Leigh and just delved into it and suprisingly ended up with trans rep that I really enjoyed reading.

The thing is, the book is a bit too 'polished'. The chacters, the represebtstion, the storyline, everything is handled very carefully, too carefully, which made the book not as authentic as her other books. The things MCs said were always the perfect thing so it was also hard to see them as unique characters. It is a great relationship, between 2 great people, with insta-attraction and things all turn out great. The scene setting took a bit too much in the book. I would say 70% of the book is descriptions of the enviroment. Most of it takes place in a spooky enviroment so scene setting is important to have the feels since there is no other storyline but it was a bit too much tbh. The chemistry was still good as usual Loren Leigh style but yeah, perfect MCs saying exactly same perfect things get a bit boring after a while.

I'm dying to read more of Loren Leigh's books... if only her 2 series continue...

Story:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chemistry:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ending:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst:⭐️
Banter:⭐️⭐️
Writing quality:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶🌶.5

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d want all of that. All of the different edges to him. Every complicated desire, every unexpected want. All the non-congruent lines that make a person real. Make them vulnerable and unique and inconsistent.

This was an absolutely delightful surprise! I adored both Lennox and Reed. Reed was so all in, down bad for Lennox. He was enamored to say the least and I loved how he always had Lennox's back. Lennox was cautious, and rightfully so, but I loved how he opened himself up to Reed and took the chance.

I liked how this was pretty low conflict. The "climax" so to say is something that the reader knows is going to happen, it's more of a matter of when it's going to happen and even then the reader isn't surprised by when it does end up happening. The moment itself isn't blown up either, the resolution has Reed, of course, being 100% on Lennox's side and having that protectiveness for him, making sure that he's okay and giving Lennox all the reassurances he needs.

I liked how Lennox shared his art with Reed and how in awe Reed was of Lennox's talent. I liked how Reed was totally ok with letting Lennox use him as his muse too.

Basically Lennox and Reed were very cute, I'm obsessed with them, and that's pretty much it.

[Pam _P who cusses A Lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not long enough. I swear I've never said that before for a 297 page novel 😆🤦‍♀️ Because it's part of a multi author series right now, it doesn't have a sequel AND because this author is apparently the only indy author these days that is not overwhelmingly prolific!! Arrrgh!! I need all the backstory, in detail, about both MCs. The author is a good book manager, getting everything in the pages, ticking history boxes, but it's also so good I need more depth, not just an overview account of "we talked all night" kinda thing.

Loren Leigh, I don't know what your day job is, but please write more. Write the next books in the series you've started. Write more trans characters. Write more about Reed and Lennox, because they are lovely people and they deserve an epic longer, DETAILED love story.

[rinia carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

was hoping for more of a mystery and thriller with the hotel and the other two boys and all but it was still cute. i like the idea the andrew and elijah are the first and lennox and reed are second and they’re following in their footsteps.

archer needs to be taken out back and shot. i also hope he grows as a person because losing friends weighs on the heart after a while. using his deadname was so fucking low, how no one punched him right there was a mystery.

i like the idea of them being soulmates because sometimes things just feel right and you can’t help that, they were very cute and intense, i wish there was more about them.

[TeeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I liked the vibes here (a queer romance with a trans MC and horror vibes), but the pacing kept this from being a full-on hit for me. I really liked our MCs. They both have depth and layers. They are what kept me in the story. This is very much a slow burn, in my opinion, with a lot of mutual pining (with some complicated feelings mixed in). All in all, I enjoyed myself. It was an easy read and easily enjoyable, but I probably won't linger on it very much.

[Debra (Dragon Nanny) Phiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an exciting and different take on the Randy’s World Series! I loved it!

The characters are fun and they connect in a way that is soul deep! It’s not fully easy relationship which would make that a surprise! They are great at communicating and still being connected as things are revealed or come up!

[Gabs (gaybism) · Rating 4 out of 5]

He’s the person I’m supposed to kiss.
I don’t know how I know that. But I do.

This book is definitely going to be a comfort read. I loved the premise of it even though I was skeptical to begin with. It’s something different and definitely made things interesting!

I loved Lennox with my whole heart but Reed was the one who stole the show. Love me a green flag jock type!

[Bookbingewithsteph · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He’s the person I’m supposed to kiss.” 🥹

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Lennox and Reed

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delayed post BUT, I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

This book was very unexpected. It felt a lot different to the others in the series, there was less mentions/inserts of characters from other books which I was a bit sad about. That said however, the way this book went, while very different as I say was something I REALLY enjoyed!

The spookyness of some of the settings were nicely creepy while not being outright horror or anything. The vibes of it though were pretty nice.

Now as for Reed, I knew immeditely he was holding a lot back and hiding things, even from himself and yeah that was proven right. But it was also evident right from the start that he was not what he was portrayed/expected to be by other people and I loved that about him. Now as for his seeming resemblance to a character from Lennox's past, it wasn't exactly what I figured was the case but I was damn close and wow was that a good little plot to uncover. I LOVE him so so much, he's a good boy, the best! And he was so into Lennox before he even understood how he was actually feeling, it was so damn sweet and made me smile so hard.

Lennox on the other hand was a little jaded and had all these sharp edges that were totally understandable and of course he had good reasons for. His past and that of his family was not the best one and it hurt to read some parts of his journey but seeing him slowly open up to and around Reed was just the best. I could not put this book down, it made me feel so many things and I could just scream about how much I love these two and their story!

I'm not a fan of cheating or going behind a partners back unless the person being cheated on is an absolute horrible excuse for a human and then I will not love it but will accept it. However, in this one though I felt bad for the character this happened to so Reed and Lennox could find that person they were supposed to be kissing, I couldn't help but be on their side. Their connection was so strong and real that it felt not excuseable but somehow understandable. It was done so well and wasn't like full on and going on for ages or anything so it as bearable and handled carefully in a way.

These two melted my heart so damn much and I couldn't get enough of them or their story. Forever love for Reed and Lennox!

[Reading Rommance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. This book had me HOOKED. I love Lennox. He is artistic and creative, while also being confident, kind, and so considerate of others. He's a good brother and a good friend. It took me a minute, but I love Reed, too. He's serious and stoic, but when he lets someone in, he's all in. He's reluctant to open up, but he's kind and thoughtful, too. You can see the way he cares for Indy and especially how he cares for Lennox, even if he's also a bit abrasive.

This storyline was so fun! The abandoned building, the horror movie... it was a great background. I really enjoyed to side story of the art and journals in the abandoned building. I usually don't love a cheating trope, but this was done well. It didn't feel like real cheating necessarily because they were more of a situationship. I still didn't love it, but I see why it was needed. I also felt the added angst of Lennox's memories of Archer as well as Archer being Reed's roommate was a nice addition to the story. It kept me needing to read more to see how that would play out. And finally, I LOVED Reed's reaction to Lennox coming out as trans to him. I can't lie - I was nervous. I knew, because this was a romance, that it'd go well, but Reed crushed it with his response.

This was super fun, fairly different from other stories, and a good amount of medium angst. Also, great characters!

Notes: 2/5 spice levels, great friend group, adopted mc, trans mc, Boston, artist mc, make up artist mc, sexual awakening, water polo, artist/athlete, opposites attract, cheating (not on each other), best friend's boyfriend, ED Rep (side character), medium angst, slow burn, size difference, horror movie set, side story regarding queer love letters and art, jock/artist, librarian mc

[cail · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Learn who you are. Unlearn who they told you to be.”

Loren Leigh does it again. This was so incredibly unique. Lennox and Reed are such complex characters, each coming from a past that sticks with them and influences how they interact with the world and people around them. Both looking for a way to escape and finding comfort and safety in their own little world.

The representation of Lennox as a trans man was beautifully done. The way Loren wrote this made me feel every moment so deeply - from how proud he was to be himself, to his fear for his safety always being present and his complicated relationship with his body. It was approached with care and really well done.

One thing I absolutely loved about their story was Reed and how he was so good with his affirmations to Lennox without really seeming to be trying. He was so considerate of Lennox’s relationship with his own body, and I loved how their physical relationship was handled.

The filming in the haunted hotel was such a fun setting for their story. It added suspense, a new and complex setting that was really enjoyable to explore. And the side characters had so much depth - Jamie and Indy especially!

I will devour everything that Loren writes and this was no exception. There was so much depth to this story and I loved every moment of it.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When this story starts you don't know which direction the author will be taking you, just like the characters in the spooky abandoned hotel, there's a lot of mystery, intrigue, and unexpected discoveries. But as the story unfolds, Lennox and Reed slowly start revealing themselves. Their chemistry might be instantaneous but their relationship develops over time. Each slowly chipping away their outer facade to reveal their true self..their vulnerabilities, past hurts, and insecurities. Each providing the support and strength the other needs to discover new things about themselves (Reed), to be brave to take new chances (both), face their past (Lennox), and to fully accept and be their true self (both)
There were some few angsty emotional moments but balanced out with humorous and sweet/tender moments. There was also a spooky vibe woven throughout the story due to the abandoned hotel, almost like the hotel was sentient. It definitely held the story of a previous love story waiting to be discovered.
I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end, always wondering what the next discovery would be (either in the hotel or within the characters themselves).

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me enchanted from the start!! This is my first Loren Leigh book if I’m not mistaken and it was a doozy.
Lennox is a great mc. He is thoughtful and caring, a great artist and friend. When he meets Reed, the sparks are instantaneous. Only problem? Reed is seeing his roommate Indy. Oh and then there’s the other problem. Reed reminds Lennox of his ex, a painful past for sure. And is Reed even gay? Lots of threads to pull in this story.

Oh man, this book is great! I just felt like the story flowed from beginning to end. It kept me on my toes with the horror movie aspect. That is an interesting sub plot in the story as well as the beautiful paintings in the haunted hotel. This collaboration is exciting to me. Each story introduces us to a new set of characters all while using Randy’s as a backdrop. The inclusiveness of each person, each group, makes me so happy. I just wish our world could be inclusive.

[Megan McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lennox & Reed
Admittedly the story had a bit of a slow start for me, but I was intrigued by the idea of filming a horror movie while the MCs fell in love. Lennox & Reed are an interesting pair, because on the outside looking in, they seem like they wouldn't mesh or fit, but once you learn more about how each of them tick, it's a completely different story. Though it was tricky to manage the mild bit of relationship angst, I think it was all handled very well. The interwoven story about the lovers from the Belmont also pulled me in with its extension of art and mystery. At times, it was difficult to imagine exactly what our author was going for, but there was never a true lack of visuals to focus on.

I struggled to decide how to truly rate this one, and settled on a 4.5. But since that rating doesn't exist, I rounded up. 🙃

I received an advance copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. Loren is a new to me author but this will most definitely not be the last book I read by her.

I absolutely love Lennox & Reed. The beginning of their relationship is a little messy but I believe they handled it well & were accepting of whatever the outcome would be from their truth. I could actually feel the depth of their connection. When they're finally able to physically show those feelings.... just wow. In addition to all that heat 🔥 there's the emotional connection that's been building 💞 Reed's complete acceptance of Lennox just gets you right in the feels 🥰 Watching them both grow on a personal level from the safety that they feel together is just 🥺 🥰 If all that isn't enough, they're in the middle of filming a totally cheesy but have to see horror story 😱 I'm not going to give spoilers but their discovery of the love story at The Belmont is just 🥺🥺🥺 This book is an amazing addition to the group at Randy's.