Strangers to Husbands

by Lee Pini

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but when Lewis wakes up married after a wild, drunken night at his best friend’s bachelorette party, he’s worried he’s affected the rest of his life. Tad might be sweet, drop-dead gorgeous, and so easy to be with, but the obvious solution is a speedy divorce. The fact that they both live in New York City should make the process easy… so why is it taking them so long to sign the papers? Or even take off their rings? And why do they keep ending up in bed?

Tad’s anxiety and fear of coming out to his family has driven guys away before. Can he dare to believe Lewis is different? Lewis, his friends, and his loud, loving Italian family support Tad in a way he’s never experienced, and it’s easy to imagine a lifetime of that unconditional love. But life isn’t a romcom…

Or is it?

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2024

About the author

Lee Pini is a queer author who has been writing since they could pick up a pencil. They have lived in England, Northern Ireland, and Florida, and currently live in their home state of Minnesota with their wife and cat. Lee studied archaeology at the graduate level but currently uses their degree primarily to chuckle knowingly at classics memes. When they aren’t at their day job or writing, they’re reading vociferously, listening to music, enjoying nature, or nerding out. Their dream is for someone to one day write fanfiction about their characters.

Reviews

[❀ Jess ( Semi hiatus ) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is going to just be a long rant about how I PERSONALLY found this very awful 🙃



Predictable third act.
Lack luster reconciliation.
I HATED the ending.

Story starts off with Lewis freaking out that they're married after their drunk hook up, immediately wants to get divorced which causes a flash of hurt to appear on Tad's face, we later discover he was hurt Lewis wanted to end things before they even had a chance to start.

As they get into a real relationship Lewis starts to talk about how he doesn't think he wants to get divorced and apparently with Lewis saying that Tad is the one getting anxious and wanting the divorce even tho he's already fallen in love with Lewis. ( Neither of them has taken off their wedding rings since the wedding, Tad has only taken it off for a little bit when he's with family since he isn't out to them)

In a third act drama scene i saw coming from milesssss away, Tad breaks up with Lewis, some things he said having to deal with his own baggage but some things were thrown into Lewis's face which i thought was uncalled for since Lewis wasn't treating Tad like he was his romcom fantasy come to life like Tad claimed, Lewis was Tad's rock through the whole second half and I liked him so much more as a character than Tad. I started the book liking Tad more but he went downhill and Lewis was my favorite by the end.

Tad's " grand gesture" for Lewis was soooooo lack luster. There wasn't enough of an apology.. Lewis was the one apologizing for putting so much pressure on him when the apology really shouldve just come from Tad. 🙄

The resolution to the marriage thing? They got divorced. Even tho Lewis didn't want to get divorced because it was expensive and he loved Tad so he didn't see a need for the divorce.

So the day they divorce, Lewis proposes to Tad. And Tads all " we just got divorced" and Lewis goes " i love you and know i want to spend the rest of my life with you and you deserve a wedding and blah blah blah"

...even tho Lewis's mom was the one joking about being upset she didn't get to plan his rainbow filled wedding. Lewis is the one that's super romantic and believes in romcom and fairytale love stories.

Then Tad goes " of course I'll marry you!"

The end

[dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, this book is trope-y to the max (it starts with a drunk wedding of strangers, and also features a reenactment of rhe Say Anything boombox scene), but it still has a few moments that are believable underneath all rhe tropes and cliches. I don’t like the best-friend-bridezilla, but the lesbian bestie maybe makes up for it.

Also, as someone whose in-laws live in Watertown NY (fortunately, they’re Unitarians who have no issue with their son being queer), I must say it was odd reading a book partially set in a town I’ve been reluctantly visiting for decades. I’m a bit sad that Lewis is going to have to go there for the rest of his life if he stays with Tad.

Good luck with your next books, author!

[Cyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually quite fun, albeit maybe a bit long but I did enjoy it. Every now and then, need a little rom-com silliness. This book is wonderfully queer and I think one of the main characters is also neurodivergent.

It’s really lovely. If you want something flight and a quick read this is one. There are a few steamy scenes but not too overwhelming. And it’s really sweet really.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute romance.

[Manfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Elise H · Rating 4 out of 5]

C’était tout mimi (même si pas très original)

[Christian Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of fluff and very Hallmark story.