What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hornets Nest #2
Honey Pot
Clementine Matthews used to be nothing more than a shadow.
Seventeen years spent being eclipsed by her best friend. A girl without a name, a hobby or a life of her own unless he was holding her hand. Clementine was heartbroken when his family was moved across the country leaving her truly alone for the first time in her entire life. She vowed to step out of that shadow and start chasing her dreams as a sports journalist.
Seven years of uninterrupted growth later a folder slides across her desk with an opportunity that could shape her career for the better.
There’s just one terrifying catch; the boy she vowed to forget has his picture clipped inside.
Cael Cody had finally found his footing.
Reeling from the aftermath of the accident, party boy Cael is ready to put his best foot forward and change his life. He’s determined to stay true and commit to his recovery while showing his dad and teammates he can change for good. Juggling his shoulder injury, his addiction, and his grief, he knows that it won’t be easy.
His first challenge is to stop living in the past; he needs to leave his ghosts behind.
But that’s easier said than done when that past comes knocking on the door of the Nest.
Seventeen years spent being eclipsed by her best friend. A girl without a name, a hobby or a life of her own unless he was holding her hand. Clementine was heartbroken when his family was moved across the country leaving her truly alone for the first time in her entire life. She vowed to step out of that shadow and start chasing her dreams as a sports journalist.
Seven years of uninterrupted growth later a folder slides across her desk with an opportunity that could shape her career for the better.
There’s just one terrifying catch; the boy she vowed to forget has his picture clipped inside.
Cael Cody had finally found his footing.
Reeling from the aftermath of the accident, party boy Cael is ready to put his best foot forward and change his life. He’s determined to stay true and commit to his recovery while showing his dad and teammates he can change for good. Juggling his shoulder injury, his addiction, and his grief, he knows that it won’t be easy.
His first challenge is to stop living in the past; he needs to leave his ghosts behind.
But that’s easier said than done when that past comes knocking on the door of the Nest.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
54 people are currently reading
1035 people want to read
About the author
Aubrey Taylor
22 books133 followersAubrey Taylor is a 32-year-old mom living in chilly Canada with her two kids and wonderful husband. Raised by Dean Winchester, Percy Jackson, and horror movies. She's a loud, nerdy, sarcastic lover of stories. Her favourites always including chosen families and adventure. She has been writing and creating stories from her dreams ever since she could remember. With massive emotions of her own, she puts her entire heart into her characters and stories. Aubrey's favorite genres are fantasy, reverse harem romance, and contemporary romance!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 8, 2024
“it had been nearly twenty three years of knowing her, but clementine matthews had been stealing the air from my lungs every second of every day since the day we were born. i had never needed a breath to live; i had only needed her.”
my heart was ripped out of my chest and shoved back in several times throughout reading this book. cael and clem, where do i even start? this book felt so real to me that a little piece of my heart is attached to it now. cael is one of the most down bad characters that i have ever had the pleasure of getting to know, and clem is one of the fiercest, sexiest characters i have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. although i’m heartbroken that i’ve finished this, i had such a wonderful ride. cael and clem will forever occupy my mind, and i wouldn’t have it any other way.
thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to aubrey taylor for the opportunity to receive an e-arc copy of this book!
honey pot releases new year’s day (january 1st), so don’t forget to mark your calendars and snag this masterpiece!
★ grief rep
★ found family
★ 2slgbtq+ rep
★ second chance
★ good girl x good boy
★ “it’s always been you”
★ childhood friends to lovers
★ + more
my heart was ripped out of my chest and shoved back in several times throughout reading this book. cael and clem, where do i even start? this book felt so real to me that a little piece of my heart is attached to it now. cael is one of the most down bad characters that i have ever had the pleasure of getting to know, and clem is one of the fiercest, sexiest characters i have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. although i’m heartbroken that i’ve finished this, i had such a wonderful ride. cael and clem will forever occupy my mind, and i wouldn’t have it any other way.
thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to aubrey taylor for the opportunity to receive an e-arc copy of this book!
honey pot releases new year’s day (january 1st), so don’t forget to mark your calendars and snag this masterpiece!
★ grief rep
★ found family
★ 2slgbtq+ rep
★ second chance
★ good girl x good boy
★ “it’s always been you”
★ childhood friends to lovers
★ + more
January 1, 2025
It’s okay. Break my little heart, will ya ? This book was so beautifully sad but simultaneously it was a testament that true love overcomes time and hurt. Aubrey’s way of writing beautifully flawed characters like Cael Cody is unmatched and I’m in awe of her talent. There’s nothing left to say other than: 5 fucking stars. Bravo.
September 12, 2025
Picture me sobbing at my desk and work because that's what Aubrey and this book did to me!! Cael was one of my favorite side characters from book one and I was really excited when I found out this was his book.
This book takes you on a riiiiiide, but it's so fun and honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I love getting the backstory on Cael and his childhood bestie Clementine (they are SO made for each other). Somehow I also keep reading Aubrey's books while super sad songs are playing so that's fun haha. Cael and Clem are Invisible String and Peter by Taylor Swift and you cannot tell me otherwise!!! The nicknames in this book (for the two MCs, and even ones that had for other characters) just melted my heart. I LOVE FOUND FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cael, MY BISEXUAL KING, is my favorite MMC so far, I love him so much, and he deserves the world. I was reading this before seeing Hamilton this past Tuesday and I got to chapter 27 in the movie theatre...... FREAKS THEY ARE, FREAKS!!! It was unexpected but so hot and for that alone I need everyone to read this series. I am having the best time and even though it took me on an emotional rollercoaster (I have photos of me crying) I wouldn't have traded that rollercoaster for anything.
I'm really excited to continue the rest of the series, and I will be reading the So Long, Honey novella next and I am excited even though I have heard it's going to break my heart.
This book takes you on a riiiiiide, but it's so fun and honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I love getting the backstory on Cael and his childhood bestie Clementine (they are SO made for each other). Somehow I also keep reading Aubrey's books while super sad songs are playing so that's fun haha. Cael and Clem are Invisible String and Peter by Taylor Swift and you cannot tell me otherwise!!! The nicknames in this book (for the two MCs, and even ones that had for other characters) just melted my heart. I LOVE FOUND FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cael, MY BISEXUAL KING, is my favorite MMC so far, I love him so much, and he deserves the world. I was reading this before seeing Hamilton this past Tuesday and I got to chapter 27 in the movie theatre...... FREAKS THEY ARE, FREAKS!!! It was unexpected but so hot and for that alone I need everyone to read this series. I am having the best time and even though it took me on an emotional rollercoaster (I have photos of me crying) I wouldn't have traded that rollercoaster for anything.
I'm really excited to continue the rest of the series, and I will be reading the So Long, Honey novella next and I am excited even though I have heard it's going to break my heart.
January 1, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
*ARC Review*
Again… AUBREY… this book… I was not prepared for the story that is Clementine and Cael.
Sweet angel baby Cael, his backstory and even his current story is heartbreaking. You really get a chance to understand him better in this book and why he has such destructive behavior. He is truly the definition of a golden retriever and I will love him forever. His childhood relationship with Clem was so sweet, and even after moving across the country he never gave up on her and his love for her. The letters trope gets me everytime, and this one was no different - I was over here sobbing at 1AM.
Clementine is so jaded coming into this book. She has loved Cael since they were children, and even with the distance and the silence, she could never stop. I completely understood where she was coming from and the walls she had built up around her heart. Watching those walls crumble and her realization that things over the past 7 years were not as she had thought they were. I loved her confidence and the body positivity she exuded.
I will think about Cael and Clem’s relationship for a long time to come. Their story was full of ups and downs but they ended up right where they were meant to be. The banter was amazing. The tension was hot. The SPICE was freaking SPICY.
The other relationships in this book continued to amaze me. The family dynamic in the nest can’t be beat. Even with their tumultuous past, Dean and Cael’s friendship was strong. I enjoyed seeing Cael’s sober side and his apologies for his past actions. There was so much healing throughout this book, it made my heart happy (after it was broken of course). Ryan Cody is still on my shit list though…
I can’t wait to see where Dean’s book goes and I will definitely be reading Ryan and Lorraine’s novella.
Thank you for the ARC, Aubrey! 💜🍯🐝
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
*ARC Review*
Again… AUBREY… this book… I was not prepared for the story that is Clementine and Cael.
Sweet angel baby Cael, his backstory and even his current story is heartbreaking. You really get a chance to understand him better in this book and why he has such destructive behavior. He is truly the definition of a golden retriever and I will love him forever. His childhood relationship with Clem was so sweet, and even after moving across the country he never gave up on her and his love for her. The letters trope gets me everytime, and this one was no different - I was over here sobbing at 1AM.
Clementine is so jaded coming into this book. She has loved Cael since they were children, and even with the distance and the silence, she could never stop. I completely understood where she was coming from and the walls she had built up around her heart. Watching those walls crumble and her realization that things over the past 7 years were not as she had thought they were. I loved her confidence and the body positivity she exuded.
I will think about Cael and Clem’s relationship for a long time to come. Their story was full of ups and downs but they ended up right where they were meant to be. The banter was amazing. The tension was hot. The SPICE was freaking SPICY.
The other relationships in this book continued to amaze me. The family dynamic in the nest can’t be beat. Even with their tumultuous past, Dean and Cael’s friendship was strong. I enjoyed seeing Cael’s sober side and his apologies for his past actions. There was so much healing throughout this book, it made my heart happy (after it was broken of course). Ryan Cody is still on my shit list though…
I can’t wait to see where Dean’s book goes and I will definitely be reading Ryan and Lorraine’s novella.
Thank you for the ARC, Aubrey! 💜🍯🐝
January 8, 2025
I haven’t read the first book and I highly suggest that you need to as there are so many names! Also no clue what happened in the accident. This is not stand alone as nothing is really explained.
So Clementine and Cael have been brought up together and right before Cael has to leave at the age of 17 the realise they both like each other. Cut to 7 years later.
Cael is fighting an addiction to drugs and alcohol and a self inflicted injury. He is kind of in love with Dean but I don’t really get their relationship are they using each other or real feelings. Also 2 mins after Cael sees Clementine for the first time he goes immediately to have sex with Dean. Cael just seems so childish.
Clementine is so weak and unprofessional meant to be working and she immediately starts hooking up with Cael. Also 2 months to write an article! No wonder she gets sacked.
Both characters felt mixed up I just couldn’t understand them at all.
So Clementine and Cael have been brought up together and right before Cael has to leave at the age of 17 the realise they both like each other. Cut to 7 years later.
Cael is fighting an addiction to drugs and alcohol and a self inflicted injury. He is kind of in love with Dean but I don’t really get their relationship are they using each other or real feelings. Also 2 mins after Cael sees Clementine for the first time he goes immediately to have sex with Dean. Cael just seems so childish.
Clementine is so weak and unprofessional meant to be working and she immediately starts hooking up with Cael. Also 2 months to write an article! No wonder she gets sacked.
Both characters felt mixed up I just couldn’t understand them at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
Ever since I met Cael first in the series, I knew I would simply be crawling towards him with every emotion clogged in my throat for his own book.
But I wasn’t prepared for when opening it that it would feel as if I was looking into a mirror. I saw myself in so many version. Past and present, when I felt like the waves were crushing me. When the path of life got too crooky and I just wanted someone to come and embrace me in their arms while I was collecting my broken pieces. When a heart needs the beat of another to find its rytm again.
My dearest Clem. She reached out a hand to comfort me when I was cursing at my mind. She’s the definition of boldness and empowers down to the very soul, and takes confidence in a tight grip to claim it as her definition.
Cael. The last knot to tie the bandage around my heart. When he loves, he does it with the whole frickin world backing him. I was crying my heart dry, to have him healing my scars. He’s the sunshine always shining over the Nest. I’m so frickin proud of him and his journey to recovery.
They have this invisible string that’s keep on tugging to remind them that they’re the definition of love and family itself. Honey Pot is a story where grief, forgiveness, love, healing and the most vibrating strength sweeps you under the arm. Aubrey’s writing feels like home. You seek comfort there, you feel seen and heard. You become part of the story and every character has their own story to be treasured. Found family is Aubrey 🤍
Honey Pot is now out on Amazon and KU.
But I wasn’t prepared for when opening it that it would feel as if I was looking into a mirror. I saw myself in so many version. Past and present, when I felt like the waves were crushing me. When the path of life got too crooky and I just wanted someone to come and embrace me in their arms while I was collecting my broken pieces. When a heart needs the beat of another to find its rytm again.
My dearest Clem. She reached out a hand to comfort me when I was cursing at my mind. She’s the definition of boldness and empowers down to the very soul, and takes confidence in a tight grip to claim it as her definition.
Cael. The last knot to tie the bandage around my heart. When he loves, he does it with the whole frickin world backing him. I was crying my heart dry, to have him healing my scars. He’s the sunshine always shining over the Nest. I’m so frickin proud of him and his journey to recovery.
They have this invisible string that’s keep on tugging to remind them that they’re the definition of love and family itself. Honey Pot is a story where grief, forgiveness, love, healing and the most vibrating strength sweeps you under the arm. Aubrey’s writing feels like home. You seek comfort there, you feel seen and heard. You become part of the story and every character has their own story to be treasured. Found family is Aubrey 🤍
Honey Pot is now out on Amazon and KU.
December 9, 2024
Rating : ☆☆☆☆☆
—————
𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘦.
—————
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 :
- 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 : 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡
- 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨
- 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙨 𝙎𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙁𝙈𝘾
- 𝘿𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙊𝙑
- 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
- 𝙈𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚
- 𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙥
- 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮
- 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙈𝘾
- 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 : 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙤𝙧 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮
- 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮
- 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙒𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚
- 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 : 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙢 & 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙤𝙮
- “𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪”
- 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚
- 𝙃𝙚 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡𝙨 𝙏𝙤 𝙃𝙚𝙧
- 2𝙎𝙇𝙂𝘽𝙏𝙌+ 𝙍𝙚𝙥
✔️ Available On KU
—————
It took me a minute to actually be able to sit down and gather my thoughts for this review because the whole book was spectacular and exceeded all my expectations I had of it.
Cael’s growth through both books should be studied because he has down into such an amazing human. He was always great but this book really showcased it. When Cael loves he loves hard and to watch him loves Clem was so special.
I went through so many different emotions throughout this book and not gonna lie a lot of it was crying, whether they were tears of happiness or tears of sadness. It had it all. The flashbacks with Cael and his mum absolutely took me out. I was sobbing so hard. Their relationship was so special and so heart wrenching. Ryan’s growth as Cael’s dad was amazing.
The childhood flashbacks were my favourite part cause you can see how much Cael and Clem love each other and how much they have always loved each other.
Onto some of the parts that made me happy, and giddy. CAEL calling Julian every single name in the world but his own is the level of petty I am and idolise.
The Cael x Clem x Dean scene. Someone send me some holy water please.
Considering this is our first meeting with Clem she managed to capture my heart the way Cael did in Bad Honey. She was a spectacular character and one I’ll keep with me forever. She helped me see myself a kinder way.
I loved seeing Cael and Deans dynamic from their sides, and I know I’m not emotionally stable enough for Deans book!
Two steps at a time 🐝🫶🏼
—————
𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘦.
—————
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 :
- 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 : 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡
- 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨
- 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙨 𝙎𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙁𝙈𝘾
- 𝘿𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙊𝙑
- 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
- 𝙈𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚
- 𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙥
- 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮
- 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙈𝘾
- 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 : 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙤𝙧 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮
- 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮
- 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙒𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚
- 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 : 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙢 & 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙤𝙮
- “𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪”
- 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚
- 𝙃𝙚 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡𝙨 𝙏𝙤 𝙃𝙚𝙧
- 2𝙎𝙇𝙂𝘽𝙏𝙌+ 𝙍𝙚𝙥
✔️ Available On KU
—————
It took me a minute to actually be able to sit down and gather my thoughts for this review because the whole book was spectacular and exceeded all my expectations I had of it.
Cael’s growth through both books should be studied because he has down into such an amazing human. He was always great but this book really showcased it. When Cael loves he loves hard and to watch him loves Clem was so special.
I went through so many different emotions throughout this book and not gonna lie a lot of it was crying, whether they were tears of happiness or tears of sadness. It had it all. The flashbacks with Cael and his mum absolutely took me out. I was sobbing so hard. Their relationship was so special and so heart wrenching. Ryan’s growth as Cael’s dad was amazing.
The childhood flashbacks were my favourite part cause you can see how much Cael and Clem love each other and how much they have always loved each other.
Onto some of the parts that made me happy, and giddy. CAEL calling Julian every single name in the world but his own is the level of petty I am and idolise.
The Cael x Clem x Dean scene. Someone send me some holy water please.
Considering this is our first meeting with Clem she managed to capture my heart the way Cael did in Bad Honey. She was a spectacular character and one I’ll keep with me forever. She helped me see myself a kinder way.
I loved seeing Cael and Deans dynamic from their sides, and I know I’m not emotionally stable enough for Deans book!
Two steps at a time 🐝🫶🏼
December 26, 2024
Honey Pot is the kind of book that grabs you by the heartstrings and refuses to let go. Clementine and Cael’s story is raw, emotional, and utterly captivating.
Clementine’s journey from a girl in the shadows to a confident, determined sports journalist had me rooting for her from the start. Her resilience and growth made her such a relatable and inspiring heroine. And then there’s Cael—oh, sweet baby Cael. A broken yet beautiful soul trying to piece himself back together. His struggles with addiction, grief, and recovery made him so achingly real.
When these two worlds collide after years apart, the chemistry is undeniable. Aubrey does an incredible job weaving together their shared history, unresolved feelings, and their current struggles. Watching Clementine and Cael navigate their messy emotions while chasing their dreams felt like a masterclass in second-chance romance.
This book had everything: tension, heartbreak, healing, and hope. If you love stories where personal growth meets undeniable connection, Honey Pot needs to be your next read. It’s not just a romance—it’s a beautifully layered story about stepping out of the shadows and learning to love yourself and others along the way.
Aubrey you are such a poet. I found myself rereading line after line because of how beautifully written it was. Thank you for the opportunity to arc read Honey Pot. 💜
Clementine’s journey from a girl in the shadows to a confident, determined sports journalist had me rooting for her from the start. Her resilience and growth made her such a relatable and inspiring heroine. And then there’s Cael—oh, sweet baby Cael. A broken yet beautiful soul trying to piece himself back together. His struggles with addiction, grief, and recovery made him so achingly real.
When these two worlds collide after years apart, the chemistry is undeniable. Aubrey does an incredible job weaving together their shared history, unresolved feelings, and their current struggles. Watching Clementine and Cael navigate their messy emotions while chasing their dreams felt like a masterclass in second-chance romance.
This book had everything: tension, heartbreak, healing, and hope. If you love stories where personal growth meets undeniable connection, Honey Pot needs to be your next read. It’s not just a romance—it’s a beautifully layered story about stepping out of the shadows and learning to love yourself and others along the way.
Aubrey you are such a poet. I found myself rereading line after line because of how beautifully written it was. Thank you for the opportunity to arc read Honey Pot. 💜
November 29, 2024
4.75/5🪻 omg I’m going to sob. this book was absolutely amazing. I honestly can’t even think of the words that will sum up all the emotions, thoughts, quotes, feelings, and beautiful things that I felt throughout this book. After I read bad honey and once I found out Cael was getting a book I was so excited and this book definitely lived up to my expectations. I cried,laughed,smiled,sobbed,made friends,ranted, and fell in love because of this book. Cael and Clems story almost broke my heart but at the same time it put my heart back together. the found family and even more backstory we got from this book and the nest was bittersweet. their story is so complex and I am so happy that they got their happy ending that they so much deserved. I am so beyond excited for the next book🤗 I absolutely loved this book with my whole heart and 100% recommend this series. it kept me hooked the whole time and the writing and tropes are amazing. thank you so much to Aubrey Taylor for allowing me to be an arc reader! I absolutely love being apart of the hornets nest family/street team so thank you for bringing us all together and for your amazing books. love love loved it💜
January 1, 2025
CAEL CODY IS LIFE!!!
Cael Cody is EVERYTHING!!!
If you can’t already tell Cael is my heart and soul that man just speaks to me in ways that no other character has ever done. His charm and wit make him like-able by all but his heart makes him out shine the rest, a heart 10 times bigger than it should be. It shows by how he loves with his whole chest and Clementine takes up the majority of that space. Clementine is a girl after my own heart child hood best friends turned crust stuck in his shadow fated to fall in love. Finding her own path in life with heartache and grace. But heartbreak is inevitable and this story is about the trails and tribulations of that. A love that withstands the sun and moon. Being back at the Nest and reading everyone again makes me gitty. Arlo and Ella being there cute selfs. Getting a scrumptious glimpse into Dean and Cael dynamic and those men are spicy! And Bobbi she is a hoot! Cael and Clem will always have a special place in my heart and Aubrey swung for the fences again and hit a home run in my eyes. I hope that you take the time to read this amazing book and fall in love with these characters as much as I did
Cael Cody is EVERYTHING!!!
If you can’t already tell Cael is my heart and soul that man just speaks to me in ways that no other character has ever done. His charm and wit make him like-able by all but his heart makes him out shine the rest, a heart 10 times bigger than it should be. It shows by how he loves with his whole chest and Clementine takes up the majority of that space. Clementine is a girl after my own heart child hood best friends turned crust stuck in his shadow fated to fall in love. Finding her own path in life with heartache and grace. But heartbreak is inevitable and this story is about the trails and tribulations of that. A love that withstands the sun and moon. Being back at the Nest and reading everyone again makes me gitty. Arlo and Ella being there cute selfs. Getting a scrumptious glimpse into Dean and Cael dynamic and those men are spicy! And Bobbi she is a hoot! Cael and Clem will always have a special place in my heart and Aubrey swung for the fences again and hit a home run in my eyes. I hope that you take the time to read this amazing book and fall in love with these characters as much as I did
December 16, 2024
Okay I'm doing my review of Honey Pot by Aubrey Taylor😭 but it's so hard because just like with Bad Honey, i have so many feelings it's wild. I missed Cael Cody so much, & now meeting his Lavender Girl? His Clem? Every quote broke me & made me whole again. I cried from beginning to end, the love so pure, so wholesome... Also Mama's letter to him made me cry so so hard.
Even writing this review listening to the Playlist is making me cry I can barely see what I'm writing. No emojis make justice to this book, I fell in love with Aubrey books as soon as I read the first three pages of Bad Honey in the beginning of the year, & I was sure I would love this one even more as soon as I knew it would be our LoverBoy book.
The growth, the pain, the heartache & love, the family - the one by blood & the one by heart... I loved every single page of this & it wasn't nearly enough, Aubrey outdid herself & I'm 100% recommending this book to everyone. Thank you Aubrey for giving us Clem & Cael.💜
⠀
🪻 found family
🪻childhood friends to lovers + first love
🪻second chance
🪻sport romance + college romance
🪻dual pov + good boyXgood girl
🪻 plus size fmc
🪻2SLGBTQ + REP
⠀
TW ⚠️ - addiction, loss
Even writing this review listening to the Playlist is making me cry I can barely see what I'm writing. No emojis make justice to this book, I fell in love with Aubrey books as soon as I read the first three pages of Bad Honey in the beginning of the year, & I was sure I would love this one even more as soon as I knew it would be our LoverBoy book.
The growth, the pain, the heartache & love, the family - the one by blood & the one by heart... I loved every single page of this & it wasn't nearly enough, Aubrey outdid herself & I'm 100% recommending this book to everyone. Thank you Aubrey for giving us Clem & Cael.💜
⠀
🪻 found family
🪻childhood friends to lovers + first love
🪻second chance
🪻sport romance + college romance
🪻dual pov + good boyXgood girl
🪻 plus size fmc
🪻2SLGBTQ + REP
⠀
TW ⚠️ - addiction, loss
January 1, 2025
*Thank you to Aubrey Taylor for providing me with an ARC for an honest review!
It is shocking to me how quickly I have become obsessed with Aubrey and her writing. You are thrown into a roller coaster of emotions in her books, and I can't help but be along for the ride.
I honestly thought I was an Arlo girly, but then Aubrey went and smacked me in the face with the perfection that is Cael Cody. He will make you swoon. He will break your heart. He will make you cry, and he will make you laugh. I'm also not afraid to say that I am obsessed with Clem and everything that she is. I ate up every moment of her making Cael work to earn her back. Those two were a fucking sexy, steamy couple and I adore them.
I wish I had more fancy words to fully explain my love for this book and the found family that is inside it. I hope this is enough to convince you to just read this damn book and everything that Aubrey writes. You won't regret it.
It is shocking to me how quickly I have become obsessed with Aubrey and her writing. You are thrown into a roller coaster of emotions in her books, and I can't help but be along for the ride.
I honestly thought I was an Arlo girly, but then Aubrey went and smacked me in the face with the perfection that is Cael Cody. He will make you swoon. He will break your heart. He will make you cry, and he will make you laugh. I'm also not afraid to say that I am obsessed with Clem and everything that she is. I ate up every moment of her making Cael work to earn her back. Those two were a fucking sexy, steamy couple and I adore them.
I wish I had more fancy words to fully explain my love for this book and the found family that is inside it. I hope this is enough to convince you to just read this damn book and everything that Aubrey writes. You won't regret it.
January 19, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5 (but damn it was all sooooo good)
ACTUAL mention of sports: ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️/5
Swoon worthy moments: ∞/5 🥰
____________________
I don’t usually read sports romances. I spend a lot of my time salivating over dark romances. But when I saw the way this author marketed her book I got incredibly excited and knew I needed it immediately. If you’re looking for a sports romance that is ACTUALLY sports, please for the love of all that is holy snatch this book up
With a curvy FMC that takes pride in her body and is confident beyond belief and an MMC that’s bisexual, but absolutely infatuated with our FMC? Sign me up.
Cael Cody had my heart skipping beats every time he spoke to Clementine Matthews. And his love and admiration of her showed in every way possible. Through his SEVEN YEARS of love letters, standing up to her ex for being a douche bag, to the way he tied her hands up so she couldn’t hide her body, this man is everything I needed and more. He’s a little tortured, and a broken boy who really just needed the one person that knew him better than anyone in his world.
Clementine is a strong willed woman who guarded her heart after watching the boy she loved move across the country. Watching her walls slowly come down made me giddy.
The history between these two, the tension, AND THE SPICE? God, this good was the first one I’ve read and didn’t skip spice. The way this man speaks makes me weak in the knees. My heart literally stopped and my breathing came to a halt on multiple occasions.
These two deserve the world 😭
The team?? I can’t wait to see where this series goes. The love these boys have for each other is so heartwarming. I have never read something that nailed the dynamic of a dysfunctional family so damn well.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5 (but damn it was all sooooo good)
ACTUAL mention of sports: ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️/5
Swoon worthy moments: ∞/5 🥰
____________________
I don’t usually read sports romances. I spend a lot of my time salivating over dark romances. But when I saw the way this author marketed her book I got incredibly excited and knew I needed it immediately. If you’re looking for a sports romance that is ACTUALLY sports, please for the love of all that is holy snatch this book up
With a curvy FMC that takes pride in her body and is confident beyond belief and an MMC that’s bisexual, but absolutely infatuated with our FMC? Sign me up.
Cael Cody had my heart skipping beats every time he spoke to Clementine Matthews. And his love and admiration of her showed in every way possible. Through his SEVEN YEARS of love letters, standing up to her ex for being a douche bag, to the way he tied her hands up so she couldn’t hide her body, this man is everything I needed and more. He’s a little tortured, and a broken boy who really just needed the one person that knew him better than anyone in his world.
Clementine is a strong willed woman who guarded her heart after watching the boy she loved move across the country. Watching her walls slowly come down made me giddy.
The history between these two, the tension, AND THE SPICE? God, this good was the first one I’ve read and didn’t skip spice. The way this man speaks makes me weak in the knees. My heart literally stopped and my breathing came to a halt on multiple occasions.
These two deserve the world 😭
The team?? I can’t wait to see where this series goes. The love these boys have for each other is so heartwarming. I have never read something that nailed the dynamic of a dysfunctional family so damn well.
December 9, 2024
I've never read anything by this author before so I didn't know what to expect but I had a good time. You could definitely feel the love that Clem and Cael had for each other. I love that they were able to find their way back to each other. It was also a really cute found family. I for sure need to read the first book in the series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
I do however think that the book did not need to be that long. I simply think that there should have been more emotional moments and less sex scenes. If they had just communicated more their problems might have been solved. I'm also confused as to why this book was "set" in college. They easily could have been maybe in the minors or something. They never talk about going to class or really anything related to school.
I received an arc from the author.
I do however think that the book did not need to be that long. I simply think that there should have been more emotional moments and less sex scenes. If they had just communicated more their problems might have been solved. I'm also confused as to why this book was "set" in college. They easily could have been maybe in the minors or something. They never talk about going to class or really anything related to school.
I received an arc from the author.
December 20, 2024
To say I’m obsessed is an understatement. This packed an emotional punch from the word go and I was in a trance. Cael and Clem have my heart. These two loved each other when they were teenagers and were suddenly seperated and forced apart for 7 years which crushed them. And when they are reunited after clem is tasked with writing a piece on the Hornets baseball team that Cael is apart of, the emotions come flooding back.
You can cut the sexual tension with a knife and there are so many moments of will they? Won’t they? And Clem finding her strength to not give in.
Cael is willing to work for Clem and SHOW her he still loves her and boy oh boy does that man get on his knees for his woman.
Second chance and friends to lovers are some of my favourite tropes and this book is a prime example of why 😍
These two characters (and all the other side characters) are incredible and Aubrey has written them in a way where you yourself feel like you’re apart of the group, laughing, crying and going through all the good and bad times with them. The 2SLGBTQ+, grief and addiction reps were written so well aswell.
I will 100% be going back to read Bad Honey and I cannot wait to read book 3! I’m not ready to leave The Nest just yet 💜
You can cut the sexual tension with a knife and there are so many moments of will they? Won’t they? And Clem finding her strength to not give in.
Cael is willing to work for Clem and SHOW her he still loves her and boy oh boy does that man get on his knees for his woman.
Second chance and friends to lovers are some of my favourite tropes and this book is a prime example of why 😍
These two characters (and all the other side characters) are incredible and Aubrey has written them in a way where you yourself feel like you’re apart of the group, laughing, crying and going through all the good and bad times with them. The 2SLGBTQ+, grief and addiction reps were written so well aswell.
I will 100% be going back to read Bad Honey and I cannot wait to read book 3! I’m not ready to leave The Nest just yet 💜
January 3, 2025
•loverboy and plum•
I wish I was good with my words to write a review that will do Cael, Clem and Aubrey justice. They deserve a review that is pure poetry.
Everything I keep typing just doesn’t seem right to convey the beauty that is Honey Pot.
I love everything Aubrey gave us.
I love Cael and his growth! The way he loves and loves hard. He is our sad, golden retriever, loverboy.
I love Clem and her confidence! She is the FMC I needed in my life. She taught me to love myself…I might be her for Halloween.
I love this little found family and their relationships, The Nest is a special place.
Honey Pot, crushed my heart and taped it back together.
Aubrey I hope you have the most amazing release day, thank you for writing your heart out and giving us Cael & Clem. 🪻💜
💜🪻two steps at a time
I wish I was good with my words to write a review that will do Cael, Clem and Aubrey justice. They deserve a review that is pure poetry.
Everything I keep typing just doesn’t seem right to convey the beauty that is Honey Pot.
I love everything Aubrey gave us.
I love Cael and his growth! The way he loves and loves hard. He is our sad, golden retriever, loverboy.
I love Clem and her confidence! She is the FMC I needed in my life. She taught me to love myself…I might be her for Halloween.
I love this little found family and their relationships, The Nest is a special place.
Honey Pot, crushed my heart and taped it back together.
Aubrey I hope you have the most amazing release day, thank you for writing your heart out and giving us Cael & Clem. 🪻💜
💜🪻two steps at a time
February 5, 2025
I knew going in that I would not come out of this book unscathed. I was ready, I was prepared...only I wasn't. I was wrecked. There is so much raw emotion, grief, love, and resilience in this book. There are so many relationships that are intertwined and entangled.
Clementine and Cael - their relationship was raw, gut-wrenching, and emotional. From their childhood to adulthood, these two do not have it easy. They will love, they will lose and they will try and love again, but it won't be in the same way. Each of them has changed, and so has their love. I wasn't the same from the very first page to the very last page.
Cael ...oh Cael, you ripped my heart apart. Watching you self-destruct and then trying to put the pieces back together again - I almost couldn't bear it. This beautifully broken man, struggling with his addiction and grief and trying to love himself again, ripped my heart open.
Clementine - trying to break free from the shadow of the girl she was into the woman she wanted to become.. she worked so hard to become the sports journalist she wanted to be all the while dealing with her own demons every bit as much as Cael.
One thing I loved about this book (as I did in the first one) is this found family of friends at the Nest. I loved their bond from the first book, and it's even stronger in this second one. I can't even put into words how I feel about them! Each and every one of them will be there for one another in whatever way is needed - physical, emotional, mental. God, I want to be in this group so bad.
The relationship growth in this book is through the roof, not just with Cael & Clem but also with Cael & Dean and definitely Cael & his dad. Holy crap I wasn't ready for all of this. I mean it, no one is the same from the start of this book to the finish...
But bloody hell Aubrey - Cael's mom's letter. That right there. That is what broke me. I just couldn't hold it in anymore...the tears came. This is what it feels like to have a book make you cry...it was a soft cry, a hurt heart cry for wasted years between Cael and his dad, for the love that she brought to the Nest, to the love she left behind with Clementine..gah! Even thinking about it is causing my heart to crack.
I'm never going to let go of any of these characters. Ever. Now, throwing Josh into the mix with Dean... I can't even....
Clementine and Cael - their relationship was raw, gut-wrenching, and emotional. From their childhood to adulthood, these two do not have it easy. They will love, they will lose and they will try and love again, but it won't be in the same way. Each of them has changed, and so has their love. I wasn't the same from the very first page to the very last page.
Cael ...oh Cael, you ripped my heart apart. Watching you self-destruct and then trying to put the pieces back together again - I almost couldn't bear it. This beautifully broken man, struggling with his addiction and grief and trying to love himself again, ripped my heart open.
Clementine - trying to break free from the shadow of the girl she was into the woman she wanted to become.. she worked so hard to become the sports journalist she wanted to be all the while dealing with her own demons every bit as much as Cael.
One thing I loved about this book (as I did in the first one) is this found family of friends at the Nest. I loved their bond from the first book, and it's even stronger in this second one. I can't even put into words how I feel about them! Each and every one of them will be there for one another in whatever way is needed - physical, emotional, mental. God, I want to be in this group so bad.
The relationship growth in this book is through the roof, not just with Cael & Clem but also with Cael & Dean and definitely Cael & his dad. Holy crap I wasn't ready for all of this. I mean it, no one is the same from the start of this book to the finish...
But bloody hell Aubrey - Cael's mom's letter. That right there. That is what broke me. I just couldn't hold it in anymore...the tears came. This is what it feels like to have a book make you cry...it was a soft cry, a hurt heart cry for wasted years between Cael and his dad, for the love that she brought to the Nest, to the love she left behind with Clementine..gah! Even thinking about it is causing my heart to crack.
I'm never going to let go of any of these characters. Ever. Now, throwing Josh into the mix with Dean... I can't even....
March 24, 2025
The perfect second instalment to the hornets nest series 🐝💜
This story was the beautifully heartbreaking tale of Cael and his childhood best friend and sweetheart Clementine. As someone who is an absolute sucker for the friends to lovers trope, this captured my whole heart.
I laughed and sobbed throughout this whole book and it was just SO good. I cannot wait for book 3 🩵
This story was the beautifully heartbreaking tale of Cael and his childhood best friend and sweetheart Clementine. As someone who is an absolute sucker for the friends to lovers trope, this captured my whole heart.
I laughed and sobbed throughout this whole book and it was just SO good. I cannot wait for book 3 🩵
November 8, 2025
3.5/5
I saw this book on Booktok and knew I needed to add this book to Spinderella. This book did not disappoint. I love the way it tackled addiction. I did get confused when it was going back and forth between the timelines but other then that I really liked the book. I loved the ending. And I will definitely be reading the next book in the series especially knowing who it is about because my noisey about what is going to happen next
I saw this book on Booktok and knew I needed to add this book to Spinderella. This book did not disappoint. I love the way it tackled addiction. I did get confused when it was going back and forth between the timelines but other then that I really liked the book. I loved the ending. And I will definitely be reading the next book in the series especially knowing who it is about because my noisey about what is going to happen next
January 6, 2025
I am really sad that I did not like this book as much as the 1st one. It was WAY too long and WAY too much fluff. Will I read the 3rd one? Obviously. Just alittle disappointed I didn’t get into this one. ☹️
January 21, 2025
Well… I had a feeling this book would be incredible and I was right.
As soon as Cael was introduced in the first book, I knew I’d fall in love with him. He has all of the qualities I love in a MMC. He’s a hilarious, protective, sweet, and confident bisexual man. Everyone sees him as a sunshine boy but underneath all of that, he’s a *little* broken. He’s been dealing with grief from losing his mom a few years ago and is now a recovering addict. And then you have Clementine who is now one of my FAVORITE FMCs of all time. She’s a confident & curvy queen.
Clem and Cael grew up as best friends until they were forced apart when they were 17. They are now 24 years old and are reunited when Clem gets chosen to do an interview with Caels college baseball team.
This book will really put you through all of the emotions. Lots of tears were shed over here while reading this but it was so worth! I honestly can’t recommend this series enough. The found family aspect is done SO well in these books and I think it’s impossible to not fall in love with all of the characters.
Also, I wanted to mention how REFRESHING it is to read a series that has multiple relationship types. I’m so so excited to read Deans book. No one deserves happiness more than him 🥹
Some of the tropes:
🪻Childhood friend to lovers
🪻Second Chance
🪻Addiction Rep
🪻Baseball Romance
🪻Found Family
🪻2SLGBTQ+ Rep
As soon as Cael was introduced in the first book, I knew I’d fall in love with him. He has all of the qualities I love in a MMC. He’s a hilarious, protective, sweet, and confident bisexual man. Everyone sees him as a sunshine boy but underneath all of that, he’s a *little* broken. He’s been dealing with grief from losing his mom a few years ago and is now a recovering addict. And then you have Clementine who is now one of my FAVORITE FMCs of all time. She’s a confident & curvy queen.
Clem and Cael grew up as best friends until they were forced apart when they were 17. They are now 24 years old and are reunited when Clem gets chosen to do an interview with Caels college baseball team.
This book will really put you through all of the emotions. Lots of tears were shed over here while reading this but it was so worth! I honestly can’t recommend this series enough. The found family aspect is done SO well in these books and I think it’s impossible to not fall in love with all of the characters.
Also, I wanted to mention how REFRESHING it is to read a series that has multiple relationship types. I’m so so excited to read Deans book. No one deserves happiness more than him 🥹
Some of the tropes:
🪻Childhood friend to lovers
🪻Second Chance
🪻Addiction Rep
🪻Baseball Romance
🪻Found Family
🪻2SLGBTQ+ Rep
dnr
February 6, 2025note to self: sharing, threesome
May 21, 2025
3.25⭐️
July 1, 2025
i’ve spend a sickening amount of time crying over this book today. i loved cael and clementine so much it fucking hurts wtf 😭 he is officially one of 3 blonde mmcs i’ll ever love this much (andrew minyard and gibsie being the other 2). i’ve grown so fond and so attached to these characters in so little time. like the hornets are my family now too 😭 i think i might start looking up baseball games on youtube or something 😭
anyway i’m still fucking crying 😭 i was gna wait til later to review it but nah just me here crying typing in this lil box bc this was so good 😭 ok break me but like yea! heal me type of good. i have a 10 minute long video of me crying while reading the last few chapters of this
+ dean oh my goddddddd i’m crying just thinking about his book being next cuz pls he deserves so much good
anyway i’m still fucking crying 😭 i was gna wait til later to review it but nah just me here crying typing in this lil box bc this was so good 😭 ok break me but like yea! heal me type of good. i have a 10 minute long video of me crying while reading the last few chapters of this
+ dean oh my goddddddd i’m crying just thinking about his book being next cuz pls he deserves so much good
January 13, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
Rating: ★★★★
Spice: ♡♡♡♡
Oh my! Cael and Clem. They are so precious. My heart was torn apart and then stitched back together. Cael is one of my fav MMCs that I've read about. He is sweet, funny, cocky and an absolute heartthrob. This is the first time we get to see Clem and she stole my heart. She was lovely, stunning, sexy, and confident.
Their love was so pure and heartbreaking. He was down bad for her and she had only him in her heart. I just want to give them both a big hug for not giving up and fighting for their hea. Two steps at a time.
I have to talk about the spice. It was well-written — SPICY yet soft at the same time. Loved it! Also, knowing the relationship Cael was in, in Bad Honey, I was curious about how he's gonna navigate through all of it. BUT!!! I wasn't ready for THE SCENE. OHMYLORD I was melting!
In short, this was such a sweet, spicy, and emotional read. I had an amazing time with the Hornets. Thank you, Aubrey, for the e-ARC❤️
TROPES:
Second Chance
Sports Romance
College Romance
Childhood best friends
First love
Found family
Plus size FMC
Possessive MMC
Exh!bit!onism
Sharing
Multiple timeline
2SLGBTQ+ rep
Addiction rep
Rating: ★★★★
Spice: ♡♡♡♡
Oh my! Cael and Clem. They are so precious. My heart was torn apart and then stitched back together. Cael is one of my fav MMCs that I've read about. He is sweet, funny, cocky and an absolute heartthrob. This is the first time we get to see Clem and she stole my heart. She was lovely, stunning, sexy, and confident.
Their love was so pure and heartbreaking. He was down bad for her and she had only him in her heart. I just want to give them both a big hug for not giving up and fighting for their hea. Two steps at a time.
I have to talk about the spice. It was well-written — SPICY yet soft at the same time. Loved it! Also, knowing the relationship Cael was in, in Bad Honey, I was curious about how he's gonna navigate through all of it. BUT!!! I wasn't ready for THE SCENE. OHMYLORD I was melting!
In short, this was such a sweet, spicy, and emotional read. I had an amazing time with the Hornets. Thank you, Aubrey, for the e-ARC❤️
TROPES:
Second Chance
Sports Romance
College Romance
Childhood best friends
First love
Found family
Plus size FMC
Possessive MMC
Exh!bit!onism
Sharing
Multiple timeline
2SLGBTQ+ rep
Addiction rep
October 28, 2025
“Pick and choose your battles, Cael,” he said, “but make sure whatever battle you decide to fight, it’s worth it.”
It’s been weeks and I’m still trying to find the words to accurately describe how I feel about this book. It is a beautifully heartbreaking story about love, grief and second chances. When I tell you, I am still thinking about this book weeks later I’m not exaggerating.
If you read book one of the series (Bad Honey) you knew going in that this was going to be very emotional. This book had me weeping one minute and swooning another. I loved finally being able to see Cael’s whole story play out, and really dig into his past. Clem was absolutely perfect for him, she wasn’t the same girl he first loved which I think was what they both needed. I loved seeing their young love story through flash back and then watching it grow into the love they needed seven years later.
While Cael was our sad extroverted party boy Clem was are sassy give no f*cks badass women! Their love was epic but damn was the spicy scenes fire 🥵
Just like book one this books found family aspect is my favorite. You can tell how much those boys love each other, and how fiercely they end up loving the “strays” they bring in. And while I adored his relationship with Dean in book 1 I loved how Aubrey ended it in this book (hard not to really give spoilers here lol) so that Dean can grow into a healthy version of himself in book 3!
@aubreytaylorauthor you are a master of emotional storytelling and I will continue to shout from the rooftops about this series!! 💜💜 Cael and Clem forever!
It’s been weeks and I’m still trying to find the words to accurately describe how I feel about this book. It is a beautifully heartbreaking story about love, grief and second chances. When I tell you, I am still thinking about this book weeks later I’m not exaggerating.
If you read book one of the series (Bad Honey) you knew going in that this was going to be very emotional. This book had me weeping one minute and swooning another. I loved finally being able to see Cael’s whole story play out, and really dig into his past. Clem was absolutely perfect for him, she wasn’t the same girl he first loved which I think was what they both needed. I loved seeing their young love story through flash back and then watching it grow into the love they needed seven years later.
While Cael was our sad extroverted party boy Clem was are sassy give no f*cks badass women! Their love was epic but damn was the spicy scenes fire 🥵
Just like book one this books found family aspect is my favorite. You can tell how much those boys love each other, and how fiercely they end up loving the “strays” they bring in. And while I adored his relationship with Dean in book 1 I loved how Aubrey ended it in this book (hard not to really give spoilers here lol) so that Dean can grow into a healthy version of himself in book 3!
@aubreytaylorauthor you are a master of emotional storytelling and I will continue to shout from the rooftops about this series!! 💜💜 Cael and Clem forever!
February 24, 2025
I wish the entire book was written how the epilogue was. Cute banter, him begging for her attention and her teasing him. Instead, we got hundreds of pages of miscommunication and pre-pubescent angst over very solvable problems.
I also couldn’t get over the many inaccuracies.
-They were 17 in 2017, and then 22 in 2024?!
-Also, she’s fully graduated college and he still has another full year, which how many years of eligibility does he have? I thought he was 24 for most of the book and trying to figure out why he was still in school
-They went to university but never attended classes. Not once. Never. Not even spoken about.
-They referenced the owner of the team but university team’s don’t have owners.
-The team had a retractable roof stadium but there isn’t a single NCAA team that has that.
-their pranks would get them arrested and charged, plus expelled from school, not a haha we have fun with security at school joke like they make it out to be
I also couldn’t get over the many inaccuracies.
-They were 17 in 2017, and then 22 in 2024?!
-Also, she’s fully graduated college and he still has another full year, which how many years of eligibility does he have? I thought he was 24 for most of the book and trying to figure out why he was still in school
-They went to university but never attended classes. Not once. Never. Not even spoken about.
-They referenced the owner of the team but university team’s don’t have owners.
-The team had a retractable roof stadium but there isn’t a single NCAA team that has that.
-their pranks would get them arrested and charged, plus expelled from school, not a haha we have fun with security at school joke like they make it out to be
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2025
2.5*. Honestly this was such a long boring book. Nothing happened, and when you think the story could possibly get going, it doesn’t. Cael and Clems relationship was odd. There was no reason for Clem to not give him another go considering her love for him. She was just being a brat. I love Cael but expected so much more for this book. It fell so flat. And don’t get me started on the random 3sum!! That came out of nowhere and then nothing. The dad’s relationship with Cael was odd as well and the reasoning for it made no sense whatsoever. I felt like the author was pulling at straws with this book. There was no need for it to be so long and it was boring. I won’t be reading the third one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews