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South Coast #1
Meet You In The Waves
AJAY
No one expects to be abandoned the day before Christmas but that is exactly where I find myself when my mum cancels our summer holiday to be with her new husband. Not wanting to spend the break alone, I jump at my best friend’s offer to join him at his family’s beach house.
The only potential hiccup? Dane’s lazy, beach bum older brother, Nick, will also be there.
Except Nick is like nothing his younger brother has represented. He’s a welcome breath of fresh air, a man who lives life to the fullest and who calls to me in ways nobody else has ever done before. Oh, and did I mention how good he looks on the back of a surfboard?
As far as I know I’m totally straight and it’s easy to mistake attraction for admiration. But then the lightbulb suddenly flicks and I can no longer deny how much I want him.
I’m hooked and falling fast but we both have exes – my manipulative, slightly stalkerish high school sweetheart and his devastatingly beautiful supermodel ex who just so happens to be Nick’s best friend – who aren’t quite so thrilled about letting us have our happily ever after. Besides, this was only meant to be a summer fling. Right?
Meet You In The Waves is a light hearted, low angst, bi-awakening love story featuring one sweet music student and one maybe not-so-sweet best friend’s brother and an explosive love found on a hot and humid Australian beach. Come for a dip and stay for a while.
No one expects to be abandoned the day before Christmas but that is exactly where I find myself when my mum cancels our summer holiday to be with her new husband. Not wanting to spend the break alone, I jump at my best friend’s offer to join him at his family’s beach house.
The only potential hiccup? Dane’s lazy, beach bum older brother, Nick, will also be there.
Except Nick is like nothing his younger brother has represented. He’s a welcome breath of fresh air, a man who lives life to the fullest and who calls to me in ways nobody else has ever done before. Oh, and did I mention how good he looks on the back of a surfboard?
As far as I know I’m totally straight and it’s easy to mistake attraction for admiration. But then the lightbulb suddenly flicks and I can no longer deny how much I want him.
I’m hooked and falling fast but we both have exes – my manipulative, slightly stalkerish high school sweetheart and his devastatingly beautiful supermodel ex who just so happens to be Nick’s best friend – who aren’t quite so thrilled about letting us have our happily ever after. Besides, this was only meant to be a summer fling. Right?
Meet You In The Waves is a light hearted, low angst, bi-awakening love story featuring one sweet music student and one maybe not-so-sweet best friend’s brother and an explosive love found on a hot and humid Australian beach. Come for a dip and stay for a while.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2024
12 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Aria Brennan
10 books35 followersWho am I? I’ll never tell.
I'm a coastal girl at heart (total shocker if you've read any of my books) and sometimes I just can't imagine a better place to find love than a hot summer's eve on a sandy beach.
Throw in a strong coffee or a glass of Australian Riesling and what more could you ask from life?
I spend far too much energy daylighting as a corporate lawyer in the wine and spirits world. I write to escape the real world which is nowhere near us fun. I hail from Adelaide, Australia and I hope you enjoy this little window into my corner of the globe.
I'm a coastal girl at heart (total shocker if you've read any of my books) and sometimes I just can't imagine a better place to find love than a hot summer's eve on a sandy beach.
Throw in a strong coffee or a glass of Australian Riesling and what more could you ask from life?
I spend far too much energy daylighting as a corporate lawyer in the wine and spirits world. I write to escape the real world which is nowhere near us fun. I hail from Adelaide, Australia and I hope you enjoy this little window into my corner of the globe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 7, 2024
This was quite possibly the sweetest brother's best friend / best friend's brother book that I have ever read!
I loved how Nick and Ajay spent time getting to know each other, and how clueless Ajay was until he's hit over the head with the realisation that he's not envious of Nick but super into him! Once they're together, they do seem to progress pretty quickly, but it felt natural for them to do that, although I was kinda concerned for Ajay and could just picture him walking really bow-legged or needing to sit on a donut cushion after their first three days together 😂😂😂😂
I would have liked more on the emotional side of Ajay's abandonment issues, and the resolution of the tension between the brothers because there was a lot of potential to go deeper into their emotions, but it was kept fairly surface level which was disappointing for me personally because I do prefer to be more emotionally invested in the characters.
The melodrama with Kira did get annoying - it felt more high school than Uni age whenever she was in the story. I feel like she could have been much less prominent and the story would have still worked.
The way Mateo treated Ajay throughout the entire book also annoyed me, enough that I'm actually not interested in him getting his own HEA. He came across as really childish and entitled - as if you would flat out ignore someone's existence entirely when they're dating your best friend, even if your best friend is also your ex who you've agreed to remain friends with. I didn't like him and I'm not convinced I'd change my mind on my opinion of him!
Overall this was a fun, light read with some really cute main character's, but I just would have liked more emotional depth.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
I loved how Nick and Ajay spent time getting to know each other, and how clueless Ajay was until he's hit over the head with the realisation that he's not envious of Nick but super into him! Once they're together, they do seem to progress pretty quickly, but it felt natural for them to do that, although I was kinda concerned for Ajay and could just picture him walking really bow-legged or needing to sit on a donut cushion after their first three days together 😂😂😂😂
I would have liked more on the emotional side of Ajay's abandonment issues, and the resolution of the tension between the brothers because there was a lot of potential to go deeper into their emotions, but it was kept fairly surface level which was disappointing for me personally because I do prefer to be more emotionally invested in the characters.
The melodrama with Kira did get annoying - it felt more high school than Uni age whenever she was in the story. I feel like she could have been much less prominent and the story would have still worked.
The way Mateo treated Ajay throughout the entire book also annoyed me, enough that I'm actually not interested in him getting his own HEA. He came across as really childish and entitled - as if you would flat out ignore someone's existence entirely when they're dating your best friend, even if your best friend is also your ex who you've agreed to remain friends with. I didn't like him and I'm not convinced I'd change my mind on my opinion of him!
Overall this was a fun, light read with some really cute main character's, but I just would have liked more emotional depth.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
October 27, 2025
I adored this book. It was just the sweetest, low-angst, summer-in-December book ever.
Ajay and his doe eyes that were maybe not as innocent as everyone thought, and Nick, absolutely gone for him since the first time he saw him.
I was worried there for a moment because of the whole Mateo situation, but finally, we got an MC who acknowledges the awkwardness of it all and wants to put his relationship first. The evil ex-girlfriend was a bit ridiculous, but I guess also sort of believable in its own way. I liked that Dane apologized and how Ajay helped bring the brothers together.
So to sum it up, I loved it and will continue reading more from this author, just maybe not Mateo's book, I don't care about him.
Ajay and his doe eyes that were maybe not as innocent as everyone thought, and Nick, absolutely gone for him since the first time he saw him.
I was worried there for a moment because of the whole Mateo situation, but finally, we got an MC who acknowledges the awkwardness of it all and wants to put his relationship first. The evil ex-girlfriend was a bit ridiculous, but I guess also sort of believable in its own way. I liked that Dane apologized and how Ajay helped bring the brothers together.
So to sum it up, I loved it and will continue reading more from this author, just maybe not Mateo's book, I don't care about him.
July 3, 2024
Ajay & Nick
Rating: 3.7 ⭐
- Best Friends Brother
- Bi-Awakening
- Beach House Vacation
- Summer Break
- Australian Setting
- Morning Surfing
- Low Angst
- First Times
- Carpenter/Musician
- Oblivious MC
This is probably one of the sweetest best friend’s brother books that I've read in a while. This has an Australian setting but as far as I could tell some of the places were made up and some were real but not in the right spot. It doesn't take away from the story though, at least not for me. I loved Nick and Ajay together and how they spent time getting to know each other before Ajay realized that he was actually attracted to Nick.
Sweet Ajay was so dang oblivious to Nick's flirting and apparently all the other gay men that have hit on him the past. Even his own best friend mentioned that he was a gay man magnet but Ajay never realized, poor thing. Ajay is a college musician with loads of talent that he doesn't see because of his self-esteem issue. Nick builds this man up one praise at a time, multiple times a day. Their mornings out surfing, going to the local hangouts, getting ice cream together was how they built their friendship and connection. They were so adorable together, loved it.
Ajay never hesitated in his attraction to Nick, he went fully steam ahead after he realized it. Once these two got together they do progress pretty quickly but it never felt out of place for their relationship. I was concerned for Ajay's bum though and I was wondering when they were going to talk about him needed to sit on a donut cushion after their first three days fully together. These two do not stop going at it whenever they get the chance, so picture multiple times a day, at least 3 times...yeah, I was surprised he wasn't walking around bow-legged. 😂😂😂 They were so sweet with each other though and repeatedly checked in to make sure they were doing okay and comfortable. Even when there were possibilities for a misunderstanding, they talked it out and resolved any issues before they could fester. Love good communication in romance books *chef's kiss*
Now, Ajay's so-called friends can piss right off because they were horrible to him. For not backing him up and for repeatedly trying to push him to take his ex back when he's clearly unhappy about it. They at no point took his feelings into consideration, only that their friendship of four was breaking up. Kick rocks people! Ajay forgives his best friend, too easily, even though it takes him forever to apologize and only after the ex comes clean. We would no longer be friends like that, just saying. The story could have done with less ex-girlfriend drama and it wouldn't have hurt the storyline at all, probably would have made it better.
Nick's best friend, Mateo, also his ex-lover, which is a complete headache because of the way he treats Ajay. I appreciate that Nick sits down with Mateo in the end and puts space between them so he can focus on his relationship with Ajay. I was not okay that he never made him apologize for ignoring and glaring at Ajay the whole time he was there. In the end, he still won't even say Ajay's name. I understand that Mateo is jealous and sad that he can't have Nick back, but they broke it off in the first place because Mateo is so deep in the closet. Mateo is apparently the MC in the next book in this series, so we shall see how that redemption story goes.
Overall, this was a fun and light read with a really cute couple. It could've done with a little more emotional depth like in regards to Ajay's abandonment issues, instead of just briefly mentioning it. There are two epilogues, one that's 10 months later and then one that's 4 months after that.
Content Warnings:
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Mentions of parental death (past, off-page)
- Themes of abandonment
- Mild exhibitionism
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheating: No, but Ajay's ex-girlfriend cheated on him multiple times
OM/OW Drama: Yes - Ajay's ex-girlfriend wouldn't except the breakup and kept pushing to get back together; Nick's ex-lover was jealous of Ajay and refused to speak to him or acknowledge his presence
Ages: 20 & 22
Rating: 3.7 ⭐
- Best Friends Brother
- Bi-Awakening
- Beach House Vacation
- Summer Break
- Australian Setting
- Morning Surfing
- Low Angst
- First Times
- Carpenter/Musician
- Oblivious MC
This is probably one of the sweetest best friend’s brother books that I've read in a while. This has an Australian setting but as far as I could tell some of the places were made up and some were real but not in the right spot. It doesn't take away from the story though, at least not for me. I loved Nick and Ajay together and how they spent time getting to know each other before Ajay realized that he was actually attracted to Nick.
"Now, I didn’t spend a whole lot of my time ogling other guys but this particular one was really quite breathtaking, the whole moment vibing Daniel Craig’s ocean scene in Casino Royale."
Sweet Ajay was so dang oblivious to Nick's flirting and apparently all the other gay men that have hit on him the past. Even his own best friend mentioned that he was a gay man magnet but Ajay never realized, poor thing. Ajay is a college musician with loads of talent that he doesn't see because of his self-esteem issue. Nick builds this man up one praise at a time, multiple times a day. Their mornings out surfing, going to the local hangouts, getting ice cream together was how they built their friendship and connection. They were so adorable together, loved it.
Ajay never hesitated in his attraction to Nick, he went fully steam ahead after he realized it. Once these two got together they do progress pretty quickly but it never felt out of place for their relationship. I was concerned for Ajay's bum though and I was wondering when they were going to talk about him needed to sit on a donut cushion after their first three days fully together. These two do not stop going at it whenever they get the chance, so picture multiple times a day, at least 3 times...yeah, I was surprised he wasn't walking around bow-legged. 😂😂😂 They were so sweet with each other though and repeatedly checked in to make sure they were doing okay and comfortable. Even when there were possibilities for a misunderstanding, they talked it out and resolved any issues before they could fester. Love good communication in romance books *chef's kiss*
"Ajay strummed the final note as the dust settled in the air between us and my heart came to a slow acceptance of how it had just given itself to this boy who had come out of nowhere and tipped my world upside down."
Now, Ajay's so-called friends can piss right off because they were horrible to him. For not backing him up and for repeatedly trying to push him to take his ex back when he's clearly unhappy about it. They at no point took his feelings into consideration, only that their friendship of four was breaking up. Kick rocks people! Ajay forgives his best friend, too easily, even though it takes him forever to apologize and only after the ex comes clean. We would no longer be friends like that, just saying. The story could have done with less ex-girlfriend drama and it wouldn't have hurt the storyline at all, probably would have made it better.
Nick's best friend, Mateo, also his ex-lover, which is a complete headache because of the way he treats Ajay. I appreciate that Nick sits down with Mateo in the end and puts space between them so he can focus on his relationship with Ajay. I was not okay that he never made him apologize for ignoring and glaring at Ajay the whole time he was there. In the end, he still won't even say Ajay's name. I understand that Mateo is jealous and sad that he can't have Nick back, but they broke it off in the first place because Mateo is so deep in the closet. Mateo is apparently the MC in the next book in this series, so we shall see how that redemption story goes.
Overall, this was a fun and light read with a really cute couple. It could've done with a little more emotional depth like in regards to Ajay's abandonment issues, instead of just briefly mentioning it. There are two epilogues, one that's 10 months later and then one that's 4 months after that.
Content Warnings:
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Mentions of parental death (past, off-page)
- Themes of abandonment
- Mild exhibitionism
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheating: No, but Ajay's ex-girlfriend cheated on him multiple times
OM/OW Drama: Yes - Ajay's ex-girlfriend wouldn't except the breakup and kept pushing to get back together; Nick's ex-lover was jealous of Ajay and refused to speak to him or acknowledge his presence
Ages: 20 & 22
June 15, 2024
Well this was utterly adorable and sweet and so incredible fucking 🥵 . And I just refilled my fluff horny batteries 🥰 I need to from time to time. And now they are overflowing 🩵
I’ve read all of her books and the whole Aussie surfer vibes just calls to me every time. 🌊 ☀️ 🏄♂️ 👨❤️💋👨
Nick and Ajay. The way they fell for each other… feeling each other up. Super sweet. I’m a sucker for GFY, I know it’s a unicorn but the possibilities are so romantic it just clicks.
We get some Positively adorable dialogues about absolutely nothing but that are everything 🫶
I love Nick, have I said that before? Because I do. He’s such a gentleman without absolutely no second intentions 😅.
“Am I steering us in the right direction?” he asked.“Yep,” I replied. “Maybe just a little to the left,” I added, reaching out to guide his hands on the wheel. I might have left my hands on his a little longer than necessary but there was no harm done. I never claimed to be a saint.”
but also because of this, his care is such a turn on :
“Nick paused to look down at me, a question in those blue eyes as his thumb gently caressed the skin just under my waistband.“Yes?” he asked, a genuine question in that word. One I’d never been asked before. That was when I knew exactly how safe I was with Nick. That I could trust him with this, with me, with us. That he would never do anything I didn’t want to do. Not that I could really think of a list of what that would entail just then”
That first kiss was 🤌
“I wasn’t sure I knew what a kiss was until that moment, when Nick showed me everything I had been missing out on. His kiss was an all of body experience, one that shook me from my head right to the tips of my toes. I’d never wanted anything more than I wanted this kiss and the way Nick was kissing me back, controlling me, owning me in that moment, told me he felt the same.”
The sex! I have no eloquent words….just so goddam fuckin hot…. Everything was so so hot and simple… soft and rough at the same time *fanning myself while preparing a ice bath* ah and the stamina.. Jesus to be young again.. but I don’t think the amount of sex was humanly possible, but good for them!
The author could approach some of the issues more deeply.. she just approaches everything superficially…. Like Ajay abandonment issues, Dane’s ridiculous jealousy towards his brother.. it’s there but not quite explained or justified. and I’m not even saying anything about that Kira drama… god…. Terrible… it didn’t create angst only cringeworthy moments of ex girlfriend villain…
I liked how the Mateo drama was resolved… I believe it’s almost impossible to maintain a bff relationship after they were intimate, and the tension between Mateo and Nick was there, and it’s not fare to Ajay… so Nick did what almost no other Mc does, he created space between them. Loved that, felt real for once.
This has zero angst, zero depth and it’s a shame, because there were possibilities for it. It’s all to perfect and to easy.
Great sweet read, full of steamy, swooning moments by the Australian ocean 🫶
I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve read all of her books and the whole Aussie surfer vibes just calls to me every time. 🌊 ☀️ 🏄♂️ 👨❤️💋👨
Nick and Ajay. The way they fell for each other… feeling each other up. Super sweet. I’m a sucker for GFY, I know it’s a unicorn but the possibilities are so romantic it just clicks.
We get some Positively adorable dialogues about absolutely nothing but that are everything 🫶
I love Nick, have I said that before? Because I do. He’s such a gentleman without absolutely no second intentions 😅.
“Am I steering us in the right direction?” he asked.“Yep,” I replied. “Maybe just a little to the left,” I added, reaching out to guide his hands on the wheel. I might have left my hands on his a little longer than necessary but there was no harm done. I never claimed to be a saint.”
but also because of this, his care is such a turn on :
“Nick paused to look down at me, a question in those blue eyes as his thumb gently caressed the skin just under my waistband.“Yes?” he asked, a genuine question in that word. One I’d never been asked before. That was when I knew exactly how safe I was with Nick. That I could trust him with this, with me, with us. That he would never do anything I didn’t want to do. Not that I could really think of a list of what that would entail just then”
That first kiss was 🤌
“I wasn’t sure I knew what a kiss was until that moment, when Nick showed me everything I had been missing out on. His kiss was an all of body experience, one that shook me from my head right to the tips of my toes. I’d never wanted anything more than I wanted this kiss and the way Nick was kissing me back, controlling me, owning me in that moment, told me he felt the same.”
The sex! I have no eloquent words….just so goddam fuckin hot…. Everything was so so hot and simple… soft and rough at the same time *fanning myself while preparing a ice bath* ah and the stamina.. Jesus to be young again.. but I don’t think the amount of sex was humanly possible, but good for them!
The author could approach some of the issues more deeply.. she just approaches everything superficially…. Like Ajay abandonment issues, Dane’s ridiculous jealousy towards his brother.. it’s there but not quite explained or justified. and I’m not even saying anything about that Kira drama… god…. Terrible… it didn’t create angst only cringeworthy moments of ex girlfriend villain…
I liked how the Mateo drama was resolved… I believe it’s almost impossible to maintain a bff relationship after they were intimate, and the tension between Mateo and Nick was there, and it’s not fare to Ajay… so Nick did what almost no other Mc does, he created space between them. Loved that, felt real for once.
This has zero angst, zero depth and it’s a shame, because there were possibilities for it. It’s all to perfect and to easy.
Great sweet read, full of steamy, swooning moments by the Australian ocean 🫶
I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2024
“𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗺.”
“𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲, 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸?”
“𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀, 𝗔𝗷𝗮𝘆,” 𝗜 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘁. “𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀.”
I’m sorry, but Nick and Ajay are fucking precious and I loved them so much 🥹 Their story was so sweet and incredibly steamy, and I adored every moment of these two falling for each other 😍🥹
Buuutttttt
I had major issues with the whole Dane/Dee/Kira drama, and felt it was a bit childish and that they were all shit human beings. Nick was a better friend to Ajay in their short time together than Dane ever was, and his apology was a little too late and not done for the right reasons.
Plus I felt like the author could have gone a bit deeper into Ajay’s abandonment issues and Dane’s crazy jealousy over his brother instead of just glossing it over.
& Mateo’s whole shit attitude was really annoying lol like homie YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND and moved on, why can’t Nick? Your bestie shouldn’t be miserable because you are, jerkface 😤
- best friend’s older brother
- queer awakening
- ex girlfriend drama
“𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲, 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸?”
“𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀, 𝗔𝗷𝗮𝘆,” 𝗜 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘁. “𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀.”
I’m sorry, but Nick and Ajay are fucking precious and I loved them so much 🥹 Their story was so sweet and incredibly steamy, and I adored every moment of these two falling for each other 😍🥹
Buuutttttt
I had major issues with the whole Dane/Dee/Kira drama, and felt it was a bit childish and that they were all shit human beings. Nick was a better friend to Ajay in their short time together than Dane ever was, and his apology was a little too late and not done for the right reasons.
Plus I felt like the author could have gone a bit deeper into Ajay’s abandonment issues and Dane’s crazy jealousy over his brother instead of just glossing it over.
& Mateo’s whole shit attitude was really annoying lol like homie YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND and moved on, why can’t Nick? Your bestie shouldn’t be miserable because you are, jerkface 😤
- best friend’s older brother
- queer awakening
- ex girlfriend drama
September 27, 2024
Całkiem urocza, leniwie się tocząca, wakacyjna historia.
Kochane chłopaki, drama na niskim poziomie, słońce, piasek, ocean, fale i surfing, do tego troszkę muzyki.
Dość parszywe postacie drugoplanowe - przynajmniej w większości, na czele z ex-dziewczyną Ajaya (brrrr).
Miła, lekka i dobrze czytająca się niespodzianka 🙂
Kochane chłopaki, drama na niskim poziomie, słońce, piasek, ocean, fale i surfing, do tego troszkę muzyki.
Dość parszywe postacie drugoplanowe - przynajmniej w większości, na czele z ex-dziewczyną Ajaya (brrrr).
Miła, lekka i dobrze czytająca się niespodzianka 🙂
June 26, 2024
Title: Meet You in The Waves
Series: South Coast Book 1
Author: Aria Brennan
Publisher:
Pages: 290
Formats: Reviewed on eBook
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC
This is a hard book to read because even a week after finishing it, I don’t know what to think.
While I do my best not to be disrespectful to authors- after all it’s a process to write and it would be very hard to poor your heart, sweat and tears into your art- I am unsure as to the authors background and this for me plays into my enjoyment of the novel.
Meet You in the Waves is a story that is allegedly written by an Australian author and allegedly set in Australia; the reason I use so many allegedlies is because while I can grasp the concept of using fake towns etc, what I can’t understand is using the real name of a town (in this case real world Esperance which is in Western Australia and is known for whales and surfing, is transplanted to New South Wales in an area that is known for farming!), while also making the book full of Americanisms.
The writing itself is ok as is the story, but when an Australian author decides to use American spellings instead of British spellings (which is their prerogative), it seems an odd choice because it heavily impacts the ability to try to capture the unique way that us Australians speak- in fact for me it was very jarring.
The novel itself is of little angst and Ajay was a delightful character as was Nick, I loved both these fools.
If I was to recommend this book, it is worthy more of a borrow then it is of a purchase
Series: South Coast Book 1
Author: Aria Brennan
Publisher:
Pages: 290
Formats: Reviewed on eBook
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC
This is a hard book to read because even a week after finishing it, I don’t know what to think.
While I do my best not to be disrespectful to authors- after all it’s a process to write and it would be very hard to poor your heart, sweat and tears into your art- I am unsure as to the authors background and this for me plays into my enjoyment of the novel.
Meet You in the Waves is a story that is allegedly written by an Australian author and allegedly set in Australia; the reason I use so many allegedlies is because while I can grasp the concept of using fake towns etc, what I can’t understand is using the real name of a town (in this case real world Esperance which is in Western Australia and is known for whales and surfing, is transplanted to New South Wales in an area that is known for farming!), while also making the book full of Americanisms.
The writing itself is ok as is the story, but when an Australian author decides to use American spellings instead of British spellings (which is their prerogative), it seems an odd choice because it heavily impacts the ability to try to capture the unique way that us Australians speak- in fact for me it was very jarring.
The novel itself is of little angst and Ajay was a delightful character as was Nick, I loved both these fools.
If I was to recommend this book, it is worthy more of a borrow then it is of a purchase
June 27, 2024
It's a bit complicated.
I had really wanted to read a book by Aria Brennan for a long time.
I really like the way the relationship between Ajay and Nick developed, the storyline about Ajay and his girlfriend and how that eventually led to his awakening, the controversial relationship between Ajay's best friend and Nick's brother with the both of them and how it was resolved.
However, I really really struggled with the whole issue of Nick's ex Mateo who was also his longtime best friend. It was not resolved quickly but it went on for pretty much the whole book and it made me very anxious as in the beginning it seemed like the break up had been only caused by Mateo being in the closet and so it was possible Nick still had feelings.
I wasn't even mad at Mateo at all, just sorry for him as he was clearly heartbroken and I'm happy he's getting his own book actually (although I hope it will not feel too much like a second choice..), it was just the whole situation that was unfair for all three of them and ambiguous, although I liked the way Nick resolved in the end.
However, I think I will still read more by the author, as I liked pretty much everything else and I'm hoping this is not something that happens in every book.
I had really wanted to read a book by Aria Brennan for a long time.
I really like the way the relationship between Ajay and Nick developed, the storyline about Ajay and his girlfriend and how that eventually led to his awakening, the controversial relationship between Ajay's best friend and Nick's brother with the both of them and how it was resolved.
However, I really really struggled with the whole issue of Nick's ex Mateo who was also his longtime best friend. It was not resolved quickly but it went on for pretty much the whole book and it made me very anxious as in the beginning it seemed like the break up had been only caused by Mateo being in the closet and so it was possible Nick still had feelings.
I wasn't even mad at Mateo at all, just sorry for him as he was clearly heartbroken and I'm happy he's getting his own book actually (although I hope it will not feel too much like a second choice..), it was just the whole situation that was unfair for all three of them and ambiguous, although I liked the way Nick resolved in the end.
However, I think I will still read more by the author, as I liked pretty much everything else and I'm hoping this is not something that happens in every book.
August 18, 2024
3,75⭐️
Pauvre Ajay, entre une sœur inexistante, une mère qui l’abandonne complètement pour son nouveau mari, un meilleur ami cretin et snob, une ex sal*pe, il est mal loti!
Heureusement que Nick est là pour le soutenir, le protéger et l’aimer.
Sweet brother’s best friend to lovers
Ajay’s way of accepting his sexuality and taking everything he wants is refreshing
Pauvre Ajay, entre une sœur inexistante, une mère qui l’abandonne complètement pour son nouveau mari, un meilleur ami cretin et snob, une ex sal*pe, il est mal loti!
Heureusement que Nick est là pour le soutenir, le protéger et l’aimer.
Sweet brother’s best friend to lovers
Ajay’s way of accepting his sexuality and taking everything he wants is refreshing
July 2, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Meet You in the Waves by Aria Brennan is my first book by this author, but it will not be my last. I absolutely adored this story so much.
Ajay is spending Christmas/summer vacation (takes place in Australia) with his best friend and roommate Dane. While there he meets Dane’s older brother, Nick. Nicky and Ajay were the sweetest couple ever. Ajay had never once thought he was anything but straight. When he meets Nick, he thinks he just wants to be like Nick, not that he actually wants Nick. When Ajay goes after what he wants, it’s pretty hot. These two definitely have physical chemistry but it was more than that. These two wanted something real and built each other up.
Nick’s ex was also his best friend so that got a little messy. I will probably read his story though there wasn’t a lot here to endear him to me. I hope he treats Ajay better. Ajay’s ex was also a piece of work and I was not sorry to see the last of her. I think this will be a book that I will reread many times.
I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review
Meet You in the Waves by Aria Brennan is my first book by this author, but it will not be my last. I absolutely adored this story so much.
Ajay is spending Christmas/summer vacation (takes place in Australia) with his best friend and roommate Dane. While there he meets Dane’s older brother, Nick. Nicky and Ajay were the sweetest couple ever. Ajay had never once thought he was anything but straight. When he meets Nick, he thinks he just wants to be like Nick, not that he actually wants Nick. When Ajay goes after what he wants, it’s pretty hot. These two definitely have physical chemistry but it was more than that. These two wanted something real and built each other up.
Nick’s ex was also his best friend so that got a little messy. I will probably read his story though there wasn’t a lot here to endear him to me. I hope he treats Ajay better. Ajay’s ex was also a piece of work and I was not sorry to see the last of her. I think this will be a book that I will reread many times.
I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review
June 22, 2024
"Meet Me in the Waves" by Aria Brennan is another one of the many, many ARCs that I'm working my way through. This is the first book in Aria's latest duology: South Coast, and it debuts on July 1, 2024.
["No one expects to be abandoned the day before Christmas but that is exactly where I find myself when my mum cancels our summer holiday to be with her new husband. Not wanting to spend the break alone, I jump at my best friend’s offer to join him at his family’s beach house.
The only potential hiccup? Dane’s lazy, beach bum older brother, Nick, will also be there.
Except Nick is like nothing his younger brother has represented. He’s a welcome breath of fresh air, a man who lives life to the fullest and who calls to me in ways nobody else has ever done before. Oh, and did I mention how good he looks on the back of a surfboard?
As far as I know I’m totally straight and it’s easy to mistake attraction for admiration. But then the lightbulb suddenly flicks and I can no longer deny how much I want him.
I’m hooked and falling fast but we both have exes – my manipulative, slightly stalkerish high school sweetheart and his devastatingly beautiful supermodel ex who just so happens to be Nick’s best friend – who aren’t quite so thrilled about letting us have our happily ever after. Besides, this was only meant to be a summer fling. Right?"]
These two were such fully developed characters that they were jumping off the page after two chapters each. And I was fangirl-wiggling the entire time.
Ajay is an adorable hot mess. He's deep in the imposter syndrome, but he's cute, talented, sweet, a bi-disaster waiting to happen. Enter bi-awakening. Nick is hot and he knows it, but he's also kind and caring and wants nothing more than to "corrupt" the big innocent eyes that captured his attention the first moment they met.
Nick wavers between playboy mode and crushing mode (which, frankly, was really cute), but it doesn't take him long to fall hard. Ajay though? He went from cute and innocent to coy and indulging to corrupted and inspired. All the while finding himself and falling in love.
Quote of the Day (with a minor--but not really--spoiler alert) (Nick to Ajay): "You know, when I first saw you on the beach that day, you with your gorgeous brown curls and your pretty face and your big, innocent eyes, I wanted to take you and mess you up a little, maybe corrupt you. But instead, I fell in love with you and now I’m the one who’s completely at your mercy."
Followed up with (Ajay (the (cute) little shit) to Nick): "I fell in love with you too, Nicky. But let's not pretend you didn't also thoroughly corrupt me." ;)
Not to mention all of the times little mix Ajay came out to play and Nick was left speechless ("Where the hell did you come from?").
#gayromancereviews #booksprout #arcs #arcteammember #indieauthorcreative
#meetmeinthewaves #meetyouhalfway #southcoastbook #southcoastseries #ariabrennan #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["No one expects to be abandoned the day before Christmas but that is exactly where I find myself when my mum cancels our summer holiday to be with her new husband. Not wanting to spend the break alone, I jump at my best friend’s offer to join him at his family’s beach house.
The only potential hiccup? Dane’s lazy, beach bum older brother, Nick, will also be there.
Except Nick is like nothing his younger brother has represented. He’s a welcome breath of fresh air, a man who lives life to the fullest and who calls to me in ways nobody else has ever done before. Oh, and did I mention how good he looks on the back of a surfboard?
As far as I know I’m totally straight and it’s easy to mistake attraction for admiration. But then the lightbulb suddenly flicks and I can no longer deny how much I want him.
I’m hooked and falling fast but we both have exes – my manipulative, slightly stalkerish high school sweetheart and his devastatingly beautiful supermodel ex who just so happens to be Nick’s best friend – who aren’t quite so thrilled about letting us have our happily ever after. Besides, this was only meant to be a summer fling. Right?"]
These two were such fully developed characters that they were jumping off the page after two chapters each. And I was fangirl-wiggling the entire time.
Ajay is an adorable hot mess. He's deep in the imposter syndrome, but he's cute, talented, sweet, a bi-disaster waiting to happen. Enter bi-awakening. Nick is hot and he knows it, but he's also kind and caring and wants nothing more than to "corrupt" the big innocent eyes that captured his attention the first moment they met.
Nick wavers between playboy mode and crushing mode (which, frankly, was really cute), but it doesn't take him long to fall hard. Ajay though? He went from cute and innocent to coy and indulging to corrupted and inspired. All the while finding himself and falling in love.
Quote of the Day (with a minor--but not really--spoiler alert) (Nick to Ajay): "You know, when I first saw you on the beach that day, you with your gorgeous brown curls and your pretty face and your big, innocent eyes, I wanted to take you and mess you up a little, maybe corrupt you. But instead, I fell in love with you and now I’m the one who’s completely at your mercy."
Followed up with (Ajay (the (cute) little shit) to Nick): "I fell in love with you too, Nicky. But let's not pretend you didn't also thoroughly corrupt me." ;)
Not to mention all of the times little mix Ajay came out to play and Nick was left speechless ("Where the hell did you come from?").
#gayromancereviews #booksprout #arcs #arcteammember #indieauthorcreative
#meetmeinthewaves #meetyouhalfway #southcoastbook #southcoastseries #ariabrennan #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
June 27, 2024
First book that I have read by the author. I found another author that I wouldn't mind reading more books by.
The story was one that touched your heart and had all emotions come out. This is such a sweet brother's best friend that will make you swoon. I love that the author had Ajay & Nick getting to know each other, becoming friends and just being there for each other without rushing. With Ajay being oblivious to others flirting with him or even trying to make a move was funny & sweet. Nick, being the older gentleman who could surf all day (when not working) and flirt without Ajay ever catching on was so different but good. It's a relationship that you get to see how it formed and the bond that they had.
Ajay was going to go home to visit his mum and step-dad but when it was cancelled he took his best friend's offer and decided to go with him to his parents house. The only issue was that Dane's older brother, Nick would be there. He decided that no matter what, he was going to find out if what he was told was true. He didn't expect to have his girlfriend show up and couldn't believe Dane did that to him. When Ajay found out what his girlfriend did, he ended things with her. When Ajay needed his best friend to have his back, he realized that Dane didn't. The one person that did, was Nick who he just recently met. He decided that he would hang out with Nick as much as he could and also learn how to surf again. What he didn't expect was the feelings to start.
Nick had an instant attraction to his brother's best friend Ajay when he first saw him. He couldn't help but want to get to know him better and just hang out. When Ajay agreed to go surfing, it was his chance to get to know him and ask him questions while also getting a good look at his body. Nick couldn't believe the way his brother was treating Ajay. He couldn't understand why his brother would not have Ajay's back and so he decided that he would. He knew that it was just friendship even though he wished for more. He didn't expect Ajay to change things up.
You will fall for both MC's. The way they both are just touches your heart. The drama in the book sure does keep things interesting however some of it could have been explained more. The main MC's make up for it all though :) It has very hot, steamy scenes and possibly need a cool down moment :) It's such a great bi awakening, mm read.
#I requested an ARC through GRR and this is my honest review.
The story was one that touched your heart and had all emotions come out. This is such a sweet brother's best friend that will make you swoon. I love that the author had Ajay & Nick getting to know each other, becoming friends and just being there for each other without rushing. With Ajay being oblivious to others flirting with him or even trying to make a move was funny & sweet. Nick, being the older gentleman who could surf all day (when not working) and flirt without Ajay ever catching on was so different but good. It's a relationship that you get to see how it formed and the bond that they had.
Ajay was going to go home to visit his mum and step-dad but when it was cancelled he took his best friend's offer and decided to go with him to his parents house. The only issue was that Dane's older brother, Nick would be there. He decided that no matter what, he was going to find out if what he was told was true. He didn't expect to have his girlfriend show up and couldn't believe Dane did that to him. When Ajay found out what his girlfriend did, he ended things with her. When Ajay needed his best friend to have his back, he realized that Dane didn't. The one person that did, was Nick who he just recently met. He decided that he would hang out with Nick as much as he could and also learn how to surf again. What he didn't expect was the feelings to start.
Nick had an instant attraction to his brother's best friend Ajay when he first saw him. He couldn't help but want to get to know him better and just hang out. When Ajay agreed to go surfing, it was his chance to get to know him and ask him questions while also getting a good look at his body. Nick couldn't believe the way his brother was treating Ajay. He couldn't understand why his brother would not have Ajay's back and so he decided that he would. He knew that it was just friendship even though he wished for more. He didn't expect Ajay to change things up.
You will fall for both MC's. The way they both are just touches your heart. The drama in the book sure does keep things interesting however some of it could have been explained more. The main MC's make up for it all though :) It has very hot, steamy scenes and possibly need a cool down moment :) It's such a great bi awakening, mm read.
#I requested an ARC through GRR and this is my honest review.
June 25, 2024
Arc review
Released 1st July
Ajay is packing his suitcase ready for a trip home to see his mom and step dad for Christmas, when his mom calls to say that his step dads mom has been taken ill and they need to go to her. Christmas is cancelled for Ajay, but Dane his best friend and roommate suggests he goes home with him for Christmas, which Ajay accepts.
Nick is Dane’s brother and is nothing like him. Nick prefers to simple life, by the ocean, so he can surf every day, as well as be an apprentice carpenter. Nick is also gay, and out and proud.
Ajay has a girlfriend Kira (who let’s be honest is a horrible person). All his life Ajay assumed he was straight but has never felt fulfilled or happy in his relationship with her. He wants to break up with her and tries to but she is having none of it. Ajay starts to understand himself more when he meets Nick, and starts to feel things he hasn't before.
Nick thinks Ajay is the most beautiful man he has ever seen. He cannot believe that Ajay could be interested in him, let alone fall in love with him.
“I’ll jump off the deep end with you if you think you can swim”.
Meet me in the Waves is a beautifully written, slow burn romance. There is no cheating by the main characters and no angst. It will have you sighing from happiness and love for Ajay and Nick. This is my first read from Aria Brennan. The writing flows easily and makes you fall in love with the two main characters. Sometimes it’s the person who shows you what you're missing and fall in love with them. I would happily read more books from this author.
I now want Matteo’s story and his hea.
“Honestly, Ajay. One of these days i am going to get you to see yourself through other peoples eyes. Maybe then you'll see how absolutely incredible you are”
Released 1st July
Ajay is packing his suitcase ready for a trip home to see his mom and step dad for Christmas, when his mom calls to say that his step dads mom has been taken ill and they need to go to her. Christmas is cancelled for Ajay, but Dane his best friend and roommate suggests he goes home with him for Christmas, which Ajay accepts.
Nick is Dane’s brother and is nothing like him. Nick prefers to simple life, by the ocean, so he can surf every day, as well as be an apprentice carpenter. Nick is also gay, and out and proud.
Ajay has a girlfriend Kira (who let’s be honest is a horrible person). All his life Ajay assumed he was straight but has never felt fulfilled or happy in his relationship with her. He wants to break up with her and tries to but she is having none of it. Ajay starts to understand himself more when he meets Nick, and starts to feel things he hasn't before.
Nick thinks Ajay is the most beautiful man he has ever seen. He cannot believe that Ajay could be interested in him, let alone fall in love with him.
“I’ll jump off the deep end with you if you think you can swim”.
Meet me in the Waves is a beautifully written, slow burn romance. There is no cheating by the main characters and no angst. It will have you sighing from happiness and love for Ajay and Nick. This is my first read from Aria Brennan. The writing flows easily and makes you fall in love with the two main characters. Sometimes it’s the person who shows you what you're missing and fall in love with them. I would happily read more books from this author.
I now want Matteo’s story and his hea.
“Honestly, Ajay. One of these days i am going to get you to see yourself through other peoples eyes. Maybe then you'll see how absolutely incredible you are”
July 2, 2024
This was such a cute sweet read. I loved these two so much and their relationship. Although Ajay had some reservation about Nick due to what he was told from his best friend but knew pretty quickly he was nothing like what he was told.
I will say that I wish there was more on Ajay and some of his abandonment issues and the whole crazy jealous brother thing Dane had going on. I feel like those were just kinda skimmed over and I would have loved more details on it.
Also for being "best friends" Dane and Mateo were absolutely horrible. Their attitudes and the way they treated Nick and Ajay was ridiculous. I would not consider them friends at all. Kira, why was she included?? She was annoying and felt like she didn't need to be there at all and the story would have been just as good.
it was a cute read and I really liked the main characters but the side characters kinda ruined the whole vibe for me. I wish there was just more depth as well
I will say that I wish there was more on Ajay and some of his abandonment issues and the whole crazy jealous brother thing Dane had going on. I feel like those were just kinda skimmed over and I would have loved more details on it.
Also for being "best friends" Dane and Mateo were absolutely horrible. Their attitudes and the way they treated Nick and Ajay was ridiculous. I would not consider them friends at all. Kira, why was she included?? She was annoying and felt like she didn't need to be there at all and the story would have been just as good.
it was a cute read and I really liked the main characters but the side characters kinda ruined the whole vibe for me. I wish there was just more depth as well
July 2, 2024
Sweet and low angst with lots of lovely Australian beach scenes. Nick and Ajay fit beautifully and were so good together. Mateo was a rather irritating character, but his situation with Nick was really difficult, trying to keep a friendship alive after having a short period of more.
July 4, 2024
4.25 stars. This was so sweet! However, it could have done without so much of the exes (especially Ajay's ex, Kira), and a little more about how they navigated almost a year long distance.
April 11, 2025
4.5 stars
Beautiful and sweet love story with the little brother's best friend trope.
I liked very much both of the charactes: Ajay is sweet, honest, talented. He's trying to find his path in the music field and he's a very good friend to Dane. Nick is a wonderful guy too, he lives his life in a simple way, splitting his time between a honest job, his friends and his beloved waves. He doens't have a good realtionship with his brother, due to their different personalities but also to the different treatments they had from their parents.
When they met, Ajay starts to feel conficted emotions towards Nick and he slowly becomes aware of his attaction to him.
I liked that Nick thought to have all figured out and that he was ready to corrupt Ajay, while actually it was him the one being completely enthralled by the other man. I loved how he was completely smitten with him and how their physical intimacy was deep and emotional.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Ajay was too much of a pushover with his friends (especially Dane) and his girlfriend.
Moreover, I didn't like how Nick sort of gaslighted Ajay when he was having a hard time seeing Nick all touchy with Mateo. He kept saying how they were best friends and had to preserve their relationship, basically asking Ajay to accept that Mateo would always been in his life.
It wasn't fair for Ajay, Nick should have considered his feelings, especially because Mateo was very hostile towards him and Nick never made him apologise for how he treated his boyfriend (Mateo couldn't even say Ajay's name and Nick just smiled at that).
I also didn't like that Nick felt guilty for moving on, while it was Mateo the one to bring his new girlfriend into the group and parade her in front of Nick.
I get that they were friends and that Mateo was struggling with his sexuality and his family, but everyone seem so concerned about him (too), while he was acting like a spoiled brat who lost his toy.
Lastly, note for the author: Mateo is not an Italian name, it's actually Spanish.
Anyway, this was avery nice read and I recommend it. Next book will be about Mateo, we'll se if he'll have a satisfying redemption arc.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Beautiful and sweet love story with the little brother's best friend trope.
I liked very much both of the charactes: Ajay is sweet, honest, talented. He's trying to find his path in the music field and he's a very good friend to Dane. Nick is a wonderful guy too, he lives his life in a simple way, splitting his time between a honest job, his friends and his beloved waves. He doens't have a good realtionship with his brother, due to their different personalities but also to the different treatments they had from their parents.
When they met, Ajay starts to feel conficted emotions towards Nick and he slowly becomes aware of his attaction to him.
I liked that Nick thought to have all figured out and that he was ready to corrupt Ajay, while actually it was him the one being completely enthralled by the other man. I loved how he was completely smitten with him and how their physical intimacy was deep and emotional.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Ajay was too much of a pushover with his friends (especially Dane) and his girlfriend.
Moreover, I didn't like how Nick sort of gaslighted Ajay when he was having a hard time seeing Nick all touchy with Mateo. He kept saying how they were best friends and had to preserve their relationship, basically asking Ajay to accept that Mateo would always been in his life.
It wasn't fair for Ajay, Nick should have considered his feelings, especially because Mateo was very hostile towards him and Nick never made him apologise for how he treated his boyfriend (Mateo couldn't even say Ajay's name and Nick just smiled at that).
I also didn't like that Nick felt guilty for moving on, while it was Mateo the one to bring his new girlfriend into the group and parade her in front of Nick.
I get that they were friends and that Mateo was struggling with his sexuality and his family, but everyone seem so concerned about him (too), while he was acting like a spoiled brat who lost his toy.
Lastly, note for the author: Mateo is not an Italian name, it's actually Spanish.
Anyway, this was avery nice read and I recommend it. Next book will be about Mateo, we'll se if he'll have a satisfying redemption arc.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
June 24, 2024
A warm, sexy hug of a best-friend’s brother, bi-awakening, first times MM romance
I read this in one sitting, could not stop. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me all the Feels and never quit so I’m giving it 5 emotional stars. Please read the sales copy for a plot summary.
The chemistry between Ajay and Nick is on page from jump. Not insta-love but insta-awareness and curiosity that steams off the pages. Ajay has come to stay with his best friend, Dane, and Dane's family for the summer (in Aus, that’s over Christmas), and there he meets Dane’s big brother, Nick, who according to Dane is a screw-up and not someone you can count on. But Ajay sees none of that as he’s soon entranced by the welcoming and friendly surfer-guy Nick.
Of course, Ajay has always thought of himself as straight, even has a girlfriend he knows he needs to break up with. She’s Dane’s beloved girlfriend’s bestie, and she and Ajay fell into things without Ajay really thinking about it, more a relationship of convenience, and now he knows it’s time for them both to move on…which, don’t worry, they break down and break up spectacularly before anything happens with Nick. There’s no on-page cheating in this book, though Ajay might accidentally be emotional cheating before that happens...hey, it was all good w me! It's not between MCs (but heads up if you have triggers around cheating).
More complications abound with Nick’s complicated relationship with his own best friend and former lover, Mateo, who’s always coming around with their other bestie Rob (very straight) to hang out. Things have been over for a few months, but the relationship is fraught with tension, though yes, very much over as Mateo’s in the closet and trying to have a girlfriend to front for his family.
So there’s plenty of tension and conflict, but Ajay and Nick’s connection won't be denied. They’re lovely on page together, so affectionate and friendly and pining away for each other even while Ajay doesn’t yet understand what he wants and Nick thinks it’ll never happen. Oh, phew, does it happen, and it’s fun to see Ajay taking the risks and going after what he really wants, once he realizes that’s Nick. Their constant communication and not letting things fester was a joy to read—even when there’s a meltdown for Reasons, neither lets the other stew for long and instead they confront things head on. It’s refreshing. I also loved the moment when Ajay burst out with “Oh Nicky…”! LOL seeing the nickname come to be was adorably cute, during one of Those Moments, just heart-melting.
Ajay (and Dane) is a talented musician who’s guitar playing will take him places, and I loved seeing him sing for Nick, as well as Nick overhearing him for the first time and being kinda gobsmacked, too cute and sweet for words.
Couple off things; for some reason Nick seemed smarmy/almost predatory in tone at first, even though he’s really not. And Ajay and Dane don’t really seem close; part of the conflict is Dane not seeing Ajay’s side of things an important time or two, but Ajay doesn’t seem to care much about his supposed best friend, not seeking Dane out to see if he’s all right or trying to communicate with him about what’s happening. There was a lack of awareness and caring that felt off to me. He never does sit down and talk with Dane about how Dane feels about Ajay dating his big brother, it’s all just kind of revealed through Ajay and Nick being unable to hide their feelings for each other, and then understood. Things with Ajay’s absentee mother—the reason he came to stay with Dane’s family in the first place—also aren’t resolved satisfactorily, just glossed over when it seemed there was something rather gaslighty and bad happening with her due to Ajay’s new stepdad.
Overall, I Felt all the Things and loved the read. It’s a lovely, delightful, sensual and exciting romance! It delivered.
HEA, best-friend’s older brother, bi-awakening, first times with a man. No cheating or others, just some good Other People drama that added tension and wound up bringing the characters closer, I approved this message. Highly recommended.
My thanks to Booksprout and Indie Author Creative for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
I read this in one sitting, could not stop. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me all the Feels and never quit so I’m giving it 5 emotional stars. Please read the sales copy for a plot summary.
The chemistry between Ajay and Nick is on page from jump. Not insta-love but insta-awareness and curiosity that steams off the pages. Ajay has come to stay with his best friend, Dane, and Dane's family for the summer (in Aus, that’s over Christmas), and there he meets Dane’s big brother, Nick, who according to Dane is a screw-up and not someone you can count on. But Ajay sees none of that as he’s soon entranced by the welcoming and friendly surfer-guy Nick.
Of course, Ajay has always thought of himself as straight, even has a girlfriend he knows he needs to break up with. She’s Dane’s beloved girlfriend’s bestie, and she and Ajay fell into things without Ajay really thinking about it, more a relationship of convenience, and now he knows it’s time for them both to move on…which, don’t worry, they break down and break up spectacularly before anything happens with Nick. There’s no on-page cheating in this book, though Ajay might accidentally be emotional cheating before that happens...hey, it was all good w me! It's not between MCs (but heads up if you have triggers around cheating).
More complications abound with Nick’s complicated relationship with his own best friend and former lover, Mateo, who’s always coming around with their other bestie Rob (very straight) to hang out. Things have been over for a few months, but the relationship is fraught with tension, though yes, very much over as Mateo’s in the closet and trying to have a girlfriend to front for his family.
So there’s plenty of tension and conflict, but Ajay and Nick’s connection won't be denied. They’re lovely on page together, so affectionate and friendly and pining away for each other even while Ajay doesn’t yet understand what he wants and Nick thinks it’ll never happen. Oh, phew, does it happen, and it’s fun to see Ajay taking the risks and going after what he really wants, once he realizes that’s Nick. Their constant communication and not letting things fester was a joy to read—even when there’s a meltdown for Reasons, neither lets the other stew for long and instead they confront things head on. It’s refreshing. I also loved the moment when Ajay burst out with “Oh Nicky…”! LOL seeing the nickname come to be was adorably cute, during one of Those Moments, just heart-melting.
Ajay (and Dane) is a talented musician who’s guitar playing will take him places, and I loved seeing him sing for Nick, as well as Nick overhearing him for the first time and being kinda gobsmacked, too cute and sweet for words.
Couple off things; for some reason Nick seemed smarmy/almost predatory in tone at first, even though he’s really not. And Ajay and Dane don’t really seem close; part of the conflict is Dane not seeing Ajay’s side of things an important time or two, but Ajay doesn’t seem to care much about his supposed best friend, not seeking Dane out to see if he’s all right or trying to communicate with him about what’s happening. There was a lack of awareness and caring that felt off to me. He never does sit down and talk with Dane about how Dane feels about Ajay dating his big brother, it’s all just kind of revealed through Ajay and Nick being unable to hide their feelings for each other, and then understood. Things with Ajay’s absentee mother—the reason he came to stay with Dane’s family in the first place—also aren’t resolved satisfactorily, just glossed over when it seemed there was something rather gaslighty and bad happening with her due to Ajay’s new stepdad.
Overall, I Felt all the Things and loved the read. It’s a lovely, delightful, sensual and exciting romance! It delivered.
HEA, best-friend’s older brother, bi-awakening, first times with a man. No cheating or others, just some good Other People drama that added tension and wound up bringing the characters closer, I approved this message. Highly recommended.
My thanks to Booksprout and Indie Author Creative for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
July 11, 2024
Reviewed for Love Bytes – 4.5 Hearts
Having been let down at the last minute by his mum, Ajay is invited to spend the Christmas break with his best friend’s family. What made his sadness worse was his friends’ scathing reports of the older brother. However, upon arrival, the godlike figure coming out of the water was not what he expected – nor was the kind person behind the veil. It was enough for any man to question his position on the Kinsey scale. However, both had an ex intent on standing in the way of (possibly) true love.
Meet You In The Waves is the first in a two-part series featuring different couples that are interconnected. This first installment involves Nick and Ajay, who, when their journey is completed, will make cameo appearances in book two.
I will freely admit that I was agreeably surprised by this story. The blurb points out the ‘light-hearted, low angst, bi-awakening’ nature of the tale, which didn’t fill me with the hope of a gritty page-turner. I expected a pleasant narrative and not much more. But I couldn’t stop reading. I eventually gave up at 1 am in desperate need of sleep, continuing before breakfast the next day. Each encounter made me smile and my heart grow.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Nick and Ajay. The setting is a small coastal town in Australia. So, sun, sea, surf, sibling dysfunction (I can’t call it rivalry, because there is none), close friends, and exes are the name of the game.
Talented music student Ajay is part of a stifling close-knit group - besties dating besties situation - Dane and Dee, Ajay and Kira. For fear of upsetting the dynamics, Ajay stays with the dramatic and manipulative - we’re dating, we’re not dating, Kira. However, on the coast, Nick shows Ajay a freeing world outside of grades and college pressures that helps Ajay decompress. When Dane goes turncoat, Nick also offers friendship.
Initial encounters with Nick provide an egotistical picture of a man who has the looks, and is up for some summer fun corrupting his upstart of a brother’s bestie. Nick never had Dane’s smarts, so he does his best with what he has. He didn’t expect to encounter a young man he could relate to and a deepening connection, which neither expected. Nick soon showed a depth that wormed its way into my heart, coupled with a series of events that made me melt in their presence. Oh, and the sexuality adjustment was deliciously spicy.
There was an openness between both protagonists that gelled superbly. One would call the other on their shit, not allowing potentially explosive situations to become worse. Usually, I love a good dose of angst. But the way Nick and Ajay interacted was done so well, and seamlessly flowing that I didn’t mind the speed at which dramas (and there were some) were dealt with. It was as refreshing as the sea breeze. Bravo.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
Having been let down at the last minute by his mum, Ajay is invited to spend the Christmas break with his best friend’s family. What made his sadness worse was his friends’ scathing reports of the older brother. However, upon arrival, the godlike figure coming out of the water was not what he expected – nor was the kind person behind the veil. It was enough for any man to question his position on the Kinsey scale. However, both had an ex intent on standing in the way of (possibly) true love.
Meet You In The Waves is the first in a two-part series featuring different couples that are interconnected. This first installment involves Nick and Ajay, who, when their journey is completed, will make cameo appearances in book two.
I will freely admit that I was agreeably surprised by this story. The blurb points out the ‘light-hearted, low angst, bi-awakening’ nature of the tale, which didn’t fill me with the hope of a gritty page-turner. I expected a pleasant narrative and not much more. But I couldn’t stop reading. I eventually gave up at 1 am in desperate need of sleep, continuing before breakfast the next day. Each encounter made me smile and my heart grow.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Nick and Ajay. The setting is a small coastal town in Australia. So, sun, sea, surf, sibling dysfunction (I can’t call it rivalry, because there is none), close friends, and exes are the name of the game.
Talented music student Ajay is part of a stifling close-knit group - besties dating besties situation - Dane and Dee, Ajay and Kira. For fear of upsetting the dynamics, Ajay stays with the dramatic and manipulative - we’re dating, we’re not dating, Kira. However, on the coast, Nick shows Ajay a freeing world outside of grades and college pressures that helps Ajay decompress. When Dane goes turncoat, Nick also offers friendship.
Initial encounters with Nick provide an egotistical picture of a man who has the looks, and is up for some summer fun corrupting his upstart of a brother’s bestie. Nick never had Dane’s smarts, so he does his best with what he has. He didn’t expect to encounter a young man he could relate to and a deepening connection, which neither expected. Nick soon showed a depth that wormed its way into my heart, coupled with a series of events that made me melt in their presence. Oh, and the sexuality adjustment was deliciously spicy.
There was an openness between both protagonists that gelled superbly. One would call the other on their shit, not allowing potentially explosive situations to become worse. Usually, I love a good dose of angst. But the way Nick and Ajay interacted was done so well, and seamlessly flowing that I didn’t mind the speed at which dramas (and there were some) were dealt with. It was as refreshing as the sea breeze. Bravo.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
July 1, 2024
Meet You in the Waves is an attention-captivating and engaging story, simple in suspense and complex in emotions and relationships. Though the story focuses on the developing feelings between Ajay and Nick, much is going on besides their love and attraction. Ajay’s complicated relationships with his girlfriend and mother, his best friend, his discovery and acceptance of his true feelings, and Nick’s strained relationship with his brother Dane (who is also Ajay’s best friend), his confusing relationship with his ex-lover Mateo, and uncertainty about the course of his life contribute to the immersive appeal of this book and keep the storyline dynamic, unpredictable, and engaging.
The writing is smooth, fluent, and eloquent, with a dynamic, vivid, and compelling narrative that transforms this simple romance into an exciting and inspiring read. The deep insight into Nick and Ajay’s intimate feelings, doubts, dilemmas, and fears provides necessary context and depth to the charming and lovable characters. However, the portrayal of Ajay’s girlfriend, Kira, as a manipulative antagonist might come across as somewhat harsh and hostile.
Nick is a free-spirited, self-confident guy, a surfer, as social as they come, open-minded, and far from closeted, with a strenuous relationship with his brother Dane. Ajay is sensitive, socially shy, and artistic, battling through a complex and unsatisfying relationship with his girlfriend, pressured by expectations set by his friend, and burdened by his mother’s lack of care for him. It is an engaging and exciting journey following Nick and Ajay as they face their growing emotions for each other, discovering and accepting the truth about themselves, while dealing with other significant relationships and people in their lives.
What to expect: a heartfelt, inspiring, and positive approach to complex issues, an exciting and engaging page-turner, lovable characters, and eloquent and fluent writing.
What not to expect: dark drama, conflicting and flawed characters, violence, angst, abuse, suspense, action, or mystery.
Disclaimer: I firmly believe that for every book written, there is a reader who will appreciate and enjoy it. This review reflects my personal and subjective opinion and should be read as such.
I received an ARC of this book with no obligation to provide a positive review. It is an independent and genuine reflection of my thoughts.
The writing is smooth, fluent, and eloquent, with a dynamic, vivid, and compelling narrative that transforms this simple romance into an exciting and inspiring read. The deep insight into Nick and Ajay’s intimate feelings, doubts, dilemmas, and fears provides necessary context and depth to the charming and lovable characters. However, the portrayal of Ajay’s girlfriend, Kira, as a manipulative antagonist might come across as somewhat harsh and hostile.
Nick is a free-spirited, self-confident guy, a surfer, as social as they come, open-minded, and far from closeted, with a strenuous relationship with his brother Dane. Ajay is sensitive, socially shy, and artistic, battling through a complex and unsatisfying relationship with his girlfriend, pressured by expectations set by his friend, and burdened by his mother’s lack of care for him. It is an engaging and exciting journey following Nick and Ajay as they face their growing emotions for each other, discovering and accepting the truth about themselves, while dealing with other significant relationships and people in their lives.
What to expect: a heartfelt, inspiring, and positive approach to complex issues, an exciting and engaging page-turner, lovable characters, and eloquent and fluent writing.
What not to expect: dark drama, conflicting and flawed characters, violence, angst, abuse, suspense, action, or mystery.
Disclaimer: I firmly believe that for every book written, there is a reader who will appreciate and enjoy it. This review reflects my personal and subjective opinion and should be read as such.
I received an ARC of this book with no obligation to provide a positive review. It is an independent and genuine reflection of my thoughts.
July 7, 2025
So I have some thoughts about this one - I wanted to start by saying it’s pretty good. Ajay and Nick are cute and their story is sexy and descriptive. I loved the setting and the sun-drenched Australian coast.
On to the “Icks” for me: the constant use of the word “boy” to describe Ajay. He’s 20. Nick is 22. Ajay is not a boy and yet, Nick WILL NOT stop calling him that. To the point of fetishization and I hate it. It grosses me out. I do not want to read romance books involving boys. So quit it with that word already!
Next, this little exchange -
‘“And then, as predictable as mud, Dee’s face lit up with excitement at Ajay’s news while Dane frowned.
“I thought it would be nice to just have a quiet night in. I already have a bottle of Barossa shiraz decanting,” he said.’” …what?!
These are 20-year-old college guys. They’re not decanting bottles of red wine! They’re downing cheap beer and burping the alphabet. I have teenage sons! I’m an expert! This entire paragraph made me laugh, and not for good reasons.
My very last gripe is Nicks’ complete and utter love-bombing of Ajay. Every word out of his mouth (after a seriously unobservant Ajay FINALLY realizes Nick is flirting with him - how could he NOT notice at that point but whatever) is how beautiful and perfect and talented and wonderful and heavenly and lovely and angelic and amazing and sexy and (insert more adjectives here) Ajay is. It’s to the point that it feels like Nick is trying to butter Ajay up to ask him for a loan or a really big favor. People don’t talk to their partner that way. Even if they’re hot and you love them. It weirded me out and that could be the cynic in me but I feel how I feel.
All in all, it was (overly) sweet and sexy. Ajay is an angel in human form and has no flaws and the single most primed and ready asshole on the planet. How lucky for them!
On to the “Icks” for me: the constant use of the word “boy” to describe Ajay. He’s 20. Nick is 22. Ajay is not a boy and yet, Nick WILL NOT stop calling him that. To the point of fetishization and I hate it. It grosses me out. I do not want to read romance books involving boys. So quit it with that word already!
Next, this little exchange -
‘“And then, as predictable as mud, Dee’s face lit up with excitement at Ajay’s news while Dane frowned.
“I thought it would be nice to just have a quiet night in. I already have a bottle of Barossa shiraz decanting,” he said.’” …what?!
These are 20-year-old college guys. They’re not decanting bottles of red wine! They’re downing cheap beer and burping the alphabet. I have teenage sons! I’m an expert! This entire paragraph made me laugh, and not for good reasons.
My very last gripe is Nicks’ complete and utter love-bombing of Ajay. Every word out of his mouth (after a seriously unobservant Ajay FINALLY realizes Nick is flirting with him - how could he NOT notice at that point but whatever) is how beautiful and perfect and talented and wonderful and heavenly and lovely and angelic and amazing and sexy and (insert more adjectives here) Ajay is. It’s to the point that it feels like Nick is trying to butter Ajay up to ask him for a loan or a really big favor. People don’t talk to their partner that way. Even if they’re hot and you love them. It weirded me out and that could be the cynic in me but I feel how I feel.
All in all, it was (overly) sweet and sexy. Ajay is an angel in human form and has no flaws and the single most primed and ready asshole on the planet. How lucky for them!
July 4, 2024
BEST FRIENDS BROTHER BI- AWAKENING!💕
A new author, thank you Gay Romance Review, that I will definitely recommend!
““I’ll meet you in the waves.”
““Tomorrow morning.”
A summer holiday turns into one of the best times of two beautiful souls lives- Shy and awkward Ajay Olivier and sunshiny laid back Nick Tempe.
I loved how their friendship developed- a slow burn with surfing lessons 🏄♂️and outings 🍻until Ajay realised he was not so straight as admiration turned into a strong attraction…
“I’ll jump off the deep end with you if you think you can swim.” “Will you catch me, Nick?”
Poor Nick he thought he was going to have some fun after his breakup four months ago, flirting and corrupting his brothers best friend and then he fell…. head over feet that summer… for his brown eyed boy…
I loved their dynamic and how Ajay showed a totally different side 😈 as his confidence grew and he went for what he wanted!
The way that Ajay’s family abandoned him was heartbreaking but the way that Nick and his friends (except Mateo) accepted him was endearing…
The manner in which Dane chose Ajays stalker cheating ex girlfriend’s side was so heartbreaking for both Ajay and Nick…
It was as if they were made for each other and there was a reason why they had to meet… in the waves…
But what will happen when the summer ends and Ajay has to return to Sydney?…
The way that Mateo treated Ajay was petty and selfish- he is the one that wanted sunshiny out Nick back in the deep dark closet with him… and then moving on with a girl!
Hopefully he will get over his feelings for his best friend and use Ajay as an inspiration to live his true self in the next book!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.
A new author, thank you Gay Romance Review, that I will definitely recommend!
““I’ll meet you in the waves.”
““Tomorrow morning.”
A summer holiday turns into one of the best times of two beautiful souls lives- Shy and awkward Ajay Olivier and sunshiny laid back Nick Tempe.
I loved how their friendship developed- a slow burn with surfing lessons 🏄♂️and outings 🍻until Ajay realised he was not so straight as admiration turned into a strong attraction…
“I’ll jump off the deep end with you if you think you can swim.” “Will you catch me, Nick?”
Poor Nick he thought he was going to have some fun after his breakup four months ago, flirting and corrupting his brothers best friend and then he fell…. head over feet that summer… for his brown eyed boy…
I loved their dynamic and how Ajay showed a totally different side 😈 as his confidence grew and he went for what he wanted!
The way that Ajay’s family abandoned him was heartbreaking but the way that Nick and his friends (except Mateo) accepted him was endearing…
The manner in which Dane chose Ajays stalker cheating ex girlfriend’s side was so heartbreaking for both Ajay and Nick…
It was as if they were made for each other and there was a reason why they had to meet… in the waves…
But what will happen when the summer ends and Ajay has to return to Sydney?…
The way that Mateo treated Ajay was petty and selfish- he is the one that wanted sunshiny out Nick back in the deep dark closet with him… and then moving on with a girl!
Hopefully he will get over his feelings for his best friend and use Ajay as an inspiration to live his true self in the next book!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.
July 5, 2024
This book is the perfect summer bi-awakening / best friend’s brother love story and Nick and Ajay absolutely stole my heart!
From the very beginning, the relationship between Ajay and Nick felt so genuine. Their blossoming friendship was adorable to watch and the progression of their friendship into something more was so natural and oh so sweet.
I loved how Ajay didn’t question his new found feelings - I’m a sucker for bi awakenings where they don’t go through a whole identity crisis and just go with what feels right!
I thought that the ‘Kira’ and ‘Matteo’ plotlines got a little much at times but they still mostly worked within the story. I did like how Nick and Matteo had a bit of closure though and that the issue was put to bed but I would have liked if Nick stood up for Ajay and called Matteo out on his behaviour toward Ajay.
I would have also liked to hear a little more about Ajays issue with his mum and stepdad. We got a few tidbits here and there but I would have loved to have seen Ajay really work through those issues and advocate for himself a little more.
The friendship between Ajay and Dane was an odd one - it didnt quite ring true for me that they were best friends and they way he treated Ajay was atrocious. But eventually he came around and they were able to salvage their friendship.
I’d have also liked to have seen a little more interaction with Dane and Nick so the repair of their relationship could have had a bit more of an effect.
Thank you to GRR for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.
Overall, a really cutesy summer romance that I would highly recommend! ❤️
4⭐️
From the very beginning, the relationship between Ajay and Nick felt so genuine. Their blossoming friendship was adorable to watch and the progression of their friendship into something more was so natural and oh so sweet.
I loved how Ajay didn’t question his new found feelings - I’m a sucker for bi awakenings where they don’t go through a whole identity crisis and just go with what feels right!
I thought that the ‘Kira’ and ‘Matteo’ plotlines got a little much at times but they still mostly worked within the story. I did like how Nick and Matteo had a bit of closure though and that the issue was put to bed but I would have liked if Nick stood up for Ajay and called Matteo out on his behaviour toward Ajay.
I would have also liked to hear a little more about Ajays issue with his mum and stepdad. We got a few tidbits here and there but I would have loved to have seen Ajay really work through those issues and advocate for himself a little more.
The friendship between Ajay and Dane was an odd one - it didnt quite ring true for me that they were best friends and they way he treated Ajay was atrocious. But eventually he came around and they were able to salvage their friendship.
I’d have also liked to have seen a little more interaction with Dane and Nick so the repair of their relationship could have had a bit more of an effect.
Thank you to GRR for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.
Overall, a really cutesy summer romance that I would highly recommend! ❤️
4⭐️
July 2, 2024
Nick and Ajay are absolutely precious and I loved their sweet and incredibly steamy romance. Their chemistry was off the charts and watching them fall for each other was a real treat.
I did, however, have major issues with the whole Dane/Dee/Kira drama, which felt childish and made them seem like terrible people. Dane was not a very good friend at all. Nick was a far better friend for Ajay in their short time together than Dane ever was and Dane's apology felt insincere and poorly timed. It would have been good if the author delved deeper into Ajay's abandonment issues and Dane's irrational jealousy, rather than glossing over these complex emotions.
Mateo's attitude was also frustrating. He had a girlfriend and had moved on, so his behaviour towards Nick was unwarranted.
Despite these flaws, the book was utterly adorable and sweet, with plenty of heat to keep things interesting. Nick's nature and genuine care for Ajay were highlights, making their connection even more special. Their first kiss was breathtaking and the intimate scenes were incredibly hot and well-written.
While the story had its issues the resolution of the Mateo drama felt realistic and refreshing. Nick's decision to create space between him and Mateo showed maturity and respect for his relationship with Ajay.
Overall, this was a great read with zero angst and plenty of steamy, swoon-worthy moments by the Australian ocean. As an Aussie it was great to read about places I know. Despite its lack of depth in certain areas, it was an enjoyable, feel-good romance that left me smiling.
I did, however, have major issues with the whole Dane/Dee/Kira drama, which felt childish and made them seem like terrible people. Dane was not a very good friend at all. Nick was a far better friend for Ajay in their short time together than Dane ever was and Dane's apology felt insincere and poorly timed. It would have been good if the author delved deeper into Ajay's abandonment issues and Dane's irrational jealousy, rather than glossing over these complex emotions.
Mateo's attitude was also frustrating. He had a girlfriend and had moved on, so his behaviour towards Nick was unwarranted.
Despite these flaws, the book was utterly adorable and sweet, with plenty of heat to keep things interesting. Nick's nature and genuine care for Ajay were highlights, making their connection even more special. Their first kiss was breathtaking and the intimate scenes were incredibly hot and well-written.
While the story had its issues the resolution of the Mateo drama felt realistic and refreshing. Nick's decision to create space between him and Mateo showed maturity and respect for his relationship with Ajay.
Overall, this was a great read with zero angst and plenty of steamy, swoon-worthy moments by the Australian ocean. As an Aussie it was great to read about places I know. Despite its lack of depth in certain areas, it was an enjoyable, feel-good romance that left me smiling.
June 21, 2024
Such a sweet, sizzling, wonderful book. I absolutely loved it. I have read (and - don't get me wrong - NEED) a lot of angst filled stories and characters. This book has very little angst and I was here for it. It just worked.
This is the story of Ajay and Nick. Ajay is Nick's little brother's best friend. Dane and Nick have a very strained relationship, so Ajay was always tainted in his view of Nick. The summer spent at the family beach house changes everything.
I really appreciated the communication between Nick and Ajay. They are both just adorable and complete gentlemen. As they get to know each other, Ajay starts to see that Nick is not anything like Dane has made him out to be. He starts to like him - really like him - which is not what his straight self thought would happen. The two grow closer and a relationship starts.
I really liked the respect that Nick had for Ajay, especially since it was an awakening for Ajay and Nick was comfortable in his sexuality. He was so respectful of the potential boundaries. They are just the cutest.
The drama with Kira was irritating and she was written well, so that the readers did dislike her! Dane had a pivotal role as well, and I appreciated it. I'm rather curious about Mateo and the next book, but if nothing else I will be reading it for cameos of Nick and Ajay 😀
Also, don't let the fluff fool you. There are some seriously hot scenes in this book. Oh, to be young again.
This is the story of Ajay and Nick. Ajay is Nick's little brother's best friend. Dane and Nick have a very strained relationship, so Ajay was always tainted in his view of Nick. The summer spent at the family beach house changes everything.
I really appreciated the communication between Nick and Ajay. They are both just adorable and complete gentlemen. As they get to know each other, Ajay starts to see that Nick is not anything like Dane has made him out to be. He starts to like him - really like him - which is not what his straight self thought would happen. The two grow closer and a relationship starts.
I really liked the respect that Nick had for Ajay, especially since it was an awakening for Ajay and Nick was comfortable in his sexuality. He was so respectful of the potential boundaries. They are just the cutest.
The drama with Kira was irritating and she was written well, so that the readers did dislike her! Dane had a pivotal role as well, and I appreciated it. I'm rather curious about Mateo and the next book, but if nothing else I will be reading it for cameos of Nick and Ajay 😀
Also, don't let the fluff fool you. There are some seriously hot scenes in this book. Oh, to be young again.
June 22, 2024
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
“I was overheating all over, the kiss streaming my blood to life, sizzling inside me and kickstarting that part of me I now realised was where lust and desire co-existed. Something that had been lying dormant in me before now, before this kiss.”
I love Aria’s writing! This is my fourth book that I’ve read, and it may be my favorite from her. Meet You In The Waves is a wonderful story about discovering who are you, and finding love and acceptance—plus you get to read about a super hot surfer and an adorable musical genius—what more could you want? Very excited to read more from this new series!
Nick and Ajay had the best chemistry. Lots of butterflies and sparks—all that good stuff. Recommend checking this one out, especially if you love romances that give you all the feels!! 🙌🏻🫶🏻
🅷🅸🅶🅷🅻🅸🅶🅷🆃🆂
🌊best friend’s brother
🌊sexual awakening
🌊beach vibes
🌊sexy and sweet
🌊music/surfing
🌊dual POV
🌊HEA
🆀🆄🅾︎🆃🅴🆂
“I wasn’t sure I knew what a kiss was until that moment, when Nick showed me everything I had been missing out on. His kiss was an all of body experience, one that shook me from my head right to the tips of my toes. I’d never wanted anything more than I wanted this kiss and the way Nick was kissing me back, controlling me, owning me in that moment, told me he felt the same.”
🆁🅴🅻🅴🅰︎🆂🅴 🅳🅰︎🆃🅴 - 07/01
“I was overheating all over, the kiss streaming my blood to life, sizzling inside me and kickstarting that part of me I now realised was where lust and desire co-existed. Something that had been lying dormant in me before now, before this kiss.”
I love Aria’s writing! This is my fourth book that I’ve read, and it may be my favorite from her. Meet You In The Waves is a wonderful story about discovering who are you, and finding love and acceptance—plus you get to read about a super hot surfer and an adorable musical genius—what more could you want? Very excited to read more from this new series!
Nick and Ajay had the best chemistry. Lots of butterflies and sparks—all that good stuff. Recommend checking this one out, especially if you love romances that give you all the feels!! 🙌🏻🫶🏻
🅷🅸🅶🅷🅻🅸🅶🅷🆃🆂
🌊best friend’s brother
🌊sexual awakening
🌊beach vibes
🌊sexy and sweet
🌊music/surfing
🌊dual POV
🌊HEA
🆀🆄🅾︎🆃🅴🆂
“I wasn’t sure I knew what a kiss was until that moment, when Nick showed me everything I had been missing out on. His kiss was an all of body experience, one that shook me from my head right to the tips of my toes. I’d never wanted anything more than I wanted this kiss and the way Nick was kissing me back, controlling me, owning me in that moment, told me he felt the same.”
🆁🅴🅻🅴🅰︎🆂🅴 🅳🅰︎🆃🅴 - 07/01
June 17, 2024
🌊🏄🌞Good romance & plenty of sizzle at the beach😉
I liked the couple and thought the author did a thorough job of making both Nick and Ajay likable and nice guys and developing their romance realistically. Their story has both spice and sweetness, all playing out in an idyllic summer holiday on the Australian coast.
I was surprised a bit, though pleasantly, that Nick was not a player. Though his brother didn't have a good word to say about him, Nick was such an affable, giving and unpretentious guy. Even when he thinks Ajay is in a steady relationship with a girlfriend, he takes such great care to get to know Ajay, show him around, give him surfing lessons and support him when Dane, Nick's younger brother and supposedly Ajay's best friend, disses Ajay's attempt to end things with his girlfriend and actually takes sides against him.
I liked that the secondary characters were just that and the focus always stayed on Nick and Ajay and their interactions.
I enjoyed the plot, characters, steam factor to the romance and setting.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I liked the couple and thought the author did a thorough job of making both Nick and Ajay likable and nice guys and developing their romance realistically. Their story has both spice and sweetness, all playing out in an idyllic summer holiday on the Australian coast.
I was surprised a bit, though pleasantly, that Nick was not a player. Though his brother didn't have a good word to say about him, Nick was such an affable, giving and unpretentious guy. Even when he thinks Ajay is in a steady relationship with a girlfriend, he takes such great care to get to know Ajay, show him around, give him surfing lessons and support him when Dane, Nick's younger brother and supposedly Ajay's best friend, disses Ajay's attempt to end things with his girlfriend and actually takes sides against him.
I liked that the secondary characters were just that and the focus always stayed on Nick and Ajay and their interactions.
I enjoyed the plot, characters, steam factor to the romance and setting.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
June 29, 2024
Ajay and Nick were the sweetest thing
Best friend's brother has never been so sweet. Nick, painted as a bad guy by his brother, was anything but. He was truly a good guy and while I expected him to be a bit smirky and a player, he actually fell for Ajay at first sight and never played games. His inner thoughts showed us just how much he liked Ajay and his actions all proved that.
Ajay was an innocent sweetheart, not realising how attractive he was, inside and out. His awful girlfriend was drama I could have done without and the story didn't need it. But he was a little gem, both before and after he realised what his feelings were for Nick.
Dane and Dee were not favourites either, and don't get me started on Mateo, Nick's best friend/ex. His behaviour was appalling throughout.
I loved Ajay and Nick, full stop. All of them, everything about them, and I would have been happy if their story was twice as long.
Aria says she's writing Mateo's story and I really don't want to read it. But.... she promises (possibly substantial) Nick and Ajay cameos and how could I miss that? Not fair......
Best friend's brother has never been so sweet. Nick, painted as a bad guy by his brother, was anything but. He was truly a good guy and while I expected him to be a bit smirky and a player, he actually fell for Ajay at first sight and never played games. His inner thoughts showed us just how much he liked Ajay and his actions all proved that.
Ajay was an innocent sweetheart, not realising how attractive he was, inside and out. His awful girlfriend was drama I could have done without and the story didn't need it. But he was a little gem, both before and after he realised what his feelings were for Nick.
Dane and Dee were not favourites either, and don't get me started on Mateo, Nick's best friend/ex. His behaviour was appalling throughout.
I loved Ajay and Nick, full stop. All of them, everything about them, and I would have been happy if their story was twice as long.
Aria says she's writing Mateo's story and I really don't want to read it. But.... she promises (possibly substantial) Nick and Ajay cameos and how could I miss that? Not fair......
July 2, 2024
I very much enjoyed this romance. It had everything I loved in a romance.
I want to tell you two things about my dislikes as a reader. One I don't care for college romance. Old reader here and two I have found I am not a fan of the bi awakening. That's because I find the concept unrealistic.
But this author I think did a fantastic job writing this. She took one college kid having a bi awakening to a very tasteful level. She played out the love aspect of it. She took two characters and made them fall hopelessly in love. Ajay was far more mature than many college characters I read and Nicky although older than Ajay the dynamics were so impactful.
I would like to address Mateo's part. This author did a great job leading the reader to sympathize with this character but also giving room to the read for him. Yes I felt sorry for the character but as in life not all couples are meant to be. And kudos to this author for not making Mateo out to be a villain. He's a wounded soul looking to find his hea.
I want to tell you two things about my dislikes as a reader. One I don't care for college romance. Old reader here and two I have found I am not a fan of the bi awakening. That's because I find the concept unrealistic.
But this author I think did a fantastic job writing this. She took one college kid having a bi awakening to a very tasteful level. She played out the love aspect of it. She took two characters and made them fall hopelessly in love. Ajay was far more mature than many college characters I read and Nicky although older than Ajay the dynamics were so impactful.
I would like to address Mateo's part. This author did a great job leading the reader to sympathize with this character but also giving room to the read for him. Yes I felt sorry for the character but as in life not all couples are meant to be. And kudos to this author for not making Mateo out to be a villain. He's a wounded soul looking to find his hea.
July 5, 2024
Surfs up, best vaca ever! Ajay, has his Christmas plans changed when his Mom cancels in order to support her new husband, Tim during his Family emergency. Ajay's best friend, Dane invites him to spend time with his family at the beach. Dane and Dee have been together since they were 9 years old. Ajay and Kira, are less connected than Dane and Dee who are besties. Ajay, is looking for an exit strategy from Kira, who doesn't know it yet. Dane's older brother Nick was there. Ajay, who identifies as straight, finds Nick unexpectedly good looking and fun. Nick is equally attracted and both men have interfering exes and Dane, who think they know better. Our men have a lot going on besides spending time at the beach. They are getting to know each other and themselves and how their perceptions of self are altering. Nick and Ajay are both nice men, their exes provide some entertainment and make us choose sides. Nicely done. Hot cover art! Good flow, makes me want to at least touch a surf board. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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