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Freddo e scostante, Jonathan Hart è sempre stato attirato da quella risata. Squillante, sfrenata, irresistibile.
I dolci sorrisi che lo incoraggiavano nelle incertezze. Le risate genuine che risuonavano nella sala da ballo mentre danzavano. Le labbra che si piegavano esitanti all’insù. Gli scambi di sguardi. Gli occhi che illuminavano il mondo. Il suo mondo.
Dal momento in cui ha conosciuto David O’Hara, Jonathan ha iniziato a sorridere a sua volta.
E poi O’Hara se n’è andato.
Un’unica lunga occhiata.
Nessun saluto.
Sette anni dopo, di nuovo quella risata.
Squillante, sfrenata.
Irresistibile.
O’Hara. Ancora così travolgente, ancora capace di attirare Jonathan a sé.
E ora pretende di far coppia con lui in una sfida tra influencer che durerà sette settimane.
Ora, vuole sciogliere il suo cuore fino in fondo…
I dolci sorrisi che lo incoraggiavano nelle incertezze. Le risate genuine che risuonavano nella sala da ballo mentre danzavano. Le labbra che si piegavano esitanti all’insù. Gli scambi di sguardi. Gli occhi che illuminavano il mondo. Il suo mondo.
Dal momento in cui ha conosciuto David O’Hara, Jonathan ha iniziato a sorridere a sua volta.
E poi O’Hara se n’è andato.
Un’unica lunga occhiata.
Nessun saluto.
Sette anni dopo, di nuovo quella risata.
Squillante, sfrenata.
Irresistibile.
O’Hara. Ancora così travolgente, ancora capace di attirare Jonathan a sé.
E ora pretende di far coppia con lui in una sfida tra influencer che durerà sette settimane.
Ora, vuole sciogliere il suo cuore fino in fondo…
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2024
54 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Anyta Sunday
111 books2,734 followersSpecialising in slow-burn romances where emotions reign, intimacy lingers, and chemistry sizzles—stories that leave you holding your breath and cheering for love, with just a splash of spice to sweeten the journey.
Check out my website:
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/?page_id=386
Für deutsche Leser:
http://www.anytasunday.de/
In italiano:
http://www.anytasunday.it/
Check out my website:
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/?page_id=386
Für deutsche Leser:
http://www.anytasunday.de/
In italiano:
http://www.anytasunday.it/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
March 16, 2022
Wow, this book was way beyond your typical slow burn pacing. Like, suuuuuuuper-slow burn territory.
I did enjoy serious Jonathan and flirty O'Hara's story, once everything had been revealed and I more fully understood where each of them was coming from, and what had happened to them in the past.
But I did find the story slightly challenging to get into, simply because a lot of their history, the stuff that typically helps me fully connect with MC's and root for them, was withheld until much later in the book, like so many bread crumbs dropped along the path.
Once certain things were fully out in the open, I did really warm more to Jonathan, but still wasn't entirely convinced that O'Hara's seven year absence, at least toward the beginning of that time, was entirely necessary.
The most touching part of the story for me was in regards to Jonathan's dead parents and O'Hara's unloving ones.
Jonathan shut his eyes and he saw . . . not just his parents. He saw O’Hara’s dad and the half-brother he barely knew. Jonathan’s parents were gone, but O’Hara’s family were too. What did a heartbeat matter when it didn’t beat for you anymore?Almost equally as touching were the circumstances with O'Hara's much younger half-brother, Ben, and the scenes where they were kept from knowing one another, then beginning to finally reconnect. I would've loved a lot more pages on that front.
I also found Mr. Cranky's story to be really heart-wrenching, as he struggled with his feelings and the terrible situation with his wife.
I'd rate this story at around 3.5 stars and recommend it to Anyta's usual fans, but definitely stress that the beginning of the story was much tougher for me to get through than the latter parts, where the picture started actually coming together more fully.
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May 25, 2022
The characters were so lovely. So many sweet passages and sentiments that tugged at my heart. Not really sure why I didn’t enjoy this. It’s Anyta Sunday! I should have been obsessed! The different scenes all blended into each other and it’s a sorta confusing book at times but I think I was just so bored. And confused. And excited for it to be over. And bored!!!! AND CONFUSED. I think I figured out why I didn’t like this…😅🤣 But the characters! The grumpy x sunshine of it all! Anyta switched up her writing style for this one and it suits the MC so perfectly. At first I wasn’t vibing with it but then I was like this writing style is holding so much back and so is Johnathan. It just clicked once I thought that. I was so excited for this as Anyta is my favorite MM author but we can’t win them all! ☹️ This and Gemini Keeps Capricorn have been my least favorite A.S. books but I’ve found soooo many hits. 💙💙💙 I didn’t hate it though so…yay!🎉😂
March 23, 2022
Unlike any other Anyta Sunday I’ve read. That’s for sure.
While high on feelings and with an excruciatingly beautiful slow burn, something I’ve come to strongly associate with this author, the writing style is very different here:
Short sentences.
Morsels of information.
Steeped in Greek Mythology.
Cryptic.
Confusing.
Challenging.
At least it was that for me.
We are really thrown into the ‘deep end’, namely into Jonathon’s mind and wherever it goes.
I could not follow what was going on exactly many times, and even if you get the gist of things, I missed connections between thoughts and events, leaving me ‘hanging in there’ with a puzzled look on my face.
Having read many books by this author, I know this is not her ‘usual’ and clearly done deliberately. Maybe it is a means to show how much Jonathon represses his feelings, how RESTRAINED he is, but tbh, in the long run, it was draining my brain to the extent that I felt the read was tiresome rather than enjoyable.
I was also almost at a total loss with the whole ‘Social Challenge’ plot. I guess I’m simply too old to really understand what happens on social media these days, but I’m sure many other readers will.
The plot does come together nicely in the end, and I was captivated by all the yearning, pining and aching and complex emotions, but I was too often left high and dry with half-finished sentences.
I can appreciate what the author has done in this book on a linguistic level, like admiring a complex poem or an abstract play, but I have to admit that the way it is written isn’t really for me.
While high on feelings and with an excruciatingly beautiful slow burn, something I’ve come to strongly associate with this author, the writing style is very different here:
Short sentences.
Morsels of information.
Steeped in Greek Mythology.
Cryptic.
Confusing.
Challenging.
At least it was that for me.
We are really thrown into the ‘deep end’, namely into Jonathon’s mind and wherever it goes.
I could not follow what was going on exactly many times, and even if you get the gist of things, I missed connections between thoughts and events, leaving me ‘hanging in there’ with a puzzled look on my face.
Having read many books by this author, I know this is not her ‘usual’ and clearly done deliberately. Maybe it is a means to show how much Jonathon represses his feelings, how RESTRAINED he is, but tbh, in the long run, it was draining my brain to the extent that I felt the read was tiresome rather than enjoyable.
I was also almost at a total loss with the whole ‘Social Challenge’ plot. I guess I’m simply too old to really understand what happens on social media these days, but I’m sure many other readers will.
The plot does come together nicely in the end, and I was captivated by all the yearning, pining and aching and complex emotions, but I was too often left high and dry with half-finished sentences.
I can appreciate what the author has done in this book on a linguistic level, like admiring a complex poem or an abstract play, but I have to admit that the way it is written isn’t really for me.
March 23, 2022
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just couldn't with this book.
I kid you not from the moment I read "Savvy’s blue orbs searched his" I just COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.
AND THAT WAS ON PAGE 14!!!!
And for the love of Yrniela, it got worse and worse and I couldn't deal with it anymore. I'm so sorry, but nope.
I kid you not from the moment I read "Savvy’s blue orbs searched his" I just COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.
AND THAT WAS ON PAGE 14!!!!
And for the love of Yrniela, it got worse and worse and I couldn't deal with it anymore. I'm so sorry, but nope.
March 23, 2022
well, this was as lovely as i hoped it would be. Anyta continues to be a reliable fave when it comes to slow-burn queer romance reads; only she could make me care this deeply about social media influencers lmao.
5 stars.
5 stars.
March 13, 2022
2.25-Stars
A few of Anyta Sunday’s slow burn romances have numbered among my favorite gay romance novels, so I was pleased to receive an advance reading copy of Tell Me Our Story to review. Unfortunately, this novel just didn’t work for me.
If it were not for a promise to review Tell Me Our Story, I would have abandoned this book less than 20% of the way in.
I expect my views will be deeply lodged in the minority column, but it took forever to develop even the slightest interest in either of the two main characters, Jonathan Hart and David O’Hara.
And chapter titles such as “Jonathan loses the Social Challenge, and ex-girlfriends can still be friends”; “Jonathan gets curious, O’Hara is quite something, and a hangover antidote”; and even “ A leaky boat, a big hat, and a bigger question” did nothing to increase my enthusiasm.
To be sure there were special moments and several wonderful secondary characters such as Jonathan’s younger brother, Savvy, and Savvy’s boyfriend, Nate; Jonathan’s ex, Jacquie; David’s 5-year old half-brother, Ben; the mysterious and philanthropic ‘Mr. Cranky’; several of the contestants in the Social Challenge that forms the core of this story; and, of course; one adorable little kitten; Gingernut.
However, even the genuinely heart-warming conclusion - and locations such as Australia and Greece - couldn’t compensate for the lackluster nature of rest of the story.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
A few of Anyta Sunday’s slow burn romances have numbered among my favorite gay romance novels, so I was pleased to receive an advance reading copy of Tell Me Our Story to review. Unfortunately, this novel just didn’t work for me.
If it were not for a promise to review Tell Me Our Story, I would have abandoned this book less than 20% of the way in.
I expect my views will be deeply lodged in the minority column, but it took forever to develop even the slightest interest in either of the two main characters, Jonathan Hart and David O’Hara.
And chapter titles such as “Jonathan loses the Social Challenge, and ex-girlfriends can still be friends”; “Jonathan gets curious, O’Hara is quite something, and a hangover antidote”; and even “ A leaky boat, a big hat, and a bigger question” did nothing to increase my enthusiasm.
To be sure there were special moments and several wonderful secondary characters such as Jonathan’s younger brother, Savvy, and Savvy’s boyfriend, Nate; Jonathan’s ex, Jacquie; David’s 5-year old half-brother, Ben; the mysterious and philanthropic ‘Mr. Cranky’; several of the contestants in the Social Challenge that forms the core of this story; and, of course; one adorable little kitten; Gingernut.
However, even the genuinely heart-warming conclusion - and locations such as Australia and Greece - couldn’t compensate for the lackluster nature of rest of the story.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
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March 14, 2022A gem. A shiny gem <3
March 21, 2022
-A Grumpy librarian/dance instructor who keeps his emotions on lock
-A Mr. Sunshine who always has a smile on his face
-A shared past
-Loss
-Heartache
-Sweet side characters
-A competition
-HEA
When I started this book there was no prologue so it sort of felt like you are thrown into a middle of a story. What you do know is Jonathan is a librarian/dance instructor who cares for his younger sibling. It seems they lost their parents a few years back. Jonathan also appears to be some sort of social media star too.
There is a social media convention that Jonathan attends and at this convention he runs into O'Hara. Who is another social media star that Jonathan seems to have some sort of past with. Next thing you know they are on a team together to compete in a social media challenge worth 2 million dollars.
The story follows them through the challenge. Where you learn bits and pieces of their life together. You also learn more about them. O'Hara is not just a happy go lucky guy but there is more to him. He is a kind person who cares for others. He uses his money to help those people who feel unwanted as he knows what that feeling is like.
I do believe the story really opens up after the 70% mark and things flow better. It is a slow burn so you have to hang in there.
Overall an ok read. It took so long for me to warm up to these two which in turn meant I did not feel the connection/chemistry between them at the beginning. Eventually it happened and I am glad they got their HEA.
*Note: I was around the 65% part when a message was posted saying a prologue was added. It was actually the reveal of their past moved from after 60%ish mark into a prologue. I think that was a wise move. I think adding the prologue helps the reader understand the dynamic more by opening up with the past.*
**ARC provided by GRR, this is my honest review.**
-A Mr. Sunshine who always has a smile on his face
-A shared past
-Loss
-Heartache
-Sweet side characters
-A competition
-HEA
When I started this book there was no prologue so it sort of felt like you are thrown into a middle of a story. What you do know is Jonathan is a librarian/dance instructor who cares for his younger sibling. It seems they lost their parents a few years back. Jonathan also appears to be some sort of social media star too.
There is a social media convention that Jonathan attends and at this convention he runs into O'Hara. Who is another social media star that Jonathan seems to have some sort of past with. Next thing you know they are on a team together to compete in a social media challenge worth 2 million dollars.
The story follows them through the challenge. Where you learn bits and pieces of their life together. You also learn more about them. O'Hara is not just a happy go lucky guy but there is more to him. He is a kind person who cares for others. He uses his money to help those people who feel unwanted as he knows what that feeling is like.
I do believe the story really opens up after the 70% mark and things flow better. It is a slow burn so you have to hang in there.
Overall an ok read. It took so long for me to warm up to these two which in turn meant I did not feel the connection/chemistry between them at the beginning. Eventually it happened and I am glad they got their HEA.
*Note: I was around the 65% part when a message was posted saying a prologue was added. It was actually the reveal of their past moved from after 60%ish mark into a prologue. I think that was a wise move. I think adding the prologue helps the reader understand the dynamic more by opening up with the past.*
**ARC provided by GRR, this is my honest review.**
March 21, 2022
A slow burn, best friends to lover romance…
This truly lives up to its description. It takes a long time to sort out their history, to understand their stories. It’s a long reveal mixed in with greek mythology and ballroom dancing (oddly not as weird as it sounds!).
Jonathan and David didn’t get their chance the first time. Can they get it right the second?
Anyta’s writing is a style all its own, very languid and poetic, which I can imagine wouldn’t be everyone’s taste. This was my first book by her, but I was prepared by having read other reviews so I knew to hang on and follow it through. In the end, it was worth it, but you do have to work for it.
< ARC provided by GRR and this is my honest review >
This truly lives up to its description. It takes a long time to sort out their history, to understand their stories. It’s a long reveal mixed in with greek mythology and ballroom dancing (oddly not as weird as it sounds!).
Jonathan and David didn’t get their chance the first time. Can they get it right the second?
Anyta’s writing is a style all its own, very languid and poetic, which I can imagine wouldn’t be everyone’s taste. This was my first book by her, but I was prepared by having read other reviews so I knew to hang on and follow it through. In the end, it was worth it, but you do have to work for it.
< ARC provided by GRR and this is my honest review >
March 25, 2022
RTC but sadly I wanted to love this book way more than I ended up loving it. I was so excited for this book and it seemed like it would be an absolutely perfect book for me and while I still enjoyed the book, a lot, I had a really hard time connecting to the story. It took me so long to get into the story that I just didn’t end up loving the story as much as I wanted.
I received an ARC of this, and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC of this, and this is my honest review.
March 14, 2022
4.5 stars
First of all, this cover is gorgeous! It drew my attention right away and it has such a whimsical feel. You can also see the characters feelings from this scene clearly. I love it!
The story started a bit confusing for me. I didn’t know that the characters had been friends previously and they were both social media influencers entering a contest. Once I understood all of that, which didn’t take me long at all, I could enjoy the book.
I loved the setting of Jonathan’s home town with the island and the willow tree, just to babe a couple things. There were also really great secondary characters that lent so much enjoyment to the story; Savvy, who is Jonathan’s younger sibling, Jacquie who is Jonathan’s ex-girlfriend and Mr Crank, an inhabitant on the island.
O’Hara, or David, is a fun character but there is so much more to him. I loved seeing him through Jonathan’s eyes. They complimented each other well and I felt as if their story was almost like a fairy tale with the dancing and running around to these magical places on the island to make their competition post each week.
I know it’s explained but I still don’t understand why there had to be 7 years separation. Obviously there was miscommunication, or no communication, of feelings but when Jonathan lost his parents it seems that maybe he needed David. I felt like that was a hole in the plot that never fully filled for me. This is a past event and the book starts after this happens.
This was written in true Anyta Sunday style and when I was reading it I felt completely immersed in this world. Beautiful character and world building.
**ARC received via Gay Romance Reviews
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
First of all, this cover is gorgeous! It drew my attention right away and it has such a whimsical feel. You can also see the characters feelings from this scene clearly. I love it!
The story started a bit confusing for me. I didn’t know that the characters had been friends previously and they were both social media influencers entering a contest. Once I understood all of that, which didn’t take me long at all, I could enjoy the book.
I loved the setting of Jonathan’s home town with the island and the willow tree, just to babe a couple things. There were also really great secondary characters that lent so much enjoyment to the story; Savvy, who is Jonathan’s younger sibling, Jacquie who is Jonathan’s ex-girlfriend and Mr Crank, an inhabitant on the island.
O’Hara, or David, is a fun character but there is so much more to him. I loved seeing him through Jonathan’s eyes. They complimented each other well and I felt as if their story was almost like a fairy tale with the dancing and running around to these magical places on the island to make their competition post each week.
I know it’s explained but I still don’t understand why there had to be 7 years separation. Obviously there was miscommunication, or no communication, of feelings but when Jonathan lost his parents it seems that maybe he needed David. I felt like that was a hole in the plot that never fully filled for me. This is a past event and the book starts after this happens.
This was written in true Anyta Sunday style and when I was reading it I felt completely immersed in this world. Beautiful character and world building.
**ARC received via Gay Romance Reviews
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2022
1 Star purely because I did not like this book.
I absolutely adore Anyta Sunday' 'Signs of Love' series and I think she's an amazing author in general, however her books lately haven't really been my cup of tea...I found "Tell me our story" over-convoluted and highly confusing - the whole time I was reading it, it felt as if I was missing some passages and oftentimes I had to go back to previous sentences to try and figure out their meaning... I also couldn't relate at all to the characters, their thought process and their conversations as they all felt strange and unrealistic. I don't mind the narrator speaking poetically, in fact that's always a plus for me- but I don't want my characters to do that when the story is supposed to be set in modern times, it just takes away the real-life component for me...
I absolutely adore Anyta Sunday' 'Signs of Love' series and I think she's an amazing author in general, however her books lately haven't really been my cup of tea...I found "Tell me our story" over-convoluted and highly confusing - the whole time I was reading it, it felt as if I was missing some passages and oftentimes I had to go back to previous sentences to try and figure out their meaning... I also couldn't relate at all to the characters, their thought process and their conversations as they all felt strange and unrealistic. I don't mind the narrator speaking poetically, in fact that's always a plus for me- but I don't want my characters to do that when the story is supposed to be set in modern times, it just takes away the real-life component for me...
March 21, 2022
This one is super slow burn, but as always, incredibly romantic and tender. Jonathan and David danced around their feelings for what feels like forever, only slowly revealing bits of their pasts and their connection. Although it frustrated me a little on how long they took to really talk about why David left, I found it didn’t matter. Not when they spend so much time slowly falling in love through beautifully tender moments, shared looks, and silent conversations. Their love story is perfectly swoon worthy!
April 6, 2022
This author writes slow burn like no other, we all know that. I’m not sure why I always give it a try. Truth is I don’t like slow burn, but I love this author’s enchanting way of writing, so that’s why I started it.
It was something different, it wasn’t always clear for me, sometimes confusing, and it stayed vague for a long time. Bit by bit the story reveals and oh boy, my heart.
It’s a story about choices, priorities, pain, and love, all against a beautiful background.
The slow burn was the slowest of the slowest, I almost quit, it was a challenge. To be honest I did, two times, and started again. I really wanted to love this story more than I did. Still, the writing is beautiful, highly emotional, with complex characters.
It was something different, it wasn’t always clear for me, sometimes confusing, and it stayed vague for a long time. Bit by bit the story reveals and oh boy, my heart.
It’s a story about choices, priorities, pain, and love, all against a beautiful background.
The slow burn was the slowest of the slowest, I almost quit, it was a challenge. To be honest I did, two times, and started again. I really wanted to love this story more than I did. Still, the writing is beautiful, highly emotional, with complex characters.
August 2, 2024
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELVINO 1831
Questo libro mi ha davvero conquistato facendomi emozionare e commuovere in eguale misura.
Jonathan Hurt è un giovane uomo di venticinque anni, bibliotecario, maestro di ballo, che sta facendo crescere suo fratello Savvy di quindici anni da solo, dopo che tre anni prima ha perso i suoi genitori. Ha un ex fidanzata, Jacquie, che lo ha lasciato dopo una storia durata due anni; una storia di rispetto e tenerezza ma non di amore, perché il suo cuore era stato ed era ancora solo di una persona: David O’Hara, suo coetaneo, che andandosene da Nelson, in Nuova Zelanda, ad appena diciotto anni per cercare la madre a Sidney, in Australia, aveva portato il suo cuore con sé.
David O’Hara, sette anni prima ha lasciato la sua città e il suo unico amore nonché migliore amico Jonathan, per recarsi a Sidney a cercare la madre, la quale una volta che lui l’aveva trovata non aveva voluto avere nulla a che fare col figlio. A quel punto il ragazzo era rimasto a Sidney (e scopriremo li motivo di questa sua scelta solo poco oltre la metà del libro) e non era più tornato a Nelson, se non tre anni prima, quando erano venuti a mancare i genitori di Jonathan, che erano stati un po’ anche i suoi di genitori, ma allora non aveva avuto il coraggio di avvicinare l’altro.
Ora, passati sette anni dal loro addio, i due giovani – uomini che nel frattempo da qualche anno hanno aperto un account social in cui Jonathan parla di romanzi d’amore a lieto fine e David di mitologia greca – avendo partecipato a una Social Challenge l’anno precedente, si ritrovano all’ICon, un raduno di vari influencer che si tiene a Sidney, durante il quale verrà svelato l’argomento della Social Challenge di quell’anno: l’amore visto sotto i suoi vari aspetti.
I due, in quei pochi giorni passati a Sidney, si punzecchiano e flirtano; questo soprattutto da parte di David, ma tutto sembrerebbe finire lì, solo che qualche tempo dopo Jonathan si ritrova David ad aspettarlo fra gli scaffali della biblioteca dove lavora, il quale lo convince a partecipare come suo partner alla Social Challenge, visto che la “gara” era riservata alle sole coppie di qualunque genere esse fossero, non solo sentimentale. Da qui prende il via questo splendido romanzo che mi ha completamente assorbito nella storia che prende vita fra le sue pagine e di cui come sempre non vi anticipo altro.
Continua sul nostro blog!
Questo libro mi ha davvero conquistato facendomi emozionare e commuovere in eguale misura.
Jonathan Hurt è un giovane uomo di venticinque anni, bibliotecario, maestro di ballo, che sta facendo crescere suo fratello Savvy di quindici anni da solo, dopo che tre anni prima ha perso i suoi genitori. Ha un ex fidanzata, Jacquie, che lo ha lasciato dopo una storia durata due anni; una storia di rispetto e tenerezza ma non di amore, perché il suo cuore era stato ed era ancora solo di una persona: David O’Hara, suo coetaneo, che andandosene da Nelson, in Nuova Zelanda, ad appena diciotto anni per cercare la madre a Sidney, in Australia, aveva portato il suo cuore con sé.
David O’Hara, sette anni prima ha lasciato la sua città e il suo unico amore nonché migliore amico Jonathan, per recarsi a Sidney a cercare la madre, la quale una volta che lui l’aveva trovata non aveva voluto avere nulla a che fare col figlio. A quel punto il ragazzo era rimasto a Sidney (e scopriremo li motivo di questa sua scelta solo poco oltre la metà del libro) e non era più tornato a Nelson, se non tre anni prima, quando erano venuti a mancare i genitori di Jonathan, che erano stati un po’ anche i suoi di genitori, ma allora non aveva avuto il coraggio di avvicinare l’altro.
Ora, passati sette anni dal loro addio, i due giovani – uomini che nel frattempo da qualche anno hanno aperto un account social in cui Jonathan parla di romanzi d’amore a lieto fine e David di mitologia greca – avendo partecipato a una Social Challenge l’anno precedente, si ritrovano all’ICon, un raduno di vari influencer che si tiene a Sidney, durante il quale verrà svelato l’argomento della Social Challenge di quell’anno: l’amore visto sotto i suoi vari aspetti.
I due, in quei pochi giorni passati a Sidney, si punzecchiano e flirtano; questo soprattutto da parte di David, ma tutto sembrerebbe finire lì, solo che qualche tempo dopo Jonathan si ritrova David ad aspettarlo fra gli scaffali della biblioteca dove lavora, il quale lo convince a partecipare come suo partner alla Social Challenge, visto che la “gara” era riservata alle sole coppie di qualunque genere esse fossero, non solo sentimentale. Da qui prende il via questo splendido romanzo che mi ha completamente assorbito nella storia che prende vita fra le sue pagine e di cui come sempre non vi anticipo altro.
Continua sul nostro blog!
March 13, 2022
Thank you, Anyta, for the ARC. Thank you for spoiling me rotten and blessing me with the privilege of your words. Thank you for Jonathan and David. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the enormous dose of joy infused into my life.
This was the easiest five star rating I've ever given. It was clearly five from the start, and it never wavered. Not once. It was perfection, if humanity is capable of it.
I'm speaking so much nonsense I'm just going to stop now.
Everyone who still bothers with my reviews: READ THIS.
This was the easiest five star rating I've ever given. It was clearly five from the start, and it never wavered. Not once. It was perfection, if humanity is capable of it.
I'm speaking so much nonsense I'm just going to stop now.
Everyone who still bothers with my reviews: READ THIS.
March 21, 2022
4.5
Beautiful and dreamlike, the writing wraps around you and draws you into the story. I saw this like an animated movie - helped with the stunning cover, in my head. David and Jonathan danced around their feelings, slowly revealing more and more as time and the challenges went on.
Light on details about things like Jacquie (yes that was strange for me, I've never seen my name in a book spelled correctly), but it was just so pretty and heartfelt that it almost didn't matter.
As Anyta Sunday books go, it is an epic slow burn but worth the payoff.
I loved David and Jonathan together so much, the way that they balanced each other, the care and attention they lavished on each other. I'd absolutely read this again
Beautiful and dreamlike, the writing wraps around you and draws you into the story. I saw this like an animated movie - helped with the stunning cover, in my head. David and Jonathan danced around their feelings, slowly revealing more and more as time and the challenges went on.
Light on details about things like Jacquie (yes that was strange for me, I've never seen my name in a book spelled correctly), but it was just so pretty and heartfelt that it almost didn't matter.
As Anyta Sunday books go, it is an epic slow burn but worth the payoff.
I loved David and Jonathan together so much, the way that they balanced each other, the care and attention they lavished on each other. I'd absolutely read this again
April 4, 2022
Anyta Sunday is one of my favourite authors and a couple of her books belong to my Beloved Reads shelf, so I'm always going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Her style of narration is distinctive in general but with this book she's overdone herself a bit: I have to admit, it took me a while to get into this story because of its very specific writing style. For the first couple of chapters I felt as if I maybe missed some prologue or a first chapter or was reading a second book in a series. Only around half of the book, all the missing information from the MCs' past started dripping in and the whole picture revealing itself. I usually like this type of non-linear narration, but here it felt slightly overdone and made it harder to get into the story.
The above narrative issue aside, this was a very beautifully written, emotional and profoundly romantic tale of lost love, painful memories, past misunderstanding and second chances. While the whole Social Challenge premise wasn't entirely clear to me (are there actually competitions like that? with judges, trips to Greece and 2 mil dollars prizes?? Maybe there are and I'm just ignorant! :D), it made for a nice background for the readers to learn the full story of Jonathan and David and understand the scope of their feelings for each other.
I always like MCs who are book lovers or scholars and have a soft spot for philosophy or ancient Greece, so all these details really worked in the book's favour for me. The fact that it's mostly taking place in New Zealand (like most Anyta's books) only adds to the charm. All in all, it was a pleasant, romantic read, perfect for the windy and snowy weekend I just had.
The above narrative issue aside, this was a very beautifully written, emotional and profoundly romantic tale of lost love, painful memories, past misunderstanding and second chances. While the whole Social Challenge premise wasn't entirely clear to me (are there actually competitions like that? with judges, trips to Greece and 2 mil dollars prizes?? Maybe there are and I'm just ignorant! :D), it made for a nice background for the readers to learn the full story of Jonathan and David and understand the scope of their feelings for each other.
I always like MCs who are book lovers or scholars and have a soft spot for philosophy or ancient Greece, so all these details really worked in the book's favour for me. The fact that it's mostly taking place in New Zealand (like most Anyta's books) only adds to the charm. All in all, it was a pleasant, romantic read, perfect for the windy and snowy weekend I just had.
March 15, 2022
I wasn't sure if this is a 5 star for me.
The author's writing style is not for everyone I think. It feels too poetic and it took me a while till I got into the story.
However, the moment you are in, you are definitely in!
This story is so heartwarming and sad at times that you keep wondering if this thing between them is gonna happen or not. (Really slow burn alert here!)
Jonathan and O'Hara (David) are childhood friends that never had the chance to be together.
We are never sure whose fault is that but in the end, we really don't care. We are just rooting for them!
They are both peculiar characters. Not your classic grumpy/sunshine pair.
But the moment O'Hara asks Jonathan to lull him to sleep and tell him a story, you are really there for the ride...
Thank you to @gayromancereviews for the copy!
The author's writing style is not for everyone I think. It feels too poetic and it took me a while till I got into the story.
However, the moment you are in, you are definitely in!
This story is so heartwarming and sad at times that you keep wondering if this thing between them is gonna happen or not. (Really slow burn alert here!)
Jonathan and O'Hara (David) are childhood friends that never had the chance to be together.
We are never sure whose fault is that but in the end, we really don't care. We are just rooting for them!
They are both peculiar characters. Not your classic grumpy/sunshine pair.
But the moment O'Hara asks Jonathan to lull him to sleep and tell him a story, you are really there for the ride...
Thank you to @gayromancereviews for the copy!
January 14, 2023
Ah, second chances. Don't you just love them? So many moments in life where we wish we can just go back and change one little thing - make a different choice - and here we are with two childhood friends who get a second chance at happiness.
If you don't like slow burns, this is not the book for you. The characters move so slowly - like at a glacial place. There's jealousy and flirting and sly looks, but there are no moves at romance until near the near the end of the book. If you want an insta-love story, try something else. If you're willing to read a little bit of everything, give this one a try! You might not be disappointed.
My biggest problem with the book is that... the social media challenges weren't explained very well. What were Jonathan and O'Hara's actual jobs? Were they instagram famous? Youtubers who just recited greek myths and love stories? Who the hell knows?
And also... I cannot forgive the author for using the phrase "love sleeve" in reference to anal sex. Jesus. Talk about a laughing riot.
But besides that, everything was awesome. It was a cute and simple love story with a lot of funny situations between the characters and I'm very happy that I spent the time reading it.
If you don't like slow burns, this is not the book for you. The characters move so slowly - like at a glacial place. There's jealousy and flirting and sly looks, but there are no moves at romance until near the near the end of the book. If you want an insta-love story, try something else. If you're willing to read a little bit of everything, give this one a try! You might not be disappointed.
My biggest problem with the book is that... the social media challenges weren't explained very well. What were Jonathan and O'Hara's actual jobs? Were they instagram famous? Youtubers who just recited greek myths and love stories? Who the hell knows?
And also... I cannot forgive the author for using the phrase "love sleeve" in reference to anal sex. Jesus. Talk about a laughing riot.
But besides that, everything was awesome. It was a cute and simple love story with a lot of funny situations between the characters and I'm very happy that I spent the time reading it.
March 20, 2022
This was a tough one to get into and then it took off. I found it hard to connect with the story in the first half of the book. It seemed odd that after O'Hara left Jonathan seven years before and now wants to reconnect that Jonathan's first question isn't "What happened?" The author saves that backstory for the second half. We don't know the back story, nor do we even know about Jonathan's parents or about who Ben really is or even where we are or what the world of influencers is. We have an odd MC who is both a librarian and a ballroom dance instructor and who is also writing a gay romance novel--oh, and also wants to be an influencer. We don't learn much to ground us in the story until the second half. The first half feels like a draft--we don't understand what's going on nor what any of the characters' motivations are. Then when we do get all the back story, the story really takes off--nice feels and angst in the second half--which makes this half SO much more meaningful now that we know something about the two MCs.
The book has a number of writing problems in addition to the plotting. She uses ellipses, "...," when a character does not respond. This happens ALOT. A better choice would have been to describe what the non-responsive character was feeling or the look on his face. One of the MCs is the woman--long lashes, slim-hipped, calf boots, gets picked up and carried by the masculine MC, is passive in sex, weaker, etc. So in some ways this is an MF romance in MM romance clothing. The sex scenes are confusingly written--you're never quite sure what's happening--the author maybe should have opted for fade to black. For much of the book, I gave up trying to figure out who was speaking--very frustrating.
There are some wonderful feels--the impromptu ballroom dance at the fair, the dance session with Ben. But why wasn't Mr. Crank invited to the big party at the end?
This book just needs another draft or two to really make it work. Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC.
The book has a number of writing problems in addition to the plotting. She uses ellipses, "...," when a character does not respond. This happens ALOT. A better choice would have been to describe what the non-responsive character was feeling or the look on his face. One of the MCs is the woman--long lashes, slim-hipped, calf boots, gets picked up and carried by the masculine MC, is passive in sex, weaker, etc. So in some ways this is an MF romance in MM romance clothing. The sex scenes are confusingly written--you're never quite sure what's happening--the author maybe should have opted for fade to black. For much of the book, I gave up trying to figure out who was speaking--very frustrating.
There are some wonderful feels--the impromptu ballroom dance at the fair, the dance session with Ben. But why wasn't Mr. Crank invited to the big party at the end?
This book just needs another draft or two to really make it work. Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC.
May 9, 2022
At the start, I found it hard to get into the book. Its wording felt like an audio description on TV and was hard to get my head around. But, I'm glad I perceived and finished the book. It was beautiful seeing Jonathan and David fall in love.
Jonathan and David were best friends. After high school, David left to find his, mum. Then 7 years later they both meet at a social influencer competition. Jonathan is still upset with him for leaving without saying goodbye. But, after the challenge is announced, they decide to work together. The theme is love!
I loved watching them work together on the challenges and grow closer. I loved the dancing scene with the blindfold on. They are just a perfect fit and balance each other out. David is flirty and charming, while Jonathan is grumpy and reserved.
It is one long slow burn of a relationship. Nothing happens till over 70% of the book. Then I felt like it was rushed. You didn't see them interact as a couple much and there was one good sex scene. I wished they got together sooner so we could see their relationship grow. It was so heartwarming what David wanted the prize money for. He has a big heart and is one caring man.
Overall it is a sweet story and there wasn't much angst. It also doesn't have many sex scenes. I loved Savvy, but I didn't like Jobathan's ex-girlfriend, she didn't add much to the story. It also drove me crazy that he called David by his last name..why? I would recommend reading it if you love a good slow-burn romance and hate the sex scenes. This is the book for you.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Jonathan and David were best friends. After high school, David left to find his, mum. Then 7 years later they both meet at a social influencer competition. Jonathan is still upset with him for leaving without saying goodbye. But, after the challenge is announced, they decide to work together. The theme is love!
I loved watching them work together on the challenges and grow closer. I loved the dancing scene with the blindfold on. They are just a perfect fit and balance each other out. David is flirty and charming, while Jonathan is grumpy and reserved.
It is one long slow burn of a relationship. Nothing happens till over 70% of the book. Then I felt like it was rushed. You didn't see them interact as a couple much and there was one good sex scene. I wished they got together sooner so we could see their relationship grow. It was so heartwarming what David wanted the prize money for. He has a big heart and is one caring man.
Overall it is a sweet story and there wasn't much angst. It also doesn't have many sex scenes. I loved Savvy, but I didn't like Jobathan's ex-girlfriend, she didn't add much to the story. It also drove me crazy that he called David by his last name..why? I would recommend reading it if you love a good slow-burn romance and hate the sex scenes. This is the book for you.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
March 21, 2022
Super slow-burn!
I love a good slow burn story but I have to admit it took me a couple of chapters or so before I really got into this one. Having said that I ended up liking it very much and there were parts that touched me enough to bring tears to my eyes.
It’s hard for me to imagine anyone being parted from their one true love for 7 years and both halves of the couple still being available. Somehow Anyta Sunday made it work in this book. While I think it took a bit too long to reveal things that were important to the story, I was invested enough to keep reading and I’m glad I did.
The social networking challenge that Jonathan and O’Hara engage in was reminiscent of The Amazing Race which I used to watch on TV; I enjoyed this aspect of the story. The role that Mr. Cranky played in the end was a complete surprise to me so I think I missed a clue earlier in the book.
I loved Jonathan’s 15-year-old sibling and I think they need a book of their own. I can’t forget to say how much I love the cover. I’m not really fond of illustrated covers for MM books but this one is great and really fits the story perfectly.
A copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
I love a good slow burn story but I have to admit it took me a couple of chapters or so before I really got into this one. Having said that I ended up liking it very much and there were parts that touched me enough to bring tears to my eyes.
It’s hard for me to imagine anyone being parted from their one true love for 7 years and both halves of the couple still being available. Somehow Anyta Sunday made it work in this book. While I think it took a bit too long to reveal things that were important to the story, I was invested enough to keep reading and I’m glad I did.
The social networking challenge that Jonathan and O’Hara engage in was reminiscent of The Amazing Race which I used to watch on TV; I enjoyed this aspect of the story. The role that Mr. Cranky played in the end was a complete surprise to me so I think I missed a clue earlier in the book.
I loved Jonathan’s 15-year-old sibling and I think they need a book of their own. I can’t forget to say how much I love the cover. I’m not really fond of illustrated covers for MM books but this one is great and really fits the story perfectly.
A copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
March 22, 2022
Edit:
After Reading "modified" version of the ARC I think that addition of prologue makes the story better. It is much much easier to understand everything.
* * * * * * *
Anyta Sunday's books are almost always perfect and deserve all stars in the world. This time, however, despite the fact that it is a really interesting love story, I had a huge problem to understand the characters and get into the story. We learn about Jonathan and David's past somewhere near 40% and it is definitely too late (at least for me). I felt completely LOST.
This book is a slow burn second-chance friends-to-lovers romance with a low heat. It is beautifully written in a way that that puts you right in the middle of the action. Both MCs (as well as Savvy, Jacquie, Nash and others) are likable but it took me A LOT of time to warm up to them. It's REALLY HARD to like a character when You don't understand why he is so serious all of time! The love story was very sweet with lots and lots of tender moments, shared memories and silent conversations. I have to admit I am not into social media and the whole competition was not my thing, but the way Jonathan and David made every task their personal step toward relationship was absolutely wonderful.
All in all, it is a good love story, but I am not sure if it is appropriate read to start Your obsession with Anyta Sunday and her slow burn romances.
* I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review *
After Reading "modified" version of the ARC I think that addition of prologue makes the story better. It is much much easier to understand everything.
* * * * * * *
Anyta Sunday's books are almost always perfect and deserve all stars in the world. This time, however, despite the fact that it is a really interesting love story, I had a huge problem to understand the characters and get into the story. We learn about Jonathan and David's past somewhere near 40% and it is definitely too late (at least for me). I felt completely LOST.
This book is a slow burn second-chance friends-to-lovers romance with a low heat. It is beautifully written in a way that that puts you right in the middle of the action. Both MCs (as well as Savvy, Jacquie, Nash and others) are likable but it took me A LOT of time to warm up to them. It's REALLY HARD to like a character when You don't understand why he is so serious all of time! The love story was very sweet with lots and lots of tender moments, shared memories and silent conversations. I have to admit I am not into social media and the whole competition was not my thing, but the way Jonathan and David made every task their personal step toward relationship was absolutely wonderful.
All in all, it is a good love story, but I am not sure if it is appropriate read to start Your obsession with Anyta Sunday and her slow burn romances.
* I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review *
March 17, 2022
One day, I will learn my lesson and not start a Sunday book right before bed. But really, who needs sleep when you have a lovely book to keep you company. Fans of Sunday will recognize a lot of the usual things, clueless love, a sweet slow burn, wonderful main and secondary characters alike. This was a second chance romance, and it takes a while to warm up to the two MCs being together. They've each been through a lot, together and separately, and it takes some time for them to really realize they're better off together than they ever were apart. I always get a little swoony when I read Sunday's works and this was definitely no exception. I didn't really care about the social media convention/competition, but if it helped our MCs get together I was all for it.
to-read-already-own
January 17, 2024FREEBIE 1/17/2024
March 24, 2022
This was a lovely contemporary slowburn romance. I enjoyed the social media element, and would have liked to see more of it actually!
The book was rather introspective for having such a strong outside plot. It did very well with that, but the social media challenge was just so cool I wanted to see more of it.
Similarly, some of the side plots like the family (found and not) stuff could have gotten more attention - some of them seemed a bit pushed to the back towards the end.
The writing threw you right in, not explaining much about the character's lives. The reader got the clues thanks to context, and while this worked, in romances I personally like to have things stated a bit more clearly.
Still, this was well written and very romantic! If you are looking for an aching, slow and sweet romance, this is a book for you.
The book was rather introspective for having such a strong outside plot. It did very well with that, but the social media challenge was just so cool I wanted to see more of it.
Similarly, some of the side plots like the family (found and not) stuff could have gotten more attention - some of them seemed a bit pushed to the back towards the end.
The writing threw you right in, not explaining much about the character's lives. The reader got the clues thanks to context, and while this worked, in romances I personally like to have things stated a bit more clearly.
Still, this was well written and very romantic! If you are looking for an aching, slow and sweet romance, this is a book for you.
March 22, 2022
4.75 stars
Tell Me Our Story is a beautiful, enchanting love story delightfully full of some favorite tropes: second chances, friends-to-lovers, sunny and serious, forced proximity, and fated lovers. And of course, there's Anyta Sunday’s trademark sloooow burn – gah! I love her writing for that alone. I like to get all hot and bothered waiting for that first kiss. In this case, that kiss is more than seven years in the making.
This is a fantastic book, however, I felt lost for the first few chapters, like I missed a prequel. The important history of the men unfolds slowly and it isn’t until much later in the book that their past relationship is fully understood. While that gradual discovery makes the book more beautiful in some ways, without that context, it’s more difficult to get into the early parts of the story. There’s more, though, that left me shaking my head. The characters participate in something called iCon, but it’s never explained what that is. I assume it’s a convention of conference of some sort, something to do with social media perhaps? I still don’t know. There are “social challenges” related to who knows what. Influencing, maybe? I was annoyed, but worse, I felt left out, as if I was missing an inside joke, like I wasn’t good enough for the cool kids table, those who don’t require an explanation as I clearly do. It was unsettling.
However, the beauty outshines the beginning for me. Jonathan and David have opposite personalities: the former is stoic and guarded, unwavering and resolute, while the latter is flirty, exuberant, and cheeky. Charismatic David is like a “social butterfly with no indoor voice.” They were friends since the start of high school, but several years later, David suddenly and without explanation, moved from New Zealand to Sydney to find the mother who abandoned him. That was seven years ago and Jonathan and David haven’t seen each other since, although I’m not sure why. It’s certainly plausible that David would’ve returned home to see Jonathan again.
After running into each other at iCon, they’re now paired up as a team to compete for two million dollars in twelve “social challenges” in which they post online videos representing different themes relating to love. The themes are in such topics as trust, fools in love, Eros, blinded by love, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and more. The weekly challenges are clever and it’s entertaining to see how the men approach each one. The magical part of this book is the way the love story grows parallel to the social challenges, bringing the men closer each week as they focus on a different definition of love. It makes the basis of their relationship so strong, and they realize their inevitability as they explore the tenants of love. Their romance slowly unfurls in the public eye on social media. It’s a wonderfully creative way to approach a story of love. Ms. Sunday's writing style – an almost poetic prose – enhances the sense of romance.
Throughout the process, Jonathan grounds David with his steadiness, and David challenges Jonathan with the unexpected. David's gentle teasing is adorable. I particularly liked when he found reasons to share Jonathan’s bed at night. I also loved their rowboat escapades. Notable side characters include Saavy, Jonathan's younger sibling whom he raises, David’s much younger brother, other contestants, and David's neighbor and friend, Nash. The strong supporting cast is rounded out by cranky Mr. Crank who teaches Jonathan and David a thing or two about love.
When I reached the end, all I could say was, wow. There’s a sweet HEA but not much of an epilogue – just a handful of sentences – but even that didn’t lessen my enjoyment. Their intertwined past gave strength to their present so that I didn’t feel the need for a check-in years down the road. I highly recommend this standalone book.
ARC kindly provided to Love Bytes Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
Tell Me Our Story is a beautiful, enchanting love story delightfully full of some favorite tropes: second chances, friends-to-lovers, sunny and serious, forced proximity, and fated lovers. And of course, there's Anyta Sunday’s trademark sloooow burn – gah! I love her writing for that alone. I like to get all hot and bothered waiting for that first kiss. In this case, that kiss is more than seven years in the making.
This is a fantastic book, however, I felt lost for the first few chapters, like I missed a prequel. The important history of the men unfolds slowly and it isn’t until much later in the book that their past relationship is fully understood. While that gradual discovery makes the book more beautiful in some ways, without that context, it’s more difficult to get into the early parts of the story. There’s more, though, that left me shaking my head. The characters participate in something called iCon, but it’s never explained what that is. I assume it’s a convention of conference of some sort, something to do with social media perhaps? I still don’t know. There are “social challenges” related to who knows what. Influencing, maybe? I was annoyed, but worse, I felt left out, as if I was missing an inside joke, like I wasn’t good enough for the cool kids table, those who don’t require an explanation as I clearly do. It was unsettling.
However, the beauty outshines the beginning for me. Jonathan and David have opposite personalities: the former is stoic and guarded, unwavering and resolute, while the latter is flirty, exuberant, and cheeky. Charismatic David is like a “social butterfly with no indoor voice.” They were friends since the start of high school, but several years later, David suddenly and without explanation, moved from New Zealand to Sydney to find the mother who abandoned him. That was seven years ago and Jonathan and David haven’t seen each other since, although I’m not sure why. It’s certainly plausible that David would’ve returned home to see Jonathan again.
After running into each other at iCon, they’re now paired up as a team to compete for two million dollars in twelve “social challenges” in which they post online videos representing different themes relating to love. The themes are in such topics as trust, fools in love, Eros, blinded by love, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and more. The weekly challenges are clever and it’s entertaining to see how the men approach each one. The magical part of this book is the way the love story grows parallel to the social challenges, bringing the men closer each week as they focus on a different definition of love. It makes the basis of their relationship so strong, and they realize their inevitability as they explore the tenants of love. Their romance slowly unfurls in the public eye on social media. It’s a wonderfully creative way to approach a story of love. Ms. Sunday's writing style – an almost poetic prose – enhances the sense of romance.
Throughout the process, Jonathan grounds David with his steadiness, and David challenges Jonathan with the unexpected. David's gentle teasing is adorable. I particularly liked when he found reasons to share Jonathan’s bed at night. I also loved their rowboat escapades. Notable side characters include Saavy, Jonathan's younger sibling whom he raises, David’s much younger brother, other contestants, and David's neighbor and friend, Nash. The strong supporting cast is rounded out by cranky Mr. Crank who teaches Jonathan and David a thing or two about love.
When I reached the end, all I could say was, wow. There’s a sweet HEA but not much of an epilogue – just a handful of sentences – but even that didn’t lessen my enjoyment. Their intertwined past gave strength to their present so that I didn’t feel the need for a check-in years down the road. I highly recommend this standalone book.
ARC kindly provided to Love Bytes Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2022
3.5 stars rounded to a 4
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Tell Me Our Story is a standalone romance by Anyta Sunday. A second chance romance for two best friends whose opposites balance each other out perfectly.
"This was the beginning of something he would work to protect the rest of his life."
Quiet, serious Jonathan and loud boisterous David O'Hara were best friends until 7 years ago when O'Hara left and didn't come back. Both nursing broken hearts, they didn't stay in touch but never forgot each other. A social influencer challenge brings them back together and as they dissect the meaning of love for their fans, they rebuild their friendship. A friendship that grows when they acknowledge deeper feelings for one another, but what will happen to them when the challenge is over. Will O'Hare once again leave, or will Jonathan give him a reason to stay this time.
"From the moment David had entered his life again, he'd lost all control. He couldn't anticipate ... couldn't know he was doing the right thing."
The book's cover just captures the whimsical feel of this story. It's seriously dreamy with its Greek mythology and poetry. It all around has an innocent quality to it. I loved, Jonathan his ballroom teaching, care for his younger sibling, and his love of romance novels. I really enjoyed the opposites attract scenario between Jonathan and O'Hara. Jonathan was so buttoned up and serious , I looked forward to O'Hara getting a smile out of him. The two have the slowest slow burn in existence, and it doesn't even have a lot of sexual tension that happens before it, which just reinforced my innocent vibe of the story. Once they take their relationship to that next level, there are a handful of open door intimate scenes that are even done in a soft sort of way.
"No one had seen David like this before. A secret language only Jonathan was allowed to read. Translate. Respond to."
The biggest aspect keeping me from giving this a higher rating is the single person point of view. I enjoyed Jonathan immensely, but without O'Hara's view, it was really hard to connect with him. While we know he's fun, flirty and upbeat, we don't get real depth from him till quite far into the story. Even then we don't hear it from him but second hand when a neighbor informs Johnathan of why O'Hara never came back to him. It would have been more impactful to hear it from O'Hara himself and experience with his POV all those feelings whirling inside him. I just think for me, the pacing and revealing of their past didn't quite work for me. [I am seeing from other reviewers that the final edition of the book is going to have a prologue of the couple's past which I think would have changed my reading experience in the positive instead of having to wait so long for it to be revealed.]
Tell Me Our Story by Anyta Sunday is a friends to lovers second chance romance with a furry feline friend, row boats, horseback riding, ballroom dancing, trust, found family, first kisses, friendship, soulmates, and the meaning of love.
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Tell Me Our Story is a standalone romance by Anyta Sunday. A second chance romance for two best friends whose opposites balance each other out perfectly.
"This was the beginning of something he would work to protect the rest of his life."
Quiet, serious Jonathan and loud boisterous David O'Hara were best friends until 7 years ago when O'Hara left and didn't come back. Both nursing broken hearts, they didn't stay in touch but never forgot each other. A social influencer challenge brings them back together and as they dissect the meaning of love for their fans, they rebuild their friendship. A friendship that grows when they acknowledge deeper feelings for one another, but what will happen to them when the challenge is over. Will O'Hare once again leave, or will Jonathan give him a reason to stay this time.
"From the moment David had entered his life again, he'd lost all control. He couldn't anticipate ... couldn't know he was doing the right thing."
The book's cover just captures the whimsical feel of this story. It's seriously dreamy with its Greek mythology and poetry. It all around has an innocent quality to it. I loved, Jonathan his ballroom teaching, care for his younger sibling, and his love of romance novels. I really enjoyed the opposites attract scenario between Jonathan and O'Hara. Jonathan was so buttoned up and serious , I looked forward to O'Hara getting a smile out of him. The two have the slowest slow burn in existence, and it doesn't even have a lot of sexual tension that happens before it, which just reinforced my innocent vibe of the story. Once they take their relationship to that next level, there are a handful of open door intimate scenes that are even done in a soft sort of way.
"No one had seen David like this before. A secret language only Jonathan was allowed to read. Translate. Respond to."
The biggest aspect keeping me from giving this a higher rating is the single person point of view. I enjoyed Jonathan immensely, but without O'Hara's view, it was really hard to connect with him. While we know he's fun, flirty and upbeat, we don't get real depth from him till quite far into the story. Even then we don't hear it from him but second hand when a neighbor informs Johnathan of why O'Hara never came back to him. It would have been more impactful to hear it from O'Hara himself and experience with his POV all those feelings whirling inside him. I just think for me, the pacing and revealing of their past didn't quite work for me. [I am seeing from other reviewers that the final edition of the book is going to have a prologue of the couple's past which I think would have changed my reading experience in the positive instead of having to wait so long for it to be revealed.]
Tell Me Our Story by Anyta Sunday is a friends to lovers second chance romance with a furry feline friend, row boats, horseback riding, ballroom dancing, trust, found family, first kisses, friendship, soulmates, and the meaning of love.
March 21, 2022
Anyta Sunday has done it again - creating a beautiful story that left me aching for more from these beautiful characters but satisfied with what I was given.
Tell Me Our Story is a standalone about two social media influencers, Jonathan and O'Hara (David). They have a history, two best friends who grew up in the same town with the whispers of something more between them. Then O'Hara left. The two men fell out of contact and a rift grew between them. The story begins again at their reconnection, and you can practically feel the pain radiating off of both of them, though O'Hara is better at hiding it. I almost wish that Anyta wrote in the dual person POV, just so we could've seen what O'Hara was feeling during that reunion. Even without the dual POV though, you're able to get a decent glimpse and explanation over the course of the story.
After the ICon event, the two men then team up together for the social challenge, which requires them to fill certain prompts - all dealing with Love. Its a rush to see what they're creating for each event and also to see how their friendship begins to bloom again and develop into something more.
Like all Anyta Sunday books, this book has just a touch of humor and more heart than the cardiovascular ward of a hospital. The characters are incredibly lovable and the side characters - particularly Jonathan's sibling Savvy and ex-girlfriend, Jacquie, all feel incredibly real. They add a lot to the story. Watching Jonathan process everything that happened with O'Hara through his siblings budding relationship with another teenager, Nate, is beautiful and adds a great parallel. I found myself rooting for Savvy and Nate as much as I was rooting for Jonathan and O'Hara.
If you're looking for a book with low angst that warms your heart, then look no further than Tell Me Our Story. It is a single POV, low angst, and low steam novel with a delicious slow burn that will get you in your feelings.
** Disclaimer: ARC provided by GRR and this is my honest review. **
Tell Me Our Story is a standalone about two social media influencers, Jonathan and O'Hara (David). They have a history, two best friends who grew up in the same town with the whispers of something more between them. Then O'Hara left. The two men fell out of contact and a rift grew between them. The story begins again at their reconnection, and you can practically feel the pain radiating off of both of them, though O'Hara is better at hiding it. I almost wish that Anyta wrote in the dual person POV, just so we could've seen what O'Hara was feeling during that reunion. Even without the dual POV though, you're able to get a decent glimpse and explanation over the course of the story.
After the ICon event, the two men then team up together for the social challenge, which requires them to fill certain prompts - all dealing with Love. Its a rush to see what they're creating for each event and also to see how their friendship begins to bloom again and develop into something more.
Like all Anyta Sunday books, this book has just a touch of humor and more heart than the cardiovascular ward of a hospital. The characters are incredibly lovable and the side characters - particularly Jonathan's sibling Savvy and ex-girlfriend, Jacquie, all feel incredibly real. They add a lot to the story. Watching Jonathan process everything that happened with O'Hara through his siblings budding relationship with another teenager, Nate, is beautiful and adds a great parallel. I found myself rooting for Savvy and Nate as much as I was rooting for Jonathan and O'Hara.
If you're looking for a book with low angst that warms your heart, then look no further than Tell Me Our Story. It is a single POV, low angst, and low steam novel with a delicious slow burn that will get you in your feelings.
** Disclaimer: ARC provided by GRR and this is my honest review. **
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