Sober Dope & Sundays

Weekday Weirdos #2

by Nordika Night

WHEN ZERO WILLPOWER MEETS AN IRON WILL...Who goes to rehab eight times? Gage does. As a recovering addict fresh out of rehab, moving back in with his mom and starting over in his hometown isn't part of his life goals, but Gage needs all the support he can get. Lost and a little unsure of himself, Gage meets his new sponsor. A sponsor whose son is the perfect sober companion. But companionship isn't all these two find...

Content with who he is, Alexei isn't looking for anyone to save him. No stranger to the ups and downs of addiction, Alexei is comfortable with his life. Confident and resilient, he's learned to cope with trauma in his own healthy way, but that doesn't make him boring. Far from it. He may not need an army like Gage does, but he knows how to keep things interesting. Especially when he believes in true love and his soulmate just walked into town in the body of a sexy, shady smoker. The audacity of fate, right?!

What happens when zero willpower meets an iron will?

Gage and Alexei know they shouldn't fall for each other, but when destiny intervenes, well, let's just say... you can't fight soulmateship.

Sober Dope & Sundays is part of the Weekday Weirdos series and does not need to be read in order. It is a small town, opposites attract, meant-to-be MM romance.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Mental Health, Addiction, Found Family

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2024

About the author

Openness. Acceptance. Tolerance. Respect.

Nordika is a coffee-addicted Canadian with a love of the outdoors and the fictional worlds inside books.

Reading is a joy, writing is an adventure, and together, they are an addiction.

Writing mostly MM romance with all the banter, bullish!t and boys!

Working in multiple genres and tropes, Nordika has lots more to come.

Follow on IG: nordikanightauthor

Reviews

[Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everything in life has risks. Just gotta find the ones worth taking."

Gage Rossum just got out of rehab.
8th time's the charm.
Moving back to his hometown. Living with his mom.
This time he wants to make it stick.
He finds a sponsor with the perfect sober companion - his son.
Alexei Kopacek.
Alexei doesn't need anyone to save him.
But he does believe in true love and soulmates.
And his soulmate might have just walked right into town.
Who can fight fate right?

"Normal is boring. What even is normal?"

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💙🧡

"What happens when zero willpower meets an iron will?"

Nordika Night really came out here and said prepare yourselves because this book is just THAT good. Did I cry? Of course. Did I DM Nordika Night when I cried? Of course. Did I absolutely fall in love with these characters? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY. And trust me it was so hard not to. Gage and Alexei come from the same world but their experiences are different. The outcome of them is different because of everything they went through and I think that is what really makes this story that much more special.💙

"You're my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug."

Gage fresh out of his 8th time in rehab and Alexei just getting on good ground with his recovering father. Addiction has impacted them both and I loved seeing Nordika Night's take on addiction and the hurt and outcome that can happen. Alexei and Gage's relationship is a special one that I feel like only Nordika Night could do it justice and she absolutely does with this well written masterpiece about sobriety, addiction, recovery, true love, and soulmates. This series just keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait to see what else is in store 🧡

"He's Alexei. There's no better explanation."

"He better start believing in soulmates soon."

I loved making the playist for this book and these boys and so I hope you love it too 😇😇

(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5pq... )

🎶 "Nice To Meet Ya" - Niall Horan
🎶 "What's The Time Where You Are?" - Troye Sivan
🎶 "Play With Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎶 "Rain" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Waste.mp3" - Pr0d_marz
🎶 "Two Men in Love" - The Irrepressibles
🎶 "Cigarette" - Shaya Zamora
🎶 "I'm so tired…" - Lauv, Troye Sivan
🎶 "Moth To A Flame" - Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd
🎶 "Sober" - Tom MacDonald, Madchild, Nova Rockafeller
🎶 "High Enough" - K. Flay
🎶 "You Found Me" - The Fray
🎶 "Sober" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Dancing With The Devil" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎶 "I'm trying" - Alexander Stewart
🎶 "Something Wild" - Lindsey Stirling, Andrew McMahon
🎶 "sugar honey ice & tea" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "The Exit" - Conan Gray
🎶 "Stay With Me" - You Me At Six
🎶 "Walk Away" - FAIDLESS
🎶 "Monsters" - All Time Low, blackbear
🎶 "The Worst In Me" - Bad Omens
🎶 "Into You" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "Somebody Save Me" - Eminem, Jelly Roll
🎶 "Orange Juice" - Noah Kahan
🎶 "Growing Sideways" - Noah Kahan
🎶 "SKIN OF MY TEETH" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Eyes Wide Open" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "Soulmate" - Chanin
🎶 "Leave a Light On" - Tom Walker
🎶 "Skin and Bones" - David Kushner
🎶 "I'm Still Standing" - Elton John
🎶 "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - The Beatles
🎶 "Dancing On My Own" - Arkells
🎶 "Addicted To Love" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "Shatter" - Maggie Rogers
🎶 "Panic Room - Acoustic" - Au/Ra
🎶 "Tongue Ties" - GROUPLOVE
🎶 "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" - Kelly Clarkson
🎶 "Tongue Tied" - Marshmello, YUNGBLUD, blackbear
🎶 "Electric Love" - BORNS
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "All For Us" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎶 "Architect" - Livingston
🎶 "Gravedigger" - Livingston
🎶 "Hercules" - Livingston
🎶 "Half Life" - Livingston
🎶 "Control" - Zoe Wees
🎶 "Strings" - Shawn Mendes
🎶 "Last Man Standing" - Livingston
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "Sober" - Ekoh
🎶 "Tattoos" - Renee Rapp
🎶 "Slow It Down" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Forever and a Day" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Bones" - MOD SUN
🎶 "sun to me" - mgk
🎶 "Nervous" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "A Lannister Always Pays His Debts" - Raminn Djawadi
🎶 "The Imitation Game" - Alexandre Desplat, London Symphony Orchestra
🎶 "Rue's Whistle" - Tom Snively
🎶 "Moon" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Forever & Always" - Written by Wolves, Becks
🎶 "Mind Over Matter" - Young the Giant
🎶 "Colors - Stripped" - Halsey
🎶 "Greedy" - Fame on Fire
🎶 "I Want It All" - Bonnie McKee
🎶 "Messed Up" - Once Monsters
🎶 "Way Down We Go - Slowed Down" - Kaleo
🎶 "Hold Me While You Wait" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Love The Hell Out Of You" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "dancing in the kitchen" -LANY
🎶 "I Like Me Better" - Lauv
🎶 "Francesca" - Hozier
🎶 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan
🎶 "Never Say Never" - The Fray
🎶 "Sunday Morning" - Maroon 5
🎶 "Sunday Crossword" - J. Maya
🎶 "In My Blood" - Shawn Mendes

Now, Nordika Night can write smut like it is nobody's business and I just wanted to let you in on a little sneak peek 😜😜

"Oh, yeah. You like that, don't you? Knew you'd be greedy."

"You know how long I've wanted to perform for you, Gage? Let me have the spotlight."

"I knew you'd beg. Just didn't think it's be for me to stop."

☕ Tropes ☕

🍪 Opposites Attract
🍪 Addiction/Recovery
🍪 Soulmates
🍪 Neurodivergent Rep.
🍪 Support Systems
🍪 Neighbours

Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C-sHwuOSG...

[patrícia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been finding it increasingly difficult to express how much I love a book, and I loved this book, so here are some spoilers without context to convince you to read and love this story with these adorable weirdos:

-An addict and a neurotic son of an addict go into a dinner 💥
-Fried meats 🥩 and eggs 🍳
-Sugar is overrated 🍬
-Midnight tea 🫖
-Forging swords ⚔️
-100 cookies 🍪
-Making old things new again🗜️
-Arousal Journal 📓
-Fedoras and orange hoodies 🎩 🧡
-Icy blue and Black🩵🖤
-Quilting 🧶 🪡
-Kissing is intimate 💋
-Murder room but different 🛠️
-Rebuilding a falling-down mansion is good therapy 🏰
-Toe nails polish 💅
-Alyosha* 🫠
-Right is left & Left is right 😍
-Soulmates like romeo and fucking Juliette romantic af shit 💘
-3, 2,2,2… 1 hang up 📱
-Flashing Morse code in daylight 🤦🏻‍♀️🔦
-Driving lessons 🚙
-Detergent and tobacco🚬 🧴
-Washing whites🧼
-Sharing showers, but to get dirty🚿
-Slow-moving boyfriend ♾️
-Intimacy is the new black 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨
-Surprise birthday 🧁
-Every touch is a volcano 🌋
-Scarf just to be fashion 🧣
-I want to watch you come 🪦 I’m dead at this point
-A Lannister always pays his debts 👅 🍆💦
-“Welcome intruder” ☕️
-Wonderful Portuguese neighbors🇵🇹
-Vagina knowledge 🤓
-Healing.Crying.Healing.More Crying.More Healing. ❤️‍🩹
-I’m a person 🧡
-Meet you halfway 🫶
-First kiss comes with snot and a lot of drool 🥲
-I think you are lacking in vitamin me 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
-What the fuck, nipples?! 🥵
-Ass play is always fair game 🍑
-Get bossy with me because I can’t wait to get bossy with you.🫡
-trifecta of perfection: finger.mouth.towel.👆👄🏳️
-Bathroom sex 🛀
-The mother's pain💔❤️‍🩹
-Instant-lust but long-drawn-out romance🫂
-Courting into our soulmateship🙇🏻‍♂️
-Filthy talk and tempting God🔥🙏
-On your knees, soulmate🧎🏻
-Beauty& Beast library vibes📚
-Flirting with the forging master 🗡️
-The man in the mirror 🪞❤️‍🔥
-Defiling Antiques A+G=<3
-The end *swooning*

*The name Alyosha is a boy's name meaning "defender". Russian diminutive of Alexei <3

This is what I like about Nordika's characters, they are so fresh and satisfying to read, even with huge amounts of shity life, trauma, neurosis, addictions, bad reputations or nasty temperament. They are ridiculous and I love them 🩵🖤🧡

I received this eArc from Nordika and this is my sincere praise!

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ☆

soulmates at its finest 🥹🥹🥹

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, LOVE Alexei and Gage!!!!

I don't even think I can really describe what it is about them that I loved so much, but they just made me feel so happy and positive throughout this entire book and I kinda wish they were real people because Alexei reminds me of myself in the way that he's a difficult person to be friends with.

Gage is so self-aware and his determination is so strong. He is genuinely such a loveable character, and seeing him face struggles and challenges to his sobriety made me love him more. I was cheering him on and the way he comes to realise that he's not defined by addiction, but that he's a person first and foremost.... I kept tearing up because it felt so rewarding to follow his journey! I like that this was a more positive take on addiction recovery and there's a good dose of humour throughout as well as the more emotional side, because there is a tendency to only see the dark, depressing side of recovery and addiction, but it is true that people can recover and that there can be positivity in their journey to get there. I loved Gage's family too, and the support he gets from them and his neighbours was just heartwarming for me - although I did want to shout at Nick and Cole....

Alexei is now my idol. I absolutely loved him and his iron will. The way he knows exactly what he wants and who he is, but also doesn't really know who he is yet.... loved him! It was so good to see a character who knows their self-worth and will not let anyone diminish that or make him question himself in any way. I love how to the point he is, I love how he goes after his interests, and I loved his communicating with mugs - something I'd love to do but I think all of mine would be too passive aggressive or sarcastic at this point in my life 😂😂😂

I'm also now weirdly curious about quilting...

I love Nordika Night's imagination and her character and plot development - I don't think there's a book of hers yet that I haven't immediately loved within the first couple of chapters. Can't wait for the next book!

*****

I received an ARC of this book from Nordika Night, and this is my honest review

[Gabs (gaybism) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve cried so many happy tears while reading before…I felt every single emotion while completely devouring this book.

Gage is an addict and after many failed attempts of being sober he finally thinks that the 8th time might be his lucky number. He goes back home to live with his family and finds himself a sponsor and a safety net in the form of Nathan.

Nathan introduces Gage to his son, Alexei and the two of them become fast friends and although both are attracted to each other, Gage doesn’t trust himself to not get addicted to Alexei, repeat past mistakes or even ruin him in the process.

I’m trying very hard to put my thoughts into words here.
I’ve never been a person with a substance disorder but I’ve had friends who were. I can’t speak from experience but as an observer, the addiction representation was so well done. The highs, the lows, the urges, the control (or lack of it)…I felt all of it. Every single raw emotion.

The therapy aspect…oh how I loved the therapy. Gage and Alexei were falling in love but they worked hard to be in a healthy relationship. The constant communication, founding healthy coping mechanisms, the openness and thoughtfulness from both parties…it was everything.

Alexei was adorable in all his neurotic rambling and the way he always read and gauged Gage’s moods was my favourite thing ever. To be loved, is to be known. They truly were absolutely perfectly matched and their soulmateship was breathtaking.

Did I cry during every spicy scene? Yes…yes I did because while the spice was hot, it was so much more than that. It was the trust between them, the raw emotions Gage was experiencing, the palpable love and the sheer need for them to be skin on skin.

The found family…Gage’s momma. That beautiful soul that went through so much but still loved her child unconditionally. Mariane and the rest of the ladies that quilted and how good they were to Gage. Nathan…Nathan who was always there for anything and everything. I love Nathan so much it hurts! Basically everyone that made Gage feel like a person again!
And f*ck you Paul…

I can keep going on and on about this book. The ADHD rep, the addiction rep, the therapy and mental health rep, the soft love, the beautiful characters…just read this book

[Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf 68% in
I’m technically dnf’ing this I guess. I think this is more of an ”it’s not the book, it’s me” situation than anything, but I really think the book could have ended 68% in. It felt like enough of an hea for me. I skimmed the later chapters and from what I saw, the rest of the book was pretty much about the mc’s being in love, together and figuring their shit out. Should be cute right? It is if you care about the couple and if the author can keep you entertained.

I really enjoyed Red Flags & Tuesdays but I didn’t feel much for this one. I really liked Gage and I mostly kept reading because of him and his family. He can do better then Alexi, sorry, not sorry. Loved Nathan though!🤭

I guess Alexi was supposed to come across as different and quirky? He was boring and a bit unlikable to me. If I got a dollar for every time he needed to remind Gage or us that he’s weird, different, can’t be persuaded or changed by anyone ….💸🛩️🌍. Then you also give the character a shit ton of neurodivergent traits and say: “Are you neurodivergent? On the spectrum?”
“No. I was tested. I’m just weird.” ”No he’s not autistic, just weird” What does that even mean?? He’s weird but not weird enough to be autistic? I’m sure that’s not what the author had in mind lol but as someone with autism, I don’t know how else to take it🤚🏻💀

I don’t have the right kind of first- or second hand experience to know for sure, but I think the addiction reps were handled well. It seemed like the author really put effort, thought and research into creating Gage’s character, representing his issues, conflicts, thought processes and desires.

2.75 stars

[Renae Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sober Dope & Sundays is an emotional story focusing on health, sobriety, and recovery. Gage and Alexei have a fascinating dynamic full of surprises while offering continuous support for one another. Their journey together is heartwarming and shows that with the power of will and determination goals can be achieved and hardships can be overcome. This is a beautiful emotional love story that I could not get enough of.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really tried to organise my thoughts because this take on addiction recovery has touched my little sober soul. It has taken me a few days after finishing it and I'm still not over how utterly hopeful and full of love and good weird feelings this book is. Recovery is most certainly not linear and not everyone makes it, but how Nordika Knight has managed to portray the ups and downs without making it some kind of torture porn or ott drama was healing for me. The way Gage explains his struggle and how he needs to find better ways to cope and live, to find a desire to cling to life in a positive healthy way is something all of us people in recovery know and strive for. How Alexei holds space for him to find them was brilliantly done. There's no magic cure relationship here, just someone to be there for Gage and to let him figure out what he needs without taking over. The support net Gage finds in his family and Nathan was beautiful too. I loved how Alexei had also someone to appreciate his weirdness and his anal retentive tendencies without attempting to change him.
Another take I loved was the sex/intimacy between these two. No rushing, not defining sex just by penetration, building up their feelings, the amount of consent and respect and gentleness. It was PERFECT.
Look, I don't want to spoil the whole book by telling you all the brilliant moments, but you need to read this, even if you haven't struggled with addiction or known anyone who does/did, this book talks about finding your way after being lost and finding a love that suits you. And I love it. Even more because we are portrayed as human beings beyond our struggles 💜💙

[Cyndi (hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I don't think I've ever read a story centered around a character who was recovering from addiction that was more positive and hopeful than this one. Gage and Alexei made my face hurt. They were so cute, sweet and funny and I loved the way they communicated in such an open and honest way. In the end, I wanted to be friends with all of the characters and get invited to all of the things and have my very own Alexei approved mug.

I'm really enjoying this series so far. I love the quirky ideas this author has and the way they add depth and humor to the story and the characters. I can't wait to see what day of the week we get next!

[Marci]

Calling it quits at 44%☹️ I feel like this will put me in a book slump. I’m too bored already. I can’t even put into words how much I loved the first one (which aligns with this statement because I didn’t do a review for it) 😂 so I’m pretty disappointed but oh well 😔😔

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I’m missing something because I still have no clue how this book connects to the first one in the series?

Anyway, didn’t really love this. So focused on addiction and recovery it took over the romance. And I didn’t find addiction and recovery too fun to read about.

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don’t know how to have a friend," Gage admits, finally putting me at ease. I like it when other people feel awkward because it makes me feel less alone in my awkwardness. Quirks like company, I guess.

Sober Dope & Sundays is book 2 in the fabulous Nordika Night's Weekday Weirdos series. Like the first book in the series, Red Flags & Tuesdays, Sober Dope & Sundays was an unexpectedly quirky, funny and enchanting read, particularly given its dark-themed subject matter (addiction, recovery, relapse, mental health rep, amongst more).

Nordika Night handles the subject matter so beautifully, you can't help but get sucked into the journey these two amazing characters are on.

I totally adored Gage and Alexei. Gage literally WOULD NOT GIVE UP and Alexei was his brightness and strength, without giving up his own identity.

Although this book has dark themes, it's not a dark book; there's so much positivity and support to draw on, with the best parents (on both sides) and the best 'found family' support that you could wish for.

It's absolutely a romance, but it's not smutty or really spicy in any way; whilst the boys both fall quickly, they fall deeply in friendship and soulmateship first, and take baby steps with the intimacy.

What To Expect:

🧡MM romance
🩵Opposites attract
🧡Addiction/relapse/recovery
🩵Neurodivergent/mental health rep
🧡Dark themes
🩵Friends to lovers
🧡Soul mates
🩵Found family
🧡HEA

5 stars (of course - it's a Nordika Night book!)

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERY freakin' star!!!
(Dear God ...
please make more stars?!?)

Wouldn't change a single word! If you read this and don't love it ... or at least like it very much ... we can't be friends.🤨 Just jokin' ... maybe? ... not really. 😏

This one created (AND checked) boxes I never knew I had ... like the "recovering addict" thing and the coffee mug thing (yeah, apparently that's a thing!). I've always loved the idea of restoring an old house, but I think this is the first time I've read a book with that as a major plot device and I LOVED every bit of that shit! Just SO much to love with this one ... I could go on and on. This was one of the rare books where I was seriously battling to restrain myself from highlighting and posting literally every single paragraph (and some of you may think I did! 😳). It was a struggle ... but I didn't wanna go to jail.😬

Please read this book! 🥴

[JonathanSamuelReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t even know what to say without sounding like a complete asshole but I just didn’t really enjoy this and I think it’s a ME thing. For me being in an addicts head all the time gets exhausting and I kinda felt like that with Gage, I could see where the almost “relapse” happened before it even happened. I liked both MCs and I believed in their love and it’s a solid story but I was just kinda exhausted by it…took me over a week to finish and I was gridlocked at chapter 25 for awhile. I think maybe I’m just not in the right head space for this to really hit and it just didn’t. Still love Nordica though!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gage + Alexei 🖤
Soulmates | Addict + Sponsors son | Healing

A beautiful story of love and healing and an addict learning that he deserves good things.
While there is some smut in this book, it is absolutely not sex focused. Gage is a recovering drug addict and sex addict. So their story and love is unique and they take the time that they need.

Alexei reminds me a lot of myself. His old soul, his love of old things, his bluntness and lack of filter. Something that's always been treated like it's a bad thing. I appreciate seeing myself represented in a book.

....

"I want to hold him and snuggle him. I want to laugh with him and sleep next to him. I want to get so caught up in a make-out session with him that we forget to eat and my lips hurt after. I want to differentiate him from a fixation, love on him without obsessing over him and learn new ways to make him smile every single day."

"Building him up and worshipping him is the most natural thing I've ever done."

"What're you thinking?"
"That I can't believe you're mine."

"If you won't see yourself as a person, I will."

....



⚠️ potential spoilers in detailed tropes and trigger warnings below




Tropes:
Addict and addicts son
Sponsors son
Recovery
Therapy
Soulmates
Vers roles
Healing
Working on self love
Mutual masturbation
Rimming
Nipple play


TWs:
On page drug use
Addiction
Rehab
At one point Gage is so deep in temptation that he plows over Alexei pushing him over.
Gage's brothers do drugs on page
Mild ex drama

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. That was INCREDIBLE. So moving, interesting, intense, scary, hopeful, funny, educating, sexy, nuanced and full of all the love. It was incredible to get a (I presume) somewhat authentic look into a recovering addicts brain, while simultaneously learning about the trauma that comes with being an addicts child. But even though these are some heavy topics, the tone of the story is positive, optimistic.
Gage and Alexei were everything. Individually but more so together. They were so different and complex and complicated and wholesome in their own weird way and I couldn’t have loved them more if I tried. I don’t even know what my fave part of the book was, here are a few.

The soulmateship
The open and honest conversations
The renovation
The quilting
The black and blue and sunset orange
The 3.000 cookies
The 2am family tea parties
The mugs
The forging
The ‚no-flirting-tax‘
The steam, Jeeeez, the steam 🥵
The worshipping
The journaling
The slow, slow self acceptance and self love
The healing
The KISS
The A+G=<3
The ‚I’m a person‘
The epilogue

All the stars for this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I did that thing again where I held off writing my review and the finer details have already started to fade 😅 The reason I didn't write my review immediately after finishing was simply my inability to put my mild disappointment into words. I didn't hate the book, not by any means, but it wasn't what I'd expected. I'd been holding off on listening to this because I wanted to savor it, but in the end, I think I played myself. I let my expectations get too high, and it didn't match how much I loved Red Flags & Tuesdays 😭

Alexei and Gage were great characters. I loved them to pieces, especially Alexei! I adored his quirky personality and the way he had overcome the hardships of growing up as a child of parents with substance abuse issues. Having lost his mom and dealing with his dad through recovery, I was impressed how he approached dealing with addiction and the way he handled himself. My heart ached for Gage and everything he went through. I don't think I can ever truly understand his experience not having personally dealt with the issues he faced.

As strictly a love story, I think this book was fabulous. Alexei and Gage had chemistry all over the place, and their romance put hearts in my eyes. It made me happy with how sappy, sweet, and sexy it was from start to finish. They were adorable on all accounts and almost too perfect for each other 🥹

As a love story that dealt with addiction, I was letdown. The main thing that held me back from loving the book 5* was how little drama there was overall. I don't think the book needed to be drama porn just because it dealt with someone with substance abuse issues to the extent of Gage, but I also don't think it was particularly realistic either. Everything that happened was far too idealistic given the circumstances. And Gage's infinite money making business? That had me internally screaming every time it came up. I guess it could work, but my goodness did it seem like a stretch. I need the details on that setup asap bc who doesn't want to create an online business, do almost zero ongoing work, and get rich 😂

In the end, I think this was a 3.5* read, but I'm rounding up because I did like Gage and Alexei, and the audiobook was excellent. It's hard not to love Zane Daniels and NJR 😌

[SpïcyReadsandHEAs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book two in the Weekday Weirdos series but can be read as a complete standalone.

Gage is fresh out of rehab and is returning to his hometown for the first time in years. He's living with his mom, he's attending meetings, he's got a sponsor...and his sponsor's son, Alexei, is the opposite of Gage in every way.👀

Addiction meets iron will in this one, and sparks an Instalove that's everything Gage needs on his road to recovery.❤️‍🩹 At times Alexei felt a little TOO perfect, always saying and doing the right thing at the right time, but both of these guys are quirky and cute and they fell HARD for one another!🥰 You'll find a lot of Nordika's signature "weird" and funny banter in what is overall a very serious book. The topic of addiction is handled with intricate care that I'm not sure I've ever read before, and yet it manages to be very low angst. It did feel like *I* was the one in therapy for most of the book, and I would have liked to have seen a little more tension in the relationship. From the moment they met, it was pretty smooth sailing between Gage and Alexei, and it lacked the push and pull that I loved in the first book of the series and in her other works.

This series of self-proclaimed weirdos is shaping up to be unique for sure, and I'm excited for the next day of the week!

If you're looking for a book that's primarily about overcoming addiction with a lot of fried meats and a little romance sprinkled on top, this book is for you.🩷

Read if you like:
• Friends To Lovers
• Instalove
• Opposites Attract
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*I received a free advanced copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

[anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ ranting: 4,5 ☆
~ spice: 2 🌶

I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sober Dope & Sundays coming on august 23th.

Nordika never fails to amaze me, I swear this woman has super powers hidden somewhere because every single time she delivers a book I make it my whole personality for a month? a year? I dunno. Like there's no way I won't be obsessed, because I definitely will...

Nordika has the ability to create book characters that resonate with us, and I feel a little bit understood when they feel or think in a way I can very much relate, even if it's for different reasons, but yeah.

Gage and Alexei were everything. Gage journey and Alexei helping him no matter what. The unconditional love, the soulmateship thing, the hobbies, the found family!!, even the neighbors (there's a portuguese one and I literally screamed because hEY ME TOO!), ohh and dave the forging instructor... and literally everything else, this book is really beautiful while dealing with so many issues.

I can't wait for the next book in the series, I know I'll love it regardless lol.

“My point is, as much as it elates me that you’re my sober dope, you’re so much more than that. You're complicated and intriguing. You’re hypocritical and snarky. You’re a judgemental dick with the biggest heart and the most intense eye contact. You’re weird, I’m weird, and we’re weirder together. You’re my soulmate, and saying I love you doesn’t feel like enough. But I do, Alexei. I just really love ya. I love you.”

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a gigantic let-down after how much I enjoyed Red Flags & Tuesdays. I found this book extremely boring and very, very cheesy. It starts off interestingly enough - with Gage, a polysubstance addict just out of rehab after his eighth stint. Gage is a compelling character, funny and self-aware. He moves in with his mother and brothers as part of his recovery, trying to make peace with his past in his hometown. There he meets Alexei, his sponsor's son. Alexei, who grew up with an addict for a dad, is deeply no-nonsense and very straight-forward. As soon as he meets Gage he decides that they are soulmates, and the rest of the book is basically them trying to navigate a relationship in which Gage's sobriety is the most important thing. If I found addiction and recovery interesting, maybe I would have enjoyed this book. But I don't, and so I didn't. I found the endless, repetitive mulling over addiction mind-numbingly boring. Gage is also a sex-addict, so I found the clinical approach to sex extremely off-putting. It sucked all the chemistry out of their sex scenes, I ended up skimming most of them. I found Alexei vaguely annoying. It also ended up being so corny in the end, with innumerable declarations of love and of being soulmates. I had high hopes, especially after the tension and steam of the previous book, it took me forever to read. This one just did not work for me at all.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so so good, I loved it!

It was so refreshing reading a story about addiction that didn't either go too heavy into it and make it very dark, but also didn't gloss over it either and make it seem like kicking addiction is at all easy.

Gage is an addict of many things. Most notably drugs. But also alcohol, stealing things, and sex - apparently, but not quite.

He's been to rehab 8 times (although this makes it seem like that's kind of unusual? I thought it was pretty normal to go to rehab a lot for some people?) and this time, he wants to make it stick. He voluntarily stayed in rehab this last time for a whole year, after he stole a coffee and drugs from the barista to relapse after 8 months of sobriety.

He's only had one sponsor, and his second one is Nathan, who has been sober for 8 years, and his son, Alexei or Alex is there as well, and he and Nathan have been building back a relationship for those years he's been sober, since he was high for the first 17 years of his life.

And Alex and Gage form almost an instant connection. And it comes across, too. I was feeling it from the jump, and the more scenes they had, the more I felt it.

Alex isn't an addict, but he does have trauma from his dad (and mother, who has been dead for some time now) being an addict growing up. So he's very vigilant about what he puts in his body. Even with food, he's a bit cautious because he wants to take of his body by eating healthy most of the time. His trauma has caused him to be perhaps too cautious in ways his father, and Gage, were very much not.

And he has a very strong iron will, very strong control over himself, which Gage has lacked for a long time and is learning to gain. In a way, they balance each other out. Alex assures Gage he won't suck him into bad habits or break him, because he won't let Gage do that. And he truly never lets his iron control slip, not really. And Gage does teach Alex to let go a bit, in some ways. To have some cookies here and there, and that having fun doesn't have to mean losing control.

Gage's story was so compelling. With addiction stories, it can be quite hard to read because addiction is a hard thing for people to go through, and the people in their life especially. And sometimes addiction is never kicked, or ends in the worst way possible, and it's very heartbreaking.

But this didn't lean to heavily into the worst parts of addiction. It more a story about being on the other side of addiction. Being solidly sober for a long time, but still struggling with it day after day. They say you never stop being an addict, and that's true.

Gage may be one year sober, but he craves drugs almost constantly, and he has to go to meetings, see Nathan, go to a therapist (who is there to deal with his 'sex addiction' at first but is more than that too), to get through his days, at least at first. It helps to have his family, too - his mother and his three younger brothers - and have them there to support him.

And as this goes on, Gage gains Alexei too. And as he is put through the real test of staying sober in the real world, he learns how to continue to stay sober even when he's put through tests.

It's not to say this isn't dark at times, or touch to read. But it's more about Gage having already been through the worst of addiction, and this is the recovery. This is...how does one continue to stay sober once they're out in the real world?

Alex is a breath of fresh air for Gage. He's quirky and sweet and strong. He blushes but also won't take any bullshit. He's been through living with someone in his life with addiction already. He's a little bit hardened to it and all it entails. He's experienced in it.

This says there isn't too much of a focus on penetrative sex, and that is true. But it doesn't really matter that we only get one full penetrative sex scene, because we got quite a bit of other stuff between them that's just as sexy and fun to read.

Because when Gage was on drugs, he was seemingly a sex addict, so he's working through that and they're taking things slow. They work up to penetrative sex, but also it isn't the be all, end all for them.

This was just such a well done story about recovery after addiction, and how to stay sober, but that sometimes one may falter and will definitely have those urges and fantasies of doing it, even as they're determined not to do it.

Gage has one real close call, but I think he needed it in order to see that he could do it. He could ultimately resist even when it's right in front of him.

I don't care what the narrative said, I was as pissed as Alexei at the twins. Like...I know Gage's addiction is ultimately his problem and no one else's, but still...doing drugs in the house he's staying at, and knowing you have a higher probability of becoming addicted to? It was just so reckless and I hadn't forgiven them as easily as the characters in the story did. What an moronic thing to do.

Hopefully they learned their lesson. They seemed to, at least.

And man, I was a bit bummed that Nathan turned out to be straight 😭 Or at least just dating a woman who he seemed really into. I wanted him to have a story to, I really liked him. Wouldn't have minded him and Dave, the hot welding teacher, being a thing haha. But oh well, we can't have them all. If David has a romance with some other guy, though...I wouldn't be opposed 😉

Can't wait for the next day of the week book. We've got 5 more days, so 5 more books to look forward to.

Onto the next! 😘

My Ratings for the Weekday Weirdos Series:

✨ Red Flags & Tuesdays: 4 stars (my review)
✨ Sober Dope & Sundays: 5 stars

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ♾️/5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Gage and Alexei

Reread 12/19/2024
I loved it even more this read through. I don't think I'll ever get enough of these guys and their families. I couldn't stop thinking about it after the first time and now I think I'm even more obsessed.


Original Review:
This book put me in a bit of a slump. It started off a little slow building but by the 35% mark I was hooked and by halfway I was so in love with the story and the characters that I couldn't have stopped reading it if you tried to force me.

Alexei was a rock and perfect. He was the heart of the story, and his love and support were the glue that helped hold everyone together. His dad was 8 years sober and still trying to prove himself as a father. Their relationship killed me.
Gage...my heart...he went through rehab so many times and it never worked. He was so determined to make this time be the time that it took. He did everything he could and fought against his cravings and urges the entire way.
It's a heavy topic but was handled so well that it never felt so heavy you felt like it was hopeless. I never felt that nearly suffocating feeling when ready very heavy books.
I did cry...a lot. Like from the start of it all the way to the end off and on. And not just for Gage and his recovery. It was Alexei and his dad as well.
I seriously could never do this book justice with a review. I am not great with words and don't even know how to go about saying just how much I loved this book.
I knew I would like it. I figured it would be a solid five start read for me. I didn't expect to love it as much as it did. I didn't expect to struggle finding another book to read after this for days because I couldn't leave these characters (and honestly still can't...I think about them several times a day).

It will be in my top reads of the year for sure.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really nice but it gave me sooo much anxiety that I spent more time worried about Gage relapsing than their very sweet romance.

Now wondering how I ever finished The Tragedy of Felix and Jake because that was anxiety times two.

The scene with the twins? God.

You read a book featuring an MC with a substance abuse problem, you expect the scene, you think you're ready for it and then you're just....not.

Loved their romance, don't get me wrong, but the feelings this left me with were more about addiction than romance.

This one is 100% a me issue and my rating is based on the way it made me feel and not the romance.

It was just a lot heavier than I was prepared for.

[Kim Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gage and Alexei and their soulmateship 🥹

Well, this was more emotional for me than I first thought omg?

Gage and Alexei couldn’t be more different from another. Where Gage is an add!ct and has lots of things to unpack for himself and his past, Alexei has an iron will. Since Alexei's dad is an add!ct as well, and the sponsor of Gage, things are not very easy for the two of them to say the least 😔

But what means easy when you met your soulmate?

I loved this book so much. These two have stolen my heart and I can’t stop thinking about their love story. Which, honestly, doesn't surprise me much since this author never disappoints 🥰

[Dana | Rainbow Romance Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really adored Red Flags & Tuesdays, so honestly, I’m a little bit underwhelmed with this one, although it was still a cute story.

I really enjoyed the neurodiversity rep in this book, as well as the way Gage’s various addictions were handled. It felt very personal and well-researched, and I think that the correlation between neurodiversity and addiction really isn’t given adequate attention in society, so props to Nordika for that. Both of the characters were quirky and likeable, and I loved how well they communicated with each other.

Having said that, the story as a whole just felt very disjointed and repetitive to me. I didn’t understand how Gage and Alexei came to be a couple, and everything felt somehow sudden and drawn out at the same time. I felt like I was reading the same conversations and thoughts over and over again, and the book lost my interest at several points. I also don’t feel that we really got to know Alexei, as most of the story was focused on Gage.

Overall, this was a decent book and I loved some parts of it, but as a whole it didn’t really hold my interest.

[kaye taz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️/5
Format: ebook

“‘You’re my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug. And instead of you being a substance or a thing I can overindulge in or abuse, you’re the best kind of dope because you tell me when to stop.’”

Aw gosh, this book gave me all the feels. It was an emotional rollercoaster through the lives of two people touched by addiction.

Alexei is a special kind of person, because after being neglected by two addicts, and losing one to an overdose, I cannot fathom it being easy to intentionally get involved with another addict. But it’s impossible not to love Gage.

Let me start by saying every single character, except Paul, in this story was amazing. Gage’s mom and brothers, the older ladies who knit, the Portuguese neighbor, the sex shop owners, Alexei’s cool as shit dad; they were all so lovable and added so much to the book. Yes, we have Gage and Alexei’s beautiful love story, but every chapter was a good time because there were always great vibes in the background.

Alexei has to be related to Atticus St. James in some way because they are the same person, slightly different font. Which I love, because they’re exactly my favorite type of character. I was obsessed with his weirdness and his distaste for social norms. He was the exact right kind of person to ground an unstable, addicted-to-everything Gage. I just loved how Alexei had all the self-control in the world except when it came to Gage, and Gage has absolutely no self-control but found it when it came to Alexei.

While the story kind of reads as insta-love/lust, this book is definitely more of a slowburn in that Gage has to be super careful he doesn’t become addicted to Alexei and their relationship as well. Alexei also knows his worth and won’t accept anything but Gage’s absolute all.

This series is everything. Nordika Night blew me away with yet another book and two more characters who I am going to love with my entire being for the rest of my life. Thank you for your service yet again, queen.

[Sam &#x1f918;&#x1f3fc; · Rating 5 out of 5]

tldr; this book was everything. Everyone needs to experience the greatness that is this book. Read it. Then reread it. Again and again, forever and ever, amen.
Beware of your TW if you are triggered by addiction/recovery and the things that entails.
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Can I go back and scrub this from my brain so I can read it again for the first time? Please?? This was absolutely incredible. Amazing. Quite a masterpiece, if we're being honest. I love everything that Nordika writes, but this book has got to be my number 1 favorite book of all time now. I devoured it in less than 24 hours. I made myself take a break and go to bed at 2am when I got 91% through simply because I didn't want the book to end and needed to prolong my happy fluffy feelings from this book. I was in a huge reading slump/rut and this book made me remember exactly why I love reading and especially why I love MM.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Nordika did such an amazing job creating these quirky characters and depicted recovery in such a real, yet beautiful way. I love that she focused on the positive - how people can make it out of addiction and get to the other side. Not to say they don't struggle - as Gage obviously did struggle - but that overall, life gets better, even with the struggles. If a pill-popping, sex-addicted, klepto junkie can get sober after 8 trips to rehab, what's to say someone else can't? Watching Gage grow his self-worth and stock his toolbox with all of his resources was so heartwarming. I am so grateful we got to experience Gage's therapy sessions with Natalie and see him develop a new understanding of his sex addiction. Watching him employ the tools she suggested, seeing how he grows his emotional intelligence, and getting to witness him build his self-awareness with her help (and Alexei's) makes me so happy - seeing a therapist/client relationship depicted in such a real, positive light is everything. And getting to read about AA/NA in the realistic way Nordika portrayed was so great. The bond between Nathan and Gage went beyond sponsor/sponsee and I loved that they had a friendship as well, and Nathan could also fill a sort of fatherly role for Gage.
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And speaking of families, I LOVED the bond Gage rebuilt with his family. His mom reminded me of Mama Dare, just a bit, especially with the midnight teas. While I am still extremely angry at the twins, I was so proud of the family for opening up, being real and vulnerable with each other, and working their shit out. What family does that??! Definitely not mine. But that is family goals right there. Gosh, and to see Alexei and Nathan's relationship continue to build and evolve was just so pure and beautiful. I was in awe of the emotional intelligence and strength of will that Alexei possessed, yet he and his dad were putting in the work to strengthen their relationship. I loved the outcome of their situation and how much their bond had flourished by the end of the book. And Nathan's bonus chapter was just the perfect icing on top of the cake that I didn't even know I needed (even though Alexei would argue that no one needs icing or cake).
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Oh, but you came here to hear about Gage and Alexei's relationship, didn't you??
While their relationship buildup was the swooniest, most adorable, quirky thing I have ever experienced - I want to reiterate that this book is about so much more than that. We see the real, gritty side to recovery, to neurodivergence/ADHD, and yet also the good in both. We see family relationships restored and revamped. We see an entire quirky neighborhood come together to build the weirdest, most wholesome community of quilters, weapon forgers, hog riders, and cookie enthusiasts that just love to eat some Portuguese food, even if it does contain fried meats. And it is...everything.
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Okay, but real talk, can slow-moving boyfriends entering a soulmateship get any cuter than a neurotic rambler and a neurodivergent recovering addict? Any more wholesome than these two soulmates, brought together by Fate herself? Alexei's patience and iron-clad will was just the perfect juxtaposition to Gage's impulsive neediness and growth. The way they were so devoted and infatuated while supporting each other throughout their friendship (definitely no flirting 😉) gave me all the feel-good butterflies. I loved that while Gage did hog a lot of the attention/time, he still made sure to check in with Alexei and made sure that his needs were being met. And Gage was so swoony and thoughtful and just so supportive with going all-in for Alexei's passion for making old things new. He gave Alexei the most personal and thoughtful gifts, and I respect that hardcore because gift giving is one of my love languages. Their absolute infatuation with each other was the most wholesome, swoony, and heartwarming thing to experience.
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So, you want to know about the smut?? With Nordika's warning that penetrative sex is not the main focus, I was a little worried there wasn't going to be much smut at all. But goodness, I was thankfully wrong. Who needs p in the b sex when there are so many other, extremely hot and intimate things you can do??? God, the butterflies I got during this book. Alexei was so patient with Gage through his journey of overcoming his sex addiction, and was so incredibly supportive with helping Gage check in and become more self-aware. And what is sexier than self-awareness? Their intimacy and absolutely scorching sexual tension was just... 🫦 Ugh, you just need to read the book! Now!! Do it!

[SaintDelicate _Edits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin?

Gage was wonderful self aware and honest with himself. A lot of people, substance abusers are self aware but lie to themselves. I know because after finishing this book I think I’m one. I’m addicted to a lot of things, sugar, mmbooks, social media. And even though I’m self aware I lie to myself; just one more cookie, one more chapter before I sleep and ten more minutes of scrolling before I go back to an assignment. That was not Gage, but after 8 stints in rehab and a strong desire to be sober. He had to be. I’m glad, he broke things off with Paul, I’m happy he got the closure on that relationship he didn’t know he needed and most of all I’m glad he went for coffee with Nathan. Because that’s when it started it all.

Alexei, where to even begin….let me gather my thoughts because I just finished the book and came straight here. But I want the review to be perfect so I’ll be back.

All the stars to this book

[B.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I loved the found family aspect, the soulmateship/soulship, relationships between the rents etc.
it just all tied in very nicely.
There was drama, of course, and ups and downs.
I think the thing I liked the most about this book was all of the communication.
I feel that in fiction, communication is the source of a majority of drama. Or one person overshadowing another due to their struggles.
Alex and Gage did so well in making sure they were both cared for in the relationship. Same with Nathan as Gages sponsor and him being Alex's dad. Knowing that they are both people and they both need attention and care because they have their own feelings.
I think it was done very well.
Didn't care for the ex, and I'm glad that wasn't a source of drama.
Would have loved to read a take two of Alex and Gage trying again.
Loved Gages ending in the book
Also, the first bathroom scene HOT.
Overall so very close to a 5, but I'm picky lol

[Michelle Elman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nordika Night can do no wrong. Whether she's writing a dark story like Alter Arlo, Little Demon in the Details, or her delicious boys from Garron Park... everything she writes is just perfectly done.

Sober Dope & Sundays features the most perfect couple: Alexie and Gage. These two are so amazing together. The banter was perfect and Alexie was BRILLIANT! I loved his strong willed self and how he handles and takes care of himself first and foremost. The connection Gage and Alexie have is 100% believable and was handled with such care during the entire story keeping Gage's recovery front and center.

Loved the family dynamic of the Rossom clan. Gage's mom is amazing and a total MVP!

Nathan's character is super special and I loved the relationship he kept between himself and Gage. He handled Gage so well and then the relationship he had with his son... omg my heart! I loved their relationship and how Alexie dating Gage opened up his eyes to how amazing his father is and how far he's come in his life.