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Kings of Heart #1
Cross the Line
Alexander King:
Handsome, popular and a D1 soccer star, Alexander King appears to have it all. He’s just hiding one (or two, or three) little secrets, like the fact that he’s still in love with his older brother’s best friend Theo, he doesn’t actually want to play soccer anymore, and that at twenty-one, he’s still a virgin. When unexpected circumstances bring him and Theo together, it’s a recipe for heartache, but Alec is sure that he can handle it. He just needs to make sure the jenga tower of secrets he’s been keeping doesn’t topple over and ruin everything.
Theodore James:
At twenty-nine, Theodore James has the kind of stable life his childhood self could only dream of. Sure, the only person he lets into his life is Jason, the best friend he’s had since he was seven, and his sole form of companionship is one-night stands, but he’s content. Mostly. When Jason requests his help, Theo doesn't hesitate, even when that favor involves Jason’s feisty, smoking hot little brother who’s all grown up now. Theo can definitely handle Alexander King. Maybe.
Handsome, popular and a D1 soccer star, Alexander King appears to have it all. He’s just hiding one (or two, or three) little secrets, like the fact that he’s still in love with his older brother’s best friend Theo, he doesn’t actually want to play soccer anymore, and that at twenty-one, he’s still a virgin. When unexpected circumstances bring him and Theo together, it’s a recipe for heartache, but Alec is sure that he can handle it. He just needs to make sure the jenga tower of secrets he’s been keeping doesn’t topple over and ruin everything.
Theodore James:
At twenty-nine, Theodore James has the kind of stable life his childhood self could only dream of. Sure, the only person he lets into his life is Jason, the best friend he’s had since he was seven, and his sole form of companionship is one-night stands, but he’s content. Mostly. When Jason requests his help, Theo doesn't hesitate, even when that favor involves Jason’s feisty, smoking hot little brother who’s all grown up now. Theo can definitely handle Alexander King. Maybe.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2024
About the author
Lucky Hart
4 books314 followersLucky writes character-driven, contemporary mm romance. Her debut novel CROSS THE LINE came out in 2024, and began the series “Kings of Heart”, each featuring one of four brothers on their sometimes messy, sometimes tender paths to happy ever after. MAKE THE PLAY, coming 4.23.25 continues this series of interconnected standalones.
Lucky is a millennial who grew up on fanfic, a lifelong West Coast resident, and a Canva Pro enthusiast. Queer and neurodivergent representation is deeply important to her as a member of both communities, and she loves exploring intersectional experiences through her fiction as a writer and a reader.
When she's not writing, her favorite things include drinking coffee, walking on the beach, staying up late to finish her latest read, and filling her house with rainbows.
Lucky is a millennial who grew up on fanfic, a lifelong West Coast resident, and a Canva Pro enthusiast. Queer and neurodivergent representation is deeply important to her as a member of both communities, and she loves exploring intersectional experiences through her fiction as a writer and a reader.
When she's not writing, her favorite things include drinking coffee, walking on the beach, staying up late to finish her latest read, and filling her house with rainbows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
June 20, 2026
Alec was amazing, a sweet baby angel who knew who he was, even if often plagued by the anxiety of "being too much" for people often invaded his mind. (I resonate with that hard lol)
Theo... WOULD HATE TO SEE ME IN A DARK ALLEY BECAUSE HOLY FECK I WANTED TO SMACK HIS FACE INTO A WALL.
What a boring ass piece of plain gluten free toast he was.
As exciting as a fart in a jar, took him waaaaaaaaaaaaay too long to see what was right infront of him (and not ina cute 'oh wow, aren't I silly you have been here all along' kind of way. More of a "R u FuCKinG STupId bRo? wTF?" kind of way)
I just don't understand the "best friends forbidden brother" trope.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again, the mcflurry I'll have at 10pm on a random Thursday when i'm supposed to be on a diet... feels more forbidden than bestfriends brother trope.
This was still sweet, nice rep, nice consent.... had a really fkn odd ending, but hey, author thought outside the box there I think?
Theo... WOULD HATE TO SEE ME IN A DARK ALLEY BECAUSE HOLY FECK I WANTED TO SMACK HIS FACE INTO A WALL.
What a boring ass piece of plain gluten free toast he was.
As exciting as a fart in a jar, took him waaaaaaaaaaaaay too long to see what was right infront of him (and not ina cute 'oh wow, aren't I silly you have been here all along' kind of way. More of a "R u FuCKinG STupId bRo? wTF?" kind of way)
I just don't understand the "best friends forbidden brother" trope.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again, the mcflurry I'll have at 10pm on a random Thursday when i'm supposed to be on a diet... feels more forbidden than bestfriends brother trope.
This was still sweet, nice rep, nice consent.... had a really fkn odd ending, but hey, author thought outside the box there I think?
September 20, 2024
2.5 stars. I want to say for a debut I think this was amazing. The writing was really good and the characters have a lot of depth, which is always a huge win for me! The reason for the lower rating is because it really didn't capture me and I really didn't enjoy reading it. I say that the writing was good because Theo's issues were well explained, the banter was great, Alec's wit and sass were perfect, the angst was frustrating in the bad way.
I love angst, I read a ton of angsty books, but when there's angst I love a resolution that feels equal in magnitude to the conflict. Its a slow slow burn, which was fine, but the reason it was so drawn out was because it was the same thing over and over again, misunderstanding each other, making assumptions about each other, not talking, like at all. I say it was frustrating because literally all their problems could have been solved with a single conversation.
Theo was also a problem for me. I didn't not like him, but he was infuriating. I planned to be a little annoyed and frustrated because the author literally puts a warning in the front of the book about it, but some of how Theo reacted, trauma or not, was just plain asshole behavior to me. I forgive the side effects of the trauma, but the whole inner conflict revolves around him caring deeply for Alec and not knowing what to do about it and scared of how it will effect his life. He admits his own issues, he admits being a bit selfish, and he admits he wants Alec as a friend, but he never really treats him as a friend.
He
I think Theo acted very selfishly and childish for someone who was supposed to be the adult and "so much older" (9 years). It just made the book drag for me, and then when they finally get it together it just felt too short. Even the epilogue, which was all kinds of adorable, didn't give me the happy giddy feelings it should have.
I love angst, I read a ton of angsty books, but when there's angst I love a resolution that feels equal in magnitude to the conflict. Its a slow slow burn, which was fine, but the reason it was so drawn out was because it was the same thing over and over again, misunderstanding each other, making assumptions about each other, not talking, like at all. I say it was frustrating because literally all their problems could have been solved with a single conversation.
Theo was also a problem for me. I didn't not like him, but he was infuriating. I planned to be a little annoyed and frustrated because the author literally puts a warning in the front of the book about it, but some of how Theo reacted, trauma or not, was just plain asshole behavior to me. I forgive the side effects of the trauma, but the whole inner conflict revolves around him caring deeply for Alec and not knowing what to do about it and scared of how it will effect his life. He admits his own issues, he admits being a bit selfish, and he admits he wants Alec as a friend, but he never really treats him as a friend.
He
I think Theo acted very selfishly and childish for someone who was supposed to be the adult and "so much older" (9 years). It just made the book drag for me, and then when they finally get it together it just felt too short. Even the epilogue, which was all kinds of adorable, didn't give me the happy giddy feelings it should have.
July 24, 2026
Alex deserves the loudest & biggest love 😔
September 12, 2024
Theo & Alec
Rating: 3.7 ⭐
- First Time
- Hurt/Comfort
- Idiots in Love
- Neurodivergent MC
- Anxiety Rep
- Age Gap (8yrs)
- College Soccer Player
- Big Brother's Best Friend
- Years of Pining
- Miscommunication
- Found Family
- Banter
*RTC*
I received a free copy of this book via the authors and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings:
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Depictions of a car accident hit and run (on screen)
- Explicit language
- Parental abandonment of a MC (past, off screen)
- Parental neglect of a MC (past, off screen)
- Childhood poverty of a MC (past, off screen)
- Non-graphic sexual assault of a MC (past, off screen, briefly discussed on screen)
- Hospitalization of a MC (on screen)
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No, but there is time apart
Cheating: No
OM/OW Drama: Theo goes to the club twice to find a hookup but it doesn't happen. Alec dances with other men at the club, while drinking heavily, but he leaves with Theo.
Ages: 29 & 21
Rating: 3.7 ⭐
- First Time
- Hurt/Comfort
- Idiots in Love
- Neurodivergent MC
- Anxiety Rep
- Age Gap (8yrs)
- College Soccer Player
- Big Brother's Best Friend
- Years of Pining
- Miscommunication
- Found Family
- Banter
*RTC*
I received a free copy of this book via the authors and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings:
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Depictions of a car accident hit and run (on screen)
- Explicit language
- Parental abandonment of a MC (past, off screen)
- Parental neglect of a MC (past, off screen)
- Childhood poverty of a MC (past, off screen)
- Non-graphic sexual assault of a MC (past, off screen, briefly discussed on screen)
- Hospitalization of a MC (on screen)
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No, but there is time apart
Cheating: No
OM/OW Drama: Theo goes to the club twice to find a hookup but it doesn't happen. Alec dances with other men at the club, while drinking heavily, but he leaves with Theo.
Ages: 29 & 21
September 22, 2024
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, author, for the opportunity.
What to expect:
📍Brother's best friend
📍Long pinning
📍Unrequited love
📍Slow burn
📍ADHD rep
📍Freckles
📍Oral fixation
This is the author's debut novel, and regardless of my experience with the book, I wanted to be sure to congratulate the author on a successful debut. I have read very positive reviews and I'm aware that my position is in the minority.
Before going into detail about my rating, it is worth noting the parts of the book that I found relevant and may be of interest to future readers. First, let's highlight the quality of the writing and editing of the book, a great start to the author's career. What struck me the most was the care and depth in the construction of the characters, even the secondary ones stand out for the naturalness of their dialogues and their distinctive personalities. And last but not least, the inclusion and treatment of issues such as mental health, ADHD, and Latino heritage.
Aside from that, I have to admit that the book disappointed me. I'm used to reading really long slow burns and couples that take a long time to confess their feelings (100+ chapters) as well as long pinnings that last several lifetimes and reincarnations, so I didn't find it a problem to read a book with this theme and didn't suffer as much as mentioned in other reviews. However, after such a long wait, the normal thing would be a romance arc and allow the reader to enjoy the couple who have suffered so much. This was not the case here. I was left waiting for the romance. For me, this was like an introduction to the story of these two people, I needed a second book or more chapters showing the change in the relationship or finally a good COMMUNICATION scene!!! But I didn't expect at all that the book would end with just their confessions and then an epilogue with an engagement proposal. It felt very abrupt.
I don't see how this couple can have a happy future. That was the other big problem I had with the book. Yes, the two characters were extremely complex, with flaws and very human personalities. However, at no point in the book do these two people ever really get to know or understand each other. A 10-year crush on someone older and unattainable is understandable, although it is questionable if you can love a person with whom you have had no communication whatsoever and who is quite secretive and hides many details about his thoughts and past. But hey, at least that side of the relationship was justified. On the other hand, Theo has ignored Alec his whole life and in the first chapter of the book he realizes that Alec is already an adult whom he finds attractive. It all makes sense, but from there to falling in love with him? When did that happen and how? At least, I was not able to understand this change.
So my biggest problem was the couple. These two people were not in the right place mentally to start a relationship. To be honest, I would be more satisfied if the book ended with a HFN or if the two of them just said they were going to try to figure out how to go on. The jump to eternal love, marriage and happiness was the biggest shock.
PS: I'm not saying this for this book specifically, but the whole idea of the taboo of falling in love with your brother's best friend, I don't get it. What is there to be afraid of? Two of the most important people in your life being happy together sounds amazing. The fact that your friend is finally considered family should be motivation enough.
What to expect:
📍Brother's best friend
📍Long pinning
📍Unrequited love
📍Slow burn
📍ADHD rep
📍Freckles
📍Oral fixation
This is the author's debut novel, and regardless of my experience with the book, I wanted to be sure to congratulate the author on a successful debut. I have read very positive reviews and I'm aware that my position is in the minority.
Before going into detail about my rating, it is worth noting the parts of the book that I found relevant and may be of interest to future readers. First, let's highlight the quality of the writing and editing of the book, a great start to the author's career. What struck me the most was the care and depth in the construction of the characters, even the secondary ones stand out for the naturalness of their dialogues and their distinctive personalities. And last but not least, the inclusion and treatment of issues such as mental health, ADHD, and Latino heritage.
Aside from that, I have to admit that the book disappointed me. I'm used to reading really long slow burns and couples that take a long time to confess their feelings (100+ chapters) as well as long pinnings that last several lifetimes and reincarnations, so I didn't find it a problem to read a book with this theme and didn't suffer as much as mentioned in other reviews. However, after such a long wait, the normal thing would be a romance arc and allow the reader to enjoy the couple who have suffered so much. This was not the case here. I was left waiting for the romance. For me, this was like an introduction to the story of these two people, I needed a second book or more chapters showing the change in the relationship or finally a good COMMUNICATION scene!!! But I didn't expect at all that the book would end with just their confessions and then an epilogue with an engagement proposal. It felt very abrupt.
I don't see how this couple can have a happy future. That was the other big problem I had with the book. Yes, the two characters were extremely complex, with flaws and very human personalities. However, at no point in the book do these two people ever really get to know or understand each other. A 10-year crush on someone older and unattainable is understandable, although it is questionable if you can love a person with whom you have had no communication whatsoever and who is quite secretive and hides many details about his thoughts and past. But hey, at least that side of the relationship was justified. On the other hand, Theo has ignored Alec his whole life and in the first chapter of the book he realizes that Alec is already an adult whom he finds attractive. It all makes sense, but from there to falling in love with him? When did that happen and how? At least, I was not able to understand this change.
So my biggest problem was the couple. These two people were not in the right place mentally to start a relationship. To be honest, I would be more satisfied if the book ended with a HFN or if the two of them just said they were going to try to figure out how to go on. The jump to eternal love, marriage and happiness was the biggest shock.
PS: I'm not saying this for this book specifically, but the whole idea of the taboo of falling in love with your brother's best friend, I don't get it. What is there to be afraid of? Two of the most important people in your life being happy together sounds amazing. The fact that your friend is finally considered family should be motivation enough.
December 18, 2025
Герої цікаві в своїй неідеальності. Я обох розуміла. Цікаво було читати як проявляється РДУГ та що людина відчуває. Алек полонив моє серденько. А Тео... Складно було його зрозуміти. Більшу частини книги здається, що він не вартий Алека. Може, тому що ми звикли читати як потім герої ідеально доповнюють один одного. Бо тут такого немає і це також було цікаво, тому що викликало емоції.
З мінусів: авторка так розтягнула їх душевні страждання в середині. Тому розвиток їх стосунків був наче "галопом по Європах".
З мінусів: авторка так розтягнула їх душевні страждання в середині. Тому розвиток їх стосунків був наче "галопом по Європах".
Read
September 4, 2025DNF
This is not for me :)
no rating
This is not for me :)
no rating
February 18, 2026
I just finished "Crossing the Line" by Lucky Hart, and if there are any "older brother’s best friend" trope fans out there, you’re gonna love this one 🍟
Alec King is a guy who’s been pining for Theo for ten years. Honestly, the man has nerves of steel. I also liked how the author wove in the ADHD theme and the way Alec totally burned out on football. It added some real depth and kept things interesting ❤️
But, real talk—there were moments where I just wanted to facepalm. There is zero communication, and the entire plot basically hinges on the fact that they just won't use their words. I get it, we need drama, but sometimes it was just a bit much 😭
Then there’s Theo, who is pushing thirty but occasionally acts like a teenager afraid of getting caught smoking behind the garages. The age gap dynamic felt a bit weak because the "older" one didn't exactly have more brains 👻
And the slow burn? It didn't really "slow burn" the right way You’re just waiting for something to happen while they keep overanalyzing the same things over and over 😐
It’s a light read for a chill evening, and the King family’s banter is easily the best part—I’d honestly read a whole book just about them
Alec King is a guy who’s been pining for Theo for ten years. Honestly, the man has nerves of steel. I also liked how the author wove in the ADHD theme and the way Alec totally burned out on football. It added some real depth and kept things interesting ❤️
But, real talk—there were moments where I just wanted to facepalm. There is zero communication, and the entire plot basically hinges on the fact that they just won't use their words. I get it, we need drama, but sometimes it was just a bit much 😭
Then there’s Theo, who is pushing thirty but occasionally acts like a teenager afraid of getting caught smoking behind the garages. The age gap dynamic felt a bit weak because the "older" one didn't exactly have more brains 👻
And the slow burn? It didn't really "slow burn" the right way You’re just waiting for something to happen while they keep overanalyzing the same things over and over 😐
It’s a light read for a chill evening, and the King family’s banter is easily the best part—I’d honestly read a whole book just about them
May 10, 2026
I love an “always it’s been you” book. Alec was just so sweet-I love how he never gave up on having something with Theo. He’s so cheeky, and I love it & how he really got past all of Theo’s walls & just knows him so well. I feel like it took forever for him to come around & Theo not being able to commit to him at first really hurt. I hated that Theo was so scared to love & be loved because of his childhood. & I felt so bad for Alec for feeling like he didn’t have anyone to lean on when he was that person for everyone else, and how he couldn’t tell anyone he was spiraling. I kinda wanted to throttle Theo for not realizing it was him Alec had been in love with the whole time, like SIR!! Butttt I loved when they both finally admitted their feelings & Theo accepted Alec’s love for him.
This was a super slow burn (maybe a teensy too slow for my liking honestly & I felt like the lead up to them getting together dragged on a bit). I felt the pacing was a bit off once they did have sex & everything happened a bit too quick after that. I wanted a little more of them actually together idk!
Fav parts:
Alec knows all of Theo’s flaws and shortcomings now, he knows the shape of his smile and the shadows of fear that haunt him, and somehow he adores him all the more for it. Theo is far from perfect, but Alec loves him. Always has and probably always will. Love is a painful, beautiful, terrible thing, and Alec is pretty sure that loving Theodore James will be the thing that breaks him.
“I said thank you. Thank you for loving me when I didn’t deserve it, and seeing more in me than I saw in myself. Thank you for loving me when I didn’t know what to do with it and loving me until I did. Thank you for loving me the way only you could.”
Loving Alec, and letting himself be loved in return, is the bravest thing he’s ever done.
This was a super slow burn (maybe a teensy too slow for my liking honestly & I felt like the lead up to them getting together dragged on a bit). I felt the pacing was a bit off once they did have sex & everything happened a bit too quick after that. I wanted a little more of them actually together idk!
Fav parts:
Alec knows all of Theo’s flaws and shortcomings now, he knows the shape of his smile and the shadows of fear that haunt him, and somehow he adores him all the more for it. Theo is far from perfect, but Alec loves him. Always has and probably always will. Love is a painful, beautiful, terrible thing, and Alec is pretty sure that loving Theodore James will be the thing that breaks him.
“I said thank you. Thank you for loving me when I didn’t deserve it, and seeing more in me than I saw in myself. Thank you for loving me when I didn’t know what to do with it and loving me until I did. Thank you for loving me the way only you could.”
Loving Alec, and letting himself be loved in return, is the bravest thing he’s ever done.
Did Not Finish
January 8, 2026DNF 10%
Written in present tense - Some sentences feel hella weird, some feel wrong and I don’t have the patience to deal with it.
It’s sad because aside from the writing and choice of writing in third person present tense, this sounds like something I’d devour and enjoy a lot.
Written in present tense - Some sentences feel hella weird, some feel wrong and I don’t have the patience to deal with it.
It’s sad because aside from the writing and choice of writing in third person present tense, this sounds like something I’d devour and enjoy a lot.
Read
September 12, 20243. 5 Forbidden romance debut about a soccer-playing baby brother and the older brother's best friend who falls for him! There's lots of pining, some flirting, athleisure wearing (Alec), smoothie making, stray pet adopting, sweater wearing (Theo), anxiety having, and.....a very slow burn.
Cute book that runs a bit long...the Epilogue is the sweetest and best! I'm intrigued by all the King brothers....what will come next?
Thanks to the author for this ARC! This is my honest review.
Cute book that runs a bit long...the Epilogue is the sweetest and best! I'm intrigued by all the King brothers....what will come next?
Thanks to the author for this ARC! This is my honest review.
June 26, 2026
3.5⭐️
Audiobook 🎧
Narrator: Julio Maxwell & Javi Wilder
⚽️ Age Gap
⚽️ Size Difference
⚽️ Virgin MMC
⚽️ Friends to Lovers
⚽️ Teenage Crush
Alex is 21 and has had a crush on his brother’s best friend Theo for six years.
Theo is nearly 30 and doesn’t do relationships.
In a twist no one saw coming 😂, Theo offers to ‘help’ Alex rid his virginity so there was less chance of him being used for sex by some random guy. Cue the drama, when Theo so gallantly offered to help his friend’s brother with his V-Card issue, he was unaware that Alex was in love with him and had been for 6 years.
Hearts were hurt, legs were broken and conversations were had.
Epilogue
Theo proposes 💍, and Alex fills his free time warming Theo’s flaccid 🍆 in his mouth.
HEA
The end
Audiobook 🎧
Narrator: Julio Maxwell & Javi Wilder
⚽️ Age Gap
⚽️ Size Difference
⚽️ Virgin MMC
⚽️ Friends to Lovers
⚽️ Teenage Crush
Alex is 21 and has had a crush on his brother’s best friend Theo for six years.
Theo is nearly 30 and doesn’t do relationships.
In a twist no one saw coming 😂, Theo offers to ‘help’ Alex rid his virginity so there was less chance of him being used for sex by some random guy. Cue the drama, when Theo so gallantly offered to help his friend’s brother with his V-Card issue, he was unaware that Alex was in love with him and had been for 6 years.
Hearts were hurt, legs were broken and conversations were had.
Epilogue
Theo proposes 💍, and Alex fills his free time warming Theo’s flaccid 🍆 in his mouth.
HEA
The end
August 28, 2024
The ARC came out on my birthday :) A nice fun read with big ups and big downs - it WILL hit you right in the feels and kick you while you're down, but it will also be the soothing balm to your soul. I would especially recommend it if you like k-dramas because it has that kind of energy. Alec is my personal fave, I would go to battle for him.
Things this book has:
- Drama
- One (1) Extremely Anxious Man
- A short king in even shorter shorts
- Romance
- Soccer balls
- Goofballs
- Other kinds of balls ;)
- Wholesome male friendships
- Hurt/Comfort
- More animals than you may expect.
Things this book does NOT have:
- ENOUGH THERAPY FOR THEO!!!!!
- Enough of Alec's friends to adopt his rescue pets
- Riley getting the chance to beat somebody up for being mean to Alec >:(
- An appearance from Theo's brain cells
- And technically, not enough sweaters for a sweater museum.
Content warnings:
- Brief, non-graphic depictions/recollections of sexual harassment/assault.
Things this book has:
- Drama
- One (1) Extremely Anxious Man
- A short king in even shorter shorts
- Romance
- Soccer balls
- Goofballs
- Other kinds of balls ;)
- Wholesome male friendships
- Hurt/Comfort
- More animals than you may expect.
Things this book does NOT have:
- ENOUGH THERAPY FOR THEO!!!!!
- Enough of Alec's friends to adopt his rescue pets
- Riley getting the chance to beat somebody up for being mean to Alec >:(
- An appearance from Theo's brain cells
- And technically, not enough sweaters for a sweater museum.
Content warnings:
- Brief, non-graphic depictions/recollections of sexual harassment/assault.
June 15, 2026
This had a lot of elements that worked for me, but unfortunately, the romance never fully came together in a way that made me emotionally invested. One of the stronger aspects of the book was the neurodivergent representation. It felt thoughtful and respectful, and I appreciated seeing characters whose experiences were portrayed with nuance rather than stereotypes. I also found myself reading Alex as demisexual. While this is never explicitly confirmed on the page, the way Alex experiences attraction and connection felt very relatable from that perspective, and it added an extra layer to his character for me.
Where the book struggled was the romance between Alex and Theo. I understood what the author was trying to do, especially after reading the author's note asking readers to give the characters grace regarding the miscommunication that drives much of the conflict. However, knowing the intention behind it didn't change the impact it had on my reading experience. The miscommunication created distance between the characters, and instead of increasing my investment in their relationship, it weakened the emotional connection I felt to them as a couple. Because of that, I never fully bought into the romance or felt the chemistry as strongly as I wanted to. I liked both characters individually and appreciated aspects of the story, but the central relationship didn't deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
Overall, this was a solid read with strong neurodivergent representation and interesting character work, but the romance and conflict resolution didn't quite work for me, leaving me feeling more disconnected than invested by the end. 🌶🌶
"I'm not scared of you, not anymore The only thing I'm scared of is losing you." "That's never gonna happen,' Alec croaks "Then we agree, I want you in all your needy messy glory, and you want me in all my neurotic anxious chaos."
Where the book struggled was the romance between Alex and Theo. I understood what the author was trying to do, especially after reading the author's note asking readers to give the characters grace regarding the miscommunication that drives much of the conflict. However, knowing the intention behind it didn't change the impact it had on my reading experience. The miscommunication created distance between the characters, and instead of increasing my investment in their relationship, it weakened the emotional connection I felt to them as a couple. Because of that, I never fully bought into the romance or felt the chemistry as strongly as I wanted to. I liked both characters individually and appreciated aspects of the story, but the central relationship didn't deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
Overall, this was a solid read with strong neurodivergent representation and interesting character work, but the romance and conflict resolution didn't quite work for me, leaving me feeling more disconnected than invested by the end. 🌶🌶
"I'm not scared of you, not anymore The only thing I'm scared of is losing you." "That's never gonna happen,' Alec croaks "Then we agree, I want you in all your needy messy glory, and you want me in all my neurotic anxious chaos."
February 5, 2025
This is a lovely book, and I liked it. Didn’t love it though, because I wasn’t a fan of the writing. Especially the sex scenes. SO. MUCH. TALKING! I literally felt asleep while reading it. I get that Theo wanted to be careful but come on! How much consent do you need? And not contacting Alec after was just cruel.
I thought it was a bit of a lazy choice for the author to let Alec get into a car accident. That could have been solved more creative.
Given that this was a debut novel and the first in the series I don’t think it was bad. It just wasn’t as good as I’d hope. I am looking forward to the next one though. I hope Riley finds one of the other King brothers. Charlie maybe?
I thought it was a bit of a lazy choice for the author to let Alec get into a car accident. That could have been solved more creative.
Given that this was a debut novel and the first in the series I don’t think it was bad. It just wasn’t as good as I’d hope. I am looking forward to the next one though. I hope Riley finds one of the other King brothers. Charlie maybe?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2026
I fucking love the brother's best friend trope, and it was a lot less messy because they are adults but I still enjoyed it a lot. A slight age gap is also a thing here which I also like.
Love Alec, he's such a fun character and I'm so happy there are three other books in the series.
Love Alec, he's such a fun character and I'm so happy there are three other books in the series.
July 31, 2025
Addictive writing style that I didn’t want to stop reading, with very well-rounded characters (even side characters)!
It wasn’t perfect but I really enjoyed most of it. The sex scenes were some of the worst I’ve ever read (so much talking? Shut up and get on with it!), there was not enough romance, there was not enough groveling, there was not enough therapy, there was not enough medication taking, and the ending was kinda lazy.
I was rooting for these two the entire time though, and I had a good time overall. The chemistry was there, the pining was top notch, the level of angst was perfect. These two morons just needed to talk more about what they were FEEEELIIIIIING.
It wasn’t perfect but I really enjoyed most of it. The sex scenes were some of the worst I’ve ever read (so much talking? Shut up and get on with it!), there was not enough romance, there was not enough groveling, there was not enough therapy, there was not enough medication taking, and the ending was kinda lazy.
I was rooting for these two the entire time though, and I had a good time overall. The chemistry was there, the pining was top notch, the level of angst was perfect. These two morons just needed to talk more about what they were FEEEELIIIIIING.
February 26, 2025
this book made me want to crawl out of my skin in the best way possible … i feel seen and i needed this book after going through a rough time. theo and alec deserve happiness 💗 i enjoyed this book so much and im glad i finally gave it an opportunity.
i see myself in alec, especially with his age and what he is going through.. i’m glad he was able to find his path.
i see myself in alec, especially with his age and what he is going through.. i’m glad he was able to find his path.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2025
Мене дуже роздратував опис від третьої особи та slow burn, який неправильно слоубьорнився!😅 Спочатку все максимально затягнуто, потім одразу все. Де натяки, «мутки»?🙂↕️😅
Проте сама атмосфера і цей маленький всесвіт мене зацікавив, тому буду читати про братів❤️
Проте сама атмосфера і цей маленький всесвіт мене зацікавив, тому буду читати про братів❤️
November 8, 2024
Bloated, repetitive and stuffed with too many tropes.
June 2, 2026
There's a really good book in here, I see a lot of promise with Lucky Hart as an author and I'm very curious to see how her craft grows with the story, but this needed a lot of editing.
August 4, 2026
i never thought i could relate so much to a character until Alec. the amount of times this book made me cry and laugh at the same time is criminal.😭😭its pure gold. i loved this book so much🥹
April 30, 2026
Actual rating: 3,5-3,75
This was a really great debut!
I loved the characters and the premise of your teenage crush you could never let go of finally also developing feelings for you.
I think both characters were written absolutely beautifully, they had a lot of depth and felt like real humans with real problems and background stories.
Alex ADHD rep was amazing and him struggling so much with his sport and school, while it looked like the perfect life form the outside made me hurt so much for him.
I totally got how Theo and his family life affected him and left him with unresolved trauma years later.
I honestly must say though that I didn’t get the feelings part from him as much as I did from Alex. Often I just really wanted to shake him, because it got to the same conflict over and over again without a different outcome. And you know what they say about doing the same thing all over again and expecting a different outcome (it’s the definition of insanity).
I wish this book would have been just a little shorter and these two would have simply talked about stuff more openly, because this just made the whole conflict feel too prolonged for me.
Instead of actually talking it out and admitting his feelings it needed a very dramatic end for Theo to finally get his head out of his ass and for me personally that just felt too little, too late.
I must say that I really loved their banter though, the kitten rescue and Alex portrayal as a drunk was A+ accurate.
I will definitely read the next books asap and I really hope Alex roommate gets his own book (because I kind of shipped them when Theo couldn’t open his mouth lol)!
This was a really great debut!
I loved the characters and the premise of your teenage crush you could never let go of finally also developing feelings for you.
I think both characters were written absolutely beautifully, they had a lot of depth and felt like real humans with real problems and background stories.
Alex ADHD rep was amazing and him struggling so much with his sport and school, while it looked like the perfect life form the outside made me hurt so much for him.
I totally got how Theo and his family life affected him and left him with unresolved trauma years later.
I honestly must say though that I didn’t get the feelings part from him as much as I did from Alex. Often I just really wanted to shake him, because it got to the same conflict over and over again without a different outcome. And you know what they say about doing the same thing all over again and expecting a different outcome (it’s the definition of insanity).
I wish this book would have been just a little shorter and these two would have simply talked about stuff more openly, because this just made the whole conflict feel too prolonged for me.
Instead of actually talking it out and admitting his feelings it needed a very dramatic end for Theo to finally get his head out of his ass and for me personally that just felt too little, too late.
I must say that I really loved their banter though, the kitten rescue and Alex portrayal as a drunk was A+ accurate.
I will definitely read the next books asap and I really hope Alex roommate gets his own book (because I kind of shipped them when Theo couldn’t open his mouth lol)!
September 14, 2024
The premise was good. Best friends brother but friends to lovers. This could have been so much better with just a tad more editing. New authors please don’t introduce a million characters because you want to set the scene for future books. The reader can see what you’re doing. It felt random and I have no idea who anyone is! Except Jason because I was totally intrigued. (He was why I read it)
I will read the next book. I see potential.
I will read the next book. I see potential.
June 21, 2026
This was a fantastic debut! It was a bit on the longer side, but I didn’t mind since it gives the reader time to really get to know the characters on a deep level. If you’re a fan of JJ Mulder’s books, I think you’ll also enjoy this because it gave me similar vibes in the best way!
September 10, 2025
i kinda liked the story but somebody explain to me how it seems the author simultaneously used every word in the english dictionary & found space to say ‘his chest tightened’ at least 3 times per page
April 25, 2025
Content warnings: parental abandonment (in the past), parental neglect (in the past), childhood poverty (in the past), sexual assault (in the past), hit and run, hospitalisation, mental health, vomit, alcohol
I kind of struggled with the first...25%??...of this. Not because of anything the characters did or because of who the characters were but simply because the age gap - newly 21 and a solid 29 - was a tad too much for me. Especially when we're told REPEATEDLY that Alec confessed his feelings for Theo when he was 15, making Theo 23. And, like, as someone who works with teenagers? C.R.I.N.G.E. It's too much. I'm not opposed to age gaps in romances or the brother's best friend/best friend's brother trope. But an age gap of this much when one character is in their late teens or early 20s lowkey gives me the ick.
Anyway, I basically chose to pretend their ages weren't listed and I continued regardless because the PINING my God the pining was flawless. I did have a couple of issues with the fact that his name is Theo James, but on the whole I loved the characters a lot and I had a fabulous time reading this. And I'm dying to read Jason's story now oh my God.
I kind of struggled with the first...25%??...of this. Not because of anything the characters did or because of who the characters were but simply because the age gap - newly 21 and a solid 29 - was a tad too much for me. Especially when we're told REPEATEDLY that Alec confessed his feelings for Theo when he was 15, making Theo 23. And, like, as someone who works with teenagers? C.R.I.N.G.E. It's too much. I'm not opposed to age gaps in romances or the brother's best friend/best friend's brother trope. But an age gap of this much when one character is in their late teens or early 20s lowkey gives me the ick.
Anyway, I basically chose to pretend their ages weren't listed and I continued regardless because the PINING my God the pining was flawless. I did have a couple of issues with the fact that his name is Theo James, but on the whole I loved the characters a lot and I had a fabulous time reading this. And I'm dying to read Jason's story now oh my God.
March 24, 2025
Oh my god, this was beautiful and messy and I felt so much! I couldn't put it down, I have basically read as I walked because I just wanted Theo to GET IT TOGETHER. I feel a bit sad Alec doesn't want football but I feel it made sense. The King Brothers have nestled their way into my heart and I can't wait for the next one.
March 27, 2025
I loved Alec from the get go but you definitely go on a bit of a journey with Theo 😭
At the beginning I loved him and then for most of the book I wanted to smack him upside the head and I wasn’t totally convinced I would have it in me for forgive him on Alec’s behalf but alas, Lucky made it happen.
By the end I was really rooting for them both and loved their HEA.
At the beginning I loved him and then for most of the book I wanted to smack him upside the head and I wasn’t totally convinced I would have it in me for forgive him on Alec’s behalf but alas, Lucky made it happen.
By the end I was really rooting for them both and loved their HEA.
July 17, 2025
3.7⭐️
Charlie should have punched Theo when he has the chance 😭 letting him leave the house crying at 2am was such a mean thing to do . Theo didn’t communicate with Alec or Jason about his feelings / actions like what are we doing babe 😫 why aren’t we using our words .
Charlie should have punched Theo when he has the chance 😭 letting him leave the house crying at 2am was such a mean thing to do . Theo didn’t communicate with Alec or Jason about his feelings / actions like what are we doing babe 😫 why aren’t we using our words .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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