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Inevitably You #1
Someone Like You
How could he ever love someone as broken as me?
What do you do when your car needs almost two thousand dollars in repairs, you can’t afford it, and the only mechanic available to fix it in this tiny college town is the same person who accidentally triggered the worst PTSD episode of your life? Oh, and he’s offering to cut the cost in half if you help him with a class he’s struggling with.
You say no, right?
This is the exact situation I find myself in, and I don’t know what the answer is. What I do know is that Brody is an enigma. A big, beautiful, tattooed, gray-eyed puzzle whose pieces I want to fling across the room because I can’t seem to figure him out. His interest in me is intense and his relentless pursuit of me is almost impressive. Except I don’t want his attention. I don’t want anyone’s attention. I just want to keep my head down and my grades up and graduate on time.
But I can’t seem to say no to him, and as I find myself spending more and more time with this gentle giant, I quickly realize there’s so much more to him than I first thought. I have a crazy need to keep peeling back his layers and get to the very heart of him.
Problem is, I can’t have him peeling back mine. Because the only thing he’ll find are my demons, and there’s no way he’ll want me once he does…once he realizes that I’m nothing but skin and bones and a whole lot of baggage.
Someone Like You is a sometimes funny, sometimes steamy, moderately angsty MM college romance with dual POV about two lonely boys who find each other at the right time in the right place. It contains some cringe-worthy puns, a whole heaping helping of hurt/comfort, tons of consent, praise, and a HEA.
* This book contains content that may be triggering for some readers. A full list of triggers is located in the beginning of the book and on the author's website.
What do you do when your car needs almost two thousand dollars in repairs, you can’t afford it, and the only mechanic available to fix it in this tiny college town is the same person who accidentally triggered the worst PTSD episode of your life? Oh, and he’s offering to cut the cost in half if you help him with a class he’s struggling with.
You say no, right?
This is the exact situation I find myself in, and I don’t know what the answer is. What I do know is that Brody is an enigma. A big, beautiful, tattooed, gray-eyed puzzle whose pieces I want to fling across the room because I can’t seem to figure him out. His interest in me is intense and his relentless pursuit of me is almost impressive. Except I don’t want his attention. I don’t want anyone’s attention. I just want to keep my head down and my grades up and graduate on time.
But I can’t seem to say no to him, and as I find myself spending more and more time with this gentle giant, I quickly realize there’s so much more to him than I first thought. I have a crazy need to keep peeling back his layers and get to the very heart of him.
Problem is, I can’t have him peeling back mine. Because the only thing he’ll find are my demons, and there’s no way he’ll want me once he does…once he realizes that I’m nothing but skin and bones and a whole lot of baggage.
Someone Like You is a sometimes funny, sometimes steamy, moderately angsty MM college romance with dual POV about two lonely boys who find each other at the right time in the right place. It contains some cringe-worthy puns, a whole heaping helping of hurt/comfort, tons of consent, praise, and a HEA.
* This book contains content that may be triggering for some readers. A full list of triggers is located in the beginning of the book and on the author's website.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2024
251 people are currently reading
1802 people want to read
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February 12, 2025
Stuck behind your beat / I kick my feet up, you're so mean / But I can't dream without you / Shit gets weird when you talk about it (Photo ID – Remi Wolf).
So, I was going to start this review full of snark by saying something like, “You know, every now and then, there comes a book that enters your life and completely turns it upside down… and this is not that book! Har har.” and then I stopped for a second and thought to myself, why is my first instinct to always be really mean and rude? Sure, I didn’t love this book, and you could say I even disliked it in many ways, but It’s not like I'm mad at this book or anything. There’s no need to adhere to my default setting and be endlessly negative. I'll probably come across as shady regardless, because I honestly don’t have enough of an opinion about Someone Like You to even write a heated review anyway. Why go off on something I’m not even going to think about past tomorrow? Because here’s the thing, at the end of the day, all I really thought about this book was that it was pretty… weird. I didn’t really understand what it was trying to be or what it was going for. At its core, I think it valiantly tries to tackle heavy subject matter, but due to its shallow presentation, characters I hated instantly, and an overabundance of sex scenes (not a problem with me usually, but it was this time because this book's specific context), I feel like it completely fails to hit the mark. And because everybody acts in such a over exaggerated and cartoony manner, it was hard to take anything anybody was saying seriously. This was mostly shown in the way that every character would swear up a storm in the worst kind of way, and in turn it made the whole thing feel rather childish whenever the story would try to touch on something more serious. I mean, I swear plenty in real life, but when “fuck” is written out a hundred times every other page, it can get a little tiring. Can I please see another word, like, for fuck’s sake can someone whip out the thesaurus? And while the characters being immature is pretty realistic given that they’re all in their early twenties, that doesn’t exactly make for the most engaging reading experience. It didn’t help that every character was as unlikable as possible in the most boring way possible. From the first page they showed up, I didn’t like them. There’s Brody who doesn’t understand personal boundaries, stomping around like he's the first member of the DK Crew, and then Isaac with his hatred of cats (???) and the fact that he “jokingly” tells people with brown eyes that they have eyes the color of poop. Grow-up dude. And I know that that this doesn’t seem like a big deal, like I'm sure the author didn’t mean anything by it… but when you are constantly comparing “beauty” and “goodness” with blue eyes and blonde hair, and then turn around and try to say brown eyes are ugly, then I’m sorry, but you’re saying something with that. I can fill in the blanks.
That's not the only thing, though! Because off-putting descriptions weren’t the only thing that was off about this book, but to get to the center of the issue we'd have to go wa~aay back, right back to the beginning with the very first chapter. Basically, Isaac is studying in the library where he first encounters Brody, and seeing this meathead beating the hell out of a vending machine and swearing up a storm (as everyone in this book does), he chooses to throw the guy a bone and ends up giving him a couple dollars. Wow, good deeds, huh? But then in return Isaac's rewarded by Brody getting weirdly angry about this act of charity and he pushes him up against the wall like he’s part Krogan. Wait, what!? If that sounds like a weird sequence of events, then I’m totally with you. I think it was supposed to be, like, this super sexy thing where their electric chemistry was undeniable and we all swoo~oon in unison, but I honestly didn’t feel like doing anything of the sort. I’m not sure why writers really like that trope where the love-interest gets all into the other person’s personal space, pushing their buttons as well as literally pushing them against furniture or whatever, but I’m honestly not a fan. Back up, man! And it's especially egregious here, because not only does it not really fit with this book’s overall vibe, but it’s also just a really creepy and antagonistic thing to do to a person who has bad experiences with creepy and antagonistic people. I’m just saying, if that shit happened to me, I’d take that as a sign that it’s time to start swinging. We’re talking some bing-bop-boom-boom-boom-bop-bam type shit. It made me think that his behavior was written this way to hook readers in with the whole “enemies-to-lovers” thing, because hey, everybody loves that one! Right? And look, I’m not sure when I became the guy who rails against the “enemies-to-lovers” trope, but here I am! It’s funny because I don’t even hate the trope, I just hate taking notice of it. And given Isaac’s very specific backstory, this was definitely not the kind of book that needed a really aggressive and pushy love-interest. It’s funny because I think the author must have realized that Brody’s original characterization wasn’t really working because by the halfway point, all of a sudden he became the sweetest man in the world? Mans was randomly straight out of The Outsiders, all calling Isaac “baby” and “honey" and honestly? Barf. An overcorrection, in my opinion. Besides, by then I think the damage was already done. First impressions are a hell of a thing, and because of my rather poor one with Someone Like You, I don’t think I was ever really able to shake all of my issues with it.
So, I was going to start this review full of snark by saying something like, “You know, every now and then, there comes a book that enters your life and completely turns it upside down… and this is not that book! Har har.” and then I stopped for a second and thought to myself, why is my first instinct to always be really mean and rude? Sure, I didn’t love this book, and you could say I even disliked it in many ways, but It’s not like I'm mad at this book or anything. There’s no need to adhere to my default setting and be endlessly negative. I'll probably come across as shady regardless, because I honestly don’t have enough of an opinion about Someone Like You to even write a heated review anyway. Why go off on something I’m not even going to think about past tomorrow? Because here’s the thing, at the end of the day, all I really thought about this book was that it was pretty… weird. I didn’t really understand what it was trying to be or what it was going for. At its core, I think it valiantly tries to tackle heavy subject matter, but due to its shallow presentation, characters I hated instantly, and an overabundance of sex scenes (not a problem with me usually, but it was this time because this book's specific context), I feel like it completely fails to hit the mark. And because everybody acts in such a over exaggerated and cartoony manner, it was hard to take anything anybody was saying seriously. This was mostly shown in the way that every character would swear up a storm in the worst kind of way, and in turn it made the whole thing feel rather childish whenever the story would try to touch on something more serious. I mean, I swear plenty in real life, but when “fuck” is written out a hundred times every other page, it can get a little tiring. Can I please see another word, like, for fuck’s sake can someone whip out the thesaurus? And while the characters being immature is pretty realistic given that they’re all in their early twenties, that doesn’t exactly make for the most engaging reading experience. It didn’t help that every character was as unlikable as possible in the most boring way possible. From the first page they showed up, I didn’t like them. There’s Brody who doesn’t understand personal boundaries, stomping around like he's the first member of the DK Crew, and then Isaac with his hatred of cats (???) and the fact that he “jokingly” tells people with brown eyes that they have eyes the color of poop. Grow-up dude. And I know that that this doesn’t seem like a big deal, like I'm sure the author didn’t mean anything by it… but when you are constantly comparing “beauty” and “goodness” with blue eyes and blonde hair, and then turn around and try to say brown eyes are ugly, then I’m sorry, but you’re saying something with that. I can fill in the blanks.
That's not the only thing, though! Because off-putting descriptions weren’t the only thing that was off about this book, but to get to the center of the issue we'd have to go wa~aay back, right back to the beginning with the very first chapter. Basically, Isaac is studying in the library where he first encounters Brody, and seeing this meathead beating the hell out of a vending machine and swearing up a storm (as everyone in this book does), he chooses to throw the guy a bone and ends up giving him a couple dollars. Wow, good deeds, huh? But then in return Isaac's rewarded by Brody getting weirdly angry about this act of charity and he pushes him up against the wall like he’s part Krogan. Wait, what!? If that sounds like a weird sequence of events, then I’m totally with you. I think it was supposed to be, like, this super sexy thing where their electric chemistry was undeniable and we all swoo~oon in unison, but I honestly didn’t feel like doing anything of the sort. I’m not sure why writers really like that trope where the love-interest gets all into the other person’s personal space, pushing their buttons as well as literally pushing them against furniture or whatever, but I’m honestly not a fan. Back up, man! And it's especially egregious here, because not only does it not really fit with this book’s overall vibe, but it’s also just a really creepy and antagonistic thing to do to a person who has bad experiences with creepy and antagonistic people. I’m just saying, if that shit happened to me, I’d take that as a sign that it’s time to start swinging. We’re talking some bing-bop-boom-boom-boom-bop-bam type shit. It made me think that his behavior was written this way to hook readers in with the whole “enemies-to-lovers” thing, because hey, everybody loves that one! Right? And look, I’m not sure when I became the guy who rails against the “enemies-to-lovers” trope, but here I am! It’s funny because I don’t even hate the trope, I just hate taking notice of it. And given Isaac’s very specific backstory, this was definitely not the kind of book that needed a really aggressive and pushy love-interest. It’s funny because I think the author must have realized that Brody’s original characterization wasn’t really working because by the halfway point, all of a sudden he became the sweetest man in the world? Mans was randomly straight out of The Outsiders, all calling Isaac “baby” and “honey" and honestly? Barf. An overcorrection, in my opinion. Besides, by then I think the damage was already done. First impressions are a hell of a thing, and because of my rather poor one with Someone Like You, I don’t think I was ever really able to shake all of my issues with it.
October 19, 2024
First of all, this cover is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
But not only the cover got to me 👇
SafeSafeSafe | TrustTrustTrust 🛟
Little fun-sized pixie.”🧚🏻♀️
Tattoos and piercings 🥵
Will you read to me 📖
Incense 🕯️
Boundaries ⛑️
The cactus 🌵
Comando 🍆
Shower with consent 🥹
Hard working together 🥵
So fucking beautiful 🫠
Can’t touch me but I can watch you 🔥
Irrational jealousy and possessiveness🤌
Book boyfriend
Baby.Tell me what you need
Delicious praise
Meadling good friends
Touch him and die horribly
Whatever you want, Isaac 🥹🥵
You make me feel safe, Brody🥹
The shower🛁
First times 💋
BabyBabyBaby
Snowed in ❄️💥
Isaac the knight in shiny armor
Alien 🫠
Co-dependency
Finding him felt like kismet
gentle but fierce
Strong heart ♥️
Kismet
I love you
Ditto
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐I LOVED IT! This is a college romance, with college guys doing college things. Both of them have traumas to deal with, and that's what they do. They work it together while falling in love, breaking each other's boundaries in the best way.The trauma was addressed with respect and given its proper importance in the plot, but we get more focus on the healing and finding ways to recover a life!
The writing is simple and engaging, I can see some naivety since this is a debut novel, maybe it lacks more depth or character development, but the important bites were there that I'm ignoring.
Brody, well, even without trauma we all need a Brody in our life. Natural caretaker, his patience, delicacy, never pushing, always making sure whatever was ok with Isaac, but at the same time HOT AF. So perfect🤌For exemple, there's like 3 maybe 4 pages of them showering, no sex just pure attention, intimacy, caring, devotion and worship. And I was once again in a puddle of swoon just reading about two guys washing each other, and loving every single thing. *sigh dealply*. And lets not forget Brody’s rage toward what happened to Isaac and to whom did that to him?
Isaac baby… you found him and he is here to love you, to take care of you and worship you! Loved it when he let go of his fears and turned into a horny bossy dirty talker. They were perfect together, made for each other in every way.
I usually don't like it when MCs of approximately the same age, treat the smallest one with my boy, or little boy, but what do you know? Absolutely adore it in here, maybe because in other books it felt like the Mc was being treated like a child, here I know Brody was treating Isaac like the most precious thing in the world, nothing but tenderness🫠 and Isaac turns out to be a incredible caretaker himself 🥹
“Whatever you want, Isaac.” This could be said as the sweetest thing or the hottest thing… loved it!
My angsty side says the SA could be more explored and exposed, to create a bit more drama… At some points some things,while treated with respect, felt easily fixed. But again that maybe my traumatized brain needing more angst 😅. The “fuck me” part was a bit rushed from someone who had been abused. I know Isaac felt safe and trusted Brody, and was really eager to that level of intimacy, but maybe wait a little more… I’m all in for delay gratification in this cases🥹 I didn’t understand some changes of chapter, specially when we stayed on the same scene and the same pov. Why begin a new chapter at all? That bj bothered me… because it felt off character for Brody to push Isaac that much. It was his first time, maybe Isaac liked it but… it felt like a gamble that I don’t think Brody would take.
PS: what a sweet and crazy ott epilogue 😅, and wow this turn out to be a big ass review!
“God, I even love you when you’re being ridiculous.”
“Ditto,” he said, fully grinning now.
But not only the cover got to me 👇
SafeSafeSafe | TrustTrustTrust 🛟
Little fun-sized pixie.”🧚🏻♀️
Tattoos and piercings 🥵
Will you read to me 📖
Incense 🕯️
Boundaries ⛑️
The cactus 🌵
Comando 🍆
Shower with consent 🥹
Hard working together 🥵
So fucking beautiful 🫠
Can’t touch me but I can watch you 🔥
Irrational jealousy and possessiveness🤌
Book boyfriend
Baby.Tell me what you need
Delicious praise
Meadling good friends
Touch him and die horribly
Whatever you want, Isaac 🥹🥵
You make me feel safe, Brody🥹
The shower🛁
First times 💋
BabyBabyBaby
Snowed in ❄️💥
Isaac the knight in shiny armor
Alien 🫠
Co-dependency
Finding him felt like kismet
gentle but fierce
Strong heart ♥️
Kismet
I love you
Ditto
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐I LOVED IT! This is a college romance, with college guys doing college things. Both of them have traumas to deal with, and that's what they do. They work it together while falling in love, breaking each other's boundaries in the best way.The trauma was addressed with respect and given its proper importance in the plot, but we get more focus on the healing and finding ways to recover a life!
The writing is simple and engaging, I can see some naivety since this is a debut novel, maybe it lacks more depth or character development, but the important bites were there that I'm ignoring.
Brody, well, even without trauma we all need a Brody in our life. Natural caretaker, his patience, delicacy, never pushing, always making sure whatever was ok with Isaac, but at the same time HOT AF. So perfect🤌For exemple, there's like 3 maybe 4 pages of them showering, no sex just pure attention, intimacy, caring, devotion and worship. And I was once again in a puddle of swoon just reading about two guys washing each other, and loving every single thing. *sigh dealply*. And lets not forget Brody’s rage toward what happened to Isaac and to whom did that to him?
Isaac baby… you found him and he is here to love you, to take care of you and worship you! Loved it when he let go of his fears and turned into a horny bossy dirty talker. They were perfect together, made for each other in every way.
I usually don't like it when MCs of approximately the same age, treat the smallest one with my boy, or little boy, but what do you know? Absolutely adore it in here, maybe because in other books it felt like the Mc was being treated like a child, here I know Brody was treating Isaac like the most precious thing in the world, nothing but tenderness🫠 and Isaac turns out to be a incredible caretaker himself 🥹
“Whatever you want, Isaac.” This could be said as the sweetest thing or the hottest thing… loved it!
My angsty side says the SA could be more explored and exposed, to create a bit more drama… At some points some things,while treated with respect, felt easily fixed. But again that maybe my traumatized brain needing more angst 😅. The “fuck me” part was a bit rushed from someone who had been abused. I know Isaac felt safe and trusted Brody, and was really eager to that level of intimacy, but maybe wait a little more… I’m all in for delay gratification in this cases🥹 I didn’t understand some changes of chapter, specially when we stayed on the same scene and the same pov. Why begin a new chapter at all? That bj bothered me… because it felt off character for Brody to push Isaac that much. It was his first time, maybe Isaac liked it but… it felt like a gamble that I don’t think Brody would take.
PS: what a sweet and crazy ott epilogue 😅, and wow this turn out to be a big ass review!
“God, I even love you when you’re being ridiculous.”
“Ditto,” he said, fully grinning now.
May 6, 2025
Brody + Isaac 🖤
Sugary sweet and adorable. Swoooning. I swear this book healed something inside me.
Brody is so perfect in the way he treasures Isaac and helps him through his trauma. It was truly beautiful. The first person to make Isaac feel safe and treasured and worthy of love. He's his massive sexy teddy bear.
There was so much focus on making Isaac feel comfortable with any form of touch. Brody respected every boundary and continually checked for clear consent. And praise for daysss.
....
"You're such a beautiful boy, Isaac. So sweet and funny and good. You make me feel good, did you know that?"
"Nobody but you has ever made me want to lose myself inside of them. I just want you to trust me. I want to show you that you can trust me, because I never want to see you cry again. Not because of me, or anyone else."
"He called me baby. Twice. Be still, my horny heart."
"My beautiful fucking boy was a shadow of himself right now, and I wanted to find whatever or whoever had made him this way and rip their spine from their throat. But first I would lie here with him and give him whatever comfort I could offer."
"Whatever happened, you are still the most beautiful boy I've ever met, inside and out. You don't have to go through this alone. I'm right here for you. I won't let anyone hurt you, Isaac."
"You're so damn beautiful, Isaac. I knew your cock would be as pretty as the rest of you."
"I wasn't sure what about me he liked, because when I looked in the mirror, all I saw was a small, skinny guy. Nothing special at all. But he kept calling me beautiful, and I kept believing him."
"Shh, it's okay. You're okay. I've got you, baby. I'm right here. You were so brave for sharing that with me, did you know that? You have so much courage. So much. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. ... You never deserved that. And it's not your fault. You are so fucking strong for surviving something like that."
....
⚠️ possible spoilers below in tropes and trigger warnings
Tropes:
Strangers to enemies to lovers
Consent kings
Pierced and tattooed teddy bear of a man
Size difference
Broken boys
Hurt/ comfort
Touch him and die
Protector
Mental health rep
Praise praise praise
💦 in pants
Touch starved MCs
First times including first kiss
TWs:
Past rape of MC
Abusive ex
MC has heart condition
MC has surgery after collapsing from heart condition
Hospital stay
Violence towards MCs
PTSD
Panic attacks
Low self worth
Dead parents
Sugary sweet and adorable. Swoooning. I swear this book healed something inside me.
Brody is so perfect in the way he treasures Isaac and helps him through his trauma. It was truly beautiful. The first person to make Isaac feel safe and treasured and worthy of love. He's his massive sexy teddy bear.
There was so much focus on making Isaac feel comfortable with any form of touch. Brody respected every boundary and continually checked for clear consent. And praise for daysss.
....
"You're such a beautiful boy, Isaac. So sweet and funny and good. You make me feel good, did you know that?"
"Nobody but you has ever made me want to lose myself inside of them. I just want you to trust me. I want to show you that you can trust me, because I never want to see you cry again. Not because of me, or anyone else."
"He called me baby. Twice. Be still, my horny heart."
"My beautiful fucking boy was a shadow of himself right now, and I wanted to find whatever or whoever had made him this way and rip their spine from their throat. But first I would lie here with him and give him whatever comfort I could offer."
"Whatever happened, you are still the most beautiful boy I've ever met, inside and out. You don't have to go through this alone. I'm right here for you. I won't let anyone hurt you, Isaac."
"You're so damn beautiful, Isaac. I knew your cock would be as pretty as the rest of you."
"I wasn't sure what about me he liked, because when I looked in the mirror, all I saw was a small, skinny guy. Nothing special at all. But he kept calling me beautiful, and I kept believing him."
"Shh, it's okay. You're okay. I've got you, baby. I'm right here. You were so brave for sharing that with me, did you know that? You have so much courage. So much. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. ... You never deserved that. And it's not your fault. You are so fucking strong for surviving something like that."
....
⚠️ possible spoilers below in tropes and trigger warnings
Tropes:
Strangers to enemies to lovers
Consent kings
Pierced and tattooed teddy bear of a man
Size difference
Broken boys
Hurt/ comfort
Touch him and die
Protector
Mental health rep
Praise praise praise
💦 in pants
Touch starved MCs
First times including first kiss
TWs:
Past rape of MC
Abusive ex
MC has heart condition
MC has surgery after collapsing from heart condition
Hospital stay
Violence towards MCs
PTSD
Panic attacks
Low self worth
Dead parents
October 22, 2024
What a wonderful debut.
I had a bit of trouble getting into it for the first two or three chapters, I have to admit I thought Isaac was a strange character. But that was only a brief feeling that didn't last long and then I was completely absorbed in the story.
After the encounter between Isaac and Brody starts off on the wrong foot, it's sweet to watch them slowly grow closer.
I enjoyed the balance of the story. Of course there is a bit of drama and pain, but there are also slightly funny moments and sexy moments too. Just the right amount of everything.
It's not an incredibly exciting story, I think, you have to get involved with it, it doesn't roll over you and suck you in. But once you've let yourself fall into it, you stay in it.
I don't know if I'm saying it right, the story isn't loud, it's quiet, but it has weight.
Brody is such a sweetheart, the perfect boyfriend and someone each of us needs to have in our lives. And I'll give a bonus star for the therapist, I'm not usually a huge fan, but Isaac's conversations with her were fantastic, and without the therapy really taking up much space.
I had thought about sharing one of the sexy sexy scenes with you, but somehow it doesn't really fit. Even though the intimate scenes between them are super awesome and hot, it's not a smutty book and that would just be misleading. This is what the book is all about:
“Every time I look at you, I can’t decide whether I want to hold you gently or fuck you into the mattress so hard you can’t move for a week. Every time you open those perfect, rosy lips, I’m holding my breath just so I can hear what you’ll say, because it’s never what I expect and it always makes me like you even more. Every time you look at me, my heart pounds and my palms sweat and I’m caught in those beautiful eyes. But I like being caught. You make me happy, Isaac, and you mean so much more to me than I ever expected you to. And I like that. I love that.” 🫠🥰🫠🥰🫠🥰
I had a bit of trouble getting into it for the first two or three chapters, I have to admit I thought Isaac was a strange character. But that was only a brief feeling that didn't last long and then I was completely absorbed in the story.
After the encounter between Isaac and Brody starts off on the wrong foot, it's sweet to watch them slowly grow closer.
I enjoyed the balance of the story. Of course there is a bit of drama and pain, but there are also slightly funny moments and sexy moments too. Just the right amount of everything.
It's not an incredibly exciting story, I think, you have to get involved with it, it doesn't roll over you and suck you in. But once you've let yourself fall into it, you stay in it.
I don't know if I'm saying it right, the story isn't loud, it's quiet, but it has weight.
Brody is such a sweetheart, the perfect boyfriend and someone each of us needs to have in our lives. And I'll give a bonus star for the therapist, I'm not usually a huge fan, but Isaac's conversations with her were fantastic, and without the therapy really taking up much space.
I had thought about sharing one of the sexy sexy scenes with you, but somehow it doesn't really fit. Even though the intimate scenes between them are super awesome and hot, it's not a smutty book and that would just be misleading. This is what the book is all about:
“Every time I look at you, I can’t decide whether I want to hold you gently or fuck you into the mattress so hard you can’t move for a week. Every time you open those perfect, rosy lips, I’m holding my breath just so I can hear what you’ll say, because it’s never what I expect and it always makes me like you even more. Every time you look at me, my heart pounds and my palms sweat and I’m caught in those beautiful eyes. But I like being caught. You make me happy, Isaac, and you mean so much more to me than I ever expected you to. And I like that. I love that.” 🫠🥰🫠🥰🫠🥰
January 24, 2025
Мені сподобалось, навіть не було багато дратучуючих моментів, правда була гомофобія від одного з персонажів, але який буде в 2 книжці зустрічатися з хлопцем 😀 в принципі логічно. Шкода було Айзека, прям переймалася за нього, пораділа з ним коли його насильника заарештували та посадили, але блять, було декілька жертв але йому дали 20 років, йому приблизно ж стільки наче, то вийде в 40 і знову чи як? Сподобався сусід Айзека Джордан, він смішний та прикольний, а ще підтримує та піклується про Айзека. Мені і сподобався Броуді, як він підтримував Айзека, піклувався про нього, ставив його на перше місце. 19 розділ прям злякав мене, не переймалася так за персонажа з часів «Archer's Voice » Мії Шерідан.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2024
Wow, wow wow wow, what an incredible debut novel and one of the best hurt/comfort romances I’ve ever read. Fuck, I gobbled that shit up from page one.
There was so much to love here:
🩵 college setting
🩵 Broken boys who heal together
🩵 car mechanic x children’s book writer
🩵 Possessiveness/protectiveness/co-dependency
🩵 Touch him and literally die
🩵 Size difference
🩵 Touch starved
🩵 Seriously hot steam and so much consent talk *swoon*
🩵 Endless exploration of eachothers bodies
🩵 Praise and ‘baby’
🩵 Unlimited patience and caretaking
🩵 Feeling safe and finding trust
🩵 Healing and going to therapy
🩵 Amazing side characters (WHO HOPEFULLY GET THEIR OWN BOOKS PLEASE!!)
There were a few inconsistencies here and there regarding the characters and how they acted but it was easy to overlook, I thought.
Even though this had some heavy themes (please check the tw beforehand!), I’d say it was fairly low angst and got ridiculously sweet during the end - which I loved, because damn, those two deserved an ott HEA!
I can’t wait to see what Nyla Dane writes next. Maybe Jordan’s story? That would make me so happy! 4,5⭐️
There was so much to love here:
🩵 college setting
🩵 Broken boys who heal together
🩵 car mechanic x children’s book writer
🩵 Possessiveness/protectiveness/co-dependency
🩵 Touch him and literally die
🩵 Size difference
🩵 Touch starved
🩵 Seriously hot steam and so much consent talk *swoon*
🩵 Endless exploration of eachothers bodies
🩵 Praise and ‘baby’
🩵 Unlimited patience and caretaking
🩵 Feeling safe and finding trust
🩵 Healing and going to therapy
🩵 Amazing side characters (WHO HOPEFULLY GET THEIR OWN BOOKS PLEASE!!)
There were a few inconsistencies here and there regarding the characters and how they acted but it was easy to overlook, I thought.
Even though this had some heavy themes (please check the tw beforehand!), I’d say it was fairly low angst and got ridiculously sweet during the end - which I loved, because damn, those two deserved an ott HEA!
I can’t wait to see what Nyla Dane writes next. Maybe Jordan’s story? That would make me so happy! 4,5⭐️
![Profile Image for Megan [At The Cottage].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1634561405i%2F25103878._UY200_CR50%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 22, 2025
MM Romance
Hurt/Comfort
2 Stars
DNF @ 58%
2025 project: Picking up books I’ve gotten for free that are rotting away in my kindle…without reading the blurb. I actually knew what this one was about because it was on my TBR when it went free. 😂
This is just not working for me but because I don’t hate it and it’s a debut, I’m giving it 2 stars. I’m having a hard time connecting to either of the main characters and I think it’s due to how this started. Isaac is on campus studying when he sees a guy, Brody, kicking the shit out of a vending machine and offers him a dollar to get his drink out. They lock eyes and Isaac notes how Brody’s eyes are a silver color he’s never seen before and while they are in this weird lust bubble, Brody backs him up against the wall and fucking licks his earlobe. Umm this is the first time these people have ever met and don’t even know each other’s names. If they were at a club or something that would be different, still odd, but they’re literally at fucking school. What makes this even more egregious is that as it turns out Isaac has C-PSTD and usually has panic attacks when he’s unable to give consent. So a week later Isaac needs car repairs and Brody works at the only shop near campus so they strike a deal that Brody will charge Isaac less if he reads to Brody because he’s dyslexic. Isaac didn’t want to do this because he didn’t feel comfortable around him and neither would I if some rando licked my fucking ear but he doesn’t have a choice so he goes over there. After a few times reading they are wildly attracted to each other but Isaac is standoffish and kind of mean while Brody is now all about consent and waiting. 🙄
But then Isaac gets triggered by something and has a really bad episode and after not hearing from him for a week, Brody goes to his house and strangely Isaac wants Brody there, needs him to take care of him and lets him take him home. I thought this was really weird because they still don’t know each other well but whatever 🤷🏻♀️. Isaac tells Brody why he’s the way he is and then wants Brody to fuck him. Say what? I’m all for some fuck hot sex but Isaac just having an episode and explaining what happened that made him that way didn’t mesh with “let’s fuck” being said right afterwards. I didn’t understand why Isaac even trusted Brody this much, some weirdo who licked his ear when they first met.
So yah this isn’t for me and I’ve been trying to read it for almost 3 weeks and either falling asleep or just avoiding it completely so I’m done. However, I didn’t mind the writing style which bodes well for me because I only picked this up because it was free and I wanted to read book two in the series. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 that one is better.
Hurt/Comfort
2 Stars
DNF @ 58%
2025 project: Picking up books I’ve gotten for free that are rotting away in my kindle…without reading the blurb. I actually knew what this one was about because it was on my TBR when it went free. 😂
This is just not working for me but because I don’t hate it and it’s a debut, I’m giving it 2 stars. I’m having a hard time connecting to either of the main characters and I think it’s due to how this started. Isaac is on campus studying when he sees a guy, Brody, kicking the shit out of a vending machine and offers him a dollar to get his drink out. They lock eyes and Isaac notes how Brody’s eyes are a silver color he’s never seen before and while they are in this weird lust bubble, Brody backs him up against the wall and fucking licks his earlobe. Umm this is the first time these people have ever met and don’t even know each other’s names. If they were at a club or something that would be different, still odd, but they’re literally at fucking school. What makes this even more egregious is that as it turns out Isaac has C-PSTD and usually has panic attacks when he’s unable to give consent. So a week later Isaac needs car repairs and Brody works at the only shop near campus so they strike a deal that Brody will charge Isaac less if he reads to Brody because he’s dyslexic. Isaac didn’t want to do this because he didn’t feel comfortable around him and neither would I if some rando licked my fucking ear but he doesn’t have a choice so he goes over there. After a few times reading they are wildly attracted to each other but Isaac is standoffish and kind of mean while Brody is now all about consent and waiting. 🙄
But then Isaac gets triggered by something and has a really bad episode and after not hearing from him for a week, Brody goes to his house and strangely Isaac wants Brody there, needs him to take care of him and lets him take him home. I thought this was really weird because they still don’t know each other well but whatever 🤷🏻♀️. Isaac tells Brody why he’s the way he is and then wants Brody to fuck him. Say what? I’m all for some fuck hot sex but Isaac just having an episode and explaining what happened that made him that way didn’t mesh with “let’s fuck” being said right afterwards. I didn’t understand why Isaac even trusted Brody this much, some weirdo who licked his ear when they first met.
So yah this isn’t for me and I’ve been trying to read it for almost 3 weeks and either falling asleep or just avoiding it completely so I’m done. However, I didn’t mind the writing style which bodes well for me because I only picked this up because it was free and I wanted to read book two in the series. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 that one is better.
September 21, 2024
this would’ve done numbers on wattpad. very over the top. very silly. very dramatic. but you know what? i was vibing with it. most of the time. the ending was very extra wattpad. not my favorite but it fit the theme. honestly not bad for a debut.
dnf
January 29, 2025DNF @ 14% not really vibing with the writing style :/ plus things just feel super insta between them idk im not into this one
October 6, 2024
Brody, Brody, Brody... Looks like I've got myself a new book boyfriend! 🥰
I loved this book from beginning to end, their story was beautiful and so touching...
I can't wait to read this author's next work! 🩵
I loved this book from beginning to end, their story was beautiful and so touching...
I can't wait to read this author's next work! 🩵
July 13, 2025
4 Stars⭐️
3.5🌶️
OH MY GOSH!!!! Y’all NEED To Read This Book If You Haven’t Already Because This Was Out Of This World. Brody And Isaac Are Literally One Of The Most CUTEST And Most REAL Couples Ive Read About In A While And I Absolutely Loved Them There Definitely One Of My Fav Couples Because Their Codependency Is Just EVERYTHING TO MY HEART. I LITERALLY Adore Them To My Hearts Content And How Brody Was SO Patient With Issac When He Wasn’t Ready For More Or When Isaac Felt Like He Was Ready But Brody Thought He Wasn’t Ready Yet Because He Doesn’t Want To Hurt Him, UGH! I’m Literally OBSESSED! Also The Side Characters Jordan And Jamie, They BETTER Get A Book Or I Swear Because I Loved Them Both With My Whole Heart. Also Gavin, I Know We’re Supposed To Hate Him, But Why Am I Kinda Rooting For Him😱😂 Because I Know What He Did Was Wrong And Horrible ( Not Spoiling Anything Just Go Read It To Find Out ) But I Feel Like He’s SO Misunderstood And I Just REALLY Want To Know More About Him So Lyla, I Will Be Patiently Waiting For Gavin And Beck’s Book And I Will Be Signing Up For The Arc If You’re Doing Them😂 Anyways, Go Read This Book It’s Honestly SO Good And Has SO MUCH Depth And I Cannot Wait For The Next Books In This Series. Lyla, You’re Officially An Auto - Buy Author For Me Girl, You’re Writing Is Fantastic Give Me 14 Of Them😂🫶💕
3.5🌶️
OH MY GOSH!!!! Y’all NEED To Read This Book If You Haven’t Already Because This Was Out Of This World. Brody And Isaac Are Literally One Of The Most CUTEST And Most REAL Couples Ive Read About In A While And I Absolutely Loved Them There Definitely One Of My Fav Couples Because Their Codependency Is Just EVERYTHING TO MY HEART. I LITERALLY Adore Them To My Hearts Content And How Brody Was SO Patient With Issac When He Wasn’t Ready For More Or When Isaac Felt Like He Was Ready But Brody Thought He Wasn’t Ready Yet Because He Doesn’t Want To Hurt Him, UGH! I’m Literally OBSESSED! Also The Side Characters Jordan And Jamie, They BETTER Get A Book Or I Swear Because I Loved Them Both With My Whole Heart. Also Gavin, I Know We’re Supposed To Hate Him, But Why Am I Kinda Rooting For Him😱😂 Because I Know What He Did Was Wrong And Horrible ( Not Spoiling Anything Just Go Read It To Find Out ) But I Feel Like He’s SO Misunderstood And I Just REALLY Want To Know More About Him So Lyla, I Will Be Patiently Waiting For Gavin And Beck’s Book And I Will Be Signing Up For The Arc If You’re Doing Them😂 Anyways, Go Read This Book It’s Honestly SO Good And Has SO MUCH Depth And I Cannot Wait For The Next Books In This Series. Lyla, You’re Officially An Auto - Buy Author For Me Girl, You’re Writing Is Fantastic Give Me 14 Of Them😂🫶💕
August 6, 2025
Книга неймовірно солодка🥰
Боже мій, хлопці як такими можна бути
Ну такі солодкі булочки❤️
Чесно, я не хотіла її читати, дуже довго відкладала, бачила по тропах що там згвалтування і мені вже ставало погано
Дякую авторці що вона не описувала все, просто завуальовано про це згадала, це великий плюс
Мені дуже сильно сподобався Броуді, як же він підтримував Айзека, думав в першу чергу про нього і його інтереси, як він допомагав йому, ставився до нього з розумінням, це вартує багато чого
Я захоплююсь ними, вони молодці
Але чесно, книга аж дуже солодка, я постійно чекала якогось підвогу ну не може ж так все бути ідеально але тут так і було там єдиний для мене був важкий момент в 18-19 розділах, я не знала що очікувати, тут все добре добре а потім бац, я так переживала що словами не можу описати, але добре що все добре закінчилось 😍
Стосовно кривдника Айзека ну блін 30 років ви серйозно? Він вийде і шо далі? Знов те саме, стільки чоловіків постраждали через нього, це ужасноо
Побачила що друга книга про Гевіна і це просто якийсь шок для мене, думаю таки почитаю бо бачила дуже багато хороших відгуків і що книга важка емоційно але це того вартує, тому прочитаю ще її
Мені сподобався стиль написання, шуточки були класними і сленг, він неймовірний передає атмосферу
Я тільки зараз замітила що це перша книга авторки😳 я в шоці, це просто вааау
Я б навіть ніколи не подумала
Боже мій, хлопці як такими можна бути
Ну такі солодкі булочки❤️
Чесно, я не хотіла її читати, дуже довго відкладала, бачила по тропах що там згвалтування і мені вже ставало погано
Дякую авторці що вона не описувала все, просто завуальовано про це згадала, це великий плюс
Мені дуже сильно сподобався Броуді, як же він підтримував Айзека, думав в першу чергу про нього і його інтереси, як він допомагав йому, ставився до нього з розумінням, це вартує багато чого
Я захоплююсь ними, вони молодці
Але чесно, книга аж дуже солодка, я постійно чекала якогось підвогу ну не може ж так все бути ідеально але тут так і було там єдиний для мене був важкий момент в 18-19 розділах, я не знала що очікувати, тут все добре добре а потім бац, я так переживала що словами не можу описати, але добре що все добре закінчилось 😍
Стосовно кривдника Айзека ну блін 30 років ви серйозно? Він вийде і шо далі? Знов те саме, стільки чоловіків постраждали через нього, це ужасноо
Побачила що друга книга про Гевіна і це просто якийсь шок для мене, думаю таки почитаю бо бачила дуже багато хороших відгуків і що книга важка емоційно але це того вартує, тому прочитаю ще її
Мені сподобався стиль написання, шуточки були класними і сленг, він неймовірний передає атмосферу
Я тільки зараз замітила що це перша книга авторки😳 я в шоці, це просто вааау
Я б навіть ніколи не подумала
August 24, 2024
Hajxkrbchaiwkfbxuakenfhcxiejeh.
This was so good.
I was shocked to see this was a debut. Genuinely.
Isaac is the human embodiment of a cactus and Brody is the embodiment of a cinnamon roll. Together? It’s kismet (thanks Bri) 😭
We have trauma, a massive MC, a pretty pixie, a sister that is definitely on some kind of watch list, and a whole lot of love.
Please check your triggers. 🖤
I didn’t expect this to be so heartwarming and absolutely filthy at the same time. The things that come out of Brody’s mouth should be printed out and framed 🤤
Anywho,
Read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my honest and voluntary review! 🖤
This was so good.
I was shocked to see this was a debut. Genuinely.
Isaac is the human embodiment of a cactus and Brody is the embodiment of a cinnamon roll. Together? It’s kismet (thanks Bri) 😭
We have trauma, a massive MC, a pretty pixie, a sister that is definitely on some kind of watch list, and a whole lot of love.
Please check your triggers. 🖤
I didn’t expect this to be so heartwarming and absolutely filthy at the same time. The things that come out of Brody’s mouth should be printed out and framed 🤤
Anywho,
Read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my honest and voluntary review! 🖤
dnf
March 2, 2025they’re officially together and i just don’t care anymore 😭
November 3, 2024
DNF at 57%.
Sorry but this isn’t working. it was very Insta Brody’s side and I truly didn’t get why. Isaac was acting like such an A **** I couldn’t stand him, let alone understand what was there to like besides the fact Brody found him beautiful.It felt there was no process here, one day Isaac was acting like a spiteful cornered cat and next everybody is making out and calling each other “Sweetheart” ( I hate that nickname)
No point to continue if I don’t like any of the characters.
Sorry but this isn’t working. it was very Insta Brody’s side and I truly didn’t get why. Isaac was acting like such an A **** I couldn’t stand him, let alone understand what was there to like besides the fact Brody found him beautiful.It felt there was no process here, one day Isaac was acting like a spiteful cornered cat and next everybody is making out and calling each other “Sweetheart” ( I hate that nickname)
No point to continue if I don’t like any of the characters.
November 24, 2025
6 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
format: ebook
PERFECT COUPLE IS PERFECT.
no but really, if you want hurt/comfort, this is the ULTIMATE REC FOR YOU. brody is the cutest human and every second in isaac’s pov had me in hysterics. their chemistry and banter were everything. and the forced proximity and all the good feelings?
UGH.
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
format: ebook
PERFECT COUPLE IS PERFECT.
no but really, if you want hurt/comfort, this is the ULTIMATE REC FOR YOU. brody is the cutest human and every second in isaac’s pov had me in hysterics. their chemistry and banter were everything. and the forced proximity and all the good feelings?
UGH.
Read
October 6, 2024I picked this up on a whim and sadly couldn't get very far (certainly not enough to feel comfortable tacking on a rating). The escalations and dialogue felt over the top and oddly paced from the get-go, but I can see how it could appeal. I highly advise checking out the sample first if the blurb speaks to you!
December 3, 2025
Rating: ♾️/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Isaac and Brody
I cannot believe this was a debut novel. That seriously blows my mind. This was so good. It handled some harder topics but in a very delicate, yet realistic (in my opinion) way.
This is hurt/comfort to the max. The entire book revolves around Isaac and how he continues to heal and recover from a trauma that happened a few years back, while he finds a safe place and love in Brody.
And Brody...oh my god, I loved him. Flat out just completely loved everything about this man. He deals with some pretty heavy issues himself, but in a way that showed he had mostly come to terms with them and worked through them. Just the small moments that described his facial features or how he would tense up...I couldn't get enough of it.
I'll be eagerly watching and waiting to snatch up more by Lyla for sure. I'm obsessed now.
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Isaac and Brody
I cannot believe this was a debut novel. That seriously blows my mind. This was so good. It handled some harder topics but in a very delicate, yet realistic (in my opinion) way.
This is hurt/comfort to the max. The entire book revolves around Isaac and how he continues to heal and recover from a trauma that happened a few years back, while he finds a safe place and love in Brody.
And Brody...oh my god, I loved him. Flat out just completely loved everything about this man. He deals with some pretty heavy issues himself, but in a way that showed he had mostly come to terms with them and worked through them. Just the small moments that described his facial features or how he would tense up...I couldn't get enough of it.
I'll be eagerly watching and waiting to snatch up more by Lyla for sure. I'm obsessed now.
August 17, 2025
super impressed by this debut, these two were so cute and I could not get enough of the hurt/comfort and sweet cozy vibes.
August 29, 2024
I loved this one! I can’t believe this was a debut novel, it was so good. Hurt/comfort is one of my go to tropes and it was done so well in this book. I love Brody and Isaac, but I loved the side characters as well, hopefully we’ll see them in future books.
December 4, 2024
✨
5+++ stars!!!
✨
Oh wow, a new author to love! 💖
This debut novel was amazing and I couldn't get enough of it. I cannot wait for more from this author, this was an amazing start to her writing career.
I fell in love with this right of the bat. Isaac and Brody had amazing chemistry right off the bat and I was hooked right away, from their very first scene. Kinda like how they were hooked on each other the minute they saw each other. 🥰
Gosh, the plot itself wasn't even more more than just their romance and having to deal with their own trauma on their own and then together, but I was addicted to these two as characters and together from the get go. I zoomed through reading this because I could not put it down.
Isaac went through one of the worst possible things one could go through, being raped at 14 or 15 by a boy about 2 years older than him - by the way Isaac describes events leading up to it and we understand that he was full on raped, but we never get it played out and it isn't gone into detail. Like we get the gist well enough, so I think it's not to triggering. But still be careful if this is a very triggering thing for you. Isaac still has the trauma all these later and all - and since then he hasn't really touched anyone or had sex. He told himself he'd be alone and never be with anyone.
He tried a bit his freshman year with a sweet guy, but beyond some cuddling he couldn't bring himself to do more and so ended it.
But then comes Brody and everything changes for Isaac. It doesn't seem so at first, as Brody does perhaps go too far, ignoring boundaries set by Isaac, causing Isaac to have a PTSD episode. It's nothing too bad, only Isaac tells him not to touch him but when Isaac is walking by him he (gently) grabs his wrist to stop him walking away.
But at the same time he does this, he's also the only one Isaac feels safe with, and that actually freaks Isaac out too at first. Because Brody is not only, of course, very attractive, but there's just a...vibe, I guess you could say, about him. Something that makes Isaac feel safe.
And after the incident, Brody apologizes and owns up messing up and never touches Isaac again without his permission. And not that it's an excuse, but Brody is going through something big when they first meet and he's not quite his usual self.
But Isaac is prickly - like a cactus 😉 - at first, but Brody is actually very patient and kind and sweet, and Isaac can't resist him for long.
And Brody actually treats him so wonderfully, and once they get to sex in their relationship, he's so patient and kind and checks in with Isaac continually, making sure he's consenting the whole time. It's so wonderful and it makes Isaac fall for him all the more.
Isaac just needs to get past his fear and feeling like he can't be with anyone for long because of his trauma for them to be together forever. Brody is pretty much all in from the moment he meets Isaac. Which one could say is pretty insta-love-y but for this it worked SO well and their chemistry was SO good that I didn't mind it one bit. Especially because they still had to work at a relationship and take it somewhat slow, with Isaac's trauma.
And they were almost co-dependent which I kind of totally love. Like Brody being the only one to get Isaac out of his funk when an episode takes Isaac out mentally for a bit, and Isaac literally clinging to Brody...just I LOVE that shit, I eat it the fuck up. Like yes give me all the Isaac being a spider monkey all wrapped around Brody and Brody not getting enough of Isaac being a spider monkey all wrapped around him.
And they're just SO sweet to each other and SO damn in love and I felt it SO much. Also the build up to penetrative sex made so much sense in this one and the pay off was amazing. Their chemistry is just so off the charts good that I was loving every minute of their sex scenes, whatever got I was gaga over.
Brody is the only one, aside from his platonic BFF Jordan - and even then it can be so-so - that Isaac lets touch him, who he wants to touch him. All they see is each other and I LOVE that shit.
Also protectiveness and possessiveness abounds from both of them and I go gaga for that too. Brody wanting to kill Isaac's rapist is a MOOD. All Brody wants to do for the rest of his life and love and protect Isaac and I SWOON.
Just, ALL the love for this debut novel. I couldn't get enough of it and can't sing its praises enough. And Brody and Isaac are a new favorite couple of mine. I definitely see coming back to this in the future and just reading these two being so sweet and in love and wonderful together.
HIGHLY recommend this. You'll definitely find a new author to love with this!
Can't WAIT For the next book in the series. Wonder if it will be Jordan and Sam...or Jordan and Jamie...I'm very intrigued to see who our next couple will be. And I'll be seated for it, for sure!
Onto the next! 😘
Oh wow, a new author to love! 💖
This debut novel was amazing and I couldn't get enough of it. I cannot wait for more from this author, this was an amazing start to her writing career.
I fell in love with this right of the bat. Isaac and Brody had amazing chemistry right off the bat and I was hooked right away, from their very first scene. Kinda like how they were hooked on each other the minute they saw each other. 🥰
Gosh, the plot itself wasn't even more more than just their romance and having to deal with their own trauma on their own and then together, but I was addicted to these two as characters and together from the get go. I zoomed through reading this because I could not put it down.
Isaac went through one of the worst possible things one could go through, being raped at 14 or 15 by a boy about 2 years older than him - by the way Isaac describes events leading up to it and we understand that he was full on raped, but we never get it played out and it isn't gone into detail. Like we get the gist well enough, so I think it's not to triggering. But still be careful if this is a very triggering thing for you. Isaac still has the trauma all these later and all - and since then he hasn't really touched anyone or had sex. He told himself he'd be alone and never be with anyone.
He tried a bit his freshman year with a sweet guy, but beyond some cuddling he couldn't bring himself to do more and so ended it.
But then comes Brody and everything changes for Isaac. It doesn't seem so at first, as Brody does perhaps go too far, ignoring boundaries set by Isaac, causing Isaac to have a PTSD episode. It's nothing too bad, only Isaac tells him not to touch him but when Isaac is walking by him he (gently) grabs his wrist to stop him walking away.
But at the same time he does this, he's also the only one Isaac feels safe with, and that actually freaks Isaac out too at first. Because Brody is not only, of course, very attractive, but there's just a...vibe, I guess you could say, about him. Something that makes Isaac feel safe.
And after the incident, Brody apologizes and owns up messing up and never touches Isaac again without his permission. And not that it's an excuse, but Brody is going through something big when they first meet and he's not quite his usual self.
But Isaac is prickly - like a cactus 😉 - at first, but Brody is actually very patient and kind and sweet, and Isaac can't resist him for long.
And Brody actually treats him so wonderfully, and once they get to sex in their relationship, he's so patient and kind and checks in with Isaac continually, making sure he's consenting the whole time. It's so wonderful and it makes Isaac fall for him all the more.
Isaac just needs to get past his fear and feeling like he can't be with anyone for long because of his trauma for them to be together forever. Brody is pretty much all in from the moment he meets Isaac. Which one could say is pretty insta-love-y but for this it worked SO well and their chemistry was SO good that I didn't mind it one bit. Especially because they still had to work at a relationship and take it somewhat slow, with Isaac's trauma.
And they were almost co-dependent which I kind of totally love. Like Brody being the only one to get Isaac out of his funk when an episode takes Isaac out mentally for a bit, and Isaac literally clinging to Brody...just I LOVE that shit, I eat it the fuck up. Like yes give me all the Isaac being a spider monkey all wrapped around Brody and Brody not getting enough of Isaac being a spider monkey all wrapped around him.
And they're just SO sweet to each other and SO damn in love and I felt it SO much. Also the build up to penetrative sex made so much sense in this one and the pay off was amazing. Their chemistry is just so off the charts good that I was loving every minute of their sex scenes, whatever got I was gaga over.
Brody is the only one, aside from his platonic BFF Jordan - and even then it can be so-so - that Isaac lets touch him, who he wants to touch him. All they see is each other and I LOVE that shit.
Also protectiveness and possessiveness abounds from both of them and I go gaga for that too. Brody wanting to kill Isaac's rapist is a MOOD. All Brody wants to do for the rest of his life and love and protect Isaac and I SWOON.
Just, ALL the love for this debut novel. I couldn't get enough of it and can't sing its praises enough. And Brody and Isaac are a new favorite couple of mine. I definitely see coming back to this in the future and just reading these two being so sweet and in love and wonderful together.
HIGHLY recommend this. You'll definitely find a new author to love with this!
Can't WAIT For the next book in the series. Wonder if it will be Jordan and Sam...or Jordan and Jamie...I'm very intrigued to see who our next couple will be. And I'll be seated for it, for sure!
Onto the next! 😘
July 31, 2025
Such a sweet warming story. Felt very cozy even though it dealt with past and ongoing trauma. Brody and Issac were so perfect for each other. Plenty of hurt/comfort vibes and the smut was 👌🏻🫦
December 17, 2024
Isaac & Brody
This book was everything. I absolutely LOVED it. The definition of hurt/comfort. It was painful and vulnerable, sweet and funny, dirty and hot. The emotions Lyla packed into this book, you'll feel each one. I was on the edge of my seat, relating to their feelings, panicking at what comes next and then giggling at these boys and kicking my feet in happiness. Just absolutely amazing. 🩵
This book was everything. I absolutely LOVED it. The definition of hurt/comfort. It was painful and vulnerable, sweet and funny, dirty and hot. The emotions Lyla packed into this book, you'll feel each one. I was on the edge of my seat, relating to their feelings, panicking at what comes next and then giggling at these boys and kicking my feet in happiness. Just absolutely amazing. 🩵
October 16, 2024
Uch...
Staram się czytać nowych dla mnie autorów/autorki, bo wiem, że raz na jakiś czas znajdę coś dobrego, a raz na ruski rok po prostu perełkę. Ale ten tytuł się niestety nie wpisuje w nic powyższego...
To debiut, zatem daję dwie gwiazdki (podwyższam na zachętę 😉) i nie będę się wyżywać, bo lista moich zarzutów do tej książki jest dłuższa niż paragon z Biedronki 😜
Ale niech ktoś mi powie, czemu ostatnio pełno autorów - nowych i starych - myśli, że fajnie jest napisać książkę, w której tak naprawdę historia jest tylko dodatkiem do seksu? Tutaj niby jest zarys, mamy historię wokół której całość jest utkana i ona jakoś tam cały czas się przewija. Ale ileż można czytać, że od każdej prostej czynności, którą jeden z nich wykonuje, kutas drugiego staje się przynajmniej półtwardy, pożądanie wiruje w jego żyłach i zagnieżdża się w brzuchu, a mózg zaćmiewa mgła. Nie są w stanie prowadzić całej rozmowy, bo gubią się w głowie z tej żądzy. Bez względu na okoliczności, fizyczność, seksualność i pożądanie cały czas się przewija.
Może jestem dziwna, ale ja naprawdę lubię czytać historie, a seks może być dodatkiem, choć wcale nie musi...
W dodatku tyle razy, ile Brody powiedział do Isaaka "sweetheart", ile razy mu powtarzał, że jest piękny zewnętrznie i wewnętrznie, że jest dzielny, odważny, idealny, że świetnie sobie radzi, że jest z niego dumny, że nie pozwoli już nikomu go skrzywdzić, że zawsze będzie z nim bezpieczny, etc. Naprawdę można było się od tego pochorować 🤦♀️
I miałam się nie wyżywać, to tutaj zakończę 😜
Staram się czytać nowych dla mnie autorów/autorki, bo wiem, że raz na jakiś czas znajdę coś dobrego, a raz na ruski rok po prostu perełkę. Ale ten tytuł się niestety nie wpisuje w nic powyższego...
To debiut, zatem daję dwie gwiazdki (podwyższam na zachętę 😉) i nie będę się wyżywać, bo lista moich zarzutów do tej książki jest dłuższa niż paragon z Biedronki 😜
Ale niech ktoś mi powie, czemu ostatnio pełno autorów - nowych i starych - myśli, że fajnie jest napisać książkę, w której tak naprawdę historia jest tylko dodatkiem do seksu? Tutaj niby jest zarys, mamy historię wokół której całość jest utkana i ona jakoś tam cały czas się przewija. Ale ileż można czytać, że od każdej prostej czynności, którą jeden z nich wykonuje, kutas drugiego staje się przynajmniej półtwardy, pożądanie wiruje w jego żyłach i zagnieżdża się w brzuchu, a mózg zaćmiewa mgła. Nie są w stanie prowadzić całej rozmowy, bo gubią się w głowie z tej żądzy. Bez względu na okoliczności, fizyczność, seksualność i pożądanie cały czas się przewija.
Może jestem dziwna, ale ja naprawdę lubię czytać historie, a seks może być dodatkiem, choć wcale nie musi...
W dodatku tyle razy, ile Brody powiedział do Isaaka "sweetheart", ile razy mu powtarzał, że jest piękny zewnętrznie i wewnętrznie, że jest dzielny, odważny, idealny, że świetnie sobie radzi, że jest z niego dumny, że nie pozwoli już nikomu go skrzywdzić, że zawsze będzie z nim bezpieczny, etc. Naprawdę można było się od tego pochorować 🤦♀️
I miałam się nie wyżywać, to tutaj zakończę 😜
March 20, 2025
This book is fine, I just never felt compelled to finish it.
August 29, 2024
4.25 stars
This was such a lovely story about healing. From trauma and a rough childhood. Both Isaac and Brody go on this journey together, which helps each of them heal in different ways. Lyla Dane did a great job of portraying some of the realities of PTSD. So often, people believe that trauma fades over time, but it has a tendency to linger and digs its claws in deep. Isaac still struggles after 8 years, and I related to him so much with that. Brody was so patient with him, and Isaac went out of his comfort zone to stand up for Brody like he deserved. They were both something for the other that neither of them had ever had. They worked really well together and ended up being disgustingly adorable. This story isn't overly angsty, but there is a little drama outside the relationship. It took me a bit to really get into it, but once I hit around the 25% point, I didn't want to put it down. Shout out to a couple of my favorite side characters: Jordan was hilarious and so supportive of Isaac, and Bri was so great with her dry and sarcastic sense of humor and deep loyalty to Brody. All in all, this is a solid read and a great debut for this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was such a lovely story about healing. From trauma and a rough childhood. Both Isaac and Brody go on this journey together, which helps each of them heal in different ways. Lyla Dane did a great job of portraying some of the realities of PTSD. So often, people believe that trauma fades over time, but it has a tendency to linger and digs its claws in deep. Isaac still struggles after 8 years, and I related to him so much with that. Brody was so patient with him, and Isaac went out of his comfort zone to stand up for Brody like he deserved. They were both something for the other that neither of them had ever had. They worked really well together and ended up being disgustingly adorable. This story isn't overly angsty, but there is a little drama outside the relationship. It took me a bit to really get into it, but once I hit around the 25% point, I didn't want to put it down. Shout out to a couple of my favorite side characters: Jordan was hilarious and so supportive of Isaac, and Bri was so great with her dry and sarcastic sense of humor and deep loyalty to Brody. All in all, this is a solid read and a great debut for this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 19, 2024
Alternate book title: Sex, trauma, & drama.
My problem with the book is everything is just extra. A ton of sex. Grown men jizzing in their pants repeatedly(is that really a thing, guys?). A ton of dramatic situations heaped upon people who have already been traumatized. People acting oddly for their character (looking at you Isaac). Even the freaking epilogue was extra! At first I was like "awww so sweet" but no, they couldn't just let it be sweet it had to get extra so it wasn't even sweet anymore it was just annoying. Plus Isaac almost made me dnf several times.
BUT Brody is a goddamn treat. The book is worth it for Brody quite honestly. I loved him.
I pulled my head up, my lips seeking his, and when his hands slid down to cup the curves of my ass, to pull them apart so he could pump into me even harder and faster, when he groaned into my mouth, I flew right over the edge and felt myself clench around him as cum spurted from me in long, euphoric waves that had my fingers pulling too hard on his hair.
My problem with the book is everything is just extra. A ton of sex. Grown men jizzing in their pants repeatedly(is that really a thing, guys?). A ton of dramatic situations heaped upon people who have already been traumatized. People acting oddly for their character (looking at you Isaac). Even the freaking epilogue was extra! At first I was like "awww so sweet" but no, they couldn't just let it be sweet it had to get extra so it wasn't even sweet anymore it was just annoying. Plus Isaac almost made me dnf several times.
BUT Brody is a goddamn treat. The book is worth it for Brody quite honestly. I loved him.
February 12, 2025
Rating - 4.5 Stars rounded up
Full RTC (maybe)
This was honestly pretty cute and for a debut? I would be interested in reading more by Lyla Dane (and this world) but I think I'm going to skip the next book because Gavin showed his homophobic ass and I am not usually one to seek out homophobic redemption stories.
Full RTC (maybe)
This was honestly pretty cute and for a debut? I would be interested in reading more by Lyla Dane (and this world) but I think I'm going to skip the next book because Gavin showed his homophobic ass and I am not usually one to seek out homophobic redemption stories.
August 17, 2024
What an amazing debut novel. There is so much packed into this story. First, we have Isaac with his crippling PTSD, but he is also fiercely protective too. Brody refers to him as a prickly cactus, which is a perfect name. Then there is Brody, who is a contradiction. People call him weird and quiet and a loner, but Issac never sees him like this. He has his own share of family trauma too. These two start off on the wrong foot and it takes a little while before Issac allows Brody to help him. Issac, is triggered throughout the story, his therapy sessions are key to helping him work through his issues. Brody turns out to be a softee, despite his bad boy looks. He adores Issac and just needs Issac to believe it. Despite the heaviness that this book carries, there is also a lot of humour and fun and high heat chemistry. Lots of amazing supporting characters, I would love some of them to get a story. I loved Brody's relationship with his sister, she was so dry and funny and called it between them before they had any idea. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
dnf
October 8, 2024DNF. Not feeling the OTT at the moment.
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