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Frat Wars #3.5
Royal Scoundrel
Royal Scoundrel is the prequel novella between Charles's dads. Even though it takes place twenty years before the Frat Wars books, it's best enjoyed last.
DASH
Archibald Levine the third is a pain in my ass. Rich, cocky and the closest thing to a prince that our school has.
I hate everything about his entitled attitude and the stupid Kappa crown he wears.
I also hate the gigantic crush I have on the guy.
One night, backed up by the courage of tequila, my mouth gets away from me and I offer him the one thing he can't stop thinking about.
Me.
On my knees.
Because Archibald Levine also has a secret, and one kiss between us seals his fate.
The fling between us can never go anywhere, not with his powerful and homophobic father, but we don't let it stop us from indulging at every opportunity that we get.
I also don't let it stop me from falling stupidly in love with the guy.
He's always made it clear he can never come out and I know we're destined for destruction.
After all, happily ever after doesn't exist between a prince and a scoundrel.
DASH
Archibald Levine the third is a pain in my ass. Rich, cocky and the closest thing to a prince that our school has.
I hate everything about his entitled attitude and the stupid Kappa crown he wears.
I also hate the gigantic crush I have on the guy.
One night, backed up by the courage of tequila, my mouth gets away from me and I offer him the one thing he can't stop thinking about.
Me.
On my knees.
Because Archibald Levine also has a secret, and one kiss between us seals his fate.
The fling between us can never go anywhere, not with his powerful and homophobic father, but we don't let it stop us from indulging at every opportunity that we get.
I also don't let it stop me from falling stupidly in love with the guy.
He's always made it clear he can never come out and I know we're destined for destruction.
After all, happily ever after doesn't exist between a prince and a scoundrel.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2025
205 people are currently reading
1253 people want to read
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December 6, 2025
It's totally okay, dude, I really don't mind / You got your revenge by being stuck with your life / So, you can keep drinking and living a lie / And talking all low when you're out with the guys (My World – Conan Gray).
Okay cool, another one of these mid “shirtless-man-on-the-cover” books out of the way–wait, what’s that? I actually LOVED Royal Scoundrel!? Huh, that’s definitely a different outcome than I was expecting. Really though, I'll admit that I'm at a bit of a loss here because I was so~oo ready to just pull out all my usual complaints for college romance books and call it a day, but now I just straight up don't know what to talk about. The thing is, I’m so used to finding books like this so terribly average that I almost just rated this book accordingly out of habit, but I've got to give credit where credit's due! From the addictive and punchy dialogue to the naturalistic approach to both Dash and Archie’s relationship and how it informs their evolution from f-buddies to Lovers with a capital “B,” I couldn’t help but fall head over heels for this book. I know, I know! You're probably wondering why I even started this book if I was so sure I wouldn't enjoy it, but you must understand that the cover is really hot and I'm not a strong man. That's it. Anyway, you know how people purposefully stream certain albums near the end of the year in order to manufacture their Spotify Wrapped so it's perfectly curated to fit the aesthetic of whatever “end of the year’ Pintrest board they’re currently working on (also, can you tell I don't understand how either app works)? Yeah well, I think I’m doing whatever the exact opposite of that is right now with all the shirtless-man-books I’ve been reading at the year's end, to the point where you might even get the impression that this is all I ever read! Perish the thought (please), because I still love other stuff! At least... I think I do? What if instead of something super deep and meaningful like Aristotle & Dante or Picture Us in the Light, the one book that "ruins all other books" for me is the one where a dude has his pits out!? I mean, probably not... but I do wonder what will happen to my brain chemistry if I just keep indulging in these kinds of books? Like, do you think that my mind will slowly lose its sharpness like Jim Carey's eventual plan to make everyone dumber through slop television at the end of Batman: Forever! You know, Batman: Forever, that classic movie that I'm sure you all remember?
I don't know, sometimes reading these books makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong, but not because of internalized homophobia or anything like that, but more similarly to when you're trying to decide what movie to watch that night and then just end up scrolling YouTube for hours on end. I should definitely throw that mindset out the window soon though, because every now and then you get a gem like Royal Scoundrel, which not only proves itself worthy of being held in the highest regard, but also justifies its erotica (not that it strictly needed to, of course) in realistic manner reminiscent of movies like About Last Night. Otherwise, at the end of the day I'm simply hoping that all these gay ass books I’m putting on your dashboard hasn't quite grown tiring yet, because I had such a good time with this book there's a good chance I'll indulge in the rest of this Frat Wars series very soon. There's more on the way! Seriously though, I’m trying really hard to not be that one mutual who reblogs miles and miles worth of gay porn gifs at the exact time you happen to be opening Tumblr in public (which I'm sure is a universal experience and not just one that I go through daily), but you know… somebody’s got to... do it? Maybe? Wait, what's my point here? Where would we be without gay porn?? Okay look, all I'm saying here is that I feel like it’s important for you to know that my adoration for this book is unique specifically because I almost never like stories that feature frats or even fraternities in general because I’m of the opinion that they’re wretched hives of scum and villainy (read: cesspools of racism, sexism, and homophobia… in that order), and they have such a bizarre culture of toxic masculinity where even though it may lend itself to queer subtextual evidence every now and then, the unfortunate truth of barely contained bigotry at the center is something that shouldn't be ignored by all these fairy tail romances that try to sugarcoat the institution as one of brotherhood and welcoming. Besides, even without any analysis, Royal Scoundrel’s portrayal of party life and hook up culture is so~oo heightened and exaggerated that it almost gets to the point of parody! And yet despite all of this, I still can’t deny that this book has a strong emotional core that made me forget the constant hum of negative thoughts for the duration of the book. And that’s all I can ever ask for in a novel, isn’t it?
“Anyone ever told you that you’re kinda intense?”
He laughs and presses his forehead to mine. “You. Daily.”
Oh wait, that's it, that's how you know I really liked this book! Because one of the main characters, Archibald, is rich as balls, and yet this will be the only sentence I mention his insane amount of wealth simply because Saxon James somehow managed to sidestep most of my usual complaints surrounding the uncomfortable power dynamics of that classic "poor little rich boy doesn't like his life so he finds happiness by attempting to slum it with normal folk" kind of story. See, I can look past my own nitpicks every now and then! Something something character growth something something. I mean, it helps that this book also falls heavily on the whole “super rich and popular guy is more than happy to throw away his wealth to be with a normal schmuck” trope, and I can't lie... I've always been a fan of that one. Sure, it's not realistic and more often than not this genre of person sits on top of their money like Smaug, but hey, a man can dream, can't he? Besides, I’ve learned to have empathy for these dudes from The Lizzie McGuire Movie, so I know what’s up. Just like the Tin Man, I have a heart now! Anyway, I don’t usually feel the need to give you the synopsis of these “frat boy romance/fuck fest” books because… well, they’re pretty much all the same, but I think I liked Royal Scoundrel enough to at least warrant a small one, because even though this book has a plot that you could easily find elsewhere, it has more than enough heart to make up for the general lack of originality. Wait, I realize that I'm starting to sound super condescending here, so why don’t I just move on and get to the plot, okay? We follow an out and proud grunge gayboy named Dash who’s been thirsting after rich boy, Bruce Wayne ass, old money having ass, Archibald the Third (“the third”!? Damn, settle down there Saltburn) for the better part of a year. After another one of Dash’s classic show of drunken exhibitionism, an entranced Archie decides to make the long trek out of the closet and so they both become Cuddy Buddies, with the tension centering on whether or not they can contest with their growing emotions and become something isn't just real, but also official. “You can be my cuddy, cuddy buddy, fo' sho', so don't act like you don't already know, we can get it on the bed or the floor” and all that.
Now, ignoring for a minute that “Archibald” and “Dash” sound more like the names of a knockoff cash grab offshoot of those old school “cool guy and his freak side kick” games like Jak & Daxter or Ratchet & Clank, I really did find this book to be charming and sensational in how it masterfully balanced heavier issues with the inherently humorous dialogue, while also interweaving the sex scenes with key developments in Dash and Archie’s growing relationship instead of just having them there to pad out the runtime. And it helps that Dash wasn't just a pushover to every one of richboy Archie's whims, and the former's playfully devilish personality contrasted nicely to Archie's newborn fawn-like approach to being introduced to the gay scene. This constant push-and-pull made it so their interactions never got stale or sanitized at any point in the story, but rather were always fun and entertaining whether they happened to be in a blowout fight or just blowing each other. I’m just saying, these kind of books live and die by the quality of the conversations, not by how many different terms the author can come up for fucking and sucking. So in that sense, I thoroughly enjoyed Dash and Archie’s dynamic. Well I mean, there was a moment where they both started talking about which football players they thought were the hottest, and I just found that odd because nobody thirsts over football players? Nah, we all think Soccer and Baseball players are sexy! Get real, nobody’s watching the Super Bowl to get their rocks off, I’ll tell you that much, brush up on the culture, my guy. Anyway, this book was great! Look, I’m pretentious about a lot of things, but not about whether or not I consider these kinds of books “true literature,” because… of course they are! You know how old movies always used to have that comical scene where there's a lady reading books with a Tarzan looking dude standing opposite a dainty lady on the cover? Yeah well, even though those books have always had a certain reputation, I just remember thinking of how good the books must have been to have always had the women so rapt with attention! I'm a little jealous, you know? Is it too much to ask for a book like that for myself!? Well, it turns out that... no, it isn't too much to ask, because let me tell you that in that regard, Royal Scoundrel was exactly what I was looking for!
Telling me we're just a summer fling, but it's true / I found approval as a remedy / Every fucking person I would have to please / Maybe I got that from you.
Okay cool, another one of these mid “shirtless-man-on-the-cover” books out of the way–wait, what’s that? I actually LOVED Royal Scoundrel!? Huh, that’s definitely a different outcome than I was expecting. Really though, I'll admit that I'm at a bit of a loss here because I was so~oo ready to just pull out all my usual complaints for college romance books and call it a day, but now I just straight up don't know what to talk about. The thing is, I’m so used to finding books like this so terribly average that I almost just rated this book accordingly out of habit, but I've got to give credit where credit's due! From the addictive and punchy dialogue to the naturalistic approach to both Dash and Archie’s relationship and how it informs their evolution from f-buddies to Lovers with a capital “B,” I couldn’t help but fall head over heels for this book. I know, I know! You're probably wondering why I even started this book if I was so sure I wouldn't enjoy it, but you must understand that the cover is really hot and I'm not a strong man. That's it. Anyway, you know how people purposefully stream certain albums near the end of the year in order to manufacture their Spotify Wrapped so it's perfectly curated to fit the aesthetic of whatever “end of the year’ Pintrest board they’re currently working on (also, can you tell I don't understand how either app works)? Yeah well, I think I’m doing whatever the exact opposite of that is right now with all the shirtless-man-books I’ve been reading at the year's end, to the point where you might even get the impression that this is all I ever read! Perish the thought (please), because I still love other stuff! At least... I think I do? What if instead of something super deep and meaningful like Aristotle & Dante or Picture Us in the Light, the one book that "ruins all other books" for me is the one where a dude has his pits out!? I mean, probably not... but I do wonder what will happen to my brain chemistry if I just keep indulging in these kinds of books? Like, do you think that my mind will slowly lose its sharpness like Jim Carey's eventual plan to make everyone dumber through slop television at the end of Batman: Forever! You know, Batman: Forever, that classic movie that I'm sure you all remember?
I don't know, sometimes reading these books makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong, but not because of internalized homophobia or anything like that, but more similarly to when you're trying to decide what movie to watch that night and then just end up scrolling YouTube for hours on end. I should definitely throw that mindset out the window soon though, because every now and then you get a gem like Royal Scoundrel, which not only proves itself worthy of being held in the highest regard, but also justifies its erotica (not that it strictly needed to, of course) in realistic manner reminiscent of movies like About Last Night. Otherwise, at the end of the day I'm simply hoping that all these gay ass books I’m putting on your dashboard hasn't quite grown tiring yet, because I had such a good time with this book there's a good chance I'll indulge in the rest of this Frat Wars series very soon. There's more on the way! Seriously though, I’m trying really hard to not be that one mutual who reblogs miles and miles worth of gay porn gifs at the exact time you happen to be opening Tumblr in public (which I'm sure is a universal experience and not just one that I go through daily), but you know… somebody’s got to... do it? Maybe? Wait, what's my point here? Where would we be without gay porn?? Okay look, all I'm saying here is that I feel like it’s important for you to know that my adoration for this book is unique specifically because I almost never like stories that feature frats or even fraternities in general because I’m of the opinion that they’re wretched hives of scum and villainy (read: cesspools of racism, sexism, and homophobia… in that order), and they have such a bizarre culture of toxic masculinity where even though it may lend itself to queer subtextual evidence every now and then, the unfortunate truth of barely contained bigotry at the center is something that shouldn't be ignored by all these fairy tail romances that try to sugarcoat the institution as one of brotherhood and welcoming. Besides, even without any analysis, Royal Scoundrel’s portrayal of party life and hook up culture is so~oo heightened and exaggerated that it almost gets to the point of parody! And yet despite all of this, I still can’t deny that this book has a strong emotional core that made me forget the constant hum of negative thoughts for the duration of the book. And that’s all I can ever ask for in a novel, isn’t it?
“Anyone ever told you that you’re kinda intense?”
He laughs and presses his forehead to mine. “You. Daily.”
Oh wait, that's it, that's how you know I really liked this book! Because one of the main characters, Archibald, is rich as balls, and yet this will be the only sentence I mention his insane amount of wealth simply because Saxon James somehow managed to sidestep most of my usual complaints surrounding the uncomfortable power dynamics of that classic "poor little rich boy doesn't like his life so he finds happiness by attempting to slum it with normal folk" kind of story. See, I can look past my own nitpicks every now and then! Something something character growth something something. I mean, it helps that this book also falls heavily on the whole “super rich and popular guy is more than happy to throw away his wealth to be with a normal schmuck” trope, and I can't lie... I've always been a fan of that one. Sure, it's not realistic and more often than not this genre of person sits on top of their money like Smaug, but hey, a man can dream, can't he? Besides, I’ve learned to have empathy for these dudes from The Lizzie McGuire Movie, so I know what’s up. Just like the Tin Man, I have a heart now! Anyway, I don’t usually feel the need to give you the synopsis of these “frat boy romance/fuck fest” books because… well, they’re pretty much all the same, but I think I liked Royal Scoundrel enough to at least warrant a small one, because even though this book has a plot that you could easily find elsewhere, it has more than enough heart to make up for the general lack of originality. Wait, I realize that I'm starting to sound super condescending here, so why don’t I just move on and get to the plot, okay? We follow an out and proud grunge gayboy named Dash who’s been thirsting after rich boy, Bruce Wayne ass, old money having ass, Archibald the Third (“the third”!? Damn, settle down there Saltburn) for the better part of a year. After another one of Dash’s classic show of drunken exhibitionism, an entranced Archie decides to make the long trek out of the closet and so they both become Cuddy Buddies, with the tension centering on whether or not they can contest with their growing emotions and become something isn't just real, but also official. “You can be my cuddy, cuddy buddy, fo' sho', so don't act like you don't already know, we can get it on the bed or the floor” and all that.
Now, ignoring for a minute that “Archibald” and “Dash” sound more like the names of a knockoff cash grab offshoot of those old school “cool guy and his freak side kick” games like Jak & Daxter or Ratchet & Clank, I really did find this book to be charming and sensational in how it masterfully balanced heavier issues with the inherently humorous dialogue, while also interweaving the sex scenes with key developments in Dash and Archie’s growing relationship instead of just having them there to pad out the runtime. And it helps that Dash wasn't just a pushover to every one of richboy Archie's whims, and the former's playfully devilish personality contrasted nicely to Archie's newborn fawn-like approach to being introduced to the gay scene. This constant push-and-pull made it so their interactions never got stale or sanitized at any point in the story, but rather were always fun and entertaining whether they happened to be in a blowout fight or just blowing each other. I’m just saying, these kind of books live and die by the quality of the conversations, not by how many different terms the author can come up for fucking and sucking. So in that sense, I thoroughly enjoyed Dash and Archie’s dynamic. Well I mean, there was a moment where they both started talking about which football players they thought were the hottest, and I just found that odd because nobody thirsts over football players? Nah, we all think Soccer and Baseball players are sexy! Get real, nobody’s watching the Super Bowl to get their rocks off, I’ll tell you that much, brush up on the culture, my guy. Anyway, this book was great! Look, I’m pretentious about a lot of things, but not about whether or not I consider these kinds of books “true literature,” because… of course they are! You know how old movies always used to have that comical scene where there's a lady reading books with a Tarzan looking dude standing opposite a dainty lady on the cover? Yeah well, even though those books have always had a certain reputation, I just remember thinking of how good the books must have been to have always had the women so rapt with attention! I'm a little jealous, you know? Is it too much to ask for a book like that for myself!? Well, it turns out that... no, it isn't too much to ask, because let me tell you that in that regard, Royal Scoundrel was exactly what I was looking for!
Telling me we're just a summer fling, but it's true / I found approval as a remedy / Every fucking person I would have to please / Maybe I got that from you.
February 12, 2025
if i pick up another saxon james book, somebody PLEASE shoot me in the head
January 21, 2025
I loved being back in the Frat Wars world, this time with Charlie's dads Archie and Dash as they experienced college life and falling in love in a completely different time.
Set two decades before, there's no equal rights for marriage, there's very little in the way of LGBTQ+ community either at West Haven University where Frat House Rho Kappa Tau member Archibald Levine the Third is stuck in a pathway that his father wants, but he doesn't.
He's closeted and living a lie he knows will be his future unless he chooses to turn his back on all the wealth and privilege his family position gives him. Dash Lewis' life couldn't be more different, he's a scholarship student, proudly out and loving the freedom college is giving him to explore.
Their attraction to each other is instant, volcanic heat blazes every time they're in the same space and the UST rockets off the charts, but theirs isn't an easy journey to happiness.
Even though this is a novella, there's plenty of time given to their relationship development and some of the best moments are when they're all hidden in their own little bubble, existing away from the wider world and just being together.
But I think what I loved the most about this book is how much each of them actually works to reach a point where they can have a future.
Dash knows his heart's going to get broken if Archie doesn't come out, but he can't help falling anyway. Archie knows he's going to live with regrets but he can't see a way for his future to change.
There's no magic pathway to come along and change the trajectory of their lives post college until the courage of someone else in speaking out makes Archie have a long hard look at what's the most important to him.
As one of those who had definitely asked for the story of Charlie's dads, I'm so pleased Saxon went back and wrote their story. It provides a perfect closure to the Frat Wars world even though it takes place 20 odd years earlier.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Foreword PR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Set two decades before, there's no equal rights for marriage, there's very little in the way of LGBTQ+ community either at West Haven University where Frat House Rho Kappa Tau member Archibald Levine the Third is stuck in a pathway that his father wants, but he doesn't.
He's closeted and living a lie he knows will be his future unless he chooses to turn his back on all the wealth and privilege his family position gives him. Dash Lewis' life couldn't be more different, he's a scholarship student, proudly out and loving the freedom college is giving him to explore.
Their attraction to each other is instant, volcanic heat blazes every time they're in the same space and the UST rockets off the charts, but theirs isn't an easy journey to happiness.
Even though this is a novella, there's plenty of time given to their relationship development and some of the best moments are when they're all hidden in their own little bubble, existing away from the wider world and just being together.
But I think what I loved the most about this book is how much each of them actually works to reach a point where they can have a future.
Dash knows his heart's going to get broken if Archie doesn't come out, but he can't help falling anyway. Archie knows he's going to live with regrets but he can't see a way for his future to change.
There's no magic pathway to come along and change the trajectory of their lives post college until the courage of someone else in speaking out makes Archie have a long hard look at what's the most important to him.
As one of those who had definitely asked for the story of Charlie's dads, I'm so pleased Saxon went back and wrote their story. It provides a perfect closure to the Frat Wars world even though it takes place 20 odd years earlier.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Foreword PR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
February 14, 2025
4.5***** stars
Everything I hoped for! Totally in love with Dash & Archie, Charles’ dads. Ugh, and that epilogue, when they wave him off to college. Ofc I had to immediately go back to Presidential Chaos to find the moments with them there too.
Really, coming back to this series made me so so happy.
⏜⏝⏜➴
HANDS UP when you don’t have to think about what that means. 🫶
*************
Frat Wars Series:
Book 1 - King of Thieves - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Master of Mayhem - 2.5 stars
Book 3 - Presidential Chaos - 4.5 stars
Bonus Novella - Royal Scoundrel - 4.5 stars
[…] hand in mine as he pushes his way back through the crowd again. The whole time he’s leading us out, I follow. The ache in my chest tells me I’d follow him anywhere.
Everything I hoped for! Totally in love with Dash & Archie, Charles’ dads. Ugh, and that epilogue, when they wave him off to college. Ofc I had to immediately go back to Presidential Chaos to find the moments with them there too.
Really, coming back to this series made me so so happy.
⏜⏝⏜➴
Dash’s snake dies, and he tosses the phone aside, […]
HANDS UP when you don’t have to think about what that means. 🫶
*************
Frat Wars Series:
Book 1 - King of Thieves - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Master of Mayhem - 2.5 stars
Book 3 - Presidential Chaos - 4.5 stars
Bonus Novella - Royal Scoundrel - 4.5 stars
January 18, 2025
The audacity of this TO BE A NOVELLA and my fave book in the series. It’s hot and funny and nearly made me cry, and I just fucking love it. Even if the 90s/early 20s texting had me triggered.
THE PREMISE: snarky Dash has an epic crush on Archie, except Archie wants Dash too, but knows he can never live a life where he’s truly himself. But what if for now … they just pretend?
TROPES & VIBES:
- The antithesis of fake dating (knowing you can’t be together, but pretending you are)
- MM college romcom
- Great banter
- Punched up my heart a bit
5⭐️ 2🌶️
THE PREMISE: snarky Dash has an epic crush on Archie, except Archie wants Dash too, but knows he can never live a life where he’s truly himself. But what if for now … they just pretend?
TROPES & VIBES:
- The antithesis of fake dating (knowing you can’t be together, but pretending you are)
- MM college romcom
- Great banter
- Punched up my heart a bit
5⭐️ 2🌶️
January 20, 2025
I loved this novella of Dash and Archie. I wished it were longer as I could not get enough of these two. Their chemistry is electric from their first interaction while remaining enamored with one another ever since. I also loved how determined Archie was to have Dash in his life.
Dash and Archie's emotions and connection to one another grew naturally and were both earnest and heartfelt. I could not get enough of these two and was so happy at their HEA. I loved getting their story.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Dash and Archie's emotions and connection to one another grew naturally and were both earnest and heartfelt. I could not get enough of these two and was so happy at their HEA. I loved getting their story.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
February 18, 2025
Tropes: hurt/comfort, secret relationship
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low/medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobic parent, self-worth issues
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: Not technically, but read other person drama section.
Other person drama: Archie interrupts Dash kissing another guy, Dash was planning on hooking up with that guy. Archie and Dash were strangers at that point. Archie was kind of dating a girl named Lizzie before he and Dash got together, Lizzie was the perfect girl that his father wanted him to marry, and Archie has forced himself to have sex with her in the past. They weren't officially dating, they were just headed there. After Lizzie sees Archie and Dash together, Archie makes a deal to fake a relationship with Lizzie.
4.25 stars
This novella is the story of Archie and Dash, who meet when they are 20 years old in college. Dash is gay and out, living his best life with lots of hookups. For the last year, he's been crushing on big man on campus Archie from a distance. Archie is popular, wealthy, a legacy frat boy, and untouchable to him. Archie however is actually gay and in the closet, because his wealthy dad is homophobic and Archie is scared of losing his family and the future he's planned for himself as a lawyer if he comes out.
Archie spots Dash at a party, drunk as can be, stripping off and he is enamored by Dash. When he spots him at the next party, he hesitantly makes a move on him in an empty hallway but loses his nerve. They end up talking and Dash realizes Archie's predicament and decides to be his gay Yoda and his safe space to talk and experiment with his sexuality. Dash is happy with what he gets out of the equation, lots of sex with the guy he's been crushing on, he thinks he can do casual. But these boys end up being anything but casual, hooking up at every opportunity, talking at length, snuggling, being exclusive, living in each other's pockets for a full year. But then Archie has to make a decision about whether he's going to come out and risk things or stay in the closet and lose Dash. Both of their hearts are on the line, they are both hurting. But Archie chooses Dash.
I am a big fan of the Frat Wars series. It was perfect for me, I loved how steamy, funny and human it was. The characters were so vibrant to me. This novella, which showed us how Charlie's dads met when they were in college to me is like a gift to the fans. It was so nice to see.
I'm a tough person to please when it comes to novellas, I feel like it's tough for an author to fit enough story and development into the limited pages of a novella for it to satisfy me as a story. So I'm always a bit more generous when it comes to rating novellas to compensate for that. But I really enjoyed this novella, I think that it did achieve a lot of depth to the story and characterizations given how short it was. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Archie and Dash. How they evolved naturally into having such a deep connection. I loved how Archie valued Dash, how possessive they were over each other, and how not casual they were about each other.
If I had one complaint, it would be that Dash tried really hard to keep things casual early on, so you didn't get the same depth of emotion from Dash right away the way that you did from Archie. But that's small.
Some notable moments:
I love the "he feels like mine" possessive energy. "Maybe it has something to do with him being the first man I’ve ever been with, but I can’t shake him. He feels like mine, and the thought of another guy getting to enjoy him makes a dark possession churn in my gut. I’ve never had that with Lizzie; I’ve never had that with any woman. I don’t think I’ve ever had that with any guy either."
I love how Archie values Dash so much. "“No more.” “What?” I ask, trying to get my vision straight after that intense sting. “No more sleeping with men who don’t know what they have with you. Like you said, together, like this, we’re equals. People call me a king in this world.” His raspy voice drops as his lips press against my ear. “So, if I tell you that you’re gold standard, that’s the only opinion that matters.”"
And later on, tee hee ... "“I know I’m about to do some very filthy things to you, but I want you to know that I value you first.” Urg, too cute. I push him onto the bed. “Respect is overrated. Use me like your little whore.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low/medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobic parent, self-worth issues
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: Not technically, but read other person drama section.
Other person drama: Archie interrupts Dash kissing another guy, Dash was planning on hooking up with that guy. Archie and Dash were strangers at that point. Archie was kind of dating a girl named Lizzie before he and Dash got together, Lizzie was the perfect girl that his father wanted him to marry, and Archie has forced himself to have sex with her in the past. They weren't officially dating, they were just headed there. After Lizzie sees Archie and Dash together, Archie makes a deal to fake a relationship with Lizzie.
4.25 stars
This novella is the story of Archie and Dash, who meet when they are 20 years old in college. Dash is gay and out, living his best life with lots of hookups. For the last year, he's been crushing on big man on campus Archie from a distance. Archie is popular, wealthy, a legacy frat boy, and untouchable to him. Archie however is actually gay and in the closet, because his wealthy dad is homophobic and Archie is scared of losing his family and the future he's planned for himself as a lawyer if he comes out.
Archie spots Dash at a party, drunk as can be, stripping off and he is enamored by Dash. When he spots him at the next party, he hesitantly makes a move on him in an empty hallway but loses his nerve. They end up talking and Dash realizes Archie's predicament and decides to be his gay Yoda and his safe space to talk and experiment with his sexuality. Dash is happy with what he gets out of the equation, lots of sex with the guy he's been crushing on, he thinks he can do casual. But these boys end up being anything but casual, hooking up at every opportunity, talking at length, snuggling, being exclusive, living in each other's pockets for a full year. But then Archie has to make a decision about whether he's going to come out and risk things or stay in the closet and lose Dash. Both of their hearts are on the line, they are both hurting. But Archie chooses Dash.
I am a big fan of the Frat Wars series. It was perfect for me, I loved how steamy, funny and human it was. The characters were so vibrant to me. This novella, which showed us how Charlie's dads met when they were in college to me is like a gift to the fans. It was so nice to see.
I'm a tough person to please when it comes to novellas, I feel like it's tough for an author to fit enough story and development into the limited pages of a novella for it to satisfy me as a story. So I'm always a bit more generous when it comes to rating novellas to compensate for that. But I really enjoyed this novella, I think that it did achieve a lot of depth to the story and characterizations given how short it was. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Archie and Dash. How they evolved naturally into having such a deep connection. I loved how Archie valued Dash, how possessive they were over each other, and how not casual they were about each other.
If I had one complaint, it would be that Dash tried really hard to keep things casual early on, so you didn't get the same depth of emotion from Dash right away the way that you did from Archie. But that's small.
Some notable moments:
I love the "he feels like mine" possessive energy. "Maybe it has something to do with him being the first man I’ve ever been with, but I can’t shake him. He feels like mine, and the thought of another guy getting to enjoy him makes a dark possession churn in my gut. I’ve never had that with Lizzie; I’ve never had that with any woman. I don’t think I’ve ever had that with any guy either."
I love how Archie values Dash so much. "“No more.” “What?” I ask, trying to get my vision straight after that intense sting. “No more sleeping with men who don’t know what they have with you. Like you said, together, like this, we’re equals. People call me a king in this world.” His raspy voice drops as his lips press against my ear. “So, if I tell you that you’re gold standard, that’s the only opinion that matters.”"
And later on, tee hee ... "“I know I’m about to do some very filthy things to you, but I want you to know that I value you first.” Urg, too cute. I push him onto the bed. “Respect is overrated. Use me like your little whore.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2025
Love declarations immediately after a proposal to someone else is sick business. Loved it.
Still docking a star because someone else had to push him into a decision, though.
"Even if we don't make it to forever, I'll never regret you."
Loved both these MCs. Especially Archie. This author's books are usually a hit/miss for me.
Him being SICK over the idea of someone playing 'let's see how red you can get' with his son even though him and Dash were very into it had me cackling with glee.
Something very satisfying about Archie and Dash starting out thinking they can't have anything at all, then ending up having had it all and then some.
Still docking a star because someone else had to push him into a decision, though.
"Even if we don't make it to forever, I'll never regret you."
Loved both these MCs. Especially Archie. This author's books are usually a hit/miss for me.
Him being SICK over the idea of someone playing 'let's see how red you can get' with his son even though him and Dash were very into it had me cackling with glee.
Something very satisfying about Archie and Dash starting out thinking they can't have anything at all, then ending up having had it all and then some.
February 12, 2025
“Even when this is over, you’ll forever be the greatest part of me.”
WHAT IN THE ANGST WAS HAPPENING HERE?
I cried 3 TIMES in a 137 page novella.
This was everything. Archie and Dash were everything.
The whole story felt like a novel. It was so well developed and I’m so obsessed with these two it’s not even funny. Dash’s situation broke me to a billion pieces because I’ve been there. I’ve been there and sort of continue to be there. His feelings and the wanting and the sheer yearning to be himself. Felt like someone stabbed me a little…
I’m not even going to explain further. Go read it like the good girl/boy/person you are and come yap to me about it.
WHAT IN THE ANGST WAS HAPPENING HERE?
I cried 3 TIMES in a 137 page novella.
This was everything. Archie and Dash were everything.
The whole story felt like a novel. It was so well developed and I’m so obsessed with these two it’s not even funny. Dash’s situation broke me to a billion pieces because I’ve been there. I’ve been there and sort of continue to be there. His feelings and the wanting and the sheer yearning to be himself. Felt like someone stabbed me a little…
I’m not even going to explain further. Go read it like the good girl/boy/person you are and come yap to me about it.
April 29, 2025
“All I want is to flood your hole with my cum. You make me act and feel not like myself. I haven’t worked out if it’s a good thing or not.”
4.75⭐️
The sadness that I feel that this is only a novella. How could this happen? I wanted a full length of Dash and Archie so bad. It would have been great but beggars can’t be choosers and maybe one day we will get a second series of the frat boys fucking each other through college. I can only wish. This was adorable and sweet and very short. I love this series and this was a nice little small dessert to top off the entire thing. Miss this series already and want to read it all over again, one day maybe.
4.75⭐️
The sadness that I feel that this is only a novella. How could this happen? I wanted a full length of Dash and Archie so bad. It would have been great but beggars can’t be choosers and maybe one day we will get a second series of the frat boys fucking each other through college. I can only wish. This was adorable and sweet and very short. I love this series and this was a nice little small dessert to top off the entire thing. Miss this series already and want to read it all over again, one day maybe.
October 3, 2025
I love these books. I’m sorry this was the last one.
February 20, 2025
This was the book that I didn’t even know that I needed. I absolutely devoured this in one sitting. This is a ‘prequel’ for one of the best Saxon James’ series. Dash and Archie such interesting characters but it’s also wild to me that ‘the parents’ book is set in the 2000’s and not in the 1970’s haha.
- Laugh-out-loud banter
- One night stand
- Frat ‘King’
- Closeted MMC
Banter FOR DAYS should have been the motto for this book because I was constantly laughing out loud. Spicy closeted frat king was always going to make a great character. 140 pages of pure joy!
Thank-you to Foreword PR for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
- Laugh-out-loud banter
- One night stand
- Frat ‘King’
- Closeted MMC
Banter FOR DAYS should have been the motto for this book because I was constantly laughing out loud. Spicy closeted frat king was always going to make a great character. 140 pages of pure joy!
Thank-you to Foreword PR for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2025
3.5 stars
February 13, 2025
This novella has made me want to go and re-read the Frat Wars series yet again, especially Charles and Zeke's book!
Archie and Dash were really cute but completely living in denial! I enjoyed how their relationship progressed, I liked that there was a little bit of emotional angst, and it was really interesting to see how Charles's parents got together. I would have read more about them in all honesty, especially if there was more nineties content because I am a child of the nineties and I miss the fashion and the music 😂
I always want to know more about every side character that pops up in the Sadenverse (except Eman....) so this satisfied my curiosity, and the Sadenverse is definitely still my happy place to go for books that are sweet and low angst!
Archie and Dash were really cute but completely living in denial! I enjoyed how their relationship progressed, I liked that there was a little bit of emotional angst, and it was really interesting to see how Charles's parents got together. I would have read more about them in all honesty, especially if there was more nineties content because I am a child of the nineties and I miss the fashion and the music 😂
I always want to know more about every side character that pops up in the Sadenverse (except Eman....) so this satisfied my curiosity, and the Sadenverse is definitely still my happy place to go for books that are sweet and low angst!
January 29, 2025
"𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙘 𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙤. 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨. 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢, 𝙨𝙤... 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙙.
𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚.
𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙢."
I did not know how much I needed Dash and Archie's story in my life until it was announced. We know they are great parents to Charles, but what we didn't know was how hard they fought to get to the place where they could be. When Archie and Dash first meet, Archie is so deep in the closet he gives Narnia a run for its money. He's never even kissed another man, despite knowing he's attracted to men for quite some time. Fear is a powerful thing and Archie's well aware that if he were to be himself his father would never look at him the same, if he even spoke to him at all.
"𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚, 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨."
Dash tried so hard to keep from falling for Archie. He was well aware there was no future for them. Archie was up front in that he planned to live the life his father laid out for him, including marrying the woman he picked. But how could Dash not fall in love when Archie was so darn romantic and sweet to him sometimes. I loved the little moments between the two of them, locked in their own little bubble. Or when they would tease one another. The slang also had me laughing and remembering my own younger years with words like dickweed and duh. Don't even get me started on the phonebook comment.
"𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙛𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨. '𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪,' 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨.
𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙤."
Aren't these two just so sweet? Thank goodness I knew there was a definite happy ending because Archie had me worried for a bit. I honestly adored these two and I loved getting a little glimpse of them with Charles at the end. This novella was a great addition to the beloved frat wars series and I know I wouldn't say no if Saxon ever decided to delve into this series again.
𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚.
𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙢."
I did not know how much I needed Dash and Archie's story in my life until it was announced. We know they are great parents to Charles, but what we didn't know was how hard they fought to get to the place where they could be. When Archie and Dash first meet, Archie is so deep in the closet he gives Narnia a run for its money. He's never even kissed another man, despite knowing he's attracted to men for quite some time. Fear is a powerful thing and Archie's well aware that if he were to be himself his father would never look at him the same, if he even spoke to him at all.
"𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚, 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨."
Dash tried so hard to keep from falling for Archie. He was well aware there was no future for them. Archie was up front in that he planned to live the life his father laid out for him, including marrying the woman he picked. But how could Dash not fall in love when Archie was so darn romantic and sweet to him sometimes. I loved the little moments between the two of them, locked in their own little bubble. Or when they would tease one another. The slang also had me laughing and remembering my own younger years with words like dickweed and duh. Don't even get me started on the phonebook comment.
"𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙛𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨. '𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪,' 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨.
𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙤."
Aren't these two just so sweet? Thank goodness I knew there was a definite happy ending because Archie had me worried for a bit. I honestly adored these two and I loved getting a little glimpse of them with Charles at the end. This novella was a great addition to the beloved frat wars series and I know I wouldn't say no if Saxon ever decided to delve into this series again.
February 13, 2025
Delightful addition to the Frat Wars series
This was so good!!! I’m in awe of Saxon’s talent and seemingly endless creativity. I loved Dash, and how he only got soft for Archie. Sweet Archie, who struggled to live authentically and found his courage through his love of Dash. They were so sweet and fun!
This was so good!!! I’m in awe of Saxon’s talent and seemingly endless creativity. I loved Dash, and how he only got soft for Archie. Sweet Archie, who struggled to live authentically and found his courage through his love of Dash. They were so sweet and fun!
February 12, 2025
What a beautiful way to see how Charles parents came together during their time in college. Dash & Archie did not get off on the best start, but they found a way to make their relationship work and last, even when so much was stacked against them. If it wasn't for Dadh steadfast belief and support, I don't think Archie would have found the courage needed to find his happiness. It was fun to see how these two men met, and you could easily see why Charles is the beautifully understanding soul he is when he gets his time with Zeke. And the chefs kiss of the boys' meeting for the first time at the end 🥰🥰🥰
March 2, 2025
Dash Lewis dislikes everything about privilege and despises the brothers of Rho Kappa Tau frat house on campus. They get everything they want without knowing the struggle to get it. Dash is on a scholarship at college and works hard to maintain his life. There is one fly in the ointment and that is Archie, who wears the crown at the frat house.
Archibald Levine the Third is as privileged as they come, and money talks in his world. His father is very influential and if he ever found out his son was gay, he would surely be disowned.
After one very hot hookup at a frat house party, Dash and Archie cannot get enough of each other. They pretend they’re boyfriends, when in actual fact there is no pretending. Archie wants to live his life for himself and not for his father, is it time to face the truth and tell his dad he is gay, or live in the closet forever.
This is yet another first class read from Saxon James. She is one of my go to authors. Her writing is easy to follow and makes you live the story along with the characters. This book is the prequel to a firm favourite of mine the Frat Wars series, and it follows Charles’ (Presidential Chaos) dads, and how they find their HEA.
Archibald Levine the Third is as privileged as they come, and money talks in his world. His father is very influential and if he ever found out his son was gay, he would surely be disowned.
After one very hot hookup at a frat house party, Dash and Archie cannot get enough of each other. They pretend they’re boyfriends, when in actual fact there is no pretending. Archie wants to live his life for himself and not for his father, is it time to face the truth and tell his dad he is gay, or live in the closet forever.
This is yet another first class read from Saxon James. She is one of my go to authors. Her writing is easy to follow and makes you live the story along with the characters. This book is the prequel to a firm favourite of mine the Frat Wars series, and it follows Charles’ (Presidential Chaos) dads, and how they find their HEA.
September 28, 2025
“You can fuck me whenever you want to fuck me,” he says, reaching for my drawer and pulling out a condom. “And I can fuck you whenever I want to fuck you. We’ll be each other’s stress relief.” He tears the condom open with his teeth and reaches down to roll it over my cock. Then, he parts his legs and guides me to his hole, pressing my tip to it before I take over and sink in deep. “This is yours now,” he continues, voice a little deeper. “Whenever you need it. Take it. Just you. And when we’re done …” He kisses me again. “I’ll let you snuggle me all you like. No boyfriends. No obligations. I need you as much as you need me.”
Just why?!?!? Why did this have to be a novella and not a full novel?!?! I need more from these two. It was too short, yet still perfect. It felt so well developed, but I know we could have gotten so much more tension, angst, sweet moments, and spice if it had been longer. That’s definitely my only complaint.
I am obsessed with both Dash and Archie, I love both of their personalities. Archie’s storyline broke my heart, you could feel his yearning to be himself bleed from the pages, every “maybe” and every pretense they established in the beginning broke me. And Dash, he just couldn’t stop himself from falling in love even though he went in knowing nothing more could come from it. This tough, strong guy completely melted for Archie and I loved it. I love that Dash was obsessed with Archie since before they met, and Archie’s jealousy was everythingggg. I love how they began and how their relationship developed, even if I hated the circumstances that forced them to hide. Their HEA was so worth it.
his eyes flutter as it sinks into my body. “I’ve just decided.”
“What?”
“This hole is mine now.”
I’m too slow to smother my moan.
“You like that?”
“Shit. Apparently.”
“The thought of you not being here makes me sick. I hate how much I like you. Some days, I think I need you. I can’t need you. It’ll break me.”
“Then I guess we’re both doomed to be broken.”
“If this is my one chance to experience the life I’m supposed to be living, I want to experience it. All of it. Obviously, there’s a lot we can’t do, but …” His voice breaks, and all my amusement shrivels up.
“It’s not fair,” I say.
“Don’t I know it?”
The tension was incredible, and even though there wasn’t a lot of spice, what we got was so, so hot. Their chemistry was insanely good. It was amazing to watch Archie let go and be himself for the first time, to see him explore. I know all of this would have been even better if the book had been longer, but what we did get was so good that I can’t really complain.
“Fuck,” I breathe.
“You haven’t even seen my ass yet.”
“Not sure I’d survive it, honestly.” Dash gives himself a stroke, and the noise that leaves me barely sounds human.
“You’ve never had real sex before,” I say, hand slipping from his hair down his neck. “Never felt this rush of want.” I play with the top of his shirt before resting my hand over his chest. “Never felt the way your heart might beat out of your chest because you’re so excited. The way your blood burns for that little bit more.” I lean in closer, and his mouth immediately tilts up for me, but I don’t kiss him. My knuckles run between his pecs and down his abs. “You feel me in here, don’t you? Deep, deep down, there’s that ball of need. That topsy-turvy feeling telling you that if you don’t touch me, you’ll die.” He hisses as I drop my hand lower. Fingers trailing across the top of his Calvin Kleins. “But most of all, you’ve never felt the ache in your cock that you do right now. Never felt the way it wants to explode. Wants to be touched. Wants my wet mouth wrapped around it.”
“Another dick against mine is the single hottest thing I’ve ever experienced, and I don’t know how I can go back after knowing—as Dash put it—what real sex is. It’s not the act. It’s not about parts. It’s about this feeling, this need, that’s completely overtaken me as I share my body with him.”
I actually went in not remembering who Dash and Archie were fathers of, so seeing Charles was such a surprise. Witnessing Charles and Zeke’s first interaction honestly made me want to go back and reread the whole series, since I read the earlier books so long ago and had forgotten so many things. That was a really nice addition. This was truly a beautiful story of two men in love in a close-minded time. I loved everything about this novella—the drama and pain of them pretending to be together while knowing they couldn’t, their banter, the plot, just everything. And I love that in the end they got everything they wanted and more.
The asshole looks way too amused. “I love how jealous you get. Want me to be all yours, huh? Your dick? Your hole?”
“My lips, my jaw, my throat, my nipples, my abs. Mine.” I grip him tighter. “I’ve never been good with sharing.”
Quotes worth mentioning:
“I, uh, don’t know …”
“What you’re doing?” Damn, that’s cute. “Grab your lube, and I’ll talk you through it.”
“You will?”
“I could do it myself, but it’s hotter for me if you get my hole exactly the way your cock needs it.”
He hisses and rubs his palm against the front of his pants.
“What’s wrong? Gonna come before you’re even inside me?”
“I need you to shut up now,” he says
“All I want is to flood your hole with my cum. You make me act and feel not like myself. I haven’t worked out if it’s a good thing or not.”
Just why?!?!? Why did this have to be a novella and not a full novel?!?! I need more from these two. It was too short, yet still perfect. It felt so well developed, but I know we could have gotten so much more tension, angst, sweet moments, and spice if it had been longer. That’s definitely my only complaint.
I am obsessed with both Dash and Archie, I love both of their personalities. Archie’s storyline broke my heart, you could feel his yearning to be himself bleed from the pages, every “maybe” and every pretense they established in the beginning broke me. And Dash, he just couldn’t stop himself from falling in love even though he went in knowing nothing more could come from it. This tough, strong guy completely melted for Archie and I loved it. I love that Dash was obsessed with Archie since before they met, and Archie’s jealousy was everythingggg. I love how they began and how their relationship developed, even if I hated the circumstances that forced them to hide. Their HEA was so worth it.
his eyes flutter as it sinks into my body. “I’ve just decided.”
“What?”
“This hole is mine now.”
I’m too slow to smother my moan.
“You like that?”
“Shit. Apparently.”
“The thought of you not being here makes me sick. I hate how much I like you. Some days, I think I need you. I can’t need you. It’ll break me.”
“Then I guess we’re both doomed to be broken.”
“If this is my one chance to experience the life I’m supposed to be living, I want to experience it. All of it. Obviously, there’s a lot we can’t do, but …” His voice breaks, and all my amusement shrivels up.
“It’s not fair,” I say.
“Don’t I know it?”
The tension was incredible, and even though there wasn’t a lot of spice, what we got was so, so hot. Their chemistry was insanely good. It was amazing to watch Archie let go and be himself for the first time, to see him explore. I know all of this would have been even better if the book had been longer, but what we did get was so good that I can’t really complain.
“Fuck,” I breathe.
“You haven’t even seen my ass yet.”
“Not sure I’d survive it, honestly.” Dash gives himself a stroke, and the noise that leaves me barely sounds human.
“You’ve never had real sex before,” I say, hand slipping from his hair down his neck. “Never felt this rush of want.” I play with the top of his shirt before resting my hand over his chest. “Never felt the way your heart might beat out of your chest because you’re so excited. The way your blood burns for that little bit more.” I lean in closer, and his mouth immediately tilts up for me, but I don’t kiss him. My knuckles run between his pecs and down his abs. “You feel me in here, don’t you? Deep, deep down, there’s that ball of need. That topsy-turvy feeling telling you that if you don’t touch me, you’ll die.” He hisses as I drop my hand lower. Fingers trailing across the top of his Calvin Kleins. “But most of all, you’ve never felt the ache in your cock that you do right now. Never felt the way it wants to explode. Wants to be touched. Wants my wet mouth wrapped around it.”
“Another dick against mine is the single hottest thing I’ve ever experienced, and I don’t know how I can go back after knowing—as Dash put it—what real sex is. It’s not the act. It’s not about parts. It’s about this feeling, this need, that’s completely overtaken me as I share my body with him.”
I actually went in not remembering who Dash and Archie were fathers of, so seeing Charles was such a surprise. Witnessing Charles and Zeke’s first interaction honestly made me want to go back and reread the whole series, since I read the earlier books so long ago and had forgotten so many things. That was a really nice addition. This was truly a beautiful story of two men in love in a close-minded time. I loved everything about this novella—the drama and pain of them pretending to be together while knowing they couldn’t, their banter, the plot, just everything. And I love that in the end they got everything they wanted and more.
The asshole looks way too amused. “I love how jealous you get. Want me to be all yours, huh? Your dick? Your hole?”
“My lips, my jaw, my throat, my nipples, my abs. Mine.” I grip him tighter. “I’ve never been good with sharing.”
Quotes worth mentioning:
“I, uh, don’t know …”
“What you’re doing?” Damn, that’s cute. “Grab your lube, and I’ll talk you through it.”
“You will?”
“I could do it myself, but it’s hotter for me if you get my hole exactly the way your cock needs it.”
He hisses and rubs his palm against the front of his pants.
“What’s wrong? Gonna come before you’re even inside me?”
“I need you to shut up now,” he says
“All I want is to flood your hole with my cum. You make me act and feel not like myself. I haven’t worked out if it’s a good thing or not.”
January 26, 2025
Wow. This one turned out pretty amazing.
Royal Scoundrel is the prequel to the Frat Wars series, more specifically Presidential Chaos. It's about Charles' dad's, Das and Archie, and how they met and fell in love in college.
I adore this book. I knew to expect fun and laughter after the Frat Wars series, but Royal Scoundrel also brought heartaching angst and so many emotions.
Archie is a Kappa exec in his junior year in college. He's set up for life coming from a rich and powerful family. All he has to do is keep in line and follow the path that was set out for him. Finish school, become a lawyer, and marry a pretty girl. Even though it's killing him a little inside, he's managed to keep his sexuality under lock to satisfy his father's plans. Up until Dash Lewis performs a drunken strip show on the roof of a party and makes Archie question everything.
Dash is a scholarship student who's not only there to study but to live out his best life as a gay man. He parties, he hooks up, and he watches Archie from afar. The man who has a demanding presence but is out of his reach. Until he's not anymore.
I loved their story so much. Yes, they are different. They walk different paths, and yet they somehow fit. Although it starts out as a one-off to satisfy Archie's curiosity, it quickly morphs into a series of hook-ups and then pretend-boyfriends. They know there's an end date, that Archie's not out and will never be. Yet they fall. Fall very, very hard. They have a magnetic connection. Passion sizzles between them, but a quiet understanding and trust also grow slowly. Despite their differences, they are on the same level when they are together.
The emotions are plentiful. There's Archie's constant struggle that only intensifies as he experiences what true attraction and love feels like. And there's Dash's heartache as he falls for a man he knows can never really be his. I admittedly cried a lot because I just wanted them to be together and happy, but it's not an easy road.
All in all, I enjoyed this book sooooo much. It's basically a longer novella, but the author managed to squeeze in everything that needed to be told. Expect scorching hot passion, guys growing soft for each other, and love that's worth fighting for.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
Royal Scoundrel is the prequel to the Frat Wars series, more specifically Presidential Chaos. It's about Charles' dad's, Das and Archie, and how they met and fell in love in college.
I adore this book. I knew to expect fun and laughter after the Frat Wars series, but Royal Scoundrel also brought heartaching angst and so many emotions.
Archie is a Kappa exec in his junior year in college. He's set up for life coming from a rich and powerful family. All he has to do is keep in line and follow the path that was set out for him. Finish school, become a lawyer, and marry a pretty girl. Even though it's killing him a little inside, he's managed to keep his sexuality under lock to satisfy his father's plans. Up until Dash Lewis performs a drunken strip show on the roof of a party and makes Archie question everything.
Dash is a scholarship student who's not only there to study but to live out his best life as a gay man. He parties, he hooks up, and he watches Archie from afar. The man who has a demanding presence but is out of his reach. Until he's not anymore.
I loved their story so much. Yes, they are different. They walk different paths, and yet they somehow fit. Although it starts out as a one-off to satisfy Archie's curiosity, it quickly morphs into a series of hook-ups and then pretend-boyfriends. They know there's an end date, that Archie's not out and will never be. Yet they fall. Fall very, very hard. They have a magnetic connection. Passion sizzles between them, but a quiet understanding and trust also grow slowly. Despite their differences, they are on the same level when they are together.
The emotions are plentiful. There's Archie's constant struggle that only intensifies as he experiences what true attraction and love feels like. And there's Dash's heartache as he falls for a man he knows can never really be his. I admittedly cried a lot because I just wanted them to be together and happy, but it's not an easy road.
All in all, I enjoyed this book sooooo much. It's basically a longer novella, but the author managed to squeeze in everything that needed to be told. Expect scorching hot passion, guys growing soft for each other, and love that's worth fighting for.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
January 31, 2025
“Grab your lube, and I’ll talk you through it.” “You will?” “I could do it myself, but it’s hotter for me if you get my hole exactly the way your cock needs it.”
“I’ve just decided.” “What?” “This hole is mine now.” I’m too slow to smother my moan. “You like that?” “Shit. Apparently.”
“I love how jealous you get. Want me to be all yours, huh? Your dick? Your hole?” “My lips, my jaw, my throat, my nipples, my abs. Mine.” I grip him tighter. “I’ve never been good with sharing.” “I’m not looking for a relationship.”
Being with Archie is hot enough in itself, but the sneaking around aspect is thrilling. I’m like double dick seven, agent of sexpionage, swooping in to make sure his every need is met.
I hate how much I like you. Some days, I think I need you. I can’t need you. It’ll break me.” “Then I guess we’re both doomed to be broken.”
“Even when this is over, you’ll forever be the greatest part of me.”
Stellar banter and dirty talk. This novella was so much fun and super spicy with just the right amount of emotional depth. Archie is confident and has it all together on the outside, on the inside he’s trying to conform to the best of his ability, stifled completely by his “homophobic dickweed” of a dad. Out and proud Dash is bound and determined to enjoy college to the best of his ability which means all the partying he can manage but he’s also somewhat fixated on Archie.
I loved Archie’s mile wide possessive streak and when they evolve into fuck buddies they are both sure they can keep their distance even though they both have alarms going off inside. Obviously the distance isnt happening, even as they are sneaking around all sorts of lines keep getting crossed till they are all in. How absolutely spectacular. I loved the way it came together towards end. I need to go back and read this series again, this was a wonderful addition 🫠
February 14, 2025
Royal Scoundrel by Saxon James
💜 Opposites Attract
💜 Secret Hookups
💜 College Romance
💜 Possessive MC
💜 Novella
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭🤭🤭.5
Intimacy: 🫂🫂🫂.5
Angst: 🥺🥺
First person dual pov 👀
CW: homophobia, use of a homophobic slur.
💜 Opposites Attract
💜 Secret Hookups
💜 College Romance
💜 Possessive MC
💜 Novella
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭🤭🤭.5
Intimacy: 🫂🫂🫂.5
Angst: 🥺🥺
First person dual pov 👀
CW: homophobia, use of a homophobic slur.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
very cute, I want 100k more specifically more insight into dash!!! This was very Archie centric which is fine but I was hoping for a lil more! I also want life which Charles when he was younger
February 19, 2025
A prequel novella of Charles' fathers, Archie and Dash? I was so excited for this!
And for the most part, I liked it. It was sweet and sexy and I liked getting to know how these two came to be.
But did these two wow me as I had hoped they would? Eh, not really.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed them together. I liked their first time together, and they had a certain report that I enjoyed.
But I wasn't loving it, and I guess the somewhat shorter than novel length didn't give a ton of time to really dig into these two. Although it was 140 pages, which is enough that I think it could have pulled it off anyway, to give these two depth and good chemistry, and it didn't quite do that.
Dash also frustrated me a bit at times, even as I understood his stand-offishness. But he rarely seemed to let his guard down and be serious that I felt it when Archie was disappointed by his deflection or turning everything to sex. I'm not much one for those character who almost never take anything seriously and almost don't seem to know how to be. (They do, they just choose not to.)
I liked Archie, but of course he was closeted for months and months and then all the sudden wasn't. There wasn't a whole lot of lead up to him being ready for that. Although a lot of their time together before they got together for good was kind of skipped over, so a full length novel getting more of Archie's arc of going from closeted to not would have worked better, in my opinion.
So in the end, this was just kind of okay. Enjoyable, but kinda 'meh' in the end. I just didn't feel like giving this 4 stars either when I wasn't too enthused about these two overall.
So three stars it is for me. Some good parts, but not crazy good by any means. Shame, as I really enjoyed the rest of the books in this series, including their son Charles and his LI Zeke (nice little scene in the epilogue showing their first meeting ;)).
Oh well, better luck next time.
Onto the next!😘
My Ratings for the Frat Wars Series:
⭐️ Frat Wars: King of Thieves: 4.5 stars (my review)
⭐️ Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem 5 stars (my review)
⭐️ Presidential Chaos: 5 stars (my review)
⭐️ Royal Scoundrel: 3 stars
And for the most part, I liked it. It was sweet and sexy and I liked getting to know how these two came to be.
But did these two wow me as I had hoped they would? Eh, not really.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed them together. I liked their first time together, and they had a certain report that I enjoyed.
But I wasn't loving it, and I guess the somewhat shorter than novel length didn't give a ton of time to really dig into these two. Although it was 140 pages, which is enough that I think it could have pulled it off anyway, to give these two depth and good chemistry, and it didn't quite do that.
Dash also frustrated me a bit at times, even as I understood his stand-offishness. But he rarely seemed to let his guard down and be serious that I felt it when Archie was disappointed by his deflection or turning everything to sex. I'm not much one for those character who almost never take anything seriously and almost don't seem to know how to be. (They do, they just choose not to.)
I liked Archie, but of course he was closeted for months and months and then all the sudden wasn't. There wasn't a whole lot of lead up to him being ready for that. Although a lot of their time together before they got together for good was kind of skipped over, so a full length novel getting more of Archie's arc of going from closeted to not would have worked better, in my opinion.
So in the end, this was just kind of okay. Enjoyable, but kinda 'meh' in the end. I just didn't feel like giving this 4 stars either when I wasn't too enthused about these two overall.
So three stars it is for me. Some good parts, but not crazy good by any means. Shame, as I really enjoyed the rest of the books in this series, including their son Charles and his LI Zeke (nice little scene in the epilogue showing their first meeting ;)).
Oh well, better luck next time.
Onto the next!😘
My Ratings for the Frat Wars Series:
⭐️ Frat Wars: King of Thieves: 4.5 stars (my review)
⭐️ Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem 5 stars (my review)
⭐️ Presidential Chaos: 5 stars (my review)
⭐️ Royal Scoundrel: 3 stars
February 12, 2025
This was such a fun short read. I loved getting Charles parents Dash and Archie’s story. Archie was so intense and possessive. Saw from the very beginning he knew what he wanted and being able to watch him be brave and take it was incredible. Also loved seeing the little snippet of the first meeting of Charles and Zeke in the epilogue. Absolutely loved the frat wars series and this was just an amazing added bonus.
February 1, 2025
4.25⭐️
I love the Frat Wars series and this novella was a great addition! Dash and Archie fell in love quickly but so naturally. Their story is adorable. The epilogue with Charles (and Zeke!) was one of the best parts. I think I’ll reread the whole series soon.
I love the Frat Wars series and this novella was a great addition! Dash and Archie fell in love quickly but so naturally. Their story is adorable. The epilogue with Charles (and Zeke!) was one of the best parts. I think I’ll reread the whole series soon.
February 24, 2025
4.5⭐️
I’ve been so excited to read this book about Charles ‘s dads and I was not disappointed. It’s short, it’s sweet, and it gave me all the feels.
It’s a simple story, but it was still really effective. These two have such a lovely chemistry between them. I absolutely love Dash especially. The epilogue was also so fun.❤️
The series is so good, one of my favourite college romances. I really hope to see more similar content to this story from the author!
I’ve been so excited to read this book about Charles ‘s dads and I was not disappointed. It’s short, it’s sweet, and it gave me all the feels.
It’s a simple story, but it was still really effective. These two have such a lovely chemistry between them. I absolutely love Dash especially. The epilogue was also so fun.❤️
The series is so good, one of my favourite college romances. I really hope to see more similar content to this story from the author!
September 29, 2025
It's been forever since I read Frat Wars, so I barely remembered who these characters in this prequel were. It eventually came back to me, but it wasn't detrimental to the story. James sets up the characters independently from the book of their (eventual) son, and I liked their snarky banter and utter desire for each other. The last few books from James I haven't liked that much, so this was a nice reminder of how good her books can be.
March 2, 2025
Not sure whether me wanting to strangle Dash more and more with every sentence he uttered was a new fun symptom of this devastating reading slump I'm in or if he really was that much of a little fucker 🤨
July 8, 2025
2.5 reluctant stars. I really started off liking this book, and about the time I got comfortable with the idea of liking a Saxon James book again I suddenly didn't. I was just bored and had to make myself finish it. It was fine. Just, fine.
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