A Series of Rooms

Liam & Jonah's Story #1

by A.J. Barlowe

On the night of his twenty-first birthday, a domino effect of unfortunate events leads Liam Cassidy to a chance encounter with a stranger. What he thinks will be nothing more than a moment of shared refuge in a bar bathroom takes a turn when Liam finds the same stranger waiting in his hotel room that night.

Jonah Prince is just trying to survive another night, same as he has done since his life derailed at seventeen. When his services are requested as a surprise for someone’s birthday, the last person he expects to see is the man from the bar who showed him kindness.

It doesn’t take long in a room together to see the cracks in Jonah’s facade. He’s afraid of someone, even if he can’t say it out loud. Hungry, guarded, and jumping at shadows, it’s clear he is in desperate need of a break, and Liam is in a unique position to grant him one—even if it’s just for a night.

Drawn together by their mutual need for escape, the two of them fall into an arrangement of weekly meetings inside the cheapest hotel rooms Chicago has to offer. The encounters are not sexual in nature, but an unexpected intimacy blossoms between them over time. For Jonah, it’s one night a week of guaranteed safety. For Liam, it’s the first real friendship he has ever known.

But soon, the circumstances that exist outside their private series of rooms begin closing in around them, reminding them that they can’t live in a bubble forever.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary, Queer, LGBT, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers

338 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2024

Reviews

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

my precious boys!!! i couldn't put this down. it broke my heart bc of the themes surrounding the story but the dynamic between the mcs was so precious and pure and truly felt like a light in the tunnel in this dark story. it was heartbreaking, but i loved the lil bit of glimpses for hope we had with their interactions. 🥺

[Teru · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*
I'm so mad GR doesn't allow half-stars because while it wasn't quite a five-star read, 4 stars seem almost too low, especially since this is a debut. Incredible.

Liam Cassidy just turned 21, and even though he would rather be at home, he's at the bar with two of his friends, anxious and uncomfortable. In the bathroom, he meets a stranger who obviously has had a rough night himself. Their encounter is brief, and their story could've ended here...but at the end of the night, they meet again due to Liam's friends´ stupid idea of a birthday surprise. And I guarantee you, Jonah will tear your heart out.

What ensues is such a heavy story of what can happen when you have religious, homophobic parents and you end up on the streets. Consider looking up content warnings. On the other hand, if I did that and saw sexual slavery/forced prostitution there, I probably wouldn't pick it up because the topic is way out of my comfort zone. And that would be a shame because even though there was so much angst and hurt, the payoff was worth it.

Liam and Jonah are incredible characters. Liam is the kindest cinnamon roll, and Jonah deserves every kindness in the world. I loved that even though Jonah's situation was horrible, there were soft, hopeful moments between these two that carried me through the book. Also, it's not stated anywhere but I'm pretty sure Liam is demi, and I kind of love that there wasn't any discussion regarding that. There was already so much happening, so many heavy situations and feelings, that Liam being demisexual would be inconsequential to bring up in any of their conversations.

The writing deserves the mention because as I said, this is a debut, but holy moly. I felt all the emotions. Almost nothing is explicitly stated, just sinister and dreadful hints that let your mind picture all the details, and I applaud that.

After such a heavy story, there comes an end and oh boy, was I afraid it would be ruined by an overly saccharine, unrealistic happy ending with everything perfectly resolved, no consequences. I'm so happy that's not the case. The author took the utmost care in handling Jonah's situation, especially the aftermath. It was heartbreaking and painful, but necessary. Like an infected wound, you need to get rid of all the pus and grime to let it heal properly.

And the epilogue? I was silently crying, full of hope and love for these two precious boys, and relief that the pain was over and they were healing.

Sure, there were some minor plot holes and details that didn't make much sense in my head but overall, it didn't much affect my reading experience. The lack of proper description of both boys bugged me (I don't know their eye colors and I need to know that so I can properly picture them!) but maybe that's just me.

Absolutely recommend. And take care, everyone ❤️

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

SINGLE HANDEDLY MY SECOND FAVE PINKY TOUCH MOMENT OF ALL TIME.


And the connection these two were forming by like 35%???? To make this pinky touch so damn effective?????
Ugh, fuck me up with shit homie.

NGL, when I see overhype for a book on GR or insta, I’m instantly nervous. I don’t have a good relationship with heaps of popular books especially new releases and arcs….

People were saying they be crying in chapter one, and how beautiful this was…. Bro, for once, they ain’t lying! 🤷🏻‍♀️
I didn’t cry or feel emotionally attached to these boys, but my heart hurt for them a whole lot 🥹

They just two broken boys (in completely different ways) finding a small amount of peace in each others company by hiding from a cruel world that wants to hurt them.

The pretty woman fan fic mentioned in this book, is almost an ode to what this book is.

It almost reads sort of like a YA? But touches on some really fucking dark themes and surprised me with a depth in the stories and characters that I was not expecting.

I had two smol niggles that lead to this not being a 5 star, one being…. The time lines in the beginning were very confusing and I’d get a few minutes in before realising we were back in time/in a memory.

And tbh, my second niggle is…. Actually solved by the fact that book 2 is apparently between the ending of the book and the epilogue because I felt this book built us up to something wonderful….. THEN BAM…. EPILOGUE THAT BYPASSED ALL THE BITS I WANTED.


Where the fuck was the nice & painful healing stuff IN BETWEEN THE END AND THE EPILOGUE?!?!?

Oh, it’s in the second book.
False alarm.
I can be calm now.
I will hold out hope that it delivers if book 1 is anything to go by.
Fucking fab debut 👏👏👏

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

[4.4~4.5 - rounding up because I couldn’t put it down unless I was forced to. What a debut!] There’s always a place for lighthearted, little-to-no angst stories, where the predictability is a comfort you can fall into. A foray into a fictional world without the sort of pain that renders you helpless and unable.

Then you have stories cut out of their own special mold, that slam into you like a Mack truck and leave you scrambling to finish the heart-pounding race through the pages, because you can’t possibly rest until you know what happens next. Until you have the knowledge that the characters that have wedged into your heart are, at long last, safe and sound.

This was an angsty doozy, even without the explicit details played out onscreen as the hints and my imagination more than filled in the gaps. Hurt/comfort at its finest as a gentle love story weaves together underneath it all.

While I would’ve loved for certain angles to have been fleshed out more (e.g. Liam’s background - the reasoning behind his parents’ unwillingness to pay for his education felt rather flimsy), it didn’t detract from how the writing flowed with an ease that made it incredibly smooth to consume - even if the content itself was not all butterflies and rainbows. I look forward to the future stories this author has in store!

🎧 Audiobook also available! https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Series-o...

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s almost offensive that this is a debut. The writing is so beautiful and the characters so wonderful, they basically stepped off the page.

THE PREMISE: Jonah is trapped in a terrible situation, and after meeting him by chance on his birthday (twice), Liam wants to help. Even if it’s just seeing him once a week, in a series of hotel rooms.

TROPES & VIBES
- A love story, but not a “romance”
- Angsty Gay Books™
- My favourite kind of richly metaphoric writing
- Liam is the sweetest man alive and I would defend him until the end of time
- Perfect for fans of The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic

4.5⭐️ (check TWs)

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books)]

Probably a slightly different opinion than most of you have. I’m torn on this one. The writing itself is beautiful, the characters and their relationship really sweet, the plot full of angst, so just up my alley, and before I started reading–even while reading the first chapters–I was convinced I’d push that five start button without any hesitation. But instead, I have no clue how to rate this story, so therefore I won’t rate it at all.

Don’t get me wrong, I flew through the pages and the story which reminded me a bit of Suki Fleet’s books kept pulling me in. I especially appreciated all those talks without any sexual intention and the sweetness of those two boys together. The thing is, though, the story itself didn’t touch me as much as I was expecting to. I can’t quite put my finger on it; why rage didn’t run through my chest or why I didn’t blink once to push back my tears. Maybe the plot is too cliche, maybe the boys’ characters should have been more fleshed out, maybe those conversations could have been expanded more. Maybe it’s even all of these things. I just don’t know.

What I do know, though, is that I'll definitely read another story by AJ. Barlow because I’m curious about what they have in store for us next.

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[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. A lot. Like so much. I read it in under 24 hours and ignored all my responsibilities. And cried. Sorry to my students who will not have their essays graded in a timely manner, send all your complains to A. J. Barlowe please.

A Series of Rooms is a beautiful, heartbreaking, stunning debut and you should all mark your calendars for December 3rd. This is a story of how the people that walk into your life (the people in the room with you) can have a huge impact; a story of how far basic kindness and empathy can go.

Liam and Jonah meet one fateful night in a bar bathroom on Liam’s 21st birthday; they meet again later that night in a hotel room when Liam’s friends unexpectedly get him Jonah as a present to lose his virginity. They proceed to keep meeting in (wink wink) a series of rooms (roll credits). Jonah is such a traumatized sweetie who I want to protect and Liam is an absolute angel. These characters and their emotions were so real and I felt everything they felt, good and bad. And god did I want to jump into the book and murder a few people. But Liam and Jonah I wanted to jump in the book and hug because they both deserve it.

The writing was consistently excellent and I’m shocked this is a debut. I also truly think the author and I share a taste in pretty much everything so that really swayed me. (Yes I made a playlist)

The content is dark so please check content warnings! This is a romance but also a story of trauma and healing and does not contain any sex scenes, so if that’s a deal breaker for you here is your warning, but I hope you take a chance on it anyways :)

[Valen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My eyes are swollen and there’s snot everywhere. My week is ruined.

I had to keep telling myself “it’s fiction, it’s okay” but actually it’s not okay.

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“You're the best friend I've ever had.”

“Yeah,” Liam whispered. You're mine, too.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It is a heartbreaking story; it is heartbreaking to imagine the situation Jonah found himself in at such a young age, one born out of rejection and necessity and obligation, which makes it even more painful to imagine the life - the person he could have been, if life could have just been a bit kinder to him. 🥺 So when that offer of kindness is extended by Liam, one borne out of the most unconventional of meetings, I didn't fault him for accepting that helping hand - one that slowly extended into a beautiful, tender friendship of understanding and connection - one where Liam desperately craved to help Jonah break free of his restraints, knowing full well that he could only make matters worse if he did. 😢

“Fire. Ice. A heartbreak in his throat. A voice that tried to drown it all out.

And a single spark of rebellion that hadn't yet been extinguished.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Liam was so very patient, understanding and considerate of Jonah. He offered him a few hours of respite, of care and warmth that had been stolen from Jonah, which was captured in a sincere and touching manner, that gave him the sense of security and safety he desperately longed for. A sanctuary to the loneliness and alone-ness that haunted his waking breath. 🫂 Liam's gentleness is a harsh contrast to the cruel reality Jonah is victim to and that was painful to witness, as well as his desperation to protect him from returning to it for as long as he could. 'Anything, if it means getting another week.' To have to go back to the dark and dismal shame that awaited him, even when money was the only thing his keeper was after. The comparison to Jonah and the Whale was both bittersweet and beautiful, one that evoked such a strong emotion and connection between the two of them. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I was a bit miffed at Marcus; it was obvious in one instance who he was and I applauded Jonah for his reaction towards him - visceral, heartbreaking and jarring, but so believably captured. I was upset, though, at the change of heart regarding his involvement, but I think that was a realistic approach the author took. 👍🏻 As much as it hurt me, anyway. 😞

“It was harder to block out the feeling of strangers' hands, harder to ignore the whispers of false affection, now that he knew what it felt like to be kissed by someone who cared.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But, I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was something about the writing that did not work for me. Maybe it was the predictability of it, maybe it was that the angst felt a bit too much at times, which is unfair and disrespectful of me to say, but... it just felt a little like I was reading fanfiction... there is a difference, I know there is, and I had that impression here. 😕 I think it had to do with how limited in scope the setting and relationship was, that it never developed further than the interactions that they had. It is no fault to the plot or characters, since the circumstances in which they met had to be only in A Series of Rooms, but I could not shake that feeling off. 🤷🏻‍♀️

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It should have impacted me more, and even now, while writing out my thoughts, I'm still befuddled as to why it didn't click; it had broken boys, broken hearts, and a happy ending; although the epilogue was too perfect, but considering the hell they've been through, it is easily forgiven. It is a fluid read, and there were some heart wrenching scenes that stood out, and Jonah's anguish and trauma was achingly convincing, but... No, it's definitely a me issue. 🙋🏻‍♀️ Again, I think it also had to do with the fact that the scenes were so limited to the hotel rooms, that their personalities did not really develop beyond that. That restrained outlook of developing their relationship affected the nature of their character development in other places, so maybe that is to blame for my lack of being entirely emotionally invested in it. 😔

[JonathanSamuelReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m going to base this moment on who I’m stuck in a room with. It’s what life is. It’s a series of rooms, and who we get stuck in those rooms with adds up to what our lives are.”   - House, M.D. One Day, One Room

‘Liam, Thanks for everything. Happy birthday. Your friend, Jonah’

🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

I’m still so emotional still from this book.

Jonah and Liam meet unexpectedly (twice) on Liam’s 21st birthday party. These two embark on a once in a lifetime friendship as they continue to meet in a series of hotel rooms every Friday.

Idk how to say anything without spoiling it but Jonah is being sex trafficked and is an impossible situation and Liam is just trying to offer solace in their Friday night meet ups. Tons of hurt comfort vibes but the character progression of Jonah and Liam is what we really sold me.

There’s no spice on page but you could still feel the connection between these two and that strong bond of love and friendship and tenderness.


This had A Little Life Vibes to me and is one of the stories where I know Jonah and Liam will stick with me forever like Jude does.

‘For the week since their first interaction, the memory of that night had been a warm flame he’d kept shielded between his palms, a singular moment of reprieve like a pinhole of light in the dark. Was a week all it took for him to change his mind?’

“Have you read the book, Liam? I’m pretty sure this story is about him getting swallowed by the whale.” “No,” Liam said. “The story is about him getting out.”

‘He hadn’t wanted those things from anybody in a long time, and he didn’t know what it said about him that he still could. There was a dull sense of shame, but maybe something like hope, too; maybe he wasn’t as broken as he thought he was’

“You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.” He didn’t dare turn his head to see Liam’s reaction. They both kept their eyes on the ceiling, even as Liam’s pinky unlatched from his, just long enough to slide his palm fully over Jonah’s, lacing all their fingers together. He gave a squeeze, and Jonah gave it right back. “Yeah,” Liam whispered. “You’re mine, too.”

Everyone go read this book omgggg

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like something fresh and different. Unique in both premise and execution. The characters and beautiful writing making it even better. I was 45% in and bought the follow up novella, I knew I wanted to go wherever these characters were. (This first one is available on kindle unlimited). Liam and Jonah, I want to protect them at all costs!!!😭❤️ Sad but a hopeful story at the same time. This pulled on my heartstrings but also made me smile. As witty and clever as it is emotional. Liam, so self deprecating; has the biggest heart in the world. Jonah, life has been so cruel to him; he has so much to fight against to find a shred of happiness but he does it. Brave and strong even if he would say otherwise. I adore them both so much. The HEA here is a hard fought journey but so worth it.💖

I’d especially recommend this book for fans of Marina Vivancos and Suki Fleet.

[⊹ ⁺ ₊ ✧ she's book obsessed ✧ ₊ ⁺ ⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⊹ ⁺ ₊ ✧ A Series of Rooms ┊ 4 stars ✧ ₊ ⁺ ⊹

heart: shattered

No but really. This was so sweet and so raw and it broke me and healed me simultaneously. What a beautiful, heartbreaking story. These two boys deserve the world 🤍

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄☆⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

✧⋄⋆ pre-read notes ⋆⋄✧
⤷ 23/12/24 ┊It’s been an age since I’ve read a published book, so it’s abt damn time 😭 I’ve heard wonderful things abt this one I’m so exicited!! 🤍

౨ৎ happy reading ౨ৎ

[Ditte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.75

(Mind the spoiler cut further down, there are major spoilers)

I've been going back and forth about how to rate this one since I finished it a few days ago.

On one hand, it was very well-written, and I really liked Jonah and Liam. It was a very emotional book that had me crying quite a bit. The angst and pain and hurt was well done, and I really felt for Jonah and his horrible situation.

On the other hand, this book was almost too stressful. I had to put it down for days at a time because I got so stressed and anxious from reading it. I also kept forgetting it's a romance because it doesn't read like that to me - something I actually appreciate considering the content of the book - and it wasn't exactly what I expected going in.

Something that's bothered me more and more as I've sat with it is the undercover FBI agent who actively participated in Jonah's abuse (driving him to/from clients, maintaining a relationship of fear and distrust, lying to Jonah about what happened to the guy he thought he killrd thereby keeping him from even considering leaving, not to mention the detrimental mental consequences, not intervening when seeing Jonah being/having recently been abused by clients or their "boss" despite physical evidence, the list goes on.) I understand his boss said he couldn't get Jonah out but I don't think that's an excuse for him to seemingly have no boundaries regarding what he was willing to do. For him to then be the savior, twice, wasn't something I was into. Was the reason he waited till literally the last second to step in that he wasn't sure Jonah's death warranted intervention or that this instance of physical abuse looked like all the others till it escalated even beyond those times? If he'd spent another 15 secs contemplating whether this was the time to stop things, Jonah could've been dead or had brain damage, and yet this guy also got to be the one to be crucial to Jonah's chance at recovery. I didn't care for that.

Overall, a really well-written, incredibly angsty book. Rather than a romance, I thought the book had a beautiful love story that centered on a friendship with potential for more. I had some issues, mainly that I got incredibly stressed reading it, but I see why so many of my friends adore this book.

[Jackbees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Excellent audiobook. It has that duet narration that has the voice actor say the lines that they say when they are in the other MC’s POV, does that make sense?

This read like a YA novel in the lack of sex scenes but had very non-YA themes. I found it extremely enjoyable but was disappointed that the whole book was leading up to the expected declaration of feelings/happy ending but that was just skipped to the epilogue where the MC’s are happy together as a couple. I was pretty annoyed but was then kindly informed that there is a separate novella with that whole bit, so, good I guess, but I would have just preferred it to be in this book.

[Paulina | bitofabookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfection that is this story... 😭🥹🤌🏻 Good thing I jumped on this train, because it would be illegal to NOT have this book in my life.
7 stars!!!

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily 5 stars.

I am blown away that this is a debut novel- bravo to author A.J. Barlowe! The writing flowed so easily and naturally- it felt much more like a seasoned author, with lots of published works already under their belt-- to say I was impressed is an understatement.

I have not been able to get this story out of my head since I finished. I have a feeling this is one that will live with me for a long, long time to come. I have been shouting at all my book friends that this one is a must-read. It is absolutely because of this book's ability to make me FEEL. OH, THE FEELINGS. So many feelings I almost drowned in them. I mean, I don't know about you, but this is why I read. The feelings.

Liam is struggling. He is a gay and out teenager, but life isn't easy. His only friends are becoming his tormentors, and his college ambitions are on hold because of his parents' reluctance to pay for art school. He is trying to live life true to himself, but he feels like he is living just to exist.

Jonah Price is living in a daily hell, the victim of a sex-trafficking ring. He is barely surviving, living one day at a time, the shell of who he used to be.

When unlikely circumstances place these two boys into one another's orbit, everything changes.

Liam and Jonah find themselves in the same hotel room on Liam's 21st birthday. Jonah has been hired for sex by Liam's friends, and Liam is outraged when he realizes. It doesn't take much for Liam to pick up on the fact that Jonah is hurt, skittish, traumatized. He cannot imagine not helping him, or trying to, at least. And out of that innate desire to protect him, Liam formulates a plan to try and give Jonah some kind of a "break," once a week, to rest and heal. And so Friday nights become theirs.

Guys- this is hurt/comfort to the max. I just ached reading about the very slow, very tender, very patient way Liam gets to know the real Jonah. These two are very carefully becoming tentative friends, and eventually, more. But they are on borrowed time, and looking past next Friday is a pipe dream-- Liam doesn't even know if Jonah will show up every Friday. And coming up with the money to give Jonah this reprieve is causing all kinds of havoc in Liam's "other, normal" existence.

"Like some invisible magnetic force pulling him, he wanted nothing more than to reach out and hold the thing that felt so forbidden to him. The person he couldn't have without hindering him. The person he didn't deserve, but who was here anyway, fighting to keep him around with a hand outstretched like an olive branch Jonah so desperately wanted to take."

This story felt so tragic. Jonah's life outside of the hotel rooms with Liam is a special sort of hell. I found his backstory- how he ended up in forced prostitution- told in flashbacks, to be very believable and emotional. The life he lived daily was like something out of a devastating documentary- something you know takes place all the time but are horrified to witness, and helpless to stop. His only small light becomes his Fridays with Liam.

"Whatever we have to do," Liam said. "Anything, if it means getting another week."
Fire. Ice. A heartbeat in his throat. A voice that tried to drown it all out. And a single spark of rebellion that hadn't yet been extinguished.

I started to dread turning the pages at some point as these two grew closer, and began to make decisions I knew could jeopardize the tipping point of "safety" Jonah balanced on. I was literally sweating reading a huge portion of this book, knowing something was about to happen that would cause it all to blow up in their faces. I thought that the way in which that actually happened was so well written-- I could picture the events spinning out of control so vividly.

"You sure you're alright, kiddo?"
I'm not.
I'm so out of my depth.
Help me. I don't know what to do."

And the ending.... my God. I could not imagine how this would end for these two, but the way things turned out made my heart beat out of my chest. It has been a long time since I have been so desperate to see two people reach their HEA. Hard-earned does not even cover it.

This is the one to read if you are looking for an intensely emotional, painful read... but one that is jaggedly stunning at the same time. Vividly and uniquely gorgeous-- I absolutely loved it. I will be recommending "A Series of Rooms" to everyone- and I cannot wait to see what this author writes next!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and it made my eyes leak!

I really liked Liam and Jonah and how they slowly build their relationship. There were some really sweet moments between the two of them that made my heart squeeze - the pool, the holding hands, the swings, the talking.... So cute!

I did find some aspects a little too convenient or hard to believe though, and I was left with quite a few questions at the end of the book which was a little bit annoying. I wanted to know more about what happens between Jonah and his family. I wanted to know if Ben woke up to what a shit person Nathan really was and was going to be a genuine friend to Liam, or if he was just looking for gossip from Liam when they spoke in the diner.

I also felt a little bit cheated out of the happy part of Liam and Jonah's story. The whole book except the epilogue is about the tough times, their struggles and the shit that happens before they can even think about having a relationship with each other. Then it skips ahead over a year?? I want to see them in the early stages of their official relationship because I went through all the hard stuff with them, but where's the good to balance the book? The epilogue was very cute, but I really wanted at least a little of them actually together and being happy!

[Jo⁷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC 🩷

[Synne Sylibris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know a lot of people love this book, but it didn't fully work for me. But it was all right, and I did somewhat enjoy it.

It's hard to put my finger on what exactly I didn't like. I think it might have something to do with the characters. They could perhaps have been fleshed out a little more?
Another thing I thought about, is that even though I haven't read a story quite like this before, it still felt like a book (or a mash-up of books) I have read before, in a way, and it therefore felt a little bland...
I think I would have wanted a more literary and in-depth writing style too, but that's clearly me having the wrong expectations.

I think the dark subject matter and the power dynamics were handled quite well though.

Again, most readers love this book so far, so I'm clearly in the minority here.

[Sandy Kay]

Absolutely nothing against this book, but it keeps coming up in my feed, and I need to remind myself not to read it (even though it actually sounds safe for me in a way) because it just sounds too painful to be entertaining. One MC is being sex trafficked throughout a lot of the book and finds safety and comfort only on certain nights w the other MC, and my heart could not take that situation.

[kaye taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Spice: 0/🌶️
Format: audiobook
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤/5

Raw. Gripping. Devastating.

Absolutely beautiful.

I cannot believe this was a debut novel. As soon as I got one chapter into the audiobook, I knew I was in trouble. I finished this in a few hours because I couldn’t put it down.

Liam and Jonah were phenomenal main characters. Cannot say a bad word about either of them. When the title of the book finally hit me, I was nearly crushed from the weight of it.

Jonah, God, my heart just broke for him the whole time and never stopped. Even at the end, he was full of so much forgiveness and strength that I can’t handle it. To the point where I’m still simmering in anger at everyone who ever hurt him. And Liam was such a supportive and loving friend. I felt both of their pain so viscerally.

This story just tore me to absolute shreds. I just wish we got more of the happy ending that would’ve helped put me back together. We just got nothing of their HEA and I’m really sad about it. I also feel some type of way about the fact that no justice seemed to be served? Only one guy really faced any repercussions - although it was a huge repercussion. But everyone else just…moved on? Not me. I’m still so angry and hurt at everyone who didn’t help Jonah.

I would also call this more a love story than a romance, because we don’t see them actually together at all, which was disappointing. I wanted the best for both of them but unfortunately we didn’t get to see it. It’s alluded to that they are boyfriends in the end, but after all the buildup and sadness, I really wanted to see it.

This is a story that’ll stay with me forever. Cannot wait to see what else this author has in store for us.

The audio for this story was amazing. Both narrators were new to me but did the story such justice.

[Miki_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC
The writing is unbelievably good and the characters are phenomenal. I just need a minute for my write up xo

[Em’sBookNook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heavy read and it hurt my heart a lot but wow. It’s hard to believe this is a debut because it’s so flawlessly written. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were absolutely perfect for these characters. I can’t wait to read more from this author because this book will stay with me for a long time. I could read a whole extra book just of Liam and Jonah being happy together 🥲

[Hugo #freepalestine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate how beautiful this was from the writing to the characterization it was well thought out.
Although I don't really (Im not saying I hate it)like how the second/final half was structured it doesn't really ruin the book overall when the first half of the book is already so fucking good its fast pace without being too rushed.
And we also get to understand these characters while being wary at every corner of when things will finally blew up or when the time is finally over them in their little paradise.

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Tonya ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review will be short and if I can form more words I'll come back to it. A few things I can say is how this book is definitely worth the hype and worth the read. This is a true piece of artwork.

Jonah and Liam are definitely two characters that stay with you and it's perfect.

[gracie]

I think I just don't like books with characters being sex trafficked. it's not a bad book—in fact the writing was pretty good, fast paced too, I was just uncomfortable throughout and I really wasn't enjoying it. idt I'll rate it but I learnt something new about myself ig🙂

[annie (NOT spoiler-free) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 rounded up - What am I supposed to do with all that I'm feeling right now? :')

I’m going to base this moment on who I’m stuck in a room with. It's what life is. It's a series of rooms and who we get stuck in those rooms with adds up to what our lives are.

Audio: 4.25/5 (I was so happy to find this available on Everand)
Story: 4.35/5

I don't know where to begin. And this is a debut book? I know it hasn't been long since this is released but wow. I think I already can't wait to see what the author has stored in for the future.


Things I enjoyed:

1. Writing style & Concept: This was one of those books where I found myself staring at the wall after finishing chapters just to grasp the intensity of it. The depth, the emotions, the sheer brokenness, hurt, and unconventional intimacy that jumped off the book and penetrated my heart. I was moved so, so many times. The concept was fresh & amazing. It gave me a new perspective to life.

2. How Liam and Jonah's relationship progressed into almost-lovers. Cautious, gentle, frightening, ease, safe.

3. I love Hurt/comfort and this was a perfect in that aspect. Really well done. Representation of trauma and abuse, which I was easily able to grasp despite it being non-explicit mostly.

4. The cover design is A-class. It speaks so well for the story. Love it!

5. The ending. So vividly lovely.


SPOILER ALERT!!

Things I wanted more (despite the story being amazing the way it was):

1. Jonah & Liam's relationship, post moving-to-NY lives, healing process.

How they picked it up in NYC, how they managed their lives around each other, what helped their healing process - together and individually, their character development, how they expressed their love when things were beginning to feel alright again. Jonah said he learned how to live in NY, and it makes me want to know how (more than the tidbits we were given).

I know that this wasn't the focus of the story, but still it left me craving for more - thinking something was missing.

2. Others, that didn't hinder my experience as much but could've explored more:
Liam's mother seemed supportive enough so why the reluctance to pay to fee? Relationship between Jonah and his parents felt inconclusive - though that might be deliberate.

Consequence for Nathan? Or even a passing reference of...something. Dominic's appearance at the end; felt hasty and not as satisfying. Maybe it was the extension of how we didn't get to see Jonah's healing journey so I felt there was some gap and the way Jonah took it so well didn't feel as natural.

The epilogue was full of hope and all sunshine, which should've been great, but for me, it left a huge gap between what I knew about them and what they were now. It felt...disconnected. I truly wish I didn't feel this way because of how much I loved the concept and its implementation for the most part but I can't help it.


Despite all that said, I still loved the book. It's still true that it made me feel things deeply for the characters and for that, I would recommend this book to everyone who likes sad, broken boys with broken hearts and them finding their happy endings.

[Zainab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did i finish this book or did this book finish me? Because i'm nothing at this moment but a heaving and sobbing mess of bones *insert Hannah Azerang's why-would-you-write-that gif*. I was sleeping on this book but i wont let anyone else make this mistake so just get your tissue boxes and leap for this book and i promise you won't regret one bit of it.

This book was DEVASTATINGLY beautiful and HEART-WRENCHINGLY soft (emphasis on the devastating and heart-wrenching part). Liam and Jonah, your story is forever etched in my soul from this day onwards. I LOVED these two babies with all i've got. You have to say anything bad about these bubs, brace yourself for the sucker punch coming your way. The things they went through, THE THINGS JONAH WENT THROUGH (oh lord, i'm crying again), their story and meetings and friendship through those rendezvous, their feelings for one another, when i say they will make you stare at the wall with tears streaking down your face, THEY. WILL.

“You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”
“Yeah,” Liam whispered. “You’re mine, too.”

I will protect these honeybuns, sugarplums with my life! (but before that i'm gonna need a breather and soak up the ocean of tears that i turned my space into)

[Emily H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread: Infinity stars. I would die for Liam and Jonah. I love them so much.



I don’t think I can put into words how much I loved this book. Everything about it was beautiful.