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London Love #1
Breathe
Meet Ryan, aka, Joey Hole, disgraced former adult entertainer with more issues than he can keep track of. His boyfriend left him for an Instagram twink with 150K followers, his Mum wants him out of her spare room and then there's that idiot at college who just won't take no for an answer.
Meet Luke. He was once the rich kid who'd just been gifted his first car, and now he doesn't even own a bike. He's also slumming it in a house full of ungrateful siblings and his first trip to the Food-bank gave him some goddamn emotional scars. Life is getting better though, and he's acing it at college, as well as making some brilliant new friends. Well except for that stuck up twatwaffle Ryan who won't talk to him and refuses to like his brilliant social media posts....
BREATHE is the first book in Sophia Soames' London Love Series. These stories will follow the ups and downs of four couples living extraordinary ordinary London lives.
Meet Luke. He was once the rich kid who'd just been gifted his first car, and now he doesn't even own a bike. He's also slumming it in a house full of ungrateful siblings and his first trip to the Food-bank gave him some goddamn emotional scars. Life is getting better though, and he's acing it at college, as well as making some brilliant new friends. Well except for that stuck up twatwaffle Ryan who won't talk to him and refuses to like his brilliant social media posts....
BREATHE is the first book in Sophia Soames' London Love Series. These stories will follow the ups and downs of four couples living extraordinary ordinary London lives.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2021
88 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Soames
36 books229 followersAuthor of Contemporary M/M romance with all the feels. This is where flawed men discover happy endings, in truly European fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 16, 2022
Nada muito incrível mas gostei da dinâmica dos personagens. Não é todo dia que temos como protagonista um ex ator de filmes porno gay 🔥 O cara foi super famoso e depois super cancelado ( como sempre acontece nas redes sociais) assim ele vai tentar viver uma vida normal, mas isso é um grande desafio. Nessa confusão entra Luke o patinho feio aos olhos de Ryan, um garoto divertido que não é muito atraente para o sexy Ryan, mas Ryan precisa aprender que nem tudo é aparência nessa vida. É com o patinho feio que ele vai encontrar o que precisa para se curar de toda merda que suas atitudes diante de sua carreira trouxe. Foi um bom livro ( tirando algumas coisas exageradas)
July 1, 2021
This is a new to me author (and one I won't pick up again) and one of those cases in which I wish I had DNFed because this did not work for me at all and all the way through. Before moving on the spoiler section in which I will rant in detail about what did not work, let's recap. First I would point out that they are both young (not the age group I prefer to read about) but that is not enough for me to explain how emotional volatile they both are. Then the info-dumping was massive and non-ending. I mean we had still info-dumps in chap23 out of 27 chapters. In chap 23 we learned something important about Ryan's backstory through his internal monologue and it came unprompted. Nothing triggered that memory, the author just thought "oh I've forgotten to explain that, let's do that now"... A lot of major scenes take place off page and are then recapped, which to me is tantamount to info-dumping to me. We don't see much in this book but boy are we told a lot.
Recap: Ryan is a 23/24 year old (I think) who at the beginning of the book is living with his mom after breaking up with his ex and having dropped his porn career. At first we don't know why (despite the massive info-dumps) because Ryan is an unreliable narrator, he contradicts himself a lot. For example, the ex is Henry and at first one may think that Henry was abusive, that their relationship was co-dependent (it kind of was) and that Henry cheated. That last fact is unclear because seemingly they had an open relationship (that Ryan agreed to but did not want) so the "cheating" is debatable even though it is presented as such several times. My take is that Henry was not abusive. Yes Ryan did not advocate enough for what he wanted in the relationship but is that really Henry's fault? We learn about Ryan's trauma slowly (even though most could have been guessed) which made it difficult to understand him. Also about halfway through he goes through a personality transplant but I'll get back to that in the spoiler section.
Luke: his backstory is tragic as well. His parents are both in jail and he is the guardian of 2 of his siblings. It was difficult to keep the siblings straight, I think he has 5 but maybe more. His relationship to his responsibility is strange because he seems to want it but also feels trapped and acts like a baby. I did not agree with how he raised his 8 year old sister but that may be on me (she sleeps in someone's bed all the time, where she wants, and throws tantrums because he slept out of the house once. She should sleep in her own bed and learn to cope. He should be working on getting her to become more independent and learn to cope better but no in the end she sleeps with both Luke and Ryan because that makes sense.... I am not implying that anything sexual is going on but she needs to learn to sleep on her own IMO).
The spoilery section: the relationship .
There you have it. I think that the premise was good but it would have worked better if it had been single POV and slowly discovered both MCs traumas through conversations and not info-dumps.
Recap: Ryan is a 23/24 year old (I think) who at the beginning of the book is living with his mom after breaking up with his ex and having dropped his porn career. At first we don't know why (despite the massive info-dumps) because Ryan is an unreliable narrator, he contradicts himself a lot. For example, the ex is Henry and at first one may think that Henry was abusive, that their relationship was co-dependent (it kind of was) and that Henry cheated. That last fact is unclear because seemingly they had an open relationship (that Ryan agreed to but did not want) so the "cheating" is debatable even though it is presented as such several times. My take is that Henry was not abusive. Yes Ryan did not advocate enough for what he wanted in the relationship but is that really Henry's fault? We learn about Ryan's trauma slowly (even though most could have been guessed) which made it difficult to understand him. Also about halfway through he goes through a personality transplant but I'll get back to that in the spoiler section.
Luke: his backstory is tragic as well. His parents are both in jail and he is the guardian of 2 of his siblings. It was difficult to keep the siblings straight, I think he has 5 but maybe more. His relationship to his responsibility is strange because he seems to want it but also feels trapped and acts like a baby. I did not agree with how he raised his 8 year old sister but that may be on me (she sleeps in someone's bed all the time, where she wants, and throws tantrums because he slept out of the house once. She should sleep in her own bed and learn to cope. He should be working on getting her to become more independent and learn to cope better but no in the end she sleeps with both Luke and Ryan because that makes sense.... I am not implying that anything sexual is going on but she needs to learn to sleep on her own IMO).
The spoilery section: the relationship .
There you have it. I think that the premise was good but it would have worked better if it had been single POV and slowly discovered both MCs traumas through conversations and not info-dumps.
May 19, 2021
I think I have read a perfect book.
This book was everything! My mind is having difficulties with finding the right words to do it justice, and I probably won't find them, but I'll give it a try anyway. And if I don't manage to get it right, I guess in the end all I really want to say is: READ THIS BOOK!
I loved how REAL this was. Both mc's, Ryan and Luke, were humanly imperfect. They struggled and made mistakes. There were times they were insecure. There was a past they both needed to deal with in order to find a new future for themselves. Say goodbye to the person they once were and embrace the new person they were becoming.
Ryan has fled New York, leaving a lot of unfinished business, problems and a cheating ex behind, finding refuge in his mother's home in London. Ryan has to let go of his alter ego, Joeyhole, an awarded pornstar, in order to become Ryan again, but he's been Joey for so long, he doesn't even remember who Ryan really is. The author has done a wonderful job researching the porn industry; all things about Joey - the things he had to do, the productions, the taking care of his body - felt very realistic.
(This was also the case with the childcare service; the author was well informed.)
For Ryan to find out what he really wants from life and take control of it himself, to say goodbye to Joey and make amends with everyone and everything that has happened to him in New York, is a long, difficult and depressing process.
Luke attends college to become a personal trainer and eventually gets a well paid job out of it. He is in desperate need of some friends. His life has changed dramatically and the responsibility for his siblings weighs heavy on him. Having a friend is the one thing he craves to have just for himself. When he meets Ryan, he is intrigued by the stand of guy, who seems to do everything he can to avoid him and the rest of their classmates. It takes some time and life changing insights for them to become friends. And from there on it almost felt like a privilege to witness how they grew together, how their friendship grew, how they both seemed to have found the one person to accept them exactly as they are. They needed each other in order to feel grounded, the calming effect they had on one another was just plain beautiful.
I fell in love with Luke and Ryan, but also with the secondary cast of characters. Luke's family is awesome, with Olive stealing the show. I usually don't like stories where children are involved, but if there ever was an exception to that rule, it has to be this book. I loved Olive!!!
And Ryan's mom...she's golden! She's the best and most supportive person there is to be found, even if she kicked him out of the house to find a place for his own, because that was exactly what Ryan needed to do in order to get his life back on track. And some of their conversations, really!
"And Ryan, darling, you need to find somewhere to live." Mum had clearly followed the same train of thought.
"Are you kicking me out, mum?"
"Darling. No! You know what I mean. You need to get out there. Go on Grindr and whatever. Get laid. It's not good for you not to see people. You need to get back on that bike."
"Mum, I am that bike. And I am not ready for anyone to ride me."
This book was everything! My mind is having difficulties with finding the right words to do it justice, and I probably won't find them, but I'll give it a try anyway. And if I don't manage to get it right, I guess in the end all I really want to say is: READ THIS BOOK!
I loved how REAL this was. Both mc's, Ryan and Luke, were humanly imperfect. They struggled and made mistakes. There were times they were insecure. There was a past they both needed to deal with in order to find a new future for themselves. Say goodbye to the person they once were and embrace the new person they were becoming.
Ryan has fled New York, leaving a lot of unfinished business, problems and a cheating ex behind, finding refuge in his mother's home in London. Ryan has to let go of his alter ego, Joeyhole, an awarded pornstar, in order to become Ryan again, but he's been Joey for so long, he doesn't even remember who Ryan really is. The author has done a wonderful job researching the porn industry; all things about Joey - the things he had to do, the productions, the taking care of his body - felt very realistic.
(This was also the case with the childcare service; the author was well informed.)
For Ryan to find out what he really wants from life and take control of it himself, to say goodbye to Joey and make amends with everyone and everything that has happened to him in New York, is a long, difficult and depressing process.
Luke attends college to become a personal trainer and eventually gets a well paid job out of it. He is in desperate need of some friends. His life has changed dramatically and the responsibility for his siblings weighs heavy on him. Having a friend is the one thing he craves to have just for himself. When he meets Ryan, he is intrigued by the stand of guy, who seems to do everything he can to avoid him and the rest of their classmates. It takes some time and life changing insights for them to become friends. And from there on it almost felt like a privilege to witness how they grew together, how their friendship grew, how they both seemed to have found the one person to accept them exactly as they are. They needed each other in order to feel grounded, the calming effect they had on one another was just plain beautiful.
I fell in love with Luke and Ryan, but also with the secondary cast of characters. Luke's family is awesome, with Olive stealing the show. I usually don't like stories where children are involved, but if there ever was an exception to that rule, it has to be this book. I loved Olive!!!
And Ryan's mom...she's golden! She's the best and most supportive person there is to be found, even if she kicked him out of the house to find a place for his own, because that was exactly what Ryan needed to do in order to get his life back on track. And some of their conversations, really!
"And Ryan, darling, you need to find somewhere to live." Mum had clearly followed the same train of thought.
"Are you kicking me out, mum?"
"Darling. No! You know what I mean. You need to get out there. Go on Grindr and whatever. Get laid. It's not good for you not to see people. You need to get back on that bike."
"Mum, I am that bike. And I am not ready for anyone to ride me."
The development of Ryan's and Luke's relationship was exactly right. The pacing, the things they struggled with, things they had to find out together. Luke hasn't known for very long he's gay. He's a virgin and hasn't had very much experience all together. So being with a former, award winning pornstar can be quite intimidating, so to speak.
"God, you feel so good."
"More." That was me, King of dirty talk.
Despite the fact that this book has some heavy topics, it also has a lot of humor. There's a lot to laugh about too, and it's that perfect mix that made me fall in love with this story.
It's a beautifully written hurt/comfort story with characters you won't forget.
"I can breathe with you - I can't buy that on Amazon, unfortunately. It's not easy for me. I've felt so suffocated in this mess, and now, with you here, I'm okay. Tired, but okay. I haven't felt okay in so long. I'd forgotten what it feels like to feel okay."
"I can be your own personal Amazon Prime," he said. "If you need me, I will be here. Same-day delivery."
This was my first book by Sophia Soames, but I can't wait for the rest of this series. Loved, loved it and I highly recommend!!
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review
June 4, 2021
There's a quality to this author's writing I can't describe, but would almost call "kind" - even in this story of two young men under a lot of stresses, and with a history of questionable choices, I found myself empathizing with them even through the worst mistakes, and everyone in it felt very human.
This story unfolds slowly. We start by meeting Ryan, who as Joey Hole, let porn-stardom go to his head, and on the face of it, crashed a relationship with a good man for the glitter of awards and fame and likes and money. Ryan was dumped (deservedly?) and hit a wall emotionally, and has come home to England from New York, abandoning his career. Now he's living with his mum and trying to go to college, but he's still a mess inside. And as time goes on, we see that his self-judgements and his accounts of what happened aren't always to be trusted, because there are things he starts out trying not to look at or remember.
We also meet Luke, a college student who is trying to do it all, as guardian for two younger siblings and in cooperation with three older ones, while his parents went to prison for fraud. They're broke, scrambling to make everything work in a dilapidated rental house, and the youngest sister is small enough to need a lot of time and care. They get some support from the authorities, but they're always on edge, worrying about being split up, or having some kind of authority returned to their deadbeat parents when they're released. Luke has no time for a personal life, but he could use a friend, and of the people in his college class, Ryan seems the most solitary and interesting - a challenge and someone who also might need a friend.
I enjoyed the way my perceptions of these guys changed with new revelations and their own growth and maturity. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch, nicely nuanced, all with positive and negative qualities. The story itself is quiet, but echoes of the past shake both these guys, and they don't always react well. The ending is solid, sweet, and even fun. I expect I'll reread this one day.
This story unfolds slowly. We start by meeting Ryan, who as Joey Hole, let porn-stardom go to his head, and on the face of it, crashed a relationship with a good man for the glitter of awards and fame and likes and money. Ryan was dumped (deservedly?) and hit a wall emotionally, and has come home to England from New York, abandoning his career. Now he's living with his mum and trying to go to college, but he's still a mess inside. And as time goes on, we see that his self-judgements and his accounts of what happened aren't always to be trusted, because there are things he starts out trying not to look at or remember.
We also meet Luke, a college student who is trying to do it all, as guardian for two younger siblings and in cooperation with three older ones, while his parents went to prison for fraud. They're broke, scrambling to make everything work in a dilapidated rental house, and the youngest sister is small enough to need a lot of time and care. They get some support from the authorities, but they're always on edge, worrying about being split up, or having some kind of authority returned to their deadbeat parents when they're released. Luke has no time for a personal life, but he could use a friend, and of the people in his college class, Ryan seems the most solitary and interesting - a challenge and someone who also might need a friend.
I enjoyed the way my perceptions of these guys changed with new revelations and their own growth and maturity. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch, nicely nuanced, all with positive and negative qualities. The story itself is quiet, but echoes of the past shake both these guys, and they don't always react well. The ending is solid, sweet, and even fun. I expect I'll reread this one day.
February 26, 2025
First time reading this author. I was feeling absolutely smothered in info dumps. So much was explained instead of shown. And a lot of the story didn’t make sense. Things happened because it worked for the story but they didn’t occur organically. There was so many whys and hows?? I’m fine with a few things just happening because it works but basically it felt like the entire storyline was made of this.
The relationship went from zero to 100 in a very unrealistic way given how messed up Ryan was and how inexperienced Luke was. They go from Ryan disliking Luke to ‘best friends’ overnight and then to boyfriends and love with barely any on page relationship development.
The interactions with Luke’s 8yr old sister felt weird and not what I wanted to read about. I get that the author wanted to portray Luke as the primary caregiver but I felt like they needed to restrain themselves from handjobs in the lounge room and not having loud sex with her bursting into the room immediately after they finish with Ryan described as literally wiping cum out of his arse with one hand and grabbing her hand with the other.
Also gave me the ick when they have sex for the first time for Ryan after he experienced a brutal sexual assault and he says that he needs to be on top to be in control. It literally goes like this - he is in, one second later Luke flips him over and is on top of him with just a “oh sorry you ok?” This scene made me so cringe so hard that Luke doesn’t respect his request, and this on top of Luke’s early stalking and his obsession with watching Ryan’s previous porn clips and his ex-boyfriends new ones, gave me zero feelings that he actually is in love with Ryan despite him saying it.
There was some good stuff and potential here but ultimately this didn’t leave me good vibes. I can happily overlook most things but the way this relationship was developed made it completely unbelievable for me.
The relationship went from zero to 100 in a very unrealistic way given how messed up Ryan was and how inexperienced Luke was. They go from Ryan disliking Luke to ‘best friends’ overnight and then to boyfriends and love with barely any on page relationship development.
The interactions with Luke’s 8yr old sister felt weird and not what I wanted to read about. I get that the author wanted to portray Luke as the primary caregiver but I felt like they needed to restrain themselves from handjobs in the lounge room and not having loud sex with her bursting into the room immediately after they finish with Ryan described as literally wiping cum out of his arse with one hand and grabbing her hand with the other.
Also gave me the ick when they have sex for the first time for Ryan after he experienced a brutal sexual assault and he says that he needs to be on top to be in control. It literally goes like this - he is in, one second later Luke flips him over and is on top of him with just a “oh sorry you ok?” This scene made me so cringe so hard that Luke doesn’t respect his request, and this on top of Luke’s early stalking and his obsession with watching Ryan’s previous porn clips and his ex-boyfriends new ones, gave me zero feelings that he actually is in love with Ryan despite him saying it.
There was some good stuff and potential here but ultimately this didn’t leave me good vibes. I can happily overlook most things but the way this relationship was developed made it completely unbelievable for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2021
5-fucking-stars
First when I saw all the glowing reviews and 5 stars ratings I was skeptical. No way a book is that good, right?
Well, bet your ass it is.
This book is a brilliant piece of work. I've never read anything for this author, but trust me this was more than a promising start. Luke and Ryan are both two characters who are living an incredibly hard life in a very different way.
Luke is living with his five siblings Emma, Jamie, Aaron, Toby and Olive, working a full-time job while attending college and barely scraping by to support his family after his rich parents got arrested for fraud and embezzlement and now rotting in jail. Luke's family might be poor now, but they were not unhappy because they had each other.
Ryan on the other hand is the definition of hot mess. His fall from grace was different. His boyfriend broke up with him and he bombed is career as a porn star and burned million bridges and faced the scorn of thousands of fans. Ryan drowned in the porn industry, his ego got the better of him, his vanity blinded him, and he lost his way until he had to go back to the UK with his tail tucked behind his legs.
What I loved about this book that it didn't shy away from flaws. At. All. Luke was not pretty, he was described as messy and not really groomed and clumsy in a boyish way. Ryan was also imperfect with his ego and the need for the world to revolve around him and his selfishness. He was also incredibly loving and loyal and vulnerable once he got his head out of his ass he became an incredible character.
I loved this book because the characters were REAL. I loved how it made me feel ok with not being perfect. Weirdly enough I spent the following day feeling so un-self-conscious. I didn't care when my stomach bloated. I ate until I was sated without guilt. I didn't try to fix my hair in the mirror or care when my skin became a little shabby. All tiny details that I haven't realized that consumed my daily life until I read about Luke and saw how fucking comfortable he is with his completely natural self.
I don't know when life turned into a chase to becoming your best instagram self, but it did, and I miss letting my body do what it intended and focus my energy on other stuff like being a better person or learning new things.
So I'm grateful for Luke for making me feel like that. And for Ryan to make me realize that even if you feel your life is a mess and it's the end of the world, the reality is you're a major drama queen and life moves on and becomes better.
This is a bit of a rant, but i want to come back here and remember what this book made me feel because it was incredibly beautiful. I can't wait for more.
First when I saw all the glowing reviews and 5 stars ratings I was skeptical. No way a book is that good, right?
Well, bet your ass it is.
This book is a brilliant piece of work. I've never read anything for this author, but trust me this was more than a promising start. Luke and Ryan are both two characters who are living an incredibly hard life in a very different way.
Luke is living with his five siblings Emma, Jamie, Aaron, Toby and Olive, working a full-time job while attending college and barely scraping by to support his family after his rich parents got arrested for fraud and embezzlement and now rotting in jail. Luke's family might be poor now, but they were not unhappy because they had each other.
Ryan on the other hand is the definition of hot mess. His fall from grace was different. His boyfriend broke up with him and he bombed is career as a porn star and burned million bridges and faced the scorn of thousands of fans. Ryan drowned in the porn industry, his ego got the better of him, his vanity blinded him, and he lost his way until he had to go back to the UK with his tail tucked behind his legs.
What I loved about this book that it didn't shy away from flaws. At. All. Luke was not pretty, he was described as messy and not really groomed and clumsy in a boyish way. Ryan was also imperfect with his ego and the need for the world to revolve around him and his selfishness. He was also incredibly loving and loyal and vulnerable once he got his head out of his ass he became an incredible character.
I loved this book because the characters were REAL. I loved how it made me feel ok with not being perfect. Weirdly enough I spent the following day feeling so un-self-conscious. I didn't care when my stomach bloated. I ate until I was sated without guilt. I didn't try to fix my hair in the mirror or care when my skin became a little shabby. All tiny details that I haven't realized that consumed my daily life until I read about Luke and saw how fucking comfortable he is with his completely natural self.
I don't know when life turned into a chase to becoming your best instagram self, but it did, and I miss letting my body do what it intended and focus my energy on other stuff like being a better person or learning new things.
So I'm grateful for Luke for making me feel like that. And for Ryan to make me realize that even if you feel your life is a mess and it's the end of the world, the reality is you're a major drama queen and life moves on and becomes better.
This is a bit of a rant, but i want to come back here and remember what this book made me feel because it was incredibly beautiful. I can't wait for more.
May 19, 2021
Love is messy and perfectly imperfect
Luke and Ryan both have complicated pasts and it takes awhile for them to migrate towards one another but when they do, sweetness ensues.
The jump from tentative friends to boyfriends in love was a swift transition.
I’m still iffy on that part BUT in true Sophia fashion she makes me love their love.
Luke and Ryan go through a lot in this book. Both trying to heal from their pasts. They make it to the other side with love and laughter. The HEA is perfectly them.
Luke and Ryan both have complicated pasts and it takes awhile for them to migrate towards one another but when they do, sweetness ensues.
The jump from tentative friends to boyfriends in love was a swift transition.
I’m still iffy on that part BUT in true Sophia fashion she makes me love their love.
Luke and Ryan go through a lot in this book. Both trying to heal from their pasts. They make it to the other side with love and laughter. The HEA is perfectly them.
June 4, 2021
My only issue with this book was that all the important stuff seemed to happen out of the blue. The progression from "you annoy me" to "lets be friends" to "I love you" happened just like that.
But in the end, I always rate a book based on my enjoyment and I really, really enjoyed this one. The writing was right up my alley and there were a lot of feels. The characters were imperfectly awesome and I appreciate that. I'm planning on reading the rest of the series too.
But in the end, I always rate a book based on my enjoyment and I really, really enjoyed this one. The writing was right up my alley and there were a lot of feels. The characters were imperfectly awesome and I appreciate that. I'm planning on reading the rest of the series too.
May 23, 2021
Ryan is 23, left with a broken relationship with his boyfriend Henry, and heartbroken.
He neglected the signs. Now he tries to pick up the pieces and that isn’t an easy task. He had a job as a rising porn star, a busy social media life and it’s addictive, he fucked that up too. Now he’s back at his moms' house, from New York back to London, back to college, and his head in a dark place.
Luke is a survivor, coming from money, dirty money and now broke, living together with his siblings. He’s doing great at college, he even got some friends. Except for the haughty guy who ignores him even when Luke tries to involve him.
Ryan doesn’t interact at college. There is some annoying guy who constantly invades his personal space, there is nothing likable about him, ugh.
Life has plans for Ryan even though he had dug a deep hole for himself, he scrambled up. Connecting with Luke was the best thing he ever did.
Both have a closet full of skeletons,
“I’ve never met anyone more messed up than me.”
Luke is determined to help Ryan’s life on the rails. Ryan has no one else, and Luke is already a survivor. But knowing Luke’s story Ryan feels compassion towards him.
Here they are, both traumatized and trying to make the best of life. They craved the same things. Bow to them.
What a beautiful story, heartfelt, with a bunch of amazing people Oh my heart, I love them!
Wonderfully written, with the best characters portrayed. Extraordinary circumstances made this an exceptional story!
I love people who are perfectly imperfect, who are real or getting there.
He neglected the signs. Now he tries to pick up the pieces and that isn’t an easy task. He had a job as a rising porn star, a busy social media life and it’s addictive, he fucked that up too. Now he’s back at his moms' house, from New York back to London, back to college, and his head in a dark place.
Luke is a survivor, coming from money, dirty money and now broke, living together with his siblings. He’s doing great at college, he even got some friends. Except for the haughty guy who ignores him even when Luke tries to involve him.
Ryan doesn’t interact at college. There is some annoying guy who constantly invades his personal space, there is nothing likable about him, ugh.
Life has plans for Ryan even though he had dug a deep hole for himself, he scrambled up. Connecting with Luke was the best thing he ever did.
Both have a closet full of skeletons,
“I’ve never met anyone more messed up than me.”
Luke is determined to help Ryan’s life on the rails. Ryan has no one else, and Luke is already a survivor. But knowing Luke’s story Ryan feels compassion towards him.
Here they are, both traumatized and trying to make the best of life. They craved the same things. Bow to them.
What a beautiful story, heartfelt, with a bunch of amazing people Oh my heart, I love them!
Wonderfully written, with the best characters portrayed. Extraordinary circumstances made this an exceptional story!
I love people who are perfectly imperfect, who are real or getting there.
May 22, 2021
Breathe is a fabulous romance by Sophia Soames. The first book in the London Love series, everything about it is emotional and all consuming.
Ryan and Luke's story is a tender, hurt/comfort read. Both are so damn broken and unsure of their futures. Their pasts are vastly different, yet equally damaging.
Ryan's back home in London, after separating from his ex. After a career in porn, and his open relationship, he's trying to find his way.
As for Luke, his background is heart breaking. He had to grow up way too fast, helping to raise his siblings, after his parents left them in a bad way.
I love the way both are from the start. Both make the other feel safe. Both are intrigued by the other, without expectations. It's very sweet.
I enjoy their journey from strangers to friends to more. It's all tastefully done and I absolutely love the sexual awakening aspect.
Everything about their journey is emotional and realistic. I love the flaws in each man, as well as the mistakes they've made. I enjoy the strength of each and the way they overcome all their obstacles.
They make for a beautiful couple and I am left feeling honored to have read their story.
The writing style is wonderful, making the reader feel completely relaxed and entertained. Written in alternating first person pov, both men are fully explored.
Breathe is a great, mesmerizing story. This is classic Sophia Soames, as she will make you think, feel, and fall in love. Her writing style is unique and easy to become mesmerized by. It's hard to explain how much I enjoy her writing, so I will just say it that way. I love her writing and the depth of her stories.
Ryan and Luke's story is a tender, hurt/comfort read. Both are so damn broken and unsure of their futures. Their pasts are vastly different, yet equally damaging.
Ryan's back home in London, after separating from his ex. After a career in porn, and his open relationship, he's trying to find his way.
As for Luke, his background is heart breaking. He had to grow up way too fast, helping to raise his siblings, after his parents left them in a bad way.
I love the way both are from the start. Both make the other feel safe. Both are intrigued by the other, without expectations. It's very sweet.
I enjoy their journey from strangers to friends to more. It's all tastefully done and I absolutely love the sexual awakening aspect.
Everything about their journey is emotional and realistic. I love the flaws in each man, as well as the mistakes they've made. I enjoy the strength of each and the way they overcome all their obstacles.
They make for a beautiful couple and I am left feeling honored to have read their story.
The writing style is wonderful, making the reader feel completely relaxed and entertained. Written in alternating first person pov, both men are fully explored.
Breathe is a great, mesmerizing story. This is classic Sophia Soames, as she will make you think, feel, and fall in love. Her writing style is unique and easy to become mesmerized by. It's hard to explain how much I enjoy her writing, so I will just say it that way. I love her writing and the depth of her stories.
February 1, 2025
Rock bottom bottom
builds back with family boy.
Grownup sex is good.
So much of this book is so hard. Luke is so awkward (he'd be less awkward if he wasn't so self-aware, I think) and Ryan is so depressed at the beginning and it definitely takes some time for them to move past that and for their friendship and then romance to develop. I thought it was really masterful the way Soames gave us Ryan's story--Luke wasn't as bad as he thought he was, and I assumed that whatever Joey Hole had done it wasn't going to be that bad either. It was worse. I was impressed with the way that unfolded as well as hard it was for Ryan to move past from that. And there were so many good scenes--with Luke but also Dr. Moussa--as he came to terms with who he could be.
I think the real star of the story is the family, of course. Ryan's mum (and to a lesser extent his dad and Helene) is such a delight and so real. And though his brothers (and their lovers) blur together a bit, Luke's crowded household felt equally true. Soames captured the complexity of his despair and his joy at being their provider. And if anyone deserved the happy ending of hot boyfriend, a fuck off to his parents, and a steady job he enjoyed, it was certainly Luke.
Excellent depiction of the shame and pride that marks sex work.
builds back with family boy.
Grownup sex is good.
So much of this book is so hard. Luke is so awkward (he'd be less awkward if he wasn't so self-aware, I think) and Ryan is so depressed at the beginning and it definitely takes some time for them to move past that and for their friendship and then romance to develop. I thought it was really masterful the way Soames gave us Ryan's story--Luke wasn't as bad as he thought he was, and I assumed that whatever Joey Hole had done it wasn't going to be that bad either. It was worse. I was impressed with the way that unfolded as well as hard it was for Ryan to move past from that. And there were so many good scenes--with Luke but also Dr. Moussa--as he came to terms with who he could be.
I think the real star of the story is the family, of course. Ryan's mum (and to a lesser extent his dad and Helene) is such a delight and so real. And though his brothers (and their lovers) blur together a bit, Luke's crowded household felt equally true. Soames captured the complexity of his despair and his joy at being their provider. And if anyone deserved the happy ending of hot boyfriend, a fuck off to his parents, and a steady job he enjoyed, it was certainly Luke.
Excellent depiction of the shame and pride that marks sex work.
May 26, 2021
What a beautiful, emotional, complex story! Luke and Ryan are both a mess, Ryan mostly one of his making, Luke one passed on by his parents' actions. They are angry, sad, often overwhelmed and in no state or frame of mind to see a decent present, let alone a future. It's weird and also sweet to see how they alternate between being cocky and closing themselves off like prickly hedgehogs, and in the beginning these sort of opening trials are always wrong-timed: when one opens up, the other closes off. But then they sort of find a rhythm, helped by Luke's amazing bunch of siblings, a group of meddling fellow students and Ryan's crazy mum.
They are still far from perfect, but they are perfect together...
Sophia Soames' writing has a sort of calming effect on my nerves, and her stories flow slowly but steadily like a calm river and this book is so beautiful, I highly recommend it!
They are still far from perfect, but they are perfect together...
Sophia Soames' writing has a sort of calming effect on my nerves, and her stories flow slowly but steadily like a calm river and this book is so beautiful, I highly recommend it!
May 27, 2021
Messy beginning, wonderful second half
It was hard for me to get into the story in the beginning: Ryan was too self absorbed and I didn't particularly liked him, it also felt a bit crowded with too many secondary characters. It all changed for me around 40% mark when the two become more than friends and we learn what really happened to Ryan. At this point I got completely engaged into the story, I cried and smiled and fall for both Ryan and Luke and their imperfections. I loved character and relationships development and how being together made them better and happy. The story was sweet and real and I adored both epilogues. Looking forward to more books from this series.
It was hard for me to get into the story in the beginning: Ryan was too self absorbed and I didn't particularly liked him, it also felt a bit crowded with too many secondary characters. It all changed for me around 40% mark when the two become more than friends and we learn what really happened to Ryan. At this point I got completely engaged into the story, I cried and smiled and fall for both Ryan and Luke and their imperfections. I loved character and relationships development and how being together made them better and happy. The story was sweet and real and I adored both epilogues. Looking forward to more books from this series.
October 27, 2024
This felt very Hollyoaks set in London, but in a good way! Both MCs are in their early twenties but they already have the life experience of people much older and it's almost like they don't know how to just be now that they have that option.
I loved Ryan and Luke and their relationship really did feel like two awkward turtles trying to figure out where their lives are going after massive upheavals. They were just the cutest! Ryan's trauma and feeling helpless about the whole situation felt believable, and his struggles with social media addiction and seeking validation from anyone who will give it was interesting, especially because for me social media had only just come into being when I was their age really, so it's never been something I feel is a necessary part of life! Luke has the whole world on his shoulders and you can feel it. As the story progresses you can feel that pressure get heavier, almost suffocating, but then there's a turning point and you can also feel the relief that comes with it. I felt so attached to these two so quickly!
The wider family of Luke were all entertaining to read, and Ryan's mum was so funny - I loved how they had zero boundaries on personal space and information 😂
I also liked how the sexual side of their relationship was handled, because they didn't just rush into anything, they didn't just have a one line conversation about safety and sexual health, and they built up their relationship gradually. They really talk about their fears, Ryan gets medical help after being afraid of what might come of it for the longest time, and mental health is really prioritised. I just absolutely loved them, and I loved how they were each tackling their issues head on even though they were scared and felt like they didn't really know what they were doing.
This was my first read from this author and I'm so glad I saw this book! I love their writing style and their character development and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
I loved Ryan and Luke and their relationship really did feel like two awkward turtles trying to figure out where their lives are going after massive upheavals. They were just the cutest! Ryan's trauma and feeling helpless about the whole situation felt believable, and his struggles with social media addiction and seeking validation from anyone who will give it was interesting, especially because for me social media had only just come into being when I was their age really, so it's never been something I feel is a necessary part of life! Luke has the whole world on his shoulders and you can feel it. As the story progresses you can feel that pressure get heavier, almost suffocating, but then there's a turning point and you can also feel the relief that comes with it. I felt so attached to these two so quickly!
The wider family of Luke were all entertaining to read, and Ryan's mum was so funny - I loved how they had zero boundaries on personal space and information 😂
I also liked how the sexual side of their relationship was handled, because they didn't just rush into anything, they didn't just have a one line conversation about safety and sexual health, and they built up their relationship gradually. They really talk about their fears, Ryan gets medical help after being afraid of what might come of it for the longest time, and mental health is really prioritised. I just absolutely loved them, and I loved how they were each tackling their issues head on even though they were scared and felt like they didn't really know what they were doing.
This was my first read from this author and I'm so glad I saw this book! I love their writing style and their character development and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
October 9, 2021
It's weird to put it this way, but it took me awhile to get the hang of this book. In the beginning, there was lots of information to digest and process in regards to the lives Luke and Ryan used to live. It was almost like each of them were two characters. Luke used to be Lucas. His life used to be completely different before his parents got into trouble. Ryan used to be Joey. His life used to be different too, but came crumbling down on him in spectacular fashion. So I was getting to know two facets of each character and it was A LOT at first.
In all honesty, the first half of this book made me kind of uncomfortable. Some of my discomfort I blame on myself, which I will address in a minute. But most of it was down to poor Luke and his desperate attempts towards friendship. I didn't like how pushy he was at first. I understood he wanted a friend, but Ryan was obviously not interested. I found the constant questions and text messages annoying and it made me embarrassed for him. I just wanted to pull him to the side and tell him to maybe scale it back a bit. I also didn't like that Luke watched Ryan's films and clips. I understood being curious and wanting to see what it was all about, but I couldn't get behind his obsession with it. It was kind of creepy and I was glad when Ryan called him out on it.
Here is where I put blame on myself. In romance novels, I like the characters to find each other attractive. Ryan does not find Luke attractive at first. In fact, he initially considers his looks "bottom of the barrel". From then on, that's how I saw Luke too and I really didn't want to. Then I realized what an asshole that made me. How you perceive a person physically evolves as you get to know them. I know that from experience. And when Ryan had those initial thoughts, he wasn't in a good place in his life and he had an unhealthy relationship with his own appearance. So basically I was faulting this book for being real. And that's what this book was. So fucking real. And I realized that I was a part of this broken system that puts too much emphasis on looks. Ryan's story was a cautionary tale about being in a profession that only values appearance. He had emotional scars from the expectations that had been put on him to look and act perfect. And there I was judging poor Luke for not being perfect. Shame. On. Me.
While this was a love story, it was a lot more than that. It was a story about overcoming adversity and moving forward without running from the things that hurt you. It was about making the most out of circumstances that you would never have chosen for yourself. It was about family and acceptance and support. So while it may have made me feel awkward in the beginning, I'm glad I kept reading because the HEA at the end felt truly happy.
Also, Ryan's mom was so awesome. I'd love to be even a fraction of how cool she was.
In all honesty, the first half of this book made me kind of uncomfortable. Some of my discomfort I blame on myself, which I will address in a minute. But most of it was down to poor Luke and his desperate attempts towards friendship. I didn't like how pushy he was at first. I understood he wanted a friend, but Ryan was obviously not interested. I found the constant questions and text messages annoying and it made me embarrassed for him. I just wanted to pull him to the side and tell him to maybe scale it back a bit. I also didn't like that Luke watched Ryan's films and clips. I understood being curious and wanting to see what it was all about, but I couldn't get behind his obsession with it. It was kind of creepy and I was glad when Ryan called him out on it.
Here is where I put blame on myself. In romance novels, I like the characters to find each other attractive. Ryan does not find Luke attractive at first. In fact, he initially considers his looks "bottom of the barrel". From then on, that's how I saw Luke too and I really didn't want to. Then I realized what an asshole that made me. How you perceive a person physically evolves as you get to know them. I know that from experience. And when Ryan had those initial thoughts, he wasn't in a good place in his life and he had an unhealthy relationship with his own appearance. So basically I was faulting this book for being real. And that's what this book was. So fucking real. And I realized that I was a part of this broken system that puts too much emphasis on looks. Ryan's story was a cautionary tale about being in a profession that only values appearance. He had emotional scars from the expectations that had been put on him to look and act perfect. And there I was judging poor Luke for not being perfect. Shame. On. Me.
While this was a love story, it was a lot more than that. It was a story about overcoming adversity and moving forward without running from the things that hurt you. It was about making the most out of circumstances that you would never have chosen for yourself. It was about family and acceptance and support. So while it may have made me feel awkward in the beginning, I'm glad I kept reading because the HEA at the end felt truly happy.
Also, Ryan's mom was so awesome. I'd love to be even a fraction of how cool she was.
May 17, 2021
Emotional rollercoaster of a read, but so good
One thing I enjoy about this lady's books is that the characters are never perfect, and in this one both MCs are not only flawed, but have massive problems to overcome.
Both Ryan and Luke are trying to recover from their respective traumas, they are attempting to find their way, but neither are finding it easy. Their story is heartbreaking, yet perfect, all at the same time. The two characters meet and initially clash, however, they strike up an unlikely friendship - which eventually becomes both heart-warming and real.
Ms Soames shows us how, with their interactions over a period of time, their relationship progresses and how the dramas unfold which will shape their lives. It was a bittersweet read at times, however, their drama kept urging me to read more.
As with many of this lady's stories it is a rollercoaster of emotions - there are many highs and lows, but the overwhelming feelings that you experience from following their journey, are more than worth your time.
The plot was interesting, I loved how the author wove the story together. Told from both perspectives no emotion is left untouched and I loved Ryan and Luke together.
One thing I enjoy about this lady's books is that the characters are never perfect, and in this one both MCs are not only flawed, but have massive problems to overcome.
Both Ryan and Luke are trying to recover from their respective traumas, they are attempting to find their way, but neither are finding it easy. Their story is heartbreaking, yet perfect, all at the same time. The two characters meet and initially clash, however, they strike up an unlikely friendship - which eventually becomes both heart-warming and real.
Ms Soames shows us how, with their interactions over a period of time, their relationship progresses and how the dramas unfold which will shape their lives. It was a bittersweet read at times, however, their drama kept urging me to read more.
As with many of this lady's stories it is a rollercoaster of emotions - there are many highs and lows, but the overwhelming feelings that you experience from following their journey, are more than worth your time.
The plot was interesting, I loved how the author wove the story together. Told from both perspectives no emotion is left untouched and I loved Ryan and Luke together.
May 28, 2021
This is the first story I’ve read by this author but if this is her normal, I’ll definitely have her on my watch list. There is so much emotion. The characters are so real. The secondary characters add so much to this reality. The flow of the story seems perfect. The story was hard to set down. I now have to check out her previous stories.
September 13, 2024
I've seen this author's books recommended by many trusted GR friends, so maybe I just chose the wrong one to start with. I liked the idea of the story, but this missed the mark for me in the relationship development and character growth. The way the relationship just spontaneously happened after Ryan was so dismissive of Luke and his looks didn't do it for me. Lots of repetition and strange conversations, along with moments that should have really tugged at my cold heart but didn't. I enjoyed Luke's family and the drama inherent in it, but it wasn't enough to save the story for me. I almost stopped reading about a quarter of the way through, but I did want to see how things went.
Not sure if this author is for me. If you have a better suggestion for one of their books, please let me hear it.
Not sure if this author is for me. If you have a better suggestion for one of their books, please let me hear it.
June 19, 2021
At times charming, and others frustrating. I did enjoy this, but I don’t think it flowed well. A lot of jumping of time, and telling not showing. I wasn’t 100% convinced of their turn around from not-even-friends to I-like-you-so-much, and that’s what ultimately has me rounding down.
The best part of the story was the self-awareness of personal lacking. Made for some amusing observations.
I’d lied to myself, thinking we could be friends because I realised I was not worldly at all, sitting here choking on coffee-flavoured crunchy chocolates. I was a dumb kid, and the man in front of me was an idiot.
Overall, it was a good read to pass the time if you don’t scrutinize too much.
The best part of the story was the self-awareness of personal lacking. Made for some amusing observations.
I’d lied to myself, thinking we could be friends because I realised I was not worldly at all, sitting here choking on coffee-flavoured crunchy chocolates. I was a dumb kid, and the man in front of me was an idiot.
Overall, it was a good read to pass the time if you don’t scrutinize too much.
March 19, 2023
This book was amazing!
Raw and emotional. This book is kind of a coming of age story with two broken boys that life has not been kind to, finding each other and making each other better people. Big cast of characters, great use of social media, all the feels…loved it.
Raw and emotional. This book is kind of a coming of age story with two broken boys that life has not been kind to, finding each other and making each other better people. Big cast of characters, great use of social media, all the feels…loved it.
dnf
May 21, 2021It’s weird. I like the story and that it’s not at all predictable where it’s going to go, but…eh. If the story had been entirely from Ryan’s POV, I could probably go along with it, but Luke’s story with his 5 siblings is too hectic and reminds me too much of the TV show Shameless. I liked the show when I used to watch it, but that dynamic is too stressful to read about on the page.
I also think this book doesn’t work for me because I’m not a fan of the writing style? It’s very exhausting to read. This is a new-to-me author and it seems like a lot of people are fans of her work, but I’m just sitting here reading this, like, I don’t get it.
I didn’t realize this was a book set in college with college students and all, and I’m just not in the mood to read any of that either. I thought this story was maybe about one college student based on the blurb, and was going to take place outside of it.
All-in-all, this book just isn’t for me. DNF @ 15%.
I also think this book doesn’t work for me because I’m not a fan of the writing style? It’s very exhausting to read. This is a new-to-me author and it seems like a lot of people are fans of her work, but I’m just sitting here reading this, like, I don’t get it.
I didn’t realize this was a book set in college with college students and all, and I’m just not in the mood to read any of that either. I thought this story was maybe about one college student based on the blurb, and was going to take place outside of it.
All-in-all, this book just isn’t for me. DNF @ 15%.
May 13, 2021
Steam, romance & alot more: full of emotion & family👨👨👧
4.5🌟 stars
I've read a number of other novels by Soames and this story really stood out and impressed me. It's strong in character development, storyline and emotional hook. The characters work hard for their success and happiness.
The main characters, Ryan/Joe and Lucas, are realistically complex, not always brave, good and unselfish but working at it just the same. Little Olive, Lucas's youngest sibling, is a scene stealer and the whole White family situation makes for tension and drama. And Ryan's interrupted career in adult entertainment, a bad breakup, a truly traumatic bad gig and a lack of direction made him a character with plenty of layers.
The romance builds slowly and eventually gets steamy. I really liked the arc of their love story, with first fascination on Lucas's part and indifference from Ryan, building to friendship and then such closeness.
I definitely felt invested in their story and enjoyed the read. I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
4.5🌟 stars
I've read a number of other novels by Soames and this story really stood out and impressed me. It's strong in character development, storyline and emotional hook. The characters work hard for their success and happiness.
The main characters, Ryan/Joe and Lucas, are realistically complex, not always brave, good and unselfish but working at it just the same. Little Olive, Lucas's youngest sibling, is a scene stealer and the whole White family situation makes for tension and drama. And Ryan's interrupted career in adult entertainment, a bad breakup, a truly traumatic bad gig and a lack of direction made him a character with plenty of layers.
The romance builds slowly and eventually gets steamy. I really liked the arc of their love story, with first fascination on Lucas's part and indifference from Ryan, building to friendship and then such closeness.
I definitely felt invested in their story and enjoyed the read. I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 14, 2021
This book has some amazingly beautiful moments within its pages! This was my first book by this author but it won't be my last. These characters were so lovingly crafted and well written. I laughed with Ryan and Luke and cried during their individual struggles. One thing that made this so lovely was the way they both realized they were so much stronger and better together. During one moment, Ryan realizes that Luke helps him remember to just breathe. Ryan is a former porn star who has basically caused his whole career to implode. He wasn't alone in it but he has demons he has to learn to fight. Luke is struggling to go to college and keep his family of siblings together after his parents destroyed their way of life. They make an unlikely pair but oh so sweet. I love how one of the first things that draws them together and grounds them both is the simple act of holding hands. Their physical relationship moves slowly but they connected in so many ways. Wonderful book and I will definitely be reading the others in this series.
May 16, 2021
Breathe is a terrifically emotional and genuine story that reels you in completely to Ryan and Luke’s life. There is great characterisation, a good plotline, and strong emotional depth. And as always, you feel like you’re going on the journey with the MCs. I went from laughing out loud, to feeling frustration, sadness, and a whole lot of joy. It’s simply a beautiful and well-crafted story with brilliant insights into life, family, and love.
May 27, 2021
I’m not even going to try to sum up this novel— there’s too much and honestly, that’s what blurbs are for, but I will say that everything that happens is overpowering and interesting and impossible to look away from, much like the central romance and all the supporting characters. Something this novel does really well is to make readers feel the weight of the turmoil and angst of everyday life— both Ryan and Luke drown as much in the everyday details as they do in the large catastrophes—because catastrophes are sometimes made of an avalanche of details, to be fair—and it’s exhausting to watch as well as exhilarating to see when they break free from doubt or through into one or two little behaviors or conversations that seem to point to a brighter future. Both Ryan and Luke are complicated, beautiful characters who have plenty of baggage, and your heart will hurt for both of them so many times, but that just makes it better when they start to find their strength: in each other, their families, and themselves. Angst, drama, tension, love, new beginnings, and perfect, imperfect life— this book is a heck of a ride, and well worth a read.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2021
This book was so good and I couldn't put it. It's in typical quirky Sophia style that I adore and love. Both Ryan and Luke were were sweet and likeable characters but both have their struggles. Ryan is a disgraced porn star who has come back to London to lick his wounds after a bad break up. He is feeling very lost and trying to find a new direction in life. Luke struggles with his parents deceit and looking after his siblings. They meet each other at a college and luke feels an instant connection to Ryan. He realises that he isn't as straight as he thought. I loved how innocent Luke is and how vulnerable Ryan is and it such a beautiful and sweet story where they help each other become stronger and go for what you want. I loved all the side characters too.
May 21, 2021
Breathe proved, once again, that Sophia Soames is a wonderfully gifted storyteller. The book offers all the feels, amazing characters, enough drama to make the reader want to reach the protagonists and soothe their sorrows, and a beautiful romance buildup.
I loved Ryan and Luke. They had their own struggles and many complications to overcome. Flawed, hurting, real and craving to be loved. It wasn't an easy journey for either of them and they grew so much during the story, as individuals and as a couple. It made me so happy when they reached balance within themselves and together, and made each other better.
Simply a wonderful story.
I loved Ryan and Luke. They had their own struggles and many complications to overcome. Flawed, hurting, real and craving to be loved. It wasn't an easy journey for either of them and they grew so much during the story, as individuals and as a couple. It made me so happy when they reached balance within themselves and together, and made each other better.
Simply a wonderful story.
May 25, 2021
This was simply fantastic! I felt it was a realistic look at two flawed men trying to get thru life. Their insecurities and difficulties felt so real. I feel in love with Luke and Ryan! Actually all the secondary characters were terrific, especially Ryan’s mom! Extremely well written, highly recommend! Loved everything about it!! I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.
June 7, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up because though I had some minor problems and niggles with the story, ultimately I loved these gentle souls.
One of the things that made me really happy is that while Luke felt like the ugly duckling of the family and in general, he doesn’t get hung up on his or anyone else’s appearance. He owns that he’s quirky and nerdy and socially awkward. Additionally, he continually reassures Ryan who has a TON of hang ups about appearing perfect, that he doesn’t need to wax his entire body or bleach his hole or workout all the time. Luke loves Ryan just the way he is.
Conversely, while Ryan’s initial assessment of Luke’s appearance is critical, he sees Luke’s beauty both inner and outer. Eventually we see that both Luke and Ryan have very positive thoughts about being perfectly imperfect and I really loved that messaging.
One of the things that made me really happy is that while Luke felt like the ugly duckling of the family and in general, he doesn’t get hung up on his or anyone else’s appearance. He owns that he’s quirky and nerdy and socially awkward. Additionally, he continually reassures Ryan who has a TON of hang ups about appearing perfect, that he doesn’t need to wax his entire body or bleach his hole or workout all the time. Luke loves Ryan just the way he is.
Conversely, while Ryan’s initial assessment of Luke’s appearance is critical, he sees Luke’s beauty both inner and outer. Eventually we see that both Luke and Ryan have very positive thoughts about being perfectly imperfect and I really loved that messaging.
May 19, 2021
I really liked Breathe. It started out slow, but after a few chapters it picked up and stayed interesting to the end. I will admit Ryan was a bit awful in the very beginning, but he definitely grew on me and I ended up liking him as much as Luke. I thought Luke’s family added a lot to the story and enjoyed each member. I love stories with siblings stories where one has to show what they are truly made of, and this one was perfect for that. This was a sweet, sexy and fun story without angst, but lots of hurdles. There was a great dynamic between Luke and Ryan and the dialogue really kept the story moving. I definitely recommend this book.
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