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Unforgivable Needs #2
Breaking You Open
Sparrow
He’s the one I need.
When a smoking hot older biker saves me from a miserable night, I know I can call him home. But my dream soon turns into a nightmare when he kicks me out.
Next thing I know, the past I’ve fought to escape comes back to haunt me. But I know where I can take refuge.
If he’ll have me.
Louis
I’m not the one he needs.
And he’s not mine to take.
Too young. Too frail. Too broken.
But he insists he needs me, and who am I to refuse when a cute boy with pouty lips and haunted eyes shows up on my doorstep?
His demons are hot on his heels, and he counts on me for protection. But how can I protect him, if I can’t even protect him from myself?
Breaking You Open is a standalone age-gap MM romance that contains hot, explicit scenes between two men, as well as subject matters some readers might find upsetting. See the Author’s Note for more info.
He’s the one I need.
When a smoking hot older biker saves me from a miserable night, I know I can call him home. But my dream soon turns into a nightmare when he kicks me out.
Next thing I know, the past I’ve fought to escape comes back to haunt me. But I know where I can take refuge.
If he’ll have me.
Louis
I’m not the one he needs.
And he’s not mine to take.
Too young. Too frail. Too broken.
But he insists he needs me, and who am I to refuse when a cute boy with pouty lips and haunted eyes shows up on my doorstep?
His demons are hot on his heels, and he counts on me for protection. But how can I protect him, if I can’t even protect him from myself?
Breaking You Open is a standalone age-gap MM romance that contains hot, explicit scenes between two men, as well as subject matters some readers might find upsetting. See the Author’s Note for more info.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2025
97 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Ally Avery
6 books124 followersAlly found her love for reading and writing at a young age. MM romance in particular has been part of her life since her first exposure to late-2000s Shounen Ai.
She likes to write about fierce, damaged boys who need a lot of love, and she doesn’t shy away from dark and taboo topics that some readers might find disturbing.
She likes to write about fierce, damaged boys who need a lot of love, and she doesn’t shy away from dark and taboo topics that some readers might find disturbing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Sam (Sparrow) + Louis 🖤
Biker/College student | Age gap | Good Boy | Protector
This book has the best and hottest revenge scene on an ex that I've ever read. And the epilogue was so adorable.
....
"Louis?"
"Yeah, baby boy?"
"Tell me I'm good. Tell me I'm yours."
"You're such a good boy. My good boy. Mine."
"I'm give you what you want, always. My needy boy. My needy, beautiful boy."
"He's too beautiful to be real--too beautiful to be mine--but I'm starting to believe in the beautiful parts of life."
....
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes and trigger warnings
Tropes:
Outlaw biker
College student
Age gap
Size difference
Hurt comfort
Jealousy/possessiveness
Mine
Revenge
Good boy
Protector
Baby boy
Sweet boy
Daddy/boy vibes (though Sparrow does not call Louis daddy)
"I didn't know where else to go"
Louis teaches Sam about consent and that he can say no
Cock warming
Strict roles
Exhibitionism
TWs:
Multiple rapes of MC (by a side character)
Coercion from an ex
Stalking from an ex
Torture
Violence
Abusive ex
Abusive guardian
Abusive parent
Trauma
Ptsd
Forced vouyerism
Sam (Sparrow) + Louis 🖤
Biker/College student | Age gap | Good Boy | Protector
This book has the best and hottest revenge scene on an ex that I've ever read. And the epilogue was so adorable.
....
"Louis?"
"Yeah, baby boy?"
"Tell me I'm good. Tell me I'm yours."
"You're such a good boy. My good boy. Mine."
"I'm give you what you want, always. My needy boy. My needy, beautiful boy."
"He's too beautiful to be real--too beautiful to be mine--but I'm starting to believe in the beautiful parts of life."
....
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes and trigger warnings
Tropes:
Outlaw biker
College student
Age gap
Size difference
Hurt comfort
Jealousy/possessiveness
Mine
Revenge
Good boy
Protector
Baby boy
Sweet boy
Daddy/boy vibes (though Sparrow does not call Louis daddy)
"I didn't know where else to go"
Louis teaches Sam about consent and that he can say no
Cock warming
Strict roles
Exhibitionism
TWs:
Multiple rapes of MC (by a side character)
Coercion from an ex
Stalking from an ex
Torture
Violence
Abusive ex
Abusive guardian
Abusive parent
Trauma
Ptsd
Forced vouyerism
March 25, 2025
I was wishing for more but this disappointed me. I couldn’t really feel the connection between the two mcs. One of them, Sam/Sparrow forced himself into Louis’s life and being dependent on him most of the time. Louis on the other hand, wasn’t perfect but he did what he could to attend to someone like Sparrow. I’m honestly not impressed with the way Sparrow confronted Louis about what he did in the past. I mean, he wouldn’t even let Louis talk or defend himself, and hadn’t he seen enough what kind of a guy Louis was? If I was Louis, I would be so pissed and seeing him blaming himself made it even worse. I’m not justifying Louis actions because he did physically put his hands on his ex and Sparrow but then we learned about what happened with the ex and Sparrow may have bruised arm from how hard Louis hold him, I just wished he had given Louis that much respect when he asked to talk to Sparrow privately, not airing their problem and embarrassing him in front of other people.
Then not Sparrow running back to Louis when he got attacked by the crazy ex. Throughout the book it’s like he never learned anything to grow up and ended up with very little character development. And if there’s any character development at all, it’s off page and just told in words. Just to make him having a personality at least, the author suddenly made Sparrow became “unhinged” with murder and violence just to match Louis.
Anyway, I’m just glad that AH Aaron finally got what he deserved at the end. Being a foster kid does not give you the right to be doing all these horrible things to another kid.
Besides all those points, I did enjoy the spice and the praise kink in this book was on point.
Then not Sparrow running back to Louis when he got attacked by the crazy ex. Throughout the book it’s like he never learned anything to grow up and ended up with very little character development. And if there’s any character development at all, it’s off page and just told in words. Just to make him having a personality at least, the author suddenly made Sparrow became “unhinged” with murder and violence just to match Louis.
Anyway, I’m just glad that AH Aaron finally got what he deserved at the end. Being a foster kid does not give you the right to be doing all these horrible things to another kid.
Besides all those points, I did enjoy the spice and the praise kink in this book was on point.
January 11, 2026
This book got pretty dark, but I actually really enjoyed it. It was nice to see that karma really does come for those who do wrong. Plus, the romance between the MCs was really cute. I love an age gap and size difference, and how protective the older one can be. I thought the ending was really cute. Especially since the younger twinky one ends up being the one to propose, that never happens, lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2026
Good
I liked these two. Their dynamic was great.
Sweet hurt comfort
Two opposites attract finding love in eachother
Loved the found family two
Great book
I liked these two. Their dynamic was great.
Sweet hurt comfort
Two opposites attract finding love in eachother
Loved the found family two
Great book
July 28, 2025
I enjoyed reading this story. It was somehow light and yet heavy at the same time! I was impressed by how Sam shows so much trust in other people despite his past. Sometimes it almost bordered on naivety, but that could also be explained by his story, which was so touching and sad 😢! In the end, I thought it was so beautiful to see how he was able to give himself completely to Louis. And Louis, who doesn't trust himself but has a great protective instinct towards Sam right from the start. The way he took care of him really gets to you. I liked the tenderness between the two of them just as much as the 🌶️ scenes! I also found the biker gang setting very interesting and it added variety to the story for me. I'm already really looking forward to the next book in this series and will get started right away 🥰❤️!
June 15, 2025
Sparrow is a character who hurts. You feel every tremble, every plea for love in the silence between his words. He’s soft, shy, and so deeply broken that watching him try to find safety again is like witnessing someone try to stitch themselves back together with trembling fingers.
And Louis? That man is grit and gravel. A gruff biker with a storm behind his eyes, he's the last person who should’ve touched someone so fragile, but somehow, he's the only one who could. Their dynamic is messy, morally gray, and raw in a way that makes your heart ache.
The age gap is handled with care and complexity, and the emotional build between these two is what kept me glued to every page. It's not about perfect healing, it's about survival, connection, and the jagged beauty of trying.
This story is heavy and it hurts. But it’s also tender in places I never expected. It’ll sit inside your chest long after you turn the last page.
And Louis? That man is grit and gravel. A gruff biker with a storm behind his eyes, he's the last person who should’ve touched someone so fragile, but somehow, he's the only one who could. Their dynamic is messy, morally gray, and raw in a way that makes your heart ache.
The age gap is handled with care and complexity, and the emotional build between these two is what kept me glued to every page. It's not about perfect healing, it's about survival, connection, and the jagged beauty of trying.
This story is heavy and it hurts. But it’s also tender in places I never expected. It’ll sit inside your chest long after you turn the last page.
March 18, 2025
Oh my god, what a ride. This book kept surprising me even until the end, in a good way. The blurb caught my eye immediately, even more when I saw that the dynamic had a big age gap and that both MCs had a troubled past, and the story delivered on everything it intented.
The story is about Sparrow, a guy who's escaping from his controlling ex and wants a different life. He goes to a party one night with a friend, where he's tricked by a guy and is almost attacked, until Louis, the party guard, sees the scene and saves him from danger. Sparrow becomes infactuated with the much older man, and won't give up that easily until the man accepts that he likes him too. Louis tries his best to keep him away, until the mutual attraction is inevitable.
The plot is really intriguing as it starts with a glimpse of Sparrow's past, and then gets to the present where the story will later tell how it got until the point where Sparrow felt that he needed to get out from the situation he was in. It gets the reader engaged since minute one and the only reason that I didn't finished it all in one day was because I really liked the characters and wanted the book to last longer.
Speaking of the characters, I thought both MCs were intriguing on their own. Sparrow is a young guy who's been through a lot and is naive and very needy (one of my favorite types of MCs), a little broken but still resiliant; while Louis has his own demons about a past relationship and he doesn't commit the same mistake with Sparrow. There is also the fact that their age gap is big, something that is acknowledged and it becomes one of the main obstacles: Sparrow not caring about their differences vs Louis trying to be the bigger adult.
Another thing I really enjoyed was that the chemistry was out of the roof. If I'm honest, I usually like a slower development between the couple, which is the contrary to what happened here, but the couple had my interest since the beginning. While there is a mutual instant attraction and their dynamic being based on lust at first, it does progress into something else the more time they spend together. I think this works because the narrative is concious that they're going fast and they've barely known each other for a little time, but the attraction is so strong that they can't keep their hands off each other. This is what gives them more credibility and sense, considering how each MC's backstory and personality makes them fit so well together, no matter that they aren't exactly the healthiest couple.
I found fascinating how both main characters were broken in their own way, but each had something to give that the other needed in order to soothe them. The story also does a good job at pointing out the fact that Sparrrow gets attached to others that show him a bit of kindness, hence it's one of the reasons he got so hung up on Louis. I didn't want the plot to go down the morally correct way about that, because sometimes all I want is a little bit of unhealthiness in a couple, and these two were exactly that. A bit of freak4freak, especially after that revenge scene, I don't think I've ever read anything like that, but it was hot and freaky and deserved. And lastly, speaking about freaky stuff, the sex scenes were awesome, they had almost every single kink from my personal checklist.
The only thing that I would've wanted was a few more pages so that the relationship had a bit more room to breathe and make it feel more real during the first half instead of an infactuation for someone that a person just met, and to bring more of spotlight to Louis' backstory. I thought the book going deeper about that reveal would've been the cherry on top, because it felt like a whiplash and made me go "yikes". I was still into the couple though, since I enjoy fucked up characters and dynamics lol.
Overall, this was an amazing ride with a very intriguing premise, it's perfect for anyone looking for a very possessive love interest, a needy MC who falls for an older man that shows him kindness after going without it for so long, a story that explores the effects of past abuse and neglect, as well as a freaky but well deserved revenge and an adorable HEA.
-This was an ARC review.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: first person
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Kinks:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
The story is about Sparrow, a guy who's escaping from his controlling ex and wants a different life. He goes to a party one night with a friend, where he's tricked by a guy and is almost attacked, until Louis, the party guard, sees the scene and saves him from danger. Sparrow becomes infactuated with the much older man, and won't give up that easily until the man accepts that he likes him too. Louis tries his best to keep him away, until the mutual attraction is inevitable.
The plot is really intriguing as it starts with a glimpse of Sparrow's past, and then gets to the present where the story will later tell how it got until the point where Sparrow felt that he needed to get out from the situation he was in. It gets the reader engaged since minute one and the only reason that I didn't finished it all in one day was because I really liked the characters and wanted the book to last longer.
Speaking of the characters, I thought both MCs were intriguing on their own. Sparrow is a young guy who's been through a lot and is naive and very needy (one of my favorite types of MCs), a little broken but still resiliant; while Louis has his own demons about a past relationship and he doesn't commit the same mistake with Sparrow. There is also the fact that their age gap is big, something that is acknowledged and it becomes one of the main obstacles: Sparrow not caring about their differences vs Louis trying to be the bigger adult.
Another thing I really enjoyed was that the chemistry was out of the roof. If I'm honest, I usually like a slower development between the couple, which is the contrary to what happened here, but the couple had my interest since the beginning. While there is a mutual instant attraction and their dynamic being based on lust at first, it does progress into something else the more time they spend together. I think this works because the narrative is concious that they're going fast and they've barely known each other for a little time, but the attraction is so strong that they can't keep their hands off each other. This is what gives them more credibility and sense, considering how each MC's backstory and personality makes them fit so well together, no matter that they aren't exactly the healthiest couple.
I found fascinating how both main characters were broken in their own way, but each had something to give that the other needed in order to soothe them. The story also does a good job at pointing out the fact that Sparrrow gets attached to others that show him a bit of kindness, hence it's one of the reasons he got so hung up on Louis. I didn't want the plot to go down the morally correct way about that, because sometimes all I want is a little bit of unhealthiness in a couple, and these two were exactly that. A bit of freak4freak, especially after that revenge scene, I don't think I've ever read anything like that, but it was hot and freaky and deserved. And lastly, speaking about freaky stuff, the sex scenes were awesome, they had almost every single kink from my personal checklist.
The only thing that I would've wanted was a few more pages so that the relationship had a bit more room to breathe and make it feel more real during the first half instead of an infactuation for someone that a person just met, and to bring more of spotlight to Louis' backstory. I thought the book going deeper about that reveal would've been the cherry on top, because it felt like a whiplash and made me go "yikes". I was still into the couple though, since I enjoy fucked up characters and dynamics lol.
Overall, this was an amazing ride with a very intriguing premise, it's perfect for anyone looking for a very possessive love interest, a needy MC who falls for an older man that shows him kindness after going without it for so long, a story that explores the effects of past abuse and neglect, as well as a freaky but well deserved revenge and an adorable HEA.
-This was an ARC review.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: first person
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Kinks:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
March 17, 2025
3.75⭐️ 2.5🌶️
Age Gap
Size Difference
Hurt/ Comfort
Grumpy/ Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Sparrow and Louis are both broken men, in their own ways, due to their pasts. I think this is partially why they end up with each other. I enjoyed seeing Sparrow grow throughout the book and come into his own. Louis is just a softie at heart, especially for Sparrow. This book does cover more emotionally heavy
Age Gap
Size Difference
Hurt/ Comfort
Grumpy/ Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Sparrow and Louis are both broken men, in their own ways, due to their pasts. I think this is partially why they end up with each other. I enjoyed seeing Sparrow grow throughout the book and come into his own. Louis is just a softie at heart, especially for Sparrow. This book does cover more emotionally heavy
March 7, 2025
I got this as an ARC read and this is my review.
Ally! I loved this honestly. You could really feel the raw emotions from both characters and how beautiful they intertwined together. I couldn’t put it down and got misty eyed a few times too. Can’t wait for what’s next from you.
4.5 ⭐️
4 🌶️
🖤
Ally! I loved this honestly. You could really feel the raw emotions from both characters and how beautiful they intertwined together. I couldn’t put it down and got misty eyed a few times too. Can’t wait for what’s next from you.
4.5 ⭐️
4 🌶️
🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 🌟
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Characters: Sparrow and Louis
Full RTC closer to release.
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Characters: Sparrow and Louis
Full RTC closer to release.
August 9, 2025
would've been a 4 ⭐ but towards the end it went off the rails in a way that wasn't cathartic, but second-hand embarrassing and a bit cringy
April 4, 2025
I throughly enjoyed this book. It was such an amazing and engaging read. It had me thinking and crying and just looking deep into my soul. I think I stared off into nothing for hours after. It was absolutely phenomenal.
Sparrow spoke to my soul , he was in this big wide world where all people ever did was put him down over and over. Just never really being able to stand up. He just felt so small and unwanted. I felt my heart breaking for him through his whole journey from childhood into young adulthood. Until he meets Louis who’s just so angry and loud at the world. They were completely different yet so much the same. Their souls were just fighting their way through the universe to find each other. Their pain and broken hearts were just in sync. It just took poor Louis the big bad biker a bit to catch up and let down those giant walls of his. I could sympathize with him though and understand that he could just see that Sparrow was just so small and broken that he didn’t want to hurt him. But gosh darn him Sparrow knew what he wanted. He never deviated from that not once. No matter how many times his feelings got hurt.
Now Louis was a very over protective sexy tall giant of a man. I was fanning myself, oh my lord. Geez the way he wanted no one to even have eyes on Sparrow, I was laughing so hard. And this was while he was still in denial, like my goodness dude how blind can possibly be to not see that you are so clearly madly in love ?! Sparrow was a feisty little thing. I absolutely adored him. He became his own knight in shining armor in the end. He absolutely deserved that win. He cowered so long in the dark. He finally got to glow in the sunshine.
Sparrow spoke to my soul , he was in this big wide world where all people ever did was put him down over and over. Just never really being able to stand up. He just felt so small and unwanted. I felt my heart breaking for him through his whole journey from childhood into young adulthood. Until he meets Louis who’s just so angry and loud at the world. They were completely different yet so much the same. Their souls were just fighting their way through the universe to find each other. Their pain and broken hearts were just in sync. It just took poor Louis the big bad biker a bit to catch up and let down those giant walls of his. I could sympathize with him though and understand that he could just see that Sparrow was just so small and broken that he didn’t want to hurt him. But gosh darn him Sparrow knew what he wanted. He never deviated from that not once. No matter how many times his feelings got hurt.
Now Louis was a very over protective sexy tall giant of a man. I was fanning myself, oh my lord. Geez the way he wanted no one to even have eyes on Sparrow, I was laughing so hard. And this was while he was still in denial, like my goodness dude how blind can possibly be to not see that you are so clearly madly in love ?! Sparrow was a feisty little thing. I absolutely adored him. He became his own knight in shining armor in the end. He absolutely deserved that win. He cowered so long in the dark. He finally got to glow in the sunshine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
It’s aptly named. It might break you open too.
This is a very raw book about the effects of SA on a person. It’s not an easy read, but it is worthwhile. My heart hurt for Sparrow and the others in the world that are just like him.
Seeing the MC’s get their HEAs was incredibly satisfying.
Read the triggers/content at the beginning.
This is a very raw book about the effects of SA on a person. It’s not an easy read, but it is worthwhile. My heart hurt for Sparrow and the others in the world that are just like him.
Seeing the MC’s get their HEAs was incredibly satisfying.
Read the triggers/content at the beginning.
May 7, 2025
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Emotion: 2.5 🥹
Spice: 3🌶️
Breaking You Open was a quick read, low angst with moderate spice. I enjoyed the story but it didn’t live up to my expectations after Getting It Twisted
Generally age gap doesn’t bother me, but one thing I am not a fan of is the term boy. I love ‘good boy’ but boy on its own kinda makes me cringe. The author does warn the terms used at the start of the book, so I knew what I was getting into. So this is a me thing and nothing against the author.
Sparrow (Sam) & Louis were both broken in their own ways and their relationship was a little toxic at times. I think the age gap, Sparrows past and his insecurities played into that
Loved seeing Nathan again, he’s got a wicked mouth on him and I didn’t realise how much I missed and liked that until his cameo
I would really love to see a more fleshed out / longer novel in the future. There is so much potential in this series and because of the length of the books I feel like the story is rushed at times
Overall I enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to continuing the series
Emotion: 2.5 🥹
Spice: 3🌶️
Breaking You Open was a quick read, low angst with moderate spice. I enjoyed the story but it didn’t live up to my expectations after Getting It Twisted
Generally age gap doesn’t bother me, but one thing I am not a fan of is the term boy. I love ‘good boy’ but boy on its own kinda makes me cringe. The author does warn the terms used at the start of the book, so I knew what I was getting into. So this is a me thing and nothing against the author.
Sparrow (Sam) & Louis were both broken in their own ways and their relationship was a little toxic at times. I think the age gap, Sparrows past and his insecurities played into that
Loved seeing Nathan again, he’s got a wicked mouth on him and I didn’t realise how much I missed and liked that until his cameo
I would really love to see a more fleshed out / longer novel in the future. There is so much potential in this series and because of the length of the books I feel like the story is rushed at times
Overall I enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to continuing the series
March 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW
If you know me, you know I have a soft spot for broken boys who find solace in each other, and Sparrow and Louis’s story embodies that in the most raw, beautiful way. From the very beginning, I could feel the weight of their pain, the desperation in their connection, and the quiet, aching love that grew between them.
Reading BYO made me realize just how young Sparrow really is, how much of a kid he still is despite the horrors he’s lived through. I could never hate him. He’s messy, impulsive, and reckless, but he’s also a survivor, a boy who has spent his entire life fighting battles he shouldn’t have had to face alone. I know the age gap between him and Louis might not sit well with everyone, but their love isn’t about power or control. It’s about survival, about two souls finding each other in the wreckage and choosing to hold on. Louis isn’t just someone Sparrow loves. He’s the person who teaches him what it means to heal, to be understood, to be truly seen.
One of my favorite parts of this book was Sparrow constantly comparing Louis to Aaron. At first, it’s instinctive. Aaron was the only love he had ever known, the only source of comfort in his broken world. But the more time he spends with Louis, the more he realizes that this is different. Louis doesn’t just offer him safety. He makes him feel like he matters, like he’s worth something more than just the pain of his past. And when Sparrow finally allows himself to believe that, it’s heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.
But what makes this story even more powerful is that Louis needs Sparrow just as much. He’s spent so long believing he has to be the strong one, the protector, the man who carries the weight of everything alone. But Sparrow reminds him that love isn’t just about saving someone. It’s about being saved too. This quote absolutely destroyed me:
“I need to be strong for him, but at the same time, I can’t be strong all the time, and he makes me feel like it’s okay. He makes me feel like everything is okay, the good and the bad and the horrible things I have done. He accepts the ugliest parts of me. He helps me be a better man.”
This book isn’t just a love story. It’s about healing, forgiveness, and finding light in the darkest places. It’s messy, painful, and deeply emotional, but above all, it’s real. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
If you know me, you know I have a soft spot for broken boys who find solace in each other, and Sparrow and Louis’s story embodies that in the most raw, beautiful way. From the very beginning, I could feel the weight of their pain, the desperation in their connection, and the quiet, aching love that grew between them.
Reading BYO made me realize just how young Sparrow really is, how much of a kid he still is despite the horrors he’s lived through. I could never hate him. He’s messy, impulsive, and reckless, but he’s also a survivor, a boy who has spent his entire life fighting battles he shouldn’t have had to face alone. I know the age gap between him and Louis might not sit well with everyone, but their love isn’t about power or control. It’s about survival, about two souls finding each other in the wreckage and choosing to hold on. Louis isn’t just someone Sparrow loves. He’s the person who teaches him what it means to heal, to be understood, to be truly seen.
One of my favorite parts of this book was Sparrow constantly comparing Louis to Aaron. At first, it’s instinctive. Aaron was the only love he had ever known, the only source of comfort in his broken world. But the more time he spends with Louis, the more he realizes that this is different. Louis doesn’t just offer him safety. He makes him feel like he matters, like he’s worth something more than just the pain of his past. And when Sparrow finally allows himself to believe that, it’s heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.
But what makes this story even more powerful is that Louis needs Sparrow just as much. He’s spent so long believing he has to be the strong one, the protector, the man who carries the weight of everything alone. But Sparrow reminds him that love isn’t just about saving someone. It’s about being saved too. This quote absolutely destroyed me:
“I need to be strong for him, but at the same time, I can’t be strong all the time, and he makes me feel like it’s okay. He makes me feel like everything is okay, the good and the bad and the horrible things I have done. He accepts the ugliest parts of me. He helps me be a better man.”
This book isn’t just a love story. It’s about healing, forgiveness, and finding light in the darkest places. It’s messy, painful, and deeply emotional, but above all, it’s real. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
March 12, 2025
I adored book 1 of this series so yes, I had really high expectations for this one.
Apparently Louis has an unresolved "my bad" from 8 yrs ago when he acted in a way that he regrets. Also he's a biker gang "enforcer" so he's a naughty guy. But Sparrow still wants to act shocked when Louis may not fit the knight in shining armor role he assigned him after only knowing him for 5 minutes and asserting that Louis was now his caretaker. So silly.
Overall I wish Louis was more fleshed out. I wish the relationship between Sparrow & Louis was shown not told in a few sentences. I loved Sparrow but couldn't care about Sparrow & Louis because I just never saw their love.
He can bend me over his bike and take from me what he wants, as long as he holds me afterward and kisses the tip of my nose.Without a doubt I adored Sparrow. He's a sensitive soul who truly only wanted to be loved. Unfortunately this is where the issues begin. Sparrow just needs someone anyone and unfortaunetly he picks Louis who is arguably more immature than Sparrow even at 39 yrs old.
“He only thinks he likes me. That kid would lap up any semblance of kindness anywhere he could get it.”The problem with this quote is that it's obviously not supposed to be true but it feels 100% true. We simply do not get enough of the caretaking and relationship growth that is necessary in these types of dynamic. In fact, Louis not only physically runs away from him instead of talking but he actually drives him out to a flea bag motel , pays for a room for Sparrow for a couple months, and f*cking leaves him there. If I were Sparrow I would have said FU at this point.
Apparently Louis has an unresolved "my bad" from 8 yrs ago when he acted in a way that he regrets. Also he's a biker gang "enforcer" so he's a naughty guy. But Sparrow still wants to act shocked when Louis may not fit the knight in shining armor role he assigned him after only knowing him for 5 minutes and asserting that Louis was now his caretaker. So silly.
“You’re so small and weak, like a bird,” Aaron mumbled. “Like a little sparrow.”Now this is where many may not agree with me but the villain of the story Aaron wasn't exactly awful. He was a 16 yr old foster kid who was probably in desperate need of therapy, stability, and love himself. Sparrow was 14 when he and 16 yr old Aaron got together and they were together for 6 yrs. I was quite interested in a therapy/redemption arc for Aaron & Sparrow because they were the more interesting couple in my opinion.
Overall I wish Louis was more fleshed out. I wish the relationship between Sparrow & Louis was shown not told in a few sentences. I loved Sparrow but couldn't care about Sparrow & Louis because I just never saw their love.
July 25, 2025
From the very first page, this book had me hooked. It’s one of those stories where “just one more chapter” turns into blurry eyes and a sunrise but I didn't regret a minute of it.
Sparrow just wants to belong, to feel loved, safe, and seen. But after enduring betrayal and abuse in foster care at the hands of someone he trusted, those things feel impossibly out of reach. That is, until an encounter with Louis, a gruff, guarded biker, changes everything. After a party gone wrong, Louis brings Sparrow home, offering him the one thing he’s been starved of, safety. And when his abuser hunts him down, it’s Louis he runs to, the only person who’s ever made him feel protected.
Sparrow broke my heart. His vulnerability, his naivety, his desperate hope for something better, all of it felt so raw. I wanted to wrap him in the biggest hug and protect him. Watching him slowly rediscover his worth and grow more confident under Louis’s care was so healing.
And Louis. This tough, tattooed biker with walls so high turned out to be the softest soul when it came to his Little Sparrow. The tenderness in the way he looked after him, the fierce protectiveness, the quiet gentleness, it was absolutely beautiful. He wasn’t just a protector, he became Sparrow’s anchor, even as he wrestled with his own demons.
Both men are broken in different ways, carrying pain that’s heavy and deep but it’s exactly that shared brokenness that allows them to truly see and understand each other. Their connection isn’t just physical. They learn to survive and heal slowly together through love.
This story is messy and tender, painful and beautiful. I was rooting for these two with my whole heart. If anyone deserves a hard-won happily ever after, it’s Sparrow and Louis, two beautiful souls who finally found home in each other.
This book does deal with some heavy topics so don't forget to check the TW's.
Sparrow just wants to belong, to feel loved, safe, and seen. But after enduring betrayal and abuse in foster care at the hands of someone he trusted, those things feel impossibly out of reach. That is, until an encounter with Louis, a gruff, guarded biker, changes everything. After a party gone wrong, Louis brings Sparrow home, offering him the one thing he’s been starved of, safety. And when his abuser hunts him down, it’s Louis he runs to, the only person who’s ever made him feel protected.
Sparrow broke my heart. His vulnerability, his naivety, his desperate hope for something better, all of it felt so raw. I wanted to wrap him in the biggest hug and protect him. Watching him slowly rediscover his worth and grow more confident under Louis’s care was so healing.
And Louis. This tough, tattooed biker with walls so high turned out to be the softest soul when it came to his Little Sparrow. The tenderness in the way he looked after him, the fierce protectiveness, the quiet gentleness, it was absolutely beautiful. He wasn’t just a protector, he became Sparrow’s anchor, even as he wrestled with his own demons.
Both men are broken in different ways, carrying pain that’s heavy and deep but it’s exactly that shared brokenness that allows them to truly see and understand each other. Their connection isn’t just physical. They learn to survive and heal slowly together through love.
This story is messy and tender, painful and beautiful. I was rooting for these two with my whole heart. If anyone deserves a hard-won happily ever after, it’s Sparrow and Louis, two beautiful souls who finally found home in each other.
This book does deal with some heavy topics so don't forget to check the TW's.
April 21, 2025
Annnnd, here's a break from my regularly scheduled ARCs/TBRs programming with a new book from an add I saw last night... Here's Ally Avery's "Breaking You Open." It's technically the second book in the Unforgivable Needs series.
["Sparrow
He’s the one I need.
When a smoking hot older biker saves me from a miserable night, I know I can call him home. But my dream soon turns into a nightmare when he kicks me out.
Next thing I know, the past I’ve fought to escape comes back to haunt me. But I know where I can take refuge.
If he’ll have me.
Louis
I’m not the one he needs.
And he’s not mine to take.
Too young. Too frail. Too broken.
But he insists he needs me, and who am I to refuse when a cute boy with pouty lips and haunted eyes shows up on my doorstep?
His demons are hot on his heels, and he counts on me for protection. But how can I protect him, if I can’t even protect him from myself?"]
These two were broken, and yet, they managed to heal each other....slowly. It wasn't an easy journey, but it was a well-earned HEA.
But be forewarned, this is a dark romance. There are a lot of trigger warnings and a lot of wow-he-needs-therapy moments. Love (nor sex) can heal past traumas, but sometimes, having someone with similar traumas (or matching traumas) helps a little bit, too.
Trigger Warnings: on-page sexual assault/rape (not between MCs), physical and psychological abuse, bullying, drug and alcohol use, fatal drug overdose of secondary character, homophobic slurs, violence, mild gore, torture of secondary character, mutilation of secondary character, fat shaming between secondary characters, and more.
#gettingittwisted #breakingyouopen #unforgivableneeds #unforgivableneedsseries #allyavery #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["Sparrow
He’s the one I need.
When a smoking hot older biker saves me from a miserable night, I know I can call him home. But my dream soon turns into a nightmare when he kicks me out.
Next thing I know, the past I’ve fought to escape comes back to haunt me. But I know where I can take refuge.
If he’ll have me.
Louis
I’m not the one he needs.
And he’s not mine to take.
Too young. Too frail. Too broken.
But he insists he needs me, and who am I to refuse when a cute boy with pouty lips and haunted eyes shows up on my doorstep?
His demons are hot on his heels, and he counts on me for protection. But how can I protect him, if I can’t even protect him from myself?"]
These two were broken, and yet, they managed to heal each other....slowly. It wasn't an easy journey, but it was a well-earned HEA.
But be forewarned, this is a dark romance. There are a lot of trigger warnings and a lot of wow-he-needs-therapy moments. Love (nor sex) can heal past traumas, but sometimes, having someone with similar traumas (or matching traumas) helps a little bit, too.
Trigger Warnings: on-page sexual assault/rape (not between MCs), physical and psychological abuse, bullying, drug and alcohol use, fatal drug overdose of secondary character, homophobic slurs, violence, mild gore, torture of secondary character, mutilation of secondary character, fat shaming between secondary characters, and more.
#gettingittwisted #breakingyouopen #unforgivableneeds #unforgivableneedsseries #allyavery #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
March 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW
First of all, I re-edited this review several times to avoid spoilers.
This story was just… wow. Sam (Sparrow) hasn’t had an easy life, and as he grew up, things didn’t get better—they only got worse. For a long time, he was merely existing, believing that the life he was living was the only one he deserved. This was due to the circumstances he had grown used to. However, when he finally decides to live for himself, his past comes back, trying to drag him back into that bottomless pit he had been stuck in for so long.
That’s when he turns to Louis, and their story begins. These two are broken souls—one longs to feel what it’s like to be truly loved for the first time, while the other is afraid of making the same mistakes that still haunt him to this day. But they connect. And as they do, we see a bond slowly form between them. The chemistry was there from the very beginning, and it only grew stronger.
However, just as love begins to bloom, so do fear, frustration, anger, and uncertainty. And the past is lurking closer than they realize.
Do they get their HEA? Yes, and their ending warmed my heart. They both deserved happiness, and Sparrow, my boy, finally managed to spread his wings and find true love.
P.S. Please check the trigger warnings, as there are several sensitive events that take place both in the past and the present.
P.S. 2 If I had to say something, it would be that I wish it had been a little longer. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t love it, because I really did!
If you like to read:
🐦Outlaw Biker x College student
🐦Age Gap
🐦Hurt/Comfort
🐦Touch Him and Die
🐦Forced Proximity
🐦Size Difference
Star Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice Rating: 3.5/5 🔥🔥🔥.5
First of all, I re-edited this review several times to avoid spoilers.
This story was just… wow. Sam (Sparrow) hasn’t had an easy life, and as he grew up, things didn’t get better—they only got worse. For a long time, he was merely existing, believing that the life he was living was the only one he deserved. This was due to the circumstances he had grown used to. However, when he finally decides to live for himself, his past comes back, trying to drag him back into that bottomless pit he had been stuck in for so long.
That’s when he turns to Louis, and their story begins. These two are broken souls—one longs to feel what it’s like to be truly loved for the first time, while the other is afraid of making the same mistakes that still haunt him to this day. But they connect. And as they do, we see a bond slowly form between them. The chemistry was there from the very beginning, and it only grew stronger.
However, just as love begins to bloom, so do fear, frustration, anger, and uncertainty. And the past is lurking closer than they realize.
Do they get their HEA? Yes, and their ending warmed my heart. They both deserved happiness, and Sparrow, my boy, finally managed to spread his wings and find true love.
P.S. Please check the trigger warnings, as there are several sensitive events that take place both in the past and the present.
P.S. 2 If I had to say something, it would be that I wish it had been a little longer. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t love it, because I really did!
If you like to read:
🐦Outlaw Biker x College student
🐦Age Gap
🐦Hurt/Comfort
🐦Touch Him and Die
🐦Forced Proximity
🐦Size Difference
Star Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice Rating: 3.5/5 🔥🔥🔥.5
March 10, 2025
⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
Final Rating: 4/5
Loved this one way more than book one! So if you weren't a fan of book one (which I know was a hit or miss for some people) definitely recommend still giving this a shot. The plot of this book is way more straightforward than book one (Getting It Twisted) but in a good way. And despite being in the same universe you really don’t have to read book one if you don't want to as you don't see much of the first couple at all in this book. And we get a whole new slew of side characters.
All that being said - Sam and Louis are honestly perfect, this book and them as a couple really scratched my hurt/comfort itch. The plot, as mentioned prior it really straightforward. I would bet that it unravels exactly how you expect it is going to. Which some may view as a bad this, but in opinion sometimes that exactly what I want from a book. The ending is a bit rushed in comparison to the set up, I feel like this easily could have been an extra 50-75 pages. But for me it didn’t really take away too much from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Definitely can recommend checking it out, especially if the tropes are up your alley.
Hopefully Ravi’s book next 👀
📋Notable Tropes📋
- Age Gap
- Hurt / Comfort
- College Student x Biker
- Size Difference
- Both a little crazy
- Dependent/Needed MC
- Stalker (Not an MC)
⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ CWs/TWs: Violence, References to past domestic violence, Depictions of Child Sexual Assault, Rape, Referenced Mutilation (Not to an MC), References to Drug Use and Murder, References to Past Attempted Sexual Assault
Final Rating: 4/5
Loved this one way more than book one! So if you weren't a fan of book one (which I know was a hit or miss for some people) definitely recommend still giving this a shot. The plot of this book is way more straightforward than book one (Getting It Twisted) but in a good way. And despite being in the same universe you really don’t have to read book one if you don't want to as you don't see much of the first couple at all in this book. And we get a whole new slew of side characters.
All that being said - Sam and Louis are honestly perfect, this book and them as a couple really scratched my hurt/comfort itch. The plot, as mentioned prior it really straightforward. I would bet that it unravels exactly how you expect it is going to. Which some may view as a bad this, but in opinion sometimes that exactly what I want from a book. The ending is a bit rushed in comparison to the set up, I feel like this easily could have been an extra 50-75 pages. But for me it didn’t really take away too much from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Definitely can recommend checking it out, especially if the tropes are up your alley.
Hopefully Ravi’s book next 👀
📋Notable Tropes📋
- Age Gap
- Hurt / Comfort
- College Student x Biker
- Size Difference
- Both a little crazy
- Dependent/Needed MC
- Stalker (Not an MC)
⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ CWs/TWs: Violence, References to past domestic violence, Depictions of Child Sexual Assault, Rape, Referenced Mutilation (Not to an MC), References to Drug Use and Murder, References to Past Attempted Sexual Assault
March 9, 2025
What a fantastic hurt/comfort romance with just the right amount of angst and protectiveness. Yum.
First, check the CWs and TWs . Seriously. There are some on-page semi-detailed scenes that might be difficult for certain readers, plus one MC calls the other boy, which—again—may not be for everyone. Personally, none of this bothered me, but I think it’s good to be aware.
Now, onto the book itself. I absolutely adored it. It’s short, fast-paced, romance-heavy, and packed with delicious spice. I do think it could have been longer to flesh out certain moments (like the discussion about exes), but overall, I loved the journey these two went on. The caretaking, the rules, the brattiness, the mutual protectiveness... I was ready for it all.
There is some late-book drama that I didn't live for, but the epilogue? *chef’s kiss* It made up for everything.
Sparrow was such a feisty MC. His impulsiveness, longing for freedom, and deep need to be loved made him so endearing. And Louis? He is not perfect, but he know it. He thinks he doesn’t deserve happiness, but of course, Sparrow worms his way into his life and refuses to let go.
The side characters were intriguing, too. Ravi was such a sweetheart... he's straight so we won't have his story, probably. And Maurice… well. I’m usually not a fan of playboy characters, but I’d make an exception for him. He definitely is charismatic (And I hope he’s one shminky man—hehe).
There were one or two moments where I genuinely thought the MC was dreaming because a scene felt a bit random, but those moments were rare.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own and authentic!
First, check the CWs and TWs . Seriously. There are some on-page semi-detailed scenes that might be difficult for certain readers, plus one MC calls the other boy, which—again—may not be for everyone. Personally, none of this bothered me, but I think it’s good to be aware.
Now, onto the book itself. I absolutely adored it. It’s short, fast-paced, romance-heavy, and packed with delicious spice. I do think it could have been longer to flesh out certain moments (like the discussion about exes), but overall, I loved the journey these two went on. The caretaking, the rules, the brattiness, the mutual protectiveness... I was ready for it all.
There is some late-book drama that I didn't live for, but the epilogue? *chef’s kiss* It made up for everything.
Sparrow was such a feisty MC. His impulsiveness, longing for freedom, and deep need to be loved made him so endearing. And Louis? He is not perfect, but he know it. He thinks he doesn’t deserve happiness, but of course, Sparrow worms his way into his life and refuses to let go.
The side characters were intriguing, too. Ravi was such a sweetheart... he's straight so we won't have his story, probably. And Maurice… well. I’m usually not a fan of playboy characters, but I’d make an exception for him. He definitely is charismatic (And I hope he’s one shminky man—hehe).
There were one or two moments where I genuinely thought the MC was dreaming because a scene felt a bit random, but those moments were rare.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own and authentic!
March 15, 2025
After loving Getting Twisted, I was really excited to dive into Sparrow and Louis’ story—and overall, it was an enjoyable and emotional read. It’s a quick one, with low angst, even though both Sparrow and Louis are clearly carrying their share of emotional baggage.
I was pleasantly surprised by how feisty Sparrow turned out to be. Once he knows what he wants, he goes for it—impulsively at times, but in a way that feels authentic and endearing. His boldness contrasts perfectly with Louis’ grumpy, keep-everyone-at-a-distance attitude. The chemistry between them really shines, especially as they slowly start breaking down each other’s walls.
The story also does a great job portraying the emotional aftermath of trauma, especially in showing Sparrow’s need to feel safe and cared for. His vulnerability felt real and heartfelt. That said, I would’ve loved to see him take a little time on his own—outside of the relationship—to explore his healing more fully. It could have added another layer of depth to his journey.
While I enjoyed the story and the connection between the characters, I did find myself wanting a bit more character development and emotional complexity, especially considering their difficult pasts. A deeper dive into their inner struggles would’ve made their healing feel even more impactful.
That said, this was still a touching, tender story that had some lovely moments of warmth and connection.
Tropes:
age gap (19 years)
hurt x comfort
touch him and die
size difference
spice: 3/5
I was pleasantly surprised by how feisty Sparrow turned out to be. Once he knows what he wants, he goes for it—impulsively at times, but in a way that feels authentic and endearing. His boldness contrasts perfectly with Louis’ grumpy, keep-everyone-at-a-distance attitude. The chemistry between them really shines, especially as they slowly start breaking down each other’s walls.
The story also does a great job portraying the emotional aftermath of trauma, especially in showing Sparrow’s need to feel safe and cared for. His vulnerability felt real and heartfelt. That said, I would’ve loved to see him take a little time on his own—outside of the relationship—to explore his healing more fully. It could have added another layer of depth to his journey.
While I enjoyed the story and the connection between the characters, I did find myself wanting a bit more character development and emotional complexity, especially considering their difficult pasts. A deeper dive into their inner struggles would’ve made their healing feel even more impactful.
That said, this was still a touching, tender story that had some lovely moments of warmth and connection.
Tropes:
age gap (19 years)
hurt x comfort
touch him and die
size difference
spice: 3/5
March 16, 2025
🖤✨️ 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝙾𝚙𝚎𝚗 ✨️🖤
𝚋𝚢 @authorallyavery
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
3.75/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
↓↓
Ohhhh I'm so torn with this read. I really really really wanted to love it. Following the first book I had really high hopes and expectations for this one and I felt let down.
Sparrow/Sam was extremely naive, I understood everything that he went through but I feel as if the things we learned about him didn't match up to the amount of nativity and misunderstanding he had with a lot of things. He was extremely immature as well. How after meeting a man for one time only, while drunk off his ass, did he think this was the man for him.
Louis, that man was 39?? He seemed so much more immature than Sam was. He had his own past that was traumatizing but being his age and the way he acted blew my mind.
I love age gap, like LOVE!!!!! but I could not get over the constant reference to Sam as boy and kid. Their relationship felt very surface level and sex fueled. I didn't feel much depth with them.
The ending felt very rushed and Lilith can go jump off a cliff lol I did not like her one bit. Honestly a lot of these characters I didn't really care for.
I would like more with Ravi and Maurice, they both intrigued me a little, maybe a little queer awakening with them.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
✨️ Outlaw Biker x College Student
🖤 Age Gap (19 years)
✨️ Hurt/Comfort
🖤 Grumpy/Sunshine
✨️ Size Difference
🖤 Praise Kink
✨️ Touch him and 💀
🖤 Forced proximity
✨️ Possessiveness & Jealousy
🖤 Dom/Sub vibes
𝚋𝚢 @authorallyavery
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
3.75/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
↓↓
Ohhhh I'm so torn with this read. I really really really wanted to love it. Following the first book I had really high hopes and expectations for this one and I felt let down.
Sparrow/Sam was extremely naive, I understood everything that he went through but I feel as if the things we learned about him didn't match up to the amount of nativity and misunderstanding he had with a lot of things. He was extremely immature as well. How after meeting a man for one time only, while drunk off his ass, did he think this was the man for him.
Louis, that man was 39?? He seemed so much more immature than Sam was. He had his own past that was traumatizing but being his age and the way he acted blew my mind.
I love age gap, like LOVE!!!!! but I could not get over the constant reference to Sam as boy and kid. Their relationship felt very surface level and sex fueled. I didn't feel much depth with them.
The ending felt very rushed and Lilith can go jump off a cliff lol I did not like her one bit. Honestly a lot of these characters I didn't really care for.
I would like more with Ravi and Maurice, they both intrigued me a little, maybe a little queer awakening with them.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
✨️ Outlaw Biker x College Student
🖤 Age Gap (19 years)
✨️ Hurt/Comfort
🖤 Grumpy/Sunshine
✨️ Size Difference
🖤 Praise Kink
✨️ Touch him and 💀
🖤 Forced proximity
✨️ Possessiveness & Jealousy
🖤 Dom/Sub vibes
March 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Genre: M/M Romance
ARC eBook
Series: Unforgivable Needs - 2
‼️Check your triggers prior to reading. There are dark and heavy themes in this story‼️
Character Development: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Spice Level: 2/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Sparrow (Sam) & Louis were gritty, but something was missing for me.
I struggled a bit with this one because of the sexual trauma Sparrow had gone through. I wasn't in love with him just giving his body away so freely and Louis not even realizing what was going on until midway through the book. The hidden mystery behind why Louis acted the way he does, seemed lack luster when it finally came out. There were times Sparrow seemed way younger than he was and then times where he seemed way to mature for the way he was portrayed. I am all for character growth but it didn't make sense to me.
I still like Getting It Twisted a bit better. Nathan's cameo in this book was so him it had me laughing.
Tropes:
• Age Gap
• College Student x Outlaw Biker
• Forced Proximity
• One Bed
• Size Difference
• Hurt/Comfort
• HEA
Cheating:
Third-act breakup:
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes
Genre: M/M Romance
ARC eBook
Series: Unforgivable Needs - 2
‼️Check your triggers prior to reading. There are dark and heavy themes in this story‼️
Character Development: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Spice Level: 2/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Sparrow (Sam) & Louis were gritty, but something was missing for me.
I struggled a bit with this one because of the sexual trauma Sparrow had gone through. I wasn't in love with him just giving his body away so freely and Louis not even realizing what was going on until midway through the book. The hidden mystery behind why Louis acted the way he does, seemed lack luster when it finally came out. There were times Sparrow seemed way younger than he was and then times where he seemed way to mature for the way he was portrayed. I am all for character growth but it didn't make sense to me.
I still like Getting It Twisted a bit better. Nathan's cameo in this book was so him it had me laughing.
Tropes:
• Age Gap
• College Student x Outlaw Biker
• Forced Proximity
• One Bed
• Size Difference
• Hurt/Comfort
• HEA
Cheating:
Third-act breakup:
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes
March 19, 2025
ARC Review for Breaking You Open by Ally Avery
Releases on 03/19/2025
3.5⭐️ 🌶️2
I’m a huge fan of broken boys and age gaps and that’s one of the main reasons I had signed up for this ARC. Breaking You Open by Ally Avery had my favourite premise and emotional potential, but the execution left me feeling a bit disconnected from the romance. The story follows Sparrow, who’s trying to rebuild his life after a traumatic past while living under the threat of an ex who’s still a danger. Enter Louis, who offers safety and comfort—but the romance between them felt rushed and, frankly, unconvincing.
Sparrow’s immediate attraction to Louis, despite his fear and constant anxiety, felt more like a trauma bond than genuine love. When you’re living in survival mode, consumed by fear and uncertainty, falling for someone so quickly doesn’t feel realistic. Instead of giving Sparrow the space to process his trauma and regain control of his life, Louis encourages this immediate attachment, which didn’t sit well with me. It felt less like a slow, healing connection and more like an emotional crutch.
It also felt like their relationship was a bit toxic at times and felt a bit chaotic. Because of this, the romance lacked the depth and gradual trust-building I was hoping for. The hurt/comfort dynamic was there, but the pacing of their emotional connection felt off, making it hard for me to fully invest in their relationship. I’m definitely looking forward to the upcoming books!
Releases on 03/19/2025
3.5⭐️ 🌶️2
I’m a huge fan of broken boys and age gaps and that’s one of the main reasons I had signed up for this ARC. Breaking You Open by Ally Avery had my favourite premise and emotional potential, but the execution left me feeling a bit disconnected from the romance. The story follows Sparrow, who’s trying to rebuild his life after a traumatic past while living under the threat of an ex who’s still a danger. Enter Louis, who offers safety and comfort—but the romance between them felt rushed and, frankly, unconvincing.
Sparrow’s immediate attraction to Louis, despite his fear and constant anxiety, felt more like a trauma bond than genuine love. When you’re living in survival mode, consumed by fear and uncertainty, falling for someone so quickly doesn’t feel realistic. Instead of giving Sparrow the space to process his trauma and regain control of his life, Louis encourages this immediate attachment, which didn’t sit well with me. It felt less like a slow, healing connection and more like an emotional crutch.
It also felt like their relationship was a bit toxic at times and felt a bit chaotic. Because of this, the romance lacked the depth and gradual trust-building I was hoping for. The hurt/comfort dynamic was there, but the pacing of their emotional connection felt off, making it hard for me to fully invest in their relationship. I’m definitely looking forward to the upcoming books!
June 28, 2025
Tropes: hurt/comfort, age gap, sheltered/experienced, size difference, small bottom/big top. angst, decent groveling
HEA: Yes
spice: well written, plentiful, but not something that overtakes the plot
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This is a great book. I know that these books follow a formula, but I found that I really don't mind since the author is a great writer.
For one, Sparrow/Sam's relationship with Louis is believable in a fictional sense. it's not insta love or constant toxicity either. they both have traumas and insecurities, and it doesn't ever feel like it's dragging on. they also don't abruptly change for one another, and the changes they make are only the ones that really matter.
i find that this author does a good job developing their characters and completing a satisfying story in 200ish pages. I've read many MM romance novels, especially interconnected series based on different couples. my biggest issue with these despite the fact that I love reading them, and expect a HEA after each book, is that often times the characters are rushed, they change too much, they're immature, the toxicity drags on, etc. But I love the way this author does it. it's perfect. enjoyable, i get everything i want out of these tropes and in the best way possible.
to the author: I really hope you continue this series and find more and more stories because I promise I will inhale all of them if they're as good as these two books. im excited for the next book!
HEA: Yes
spice: well written, plentiful, but not something that overtakes the plot
---
This is a great book. I know that these books follow a formula, but I found that I really don't mind since the author is a great writer.
For one, Sparrow/Sam's relationship with Louis is believable in a fictional sense. it's not insta love or constant toxicity either. they both have traumas and insecurities, and it doesn't ever feel like it's dragging on. they also don't abruptly change for one another, and the changes they make are only the ones that really matter.
i find that this author does a good job developing their characters and completing a satisfying story in 200ish pages. I've read many MM romance novels, especially interconnected series based on different couples. my biggest issue with these despite the fact that I love reading them, and expect a HEA after each book, is that often times the characters are rushed, they change too much, they're immature, the toxicity drags on, etc. But I love the way this author does it. it's perfect. enjoyable, i get everything i want out of these tropes and in the best way possible.
to the author: I really hope you continue this series and find more and more stories because I promise I will inhale all of them if they're as good as these two books. im excited for the next book!
August 3, 2025
💜 I Might Not Need You To Take Care Of Me, But I Want You To 💜
"I need someone-- someone who can blunt the sharpest edges of my life. Someone who'll care for me, someone who'll hold me. Someone who'll fix this terrible weakness within me."
This was such a heart-wrenching hurt/comfort book. This book put me through quite the emotions. Some troupes in this were grumpy/sunshine, age gap, size difference, and a lot of trauma. The abuse and mental health aspects of this book were written so close to reality and handled perfectly. This book follows Sparrow and Louis. Sparrow is on the run and hiding from his abusive ex Aaron. He meets Louis at a party and falls head over heels. He ends up staying with Louis for a bit for protection as his ex is out there stalking him.
My soul hurts for Sparrow. This kid has been through so much hurt and trauma. Despite all that, he's still so innocent and pure. Sparrow needs to be protected at all costs. His character is so interesting to me as he has been through so much pain but his demeanor is sunshine-like. Louis is his complete opposite. He is grumpy, hardened, and has extreme anger issues. His upbringing was also traumatic and abusive. He tries to push Sparrow away as he thinks he's not good enough for him. These two healed each other. Their connection and chemistry were intense. The spicy scenes were 🥵🔥🔥🔥🔥. So happy they both got their truly deserved HEA. This series is so amazing. Onto Asher's book.
"I need someone-- someone who can blunt the sharpest edges of my life. Someone who'll care for me, someone who'll hold me. Someone who'll fix this terrible weakness within me."
This was such a heart-wrenching hurt/comfort book. This book put me through quite the emotions. Some troupes in this were grumpy/sunshine, age gap, size difference, and a lot of trauma. The abuse and mental health aspects of this book were written so close to reality and handled perfectly. This book follows Sparrow and Louis. Sparrow is on the run and hiding from his abusive ex Aaron. He meets Louis at a party and falls head over heels. He ends up staying with Louis for a bit for protection as his ex is out there stalking him.
My soul hurts for Sparrow. This kid has been through so much hurt and trauma. Despite all that, he's still so innocent and pure. Sparrow needs to be protected at all costs. His character is so interesting to me as he has been through so much pain but his demeanor is sunshine-like. Louis is his complete opposite. He is grumpy, hardened, and has extreme anger issues. His upbringing was also traumatic and abusive. He tries to push Sparrow away as he thinks he's not good enough for him. These two healed each other. Their connection and chemistry were intense. The spicy scenes were 🥵🔥🔥🔥🔥. So happy they both got their truly deserved HEA. This series is so amazing. Onto Asher's book.
March 9, 2025
Breaking You Open-Ally Avery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received Breaking You Open as an ARC and I’m so happy I did. I love a good hurt/comfort book with minimal angst and a decent amount of spice.
I really enjoyed this book and how it showed the impact that SA can have in a person. The author showed the fear that is instilled in a person when they go through situations like Sparrow did. The “relationship” that Aaron gave Sparrow made Sparrow believe he was wanted vs being used. I loved how Louis showed him that that isn’t how someone should be treated and then he also showed him love.
I think one thing that made me give this a 4 Is that Louis kept calling Sparrow “boy” or “kid”. I love age gap books but, to me, kid or boy is odd in a relationship that isn’t daddy/boy. While Louis was taking care if sparrow, that wasn’t really their dynamic.
Another reason that I gave a 4 was because of the very anticlimactic attack that Aaron had on Sparrow in the end. I was more hoping/expecting a little more to happen with that. I feel the break in situation was way more intense and that that should have been less intense than the build up of Aaron coming back.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. The hurt/comfort, the relationship that was built between Sparrow and Louis, and the spice in the book really kept my attention. I’m really hoping there will be more couples in the series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received Breaking You Open as an ARC and I’m so happy I did. I love a good hurt/comfort book with minimal angst and a decent amount of spice.
I really enjoyed this book and how it showed the impact that SA can have in a person. The author showed the fear that is instilled in a person when they go through situations like Sparrow did. The “relationship” that Aaron gave Sparrow made Sparrow believe he was wanted vs being used. I loved how Louis showed him that that isn’t how someone should be treated and then he also showed him love.
I think one thing that made me give this a 4 Is that Louis kept calling Sparrow “boy” or “kid”. I love age gap books but, to me, kid or boy is odd in a relationship that isn’t daddy/boy. While Louis was taking care if sparrow, that wasn’t really their dynamic.
Another reason that I gave a 4 was because of the very anticlimactic attack that Aaron had on Sparrow in the end. I was more hoping/expecting a little more to happen with that. I feel the break in situation was way more intense and that that should have been less intense than the build up of Aaron coming back.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. The hurt/comfort, the relationship that was built between Sparrow and Louis, and the spice in the book really kept my attention. I’m really hoping there will be more couples in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
ARC Review
Breaking You Open by Ally Avery
Release date 3/19
Tropes:
Age Gap
College Student x Outlaw Biker
Forced Proximity
Care Taker
Size Difference
Hurt/Comfort
Review:
This book was raw, real, honest, at times hard to read, beautiful, healing, and just a really good story. The care taking dynamic between Sparrow and Louis is something I really loved. Sparrow’s backstory was really hard for me, because it was just so…sad. That’s the best word I can use. The fact that he went through so much and didn’t really even realize the full extent of what he survived is something so real and true to so many survivors of abuse. But the fact that he found a safe haven in Louis was so beautiful to read. Breaking You Open is just about two broken boys, broken in different ways who find their safe space in each other and I really loved reading that. My only real negative was I just personally felt like the ending was a little rushed. I felt like the beginning of the book was so detailed and so in depth. The backstories, the character building, etc. and I just felt like the ending was a bit rushed. This was the first book I have read by Ally Avery and the first book I read in this series and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any parts of the story coming into it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it!
Breaking You Open by Ally Avery
Release date 3/19
Tropes:
Age Gap
College Student x Outlaw Biker
Forced Proximity
Care Taker
Size Difference
Hurt/Comfort
Review:
This book was raw, real, honest, at times hard to read, beautiful, healing, and just a really good story. The care taking dynamic between Sparrow and Louis is something I really loved. Sparrow’s backstory was really hard for me, because it was just so…sad. That’s the best word I can use. The fact that he went through so much and didn’t really even realize the full extent of what he survived is something so real and true to so many survivors of abuse. But the fact that he found a safe haven in Louis was so beautiful to read. Breaking You Open is just about two broken boys, broken in different ways who find their safe space in each other and I really loved reading that. My only real negative was I just personally felt like the ending was a little rushed. I felt like the beginning of the book was so detailed and so in depth. The backstories, the character building, etc. and I just felt like the ending was a bit rushed. This was the first book I have read by Ally Avery and the first book I read in this series and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any parts of the story coming into it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it!
March 16, 2025
This book gave me more than I hoped for, two people both broken in different ways who find each other and realise they deserve to love and be loved despite their pasta or lifestyle.
Sparrow (Sam) has been in foster homes and there's a lot of history with a previous foster brother/ex boyfriend who abused him from the age of 14. Sam is a beautiful soul with a vulnerability but an inner strength. When Sam escapes from his foster home to begin his own life studying away at school he goes for a night out with a his new roommate, someone gets him drunk and is leading him to a bedroom when one of the bouncers, Louis steps in. Louis has to get Sam out of the venue but he's too drunk to give his address so Louis takes him home when he looks after him.
Louis is an enforcer for an MC with a dark job he enjoys, he doesn't apologise for who he is but he also doesn't want to bring someone vulnerable like Sam into his world, but Sam doesn't take no very easily, especially when he needs protection when his ex shows his face in town and Louis is the only person Sam trusts to be honest with him.
This was a truly beautiful story about someone showing you that they accept you for all your flaws, weaknesses and strengths and want to love you because of all of them.
Sparrow (Sam) has been in foster homes and there's a lot of history with a previous foster brother/ex boyfriend who abused him from the age of 14. Sam is a beautiful soul with a vulnerability but an inner strength. When Sam escapes from his foster home to begin his own life studying away at school he goes for a night out with a his new roommate, someone gets him drunk and is leading him to a bedroom when one of the bouncers, Louis steps in. Louis has to get Sam out of the venue but he's too drunk to give his address so Louis takes him home when he looks after him.
Louis is an enforcer for an MC with a dark job he enjoys, he doesn't apologise for who he is but he also doesn't want to bring someone vulnerable like Sam into his world, but Sam doesn't take no very easily, especially when he needs protection when his ex shows his face in town and Louis is the only person Sam trusts to be honest with him.
This was a truly beautiful story about someone showing you that they accept you for all your flaws, weaknesses and strengths and want to love you because of all of them.
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