Sounds Like Fun

by Bryan Moriarty

Open relationship. Threesomes. Online dating. Being twenty-something in London. Sounds like fun...right?

Eoin is doing great. He's 27, gainfully employed and in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend Rich.

Okay, so his best friend Jax is diving into yet another disastrously bad relationship and Eoin's going to be the one dealing with the eventual fallout. And his boss at the café, Rebecca, seems to have vanished, so somehow Eoin's left managing the place. And to be honest, he's not got much else going on.

But still, he's got his boyfriend Rich - steady, sensible and dependable Rich. That is, until Eoin's world is turned upside down when Rich announces that he wants an open relationship. Terrified of losing the man he loves, Eoin reluctantly agrees to this new arrangement, and stumbles into the world of dating with no strings attached.

What could go wrong?

Genres: LGBT, Queer, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Gay

Audible Audio

First published March 30, 2023

Reviews

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

Super quick and easy read. Loved the queer representation in this book and also the cafe setting was extremely relatable. Loved the commentary about coffees and customers throughout☕️

[Matt Chisling (MattyandtheBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening of a gay relationship is the force function of one man's journey toward self-awareness in this charming, wry novel.

Introducing Eoin: 27 years old, Irish, kind of running a cafe in London, happy with his long term partner Rich (even if, after six years, they still have no plans to move in together). When, after a long day of work, Rich suggests spicing up their love life by opening things up, Eoin's life begins to take some interesting turns. Including the realization that, actually, Eoin can have more fun than he's had in a long time courtesy of some apps, even if it doesn't feel rewarding afterward. But when his work situation changes - his manager's disappeared, some strangers are dropping by the cafe, and a new coworker is too cute to ignore - Eoin realizes that life might not be as fun as it should be for him, and that maybe he should change some parts of his life.

Bryan Moriarty's debut novel gives us a loveable character in some occasionally predictable moments in this novel that feels as much inspired by Nora Ephron's Heartburn as other contemporary queer fiction writers, such as Ryan O'Connell, Henry Fry, or Byron Lane. Here we get another soft, confused, creative protagonist whose potential seems just out of grasp. We get the villainous other half who from page one is wrong for our protagonist. We get sassy best friends and complicated dynamics with straight men. It's all a bit familiar -- but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable here.

SOUNDS LIKE FUN is an endearing read, one that succeeds by avoiding some typical queer fictional tropes (like coming outs). I appreciated the avoidance of any sort of morality messaging around the notion of open relationships, which could have made this novel something of a buzzkill. It's contemporary London setting and character-forward storyline gives the novel the air of a lot of recent British TV successes or popular novels (take Queenie, for example). It gives you a fun character to root for, some harebrained hi-jinxes, and a "happy" ending that feels optimistic and fulfilling. The "will-they-wont-they" between Eoin and his suitors is romantically compelling without being saccharine. Sure, it falls into some debut traps of predictability, but the promise of Moriarty joining the ranks of queer authors with great perspectives is exciting to anticipate.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very enjoyable and I would recommend it to and contemporary readers who enjoy good queer representation.

The main character Eoin seems a bit lost at the start of the book. He's moved from Dublin to London for a man, but the relationship doesn't seem perfect, and he's just been asked to open it up to others. What follows is a fun-ish exploration of how not to deal with an open relationship. Rule number 1 is that communication is key, however the couple religiously do not talk about things, which makes it feel less like an open relationship and more like a serial cheating scenario.

What I found most compelling is the representation of someone who doesn't have it all together and who gradually, over the course of the book, manages to make changes what put him in a much happier place. His dreams aren't grandiose, he's just a normal guy who just wants to do what pleases him without allowing the expectations of others to impact him too much.

The reason I'm not giving this book 5 stars is just because I felt that it was too short. I wanted more flesh to the bones in some places, especially at the end (but I suppose I'm always greedy for a more concrete ending). I also wish that there had been more communication between Eoin and Rich, just to give good representation of what an open relationship can be. It made it seem as though they can never work, but they do work for many couples and maybe a better example of that could have been provided. I realise that it was a function of the plot, but perhaps it could have been 'look at this couple for whom this works, but it just doesn't work for us'. But I still enjoyed it obv.

The writing style was exactly what I like. Contemporary and straightforward, yet still descriptive. I was immediately drawn in and couldn't wait to get back to it to find out how things turned out.

I was kindly provided with a copy of the audiobook by the publisher via Netgalley, so thanks to them for allowing me to read this book. It was narrated excellently by the author, who I think it a fantastic job with it.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know when you have just started reading a book and then you forget? These characters felt so familiar right from the beginning that it felt almost as if I had come back to something — or as if I had always been there! Hilarious with a hint of mystery and the dream of opening my own café with books all over the place on the side! Light, gentle, kind and real. It sounds like fun and it is fun! I’m almost sorry for that last line. Almost.

[Manav Chordia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. I went through emotions and travelled to memories I've gathered in London. This books talks about a lot of the things people go through, struggles with relationships, lack of friends and the evergreen work drama. It was a fun, sweet and easy read. I'd recommend this book for a happy time and just to see the excitement and simplicity of life.

[Hugo Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 very easy but a bit of fun

[Kim Bergshoeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars. A fun and smart read

[Chloe Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this ages ago! But I remembered it just now and realised my review wasn't on here. This is such a brilliant, brilliant story!! Funny, clever and insightful.

[Bob Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and fun ride through the life of Eoin, whose life seems to be mostly decided by everyone else around him- his boss Rebecca, a mysterious figure who has seemingly abandoned her cafe, leaving Eoin in charge; his friends who are all at very different stages of life; and his partner, whose suggestion of an open relationship sparks many of the changes in the book.

I found this book utterly charming, and very quietly funny as it unfolded, devouring it in one long bus journey.

Although I would have preferred a slightly better representation of open relationships in the book (there were some nuances that felt like they were missing), the overall premise and story of this book felt like a fresh take on a more familiar plot.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely wonderful book! I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction books so I wasn't sure how I would feel about it going in but I absolutely adored it - before I knew it I had read a huge chunk of it in one sitting!

The characters were so three-dimensional and charming, the places were so vivid and it was such a relatable and real portrait of queer London life. It was so lovely to watch Eoin's character develop throughout the novel - I was rooting for him the whole way through.

Can't wait to see more from this author!

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Avalon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, most of the scenes in this book just felt like funny banter the author came up with in the shower... I was mostly interested in a book exploring the intricacies of having an open relationship, yet that turned out to be a very small part of the plot. Most of it was about the goings on in a coffee shop and various conversations between the protagonist and his friends/colleagues. It did pick up a bit towards the end though. If british people bantering is your type of humour you might enjoy it more than me.

[Vin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

some dhumb ajss (boyf) got scammed by the London LGBT bookstore, thinking that it’s a book about throuples but it’s actually about polyamory and it reads like an easy queer sitcom

[Ambar Sahil Chatterjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘There comes a point when it’s inevitable that, short of a major natural catastrophe, you’re going to kiss someone…’

A sweet, breezy read. I was hoping it would delve deeper into the messy consequences of a long-term relationship opening up, but even so, it was heartfelt and enjoyable on the whole.

(3.5 stars rounded down to 3.)

[Daren Kearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sounds Like Fun is a smooth blend of gay characters with a frothy crème of romance and relationship issues.
The story focuses around Eoin and his daily work at a struggling coffee house, trying to keep the business afloat with ineffective co-workers and an awol manager / owner. He has few friends outside those of his long term boyfriend Rich but when he reluctantly agrees to try an open relationship, Eoin begins to reassess his life.
An easy, fun read with sympathetic characters and a low stress romance.

[Elena_19_02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So relatable😗AMO la millennial fiction divertente e triste al contempo (e il fatto che io Gen Z mi riveda nei millennials…)

Negli ultimi anni si parla molto di coppie aperte, “non monogamia etica” e termini simili (senza volere “etichette” che poi sono parole e non dovrebbero essere viste come pressioni), un senso di fluidità ma anche spesso, una fuga dai propri problemi.
È quello che succede quando, durante una serata del gruppetto di Rich, ragazzo di 5 anni del protagonista Eoin, nel parlare di traditori nel dating, viene fuori il “polyamory is in fashion now” e la —troppo veloce— proposta di Rich che “sounds like fun”. Per citare, “come se parlasse dello skydiving” HSHAAH, ed Eoin ha la tipica preoccupazione di non essere abbastanza


È pieno dell’umorismo schietto e irlandese✈️come l’autore che, come Eoin, vive da anni a Londra: Eoin si è laureato in letteratura, ha incontrato Rich a un gay bar, E dopo i primi rapporti (la spontaneità sulle prime esperienze sessuali queer e sull’importanza delle protezioni >>>), incontri e messaggi, si è innamorato a tal punto da trasferirsi da Dublino a Londra, dove lavorava.
Nota di metanarrazione, secondo me: non è un caso che per tutto il libro Eoin legga “La signora Dalloway” di Virginia Woolf, alternando anche lui passato e presente sulla relazione con Rich, riflettendo sul tempo, sull’incrocio di tanti uomini in questo momentaneo lifestyle— trattando anche il tema dell’essere soli nella moltitudine🙏

La differenza di età, Rich con 6 anni in più, non è un ostacolo, ma si sente nelle diverse fasi della vita, e nel vedere solo amici più grandi
La proposta lo sconvolge perché è la prima relazione seria di Eoin, ma anche perché è il suo unico legame:

‘I think that’s a wee bit paranoid, hon’ said Jax […]
I thought the accusation of paranoia was a bit rich coming from a woman convinced that her friends held an annual reunion to which her entire school year, minus herself, was invited (PLS AHAHAHAA)
‘Well, now you can flirt with them without feeling guilty.’
‘I don’t avoid flirting with attractive men because I’m in a relationship. I avoid flirting with them because they won’t fancy me […] And I never even know whether a guy is gay or not’
‘Well, that just tells me your gaydar is rusty’
‘My gaydar is non-existent’
‘It’s dormant. And now, if you want, you can wake it up’

HAHSHA. Queste battute iconiche sono dell’unica amica Jax, ex collega di un altro bar, e ha perso i contatti con gli amici di Dublino. Condividere il partner con è già difficile, ma ancora di più se è l’unica persona stabile che hai🥲

“I could either share Rich or lose him, and while the idea of sharing him was painful to imagine, the idea of losing him altogether was simply unimaginable”

“It occurred to me that loud and unfamiliar sex was great, but real love was picking up a bike from the shop”

LMAO I GUESS. Non solo la narrazione è piena di ironia e self-deprecatory humor, ma soprattutto i dialoghi😭tipo quando dice che vorrebbe evitare di usare Grindr per ridurre il suo screentime perché “la depressione aumenta se si usa il telefono per più di un’ora al giorno”— ci penso spesso😗

‘I’m actually trying to cut back on my phone usage’
‘The report that came out today was bullshit,’ said Jax
‘I read an article that completely discredited it’
‘Well, I still want to take a break from it’
‘Yeah, well take a break from breathing while you’re at it’😭MI SENTOOO


L’autore è bravo a mettere in chiaro questo comfort anche per i primi tempi in cui hanno gli incontri occasionali, perché è ben chiara la loro routine separata, non convivono nonostante i tanti anni di relazione.
Eoin inizialmente era scioccato dalla proposta per la banalità dell’intenzione sessuale, ma poi comincia a sentirsi più libero. È una storyline credibile e di cui non ci sono tanti esempi— sembra raro per chi viene da un’unica relazione stabile eppure è proprio lo scatto opposto che funziona per Eoin. Il sentirsi desiderato da più di un uomo, la facilità del click di una dating app che, in realtà, è usata più spesso per incontri sessuali (e adoro quanto spesso Grindr viene presa per il culo dagli stessi uomini queer, tipo quelli che insultano se non mandi mille foto o non ti rendi subito disponibile ecc😭✈️)




— Per questo, il primo shock ce l’ha in una delle classiche situazioni da confronto con coetanei che hanno una vita sistemata, o sanno come cambiarla. Sua sorella Ciara si è trasferita a Londra con il marito Mark, e stanno pensando di tornare in Irlanda a causa del costo della vita londinese, del caos e dell’aria irrespirabile, cioè tutte problematiche su cui le persone si interrogano per le metropoli odierne.
Eoin e Rich, in quanto coppia, non sanno cosa rispondere quando Mark li esorta a comprare una casa col mutuo e a pensare ai risparmi; da un lato le sue buone intenzioni nascondono la classica pressione di gente che sta meglio, ma dall’altro, apre una crepa nella instabilità dei due, che forse tanto una coppia non sembrano, e non per i classici step sociali, ma perché non si parlano abbastanza. Eoin fa il barista a un posto qualunque da cui ha un salario decente, Rich sta facendo vari colloqui in altre scuole come prof di matematica ma, persino quando ottiene il posto, non sembra un passo da fare insieme al suo ragazzo. E ha ragione ad arrabbiarsi quando Eoin si lamenta di queste pressioni esterne, tanto quando anche Rich non può pensare che Eoin incassi il colpo e basta, quando è chiaramente solo💔

Ho adorato gli accenni in gaelico, noto che ora la letteratura irlandese contemporanea ne scrive sempre di più🥹o le battute sull’accento/lessico (tipo “bird” per girl che si usa anche in inglese)✈️. E la comicità del confronto… col cane

“I still felt abandoned. My only true ally was Sláinte, who at least didn’t look as if she had much in the way of savings”😭

È comicamente realistico il viaggio in metro mentre Rich sta facendo un cruciverba, un tentativo di parlare senza dirsi molto:

“‘I don’t see how that makes it elitist.’ I wished Mark could see us now. You think you’re mature? We’re a couple who bicker over crosswords, for Christ’s sake”✈️





— La mancanza di amici in una grande città, specie da fuori sede, è un tema di cui ultimamente si parla sempre di più. È un bene che venga fuori in modi casuali e non con le classiche morali di vita, come ad esempio l’incontro con uno su Grindr, anch’egli da solo in affitto con sei persone (simile a Eoin con le sue 2-3 quasi sconosciute). È divertente che alla fine non abbiano nemmeno fatto sesso LMAO ma è trattato con rispetto per il comfort di chi ha solo bisogno di parlare🥲

‘Don’t you meet them as you’re going in and out?’
‘Never even seen anyone in the corridor.’
‘You could knock on someone’s door,’ I said, as if I had ever tried this at home.
‘Did that. No one’s ever in. I heard some shouting one time, big argument in some language I didn’t understand’💔

“‘Maybe,’ I said, trying my best not to sound like a grandmother, ‘maybe you could join a club.’
‘What kind of club?’
‘A… sports club?’
He looked up at me hopefully. ‘Are you in any clubs?’
‘No… no, I’m not’ […]
‘Do you have friends?’ he asked
‘Of course I do,’ I said, feeling defensive
‘So how did you meet them?’
‘I moved over to be with my boyfriend,’ I said. ‘I suppose I made friends through him. But I’ve been in London for years now – you just get to know people, I guess.’ Well, you might do, I thought. For all the people I’d met through work in bars and cafés, I didn’t really have much of a social circle to show for it. I’d found that, once our shift was over, colleagues I’d spent the past eight hours laughing and gossiping with became strangers, dashing off to their real lives while I went to meet Rich and his friends, who remained just that: his friends”

“Six rooms, I thought. Six people, at least, and none of them speaking to each other. How many other rooms like this were there in London, with bare bulbs and skirting boards coated in a layer of sticky dust, where single people lay on battered divan beds, swiping and messaging until it was time to sleep?
‘Bit lonely,’ said the not-quite-Liverpudlian. This was not the way to recover a lost erection, and I wondered if his heart was really in it. Mine certainly wasn’t”

AHAHA il contrasto😭emotività uomini core. Adoro che, anche senza il focus sul tema della mascolinità, è scritta in modo delicato ma anche realistico nel normale l’imbarazzo di certe situazioni, in questo caso la rivelazione di essere… sulla stessa barca di uno sconosciuto. È lo spaesamento da expat nel costruirsi una nuova vita, ma mi sento comunque rappresentata dalla specifica sugli amici: per quanto un tuo conoscente possa includerti (e nelle coppie immagino che sei considerato un plus, conosciuto con quell’identità), sarai sempre legato “all’altro”, affianco a quello che ha già il gruppo. Felt that troppo🥲


Si alterna però a un incontro sia divertente sia illuminante: Eoin va da una coppia di uomini aperta alle threesome, ma non ha il coraggio di chiedere come funzionano stando insieme, mentre Rich ha posto una distanza. Rifiuta di rimanere a cena, una proposta tranquilla da chi voleva solo divertimento, ma Eoin vede solo gli estremi. Si erano presentati come “T & D” e lui neanche sa i nomi HAHHSH, uno è religioso e dipinge i santi😭✈️



Una cosa che non posso dire di aver provato ma solo letto in vari lit fic books, è il confronto tra genitori e late 20s senza figli, tipo l’incontro a casa di Jax (con cui spesso hanno un “knitting club” e già così fa ridere perché è un hobby “da nonna” che però ultimamente molti giovani stanno scoprendo🫡) con la sorella dell sua coinquilina:

“‘Would you like to?’ Claudia said, offering me the baby as if it was a drag on a joint
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ I said, feeling like the square who didn’t really do drugs” HAHSHHSH





— Intanto al bar, Durante la “vacanza” della capa Rebecca, Eoin assume James, un aspirante attore ma con classica difficoltà in quel campo. La conoscenza stile friends to lovers con un po’ di flirt (tra le parole e gli awkward moments, tipo che James lo trova nel suo raggio di chilometri di Grindr ma lo blocca perché è come se fosse il suo boss LMAO) è stata molto carina: James è un hopeless romantic che si riprende da un breakup, ma non lo giudica per la relazione aperta!

La scrittura è semplice e a tratti letterale, come quasi tutti i libri di questo genere —che io apprezzo per questo, la verità della vita quotidiana e il parlato comune—; ma mentre Eoin aspetta che Rich gli risponda, cercando di normalizzare i litigi nelle coppie, si percepisce poco a poco, senza retorica, che si stanno allontanando mentre si sta avvicinando a James. I sorrisi nascosti mentre lui è distante, il drink in più e la serata che non vuoi che finisca…
Alexa play Drop dead di Olivia Rodrigo, “I hope you never finish that beer” soprattutto in UK che bevono tanto🫡


Il momento clue coincide con una quasi-aggiunta relazionale e una quasi-perdita: a un evento del catering di Jax, che da mesi va dietro a un collega fidanzato, Eoin, pur con buone intenzioni, non capisce perché vuole rimanere amica di tale Aaron— e un po’ è vero ciò che dice lei, “you’re allowed to have more than one friend” e che lui non capisce perché non ne ha. Felt too much AGAIN😀
Ma c’è la coincidenza con il primo bacio con James, pure in pubblico e con applauso queer-normative🙏

‘When you cross a room, everyone gets out of your way. People, dogs, buses, everything seems to flow around you. It’s like you’re so in sync with everyone, they just glide around you’
‘Not you, though,’ James said
‘No. I walked straight into you’💞🌈


Poi, forse l’autore si è fissato con la perculata alla religione ma mi ha fatto morire che James vivesse in una “propriety-guard house” dentro una chiesa con altre persone (church mates per citare AHAHA), internet dice che è sempre più diffuso in UK perché non ci sono case💀l’altare come tavolo per mangiare?? FR?
E pone di nuovo l’accento sulla solitudine nell’abitare con più persone ma senza conoscersi— universale per molti condomini, ma iper specifica per l’affitto con gente disperata per pagare poco e con routine sempre diversi






— Il primo momento con James (che ricorda che questo è un adult romance a modo suo!) è dopo una situazione stra comica: Eoin chiuso per sbaglio nel bagno del bar con i soldi dalla cassa che Rebecca gli aveva chiesto per i fornitori, e lui con l’ansia sociale si era spaventato sentendo Al, lo zio di lei e altro barista, entrare la notte HXHSHSH. James l’ha poi portato a bere, e all’s well finché… Rich non propone di tornare esclusivi:

“‘I don’t want to lose you,’ he said.
That’s not the same as wanting to be with me, I wanted to say. It’s not the same as wanting to marry me or move in together”

Un’apparente assurda ma, in realtà, reale prova della miscommunication dato che appena tornano a un rapporto convenzionale, Eoin si sente più perso. Provare una cosa diversa ha, anzi, smascherato i problemi precedenti, e il problema non è l’essere esclusivi o meno, dati ruoli ora invertiti su chi vuole una novità; e senza stereotipi o morali, ciò che Eoin vuole non è scoparsi chiunque, ma avere una stabilità emotiva— e se costui è qualcuno incontrato nel mezzo di un accordo non socialmente convenzionale, non c’è vergogna🙏
Eoin e Rich si sono scusati ma senza parlarne, e l’insicurezza nell’attendere il messaggio, quel vuoto senza capire che era già stato perdonato, si amplia a quel ritorno:

“Even then there was a big gap between feeling tolerated and feeling accepted”😀🥲


Tra il passare da una casa all’altra del ragazzo, l’attacco di un tossicodipendente al bar che chiedeva soldi per la droga, cioè la vera situazione in cui Rebecca si era cacciata, e dunque la chiusura del bar, Eoin controlla le email e “aspetta che qualcuno gli alleghi una guida su cosa fare della sua vita”. REAL😗
Una delle cose più belle è il realismo nel descrivere il lavoro: lo stress da barista, imparare a usare le macchine (il povero Billy, un 21enne che fa casini AHSAHA), i clienti… non da sottovalutare, e la descrizione delle piccole azioni e del limbo del cercare un nuovo lavoro, serve molto di questi tempi🚶


Tant’è che si iscrive a una prova di cycling club visto che va sempre in bici AHAHAJA e adoro la continuità perché tutto è iniziato che lui che portava a riparare la sua! Segue il consiglio di provare uno sport che aveva dato al tipo del primo incontro, e per assurdo lo becca lì✈️. Vivendo a Roma, mi viene spesso detto che in una grande città ci sono opportunità, che da un lato è vero ma dall’altro… affannarsi per queste conoscenze quasi fatte apposta e con quell’unica cosa in comune non è molto naturale (pensandoci, sembra come rispondere a un annuncio di lavoro, un gathering a gran voce a cui speri di farti posto dal tuo singolo a una molteplicità), non è facile e c’è tanta dispersività nel luogo:

“if there was one thing I’d learned since moving to London, it was that people you met, whether it was in a job or a house share, tended to disappear whenever that context was removed. Then again, maybe that was just me. I wondered if other people put the effort into keeping up with former colleagues and flatmates, or if everyone here was essentially a loner”🥲

“that I should be feeling a sense of belonging, but that somehow I was still an outsider, unfamiliar with my own tribe’s language and uniform”🥲


Ciò che dice anche lui, con cui aveva in comune la solitudine dell’appartamento, è una perfetta rappresentazione di essere cittadini:

‘And I’ve this theory, right, that London’s no good if you’re in your head. Like, there’s too much of it, and too many people, and then they end up in your head, and you start to worry that you can’t manage them all, you know?’

E no, non ci si può sempre “buttare” nelle attività di gruppo, che sono tanto una possibilità quanto una forzatura, perché è vero che la chimica si trova inaspettatamente e con la sincerità di essere noi stessi🥲



— Eoin mette Rich davanti alla verità— non sa se vuole sposarsi, se accetterebbe di tornare a Dublino, e quel “i don’t know if you want a dog” è un tipico simbolo dell’andare a convivere🥲. Trova lavoro a un bar/hub ricreativo che sembra una configurazione cittadina (quando è arrivato a Londra credeva fosse Dublino ma più grande, e invece è più incasinata!), arredato e con una biblioteca, e Rich gli chiede per cosa è venuto a Londra se non punta in alto. Non ha quindi mai capito che Eoin si è trasferito solo per lui, dipendendo troppo da una persona conosciuta da poco

“I had the strange sensation of floating on the ceiling and looking down at us both, the way survivors of near-death experiences describe watching doctors trying to resuscitate them when their heart has stopped. And, much like in a near-death experience, I felt somewhat serene as I looked down. There was no need to debate or recriminate any more. ‘It’s not your fault,’ I said. ‘I just think I gave up a bit of me by being with you. And I sort of want it back’”❤️‍🩹

Non è una relazione tossica, anzi, è durata tanto e in modo forte, ma Eoin in primis si è buttato a capofitto in un sentimento istantaneo, nel fragile periodo post-college della costruzione della propria identità. Ma anche Rich, pur dichiarando di non volendolo mai far sentire inferiore, lo ha fatto involontariamente nel non essere chiaro lui stesso sul futuro, e mettere una toppa con la coppia aperta… Nello stesso decennio ma in anni diversi (22-27 prima e 27-32 ora), entrambi non hanno le idee chiare, a riprova della confusione della generazione odierna

E sì, Eoin ha fatto “emotional cheating” con James, ma per fortuna l’autore è millennial AHAHA, è una parola chronically online di oggi che odio per una fase di passaggio💀. Eoin si sente sé stesso con lui, che gli aveva consigliato quell’hub perché ha capito il suo sogno, senza sminuirlo, e notava in cosa è bravo🥹. Nei ritmi iper capitalisti di oggi, è importante andare contro la sottile umiliazione del non considerare abbastanza lavori umili che, in questo caso, hanno la loro personalità di provenienza, e non si è di meno se non si punta in alto🙏
Si riconcilia con Jax, a cui ammette che davvero non ha amici, e si consolano a vicenda; sul finale si accenna a un drink con la coinquilina Polly, ma non è un coming of age in cui si passa da nulla a tutto: Eoin è solo e pian piano troverà nuovi legami (magari anche la nuova capa, anche lei queer, con scherza sulle lampade?✈️), ma non lo sappiamo! Non è un percorso idealizzato!

Per una a volta, non si parla non di chi è pieno di amici ma single, ma di chi è fidanzato e senza amici, e fa più male non solo perché Eoin si è attaccato al sentimento tanto da renderlo il suo trampolino di lancio —anche quando forse non voleva partire—; ma soprattutto perché si fa capire la differenza tra l’avere una sola persona 🥲

Ho adorato il finale quasi da rom com film: Eoin va a vedere James alla sua prima recita, riceve un SMS che lascia una speranza di un contatto nonostante il timore di affezionarsi troppo, e poi Eoin torna indietro con la bici senza dire altro❤️‍🩹

Adoro questo modo di raccontare le relazioni frammentate, tra drink e baci e messaggi sospesi, analisi della dinamica del sentimento nei 20+ anni. Non colpevolizza la non-monogamia, ma ne mostrando le possibilità, le difficoltà, una nuova relazione naturale, le varie strade percorse. Una fase in cui l’amicizia è equamente importante, e va sdoganato che è difficile trovarla da giovani adulti, con la diversa concezione diversa della solitudine… senza frasi retoriche, solo capendo che certi posti non sono fatti per noi. Alcune persone lo saranno🧡

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

How not to do poly in one short book.

Enjoyable read, but terrible non-monogamy representation.

[Theres · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable romcom! Technically about open relationships, but this bit is wildly inaccurate/badly done by the people engaging about it, so don't read it for information about polyamory. But sweet and fun to read

[jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an older woman living in the North I'm maybe not the demographic this book is aimed at, but I really loved it.
A gentle romcom, full of coffee, self doubt, dating apps, sex, love and finding yourself. All told in an easy style thats full of humour - what's not to like?
Thank you to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advance copy of this book

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading about relationship dynamics, so when I realised what this one was about I was really intrigued.
Eoin is blindsided one day when his boyfriend of 6 years suggests they have an open relationship, is it a good idea? Is it something he actually wants to go through with?
I loved Eoin as a character, the book was a fun and lighthearted look at a slightly more taboo subject. It was really interesting to read how Eoin and Rich go about the new dynamic and what the outcome was.
This was a quick read, but well worth picking up.

[theo · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5)

i received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily.

i was very intrigued by the premise but unfortunately didn't enjoy it as much as i thought i would.

what bothered me the most was the lack of overall communication between rich and eoin, and the story felt quite one-dimensional to me but i can definitely see other readers enjoying this more than i did.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, clever, and so original, really enjoyed reading!

[Hielke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit clumsy, quite funny at points, little bit boring, and I really liked the final chapter. Cute

[James Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Bryan Moriarty for accepting me to be a pre-publication review of this book and audiobook - I primarily listened to it because the narrator (Moriarty himself) read it really well, his Irish accent lent itself well to the main character bringing the story to life and was in general a really great listen - so smooth and clear… also Irish accents are super nice so Yhh.

The basic plot is we follow Eoin via a first person account, his boyfriend of five years, Rich, suggests they consider an open relationship as something that ‘might be fun’ which he is not too keen on at first. He works at a cafe basically in the role of manager and there’s strange occurrences happening there, he hires a new employee James who makes him think about his own relationship in different ways. There are more storylines but don’t want to spoil anything. I did really like how Eoin considered the idea of who he was and in what spaces he felt comfortable being and expressing this true self and his journey was one of ups and downs but defiantly character growth. This brings me into the characters which I did really like, Eoin especially was really great and super lovable yet had some flaws making him more real, there were relatable parts of his story which I loved. James was also quite developed and I did really like him, Rich was alright maybe a little one-dimensional at points but not necessarily bad. Jax was fun and a good friend, Billy (employee) was clumsy but sweet and yhh nearly all of the characters had their pros and cons and were realised. I would say some parts were repetitive and a little unrealistic in how things panned out but mostly it was fine. The writing too was alright, not really that amazing but decent enough for a debut, it’s enjoyable and understandable. I don’t think Moriarty was going for a very impactful novel so it’s not this but the messages put forward I did resonate with and it was a nice lighthearted read. As someone who doesn’t particularly like reading smut, I appreciated that the sex scenes were implied occurring off the page and there’s no real TW topics to mention at all, great! Also the (northern) London specific references were great as I know these places e.g. Wood Green and crouch end - loved it.

Overall, I would totally recommend checking this book out - specifically the audiobook read by the author as his accent is super smoothing and it brings Eoin’s character to life - and despite not being a new favourite I am excited to check out what Moriarty brings out next, I’ll be keeping an eye out.

[Марија · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prvo se moram ograditi jer mislim da ova knjiga nije bila za mene, ali da mogu (donekle) da razumem zašto je drugima tako simpatična. Otuda toliko pozitivnih recenzija.

Moja neće biti baš toliko pozitivna. Dajem jednu zvezdicu više samo zato što je jedna devojka uspela da odoli osmehu tamo nekog Arona (a to je zapravo baš teško!) i što je knjižica u par navrata imala duhovitih scena. Ali sve u svemu, našla sam ovu knjigu nedovoljno kreativnom, previše banalnom i bezveznom. Evo zašto:

• nije kreativna - iako priča počinje sa sasvim običnim dečkom sa sasvim običnim poslom i životom, veoma brzo prerasta u Pepeljuginu priču. Ne može se bez nekog glumca i slave, random modne revije i narko-priče. I sve to je tako skupljeno na gomilu, da pomisliš kako negde postoji neka eksel tabela sa radnjama koje se dobro kotiraju među čitaocima i da je ovaj pisac baš odlučio da što više tih gluposti ubaci ovde.
• je banalna - situacije u kojim se glavni lik našao da bi priča imala nekakva dešavanja su toliko proste, da lako postaju glupe. prim.prev. Tipa kad se zaglavio u wc-u i onaj drugi lik je morao da dođe da ga "spasi". Nisam shvatila zašto je baš njega zvao da ga "spasi", ali u stvari jesam; u stvari jesam. Da bi se oni kao likovi bolje upoznali, da bi glavni lik mogao da ga upoređuje sa svojim dečkom, da bi mogao da kaže kako ga je ovaj "spasio".
• je bezvezna- ovde ću konkretno dati primer. Čitaoče, zapitaj se: Kako je to glavni lik prerastao iz stidljivog dečka kojem se svet ruši zato što njegov dugogodišnji (i jedini ikad) partner želi otvorenu vezu u najvećeg je***a kojeg je Grindr ikada iznedrio? Meni se izgleda ta transformacija negde zagubila. Ne izlazi mi iz glave ona scena kada se nalazi sa jednim dečkom sa pomenute aplikacije: glavni lik kojem je jedino do toga da ga iskoristi, dok ovaj traži samo malo prisnosti i normalnosti. Pita ga: "How do you get friends in London?" i to je sasvim legitimno pitanje. Ko god je živeo negde van svoje zemlje, pa čak i grada u kom je odrastao, zna koliko je teško nekad upoznati nove ljude. Ove dejting aplikacije ti postanu jedini način da upoznaš ljude. A šta radi glavni lik (koji je btw u istoj situaciji)? Nadrka se jer nije dobio svoje parče fizičke torte uz Ja imam jednog prijatelja, i dosta mi je. A onda posle odjednom postane najromantičnija osoba ikad. Ne pije mi ovo vodu.

Trudim se da mi se iskustva sa ovakvim knjigama ne pretvore u predrasude, ali nekad je stvarno teško. Sa moje tačke gledišta, ova knjiga ne predstavlja queer zajednicu u najboljem svetlu, a o otvorenim vezama neću ni da počinjem.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I eat drink and sleep crime fiction. It's my go to, bread and butter, genre of choice. But it can get a bit samey, stuck in a rut. So I find that a change is always as good as a rest. So when I get the chance to find something new, something a little different, I usually jump at it. Hence this book! I am usually good when I take a punt on something. And I was definitely on my game here as I loved it.
We meet Eoin who has moved to London from Dublin, following his heart, well, following Rich anyway. He works in a cafe for boss Rebecca who is currently on holiday. Or so he believes. And then there's best friend Jax who flits from bad relationship after bad life decision often relying on his shoulder.
But he is ticking along nicely until he and Rich have the talk... Rich wants an open relationship... To say Eoin is shocked is a bit of an understatement but he has no choice if he is to keep his man in one way shape or form. But he is thrown into a whole new world he has never considered before...
This is a very character driven book and to achieve in this genre you really need to have great characters. And our cast in this book definitely tick that box. I took to Eoin straight away - probably my overwhelming need to mother him but that's my issue, and however we connected doesn't matter, we connected! Being a hetero-cis-50ish-woman I have no idea if the relationship stuff is well represented, it's not my call to comment on that with no experience. What I can and will comment on is that, as a reader, it all came across as credible and felt real. And that is what matters to me personally. It also felt well balanced and included quite a lot of humour which played well against the relationship developments. Especially the scenes in the coffee shop!
It's a bit of an emotional roller-coaster. I do admit to getting a bit over involved at times and did shout at the characters along the way when I thought they were either not seeing something I thought was blatantly obvious or did something stupid. The mother in me again I think!?
I followed every step of the way, every failure, every success, and was rewarded with what I considered to be the best ending, which wholly satisfied. Although that said, I was also sad at having to say goodbye to the characters - another tick for them feeling real!
All in all a cracking debut from what looks like a new voice that will only mature further as he writes more books. Speaking of which, clock is now ticking, hurry up Mr Moriarty!My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Lizzie Huxley-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another queer romcom I absolutely loved. Sounds Like Fun by Bryan Moriarty accidentally got misplaced in my bedroom office, but luckily for you that means that it’s out now already, in paperback and ebook. I think it’s a perfect summery read.

Eoin is reeling from the suggestion from his steady long-term boyfriend that they open up their relationship. Things are already going a bit wonky as he’s accidentally managing the coffee shop he works at, which seems to be careening towards disaster, and his friend Jax has fallen for another terrible man. Terrified of losing Rich, Eoin agrees to re-enter the world of dating. What could go wrong?

Sounds Like Fun is deeply funny and filled with lovable characters, especially James!!!! It’s much more of a romcom than the pitch and blurb suggest — as Eoin starts experimenting, he keeps bumping into someone he can’t escape, and soon realises he might not want to.

The arc of Eoin’s relationship with Rich, and how over time we start to see Rich outside Eoin’s starry-eyed love for him, is so well written and heartfelt. I love Eoin’s vulnerability and ridiculousness and terrible earnest attempts to give it all a go.

There’s a thread of that turning point in your mid-late twenties where you start to sit back and ask what you’re actually trying to do, which I thought was written really well. And also it’s just very funny!! In the week I read it, I was so busy and yet I found myself staying up late for just a few more pages.

In summary: a big-hearted romcom about giving it all a go, being a bit of a disaster in your twenties, finding your feet and true love along with it all. I loved the gentle burgeoning romance in this charming and hilarious romcom.

[Effy · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐌𝐘 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

🎧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Audiobook ALC
📆 𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 30.03.23
✍🏼 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romance/LGBTQ+
#️⃣ 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: 06:44

The striking front cover and fun title drew me instantly to this book and I was so excited when I was granted early access on Netgalley. This was Moriarty’s DEBUT NOVEL and I absolutely adored it.

Narrated by Moriarty himself (Irish narration is my absolute fave🤌🏼) this was a charming, fun, lighthearted story of self-exploration + discovery and getting out of a relationship comfort zone.

I loved Eoin’s character: hilarious, cheerful and charmingly Irish, whose perspective was a joy to follow. The storyline was so fun, from the drama and friendships of the Quarter Turn cafe, to Eoin’s dating app disasters as he and Rich open up their relationship.

My only complaint is though the rep of a non-mainstream relationship was brilliant, the lack of communication seems to be a super common problem in any book I’ve read where the characters explore an open relationship. I do wish the communication was there, and we saw a healthy outcome from such an exploration.

Despite the above, I listened to this in just over a day and absolutely could not put it down. I loved seeing Eoin’s journey of finding himself, and realising he was his own person. Charming, heartwarming and overall just a delightful listen: I’d really recommend picking this up for a fun and different romance.

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑: I was provided an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest thoughts - all opinions are my own.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRYAN MORIARTY – SOUNDS LIKE FUN *****

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Sounds like Fun describes itself well. A witty and wise stroll through London’s contemporary gay scene, bulging with humour and really great characters that I’m missing already. Not just the endearing but somewhat hapless narrator, Eoin, our Irish hero, who, in the very first sentence, comes off his bike because of a pothole, but his myriad of friends and lovers. Rich, his partner who decides he wants to try an open relationship, James, a budding actor hoping for success, and Billy, oh poor Billy, so sweet Billy, making every gaff known to mankind.

The principal setting – the Quarter Turn, a coffee shop with major problems, not least its absent owner - is drawn brilliantly, almost another character. Eoin and Billy work there and is joined by out of work actor James. But it is the periphery cast which create such a great background. The way their lives interact with each other, their highs and lows, is the canvas into which Eoin’s life is stitched so brilliantly. Which brings it alive.

To say anything more would mean spoilers, and this story is such fun that it is best to read it without too much previous knowledge.

Five stars. One of the most enjoyable stories I have read in ages. Should be a film.

[KathVBtn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this was recommended by Berts Books as one of his favourite reads so was keen to read it, Im so glad I did, I loved the book, I read it in one swoop and wanted to keep on reading more.

Eoin lives in London, near Rich, his boyfriend of 6 years, happy in their relationship, happy with his job as a barista, enjoying London life enough for now. When Rich says he'd like them to have an open relationship, it crushes Eoin, who thought that their relationship was going well, its the only real relationship he's had.

He starts to explore the no strings dating scene, ending up in some very interesting scenarios. At the same time, things in the cafe are becoming more fraught as the manager is AWOL and Eoin is trying to keep everything going as best he can. James, a new employee joins the team - he and Eoin clash from the outset, arguing over every little thing. Even though I could guess where the story was going to take us from the first meeting, the journey there was gorgeous with some beautiful moments in it.

The author has a great talent for conjuring up realistic people and situations, dealing with feelings of loneliness and isolation, wondering where your life is going and have you achieved enough- a great read that I would definitely recommend.

[Anne O'Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself engaged by Bryan Moriarty’s writing right from the first page: I read the first third in one go which threw a planned early night out of the window. You wouldn’t think that this story of a twentysomething still finding his way in life and working out who he wants to spend it with would resonate with me, twenty years older and a whole lot more set in my ways, but it’s joyous and poignant and bursting with warmth.
The main character Eoin is really sympathetic, making questionable decisions as I think we all do in our twenties, and the secondary ones really well drawn too, from Eoin’s former flatmate Jax to long-term boyfriend Rich. The observations of everyday life and relationships are spot on, and often very funny.
I only lived in London for a year in the 1990s but I’m a keen tourist and I love books that show me parts I already know or ones I don’t. The location is a really big part of the story here and adds a lot to the atmosphere. The writing is so engaging and the characters so vibrant that I ate it up in three evenings.
I received a free proof copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.