Irreconcilable Attractions

by Kennedy Kidman

Colton

I thought owning my own place would mean I could dictate who could stay in my guest bedroom–especially who could be living in it. But it seems my father has other plans, and now, at twenty-seven, I have a roommate for the first time, and it’s not by choice.

Thankfully, Derek is a really cool guy, but the longer we spend together, the harder it is for me to keep a strict friendship between us. He says he’s straight, but the way he looks at me feels anything but platonic. It’s taking everything in me not to jump his bones.

But what would that do to our living situation and the friendship we’ve built? Things aren’t supposed to be this complicated, but I’m starting to wish the summer would never end.

Derek

Life in a small town like Westwend, Texas is exactly what I need right now—uncomplicated, mellow, and easy. As a family law attorney, stress is something I’m more than accustomed to, but when I’m on the edge of burnout and contemplating quitting law altogether, my old boss swoops in to save the day.

Now I’m moving to a blip of a town with the hopes it will help offer me a slower pace. Except when I fail to find somewhere to live due to the tourist season being in full swing, I find myself shacked up with my boss’s son.

You’d think it would be weird or awkward, but Colton and I quickly became friends. It’s easy being around him, and I find myself feeling more comfortable with him than most people in my life. That is, until one basketball game between us changes everything for me.

I’d always thought I was straight, but now? Now I’m realizing that Colton might be more to me than just my reluctant roommate.

Irreconcilable Attractions is a small-town romance set in the Texas Hill Country and features two men who are just trying to figure out how to make the most of their situation. You can expect forced proximity, nosy neighbors, a bisexual awakening, and good ole Southern charm with a HEA while these two figure out that love can show up in the most unexpected ways. This is the first book in the Westwend Boys series.

Genres: Forced Proximity, M M Romance

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2025

About the author

Kennedy Kidman is a native Texan who loves writing and reading about queer love that is just as sweet as it is steamy. She spends too much of her time thinking up happily-ever-afters. When she isn’t doing those things, you can find her playing comfort games, such as The Legend of Zelda or Story of Seasons.

She is an avid fan of college football but roots heavily for her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin. You can often find her drinking one too many coffees, which can only ever be substituted by golden chai.

Her favorite holidays are Halloween and Thanksgiving, because fantasy and food are her favorite non-expletive F-words.

Reviews

[readingwithmiaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
3.5🌶️



Guys, This Was Such The Perfect Low Angst Read. I Loved The Small Town Setting And I Loved The MMCS Colton And Derek So Much. They Were Such A Beautiful Heartfelt Couple Who Were Always There For Each Other No Matter What. I Also Have To Say The Spice Was Also Really Hot Too Which I Did Not Expect But I Loved That Also. I Cannot Wait To Read More From Kennedy Cause The Fact This Is A Debut? This Was Fantastic, And I Cannot Wait For The Next Book In The Series Cause I Already Know I Need Them Really Badly. I Highly Recommend This Book Y’all Fir Anyone Who Wants A Low Angst, Heartfelt Read Cause This Was Just So Beautiful 💕🫶

[Ula'ndi Hart]

Overall book review: 3.5
Audio book: N/A
Book cover: 3.5

Did I enjoy it? Yes
Do I want to read the next one? Yes
Gotta find out what the story with the twins are right?

It was just a nice feel good with no excess drama.

I especially liked how Derick handled things.
Even at a time in his life that can't be easy to
navigate, he steps up and just goes for it.

[Kile White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an arc for this, and it was FANTASTIC. The MCs had amazing chemistry and I fell in love with them both (although Colton stole my heart by page 11.) The story was beautiful, and the book overall felt like a warm hug. It dove into mental health in such a relatable way without dampening the vibe of the cozy story that I really enjoyed.

I can’t wait to see what else this author has planned for future releases.

5 stars. ⭐️

[Kaez · Rating 4 out of 5]

what an amazing debut!! this was such a great time and just so so cute!!

i love colton and derek so much and their story. their connection felt so real, it took its time developing and i’m obsessed with that! they have such a soft, sweet, wholesome type of love which you know i’m always a sucker for!

this book genuinely feels like a warm hug, it had me swooning pretty much the entire time! and let me just say the little crumbs for the next book 👀 i’m ready

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐
3 🌶️

Extremely low angst, with a little bit of banter and all the cuteness.

I enjoyed the small town vibes of the story. It felt very Hallmark picturesque.

Colton and Derek balanced each other out well. Just had an easy fun relationship.

A great debut!

• WHAT TO EXPECT •
♡ Small Town
♡ Roommates to Lovers
♡ Found Family
♡ Forced Proximity
♡ Bi-Awakening
♡ Small Town

Cheating: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun cute read. I enjoyed reading about Colton and Derek and the group of old ladies keeping the town gossip rumors alive hahaha I think this is becoming a series 🤞🏻 because I need more of these fun characters. I also need to know what's going on with the twins..... there's a story there!

[Queenbeereads_sugarandspice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! If you’re looking for the ultimate MM comfort read, you should definitely choose this one. It’s easy going and fun with low angst – it’s exactly the kind of book you want to pick up at the end of a long day!
 
What I loved most about this is that it’s light-hearted but there’s also so much personality packed into the pages. The characters are so incredibly lovable, and I don’t just mean Derek and Colton; their friends and family members that we encounter (minus one bad egg) are also such positive and warm individuals that it was hard not to fall in love with them too. I especially adored Colton’s wonderful but sneaky father – I really wanted to give him a hug! And Chris is such an awesome best friend.
 
And Colton and Derek themselves: I adored watching their relationship develop and welcomed them both into my heart with open arms! They have such an instant connection and easy bond, and their light banter and hilarious exchanges were so enjoyable to read. I loved their easy camaraderie, friendly competition, and how incredibly supportive they were of each other. Even their immature moments were adorable! That moment before their first kiss gave me shivers.
 
Colton, in particular, had me chuckling so much at his antics and internal thoughts. And in honour of him, I have to mention his “cheese goblin” habit. I had far too much enjoyment thinking about his (probably unsubtle) cheese thievery and I can imagine how unimpressed he was when he tried this with the unusual ones Derek brought home. I also really appreciated Gerald’s importance… but I’ll leave it to you to find out his significance.
 
I’m not a giggly kind of person, but this is one of those kind of books – you know the ones I mean: those sweet, kick your feet in joy kind of novels that leaves your heart so full that you have a big grin on your face when you put it down? Yeah, one of those! I 100% needed this after the tough day I’d had (anxiety’s such a b****!) and I felt significantly lighter while I was lost in the story of these two.
 
This book is the debut novel for Kennedy, and what an amazing one it was! I am already super excited about her next one already.

[robbbyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

for a debut novel, Kennedy Kidman really hit this one out of the park for me. as someone who’s lived in a small gossipy town my whole life, this one felt like coming home but one with a much better outcome.
Colton and Derek were so lovely together and separate. I loved Colton’s complexity and how his childhood shaped him into the man he is. front facing to the public, more personal with his family, and then behind closed doors and with his person… HOT! I expected the roles to be a bit reversed for Colton and Derek but boy was I wrong, and I’m glad I was. Derek was so swoon worthy to everyone else but I loved the way he folded only for Colton.. his relationship with his sister was so special. and his relationship with Cecilia… I have nothing nice to say about her but I will refrain. she’s not worth the time it would take to type about her.
if you’re looking for a small town romance, with two mmc’s that will make you yearnnnn for your own love, read this for sure. it was lovely. romantic, spicy, realllll in a lot of ways it dealt with mental health, complicated family dynamics, and more. it was exactly what I needed when I needed it.
also, I am eager for the next book to be released next year 🤭 I had a feeling who the two main characters would be just from the first introduction in the cafe.. I just didn’t know what twin it’d be til a little later! excited to get into the messss that is Brooks and Bailey, and also see how (redacted) will play a part in it…

[Dizzy_reads_mm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really cute and sweet book. Colton was such a breath of fresh air and the nosy neighbors were so funny! If you're looking for a low-angst, fluffy story about a bisexual cafe owner and a straight lawyer, this is it! It takes place in a small town where nosy neighbors thrive and everyone knows your name. Colton was such a sweetheart, and Derek was just right for him!

My only complaint is that some parts were told to me rather than shown. I believe Colton's anxiety could have been shown more, but I understand that the author may have wanted to keep the angst as low as possible. Also, I wish we could've been there when Colton discussed his anxiety with his parents. Little things like this would help me connect with the characters more. But aside from that, this was an excellent debut novel. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Magne Einar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irreconcilable Attractions was such a comfort read for me—like holding on to summer just a little bit longer. It’s the perfect cozy summer story for anyone who isn’t quite ready to let the season go.

What really surprised me was how spicy it turned out to be—I honestly expected way less heat, but wow, it delivered! If you’re in the mood for a low-angst, summery romance with cozy vibes and a little extra steam, then here you go.

For me, this book was an instant love read—and as a debut? Absolutely perfect.😍

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely, cosy, small town romance and a terrific debut by this author ! I loved Colton and Derek's dynamic, as well as the other characters in the story, and the spice was on point. If you need something to cleanse your palate after something dark or high angst, this is perfect. I can't wait to read the next book about Brooks ❤️

[Jessica St Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Read!!!

I loved this book so much!!! I was giggle and feet licking the whole time I read it!! Devoured this book in less then 4 hours!!! Way to go! Cannot wait for the next one!!

[Madam Ra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful low angst story. It’s perfect when you want to just bask in love and acceptance without complications, except one very very bitter bitchy mother. Hate the woman.

[Reader1218-Jing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done! This is a solid debut overall. 3.5⭐ rounding up. The strengths lie in the lovely prose: light, charming, and very low-angst. The banters scattered throughout the text sparkle like grains of sand on a beach. The sex scenes are hot. The downside is a simple plot with not many events, and a lack of that slightly wicked push-and-pull in the MCs’ chemistry. Now they just fall in love too easily.

[BookishBouwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great debut! This book felt like a hug in book form. The perfect read if you’re craving something cozy, heart-melting, and low-angst. It’s filled with small-town charm, sweet moments, and plenty of domestic bliss (I mean, friends who are roommates…totally not domestic bliss, of course)👀

Colton and Derek are both so effing cute😭🥹Their connection felt so natural and wholesome, and watching their relationship grow into something so full of love and mutual support was just beautiful. I was living for Colton’s internal thoughts and I could really relate to his struggles with anxiety and tendency to spiral. Oh, and his obsession with cheese🧀🤭Derek is just so swoony and his steadiness and utter certainty about Colton just made him 1000x hotter tbh😌

The spice was hot as hell and there’s MARKING, which is my kryptonite. Colton had me blushing SEVERAL TIMES and I’m definitely not mad about it😮‍💨

The side characters were excellent, but I have to shout out Colton’s bestie, Chris, and his dad, Charlie. They both had me laughing throughout. I’m extremely curious about Colton’s brother, Brooks, and can’t wait to learn all about him in book 2! *grabby hands*😁

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Colton's dad gave Colton one of those looks, Colton ended up having a houseguest for the summer. Derek, having split up with his girlfriend and wanting a new job, takes the job as the new attorney at Colton's dad company. But it's the start of summer and there is nowhere to rent, so the room at Colton's looks inviting.
One thing I love about small town romances is the nosy neighbours and this story has them in plenty. Whether they were pestering Colton about Derek, pestering Derek about his relationships, these scenes never fail to me make laugh especially if the nosy character left with nothing.
Colton and Derek clicked straightaway as friends and I enjoyed seeing them spend time together going from strangers to friends and then when lines blurred, when they realised their feelings.
The story flowed smoothly and I read this is one sitting disappointed when I finished as I was enjoying this story so much. This was low angst between Colton and Derek, but there is some family drama. I liked learning more about Colton's brothers and I am looking forward to knowing more about the twins.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an arc from the author. This is their debut novel.

Boy was this a sweet book. It’s a low angst, MM, bi-awakening with yearning/pining and spicy praising. There is no third act breakup and great communication between the MMC’s

Colton is an out Bisexual business owner in the small seasonal tourist town of Westwend, Texas and has a roommate thrust upon him by his father till summer is over and some rentals become available.

Derek is an overworked young lawyer looking for work/life balance who accepts a job by his former mentor at his small law firm.

The men become initial awkward roommates but then fast friends. Attraction sparks between the men and as their relationship changes and grows, they both learn to lean on each other.

I love a low angst story that tells the story of a budding healthy relationship without too much relationship drama. It’s a nice pallet cleanser and Colton and Derek are so sweet on each other.

Looking forward to the next book!

[Marilyn (yuu.nemi_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a delight to read; I had so much fun with Colton and Derek.

The way their relationship developed, despite them being forced to live together, was done in such a smooth way. They connected and were so chill to be in the same space that it felt natural for a friendship to form.
Both of them were incredible when it came to communicating whenever there was a need to further talk about their thoughts. Sharing their personal feelings and opening up about their lives and getting to know each other was very important and helped to strengthen their relationship.
Their attraction to each other was inevitable; Derek figuring out his sexuality and accepting his feelings for Colton was natural and beautiful. Colton opening his heart and being able to find someone to trust his feelings with was just what he needed, and Derek was there for him.
Overall, I love the way they have each other and how supportive they are; that warms my heart.

[Emma Capella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying thank you to Kennedy! Once again, I’m blown away by the kindness of the MM romance community and its authors. Kennedy was so sweet to send me an altered version so I could enjoy this story without the cringe of it sharing my brother’s name. Much like MN Bennett’s Bend Him, Break Him, I was blessed with a name change that allowed me to appreciate the story and characters without that ick. 🫶

Irreconcilable Attractions by Kennedy Kidman was such a fun, low angst read. The beautiful friendship that sparks between Colton and Derek was easily my favorite part. I’m so used to seeing enemies-to-lovers, rivals-to-lovers, or even strangers-to-lovers, but the slow build of an instant friendship that grows and blossoms into attraction—and then love—added a level of sweetness you don’t often find in other dynamics.

Colton’s anxious personality was both endearing and relatable (hi, it’s me, severe anxiety club ✋). I loved that his anxiety was acknowledged without defining his whole character—he was still learning, adapting, and healing, which made him feel so real.

And Derek? What a breath of fresh air! When he first appeared, I expected a broody love interest, but instead, he was fun, vibrant, and just such a joy to read.

This is a beautiful story of friendship-turned-love with wonderful found-family vibes. I’m so glad I reached out about the name, because otherwise I might have missed out on what I can already see becoming a favorite series for me!

[Kat Stammers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I want to thank the author for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

"He looked liked he'd walked out of a cozy romance novel and into my kitchen"
is pretty much the vibe of Kennedy Kidman's debut novel.

Irreconcilable Attractions has all the cozy romance feels.
Colton & Derek are SWOON worthy couple goals 😍
They're so sweet but also the nsfw scenes are suitably spicy.

🥰 Slow burn & low angst

🥰 Gerald the judgy emotional support sock 👀

🥰 Enough snark to power a solar grid.

🥰 Obligatory family drama, love and support.

🥰 There's meddling small town folk and Charlie out here creating meet cute chaos!


I'd recommend this book to someone reading MM romance for the first time and those who love a comfort read. This is a book that will easily be added to my comfort read books list. I sat and read this curled up in my reading corner, dressed in my oodie and munching on loaded fries.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes
〰️ Forced Proximity
〰️ Small Town Romance
〰️ Bi Awakening
〰️ Nosey Neighbors

 
Title: Irreconcilable Attractions by Kennedy Kidman
Genre~  MM  Romance
Read Type~ Ebook
Length~ 347
Rating~ ⭐️ 4.25
Spice~ 🌶️ 3


Review: Kennedy Kidman debut novel was such a fantastic read. Colton and Derek were such great characters and their personalities fit together perfectly. Colton had me hooked right away. I'm always here for a low angst read. Throw in a group of old ladies that love to be the towns gossip train, great banter, and great mental health awareness and representation had me devouring this book. I can not wait to keep reading as the series continues.

[Kaspian knuppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this small town bi awakening romance Colton and Derek were so adorable being thrown into a room mate situation which led to some feelings being felt 🤭🥵, colton was absolutely amazing owns a cute little coffee shop with the funniest greeting phrase, Derek is a lawyer who worked for coltons family comes back and lives with Colton, their chemistry was off the chart they fit so well together Colton let Derek take all the time he needed with figuring what “role” he wanted to play in the intimacy and him calling him good boy made me melt 🤭 so happy I got to arc read this book can’t wait for more of of this world hopefully a series or just a book 2👀

[Cherise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very very sweet Texas Hill Country romance.
I adored Derek and Colton, and especially dad! As a Texan, I so appreciate stories that give us a happy, accepting world that may not be the reality of our state government. The community acceptance of Colton, and even the standard hetero-assumption for Derek when he comes to town feels genuine.

I greatly appreciate good character development and Kennedy doesn't disappoint here. We get to know both Colton and Derek, what makes them who they are, and as a result, Derek's coming to terms with his sexuality feels natural. Their sweet love story was much needed in our very difficult times in Texas. I'm looking forward to more.

[Jana Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book helped treat my seasonal depression (in other words, it is has perfect summertime vibes).

Seriously, though, it’s like I could feel the sun-sticky humidity of a summer day through the pages of this book. Add a low-angst love story to the mix? Damn near perfection.

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet. Don’t even get me started on it making me emotional over a damn sock with googly eyes (you’re a real one, Gerald).

A few things to expect from Irreconcilable Attractions:
- a surprise roommate situation
- bi-awakening
- small town charm
- low-angst
- a sock puppet named Gerald

[Jill Golding · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet love story! Quick read. Perfectly paced medium burn. Watching Colton and Derek get to know each other was delightful. Colton’s respectful pining, Derek’s self-discovery regarding his bi-sexuality and then them both realizing that they had feelings for each other was so well written. Their communication was amazing. I loved how they were able to talk about their feelings and be so supportive and understanding with each other. The family dynamics were incredible and really added depth to the story. I can’t wait to read more in this series! (ARC read)

[Nicole B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star debut read for me this year - and goddamn is this one just delicious. 
Derek and Colton are the sweetest friends to lovers, you can feel the connection immediately and they are just an old married couple really. 
Not only do we have no 3rd act breakup, but this was so beautifully written I found myself blushing reading it. I felt like I was intruding on all these beautiful moments, privy to someones inner most thoughts and feelings in a way I often don't when I am reading. 

I am so excited for the next book, really looking forward to continuing to read from this author. 

[anna_79_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just like a hug. It's sweet with banter and very low angst. Love the small town vibes. It just feels like watching an old Christmas movie (without the Christmas ;)) The characters have great chemistry and Derek had my heart from the very beginning.

The neighbors are so funny and I really hope we get to read more about the twins, it feels like there's a story there.

Thank you for the arc. This review is honest and voluntary.

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc- truly such an amazing love story!!
You have your bi awakening, forced proximity!! Like you can’t get much better then thatttttt!!!! Plus hidden tropes you can only learn about through reading!!!! This story was very clear and consistent and flowed like butter!!!!
This is Kennedys debut book and it’s truly amazing!!!

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect low angst, small town, funny, and sweet read! Exactly what I needed after a very long and hard month. The banter was chef kiss and the internal thoughts of Colton made me laughed out loud so many time. They were so lovable and I fell in love with them immediately. The chemistry was fire and Colton and Derek have a beautiful connection and bonded as friend first. It make watching them falling in love so fun to witness and I love seeing their story unfolded.

It was light-hearted but there was some moment in the character’s lives that was no so fun, and I liked how it was well balanced. Both characters had a love story, but they had individual story lines that make them very three-dimensional.

I cannot wait to find more about other characters and how their story will unfold!

If you are looking for a comfort read with sweet character, very very good banter and humour, great chemistry and a low angst love story when you smile while watching them sweetly falling in love, look no further. You found it!

[Booksandcoffee931 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good MM romance! This book did not disappoint! Colton is a cafe owner and Derek is a lawyer. They seem to be complete opposites at first, but they are made for each other. I loved the small-town cozy feel of this book. Forced proximity/friends to lovers done right!

I am very thankful to have received an ARC for this book, in exchange for an honest review.