The Loneliest Hour

by A.E. Jensen

I don’t know who I am anymore.
You’re the boy who came out of the fire. You’re my Xavi.

Lulu Cisnero has loved Xavi Bernal for almost twenty years.
Not loudly. Not openly. Just quietly, desperately, in the spaces between friendship and something more. He’s spent years hiding behind jokes, parties, and bad decisions—anything to keep from saying the one truth that might ruin I love you. I’ve always loved you.
But Lulu is tired.
Tired of pretending he’s fine.
Tired of watching Xavi drift further away.
Tired of believing he’ll never be enough.
So when a road trip to their best friend’s wedding throws them together for a week—just the two of them—Lulu knows it might be his last chance.
One week to tell the truth.
One week to let go of fear.
One week to show Xavi that love has always been waiting—if they’re both brave enough to choose it.

The Loneliest Hour is a standalone sequel to Occasional Fires and Saints, set two years later. It’s a best-friends-to-lovers MM romance full of aching silences, tentative touches, Spanish endearments, and the kind of love that’s patient... but never stops yearning.
For readers who crave slow-burn intimacy, tender heartbreak, and a deeply satisfying HEA—this is for you.


Please The Loneliest Hour features mature content and is intended for an adult audience only.
Please use the "Look Inside" feature for a full list of what you can expect.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Seraphina Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loneliest Hour
AE Jensen

Lulu & Xavi

All the pining
Years of being in love with each other
Road trip

I honestly can’t even put into words what this book did to me.
This literally is the sweetest romantic book. The way these two broken men have loved each other for so long, have been there for each other through so much. Have seen the worst and best of each other.

This new chapter for them, oh my heart, Lulu has had enough, he wants his man. He has had enough of being without Xavi in ALL the ways.


Oh, my heart. I sobbed through half of this book. I cried for their love, and healing, their joy and pain, their renewal of themselves. Beautiful joyful tears for these incredible, stunning men who finally, gave themselves over to each other. Finally trusted each other enough to just love one another. Ugly snot cried for these men.

The first time they made love, I Sobbed just as they did. What a stunning scene. Oh, my sweet sweet Xavi, to trust Lulu enough. So sweet and tender and swoony.

So flipping Beautiful 🥺🤧😭❤️ They waited years for each other ❤️😭🤧🥺

I highlighted half the book.

This was so romantic. Their connection and intimacy was everything. The way Lulu loved on Xavi’s body, the way Xavi said, yes, I don’t need to hide anymore because Lulu loves ME …. I’m done, ugly sobbed.

I adored the road trip, the incredible Cuban culture, the stops along the way, Haley's Peak, even the Jane Eyre reference, Casey and Aislin 🥺❤️, the wedding, the song Lulu sang Xavi ….

Ugh Aiden 💔🤧🥺😭 and Xavi …
I literally ugly snot cried, almost threw up.

What a perfect beautiful tender romantic full circle book.

I feel I'm not expressing how good, and well written this book was. The journey we are brought on, from when they were kids, how they met, and to now and everything in between.

The communication between these two, once they finally admitted their feelings, the sweetest happy tender, romance…. Then Xavi being possessive, talking about “you’re mine” EEK my heart

This is literally one of the sweetest romance books I have EVER read, ever!

Literally incredible
Perfection
All The Feels

[Angela I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, Anja did it again.
I went in expecting something funny and light… and instead got blindsided by deep, gut-punching emotions 😭. That’s on me for thinking Lulu and Xavi were just the two funny guys from Occasional Fires and Saints (don't get me wrong, Lulu is still is wonderful sassy self and we get some very funny situations).

These two carry a past full of hurt and survival, and when they finally understand they were always meant for each other, the real work begins. The healing. The confronting. The rebuilding. The hurt/comfort dynamic has truly never been done better.

I felt every single emotion right alongside them : the longing, the lust, the heartbreak, the tears, the messy love, the codependency, all of it.

And despite all the pain, watching their story unfold was undeniably beautiful. I’m genuinely grateful I got to read it.

“What’s the Loneliest Hour, oso?”
“It’s right after you go home with him instead of me.”
“Him?”
“Him. Everyone. It doesn’t matter. Anyone who isn’t me.”
“I only go home with them because you never ask me to come home with you. Because you won’t ever ask me.”
“I never knew you wanted me to.”
“I’ve always wanted you to, oso.”
“So if I ask you now, will you come?”
“I’ll come.”

𝐼 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑚 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. I really enjoyed this. It was swoon all over the place. The thing that made me love this book even more, was the care and appreciation this author had for the Latine community. I talk all the time about needing more diversity in M/M books. That Whyte authors should be adding diversity in their books, especially in Queer books. This Author did a fantastic job, in doing that. I loved reading about 2 Latino men finding their love and joy. I love that this wasn’t a struggle love. That they talked about real issues happening to their community but it wasn’t the main plot of the book. I loved all of the Spanish that was spoken. I loved their love.

This author writes great feel good stories. Stories that hits you in the feels. She knocked it out of the park. This was so fun, and sassy and filled with all the love. There was build up to the spice, and pinning which made the spice fire. And when I say fire….. oooo did these two light it up! The side characters were also great, because we got to check in with previous couples. (This does not take away from this couple)

This was a great book, perfect for those who want a love story between best friends. A love that stands the test of time.

Future need to knows

Dual POV
DIVERSITY!!!! Yay
Relationship before spice
No om/ow
No cheating or sharing

I received an Arc for my honest review. Though I would have said what I said Arc or not🥰

[Mariansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I surprised I spent a lot of time reading this feeling heart ache and longing? 💛 Not at all! Do I love it? Yes!!! I’m so here for all the heart aches and longing! I love stories and characters that makes me feel all that. But it’s also a beautiful story about two friends trying to open themselves up for love, and trusting that they deserve it 💛

Xavi and Lulu was one of my favourite side characters from Occasional Fires And Saints, and I desperately wanted their story 💛 I knew it would be emotional, funny and hot as f! I know A.E Jensen can write us these kind of stories.

We get their background stories, and I love how the author writes it into the story. We get to read their first meet, and throughout the story see glimpses of what they have experienced together 💛

Reading this sent me through an emotional rollercoaster, and made me crave cold showers 🫦
I’m yet again blown away with the metaphors, nicknames and how invested the author is in the characters and their storyline. It shows and feels when you read it.

This story comes with some triggers, so If you have any be sure to check them out 💛

[anna_79_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know how much I needed Xavi and Lulu's story <3 I found them so adorable in Occasional Fires and Saints and I'm so happy A.E. Jensen wrote this standalone sequel to OFAS. I loved the glimpses from their childhood and how Joe, Xavi and Lulu became friends. And I adored the bits and pieces we get to see of Noah and Joe's HEA. Noah and Joe are so dear to me!!

Lulu is so dramatic and apologetically himself at all times, he's just the sweetest sassy brat. As we get to know him more we understand that there's more to him than he shows the world. Despite being best friends since they were children even Xavi gets surprised when he realizes that Lulu have kept pieces of himself hidden behind the sassy loud personality.

Both Lulu and Xavi has very traumatic pasts and on a road trip to Noah and Joe's wedding they realize that they both have been secretly in love with each other since forever. Will they show each other all their insecurities and trust each other with their hearts?!?

I don't think A.E. Jensen is capable of writing a book I won't love!! She has a very special way to show you the characters insecurities and fears while still being so real and full of love.

Thank you so much for the epilogues and the bonus chapter! They made my heart ache with happiness <3

Thank you so much for the arc!! My review is honest and voluntary.

[Wicked River Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so sweet! I really had a good time seeing Lulu and Xavi come together during the course of their trip. Lulu was so vibrant and positive even after all that he had been through as a child and Xavi was growly but loving of his friends. Both men had residual issues pertaining to the unfortunate circumstances that had taken place before they met but they still attempted to move forward in life which was great! There were moments when these issues such as self doubt would pop up but when they did both of them worked to help the other. As their dynamic changed this became easier to do as a lot of that doubt showed up when it came to relationship. I enjoyed them learning new things about each other even after all the years they’ve been in one another’s lives and the cute moments like Xavi reading to Lulu and the stops along the drive that they knew the other would find special. This was such a nice read!


🩶ARC REVIEW💜

☑️ Trigger Warnings.

[fortheloveofmmromancebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

AE Jensen is by far one of the best authors around. I wish I knew how she makes such magic.

Xavi Bernal fell in love with Lulu the day he met him in detention, aged eleven. Xavi, Lulu and Joe (Occasional Fires and Saints) formed a bond that day in detention and years later they are all still very close friends. Xavi, however is still in love with Lulu.

Lulu Cisnero is quite the dramatic star, always performing. Lulu needs a bodyguard, as with his current job, he thinks he is being stalked. The only person he can trust for the job is Xavi. Lulu is pleased he accepts, as Xavi doesn't have any idea that Lulu is also in love with him.

Xavi and Lulu both have traumatic pasts. Xavi, was the victim of a house fire, causing him to have life changing injuries. Lulu lived in an abusive household, with his brother Manu, who he tried to protect at all costs. Xavi was his saving grace.

On a road trip to Joe and Noah’s (Occasional Fires and Saints) wedding, Xavi and Lulu realise how foolish they have been not owning up to their feelings for all these years. They trial being boyfriends for the remainder of the trip.
On the trip they pass through Hayleys Peak and bump into Henry and Colton (Home Then) and Hank and Finn (Glimpses of Him), who help them out with their car.

This book is everything I needed. The love, emotion, romance, honesty, upset and understanding can only be written by a first class author.
Anja writes from the heart with passion and love. She has such a talent to keep you inthralled by the characters. The love she makes you feel for Xavi and Lulu is spellbinding. Their back story is heartbreaking but also endearing between the two of them. They have always belonged to one another. There are a couple of scenes (no spoilers) that made me sigh, a great big beautiful sigh, and with that came tears. The writing is just so breathtaking.
The pet names Xavi and Lulu had for each other are pure perfection.
Oh and the second epilogue and the bonus chapter will forever remain in my heart.
Anja is such an amazing soul and is by far one of the best authors out there.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I am always on pins and needles waiting for Anja’s next book. I have to say, this one was well worth the wait, everything I wanted it to be and so much more.

The Loneliest Hour is a beautifully written slow burn romance filled with past trauma, struggles with self worth, and the healing power of love. The story follows Xavi, who carries both physical and emotional scars from a childhood explosion that killed his father and left him with permanent injuries. He has secretly pined for his childhood friend, Lulu, for years, but is consumed by guilt over an incident from their past and convinced that Lulu could never love him because of his injuries.

Lulu, on the other hand, is a talented, flamboyant dancer whose vibrant personality contrasts sharply with Xavi’s quieter nature. Despite his larger than life personality, Lulu has also loved Xavi in secret, believing those feelings would never be returned. This is truly a perfect example of “two idiots in love,” and it was such a joy to watch them stumble their way through their growing feelings.

Their relationship is tested and deepened during a road trip, where close proximity forces them to confront their shared past and the feelings they’ve both kept hidden for years. The Spanish terms of endearment were the sweetest! Xavi calls Lulu Cisne (swan), a nod to Lulu’s beauty and grace, while Lulu calls Xavi Oso (bear), for the gentle, protective man he is. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s their emotional growth, learning to trust, to heal, and to love each other fully, that truly makes this story stand out.
Everything Anja touches turns to gold. She is an incredible writer and did an amazing job bringing these two characters to life and giving them the fighting chance they deserve. I am so grateful to be able to read her stories. I would give this a million stars if I could.

[Lauren Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal, it speaks to you from page one. The relationship between Xavi and Lulu is so soul deep and infinite it pushes the boundaries of reality, yet it's everything you want and need. You follow them both through the past (childhood) and present (adulthood) and uncover their stories and insecurities along the way. These men feel unlovable, yet love so deeply and so passionately they know deep down they are meant to be two halves of a whole. (They just have to convince their brains of what their hearts already know). A.E Jensen has written this so well, the mix of English and Spanish throughout is perfect and flows so well and with enough angst, trauma, love and friendship to hold you in until the last word. You will laugh, ooo and awww and jump up and down with happiness with this book. Everyone needs this in their life. AMAZING!!

ARC given by author

[Jennifer Laber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xavi and Lulu

Anja had me at the preface. I rarely highlight while reading and that whole thing is in color. I couldn’t put the book down after just that 1 page. And it was heart-gripping to see that same conversation happen in real time later in the book.

The longing, the pining, the self-denial. It was beautifully painful. All I wanted for both Xavi and Luis was for them to finally have one another the way they were meant to be. For Bear and Swan to have forever. These characters were beautifully written. They were so different and yet had such parallel, difficult paths to overcome. Xavi and Lulu were so well described, I felt like I was seeing and meeting them myself at Gloria’s.

And I absolutely must mention how lovely it was to spend time with Joe and Noah again (Occasional Fires and Saints). I adored seeing them through Xavi and Lulu’s eyes. The interactions between the four men were authentic and added so much to how I understood the connection between our Oso and Cisne.

I could go on and on. Loved this one endlessly and it’s one of the easiest 5-star ratings I’ve given this year.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swooooooning

Just sign me up for an emotional support group already. AE Jensen knows how to torture a heart and put it back together. Not one of her stories ever leaves me feeling empty. My heart is so full. First of all Noah, Joe, Xavi and Lulu are besties goals. Adore this group of men. I loved Joe and Noah but was even more blown away with Xavi and Lulu. I love besties to lovers anyways. And this one didn't disappoint. I am still swooning. Both of these men went through so much in their childhood. It made their HEA that much sweeter. My heart belongs to Lulu forever. To be a bright ray of sunshine after all the abuse he went though showed how strong he was. I loved how protective Xavi was of him. Ultimate besties to lovers !! Ill read them over and over.

[Natalie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anja has done it again.
The longest hour is an emotionally charged story that will leave you weeping happy tears.
Xavi and Lulu are the epitome of pining. These two have been in love with each other for forever but neither of them wanted to ruin their friendship by admitting the truth and it not being reciprocated.

Xavi and Lulu are total opposites. I loved how loud and flamboyant Lulu was. He is so unapologetically himself and I loved every second of getting to know him, and Xavi is a stoic and brooding bear or Oso as Lulu calls him. He is the most loyal of friends and he is definitely the protector.

This book took me on such an emotional journey. The things these men have been through caused them so much trauma and each and every subject was so well written and handled with the most amount of care. You could really feel their pain as you read the story. This is something that Anja excels at, she can write a story and leave you feeling every ounce of what the characters are going through and she enables you to build such a strong connection with the characters.

Everytime I pick up a book written by Anja I know it is going to take me on an emotional journey that will leave me feeling so many different things but they are always worth it and I couldn't recommend her books more.

[Regitse Liljadorff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lulu and Xavi… where to even begin?! I was hooked from the prologue, the start of their friendship as a trio was so nice to see! I have to admit I felt sad when it was over because I was loving it 😂 then we jump into their adult lives, the pining and longing from both sides.. damn the pining… I was pining along with them, waiting for the first kiss and I wasn’t disappointed! These two men were just perfect together. Xavi who’s resigned to never being with the man he loves and Lulu who’s determined to fight for their love, for his chance to be with the guy he’s always been in love with.
And then there’s the spice which is both hot and emotional at the same time. Just pure perfection. But I knew I would love the book because Anja wrote it, and once again I wasn’t let down by her beautiful words and hurt x comfort.

I’m so glad Xavi got his Svan ❤️

[Ri]

I’m crYING XAVI & LULU!!!! <3

Also, Noah & Joe’s wedding omg. MY BABIES.

[Queenbeereads_sugarandspice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww, Xavi and Lulu. These two just absolutely melted my heart. So blooming cute! I honestly wanted to pull them both into a big bear hug and never let them go.
 
You can feel how much heart Anja has poured into this book and these characters. Rich with so much feeling, I was taken on the most romantic road trip you could ever go on as these two best friends finally get up the nerve to speak up and embrace their feelings. And it’s been a hell of a long time coming, almost twenty years of pining…
 
Yep, that’s right: they’ve been best friends for going on two decades and loved each other the whole time, yet they’ve both been too afraid of losing each other to share their feelings. Though, to be honest, ‘feelings’ doesn’t quite feel the right word for just how long they’ve been waiting, how intensely these two have yearned for each other, how deep their love goes. This is devotion, real adoration for each other, in its truest, purest form, and you can see it in their interactions. Feel it down to your bones.
 
Lulu and Xavi are truly meant to be. Soulmates, their paths entwined for all of time. They are absolutely in tune with each other. They're both broken in their own ways, with devastatingly sad pasts, but finally admitting their love helps them both to heal, and their insecurities to fade as they realise how the other person doesn’t shy away from their flaws but instead embraces them for making them the person they are. I love how much braver, stronger, and more confident they feel about taking on the world when they’re together.
 
This book has so many beautiful quotes, it felt like I'd highlighted at least half of it, wanting to remember all of them. Did I absolutely swoon like an infatuated teenager at every one? Damn right, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I read most of them a few times over to make sure my heart had had enough time to savour them. and those adorable pet names, oso and cisne, have embedded themselves into my heart.


------

Some of my favourite quotes

“You’re just so f*cking cute when you’re all growly, oso. Like a big bear that was awakened too prematurely from hibernation.”

“You’ll never lose me, mano. Not ever. You’re my brother, my best friend, my sanity. Be brave with me, oso.”

If he ever confessed to Lulu how much he wanted him, craved him, Lulu would probably run screaming for the hills. Because Xavi didn’t just want Lulu. He wanted to own him, body and soul, in a way that terrified him and would probably terrify Lulu, too.

“You’re so f*cking hot. You’re everywhere. It’s like... It’s like...” “What?” “It’s like I can’t breathe, and yet, it’s like I’m really truly breathing for the first time in my life.”

“You’re beautiful, cariño. More beautiful than you’ll ever know.”

“I think you’re not only the hottest f*cking guy to have ever walked this earth, but I think you’re beautiful in every way that counts. And I’ve wanted you for as long as I knew what it felt like to be a man wanting another man. That’s it. That’s the truth, Xavi. Nothing more, nothing less. Just the truth. It’s what you do with it that matters.”

“You are. You are real. And you are not broken. You’re not. You’re mine, Xavi, and I’ll f*cking tell you every day if I have to. If you ever feel broken, I’m here. I’ll put you back together piece by piece myself if it’s the last thing I do. Until you feel whole again. Te prometo.”

“You're one of the strongest people I know. Being a victim doesn’t mean that you’re weak, that you’re not strong. It just means things happened to you that no kid should ever experience.”

“I don’t care about the why or the how. I just know that the way you make me feel, the way I see myself and think of myself when I’m with you, oso, is the only thing that makes sense in my life. That has always made sense.”

“We both have broken parts, just like we have beautiful parts, too. Perhaps we live in the gray areas, oso, where some days are dark, and it’s up to us to search for the light and claim it.”

“You own me, oso. You always have. You own every part of me.”

“You are pure, cisne. You are the most beautiful person I know. I’m sorry I couldn’t be brave for you sooner, but I’m here now. I’m here with you now, and I won’t disappear ever again. I love you, baby, and you make me feel like I deserve to be loved, too. Like I deserve to be loved by someone like you.”

“And I won’t look back anymore. I won’t be afraid of looking forward. Not when I have you by my side.”

“You belong with me, Lulu, just like I belong with you. Para siempre.”

[Aleja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends to Lovers | Grumpy x Sunshine | Road trip | Hurt/comfort | Possessive MCs | Slow burn

Bueno, tengo que admitir que me costó un poco —bastante, en realidad— terminar este libro.

Tenía muchas ganas de leer la historia de Lulu y Xavi, y al principio empezó muy bien, pero en cierto punto se me hizo difícil continuar. El problema no fueron ellos como personajes; creo que tuvo más que ver con que últimamente no he tenido el tiempo necesario para dedicarme al cien por ciento a la lectura. Además, el estilo de escritura de la autora requiere que prestes mucha atención a los detalles que le da a cada situación, y eso, en este momento, se me hizo un poco cuesta arriba.
No me malinterpreten: su escritura me gusta, simplemente siento que en esta ocasión no logré conectar del todo con la historia.

Aun así, puedo decir que Lulu y Xavi me encantaron, aunque —lo admito— Xavi un poco más que Lulu, jajaja. Me identifiqué mucho más con él 😂. Su historia de amor es realmente muy bonita, y ambos son personajes atrapantes que inevitablemente te hacen sentir identificada con pequeñas cosas que quizá para otros pasan desapercibidas.

Este fue mi primer acercamiento a la autora y, sinceramente, me quedaron ganas de leer más de ella. Monumental es un libro que me han recomendado muchísimo, así que probablemente sea el próximo.

La única cosa que no me terminó de convencer fue la cantidad de veces que se utilizaba la palabra “mano”. Como hablante de español que vive en Argentina y consume muchos contenidos de otros países latinoamericanos, conozco perfectamente la expresión, pero en el libro se usa tan seguido que, en algunos momentos, sentí que estaba de más. No sabría explicarlo del todo, pero eso me sacaba un poco de la historia 🫣.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

I have to admit it took me a while—actually, quite a while—to finish this book.

I was really looking forward to Lulu and Xavi’s story, and it started off strong, but at some point I found it hard to keep going. The issue wasn’t the characters themselves; I think it had more to do with the fact that lately I haven’t had the time to fully commit to reading. The author’s writing style also asks for a lot of attention to detail in every scene, and at this moment, that made it a bit harder for me to stay fully engaged.
Don’t get me wrong—I do like her writing. I just didn’t completely connect with the story this time.

That being said, I truly loved Lulu and Xavi, and I’ll admit I liked Xavi a little more than Lulu 😅. I related to him a lot more 😂. Their love story is genuinely very sweet, and both characters are compelling in a way that makes you see yourself reflected in small, quiet moments that might go unnoticed by others.

This was my first introduction to the author, and I honestly would love to read more from her. Monumental has been highly recommended to me, so that will probably be my next read.

One small thing that pulled me out of the story was how often the word “mano” was used. As a Spanish speaker from Argentina who consumes a lot of Latin American media, I’m very familiar with the expression—but here it felt overused, and at times unnecessary. I can’t quite explain it, but it did take me out of the story a bit 🫣.

[Eimear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just adored this book. This was my first AE Jensen book and it certainly won’t be my last!

Xavi and Lulu are two broken boys who have loved each other for over 20 years. They are such different people but they compliment each other in the best way. Xavi is very internal and feels things a lot deeper than people realise whereas Lulu is just sunshine personified. He is so extroverted and wears his heart on his sleeve for everyone to see. On paper, they shouldn’t work but they do. The representation was very good in this story too and I loved the use of Spanish throughout the book.

Both Xavi and Lulu have their own traumas. Check for trigger warnings on this one! I love how they both helped each other try to work through their traumas and to live with and overcome their demons. I do think I would have liked a little more context in regards to what happened between Lulu and his father. There is a lot alluded to but it’s never fully explained so I wonder if that event was part of the first book? It is a standalone sequel and this is the only time in the book that I felt possibly at a disadvantage for not having read the first book.

I do have to say that there were a few things that disappointed me about this book. I felt like the emotional moments didn’t quite land for me. Sure, there is emotional depth to certain parts of the book but it felt like there was so much build up to the trauma they feel but it doesn’t feel like it was actually properly addressed.
ie. Xavi didn’t like people seeing his scars. There was a huge build up to Xavi revealing the scars to Lulu for the first time, having made Lulu wear a blindfold, and yet when we finally got there, Lulu literally didn’t react to them at all. He looked at Xavi and told him to It just felt a little odd and dissatisfying. Maybe I interpreted it the wrong way but it felt like what Xavi really needed was for Lulu to trace the scars and tell him he was beautiful. But Lulu didn’t even look at him. Maybe this was intentional but it didn’t ring true for the characters in this instance for me. Similarly, I would have loved to have seen a little more of Xavi’s internal monologue regarding accepting his scars. Him whipping off his shirt in the club after what felt like very little thought just felt a bit jarring to me.

In saying that, this was a very solid book nd I really enjoyed my time reading it!

3.75 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4⭐️)

Thank you to AE Jensen for providing me with an advanced copy of the book ❤️

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already melancholic reading the blurb. I just knew it would be precious.

Xavi loves Lulu. Lulu loves Xavi. The end. Well, I’ll tell you, it’s not that simple, it’s not simple at all.

Xavi, Joe, and Lulu have been best friends since they were around ten years old.
Lulu saw Xavi’s pain, and pain was something Lulu understood. Both have scars, physically and mentally. Both have been through hell.

Twenty years forward, peeking back and forth through their lives, we get to know them on a deep layered level.
Oh boy, one piece of advice: Prepare yourself!

We are now where they are twenty-nine-years-old. Xavi is an English teacher, and Lulu is a singer/actor/dancer.
Xavi grew into a big burly man, the opposite of Lulu’s small, delicate, vibrant features.
Both think they are too broken, too scarred, and not good enough. Oh, sweet boys, you are so beautiful and lovable, and so so perfect for each other!!

Imagine, loving (being in love with) your best friend, for already a lifetime, knowing every little detail, every facial expression, every move, but not knowing how to be their lover, trying to move on, walk away, without the other, it’s downright heartbreaking!

So afraid to lose the love of his life, Xavi decides not to make Lulu the love of his life.

Lulu, with his pure soul has enough of Xavi’s unavailability. He has a plan. It’s now or never.

“Mi alma,”

The pining, the longing, the yearning, the heartache, it completely wrecked me.
Thank goodness there’s love so deeply, and undeniably, it made every wrong right in this world! Them together? They were glorious!!

“Who am I then?” And the answer? Jesus f*cking christ. I cried out loud.

Reading about their lives was everything, it wasn’t easy, but they made it!
There are so many beautiful emotional scenes, be still, my heart.
The further the story gets, the hotter it becomes, and so, so immensely romantic.

Their Cuban origin was a fabulous concept. The content burst at the seams, the story is thoroughly developed. Impossible to mention it all, without spoiling. I covered the red thread. There’s no rush, it had a quite comfortable pace. Altogether, it’s a deeply emotional story, that touched my soul.
The author did an excellent job!

I always try to keep a review compact, and always fail. Sorry, not sorry.
I think I covered any spoilers yeahh, *pat my back*
One word (sentence) for this story: it goes straight up to my 5+++ shelf

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 ℒℴ𝓃ℯ𝓁𝒾ℯ𝓈𝓉 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 // 𝒜ℰ 𝒥ℯ𝓃𝓈ℯ𝓃

🦢Some of my Favorites // Edit // Review 🐻

Emotional 🎢 ahead! I was lucky enough to BETA read this beauty, and A.E. Jensen dragged me through 😡 😔 😭 🫠 🥵 like it was nothing. All my emotions went flying, and I was absolutely not prepared.

The pining between Xavi and Lulu had me wanting to give them both a throat-punch 🤛🏼 (I said what I said 😉) and then immediately pull them into the biggest hug and promise everything would be okay.

Xavi was a sweet, gentle Oso who had quietly loved his best friend for as long as he could remember. There was just something about Lulu that pulled him in from the start—he never stood a chance. And then there was Lulu, who had loved Xavi just as long, patiently waiting for him to “catch up” and see that he deserved all the happiness in the world.

These two beautiful souls are destined for the biggest HEA imaginable. The way Lulu fought so hard to show Xavi love—and to remind him of his worth—had me in tears. 😢

This was such a beautiful, beautifully written story. The friendship between these men is truly something special. And it wasn’t just Xavi and Lulu finding their HEA—Noah and Joe also took another meaningful step into the happiness they began building in their book. If you haven’t read Occasional Fire and Saint before this one, I highly recommend picking them up. You don’t have to read them first, but doing so adds so much depth to the experience.

AE Jensen thank for you for this opportunity to fall deep in love with your men.

❤️‍🩹 Best friends to lovers
▪️ Obliviously in love
🪽 Decades of pining
❤️‍🩹 Grumpy/sunshine
▪️ Cuban-American MCs
🪽 Bratty dancer/actor
❤️‍🩹 High school teacher / aspiring author
▪️ Hurt/comfort
🪽 Road trip
❤️‍🩹 Trial boyfriends
▪️ Spanish endearments, tattoos, body worship, and all the sexiest dirty talk!
🪽 “It’s always been you” vibes
❤️‍🩹 “Why didn’t you tell me?” vibes
▪️ “I’m too broken” vibes
🪽 “Let me love you” vibes

Find Edit in👇🏼
🦄 IG: @love.2.readallmmromance

[Kiki Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

With The Loneliest Hour A.E. Jensen has written a lushly romantic, beautifully rewarding story of the healing power of love and friendship.
Xavi and Lulu. Best friends since the met in middle school detention (along with Joe from the superb Occasional Fires and Saints). They’ve been in love with each other forever, but are convinced the other isn’t interested. About to embark on an epic cross county road trip to Joe and Noah’s wedding, this is their chance.
Xavi has the soul of a poet and the look of a bouncer you wouldn’t want to cross. His high school English students love him. He’s adored Lulu since he burst into detention late belting out the opening number from Cabaret. But that love comes with guilt that won’t let him forgive himself the night his jealousy got the best of him.
There’s a bittersweet tang to their story. Xavi lost so much in a fire and still feels the echoes of that loss.
And Lulu. That sweet, sweet boy hides his pain and feelings of unworthiness behind a sunny, flirtatious showman. My heart broke for the boy abandoned, abused, and forced to grow up way too fast.
The way they showed their love even if they couldn’t speak it was so delicately done. Lulu finding the Lorca museum and surprising Xavi? And then Xavi reading Lulu his favorite poem? Top tier wooing from two wary hearts. Their emotional intimacy is breathtaking.
I loved how they had each other’s backs. Xavi telling Lulu he didn’t owe the mother who left him forgiveness really resonated. The guilt we carry is a heavy weight, and Xavi easing that burden had me tearing up.
Years of pining come to a head and it’s heartbreaking that neither really believes the others feelings at first. However broken you think you are, you’re beautiful and so very worthy of love.
And the title? Thinking about it now breaks me.
Anja’s writing is so evocative. There are deep, deep emotions, but also the teasing banter between lifelong friends that will have you smiling. (Mortifying stoic Noah seems to be one of Lulu’s favorite things.)
Gorgeous. Epic. Unforgettable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Perhaps we live in the gray areas, oso, where some days are dark, and it’s up to us to search for the light and claim it."


I'll be honest, I'm not super familiar with AE Jensen's work, I've heard so many good things about their books but haven't read many of them yet myself. I was absolutely blown away by this book and their writing.

From the very first page I was pulled into Xavi, Joe, and Lulu's world full of found family, friendship, sadness, grief, happiness and so much love in various forms. I absolutely adore Xavi and Lulu, their love story is a slow burn between them, understandably so. Both men were scared to admit how they felt until one night where they couldn't hide anymore.

I personally enjoyed the slow burn, the angst that was slowly building over time, it was comparable to when water is just about to boil, simmering away until it works it's way up to a roaring boil.. That what Xavi and Lulu's relationship was like, their friendship was the simmer, and that night when they admitted their feelings was the catalyst to the roaring boil... And from there, these two were unstoppable.

I enjoyed reading this book, the characters were magnificent, I loved how much backstory we got and how we got flashbacks of these characters during their childhood. There was so much depth to Lulu and Xavi's relationship that it just made so much sense for them to be together, there was so much chemistry and emotion between them as well. I loved these two together.

~I received an early copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.~~

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lulu has spent nearly twenty years loving Xavi in silence, hiding his feelings behind jokes and pretending he’s fine while Xavi drifts further out of reach. Exhausted from holding everything in, he sees their week‑long road trip to a friend’s wedding as his final chance to be honest. As old wounds, unspoken longing, and years of friendship press close, Lulu must decide whether to finally tell Xavi the truth — and whether Xavi can be brave enough to meet him there. It’s a slow‑burn, best‑friends‑to‑lovers romance filled with yearning, tenderness, and the hope that love patiently waiting in the background can finally step into the light.

I loved this beautifully tender best‑friends‑to‑lovers story built on two decades of unspoken love. Lulu and Xavi’s connection runs so deep it practically hums beneath every silence, every shared memory, every moment they almost say what they really mean. You feel the weight of all those years — the longing, the fear, the devotion neither of them has ever dared to name. What makes the story so moving is how simple their path could be if they were just honest with each other. The love is already there, steady and undeniable; it’s the courage to speak it aloud that stands in their way. Watching them inch toward that truth, finally choosing vulnerability over fear, is as heart‑aching as it is rewarding. A slow‑burn, deeply emotional romance about two souls who have always belonged to each other — they just need to finally say it. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good golly gosh, this was stunning. I’ve been falling in love with A.E. Jensen’s writing steadily these past few weeks. I’ll be honest, her spot on my auto-buy list was already a sure thing after Glimpses of Him. But I think this one sealed it for sure. What a beautiful, beautiful story this was.

Lulu and Xavi have been best friends for a very long time, and unbeknownst to each other, they have been in love with each other for all that time too. But an unfortunate stalker incident and one fated road trip changes everything they both thought they knew, in the very best way.

I fell in love with these two right from the start. Their love for each other was so so beautiful. The pining and longing? Ugh, yes please. The sweetly aching hurt/comfort vibes I’ve come to associate with Anja’s books? Pitch perfect. The tender, soul-deep romance that blooms between these two? Gorgeous! And the spice? Hot, hot, hot! Honestly, every single thing about this book was perfect to me. It gave me all the feels and then some and I’m so so glad I discovered Anja’s work. She’s an amazing human and without a doubt a very talented author.

If you love slow-burn friends-to-lovers romances with all the hurt/comfort, pining, and achingly perfect intimacy, then please check this one out, if you can.

[Chasary Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply beautiful.. where do I start 😭 Xavi is the boy who survived the fire but came out with scars and missing fingers LuLu was a victim of child abuse from his drug addict father and a mother who left him and little brother.. They both met in detention when they were in high school. The moment they met they felt a deep connection.. they became best friends who were pinning for each other for over 2 decades. Lulu ends up having a stalker and Xavi to be his bodyguard to accompany him to his rehearsal and performances, Lulu ends up staying with Xavi and then they have a trial trip tonthwir best friends wedding.. cue the crying 😭 They are both pinning for each other and while on the road trip they become closer that they already are.. let’s just say this book is beautiful as well as heartbreaking no spoilers because I want you all to experience all the emotions and all the feels. A.E.Jensen truly poured all her heart and soul writing Xavi & LuLu and you can definitely feel the love in this book. This is an MM book bestfriends to lovers
grumpy/sunshine
teacher/actor/singer
pinning
Parental neglect
Substance abuse
I couldn’t stop reading this book I read it in one day it’s heartbreaking heartwarming and simply beautiful.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet. Truly one of those stories that just wraps around your heart and doesn’t let go. Lulu and Xavi have been best friends since childhood, and the decades of quiet pining between them? Absolutely beautiful and painful in the best way.

Lulu is vibrant, warm, and endlessly hopeful despite everything he’s been through, while Xavi is growly, protective, and deeply devoted, even if he struggles to believe he deserves happiness. Both carry scars from their pasts, and I loved how those insecurities still popped up, especially around the idea of changing their relationship… but they always worked through it together.

The road trip setup was perfect. Forced proximity, shared memories, learning new things about each other even after all those years, plus the little moments like Xavi reading to Lulu or making stops just because he knows it’ll make Lulu smile? My heart couldn’t handle it.

This is a best-friends-to-lovers romance done right. Soft, emotional, full of longing, and so incredibly tender. Two broken men who have loved each other forever finally choosing more.

If you love years of pining, road trips, hurt/comfort, and gentle, soul-deep love, don’t miss this one.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled that A.E. Jensen returned to the setting of Occasional Fires and Saints, this time to chart the romance of best friends Lulu and Xavi.
There's no one like this author for getting to the truth of damage and brokenness (both physical and emotional) and managing to find hope and healing for her characters. Stoical and impassioned teacher Xavi, who was badly burned in a fire as a child, and flamboyant, talented Lulu, still struggling from the abuse of neglect in childhood, truly see each other in some ways and yet, due to their fears and insecurities, have long failed to acknowledge the romantic potential in their relationship.
With unerring care and understanding, Anja transmits that sense of overwhelming risk to the reader as both men try to find the courage to speak their hearts. This is a deeply romantic story that comes from a place of pain and loss and leads to a hugely fulfilling and life-enhancing HEA. Absolutely gorgeous!

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loneliest hour It's a best friends to lovers romance that will leave you breathless.

Xavi and Lulu have known each other since they were children and have been friends all their lives, but Xavi has been in love with Lulu since the very beginning. Decades of pining between two friends, who have survived whatever life has thrown at them: for Xavi, his father died in a fire, leaving his body with scars, which he has always hidden, and Lulu suffered abuse and abandonment.

Joe and Noah's wedding and Xavi's fear of flying mean that he travels with Lulu by car across the country.

The tenderness they show each other, their deep love and concern for one another will bring tears to your eyes in one of the most romantic books I have read this year, mixed with Lorca and his poems.

It's not my first book by this author, but I need to catch up.

Looking forward to reading whatever comes next. It's already a must for me.

[Lea Aparicio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lulu going after what he wants after so long.. 👏🏼🫶🏼 and Xavi being the grumpy in-love-but-scared boy is everything!

This is a really good book. I love Lulu so much, I think he is so much fun and he really just wants his oso 🐻- how ever he can get him 🥰

I did struggle with some of the dialogue. If you’re not a native LatinE speaker/ Spanish speaker then it’s likely it won’t bother you. For me, I wish authors would take more time to really get other languages contextually right, because it makes a difference. The over use is “mano” - and in ways that it didn’t really belong, kept taking me out of the moment. Like I said, it’s a good book. But the use of endearments and specific sayings could use some work.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book filled with pining - two MCs that have been yearning for each other for years. Both feel that they are not good enough for the other, for very different but equally traumatic reasons. Confined in a car on a road trip finally has them starting to communicate and become more open in their feelings towards each other. I personally would have preferred more people and less intimate scenes, although the latter was important for Xavi in particular. I particularly enjoyed the sights on the road trip.
Thanks for the advance copy, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[Taylor Dawicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! I was so excited to get Xavi and Lulu’s story as soon as I found out about it! It was emotional, steamy, and so cute. You just hope from the start they end up together because they deserve to find their person after hard lives and being lonely. Their banter had me laughing a few times. The Haley’s Peak cameo was so great, I completely forgot about how Finn got home so that was a fun surprise.