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Love Without Labels #3
Wanting My Husband
John
I’ve never met anyone who bothers me more than Chad Sinclair.
He’s always smiling, always happy – excited about life in a way I truly cannot comprehend. A spoiled city guy who acts like he’s never heard the word no before.
I can’t believe I drunkenly married him in Vegas.
Or that he showed up at my farmhouse, ready to give up his whole life to play happy husbands with me in the middle of nowhere.
Chad might have convinced himself we’re meant to be, but I gave up on that kind of future a long time ago.
Chad
I’ve always believed things work out for me – and getting my husband to admit he wants me is no exception.
John Sullivan might be grumpy, closed-off, and determined to pretend this means nothing, but he still chose me. He married me. He said I do, and I’m not ready to let that go just because he’s pretending he is.
He can say there’s no way we can work, but I’m stubborn enough to stay and keep proving him wrong.
A grumpy/sunshine MM romance about a woke-up-married couple navigating life after loss, small-town living, and the kind of heat that burns slowest when you’re trying your hardest to resist it.
I’ve never met anyone who bothers me more than Chad Sinclair.
He’s always smiling, always happy – excited about life in a way I truly cannot comprehend. A spoiled city guy who acts like he’s never heard the word no before.
I can’t believe I drunkenly married him in Vegas.
Or that he showed up at my farmhouse, ready to give up his whole life to play happy husbands with me in the middle of nowhere.
Chad might have convinced himself we’re meant to be, but I gave up on that kind of future a long time ago.
Chad
I’ve always believed things work out for me – and getting my husband to admit he wants me is no exception.
John Sullivan might be grumpy, closed-off, and determined to pretend this means nothing, but he still chose me. He married me. He said I do, and I’m not ready to let that go just because he’s pretending he is.
He can say there’s no way we can work, but I’m stubborn enough to stay and keep proving him wrong.
A grumpy/sunshine MM romance about a woke-up-married couple navigating life after loss, small-town living, and the kind of heat that burns slowest when you’re trying your hardest to resist it.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2026
About the author
Lexi Amber
15 books157 followersLexi is an American author who is obsessed with queer happily ever afters. Most of her time is spent with her two kids, but if they’re asleep then she is either reading, writing, or watching hockey.
Professionally trained as a nurse, Lexi decided to start writing when she became a stay at home mom and the characters in her head haven’t stopped talking since.
Lexi also loves Diet Coke, traveling, and Halloween. Her house is probably obnoxiously decorated for whatever holiday is next because she thinks that little things that make people smile are important.
You can find her attempting to stay up to date with all social media under the name Lexi Amber.
Professionally trained as a nurse, Lexi decided to start writing when she became a stay at home mom and the characters in her head haven’t stopped talking since.
Lexi also loves Diet Coke, traveling, and Halloween. Her house is probably obnoxiously decorated for whatever holiday is next because she thinks that little things that make people smile are important.
You can find her attempting to stay up to date with all social media under the name Lexi Amber.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
June 21, 2026
1.5 ⭐️
I almost DNFed this.
Actually, I did mark it as DNF, but then I thought I don’t want the 80% I’ve already read to go to waste and lose out on one extra book for my reading challenge.
But holy fuck, how I HATED the dead ex trope. I’m throwing up as we speak 🙄🙄🙄
(SPOILERS AHEAD but it might save you time and spare your nerves!! 😘)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I’m too pissed to write a proper detailed review, so here’s what we’re dealing with:
🔖 John mourns his long-dead ex, Luke, for the entire book.
🔖 Every single thing John does and breathes is centered around Luke.
🔖 He also lives in Luke’s house.
🔖 He’s fine with sleeping with other people but hates the idea of ever loving someone because that feels like a betrayal of Luke. Make it make sense???????
🔖 He agrees to marry Chad while drunk and doesn’t feel guilty about it toward Luke… which also makes no sense.
🔖 Luke is described as “perfect” and a “perfect fit” for John 🙄🙄🙄🙄
🔖 John goes on an annual camping trip to mourn Luke AFTER admitting he has feelings for Chad. Why the fuck would you go if you’re in love with someone else now???
🔖 He asks Chad to MOVE INTO HIS HOUSE (AKA HIS DEAD EX’S HOUSE).
AND THAT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WAS THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN.
So not only can’t I hate this dead guy because he’s “perfect with no flaws whatsoever,” he’s connected to John and Chad’s love story right up until the very end. At every step. No matter what.
Now look me in the eyes and tell me that John was in love with Chad. Because he sure as fuck wasn’t.
Rounding up to 2 stars only because of Chad, because he’s my love.
Everyone deserves sunshine, but Chad deserves ALL THE FUCKING STARS IN THE SKY LAID OUT AT HIS FEET 🥹🥹🥹💗💗💗💗💗
I almost DNFed this.
Actually, I did mark it as DNF, but then I thought I don’t want the 80% I’ve already read to go to waste and lose out on one extra book for my reading challenge.
But holy fuck, how I HATED the dead ex trope. I’m throwing up as we speak 🙄🙄🙄
(SPOILERS AHEAD but it might save you time and spare your nerves!! 😘)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I’m too pissed to write a proper detailed review, so here’s what we’re dealing with:
🔖 John mourns his long-dead ex, Luke, for the entire book.
🔖 Every single thing John does and breathes is centered around Luke.
🔖 He also lives in Luke’s house.
🔖 He’s fine with sleeping with other people but hates the idea of ever loving someone because that feels like a betrayal of Luke. Make it make sense???????
🔖 He agrees to marry Chad while drunk and doesn’t feel guilty about it toward Luke… which also makes no sense.
🔖 Luke is described as “perfect” and a “perfect fit” for John 🙄🙄🙄🙄
🔖 John goes on an annual camping trip to mourn Luke AFTER admitting he has feelings for Chad. Why the fuck would you go if you’re in love with someone else now???
🔖 He asks Chad to MOVE INTO HIS HOUSE (AKA HIS DEAD EX’S HOUSE).
AND THAT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WAS THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN.
So not only can’t I hate this dead guy because he’s “perfect with no flaws whatsoever,” he’s connected to John and Chad’s love story right up until the very end. At every step. No matter what.
Now look me in the eyes and tell me that John was in love with Chad. Because he sure as fuck wasn’t.
Rounding up to 2 stars only because of Chad, because he’s my love.
Everyone deserves sunshine, but Chad deserves ALL THE FUCKING STARS IN THE SKY LAID OUT AT HIS FEET 🥹🥹🥹💗💗💗💗💗
June 10, 2026
3 🌟
Chad and John 🖤
So, I waited a bit to write my review because I’ve been so torn on this one.
I thought I was going to LOVE these two 😢
And I think this is mostly a me problem, I just really struggled with how closed off John was and how he was so dismissive to Chad.
I loved so much about this, but I also could just never fully get over John's behavior. It felt like Chad was always living in John’s ex’s shadow. Luke, the ex who passed away, was a prominent feature of the entire book.
Every single thing John did was like a shrine to Luke. And I LOVE me a man who is a total grumpy asshole who’s only soft for his person. But John never gave Chad anything. Always pushing him away and making rude comments to him. And Chad was just like a sweet little puppy following him around. It just made me sad.
Also, Luke had passed 9 or 10 years ago. They were together from 16-22 ish (I think) and during all this time NO ONE EVEN KNEW. Not John’s best friend, not his family. No one even knew he dated and therefore lost his partner. And it’s not like he’s closeted. So why would he keep this to himself for so long. It just added this layer where it felt like he was ashamed of Chad because it felt disrespectful to Luke. Again, I know some of this won't bother others, but for me I really struggled with believing that John loved Chad. It felt more like Chad just wore him down eventually and showed him he didn't need to be alone and miserable.
Chad was just so sweet and earnest, even bordering on naive when he took rejection after rejection from John. I wasn’t expecting Chad to be so dense regarding how he was getting NOTHING back from John. It came across as desperate to me, and I hate that everything felt secretive and that John was ashamed. Because Chad never for one second wavered in his feelings or his identity.
This just felt like an entirely different couple from how they were in the novella. I loved their dynamic there, the push and pull. Yes, John seemed guarded and grumpy then too, but here it just felt like he was disgusted with Chad, or maybe more like himself? Idk it just made me sad for him.
But hey, the spice was here with these two. They reaaaallly got into exploring kinks.
I just think I needed a bit more of John realizing he cared for CHAD. I appreciated his journey of processing grief and learning he deserved love again. Which he fully does. But I needed to see more that Chad specifically had his heart, and he wasn't just something of convenience.
I have loved everything else in this series, and I will definitely continue on with it in the future! But this one was just a bit difficult for me. There was lots of great Liam and Blake content as well as all the farm animals though.
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? No
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— grumpy x sunshine
— secret relationship
— woke up married in Vegas
— queer awakening
— opposites attract
— tattooed MMC
— pierced 🍆
— pining
— only one bed
— MMC is still in love with ex who passed away 9 years ago
— trust fund x blue collar
— first times
— “sir”
— “princess”
— “husband” / “hubby”
— caretaking
— kink exploration
— oral
— rimming
— bareback
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Chad and John 🖤
So, I waited a bit to write my review because I’ve been so torn on this one.
I thought I was going to LOVE these two 😢
And I think this is mostly a me problem, I just really struggled with how closed off John was and how he was so dismissive to Chad.
I loved so much about this, but I also could just never fully get over John's behavior. It felt like Chad was always living in John’s ex’s shadow. Luke, the ex who passed away, was a prominent feature of the entire book.
Every single thing John did was like a shrine to Luke. And I LOVE me a man who is a total grumpy asshole who’s only soft for his person. But John never gave Chad anything. Always pushing him away and making rude comments to him. And Chad was just like a sweet little puppy following him around. It just made me sad.
Also, Luke had passed 9 or 10 years ago. They were together from 16-22 ish (I think) and during all this time NO ONE EVEN KNEW. Not John’s best friend, not his family. No one even knew he dated and therefore lost his partner. And it’s not like he’s closeted. So why would he keep this to himself for so long. It just added this layer where it felt like he was ashamed of Chad because it felt disrespectful to Luke. Again, I know some of this won't bother others, but for me I really struggled with believing that John loved Chad. It felt more like Chad just wore him down eventually and showed him he didn't need to be alone and miserable.
Chad was just so sweet and earnest, even bordering on naive when he took rejection after rejection from John. I wasn’t expecting Chad to be so dense regarding how he was getting NOTHING back from John. It came across as desperate to me, and I hate that everything felt secretive and that John was ashamed. Because Chad never for one second wavered in his feelings or his identity.
This just felt like an entirely different couple from how they were in the novella. I loved their dynamic there, the push and pull. Yes, John seemed guarded and grumpy then too, but here it just felt like he was disgusted with Chad, or maybe more like himself? Idk it just made me sad for him.
But hey, the spice was here with these two. They reaaaallly got into exploring kinks.
I just think I needed a bit more of John realizing he cared for CHAD. I appreciated his journey of processing grief and learning he deserved love again. Which he fully does. But I needed to see more that Chad specifically had his heart, and he wasn't just something of convenience.
I have loved everything else in this series, and I will definitely continue on with it in the future! But this one was just a bit difficult for me. There was lots of great Liam and Blake content as well as all the farm animals though.
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? No
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— grumpy x sunshine
— secret relationship
— woke up married in Vegas
— queer awakening
— opposites attract
— tattooed MMC
— pierced 🍆
— pining
— only one bed
— MMC is still in love with ex who passed away 9 years ago
— trust fund x blue collar
— first times
— “sir”
— “princess”
— “husband” / “hubby”
— caretaking
— kink exploration
— oral
— rimming
— bareback
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2026
Tada! ✨The most delusional MM romance of 2026 has arrived. ✨It is light years away from reality and has officially evolved beyond the tired grumpy x sunshine trope. We have now entered the era of the emotionally inept Neanderthal x the trust-fund idiot.
Chad is honestly so stupid that I am left speechless. His level of incompetence is beyond human comprehension. He is wealthy and completely free to live his own life, yet he still insists on debasing himself to chase after that dick. He has absolutely no brain, and even less self-respect.
The entire story feels like the authors just grabbed two characters from the series and slapped generic personality templates onto them. When they ran out of plot, they just threw in some BDSM scenes, as if sex can fix everything. It is a lazy way to patch up a broken story.
I am genuinely confused about what happened with this installment. While the first two books in this series were certainly dramatic and a bit OTT, the level of absurdity in this one is extremely disappointing.
Chad is honestly so stupid that I am left speechless. His level of incompetence is beyond human comprehension. He is wealthy and completely free to live his own life, yet he still insists on debasing himself to chase after that dick. He has absolutely no brain, and even less self-respect.
The entire story feels like the authors just grabbed two characters from the series and slapped generic personality templates onto them. When they ran out of plot, they just threw in some BDSM scenes, as if sex can fix everything. It is a lazy way to patch up a broken story.
I am genuinely confused about what happened with this installment. While the first two books in this series were certainly dramatic and a bit OTT, the level of absurdity in this one is extremely disappointing.
July 4, 2026
It pains me to rate this so low but I would love to see Lexi and Bec do something else than write an oblivious mmc who falls in love.
And Chad took the crown for most oblivious mmc EVER cause he's portrayed as such an idiot he doesn't feel real anymore. I loved both characters in the novella but the lack of depth and reoccuring archetypes just didn't work for me at all.
And Chad took the crown for most oblivious mmc EVER cause he's portrayed as such an idiot he doesn't feel real anymore. I loved both characters in the novella but the lack of depth and reoccuring archetypes just didn't work for me at all.
June 10, 2026
I loved this so much!!! I was expecting some angst with this book, and it did deliver on that. What I wasn't expecting was to be either teary eyed or smiling or both all throughout the book. I didn't mind it at all though! I loved every moment of this book!
John's grief was a living breathing thing. My heart broke for him and how lonely he must have felt after losing Luke. I was quite emotional while reading this book. Chad's eagerness was very endearing, but it was also something that brought tears to my eyes when I saw how hard he was trying. Chad was so determined and it was great to see him fight for something he wanted with all his soul. It was also great to see someone show John that he can be loved and he can be happy, while also saving a spot in his heart for Luke. I loved all of the caretaking and I felt like this book and these characters really needed it. I loved how possessive they were of each other. I loved Chad's whole vibe, his openness, optimism, golden retriever energy. John was so stoic, but also steadfast and the calming presence Chad sometimes needed. I loved the dynamic between Chad and John, and their whole exploration was also something great to see.
I loved all of the Blake and Chad chaos, the animal side characters, and seeing some of the characters we already know and love.
Read this if you enjoy hurt/comfort, caretaking, grumpy/sunshine, a character living with grief, and a great golden retriever character who will do anything for the people he loves.
John's grief was a living breathing thing. My heart broke for him and how lonely he must have felt after losing Luke. I was quite emotional while reading this book. Chad's eagerness was very endearing, but it was also something that brought tears to my eyes when I saw how hard he was trying. Chad was so determined and it was great to see him fight for something he wanted with all his soul. It was also great to see someone show John that he can be loved and he can be happy, while also saving a spot in his heart for Luke. I loved all of the caretaking and I felt like this book and these characters really needed it. I loved how possessive they were of each other. I loved Chad's whole vibe, his openness, optimism, golden retriever energy. John was so stoic, but also steadfast and the calming presence Chad sometimes needed. I loved the dynamic between Chad and John, and their whole exploration was also something great to see.
I loved all of the Blake and Chad chaos, the animal side characters, and seeing some of the characters we already know and love.
Read this if you enjoy hurt/comfort, caretaking, grumpy/sunshine, a character living with grief, and a great golden retriever character who will do anything for the people he loves.
July 1, 2026
DNF page 137/326.
If Chad opens his mouth one more time I'm going to start screaming, I have no idea how on earth John is putting up with him.
Chad is whiny, loud, and constantly talking. It's not even just that, the way he talks just makes him sound so childish and yappy.
John is closed off, still grieving his ex that died 9 years ago. Constantly in a "don't approach me" mood.
And they've just agreed to have an arrangement together but it feels so random and kinda awkward? I don't know if awkward is the word. But John's like "can't have sex 2 days in a row" so Chad takes it as a sign that they're having sex every 2 days. He goes to John's house and runs upstairs to strip, and instead of John properly in the mood for it or anything he's like "guess I'm having sex with Chad now" - you can say no.
I just really don't know how to feel about this one. However, I do know that I'm not reading another 189 pages of this.
If Chad opens his mouth one more time I'm going to start screaming, I have no idea how on earth John is putting up with him.
Chad is whiny, loud, and constantly talking. It's not even just that, the way he talks just makes him sound so childish and yappy.
John is closed off, still grieving his ex that died 9 years ago. Constantly in a "don't approach me" mood.
And they've just agreed to have an arrangement together but it feels so random and kinda awkward? I don't know if awkward is the word. But John's like "can't have sex 2 days in a row" so Chad takes it as a sign that they're having sex every 2 days. He goes to John's house and runs upstairs to strip, and instead of John properly in the mood for it or anything he's like "guess I'm having sex with Chad now" - you can say no.
I just really don't know how to feel about this one. However, I do know that I'm not reading another 189 pages of this.
May 27, 2026
‼️SPOILERS‼️
I have been wanting to get Chad and John’s story since the novella we got of Blake and Liam’s bachelor weekend and oh my goodness, this is as absolutely perfect.
I loved the whole grumpy/sunshine dynamic with these two. I swear… every single time Chad opened up his mouth, I was giggling. He was a certain highlight of this book.
There were so many cute moments in this book. The donkeys living in Chad’s home that had me truly just staring at my book asking myself did he just have farm animals inside of his home?
What I really love is how natural these two came together. At first, John tried to stop his feelings for Chad but obviously, that was purely impossible. I feel like the caretaking scene when Chad got sick was when things started to shift and ugh, I was here for these two finally coming together.
The tattoo scene had to be my favorite part with these two. I will say that when John finally opened up his heart and talked about Luke, it was so sweet and emotional that he finally let himself feel. That whole scene with Chad, John, Blake and Liam was really touching.
I need a Chad in my life because he was like an energetic puppy.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I have been wanting to get Chad and John’s story since the novella we got of Blake and Liam’s bachelor weekend and oh my goodness, this is as absolutely perfect.
I loved the whole grumpy/sunshine dynamic with these two. I swear… every single time Chad opened up his mouth, I was giggling. He was a certain highlight of this book.
There were so many cute moments in this book. The donkeys living in Chad’s home that had me truly just staring at my book asking myself did he just have farm animals inside of his home?
What I really love is how natural these two came together. At first, John tried to stop his feelings for Chad but obviously, that was purely impossible. I feel like the caretaking scene when Chad got sick was when things started to shift and ugh, I was here for these two finally coming together.
The tattoo scene had to be my favorite part with these two. I will say that when John finally opened up his heart and talked about Luke, it was so sweet and emotional that he finally let himself feel. That whole scene with Chad, John, Blake and Liam was really touching.
I need a Chad in my life because he was like an energetic puppy.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
June 11, 2026
Wanting My Husband was a light and entertaining romance that kept me turning the pages.
John and Chad had a dynamic that immediately stood out to me. Their personalities were very different, which led to plenty of funny moments, but it also made their growing connection feel rewarding to follow. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship developed and how they slowly learned to understand each other better.
The story blended humor, romance, and emotional moments in a way that kept things engaging throughout. There were several scenes that made me smile, and I appreciated the balance between the lighter moments and the more heartfelt ones.
Overall, this was a fun, enjoyable read with memorable characters, great chemistry, and a romance that was easy to root for. If you enjoy character-driven MM romances with plenty of banter and heart, this is definitely worth checking out.
Thank you to the authors for the ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
John and Chad had a dynamic that immediately stood out to me. Their personalities were very different, which led to plenty of funny moments, but it also made their growing connection feel rewarding to follow. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship developed and how they slowly learned to understand each other better.
The story blended humor, romance, and emotional moments in a way that kept things engaging throughout. There were several scenes that made me smile, and I appreciated the balance between the lighter moments and the more heartfelt ones.
Overall, this was a fun, enjoyable read with memorable characters, great chemistry, and a romance that was easy to root for. If you enjoy character-driven MM romances with plenty of banter and heart, this is definitely worth checking out.
Thank you to the authors for the ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 4, 2026
✨ ARC review ✨
💚 Wanting My Husband by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson 💚
“I have no idea how he knew all those months ago in Vegas, but my life really is better with him in it. Full of more joy and laughter, more support and hope than I ever thought possible. I like this version of myself I’m slowly becoming around him.”
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 yet ANOTHER amazing book by these two!! the Love Without Labels series has seriously become such a favorite of mine, and this spin-off was everything id hoped for - and more!!
if you haven’t read the novella, ‘The Reality of Ever After’, it follows the characters from the first two books getting wild in Vegas for Blake and Liam’s bachelor party. in the novella, Chad and John drunkenly get married, which leads to this book!
Chad is our sweet golden retriever MC, who is DETERMINEDDDD to convince John that they are meant to be together, despite barely knowing each other. i mean, they’re married, it has to be fate, right? 😅
John is our grumpy ‘no relationship’ type MC, who is beyond annoyed with Chad’s advances and wants him to just move on with his life (or does he? 🤔)
one thing leads to another, and Chad’s not only living minutes away from John, but they have set up an arrangement - no feelings, no sleepovers, just sex. and let me tell you - it gets KINKY up in here. i loved it 🤩 but is that where their story ends? 🤔
though there were plenty of laughs from Chad, I equally shed so many tears for John. that man has been through so much heartbreak after losing his first love. im glad Chad was patient (somewhat lol) with him and never let his ‘grumpiness’ deter him.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t WAIT for the next book!!
some tidbits:
💚 woke up married
💚 love after loss
💚 grumpy/sunshine
💚 BDSM (and a kink list!!! 🔥)
💚 secret relationship
💚 tattooed & pierced MC
💚 DONKEYS!! 🫏
💚 Wanting My Husband by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson 💚
“I have no idea how he knew all those months ago in Vegas, but my life really is better with him in it. Full of more joy and laughter, more support and hope than I ever thought possible. I like this version of myself I’m slowly becoming around him.”
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 yet ANOTHER amazing book by these two!! the Love Without Labels series has seriously become such a favorite of mine, and this spin-off was everything id hoped for - and more!!
if you haven’t read the novella, ‘The Reality of Ever After’, it follows the characters from the first two books getting wild in Vegas for Blake and Liam’s bachelor party. in the novella, Chad and John drunkenly get married, which leads to this book!
Chad is our sweet golden retriever MC, who is DETERMINEDDDD to convince John that they are meant to be together, despite barely knowing each other. i mean, they’re married, it has to be fate, right? 😅
John is our grumpy ‘no relationship’ type MC, who is beyond annoyed with Chad’s advances and wants him to just move on with his life (or does he? 🤔)
one thing leads to another, and Chad’s not only living minutes away from John, but they have set up an arrangement - no feelings, no sleepovers, just sex. and let me tell you - it gets KINKY up in here. i loved it 🤩 but is that where their story ends? 🤔
though there were plenty of laughs from Chad, I equally shed so many tears for John. that man has been through so much heartbreak after losing his first love. im glad Chad was patient (somewhat lol) with him and never let his ‘grumpiness’ deter him.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t WAIT for the next book!!
some tidbits:
💚 woke up married
💚 love after loss
💚 grumpy/sunshine
💚 BDSM (and a kink list!!! 🔥)
💚 secret relationship
💚 tattooed & pierced MC
💚 DONKEYS!! 🫏
June 10, 2026
4.5 Stars ⭐️
4 Spice 🌶️
Tropes and Tags:
- 1st Person, Dual POV
- A little angst
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Pierced and Tattooed MC
- Woke up married
- Bdsm and kink exploration
This was such a wonderful mix of absolutely adorable and sinfully sexy I loved it!
John and Chad end up married after a classic night in Vegas, and the wonderfully adaptive and previously “straight” Chad realises that being married to John might be the best thing that ever happened to him.
I love beautiful sunshiney characters like Chad, they make me so happy and watching them slowly thaw their grumpy counterpart is one of my favourite things ever. And boy does John need some thawing, a task that Chad literally never EVER gives up on.
These two are also SO steamy and have chemistry like they were handcrafted for on another. I loved their kink exploration and the way they both trust each other to take care of their needs and desires. The way Chad relaxed into his role without even realising because he just knew John would take care of him was absolutely ✨swoon✨!
This series is just all hits for me, and I can’t wait for even more goodness to come!👏
4 Spice 🌶️
Tropes and Tags:
- 1st Person, Dual POV
- A little angst
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Pierced and Tattooed MC
- Woke up married
- Bdsm and kink exploration
This was such a wonderful mix of absolutely adorable and sinfully sexy I loved it!
John and Chad end up married after a classic night in Vegas, and the wonderfully adaptive and previously “straight” Chad realises that being married to John might be the best thing that ever happened to him.
I love beautiful sunshiney characters like Chad, they make me so happy and watching them slowly thaw their grumpy counterpart is one of my favourite things ever. And boy does John need some thawing, a task that Chad literally never EVER gives up on.
These two are also SO steamy and have chemistry like they were handcrafted for on another. I loved their kink exploration and the way they both trust each other to take care of their needs and desires. The way Chad relaxed into his role without even realising because he just knew John would take care of him was absolutely ✨swoon✨!
This series is just all hits for me, and I can’t wait for even more goodness to come!👏
June 11, 2026
God, I thought this book would be like a perfect five-star for me, because Lord knows I love a good grumpy sunshine dynamic, but I did not like how this was done. I didn’t like how the authors went about John's ex, Luke. It felt like Chad was competing with the dead person, and you can't really compete with the dead person, because they are frozen in memory. Their story will never be completed, so you just sort of become a placeholder. I didn't like that. And also what do you mean that Chad and John are seriously living in Luke's old house? It would have been better if the moved to Chad’s house, so they can build memories that is just of them like why did they have to live in John’s dead ex house. I wanted to like this book so bad. I wish they (authors) approached this dead ex trope better, it felt like from beginning to the end everything was just about Luke Luke Luke for John. It was so bad. I truly did wish better for Chad, and I thought he would get sick of it and John will realize how stupid he has been and atleast we’ll get a little yearning but none of that happened. I’m not trying to dismiss John’s feeling at all, but come on it felt like he didn’t even love Chad as much as Chad loves him, it just felt like Chad wore him down and he just agreed to be with him. It is what it is, overall it gets a 3 star from me, I think I would’ve have rated it higher if Luke wasn’t involved in this book.
May 26, 2026
ARC 📖 review
MC’s: John 🛠️ & Chad 🫏
5/5 ⭐️Overall
5/5 🌶️ Spice
What makes this book for me is the dynamic between the two MC’s. It’s not just the grumpy sunshine or how unflappable Chad’s golden retriever outlook is even when facing down grumpy John.
It’s what I harp on, over and over. When a broken MC, who was let down by life, is shown another outlook by someone that falls head over heels for them… this is the story arc I want to read again and again.
Add to that the sizzling chemistry between these two and I could not put it down. I had read 80% of it in serial form before the ARC was available and LOVED reading through it again.
Chad & John are EVERYTHING together.
Tropes:
🫏 accidental wedding
🛠️GRUMPY - sunshine
🎲 Golden Retriever MC
🫏 baby sub
🛠️ BDSM
🎲 k!nk exploration
🫏 rich-poor
🛠️ found family
Please note, I did receive this advanced copy ahead of publication; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book.
MC’s: John 🛠️ & Chad 🫏
5/5 ⭐️Overall
5/5 🌶️ Spice
What makes this book for me is the dynamic between the two MC’s. It’s not just the grumpy sunshine or how unflappable Chad’s golden retriever outlook is even when facing down grumpy John.
It’s what I harp on, over and over. When a broken MC, who was let down by life, is shown another outlook by someone that falls head over heels for them… this is the story arc I want to read again and again.
Add to that the sizzling chemistry between these two and I could not put it down. I had read 80% of it in serial form before the ARC was available and LOVED reading through it again.
Chad & John are EVERYTHING together.
Tropes:
🫏 accidental wedding
🛠️GRUMPY - sunshine
🎲 Golden Retriever MC
🫏 baby sub
🛠️ BDSM
🎲 k!nk exploration
🫏 rich-poor
🛠️ found family
Please note, I did receive this advanced copy ahead of publication; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book.
May 25, 2026
I love Chad so much! He’s such a puppy and definitely what John needed in his life. I was excited about this book since The Reality Ever After when these two decided to explore Vegas together and we started to see John’s softer side.
Chad is adorable, hilarious and filled with so much optimism and John is a bit reserved and takes on everything quietly. Having Chad as a partner was unexpected but perfect. He was patient and made John laugh. Both had some adjustments to make and learning to do. It was nice seeing their journey.
The writing was great, love the side characters and I’m excited about the next book in the series!
💚ARC REVIEW🖤
Chad is adorable, hilarious and filled with so much optimism and John is a bit reserved and takes on everything quietly. Having Chad as a partner was unexpected but perfect. He was patient and made John laugh. Both had some adjustments to make and learning to do. It was nice seeing their journey.
The writing was great, love the side characters and I’m excited about the next book in the series!
💚ARC REVIEW🖤
June 12, 2026
I have no words. so good
I was so excited when I found out about Chad and John then reading The Reality of Ever After had me so anxious to finally get their book and this exceeded all of my expectations. I am so in love with them. They really are the sweetest couple. Chad was so funny but he also has the biggest heart. Sweet John, he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and I loved getting to see him shed those layers little by little. This book was so darn good. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Bexiverse
I was so excited when I found out about Chad and John then reading The Reality of Ever After had me so anxious to finally get their book and this exceeded all of my expectations. I am so in love with them. They really are the sweetest couple. Chad was so funny but he also has the biggest heart. Sweet John, he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and I loved getting to see him shed those layers little by little. This book was so darn good. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Bexiverse
June 12, 2026
3,5 ⭐
Me la pasé peleando con los personajes de este libro 😂 Tengo un amor/odio por Chad, a veces me pareció muy intenso y otras tenías ganas de abrazarlo fuerte. Lo mismo sentí con John, al principio me enojaba como trataba a Chad, aunque incluso a mí me desesperen algunas de sus actitudes, pero después contó su historia y comenzó a bajar sus barreras contra Chad 🙈
Así que me divertí, me desesperé y me enternecí con este libro 😂
Me la pasé peleando con los personajes de este libro 😂 Tengo un amor/odio por Chad, a veces me pareció muy intenso y otras tenías ganas de abrazarlo fuerte. Lo mismo sentí con John, al principio me enojaba como trataba a Chad, aunque incluso a mí me desesperen algunas de sus actitudes, pero después contó su historia y comenzó a bajar sus barreras contra Chad 🙈
Así que me divertí, me desesperé y me enternecí con este libro 😂
Read
March 27, 2026I had the honor of receiving a first draft of the manuscript from the authors for a very early read though before edits. My feedback was given directly to the duo.
I will officially Rate & Review the final draft in the future.
I will officially Rate & Review the final draft in the future.
June 10, 2026
I loved this grumpy/sunshine, woke up married romance. I was totally smitten with Chad and John. Chad is 100% John’s princess, and it absolutely fit their dynamic.
Chad’s like sunshine personified. I just couldn’t help being so incredibly fond of him. I love his endless optimism and positivity, particularly when it comes to John; nothing seems to dampen his spirits when trying to convince the other man how good they’d be together, not even John’s less than enthusiastic attitude. I love Chad’s endearing as heck rambling and big heart. His pure intentions, even if he gets it wrong sometimes, always made me smile because they’re so well meant.
I love how Chad eases some of John’s heaviness, how he keeps showing up, proving to the biker that he’s not going anywhere. Loved how sensitive he is to his loss and how he gently encourages him to talk about it. Chad doesn’t take any of John’s grumpiness to heart, it only makes him love him more and makes him even more determined to show the other man how great they could be.
John, oh, how my heart ached for you! John’s grief has dictated his life for a long time. He’s been so loyal to his ex, protecting the man he once loved in secret, and it’s affected all his relationships; he’s not only avoided anything serious romantically, but also kept his distance from his family.
John’s been attracted to Chad since they met but he thinks the other man deserves better. He doesn’t see how Chad looks at him with stars in his eyes. Doesn’t see how proud Chad is to have him as his husband.
I loved seeing all the small things John does to show how much he cares about Chad, even before he’s ready to admit it. He looks after him so well when Chad’s poorly and pays attention to the things he likes. I so enjoyed seeing John accept that there’s so much more to his feelings than just attraction. He’s been holding himself back for so long though and has lots of mental barriers to overcome before he can move forward. It wasn’t easy to see his pain as he processes his grief and begins to heal, and witness his self-doubt, but I did appreciate seeing those vulnerable moments when he finally shares the details of his past. It’s really something to see him finally giving himself the chance to be happy.
I absolutely loved the spicy scenes in this! The perfect mix of kink and praise, I savoured the details. I was totally on board for their dom/sub relationship. I loved how Chad’s super responsive and eager to please, and how John regularly checks in to make sure the other man’s okay (the traffic light system’s done extremely well IMO). I relished seeing how John helps Chad to explore some kinks, and how the other man embraces them. The level of intimacy between them *sigh*
And don’t get me started on how much I loved it when John left marks on Chad. I loved his brand of possessiveness. Add in how well he looks after Chad after their spicy moments, how tender he is with him. Urgh, I’m officially OBSESSED!
If you like the biker baddie look, as Chad calls it, John has you totally covered. The authors have spoiled us with John’s tattoos and the piercings – a Prince Albert AND a Jacob’s Ladder *clapping* Yes, Chad does worship them as he well should.
I was totally hooked on this book. It was perfectly balanced for me; I got lost in the emotion, devoured the spice and chuckled over the lighter hearted funny moments. I don’t know what rock I’ve been living under, but I’ve been missing out by not diving into these authors’ books before, which I’m going to have to rectify. I loved their writing style so much.
----
Some of my favourite quotes
Chad is an indulgence I can’t afford.
“Because, John, you make me feel safe, and valued, and important. I don’t care about money. You treat me as an equal, and you do so many little things for me that I don’t even think you realize you do. I know right now you don’t want to let me in, but your walls don’t deter me. I just know in my heart, we can be something special, and I don’t want to give up on us before we even get started.”
If I want to win my husband’s heart, I need to do a hell of a lot more than invite myself in and be a house husband. I need to ramp up the romance. I’m going to romance the shit out of John.
I don’t know how John was single, but he’s mine now, and I’m never letting him go.
“John, I’m not asking you to be anyone other than you. I don’t want you to change or be something you’re not for me. I want you exactly as you are.”
I’ll do almost anything he asks because I’m his, no matter what he wants to call me.
“I think you might be made for me, Princess,”
“You showed up here and forced your way into my life. And I don’t ever want you to leave. Thank you for being patient with me.”
Chad’s like sunshine personified. I just couldn’t help being so incredibly fond of him. I love his endless optimism and positivity, particularly when it comes to John; nothing seems to dampen his spirits when trying to convince the other man how good they’d be together, not even John’s less than enthusiastic attitude. I love Chad’s endearing as heck rambling and big heart. His pure intentions, even if he gets it wrong sometimes, always made me smile because they’re so well meant.
I love how Chad eases some of John’s heaviness, how he keeps showing up, proving to the biker that he’s not going anywhere. Loved how sensitive he is to his loss and how he gently encourages him to talk about it. Chad doesn’t take any of John’s grumpiness to heart, it only makes him love him more and makes him even more determined to show the other man how great they could be.
John, oh, how my heart ached for you! John’s grief has dictated his life for a long time. He’s been so loyal to his ex, protecting the man he once loved in secret, and it’s affected all his relationships; he’s not only avoided anything serious romantically, but also kept his distance from his family.
John’s been attracted to Chad since they met but he thinks the other man deserves better. He doesn’t see how Chad looks at him with stars in his eyes. Doesn’t see how proud Chad is to have him as his husband.
I loved seeing all the small things John does to show how much he cares about Chad, even before he’s ready to admit it. He looks after him so well when Chad’s poorly and pays attention to the things he likes. I so enjoyed seeing John accept that there’s so much more to his feelings than just attraction. He’s been holding himself back for so long though and has lots of mental barriers to overcome before he can move forward. It wasn’t easy to see his pain as he processes his grief and begins to heal, and witness his self-doubt, but I did appreciate seeing those vulnerable moments when he finally shares the details of his past. It’s really something to see him finally giving himself the chance to be happy.
I absolutely loved the spicy scenes in this! The perfect mix of kink and praise, I savoured the details. I was totally on board for their dom/sub relationship. I loved how Chad’s super responsive and eager to please, and how John regularly checks in to make sure the other man’s okay (the traffic light system’s done extremely well IMO). I relished seeing how John helps Chad to explore some kinks, and how the other man embraces them. The level of intimacy between them *sigh*
And don’t get me started on how much I loved it when John left marks on Chad. I loved his brand of possessiveness. Add in how well he looks after Chad after their spicy moments, how tender he is with him. Urgh, I’m officially OBSESSED!
If you like the biker baddie look, as Chad calls it, John has you totally covered. The authors have spoiled us with John’s tattoos and the piercings – a Prince Albert AND a Jacob’s Ladder *clapping* Yes, Chad does worship them as he well should.
I was totally hooked on this book. It was perfectly balanced for me; I got lost in the emotion, devoured the spice and chuckled over the lighter hearted funny moments. I don’t know what rock I’ve been living under, but I’ve been missing out by not diving into these authors’ books before, which I’m going to have to rectify. I loved their writing style so much.
----
Some of my favourite quotes
Chad is an indulgence I can’t afford.
“Because, John, you make me feel safe, and valued, and important. I don’t care about money. You treat me as an equal, and you do so many little things for me that I don’t even think you realize you do. I know right now you don’t want to let me in, but your walls don’t deter me. I just know in my heart, we can be something special, and I don’t want to give up on us before we even get started.”
If I want to win my husband’s heart, I need to do a hell of a lot more than invite myself in and be a house husband. I need to ramp up the romance. I’m going to romance the shit out of John.
I don’t know how John was single, but he’s mine now, and I’m never letting him go.
“John, I’m not asking you to be anyone other than you. I don’t want you to change or be something you’re not for me. I want you exactly as you are.”
I’ll do almost anything he asks because I’m his, no matter what he wants to call me.
“I think you might be made for me, Princess,”
“You showed up here and forced your way into my life. And I don’t ever want you to leave. Thank you for being patient with me.”
July 6, 2026
Wanting My Husband by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson was a miss for me. It has plenty of ingredients I usually enjoy: woke-up-married chaos, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, small-town domesticity, and grief complicating a new love. But the book never turns those parts into a convincing romance. The result is a book I found emotionally hollow, and honestly, frequently bizarre.
John and Chad drunkenly got married in Vegas off-page, and Chad has decided this means something. More than that, he has decided it means everything. John, meanwhile, wants to be left alone in the farmhouse that belonged to his dead (secret) partner’s family, closed off, refusing to fall in love again. When Chad turns up in his life determined to make their marriage real, the two enter into a casual, no-feelings kink arrangement that is, of course, immediately more emotionally loaded than either of them wants to admit.
That setup is where the book first lost me. I can enjoy a no-feelings arrangement when both characters secretly want more but are too emotionally constipated to admit it. What I struggle with is one character openly wanting love, commitment, and to be claimed publicly, then agreeing to take whatever scraps of affection (physical, sexual, but not what he wants most, emotional) he can get because he hopes proximity will eventually wear the other man down. Chad wants John to be his husband. John wants distance, and control. The resulting arrangement might be consensual on the page, but emotionally, it feels uneven in a way I found difficult to enjoy.
Chad is the book’s most complicated problem for me, and probably the main reason the romance never recovered. On paper, he’s theoretically a character I should love: sunshine, golden retriever, emotionally open, a bit ridiculous, and sincere about wanting love. In practice, he is the most unsettling romantic lead I have read across nearly one hundred MM romances this year, and that includes books with literal murderers as main characters.
The issue is not simply that Chad is optimistic or impulsive, but that he feels almost completely detached from reality. His romantic trajectory is essentially: sees John’s multiple genital piercings, six of them apparently, has a sudden “maybe I’m not as straight as I thought” realisation, drinks too much, gets quickie-married by an Elvis impersonator in Vegas, and then decides John is his husband in a cosmic, forever sense, despite John’s subsequent vehement protestations. From there, he quits his job, moves to the countryside, buys a mansion near John, fills it with baby donkeys, repeatedly ignores John’s requests not to call him “hubby,” and keeps pushing himself into the life of a man who has clearly said he does not want to be married, does not want a relationship, and just wants to be left alone. The book frames this as romantic determination. I read it as genuinely disturbing glassy-eyed devotion. John should have run.
What makes this harder to swallow is that the narrative never forces Chad to reckon with how alarming his behaviour is. He faces no meaningful consequences for ignoring boundaries, because the romance eventually proves him “right.” John does come to want him, and the relationship does become good for him, creating a strange retroactive logic where Chad’s boundary-crossing is validated because the happily ever after arrives. The book seems to suggest that because it worked out, it must have been meant to be. I could not get there.
Kink is central to the book, and Chad’s exploration of it is more developed than the emotional arc. John and Chad’s BDSM arrangement becomes the conduit through which their relationship progresses, with aftercare functioning as the backdoor entry into something more recognisably relationship-shaped. I liked the praise element best, mostly because it aligns with what Chad seems to be seeking emotionally: reassurance and the feeling of being wanted. But because the arrangement felt uneven from the start, and because Chad’s pursuit of John felt more alarming than romantic to me, the spice never fully landed as fantasy. It was explicit and frequent, but more interesting than arousing, with the dynamic often feeling like a physical extension of Chad’s willingness to accept anything that brought him closer to John.
Overall, Wanting My Husband was not for me. I never connected with Chad and John’s developing relationship enough to feel that swelling sense of happiness when they finally chose each other properly. Chad got his husband. John let himself be claimed. The book wants that to feel inevitable and romantic, but to me it felt like a strange reward for behaviour I found deeply unsettling.
John and Chad drunkenly got married in Vegas off-page, and Chad has decided this means something. More than that, he has decided it means everything. John, meanwhile, wants to be left alone in the farmhouse that belonged to his dead (secret) partner’s family, closed off, refusing to fall in love again. When Chad turns up in his life determined to make their marriage real, the two enter into a casual, no-feelings kink arrangement that is, of course, immediately more emotionally loaded than either of them wants to admit.
That setup is where the book first lost me. I can enjoy a no-feelings arrangement when both characters secretly want more but are too emotionally constipated to admit it. What I struggle with is one character openly wanting love, commitment, and to be claimed publicly, then agreeing to take whatever scraps of affection (physical, sexual, but not what he wants most, emotional) he can get because he hopes proximity will eventually wear the other man down. Chad wants John to be his husband. John wants distance, and control. The resulting arrangement might be consensual on the page, but emotionally, it feels uneven in a way I found difficult to enjoy.
Chad is the book’s most complicated problem for me, and probably the main reason the romance never recovered. On paper, he’s theoretically a character I should love: sunshine, golden retriever, emotionally open, a bit ridiculous, and sincere about wanting love. In practice, he is the most unsettling romantic lead I have read across nearly one hundred MM romances this year, and that includes books with literal murderers as main characters.
The issue is not simply that Chad is optimistic or impulsive, but that he feels almost completely detached from reality. His romantic trajectory is essentially: sees John’s multiple genital piercings, six of them apparently, has a sudden “maybe I’m not as straight as I thought” realisation, drinks too much, gets quickie-married by an Elvis impersonator in Vegas, and then decides John is his husband in a cosmic, forever sense, despite John’s subsequent vehement protestations. From there, he quits his job, moves to the countryside, buys a mansion near John, fills it with baby donkeys, repeatedly ignores John’s requests not to call him “hubby,” and keeps pushing himself into the life of a man who has clearly said he does not want to be married, does not want a relationship, and just wants to be left alone. The book frames this as romantic determination. I read it as genuinely disturbing glassy-eyed devotion. John should have run.
What makes this harder to swallow is that the narrative never forces Chad to reckon with how alarming his behaviour is. He faces no meaningful consequences for ignoring boundaries, because the romance eventually proves him “right.” John does come to want him, and the relationship does become good for him, creating a strange retroactive logic where Chad’s boundary-crossing is validated because the happily ever after arrives. The book seems to suggest that because it worked out, it must have been meant to be. I could not get there.
Kink is central to the book, and Chad’s exploration of it is more developed than the emotional arc. John and Chad’s BDSM arrangement becomes the conduit through which their relationship progresses, with aftercare functioning as the backdoor entry into something more recognisably relationship-shaped. I liked the praise element best, mostly because it aligns with what Chad seems to be seeking emotionally: reassurance and the feeling of being wanted. But because the arrangement felt uneven from the start, and because Chad’s pursuit of John felt more alarming than romantic to me, the spice never fully landed as fantasy. It was explicit and frequent, but more interesting than arousing, with the dynamic often feeling like a physical extension of Chad’s willingness to accept anything that brought him closer to John.
Overall, Wanting My Husband was not for me. I never connected with Chad and John’s developing relationship enough to feel that swelling sense of happiness when they finally chose each other properly. Chad got his husband. John let himself be claimed. The book wants that to feel inevitable and romantic, but to me it felt like a strange reward for behaviour I found deeply unsettling.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ever since I met Chad and John I knew they would be a thing. There was no way for things to go any other way. When we meet them in TROWH they are so polar opposites that it makes the most sense.
This book is a standalone, a spin off of the Love without Labels series, BUT it cannot be read as a standalone if you want the whole picture. We meet these two first in book one, as I mentioned, and even if you can skip that one ( which I don't recommend cuz this series is awesome ) you should read the novella The Reality of Ever After ( but here you will see the characters from book 1 and 2 and this is after the show so... so you see why you should read them in order? ).
Now, going back to Chad and John... their story starts before this book and basically this is their story AFTER the events that took place in TROEA. The consequences of their actions, if you want.
Chad is a spoiled rich boy with a heart of gold. He is always optimistic, always there to make you smile and feel good. He doesn't know how to take no for an answer ( as an only child ), but not in a creepy non consensual way, so don't worry. Seeing Blake fall in love in the show with Liam made him look at his life and realize a few things. I love how he was so open minded from the beginning and did not make a drama out of it. I love reading stories where being queer is not an issue but a normal thing that you should embrace.
John was a bit harder to read. He is grumpy grumpy. He is also someone who suffers tremendously, someone who's grieving even after all these years, someone who doesn't know how to process that grief. He is someone who is hiding, isolating himself. He is scared.
I love how Chad never tried to erase Luke's memory, how he never tried to take his place, never competed with him. He accepted and honored him, but at the same time he never forgot his own value. Chad really is a freaking King for this.
Together... these two together are perfect. Chad is the sunshine to John's grumpy, and the way they fit so well into each other's lives is just right.
The BDSM elements were done right for the most part. There is this particular scene where I felt like something very important was left out and idk if the authors wanted it that way or legit no one caught that one... Anyhow, the spice was spicing, the chemistry was on point, the delusion as well. Fun times.
Ngl tho, I had moments when I wanted to smack John over the head for his dumbasery but then I remembered that grief and healing look different on people and calmed down. He deserves me looking the other way whenever he deluded himself because his mind and heart were already fighting over who is more right, and he didn't need me to judge him. He really is special and amazing.
This book is a small town romance. We have farm life, miniature donkeys that are basically house pets, all of Blake's animals, slow living... these kind of vibes. Chad's chaos rivals, if not surpasses Blake's and istg idk how that town can house these two. They are like tornadoes together. Their shenanigans are hilarious, and whenever they are together you just know something good will happen.
Overall not only do I love this book but this whole series ( universe ). This was a great addition and Chad and John's story needed to be told, and it needed to be here.
•••
I am oscillating between 4.5 and 4.75... This book is not a 5 stars how I expected ( unfortunately ). I mentioned this in other reviews for other books and now that I started to notice this pattern I can't unsee it. Whenever we have a bi-awakening the ex girlfriends or ex partners are less than, the bad "guys", something is wrong with them. Can we not? This is starting to feel very misogynistic and problematic and it just ( in my opinion ) harms the image of bi men. Women are already skeptical in dating bi men due to trauma induced by the society, their exes and so on, do you think this kind of discourse is normal or fair? Why did Chad need to refer to his ex partners as women who only wanted him for money or status? Like... c'mon, I get you wanted to show us why he felt the way he felt towards John but you could've done it any other way, not by bringing women down or talking down on them. This made the book drop from 5 stars and I am sad. The way these two are together, their story, the banter, everything deserved 5 stars, too bad we had this detailed that completely made me deflate. I am seriously contemplating not reading stories with bi-awakening anymore...
This book is a standalone, a spin off of the Love without Labels series, BUT it cannot be read as a standalone if you want the whole picture. We meet these two first in book one, as I mentioned, and even if you can skip that one ( which I don't recommend cuz this series is awesome ) you should read the novella The Reality of Ever After ( but here you will see the characters from book 1 and 2 and this is after the show so... so you see why you should read them in order? ).
Now, going back to Chad and John... their story starts before this book and basically this is their story AFTER the events that took place in TROEA. The consequences of their actions, if you want.
Chad is a spoiled rich boy with a heart of gold. He is always optimistic, always there to make you smile and feel good. He doesn't know how to take no for an answer ( as an only child ), but not in a creepy non consensual way, so don't worry. Seeing Blake fall in love in the show with Liam made him look at his life and realize a few things. I love how he was so open minded from the beginning and did not make a drama out of it. I love reading stories where being queer is not an issue but a normal thing that you should embrace.
John was a bit harder to read. He is grumpy grumpy. He is also someone who suffers tremendously, someone who's grieving even after all these years, someone who doesn't know how to process that grief. He is someone who is hiding, isolating himself. He is scared.
I love how Chad never tried to erase Luke's memory, how he never tried to take his place, never competed with him. He accepted and honored him, but at the same time he never forgot his own value. Chad really is a freaking King for this.
Together... these two together are perfect. Chad is the sunshine to John's grumpy, and the way they fit so well into each other's lives is just right.
The BDSM elements were done right for the most part. There is this particular scene where I felt like something very important was left out and idk if the authors wanted it that way or legit no one caught that one... Anyhow, the spice was spicing, the chemistry was on point, the delusion as well. Fun times.
Ngl tho, I had moments when I wanted to smack John over the head for his dumbasery but then I remembered that grief and healing look different on people and calmed down. He deserves me looking the other way whenever he deluded himself because his mind and heart were already fighting over who is more right, and he didn't need me to judge him. He really is special and amazing.
This book is a small town romance. We have farm life, miniature donkeys that are basically house pets, all of Blake's animals, slow living... these kind of vibes. Chad's chaos rivals, if not surpasses Blake's and istg idk how that town can house these two. They are like tornadoes together. Their shenanigans are hilarious, and whenever they are together you just know something good will happen.
Overall not only do I love this book but this whole series ( universe ). This was a great addition and Chad and John's story needed to be told, and it needed to be here.
•••
I am oscillating between 4.5 and 4.75... This book is not a 5 stars how I expected ( unfortunately ). I mentioned this in other reviews for other books and now that I started to notice this pattern I can't unsee it. Whenever we have a bi-awakening the ex girlfriends or ex partners are less than, the bad "guys", something is wrong with them. Can we not? This is starting to feel very misogynistic and problematic and it just ( in my opinion ) harms the image of bi men. Women are already skeptical in dating bi men due to trauma induced by the society, their exes and so on, do you think this kind of discourse is normal or fair? Why did Chad need to refer to his ex partners as women who only wanted him for money or status? Like... c'mon, I get you wanted to show us why he felt the way he felt towards John but you could've done it any other way, not by bringing women down or talking down on them. This made the book drop from 5 stars and I am sad. The way these two are together, their story, the banter, everything deserved 5 stars, too bad we had this detailed that completely made me deflate. I am seriously contemplating not reading stories with bi-awakening anymore...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wanting My Husband by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson
Length: 393 pages
Source: Author-direct
Publication date: June 10, 2026
5+ ⭐
4.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
💚 Grumpy/sunshine
💚 Trust-fund baby/blue-collar guy
💚 Woke up married
💚 Secret relationship
💚 Only one bed/forced proximity
💚 First times
💚 City x small town
💚 Opposites attract
💚 Caretaking
💚 Pining
💚 Pierced/tattooed MMC
💚 K!nk/BD$M exploration
💚 Processing grief
AUTHORS' BLURB
John
I’ve never met anyone who bothers me more than Chad Sinclair. He’s always smiling, always happy – excited about life in a way I truly cannot comprehend. A spoiled city guy who acts like he’s never heard the word no before. I can’t believe I drunkenly married him in Vegas. Or that he showed up at my farmhouse, ready to give up his whole life to play happy husbands with me in the middle of nowhere. Chad might have convinced himself we’re meant to be, but I gave up on that kind of future a long time ago.
Chad
I’ve always believed things work out for me – and getting my husband to admit he wants me is no exception. John Sullivan might be grumpy, closed-off, and determined to pretend this means nothing, but he still chose me. He married me. He said I do, and I’m not ready to let that go just because he’s pretending he is. He can say there’s no way we can work, but I’m stubborn enough to stay and keep proving him wrong.
MY THOUGHTS
I've rarely read a character as cheerful and optimistic as Chad without my cynicism showing, but I love this man more than I thought possible! Both of them, actually, because John is just as lovable and engaging as his sunshiny husband once you get past his layers of self-protection. Chad perseveres more than I think a lot of people would to prove to John that they belong together, and even though this adorable golden retriever doesn't know it, I really like that the reader is privy rather early on to John's wavering determination to keep Chad at arm's length.
Time flew reading this book; the pacing, dialogue, banter, spice, and storyline are that good. I also love the addition of John's brothers and that he starts to rebuild their relationships through the growth he makes after marrying Chad. And of course, we have all the Blake/Chad shenanigans you could possibly hope for after seeing them in the Love Without Labels books. They feed off one another so well.
BOTTOM LINE
YES! I love this book, and this is a couple that's going to stick with me. You should absolutely read this one.
–A🩷
Thanks to Lexi Amber and Bec Benson for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
Length: 393 pages
Source: Author-direct
Publication date: June 10, 2026
5+ ⭐
4.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
💚 Grumpy/sunshine
💚 Trust-fund baby/blue-collar guy
💚 Woke up married
💚 Secret relationship
💚 Only one bed/forced proximity
💚 First times
💚 City x small town
💚 Opposites attract
💚 Caretaking
💚 Pining
💚 Pierced/tattooed MMC
💚 K!nk/BD$M exploration
💚 Processing grief
AUTHORS' BLURB
John
I’ve never met anyone who bothers me more than Chad Sinclair. He’s always smiling, always happy – excited about life in a way I truly cannot comprehend. A spoiled city guy who acts like he’s never heard the word no before. I can’t believe I drunkenly married him in Vegas. Or that he showed up at my farmhouse, ready to give up his whole life to play happy husbands with me in the middle of nowhere. Chad might have convinced himself we’re meant to be, but I gave up on that kind of future a long time ago.
Chad
I’ve always believed things work out for me – and getting my husband to admit he wants me is no exception. John Sullivan might be grumpy, closed-off, and determined to pretend this means nothing, but he still chose me. He married me. He said I do, and I’m not ready to let that go just because he’s pretending he is. He can say there’s no way we can work, but I’m stubborn enough to stay and keep proving him wrong.
MY THOUGHTS
I've rarely read a character as cheerful and optimistic as Chad without my cynicism showing, but I love this man more than I thought possible! Both of them, actually, because John is just as lovable and engaging as his sunshiny husband once you get past his layers of self-protection. Chad perseveres more than I think a lot of people would to prove to John that they belong together, and even though this adorable golden retriever doesn't know it, I really like that the reader is privy rather early on to John's wavering determination to keep Chad at arm's length.
Time flew reading this book; the pacing, dialogue, banter, spice, and storyline are that good. I also love the addition of John's brothers and that he starts to rebuild their relationships through the growth he makes after marrying Chad. And of course, we have all the Blake/Chad shenanigans you could possibly hope for after seeing them in the Love Without Labels books. They feed off one another so well.
BOTTOM LINE
YES! I love this book, and this is a couple that's going to stick with me. You should absolutely read this one.
–A🩷
Thanks to Lexi Amber and Bec Benson for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
Review of advance copy
This was a decent story with a fun “woke up married in Vegas” setup, a sweet and emotional MM romance that really shines if you enjoy grumpy/sunshine dynamics and accidental marriage tropes.
John and Chad had great chemistry, and I liked how their relationship developed slowly beneath all the stubbornness and unresolved grief. Chad’s persistence and optimism balanced John’s guarded personality well, even if the pacing dragged in places and the push-pull between them became repetitive after a while. John’s resistance sometimes went on a little too long for my taste.
The small-town farmhouse setting gave the story a cozy atmosphere, and the emotional themes of healing and learning to let someone in added depth beyond the romance. The spice was well done and fit naturally into the story, though I would’ve liked a bit more communication between the characters earlier on.
The chemistry was solid and the emotional moments had some weight, but I wanted a little more depth and tension to really connect with their relationship.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, heartfelt romance with lovable tension, strong emotional moments, good tropes, cozy vibes and plenty of slow-burn payoff.
A solid read for fans of opposites-attract MM romances.
While each book in the Love Without Labels Series is about a different couple, they are best read in order to avoid spoilers.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amazing and absolutely brilliant!! I chuckled, LOL'd and managed a few spit takes,😂 because let's face it...Chad is one of the funniest characters I've ever read, and for as hilarious as this book is it is also crazy hot🔥and full of every emotional under the sun. It's by far my favorite book of 2026!!❤️
Chad's big, bright personality was the perfect balance to John's dark, grumpy one. And John was perfect at centering Chad especially since Chad had a way of getting away with things and sort of getting everything he wanted.😂 Basically Chad had never been told no in his entire life and while John also had a hard time telling him no he somehow was good at redirecting Chad, plus Chad really liked listening to John, which totally worked in their dynamic. So, yeah, these two just worked, and while it was a relationship that worked in reverse, it didn't matter because it was theirs and it was hot and lovely and everything else that mattered with how they grew emotionally together.
Basically, I'm in love with Chad and want more of his over excited, exuberance, and overjoyed self in every book I read from now until the end of time. He's the best thing since sliced bread. 😂😂😂 That's right, I said it!!
Chad is so fantastically ridiculous, which I LOVED, he has the biggest heart, plus he is filled with puppy loving joy and sunshine. Chad wouldn't know sadness if it slapped him in the face. It just doesn't exist in his world, which is why I loved him for John. He understood John and wanted to know everything that made him grumpy and sad and what made John John. He didn't want to change him, he loved John just the way he was, he just wanted to slide right into his world, snuggle up and live in it. It wasn't too much to ask. 😂 Seriously, Chad is the best of the best, he's so incredibly likable that it's easy to forgive anything utterly ridiculous he could possibly do. It's why his character is so charming and why I want to read him until the end of time.
There are several special visitors, which for a man like John he absolutely loved...LOL, I mean Chad the social butterfly loved living close to his best friend Blake now that he was married to Liam, and there are some other appearances from the other men from the bachelor party, along with two new pets named Jack and Jenny.❤️
Chad's big, bright personality was the perfect balance to John's dark, grumpy one. And John was perfect at centering Chad especially since Chad had a way of getting away with things and sort of getting everything he wanted.😂 Basically Chad had never been told no in his entire life and while John also had a hard time telling him no he somehow was good at redirecting Chad, plus Chad really liked listening to John, which totally worked in their dynamic. So, yeah, these two just worked, and while it was a relationship that worked in reverse, it didn't matter because it was theirs and it was hot and lovely and everything else that mattered with how they grew emotionally together.
Basically, I'm in love with Chad and want more of his over excited, exuberance, and overjoyed self in every book I read from now until the end of time. He's the best thing since sliced bread. 😂😂😂 That's right, I said it!!
Chad is so fantastically ridiculous, which I LOVED, he has the biggest heart, plus he is filled with puppy loving joy and sunshine. Chad wouldn't know sadness if it slapped him in the face. It just doesn't exist in his world, which is why I loved him for John. He understood John and wanted to know everything that made him grumpy and sad and what made John John. He didn't want to change him, he loved John just the way he was, he just wanted to slide right into his world, snuggle up and live in it. It wasn't too much to ask. 😂 Seriously, Chad is the best of the best, he's so incredibly likable that it's easy to forgive anything utterly ridiculous he could possibly do. It's why his character is so charming and why I want to read him until the end of time.
There are several special visitors, which for a man like John he absolutely loved...LOL, I mean Chad the social butterfly loved living close to his best friend Blake now that he was married to Liam, and there are some other appearances from the other men from the bachelor party, along with two new pets named Jack and Jenny.❤️
June 18, 2026
A SWEET, FUNNY & POIGNANT READ!💕🫏🪢🍆🛠️⚡️🏠
The third book of the LWL series gives showcased what happened in Vegas at Blake and Liam’s bachelor party in the Reality of Ever After novella and what happened afterwards…
A drunken wedding at a Vegas Chapel with an Elvis impersonator leads John (Liams best man) and Chad (Blake’s best man) to waking up in each others arms… but Chad is straight and John does not do relationships of any kind…
“I need coffee…” “And a lawyer.”
“I think we’d be great for each other. Let me prove it to you.“
Poor sweet golden retriever Chad had his sexual awakening and realised he wants grumpy, stoic John no matter what so this is his story about how he fought to stay married to a man who only loved once in his life nine years ago and tragically lost that love while staying in the closet…
It was heartbreaking how John isolated himself from further family and friend’s involvement for nine years (except Liam and Blake) and any potential romantic connections…💔 to prevent his heart from breaking again… until a smiley, sweet, funny and submissive gorgeous Adonis crossed his path and followed him like a lost puppy… and made him smile and find himself again…
I loved how Chad had so much patience and determination by inviting himself to John’s home before their best friends wedding and calling him “hubby” while trying to win him over on romantic 💐🧁dates and surprises (which John hates) where they eventually decide on an “arrangement” with rules, by discovering all Chad’s sexual kinks and BDSM scenes with hilarious and sweet consequences … 🪢🍆 and John’s possessiveness…
The Moore to Love Farm of Liam and Blake’s was the catalyst to Chad’s loneliness where he discovered mini donkeys who can be domesticated and so he procures 2 sweet mini donkeys while buying an old scary lonely house he bought and had renovated to Johns utter horrific amazement! 🫢
I loved all the side characters and farm animals (Blake’s chickens) (Chad’s mini donkeys)that took over his house lol and look forward to Asher’s story next when he enters the LWL game show…
Two beautiful, sweet tear inducing epilogues will follow them a couple of weeks later…
I voluntarily received an ARC from Forward PR for an honest non biased review.
The third book of the LWL series gives showcased what happened in Vegas at Blake and Liam’s bachelor party in the Reality of Ever After novella and what happened afterwards…
A drunken wedding at a Vegas Chapel with an Elvis impersonator leads John (Liams best man) and Chad (Blake’s best man) to waking up in each others arms… but Chad is straight and John does not do relationships of any kind…
“I need coffee…” “And a lawyer.”
“I think we’d be great for each other. Let me prove it to you.“
Poor sweet golden retriever Chad had his sexual awakening and realised he wants grumpy, stoic John no matter what so this is his story about how he fought to stay married to a man who only loved once in his life nine years ago and tragically lost that love while staying in the closet…
It was heartbreaking how John isolated himself from further family and friend’s involvement for nine years (except Liam and Blake) and any potential romantic connections…💔 to prevent his heart from breaking again… until a smiley, sweet, funny and submissive gorgeous Adonis crossed his path and followed him like a lost puppy… and made him smile and find himself again…
I loved how Chad had so much patience and determination by inviting himself to John’s home before their best friends wedding and calling him “hubby” while trying to win him over on romantic 💐🧁dates and surprises (which John hates) where they eventually decide on an “arrangement” with rules, by discovering all Chad’s sexual kinks and BDSM scenes with hilarious and sweet consequences … 🪢🍆 and John’s possessiveness…
The Moore to Love Farm of Liam and Blake’s was the catalyst to Chad’s loneliness where he discovered mini donkeys who can be domesticated and so he procures 2 sweet mini donkeys while buying an old scary lonely house he bought and had renovated to Johns utter horrific amazement! 🫢
I loved all the side characters and farm animals (Blake’s chickens) (Chad’s mini donkeys)that took over his house lol and look forward to Asher’s story next when he enters the LWL game show…
Two beautiful, sweet tear inducing epilogues will follow them a couple of weeks later…
I voluntarily received an ARC from Forward PR for an honest non biased review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
I absolutely loved Wanting My Husband it pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the end! 😍💍
Chad is pure sunshine in human form soft-hearted, hopeful, and full of warmth while John is the complete opposite: broody, tattooed, guarded, and carrying emotional scars that he’s buried so deep he barely lets anyone see them. The contrast between them was so addictive and honestly made every interaction crackle with tension and emotion ⚡️🔥
Waking up married in Vegas sets the perfect chaotic tone for their story. John is immediately against the idea, convinced it was a mistake and that he isn’t good enough for someone like Chad. But Chad? He refuses to give up so easily. His determination to understand John and make their unexpected marriage work adds such a sweet, persistent energy that slowly starts breaking down all of John’s walls 💕🏍️
What I loved most was how beautifully their relationship developed. It wasn’t rushed it was layered, messy, emotional, and incredibly real. John’s inner conflict, his fear of happiness, and his tendency to push Chad away made his character so compelling, while Chad’s patience and emotional honesty brought so much balance to their dynamic.
And the chemistry? Absolutely electric 😮🔥✨ The intimacy between them is written with so much tension and trust-building that it feels just as emotional as it is intense. There’s a beautiful blend of vulnerability and desire that makes every moment between them feel meaningful rather than just physical.
Beyond the romance, the story also explores grief, healing, and learning to believe you deserve happiness again. Watching John slowly open up to Chad was genuinely heart-melting and one of the strongest parts of the book 🥹💙
Lexi and Bec have once again delivered a story filled with sharp banter, emotional depth, and characters that feel incredibly alive. The side characters also add so much charm and richness to the story world it just makes everything feel more complete and immersive.
And honestly… I NEED books about John’s brothers immediately!! I am not ready to leave this world yet 😭📚💕
I absolutely loved Wanting My Husband it pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the end! 😍💍
Chad is pure sunshine in human form soft-hearted, hopeful, and full of warmth while John is the complete opposite: broody, tattooed, guarded, and carrying emotional scars that he’s buried so deep he barely lets anyone see them. The contrast between them was so addictive and honestly made every interaction crackle with tension and emotion ⚡️🔥
Waking up married in Vegas sets the perfect chaotic tone for their story. John is immediately against the idea, convinced it was a mistake and that he isn’t good enough for someone like Chad. But Chad? He refuses to give up so easily. His determination to understand John and make their unexpected marriage work adds such a sweet, persistent energy that slowly starts breaking down all of John’s walls 💕🏍️
What I loved most was how beautifully their relationship developed. It wasn’t rushed it was layered, messy, emotional, and incredibly real. John’s inner conflict, his fear of happiness, and his tendency to push Chad away made his character so compelling, while Chad’s patience and emotional honesty brought so much balance to their dynamic.
And the chemistry? Absolutely electric 😮🔥✨ The intimacy between them is written with so much tension and trust-building that it feels just as emotional as it is intense. There’s a beautiful blend of vulnerability and desire that makes every moment between them feel meaningful rather than just physical.
Beyond the romance, the story also explores grief, healing, and learning to believe you deserve happiness again. Watching John slowly open up to Chad was genuinely heart-melting and one of the strongest parts of the book 🥹💙
Lexi and Bec have once again delivered a story filled with sharp banter, emotional depth, and characters that feel incredibly alive. The side characters also add so much charm and richness to the story world it just makes everything feel more complete and immersive.
And honestly… I NEED books about John’s brothers immediately!! I am not ready to leave this world yet 😭📚💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another Chad that steals my heart! I love these kinds of characters that are pure sunshine and happiness. They make me believe that there’s always a reason to look on the positive side.
Chad’s determination to make his husband fall in love with him was so chaotic and beautiful. He knew he would eventually win John over with his sunshiny personality and zest for life.
John was the total opposite of Chad. He was moody and grumpy and completely closed off to everyone. Losing the man he loved took away his desire to think of a future with anyone else. He was resigned to just go through the motions of living with no interest in his future.
Until Chad barged into his live and rearranged it in such a way that made it impossible for him to not want a future with him. What he initially thought was the biggest mistake of his life, turned out to be the greatest thing that ever happened to him.
Chad’s patience and dedication were too hard to resist. He made John want things he thought he’d never feel again. Chad just had a way of making his life brighter and though reluctant at first, John loved having him around.
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏.”
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎. 𝑰 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔, 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒘. “𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒅.”
I have loved every single book from this series but I think this one is my favorite. John and Chad completely have my heart. I got frustrated with John a few times but I understood why he was the way he was.
I don’t think I’d have been as patient as Chad, though. John’s constant rejection would have had me blowing my top off and just giving him a piece of my mind😅 I swear, Chad’s too good for this world. He genuinely brought joy to everyone who met him.
This story was such a palette cleanser for me. I needed something light and sweet after so much angst and toxicity in my last few reads😅
Chad’s determination to make his husband fall in love with him was so chaotic and beautiful. He knew he would eventually win John over with his sunshiny personality and zest for life.
John was the total opposite of Chad. He was moody and grumpy and completely closed off to everyone. Losing the man he loved took away his desire to think of a future with anyone else. He was resigned to just go through the motions of living with no interest in his future.
Until Chad barged into his live and rearranged it in such a way that made it impossible for him to not want a future with him. What he initially thought was the biggest mistake of his life, turned out to be the greatest thing that ever happened to him.
Chad’s patience and dedication were too hard to resist. He made John want things he thought he’d never feel again. Chad just had a way of making his life brighter and though reluctant at first, John loved having him around.
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏.”
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎. 𝑰 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔, 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒘. “𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒅.”
I have loved every single book from this series but I think this one is my favorite. John and Chad completely have my heart. I got frustrated with John a few times but I understood why he was the way he was.
I don’t think I’d have been as patient as Chad, though. John’s constant rejection would have had me blowing my top off and just giving him a piece of my mind😅 I swear, Chad’s too good for this world. He genuinely brought joy to everyone who met him.
This story was such a palette cleanser for me. I needed something light and sweet after so much angst and toxicity in my last few reads😅
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 3.5🌶
Vibes:
✨ Woke Up Married
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ “No emotions, just s*x”
✨ K!nk/BDSM Exploration
✨ Pierced & Tattooed MMC
✨ City x Small Town
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Caretaking
✨ First Times
✨ Trust Fund x Blue Collar
✨ Secret Relationship
Wanting My Husband is a spin-off from the Love Without Labels series and follows on from the novella The Reality of Ever After.
I loved this book so much! Chad is pure sunshine, while John is the dark, broody, tattooed biker carrying trauma he’s never truly dealt with and convinced he’ll never be happy again. Their dynamic was absolutely addictive from the very first page.
After waking up married in Vegas, John wants nothing to do with Chad, but Chad is determined to prove their marriage wasn’t just a drunken mistake. John believes he’s no good for Chad and that they’re completely incompatible, but as the story unfolds and Chad slowly begins discovering more about himself, John starts to realise they may actually fit together far better than he ever wanted to admit.
The spice in this book is sooooo good. John is experienced and into BDSM, while Chad is eager to explore and desperate to please, which made their chemistry absolutely electric. The fact that John is Chad’s first man adds so much vulnerability and intensity to every scene. And when John’s growly possessiveness started slipping through? I was DONE FOR.
But underneath all the heat, there’s also a surprisingly emotional story about grief, healing, and allowing yourself to want happiness again. Watching John slowly let Chad in, despite fighting it every step of the way, was honestly beautiful.
I really enjoy Lexi and Bec’s writing, and this book was no exception. The plot was captivating, the banter spot on, the spice perfectly balanced with emotion, and the side characters elevated the entire story to a top-tier level.
Also, I’m going to need books for John’s brothers ASAP!
Spice: 3.5🌶
Vibes:
✨ Woke Up Married
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ “No emotions, just s*x”
✨ K!nk/BDSM Exploration
✨ Pierced & Tattooed MMC
✨ City x Small Town
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Caretaking
✨ First Times
✨ Trust Fund x Blue Collar
✨ Secret Relationship
Wanting My Husband is a spin-off from the Love Without Labels series and follows on from the novella The Reality of Ever After.
I loved this book so much! Chad is pure sunshine, while John is the dark, broody, tattooed biker carrying trauma he’s never truly dealt with and convinced he’ll never be happy again. Their dynamic was absolutely addictive from the very first page.
After waking up married in Vegas, John wants nothing to do with Chad, but Chad is determined to prove their marriage wasn’t just a drunken mistake. John believes he’s no good for Chad and that they’re completely incompatible, but as the story unfolds and Chad slowly begins discovering more about himself, John starts to realise they may actually fit together far better than he ever wanted to admit.
The spice in this book is sooooo good. John is experienced and into BDSM, while Chad is eager to explore and desperate to please, which made their chemistry absolutely electric. The fact that John is Chad’s first man adds so much vulnerability and intensity to every scene. And when John’s growly possessiveness started slipping through? I was DONE FOR.
But underneath all the heat, there’s also a surprisingly emotional story about grief, healing, and allowing yourself to want happiness again. Watching John slowly let Chad in, despite fighting it every step of the way, was honestly beautiful.
I really enjoy Lexi and Bec’s writing, and this book was no exception. The plot was captivating, the banter spot on, the spice perfectly balanced with emotion, and the side characters elevated the entire story to a top-tier level.
Also, I’m going to need books for John’s brothers ASAP!
May 25, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
This story reminds me of Heated Rivalry in that sex is used as a means for communication and to build a relationship. But unlike Heated Rivalry, Chad and John are not rivals who fall in love - they’re more like a bumbling golden retriever in adult form and a grieving, emotionally stunted man who is terrified to let anyone near him.
John and Chad meet in Vegas at the bachelor party for Liam and Blake, their respective best friends. They get drunk off their asses, end up at a wedding chapel, and wake up married. Chad is gung-ho; he’s fully in and knows that John is his future. John - not so much. He doesn’t believe in a future after his ex died tragically and he’s convinced that Chad will realize they’re a terrible pairing.
Chad moves from NYC two months after the bachelor party and shows up at John’s front door. John is 100% against Chad being there but no matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to stay away from Chad or tell him no. Chad is determined to prove to John that their relationship is the real thing and is meant to be. Watching John slowly let Chad in and realize it’s okay to let go of some of his grief was so beautiful to watch unfold.
The spice was sooo good in this story. John is experienced in BDSM and Chad is desperate to please John so he jumps in with both feet - and surprisingly finds that him and John are 100% matched! The spice was laced with vulnerability and tenderness. And when John’s possessiveness and growly demeanor came through? LAWD YES.
I loved getting to see Blake and Liam again from ‘Wanting Him’ and I loved meeting John’s brothers. I’d like another book of John and Chad so we can get more of them in wedded kinky bliss and see more of John’s brothers!
What you’re getting: waking up married | bdsm/kink exploration | bi awakening | small town | grumpy x sunshine | processing grief | secret relationship | HEA | 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
*ARC Review*
This story reminds me of Heated Rivalry in that sex is used as a means for communication and to build a relationship. But unlike Heated Rivalry, Chad and John are not rivals who fall in love - they’re more like a bumbling golden retriever in adult form and a grieving, emotionally stunted man who is terrified to let anyone near him.
John and Chad meet in Vegas at the bachelor party for Liam and Blake, their respective best friends. They get drunk off their asses, end up at a wedding chapel, and wake up married. Chad is gung-ho; he’s fully in and knows that John is his future. John - not so much. He doesn’t believe in a future after his ex died tragically and he’s convinced that Chad will realize they’re a terrible pairing.
Chad moves from NYC two months after the bachelor party and shows up at John’s front door. John is 100% against Chad being there but no matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to stay away from Chad or tell him no. Chad is determined to prove to John that their relationship is the real thing and is meant to be. Watching John slowly let Chad in and realize it’s okay to let go of some of his grief was so beautiful to watch unfold.
The spice was sooo good in this story. John is experienced in BDSM and Chad is desperate to please John so he jumps in with both feet - and surprisingly finds that him and John are 100% matched! The spice was laced with vulnerability and tenderness. And when John’s possessiveness and growly demeanor came through? LAWD YES.
I loved getting to see Blake and Liam again from ‘Wanting Him’ and I loved meeting John’s brothers. I’d like another book of John and Chad so we can get more of them in wedded kinky bliss and see more of John’s brothers!
What you’re getting: waking up married | bdsm/kink exploration | bi awakening | small town | grumpy x sunshine | processing grief | secret relationship | HEA | 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
*ARC Review*
June 11, 2026
Wanting My Husband is the third book in the Love Without Labels series, and it follows Chad and John — best friends to Blake and Liam from book one.
These two couldn't be more different.
Chad is sunshine personified — warm, soft-hearted, happy-go-lucky, and genuinely kind despite coming from privilege. John is his complete opposite — grumpy, closed off, and someone who has forgotten what it means to have fun.
Their story kicks off with a very chaotic, very drunk Vegas wedding, and the journey that follows is equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful.
Chad, who has always identified as straight, decides to lean into this marriage wholeheartedly. John, on the other hand, is determined to keep Chad at arm's length.
And the reason why broke my heart. Ten years ago, John lost his first love, Luke — not just a friend, but the person he loved in secret. Nobody around him knows the full truth of that loss. They see a man changed by grief, but they don't know the depth of it. And John, carrying all of that alone, has convinced himself that he doesn't deserve the happiness Luke never got to have.
What Chad does for John throughout this story is so quietly powerful. He doesn't push, he shows. He shows John that it's okay to laugh, to ask for help, to let people in. That talking doesn't make you weak, it makes the weight lighter. That life isn't only sorrow.. it's also joy, silliness, and love, if you're willing to look for it.
My heart truly broke for John. Ten years is a long time to shoulder that kind of pain alone. But watching Chad, my darling Chad, slowly become the person who helps John find his way back to himself? That was everything.
And the spice! Such a fresh, different take on BDSM — no club, no usual setup, just something that felt intimate and personal to these two characters. The kink list alone 🔥🔥🔥
PS: I loved Chad and John so much. ❤️
PPS: I love the mini donkeys equally ❤️
These two couldn't be more different.
Chad is sunshine personified — warm, soft-hearted, happy-go-lucky, and genuinely kind despite coming from privilege. John is his complete opposite — grumpy, closed off, and someone who has forgotten what it means to have fun.
Their story kicks off with a very chaotic, very drunk Vegas wedding, and the journey that follows is equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful.
Chad, who has always identified as straight, decides to lean into this marriage wholeheartedly. John, on the other hand, is determined to keep Chad at arm's length.
And the reason why broke my heart. Ten years ago, John lost his first love, Luke — not just a friend, but the person he loved in secret. Nobody around him knows the full truth of that loss. They see a man changed by grief, but they don't know the depth of it. And John, carrying all of that alone, has convinced himself that he doesn't deserve the happiness Luke never got to have.
What Chad does for John throughout this story is so quietly powerful. He doesn't push, he shows. He shows John that it's okay to laugh, to ask for help, to let people in. That talking doesn't make you weak, it makes the weight lighter. That life isn't only sorrow.. it's also joy, silliness, and love, if you're willing to look for it.
My heart truly broke for John. Ten years is a long time to shoulder that kind of pain alone. But watching Chad, my darling Chad, slowly become the person who helps John find his way back to himself? That was everything.
And the spice! Such a fresh, different take on BDSM — no club, no usual setup, just something that felt intimate and personal to these two characters. The kink list alone 🔥🔥🔥
PS: I loved Chad and John so much. ❤️
PPS: I love the mini donkeys equally ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
When I finished this book, I felt like I needed some time to process everything I'd read. Honestly, I wasn't even sure how to start writing this review because there were so many thoughts running through my head.
John was incredibly guarded and often dismissive of Chad, my sweet golden retriever Chad, who fought so hard for him and refused to give up. He followed John around like a lost puppy, determined to break through all those walls.
Anyone who has read my reviews before probably already knows that I have a soft spot for grumpy characters. I also love stories about second chances at love after loss. But there were moments when I felt (and maybe this is entirely my bias talking because, seriously, who wouldn't want a Chad?), that John wasn't fully seeing what was right in front of him.
I'll be honest: there was a point where I worried John would keep Chad trapped in Luke's shadow and that I wouldn't truly believe in his feelings for him. That wouldn't have been fair to Chad at all. Thankfully, those fears turned out to be unfounded, and everything came together beautifully.
Like every book I've read by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson, this one made me feel everything. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down. And let's be real, when Chad opens his mouth, it's almost impossible not to laugh. That man is an absolute chaos gremlin, especially when he's with Blake and the little four-legged ones. Those two are fantastic.
Overall, this was an entertaining, engaging, and genuinely funny read with the perfect balance of humor, intimacy, and romance.
If you enjoy hurt/comfort, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, stories that deal with grief, spicy scenes, and a bit of BDSM and kink exploration, I definitely recommend giving this book a chance. It's absolutely worth the read.
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an ARC.
John was incredibly guarded and often dismissive of Chad, my sweet golden retriever Chad, who fought so hard for him and refused to give up. He followed John around like a lost puppy, determined to break through all those walls.
Anyone who has read my reviews before probably already knows that I have a soft spot for grumpy characters. I also love stories about second chances at love after loss. But there were moments when I felt (and maybe this is entirely my bias talking because, seriously, who wouldn't want a Chad?), that John wasn't fully seeing what was right in front of him.
I'll be honest: there was a point where I worried John would keep Chad trapped in Luke's shadow and that I wouldn't truly believe in his feelings for him. That wouldn't have been fair to Chad at all. Thankfully, those fears turned out to be unfounded, and everything came together beautifully.
Like every book I've read by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson, this one made me feel everything. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down. And let's be real, when Chad opens his mouth, it's almost impossible not to laugh. That man is an absolute chaos gremlin, especially when he's with Blake and the little four-legged ones. Those two are fantastic.
Overall, this was an entertaining, engaging, and genuinely funny read with the perfect balance of humor, intimacy, and romance.
If you enjoy hurt/comfort, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, stories that deal with grief, spicy scenes, and a bit of BDSM and kink exploration, I definitely recommend giving this book a chance. It's absolutely worth the read.
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an ARC.
June 15, 2026
MY OPINION: I’ve read the first two books in this series and the bachelor party novella. You can 100% read this book without reading any of the other stories, but knowing the background enhances the whole experience. Especially if you read the novella The Reality of Ever After. This sets you up for this book. If you don’t read any of the previous books, however, you will be fine.
I really liked this book, and I can’t say why exactly. There are a lot of options for me, and I don’t think I can identify which one is best. There is a lot of humor in this book, which makes it such a joy to read. These authors have a way of bringing characters to life, including sharing realistic yet funny moments with us as readers.
There is a very clear grumpy/sunshine trope that feels over the top, making it that much more fun to read. Throughout, there are plenty of surprises. There is a very clear DOM/s storyline, some very exciting piercings, secrets that come to light, and, of course, some delightful animals. The friend group, mostly Blake and Liam, the best friends of this new couple, rounds out the story.
The world this book is created in is special, and I would love to be friends with all the couples we have met. John and Chad have some things to work through, but like a dog with a bone (get it, golden retriever), Chad wiggles his way into his husband's heart.
Everything these two do is well thought out in the story. Like all the books in the series, I loved it. There are some amazing open-door spice scenes, each of which affects the overall story. And they get pretty S-P-I-C-Y. I highly recommend this book and the others in the series, too. You will laugh, you will cry (I did, but you know I do that), and you will fall for this couple. If you want to genuinely enjoy a book, pick it up for your summer reads; you won’t be disappointed.
I really liked this book, and I can’t say why exactly. There are a lot of options for me, and I don’t think I can identify which one is best. There is a lot of humor in this book, which makes it such a joy to read. These authors have a way of bringing characters to life, including sharing realistic yet funny moments with us as readers.
There is a very clear grumpy/sunshine trope that feels over the top, making it that much more fun to read. Throughout, there are plenty of surprises. There is a very clear DOM/s storyline, some very exciting piercings, secrets that come to light, and, of course, some delightful animals. The friend group, mostly Blake and Liam, the best friends of this new couple, rounds out the story.
The world this book is created in is special, and I would love to be friends with all the couples we have met. John and Chad have some things to work through, but like a dog with a bone (get it, golden retriever), Chad wiggles his way into his husband's heart.
Everything these two do is well thought out in the story. Like all the books in the series, I loved it. There are some amazing open-door spice scenes, each of which affects the overall story. And they get pretty S-P-I-C-Y. I highly recommend this book and the others in the series, too. You will laugh, you will cry (I did, but you know I do that), and you will fall for this couple. If you want to genuinely enjoy a book, pick it up for your summer reads; you won’t be disappointed.
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