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Less than Perfect #2
Faultless
Losing your best friend is painful, but being forgotten by him is something else entirely.
Seven years ago, Alex Pierce lost his best friend without an explanation, and he's spent every day trying to forget the boy who disappeared from his life.
Fresh out of a four-year-long relationship, his goal is to leave the past behind and get through college as stress-free as possible. But letting go was never Alex's strong suit, especially when unanswered questions and feelings hang over him.
River Moore became a master of not looking back at an early age. After transferring schools and earning a starting position on the basketball team, the college athlete strives to maintain his carefree yet familiar lifestyle. It's the only way he knows how to live with the mistakes he refuses to confront.
When fate pulls them together again, Alex expects closure. What he doesn't anticipate is River staring at him like a stranger and claiming he didn't remember who Alex is. As buried memories and old feelings resurface, the childhood friends realize some truths are more devastating than merely being forgotten.
Seven years ago, Alex Pierce lost his best friend without an explanation, and he's spent every day trying to forget the boy who disappeared from his life.
Fresh out of a four-year-long relationship, his goal is to leave the past behind and get through college as stress-free as possible. But letting go was never Alex's strong suit, especially when unanswered questions and feelings hang over him.
River Moore became a master of not looking back at an early age. After transferring schools and earning a starting position on the basketball team, the college athlete strives to maintain his carefree yet familiar lifestyle. It's the only way he knows how to live with the mistakes he refuses to confront.
When fate pulls them together again, Alex expects closure. What he doesn't anticipate is River staring at him like a stranger and claiming he didn't remember who Alex is. As buried memories and old feelings resurface, the childhood friends realize some truths are more devastating than merely being forgotten.
ebook
First published February 23, 2026
11 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Marie Socray
2 books18 followersMarie Socray is the author of Effortless. Growing up she spent a lot of her time daydreaming and putting those dreams onto paper for her close friends to read. Now, she shares them with the world.
A hopeless romantic at heart, she writes emotional, character-driven romances that explore love, growth, and everything in between.
A hopeless romantic at heart, she writes emotional, character-driven romances that explore love, growth, and everything in between.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 4, 2025
I read this on Wattpad and it was pretty good but I’m sure the actual book coming out will be even better!
February 3, 2026
i thought this was so well written i absolutely was in love with the characters they were so cute i want to know how things will progress with alexs family and honestly cried overall i loved it couldnt stop reading because i was so invested
February 15, 2026
ARC review
*spoilers*
Whew! that was wholesome. Starting of string I really really didn't like River at the beginning of the book, I get that he had his reasons but faking amnesia was a stretch plus my baby Alex was hurt. (I still feel like he didn't grovel enough but what can I do, Alex is a simp).
Talking about Alex, his people pleasing was out of this world there were many instances I was literally shouting for him to say no. Going to pick up those ungrateful friends? A big fat no! But I get it his parents raised a perfect people pleaser from what I have seen, expecting him to follow their every whim like a puppet wasn't exactly going to create a man with a strong back bone. Talking about his parents, they were shitty ass adults that couldn't fathom the fact that their children could actually make decisions without them and to think they thought Alex was the one embarrassing them. Girl, you are doing that all by yourself with your lack of respect for time and place when you are doing stuff.Tryjing to control every aspect of his life to the point of forcing his only childhood friend away was crazy, glad he put them in their place. As for his sister I had mixed feelings about her, at some point in time I felt he was taking advantage of Alex especially the scene just before he got the seizure as his elder sister you should have noticed how stressed he was looking but I guess that's just by the way. As for Killian, Fuck him, inconsiderate asshole, after making Alex fell worthless the fucker had the audacity to waltz back in taking about fixing their relationship. Girl, if you don't back off this instant. I am glad Alex finally stood up to all these people though his life wasn't exactly the best with all of them sitting of his nose. Plus I really wanted to know whether he finally changed his major because no offense the guy seemed to be terrible at Biology and should probably do something that he is good at.
And River, nothing is your fault, you were just a 13 year old manipulated by the parents of your best friend, even though I think you were an idiot at some point, it was mainly on the adults that wanted to live vicariously through their son. Also the accident with you r dad was just an accident and I hope you slowly come to terms with that, and take a step towards healing. Also be better to Alex or else....
Alex and River, you are both still young and I hope you heal from all that you've been through. There is still a lot to navigate but as long as you have each other then it's good.
This was a 4 star read for me and if you are looking for a low angst story then this story is for you.
*spoilers*
Whew! that was wholesome. Starting of string I really really didn't like River at the beginning of the book, I get that he had his reasons but faking amnesia was a stretch plus my baby Alex was hurt. (I still feel like he didn't grovel enough but what can I do, Alex is a simp).
Talking about Alex, his people pleasing was out of this world there were many instances I was literally shouting for him to say no. Going to pick up those ungrateful friends? A big fat no! But I get it his parents raised a perfect people pleaser from what I have seen, expecting him to follow their every whim like a puppet wasn't exactly going to create a man with a strong back bone. Talking about his parents, they were shitty ass adults that couldn't fathom the fact that their children could actually make decisions without them and to think they thought Alex was the one embarrassing them. Girl, you are doing that all by yourself with your lack of respect for time and place when you are doing stuff.Tryjing to control every aspect of his life to the point of forcing his only childhood friend away was crazy, glad he put them in their place. As for his sister I had mixed feelings about her, at some point in time I felt he was taking advantage of Alex especially the scene just before he got the seizure as his elder sister you should have noticed how stressed he was looking but I guess that's just by the way. As for Killian, Fuck him, inconsiderate asshole, after making Alex fell worthless the fucker had the audacity to waltz back in taking about fixing their relationship. Girl, if you don't back off this instant. I am glad Alex finally stood up to all these people though his life wasn't exactly the best with all of them sitting of his nose. Plus I really wanted to know whether he finally changed his major because no offense the guy seemed to be terrible at Biology and should probably do something that he is good at.
And River, nothing is your fault, you were just a 13 year old manipulated by the parents of your best friend, even though I think you were an idiot at some point, it was mainly on the adults that wanted to live vicariously through their son. Also the accident with you r dad was just an accident and I hope you slowly come to terms with that, and take a step towards healing. Also be better to Alex or else....
Alex and River, you are both still young and I hope you heal from all that you've been through. There is still a lot to navigate but as long as you have each other then it's good.
This was a 4 star read for me and if you are looking for a low angst story then this story is for you.
February 16, 2026
Thanks to the author for an ARC
So, I signed up to ARC read Effortless when it first came out.
And to be completely honest, I kinda hated it. Which is why you’d probably expect me to hate this one too. But, I didn’t.
But, I did really love the two main characters. And I also realised that Effortless was the author’s first officially published book, it was her first time and I had tto command that and be proud of her. Even if I didn’t like her book, I was incredibly proud of the achievement and I knew that I would be the first in line should she ever choose to publish again.
So, when I got the email to read Faultless as an ARC reader. I jumped at the chance, and I’m so happy I did.
I already liked the author’s characters so I knew that as much as I hated the first book, it really could only go up from here.
And guess what? It really did.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
This book was BEAUTIIFUL!
The writing was smooth and flowed beautifully, the characters were vibrant and full of life, the setting was absolutely perfect for this story.
There were so many moments where I blushed from the cuteness and was forced to kick up my feet in happiness and joy from how adorable it was.
It was a quick read, which concerned me at first because I was wondering how the author would tie together all the end piece in such a short time. But she did and it was beautifully done!!
My only complaint could potentially be the amount of s*x scenes in such a short amount of time but that’s the only issue.
Overall, super cute and fluffy read with amazing characters!!
I can’t wait for the next one 🩷💜
So, I signed up to ARC read Effortless when it first came out.
And to be completely honest, I kinda hated it. Which is why you’d probably expect me to hate this one too. But, I didn’t.
But, I did really love the two main characters. And I also realised that Effortless was the author’s first officially published book, it was her first time and I had tto command that and be proud of her. Even if I didn’t like her book, I was incredibly proud of the achievement and I knew that I would be the first in line should she ever choose to publish again.
So, when I got the email to read Faultless as an ARC reader. I jumped at the chance, and I’m so happy I did.
I already liked the author’s characters so I knew that as much as I hated the first book, it really could only go up from here.
And guess what? It really did.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
This book was BEAUTIIFUL!
The writing was smooth and flowed beautifully, the characters were vibrant and full of life, the setting was absolutely perfect for this story.
There were so many moments where I blushed from the cuteness and was forced to kick up my feet in happiness and joy from how adorable it was.
It was a quick read, which concerned me at first because I was wondering how the author would tie together all the end piece in such a short time. But she did and it was beautifully done!!
My only complaint could potentially be the amount of s*x scenes in such a short amount of time but that’s the only issue.
Overall, super cute and fluffy read with amazing characters!!
I can’t wait for the next one 🩷💜
February 25, 2026
ARC Review: Faultless by Marie Socray
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (Sweet & Low-key)
The Vibe: This was a very easy, straightforward read. I went in for the potential angst, but Faultless actually defies those expectations. Instead of a high-tension drama, it’s a grounded story about two people finding each other again after years of separation.
The Breakdown:
• The "Mystery": I’m using quotes because the tension isn't dialed to 10. River’s sudden disappearance is the driving force, but the story moves at a pace that felt more curious than frantic. Those brief glimpses of them as kids were adorable, and they did a great job of making me feel just as confounded as Alex. I liked that the "why" was kept from us for a while.
• The Characters: Both Alex and River were easy to like. River tried his best to act like he wasn't phased, but he was a total goner for Alex. Seeing that "soft for him" dynamic play out was the best part of their interaction.
• Expectation vs. Reality: You might expect heavy yearning and gut-wrenching angst, but you end up with a pretty mushy story of two people reconnecting. It’s simple, sweet, and doesn't overcomplicate things.
The Verdict: A solid second-chance story that focuses on the resilience of childhood bonds. If you want a mystery that feels low-stress and character-focused, this is a good one to add to your TBR.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (Sweet & Low-key)
The Vibe: This was a very easy, straightforward read. I went in for the potential angst, but Faultless actually defies those expectations. Instead of a high-tension drama, it’s a grounded story about two people finding each other again after years of separation.
The Breakdown:
• The "Mystery": I’m using quotes because the tension isn't dialed to 10. River’s sudden disappearance is the driving force, but the story moves at a pace that felt more curious than frantic. Those brief glimpses of them as kids were adorable, and they did a great job of making me feel just as confounded as Alex. I liked that the "why" was kept from us for a while.
• The Characters: Both Alex and River were easy to like. River tried his best to act like he wasn't phased, but he was a total goner for Alex. Seeing that "soft for him" dynamic play out was the best part of their interaction.
• Expectation vs. Reality: You might expect heavy yearning and gut-wrenching angst, but you end up with a pretty mushy story of two people reconnecting. It’s simple, sweet, and doesn't overcomplicate things.
The Verdict: A solid second-chance story that focuses on the resilience of childhood bonds. If you want a mystery that feels low-stress and character-focused, this is a good one to add to your TBR.
February 3, 2026
4.5⭐️
I was very lucky to have been given the possibility to read the ARC for this beautiful book, comes out February 23rd, go pre-order!!
Faultless by Marie Socray stood out to me for the raw vulnerability of both main characters. Their emotions are laid bare in a way that feels honest and unfiltered, making it easy to connect with them on a deeper level.
I especially loved how their complex pasts shaped not only who they are individually but also the messy, complicated relationship they build together.
Nothing about their dynamic feels simple or idealized—it’s imperfect, emotional, and sometimes painful, yet it ultimately grows into something stronger and more meaningful because of that struggle.
The writing is fluid and easy to follow, which made the book incredibly immersive. While a few passages felt slightly rushed, it didn’t take away from the overall emotional impact.
The characters themselves felt real and raw, with flaws and emotional baggage that made their journey feel genuine rather than polished.
Overall, Faultless is an emotionally driven romance that doesn’t shy away from complexity. It’s messy, vulnerable, and deeply human—and that’s exactly why it works so well.
I was very lucky to have been given the possibility to read the ARC for this beautiful book, comes out February 23rd, go pre-order!!
Faultless by Marie Socray stood out to me for the raw vulnerability of both main characters. Their emotions are laid bare in a way that feels honest and unfiltered, making it easy to connect with them on a deeper level.
I especially loved how their complex pasts shaped not only who they are individually but also the messy, complicated relationship they build together.
Nothing about their dynamic feels simple or idealized—it’s imperfect, emotional, and sometimes painful, yet it ultimately grows into something stronger and more meaningful because of that struggle.
The writing is fluid and easy to follow, which made the book incredibly immersive. While a few passages felt slightly rushed, it didn’t take away from the overall emotional impact.
The characters themselves felt real and raw, with flaws and emotional baggage that made their journey feel genuine rather than polished.
Overall, Faultless is an emotionally driven romance that doesn’t shy away from complexity. It’s messy, vulnerable, and deeply human—and that’s exactly why it works so well.
February 14, 2026
Faultless is heartbreak, longing, and second-chance healing done in a way that feels personal.
Marie Socray writes the kind of emotional tension that sits in your chest — quiet, sharp, and impossible to ignore. The relationship between Alex Pierce and River Moore isn’t just about romance. It’s about history, abandonment, and what happens when the person who mattered most becomes the one person you can’t reach anymore.
Alex is trying to move forward, but you can feel how much he’s still carrying. He doesn’t come across as dramatic — he comes across as someone who learned to survive with unanswered questions and never got the closure he deserved.
And River? He’s complicated in the most painful way. Watching him exist in that space of avoidance and buried truth creates this slow-building tension that keeps you turning pages, because you need to understand what happened — and you need to see whether love can survive the kind of loss that doesn’t get neatly explained.
This book leans hard into emotion, unresolved feelings, and the ache of reconnecting with someone who used to know you better than anyone… and now doesn’t even recognize you. It’s raw, tender, and quietly devastating in the best way.
Marie Socray writes the kind of emotional tension that sits in your chest — quiet, sharp, and impossible to ignore. The relationship between Alex Pierce and River Moore isn’t just about romance. It’s about history, abandonment, and what happens when the person who mattered most becomes the one person you can’t reach anymore.
Alex is trying to move forward, but you can feel how much he’s still carrying. He doesn’t come across as dramatic — he comes across as someone who learned to survive with unanswered questions and never got the closure he deserved.
And River? He’s complicated in the most painful way. Watching him exist in that space of avoidance and buried truth creates this slow-building tension that keeps you turning pages, because you need to understand what happened — and you need to see whether love can survive the kind of loss that doesn’t get neatly explained.
This book leans hard into emotion, unresolved feelings, and the ache of reconnecting with someone who used to know you better than anyone… and now doesn’t even recognize you. It’s raw, tender, and quietly devastating in the best way.
February 20, 2026
✨arc review✨
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★ ★ ★ ★
Tropes: Ex bestfriends, College Romance, Chronic Illness REP, Hurt/Comfort
-
“Admitting that I had always been in love with Alexander Roscoe Pierce, even when there was too much going on for me to understand it, was like letting go of that part of myself that was holding me back from everything and one I feared I was hurting.”
This book had me going through all type emotions but River and Alex story was so worth it. I loved it so much and couldn't put this book down for nothing. River and Alex knew each other since they were kids but an incident happened and Alex parents blamed him so River and his family leaves town. Years later in college Alex sees River at his school but River pretends not to remember him cause Alex never knew what his parents did to their friendship. Alex and River are absolutely amazing I love them so much and I'm so glad they found their way back to each other even though it took some time and the Angsty!?
Absolutely had me crashing out like you guys belong together now get it together
“it was you and me. Alex and River. As you comforted me, I wondered why words like that only ever felt meaningful when they came from you, and I never figured it out. But… but now I understand that it was because it was the moment I realized it’s always been you. It was the moment I realized I was in love with you.”
Thank You For giving me this arc ✨🖤
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★ ★ ★ ★
Tropes: Ex bestfriends, College Romance, Chronic Illness REP, Hurt/Comfort
-
“Admitting that I had always been in love with Alexander Roscoe Pierce, even when there was too much going on for me to understand it, was like letting go of that part of myself that was holding me back from everything and one I feared I was hurting.”
This book had me going through all type emotions but River and Alex story was so worth it. I loved it so much and couldn't put this book down for nothing. River and Alex knew each other since they were kids but an incident happened and Alex parents blamed him so River and his family leaves town. Years later in college Alex sees River at his school but River pretends not to remember him cause Alex never knew what his parents did to their friendship. Alex and River are absolutely amazing I love them so much and I'm so glad they found their way back to each other even though it took some time and the Angsty!?
Absolutely had me crashing out like you guys belong together now get it together
“it was you and me. Alex and River. As you comforted me, I wondered why words like that only ever felt meaningful when they came from you, and I never figured it out. But… but now I understand that it was because it was the moment I realized it’s always been you. It was the moment I realized I was in love with you.”
Thank You For giving me this arc ✨🖤
February 17, 2026
I want to say thank you Marie Socray thank you for the opportunity to arc read this amazing book. Faultless Is the 2nd in the Less than perfect series. The first is Effortless with Elias and Javier and it was absolutely amazing. Now getting to Alex and River they had a very rough start to their beautiful relationship. River at 13 left his friends behind which was Alex and wasn't heard from. Until they get in college and River was dealing with a looming family issues, on top of trying to make NCAA tournaments. Then he runs into Alex and pretends to not know him. Now Alex is dealing with a POS boyfriend Killen which I'm glad he finally dealt with him and left him. Alex is a people pleaser and I wished he wasn't. He was also super pissed River forgot him or so he thought. Until they ran into each other and River admitted that not only, he remembered him, but he has missed him the past 7 years. I really loved everything about this book. I could not put it down; I am so excited to see if there is a 3rd book in this series.
February 1, 2026
Thanks to the author Marie Socray for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.
A low angst romance with a best-friends to lovers plot line, the story is well paced. Alex and River were best friends, and for some reason, River ghosted him for 7 years with no explanation.
When they meet, old flames are rekindled.
Both MCs have past issues they need to overcome before moving forward. The story briefly touches on their issues but does not go too much into depth on the resolution.
I felt the closure for River's family issue was very sudden and did not touch the depth of trauma he and his mother faced.
Also, the issue with Alex's parents was handled superficially. With his controlling parents, Alex will continue to have the same issues.... could have shown a better resolution here.
However, being low angst maybe this is the way the author wanted to close them without dwelling deeper.
Overall worth reading the book.
A low angst romance with a best-friends to lovers plot line, the story is well paced. Alex and River were best friends, and for some reason, River ghosted him for 7 years with no explanation.
When they meet, old flames are rekindled.
Both MCs have past issues they need to overcome before moving forward. The story briefly touches on their issues but does not go too much into depth on the resolution.
I felt the closure for River's family issue was very sudden and did not touch the depth of trauma he and his mother faced.
Also, the issue with Alex's parents was handled superficially. With his controlling parents, Alex will continue to have the same issues.... could have shown a better resolution here.
However, being low angst maybe this is the way the author wanted to close them without dwelling deeper.
Overall worth reading the book.
February 5, 2026
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read the ARC for her new book! If I am being honest, this was not my favorite and would likely rate around 2.75-3 stars, but I did think it was very cute, low-angst, and had some nice moments. I think one issue I had was a rare case of "this book needed to be longer". I did not feel like I knew the characters as well as I would have liked and wished there had perhaps been more exploration of the childhood issues that led to them encountering one another again later. I also think some more exploration of some of the family dynamics would have been appreciated. Socray does a very good job of writing spice for sure! Thank you again for the privilege of reading :)
February 7, 2026
I was given an e-arc from the author Marie Socray in exchange for an honest review!
My rating for the book Faultless is around 3 to 3.5 star rating. I really liked this second chance mm romance. Alex and River were such a delight to read, I can see and sense the chemistry of this romance and that the fact that these two knew each other beforehand was really well written. It has chronic/disability representation with references to a rare form of epilepsy. It also kind of shows the consequences when these disabilities and therapies are not shown at an equal right as others, the smut was very good too! But all in all I really liked this story and hopefully Miss Socray does well with this release.
Pre-Order ‘Faultless’ which releases on 02.23.2026 in select retailers!
My rating for the book Faultless is around 3 to 3.5 star rating. I really liked this second chance mm romance. Alex and River were such a delight to read, I can see and sense the chemistry of this romance and that the fact that these two knew each other beforehand was really well written. It has chronic/disability representation with references to a rare form of epilepsy. It also kind of shows the consequences when these disabilities and therapies are not shown at an equal right as others, the smut was very good too! But all in all I really liked this story and hopefully Miss Socray does well with this release.
Pre-Order ‘Faultless’ which releases on 02.23.2026 in select retailers!
February 22, 2026
So I devoured this book! It hooked me from the beginning and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride to the end. I loved the intense chemistry between Alex and River. They were so cute together.
While this was low angst—lower than I usually read—the angst in it still hurt. Especially on Alex’s side. My heart definitely broke for him a few times with everything he goes through. I wanted to wrap him up in a big hug and protect him. His life hasn’t been easy, but he continues to go forward even with the weight of everything on his shoulders. And poor River. Learning of why things happened the way it did between him and Alex had me both raging and wanting to cry. He’s really been through it too.
And a special shoutout to Carson and Lola. They both stole every scene they were in. I especially loved the bond between him and River.
After reading this one, I definitely have to go and read the first one.
I got an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review.
While this was low angst—lower than I usually read—the angst in it still hurt. Especially on Alex’s side. My heart definitely broke for him a few times with everything he goes through. I wanted to wrap him up in a big hug and protect him. His life hasn’t been easy, but he continues to go forward even with the weight of everything on his shoulders. And poor River. Learning of why things happened the way it did between him and Alex had me both raging and wanting to cry. He’s really been through it too.
And a special shoutout to Carson and Lola. They both stole every scene they were in. I especially loved the bond between him and River.
After reading this one, I definitely have to go and read the first one.
I got an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review.
February 21, 2026
⭐️Arc reader
I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.25/5)
I enjoyed this book overall, but it didn’t completely wow me. The premise was interesting, and I appreciated the author’s writing style especially the emotional moments. However, the pacing felt uneven, and I found myself losing momentum in the middle.
I liked the characters, but I didn’t feel as connected to them as I hoped. The story had strong ideas, yet the execution felt slightly inconsistent.
That said, it’s still a solid read, and I think fans of character driven stories will enjoy it more than I did.
I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.25/5)
I enjoyed this book overall, but it didn’t completely wow me. The premise was interesting, and I appreciated the author’s writing style especially the emotional moments. However, the pacing felt uneven, and I found myself losing momentum in the middle.
I liked the characters, but I didn’t feel as connected to them as I hoped. The story had strong ideas, yet the execution felt slightly inconsistent.
That said, it’s still a solid read, and I think fans of character driven stories will enjoy it more than I did.
February 2, 2026
This was my first read by this author and it most certainly will not be my last. Once I picked this up, I could not put this down for even a second and did not want this to end.
Friends to lovers is most definitely one of my favourite tropes, and this was so beautifully done in this story. I really loved the relationship between River and Alex, their journey throughout this story was absolutely phenomenal.
If you are a fan of friends to lovers, I would highly recommend picking this up.
Friends to lovers is most definitely one of my favourite tropes, and this was so beautifully done in this story. I really loved the relationship between River and Alex, their journey throughout this story was absolutely phenomenal.
If you are a fan of friends to lovers, I would highly recommend picking this up.
February 24, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
MMCs: Alex & River
Microtropes
💖childhood friends to estranged to lovers💖
🥵mutual yearning🥵
🏀college basketball player X pre-med student🩺
🥺it’s always been you🥺
🐰he calls him bunny🐰
River: struggling with an emotional connection to the best friend he left behind, a looming family battle, coupled with tackling trying to make it to the NCAA tournament, River is just trying to make it through college and continue with his sports management degree. When Alex, the best friend he left behind at 13 comes back into his life, he pretends they’ve never met. How can he explain leaving him behind after an awkward moment shared between two kids who never left each other’s sides?
Alex: forced to deal with a slob roommate, battle with crippling stress from his Biology Pre-Med major he can never catch up with, constantly watching his niece while being a full time student & suffering with an epilepsy diagnosis from childhood, Alex cannot catch a break when his boyfriend decides he needs space from their relationship. Just when things couldn’t get worse, he runs back into River Moore, his childhood best friend that he never forgot about & always wondered why he ghosted him. You never forget the first person who made you feel something after being lonely for so long, so when he finds out River doesn’t remember their time together, Alex is more than pissed; he’s heartbroken. Finding out later that they have a class together & running into one another around campus can finally be a chance to reunite, but River has to admit that he not only remembers Alex but that he’s missed him for the last 7 years.
Download your copy of Faultless if you like childhood friends to future lovers, heartfelt love stories, athlete romance or MM romance with mutual yearning. You could tell they both wanted each other to reunite so badly, but refused to cave until their weaknesses made them realize how fragile time is. Alex & River have my heart & it was truly a wholesome contemporary read.
MMCs: Alex & River
Microtropes
💖childhood friends to estranged to lovers💖
🥵mutual yearning🥵
🏀college basketball player X pre-med student🩺
🥺it’s always been you🥺
🐰he calls him bunny🐰
River: struggling with an emotional connection to the best friend he left behind, a looming family battle, coupled with tackling trying to make it to the NCAA tournament, River is just trying to make it through college and continue with his sports management degree. When Alex, the best friend he left behind at 13 comes back into his life, he pretends they’ve never met. How can he explain leaving him behind after an awkward moment shared between two kids who never left each other’s sides?
Alex: forced to deal with a slob roommate, battle with crippling stress from his Biology Pre-Med major he can never catch up with, constantly watching his niece while being a full time student & suffering with an epilepsy diagnosis from childhood, Alex cannot catch a break when his boyfriend decides he needs space from their relationship. Just when things couldn’t get worse, he runs back into River Moore, his childhood best friend that he never forgot about & always wondered why he ghosted him. You never forget the first person who made you feel something after being lonely for so long, so when he finds out River doesn’t remember their time together, Alex is more than pissed; he’s heartbroken. Finding out later that they have a class together & running into one another around campus can finally be a chance to reunite, but River has to admit that he not only remembers Alex but that he’s missed him for the last 7 years.
Download your copy of Faultless if you like childhood friends to future lovers, heartfelt love stories, athlete romance or MM romance with mutual yearning. You could tell they both wanted each other to reunite so badly, but refused to cave until their weaknesses made them realize how fragile time is. Alex & River have my heart & it was truly a wholesome contemporary read.
February 18, 2026
This was such a great book! I instantly fell in love with the characters and empathized with their struggles. It was well written and kept me engaged. I appreciated the authors way of introducing something and teasing it. It made me want to keep reading to figure out what was going on. This was easily a 5 star read.
February 18, 2026
ARC Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! River was not my favorite but ended up coming through. Really glad his team made it to March Madness. Would have been so sad if all his hard work (that he finally was motivated for) would have been for nothing. I’m glad the boys had each other when things were hard! I hope this isn’t the last we hear of Carson and Lola either! I loved them!
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! River was not my favorite but ended up coming through. Really glad his team made it to March Madness. Would have been so sad if all his hard work (that he finally was motivated for) would have been for nothing. I’m glad the boys had each other when things were hard! I hope this isn’t the last we hear of Carson and Lola either! I loved them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2026
Best Friends forever no matter what.
Fantastic dual pov story of Alex and River. Best friends since childhood, separated due to unfortunate circumstances, only to be reunited in second year college. Who said that you can't pick up where you left off?
Alex and River will have to close the gap, especially knowing why they really separated in the first place, to move on.
Fantastic dual pov story of Alex and River. Best friends since childhood, separated due to unfortunate circumstances, only to be reunited in second year college. Who said that you can't pick up where you left off?
Alex and River will have to close the gap, especially knowing why they really separated in the first place, to move on.
February 23, 2026
If you loved Effortless by Marie Socray, you're going to love Faultless. Something about your first crush and love between childhood best friends always gets me.
River and Alex will bring all the feels- some sweet and some will just hurt. I loved their friendship and rooted for them from the moment they connected on page and I hope you will too.
Thank You to Marie Socray for the ARC.
River and Alex will bring all the feels- some sweet and some will just hurt. I loved their friendship and rooted for them from the moment they connected on page and I hope you will too.
Thank You to Marie Socray for the ARC.
February 6, 2026
ARC READ:
I gotta say I liked this one so much more than book 1. This couple just did it for me! I absolutely love the whole childhood friends to lovers. River was definitely my favorite! Absolutely hated Salem but who didn’t!?! Would recommend even if you don’t read book 1.
I gotta say I liked this one so much more than book 1. This couple just did it for me! I absolutely love the whole childhood friends to lovers. River was definitely my favorite! Absolutely hated Salem but who didn’t!?! Would recommend even if you don’t read book 1.
February 23, 2026
This was so cute and wholesome. I loved the cameos of Eli and Javi
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