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Not Strong Enough #1
Spitting off the Edge of the World
READ TRIGGERS! (Below) This book is HEAVY. Please read them if you have ANY triggers.
I found you just when I thought my life was over.
Julien Kendrick
Not only am I a recent high school graduate from a prestigious school, but I also come from money—a lot of money. So why am I miserable? No, it’s more like apathy. I crave to escape this life, while others are desperate for it. I want to feel again. To feel something, anything. The decision to leave my horrible parents and friends to spend two weeks doing what I want to do is meant to be my last hurrah, as the old saying goes. I don’t want to spend it alone, though, so I hire a prostitute I find on the street. Not only is he stunningly beautiful, but his pain calls to me.
He’s the one I want to spend my last two weeks with.
Romeo
No kissing. No holding. And no loving. Ever.
Those are the rules. They’re simple when I need life to be easier. But then along comes Julien, who pays a small fortune to have me for two weeks. This is my chance to escape my hell—a life I’ve known for as long as I can remember. My only memories are of being used and abused. I don’t even know my birth name, having lost it somewhere in my past. When our two weeks are up, I plan to run, but Julien is derailing that plan. He’s so kind to me. Gentle. I’m not used to it, but I’m greedy for it. Now, I’ll do anything to keep him.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF SPOILERS
Tropes:
🧁 Male Escort
🧁 Road Trip
🧁 Different Worlds
🧁 Rich/Poor
🧁 Unexpected Love
🧁 Hurt/Comfort
🧁 Quick Burn
🧁 Opposites Attract
🧁 Obsession/Possessiveness
🧁 ‘I’ll Burn the World for You’
🧁 ‘I’ll Unalive Someone for You’
Content Warning: Suicidal ideations, plans for suicide, depression, rape/CSA (not detailed but on page), verbal and physical abuse, sex trafficking/pedophilia, prostitution, murder, drug use, underaged drinking, heavy drinking, smoking, feelings of despair and loneliness, off-page suicide (not MCs), explicit language and explicit sex.
I found you just when I thought my life was over.
Julien Kendrick
Not only am I a recent high school graduate from a prestigious school, but I also come from money—a lot of money. So why am I miserable? No, it’s more like apathy. I crave to escape this life, while others are desperate for it. I want to feel again. To feel something, anything. The decision to leave my horrible parents and friends to spend two weeks doing what I want to do is meant to be my last hurrah, as the old saying goes. I don’t want to spend it alone, though, so I hire a prostitute I find on the street. Not only is he stunningly beautiful, but his pain calls to me.
He’s the one I want to spend my last two weeks with.
Romeo
No kissing. No holding. And no loving. Ever.
Those are the rules. They’re simple when I need life to be easier. But then along comes Julien, who pays a small fortune to have me for two weeks. This is my chance to escape my hell—a life I’ve known for as long as I can remember. My only memories are of being used and abused. I don’t even know my birth name, having lost it somewhere in my past. When our two weeks are up, I plan to run, but Julien is derailing that plan. He’s so kind to me. Gentle. I’m not used to it, but I’m greedy for it. Now, I’ll do anything to keep him.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF SPOILERS
Tropes:
🧁 Male Escort
🧁 Road Trip
🧁 Different Worlds
🧁 Rich/Poor
🧁 Unexpected Love
🧁 Hurt/Comfort
🧁 Quick Burn
🧁 Opposites Attract
🧁 Obsession/Possessiveness
🧁 ‘I’ll Burn the World for You’
🧁 ‘I’ll Unalive Someone for You’
Content Warning: Suicidal ideations, plans for suicide, depression, rape/CSA (not detailed but on page), verbal and physical abuse, sex trafficking/pedophilia, prostitution, murder, drug use, underaged drinking, heavy drinking, smoking, feelings of despair and loneliness, off-page suicide (not MCs), explicit language and explicit sex.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
38 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Courtney W. Dixon
45 books1,129 followersCourtney W. Dixon loves to write steamy hurt/comfort romance, giving her characters challenges, struggles, and sometimes trauma... Fine, a LOT of trauma. Her team teases her about charging her for their therapy bills after reading one of her books.
She loves to add variety and multiple tropes in her stories along with different types of dynamics/relationships. And she writes her characters as having flaws, imperfections, and who don't always do the right thing. Humans are sometimes frustrating, never perfect, and make a lot of mistakes in their lives. Courtney enjoys pushing her characters, making their HEAs so much more worth it when they get there. Mental health is a big feature in her books.
She loves her coffee ice cream and popcorn a little too much. And her cat, Olly, is her co-writer, where he sleeps on an ottoman under her desk as her muse. Actually, he's rather useless, but he's adorable.
Follow Me
She loves to add variety and multiple tropes in her stories along with different types of dynamics/relationships. And she writes her characters as having flaws, imperfections, and who don't always do the right thing. Humans are sometimes frustrating, never perfect, and make a lot of mistakes in their lives. Courtney enjoys pushing her characters, making their HEAs so much more worth it when they get there. Mental health is a big feature in her books.
She loves her coffee ice cream and popcorn a little too much. And her cat, Olly, is her co-writer, where he sleeps on an ottoman under her desk as her muse. Actually, he's rather useless, but he's adorable.
Follow Me
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
May 9, 2026
2.5 I really wanted to love this book, but sadly that wasn’t the case for me. At first, the story pulled me in quickly, but this just ended up not working for me at all. I was about to DNF at the 70% mark, but I was curious to see how it ended, so I skimmed through to the end.
I can see why many people love this, and I assumed I’d be one of them, but the writing style kept me from getting into it. The characters and the whole situation just didn’t feel realistic at all, and the dialogue was—I don’t even know—somehow robotic, formal? But also the whole thing and the characters felt very juvenile to me -yeah, the characters are young, but still. Plus, all those pet names—cupcake, sugar, macaroon, babe.. too much. This is supposed to be a really emotional read, but the writing style was such that I couldn’t connect with it on an emotional level at all? 😩
This two-week trip where they travel and do the things Julien wanted to experience was supposed to be a really moving journey, but I found it kind of repetitive and boring—which really shouldn't be the case. And I just couldn't seem to feel that authentic, genuine connection and love between Julien and Romeo.
So yeah, unfortunately I didn't end up loving this, but I'm sure many others do. This is another one of those moments when you realize just how subjective reading is.
I'll take some of the blame; it was my fault for picking up this book in the first place—I really need to stop forcing myself to read certain authors, no matter how good their books seem based on the blurb and hype.
I can see why many people love this, and I assumed I’d be one of them, but the writing style kept me from getting into it. The characters and the whole situation just didn’t feel realistic at all, and the dialogue was—I don’t even know—somehow robotic, formal? But also the whole thing and the characters felt very juvenile to me -yeah, the characters are young, but still. Plus, all those pet names—cupcake, sugar, macaroon, babe.. too much. This is supposed to be a really emotional read, but the writing style was such that I couldn’t connect with it on an emotional level at all? 😩
This two-week trip where they travel and do the things Julien wanted to experience was supposed to be a really moving journey, but I found it kind of repetitive and boring—which really shouldn't be the case. And I just couldn't seem to feel that authentic, genuine connection and love between Julien and Romeo.
So yeah, unfortunately I didn't end up loving this, but I'm sure many others do. This is another one of those moments when you realize just how subjective reading is.
I'll take some of the blame; it was my fault for picking up this book in the first place—I really need to stop forcing myself to read certain authors, no matter how good their books seem based on the blurb and hype.
May 6, 2026
I don’t even know where to begin with this one.
I want so much to think that such cruelty only exists in fiction, because I honestly can’t even breathe properly, thinking that this could be real 😣
So first things first - DO read the trigger warnings and be careful with your mental health because this book is heavy.
Heavy, but very necessary story of healing and road to beautiful love and to home ❤️🩹
Julien and Romeo, my star-crossed broken boys, who couldn’t be more different in where they come from and what they've been through and yet share such similar and awful traumas.. I really loved how throughout the story they have been healing one another. In such different ways, but effective nonetheless.
And you can’t even complain about the case of “insta-love”, it made perfect sense here 💗
I mostly loved how Julien basically gave Romeo a “pretty woman” experience, and yet each and every time he reassured Romeo, when he was reducing himself to a.. I honestly can’t even type it. Each time Romeo was calling himself that, with such resignation and acceptance, I had to choke on my breath and take a minute.
And all this time Romeo has been silently showing Julien that he matters, what it means to be cared, to be loved, to be deserving of happiness ❤️🩹 Which was actually a more complicated task, given he didn’t even know the depth of Julien’s trauma.
This story has been such an emotional push-and-pull, I swear. While we basically witness the boys’ trip, intended to enjoy life through everything from food to fancy hotels and lots of other things, we areslapped in the face reminded at all times of what the actual end goal is, even if it isn’t vocalised till the end.
And it’s just crazy, one moment you smile at their connection and genuine love, and the next moment you cringe with some dread deep in the gut 😭
Separate thanks for Jinx, I loved that sassy and smart feisty baby so much, can’t even imagine what his story will bring us 🤭
Big thanks for both epilogues, and a BOX OF KITTENS for everyone now please!!!! 😻
I want so much to think that such cruelty only exists in fiction, because I honestly can’t even breathe properly, thinking that this could be real 😣
So first things first - DO read the trigger warnings and be careful with your mental health because this book is heavy.
Heavy, but very necessary story of healing and road to beautiful love and to home ❤️🩹
Julien and Romeo, my star-crossed broken boys, who couldn’t be more different in where they come from and what they've been through and yet share such similar and awful traumas.. I really loved how throughout the story they have been healing one another. In such different ways, but effective nonetheless.
And you can’t even complain about the case of “insta-love”, it made perfect sense here 💗
I mostly loved how Julien basically gave Romeo a “pretty woman” experience, and yet each and every time he reassured Romeo, when he was reducing himself to a.. I honestly can’t even type it. Each time Romeo was calling himself that, with such resignation and acceptance, I had to choke on my breath and take a minute.
And all this time Romeo has been silently showing Julien that he matters, what it means to be cared, to be loved, to be deserving of happiness ❤️🩹 Which was actually a more complicated task, given he didn’t even know the depth of Julien’s trauma.
This story has been such an emotional push-and-pull, I swear. While we basically witness the boys’ trip, intended to enjoy life through everything from food to fancy hotels and lots of other things, we are
And it’s just crazy, one moment you smile at their connection and genuine love, and the next moment you cringe with some dread deep in the gut 😭
Separate thanks for Jinx, I loved that sassy and smart feisty baby so much, can’t even imagine what his story will bring us 🤭
Big thanks for both epilogues, and a BOX OF KITTENS for everyone now please!!!! 😻
April 25, 2026
My first six star review. Ever.
But Spitting Off the Edge of the World just changed that.
This is my first book by Courtney W. Dixon, and she did not disappoint.
This book didn’t just pull me in, it consumed me. I was completely gone in Romeo and Julien’s world, feeling everything with them, hurting with them, hoping for them.
Romeo… his story broke me. The layers of pain, the loss of identity, the way he questions where he even came from and who he belongs to. Lines like “I had a family somewhere. Probably. Maybe.” just stayed with me. You can feel how deeply he wants to be seen, to be chosen, to be loved without conditions.
And then Julien. The way he sees Romeo from the very beginning… “He looks like a fucking angel with the body of a sinner.” That line alone had me hooked. But it’s more than that. It’s the way Julien tries to hold onto control, to find peace, and still ends up needing Romeo just as much.
I’ve worked in child welfare for almost half my life, and this book hit me on a completely different level because of that. I found myself wanting to save these characters. I understand how someone like Julien could believe that his year long plan is the only way out of his pain. And it hurt to see how numb Romeo became to his life, doing what he had to do just to survive.
Their connection is intense, messy, and addictive. You feel it in every moment. The push, the pull, the desperation. “I would do anything for you.” And you believe it completely.
The entire book carries this constant sense of suspense because of Julien’s plan. You’re reading with this weight in your chest wondering if their connection is going to be enough to change everything.
What got me the most is how this book balances pain with something deeper. There are moments that hurt so much you almost have to pause. But then there are moments of softness, vulnerability, and connection that make it all worth it.
This isn’t just a love story. It’s about survival. About identity. About finding power in moments when everything has been taken from you.
I finished this book and just sat there. Thinking. Feeling. Not ready to let them go.
Thank you Courtney W. Dixon for these characters and their stories. Six stars doesn’t even feel like enough.
But Spitting Off the Edge of the World just changed that.
This is my first book by Courtney W. Dixon, and she did not disappoint.
This book didn’t just pull me in, it consumed me. I was completely gone in Romeo and Julien’s world, feeling everything with them, hurting with them, hoping for them.
Romeo… his story broke me. The layers of pain, the loss of identity, the way he questions where he even came from and who he belongs to. Lines like “I had a family somewhere. Probably. Maybe.” just stayed with me. You can feel how deeply he wants to be seen, to be chosen, to be loved without conditions.
And then Julien. The way he sees Romeo from the very beginning… “He looks like a fucking angel with the body of a sinner.” That line alone had me hooked. But it’s more than that. It’s the way Julien tries to hold onto control, to find peace, and still ends up needing Romeo just as much.
I’ve worked in child welfare for almost half my life, and this book hit me on a completely different level because of that. I found myself wanting to save these characters. I understand how someone like Julien could believe that his year long plan is the only way out of his pain. And it hurt to see how numb Romeo became to his life, doing what he had to do just to survive.
Their connection is intense, messy, and addictive. You feel it in every moment. The push, the pull, the desperation. “I would do anything for you.” And you believe it completely.
The entire book carries this constant sense of suspense because of Julien’s plan. You’re reading with this weight in your chest wondering if their connection is going to be enough to change everything.
What got me the most is how this book balances pain with something deeper. There are moments that hurt so much you almost have to pause. But then there are moments of softness, vulnerability, and connection that make it all worth it.
This isn’t just a love story. It’s about survival. About identity. About finding power in moments when everything has been taken from you.
I finished this book and just sat there. Thinking. Feeling. Not ready to let them go.
Thank you Courtney W. Dixon for these characters and their stories. Six stars doesn’t even feel like enough.
April 23, 2026
Julien absolutely shattered me. His stepfather is an irredeemable monster, and the pain he inflicts is horrific—truly unforgivable. What makes it even harder is that his mother allows it, compounding the damage. There’s no real safety or connection anywhere in Julien’s world—not with his friends, and certainly not with his girlfriend. He is completely alone.
And then there’s Romeo. My heart broke for him over and over again. He endures everything because he believes he has no other choice. For Romeo, it’s simple: obey, or risk death. Every sacrifice he makes is about survival.
Somehow, these two broken souls find each other. They’re kindred spirits—drawn together by something undeniable. Julien feels this deep need to protect and care for Romeo, even knowing their time may be limited. And Romeo, in turn, just wants to please Julien in any way he can.
Their road trip is filled with so many firsts—moments of discovery, but also unexpected peace. In each other, they find something steady, something real. Julien begins to feel grounded by Romeo’s presence, yet he struggles to trust it. After all, he is paying Romeo to be there. But beneath the trauma, the loneliness, and the pain, something fragile begins to grow—uncertainty giving way to hope.
This is a story about surviving the unimaginable. About healing, discovery, and learning what it means to be truly seen. It’s a love story—hard-earned, deeply emotional, and ultimately worth every bit of the pain it takes to get there.
**I received a complementary copy of this book.**
And then there’s Romeo. My heart broke for him over and over again. He endures everything because he believes he has no other choice. For Romeo, it’s simple: obey, or risk death. Every sacrifice he makes is about survival.
Somehow, these two broken souls find each other. They’re kindred spirits—drawn together by something undeniable. Julien feels this deep need to protect and care for Romeo, even knowing their time may be limited. And Romeo, in turn, just wants to please Julien in any way he can.
Their road trip is filled with so many firsts—moments of discovery, but also unexpected peace. In each other, they find something steady, something real. Julien begins to feel grounded by Romeo’s presence, yet he struggles to trust it. After all, he is paying Romeo to be there. But beneath the trauma, the loneliness, and the pain, something fragile begins to grow—uncertainty giving way to hope.
This is a story about surviving the unimaginable. About healing, discovery, and learning what it means to be truly seen. It’s a love story—hard-earned, deeply emotional, and ultimately worth every bit of the pain it takes to get there.
**I received a complementary copy of this book.**
April 29, 2026
Omg this book absolutely put me through it! Especially towards the end (the tears that rolled down my face were paid actors)
Romeo and Julien. My god. I love both of these sweet broken boys so much. The pain and hurt they go through is so heavy but with each other they find peace, love and acceptance. Ugh I love it so much ❤️
Thank you so much for the ARC Courtney and I cannot wait to read book 2! 👀👀
Romeo and Julien. My god. I love both of these sweet broken boys so much. The pain and hurt they go through is so heavy but with each other they find peace, love and acceptance. Ugh I love it so much ❤️
Thank you so much for the ARC Courtney and I cannot wait to read book 2! 👀👀
April 20, 2026
Julien and Romeo definitely broke my heart a little. Both men had survived some of the most horrific circumstances that no one should ever have to experience and yet these two managed to seek out goodness and love even after they thought it may not exist.
I really enjoyed these two together. They gave each other happiness, hope, safety and love. Their dynamic was sweet. The first times they got to share with each other like swimming, cotton candy and kisses with feelings were adorable. They both helped each other begin to heal and although they still struggled in different ways they slowly began to adjust the more time they spent with one another. I appreciate that they also utilized different resources to help with the healing process outside of their relationship giving them each additional support to grow and mend.
Jinx is great! He’s a great friend to Romeo and later Julien and is definitely wise beyond his years. I’m excited for his story!
💚ARC REVIEW🖤
☑️ Trigger Warnings
I really enjoyed these two together. They gave each other happiness, hope, safety and love. Their dynamic was sweet. The first times they got to share with each other like swimming, cotton candy and kisses with feelings were adorable. They both helped each other begin to heal and although they still struggled in different ways they slowly began to adjust the more time they spent with one another. I appreciate that they also utilized different resources to help with the healing process outside of their relationship giving them each additional support to grow and mend.
Jinx is great! He’s a great friend to Romeo and later Julien and is definitely wise beyond his years. I’m excited for his story!
💚ARC REVIEW🖤
☑️ Trigger Warnings
May 6, 2026
I’m not ok. Every time I think I’ve gotten used to Courtney breaking my heart, she goes and outdoes herself. I can’t even begin to describe the level of hurt my heart is in after reading this book😭
How can I put into words how much a I want to wrap Julien and Romeo in my arms and just keep them there so the world doesn’t hurt them anymore? How can I ever move on from their story and just keep going like nothing happened?
Oh Julien. All you ever wanted was to be loved for you, not your money. You had the worst people around you who didn’t care about your pain and suffering. All they cared about was how much they could use you to get what they wanted. They never cared enough to see how much you were hurting.
My poor Romeo. You never had a chance. From the moment you were born, your life was already doomed to fail. You were destined for a lifetime of misery and pain, yet you chose to keep going despite the hurt and abuse.
Julien never thought that a whole year of planning would come to such a screeching halt the moment he met Romeo. It was only supposed to be a two week trip to see the world in a different light. To experience something beautiful after all the ugliness he’d been through. But those two weeks changed everything, altering his plans to make his pain go away.
Romeo was like a breath of fresh air Julien never thought he needed. A broken boy just like him who somehow still loved life despite being knocked down by it.
Julien’s plan never included being protective of Romeo. Or taking care of him and making sure his life was better after their time together ended. Romeo was not supposed to make Julien second guess his decision. And he definitely wasn’t supposed to make Julien fall in love with him and want to stick around for him.
Romeo was supposed to be treated like the escort he was. Instead, Julien treated him like a prince. Someone worth caring for and treated with respect and dignity. Something Romeo never had before. To everyone else, he was just a body to use and discard, to Julien he was the most precious thing in the world.
Julien made Romeo feel special and treasured. He made him feel safe and brave. Julien gave him the courage to try to get out of the life he was forced into. But things could never be easy for Romeo. Just when he thought he could be free, he finds himself in the most difficult situation yet.
Had it not been for Julien, who knows what would have happened. Julien saved him in more ways than one and that’s something Romeo would never forget. Yet he knows that keeping Julien isn’t part of their two week deal. Romeo wasn’t supposed to fall for Julien but he made it too easy.
Julien was determined to continue with his plans despite being in love with Romeo. He didn’t want to believe that Romeo would be enough to make him stay. There was too much trauma and pain for him to deal with and in that moment those feelings were stronger than what he felt for Romeo.
𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚, 𝑪𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒂𝒌𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔. 𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕. 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎����𝒄𝒉, 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚.
My boys deserved better. They were failed by those who were supposed to protect and love them. Julien only had one person to care about him and that person was gone. Romeo only had Jinx who was just as broken. Yet in the middle of it all, they found each other. The best found family neither of them expected.
“𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚.”
“𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆.”
I don’t think I can ever get over this book. It hurt, A LOT. But their HEA was worth the pain. In the end, they made the life they always wanted. Those people who hurt them most paid dearly and their future looks brighter each day. Thank you Courtney for bringing these boys into our lives.
How can I put into words how much a I want to wrap Julien and Romeo in my arms and just keep them there so the world doesn’t hurt them anymore? How can I ever move on from their story and just keep going like nothing happened?
Oh Julien. All you ever wanted was to be loved for you, not your money. You had the worst people around you who didn’t care about your pain and suffering. All they cared about was how much they could use you to get what they wanted. They never cared enough to see how much you were hurting.
My poor Romeo. You never had a chance. From the moment you were born, your life was already doomed to fail. You were destined for a lifetime of misery and pain, yet you chose to keep going despite the hurt and abuse.
Julien never thought that a whole year of planning would come to such a screeching halt the moment he met Romeo. It was only supposed to be a two week trip to see the world in a different light. To experience something beautiful after all the ugliness he’d been through. But those two weeks changed everything, altering his plans to make his pain go away.
Romeo was like a breath of fresh air Julien never thought he needed. A broken boy just like him who somehow still loved life despite being knocked down by it.
Julien’s plan never included being protective of Romeo. Or taking care of him and making sure his life was better after their time together ended. Romeo was not supposed to make Julien second guess his decision. And he definitely wasn’t supposed to make Julien fall in love with him and want to stick around for him.
Romeo was supposed to be treated like the escort he was. Instead, Julien treated him like a prince. Someone worth caring for and treated with respect and dignity. Something Romeo never had before. To everyone else, he was just a body to use and discard, to Julien he was the most precious thing in the world.
Julien made Romeo feel special and treasured. He made him feel safe and brave. Julien gave him the courage to try to get out of the life he was forced into. But things could never be easy for Romeo. Just when he thought he could be free, he finds himself in the most difficult situation yet.
Had it not been for Julien, who knows what would have happened. Julien saved him in more ways than one and that’s something Romeo would never forget. Yet he knows that keeping Julien isn’t part of their two week deal. Romeo wasn’t supposed to fall for Julien but he made it too easy.
Julien was determined to continue with his plans despite being in love with Romeo. He didn’t want to believe that Romeo would be enough to make him stay. There was too much trauma and pain for him to deal with and in that moment those feelings were stronger than what he felt for Romeo.
𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚, 𝑪𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒂𝒌𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔. 𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕. 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎����𝒄𝒉, 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚.
My boys deserved better. They were failed by those who were supposed to protect and love them. Julien only had one person to care about him and that person was gone. Romeo only had Jinx who was just as broken. Yet in the middle of it all, they found each other. The best found family neither of them expected.
“𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚.”
“𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆.”
I don’t think I can ever get over this book. It hurt, A LOT. But their HEA was worth the pain. In the end, they made the life they always wanted. Those people who hurt them most paid dearly and their future looks brighter each day. Thank you Courtney for bringing these boys into our lives.
May 5, 2026
I was an arc reader for Spitting Off the Edge of the World by Courtney Dixon
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Not even exaggerating this might be my favorite book of all time.
The Emotional Weight (PLEASE READ)
This book is melodramatic in nature and touches on themes that feel deeply personal it’s clear there is a "lived experience" behind the writing of grief, depression, and CPTSD. The subplots are tight and don't drag, keeping the focus on the heavy overarching themes.
⚠️ A Note on Triggers: > This book is a brutal, beautiful reality check on suicide ideation, depression, child abuse, and rape. The ending is extremely heavy, especially for those with PTSD. Even as someone who appreciates dark themes, this was the first book that truly triggered me. It is a Happy Ever After (HEA), but the road there is paved with intense angst and tension.
Spitting Off the Edge of the World is a raw, somber, and profoundly intimate journey that explores the heaviest corners of the human experience. While it starts with a bit of a backstory "info dump" in chapter one, I actually appreciated the quick pacing there it sets the stage efficiently so we can dive straight into the emotional core of the story.
The Characters & Romance
The connection between Julian and Romeo is something special. Julian is young, but his kind, compassionate soul is tempered by a world-weariness that makes his mindset feel completely earned given his past. Romeo is equally compelling as a man simply trying to make the best of the hand he was dealt.
Interestingly, this is one of the rare cases where "insta-love" actually works. The progression feels natural, and the subtext hidden in their small comments to one another makes their evolving bond feel authentic. There is a "self-imposed two-week" deadline hanging over the narrative that creates a "chef’s kiss" level of tension throughout.
Authenticity & Intimacy
As a reader, I have to give major recognition to Courtney Dixon for the authenticity regarding the reality of being a bottom. Seeing a character be conscious of what they are eating is a small but vital detail that adds a level of realism often missing in the genre.
The "spice" in this book is prevalent and incredibly well-written, but more importantly, it is intimate. Sometimes sex in fiction can feel performative, but here, it feels so personal and filled with love that you almost feel like you are intruding on something private. It’s incredibly refreshing.
Final Verdict
This story touched me in a way I can’t quite put into words. It feels human and real in a way that is hard to replicate. Please assess your mental well-being before diving in. If you are having a low mental health day, save this for later—but when you are ready, it is a profound, soul-stirring read.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Not even exaggerating this might be my favorite book of all time.
The Emotional Weight (PLEASE READ)
This book is melodramatic in nature and touches on themes that feel deeply personal it’s clear there is a "lived experience" behind the writing of grief, depression, and CPTSD. The subplots are tight and don't drag, keeping the focus on the heavy overarching themes.
⚠️ A Note on Triggers: > This book is a brutal, beautiful reality check on suicide ideation, depression, child abuse, and rape. The ending is extremely heavy, especially for those with PTSD. Even as someone who appreciates dark themes, this was the first book that truly triggered me. It is a Happy Ever After (HEA), but the road there is paved with intense angst and tension.
Spitting Off the Edge of the World is a raw, somber, and profoundly intimate journey that explores the heaviest corners of the human experience. While it starts with a bit of a backstory "info dump" in chapter one, I actually appreciated the quick pacing there it sets the stage efficiently so we can dive straight into the emotional core of the story.
The Characters & Romance
The connection between Julian and Romeo is something special. Julian is young, but his kind, compassionate soul is tempered by a world-weariness that makes his mindset feel completely earned given his past. Romeo is equally compelling as a man simply trying to make the best of the hand he was dealt.
Interestingly, this is one of the rare cases where "insta-love" actually works. The progression feels natural, and the subtext hidden in their small comments to one another makes their evolving bond feel authentic. There is a "self-imposed two-week" deadline hanging over the narrative that creates a "chef’s kiss" level of tension throughout.
Authenticity & Intimacy
As a reader, I have to give major recognition to Courtney Dixon for the authenticity regarding the reality of being a bottom. Seeing a character be conscious of what they are eating is a small but vital detail that adds a level of realism often missing in the genre.
The "spice" in this book is prevalent and incredibly well-written, but more importantly, it is intimate. Sometimes sex in fiction can feel performative, but here, it feels so personal and filled with love that you almost feel like you are intruding on something private. It’s incredibly refreshing.
Final Verdict
This story touched me in a way I can’t quite put into words. It feels human and real in a way that is hard to replicate. Please assess your mental well-being before diving in. If you are having a low mental health day, save this for later—but when you are ready, it is a profound, soul-stirring read.
May 2, 2026
Wow…! I finished reading this story yesterday, and I usually write my reviews right away. But I couldn’t find the right words—let’s see if I can manage it now.
From the very first moment I saw this book on social media, I knew deep down that it would be something special. And when I read the first reviews, that feeling was only confirmed.
It’s quite a lot to take in; these two guys have a difficult and deeply traumatic past behind them. It’s painful to read, and yet you’re immediately pulled into this whirlwind of emotions. In some places, this story also gets darker than you might expect. Still, it’s incredibly touching and breathtaking to see how Romeo and Julien let down their defenses and how deep and unwavering their feelings for each other are ❤️. Can the two of them ease each other’s pain? Find their happy ending together? You hope, suffer, and love every moment right along with them! Their intimate moments are so passionate, so intense, and yet so tender—simply beautifully written 🔥.
You can tell that I truly love this book; I’ll be carrying these two with me in my thoughts for a while longer. And I’m already so excited to see what happens next with Jinx. I highly recommend this story to all of you!
From the very first moment I saw this book on social media, I knew deep down that it would be something special. And when I read the first reviews, that feeling was only confirmed.
It’s quite a lot to take in; these two guys have a difficult and deeply traumatic past behind them. It’s painful to read, and yet you’re immediately pulled into this whirlwind of emotions. In some places, this story also gets darker than you might expect. Still, it’s incredibly touching and breathtaking to see how Romeo and Julien let down their defenses and how deep and unwavering their feelings for each other are ❤️. Can the two of them ease each other’s pain? Find their happy ending together? You hope, suffer, and love every moment right along with them! Their intimate moments are so passionate, so intense, and yet so tender—simply beautifully written 🔥.
You can tell that I truly love this book; I’ll be carrying these two with me in my thoughts for a while longer. And I’m already so excited to see what happens next with Jinx. I highly recommend this story to all of you!
May 5, 2026
This book is no joke with triggers.
Now with that warning in place, as always, I go in mostly blind. I am grateful Courtney took a few messages of me bawling. Like ugly cry. I chuckle now as I write this but truly, I was wrecked.
Courtney took two completely characters from different walks of life and expertly wove them together to show that we are indeed, more alike than we are different as humans. She sprinkled in a bit of "Jinx" who added another layer of commonality yet handles his trauma differently as well.
Falling in love with these characters was easy. Leaving the story behind was hard once finished. Unforgettable journey that I'm so grateful Dixon is adding to for a duet! So bring on Jinx!
Now with that warning in place, as always, I go in mostly blind. I am grateful Courtney took a few messages of me bawling. Like ugly cry. I chuckle now as I write this but truly, I was wrecked.
Courtney took two completely characters from different walks of life and expertly wove them together to show that we are indeed, more alike than we are different as humans. She sprinkled in a bit of "Jinx" who added another layer of commonality yet handles his trauma differently as well.
Falling in love with these characters was easy. Leaving the story behind was hard once finished. Unforgettable journey that I'm so grateful Dixon is adding to for a duet! So bring on Jinx!
May 8, 2026
Julien • Romeo (A.)
….
“What would it be like to have someone love you back…”
….
…how tender is the heart even when all the evil, bad and ugly. This story follows Julien and Romeo. Two souls that are definitely star-crossed. Two different stories, two different backgrounds, one broken core. Healing is the spirit of this book. Healing even if you think all is lost.
One thought. One proposition. One trip. Confessions. All truths, expect one. Quiet observations, grand gestures. A companion. A battle within. Something undeniable. Moments filled with so many firsts but also discovery. This story has it all and even though it touches the most sensitive subjects it’s as much soft as it sits heavy on the heart.
I really can’t wait for Jinx….
….
“There’s only one person I want to affect. I just don’t know who that is yet.” // “I want to kiss you.” // “You don’t have to pretend to be someone else to get my attention. You have my undivided attention already.” // “It’s my rebirth. The start of my journey, which only I control. No one else.” // “I’d do it again… A hundred times.” // “I definitely think Julien and I are beautiful together.” // “He’d rather have you than whatever you plan to leave with him.” // “Love and oblivion are waging war against each other. I’m not sure which one I want to win.” // “”Home.” I whisper.” …
….
*I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
….
….
“What would it be like to have someone love you back…”
….
…how tender is the heart even when all the evil, bad and ugly. This story follows Julien and Romeo. Two souls that are definitely star-crossed. Two different stories, two different backgrounds, one broken core. Healing is the spirit of this book. Healing even if you think all is lost.
One thought. One proposition. One trip. Confessions. All truths, expect one. Quiet observations, grand gestures. A companion. A battle within. Something undeniable. Moments filled with so many firsts but also discovery. This story has it all and even though it touches the most sensitive subjects it’s as much soft as it sits heavy on the heart.
I really can’t wait for Jinx….
….
“There’s only one person I want to affect. I just don’t know who that is yet.” // “I want to kiss you.” // “You don’t have to pretend to be someone else to get my attention. You have my undivided attention already.” // “It’s my rebirth. The start of my journey, which only I control. No one else.” // “I’d do it again… A hundred times.” // “I definitely think Julien and I are beautiful together.” // “He’d rather have you than whatever you plan to leave with him.” // “Love and oblivion are waging war against each other. I’m not sure which one I want to win.” // “”Home.” I whisper.” …
….
*I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
….
May 9, 2026
I have loved every book Courtney has written.
Spitting off the Edge of the World is one of the best stories that Courtney has written in a long time. She's found her joy again!
Julien and Romeo’s story was so heartbreaking but at the same time so sweet. I laughed a lot and teared up more than once. It is definitely an emotional roller coaster but well worth it!
Spitting off the Edge of the World is one of the best stories that Courtney has written in a long time. She's found her joy again!
Julien and Romeo’s story was so heartbreaking but at the same time so sweet. I laughed a lot and teared up more than once. It is definitely an emotional roller coaster but well worth it!
May 4, 2026
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 ⭐/5
This is not an easy read but it's an important one and I need a moment before I even try to put this into words.
This book wrecked me. Completely and utterly destroyed me and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
Let me be clear upfront. The trigger list is long and it's serious: rape, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, suicide ideation and attempt, physical abuse, murder. This is not a cozy read. This is not even a typical dark romance. This is raw, brutal, and uncomfortably real.
Julien is nineteen, wealthy, and has had everything taken from him by the one person who was supposed to protect him. He's planned his death down to the last detail, a road trip, a bucket list, and then the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Romeo is a sex worker who has never known freedom, never known kindness, never known what it feels like to matter to anyone. Two broken souls, moving through the world carrying wounds nobody bothered to see.
And then they find each other.
What follows is one of the most quietly devastating love stories I've read in a long time. Dixon doesn't romanticize trauma. She sits in it and she makes you feel the weight of it: the shame, the silence, the way abuse rewires everything about how you move through the world…and yet somehow, between all that darkness, she builds something genuinely tender, something worth staying for.
The canyon scene will stop your heart, that's all I'll say.
Jinx is an unexpected gem in this story, sharp, funny, and carrying his own wounds with a kind of fierce dignity that made me want his story immediately. Though I'll admit he felt almost too composed for a sixteen-year-old in crisis. Little too perfectly timed to save the day.
My only other gripe? The epilogue wraps things up almost too neatly after such a brutal journey. The happiness feels earned, but the landing is softer than the takeoff.
4.5 ⭐/5
This is not an easy read but it's an important one and I need a moment before I even try to put this into words.
This book wrecked me. Completely and utterly destroyed me and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
Let me be clear upfront. The trigger list is long and it's serious: rape, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, suicide ideation and attempt, physical abuse, murder. This is not a cozy read. This is not even a typical dark romance. This is raw, brutal, and uncomfortably real.
Julien is nineteen, wealthy, and has had everything taken from him by the one person who was supposed to protect him. He's planned his death down to the last detail, a road trip, a bucket list, and then the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Romeo is a sex worker who has never known freedom, never known kindness, never known what it feels like to matter to anyone. Two broken souls, moving through the world carrying wounds nobody bothered to see.
And then they find each other.
What follows is one of the most quietly devastating love stories I've read in a long time. Dixon doesn't romanticize trauma. She sits in it and she makes you feel the weight of it: the shame, the silence, the way abuse rewires everything about how you move through the world…and yet somehow, between all that darkness, she builds something genuinely tender, something worth staying for.
The canyon scene will stop your heart, that's all I'll say.
Jinx is an unexpected gem in this story, sharp, funny, and carrying his own wounds with a kind of fierce dignity that made me want his story immediately. Though I'll admit he felt almost too composed for a sixteen-year-old in crisis. Little too perfectly timed to save the day.
My only other gripe? The epilogue wraps things up almost too neatly after such a brutal journey. The happiness feels earned, but the landing is softer than the takeoff.
May 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Courtney took us on such a painfully beautiful journey with these two broken souls. They were brought together by fate, ment to be companions on a two week road trip, but somehow they found themselves, hope, love, and family. All things they never thought they could have. So many firsts happened for these boys along the way, but above all that they found peace with each other. However each new day brings Julien closer to his plan, closer to the edge of the world, and closer to goodbye. Will the bond they’ve built be enough to make him stay?
This story started off breaking my heart. The things that Julien and Romeo went through should never happen to anyone. Julien living a life where his stepfather abuses him and his mother turns a blind eye. His friends use him for status but care nothing about him. Romeo living a life where you do as you’re told, hand over your money, and shut your mouth … because the alternative is worse. I honestly fell for both of these MCs right from the start, they were dealt a shit hand and everyone seemed to be against them … until they found each other.
I don’t really want to say too much because I truly think you need to experience this story for yourself. You will no doubt fall in love with Romeo, Julien, and Romes best friend Jinx. Be prepared to have your heart broken more than once. This story isn’t just a love story, it’s a story about survival and finding peace when you never thought you would.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Courtney took us on such a painfully beautiful journey with these two broken souls. They were brought together by fate, ment to be companions on a two week road trip, but somehow they found themselves, hope, love, and family. All things they never thought they could have. So many firsts happened for these boys along the way, but above all that they found peace with each other. However each new day brings Julien closer to his plan, closer to the edge of the world, and closer to goodbye. Will the bond they’ve built be enough to make him stay?
This story started off breaking my heart. The things that Julien and Romeo went through should never happen to anyone. Julien living a life where his stepfather abuses him and his mother turns a blind eye. His friends use him for status but care nothing about him. Romeo living a life where you do as you’re told, hand over your money, and shut your mouth … because the alternative is worse. I honestly fell for both of these MCs right from the start, they were dealt a shit hand and everyone seemed to be against them … until they found each other.
I don’t really want to say too much because I truly think you need to experience this story for yourself. You will no doubt fall in love with Romeo, Julien, and Romes best friend Jinx. Be prepared to have your heart broken more than once. This story isn’t just a love story, it’s a story about survival and finding peace when you never thought you would.
May 6, 2026
4.25-4.5 ⭐
Tropes:
💔Class difference
💔Male escort
💔Road trip
💔Hurt x comfort
💔Unexpected love
💔First times
💔Opposites Attract
💔Obsession/possessiveness
***Please read the tw/cw before starting this book, if you have any!! There are some DEEP topics that are discussed and referenced too
Ohhh my broken Romeo and Julien. Two souls broken in ways beyond relief and repair that just happen to fall into each other's laps. You truly cannot help but fall in love with these two characters and just feel all of the emotions alongside each other as Romeo starts to see what life could be life (and how it should be) and Julien is giving Romeo the freedom and ability to see the joys of life, while also fighting all of his internal battles. Just all the feelings of hope, happiness, safety, and most importantly, love. Both were absolutely quite the touch-starved MMC's that we all know and love. And I mean...it is a hurt x comfort book, so how can we not!
It was so tender seeing all of the firsts that they were able to give each other and see both of them finally get to LIVE. No spoilers here, but absolutely gut-wrenching ending (fret not, there is an HEA!!! I was just so sadddd 😭😭😭😭)
I am so excited to read Jinx's story next and see glimpses of a happy and thriving Romeo and Julien.
Thank you to Courtnery for the eARC! Spitting off the Edge of the World is available now!
Tropes:
💔Class difference
💔Male escort
💔Road trip
💔Hurt x comfort
💔Unexpected love
💔First times
💔Opposites Attract
💔Obsession/possessiveness
***Please read the tw/cw before starting this book, if you have any!! There are some DEEP topics that are discussed and referenced too
Ohhh my broken Romeo and Julien. Two souls broken in ways beyond relief and repair that just happen to fall into each other's laps. You truly cannot help but fall in love with these two characters and just feel all of the emotions alongside each other as Romeo starts to see what life could be life (and how it should be) and Julien is giving Romeo the freedom and ability to see the joys of life, while also fighting all of his internal battles. Just all the feelings of hope, happiness, safety, and most importantly, love. Both were absolutely quite the touch-starved MMC's that we all know and love. And I mean...it is a hurt x comfort book, so how can we not!
It was so tender seeing all of the firsts that they were able to give each other and see both of them finally get to LIVE. No spoilers here, but absolutely gut-wrenching ending (fret not, there is an HEA!!! I was just so sadddd 😭😭😭😭)
I am so excited to read Jinx's story next and see glimpses of a happy and thriving Romeo and Julien.
Thank you to Courtnery for the eARC! Spitting off the Edge of the World is available now!
May 7, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC
This will be a short review because this book crushed me!
“Spitting off the Edge of the World” handles one of my favourite tropes: escort. Romeo and Julien may come from different worlds, but they both know hurt and pain too well, and that binds them through their road trip. Julien sees every bad thing that has ever happened to Romeo and he makes everything possible to give him a better life. Romeo sees in Julien not just another client, but someone who has experienced the same level of hurt. By his side, Romeo is honest, kind, and offers every bit of himself in his rawest form.
Both characters start at their lowest, their lives miserable without hints of hope, and in that darkness they find each other. Julien finds someone that sees him, someone that would do everything for him, while Julien is the only person that has offered a hint of kindness and tenderness.
It is overall a very dark book with heavy themes, and I do not wish to spoil anything because this book needs to be read while going almost fully unaware (except for TW, please read those!), since this is mostly a book about feelings. Feeling alone, feeling miserable, feeling hope, and feeling lost.
“Spitting off the Edge of the World” is an absolute beauty! Your heart will break as you witness Julien and Romeo’s journey through attempts at healing and trying to grasp something good in this world. This book will carry on with me for many, many years!
This will be a short review because this book crushed me!
“Spitting off the Edge of the World” handles one of my favourite tropes: escort. Romeo and Julien may come from different worlds, but they both know hurt and pain too well, and that binds them through their road trip. Julien sees every bad thing that has ever happened to Romeo and he makes everything possible to give him a better life. Romeo sees in Julien not just another client, but someone who has experienced the same level of hurt. By his side, Romeo is honest, kind, and offers every bit of himself in his rawest form.
Both characters start at their lowest, their lives miserable without hints of hope, and in that darkness they find each other. Julien finds someone that sees him, someone that would do everything for him, while Julien is the only person that has offered a hint of kindness and tenderness.
It is overall a very dark book with heavy themes, and I do not wish to spoil anything because this book needs to be read while going almost fully unaware (except for TW, please read those!), since this is mostly a book about feelings. Feeling alone, feeling miserable, feeling hope, and feeling lost.
“Spitting off the Edge of the World” is an absolute beauty! Your heart will break as you witness Julien and Romeo’s journey through attempts at healing and trying to grasp something good in this world. This book will carry on with me for many, many years!
May 9, 2026
I loved it! It's heavy and gets dark, but it's still such a great read! I had to make myself put it down so I could deal with my adult responsibilities, but I was grumpy because I really wanted to read Romeo and Julien's story.
Romeo and Julien have so much trauma. My heart broke for these two. They are also really strong for getting through everything. I feel like them finding each other was fate! They needed to find each other no matter what. I loved the hurt/comfort and how they saved each other. I loved seeing their relationship progress and them opening up to each other. It was great to see Julien pamper and spoil Romeo.
I'm an emotional reader, so you can safely assume that I cried while reading it and I don't regret it at all! The story was beautifully written and it flowed really well. I also loved the addition of sassy and blunt Jinx, he brought levity that was needed. I loved the little found family they have and all of the fur babies they end up adopting.
If you're in the mood for a great hurt/comfort story that is beautifully written, with strong emotions and a beautiful love story and happiness at the end of a hard battle then this is the book for you. You just need to have the tissues ready.
Romeo and Julien have so much trauma. My heart broke for these two. They are also really strong for getting through everything. I feel like them finding each other was fate! They needed to find each other no matter what. I loved the hurt/comfort and how they saved each other. I loved seeing their relationship progress and them opening up to each other. It was great to see Julien pamper and spoil Romeo.
I'm an emotional reader, so you can safely assume that I cried while reading it and I don't regret it at all! The story was beautifully written and it flowed really well. I also loved the addition of sassy and blunt Jinx, he brought levity that was needed. I loved the little found family they have and all of the fur babies they end up adopting.
If you're in the mood for a great hurt/comfort story that is beautifully written, with strong emotions and a beautiful love story and happiness at the end of a hard battle then this is the book for you. You just need to have the tissues ready.
May 9, 2026
Spitting off the Edge of the World was HEAVY. This is a way more sad, way more cruel, way more tragic, way more beautiful and way more gay version of Pretty Woman. There’s so much trauma and sadness and heartbreak but it’s also SO fucking healing and passionate and just goddamn beautiful. I instantly fell in love and connected with Romeo and Julien. The bond they share and the love they experience was so breathtaking.
Pain is the only thing these two boys have ever known. And their story is torturous. It was hard to read. It was hard to comprehend the evilness of people.
This was Julian’s journey to death. This was Romeo’s journey from hell. They were each other’s savior... it’s a story of healing, love and acceptance. They showed each other what it meant to love after everything has been taken from you.
I don’t even know what to feel right now. This book broke me. It hurt my soul. And I loved every second of their journey together. They were messy and desperate but also incredibly protective and vulnerable. Their chemistry had me HOOKED from the moment Julien laid eyes on Romeo.
I would go through the pain and heartbreak a thousand times to read this book again for the first time.
So beautiful.
Pain is the only thing these two boys have ever known. And their story is torturous. It was hard to read. It was hard to comprehend the evilness of people.
This was Julian’s journey to death. This was Romeo’s journey from hell. They were each other’s savior... it’s a story of healing, love and acceptance. They showed each other what it meant to love after everything has been taken from you.
I don’t even know what to feel right now. This book broke me. It hurt my soul. And I loved every second of their journey together. They were messy and desperate but also incredibly protective and vulnerable. Their chemistry had me HOOKED from the moment Julien laid eyes on Romeo.
I would go through the pain and heartbreak a thousand times to read this book again for the first time.
So beautiful.
May 5, 2026
Well this was a rollercoaster! A fantastic, emotional rollercoaster but all the feels we’re definitely there!
First off, protect your mental health and read the trigger warnings on this book. It is full on from the outset so I don’t want anyone blindsided. All love for everyone xx
Romeo and Juliet live up to their name sakes. It’s not so much a retelling of the classic but a possible behind the scenes look that no one thought was there. These boys have been hurt, discarded and abused by the very people who are supposed to love them unconditionally. For some it wasn’t their fault and for others…..well let’s just say there’s a very hot and humid place waiting for them and leave it at that shall we?!
In spite of everything they go on an amazing journey together - both to see the world and to finally see each other and themselves.
It does have a HEA and it is everything they deserve! There’s even a couple of strays picked up along the way - a gorgeous girl called Nutmeg and a sassy pink coloured boy called Jinx.
This is a deep book with all the spice, cuteness and love thrown in, you just have to hurt a bit to get there! Enjoy!
First off, protect your mental health and read the trigger warnings on this book. It is full on from the outset so I don’t want anyone blindsided. All love for everyone xx
Romeo and Juliet live up to their name sakes. It’s not so much a retelling of the classic but a possible behind the scenes look that no one thought was there. These boys have been hurt, discarded and abused by the very people who are supposed to love them unconditionally. For some it wasn’t their fault and for others…..well let’s just say there’s a very hot and humid place waiting for them and leave it at that shall we?!
In spite of everything they go on an amazing journey together - both to see the world and to finally see each other and themselves.
It does have a HEA and it is everything they deserve! There’s even a couple of strays picked up along the way - a gorgeous girl called Nutmeg and a sassy pink coloured boy called Jinx.
This is a deep book with all the spice, cuteness and love thrown in, you just have to hurt a bit to get there! Enjoy!
May 6, 2026
This book gets all the stars! It is my top read for 2026!
What a heart wrenching emotional rollercoaster. Julien had my heart right from the beginning of the book. The horrors and trauma both Romeo & Julien suffered broke my soul. I cried and raged and wished several characters’ demise. This had my heart on a vice. I put the book down several times, only to pick it up seconds later and continue on because the characters had me so invested.
Romeo and Julien are tragic and flawed and so in love with each other. Their chemistry and connection is strong. They fought for each other and brought strength, understanding and love to one another. Together they made it through to an absolutely beautiful, well-deserved and hard-earned HEA.
Grab your tissues and set in for a very bumpy emotion filled ride!
What a heart wrenching emotional rollercoaster. Julien had my heart right from the beginning of the book. The horrors and trauma both Romeo & Julien suffered broke my soul. I cried and raged and wished several characters’ demise. This had my heart on a vice. I put the book down several times, only to pick it up seconds later and continue on because the characters had me so invested.
Romeo and Julien are tragic and flawed and so in love with each other. Their chemistry and connection is strong. They fought for each other and brought strength, understanding and love to one another. Together they made it through to an absolutely beautiful, well-deserved and hard-earned HEA.
Grab your tissues and set in for a very bumpy emotion filled ride!
May 4, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
ARC REVIEW
This story took me through a full range of emotions—please check your triggers before diving in.
Two beautiful souls, Julien & Romeo.
Two souls from different worlds.
Two souls with shared common pain.
Two souls that unexpectedly bonded on a two week journey.
Julien comes from wealth, yet he carries deep pain and abuse that he keeps hidden. Romeo sees himself as nothing more than an object to be used and discarded—it's the only way he knows how to survive, the only life he’s ever known. My heart broke for both of them. They go through so much, but together, they find something in each other that feels almost indescribable. What begins as a two week adventure turns into a journey of self-discovery for them both.
They find more than they ever thought possible, and it’s beautiful to watch them grow and evolve into something truly magical despite everything they’ve endured. I love these boys, and I’m so glad they got their happy ending.
And Jinx—what a great addition to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed him.
ARC REVIEW
This story took me through a full range of emotions—please check your triggers before diving in.
Two beautiful souls, Julien & Romeo.
Two souls from different worlds.
Two souls with shared common pain.
Two souls that unexpectedly bonded on a two week journey.
Julien comes from wealth, yet he carries deep pain and abuse that he keeps hidden. Romeo sees himself as nothing more than an object to be used and discarded—it's the only way he knows how to survive, the only life he’s ever known. My heart broke for both of them. They go through so much, but together, they find something in each other that feels almost indescribable. What begins as a two week adventure turns into a journey of self-discovery for them both.
They find more than they ever thought possible, and it’s beautiful to watch them grow and evolve into something truly magical despite everything they’ve endured. I love these boys, and I’m so glad they got their happy ending.
And Jinx—what a great addition to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed him.
May 1, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Think Pretty Woman, but make it MM, and add emotional trauma and dark themes ❤️
Two broken souls find each other at the time they need one another most.
Julien and Romeo come from very different backgrounds, but neither is a stranger to pain and suffering. One was trafficked as a child and forced into prostitution, while the other is a seemingly careless rich boy who is being abused by his stepfather, all while his mother looks the other way so she can continue living her own life in comfort. Neither of them has ever truly been loved.
Their paths cross when Julien has had enough and decides he wants two weeks of happiness. He hires Romeo to be by his side for his last road trip.
Along the way, they slowly begin to mend each other’s broken pieces and even adopt some strays both human and canine 🐶
I loved their emotional journey and where it ultimately led them.
I really recommend this book, but be prepared to cry during the last quarter 🙈
Think Pretty Woman, but make it MM, and add emotional trauma and dark themes ❤️
Two broken souls find each other at the time they need one another most.
Julien and Romeo come from very different backgrounds, but neither is a stranger to pain and suffering. One was trafficked as a child and forced into prostitution, while the other is a seemingly careless rich boy who is being abused by his stepfather, all while his mother looks the other way so she can continue living her own life in comfort. Neither of them has ever truly been loved.
Their paths cross when Julien has had enough and decides he wants two weeks of happiness. He hires Romeo to be by his side for his last road trip.
Along the way, they slowly begin to mend each other’s broken pieces and even adopt some strays both human and canine 🐶
I loved their emotional journey and where it ultimately led them.
I really recommend this book, but be prepared to cry during the last quarter 🙈
May 8, 2026
Wow just wow. My heart broke for Julien & Romeo but they saved each other. I love that they both found someone who would love them unconditionally and be there person. These 2 went through so much (plus Jinx) and they did everything to stay together. I’m so glad that Romeo saved Julien I couldn’t stand them hurting anymore. God this book was so good with all the emotions and feelings.
April 28, 2026
This was my first Courtney Dixon book and I am in love. I’m a slut for hurt/comfort and it seems as though it’s Dixon’s bread and butter. This fed me and left no crumbs.
BRB while I go through her catalogue as I read arcs.
BRB while I go through her catalogue as I read arcs.
May 1, 2026
What an emotional roller coaster this was! I loved the characters. You feel so much for them the entire time through every hardship. Julian would give anything to feel something, so he planned 2 weeks of travel through the desert. He brought Romeo along, a prostitute he hired for companionship. Romeo wasn’t what Julian bargained for- he was genuine and not interested in Julian’s money, he brought Julian out of his head, and he appreciated everything Julian gave him. After a crazy chain of events, Jinx and Nutmeg join the group making a perfect found family.
This had such a hard fought HEA for everybody. Each character had their own personal struggles to overcome and it took a lot to get there, but they made it through everything together. I can’t wait for Jinx’s book! I want to see where he ends up. Thank you Courtney W. Dixon for an arc copy of Spitting Off The Edge Of The World.
This had such a hard fought HEA for everybody. Each character had their own personal struggles to overcome and it took a lot to get there, but they made it through everything together. I can’t wait for Jinx’s book! I want to see where he ends up. Thank you Courtney W. Dixon for an arc copy of Spitting Off The Edge Of The World.
May 6, 2026
😭🥰
Wow what a great book.
This one had me on edge. Cant wait to read the next one 🥰
I think this is one of Courtney's best books 📚
Wow what a great book.
This one had me on edge. Cant wait to read the next one 🥰
I think this is one of Courtney's best books 📚
May 7, 2026
Did I want to love this book? Yes. Did I? No. This book felt so incredibly repetitive. Every chapter was the same thing and the same words it felt like. The characters had really no development by the end. I finished this book out of spite basically, hoping it would get better or something big would happen, but nothing did. I won’t be reading any more books if this series continues.
April 26, 2026
If I could rate this book more I would! I could not put this book down. The first chapter starts out with a bang and the emotions do not stop until the end. The abuse these men went through was heartbreaking. Courtney did the best job at describing what these characters went through, and their inner thoughts about themselves and the struggle to overcome and embrace love. My little angel baby and sugar will always have a place in my heart. I am sure this will be a re read for me many times to come! Thank you Courtney for writing such complex characters and letting your readers go through the emotional trauma with them! These boys will put you through it, but I promise it will be so worth it ❤️🩹
Please check trigger warning ‼️
Please check trigger warning ‼️
May 10, 2026
Spitting Off the Edge of the World by Courtney W. Dixon
Not Strong Enough Duet Book 1
Length: 377 pages
Source: Author-direct
Publication date: May 5, 2026
5 ⭐
2.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
Male escort
Road trip
Quick burn
Rich/poor
Hurt/comfort
Different worlds
Opposites attract
Unexpected love
Obsession and possessiveness
AUTHOR'S BLURB
I found you just when I thought my life was over.
Julien Kendrick
Not only am I a recent high school graduate from a prestigious school, but I also come from money—a lot of money. So why am I miserable? No, it’s more like apathy. I crave to escape this life, while others are desperate for it. I want to feel again. To feel something, anything. The decision to leave my horrible parents and friends to spend two weeks doing what I want to do is meant to be my last hurrah, as the old saying goes. I don’t want to spend it alone, though, so I hire a prostitute I find on the street. Not only is he stunningly beautiful, but his pain calls to me.
He’s the one I want to spend my last two weeks with.
Romeo
No kissing. No holding. And no loving. Ever.
Those are the rules. They’re simple when I need life to be easier. But then along comes Julien, who pays a small fortune to have me for two weeks. This is my chance to escape my hell—a life I’ve known for as long as I can remember. My only memories are of being used and abused. I don’t even know my birth name, having lost it somewhere in my past. When our two weeks are up, I plan to run, but Julien is derailing that plan. He’s so kind to me. Gentle. I’m not used to it, but I’m greedy for it. Now, I’ll do anything to keep him.
MY THOUGHTS
I won't beat around the bush: this is a saaaad book. Yes, there is 100% a happy ending because Courtney promises us that every time, but the lives that these men have led up until they meet is depressing and degrading and suffocating. They have not lived happy lives, and money has made no difference. They have been alone, even surrounded by people. They've never known love or acceptance... until they find each other.
Courtney flips the script on readers in terms of who's going to come across as more resilient when giving us these two very broken MCs. Where you might expect Julien to be stronger, what with his money and resources, it's quickly clear that Romeo (Aleksandr) is truly the stronger one mentally, at least in terms of surviving everything he's been forced to tolerate. He's never known any other way of life. He and Julien see only the best in each other, knowing they are products of their environment. Romeo struggles with this a bit–feeling worthy of attention and care–but he gets there with Julien's time and attentiveness.
All I could think about while reading this book was how young they are to have to face all of these hideous circumstances on their own (and then on their own but at least together). So incredibly young, and Romeo's life especially has not prepared him for adulthood. Julien has his wealthy education and a well-earned heap of cynicism, but there are multiple instances in the book where you get to glimpse how truly young and inexperienced he is, too, just like Romeo. Those times broke me as much as reading about their abusive pasts.
I realize I was a 19-year-old Midwestern girl a looooong, long time ago, but I couldn't have even imagined this level of hardship–let alone have survived it on my own–when I was that age. Romeo and Julien are actually both stronger than they realize, and finding one another is the key to unlocking that toughness, harnessing it, and thriving beyond even their wildest dreams. Courtney has once again given us two memorable, lovable MCs who are going to stay with me for years to come.
BOTTOM LINE
Absolutely yes. You know what you're getting with a book from Courtney: she's going to hurt you, but you're going to like it and accept it because of the HEA payoff. And I can't wait to get Jinx's story. He is an amazing side character, attempting to downplay his own MC energy until it's his turn.
CONTENT WARNINGS
(Some of these may be spoilers; please see book for complete list) Suicidal ideations, depression, rape (on page, not detailed), explicit sexual content, abuse, sex trafficking of minors, murder, alcohol and drug use (underage/minor)
–A🩷
Thanks to Courtney W. Dixon for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
Not Strong Enough Duet Book 1
Length: 377 pages
Source: Author-direct
Publication date: May 5, 2026
5 ⭐
2.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
Male escort
Road trip
Quick burn
Rich/poor
Hurt/comfort
Different worlds
Opposites attract
Unexpected love
Obsession and possessiveness
AUTHOR'S BLURB
I found you just when I thought my life was over.
Julien Kendrick
Not only am I a recent high school graduate from a prestigious school, but I also come from money—a lot of money. So why am I miserable? No, it’s more like apathy. I crave to escape this life, while others are desperate for it. I want to feel again. To feel something, anything. The decision to leave my horrible parents and friends to spend two weeks doing what I want to do is meant to be my last hurrah, as the old saying goes. I don’t want to spend it alone, though, so I hire a prostitute I find on the street. Not only is he stunningly beautiful, but his pain calls to me.
He’s the one I want to spend my last two weeks with.
Romeo
No kissing. No holding. And no loving. Ever.
Those are the rules. They’re simple when I need life to be easier. But then along comes Julien, who pays a small fortune to have me for two weeks. This is my chance to escape my hell—a life I’ve known for as long as I can remember. My only memories are of being used and abused. I don’t even know my birth name, having lost it somewhere in my past. When our two weeks are up, I plan to run, but Julien is derailing that plan. He’s so kind to me. Gentle. I’m not used to it, but I’m greedy for it. Now, I’ll do anything to keep him.
MY THOUGHTS
I won't beat around the bush: this is a saaaad book. Yes, there is 100% a happy ending because Courtney promises us that every time, but the lives that these men have led up until they meet is depressing and degrading and suffocating. They have not lived happy lives, and money has made no difference. They have been alone, even surrounded by people. They've never known love or acceptance... until they find each other.
Courtney flips the script on readers in terms of who's going to come across as more resilient when giving us these two very broken MCs. Where you might expect Julien to be stronger, what with his money and resources, it's quickly clear that Romeo (Aleksandr) is truly the stronger one mentally, at least in terms of surviving everything he's been forced to tolerate. He's never known any other way of life. He and Julien see only the best in each other, knowing they are products of their environment. Romeo struggles with this a bit–feeling worthy of attention and care–but he gets there with Julien's time and attentiveness.
All I could think about while reading this book was how young they are to have to face all of these hideous circumstances on their own (and then on their own but at least together). So incredibly young, and Romeo's life especially has not prepared him for adulthood. Julien has his wealthy education and a well-earned heap of cynicism, but there are multiple instances in the book where you get to glimpse how truly young and inexperienced he is, too, just like Romeo. Those times broke me as much as reading about their abusive pasts.
I realize I was a 19-year-old Midwestern girl a looooong, long time ago, but I couldn't have even imagined this level of hardship–let alone have survived it on my own–when I was that age. Romeo and Julien are actually both stronger than they realize, and finding one another is the key to unlocking that toughness, harnessing it, and thriving beyond even their wildest dreams. Courtney has once again given us two memorable, lovable MCs who are going to stay with me for years to come.
BOTTOM LINE
Absolutely yes. You know what you're getting with a book from Courtney: she's going to hurt you, but you're going to like it and accept it because of the HEA payoff. And I can't wait to get Jinx's story. He is an amazing side character, attempting to downplay his own MC energy until it's his turn.
CONTENT WARNINGS
(Some of these may be spoilers; please see book for complete list) Suicidal ideations, depression, rape (on page, not detailed), explicit sexual content, abuse, sex trafficking of minors, murder, alcohol and drug use (underage/minor)
–A🩷
Thanks to Courtney W. Dixon 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 received from Author
A Stunner of a Road Trip: Healing, Heartbreak, and Finding Home.
📚 Book = Standalone (bk#1)
🔥 Burn = Fast,
🎭 OW/OM Drama = No,
🩹 Alpha/MMC = Yes,
🌶️ Heat/spice = 6/10 (Intense emotional and physical intimacy)
😬 Angst = High,
💔 Third Act Breakup = No,
🤥Cheating = No,
🌈 MM/FF = MM,
🔹Writing = 1st Person, MultiPoV
🔸 Genre = Contemporary Drama
🔹 Tropes = MM✨Male Prost!tute & Client✨Gritty Road Trip✨Different Worlds✨Rich / Poor✨Unexpected Love✨Hurt / Comfort✨Quick burn✨Opposites attract✨Obsession / Possessiveness✨Beautiful Found Family✨HEA
‼️ Trigġers - My PoV = High. (Please, check before reading)
Julien Kendrick, a wealthy recent high school graduate, is trapped in a life of emotional emptiness. He sets out on a two-week "last hurrah" road trip to the Grand Canyon with a dark, year-long plan to take his own life at the journey's end. He never expected to meet Romeo—a survivor of unimaginable trauma who has been used and abused for as long as he can remember. Joined by Romeo’s clever and protective best friend, Jinx, the two travel across the desert, united by a "shared pain." Julien must decide whether to stay the course with his deadline or risk everything for the missing piece he’s finally found in Romeo.
What a beautifully heartbreaking and heartwarming story! This was an emotionally charged road trip romance with wonderful “Pretty Woman” vibes, but with significantly more tears and hard truths about the world. The beginning was very hard to read; nobody should have to suffer what these boys have endured. I was deeply moved by the portrayal of these two broken souls finding each other. While love doesn't fix everything, it serves as a powerful start for Julien and Romeo to begin breaking the chains of their pasts.
I adored how Julien basically adopted Jinx into their small family; it was a gorgeous thing to do. Both Julien and Romeo are so protective and obsessive with each other, I love it — I mean, Julien even takes drastic, life-altering steps to ensure Romeo’s freedom. Their romance is absolute perfection; Romeo can be so silly and sweet, and I loved how Julien acted as a grounding force for him, like during their hot air balloon ride. My heart was in my mouth when they finally reached the Grand Canyon—I was literally shouting at the page for Romeo to tell Julien he loved him, and shouting even louder for Julien to turn around and go back to him!
I had a wonderful little giggle with the news Julien receives the day after the Grand Canyon; I think both he and the readers really needed that! The conclusion, with their menagerie of fur babies and the brilliant Jinx, created such a unique and beautiful found family. I loved every emotionally intense moment of this book, and Julien and Romeo’s story will stay with me for a long while. Jinx was such a fantastic palette cleanser from the heavier themes, and I’m so excited that he’s getting his own book!
If you love a gritty, soulful, and deeply moving hurt/comfort read, I highly, highly recommend this one.
📚 Book = Standalone (bk#1)
🔥 Burn = Fast,
🎭 OW/OM Drama = No,
🩹 Alpha/MMC = Yes,
🌶️ Heat/spice = 6/10 (Intense emotional and physical intimacy)
😬 Angst = High,
💔 Third Act Breakup = No,
🤥Cheating = No,
🌈 MM/FF = MM,
🔹Writing = 1st Person, MultiPoV
🔸 Genre = Contemporary Drama
🔹 Tropes = MM✨Male Prost!tute & Client✨Gritty Road Trip✨Different Worlds✨Rich / Poor✨Unexpected Love✨Hurt / Comfort✨Quick burn✨Opposites attract✨Obsession / Possessiveness✨Beautiful Found Family✨HEA
‼️ Trigġers - My PoV = High. (Please, check before reading)
Julien Kendrick, a wealthy recent high school graduate, is trapped in a life of emotional emptiness. He sets out on a two-week "last hurrah" road trip to the Grand Canyon with a dark, year-long plan to take his own life at the journey's end. He never expected to meet Romeo—a survivor of unimaginable trauma who has been used and abused for as long as he can remember. Joined by Romeo’s clever and protective best friend, Jinx, the two travel across the desert, united by a "shared pain." Julien must decide whether to stay the course with his deadline or risk everything for the missing piece he’s finally found in Romeo.
What a beautifully heartbreaking and heartwarming story! This was an emotionally charged road trip romance with wonderful “Pretty Woman” vibes, but with significantly more tears and hard truths about the world. The beginning was very hard to read; nobody should have to suffer what these boys have endured. I was deeply moved by the portrayal of these two broken souls finding each other. While love doesn't fix everything, it serves as a powerful start for Julien and Romeo to begin breaking the chains of their pasts.
I adored how Julien basically adopted Jinx into their small family; it was a gorgeous thing to do. Both Julien and Romeo are so protective and obsessive with each other, I love it — I mean, Julien even takes drastic, life-altering steps to ensure Romeo’s freedom. Their romance is absolute perfection; Romeo can be so silly and sweet, and I loved how Julien acted as a grounding force for him, like during their hot air balloon ride. My heart was in my mouth when they finally reached the Grand Canyon—I was literally shouting at the page for Romeo to tell Julien he loved him, and shouting even louder for Julien to turn around and go back to him!
I had a wonderful little giggle with the news Julien receives the day after the Grand Canyon; I think both he and the readers really needed that! The conclusion, with their menagerie of fur babies and the brilliant Jinx, created such a unique and beautiful found family. I loved every emotionally intense moment of this book, and Julien and Romeo’s story will stay with me for a long while. Jinx was such a fantastic palette cleanser from the heavier themes, and I’m so excited that he’s getting his own book!
If you love a gritty, soulful, and deeply moving hurt/comfort read, I highly, highly recommend this one.
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