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The Things We Didn't Know #1
The Things We Couldn't Say
“I’d rather watch you kiss other mouths forever than risk the chance of losing you for good.”
This is the code that thirty-six-year-old punk rock guitarist Samuel James Johnson lives by. It keeps him safe inside the closet, hidden from fans, from the world, from Adam Kieran Lee, his lifelong best friend, and the man he’s silently been in love with since he was seventeen.
Unfortunately, though Sam’s caution and closed lips protect him from being known, it can’t stop the perpetual wounds that Adam, who’s by all appearances straight, accidentally carves into his heart when he shamelessly womanizes on tour.
Though the two of them have considered themselves close nearly all their lives, a distance has settled between them. While Sam is distracted living a double life and crafting songs with his secret boyfriend, Oliver, Adam is intensely jealous, convinced he’s being replaced as Sam’s best friend.
This is the code that thirty-six-year-old punk rock guitarist Samuel James Johnson lives by. It keeps him safe inside the closet, hidden from fans, from the world, from Adam Kieran Lee, his lifelong best friend, and the man he’s silently been in love with since he was seventeen.
Unfortunately, though Sam’s caution and closed lips protect him from being known, it can’t stop the perpetual wounds that Adam, who’s by all appearances straight, accidentally carves into his heart when he shamelessly womanizes on tour.
Though the two of them have considered themselves close nearly all their lives, a distance has settled between them. While Sam is distracted living a double life and crafting songs with his secret boyfriend, Oliver, Adam is intensely jealous, convinced he’s being replaced as Sam’s best friend.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2026
About the author
Kaycee King
8 books33 followersKaycee King is an LGBTQ+ author with a B.A. in English, emphasis on Professional Writing. Kaycee writes contemporary queer literary romance novels that center dark, realistic themes, intense challenges, and inner turmoil to showcase the resilience of complex characters. Their stories explore the messy, raw, and often brutal aspects of life, but do so with a steady undercurrent of hope.
Outside of writing, Kaycee loves photographing wildlife, drawing, spending time with family, or curling up with some coffee, a pile of cats, and a good book.
Outside of writing, Kaycee loves photographing wildlife, drawing, spending time with family, or curling up with some coffee, a pile of cats, and a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 1, 2026
Sam and Adam are best friends — but Sam hides that he’s in love with Adam, terrified of ruining everything. On tour with their band, close quarters and big feelings make secrets hard to keep. Between family pressure and Adam’s own growing self-discovery, every unspoken word feels heavy.
Soft, tender, and deeply moving — this slow-burn MM romance is all about friendship, identity, and finding courage. Full of heart and hope, it’s a beautiful story about finally saying what matters.
Content note: includes themes of internalised homophobia, family pressure, and emotional angst.
Soft, tender, and deeply moving — this slow-burn MM romance is all about friendship, identity, and finding courage. Full of heart and hope, it’s a beautiful story about finally saying what matters.
Content note: includes themes of internalised homophobia, family pressure, and emotional angst.
June 2, 2026
This is a heavy read. It’s got a lot of angst and some highly toxic relationships that take their toll on everyone involved. It’s a good story, but these guys have to fight their way to their happiness. Sam and Adam really broke my heart, especially Sam. He has pretty much given up on life because he knows he will never find happiness with his best friend. Adam doesn’t realize how his womanizing ways scar his best friend. The cycle can’t continue forever and something will break.
June 30, 2026
Ohhh these two stole my heart … I felt the angst and emotions they were going through in the way she wrote this one … this is my first read from this author and I was impressed .. it was a beautiful love story that they had to fight for and ensure a lot to get there .. it did feel repetitive at times with the dual pov … but I did enjoy getting both sides .. all in all it was a good mm rockstar romance ty for allowing me to arc read
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I love you so much, and I’ve loved you for so long, I feel it constantly,” he emphatically states, “Every beat of my heart, every breath in my lungs, every word in my songs, every melody I’ve ever thought, every move, every touch, every tear, and every laugh…every fibre of who I am, every thought in my head, every moment of my life from the day I was seventeen has been, and will always be, me giving all I’ve got to you…for you…I am nothing without you. I am nothing but this love I have inside my heart. I don’t exist without the way I feel. I don’t exist if I don’t have you.”
It’s a really good story. I haven’t read anything from this author before, but her pacing is good, the details are enough and not too much of it is filler, especially as we know it’s a four-part series, I thought maybe it would be dragged out a bit. It’s gritty, bittersweet, and does a good job of showing the benefits of living your truth. A lot of it is very realistic, and those stories always are harder to read. The way people hurt each other unintentionally and intentionally, the lack of communication, and the pain of their emotions bleeding out on the page. The spicy scenes are mostly done off-page; it doesn’t go into any details and it does a good job of describing their vulnerabilities in that department.
I like books where we get both characters’ point of view, but the way this one is set out, I feel like each chapter is half repetition from the chapter before. I also think because the blurbs are very descriptive, we have a good idea of what’s going to happen in the end, so I feel like I can’t emotionally connect with them as a couple properly. I think when I read a book, I get emotionally invested in them as a couple, and when we know their destiny before we’ve read it, it’s hard to be fully invested. I do hope I’m wrong because I do think the story itself was a good one and I’m excited to read more.
………………………………………………..
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
It’s a really good story. I haven’t read anything from this author before, but her pacing is good, the details are enough and not too much of it is filler, especially as we know it’s a four-part series, I thought maybe it would be dragged out a bit. It’s gritty, bittersweet, and does a good job of showing the benefits of living your truth. A lot of it is very realistic, and those stories always are harder to read. The way people hurt each other unintentionally and intentionally, the lack of communication, and the pain of their emotions bleeding out on the page. The spicy scenes are mostly done off-page; it doesn’t go into any details and it does a good job of describing their vulnerabilities in that department.
I like books where we get both characters’ point of view, but the way this one is set out, I feel like each chapter is half repetition from the chapter before. I also think because the blurbs are very descriptive, we have a good idea of what’s going to happen in the end, so I feel like I can’t emotionally connect with them as a couple properly. I think when I read a book, I get emotionally invested in them as a couple, and when we know their destiny before we’ve read it, it’s hard to be fully invested. I do hope I’m wrong because I do think the story itself was a good one and I’m excited to read more.
………………………………………………..
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is book one in the things we didn’t know series. I have never read anything from this author so I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into it. But it ended up pulling me into the story right off the bat. It follows Sam and Adam, who have been friends since they were kids. Sam is gay and has been in love with Adam since they were teens. Now, as adults in their 30s they are in a punk band together and have actually made it pretty big. Sam is struggling with his feelings of for Adam while on tour and watching Adam continue his womanizing ways. I won’t give away spoilers but we see so much grown in both characters in the story as they finally start to open up to eachother and stop hiding who they are.
The author has a unique writing style that I found refreshing and helped to move the pace of the story along. One thing that I didn’t totally love however was having to repeat the same scenes over again. We would hear about a part of the story from one characters pov and then when it was time to move on to the next character instead of picking up where they left off in the story we would go back in time and read about the day over again from the other character. While some of it was nice to get both pov’s it did start to feel a bit repetitive. However that didn’t last the whole book.
I am excited to read about the rest of the series and see where the characters go next!
**thanks to happily booked for the ARC copy of this series. However, this is my honest review.
The author has a unique writing style that I found refreshing and helped to move the pace of the story along. One thing that I didn’t totally love however was having to repeat the same scenes over again. We would hear about a part of the story from one characters pov and then when it was time to move on to the next character instead of picking up where they left off in the story we would go back in time and read about the day over again from the other character. While some of it was nice to get both pov’s it did start to feel a bit repetitive. However that didn’t last the whole book.
I am excited to read about the rest of the series and see where the characters go next!
**thanks to happily booked for the ARC copy of this series. However, this is my honest review.
June 2, 2026
Sam and Adam are bff's and are in a punk band together, Sam has been secretly in love with Adam since he was 17 and is deep in the closet while Adam is out here playing the field with random women. It’s a classic best friends to lovers trope mess and I am livingggg for it
The whole tour dynamic really forced them to confront their feelings. Sam tries to move on with a secret boyfriend named Oliver and Adam gets so jealous he doesn't even realise he's in love with his best friend. The way they hurt each other by not communicating was agonisingggg to read. Both characters go through so much growth, espesh Sam figuring out his bi awakening and Adam confronting his own insecurities. It was beautiful but painful.
I really liked how it highlighted the difficulties of coming out in the music scene and the pressure to hide who you are. The emotional depth was there but the spice was honestly a bit low. Like, we got vibes but not much else which was kinda fine since the angst carried the storyy for me.
The pov structure was a bit weird though. It kept going back and retelling scenes from the other character's perspective, which felt super repetitive and forced me to re read the same dialogue. It took me out of the moment a few times.
the core story was so heart wrenching and sweet, It’s a bittersweet start to what looks like an emotional series.
🎸 Best Friends to Lovers
🎸 Unrequited Love
🎸 Forced Proximity
🎸 Rockstar Romance
🎸 Bi Awakening
🎸 It's Always Been You
🎸 Fear of Losing Everything
#rockstarromance #angstylove #bestfriendstolovers #mmromance
angst, bittersweet, secret boyfriend, jealousy, punk rock
The whole tour dynamic really forced them to confront their feelings. Sam tries to move on with a secret boyfriend named Oliver and Adam gets so jealous he doesn't even realise he's in love with his best friend. The way they hurt each other by not communicating was agonisingggg to read. Both characters go through so much growth, espesh Sam figuring out his bi awakening and Adam confronting his own insecurities. It was beautiful but painful.
I really liked how it highlighted the difficulties of coming out in the music scene and the pressure to hide who you are. The emotional depth was there but the spice was honestly a bit low. Like, we got vibes but not much else which was kinda fine since the angst carried the storyy for me.
The pov structure was a bit weird though. It kept going back and retelling scenes from the other character's perspective, which felt super repetitive and forced me to re read the same dialogue. It took me out of the moment a few times.
the core story was so heart wrenching and sweet, It’s a bittersweet start to what looks like an emotional series.
🎸 Best Friends to Lovers
🎸 Unrequited Love
🎸 Forced Proximity
🎸 Rockstar Romance
🎸 Bi Awakening
🎸 It's Always Been You
🎸 Fear of Losing Everything
#rockstarromance #angstylove #bestfriendstolovers #mmromance
angst, bittersweet, secret boyfriend, jealousy, punk rock
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4/5 ⭐
𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉: 📱— Bookfunnel (ARC Read)
𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“It’s there among the echos of our dreams we start to live, no longer buried beneath the things we couldn't say”
“And so i’ll live behind it, Adam. I’ll live behind a gutting wall of wanted things that I know i’ll never say”
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
Firstly, I want to thank the author for giving me an ARC read of this book & I am very grateful to be apart of their street team as well. With that being said, all opinions are my own.
This story is a bittersweet love story of best friend falling in love. It was a read that had me smiling at my phone while I was reading it. I think that some of the character redemption arcs that we get to see with some of the characters is really nice. I adore watching these two falling in love. I enjoyed how the spice was written giving enough to satisfy. I am excited to continue the series.
The only thing that held back from getting a five star read from me was some of the way of the writing was formatted. I don’t mind getting to see a scene through both perspectives however I don’t enjoy reading the exact same lines I just read the chapter before. This happens a few times, but levels itself out.
𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉: 📱— Bookfunnel (ARC Read)
𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“It’s there among the echos of our dreams we start to live, no longer buried beneath the things we couldn't say”
“And so i’ll live behind it, Adam. I’ll live behind a gutting wall of wanted things that I know i’ll never say”
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
Firstly, I want to thank the author for giving me an ARC read of this book & I am very grateful to be apart of their street team as well. With that being said, all opinions are my own.
This story is a bittersweet love story of best friend falling in love. It was a read that had me smiling at my phone while I was reading it. I think that some of the character redemption arcs that we get to see with some of the characters is really nice. I adore watching these two falling in love. I enjoyed how the spice was written giving enough to satisfy. I am excited to continue the series.
The only thing that held back from getting a five star read from me was some of the way of the writing was formatted. I don’t mind getting to see a scene through both perspectives however I don’t enjoy reading the exact same lines I just read the chapter before. This happens a few times, but levels itself out.
June 1, 2026
I received this as an advanced reader copy thanks to Happily Booked and Kaycee King.
This follows the lives of two best friends, Sam and Adam, who are band mates as well. While they’ve made a name for themselves in the public, Sam has been hiding a secret. He has been in love with Adam since they were 18. He does everything to hide that and keep his sexuality safe, until someone he trusts betrays him. Now, Sam and Adam are navigating their “new” relationship.
This is my first book by this author. I do love books with different POVs. And for the most part, I do love when we (the reader), gets to hear how each significant event affects each character. However, there were multiple chapters where there was a lot of repetition. A lot of background information leading up to the significant event. Which I don’t feel the reader needs.
I really enjoyed this story. It has a really good flow and heart warming ending. I enjoyed the discussion regarding society and how the LGBTQIA+ community still receives a lot of hate and how it’s still difficult for those to come out. I feel like a lot of people skate over those aspects and I am glad this author did not.
I am giving this book 3.75 stars out of 5 stars.
This follows the lives of two best friends, Sam and Adam, who are band mates as well. While they’ve made a name for themselves in the public, Sam has been hiding a secret. He has been in love with Adam since they were 18. He does everything to hide that and keep his sexuality safe, until someone he trusts betrays him. Now, Sam and Adam are navigating their “new” relationship.
This is my first book by this author. I do love books with different POVs. And for the most part, I do love when we (the reader), gets to hear how each significant event affects each character. However, there were multiple chapters where there was a lot of repetition. A lot of background information leading up to the significant event. Which I don’t feel the reader needs.
I really enjoyed this story. It has a really good flow and heart warming ending. I enjoyed the discussion regarding society and how the LGBTQIA+ community still receives a lot of hate and how it’s still difficult for those to come out. I feel like a lot of people skate over those aspects and I am glad this author did not.
I am giving this book 3.75 stars out of 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was fortunate to be able to read this book as an advanced reader copy.
This book centers around Sam and Adam, the front men of a punk rock group called The Panic, sort of in the vein of Green Day or The Offspring. Sam and Adam have been friends for most of their lives and have been working together in the band for over a decade, but in the last few years they've been growing apart for reasons that Adam is not sure of, but Sam is, as Sam has had a crush on Adam for pretty much the entire time they've been in the band and now, after over a decade of hiding it, he can't do it anymore.
Over the course of a particularly momentous multi-city tour, Sam and Adam come to terms with not only who they are to each other, but who they are with their music as Sam is finally starting to make plans to figure out who he is when he's not in a band with the man who he very much wants but can't have.
This is a very enjoyable read and a good start to the series. It emphasizes the importance of getting outside your comfort zone and trying to find something better, even if it means losing somebody in the process.
This book centers around Sam and Adam, the front men of a punk rock group called The Panic, sort of in the vein of Green Day or The Offspring. Sam and Adam have been friends for most of their lives and have been working together in the band for over a decade, but in the last few years they've been growing apart for reasons that Adam is not sure of, but Sam is, as Sam has had a crush on Adam for pretty much the entire time they've been in the band and now, after over a decade of hiding it, he can't do it anymore.
Over the course of a particularly momentous multi-city tour, Sam and Adam come to terms with not only who they are to each other, but who they are with their music as Sam is finally starting to make plans to figure out who he is when he's not in a band with the man who he very much wants but can't have.
This is a very enjoyable read and a good start to the series. It emphasizes the importance of getting outside your comfort zone and trying to find something better, even if it means losing somebody in the process.
June 4, 2026
This is the first book in the, The Things We Didn’t Know, series that follows the lives of two best friends who are in a successful punk band together. This is not a series about the glamours life of a rock god but the turbulent, emotional story of friends who deal with feelings, fame, and finding themselves.
Sam and Adam have been best friends since they were kids. What Adam does not know is that Sam has been in love with him since he was seventeen years old. Due to the intensity of his feelings for Adam, and the genre of music they play, Sam has spent his life deep in the closet. Eventually, Sam’s secrets are revealed; and Sam and Adam face some big truths in their friendship.
This is a well written, deeply emotional, character driven story. I love how much Sam and Adam love each other and accept their flaws as just part of who they are. Kaycee King writes a wonderful found family with the friends who surround Sam and Adam and support them through their emotional roller coaster. I love a friends to lovers story and this one did not disappoint but it does tug at the feelings a lot deeper than most romances. I am looking forward to seeing where their story goes.
Sam and Adam have been best friends since they were kids. What Adam does not know is that Sam has been in love with him since he was seventeen years old. Due to the intensity of his feelings for Adam, and the genre of music they play, Sam has spent his life deep in the closet. Eventually, Sam’s secrets are revealed; and Sam and Adam face some big truths in their friendship.
This is a well written, deeply emotional, character driven story. I love how much Sam and Adam love each other and accept their flaws as just part of who they are. Kaycee King writes a wonderful found family with the friends who surround Sam and Adam and support them through their emotional roller coaster. I love a friends to lovers story and this one did not disappoint but it does tug at the feelings a lot deeper than most romances. I am looking forward to seeing where their story goes.
June 5, 2026
Kaycee certainly starts this new series with a captivating read which is an intense, emotionally charged friends-to-lovers romance built on years of longing, heartbreak, and unspoken feelings. Sam has spent most of his life hiding who he is and protecting his friendship with Adam at all costs, even when doing so slowly destroys him from the inside out.
The story thrives on aching tension and unresolved emotions as both men struggle with the distance that has grown between them. Sam's quiet devotion and self-sacrifice make him an easy character to root for, while Adam's jealousy and confusion create a complicated dynamic that keeps the emotional stakes high throughout.
This is not a lighthearted romance. The book leans heavily into angst, exploring the damage caused by secrets, fear, and relationships that have become unhealthy over time. Watching both characters confront painful truths and untangle years of emotional baggage makes their journey feel hard-earned and deeply satisfying. Can't wait for the next one - which luckily i have so straight to it for me!
I received a free arc and this is my honest review
The story thrives on aching tension and unresolved emotions as both men struggle with the distance that has grown between them. Sam's quiet devotion and self-sacrifice make him an easy character to root for, while Adam's jealousy and confusion create a complicated dynamic that keeps the emotional stakes high throughout.
This is not a lighthearted romance. The book leans heavily into angst, exploring the damage caused by secrets, fear, and relationships that have become unhealthy over time. Watching both characters confront painful truths and untangle years of emotional baggage makes their journey feel hard-earned and deeply satisfying. Can't wait for the next one - which luckily i have so straight to it for me!
I received a free arc and this is my honest review
May 12, 2026
The timeline is not continuous but rather each chapter backs up a little to give you the last scene from the alternating character’s POV. I found this confusing at first but got used to it eventually.
Adam and Sam’s story is emotional but long. The characters’ inner dialogues tell a great deal of the story, while a particular villain is pretty much responsible for the rest of the early plot.
Sam’s path to his bi-awakening is long. So long, and filled with inner turmoil. I’m not going to pretend to actually understand his motivation but will say it felt a bit forced.
And Sam….Sam’s love is so all encompassing that he’s lost himself. As a result readers don’t really get to know him either
But all that changes in the last third of the book. We get to know the characters (who also do some growing up) on a deeper level. The love story starts to ring true. The sentimentality increases and readers are left feeling content. So much so that the first chapter of book two reads like something I want to dive into. 4 stars.
Adam and Sam’s story is emotional but long. The characters’ inner dialogues tell a great deal of the story, while a particular villain is pretty much responsible for the rest of the early plot.
Sam’s path to his bi-awakening is long. So long, and filled with inner turmoil. I’m not going to pretend to actually understand his motivation but will say it felt a bit forced.
And Sam….Sam’s love is so all encompassing that he’s lost himself. As a result readers don’t really get to know him either
But all that changes in the last third of the book. We get to know the characters (who also do some growing up) on a deeper level. The love story starts to ring true. The sentimentality increases and readers are left feeling content. So much so that the first chapter of book two reads like something I want to dive into. 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so heartbreaking and beautiful. The intense depth in which you are drawn in, not just by the story, but also by the fact that you see most scenes from both points of view. I don’t think I have read a story that has been written quite like that, at that level before. Such a rollercoaster of emotions. The love and devotion, the hurt and pain, the absolute heartfelt raw and genuine feelings. My heart was so involved that tears brimmed my eyes more than once. So well done.
This story is a huge recommendation from me. This one will tug at your heartstrings.
Contains:
MM
Best friends to lovers
Rockstar romance
Bisexual awakening
It’s always been you
Fear of losing everything
Secret pining
Forced proximity
Spoiler of sorts:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
This one tells the dark side of coming out of the closet as well as some of the good. The world can be an ugly place and I hate that for anyone who has come out and faced this kind of negativity. This book shows the brighter side of it as well.
This story is a huge recommendation from me. This one will tug at your heartstrings.
Contains:
MM
Best friends to lovers
Rockstar romance
Bisexual awakening
It’s always been you
Fear of losing everything
Secret pining
Forced proximity
Spoiler of sorts:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
This one tells the dark side of coming out of the closet as well as some of the good. The world can be an ugly place and I hate that for anyone who has come out and faced this kind of negativity. This book shows the brighter side of it as well.
May 27, 2026
The Things We Couldn’t Say was such an emotional MM romance and definitely one that pulled at my heart.
Sam has been in love with his best friend Adam since he was seventeen. They’ve spent years together—playing in the same punk band, touring, chasing fame and building a life side by side—but Sam has always kept his feelings buried. Adam has always identified as straight, hooking up with women while on tour, so Sam has kept both his feelings and his truth hidden from Adam and the rest of the world. When Sam is unexpectedly outed and his feelings for Adam are suddenly exposed, everything between them starts to shift, and Adam is forced to question whether what he feels for Sam has always been more than friendship.
This was such a heartbreaking story about friendship, love, family drama and all the messy complicated feelings that come with loving someone for so long and never knowing if they could love you back. Adam and Sam were intense in the best way, and I really loved seeing them slowly open up and finally share the things they’d both been holding onto for so long.
I really enjoyed getting both of their perspectives and seeing how differently they viewed so many of the same moments. A few scenes did feel a little repetitive because of the dual POV, and I do think it could have been a little shorter, but it honestly didn’t take away from how invested I was in their story.
Overall I absolutely loved this one and I’m already so keen to see where the story goes next.
Sam has been in love with his best friend Adam since he was seventeen. They’ve spent years together—playing in the same punk band, touring, chasing fame and building a life side by side—but Sam has always kept his feelings buried. Adam has always identified as straight, hooking up with women while on tour, so Sam has kept both his feelings and his truth hidden from Adam and the rest of the world. When Sam is unexpectedly outed and his feelings for Adam are suddenly exposed, everything between them starts to shift, and Adam is forced to question whether what he feels for Sam has always been more than friendship.
This was such a heartbreaking story about friendship, love, family drama and all the messy complicated feelings that come with loving someone for so long and never knowing if they could love you back. Adam and Sam were intense in the best way, and I really loved seeing them slowly open up and finally share the things they’d both been holding onto for so long.
I really enjoyed getting both of their perspectives and seeing how differently they viewed so many of the same moments. A few scenes did feel a little repetitive because of the dual POV, and I do think it could have been a little shorter, but it honestly didn’t take away from how invested I was in their story.
Overall I absolutely loved this one and I’m already so keen to see where the story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The things we couldn't say wow this was quite an angsty read.. and I loooove angst!
So hang onto your hats people it will be a ride!
So at first we get a brief look at childhood Adam and sam, then it moves quickly into the present. Adam strikes me at the typical rock star.. outgoing magnetic personality, drinks too much.. enjoys his nights with a different lady each time. As things go on you do see a different side to him. He is not happy.. I got the feeling he was just using things as stress relief.
Sam is reserved and unhappy right from the start. But being in the closet and secretly loving your best friend since you were seventeen will do that. You do slowly see what's behind the sadness the fear he has been carrying.
We see bad decisions by both of them, lots of yerning, pain. And I won't give spoilers.. but they were too easy on Oliver.... I'm still mad. Super smexy times is low 2.5/5 but dont let that distract you its an awesome book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Things We Couldn´t Say is the first book in the The Thinks we didn´t Know by Kaycee King.
Sam has always been in love with Adam; he's hidden his sexuality for fear of what Adam might think, and the scene isn't exactly open-minded. They're both in a famous punk band, even though they play songs about feminism and those kinds of issues.
Everything comes to a head during a summer tour, where Sam gets closer to Oliver, while Adam is drifting apart from his friend. Adam has only ever had one,night stands with women,nothing serious, until Sam pulls away and he starts to feel jealous.
The story is told from two different perspectives; we see the same situations through the eyes of both Sam and Adam. This allows the reader to get to know the main characters well, even without explicit descriptions.
Sam has always been in love with Adam; he's hidden his sexuality for fear of what Adam might think, and the scene isn't exactly open-minded. They're both in a famous punk band, even though they play songs about feminism and those kinds of issues.
Everything comes to a head during a summer tour, where Sam gets closer to Oliver, while Adam is drifting apart from his friend. Adam has only ever had one,night stands with women,nothing serious, until Sam pulls away and he starts to feel jealous.
The story is told from two different perspectives; we see the same situations through the eyes of both Sam and Adam. This allows the reader to get to know the main characters well, even without explicit descriptions.
June 2, 2026
- Bi Awakening
- Pining
- Forced Proximity
- Friends to Lovers
The Things We Didn't Know by Kaycee King is an emotional and captivating start to a series that blends romance, personal growth, and the weight of long-buried secrets. In this novel, we get to meet the MMC's Sam and Adam, two characters whose pasts continue to shape their present, creating a narrative filled with tension, heartache, and hope. One thing that stood out to me in this novel is when it examined how secrets can affect not only individuals but also the people they love. Overall, The Things We Didn't Know was a strong character-driven story with meaningful emotional conflicts that left me eager to discover what happens in the next three books.
I received an ARC copy from Happily Booked PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
- Pining
- Forced Proximity
- Friends to Lovers
The Things We Didn't Know by Kaycee King is an emotional and captivating start to a series that blends romance, personal growth, and the weight of long-buried secrets. In this novel, we get to meet the MMC's Sam and Adam, two characters whose pasts continue to shape their present, creating a narrative filled with tension, heartache, and hope. One thing that stood out to me in this novel is when it examined how secrets can affect not only individuals but also the people they love. Overall, The Things We Didn't Know was a strong character-driven story with meaningful emotional conflicts that left me eager to discover what happens in the next three books.
I received an ARC copy from Happily Booked PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
June 9, 2026
Sam and Adam are best friends and bandmates and both know they mean so much to each other. The issue – Sam has been in love with Adam since he was a teenager, although he’s deep in the closet and Adam is straight and is very active in the women department. They definitely live a rockstar lifestyle but as time goes by Sam struggles with his feelings and where his life is going. This is a slow burn best friends to lovers, they do get there eventually, that’s full of emotion, a good amount of toxic relationships/decisions and angst but eventually these two do find peace and love together.
I was really rooting for these two, I liked their connection from the start but I will say there were times when it felt a little too drawn out. I did like the way it all came together for them and really loved seeing them find real happiness and love that they definitely deserve.
I was really rooting for these two, I liked their connection from the start but I will say there were times when it felt a little too drawn out. I did like the way it all came together for them and really loved seeing them find real happiness and love that they definitely deserve.
June 13, 2026
This is the first book in the four books Things we didn't know series and this is also the first book I have read by this author and this story sucked me right in from the start despite music stories aren't always my favourite. Childhood friends and bandmates Sam and Adam have done everything together ever since. However closeted Sam has been in love with straight Adam for years and has had to watch Adam bed countless women. Sam has been seeing and writing songs with Oliver who is in another band, although he has made it clear he can't commit and love anyone else. Whilst on tour Oliver spirals and drinks a lot and not only does he out Sam but also about his feelings for Adam. This lead to Sam and Adam deciding to explore each other. It isn't without bumps but it is a beautiful written love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Obsessed with these two story.
Sam and Adam are childhood friends and Sam learns at a young age that he's gay and is in love with his best friend Adam, who is straight and Adam has always hidden the fact that he's gay. Watching the man you love always bring a hookup back after a gig while on tour is unbelievably hard which may lead you to do something a little crazy yourself.
Watching Sam navigate through all the hard times he goes through during this tour is beyond incredible. He is definitely strong even though he is way to forgiving in my opinion.
Adam, oh Adam. He also is just an amazing character. He did have me wanting to strangle him a few times but in the end he did get there and I do love him.
Sam and Adam are childhood friends and Sam learns at a young age that he's gay and is in love with his best friend Adam, who is straight and Adam has always hidden the fact that he's gay. Watching the man you love always bring a hookup back after a gig while on tour is unbelievably hard which may lead you to do something a little crazy yourself.
Watching Sam navigate through all the hard times he goes through during this tour is beyond incredible. He is definitely strong even though he is way to forgiving in my opinion.
Adam, oh Adam. He also is just an amazing character. He did have me wanting to strangle him a few times but in the end he did get there and I do love him.
June 30, 2026
I really enjoyed this read. The Things We Couldn't Say by Author Kaycee King is an emotional ride that really pulls you in and touches your heart, The beginning starts with the two main characters struggling to come to terms with who they really are and want in a relationship. The one is closeted but is secretly in love with his best friend, but they are both on a very self-destructive path denying to themselves who they really are.
This story dives deep in how they deal with their own emotions as well as their feelings for each other. The writing is done so well that it tugs at your heart, parts are frustrating while others are beautifully done.
I highly recommend this one, and I cannot wait to read the other books.
This story dives deep in how they deal with their own emotions as well as their feelings for each other. The writing is done so well that it tugs at your heart, parts are frustrating while others are beautifully done.
I highly recommend this one, and I cannot wait to read the other books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Combined review with book 2, The Wayward Ones. Spoiler-free!*
Adam and Sam's story was not a simple one. Emotional, at times bittersweet, and quite a realistic one too. The author shows a lot of promise as a writer, navigating this story and telling it in a way I'm not quite sure I've encountered before. It's not super linear, and often the start of one chapter goes back a bit to provide the other MC's POV for the events of the previous chapter. This did make things feel a bit slow and repetitive at times and took some getting used to. Overall, both solid, quite angsty, books with a sweet but emotional romance.
Adam and Sam's story was not a simple one. Emotional, at times bittersweet, and quite a realistic one too. The author shows a lot of promise as a writer, navigating this story and telling it in a way I'm not quite sure I've encountered before. It's not super linear, and often the start of one chapter goes back a bit to provide the other MC's POV for the events of the previous chapter. This did make things feel a bit slow and repetitive at times and took some getting used to. Overall, both solid, quite angsty, books with a sweet but emotional romance.
July 4, 2026
Adam and Sam, mix Oliver….angst and zero communication creates a wonderfully emotional story! Two best friends who are equally in love yet struggle to understand their own feelings much less tell each other.
Their story is heartbreaking at times. Adam and Sam have been best friends since high school. They are on tour in a punk band and things have changed. There is a distance that has formed and with that comes its challenges. Both characters cause pain and also grow significantly throughout.
I really like how the author added in tidbits of their past to show the trauma. These are very important parts of these characters stories. On to the next book!!
Their story is heartbreaking at times. Adam and Sam have been best friends since high school. They are on tour in a punk band and things have changed. There is a distance that has formed and with that comes its challenges. Both characters cause pain and also grow significantly throughout.
I really like how the author added in tidbits of their past to show the trauma. These are very important parts of these characters stories. On to the next book!!
June 10, 2026
This book took me on a beautiful journey and it was hard but so very worth it. There were ups and downs, struggles and healing, and everything we went through led to such a satisfying place. The connection and chemistry we get between Sam and Adam was intense and messy and chaotic. I was drawn in by all they went through and everything that came out of their struggles. This book gave us the good, the bad, the ugly, and the uglier that life can offer for our characters. And in the end it was an ending that left me batter and bruised but happy nonetheless.
June 12, 2026
Poor Sam and Adam best friends forever and yet neither one of them is able to be honest with each other about the most important things about who they are. Sam loves Adam from afar, watching Adam date women and afraid to tell him how he feels for fear of ruining their friendship. Sam has a boyfriend who wants to deepen their relationship but Sam's feelings for Adam are in the way. Adam is jealous of Sam's relationship fearing he's being replaced as Sam's bestie. These two almost lose it all with their inability to talk honestly but I was rooting for them all the way.
June 29, 2026
This is book 1 of The Things we don’t know series and a new to me author. It was a beautifully written slow burn, high angst story. Sam has a secret crush on his best friend, Adam. Adam has no idea. Adam is also a womanizer. They began to see each other as more than just best friends. However, their story continues in book two. It’s a dual POV but it’s repetitive seeing the same scene play over from the other person’s POV. I didn’t really enjoy that as much as I would have liked a continuation of the story through the POVs. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable story. 3.5 stars.
Review of advance copy
Sam + Adam
-mm rockstar romance
-best friends to lovers
-unrequited love
-forced proximity
-its always been you
-bi awakening
-fear of losing everything
this was a really great friends to lovers with unrequited love & forever pining! but i was not really a fan of the writing style with each chapter they'd go back over the previous scenes in the other mcs pov...it was repetitive & unnecessary imo. but i still love their relationship & how everything developed!
-mm rockstar romance
-best friends to lovers
-unrequited love
-forced proximity
-its always been you
-bi awakening
-fear of losing everything
this was a really great friends to lovers with unrequited love & forever pining! but i was not really a fan of the writing style with each chapter they'd go back over the previous scenes in the other mcs pov...it was repetitive & unnecessary imo. but i still love their relationship & how everything developed!
June 10, 2026
Sam and Adam are my heart. These two 🥹 friends for so long. And had no idea. How did they manage all those hearts with words and feelings unsaid? This pulled me in right from the beginning. I was so caught up with this story, their hurt. My heart ached. I absolutely loved this story. I loved that they finally said something. No more hurt, no more wounded hearts. This is the first time I’ve read this author, and just wow. I’m in love.
Review of advance copy
A story that flows smoothly, but sometimes falters because a scene is first told from one character's perspective and then the same scene from the other. As a result, you read the same thing twice.
This is a good start to the series. Although I hope the story flows more smoothly in the next installments.
💞Thank you to the Author and GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC💖
This is a good start to the series. Although I hope the story flows more smoothly in the next installments.
💞Thank you to the Author and GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC💖
June 1, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
I think the storyline was a good idea, but there were times I thought the pacing could have been better, or even parts left out. Quite a few times, the scenes felt like I had already read them, and there were some moments I wanted to know what the other character was experiencing, and not the POV that it was told from.
I think the storyline was a good idea, but there were times I thought the pacing could have been better, or even parts left out. Quite a few times, the scenes felt like I had already read them, and there were some moments I wanted to know what the other character was experiencing, and not the POV that it was told from.
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