Anything but Love

The Cannon Beach Boys #2

by A.E. Jensen, Courtney W. Dixon

Let me in… or walk away before you ruin me.


Wes


I’ve spent my life chasing a good time; no strings, no complications, and no heartbreak. Now that I have a stable job as a physical therapist at the university, I’m ready to look for a deeper connection. Then in walks Jared “Jett” Cordier; former Olympic golden boy, track legend… and the guy I used to watch like he was untouchable. Turns out, he’s closed off, broody, and about as welcoming as a slammed door.


But somewhere between late nights and arguments that burn a little too hot, something shifts and lines blur. One heated moment turns into another, and suddenly we’re involved in something that looks a lot like friends-with-benefits. It’s supposed to stay easy, but nothing about Jett feels casual.


Jett

I had everything once. Then I lost it all—my athletic career, my relationship, my dad.


Starting over as an assistant coach is my do-over. It’s supposed to be simple: keep my head down and do my job. Then comes Wes; too loud, too charming… too much. I’m trying desperately not to be sucked in and to keep him at arm’s length. But in the end, I let him in just enough to get a taste and forget what it feels like to be falling apart.

The more time I spend with Wes, the harder it is to pretend this is nothing. I can feel my walls crumbling, and I’m afraid. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to risk everything again.

🦆 Hero Worship
🦆 Small Town Romance
🦆 Friends with Benefits
🦆 Grumpy/Sunshine
🦆 Mental Health Rep
🦆 Hurt/Comfort
🦆 Rough Start
🦆 Opposites Attract
🦆 Interracial
🦆 Pan Awakening
🦆 Sports Romance/Running
🦆 Workplace Romance


Anything But Loveis a high-heat MM, opposites attract, friends-with-benefits, hurt/comfort romance. Get ready for an emotional ride when a notorious playboy collides with his guarded hero and has to decide if love is worth the risk.

Triggers/Content Warning: Off-page suicide attempt, mental health pressures of being an athlete, estrangement from parent, emotional abuse from a parent, dub-con, panic attacks, anxiety, mentions of institutionalization, depression, brain damage in a parent, brain surgery of parent, alcohol consumption, explicit sex and language.

Genres: M M Romance, Mental Health, Enemies To Lovers, Friends To Lovers, LGBT, Romance

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2026

Reviews

[Mikaela (risqué.romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️SPOILERS‼️

🌟 Read Your Triggers 🌟

I just knew without a doubt that I was going to love this book. This is the second book in this series and when I found out that A.E Jensen and Courtney were at it again, I just knew I was going to be in my feels.

Jett and Wes had me gripping my kindle because there was so much going on with these two.

Wes had noticed Jett in school but Jett didn’t really remember him. Wes idolized him when it came to running. I love that they both had the sport of running in common be ause

This book does have some trigger warnings. If it wasn’t for Jett’s sister because his dad is just an awful man, he wouldn’t be where he is to this day. And the spice scenes were so good.

There is a bit of a moment that I was scared for a moment where Jett kind of loses it. Also, the moment Jett stands up to his father was absolutely everything.

Also, I loved the moments of seeing Jett with Mason and Mia because he just got to be free. But what I really loved was the on page therapy sessions with his doctor. I loved his reaction when she asked him about Wes.

And man, the patience that Wes has when it comes to Jett is everything. He truly loves this man. But Jett is slowly getting better each moment he spends with Wes. I absolutely loved their first meet. Each moment I felt was like a forced proximity moment and I was here for all of those moments. Yes please.

And the ending with Wes and his mom had me in tears because she is so sweet. She hates depending on people and when she gets a man that is there for her, the tears came. I think it’s cute how their relationship is.

I love that in the end Wes got the man he truly idolized and Jett got the man that truly made him feel better as well as being his safe space.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Gül Türkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything But Love | Courtney Dixon & A.E.Jensen

Whenever Courtney Dixon and A.E. Jensen team up, you know you're in for an emotional, character-driven story and Anything But Love is no exception. The connection between the two main characters feels incredibly genuine, making it impossible not to root for them. The romance unfolds at a natural pace, allowing their feelings to grow in a way that feels authentic and deeply rewarding.

My favorite part was watching them slowly learn to trust each other. I loved how the story focused on emotional intimacy instead of relying on unnecessary drama. The hurt/comfort moments were beautifully done, and the found family element added so much warmth to the story.

And let's talk about the spice... 🌶️ It was absolutely perfect for me. As far as I'm concerned, there's no such thing as too spicy if anything, I would've happily taken even more. 😏

Overall, if you love character-driven MM romances filled with heartfelt emotional growth, genuine chemistry, and just the right amount of heat (or maybe not quite enough 😉) 💛

Whenever Courtney Dixon and A. E. Jensen team up, you know you're in for an emotional, character-driven story and Anything But Love is no exception. The connection between the two main characters feels incredibly genuine, making it impossible not to root for them. The romance unfolds at a natural pace, allowing their feelings to grow in a way that feels authentic and deeply rewarding.

My favorite part was watching them slowly learn to trust each other. I loved how the story focused on emotional intimacy instead of relying on unnecessary drama. The hurt/comfort moments were beautifully done, and the found family element added so much warmth to the story.

And let's talk about the spice... 🌶️ It was absolutely perfect for me. As far as I'm concerned, there's no such thing as too spicy if anything, I would've happily taken even more. 😏

Overall, if you love character driven MM romances filled with heartfelt emotional growth, genuine chemistry, and just the right amount of heat (or maybe not quite enough 😉), Anything But Love is definitely one to add to your TBR.

[Chasary Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything But Love by A.E Jensen and Courtney W Dixon Book two of the Cannon beach duet . I am always honored and humble to read their books in advance!
Wes omg Wes I knew he was funny and outgoing in its only love. But my gosh Wes is a ray of sunshine. He's so loving wears his heart in his sleeve and has the most amazing family and friends anyone could ask for.
Wes is known as the playboy the lady's man. He's also a runner and a physical therapist he's out and comes face to face with his idle Jett!! Let's just say it wasn't what he expected when he first met him.
Jett the broody, moody, Cloud is so bottled up. He disappeared for two years and resurfaces and tries to go out. He's sitting alone in a bar when Wes recognizes him and he's broody he leaves. Jett backstory truly broke my heart. The past the present and the future he kept doubting feeling he's unworthy and broken.
Jett and Wes go through a rough patch but my gosh the way they love each other without conditions and just full on love and acceptance it's truly beautiful to read.
I loved seeing Mike and Dennis again and getting to meet Wes family and mom. Jett's sister is truly amazing and those nieces and nephews are freaking adorable.
A.E & Courtney really co wrote this book with so much love tenderness especially with the mental health aspect.

[Angela I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, the Cannon Beach Boys delivered! ❤️

I had a feeling from the first book that Wes was going to be an absolute menace (in the best possible way) and I couldn't wait to get his story. This second book didn't disappoint. Wes is hilarious and a total brat, but underneath it all, he's fiercely loyal and has the biggest heart.

When Wes finally meets Jett, his teenage celebrity "crush", things... don't exactly go as he'd imagined. In fact, they go spectacularly wrong. Jett is distant, awkward, and honestly kind of rude.

But fate clearly has other plans because they keep running into each other, and little by little, Wes gets to see the real man hiding beneath Jett's gruff exterior.

I absolutely loved their dynamic. They balance each other so well, and watching their relationship unfold was both heartwarming and incredibly sweet. One of my favorite things was how completely unbothered Wes was by his newly discovered sexual orientation. It was refreshingly casual and felt so true to his character. 😂

And, as always with Anja's books, I appreciated the lack of unnecessary drama. The conflicts felt genuine, the characters actually communicated, and I closed the book with the same warm, peaceful feeling her stories always leave me with.

[DeeReads412 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED It's Only Love, so to say I was excited for this book is an understatement and it did NOT disappoint! I absolutely Adored Wes and Jett! I was so happy to see Wes finally find his person! Jett was exactly what he needed! Jett's past trauma is very much is a huge part of who he is now, but that doesn't stop Wes from loving him through it! This is a wonderful story of strength, healing, and having the right person there by your side! Wes' mom and grandparents were absolutely AMAZING also! I loved the whole family dynamic and how they immediately accepted Jett! The love and acceptance Wes and his whole family showed Jett was something he absolutely needed to be able to start to heal and feel worthy himself!

Both of these characters are truly special and grab hold. From chapter 1 I was hooked! From the bond Wes and Jett formed over running, to their visit to Cannon Beach, I just wanted to keep reading! I didn't want to put it! Wes and Jett's HEA is hard earned but absolutely worth it! Plus getting to catch up with Mike and Dennis was the icing on the cake! I absolutely recommend this book!

[Julia Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! It felt like a flew through this book, it was a joy to read.
We met Wes in book 1 and he's Dennis' best friend. Jett is new to us, but he's someone Wes has admired for afar and looked up to because of his running. I really liked their not so meet cute. Wes has such a positive outlook and sunshine personality despite not having the easiest life. The unconditional love Wes got from his family really shaped him and made him into the person he is. Full of sunshine and able to bring a levity and lightness to Jett's life that was really missing. My heart went out to Jett and all he's been through. It's really not surprising how he acts at the start. He was so hard on himself, but I was glad that Wes was there to help him see his worth and that he deserves to be happy. I loved how open and relaxed Wes was when it came to his awakening. I loved their chemistry a lot, but I loved how perfect they were for each other more.

Be aware of the heavier topics that get tackled in this book before you start reading. I felt like it was dealt with so much compassion.

If you're in the mood to read about two runners who meet at their new jobs and form a strong bond after a rocky start then this is the book for you.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wes is a great character to read, fitting well into his own skin and not at all concerned about finding himself attracted to a man for the first time, or being particularly interested in frequent physical encounters. Jett had been pushed so hard by his father all his life to excel at running that he never had a chance to learn anything about himself, which had a disastrous and lasting effect on his mental health. His experiences are written with great sensitivity and understanding, and Wes really wants to support him despite his struggle to let someone in. The only reason this was four stars for me was their physical encounters and kinks - these were well written but just not for me personally. The supportive family members were wonderful, and it was good to see more about Mike and Dennis being happy together.

[Leilani Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute. I love Wes & Jett they were definitely made for each other. My heart hurt for Jett so much me deserved so much better but I’m glad he had his sister and Wes. This book has so many emotions and I’m glad they got their HEA!

[Ashley | adhdandread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything but Love by A.E. Jensen and Courtney W. Dixon
Cannon Beach Boys Book 2
Length: 347 pages
Source: Author-direct
Publication date: June 30, 2026

5 ⭐⁣⁣⁣

WHAT TO EXPECT
Small-town romance
Workplace romance
Hero worship
Friends with benefits
Grumpy x sunshine
Hurt/comfort
Slow burn x high heat
Opposites attract
Mental-health rep
Interracial relationship
Sexual awakening

AUTHORS' BLURB
Let me in… or walk away before you ruin me.

Wes
I’ve spent my life chasing a good time; no strings, no complications, and no heartbreak. Now that I have a stable job as a physical therapist at the university, I’m ready to look for a deeper connection. Then in walks Jared “Jett” Cordier; former Olympic golden boy, track legend… and the guy I used to watch like he was untouchable. Turns out, he’s closed off, broody, and about as welcoming as a slammed door.

But somewhere between late nights and arguments that burn a little too hot, something shifts and lines blur. One heated moment turns into another, and suddenly we’re involved in something that looks a lot like friends-with-benefits. It’s supposed to stay easy, but nothing about Jett feels casual.

Jett
I had everything once. Then I lost it all—my athletic career, my relationship, my dad.

Starting over as an assistant coach is my do-over. It’s supposed to be simple: keep my head down and do my job. Then comes Wes; too loud, too charming… too much. I’m trying desperately not to be sucked in and to keep him at arm’s length. But in the end, I let him in just enough to get a taste and forget what it feels like to be falling apart.

The more time I spend with Wes, the harder it is to pretend this is nothing. I can feel my walls crumbling, and I’m afraid. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to risk everything again.

MY THOUGHTS
I'm not even sure where to start! This is as emotional as a Courtney W. Dixon book usually is, and yet somehow I didn't cry once. The angst is there, but Wes is so damn sunshiny that I'm not able to sit and stew on all the things these men have faced in their lives. Seriously, Wes is happiness on a stick, and Jett doesn't stand a chance.

I really appreciate the growth that both of the MCs go through to end up together. Some of it is as a couple, and some of it has to be done individually. But throughout the book, they face it with maturity, even when it's scary or unfamiliar.

Wes has a wonderful, supportive family, and it's obvious in the way he sees the world that he has grown up very differently from Jett. That they are immediately so accepting of him is not a surprise, then, but is still so lovely to see on the page. And I LOVE Wes' mom. Love her.

Jett has a great sister and parents who... well, not everybody is meant to be a parent. That he is still so loving and nurturing overall is a testament to his own persistence and resilience, not to the way he was raised. Being part of Wes' family is where he is meant to be.

The writing in Anything but Love is beautiful, funny, and heartfelt. It doesn't shy away from uncomfortable subjects (see CWs below), but they're handled in a way that feels natural. And it's seamless! Courtney and A.E. tell you at the end of the book who wrote whom, but everything (the banter, the inner monologue, the descriptive passages, etc.) flows so well that I couldn't have guessed that's how they work.

And as I said already, even the difficult material is handled beautifully in an optimistic sense, like the authors want to reassure the reader that while the MCs aren't living trauma-free lives, they ARE facing forward, looking ahead, and fighting the fight. Especially Jett, obviously, but Wes as well, as the book goes on. I simply love that these two men find each other and that Wes' sunshine helps Jett find the confidence to step back out into the light.

BOTTOM LINE
Oh, how I loved this book! It's a yes.

CONTENT WARNINGS
Directly from book (some of these may be spoilers): Off-page suicide attempt, mental-health pressures of being an athlete, estrangement from parent, emotional abuse from a parent, dub-con, panic attacks, anxiety, mentions of institutionalization, depression, brain damage in a parent, brain surgery of a parent, alcohol consumption, mention of abortion (side character, off-page), explicit sexual content and language

–A🩷

Thanks to A.E. Jensen and 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.

[Queenbeereads_sugarandspice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really appreciating these two’s co-writes. It’s Only Love was one of my fave comfort reads of last year, and there was no way I wasn’t going to read Wes’s book after that. Really loved that the former playboy was going to fall for his old running hero.

Jett’s journey. OMG, how my heart went out to him for his traumatic experience and the aftereffects *sob* Anyone else want to curse out his father with every bad word under the sun for how he made Jett feel? You know those dunking tanks at carnivals you see in the movies? Yep, I wanted him to be constantly dunked into a very cold one of those! Jett deserved so much better!

Oh, wonderful Wes. Patient, sweet Wes, who gives affection so freely and has such an easy sense of humour. Everyone needs a dose of Wes and his terrible dad jokes in their life! Wes has such an infectious sunshine quality to him; he’s the beacon of light and hope and everything that Jett doesn’t know he needed. He brings so much joy to Jett’s life, and I loved seeing how the other man comes alive around Wes, how he feels lighter, and laughs and smiles – all the good things! It made my heart happy when they were together and Jett let his guard down. So many cute moments I couldn’t pick a favourite!

While these two don’t have the best first encounters – their ‘not-so meet-cute’ – you can’t deny the attraction between them with those ‘can’t keep my hands off you’ spicy scenes. Jett’s been hiding for so long, he needs some gentle coaxing from Wes to remember how to live again. But that’s not easy to do when those voices make you doubt yourself at every step…

The supporting characters in this are sooo good! I loved Janie and her family, especially how Jett’s sister gives him tough love when he needs it while still always being there for him. I melted at how FRICKING ADORABLE Uncle Jett was with his niece and nephew. Throw in Wes too…. Gorgeous! 🥹

Wes’s family were just the BEST! The cutest supportive loving family, proving that money doesn’t buy happiness. LOVED their vibes. Love how Wes goes fishing with his grandad, learnt to cook from his grandma and got his kindness and patience from his mum. They are warmth and comfort all wrapped up in one household.

So thrilled we got to see Mike and Dennis, and not forgetting Willow, the dog, again too. Those two will always have a special place in my heart. 

If you haven’t read these two books yet, you should run (with Wes and Jett) to get started!

PS Re those two boys playfully messing about in the sand... I like to believe that was Wes and Dennis because wouldn’t that just be lovely. IYKYK.

-----
Some of my favourite quotes

He’s got that disarming boy-next-door look. He’s charming, but in a dorky kind of way. 

He doesn’t say anything, but I have enough words for both of us.

I’m getting too attached; I know I am. It’s dangerous territory, and it’ll probably backfire, but I just like him too damn much.

“I swear, you’re the horniest guy I’ve ever known.” “Pfft, speak for yourself. I don’t see you holding back.” “I guess you set me on fire, Wes.” “We can set each other on fire.” 

I don’t know if I deserve someone like Wes, but I think I want him. Not just in a physical way, but like someone I could actually build something with. I don’t know if I’d be any good at it, but I want to try with him. 

“I want more, Jett. So much more… You have so many different sides to you. I want to wake up next to you tomorrow, and each day after, to discover something new about you. Because every time I do, I really like what I see.”

“Thank you,” “For what?” “For everything.” “It’s nothing,” “It is. You have no idea, do you?” “Of what?” “Of how much my life has changed since I met you. How it changes every day, bit by bit, for the better.”

I may have many regrets, but loving Wes won’t ever be one of them. 

“It’s never too soon if it’s the right person. Life gives you what you need when you need it most.” 

My future stares back at me, bright as the sun. Wes. Wes is my future. 

“I’m grateful every fucking second that you forced your way into my life that day at the bar.” “I’m grateful every day that you stopped calling me Wilson.” 

[Mayami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, Wes is a MENACE and I love it!!! He’s a brat underneath it all but carries this warmth and a fondness for life most people have who lived a young life full of love and support. He’s confident but not in a harsh way. There’s kindness and optimism there that echoes from his bonds with his family. I think he’s a person we would all like to be. A friend that we would all appreciate whole heartedly. A partner that isn’t just a partner, but a companion. (I think those are 2 different things) His willingness to accept others and understand them without judgement or criticism while also being extremely attractive is such a characteristic that we don’t see too often in life. He could have easily been mean, a user, brash, full of himself, but what we got was the opposite. He isn’t one sided in any way though. He still has his flaws and questions, doubts. I truly love this character. He’s free and fun. His openness, honesty, happiness and thirst for life is what draws people in, especially Jett. Of course he would want to bask in the light wafting off of Wes when he was stuck in the dark for so long. The image this conjures for me is Wes as a firefly in the dead of night and Jett has no choice but to seek out that light, being adrift in uncertainty and trauma, drawn to it, hypnotizing by it. Catching some of that openness and warmth for himself. It’s a fitting match if there ever was one. A beautiful one at that.

My god they’re so sweet together even though they say it’s not serious. I was gushing over them both! Cute is just way too much of an understatement. Jett is assertive and hesitant at the same time which you completely understand as the story goes. Full of self doubt and insecurity. Top that with not having a real childhood, what else would we expect to happen but turn someone into a husk of themselves. Jet is so used to being quiet, shoving it all down and not sharing any of his thoughts since it never mattered to those he considered important so to have Wes encourage him to actually feel his feelings and articulate what he wants was so moving.

I love Justin and his dry humor, but also so insightful at the same time. (I’m internally hoping and praying we get another book in this series and he’s next cuz broody and black clothes just hit special !!!😝)

I basically had a smile plastered to my face the whole goddamn time. I love them both, I love the relationship, the bond, the journey, ALL OF IT! I was going to say this review wouldn’t be long because I was just honestly enjoying reading it so much but I couldn’t stop taking notes throughout the whole thing. READ IT! That’s all I got to say.

Jett’s dad left a bad taste in my mouth. How could you witness your son suffering, and all you can think about is how much he has disappointed you. Top that off with what happened after and you never thought that he was worthy of some minuscule amount of comfort. The mom as well. Just, frustration for Jett singing loud and proud. How horrific that your own child thinks a relationship with you would have no value whatsoever. And to go about like you’re ok with that. This was a different kind of abuse, but abuse nonetheless. Hated how there wasn’t a resolution but that’s just reality. Sometimes there’s no closure.

Our MCs bond forms so strong. Even how Jett thinks about Wes’s hair is moving. How he loves even a specific strand that keeps flopping onto Wes’s face. It’s a love we all hope for, pure in its innocence somewhat, because Jett loves him down to the ground, down to the minute details. It’s pure, nothing from his past intruding on it. It’s something shown, not said. Offered. And I just could NOT stop smiling again.

This is a 4.5 rounded up to a 5. (Sorry for such a long one, had ALOT of thoughts pouring out) It’s a great read, gets your feelings all knotted up, but keeps you gushing the whole time.

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book that wasn’t supposed to be written, it sure exceeded my expectations. I loved Dennis and Mike in It’s Only Love but I also loved Wes. He was such a great sounding board for Dennis when as he struggled with his feelings for Mike, and I just knew he would be amazing in his own story.

Wes was such a ray of sunshine. Seeing him always with a smile on his face, you’d think he had an easy life and that everything was perfect for him. In reality, he struggled with his mother’s condition and had to work really hard to be where he was. But that didn’t take away from his positive outlook on life.

Jett was the complete opposite. He was moody and resentful towards the life he should have had but didn’t. The pressure from his father to always be the best and then abandoning him when he wasn’t, really broke him mentally.

Losing the people who were supposed to be there him in his time of need would made him bitter and jaded. All Jett wanted was to be invisible and for people to forget who he was, so when Wes approaches him and praises him; he just snapped.

To say that Wes’s hero image of Jett was shattered is an understatement. All Wes wanted was to get close to Jett but he never imagined he’d be such a jerk and treat him so badly.

Wes had looked up to Jett since they were in school. He was borderline obsessed with him, so for their first time meeting to go so horrible was kind of disappointing.

Nobody knew what had happened to Jett after he didn’t make the Olympics. No one imagined how hopeless and miserable he was or how he felt he was better off dead. He felt his value was measured by how good a runner he was not as a person and that was freaking heartbreaking.

He never had a chance to be a kid because his father wouldn’t allow him to be one. Jett missed out on so much because he was focused on pleasing a man that at the first sign of failure, discarded him like trash.

Despite of how things started between them, Wes still wanted to get know Jett and when Jett sucks out his soul with the hottest kiss he’s ever had, Wes’s world shifts. That kiss was the moment Wes realized he wasn’t straight and he wanted more of Jett.

Jett never expected that one kiss would bring back feelings he thought gone. After everything he had gone through, the last thing on his mind was to be physically intimate with someone. He was too broken, too damaged and Wes was too good for someone like him.

Jett was terrified of what would happen if Wes found out the real reason he disappeared from the spotlight. He was afraid his darkness would taint the light that was Wes. As alive as Wes made him feel, Jett couldn’t believe he was worthy of his love.

When Wes finds out the truth, his love for Jett grows even more. He can see how despite his darkest moments, Jett has come out on top. He’s worked on himself to be the best version of himself can be and couldn’t be prouder of him.

Wes saved Jett in so many ways. He gave him the love he always deserved. He showed him that he was enough just the way he was and that his past actions didn’t define him. Jett got a second chance at life and at finding his happiness. Wes gave him reasons to imagine a future he never thought he could have.

“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒐. 𝑯𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆.”

My heart is so full after reading this book. It’s a beautiful example of how being surrounded by the right people can change your life for the better. That getting rid of toxic people, especially your parents, is ok to do. Your mental health is important and you should ALWAYS look after yourself first.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙅𝙚𝙩𝙩 & 𝙒𝙚𝙨.

I thoroughly enjoyed Book 2 in the Cannon Beach Boys series! These guys were so endearing. I felt Jett's hurt and pain deeply. The mental health representation was portrayed really well—the feelings of never being enough, the anxiety, depression, and the constant pressure to make others happy all felt authentic. Then Wes barrels in with his larger-than-life personality. With his sincerity and honesty. He's the kind of guy who's always smiling and appears happy all the time. Jared "Jett" Cordier is annoyed by Wes Ellison. Jett feels like he's nobody's hero and he never will be. He's not amazing. It takes work for Jett just to get motivated for the day.

These two MMCs couldn't be more different, yet they're the perfect match for each other. Their connection was undeniable. Their chemistry? Absolutely off the charts. 🔥

“𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒓, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆, 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒎𝒆."

And Wes... that man and his dirty talk had me absolutely melting. 🥵 I could feel their hunger for each other radiating through the pages. The tension, the desire, the way they gravitated toward one another—it was impossible not to get swept up in it.

Yes, the intimate scenes were hot (because they definitely were 🔥), but what made them even better was the emotional connection behind them. Every touch, every moment, every stolen breath felt personal, intentional, and completely them. It felt so meaningful, making every moment between them that much more impactful.

“𝑺𝒐 𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰’𝒎 𝑴𝒓. 𝑰𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏, 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓.”

It was beautiful to see Wes simply roll with his attraction to Jett. Despite their rough start, watching these two come together and fall in love felt easy—inevitable, even. Wes & Jett are proof that sometimes the right person doesn't fix you, they simply love you through it.

"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑰 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝒃𝒊𝒕, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓.”

And can we please talk about Wes' family?! 🥹 They were such great side characters and a wonderful addition to 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦. I fell in love with them too! It was also nice to see Dennis and Mike again, of course.

The pacing flowed seamlessly. The writing was clear & concise. This was an authentic, heartfelt story and another fantastic collaboration from C.W. Dixon and A.E. Jensen.


"𝑴𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒈𝒖𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝑱𝒆𝒕𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑱𝒆𝒕𝒕. 𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆, 𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒌. 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒆. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍, 𝑰 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒚? 𝑯𝒐𝒘? 𝑫𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓? 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕. 𝑴𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕. 𝑯𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒈𝒖𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅."

[Kiki Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never meet your heroes. That’s advice Wes Ellison should’ve taken to heart before his disastrous fanboy encounter with Jared “Jett” Cordier.
Wes has been in awe of Jett since they were high school teammates. Wes went on to win a national Cross Country title in college, get his doctorate, and land his dream job as a PT at his alma mater. Go Ducks!
Jett had a whole other level of fame. A talented runner who went to the Paris Olympics as a heavy medal favorite. Until he didn’t show up for his prelims and then just disappeared.
And of course, awkwardly, Jett is the new assistant track coach at Oregon, and their paths are destined to cross.
Jett thought he was clever, calling Wes “Wilson” after his favorite runner, but Wes thought he was taking the piss by continually getting his name wrong. And Jett finds Wes’s pretty boy perfection annoying
All that antagonism reaches a head when Jett unexpectedly kisses Wes.
And then things get very interesting. Because Wes has always identified as a raging heterosexual, Jett is a little skeptical of how blithley he accepts this update to his sexuality. But Wes is a glass half full, roll with the punches kind of guy.
Jett’s past is always there, and my heart broke for him. His feelings of unworthiness are so vividly written. I wanted to wrap him in a warm hug.
No one can break you like a parent, and Jett’s narcissistic, demanding father was the worst. Thank goodness he had Janelle, his absolute goddess of an older sister.
Wes’s relentless optimism did have me worried given his background, and Wes has been putting on a happy face for far too long.
There’s a crisis that leads to these two men having a conversation that was long overdue. Kudos to Wes for his patience and letting Jett tell his story on his own terms. And I was glad Jett got a kind of closure, drawing strength through self-acceptance.
Communication is so sexy, and once they open up to each other, it makes every aspect of their relationship deeper and more profound.
I love how Anja and Courtney‘s writing styles pairs so beautifully. Anything But Love is the perfect blend of pathos, romance, steam, and humor.
Don't miss it!

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wes praised himself for being lucky with his warm family and the changes he had.
At a bar, he sees Jett Cordier, a famous runner. Back in the day, Wes was a bit obsessed with Jett, he was such an amazing athlete. One day he was thé man for the Olympics, and the next he was gone. There were guesses but it was never clear why he disappeared. Wes went over for a talk but the guy was downright rude and left.

Jett’s life is completely different, he had it all, was qualified for the Olympics in Paris, and lost it all. The voice of his awful, dismissive father, his hurtful words are engraved in his brain. Jett sank deeper and deeper into depression.
After years of therapy and medication, he’s at a point where he’ll start as an assistant coach.
He’d rather stay inside his apartment and never face the world again. If only.
Meeting Wes at the bar, who recognised and admired him, set him mentally back a few steps.

They keep running into each other, Jett is rude and grumpy. Wes tries to avoid him as much as possible. In short, they can’t stand each other.
As we all (hopefully) know: never judge a book by its cover.
Another saying is: there’s a thin line between love and hate. Oh boy, that applies to them.
Oh and another: dive right in at the deep end. Ha! that’s Wes. He doesn’t think twice; he's never been with a man before and here he goes, all in with Jett.

Wes is sincere, uncomplicated, and brings light.
It took a while before it happened, but watch the moment where Jett opens up to Wes. My heart, this amazing man has been through hell, and has so much baggage, no wonder he was mentally exhausted and drained.
But his armor is cracking, and that’s where the light came in.

This was a beautiful story, full of emotions. It has quite serious moments, but also humorous. Wes and Jett were opposites, lovable, their trips were great, their sexual encounters hot, and as a couple the best!
The story was widely, and flawlessly written, no rush, every aspect got attention, it felt whole

[judith vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading “Anything but Love”, by Courtney Dixon and A.E. Jenson it is book two in the Cannon Beach Boys Duet. First off, I thought I was going to be drawn to Wes because he previously popped up in the previous book. However, I felt drawn to Jett, his pain radiated off the pages and yes at first, I wanted to smack him when he was being mean to Wes but at the same time I understood why. His mental health had taken a beating and those thoughts and voices don’t just magically go away and what I loved was the fact that Courtney and A.E weren’t glossing over it they brought those issues out of the dark and they were being addressed. This book illustrated just how much of an impact one’s mental health can have on them and the toll it takes. Jett was a broken man and he wasn’t looking for it but Wes brought him back to life and that terrified him. Those old wounds and words still entered his brain, however he found himself falling and falling hard but insecurities began to fill his head. What I loved was that Wes wasn’t scared, he too was dealing with his own issues but together they were stronger. Wes could have given up he could have written Jett off yet he was there loving him all the same. The same with Jett he could have given up he could have let those voices that say “you’re not good enough’” or “no one loves you” win and he could have lost the best thing that had come into his life in a long time. Through it all, the ups and downs they still came out on the other side together. I loved this book both authors write exceptional books separately but together this book was magic. You are just drawn to one or both of the characters and you want to see them succeed in moving past the roadblocks that they create and getting their happily ever after. I highly recommend “Anything but Love”, it is one of those books you will be rereading and talking about for quite some time.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Hey! Did ya read the one with the running superstar and his number 1 fan?

If you thought Wes was going to be anything but the easy-breezy sunshine he was in It’s Only Love, then you’d be right…because he’s that and so much more in his very own love story!

In true Wes fashion, nothing phases him. He rolls with it as it comes, never getting too deep, too serious. He’s got his dream job doing something he loves, a great group of friends, but maybe he might be ready to settle down. See? He’s a problem solver.

When he sets eyes on an idol from his past, he’s excited at the prospect of getting to know him. Only Jett seems to be as closed off as humanly possible and seemingly unaffected by our dear Wesley’s charms.

Jett has recently rejoined society. The former Olympic-level runner is still running, only its away from human connection as a way to protect himself. So when he’s faced with this way-too-handsome golden retriever of a man, he’s wholly unprepared for how he’s about to turn both their worlds upside down.

Infuriating as it is, circumstances keep putting these two in one another’s path. The collision is confusing at first, exciting and new next, but the “it’s only physical” only lasts so long as Wes sees what he could have with Jett and Jett finds himself doing the unthinkable - letting his guard down.

Jett’s faced a heavy journey and needs a soft spot to land, even if he fights it at every turn. Wes is that space for him and he welcomes it with open arms. Jett may be faster, but Wes is relentless and endlessly patient.

Seeing these two work for their love was a true delight, Wes being our unbothered king treating his s*xual awakening like he was unlocking some superpower, and Jett finally getting the sunshine he so desperately needed.

One of my favorite author tag teams, Anja and Courtney knocked another one out of the park with this one! AND we got some fun Mike and Dennis content which you know I loved 🤍

[skia_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to be drawn to these trauma-based romance stories. They all seem to have one thing in common: healing. Maybe that’s what keeps pulling me back to them. We could all use a little healing, couldn’t we? Anyway… I’m babbling. 🤭 Back to the review.

Jett and Wes’ story felt like I was watching two of my best friends find each other, fall in love, and show up for one another through every high and low. Every experience they endured made me feel like I was right there beside them. 🥹

Jett’s a former Olympic track runner crushed under the weight of his parents’ expectations, his struggles with mental health rang true. It was trulyheartbreaking.

Wes is sunshine personified. He’s open-hearted, genuinely kind, and exactly the kind of person Jett needed. Watching him patiently love someone who struggled to believe he deserved it was beautiful.

The emotional connection between these two is where this story shines. Watching them go from idols to lovers felt natural. The romance was slow enough to be believable while still bringing plenty of chemistry that kept me turning the pages.

My only real issue was the pacing. I spent a good portion of the book waiting for the plot to start plotting, and by the time it did, the payoff didn’t have quite the emotional impact I was hoping for. Even so, it never took away from how invested I became in Jett and Wes or how much I wanted to see them find their way to each other.

This is a heavy story, but it never forgets to give you moments to breathe. Wes’ humor, the family gatherings, and watching a man slowly learn that he is worthy of being loved balanced the heavier themes beautifully.

Jett and Wes are going to stay with me for a long time. Their story hurt, healed, and reminded me that sometimes love really can meet you where you are.

4.5⭐️

I received the arc from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[S.M. Harshell · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANYTHING BUT LOVE is the second book in The Cannon Beach Boys series. It can be read as a standalone without issue. I didn't read the first book and thoroughly enjoyed this one.

What to expect:
🦆 Hero Worship
🦆 Small Town Romance
🦆 Friends with Benefits
🦆 Grumpy/Sunshine
🦆 Mental Health Rep
🦆 Hurt/Comfort
🦆 Rough Start
🦆 Opposites Attract
🦆 Interracial
🦆 Pan Awakening
🦆 Sports Romance/Running
🦆 Workplace Romance

Jett had it all or so everyone thought. He was at the top of his game until he wasn't and broke. In that process he lost everything his relationship, his relationship with his father, and his career. After pulling himself back from the edge he finds himself as an assistant running coach just trying to find some happiness. He never expected Wes. Wes has never been with a man but something about Wes calms Jett in ways he never imagined.

Wes was obsessed with Jett when he was younger. Jett was his idol then he just disappeared. No one knew what happened at the Olympics and why he hasn't been seen since until Wes walks into a bar and sees him sitting by himself. Wes had Jett built up in his head but the actual man doesn't want to be bothered. His moody and standoffish but within those arguments is something. Something Wes wasn't expecting and it's everything he's ever wanted.

AHH these boys broke me. I was so invested in this story. This is my first read by A.E. Jensen and man I was not disappointed! Jett has his walls so high trying to protect himself from getting hurt again. And Wes slowly breaks them down in the best ways possible! I couldn't put it down. They were so sweet and their chemistry is explosive and for me there is no better combination!

I was given a free copy of this book to read and review by the author.

[Shyandmoodreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨

I love Jensen's and Dixon's writing separately.. put them together? And you have a beautifully, witty, hilarious and heartfelt love story 🥹. 

Seriously, this was so well done 👏. It felt like I blinked and it was done, because I was so enraptured by Wes & Jett! I loved how many emotions these two went through (and put me through as well 🤣). It went from hero worship, to dislike, to friends with benefits to so so so much more! 

I loved revisiting characters from the previous book, Dennis & Mike.. it was like coming home again, just like Jett is finally able to find a home in Wes and realize his own worth 🥹. Seriously, that amazing, grumpy cinnamon roll needs to be protected at all costs, and Wes is JUST the man for the job 👀😁. 

I loved how easily these two came together, even as they fought their attraction slightly, and I especially loved how easy going Wes was. He was just what the doctor ordered for Jett 💜. 

This book delves into some of the deep mentality athletes can go through, especially without a good support system and Jett's story is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting but Dixon & Jensen have such a way with contrasting the heavy with the light that doesn't make you feel low, but instead uplifts you with how wonderfully and (not broken) but bent these humans can be 🫶. 

Ultimately, Jett and Wes are two missing pieces of the puzzle that finally connect the picture when they come together and find safety, peace and love within each other's arms 😍. I cannot say enough how much I loved this little duet! And I certainly hope this duo decides to write together again someday 😘. 

[HappilyEverReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wes and Jett's story was a fun dislike-to-lovers, bi awakening, grumpy/sunshine MM romance that had me hooked from the very beginning.

Wes was such an easy character to love. He was a ray of sunshine—positive, friendly, and open-hearted. When he spots his sports hero, Jett, at a bar, he immediately works up the courage to introduce himself. Jett, however, is rude and quickly leaves. Their paths continue to cross, and before long, they share a kiss. Although Wes has never been with a man before, he quickly realizes he's attracted to Jett and embraces those feelings wholeheartedly. What starts as a friends-with-benefits arrangement gradually develops into something much deeper. Their chemistry was incredible from start to finish.

I also really appreciated the mental health representation in this book as Jett works through his anxiety and panic attacks. Wes becomes a calming presence in Jett's life, making him feel safe, accepted, and understood. I especially loved how affectionate and unapologetic Wes was about their relationship from the very beginning. Their emotional connection grew naturally alongside their physical relationship, which made their romance feel especially authentic. When they faced Jett's panic attack near the end of the book, I appreciated that Jett took the initiative to apologize after Wes had been honest about his feelings.

Overall, this was a light, low-angst romance with a sweet relationship, plenty of great spice, and lots of tender moments. If you're looking for a heartwarming MM romance with lovable characters and excellent chemistry, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out.

Tropes:

Dislike to lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Bi awakening
Friends with benefits
Sports romance
Opposites attract
Mental health representation
Low angst
Emotional healing

[Kata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything But Love by @cwdixonauthor & @anjalovesbooks completely stole my heart. I already liked Wes in It’s Only Love, and seeing him get his own story made me love him even more.

Wes is the ultimate sunshine character: kind, funny, patient, and someone who truly loves with his whole heart. He’s warm, grounding, and impossible not to root for 🥰

And then there’s Jett… who absolutely broke my heart🥺
His trauma and the self-doubt he carries are written with so much depth and care. What I especially appreciated is that his mental health journey is not romanticized or magically “fixed” through love. Instead, therapy and recovery are a real, ongoing part of his story, which made everything feel incredibly honest and grounded.

I also loved how slowly Wes and Jett’s relationship developed. It starts off rough, but gradually grows into something deeply emotional, intimate, and real. Some of the most powerful moments were the quiet ones, the conversations, the patience, and the choice to stay.

The cameos from Mike and Den were such a treat, and I loved getting to meet Wes’s family as well as Jett’s amazing sister. They all added so much warmth and heart to the story.

This book strikes a perfect balance between humor, emotion, healing, hope, acceptance, and romance. It also beautifully highlights that love doesn’t erase pain or magically heal someone, but it can make life feel a little lighter.

Jett and Wes are truly perfect for each other, and their story felt like a beautiful continuation of the series.

Thank you for the ARC copy, this is my honest review.

[Anisha Choudhury | A Literary Autopsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ | 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC of Anything but Love by Courtney W. Dixon and A.E. Jensen in exchange for an honest review.

Anything but Love is a deeply moving romance that perfectly captures the beauty of two people who truly complete one another. This high-heat, opposites-attract story is as intense as it is heart-warming, offering a sophisticated look at healing and human connection.

The story follows Wes, a physical therapist, and Jared “Jett” Cordier, a former track legend dealing with significant life changes. As they navigate a complicated arrangement that quickly burns too hot to handle, they are forced to confront their pasts and the fear of risking everything for a deeper connection.

The mental health representation throughout this book is handled with exceptional care and authenticity. I particularly appreciated that the authors focused on the supportive found family the characters build rather than forcing painful reconciliations. Furthermore, the absence of external homophobia allows the emotional stakes to feel deeply personal and centered on the characters' inner growth. While I felt a slight, undefinable disconnect in the pacing, it did nothing to diminish the impact of this beautiful, heartfelt love story.

Anything but Love is a triumph of character-driven romance. It is hilarious, dorky, and intensely emotional. For those looking for a story where the HEA feels hard-fought and fully deserved, this is a must-read.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Wes is excited to see his teen idol in a bar, only to be disappointed when their meeting ends with Jett storming out. If that wasn’t bad enough, they then keep running into each other—at work, on the track, and their apartment building. Their annoyance and attitudes toward each other make for the best sexual tension so it’s no surprise how quickly they become friends with benefits and then boyfriends.

I love the little ray of sunshine that is Wes. He’s proudly himself and fiercely loves everyone around him. His easy confidence and go with the flow attitude make the perfect contrast to Jett’s anxiety and doubt. It’s no wonder that he’s able to pull Jett out of his storm cloud of a comfort zone. My heart broke for Jett with the self doubt and negativity that he’s carried around for so long. No parent should ever make their child feel less than like his dad did. I appreciate the realness of Jett standing up for himself and acknowledging that his dad hasn’t changed, but he has, and he doesn’t need to blindly accept everything his dad says anymore.

Their HEA is such a sweet one. Jett deserved to be appreciated by someone who saw his worth and Wes is the perfect man for that. Wes never found the right woman because he was always meant to find Jett. I mean, he made a scrapbook all about Jett as a teen and still has it—that screams meant to be to me.

Both of these authors are fantastic, so it makes it even better when they write together. I loved Dennis and Mike’s book so it’s no surprise that I love this book just as much. Thank you for the ARC❤️

[Samantha Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore when the guy meets his hero and then realizes his hero worship was actually a crush all along. And even better when he doesn't make a big deal out of being attracted to a guy. People always say that is unrealistic which is why we need more bi-awakenings like this.

Wes' personality makes so much sense when you see him with his family and see his POV with Mike and Dennis. How much love he has to give, even to those who think their unworthy. How much patience and understanding he has for others is rare.

and then we have Jett. He doesn't think he deserves love, understanding or care. We read bits and pieces of Jetts past, Paris and his family. For once I didn't feel impatient to see the walls come down. I think that both authors did a great job at giving us just enough to satisfy our need for information and keep us interested for how/when it would come out

i enjoyed the progression of their relationship. Some people might claim it to be a third act break up but it was more of a trauma induced fight. Wes gave Jett space but still letting Jett know he's there for him and he's loved. Jett gets closure at his sister's and then finds Wes and they talk it out. Even though a crap ton of healing and emotional exhaustion happens in such a short span, it's more like the walls are finally smashed down instead of a slow steady topple.

The fact that Wes' family completely folds Jett into their family at the first meeting is so wholesome.

This series is the first I've read of either author and I'm hooked

[Candice Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review
Anything but Love: A.E. Jensen and Courtney W. Dixon
Release Date: June 30th 2026

This book is was so sweet. You have Wes and Jared “Jett” they are from the same town, Wes is a couple years younger than Jett and idolized him for years. Jett was an Olympic hopeful and no showed at his race and disappeared. The meet cute was not so cute, and opened the door to a beautiful love story.
Wes is the perfect person for Jett, he is patient, kind, open, caring, affectionate and most of all accepting. He takes his relationship with Jett as it comes. Wes allows Jett to be who he is, and is there for him always.
Jett carries so much. He feels so broken, and being with Wes someone who brings light allows him to heal apart of himself.
He feels the pressure of not being what was expected of him and keeps things so close to his chest. Reading his growth through the book is lovely to watch.
As their relationship progresses seeing them interact with family and friends (shoutout to Wes’s mom) makes it real to Jett and realizes he wants all of it.
There were some real moments in this book that stole the whole thing, Jett’s niece and nephew with Wes on Halloween, Jett speaking to his therapist about Wes, Wes and his grandfather fishing and Dennis and Wes’s friendship.
Overall this book is a realist showing of how healing isn’t linear and how loving someone the right way can help heal wounds.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From hero worship to the unexpected 

Oh my goodness these two went on quite the journey but I loved it. Where meeting your hero goes wrong but eventually goes somewhere unexpected. 

Wes is such so full of life, love and sunshine. Jett went to the same school and was this amazing runner that Wes followed closely and made him work harder. Jett made it to the Olympics and then just vanished in the middle of them. So when Wes realizes they are working at the same school he is determined to become friends. 

Jett has been hiding since his meltdown at the Olympics. No one but his family knows what happened. His sister saved his life and has been his champion. Now she has forced him to rejoin the world as an a coach. 

I absolutely adored the families in this story. Well except the Dad (you'll hate him too and he deserves it). Jett's sister is amazing and her support has meant everything for Jett. Plus her kids were adorable. Wes has this amazing family made of him grandparents and his mother who had a TBI years ago. They are the sweetest people. 

I love how Wes pushed Jett but never farther than he was able to go. Their relationship was so beautiful to watch blossom. Jett needed the blunt no nonsense of Wes more than he even knew. The way they made each other better was beautiful to watch even it's heartbreaking moments. The way Wes accepted that he wanted Jett was refreshing. 

I loved this story so much. 

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From hero worship to the unexpected

Oh my goodness these two went on quite the journey but I loved it. Where meeting your hero goes wrong but eventually goes somewhere unexpected.

Wes is such so full of life, love and sunshine. Jett went to the same school and was this amazing runner that Wes followed closely and made him work harder. Jett made it to the Olympics and then just vanished in the middle of them. So when Wes realizes they are working at the same school he is determined to become friends.

Jett has been hiding since his meltdown at the Olympics. No one but his family knows what happened. His sister saved his life and has been his champion. Now she has forced him to rejoin the world as an a coach.

I absolutely adored the families in this story. Well except the Dad (you'll hate him too and he deserves it). Jett's sister is amazing and her support has meant everything for Jett. Plus her kids were adorable. Wes has this amazing family made of him grandparents and his mother who had a TBI years ago. They are the sweetest people.

I love how Wes pushed Jett but never farther than he was able to go. Their relationship was so beautiful to watch blossom. Jett needed the blunt no nonsense of Wes more than he even knew. The way they made each other better was beautiful to watch even it's heartbreaking moments. The way Wes accepted that he wanted Jett was refreshing.

I loved this story so much.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely stole my heart.

Wes and Jett were such a beautiful balance of hurt, comfort, healing, and romance. Wes is the ultimate sunshine character...kind, patient, funny, and always willing to support the people he loves. Jett, meanwhile, is carrying years of trauma, anxiety, and self-doubt after his life changed dramatically following his disappearance before the Paris Olympics.

What I loved most was how their relationship developed. They didn't magically fix each other. Instead, they slowly became a safe place for one another. The trust, patience, and emotional intimacy between them felt genuine and earned, making their connection incredibly rewarding to watch.

I also really appreciated how Jett's mental health journey was handled. His anxiety and recovery weren't romanticised or solved by falling in love. Therapy remained an important part of his story, which made everything feel authentic and respectful.

The quieter moments were some of my favourites—the conversations, the support, and the simple choice to keep showing up for each other. Those moments made their romance feel even more meaningful.

✨ Hurt/comfort
✨ Sports romance
✨ Mental health representation
✨ Sunshine x tortured hero
✨ Slow-burn healing
✨ Found family vibes
✨ Therapy representation

This story strikes such a wonderful balance between emotion, healing, hope, humour, and spice. Wes and Jett were absolutely perfect together, and I loved every minute of their journey.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this book, I honestly didn’t expect to love it as much as It’s Only Love, but I absolutely should have known better. Courtney and Anja are two of my favorite authors for a reason. Not only did I love this book just as much as the first one, but I think the chemistry and tension between Jett and Wes was even more intense and unforgettable.

What amazes me most about Courtney and Anja as co-authors is how seamlessly their writing styles blend together. Individually, their voices are distinct, but when they collaborate, their writing flows so naturally that it’s impossible to tell where one author ends and the other begins. It blows my mind!

I loved both of the MMC’s but can we talk about Wes for a minute? I mean seriously, here you have a self proclaimed lady’s man, straight as straight gets right? Apparently not, because along comes Jett coming on hot and heavy and boom. Now I have read thousands of gay awakenings, it’s one of my favorite tropes, but this one HOLY CROW! I think I melted into a puddle! When Jett growled “Unzip your jeans” and straight, playboy Wes complies and likes it ahhhhhh I died. Freaking HOT!
Probably the best awakening scene I have read in awhile!!

Wes and Jett’s journey was far from easy, and they had to fight hard for their happily ever after. Their story put my heart through the wringer with all the hurt, angst, and emotional devastation along the way, but every moment was worth it in the end.