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Out of the Blue #1
Sweet as Sugar
My life is basically perfect.
I own and work a bar by the ocean, I’m surrounded by my closest friends, and I have gorgeous men at my fingertips everywhere I turn.
After a messy betrayal and breakup in college, I’ve spent the last ten years keeping all my relationships purely physical and stick to a simple set of rules:
I never sleep with the same man twice.
I never spend the entire night with someone.
I never kiss. Anyone. Ever.
I never let feelings get in the way.
As long as I follow the rules, I’m good.
Everything’s fine—until my best friend’s younger brother moves in with me.
Beau comes into my life like a delicate little bomb and blows all my rules to oblivion.
He’s the most honest, sincere person I’ve ever met, and I’m not prepared for the things he makes me feel.
Those blushes? Those freckles? All those shy glances and the way he trips over his words?
I’m completely doomed—because Beau is as sweet as sugar and one taste will never be enough.
Sweet as Sugar is an MM romance with low angst and high fluff. It’s set in a small beach town and features a very shy MC covered in freckles and an extremely outgoing, sometimes lonely MC that loves to wear silky, lacy things. It’s has the sweetest HEA and is the first book in Out of the Blue, a series of interconnected standalones. Only intended for mature readers ages 18 and up.
I own and work a bar by the ocean, I’m surrounded by my closest friends, and I have gorgeous men at my fingertips everywhere I turn.
After a messy betrayal and breakup in college, I’ve spent the last ten years keeping all my relationships purely physical and stick to a simple set of rules:
I never sleep with the same man twice.
I never spend the entire night with someone.
I never kiss. Anyone. Ever.
I never let feelings get in the way.
As long as I follow the rules, I’m good.
Everything’s fine—until my best friend’s younger brother moves in with me.
Beau comes into my life like a delicate little bomb and blows all my rules to oblivion.
He’s the most honest, sincere person I’ve ever met, and I’m not prepared for the things he makes me feel.
Those blushes? Those freckles? All those shy glances and the way he trips over his words?
I’m completely doomed—because Beau is as sweet as sugar and one taste will never be enough.
Sweet as Sugar is an MM romance with low angst and high fluff. It’s set in a small beach town and features a very shy MC covered in freckles and an extremely outgoing, sometimes lonely MC that loves to wear silky, lacy things. It’s has the sweetest HEA and is the first book in Out of the Blue, a series of interconnected standalones. Only intended for mature readers ages 18 and up.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2026
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May 2, 2026
Beau + Lea (Leander) 🖤
Brothers best friend | Introvert & Extrovert | Roomates | Hurt comfort
Sappy melty gooey sweetness
...
“You’re more important than you think you are.”
“That was so fucking brave of you, sweetheart. I’m so, so proud of you.”
“Do you know how beautiful you are?”
“Fuck, you’re like a dream come true. Are you sure you want to be doing this? With me?”
...
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Lingerie
Brothers best friend
Introvert + extrovert
Bar owner + tech nerd
Roomates
Freckles
Size difference (Lea is taller and bigger)
Hurt comfort
Super shy MC
Virgin
First times
First time saying he's gay out loud
Beau hears Lea masturbating through the wall and gets himself off to it
Lea burns himself with coffee and Beau bandages him
Forehead kisses
Lots of casual touching
Carries him to the bathroom then rubs his back while he pukes
Calls him good boy when he breathes after panicking
Helps him get home and Lea stays per Beau's request, they wake up cuddling
Rubs sunscreen on each other
Beau's first time seeing the ocean
Beau cant swim and steps off a shelf into the ocean and goes under flailing around, Lea grabs him and ends up stomping out of the ocean terrified with an embarassed Beau clinging to him, arms and legs wrapped around him
Up until this point Lea thinks Beau is straight and they haven't kissed or vocalized their interest in each other
Reassurances that Beau isn't a burden and that he's important and cared for and valued
Lea's sister comes over and he's lied to her saying he has a serious boyfriend to make his family back off. So when she stops by unnannounced she assumes it's Beau. Which leads them to fake dating
Praise both sexual and otherwise
Good boy
Lea comes in his pants while giving Beau head the first time
Uncut
Frotting
Light spanking
Hand job in the ocean
Topping from the bottom
Crying after sex
Smaller top
Teaches him to swim
A blushing blusher who blushes
Nipple play
Baby, babe, sweetheart, sugar
Strict roles
Low angst
Slow burn - first kiss around 50%
Taming a fuckboy
Epilogue 2 years later - they're engaged, Beau meets all of Lea's family and they act out a teacher student fantasy
Warnings/icks:
Mention of parent dying of dementia
Lea leaves a bar with a man but it shifts scenes to him storming out because his boundary is no kissing and the guy tried it anyway. They didnt have sex. This is in chapter two. Lea and Beau have met but thats it.
Skin burn on hand
SA from a woman to Beau while he's drunk at the bar. She starts trying to put her hands down his pants but its stopped
Vomitting from intoxication
Past abuse from a parent
Fainting after sex
Childhood trauma - Beau's mom was trash, she's dead now but scars remain
Extra notes:
Shae (Beau's brother) left when they were little because he wanted to kill himself and needed to get away from their abusive mom. He lets Beau know this around 90%. Until then Beau held resentment towards his brother for leaving him.
Shae first finds out about them by walking in on Lea on top of Beau. He actually gets aggressive and goes to rip Lea off of his brother thinking that he's taking advantage of him. Apologies are made and everyone is good.
Brothers best friend | Introvert & Extrovert | Roomates | Hurt comfort
Sappy melty gooey sweetness
...
“You’re more important than you think you are.”
“That was so fucking brave of you, sweetheart. I’m so, so proud of you.”
“Do you know how beautiful you are?”
“Fuck, you’re like a dream come true. Are you sure you want to be doing this? With me?”
...
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Lingerie
Brothers best friend
Introvert + extrovert
Bar owner + tech nerd
Roomates
Freckles
Size difference (Lea is taller and bigger)
Hurt comfort
Super shy MC
Virgin
First times
First time saying he's gay out loud
Beau hears Lea masturbating through the wall and gets himself off to it
Lea burns himself with coffee and Beau bandages him
Forehead kisses
Lots of casual touching
Carries him to the bathroom then rubs his back while he pukes
Calls him good boy when he breathes after panicking
Helps him get home and Lea stays per Beau's request, they wake up cuddling
Rubs sunscreen on each other
Beau's first time seeing the ocean
Beau cant swim and steps off a shelf into the ocean and goes under flailing around, Lea grabs him and ends up stomping out of the ocean terrified with an embarassed Beau clinging to him, arms and legs wrapped around him
Up until this point Lea thinks Beau is straight and they haven't kissed or vocalized their interest in each other
Reassurances that Beau isn't a burden and that he's important and cared for and valued
Lea's sister comes over and he's lied to her saying he has a serious boyfriend to make his family back off. So when she stops by unnannounced she assumes it's Beau. Which leads them to fake dating
Praise both sexual and otherwise
Good boy
Lea comes in his pants while giving Beau head the first time
Uncut
Frotting
Light spanking
Hand job in the ocean
Topping from the bottom
Crying after sex
Smaller top
Teaches him to swim
A blushing blusher who blushes
Nipple play
Baby, babe, sweetheart, sugar
Strict roles
Low angst
Slow burn - first kiss around 50%
Taming a fuckboy
Epilogue 2 years later - they're engaged, Beau meets all of Lea's family and they act out a teacher student fantasy
Warnings/icks:
Mention of parent dying of dementia
Lea leaves a bar with a man but it shifts scenes to him storming out because his boundary is no kissing and the guy tried it anyway. They didnt have sex. This is in chapter two. Lea and Beau have met but thats it.
Skin burn on hand
SA from a woman to Beau while he's drunk at the bar. She starts trying to put her hands down his pants but its stopped
Vomitting from intoxication
Past abuse from a parent
Fainting after sex
Childhood trauma - Beau's mom was trash, she's dead now but scars remain
Extra notes:
Shae (Beau's brother) left when they were little because he wanted to kill himself and needed to get away from their abusive mom. He lets Beau know this around 90%. Until then Beau held resentment towards his brother for leaving him.
Shae first finds out about them by walking in on Lea on top of Beau. He actually gets aggressive and goes to rip Lea off of his brother thinking that he's taking advantage of him. Apologies are made and everyone is good.
May 20, 2026
Tropes: opposites attract, best friend's brother, roommates, forced proximity, fake dating
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 1.5/5
Kinks: mild toys (solo), lingerie, praise
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: abusive and bigoted mother who was homophobic and an alcoholic, off page death of that mother due to early onset Alzheimer's, attempted sexual assault, past suicidal ideation in a minor character
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: the same day Lea met and hit on Beau, Lea went home with another guy but left mid hook up when that guy crossed one of his boundaries. It's implied that Lea wasn't with anyone else after that.
3.5 stars
Beau is 25, and he was raised by an abusive and homophobic mother. His older brother Shea left home over 10 years ago because he's queer and his homophobic mother was driving him to suicidal thoughts, and they haven't had much of a relationship since. Beau was stuck with his mom, and he's painfully introverted. His mom has died and he has moved to Shea's town to get reacquainted with him. Shea is out of town a lot for work, so he's not very present. Shea sets Beau up to stay with Shea's best friend Lea. Beau instantly has a crush on Lea that gets deeper as he gets to know him.
Lea is 30 and the definition of an extrovert. He owns and runs a bar with another very close friend of his. He was burned back in college by his high school / college boyfriend Lyle cheating on him, and he's giving up on love. He is the king of meaningless hookups, it's kind of implied that he's been coping with his traumas by burying himself in sex. But he won't be vulnerable to anyone, he won't even kiss anyone. He finds Beau sweet, adorable/sexy, kind hearted. Beau is painfully innocent, he's been so far in the closet because of his mother, he's never dated anyone, he's a complete virgin.
Lea told his family he was dating someone to get them off his back, so when his sister Judy comes to visit and stays at his place, Beau and Lea pretend they are in a relationship. Which quickly turns into them no longer being able to hide that they are attracted to each other and they act on it. But Lea is afraid to love and not ready, and he pushes Beau away, but not for long, he can't help reeling him back in.
This book was decent. There were some elements about it that I liked. Beau was a good man, a pure soul. The mmcs liked each other for good reasons before they loved each other.
But I think the author chose to wait too long before starting anything up between the mmcs and created a painful dynamic for the first half of the book. They were basically strangers rooming together for the first 45% of the book, they didn't acknowledge any mutual attraction before then. And it's one thing to have a slow burn book, I can enjoy that, but that was a really wrong choice for this particular couple. They spent far too long in painfully awkward social situations. Rather than wishing for them to be together, I spent that whole 45% of the book thinking their relationship is so stiff and they would both be more relaxed and better off elsewhere. They kept making each other uncomfortable and apologizing to each other profusely. It's so painful to watch two people so uncomfortable around each other for so long. I much prefer when the other person is someone that you feel comfortable around, someone who is your safe place, who you understand and can communicate well with. They got there eventually, but it was painful to get there.
Also it gave me the ick that Beau was as inexperienced as he was and Lea was so into being his first and not wanting him to be with anyone else. I always hate seeing innocence fetishized in any way. It just gives off predatory vibes even if that's not who the character is. And long before Lea fell in love with Beau, Lea admitted to being selfish, that he was just using and enjoying Beau while he could, knowing that it was going to hurt Beau but that he was too selfish to help himself. And I believed it, and I didn't find it admirable.
Some notable moments:
"A satisfying sense of triumph coursed through me, and I squeezed his hips, unable to stop myself from kissing him just above his ear. “G-good morning,” he said softly. He was so, so warm, and I wanted to drag him back to the room and demand he cuddle me. When I heard the click of a camera, I whipped around to find Judy grinning with her phone pointed at us. I’d completely forgotten she was here. “I swear to god if you send that to the family group chat I’m going to smother you in your sleep,” I warned, starting toward her. She grinned like an asshole as she dodged my attempts to grab her phone. “Oh no, my finger slipped,” she cackled."
"An overwhelming sense of tenderness for him spread rapidly through my chest, and before I could stop myself, I palmed the nape of his neck and kissed him right above his left ear. Maybe lingered a few seconds longer than necessary. Oh, but it was worth it just to hear him gasp. He glanced at me in disbelief. “Sorry,” I whispered, just for his ears. “I couldn’t help it, you just looked so cute.” His cheeks darkened to a deep crimson and all I wanted to do was press my own cheek against his and let it burn me."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 1.5/5
Kinks: mild toys (solo), lingerie, praise
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: abusive and bigoted mother who was homophobic and an alcoholic, off page death of that mother due to early onset Alzheimer's, attempted sexual assault, past suicidal ideation in a minor character
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: the same day Lea met and hit on Beau, Lea went home with another guy but left mid hook up when that guy crossed one of his boundaries. It's implied that Lea wasn't with anyone else after that.
3.5 stars
Beau is 25, and he was raised by an abusive and homophobic mother. His older brother Shea left home over 10 years ago because he's queer and his homophobic mother was driving him to suicidal thoughts, and they haven't had much of a relationship since. Beau was stuck with his mom, and he's painfully introverted. His mom has died and he has moved to Shea's town to get reacquainted with him. Shea is out of town a lot for work, so he's not very present. Shea sets Beau up to stay with Shea's best friend Lea. Beau instantly has a crush on Lea that gets deeper as he gets to know him.
Lea is 30 and the definition of an extrovert. He owns and runs a bar with another very close friend of his. He was burned back in college by his high school / college boyfriend Lyle cheating on him, and he's giving up on love. He is the king of meaningless hookups, it's kind of implied that he's been coping with his traumas by burying himself in sex. But he won't be vulnerable to anyone, he won't even kiss anyone. He finds Beau sweet, adorable/sexy, kind hearted. Beau is painfully innocent, he's been so far in the closet because of his mother, he's never dated anyone, he's a complete virgin.
Lea told his family he was dating someone to get them off his back, so when his sister Judy comes to visit and stays at his place, Beau and Lea pretend they are in a relationship. Which quickly turns into them no longer being able to hide that they are attracted to each other and they act on it. But Lea is afraid to love and not ready, and he pushes Beau away, but not for long, he can't help reeling him back in.
This book was decent. There were some elements about it that I liked. Beau was a good man, a pure soul. The mmcs liked each other for good reasons before they loved each other.
But I think the author chose to wait too long before starting anything up between the mmcs and created a painful dynamic for the first half of the book. They were basically strangers rooming together for the first 45% of the book, they didn't acknowledge any mutual attraction before then. And it's one thing to have a slow burn book, I can enjoy that, but that was a really wrong choice for this particular couple. They spent far too long in painfully awkward social situations. Rather than wishing for them to be together, I spent that whole 45% of the book thinking their relationship is so stiff and they would both be more relaxed and better off elsewhere. They kept making each other uncomfortable and apologizing to each other profusely. It's so painful to watch two people so uncomfortable around each other for so long. I much prefer when the other person is someone that you feel comfortable around, someone who is your safe place, who you understand and can communicate well with. They got there eventually, but it was painful to get there.
Also it gave me the ick that Beau was as inexperienced as he was and Lea was so into being his first and not wanting him to be with anyone else. I always hate seeing innocence fetishized in any way. It just gives off predatory vibes even if that's not who the character is. And long before Lea fell in love with Beau, Lea admitted to being selfish, that he was just using and enjoying Beau while he could, knowing that it was going to hurt Beau but that he was too selfish to help himself. And I believed it, and I didn't find it admirable.
Some notable moments:
"A satisfying sense of triumph coursed through me, and I squeezed his hips, unable to stop myself from kissing him just above his ear. “G-good morning,” he said softly. He was so, so warm, and I wanted to drag him back to the room and demand he cuddle me. When I heard the click of a camera, I whipped around to find Judy grinning with her phone pointed at us. I’d completely forgotten she was here. “I swear to god if you send that to the family group chat I’m going to smother you in your sleep,” I warned, starting toward her. She grinned like an asshole as she dodged my attempts to grab her phone. “Oh no, my finger slipped,” she cackled."
"An overwhelming sense of tenderness for him spread rapidly through my chest, and before I could stop myself, I palmed the nape of his neck and kissed him right above his left ear. Maybe lingered a few seconds longer than necessary. Oh, but it was worth it just to hear him gasp. He glanced at me in disbelief. “Sorry,” I whispered, just for his ears. “I couldn’t help it, you just looked so cute.” His cheeks darkened to a deep crimson and all I wanted to do was press my own cheek against his and let it burn me."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Read
May 1, 2026No rating because I skimmed most of this.
I'm sure everyone will love this, i'm always the outlier😂
I'm sure everyone will love this, i'm always the outlier😂
June 16, 2026
Ohh, this was just such a sweet book, but it was the characters that truly made me love it as much as I did. From the first chapter, where we saw Beau and Lea interact for the first time, I knew I was going to melt for them, but especially for Beau. I just couldn’t handle how freaking precious he was, and I was instantly as enthralled with him as Lea was.
Beau completely stole my heart. I actually couldn’t deal with how much he made me want to protect him. I could feel his anxiety and the way he got all panicked whenever he wanted to express something he needed or wanted… God, my heart was melting for him. He is one of those characters who could only exist in books because he is far too precious a soul to be real.
Lea was just as lovable, but in a different way. I adored how kind he was, the way he treated Beau with so much care, and the reassurance he constantly gave him. It filled my heart like nothing else. What made it even better was that it never felt like a chore or an obligation for him; it felt like he genuinely wanted to protect Beau and give him all the love and safety he deserved. Ugh, I love them.
Their dynamic was so beautiful. I could feel how strong the attraction between them was. My God, the desire and longing this author was able to portray with her words were so palpable that I felt them bleeding through the pages, and I love that. It made this book addictive. I felt so drawn in, even though the plot itself was not particularly exciting or crazy. It was the romance, the dynamic, and the personalities of the MMCs that got me completely hooked.
“This love was entirely different from anything I’d experienced in my life, which wasn’t surprising considering how special Beau was. My love for him was soft and all- encompassing, as quiet and gentle as he was.”
"I want to be with you in every way a man can be with the man he loves. I want to wake up every morning in your arms and fall asleep every night feeling your heart beat. Forever."
This is my first book from this author, and I am impressed. Her writing was really beautiful. Some of the conversations these characters had contained such lovely lines that made me swoon, and if I could, I would share entire paragraphs just to show how sweet some of them were.
I truly loved this book, and my God, these characters... I am obsessed with both of them. The characters are easily five stars for me, though the book overall lands at a 4.7. I am excited to see who is next in this series.
—————
Quotes:
“What would you wish for, Beau? If you could wish for anything. What would it be?”
His eyes floated down to my lips, up along my cheeks, then back to mine. “You,” he whispered.
“How can you be selfish when you’ve given me so many good feelings? You make me feel like I’m worth something. Like I matter. You keep making me feel all these things, Lea, and I just— I wish you could see what I see,” he said, voice rough with emotion. “Because I see you. And I never want to look anywhere else.”
“When he smiled down at me again, all I could do was stare. I thought maybe he’d been plucked from the stars and sent down here just for me. I didn’t think I was deserving of such a gift from the heavens. Of Beau.”
Beau completely stole my heart. I actually couldn’t deal with how much he made me want to protect him. I could feel his anxiety and the way he got all panicked whenever he wanted to express something he needed or wanted… God, my heart was melting for him. He is one of those characters who could only exist in books because he is far too precious a soul to be real.
Lea was just as lovable, but in a different way. I adored how kind he was, the way he treated Beau with so much care, and the reassurance he constantly gave him. It filled my heart like nothing else. What made it even better was that it never felt like a chore or an obligation for him; it felt like he genuinely wanted to protect Beau and give him all the love and safety he deserved. Ugh, I love them.
Their dynamic was so beautiful. I could feel how strong the attraction between them was. My God, the desire and longing this author was able to portray with her words were so palpable that I felt them bleeding through the pages, and I love that. It made this book addictive. I felt so drawn in, even though the plot itself was not particularly exciting or crazy. It was the romance, the dynamic, and the personalities of the MMCs that got me completely hooked.
“This love was entirely different from anything I’d experienced in my life, which wasn’t surprising considering how special Beau was. My love for him was soft and all- encompassing, as quiet and gentle as he was.”
"I want to be with you in every way a man can be with the man he loves. I want to wake up every morning in your arms and fall asleep every night feeling your heart beat. Forever."
This is my first book from this author, and I am impressed. Her writing was really beautiful. Some of the conversations these characters had contained such lovely lines that made me swoon, and if I could, I would share entire paragraphs just to show how sweet some of them were.
I truly loved this book, and my God, these characters... I am obsessed with both of them. The characters are easily five stars for me, though the book overall lands at a 4.7. I am excited to see who is next in this series.
—————
Quotes:
“What would you wish for, Beau? If you could wish for anything. What would it be?”
His eyes floated down to my lips, up along my cheeks, then back to mine. “You,” he whispered.
“How can you be selfish when you’ve given me so many good feelings? You make me feel like I’m worth something. Like I matter. You keep making me feel all these things, Lea, and I just— I wish you could see what I see,” he said, voice rough with emotion. “Because I see you. And I never want to look anywhere else.”
“When he smiled down at me again, all I could do was stare. I thought maybe he’d been plucked from the stars and sent down here just for me. I didn’t think I was deserving of such a gift from the heavens. Of Beau.”
May 9, 2026
This was such a sweet fluffy MM romance. There were some emotional aspects as well that I really liked. I think this one was a great palette cleanser as well
Beau and Lea’a story was the feel good kind of love. Beau moves in with his brother and roommate Lea after his mother’s passing. Beau is very timid and shy doesn’t like confrontation, but Lea really helps him come out of his shell and gain confidence in himself.
After a surprise visit with Lea’s sister it’s revealed that Lea lied and said he had a boyfriend and his sister thinks Beau is that boyfriend so they end up pretending to date each other so they don’t have to tell the truth and what starts out as fake dating turns into actual feelings. I really enjoyed this one it gave me all the warm fuzzies.
Tropes
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Fluffy love
Brothers best friend
Size difference
Opposites attract
Beau and Lea’a story was the feel good kind of love. Beau moves in with his brother and roommate Lea after his mother’s passing. Beau is very timid and shy doesn’t like confrontation, but Lea really helps him come out of his shell and gain confidence in himself.
After a surprise visit with Lea’s sister it’s revealed that Lea lied and said he had a boyfriend and his sister thinks Beau is that boyfriend so they end up pretending to date each other so they don’t have to tell the truth and what starts out as fake dating turns into actual feelings. I really enjoyed this one it gave me all the warm fuzzies.
Tropes
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Fluffy love
Brothers best friend
Size difference
Opposites attract
May 3, 2026
sweet nervous easily flustered shy boy x sweet loving outgoing flirty confident bossy boy, brothers best friend x best friends brother and they become roommates? yup that’s it 🫴🏾 give me!
i love love loved lea and beau. how many times can i say sweet? like seriously, that’s just what they were aswell as down right filthy and lea has a mouth on him which fully explains why beau can’t catch his breath — bc babe, same.
these two are fixed into a situation where our sweet and very sheltered beau has moved into town where his older brother lives and it’s new and scary, he doesn’t have much of a relationship with his brother or at least there’s tension but inserting our baby boy Lea, he’s trusted to take care of beau and become his new roommate.
lea has a solid front he presents to the world but he guards his heart well, he’s a gentle and deeply emotional baby and i will fight anyone who’s got a bad word to say about him!! these hands will flyyyyyy
this was everything i love and more, i had so much fun reading them, it gave me all the sweet loving wholesome feels and i was kicking my feet their back and forth, the blushing, the awkwardness but filled with so much heat and tension, yupppp i loved it.
lyla dane has easily become an auto-read author for me and i am super grateful to be involved in her arc team — tyyyy for the arc and tyyyy for gifting us these angel boys
💘💘💘💘
i love love loved lea and beau. how many times can i say sweet? like seriously, that’s just what they were aswell as down right filthy and lea has a mouth on him which fully explains why beau can’t catch his breath — bc babe, same.
these two are fixed into a situation where our sweet and very sheltered beau has moved into town where his older brother lives and it’s new and scary, he doesn’t have much of a relationship with his brother or at least there’s tension but inserting our baby boy Lea, he’s trusted to take care of beau and become his new roommate.
lea has a solid front he presents to the world but he guards his heart well, he’s a gentle and deeply emotional baby and i will fight anyone who’s got a bad word to say about him!! these hands will flyyyyyy
this was everything i love and more, i had so much fun reading them, it gave me all the sweet loving wholesome feels and i was kicking my feet their back and forth, the blushing, the awkwardness but filled with so much heat and tension, yupppp i loved it.
lyla dane has easily become an auto-read author for me and i am super grateful to be involved in her arc team — tyyyy for the arc and tyyyy for gifting us these angel boys
💘💘💘💘
June 23, 2026
DNF at 20%
I quit. It's ridiculous. The story isn't picking up, the mcs are so stereotypical and unrealistic that's unbearable.
I do not want to read a book with a mcs in his 20s who behaves like he is 12. cringe.
I quit. It's ridiculous. The story isn't picking up, the mcs are so stereotypical and unrealistic that's unbearable.
I do not want to read a book with a mcs in his 20s who behaves like he is 12. cringe.
June 15, 2026
‼️SPOILERS‼️
I knew when I started this book that I was going to absolutely love it. Beau and Lea had me in my feelings the entirety of this book and I just wanted more from these two.
I’m such a sucker for a lingerie wearing MC, especially one who is completely comfortable in his own skin. Shea was so beautiful.
I don’t want to give too much away but when Beau finally leaves home from a very unhealthy home, he reunites with his older brother end become roommates. Although, Beau and Lea’s first meeting was freaking hilarious.
These two were so cute and just had the cutest moments ever.
The way that these two had me giggling because Lea’s sister shows up unannounced because he told his family he was dating someone. Talk about forced proximity but in the best way possible because his sister immediately thought he was the guy he was dating when this “boyfriend” was fake, so why not start a fun arrangement.
I love me an introvert/extrovert pairing because it was so cute. To see both of them so protective over one another was over the top in the best way possible. Also, the cute jealousy that we got to see from both of as everything.
And the ending when Beau’s brother found out was so heartwarming because so many emotions happened in that scene that I was here for.
What I loved was how Lea tried to stay away and just couldn’t. These two broke down each other’s walls and I loved watching them come to terms that they were prefect for one another.
This might be one of my favorites by Lyla. The way that Lyla writes just instantly sucks you back in! If you’re looking for something low angst, cute and fluffy, I highly recommend this one.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I knew when I started this book that I was going to absolutely love it. Beau and Lea had me in my feelings the entirety of this book and I just wanted more from these two.
I’m such a sucker for a lingerie wearing MC, especially one who is completely comfortable in his own skin. Shea was so beautiful.
I don’t want to give too much away but when Beau finally leaves home from a very unhealthy home, he reunites with his older brother end become roommates. Although, Beau and Lea’s first meeting was freaking hilarious.
These two were so cute and just had the cutest moments ever.
The way that these two had me giggling because Lea’s sister shows up unannounced because he told his family he was dating someone. Talk about forced proximity but in the best way possible because his sister immediately thought he was the guy he was dating when this “boyfriend” was fake, so why not start a fun arrangement.
I love me an introvert/extrovert pairing because it was so cute. To see both of them so protective over one another was over the top in the best way possible. Also, the cute jealousy that we got to see from both of as everything.
And the ending when Beau’s brother found out was so heartwarming because so many emotions happened in that scene that I was here for.
What I loved was how Lea tried to stay away and just couldn’t. These two broke down each other’s walls and I loved watching them come to terms that they were prefect for one another.
This might be one of my favorites by Lyla. The way that Lyla writes just instantly sucks you back in! If you’re looking for something low angst, cute and fluffy, I highly recommend this one.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Did Not Finish
May 29, 2026Not even going to rate it. She warned in the forward that it was fluffy and it delivered on page one. But mainly I stopped because campy MCs are not my jam.
May 10, 2026
This was so sweet and fluffy and I loved every moment! I loved Beau and Lea from the moment I met them and it was great to see their relationship go from roommates to fake dating to lovers. Their meet cute was really fun and truly something to tell the grandkids about. While this is a low angst read there was still trauma and fears and I really like how those were dealt with. I loved the little things they did for each other. Beau's self esteem wasn't too high at the start, but I loved how he got more confident and courageous with Lea's praise and by letting himself feel and explore. Beau was the perfect partner for flirty and fun Lea, he had a calmness and gentleness that I feel like Lea really needed in his life.
I loved the little found family Lea has with Shea, Riley and Monroe. Their friendship is solid and I loved their banter. I'm really excited to see more of this found family and watch it grow.
If you're in the mood to see the shy younger brother mesmerized the outgoing brothers best friend with a lot of fluff, sweetness and heat then this is the book for you.
I loved the little found family Lea has with Shea, Riley and Monroe. Their friendship is solid and I loved their banter. I'm really excited to see more of this found family and watch it grow.
If you're in the mood to see the shy younger brother mesmerized the outgoing brothers best friend with a lot of fluff, sweetness and heat then this is the book for you.
July 28, 2026
El romance es muy lindo y me gustó la dinámica de los protagonistas solo sentí que todos los problemas en el libro se resolviendo una manera muy simple y tonta
April 29, 2026
Sweet As Sugar by Lyla Dane is book one in the Out of the Blue series. Lea is a man who is outgoing, extroverted and a little impulsive. He does what and who he wants when he wants, until his best friend’s brother moves to town. Beau’s upbringing was wrought with a difficult and abusive mother. He’s shy and introverted but desperate to start a new life. Maybe one where he can finally be himself. Sweet As Sugar is a MM romance with a best friend’s brother turned roommate , low angst, size difference, found family, hurt/comfort and possessive/protective MMCs.
This was such a great read. I really fell in love with both of these characters. Lea is a force but a really bubbly one. While not everything is always sunshine and rainbows for him, he leans into optimism as much as he can though his extroversion can lead to impulsiveness that can also lead to acting before thinking. This tends to get him in trouble.
Beau is a somber and somewhat angsty character. His upbringing really did a number on him and his resentments towards his brother only add to his broodiness. Lea is a breath of fresh air for Beau but he doesn’t yet trust himself enough to believe Lea could ever reciprocate those feelings.
Every character in this book was amazing. Lyla did such a great job creating side characters the reader cares about and wants more from. Lea and Beau were so sweet in how they dealt with not only their very obvious differences but the not so obvious things Beau keeps closer to his chest. The plot and character development were evenly matched and it made for a really enjoyable read. 4.75 stars
This was such a great read. I really fell in love with both of these characters. Lea is a force but a really bubbly one. While not everything is always sunshine and rainbows for him, he leans into optimism as much as he can though his extroversion can lead to impulsiveness that can also lead to acting before thinking. This tends to get him in trouble.
Beau is a somber and somewhat angsty character. His upbringing really did a number on him and his resentments towards his brother only add to his broodiness. Lea is a breath of fresh air for Beau but he doesn’t yet trust himself enough to believe Lea could ever reciprocate those feelings.
Every character in this book was amazing. Lyla did such a great job creating side characters the reader cares about and wants more from. Lea and Beau were so sweet in how they dealt with not only their very obvious differences but the not so obvious things Beau keeps closer to his chest. The plot and character development were evenly matched and it made for a really enjoyable read. 4.75 stars
June 6, 2026
2.5 ⭐️⭐️✨
this started off so well, loving both of the main characters but honestly got bored around 50% and pushed myself to finish when i shouldn't have. it did not get interesting again. things i liked about lea and beau i liked before annoyed me the other half. it wasn't for me, might be for someone else.
this started off so well, loving both of the main characters but honestly got bored around 50% and pushed myself to finish when i shouldn't have. it did not get interesting again. things i liked about lea and beau i liked before annoyed me the other half. it wasn't for me, might be for someone else.
May 2, 2026
Maybe more like 3.5⭐️?
It truly was sweet as sugar.
It truly was sweet as sugar.
July 14, 2026
Very very sweet couple.
May 1, 2026
If you’re a fan of Lyla then you know she is the queen. The queen of hurt/comfort and size difference is where she reigns from above! If you’re are not let me introduce you to one of my favorites, she is an automatic author for me, because her stories SLAP every single time! Sweet Sugar is a little different for her, it has all the things I love a little heart ache, a big guy and a small guy, but this one you guessed it…is just a little more sweet. These two boys are fluffy, like candy floss and I ate them up! Lea and Beau are just two babies who need each other, there is no fighting their chemistry, it’s insta-lust and love at its finest. I gobbled their story up and can’t wait to see if we will get more from this universe.
April 30, 2026
🩷🐙You're so beautiful. I've never met anyone like you, Lea. You're really special🌊💐
"It was like a Charley horse of the soul, and never did it hurt more than when I was left with only myself. It was a loneliness that was always there, waiting to find me at my most vulnerable moments."
"I was enamored with his blushes and his shy glances. He made me want to wrap my arms and legs around him and cuddle him aggressively. Like an affectionate alligator roll."
"He was like something that needed to be protected and preserved, and it was surprising how much I wanted to be the one to do those things."
"So the truth was, I didn't want him to leave. Having Beau here made me feel a little less lonely. He made my apartment worth coming back to, and that...I didn't want to let go of that."
"Lea was just a regular person, like me. A beautiful angel of a person whose smile made me feel like my lungs were collapsing."
"Why had I thought I'd ever be good enough for someone like Lea? I was just me, and he was...so much more."
"What would you wish for, Beau? If you could wish for anything. What would it be?"
"You."
"You're so beautiful. I've never met anyone like you, Lea. You're really special."
"You're not selfish. How can you be selfish when you've given me so many good feelings? You make me feel like I'm worth something. Like I matter. You keep making me feel all these things, Lea, and I just--I wish you could see what I see. Because I see you. And I never want to look anywhere else."
"My love for him was soft and all-encompassing, as quiet and gentle as he was."
"Fireworks suddenly burst over the lake. The reflection of all that colorful light made it seem like we were submerged in a kaleidoscope of pure joy. That's what I felt like every day with Lea; it was the most beautiful juxtaposition to the years before I'd ever met him."
This author is such a phenomenal writer and storyteller. Everything I have read by Lyla has been fantastic. This one was on the sweeter and more fluffier side, but it was so amazing. This also had some hurt/comfort that definitely put you in your feels. I love how this story is setting up a new world and more books to come. The side characters definitely intrigued me so much. This had some great troupes like: Brother's Best Friend, Size Difference, Found Family, Smaller Top/Bigger Bottom, Shy MC/Outgoing MC, and Short Fake Dating. The spice in this was fantastic as always 🔥🔥🔥.
This story follows Beau and Lea. Beau is moving to a new state/city as his mother just died. He is now going to move in with his brother. He ends up wandering the town and runs into a pink haired hottie. This stranger asks for his t-shirt for a wet t-shirt competition. Beau agrees and then gets flustered and leaves after the hottie flirts with him. Beau meets up with his brother Shea, who tells him he has to live with his friend Lea for the time being. Lea ends up being the pink haired hottie. These two build a friendship that grows to more pretty fast. Beau is falling hard and fast for Lea. Lea tries to create distance as he doesn't want to be in a relationship due to his past trauma. Lea fails and ends up going all in. What will happen if Lea gets cold feet again? Will Beau end up getting hurt? Will Shea approve of this new relationship between his brother and best friend?
These two were so adorable, sexy, and sweet. I love how opposite these two men were. One was an extrovert and one was an introvert. Lea is so confident, playful, loud, social, and not afraid to be himself. He's sunshine and all the bright colors. I felt so bad for how he was afraid to love again 😔. Beau is shy, timid, gentle, and polite. He's afraid to show anyone who he is and keeps to himself. He has many sides. My heart hurts for this man and what he suffered at the hands of his mother 😭😭. I loved seeing how their relationship grew from friendship to lovers. The intimacy between these two was everything. The chemistry and tension were off the charts 🥵🥵. I loved how affectionate and protective they both were with each other. I loved how Lea opened Beau up and made him more comfortable in his own skin. I loved how Beau showed Lea that not all love hurts. I loved the flower scene. Beau is too preiocus. These two were perfect for each other.
I'm really intrigued by all the side characters. My heart breaks for how Shea was raised and felt. I love how his relationship with his brother got mended and stronger. Montoe really intrigues me. As well as Riley. I do hope we get books for them all! And a shout out to Jerry the seagull 😅🤣💩 . 🩷🌊🐙🖥🌺💐🩳
"It was like a Charley horse of the soul, and never did it hurt more than when I was left with only myself. It was a loneliness that was always there, waiting to find me at my most vulnerable moments."
"I was enamored with his blushes and his shy glances. He made me want to wrap my arms and legs around him and cuddle him aggressively. Like an affectionate alligator roll."
"He was like something that needed to be protected and preserved, and it was surprising how much I wanted to be the one to do those things."
"So the truth was, I didn't want him to leave. Having Beau here made me feel a little less lonely. He made my apartment worth coming back to, and that...I didn't want to let go of that."
"Lea was just a regular person, like me. A beautiful angel of a person whose smile made me feel like my lungs were collapsing."
"Why had I thought I'd ever be good enough for someone like Lea? I was just me, and he was...so much more."
"What would you wish for, Beau? If you could wish for anything. What would it be?"
"You."
"You're so beautiful. I've never met anyone like you, Lea. You're really special."
"You're not selfish. How can you be selfish when you've given me so many good feelings? You make me feel like I'm worth something. Like I matter. You keep making me feel all these things, Lea, and I just--I wish you could see what I see. Because I see you. And I never want to look anywhere else."
"My love for him was soft and all-encompassing, as quiet and gentle as he was."
"Fireworks suddenly burst over the lake. The reflection of all that colorful light made it seem like we were submerged in a kaleidoscope of pure joy. That's what I felt like every day with Lea; it was the most beautiful juxtaposition to the years before I'd ever met him."
This author is such a phenomenal writer and storyteller. Everything I have read by Lyla has been fantastic. This one was on the sweeter and more fluffier side, but it was so amazing. This also had some hurt/comfort that definitely put you in your feels. I love how this story is setting up a new world and more books to come. The side characters definitely intrigued me so much. This had some great troupes like: Brother's Best Friend, Size Difference, Found Family, Smaller Top/Bigger Bottom, Shy MC/Outgoing MC, and Short Fake Dating. The spice in this was fantastic as always 🔥🔥🔥.
This story follows Beau and Lea. Beau is moving to a new state/city as his mother just died. He is now going to move in with his brother. He ends up wandering the town and runs into a pink haired hottie. This stranger asks for his t-shirt for a wet t-shirt competition. Beau agrees and then gets flustered and leaves after the hottie flirts with him. Beau meets up with his brother Shea, who tells him he has to live with his friend Lea for the time being. Lea ends up being the pink haired hottie. These two build a friendship that grows to more pretty fast. Beau is falling hard and fast for Lea. Lea tries to create distance as he doesn't want to be in a relationship due to his past trauma. Lea fails and ends up going all in. What will happen if Lea gets cold feet again? Will Beau end up getting hurt? Will Shea approve of this new relationship between his brother and best friend?
These two were so adorable, sexy, and sweet. I love how opposite these two men were. One was an extrovert and one was an introvert. Lea is so confident, playful, loud, social, and not afraid to be himself. He's sunshine and all the bright colors. I felt so bad for how he was afraid to love again 😔. Beau is shy, timid, gentle, and polite. He's afraid to show anyone who he is and keeps to himself. He has many sides. My heart hurts for this man and what he suffered at the hands of his mother 😭😭. I loved seeing how their relationship grew from friendship to lovers. The intimacy between these two was everything. The chemistry and tension were off the charts 🥵🥵. I loved how affectionate and protective they both were with each other. I loved how Lea opened Beau up and made him more comfortable in his own skin. I loved how Beau showed Lea that not all love hurts. I loved the flower scene. Beau is too preiocus. These two were perfect for each other.
I'm really intrigued by all the side characters. My heart breaks for how Shea was raised and felt. I love how his relationship with his brother got mended and stronger. Montoe really intrigues me. As well as Riley. I do hope we get books for them all! And a shout out to Jerry the seagull 😅🤣💩 . 🩷🌊🐙🖥🌺💐🩳
May 21, 2026
✨Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎶Song: Sunsetz, Cigarettes after sex
🌸Flower: Calla Lily and white carnation
🫧Fav quote: “My knight in a white T-shirt.” (you’ll get it)
📚What this book contains:
-Super shy but sweet MC that blushes like a lot
-Extremely extrovert pink haired ML
-Outgoing x quiet/shy
-LOTS of fluff
-Soft hurt/comfort
-Roommates
-Brothers best friend
-Flirty x flustered
-Freckles 😍😍😍😍
-Very small angst
-Short fake dating
🥹🥹🥹🥹This was actually so cute guys. Beau and lea were ADORABLEEEEEE. Lea was this chaotic whirlwind with pink hair that literally calls everyone baby or sugar, and Beau was a blushing freckly mess. I’m so glad this was a fluffy story because Beau was such a softie. And he melted Lea’s wall around his heart so fast.
The story started off so ridiculous I couldn’t stop laughing like I just love that first meeting with the weird t shirt thing. And then when they meet again since Lea is friends with Beau brother shea. (Seriously what are these names I noticed these names likee are so not common) And Beau is just instantly attracted and all red like a tomato. Like this guy is the king of flustered and blushing. And lea found him so adorable ONG my heartttttttttt.
The book picked up really fast with their relationship, it was slow at first since Beau was mostly locked in the room doing his computer job. While hearing Lea play with himself (seriously, not cool!!!) like Beau was so innocent.
But then it finally got to the domestic fluff and shenanigans real quick. There was so much cuddles, crying, hugs and making breakfast. I was literally SWOONING.
Lea was so sweet with just slowly bringing Beau out of his shell and making him open up. But his problems with his ex, and pushing Beau away, he really didn’t deserve that 🥲 But it was ok bc Lea could take accountability!!! And be OUT there
By like 65% there relationship was mostly settled, except with some angst. And there was a lot of smut. I found there was actually too much smut, and their relationship shut out the outside plot. So much so that the drama between Beau and his Brother wasn’t touched upon until the end of the book and it was really rushed. Or much of Beau’s and Lea’s backstory.
This book delivered with a cute fluffy romance, but the relationships with other characters were brushed upon. And sometimes their relationship moved everyone to the side. It’s like, there’s a whole world out there not just their domestic bubble
🎶Song: Sunsetz, Cigarettes after sex
🌸Flower: Calla Lily and white carnation
🫧Fav quote: “My knight in a white T-shirt.” (you’ll get it)
📚What this book contains:
-Super shy but sweet MC that blushes like a lot
-Extremely extrovert pink haired ML
-Outgoing x quiet/shy
-LOTS of fluff
-Soft hurt/comfort
-Roommates
-Brothers best friend
-Flirty x flustered
-Freckles 😍😍😍😍
-Very small angst
-Short fake dating
🥹🥹🥹🥹This was actually so cute guys. Beau and lea were ADORABLEEEEEE. Lea was this chaotic whirlwind with pink hair that literally calls everyone baby or sugar, and Beau was a blushing freckly mess. I’m so glad this was a fluffy story because Beau was such a softie. And he melted Lea’s wall around his heart so fast.
The story started off so ridiculous I couldn’t stop laughing like I just love that first meeting with the weird t shirt thing. And then when they meet again since Lea is friends with Beau brother shea. (Seriously what are these names I noticed these names likee are so not common) And Beau is just instantly attracted and all red like a tomato. Like this guy is the king of flustered and blushing. And lea found him so adorable ONG my heartttttttttt.
The book picked up really fast with their relationship, it was slow at first since Beau was mostly locked in the room doing his computer job. While hearing Lea play with himself (seriously, not cool!!!) like Beau was so innocent.
But then it finally got to the domestic fluff and shenanigans real quick. There was so much cuddles, crying, hugs and making breakfast. I was literally SWOONING.
Lea was so sweet with just slowly bringing Beau out of his shell and making him open up. But his problems with his ex, and pushing Beau away, he really didn’t deserve that 🥲 But it was ok bc Lea could take accountability!!! And be OUT there
By like 65% there relationship was mostly settled, except with some angst. And there was a lot of smut. I found there was actually too much smut, and their relationship shut out the outside plot. So much so that the drama between Beau and his Brother wasn’t touched upon until the end of the book and it was really rushed. Or much of Beau’s and Lea’s backstory.
This book delivered with a cute fluffy romance, but the relationships with other characters were brushed upon. And sometimes their relationship moved everyone to the side. It’s like, there’s a whole world out there not just their domestic bubble
Review of advance copy
Wow okay… where do I even BEGIN with this one 🥹💕
This book??? Absolutely stole my heart.
I’m not even kidding when I say I could not put it down — I basically read the whole thing in one sitting because I was THAT obsessed. And honestly? I haven’t read something so perfectly titled in a long time… this story was truly Sweet As Sugar 🍬✨
Lyla Dane just gets it. The way she pulls you in from the very first page and makes you feel like you’re living right alongside the characters?? Unmatched.
Beau… oh my soft, shy baby 🥺 He’s so reserved, so timid, and carrying so much. My heart ached for him. But watching him slowly come out of his shell? Watching him start to feel safe?? EVERYTHING. And then there’s Lea 😮🔥 Loud, confident, expressive, lingerie-loving, sunshine chaos energy wrapped in a gorgeous Cali boy. He seems like he has it all together, but when it comes to love? Yeah… not so much. And the way he just sees Beau… takes his time, gives him space, makes him feel safe in a way no one ever has before??? I WAS GONE.
Their dynamic?? Don’t even get me started. The chemistry between these two?? OFF. THE. CHARTS. 🔥 Like they were always meant to find each other. Every touch, every look, every quiet moment between them just hit.
The sweetness? The softness? The shy little moments mixed with that intense, possessive edge?? Yeah… this book had me feeling EVERYTHING 🫠💘 It’s the little things that absolutely wrecked me — the notes, the learning, the care, the way they show up for each other. Watching Beau unfold and grow into himself while Lea slowly lets his walls down??? I swear I was swooning every other page.
Also can we PLEASE talk about the found family 😭✨ Perfection. Actual perfection. I’m already attached and I NEED more — especially Monroe and Shea like hello??? I am begging for their stories immediately.
This is hands down one of my favourite Lyla Dane books. I genuinely didn’t want it to end… I could’ve read 300 more pages of Beau and Lea just being them.
If you’re in the mood for something soft, swoony, a little spicy, and guaranteed to make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy… this is 100% for you 💕
*I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my honest and voluntary review!*
This book??? Absolutely stole my heart.
I’m not even kidding when I say I could not put it down — I basically read the whole thing in one sitting because I was THAT obsessed. And honestly? I haven’t read something so perfectly titled in a long time… this story was truly Sweet As Sugar 🍬✨
Lyla Dane just gets it. The way she pulls you in from the very first page and makes you feel like you’re living right alongside the characters?? Unmatched.
Beau… oh my soft, shy baby 🥺 He’s so reserved, so timid, and carrying so much. My heart ached for him. But watching him slowly come out of his shell? Watching him start to feel safe?? EVERYTHING. And then there’s Lea 😮🔥 Loud, confident, expressive, lingerie-loving, sunshine chaos energy wrapped in a gorgeous Cali boy. He seems like he has it all together, but when it comes to love? Yeah… not so much. And the way he just sees Beau… takes his time, gives him space, makes him feel safe in a way no one ever has before??? I WAS GONE.
Their dynamic?? Don’t even get me started. The chemistry between these two?? OFF. THE. CHARTS. 🔥 Like they were always meant to find each other. Every touch, every look, every quiet moment between them just hit.
The sweetness? The softness? The shy little moments mixed with that intense, possessive edge?? Yeah… this book had me feeling EVERYTHING 🫠💘 It’s the little things that absolutely wrecked me — the notes, the learning, the care, the way they show up for each other. Watching Beau unfold and grow into himself while Lea slowly lets his walls down??? I swear I was swooning every other page.
Also can we PLEASE talk about the found family 😭✨ Perfection. Actual perfection. I’m already attached and I NEED more — especially Monroe and Shea like hello??? I am begging for their stories immediately.
This is hands down one of my favourite Lyla Dane books. I genuinely didn’t want it to end… I could’ve read 300 more pages of Beau and Lea just being them.
If you’re in the mood for something soft, swoony, a little spicy, and guaranteed to make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy… this is 100% for you 💕
*I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my honest and voluntary review!*
May 14, 2026
Beau Hart has just moved from Kansas out east to live with his brother Shea in the ocean town of Blue Harbor. Although the two brothers have been semi-estranged for years, the death of their mother has allowed them to get close again.
The sheltered, uneasy, and anxious Beau falls apart when he finds out he'll be staying with Shea's best friend Lea while Shea is away for work. Why? Because Lea is the most outgoing, beautiful, captivating person Beau has ever met...and Beau has been hiding his sexuality from everyone.
As the two men spend more time together, it becomes obvious that there's something between them. Something special. Something worth risking everything for.
Okay sorry for the quick synopsis but I have to talk about THIS BOOK. Lyla said that it's a fluffy and cheesy book but I was sitting here with tears in my eyes the ENTIRE TIME because it grabbed my heart and would not let go. I'm not a happy crier, guys. But these two? My God.
I honestly went from thinking "Beau is so fragile it's kind of annoying" to "I will absolutely murder anyone who even looks at Beau sideways." There has never been an MC in the history of time who is more GOOD, more earnest, more special, and it's exactly what Lea needs but fears he doesn't deserve. And Lea has some baggage and some insecurities he covers with bravado, but at his heart he's incredible as well.
Can we talk about the spice? Jesus H Christ on a bike. 🥵 Transcendent. Beautiful. Hot. Electric. Plentiful. I'm running out of adjectives. It wasn't smut for smut's sake. It was perfectly done to advance their incredible relationship and show their level of trust in each other.
The found family aspect? Everything. I'm so glad Lyla dusted off this series and we're going to get more because it's SO GOOD. I've read a Lyla book a while ago and loved it, but then never read another one because apparently I'm a big stupid idiot. But MAN, this one is special.
If you read one book in May, let it be this one.
The sheltered, uneasy, and anxious Beau falls apart when he finds out he'll be staying with Shea's best friend Lea while Shea is away for work. Why? Because Lea is the most outgoing, beautiful, captivating person Beau has ever met...and Beau has been hiding his sexuality from everyone.
As the two men spend more time together, it becomes obvious that there's something between them. Something special. Something worth risking everything for.
Okay sorry for the quick synopsis but I have to talk about THIS BOOK. Lyla said that it's a fluffy and cheesy book but I was sitting here with tears in my eyes the ENTIRE TIME because it grabbed my heart and would not let go. I'm not a happy crier, guys. But these two? My God.
I honestly went from thinking "Beau is so fragile it's kind of annoying" to "I will absolutely murder anyone who even looks at Beau sideways." There has never been an MC in the history of time who is more GOOD, more earnest, more special, and it's exactly what Lea needs but fears he doesn't deserve. And Lea has some baggage and some insecurities he covers with bravado, but at his heart he's incredible as well.
Can we talk about the spice? Jesus H Christ on a bike. 🥵 Transcendent. Beautiful. Hot. Electric. Plentiful. I'm running out of adjectives. It wasn't smut for smut's sake. It was perfectly done to advance their incredible relationship and show their level of trust in each other.
The found family aspect? Everything. I'm so glad Lyla dusted off this series and we're going to get more because it's SO GOOD. I've read a Lyla book a while ago and loved it, but then never read another one because apparently I'm a big stupid idiot. But MAN, this one is special.
If you read one book in May, let it be this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I want to be with you in every way a man can be with the man he loves. I want to wake up every morning in your arms and fall asleep every night feeling your heart beat. Forever."
Beau is looking for a fresh start following the death of his mother. Moving to reconnect with his estranged brother, Shea, is the best way he knows to begin to stand on his own and not continue to drown in the scars his mother left in him. Lea is the life of the party, he owns a bar, loves Hawaiian shirts and having no strings attached hook-ups with the hot men of Blue Harbor and hanging with his best friends.
When his best friend's brother needs a place to stay, Lea offers his spare room. What Lea doesn't expect is his best friend's brother to break down the walls he has carefully crafted around his heart with his shy smiles and beautiful freckles.
Oh this book!! I fell in love with Lea and Beau instantly. Lea is the sweetest man!! He is so caring and protective of Beau. And Beau I just want to hug. Beau has always made himself small from the abuse his mother had inflicted on him, to see Lea helping him become his authentic self - it is so beautiful. And Lea trying to protect his broken heart from ever getting attached to another person, thinking he is unlovable is heartbreaking - then along comes Beau showing him he is worth all the love, it is everything!
This is a swoon worthy book full of heartache, strength, courage and most importantly love. Lea and Beau will guarantee you fall not only in love with them, but their amazing friends and siblings. Cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series!!
Beau is looking for a fresh start following the death of his mother. Moving to reconnect with his estranged brother, Shea, is the best way he knows to begin to stand on his own and not continue to drown in the scars his mother left in him. Lea is the life of the party, he owns a bar, loves Hawaiian shirts and having no strings attached hook-ups with the hot men of Blue Harbor and hanging with his best friends.
When his best friend's brother needs a place to stay, Lea offers his spare room. What Lea doesn't expect is his best friend's brother to break down the walls he has carefully crafted around his heart with his shy smiles and beautiful freckles.
Oh this book!! I fell in love with Lea and Beau instantly. Lea is the sweetest man!! He is so caring and protective of Beau. And Beau I just want to hug. Beau has always made himself small from the abuse his mother had inflicted on him, to see Lea helping him become his authentic self - it is so beautiful. And Lea trying to protect his broken heart from ever getting attached to another person, thinking he is unlovable is heartbreaking - then along comes Beau showing him he is worth all the love, it is everything!
This is a swoon worthy book full of heartache, strength, courage and most importantly love. Lea and Beau will guarantee you fall not only in love with them, but their amazing friends and siblings. Cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series!!
June 12, 2026
I give this book a 4.5! I literally devoured it in a night! Beau and Lea’s love story had me entranced from their first meeting to the end. Who’d of thought the cute freckled guy Lea noticed on the beach was his new roommate and his best friend’s brother?
Lea is a ray of glitter and sunshine, a walking rainbow and a personality that lights up the whole room! He has strict rules, no kissing because that’s too intimate for him and quick no string hookups as he doesn’t want people developing attachments But behind his unwavering confidence, he has walls built so high that no one could topple them down or so he thought.
Beau is an introvert, even the thought of interacting with people can send him in a tizzy. He’s quiet, reserved and very conscientious of his actions which has led him to live a sheltered life. His brother left home when he was 13, leaving him behind in a messed up situation. The death of his mother leads the brothers back to each other but is it too late to fix their relationship?
It was such a cute and fluffy story and it touched on so many different subjects tastefully (always read the trigger warnings before.) They’re literally opposites in every way! Lea lives his life out and proud and poor Beau has had to hide that side of him in fear of judgement. Special mention to Lea’s over the top sister because without her they wouldn’t have been pushed into ‘faking a relationship’. Lea may of swore of never being in love again but one look of the freckled face beauty and it stirs something up 🥹🥹
Lea is a ray of glitter and sunshine, a walking rainbow and a personality that lights up the whole room! He has strict rules, no kissing because that’s too intimate for him and quick no string hookups as he doesn’t want people developing attachments But behind his unwavering confidence, he has walls built so high that no one could topple them down or so he thought.
Beau is an introvert, even the thought of interacting with people can send him in a tizzy. He’s quiet, reserved and very conscientious of his actions which has led him to live a sheltered life. His brother left home when he was 13, leaving him behind in a messed up situation. The death of his mother leads the brothers back to each other but is it too late to fix their relationship?
It was such a cute and fluffy story and it touched on so many different subjects tastefully (always read the trigger warnings before.) They’re literally opposites in every way! Lea lives his life out and proud and poor Beau has had to hide that side of him in fear of judgement. Special mention to Lea’s over the top sister because without her they wouldn’t have been pushed into ‘faking a relationship’. Lea may of swore of never being in love again but one look of the freckled face beauty and it stirs something up 🥹🥹
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars of sugary sweetness
What happens when the shy, reserved, coder dude has to come and stay with the hot, confident, bar owner (and his brother's best friend to boot). A whole lot of chemistry, a whole lot of green flags and a whole lot of sweetness. That's what.
This book was the perfect palate cleanser for me. I had just read something super angsty and I had another super angsty read lined up, but I wanted something lighter, swoonier, fluffier, to read in between the two so I didn't fall into a black hole of despair and this delivered on all levels.
Beau was so dang sweet. The guy had no idea the effect he has on people, how they perceive him or how endearing he is. He is covered in freckles and flushes as red as a tomato at the slightest compliment or praise - especially if that praise is coming for Lea.
Lea is out, proud, hot and single as a pringle. He agrees to letting his best friends younger brother stay with him because he's that kind of guy - always willing to help out a friend, nice, caring, considerate etc. He does not expect to feel an immediate connection when the cute as a button younger brother shows up and he does his absolute best not to cross any boundaries because.. it's his friends younger brother, who he thinks is straight, but as we ALL know - it never quite works out that way.
Once these two sort of bumble their way through that initial attraction and lines start to blur things start to cross and the fire ignites... all bets were off. These boys fall hard and they fall fast. It was, again, very sweet and swoony. The perfect read when you need something quick, with minimal angst but still a hard earned HEA.
Check content warnings as usual just in case and then thank me later.
ARC received from author. This is my full and honest review of this book.
What happens when the shy, reserved, coder dude has to come and stay with the hot, confident, bar owner (and his brother's best friend to boot). A whole lot of chemistry, a whole lot of green flags and a whole lot of sweetness. That's what.
This book was the perfect palate cleanser for me. I had just read something super angsty and I had another super angsty read lined up, but I wanted something lighter, swoonier, fluffier, to read in between the two so I didn't fall into a black hole of despair and this delivered on all levels.
Beau was so dang sweet. The guy had no idea the effect he has on people, how they perceive him or how endearing he is. He is covered in freckles and flushes as red as a tomato at the slightest compliment or praise - especially if that praise is coming for Lea.
Lea is out, proud, hot and single as a pringle. He agrees to letting his best friends younger brother stay with him because he's that kind of guy - always willing to help out a friend, nice, caring, considerate etc. He does not expect to feel an immediate connection when the cute as a button younger brother shows up and he does his absolute best not to cross any boundaries because.. it's his friends younger brother, who he thinks is straight, but as we ALL know - it never quite works out that way.
Once these two sort of bumble their way through that initial attraction and lines start to blur things start to cross and the fire ignites... all bets were off. These boys fall hard and they fall fast. It was, again, very sweet and swoony. The perfect read when you need something quick, with minimal angst but still a hard earned HEA.
Check content warnings as usual just in case and then thank me later.
ARC received from author. This is my full and honest review of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ ARC Review ✨
This was an especially sweet and so so perfect that it makes your teeth ache (and your heart 🥹) like you actually have ingested so much sugar!
Lea & Beau's entire situationship and watching them fall into one another and become friends and .. more 👀 is absolutely perfect and was so amazing!
Lyla Dane has a way of weaving such a story that you're whole soul gets invested in it's characters. Beau is an absolute sweetheart and I love him so much 💜 I just want to wrap him in a protective blanket and keep him safe forever 🫶. Thankfully Lea realizes how amazing he is and becomes his protector, and helps build his confidence up. Lea is also such a fun character! He is 💯 unapologetically himself, as he should be, because he is absolutely hilarious and so so sweet in his own way 🥰.
Words can't fully describe how much I love these characters, and even the side characters! I am so so invested in them and can't wait for future books in this series 😈. This is the perfect culmination of found family, finding love in the most unexpected places, and healing 🥹😍. As with all of Lyla's books there's definitely some hurt/comfort and some broken boy vibes but this is definitely more comfort then it is hurt and is just... Perfect 😉.
If you love your books sweet and so spicy, some seriously hilarious characters and side characters and stories about finding and accepting yourself then this book is definitely up your alley 💯.
This was an especially sweet and so so perfect that it makes your teeth ache (and your heart 🥹) like you actually have ingested so much sugar!
Lea & Beau's entire situationship and watching them fall into one another and become friends and .. more 👀 is absolutely perfect and was so amazing!
Lyla Dane has a way of weaving such a story that you're whole soul gets invested in it's characters. Beau is an absolute sweetheart and I love him so much 💜 I just want to wrap him in a protective blanket and keep him safe forever 🫶. Thankfully Lea realizes how amazing he is and becomes his protector, and helps build his confidence up. Lea is also such a fun character! He is 💯 unapologetically himself, as he should be, because he is absolutely hilarious and so so sweet in his own way 🥰.
Words can't fully describe how much I love these characters, and even the side characters! I am so so invested in them and can't wait for future books in this series 😈. This is the perfect culmination of found family, finding love in the most unexpected places, and healing 🥹😍. As with all of Lyla's books there's definitely some hurt/comfort and some broken boy vibes but this is definitely more comfort then it is hurt and is just... Perfect 😉.
If you love your books sweet and so spicy, some seriously hilarious characters and side characters and stories about finding and accepting yourself then this book is definitely up your alley 💯.
April 30, 2026
5 ⭐️
3🌶️
Lyla Dane remains one of my absolute favorite storytellers and she has hit it out of the park again with Sweet as Sugar! I was so excited about the found family aspect as it’s one of my favorites and I was not disappointed. Add to that roommates, self-acceptance, opposites attract, and best friend’s brother and you have the makings of a fantastic book!
At first glance, Lea seems like the quintessential playboy, but I love how quickly we’re introduced to his inner nature. He is playful, unserious, and hilarious; he is also kind, emotional, and cares so deeply for those around him. I also love a Consent King and Lea fits this mold perfectly!
And Beau…sweet, shy, earnest Beau. He is seriously one of the sweetest characters and I absolutely love the tenderness he brings to Lea’s life. One of the best aspects of his development is watching him accept and love himself while finding safety in the world around him.
These two together are the perfect combination and the way they compliment each other’s personalities is so well done. While this book is definitely spicy and fun, we don’t get a kiss until about halfway through the book which allowed for so much emotional connection. There is so much depth that makes it a story that will stick with me for quite some time.
This is the first book of a new series Out of the Blue and I cannot wait to see what Lyla has in store for the rest of the group!
3🌶️
Lyla Dane remains one of my absolute favorite storytellers and she has hit it out of the park again with Sweet as Sugar! I was so excited about the found family aspect as it’s one of my favorites and I was not disappointed. Add to that roommates, self-acceptance, opposites attract, and best friend’s brother and you have the makings of a fantastic book!
At first glance, Lea seems like the quintessential playboy, but I love how quickly we’re introduced to his inner nature. He is playful, unserious, and hilarious; he is also kind, emotional, and cares so deeply for those around him. I also love a Consent King and Lea fits this mold perfectly!
And Beau…sweet, shy, earnest Beau. He is seriously one of the sweetest characters and I absolutely love the tenderness he brings to Lea’s life. One of the best aspects of his development is watching him accept and love himself while finding safety in the world around him.
These two together are the perfect combination and the way they compliment each other’s personalities is so well done. While this book is definitely spicy and fun, we don’t get a kiss until about halfway through the book which allowed for so much emotional connection. There is so much depth that makes it a story that will stick with me for quite some time.
This is the first book of a new series Out of the Blue and I cannot wait to see what Lyla has in store for the rest of the group!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I feel really really lucky to be a beta reader for Lyla. When I discovered her books last year, she quickly became one of my top favorite authors ever. She’s just so so talented and her stories never fail to make me drown in all the feels. Now, Sweet as Sugar is a bit more low angst than her usual books, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t just as amazing.
Sweet as Sugar is just so very sweet, it almost gave me a sugar high. It touched my heart in the most wonderful way. Lea is a fun, vibrant character who has some demons he needs to slay, and I loved the road he took to get to a good place, even if it wasn’t smooth sailing. Beau is a very different character, more reserved and shy. He’s been through A LOT and my heart ached for him. It was so beautiful watching him grow and find himself in this book. And their romance? Ugh, it was everything.
There’s also a cast of side characters that I’m very eager to see more off. I hope Shea, Riley and Monroe each get their own story eventually because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this cute beach town just yet.
Sweet as Sugar is a heartachingly beautiful low angst story with plenty of emotional depth. If it sounds like something you’d enjoy, and the content warnings don’t steer you away from it, please please please check it out when you can!
Sweet as Sugar is just so very sweet, it almost gave me a sugar high. It touched my heart in the most wonderful way. Lea is a fun, vibrant character who has some demons he needs to slay, and I loved the road he took to get to a good place, even if it wasn’t smooth sailing. Beau is a very different character, more reserved and shy. He’s been through A LOT and my heart ached for him. It was so beautiful watching him grow and find himself in this book. And their romance? Ugh, it was everything.
There’s also a cast of side characters that I’m very eager to see more off. I hope Shea, Riley and Monroe each get their own story eventually because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this cute beach town just yet.
Sweet as Sugar is a heartachingly beautiful low angst story with plenty of emotional depth. If it sounds like something you’d enjoy, and the content warnings don’t steer you away from it, please please please check it out when you can!
April 17, 2026
Gosh this book is ADORABLE. New comfort read unlocked, it's so warm and fuzzy and made my heart happy. This is a lot sweeter and fluffier than some of Lyla's other books, but rest assured it has loads of that delicious hurt/comfort I've come to expect from her. I'm already craving more from this world, and so dearly hope this series continues!
Beau is just the sweetest cutest thing. He starts off so shy, always getting embarrassed and flustered, and it was so precious to watch him slowly come out of his shell. After a chaotic meet-cute with a boardwalk hottie, he arrives at his new apartment only to find out the aforementioned hottie is not only his brother's best friend, but his new roommate. Cue: pining, yearning, and SO MUCH tension.
Lea is basically sunshine personified. I could not get enough of how much he dotes on Beau, how gentle he is with him, I mean c'mon the little notes?! Teaching him to swim?! Truly the title says it all. It was so, so lovely watching the two of them begin to let each other in and build each other up as they both try to heal from their pasts.
I'll be eagerly awaiting more from the Out of the Blue universe, a lot of the side characters caught my attention, and I need more! I love to see Lyla bringing a different energy than her previous books; I continue to be pleasantly surprised while still provided the content I know and love from her.
Beau is just the sweetest cutest thing. He starts off so shy, always getting embarrassed and flustered, and it was so precious to watch him slowly come out of his shell. After a chaotic meet-cute with a boardwalk hottie, he arrives at his new apartment only to find out the aforementioned hottie is not only his brother's best friend, but his new roommate. Cue: pining, yearning, and SO MUCH tension.
Lea is basically sunshine personified. I could not get enough of how much he dotes on Beau, how gentle he is with him, I mean c'mon the little notes?! Teaching him to swim?! Truly the title says it all. It was so, so lovely watching the two of them begin to let each other in and build each other up as they both try to heal from their pasts.
I'll be eagerly awaiting more from the Out of the Blue universe, a lot of the side characters caught my attention, and I need more! I love to see Lyla bringing a different energy than her previous books; I continue to be pleasantly surprised while still provided the content I know and love from her.
Review of advance copy
𝚂𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚂𝚞𝚐𝚊𝚛
𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
5/5 ⭐️
↓↓
Oh my babies 🥺😫 I love Beau and Lea so much. They are both just the absolute sweetest.
Oh sweet and shy Beau. My heart 😭 He was just so damn cute. He was shy and out of his element at first but I loved watching him gain that confidence in himself to finally let his true self shine and let me tell you, his true self.. so lovable!!
Lea is absolutely hilarious. He is so unapologetically himself but has some trauma from a past relationship and keeps his heart a bit guarded. Beau comes in to his life and completely obliterates everything he thought he knew about love.
These two together. Perfection.
They allowed each other to be vulnerable, open and sincere. I loved watching both of them slowly heal a part of themselves and fall in love.
I loved their friend group soooo much. I need a book for all of them. Monroe where he finds his happy ever after and lives his life with no regrets. Riley where he has an awakening 🫣 and more on Shea and learn what happened to him during his summer research.
I really can't wait to see what comes next!!
𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙴𝙲𝚃
☀️roommates
🏖️brother's best friend/best friend's brother
☀️shy x outgoing
🏖️smaller top x bigger bottom
☀️possessive/protective
🏖️size difference
☀️hurt/comfort
🏖️found family
☀️fake dating (for about 3 seconds)
🏖️flirty x flustered
☀️only one bed
🏖️opposites attract
𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
5/5 ⭐️
↓↓
Oh my babies 🥺😫 I love Beau and Lea so much. They are both just the absolute sweetest.
Oh sweet and shy Beau. My heart 😭 He was just so damn cute. He was shy and out of his element at first but I loved watching him gain that confidence in himself to finally let his true self shine and let me tell you, his true self.. so lovable!!
Lea is absolutely hilarious. He is so unapologetically himself but has some trauma from a past relationship and keeps his heart a bit guarded. Beau comes in to his life and completely obliterates everything he thought he knew about love.
These two together. Perfection.
They allowed each other to be vulnerable, open and sincere. I loved watching both of them slowly heal a part of themselves and fall in love.
I loved their friend group soooo much. I need a book for all of them. Monroe where he finds his happy ever after and lives his life with no regrets. Riley where he has an awakening 🫣 and more on Shea and learn what happened to him during his summer research.
I really can't wait to see what comes next!!
𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙴𝙲𝚃
☀️roommates
🏖️brother's best friend/best friend's brother
☀️shy x outgoing
🏖️smaller top x bigger bottom
☀️possessive/protective
🏖️size difference
☀️hurt/comfort
🏖️found family
☀️fake dating (for about 3 seconds)
🏖️flirty x flustered
☀️only one bed
🏖️opposites attract
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh Lyla Dane! How do you write sweet and swoony with so much depth. This was so much lower on the angst scale than I’m used to from you (usually you make me sob and copious amounts of tissue is consumed) but it lacked none of the deep emotional swoony connection between the two characters. There is so much backstory and hurt and trauma these two get over and heal from in this story and it’s so so touching and yet I wouldn’t term it as painful or high angst.
Even when Lea is being stubborn - I don’t blame him, specially when he calls Beau sugar - I am definitely second hand swooning there every single time. He is pure sunshine. I love how ebullient he is. And Beau is the blushiest of blushers gosh he is so shy and so sweet. So unbearably unprotected and authentic and genuine.
Oh and their connection is like fire, that slow burn build up, that gentle fall into their connection - watching them come out of their respective shells was amazinggggg
I loved the first kiss and the I love you’s - that’s usually my favourite parts and they were both top tier perfection
I don’t know what happened with Shea when he came back, I’m excited about his story and Riley and Monroe’s too please.
Judy deserves a reward for the fake dating no matter how much chaos she brings 😂
Even when Lea is being stubborn - I don’t blame him, specially when he calls Beau sugar - I am definitely second hand swooning there every single time. He is pure sunshine. I love how ebullient he is. And Beau is the blushiest of blushers gosh he is so shy and so sweet. So unbearably unprotected and authentic and genuine.
Oh and their connection is like fire, that slow burn build up, that gentle fall into their connection - watching them come out of their respective shells was amazinggggg
I loved the first kiss and the I love you’s - that’s usually my favourite parts and they were both top tier perfection
I don’t know what happened with Shea when he came back, I’m excited about his story and Riley and Monroe’s too please.
Judy deserves a reward for the fake dating no matter how much chaos she brings 😂
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