What do you think?
We Are Just Us
"I saw you naked."
"That was an accident."
"Still counts. I figure the Universe likes symmetry."
Kieran Doyle is a liar. Small ones, mostly. “I'm fine. No one special. Everything's great.” The kind of lies you tell the people you love when the truth feels like a weight only one of you should carry.
He drove nine hours south with two dogs, a box of his mother's ashes, and thirty-two years of silence finally behind him. Encinitas wasn't the plan. Neither was accidentally saluting the shirtless man next door like a soldier reporting for duty.
Rory Kline surfs at dawn, keeps aloe in the fridge like a functioning adult, and looks at Kieran like he might actually mean it. He's also built his life around something Kieran doesn't yet understand—and wanting him might be a mistake.
But the walls of a duplex are thin. Conversations happen over fences. A jellyfish sting, a Taco Tuesday, and one catastrophic perineum sunning incident turn accidental glances into staying the night—and then wanting more.
And when the truth finally surfaces, Kieran has to choose between doing what he's always done, or staying long enough to be known, disappointed, and loved anyway.
We Are Just Us is a contemporary queer romance about grief, late-life coming out, and what it costs to stay.
"That was an accident."
"Still counts. I figure the Universe likes symmetry."
Kieran Doyle is a liar. Small ones, mostly. “I'm fine. No one special. Everything's great.” The kind of lies you tell the people you love when the truth feels like a weight only one of you should carry.
He drove nine hours south with two dogs, a box of his mother's ashes, and thirty-two years of silence finally behind him. Encinitas wasn't the plan. Neither was accidentally saluting the shirtless man next door like a soldier reporting for duty.
Rory Kline surfs at dawn, keeps aloe in the fridge like a functioning adult, and looks at Kieran like he might actually mean it. He's also built his life around something Kieran doesn't yet understand—and wanting him might be a mistake.
But the walls of a duplex are thin. Conversations happen over fences. A jellyfish sting, a Taco Tuesday, and one catastrophic perineum sunning incident turn accidental glances into staying the night—and then wanting more.
And when the truth finally surfaces, Kieran has to choose between doing what he's always done, or staying long enough to be known, disappointed, and loved anyway.
We Are Just Us is a contemporary queer romance about grief, late-life coming out, and what it costs to stay.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
September 6, 2026
I’m not even sure why, but somehow Jude Bradley and I started talking a few months ago about being an author and publishing. So when We Are Just Us hit the bookshelves, I really wanted to read it. But I was scared too, because what if I wouldn’t like it?
I shouldn’t have worried, though. The author’s note alone brought tears to my eyes. We Are Just Us is mainly a character-driven book about grief and belonging and finding your people, so if you’re looking for a plot-driven story, then this one is not for you. But if you love a contemporary novel that makes you laugh, and cry, and laugh-cry, with an anxious main character (Kieran) and a cinnamon roll (Rory) as the love interest, set in California, with awkward situations while nothing really happens, then this one is for you. And if you’re a third-act-breakup hater just like me, then this one is for you too, because We Are Just Us was just so sweet and caring and comforting. And the last part made me cry.
Oh, and a shoutout to those Substack posts. They’re amazing (I would have loved to see some more), especially the one about walls. It hit close to home.
And a second shoutout to Hank and Mabel. I love it when animals (in this case, dogs) are part of the side cast and feel like real characters. Hank, what the hell were you doing???
I’m definitely eager to read more of Jude Bradley’s work!
Follow me on Instagram
I shouldn’t have worried, though. The author’s note alone brought tears to my eyes. We Are Just Us is mainly a character-driven book about grief and belonging and finding your people, so if you’re looking for a plot-driven story, then this one is not for you. But if you love a contemporary novel that makes you laugh, and cry, and laugh-cry, with an anxious main character (Kieran) and a cinnamon roll (Rory) as the love interest, set in California, with awkward situations while nothing really happens, then this one is for you. And if you’re a third-act-breakup hater just like me, then this one is for you too, because We Are Just Us was just so sweet and caring and comforting. And the last part made me cry.
Oh, and a shoutout to those Substack posts. They’re amazing (I would have loved to see some more), especially the one about walls. It hit close to home.
And a second shoutout to Hank and Mabel. I love it when animals (in this case, dogs) are part of the side cast and feel like real characters. Hank, what the hell were you doing???
I’m definitely eager to read more of Jude Bradley’s work!
Follow me on Instagram
August 15, 2026
5⭐️
I need a minute. Please hold. My heart, tears falling down my face.
This was a beautiful love story of two men whose grief and pain was so deep but together they learned to be each other’s light. Learning to find themselves again.
We are just us was such a beautiful story. The grief in this was showcased in a manner that it didn’t make fun of it it showed that grief is real it hurts it’s something that lasts clinging onto you. We witness both of these boys go through so much but it really shed light on what grief is and how it can affect us. It felt real. This whole book felt like something that was real.
I was crying, laughing, kicking my feet this book made me feel all the emotions and it’s everything that I needed in my life and it’s something that needs read and shown to the world. The real experiences of grief and pain is shown throughout and I know the connections this book might have to others will be powerful and meaningful I think this book is going to make a big difference !!!
Ughhh I was in the edge of my seat I couldn’t get enough of this book. I was drawn into this book so fast and I couldn’t stop. I loved every minute of it watching Kieran and Rory’s relationship blossom in front of my eyes was so beautiful so genuine they were so made for each other.
We witnessed Kieran learn to not run away he stayed for Rory and that alone was so beautiful to see but it made me cry knowing that Kieran was learning to find himself again alongside Rory and these two were just so beautiful together.
And that LAST 10% I’m gonna scream that broke my entire wellbeing. I was holding my breath i was so scared I was sobbing. But I got my exhale moment and I was still crying by the end. Oh that epilogue was everything.
I think my favorite part in this was standing their love story blossom and learning to love and find themselves again. Learning and growing together but holding each other grounded and locked hand in hand.
This book really took my heart my mind and my soul and most importantly it took my tears. This was a emotional rollercoaster but it had its moments where we saw a light shine through all the darkness and I just love these men so muchh ughh they are so precious I can’t
Grief is something that never goes away it comes back like a wave during a storm. But sometimes even in the darkness there’s light even if it’s just for a second or two.
I need a minute. Please hold. My heart, tears falling down my face.
This was a beautiful love story of two men whose grief and pain was so deep but together they learned to be each other’s light. Learning to find themselves again.
We are just us was such a beautiful story. The grief in this was showcased in a manner that it didn’t make fun of it it showed that grief is real it hurts it’s something that lasts clinging onto you. We witness both of these boys go through so much but it really shed light on what grief is and how it can affect us. It felt real. This whole book felt like something that was real.
I was crying, laughing, kicking my feet this book made me feel all the emotions and it’s everything that I needed in my life and it’s something that needs read and shown to the world. The real experiences of grief and pain is shown throughout and I know the connections this book might have to others will be powerful and meaningful I think this book is going to make a big difference !!!
Ughhh I was in the edge of my seat I couldn’t get enough of this book. I was drawn into this book so fast and I couldn’t stop. I loved every minute of it watching Kieran and Rory’s relationship blossom in front of my eyes was so beautiful so genuine they were so made for each other.
We witnessed Kieran learn to not run away he stayed for Rory and that alone was so beautiful to see but it made me cry knowing that Kieran was learning to find himself again alongside Rory and these two were just so beautiful together.
And that LAST 10% I’m gonna scream that broke my entire wellbeing. I was holding my breath i was so scared I was sobbing. But I got my exhale moment and I was still crying by the end. Oh that epilogue was everything.
I think my favorite part in this was standing their love story blossom and learning to love and find themselves again. Learning and growing together but holding each other grounded and locked hand in hand.
This book really took my heart my mind and my soul and most importantly it took my tears. This was a emotional rollercoaster but it had its moments where we saw a light shine through all the darkness and I just love these men so muchh ughh they are so precious I can’t
Grief is something that never goes away it comes back like a wave during a storm. But sometimes even in the darkness there’s light even if it’s just for a second or two.
July 5, 2026
I knew there was a very good chance I was going to love this book.
I’d read a few excerpts & Instagram posts and could tell the author’s self deprecating and relatable writing style was exactly the type of storytelling I appreciate.
I also had a hunch the personal journey of healing the main character, Kieran, goes through (after losing his mother to Cancer years earlier) could be a balm to my own struggle with similar grief.
What I wasn’t expecting, was the emotional ride in every chapter. One minute I was gasping with laughter, tears in my eyes, over one of Kieran’s many descriptive observations or his dogs’ antics, the next I was holding my hand over my heart, my mouth forming an “Ohhhh” as I grasped yet another deeply profound and soulful concept.
I honestly don’t know how the author did it. He never made it feel too contrived or overly sappy.
It was just real.
There are a few silly events that could’ve gone horribly wrong if they’d been written in a more stereotypical offhand and slapstick kind of way, but each time, I was surprised, yet again, with a more human turn of events that always brought the two main characters closer together.
The most moving part of this story is the adult relationship between Kieran and Rory. There’s a lot of humor & sometimes mortifying situations. There’s hurt and anger as they let themselves feel again. There’s healing and tears as they realize they want to be together, supporting one another. It’s perfectly imperfect and exactly what a relationship should be.
**********
What’s In This Book:
* Self deprecating humor
* Healing from grief & loss
* 2 awesome pups, a real & heartfelt bestie, plus the best quirky townies & found family
* Adult communication
* Embarrassing & seriously funny events that help equal the playing field
* Intimacy & consent in the hottest sexxxy scenes
* Book boyfriends energy til the last page
* Perfectly imperfect main characters & relationships
**********
NOTE: Thank you for sending me this free Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to leave this honest & voluntary review.
**********
Hey Jude, your book didn’t suck.
Not even close
Not even a little bit
Not even at all. <3
I’d read a few excerpts & Instagram posts and could tell the author’s self deprecating and relatable writing style was exactly the type of storytelling I appreciate.
I also had a hunch the personal journey of healing the main character, Kieran, goes through (after losing his mother to Cancer years earlier) could be a balm to my own struggle with similar grief.
What I wasn’t expecting, was the emotional ride in every chapter. One minute I was gasping with laughter, tears in my eyes, over one of Kieran’s many descriptive observations or his dogs’ antics, the next I was holding my hand over my heart, my mouth forming an “Ohhhh” as I grasped yet another deeply profound and soulful concept.
I honestly don’t know how the author did it. He never made it feel too contrived or overly sappy.
It was just real.
There are a few silly events that could’ve gone horribly wrong if they’d been written in a more stereotypical offhand and slapstick kind of way, but each time, I was surprised, yet again, with a more human turn of events that always brought the two main characters closer together.
The most moving part of this story is the adult relationship between Kieran and Rory. There’s a lot of humor & sometimes mortifying situations. There’s hurt and anger as they let themselves feel again. There’s healing and tears as they realize they want to be together, supporting one another. It’s perfectly imperfect and exactly what a relationship should be.
**********
What’s In This Book:
* Self deprecating humor
* Healing from grief & loss
* 2 awesome pups, a real & heartfelt bestie, plus the best quirky townies & found family
* Adult communication
* Embarrassing & seriously funny events that help equal the playing field
* Intimacy & consent in the hottest sexxxy scenes
* Book boyfriends energy til the last page
* Perfectly imperfect main characters & relationships
**********
NOTE: Thank you for sending me this free Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to leave this honest & voluntary review.
**********
Hey Jude, your book didn’t suck.
Not even close
Not even a little bit
Not even at all. <3
September 23, 2026
Spokojna, cicha książka, w której teoretycznie nic się nie dzieje.
I w taki spokojny, cichy sposób wkręca się w głowę i trudno ją odłożyć - chociaż w teorii nic się nie dzieje.
To książka o żałobie, smutku i rozpaczy, która nie ma terminu.
O ścianach, które budujesz tak wysoko wokół siebie, że w pewnej chwili nie wiesz, jak oddychać i w którą stronę się poruszać.
O ucieczkach - zawsze od czegoś, do momentu, kiedy okazuje się, że uciekłeś DO CZEGOŚ. Do czegoś, na czym w końcu możesz zbudować swoje życie i być sobą.
O pozostaniu w miejscu, chociaż pierwszy impuls przy pierwszych kłopotach jest - uciekać...
O tym że życie generalnie jest do dupy, ale i tak udaje się z niego coś wycisnąć w dobrym tego słowa znaczeniu.
O tym, że da się coś znaleźć dla siebie, chociaż już nie masz na to żadnej nadziei.
I to wszystko doprawione czasami humorem - momentami słownym, czasami sytuacyjnym.
Zatem tak... podobało mi się ☺️
A że wygląda na to, że to debiut, to daję full piąteczkę 😁
I w taki spokojny, cichy sposób wkręca się w głowę i trudno ją odłożyć - chociaż w teorii nic się nie dzieje.
To książka o żałobie, smutku i rozpaczy, która nie ma terminu.
O ścianach, które budujesz tak wysoko wokół siebie, że w pewnej chwili nie wiesz, jak oddychać i w którą stronę się poruszać.
O ucieczkach - zawsze od czegoś, do momentu, kiedy okazuje się, że uciekłeś DO CZEGOŚ. Do czegoś, na czym w końcu możesz zbudować swoje życie i być sobą.
O pozostaniu w miejscu, chociaż pierwszy impuls przy pierwszych kłopotach jest - uciekać...
O tym że życie generalnie jest do dupy, ale i tak udaje się z niego coś wycisnąć w dobrym tego słowa znaczeniu.
O tym, że da się coś znaleźć dla siebie, chociaż już nie masz na to żadnej nadziei.
I to wszystko doprawione czasami humorem - momentami słownym, czasami sytuacyjnym.
Zatem tak... podobało mi się ☺️
A że wygląda na to, że to debiut, to daję full piąteczkę 😁
July 2, 2026
This was such a great book! It’s sweet, funny, witty and heartfelt. If you have ever struggled with grief this will resonate with you. I adored Kieran, the story is from his POV, and I related to him in the way he struggled to let go of his mom and feel confident in his own skin. I understood his attraction to Rory who seemed so confident in himself.
This book shows that even those who appear ok on the outside are usually struggling with their own grief and turmoil. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own losses and letting others see that rawness is extremely difficult. Kieran is far from perfect but that’s what makes him so relatable. He shares his grief sparingly and feels hurt when Rory doesn’t open up fully in return. But that’s is the thing about loss, everyone feels it differently and we don’t owe those feelings to anyone.
Hank and Mabel, Kieran’s two springer spaniels, were so cute! They are full fledged characters in their own right. Besides those two goofballs Kieran has his best friend Emory and meets some amazing people that become an integral part of the life he builds for himself after drowning in the loss left behind by his mom.
There were a few loose ends that I was hoping to get answers to, such as the picture Kieran buys for Rory. I think I know what was implied by that and who the artist was but it’s never said. And when Kieran and Rory get tested for STD’s they never get the results on page. The entire experience seemed important to Kieran since he struggled with the setting but it’s never mentioned again. I also can’t make up my mind on the last part of the book. I wasn’t expecting it and it sort of took me out of the story for a second, it seemed so sudden but at the same time I saw it as another obstacle for Kieran. Would he run when things got hard?
There are so many funny moments, the nude beach and the perineum sunning were hilarious. I found myself both laughing and crying reading this. For a debut novel this was so good. I cannot wait to read more from Jude Bradley.
ARC reveived for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
This book shows that even those who appear ok on the outside are usually struggling with their own grief and turmoil. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own losses and letting others see that rawness is extremely difficult. Kieran is far from perfect but that’s what makes him so relatable. He shares his grief sparingly and feels hurt when Rory doesn’t open up fully in return. But that’s is the thing about loss, everyone feels it differently and we don’t owe those feelings to anyone.
Hank and Mabel, Kieran’s two springer spaniels, were so cute! They are full fledged characters in their own right. Besides those two goofballs Kieran has his best friend Emory and meets some amazing people that become an integral part of the life he builds for himself after drowning in the loss left behind by his mom.
There were a few loose ends that I was hoping to get answers to, such as the picture Kieran buys for Rory. I think I know what was implied by that and who the artist was but it’s never said. And when Kieran and Rory get tested for STD’s they never get the results on page. The entire experience seemed important to Kieran since he struggled with the setting but it’s never mentioned again. I also can’t make up my mind on the last part of the book. I wasn’t expecting it and it sort of took me out of the story for a second, it seemed so sudden but at the same time I saw it as another obstacle for Kieran. Would he run when things got hard?
There are so many funny moments, the nude beach and the perineum sunning were hilarious. I found myself both laughing and crying reading this. For a debut novel this was so good. I cannot wait to read more from Jude Bradley.
ARC reveived for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
September 2, 2026
I was so bored. I really had to get on myself to finish it. I got AI vibes, which I obviously can’t prove, but my alternative opinion would be that the author is just a little too cliche. I also hated the 3rd person narration.
Not a fan of this one. Sorry.
Not a fan of this one. Sorry.
August 28, 2026
This is probably more like a 2.5 that I’ve rounded up. I was honestly quite unsure how to rate this one. The blossoming romance between Kieran and Rory was enjoyable to read, but it wasn’t particularly memorable. I usually get through books quite quickly, but it took me a few days to finish this one.
There were some interesting themes around love and loss, but in terms of the actual plot, and this might be a lazy criticism, I just didn’t feel like much happened. Not that I need dramatic plot twists at every turn, but I think my favourite part was the uncertainty surrounding Rory’s sexuality and intentions in the earlier parts of the story. I found that really intriguing and would have preferred for it to be explored and fleshed out a little more.
Overall, it was well written and the romance was mostly sweet. Kieran could grate on me at times, but ultimately, I just don’t think I’ll remember much about this book in a week or so.
There were some interesting themes around love and loss, but in terms of the actual plot, and this might be a lazy criticism, I just didn’t feel like much happened. Not that I need dramatic plot twists at every turn, but I think my favourite part was the uncertainty surrounding Rory’s sexuality and intentions in the earlier parts of the story. I found that really intriguing and would have preferred for it to be explored and fleshed out a little more.
Overall, it was well written and the romance was mostly sweet. Kieran could grate on me at times, but ultimately, I just don’t think I’ll remember much about this book in a week or so.
August 19, 2026
The weekend before We Are Just Us was officially published, I stopped by Dog-Eared Books in Ames, Iowa, during a sale highlighting new authors and romance novels. I had no idea that I was about to discover a book that would resonate with me on such a deeply personal level.
Over the past few years, I’ve made a conscious effort to read more broadly—not only to enjoy great stories, but to better understand the experiences, emotions, and perspectives of people whose lives may be different from my own. As an LGBT man who has spent much of my life in the South and Midwest, there have been many times when I haven’t felt particularly seen or heard, whether by family, friends, or the communities around me. I’ve struggled at times with identity, self-acceptance, and self-compassion, and like many people, I’ve often kept myself busy with work and activities rather than sitting with emotions that had accumulated over the course of 42 years.
Then I found We Are Just Us.
Recommended by someone at my local bookstore, the book immediately caught my attention. I was even more excited when I discovered that I had unknowingly purchased an advance copy. Once I started reading, I simply couldn’t put it down.
What struck me most was the emotional depth and rawness of the characters. Jude Bradley has an incredible ability to portray people who are simultaneously vulnerable and guarded—characters who sometimes struggle to protect their privacy while also learning how to be completely authentic with one another. That tension felt incredibly real to me, and it was something I connected with on a very personal level.
One of my favorite things about the book, though, was the humor. In the middle of all that emotional depth, Jude weaves in moments of completely unexpected, sometimes wonderfully random humor. Those moments made the relationships feel even more authentic. Real relationships aren’t just profound conversations and dramatic moments. Sometimes you have to laugh at the ridiculousness of life, even when things are complicated. Jude captures that beautifully.
By the time I finished the book, I was so moved that I made a point of returning to my local bookstore to thank the person who recommended it to me. We Are Just Us wasn’t simply a book I enjoyed—it was a story that made me reflect, feel, and look at parts of myself a little differently. I was proud to finish it on the very day it was officially released.
I absolutely loved what Jude Bradley has created with this book, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
As an independently published novel, We Are Just Us is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend. Jude has a rare ability to tell stories that can challenge people’s perceptions of one another while, perhaps more importantly, encouraging readers to reconsider how they see themselves.
Sometimes the most meaningful books are the ones that make you feel a little less alone.
We Are Just Us was that book for me.
Over the past few years, I’ve made a conscious effort to read more broadly—not only to enjoy great stories, but to better understand the experiences, emotions, and perspectives of people whose lives may be different from my own. As an LGBT man who has spent much of my life in the South and Midwest, there have been many times when I haven’t felt particularly seen or heard, whether by family, friends, or the communities around me. I’ve struggled at times with identity, self-acceptance, and self-compassion, and like many people, I’ve often kept myself busy with work and activities rather than sitting with emotions that had accumulated over the course of 42 years.
Then I found We Are Just Us.
Recommended by someone at my local bookstore, the book immediately caught my attention. I was even more excited when I discovered that I had unknowingly purchased an advance copy. Once I started reading, I simply couldn’t put it down.
What struck me most was the emotional depth and rawness of the characters. Jude Bradley has an incredible ability to portray people who are simultaneously vulnerable and guarded—characters who sometimes struggle to protect their privacy while also learning how to be completely authentic with one another. That tension felt incredibly real to me, and it was something I connected with on a very personal level.
One of my favorite things about the book, though, was the humor. In the middle of all that emotional depth, Jude weaves in moments of completely unexpected, sometimes wonderfully random humor. Those moments made the relationships feel even more authentic. Real relationships aren’t just profound conversations and dramatic moments. Sometimes you have to laugh at the ridiculousness of life, even when things are complicated. Jude captures that beautifully.
By the time I finished the book, I was so moved that I made a point of returning to my local bookstore to thank the person who recommended it to me. We Are Just Us wasn’t simply a book I enjoyed—it was a story that made me reflect, feel, and look at parts of myself a little differently. I was proud to finish it on the very day it was officially released.
I absolutely loved what Jude Bradley has created with this book, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
As an independently published novel, We Are Just Us is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend. Jude has a rare ability to tell stories that can challenge people’s perceptions of one another while, perhaps more importantly, encouraging readers to reconsider how they see themselves.
Sometimes the most meaningful books are the ones that make you feel a little less alone.
We Are Just Us was that book for me.
August 25, 2026
This book is a five star experience from start to finish and I will die on this sword (surf board). The characters are so wonderful. The pacing is fully consuming. The emotional growth and the yearning and connection are all top tier romance-with-an-exceptional-plot and I have become a lifetime subscriber of the Rory and Kieran Unofficial Fan Club.
I loved it for so many reasons. I loved the grief and the pain as much as the love and the joy. I loved the dogs. I loved the long drives. I loved every single bit of Rory and K getting to know each other — the slow parts, the fast parts, and especially the messy parts. I loved everything that happened in the back of that truck and I screamed out loud when they left out the fish.
I guess I should tell you at least something about what happens. Sad boy leaves home to deal with grief and start over, falls in love with neighbor. You should experience the rest yourself.
I filed a formal complaint for the shock in the third act (not a break up, simmer down) and even still, I think it was so well done.
I found my own peace and all the major loves of my life at the Jersey Shore when I finally got out of my own way and let myself be me and the ocean holds me together when I start to come undone, so let’s face it, I didn’t stand a chance.
MM/Explicit
#mm #surfromance #griefandlove #
—
“This book is fiction but it isn’t invented. The grief is real. The ocean is real. The long, quiet years of not saying the things I most needed to say — those are real.”
I loved it for so many reasons. I loved the grief and the pain as much as the love and the joy. I loved the dogs. I loved the long drives. I loved every single bit of Rory and K getting to know each other — the slow parts, the fast parts, and especially the messy parts. I loved everything that happened in the back of that truck and I screamed out loud when they left out the fish.
I guess I should tell you at least something about what happens. Sad boy leaves home to deal with grief and start over, falls in love with neighbor. You should experience the rest yourself.
I filed a formal complaint for the shock in the third act (not a break up, simmer down) and even still, I think it was so well done.
I found my own peace and all the major loves of my life at the Jersey Shore when I finally got out of my own way and let myself be me and the ocean holds me together when I start to come undone, so let’s face it, I didn’t stand a chance.
MM/Explicit
#mm #surfromance #griefandlove #
—
“This book is fiction but it isn’t invented. The grief is real. The ocean is real. The long, quiet years of not saying the things I most needed to say — those are real.”
August 31, 2026
I know Jude Bradley
only just
published this novel, but I'm gonna need another one.
This was full of grief, humor, self-discovery, and realness. Of the MM romance books I've read (which is admittedly just scratching the surface and are 97% hockey related), this felt the most real (albeit, I'm a straight woman so what do I even know.)
This was full of grief, humor, self-discovery, and realness. Of the MM romance books I've read (which is admittedly just scratching the surface and are 97% hockey related), this felt the most real (albeit, I'm a straight woman so what do I even know.)
September 17, 2026
In early August an Instagram ad popped up on my feed with dialogue from a soon to be published m/m romance novel. Accidental nudity. Flirtation. Then symmetry. The little taste sparked my interest and I added it to my To Be Read column. Once I started this beautiful story about love, starting over, grief and how and when we feel ready to express our grief I was unable to put it down. Voraciously devouring Rory and Kieran’s story but all too aware I was burning through it. In some romances you find yourself as the reader drawn to one more than the other. You think to yourself wow _______ is perfect for me. Long before I finished this book I came to love both Rory and Kieran equally. I loved being in their world of surfing and Substacks and spaniel dogs and most of all I loved their love story. The author Jude Bradley’s social media bio is “maybe your next favorite queer author.” They’re well on their way and definitely one I will be watching.
August 15, 2026
This book was absolutely incredible. The author writes in a way that makes you feel like you're inside Keiran's head, not just reading a story. He's awkward and so, so very human and relatable in a way that is so refreshing.
There is flirting, witty banter, humor, grief, warmth, love, suspense, and every other emotion in between, and it's all written in a way that makes you feel every single word of it so raw and authentically. Even the spicy scenes are written with a realistic viewpoint and a gentleness that isn't over the top or raunchy, but beautiful.
Absolutely well done, especially for this to be the author's very first book! I am a fan, for sure.
There is flirting, witty banter, humor, grief, warmth, love, suspense, and every other emotion in between, and it's all written in a way that makes you feel every single word of it so raw and authentically. Even the spicy scenes are written with a realistic viewpoint and a gentleness that isn't over the top or raunchy, but beautiful.
Absolutely well done, especially for this to be the author's very first book! I am a fan, for sure.
September 11, 2026
I LOVED this book, if you're looking for a book where Life and death meet, and you feel this sense of joy for two characters at the end of the book then you need to read this book. Jude writes this book in a sense that makes you feel like you are standing on the edge of the sand with Kieran and you're letting him tell you this story, a story he has lived through, but in the third person so that you can feel like you are along for the ride. I couldn't put this book down and loved every minute of it.
September 18, 2026
Que livro lindo.
Fui completamente a pensar que seria um livro fofo, para passar o tempo, e leve.
Do nada, levo com o maior trauma que vivi (na vida real) mesmo na minha cara 🫠
Esta história está na terceira pessoa, e pensei genuinamente que isso me iria prejudicar na leitura. Guess what, I was wrong.
Senti-me representada pelo Kieran (e não só pelo nosso trauma): sempre tive medo de criar raízes e de me apegar, pois sempre achei que ia acabar por me magoar. Então, fugia de tudo o que sentia que poderia tornar-se importante.
Já o Rory, é quem eu tento ser: forte, destemido, mas com um passado conturbado (I mean, dispenso esta parte, mas pronto).
Quando pensei "ufa, as chapadas de luva branca acabaram", os ultimos 10/15% deixaram-me quase a chorar.
Fui completamente a pensar que seria um livro fofo, para passar o tempo, e leve.
Do nada, levo com o maior trauma que vivi (na vida real) mesmo na minha cara 🫠
Esta história está na terceira pessoa, e pensei genuinamente que isso me iria prejudicar na leitura. Guess what, I was wrong.
Senti-me representada pelo Kieran (e não só pelo nosso trauma): sempre tive medo de criar raízes e de me apegar, pois sempre achei que ia acabar por me magoar. Então, fugia de tudo o que sentia que poderia tornar-se importante.
Já o Rory, é quem eu tento ser: forte, destemido, mas com um passado conturbado (I mean, dispenso esta parte, mas pronto).
Quando pensei "ufa, as chapadas de luva branca acabaram", os ultimos 10/15% deixaram-me quase a chorar.
August 22, 2026
OH THESE SAD, SWEET BABY ANGELS 😭
August 23, 2026
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the digital ARC. This is a debut novel about learning how to live again after loss and finding love in the process.
There were some absolutely lovely passages, like the entire time Kieran visited Patti and Devon. And some sections that I found took me right out of the story.
For me, when an author adds a dog or dogs to the story, I'm dialed in. Are the dogs taken care of? Are they forgotten half the time just to be used for a throwaway line here and there? What struck me in this story is that the dogs obviously mean so much to Kieran, yet (SPOILER WARNING), when Hank gets out of the backyard and goes missing for two weeks, I didn't feel like this advanced the plot at all. I also couldn't believe that Kieran didn't spend an entire weekend shoring up the backyard and making absolutely sure that neither dog would ever escape again. That would have been priority number one. Also, I wanted to give Kieran a stern talking to for taking two dogs hiking in 100 degree heat with no mention of extra water, nor protection for their paws.
After the accident, Rory's recovery could have been excellent material to explore their relationship and for Kieran to really focus on not running away when things got hard, but instead we skip two years and land in the epilogue when everything is already much better. How did Kieran learn to push away that urge to run when things get tough?
I really thought the substack would have been a bigger point of the story as well. It's a gold mine of material and brought levity to what Kieran was going through. I would have loved to have more of Kieran's observations throughout the story.
Overall it's a good story about two imperfect humans finding love with each other, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
There were some absolutely lovely passages, like the entire time Kieran visited Patti and Devon. And some sections that I found took me right out of the story.
For me, when an author adds a dog or dogs to the story, I'm dialed in. Are the dogs taken care of? Are they forgotten half the time just to be used for a throwaway line here and there? What struck me in this story is that the dogs obviously mean so much to Kieran, yet (SPOILER WARNING), when Hank gets out of the backyard and goes missing for two weeks, I didn't feel like this advanced the plot at all. I also couldn't believe that Kieran didn't spend an entire weekend shoring up the backyard and making absolutely sure that neither dog would ever escape again. That would have been priority number one. Also, I wanted to give Kieran a stern talking to for taking two dogs hiking in 100 degree heat with no mention of extra water, nor protection for their paws.
After the accident, Rory's recovery could have been excellent material to explore their relationship and for Kieran to really focus on not running away when things got hard, but instead we skip two years and land in the epilogue when everything is already much better. How did Kieran learn to push away that urge to run when things get tough?
I really thought the substack would have been a bigger point of the story as well. It's a gold mine of material and brought levity to what Kieran was going through. I would have loved to have more of Kieran's observations throughout the story.
Overall it's a good story about two imperfect humans finding love with each other, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2026
3.75⭐️
I really enjoyed this one! 🥹💛 Kieran and Rory’s relationship felt SO real throughout the whole story, and I loved watching their connection grow. Nothing ever felt forced, which made it so easy to get invested in them.
I also really loved the themes of community and isolation! They were such a strong part of the story and honestly made me feel even more connected to the characters and what they were going through. There’s something about a story that explores loneliness and finding your people that just hits differently. 🥺
Overall, such a heartfelt read with characters and themes that really stayed with me! ✨
I really enjoyed this one! 🥹💛 Kieran and Rory’s relationship felt SO real throughout the whole story, and I loved watching their connection grow. Nothing ever felt forced, which made it so easy to get invested in them.
I also really loved the themes of community and isolation! They were such a strong part of the story and honestly made me feel even more connected to the characters and what they were going through. There’s something about a story that explores loneliness and finding your people that just hits differently. 🥺
Overall, such a heartfelt read with characters and themes that really stayed with me! ✨
October 3, 2026
DNF @ 19%.
This just wasn’t clicking for me. I wasn’t connecting with the MC or LI. Hank is probably the most interesting character.
This just wasn’t clicking for me. I wasn’t connecting with the MC or LI. Hank is probably the most interesting character.
August 21, 2026
We are Just Us by Jude Bradley is a story about grief, starting over, and learning to trust and love again after loss.
Two years after his mother's passing, Kiernan decides its time for a change. After having spent the past few years caring for his mother as she battled cancer, it's time for his comfort to finally be a priority. He downsizes his belongings and loads what's left along with his two springer spaniels, Hank and Mabel, as well as his mother's ashes, in his car and heads south, not stopping til he happens upon a small coastal town in southern california. A town for tourists and surfers, Encinitas seemed to be the right spot to settle for who knows how long.
"I'm either about to live my dream, or make a huge sandy mistake"
Rory is Kiernan's new neighbor. He keeps aloe in the fridge, surfs every chance he gets, frequents the local nude beach and has strong opinions on the cleanliness of flip-flops. He's is kind and supportive but no one is perfect and this gentle soul struggles to be emotionally available.
As the two interact due to their close proximity and the fluffy loveable chaos caused by Hank and Mabel, the quip filled interactions become more frequent and the two men become friends and slowly more.
The two are in many ways opposite of each other. Kiernan, an external processor, anxious, and at times oversharing.
Rory, is an internal processor, quippy, bold but reserved about his past.
These differences causes the main conflict between them and makes the story very interesting.
This is by no means a whirlwind romance. There's no grand gestures. Just two people falling for each other in a realistic, cozy and relatable way. Two people processing their own trauma and trying to do and be better for themselves and the people they care about.
Grief is a main theme in this book and I love how it is portrayed. I love how the author put it in his note in the beginning of the book:
"Grief doesn't leave. It goes out, and it comes back, the way the tide does. If You've ever stood at the edge of loss and waited for the next wave to pass, this book is already for you"
Both men are navigating grief in their own ways and like in the authors quote it comes in waves for them both. Grief can impact our actions, lives and relationships in so many ways. The pain of grief comes up at times unexpectedly which can make it more challenging to work through. This book portrays all of that so well.
Details I loved:
Kiernan's springer spaniel dogs Hank and Mabel. You can tell from the beginning that the author is a dog person in the way these two were a part of the story. Kiernan's care for and connection with them was interwoven into the story in a way that only a dog person could communicate. I was not surprised to find out that the author has two springer spaniels of his own.
The writing style was so real and comforting and really brought me into the setting and the story without being too words. Thoughtful moments of internal monologue and quiet remarks that come back around in such satisfying ways.
"You look like you watch documentaries about surfing"
"Wow. Is brutal your middle name?"
The sober representation. There is some drinking mentioned in this book but one of the characters is sober and it is normalized and portrayed in a accepting, positive way.
Rory's care for his little niece Aubrey. His kindness and gentleness really comes through in his interactions with her and the dogs.
All that to say, this story felt so familiar, cozy, emotional and real. Rory and Kiernan felt like people I would love to be friends with and do life together with. I loved so much about this book.
Needless to say I am adding this to my list of 2026 books I won't shut up about.
Thanks to LoveNotes PR and the author for the ARC.
Two years after his mother's passing, Kiernan decides its time for a change. After having spent the past few years caring for his mother as she battled cancer, it's time for his comfort to finally be a priority. He downsizes his belongings and loads what's left along with his two springer spaniels, Hank and Mabel, as well as his mother's ashes, in his car and heads south, not stopping til he happens upon a small coastal town in southern california. A town for tourists and surfers, Encinitas seemed to be the right spot to settle for who knows how long.
"I'm either about to live my dream, or make a huge sandy mistake"
Rory is Kiernan's new neighbor. He keeps aloe in the fridge, surfs every chance he gets, frequents the local nude beach and has strong opinions on the cleanliness of flip-flops. He's is kind and supportive but no one is perfect and this gentle soul struggles to be emotionally available.
As the two interact due to their close proximity and the fluffy loveable chaos caused by Hank and Mabel, the quip filled interactions become more frequent and the two men become friends and slowly more.
The two are in many ways opposite of each other. Kiernan, an external processor, anxious, and at times oversharing.
Rory, is an internal processor, quippy, bold but reserved about his past.
These differences causes the main conflict between them and makes the story very interesting.
This is by no means a whirlwind romance. There's no grand gestures. Just two people falling for each other in a realistic, cozy and relatable way. Two people processing their own trauma and trying to do and be better for themselves and the people they care about.
Grief is a main theme in this book and I love how it is portrayed. I love how the author put it in his note in the beginning of the book:
"Grief doesn't leave. It goes out, and it comes back, the way the tide does. If You've ever stood at the edge of loss and waited for the next wave to pass, this book is already for you"
Both men are navigating grief in their own ways and like in the authors quote it comes in waves for them both. Grief can impact our actions, lives and relationships in so many ways. The pain of grief comes up at times unexpectedly which can make it more challenging to work through. This book portrays all of that so well.
Details I loved:
Kiernan's springer spaniel dogs Hank and Mabel. You can tell from the beginning that the author is a dog person in the way these two were a part of the story. Kiernan's care for and connection with them was interwoven into the story in a way that only a dog person could communicate. I was not surprised to find out that the author has two springer spaniels of his own.
The writing style was so real and comforting and really brought me into the setting and the story without being too words. Thoughtful moments of internal monologue and quiet remarks that come back around in such satisfying ways.
"You look like you watch documentaries about surfing"
"Wow. Is brutal your middle name?"
The sober representation. There is some drinking mentioned in this book but one of the characters is sober and it is normalized and portrayed in a accepting, positive way.
Rory's care for his little niece Aubrey. His kindness and gentleness really comes through in his interactions with her and the dogs.
All that to say, this story felt so familiar, cozy, emotional and real. Rory and Kiernan felt like people I would love to be friends with and do life together with. I loved so much about this book.
Needless to say I am adding this to my list of 2026 books I won't shut up about.
Thanks to LoveNotes PR and the author for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
I was gifted an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
(Spoiler Free of course since it hasn't been released yet! but Full reviews will follow as soon as it is available)
Jude Bradley's debut is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. I'm being so for real, this book caught me so off guard I had to sit with it for a while and even read it a second time.
It opens with a man driving nine white-knuckled hours south from Sacramento, two springer spaniels in the back seat, running from grief, and I mean real, true, honest grief.... and what follows is a slow-burn MM romance that balances humor and heartbreak with the precision of a writer who's been doing this for years. Except he hasn't. This is his first novel, and that fact genuinely startled me. Because this level of technique and emotional control over characters, story and plot... it had me FEELING... everything.
Kieran Doyle lands in Encinitas by accident, meets his neighbor Rory on the beach, and the chemistry is immediate, but Bradley earns every beat of the slow burn, let me just tell you that. The tension was enough to curl my toes and scream JUST KISS ALREADY!!
The humor is real (a naked-dog-chase scene had me laughing out loud), but the emotional architecture underneath is what stayed with me. The "staying" thesis — that the bravest thing either of these men does is remain — threads through every chapter without ever feeling heavy-handed. A green flash motif planted early pays off in the epilogue with quiet, devastating elegance. And when I say "its pays of" I really mean it because when the moment hits you're like... oh... OHH...
The grief writing is specific and lived-in. Both men carry losses that shaped them, and Bradley doesn't rush the healing. The supporting cast (Emory, Devon, Patti, Rory's niece Aubrey) feels like real people, not furniture. They felt like the type of found family that will stay with you in the back of your head, and wish you could find it again in other books.
One gentle critique: the middle stretch (a missing-dog arc spanning several chapters) may test readers who want plot momentum. I loved the idea of it, but it just went on a little too long and took up space where I felt, real honest connection could have been served better, but really its just a small note, nothing that breaks the story or the plot. I do have to admit, it does serves the emotional growth, but the pacing dips just a bit because of it. I also wanted slightly more of Rory's interiority, though the single-POV choice is deliberate and effective, it would have been nice (as someone who is used to/love duel POVs) to know his side too)
For readers who love Emily Henry's Beach Read and Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue, this is your next obsession.
Now because i am who i am I feel like I need to give some content notes: grief/loss of parent and spouse, a homophobic slur in a flashback, a severe surfing accident with on-page CPR, explicit MM sexual content, alcoholism/recovery, anxiety.
No audiobook available yet — I'll update when audio drops.
More than that I won't say until the book actually drops, but to the author, well done, this was an incredible debut and it had me hooked from the moment I started reading.
(Spoiler Free of course since it hasn't been released yet! but Full reviews will follow as soon as it is available)
Jude Bradley's debut is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. I'm being so for real, this book caught me so off guard I had to sit with it for a while and even read it a second time.
It opens with a man driving nine white-knuckled hours south from Sacramento, two springer spaniels in the back seat, running from grief, and I mean real, true, honest grief.... and what follows is a slow-burn MM romance that balances humor and heartbreak with the precision of a writer who's been doing this for years. Except he hasn't. This is his first novel, and that fact genuinely startled me. Because this level of technique and emotional control over characters, story and plot... it had me FEELING... everything.
Kieran Doyle lands in Encinitas by accident, meets his neighbor Rory on the beach, and the chemistry is immediate, but Bradley earns every beat of the slow burn, let me just tell you that. The tension was enough to curl my toes and scream JUST KISS ALREADY!!
The humor is real (a naked-dog-chase scene had me laughing out loud), but the emotional architecture underneath is what stayed with me. The "staying" thesis — that the bravest thing either of these men does is remain — threads through every chapter without ever feeling heavy-handed. A green flash motif planted early pays off in the epilogue with quiet, devastating elegance. And when I say "its pays of" I really mean it because when the moment hits you're like... oh... OHH...
The grief writing is specific and lived-in. Both men carry losses that shaped them, and Bradley doesn't rush the healing. The supporting cast (Emory, Devon, Patti, Rory's niece Aubrey) feels like real people, not furniture. They felt like the type of found family that will stay with you in the back of your head, and wish you could find it again in other books.
One gentle critique: the middle stretch (a missing-dog arc spanning several chapters) may test readers who want plot momentum. I loved the idea of it, but it just went on a little too long and took up space where I felt, real honest connection could have been served better, but really its just a small note, nothing that breaks the story or the plot. I do have to admit, it does serves the emotional growth, but the pacing dips just a bit because of it. I also wanted slightly more of Rory's interiority, though the single-POV choice is deliberate and effective, it would have been nice (as someone who is used to/love duel POVs) to know his side too)
For readers who love Emily Henry's Beach Read and Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue, this is your next obsession.
Now because i am who i am I feel like I need to give some content notes: grief/loss of parent and spouse, a homophobic slur in a flashback, a severe surfing accident with on-page CPR, explicit MM sexual content, alcoholism/recovery, anxiety.
No audiobook available yet — I'll update when audio drops.
More than that I won't say until the book actually drops, but to the author, well done, this was an incredible debut and it had me hooked from the moment I started reading.
August 18, 2026
We Are Just Us is what initially appears to be a slow burn romance quickly reveals itself to be something much deeper: a moving exploration of grief, healing, self discovery, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you.
The heart of the story lies in Kieran and Rory's relationship. Their connection develops naturally and authentically, allowing readers to experience every awkward interaction, meaningful conversation, and emotional breakthrough alongside them. Rather than relying on dramatic romantic clichés, Bradley focuses on vulnerability, trust, and communication, making their love story feel genuine and deeply earned.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its portrayal of grief. Bradley never treats grief as something that can be neatly resolved. Instead, he presents it as an ongoing process that shapes the lives of both characters. Kieran's struggle feels especially raw and realistic, capturing the confusion, regret, and loneliness that often accompany loss. The novel acknowledges that grief never completely disappears, but it also shows how love and connection can help us carry it.
The writing is beautifully balanced between heartbreak and humor. One moment had me laughing at Kieran's self deprecating observations and awkward situations, while the next left me emotional and reflective. The supporting cast, the lovable dogs, and the warm sense of found family add depth and charm to the story without overshadowing the central relationship.
What impressed me most was how real everything felt. The characters are flawed, imperfect people who make mistakes and struggle to move forward. Their journey isn't about being "fixed"; it's about learning to live again, accepting themselves, and finding comfort in another person who understands their pain.
The final chapters are particularly powerful. The emotional stakes rise dramatically, leaving me anxious, hopeful, and completely invested in Kieran and Rory's future. The ending delivers an emotional payoff that feels both satisfying and well deserved, closing the story with warmth and hope.
Overall, We Are Just Us is a stunning debut novel that combines romance, grief, healing, humor, and self-acceptance into a beautifully crafted story. It's a book about learning to stop running, choosing to stay, and finding light in the darkest moments. Heartfelt, moving, and unforgettable, this is a novel I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys emotional romance with deeply human characters.
A beautifully written story about grief, healing, and the kind of love that helps you find your way back to yourself.
Thank you Jude and Love Notes PR for this wonderful ARC copy!
The heart of the story lies in Kieran and Rory's relationship. Their connection develops naturally and authentically, allowing readers to experience every awkward interaction, meaningful conversation, and emotional breakthrough alongside them. Rather than relying on dramatic romantic clichés, Bradley focuses on vulnerability, trust, and communication, making their love story feel genuine and deeply earned.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its portrayal of grief. Bradley never treats grief as something that can be neatly resolved. Instead, he presents it as an ongoing process that shapes the lives of both characters. Kieran's struggle feels especially raw and realistic, capturing the confusion, regret, and loneliness that often accompany loss. The novel acknowledges that grief never completely disappears, but it also shows how love and connection can help us carry it.
The writing is beautifully balanced between heartbreak and humor. One moment had me laughing at Kieran's self deprecating observations and awkward situations, while the next left me emotional and reflective. The supporting cast, the lovable dogs, and the warm sense of found family add depth and charm to the story without overshadowing the central relationship.
What impressed me most was how real everything felt. The characters are flawed, imperfect people who make mistakes and struggle to move forward. Their journey isn't about being "fixed"; it's about learning to live again, accepting themselves, and finding comfort in another person who understands their pain.
The final chapters are particularly powerful. The emotional stakes rise dramatically, leaving me anxious, hopeful, and completely invested in Kieran and Rory's future. The ending delivers an emotional payoff that feels both satisfying and well deserved, closing the story with warmth and hope.
Overall, We Are Just Us is a stunning debut novel that combines romance, grief, healing, humor, and self-acceptance into a beautifully crafted story. It's a book about learning to stop running, choosing to stay, and finding light in the darkest moments. Heartfelt, moving, and unforgettable, this is a novel I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys emotional romance with deeply human characters.
A beautifully written story about grief, healing, and the kind of love that helps you find your way back to yourself.
Thank you Jude and Love Notes PR for this wonderful ARC copy!
October 7, 2026
This book was such a breath of fresh air. I really enjoyed this author’s writing style, but I especially loved that this was a story about older MCs. There was something so refreshing about the way the story approached both life and relationships. It felt incredibly authentic from beginning to end, without viewing love or life through rose-colored glasses. These characters felt like real people with real histories, grief, baggage, and complicated emotions—and I loved that.
Kieran and Rory were both processing grief in their own ways, and I really loved watching their relationship develop throughout the book. It felt natural and organic from start to finish. They started as neighbors, slowly became friends, and eventually realized there was something more between them. I loved that there was no rushing things. They took the time to get to know each other, open up, and actually go on dates. It made their connection feel so genuine.
Kieran especially had a lot to work through. He was still processing the death of his mother while also coming to terms with his sexuality and the fact that he never came out to her. I thought that part of his journey was handled so thoughtfully. And I absolutely loved his writing! His articles had me laughing and smiling, but his piece about “the wall” really stuck with me and was incredibly impactful.
And of course, I loved that Kieran was a dog dad and that Rory loved his dogs too. 🥹
There were so many little moments throughout this book that made me smile. When they went camping together and Rory got sick, I was laughing SO hard at their dialogue while Kieran took care of him. I also loved the moments with Rory’s sister and niece and Vera at the thrift shop. Those little interactions made the world and the characters feel so much more real.
What I think I loved most, though, was watching these two navigate life together. When life threw them a curveball, they didn’t suddenly fall apart or turn on each other. They remained solid. They communicated, cared for one another, and showed up for each other. Their connection felt mature, steady, and incredibly sweet.
This is a low-angst story with a very sweet relationship at its center, but it also has enough emotional depth to make it feel meaningful. If you’re looking for a romance that feels real, grounded, and authentic, with older MCs, a beautiful slow-building connection, and two men who genuinely make each other’s lives better, definitely add this one to your TBR. ❤️
Tropes:
• Older MCs
• Neighbors to friends to lovers
• Low angst
• Slow-burn relationship
• Grief/healing
• Coming to terms with sexuality
• Dog dad
• Found family
• Mature romance
• HEA
Kieran and Rory were both processing grief in their own ways, and I really loved watching their relationship develop throughout the book. It felt natural and organic from start to finish. They started as neighbors, slowly became friends, and eventually realized there was something more between them. I loved that there was no rushing things. They took the time to get to know each other, open up, and actually go on dates. It made their connection feel so genuine.
Kieran especially had a lot to work through. He was still processing the death of his mother while also coming to terms with his sexuality and the fact that he never came out to her. I thought that part of his journey was handled so thoughtfully. And I absolutely loved his writing! His articles had me laughing and smiling, but his piece about “the wall” really stuck with me and was incredibly impactful.
And of course, I loved that Kieran was a dog dad and that Rory loved his dogs too. 🥹
There were so many little moments throughout this book that made me smile. When they went camping together and Rory got sick, I was laughing SO hard at their dialogue while Kieran took care of him. I also loved the moments with Rory’s sister and niece and Vera at the thrift shop. Those little interactions made the world and the characters feel so much more real.
What I think I loved most, though, was watching these two navigate life together. When life threw them a curveball, they didn’t suddenly fall apart or turn on each other. They remained solid. They communicated, cared for one another, and showed up for each other. Their connection felt mature, steady, and incredibly sweet.
This is a low-angst story with a very sweet relationship at its center, but it also has enough emotional depth to make it feel meaningful. If you’re looking for a romance that feels real, grounded, and authentic, with older MCs, a beautiful slow-building connection, and two men who genuinely make each other’s lives better, definitely add this one to your TBR. ❤️
Tropes:
• Older MCs
• Neighbors to friends to lovers
• Low angst
• Slow-burn relationship
• Grief/healing
• Coming to terms with sexuality
• Dog dad
• Found family
• Mature romance
• HEA
Review of advance copy
An atmospheric story that touches on grief with a lot of grace. This book has a consistent, quieter energy to it, and is also a story that features a slightly older couple than the genre's usual (characters in their 30s). Even though it’s a quieter one, it’s not any less warm.
I walked into the premise imagining traditional things: beach dates, intimacy, contemporary plot twists. While that was there, I felt like there was more variety and small surprises than even some of the high-flying sports romance titles I’m a fan of. Kieran’s quirky, awkward, sincere personality worked well when paired with Rory, and with the setting itself.
I could feel the way the setting informed the story’s atmosphere in the imagery and even the overall writing style. Nothing was over-dramatized, but it was painted in the descriptions very clearly, without wasting a lot of space. The dialogue itself was clipped, efficient, but still emotional and soft in its own way, like how beach sand or sunsets in California feel.
I also related to a lot of different pieces within the story. I’ve lost loved ones in similar ways; my mom also loved gardenias, etc. Even if you may not have, blessedly, lost anyone, the way grief and healing were talked about was raw, and I think that the way it was written could reach everyone in some way. They say the best writing “finds the universal in the specific,” so this is a huge part of my compliments to the book.
Now, for notes on the other side of the coin…
The early half of the book was full of banter. I could see what the author was going for, but the syllable rhythm of the banter was almost uniform each time, and happened often. It came off more forced because of that, and if the dialogue breathed more like it does in the second half, I think it would elevate the first half.
I also wonder if having characters with a stronger personality contrast would give the story even more to chew on, but I also understand the book is meant to have a thoughtful, almost mellow lean to it. Also, if the ending had more heat and drama without being too much relative to everything else, I wonder if that could have worked, too.
Overall, I did like it, and there were many beautiful moments and a lot of food for thought. If you’re looking for that quiet, sincere, emotional read, this is a great choice.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I walked into the premise imagining traditional things: beach dates, intimacy, contemporary plot twists. While that was there, I felt like there was more variety and small surprises than even some of the high-flying sports romance titles I’m a fan of. Kieran’s quirky, awkward, sincere personality worked well when paired with Rory, and with the setting itself.
I could feel the way the setting informed the story’s atmosphere in the imagery and even the overall writing style. Nothing was over-dramatized, but it was painted in the descriptions very clearly, without wasting a lot of space. The dialogue itself was clipped, efficient, but still emotional and soft in its own way, like how beach sand or sunsets in California feel.
I also related to a lot of different pieces within the story. I’ve lost loved ones in similar ways; my mom also loved gardenias, etc. Even if you may not have, blessedly, lost anyone, the way grief and healing were talked about was raw, and I think that the way it was written could reach everyone in some way. They say the best writing “finds the universal in the specific,” so this is a huge part of my compliments to the book.
Now, for notes on the other side of the coin…
The early half of the book was full of banter. I could see what the author was going for, but the syllable rhythm of the banter was almost uniform each time, and happened often. It came off more forced because of that, and if the dialogue breathed more like it does in the second half, I think it would elevate the first half.
I also wonder if having characters with a stronger personality contrast would give the story even more to chew on, but I also understand the book is meant to have a thoughtful, almost mellow lean to it. Also, if the ending had more heat and drama without being too much relative to everything else, I wonder if that could have worked, too.
Overall, I did like it, and there were many beautiful moments and a lot of food for thought. If you’re looking for that quiet, sincere, emotional read, this is a great choice.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
October 9, 2026
5 freaking stars! And a debut?? Insane how much I loved this story. This was very much a slice of life novel and I devoured it. Rory and Kieran were so sweet! I especially enjoyed the author using humor and banter to address the realistic parts of relationships-support in gross and awkward situations (ahem, the desert), and addressing real aspects of anal sex, looking at you shower douche,- just added a level to this story for me. I do love realism, and I'm a sucker for good banter and this had both in spades. I also loved how Emory was quick to call Kieran out when he was clearly messing up, it helped with quick conflict resolution so we could get back to the cuteness.
The side characters were very much introduced and then forgotten as soon as they got together. I'm not entirely mad about it because it left the focus on the couple but for how involved they were in the beginning to end up as a footnote in the epilogue felt a little odd-but alas they all did serve their plot development points well. Also, I just kept wondering why Kieran went so long without actually looking for a job but meh, just my inner musings. The grief representation in all the forms was amazing. It wasn't too dramatic to me, it was just raw and I enjoyed that. It didn't feel overdone for plot purposes and really helped me visualize the kind of people the MCs were. Their entire realtionship developement was just perfect to me, the silent support of Rory, the active support of Kieran, the way they got to the "I love you"s. I just ate it all up. I saw someone review on here that not much happens, but a lot happens you just have to know how to look for it.
THAT ENDING. I was actually on the edge of my seat a little bit. I had no idea what was going to happen and I loved it, the suspense made the emotions that much better, and omg were there emotions. I was truly not expecting that kind of ending, the dramatics of it is a favorite of mine, and I was actually kind of glad it all didn't get wrapped up in a perfectly plot planned bow.
I can't get over how much I loved this. I'm on a post book high, and I would be remiss to mention that I think it had the perfect amount of spice and the spice was top tier at that. Incredible debut, I can't wait for more from this author.
The side characters were very much introduced and then forgotten as soon as they got together. I'm not entirely mad about it because it left the focus on the couple but for how involved they were in the beginning to end up as a footnote in the epilogue felt a little odd-but alas they all did serve their plot development points well. Also, I just kept wondering why Kieran went so long without actually looking for a job but meh, just my inner musings. The grief representation in all the forms was amazing. It wasn't too dramatic to me, it was just raw and I enjoyed that. It didn't feel overdone for plot purposes and really helped me visualize the kind of people the MCs were. Their entire realtionship developement was just perfect to me, the silent support of Rory, the active support of Kieran, the way they got to the "I love you"s. I just ate it all up. I saw someone review on here that not much happens, but a lot happens you just have to know how to look for it.
THAT ENDING. I was actually on the edge of my seat a little bit. I had no idea what was going to happen and I loved it, the suspense made the emotions that much better, and omg were there emotions. I was truly not expecting that kind of ending, the dramatics of it is a favorite of mine, and I was actually kind of glad it all didn't get wrapped up in a perfectly plot planned bow.
I can't get over how much I loved this. I'm on a post book high, and I would be remiss to mention that I think it had the perfect amount of spice and the spice was top tier at that. Incredible debut, I can't wait for more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a long one, so - tl;dr - This book is flipping amazing, and I loved it!!!
Jude Bradley wrote the most lovely debut contemporary romance I have ever read, regardless of gender. I don't consume a lot of contemporary romance in general (the tropes are usually not my cup of tea), but this story has had me in its clutches since before Jude was finished writing it. Just snippets of conversations from the WIPs posted on Jude's IG account were enough for me to lock in on this novel from the word go, and "We Are Just Us" delivered in spades.
To be cliché about it (moreso than I already have), I know what I'll be discussing with my therapist this week. 😅 And honestly, we will talk about grief, and change, and how hard it can be to stop running from yourself and your life, and also how simple it can be to do those things once you've decided to stand still... Kieran and Jude both learn those lessons in their own way, but they manage to do it together beautifully.
This story is a touchstone for processing grief (how grief is never linear), but it's also genuinely a love story. These two men are both broken already. It takes them a long time to get where they're going (slow burn), but they are falling in love while helping each other heal, and that takes time.
By the end of it, I lost count of the moments that brought tears to my eyes. There was one where I literally said out loud to an empty room, "Oh, please don't do this to me!" And that's how you know the book is excellent in its execution, delivery, and plotting, not to mention the gloriousness that is the character development. You genuinely care about these characters and can't help but feel what they are feeling.
Anyway, read the book. It's worth it for so many reasons beyond just being an MM romance. And don't let the 3rd person single-POV stop you. Personally, I prefer 1st person multi-POV, but this was absolutely the best way to tell this story. And it doesn't stop you from caring deeply about both MCs. You get to learn Rory alongside Kieran, and that's something you can only find with single-POV.
Also, if you've ever lost someone you loved, this book is for you.
Jude Bradley wrote the most lovely debut contemporary romance I have ever read, regardless of gender. I don't consume a lot of contemporary romance in general (the tropes are usually not my cup of tea), but this story has had me in its clutches since before Jude was finished writing it. Just snippets of conversations from the WIPs posted on Jude's IG account were enough for me to lock in on this novel from the word go, and "We Are Just Us" delivered in spades.
To be cliché about it (moreso than I already have), I know what I'll be discussing with my therapist this week. 😅 And honestly, we will talk about grief, and change, and how hard it can be to stop running from yourself and your life, and also how simple it can be to do those things once you've decided to stand still... Kieran and Jude both learn those lessons in their own way, but they manage to do it together beautifully.
This story is a touchstone for processing grief (how grief is never linear), but it's also genuinely a love story. These two men are both broken already. It takes them a long time to get where they're going (slow burn), but they are falling in love while helping each other heal, and that takes time.
By the end of it, I lost count of the moments that brought tears to my eyes. There was one where I literally said out loud to an empty room, "Oh, please don't do this to me!" And that's how you know the book is excellent in its execution, delivery, and plotting, not to mention the gloriousness that is the character development. You genuinely care about these characters and can't help but feel what they are feeling.
Anyway, read the book. It's worth it for so many reasons beyond just being an MM romance. And don't let the 3rd person single-POV stop you. Personally, I prefer 1st person multi-POV, but this was absolutely the best way to tell this story. And it doesn't stop you from caring deeply about both MCs. You get to learn Rory alongside Kieran, and that's something you can only find with single-POV.
Also, if you've ever lost someone you loved, this book is for you.
August 26, 2026
OK, BUT SERIOUSLY, WHAT WAS THAT ENDING? Oh, my god. My heart almost flew out of my mouth. You scared the hell out of me, dear author. Having said that, this is definitely a 5-star book. Or maybe 10-stars.
How do I start? This book is a beautiful letter surrounding grief and loss. About how love can help you overcome it all, if you give it a chance. Overcoming them won't be pretty nor easy, as it never is, but you have to move on and maybe insist on loving that one person who might change your whole world and help you through it. And that's what happens to Kieran and Rory in this book. Both of them are surrounded by grief. They both lost someone, and they might not be ready to open up to someone new and let them enter their lives through the front door (reference intended).
But when they do, we see how beautiful and real and honest their love is. You feel it in your soul. I love how they don't let their flaws define their way of loving. To me, that was the most beautiful part of the book. Your flaws don't have to define how you're supposed to love someone. You can love them anyway, with flaws and all. You can walk through it and learn how to be a better person. You have to persist in a clean path, even if you got the feeling you might fall and hurt yourself, but you have to get up and fight.
Truly, this book is astonishingly amazing. Well-written, well-narrated. The banter between the characters is amazingly lovely. The side characters are incredible too, and I love how real, human and warm they feel. I became fond of every single one of them side characters, and that's extra hard to accomplish, I'll tell you that. This author is truly amazing. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for their upcoming releases, which I hope it's soon. Just give me anything and I'll read it. Hell, even your grocery list is worth it.
Also, I can't believe this is the author's debut book? Like, hello?? That's an amazing way to start your path to stardom. I'm so glad I decided to read it. Thank you, Tiktok reviewers. Sometimes you guys miss, but this one time it led me to a freaking great discovery.
How do I start? This book is a beautiful letter surrounding grief and loss. About how love can help you overcome it all, if you give it a chance. Overcoming them won't be pretty nor easy, as it never is, but you have to move on and maybe insist on loving that one person who might change your whole world and help you through it. And that's what happens to Kieran and Rory in this book. Both of them are surrounded by grief. They both lost someone, and they might not be ready to open up to someone new and let them enter their lives through the front door (reference intended).
But when they do, we see how beautiful and real and honest their love is. You feel it in your soul. I love how they don't let their flaws define their way of loving. To me, that was the most beautiful part of the book. Your flaws don't have to define how you're supposed to love someone. You can love them anyway, with flaws and all. You can walk through it and learn how to be a better person. You have to persist in a clean path, even if you got the feeling you might fall and hurt yourself, but you have to get up and fight.
Truly, this book is astonishingly amazing. Well-written, well-narrated. The banter between the characters is amazingly lovely. The side characters are incredible too, and I love how real, human and warm they feel. I became fond of every single one of them side characters, and that's extra hard to accomplish, I'll tell you that. This author is truly amazing. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for their upcoming releases, which I hope it's soon. Just give me anything and I'll read it. Hell, even your grocery list is worth it.
Also, I can't believe this is the author's debut book? Like, hello?? That's an amazing way to start your path to stardom. I'm so glad I decided to read it. Thank you, Tiktok reviewers. Sometimes you guys miss, but this one time it led me to a freaking great discovery.
September 13, 2026
This book … wow .. the way Jude Bradley handled the hard emotions of losing a parent, and more , and the grief that swallows you .. was spot on .
I loved his characters , and the way he made you feel realness of them, their lives , Kieran’s Dogs , the kitties , surfing , and what they loved. Their friends and the character build , the personalities, I loved them .
I loved the details of the area, the beaches , the local area of San Diego and how Kieran and Rory enjoyed the activities, the coffee shops and music in the parks , tacos , all the local beach towns , Del Mar, Moonlight beach , Carlsbad , if you know you know , how beautiful and captivating it is , this book sucks you right in and you will fall in love .
In the beginning, Kieran was awkward , maybe even whiney . It was not my favorite trait of his , until your right in it with him and realize where is anxiety is coming from. with the loss of his Mom and her illness . Dealing with no emotional support. No one to build his confidence and really see him .
The way Jude Bradley handles the real truths of loosing a parent and also dealing with being a care giver for a terminal illness, is heart wrenching and painful and so much authentic truths . These life events of losing a loved one , and how they deal with them , builds their relationship and trust and realization of being in denial when dealing with grief .
Rory and Kieran’s story is brutally honest and not the sappy mushy things you think you need to hear . Not the fluffy you might be use to . It’s sarcasm, banter and being so attracted to someone you loose the filter of words and actions of being cool ! Their attraction and spice is 🔥
Their support eachother , their honesty and showing up for one another , being real in their relationship , even when it can get messy , uncomfortable , heart wrenching , it makes you want more !
It’s like being a a real life love story of finding strength and being brave and overcoming Tragedy, insecurities , trauma and life altering changes .
I would give this a 6 ⭐️
Well done Jude Bradley !! We NEED more ,please !!
I loved his characters , and the way he made you feel realness of them, their lives , Kieran’s Dogs , the kitties , surfing , and what they loved. Their friends and the character build , the personalities, I loved them .
I loved the details of the area, the beaches , the local area of San Diego and how Kieran and Rory enjoyed the activities, the coffee shops and music in the parks , tacos , all the local beach towns , Del Mar, Moonlight beach , Carlsbad , if you know you know , how beautiful and captivating it is , this book sucks you right in and you will fall in love .
In the beginning, Kieran was awkward , maybe even whiney . It was not my favorite trait of his , until your right in it with him and realize where is anxiety is coming from. with the loss of his Mom and her illness . Dealing with no emotional support. No one to build his confidence and really see him .
The way Jude Bradley handles the real truths of loosing a parent and also dealing with being a care giver for a terminal illness, is heart wrenching and painful and so much authentic truths . These life events of losing a loved one , and how they deal with them , builds their relationship and trust and realization of being in denial when dealing with grief .
Rory and Kieran’s story is brutally honest and not the sappy mushy things you think you need to hear . Not the fluffy you might be use to . It’s sarcasm, banter and being so attracted to someone you loose the filter of words and actions of being cool ! Their attraction and spice is 🔥
Their support eachother , their honesty and showing up for one another , being real in their relationship , even when it can get messy , uncomfortable , heart wrenching , it makes you want more !
It’s like being a a real life love story of finding strength and being brave and overcoming Tragedy, insecurities , trauma and life altering changes .
I would give this a 6 ⭐️
Well done Jude Bradley !! We NEED more ,please !!
August 3, 2026
You know the saying „Don‘t judge a book by its cover“? Yeah well I saw the Cover as I was scrolling on Booksiren and I thought it was pretty so I wanted to read and oh my it did so not disappoint.
There have been very few chapters that have broken my heart while reading and chapter 8 has joined that list. That chapter showed how much Kieran‘s life was formed and why everything he does is the way he does it.
The way my heart skipped a beat when Kieran met Samantha and Aubrey and how they accepted him at the beach! And even though Kieran and Samantha were at the hospital due to Rory’s surfing accident just seeing them bond made me get tears in my eyes.
And can we talk about the spice scenes cause they were SPICY AF?! I love when books have goood spicy scenes so the ones in this book made my heart very happy
“I saw you naked.”The ground shifted under him. “That was an accident.”“Still counts.” Rory stepped out of his shorts and kicked them aside. The baseball cap stayed on. “I figure the universe likes symmetry.” Help when I read this I laughed out loud
„No thanks. I brought my Kindle“ this whole sentence just descriped every reader ever when someone asks them to do something at a gathering.
“Then Rory glanced up. The joke was gone from his face. What was left was the look of a man who’d been waiting for someone to call him that and didn’t know it until he heard it.” Stop when I read this after Kieran called Rory his boyfriend my eyes got teary not gonna lie people
“Thank you,” Rory said softly. “For staying. For being here. For not running when it got hard.”“Where else would I go?”“I don’t know. But some people would. Would have left.”“I’m not some people. I’m not everyone.”“No.” Rory agreed. “You’re not.” The character devolopment from Kieran for not running away made me so happy when I read this part when they were getting ready to leave the hospital
Thank you so much to Booksirens and Jude for this ARC in exchange for this review <3
There have been very few chapters that have broken my heart while reading and chapter 8 has joined that list. That chapter showed how much Kieran‘s life was formed and why everything he does is the way he does it.
The way my heart skipped a beat when Kieran met Samantha and Aubrey and how they accepted him at the beach! And even though Kieran and Samantha were at the hospital due to Rory’s surfing accident just seeing them bond made me get tears in my eyes.
And can we talk about the spice scenes cause they were SPICY AF?! I love when books have goood spicy scenes so the ones in this book made my heart very happy
“I saw you naked.”The ground shifted under him. “That was an accident.”“Still counts.” Rory stepped out of his shorts and kicked them aside. The baseball cap stayed on. “I figure the universe likes symmetry.” Help when I read this I laughed out loud
„No thanks. I brought my Kindle“ this whole sentence just descriped every reader ever when someone asks them to do something at a gathering.
“Then Rory glanced up. The joke was gone from his face. What was left was the look of a man who’d been waiting for someone to call him that and didn’t know it until he heard it.” Stop when I read this after Kieran called Rory his boyfriend my eyes got teary not gonna lie people
“Thank you,” Rory said softly. “For staying. For being here. For not running when it got hard.”“Where else would I go?”“I don’t know. But some people would. Would have left.”“I’m not some people. I’m not everyone.”“No.” Rory agreed. “You’re not.” The character devolopment from Kieran for not running away made me so happy when I read this part when they were getting ready to leave the hospital
Thank you so much to Booksirens and Jude for this ARC in exchange for this review <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
We Are Just Us🏄♂️
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Jude Bradley for trusting me with this ARC!🌊
Lies are Kieran Doyle's coping mechanism.
Encinitas,as the shirtless neighbor next door,was not his plan,after 9 hours driving with two dogs and some ashes by his side.
Rory likes surfing at dawn,and living his every day life,with a pace no one could easy understands,but if he wants Kieran in,he must lower his walls.
We Are Just Us,is a beautiful love story,to end your summer with.We follow the romance of Rory & Kieran,who bond over tacos,and awkward moments,until they finally share their first kiss.
Bradley's writing was addictive,with me reading it on,literally,one sitting.My favorite part was the way he connected the scenes together.Like,even if you wanted you could not even stop,because in every ending a little something happened,that,honestly,through you straight into the next one.Also,something that I have started to read a lot in books,and happened in this one too,is that the romances are stretching through time.
Everything does not happen in two months and bye,it is over,but we see them through 6 plus months,or years together and get a good taste in what their life together looks like.
Now getting into the characters,I will surely say that Rory stole my heart.He is so cute,authentic, passionate,truly what we describe a good guy.Life hasn't always been easy to him and nor will be,but my boy will manage.On the other side Kieran,was not my cup of tea,but I truly think it is just me.Let's say he did some stuff,that got me so mad,and maximized my likeness towards Rory more.Yet,I have to be fair that in the end,I think he got himself in place,and became the man that his boyfriend needed by his side.
So,romance was beautiful,a positive side of LGBTQ+ relationships were shown (so refreshing to read),so why not end your summer with this apart from everything else,amazing summer read?
Out On Aug,18th 🍜
4⭐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Jude Bradley for trusting me with this ARC!🌊
Lies are Kieran Doyle's coping mechanism.
Encinitas,as the shirtless neighbor next door,was not his plan,after 9 hours driving with two dogs and some ashes by his side.
Rory likes surfing at dawn,and living his every day life,with a pace no one could easy understands,but if he wants Kieran in,he must lower his walls.
We Are Just Us,is a beautiful love story,to end your summer with.We follow the romance of Rory & Kieran,who bond over tacos,and awkward moments,until they finally share their first kiss.
Bradley's writing was addictive,with me reading it on,literally,one sitting.My favorite part was the way he connected the scenes together.Like,even if you wanted you could not even stop,because in every ending a little something happened,that,honestly,through you straight into the next one.Also,something that I have started to read a lot in books,and happened in this one too,is that the romances are stretching through time.
Everything does not happen in two months and bye,it is over,but we see them through 6 plus months,or years together and get a good taste in what their life together looks like.
Now getting into the characters,I will surely say that Rory stole my heart.He is so cute,authentic, passionate,truly what we describe a good guy.Life hasn't always been easy to him and nor will be,but my boy will manage.On the other side Kieran,was not my cup of tea,but I truly think it is just me.Let's say he did some stuff,that got me so mad,and maximized my likeness towards Rory more.Yet,I have to be fair that in the end,I think he got himself in place,and became the man that his boyfriend needed by his side.
So,romance was beautiful,a positive side of LGBTQ+ relationships were shown (so refreshing to read),so why not end your summer with this apart from everything else,amazing summer read?
Out On Aug,18th 🍜
4⭐
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews