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Arete Resort #4

The Man I Built It With

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Marc has been beside me from the beginning.

Business partner. Original financier. The man who held the line when Malcolm died and I couldn't.

He gave me Arete when I had nowhere else to put the grief. Somewhere in the years that followed, I stopped knowing how to do a day without him.

He knew Malcolm before I did. College, before any of us were who we are now. He's never made that strange. He's never made it anything.

Then a pre-season party. Too much to drink. A door that should have stayed closed.

Now I know.

He's wanted me longer than he'll say. I've wanted him longer than I'll admit. We've got time, history, and the rest of the summer before the season buries us.

It should be easy.

His son arrives the week after.

Eighteen, sharper than either of us gave him credit for, here for reasons of his own.

I keep my hands off Marc in front of him. I keep my mouth shut about what we are. I tell myself we have time to figure this out before anyone has to know.

Then we go up the mountain, and the quiet I'd been keeping doesn't hold.

A slow-burn M/M romance set during summer at a mountain resort, with longtime friends and business partners, shared grief, hidden mutual pining, hurt/comfort, and the man who was always already there. Book 4 in the Arete Resort series. Can be read as a standalone with HEA.

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

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About the author

Romeo Alexander

99 books653 followers
Romeo Alexander writes M/M romance out of Michigan, usually late at night, usually with coffee, always with one dog and two cats who couldn't care less about his deadlines.

He's a gay man writing what he knows: love that's messy before it's easy, men who need to be cracked open a little before they let someone in, and the kind of hurt/comfort that makes you want to reread the same chapter three times.

He believes in happy endings. He also believes they should cost something first.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,846 followers
June 4, 2026
‘Just be present with me, Just be here. That’s all I need…all we need’’ – The spectrum of love at Arete Resort

Bravo to author Romeo Alexander for continuing his series, Arete Resort, with this fourth installment, a novel that takes place in a resort where men can heal, as the plot summary suggests: ‘‘Marc has been beside me from the beginning. The wanting came later. Business partner. Original financier. The man in the suit who held the line when Malcolm died and I couldn't. He gave me Arete when I had nowhere else to put the grief. Somewhere in the years that followed, I stopped knowing how to do a day without him. He knew Malcolm before I did. College, before any of us were who we are now. He's never made that strange. He's never made it anything. Then a pre-season party. Too much to drink. A door that should have stayed closed. Now I know. He's wanted me longer than he'll say. I've wanted him longer than I'll admit. We've got time, history, and the rest of the summer before the season buries us. It should be easy. His son arrives the week after. Eighteen, restless, and sharper than either of us expected. Here for reasons of his own, and watching more closely than he should. I keep my hands off Marc in front of him. I keep my mouth shut about what we are. I tell myself we have time to figure this out before anyone has to know. Then we go up the mountain, and the quiet I'd been keeping doesn't hold.’

In this episode, more characters evolve as Romeo’s skill to create a fine atmosphere is evident in the opening lines:: ‘”You’ve got that look on your face,” Marc told me as we stepped into the elevator. I smacked my pass against the panel on the wall and hit the button for the bottom floor. “What look?” I wondered, stepping away from him to lean against the elevator wall. I wasn’t tired, not physically anyway, and it wasn’t like it was going to be a long ride down to the bottom of the resort, but I really didn’t want to stand too close to him. He was six foot two of healthy masculinity in that trim suit of his, the barest trace of silver in his jet-black hair and a touch of his carefully styled black stubble that looked professional yet sensual at the same time…He was my boss…’ Character sculpting is a gift Romeo owns! The range of themes in Romeo’s impressively large output of novels always encourages his readership to plead for the next volume. This is a very well-conceived and written story with significant themes worthy of everyone’s attention!
Profile Image for Kitchen Sink Books.
1,782 reviews42 followers
June 3, 2026
We are back in Arete, the resort that Marc and Reggie built from nothing, a place for men only, where they can go for therapy, to escape the world, to spend some time regrouping - essentially a place to suit any need. Having poured heart, soul and money into the place they can be proud of what they have achieved, of the investors who support them - one of whom makes an appearance at the start of this book, and whom you might remember if you've been reading the series.

This is however Reggie and Marc's story. The pair became friends after Reggie met and married Malcolm, Marc's best friend. Sadly Malcolm passed, Marc found himself divorced and the two of them found one another. They worked to create something they might both have needed, if they could admit that to themselves and now, with its success growing it is the summer season, Marc's newly-turned eighteen year old son is coming to stay and the heat is rising.

What we begin to see is that whilst Reggie knows he has some feelings for Marc he won't act on them, for his own reasons. Marc on the other hand, whilst knowing he is attracted to men, has never seen Reggie that way, at least that is what he tells himself. As they somehow grow even closer during this summer season, truths, memories and more rise to the surface. They might want to try and stay professional, keep Marc's son in mind but attraction and even, dare I say it love, work to their own timetable.

They have always been there for one another, they have shared hurt and comfort, they have a complex dynamic but a slow-burn simmers under the surface, it might even spark to life and the consequences, well let's just say this book will have you hooked...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,041 reviews8 followers
June 8, 2026
Fine ending to the series

Watching Reggie and Marc in the previous three books made me long for their romance. I'm sad that this is the last of the series but I know Romeo will always come through with another series or standalone to love.
Reggie has been the snarky star of the series, always just around the corner when you least expect him, but a steadying presence too somehow, despite his tendency towards gentle chaos. Marc is more reserved, a quiet and calm oasis compared to Reggie, the yin to his yang. They've been business partners for a while, friends for longer, since being introduced by Malcolm (Marc's best friend and Reggie's deceased husband).
This is a much sweeter story than the second and third books, more on a par with the first of the series. I loved watching Marc let himself finally acknowledge that he had feelings for Reggie. Navigating a new path after all the emotions they'd been through to get to this point, finding a different space for them to exist in together, was so rewarding.
I liked the introduction of Marc's teenage son, Jude, who bought a little bit of his own chaos into their lives.
The epilogue was good, providing updates and bringing the series to a satisfying conclusion.
I'm so impressed by how beautifully Romeo draws his characters on the page. He makes it so easy to visualise them, in all their hope, despair, sadness, joy, love. I get so caught up in their stories and it's a wonderful gift he possesses.
30 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 2, 2026
I was so excited to read Reggie and Marc’s story! I’m a sucker for friends to lovers and especially when it’s layered with complexity.

I already adored Reggie and loved Marc’s journey regarding his guilt. I felt that they balanced each other so well, making sure the other was taking care of themselves. The humor was wonderful and kept the heavy topics balanced. I have added several new insults to my arsenal.

Pulling Jude into the resort was a fun twist, and I wish we could have seen more interactions between him and Marc. Their father son relationship was entertaining to watch.

It was fun to see the behind the scenes of the resort, and I enjoyed how their story overlapped with some of the other stories we’ve seen in the series. I also enjoyed how we got a quick flash update on everyone else’s story at the end.

This was the perfect way to end the series, but I’m sad to see it ending. Like Reggie said, there’s something magical about the retreat, and it comes out in Alexander’s writing as well. Being able to freely explore traumatic and heavy topics while in a healing environment reaches the readers as well.

I would recommend this for those who enjoy mm contemporary romance and friends to lovers.
110 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2026
Loved the book! This is the story of Arete resort’s founders Marc and Reggie, who have been friends for many years and while being attracted to each other, have never crossed the line to being more, for very valid reasons. Until they finally do, kind of by accident, and then sparks fly (and very hot sparks!) but there are plenty of complications to overcome before they can enjoy their HEA. I am generally not a fan of friends-to-lovers romance but here it was done really well – it felt very realistic and at the same time kind of poetic. Romeo Alexander has a very distinct writing style and I love his dialogue as well as introspective writing here – there is a lot of internal monologue, but since the characters are layered and complex, it is interesting. While the book is a part of a series, and some characters from the previous books make an appearance, it can totally be read as a standalone. Also, five stars for the gorgeous cover and the whole Arete resort universe – I would happily convalesce there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
638 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy
May 28, 2026
I enjoyed finally getting to see the slow burn romance between Reggie and Marc! These two men have been secretly wanting more than their amazing friendship from one another for so long that finally getting together is spicy, sweet, cautious, fun, has a couple hiccups, is full of so much love, and leads to a long awaited HEA.
Reggie has a fun, but chaotic personality and Marc is the calm, buttoned down one, but together, they work perfectly and I loved every minute of their journey towards love. They were friends first, went through tragedy and heartbreak together, became better friends and business partners, helped one another heal, and eventually their friendship blossomed into a beautiful love.
I'm sad to see the end of this series, but this last book is amazing and I would absolutely recommend it. It could be read as a standalone, but to get an even better feel for their relationship and for Arete and the men that have been helped, I would recommend this entire series.

I received an ARC from Booksprout, this review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
770 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2026
This book was everything I hoped for and so much more. I want to scream I LOVED IT!
Marc and Reggie, the owners of Arete Resort, have appeared throughout the previous books in the series. I've adored Reggie from the very beginning, and I thought there was a bit of mystery surrounding whether he and Marc would finally get their happily ever after. Watching their story unfold was absolutely worth the wait.
Even though this is Book 4 in the Arete Resort series, it easily could have been Book 1. The other recurring characters haven't met their significant others yet, making this a great entry point for new readers.
The snark in this book was top notch, and I was here for every single bit of it. While this can definitely be read as a standalone, I can't imagine not starting from the beginning and experiencing the entire wonderful series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
15 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2026
I've been waiting for this, the final piece in this series and now it's here and I've devoured it one sitting? Well, it was worth the wait.

This book, telling the tale of the creators of Arete, and their pathway is not 'just' an exploration of Friends to Lovers. Their connection is layered, with quiet secrets and deep connection.

This is the most accessible of the series for me, although we haven't seen that much of Marc and Reggie in the previous books, they felt familiar and much quicker for me to connect with.

I loved the story, the shared history, the way they have already saved each other, more than once, culminating in this. Their shared vision of Arete, the support, the stumbles. Jude is an excellent complication, and his tale was told with nuance and humour.

Lovely levels of angst, spice, woe, love and of course, a HEA.

Fitting finish to a complex series
Profile Image for Saskia Veldhuis .
2,213 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy
June 1, 2026
It was good to get more details about the origin and founders of the Arete Resort. Reggie has been bouncing around the entire series, and been pining for Marc just as long. Marc had managed to help Reggie after his husband and Marc's best friend had passed away some years earlier. Marc's son (a very enjoyable character in his own right) has come to stay at the resort to observe the clients before starting college, and this pushes Marc and Reggie starting to really communicate. This process took some time, which was right as it matched the characters perfectly. The ending was a fitting roundup of the plots and couples from previous books being happy together.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
3,500 reviews28 followers
June 2, 2026
Wow, this is the book that I’ve been waiting for. To finally find out what’s going on with Reggie and Marc. But it was not what I expected. I absolutely adore the banter between these two. It is just so easy it is effortless. The chemistry between these two is just electric and it’s easy to say the passion is off the charts. these two are just soulmates. We’ve also got Marc’s son in this book who comes to the wellness retreat to do a study. And it’s an eye-opener for him as well. There are twists and turns in this book that I didn’t see coming, and a few secrets wow just a great read could not put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Johanna.
5,542 reviews87 followers
June 3, 2026
'A slow-burn M/M romance set during summer at a mountain resort, with longtime friends and business partners, shared grief, hidden mutual pining, hurt/comfort, complicated family dynamics, and the man who was always already there. Book 4 in the Arete Resort series. Can be read as a standalone with HEA.'

The characters drove the storyline and they were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kelly Viccars.
109 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 31, 2026
Love after grief

These two could learn a lot from their own retreat! Marc and Reggie have a lot in common with their grief and how it’s impacted their functioning after Malcom. Both grieving the loss of either a best friend or husband, grief of a marriage ended and then how they view themselves moving forward through that grief.
Their shared friendship and loss leads them to partnership. Throw in Marc’s teenage son, Jude to cause catastrophe as he navigates his young adulthood and whilst Marc wears the worst of it he also gets his HEA.
3,226 reviews21 followers
June 2, 2026
Silence is a co-conspirator to keeping love at bay. For Marcus and Reggie some talking honestly with one another would have helped them realize sooner what they wanted from one another. It is interesting that they are close, business partners, friends, they share a love for someone they both cared deeply for as well. And maybe that is why they could not come together earlier. But secrets seem to always find a way to be come out. And in this case, despite any complications, that is a good thing for them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
8 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 27, 2026
This was such a sweet story. The way the characters are with each other is so good. I love the banter between them and found myself laughing out loud more than once. To find love after loss and to find it with someone you consider a best friend is just amazing. Im sad to see the end of this series but can't wait to see what Romeo has next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for K-Me.
3,083 reviews
Review of advance copy
June 1, 2026
I loved the mutual secret pining and desires for each other these two had. It felt so real as they were there for each other through so many phases of life and work. Taking a chance of losing that from both sides was scary for each of them. I honestly felt the emotional connection between these two. Each carry the other's weaker side. Reggie was bit messier and free while Marc was more all business and calm. The Mountain Resort scenery as always is romantic perfection.
Profile Image for Traci S.
2,218 reviews15 followers
June 2, 2026
Thank you for the book; here is my honest opinion:
4.5⭐️Loved it! Arete was such a cool premise and the resort setting created by the author was pretty special and full of excellent characters. I enjoyed the complicated network of relationships that happens at the resort, loads of fun drama. I enjoyed all the books but Reggie and Marc were my favorite couple, their connection is genuine and the healing they find together was very effective. Jude was fun too!
2,850 reviews7 followers
June 22, 2026
Reggie lost his husband who was a friend of Marc, Marc and Reggie founded the Arete resort to help troubled men be able to live again. He is attracted to Marc but keeps it to himself so not to ruin their business relationship. Marc’s 18 year old son Jude comes to live with him so a little while. One time they have too much to drink and crossed a line never crossed before and they admit their feelings.
1,303 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy
May 30, 2026
The Man I Built It With is the fourth book in the Arete Resort series by Romeo Alexander. This is a beautiful romance between two friends and business partners. It was sweet watching the finally accepting what had beeb brewing between the two for years. Love it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lisa C.
1,128 reviews22 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 30, 2026
Wonderful story of Marc and Reggie, long time friends, turned lovers who own/manage the Arete Resort. Loved these characters and enjoyed seeing Marc's son Jude and the new dynamic there. Part of the Arete Resort series but can be read as a standalone. This author's writing is smooth but intense and pulls you in from the first page. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Amanda Reeves.
4,138 reviews42 followers
June 3, 2026
The Man I Built it With is the fourth and final book in the Arete Resort series and can be read as a standalone. This is a friends to lovers, slow burn, opposites attract read about Marc and Reggie. I just loved this sweet story, probably my favorite of the series, and all the wonderful characters, Jude was fun. Sad to see the series end, I'll miss visiting Arete Resort.
5,076 reviews19 followers
June 20, 2026
Oh my STARS! This story is a heart tugger, a warm comfy hug and a shake em by the shoulders story that leaves you absolutely happy and satisfied. The characters have depth are charismatic and likeable. Romeo does the best character development with complex stories. Well done! I would read this mulitple times.
Profile Image for Debbie Benson.
10.9k reviews40 followers
Review of advance copy
June 1, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Marc and Reggie move from friendship to love while healing each other. It was a very good ending to this series.
Profile Image for Kenneth Cameron.
176 reviews8 followers
June 3, 2026
Well conceived and executed MM romance. Very enjoyable because the story is not formulaic or expected. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cynthia Brooks.
2,470 reviews12 followers
June 16, 2026
Reggie and Marc are best friends but after getting drunk at a party they wake up in bed together. Things change, they enjoy what they have but wonder if they could have more. I really enjoyed this book.
2,511 reviews16 followers
June 14, 2026
This is the fourth and final book of the Arête Resort series and we finally get owners Marc and Reggie’s story and it was definitely worth the wait, I would definitely recommend this book and series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews