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Bare: A Slow-Burn MM Single Dad Romance
He built his life around control. Then a man with paint on his knuckles changed the temperature of the room.
Neil Ashworth teaches English, raises his five-year-old son alone, and keeps everything in its correct place. His classroom is immaculate. His routines are airtight. His hands haven't shaken in years. Not since he stopped wanting anything.
Rory Cavanaugh paints the things people don't want seen. He's loud, generous, covered in charcoal by nine in the morning — and he swore he'd never again be someone's secret. Not after the married man. Not after two years of being furniture in public and wanted only in the dark.
When Rory arrives at Neil's school for a cross-curricular art project, Neil gives him a handshake and a surname. Rory gives him a card with his address on it. The card lives in Neil's wallet. He checks it every night. He tells himself this is not devotion.
It isn't a question of if. It never was. Since a man with paint on his knuckles said Rory and extended his hand — and everything shifted. It's a question of when — and what it will cost.
Because Rory is painting something. Behind a locked studio door. And when Neil finally sees it, everything he's built will have to come down.
BARE is a slow-burn MM romance set in England — featuring a single dad, teacher colleagues, an artist who sees too much, found family, and explicit heat. Standalone with HEA.
For readers who love Alexis Hall's emotional precision and M.A. Wardell's school-world warmth.
Neil Ashworth teaches English, raises his five-year-old son alone, and keeps everything in its correct place. His classroom is immaculate. His routines are airtight. His hands haven't shaken in years. Not since he stopped wanting anything.
Rory Cavanaugh paints the things people don't want seen. He's loud, generous, covered in charcoal by nine in the morning — and he swore he'd never again be someone's secret. Not after the married man. Not after two years of being furniture in public and wanted only in the dark.
When Rory arrives at Neil's school for a cross-curricular art project, Neil gives him a handshake and a surname. Rory gives him a card with his address on it. The card lives in Neil's wallet. He checks it every night. He tells himself this is not devotion.
It isn't a question of if. It never was. Since a man with paint on his knuckles said Rory and extended his hand — and everything shifted. It's a question of when — and what it will cost.
Because Rory is painting something. Behind a locked studio door. And when Neil finally sees it, everything he's built will have to come down.
BARE is a slow-burn MM romance set in England — featuring a single dad, teacher colleagues, an artist who sees too much, found family, and explicit heat. Standalone with HEA.
For readers who love Alexis Hall's emotional precision and M.A. Wardell's school-world warmth.
- GenresM M Romance
294 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2026
About the author
Alex W. Wells
3 books3 followersAlex W. Wells (they/them) writes contemporary MM romance: slow burn, open door, and men who are much better at observing than asking for what they want.
Their books follow characters figuring things out late, badly, and with more precision than necessary: academics, bricklayers, commuters, exes, fathers, teachers, artists. Very specific food. Tea that means something it shouldn’t.
They write queer romance with sharp dialogue, emotional restraint, and heat that arrives after far too much thinking.
They say very little about the rest.
Their books follow characters figuring things out late, badly, and with more precision than necessary: academics, bricklayers, commuters, exes, fathers, teachers, artists. Very specific food. Tea that means something it shouldn’t.
They write queer romance with sharp dialogue, emotional restraint, and heat that arrives after far too much thinking.
They say very little about the rest.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 7, 2026
3. 75 stars. First book from this author. It was a different style of writing than I am used to. It was well written but wordy.
Neil was a closeted English teacher with a son(5) Freddie. Rory was an artist who was raising his younger brother Kieran(18). They met after being tasked with creating a mural for the school.
I loved to see Neil's ridged control start to slip the more time he spent with Rory. It was a hard fought HEA due to Neil's family background.
Fav Thought: Context: Neils first kiss with a man.
"Neil couldn't speak. His mouth was still calibrating. His mouth had just done a thing it had never done and the recalibration was physical, cellular, as though the nerve endings in his lips were being rewritten."
SPOILERS Below
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.
.
.
.
.
SPOILERS......
💥 Slow Burn but it didnt feel too slow because there are a lot of time jumps. It does draw out toward the end.
💥 Insta-attraction....Neil fought it and Rory was so patient with him.
💥 Third Act Break no but Neil does push Rory away a few times because the thought of people finding out stressed him. His father was homophobic and his mother helped repress him to "protect him".
💥 Nice redemption with Neil's family. It broke my heart but was so worth it.
💥 OPD- No
💥Neil and his ex wife. Gemma were married for 5 years but had been divorced for 4 years by start of the book. It didn't say how they met but it mentioned them being best friends for 20 years. She was in a relationship with Owen during the story and made several appearances. (not my favorite dynamic)
💥If I understood correctly Tess and Patrick are Rory's "found family". They were good side characters.
Dislikes: Neil's encounters in car parks were thought about 13 times. His time with Rory was constantly being compared to it. A few times is understandable but it started affecting MY thoughts during their time together.
Neil was a closeted English teacher with a son(5) Freddie. Rory was an artist who was raising his younger brother Kieran(18). They met after being tasked with creating a mural for the school.
I loved to see Neil's ridged control start to slip the more time he spent with Rory. It was a hard fought HEA due to Neil's family background.
Fav Thought: Context: Neils first kiss with a man.
"Neil couldn't speak. His mouth was still calibrating. His mouth had just done a thing it had never done and the recalibration was physical, cellular, as though the nerve endings in his lips were being rewritten."
SPOILERS Below
.
.
.
.
.
.
SPOILERS......
💥 Slow Burn but it didnt feel too slow because there are a lot of time jumps. It does draw out toward the end.
💥 Insta-attraction....Neil fought it and Rory was so patient with him.
💥 Third Act Break no but Neil does push Rory away a few times because the thought of people finding out stressed him. His father was homophobic and his mother helped repress him to "protect him".
💥 Nice redemption with Neil's family. It broke my heart but was so worth it.
💥 OPD- No
💥Neil and his ex wife. Gemma were married for 5 years but had been divorced for 4 years by start of the book. It didn't say how they met but it mentioned them being best friends for 20 years. She was in a relationship with Owen during the story and made several appearances. (not my favorite dynamic)
💥If I understood correctly Tess and Patrick are Rory's "found family". They were good side characters.
Dislikes: Neil's encounters in car parks were thought about 13 times. His time with Rory was constantly being compared to it. A few times is understandable but it started affecting MY thoughts during their time together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
Some of this story was deep, and some intense. I don't think I was worthy of this tale, I struggled at times but was always aware of how well put together it was.
April 7, 2026
Visceral. Longing. Pent-up emotion and desire that explodes and crashes and evolves and makes a mess everywhere until one man’s repressed life becomes utter chaos to another man’s patient, undeniable draw.
Loved it.
Safe for me, despite many reminders of the anonymous sex our repressed single dad Neil has been having in the few years since his divorce from his ex-wife/best friend. This is how you do that, bringing it up not salaciously but reluctantly to contrast the difference between gray scale and out of control splashes of rainbow, technicolor, I See You passion. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (Though...really could have stopped after the first couple mentions. It did not bear repeating as much as it was. But that still didn't stop me from loving these two together.)
Neil and his son Freddie are at the same school, Neil as a 7th form English teacher, Freddie as a 5 year old brutally honest, kind, artistic, normal kid who tells it like it is in ways that Neil just can’t ignore.
Rory is the new art teacher. Freddie’s new favorite teacher. And one look at Rory, and Neil knows nothing will ever be the same. Point of no return.
Oh, he fights it. How he fights it. But some things won’t be denied.
I absolutely loved the connection, the UST, the denial and unadulterated yearning…Neil walking into things just because Rory was looking at him…! Ooof. Felt like a whole different level of writing here.
That man needed to unclench so much. Rory helped him from the moment Neil tried to lay down rules and Rory obliterated them with one touch. Took Neil a while to acknowledge it, but…yeah. Seriously 🔥❤️🔥🔥❤️🔥
I adored Neil's son, Freddie. This kid enhances the narrative without ever being annoying. Lays down common sense, 5 yo wisdom without seeming contrived. And despite his inability to reach for his own happiness, Neil is a wonderful father for Freddie, and a terrific teacher for his students. His notes on who needs what in class were a lovely little extra touch.
I also shocked myself by enjoying Gemma, Neil’s ex, who is now with a nice dude named Owen. She’s not the annoying cliche ex who seems like a tool to use to show that the hero was gay and in denial; she’s a rounded character who was his best friend and supported him without making him feel like a mistake, and I was impressed with the nuances there. She never once irritated me, and I want to re-read this book and study it to see how the author Did That. Well done. Her steadfast , no bullshit but no guilt at all accepting attitude also enhanced the book. And yet she didn’t feel overly saintly either. Just solid and honorable.
The one thing that didn’t work for me was the parental dynamic. Neil’s parents are the main reason he hated himself, thought his desires were wrong, gave up art (!), and lived in such confusion and even fear from age 15 on. One unforgettable but so, so quiet moment, plus their inability to communicate anything with him twisted him up so much that he became this repressed and fearful individual who’s afraid to even look at a man That Way in the daylight. And yet when all this is resolved, it feels like it was all for nothing and never would have been that bad in the first place if he’d just confronted them much sooner. It left me confused and unsettled, not happy for any of them, and feeling like there was a lot of pain and angst for Neil for little reason. But I’m leaving 5 stars because the relationship between the two men moved me so much anyway.
As noted above, and head’s up for those like me who care—and the author very professionally includes this in the CWs, thank you author—Neil does think about/compare his many past encounters (rushed, hiding, never ever kissing, barely touching, anonymous etc) with men from bars and rest stops and gas stations. But—and again, I want to go study how the author did this—it didn’t bother me and for the first time ever, actually did work to show that the connection and intimacy with Rory meant so much more even when Neil tried not to let it. It did feel like part of his character to think about it a few times, even right before intimacy, and didn’t ruin the moments for me. Huh. As noted, there is more than needed, but, still didn't ruin my love of these two together. Maybe because despite me getting it the first couple times, it still made Neil and Rory being together feel unique/different, not comparing so much as contrasting sticky mud with a chocolate cake. So to speak.
It made his first kiss with Rory spectacular too, because he never had ever kissed a man before and it was a Revelation. Loved it.
Rory’s artistry is also a wonderful authentic part of the story. This author clearly knows or researched art and made it believable and meaningful to the overall theme, and I would legit love to see his artwork. The way the author used it to show him seeing Neil’s evolution was poignant and so beautiful. And…the mural they both worked on as part of their school’s project for students was truly special. Neil finding words from his English students, and the way Rory connected them with the mural…wow, I want those teachers in our children’s lives.
HEA. Repressed single dad English teach knocked off his stride by the talented new art teacher/artist who becomes his son’s favorite teacher. Some masterful writing. No OM action or drama, many references to Neil’s unsatisfying secret sex life previous, which he’d stopped a while before meeting Rory. Totally safe for me. Highly recommended.
My thanks to BookSirens for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
Loved it.
Safe for me, despite many reminders of the anonymous sex our repressed single dad Neil has been having in the few years since his divorce from his ex-wife/best friend. This is how you do that, bringing it up not salaciously but reluctantly to contrast the difference between gray scale and out of control splashes of rainbow, technicolor, I See You passion. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (Though...really could have stopped after the first couple mentions. It did not bear repeating as much as it was. But that still didn't stop me from loving these two together.)
Neil and his son Freddie are at the same school, Neil as a 7th form English teacher, Freddie as a 5 year old brutally honest, kind, artistic, normal kid who tells it like it is in ways that Neil just can’t ignore.
Rory is the new art teacher. Freddie’s new favorite teacher. And one look at Rory, and Neil knows nothing will ever be the same. Point of no return.
Oh, he fights it. How he fights it. But some things won’t be denied.
I absolutely loved the connection, the UST, the denial and unadulterated yearning…Neil walking into things just because Rory was looking at him…! Ooof. Felt like a whole different level of writing here.
That man needed to unclench so much. Rory helped him from the moment Neil tried to lay down rules and Rory obliterated them with one touch. Took Neil a while to acknowledge it, but…yeah. Seriously 🔥❤️🔥🔥❤️🔥
I adored Neil's son, Freddie. This kid enhances the narrative without ever being annoying. Lays down common sense, 5 yo wisdom without seeming contrived. And despite his inability to reach for his own happiness, Neil is a wonderful father for Freddie, and a terrific teacher for his students. His notes on who needs what in class were a lovely little extra touch.
I also shocked myself by enjoying Gemma, Neil’s ex, who is now with a nice dude named Owen. She’s not the annoying cliche ex who seems like a tool to use to show that the hero was gay and in denial; she’s a rounded character who was his best friend and supported him without making him feel like a mistake, and I was impressed with the nuances there. She never once irritated me, and I want to re-read this book and study it to see how the author Did That. Well done. Her steadfast , no bullshit but no guilt at all accepting attitude also enhanced the book. And yet she didn’t feel overly saintly either. Just solid and honorable.
The one thing that didn’t work for me was the parental dynamic. Neil’s parents are the main reason he hated himself, thought his desires were wrong, gave up art (!), and lived in such confusion and even fear from age 15 on. One unforgettable but so, so quiet moment, plus their inability to communicate anything with him twisted him up so much that he became this repressed and fearful individual who’s afraid to even look at a man That Way in the daylight. And yet when all this is resolved, it feels like it was all for nothing and never would have been that bad in the first place if he’d just confronted them much sooner. It left me confused and unsettled, not happy for any of them, and feeling like there was a lot of pain and angst for Neil for little reason. But I’m leaving 5 stars because the relationship between the two men moved me so much anyway.
As noted above, and head’s up for those like me who care—and the author very professionally includes this in the CWs, thank you author—Neil does think about/compare his many past encounters (rushed, hiding, never ever kissing, barely touching, anonymous etc) with men from bars and rest stops and gas stations. But—and again, I want to go study how the author did this—it didn’t bother me and for the first time ever, actually did work to show that the connection and intimacy with Rory meant so much more even when Neil tried not to let it. It did feel like part of his character to think about it a few times, even right before intimacy, and didn’t ruin the moments for me. Huh. As noted, there is more than needed, but, still didn't ruin my love of these two together. Maybe because despite me getting it the first couple times, it still made Neil and Rory being together feel unique/different, not comparing so much as contrasting sticky mud with a chocolate cake. So to speak.
It made his first kiss with Rory spectacular too, because he never had ever kissed a man before and it was a Revelation. Loved it.
Rory’s artistry is also a wonderful authentic part of the story. This author clearly knows or researched art and made it believable and meaningful to the overall theme, and I would legit love to see his artwork. The way the author used it to show him seeing Neil’s evolution was poignant and so beautiful. And…the mural they both worked on as part of their school’s project for students was truly special. Neil finding words from his English students, and the way Rory connected them with the mural…wow, I want those teachers in our children’s lives.
HEA. Repressed single dad English teach knocked off his stride by the talented new art teacher/artist who becomes his son’s favorite teacher. Some masterful writing. No OM action or drama, many references to Neil’s unsatisfying secret sex life previous, which he’d stopped a while before meeting Rory. Totally safe for me. Highly recommended.
My thanks to BookSirens for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
May 7, 2026
I wasn’t quite sure about this book going in, but Rory and Neil grabbed my heart and I was lost. I often had tears in my eyes at the changes Neil went through to become the man he always wanted to be, but he was so conditioned to not even consider the possibility of someone for him, he resisted, almost kicking and screaming the whole way. It is amazing the roadblocks the mind can throw up, repressing the beautiful, expressive person inside, “shielding”from what the heart wants.
Rory was exactly what Neil needed, he knew what he wanted and was willing to go as slowly as necessary, seldom pushing for what he wanted, always mindful of Neil and his headspace as he wound his way into Neil’s heart and made things seem more possible, within reach. He gave Neil confidence, honored his fears and feelings, and supported him in whatever way possible.
Precocious Freddy added so much to the story. His astute observations about Neil, his life, Rory, and his expanding universe showed an understanding and awareness far beyond his 5-year old body and brain, exemplifying the old adage “out of the mouth of babes”. He was so articulate for his age, gathering and storing facts about topics that fascinated him and kept him focused, observing adults around him and drawing conclusions based on what he saw and felt. He reminded me of my grandson at about that age, fascinated by composers and their works, things I would never expect to hear from a 5-year old. He also reminded me of first-graders I taught years ago, and the amazing things that come out of them at the most unexpected times.
Neil’s ex-wife Gemma was also very astute, she knew Neil well and was able to read what he couldn’t say, and encourage him to go for what he wanted. She was his biggest outside support system. Rory had his support system in a found family and his brother, but Neil’s family was sadly lacking. I was glad to get a better glimpse into Neil’s life growing up, too bad he couldn’t have had what he got so many years later.
I also had a connection to Rory’s art as an art major myself in school, now long lapsed, but it brought back the excitement of working on a piece that spoke to me. The collaboration between the tree mural and the writing from Neil’s class also connected with me, reminding me of collaborations with other staff in my long teaching career, before the advent of the be-all and end-all focus on testing. I felt the students gained so much more from those collaborative efforts that inspired their creativity and imagination, and in some cases made a very positive impact on their academics, way more than the directed lessons and screens of today’s classrooms. I was taken back to a special time in my career and it brought back many smiles and happy memories.
I really loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone drawn to a very closeted man and the one who catches his attention and pulls him out of himself and into the life he desires. I think Rory, Neil and Freddie will capture your hearts as they did mine, and leave you with a few tears, a catch in your throat, and a smile on your face. I received an advance review copy for free and this is my voluntary review.
Rory was exactly what Neil needed, he knew what he wanted and was willing to go as slowly as necessary, seldom pushing for what he wanted, always mindful of Neil and his headspace as he wound his way into Neil’s heart and made things seem more possible, within reach. He gave Neil confidence, honored his fears and feelings, and supported him in whatever way possible.
Precocious Freddy added so much to the story. His astute observations about Neil, his life, Rory, and his expanding universe showed an understanding and awareness far beyond his 5-year old body and brain, exemplifying the old adage “out of the mouth of babes”. He was so articulate for his age, gathering and storing facts about topics that fascinated him and kept him focused, observing adults around him and drawing conclusions based on what he saw and felt. He reminded me of my grandson at about that age, fascinated by composers and their works, things I would never expect to hear from a 5-year old. He also reminded me of first-graders I taught years ago, and the amazing things that come out of them at the most unexpected times.
Neil’s ex-wife Gemma was also very astute, she knew Neil well and was able to read what he couldn’t say, and encourage him to go for what he wanted. She was his biggest outside support system. Rory had his support system in a found family and his brother, but Neil’s family was sadly lacking. I was glad to get a better glimpse into Neil’s life growing up, too bad he couldn’t have had what he got so many years later.
I also had a connection to Rory’s art as an art major myself in school, now long lapsed, but it brought back the excitement of working on a piece that spoke to me. The collaboration between the tree mural and the writing from Neil’s class also connected with me, reminding me of collaborations with other staff in my long teaching career, before the advent of the be-all and end-all focus on testing. I felt the students gained so much more from those collaborative efforts that inspired their creativity and imagination, and in some cases made a very positive impact on their academics, way more than the directed lessons and screens of today’s classrooms. I was taken back to a special time in my career and it brought back many smiles and happy memories.
I really loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone drawn to a very closeted man and the one who catches his attention and pulls him out of himself and into the life he desires. I think Rory, Neil and Freddie will capture your hearts as they did mine, and leave you with a few tears, a catch in your throat, and a smile on your face. I received an advance review copy for free and this is my voluntary review.
April 7, 2026
This is a story (4.5*) about learning to live authentically after years of hiding. Neil is an English teacher and a divorced dad who shares custody of his child. He’s trying to keep his life together, but things get complicated when a new art teacher arrives at school. Neil can’t avoid him because they have to work together on a project. He finds himself thinking about him constantly. Rory, the new art teacher, is there to help paint a mural and work with Neil to add words to it. It’s clear Neil is hiding his true self. Rory has been in this situation before and refuses to be someone’s secret again. The question is will Rory be patient enough to give Neil the time he needs to realize that letting people see his true self won’t ruin his life?
This is a touching story about coming out later in life, showing the fear and loneliness that come from hiding who you are. The characters felt real, and their relationship was moving. I especially liked the supportive friends and how children accepted things easily when adults didn’t influence them. I appreciated that Rory didn’t pressure Neil to come out but gave him space to see that most people, especially those who matter, would support him. Overall, this is a strong debut novel, and I’m excited to read more from this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a touching story about coming out later in life, showing the fear and loneliness that come from hiding who you are. The characters felt real, and their relationship was moving. I especially liked the supportive friends and how children accepted things easily when adults didn’t influence them. I appreciated that Rory didn’t pressure Neil to come out but gave him space to see that most people, especially those who matter, would support him. Overall, this is a strong debut novel, and I’m excited to read more from this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 24, 2026
Kindle served this up in my recommendations last week. And for once the algorithm absolutely nailed it.
Okay. So. Bare.
Neil is an English teacher in his thirties. Rory is an artist who turns up to paint a mural and ends up painting something much bigger than a wall.
On paper this sounds like workplace queer romance you've read fifty times. It really isn't.
First thing you should know: it's unbelievably tender. I thought I was signing up for a slow burn and got something softer and more patient than that.
Wells writes people who've been quietly hurt in very specific ways, and then writes them handling each other with a sort of patient attention I didn't know I needed to see on the page.
Neil holds back, and back, and back, and, when he finally stops holding back, I may have cried a little. In a good way.
Also. Sexy. Properly sexy. Not the sanitised polite version. The other kind, where by the time a shirt actually comes off, the shirt has been doing work for twelve chapters and you sort of gasp a bit. The sex scenes are adult, specific, and hot, and they serve the story rather than interrupt it. Which is still pretty rare.
Five stars. First time in my life I've thanked the algorithm.
Okay. So. Bare.
Neil is an English teacher in his thirties. Rory is an artist who turns up to paint a mural and ends up painting something much bigger than a wall.
On paper this sounds like workplace queer romance you've read fifty times. It really isn't.
First thing you should know: it's unbelievably tender. I thought I was signing up for a slow burn and got something softer and more patient than that.
Wells writes people who've been quietly hurt in very specific ways, and then writes them handling each other with a sort of patient attention I didn't know I needed to see on the page.
Neil holds back, and back, and back, and, when he finally stops holding back, I may have cried a little. In a good way.
Also. Sexy. Properly sexy. Not the sanitised polite version. The other kind, where by the time a shirt actually comes off, the shirt has been doing work for twelve chapters and you sort of gasp a bit. The sex scenes are adult, specific, and hot, and they serve the story rather than interrupt it. Which is still pretty rare.
Five stars. First time in my life I've thanked the algorithm.
April 15, 2026
ARC Review
I love MM books, and I really like yearning and hard-fought HEA. Although this book had some of those elements which I could enjoy, unfortunately overall Bare wasn’t for me.
This is a third person style narration, which I sometimes really enjoy in books, however it felt limiting in Bare because you never truly knew what both MMC’s were thinking and feeling. It made it very hard to believe that the two characters actually liked each other and were falling in love. Personally, when Neil first went to Rory’s apartment, the declaration by Neil of what he wanted shocked me, because I didn’t feel like the MMC’s were on the same page.
I found it hard to get around the style of writing. There were so many short, 2-3 word sentences making up a single paragraph that it felt jarring. The repetition of certain themes felt overdone - I think I read the words “moka pot” and “Hockney” 30 times each.
There were also some inconsistencies in the story that made me feel like I was reading it wrong each time.
All being said, I believe there is an audience for this book. I do feel bad that it wasn’t for me.
I love MM books, and I really like yearning and hard-fought HEA. Although this book had some of those elements which I could enjoy, unfortunately overall Bare wasn’t for me.
This is a third person style narration, which I sometimes really enjoy in books, however it felt limiting in Bare because you never truly knew what both MMC’s were thinking and feeling. It made it very hard to believe that the two characters actually liked each other and were falling in love. Personally, when Neil first went to Rory’s apartment, the declaration by Neil of what he wanted shocked me, because I didn’t feel like the MMC’s were on the same page.
I found it hard to get around the style of writing. There were so many short, 2-3 word sentences making up a single paragraph that it felt jarring. The repetition of certain themes felt overdone - I think I read the words “moka pot” and “Hockney” 30 times each.
There were also some inconsistencies in the story that made me feel like I was reading it wrong each time.
All being said, I believe there is an audience for this book. I do feel bad that it wasn’t for me.
April 21, 2026
Bare, by Alex W. Wells is probably one of the sweetest and impactful books I've read this year. I think what I loved most about this story was the honest portrayals of how love changes and helps transform us into something different. The broken pieces are held together and you can still see the imperfections but you also see that its the love holding the person together again. Neil and Rory start out as something casual but it is quickly apparent that it is anything but casual. Slowly with the encouragement of his best friend he slowly opens his heart to love. Rory sees Neil all of him and its a beautiful thing to watch. I also love that the ex-wife/ best friend chose to keep him in her life even though they were divorced it wasn't ugly. Their son is the cutest. You fall in love with them as a couple and their families as their worlds intersect. I whole heartedly recommend that you get this book right away!!!
I received this as an advanced readers copy via book sirens for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received this as an advanced readers copy via book sirens for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily
April 15, 2026
Bare by Alex W. Wells — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emotional, beautiful, and full of heart. The characters felt so real—absolutely loved it 💛
Bare by Alex W. Wells was such a beautiful read. It starts off a bit sad, but it doesn’t stay that way the whole time.
Rory was honestly just the best—his patience and faith in Neil really got me. And Neil… you can really feel how much he just wants to be loved. Watching him try to let his guard down and break through his walls was actually really brave and kind of heartbreaking in a good way.
All the characters felt real and had a lot going on, which made it super easy to get pulled into the story.
received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Emotional, beautiful, and full of heart. The characters felt so real—absolutely loved it 💛
Bare by Alex W. Wells was such a beautiful read. It starts off a bit sad, but it doesn’t stay that way the whole time.
Rory was honestly just the best—his patience and faith in Neil really got me. And Neil… you can really feel how much he just wants to be loved. Watching him try to let his guard down and break through his walls was actually really brave and kind of heartbreaking in a good way.
All the characters felt real and had a lot going on, which made it super easy to get pulled into the story.
received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2026
Unexpected and Excellent
So far the best one I've read this year. I'm Not normally into slow burns BUT this one was excellent. It was in the everyday things and situations and the mundane feeling of it, that pulled me in and then I saw and felt it with the character the small tiny changes that were brought into their lives by the other without noticing. I was lovely and I loved every second of it. Read it in 1 day and a half , why you ask... well because I had to work 😬. When I was at the last chapter I knew the story was coming to an end I was really sad and had to put it down for a moment because I love these characters. All of them even the parents at the end they did burrow themselves in my heart.
So far the best one I've read this year. I'm Not normally into slow burns BUT this one was excellent. It was in the everyday things and situations and the mundane feeling of it, that pulled me in and then I saw and felt it with the character the small tiny changes that were brought into their lives by the other without noticing. I was lovely and I loved every second of it. Read it in 1 day and a half , why you ask... well because I had to work 😬. When I was at the last chapter I knew the story was coming to an end I was really sad and had to put it down for a moment because I love these characters. All of them even the parents at the end they did burrow themselves in my heart.
April 23, 2026
Neil and Rory are both teachers working on a mural. For all of Rory’s free artistic spirit, Neil is completely buttoned up and disciplined. These two have a slow burn romance. Rory is serious but Neil can’t let go to relax into them having a relationship. Then brick by brick their relationship and his feelings keep breaking through the walls he’s constructed trying to not be gay. This is an amazing story and I really loved when Neil finally gave in to love.
April 28, 2026
Neil is an English teacher, gay, divorced with a 5 year old son, Freddie. Rory joins the staff as the Art teacher. There is a sudden attraction between the 2 but Neil is not quite "out" at work or with his parents and is leary. Being close to his ex-wife she convinces him to give it a try. For me this was a story about a closeted man finally finding himself after years of hiding. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 16, 2026
100 percent enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. The writing is diverse, emotional and engaging allowing the characters feeling desires and wants to flow from the page. Wonderful story that leaves you BARE. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 27, 2026
Neil & Rory 🐳🎨💙
What a beautiful debut into the writing world! Beautiful, moving romance. The writing style is so poetic. Neil and Rory's love is quietly exquisite, powerful, and raw. Really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more of this author's work.
What a beautiful debut into the writing world! Beautiful, moving romance. The writing style is so poetic. Neil and Rory's love is quietly exquisite, powerful, and raw. Really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more of this author's work.
May 10, 2026
decent but not my kind of read
This isn’t terrible but I think I just couldn’t really get into the writing style for these characters. I would be willing to try another by this author though.
This isn’t terrible but I think I just couldn’t really get into the writing style for these characters. I would be willing to try another by this author though.
May 15, 2026
I thought this was beautiful.
"The room contained his whole life. Not the life he planned - the life he'd planned had been a flat with a lock and a white wall and a mattress that held on. This life was unplanned. Chaotic. Built from paint and coffee and a staff meeting and a card in a wallet and a first kiss that landed off-centre and a painting called Bare and a child who said you're brave, Dad and a mother who said bring him and a father whose hand had hovered and been met.
None of it was what he'd expected. All of it was what he'd needed."
I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
"The room contained his whole life. Not the life he planned - the life he'd planned had been a flat with a lock and a white wall and a mattress that held on. This life was unplanned. Chaotic. Built from paint and coffee and a staff meeting and a card in a wallet and a first kiss that landed off-centre and a painting called Bare and a child who said you're brave, Dad and a mother who said bring him and a father whose hand had hovered and been met.
None of it was what he'd expected. All of it was what he'd needed."
I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
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