That One Time

by Sybil Knight, S.K. Pryntz

Darius

It takes some people most of their lives to find the other half of their soul. The one person who gets them. I found mine when I was eight and a new family moved into the house next door.

The pretty blonde with the pouty lips and the glittery eyes that held a darkness underneath ʼem. A preacher’s kid. Well-mannered. Respectable. Everything I was supposed to be and wasn’t. ʼCause of the secrets I was hiding.

The biggest secret of them all? The other half of my soul was a… boy.

As the years passed, that boy changed. He became less well-mannered, less respectable—his old man would say. Certainly less straight.

He also became his own person. He didn’t care so much what people thought about him, except for me. He still looked at me like I hung the moon until I ruined it. That one time he showed me what things could be like between us and I pushed him away…

Alvin

I never had a problem figuring out who I was. The church did. My daddy sure as hell did.

But me? I knew the moment the bed-headed boy next door welcomed my crying, bloodied ass into his window that I’d found my home.

Loving Darius wasn’t the hard part. Waiting for him was.

I couldn’t help but remember that one time at summer camp, when he kissed me back. For a single perfect moment, I had everything I’d ever wanted before fear stole it from us.

Now the only man I’ve ever loved is back and that window is cracked open again… The question isn’t whether I want to climb into his arms. It’s if my heart can survive him closing it for good.

That One Time is a standalone MM romance with a HEA. Please heed the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.

Genres: M M Romance

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 10, 2026

About the author

Sybil is a career-driven Philadelphian native. A crime show enthusiast by day, and a BDSM club hopper by night. When she isn't working or writing, she is talking about working and writing. She is a single mom to her beta fish (Fish) and way too many dead houseplants.

Her stories range from gray to black, with darker themes throughout. She prefers heroines with a kick-ass mentality and the heroes who know how to rein them in. The mental and medical aspects of her books are well-researched, though they are given a humanistic approach and diagnoses aren't the focal points. She believes her characters don't need to wear labels in order to get her messages across.

Her books are mostly standalones, though her characters may interact and intersect worlds. Additionally, she works closely with and writes alongside author Dahlia Reign and some characters will appear in cameos in each of their publications.

Reviews

[Dani (Daniiireads)]

3.5 ⭐️

This was a funny, spicy read with a heaping dose of internalized h0m0phobia and religious trauma.

Alvin was hilarious and definitely brought some much-needed humor to the story. & I really liked the contrast between him & Darius’ characters and seeing them work through their feelings, their past experiences, and all the things they’ve been taught to believe about themselves.

There were definitely some emotional moments mixed in with the humor and spice, and I appreciated that the story didn’t shy away from the harder parts. That being said, I would have liked more of their relationship than the abrupt ending we got, especially after everything that happened, but I still really enjoyed.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
Friends to lovers
Gay awakening
Camp cooties
Frotting
Femme masc
Banter
Hurt/comfort

[Stephanie Keijzer]

Alvy stole my heart!❤️ He was so sharp and witty and his banter made me laugh so much. I loved that he was so unapologetically himself and couldn't give a 💩.

The story hooked me from the first page and devoured it in 24 hours. Loved the setting, but also the depth of the story. This was so much more than a funny romance, but I don't want to say to much to spoil it.

So why isn't it a 5✨️.. Darius not only broke Alvy's heart at some point but also mine. I totally understand that he went through his own thing and was scared and all but damn. I don't know if I can forgive him for that...😭

[Jine]

4.5 stars!
When I signed up for this arc I truly thought it was going to be a funny book about a camp called camp dix! Yeah I didn’t expect the religious trauma which pissed me the F off oh my god it was so much! Alvin’s dad a pastor is just absolutely horrible!
This story is about Dee and Alvy they are sent to camp fix as councillors as punishment the thing is they have history shared history they are next door neighbours and Dee was Alvys safe space when his dad hurt him
They have tension because Dee regrets ever kissing Alvy and Alvy is in love with him has been since he was 15 and Alvy keeps up this joking veneer with everyone to keep his trauma at bay
Everytime Dee gets close to Alvy or kisses Alvy he runs like he regrets it he loves Alvy too but he’s too scared to admit it and be out like him!
The back and forth hurt we get steamy moments but we get the hurt too! I loved when Alvy was flirted with that Dee got jealous AF
I loved Alvy connected to Trevor a kid like Alvy who was questioning but even with Alvy looking out for him he got hurt twice by bullies the first time was bad but the second he had to go to the hospital but I loved the revenge Alvy got at the kids he made them wear dresses for a cabin photo!
What made me cry so much was when Trevor’s best friend Mason said he’s my Darius!
The thing that broke me was when they argued about Dees window being open for him and he asked if it was still open Dee lies and told Alvy no! But when the partners of the kids attacked Alvy leaving him in the ICU and Darius texted and asked if the window was open for him Alvy said always!!
Dee finally finally stood up to the pastor! When he overheard everything Dee said to an unconscious Alvy about how much he loved him! He needed time but when push came to shove when Alvy was hurt he realized how much he loved him!
The epilogue made up for the trauma LOL we get to see Camp Dix 20 years later! Mason and Trevor are councillors and their son is with them!!
We meet a girl Ellory who’s doing the icebreaker telling everyone she’s a lesbian and the councillors ask her for a fun fact and she smirks! These douche canoe councillors are my Dads! Alvy and Dee got their happy ending!!

[Macy]

4⭐️ This was honestly a rollercoaster of a book. I laugh, cried, and got incredibly angry.

The amount of religious trauma and homophobia depicted in this was heartbreaking.

Alvin had some funny moments but the way he hides his pain and anger behind his humour is sad but so relatable.

I loved the bits of Trevor & Mason I think they’re adorable. Idk how I feel about Darius ngl.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙞𝙗𝙮𝙡 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙝𝙩 & 𝙎𝙆 𝙋𝙧𝙮𝙣𝙩𝙯 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘼𝙍𝘾. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮.

[chellereadssmut]

ARC review - That One Time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 🌶️🌶️.

First of all, I’m not ok. That last 30% of the book was emotionally raw, I sobbed my heart out at 1am this morning when. I finished it. It is devastating but also a story that needed to be told.

This book dives deep into some really confronting topics, particularly religious trauma, which leads to denial of sexuality and the destruction that brings, and homophobia and violence. Is it a hard read, yes! Is it something that is inportant to highlight, hell yes!

SK and Sybil have handled these themes with sensitivity without hiding the real and raw impacts they have.

I adored Alvin or Alvy. Despite going through the worst childhood (we ABHOR his father, Pastor Xavier Carter), Alvin is hopeful, unapologetically himself, loud, never shuts up, never shies away from saying the hard parts out loud, but he is so desperately in love with his extremely closeted childhood bestie now enemy, Darius. He’s not blind, he knows it’s not good for him, but he knows in his bones Darius is his. Did he make me cry a lot? Yes! Did I love him even more for it, also yes! Did he make me cackle, also yes. That boy is sassy! His protective nature, especially of the underdog I personally connected with. Even at the expense of his safety, he refused to back down and that makes him MY GUY.

Darius or DeeDee infuriated me. If I didn’t get his POV, I am not sure I would have liked him, but I did love him, he just he broke my heart. He is desperately in love with Alvin but he is also desperately scared of what being out would mean. That fear permeates the whole story, and it is Alvin’s heart and entire spirit that keeps being battered by it. The push pull between these guys is toxic, but they were embedded into each others DNA from childhood and denial feels safe for Darius. But he’s sinking. He thinks being cruel is kind, but he also plays with my Alvy’s heart a little too much. But again, he genuinely just cannot see a way he can be authentically himself.

I won’t go into the story further because I will spoil it but if you know your triggers and ok with the content, love a childhood friends to enemies to lovers storyline, with a sassy and hilarious MMC and another MMC you often want to reach into the pages and p$nch in the face, but also end up loving, then add to your TBR, pre-order and get ready for it releasing on Oct 24th.

[Holly Deacon]

Darius and Alvin had the kind of connection that feels impossible to escape, even when life, fear, and years of hurt get in the way. Their story is messy, emotional, and full of all those feelings that make you want to grab both of them and tell them to stop running from what they clearly feel for each other.

There’s a real ache running through their story. These aren’t two men who simply fall in love and get their happy ending. There are years of feelings, fear, guilt, confusion and things left unsaid standing between them, and watching them slowly work through all of that was heartbreaking at times. You can feel how much they’ve both been carrying, and I loved that their relationship wasn’t treated as something that could magically fix all their wounds.

Alvin especially broke my heart. There’s so much vulnerability beneath everything he tries to show the world, and seeing him slowly begin to understand that he is worthy of being loved exactly as he is really got to me. Darius has his own demons to face, and watching him confront his feelings and finally stop running from them made his journey just as emotional.

What I loved most was the way their love felt earned. After everything they’d been through, every little moment of honesty and tenderness between them felt huge. The longing, the uncertainty, the fear of losing each other again… it made their connection feel incredibly intense.

I wanted to hug them both, shake them both, and occasionally yell at them 😂 but most of all, I wanted them to finally realise that they could have the love they’d been fighting against for so long.

Emotional, angsty, complicated and beautifully heartfelt, That One Time took me through the wringer before giving me exactly the ending I needed. These two absolutely stole a piece of my heart. 🖤

[Megan Dodds]

“Because sometimes bravery needed company and stupidity needed an audience.”

🏕️ Hurt/ Comfort
🪟 Cunning Banter
🏕️ Gay Awakening
🪟 Summer Camp Rom Com
🏕️ Femme Masc

If the m/m you typically read is two masc men! STOP! (I’m looking at you Rina Kent mm) This fem MMC will feel fresh, fun, 🥵 and become a new obsession!

My queer heart was taken on a journey with Darius & Alvin in a summer camp rom com with equal parts depth and endless cunning banter. I devoured this book and was racing home from work to finish it!

Both the authors weaved in intelligent banter that would catch me off guard and have me giggling the next second. The evidence being this book is my most highlighted book on my Kindle. These light moments balanced the trauma and emotional depth to the story. As much as this is a summer camp rom com it also carries the weight of religious trauma and abuse - please check your trigger warnings.

This is a book I truly enjoyed reading with endless laughs while connecting on a deeper level and emotionally destroyed in the last half. It was fresh and I loved all the characters and side characters. Following along the friendships made with the kids at camp, made my heart explode and pulled the context of the story together.

That One Time Will be on my favourites for the year and one I’ll be recommending to my mm reading pals 🖤 I’ll be purchasing this book when it’s out for the reread I know I’ll be doing, and MUST start reading more from SK Pryntz & Sybil Knight… like yesterday. How did they even make the epilogue fresh, fun and full of love??? I’m having trouble saying goodbye to these characters 🥹

This review probably sounds dramatic but unfortunately for you, I’ve channeled my inner Alvin and I’m not sorry.

ARC read thank you SK Pryntz & Sybil Knight 💙🪟✨

[GJO AND PUPS]

With tHanks to both authors for the ARC.

I went into this book expecting sexy enemies to lovers, gay awakening, masc/fem spice. What I got was an emotional rollercoaster that I devoured in a day. And as much as I wanted to bang both of these MMCs heads together multiple times, I absolutely adored both of them and some of the kids they mentored. Yes the summer camp setting is pretty relaxed, there is some suspension in belief.
But This book focuses on religious trauma, abuse, homophobia and complete self denial in a way that keeps the pages turning at super speed.
“somebody else being disappointed in who you are doesn’t make who you are disappointing." 👏 👏 👏

This book is deep, raw, rage inducing and unfortunately very realistic. However Alvins " I hadn’t discovered I was gay. I’d discovered everyone else had a problem with it" has a positive and unapologetic attitude towards life that really carries the humour naturally throughout this book while Darius' brooding and internal terror remind us of how difficult accepting ourselves can be. And together the yearning is HOT HOT.

“Don’t waste your childhood trying to make yourself smaller so somebody else feels comfortable. The world will burn you and roast fucking marshmallows over your corpse for less.”
Correct Alvi.

I did feel disappointed the unsavoury, disgusting characters didn't receive any consequences kn the end, but that's what is genuinely heartbreaking about this book. It is so very very real for so many individuals.
This book deserves all the stars for character integrity, sensitive portrayals of heavy topics and religion, and fantastic writing.

I love these authors and will continue to read anything written by them.

[Taylin Fox]

I was so happy to be chosen as an arc reader for this book and I genuinely enjoyed it! For a good majority of the book it felt very cozy and relatable to me, even when the subject matter itself became less than cozy. This book explores heavy themes related to religious trauma, sexual assault, homophobia, complex rejection, and minor bits of self harm.

I especially loved Alvin. His openness about being queer despite his abusive, religious upbringing made him such a compelling character, although there were some moments where he did feel a bit too pushy. I did like the contrast that he had with Darius, though also felt like the fears Darius had were not considered as much as the trauma of Alvin was throughout the story. I also felt like Alvin was a punching bag and wasn’t allowing himself to be more than that due to his pushiness and unrequited love. Due to this, their relationship often frustrated me and broke my heart - even though we get a happy ending.

I also struggled with how frequently violence happened later on in the book. These types of things definitely happen, though at some points they became so normalized that I was uncomfortable with how they were handled and had to reread some scenes to make sure I understood correctly. It also sometimes felt like the violence acted as a catalyst to bring characters together.

That said, the story kept me engaged. I wanted the characters to get justice, to receive their happy ending, and to continue to hear them banter. The writing was enjoyable, the characters kept me invested, and if nothing else - the story made me feel something.

Ultimately, I’d give this story 4 stars. I think it could’ve still stayed compelling without as much violence. I also wish things ended a bit differently between the two male characters. As for spice? I’d give it 3.5 peppers on a scale of five.

[jaz!]

⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
(ARC)

I wanted to like this book so badly; in fact, there are a lot of things I actually really do like about it. I adored Alvin from the very beginning; he was hilarious, and once we got to see more of his backstory, it cemented how much I loved him as a character. I found the setting and premise really fun as well; I haven't read many summer camp-based romances before, so I did really enjoy that aspect. But my main hang-up with this book was that I couldn't find it in me to root for this couple. Darius treated Alvin like garbage up until, like, 90% through this book, and I understand that his entire character plot was the fact that he couldn't accept himself and his feelings for Alvin, but I was having a hard time even believing that these two were supposed to be best friends in the past, which was one of the stepping stones of their relationship. It was heartbreaking having to see Alvin continuously give Dee chance after chance to even give him a grain of respect and love just for Darius to repeatedly treat him like trash. What makes it worse is that midway through, we are introduced to a character who, in a short amount of time, treats Alvin the way he deserves and miles better than how we've seen Dee treat him, but because Alvin is so in love with Darius, he passes it up, and we watch Darius treat him like garbage AGAIN. One of the biggest things that I need for a romance to work is for me to actually think that the couple should be together but simply could not get there for this book.

[Brenda]

ARC review

“I envied him in that way. How he could just puff his chest out and suddenly every insult seemed to bounce off him.”

That One Time follows two former best friends whose relationship has been complicated ever since one summer at camp changed everything between them. Years later, the tension, hurt and feelings they never properly dealt with are still there. As they are forced back into each other’s orbit, old memories resurface and they have to confront what really happened between them, what drove them apart and whether the connection they once had can ever be rebuilt.
This one was a little harder for me to get into at first. I didn't dislike it, but I wasn't immediately hooked and it took me a while to really settle into the story and connect with the characters. BUT… the second half really picked up for me.
Once more of the emotions and history started coming to the surface, I became much more invested. The tension between the characters started making more sense and I found myself caring much more about where their relationship was going to end up.
I especially could appreciate the “side” story with the bullied kid. It shows so much of how the world is nowadays, not in a good way.
It wasn't a perfect read for me, mainly because of the slower start, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The second half made up for a lot of what I struggled with initially and ultimately left me feeling much more connected to the story.

[Shalaya]

Review of an Advanced Reader Copy provided by the Author

I am a fan of Sybil’s books. I am not hiding that fact. I devoured that one within a day, unable to put it down for one minute.

That story is not as dark as the two author's usual stories, well, not exactly in the same way. Here, the darkness comes from others, from a religious father who tries to beat the “gay out of his son”. It’s teenagers and adults actually assaulting and almost killing someone again, for being just...gay or different.

It’s the judgement, the stares, the small words, the slurs, and not being there for those who need it the most.

I won’t lie, I was first laughing my ass off because Alvin was hilarious, before crying and raging at the story and at everyone who dares to hurt anyone for their sexuality or their difference.

I loved the story because it shows duality: openly gay and closeted, two people figuring it out and 2 kids learning to do it better. But it also shows a lot of people’s cruelty and how that cruelty gets passed down to their children.

There is a HEA, but I still felt a bit unsatisfied, as I hoped there would be more consequences or maybe a longer part on the consequences those who assaulted the character faced. I am still happy with the ending because damn, I cried too much over it.

[Ashlee B]

Another book that I devoured in one sitting. I've been waiting impatiently to read this and it did not disappoint.

"The sun had this f*cked-up habit of giving you hope, only to immediately squash it. From the moment it hit your face in the morning and you thought: Today, things will be different. Or worse, you prayed that everything that happened a few hours ago had all been a dream. A nightmare. But then you realized the actual nightmare was that it was all a hundred percent real."

This book was heavy and heartbreaking. It made me feel all the feels. I laughed and I teared up. A lot. I loved all of the characters so much, including Mason and Trevor! ❤️

Alvin was absolutely hilarious. His comments and thoughts made me laugh so much. He is definitely that light in the dark. His energy and personality lights up any room that he's in. He covers up his sadness with jokes. Everything that he went through broke me. Hate his dad so much. Wanted to reach through the screen and strangle him.

Darius... I have mixed feelings about him. Love him, but he also made me want to choke him out most of the book. 😂

Definitely check your triggers before diving into this book. I adored this book. ❤️ I did not want it to end. Wanted more moments of them after Darius quit being dumb. I will be thinking about Alvy and DeeDee for a while. ❤️

[Dalegendaryreader]

Imma go wash my puffy face from all the crying.

Darius and Alvin is facing community service by being camp counsellors. However, the tension between the former best friends grew until it exploded.

Ngl, I had different understanding on the blurb and what I got in the book itself.

First off, that cover is gorgeous. Alvin is gorgeous. I really love his character. Darius was just eh.

The tension and the banter between the characters were entertaining to watch and follow. Right off the bat, there's this push-and-pull between them but as the story went on, I got somewhat bored with the whole thing. You can tell that both characters are a bit emotionally unstable and immature. Yet, also mature at the same time. It's hard to describe.

The circumstances the story surrounds is common and ordinary but it is so heart-felt and emotional that it tugged on my heart strings. Ngl, I cried and bawled.

It's a 3-star story with a .5 rating for making me cry.

[Samantha]

I absolutely loved this book. I am usually a pitch black dark romance reader, morally gray mmc with the touch him/her and xx vibe, so this was not my usual read but I am so glad to have read it! The book was beautiful, messy, & oh so emotional. One minute I'm feet kicking cackling over the banter and the next I'm gasping at the intense turns the story takes, unable to put it down. This is a beautiful & raw "working to find, figure out, and accept yourself story" all the while fighting it every step of the way. Especially since it detailed the same moments, same times, but vastly different perspectives and experiences for both Alvy and Dee. It was well written, and the characters were vulnerable, thoughtful, and deeply human. Great read

[Bookish_Carisa]

I read this book in less then a day. It was a roller coaster of emotions. The religious trauma, the homophobia explained in this was heartbreaking. Alvin showed his pain and anger behind humor is heartbreaking, and relatable. Darius I felt for him and the struggles he was going through with his own mind, due to how he was raised and everything. But I will say I wish there was a little more groveling between him and Alvin, Alvin deserved it a little more from him. I wish the people who did things to Alvin, and Trevor got some kind of consequence or maybe a consequence at all. I loved Trevor and Mason as well. There is a HEA. Please read your TWs while this isn't as dark as other books these authors write it's also not something to walk into if you have certain triggers.

[Tiffany]

Oh where to begin. The first 80% of this book was cute, very angsty and a tiny bit childish between the 2 MMCs. I spent the 80% truly loathing 1 MMC Darius and could see no redemption in sight for him.

Alvy the other MMC was a complete gem of a human. He was EVERYTHING I love. Loud, proud and Mr. Chatterbox.

The last 10% of the book broke me f*cking fragile heart. Like I seriously mean broke me into the tiniest pieces. I wish there would have been MORE storyline after once the MMCs get their HEA but it seemed to cut that really short.

Definitely worth a read, but PLEASE read the trigger warnings.

[Jordan Fiest]

That One Time is a MM romance.

Alvin and Darius have been neighbours for years. Throughout their time as neighbours and friends, Darius becomes more internalized about his feelings and Alvin doesn't hide who he is or how he feels. Alvin was sure of himself and loving every minute. Darius goes through a personal transformation through this story. We really get to see him work through everything he is feeling and decide what is best for him and his future. I appreciated that Alvin never gave up on him and was there for Darius through everything.

[Heather]

This book was definitely a ride. Just to state I am dyslexic with a terrible memory so at the start I was a little confused and struggled to follow the back story of each character but by 20% in I was hooked. Now if you want a realistic camp story this isn't it but omg I loved it. Alvin always being himself, loud and proud and although Dee annoyed me at times I think that's part of the charm. I loved how it dived into a bit of the religious trauma both of the characters face and doesn't hide from the effect it has on them as adults. Once I picked up this book I honestly could not put it down and read it in one sitting. Honestly I recommend!

[Cindy Penner]

I really enjoyed this book and flew through it because I just needed to know what was going to happen next! It was definitely an emotional roller coaster, with some spice mixed in to keep things interesting. You can’t help but find yourself rooting for the underdogs throughout the story. I especially loved Alvin’s wit—it added some great moments of humor. And that ending? It definitely left me happy! Another great read!

[Reading is escaping reality]

Their love is sweet, even if it’s hidden. Coming out, a conversion camp, and so much more!! There is so much that happens but my goodness they are so good for each other. And when he stood up to his dad…swoon! The hate they get is real and is sad, but his revenge is so good!

The epilogue had me crackling!!

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Heather Walker]

Darias and Alvin are neighbours turned childhood best friends.
Alvin is very gay and very out.
Darias says hes straight but is very much in the closet.
They both end up being councillors at a teen camp. Where jealousy, hurt, lust and homaphobia are some of the things happening.

This is a story of longing and acceptance. At a camp where is started and it will finish.
I really loved this book and i devoured it so quickly.

[Tammy Parker]

***ARC ***

This was such a great book!! You are going to laugh and cry. But it's so worth it! Alvin is so funny, he makes this book so worth reading. Then there is Darius. He is so confused and doesn't know what he wants. I loved the side characters Trevor and Mason just as much as the main ones. I had this book read in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. Definitely a MUST read!

[Kayla Allen]

This book is a really good read! I loved the entire story. It was a very emotional ride but it was worth it in the end. These characters have trauma and perceived expectations that controls their lives and watching them grow makes for a beautiful story! I recommend that everyone give this book a shot!

[Xoa78]

4⭐️
2🌶️

This was a story that had laughs and tears. It kept me engaged every page !! Alvin is sassy and cares deeply with a soft centre he tries to keep hidden. Darius is ‘douche canoe’ who doesn’t know what he wants…. I really enjoyed this story and the HEA was delightful 😀😀😀

MM Romance
Best Friends - Enemies- Lovers
First Times
Second Chances

[Ash]

Devoured this in one sitting. Absolutely loved it. What do you mean SK took part in an HEA? lol this had a lot of really good messages. Love is love and no one has the right to make you feel bad about who you are. Check TWs but definitely give it a shot.

[Selina Nagy]

Holy cow!! What another amazing book from you two!!
This was definitely a roller-coaster!!
My heart hurt, cried, and laughed.
Loved the plot and spice!!

[Faiza]

I went into this already knowing I’m a huge fan of Sybil & SK, and somehow this book still managed to hit me harder than I expected. I finished it in less than a day because putting it down was simply not happening.

This isn’t quite as dark as some of their other books, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to read. The darkness here feels painfully real because it comes from people. From a father convinced he can somehow “fix” his gay son. From teenagers and adults who use cruelty, violence, insults, and humiliation against someone simply because he’s gay or doesn’t fit the mold they expect. Sometimes it’s not even the huge acts that hurt the most. It’s the looks, the whispers, the judgment, the slurs, and the people who choose to stay silent when someone desperately needs them.

And Alvin… honestly, I adored him. He had me laughing so hard at one moment and then completely breaking my heart the next. His humor is so much more than comic relief because you can see how much pain, anger, and hurt he hides underneath it. That made him incredibly easy to connect with.

Darius was a different kind of heartbreaking. Watching him wrestle with everything he had been taught, the way he had been raised, and his own feelings made his journey complicated in a way that felt believable. I really appreciated the contrast between him and Alvin—the difference between being openly gay and living in the closet, and how both of them are trying to understand themselves while carrying completely different wounds.

I also loved what the story showed through Trevor and Mason. There’s this beautiful sense of people learning, growing, and hopefully doing better than the generations before them. At the same time, it doesn’t shy away from showing how prejudice can be taught, repeated, and carried from parents into their children.

This book took me through basically every emotion possible. I was laughing at Alvin, furious at the people hurting him, devastated by the religious trauma, and crying over the things these characters had to endure. The homophobia in this story hurt because it felt so brutally believable.

My only real complaint is that I wanted more from the grovel between Darius and Alvin. After everything Alvin went through, I needed Darius to work a little harder for that forgiveness. I also wanted to see some actual consequences for the people who hurt Alvin and Trevor. After everything they did, I desperately wanted some accountability.

Still, I absolutely loved Trevor and Mason, and the emotional journey of this whole story stayed with me long after I finished it. There is a HEA, which my heart definitely needed after everything.

If you’re familiar with Sybil & SK, I’d say this is different from their darkest work, but please don’t mistake that for “easy.” There are some incredibly painful subjects here, especially religious trauma, homophobia, abuse, bullying, and violence. Definitely check the trigger warnings before starting.

For me, this was an emotional, messy, funny, heartbreaking ride—and I devoured every second of it.

[Breanna Little]

That One Time by SK Pryntz & Sybil Knight

What its About: Darius

It takes some people most of their lives to find the other half of their soul. The one person who gets them. I found mine when I was eight and a new family moved into the house next door.

The pretty blonde with the pouty lips and the glittery eyes that held a darkness underneath ʼem. A preacher’s kid. Well-mannered. Respectable. Everything I was supposed to be and wasn’t. ʼCause of the secrets I was hiding.

The biggest secret of them all? The other half of my soul was a… boy.

As the years passed, that boy changed. He became less well-mannered, less respectable—his old man would say. Certainly less straight.

He also became his own person. He didn’t care so much what people thought about him, except for me. He still looked at me like I hung the moon until I ruined it. That one time he showed me what things could be like between us and I pushed him away…

Alvin

I never had a problem figuring out who I was. The church did. My daddy sure as hell did.

But me? I knew the moment the bed-headed boy next door welcomed my crying, bloodied ass into his window that I’d found my home.

Loving Darius wasn’t the hard part. Waiting for him was.

I couldn’t help but remember that one time at summer camp, when he kissed me back. For a single perfect moment, I had everything I’d ever wanted before fear stole it from us.

Now the only man I’ve ever loved is back and that window is cracked open again… The question isn’t whether I want to climb into his arms. It’s if my heart can survive him closing it for good.

My Thoughts: 5/5 stars. Absolutely knocked it out of the park! My first ever MM romance and I am left speechless. Lots of great messages and takeaways. I felt every emotion with this book. I laughed, cried and felt overwhelming anger. Alvin was a bit of an acquired taste but now I truly believe everyone should have a cheerleader like Alvin in their corner. Honestly, cant wait for everyone to get their hands on this book!

Spice rating:🌶🌶. That locker room scene! Then the infirmary! So 🥵

Thank you Sybil Knight and SK Pryntz for this ARC opportunity. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nicole]

Alvin has known he was gay since he was a child, long before he took notice of the boy next door. When that same boy became his best friend, and his safe place to land, he thought they might one day became more, especially after they shared a kiss one night at summer camp, only for his friend to pretend it never happened and spend the next several years pushing him away. For years, Alvin has been forced to watch a parade of women come in and out of his friend’s bedroom, each one feeling like a stab to the heart, but when he finally had enough and took things too far, he found himself sentenced to spending the summer in the one place that held all his best and worst memories, with his former best friend at his side.

Darius noticed Alvin a lot sooner than this friend believes, but he never allowed himself to want more, finding it easier to push him away and pretend. While Alvin made it hard to ignore him, it also made it easier to express his frustrations, often resulting in Darius saying things he didn’t mean just to get a break, but every time he took things too far, he regretted it, even if he didn’t know how to say or show it.

I received an early copy of this book from the authors and I absolutely loved it! This is definitely the most chaotically dysfunctional summer camp I have ever heard about, and all I could think while reading it was sign me the eff up! Alvin is definitely my favourite character in this story, while he seems so confident on the outside, it’s clear that his past trauma still haunts him, and every time Darius pushes him away, another piece of him gets lost. I loved the way he took Trevor under his wing, and the close friendship they formed, despite their age gap. Darius seemed like he had everything together, but he hid his damage well, and while I wanted to hate him for the way he kept hurting Alvin, it was still clear how much he was fighting himself. The book itself tackles some seriously hard topic, but the characters refused to take any of it laying down. While Alvin may have seemed a little over the top, when all was said and done he ended up being exactly enough.