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Love You More
Dear Author,
I’ve been hurt badly. In my first month away from home, enjoying newfound independence on my college campus, I was brutally raped by a stranger. I had barely begun my homosexual exploration, kissing and some hand jobs, with a few men who were also experimenting, when it happened 7 years ago. I have not been able to enjoy sexual relations with another man ever since. It has affected every one of my romantic relationships and I am sick and tired of being alone and afraid. I have decided to ask my best friend, a man I first met in junior high and trust with every part of my being, to help me overcome my fear of intimacy and sex. Yes, he is straight, but his love for me is strong and he suffers along with me when my fears arise. My hope is that he can help me, taking baby steps, enjoy the wonders of sex by touching me and loving me. I know that it will hurt when our intimate time together is over, but I’m not going to think about that right now. I need the overwhelming dread and fear of other men stricken from my mind before I can worry about anything else.
Photo Description:
Two men, short dark hair, no tattoos, shown from the waist up only. They appear to be naked and are clasped in a tight embrace. No faces are shown.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
I’ve been hurt badly. In my first month away from home, enjoying newfound independence on my college campus, I was brutally raped by a stranger. I had barely begun my homosexual exploration, kissing and some hand jobs, with a few men who were also experimenting, when it happened 7 years ago. I have not been able to enjoy sexual relations with another man ever since. It has affected every one of my romantic relationships and I am sick and tired of being alone and afraid. I have decided to ask my best friend, a man I first met in junior high and trust with every part of my being, to help me overcome my fear of intimacy and sex. Yes, he is straight, but his love for me is strong and he suffers along with me when my fears arise. My hope is that he can help me, taking baby steps, enjoy the wonders of sex by touching me and loving me. I know that it will hurt when our intimate time together is over, but I’m not going to think about that right now. I need the overwhelming dread and fear of other men stricken from my mind before I can worry about anything else.
Photo Description:
Two men, short dark hair, no tattoos, shown from the waist up only. They appear to be naked and are clasped in a tight embrace. No faces are shown.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
140 pages, ebook
First published September 23, 2015
3 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Sienna Bishop
5 books10 followersSienna Bishop has been a wannabe author most of her life. She fell in love with writing and romance at an early age, but it took a long time for her to find the right inspiration to turn her two loves into one. It wasn't until a movie broke her heart in the spring of 2006 that she found her true inspiration in the form of M/M romance. That started her on a writing rollercoaster that she hasn't climbed off yet and hopes to ride for many years to come.
Other things of note about Sienna: she has a degree in journalism but works as an air traffic controller. She lives with her husband and seven cats and seven dogs, all rescues, in the great state of Mississippi. She loves to cook, play poker, and travel, and thinks a glass of red wine is a must in most all situations. She believes in the power of kindness. Her motto is: Be nice first. You can always go back and raise hell later if you need to.
Visit her blog at http://sienna-bishop.livejournal.com.
Visit her blog at
Other things of note about Sienna: she has a degree in journalism but works as an air traffic controller. She lives with her husband and seven cats and seven dogs, all rescues, in the great state of Mississippi. She loves to cook, play poker, and travel, and thinks a glass of red wine is a must in most all situations. She believes in the power of kindness. Her motto is: Be nice first. You can always go back and raise hell later if you need to.
Visit her blog at http://sienna-bishop.livejournal.com.
Visit her blog at
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 1, 2015
This is my prompt! I love the warm and fuzzy story Sienna gave us with this one. I had asked for angst and turmoil, but I am VERY pleasantly surprised and happy as a little clam at this delightful friends-to-lovers story she wrote.
SQEEEEEEEEE!! On my favorites shelf!!!
SQEEEEEEEEE!! On my favorites shelf!!!
October 10, 2015
~3.5~
Gigi wrote a fantastic prompt! I read this book in one sitting. It's very entertaining, and I'm a sucker for best-friends-to-lovers stories.
Most of the story builds up the friendship between Tucker and Deacon.
Tucker, a military man, is a womanizer and proud of it. But Tucker loves Deacon more than anyone or anything.
Tucker and Deacon are so comfortable together, they sometimes share a bed.
Cue *gay alert* here.
When Deacon is raped, he falls apart, but Tucker is there for him even when Deacon runs and hides. Deacon doesn't tell Tucker what happened right away, but when he does, Tucker, who is *ahem* straight, volunteers to be a sex surrogate of sorts so Deacon can get over his fear of being with a man.
I liked the interactions between the men, and the sex scenes were hot. I even found the GFY believable. Tucker tells the story, so we can see how much he cares about Deacon, and how that caring grows into sexual attraction ... and love.
What worked less for me was the comfort/healing aspect. Because Deacon's voice is missing, I didn't really get how having sex with Tucker helped him over the trauma. Clearly, Tucker has a magic dick. I also didn't understand why Deacon didn't report the rape or get professional help.
The ending felt abrupt. This story screams for an epilogue. I'm hella bummed that we didn't get one.
Gigi wrote a fantastic prompt! I read this book in one sitting. It's very entertaining, and I'm a sucker for best-friends-to-lovers stories.
Most of the story builds up the friendship between Tucker and Deacon.
Tucker, a military man, is a womanizer and proud of it. But Tucker loves Deacon more than anyone or anything.
Tucker and Deacon are so comfortable together, they sometimes share a bed.
Cue *gay alert* here.
When Deacon is raped, he falls apart, but Tucker is there for him even when Deacon runs and hides. Deacon doesn't tell Tucker what happened right away, but when he does, Tucker, who is *ahem* straight, volunteers to be a sex surrogate of sorts so Deacon can get over his fear of being with a man.
I liked the interactions between the men, and the sex scenes were hot. I even found the GFY believable. Tucker tells the story, so we can see how much he cares about Deacon, and how that caring grows into sexual attraction ... and love.
What worked less for me was the comfort/healing aspect. Because Deacon's voice is missing, I didn't really get how having sex with Tucker helped him over the trauma. Clearly, Tucker has a magic dick. I also didn't understand why Deacon didn't report the rape or get professional help.
The ending felt abrupt. This story screams for an epilogue. I'm hella bummed that we didn't get one.
October 12, 2015
3.5 Stars!
I thought his one was a pretty good friends to lovers/gfy read.
I liked how we got the development of the relationship from friendship on. However, I felt like that took up a bit too much of the book. I wanted more of them as a couple.
I also oddly enough liked that it was in Tucker's POV. I think that made the gfy aspect more believable.
Dani was right.....at the very least this one needed an epilogue. Badly!
Overall a great prompt and a pretty good read!
I thought his one was a pretty good friends to lovers/gfy read.
I liked how we got the development of the relationship from friendship on. However, I felt like that took up a bit too much of the book. I wanted more of them as a couple.
I also oddly enough liked that it was in Tucker's POV. I think that made the gfy aspect more believable.
Dani was right.....at the very least this one needed an epilogue. Badly!
Overall a great prompt and a pretty good read!
September 26, 2015
4.5 stars
I love friends to lovers and hurt/comfort tropes. I feel greedy for wanting more since this story is pretty long. But it was so good. Plus, the slow burn was very satisfying.
I love friends to lovers and hurt/comfort tropes. I feel greedy for wanting more since this story is pretty long. But it was so good. Plus, the slow burn was very satisfying.
October 9, 2015
Best friends to lovers?
A slow building relationship that everyone can see but our MCs?
Comfort/healing, and hot, HOT, explorative first time gay sex?
Oh yes, that's this story, and more.
Tucker has never been luckier than the day that he stumbled into his new middle school classroom and sat next to Deacon. From that day on, they became inseparable; best friends and family, all rolled up into one. There's no one in this world that Tucker loves more than Deacon, and if those feelings are outside the boundaries he considers normal for a hetersexual man, he's happy to lock them in a box and ignore them.
After all, he's straight. Even if his best friend's assessment that he burns through women faster than he can blink, stings, he can't argue that it isn't true.
When something happens to shake the foundation of Deacon's life, Tucker stands by him to support him in anyway he can, even when he never understands what's wrong. When he finally has the opportunity to help Deacon, the results are explosive and life changing.
Was it how I thought it was going to go?
Eh, not really.
Let me tell you, this started out with a killer prologue. You just knew that everything was going to lead up to this one life altering weekend. And for the most part it did. Hot, explorative, first time gay sex is HOT. And there was a lot of exploring.
But having Tucker's first time with Deacon all ramped up and hot as hell, only to cut to black?
*pouts*
The rest of their encounters totally make for it, trust me, but that initial scene is so important, and I has a sad that I missed out.
I was also hoping for more of a knock-the-door-down, sweep-him-off-his-feet-and-into-a-kiss, declaration of feelings, and instead we get a slow realization of feelings that were always there, but that Tucker had never understood until then.
The ending is still incredibly sweet, and guaranteed to make you smile, but I'd kill for an epilogue.
I think the author's decision to have it told from Tucker's POV was a very good one; we get to see an evolution of friendship and feelings, and it was a good way to tackle a heavy issue without it being overwhelming to the story.
On a side note: clearly, I'm not a guy, but after having read this, I'm wondering if most of their conversations and life really do revolve around sex.
A sweet and sexy read.
My thanks to the author for their participation in the Love is an Open Road event.
A slow building relationship that everyone can see but our MCs?
Comfort/healing, and hot, HOT, explorative first time gay sex?
Oh yes, that's this story, and more.
Tucker has never been luckier than the day that he stumbled into his new middle school classroom and sat next to Deacon. From that day on, they became inseparable; best friends and family, all rolled up into one. There's no one in this world that Tucker loves more than Deacon, and if those feelings are outside the boundaries he considers normal for a hetersexual man, he's happy to lock them in a box and ignore them.
After all, he's straight. Even if his best friend's assessment that he burns through women faster than he can blink, stings, he can't argue that it isn't true.
When something happens to shake the foundation of Deacon's life, Tucker stands by him to support him in anyway he can, even when he never understands what's wrong. When he finally has the opportunity to help Deacon, the results are explosive and life changing.
Was it how I thought it was going to go?
Eh, not really.
Let me tell you, this started out with a killer prologue. You just knew that everything was going to lead up to this one life altering weekend. And for the most part it did. Hot, explorative, first time gay sex is HOT. And there was a lot of exploring.
But having Tucker's first time with Deacon all ramped up and hot as hell, only to cut to black?
*pouts*
The rest of their encounters totally make for it, trust me, but that initial scene is so important, and I has a sad that I missed out.
I was also hoping for more of a knock-the-door-down, sweep-him-off-his-feet-and-into-a-kiss, declaration of feelings, and instead we get a slow realization of feelings that were always there, but that Tucker had never understood until then.
The ending is still incredibly sweet, and guaranteed to make you smile, but I'd kill for an epilogue.
I think the author's decision to have it told from Tucker's POV was a very good one; we get to see an evolution of friendship and feelings, and it was a good way to tackle a heavy issue without it being overwhelming to the story.
On a side note: clearly, I'm not a guy, but after having read this, I'm wondering if most of their conversations and life really do revolve around sex.
A sweet and sexy read.
My thanks to the author for their participation in the Love is an Open Road event.
September 25, 2015
The problem with these stories is that they are sooooo short!!! I wanted more Deacon and Tucker!
Lovely friends-to-lovers story.
“So what areyou saying, Deacon?” I asked as I leaned in for our first happy-ever-after kiss. “That you love me too?”
He smiled against my lips. “I’ve always loved you, Tucker,” he whispered softly. “I guess what I’m saying now is, I love you more.”
*le sigh*
This story is a free story from Goodreads M/M Romance Group (MM Romance Group - Love is an Open Road Stories 2015)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Picture and prompt;
September 24, 2015
Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
Absolutely loved this story. Friends to lovers is my favourite anyway, but I have the lurg at the minute and this story was a warm hug while I wallow in my misery. Proper review soon.
Absolutely loved this story. Friends to lovers is my favourite anyway, but I have the lurg at the minute and this story was a warm hug while I wallow in my misery. Proper review soon.
September 29, 2015
This was such a sweet endearing best friends to lovers. Highly recommend-AND its FREE!!!
September 17, 2016
This is definitely the best Gay For You type of romance I've ever read.
Tucker and Deacon have been best friends since eighth grade. While Tucker is a wild kid, fooling around with girls early on and knowing that he will either end up in jail or in the military, Deacon is a smart guy who plans on studying math and on making the world a better place.
At age 18, Tucker is confused but supportive when Deacon confides in him that he's gay, but their close friendship seemingly ends abruptly when Deacon stops sending him letters from campus.
Months later, when Tucker is finished with boot camp and back in their home town for the holidays, he seeks up Deacon wanting to know what he did wrong to end their friendship.
However, he finds Deacon changed. He's depressed, pessimistic and a completely different person than the young man Tucker knew. Deacon isn't willing to share his dark secret with Tucker for years, but Tucker stands by his side and lends his support - as much as a straight macho soldier guy is capable of.
While Tucker's love life over the years consists of a string of Friday night bar hook-ups with shallow ladies, he notices that Deacon doesn't ever pursue his sexuality and never has a boyfriend let alone naughty sex stories to tell.
When they're in their mid-20s, Deacon is ready to talk about what happened to him at university and why he is different now. Tucker realizes that there's only one way to help him overcome his fears: Deacon needs to re-discover the joys of sex with someone he can trust completely, someone he can be sure won't turn their back on him or spill his secret to anybody else.
Loving Deacon with all his heart, Tucker knows he's the best person for the job and proposes to sleep with his best friend in order to overcome his fears of intimacy.
What sounds like a totally corny premise for some bi-curious sex adventures is actually one of the most beautiful m/m love stories featuring a straight MC that I have ever read.
Told from Tucker's POV - who isn't exactly the epitome of a sensitive, reflective guy - we get to see his turmoil about finding his best and closest friend in so much pain. His feelings were so breathtakingly realistic that I simply couldn't put the story down. I wanted to see things unfold in front of Tucker's eyes. Surprisingly, you would assume that Deacon's POV would be the more interesting one. After all, he's the one with the terrible fate who needs to work through his issues. But Tucker gives us his take on his love for his best friend - a love that he needs years to realize what it actually means.
I swear, by the end of this story, I was craving for a straight best friend to cuddle with in bed. A friend who'd hold you close without expecting all the things a gay lover would expect in bed. Tucker is absolutely amazing and by the end of the story, I found myself in tears, repeating Deacon's confession of "I've always loved you, but now I love you more."
5 stars and on my top 10 reads 2016!
Tucker and Deacon have been best friends since eighth grade. While Tucker is a wild kid, fooling around with girls early on and knowing that he will either end up in jail or in the military, Deacon is a smart guy who plans on studying math and on making the world a better place.
At age 18, Tucker is confused but supportive when Deacon confides in him that he's gay, but their close friendship seemingly ends abruptly when Deacon stops sending him letters from campus.
Months later, when Tucker is finished with boot camp and back in their home town for the holidays, he seeks up Deacon wanting to know what he did wrong to end their friendship.
However, he finds Deacon changed. He's depressed, pessimistic and a completely different person than the young man Tucker knew. Deacon isn't willing to share his dark secret with Tucker for years, but Tucker stands by his side and lends his support - as much as a straight macho soldier guy is capable of.
While Tucker's love life over the years consists of a string of Friday night bar hook-ups with shallow ladies, he notices that Deacon doesn't ever pursue his sexuality and never has a boyfriend let alone naughty sex stories to tell.
When they're in their mid-20s, Deacon is ready to talk about what happened to him at university and why he is different now. Tucker realizes that there's only one way to help him overcome his fears: Deacon needs to re-discover the joys of sex with someone he can trust completely, someone he can be sure won't turn their back on him or spill his secret to anybody else.
Loving Deacon with all his heart, Tucker knows he's the best person for the job and proposes to sleep with his best friend in order to overcome his fears of intimacy.
What sounds like a totally corny premise for some bi-curious sex adventures is actually one of the most beautiful m/m love stories featuring a straight MC that I have ever read.
Told from Tucker's POV - who isn't exactly the epitome of a sensitive, reflective guy - we get to see his turmoil about finding his best and closest friend in so much pain. His feelings were so breathtakingly realistic that I simply couldn't put the story down. I wanted to see things unfold in front of Tucker's eyes. Surprisingly, you would assume that Deacon's POV would be the more interesting one. After all, he's the one with the terrible fate who needs to work through his issues. But Tucker gives us his take on his love for his best friend - a love that he needs years to realize what it actually means.
I swear, by the end of this story, I was craving for a straight best friend to cuddle with in bed. A friend who'd hold you close without expecting all the things a gay lover would expect in bed. Tucker is absolutely amazing and by the end of the story, I found myself in tears, repeating Deacon's confession of "I've always loved you, but now I love you more."
5 stars and on my top 10 reads 2016!
October 7, 2015
*4.25 stars*
This was a winner and one of my favorite stories of the event! And very true to Gigi's prompt.
Although I'm not a big fan of the GFY trope, I think the author managed to pull it off pretty well here. Actually, I think it is one of the most believable stories I 've read.
The best friends to lovers trope was perfection. I absolutely loved the fact that the author stretched the timeline and we got to see their relationship through these years and how they met. And how gradually their feelings towards each other changed.
The story is told from Tucker's (the "straight" guy) POV. I loved his voice and how possessive and protective he felt of Deakon. And how uninhibited he got after he decided to have sex with him. This is basically steamless until 55-60% but then....there are explosions.
Tender moments, steamy sessions, friend love that turns to so much more and a lot of cuddling... this story had it all!
Great job!
This was a winner and one of my favorite stories of the event! And very true to Gigi's prompt.
Although I'm not a big fan of the GFY trope, I think the author managed to pull it off pretty well here. Actually, I think it is one of the most believable stories I 've read.
The best friends to lovers trope was perfection. I absolutely loved the fact that the author stretched the timeline and we got to see their relationship through these years and how they met. And how gradually their feelings towards each other changed.
The story is told from Tucker's (the "straight" guy) POV. I loved his voice and how possessive and protective he felt of Deakon. And how uninhibited he got after he decided to have sex with him. This is basically steamless until 55-60% but then....there are explosions.
Tender moments, steamy sessions, friend love that turns to so much more and a lot of cuddling... this story had it all!
Great job!
July 26, 2019
Second read 2019 MMRG Bingo
is was a reread for me and the story made me cry the first time I read it. This excellent DRiTC story includes a very lovely, and touching friendship between the MC, includes friends to lovers theme and GFY. Extra kudos the the author for skillful writing of a 1st person POV narrative. I’m very, very prickly with 1st person. It has to be handled just right for me to stick with the reading of that type of perspective in fiction. Sienna Bishop did an excellent job.
+++++++++++++++++++
MM Romance Group Round 12 Week 7 (2015) Team Bingo Category "Coming Out."
4.5-stars (if this had an epilogue it would have been 10-stars)
This is my first read of any of the MM Romance Group publications (Love is a Open Road) and the first time I have tried any of Sienna Bishop's writings. I'm happy to say that I am pleased on both counts and will read more of both in the future.
This book is a "friends to lovers" and gay/ofy story and is just the sort I like, a believable plot.
The author's take on the "friends to lovers," gfy/ofy trope reminds me of a book that I read earlier this year, Her Majesty's Men by Marquesate, which was such a beautiful love story, that I had to swallow my tears when I read it.
What these two books have in common that I found so moving, is that in each case, both author's were able to show rather than tell of the profoundly deep love connection between the their MCs and how based on this connection, one MC would do anything to save the life of his friend. Though in Marquesate's book, one MC risks death itself to save his friend's life, but in this book, one MC makes a sacrifice to heal his friend from a trauma that was keeping that friend from living a full and happy life, a sacrifice that a lot of so-called straight men would not make.
Also, I will add, that I really am not crazy about 1st pers POV at all, but in Sienna Bishop's capable hands, I not only found it tolerable, I liked the narrator's voice and perspective of the unfolding of story events.
I would have liked a little epilogue.
I can't wait to read more mm romance from Sienna Bishop!
is was a reread for me and the story made me cry the first time I read it. This excellent DRiTC story includes a very lovely, and touching friendship between the MC, includes friends to lovers theme and GFY. Extra kudos the the author for skillful writing of a 1st person POV narrative. I’m very, very prickly with 1st person. It has to be handled just right for me to stick with the reading of that type of perspective in fiction. Sienna Bishop did an excellent job.
+++++++++++++++++++
MM Romance Group Round 12 Week 7 (2015) Team Bingo Category "Coming Out."
4.5-stars (if this had an epilogue it would have been 10-stars)
This is my first read of any of the MM Romance Group publications (Love is a Open Road) and the first time I have tried any of Sienna Bishop's writings. I'm happy to say that I am pleased on both counts and will read more of both in the future.
This book is a "friends to lovers" and gay/ofy story and is just the sort I like, a believable plot.
The author's take on the "friends to lovers," gfy/ofy trope reminds me of a book that I read earlier this year, Her Majesty's Men by Marquesate, which was such a beautiful love story, that I had to swallow my tears when I read it.
What these two books have in common that I found so moving, is that in each case, both author's were able to show rather than tell of the profoundly deep love connection between the their MCs and how based on this connection, one MC would do anything to save the life of his friend. Though in Marquesate's book, one MC risks death itself to save his friend's life, but in this book, one MC makes a sacrifice to heal his friend from a trauma that was keeping that friend from living a full and happy life, a sacrifice that a lot of so-called straight men would not make.
Also, I will add, that I really am not crazy about 1st pers POV at all, but in Sienna Bishop's capable hands, I not only found it tolerable, I liked the narrator's voice and perspective of the unfolding of story events.
I would have liked a little epilogue.
I can't wait to read more mm romance from Sienna Bishop!
October 23, 2015
2.5 stars
There is this thing called expectations. It’s not always a good thing to have. When I read this prompt I immediately saw how I wanted this story to go. And because it turned out totally different I was extremely disappointed.
I love hurt/comfort stories. I also love best friends to lovers stories. And these two combined, I thought I was in heaven!
But for some reason I didn’t really like Tucker. This story is told from his POV. And even though I did wonder how he would feel, with him being straight and all, what I really wanted was Deacon’s POV.
Because everything is told from the best friend’s POV and not from Deacon himself, I felt the hurt/comfort part of the story wasn’t believable at all. Yes, a horrible thing happened to Deacon. Yes, Tucker was the only one who could get close to him. But because we only saw how Deacon reacted to Tucker I never felt Deacon was that hurt at all. He must have been, but I just didn’t see it.
For 75% this story is friendship. Then we get some sex, then some more friendship and then the big I love you on the last page.
I was just hoping for something more.
This calls for a sad batman gif.
There is this thing called expectations. It’s not always a good thing to have. When I read this prompt I immediately saw how I wanted this story to go. And because it turned out totally different I was extremely disappointed.
I love hurt/comfort stories. I also love best friends to lovers stories. And these two combined, I thought I was in heaven!
But for some reason I didn’t really like Tucker. This story is told from his POV. And even though I did wonder how he would feel, with him being straight and all, what I really wanted was Deacon’s POV.
Because everything is told from the best friend’s POV and not from Deacon himself, I felt the hurt/comfort part of the story wasn’t believable at all. Yes, a horrible thing happened to Deacon. Yes, Tucker was the only one who could get close to him. But because we only saw how Deacon reacted to Tucker I never felt Deacon was that hurt at all. He must have been, but I just didn’t see it.
For 75% this story is friendship. Then we get some sex, then some more friendship and then the big I love you on the last page.
I was just hoping for something more.
This calls for a sad batman gif.
October 6, 2015
4.5 stars
This was sweet and sexy, yet tender at times. More importantly, it was as close to friends to lovers perfection as you can get!
I'm not a huge fan of GFY but I found this believable because it was told from Tucker's (the "straight" friend's) perspective. We knew what he was thinking all along and that he had always found Deacon attractive. We also got to see him as he gradually started to think of Deacon in that more than friends kind of way.
Very much recommended, especially if you like to see best friends falling in love!!
This was sweet and sexy, yet tender at times. More importantly, it was as close to friends to lovers perfection as you can get!
I'm not a huge fan of GFY but I found this believable because it was told from Tucker's (the "straight" friend's) perspective. We knew what he was thinking all along and that he had always found Deacon attractive. We also got to see him as he gradually started to think of Deacon in that more than friends kind of way.
Very much recommended, especially if you like to see best friends falling in love!!
July 17, 2019
Sweet, if implausible friends to lovers/GFY story. Aside from the rape one of the MC’s survived, this was very fluffy. Tucker, the man who doesn’t realize he’s been in love with his best friend for years has no issues as he volunteers himself as a “sex therapist” to help Deacon move past intimacy issues. Included: a pain free cherry loss for Tucker & an HFN for the boys.
September 27, 2016
3.5 When that "slow-burn, friends to lovers, holy hell I'm bi/gfy fluff dream" mood strikes, it's great to have freebies like Love You More at hand. I wasn't sure at first, but as both the author and I started to get the hang of the story, I found myself really enjoying the reasonably believable narrative voice and mellow pacing. The idea of what would happen to one of the friends put me off at first: it's so easy to fall into that distasteful "gratuitous rape" trap, especially with a story this short. Thankfully it was handled relatively well.
The one thing that was a let down for me were the sudden, no holds barred sex-god sex scenes. After the slow and cozy buildup and insight into these guys' characters, those scenes came completely out of left field. They felt at odds with the story preceding them.
Anyway, if you wanna go there but are hesitant because of that dramatic prompt, I'd say just give it a go after all.:)
The one thing that was a let down for me were the sudden, no holds barred sex-god sex scenes. After the slow and cozy buildup and insight into these guys' characters, those scenes came completely out of left field. They felt at odds with the story preceding them.
Anyway, if you wanna go there but are hesitant because of that dramatic prompt, I'd say just give it a go after all.:)
November 25, 2015
5 Stars
Wow, I am blown away with how much I loved this story. It has absolutely everything I hope to find when reading in this genre. I love a GFY, OFY storyline throw in a little friend to lovers situation and a little angst and ...voila you have this perfect storm of a story. I loved how much these two characters really cared about each other, and the hot and steamy times were So. Fricking. HOT!! Loved this.
Wow, I am blown away with how much I loved this story. It has absolutely everything I hope to find when reading in this genre. I love a GFY, OFY storyline throw in a little friend to lovers situation and a little angst and ...voila you have this perfect storm of a story. I loved how much these two characters really cared about each other, and the hot and steamy times were So. Fricking. HOT!! Loved this.
October 14, 2015
2.5 stars
That was cute. But I guess I'm hoping for more. :)
Thank you so much to the author and the team behind this story. <3
That was cute. But I guess I'm hoping for more. :)
Thank you so much to the author and the team behind this story. <3
September 4, 2016
I really enjoyed this! I thought it took too long to get back to the beginning, but that's just a personal thing, I just wanted to get back to them getting together.
I think my only real complaint is that I would have liked an epilogue, I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. I just wanted more once they finally admitted their feelings.
This was great for fans of friends to lovers, as well as gay for you fans, and as I'm not seeing anything else from this author, fabulous start!
I think my only real complaint is that I would have liked an epilogue, I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. I just wanted more once they finally admitted their feelings.
This was great for fans of friends to lovers, as well as gay for you fans, and as I'm not seeing anything else from this author, fabulous start!
October 9, 2015
I think this was the best friends-to-lovers story I've read so far. I loved both of the heroes. I loved the slow-burn romance. I loved that first and foremost, they were best friends, and as they evolved to lovers it all felt so natural. They were just supposed to be.
I loooooved Tucker. He was perfect.
**drowning in warm and fuzzy feelings**
I loooooved Tucker. He was perfect.
**drowning in warm and fuzzy feelings**
October 2, 2015
Warning: This is a long-winded, rambling review, written with the help of a cat, who was draped over my arms, making my hands numb and tingly while I typed. It probably gets way too personal, and I am absolutely 100% sure there are too many commas, because I love commas. I tried to check for spelling errors, but by the end I just didn't care - and the dog is doing the potty dance, so...priorities.
I went into this very on the fence on how it would be. I absolutely hate the term 'gay for you'. It's stupid. 'Out for you' is less annoying, and a lot of times more truthful to what is going on, though I still don't really like it much either. In one sense, labels can help, and make things easier, but on the other side, the more you label things, even in an an attempt to do so positively, the more you pigeonhole people and force them into little boxes. I'm kind of going off track here, but it's like the more you label every kind of sexuality the more you force people to choose one, or to conform to something, when the whole purpose of the labeling was originally to make all those people accepted. Because people are contrary we have to give labels and then fight for equality for gay people, and trans people, and asexual people, etc, instead of just being intelligent and realizing that EVERYONE, every single person in the world, deserves equality (just like we have to fight for each individual race and culture and religion, instead of just getting a freaking clue). *frustrated with the world* I'm left wondering if I'm asexual, demisexual, transgender, and/or just so traumatized by past events in my life that I'm all f-ed up sexually. But, you know, before these labels started flying around so much (in my life, at least), I was just me and didn't worry about it quite as much. *frustrated with self*
All of which was totally off topic, other than to say I hate the term 'gay for you'. It isn't that I don't believe in the possibility, it is just that it still doesn't make them gay...bisexuality anyone? Or maybe they don't consider themselves gay, straight, or bisexual, maybe it is all about heart and mind and soul and the body is just something interesting that comes along. So, yeah, 'gfy' and labels...
And then the whole, rape victim just needs to have good sex to be cured...nononono. But while I back away from that whole idea there is a kernel of truth in there, and this story sort of built on that, I think. There is no magical healing sex and I really hate it when books are written like that. But the idea that has the truth to it, and what Deak is going with here, is that even once you have dealt with your issues (mostly) and are ready to move on, sex after rape can be a big fucking scary deal and you know that part of that is just the unknown (even if you've had sex before, it is still like a whole new thing, often even more intimidating and nerve wracking than the first time around). So you also know that if you can just "get it over with" you will see that there isn't anything to fear or worry about. But even if you are just getting it over with, the person you are doing so with is very important. Because if you don't feel safe it's not going to work and you'll be even more hesitant and worried to try the next time.
So in that way, the idea of having sex with his friend to be able to move on, makes perfect sense. The sex isn't about "healing" him, it's about having a safe, fairly worry free entrance into sex. Kind of like, and I know it is a weird comparison, but bear with me...years ago, when I was 17, I moved to Denver to live with my mother and her husband. I learned to drive on country dirt roads and even the main highways around here (yup I'm back to the dirt roads) only had one lane going each way. Then comes Denver (or, more precisely Aurora) and every road had four or six lanes and people were going twenty different ways at once and it was just so HUGE and yet boxed in. I would get very stressed about having to go somewhere new, anxiety issues and all, and I would usually make a trial run of where I needed to go before I actually needed to go there, and if my mom could manage it, she would go with me, to make sure I found wherever it was, easily. Because there were no expectations, there was no stress. And then, the next time, when I had to go to the dentist, or doctor's office, or whatever, I knew what to expect because I'd already experienced it, so there was little to no stress then, either.
And, as odd as that comparison may seem, that is more the idea behind sex with his best friend in this book than any kind of magical healing sex and/or penises.
Then at the start of the book, the author states that it ended up being from Tucker's point of view. Hmm, will that work?
Yes. Most books dealing with rape tell it from the victim's pov, which is sort of the point. But I've always been just as interested in what their love interest is thinking and experiencing. I liked getting that here, and I'll be honest, it was nice to have the distance from Deak's trauma. I pick up a lot of books dealing with rape, in an effort, I think, to deal with my own trauma and because I want to see other people who have experienced what I have find healing and happiness and love. My own form of therapy or something, I don't know. But, sometimes, being in their head space is so very emotionally exhausting because you identify too much (or sometimes not enough)with them.
When the story started and they were junior high I will admit I flinched. Too often stories that go back to junior high or high school bore me or contain too much drama of the sort I don't want to deal with, and usually contain this totally unrealistic (to me) view of high school. Though maybe all the rest of you were having huge drinking parties at some rich kid's house (complete with large pool) while his parents were away - every friday. The jocks were always assholes and the geeks were always nice, and everyone wears the latest fashions and drives expensive sports cars, etc. Is that real? Does that really happen? I went to junior high and high school in Alaska, and I have to tell you, there wasn't much of that going on, that I knew about, anyhow. And around here...well I suppose kids could be having drinking parties in their parents barns, but I'm not sure they'd be willing to risk it, and I'm not even talking about the alcohol part - just the risk to the livelihood of the family.
Ugh, I'm totally rambling. Let me try to wrap this up quickly then. I really enjoyed it being from Tucker's point of view. I enjoyed seeing their friendship over the years. Yes it was a slow build and sex comes far into the story, but I liked that. Insta-love gets old, and even when you start the story out with the main characters already being friends, having them suddenly change and jump into sex is a lot like reading insta-love/lust. Okay, you said they have been best friends for years, but I didn't get to SEE that. I barely got to know their names and now they are having sex. How is this any different? For me it isn't really. So I liked the slow build and getting to know the characters and their relationship a bit.
I liked the ending, when Tucker asks Deak how long they have been in love with each other. If you are paying attention as you read the book, you realize it early on, too. Tucker has always been interested in Deak, has always noticed things about him, but for a long time it just doesn't occur to him to think about why.
So, I was super pleasantly surprised because I went into this thinking I probably wasn't going to like it and the first few pages (before the story actually starts) did not encourage me - oh, it's from Tucker's pov and starts in junior high, ugh. How wrong I was. It ended up being both sweet and pretty sexy.
I went into this very on the fence on how it would be. I absolutely hate the term 'gay for you'. It's stupid. 'Out for you' is less annoying, and a lot of times more truthful to what is going on, though I still don't really like it much either. In one sense, labels can help, and make things easier, but on the other side, the more you label things, even in an an attempt to do so positively, the more you pigeonhole people and force them into little boxes. I'm kind of going off track here, but it's like the more you label every kind of sexuality the more you force people to choose one, or to conform to something, when the whole purpose of the labeling was originally to make all those people accepted. Because people are contrary we have to give labels and then fight for equality for gay people, and trans people, and asexual people, etc, instead of just being intelligent and realizing that EVERYONE, every single person in the world, deserves equality (just like we have to fight for each individual race and culture and religion, instead of just getting a freaking clue). *frustrated with the world* I'm left wondering if I'm asexual, demisexual, transgender, and/or just so traumatized by past events in my life that I'm all f-ed up sexually. But, you know, before these labels started flying around so much (in my life, at least), I was just me and didn't worry about it quite as much. *frustrated with self*
All of which was totally off topic, other than to say I hate the term 'gay for you'. It isn't that I don't believe in the possibility, it is just that it still doesn't make them gay...bisexuality anyone? Or maybe they don't consider themselves gay, straight, or bisexual, maybe it is all about heart and mind and soul and the body is just something interesting that comes along. So, yeah, 'gfy' and labels...
And then the whole, rape victim just needs to have good sex to be cured...nononono. But while I back away from that whole idea there is a kernel of truth in there, and this story sort of built on that, I think. There is no magical healing sex and I really hate it when books are written like that. But the idea that has the truth to it, and what Deak is going with here, is that even once you have dealt with your issues (mostly) and are ready to move on, sex after rape can be a big fucking scary deal and you know that part of that is just the unknown (even if you've had sex before, it is still like a whole new thing, often even more intimidating and nerve wracking than the first time around). So you also know that if you can just "get it over with" you will see that there isn't anything to fear or worry about. But even if you are just getting it over with, the person you are doing so with is very important. Because if you don't feel safe it's not going to work and you'll be even more hesitant and worried to try the next time.
So in that way, the idea of having sex with his friend to be able to move on, makes perfect sense. The sex isn't about "healing" him, it's about having a safe, fairly worry free entrance into sex. Kind of like, and I know it is a weird comparison, but bear with me...years ago, when I was 17, I moved to Denver to live with my mother and her husband. I learned to drive on country dirt roads and even the main highways around here (yup I'm back to the dirt roads) only had one lane going each way. Then comes Denver (or, more precisely Aurora) and every road had four or six lanes and people were going twenty different ways at once and it was just so HUGE and yet boxed in. I would get very stressed about having to go somewhere new, anxiety issues and all, and I would usually make a trial run of where I needed to go before I actually needed to go there, and if my mom could manage it, she would go with me, to make sure I found wherever it was, easily. Because there were no expectations, there was no stress. And then, the next time, when I had to go to the dentist, or doctor's office, or whatever, I knew what to expect because I'd already experienced it, so there was little to no stress then, either.
And, as odd as that comparison may seem, that is more the idea behind sex with his best friend in this book than any kind of magical healing sex and/or penises.
Then at the start of the book, the author states that it ended up being from Tucker's point of view. Hmm, will that work?
Yes. Most books dealing with rape tell it from the victim's pov, which is sort of the point. But I've always been just as interested in what their love interest is thinking and experiencing. I liked getting that here, and I'll be honest, it was nice to have the distance from Deak's trauma. I pick up a lot of books dealing with rape, in an effort, I think, to deal with my own trauma and because I want to see other people who have experienced what I have find healing and happiness and love. My own form of therapy or something, I don't know. But, sometimes, being in their head space is so very emotionally exhausting because you identify too much (or sometimes not enough)with them.
When the story started and they were junior high I will admit I flinched. Too often stories that go back to junior high or high school bore me or contain too much drama of the sort I don't want to deal with, and usually contain this totally unrealistic (to me) view of high school. Though maybe all the rest of you were having huge drinking parties at some rich kid's house (complete with large pool) while his parents were away - every friday. The jocks were always assholes and the geeks were always nice, and everyone wears the latest fashions and drives expensive sports cars, etc. Is that real? Does that really happen? I went to junior high and high school in Alaska, and I have to tell you, there wasn't much of that going on, that I knew about, anyhow. And around here...well I suppose kids could be having drinking parties in their parents barns, but I'm not sure they'd be willing to risk it, and I'm not even talking about the alcohol part - just the risk to the livelihood of the family.
Ugh, I'm totally rambling. Let me try to wrap this up quickly then. I really enjoyed it being from Tucker's point of view. I enjoyed seeing their friendship over the years. Yes it was a slow build and sex comes far into the story, but I liked that. Insta-love gets old, and even when you start the story out with the main characters already being friends, having them suddenly change and jump into sex is a lot like reading insta-love/lust. Okay, you said they have been best friends for years, but I didn't get to SEE that. I barely got to know their names and now they are having sex. How is this any different? For me it isn't really. So I liked the slow build and getting to know the characters and their relationship a bit.
I liked the ending, when Tucker asks Deak how long they have been in love with each other. If you are paying attention as you read the book, you realize it early on, too. Tucker has always been interested in Deak, has always noticed things about him, but for a long time it just doesn't occur to him to think about why.
So, I was super pleasantly surprised because I went into this thinking I probably wasn't going to like it and the first few pages (before the story actually starts) did not encourage me - oh, it's from Tucker's pov and starts in junior high, ugh. How wrong I was. It ended up being both sweet and pretty sexy.
September 27, 2015
Ratings are hard….On one hand this author provided us with a lot the 140 page story is well rounded, covers a large amount of time for the two MC’s, touches on a very important and sensitive topic, yet I felt like I wanted more.
So first the choice to have the story be from Tucker’s (the “straight” friends) POV vs. Deacon’s I’m on the fence about. I think to a certain extent it was wise because most of these friends to lovers stories we don’t get the side of the supposedly straight male. It’s all angsty want of the gay friend and fighting his feelings and it’s been done to death, so I get it. Half of me applauds the choice, but the issue here is that during the separation there are a lot of bland times that while yeah Tucker misses Deacon it’s just…well dull. I also thought it established too much emotional distance from the main issue in the story, something that is so important to open a dialogue about, male rape. While yes Tucker gets mad, and Deacon is impacted….I for one was so distanced from the emotional aspect of that and the only reason I could determine why was because since it didn’t happen to Tucker it was almost like being given facts or historical information about an event.
The biggest thing this story had going for it was that there were some real great moments in this book. Strangely enough they were provided by Deacon who was a great secondary character. Everyone, except Tucker, knew the two were meant to be together, especially Deacon. I would love to see the same story from Deacon’s point of view. I think two scenes in particular, the first being when Tucker shows up unexpectedly at Deacons house and finds out Deacon has switched schools, etc. The second being the morning at the beach house when Tucker is flirting with Deacon.
I would say 3.5 mostly because I do think the friendship presented was rock solid. I thought the GFY element was done well and in a mature way. I think it tried to introduce/present sexuality as a spectrum verses an absolute better than I’ve seen before. I found it believable, being sexually attracted to someone who is most possibly the most important person in your life shouldn’t be all that surprising.
So first the choice to have the story be from Tucker’s (the “straight” friends) POV vs. Deacon’s I’m on the fence about. I think to a certain extent it was wise because most of these friends to lovers stories we don’t get the side of the supposedly straight male. It’s all angsty want of the gay friend and fighting his feelings and it’s been done to death, so I get it. Half of me applauds the choice, but the issue here is that during the separation there are a lot of bland times that while yeah Tucker misses Deacon it’s just…well dull. I also thought it established too much emotional distance from the main issue in the story, something that is so important to open a dialogue about, male rape. While yes Tucker gets mad, and Deacon is impacted….I for one was so distanced from the emotional aspect of that and the only reason I could determine why was because since it didn’t happen to Tucker it was almost like being given facts or historical information about an event.
The biggest thing this story had going for it was that there were some real great moments in this book. Strangely enough they were provided by Deacon who was a great secondary character. Everyone, except Tucker, knew the two were meant to be together, especially Deacon. I would love to see the same story from Deacon’s point of view. I think two scenes in particular, the first being when Tucker shows up unexpectedly at Deacons house and finds out Deacon has switched schools, etc. The second being the morning at the beach house when Tucker is flirting with Deacon.
I would say 3.5 mostly because I do think the friendship presented was rock solid. I thought the GFY element was done well and in a mature way. I think it tried to introduce/present sexuality as a spectrum verses an absolute better than I’ve seen before. I found it believable, being sexually attracted to someone who is most possibly the most important person in your life shouldn’t be all that surprising.
November 18, 2016
Slow Slow Slow Burn. Wonderful feel good story that leaves a smile on your face.
The blurb let me know that there would be a large time span involved. The author handled it very well. The story was like a pot of stew or gumbo that simmers all day and you just keep adding ingredients and stirring. The flavor just gets more layered and robust.
The book written from Tucker's POV worked very well with the ending.
The blurb let me know that there would be a large time span involved. The author handled it very well. The story was like a pot of stew or gumbo that simmers all day and you just keep adding ingredients and stirring. The flavor just gets more layered and robust.
The book written from Tucker's POV worked very well with the ending.
October 7, 2015
Wow this short is a winner. Great quick read, with a great friends to lovers setup. Amazing.
January 27, 2020
[Special thanks to Martin for recommending the book to me.]
This relatively short story turned out much better than I expected. I did not like the book cover because it looked like it was put together in 5 minutes using Microsoft WordArt back in the 1990s and it made me not want to pick it up at all.
I've hardly found most Gay For You (GFY) stories believable but I would say this is one of the best ones I've came across. I like that the story was told from the 'straight' guy's (Tucker) POV and all of his inner turmoil was seen firsthand.
The writing was excellent, and the sex scenes was really hot but I was a little bit disappointed that . There were certain parts of the book which I found a little incredulous, like
Something I did not like was that the prologue practically gave the whole story away!! If you are planning to read this, I'd recommend skipping the prologue. I also wished that the novel was longer and extended beyond the ending because it felt like it was an incomplete story. Still, it was a brilliant read.
What's more, it's free and can be downloaded here
4.5 Stars!
This relatively short story turned out much better than I expected. I did not like the book cover because it looked like it was put together in 5 minutes using Microsoft WordArt back in the 1990s and it made me not want to pick it up at all.
I've hardly found most Gay For You (GFY) stories believable but I would say this is one of the best ones I've came across. I like that the story was told from the 'straight' guy's (Tucker) POV and all of his inner turmoil was seen firsthand.
The writing was excellent, and the sex scenes was really hot but I was a little bit disappointed that . There were certain parts of the book which I found a little incredulous, like
Something I did not like was that the prologue practically gave the whole story away!! If you are planning to read this, I'd recommend skipping the prologue. I also wished that the novel was longer and extended beyond the ending because it felt like it was an incomplete story. Still, it was a brilliant read.
What's more, it's free and can be downloaded here
4.5 Stars!
September 27, 2015
A best friend is a rare gift. Someone who knows you better than anyone else. Someone you trust with all your secrets. Someone who has your back. Someone you can be yourself with. Deacon and Tuck had all that. They also had love. I loved the healing, comfort and slow build until Tuck finally figured out how he truly felt about Deacon.
Great job Sienna. I would have loved an epilogue. I greedily wanted to see more of their HEA.
Great job Sienna. I would have loved an epilogue. I greedily wanted to see more of their HEA.
April 4, 2016
If you love Friends-to-Lovers + Gay-for-You, and you do not need your book to be uber realistic?
This one is for you!
I picked it up for these reasons, and I enjoyed it.
I think the first half was a bit too long, but the second half was great and HOT (SO hot!)
Lovely!
This one is for you!
I picked it up for these reasons, and I enjoyed it.
I think the first half was a bit too long, but the second half was great and HOT (SO hot!)
Lovely!
February 14, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up. I debated whether to round up or down, but overall I really enjoyed this book and decided to round up.
This was a quick read that immediately captured my interest and didn't let go until the last page. This is the story of an amazing friendship between Deacon and Tucker. Deacon and Tucker meet in their early teens and develop a strong friendship. Deacon happens to be gay and Tucker is straight.
The connection and chemistry between these two was absolutely off the charts. The chemistry is amazing considering how quickly things had to develop given that this story is only 140 pages. Their relationship was so beautifully written that I think it challenges some traditional views of sexuality. Tucker has no issue attracting women and has never found himself even considering an attraction to men, until Deacon. I think the key here, and what made this believable as a GFY story, is the fact that the connection between these two was based on a true love for each other that developed out of their friendship. There are some parts of this book that I read several times because they were so touching and because I really just didn't want the book to end.
There were a couple of things that I didn't care for. Tucker and Deacon are in the 20's and I know words like "dude" are common, but sometimes this type of language was used during intimate moments and it just felt a little juvenile. The sexual chemistry between these two was so good, but I do think a little bit more hesitation on Tucker's part would have made this a bit more believable. Tucker was all in a little too easily considering he had no prior experience with men (no pun intended). It may be that there wasn't much time to develop this slowly given the length of the book.
Overall, a really beautiful and quick read.
This was a quick read that immediately captured my interest and didn't let go until the last page. This is the story of an amazing friendship between Deacon and Tucker. Deacon and Tucker meet in their early teens and develop a strong friendship. Deacon happens to be gay and Tucker is straight.
The connection and chemistry between these two was absolutely off the charts. The chemistry is amazing considering how quickly things had to develop given that this story is only 140 pages. Their relationship was so beautifully written that I think it challenges some traditional views of sexuality. Tucker has no issue attracting women and has never found himself even considering an attraction to men, until Deacon. I think the key here, and what made this believable as a GFY story, is the fact that the connection between these two was based on a true love for each other that developed out of their friendship. There are some parts of this book that I read several times because they were so touching and because I really just didn't want the book to end.
There were a couple of things that I didn't care for. Tucker and Deacon are in the 20's and I know words like "dude" are common, but sometimes this type of language was used during intimate moments and it just felt a little juvenile. The sexual chemistry between these two was so good, but I do think a little bit more hesitation on Tucker's part would have made this a bit more believable. Tucker was all in a little too easily considering he had no prior experience with men (no pun intended). It may be that there wasn't much time to develop this slowly given the length of the book.
Overall, a really beautiful and quick read.
May 23, 2017
**SPOILER ALERT**
Actual Rating: 2.44 stars
Read for The Quarterly Book Club’s 2017 2nd Quarter: Contemporary Fiction
Sienna Bishop’s Love You More is a part of the M/M Romance Group’s 2015 event Love is an Open Road. It tells the story of Deacon and Tucker, two inseparable men who grew up together. Years later, something horrifying happened and Deacon begun to shut out Tucker. As his best friend, it may only be Tucker who could help put Deacon’s pieces back together.
What I appreciated best about this book was that the author was able to neatly narrate their story from their childhood to their adulthood in a novella, without making it seem clipped or lacking anything.
The protagonists, Tucker and Deacon, were well-developed and so was their relationship. I loved how they interacted with each other, the way they cared, especially how much they confided to one another.
I’m giving this book a 2 star for one major reason: how the author portrayed their sexual activity. You see, the driving force of this book is Deacon’s rape during their college years, and according to the plot, Tucker was supposed to help him cope with it through having sex with him. During those scenes, I never, not even once, felt Deacon’s vulnerability. It was as if he was just so horny all the time. Where was the trauma? Where was the fear that he felt before they decided to get into it? Also, Tucker was losing himself in the different kind of pleasure that he was experiencing for the first time. He was forgetting what he was meant to do. All that said, I could say that a huge part of the story lost its depth.
Overall, this has been a nice read, but it could have been improved.
Actual Rating: 2.44 stars
Read for The Quarterly Book Club’s 2017 2nd Quarter: Contemporary Fiction
Sienna Bishop’s Love You More is a part of the M/M Romance Group’s 2015 event Love is an Open Road. It tells the story of Deacon and Tucker, two inseparable men who grew up together. Years later, something horrifying happened and Deacon begun to shut out Tucker. As his best friend, it may only be Tucker who could help put Deacon’s pieces back together.
What I appreciated best about this book was that the author was able to neatly narrate their story from their childhood to their adulthood in a novella, without making it seem clipped or lacking anything.
The protagonists, Tucker and Deacon, were well-developed and so was their relationship. I loved how they interacted with each other, the way they cared, especially how much they confided to one another.
I’m giving this book a 2 star for one major reason: how the author portrayed their sexual activity. You see, the driving force of this book is Deacon’s rape during their college years, and according to the plot, Tucker was supposed to help him cope with it through having sex with him. During those scenes, I never, not even once, felt Deacon’s vulnerability. It was as if he was just so horny all the time. Where was the trauma? Where was the fear that he felt before they decided to get into it? Also, Tucker was losing himself in the different kind of pleasure that he was experiencing for the first time. He was forgetting what he was meant to do. All that said, I could say that a huge part of the story lost its depth.
Overall, this has been a nice read, but it could have been improved.
May 30, 2019
4 stars
Tucker and Deacon have been best friends since they were fairly young, when Tucker moved to Deacon's part of with his mother and new step-father. Tucker was used to getting in to trouble, smoked and drank alcohol (at 12), had some gang-like activity in his background. But when he met Deacon, who was quiet, good looking, and didn't really care what other people thought of him, Tucker became a different person.
As they grew up together, they shared everything. Upon graduation, Deacon was headed to college, and Tucker was going to become a Marine. They promise to keep in touch, and remain friends, even though they know their relationship will eventually change. Deacon reveals to Tucker that he is gay, Tucker has a slight meltdown, but recovers, and their friendship remains strong. But then Deacon starts ghosting Tucker, and after several months of not getting a response, Tucker (mostly) writes Deacon off. At Christmas, Tucker gives Deacon one more chance, and they connect again, although Tucker can tell that Deacon has changed. Deacon doesn't tell him why, not at first, but they do get their friendship back on track.
When Tucker offers to help Dylan get over his fear of other men touching him sexually, they both agree that it will be a one time thing. But after that weekend, Tucker can't stop thinking about it.
Tucker and Dylan were very sweet together, and their friendship was definitely one for the ages. I liked how they grew together, and even though they were opposites in many ways, they still respected the other person and the choices that they made.
Tucker was a little clueless when it came to how he actually felt about Deacon, and his attraction to guys...or maybe just to Deacon. But for a straight guy, he sure thought a lot about what guys looked like, especially Deacon. When he realized how badly off Deacon was, Tucker was just there for him, doing whatever he could to help him through whatever he was going through.
I was surprised at how much I liked this book, and how much story was packed in relatively few pages. I never got the sense that I wished there was more, as the story felt complete, with nothing left out.
Tucker and Deacon have been best friends since they were fairly young, when Tucker moved to Deacon's part of with his mother and new step-father. Tucker was used to getting in to trouble, smoked and drank alcohol (at 12), had some gang-like activity in his background. But when he met Deacon, who was quiet, good looking, and didn't really care what other people thought of him, Tucker became a different person.
As they grew up together, they shared everything. Upon graduation, Deacon was headed to college, and Tucker was going to become a Marine. They promise to keep in touch, and remain friends, even though they know their relationship will eventually change. Deacon reveals to Tucker that he is gay, Tucker has a slight meltdown, but recovers, and their friendship remains strong. But then Deacon starts ghosting Tucker, and after several months of not getting a response, Tucker (mostly) writes Deacon off. At Christmas, Tucker gives Deacon one more chance, and they connect again, although Tucker can tell that Deacon has changed. Deacon doesn't tell him why, not at first, but they do get their friendship back on track.
When Tucker offers to help Dylan get over his fear of other men touching him sexually, they both agree that it will be a one time thing. But after that weekend, Tucker can't stop thinking about it.
Tucker and Dylan were very sweet together, and their friendship was definitely one for the ages. I liked how they grew together, and even though they were opposites in many ways, they still respected the other person and the choices that they made.
Tucker was a little clueless when it came to how he actually felt about Deacon, and his attraction to guys...or maybe just to Deacon. But for a straight guy, he sure thought a lot about what guys looked like, especially Deacon. When he realized how badly off Deacon was, Tucker was just there for him, doing whatever he could to help him through whatever he was going through.
I was surprised at how much I liked this book, and how much story was packed in relatively few pages. I never got the sense that I wished there was more, as the story felt complete, with nothing left out.
April 6, 2018
Besties to boyfriends always makes me smile. The kind of smile that splits your face so hard it hurts. And this novella left me achy in the very best way.
It also made me realize how much I miss DRitC.
Ugh. It's so sad that phenomenal gift is...over.
However, I never had the chance to read even close to everything, soooo, I'll continue to soak up the goodness as I catch up on long overdue reads. And if you haven't read this one yet and you enjoy friends to lovers, you should let your fingers take you to the link and download this baby. Today.
Slow burn.
Sweet.
Sexy.
Sensational ending.
Yep...it's a goodie.
Nice prompt Gigi and thanks for the beautiful story Sienna.
It also made me realize how much I miss DRitC.
Ugh. It's so sad that phenomenal gift is...over.
However, I never had the chance to read even close to everything, soooo, I'll continue to soak up the goodness as I catch up on long overdue reads. And if you haven't read this one yet and you enjoy friends to lovers, you should let your fingers take you to the link and download this baby. Today.
Slow burn.
Sweet.
Sexy.
Sensational ending.
Yep...it's a goodie.
Nice prompt Gigi and thanks for the beautiful story Sienna.
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