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Picture Perfect #1
The Closer I Get
Croix Matthews has been hot for his best friend Brayden O’Conner since the moment he rescued the homeless boy from the street as a teen. Since everyone in his world, including Brayden, thinks he’s straight he’s had no luck with his timid attempts at letting his friend know he’d like a shot at being more, but with International super model Brayden finally boyfriend free the time to go full throttle is now.
Brayden hears his friend’s plea for assistance and assumes his straight bestie needs help with the ladies. Although he all but chokes on the task he'd do anything for the man who saved his life. If that means not investigating the meaning behind the shy come hither looks Croix is always throwing at him, so be it.
The closer they get to each other the more they can see how large the obstacles are. Will they stand strong together or will they let themselves be torn further apart?
Brayden hears his friend’s plea for assistance and assumes his straight bestie needs help with the ladies. Although he all but chokes on the task he'd do anything for the man who saved his life. If that means not investigating the meaning behind the shy come hither looks Croix is always throwing at him, so be it.
The closer they get to each other the more they can see how large the obstacles are. Will they stand strong together or will they let themselves be torn further apart?
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2017
1 person is currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Draven St. James
11 books142 followersDraven St. James is a born and raised Oregonian. She has traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill her books. Her ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories. Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where she finds her peace.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 6, 2017
Wow!! AmazeBALLS!!!
Omg where to start!! First off if you don't like M/M plots do not continue this review OR read this book. Croix, how this boy/man, can come from the family he does and be so caring, loving, thoughtful is beyond me. How Brayden was raised and became the man he is also beyond me. The love these men have for each other and what they have been doing to protect each other for years is true love and true friendship. This story does show how 2 people who trust each so completely will lie and keep secrets to save the other when had they just talked could have been together rather than hiding their feelings. William is a total ASS and I can't to see how future books will be effected by this character. I love Gabe and can't wait to read is story...and Mason o how I love thee even though I'm not quite sure why but my gut tells me to love you.
Omg where to start!! First off if you don't like M/M plots do not continue this review OR read this book. Croix, how this boy/man, can come from the family he does and be so caring, loving, thoughtful is beyond me. How Brayden was raised and became the man he is also beyond me. The love these men have for each other and what they have been doing to protect each other for years is true love and true friendship. This story does show how 2 people who trust each so completely will lie and keep secrets to save the other when had they just talked could have been together rather than hiding their feelings. William is a total ASS and I can't to see how future books will be effected by this character. I love Gabe and can't wait to read is story...and Mason o how I love thee even though I'm not quite sure why but my gut tells me to love you.
June 11, 2017
This story was one of the winners of our ‘What will the RGR reviewers read next?’ poll we ran a few weeks ago.
First impressions? A sweet friends to lovers story with quite a bit of time between the sheets throughout. Honestly, both of these authors are new to me so I didn’t quite know what to expect, other than the blurb did sound quite interesting, especially for a start to a series.
Having said this, I will say I think I had hoped for a bit more plot than sexy times, because for such a short novel, there was a LOT of sex. Even so, I was happy with the conclusion to the story and was glad things resolved as they did.
So, first off, Brayden is the young, highly photogenic guy that had been ‘rescued’ by well-to-do, 16-year old Croix who happened to be out on a joy ride in his new birthday present, going for a bite to eat.
Croix is a very successful photographer who has basically been raised by a nanny, with forever absent parents. He was out on the town when he comes across a 16-yr-old Brayden looking longingly at a picture of a cheeseburger in front of one of Croix’s favorite eating haunts. As soon as he finds out Brayden has been living on the street after being thrown out of his home for being gay, Croix brings Brayden home for a place to eat and sleep. He then fights with his parents to keep helping his new and only friend. The two become rather tight and since they do so many things together, Croix used the opportunity to take many fantastic photos of his new friend and was sharing the results across the kitchen table when Croix’s father sees the images, and gets the bright idea to make Brayden a money maker for him in the fashion industry. Flash forward.
Now we have a pair of 25-yr-old very successful best friends that don’t realize the other has been in love with the other for years, and neither makes a move as they are afraid they will lose their friendship. Then comes the blackmail, contracts, and ne’er do well family secrets that peek out to surprise them all.
The premise of the story was pretty close to others I’ve read in the mm genre between two misunderstood characters being held hostage by preconceived thoughts and family ties. It was a fairly quick story, but didn’t have quite as much character development as I’d hoped for. We do get to meet an interesting supporting character that gets caught up in some pretty shady dealings, and I’m hoping that he gets a good story to help him become a bit less shallow and more likable character who deserves his own HEA.
Recommended for those that enjoy a quick, sexy romp with some sweetness thrown in for good measure.
3.5 stars
First impressions? A sweet friends to lovers story with quite a bit of time between the sheets throughout. Honestly, both of these authors are new to me so I didn’t quite know what to expect, other than the blurb did sound quite interesting, especially for a start to a series.
Having said this, I will say I think I had hoped for a bit more plot than sexy times, because for such a short novel, there was a LOT of sex. Even so, I was happy with the conclusion to the story and was glad things resolved as they did.
So, first off, Brayden is the young, highly photogenic guy that had been ‘rescued’ by well-to-do, 16-year old Croix who happened to be out on a joy ride in his new birthday present, going for a bite to eat.
Croix is a very successful photographer who has basically been raised by a nanny, with forever absent parents. He was out on the town when he comes across a 16-yr-old Brayden looking longingly at a picture of a cheeseburger in front of one of Croix’s favorite eating haunts. As soon as he finds out Brayden has been living on the street after being thrown out of his home for being gay, Croix brings Brayden home for a place to eat and sleep. He then fights with his parents to keep helping his new and only friend. The two become rather tight and since they do so many things together, Croix used the opportunity to take many fantastic photos of his new friend and was sharing the results across the kitchen table when Croix’s father sees the images, and gets the bright idea to make Brayden a money maker for him in the fashion industry. Flash forward.
Now we have a pair of 25-yr-old very successful best friends that don’t realize the other has been in love with the other for years, and neither makes a move as they are afraid they will lose their friendship. Then comes the blackmail, contracts, and ne’er do well family secrets that peek out to surprise them all.
The premise of the story was pretty close to others I’ve read in the mm genre between two misunderstood characters being held hostage by preconceived thoughts and family ties. It was a fairly quick story, but didn’t have quite as much character development as I’d hoped for. We do get to meet an interesting supporting character that gets caught up in some pretty shady dealings, and I’m hoping that he gets a good story to help him become a bit less shallow and more likable character who deserves his own HEA.
Recommended for those that enjoy a quick, sexy romp with some sweetness thrown in for good measure.
3.5 stars
January 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book...I wanted more...it ended too quickly....I'm really looking forward to book 2...Gabe and Mason???? :)
January 1, 2019
3.75 stars
March 9, 2017
Croix Matthews has had a secret crush on Brayden O'Conner for 9 years. The main problem is that Brayden, an international model, believes that Croix is straight and therefore not interested in him.
When an evening of drunkenness results in some actions that can be blamed on the alcohol will the two best friends be able to move to a point of comfortableness or will they just blame it on the alchohol? Soon they learn that there is much more at stake when Croix's father, William, who is also Brayden's agent puts his own spin on things and soon it looks like no one will be happy.
I enjoyed this book and all of the secrets that were being kept.
I really liked Croix and how he felt like he had to live a certain way for so long but that wasn't making him happy and that Brayden just couldn't get the hints that he was trying to give him. When something does happen Brayden just approaches it as an alcoholic mistake.
I loved some of the open talks that Brayden and Croix had and also the games that they played in order to get to know each other on a different level and so they could reveal things that they weren't comfortable revealing prior.
There are little hints to secrets that are being kept and even though the "big reveal" was a shock in a way it wasn't as I knew that William was a jerk. I did love Croix's mom Elena and I think there is definitely a story to come with Gabe!
Reviewed for KFA
When an evening of drunkenness results in some actions that can be blamed on the alcohol will the two best friends be able to move to a point of comfortableness or will they just blame it on the alchohol? Soon they learn that there is much more at stake when Croix's father, William, who is also Brayden's agent puts his own spin on things and soon it looks like no one will be happy.
I enjoyed this book and all of the secrets that were being kept.
I really liked Croix and how he felt like he had to live a certain way for so long but that wasn't making him happy and that Brayden just couldn't get the hints that he was trying to give him. When something does happen Brayden just approaches it as an alcoholic mistake.
I loved some of the open talks that Brayden and Croix had and also the games that they played in order to get to know each other on a different level and so they could reveal things that they weren't comfortable revealing prior.
There are little hints to secrets that are being kept and even though the "big reveal" was a shock in a way it wasn't as I knew that William was a jerk. I did love Croix's mom Elena and I think there is definitely a story to come with Gabe!
Reviewed for KFA
January 4, 2017
4.5 Stars!!!
Croix has been in love with his best friend Brayden ever since he rescued Brayden from the streets and Brayden, in turn, rescued him from the solitude that was his life. Now that Brayden is single, Croix is set on making a move, only it won't be too easy, since everyone, including Brayden thinks Croix is straight.
Brayden has been hiding his love for Croix for years for fear that Croix's father, who is also Brayden's modeling agent, will ruin his own son's life, something he wouldn't put past the older man. But when his shy friend asks him to help him find someone to lose his virginity to, he can't say no to the man who helped him out in his time of need, even if it might mean pushing him to the arms of a woman, only to find out that he'd been mistaken all along.
I love friends-to-lovers books and I really enjoyed this one. It was sweet to see that both Croix and Brayden had been crushing on each other from the moment they met and how their feelings deepened into love the longer they were together, even if they had to hide it from each other.
Croix was shy, awkward and a bit of an introvert, but I loved to see that he went after what he wanted after a few false starts and that he was willing to stand up to his father to defend himself and Brayden, and even Gabe, who he didn't like much at first. Brayden was more secretive than I gave him credit for and while I'm not sure why he thought he needed to keep that innermost part of himself hidden even from Croix, I loved that he finally shared it with him. The love they felt was undeniable and I just loved them together, and it didn't hurt that their love scenes were hot, hot, HOT!
I loved Croix's mother and his uncle, and while I wasn't too fond of Gabe at first, he won me over. I absolutely despised William, though, he was creepy and arrogant and I was really glad he got his comeuppance.
All in all, this was a nearly seamless collaboration between one of my favorite authors, Draven St. James and LL Dahlin. Their writing styles meshed very organically and they created an intriguing storyline that kept me turning the pages until I finished. It was fast-read, engaging, hot and sweet, with two very lovable leads I can't get enough of. I really hope they're planning on turning this into a series, because not only do I need more Croix and Brayden, but I'd love to read Gabe's story. *hint hint nudge nudge*
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the authors for my reading pleasure, a review was not a requirement. ***
Croix has been in love with his best friend Brayden ever since he rescued Brayden from the streets and Brayden, in turn, rescued him from the solitude that was his life. Now that Brayden is single, Croix is set on making a move, only it won't be too easy, since everyone, including Brayden thinks Croix is straight.
Brayden has been hiding his love for Croix for years for fear that Croix's father, who is also Brayden's modeling agent, will ruin his own son's life, something he wouldn't put past the older man. But when his shy friend asks him to help him find someone to lose his virginity to, he can't say no to the man who helped him out in his time of need, even if it might mean pushing him to the arms of a woman, only to find out that he'd been mistaken all along.
I love friends-to-lovers books and I really enjoyed this one. It was sweet to see that both Croix and Brayden had been crushing on each other from the moment they met and how their feelings deepened into love the longer they were together, even if they had to hide it from each other.
Croix was shy, awkward and a bit of an introvert, but I loved to see that he went after what he wanted after a few false starts and that he was willing to stand up to his father to defend himself and Brayden, and even Gabe, who he didn't like much at first. Brayden was more secretive than I gave him credit for and while I'm not sure why he thought he needed to keep that innermost part of himself hidden even from Croix, I loved that he finally shared it with him. The love they felt was undeniable and I just loved them together, and it didn't hurt that their love scenes were hot, hot, HOT!
I loved Croix's mother and his uncle, and while I wasn't too fond of Gabe at first, he won me over. I absolutely despised William, though, he was creepy and arrogant and I was really glad he got his comeuppance.
All in all, this was a nearly seamless collaboration between one of my favorite authors, Draven St. James and LL Dahlin. Their writing styles meshed very organically and they created an intriguing storyline that kept me turning the pages until I finished. It was fast-read, engaging, hot and sweet, with two very lovable leads I can't get enough of. I really hope they're planning on turning this into a series, because not only do I need more Croix and Brayden, but I'd love to read Gabe's story. *hint hint nudge nudge*
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the authors for my reading pleasure, a review was not a requirement. ***
February 4, 2017
Perfect Friends to Lovers Story
Wow! This book is the sweetest friends to lovers story I have read.
Croix rescues Brayden from the streets when they are sixteen, offering him shelter and a new life. Brayden becomes the friend that Croix so desperately needs. They both spend years secretly lusting over and falling for each other.
Flash forward to adulthood and Croix is a photographer determined to not live under his father's thumb and Brayden is a successful international model, wanted by thousands. They are still best friends, each harboring a secret love for the other. Croix pretends to be straight and Brayden is openly gay. Both guys are afraid to destroy their friendship by acting on their desires, but neither one wants to keep their feelings hidden any longer.
Croix and Brayden want nothing more than happiness for one another and each live under the threat from Croix's manipulative father, but the burning desire they both have kept under wraps eventually bursts into flames. When they finally get together you can feel the heat, it is so hot!
Misunderstandings, an ex and Croix's father threaten to keep them apart, but this book has a HEA, Croix and Brayden's love finds a way to rise above it all.
All the elements of a great friends to lovers story are there, but written in a new unique story. The characters are believable and well developed, they draw you into their story and make the reader love them.
Sweet, funny and Hot, The Closer I Get is a great read. I read it in one night, because I couldn't put it down, I had to know how everything worked out with Croix and Brayden. It was worth the lost sleep!
Wow! This book is the sweetest friends to lovers story I have read.
Croix rescues Brayden from the streets when they are sixteen, offering him shelter and a new life. Brayden becomes the friend that Croix so desperately needs. They both spend years secretly lusting over and falling for each other.
Flash forward to adulthood and Croix is a photographer determined to not live under his father's thumb and Brayden is a successful international model, wanted by thousands. They are still best friends, each harboring a secret love for the other. Croix pretends to be straight and Brayden is openly gay. Both guys are afraid to destroy their friendship by acting on their desires, but neither one wants to keep their feelings hidden any longer.
Croix and Brayden want nothing more than happiness for one another and each live under the threat from Croix's manipulative father, but the burning desire they both have kept under wraps eventually bursts into flames. When they finally get together you can feel the heat, it is so hot!
Misunderstandings, an ex and Croix's father threaten to keep them apart, but this book has a HEA, Croix and Brayden's love finds a way to rise above it all.
All the elements of a great friends to lovers story are there, but written in a new unique story. The characters are believable and well developed, they draw you into their story and make the reader love them.
Sweet, funny and Hot, The Closer I Get is a great read. I read it in one night, because I couldn't put it down, I had to know how everything worked out with Croix and Brayden. It was worth the lost sleep!
February 7, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
When I see a book with close friends who want their relationship to be more I usually cannot resist. And that’s exactly what happened with one as well. Croix and Brayden bonded as teens and really from the first moment they saw each other, they both wanted more than friendship. But Brayden was already out, Croix wasn’t, and Croix’s father made it known it was fine for Brayden, but not for his own son.
From my view, this book had a lot of plot devices that weren’t to my liking. The first one being the true lack of communication coupled with misdirection. Croix and Brayden claim to be best friends, but they really don’t know anything about each other. Brayden mistakenly thinks that Croix is a virgin and even after they’re together, it never does get cleared up. They conceal a lot from each other during the course of the book, everything from their feelings to what was going on with William and the modeling agency, and it became tiresome. There was also the controlling father. When William was first introduced, it was through phone calls and texts. He came off as a two dimensional, stereotypical father throwing a tantrum. When he came on page, it was no different and his entire story line wasn’t thorough enough as it was presented.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
When I see a book with close friends who want their relationship to be more I usually cannot resist. And that’s exactly what happened with one as well. Croix and Brayden bonded as teens and really from the first moment they saw each other, they both wanted more than friendship. But Brayden was already out, Croix wasn’t, and Croix’s father made it known it was fine for Brayden, but not for his own son.
From my view, this book had a lot of plot devices that weren’t to my liking. The first one being the true lack of communication coupled with misdirection. Croix and Brayden claim to be best friends, but they really don’t know anything about each other. Brayden mistakenly thinks that Croix is a virgin and even after they’re together, it never does get cleared up. They conceal a lot from each other during the course of the book, everything from their feelings to what was going on with William and the modeling agency, and it became tiresome. There was also the controlling father. When William was first introduced, it was through phone calls and texts. He came off as a two dimensional, stereotypical father throwing a tantrum. When he came on page, it was no different and his entire story line wasn’t thorough enough as it was presented.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
February 7, 2017
So great!!!
I really loved this book, I've never been a big mm book fan because I just couldn't relate, the only mm relationship I was interested in was if I was the middle to their Oreo, so the boooks didn't always grab my attention. However this book changed that the characters love was something to be desired by everyone. I really enjoyed all aspects of Croix and Brayden's relationship they cared so deeply for each other they kept hurting one another. The story had several layers with the supporting characters which kept me interested throughout the book. I look forward to reading more in the Picture Perfect series.
I really loved this book, I've never been a big mm book fan because I just couldn't relate, the only mm relationship I was interested in was if I was the middle to their Oreo, so the boooks didn't always grab my attention. However this book changed that the characters love was something to be desired by everyone. I really enjoyed all aspects of Croix and Brayden's relationship they cared so deeply for each other they kept hurting one another. The story had several layers with the supporting characters which kept me interested throughout the book. I look forward to reading more in the Picture Perfect series.
January 5, 2017
Love It
MM is not my thing, but I loved this book. It was a great friends to lovers story.
Croix shy and an introvert opposite to supermodel best friend Brayden, it's like they can't be anymore different and still there perfect for each other.
I truly enjoyed the twists and turns this book took, from Croix mom going all mama bear, the unlikely allies and a funny receptionist (Steph).
MM is not my thing, but I loved this book. It was a great friends to lovers story.
Croix shy and an introvert opposite to supermodel best friend Brayden, it's like they can't be anymore different and still there perfect for each other.
I truly enjoyed the twists and turns this book took, from Croix mom going all mama bear, the unlikely allies and a funny receptionist (Steph).
January 14, 2017
I loved Croix and Brayden. I loved that they started off as such good friends and it turned to more. I'm a huge sucker for a friends to lovers romance.
I absolutely adored their "drinking game" and I thought it was the perfect set up for a possible romance. I just really loved so much about this book.
I look forward to reading more from this author and I most definitely recommend this!!!
Awesome Book!!
I absolutely adored their "drinking game" and I thought it was the perfect set up for a possible romance. I just really loved so much about this book.
I look forward to reading more from this author and I most definitely recommend this!!!
Awesome Book!!
January 9, 2017
Well this was my very first M/M read ... and don't get me wrong I liked it and I'm all for man on man, the story was good, I liked how things went and how it ended .... was happy with the ending
Great read if M/M is your thing then this book is one you will love
Great read if M/M is your thing then this book is one you will love
January 14, 2017
Love so deep they'll sacrifice to keep the other safe!
I totally loved the story between Croix and Brayden. I couldn't stop reading until I knew what would happen to them! When young they did what they had to, to protect the one they loved. Can't wait until the next book!
I totally loved the story between Croix and Brayden. I couldn't stop reading until I knew what would happen to them! When young they did what they had to, to protect the one they loved. Can't wait until the next book!
January 16, 2017
So hot
Talk about heating up the pages
Not only was this a super sexy read but this was a great story with even better characters. I wish this book kept going. I loved it so much.
Talk about heating up the pages
Not only was this a super sexy read but this was a great story with even better characters. I wish this book kept going. I loved it so much.
February 7, 2017
Loved it ;)
January 10, 2017
I liked it. Not the best book I've ever read but Brayden and Croix are some characters I really enjoyed. Maybe Gabe is next for his HEA?
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews