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Roadmap to Your Heart #3.5
The Sweetest Goodbye
Billie Montgomery was always known as the sick kid with the therapy dog. Dylan Bowden never had two nickels to rub together, let alone a true home to call his own. The two have been best friends since high school. They're always there for each other, so when Billie opens his own bakery called Montgomery's Sweets no one supports him better than Dylan.
The business is a success, and Billie figures he's got everything he needs. Everything except the guy he's been saving himself for, no matter how often Dylan tells him it's time to move on. After a night out turns into a sexy exchange between the best friends, they pretend like nothing happened. Besides, Billie's still holding a torch for somebody else, and Dylan has always been a considerable flirt.
When Billie's first love unexpectedly breezes through town and life throws him a pretty rough curve ball, will Billie seek solace in the one man he's pining for, or the only guy who's ever protected his heart?
***Please note: This novella was once part of the It Was Always You charity anthology, which is no longer for sale. The story takes place a few years after The Hardest Fall. Billie first appeared in The Deepest Blue as Callum's brother. This is an adult romance intended for an 18+ audience and can be read as a standalone.
The business is a success, and Billie figures he's got everything he needs. Everything except the guy he's been saving himself for, no matter how often Dylan tells him it's time to move on. After a night out turns into a sexy exchange between the best friends, they pretend like nothing happened. Besides, Billie's still holding a torch for somebody else, and Dylan has always been a considerable flirt.
When Billie's first love unexpectedly breezes through town and life throws him a pretty rough curve ball, will Billie seek solace in the one man he's pining for, or the only guy who's ever protected his heart?
***Please note: This novella was once part of the It Was Always You charity anthology, which is no longer for sale. The story takes place a few years after The Hardest Fall. Billie first appeared in The Deepest Blue as Callum's brother. This is an adult romance intended for an 18+ audience and can be read as a standalone.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2017
62 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Christina Lee
58 books2,152 followersChristina writes romance in different sub-genres, mostly with LGBTQ characters, not only because she's part of the community, but because representation matters, and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 2, 2020
It was such a beautiful story! Dylan and Billie are best friends, they work together at Billie’s little bakery, and Dylan has a serious crush on Billie. But Billie is totally obsessed with his first lover, Leo, even after the four years they separated. I wasn’t surprised when Leo appeared, but his character was not what I expected.
The Sweetest Goodbye is a wonderful, hot, and surprising read, with great characters and enjoyable writing. Recommended!
The Sweetest Goodbye is a wonderful, hot, and surprising read, with great characters and enjoyable writing. Recommended!
April 3, 2017
After re-reading "The Deepest Blue", I figured it was time to read Billie's story. I loved Billie in book 2 and I really wanted a happy ever after for him.
Those who have read the previous books, know that Billie has been struggeling with Epilepsy his whole life. This is were his therapy dog comes in...Bullseye, what an awesome friend he was to Billie. I loved that dog !!
Billie is now in his early twenties, working at his own bakery with his friend Dylan. Dylan hasn't had it easy growing up with an alcoholic father, who kicked him out because he was gay. Thankfully the "Montgomery's were there, to pick him up, when he needed it. He has been a part of the family ever since and Dylan and Billie are the best of friends.
Dylan however is feeling a bit more than just friendship for Billie. Too bad that Billie is still hung up on his first love Leo. He is convinced Leo will come back and they will be together again...
One drunken night at a club, leads to more than platonical friendship and once things get started...they are hard to stop.
But Dylan knows that Billie wants to be with Leo... and Billie knows that Dylan isn't looking for anything more than fun...
I really enjoyed this little novella, though I have to say that Billie's pining over Leo frustrated me at times. Dylan however was an amazing character.
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
Those who have read the previous books, know that Billie has been struggeling with Epilepsy his whole life. This is were his therapy dog comes in...Bullseye, what an awesome friend he was to Billie. I loved that dog !!
Billie is now in his early twenties, working at his own bakery with his friend Dylan. Dylan hasn't had it easy growing up with an alcoholic father, who kicked him out because he was gay. Thankfully the "Montgomery's were there, to pick him up, when he needed it. He has been a part of the family ever since and Dylan and Billie are the best of friends.
Dylan however is feeling a bit more than just friendship for Billie. Too bad that Billie is still hung up on his first love Leo. He is convinced Leo will come back and they will be together again...
One drunken night at a club, leads to more than platonical friendship and once things get started...they are hard to stop.
But Dylan knows that Billie wants to be with Leo... and Billie knows that Dylan isn't looking for anything more than fun...
I really enjoyed this little novella, though I have to say that Billie's pining over Leo frustrated me at times. Dylan however was an amazing character.
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
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January 11, 2018This story takes place after The Hardest Fall and in essence, completes this series. For those not familiar with Billie, he is Callum's younger brother in The Deepest Blue and the side character I get asked about most. I loved writing his sexy and heartfelt HEA!
May 23, 2022
I finished this book two days ago and I can’t even remember what it was about.
That should give you an idea of how gripping the story was.
Searching my brain, I recall one MC being annoyingly in love with a past lover while another patiently waits in the wings.
And that’s all that really happened.
My rec? Had I not needed it for a reading challenge, I would have skipped this one.
That should give you an idea of how gripping the story was.
Searching my brain, I recall one MC being annoyingly in love with a past lover while another patiently waits in the wings.
And that’s all that really happened.
My rec? Had I not needed it for a reading challenge, I would have skipped this one.
February 23, 2017
4 Stars
Though this debuted in the anthology It Was Always You, I highly recommend not to read this as a stand alone. There are so many characters and story points from the previous books, that one would miss a great deal of details - plus the satisfaction of seeing, knowing, and reveling in past couples’s current happinesses and how far they’ve come.
Billie has been pining for his first love, who’s currently in the middle of getting an extensive education to become a vet. Over the years, their connections have been sporadic and unsatisfying, but it’s just so hard to let go. Granted, Leo told Billie not to wait, to find happiness and to live, and though Billie knows Leo has been with others (he has too) he can’t help but pine for those heady feelings he had as a teenager. The problem is, Billie can’t see what’s right in front of him.
Dylan is Billie’s best friend and he only wants him to be happy and if that means moving on with someone, anyone, then so be it. When a night out to blow off some steam happens twice, it gets very hard for these two to ignore their “new?” feelings. Puh-lease.
A really great friends to lovers story, this was sweet and sexy and quite emotional. Overall, a very satisfying conclusion to the series.
Though this debuted in the anthology It Was Always You, I highly recommend not to read this as a stand alone. There are so many characters and story points from the previous books, that one would miss a great deal of details - plus the satisfaction of seeing, knowing, and reveling in past couples’s current happinesses and how far they’ve come.
Billie has been pining for his first love, who’s currently in the middle of getting an extensive education to become a vet. Over the years, their connections have been sporadic and unsatisfying, but it’s just so hard to let go. Granted, Leo told Billie not to wait, to find happiness and to live, and though Billie knows Leo has been with others (he has too) he can’t help but pine for those heady feelings he had as a teenager. The problem is, Billie can’t see what’s right in front of him.
Dylan is Billie’s best friend and he only wants him to be happy and if that means moving on with someone, anyone, then so be it. When a night out to blow off some steam happens twice, it gets very hard for these two to ignore their “new?” feelings. Puh-lease.
A really great friends to lovers story, this was sweet and sexy and quite emotional. Overall, a very satisfying conclusion to the series.
February 23, 2017
Originally reviewed as part of:
~3.5~
Friends-to-lovers; tentative HEA; tears; NA; steam: moderate
Beautifully written but sad. The loss in this book may not hit everyone as hard as it hit me, but I'm not ashamed to admit I cried.
I liked the dual first-person POV and the realistic slow burn. I just wish Billy could have seen what was right in front of him instead of pining for something he'd never have. An epilogue was much needed.
~3.5~
Friends-to-lovers; tentative HEA; tears; NA; steam: moderate
Beautifully written but sad. The loss in this book may not hit everyone as hard as it hit me, but I'm not ashamed to admit I cried.
I liked the dual first-person POV and the realistic slow burn. I just wish Billy could have seen what was right in front of him instead of pining for something he'd never have. An epilogue was much needed.
August 8, 2017
Aw! Billie and Dylan... doesn't get any sweeter than that.
A feel good best friends to lovers story.
Free with Kindle Unlimited.
A feel good best friends to lovers story.
Free with Kindle Unlimited.
July 19, 2024
Billie Montgomery, called Will through most of the book, operates the family bakery...the Montgomery Sweets Bakery and has always been called, and made to feel that he was "special". He had had seizures from early childhood, until just recently, but still has his faithful service dog, Bull's-Eye, a Labrador who is getting up in dog years and now has hip dysplasia.
Then there is Dylan...Dylan with the wavy hair and deep amber eyes, who works at the bakery during the week, and dances on the weekends. Billie's family took Dylan in when he lost his "God Given Right"...according to his father...to live with this "righteous" family, for the age-old, but unfortunately all too often used reason that is in almost every gay story..."How dare you dare to be different, and your gayness is going to rub off on the rest of us and after the family orgy we will no longer be so righteous". I could write an encyclopedia sized book on this subject...but I won't.
Dylan would really like to be Will's boyfriend, but Will still misses and carries a burning torch for his first-time love, Leo, who had left to go to college. As the title suggests there is a lot of "sweetness" in the novella...almost too much at times. The way I viewed the situation was...Will is alone, Daylan is there, Leo is away at college and seems to have taken "away" to a whole new level...and the dog is sleeping and not at all interested, unless Will suddenly takes on rabbit characteristics...so I thought Dylan had nothing to lose and everything to gain...so just go for the "boyfriends" thing! "The book isn't that long, so just get to it." Happily, surprise, surprise... they found that what they both wanted and needed was right there, staring them in the face, the entire time.
Overall, it's a sweet story with two good and likeable characters, well, three counting the dog...even though they were a bit dense sometimes...but not the dog.
Then there is Dylan...Dylan with the wavy hair and deep amber eyes, who works at the bakery during the week, and dances on the weekends. Billie's family took Dylan in when he lost his "God Given Right"...according to his father...to live with this "righteous" family, for the age-old, but unfortunately all too often used reason that is in almost every gay story..."How dare you dare to be different, and your gayness is going to rub off on the rest of us and after the family orgy we will no longer be so righteous". I could write an encyclopedia sized book on this subject...but I won't.
Dylan would really like to be Will's boyfriend, but Will still misses and carries a burning torch for his first-time love, Leo, who had left to go to college. As the title suggests there is a lot of "sweetness" in the novella...almost too much at times. The way I viewed the situation was...Will is alone, Daylan is there, Leo is away at college and seems to have taken "away" to a whole new level...and the dog is sleeping and not at all interested, unless Will suddenly takes on rabbit characteristics...so I thought Dylan had nothing to lose and everything to gain...so just go for the "boyfriends" thing! "The book isn't that long, so just get to it." Happily, surprise, surprise... they found that what they both wanted and needed was right there, staring them in the face, the entire time.
Overall, it's a sweet story with two good and likeable characters, well, three counting the dog...even though they were a bit dense sometimes...but not the dog.
February 24, 2017
Un short de Friends to Lovers, originalmente parte de una antología.
Absolutamente dulce y adorable, con un toque melancólico y de realidad. Me ha gustado mucho
Absolutamente dulce y adorable, con un toque melancólico y de realidad. Me ha gustado mucho
October 17, 2017
4 Stars
I devoured the hell out of this novella and enjoyed every second of it.
Way back in book two (The Deepest Blue) I decided that young Billie Montgomery was going to be my favourite character of this entire series, and I wasn’t wrong. When Billie was first introduced to us, he was a sweet teenager who had a passion for baking and loved his family fiercely, but who suffered from seizures that led him to feel over-protected and sheltered all his life.
Here, we revisit old characters and new, with Billie in his early twenties, now owning and running his families new bakery business, Montgomery’s Sweets. He has been seizure free for a long while, which is fantastic; plus he loves his job, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that working with him very day is his best friend since high school, Dylan Bowden.
Dylan had a tough upbringing, including a stint living on the streets after being kicked out of home for being gay. His friendship with Billie is the brightest spot in Dylan’s life, and the inclusion he feels around Billie’s family has always helped soothe a lot of his loneliness.
Dylan has always been half in love with Billie, but has brushed his feelings aside time and time again because Billie has always been hung up on his first love, Leo. But after a night out dancing, Billie and Dylan cross the boundaries of friendship in a moment of passion that leaves both men shaken and confused. Now, Billie and Dylan must decide what it is they truly feel for each other and if those feelings are worth the risk to attempt something greater.
Together Billie and Dylan were all things sweet and endearing, with a bonus dash of super god damn hot once their mutual passions were ignited. Their love story made my heart happy, while also providing some serious emotional punches along the way – there may or may not have been some major ugly crying going on over here (grab the tissues, people!).
I absolutely adored this friends-to-lovers addition to the Roadmap to your Heart series. I find myself truly hoping there will be more stories to come featuring many of these lovely characters. Fingers crossed!
***************************
Note: This story was originally published in the 2016 M/M romance anthology, It Was Always You. This can easily be read as a standalone story, but considering how many characters have featured in previous stories I highly recommended tackling this entire series for full enjoyment!
I devoured the hell out of this novella and enjoyed every second of it.
Way back in book two (The Deepest Blue) I decided that young Billie Montgomery was going to be my favourite character of this entire series, and I wasn’t wrong. When Billie was first introduced to us, he was a sweet teenager who had a passion for baking and loved his family fiercely, but who suffered from seizures that led him to feel over-protected and sheltered all his life.
Here, we revisit old characters and new, with Billie in his early twenties, now owning and running his families new bakery business, Montgomery’s Sweets. He has been seizure free for a long while, which is fantastic; plus he loves his job, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that working with him very day is his best friend since high school, Dylan Bowden.
Dylan had a tough upbringing, including a stint living on the streets after being kicked out of home for being gay. His friendship with Billie is the brightest spot in Dylan’s life, and the inclusion he feels around Billie’s family has always helped soothe a lot of his loneliness.
Dylan has always been half in love with Billie, but has brushed his feelings aside time and time again because Billie has always been hung up on his first love, Leo. But after a night out dancing, Billie and Dylan cross the boundaries of friendship in a moment of passion that leaves both men shaken and confused. Now, Billie and Dylan must decide what it is they truly feel for each other and if those feelings are worth the risk to attempt something greater.
Together Billie and Dylan were all things sweet and endearing, with a bonus dash of super god damn hot once their mutual passions were ignited. Their love story made my heart happy, while also providing some serious emotional punches along the way – there may or may not have been some major ugly crying going on over here (grab the tissues, people!).
I absolutely adored this friends-to-lovers addition to the Roadmap to your Heart series. I find myself truly hoping there will be more stories to come featuring many of these lovely characters. Fingers crossed!
***************************
Note: This story was originally published in the 2016 M/M romance anthology, It Was Always You. This can easily be read as a standalone story, but considering how many characters have featured in previous stories I highly recommended tackling this entire series for full enjoyment!
March 16, 2017
I fell in love with Billy in The Deepest Blue and just had to read his and Dylan's story.
Loved those two! <3
Loved those two! <3
January 22, 2018
Sweet low angst read, perfect for what I needed. ;-)
May 22, 2017
Muy dulce y muy mono :)
October 28, 2022
Such a bitersweet end to the series.
I really loved Billie in book 2 and was looking forward to get his HEA with Leo.
But nothing turned out as I expected!
It was way better!!
I really loved Billie in book 2 and was looking forward to get his HEA with Leo.
But nothing turned out as I expected!
It was way better!!
February 27, 2017
*** Gosh, this is a terrific short story !***
Billie/Will, 22, runs the Montgomery Sweets Bakery and has always been special. He suffered from seizures until a few years ago, but still has his service dog, Bull's-eye, a Lab, who now suffers from hip dysplasia. Dylan, 22, with wavy hair and amber eyes, has worked at the bakery, and also dances on weekends. The Montgomerys had taken him in when his dad threw him out in high school, for being gay. Dylan would love to be Will's boyfriend, but Will still pines for his first time guy, Leo, who's away at college.
This is a sweet tale of finding a love that was right in front of you the whole time. It's an amazing novella with defined characters, a smooth flow and very sexy times ! It has the feel of a long story, and we don't want it to end yet. No, I have not read the other stories in this series, but this stood alone just fine for me.
Have a few tissues ready as this talented writer brings out our emotions.
ENJOY !
==========
Billie/Will, 22, runs the Montgomery Sweets Bakery and has always been special. He suffered from seizures until a few years ago, but still has his service dog, Bull's-eye, a Lab, who now suffers from hip dysplasia. Dylan, 22, with wavy hair and amber eyes, has worked at the bakery, and also dances on weekends. The Montgomerys had taken him in when his dad threw him out in high school, for being gay. Dylan would love to be Will's boyfriend, but Will still pines for his first time guy, Leo, who's away at college.
This is a sweet tale of finding a love that was right in front of you the whole time. It's an amazing novella with defined characters, a smooth flow and very sexy times ! It has the feel of a long story, and we don't want it to end yet. No, I have not read the other stories in this series, but this stood alone just fine for me.
Have a few tissues ready as this talented writer brings out our emotions.
ENJOY !
==========
January 10, 2017
4 stars – Previously released in the no-longer-available charity anthology, It Was Always You, the short novella The Sweetest Goodbye gives us the story of Callum Montgomery’s youngest brother, Billie, from The Deepest Blue. Those who have read my reviews in the past know that I typically struggle to enjoy novellas because their short length, in my opinion, doesn’t allow enough time for the full development of a romance. Here, however, putting the shortness aside, Christina Lee hits all the important things and gives us another enjoyable and heartfelt story from a series I have liked all the way through.
Billie is now grown up, and his epilepsy no longer seems to be a problem. After graduating from high school, his close friend, Leo, who I had guessed would be Billie’s love interest in the story because he essentially played that role for Billie’s appearances in The Deepest Blue, moves away for college. Meanwhile, Billie went on to culinary school and now runs a small bakery with the help of his family and a close friend he made in high school named Dylan Bowden. Whereas Billie is reserved, largely because of his medical past, Dylan is much more forward, a trait that comes to the forefront as Dylan gets more restless from having had to put off his dream of becoming a professional dancer thanks to a significant event that happened to him shortly before meeting Billie. The two both know the other is gay, and after a night out on the town turns into an unexpectedly sexy encounter together, neither wants to risk doing anything about it, because they are best friends, and Billie still pines for Leo. What results is a nice slow burn, even though it’s shortened by being part of a novella. It’s the sort that you can feel the agonizing want and fear they both have, which made their eventual realization that they are in love with each other tug at my heart in all the right ways.
The Sweetest Goodbye is about as good a story as I could expect out of something of this length, a comfortable two-hour-or-less read. While it could easily be read as a standalone, I do think it helped me have more feels because I had read The Deepest Blue beforehand—though characters from the other two earlier books in the series also make appearances here, those books would certainly not be required to read in order to enjoy this one. I understand there will be one more novella to finish out the series, and because this one turned out to be so enjoyable, I look forward to reading that one as well.
While I own a copy of this novella in its original published anthology, this standalone novella does have some minor changes, so the author generously provided me a complimentary copy of The Sweetest Goodbye in exchange for this fair and honest review.
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Billie is now grown up, and his epilepsy no longer seems to be a problem. After graduating from high school, his close friend, Leo, who I had guessed would be Billie’s love interest in the story because he essentially played that role for Billie’s appearances in The Deepest Blue, moves away for college. Meanwhile, Billie went on to culinary school and now runs a small bakery with the help of his family and a close friend he made in high school named Dylan Bowden. Whereas Billie is reserved, largely because of his medical past, Dylan is much more forward, a trait that comes to the forefront as Dylan gets more restless from having had to put off his dream of becoming a professional dancer thanks to a significant event that happened to him shortly before meeting Billie. The two both know the other is gay, and after a night out on the town turns into an unexpectedly sexy encounter together, neither wants to risk doing anything about it, because they are best friends, and Billie still pines for Leo. What results is a nice slow burn, even though it’s shortened by being part of a novella. It’s the sort that you can feel the agonizing want and fear they both have, which made their eventual realization that they are in love with each other tug at my heart in all the right ways.
The Sweetest Goodbye is about as good a story as I could expect out of something of this length, a comfortable two-hour-or-less read. While it could easily be read as a standalone, I do think it helped me have more feels because I had read The Deepest Blue beforehand—though characters from the other two earlier books in the series also make appearances here, those books would certainly not be required to read in order to enjoy this one. I understand there will be one more novella to finish out the series, and because this one turned out to be so enjoyable, I look forward to reading that one as well.
While I own a copy of this novella in its original published anthology, this standalone novella does have some minor changes, so the author generously provided me a complimentary copy of The Sweetest Goodbye in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
March 2, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this short, sweet, sexy story. The longing and sexual tension were deliciously palpable.
Although this story is part of a series, I haven't read any of the previous books. It was obvious that many of the side characters had been introduced before but I didn't feel I was in the dark or missing anything important to this story. It stood up fine on its own.
I recommend this story even if you haven't read the previous books. I might even pick up the others myself.
Although this story is part of a series, I haven't read any of the previous books. It was obvious that many of the side characters had been introduced before but I didn't feel I was in the dark or missing anything important to this story. It stood up fine on its own.
I recommend this story even if you haven't read the previous books. I might even pick up the others myself.
June 8, 2017
I really like the first two books of the series, The Darkest Flame and The Deepest Blue, so I was happy to see Billie get his story. Yes, Billie was kind of dumb to keep pining over Leo but I think some of it was his illness and clinging to what was familiar. At least Leo wasn't a jerk. Dylan was a sweetheart. I thought this was a lovely, sweet story and perfect to read on Valentines Day.
January 5, 2017
Sweet story where Billie let's go of his first love, and realizes he's been in love with his best friend Dylan all along.
I originally read this as part of the anthology It Was Always You, and enjoyed it even more this time around.
I originally read this as part of the anthology It Was Always You, and enjoyed it even more this time around.
July 20, 2020
Short but emotional story about best friends finally acknowledging what has always been right before them.
Part of the Roadmap to Your Heart Series but each can be read as a standalone
September 15, 2020
3,5 stars
November 11, 2016
Read as part of an Anthology.
The Sweetest Goodbye: Fans of Christina Lee have been clamoring for more of Billie. The story does not disappoint. Billie all grown up is just stunning! Such a good man and when he figures out that his best friend may be the best thing to ever happen to him?? *sigh* Bring your tissues. All kinds of love happening in this one. Great to see Billie's family again, especially Grammy. Perfection!
The Sweetest Goodbye: Fans of Christina Lee have been clamoring for more of Billie. The story does not disappoint. Billie all grown up is just stunning! Such a good man and when he figures out that his best friend may be the best thing to ever happen to him?? *sigh* Bring your tissues. All kinds of love happening in this one. Great to see Billie's family again, especially Grammy. Perfection!
June 4, 2017
Originally read as part of the It Was Always You anthology. I enjoyed this one but as hadn't read any of the rest in the series, I did feel a bit disconnected from the characters.
April 2, 2017
For me, the name says it all. It's the sweetest goodbye from a beautiful series. I'm so happy we got Billie's story. We met him as a teenager in the 2nd installment and now, a few years later, he is grown and we revisit the small town the Montgomerys live in with little glimpses into the couples from the 2nd and 3rd installment. I LOVED Billie and even more I loved Dylan. Together they were simply endearing. I love the friends turn to lovers turf and this one was exactly that.
Billie and Dylan knows each other for years. Though Dylan have been hiding his crush on Billie for several reasons, the first being he doesn't want to lose his best friend and also the Montgomery family who practically adopted him, besides that he knows Billie's heart belongs to one guy - Leo, his first love who left town to study Veterinary Medicine. Though Leo told Billie not to wait for him, the kind of guy Billie is, it's impossible for him to truly consider putting his love for Leo aside and so even though something is stirring between him and Dylan he isn't willing to consider it. Not to mention that like Dylan, Billie is scared of losing his best friend, the guy he trusts, cares for and sees everyday in his Bakery (as his worker).
I SO enjoyed seeing these two walk in circles around each other, hiding emotions and yet submitting to both desire and mostly love and true friendship. It's obvious from every step one how much they care for one another so when Leo finally returns for the summer and a tragedy strikes Billie makes the decision he should have made a long time ago.
I don't want to say what the tragedy is but I'll just say it hit close to home. It broke my heart because I was there last Friday with my best friend. My heart shattered for Billie but also for her all over again (and also for me.. I've been there too a few month ago).
I couldn't have asked for more in this short novella. It was beautiful, genuine and sweet. We got to revisit all the Montgomerys including Grammy who is AWESOME, and also Tate and Sebastian who were an inspiration for Dylan who aspires to be a dancer / performer.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Also can totally be read as a stand alone.
More Reviews HERE
Billie and Dylan knows each other for years. Though Dylan have been hiding his crush on Billie for several reasons, the first being he doesn't want to lose his best friend and also the Montgomery family who practically adopted him, besides that he knows Billie's heart belongs to one guy - Leo, his first love who left town to study Veterinary Medicine. Though Leo told Billie not to wait for him, the kind of guy Billie is, it's impossible for him to truly consider putting his love for Leo aside and so even though something is stirring between him and Dylan he isn't willing to consider it. Not to mention that like Dylan, Billie is scared of losing his best friend, the guy he trusts, cares for and sees everyday in his Bakery (as his worker).
I SO enjoyed seeing these two walk in circles around each other, hiding emotions and yet submitting to both desire and mostly love and true friendship. It's obvious from every step one how much they care for one another so when Leo finally returns for the summer and a tragedy strikes Billie makes the decision he should have made a long time ago.
I don't want to say what the tragedy is but I'll just say it hit close to home. It broke my heart because I was there last Friday with my best friend. My heart shattered for Billie but also for her all over again (and also for me.. I've been there too a few month ago).
I couldn't have asked for more in this short novella. It was beautiful, genuine and sweet. We got to revisit all the Montgomerys including Grammy who is AWESOME, and also Tate and Sebastian who were an inspiration for Dylan who aspires to be a dancer / performer.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Also can totally be read as a stand alone.
More Reviews HERE
February 12, 2017
Seit der High School sind Billie Montgomery und Dylan Bowden beste Freunde. Und Dylan hat vermutlich eben so lange schon tiefere Gefühle für Billie. Doch der hatte immer nur Augen für Leo und seit Leo auf dem College ist, wartet Billie auf Leo. Nach dessen Studium will Billie mit ihm ein gemeinsames Leben beginnen. Doch das Leben ist nicht immer so, wie man es sich wünscht.
Billie führt eine erfolgreiche Bäckerei und Dylan arbeitet mit. Dylans eigene Träume müssen zurückstehen, da er nie das Geld und die Unterstützung für eine gute Ausbildung hatte. So verdient er nebenbei noch Geld als Tänzer in einem Club und lebt sein Leben in Billies Dunstkreis. Für ihn wird es aber immer schwerer die Rolle des besten Freundes beizubehalten und es macht ihn krank wie sehr Billie sich nach Leo sehnt.
Nach einem gemeinsamen Clubbesuch gerät ihre Beziehung immer mehr ins Wanken und als dann auch noch Leo unerwartet auftaucht, scheint die Situation zu eskalieren.
Christina Lee stand bisher nicht auf meiner Leseliste. Das erste Buch dieser Serie habe ich abgebrochen. Da kam ich überhaupt nicht hinein und ich fand auch die Protas ziemlich langweilig. Doch diese Kurzgeschichte konnte mich sofort fesseln und wie sehr habe ich mit Dylan mitgelitten. Der ist wirklich ein toller Protagonist, den man einfach nur gern haben muss.
Billie hingegen ist ein wenig schwierig. Natürlich ist die erste Liebe etwas Besonderes, aber man bekommt irgendwann auch das Gefühl, dass Billie mehr in die Vorstellung von Leo und der Vorstellung ihrer Zukunft verliebt ist. Der Kerl selbst hat mich dann in der Geschichte nicht wirklich angesprochen, aber er hatte ja auch nur kurze Auftritte.
Es ist eine sehr bittersüße Geschichte, bei der man am Ende auch ein paar Tränen verdrücken muss. Aber sie konnte mir den Glauben an die Autorin zurückgeben und ich denke, ich werde einfach eine andere Geschichte der Reihe versuchen.
Billie führt eine erfolgreiche Bäckerei und Dylan arbeitet mit. Dylans eigene Träume müssen zurückstehen, da er nie das Geld und die Unterstützung für eine gute Ausbildung hatte. So verdient er nebenbei noch Geld als Tänzer in einem Club und lebt sein Leben in Billies Dunstkreis. Für ihn wird es aber immer schwerer die Rolle des besten Freundes beizubehalten und es macht ihn krank wie sehr Billie sich nach Leo sehnt.
Nach einem gemeinsamen Clubbesuch gerät ihre Beziehung immer mehr ins Wanken und als dann auch noch Leo unerwartet auftaucht, scheint die Situation zu eskalieren.
Christina Lee stand bisher nicht auf meiner Leseliste. Das erste Buch dieser Serie habe ich abgebrochen. Da kam ich überhaupt nicht hinein und ich fand auch die Protas ziemlich langweilig. Doch diese Kurzgeschichte konnte mich sofort fesseln und wie sehr habe ich mit Dylan mitgelitten. Der ist wirklich ein toller Protagonist, den man einfach nur gern haben muss.
Billie hingegen ist ein wenig schwierig. Natürlich ist die erste Liebe etwas Besonderes, aber man bekommt irgendwann auch das Gefühl, dass Billie mehr in die Vorstellung von Leo und der Vorstellung ihrer Zukunft verliebt ist. Der Kerl selbst hat mich dann in der Geschichte nicht wirklich angesprochen, aber er hatte ja auch nur kurze Auftritte.
Es ist eine sehr bittersüße Geschichte, bei der man am Ende auch ein paar Tränen verdrücken muss. Aber sie konnte mir den Glauben an die Autorin zurückgeben und ich denke, ich werde einfach eine andere Geschichte der Reihe versuchen.
June 10, 2017
‘I was completely and utterly hot for my best friend, there could be no other explanation and I didn’t know what the hell to do with that realization.’ ~Billie
•*¨*•
I loved this dual point of view best-friends-turned-lovers novella so much! I read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open Sunday night. Then on Monday and Tuesday nights, I raced home from work and sat in my apartment complex’s library to read and witness Billie and Dylan’s friendship evolve into a sexy and furtive romance.
It was a bit trippy to read about a grown up Billie, but I quickly got over that after that dance club scene, ha! Catching up with the Montgomery clan and the other Roadmap to Your Heart couples was also a delight. And Billie’s grandmother...gah! She was in fine, wise and loveable form. She had a couple of really great scenes with Dylan and Billie individually. And I loved when she covered for them when Billie’s old first love Leo came back to town for a surprise visit. I wish I’d had a grandmother like her.
I needed a quickie to keep my Sunday reading mojo going, and this was absolutely the perfect choice. I can always count on author Christina Lee to satisfy my craving for an emotional journey filled with heat, great pacing and just the right amount of angst.
•*¨*•
Up next in this series of stand-alone novels:
The Faintest Spark (Roadmap to Your Heart Book 1.5) about Malachi and Sawyer.
•*¨*•
I loved this dual point of view best-friends-turned-lovers novella so much! I read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open Sunday night. Then on Monday and Tuesday nights, I raced home from work and sat in my apartment complex’s library to read and witness Billie and Dylan’s friendship evolve into a sexy and furtive romance.
It was a bit trippy to read about a grown up Billie, but I quickly got over that after that dance club scene, ha! Catching up with the Montgomery clan and the other Roadmap to Your Heart couples was also a delight. And Billie’s grandmother...gah! She was in fine, wise and loveable form. She had a couple of really great scenes with Dylan and Billie individually. And I loved when she covered for them when Billie’s old first love Leo came back to town for a surprise visit. I wish I’d had a grandmother like her.
I needed a quickie to keep my Sunday reading mojo going, and this was absolutely the perfect choice. I can always count on author Christina Lee to satisfy my craving for an emotional journey filled with heat, great pacing and just the right amount of angst.
•*¨*•
Up next in this series of stand-alone novels:
The Faintest Spark (Roadmap to Your Heart Book 1.5) about Malachi and Sawyer.
June 29, 2017
5 'This author can do no wrong. Another amazing book in this absolutely amazing series. The one I just finished was AMAZING and again this one is yet sooo completely different. Where that one was dark gritty, this book is just so sweet, beautiful. Adorable loved them. Soooo hope there is more' stars.
August 22, 2017
3.5 stars
At first I was concerned about Billie moping about Leo and ignoring he great thing he had right in front of him - Dylan. I seriously considered DNF'ing because I hate that. BUT I really liked the other books in this series so I stayed with it and ended up really liking this story. Some sadness but lots of love.
At first I was concerned about Billie moping about Leo and ignoring he great thing he had right in front of him - Dylan. I seriously considered DNF'ing because I hate that. BUT I really liked the other books in this series so I stayed with it and ended up really liking this story. Some sadness but lots of love.
December 3, 2017
I wasn't sure if i could read this seeing as i read that it contained two MC's from the authors other book but I was told I could and i am so glad I read it....This was one of my favourites...Billie was so sweet and Dylan who just carried on knowing or thinking that Billie wanted Leo.....Really well done story even for a short......Absolutely perfect ending.....x
March 3, 2024
[3.4~3.5] grown up Billie finding his true love 🥹 i do wish this were a full length novel, because he was pining after a long-past first love for so long, but then the other goodbye happened and the events that followed clicked into place and i was happy. best-friends-to-lovers superiority 💖
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