What do you think?
Rate this book
Rebel Hearts #2
Something New
A marriage of convenience is one thing. But married to a straight guy? That’s a whole different story…
Brooklyn Blackwell’s got a dissertation to finish and tenure to secure - the last thing he’s looking for is romance. But with his advisor’s charity on the brink of losing funding, Brooklyn’s got one shot at saving it. The bet seems easy enough: marry a straight guy, stay married for a year, and snag a hundred thousand dollars. It doesn’t count as romance if the guy’s not into him, right? This should be a piece of cake…
“Brooklyn, when I said you looked like someone who needed a date, what I meant was you needed to get laid. I was just trying to be polite.”
Austin Hastings never planned on getting married - to a man or a woman. Scarred by his parents’ impressively bad example, he planned on traveling the world, not winding up trapped in a relationship in some podunk town. But the longer Austin spends in his mind-numbing corporate job, the more monotonous his life becomes. Marrying a gay guy might seem a little strange, but there’s one thing it’s definitely not: Boring.
“God, is it always this amazing? With a guy? Tell me everything is as good as tonight.”
“Oh honey, you have no idea.”
There’s only one problem - the more Austin gets to know Brooklyn, the more attractive the guy gets. Normally, he’d be all for a little harmless exploration. But is it still harmless when the guy you’re exploring is your husband? Things get even more complicated when pictures of them in bed together accidentally go viral online. They’re supposed to stay married for a year - will they even make it a month? Or will their marriage of convenience turn into something entirely new?
Something New is an 85,000 word m/m romance with a marriage of convenience, a gay-for-you storyline, and a bunch of steamy scenes that you probably shouldn’t read in public if you blush easily. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA.
Something New is a loose sequel to my other novel, Runaway Heart. Each book centers on different characters and they can be enjoyed independently, but - just like a certain gruff but sexy biologist and incurably cute management consultant, they’re so much better together!
Brooklyn Blackwell’s got a dissertation to finish and tenure to secure - the last thing he’s looking for is romance. But with his advisor’s charity on the brink of losing funding, Brooklyn’s got one shot at saving it. The bet seems easy enough: marry a straight guy, stay married for a year, and snag a hundred thousand dollars. It doesn’t count as romance if the guy’s not into him, right? This should be a piece of cake…
“Brooklyn, when I said you looked like someone who needed a date, what I meant was you needed to get laid. I was just trying to be polite.”
Austin Hastings never planned on getting married - to a man or a woman. Scarred by his parents’ impressively bad example, he planned on traveling the world, not winding up trapped in a relationship in some podunk town. But the longer Austin spends in his mind-numbing corporate job, the more monotonous his life becomes. Marrying a gay guy might seem a little strange, but there’s one thing it’s definitely not: Boring.
“God, is it always this amazing? With a guy? Tell me everything is as good as tonight.”
“Oh honey, you have no idea.”
There’s only one problem - the more Austin gets to know Brooklyn, the more attractive the guy gets. Normally, he’d be all for a little harmless exploration. But is it still harmless when the guy you’re exploring is your husband? Things get even more complicated when pictures of them in bed together accidentally go viral online. They’re supposed to stay married for a year - will they even make it a month? Or will their marriage of convenience turn into something entirely new?
Something New is an 85,000 word m/m romance with a marriage of convenience, a gay-for-you storyline, and a bunch of steamy scenes that you probably shouldn’t read in public if you blush easily. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA.
Something New is a loose sequel to my other novel, Runaway Heart. Each book centers on different characters and they can be enjoyed independently, but - just like a certain gruff but sexy biologist and incurably cute management consultant, they’re so much better together!
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2017
279 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
October 1, 2017
~3.5~
This book checked a lot of my Hell yes! boxes: "fake" marriage, low angst, eager gay virgin, banter, hot sex, and a heart-warming ending.
I liked Austin a lot, even if he overused the word "bro," but I wanted to smack Brooklyn, who had a penchant for listening in on phone conversations and imagining doomsday scenarios.
He wasn't willing to trust in the relationship and really needed to do some serious groveling. Austin forgave too easily.
The Big Misunderstandings and Brooklyn's ridiculous martyr moment toward the end had me rolling my eyes, but overall this was a fun, sexy read.
I can't wait for Aiden's story, and I'm curious about Alex too.
This book checked a lot of my Hell yes! boxes: "fake" marriage, low angst, eager gay virgin, banter, hot sex, and a heart-warming ending.
I liked Austin a lot, even if he overused the word "bro," but I wanted to smack Brooklyn, who had a penchant for listening in on phone conversations and imagining doomsday scenarios.
He wasn't willing to trust in the relationship and really needed to do some serious groveling. Austin forgave too easily.
The Big Misunderstandings and Brooklyn's ridiculous martyr moment toward the end had me rolling my eyes, but overall this was a fun, sexy read.
I can't wait for Aiden's story, and I'm curious about Alex too.
February 19, 2017
This was ok. Rife with Big Misunderstandings, assumptions, too many 'yeah bro's', and miscommunications. But the sex was pretty fucking hot so yeah my perverted, bitter heart let it keep a star for that alone. Also, the cutie on the covers eyebrows need their own book. I'm hating. Just sayin.
September 14, 2021
This was such a bait and switch >:( The title, the blurb, both say “straight guy in fake relationship, then discovers bisexuality after being married” but the two MCs hookup before the whole marriage bet comes into play. So there’s none of that self-discovering tension I was expecting, and it was a real let down. It made it so the entire book had Brooklyn doing the “I don’t want to be the experiment (except when i do)/how can he know/etc”.
The other major issue I had was the occasionally overlapping timelines, which got very confusing when they happened. It happened when Gabe and Brooklyn first “meet” - we’re in Brooklyn’s POV, he lusts after a hot jogger, then heads out to go do wedding shit or whatever. Next chapter…Gabe. Gabe before the running interaction, so we see him go running and run into Brooklyn (and drool) all over again. That one was reasonably easy to follow, but there’s a later scene with that had me incredibly lost. It’s not always necessary to have both characters POV on a single event, especially if you’re doing first person chapters. They can react/think about things after the event has happened after all.
Gabe was an amusing character though, I enjoyed his bro-ing and his panic over his quarter life crisis in the beginning. Brooklyn was aggressively insecure, beyond my ability to sympathize with. Also stop eavesdropping you whacko.
Overall, it was a generally cute read, but had enough annoyances to drop my enjoyment level.
The other major issue I had was the occasionally overlapping timelines, which got very confusing when they happened. It happened when Gabe and Brooklyn first “meet” - we’re in Brooklyn’s POV, he lusts after a hot jogger, then heads out to go do wedding shit or whatever. Next chapter…Gabe. Gabe before the running interaction, so we see him go running and run into Brooklyn (and drool) all over again. That one was reasonably easy to follow, but there’s a later scene with that had me incredibly lost. It’s not always necessary to have both characters POV on a single event, especially if you’re doing first person chapters. They can react/think about things after the event has happened after all.
Gabe was an amusing character though, I enjoyed his bro-ing and his panic over his quarter life crisis in the beginning. Brooklyn was aggressively insecure, beyond my ability to sympathize with. Also stop eavesdropping you whacko.
Overall, it was a generally cute read, but had enough annoyances to drop my enjoyment level.
March 5, 2017
2.5* I expected more from the blurb I´m not going to lie :/
It has not a bad start and the marriage thing is not pushed, it sounded very plausible under the circumstances (although I highly recommended to read Runaway Heart before reading this book because the MCs appear in a big part of this one) but once the marriage is settled... the story became very boring :(
Also, it has some negative points that made me down his rating!
1-They use drinking alcohol and getting drunk like a very positive and attractive happening. Sorry, but NO. I don´t like to see the example of the alcohol as a solution for a bad day or a must do when you want to have fun! In this book they drink A LOT and like I said in not very good situations.
2- Jeff. This guy is ANNOYING. It is very obvios the way Broklyn is. He does´t like to hook up with strangers and that is OK, why is this wrong?? Why, why on earth this professor needs to force him to do what he didn´t want to ? Please, you could give your opinion but Brooklyn looks after him and I feel he overstepped his position when he speak with him.
February 28, 2017
A KU novel with some heat! Low angst, light on miscommunication, hot as hell gay-virgin-sex and dirty talk make this one a WIN in my book.
Recommended.
Recommended.
March 12, 2017
My new favourite Harper Logan romance
This book has some seriously hot dirty talking in it and a pair of men who work perfectly for each other.
I loved the humour in this one and I thought Harper Logan handled the fairly common trope of fake marriages with a deft hand and an interesting little twist on how the best came about.
There was a bit of miscommunication but not a lot and, hallelujah, after the first mix up both men concluded that talking to the other worked better than blind speculation.
This book has some seriously hot dirty talking in it and a pair of men who work perfectly for each other.
I loved the humour in this one and I thought Harper Logan handled the fairly common trope of fake marriages with a deft hand and an interesting little twist on how the best came about.
There was a bit of miscommunication but not a lot and, hallelujah, after the first mix up both men concluded that talking to the other worked better than blind speculation.
August 9, 2021
Pas mémorable du tout. C'est mignon mais le développement de l'histoire n'est vraiment pas crédible, notamment pour le coup du mariage sur un pari (avec un inconnu). En terme de thème similaire, j'ai lu de meilleures romances, mieux ficellées et avec le thème mieux abordé et exploité. Ici, le concept arrive comme un cheveu dans la soupe, bien que nous avons lu des pages sur leurs vies perso et leur problème avec leur boulot respectif avant d'en arriver au fait. En soit, rien de dérangeant mais dans ce livre je me suis ennuyée avant d'arriver dans le vif du sujet et leur rencontre.
Sinon, les personnages principaux (Brooklyn et Gabe) sont adorables.
Un petit bémol qui m'a agacé une bonne partie du roman : le fait de créer une bonne partie du mélodrame sur la non-communication et les "mais je pensais que...". Un peu rengaine au bout de trois fois. Hormis cela, c'est bien écrit, rien à redire de ce coté. J'aurais simplement aimé plus de jolies tournures de phrases.
J'ai quand meme hate de découvrir le livre de Nick ou d'Aiden (Croisons les doigts) !
Sinon, les personnages principaux (Brooklyn et Gabe) sont adorables.
Un petit bémol qui m'a agacé une bonne partie du roman : le fait de créer une bonne partie du mélodrame sur la non-communication et les "mais je pensais que...". Un peu rengaine au bout de trois fois. Hormis cela, c'est bien écrit, rien à redire de ce coté. J'aurais simplement aimé plus de jolies tournures de phrases.
J'ai quand meme hate de découvrir le livre de Nick ou d'Aiden (Croisons les doigts) !
August 18, 2021
DNF @ 6%
So very boring. I love this trope, but I couldn’t get into it. If I’m bored and skimming at 6%, then something is very wrong.
So very boring. I love this trope, but I couldn’t get into it. If I’m bored and skimming at 6%, then something is very wrong.
March 12, 2017
A cute, sexy, and romantic take on an implausible premise (which was part of the fun for me, to be honest).
Brooklyn was endearing, if borderline exhausting at times. It's clear from the beginning of the story that he's in dire need of some self-love and honesty (and he seems to realize this to some extent), but it takes him forever to make significant headway. He's the kind of MC you wish you could physically take hold of and shake the living shit out of for his own good.
Austin...pretty damned close to perfect, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on your take. I usually expect the "formerly 100% hetero" MC to be the main instigator of drama, but he rolled with the punches like a pro. The conflict in this story has virtually nothing to do with questions of sexual identity, which is in itself kind of a change of pace.
Overall fun and recommended for a good time.
Brooklyn was endearing, if borderline exhausting at times. It's clear from the beginning of the story that he's in dire need of some self-love and honesty (and he seems to realize this to some extent), but it takes him forever to make significant headway. He's the kind of MC you wish you could physically take hold of and shake the living shit out of for his own good.
Austin...pretty damned close to perfect, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on your take. I usually expect the "formerly 100% hetero" MC to be the main instigator of drama, but he rolled with the punches like a pro. The conflict in this story has virtually nothing to do with questions of sexual identity, which is in itself kind of a change of pace.
Overall fun and recommended for a good time.
May 15, 2022
The review says more about my feeling on the book than the book itsle.
I chose to read the second one b/c I enjoyed the side character in the first one. I wonder where that character went because he wasn't in the second one. It felt like a recycled first one with the internal fretting, the extreme lack of self confidence, and the rushing to judgment. The payoff at the end, sure you have a HEA but it wasn't that great. Like I had to read these characters BS about so much negativity for three hundred pages and THIS is the ending. And again, irrational behavior gets forgiven quickly (and dumbly). This wasn't an escape, it was a prison. I rolled my eyes a lot. After two of what seems like the same story, I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna read more from the author. This style of romance doesn't do it for me. Wish them and their fans well, though.
I chose to read the second one b/c I enjoyed the side character in the first one. I wonder where that character went because he wasn't in the second one. It felt like a recycled first one with the internal fretting, the extreme lack of self confidence, and the rushing to judgment. The payoff at the end, sure you have a HEA but it wasn't that great. Like I had to read these characters BS about so much negativity for three hundred pages and THIS is the ending. And again, irrational behavior gets forgiven quickly (and dumbly). This wasn't an escape, it was a prison. I rolled my eyes a lot. After two of what seems like the same story, I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna read more from the author. This style of romance doesn't do it for me. Wish them and their fans well, though.
February 18, 2017
3.5 stars
Sweet&Funny story.
Sweet&Funny story.
February 28, 2017
4.5 Stars
ADORABLE ❤️
I enjoyed it more than the first!!! And I loved the first one!! Austin & Brooklyn are so sweet together!!!
ADORABLE ❤️
I enjoyed it more than the first!!! And I loved the first one!! Austin & Brooklyn are so sweet together!!!
February 1, 2024
I enjoyed this one, but I had some problems with it, too.
The stuff I liked:
The guys were likeable and fairly aware of their feelings. Gabe was viewed in the previous book in the series as a weirdly emotionally intelligent frat bro, and he retained the EQ, while mostly losing the frat bro demeanor. Brooklyn was a solid best friend in the last book. This time we see him as a gun-shy, stressed-out student in the final months of his PhD.
I love a good fake-dating story, and the premise of a bet tying these guys together was fun. It was a fun twist to give the guys a Big Mis at the beginning of the story, with a couple smaller moments of misunderstanding to work through later. It gave us a chance to see the way Brooklyn in particular was growing and learning to trust Gabe a little more, and where he was still struggling.
It was also fun to see Jesse and Mark from the previous book. In fact, I would have appreciated a little more of them. As it was, it felt like Brooklyn and Gabe were floating in their own little bubble, without much connection to the outside world.
The stuff that frustrated or didn't work for me:
The way the bet played out didn't make any sense. The crappy ex from the previous book showed up to be unpleasant at a wedding. Instead of making himself known to the happy couple, he latches on to Brooklyn and Gabe and... tries to prove that marriage doesn't last by betting that two people who weren't even in a relationship that they couldn't stay married for a year? The motivation for the guys to go through with the bet sort of made sense, except for the fact that it was *Gabe* pushing to get the money for the charity Brooklyn worked with, not Brooklyn. Also,
It also really irritated me that
And,
It was also COMPLETELY OBVIOUS what the solution to their work/living situation would be all along, but I can forgive that a little bit, since it's pretty common for people to be blind to obvious solutions in real life, too.
And, call me a grumpy old lady, but it had at least one too many sex scenes. The guys progressed around the bases, but emotionally, it felt like they were covering the same old ground each time. F*cking by rote.
That all probably sounds like I didn't like the book, but it's not really true. If you just go with it, and don't consider the improbability of the situation, it's a fun read.
The stuff I liked:
The guys were likeable and fairly aware of their feelings. Gabe was viewed in the previous book in the series as a weirdly emotionally intelligent frat bro, and he retained the EQ, while mostly losing the frat bro demeanor. Brooklyn was a solid best friend in the last book. This time we see him as a gun-shy, stressed-out student in the final months of his PhD.
I love a good fake-dating story, and the premise of a bet tying these guys together was fun. It was a fun twist to give the guys a Big Mis at the beginning of the story, with a couple smaller moments of misunderstanding to work through later. It gave us a chance to see the way Brooklyn in particular was growing and learning to trust Gabe a little more, and where he was still struggling.
It was also fun to see Jesse and Mark from the previous book. In fact, I would have appreciated a little more of them. As it was, it felt like Brooklyn and Gabe were floating in their own little bubble, without much connection to the outside world.
The stuff that frustrated or didn't work for me:
The way the bet played out didn't make any sense. The crappy ex from the previous book showed up to be unpleasant at a wedding. Instead of making himself known to the happy couple, he latches on to Brooklyn and Gabe and... tries to prove that marriage doesn't last by betting that two people who weren't even in a relationship that they couldn't stay married for a year? The motivation for the guys to go through with the bet sort of made sense, except for the fact that it was *Gabe* pushing to get the money for the charity Brooklyn worked with, not Brooklyn. Also,
It also really irritated me that
And,
It was also COMPLETELY OBVIOUS what the solution to their work/living situation would be all along, but I can forgive that a little bit, since it's pretty common for people to be blind to obvious solutions in real life, too.
And, call me a grumpy old lady, but it had at least one too many sex scenes. The guys progressed around the bases, but emotionally, it felt like they were covering the same old ground each time. F*cking by rote.
That all probably sounds like I didn't like the book, but it's not really true. If you just go with it, and don't consider the improbability of the situation, it's a fun read.
August 6, 2021
When Brooklyn and Gabe met during Jesses's and Mark's wedding , they never thought they end up married for a year, after a bet.
Although the attraction is there since the beginning, Gabe is suppose to be straight...or not
Another great book by Spencer Spears, one of my favorite author
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Although the attraction is there since the beginning, Gabe is suppose to be straight...or not
Another great book by Spencer Spears, one of my favorite author
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 12, 2017
Review originally posted on The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange :)
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Let's go :D
The Review
*~.PROS.~*
This book was one of the funniest romances I have ever read! The character’s upward humor was brilliant and warmed my heart with every new scene <3 Also, I love fake-relationship plots and the contrasts between Brooklyn and Austin just made it all more cute and believable!
*~.CONS.~*
The most cliché line of all times was used on this book and not once, but TWICE. It is one of the few things I can hardily forgive in first person narratives… Which line, you ask? This one and all its sisters in similar wording: “I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding”.
*~.COVER ANALYSIS.~*
I’m not this cover’s biggest fan. While I like the elements position, the colors, the font used on the writings for both the title and the author’s name, I don’t feel that those models represent the physical description given for Austin and Brooklyn in the book and this is a HUGE turn off for me when we deal with covers with models. Yep, I’m a pain regarding aesthetic questions.
*~.QUOTES.~*
This book had many, MANY brilliant moments, both in dialogues and passages, so it was a mess to choose only the best pieces, ugh! Seriously, read the book.
And those killer dialogues:
*~.RECOMMENDED FOR.~*
Fans of M/M contemporary romance, fake-relationships and funny books!
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Let's go :D
The Review
*~.PROS.~*
This book was one of the funniest romances I have ever read! The character’s upward humor was brilliant and warmed my heart with every new scene <3 Also, I love fake-relationship plots and the contrasts between Brooklyn and Austin just made it all more cute and believable!
*~.CONS.~*
The most cliché line of all times was used on this book and not once, but TWICE. It is one of the few things I can hardily forgive in first person narratives… Which line, you ask? This one and all its sisters in similar wording: “I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding”.
*~.COVER ANALYSIS.~*
I’m not this cover’s biggest fan. While I like the elements position, the colors, the font used on the writings for both the title and the author’s name, I don’t feel that those models represent the physical description given for Austin and Brooklyn in the book and this is a HUGE turn off for me when we deal with covers with models. Yep, I’m a pain regarding aesthetic questions.
*~.QUOTES.~*
This book had many, MANY brilliant moments, both in dialogues and passages, so it was a mess to choose only the best pieces, ugh! Seriously, read the book.
“I just don’t understand why it has to be such a big deal, you know? Like, it shouldn’t matter what gender someone is. If you want to kiss them, you should be able to kiss them without it being a whole thing.” – Austin
It didn’t matter that most of my brain was telling me that I was being paranoid. The paranoid part of my brain was louder. – Brooklyn’s thoughts
“Promise me that if we ever decide to become famous again, we pick something that only octogenarians will care about. It’d be easier to outrun groups of people who use walkers to get around.” - Brooklyn
And those killer dialogues:
Brooklyn: I thought maybe I should do something to mark the occasion. You only get fake-married once, you know?
Austin: Real-fake-married, though. And I certainly hope you’ve never done this before. I’d be hurt to find out I wasn’t your first.
Brooklyn: It’s hard to take anyone seriously when they have little whales in their belt.
Austin: I’ll remember that. Next time, I’ll wear the one with lobsters.
Brooklyn: Lobsters are much more serious, you’re right.
*~.RECOMMENDED FOR.~*
Fans of M/M contemporary romance, fake-relationships and funny books!
February 24, 2022
Um, in just don’t think I can finish this. It’s not anything like the title suggests. They are hiking up before the fake marriage, then umm, no surprise there.
DNF after Brooklyn leaves because of stopsstops overhearing a conversation he has no idea about…another pet peeve
DNF after Brooklyn leaves because of stopsstops overhearing a conversation he has no idea about…another pet peeve
February 16, 2017
Brooklyn & Austin meet as they are best men at their friends wedding. Brooklyn is out & proud & busy with work & Grad school. Austin is mostly straight, trying to live life to the fullest, afraid of being boring. To be honest it took be till about 15 - 20% to really get into the story. At 27% it got a little bit outrageous & far fetched but I just went with it... They way they got married seemed pretty sudden & strange but after that the story for me seemed to pick up. It flowed well & was enjoyable. I liked the relationship development between Austin & Brooklyn. Fake real husbands who start something & try not to let those pesky feelings get involved. It was a great story which kept me engaged till the end. I received an ARC from the author.
Read
February 19, 2017Horrible. Garbage.
I am reeling how anybody, legitimate author or just amateur, could take an idea with such potential and still turn it into something so stupid and worthless and tragically disappointing.
This is NOT MM romance. This is about two teenage girls, self-righteous and sadly stupid who think they are all that, but really they are just disrespectful of themselves and the time they've been given on Earth.
I would recommend the author break up this novel into 5 other novels, of which I think none would turn out to be gay stories.
Harper Logan is going on my Avoid at all cost List.
I paid 1.18$ for this and that's exactly 1.18$ more than it deserves.
I am reeling how anybody, legitimate author or just amateur, could take an idea with such potential and still turn it into something so stupid and worthless and tragically disappointing.
This is NOT MM romance. This is about two teenage girls, self-righteous and sadly stupid who think they are all that, but really they are just disrespectful of themselves and the time they've been given on Earth.
I would recommend the author break up this novel into 5 other novels, of which I think none would turn out to be gay stories.
Harper Logan is going on my Avoid at all cost List.
I paid 1.18$ for this and that's exactly 1.18$ more than it deserves.
February 13, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book..... And I just loved it. Brooklyn and Austin get married to win a bet and end up falling in love during the process. It was so nice to be at Russ and Jesse's wedding (friends from a previous book), yay, and having those characters also coming through in this story. I love that. The characters in this book were humorous, and sweet, although Brooklyn irritated me with his pulling away from Austin, but other than that he was very likeable. Overall, this was a very sweet and pleasurable read. :)
February 17, 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy I received from the author.
"Something New" was a fun, sweet read. This is the second book I have read from Harper Logan, and I find that this author writes very appealing and compelling stories. Full of lovable moments and warm inviting love making.
Brooklyn and Austin are just one of those couples you can't help but fall in love with from the start.
"Something New" was a fun, sweet read. This is the second book I have read from Harper Logan, and I find that this author writes very appealing and compelling stories. Full of lovable moments and warm inviting love making.
Brooklyn and Austin are just one of those couples you can't help but fall in love with from the start.
February 22, 2020
Uplifting in the best way
The story is compelling with heartstopping drama. The characters are so appealing and lovable in different ways. The best thing is looking forward to reading the story again. Like getting back into the lives of Austin and Brooklyn. It is 3am and I have just had a great read.
The story is compelling with heartstopping drama. The characters are so appealing and lovable in different ways. The best thing is looking forward to reading the story again. Like getting back into the lives of Austin and Brooklyn. It is 3am and I have just had a great read.
March 8, 2017
Too much alcohol and a smattering of lust leads to a bet. If Brooklyn and Austin can stay married for a year, a beloved charity will be $100'000 richer. It seems simple enough, but Brooklyn and Austin are about to go on a journey of a lifetime. They learn a great deal about themselves, about each other and most importantly about love and trusting that it will last.
February 1, 2018
3/5
This was an alright fun book. But I feel like it's 100 pages too long, especially in the middle where everything seemed dragged on. My main problem with the book laid mostly in the climax at the end.
This was an alright fun book. But I feel like it's 100 pages too long, especially in the middle where everything seemed dragged on. My main problem with the book laid mostly in the climax at the end.
January 26, 2018
Yes!!!
I loved this one. In your face Alex!! Thank goodness Brooklyn figured it out. I think Austin did too. I enjoyed their story more than Jesse and Mark's but I knew I would wit their personalities. I was laughing so hard with Austin's gay sex terminology. Priceless.
I loved this one. In your face Alex!! Thank goodness Brooklyn figured it out. I think Austin did too. I enjoyed their story more than Jesse and Mark's but I knew I would wit their personalities. I was laughing so hard with Austin's gay sex terminology. Priceless.
January 27, 2024
Thoughts to come ...
EXCELLENT book!! Couldn't put it down and thoroughly enjoyed it :-)!!
EXCELLENT book!! Couldn't put it down and thoroughly enjoyed it :-)!!
February 17, 2017
3.5 Stars
This was a fast, easy, sweet read with MCs I fell in love with. The story itself was more than 'just okay' but didn't reach the point where I can say I loved it.
This was a fast, easy, sweet read with MCs I fell in love with. The story itself was more than 'just okay' but didn't reach the point where I can say I loved it.
March 15, 2017
Nice bit of writing and I really liked the characters. The constant switching of the POV and the maudlin end were a bit of a downer, but a decent read nonetheless.
not-deserve-my-time-my-money
June 28, 2018
August 7, 2021
Another good story in the Rebel Hearts series from Spencer Spears. I'm glad that it's Brooklyn that gets his HEA after meeting him as Jesse's best friend in book one and Gabe was a good friend to Mark during some important moments so it's great getting to know him better.
As best men for their best friend's at their wedding, it's the first time that they spend time together and there's a spark between them, even with Gabe never having been with a man before. An unwanted guest ends up betting them about marriage being something that will never last. The money he bets them would help save the charity that Brooklyn works for so Gabe is all for it.
With the time that they now spend together, their attraction has the chance to be explored but this being Gabe's first anything with another man plays on Brooklyn's fears with a painful history related to that.
When together, Brooklyn and Gabe become great friends and it's interesting reading as their relationship develops. They go from a possible hook up to friends to fake husbands to something so much more...... if they allow it. Brooklyn has past hurts that prevent him from fully trusting in his partner and with it starting as a fake relationship, it's even harder to think past the time frame that they were given. Gabe has plans for his future but things slowly change as he gets closer to Brooklyn. is parents make for terrible role models when it comes to a happy marriage but when it comes to what he shares with Brooklyn, there's no way to not be happy together. Things get a slight complication when social media becomes involved in things which makes for an additional bit of drama for the couple.
I enjoyed the overall relationship between the two and how they shared the experiences - Gabe's firsts with another man, Brooklyn's stresses with his PhD, charity work and job prospects, and then Gabe's own job taking a possible unexpected turn. Along the way, though it is mostly focused on the couple, there were entertaining conversations with Gabe's brother Aiden (hoping to hear more from him in the future) which cause a teensy bit of drama along the way, and Jesse and Mark bring the love and support that only best friends can.
A good read overall and I'm really liking the series so far.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
As best men for their best friend's at their wedding, it's the first time that they spend time together and there's a spark between them, even with Gabe never having been with a man before. An unwanted guest ends up betting them about marriage being something that will never last. The money he bets them would help save the charity that Brooklyn works for so Gabe is all for it.
With the time that they now spend together, their attraction has the chance to be explored but this being Gabe's first anything with another man plays on Brooklyn's fears with a painful history related to that.
When together, Brooklyn and Gabe become great friends and it's interesting reading as their relationship develops. They go from a possible hook up to friends to fake husbands to something so much more...... if they allow it. Brooklyn has past hurts that prevent him from fully trusting in his partner and with it starting as a fake relationship, it's even harder to think past the time frame that they were given. Gabe has plans for his future but things slowly change as he gets closer to Brooklyn. is parents make for terrible role models when it comes to a happy marriage but when it comes to what he shares with Brooklyn, there's no way to not be happy together. Things get a slight complication when social media becomes involved in things which makes for an additional bit of drama for the couple.
I enjoyed the overall relationship between the two and how they shared the experiences - Gabe's firsts with another man, Brooklyn's stresses with his PhD, charity work and job prospects, and then Gabe's own job taking a possible unexpected turn. Along the way, though it is mostly focused on the couple, there were entertaining conversations with Gabe's brother Aiden (hoping to hear more from him in the future) which cause a teensy bit of drama along the way, and Jesse and Mark bring the love and support that only best friends can.
A good read overall and I'm really liking the series so far.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
September 14, 2024
'My Straight Husband' ('Rebel Hearts' #2)
by Spencer Spears
(FYI: not sure why the site posts this book as written by Harper Logan, because it's written under Spencer Spears; I'm thinking HL is yet another pen name for the same author.)
I know I've mentioned it elsewhere but Spears is one of my fave authors due to their story-telling skills and attention to details, whether physical, mental or emotional!
I won't bother with a play-by-play of the storyline; there are several out there...besides, I think a review is more about:
1. Did the plot engage my interest throughout the book? (yes!)
2. Were the characters personalities intriguing? (yes)
3. Was the book well-written, and without a lot of grammatical errors that distracted from the storyline? (yes & yes)
4. Was I emotionally invested in one or both MCs (yes, both!)
5. Were there also other interesting (SC) side characters? (yes)
6. Was there a villainous character, or more than one? (yes!)
7. Was/were the location(s) of the storyline interesting, too? (yes)
8). Love interest? (you betcha!)
9). Angst as part of the plot (yep!)
10. Steamy sexual encounters? (oh yeah!)
11. Found family? (yes)
Bottom line: do yourself a great big favor and read this whole series, starting with Book #1 and on through... what a fabulous series! Loved it!
(my 3rd re-read of this series, and the 'Murphy Brothers' series, which are loosely interconnected)
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
by Spencer Spears
(FYI: not sure why the site posts this book as written by Harper Logan, because it's written under Spencer Spears; I'm thinking HL is yet another pen name for the same author.)
I know I've mentioned it elsewhere but Spears is one of my fave authors due to their story-telling skills and attention to details, whether physical, mental or emotional!
I won't bother with a play-by-play of the storyline; there are several out there...besides, I think a review is more about:
1. Did the plot engage my interest throughout the book? (yes!)
2. Were the characters personalities intriguing? (yes)
3. Was the book well-written, and without a lot of grammatical errors that distracted from the storyline? (yes & yes)
4. Was I emotionally invested in one or both MCs (yes, both!)
5. Were there also other interesting (SC) side characters? (yes)
6. Was there a villainous character, or more than one? (yes!)
7. Was/were the location(s) of the storyline interesting, too? (yes)
8). Love interest? (you betcha!)
9). Angst as part of the plot (yep!)
10. Steamy sexual encounters? (oh yeah!)
11. Found family? (yes)
Bottom line: do yourself a great big favor and read this whole series, starting with Book #1 and on through... what a fabulous series! Loved it!
(my 3rd re-read of this series, and the 'Murphy Brothers' series, which are loosely interconnected)
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews