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Bromosexual
An Amazon *Top 100* Bestseller from USA Today Bestselling Author Daryl Banner.Stefan, my former best friend and bro, is straight, gorgeous, and cocky as hell. And he's about to ruin my life.With his backwards cap, lopsided grin, and ripped bod gifted from the gods, he struts around town like he owns it.But I won't let him own me, no matter how hot he's gotten over the past eight years since he went off to become a pro baseball player in the major leagues - and since we had our brutal falling out and everything fell apart.When a hard night lands him at my front doorstep - desperately in need of a place to stay - I get one look into those fierce blue eyes of his ... and realize our story is far from over.My former "bro" and I are about to define a whole new term for the steamy, beautiful mess that's destined to happen between the two of us.* This is a stand-alone, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers M/M romance with a guaranteed HEA and no cheating.Read all of Daryl Banner's stand-alone male/male romances!When I See You AgainJerkHard For My Boss Getting Lucky My Bad Ex-BoyfriendRaising Hell Visit "Spruce, Texas" in this steamy southern Sundae Born Again Sinner HeteroflexibleWrangledRebel At Spruce HighSummer Sweat(and more...)How about a trip to the beach? Try the Texas Beach Town romances!In Too Deep Crusher Far From Paradise(and more...)
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2017
1105 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Daryl Banner
96 books1,993 followersDaryl Banner is a USA Today Bestselling author, composer, and performer. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston Honors College with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. He is happily married to his piano. Theory suggests this is why he writes romance.
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...
Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...
Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...
Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...
Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
October 15, 2017
Bromos unite!
This book grew on me. Initially, I couldn't stand to listen to one more thing that came out of Stefan's mouth. He was such an oblivious jock.
But I liked the banter and Ryan's obsessive internal monologues that were odes to Stefan's abs. And dick.
Lower angst, moderate steam, sugary epilogue, a bit of family drama, some soul searching ... fun read overall.
I am melted butter in the pan of his bed. I am just a piece of meat under the tenderizing twist of his tongue.
This book grew on me. Initially, I couldn't stand to listen to one more thing that came out of Stefan's mouth. He was such an oblivious jock.
But I liked the banter and Ryan's obsessive internal monologues that were odes to Stefan's abs. And dick.
Lower angst, moderate steam, sugary epilogue, a bit of family drama, some soul searching ... fun read overall.
October 22, 2017
3.75 Stars!
This book was a grower. As in it slowly grew on me. I almost sat it aside. Ryan was not winning me over at the beginning with how obsessed he was at pleasing Stefan or how kind of creepy he was about things like washing the plate Stefan used to eat on. It was just a bit on the creeper side. But like I said, this book is a grower and like the story, Ryan eventually grew on me as well.
We meet both men in their teen's playing on the same little league baseball team. Ryan isn't a fan of Stefan's and says something awful to him which his father later makes him apologize for. From there they are the best of friends and glued to each other's hip. That is until senior year of high school when Ryan quits the baseball team and they have a falling out. Eight years later they come face to face again but not in the best of ways.
Stefan was as the author described him; cocky as hell . He was your typical jock. But no matter how arrogant and confident he comes off as there are some deep rooted insecurities. His father has a way of bringing them to the surface. Stefan is a ex-baseball player who was injured while playing and decided to quit when he felt his injured leg wasn't up to the challenge anymore. Baseball was his life and all he planned on doing. Now he's moved back home and is a bit lost on where he goes from here. After another argument with his father he heads to a bar where he eventually get's too drunk to remember he brawled with a very big man and got the crap beat outta him and was taken home to his ex-best friends house to sleep it off.
Ryan has finally landed his dream job that he worked so hard in college to achieve. He's the new counselor at the high school he and Stefan attended. He's got the job he wanted, the house, and seems happy on the exterior. But the interior tells a different story. He's quite the lonely guy. He doesn't have any friends and hasn't had a date in five years. He's new to the school and hasn't gotten to know any of his colleagues yet. But that changes when a pushy co-worker insists on drinks at the bar, BeeBee's. This is where Ryan gets a glimpse of Stefan taking on a much bigger man in a fight and eventually getting kicked outta the bar. Ryan to rescue! He find his ex-bestie a bit past out and bruised and bloody by a dumpster and decides to take him home.
From there the story really begins and we get a look at their past as the story goes. I usually don't like when a story takes you back and forth from the present to the past but it didn't bother me here. I liked seeing them grow close as teens. It made their closeness as grownups make sense.
The story has romance, humor, and some steamy sexy scenes. I laughed out loud more than once and enjoyed the dynamic between both MC's. It was a really fun read once it got going.
Happy reading dolls! xx
This book was a grower. As in it slowly grew on me. I almost sat it aside. Ryan was not winning me over at the beginning with how obsessed he was at pleasing Stefan or how kind of creepy he was about things like washing the plate Stefan used to eat on. It was just a bit on the creeper side. But like I said, this book is a grower and like the story, Ryan eventually grew on me as well.
We meet both men in their teen's playing on the same little league baseball team. Ryan isn't a fan of Stefan's and says something awful to him which his father later makes him apologize for. From there they are the best of friends and glued to each other's hip. That is until senior year of high school when Ryan quits the baseball team and they have a falling out. Eight years later they come face to face again but not in the best of ways.
Stefan was as the author described him; cocky as hell . He was your typical jock. But no matter how arrogant and confident he comes off as there are some deep rooted insecurities. His father has a way of bringing them to the surface. Stefan is a ex-baseball player who was injured while playing and decided to quit when he felt his injured leg wasn't up to the challenge anymore. Baseball was his life and all he planned on doing. Now he's moved back home and is a bit lost on where he goes from here. After another argument with his father he heads to a bar where he eventually get's too drunk to remember he brawled with a very big man and got the crap beat outta him and was taken home to his ex-best friends house to sleep it off.
Ryan has finally landed his dream job that he worked so hard in college to achieve. He's the new counselor at the high school he and Stefan attended. He's got the job he wanted, the house, and seems happy on the exterior. But the interior tells a different story. He's quite the lonely guy. He doesn't have any friends and hasn't had a date in five years. He's new to the school and hasn't gotten to know any of his colleagues yet. But that changes when a pushy co-worker insists on drinks at the bar, BeeBee's. This is where Ryan gets a glimpse of Stefan taking on a much bigger man in a fight and eventually getting kicked outta the bar. Ryan to rescue! He find his ex-bestie a bit past out and bruised and bloody by a dumpster and decides to take him home.
From there the story really begins and we get a look at their past as the story goes. I usually don't like when a story takes you back and forth from the present to the past but it didn't bother me here. I liked seeing them grow close as teens. It made their closeness as grownups make sense.
The story has romance, humor, and some steamy sexy scenes. I laughed out loud more than once and enjoyed the dynamic between both MC's. It was a really fun read once it got going.
Happy reading dolls! xx
July 8, 2019
I’m a whore for dudes. I’ve always been the nerdy creep sitting in the stands, who was paying less attention to the book he was holding and more and more to the dudes lining the field. My school had a big field, so more variety. We had the volly-jollys, the grumpy runners, the lanky tennis guys and of course the hump-worthy basketball players. And also, too-cool-to-play-just-hang-out-studs. They are nasty as fuck when they make fun of others but a treat to look at. I mean dudes fuck me up like crazy.
And when you bring indulging, caring and banging hot dudes on a platter of sexual frenzy, dude, I’m salivating. This novel is as good as any bromantic comedy you’ll read. For a long time. Maybe ever for now.
The thing is, the moment I read ‘Brologue’ at the start, I was literally giddy. OoOo. And then the writing happened. It’s so fresh to say the least. There are a lot of things that can nag me in a novel but this one had so so so few of them. It was almost perfect when it came to the romance.
The bromance they share is actually just a petty word that the MCs use to feel through the transition of friends-to-lovers and the best part is the memories. The memories of different incidents of friendship, cuddling and fights are so wisely placed throughout that they never bore and are quite an enjoyment. The story is not some fuckery of bad acting and more drama, which was surprising to my expectations.
My favourite moment is the one with the cheese puffs. I tell you, this author has a weird food fetish when it comes to teen MCs. First it was ice cream in Football Sundae and now cheese puffs. The zing of sexual tension had me fanning my face.
So you know what you gotta do! Take some fresh fruits, mix with ice cream and just get settled for this juicy ride. And there’s a lot of man-juice. It drips. And you still can’t get enough of it!
And when you bring indulging, caring and banging hot dudes on a platter of sexual frenzy, dude, I’m salivating. This novel is as good as any bromantic comedy you’ll read. For a long time. Maybe ever for now.
The thing is, the moment I read ‘Brologue’ at the start, I was literally giddy. OoOo. And then the writing happened. It’s so fresh to say the least. There are a lot of things that can nag me in a novel but this one had so so so few of them. It was almost perfect when it came to the romance.
The bromance they share is actually just a petty word that the MCs use to feel through the transition of friends-to-lovers and the best part is the memories. The memories of different incidents of friendship, cuddling and fights are so wisely placed throughout that they never bore and are quite an enjoyment. The story is not some fuckery of bad acting and more drama, which was surprising to my expectations.
My favourite moment is the one with the cheese puffs. I tell you, this author has a weird food fetish when it comes to teen MCs. First it was ice cream in Football Sundae and now cheese puffs. The zing of sexual tension had me fanning my face.
So you know what you gotta do! Take some fresh fruits, mix with ice cream and just get settled for this juicy ride. And there’s a lot of man-juice. It drips. And you still can’t get enough of it!
October 20, 2017
I took one look at the cover and was like... what the fuck is that?
Then I saw Daryl's name and downloaded it immediately.
I would read Daryl Banner's grocery list. Hell, with his descriptions, sometimes I feel like I am reading Daryl Banner's grocery list.
I've tried to put into words what it is about his books that I like so much. His descriptions are hilarious. They border on too ridiculous at times, but I don't care. I love them anyway. I think it's the characters, though. They feel real. Their personalities, that is. I don't think anyone's ass in real life resembles deli meat in precisely the way Daryl describes.
I will say that this is now the 3rd full length and ... well, there were quite a few like that in the Brazen Boys - Dog Tags, Dorm Game, something something Edge, and maybe couple more in which a creepy nerdy loser pines awkwardly and pathetically for some unobtainable, ripped god who is amazingly amazing at everything. Hero. Worship. They're aware of their own patheticness, but in the end, the draws of this god-like wonder-being are too great, and they would endure any and all humiliation or degradation just to have them. And then OMG all their dreams come true! The human manifestation of a god with an ass like deli meat falls for them and they can't believe their good fortune! Like... they literally can't and don't believe it. They are very insecure.
I hope Daryl's boyfriend/husband/partner/whatever is hot as hell with a deli meat ass like the boys in his books, because if they're not and they've read all his books.... the poor thing has probably developed a serious ass-inferiority-complex and one day they're going to injure themselves on a squat rack somewhere trying to live up to Daryl's unrealistic ass expectations.
Then I saw Daryl's name and downloaded it immediately.
I would read Daryl Banner's grocery list. Hell, with his descriptions, sometimes I feel like I am reading Daryl Banner's grocery list.
I've tried to put into words what it is about his books that I like so much. His descriptions are hilarious. They border on too ridiculous at times, but I don't care. I love them anyway. I think it's the characters, though. They feel real. Their personalities, that is. I don't think anyone's ass in real life resembles deli meat in precisely the way Daryl describes.
I will say that this is now the 3rd full length and ... well, there were quite a few like that in the Brazen Boys - Dog Tags, Dorm Game, something something Edge, and maybe couple more in which a creepy nerdy loser pines awkwardly and pathetically for some unobtainable, ripped god who is amazingly amazing at everything. Hero. Worship. They're aware of their own patheticness, but in the end, the draws of this god-like wonder-being are too great, and they would endure any and all humiliation or degradation just to have them. And then OMG all their dreams come true! The human manifestation of a god with an ass like deli meat falls for them and they can't believe their good fortune! Like... they literally can't and don't believe it. They are very insecure.
I hope Daryl's boyfriend/husband/partner/whatever is hot as hell with a deli meat ass like the boys in his books, because if they're not and they've read all his books.... the poor thing has probably developed a serious ass-inferiority-complex and one day they're going to injure themselves on a squat rack somewhere trying to live up to Daryl's unrealistic ass expectations.
Read
December 19, 2018
@40%
August 21, 2018
Yeah, my mood to read m/m is still no over.
I can’t believe how long it took me to read this book.
“And now, I would like to present a boner soliloquy:
Thank you, boner. I will never, ever forget this terrible time you chose to make your stately entrance—a particularly far more terrible time than any other known to teenkind in the history of ill-timed erections”
I absolutely enjoyed reading this. I wasn’t expecting anything, usually, I’m not expecting much of anything because is better to be surprised than disappointed.
I loved all of the characters and the story is so good.
I hate, seriously HATE the friends-to-lovers trope. But I’m liking it in the books that I’m reading now.
And I think that’s because one of them has always been in love with the other. Because I seriously think is so fake when suddenly they are in love with their best friend and then they want the best friend to be in love with them too and they do. Like how does that work? This is my opinion. I don’t think you suddenly end up in love with your best friend. You always were and never knew, that’s realistic. And that is what the book that I’m reading now is. And that’s why I end up loving them.
This book was incredibly funny. An easy light read. Not much drama or angst. Slow-burn to them finally end up together. And the epilogue? IT WAS SO CUTE!!
I’m trash for cute, romantic, funny romance story. And this was exactly it.
Oh and then you put two sexy hot guys in the story? Yep. I’m so fucking reading it.
“Maybe next time, you might think to supply me a little warning before springing into action while I’m trying to spring into a different sort of action. Ring a bell, perhaps. Or write me a memo on penis-pink parchment paper and mail it via carrier pigeon to my overworked secretary. I would be most appreciative.
Sincerely, the mortified thirteen-year-old you’re attached to.”
Okay so these quotes are about boner, and I absolutely loved it. 😂
I can’t believe how long it took me to read this book.
“And now, I would like to present a boner soliloquy:
Thank you, boner. I will never, ever forget this terrible time you chose to make your stately entrance—a particularly far more terrible time than any other known to teenkind in the history of ill-timed erections”
I absolutely enjoyed reading this. I wasn’t expecting anything, usually, I’m not expecting much of anything because is better to be surprised than disappointed.
I loved all of the characters and the story is so good.
I hate, seriously HATE the friends-to-lovers trope. But I’m liking it in the books that I’m reading now.
And I think that’s because one of them has always been in love with the other. Because I seriously think is so fake when suddenly they are in love with their best friend and then they want the best friend to be in love with them too and they do. Like how does that work? This is my opinion. I don’t think you suddenly end up in love with your best friend. You always were and never knew, that’s realistic. And that is what the book that I’m reading now is. And that’s why I end up loving them.
This book was incredibly funny. An easy light read. Not much drama or angst. Slow-burn to them finally end up together. And the epilogue? IT WAS SO CUTE!!
I’m trash for cute, romantic, funny romance story. And this was exactly it.
Oh and then you put two sexy hot guys in the story? Yep. I’m so fucking reading it.
“Maybe next time, you might think to supply me a little warning before springing into action while I’m trying to spring into a different sort of action. Ring a bell, perhaps. Or write me a memo on penis-pink parchment paper and mail it via carrier pigeon to my overworked secretary. I would be most appreciative.
Sincerely, the mortified thirteen-year-old you’re attached to.”
Okay so these quotes are about boner, and I absolutely loved it. 😂
October 16, 2017
Τhis is the main reason I don't rate books I DNF. Up until 20% this was a 1 star read for me and I was about to give up. But I pushed through, and I'm glad I did. It was quite enjoyable.
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Read
February 18, 2023MM Romance
Best Friends To Lovers
No Rating
I’m so conflicted over this book. There was so many things I loved about this but it was just missing whatever that thing is that makes a book a standout and that disappointed me because the best book I read last year was “When I See You Again” by this author. This is one of those books that spans a number of years and because of that I just expected there to be a bit more angst. This is an enemies to best friends to enemies to friends to lovers and with all that going on, I wanted to feel more towards them as a couple. I liked their friendship and their transition to more felt natural but the parts of the book that caused me to feel emotional had nothing to do with them. It’s why it’s taken me so long to review this because parts of Stefan’s inner monologues felt like I wrote them. I could relate to some of his struggles which I’ll explain below and it’s what kept me hooked to this despite not being fully captivated by everything else. It makes me want to rate this high but there was a huge part of this book I just didn’t enjoy so I’m choosing not to rate this.
Ryan and Stefan grew up together playing baseball but never got along until age 13 when an incident happened that changed everything. They became the bestest of friends and were inseparable all through high school until senior year when they had a major falling out and went their separate ways. 8 years later they are reunited after Ryan sees Stefan at a bar drunk off his ass brawling with some guy. He steps in to help and takes him to his house to sleep it off and their friendship picks up again from there. As the two start spending time together again Stefan begins to realize Ryan was never just his friend but his everything and this book is how they go from tentative friends to lovers.
Stefan was so annoying in the beginning of this book that I almost DNF’d it because he comes across as such a cocky dickhead but thankfully underneath that bravado was a softie who lost all the things that mattered to him and he was reeling from those events. Stefan was a baseball player about to go to the majors when he tore his ACL and his career ended before it even started. Without baseball or Ryan he’s just a shell of his former self. Stefan had a lot of inner monologue about his damaged leg and how it affected him and I could relate so much to it. Reading his thoughts about his leg and about how he felt now compared to his teenage years felt like I was reading out of my own diary. (If I had one…I used to but I burnt them all in a fire years ago. Long story 😂)
This phrase alone got me in the feels because this is something I have struggled with so much. ”The more I pushed, though, the more my damaged leg pushed back. It was like trying to run with lead in my thighs. It was like having three tiny adorable nieces and nephews clinging to your legs and laughing while you tried to walk. Except you also hated them. And you sure as fuck weren’t laughing. And you wished them dead and gone.”
Then Stefan saying this sentence just sent me reeling because I felt this hard in my 20’s especially after my leg became damaged. ”Growing up is terrifying. When you’re young, you have this feeling inside of you that you’ll eventually get the chance to do and try everything in life, because life looks so infinitely long from the perspective of a kid. Then suddenly, you realize that every choice you make unchooses all the other ones. This isn’t a video game. There’s no reset button and no infinite lives. Every single decision I make is permanent, and the more I make, the slimmer my path becomes in this shrinking, dark forest we call adulthood. I also feel like I’ve passed all the forks in the road. I don’t even think I’m on the path anymore. I’m just lurking in a thicket of trees, and every direction I turn looks as dark and grim as the last.”
After what happened to my leg, my world shrank. I wished I could undo the last few choices I had made and I definitely felt like I was lurking on the outside of life unable to find the way forward. Everything felt bleak and even though things are better now I still have days where I feel this way because I’m not doing what I thought I would be at my age and it fucks with me. I don’t feel like a failure but that feeling that I had when I was younger, of being able to do anything and everything doesn’t exist within me anymore. I have no idea how to get it back or if it’s even possible to at this point. 🤷🏻♀️
What brought down this book for me was all the “bromosexual” talk which is hilarious because the title of this pulled me in. It’s clear early on that Ryan and Stefan have always been in love with each other even when they were younger. It’s one of those books where Ryan discovers he’s gay in high school because he fell in love with his best friend and Stefan has an epiphany about it later that they’ve always been way more to each other than bros. Unfortunately, Stefan doesn’t want to put a label on anything and while I understand not knowing if this makes you bi or gay or pan or what, that’s not the labels I’m talking about. Stefan had a lot of internalized homophobia even though he’s accepting of Ryan. Stefan didn’t want to hear that he could be homosexual so he’d call himself bromosexual instead. The term bromo then gets thrown around a lot and it was super annoying. They’d be hooking up but then Stefan kept saying this is just what bros do and it was hurtful to Ryan. I dont know why but the whole thing just annoyed me after awhile. But the scenes I highlighted above would be woven through this bs and it made it impossible for me to set this book down.
So, this is why I’m conflicted. Loved their friendship and the fact parts of this book just spoke to my soul but the “bromo” parts annoyed me. I also wanted this to be a tad more angsty because there was real hurt between them. I do appreciate Daryl Banner’s writing though. He doesn’t appear to have a set formula because the book I mentioned above is nothing like this. It reads completely different, isn’t in first person and the chapters take place every 5 years. I’ve sampled a lot of his books and this didn’t read like any of those either and I respect an author who can write in a bunch of different styles even if I don’t like every single one.
Best Friends To Lovers
No Rating
I’m so conflicted over this book. There was so many things I loved about this but it was just missing whatever that thing is that makes a book a standout and that disappointed me because the best book I read last year was “When I See You Again” by this author. This is one of those books that spans a number of years and because of that I just expected there to be a bit more angst. This is an enemies to best friends to enemies to friends to lovers and with all that going on, I wanted to feel more towards them as a couple. I liked their friendship and their transition to more felt natural but the parts of the book that caused me to feel emotional had nothing to do with them. It’s why it’s taken me so long to review this because parts of Stefan’s inner monologues felt like I wrote them. I could relate to some of his struggles which I’ll explain below and it’s what kept me hooked to this despite not being fully captivated by everything else. It makes me want to rate this high but there was a huge part of this book I just didn’t enjoy so I’m choosing not to rate this.
Ryan and Stefan grew up together playing baseball but never got along until age 13 when an incident happened that changed everything. They became the bestest of friends and were inseparable all through high school until senior year when they had a major falling out and went their separate ways. 8 years later they are reunited after Ryan sees Stefan at a bar drunk off his ass brawling with some guy. He steps in to help and takes him to his house to sleep it off and their friendship picks up again from there. As the two start spending time together again Stefan begins to realize Ryan was never just his friend but his everything and this book is how they go from tentative friends to lovers.
Stefan was so annoying in the beginning of this book that I almost DNF’d it because he comes across as such a cocky dickhead but thankfully underneath that bravado was a softie who lost all the things that mattered to him and he was reeling from those events. Stefan was a baseball player about to go to the majors when he tore his ACL and his career ended before it even started. Without baseball or Ryan he’s just a shell of his former self. Stefan had a lot of inner monologue about his damaged leg and how it affected him and I could relate so much to it. Reading his thoughts about his leg and about how he felt now compared to his teenage years felt like I was reading out of my own diary. (If I had one…I used to but I burnt them all in a fire years ago. Long story 😂)
This phrase alone got me in the feels because this is something I have struggled with so much. ”The more I pushed, though, the more my damaged leg pushed back. It was like trying to run with lead in my thighs. It was like having three tiny adorable nieces and nephews clinging to your legs and laughing while you tried to walk. Except you also hated them. And you sure as fuck weren’t laughing. And you wished them dead and gone.”
Then Stefan saying this sentence just sent me reeling because I felt this hard in my 20’s especially after my leg became damaged. ”Growing up is terrifying. When you’re young, you have this feeling inside of you that you’ll eventually get the chance to do and try everything in life, because life looks so infinitely long from the perspective of a kid. Then suddenly, you realize that every choice you make unchooses all the other ones. This isn’t a video game. There’s no reset button and no infinite lives. Every single decision I make is permanent, and the more I make, the slimmer my path becomes in this shrinking, dark forest we call adulthood. I also feel like I’ve passed all the forks in the road. I don’t even think I’m on the path anymore. I’m just lurking in a thicket of trees, and every direction I turn looks as dark and grim as the last.”
After what happened to my leg, my world shrank. I wished I could undo the last few choices I had made and I definitely felt like I was lurking on the outside of life unable to find the way forward. Everything felt bleak and even though things are better now I still have days where I feel this way because I’m not doing what I thought I would be at my age and it fucks with me. I don’t feel like a failure but that feeling that I had when I was younger, of being able to do anything and everything doesn’t exist within me anymore. I have no idea how to get it back or if it’s even possible to at this point. 🤷🏻♀️
What brought down this book for me was all the “bromosexual” talk which is hilarious because the title of this pulled me in. It’s clear early on that Ryan and Stefan have always been in love with each other even when they were younger. It’s one of those books where Ryan discovers he’s gay in high school because he fell in love with his best friend and Stefan has an epiphany about it later that they’ve always been way more to each other than bros. Unfortunately, Stefan doesn’t want to put a label on anything and while I understand not knowing if this makes you bi or gay or pan or what, that’s not the labels I’m talking about. Stefan had a lot of internalized homophobia even though he’s accepting of Ryan. Stefan didn’t want to hear that he could be homosexual so he’d call himself bromosexual instead. The term bromo then gets thrown around a lot and it was super annoying. They’d be hooking up but then Stefan kept saying this is just what bros do and it was hurtful to Ryan. I dont know why but the whole thing just annoyed me after awhile. But the scenes I highlighted above would be woven through this bs and it made it impossible for me to set this book down.
So, this is why I’m conflicted. Loved their friendship and the fact parts of this book just spoke to my soul but the “bromo” parts annoyed me. I also wanted this to be a tad more angsty because there was real hurt between them. I do appreciate Daryl Banner’s writing though. He doesn’t appear to have a set formula because the book I mentioned above is nothing like this. It reads completely different, isn’t in first person and the chapters take place every 5 years. I’ve sampled a lot of his books and this didn’t read like any of those either and I respect an author who can write in a bunch of different styles even if I don’t like every single one.
November 3, 2017
2.5, no le subo a tres porque esa portada y ese título me lo impiden.
Voy a intentar ser sincera sin ser dañina. A pesar de esa impronta inicial que supone el abrir un libro con dicho título y portada, afortunadamente lo de dentro no es tan malo. No hay nada memorable, en algunos momentos me he aburrido, y todavía no sé si sus protagonistas me caen bien (creo que no, no les he terminado de comprender), pero no lo he odiado y supongo que ha tenido sus puntos tiernos, ¿no? Supongo que sí. Leeré alguno más del autor, pero es buena cosa que esté en el KU...
Voy a intentar ser sincera sin ser dañina. A pesar de esa impronta inicial que supone el abrir un libro con dicho título y portada, afortunadamente lo de dentro no es tan malo. No hay nada memorable, en algunos momentos me he aburrido, y todavía no sé si sus protagonistas me caen bien (creo que no, no les he terminado de comprender), pero no lo he odiado y supongo que ha tenido sus puntos tiernos, ¿no? Supongo que sí. Leeré alguno más del autor, pero es buena cosa que esté en el KU...
October 5, 2017
BROMOSEXUAL, despite its funny title, was definitely a lot more angsty, honestly emotional and serious-minded than usual for this author, but with a healthy dose of Daryl Banner humor and sexiness. I loved these two lost boys from the start...Stefan with his cocky bravado and Ryan with his geeky sweetness and confusion. It pulled at my heartstrings while it tickled my funny bone =)
If you've read his other M/M romances you will definitely want to read this one. Bravo on another job well done!
***** 5 ***** "BRO-tastic" stars
If you've read his other M/M romances you will definitely want to read this one. Bravo on another job well done!
***** 5 ***** "BRO-tastic" stars
April 1, 2021
Cute 🥰 despite the terrible title and cover 😁
October 8, 2017
**I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
First off, let me say that I love the title and the cover of this book. Seeing it gave me the feeling that I was in for a treat. I swiped to the first page and the first word on the page had me laughing out loud: Brologue. So far, so good.
We first meet the MCs in the Brologue as 13 year old little leaguers in a locker room. A meeting which involves a catcher’s mitt, some ugly slurs, and a hard on. Of course the two become best friends--the baseball star, Stefan and the mediocre player, Ryan. But something happens between them senior year that completely severs their friendship.
Eight years later, Ryan is now a high school counselor in his old school. He rescues a very drunk and very beat up Stefan lying by the side of a dumpster and takes him home. The tension and awkwardness between them is palpable, yet we don't know to what it's due.
We hear over and over how Stefan was Ryan’s first crush. This part gets a bit repetitive. Yes, Ryan, we get it. Your straight crush is passed out on your bed. You can't stop looking at him, thinking about him. In fact, this was the only part of the novel I really had an issue with: Ryan’s seemingly endless internal diatribe about Stefan. Happily, this doesn't last past the first half and we really get to see Ryan stand up for himself.
So, how did Stefan, up and coming baseball star end up blacked out and passed out in an alley? Well, our boy had some problems making it to the MBL due to an injury. Now he's home, directionless and drowning his sorrows in alcohol, and working out his anger by fighting.
One thing leads to another and Stefan ends up living in Ryan’s spare room-and this is where the story picks up. The author contrasts their present lives with flashbacks of their earlier friendship. This really works for me--I'm a big fan of flashbacks converging with present life, waiting for the big reveal when all secrets are revealed. In this case what broke up the two best friends and cause this strained animosity they hold for each other. Once revealed, the cause for their bro breakup seems rather minor. I was expecting something big.
What I really enjoyed about this book aside from the flashbacks, was Banner’s treatment of sexuality in regards to both men. Ryan is gay, Stefan is straight. Yet Ryan never realized this until his senior year, didn't connect his strong friendship with Stefan with anything sexual. Stefan is attracted to the friendship, the bond he has with Ryan, but has never thought that it could be more. Until now. There are interesting discussions about labels in here, and while they can get a little preachy at times, it was fairly well executed.
Gay, bi, pan, demi, or bromosexual aside, these two bros are hot together once the dam of tension breaks. They simply get each other and this works for them not only in the bedroom, kitchen, or tree (yes, tree), but life as well.
So, in essence, this was a fantastic story focusing on the strength that time and friendship brings to a relationship, and another reminder that people are who they are label or no. It was funny and rather well written. I truly enjoyed reading it and am now wondering if there is a sequel in the works involving Stefan's little brother.
First off, let me say that I love the title and the cover of this book. Seeing it gave me the feeling that I was in for a treat. I swiped to the first page and the first word on the page had me laughing out loud: Brologue. So far, so good.
We first meet the MCs in the Brologue as 13 year old little leaguers in a locker room. A meeting which involves a catcher’s mitt, some ugly slurs, and a hard on. Of course the two become best friends--the baseball star, Stefan and the mediocre player, Ryan. But something happens between them senior year that completely severs their friendship.
Eight years later, Ryan is now a high school counselor in his old school. He rescues a very drunk and very beat up Stefan lying by the side of a dumpster and takes him home. The tension and awkwardness between them is palpable, yet we don't know to what it's due.
We hear over and over how Stefan was Ryan’s first crush. This part gets a bit repetitive. Yes, Ryan, we get it. Your straight crush is passed out on your bed. You can't stop looking at him, thinking about him. In fact, this was the only part of the novel I really had an issue with: Ryan’s seemingly endless internal diatribe about Stefan. Happily, this doesn't last past the first half and we really get to see Ryan stand up for himself.
So, how did Stefan, up and coming baseball star end up blacked out and passed out in an alley? Well, our boy had some problems making it to the MBL due to an injury. Now he's home, directionless and drowning his sorrows in alcohol, and working out his anger by fighting.
One thing leads to another and Stefan ends up living in Ryan’s spare room-and this is where the story picks up. The author contrasts their present lives with flashbacks of their earlier friendship. This really works for me--I'm a big fan of flashbacks converging with present life, waiting for the big reveal when all secrets are revealed. In this case what broke up the two best friends and cause this strained animosity they hold for each other. Once revealed, the cause for their bro breakup seems rather minor. I was expecting something big.
What I really enjoyed about this book aside from the flashbacks, was Banner’s treatment of sexuality in regards to both men. Ryan is gay, Stefan is straight. Yet Ryan never realized this until his senior year, didn't connect his strong friendship with Stefan with anything sexual. Stefan is attracted to the friendship, the bond he has with Ryan, but has never thought that it could be more. Until now. There are interesting discussions about labels in here, and while they can get a little preachy at times, it was fairly well executed.
Gay, bi, pan, demi, or bromosexual aside, these two bros are hot together once the dam of tension breaks. They simply get each other and this works for them not only in the bedroom, kitchen, or tree (yes, tree), but life as well.
So, in essence, this was a fantastic story focusing on the strength that time and friendship brings to a relationship, and another reminder that people are who they are label or no. It was funny and rather well written. I truly enjoyed reading it and am now wondering if there is a sequel in the works involving Stefan's little brother.
October 23, 2017
Hmmm. Vacillating between being honest, and being... accurate but diplomatic. (Edited to add: my Id and superego are still battling this one out).
Diplomatic Bit:
So. Banner is a very fluid engaging writer. The problem is that I got sucked into reading more of this book than I normally would, which always leaves me exceptionally pissed off. at myself, for continuing to read it, as much as at the book, which I hated to start with, and kept hating more as I continued on with it. I did finally DNF it, and had a bit of a look at the final scenes, which I deeply hated as much as the initial scenes.
Banner is a skilled writer and this is a reasonably written book. This is not basic amateur hour garbage.
Okay. Honest bit:
oh my fucking god, I so fucking hated this book. I hated everyone. I hated everything about the whole thing except one element. Which was funny.
Also, he bungs in chunks of his other books at the end of this book. I so fucking hate that shit. It’s like chucking in steak knives - my crap antenna shoots right up.
So - beware of this book - I ended up a flaming beetroot of rage.
I dare say I will come back and edit the honest bits somewhat - but can’t quite do it yet. Nope. Id still flying around.
Diplomatic Bit:
So. Banner is a very fluid engaging writer. The problem is that I got sucked into reading more of this book than I normally would, which always leaves me exceptionally pissed off. at myself, for continuing to read it, as much as at the book, which I hated to start with, and kept hating more as I continued on with it. I did finally DNF it, and had a bit of a look at the final scenes, which I deeply hated as much as the initial scenes.
Banner is a skilled writer and this is a reasonably written book. This is not basic amateur hour garbage.
Okay. Honest bit:
oh my fucking god, I so fucking hated this book. I hated everyone. I hated everything about the whole thing except one element. Which was funny.
Also, he bungs in chunks of his other books at the end of this book. I so fucking hate that shit. It’s like chucking in steak knives - my crap antenna shoots right up.
So - beware of this book - I ended up a flaming beetroot of rage.
I dare say I will come back and edit the honest bits somewhat - but can’t quite do it yet. Nope. Id still flying around.
Want to read
February 13, 2023What the f is going on with that cover?? 😅
November 17, 2017
So I sometimes go to a book's page to see what others thought of a book before I write my review. When I saw the average and top reviews I was pretty surprised!
I loved this book! HOWEVER you have to be cool with an MC who is completely full of himself. I rolled my eyes a few times but it just fit his character so well.
This was different from a lot of mm romances that I've read. First off I loved the banter between the two. The connection they had even from the get go as kids was just there!
You have Ryan who is gay and Stefan who is straight but not and doesn't identify as any label. He doesn't know what he is hence the title of the book. I loved the trust, even after years of not speaking, these two had for each other.
I don't really care for the cover so ignored it. The guy on the cover just didn't fit the image I had of Stefan at all.
5 funny, flirty, sexy stars!
*edit update* this book comes with 2 bonus novellas. I didn't read the 2nd one and only made it to the description of the 2nd mc on the first story before I put it down. So recommendation doesn't apply to the novellas that follow. Happy reading!
I loved this book! HOWEVER you have to be cool with an MC who is completely full of himself. I rolled my eyes a few times but it just fit his character so well.
This was different from a lot of mm romances that I've read. First off I loved the banter between the two. The connection they had even from the get go as kids was just there!
You have Ryan who is gay and Stefan who is straight but not and doesn't identify as any label. He doesn't know what he is hence the title of the book. I loved the trust, even after years of not speaking, these two had for each other.
I don't really care for the cover so ignored it. The guy on the cover just didn't fit the image I had of Stefan at all.
5 funny, flirty, sexy stars!
*edit update* this book comes with 2 bonus novellas. I didn't read the 2nd one and only made it to the description of the 2nd mc on the first story before I put it down. So recommendation doesn't apply to the novellas that follow. Happy reading!
October 23, 2017
All the "bro" talk didn't work for me. It actually grated on my last nerve. The last 10% is the only part I enjoyed. I think this author's writing style just doesn't agree with me. I didn't like the other book I read by him. I'm sure it works for many people, but it's just not for me.
November 8, 2017
This really didn't work for me! I skimmed pretty much every page after the first two chapters. Ryan was so clingy and desperate and Stefan was an actual douchebag who said Bro way too much. I don't think I'll be reading anything from this author again.
October 12, 2017
great chemistry between the characters, a very well balanced story. no disappointment at all. Thanks Daryl.
October 9, 2017
Daryl Banner never fails to deliver a story that is sexy as hell, at times sweet, and usually hilarious. Bromosexual is another great read with the steam, humor, and romance I've come to expect from him. Stefan is a cocky ex-baseball player who knows how hot he is but maybe deep down isn't quite as arrogant as he comes off. Ryan is a new counselor at their old high school and seems like he has it together, but he is not really happy either. These two are fantastic MCs who used to be best friends, and I really enjoyed the flashbacks scattered throughout the book showing both the beginning and end of their friendship back in school. Friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers are two of my absolute favorite tropes, and Bromosexual is a great mix of the two. Stefan and Ryan have intense chemistry from the start - seriously, book is hot as hell. Daryl Banner has quickly become an auto-buy author for me, and this is a standalone story that you don't want to miss!
July 9, 2019
Ryan and Stefan are opposites in many ways and we know about opposites...They were at school together and were regarded as brothers - hence the title.
Sweet! A fun read and just what I needed after Caleb Williams! 4*
Sweet! A fun read and just what I needed after Caleb Williams! 4*
October 30, 2017
4.5 stars
Part friends to lovers, part second chance romance with a really, really good slow burn. This was a fun read.
Part friends to lovers, part second chance romance with a really, really good slow burn. This was a fun read.
October 12, 2017
Daryl gives us a enemies to lovers or is it best friends to lovers story. It is hard to tell because Daryl gives us both and a story that will make you laugh at some of the antics from Ryan and Stefan.
They were both in middle school playing baseball. Ryan was jealous Stefan's ability to play ball so one day when they were bickering back and forth, Ryan called him a name and Stefan went after him and then something embarrassing happened.
Now after he is made to go to Stefan's house to apologize for what he said they both forgive each other and become best friends. As Ryan and Stefan hang out together, Ryan knows he has a crush on his friend but at that age he is not sure what it means at first. They have a fight in high school and go their separate ways. Ryan became a guidance counselor which was his dream job and Stefan goes on to play baseball. When Stefan gets hurt and cant play baseball anymore he comes home to lick his wounds. Ryan sees Stefan drunk at a bar getting into a fight and jumps at the chance to help him. They reconnect and start their friendship again.
The banter going on in Ryan's head throughout the story is so detailed and funny. He doesn't realize he is gay at first but as time goes on he owns it and moved on with his life.
Stefan was the big boy on campus until he got hurt now he doesn't know what to do with himself. He is lost and I think he really needs Ryan to help him see that he is more than baseball.
Stefan moves in with Ryan and you can tell they both have feelings for each other. Stefan is confused about how is feeling about Ryan but that doesn't stop him from experimenting. The chemistry is there but Stefan doesn't know if he is gay or bi or straight. Ryan is confused but vows to help Stefan figure it out.
I felt that these guys brought out the best in each other. Stefan is so cocky and it good to see him knocked down a peg but at one point he was so low you didn't know if he was going to come out of it.
They went from enemies to best friends to lovers and I really enjoyed the journey they took to get there. Received an arc for a review.
They were both in middle school playing baseball. Ryan was jealous Stefan's ability to play ball so one day when they were bickering back and forth, Ryan called him a name and Stefan went after him and then something embarrassing happened.
Now after he is made to go to Stefan's house to apologize for what he said they both forgive each other and become best friends. As Ryan and Stefan hang out together, Ryan knows he has a crush on his friend but at that age he is not sure what it means at first. They have a fight in high school and go their separate ways. Ryan became a guidance counselor which was his dream job and Stefan goes on to play baseball. When Stefan gets hurt and cant play baseball anymore he comes home to lick his wounds. Ryan sees Stefan drunk at a bar getting into a fight and jumps at the chance to help him. They reconnect and start their friendship again.
The banter going on in Ryan's head throughout the story is so detailed and funny. He doesn't realize he is gay at first but as time goes on he owns it and moved on with his life.
Stefan was the big boy on campus until he got hurt now he doesn't know what to do with himself. He is lost and I think he really needs Ryan to help him see that he is more than baseball.
Stefan moves in with Ryan and you can tell they both have feelings for each other. Stefan is confused about how is feeling about Ryan but that doesn't stop him from experimenting. The chemistry is there but Stefan doesn't know if he is gay or bi or straight. Ryan is confused but vows to help Stefan figure it out.
I felt that these guys brought out the best in each other. Stefan is so cocky and it good to see him knocked down a peg but at one point he was so low you didn't know if he was going to come out of it.
They went from enemies to best friends to lovers and I really enjoyed the journey they took to get there. Received an arc for a review.
December 27, 2019
Pretty good.
October 27, 2017
Please note, this book in kindle format ends at 52%. Several other books are added (KU, page count trend at its worst)
This book was OK but it skipped too many important steps in the relationship, IMO. We see Stefan come to terms with his feelings but we don't really see the guys come to terms with their relationship in the broader world. We don't see Ryan with his family ever, even though as far as I can tell they are still all in the same small town. Stefan is all "no butt stuff" but clearly it becomes a part of their relationship, but when? How? I think we only see Stefan actually touch Ryan once to completion in a sexual way in a tree of all places. Mostly, it's Ryan touching Stefan and then touching himself. There was just too much missing.
A small part of the problem is the page count/percentage issue. I'm reading along, thinking, wow, this is great, I've got so much more of this book and their relationship to see and then at like 48%, they are at a 4 year epilogue...what? Just too much is skipped and then too much is told, and not enough is actually doing.
This book was OK but it skipped too many important steps in the relationship, IMO. We see Stefan come to terms with his feelings but we don't really see the guys come to terms with their relationship in the broader world. We don't see Ryan with his family ever, even though as far as I can tell they are still all in the same small town. Stefan is all "no butt stuff" but clearly it becomes a part of their relationship, but when? How? I think we only see Stefan actually touch Ryan once to completion in a sexual way in a tree of all places. Mostly, it's Ryan touching Stefan and then touching himself. There was just too much missing.
A small part of the problem is the page count/percentage issue. I'm reading along, thinking, wow, this is great, I've got so much more of this book and their relationship to see and then at like 48%, they are at a 4 year epilogue...what? Just too much is skipped and then too much is told, and not enough is actually doing.
Read
November 2, 2017I really enjoyed this book. Low angst, sweet, funny. It made me happy. I would definitely recommend it and reread it.
November 6, 2017
Das ursprüngliche Zuhause dieser Rezension ist der WortWelten-Blog:
http://wort-welten.blogspot.de/
Zusammenfassung:
Acht Jahre sind vergangen, seit Stefan und Ryan sich zuletzt gesehen haben. Und sie sind nicht im Guten auseinander gegangen. Seit sie mit vierzehn Jahren beste Freunde wurden, ist viel passiert. Ryan ist inzwischen Schulpsychiologe und Stefan - nun, den findet Ryan eines Abends bei den Mülleimern einer Bar, volltrunken und verprügelt. So tritt Stefan wieder in Ryans Leben. Und letzten Endes hat sich in acht Jahren doch gar nichts verändert - auch trotz des Streits, in dem sie damals in der High School auseinander gingen. Stefan ist nach wie vor Ryans große Liebe. Doch Stefan ist nach wie vor hetero - und hat zudem gerade seine Baseballkarriere aufgeben müssen. Nicht unbedingt eine perfekte Ausgangssituation ...
Fazit:
Zu Beginn habe ich mich ja schon gefragt, wie zum Geier daraus noch eine Romanze werden soll. Stefan und Ryan hatten ja mal so was von keine Chemie und auch kein sonstwas. Da war nur Ryan, der total creepy auf Stefan stand - und ich meine, hey, das war ECHT creepy. Aber dann kam ein Kommentar eines alten Baseball-Kumpels von Stefan und alles verlief endlich in den richtigen Bahnen. Vielleicht ein bisschen plötzlich, aber doch ganz okay. Und dann hat Mr. Banner richtig losgelegt. Ich hab mir einen gegluckst und habe die Geschichte buchstäblich verschlungen. Weshalb ich dann auch zu meiner, wenn auch sehr knapp ausfallenden, Bewertung komme ...
http://wort-welten.blogspot.de/
Zusammenfassung:
Acht Jahre sind vergangen, seit Stefan und Ryan sich zuletzt gesehen haben. Und sie sind nicht im Guten auseinander gegangen. Seit sie mit vierzehn Jahren beste Freunde wurden, ist viel passiert. Ryan ist inzwischen Schulpsychiologe und Stefan - nun, den findet Ryan eines Abends bei den Mülleimern einer Bar, volltrunken und verprügelt. So tritt Stefan wieder in Ryans Leben. Und letzten Endes hat sich in acht Jahren doch gar nichts verändert - auch trotz des Streits, in dem sie damals in der High School auseinander gingen. Stefan ist nach wie vor Ryans große Liebe. Doch Stefan ist nach wie vor hetero - und hat zudem gerade seine Baseballkarriere aufgeben müssen. Nicht unbedingt eine perfekte Ausgangssituation ...
Fazit:
Zu Beginn habe ich mich ja schon gefragt, wie zum Geier daraus noch eine Romanze werden soll. Stefan und Ryan hatten ja mal so was von keine Chemie und auch kein sonstwas. Da war nur Ryan, der total creepy auf Stefan stand - und ich meine, hey, das war ECHT creepy. Aber dann kam ein Kommentar eines alten Baseball-Kumpels von Stefan und alles verlief endlich in den richtigen Bahnen. Vielleicht ein bisschen plötzlich, aber doch ganz okay. Und dann hat Mr. Banner richtig losgelegt. Ich hab mir einen gegluckst und habe die Geschichte buchstäblich verschlungen. Weshalb ich dann auch zu meiner, wenn auch sehr knapp ausfallenden, Bewertung komme ...
October 13, 2017
Despite its cheesy title, I surprisingly liked this more than I expected.
Stephan and Ryan were best friends all through high school until the day they weren't.
8 years later, Ryan rescues a drunken Stephan from behind a bar, and he ends up moving in to Ryan's house, until he can get back on his feet. The guys end up repairing their relationship, and along the way, fool around and fall in love, and realize they may have loved each other back in school. Ryan is out, but Stephan is just figuring himself out. He likes girls, but he's attracted to his friend too, and that's where the title comes into play.
This is the right combination of sweet and sexy, with a dash of angst.
Stephan and Ryan were best friends all through high school until the day they weren't.
8 years later, Ryan rescues a drunken Stephan from behind a bar, and he ends up moving in to Ryan's house, until he can get back on his feet. The guys end up repairing their relationship, and along the way, fool around and fall in love, and realize they may have loved each other back in school. Ryan is out, but Stephan is just figuring himself out. He likes girls, but he's attracted to his friend too, and that's where the title comes into play.
This is the right combination of sweet and sexy, with a dash of angst.
June 9, 2024
4⭐
So I bought this with a dollar back in 2017 and forgot about it. Now I picked it up and well, it was good. Surprisingly so. I don't really like jock stories but Stefan is not your average jock bully, he had a real heartfelt friendship with Ryan and didn't ditch him to be with cool kids and such. He only "bullies" in the bedroom. 😉 He also doesn't string Ryan along. There are the moments of denial but it's not dragged out and overall the novel is relatively angst free.
The writing was emotional, funny and sexy. I like sexual awakening stories but nothing else here was anything that I'm really looking for in my books, yet I was hooked. Stayed up all night. I didn't yet read the extra novellas that came with the book, but I will.
So I bought this with a dollar back in 2017 and forgot about it. Now I picked it up and well, it was good. Surprisingly so. I don't really like jock stories but Stefan is not your average jock bully, he had a real heartfelt friendship with Ryan and didn't ditch him to be with cool kids and such. He only "bullies" in the bedroom. 😉 He also doesn't string Ryan along. There are the moments of denial but it's not dragged out and overall the novel is relatively angst free.
The writing was emotional, funny and sexy. I like sexual awakening stories but nothing else here was anything that I'm really looking for in my books, yet I was hooked. Stayed up all night. I didn't yet read the extra novellas that came with the book, but I will.
August 3, 2020
3.60 ⭐
July 29, 2023
DNF 68%
Nobody ever needs to explain themselves when they don't want sex or don't want to participate in a specific sexual activity. No means no.
When Ryan tries to wheedle Stefan into consenting to something after Stefan verbally expressed he did not want this, that's a red flag bigger than Stefan's dick. And if, after much discussion, consent still isn't given and Ryan continues what he was doing anyway, the red flag becomes the size of Stefan's ego.
Nobody ever needs to explain themselves when they don't want sex or don't want to participate in a specific sexual activity. No means no.
"Nope, no," I sputter right away, tightening up and coming out of the trance he's got me in.
"What?"
"No butt stuff."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Dude, I had my tongue up there just the other night and you had no problem then."
"Tongue's one thing. Fingers and dicks and dildos is another."
When Ryan tries to wheedle Stefan into consenting to something after Stefan verbally expressed he did not want this, that's a red flag bigger than Stefan's dick. And if, after much discussion, consent still isn't given and Ryan continues what he was doing anyway, the red flag becomes the size of Stefan's ego.
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