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Burn Me
When Daniel Macallan’s rock star brother Matt needs an intervention for his drinking problem, one of the first people to show up is Matt’s best friend and Daniel’s very first crush, tattooed rock god Rocco Ponti. Six months sober following a brush with death, Rocco knows a thing or two about the painful process of giving up drugs and alcohol, including one of the biggest rules – no relationships in the first year of recovery.
Thrown together again in their attempt to help Matt stay sober, Daniel and Rocco find themselves drawn closer and closer to one another, despite knowing that Rocco is damaged, dangerous, and that falling in love with him is like playing with fire.
Can they compromise and find their way, or will Rocco’s vulnerability send everything they’ve fought for up in smoke?
This book contains dark themes (addiction, depression, suicide) that some readers may find distressing.
Thrown together again in their attempt to help Matt stay sober, Daniel and Rocco find themselves drawn closer and closer to one another, despite knowing that Rocco is damaged, dangerous, and that falling in love with him is like playing with fire.
Can they compromise and find their way, or will Rocco’s vulnerability send everything they’ve fought for up in smoke?
This book contains dark themes (addiction, depression, suicide) that some readers may find distressing.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2018
34 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Jess Whitecroft
24 books130 followersJess Whitecroft was born and educated in the UK, where she was once voted 'Most Likely To Think That Writing A Romantic Comedy About Bigfoot Is A Good Idea'.
After serving an apprenticeship with the late, great Black Lace books, and after many genres and many pseudonyms, she returned to romance, with a fondness for telling unconventional stories about unconventional lovers.
After serving an apprenticeship with the late, great Black Lace books, and after many genres and many pseudonyms, she returned to romance, with a fondness for telling unconventional stories about unconventional lovers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 23, 2018
This book and I had a fucking tussle initially. But this author.... JW always hits on something personal. And her characters? They wrestle me to the ground and make me surrender to them.
The most underrated writer in the genre.
Blog review...
The most underrated writer in the genre.
Blog review...
probably-not-but-freebie
January 22, 2019Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Burn-Me-Jess...
May 28, 2018
Disclaimer: I may be biased seeing as rock stars are my favorite type of character, but this book has to be at the top of the list of best reads for me this year.
So, this is going to be the most personal review I've written. Reading the blurb and content warning about dark themes should have made me run away from this book given that I started it while in the middle of a depressive episode and while coping with an unrequited crush. Sounds like a recipe for disaster of the mental health variety, right? Well, I don't consider myself a masochist for nothing.
Imagine as an adolescent, you have a massive crush on someone who is unattainable for various reasons and years later, you still can't get them out of your head. Then, one day, your feelings are inexplicably reciprocated and everything you imagined, daydreamed, fantasized about becomes reality. But the reality is a thousand times more fantastic than what you ever conjured up in your mind.
Add to the thrill of attaining what you most desire the complication of mental illness, drug addiction, and alcoholism, and you have yourself a perfectly angsty love story.
There is so much I can say about this story that I loved. It's hot and filthy. Funny and real. Raw and heavy. Simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming.
The author throws in several music references--classical and rock'n'roll--that appealed to my music-loving heart. (I may have squealed at the Blur reference .) And the history and science lessons interspersed throughout were educational without being boring or taking away from the romance.
This is going to be one I reread many, many times. And if I end up sleeping with it under my pillow with a smile on my face and tear tracks on my cheeks, who will know? ;)
So, this is going to be the most personal review I've written. Reading the blurb and content warning about dark themes should have made me run away from this book given that I started it while in the middle of a depressive episode and while coping with an unrequited crush. Sounds like a recipe for disaster of the mental health variety, right? Well, I don't consider myself a masochist for nothing.
Imagine as an adolescent, you have a massive crush on someone who is unattainable for various reasons and years later, you still can't get them out of your head. Then, one day, your feelings are inexplicably reciprocated and everything you imagined, daydreamed, fantasized about becomes reality. But the reality is a thousand times more fantastic than what you ever conjured up in your mind.
Add to the thrill of attaining what you most desire the complication of mental illness, drug addiction, and alcoholism, and you have yourself a perfectly angsty love story.
There is so much I can say about this story that I loved. It's hot and filthy. Funny and real. Raw and heavy. Simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming.
The author throws in several music references--classical and rock'n'roll--that appealed to my music-loving heart. (I may have squealed at the Blur reference .) And the history and science lessons interspersed throughout were educational without being boring or taking away from the romance.
This is going to be one I reread many, many times. And if I end up sleeping with it under my pillow with a smile on my face and tear tracks on my cheeks, who will know? ;)
December 16, 2023
Brothers. Addiction.
Why's everybody a rock star?
Hard-won HEA.
Reread, definitely down to 3.5 stars. Mostly they fuck and say I love you.
Why's everybody a rock star?
Hard-won HEA.
Reread, definitely down to 3.5 stars. Mostly they fuck and say I love you.
February 4, 2018
This is definitely darker than what I usually read. There is a strong theme of addiction running through it, with Rocco a recovering drug addict and Matt an alcoholic that needs recovery. They are rocks stars who were thrust into serious fame and fortune young, really too young to be able to handle it. Daniel is Matt’s little brother and he desperately wants his brother to not just stay alive, but be healthy and happy. Coming together with Rocco, they try to get Matt to heal.
The aspects of depression and suicidal ideation and attempts were realistic, as was the guilt felt by those who aren’t able to do anything. Those with addictions often need to hit rock bottom before they can start climbing back up and the fear is that when they crash at the bottom that is where they will stay. It’s a frightening feeling for those who love an addict.
When you factor in that Daniel has crushed on Rocco since he was a teen and now they are growing close – with Rocco always one hit away from being a recurring drug abuser – and it’s a slippery slope. They are now navigating a new relationship (maybe) while keeping Matt as safe as they can. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do but they try. The author doesn’t sanitize things when it comes to addiction and depression and I appreciated that. No magic wand, no “just my love will cure you” because that’s not real. You can only heal yourself. Matt and Rocco both definitely have support but the down and dirty, make it better and live part is done by just Matt for Matt and Rocco for Rocco. So tough.
I have to say – the conversation between Matt and Rocco outside the center was so heart tugging. Realizing what you’ve had may not be what’s good for you – or even what you want – is a hard realization. “It damages you, doesn’t it….Seeing yourself reflected in other people’s eyes all the time.” That is so true. Just look at all the child stars who end up addicted or dead. I am pulling for all these guys to make it to the other side, safe, loved and happy.
The aspects of depression and suicidal ideation and attempts were realistic, as was the guilt felt by those who aren’t able to do anything. Those with addictions often need to hit rock bottom before they can start climbing back up and the fear is that when they crash at the bottom that is where they will stay. It’s a frightening feeling for those who love an addict.
When you factor in that Daniel has crushed on Rocco since he was a teen and now they are growing close – with Rocco always one hit away from being a recurring drug abuser – and it’s a slippery slope. They are now navigating a new relationship (maybe) while keeping Matt as safe as they can. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do but they try. The author doesn’t sanitize things when it comes to addiction and depression and I appreciated that. No magic wand, no “just my love will cure you” because that’s not real. You can only heal yourself. Matt and Rocco both definitely have support but the down and dirty, make it better and live part is done by just Matt for Matt and Rocco for Rocco. So tough.
I have to say – the conversation between Matt and Rocco outside the center was so heart tugging. Realizing what you’ve had may not be what’s good for you – or even what you want – is a hard realization. “It damages you, doesn’t it….Seeing yourself reflected in other people’s eyes all the time.” That is so true. Just look at all the child stars who end up addicted or dead. I am pulling for all these guys to make it to the other side, safe, loved and happy.
October 27, 2019
Wow my thoughts are all over the place about this book. I was really liking the first 40% or so. The story was good, the chemistry was hot. I mean HOT. And then...things took a turn and never fully recovered for me. First things got cheesy. Then, everything got super melodramatic and angst filled. Then things got good again. And then not. Then ok by the end but still a little cheesy.
I’m a big fan of rockstar romances. This wasn’t really one of those. More a hurt/comfort story centered around addiction. And I’m usually into those too. I can’t read them all the time because a) I don’t want to read dark things all the time and b) I’ve struggled with it and had family struggle with it so I don’t want to read it too frequently. But I like them when they are done right. I pace myself with them. I’m aware that everyone goes through recovery in different ways. But something here didn’t gel all the way for me although, I admit, I can be particular about addiction and recovery books.
It wasn’t just the addiction aspect that didn’t totally work for me. I struggled with the romance part. Besides their initial chemistry and hotness when meeting up after so many years, I never got fully on board with Daniel and Rocco as a couple. Even with everything that happened, I wasn’t sold all the way.
This is NOT an all negative review, despite my ramblings above. I’m giving it three stars because I did really like the first part of the book and even the last part, I didn’t hate. I don’t regret reading it. Three stars for me means I liked it but didn’t love it or liked it but had issues with it. I will say I enjoyed it more than the other book I read by this author. I own another book by her and I’ll check it out eventually. Maybe we just aren’t a good fit. Also, take all of this with a grain of salt. My review is definitely an outlier.
I’m a big fan of rockstar romances. This wasn’t really one of those. More a hurt/comfort story centered around addiction. And I’m usually into those too. I can’t read them all the time because a) I don’t want to read dark things all the time and b) I’ve struggled with it and had family struggle with it so I don’t want to read it too frequently. But I like them when they are done right. I pace myself with them. I’m aware that everyone goes through recovery in different ways. But something here didn’t gel all the way for me although, I admit, I can be particular about addiction and recovery books.
It wasn’t just the addiction aspect that didn’t totally work for me. I struggled with the romance part. Besides their initial chemistry and hotness when meeting up after so many years, I never got fully on board with Daniel and Rocco as a couple. Even with everything that happened, I wasn’t sold all the way.
This is NOT an all negative review, despite my ramblings above. I’m giving it three stars because I did really like the first part of the book and even the last part, I didn’t hate. I don’t regret reading it. Three stars for me means I liked it but didn’t love it or liked it but had issues with it. I will say I enjoyed it more than the other book I read by this author. I own another book by her and I’ll check it out eventually. Maybe we just aren’t a good fit. Also, take all of this with a grain of salt. My review is definitely an outlier.
April 29, 2018
I just loved this book. There are so many things to love about this story.
-Daniel
-Rocco
-The talking
-The feels
-The highs and the lows
-The caring between the MCs
-The perfectly imperfect family members
-And let’s not forget the smex. Woof!
It’s amazing that in a book that’s about a rock star and podcaster that the podcaster is the shining sun that you can’t keep your eyes from.
-Daniel
-Rocco
-The talking
-The feels
-The highs and the lows
-The caring between the MCs
-The perfectly imperfect family members
-And let’s not forget the smex. Woof!
It’s amazing that in a book that’s about a rock star and podcaster that the podcaster is the shining sun that you can’t keep your eyes from.
October 15, 2018
Un claro ejemplo de que el amor no es la píldora maravillosa que a veces nos quieren hacer creer en los libros, que todo lo cura.
Un personaje roto y otro que quiere aydarlo a recomponerse pero que sabe que va a costar mucho.
Me gustó mucho, le pondría 5 estrellas si no fuera que el 25% final deja de ser tan realista como el resto y lo edulcora un poco para ir conduciendolo hacia el HEA, pero esta parte fianl me gustó porque no lo agiliza de más, sigue siendo una evolución natural como el resto de la historia
Un personaje roto y otro que quiere aydarlo a recomponerse pero que sabe que va a costar mucho.
Me gustó mucho, le pondría 5 estrellas si no fuera que el 25% final deja de ser tan realista como el resto y lo edulcora un poco para ir conduciendolo hacia el HEA, pero esta parte fianl me gustó porque no lo agiliza de más, sigue siendo una evolución natural como el resto de la historia
Want to Read
January 31, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/31/2018)! 💝
February 2, 2018
Good book
Thank you! Not many authors write in detail about addiction. I could relate to most of this book. Being duel addicted and clean and sober for over 40 years, this author dealt with the honest side. Not so pretty, it's harsh and brutal. Most details were spot on. The ones I disagreed with are purely personal opinion. I would really like a follow up book about these characters.
Thank you! Not many authors write in detail about addiction. I could relate to most of this book. Being duel addicted and clean and sober for over 40 years, this author dealt with the honest side. Not so pretty, it's harsh and brutal. Most details were spot on. The ones I disagreed with are purely personal opinion. I would really like a follow up book about these characters.
March 23, 2018
So. Many. Feels.
I adore this book! Jess Whitecroft has the ability to write laugh out loud funny but she also nails emotional and poetic too.
I adore this book! Jess Whitecroft has the ability to write laugh out loud funny but she also nails emotional and poetic too.
July 14, 2019
Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride!
Jess Whitecroft is a wordsmith and in this book she's at the top of her game. The characters are so vivid you may find yourself thinking about Googling them. The story is layered without being too complex, and the sex is blistering hot and devastatingly tender. Gave me a lovely book hangover!
Jess Whitecroft is a wordsmith and in this book she's at the top of her game. The characters are so vivid you may find yourself thinking about Googling them. The story is layered without being too complex, and the sex is blistering hot and devastatingly tender. Gave me a lovely book hangover!
Want to Read
January 23, 20191/23/19 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
September 1, 2018
Co za jazda!!!!
July 19, 2018
This book was very good in all manners of speaking. The two main characters were such a wonderful couple. They were a touch lighter than all the damages m/m characters I've been reading lately. I loved how the relationship progressed and grew. This book was a first for me by this author and I hope to read more from her.
February 15, 2021
4.9
I love this book so much. This relationship felt fated to be from the start.
Rocco and Daniel’s chemistry is off the charts; this is definitely a steamy read.
The characters are SO well fleshed out and absolutely lovable. This books deals with hard issues of addiction and depression, but I always felt safe in their relationship, even when the ship rocked.
Their story is exciting, and deeply sad, and passionate, and funny, and, above all, loving.
The ending is absolutely perfect; this book has one of my favorite epilogues of all time.
It’s so perfectly thought out and well written that you can just tell, regardless of what you may see or not see in that last morsel of their story, that their love is enduring and will never stop growing and thriving.
It makes me believe in love; I get misty with the overwhelming affection I have for Rocco and Daniel’s characters every time I read this book.
Also, how fun and interesting were those podcasts that Daniel made?
Every time we got more of a snippet from the stories he was telling, I just became more invested in this book. What a great subplot to weave through and shed more insight onto certain aspects of the relationship at just the right times.
5.0 4th read:
This book just gets better each time. I’m always in awe of the writing and the fact that someone could create characters and a love story that just makes me ache and makes me feel at peace at the same time.
But I’m left with so many questions!!
Why does this book have so few reads?
And
Where is the audiobook for this book so I can have this precious story in my ears at all times?
I love this book so much. This relationship felt fated to be from the start.
Rocco and Daniel’s chemistry is off the charts; this is definitely a steamy read.
The characters are SO well fleshed out and absolutely lovable. This books deals with hard issues of addiction and depression, but I always felt safe in their relationship, even when the ship rocked.
Their story is exciting, and deeply sad, and passionate, and funny, and, above all, loving.
The ending is absolutely perfect; this book has one of my favorite epilogues of all time.
It’s so perfectly thought out and well written that you can just tell, regardless of what you may see or not see in that last morsel of their story, that their love is enduring and will never stop growing and thriving.
It makes me believe in love; I get misty with the overwhelming affection I have for Rocco and Daniel’s characters every time I read this book.
Also, how fun and interesting were those podcasts that Daniel made?
Every time we got more of a snippet from the stories he was telling, I just became more invested in this book. What a great subplot to weave through and shed more insight onto certain aspects of the relationship at just the right times.
5.0 4th read:
This book just gets better each time. I’m always in awe of the writing and the fact that someone could create characters and a love story that just makes me ache and makes me feel at peace at the same time.
But I’m left with so many questions!!
Why does this book have so few reads?
And
Where is the audiobook for this book so I can have this precious story in my ears at all times?
February 17, 2018
4.5/5
I was pumped to pick this up while it was free on Amazon. It always strikes me how what you pay for something so rarely translates into how much you will value it.
I enjoyed the crap out of this book. It was a great storyline with wonderfully complex and interesting characters. It felt both real and surreal, reality and fantasy, all at the same time.
It is true that there are some harsh realities in this book, with self-harm, depression, suicide, and addiction playing major parts. As someone who has dealt both personally and professionally with both addiction and suicide, I can say the author handled them in truth. This is how it is. I liked that. Not everyone will.
This isn’t to say the book is all sadness and drama because it isn’t. There are funny lines and amusing situations, but it is mostly filled with romantic sweetness. This is a love story. Much more than I’d expected going into it. It’s a meeting of souls and rooting for them that they can make the impossible happen.
My only real qualm was the non-editing. There are typos here. My word-fiends may need to consider how much the odd typo will drive you mad. If this ever gets re-published with a small clean-up, it would be a perfect 5/5.
I needed this hope. I wanted them to win. I rooted the whole way through. For this who are comfortable with darker themes and want a good bit of sizzle with their gooshy, this book is for you.
I was pumped to pick this up while it was free on Amazon. It always strikes me how what you pay for something so rarely translates into how much you will value it.
I enjoyed the crap out of this book. It was a great storyline with wonderfully complex and interesting characters. It felt both real and surreal, reality and fantasy, all at the same time.
It is true that there are some harsh realities in this book, with self-harm, depression, suicide, and addiction playing major parts. As someone who has dealt both personally and professionally with both addiction and suicide, I can say the author handled them in truth. This is how it is. I liked that. Not everyone will.
This isn’t to say the book is all sadness and drama because it isn’t. There are funny lines and amusing situations, but it is mostly filled with romantic sweetness. This is a love story. Much more than I’d expected going into it. It’s a meeting of souls and rooting for them that they can make the impossible happen.
My only real qualm was the non-editing. There are typos here. My word-fiends may need to consider how much the odd typo will drive you mad. If this ever gets re-published with a small clean-up, it would be a perfect 5/5.
I needed this hope. I wanted them to win. I rooted the whole way through. For this who are comfortable with darker themes and want a good bit of sizzle with their gooshy, this book is for you.
September 6, 2018
I've been going back and forward between 3 and 4 stars. There was something in this book that didn0t click for me and maybe it's because unlike other Jess Whitecroft's books I've read, this one is angstier. There's no much funny stuff that usually balnaces the oh so terrible things that usually happens to the characters in these books. But also I felt that Daniel as a character was not as three dimensional as any other character and it bothered me. Was podcasting his 8-5 job? Who's he working for? These were some lose ends that irked me along the story. Jess is usually so thorough that I couldn't let this go. Overall, it was well written, there's lot of sex but you really have to consider this book might have situations that might trigger some people.
February 19, 2018
My first book by this author. There was a lots of raw emotional drama.
I’d definitely read more by this author.
I’d definitely read more by this author.
April 22, 2023
Daniel has had a crush on his older brother’s best friend, rock star Rocco Ponti, forever. And when Rocco returns to Seattle for an indefinite period, Daniel offers Rocco a place to stay. Fortunately, Rocco is an excellent houseguest—charming, a great cook, and easy on the eyes. And he’s also … interested in Daniel? Before long, they’ve embarked on affair.
But Rocco is just seven months out of rehab, and which means he and Daniel are “cheating on your recovery,” as the latter puts it. Newly sober Rocco is vulnerable to relapse, as well as to exchanging one addiction (drugs) for another (Daniel). So at the suggestion of Rocco’s therapist, Rocco moves out of Daniel’s house, and the pair try to remain clothed when they see one another (this is not always successful.).
But a serious depressive episode prompts Rocco to go back to rehab, and break up with Daniel. Then an unexpected reunion reignites their affair, which is discovered by Daniel’s older brother…
Burn Me has an atypical structure for a romance novel, with Daniel and Rocco getting together quickly, and then breaking up and getting back together way before the 80% mark.
I absolutely love this book. Rocco and Daniel are interesting, well-drawn characters—Rocco, a self-effacing and chatty Byronic hero, is particularly appealing—and Jess Whitecroft is a great writer. She’s very funny, but Burn Me is especially lyrical—Daniel recalls being 13 and “about to burst into the full emergency of adolescence.” About Rocco, he notes, “He’s thirty-five and he still hasn’t lost the knack of making a filthy habit look picturesque,” and in one scene, “He falls into my arms, open mouthed, and I wrap my thighs around him, stunned, shocked, and thrilled to the bone.” There’s lots more, but most of it is, uh, NSFW. Anyway! Highly recommended.
But Rocco is just seven months out of rehab, and which means he and Daniel are “cheating on your recovery,” as the latter puts it. Newly sober Rocco is vulnerable to relapse, as well as to exchanging one addiction (drugs) for another (Daniel). So at the suggestion of Rocco’s therapist, Rocco moves out of Daniel’s house, and the pair try to remain clothed when they see one another (this is not always successful.).
But a serious depressive episode prompts Rocco to go back to rehab, and break up with Daniel. Then an unexpected reunion reignites their affair, which is discovered by Daniel’s older brother…
Burn Me has an atypical structure for a romance novel, with Daniel and Rocco getting together quickly, and then breaking up and getting back together way before the 80% mark.
I absolutely love this book. Rocco and Daniel are interesting, well-drawn characters—Rocco, a self-effacing and chatty Byronic hero, is particularly appealing—and Jess Whitecroft is a great writer. She’s very funny, but Burn Me is especially lyrical—Daniel recalls being 13 and “about to burst into the full emergency of adolescence.” About Rocco, he notes, “He’s thirty-five and he still hasn’t lost the knack of making a filthy habit look picturesque,” and in one scene, “He falls into my arms, open mouthed, and I wrap my thighs around him, stunned, shocked, and thrilled to the bone.” There’s lots more, but most of it is, uh, NSFW. Anyway! Highly recommended.
March 5, 2019
Whitecroft handles the behaviors of addicts and defines addiction with precision.
"Addiction invents reasons, but it will never, ever show you any mercy, because it has none. All it wants is for you to keep on feeding..."
For anyone who has been through addiction or has been around someone who has suffered from this terrible disease, this story will resonate. But it's the love story that will keep you reading.
Daniel has had a crush on Rocco since he was a teenager and when a fresh-from-rehab Rocco joins in for Daniel's brother's intervention, they reconnect. The story is wonderfully told from Daniel's point of view and the way the men fall into each other's arms is breathtakingly sweet.
***Spoilers***
In a scene where they are in a house Daniel is considering buying, Rocco points out they've been having moments and from what happens there is one of the best "moments" of the story that gives me all the feels every time I read it.
"Little...hot...moments." [Rocco's] fingers walk up the side of my thigh and I can't help myself anymore. I look up and I'm already lost.
I fell ashamed I haven't reviewed this book sooner. I've read it and reread it more times than I can count. Rocco is one of my favorite characters of the romance genre. He is beautifully flawed, romantic as hell, and falls into his addiction (love) so hard along with Daniel that the bumps in their journey to HEA are achingly painful despite knowing they are bound for them.
"Addiction invents reasons, but it will never, ever show you any mercy, because it has none. All it wants is for you to keep on feeding..."
For anyone who has been through addiction or has been around someone who has suffered from this terrible disease, this story will resonate. But it's the love story that will keep you reading.
Daniel has had a crush on Rocco since he was a teenager and when a fresh-from-rehab Rocco joins in for Daniel's brother's intervention, they reconnect. The story is wonderfully told from Daniel's point of view and the way the men fall into each other's arms is breathtakingly sweet.
***Spoilers***
In a scene where they are in a house Daniel is considering buying, Rocco points out they've been having moments and from what happens there is one of the best "moments" of the story that gives me all the feels every time I read it.
"Little...hot...moments." [Rocco's] fingers walk up the side of my thigh and I can't help myself anymore. I look up and I'm already lost.
I fell ashamed I haven't reviewed this book sooner. I've read it and reread it more times than I can count. Rocco is one of my favorite characters of the romance genre. He is beautifully flawed, romantic as hell, and falls into his addiction (love) so hard along with Daniel that the bumps in their journey to HEA are achingly painful despite knowing they are bound for them.
February 7, 2018
Well,
This book was a rollercoaster of feels... From longing, to dread, to suspicion, to heartwarming, to dramatic, and of course, so steamy and hot that I was lucky to be reading in a place with an awesome AC.
I have to admit, that the topic of addiction is a jarring one, the book shows how many things fall in the category of vice, and it describes how dark and dangerous can be to let yourself fall victim to it.
My mind went into overdrive with many things while reading, I also learned some fun facts thanks to dear Daniel and his info tips.
I can honestly say that it was an interesting read, with lots of ups and downs to keep the readers on their toes, and with so much smut that water and any other cold drink would be your loyal companion while reading it.
There were some parts that I didn't find very realistic, but some were endearing enough to ignore those few sections that didn't click.
This book was a rollercoaster of feels... From longing, to dread, to suspicion, to heartwarming, to dramatic, and of course, so steamy and hot that I was lucky to be reading in a place with an awesome AC.
I have to admit, that the topic of addiction is a jarring one, the book shows how many things fall in the category of vice, and it describes how dark and dangerous can be to let yourself fall victim to it.
My mind went into overdrive with many things while reading, I also learned some fun facts thanks to dear Daniel and his info tips.
I can honestly say that it was an interesting read, with lots of ups and downs to keep the readers on their toes, and with so much smut that water and any other cold drink would be your loyal companion while reading it.
There were some parts that I didn't find very realistic, but some were endearing enough to ignore those few sections that didn't click.
February 2, 2018
Addiction is a hard subject to read about and especially when you see the effects it has on the family. When Rocco, Matt's best friend, and Daniel's long-time crush, comes to town in order to help Matt get clean and sober, Daniel and Rocco grow closer together. Rocco is also a recovering addict and when Matt lashes out, Daniel is there for him.
I enjoyed getting to know both Rocco and Daniel. There is a sizzling attraction between the two, and while Daniel doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize Rocco's sobriety, he finds himself unable to stay away from the man he's loved for years.
This book is a very eye-opening look at how each person is different as they deal with addiction and recovery, but the connection between Rocco and Daniel gives you hope that love can be beneficial to recovery and building a better life. A great read!!
I enjoyed getting to know both Rocco and Daniel. There is a sizzling attraction between the two, and while Daniel doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize Rocco's sobriety, he finds himself unable to stay away from the man he's loved for years.
This book is a very eye-opening look at how each person is different as they deal with addiction and recovery, but the connection between Rocco and Daniel gives you hope that love can be beneficial to recovery and building a better life. A great read!!
February 12, 2018
Bittersweet
I have been in Daniels shoes with quite a few loved ones battling addiction and I know heartbreaking and hopelessness you feel in your heart. I also know how damaging it can be to have sex and love the new obsession and addiction but it was too much sex to read about. I bored me the constant sex and information babble that just wasn't needed...on Daniels side. I think I would have been more moved seeing things through Rocco's eyes and heart. To feel his pain and struggles...to know the flip side of the proverbial coin. The best part of this book was the epilogue cause it really is the only glimpse into his heart.
I have been in Daniels shoes with quite a few loved ones battling addiction and I know heartbreaking and hopelessness you feel in your heart. I also know how damaging it can be to have sex and love the new obsession and addiction but it was too much sex to read about. I bored me the constant sex and information babble that just wasn't needed...on Daniels side. I think I would have been more moved seeing things through Rocco's eyes and heart. To feel his pain and struggles...to know the flip side of the proverbial coin. The best part of this book was the epilogue cause it really is the only glimpse into his heart.
August 3, 2019
3.5 stars
A bit of a disjointed start(a little bit of choppy reading and I would have liked a little more character development in the beginning) but I did get into this and I became invested. There were definitely some great moments where the storytelling stood out and I could truly feel the characters and their emotions. I just wanted a little more. That being said, I loved the epilogue--it was great to get a different POV. This was my first read from this author and I'd definitely give her another go.
A bit of a disjointed start(a little bit of choppy reading and I would have liked a little more character development in the beginning) but I did get into this and I became invested. There were definitely some great moments where the storytelling stood out and I could truly feel the characters and their emotions. I just wanted a little more. That being said, I loved the epilogue--it was great to get a different POV. This was my first read from this author and I'd definitely give her another go.
January 31, 2019
Loved
This is the first book I've read from this author and now I'm stalking her. This book was a complete page turner. I loved the main characters and their emotions could be felt with every page. Daniel's love for Rocco was off the charts and I couldn't get enough of them. It's a beautiful story of damaged souls and the healing power of true love. Sigh!
I would definitely recommend to friends x
This is the first book I've read from this author and now I'm stalking her. This book was a complete page turner. I loved the main characters and their emotions could be felt with every page. Daniel's love for Rocco was off the charts and I couldn't get enough of them. It's a beautiful story of damaged souls and the healing power of true love. Sigh!
I would definitely recommend to friends x
January 23, 2019
This is more of a 3.5, if only because I really wish the characters were a little more fleshed out. I didn't hugely connect with Daniel and his POV just because his only characteristics seemed to be that he was geeky and obsessive. However, the all-consuming romance was great.
January 26, 2019
This was a truly awesome read. I would even rate it with 6 stars if I could. It was poetic, fun, raw and so so deep in it’s description of love and addiction. I need to read more from this new to me author🙏🏼
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October 25, 2019Bingereading
Jess Whitecroft is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me, her warm and witty stories lighting up the sky in an otherwise sometimes predictable genre. Bravo! Downloading the next book straight away.
Jess Whitecroft is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me, her warm and witty stories lighting up the sky in an otherwise sometimes predictable genre. Bravo! Downloading the next book straight away.
March 19, 2020
beautiful and complex
his brother's best friend .. sometimes the out-of-reach dream isnt so far away after all. But life is messy, and complex, and living happily ever after is something you need to actively work on, not something that just happens.
his brother's best friend .. sometimes the out-of-reach dream isnt so far away after all. But life is messy, and complex, and living happily ever after is something you need to actively work on, not something that just happens.
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