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Love Letters #2
Begging Ben
B is for Ben Spengler.
Brilliant. Bashful. Burned.
Brimming with desire for his BFF Landon, who is beyond compare.
But they aren’t the same Ben and Landon anymore. Not after what Landon did. And didn’t do.
Bitter about his unrequited love.
Bound by a night of drunken promises.
Will the chemistry between them change, or will Ben break first?
B is for Begging Ben.
Tropes: Pretend boyfriend, friends to lovers, virgin, brother-like, jealousy
Themes: Science, geek, alcohol induced oblivion
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
~ - ~ - ~
Feisty. Nerdy. Sexy. Secretive.
Greenville has them all.
A small town with big hearts, Greenville awakens at the mercy of Millionaire Row, the wealthy neighborhood across the tracks from Poplar Low.
Bad-tempered boys meet cheeky lovers.
Colliding worlds spark a fire of emotion. Heat rages. Hearts mend. Love is lost. And found.
Love Letters are playful, sexy, contemporary M/M stories that can be read as standalones.
Welcome to Greenville. Come for the sexy boys. Stay for the HEA.
Brilliant. Bashful. Burned.
Brimming with desire for his BFF Landon, who is beyond compare.
But they aren’t the same Ben and Landon anymore. Not after what Landon did. And didn’t do.
Bitter about his unrequited love.
Bound by a night of drunken promises.
Will the chemistry between them change, or will Ben break first?
B is for Begging Ben.
Tropes: Pretend boyfriend, friends to lovers, virgin, brother-like, jealousy
Themes: Science, geek, alcohol induced oblivion
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
~ - ~ - ~
Feisty. Nerdy. Sexy. Secretive.
Greenville has them all.
A small town with big hearts, Greenville awakens at the mercy of Millionaire Row, the wealthy neighborhood across the tracks from Poplar Low.
Bad-tempered boys meet cheeky lovers.
Colliding worlds spark a fire of emotion. Heat rages. Hearts mend. Love is lost. And found.
Love Letters are playful, sexy, contemporary M/M stories that can be read as standalones.
Welcome to Greenville. Come for the sexy boys. Stay for the HEA.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2018
25 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Anyta Sunday
111 books2,736 followersSpecialising in slow-burn romances where emotions reign, intimacy lingers, and chemistry sizzles—stories that leave you holding your breath and cheering for love, with just a splash of spice to sweeten the journey.
Check out my website:
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/?page_id=386
Für deutsche Leser:
http://www.anytasunday.de/
In italiano:
http://www.anytasunday.it/
Check out my website:
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/?page_id=386
Für deutsche Leser:
http://www.anytasunday.de/
In italiano:
http://www.anytasunday.it/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 31, 2018
I loved this "Can't see the forest through all of those goddamn TREES" story, where besotted Ben and oblivious Landon had been best friends since age 9, but Landon finally let Ben down one time too many, resulting in Ben initiating a nearly year-long break in their friendship.
Landon hadn't seen how in love Ben had been with him since they were 14, putting Ben through the emotional wringer as he hooked up with and pined over various guys. Which eventually became too hard for Ben to stomach, so he had to take a break.
But 9 months into that break, Ben and Landon were thrown back together by the wedding of Landon's twin brother, River, to the love of his life, Ash, the MC's from "Admiring Ash". In Las Vegas.
Uhh, yeah, you can probably guess what happened lots of alcohol, uncontrolled, raw feelings, and one Midnight wedding chapel later.
Former best friends to husbands trope, anyone?
Take. My. Money. Now. : )
I really enjoyed the slow burn in this one, with the big secret being that Ben was too drunk to remember getting married. And Landon is too scared of permanently losing their friendship for good to tell Ben.
The connection and genuine feels in this story just felt so real to me. More so than in "Admiring Ash", if I'm being completely honest.
The playfulness between the two friends was a huge draw for me. Their dynamic wasn't exactly what I'd call banter or snark, but it made me smile and laugh a lot. The science puns, way less so. There may have been some groaning involved there on my part.
As for the steamy scenes, sweet Jesus. Watch out, because those sexy bits are bound to burn your eyebrows clean off your face. And I will *never* again be able to smell coconut and not think of this book. ;- )
This short book was a big winner for me, so I'd rate it at around 4.25 truly touching stars.
** Note: OMG, if Chance causes relationship drama for Ben and Landon in the next book, be warned... I WILL CUT A BITCH!
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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
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November 28, 2019
4 Stars
The second story in the Love Letters series follows best-friends Ben and Landon, as they navigate their new, complicated relationship after they drunkenly get hitched in Vegas.
Ben has been secretly in love with Landon for forever, but Landon, in classic Anyta Sunday style, is ridiculously oblivious to Ben’s feelings, and more importantly, his own. When Ben starts pulling away, Landon doesn’t understand Ben’s need for distance, instead, conceiving a ludicrous plot to marry Ben in Vegas with the hopes of winning his best friend back.
Initially, Ben thinks the marriage was just a crazy, drunken dream he had, but when he discovers the truth — that he is in fact married to the best friend he’s been so desperately trying to get over — he panics a little... or a lot. Not wanting his mother to be disappointed in his actions, Ben easily convinces Landon to pretend to be a happy married couple while they stay with her for the week.
As Ben struggles with his complicated feelings, wanting the whole mess over with so he can continue with getting over his long-term love for Landon, Landon begins to see the light, realising during the course of the week playing husbands that he’s been a blind fool and that he does in fact love Ben back. If only Landon can now convince Ben that what he feels is real and what he wants is forever.
I must confess, I enjoyed this a darn sight better than book one. It still had some strange little moments that had me rereading passages for comprehension, and the ambiguous small-town setting, with its wealthy-without-explanation residents living in mansions and it’s weird, incongruous permanent circus, is still kind of strange and bewildering, but generally, I liked this one a great deal more.
Ben and Landon had really lovely chemistry. Their friendship was effortless; it wasn’t hard to believe these two could transition from lifelong mates to lovers without too much stress. I felt for Ben and his heart-sickness over wanting someone he thought he could never have. I had a little less tolerance for oblivious Landon, because it really does take a special kind of thoughtlessness and perhaps even selfishness to be so very blind to the feelings of the person closest to you, but I loved how hard he worked to make it right once he realised the error of his ways. A bit of romancing and grovelling always goes a long way in my book.
This was also one of the hottest Anyta Sunday stories I’ve read to date. Either I’m forgetting how steamy some of her stories are or she’s cranked things up a bit in the bedroom department — either way I was pleasantly surprised.
I enjoyed Ben and Landon’s friends-to-lovers romance very much and I look forward to reading more in this alphabet themed series!
The second story in the Love Letters series follows best-friends Ben and Landon, as they navigate their new, complicated relationship after they drunkenly get hitched in Vegas.
Ben has been secretly in love with Landon for forever, but Landon, in classic Anyta Sunday style, is ridiculously oblivious to Ben’s feelings, and more importantly, his own. When Ben starts pulling away, Landon doesn’t understand Ben’s need for distance, instead, conceiving a ludicrous plot to marry Ben in Vegas with the hopes of winning his best friend back.
Initially, Ben thinks the marriage was just a crazy, drunken dream he had, but when he discovers the truth — that he is in fact married to the best friend he’s been so desperately trying to get over — he panics a little... or a lot. Not wanting his mother to be disappointed in his actions, Ben easily convinces Landon to pretend to be a happy married couple while they stay with her for the week.
As Ben struggles with his complicated feelings, wanting the whole mess over with so he can continue with getting over his long-term love for Landon, Landon begins to see the light, realising during the course of the week playing husbands that he’s been a blind fool and that he does in fact love Ben back. If only Landon can now convince Ben that what he feels is real and what he wants is forever.
I must confess, I enjoyed this a darn sight better than book one. It still had some strange little moments that had me rereading passages for comprehension, and the ambiguous small-town setting, with its wealthy-without-explanation residents living in mansions and it’s weird, incongruous permanent circus, is still kind of strange and bewildering, but generally, I liked this one a great deal more.
Ben and Landon had really lovely chemistry. Their friendship was effortless; it wasn’t hard to believe these two could transition from lifelong mates to lovers without too much stress. I felt for Ben and his heart-sickness over wanting someone he thought he could never have. I had a little less tolerance for oblivious Landon, because it really does take a special kind of thoughtlessness and perhaps even selfishness to be so very blind to the feelings of the person closest to you, but I loved how hard he worked to make it right once he realised the error of his ways. A bit of romancing and grovelling always goes a long way in my book.
This was also one of the hottest Anyta Sunday stories I’ve read to date. Either I’m forgetting how steamy some of her stories are or she’s cranked things up a bit in the bedroom department — either way I was pleasantly surprised.
I enjoyed Ben and Landon’s friends-to-lovers romance very much and I look forward to reading more in this alphabet themed series!
January 3, 2020
3.5 Stars
An equally absurd set up but this time around Sunday pulled out her magic and made this work!
Ben has been holding a long standing torch for his bff Landon, since they were teens. Problem is, Landon has been infatuated with another, so much so that he neglected his friendship with Ben far too many times and Ben has had enough.
Circumstance brings these two towards a drunken night, and they find themselves married. In an elaborate set up, they must pretend to be together, only to break up later. Though Landon’s feelings at first are platonic, he quickly realizes just how much Ben means to him and he’s determined to make their marriage work!
In the spirit of Signs of Love, this was really easy and enjoyable and quite more sexy than usual. Both Ben and Landon were super likeable, with a great friends to lovers evolution, plenty of classic Sunday cluelessness, and the inevitable grin inducing win!
An equally absurd set up but this time around Sunday pulled out her magic and made this work!
Ben has been holding a long standing torch for his bff Landon, since they were teens. Problem is, Landon has been infatuated with another, so much so that he neglected his friendship with Ben far too many times and Ben has had enough.
Circumstance brings these two towards a drunken night, and they find themselves married. In an elaborate set up, they must pretend to be together, only to break up later. Though Landon’s feelings at first are platonic, he quickly realizes just how much Ben means to him and he’s determined to make their marriage work!
In the spirit of Signs of Love, this was really easy and enjoyable and quite more sexy than usual. Both Ben and Landon were super likeable, with a great friends to lovers evolution, plenty of classic Sunday cluelessness, and the inevitable grin inducing win!
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June 12, 20204.5 stars
The oh so awaited couple —Ben and Landon— is here! And yeah... I call them awaited after one single book. Because, to be honest, I didn’t need more than their first appearance in Admiring Ash to wait for them anxiously. They didn’t need to talk: it was a scene in book one with Ben, Landon and a sofa. A stare, it was only a stare! and I was craving B.B like an addict and I’ve read it with a constant smile on my face that only dropped to shed some tears. Just a few and maybe because I’m a cryer but I felt the OTT moments to the bone, the same as I laughed the funny ones and got hot in the sexy times.
They are two adorbs who are born to be together and share T-shirts, comic books and jokes.
Friends to lovers, complicity, fun, tension, huge love, beautiful family, awesome mom, tender moments... even if sold from the beginning these things helped to drag and maintain me in. Super in.
Highly recommend!
Home of Ramblings
The oh so awaited couple —Ben and Landon— is here! And yeah... I call them awaited after one single book. Because, to be honest, I didn’t need more than their first appearance in Admiring Ash to wait for them anxiously. They didn’t need to talk: it was a scene in book one with Ben, Landon and a sofa. A stare, it was only a stare! and I was craving B.B like an addict and I’ve read it with a constant smile on my face that only dropped to shed some tears. Just a few and maybe because I’m a cryer but I felt the OTT moments to the bone, the same as I laughed the funny ones and got hot in the sexy times.
They are two adorbs who are born to be together and share T-shirts, comic books and jokes.
Friends to lovers, complicity, fun, tension, huge love, beautiful family, awesome mom, tender moments... even if sold from the beginning these things helped to drag and maintain me in. Super in.
Highly recommend!
Home of Ramblings
August 18, 2018
Leo cientos de libros al año, libros muy diferentes, cada uno tiene su momento y se corresponde con mi estado anímico, con lo que necesito en ese instante. Después de haber leído los tres primeros libros de esta serie, puedo decir que está escrita para cuando necesitas leer algo ligero, que te haga sonreír y sentir bien y con un toque sexy. Qué necesarios son a veces este tipo de libros y qué poca importancia les solemos dar.
Un friends to lovers de toda la vida, con todo lo que implica de ternura y de tensión sexual. Me ha gustado mucho.
Un friends to lovers de toda la vida, con todo lo que implica de ternura y de tensión sexual. Me ha gustado mucho.
August 6, 2018
Begging Ben begins with Ben and his best friend Landon (River's twin) on the outs. In the first book they were inseparable, even as Landon was pining for Chance who thus far at least has been a moldy bag of dicks.
Landon misses his friend and drunk marries Ben in Vegas, but ... wait for it ... doesn't tell Ben. Ben finds out MONTHS later from his mother and then tells Landon he needs to play the "bad husband" so as not to break Ben's mother's heart when they break up.
WAIT. WHAT?
If that sounds confusing and ludicrous, it's because it is.
The entire setup was not believable.
I got a big kick out of the banter between the MCs, especially the science jokes and geeky T-shirts, but to be honest I never felt that shift from friends to lovers.
Landon thought of Ben as a brother ... until he didn't. And Ben flirted with a guy at a coffee shop throughout the story. There was also a lot about Ben's cousin Chris, who is a single dad.
While ultimately sweet and funny, the story was a little disjointed, and there wasn't enough steam to make me believe in the passion between Ben and Landon. I didn't miss the steam in the first book, but I think it was crucial here, since these guys had been just friends for so long AND Ben was a virgin.
Also, I didn't love the ending. I liked everything leading up to it, including Landon's awesome video, but the last couple pages had me sighing with disappointment.
Landon misses his friend and drunk marries Ben in Vegas, but ... wait for it ... doesn't tell Ben. Ben finds out MONTHS later from his mother and then tells Landon he needs to play the "bad husband" so as not to break Ben's mother's heart when they break up.
WAIT. WHAT?
If that sounds confusing and ludicrous, it's because it is.
The entire setup was not believable.
I got a big kick out of the banter between the MCs, especially the science jokes and geeky T-shirts, but to be honest I never felt that shift from friends to lovers.
Landon thought of Ben as a brother ... until he didn't. And Ben flirted with a guy at a coffee shop throughout the story. There was also a lot about Ben's cousin Chris, who is a single dad.
While ultimately sweet and funny, the story was a little disjointed, and there wasn't enough steam to make me believe in the passion between Ben and Landon. I didn't miss the steam in the first book, but I think it was crucial here, since these guys had been just friends for so long AND Ben was a virgin.
Also, I didn't love the ending. I liked everything leading up to it, including Landon's awesome video, but the last couple pages had me sighing with disappointment.
August 4, 2018
I struggled a bit with this one. The last 20% saved it.
The story wasn't polished. There lacked continuity in places, and there were random POV shifts. More than that, I never felt or believed in Landon's revelation that his feelings had changed from brotherly love to being in love with Ben. We were just told.
The last 20% had some delicious angst and brought the feelz, though, so there's that.
The story wasn't polished. There lacked continuity in places, and there were random POV shifts. More than that, I never felt or believed in Landon's revelation that his feelings had changed from brotherly love to being in love with Ben. We were just told.
The last 20% had some delicious angst and brought the feelz, though, so there's that.
August 9, 2018
*2.5 stars*
August 19, 2018
Despite its truly ludicrous premise, I think this book was probably better than the first in the series. However, it just couldn't hold my interest. Halfway through, I put it aside while I read a bunch of other stuff and when I got back to it, my emotions just weren't involved (which is probably what led to a 2 rather than 3 star rating).
July 31, 2018
This series is just not going to be for me. I really hoped it was just the first book that didn't work for me but this one, well, this one I didn't get at all and I liked it less.
I love a best friends to lovers story but this is not what this was. This was just so odd and I didn't understand what was happening at all. I feel like we were just thrown into the story and were supposed to understand what was happening. It seems like a year has passed since Admiring Ash?? Is that correct? In that year I guess Ben and Landon had a falling out. A falling out about a circus performance. I am so very confused about the circus aspect of this series. Anyway, so yeah, the set up is that they aren't besties anymore and Ben is going to move on and well, Landon just wants his friend back.
That is exactly how this went down. Ben did want to move on and Landon only wanted his friend back. How all of a sudden it changed for Landon I don't know. Ben never stopped trying to go out with Gabe. I truly never felt anything.
The setup with what happens in Las Vegas is RIDICULOUS.
I just really didn't like this story. I don't understand how Ben met Gabe and then throughout the story he seemed to know so very much about him, knew his schedule and had this huge crush on him. It was never explained. We never saw any of it. Plus, he seemed to really not want to be with Landon.
I don't like that in my romance.
Landon never saw Ben as anything more than a friend, even more, a BROTHER! I never saw the switch go off. I really didn't.
I don't know if I should keep reading. The next book is about a character that is such an absolute piece of shit I don't know why he is even getting a book. He has been in both the A and B books so far and each time he is just awful.
Ugh. I am obviously just not reading the same books. I didn't like this very much and really I just didn't get it. Oh, and do they live close to Las Vegas or did they fly there? I am trying to get a feel for where they live. Are they in the United States? This is really bothering me.
**ARC provided by A Novel Take Promotions in exchange for an honest review.**
I love a best friends to lovers story but this is not what this was. This was just so odd and I didn't understand what was happening at all. I feel like we were just thrown into the story and were supposed to understand what was happening. It seems like a year has passed since Admiring Ash?? Is that correct? In that year I guess Ben and Landon had a falling out. A falling out about a circus performance. I am so very confused about the circus aspect of this series. Anyway, so yeah, the set up is that they aren't besties anymore and Ben is going to move on and well, Landon just wants his friend back.
That is exactly how this went down. Ben did want to move on and Landon only wanted his friend back. How all of a sudden it changed for Landon I don't know. Ben never stopped trying to go out with Gabe. I truly never felt anything.
The setup with what happens in Las Vegas is RIDICULOUS.
I just really didn't like this story. I don't understand how Ben met Gabe and then throughout the story he seemed to know so very much about him, knew his schedule and had this huge crush on him. It was never explained. We never saw any of it. Plus, he seemed to really not want to be with Landon.
I don't like that in my romance.
Landon never saw Ben as anything more than a friend, even more, a BROTHER! I never saw the switch go off. I really didn't.
I don't know if I should keep reading. The next book is about a character that is such an absolute piece of shit I don't know why he is even getting a book. He has been in both the A and B books so far and each time he is just awful.
Ugh. I am obviously just not reading the same books. I didn't like this very much and really I just didn't get it. Oh, and do they live close to Las Vegas or did they fly there? I am trying to get a feel for where they live. Are they in the United States? This is really bothering me.
**ARC provided by A Novel Take Promotions in exchange for an honest review.**
September 3, 2018
Now, this is how you write about a "mistake-wedding"!
Ben and Landon have been best friends since they were nine and they do almost everything together. Lately, though Landon is stuck on someone that doesn't even acknowledge him and Ben it tired and fed up of crushing on his oblivious best friend.
Landon's failure to appear at an important moment in Ben's life is the last drop and Ben decides to put some distance between them in order to try and move on with his life. Landon can't accept that as he misses him and an attempt to rebuild their friendship with a night of games and drinking ends with a marriage that Ben thinks was just a weird dream.
When Ben discovers the truth they decide to fake it for a week for the benefit of Ben's mother (couldn't quite understand why that was the only option they saw, but whatever) and they end up coming close together and rebuilding some old bridges along with some new ones.
I liked the trope and the way the story went, I liked seeing Landon getting jealous and starting to realise his feelings even though I thought it happened very fast and suddenly. What I didn't like was the grand gesture at the end. It was over the top and I'm not a fan of sappy moments like that one.
All in all, I ended up enjoying this story very much and since I was rooting for those two since they first appeared in book one I'm very happy they got their HEA together.
I'm curious about what Chance's story will be like. So far his behaviour doesn't win any prizes but I hope the author will be able to make him likeable. Let's see....
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
Ben and Landon have been best friends since they were nine and they do almost everything together. Lately, though Landon is stuck on someone that doesn't even acknowledge him and Ben it tired and fed up of crushing on his oblivious best friend.
Landon's failure to appear at an important moment in Ben's life is the last drop and Ben decides to put some distance between them in order to try and move on with his life. Landon can't accept that as he misses him and an attempt to rebuild their friendship with a night of games and drinking ends with a marriage that Ben thinks was just a weird dream.
When Ben discovers the truth they decide to fake it for a week for the benefit of Ben's mother (couldn't quite understand why that was the only option they saw, but whatever) and they end up coming close together and rebuilding some old bridges along with some new ones.
I liked the trope and the way the story went, I liked seeing Landon getting jealous and starting to realise his feelings even though I thought it happened very fast and suddenly. What I didn't like was the grand gesture at the end. It was over the top and I'm not a fan of sappy moments like that one.
All in all, I ended up enjoying this story very much and since I was rooting for those two since they first appeared in book one I'm very happy they got their HEA together.
I'm curious about what Chance's story will be like. So far his behaviour doesn't win any prizes but I hope the author will be able to make him likeable. Let's see....
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
February 21, 2019
Okay, so this book is emphatically not the book for me.
First off, Landon was an absolute creeper to Chance. The way that Chance is portrayed, we're supposed to think that Chance is a jerk, but Landon was romantically pursing Chance after Chance explicitly told Landon multiple times to leave Chance alone. We know from the first book that Landon had a week long sex-marathon with with Chance, after which Chance indicated that he absolutely did not want either a romantic or sexual relationship with Landon. This could have been varying degrees of acceptable or jerkish (depending on how clear Chance was before on what was going on), but what we do know is that rather than accepting this, Landon kept watching Chance's games, attending Chance's games, and contacting Chance in ways that Chance found objectionable even after Chance expressed his objections. That is so incredibly not cool that it cannot be expressed enough. Landon was violating Chance's boundaries at one point pretty badly, and the fact that Chance didn't know that Landon only accidentally showed up in the same place as Chance at a later point wasn't something Chance could know. If Chance was not been clear about the week fling being just sex or if he lied and mislead Landon about his intentions (and we don't know what happened because we aren't told), that would have made him a horrific asshole, but he still would have been justified in telling Landon to back off, and Landon should back off. The fact that Landon doesn't places Landon in the wrong.
Second, both Ben and Landon's willingness to sign on to hurt Ben's mom (someone who was apparently highly involved in Landon's upbringing) by inventing a story that they knew and intended to hurt her rather than coming up with a far less dramatic story baffled me. This story would also intentionally violate Chris's boundaries (Chris being a member of Ben's family), which was also creepy, and I don't get why either of them would be willing to that, either.
There was nice stuff about this book (science puns, science geekery, science YouTube, new parenting humor!) but it couldn't overcome the fact that the MCs were apparently unmitigated jackasses. I was incredibly surprised to find this in Sunday's books, as I've adored many of her books in the past, and even the books of her's that I haven't adored haven't been fallen to the level of "I actively dislike this book," before. I kept hoping that the book would improve, and I suppose that to a certain degree it did, but it never was able to get to the point that I didn't actively dislike the MCs.
I will read the next book, though, as I do generally really like Sunday's books. This one was just a massive miss for me.
First off, Landon was an absolute creeper to Chance. The way that Chance is portrayed, we're supposed to think that Chance is a jerk, but Landon was romantically pursing Chance after Chance explicitly told Landon multiple times to leave Chance alone. We know from the first book that Landon had a week long sex-marathon with with Chance, after which Chance indicated that he absolutely did not want either a romantic or sexual relationship with Landon. This could have been varying degrees of acceptable or jerkish (depending on how clear Chance was before on what was going on), but what we do know is that rather than accepting this, Landon kept watching Chance's games, attending Chance's games, and contacting Chance in ways that Chance found objectionable even after Chance expressed his objections. That is so incredibly not cool that it cannot be expressed enough. Landon was violating Chance's boundaries at one point pretty badly, and the fact that Chance didn't know that Landon only accidentally showed up in the same place as Chance at a later point wasn't something Chance could know. If Chance was not been clear about the week fling being just sex or if he lied and mislead Landon about his intentions (and we don't know what happened because we aren't told), that would have made him a horrific asshole, but he still would have been justified in telling Landon to back off, and Landon should back off. The fact that Landon doesn't places Landon in the wrong.
Second, both Ben and Landon's willingness to sign on to hurt Ben's mom (someone who was apparently highly involved in Landon's upbringing) by inventing a story that they knew and intended to hurt her rather than coming up with a far less dramatic story baffled me. This story would also intentionally violate Chris's boundaries (Chris being a member of Ben's family), which was also creepy, and I don't get why either of them would be willing to that, either.
There was nice stuff about this book (science puns, science geekery, science YouTube, new parenting humor!) but it couldn't overcome the fact that the MCs were apparently unmitigated jackasses. I was incredibly surprised to find this in Sunday's books, as I've adored many of her books in the past, and even the books of her's that I haven't adored haven't been fallen to the level of "I actively dislike this book," before. I kept hoping that the book would improve, and I suppose that to a certain degree it did, but it never was able to get to the point that I didn't actively dislike the MCs.
I will read the next book, though, as I do generally really like Sunday's books. This one was just a massive miss for me.
August 6, 2018
A few things that had me stumbling through this whole series and this book in particular. This may be a little "ranty"
First, where do these guys live? I think I'm supposed to think they live in the US but they don't feel American at all. There is just a disconnect that creeps over the scene every time it tries to be an "every city". Add in the whole permanent circus thing...what is that? I'm not sure where in the US there is a permanent circus (wouldn't there also be a permanent animal rights demonstration?) Is this like a Cirque Du Soleil thing? That whole side plot throws me off. And a clown cafe? Where clowns serve your coffee? ***shudder*** Hard, hard pass.
Back to where are they? A huge pet peeve of mine is the "drunken Las Vegas wedding". It doesn't say where they came from to go to Las Vegas but they flew there for a "stag" night (just one more reason not to think of them as American)... It takes 30 seconds to google "getting married in Las Vegas". The first thing you will find is that you can't just drunkenly wander into any chapel and have a legal wedding. You FIRST must purchase a wedding license at the Clark County Clerks office which is open from 8 am to Midnight, 7 days a week and is not located on the strip at all. It's about 6 miles from the main strip so you won't just stumble your way there either. Additionally, like all legal documents, they will not give you a license if you are so drunk that you won't remember the ceremony. If you are from out of the country (which these guys feel like), you would need a passport to get a license vs regular legal ID for US citizens which is not a spur of the moment thing to bring/do. Now, I get it that this is a trope that is used throughout movies, TV shows and books, however, that doesn't make it right. It makes it lazy.
The book itself, ridiculous wedding aside, had two MC's that I didn't feel any heat from at all. Their relationship felt familial which threw me off throughout the book. Yes, Ben pines for Landon but it doesn't feel passionate, it feels trapped - like Ben never looked beyond this friendship and settled for the idea of love with his friend that he is so comfortable with. Landon is forced to look at Ben as something other than a familial figure in his life, if he wants to keep their longstanding friendship and finds a passion there but that feels so....off, it's just not a good connection. River insists that Landon has been in love with Ben for years and just never realized it and at no time did I buy that explanation. These guys have functioned as brothers since they were 9 years old, at least on Landon's side. That is not being in love.
As part of a series, the parts for River and Ash, such as their wedding that were skipped as we fast forwarded a year or so was just frustrating.
I am feeling like this series is a money making rush job capitalizing on the Author's name and an A-Z gimmick that doesn't necessarily have ideals of great story telling so much as quick story telling and even faster marketing. So far, I'm disappointed in this series, greatly.
First, where do these guys live? I think I'm supposed to think they live in the US but they don't feel American at all. There is just a disconnect that creeps over the scene every time it tries to be an "every city". Add in the whole permanent circus thing...what is that? I'm not sure where in the US there is a permanent circus (wouldn't there also be a permanent animal rights demonstration?) Is this like a Cirque Du Soleil thing? That whole side plot throws me off. And a clown cafe? Where clowns serve your coffee? ***shudder*** Hard, hard pass.
Back to where are they? A huge pet peeve of mine is the "drunken Las Vegas wedding". It doesn't say where they came from to go to Las Vegas but they flew there for a "stag" night (just one more reason not to think of them as American)... It takes 30 seconds to google "getting married in Las Vegas". The first thing you will find is that you can't just drunkenly wander into any chapel and have a legal wedding. You FIRST must purchase a wedding license at the Clark County Clerks office which is open from 8 am to Midnight, 7 days a week and is not located on the strip at all. It's about 6 miles from the main strip so you won't just stumble your way there either. Additionally, like all legal documents, they will not give you a license if you are so drunk that you won't remember the ceremony. If you are from out of the country (which these guys feel like), you would need a passport to get a license vs regular legal ID for US citizens which is not a spur of the moment thing to bring/do. Now, I get it that this is a trope that is used throughout movies, TV shows and books, however, that doesn't make it right. It makes it lazy.
The book itself, ridiculous wedding aside, had two MC's that I didn't feel any heat from at all. Their relationship felt familial which threw me off throughout the book. Yes, Ben pines for Landon but it doesn't feel passionate, it feels trapped - like Ben never looked beyond this friendship and settled for the idea of love with his friend that he is so comfortable with. Landon is forced to look at Ben as something other than a familial figure in his life, if he wants to keep their longstanding friendship and finds a passion there but that feels so....off, it's just not a good connection. River insists that Landon has been in love with Ben for years and just never realized it and at no time did I buy that explanation. These guys have functioned as brothers since they were 9 years old, at least on Landon's side. That is not being in love.
As part of a series, the parts for River and Ash, such as their wedding that were skipped as we fast forwarded a year or so was just frustrating.
I am feeling like this series is a money making rush job capitalizing on the Author's name and an A-Z gimmick that doesn't necessarily have ideals of great story telling so much as quick story telling and even faster marketing. So far, I'm disappointed in this series, greatly.
August 1, 2018
I was sent this book as an advanced copy by A Novel Take for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
This book follows ex best friends Ben and Landon one year after their falling-out, so this had sort of a ex-best-friends—to-enemies—to-friends-again—to-lovers trope, except they’re never really enemies but still, that’s one of my favorite tropes EVER and I was NOT disappointed.
The other tropes used were also top tier, like the fake relationship element (fake marriage!!! But actually real!!!) (this is not a spoiler btw it happens in the first 10%) and the cute moments with Ben’s baby cousin. Also Ben and Landon have a science YouTube channel and I kind of wish this element had been a little more explored because I love YouTuber AUs but there was already a lot going on so that’s fine.
Ben and Landon also graduated in math and chemistry and they’re major nerds who speak in chemistry puns (don’t worry it’s not overdone) and honestly it’s like this book was written specifically to cater to my own needs?? Bless Anyta Sunday.
There was nothing I didn’t love except maybe some small element at the end
Anyway, I genuinely loved this and it’s such a fun and fast read and I definitely recommend it!
This book follows ex best friends Ben and Landon one year after their falling-out, so this had sort of a ex-best-friends—to-enemies—to-friends-again—to-lovers trope, except they’re never really enemies but still, that’s one of my favorite tropes EVER and I was NOT disappointed.
The other tropes used were also top tier, like the fake relationship element (fake marriage!!! But actually real!!!) (this is not a spoiler btw it happens in the first 10%) and the cute moments with Ben’s baby cousin. Also Ben and Landon have a science YouTube channel and I kind of wish this element had been a little more explored because I love YouTuber AUs but there was already a lot going on so that’s fine.
Ben and Landon also graduated in math and chemistry and they’re major nerds who speak in chemistry puns (don’t worry it’s not overdone) and honestly it’s like this book was written specifically to cater to my own needs?? Bless Anyta Sunday.
There was nothing I didn’t love except maybe some small element at the end
Anyway, I genuinely loved this and it’s such a fun and fast read and I definitely recommend it!
August 3, 2018
lots of fun - 3.5* rounded up.
I enjoyed this book way more than the first one of the series. Where Ben and Landon were in the way in book one here they were the stars. There was just enough of the brother-friends-lovers of other books to make me happy and not so much as to overwhelm this story. The editing was better (though still a few missed words). The character consistency was better. But most importantly for me I really enjoyed their clear connection and love, even when Ben simply could not forgive Landon.
Throughout book one Ben was learning the tightrope. In book two we get to find out why and how his first performance went. It has been nine months since that night. The night he told his BFF Landon he needed a friend break. They are forced back together because of Ash and River's impending nuptials. Landon is desperate to get Ben to talk to him and instead they end up drinking and getting married in Vegas. When they sober up Ben thinks it is a dream and Landon does not tell him the truth. Naturally when Ben finds out he is quite cross and demanding Landon act that part of dreadful husband in front of family so they can break-up and get an annulment without mentioning the drunkenness. Landon decided he is going to use the time to convince Ben to be friends again. Along the way he discovers that he really wants more than friendship and that is a different battle altogether.
I loved their uber-geeky chemistry jokes. I loved their shared history. I loved the babysitting. I loved the coconut "soap". And while I did not love how Landon behaved I loved that it was consistent with the character. But for me the best bit was Landon showing Ben what the most important firsts are that they share.
I enjoyed this book way more than the first one of the series. Where Ben and Landon were in the way in book one here they were the stars. There was just enough of the brother-friends-lovers of other books to make me happy and not so much as to overwhelm this story. The editing was better (though still a few missed words). The character consistency was better. But most importantly for me I really enjoyed their clear connection and love, even when Ben simply could not forgive Landon.
Throughout book one Ben was learning the tightrope. In book two we get to find out why and how his first performance went. It has been nine months since that night. The night he told his BFF Landon he needed a friend break. They are forced back together because of Ash and River's impending nuptials. Landon is desperate to get Ben to talk to him and instead they end up drinking and getting married in Vegas. When they sober up Ben thinks it is a dream and Landon does not tell him the truth. Naturally when Ben finds out he is quite cross and demanding Landon act that part of dreadful husband in front of family so they can break-up and get an annulment without mentioning the drunkenness. Landon decided he is going to use the time to convince Ben to be friends again. Along the way he discovers that he really wants more than friendship and that is a different battle altogether.
I loved their uber-geeky chemistry jokes. I loved their shared history. I loved the babysitting. I loved the coconut "soap". And while I did not love how Landon behaved I loved that it was consistent with the character. But for me the best bit was Landon showing Ben what the most important firsts are that they share.
September 7, 2021
*Squeeeee*
Jejejeje. I.LOVE.THIS.TROPE!!!
Friends to fake husbands to true husbands.
A trope I didn’t know I needed!
Ben has been forever in love with his best friend Landon, but after Landon disappointed him one too many times, he decided to “break up” from their friendship.
They saw each other again at their friends/brother wedding celebration and after a few drinks they get married (this is Las Vegas obviously).
I really really loved the beautiful friendship these two have. I loved that they had a nerdy youtube channel. I could have done with fewer chemistry puns tho.
I received my copy from the author. Forever in love with Anyta Sunday’s books!
Jejejeje. I.LOVE.THIS.TROPE!!!
Friends to fake husbands to true husbands.
A trope I didn’t know I needed!
Ben has been forever in love with his best friend Landon, but after Landon disappointed him one too many times, he decided to “break up” from their friendship.
They saw each other again at their friends/brother wedding celebration and after a few drinks they get married (this is Las Vegas obviously).
I really really loved the beautiful friendship these two have. I loved that they had a nerdy youtube channel. I could have done with fewer chemistry puns tho.
I received my copy from the author. Forever in love with Anyta Sunday’s books!
March 10, 2019
2.5 stars. I thought it started rather abruptly, and skipped important details. Book 1 of the series ended with Ben pining for Landon, Landon pining for Chance, but both still BFFs, who are always together. This one starts a year later, at least, and apparently Ben has had enough, and completely pulled back from Landon, and we only get the barest of flashbacks to tell us what happened. It was odd, and jarring, and would have worked better if the break had happened at the end of book 1.
Then the marriage thing was just stupid, imo, as was the whole fake happy thing. You don’t marry someone to keep them as just a friend, and you sure don’t lie to said friend about something so big.
Then the marriage thing was just stupid, imo, as was the whole fake happy thing. You don’t marry someone to keep them as just a friend, and you sure don’t lie to said friend about something so big.
July 31, 2018
*ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take*
I love friends to lovers. I love slow burn. I love tricky tropes (fake dating, fake marriage, fake whatever. You name it, I probably love it). I love clueless, pining idiots and situations where literally everyone else and their dogs can see what’s happening, except for those involved. Another thing I love? Stupid puns.
This story has it all, and more.
Ben and Landon, both of whom we’ve met in Admiring Ash- and I’m sure more than once we wanted to smack across the back of the head- have a very complicated present, where they find themselves sharing a ton of history but uncertain of whether they’ll share something in the future. They start off with seemingly two very opposite objectives as to what they want to do with each other (nothing, on Ben’s part/everything, on Landon’s), so this story begins with a match between two forces and it’s basically a game of who can push the hardest. But wait! Nothing is ever that simple, cause the game from the get-go is clear: playing dirty is the way to go. Cue the most amazing, most fun, most chemistry-filled, no pun intended (or did I?) tug-of-war ever. EVER.
These two have issues to solve, and they don’t always go around it the most mature and clever way, but they are so well-intentioned about it that you can’t help but root for them. Besides, it’s such a blast to see them trip over each other every single time! It goes to show that sometimes, the most complicated relationships come between people who know each other better than themselves, and with a ton of baggage shared. This is the perfect example of how complex human relationships are, and how much worth it is to fight to make them work when it feels right.
Landon and Ben stole my heart, plain and simple. I can’t help it: Anyta really did tick off every single one of my boxes for a perfect read with this one.
I love friends to lovers. I love slow burn. I love tricky tropes (fake dating, fake marriage, fake whatever. You name it, I probably love it). I love clueless, pining idiots and situations where literally everyone else and their dogs can see what’s happening, except for those involved. Another thing I love? Stupid puns.
This story has it all, and more.
Ben and Landon, both of whom we’ve met in Admiring Ash- and I’m sure more than once we wanted to smack across the back of the head- have a very complicated present, where they find themselves sharing a ton of history but uncertain of whether they’ll share something in the future. They start off with seemingly two very opposite objectives as to what they want to do with each other (nothing, on Ben’s part/everything, on Landon’s), so this story begins with a match between two forces and it’s basically a game of who can push the hardest. But wait! Nothing is ever that simple, cause the game from the get-go is clear: playing dirty is the way to go. Cue the most amazing, most fun, most chemistry-filled, no pun intended (or did I?) tug-of-war ever. EVER.
These two have issues to solve, and they don’t always go around it the most mature and clever way, but they are so well-intentioned about it that you can’t help but root for them. Besides, it’s such a blast to see them trip over each other every single time! It goes to show that sometimes, the most complicated relationships come between people who know each other better than themselves, and with a ton of baggage shared. This is the perfect example of how complex human relationships are, and how much worth it is to fight to make them work when it feels right.
Landon and Ben stole my heart, plain and simple. I can’t help it: Anyta really did tick off every single one of my boxes for a perfect read with this one.
January 27, 2019
Ben deserved better.. I’m annoyed that he’s still a virgin while pining for Landon who bangs just about everyone else.. Landon didn’t grovel enough.. 1 week of Landon trying to change isn’t enough..
August 5, 2018
This time around I knew a little bit more going into this book, oh I still didn't have a blurb or know both MCs, but I had met Ben before. I knew some of the players going in.
Ben and Landon have been best friends forever. Well, that is until Landon blew Ben off in the most spectacular way. We knew from Admiring Ash that Ben had been training with a circus to walk the line, facing his fear of heights. Only on the day of his performance, Landon, his best friend and the man he's been in love with since he was fourteen never showed up - but had in fact forgotten all about it. In order to move on with his life he breaks off all contact with his now former best friend and hopes his crush will die with the distance. My heart broke for Ben so many times throughout this book. Constantly being overlooked and taken for granted. Never a first choice by the man he loved.
Landon knows he screwed up nine months ago when he forgot about Ben. He misses his best friend, his brother so much it hurts. Since that night Ben has been avoiding him and hasn't spoken a word to him since. He also knows he deserves it, but he wants his best friend back. So when he sees a chance at Ash's and River's Las Vegas rehearsal party he takes it. By morning they are married, but only one of them remembers it...
A lot of the time I wasn't a big fan of Landon's. He was too much of a jerk to Ben, too blind and oblivious. And not really in the cure and adorable way, but the way that truly hurt the other person. Sure he did wake up in the end and I know he truly loved Ben. At the same time he also hurt him more than he should have.
I loved this book much more than the first one. It was more focused and not as scattered. I was engaged in it throughout I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. I mean, marrying the guy who's avoiding you isn't really a recipe for happily ever after. Especially if one part doesn’t remember they are married and the other doesn’t know they're in love. This has disaster written all over it.
That being said, this book wasn't filled with a ton of drama - you know the soap opera kind. It was more of a romantic comedy mixed in with "please don't try this at home". And speaking of, I just loved their science banter. The chemistry nerd in me had a giant smile whenever they did the periodic table banter. It was adorable, cute and it was them.
In the end I did end up really enjoying this book and can't wait to read the next one.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Ben and Landon have been best friends forever. Well, that is until Landon blew Ben off in the most spectacular way. We knew from Admiring Ash that Ben had been training with a circus to walk the line, facing his fear of heights. Only on the day of his performance, Landon, his best friend and the man he's been in love with since he was fourteen never showed up - but had in fact forgotten all about it. In order to move on with his life he breaks off all contact with his now former best friend and hopes his crush will die with the distance. My heart broke for Ben so many times throughout this book. Constantly being overlooked and taken for granted. Never a first choice by the man he loved.
Landon knows he screwed up nine months ago when he forgot about Ben. He misses his best friend, his brother so much it hurts. Since that night Ben has been avoiding him and hasn't spoken a word to him since. He also knows he deserves it, but he wants his best friend back. So when he sees a chance at Ash's and River's Las Vegas rehearsal party he takes it. By morning they are married, but only one of them remembers it...
A lot of the time I wasn't a big fan of Landon's. He was too much of a jerk to Ben, too blind and oblivious. And not really in the cure and adorable way, but the way that truly hurt the other person. Sure he did wake up in the end and I know he truly loved Ben. At the same time he also hurt him more than he should have.
I loved this book much more than the first one. It was more focused and not as scattered. I was engaged in it throughout I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. I mean, marrying the guy who's avoiding you isn't really a recipe for happily ever after. Especially if one part doesn’t remember they are married and the other doesn’t know they're in love. This has disaster written all over it.
That being said, this book wasn't filled with a ton of drama - you know the soap opera kind. It was more of a romantic comedy mixed in with "please don't try this at home". And speaking of, I just loved their science banter. The chemistry nerd in me had a giant smile whenever they did the periodic table banter. It was adorable, cute and it was them.
In the end I did end up really enjoying this book and can't wait to read the next one.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
April 21, 2020
I was provided a copy of this novella for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Begging Ben is my favourite Love Letters novella so far. From Admiring Ash, we know that Ben has been in love with his best friend Landon (also River's twin brother) for their entire lives, and, well, y'all know I love unrequited angsty love, so to say I was excited for their novella would be a massive understatement.
Ben and Landon's novella is set just less than a year after the events of Admiring Ash and the two men are no longer friends. Landon's unrequited feelings for bad boy basketball player Chance Sutton-Rosevelt has forced a rift between them and Ben can no longer watch the love of his life pine after another. But Landon is determined to make amends and get his best friend back, and when the two accidentally get married in Vegas after a night of drinking, Landon sees his chance to get close to Ben again.
I haven't giggled and squealed and cried so much in a novel since Leo Loves Aries , my absolute favourite Anyta Sunday book by far, but now Begging Ben is a very close second. Landon and Ben's relationship is so loving and strong, you can literally feel the connections between them while reading, which is a feat unto itself considering that this novella is about 200 pages long. It doesn't leave much time for the romance to develop between the characters, but with their childhood connection, this element was so strong and believable.
I adore Ben so much: he's a massive nerd, a gentle soul, and someone who loves with all their heart. He's been in love with Landon since they were fourteen and I just wanted to smack Landon for being so obtuse to Ben's feelings! But Landon was a great character too, one who learns from his mistakes. He is desperate not to lose Ben's friendship and will do anything to bring them back together. I just love them both so much, especially as a couple.
Begging Ben is a novella that you don't want to miss out on! It's fun, flirty, angsty and romantic as hell! Please read it ASAP!
Begging Ben is my favourite Love Letters novella so far. From Admiring Ash, we know that Ben has been in love with his best friend Landon (also River's twin brother) for their entire lives, and, well, y'all know I love unrequited angsty love, so to say I was excited for their novella would be a massive understatement.
Ben and Landon's novella is set just less than a year after the events of Admiring Ash and the two men are no longer friends. Landon's unrequited feelings for bad boy basketball player Chance Sutton-Rosevelt has forced a rift between them and Ben can no longer watch the love of his life pine after another. But Landon is determined to make amends and get his best friend back, and when the two accidentally get married in Vegas after a night of drinking, Landon sees his chance to get close to Ben again.
I haven't giggled and squealed and cried so much in a novel since Leo Loves Aries , my absolute favourite Anyta Sunday book by far, but now Begging Ben is a very close second. Landon and Ben's relationship is so loving and strong, you can literally feel the connections between them while reading, which is a feat unto itself considering that this novella is about 200 pages long. It doesn't leave much time for the romance to develop between the characters, but with their childhood connection, this element was so strong and believable.
I adore Ben so much: he's a massive nerd, a gentle soul, and someone who loves with all their heart. He's been in love with Landon since they were fourteen and I just wanted to smack Landon for being so obtuse to Ben's feelings! But Landon was a great character too, one who learns from his mistakes. He is desperate not to lose Ben's friendship and will do anything to bring them back together. I just love them both so much, especially as a couple.
Begging Ben is a novella that you don't want to miss out on! It's fun, flirty, angsty and romantic as hell! Please read it ASAP!
July 31, 2018
In Begging Ben, we get to see Landon grovel his way back to Ben's good grace. Reading about Ben's years of unrequited love towards his childhood friend, Landon is too much to bear. Ben have to witness Landon went through a slew of men and the situation with Chance was the last straw and Ben decided to give up on their friendship to avoid torturing himself further. Only with Ben out of the picture did Landon realize how much he miss his best friend. I find their drunken shenanigans during their Las Vegas visit kind of cliche but funny as hell. It also resulted in Ben needing Landon to act his pretend boyfriend in front of his mum for the weekend. This childhood friends to lovers is just so sweet. Ben is very stubborn and insist he doesn't to be Landon's second or third choice, well, I admire him but I also want him to give in to Landon's charm. Landon is kind of a shitty friend, but he really did redeem himself in here. They are both such geeky partner in crime and are totally adorable together.
July 31, 2018
Landon let Ben down for Chance and Ben is done with Landon. Avoiding Landon as much as possible. They are hurt both by it but Ben can’t handle this friendship anymore, he loved Landon from when they were fourteen, and now he can’t.
After so much time without his best friend Landon has to convince Ben he love him and he wants to be his best friend again. Ben has other ideas... no hurt from that side anymore.
Only Landon is determined and after a drunk night in Vegas... Landon finds a way to hold Ben close.
Yeahhh another wonderful read, a lot hurt, comfort, friendship and intimacy. This all in an Anyta Sunday style.... it just can’t go wrong. I loved the environments and the developing was excellent done. Another winner!
Kindly received an arc from A Novel Take PR
After so much time without his best friend Landon has to convince Ben he love him and he wants to be his best friend again. Ben has other ideas... no hurt from that side anymore.
Only Landon is determined and after a drunk night in Vegas... Landon finds a way to hold Ben close.
Yeahhh another wonderful read, a lot hurt, comfort, friendship and intimacy. This all in an Anyta Sunday style.... it just can’t go wrong. I loved the environments and the developing was excellent done. Another winner!
Kindly received an arc from A Novel Take PR
August 6, 2018
This was my least favorite of the first three books of this series. I love friends to lovers and so this should have been magic. It was good but something was missing. I had a hard time with Landon and I struggled to believe he was so clueless. I also thought their reason for lying to Ben's mother was kind of stupid. But, there were some really sweet moments and the grand gesture was lovely. I'm a sucker for grand gestures so.......
August 10, 2018
Ben and Landon had been best friends for 20 years. Unfortunately, they had a falling out and haven’t spoken for a year. During that time, Landon has realized the reason he’s missed Ben so much is because he’s in love with him.
Now, due to a drunken elopement, he has a week to convince Ben that he is serious about wanting to remain husbands.
*I received an ARC for review
Now, due to a drunken elopement, he has a week to convince Ben that he is serious about wanting to remain husbands.
*I received an ARC for review
August 8, 2018
3.75 stars
August 10, 2018
This is the second in the Love Letters series and picks up with Landon, the twin of River from book one. In the first book we get a glimpse of Landon and his incredible unrequited pining for Chance, a basketball player he had a weeklong affair with and who then tossed Landon away. Landon has spent his time moping, mourning, watching and attending Chance’s basketball games in an effort to win him back. This has left his best friend and YouTube partner, Ben, out in the cold and unable to help him. The book begins at a party in Las Vegas where we find out these two are no longer best friends. Landon had messed up, big time, and Ben walked away. Landon knows he is the cause. “Ben had been right to distance himself from Landon. Who wanted a best friend so infatuated with someone that they forgot who mattered?” He wants his best friend back, though, the man who is nearly as close as his twin. The problem is, Ben loves Landon and it’s putting him hell being near someone who doesn’t seem to care at all.
While Ben tries to avoid Landon at the party, Landon catches up with him and after much drinking they end up in that Las Vegas destination many have come to regret, the wedding chapel. Where yes, they get married. A little thing that Ben doesn’t remember but Landon does. It was Landon’s idea and his whole reasoning about it was so honestly so stupid I wanted to smack him. “At the time it made brilliant sense; Ben could be actual family. Marriage had been his drunken attempt to keep Ben from leaving his life again.” Except Ben doesn’t know they are married and Landon wants him to stay as his friend, his brother; not as a husband. Ben’s cousin, Chris, was a witness to the wedding but he gets some mind altering news while there and so he doesn’t mention it.
Ben says he is “Not in the right place to be friends yet” but Landon really doesn’t respect his wish for space. Despite the fact that he wants his best friend back, he interferes with someone Ben is interested in and never tells Ben they got married. Ben finds out from his mom, who accidentally saw a picture on Chris’ phone. It’s a mess. Ben’s mom loves Landon nearly as much as her son and they don’t want to disappoint her with a lie, so they agree to spend the week with her pretending to be real husbands and then fight and break up. Except Landon doesn’t follow the script.
They have a science YouTube channel with two million followers, Ben works at Silver Pines bookstore and they both have money to spare, but not having Ben in his life is killing Landon. There were times I was so aggravated with Landon because of his actions. He is so oblivious to what is right there. And Ben is sometimes heartbreaking. When Landon asks him what he really wants in a marriage, “I want to be his first choice. Not a backup when the guy he really wants doesn’t want him back.”
There is back and forth with Landon trying to get his head out of his butt and figure things out while Ben tries to keep his heart safe.
Secondary characters include Ash and River from book one and we also get Chris, now a new father and trying to cope with everything with the help of Ben’s mom and the guys. I loved Chris a lot. There is Gabe, the barista Ben thought he might want to date, who is laid back and cool and hopefully gets a story as well.
Cover art follows the lines of Admiring Ash and is a single man set against a simple colored background. I’m not sure if it is supposed to be
While Ben tries to avoid Landon at the party, Landon catches up with him and after much drinking they end up in that Las Vegas destination many have come to regret, the wedding chapel. Where yes, they get married. A little thing that Ben doesn’t remember but Landon does. It was Landon’s idea and his whole reasoning about it was so honestly so stupid I wanted to smack him. “At the time it made brilliant sense; Ben could be actual family. Marriage had been his drunken attempt to keep Ben from leaving his life again.” Except Ben doesn’t know they are married and Landon wants him to stay as his friend, his brother; not as a husband. Ben’s cousin, Chris, was a witness to the wedding but he gets some mind altering news while there and so he doesn’t mention it.
Ben says he is “Not in the right place to be friends yet” but Landon really doesn’t respect his wish for space. Despite the fact that he wants his best friend back, he interferes with someone Ben is interested in and never tells Ben they got married. Ben finds out from his mom, who accidentally saw a picture on Chris’ phone. It’s a mess. Ben’s mom loves Landon nearly as much as her son and they don’t want to disappoint her with a lie, so they agree to spend the week with her pretending to be real husbands and then fight and break up. Except Landon doesn’t follow the script.
They have a science YouTube channel with two million followers, Ben works at Silver Pines bookstore and they both have money to spare, but not having Ben in his life is killing Landon. There were times I was so aggravated with Landon because of his actions. He is so oblivious to what is right there. And Ben is sometimes heartbreaking. When Landon asks him what he really wants in a marriage, “I want to be his first choice. Not a backup when the guy he really wants doesn’t want him back.”
There is back and forth with Landon trying to get his head out of his butt and figure things out while Ben tries to keep his heart safe.
Secondary characters include Ash and River from book one and we also get Chris, now a new father and trying to cope with everything with the help of Ben’s mom and the guys. I loved Chris a lot. There is Gabe, the barista Ben thought he might want to date, who is laid back and cool and hopefully gets a story as well.
Cover art follows the lines of Admiring Ash and is a single man set against a simple colored background. I’m not sure if it is supposed to be
August 9, 2018
4.75 Stars
I absolutely loved this story. I really liked Ben and Landon when I met them in Admiring Ash, and although I seriously wanted to knock their heads together at times, well okay, I mostly wanted to knock some sense into Landon, I still absolutely loved them.
I adored the premise of the story and once Landon and Ben gave into their attraction, well, sparks flew and they practically set my kindle on fire!
The story is well-written and although Landon’s twin brother, River and his boyfriend Ash, the main characters from the first book, are featured throughout, this can definitely be read as a standalone, although I did enjoy somewhat knowing what was happening when I first started the story.
Begging Ben was well-written and easy to read. It flowed well, and was a sweet, funny and a bit of an angsty read with an amazingly swoon-worthy ending. While definitely satisfying, I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to Ben and Landon yet, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. Very recommendable!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
I absolutely loved this story. I really liked Ben and Landon when I met them in Admiring Ash, and although I seriously wanted to knock their heads together at times, well okay, I mostly wanted to knock some sense into Landon, I still absolutely loved them.
I adored the premise of the story and once Landon and Ben gave into their attraction, well, sparks flew and they practically set my kindle on fire!
The story is well-written and although Landon’s twin brother, River and his boyfriend Ash, the main characters from the first book, are featured throughout, this can definitely be read as a standalone, although I did enjoy somewhat knowing what was happening when I first started the story.
Begging Ben was well-written and easy to read. It flowed well, and was a sweet, funny and a bit of an angsty read with an amazingly swoon-worthy ending. While definitely satisfying, I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to Ben and Landon yet, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. Very recommendable!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
August 27, 2018
Sometimes it hard to see the forest for the trees. Landon learns this lesson before loosing Ben for good.
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