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After Oscar #5
HEA: Happily Ever After
Have you heard the expression “twelve times a groomsman, never a groom”? Neither had I… until it suddenly became clear that every man I dated found their One True Love in the person they dated after me.
Now I’m writing Best Man speeches for my former boyfriends twice a month, the “After Oscar” thing has become a legend, and I have finally accepted that Oscar Overton is nobody’s Happily Ever After.
Which is fine.
Between running my investment company, providing for Frank, my emotional support hedgehog, and keeping my enthusiastic family from getting in my business, my life is plenty busy. The last thing on my mind is a relationship.
Until Hugh Linzee.
One hot night with the gorgeous wedding photographer somehow turns into a text conversation I just can’t quit, but I’m determined to keep my distance. Hugh has ideas… ideas about romance and fireworks and capital-L love… and I care about him too much to let him get those ideas about me.
Fate keeps throwing us together, though. After an accidental all-night phone call and a convenient wedding run-in, suddenly I find myself agreeing to be his fake boyfriend, and distance quickly becomes a thing of the past.
But how long until Hugh figures out he’ll only get his HEA… After Oscar?
Now I’m writing Best Man speeches for my former boyfriends twice a month, the “After Oscar” thing has become a legend, and I have finally accepted that Oscar Overton is nobody’s Happily Ever After.
Which is fine.
Between running my investment company, providing for Frank, my emotional support hedgehog, and keeping my enthusiastic family from getting in my business, my life is plenty busy. The last thing on my mind is a relationship.
Until Hugh Linzee.
One hot night with the gorgeous wedding photographer somehow turns into a text conversation I just can’t quit, but I’m determined to keep my distance. Hugh has ideas… ideas about romance and fireworks and capital-L love… and I care about him too much to let him get those ideas about me.
Fate keeps throwing us together, though. After an accidental all-night phone call and a convenient wedding run-in, suddenly I find myself agreeing to be his fake boyfriend, and distance quickly becomes a thing of the past.
But how long until Hugh figures out he’ll only get his HEA… After Oscar?
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2024
374 people are currently reading
1051 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Lennox
95 books4,441 followersI write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
May 19, 2024
I liked this story so much more than I expected. I loved the characters – Oscar, Hugh and Frank. Yes, Frank is a very important character here. 🥰
It takes Oscar and Hugh a long time to get to their HEA, but the way things developed between them worked for me and I enjoyed the journey. Their connection, conversations and inside jokes made them feel so real and very relatable.
I was pleasantly surprised by how romantic the story was. It might be an odd thing to say, but I don't think that many romance novels actually are. Reading from Hugh's POV almost made me teary a couple times. The family and friendship aspect of the story was lovely, too.
The ending was a bit sappy, but I didn't mind. They deserved it.
It takes Oscar and Hugh a long time to get to their HEA, but the way things developed between them worked for me and I enjoyed the journey. Their connection, conversations and inside jokes made them feel so real and very relatable.
I was pleasantly surprised by how romantic the story was. It might be an odd thing to say, but I don't think that many romance novels actually are. Reading from Hugh's POV almost made me teary a couple times. The family and friendship aspect of the story was lovely, too.
The ending was a bit sappy, but I didn't mind. They deserved it.
May 14, 2024
The MCs hook up at a wedding where Hugh is the photographer and Oscar the best man. They text but don't meet again until they run into each other at another wedding (same roles, different day). Once more, they fuck and go their separate ways.
By the halfway mark, the boredom was real and I was ready to throw in the towel.
Thankfully, about two-thirds of the way in (when over a year has passed), Hugh asks Oscar to be his fake boyfriend and date to his sister's wedding. Hugh wants to make his ex (who happens to be the groom's brother) jealous.
Oscar plays the part perfectly but is too much of a fool to realize there's nothing fake about his feelings for Hugh.
Once operation "fake dating" commences, all the feels come marching in. There's plenty of heat (I would have preferred a slower burn), cutesy, cuddly couple moments, and (of course!) a HEA for the ages.
Oscar's meddling family comes out in full force, although they aren't nearly as annoying here as they were in book 2 when they crashed Roman and Scotty's get-away.
The authors treat us to multiple reminders of Oscar being filthy rich. When his sister gets married, for example, Oscar gifts the couple enough money to build an indoor swimming complex on the family's Vermont estate.
This made me think of the Met Gala, which was recently roasted for its extravagant celebrity fashion and ostentatious displays of wealth. It's in such poor taste to spend hundreds of thousands on a gown (or swimming pool!) when most of the world is facing an economic crisis of unparalleled proportions. People legit can't feed their families.
Authors who write romance stories featuring billionaires are blatantly out of touch. Enough already. It's gross and insensitive, and needs to stop.
Whew, okay. I just needed to get that off my chest.
By the halfway mark, the boredom was real and I was ready to throw in the towel.
Thankfully, about two-thirds of the way in (when over a year has passed), Hugh asks Oscar to be his fake boyfriend and date to his sister's wedding. Hugh wants to make his ex (who happens to be the groom's brother) jealous.
Oscar plays the part perfectly but is too much of a fool to realize there's nothing fake about his feelings for Hugh.
Once operation "fake dating" commences, all the feels come marching in. There's plenty of heat (I would have preferred a slower burn), cutesy, cuddly couple moments, and (of course!) a HEA for the ages.
Oscar's meddling family comes out in full force, although they aren't nearly as annoying here as they were in book 2 when they crashed Roman and Scotty's get-away.
The authors treat us to multiple reminders of Oscar being filthy rich. When his sister gets married, for example, Oscar gifts the couple enough money to build an indoor swimming complex on the family's Vermont estate.
This made me think of the Met Gala, which was recently roasted for its extravagant celebrity fashion and ostentatious displays of wealth. It's in such poor taste to spend hundreds of thousands on a gown (or swimming pool!) when most of the world is facing an economic crisis of unparalleled proportions. People legit can't feed their families.
Authors who write romance stories featuring billionaires are blatantly out of touch. Enough already. It's gross and insensitive, and needs to stop.
Whew, okay. I just needed to get that off my chest.
April 26, 2024
Jeeeeeeeeze that was hard work!
Not for me reading it, but for poor Hugh Linzee to get Oscar Overton to realise he was already head over heels, irrevocably, stuck for life, in love with him!
It was going to be a journey of many setbacks, we already knew this from the previous books in the series, poor Oscar's heart's been so badly bruised it's got permanent scar tissue.
He's always the best man at his former boyfriends' weddings, multiple of them, we're read the last four of their stories and seen them get their happy ever afters, so it was always going to take a really special kind of man to break through the galactic sized walls Oscar has put up.
Wedding photographer and absolute romantic Hugh is that guy, but even he struggled, which made the inevitable HEA the more sweet for it.
I absolutely adored this book, although I was a tad surprised that it was relatively low steam, we don't see much on page, but there's loads of references.
We don't see the first time either of them bottoms for the other, we just get throwaway comments and it's a real shame imho, although obviously anal sex isn't everything about a relationship! But outside of drunken, lust-filled encounters, it's a perfect way to demonstrate trust in another person.
Particularly for Oscar, given we know so much of his vulnerabilities are hidden behind those sky high walls.
I would have loved to have been able to experience alongside him that moment when he felt safe enough to let Hugh in, both physically and emotionally, rather than getting just the lust-filled encounters which occur on their first meet at Connor & Wells' wedding.
That aside though, this book is beautifully constructed, as Hugh begins to see how to navigate Oscar's particular peculiarities about love, its emotional entanglements, and the disappointment he's felt over and over again when his relationships fail.
It's also very funny, Hugh and Oscar hit it off from the start and their friendship is one of sarcastic retorts, funny memes, silly jokes, and deep conversations that draw them ever closer. It also has one of the best secondary characters - who has the best authors' note referring to him - in Frank, the emotional support hedgehog, who is a constant presence throughout.
There are feels up to the eyeballs, as both men come to realise that what they believed love was about, isn't the case at all. Love isn't perfect, it's sloppy, it's hard work, it's realising what's important to the other person doesn't have to come at the expense of your own happiness.
Oscar's HEA has been a long time coming, but it was absolutely worth the wait and I loved the last little twist the authors threw in at the end, no spoilers here of course, but it put a massive smile on my face. IYKYK
#ARC kindly received from the authors via GiveMeBooks. I am voluntarily leaving a review
Not for me reading it, but for poor Hugh Linzee to get Oscar Overton to realise he was already head over heels, irrevocably, stuck for life, in love with him!
It was going to be a journey of many setbacks, we already knew this from the previous books in the series, poor Oscar's heart's been so badly bruised it's got permanent scar tissue.
He's always the best man at his former boyfriends' weddings, multiple of them, we're read the last four of their stories and seen them get their happy ever afters, so it was always going to take a really special kind of man to break through the galactic sized walls Oscar has put up.
Wedding photographer and absolute romantic Hugh is that guy, but even he struggled, which made the inevitable HEA the more sweet for it.
I absolutely adored this book, although I was a tad surprised that it was relatively low steam, we don't see much on page, but there's loads of references.
We don't see the first time either of them bottoms for the other, we just get throwaway comments and it's a real shame imho, although obviously anal sex isn't everything about a relationship! But outside of drunken, lust-filled encounters, it's a perfect way to demonstrate trust in another person.
Particularly for Oscar, given we know so much of his vulnerabilities are hidden behind those sky high walls.
I would have loved to have been able to experience alongside him that moment when he felt safe enough to let Hugh in, both physically and emotionally, rather than getting just the lust-filled encounters which occur on their first meet at Connor & Wells' wedding.
That aside though, this book is beautifully constructed, as Hugh begins to see how to navigate Oscar's particular peculiarities about love, its emotional entanglements, and the disappointment he's felt over and over again when his relationships fail.
It's also very funny, Hugh and Oscar hit it off from the start and their friendship is one of sarcastic retorts, funny memes, silly jokes, and deep conversations that draw them ever closer. It also has one of the best secondary characters - who has the best authors' note referring to him - in Frank, the emotional support hedgehog, who is a constant presence throughout.
There are feels up to the eyeballs, as both men come to realise that what they believed love was about, isn't the case at all. Love isn't perfect, it's sloppy, it's hard work, it's realising what's important to the other person doesn't have to come at the expense of your own happiness.
Oscar's HEA has been a long time coming, but it was absolutely worth the wait and I loved the last little twist the authors threw in at the end, no spoilers here of course, but it put a massive smile on my face. IYKYK
#ARC kindly received from the authors via GiveMeBooks. I am voluntarily leaving a review
May 19, 2024
Unpopular opinion: I’m In love with Hugh. But disappointed in Oscar.
For all of the past books, I’ve been so excited on reading Oscar’s book, the guy who tried everything and everyone together. And maybe that’s one of the reasons I’ve been disappointed.
Let’s start with the lesser reason I couldn’t love him quite as I hoped I would. It’s Frank, his pet hedgehog. I guess I know why the author chose to pair him with Frank: Oscar is as prickly and elusive as a hedgehog, hiding his soft underbelly from everyone who might get close enough to hurt him. But - and I know it’s a me-thing - I just can’t get behind someone carrying a hedgehog in his pocket. It’s a no-go, at least here in Europe where hedgehogs are a protected species. Whenever I spot one in my garden, I stay still and I’m happy one of them chose to visit. Carrying one around… uh. No.
Then the fact that since they known (and hooked up with) each other, Hugh went on multiple dates with other guys (mainly because Oscar kept pushing him away and trying to keep it casual).
And that lead us to the third and main reason I didn’t connect with Oscar: he’s supposed to be smart. And in his late thirties (I guess), a savvy entrepreneur, a self made billionaire (because ofc he is). Why does he keep pushing Hugh away? I get the once burned, twice shy thing, but his self denial is on another level. You’d think he’d had some severe relationship trauma, but no. He just made sure to keep everyone away before things got too serious.
Hugh deserved better. With his endless patience and perseverance and love, I kept feeling that he deserves better than a guy that keeps pushing him away, or sneaking away in the middle of the night. But he kind of redeemed himself towards the ends with his “grand gesture“, so I’ll be kinder than I thought I’ll be for about 85% of the book.
That being said, I loved how this final book tied everything together, and how we got to meet the “old” couples. And I loved Hugh enough to rate it with 3 stars. I know many of you liked it better, but sometimes there’s that unexplainable chemistry between book and reader that’s missing.
As for the audio: seems like I’m warming up to Michael Dean. While still not in my top 5, he’s not a no-go-narrator any more, I quite liked his work here.
For all of the past books, I’ve been so excited on reading Oscar’s book, the guy who tried everything and everyone together. And maybe that’s one of the reasons I’ve been disappointed.
Let’s start with the lesser reason I couldn’t love him quite as I hoped I would. It’s Frank, his pet hedgehog. I guess I know why the author chose to pair him with Frank: Oscar is as prickly and elusive as a hedgehog, hiding his soft underbelly from everyone who might get close enough to hurt him. But - and I know it’s a me-thing - I just can’t get behind someone carrying a hedgehog in his pocket. It’s a no-go, at least here in Europe where hedgehogs are a protected species. Whenever I spot one in my garden, I stay still and I’m happy one of them chose to visit. Carrying one around… uh. No.
Then the fact that since they known (and hooked up with) each other, Hugh went on multiple dates with other guys (mainly because Oscar kept pushing him away and trying to keep it casual).
And that lead us to the third and main reason I didn’t connect with Oscar: he’s supposed to be smart. And in his late thirties (I guess), a savvy entrepreneur, a self made billionaire (because ofc he is). Why does he keep pushing Hugh away? I get the once burned, twice shy thing, but his self denial is on another level. You’d think he’d had some severe relationship trauma, but no. He just made sure to keep everyone away before things got too serious.
Hugh deserved better. With his endless patience and perseverance and love, I kept feeling that he deserves better than a guy that keeps pushing him away, or sneaking away in the middle of the night. But he kind of redeemed himself towards the ends with his “grand gesture“, so I’ll be kinder than I thought I’ll be for about 85% of the book.
That being said, I loved how this final book tied everything together, and how we got to meet the “old” couples. And I loved Hugh enough to rate it with 3 stars. I know many of you liked it better, but sometimes there’s that unexplainable chemistry between book and reader that’s missing.
As for the audio: seems like I’m warming up to Michael Dean. While still not in my top 5, he’s not a no-go-narrator any more, I quite liked his work here.
May 12, 2024
4.5 Loved it stars!! ❤️❤️ Wonderful story to end this series; we finally get Oscar’s story; the guy responsible for the “After Oscar” series 🫶. Honestly speaking I wasn’t sure that I would like him after getting some snippets of him throughout the series; the love stories of his exes.. 🤷♀️ However, just like his pet hedgehog, Frank; Oscar too is prickly when defensive.. but a vulnerable man underneath the thorny exterior. And Hugh is the one to who sees it all, although it takes Oscar more than year to realize that Hugh is the one for him.
It was a sweet and romantic story.. really enjoyed both the heat and the sentimentality 🥰. Definitely recommend it; but it’s not a standalone 👍🏻👍🏻
It was a sweet and romantic story.. really enjoyed both the heat and the sentimentality 🥰. Definitely recommend it; but it’s not a standalone 👍🏻👍🏻
January 17, 2026
4.5 stars!
I loved this one! Yes, it had some moments where you wanted to shake an MC or two. But overall, this one brought the relationship angst that I am always looking for.
I loved this one! Yes, it had some moments where you wanted to shake an MC or two. But overall, this one brought the relationship angst that I am always looking for.
October 28, 2024
This was a fun way to end the series. Really loved Oscar & Hugh. Loved how much of a hopeless romantic Hugh was, and slowly watching Oscar fall in love. Overall pretty good@
December 15, 2024
4.5
This was such a pleasant surprise!!
I've hated Oscar throughout this series but oh my god, I absolutely love him now. This actually turned out to be my favourite book in the series.
I smiled the entire way through, I got teary eyed and I laughed so much at how stupid the pair of them were at times.
Hugh's realisation of what love really is was adorable 🥹 Oscar's panic at New Years had me laughing, but I was so happy to see the HEA these guys deserved.
This was such a pleasant surprise!!
I've hated Oscar throughout this series but oh my god, I absolutely love him now. This actually turned out to be my favourite book in the series.
I smiled the entire way through, I got teary eyed and I laughed so much at how stupid the pair of them were at times.
Hugh's realisation of what love really is was adorable 🥹 Oscar's panic at New Years had me laughing, but I was so happy to see the HEA these guys deserved.
April 29, 2024
"Because that's what love is - true love is a force of nature. It's a tornado that storms into your life, and you can try to stand against it, but you will fail every time."
WOW. What an epic ending to this sweet, yet emotional book. You know the term hard won HEA? Well this book certainly qualifies for that category. Holy moly did Oscar fight his feelings. And I'm not talking for the start. Oscar refused to acknowledge the fact that he was in love with Hugh for the majority of this book. I wanted to bop him over the head so many times! Like open your eyes dude! Here is this gorgeous, kind, and wonderful man you adore, yet he pushes him away at every opportunity.
Hugh was a freaking saint in my opinion. He was also the sweetest freaking thing ever. You see, Hugh is an unapologetic romantic. He wants it all. Hearts, flowers, sweet nothings. The whole shebang. He's in love with falling in love. And for a man like Oscar who has sworn off that very thing, he's a dangerous person to be around. Oscar knows if he spent time with Hugh that he wouldn't be able to fight against them for long. So they decide a text only friendship is the solution to keeping each other in their lives, but separate enough that there was no chance of falling in love.
Of course the jokes on them because they do exactly that. Time and time again Oscar shows up for Hugh when he needs him most, but he remains steadfast in his denial for them to become anything more. It was heartbreaking at times. Each of the MCs had to pull back from their communication at some points in order to protect their hearts from the same. I do have to say, the authors absolutely pulled out all the stops for the ending. It was exactly what I was hoping for these two, an EPIC HEA that they both absolutely deserved!!
WOW. What an epic ending to this sweet, yet emotional book. You know the term hard won HEA? Well this book certainly qualifies for that category. Holy moly did Oscar fight his feelings. And I'm not talking for the start. Oscar refused to acknowledge the fact that he was in love with Hugh for the majority of this book. I wanted to bop him over the head so many times! Like open your eyes dude! Here is this gorgeous, kind, and wonderful man you adore, yet he pushes him away at every opportunity.
Hugh was a freaking saint in my opinion. He was also the sweetest freaking thing ever. You see, Hugh is an unapologetic romantic. He wants it all. Hearts, flowers, sweet nothings. The whole shebang. He's in love with falling in love. And for a man like Oscar who has sworn off that very thing, he's a dangerous person to be around. Oscar knows if he spent time with Hugh that he wouldn't be able to fight against them for long. So they decide a text only friendship is the solution to keeping each other in their lives, but separate enough that there was no chance of falling in love.
Of course the jokes on them because they do exactly that. Time and time again Oscar shows up for Hugh when he needs him most, but he remains steadfast in his denial for them to become anything more. It was heartbreaking at times. Each of the MCs had to pull back from their communication at some points in order to protect their hearts from the same. I do have to say, the authors absolutely pulled out all the stops for the ending. It was exactly what I was hoping for these two, an EPIC HEA that they both absolutely deserved!!
May 14, 2024
This was exhausting for me. Oscar and Hugh were such incredibly lovable characters, and their meet-cute was adorable - I really thought it was setting up a great story.
I couldn’t handle the extremely prolonged “I don’t believe in love” from Oscar though, and his constant pulling back from Hugh drove me nuts. I’m not even sure I feel like there was much romance here. Just a lot of them being separated, barely interacting, just texting, dragging on and on and on.
I really pushed to get through this, and Oscar’s “revelation” near the very end of the book was excellent, but for the most part I was just surprised Hugh hadn’t told him to go fuck himself and get his shit together.
Edit: had to add this on because it’s been bothering me for days - Billionaire? Really? In this day and age of wealth inequality did Oscar have to really be a BILLIONAIRE?! #eattherich
I couldn’t handle the extremely prolonged “I don’t believe in love” from Oscar though, and his constant pulling back from Hugh drove me nuts. I’m not even sure I feel like there was much romance here. Just a lot of them being separated, barely interacting, just texting, dragging on and on and on.
I really pushed to get through this, and Oscar’s “revelation” near the very end of the book was excellent, but for the most part I was just surprised Hugh hadn’t told him to go fuck himself and get his shit together.
Edit: had to add this on because it’s been bothering me for days - Billionaire? Really? In this day and age of wealth inequality did Oscar have to really be a BILLIONAIRE?! #eattherich
September 23, 2024
This book was supposed to be the pinnacle of this series. The most anticipated book from a character that's damn important.
Whoever decided this was the right way to go, wasn't thinking straight. What the hell, seriously.
I'm giving it 3⭐, because I did like both Oscar and Hugh, but I did want something more extraordinary for Oscar. His love interest was a wedding photographer and a love story that's far from a passionate, earthshattering love affair I'd expect for him.
🔵 A billionaire/wedding photographer
🟢 Both gay
🟣 Both in their late 20's
🟡 A romantic story (almost too sappy)
🌶️ Smut is FTB, a lot off-page; based on one descriptive sex scene i'm guessing it's t/b
I'm disappointed. I expected more. The story would've been good though, the chemistry and the relationship development was on point between Oscar and Hugh, the wedding photographer, but the intimacy is where that love story should've reached its fruition, that should've brought the whole thing home and - it failed.
How can there be almost no smut and the smut that there is, is completely FTB, the few intimate scenes were only vaguely described. Why? Because the intimacy part was the most important thing here. It's where Oscar really fell in love, right? Can't get more intimate than that. And it was over before it started.
That was a huge mistake. Huge. Not good.
Hugh gets too sappy in the second half. I get that he's a romantic but he's oftentimes too unrealistic and looks at love like a small kid who's watching Disney movies.
The ending was abrupt, the epilogue gives us Oscar and Hugh's after wedding party. The wedding was small with only a few people at Oscar's house - which is another surprise since this is Oscar, the eternal bachelor, always the best man, never the groom - and Hugh, the hopeless romantic.
Didn't they deserve a fairytale wedding?
This book was a miss for the most part.
Whoever decided this was the right way to go, wasn't thinking straight. What the hell, seriously.
I'm giving it 3⭐, because I did like both Oscar and Hugh, but I did want something more extraordinary for Oscar. His love interest was a wedding photographer and a love story that's far from a passionate, earthshattering love affair I'd expect for him.
🔵 A billionaire/wedding photographer
🟢 Both gay
🟣 Both in their late 20's
🟡 A romantic story (almost too sappy)
🌶️ Smut is FTB, a lot off-page; based on one descriptive sex scene i'm guessing it's t/b
I'm disappointed. I expected more. The story would've been good though, the chemistry and the relationship development was on point between Oscar and Hugh, the wedding photographer, but the intimacy is where that love story should've reached its fruition, that should've brought the whole thing home and - it failed.
How can there be almost no smut and the smut that there is, is completely FTB, the few intimate scenes were only vaguely described. Why? Because the intimacy part was the most important thing here. It's where Oscar really fell in love, right? Can't get more intimate than that. And it was over before it started.
That was a huge mistake. Huge. Not good.
Hugh gets too sappy in the second half. I get that he's a romantic but he's oftentimes too unrealistic and looks at love like a small kid who's watching Disney movies.
The ending was abrupt, the epilogue gives us Oscar and Hugh's after wedding party. The wedding was small with only a few people at Oscar's house - which is another surprise since this is Oscar, the eternal bachelor, always the best man, never the groom - and Hugh, the hopeless romantic.
Didn't they deserve a fairytale wedding?
This book was a miss for the most part.
September 19, 2024
⭐︎
4.5 stars rounded up!
⭐︎
Yay, I've finished this whole series! (It feels like such an accomplishment when I've read an entire series)
We read four previous stories about Oscar's exes finding love after him. But now it was time for Oscar to find his own forever love.
Understandably, after many failed relationships, Oscar has now decided love isn't for him, that it will all end in heartbreak and break ups for him. Of course he decides this right before he meets the love of his life, because of course!
Hugh is the opposite of Oscar. He is full of optimism. He's a hopeless romantic. He grew up with parents who loved each other and were happy together - until he lost them - and he wants that for himself too.
He's had many failures in relationships as well, but refreshingly, he doesn't take Oscar's stance - although it would be understandable if he would - but instead seems more determined than ever to find The One.
He thinks he might have found it in Oscar, but after a night of sex, Oscar makes it very clear that he isn't one to settle down and he wasn't that guy for Hugh.
Hugh accepts that, but 3 months later, Oscar's assistant is looking for a good photographer for her sister's wedding, and Hugh is a wedding photographer...a talented one, at that.
Once Oscar gets in touch, he makes it clear he still isn't the one Hugh should be looking for, so instead Hugh asks for a friendship, which Oscar wants to keep a text friendship only - no meeting up in person.
Hugh accepts, and what follows is a year and a half of these two falling head over heels in love with each other, but Oscar is fighting it every step of the way - and failing miserably - and Hugh is trying to be careful to keep Oscar in his life.
Oscar never seems to be The One for any guy he dates, but he is The One for Hugh. He just has to get over his fear of losing another boyfriend - and more specifically, Hugh; who over time has become more important to Oscar than he cares to admit.
But also - Oscar doesn't want to admit Hugh is becoming the one guy he especially doesn't want to become an ex and move onto find his "One" "After Oscar"
Because as much as he loved or cared about any of the men he dated before Hugh, let's be real...Oscar wasn't in it 100% either. He was half of why it was never working out. But he cares about and loves Hugh more than any of his exes before. That should tell him how much different it would be with Hugh...but he still goes kicking and screaming to being ready to admit he wants Hugh for more than sex.
Which, speaking of...I did give off .5 stars for the weird lack of sex in this one. I mean, we got some scenes here and there, but they felt oddly rushed or glossed over.
We didn't even get their first penetrative time together, which should always be fully written out in romance novels, to be honest. Like it's really about furthering their connection and seeing how they are together in an intimate way, and skipping over that makes no sense to me.
We didn't even get a penetrative sex scene between these two until 75% which is absolutely wild to me. And even then, it wasn't super detailed and it was also very clear they'd done it before but we got to see none of it.
After the last book - which is still my favorite in this series - where we got several penetrative sex scenes, and we definitely got to see the first one between Boone and Richard, and it was detailed...this book was disappointing in the sex part, overall.
This book was fairly long overall, so it wasn't like these ladies were rushing to just finish off this series and went half-assed for Oscar and Hugh's love story....but for the sex between them? It was half-assed and I don't know why, when I know they're capable of much more.
What little we did get of these two sexually was always a bit glossed over to be honest. What we would get was hot, it just wasn't too detailed or lingered on as much as I would have liked, except for maybe a scene or two here or there.
Thankfully, everything else was on point. Oscar and Hugh had such amazing chemistry. Hugh was such a sweetheart, and the perfect guy for Oscar. This book also took its time to build up the connection between these two and showing why they fell in love.
The romance in this was definitely on point and I absolutely loved it. But unless one or both of your characters is a sex hesitant/repulsed asexual, all adult romance novels should have sex to go with the romance. So that's my only reason for the .5 stars off.
Everything else I absolutely loved and was so happy with. (Would have liked more of a focus on the rest of the couples in the epilogue though, maybe. Like a big send off for the whole series, but I digress.)
This was a solid, great way to end the series, with Oscar finally not being the stepping stone, but being the endgame.
I can't wait to for more from these ladies, especially getting Molly Maddox writing on her own. There were definitely several contenders for their own book at Boone's ranch, for sure. Can't wait for that series.
Until then! 🥰😘
My Ratings for the After Oscar Series:
🌕 IRL: In Real Life: 5 stars (my review)
🌕 LOL: Laugh Out Loud: 4.5 stars (my review)
🌕 BTW: By the Way: 4 stars (my review)
🌕 ISO: In Search Of: 5 stars (my review)
🌕 HEA: Happily Ever After: 4.5 stars
Yay, I've finished this whole series! (It feels like such an accomplishment when I've read an entire series)
We read four previous stories about Oscar's exes finding love after him. But now it was time for Oscar to find his own forever love.
Understandably, after many failed relationships, Oscar has now decided love isn't for him, that it will all end in heartbreak and break ups for him. Of course he decides this right before he meets the love of his life, because of course!
Hugh is the opposite of Oscar. He is full of optimism. He's a hopeless romantic. He grew up with parents who loved each other and were happy together - until he lost them - and he wants that for himself too.
He's had many failures in relationships as well, but refreshingly, he doesn't take Oscar's stance - although it would be understandable if he would - but instead seems more determined than ever to find The One.
He thinks he might have found it in Oscar, but after a night of sex, Oscar makes it very clear that he isn't one to settle down and he wasn't that guy for Hugh.
Hugh accepts that, but 3 months later, Oscar's assistant is looking for a good photographer for her sister's wedding, and Hugh is a wedding photographer...a talented one, at that.
Once Oscar gets in touch, he makes it clear he still isn't the one Hugh should be looking for, so instead Hugh asks for a friendship, which Oscar wants to keep a text friendship only - no meeting up in person.
Hugh accepts, and what follows is a year and a half of these two falling head over heels in love with each other, but Oscar is fighting it every step of the way - and failing miserably - and Hugh is trying to be careful to keep Oscar in his life.
Oscar never seems to be The One for any guy he dates, but he is The One for Hugh. He just has to get over his fear of losing another boyfriend - and more specifically, Hugh; who over time has become more important to Oscar than he cares to admit.
But also - Oscar doesn't want to admit Hugh is becoming the one guy he especially doesn't want to become an ex and move onto find his "One" "After Oscar"
Because as much as he loved or cared about any of the men he dated before Hugh, let's be real...Oscar wasn't in it 100% either. He was half of why it was never working out. But he cares about and loves Hugh more than any of his exes before. That should tell him how much different it would be with Hugh...but he still goes kicking and screaming to being ready to admit he wants Hugh for more than sex.
Which, speaking of...I did give off .5 stars for the weird lack of sex in this one. I mean, we got some scenes here and there, but they felt oddly rushed or glossed over.
We didn't even get their first penetrative time together, which should always be fully written out in romance novels, to be honest. Like it's really about furthering their connection and seeing how they are together in an intimate way, and skipping over that makes no sense to me.
We didn't even get a penetrative sex scene between these two until 75% which is absolutely wild to me. And even then, it wasn't super detailed and it was also very clear they'd done it before but we got to see none of it.
After the last book - which is still my favorite in this series - where we got several penetrative sex scenes, and we definitely got to see the first one between Boone and Richard, and it was detailed...this book was disappointing in the sex part, overall.
This book was fairly long overall, so it wasn't like these ladies were rushing to just finish off this series and went half-assed for Oscar and Hugh's love story....but for the sex between them? It was half-assed and I don't know why, when I know they're capable of much more.
What little we did get of these two sexually was always a bit glossed over to be honest. What we would get was hot, it just wasn't too detailed or lingered on as much as I would have liked, except for maybe a scene or two here or there.
Thankfully, everything else was on point. Oscar and Hugh had such amazing chemistry. Hugh was such a sweetheart, and the perfect guy for Oscar. This book also took its time to build up the connection between these two and showing why they fell in love.
The romance in this was definitely on point and I absolutely loved it. But unless one or both of your characters is a sex hesitant/repulsed asexual, all adult romance novels should have sex to go with the romance. So that's my only reason for the .5 stars off.
Everything else I absolutely loved and was so happy with. (Would have liked more of a focus on the rest of the couples in the epilogue though, maybe. Like a big send off for the whole series, but I digress.)
This was a solid, great way to end the series, with Oscar finally not being the stepping stone, but being the endgame.
I can't wait to for more from these ladies, especially getting Molly Maddox writing on her own. There were definitely several contenders for their own book at Boone's ranch, for sure. Can't wait for that series.
Until then! 🥰😘
My Ratings for the After Oscar Series:
🌕 IRL: In Real Life: 5 stars (my review)
🌕 LOL: Laugh Out Loud: 4.5 stars (my review)
🌕 BTW: By the Way: 4 stars (my review)
🌕 ISO: In Search Of: 5 stars (my review)
🌕 HEA: Happily Ever After: 4.5 stars
May 16, 2024
I am not a fan of books where the MCs date and hook up with other people after they've already hooked up with each other. I was not aware that's how this book was. The MCs are separated during most of the book. It's just not my thing
July 14, 2024
*4+ Stars*
Loved this story! Oscar and Hugh were great and so were their families. Great ending.
Loved this story! Oscar and Hugh were great and so were their families. Great ending.
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May 8, 2024
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was really cute.
The story follows Oscar, a prickly man with commitment issues, not because he is against settling down but because he has been burned before by multiple men who then went on to find their one true love. So when he meets a sarcastic and charming photographer at a friend's wedding, he thinks it will follow the same pattern and won't be any different because, in his own words - "every man had seemed different until he wasn’t."
But of course this time fate has different plans for him and the photographer, obsessed with HEA.
This was a low angst, sweet love story that ends in a HEA, as the title suggests. But it takes a long time for the characters to get on the same page, to the point where sometimes I wanted to shake them and yell at them to get their heads out of their asses. But I also understand how that was necessary for the character growth they both had.
All in all I really enjoyed it.
This was really cute.
The story follows Oscar, a prickly man with commitment issues, not because he is against settling down but because he has been burned before by multiple men who then went on to find their one true love. So when he meets a sarcastic and charming photographer at a friend's wedding, he thinks it will follow the same pattern and won't be any different because, in his own words - "every man had seemed different until he wasn’t."
But of course this time fate has different plans for him and the photographer, obsessed with HEA.
This was a low angst, sweet love story that ends in a HEA, as the title suggests. But it takes a long time for the characters to get on the same page, to the point where sometimes I wanted to shake them and yell at them to get their heads out of their asses. But I also understand how that was necessary for the character growth they both had.
All in all I really enjoyed it.
May 1, 2024
Finally! It’s Oscar’s turn, and if you’ve loved this series as much as I have, you’re SO ready for him to finally find his HEA. Lucy Lennox & Molly Maddox have written the absolute perfect conclusion to his story arc; his HEA is hard won, and I can’t imagine a better way to close out this series.
Oscar Overton is the stuff of which legends are made. His is a classic rags to riches tale, with a lot of grit, determination, and broken hearts along the way. He has more money than he’ll ever know what to do with, but the one thing it can’t buy is love.
It’s well known that after Oscar, the next person his ex dates will be his one true love. But what about Oscar? Throughout life, sometimes Oscar was the one breaking hearts, but almost every time his was also broken. He’s decided maybe love just isn’t for him, because the last thing he needs is another failed relationship.
I loved everything about Oscar’s HEA from the timeline to the emotional depth to Oscar’s love interest. Hugh is an amazing guy who happens to be the ultimate romantic. What better match for the person who’s sworn off love? Watching them build a deep, complex friendship and fall for each other without even really trying was really satisfying, even if Oscar fights it every step along the way.
I can’t recommend this book and the entire series enough. Each story works as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, I definitely recommend reading them in order. Each book chronicles the HEA of one of Oscar’s exes - there are A LOT lol - culminating in this outstanding finale where it all comes full circle.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
Oscar Overton is the stuff of which legends are made. His is a classic rags to riches tale, with a lot of grit, determination, and broken hearts along the way. He has more money than he’ll ever know what to do with, but the one thing it can’t buy is love.
It’s well known that after Oscar, the next person his ex dates will be his one true love. But what about Oscar? Throughout life, sometimes Oscar was the one breaking hearts, but almost every time his was also broken. He’s decided maybe love just isn’t for him, because the last thing he needs is another failed relationship.
I loved everything about Oscar’s HEA from the timeline to the emotional depth to Oscar’s love interest. Hugh is an amazing guy who happens to be the ultimate romantic. What better match for the person who’s sworn off love? Watching them build a deep, complex friendship and fall for each other without even really trying was really satisfying, even if Oscar fights it every step along the way.
I can’t recommend this book and the entire series enough. Each story works as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, I definitely recommend reading them in order. Each book chronicles the HEA of one of Oscar’s exes - there are A LOT lol - culminating in this outstanding finale where it all comes full circle.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
May 7, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The first book in the After Oscar series was released in 2019, so this series has been going on for a while and I have been waiting for Oscar’s book. After book 4, ISO, I became more intrigued with Oscar, as that is the first book I felt really gave any insight into his character.
This was a great way to top off this series and was my favorite book of the lineup. It was rewarding to see Oscar and Hugh get their long-awaited HEA.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
The first book in the After Oscar series was released in 2019, so this series has been going on for a while and I have been waiting for Oscar’s book. After book 4, ISO, I became more intrigued with Oscar, as that is the first book I felt really gave any insight into his character.
This was a great way to top off this series and was my favorite book of the lineup. It was rewarding to see Oscar and Hugh get their long-awaited HEA.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
April 20, 2024
Man what a hard fought HEA!
I knew from the first after Oscar book that Oscar’s HEA would have to be epic! I love love love a series that has such an anticipated story and satisfying happily ever after.
Oscar and Hugh were adorable together honestly and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. From silly pick up lines to inside jokes Hugh and Oscar’s relationship just felt right. They were fun and sappy but there was also an aspect that felt so real. Love isn’t all hearts and flowers and sometimes the greatest love looks and feels like a mess. Hugh and Oscar proved that you can find perfection amongst the imperfection if you make the choice to love your partner through it all. I did think the steam was a little underwhelming which I was a bit surprised by but it really wasn’t the focus with these two. I also wish there was a little less frustrating I just want to knock their heads together and a little more of their relationship but at the end of the day this was a enjoyable story that kept my attention throughout. I was so happy for both Oscar and Hugh because by the end it felt like they really fought for their HEA.
I knew from the first after Oscar book that Oscar’s HEA would have to be epic! I love love love a series that has such an anticipated story and satisfying happily ever after.
Oscar and Hugh were adorable together honestly and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. From silly pick up lines to inside jokes Hugh and Oscar’s relationship just felt right. They were fun and sappy but there was also an aspect that felt so real. Love isn’t all hearts and flowers and sometimes the greatest love looks and feels like a mess. Hugh and Oscar proved that you can find perfection amongst the imperfection if you make the choice to love your partner through it all. I did think the steam was a little underwhelming which I was a bit surprised by but it really wasn’t the focus with these two. I also wish there was a little less frustrating I just want to knock their heads together and a little more of their relationship but at the end of the day this was a enjoyable story that kept my attention throughout. I was so happy for both Oscar and Hugh because by the end it felt like they really fought for their HEA.
May 6, 2024
4.5⭐️
May 3, 2024
I'm so glad to finally get Oscar's story! I was not expecting him to be so guarded, but it made sense after everything we've seen him go through. Hugh was absolutely perfect, so sweet and just adorable. This was a hard won HEA, but as always that made it so much sweeter when they finally worked it out! It wasn't completely closed door, but definitely more than I've come to expect from this series. Great banter and jokes and just a wonderful ending!
May 4, 2024
2.5 stars, rounded. Well this was disappointing. It started off so strong, with Hugh and Oscar being quite lovable characters. But as it progressed, their endearing and entertaining friendship became a chore to read, with the constant backing out on Oscar’s part. Idk, I felt unfulfilled with the ending of this book.
June 7, 2024
I might change my mind upon reread (bc there will be another and another) but in my current state of mind, it’s a 5 for me. I was this face - 🥹 - the entire book.
May 4, 2024
Oscar finally gets his HEA – but holy hell that is a hard earned HEA! I really loved Oscar and Hugh and together they are just perfection, even if it takes an especially long time for Oscar to come to the understanding that he truly is worthy of love. And I love that Hugh is the one to show him!
I thought this book had a lot of wonderful, highly amusing moments that actually had me giggling mixed with very real and raw moments of vulnerability. It was a great mix of emotions that made it very real and I felt like I really got to know these characters. Oscar may come across as flippant and fun loving, but he’s actually a very guarded man who wants love but doesn’t feel he deserves it. Hugh is the perfect match for him, he is a man who loves romance and love and believes in the HEA with his whole heart. These two may start off with what is supposed to be a hook-up but they can’t stay away from each other and they both discover that they don’t really want to try to stay away.
I truly enjoyed this journey with Oscar, Hugh and of course Frank. Even in the moments that made my heart ache, I loved them so much and just wanted them to find the happiness and love that they deserve. It was definitely an emotional ride though and not always easy but I will say that when it all comes together, when they both finally figure it out *CHEFS KISS* perfection and totally worth it!
I thought this book had a lot of wonderful, highly amusing moments that actually had me giggling mixed with very real and raw moments of vulnerability. It was a great mix of emotions that made it very real and I felt like I really got to know these characters. Oscar may come across as flippant and fun loving, but he’s actually a very guarded man who wants love but doesn’t feel he deserves it. Hugh is the perfect match for him, he is a man who loves romance and love and believes in the HEA with his whole heart. These two may start off with what is supposed to be a hook-up but they can’t stay away from each other and they both discover that they don’t really want to try to stay away.
I truly enjoyed this journey with Oscar, Hugh and of course Frank. Even in the moments that made my heart ache, I loved them so much and just wanted them to find the happiness and love that they deserve. It was definitely an emotional ride though and not always easy but I will say that when it all comes together, when they both finally figure it out *CHEFS KISS* perfection and totally worth it!
July 7, 2024
Ugh, Oscar's HEA had to be special and I feel like he really got what he deserved with a lovely man in Hugh and finally accepting how much his family loved him.
Oscar is pretty damaged. There's this curse that says the next person someone dates after Oscar will find their forever one. Over and over it's happened, so of course he swears off dating, even after he meets and hooks up with Hugh.
Romance purists will not like that Oscar and Hugh both see other people after they meet (though none of their sexual exploits are on page) but I felt this was not only completely natural but necessary to the plot. Oscar is scared and runs away from his growing feelings by being the playboy people think he is. Hugh is looking for the one. He's a romantic. Even though Oscar could be that person, Hugh knows Oscar won't commit, so Hugh keeps looking.
There's fake dating, such a loving and pure friendship, a gorgeous confession, honestly, the stunt Hugh pulls at the end hit me in the feels, and lots of lovely family moments. Oh and of course, the emotional support hedgehog.
Oscar really got the HEA he deserved
Oscar is pretty damaged. There's this curse that says the next person someone dates after Oscar will find their forever one. Over and over it's happened, so of course he swears off dating, even after he meets and hooks up with Hugh.
Romance purists will not like that Oscar and Hugh both see other people after they meet (though none of their sexual exploits are on page) but I felt this was not only completely natural but necessary to the plot. Oscar is scared and runs away from his growing feelings by being the playboy people think he is. Hugh is looking for the one. He's a romantic. Even though Oscar could be that person, Hugh knows Oscar won't commit, so Hugh keeps looking.
There's fake dating, such a loving and pure friendship, a gorgeous confession, honestly, the stunt Hugh pulls at the end hit me in the feels, and lots of lovely family moments. Oh and of course, the emotional support hedgehog.
Oscar really got the HEA he deserved
May 9, 2024
The best was reserved for the last. Oscar, the side character common to all the other books, gets to shine in this one. A perfect blend of flirtation, banter, pain and sappiness before finding joy.
Romcom scores (0-10 point scale)
Flirt to roast meter - 10
Pining - 10
Bickering - 6
Romcom scores (0-10 point scale)
Flirt to roast meter - 10
Pining - 10
Bickering - 6
June 9, 2025
One of the BEST MM series I have read!!
There are so many good things about this series!! I really enjoyed the build up to Oscars story. It was everything!!!! Every singe book was good. I can’t say enough.
There are so many good things about this series!! I really enjoyed the build up to Oscars story. It was everything!!!! Every singe book was good. I can’t say enough.
May 2, 2024
3.5 stars
This book was well-written, tied up the series nicely, and had an adorable hedgehog. There was a sweet romance arc about taking chances and what love means when all is said and done, and some fun secondary characters pop up throughout. All that is to say, I never did engage with either MC and a lot of the story seemed surface level until about 65% in. It was enough to keep me going, but also made me wish for a bit more in the first part.
A decent way to pass the time, Frank the hedgehog steals most of his scenes, and again, the romance is sweet.
This book was well-written, tied up the series nicely, and had an adorable hedgehog. There was a sweet romance arc about taking chances and what love means when all is said and done, and some fun secondary characters pop up throughout. All that is to say, I never did engage with either MC and a lot of the story seemed surface level until about 65% in. It was enough to keep me going, but also made me wish for a bit more in the first part.
A decent way to pass the time, Frank the hedgehog steals most of his scenes, and again, the romance is sweet.
July 20, 2024
My last book from these authors was the second in this series, and it was proposterous. Suspension of disbelief was one thing, and there was this....Anyway. I wanted to know who Oscar was and the cover was cute. Self-made BILLIONAIRES at thirty always excite me. Especially when they are funding 🎇. Nothing made sense and still I rooted for the couple.
June 6, 2024
I don’t recall where I saw it, but I believe this will be Oscar’s story. It is stated/eluded to in book 3 in a conversation between Oscar and James that Oscar had been in love once and it didn’t work out or wasn’t meant to be at the time. So it is possible Oscar’s story will be a second chance/ rekindled romance type story.
No clue when this will be out, but as long as Oscar’s crazy family stays at bay unlike in book 2 I look forward to Oscar’s story. This story appears to be overdue from a potential 2020 release.
6/5/2024- just got from KU. So excited to read it.
No clue when this will be out, but as long as Oscar’s crazy family stays at bay unlike in book 2 I look forward to Oscar’s story. This story appears to be overdue from a potential 2020 release.
6/5/2024- just got from KU. So excited to read it.
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