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Goode Boys #1
Troublemaker
Neighbourhood bad boy Aiden Goode has had a crush on his brother's kind, smart, straight best friend since he was fifteen. So when Carter asks him to come to a family wedding as his date, Aiden jumps at the chance to spend a week alone with the man of his dreams.
A romantic cabin, one bed to share, and an ex-girlfriend to convince that Carter's moved on...
... plus a confession that Carter kissed Aiden's brother when they were eighteen because he was curious about boys.
What could possibly go wrong?
Troublemaker is the first full-length, standalone novel in the Goode Boys series. It ends on a HEA and does not contain a cliffhanger. It does, however, contain: an intimate piercing, a surprise kiss, huddling for warmth, sexy pastry eating, explicit scenes, kissing in the snow, and true love conquering all.
A romantic cabin, one bed to share, and an ex-girlfriend to convince that Carter's moved on...
... plus a confession that Carter kissed Aiden's brother when they were eighteen because he was curious about boys.
What could possibly go wrong?
Troublemaker is the first full-length, standalone novel in the Goode Boys series. It ends on a HEA and does not contain a cliffhanger. It does, however, contain: an intimate piercing, a surprise kiss, huddling for warmth, sexy pastry eating, explicit scenes, kissing in the snow, and true love conquering all.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2020
236 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Sean Ashcroft
44 books460 followersSean Ashcroft likes rainy days, white hot chocolates (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!) and boys kissing in books. He currently resides in Australia, all the way down at the bottom of the mainland in a sleepy little seaside town.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
November 15, 2023
Bi-awakening while fake dating my BFF’s little brother, who is my complete opposite.
This was a whole bunch of cuteness taking place during a destination wedding in snowy Canada. Light and fluffy.
Finance broker/tattoo artist
Unrequited high school crush
There was only one bed
Tiny, warm smiles
Eyes that sparkle
Cozy cabin
They are stoking a fire in a cold cabin:
”(…)about how warm his body had been. It was still warm now, so close to me I could smell his aftershave mingling with the wood smoke, warm and inviting.”
Mmm yum 🤤
Sean writes very sensual and hot steamy scenes.
Aw, I really became attached to Aiden and Carter. Will read Kieran’s book next.
This was a whole bunch of cuteness taking place during a destination wedding in snowy Canada. Light and fluffy.
Finance broker/tattoo artist
Unrequited high school crush
There was only one bed
Tiny, warm smiles
Eyes that sparkle
Cozy cabin
They are stoking a fire in a cold cabin:
”(…)about how warm his body had been. It was still warm now, so close to me I could smell his aftershave mingling with the wood smoke, warm and inviting.”
Mmm yum 🤤
Sean writes very sensual and hot steamy scenes.
Aw, I really became attached to Aiden and Carter. Will read Kieran’s book next.
November 2, 2023
4⭐️ super cute, sweet, and romantic. Sean Ashcroft always writes feel-good stories that make you swoon. I usually like a bit more angst or heartache but this is perfect if you want a comfort-read.
November 24, 2020
nie wiem co napisać:D
więc... to nie jest książka z cyklu, zabili go i uciekł, o nie.
to słodka książka, to słodko gorzka książka
to taka książka, która się fajnie czyta o tej porze roku. ociepli serducha.
czy to znaczy, że gorsza?
mi się podobało. denerwowała mnie jedna osoba tam, inną chciałam zasztyletować, trzy inne kocham miłością dziką namiętną i szaloną, wiec... co ma być jak jest słodko?
przesz 5 gwiazdek:D
więc... to nie jest książka z cyklu, zabili go i uciekł, o nie.
to słodka książka, to słodko gorzka książka
to taka książka, która się fajnie czyta o tej porze roku. ociepli serducha.
czy to znaczy, że gorsza?
mi się podobało. denerwowała mnie jedna osoba tam, inną chciałam zasztyletować, trzy inne kocham miłością dziką namiętną i szaloną, wiec... co ma być jak jest słodko?
przesz 5 gwiazdek:D
April 27, 2020
I mean... The titular "troublemaker" was a freakin' marshmallow and not at ALL a troublemaker, but the faux-to-real boyfriend trope is catnip to me, so I enjoyed it. Also... piercings. :D
December 2, 2020
4+, lekka i przyjemna historia ;)
February 24, 2020
Oh, how I loved this book. And that's kind of a thing considering I normally don't like the fake boyfriend trope.
I loved Carter and Aiden – complete opposites but perfect for each other. I loved Carter’s father who had a few secrets of his own. I adored Aiden’s family and best friend, Morgan. I even found myself liking Carter’s ex-girlfriend after awhile. His mother? I despised her.
I can’t wait to read about the other brothers. I know Aiden’s best friend (Morgan) has a crush on Aiden’s brother (Devin), so I’m sure they’ll have their own story. I’m also hoping to see more about Kiernan, Carter's best friend and Aiden's older brother. Neither man was in the book much but I liked what I saw. And I can’t not say how much I loved Aiden's mother. She was the mother any son would be proud to have.
Another thing I loved about this book was that both Carter and Aiden are bisexual. It's takes Carter a little while to figure that out, but Aiden's been out and proud for years now, having been with both men and women in the past.
This is another new to me author. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Full review can be found at -
I loved Carter and Aiden – complete opposites but perfect for each other. I loved Carter’s father who had a few secrets of his own. I adored Aiden’s family and best friend, Morgan. I even found myself liking Carter’s ex-girlfriend after awhile. His mother? I despised her.
I can’t wait to read about the other brothers. I know Aiden’s best friend (Morgan) has a crush on Aiden’s brother (Devin), so I’m sure they’ll have their own story. I’m also hoping to see more about Kiernan, Carter's best friend and Aiden's older brother. Neither man was in the book much but I liked what I saw. And I can’t not say how much I loved Aiden's mother. She was the mother any son would be proud to have.
Another thing I loved about this book was that both Carter and Aiden are bisexual. It's takes Carter a little while to figure that out, but Aiden's been out and proud for years now, having been with both men and women in the past.
This is another new to me author. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Full review can be found at -
February 26, 2020
"This is a really magical queer moment,"
This quote sums up this book pretty damn well.
There is wonderful bisexual rep, awesome family growth and the development of such a lovely relationship.
I adored Aiden and how in touch with his own, and everyone elses, feelings he was.
Carter was awkward and shy and that's all I need to say.
Plus, the fake relationship trope is a favourite of mine so this book hit the spot for me!
This quote sums up this book pretty damn well.
There is wonderful bisexual rep, awesome family growth and the development of such a lovely relationship.
I adored Aiden and how in touch with his own, and everyone elses, feelings he was.
Carter was awkward and shy and that's all I need to say.
Plus, the fake relationship trope is a favourite of mine so this book hit the spot for me!
November 8, 2022
Best friends little brother fake dating!
Really the only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is the mom. I wish she had more gong for her than being the evil controlling reason no one including Carters dad could be happy…
I just wish she had more dimension, still can be shit but has other stuff going on.
Aidan is so cute! I love Aidan and Carter figuring out their relationship. And the setting is so romantic!
So cute and sweet I’m off to the next one right now! Go read this if you want a low angst sexual awakening
Really the only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is the mom. I wish she had more gong for her than being the evil controlling reason no one including Carters dad could be happy…
I just wish she had more dimension, still can be shit but has other stuff going on.
Aidan is so cute! I love Aidan and Carter figuring out their relationship. And the setting is so romantic!
So cute and sweet I’m off to the next one right now! Go read this if you want a low angst sexual awakening
September 20, 2021
*3.5 stars
Teen Aiden would have never imagined that Carter, his brother's best friend and the straight guy he had a huge crush on, would ever ask him to be his fake boyfriend. But it happened, and now he’s going to a winter wedding in Canada where he’s sharing a bed with Carter. It’s a dream come true…. if it wasn’t because he is falling again for Carter, and it’s going to end badly.
Spending more time with Carter, one-one no less, was making me realize that fifteen-year-old Aiden had an incredible taste in men.
Troublemaker is a light reading, with good written characters and a stunning landscape in the background. Fun, confident and blunt, Aiden was the highlight of my reading. I would have read this book only for him. Ironically, it’s the reason I’m not rating it higher. I feel he stole all my attention and I barely remember Carter in comparison. Don’t get me wrong, he was a nice fellow, but a bit too calm and with less personality.
“You can have the bed, I’ll crash on the couch. Usually do anyway. I’ll even make you breakfast in the morning. How do you like your eggs?” Was I being too enthusiastic? The more I thought about this, the more excited I got. A whole week with Carter Kowalski, the man against whom I measured all other men.
There was a reason I was single.
My other problem was the pace: they fell in love in less than two weeks and I usually prefer something more prolonged in time to see how they adjust to each other, rather than just get together and that’s it. However, the secondary characters made up for it: Carter's dad was almost as great as Aiden, and I loved the dynamics between these two.
Overall, Troublemaker is a cozy and fun romance with unrequited love, fake dating and only one bed trope. While it felt a bit too short, it was still worth reading.
Teen Aiden would have never imagined that Carter, his brother's best friend and the straight guy he had a huge crush on, would ever ask him to be his fake boyfriend. But it happened, and now he’s going to a winter wedding in Canada where he’s sharing a bed with Carter. It’s a dream come true…. if it wasn’t because he is falling again for Carter, and it’s going to end badly.
Spending more time with Carter, one-one no less, was making me realize that fifteen-year-old Aiden had an incredible taste in men.
Troublemaker is a light reading, with good written characters and a stunning landscape in the background. Fun, confident and blunt, Aiden was the highlight of my reading. I would have read this book only for him. Ironically, it’s the reason I’m not rating it higher. I feel he stole all my attention and I barely remember Carter in comparison. Don’t get me wrong, he was a nice fellow, but a bit too calm and with less personality.
“You can have the bed, I’ll crash on the couch. Usually do anyway. I’ll even make you breakfast in the morning. How do you like your eggs?” Was I being too enthusiastic? The more I thought about this, the more excited I got. A whole week with Carter Kowalski, the man against whom I measured all other men.
There was a reason I was single.
My other problem was the pace: they fell in love in less than two weeks and I usually prefer something more prolonged in time to see how they adjust to each other, rather than just get together and that’s it. However, the secondary characters made up for it: Carter's dad was almost as great as Aiden, and I loved the dynamics between these two.
Overall, Troublemaker is a cozy and fun romance with unrequited love, fake dating and only one bed trope. While it felt a bit too short, it was still worth reading.
August 1, 2021
I adored this ! Great bi rep, fluffy, steamy and my favorite fake relationship trope 🥰
June 22, 2021
I don’t get it. This book is like, standard Ashcroft fare — main tropes being fake relationships and “I’m queer for you” — but I’m not a big fan of this one.
First is the almost ridiculous number of revelations packed into what I think was a one-week trip. The scenes occasionally feel scattered, not really connected, like we were trying to hit as many meaningful moments as we could before we got to the first climactic moment of Carter’s mom’s bitchiness level hitting DEFCON 5.
Second is the predictable, boring, cheesiness. “Uwu does he really love me”, misunderstandings re: Carter’s ex, and then the whole dramatique bursting into people’s stores and declaring their love in front of the peanut gallery.
Stories like these are expected to have a certain amount of cheesiness but for some reason this one was like … unbearable for me.
First is the almost ridiculous number of revelations packed into what I think was a one-week trip. The scenes occasionally feel scattered, not really connected, like we were trying to hit as many meaningful moments as we could before we got to the first climactic moment of Carter’s mom’s bitchiness level hitting DEFCON 5.
Second is the predictable, boring, cheesiness. “Uwu does he really love me”, misunderstandings re: Carter’s ex, and then the whole dramatique bursting into people’s stores and declaring their love in front of the peanut gallery.
Stories like these are expected to have a certain amount of cheesiness but for some reason this one was like … unbearable for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2025
This book started off so amazing. I was into it and I couldn’t put the book down. I got so wrapped up in these characters and I started getting nervous about a third-act breakup and went searching for spoilers. I didn’t really get any but it kind of made me so nervous that I got out of my obsession with them and took me a bit to get back into it.
Overall the story was really good. I liked seeing Aiden help Carter discover his attraction to men. Aiden was so good about it even though he was so gone for Carter, I never felt like he took advantage. These two worked really well together. I would recommend if you enjoy fake-dating.
Overall the story was really good. I liked seeing Aiden help Carter discover his attraction to men. Aiden was so good about it even though he was so gone for Carter, I never felt like he took advantage. These two worked really well together. I would recommend if you enjoy fake-dating.
January 25, 2020
Rep: bi mcs, dyslexic mc, mlm side characters
March 14, 2020
The mom was terrible and it took way too long for Carter to stand up to her.
3 stars
3 stars
February 28, 2020
3.5
Sometimes a girl needs a sweet fake boyfriend in her life. I loved these two. The sweetness between the two. The love they shared. Both totally swoon worthy. Love a good shy boy story.
Writing was good, side characters were amazing loved the journey loved the sweetness
Sometimes a girl needs a sweet fake boyfriend in her life. I loved these two. The sweetness between the two. The love they shared. Both totally swoon worthy. Love a good shy boy story.
Writing was good, side characters were amazing loved the journey loved the sweetness
December 31, 2022
1
Note: I put off writing the reviews since January (again). I'm slowly catching up. So my memory will vary according to how long ago I read it and how impactful it was.
I have already forgotten all the details and plot, even though is the last one I read. But I remember I did not like it at all and was very disappointed, especially because I saw so many people who liked it. How?!
I'll rely on my notes:
Omfg. Why have I put myself through this? This was so boring, bland, repetitive, and ridiculous because it was just the same "problem" that they liked each other but didn't communicate it to the other person.
Cheesy and rushed and ridiculous beyond redemption. The banalest, boring. Seen again and again. Everyone already knows everything.
I realize fairly soon how this was going to be, but I unconsciously forced myself to finish it, because I wanted to read a light nicely done and I continued hoping that it wasn't ugly and bad ... and yet. It was.
Moreover, I had already wasted too much time at this point. But I won't be fooled next time, I will drop it sooner. Let's make it a resolution for the new year: "Drop bad books immediately, and don't waste precious time."
I skimmed half the words on every page, I believe, and it still was too long and boring!
The sheer amount of "cute and adorable" (about 20 times each) used to describe both the MCs and other stuff was too much.
And the fact that all the brothers are queer, and this usually bothers me in the enjoyment series, was the least of my problems with this book!
I chose to read it based on some good things I read in the reviews and it had 4.15 stars. How is this freaking possible!!
R.I.P my wasted time.
Note: I put off writing the reviews since January (again). I'm slowly catching up. So my memory will vary according to how long ago I read it and how impactful it was.
I have already forgotten all the details and plot, even though is the last one I read. But I remember I did not like it at all and was very disappointed, especially because I saw so many people who liked it. How?!
I'll rely on my notes:
Omfg. Why have I put myself through this? This was so boring, bland, repetitive, and ridiculous because it was just the same "problem" that they liked each other but didn't communicate it to the other person.
Cheesy and rushed and ridiculous beyond redemption. The banalest, boring. Seen again and again. Everyone already knows everything.
I realize fairly soon how this was going to be, but I unconsciously forced myself to finish it, because I wanted to read a light nicely done and I continued hoping that it wasn't ugly and bad ... and yet. It was.
Moreover, I had already wasted too much time at this point. But I won't be fooled next time, I will drop it sooner. Let's make it a resolution for the new year: "Drop bad books immediately, and don't waste precious time."
I skimmed half the words on every page, I believe, and it still was too long and boring!
The sheer amount of "cute and adorable" (about 20 times each) used to describe both the MCs and other stuff was too much.
And the fact that all the brothers are queer, and this usually bothers me in the enjoyment series, was the least of my problems with this book!
I chose to read it based on some good things I read in the reviews and it had 4.15 stars. How is this freaking possible!!
R.I.P my wasted time.
April 5, 2021
This one surprised me, bc I've read some Sean Ashcroft that I thought was super mediocre, but the blurb and first 10% sample for this one got me. This book does a thing I like very well (fake relationship with demisexual MC--not overtly stated, but Carter has never had a first kiss that he wasn't surprised by.) It is certainly not amazing, but the writing was more assured, banter judiciously doled out (and often actually amusing), some light mutual pining that never got to be too much . . . it just worked for me and I immediately downloaded book 2 and 3.
November 25, 2020
Miało być lekko, łatwo i przyjemnie, bez dramatów, z klasycznym "od przyjaciół do kochanków" 😁 I po drodze nic się nie wykraczyło, nic niespodziewanego nie wpadło, zatem było tak, jak miało być 😁 I dobrze, bo oddech przy czytaniu też jest potrzebny 😁
Read
April 5, 2021DNF.
It started out GREAT.
Then... to me, it got way too cringey.
It started out GREAT.
Then... to me, it got way too cringey.
July 22, 2020
Fantastic fake boyfriend story!
I just found this author and am devouring everything he writes! I adored this story, Aiden and Carter were just so great together. This had everything I love in a great book...fake BF to falling in love, wonderful and honest communication, romantic and intimate first times, finding yourself and falling in love along the way! Off to book 2, cannot wait to read Kieran's story!
I just found this author and am devouring everything he writes! I adored this story, Aiden and Carter were just so great together. This had everything I love in a great book...fake BF to falling in love, wonderful and honest communication, romantic and intimate first times, finding yourself and falling in love along the way! Off to book 2, cannot wait to read Kieran's story!
January 17, 2020
Awwww! This was all kinds of adorable. Both Carter and Aiden were lovely characters to root for and their chemistry felt believable. The secondary characters were great too (well, except for Carter's mother) and it was lovely how both boys found a much needed parent in the process. I look forward to reading more about the side characters. I guess Devin and Morgan are next?
January 29, 2020
Finding the one
Aiden had a crush on Carter for as long as he could remember.
Carter is shy and he want to do things in his time. His sister is getting married and wants a date. Not wanting his Mom to set him up, he ask Aiden to be his plus one.
Old feelings never died and they rekindled a friendship that led to their HEA
Aiden had a crush on Carter for as long as he could remember.
Carter is shy and he want to do things in his time. His sister is getting married and wants a date. Not wanting his Mom to set him up, he ask Aiden to be his plus one.
Old feelings never died and they rekindled a friendship that led to their HEA
April 28, 2020
Three and a half, almost 4 stars. I really liked this book. I have read others by this author, so I had an idea of what it would be like. Both of the main characters - Aiden and Carter - were lovable, believable, and honest. I liked the supporting cast also - Carter’s dad was a riot. An easy to read story with a wonderful happy ending.
November 16, 2020
-4
Bardzo ciepła, przyjemna, miłą historia. Miejscami było zabawnie, miejscami było irytująco, miejscami było gorąco. Czyli było wszystko, co w dobrej historii musi być.
Bardzo ciepła, przyjemna, miłą historia. Miejscami było zabawnie, miejscami było irytująco, miejscami było gorąco. Czyli było wszystko, co w dobrej historii musi być.
April 29, 2022
This book was soooo good. I think it had one of the best bi couples I’ve ever read. It was sooo sweet and I loved how Aiden was so understanding of Carter and how he needed to open up to things. Great read and I’m excited for the next in the series.
June 10, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
Aiden and Carter are adorable and deserve all the love.
Aiden and Carter are adorable and deserve all the love.
September 12, 2020
Love Carter and Aiden
Carter asks Aiden to accompany him to his sister’s wedding and the two realize there's something more going on between them. One of my favorite tropes: GFY, well, bi, in this case.
The main characters are so loveable as are the supporting cast. Sean Ashcroft is the king of feel good, sweet, and sexy gay romance stories. This one doesn't disappoint. Five stars for me!
Carter asks Aiden to accompany him to his sister’s wedding and the two realize there's something more going on between them. One of my favorite tropes: GFY, well, bi, in this case.
The main characters are so loveable as are the supporting cast. Sean Ashcroft is the king of feel good, sweet, and sexy gay romance stories. This one doesn't disappoint. Five stars for me!
June 6, 2020
Found on Kindle Unlimited and thought I would give it a shot. Will continue in series.
LIKED: Aiden. 😍 Carter keeps listing all of the reasons why he is a total catch. Yeah, we are right there with you. Preaching to the choir.
The fake dating trope is an oldie, but a goodie.
Lots of soft smiles, soft kisses, dreamy boysss.
Was afraid from the Amazon description that there might not be sex. Yup, there are a number of sex scenes.
DISLIKED: "Troublemaker" is a terrible title for this book. Or, more likely, the author is a bit uptight and thinks tattoos and piercings still automatically equal 'bad boy' in an 80's kind of way. At one point, Carter thinks something like "for a boy with a dick piercing, he sure does love sugar and vanilla". What? People with piercings are too bad-ass to like sweet foods? Huh? They keep saying he's a troublemaker to this day (not really saying what he did in the past either. He did poorly in school, but he just throws it out there that he was an undiagnosed dyslexic. Is that it?) but the only things he ever does are sweet, kind, and generous. He doesn't even mouth off at anyone. At one point, he thinks about how he's putting on a good guy act for Carter, as he's still a bad boy because he does things like "leave towels on the floor." Really? Ooo boy, call the cops!
Carter keeps moaning about how Aiden is out of his league. Yeah, you are right. The author does not do enough to make Carter a catch. Aiden keeps talking about how he's smart. We don't see that. He's cute, sure, but that is not enough. Carter always ignored Aiden as kids. Rude, and kinda impossible if Aiden's brother was his bestie and the hung out at Aiden's house all the time.
Aiden is super sensitive with Carter, guiding him (in just a few days) to being out and proud... (SPOILER-ISH coming up)but Aiden outs two different people as gay to their families. Super not cool. This is the only time a 'Troublemaker' label might apply, but it's more thoughtless and douch-y.
They are going to Carter's sister's wedding, and we don't even 'see' or 'hear' her on page until we are 80% of the way through the book. We know she is physically at locations the boys are at, they just get zero 'on screen' interaction. There are two important tweets from her, that should have been phonecalls, but are just there to make the plot go where the author wants. Her one physical appearance is also just to set up a plot point for later.
(SPOILER-ISH) Carter's ex-girlfriend gets the big fight with the abusive mom? I don't give a shit about this girl. SHE is the one who should be in the background. Why does she take up more space and character development than either of Aiden and Carter's besties, who are BOTH getting their own books in the series? Poor set up.
These are bad wedding guests. Author has never planned a big wedding. I started reading wedding blogs years ago, and stuck with the ones that offered more real life and intersectional advice. I've read plenty of advice columns on "What do I say to the guests about the absence of my abusive parent?" "How do I deal with family inviting last minute guests?" "How do I create safe spaces at my wedding for LGTBQ folx, when some of my family are bigoted?" "Guests got engaged at my wedding. Should I tell them how that upset me, or let it go?" Getting engaged at another person's wedding, if the mood hits and it happens, should be in private and shared at a later date. I read piles and piles of unanimous responses to this one. Even if you ask ahead of time for permission, you are pressuring the couple, making it hard to say no. You are hijacking their day. It is super tacky, rude, and disrespectful, not romantic. Everyone had stories of watching it happen at other people's weddings, and being horrified. Also, sleeping in the tablecloths and then putting them back on the tables? No, just no.
I know I bitched a lot, but it was alright. I'm going to try the next one. If it doesn't improve a bit, I'm out.
LIKED: Aiden. 😍 Carter keeps listing all of the reasons why he is a total catch. Yeah, we are right there with you. Preaching to the choir.
The fake dating trope is an oldie, but a goodie.
Lots of soft smiles, soft kisses, dreamy boysss.
Was afraid from the Amazon description that there might not be sex. Yup, there are a number of sex scenes.
DISLIKED: "Troublemaker" is a terrible title for this book. Or, more likely, the author is a bit uptight and thinks tattoos and piercings still automatically equal 'bad boy' in an 80's kind of way. At one point, Carter thinks something like "for a boy with a dick piercing, he sure does love sugar and vanilla". What? People with piercings are too bad-ass to like sweet foods? Huh? They keep saying he's a troublemaker to this day (not really saying what he did in the past either. He did poorly in school, but he just throws it out there that he was an undiagnosed dyslexic. Is that it?) but the only things he ever does are sweet, kind, and generous. He doesn't even mouth off at anyone. At one point, he thinks about how he's putting on a good guy act for Carter, as he's still a bad boy because he does things like "leave towels on the floor." Really? Ooo boy, call the cops!
Carter keeps moaning about how Aiden is out of his league. Yeah, you are right. The author does not do enough to make Carter a catch. Aiden keeps talking about how he's smart. We don't see that. He's cute, sure, but that is not enough. Carter always ignored Aiden as kids. Rude, and kinda impossible if Aiden's brother was his bestie and the hung out at Aiden's house all the time.
Aiden is super sensitive with Carter, guiding him (in just a few days) to being out and proud... (SPOILER-ISH coming up)but Aiden outs two different people as gay to their families. Super not cool. This is the only time a 'Troublemaker' label might apply, but it's more thoughtless and douch-y.
They are going to Carter's sister's wedding, and we don't even 'see' or 'hear' her on page until we are 80% of the way through the book. We know she is physically at locations the boys are at, they just get zero 'on screen' interaction. There are two important tweets from her, that should have been phonecalls, but are just there to make the plot go where the author wants. Her one physical appearance is also just to set up a plot point for later.
(SPOILER-ISH) Carter's ex-girlfriend gets the big fight with the abusive mom? I don't give a shit about this girl. SHE is the one who should be in the background. Why does she take up more space and character development than either of Aiden and Carter's besties, who are BOTH getting their own books in the series? Poor set up.
These are bad wedding guests. Author has never planned a big wedding. I started reading wedding blogs years ago, and stuck with the ones that offered more real life and intersectional advice. I've read plenty of advice columns on "What do I say to the guests about the absence of my abusive parent?" "How do I deal with family inviting last minute guests?" "How do I create safe spaces at my wedding for LGTBQ folx, when some of my family are bigoted?" "Guests got engaged at my wedding. Should I tell them how that upset me, or let it go?" Getting engaged at another person's wedding, if the mood hits and it happens, should be in private and shared at a later date. I read piles and piles of unanimous responses to this one. Even if you ask ahead of time for permission, you are pressuring the couple, making it hard to say no. You are hijacking their day. It is super tacky, rude, and disrespectful, not romantic. Everyone had stories of watching it happen at other people's weddings, and being horrified. Also, sleeping in the tablecloths and then putting them back on the tables? No, just no.
I know I bitched a lot, but it was alright. I'm going to try the next one. If it doesn't improve a bit, I'm out.
February 29, 2020
This was a cute story that started with the fake boyfriend trope and moved quickly. Carter needs a gay date for his sister's wedding to get his overbearing mother off the track of connecting him with his high-powered ex girlfriend. He figures "going gay" will get her to back off. His best friend won't do it, but he offers up his tattoo-artist younger brother who has always had a crush on Carter. Carter doesn't believe it, he thinks he's boring and no one would like him, but Aiden is happy to jump on this train. He plans to just revel in his crush and be a good friend, but before long he figures out that Aiden is going through a crisis of identity and is determined to help him through it, not in a pushy way. They end up in a fancy hotel/lodge in Quebec for the wedding where there is snow, snow and more snow.
I loved how confident Aiden was. He was who he was. A bisexual tattoo artist, completely comfortable in his skin and that while he figured out Carter quickly, he never pushed him but just gently led him. Carter was a bit oblivious but given his mother's overbearing manner I wasn't surprised. I adored Carter's father and even the ex-girlfriend turned out to not be such a bad person. So all-in-all, while it moves pretty quickly, they had known each other for years and years, just not in the romantic sense.
My only beef was while Carter FINALLY stands up to his mother, in the epilogue there is no mention of whether she saw the light or they were still estranged. I kind of hoped she'd accept him and Aiden but I have my doubts.
I loved how confident Aiden was. He was who he was. A bisexual tattoo artist, completely comfortable in his skin and that while he figured out Carter quickly, he never pushed him but just gently led him. Carter was a bit oblivious but given his mother's overbearing manner I wasn't surprised. I adored Carter's father and even the ex-girlfriend turned out to not be such a bad person. So all-in-all, while it moves pretty quickly, they had known each other for years and years, just not in the romantic sense.
My only beef was while Carter FINALLY stands up to his mother, in the epilogue there is no mention of whether she saw the light or they were still estranged. I kind of hoped she'd accept him and Aiden but I have my doubts.
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