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Caldwell Brothers #1
My Brother's Best Friend
Nico’s it for me, too bad he’s my brother’s best friend …
Friends and brothers are off limits. That’s always been the rule in our house. In a big family it’s the only way to keep the peace. That doesn’t stop my heart from belonging to Nico, my older brother’s best friend. I’ve been able to put aside my feelings for years, but now that I’m an intern at the law firm he owns, all those feelings are threatening to overflow.
He says he doesn’t do relationships, and that work is all he has time for, but when things heat up between us I know I’ve found something worth fighting for. I’ll prove to Nico that I’m the guy for him. It’s time to throw out the old rules and make new ones of our own.
Friends and brothers are off limits. That’s always been the rule in our house. In a big family it’s the only way to keep the peace. That doesn’t stop my heart from belonging to Nico, my older brother’s best friend. I’ve been able to put aside my feelings for years, but now that I’m an intern at the law firm he owns, all those feelings are threatening to overflow.
He says he doesn’t do relationships, and that work is all he has time for, but when things heat up between us I know I’ve found something worth fighting for. I’ll prove to Nico that I’m the guy for him. It’s time to throw out the old rules and make new ones of our own.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 18, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
July 31, 2020
DNF @ 26%.
Aiden Bates is hit or miss for me, so I'm not shocked this didn't work out for me. I haven't read anything from Ali Lyda before.
I'll start by noting that there are a few editing issues. Typos, such as "mon" instead of "mom", or "poachedeggs" instead of "poached eggs". There were a few sentences that were far too awkward to have been grammatically correct.
Jamie's character is all over the place. He could do without the competition, but lives for challenge. He seems meek, but no one has his level of confidence.
There is a lot of talk about actual cases... I'm here for the romance, not the law.
From both Nico and Jamie, it's very much so, lusting after the other, telling themselves it can never happen because of Saint's rule, glaring at or ignoring the other, to lusting again.
And in Nico's own words, their "conversation was so stilted it was painful". Which, unfortunately, is how I feel about every bit of writing in this.
Aiden Bates is hit or miss for me, so I'm not shocked this didn't work out for me. I haven't read anything from Ali Lyda before.
I'll start by noting that there are a few editing issues. Typos, such as "mon" instead of "mom", or "poachedeggs" instead of "poached eggs". There were a few sentences that were far too awkward to have been grammatically correct.
Jamie's character is all over the place. He could do without the competition, but lives for challenge. He seems meek, but no one has his level of confidence.
There is a lot of talk about actual cases... I'm here for the romance, not the law.
From both Nico and Jamie, it's very much so, lusting after the other, telling themselves it can never happen because of Saint's rule, glaring at or ignoring the other, to lusting again.
And in Nico's own words, their "conversation was so stilted it was painful". Which, unfortunately, is how I feel about every bit of writing in this.
May 11, 2021
3 stars
Great trope. Cute characters. Wonderful HEA and peek at how the next book may begin.
Needs an editor or at least a proofreader for a couple spots. But worth the read.
Great trope. Cute characters. Wonderful HEA and peek at how the next book may begin.
Needs an editor or at least a proofreader for a couple spots. But worth the read.
August 6, 2020
DNF for me unfortunately. Stopped it because I wasn’t getting into it - but can’t seem to bring myself to restart sadly :(
May try it another time.
May try it another time.
February 20, 2020
This book wasn't bad. Infact I'd rate it 2.5 stars normally.
But it got on my nerves with some of the statements. Saint and Nico are interviewing applicants for an internship at their law firm and one of the reasons Nico gives while rejecting them is cause a "girl blew her nose so hard it rattled the windows"
Are you like kidding me? So, if someone is sick and has nasal congestion but can't afford to miss an interview, they should just give up cause blowing their nose might cost them their job? I know it's nothing to get worked up over. It was passing statement. But it annoyed me.
But it got on my nerves with some of the statements. Saint and Nico are interviewing applicants for an internship at their law firm and one of the reasons Nico gives while rejecting them is cause a "girl blew her nose so hard it rattled the windows"
Are you like kidding me? So, if someone is sick and has nasal congestion but can't afford to miss an interview, they should just give up cause blowing their nose might cost them their job? I know it's nothing to get worked up over. It was passing statement. But it annoyed me.
July 3, 2020
Jamie has had a crush on his brother's best friend, Nico, since he was 10 years old. The summer before his final semester of law school, Jamie takes an internship at his brothers firm where Nico is assigned as his supervising partner. Spending all this time together makes Jamie realize that his crush is still there and Nico realizes that he likes Jamie more than he has every liked anyone before.
I feel bad but I just didn't connect with this one. It was entertaining enough but I just didn't feel it.
Nico is your typical man whore who has his come-to moment when he sees Jamie again and realizes that he wants more with him. Which is fine but I just didn't feel his emotions and/or love. Then Jamie just felt I was reading from the point of view of a female not a male. His inner dialogues just gave me a female vibe which isn't what I am looking for in a mm book so it kind of irked me. Maybe it was just me but I didn't feel this book as much as I wanted to.
I feel bad but I just didn't connect with this one. It was entertaining enough but I just didn't feel it.
Nico is your typical man whore who has his come-to moment when he sees Jamie again and realizes that he wants more with him. Which is fine but I just didn't feel his emotions and/or love. Then Jamie just felt I was reading from the point of view of a female not a male. His inner dialogues just gave me a female vibe which isn't what I am looking for in a mm book so it kind of irked me. Maybe it was just me but I didn't feel this book as much as I wanted to.
May 2, 2024
Just what I needed to read. Loved the writing and the characters. Good friendship and family dynamics. The chemistry between the characters is amazing. However, I just couldn’t help feeling some parts are rushed and some parts tend to get over dramatic. But yes, I am definitely hooked to this series!
February 19, 2020
Jamie has had a crush on Nico since he was 10 years old. But because of his brother’s stupid rule friends and brothers are off limits. He was able to bury those feelings until Jamie started interning at his brother and Nico’s law firm. And of course Nico gets assigned to be his mentor for the duration of his internship.
Nico doesn’t do relationships. He’s happy with the one night stands. Ever since his dad died and left his mother and himself, he doesn’t want to have the attachments that can break his heart again. But when his best friend’s brother, Jamie interns at their firm he’s finding it very hard to hide his attraction to Jamie.
Nico and Jamie work well together. They’re like minded when it comes to the job and they hit it off immediately. Even though they’ve known each other for years this is a completely different aspect of their relationship.
Jamie and Nico can’t fight their attraction for one another but the stupid rule weighs heavily on both of them. Jamie doesn’t want to disappoint his brother but his feelings for Nico only grow with time.
Jamie and Nico’s story was absolutely outstanding. I haven’t really dug into a book and enjoyed one in a long time as I did with this one. So well written and just full of humor and angst. I absolutely love Jamie’s family and can’t wait to read about the rest of these brothers.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Nico doesn’t do relationships. He’s happy with the one night stands. Ever since his dad died and left his mother and himself, he doesn’t want to have the attachments that can break his heart again. But when his best friend’s brother, Jamie interns at their firm he’s finding it very hard to hide his attraction to Jamie.
Nico and Jamie work well together. They’re like minded when it comes to the job and they hit it off immediately. Even though they’ve known each other for years this is a completely different aspect of their relationship.
Jamie and Nico can’t fight their attraction for one another but the stupid rule weighs heavily on both of them. Jamie doesn’t want to disappoint his brother but his feelings for Nico only grow with time.
Jamie and Nico’s story was absolutely outstanding. I haven’t really dug into a book and enjoyed one in a long time as I did with this one. So well written and just full of humor and angst. I absolutely love Jamie’s family and can’t wait to read about the rest of these brothers.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
May 12, 2020
It was very insta-lust but at the same time, drug out and prolonged because they are trying to avoid a relationship the whole time. Because one of the side characters put a rule in place that his brothers can't date his friends.
On the other hand, all Nico wanted was a one night stand, so maybe it was a good idea NOT to do that with your friend's brother, who is also an employee?
Overall I just didn't like the angst of trying to avoid each other, when they were just feeling lusty. Which is supposed to end up as an HEA at the end, I guess, but I didn't care by that point.
DNF 40%
On the other hand, all Nico wanted was a one night stand, so maybe it was a good idea NOT to do that with your friend's brother, who is also an employee?
Overall I just didn't like the angst of trying to avoid each other, when they were just feeling lusty. Which is supposed to end up as an HEA at the end, I guess, but I didn't care by that point.
DNF 40%
February 19, 2020
Imagine growing up with seven gorgeous brothers bringing home gorgeous teenage boys as friends. You’re only ten years old but you know you’re gay. Then you’re older brother, Saint brought home his best friend, Nico Holton and a crush developed for Jamie but you know when you are grown, you could never date the man…because his brother had a rule…no dating his friends. Jamie and his other brother’s grew up being respectful of that rule his brother Saint had invoked. Now fully grown, it’s still respected and no brother had crossed that line.
Saint Caldwell and his best friend Nico Holton established a successful law practice, and with his brother blessing he could apply for a summer internship at his firm, but he had to earn it on his own merit. Jamie knew Nico was his brother’s partner in the firm, but he hadn’t seen Nico since he was a teenager and slowly never came around again. Even though it had been years he still held a crush on the man but was certain it wouldn’t interfere with their office relationship.
The day of his interview, the best and worst thing happened, he saw Nico and knew in his heart that crush was still there. Not only was it a rude-of-wakening, Nico didn’t know until a few minute before Jamie’s interview that he was one of the interviewees. But the 10 year old Jamie he remembered grew into a gorgeous, confidante young man.
Jamie aced the interview and Nico became his mentor. Now the fun began and Aiden Bates writes us another fabulous book. A book about close family ties; eight brothers who were there for each other; a brother’s out-dated dating his friends rule; a growing love that was torture, and blissful for Jamie and Nico. For Nico, the torture was of not being able to touch, kiss, hold or date the young man he wanted so desperately. The boy who grew into the man you never knew you would long for…the one for you…only you.
And Jamie who finally had the chance to be close to the Nico who went away and never came back, and the crush still a flame in his heart and the feelings he could not act on with this wonderful man…that stupid rule. Luckily Saint ended up revoking the rule and the two had a chance to discover and seek what they both wanted.
The book is rich in love, lust, desire and hot sex with a little angst and a whole lot of love that warms the heart, so worth reading. And I also loved the ending Aiden Bates left us with for another book…the possibility of Saint meeting his match.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Saint Caldwell and his best friend Nico Holton established a successful law practice, and with his brother blessing he could apply for a summer internship at his firm, but he had to earn it on his own merit. Jamie knew Nico was his brother’s partner in the firm, but he hadn’t seen Nico since he was a teenager and slowly never came around again. Even though it had been years he still held a crush on the man but was certain it wouldn’t interfere with their office relationship.
The day of his interview, the best and worst thing happened, he saw Nico and knew in his heart that crush was still there. Not only was it a rude-of-wakening, Nico didn’t know until a few minute before Jamie’s interview that he was one of the interviewees. But the 10 year old Jamie he remembered grew into a gorgeous, confidante young man.
Jamie aced the interview and Nico became his mentor. Now the fun began and Aiden Bates writes us another fabulous book. A book about close family ties; eight brothers who were there for each other; a brother’s out-dated dating his friends rule; a growing love that was torture, and blissful for Jamie and Nico. For Nico, the torture was of not being able to touch, kiss, hold or date the young man he wanted so desperately. The boy who grew into the man you never knew you would long for…the one for you…only you.
And Jamie who finally had the chance to be close to the Nico who went away and never came back, and the crush still a flame in his heart and the feelings he could not act on with this wonderful man…that stupid rule. Luckily Saint ended up revoking the rule and the two had a chance to discover and seek what they both wanted.
The book is rich in love, lust, desire and hot sex with a little angst and a whole lot of love that warms the heart, so worth reading. And I also loved the ending Aiden Bates left us with for another book…the possibility of Saint meeting his match.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2020
Not awesome but not so bad either.
I'm definitely not fond of the classical "i can't date my sibling's friend because of some obscur rule he enforced as a teen". It doesn't do much for the plot and it's not quite relatable. Sane people understand that those kind of rules aren't really biding and are fundamentally stupid. However it's incredibly annoying when this trope is used as the main plot line of a novel.
Luckily, that got ditched halfway through, leaving way to a semi-enticing bourgeoning romance between Nico and Jaime. The plot held no real surprises, the sex scenes were kinda okay but the novel as a whole was readable and kinda sweet in a cheesy way.
I don't have much high standards these days so 3 stars.
I'm definitely not fond of the classical "i can't date my sibling's friend because of some obscur rule he enforced as a teen". It doesn't do much for the plot and it's not quite relatable. Sane people understand that those kind of rules aren't really biding and are fundamentally stupid. However it's incredibly annoying when this trope is used as the main plot line of a novel.
Luckily, that got ditched halfway through, leaving way to a semi-enticing bourgeoning romance between Nico and Jaime. The plot held no real surprises, the sex scenes were kinda okay but the novel as a whole was readable and kinda sweet in a cheesy way.
I don't have much high standards these days so 3 stars.
April 10, 2021
[My Brother’s Best Friend] – Aiden Bates & Ali Lyda
Caldwell Brothers, Brotherly Love series Book #1
4.5 Stars
I love Aiden Bate’s writing style but while parts of this book were easy and enjoyable other parts were somewhat of a struggle. It could have been that this is the first of his books that I’ve read with a co-author whose writings I am unfamiliar with. The character of Jamie is a middle child of a family composed of a retired surgeon mother…a retired attorney father and a family of eight boys. Jamie wasn’t exactly unlikable…but he had to grow on you. His personality kept changing. Just when you thought he was going to be a good part of the story…he became the annoying, spoiled little boy. On the whole it was a good book… full of humor and family interaction. I absolutely loved Jamie’s family and can’t wait to read about the rest of these brothers.
Caldwell Brothers, Brotherly Love series Book #1
4.5 Stars
I love Aiden Bate’s writing style but while parts of this book were easy and enjoyable other parts were somewhat of a struggle. It could have been that this is the first of his books that I’ve read with a co-author whose writings I am unfamiliar with. The character of Jamie is a middle child of a family composed of a retired surgeon mother…a retired attorney father and a family of eight boys. Jamie wasn’t exactly unlikable…but he had to grow on you. His personality kept changing. Just when you thought he was going to be a good part of the story…he became the annoying, spoiled little boy. On the whole it was a good book… full of humor and family interaction. I absolutely loved Jamie’s family and can’t wait to read about the rest of these brothers.
May 1, 2020
This story was okay. If you like brothers best friends and the forbidden relationship trope you will probably like it quite a bit. To me, it didn’t add much additional to other stories that have the same tropes. It was good, just didn’t have anything extra to put it above similar stories. I also felt like some of the legal work, and the workings of a law office, were poorly represented (though I am a lawyer, so that probably won’t bother most people).
May 14, 2020
I feel like I know what to expect from an Aiden Bates story, but this exceeded my expectations. It was highly entertaining and kept up a good pace as far as the relationship went.
This was a new to me narrator, but I'm excited to hear more from him. There were a couple of issues along the way of repeats and editing malfunctions, but the different character voices and tenor more than made up for it.
This is one that will go on my re-listen list.
This was a new to me narrator, but I'm excited to hear more from him. There were a couple of issues along the way of repeats and editing malfunctions, but the different character voices and tenor more than made up for it.
This is one that will go on my re-listen list.
March 4, 2020
Dropped this book at 30% because it was cliche af, and the characters were weird. The book was sitting at the top of the transgender romance list though the blurb gave no indication that any of the characters were trans. Then I also see it on the Bisexual romance list and both main characters are gay. In fact the word "bisexual" never even appears in the book. Main character Jamie is one of seven brothers and is doing his internship to become a lawyer, with his brother Saint's firm. He's going into family law, but has anxiety and a dislike for confrontation. He also has the hots for Saint's business partner, Nico. Nico is an odd duck as he has total mommy issues. His mother has recently remarried and he's having trouble letting go. He's also a bit of a slut, having had sex with multiple people at the firm, and he also has the hots for Jamie. Once upon a time Saint made up this rule that no friends shall ever date a brother. This is the cornerstone of why Jamie and Nico can't get together despite being attracted to each other. And AB harps of it, in every scene the two are in together. This of course, quickly became very tiresome. The general feeling of the book is fairly juvenile, and even though I love the trope, this book adds nothing new to the premise. DNF at 30%. Will not pick it up again.
April 11, 2020
So, I think Jaime had every right to be upset and uncomfortable when learning how free Nico was with his affections with so many of his work colleagues. Particularly when he omitted that from Jaime. Surely is it not so hard to understand why someone could be so uncomfortable with that knowledge. Personally, it was a huge turn off for me. It made Nico to be wholly unprofessional that he would have multiple relationships with several of his employees. Emphasizing that he is one of the bosses and they were his inferiors (in the work environment). That pulls into the discussion the issue of abuse of power, even if those brief sexual encounters were consensual, it was still completely inappropriate. So Braxton and Nico glossed over that valid issue that Jaime took from that and made it into something that it wasn't, which was slut shaming.
Ultimately, I did not like Nico's character for that. It really turned me off his character and impacted how I felt about his and Jaime's relationship. I was hoping for a different outcome for Jaime in terms of his place of employment. That would have made it so much more professionally appropriate and balance that issue of power so much better.
Ultimately, I did not like Nico's character for that. It really turned me off his character and impacted how I felt about his and Jaime's relationship. I was hoping for a different outcome for Jaime in terms of his place of employment. That would have made it so much more professionally appropriate and balance that issue of power so much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2020
That was rather disappointing. I expected more and got somewhat cliché romance. Meh.
I didn't like the office slut story. Either how Jamie reacted to it, nor that Nico as a serious employer slept with half of of his office. Also apparently everyone there is gay and attracted to Nico.
It collided with the rule they said they had, that you shouldn't mix business with pleasure. Weird...
Normally I would have DNF around 40% but got curious how much more cliché it'd get. It got worse...
I won't bother with the other books in that series.
I didn't like the office slut story. Either how Jamie reacted to it, nor that Nico as a serious employer slept with half of of his office. Also apparently everyone there is gay and attracted to Nico.
It collided with the rule they said they had, that you shouldn't mix business with pleasure. Weird...
Normally I would have DNF around 40% but got curious how much more cliché it'd get. It got worse...
I won't bother with the other books in that series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2020
Nico once hooked up with one of his employee and that employee is still working with him and Jamie must see him all the time since Jamie joined the firm. I know it's just a hook up but I had mixed feeling about it. Now I know when someone said don't mix business with pleasure.
I think Saint's story will be interesting since Saint and Braxton are total opposite, can't hardly wait XD
I think Saint's story will be interesting since Saint and Braxton are total opposite, can't hardly wait XD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2020
DNF @ 30%
I really wanted to like this book, but the pining on both sides got on my nerves pretty darn quickly. And don't get me started on the mommy issues.
I really wanted to like this book, but the pining on both sides got on my nerves pretty darn quickly. And don't get me started on the mommy issues.
September 4, 2021
DNF - I just couldn’t get into the story
September 14, 2021
Not for me
Not my taste. Not a fan of the writing style at all. I tried to push through because it has such amazing reviews but by chapter 9 I quit.
Not my taste. Not a fan of the writing style at all. I tried to push through because it has such amazing reviews but by chapter 9 I quit.
November 7, 2021
DNF @ 55%. I wanted to like this book but something was missing the whole time and I gave up trying to find it.
May 18, 2024
Sadly this was boring as fuck.
March 27, 2021
Here we go:
Plot: 3.5 stars -- I read these as one cluster (all the brothers together), and the plots are very similar in a couple of ways: 1) they all start out with a conflict of some sort, and 2) they all end with another conflict of some sort. So far, I like the original conflicts and find them realistic and nicely resolved (for the most part). But for the 2nd ... not so much. In this case, Jamie has a huge crush on Nico (and has since he was a teenager), but now that he's finishing up law school, his brother's firm with Nico is his best bet for a solid job. But he's not sure he can work with Nico after crushing on him for so long (1st conflict). Of course, Nico now sees the adult Jamie and is intrigued ... That said, I still enjoyed the overall tension that was present throughout, and I was definitely compelled to keep reading!
Main Characters: 3.5 stars -- Jamie was interesting, and he made for a solid narrator. Nico wasn't quite as well-rounded (or fleshed out). Still, I thought they worked pretty well together.
Smut Level: way too high -- this is my least favorite aspect of these books, and I ended up skipping pretty much every sex scene. They were not only too graphic and too long, but they incorporated dirty talk (which felt contrived every time), which I pretty much despise. Each book also had at least one long masturbation scene, as well, which is also not my thing.
Romance: 4 stars -- I liked the romance between Nico and Jamie, and I felt like Nico's new awareness of Jamie was an interesting balance to Jamie's long-standing crush on Nico (it's not creepy to me because Jamie and Nico haven't seen each other for many years -- so Nico's kind of been Jamie's ideal -- but Jamie hears about him from his brother Saint, since they work together).
World/Setting: 2.5 stars -- here's another weakness of the books (which should be a strength): so these are about 6 (out of 8) brothers. All six are gay; the two who aren't are basically stand-ins. They have no personality at all, and we don't get to know them at all, even though all eight brothers are supposed to be extremely close. On top of that, we don't really get to know the birth order or their ages. There are a few hints: Kairo is the oldest (that's mentioned many times); Saint turns 33 in his book; Grady turns 32 in his (a couple months later?); Adrian is the youngest, and I believe it's stated he's just finishing up college (for dentistry -- so 22? 23?); Jamie is 6 years younger than Saint (so we'd assume 27); Leo was a junior in high school 7 years ago when things went south with him and Shayne, which would make him around 24. That would put Mason and Julian (the straight brothers) in between Grady and Jamie ... maybe? Yeah, it's kind of like one of those logic puzzles. Add to this the mythical parents, who are certainly mentioned (and even included, especially the mom), but who don't really have any role at all. They're there to make the money, decorate the large (glass-filled) mansion, and ... that's about it. And my final complaint -- we have no idea how to distinguish between these brothers. Their personalities are marginally different, but the only description we ever get of their physical appearance is 'blond and blue-eyed, just like their dad.' And although it's mentioned many times that the brothers are close, we don't ever get to see much of that. Ugh -- it just irritated me.
Overall: 3 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars -- I read these as one cluster (all the brothers together), and the plots are very similar in a couple of ways: 1) they all start out with a conflict of some sort, and 2) they all end with another conflict of some sort. So far, I like the original conflicts and find them realistic and nicely resolved (for the most part). But for the 2nd ... not so much. In this case, Jamie has a huge crush on Nico (and has since he was a teenager), but now that he's finishing up law school, his brother's firm with Nico is his best bet for a solid job. But he's not sure he can work with Nico after crushing on him for so long (1st conflict). Of course, Nico now sees the adult Jamie and is intrigued ... That said, I still enjoyed the overall tension that was present throughout, and I was definitely compelled to keep reading!
Main Characters: 3.5 stars -- Jamie was interesting, and he made for a solid narrator. Nico wasn't quite as well-rounded (or fleshed out). Still, I thought they worked pretty well together.
Smut Level: way too high -- this is my least favorite aspect of these books, and I ended up skipping pretty much every sex scene. They were not only too graphic and too long, but they incorporated dirty talk (which felt contrived every time), which I pretty much despise. Each book also had at least one long masturbation scene, as well, which is also not my thing.
Romance: 4 stars -- I liked the romance between Nico and Jamie, and I felt like Nico's new awareness of Jamie was an interesting balance to Jamie's long-standing crush on Nico (it's not creepy to me because Jamie and Nico haven't seen each other for many years -- so Nico's kind of been Jamie's ideal -- but Jamie hears about him from his brother Saint, since they work together).
World/Setting: 2.5 stars -- here's another weakness of the books (which should be a strength): so these are about 6 (out of 8) brothers. All six are gay; the two who aren't are basically stand-ins. They have no personality at all, and we don't get to know them at all, even though all eight brothers are supposed to be extremely close. On top of that, we don't really get to know the birth order or their ages. There are a few hints: Kairo is the oldest (that's mentioned many times); Saint turns 33 in his book; Grady turns 32 in his (a couple months later?); Adrian is the youngest, and I believe it's stated he's just finishing up college (for dentistry -- so 22? 23?); Jamie is 6 years younger than Saint (so we'd assume 27); Leo was a junior in high school 7 years ago when things went south with him and Shayne, which would make him around 24. That would put Mason and Julian (the straight brothers) in between Grady and Jamie ... maybe? Yeah, it's kind of like one of those logic puzzles. Add to this the mythical parents, who are certainly mentioned (and even included, especially the mom), but who don't really have any role at all. They're there to make the money, decorate the large (glass-filled) mansion, and ... that's about it. And my final complaint -- we have no idea how to distinguish between these brothers. Their personalities are marginally different, but the only description we ever get of their physical appearance is 'blond and blue-eyed, just like their dad.' And although it's mentioned many times that the brothers are close, we don't ever get to see much of that. Ugh -- it just irritated me.
Overall: 3 stars
February 18, 2020
Jamie Cauldwell joined his huge family at the dinner table, having an announcement to make but not quite able to bring it up. When his mom noticed and realized he had news, she announced it to the table. Still squirming, he had trouble getting the words out until his older brother, Saint, told them the intern group results were just released. Jaime had passed and needed to intern at a law office – and his brother, along with his best friend and business partner, just happened to own Caldwell & Holton Law Firm. The problem was, he didn’t want to ask for favors if he didn’t deserve it. And Saint’s business partner was someone special to Jamie – Nico, whom he had a crush on forever. But Saint’s number one rule was “no dating friends” and he stood by that! When Jamie had to repeat his news for the other end of the noisy dinner table, Saint added that Jamie would be working for him in his law practice – but only after he went through the interview process like everyone else.
Jamie was by far the best choice of the 3 candidates they decided to hire as interns. Saint and Nico had an associate who would take one of the candidates to mentor. Nico ended up with Jamie and neither was comfortable. To get Jamie out of his head later that night, Nico had turned to another guy at the bar and spent the weekend with him. Jamie saw them and was hurt and not sure this internship would work very well. He was seriously considering leaving rather than stay where he clearly wasn’t wanted. Nico told him that these were not just cases – they were people who needed them. And as Jamie reviewed the case files and conversed excitedly with Nico about the cases, he saw that Jamie understood that and actually cared about their clients.
But when the weekend was over, Jamie came back more relaxed, but without the fiery passion he had shown before. What had Nico said or done to cause this reaction? Saint’s rule kept repeating in his mind, but he wanted Jamie to be the way he had been. He tried to apologize for whatever he had done and was unprepared for Jamie’s angry outburst that he should go back to the bar and find a barfly to satisfy his needs; he wanted no parts of it and stormed away. With both of them hurting, who would make the next move? And how could they with Saint’s rule holding both of them back?
This story gives new meaning to “slow burn”, with the attraction Jamie has had for so long, going back into his teen years. The rule had been for a good reason. But was it still viable? Some things can’t be just turned off as if it didn’t matter. Grab your copy and feel the real emotions the author shares with the reader and the characters that have become like close friends. Jamie’s family is always there for him, loving parents, and the 8 brothers who clearly care for each other. Nico has his mom, and she remarried and loves him but doesn’t need him in the same way. So there are dynamics affecting the relationships that will pull the reader in for an emotional experience, yet filled with love. You won’t want to miss this one. Well done!
Jamie was by far the best choice of the 3 candidates they decided to hire as interns. Saint and Nico had an associate who would take one of the candidates to mentor. Nico ended up with Jamie and neither was comfortable. To get Jamie out of his head later that night, Nico had turned to another guy at the bar and spent the weekend with him. Jamie saw them and was hurt and not sure this internship would work very well. He was seriously considering leaving rather than stay where he clearly wasn’t wanted. Nico told him that these were not just cases – they were people who needed them. And as Jamie reviewed the case files and conversed excitedly with Nico about the cases, he saw that Jamie understood that and actually cared about their clients.
But when the weekend was over, Jamie came back more relaxed, but without the fiery passion he had shown before. What had Nico said or done to cause this reaction? Saint’s rule kept repeating in his mind, but he wanted Jamie to be the way he had been. He tried to apologize for whatever he had done and was unprepared for Jamie’s angry outburst that he should go back to the bar and find a barfly to satisfy his needs; he wanted no parts of it and stormed away. With both of them hurting, who would make the next move? And how could they with Saint’s rule holding both of them back?
This story gives new meaning to “slow burn”, with the attraction Jamie has had for so long, going back into his teen years. The rule had been for a good reason. But was it still viable? Some things can’t be just turned off as if it didn’t matter. Grab your copy and feel the real emotions the author shares with the reader and the characters that have become like close friends. Jamie’s family is always there for him, loving parents, and the 8 brothers who clearly care for each other. Nico has his mom, and she remarried and loves him but doesn’t need him in the same way. So there are dynamics affecting the relationships that will pull the reader in for an emotional experience, yet filled with love. You won’t want to miss this one. Well done!
June 2, 2020
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This was not my favorite "brother's best friend" read so far, but it was enjoyable.
I think my problem is the lack of depth. The blurb promises some issues between Jamie and Nico, first of all Jamie's brother's "no romance between brothers and best friends", but also the fact that Nico doesn't do relationships and he's a workaholic. Did these topics appear in the book? Yes, but just barely.
What I liked the most of this book were the Caldwell brothers (I love big families in books and this one is truly promising) and Saint in general. He set the "no dating between friends and brothers" rule years ago and he's not aware of how much value his brothers give to his rule... until he notices something is going between Nico and Jamie; this was truly funny and everytime the rule was mentioned I couldn't help but laugh.
Nico and Jamie are two mains with great chemistry. That's undeniable since the first moment they see each other and I kind of liked how thing went between them. But, as I said before, I think the issues of their relationship lacked depth. It's true Nico has commitment issues, but even though it's mentioned in the book, it's not that important or that big of a problem. Like it doesn't really provoke dispute between them because things flow really smoothly for them until the very end.
The final breakdown, what threatens of breaking them apart, was just... ridiculous. With all the thing the authors could have come along to split them, they chose the most absurd one, and Jamie's response was way over the place.
With all, I can't deny I enjoyed reading this. I would have preferred a little less sex scenes in order to deepen the emotional side of their relationship, but enjoyable it is. And the ending leaves you wanting more, because next book, starred by Braxton and Saint, promises a enemies to lovers I can't wait to read.
This was not my favorite "brother's best friend" read so far, but it was enjoyable.
I think my problem is the lack of depth. The blurb promises some issues between Jamie and Nico, first of all Jamie's brother's "no romance between brothers and best friends", but also the fact that Nico doesn't do relationships and he's a workaholic. Did these topics appear in the book? Yes, but just barely.
What I liked the most of this book were the Caldwell brothers (I love big families in books and this one is truly promising) and Saint in general. He set the "no dating between friends and brothers" rule years ago and he's not aware of how much value his brothers give to his rule... until he notices something is going between Nico and Jamie; this was truly funny and everytime the rule was mentioned I couldn't help but laugh.
Nico and Jamie are two mains with great chemistry. That's undeniable since the first moment they see each other and I kind of liked how thing went between them. But, as I said before, I think the issues of their relationship lacked depth. It's true Nico has commitment issues, but even though it's mentioned in the book, it's not that important or that big of a problem. Like it doesn't really provoke dispute between them because things flow really smoothly for them until the very end.
The final breakdown, what threatens of breaking them apart, was just... ridiculous. With all the thing the authors could have come along to split them, they chose the most absurd one, and Jamie's response was way over the place.
With all, I can't deny I enjoyed reading this. I would have preferred a little less sex scenes in order to deepen the emotional side of their relationship, but enjoyable it is. And the ending leaves you wanting more, because next book, starred by Braxton and Saint, promises a enemies to lovers I can't wait to read.
July 7, 2021
Many good points but unfortunately spoiled by multiple negatives.
Started off well, nice likeable characters, story going somewhere. Started stalling when the two main characters were acting like a couple of high school girls with crushes mooning about the office gazing at each other or feeling light headed over the others aftershave. These were two grown men right? Talk about over emotional/over analyzing every look or comment. Eventually after too long sitting in the office not dealing with anything gritty or remotely law related at all to be interesting they get together. Great sex scenes from author. Story picks up temporarily. A bit juvenile how they need big brothers permission to go for it but hey. Also irritating how childish and unprofessional the jealous associate Malcolm behaved. Really?? It was cringy. These men are meant to be lawyers but this dialogue discredited that storyline completely. A gritty case win with some actual detail would have broken up the monotony of sobbing and anguish. Over dramatic intern party was last straw, Jamie acting like a 16 yr old girl over comments made by a drunken Malcolm and not even giving Niko a chance to explain. Distraught over the thought that people who he'd laughed with in the break room had hooked up with Niko prior to their relationship. People the author never bothered to write into the story. Shame, some break room banter would have improved the plot in my eyes, only 4 people in the office were ever mentioned, yawn. Apparently 32 yr old Niko wasn't allowed a past before Jamie or OMG a few flings from the office. Also, 4 gay lawyers, no sign of a straight man or woman of interest anywhere. The annoying thing is I would like to know Saints story but not sure if I can handle more of the same.
Started off well, nice likeable characters, story going somewhere. Started stalling when the two main characters were acting like a couple of high school girls with crushes mooning about the office gazing at each other or feeling light headed over the others aftershave. These were two grown men right? Talk about over emotional/over analyzing every look or comment. Eventually after too long sitting in the office not dealing with anything gritty or remotely law related at all to be interesting they get together. Great sex scenes from author. Story picks up temporarily. A bit juvenile how they need big brothers permission to go for it but hey. Also irritating how childish and unprofessional the jealous associate Malcolm behaved. Really?? It was cringy. These men are meant to be lawyers but this dialogue discredited that storyline completely. A gritty case win with some actual detail would have broken up the monotony of sobbing and anguish. Over dramatic intern party was last straw, Jamie acting like a 16 yr old girl over comments made by a drunken Malcolm and not even giving Niko a chance to explain. Distraught over the thought that people who he'd laughed with in the break room had hooked up with Niko prior to their relationship. People the author never bothered to write into the story. Shame, some break room banter would have improved the plot in my eyes, only 4 people in the office were ever mentioned, yawn. Apparently 32 yr old Niko wasn't allowed a past before Jamie or OMG a few flings from the office. Also, 4 gay lawyers, no sign of a straight man or woman of interest anywhere. The annoying thing is I would like to know Saints story but not sure if I can handle more of the same.
March 11, 2020
Nico works with Saint at his law firm. Saint has always had a rule from the time he, Nico and his brother Jaime were kids that friends and brothers are off limits when it comes to dating and relationships. That never stopped Jamie from having a major crush on Nico. When Jamie takes an internship at the law firm, he and Nico hit it off and start an intimate relationship. Jamie has been told that Nico has a past as a player, but it hasn't hit home exactly what that means until a drunk party goer makes some very unambiguous statements at a party where Nico, Jamie and a number of Nico's past flings are present. Jamie can't deal with the reality and runs. That covers about 2/3 of the story. How Saint works to bridge the gap between his brother and his best friend, how sins of omission can hurt just as much as sins of commission and how two men can find their way back to each other form the last 1/3 of the book. It is clear that none of this would have hit Jamie as hard if he and Nico had met as adults, but the fact that he's had a crush for a decade and a half and seen his dream come true makes the revelations about Nico's past all that harder to process. I found all these characters believable, liked and understood all of them and thought the author did an excellent job of making me feel the pain at the end. How we get to the happy ever after (actually, three happy events at the gathering to see if Jamie passes the bar) was well worth the wait. Also, it is clear how the second book is going to go as we end this one and I can't wait to read it and see those two characters come together.
March 18, 2020
This is my first book of Aiden Bates & Ali Lyda and I really enjoy it.
This is a slow burn and steamy romance. You'll find an intense chemeistry between Nico and Jamie, the MC's. Jamie needs to find a place to intern for the summer and gets to apply to the position at his brother's Law firm, the only thing is that his brothers partner is also he's best friend. The best friend Jamie has had a crush since he was 10 years old and on the day of the interview all those feelings came rushing back leaving him breathless when he sees Nico after years of not seeing him. and he is hotter than ever. Nico is caught by surprise not only because Jamie is not a kid anymore, but he is all man and a smart one, being the best applicant for the intern position. After having a bit of a rocky start, Nico is stuck by the intense attraction and pull he feels when he's around Jamie and after working together closely what will they do? After all, they have to keep everything in a professional level and also there's that stupid "no dating your brother's friends" rule that Saint, Jamie's brother and Nico's partner has impossed them since they were young. But with an attraction that intesnse, will they give into their feelings or not?
The characters are charismatic, hot and intriguing. The storyline have the perfect amount of angst, passion and intimate scenes.
This is the first book in the Brotherly Love series but every book has it's own HEA. And I can't wait for the next one. I really recommed it.
*I read an ARC of the book in exchange of my honest review.
This is a slow burn and steamy romance. You'll find an intense chemeistry between Nico and Jamie, the MC's. Jamie needs to find a place to intern for the summer and gets to apply to the position at his brother's Law firm, the only thing is that his brothers partner is also he's best friend. The best friend Jamie has had a crush since he was 10 years old and on the day of the interview all those feelings came rushing back leaving him breathless when he sees Nico after years of not seeing him. and he is hotter than ever. Nico is caught by surprise not only because Jamie is not a kid anymore, but he is all man and a smart one, being the best applicant for the intern position. After having a bit of a rocky start, Nico is stuck by the intense attraction and pull he feels when he's around Jamie and after working together closely what will they do? After all, they have to keep everything in a professional level and also there's that stupid "no dating your brother's friends" rule that Saint, Jamie's brother and Nico's partner has impossed them since they were young. But with an attraction that intesnse, will they give into their feelings or not?
The characters are charismatic, hot and intriguing. The storyline have the perfect amount of angst, passion and intimate scenes.
This is the first book in the Brotherly Love series but every book has it's own HEA. And I can't wait for the next one. I really recommed it.
*I read an ARC of the book in exchange of my honest review.
February 19, 2020
OUTSTANDING OH IT MADE MY HEART SINGGGGGGGGGGGGG 10/10
Nico’s it for me, too bad he’s my brother’s best friend …Friends and brothers are off limits. That’s always been the rule in our house. Jamie had a crush on Nico since he was quite young. He was always trying to hang around him but Saint, Jamie's older brother had made up that rule and he respected him enough to try and forget Nico. Years later It helped that Nico had disappeared from coming around to his house.
Jamie was one of seven brothers and there house was always lively. Now Jamie was in College and studying to become a lawyer, and it was time for him to intern at the law firm. So when Saint asked if he wanted to interview for his firm Jamie jumped at the chance but then remembered that Nico was also the other owner. Could he work there with Nico in his sights all day long???
Wow THIS A BRILLIANT READ I WAS TOTALLY HOOKED ON THEIR STORY. I WENT THROUGH EVERY EMOTION READING THIS TALE OF TRUE LOVE BUT LIKE ALWAYS THERE ARE OBSTACLES IN THEIR WAY AND THEY HAVE TO OVERCOME THEM. BUT WHAT I ALSO LOVED WAS THEIR FAMILY INPUT AND I AM SUPER SUPER EXCITED TO READ BOOK 2 IN THE SERIES ITS GOING TO BE A HUM DINGER. TOTALLY BLEW ME AWAY TO THE POINT I WANTED TO START THE BOOK ALL OVER AGAIN. IM HOPING WE SEE THESE TWO IN ALONG THR SERIES OR ELSE IM GOING TO REALLY MISS THEM.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nico’s it for me, too bad he’s my brother’s best friend …Friends and brothers are off limits. That’s always been the rule in our house. Jamie had a crush on Nico since he was quite young. He was always trying to hang around him but Saint, Jamie's older brother had made up that rule and he respected him enough to try and forget Nico. Years later It helped that Nico had disappeared from coming around to his house.
Jamie was one of seven brothers and there house was always lively. Now Jamie was in College and studying to become a lawyer, and it was time for him to intern at the law firm. So when Saint asked if he wanted to interview for his firm Jamie jumped at the chance but then remembered that Nico was also the other owner. Could he work there with Nico in his sights all day long???
Wow THIS A BRILLIANT READ I WAS TOTALLY HOOKED ON THEIR STORY. I WENT THROUGH EVERY EMOTION READING THIS TALE OF TRUE LOVE BUT LIKE ALWAYS THERE ARE OBSTACLES IN THEIR WAY AND THEY HAVE TO OVERCOME THEM. BUT WHAT I ALSO LOVED WAS THEIR FAMILY INPUT AND I AM SUPER SUPER EXCITED TO READ BOOK 2 IN THE SERIES ITS GOING TO BE A HUM DINGER. TOTALLY BLEW ME AWAY TO THE POINT I WANTED TO START THE BOOK ALL OVER AGAIN. IM HOPING WE SEE THESE TWO IN ALONG THR SERIES OR ELSE IM GOING TO REALLY MISS THEM.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 21, 2020
I think one of the things I enjoy most about Aiden Bates is the diverse nature of his books and I am happy to report that with My Brother's Best Friend the author continues is streak of enchanting love stories that will have you turning on the fan and trying to keep you heart a solid mass. Jamie is one of 8 boys (I'm sorry his mother deserves a sainthood raising 8 boys) and his older brother Saint came up with a rule that no brother should ever date any of their brother's friends. They all stick to the rule, even Jamie who has had a major crush on Nico, Saint's best friend and business partner, for years and now they are working closely together that attraction is impossible to ignore. I really liked both these characters. Jamie displayed the traits of a middle(ish) brother in that he was a bit immature and a tad spoiled but all in all he was a great young man with a good heart. Nico made himself the man of the house after his dad died and he saw himself as his mother's caregiver, protector and companion but now that she is remarried he is a bit adrift especially since the only things he really made time for was his mom and his job with a few (quite a few actually) one night stands. Although he seems to never have heard the one about not messing where you eat and that could ultimately cost him very dearly indeed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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