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Friendship and Desire #2
Chasing Fate
Hooking up with your friend is a totally acceptable way to pass the time until your soulmate shows up. Right?
I’m on a mission - happily ever after or bust. I just know my handsome, successful, bearded prince is out there waiting for me to find him. I’ve had my cards read a million times. This is my destiny. True, it’s been a challenge navigating the dating scene, but you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince.
So when my childhood bestie reappears after years apart, announcing his desire to reconnect, it’s a pleasant distraction to introduce him to my world and help him acclimate again. He’s not my type at all, but he’s fun enough to pass the time with. Burnt out from chasing yet another potential Mr. Right, I offer a friends with benefits deal. I could use a bit of fun.
If only Diego had some of the qualities I’m looking for in a mate. Just because he’s funny, sweet, charming, and incredibly good at — um, anyway, he’s just not the one. He couldn’t be. The cards wouldn’t steer me wrong.
But the longer we do this, the more I wonder, are we just blowing off steam or are we chasing fate?
Chasing Fate is a fun and steamy friends to lovers story featuring a devout believer in bearded princes, pining, sexual awakening, friends with benefits, and finding out maybe destiny doesn’t always work out the way you think it will. It is book two in the Friendship and Desire series featuring men finding that maybe they were always more than friends.
I’m on a mission - happily ever after or bust. I just know my handsome, successful, bearded prince is out there waiting for me to find him. I’ve had my cards read a million times. This is my destiny. True, it’s been a challenge navigating the dating scene, but you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince.
So when my childhood bestie reappears after years apart, announcing his desire to reconnect, it’s a pleasant distraction to introduce him to my world and help him acclimate again. He’s not my type at all, but he’s fun enough to pass the time with. Burnt out from chasing yet another potential Mr. Right, I offer a friends with benefits deal. I could use a bit of fun.
If only Diego had some of the qualities I’m looking for in a mate. Just because he’s funny, sweet, charming, and incredibly good at — um, anyway, he’s just not the one. He couldn’t be. The cards wouldn’t steer me wrong.
But the longer we do this, the more I wonder, are we just blowing off steam or are we chasing fate?
Chasing Fate is a fun and steamy friends to lovers story featuring a devout believer in bearded princes, pining, sexual awakening, friends with benefits, and finding out maybe destiny doesn’t always work out the way you think it will. It is book two in the Friendship and Desire series featuring men finding that maybe they were always more than friends.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 18, 2021
Crippling self doubt almost costs Sydney love
Sydney is his own worst enemy. He’s the obstacle to his own happiness. It made my stomach hurt with anxiety for him. It got pretty ridiculous at times.
What started out as an endearing sort of quality got beat to death and I started to believe maybe he really did not deserve Diego. Diego believed in their love and that got me to even finish this book.
During most of it, I wanted to shake Sydney and say snap out of it, you idiot. He almost lost the best chance at love because he was fixated on his CARD readings and a bearded guy that never existed. UGH.
He gets the HEA and everything was wrapped up in a perfect package. Sigh
Sydney is his own worst enemy. He’s the obstacle to his own happiness. It made my stomach hurt with anxiety for him. It got pretty ridiculous at times.
What started out as an endearing sort of quality got beat to death and I started to believe maybe he really did not deserve Diego. Diego believed in their love and that got me to even finish this book.
During most of it, I wanted to shake Sydney and say snap out of it, you idiot. He almost lost the best chance at love because he was fixated on his CARD readings and a bearded guy that never existed. UGH.
He gets the HEA and everything was wrapped up in a perfect package. Sigh
July 16, 2021
I cannot stand Sydney! Sorry, not sorry. Next.
August 6, 2021
You know how sometimes you think, this character doesn't need to fall in love, they need therapy? Yeah, this is one of those. (Not that you can't do both! But falling in love doesn't necessarily fix your life)
June 16, 2023
Coming off Dirty Forty, I was intrigued to see where this book would take me. I wasn't too keen on Sydney, and I was hoping to get to know him better. And while I'm glad I did, I didn't really warm up to him like I thought I would.
Sydney reconnecting with Diego was a lovely story, but I just found I couldn't connect with Sydney at all. I really wanted to. But I just couldn't get there. Something about him relying so much on tarot readings to determine his path really just rubbed me the wrong way. And the fact that he willfully used these readings and interpretations as excuses for his behaviour also didn't sit right with me, either.
Despite his over-reliance on readings, watching Sydney realize that he can have a great thing with Diego was really lovely to read. And watching Diego fall in love with Sydney was just as lovely.
As I've come to appreciate with a Mia Monroe book, Chasing Fate features all of the things I like - character growth, open and honest communication, safe spaces for expression and identity discovery, and a low-stakes, low-angst romance.
While this book in particular didn't quite do it for me, I still enjoyed the story, and I look forward to seeing how this trilogy concludes.
Sydney reconnecting with Diego was a lovely story, but I just found I couldn't connect with Sydney at all. I really wanted to. But I just couldn't get there. Something about him relying so much on tarot readings to determine his path really just rubbed me the wrong way. And the fact that he willfully used these readings and interpretations as excuses for his behaviour also didn't sit right with me, either.
Despite his over-reliance on readings, watching Sydney realize that he can have a great thing with Diego was really lovely to read. And watching Diego fall in love with Sydney was just as lovely.
As I've come to appreciate with a Mia Monroe book, Chasing Fate features all of the things I like - character growth, open and honest communication, safe spaces for expression and identity discovery, and a low-stakes, low-angst romance.
While this book in particular didn't quite do it for me, I still enjoyed the story, and I look forward to seeing how this trilogy concludes.
November 8, 2022
I enjoy this book more than the last, Sydney and Diego really do make a great pair if Syd would just get out of his own way!
Honestly I wanted to shake the man and be like look what is right in front of you. I liked that he found answers from tarot cards and from horoscopes but that doesn’t mean it's set in stone. It’s all fluid and you have to take it as is, not a guide. But I get it, if you're trying not to fall or always putting up blocks so you can’t and won’t get hurt.
Issac’s friendship is something I really enjoyed in this book too. But also how Issac was like no I am not reading your cards anymore because you're too hung up on what they have to say.
I do wish we had gotten more Diego in this book. I felt like it was the Sydney show for most of it.
I liked the narration.
Honestly I wanted to shake the man and be like look what is right in front of you. I liked that he found answers from tarot cards and from horoscopes but that doesn’t mean it's set in stone. It’s all fluid and you have to take it as is, not a guide. But I get it, if you're trying not to fall or always putting up blocks so you can’t and won’t get hurt.
Issac’s friendship is something I really enjoyed in this book too. But also how Issac was like no I am not reading your cards anymore because you're too hung up on what they have to say.
I do wish we had gotten more Diego in this book. I felt like it was the Sydney show for most of it.
I liked the narration.
July 17, 2021
DNF @64%
For the first time ever I couldn't finish a Mia Monroe book.
Loved Diego and the supporting characters but I kept getting more annoyed with Sydney and his obsession with tarot cards and his Prince with a beard. If he was college age I'd have found it more believable but dude was approaching forty and still couldn't make a decision without consulting the cards.
Not for me
For the first time ever I couldn't finish a Mia Monroe book.
Loved Diego and the supporting characters but I kept getting more annoyed with Sydney and his obsession with tarot cards and his Prince with a beard. If he was college age I'd have found it more believable but dude was approaching forty and still couldn't make a decision without consulting the cards.
Not for me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2021
This was a sweet friends to lovers romance. Not only were Diego and Sydney friends, but they were recently reunited childhood besties! I loved that they reconnected in their 40s after Diego had moved away when they were in high school. It was like they hadn’t missed a beat in their friendship! Diego, after some serious soul searching, was putting his life back together with priorities that mattered to him. Leaving the rat race behind, and exploring his sexuality. Sydney a believe of the cards, was only too happy to help his friend navigate the world of men since he knew Diego wasn’t to be the one for him! I enjoyed the two of them navigating feelings that neither wanted to admit to. Diego because he didn’t want to scare off Sydney, and Sydney because he was so steadfast on following his interpretation of the cards! Thankfully their friends were able to help gently guide them to seeing what was in front of them! Speaking of those friends! I loved seeing more of Zach and Dom! If you’re a fan of friends to lovers, with a dose of friends with benefits, then this is the read for you!
July 7, 2021
This is book 2 in the series and we get to learn more about Sydney who we met in Book 1, Dirty Forty.
This is another friends to lovers trope but I like the way Sydney has to get over himself :) thinking outside his box of what he thinks he wants to notice whats in front of him.
Diego has the patience of a saint and well so does Isaac as I would have most likely slapped Sydney silly and told him to stop being a wally.
This is another friends to lovers trope but I like the way Sydney has to get over himself :) thinking outside his box of what he thinks he wants to notice whats in front of him.
Diego has the patience of a saint and well so does Isaac as I would have most likely slapped Sydney silly and told him to stop being a wally.
July 13, 2021
I really enjoyed reading Chasing Fate by Mia Monroe. I love a good best friends to lovers book and this doesn’t disappoints. Sydney and Diego connection was heartwarming that you felt throughout the book. The only thing that annoyed me in the book was syd’s codependency of Isaac and little shallow tendencies. But, at the end Isaac will shine some light on why that is and things will work themselves out. I loved Diego in this story, he’s so sweet, patient, understanding with Sydney. He got second chance at life and not taking it for granted. This story has a lot of great heated scenes with sweet elements to it! Very enjoyable!! I can’t wait to see what Hayden’s love story will become! I hope we get to see Isaac fall in love as well in the near feature!! I think that would be epic and insightful!! This is a must read!!
August 29, 2021
Fate
I enjoyed seeing Zach and Dominic again and was glad we got Sydney's story.
While I really liked it, I got a little fed up of the repetition of the whole beard thing. Sydney bugged me with everyone telling him to be open and him not listening
Diego was fantastic and more than made up for little niggles
I enjoyed seeing Zach and Dominic again and was glad we got Sydney's story.
While I really liked it, I got a little fed up of the repetition of the whole beard thing. Sydney bugged me with everyone telling him to be open and him not listening
Diego was fantastic and more than made up for little niggles
July 19, 2021
Okay, Diego is hot. Not gonna lie.
Baby bi.
Beardless.
Bestie.
All reasons to stop hoping he takes the rest of his clothes off in front of me.
I could have sworn that I mentioned just how much I loved Dirty Forty and one particular side character in that book that totally stole my heart during his failed date with Zach. And I mean, if you didn't originally think his HEA was with his energy-cleansing-tarot-card-reading-friend Isaac (aka Cashmere), then I would be seriously shocked but Sydney's story was just what I wanted for him. It was goofy, endearing, and showed just how two childhood best friends could reconnect and find so much more than just friendship at the core of their relationship.
I love friend love stories. Even when BFFs have spent a few years apart due to distance and space, when they reconnect and find themselves in the same place and realize that that crush they felt growing up is still there... Beautiful! It's just beautiful! Friends make the best partners and that is what Chasing Fate is at its core, a story about friendship blossoming into something more. And my sweet Sydney (you knew how much I loved Sydney, didn't you?) deserved to find the love he was hoping so desperately for.
Chasing Fate by the wonderful Mia Monroe means that the world of Dirty Forty became the Friendship and Desire series and it is the second book. I have no complaints whatsoever - I needed to know what Sydney's HEA looked like, and let me tell you, I am in LOVE with his man Diego. They were friends during their childhood and lost touch for a while but Diego reaches out when an accident causes him to re-evaluate his life and the road he's travelling. He remembers his friend, remembers that Sydney was the first man he truly had a crush on and when they reconnect he sees that those feelings never really went away. They're still there, and he's even more enamoured with the man that Sydney has grown up to be. The only problem is Sydney and his unflappable belief that his forever love is with a bearded prince.
“I’m not a bear, right?”
“No. You’re not a twink either. You’re kind of a pretty boy.”
“Pretty boy, huh? Is that bad?”
“Everyone has a type. You’ll be somebody’s.”
But not his. Got it.
It kills me poor Diego, because Sydney throws him so many mixed signals. He tries so hard to guard his heart because his past romantic traumas, but Sydney's heart can't hide from Diego and the wooing (seriously like that word for what he did) that he's showered with. Poor Diego felt this pang a few times, and I wanted to slap Sydney but he eventually comes around.
Through all of that the love, support, mutual respect and kindness that they both have for each other are the highlight of the story. This really is a story of love being friendship set on fire and I LOVE IT!
I could wax poetic about Diego and Sydney for hours, but instead because I want you to actually READ the story, I'm going to leave you with some of my...
Favourite Lines -
It’s always the same. I want to find love. Toe-curling, soul-stealing love. Ideally, with a hunky bearded prince who has a good job, his absolute shit together, and is one hundred percent ready to settle down.
At sixteen, I would sometimes even get hard when we wrestled or when his leg brushed against mine at sleepovers. I kind of wanted to tell him, but I was scared that would weird him out. He never looked at me like that.
He would show me his favorite celebrities, and his eyes would light up. I felt jealous, like I wanted his eyes to light up for me.
“Any chance of a love connection?”
I laugh. I never thought my parents would be so encouraging when I told them about my expanded sexuality. “We’re just friends, Mom.”
“Friends make great relationships. Your dad and I were friends first.”
“I’ll tell you a secret,” he whispers loudly.
“Okay.”
“I figured out my type.”
“Oh, right. What is it?”
“You.” He laughs. “Night, Sydney.”
It takes me a hundred years to react. By the time I do, Diego is snoring softly. Okay, he’s drunk. He’ll forget all of this in the morning. I close my eyes. I’ll forget it too.
Up to this point, I felt like I was still trying it on a bit, this bisexual title, but now I’m wondering if I was so hung up on which label to assign myself that I wasn’t focusing on the big picture. I date guys. I like guys. I want to fuck guys. A smile pulls at my lips. Yeah. That feels right.
Part of me wishes I was brave enough to walk away from a steady, good-paying job, but then what? Become one of a million influencers on the internet? Build a lifestyle brand from scratch? Does anyone want to follow tips from a super short, very gay, not highly motivated guy whose only achievement to date is successfully not finding the love of his life?
I have no idea what we’re doing tonight, but it doesn’t really matter as long as I’m with Sydney.
Oof. That thought hits me right in the gut. I’m already just as attached to him as I always was.
"If I needed something major, Zach and Dom would be there, I know that, but I wouldn’t call them to tell them I’m lonely and afraid I’ll spend the rest of my life that way. I wouldn’t call Isaac either.”
“But?”
“I would call you. I know you’d listen.”
“I’d come over with wine.”
“I would do that for you too.”
“I know, Syd.”
And just like when we were kids, I know I would rearrange the planets for him just to see him happy.
“You make it sound easy.”
“I never got the memo that said life was going to be easy.”
“How did your cards tell you what the guy looks like?”
“Well, they didn’t exactly, but I know how to ask the right questions to narrow it down. I’m positive he has a beard.”
“Because you have a beard fetish, or…”
Sydney twists his lips. “I mean, doesn’t that make sense? That the thing you’re most attracted to is a quality your mate would have?”
“He’s not my type.”
“Oh? How has your type been working out for you?”
“Ouch.”
But last night, that kiss. That was a life-changing kiss, like it actually rearranged my DNA. I felt it in every part of me. It just felt so…right. I remember his words. Then Isaac telling me he’ll be an important part of my life. Is it possible that Isaac is right, and all this time, I’ve been misinterpreting the cards?
If I was a gambling man, I’d bet maybe he was going to tell me he loves me and, holy patron saint of baby bis, I think I want him to. I’m so fucked.
"Are you sure?”
“Are the summers hot in Phoenix?”
I nod as a tear falls. “Yep.”
“I’m as sure as that."
Folks, I want you to run - RUN
- don't walk you have to run and one-click this baby today. You're going to love everything about Sydney and Diego - I promise you, you won't to regret it.
August 17, 2021
3.5 stars
I absolutely loved everything about Diego. His personality, his big heart, his devotion, and the fact that he totally changed his whole life to find happiness. I liked Sydney, and he was cute and fun. But his anxiety, self-limiting behavior, and failure to see things realistically started to wear on me a bit. I seriously wanted to shake some sense into him. I liked them together and they had great chemistry and a strong connection. They had a good thing going that Sydney was just so blind to for so long. But it was still a sweet and sexy, second-chance, best friends romance.
I enjoyed Zach, Dominic, Isaac, and Hayden. I am looking forward to seeing Hayden and Isaac find their partners.
I absolutely loved everything about Diego. His personality, his big heart, his devotion, and the fact that he totally changed his whole life to find happiness. I liked Sydney, and he was cute and fun. But his anxiety, self-limiting behavior, and failure to see things realistically started to wear on me a bit. I seriously wanted to shake some sense into him. I liked them together and they had great chemistry and a strong connection. They had a good thing going that Sydney was just so blind to for so long. But it was still a sweet and sexy, second-chance, best friends romance.
I enjoyed Zach, Dominic, Isaac, and Hayden. I am looking forward to seeing Hayden and Isaac find their partners.
April 27, 2022
Performance: 3.5 Stars
Story: 3 Stars
This friends-to-lovers story follows childhood besties Sydney and Diego as they reconnect as adults. Sydney had secretly crushed on his straight best friend back in the day, only to learn now that Diego is actually bisexual.
Both are attracted to each other despite not being the other's purported type, but don't want to risk their rekindled friendship by pursuing more than a friends-with-benefits arrangement until... feelings. Romantic at heart Sydney also has blinders on after a tarot card reading about his love life that nearly steers him away from the actual love of his life - Diego, of course.
Through it all, Diego - who is on his own self-discovery journey here - is very patient, understanding, and loving as he waits for the anxiety-filled man he's in love with to work through his feelings. Overall, theirs is a pleasant, slow-roll love story with no real surprises or bumps in the road to their sweet HEA, other than Sydney trying to get in the way of his own happiness.
I had more of a split reaction listening to the dual narration, and think this audio book would've benefited from having only one narrator. Tim Paige gives a solid performance throughout, and Liam DiCosimo's voicing of Sydney was fitting but I struggled to enjoy his voices for Diego (the man sounds sedated at times) and Sydney's friend Isaac (the fake British accent was cringey).
I jumped into this book without having read the first in the series and followed along fine, so I'd say it works as a standalone. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.
Story: 3 Stars
This friends-to-lovers story follows childhood besties Sydney and Diego as they reconnect as adults. Sydney had secretly crushed on his straight best friend back in the day, only to learn now that Diego is actually bisexual.
Both are attracted to each other despite not being the other's purported type, but don't want to risk their rekindled friendship by pursuing more than a friends-with-benefits arrangement until... feelings. Romantic at heart Sydney also has blinders on after a tarot card reading about his love life that nearly steers him away from the actual love of his life - Diego, of course.
Through it all, Diego - who is on his own self-discovery journey here - is very patient, understanding, and loving as he waits for the anxiety-filled man he's in love with to work through his feelings. Overall, theirs is a pleasant, slow-roll love story with no real surprises or bumps in the road to their sweet HEA, other than Sydney trying to get in the way of his own happiness.
I had more of a split reaction listening to the dual narration, and think this audio book would've benefited from having only one narrator. Tim Paige gives a solid performance throughout, and Liam DiCosimo's voicing of Sydney was fitting but I struggled to enjoy his voices for Diego (the man sounds sedated at times) and Sydney's friend Isaac (the fake British accent was cringey).
I jumped into this book without having read the first in the series and followed along fine, so I'd say it works as a standalone. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.
July 16, 2021
Five-star addition to the Friendship and Desire series!
I adore a friends to lovers, bisexual awakening romance and Mia Monroe has written an amazing one!
Diego and Sydney were best friends when they were in school. When Diego's family moved away, they lost touch but they never forgot about each other.
Sydney is a man on a mission. He's been looking for love for years now. He's even enlisted the help of a tarot card reader to help him find the man of his dreams. So why is it that every date seems to end in disappointment?
Diego was living the " American dream " until a car accident almost ended his life. When he survived with no injuries, he decided that it was a sign he was meant to change his life. He moved back to his hometown to try to truly begin living.
After reconnecting as friends, they decide to try a friends-with-benefits relationship. Diego thinks it would be a great way to explore his newly found bisexual side while Sydney decides it's a great way to stay busy while he searches for Mr. Right. However, things quickly began to feel like more of a relationship than a friendship.
If you liked the first book in the series, Dirty Forty, you will love the second book. If you haven't read any of these books yet, you're still going to love it! This book can absolutely be read as a standalone. It's so well written and has a perfect happily ever after ending.
I am a huge fan of Mia Monroe with good reason. This book is a great addition to her library. And I'm excited to read the next in the series!
I adore a friends to lovers, bisexual awakening romance and Mia Monroe has written an amazing one!
Diego and Sydney were best friends when they were in school. When Diego's family moved away, they lost touch but they never forgot about each other.
Sydney is a man on a mission. He's been looking for love for years now. He's even enlisted the help of a tarot card reader to help him find the man of his dreams. So why is it that every date seems to end in disappointment?
Diego was living the " American dream " until a car accident almost ended his life. When he survived with no injuries, he decided that it was a sign he was meant to change his life. He moved back to his hometown to try to truly begin living.
After reconnecting as friends, they decide to try a friends-with-benefits relationship. Diego thinks it would be a great way to explore his newly found bisexual side while Sydney decides it's a great way to stay busy while he searches for Mr. Right. However, things quickly began to feel like more of a relationship than a friendship.
If you liked the first book in the series, Dirty Forty, you will love the second book. If you haven't read any of these books yet, you're still going to love it! This book can absolutely be read as a standalone. It's so well written and has a perfect happily ever after ending.
I am a huge fan of Mia Monroe with good reason. This book is a great addition to her library. And I'm excited to read the next in the series!
July 4, 2021
Another sweet read by Mia Monroe, I loved Diego and Sydney, best friends reconnecting after years apart. There were a few angsty thoughts for these two, both afraid to want something they thought the other didn't want, especially Sydney who had underlying fears he wasn't admitting to. I really liked that they were able to fall back into their old friendship so easily, there are few friendships in life that can be picked up so easily and it's always a great thing when it happens.
The friends with benefits who fall for each other is a well-known trope, especially under the guise of helping the other explore their sexuality, but I still enjoyed the journey it took these two to get to their eventual happy ever after. I appreciated that these guys were in their 30s and making major changes in their personal and professional lives, it is always a scary thing to make changes and take new paths and I was glad Sydney had the full support of Diego behind him, he never would have gotten out of his rut if it wasn't for him reigniting his passions., we all need someone to remind us of our passions.
I loved seeing how Dom and Zach were going from Dirty Forty and catching up with the other support cast. I'm glad to see Hayden gets a book next, I love his flamboyant character.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
The friends with benefits who fall for each other is a well-known trope, especially under the guise of helping the other explore their sexuality, but I still enjoyed the journey it took these two to get to their eventual happy ever after. I appreciated that these guys were in their 30s and making major changes in their personal and professional lives, it is always a scary thing to make changes and take new paths and I was glad Sydney had the full support of Diego behind him, he never would have gotten out of his rut if it wasn't for him reigniting his passions., we all need someone to remind us of our passions.
I loved seeing how Dom and Zach were going from Dirty Forty and catching up with the other support cast. I'm glad to see Hayden gets a book next, I love his flamboyant character.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 8, 2021
Chasing Fate is Sydney and Diego love story…..Sydney wants to find his happily ever after! He just need to find his handsome, successful and bearded prince and he is obsessed with cards readings. When his childhood best friend Diego reappears in his life after years apart, they reconnect and Diego confess that he is Bi, they start spending time together and Sydney is trying to help him acclimate to be out. Sydney is attracted to him but he is convinced that he’s not his type at all, they have fun together so he offers him a friends with benefits deal so he could help Diego test being with a man and they could have fun while he waits for Mr. Right.
Diego have a crush on Sydney since childhood but never understood his feelings until they meet again, he is convinced that if Sydney give both a chance they could have a great relationship, so he agreed to the friends with benefits relationship and show him that they are good together. Diego is funny and sweet, and the longer they spend together is obviously they are meant to be.
Chasing Fate is a great book with a steamy friends to lovers story, friends with benefits, first time romance, great friendship and lovable characters, I love Sydney and Diego story! I highly recommend it.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review.
Diego have a crush on Sydney since childhood but never understood his feelings until they meet again, he is convinced that if Sydney give both a chance they could have a great relationship, so he agreed to the friends with benefits relationship and show him that they are good together. Diego is funny and sweet, and the longer they spend together is obviously they are meant to be.
Chasing Fate is a great book with a steamy friends to lovers story, friends with benefits, first time romance, great friendship and lovable characters, I love Sydney and Diego story! I highly recommend it.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review.
July 5, 2021
I absolutely adored Sydney and Diego's story.
Sydney looking for love in all the wrong people and completely set in his ways for finding "his type" based on how he interprets his card readings. He takes them far to literal and stops relying on his own intuitions. He is such a romantic.
Deigo moved back to Phoenix after years of being away wants to reconnect with his old bestie while navigating his newly found bi sexual side. He quickly realizes his childhood crush on his bestie is back in full force but pushes it aside to just be friends since Syd points out numerous times his soul mate will be a bearded bear of man sense that's his type (face palm haha).
They quickly find their footing as besties once again and from talking to his friends Sydney finally starts to come to terms that maybe his type is Deigo. Their relationship is adorable and when they decide to be fwb things really heat up. Good lord do they heat up.
I love their journey together especially Sydney's as he realizes just how protective he is of his heart. They both make/made life altering decisions and with each other's support they rise to exactly where they want to be. This story is seriously precious. I can not wait for more in the series.
Sydney looking for love in all the wrong people and completely set in his ways for finding "his type" based on how he interprets his card readings. He takes them far to literal and stops relying on his own intuitions. He is such a romantic.
Deigo moved back to Phoenix after years of being away wants to reconnect with his old bestie while navigating his newly found bi sexual side. He quickly realizes his childhood crush on his bestie is back in full force but pushes it aside to just be friends since Syd points out numerous times his soul mate will be a bearded bear of man sense that's his type (face palm haha).
They quickly find their footing as besties once again and from talking to his friends Sydney finally starts to come to terms that maybe his type is Deigo. Their relationship is adorable and when they decide to be fwb things really heat up. Good lord do they heat up.
I love their journey together especially Sydney's as he realizes just how protective he is of his heart. They both make/made life altering decisions and with each other's support they rise to exactly where they want to be. This story is seriously precious. I can not wait for more in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2021
I don’t even have words to accurately describe how much I love this book. It is an instant classic for me that I will read for years. Everything is perfection!
Sydney was such a fun dude character in Dirty Forty and I have been waiting for his story. He is so sweet but doesn’t have a lot of belief in himself. He relies heavily on his card readings to figure out what to do. Even though Issac (his card reader) tells him not to take the readings so literally he can’t help it.
Diego is so sweet and confident. He has newly discovered he is bisexual and is so attracted to Sydney, but Sydney told him that Diego is a “pretty boy” and not his type at all. Diego knows they can be more but he doesn’t want to push Sydney away. He decides to just show Sydney how much he cares about him, and how he’ll keep being there for him.
Their friendship to friends with benefits, to lovers was so beautiful. I really wish I could accurately describe how incredible this book is. It left me feeling so happy and fulfilled. Just absolute perfection.
I did receive a free ARC of this book but that did not influence my review.
Sydney was such a fun dude character in Dirty Forty and I have been waiting for his story. He is so sweet but doesn’t have a lot of belief in himself. He relies heavily on his card readings to figure out what to do. Even though Issac (his card reader) tells him not to take the readings so literally he can’t help it.
Diego is so sweet and confident. He has newly discovered he is bisexual and is so attracted to Sydney, but Sydney told him that Diego is a “pretty boy” and not his type at all. Diego knows they can be more but he doesn’t want to push Sydney away. He decides to just show Sydney how much he cares about him, and how he’ll keep being there for him.
Their friendship to friends with benefits, to lovers was so beautiful. I really wish I could accurately describe how incredible this book is. It left me feeling so happy and fulfilled. Just absolute perfection.
I did receive a free ARC of this book but that did not influence my review.
July 16, 2021
This s the second book in the great Friendship and Desire Series of Mia. The story is about two besties from youth who meet again in the thirties. There is this sweet Sydney we met already in book one of this series who is still searching for his prince the cards have told him, then we have Diego, who is changing his complete life after a bad accident and going back where he had his best time. Also he‘s finding his bisexuell identity, which is not easy for him. So the two guys meet again and Diego crushes again on Sydney, finding out, he was not aware, that he already crushed in teen age for his best friend. But Sydney has unfortunately a picture in front how his prince has to look like. And Diego isn’t looking like that.
You have to follow these two guys on their way to their HEA. It‘s a slow Travel with really hot scenes. The whole book is written so emotional like we know it from Mia. She has the gift to bring the emotions from paper in your head and form a great story.
You‘ll also meet a lot of the main and side characters from book one again.
I love the books from Mia, they‘re all so easy to read although I‘m not a native English speaker.
You have to follow these two guys on their way to their HEA. It‘s a slow Travel with really hot scenes. The whole book is written so emotional like we know it from Mia. She has the gift to bring the emotions from paper in your head and form a great story.
You‘ll also meet a lot of the main and side characters from book one again.
I love the books from Mia, they‘re all so easy to read although I‘m not a native English speaker.
July 10, 2021
Once again, our hearts are opened by a beautifully sweet and sexy story by Mia Monroe.
Chasing Fate is book two in her Friendship and Desire series. Meeting Sydney, who is looking for love in all the wrong places, sets the tone of his heartbreaking feeling of not being romantically accepted. Friends? Yes. People who care about him? Yes. A sense of longing to be loved for who he truly is? Yes.
Diego, childhood friend of Sydney, unexpectedly moves back to their old neighborhood. He seeks out his best friend growing up, to rekindle his own feelings of friendship, never expecting to find an attraction that he has for him to arise.
With relationship woes of his own, Diego becomes part of Sydney’s world. And once he begins to understand that his feelings for his friend may be more that either of them could have ever imagined, he relentlessly focuses on creating a life that they can enjoy together.
Fun, flirty, and fantastic. Monroe creates love through heartache, and we reap the benefit.
Chasing Fate is book two in her Friendship and Desire series. Meeting Sydney, who is looking for love in all the wrong places, sets the tone of his heartbreaking feeling of not being romantically accepted. Friends? Yes. People who care about him? Yes. A sense of longing to be loved for who he truly is? Yes.
Diego, childhood friend of Sydney, unexpectedly moves back to their old neighborhood. He seeks out his best friend growing up, to rekindle his own feelings of friendship, never expecting to find an attraction that he has for him to arise.
With relationship woes of his own, Diego becomes part of Sydney’s world. And once he begins to understand that his feelings for his friend may be more that either of them could have ever imagined, he relentlessly focuses on creating a life that they can enjoy together.
Fun, flirty, and fantastic. Monroe creates love through heartache, and we reap the benefit.
July 14, 2021
This was a nice story of best friends reconnecting again after years apart, rekindling their friendship, and finding love along the way. Sydney has been struggling to find love, find his prince, and his fairytale ending. He relies very heavily on readings and the cards to guide him in his quest for romance. Diego is resetting his life and reshaping his priorities. They both came back together at a time when they didn't realize they needed each other most to find their way. As they move from friends to friends with benefits, to love, they steam up the sheets along the way!
I really liked Diego, his new outlook on life, and his clear love for Sydney. It took me a while to warm up to Sydney and I really wanted to shake him a few times to get his head out of the cards and relax and see what was right in front of him! Luckily he had some good friends to help him see the light and we got to visit with Zach, Dom, Isaac and Hayden again along the way! I am excited for Hayden's book next!
I really liked Diego, his new outlook on life, and his clear love for Sydney. It took me a while to warm up to Sydney and I really wanted to shake him a few times to get his head out of the cards and relax and see what was right in front of him! Luckily he had some good friends to help him see the light and we got to visit with Zach, Dom, Isaac and Hayden again along the way! I am excited for Hayden's book next!
July 6, 2021
What a swoon fest!
I will admit that going into this book, I was slightly worried about how I would feel about Sydney. He didn’t really resonate with me in Dirty Forty. I even remained dubious after the first few chapters of this book. But I shouldn’t have worried. Mia had my back and she made Sydney into the most lovable character.
Sydney was so worried about what he thought he should want that he wasn’t taking the time to look right in front of him. Diego was this steady force for him once he came back into Sydney’s life. Always supporting him and wanting the best for him. Watching these two dance around one another was fascinating. Both wanting so much more but each scared for different reasons.
I liked this book for so many reasons and the cast of characters just gets better and better. This book had steam, heart, friendship and all the feels. I’m definitely looking forward to Hayden’s story next.
(I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.)
I will admit that going into this book, I was slightly worried about how I would feel about Sydney. He didn’t really resonate with me in Dirty Forty. I even remained dubious after the first few chapters of this book. But I shouldn’t have worried. Mia had my back and she made Sydney into the most lovable character.
Sydney was so worried about what he thought he should want that he wasn’t taking the time to look right in front of him. Diego was this steady force for him once he came back into Sydney’s life. Always supporting him and wanting the best for him. Watching these two dance around one another was fascinating. Both wanting so much more but each scared for different reasons.
I liked this book for so many reasons and the cast of characters just gets better and better. This book had steam, heart, friendship and all the feels. I’m definitely looking forward to Hayden’s story next.
(I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.)
July 16, 2021
I’ll say it a thousand times, Mia’s characters just steal your heart. Sidney is looking for his Prince Charming, one that checks ALL of his boxes and nothing less, but can’t seem to have any luck. Everything in his life is going great, so why can love be the same? Enter Diego, Sidney’s childhood best friend and newly out as bisexual and ready to explore his attraction to guys. Diego is perfect, and hot and nice, and did I mention HOT? But Sidney is sure Diego is not the one for him! Right?
In this sweet and beautiful story you’ll see a man scared of being hurt hiding behind the idea of a “perfect bearded bear of man” and how when you met the person that it’s truly perfect for you all those walls come crashing down! Diego encourages Sidney to really find himself and to start doing those things that he feels passionate about. And Sidney starts to learn that maybe fate and love can’t be planned.
In this sweet and beautiful story you’ll see a man scared of being hurt hiding behind the idea of a “perfect bearded bear of man” and how when you met the person that it’s truly perfect for you all those walls come crashing down! Diego encourages Sidney to really find himself and to start doing those things that he feels passionate about. And Sidney starts to learn that maybe fate and love can’t be planned.
July 17, 2021
★★★★½ STARS!
I am loving this author's writing more and more. This story was super sweet, super fun and super swoony. It was sweep me off my feet and romance me to it's finest!
While Sydney is stuck in his tunnel vision of finding his perfect soul mate, his obsession with big bearded men and tarot card readings, everything he deeply longs for is right within his reach. With his sassy and flirty personality, I absolutely couldn't wait for him to finally get his head out of the clouds and allow himself the love he so deserved.
I devoured this book in one sitting. Diego was the best and so damn patient. I so enjoyed Sydney and Diego reconnecting after so many years apart. This was such a wonderful slow burn. This was so well written with great characters and laugh out loud moments. Sydney and Diego were not only cute and romantic, they were hot and sexy together. A very well deserved HEA that left me feeling all mushy inside.
***ARC provided for an honest review***
I am loving this author's writing more and more. This story was super sweet, super fun and super swoony. It was sweep me off my feet and romance me to it's finest!
While Sydney is stuck in his tunnel vision of finding his perfect soul mate, his obsession with big bearded men and tarot card readings, everything he deeply longs for is right within his reach. With his sassy and flirty personality, I absolutely couldn't wait for him to finally get his head out of the clouds and allow himself the love he so deserved.
I devoured this book in one sitting. Diego was the best and so damn patient. I so enjoyed Sydney and Diego reconnecting after so many years apart. This was such a wonderful slow burn. This was so well written with great characters and laugh out loud moments. Sydney and Diego were not only cute and romantic, they were hot and sexy together. A very well deserved HEA that left me feeling all mushy inside.
***ARC provided for an honest review***
August 3, 2021
Give it a chance
This book is enjoyable.
Sydney's life is about to change. Isaac refuse to read is card, his bestfriend is back in his life, his professionnal option are unclear and his friend with benefit is alarming too real.
Diego's life have takena 180 degree turn after an accident. Diego decide to let it go of his miserable life and found joy and passion. Quit his job and sell his property. check. Embracing his new bisexuality. Check. Moving back in his childhood town. Check. Reconnecting with his best friend. Check. Falling in love.... Oups.
Can Diego get Sydney to thrust him with more than his body? Could they finally have what they both wants?
Interesting best friend to fwb to lovers.
I remove 1 star because I would have love to have a full view of reactions from their parents about their relationship.
Lovely story, interesting. My attention slip in some scene but in all it was great. A few very well descriptive hot s*xy scene.
This book is enjoyable.
Sydney's life is about to change. Isaac refuse to read is card, his bestfriend is back in his life, his professionnal option are unclear and his friend with benefit is alarming too real.
Diego's life have takena 180 degree turn after an accident. Diego decide to let it go of his miserable life and found joy and passion. Quit his job and sell his property. check. Embracing his new bisexuality. Check. Moving back in his childhood town. Check. Reconnecting with his best friend. Check. Falling in love.... Oups.
Can Diego get Sydney to thrust him with more than his body? Could they finally have what they both wants?
Interesting best friend to fwb to lovers.
I remove 1 star because I would have love to have a full view of reactions from their parents about their relationship.
Lovely story, interesting. My attention slip in some scene but in all it was great. A few very well descriptive hot s*xy scene.
July 18, 2021
In this 2nd book of the series we learn more about Sydney, the tarot card loving man looking for his special someone that we met in book one. He is so caught up in what he thinks he should be looking for, a prince of a man who rocks a nice beard, that the perfect someone who is standing in front of him gets looked over as just a friend. Diego is that childhood friend that Sydney recently reconnected with who has recently discovered he’s bisexual and he wants Sydney to see him as “more.” When they enter into a FWB arrangement feelings get involved and Sydney needs to decide if his perfect boyfriend has been standing in front of him all along or if he’ll let love pass him by. If y’all guess he grabs ahold of love you’d be right, but the journey these two take together is made all that much better b/c of their longstanding friendship. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series ❤️
July 17, 2021
This is a best friends to lovers bi awakening m/m love story.
We met Sydney in Dirty Forty. He was quirky and funny and I’m glad we got his love story. I do have to say this is definitely a slow burn to their happy ending. Sydney has it in his mind that his prince will be big and bearded. So when Diego his old best friend shows back into his life newly bi and ready for a new beginning he thinks keeping him in the friend zone is all they ever will get. Both me are trying to figure out what they want while they throw their new relationship to another level. They don’t know which way the others going so finding their happy ending is a bit of a bumpy ride.
I think you will fall in love with these two men even though Sydney might drive you crazy a bit! Their story was so so sweet and their happy ending was even sweeter.
We met Sydney in Dirty Forty. He was quirky and funny and I’m glad we got his love story. I do have to say this is definitely a slow burn to their happy ending. Sydney has it in his mind that his prince will be big and bearded. So when Diego his old best friend shows back into his life newly bi and ready for a new beginning he thinks keeping him in the friend zone is all they ever will get. Both me are trying to figure out what they want while they throw their new relationship to another level. They don’t know which way the others going so finding their happy ending is a bit of a bumpy ride.
I think you will fall in love with these two men even though Sydney might drive you crazy a bit! Their story was so so sweet and their happy ending was even sweeter.
July 17, 2021
Sydney has a very specific idea about how his Prince Charming is going to be, the cards told him so.
He is waiting for him to come along and he is slowly starting to wonder if he will appear.
When his old bestie, Diego comes back and they start to reconnect, a friends with benefits is posed as they reform and solidify their old friendship.
Diego is on a new path as he is getting older and Sydney’s friendship is one he wants to keep. But as they explore the path they are on, maybe they can find love along the way.
An exceptionally enjoyable read with well developed characters who complimented each other perfectly. I loved seeing these characters reconnecting and finding love in unexpected ways, Sydney’s preconceived ideas of a Prince Charming change and Diego finding new direction.
The appearance of past characters was a real treat. Definitely a series worth diving into.
He is waiting for him to come along and he is slowly starting to wonder if he will appear.
When his old bestie, Diego comes back and they start to reconnect, a friends with benefits is posed as they reform and solidify their old friendship.
Diego is on a new path as he is getting older and Sydney’s friendship is one he wants to keep. But as they explore the path they are on, maybe they can find love along the way.
An exceptionally enjoyable read with well developed characters who complimented each other perfectly. I loved seeing these characters reconnecting and finding love in unexpected ways, Sydney’s preconceived ideas of a Prince Charming change and Diego finding new direction.
The appearance of past characters was a real treat. Definitely a series worth diving into.
July 4, 2021
I got to read this book from an ARC group and it didn't disappoint. I've read it in like one and a half day, because I couldn't put it down. I took break to savor it. I didn't want it to end so soon.
Wow ! Chasing fate is the love story of Sydney and Diego. We've seen Sydney in the first book and I had so much hope for him. Mia Monroe successfully delivered. Friends make the best partners. Sydney is quirky and he has to work on himself, like a lot of us before finally meeting the love of his life. Diego is charming and for once, I don't mind the Bi-awakening. It's relatable and I LOVE IT.
This story has all the feels. I can wait to read the next book of this series. But first, you have to read this one, because WOW!!
Wow ! Chasing fate is the love story of Sydney and Diego. We've seen Sydney in the first book and I had so much hope for him. Mia Monroe successfully delivered. Friends make the best partners. Sydney is quirky and he has to work on himself, like a lot of us before finally meeting the love of his life. Diego is charming and for once, I don't mind the Bi-awakening. It's relatable and I LOVE IT.
This story has all the feels. I can wait to read the next book of this series. But first, you have to read this one, because WOW!!
July 7, 2021
I was so excited to hear that Sydney was going to get his own book. The poor guy just couldn’t catch a break when trying to find his Mr. Right. Sydney’s childhood friend, Diego, is moving back and wants to reconnect. He also tells Sydney that he’s bi however Sydney completely dismisses that he could be anything more than friends with benefits because he does not fit the physical description he saw from Isaac’s reading. Throughout the book, we see Diego wanting to be more and Sydney not trusting himself to want a more permanent relationship with Diego. It was great to visit with Dom and Zach and get a little more backstory on Issac. All in all, a steamy, sweet, emotional story with a much earned HEA.
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