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Local Beats #4
Ex-Beefcake
Halston Stern
When my best friend Sam invites me to be his platonic plus-one for his friends’ destination wedding, I jump at the chance since we live in different cities now. I shouldn’t be nervous, but I’m not exactly the beefcake action movie star he teases me for being anymore.
Sam Radcliffe
Even though I haven’t found my forever man and don’t think he’s out there, I have the greatest friends in the world. I can’t wait to spend a week celebrating this wedding with all of them. It’s been awhile since I saw Halston, but he’s the sweetest, most thoughtful man and he’s never let me down.
As soon as I see Halston, I’m a little bit awkward… and maybe a whole lot attracted. Something as shallow as looking different for a movie role shouldn’t change how I feel about him, but it does. I can’t lose his friendship, so how can I figure out if he feels this new spark like I do? If he does, then how do we seize this chance when we have to go back to our real lives?
This is a best friends to lovers, bi awakening MM romance featuring a top who looks like a twink, an ex-beefcake action star, and a hotel room with only one bed. It is the fourth book in the Local Beats series, which can all be read as standalones, but this one is even better if you’ve read the others! It has a guaranteed HEA.
When my best friend Sam invites me to be his platonic plus-one for his friends’ destination wedding, I jump at the chance since we live in different cities now. I shouldn’t be nervous, but I’m not exactly the beefcake action movie star he teases me for being anymore.
Sam Radcliffe
Even though I haven’t found my forever man and don’t think he’s out there, I have the greatest friends in the world. I can’t wait to spend a week celebrating this wedding with all of them. It’s been awhile since I saw Halston, but he’s the sweetest, most thoughtful man and he’s never let me down.
As soon as I see Halston, I’m a little bit awkward… and maybe a whole lot attracted. Something as shallow as looking different for a movie role shouldn’t change how I feel about him, but it does. I can’t lose his friendship, so how can I figure out if he feels this new spark like I do? If he does, then how do we seize this chance when we have to go back to our real lives?
This is a best friends to lovers, bi awakening MM romance featuring a top who looks like a twink, an ex-beefcake action star, and a hotel room with only one bed. It is the fourth book in the Local Beats series, which can all be read as standalones, but this one is even better if you’ve read the others! It has a guaranteed HEA.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2021
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Lee
14 books123 followersZoe writes contemporary romances and believed everyone will get extraordinary love stories since before she ever fell in love. She lives with her family near the mountains in Colorado, where she writes while listening to music, never drinks coffee, reads books in one sitting, and watches too many movies and tv shows. She’s been writing since she was a kid, but luckily she knows how grown-ups work now. Mostly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 9, 2021
3.5 stars
October 15, 2021
4 stars for me but an absolute 5 for fans of the author or someone looking for a sweet, low-angst friends-to-lovers story.
This is a new to me author and usually jumping into a series without reading the ones before it gives me hives, but I soldiered on for this review. Overall, this was a great friends-to-lovers story! I have some minor issues with it, enough that I quite give it 5 stars, but I’m picky af. But for fans of the author, this will delight the hell out of you.
There were a lot of other characters from previous books, though I think some were brand new. I think I’d enjoy the interactions more if I’d read the previous books (this is the 4th in the Local Beats series), but they were fun here. However, they were A Lot and I had trouble telling them
apart. I wish I had a flowchart or something, a way to keep track of who was there and who they belonged to!
Honestly...This was a hard book to get into. It starts off in a “Twelve years ago” flashback and immediately I knew that I was going to have a hard time. Flashbacks rarely serve a story well and this begins right as the MC’s meet. I’d like to say it’s an interesting look into their character and relationship, but it’s really not. The first and third chapters were unnecessary to the beginning and dragged the story down. I would have much preferred to start out right in the action and THEN hit me with flashbacks (if at all. Preferably not.) I also had a bit of trouble with the dialogue; the banter was odd and didn’t feel realistic.
Even once the actual story started, there were more flashbacks and I was already flagging and may not have kept going if I didn’t have to review. I’m glad I did bc ultimately it’s a sweet story, but I would have loved to edit this book down. Not only with the flashback chapters, but excess dialogue and interactions, it just felt padded. Not in a “I need to meet a word quota” way, but in a “I love these characters and this story so much I want to tell you everything.” Which sounds great, but it’s always a good thing if it slows down the story. So much of it could have been skipped and that time given to the MC’s and advancing their story.
But once things got started, I was all in. Sam is strong and sweet and a mite high-strung but he’s a hoot. Halston is just a giant cinnamon roll. I thought his size (hence the “ex” in “Ex-Beefcake”) would factor in more than it did, which felt like a shame. But I loved that they were firmly established as friends before they got together because as much as I love a "secret pining friends to lovers," true, platonic friends that turn into lovers is just as rewarding, if not more. There are no artificial obstacles, just the real fear that they’ll lose their friendship, and Halston’s career if they go further. Sam’s hesitancy felt real and immediate. Halston also had his own fears to deal with, but his feelings for Sam were just so strong and steady. (I’m a bit of a Sam, so of course Halston is my favorite.)
Also? This is nit-picky but it’s an unusual choice to make Halston a hockey player turned Hollywood star. Not unbelievable, I’m sure it could happen, but I couldn't figure out why? Why couldn’t Halston have been a model/actor when they first met? Why hockey?? What purpose did that serve? I may have missed the why, but felt like another part of the story that could have been slimmed down and tidied up.
Overall, this is a sweet, low-angst story, but not saccharine. I had to take a star away because of how hard it was to get into, and because of the further details and flashbacks that kept pulling me out of the story. I’m not sure if I’ll go back and read the first four books, but Ex-Beefcake works as a standalone and it is definitely worth checking out!
****I received this as an ARC and this is my honest review***
This is a new to me author and usually jumping into a series without reading the ones before it gives me hives, but I soldiered on for this review. Overall, this was a great friends-to-lovers story! I have some minor issues with it, enough that I quite give it 5 stars, but I’m picky af. But for fans of the author, this will delight the hell out of you.
There were a lot of other characters from previous books, though I think some were brand new. I think I’d enjoy the interactions more if I’d read the previous books (this is the 4th in the Local Beats series), but they were fun here. However, they were A Lot and I had trouble telling them
apart. I wish I had a flowchart or something, a way to keep track of who was there and who they belonged to!
Honestly...This was a hard book to get into. It starts off in a “Twelve years ago” flashback and immediately I knew that I was going to have a hard time. Flashbacks rarely serve a story well and this begins right as the MC’s meet. I’d like to say it’s an interesting look into their character and relationship, but it’s really not. The first and third chapters were unnecessary to the beginning and dragged the story down. I would have much preferred to start out right in the action and THEN hit me with flashbacks (if at all. Preferably not.) I also had a bit of trouble with the dialogue; the banter was odd and didn’t feel realistic.
Even once the actual story started, there were more flashbacks and I was already flagging and may not have kept going if I didn’t have to review. I’m glad I did bc ultimately it’s a sweet story, but I would have loved to edit this book down. Not only with the flashback chapters, but excess dialogue and interactions, it just felt padded. Not in a “I need to meet a word quota” way, but in a “I love these characters and this story so much I want to tell you everything.” Which sounds great, but it’s always a good thing if it slows down the story. So much of it could have been skipped and that time given to the MC’s and advancing their story.
But once things got started, I was all in. Sam is strong and sweet and a mite high-strung but he’s a hoot. Halston is just a giant cinnamon roll. I thought his size (hence the “ex” in “Ex-Beefcake”) would factor in more than it did, which felt like a shame. But I loved that they were firmly established as friends before they got together because as much as I love a "secret pining friends to lovers," true, platonic friends that turn into lovers is just as rewarding, if not more. There are no artificial obstacles, just the real fear that they’ll lose their friendship, and Halston’s career if they go further. Sam’s hesitancy felt real and immediate. Halston also had his own fears to deal with, but his feelings for Sam were just so strong and steady. (I’m a bit of a Sam, so of course Halston is my favorite.)
Also? This is nit-picky but it’s an unusual choice to make Halston a hockey player turned Hollywood star. Not unbelievable, I’m sure it could happen, but I couldn't figure out why? Why couldn’t Halston have been a model/actor when they first met? Why hockey?? What purpose did that serve? I may have missed the why, but felt like another part of the story that could have been slimmed down and tidied up.
Overall, this is a sweet, low-angst story, but not saccharine. I had to take a star away because of how hard it was to get into, and because of the further details and flashbacks that kept pulling me out of the story. I’m not sure if I’ll go back and read the first four books, but Ex-Beefcake works as a standalone and it is definitely worth checking out!
****I received this as an ARC and this is my honest review***
October 15, 2021
I love a good friends-to-lovers. I love a good bisexual awakening. Ex-Beefcake not only fits both categories, but surpasses expectations in both categories.
Ex-Beefcake is the story of Halston and Sam, two best friends who met after a hockey game twelve years prior to the start of the story. Sam won tickets to a hockey game and took a date, someone he met from college. Halston was on the hockey team. They met at the bar after and bonded, becoming best friends over the course of the twelve years. At the start of the story, Sam is in a job that's changed dramatically since he started, thanks to a corporate buy out, and Halston has left hockey to pursue acting.
When Sam needs a plus one to one of his best friends' wedding, he invites Halston. A week in Aspen sounds great to both of them, as they haven't seen each other in person for several years. What Sam doesn't expect is for Halston to show up with a different physique, one that is more to his liking.
The great part about the new physique part of the plot is that Halston hasn't suddenly become more fit, more cut, or more 'stereotypically' attractive. Instead, he's put on weight for a role, softening his overly muscled image that made him famous.
What neither was expecting was the sudden flare of physical attraction between them. My favorite thing about this was that neither man shied away from it. Halston didn't go through a long period of questioning his sexuality. He realized what he felt, took a short period to examine it, and then that was it. The communication between Halston and Sam, the fact that they already had a built in love and trust for one another, made the fact that a good portion of the story takes place over one week not feel like an insta-love story. Instead, it felt more real.
That is not to say that the story is without obstacles, because where would be the fun in that? Instead, Zoe Lee offers up a low angst love story with hurdles that feel realistic for the two men and also like something that they can realistically overcome based on the years of friendship between them. The entire love story just feels real.
And the side characters, who I'm assuming are the main characters of other books, felt real. Without having read their stories (because I read this as a standalone and now feel the desire to go back and read the rest of this series), I felt that I knew enough about them to enjoy their presence. And let's not even get into my love of the found family trope the friendship group had. It was chef's kiss.
So yes, I highly recommend this book. Its a quick and light read and exactly what I needed.
** ARC RECIEVED FROM GRR FOR HONEST REVIEW **
Ex-Beefcake is the story of Halston and Sam, two best friends who met after a hockey game twelve years prior to the start of the story. Sam won tickets to a hockey game and took a date, someone he met from college. Halston was on the hockey team. They met at the bar after and bonded, becoming best friends over the course of the twelve years. At the start of the story, Sam is in a job that's changed dramatically since he started, thanks to a corporate buy out, and Halston has left hockey to pursue acting.
When Sam needs a plus one to one of his best friends' wedding, he invites Halston. A week in Aspen sounds great to both of them, as they haven't seen each other in person for several years. What Sam doesn't expect is for Halston to show up with a different physique, one that is more to his liking.
The great part about the new physique part of the plot is that Halston hasn't suddenly become more fit, more cut, or more 'stereotypically' attractive. Instead, he's put on weight for a role, softening his overly muscled image that made him famous.
What neither was expecting was the sudden flare of physical attraction between them. My favorite thing about this was that neither man shied away from it. Halston didn't go through a long period of questioning his sexuality. He realized what he felt, took a short period to examine it, and then that was it. The communication between Halston and Sam, the fact that they already had a built in love and trust for one another, made the fact that a good portion of the story takes place over one week not feel like an insta-love story. Instead, it felt more real.
That is not to say that the story is without obstacles, because where would be the fun in that? Instead, Zoe Lee offers up a low angst love story with hurdles that feel realistic for the two men and also like something that they can realistically overcome based on the years of friendship between them. The entire love story just feels real.
And the side characters, who I'm assuming are the main characters of other books, felt real. Without having read their stories (because I read this as a standalone and now feel the desire to go back and read the rest of this series), I felt that I knew enough about them to enjoy their presence. And let's not even get into my love of the found family trope the friendship group had. It was chef's kiss.
So yes, I highly recommend this book. Its a quick and light read and exactly what I needed.
** ARC RECIEVED FROM GRR FOR HONEST REVIEW **
October 14, 2021
A sweet, low-angst friends to lovers, bi-awakening
I can tend to be a bit picky about friends to lovers stories but this one hit the mark. One of my biggest pet peeves is that there is often a sudden change in perspective for one firend with absolutely no catalyst. That wasn’t the case here. Though Sam and Halston have been friends for a long time they haven’t seen each other in person for years. So already, we had a set up where it would make sense that maybe physical attraction could develop that hadn’t been there before because of the simple passage of time. Add to that that Halston’s body type is closer to Sam’s natural type and the catalyst for suddenly being attracted to one another made sense. What followed was a really lovely story. There were obstacles which they had to deal with but they got past them and did so without a ton of drama. What really shone through the whole book was that Sam and Holston were willing to try. Yes, initially they both had adjustments to make (that was inevitable) and there wasn’t immediate acceptance (Sam freaks a bit initially) but it never felt anything other than natural to the people they were and never felt overdone. I do have to say that I absolutely adore Halston, he’s just the sweetest, loveliest guy and I want to cuddle him lol. I should say, for me it took a little while to get into the story and the first 25ish% initially felt a little like it dragged a bit. Maybe that’s because I haven’t read the other books, maybe it’s me or maybe it’s the book (who knows) but it’s definitely worth it to push through if you feel like it’s dragging because it gets really good! The only real criticism I have is the focus on Holston’s physical appearance. I totally get (and think it makes sense/works) that Sam might have felt a sudden attraction he hadn’t (at least knowingly) felt before. For me though, it went on a little too long. I think any particular pre-occupation with someone’s physique is a little off-putting. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a huge thing and I still really enjoyed the book but it did make me frown a few times as we got further on. Still, a lovely book and well worth a read!
I can tend to be a bit picky about friends to lovers stories but this one hit the mark. One of my biggest pet peeves is that there is often a sudden change in perspective for one firend with absolutely no catalyst. That wasn’t the case here. Though Sam and Halston have been friends for a long time they haven’t seen each other in person for years. So already, we had a set up where it would make sense that maybe physical attraction could develop that hadn’t been there before because of the simple passage of time. Add to that that Halston’s body type is closer to Sam’s natural type and the catalyst for suddenly being attracted to one another made sense. What followed was a really lovely story. There were obstacles which they had to deal with but they got past them and did so without a ton of drama. What really shone through the whole book was that Sam and Holston were willing to try. Yes, initially they both had adjustments to make (that was inevitable) and there wasn’t immediate acceptance (Sam freaks a bit initially) but it never felt anything other than natural to the people they were and never felt overdone. I do have to say that I absolutely adore Halston, he’s just the sweetest, loveliest guy and I want to cuddle him lol. I should say, for me it took a little while to get into the story and the first 25ish% initially felt a little like it dragged a bit. Maybe that’s because I haven’t read the other books, maybe it’s me or maybe it’s the book (who knows) but it’s definitely worth it to push through if you feel like it’s dragging because it gets really good! The only real criticism I have is the focus on Holston’s physical appearance. I totally get (and think it makes sense/works) that Sam might have felt a sudden attraction he hadn’t (at least knowingly) felt before. For me though, it went on a little too long. I think any particular pre-occupation with someone’s physique is a little off-putting. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a huge thing and I still really enjoyed the book but it did make me frown a few times as we got further on. Still, a lovely book and well worth a read!
October 12, 2021
There are a lot of things to like about this novel. Friends to lovers romances are awesome, and Sam and Halston have great history and a solid basis for an emotional commitment that can evolve into an HEA. It’s lovely to see all the characters from previous books in the series amidst their own HEAs. Sam and Halston are super hot together, and they communicate with each other well. Halston is so level headed, kind, and open minded he’s almost too good to be true, and while Sam is more impulsive, and occasionally self-absorbed, he’s also a clearly decent guy. For the most part I found this story super charming, but I have to admit that the way Sam hyper-focuses on Halston’s body type was a little off putting. I get it, people have types, but Sam practically fetishizes the fact that Halston is now an “ex-Beefcake,” and it seems to be a key part of their relationship moving from friendship to lovers, to the extent I was actually a bit worried for what would happen to them if Halston ended up changing his look for another role. Sam’s hyper focus on Halston’s physique just felt kind of icky and shallow to me-- a lot like those 90s romcoms where some kind of makeover is necessary before one protagonist can be bothered to fall in love with the other. The fact that Halston is less conventionally attractive than he was before to live up to Sam’s preferred standards doesn’t really take away the strong squicky vibes, it’s still the same principle. I get that there needed to be some catalyst for them to see each other differently-- as potential lovers rather than just friends-- but maybe the fact that they hadn’t really been in the same place for like a decade could have sufficed? Or Sam’s preference could have been a catalyst, but not, like, a running theme? I get that this is the title of the novel, but “ex-beefcake” is not the nicest nickname to give your partner, and I just didn’t love this feature of their dynamic. Overall, however, a really enjoyable read.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2021
Halston and Sam have been best friends for years. Over the years, Halston went from being a minor-league hockey player, to an A-List action movie star. Sam has always known he's gay, while Halston has always been a ladies-man, and none of that changed much when Halston moved to LA for his career. Sam had never once, ever been attracted to his best friend, even though Halston has always been objectively super-hot. He just was never Sam's type.
When a couple of Sam's best friends from Chicago decide to get married in Aspen, Sam decides to ask Halston to be his plus-one. But what Sam doesn't know is that Halston has undergone a transformation for an upcoming role, and he has somehow turned into EXACTLY the type of guy Sam is attracted to.
At first they are both a little shocked at their mutual physical attraction. Surprisingly, Sam has a more difficult time with moving their relationship from friendship to more - even though Halston is coping with the change in their relationship and ALSO coming to terms with the fact that he's not as straight as he had assumed.
I thought it was interesting how figuring out that he's definitely NOT straight seemed not to phase Halston much at all. But it really didn't. Once he realized how much he LOVED Sam, he wasn't going to let a pesky thing like his assumed sexual orientation define his life. But once they decided they were in - they were both ALL in.
I fell in love with these two characters. Ex-Beefcake is low angst, and super sweet, but still has all the delicious heat! I loved it and I can see coming back to it as a comfort-read at some point!
When a couple of Sam's best friends from Chicago decide to get married in Aspen, Sam decides to ask Halston to be his plus-one. But what Sam doesn't know is that Halston has undergone a transformation for an upcoming role, and he has somehow turned into EXACTLY the type of guy Sam is attracted to.
At first they are both a little shocked at their mutual physical attraction. Surprisingly, Sam has a more difficult time with moving their relationship from friendship to more - even though Halston is coping with the change in their relationship and ALSO coming to terms with the fact that he's not as straight as he had assumed.
I thought it was interesting how figuring out that he's definitely NOT straight seemed not to phase Halston much at all. But it really didn't. Once he realized how much he LOVED Sam, he wasn't going to let a pesky thing like his assumed sexual orientation define his life. But once they decided they were in - they were both ALL in.
I fell in love with these two characters. Ex-Beefcake is low angst, and super sweet, but still has all the delicious heat! I loved it and I can see coming back to it as a comfort-read at some point!
October 5, 2021
I loved this book! I loved this couple! One of the best written relationships I have read this year.
Ex-Beefcake by Zoe Lee is the story of Sam and Halston, two long-time friends who suddenly realize that their feelings for each other have expanded beyond that of best friends. The story starts with how they first meet by chance at a bar when Sam’s date hits on straight Halston. Their love story begins when Sam invites Halston, now an action movie star, to be his “Plus-One” to one of his friends' weddings They both realize that there is a new awareness that they both have of each other. This story encourages the idea that friends can make the best lovers and partners because there is that already existing feeling of comfort and trust that you don’t have to work for. The work is already done. When the passion matches the trust, you just can’t get anything better. I also loved the open communication between Sam and Halston, so honest! Real life freakouts and talking through things, as it should be in any healthy relationship.
Sweet, hot and oh so satisfying is how I would describe this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read!
Ex-Beefcake by Zoe Lee is the story of Sam and Halston, two long-time friends who suddenly realize that their feelings for each other have expanded beyond that of best friends. The story starts with how they first meet by chance at a bar when Sam’s date hits on straight Halston. Their love story begins when Sam invites Halston, now an action movie star, to be his “Plus-One” to one of his friends' weddings They both realize that there is a new awareness that they both have of each other. This story encourages the idea that friends can make the best lovers and partners because there is that already existing feeling of comfort and trust that you don’t have to work for. The work is already done. When the passion matches the trust, you just can’t get anything better. I also loved the open communication between Sam and Halston, so honest! Real life freakouts and talking through things, as it should be in any healthy relationship.
Sweet, hot and oh so satisfying is how I would describe this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read!
October 14, 2021
When Sam first saw number 87 on the ice at a game he was on a date. He and his date wound up at a bar after the game and a pit stop where number 87 was also hanging out and it was there he met Halston and ditched a crappy date. It was the best thing that ever happened to him because he gained a good friend that he got to know, even lived with for a while, and still their friend connection was strong. Sam invites Halston to be his platonic plus one to Asher and Lucas' wedding and after many years of closeness as friends they find that there is still more depths to the relationship that they share. Their transition from friends to lovers was sweet, steamy and it felt natural. Like they wound up where they were meant to be and just needed to nail down the details of how they were going to make the rest of their lives work now that they were a couple. This was such a good story to end the series and share the HEA for each of the men in Sam's crew.
I received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.
I received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.
October 15, 2021
Friendship simmered for over 10 years, then reached right temperature at the wedding. Sam, is resigned to living alone, to never finding his 'one'. He is working at a job that is in flex and he is questioning his choices. Halston is his bestie, for over a decade. They don't get to see each other often. Sam invites Halston to one of his other friends' destination wedding. Sam is happy his friend group will be together for the joyous occasion. During the emotional time, Sam and Halston realized an awareness they never experienced before. Do they act on their new feelings? Is Halson willing to open his heart to being bi? Does being friends first, really make a difference to a willingness to open the door? Great story. It's like pieces of a puzzle just sliding into place. Great characters, excellent group of friends. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2021
This book is such a fun and satisfying way to wrap up the Local Beats series! Sam and Holsten make for an interesting couple, seemingly quite opposite but yet very clearly matched. This is a friends to lovers bi-awakening that is well developed, so it does take a bit to get to the steamy bits, but is well worth it. Watching these two come together and learn how to adapt to their changed relationship is both entertaining and satisfying.
I do highly recommend you read the other 3 books first as those characters are all in this one so the background knowledge makes it all the better, but it's not necessary to understand or follow the story.
I do highly recommend you read the other 3 books first as those characters are all in this one so the background knowledge makes it all the better, but it's not necessary to understand or follow the story.
October 4, 2021
I found it really difficult to get into this book in initially. I was about 40% through when it started to make sense and my enjoyment level increased. Sam and Halston had been categorised by their looks all their lives and had been friends for years with no romantic attraction. Sam asks Halton to be his plus one at a friends wedding and whilst mingling with Sam's friends and seeing their love for each other, they decide to explore the attraction that has burst into life between them. The 2nd half of the book was well written and kept me hooked until the end. Watching their journey to forever was really cool. I will go back and read the other books in the series as well now
October 14, 2021
Halston and Sam ❤️
Friends to lovers ❤️❤️❤️, Bi- Awakenings are my one of my favorites to read, throw in forced proximity ....I'm hooked and this one sure doesn't disappoint.....after 12 years of friendship some of which they haven't seen each other, Sam asks Hal to be his plus one for a wedding.......the attraction is instant when they see each other again.... and let the adorable-ness begin, these guys were so sweet and perfect for each other, their journey to their HEA was worth it! I ate this story up... this is a low angst, low struggle, sweet and happy read!!! I defiantly recommend this one 😉
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
Friends to lovers ❤️❤️❤️, Bi- Awakenings are my one of my favorites to read, throw in forced proximity ....I'm hooked and this one sure doesn't disappoint.....after 12 years of friendship some of which they haven't seen each other, Sam asks Hal to be his plus one for a wedding.......the attraction is instant when they see each other again.... and let the adorable-ness begin, these guys were so sweet and perfect for each other, their journey to their HEA was worth it! I ate this story up... this is a low angst, low struggle, sweet and happy read!!! I defiantly recommend this one 😉
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
October 14, 2021
This was a fantastic friends to lovers story. It felt like it naturally progressed. Sam and Halston had a great start as friends as they met and go to know one another. Flash forward twelve years later and Sam needs a date to a wedding, so he asks Halston. It would be a great way to catch up with each other. They have amazing chemistry and an instant attraction to one another, that surprised them. The story felt fairly realistic. The story was really well written, I’d definitely recommend it. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy I received. This was solely based on my honest thoughts and opinion.
October 17, 2021
This is interesting, entertaining and romantic. Halston and Sam met in college and became best friends. When Sam encourages Halston to go to LA, he didn't imagine himself being a big star, but that's what happened. He and Sam remained close friends, but they didn't see each other often. When Halston finally comes back to Chicago, there's something different about his feelings for Sam. They both knew that it wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to try to keep the relationship going. They are both sweet, funny and determined. I really enjoyed their story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
October 6, 2021
This book took awhile for me to get into. It jumps from past to present and while I enjoyed getting to see the friendship develop, I kind of wanted the story to move along. Sam and Halston have been friends for awhile, supported each other through breakups, career changes and life. Sam asks Halston to be his plus one at a friend’s wedding and that is where the attraction is realized and the romantic relationship develops. The story picked up for me after about 50% and then I really started to enjoy it.
October 15, 2021
This was right up my alley as I was looking for a sweet, very low angst friends to lovers read. Sam and Halston were perfect for that. Yes, Halston has to come to terms with his sudden attraction to a man, and his friend on top of that but both men talk to each other and things develop smoothly. The blurb made me wonder if there might be something irritating in the story that made me think Sam was only attracted in the new way to Halston based strictly on appearance but that was nicely dealt with and the deeper reasons for their mutual attraction were made clear and convincing.
October 7, 2021
I certainly enjoyed the interactions between Sam and Halston. Going from long time friends to becoming a couple.
When they finally remet face to face, Halston walks in as Sams wet dream, when he puts a few pounds on over his muscle. It plays with Sams mind. They both realise they like the other.
Despite a Sams freakout when they first get together, Halston brings him back. They are both willing to walk away from their careera for the other.
When they finally remet face to face, Halston walks in as Sams wet dream, when he puts a few pounds on over his muscle. It plays with Sams mind. They both realise they like the other.
Despite a Sams freakout when they first get together, Halston brings him back. They are both willing to walk away from their careera for the other.
October 12, 2021
Ex-Beefcake by Zoe Lee gives us the story of Sam and Halston, two long-time friends who suddenly realize that their feelings for each other have changed from that of best friends to something more.
This friends to lovers/Bi awakening story will give the reader all the feels that they could ask for.
With plenty of heat between them can this grow into something more?
I loved watching them journey from friends to being each other's everything!
This friends to lovers/Bi awakening story will give the reader all the feels that they could ask for.
With plenty of heat between them can this grow into something more?
I loved watching them journey from friends to being each other's everything!
October 14, 2021
Such a great book. Couldn't put it down. Sam and Halston have been best friends for a long time. They live apart now in different cities where life has taken them. Sam invites Halston for his friends' destination wedding. Sam is gay while Halston is straight. Can a shared week together bring them closer and lead to a romantic relationship? A beautiful, steamy best friends to lovers romance. I highly recommend.
October 15, 2021
I love friends to lovers and add in a bi-awakening, it was fantastic. I read the first book in the series as well, so I knew the characters without being very familiar. It definitely could be read as a stand alone. I like Sam and Halston’s relationship as friends first. I like friends who may not see each other constantly, but their friendship is solid. The story was sweet and romantic and super sexy.
I definitely recommend this book and I plan to read the rest of the series now.
I definitely recommend this book and I plan to read the rest of the series now.
October 15, 2021
Ex-Beefcake ~ book 4 in Local Beats. (M/M)
This is a friends to lovers romance with a body transformation.
These two were great together, the chemistry was there. Sweet & steamy with a superb ending.
Low angst and not a particularly long read.
I enjoyed reading this story and seeing how they come together. Initially invited as a place one to a wedding, then transformed into so much more.
Would definitely recommend.
This is a friends to lovers romance with a body transformation.
These two were great together, the chemistry was there. Sweet & steamy with a superb ending.
Low angst and not a particularly long read.
I enjoyed reading this story and seeing how they come together. Initially invited as a place one to a wedding, then transformed into so much more.
Would definitely recommend.
October 4, 2021
This was a really good bi-awakening/best friends to lovers book. It's well written and a great end to the series. While it is a standalone and makes complete sense without reading any of the others, I highly recommend reading them as there are a lot of past characters in this one. I love how well the characters come together, it is in a very natural way and doesn't seem forced.
October 8, 2021
I really loved this friends to lovers, bi-awakening story; Halston & Sam were so sweet together. I loved how there were flashbacks to show us important parts of their past, and the side characters were great. This is book 4 of the series, and I've only read the first book, so it can definitely be a standalone.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
October 14, 2021
Adored the delicious slow burn. The tropes were brilliant, best friends to lovers and bi-sexual awakening. I adored the romance and Lee writes wonderful sexy times. Adored the friendships and old characters returning. Thought the dilemma for Halston could have been way more angsty to build more tension for the story, but I loved the way the author handled it nonetheless.
October 14, 2021
The story started off a bit slow, but by the end, it was nice to see how Sam and Halston's friendship develop into something more. While both men came to the realization they might have something more and decide to explore it, the story picks up when they act on their attraction. A great friends-to-lovers story.
November 9, 2021
I'm still smiling after finishing this book. Zoe Lee is such a good writer! Sam and Halston were friends for years before becoming lovers. This sweet tale is a very fun read. All of Sam's friends are great and their banter between friends help make the story. But the real gem is how Sam and Halston become everything for each other. And, oh my.. It's hot!
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 14, 2021
Seeing Things Differently.
MM, Best Friends to Lovers, Bi awakening, Contemporary Romance. Easy to read, low angst, steamy, page-turner. Can be read as a stand-alone with no loss of enjoyment or understanding, great characters. A sweet and witty fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. HEA.
MM, Best Friends to Lovers, Bi awakening, Contemporary Romance. Easy to read, low angst, steamy, page-turner. Can be read as a stand-alone with no loss of enjoyment or understanding, great characters. A sweet and witty fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. HEA.
May 10, 2022
I really liked the first half of this book. The last half of the book dragged for me.
The biggest reason were the editing issues. I'm not a huge grammar nerd or anything like that. So when I'm pointing out typos and weird sentences you know it's a thing.
An extra half star because one of my favorite songs (From the Dining Table by Harry Styles) ever was mentioned.
The biggest reason were the editing issues. I'm not a huge grammar nerd or anything like that. So when I'm pointing out typos and weird sentences you know it's a thing.
An extra half star because one of my favorite songs (From the Dining Table by Harry Styles) ever was mentioned.
October 10, 2021
Overall, I liked this book. It took a little while to get used to the author’s writing style, as I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series, but once I did the story was compelling, fun, and sexy. Recommended!
October 14, 2021
A delightful friends to lovers, bisexual awakening read! This is part of a series but reads beautifully as a standalone, although with such great side characters, I am sure you'll want to read them all!
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