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Santa Rafaela #2
A Totally Platonic Thing
Friends know all your faults and love you anyway. But what happens when you cross the line between friends and…more than friends?
Chris
My straight roommate and I are totally not dating. Sure, Lucas and I watch videos together—yes, those kinds of videos—and sometimes fall asleep in the same bed afterward. And yeah, I bring coffee to his lab every day so I can get my hug fix. But at night, I’ve been out clubbing and trying to forget that my ex-boyfriend was using me. I'm so lucky Lucas puts up with my drunk shenanigans. Until he doesn’t—and makes it impossible for me to hide what I really want. But it’s all platonic. Right?
Lucas
Chris means everything to me and I’d do anything for him. But one too many middle-of-the-night rescue missions with him falling-down drunk makes me lose my temper. Bigtime. Once he's sober, I threaten to put him over my knee and give him what he deserves. I expect him to tell me to go to hell…but instead he blushes and squirms. He wants it. Badly. And now I don’t know what to do. It should’ve been a one-time thing. But seeing Chris that way—touching him that way—has me hooked. Because my own reaction isn’t exactly platonic either…
A Totally Platonic Thing is a steamy M/M new adult bisexual romance with two roommates who are totally, like, not dating. At all. Even though they’re basically an old married couple. And also the adult videos and the, ahem, discipline. But that doesn’t count. HEA guaranteed.
Chris
My straight roommate and I are totally not dating. Sure, Lucas and I watch videos together—yes, those kinds of videos—and sometimes fall asleep in the same bed afterward. And yeah, I bring coffee to his lab every day so I can get my hug fix. But at night, I’ve been out clubbing and trying to forget that my ex-boyfriend was using me. I'm so lucky Lucas puts up with my drunk shenanigans. Until he doesn’t—and makes it impossible for me to hide what I really want. But it’s all platonic. Right?
Lucas
Chris means everything to me and I’d do anything for him. But one too many middle-of-the-night rescue missions with him falling-down drunk makes me lose my temper. Bigtime. Once he's sober, I threaten to put him over my knee and give him what he deserves. I expect him to tell me to go to hell…but instead he blushes and squirms. He wants it. Badly. And now I don’t know what to do. It should’ve been a one-time thing. But seeing Chris that way—touching him that way—has me hooked. Because my own reaction isn’t exactly platonic either…
A Totally Platonic Thing is a steamy M/M new adult bisexual romance with two roommates who are totally, like, not dating. At all. Even though they’re basically an old married couple. And also the adult videos and the, ahem, discipline. But that doesn’t count. HEA guaranteed.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2021
108 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Eliot Grayson
43 books1,399 followersEliot's a lifelong Southern California girl, right down to the flip-flops and backyard garden. When she's not writing her next book, you can find her reading, drinking tea, or (more likely) catering to the demands of her kids and ancient, cranky cat.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
November 1, 2021
I am not in a reviewing mood so this will be short and probably frustrating. I reserve the right to come back later and add to it.
This had some super hot scenes. Like really hot. With spanking. Yes please! 🔥
But I totally tuned out through the dramatics at the end. 😕
That's all I got. Till we meet again. 🙃
This had some super hot scenes. Like really hot. With spanking. Yes please! 🔥
But I totally tuned out through the dramatics at the end. 😕
That's all I got. Till we meet again. 🙃
October 29, 2021
”Lucas,” he whispered. It didn’t seem like he had anything else to say; he just couldn’t help saying my name.
And I knew the feeling. “Chris,” I murmured into his ear, tipping my head that I could kiss the edge of it.
I follow Eliot Grayson’s catalogue closely since she’s the author of one of my favorite series, and I was very interested in the blurb, as the best friends to lovers trope is totally my thing, and it’s not the first time Eliot did something with it, but this one was definitely very different. I had a really hard time trying to decide if I liked or not, which is something rare for me. Lucas and Chris are best friends with Sebastian and Aidan from book 1, they are roommates, best friends, go attend the same uni, and are deliciously obsessed with each other.
I didn’t know this would be one of these books. That aren’t dark romance, yet the MCs are so ridiculously and intentionally flawed that you don’t fucking know what to do of them. I loved to see Eliot’s acknowledgements for Alessandra Hazard – I love to know some of my favorite authors are friends and help each other on their books. This one totally has the style of Straight Guys series by Alessandra. With this comparison, you can maybe picture how freaking frustrating this was.
First, this doesn’t follow the usual development of this kind of story, this doesn’t go friends to fuck buddies to lovers. Not that this is bad for not following the formula, of course not, but it was a surprise, Eliot didn’t make so easy to predict what would happen for the first half, which is also weird to say since what’s mentioned in the blurb takes a while to happen. I was impatient.
The main conflict in the book, and that’s really important, is about how Chris grew the habit to go drink at the club Aidan works and get wasted, and Aidan can hardly risk his job to help him too much, so is Lucas who always have to bring him home and take care of him and this is shit because both Lucas and Chris are at risk of failing classes at uni.
I need to say I totally liked Chris and Lucas together. I love when the MCs are obsessed with each other and they definitely are here – Chris started his bad clubbing habits to cope with both a cheating ex-boyfriend and with Lucas having a girlfriend he spent much time with. Lucas is very whipped but also deliciously possessive with Chris. Of course, this is a very unhealthy situation, and everything goes to shit with Lucas being done with Chris’ irresponsibility – he knows Chris isn’t alcoholic, what he needs is stop going out clubbing as a coping mechanism for any minor inconvenience in his life.
I didn’t like the sexual development. The blurb says this is a steamy romance, but don’t be fooled, there’s far more drama than anything else. I was expected to have a good time reading hot sex scenes, but I was mostly busy wanting to pull my hair out with frustration with the drama. There’s a lot of overthinking inner monologue about many minor things that draw the MCs crazy. Chris is particularly stupid, no kidding. Yet somehow I was very invested on it anyway.
I also didn't like the factor of Lucas' sexuality. The blurb promises a bisexual romance, but this is a gay for you story. I hate GFY, so I could seriously throw a fit over the misleading blurb, but I don't have the energy now. Be aware I was extremely disappointed on this regard.
Something very interesting was how differently of many romance books with characters on uni, here Chris and Lucas struggling on classes affect their personal relationship a lot and that’s something deeply explored in a way I felt realistic, but I warn this book is not the best to read as escapism from school, as it’s a very stressful factor for the characters here.
The author did really good on including Aidan and Sebastian from book 1 working them as good secondary characters, if felt very natural and they have important roles in this story without ever stealing the spotlight, not as in random cameos. I said in an update they are superheroes here because they really are life savers in the main relationship, I felt like maybe rereading their book.
If you’re into GFY, prepared for Lucas being angry yet whipped and Chris being needy and stupid, patient with drama for weird reasons you can hardly understand and ready to be frustrated with the steam, you can go for this book.
January 16, 2022
So I probably rage-read the last 40% of this. A friends-to-lovers sexual discovery NA is my smutty catnip, especially when the friendship is done right like it was with these two.... and that's my excuse for finishing this thing! When things turned sexual between them, everything went downhill. It gave off strong Alessandra Hazard vibes, but where AH is so wrong it's right, this was just so, so wrong. I think it ruined me for this NTM author
October 17, 2024
This is book two in the Santa Rafaela series, but can be read as a standalone.
Chris and Lucas have a chance meeting over a soft pretzel catastrophe, and after hearing Chris needs a place to live, Lucas inexplicably offers up space in his very tiny studio apartment. The two become quite codependent, and their friendship starts to change from totally platonic to not-so-platonic...👀
This roommates to lovers relationship had me SALIVATING. The slow build of the tension between Chris (who's always VERY secretly been attracted to his roommate) and Lucas (who's VERY straight) was absolutely delicious. Their relationship is so precious, but fraught with sëxual undertones they both pretend aren't there.😏 AND THE 🌶 Y'ALL. Eliot NEVER misses. This book had the hottest spanking scenes I've ever read, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Eliot has also mastered the art of the believable miscommunication, and I fully understand why Chris and Lucas each made the choices they did. This little series should be on EVERYONE'S TBR.
If you're looking to try Eliot's books but you're not so sure about the whole omegaverse thing, this book is for you.🩷
Read if you like:
• Roommates To Lovers
• Bi-Awakening
• Spanking
.
In KU:✅️
Chris and Lucas have a chance meeting over a soft pretzel catastrophe, and after hearing Chris needs a place to live, Lucas inexplicably offers up space in his very tiny studio apartment. The two become quite codependent, and their friendship starts to change from totally platonic to not-so-platonic...👀
This roommates to lovers relationship had me SALIVATING. The slow build of the tension between Chris (who's always VERY secretly been attracted to his roommate) and Lucas (who's VERY straight) was absolutely delicious. Their relationship is so precious, but fraught with sëxual undertones they both pretend aren't there.😏 AND THE 🌶 Y'ALL. Eliot NEVER misses. This book had the hottest spanking scenes I've ever read, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Eliot has also mastered the art of the believable miscommunication, and I fully understand why Chris and Lucas each made the choices they did. This little series should be on EVERYONE'S TBR.
If you're looking to try Eliot's books but you're not so sure about the whole omegaverse thing, this book is for you.🩷
Read if you like:
• Roommates To Lovers
• Bi-Awakening
• Spanking
.
In KU:✅️
June 12, 2023
Scorching hot sex scenes. Spanking and the barest hint of consensual noncon that is just perfect.
The actual story…not my favorite by this author. Not much happens and it was hard to stay fully engaged.
The actual story…not my favorite by this author. Not much happens and it was hard to stay fully engaged.
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November 9, 2021
MM Romance
Friends To Lovers/Bi-Awakening/Roommates
I’m not sure how to rate this so this review will probably be a hot mess.
I read both samples for this series and thought this one was right up my alley. Roommates that are basically in a relationship already unbeknownst to them. Everyone else thinks they are a real couple but they swear they are just best friends. Sign me up! However, the pacing in this book felt off and for being besties, they sucked at communication leading to a ton of issues, issues that bugged me.
Lucas and Chris were adorable and I actually loved them together however they are only together for like 25% of the book and that includes sexually. All that other time is spent on Chris’ escalating drinking/partying issue and the wedge it’s putting between their friendship. Chris’ POV was all over the place and I liked it initially because I understood the panic he felt about his life but it became a little much. Lucas’ POV was more steady and he balanced Chris’ crazy out but both of these men are so utterly clueless it’s maddening. It takes almost the entire book for them to work out they are in love with each other and it frustrated me. But saying all that, there were times I was a bit teary eyed reading this because of how deep their love was for each other even if they were both too blind to see it. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
And, this is one of those books that I should have read in order because the couple in the first book has a huge role in this one but I’m not going to read it now because if it’s as frustrating as this book, I’d rather stop while I’m ahead.
Friends To Lovers/Bi-Awakening/Roommates
I’m not sure how to rate this so this review will probably be a hot mess.
I read both samples for this series and thought this one was right up my alley. Roommates that are basically in a relationship already unbeknownst to them. Everyone else thinks they are a real couple but they swear they are just best friends. Sign me up! However, the pacing in this book felt off and for being besties, they sucked at communication leading to a ton of issues, issues that bugged me.
Lucas and Chris were adorable and I actually loved them together however they are only together for like 25% of the book and that includes sexually. All that other time is spent on Chris’ escalating drinking/partying issue and the wedge it’s putting between their friendship. Chris’ POV was all over the place and I liked it initially because I understood the panic he felt about his life but it became a little much. Lucas’ POV was more steady and he balanced Chris’ crazy out but both of these men are so utterly clueless it’s maddening. It takes almost the entire book for them to work out they are in love with each other and it frustrated me. But saying all that, there were times I was a bit teary eyed reading this because of how deep their love was for each other even if they were both too blind to see it. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
And, this is one of those books that I should have read in order because the couple in the first book has a huge role in this one but I’m not going to read it now because if it’s as frustrating as this book, I’d rather stop while I’m ahead.
August 21, 2024
3.75
Very, very cute. Also, very, very freaking dirty.
I didn't think I'd love Chris and Lucas quite as much, having already met them in book one, but oh god, I was obsessed with their dynamic.
Gimme all the idiot-friends-with-zero-boundaries-suddenly-want-to-jump-each-others-bones PLEASE! Plus, spanking?! A smidge of consensual non-con? All the pining, sexual chemistry, helpless attraction and neediness? That's my jam!
I admit, I wanted to hit them both with a pan once or twice (especially near the end *grr*), but I was obsessed with their relationship and their dynamic gave me life.
Eliot Grayson, never change. Seriously! I don't think I'll ever tire of the way she writes, and the way she depicts codependent, extremely delicious, ridiculously needy dynamics is absolutely top notch. She's one of my favourite authors for a reason.
TWs/CWs: child neglect, binge drinking.
Very, very cute. Also, very, very freaking dirty.
I didn't think I'd love Chris and Lucas quite as much, having already met them in book one, but oh god, I was obsessed with their dynamic.
Gimme all the idiot-friends-with-zero-boundaries-suddenly-want-to-jump-each-others-bones PLEASE! Plus, spanking?! A smidge of consensual non-con? All the pining, sexual chemistry, helpless attraction and neediness? That's my jam!
I admit, I wanted to hit them both with a pan once or twice (especially near the end *grr*), but I was obsessed with their relationship and their dynamic gave me life.
Eliot Grayson, never change. Seriously! I don't think I'll ever tire of the way she writes, and the way she depicts codependent, extremely delicious, ridiculously needy dynamics is absolutely top notch. She's one of my favourite authors for a reason.
TWs/CWs: child neglect, binge drinking.
March 15, 2022
3.5 stars ⭐️
November 5, 2021
I don't want peace, I want problems and that is exactly what this book delivered🤌 (though these characters ended up draining all my energy lol).
November 1, 2021
Holy shit this is hot!!!!
Bigger, "straight" roommate votes YES. ^^
Phew, this was smokin' hot. Reader Advice: Turn up the fans or the cooling while reading A Totally Platonic Thing!
Chris and Lucas have been friends for several years, they met at a pretzel cart, and they've lived with one another pretty much ever since. Chris has a crush on his "straight-boy" roomie and Lucas is cluelessly obliging by letting them share a bed from time to time and watching ALL kinds of movies together. Close proximity and some of Chris' behaviour of late has Lucas snapping and threatening a (sexy) punishment of a spanking. It takes Chris unawares but he is so down with it. Me too! It's all some very enjoyable, sexy fun and games laced liberally with emotion from there.
I loved the MCs.
I truly enjoyed their, uh, moments together. Yes....
I loved and felt their connection
Nothing like a growly MC and one that makes his desires known, and, let me tell you, they're quite
compatible
It was a joy to see some glimpses of Sebastian and Aiden being so happy
Even though this says this is book #2 in the series, these books are actually standalones with different MCs
This had plenty of what I wanted - nice and sexy, good character development, the heartstrings were played with. Plenty to make me fully and completely invested
Overall, this is a really, REALLY enjoyable contemporary gay romance. I sure hope there is going to be a book #3.
Blog Review-
Bigger, "straight" roommate votes YES. ^^
Phew, this was smokin' hot. Reader Advice: Turn up the fans or the cooling while reading A Totally Platonic Thing!
Chris and Lucas have been friends for several years, they met at a pretzel cart, and they've lived with one another pretty much ever since. Chris has a crush on his "straight-boy" roomie and Lucas is cluelessly obliging by letting them share a bed from time to time and watching ALL kinds of movies together. Close proximity and some of Chris' behaviour of late has Lucas snapping and threatening a (sexy) punishment of a spanking. It takes Chris unawares but he is so down with it. Me too! It's all some very enjoyable, sexy fun and games laced liberally with emotion from there.
I loved the MCs.
I truly enjoyed their, uh, moments together. Yes....
I loved and felt their connection
Nothing like a growly MC and one that makes his desires known, and, let me tell you, they're quite
compatible
It was a joy to see some glimpses of Sebastian and Aiden being so happy
Even though this says this is book #2 in the series, these books are actually standalones with different MCs
This had plenty of what I wanted - nice and sexy, good character development, the heartstrings were played with. Plenty to make me fully and completely invested
Overall, this is a really, REALLY enjoyable contemporary gay romance. I sure hope there is going to be a book #3.
Blog Review-
October 31, 2021
hot hot hot
Whoa this book was angsty. I did not anticipate that! Both of them so needy in their own way. Both in love with each other but both not realizing it.
The pining and the sexual tension was strong.
This was super hot. Chris and Lucas were best friends but there was always something more there.
Chris is a self sabotage-r AND tbh, Lucas was an enabler of this behavior. It led to some devastating results. Angst ensues.
We do get a sweet HEA plus Aiden and Sebastian are in this book too! Loved that check in.
Whoa this book was angsty. I did not anticipate that! Both of them so needy in their own way. Both in love with each other but both not realizing it.
The pining and the sexual tension was strong.
This was super hot. Chris and Lucas were best friends but there was always something more there.
Chris is a self sabotage-r AND tbh, Lucas was an enabler of this behavior. It led to some devastating results. Angst ensues.
We do get a sweet HEA plus Aiden and Sebastian are in this book too! Loved that check in.
October 28, 2021
3.5 ★
Only this author could make me want to read a friends-to-lovers story. I was dubious at first, but after reading the blurb and since I really enjoyed The Alpha Experiment, which has the same trope, I couldn’t wait to read this. Also, Eliot Grayson never disappoints in bringing a book with lots of steamy moments but at the same time an engaging plot.
Even though this is part of a series we get a glimpse of how Lucas and Chris met, so it can perfectly be read as a standalone. It starts a little bit slow, but then again in general I’m not a fan of all the ‘we shouldn’t do this, it could ruin our friendship’ thing. So it's pretty subjective. But after that everything starts escalating quickly.
I loved how real they felt. And how Chris and Lucas’s insecurities were portrayed differently. Who would have thought a pretzel could change their future so much?
A man trying to secure his future. His roommate trying to figure out his problems. A great read for the friends-to-lovers enthusiast out there.
*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*
“Lucas,” I whispered. He stirred in the darkness, sheets rustling.
“Yeah?” His voice sent a shiver down my spine. Had his voice always had that effect on me? It’d always made me feel…something. Always. Safe, or happy, or just like I wanted to be close to him. Occasionally shivery, though I tried to ignore that.
Only this author could make me want to read a friends-to-lovers story. I was dubious at first, but after reading the blurb and since I really enjoyed The Alpha Experiment, which has the same trope, I couldn’t wait to read this. Also, Eliot Grayson never disappoints in bringing a book with lots of steamy moments but at the same time an engaging plot.
Even though this is part of a series we get a glimpse of how Lucas and Chris met, so it can perfectly be read as a standalone. It starts a little bit slow, but then again in general I’m not a fan of all the ‘we shouldn’t do this, it could ruin our friendship’ thing. So it's pretty subjective. But after that everything starts escalating quickly.
I loved how real they felt. And how Chris and Lucas’s insecurities were portrayed differently. Who would have thought a pretzel could change their future so much?
A man trying to secure his future. His roommate trying to figure out his problems. A great read for the friends-to-lovers enthusiast out there.
*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*
January 15, 2024
3.5 this pushed a bunch of my buttons but then the end lost me unexpectedly.
May 9, 2023
This was a mixed bag. The blurb made me hopeful that there would be lots of delicious cuddling betw straight Lucas and gay Chris. Straight/gay cuddling is like catnip to me. All that pining and sweetness and obliviousness. Yum. Unfortunately, there was very little of it, on-page at least. It was mostly talked about as having taken place in the past. So that was a letdown.
Without a doubt, the sex was hot and I was there for it. But it was also kind of weird bc Lucas seemed to turn into a different person during those scenes. It shouldn't bug me bc you never know what kind of fetishes and Dom-type behaviors lurk beneath a seemingly straight vanilla electrical engineering student, but it didn't read as very real to me. Regardless, I very much appreciated the smexy times. The last, I don't know, 25% was horrible. Chris was so clingy and embarrassing and just...ugh, I could hardly keep reading. The second-hand embarrassment was real. In general, this couple was too toxic and co-dependent for me to truly root for.
Still, they did have some heartwarming, sweet moments together that made me smile and kept me from all-out whinging in frustration. Two stars seems fair.
Without a doubt, the sex was hot and I was there for it. But it was also kind of weird bc Lucas seemed to turn into a different person during those scenes. It shouldn't bug me bc you never know what kind of fetishes and Dom-type behaviors lurk beneath a seemingly straight vanilla electrical engineering student, but it didn't read as very real to me. Regardless, I very much appreciated the smexy times. The last, I don't know, 25% was horrible. Chris was so clingy and embarrassing and just...ugh, I could hardly keep reading. The second-hand embarrassment was real. In general, this couple was too toxic and co-dependent for me to truly root for.
Still, they did have some heartwarming, sweet moments together that made me smile and kept me from all-out whinging in frustration. Two stars seems fair.
October 29, 2021
Not my cup of tea. It's no secret that I love Eliot Grayson. I think she is an incredibly talented writer. Her Mismatched Mates series is just,
mwah!
chef's kiss, but this did not work for me. Lucas and Chris are two best friends/roommates stuck in a codependent relationship. When their relationship becomes sexual, it turns even more so.
I did not find this book romantic.
Although, the pretzel meet-cute at the start of the book was rather charming. But as far as romance goes, the pretzel bit was it for me. I did not care for Lucas or Chris. I found their relationship EXTREMELY unhealthy and draining. The characters lacked any chemistry. There was little to no plot, and maybe I am just a simple girl, but I couldn't for the life of me understand why Chris and Lucas loved each other? The epilogue was nice, the writing solid, but at times, the story became redundant. 2 stars.
I did not find this book romantic.
Although, the pretzel meet-cute at the start of the book was rather charming. But as far as romance goes, the pretzel bit was it for me. I did not care for Lucas or Chris. I found their relationship EXTREMELY unhealthy and draining. The characters lacked any chemistry. There was little to no plot, and maybe I am just a simple girl, but I couldn't for the life of me understand why Chris and Lucas loved each other? The epilogue was nice, the writing solid, but at times, the story became redundant. 2 stars.
October 24, 2021
I loved the little glimpses of Chris and Lucas we got in book one, so was definitely excited for their book. It hit everything I wanted! Bisexual awakening, best friends to lovers, and so much steam you might need a fan just to get through the book. There were times when I wanted to just shove our two MCs into a room so they were forced to actually talk about their feelings, but overall I was able to look past it, as they really needed that time to get through their own hangups and make some real life changes before they were ready to completely be together. I loved both Chris and Lucas, Chris with his outgoing bubbly personality type and Lucas with his quiet strength and just complete caretaker personality. High on heat and feels, this was another great story from Eliot.
June 11, 2022
SO good! Chris and Lucas are the perfect match for each other, but they really need to figure out how to be self-reliant and not co-dependent. I wasn't sure that they'd get there, and it broke my heart when they needed to each figure out their own shit, but it was definitely the right thing to do at the time. The ending? Absolute perfection! Are there any other guys in Santa Rafaela that need an HEA? Maybe Mason, even though he's really only a name in this one, not a real person. Maybe somebody else who works at Aeon with Aidan? Anybody, pretty please?!
January 4, 2022
Exceeded my expectations for Chris and Lucas’ story. I loved them together.
November 1, 2021
Though I hadn’t read the first book, for whatever reason the blurb for this attracted me.
Unfortunately, it only served as a reminder for every reason why I don’t like books where both MCs are in their early 20s.
Also, I think with some of the antics these two get up to, there should have been some talk about limits and safewords.
Unfortunately, it only served as a reminder for every reason why I don’t like books where both MCs are in their early 20s.
Also, I think with some of the antics these two get up to, there should have been some talk about limits and safewords.
July 11, 2024
Third time reading this, I love it.
October 26, 2021
Is it hot in here or was it just this book?
A Totally Platonic Thing was a totally hot read featuring two roommates who are best friends and a bisexual awakening that felt to the other characters in the book like it was a long time coming. But underneath the high heat, it featured something incredibly real that tugged at my heartstrings and made me root hard for Lucas and Chris.
Lucas and Chris are sophomores when they meet in the opening of the book. Both are going through a really hard time and their bond is immediate. By the time the story picks up, they are in their final semester. Each of them have suffered recent heartbreaks, but Chris is the only one having trouble dealing with it. Lucas, on the other hand, is too busy focusing on his senior project to think about much else. He's certainly too busy to realize that Chris is floundering - until their mutual friend has to call him to pick Chris up from the bar where he's too drunk - AGAIN.
This builds a lot of tension between the two of them, tension that you can feel coming off of the page right into your soul. One night, the tension bursts and they get into an argument that ends with Lucas taking Chris over his knee to 'discipline' him. Lucas is surprised to find out how much he likes spanking his best friend and even more surprised by the rush of desire it gives him. Desire that is later explored through scenes so hot that my kindle asked me for a cigarette after.
But it wasn't the steamy hot scenes that made the book a five star read. It was the connection between Lucas and Chris. It was the way that they took care of one another. It was the decision that Lucas had to make for himself near the end of the book, a decision that made me so incredibly happy to see because its not something we see often in this kind of book. It was the two of them figuring out what they were to one another, how they felt, and how sex played into it. It was the parts where both were stressed about their future and about school and about their impending graduations.
There do have a few quibbles about the book - primarily the way that so many conflicts between them could've been solved in a conversation. There was also the quibble of the two of them not sitting down and discussing limits and the like when they began to implement a bit more kink into their lives. Neither of these things negated the amazingness of the story however, and therefore I can happily and confidently give it a five star review.
** ARC PROVIDED BY GRR FOR HONEST REVIEW **
A Totally Platonic Thing was a totally hot read featuring two roommates who are best friends and a bisexual awakening that felt to the other characters in the book like it was a long time coming. But underneath the high heat, it featured something incredibly real that tugged at my heartstrings and made me root hard for Lucas and Chris.
Lucas and Chris are sophomores when they meet in the opening of the book. Both are going through a really hard time and their bond is immediate. By the time the story picks up, they are in their final semester. Each of them have suffered recent heartbreaks, but Chris is the only one having trouble dealing with it. Lucas, on the other hand, is too busy focusing on his senior project to think about much else. He's certainly too busy to realize that Chris is floundering - until their mutual friend has to call him to pick Chris up from the bar where he's too drunk - AGAIN.
This builds a lot of tension between the two of them, tension that you can feel coming off of the page right into your soul. One night, the tension bursts and they get into an argument that ends with Lucas taking Chris over his knee to 'discipline' him. Lucas is surprised to find out how much he likes spanking his best friend and even more surprised by the rush of desire it gives him. Desire that is later explored through scenes so hot that my kindle asked me for a cigarette after.
But it wasn't the steamy hot scenes that made the book a five star read. It was the connection between Lucas and Chris. It was the way that they took care of one another. It was the decision that Lucas had to make for himself near the end of the book, a decision that made me so incredibly happy to see because its not something we see often in this kind of book. It was the two of them figuring out what they were to one another, how they felt, and how sex played into it. It was the parts where both were stressed about their future and about school and about their impending graduations.
There do have a few quibbles about the book - primarily the way that so many conflicts between them could've been solved in a conversation. There was also the quibble of the two of them not sitting down and discussing limits and the like when they began to implement a bit more kink into their lives. Neither of these things negated the amazingness of the story however, and therefore I can happily and confidently give it a five star review.
** ARC PROVIDED BY GRR FOR HONEST REVIEW **
October 30, 2021
~3.5
Loved: friends to lovers, the intensity of the relationships and the connection between MCs right from the first pretzel, needy Chris and caretaker Lucas, their flawed yet likable personalities, steam and cuddles, porn as a way to communicate, secondary characters
Niggles: overthinking (Lucas), OTT self-doubt and self sabotaging (Chris), some extra drama instead of talking it out.
Loved: friends to lovers, the intensity of the relationships and the connection between MCs right from the first pretzel, needy Chris and caretaker Lucas, their flawed yet likable personalities, steam and cuddles, porn as a way to communicate, secondary characters
Niggles: overthinking (Lucas), OTT self-doubt and self sabotaging (Chris), some extra drama instead of talking it out.
September 29, 2023
4.5, I just love when characters are so delusional, like yep this is totally normal for “friends” and not at all sexual. Was super light and fun for the majority and then I was ready to murder Chris during their conflict, kinda ruined the mood with how serious it got there but overall it was still really good
November 3, 2021
I didn’t know we needed a second book!
Chris was the best friend anyone could ask for and his and Lucas’ relationship was something I didn’t know I needed. I loved all of their ups and downs and most of all, their origin story.
Chris was the best friend anyone could ask for and his and Lucas’ relationship was something I didn’t know I needed. I loved all of their ups and downs and most of all, their origin story.
October 2, 2025
I don’t need a plot heavy book but this had zero plot, the MCs weren’t remotely interesting…I made it through the first spanking, realized even the steam was going to drag, so I called it. Time of DNF - 37%.
July 14, 2022
I was super excited to read this book because the first book was one of my favorites of 2020. I wanted to read more about Lucas and Chris's unusual relationship as soon as I finished The One Decent Thing. I jumped at the chance to receive this early copy, but now I really wish I hadn't because I hate leaving negative reviews. Unfortunately, that's what this one is going to be.
The positives: I'm no longer young, but I've been in school for the last 5.5 years getting some degrees, so I can tell you that I felt genuinely anxious during all of the talking about school and getting a job after and the stress and the I don't want to go to any classes full on avoidance thing one of the main characters was going through. But realistic emotions doesn't equal good writing.
I'm not going to belabor the point, but this is a really long book, at least 300 pages, and that is way too much time to spend reading about the same internal monologue page after page after page. Something would happen and then the character would monologue, something else would happen and then the character would monologue about the same thing he was monologuing about 10 pages ago. It was frankly awful. The characters never moved on from this one conflict between them for 300 pages. And it just wasn't interesting.
If we could have seen any other facet of their relationship besides this angsty conflict thing, if I could have seen a little more of this hugging and going to the lab every day thing and showing genuine care and concern in their everyday lives for each other that the blurb hinted at and which was nowhere in the book, it might have saved the book from being so completely boring and one note. By the end of the book, I downright disliked both of the characters. I also didn't really feel the chemistry between them, and I felt like they both needed to go to therapy to deal with their codependent relationship.
I think there are people out there who are going to love this book. I think this young man angsty internal monologuing thing is exactly what some people look for in books. If you love books where one character is extremely needy and insecure and the other is the one who loves to be needed, you're going to enjoy this one.
The positives: I'm no longer young, but I've been in school for the last 5.5 years getting some degrees, so I can tell you that I felt genuinely anxious during all of the talking about school and getting a job after and the stress and the I don't want to go to any classes full on avoidance thing one of the main characters was going through. But realistic emotions doesn't equal good writing.
I'm not going to belabor the point, but this is a really long book, at least 300 pages, and that is way too much time to spend reading about the same internal monologue page after page after page. Something would happen and then the character would monologue, something else would happen and then the character would monologue about the same thing he was monologuing about 10 pages ago. It was frankly awful. The characters never moved on from this one conflict between them for 300 pages. And it just wasn't interesting.
If we could have seen any other facet of their relationship besides this angsty conflict thing, if I could have seen a little more of this hugging and going to the lab every day thing and showing genuine care and concern in their everyday lives for each other that the blurb hinted at and which was nowhere in the book, it might have saved the book from being so completely boring and one note. By the end of the book, I downright disliked both of the characters. I also didn't really feel the chemistry between them, and I felt like they both needed to go to therapy to deal with their codependent relationship.
I think there are people out there who are going to love this book. I think this young man angsty internal monologuing thing is exactly what some people look for in books. If you love books where one character is extremely needy and insecure and the other is the one who loves to be needed, you're going to enjoy this one.
November 26, 2021
They are roommates for over two years. Lucas always helps Chris out of trouble.
Lucas is the one who saves a drunken Chris, more than once, even Lucas has his limits.
Lucas is straight, Chris is gay, they fit perfectly. They cuddle, fall asleep together, and lately, they even watch porn together. Chris can’t show Lucas the one where the guy looks just like Lucas. It’s all platonic of course, just two guys.
The atmosphere changes when they get at a lot closer, still platonic of course, just two guys.
It’s a slow burn story, entertaining, at some point it got a bit too slow and it felt a bit dragging.
Not for long, thank you, soon enough it turned into a fast and emotional road.
Busy with their study, Chris getting way too drunk, on the edge of failing, having friction being close together, vagueness, miscommunication, there is quite some tension. They are not honest to themselves about their feelings, when they finally do it’s almost too late.
Two guys, best friends, opposites, getting intimate, oblivious, afraid to lose their friendship.
The tension between them was palpable, their sexual encounters are super steamy. I loved the presence of emotions. I hoped for somewhat more hurtful moments.
Sebastian and Aidan from book 1 are present throughout the story, so nice! While I loved this story, for me, Sebastian and Aidan their story was more catching.
Overall a captivatingly written narrative, with a bit of a slow pace, slightly developed, but quite entertaining.
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
Lucas is the one who saves a drunken Chris, more than once, even Lucas has his limits.
Lucas is straight, Chris is gay, they fit perfectly. They cuddle, fall asleep together, and lately, they even watch porn together. Chris can’t show Lucas the one where the guy looks just like Lucas. It’s all platonic of course, just two guys.
The atmosphere changes when they get at a lot closer, still platonic of course, just two guys.
It’s a slow burn story, entertaining, at some point it got a bit too slow and it felt a bit dragging.
Not for long, thank you, soon enough it turned into a fast and emotional road.
Busy with their study, Chris getting way too drunk, on the edge of failing, having friction being close together, vagueness, miscommunication, there is quite some tension. They are not honest to themselves about their feelings, when they finally do it’s almost too late.
Two guys, best friends, opposites, getting intimate, oblivious, afraid to lose their friendship.
The tension between them was palpable, their sexual encounters are super steamy. I loved the presence of emotions. I hoped for somewhat more hurtful moments.
Sebastian and Aidan from book 1 are present throughout the story, so nice! While I loved this story, for me, Sebastian and Aidan their story was more catching.
Overall a captivatingly written narrative, with a bit of a slow pace, slightly developed, but quite entertaining.
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
November 12, 2021
I liked it
While book 2 wasn’t better than book 1 I still really liked it. I think what a lot of readers fail to realise while reading this book is it talks about real life issues.
I see some comments about how much people hate Chris and how he’s a selfish brat but you have to understand he has an addiction. It’s like telling an alcoholic they’re never gonna get better or just giving up in general.
In real life and today’s world we choose to ignore these facts about people and I know a lot of readers wanted Lucas to give up on Chris but you have to realise Chris was sick. And it’s sad because in real life a lot of people and I mean more than 80% of people would forget all the great things about someone and all they’ve done and drop them, literally ghost them because they just couldn’t handle it anymore.
Imagine being chris in love with Lucas since the first time they met and having to spend so much time with him only for Lucas to have relationships with women throughout their friendship and in those time Lucas had slowly slipped away little by little only coming back to chris like before only when he was single. Chris has abandonment issues hence his parents. His best friend is getting married, Lucas being straight, and Chris’ failed relationships.
Chris couldn’t be with Lucas till he had to learn to love himself and be with himself without Lucas being his crutch.
I feel like a lot of people were reading this book but weren’t actually getting the message.
While book 2 wasn’t better than book 1 I still really liked it. I think what a lot of readers fail to realise while reading this book is it talks about real life issues.
I see some comments about how much people hate Chris and how he’s a selfish brat but you have to understand he has an addiction. It’s like telling an alcoholic they’re never gonna get better or just giving up in general.
In real life and today’s world we choose to ignore these facts about people and I know a lot of readers wanted Lucas to give up on Chris but you have to realise Chris was sick. And it’s sad because in real life a lot of people and I mean more than 80% of people would forget all the great things about someone and all they’ve done and drop them, literally ghost them because they just couldn’t handle it anymore.
Imagine being chris in love with Lucas since the first time they met and having to spend so much time with him only for Lucas to have relationships with women throughout their friendship and in those time Lucas had slowly slipped away little by little only coming back to chris like before only when he was single. Chris has abandonment issues hence his parents. His best friend is getting married, Lucas being straight, and Chris’ failed relationships.
Chris couldn’t be with Lucas till he had to learn to love himself and be with himself without Lucas being his crutch.
I feel like a lot of people were reading this book but weren’t actually getting the message.
November 11, 2022
This is a hard one to review. I liked the execution, but the content not so much.
It is a really well written book, and this is what it should look like wgen the sex scenes do have purpose. They helped the relationship evolve.
On the other hand the relationship itself was really unhealthy, and Chris got himself together by the end but by then I wouldn't have cared if he did end up in a ditch somewhere. Lucas was made into a martyr when in practice he was kind of selfish and self-centered. The drama was turned up to eleven. I can be a bastard but when someone gets in a situation where they need help, I'm there to help, but if he put himself there then he can solve it for himself, and I'm not gonna lose sleep over it. The whole situation was blown out of proportion.
So very, very shaky three stars because I only skimmed the last two chapters. I just so didn't care about their happily ever after.
It is a really well written book, and this is what it should look like wgen the sex scenes do have purpose. They helped the relationship evolve.
On the other hand the relationship itself was really unhealthy, and Chris got himself together by the end but by then I wouldn't have cared if he did end up in a ditch somewhere. Lucas was made into a martyr when in practice he was kind of selfish and self-centered. The drama was turned up to eleven. I can be a bastard but when someone gets in a situation where they need help, I'm there to help, but if he put himself there then he can solve it for himself, and I'm not gonna lose sleep over it. The whole situation was blown out of proportion.
So very, very shaky three stars because I only skimmed the last two chapters. I just so didn't care about their happily ever after.
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