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The Weight of Your Wishes
Spending the summer with the now forty-year-old straight man, who made me realize I was bisexual, was a very bad idea.
Hendrix
My mom had me when she was young, and it was the biggest mistake she ever made. I know that because she’s never had a problem with reminding me. It made me turn to the only one who cared—her best friend, Grant. He was my very own human shield, my voice when I didn’t have one. But when I was twelve, he left us, and it has all been downhill from there.Grant
Twenty-one years ago, my girlfriend, Cynthia, left me for a bigger life in the city, but she came back a year later with a baby. Most people in our small town thought I was useless; but I helped her get back on her feet anyway. Now she needs my help again. She expects me to whip Hendrix into shape, but it’s proving to be more difficult than it should be. Hendrix is different now, and I’m just a sad excuse for a man. Ever since Cynthia left, every other woman has followed suit. But with Hendrix looking up to me with the type of admiration I could never hope to live up to, things begin to change.254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2022
102 people are currently reading
1080 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Nicole
12 books458 followersBailey is an author who loves writing LGBTQ+ romance books.
They’d much rather write about fictional worlds and characters than themself, but they love interacting with their readers!
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They’d much rather write about fictional worlds and characters than themself, but they love interacting with their readers!
You can stalk Bailey here:
Instagram: @authorbaileynicole
https://www.instagram.com/authorbaile...
Facebook: Bailey Nicole
https://www.facebook.com/bailey.nicol...
Pinterest: @baileynicolereads
https://pin.it/uIJkzbv
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
March 18, 2023
What’s the point of promoting your book as “forbidden” and “taboo” but not actually make it that?
Which leads to me repeating myself, in a little bit of shame, on why I hate how easily persuaded I am to read a book. You say nothing but 20-year age-gap, forbidden love, bisexual awakening, and a little bit of light daddy kink, and I’m all yours. But then I find out the age-gap is 20 years because it is between a mother’s son and the mother’s best friend since before said son was born? What a day to be alive.
Too bad this book equated to my life, actually. Boring, dull, underdeveloped, and a little rushed.
What a day to be alive indeed.
I haven’t had the best luck with this author. This is the fourth book from them (if we don’t include their novella, then three), and I can’t say I’ve really enjoyed any of them. Despite how I’ve given High and Hopeless and His Revelry three stars, I have forgotten everything including the names of the main characters, let alone remember the characters names of their debut book. By the time I go to sleep tonight and wake up early for work tomorrow, I’ll have forgotten the names of this novel’s characters and my memory will recall them when I come back to this review and edit the 20 million grammar mistakes I make.
When I first heard about this, I was enthusiastic. Elevated. Exhilarated. Pretty damn thrilled. I was simply excited. Saying it was one of my most anticipated releases makes me feel embarrassed now due to how hopeful I was in saying that I thought I would have finally found a book from this author that I really enjoyed and liked, and therefore my excitement for their other books would simply grow. But here I am now, realizing this author just may not be for me. It doesn’t matter how toxic or cute the couple can be, their writing, pace, and overall vibes the characters give me don’t appeal to me. The Weight of Your Wishes didn’t have something entirely new to offer, but it had what can be called crushing on your mother’s childhood best friend/ex boyfriend. As Ellie said, new trope was unlocked. I understand how Grant and Cynthia being ex-lovers can bother some readers, but I personally thought it could have added to the “forbidden” part of the book, which made excited. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything forbidden about this, and Grant and Cynthia being ex- lovers added nothing to the story.
We follow Grant and Hendrix, who are pseudo-uncle/nephew because of Cynthia, Hendrix’s mother and Grant’s best friend/ex high school sweetheart. Grant helped Cynthia with Hendrix when he was born but left around his middle school years. What causes them to reunite and spend time together is Cynthia has asked (more like tell) Grant to take Hendrix under his wing for the summer so Hendrix can learn some moral rules, work, and pay off the car he broke. But what Grant doesn’t know is that Hendrix has been crushing on him since young, as he was the man who made him realize he was bisexual.
The synopsis and gist of it all is pretty straight forward, so there’s no point in explaining further detail. Maybe it’s just me, but one of the first points I can bring up that made this a disappointing read the more I read was the bisexual awakening from Grant. While I understand and fully support labels aren’t for everyone (and they shouldn’t be because we shouldn’t label ourselves to one term), I couldn’t understand, see, or feel when, where, and how Grant came to realize he was bisexual/pansexual or any orientation he was. While he claimed to be straight early on in the book, as well as how Hendrix kept reminding himself, it was difficult to pinpoint how, why, and where exactly Grant realized he might not be as straight as he thinks he is. Again, I don’t think he needed a label, but I couldn’t pinpoint where the sudden change of his feelings came from. I feel as if it also had to do with the pining that we were missing from his point of view, at least in my opinion. I had heard this had lots of pining, and it definitely had it from Hendrix (which makes sense), but Grant? It was non-existent, blank, and nowhere to be found. He checked out Hendrix one or two times, but those two times were told to us from Hendrix's point of view, which, therefore, takes away from the development and chemistry the book tries to add. It was lacking that build-up that makes the relationship development and new feelings believable. From what I saw, Grant’s feelings were never really explored before he and Hendrix engaged together physically for the first time. What exactly did he see in Hendrix? What made him sensually drawn to him?
For a forbidden and “taboo” romance, it would have made it more tense and ansgty if the author had added more feeling from Grant to show the new, growing and maybe even unwanted feelings, like confusion with a sudden desire, some sort of jealousy and possessiveness, or even confused explanations. For someone who has been straight for 39 years of his life, I was shocked that he never really thought anything completely bad about feeling attraction towards Hendrix. And no, I don’t mean internalized homophobia. I mean thinking bad as in him realizing Holy shit I have the hots for my best friends son who is 20 years my junior that I helped raise or something like that. There was a small moment where he told Hendrix they couldn’t be together because of who they are to each other, yet literally the next day he erupted. Literally.
Laaaaame.
Give me real tension. Give me real angst. Give me real forbidden. Give me “We can’t do this.” Give me secret emotions.
There were certainly some scenes between the two that I can’t deny liking and growing soft for. I absolutely loved seeing how Grant took care of Hendrix after, or how both of them couldn't take their hands off each other when they decided to be together. Due to the book being very forgettable, as it’s already been more than six hours since I finished it, I can’t remember some of the scenes in full detail, but I enjoyed reading about the different vulnerabilities they both had and how willing both characters were to show each other they care about one another. I do think the author added realisticness to this in their characters by making them feel authentic. Both characters have their own scars and demons they’re hiding but they slowly show them to the other in hopes of being accepted, treated with kindness, and seen as valuable.
Still, I do think there could have been more added to the characters' backstories. Even Grant admitted that he missed out on a lot of Hendrix when he moved back home, so I was hoping there would be more details on both characters that the reader learns about. Those scenes could have easily been replaced with some of the sex scenes (which, ufortunately, I feel always take over the stories when there are better alternatives, but maybe that’s just my asexual ass talking because almost nobody reads these books for sensual > sexual). There are also other themes the book covers that are relevant and important in modern society, like homophobia and parental abandonment. Still, the book does too little in giving the reader more than a peak into the sub-themes of the book.
Furthermore, the pacing of this felt a little off. I’m a huge fan of slow burn romances. Seeing the sexual tension build up from our characters is nothing but delightful, no matter how and where they started off. Grant and Hendrix, though, did not have that much sexual tension. While they felt sexual attraction for each other, as the reader, I felt as if we were robbed from seeing some of that tension and chemistry. There weren’t that many moments that made me believe these two were indeed going to get together soon. Instead, it felt like some of the pages skipped the important parts and went straight to the parts between the two characters engaging sexually. One moment I was questioning and wondering when they were going to get together because it was 60% in and they still hadn’t done anything, and the next everything started progressing too fast.
Going back how this was not a forbidden and taboo romance, it’s hard to believe that the relationship is forbidden/taboo when almost everyone accepts you’re in a relationship despite the town being small and consernative. Everyone in the town knows who Grant and Hendrix are, who they are to each other, and how Cynthia is involved with both. Yet, no one bats an eye at this and accept it and move on. While I’m happy for this, at the same time, it’s Florida. Is no one aware of the LGBTQ+ rights there, especially a small conservative town? I can only suspend disbelief so much. It would have not only made it more realistic but also added to the forbidden aspect if they were truly hiding their relationship in a way. While it’s saddening to think and know that some couples do have to do this, I’m only saying this because of what the book tried to be. For a book with forbidden romance written all over it, there were hardly any forbidden aspects to it. Cynthia also came to accept their relationship pretty quickly. It took her some time to adjust, but she was never against it. One way or another, while I was glad to see that Grant never really denied his feelings for Hendrix, at the same time, I can’t help but feel there could have been more angst added to this if the novel took some traditional route.
This book had potential, but I’ve come to the conclusion that this author just isn’t for me. I can’t really say I’ll read more from them and continue having hope, but for now, there isn’t much good I can say about this. It’s not even so much about having high expectations, it’s just on how the book itself did not give me what it promised to give. I’m tired of authors marketing their books a certain way simply because they know it’ll draw the readers in yet give almost nothing of what they promised.
Which leads to me repeating myself, in a little bit of shame, on why I hate how easily persuaded I am to read a book. You say nothing but 20-year age-gap, forbidden love, bisexual awakening, and a little bit of light daddy kink, and I’m all yours. But then I find out the age-gap is 20 years because it is between a mother’s son and the mother’s best friend since before said son was born? What a day to be alive.
Too bad this book equated to my life, actually. Boring, dull, underdeveloped, and a little rushed.
What a day to be alive indeed.
I haven’t had the best luck with this author. This is the fourth book from them (if we don’t include their novella, then three), and I can’t say I’ve really enjoyed any of them. Despite how I’ve given High and Hopeless and His Revelry three stars, I have forgotten everything including the names of the main characters, let alone remember the characters names of their debut book. By the time I go to sleep tonight and wake up early for work tomorrow, I’ll have forgotten the names of this novel’s characters and my memory will recall them when I come back to this review and edit the 20 million grammar mistakes I make.
When I first heard about this, I was enthusiastic. Elevated. Exhilarated. Pretty damn thrilled. I was simply excited. Saying it was one of my most anticipated releases makes me feel embarrassed now due to how hopeful I was in saying that I thought I would have finally found a book from this author that I really enjoyed and liked, and therefore my excitement for their other books would simply grow. But here I am now, realizing this author just may not be for me. It doesn’t matter how toxic or cute the couple can be, their writing, pace, and overall vibes the characters give me don’t appeal to me. The Weight of Your Wishes didn’t have something entirely new to offer, but it had what can be called crushing on your mother’s childhood best friend/ex boyfriend. As Ellie said, new trope was unlocked. I understand how Grant and Cynthia being ex-lovers can bother some readers, but I personally thought it could have added to the “forbidden” part of the book, which made excited. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything forbidden about this, and Grant and Cynthia being ex- lovers added nothing to the story.
We follow Grant and Hendrix, who are pseudo-uncle/nephew because of Cynthia, Hendrix’s mother and Grant’s best friend/ex high school sweetheart. Grant helped Cynthia with Hendrix when he was born but left around his middle school years. What causes them to reunite and spend time together is Cynthia has asked (more like tell) Grant to take Hendrix under his wing for the summer so Hendrix can learn some moral rules, work, and pay off the car he broke. But what Grant doesn’t know is that Hendrix has been crushing on him since young, as he was the man who made him realize he was bisexual.
The synopsis and gist of it all is pretty straight forward, so there’s no point in explaining further detail. Maybe it’s just me, but one of the first points I can bring up that made this a disappointing read the more I read was the bisexual awakening from Grant. While I understand and fully support labels aren’t for everyone (and they shouldn’t be because we shouldn’t label ourselves to one term), I couldn’t understand, see, or feel when, where, and how Grant came to realize he was bisexual/pansexual or any orientation he was. While he claimed to be straight early on in the book, as well as how Hendrix kept reminding himself, it was difficult to pinpoint how, why, and where exactly Grant realized he might not be as straight as he thinks he is. Again, I don’t think he needed a label, but I couldn’t pinpoint where the sudden change of his feelings came from. I feel as if it also had to do with the pining that we were missing from his point of view, at least in my opinion. I had heard this had lots of pining, and it definitely had it from Hendrix (which makes sense), but Grant? It was non-existent, blank, and nowhere to be found. He checked out Hendrix one or two times, but those two times were told to us from Hendrix's point of view, which, therefore, takes away from the development and chemistry the book tries to add. It was lacking that build-up that makes the relationship development and new feelings believable. From what I saw, Grant’s feelings were never really explored before he and Hendrix engaged together physically for the first time. What exactly did he see in Hendrix? What made him sensually drawn to him?
For a forbidden and “taboo” romance, it would have made it more tense and ansgty if the author had added more feeling from Grant to show the new, growing and maybe even unwanted feelings, like confusion with a sudden desire, some sort of jealousy and possessiveness, or even confused explanations. For someone who has been straight for 39 years of his life, I was shocked that he never really thought anything completely bad about feeling attraction towards Hendrix. And no, I don’t mean internalized homophobia. I mean thinking bad as in him realizing Holy shit I have the hots for my best friends son who is 20 years my junior that I helped raise or something like that. There was a small moment where he told Hendrix they couldn’t be together because of who they are to each other, yet literally the next day he erupted. Literally.
Laaaaame.
Give me real tension. Give me real angst. Give me real forbidden. Give me “We can’t do this.” Give me secret emotions.
There were certainly some scenes between the two that I can’t deny liking and growing soft for. I absolutely loved seeing how Grant took care of Hendrix after, or how both of them couldn't take their hands off each other when they decided to be together. Due to the book being very forgettable, as it’s already been more than six hours since I finished it, I can’t remember some of the scenes in full detail, but I enjoyed reading about the different vulnerabilities they both had and how willing both characters were to show each other they care about one another. I do think the author added realisticness to this in their characters by making them feel authentic. Both characters have their own scars and demons they’re hiding but they slowly show them to the other in hopes of being accepted, treated with kindness, and seen as valuable.
Still, I do think there could have been more added to the characters' backstories. Even Grant admitted that he missed out on a lot of Hendrix when he moved back home, so I was hoping there would be more details on both characters that the reader learns about. Those scenes could have easily been replaced with some of the sex scenes (which, ufortunately, I feel always take over the stories when there are better alternatives, but maybe that’s just my asexual ass talking because almost nobody reads these books for sensual > sexual). There are also other themes the book covers that are relevant and important in modern society, like homophobia and parental abandonment. Still, the book does too little in giving the reader more than a peak into the sub-themes of the book.
Furthermore, the pacing of this felt a little off. I’m a huge fan of slow burn romances. Seeing the sexual tension build up from our characters is nothing but delightful, no matter how and where they started off. Grant and Hendrix, though, did not have that much sexual tension. While they felt sexual attraction for each other, as the reader, I felt as if we were robbed from seeing some of that tension and chemistry. There weren’t that many moments that made me believe these two were indeed going to get together soon. Instead, it felt like some of the pages skipped the important parts and went straight to the parts between the two characters engaging sexually. One moment I was questioning and wondering when they were going to get together because it was 60% in and they still hadn’t done anything, and the next everything started progressing too fast.
Going back how this was not a forbidden and taboo romance, it’s hard to believe that the relationship is forbidden/taboo when almost everyone accepts you’re in a relationship despite the town being small and consernative. Everyone in the town knows who Grant and Hendrix are, who they are to each other, and how Cynthia is involved with both. Yet, no one bats an eye at this and accept it and move on. While I’m happy for this, at the same time, it’s Florida. Is no one aware of the LGBTQ+ rights there, especially a small conservative town? I can only suspend disbelief so much. It would have not only made it more realistic but also added to the forbidden aspect if they were truly hiding their relationship in a way. While it’s saddening to think and know that some couples do have to do this, I’m only saying this because of what the book tried to be. For a book with forbidden romance written all over it, there were hardly any forbidden aspects to it. Cynthia also came to accept their relationship pretty quickly. It took her some time to adjust, but she was never against it. One way or another, while I was glad to see that Grant never really denied his feelings for Hendrix, at the same time, I can’t help but feel there could have been more angst added to this if the novel took some traditional route.
This book had potential, but I’ve come to the conclusion that this author just isn’t for me. I can’t really say I’ll read more from them and continue having hope, but for now, there isn’t much good I can say about this. It’s not even so much about having high expectations, it’s just on how the book itself did not give me what it promised to give. I’m tired of authors marketing their books a certain way simply because they know it’ll draw the readers in yet give almost nothing of what they promised.
July 28, 2022
The only niggle I have with this story is that it had the audacity to end 🥲🥲
I'm going to preface this by saying I barely ever read daddy/boy books. It's not really my favourite trope but when THE Bailey Nicole said they were writing this one, I ran faster than a cheetah on a wild goose chase to preorder it cause you won't catch me slacking. I am happy to say that this did not disappoint!! It served AND ate... such talent 🤌🏾😌
“You know I’ll love you forever, right? There’s no version of me that could ever exist and not love you.”
I love me a good instalove story as much as the next person but sometimes you need the buildup, the agony of unrequited love that stretches through almost every page, the i-want-him-but-cant-have-him angst... all the feels that hit you unexpectedly but sweep you away all the same. I loved that this was as slowburn as it ended up being because it was so well suited to the trope: bestfriend/ex's son turned lover. Of course Grant, who's never been with a man, who practically raised Hendrix, who is bestfriends with Hendrix's mom, does not immediately recognize or reciprocate Hendrix's feelings for him
I also loved so much that outside of the ex's son turned lover aspect, Bailey made these characters so real. They had insecurities, they had their past, they had real life challenges. Even though I wish Hendrix's mom could've suffered a bit (cause I'm a sadist like that 🤪), I appreciated that there was no unnecessary drama in that regard
This wasn't overly angsty, and with the way this author writes, I got to 95% before I even realized I was almost done 😳 I practically inhaled the damn thing.
So if you love a good agegap romance and you're unsure as to whether you want to venture into the daddy/boy trope, I highly recommend this one as a start because it's on the lighter side 🖤
I'm going to preface this by saying I barely ever read daddy/boy books. It's not really my favourite trope but when THE Bailey Nicole said they were writing this one, I ran faster than a cheetah on a wild goose chase to preorder it cause you won't catch me slacking. I am happy to say that this did not disappoint!! It served AND ate... such talent 🤌🏾😌
“You know I’ll love you forever, right? There’s no version of me that could ever exist and not love you.”
I love me a good instalove story as much as the next person but sometimes you need the buildup, the agony of unrequited love that stretches through almost every page, the i-want-him-but-cant-have-him angst... all the feels that hit you unexpectedly but sweep you away all the same. I loved that this was as slowburn as it ended up being because it was so well suited to the trope: bestfriend/ex's son turned lover. Of course Grant, who's never been with a man, who practically raised Hendrix, who is bestfriends with Hendrix's mom, does not immediately recognize or reciprocate Hendrix's feelings for him
I also loved so much that outside of the ex's son turned lover aspect, Bailey made these characters so real. They had insecurities, they had their past, they had real life challenges. Even though I wish Hendrix's mom could've suffered a bit (cause I'm a sadist like that 🤪), I appreciated that there was no unnecessary drama in that regard
This wasn't overly angsty, and with the way this author writes, I got to 95% before I even realized I was almost done 😳 I practically inhaled the damn thing.
So if you love a good agegap romance and you're unsure as to whether you want to venture into the daddy/boy trope, I highly recommend this one as a start because it's on the lighter side 🖤
August 20, 2022
I swear only Bailey Nicole could get me to read and LOVE a best friend’s son romance!
”He doesn’t look up to me anymore—not with the same innocence he once did, anyway. He’s looking at me man to man now, and he wants me.”
The images painted with words, holy holy holy 🔥
I have been looking for a book where a MC owns a bar in a small town and this delivered 💯 what I was looking for. Making it a hot, humid, southern swampy, small town bar made it all the better for atmosphere.
That feeling of tight space and seclusion of the house way out in the swamps was also the perfect setting for Grady and Hendrix to explore their new attraction to each other in a scorching hot slow burn way.
Loved being a fly on the wall for this relationship. Highly recommend, 10/10, will read again.
”He smiles big, showing all his perfectly straight teeth. I imagine he could bring anyone to their knees with a smile as confident as that one.”
Forbidden romance
Lite daddy kink
Forced proximity
Age-gap
Bi-awakening
Low angst
Piiiining
For the music lovers:
Check out the awesome playlist 🎶 in the beginning
check CW
”He doesn’t look up to me anymore—not with the same innocence he once did, anyway. He’s looking at me man to man now, and he wants me.”
The images painted with words, holy holy holy 🔥
I have been looking for a book where a MC owns a bar in a small town and this delivered 💯 what I was looking for. Making it a hot, humid, southern swampy, small town bar made it all the better for atmosphere.
That feeling of tight space and seclusion of the house way out in the swamps was also the perfect setting for Grady and Hendrix to explore their new attraction to each other in a scorching hot slow burn way.
Loved being a fly on the wall for this relationship. Highly recommend, 10/10, will read again.
”He smiles big, showing all his perfectly straight teeth. I imagine he could bring anyone to their knees with a smile as confident as that one.”
Forbidden romance
Lite daddy kink
Forced proximity
Age-gap
Bi-awakening
Low angst
Piiiining
For the music lovers:
Check out the awesome playlist 🎶 in the beginning
check CW
August 31, 2022
I am destined to always give a Bailey Nicole book five stars, it’s true!!!!!
“You know I’ll love you forever, right? There’s no version of me that could exist and not love you.”
💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚
“You know I’ll love you forever, right? There’s no version of me that could exist and not love you.”
💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚
August 11, 2022
4,5 ⭐
Have you ever felt like you're not enough? Have you ever struggled with accepting love and realizing that you truly deserve it?
The Weight of Your Wishes is a beautifully written book that touches and breaks your heart as the answers to these questions for Grant and Hendrix are yes. However, it also brings you on a journey through which the main characters find themselves, find love, and more. At the same time, making you realize that maybe, just maybe, the weight of your wishes can turn into something good. 🍀
When I read Cruel and Careless by Bailey Nicole, I knew she would become one of my favorite authors. Her writing style is captivating and touching. It feels like the words, the story, everything intertwines so stunningly that you cannot help but fall in love, open your heart and let yourself feel.
The Weight of Your Wishes follows the story of Hendrix and Grant. Hendrix is 21 years old, a bit lost, confused, and hurt. Grant is 40, and he is his "uncle" (his mother's friend). Grant doesn't believe that he is good enough, doesn't believe in happily ever after; since everyone leaves, they always do.
So how do these two fall in love? What is the weight of their wishes, and does it drags them down? Or does it do something that shows them a different side of a life that they never had or never let themselves have?
I'll leave these answers for you to find out.
✨Perfect for everyone who loves:✨
- emotional romance
- incredible writing
- slow-burn (let me just say that I'm not a fan of slow-burn. However, I didn't have even the slightest problem with it here. Their story was so captivating that I didn't even realize it was slow-burn till I checked the page I was on, and it clicked. This is how compelling they are. All I needed was to know more about them and see them falling in love.)
- small town
- age-gap
- Daddy/boy
- steamy hot times
- HEA
And this is precisely what this book was for me: the calm before the storm. And usually, we are all afraid of the storm. But here, I realized there's no need to be scared. The thing was... the storm was even more magnificent than I imagined. ⛈🌦
I want to end my review with the beginning of this book. It says it all:
⚠️ SPOILERS: ⚠️
Reasons for lowering my rating:
The only reason I'm giving 4,5 stars is maybe more "it's me, not the book." I couldn't understand Hendrix and his mother's relationship in the last few chapters. This was mission impossible to me... maybe I'm too much the unforgiving type. But truth be told, I couldn't feel and understand how Hendrix was able to move on from being hurt, neglected, and more at the beginning of the book by his mother. Suddenly, in the end, she is all, "I will try to be better. I love you," and he forgets everything he went through... No, this is not something I can understand. I wouldn't be writing this if I felt even the slightest remorse from his mother. But right before she said, "I love you," she asked Grant what he sees in her son! She didn't ask her son. No, she was more concerned about Grant. And suddenly, Hendrix leaves behind everything from his childhood so quickly and has a good relationship with his mother... It was too unreal, too fast, and felt flat.
Also, I needed this book to be longer! I also needed more of Grant's POV at the end of the book. Not seeing his point of view at the ending left me feeling like something was unfinished.
Even though these things bothered me, this book was still one of the best I've read this year, and it holds a special place for me!
Have you ever felt like you're not enough? Have you ever struggled with accepting love and realizing that you truly deserve it?
The Weight of Your Wishes is a beautifully written book that touches and breaks your heart as the answers to these questions for Grant and Hendrix are yes. However, it also brings you on a journey through which the main characters find themselves, find love, and more. At the same time, making you realize that maybe, just maybe, the weight of your wishes can turn into something good. 🍀
When I read Cruel and Careless by Bailey Nicole, I knew she would become one of my favorite authors. Her writing style is captivating and touching. It feels like the words, the story, everything intertwines so stunningly that you cannot help but fall in love, open your heart and let yourself feel.
The Weight of Your Wishes follows the story of Hendrix and Grant. Hendrix is 21 years old, a bit lost, confused, and hurt. Grant is 40, and he is his "uncle" (his mother's friend). Grant doesn't believe that he is good enough, doesn't believe in happily ever after; since everyone leaves, they always do.
So how do these two fall in love? What is the weight of their wishes, and does it drags them down? Or does it do something that shows them a different side of a life that they never had or never let themselves have?
I'll leave these answers for you to find out.
✨Perfect for everyone who loves:✨
- emotional romance
- incredible writing
- slow-burn (let me just say that I'm not a fan of slow-burn. However, I didn't have even the slightest problem with it here. Their story was so captivating that I didn't even realize it was slow-burn till I checked the page I was on, and it clicked. This is how compelling they are. All I needed was to know more about them and see them falling in love.)
- small town
- age-gap
- Daddy/boy
- steamy hot times
- HEA
The calm before the storm is most peaceful to me. It's like the world decided to just dim the lights and take a deep breath for a little while.
And this is precisely what this book was for me: the calm before the storm. And usually, we are all afraid of the storm. But here, I realized there's no need to be scared. The thing was... the storm was even more magnificent than I imagined. ⛈🌦
I want to end my review with the beginning of this book. It says it all:
💜 For those who don't know how to accept love and those who give it to us anyway.💜
⚠️ SPOILERS: ⚠️
Reasons for lowering my rating:
The only reason I'm giving 4,5 stars is maybe more "it's me, not the book." I couldn't understand Hendrix and his mother's relationship in the last few chapters. This was mission impossible to me... maybe I'm too much the unforgiving type. But truth be told, I couldn't feel and understand how Hendrix was able to move on from being hurt, neglected, and more at the beginning of the book by his mother. Suddenly, in the end, she is all, "I will try to be better. I love you," and he forgets everything he went through... No, this is not something I can understand. I wouldn't be writing this if I felt even the slightest remorse from his mother. But right before she said, "I love you," she asked Grant what he sees in her son! She didn't ask her son. No, she was more concerned about Grant. And suddenly, Hendrix leaves behind everything from his childhood so quickly and has a good relationship with his mother... It was too unreal, too fast, and felt flat.
Also, I needed this book to be longer! I also needed more of Grant's POV at the end of the book. Not seeing his point of view at the ending left me feeling like something was unfinished.
Even though these things bothered me, this book was still one of the best I've read this year, and it holds a special place for me!
January 5, 2024
4/5
I know this book is far from perfect, but I really enjoyed it okay.
I know this book is far from perfect, but I really enjoyed it okay.
"If you love me anywhere near as much as I love you, then we’ll be okay."
"You know I’ll love you forever, right? There’s no version of me that could ever exist and not love you"
August 31, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I started this review with a plot description but it was far too in depth. Just go check out the blurb and I’ll share my meager thoughts and opinions.
First off yes, this is everything I look for when it come to any or all of the following; age gap, parent’s best friend, GFY and/or mm.
It’s described as forbidden romance and in a sense I can see it considering Grant helped raise Hendrix. I think if we had more of a background with them, it would feel more wrong. I would’ve loved to have read scenes in which grumpy, stoic Grant comforted and cuddled a little Hendrix.
Because you saw threads of that paternal love before things changed between them. I really would’ve loved more but that’s me being selfish. Honestly, there was plenty of that to give you a good idea of how their dynamics were.
And then when they changed, when they flourished, it was absolutely everything! I love needy men and they were equally as obsessed with each other.
I love when a writer can give me a good slow burn with just enough angst to keep me enthralled. And then! Then gives me the hottest, steamiest sex imaginable.
Seriously? The first time next to the dock with the rains before a hurricane? Holy fucking smokes was that delicious!!
And if that wasn’t enough, the bitch made me cry. Yeah this one certainly ticked all of my boxes … especially the pink one. 😉🤣
I started this review with a plot description but it was far too in depth. Just go check out the blurb and I’ll share my meager thoughts and opinions.
First off yes, this is everything I look for when it come to any or all of the following; age gap, parent’s best friend, GFY and/or mm.
It’s described as forbidden romance and in a sense I can see it considering Grant helped raise Hendrix. I think if we had more of a background with them, it would feel more wrong. I would’ve loved to have read scenes in which grumpy, stoic Grant comforted and cuddled a little Hendrix.
Because you saw threads of that paternal love before things changed between them. I really would’ve loved more but that’s me being selfish. Honestly, there was plenty of that to give you a good idea of how their dynamics were.
And then when they changed, when they flourished, it was absolutely everything! I love needy men and they were equally as obsessed with each other.
I love when a writer can give me a good slow burn with just enough angst to keep me enthralled. And then! Then gives me the hottest, steamiest sex imaginable.
Seriously? The first time next to the dock with the rains before a hurricane? Holy fucking smokes was that delicious!!
And if that wasn’t enough, the bitch made me cry. Yeah this one certainly ticked all of my boxes … especially the pink one. 😉🤣
August 4, 2022
Ehhh, not really forbidden and kinky, more like safe and blah.
Why 3 stars? I liked the beginning a lot, I thought the author was doing a good job at setting the relationship, I really felt that Grant saw Hendrix as a kid, his kid, he saw him come from his mom flower (va-gi-na), so I felt that.
The transition to you're a kid harry to I wanna fuck u, was where it lost me, I didn't get it, I still don't and that's where it lost me.
The rest of the book was too sweet for no reason and just boring? We didn't even get drama with the mom, hell nah!
Why 3 stars? I liked the beginning a lot, I thought the author was doing a good job at setting the relationship, I really felt that Grant saw Hendrix as a kid, his kid, he saw him come from his mom flower (va-gi-na), so I felt that.
The transition to you're a kid harry to I wanna fuck u, was where it lost me, I didn't get it, I still don't and that's where it lost me.
The rest of the book was too sweet for no reason and just boring? We didn't even get drama with the mom, hell nah!
July 29, 2022
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***
The Weight of Your Wishes is a slow-burn age/gap story between Hendrix and Grant. Grant has been the pseudo uncle to Hendrix for his entire life and when Hendrix is forced to stay with Grant for the summer his crush on his "uncle" becomes very challenging. A summer with his "uncle" increased tension due to their forced proximity, with lingering looks every time they are alone in a room together leads to a great forbidden romance.
Hendrix and Grant both suffer in different ways from self esteem issues. Their lack of confidence in themselves makes each think they are not worthy for anything other than a platonic relationship with the other. Even though they both have doubts, their chemistry and connection with one another proves to powerful, making for a great forbidden romance.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It was full of fun and original characters that makes for such a captivating world that I never wanted to leave.
The Weight of Your Wishes is a slow-burn age/gap story between Hendrix and Grant. Grant has been the pseudo uncle to Hendrix for his entire life and when Hendrix is forced to stay with Grant for the summer his crush on his "uncle" becomes very challenging. A summer with his "uncle" increased tension due to their forced proximity, with lingering looks every time they are alone in a room together leads to a great forbidden romance.
Hendrix and Grant both suffer in different ways from self esteem issues. Their lack of confidence in themselves makes each think they are not worthy for anything other than a platonic relationship with the other. Even though they both have doubts, their chemistry and connection with one another proves to powerful, making for a great forbidden romance.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It was full of fun and original characters that makes for such a captivating world that I never wanted to leave.
August 1, 2022
fucking your mum’s high school sweetheart is a... choice. new trope unlocked.
cute cover, though! the content? mediocre at best :/ i mean, i kept getting side tracked during their first sex scene because i was so bored and ended up making a list of my top book boyfriends of all time on my notes app. so... yeah.
cute cover, though! the content? mediocre at best :/ i mean, i kept getting side tracked during their first sex scene because i was so bored and ended up making a list of my top book boyfriends of all time on my notes app. so... yeah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
Let's just say that when the author announced man age gap best friend's son, MM romance, I was and still am ecstatic. The Weight of your Wishes is everything I expected plus more.
Captivating ✔️
Mixed emotions ✔️
Straight to gay ✔️
Steamy ✔️
Great world building ✔️
Forbidden ✔️
Swoon-worthy characters ✔️
Hendrix is the son of Grant's Friend. Hendrix, twenty-one, has always had feelings for Grant; what people expected as a childhood crush is something far more profound and beautiful. Hendrix has a difficult childhood and misses understood. Grant, Forty, has always felt everyone leaves him. After an incident, Hendrix is sent to live with Grant.
I equally love both characters. Grant is selfless and puts his happiness aside for everyone, and he also sticks up for what is right, hot, and all-around swoon-worthy.
Hendrix, I love for all different reasons, for one his name. His name is after one of the greatest guitar players. He is far more sensitive than he leads on. I wanted to embrace him with warmth and comfort so many times. He acts like a bad boy with a cuddle side. Plus, he is my kind of dirty, the one you can't wash off.
I love these two together. They fit perfectly, and you can feel their love. The spicy between them is smoking hot.
The Weight Of Your Wishes is outside the author's previous books. It was still a fantastic book, and I couldn't be happier she stepped outside her ordinary. I love her writing style, and she has yet to disappoint me. Fingers crossed, one of the side characters, Sky, gets a book. I fell in love with them and couldn't get enough. This book is a must-read and a reread for me in the future.
Captivating ✔️
Mixed emotions ✔️
Straight to gay ✔️
Steamy ✔️
Great world building ✔️
Forbidden ✔️
Swoon-worthy characters ✔️
Hendrix is the son of Grant's Friend. Hendrix, twenty-one, has always had feelings for Grant; what people expected as a childhood crush is something far more profound and beautiful. Hendrix has a difficult childhood and misses understood. Grant, Forty, has always felt everyone leaves him. After an incident, Hendrix is sent to live with Grant.
I equally love both characters. Grant is selfless and puts his happiness aside for everyone, and he also sticks up for what is right, hot, and all-around swoon-worthy.
Hendrix, I love for all different reasons, for one his name. His name is after one of the greatest guitar players. He is far more sensitive than he leads on. I wanted to embrace him with warmth and comfort so many times. He acts like a bad boy with a cuddle side. Plus, he is my kind of dirty, the one you can't wash off.
I love these two together. They fit perfectly, and you can feel their love. The spicy between them is smoking hot.
The Weight Of Your Wishes is outside the author's previous books. It was still a fantastic book, and I couldn't be happier she stepped outside her ordinary. I love her writing style, and she has yet to disappoint me. Fingers crossed, one of the side characters, Sky, gets a book. I fell in love with them and couldn't get enough. This book is a must-read and a reread for me in the future.
January 11, 2024
What the fuck was that. I like forbidden romance books but fucking your mom's ex and fucking the son of of your ex/best friend?? it's not handled right. I'm always going to take the mom's side and the convo when they revealed it to her was really insensitive on their part. fuck you hendrix, fuck you very much grant.
this is a lil snippet, quotes, of that shit convo:
Let her? LET HER? what are u gonna do? punch her? threaten her more? take her son away from her every time she gets upset with him or he lets her down? not let him visit her? give her the cold shoulder? reprimand her and tell her how to be a proper woman and mother? lol bro u can fuck that little shit all u want but fuck off from telling her how to talk or feel about her creep of a son who's now fucking her sweetheart from the past. He goes on to accuse her more and:
SHOWN YOU WHAT EXACTLY?? STFU ALREADY. THAT YOU LIKE YOUNG GAYS AND THEIR YOUNG BODIES AND YOU LIKE COCK NOW??? THAT'S NOT SOME GREAT LIFE LESSON. THAT'S YOU PERVING AND BETRAYING YOUR EX'S TRUST. SHE TRUSTED YOU TO GUIDE HIM, PRETTY SURE SHE DIDN'T MEAN YOU NEEDED TO GUIDE YOUR OLD-ASS COCK INTO HIM
STFU. SETTING ULTIMATUMS AND THREATENING TO LEAVE UNLESS SHE BECOMES WHAT THEY WANT HER TO BE. FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
...
???? like this fucking asshole has the nerve to shame her for leaving, that was HER fucking choice, what, like she should stay with someone she isn't happy with? she should've settled for him and been unhappy? how bout instead of trying to make her feel like shit which is clearly his goal, he should be glad bc she left Grant and now Hendrix had the chance to hop on his dick. the fucking nerve of these two.
.....
and this, hendrix:
WHAT'S TO BE ANGRY ABOUT???????????????? HE MUST HAVE BEEN DROPPED ON HIS FUCKING HEAD A MILLION TIMES. And I just don't buy the relationship, the attraction or any chemistry the author is trying to force into her words and surprise surprise it didnt work.
This is what Grant told another character named Patty in an earlier chapter:
But in the epilogue, this is what the creep says during his proposal:
Grant:
So to me that potentially says he might've had some (unknown/romantic) feelings for hendrix since he was very young but author is too afraid to outright say it because then we'd see what a pedo he would have been. so author tiptoes around and makes it more politically correct but we're smart enough to read between the lines. potential super high gross-level ugh.
the author isn't good at being consistent.
i've read plenty of taboo books but for some reason, there is a creepiness factor in this one that is hard to overlook.
I don't recommend this book, read at your own risk but I certainly won't read anything more from this author.
this is a lil snippet, quotes, of that shit convo:
“Grant,” she sighs, “he’s twenty-one years old, and you’re forty. He’s just a kid.
....“He’s not just a kid anymore,” he says vehemently. “And I’m not going to let you talk down on him like that anymore. It isn’t right, Cynthia...
Let her? LET HER? what are u gonna do? punch her? threaten her more? take her son away from her every time she gets upset with him or he lets her down? not let him visit her? give her the cold shoulder? reprimand her and tell her how to be a proper woman and mother? lol bro u can fuck that little shit all u want but fuck off from telling her how to talk or feel about her creep of a son who's now fucking her sweetheart from the past. He goes on to accuse her more and:
...She flinches, clearly taken aback. Her mouth opens to speak, but Grant cuts her off.
“Hendrix is an adult now, and at his young age, he’s shown me more about myself than I’ve managed to learn in all of my years.”...
SHOWN YOU WHAT EXACTLY?? STFU ALREADY. THAT YOU LIKE YOUNG GAYS AND THEIR YOUNG BODIES AND YOU LIKE COCK NOW??? THAT'S NOT SOME GREAT LIFE LESSON. THAT'S YOU PERVING AND BETRAYING YOUR EX'S TRUST. SHE TRUSTED YOU TO GUIDE HIM, PRETTY SURE SHE DIDN'T MEAN YOU NEEDED TO GUIDE YOUR OLD-ASS COCK INTO HIM
“If you’re going to continue to treat him this way, we might as well just get up and walk right out of here. But I know you love him, and I know you care about him. So, maybe start acting like it before you lose him completely.”
STFU. SETTING ULTIMATUMS AND THREATENING TO LEAVE UNLESS SHE BECOMES WHAT THEY WANT HER TO BE. FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
...
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to sound the way it did. This is a lot to get my head around.” She takes another sip of wine. “I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into, and you, too, Hendrix,” she says.
My brows furrow as anger burns like a wildfire within me. “I know what I’m getting myself into, Mom. I fell in love with the most amazing man I’ve ever known, and I would never leave him. Not for anything. He’s beyond enough for me.”
“And what exactly are you trying to say?” she asks, knowing good and well that I’m referring to the way she just up and fucking left him all those years ago.
“I’m saying that there isn’t anything wrong with me, and there isn’t anything wrong with Grant. Surprise, surprise. We’re exactly what the other needs.”
Her face goes ashen, fingers gripping the wine glass so hard that I fear it might break.
“He’s moving in with me,” Grant says, breaking the silence.
???? like this fucking asshole has the nerve to shame her for leaving, that was HER fucking choice, what, like she should stay with someone she isn't happy with? she should've settled for him and been unhappy? how bout instead of trying to make her feel like shit which is clearly his goal, he should be glad bc she left Grant and now Hendrix had the chance to hop on his dick. the fucking nerve of these two.
.....
and this, hendrix:
“It went pretty much how I expected it to. I didn’t think she’d be angry with us or anything like that. I mean, what’s to be angry about?”
WHAT'S TO BE ANGRY ABOUT???????????????? HE MUST HAVE BEEN DROPPED ON HIS FUCKING HEAD A MILLION TIMES. And I just don't buy the relationship, the attraction or any chemistry the author is trying to force into her words and surprise surprise it didnt work.
This is what Grant told another character named Patty in an earlier chapter:
“It wasn’t like that then,” I interject, more grouchy than necessary, but that’s the last thing I need people thinking—that I’ve always felt something more for him. It’s flat out not true and a dangerous notion. People would run it ‘til the wheels fell off, too.
But in the epilogue, this is what the creep says during his proposal:
Grant:
..."I’ve loved you since forever, and that hasn’t changed."
So to me that potentially says he might've had some (unknown/romantic) feelings for hendrix since he was very young but author is too afraid to outright say it because then we'd see what a pedo he would have been. so author tiptoes around and makes it more politically correct but we're smart enough to read between the lines. potential super high gross-level ugh.
the author isn't good at being consistent.
i've read plenty of taboo books but for some reason, there is a creepiness factor in this one that is hard to overlook.
I don't recommend this book, read at your own risk but I certainly won't read anything more from this author.
November 6, 2022
no doubt the most underwhelming 'forbidden' romance ever. as one of those who devours forbidden/taboo romances, this book is just a crime. nothing feels wrong in it. in theory, bookwise, i loved the idea of screwing your mother's hot ex. but the way it was executed in this? bland.i loved bailey nicole's previous works and surprisingly this was an awful downgrade.
April 15, 2023
"The weight of my wishes slams into me like the car crash that started all of this, and I sink to my knees. They land with a splash as my head falls into my open palms. Tears well in my eyes, burning a trail down my cheeks."
The Weight of Your Wishes is a slightly different read to Bailey Nicole's previous three books, in that it's not as dark and angsty and the journey to the eventual HEA isn't as tough, because the love has always been there for our MCs, Hendrix and Grant. They just have to learn how to be in love.
That said, this is an emotional MM romance read - it's also age gap (Grant is 40 and Hendrix is 21), with a slight daddy/boy kink. Throw into that a bi-awakening for Grant, and the fact that Hendrix is his childhood girlfriend's (and still his best friend) son, as well as some forced proximity, and you have the perfect setting for love to flourish. Not to mention a whole lot of steamy times along the way.
Perfect for readers who adore:
🌶️age gap
🌶️daddy/boy
🌶️forced proximity
🌶️best friend's son
🌶️steamy times
🌶️HEA
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Weight of Your Wishes is a slightly different read to Bailey Nicole's previous three books, in that it's not as dark and angsty and the journey to the eventual HEA isn't as tough, because the love has always been there for our MCs, Hendrix and Grant. They just have to learn how to be in love.
That said, this is an emotional MM romance read - it's also age gap (Grant is 40 and Hendrix is 21), with a slight daddy/boy kink. Throw into that a bi-awakening for Grant, and the fact that Hendrix is his childhood girlfriend's (and still his best friend) son, as well as some forced proximity, and you have the perfect setting for love to flourish. Not to mention a whole lot of steamy times along the way.
Perfect for readers who adore:
🌶️age gap
🌶️daddy/boy
🌶️forced proximity
🌶️best friend's son
🌶️steamy times
🌶️HEA
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
![Profile Image for Lilly [Hiatus due to School] .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1663899589i%2F10381707._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 9, 2022
I adored this story. Grant and Hendrix's story, while not outright taboo (more like unconventional with the 20-year age gap/Son of a best friend-former lover), was beautifully written. I truly enjoyed it, and I love how Bailey is able to write such emotional moments and scenes that really draw you in. Grant finds in Hendrix someone who loves him unconditionally. Hendrix finds someone who places him first and loves him fiercely as he deserves. My heart went out to both of them, and so happy they found each other. I love the bi-discovery as Grant slowly placed the pieces together. It was sexy and hot while being tender and romantic as well. Bailey has a knack for writing shitty parents, though. Overall enjoyed it and can not wait for more works from this author.
July 30, 2022
Give me a big bearded Daddy who fall in love with a much younger boy and i'm happy 😍
What can i say? I'm easy to please 😌😌
And Hendrix & Grant made my little black heart swoon 🖤🖤
Despite the age gap, they are much alike. Both have been talked down by those who should have loved them unconditionally. Both want to be loved.
Together they are amazing and so sweet. And the chemestry is off the chart 🔥🔥🔥🔥
The story is kinda of a slow burn and it drove me crazy 'cause I was like "please just kiss already!!" 😂
I loved Grant' kindness and protectiveness.
And I loved Hendrix because he is sucha softy even if he acts like the bad boy of the situation.
Even the side characters were amazing (not Cynthia or Veronica tho 😒).
This is my second book from Bailey Nicole, and although i prefer her in a darker version, i really enjoyed this book 🤩🤩🤩
What can i say? I'm easy to please 😌😌
And Hendrix & Grant made my little black heart swoon 🖤🖤
Despite the age gap, they are much alike. Both have been talked down by those who should have loved them unconditionally. Both want to be loved.
Together they are amazing and so sweet. And the chemestry is off the chart 🔥🔥🔥🔥
The story is kinda of a slow burn and it drove me crazy 'cause I was like "please just kiss already!!" 😂
I loved Grant' kindness and protectiveness.
And I loved Hendrix because he is sucha softy even if he acts like the bad boy of the situation.
Even the side characters were amazing (not Cynthia or Veronica tho 😒).
This is my second book from Bailey Nicole, and although i prefer her in a darker version, i really enjoyed this book 🤩🤩🤩
August 3, 2022
This book was absolutely everything. Grant and Hendrix have stolen a piece of my heart. I've been excited about this one since the very first time I heard about it. It definitely did not disappoint. The build and the sexual tension was palpable. I loved it almost as much as when they finally gave into their desires. Bailey is a phenomenal writer, and I love watching their books get better and better each time. This is my new favorite by them and I highly recommend it.
August 18, 2022
Weeelppp folks, we’ve got another Bailey Nicole masterpiece on our hands 😌
What I loved:
🐊 florida-swamp vibes
🐊 low angst / high steam
🐊 DL dynamics but mild
I usually don’t like daddy-kink stuff but this was so mild it really hit *just* right for me in this book. I do think it’s important to keep in mind that with Bailey’s books, heavy topics are brought up but they’re heavy-lite™️ and mostly give at first site love. Y’a know?
Also. If anyone could get me out of a reading slump, it’s Bailey.
What I loved:
🐊 florida-swamp vibes
🐊 low angst / high steam
🐊 DL dynamics but mild
I usually don’t like daddy-kink stuff but this was so mild it really hit *just* right for me in this book. I do think it’s important to keep in mind that with Bailey’s books, heavy topics are brought up but they’re heavy-lite™️ and mostly give at first site love. Y’a know?
Also. If anyone could get me out of a reading slump, it’s Bailey.
August 5, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
The Weight of Your Wishes is a cute age gap MM romance between twenty-one year old Hendrix and his forty year old “uncle” Grant (aka his mom’s best friend and former boyfriend).
Hendrix (again want to point out that he’s twenty-one) gets sent off to the spend the summer with his “uncle” per his mother’s request after he totals his car while driving under the influence, so Grant can teach him “how to be a man”. Odd, but ok.
Hendrix has a massive crush on Grant and always has, and after so much time spent together Grant realizes his feelings aren’t so familial towards Hendrix anymore. & the rest history.
I didn’t really think it was ‘forbidden’—everyone seemed really accepting of them being together, unless that was in reference to their age gap/Grant being his moms ex & bestie, but 🤷🏻♀️ Other than that I thought it was cute, sweet & a quick read!
The Weight of Your Wishes is a cute age gap MM romance between twenty-one year old Hendrix and his forty year old “uncle” Grant (aka his mom’s best friend and former boyfriend).
Hendrix (again want to point out that he’s twenty-one) gets sent off to the spend the summer with his “uncle” per his mother’s request after he totals his car while driving under the influence, so Grant can teach him “how to be a man”. Odd, but ok.
Hendrix has a massive crush on Grant and always has, and after so much time spent together Grant realizes his feelings aren’t so familial towards Hendrix anymore. & the rest history.
I didn’t really think it was ‘forbidden’—everyone seemed really accepting of them being together, unless that was in reference to their age gap/Grant being his moms ex & bestie, but 🤷🏻♀️ Other than that I thought it was cute, sweet & a quick read!
August 27, 2022
One moment they are not even acknowledging their feelings, the moment later they are kissing.
Probably it's me but I am confused
Probably it's me but I am confused
October 7, 2022
i'm doubting what i've understood of the word "forbidden" nowadays.
July 29, 2022
"It’s hard to even make sense of it—this power he has over me. It’s turning me into someone I’ve never been before. Someone who doesn’t care about doing the right thing."
This is Bailey Nicole's fourth book and the seeing them progress and grow as a writer since their first novel, Cruel & Careless has been amazing to witness. I felt this book was written beautifully, the characters were fantastic and loveable, the spice was fantastic and I was hooked from beginning to end.
Definitely give this forbidden, age gap romance a chance!!
This is Bailey Nicole's fourth book and the seeing them progress and grow as a writer since their first novel, Cruel & Careless has been amazing to witness. I felt this book was written beautifully, the characters were fantastic and loveable, the spice was fantastic and I was hooked from beginning to end.
Definitely give this forbidden, age gap romance a chance!!
August 13, 2022
I am so proud of the work of this author and I am grateful to see her growth as a writer, this book is different but at the same time it still has the essence of this author, it hooks you from the first page and does not let you go, it was so beautiful to see how Grant saw the birth of the love of his life, as he always had that connection with Hendrix since he saw him and love him unconditionally, seeing how that love grew and flourished was the most beautiful thing in this world, Hendrix is a total tenderness, as he avoids to look at the love of his life because he is ashamed of what he feels, so beautiful, despite the fact that it sounds like a forbidden book that it is, Hendrix and Grant were born to be together so you just read and know that sooner or later they will love each other for forever. I loved seeing how each one had their internal problems and how the other loved him and tried to be there for that person, I have read all the books by this author and I cannot recommend her work enough, it is simply magnificent.
August 5, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read by Bailey Nicole. I have to admit that I am thoroughly unimpressed. This was supposed to be taboo and forbidden, but all it is is an age gap story. Yes, it’s a large age gap, but that was it. Add in an extremely short spanking scene, a few “Daddy” and “baby boy”s thrown around, and there you have it. That’s the extent of “taboo” that you get. It would have been better if Cynthia had revealed that Grant was Hendrix’s actual father. That would have been taboo.
I had other issues with this book though. In the first four chapters we get this:
▪️I may be a bit more touch starved than usual, but I’m just exhausted.
▪️She seems genuinely exhausted
▪️She’s far too young to look this burdened and exhausted
▪️I take a longer look at him. He does seem exhausted—the lines on his face, the way his shoulders slouch low.
▪️I sigh, heavy and exhausted, shoulders sagging as I lean back against the bar.
Heck, it made me exhausted! Why is everyone so miserable in this book? I read for escapism, not to read a blah book. 😑
Then we have the inconsistencies:
▪️We make our way around the house within a couple hours, covering every window and door besides the one in the garage. Got that? Because in the very next chapter, I read this:
▪️His room is nearly pitch black, the curtains blocking out the last dregs of light from the setting sun. Of course it’s nearly pitch black!!! You just covered all the windows!!! A hurricane is coming! Because let’s remember:
▪️The shutters efficiently block out any light—
We also get stuff like this:
▪️…taking deep inhales of his scent as I gag around him. But almost the next line is this:
▪️…shoved so far in my throat that I can hardly breathe. He’s in your throat so far you can’t breathe, but you’re taking deep inhales at the same time that you’re gagging? And you can hardly breathe.
I think this author was trying too hard and kept getting in their own way. I read this next line so many times that my eyes blurred. It doesn’t mean what the author thinks it means.
▪️There’s a lot of things I’m not good at, but restraint has never been one of them.
First off, you have a double negative in there. It basically says “I’ve never been good at not restraining myself.” Therefore, he is good at restraining himself. Yeah, you’re rereading that sentence now too, aren’t you?
Back to the fact that all the windows and doors (except for the one into the garage) have been shuttered and we read this: I turn around and open the back door to get a peek at the storm. That door is supposedly shuttered. Also, the way the next part reads, it opens outward because they have to pull it closed. That is extremely hard to do with winds that strong. I’ve lived through hurricanes and tornadoes. Opening a door in the middle of either is not recommended.
Grant has a girlfriend at the beginning of the book. We never experience how he goes from being a straight man to suddenly being in a sexual and emotional relationship with his ex-girlfriend/best friend’s son. There’s no transition.
The last chapter jams everything else into it and is completely rushed and unrealistic. Then it’s the epilogue and everyone lives “happily” ever after. 🙄 I think I’m done with this author because they made me exhausted with this book.
I had other issues with this book though. In the first four chapters we get this:
▪️I may be a bit more touch starved than usual, but I’m just exhausted.
▪️She seems genuinely exhausted
▪️She’s far too young to look this burdened and exhausted
▪️I take a longer look at him. He does seem exhausted—the lines on his face, the way his shoulders slouch low.
▪️I sigh, heavy and exhausted, shoulders sagging as I lean back against the bar.
Heck, it made me exhausted! Why is everyone so miserable in this book? I read for escapism, not to read a blah book. 😑
Then we have the inconsistencies:
▪️We make our way around the house within a couple hours, covering every window and door besides the one in the garage. Got that? Because in the very next chapter, I read this:
▪️His room is nearly pitch black, the curtains blocking out the last dregs of light from the setting sun. Of course it’s nearly pitch black!!! You just covered all the windows!!! A hurricane is coming! Because let’s remember:
▪️The shutters efficiently block out any light—
We also get stuff like this:
▪️…taking deep inhales of his scent as I gag around him. But almost the next line is this:
▪️…shoved so far in my throat that I can hardly breathe. He’s in your throat so far you can’t breathe, but you’re taking deep inhales at the same time that you’re gagging? And you can hardly breathe.
I think this author was trying too hard and kept getting in their own way. I read this next line so many times that my eyes blurred. It doesn’t mean what the author thinks it means.
▪️There’s a lot of things I’m not good at, but restraint has never been one of them.
First off, you have a double negative in there. It basically says “I’ve never been good at not restraining myself.” Therefore, he is good at restraining himself. Yeah, you’re rereading that sentence now too, aren’t you?
Back to the fact that all the windows and doors (except for the one into the garage) have been shuttered and we read this: I turn around and open the back door to get a peek at the storm. That door is supposedly shuttered. Also, the way the next part reads, it opens outward because they have to pull it closed. That is extremely hard to do with winds that strong. I’ve lived through hurricanes and tornadoes. Opening a door in the middle of either is not recommended.
Grant has a girlfriend at the beginning of the book. We never experience how he goes from being a straight man to suddenly being in a sexual and emotional relationship with his ex-girlfriend/best friend’s son. There’s no transition.
The last chapter jams everything else into it and is completely rushed and unrealistic. Then it’s the epilogue and everyone lives “happily” ever after. 🙄 I think I’m done with this author because they made me exhausted with this book.
August 2, 2022
Gah!
Love, Love, Love!
Amazing story, quick paced. Slow scorching burn, but it’s so worth the wait! I love age gap and I love the Daddy/Boy trope too!
Love, Love, Love!
Amazing story, quick paced. Slow scorching burn, but it’s so worth the wait! I love age gap and I love the Daddy/Boy trope too!
July 31, 2022
This MM, forbidden, age gap romance was just what the doctor ordered! Packed with some of my favorite tropes, I just knew this was the book for me.
I was very interested to see how the Mom’s best friend and son relationship would work, but it was written perfectly. After meeting Hendrix and Grant I just knew this was a win! I appreciated the build up, which is saying a lot because I am a instalove lover. But getting to know the characters before a relationship started just made me love and enjoy their story even more!
The way they both yearn for someone to love and choose them really tugged at my heart. We see real insecurities and vulnerabilities in these characters, making them feel so real. And let’s not forget this slow burn gets hot and spicy around the 60% mark! 🥵
The Weight of Your Wishes is a complete standalone by @authorbaileynicole and is available in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited.
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
“I do need a little more from people—more understanding,
more patience, more love.”
“Or maybe I just want him to be pleased with me—hell, I just want someone to think I'm good enough for once.”
“He might've been held in my grip, but I was under his control. There's no other explanation for the things I did”
“The man I've always dreamed of having has his cock shoved so far in my throat that I can hardly breathe. It's a heady feeling.”
“I want to live again—with him”
"I'll love you forever," I whisper.
I was very interested to see how the Mom’s best friend and son relationship would work, but it was written perfectly. After meeting Hendrix and Grant I just knew this was a win! I appreciated the build up, which is saying a lot because I am a instalove lover. But getting to know the characters before a relationship started just made me love and enjoy their story even more!
The way they both yearn for someone to love and choose them really tugged at my heart. We see real insecurities and vulnerabilities in these characters, making them feel so real. And let’s not forget this slow burn gets hot and spicy around the 60% mark! 🥵
The Weight of Your Wishes is a complete standalone by @authorbaileynicole and is available in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited.
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
“I do need a little more from people—more understanding,
more patience, more love.”
“Or maybe I just want him to be pleased with me—hell, I just want someone to think I'm good enough for once.”
“He might've been held in my grip, but I was under his control. There's no other explanation for the things I did”
“The man I've always dreamed of having has his cock shoved so far in my throat that I can hardly breathe. It's a heady feeling.”
“I want to live again—with him”
"I'll love you forever," I whisper.
October 30, 2024
I didn't get the ick
Age gaps can give me the ick but I think cos Hendrix was 21 it didn't bother me so much. Grant fell into bisexuality quickly without much question but it was still believable and sweet how he was so accepting even before he realises he loved Hendrix...
...But I still hate Cynthia!
Age gaps can give me the ick but I think cos Hendrix was 21 it didn't bother me so much. Grant fell into bisexuality quickly without much question but it was still believable and sweet how he was so accepting even before he realises he loved Hendrix...
...But I still hate Cynthia!
December 20, 2024
Age gap, best friend’s son, light daddy kink, what’s not to like?
Grant. I didn’t like Grant. The whole poor me, nobody loves me, I’m no good thing was killing me.
Grant. I didn’t like Grant. The whole poor me, nobody loves me, I’m no good thing was killing me.
September 24, 2022
I love Bailey's writing style. I love this story, even though I'm not a big fan of such large age gaps. But the background, the elaboration, how the love can unfold between Grant and Hendrix is awesome.
It's beautiful how Hendrix continues to stay in love despite the long time they haven't seen each other, how a teenage infatuation can turn into something so deep.
I’ve heard of this feeling—the feeling that drives two people together against all odds. The kind of love that makes them think, without this, I might as well die. It’d hurt less.
“You know I’ll love you forever, right? There’s no version of me that could ever exist and not love you.” I speak directly against his lips, our foreheads pressed together. Something like doubt flickers across his beautiful, brown eyes. “I mean it. No matter how much time you spend doubting yourself, I promise that I can spend double that loving you. Triple. I can love you endlessly.”
Well, but why the heck do such blanks have to be left behind. For heaven's sake, why don't we learn anything about Grant's issues with his father and why do I still not know why Hendrix is supposed to be such a troubled boy! 😡😡😡
Even I was bothered by these things, this book nevertheless is one of the best.
It's beautiful how Hendrix continues to stay in love despite the long time they haven't seen each other, how a teenage infatuation can turn into something so deep.
I’ve heard of this feeling—the feeling that drives two people together against all odds. The kind of love that makes them think, without this, I might as well die. It’d hurt less.
“You know I’ll love you forever, right? There’s no version of me that could ever exist and not love you.” I speak directly against his lips, our foreheads pressed together. Something like doubt flickers across his beautiful, brown eyes. “I mean it. No matter how much time you spend doubting yourself, I promise that I can spend double that loving you. Triple. I can love you endlessly.”
Well, but why the heck do such blanks have to be left behind. For heaven's sake, why don't we learn anything about Grant's issues with his father and why do I still not know why Hendrix is supposed to be such a troubled boy! 😡😡😡
Even I was bothered by these things, this book nevertheless is one of the best.
July 24, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🖤 Light Daddy Kink
🖤 Age gap
🖤 Best Friends son
🖤 Slightly forbidden
🖤 Scorching Chemistry
Grant and Hendrix story literally consumed me from the first page, I finished this book in a day and that rarely happens. These two lost souls were just perfect for one another.
Daddy Grant had my heart from the start
‘I’m worn by years of disappointment.’ 🥺
I felt for him so much. Throughout his life he’s always been let down or left behind. Having Hendrix in his life has given him a purpose. It was the same for poor Hendrix too, feeling abandoned by the one person that should be cheering him on.
The chemistry between these two men was off the charts and Bailey builds this up so well, I was literally pining for their first kiss…pining!
My only little issue was I did feel it was slightly rushed at the end, but it was such a beautiful ending.
I definitely feel this is my favourite Bailey story so far and I can’t wait to read more from this very accomplished storyteller!
Bravo Bailey🖤
🖤 Light Daddy Kink
🖤 Age gap
🖤 Best Friends son
🖤 Slightly forbidden
🖤 Scorching Chemistry
Grant and Hendrix story literally consumed me from the first page, I finished this book in a day and that rarely happens. These two lost souls were just perfect for one another.
Daddy Grant had my heart from the start
‘I’m worn by years of disappointment.’ 🥺
I felt for him so much. Throughout his life he’s always been let down or left behind. Having Hendrix in his life has given him a purpose. It was the same for poor Hendrix too, feeling abandoned by the one person that should be cheering him on.
The chemistry between these two men was off the charts and Bailey builds this up so well, I was literally pining for their first kiss…pining!
My only little issue was I did feel it was slightly rushed at the end, but it was such a beautiful ending.
I definitely feel this is my favourite Bailey story so far and I can’t wait to read more from this very accomplished storyteller!
Bravo Bailey🖤
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