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Juste amis ?
L'espoir d'être aimé vaut-il la peine de mettre en péril une amitié ?
L’université est censée être une nouvelle étape passionnante dans une vie. Un monde nouveau fait de découvertes, de rencontres, d’expériences inédites. Mais Lewis, qui s’est toujours cru hétéro, ne s’attendait pas à tomber sous le charme de son colocataire, Max.
Lorsque Max se retrouve célibataire, la situation dérape entre eux, l’espace d’une nuit. Mais dès le lendemain, son colocataire lui annonce préférer qu’ils restent amis, ce que Lewis accepte à contrecœur.
Quand les sentiments s’en mêlent, quand l’amour et l’amitié se confondent, Max doit faire un choix. Prendra-t-il le risque de voir son cœur se briser à nouveau ?
L’université est censée être une nouvelle étape passionnante dans une vie. Un monde nouveau fait de découvertes, de rencontres, d’expériences inédites. Mais Lewis, qui s’est toujours cru hétéro, ne s’attendait pas à tomber sous le charme de son colocataire, Max.
Lorsque Max se retrouve célibataire, la situation dérape entre eux, l’espace d’une nuit. Mais dès le lendemain, son colocataire lui annonce préférer qu’ils restent amis, ce que Lewis accepte à contrecœur.
Quand les sentiments s’en mêlent, quand l’amour et l’amitié se confondent, Max doit faire un choix. Prendra-t-il le risque de voir son cœur se briser à nouveau ?
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2014
77 people are currently reading
2187 people want to read
About the author
Jay Northcote
54 books1,653 followersI don't hang out on Goodreads much, so if you'd like to connect with me then Twitter, Facebook or an email is usually best :) All my contact details are on my website.
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
October 26, 2014
4.25 stars
This was a tender first-love, discover-your-sexuality kind of story. It's YA, and the MCs are young (18/19, in their first year at uni), so there's not a lot of steam but layers of sexual tension and sexual discovery.
Max and Lewis are flat mates. Max is a little flamboyant and proudly out of the closet. He puts on a brave front, but he's vulnerable and scared of getting hurt. Lewis assumes he's straight, although he hasn't had much experience sexually. He's shy, a little naive and awkward, but kind and funny and accepting.
The story is told from Lewis's POV, and Lewis notices Max straightaway. He slowly realizes he's crushing on Max, which makes him ponder his sexuality. Suffice it to say, this is not a GFY, more of an OFY (and a very well done and realistic OFY at that).
Lewis is crazy jealous when he sees Max making out with another guy. When Max breaks up with this temporary asswipe of a cheating boyfriend, Lewis and Max have a moment. Lewis wants to be with Max, but Max, scared to believe Lewis's intentions, insists that they be "just friends."
What I noticed in this book is what made me love Nothing Serious by this same author so much: The MCs, the setting, and the secondary characters are all complex and feel real.
There's some angst as Lewis and Max dance around their feelings and a little family drama, but it's not over the top. It adds to the story rather than detracting from it. Lewis's interactions with his parents are spot on and believable (I loved how open he was with them and how close he was to his mum). The other flat mates, Dean, Rob, and Andreas, were fully fleshed out. I especially loved loud, brash Dean who was a really good guy at heart. All of them interacting together made for some very funny scenes. I loved that the flat mates were so open and accepting of Max's (and eventually Lewis's) sexuality. I laughed aloud when Dean was offering Max and Lewis glucose tablets and electrolytes following their hot and heavy weekend spent in bed.
It was comforting to read about the pubs and uni life. It made me miss England and want to jump on the next plane to Europe.
I really like Jay Northcote's novels. I don't typically read YA, but I enjoyed this story very much.
This was a tender first-love, discover-your-sexuality kind of story. It's YA, and the MCs are young (18/19, in their first year at uni), so there's not a lot of steam but layers of sexual tension and sexual discovery.
Max and Lewis are flat mates. Max is a little flamboyant and proudly out of the closet. He puts on a brave front, but he's vulnerable and scared of getting hurt. Lewis assumes he's straight, although he hasn't had much experience sexually. He's shy, a little naive and awkward, but kind and funny and accepting.
The story is told from Lewis's POV, and Lewis notices Max straightaway. He slowly realizes he's crushing on Max, which makes him ponder his sexuality. Suffice it to say, this is not a GFY, more of an OFY (and a very well done and realistic OFY at that).
Lewis is crazy jealous when he sees Max making out with another guy. When Max breaks up with this temporary asswipe of a cheating boyfriend, Lewis and Max have a moment. Lewis wants to be with Max, but Max, scared to believe Lewis's intentions, insists that they be "just friends."
What I noticed in this book is what made me love Nothing Serious by this same author so much: The MCs, the setting, and the secondary characters are all complex and feel real.
There's some angst as Lewis and Max dance around their feelings and a little family drama, but it's not over the top. It adds to the story rather than detracting from it. Lewis's interactions with his parents are spot on and believable (I loved how open he was with them and how close he was to his mum). The other flat mates, Dean, Rob, and Andreas, were fully fleshed out. I especially loved loud, brash Dean who was a really good guy at heart. All of them interacting together made for some very funny scenes. I loved that the flat mates were so open and accepting of Max's (and eventually Lewis's) sexuality. I laughed aloud when Dean was offering Max and Lewis glucose tablets and electrolytes following their hot and heavy weekend spent in bed.
It was comforting to read about the pubs and uni life. It made me miss England and want to jump on the next plane to Europe.
I really like Jay Northcote's novels. I don't typically read YA, but I enjoyed this story very much.
September 29, 2022
College stories are a favourite of mine, English or American I just love stories about young love so I was pretty sure when I read the blurb that this was going to be right up my street, and my intuition wasn't wrong...it was a winner! When Lewis first arrives at his new college in Bristol, he meets three of his new roommates Dean, Rob and Andreas and they spend a few hours after they've moved their stuff in, eating pizza and getting to know each other. They seem like nice enough guys so Lewis is pretty happy with the situation. Its his first time away from home so its all a bit of an adventure. He's left behind his best mate Paul and an ex girlfriend who he was with throughout sixth form but who he's amicably split from, so he's free and ready for college life and all it brings.
Then Max arrives. A couple of hours late he breezes in on the gang and Lewis is drawn to him straight away. Slender, with dyed blonde hair, earrings and full of life, Lewis can't stop sneaking glances at this young guy, with his exotic, striking looks and his beautiful pale green eyes. As the night goes on, the five of them start to get to know each other, talk turns to sex and Max tells them all that he's gay. All the rest of the guys are straight, including Lewis...or is he?
From then on the story goes in exactly the direction you think it will. The more that Lewis is in Max's company, the more he finds himself attracted to him. Max starts a relationship with another gay lad on campus which Lewis tries not to think about as he attempts to live the straight life but as time goes on he begins to realise that perhaps the feelings he has for Max aren't as platonic as he thought. Reliving memories of his friendship with Paul, his BFF back home, make him question that perhaps his affection for him wasn't as cut and dried as he thought and he knows deep down that his relationship with Cara, his ex, was never a relationship with any spark to it, they had sex but it was never particularly fulfilling.
Max and he become close and end up spending a lot of time together, and when Max's new boyfriend lets him down badly, Lewis finds himself comforting Max and the inevitable happens but the morning after things are strained so they decide to try and forget it ever happened and just stay friends. From then on its a typical will they/won't they, GFY style story that pretty much follows the general pattern of this type of book. So why the five stars?
Well, it gets five because honestly once I started, I couldn't put it down. I knew when I picked it up I was going to thoroughly enjoy Jay Northcotes easy writing style and I fell in love with these two sweet, extremely likeable young guys who I connected with as soon as both of them appeared on page. I've said before and I'll say it again, its how you tell a story that engages you to a particular book and this little cracker sucked me in straight away. It kept my attention all the way through. There's some nice sub plots added to flesh it out, concerning Lewis' family and all the secondary characters, including a really nice female friend, who are well rounded and add great support to the growing love story that in itself is sweet, endearing and just angsty enough to stir things up a bit. I hold my hands up, I loved it! GFY and all! Sexy, entertaining and fun.
Max is a delightful character, I adored him and Lewis who I also loved, is a total sweetie. They both got under my skin and despite a bit of eye rolling at some the misunderstandings they generated, I rooted for them all the way, getting all warm and fuzzy at the right spots and feeling the love when finally they both got their heads out of their arses and saw what was staring them in the face. This is the second Jay Northcote book I've read and it certainly won't be the last.
At the end of the day this made me happy, and that's what its all about!
Then Max arrives. A couple of hours late he breezes in on the gang and Lewis is drawn to him straight away. Slender, with dyed blonde hair, earrings and full of life, Lewis can't stop sneaking glances at this young guy, with his exotic, striking looks and his beautiful pale green eyes. As the night goes on, the five of them start to get to know each other, talk turns to sex and Max tells them all that he's gay. All the rest of the guys are straight, including Lewis...or is he?
From then on the story goes in exactly the direction you think it will. The more that Lewis is in Max's company, the more he finds himself attracted to him. Max starts a relationship with another gay lad on campus which Lewis tries not to think about as he attempts to live the straight life but as time goes on he begins to realise that perhaps the feelings he has for Max aren't as platonic as he thought. Reliving memories of his friendship with Paul, his BFF back home, make him question that perhaps his affection for him wasn't as cut and dried as he thought and he knows deep down that his relationship with Cara, his ex, was never a relationship with any spark to it, they had sex but it was never particularly fulfilling.
Max and he become close and end up spending a lot of time together, and when Max's new boyfriend lets him down badly, Lewis finds himself comforting Max and the inevitable happens but the morning after things are strained so they decide to try and forget it ever happened and just stay friends. From then on its a typical will they/won't they, GFY style story that pretty much follows the general pattern of this type of book. So why the five stars?
Well, it gets five because honestly once I started, I couldn't put it down. I knew when I picked it up I was going to thoroughly enjoy Jay Northcotes easy writing style and I fell in love with these two sweet, extremely likeable young guys who I connected with as soon as both of them appeared on page. I've said before and I'll say it again, its how you tell a story that engages you to a particular book and this little cracker sucked me in straight away. It kept my attention all the way through. There's some nice sub plots added to flesh it out, concerning Lewis' family and all the secondary characters, including a really nice female friend, who are well rounded and add great support to the growing love story that in itself is sweet, endearing and just angsty enough to stir things up a bit. I hold my hands up, I loved it! GFY and all! Sexy, entertaining and fun.
Max is a delightful character, I adored him and Lewis who I also loved, is a total sweetie. They both got under my skin and despite a bit of eye rolling at some the misunderstandings they generated, I rooted for them all the way, getting all warm and fuzzy at the right spots and feeling the love when finally they both got their heads out of their arses and saw what was staring them in the face. This is the second Jay Northcote book I've read and it certainly won't be the last.
At the end of the day this made me happy, and that's what its all about!
April 5, 2022
this was cute enough to keep me invested, but far from being a personal favorite. 3 stars.
May 4, 2017
***4 Loveable Lewis Stars***
This was a great coming of age and self-discovery story. Told entirely from Lewis' point of view, we watch through his eyes as he deals with going away to college and being away from home for the first time, and discovering that he's gay and his winding path of what that means.
What I loved most was that he was so incredibly endearing and loveable throughout the entire book. You feel every up and down with him, from moments of happiness to anxiety to euphoria to sadness to frustration...it's all wrapped up in this book. Every emotion feels completely relatable and authentic.
The cast of secondary characters and Lewis' merry band of flatmates were fantastic!
Overall, this was a quick read with an endearing lead, a relatable coming of age story and just the appropriate amount of steam. The story will leave you with the warm and fuzzies remembering what it was like being that age, discovering yourself and falling in love at the same time.
December 3, 2014
Meh.
I liked the characters, but I've read nearly this exact same story probably 10 times before, except this time it was set in the UK, so I got to hear a lot about having tea, eating beans on toast and fears about "making a tit of ones self."
I liked the characters, but I've read nearly this exact same story probably 10 times before, except this time it was set in the UK, so I got to hear a lot about having tea, eating beans on toast and fears about "making a tit of ones self."
April 2, 2014
3.5--Coming Out--Stars!!
Another MM read for the win column. Was it my favorite MM read?? Nah, probably not. But it was still enjoyable.
The story takes place in London so I get confused with all of the lingo. The story is told from Lewis' POV. Lewis is just starting college and moving in to his flat. He has four flat mates one of which is Max.
Lewis has never considered himself to be gay. He dated a girl throughout high school only breaking things off when he left for college. But he never felt 100% in to the relationship.
Meeting Max, who is gay, causes Lewis to question his sexuality.
Lewis keeps his feelings hidden. When Max starts dating Bruno and things eventually go south, Lewis is there to comfort Max. One thing leads to another and maybe Lewis isn't so straight afterall.
But the next morning, Max friend-zones Lewis leaving him more confused then ever. He tries to move on from Max. He's accepted that he's gay. He comes out to his parents. But he can't stop thinking about Max.
The timing was just really bad for Max and Lewis but eventually they get things worked out.
This was a sweet read. Definitely had a younger feel to it, just because of their age. The steam factor was moderate I would say. Overall, I liked it. Didn't love it, but definitely liked it.
Another MM read for the win column. Was it my favorite MM read?? Nah, probably not. But it was still enjoyable.
The story takes place in London so I get confused with all of the lingo. The story is told from Lewis' POV. Lewis is just starting college and moving in to his flat. He has four flat mates one of which is Max.
Lewis has never considered himself to be gay. He dated a girl throughout high school only breaking things off when he left for college. But he never felt 100% in to the relationship.
Meeting Max, who is gay, causes Lewis to question his sexuality.
Lewis keeps his feelings hidden. When Max starts dating Bruno and things eventually go south, Lewis is there to comfort Max. One thing leads to another and maybe Lewis isn't so straight afterall.
But the next morning, Max friend-zones Lewis leaving him more confused then ever. He tries to move on from Max. He's accepted that he's gay. He comes out to his parents. But he can't stop thinking about Max.
The timing was just really bad for Max and Lewis but eventually they get things worked out.
This was a sweet read. Definitely had a younger feel to it, just because of their age. The steam factor was moderate I would say. Overall, I liked it. Didn't love it, but definitely liked it.
July 11, 2023
If I were to look at a list of all the tropes & plot devices in this book, I would swear it was going to be a book I would hate. But for some reason, I really loved this. I think it is because Lewis was such a relatable character. I felt for him so much, every time his heart broke my heart broke too. Seeing his first week of college through his eyes, the nerves and excitement and everything reminded me so much of my own going away to college experience. He was such a good character he completely made the book for me.
Also- I clearly no absolutely nothing about One Direction - but this entire time I thought that guys name was pronounced like Lewis?? I was so confused for a minute during this book because apparently its pronounced like "Loo-ee"??
Anyway
Also- I clearly no absolutely nothing about One Direction - but this entire time I thought that guys name was pronounced like Lewis?? I was so confused for a minute during this book because apparently its pronounced like "Loo-ee"??
Anyway
February 12, 2015
Well I liked the sound of this one from the blurb on DsP's website so I pre-ordered, and am so glad I did. 5 stars from me for this sweet, fluffy and sexy read from Jay Northcote.
The story is told from the POV of Lewis, who has just arrived at University in Bristol to start his English Lit degree and is meeting up with his flatmates for the first time. Dean, Andreas and Rob more or less arrive at the same time as Lewis and they end up waiting for the 5th flatmate, who turns up 2 hours later thanks to his mum's car breaking down. The new arrival is named Max, and Lewis is immediately drawn to him which comes as a bit a of a shocker as Lewis has always considered himself straight...probably, and Max is definitely out and proud. Alcohol always helps awkward situations and loosens tongues, and the guys end up getting pissed and getting to know each other.
None of them seem to have a problem with Max, and as the days go by, Lewis and Max seem to gel as 'real' friends and to Lewis's increasing discomfort he seems to spend a lot of time sneaking furtive glances at Max...some of which are returned, throwing Lewis into even more confusion. To try and counteract his confusing feelings for Max, Lewis gets talking to one of the girls on his course Amanda who starts chatting him up, and they decide to have some study sessions together and see where things go. In the meantime Max has started hooking up with Bruno, one of the organisers of the LBGT group at uni, and Lewis comes across them making out one morning in the kitchen and yes, he gets turned on and is jealous.
After a disastrous date with Amanda she gets him to talk, and all of his uncertainty and disbelief at the feelings he has for Max come pouring out and he admits that he could be gay, but as he's never been in this situation before he's not certain, and despite the fact that Amanda made a fool of herself over him, she's extremely generous with her time and advice and they decide to remain friends. Max meanwhile is having problems of his own with Bruno, who is not as exclusive as Max would wish, and after a nasty shock with a photo that gets posted on Facebook, Max gets pissed and starts coming on to Lewis after Lewis is just being a good friend and a shoulder to cry on. I'll leave this one here and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
There were long, lingering looks, smouldering ST and let's not forget the angst AND the perennial lack of communication problem. There were lots of other things going on in the background, oh and typical student behaviour...lots of drinking, partying and messing about.
The story is told from the POV of Lewis, who has just arrived at University in Bristol to start his English Lit degree and is meeting up with his flatmates for the first time. Dean, Andreas and Rob more or less arrive at the same time as Lewis and they end up waiting for the 5th flatmate, who turns up 2 hours later thanks to his mum's car breaking down. The new arrival is named Max, and Lewis is immediately drawn to him which comes as a bit a of a shocker as Lewis has always considered himself straight...probably, and Max is definitely out and proud. Alcohol always helps awkward situations and loosens tongues, and the guys end up getting pissed and getting to know each other.
None of them seem to have a problem with Max, and as the days go by, Lewis and Max seem to gel as 'real' friends and to Lewis's increasing discomfort he seems to spend a lot of time sneaking furtive glances at Max...some of which are returned, throwing Lewis into even more confusion. To try and counteract his confusing feelings for Max, Lewis gets talking to one of the girls on his course Amanda who starts chatting him up, and they decide to have some study sessions together and see where things go. In the meantime Max has started hooking up with Bruno, one of the organisers of the LBGT group at uni, and Lewis comes across them making out one morning in the kitchen and yes, he gets turned on and is jealous.
After a disastrous date with Amanda she gets him to talk, and all of his uncertainty and disbelief at the feelings he has for Max come pouring out and he admits that he could be gay, but as he's never been in this situation before he's not certain, and despite the fact that Amanda made a fool of herself over him, she's extremely generous with her time and advice and they decide to remain friends. Max meanwhile is having problems of his own with Bruno, who is not as exclusive as Max would wish, and after a nasty shock with a photo that gets posted on Facebook, Max gets pissed and starts coming on to Lewis after Lewis is just being a good friend and a shoulder to cry on. I'll leave this one here and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
There were long, lingering looks, smouldering ST and let's not forget the angst AND the perennial lack of communication problem. There were lots of other things going on in the background, oh and typical student behaviour...lots of drinking, partying and messing about.
March 17, 2022
3 stars ⭐️ I like this story enough to give it 3 stars. I liked both Max and Lewis. How Lewis discovered his sexuality, and how accepting his parents was really the best thing in the book. Max was also supportive even though there was a bit of misunderstanding between these two.
But I felt like something had been off throughout the story. I tried to DNF it several times because the story was predictable and I'm sure I've read these kinds of stories a zillion times. Nevertheless, the story was really cool and nice, and there wasn't much conflict between MCs.
Overall, it was an easy read.
But I felt like something had been off throughout the story. I tried to DNF it several times because the story was predictable and I'm sure I've read these kinds of stories a zillion times. Nevertheless, the story was really cool and nice, and there wasn't much conflict between MCs.
Overall, it was an easy read.
March 19, 2014
This is my first Jay Northcote book, and I loved it! I love her style and the story! I will read more of this author for sure!
I've read this book almost non-stop, and in the end I felt a lightness in me... this book is delightful, lovely and beautiful! Lewis and Max have a sweet relationship... first as best mates and then as boyfriends! Max is gay and he has no problem with that, he is proud and open! Lewis doesn't knew he was gay, he had strange feelings in his past... but when he meets Max, he became fascinated by his friend! Any doubt he had about is sexuality vanished! And their love was born...
I only feel happiness in the end of a book like this!!!
I've read this book almost non-stop, and in the end I felt a lightness in me... this book is delightful, lovely and beautiful! Lewis and Max have a sweet relationship... first as best mates and then as boyfriends! Max is gay and he has no problem with that, he is proud and open! Lewis doesn't knew he was gay, he had strange feelings in his past... but when he meets Max, he became fascinated by his friend! Any doubt he had about is sexuality vanished! And their love was born...
I only feel happiness in the end of a book like this!!!
March 4, 2014
I have found a new happy place author to add to my list. This is my second book from Jay Northcote and I am solidly in love with her boys. They are sweet, sexy, adorable and just a bit confused and conflicted enough for me to get lost in them. Twice now her boys have taken me out of a book slump and made me remember why I love to read the boys who love boys.
Lewis is starting his life at University. Moving into his flat and meeting his new roommates provides a complexity of personalities that surprisingly mesh well from the first meeting. When the straggler of the boys finally moves in, we meet Max. Max with the short blond hair and that certain something that tugs at Lewis. At first Lewis thinks it’s just friendship but after a few beers and shared sex stories, we learn that Max is into boys and Lewis starts to question his attraction to his flat mate.
I loved Lewis. I loved that he has always questioned his sexuality yet not dealt with it to do what he thought was right and then he meets Max, all hells breaks loose in the boys brain. He likes being around Max, they become fast friends playing pool and watching movies together but when Max begins to take an interest in another boy? Lewis knows that this boy, this flat mate, this MAX who lives on the other side of the very thin wall from Lewis can never be just a friend.
The boys in the flat were fun to read. The banter between Dean and Max has me laughing just thinking about it. Max was comfortable and confident in his sexuality and it showed in everything he did. From flirting with boys at pubs to simply taking a piss out of Dean when he needed it. The flat mates weren’t just fixtures hanging around, they had purpose to the story and they gave that extra life to it. But Max and Lewis, these boys are best mates and when Lewis decides he wants more, will Max let down his defenses so he gets a chance?
I cannot say how much I adored this book without gushing over it. A bit late you say? Oh well. I am a fan of the friends to lovers theme. I love the UST that was through this book, it was done so well. I love that it was sweet but when you needed it to be dirty there was just enough of it. The boys and their struggle to get it right was what I needed and what I adore with the college boys. I even loved the bits of pop culture with the boy band teasing tossed in there and I really want to know if Lewis does indeed have what Max liked but Bruno lacked. Just saying…you know, Jay? You left that one out there and my OCD picked up on it.
Ahh…this is another book where I get the goofiest grin on my face going over my notes and highlights. Yeah, I am a sucker for the sweet gooey stuff, minor angst with a side of smut. I just loved this book! From first meetings, pool games and tables stuffed with socks, drunk kisses, runs in the rain and confessions via text message, Not Just Friends is another book I am adding to my must read when I need to feel good list.
Lewis is starting his life at University. Moving into his flat and meeting his new roommates provides a complexity of personalities that surprisingly mesh well from the first meeting. When the straggler of the boys finally moves in, we meet Max. Max with the short blond hair and that certain something that tugs at Lewis. At first Lewis thinks it’s just friendship but after a few beers and shared sex stories, we learn that Max is into boys and Lewis starts to question his attraction to his flat mate.
Lewis kept thinking about Max, his eyes and his smile, and the doubts and uncertainty they raised for Lewis. Questions he’d successfully managed to leave unanswered for the past couple of years reared up, but he pushed them away…
I loved Lewis. I loved that he has always questioned his sexuality yet not dealt with it to do what he thought was right and then he meets Max, all hells breaks loose in the boys brain. He likes being around Max, they become fast friends playing pool and watching movies together but when Max begins to take an interest in another boy? Lewis knows that this boy, this flat mate, this MAX who lives on the other side of the very thin wall from Lewis can never be just a friend.
The boys in the flat were fun to read. The banter between Dean and Max has me laughing just thinking about it. Max was comfortable and confident in his sexuality and it showed in everything he did. From flirting with boys at pubs to simply taking a piss out of Dean when he needed it. The flat mates weren’t just fixtures hanging around, they had purpose to the story and they gave that extra life to it. But Max and Lewis, these boys are best mates and when Lewis decides he wants more, will Max let down his defenses so he gets a chance?
Maybe this was a really bad idea, but Lewis couldn’t bring himself to care. He just wanted Max so much it hurt, and he knew he’d take whatever Max was offering.
I cannot say how much I adored this book without gushing over it. A bit late you say? Oh well. I am a fan of the friends to lovers theme. I love the UST that was through this book, it was done so well. I love that it was sweet but when you needed it to be dirty there was just enough of it. The boys and their struggle to get it right was what I needed and what I adore with the college boys. I even loved the bits of pop culture with the boy band teasing tossed in there and I really want to know if Lewis does indeed have what Max liked but Bruno lacked. Just saying…you know, Jay? You left that one out there and my OCD picked up on it.
Ahh…this is another book where I get the goofiest grin on my face going over my notes and highlights. Yeah, I am a sucker for the sweet gooey stuff, minor angst with a side of smut. I just loved this book! From first meetings, pool games and tables stuffed with socks, drunk kisses, runs in the rain and confessions via text message, Not Just Friends is another book I am adding to my must read when I need to feel good list.
June 8, 2021
First year university students figuring it all out: living on their own, budgeting food vs. drink, roommates, friends, and sex.
Nicely narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies.
Nicely narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies.
April 26, 2014
Sweet 3.5 YA "friends to lovers" stars
To friends
Or not to friends
That was the question
The book has just enough of everything to be sweet and a little dirty at the same time.
Nothing overly shocking happens, which makes it a perfect read for when you need some angst-light reading. There is wonderful tension created between Lewis and Max, and a really good story going on around them - quite enjoyable.
I liked that the book is British and all the British slang etc. Definitely had a younger feel to it (pubs, partying etc.)
Overall this was a sweet read.
Recommended to fans of YA/NA, college, GFY "friends to lovers" books.
To friends
Or not to friends
That was the question
The book has just enough of everything to be sweet and a little dirty at the same time.
Nothing overly shocking happens, which makes it a perfect read for when you need some angst-light reading. There is wonderful tension created between Lewis and Max, and a really good story going on around them - quite enjoyable.
I liked that the book is British and all the British slang etc. Definitely had a younger feel to it (pubs, partying etc.)
Overall this was a sweet read.
Recommended to fans of YA/NA, college, GFY "friends to lovers" books.
February 25, 2014
Let's start with the cover
The cover is HOTT. straight up. just hottness.
I like me the cover
The story:
It had sexual tension which for me is a + in a book.
It had a virgin. Sigh. I love me virgin books. I should restate that. He was a virgin when it came to men. I love that.
The storyline was cute, a lil angsty, and of course it had a happy ending.
If you are looking for a light read, sweet and sexy you got it right here.
*Cheers*
The cover is HOTT. straight up. just hottness.
I like me the cover
The story:
It had sexual tension which for me is a + in a book.
It had a virgin. Sigh. I love me virgin books. I should restate that. He was a virgin when it came to men. I love that.
The storyline was cute, a lil angsty, and of course it had a happy ending.
If you are looking for a light read, sweet and sexy you got it right here.
*Cheers*
August 9, 2016
Absolutamente predecible, ya sabía yo que leer sobre chavales de 18 no es lo mío. Las tribulaciones de Lewis de la primera parte son aburridas, peeeeero, tengo que reconocer que no me disgusta el estilo y que ha mejorado a partir del 50%. Hubiera agradecido el POV de Max, eso le ha restado en la valoración, porque para lo simple que es la historia, hubiera venido bien.
Personajes femeninos bien integrados, punto para la Northcote, en el m/m no abunda eso.
Personajes femeninos bien integrados, punto para la Northcote, en el m/m no abunda eso.
April 14, 2015
4.5 stars What a lovely introduction to a new (to me) author! I'll immediately look into some other books by Mrs. Northcote. You know when you're reading a book, and you just have this silly shit eating grin on your face? Yeah, that. Or you're tearing up and rally want to just sob right along with a character but someone else is in the room so you bravely, but just barely, keep it together. That too.
This was so sweet and so funny. Despite my aforementioned repressed tears there wasn't too much angst. I mean yes, Lewis's unrequited (or so we thought) crush was painful at times, but he really did manage it well. He was sad, but knew he needed to move on and attempted to get his shit together. There wasn't any boo-hoo-I-don't-know-what-I-want, no miscommunications really, all friends and loved ones reacted totally fine with minimal drama, and just a dash of we-shouldn't-ruin-our-friendship.
And I can't forget to mention the sex. Yummy, sexy, steamy, sexy, sweet, sexy-as-hell... did I mention sexy?
Utterly pleasant and totally enjoyable. Recommended!
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
This was so sweet and so funny. Despite my aforementioned repressed tears there wasn't too much angst. I mean yes, Lewis's unrequited (or so we thought) crush was painful at times, but he really did manage it well. He was sad, but knew he needed to move on and attempted to get his shit together. There wasn't any boo-hoo-I-don't-know-what-I-want, no miscommunications really, all friends and loved ones reacted totally fine with minimal drama, and just a dash of we-shouldn't-ruin-our-friendship.
And I can't forget to mention the sex. Yummy, sexy, steamy, sexy, sweet, sexy-as-hell... did I mention sexy?
Utterly pleasant and totally enjoyable. Recommended!
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
February 18, 2016
*** 3.5 Stars ***
This story's strength lies in it's realism. The characters and sense of place are so strong that it really could have been anyone's first semester at university. Unfortunately, the familiarity also acted as a bit of a double-edged sword; it made the story feel a little one-note emotionally for me. I was waiting for something super sweet or sexy or over the top cute or guilelessly dirty or a tinge of real heartbreak - something just a little bit "more" - but I never quite got there. Still, there's no denying Northcote's talent. This was just a quieter story than I'm used to.
This story's strength lies in it's realism. The characters and sense of place are so strong that it really could have been anyone's first semester at university. Unfortunately, the familiarity also acted as a bit of a double-edged sword; it made the story feel a little one-note emotionally for me. I was waiting for something super sweet or sexy or over the top cute or guilelessly dirty or a tinge of real heartbreak - something just a little bit "more" - but I never quite got there. Still, there's no denying Northcote's talent. This was just a quieter story than I'm used to.
March 22, 2014
Loved it. Jay Northcote has a smoothness to her writing I can only dream of. Lewis's struggles with his sexuality were superbly written, and Max's intervention was just right. The balance in this book between angst and fluff is perfect.
I adored both MC's, especially Max, but more than that, I really enjoyed the setting and the very real sense that I was right there with them, eating pot noodle in a grotty student flat.
5 Stars.
I adored both MC's, especially Max, but more than that, I really enjoyed the setting and the very real sense that I was right there with them, eating pot noodle in a grotty student flat.
5 Stars.
July 8, 2015
Jay Northcote is going on my fave authors list.
This was so good!
This was so good!
June 24, 2017
College is good for all sorts of things. Getting smashed on cheap alcohol. Hooking up with random strangers when smashed on cheap alcohol. Strangling your friends for ‘peer pressuring’ you into that last shot of cheap alcohol the night before a biology midterm that you barely studied for because you were too busy pining for your incredibly hot English prof and planning on how to woo him with your dazzling insight into the homoerotic subtext in Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend…. See, it is good for all sorts of things. (Though, let’s keep the last bit about my the English prof just between us friends, yes?)
Surprisingly, it also turns out that college great for other things as well. Take Max and Lewis:
Lewis knew that going to uni was going to require a few changes in his life. He’d have to cook his own food, do his own laundry, force himself out of bed at god-awful hours in the morning to attend boring lectures. He’s looking forward to it though, even if the idea of being a grown-up is mildly terrifying. He did not expect, however, to find himself bowled over by his attraction to his hot, and very gay, flatmate, Max. Especially since he’s straight. Straight guys don’t check out other dude’s asses, do they? Not that he can do anything about the strange attraction, since Max soon finds himself in a relationship. And Lew is straight. And not at all losing his mind from having to hear Max and hisstupid boyfriend going at it in the next room.
But time (and sexual frustration) has a way of wearing down one’s defenses, and Lewis is starting to allow himself to remember that he hasn’t always been as straight as he claims. And when Max sadly breaks up with his no-good asshole of a boyfriend, and Max and Lew try drinking their sorrows away, one thing leads to another, and another leads to hands and mouths going where no man has gone before (at least outside of Lew’s dreams). But like all good dreams, when Lew wakes up there is a lot of disappointment, and a mess to clean up. Though his dreams, at least, never told him they wanted to just be friends.
Clearly I missed out a lot when I decided to save myself (a lot) of money and live at home while I attended uni. Had I known that college was full of apparently straight hot boys just waiting for the right moment to jump their roommates, I would have camped out in the dorms, with some popcorn, and watched the drama go down (you don’t think security would have minded, do you?). But alas, I missed out on this fun bit of uni life, and will have to settle for reading about the lust and losses of gay boys in love. It is a hard job, but someone has to do it.
This was a slightly angsty, but terribly fun story about Lewis, who falls horribly in love, and Max who really needs to work on him communication skills (though his other skills seem to be brushed up on, quite nicely). There were certainly times (quite a few, in fact) that I wanted to shake Max, and watching Lew pine for the man, while trying to maintain some type of a friendship, was hard, but this book handled both aspects very well. I never felt like Max was using Lewis, and while I was totally feeling Lew’s heartache, it didn’t swamp the story with depressing cloud of heartbreaking funk. I think their friendship, and how it progresses is a great asset to this story. It takes them, and us, a bit of time to get to the point of I-love-yous, but when it does we are fully prepared to see it come to a head. I trusted that it was love, and not just two men lost in lust, because of the problems they have overcome, and the time they have spent getting to know each other.
There is also a great cast of secondary characters in this book. I love how all the flatmates interacted, and how everyone seemed to have their own place. Yet no one came out sounding like a cliche, and everyone had enough depth that I could feel like their lives lived on outside of their page time.
Lewis’s coming to grips with his sexuality was interesting to read. And it was nicely paired with all the family issues that Lew comes to deal with. Not only does he find himself having to confront the whole ‘gay’ issue, but he is coming to find that life as a grown up means that not everything is going to be as rose-tinted as he would like. There is a lot going on that he chose not to see, not only with himself, but with his family, and how he deals with it all shows me that he is on his way to becoming a rather great adult. Though, I still feel like glaring at his dad (but that is likely more about my daddy issues, than Lew’s).
Nothing overly shocking happens in this book, which makes it a perfect read for when you need some angst-light reading. There is wonderful tension created between the two MCs, and a really good story going on around them, so that you find yourself four hours later, cold tea on the bedside table, and sighing over the last few sentences of the book. A few formatting errors did show up, but there was nothing there that distracted terribly from the overall story. And while I would have loved for Max to pull his head out of his ass a few chapters earlier, I think that time was wisely spent by Lewis as he tried to fit this new revelation about himself into his current life and family. This book was a last minute decision to pick up for review, and I can quite easily say that I am really glad I did. I can never get enough college boys, coming out, falling in love, angst.
This was a review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Surprisingly, it also turns out that college great for other things as well. Take Max and Lewis:
Lewis knew that going to uni was going to require a few changes in his life. He’d have to cook his own food, do his own laundry, force himself out of bed at god-awful hours in the morning to attend boring lectures. He’s looking forward to it though, even if the idea of being a grown-up is mildly terrifying. He did not expect, however, to find himself bowled over by his attraction to his hot, and very gay, flatmate, Max. Especially since he’s straight. Straight guys don’t check out other dude’s asses, do they? Not that he can do anything about the strange attraction, since Max soon finds himself in a relationship. And Lew is straight. And not at all losing his mind from having to hear Max and his
But time (and sexual frustration) has a way of wearing down one’s defenses, and Lewis is starting to allow himself to remember that he hasn’t always been as straight as he claims. And when Max sadly breaks up with his no-good asshole of a boyfriend, and Max and Lew try drinking their sorrows away, one thing leads to another, and another leads to hands and mouths going where no man has gone before (at least outside of Lew’s dreams). But like all good dreams, when Lew wakes up there is a lot of disappointment, and a mess to clean up. Though his dreams, at least, never told him they wanted to just be friends.
Clearly I missed out a lot when I decided to save myself (a lot) of money and live at home while I attended uni. Had I known that college was full of apparently straight hot boys just waiting for the right moment to jump their roommates, I would have camped out in the dorms, with some popcorn, and watched the drama go down (you don’t think security would have minded, do you?). But alas, I missed out on this fun bit of uni life, and will have to settle for reading about the lust and losses of gay boys in love. It is a hard job, but someone has to do it.
This was a slightly angsty, but terribly fun story about Lewis, who falls horribly in love, and Max who really needs to work on him communication skills (though his other skills seem to be brushed up on, quite nicely). There were certainly times (quite a few, in fact) that I wanted to shake Max, and watching Lew pine for the man, while trying to maintain some type of a friendship, was hard, but this book handled both aspects very well. I never felt like Max was using Lewis, and while I was totally feeling Lew’s heartache, it didn’t swamp the story with depressing cloud of heartbreaking funk. I think their friendship, and how it progresses is a great asset to this story. It takes them, and us, a bit of time to get to the point of I-love-yous, but when it does we are fully prepared to see it come to a head. I trusted that it was love, and not just two men lost in lust, because of the problems they have overcome, and the time they have spent getting to know each other.
There is also a great cast of secondary characters in this book. I love how all the flatmates interacted, and how everyone seemed to have their own place. Yet no one came out sounding like a cliche, and everyone had enough depth that I could feel like their lives lived on outside of their page time.
Lewis’s coming to grips with his sexuality was interesting to read. And it was nicely paired with all the family issues that Lew comes to deal with. Not only does he find himself having to confront the whole ‘gay’ issue, but he is coming to find that life as a grown up means that not everything is going to be as rose-tinted as he would like. There is a lot going on that he chose not to see, not only with himself, but with his family, and how he deals with it all shows me that he is on his way to becoming a rather great adult. Though, I still feel like glaring at his dad (but that is likely more about my daddy issues, than Lew’s).
Nothing overly shocking happens in this book, which makes it a perfect read for when you need some angst-light reading. There is wonderful tension created between the two MCs, and a really good story going on around them, so that you find yourself four hours later, cold tea on the bedside table, and sighing over the last few sentences of the book. A few formatting errors did show up, but there was nothing there that distracted terribly from the overall story. And while I would have loved for Max to pull his head out of his ass a few chapters earlier, I think that time was wisely spent by Lewis as he tried to fit this new revelation about himself into his current life and family. This book was a last minute decision to pick up for review, and I can quite easily say that I am really glad I did. I can never get enough college boys, coming out, falling in love, angst.
This was a review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
May 12, 2014
This is a very straightforward story of a British university freshman discovering his sexuality, dealing with his attraction to one of his flat-mates, and coping with all the changes in his life. It's well done, the MCs are appealing, and although the bit of misunderstanding that drives the plot lasts a little long, there is no manufactured angst or melodrama here. It's quite realistic, and the British flavor is nicely done. The authentic feel of freshman student life is a plus.
The author managed to avoid a lot of the coming out stereotypes and clichés, and the result is an easy read. It didn't score higher with me only because neither the characters nor the story line felt particularly unique. This might be a good first M/M read, undemanding and fairly real.
The author managed to avoid a lot of the coming out stereotypes and clichés, and the result is an easy read. It didn't score higher with me only because neither the characters nor the story line felt particularly unique. This might be a good first M/M read, undemanding and fairly real.
October 11, 2018
I'm re-reading this one as Jay is releasing it with a new cover as he now has the rights back. Will pop a proper review on when I'm done.
Revised up to 4* as I'd forgotten just how sweet this book is! It's very much young adult though, the protagonists are at University (here in the UK that's aged 18 usually) and so everything is focused on learning to be independent of the parentals.
Lewis and Max are delightful though as a pair as they basically fumble their way into falling in love and it always makes me laugh to read books set in the UK in places that I know and whenever I see Tesco mentioned (although I'm a Sainsbury's kinda gal myself ;) ).
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Revised up to 4* as I'd forgotten just how sweet this book is! It's very much young adult though, the protagonists are at University (here in the UK that's aged 18 usually) and so everything is focused on learning to be independent of the parentals.
Lewis and Max are delightful though as a pair as they basically fumble their way into falling in love and it always makes me laugh to read books set in the UK in places that I know and whenever I see Tesco mentioned (although I'm a Sainsbury's kinda gal myself ;) ).
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
February 16, 2017
Es curioso, la historia es muy predecible, hay muchos clichés, no ocurre nada extraordinario, pero me ha gustado mucho. La voz de Lewis haciéndonos partícipes del despertar de su sexualidad y su primer amor, que quién sabe si será el últiimo con 18 años, me ha parecido tierna y adorable. El MC se lee verdaderamente como alguien en transición a su madurez, un YA con personajes YA reales y esto equivale a mucha confusión, introspección, a veces incoherencia, además de ilusión, y una felicidad más despreocupada.
March 7, 2014
Finally finished - it felt as if I was reading this story forever, only just realizing it was only for 2 days. Somehow these Dear Author prompts came between me and this book. Anyway, it was a nice, uneventful story, meandering along from both MCs meeting til becoming a couple. Nice to follow along, nothing spectacular and I think with the right frame of mind I would have enjoyed it even more. If you are looking for a feeling-good, low-angst story, this is it.
March 5, 2014
3.25 stars
YA is not my normal type of story, but the blurb interested me so I gave it a try. The best way I can describe the story is nice and sweet. Not much conflict and I did like getting to know the characters and their interactions, however there was nothing that really stood out and made me keep reading until I finished.
YA is not my normal type of story, but the blurb interested me so I gave it a try. The best way I can describe the story is nice and sweet. Not much conflict and I did like getting to know the characters and their interactions, however there was nothing that really stood out and made me keep reading until I finished.
October 19, 2016
Not sure if something is wrong with the book itself, or it's me.
I didn't finish it, dnf-ing at 50%, so I can't write a full review and the two sentences below will have to do it.
The reason I bailed out half way into the story is your every day unremarkable routine that the characters are going through. I guess it could be a comfort read for some readers, but routine in my books kills me.
I didn't finish it, dnf-ing at 50%, so I can't write a full review and the two sentences below will have to do it.
The reason I bailed out half way into the story is your every day unremarkable routine that the characters are going through. I guess it could be a comfort read for some readers, but routine in my books kills me.
February 28, 2014
Jay Northcote is definitely a new author to look out for! I loved this! I love the story, the setting, the characters - everything just pulled me in and I stayed up until 1am just to finish it (which wasn't such a great idea because I had a ten hour shift the next day and I was pretty much a zombie by the end of it). But I just had to see Lewis and Max finally pull their heads out of their butts and finally be honest about how they felt for each other. I needed it! I loved how well written this was. Lewis's struggle to come to terms with what was happening was so well done. The sexual tension was just perfect and there was just the right amount of angst thrown in too. It wasn't too OTT with the angst and drama, but enough to keep the story interesting. And thank God for a happy ending! I'd so love to have read more about these two, to see where they are in a few years time after they've graduated - of course they better still be together, or I'll start crying and never stop :P
Something I really loved about Not Just Friends was how it brought back all my memories of University. I graduated two years ago and reading this brought it all right back. I imagined their flat just like mine was in my first year at Uni! It really made me miss Uni life! It was also so true to what it's like being at Uni, being in your first year and spending time away from your family for probably the first time, having to cook for yourself, being able to go where you want when you want... that sense of freedom you get when you know that you're an adult now and you can do whatever you want (even if it's something stupid!).
Really great read, I'm looking forward to reading lots more by this author :)
Something I really loved about Not Just Friends was how it brought back all my memories of University. I graduated two years ago and reading this brought it all right back. I imagined their flat just like mine was in my first year at Uni! It really made me miss Uni life! It was also so true to what it's like being at Uni, being in your first year and spending time away from your family for probably the first time, having to cook for yourself, being able to go where you want when you want... that sense of freedom you get when you know that you're an adult now and you can do whatever you want (even if it's something stupid!).
Really great read, I'm looking forward to reading lots more by this author :)
May 8, 2014
I really want to give this book 5 stars but after reading it, I feel like there's still something missing in the story line. At the last chapters of the book it felt kinda rushed. But all in all it really is a great and teasing coffee-table-book-read! :)
I need a Lewis (Tomlinson) in my life too.
I need a Lewis (Tomlinson) in my life too.
February 4, 2017
4 Stars
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