Serving Love

Good Bad Idea #1.5

by Ariella Zoelle

Leander thinks he doesn't stand a chance with his straight best friend. But will a surprise date change their friendship into true love?

Leander Collins

I never expect my straight best friend to take my joke about going out on a date seriously. But he surprises me with a romantic night out at my favorite celebrity chef’s restaurant. It gets my hopes up that maybe Kerrigan might have developed real feelings for me.

Yeah, right. I’m not nearly that lucky…am I?

Kerrigan McClain

Leander has been my best friend since middle school. I knew he had a crush on me, but I never thought anything would happen between us since I’m straight. But lately, he’s all I can think about whenever I’m alone.

What better way to tell Leander that I want to be his boyfriend than taking him out on his perfect dream date?

Serving Love is a side story set in the Good Bad Idea series, but it can be read by itself as a standalone. This novella features a friends to lovers, bi awakening, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll adore this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Queer, Gay

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2022

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serving Love is book #1.5 in the Good Bad Idea series by Ariella Zoelle. This little novella could be read as a stand alone but technically it falls in after the first book, Bet On Love. Read on and I will explain why!

Leander Collins and Kerrigan McClain have been best friends since middle school. Leander is gay, Kerrigan is not. They are both waiters at the hotel where Luci and Rhys were staying for Rhys’s wedding. They were both there the morning “everything” happened so we hear about it from their perspectives.

As Leander and Kerrigan are watching everything play out, Leander makes a playful joke that has Kerrigan coming through with a romantic date at the hottest restaurant in town owned by Leander’s favorite celebrity chef.

These two were so adorably cute together. It seems that perhaps Kerrigan has been keeping some secrets from his best friend. Feelings that have been growing, wondering if there is something there beyond just friendship. It was also amazing to watch the events of Rhys and Luci’s horrible breakfast play out, seeing it from the staff’s point of view. It made me love Rhys and Luci even more.

This was sexy and fun and was the perfect way to top off the first book. Now I can’t wait to start book two, Love Means More, which is Ambrose and August’s book.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[SJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay story within a story. There is another couple also featured in this restaurant setting story. I see that they have their own book. Here, it is two server best friends, one straight, one gay, who didn’t know that the other was having longtime feelings for them.
My only neg is that their dialogue did not sound like how two young guys would talk. ‘Unbeknownst’? Their conversation was somewhat too formal. And, I really dislike the word ‘coo’ in MM sex scenes! An MC ‘cooing’ during/after sex is a turnoff.

[Shelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!

While it was fabulous to read the big breakfast scene again, I mean Luci doesn't hold back. Getting an account from someone that isn't involved is great and who better to give their take on it than these two servers? The commentary while watching it all unfold was funny. We all know servers get a front row to some epic meltdowns. Just imagine Vegas servers! I am positive they have stories to tell. Not to mention our servers would fit in perfectly with all the couples in this series. One is sassy and more hyper. Then you have steady more grounded man. Always a fun combo. This little read gives the heart flutters with how sweet their date turns out to be. Romance is strong with this one. Ariella brings sass, fun, humor, an abundance of love and all the good feels as usual.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

old post reposted


I stumbled across Ariella Zoelle's books on K.M. Neuhold's Facebook fanpage. She promises sweet, fluff, low/no angst, lots of humor, and no slow burn. This is her Good Bad Idea series (which kicks off her Sunnyside universe). The next book is titled "Serving Love." To access this book, you have to sign up for Ariella's newsletter (and then you'll be gifted the novella via #BookFunnel)
["Leander thinks he doesn't stand a chance with his straight best friend. But will a surprise date change their friendship into true love?

Leander Collins
I never expect my straight best friend to take my joke about going out on a date seriously. But he surprises me with a romantic night out at my favorite celebrity chef’s restaurant. It gets my hopes up that maybe Kerrigan might have developed real feelings for me.
Yeah, right. I’m not nearly that lucky…am I?

Kerrigan McClain
Leander has been my best friend since middle school. I knew he had a crush on me, but I never thought anything would happen between us since I’m straight. But lately, he’s all I can think about whenever I’m alone.
What better way to tell Leander that I want to be his boyfriend than taking him out on his perfect dream date?"]
This one was so fun! The entire first chapter was the breakfast fight from "Bet On Love" but from the servers point of view instead of Rhys's. It was just as fucking glorious.

This story was a little fast, but it was so sweet and fluffy and fun. Definitely worth the read.

#betonlove #servinglove #lovemeansmore #lovefancy #lovefool #lovedirections #picturelove #lovepractice #ariellazoelle #goodbadidea #goodbadideaseries #sunnyside #sunnysideuniverse #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kerrigan always thought he was straight but he keeps having feelings for his best friend Leander which are not straight at all. Thinking about how to tell him that he wants to be his boyfriend and be believed he decides to take him out on a romantic date.

I enjoyed this novella with the addition of the hotel guests adding extra interest to the overall plot. I loved the romantic date and the setting for it which was perfect. I love the way that Kerrigan set Leander up to ask the questions so that he could just say yes with the finale of kissing him. Very romantic and definitely gives you an aww feeling. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with a bi-awakening element.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the story before this one some while ago, it would help you understand Rhys and Lucien's story a little better, but that is only a very minor part of the beginning of this tale.
Gay for you has always been a favorite of mine, oh, it's always painful at first, the hidden devotion on both sides, but the reward is worth it. Here the revelation is quicker and easier than some, but gorgeous just the same. Leander and Kerrigan are the lovely pair here hiding their passion and it's a lovely little tale.

[Julie Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious, heartwarming, feels like a hug! This novella was a lot of fun, I was laughing so hard at the two side characters named Rhys and Lucien (whilst also rooting for them, ofc!!) at the start — but the main characters, Leander and Kerrigan, were both absolutely adorable and I loved their friendship evolving into more so much! Would've loved to see more of it — but maybe they'll make an appearance in the novels in the series if I get around to reading those! I liked the dual POV, and the narration style of both characters. Such a swoon-worthy story!

[allemuor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute pair and what an amazing way to woo, confess and come out to his best friend all at once. Also, thanks to this wonderful short story, I got a glimpse of Rhys and Luci. It makes me want to re-read Bet on Love.

[Sharon L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novella in a wonderful series

This is a quick cute story about Leander and Kerrigan, two waiters at the Las Vegas Luxurian Resort where Rhys and Lucien had the first "good bad idea". 😉

ENJOY!!!

Friends to lovers, bi-awakening

[Eric Weimar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok but nothing spectacular

The is a total fluff story. Its a fun and fast read, great way to pass half an hour.
The story is nothing spectacular, too short for much character development but still an ok story

[Kathy Seabrease · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took instalove to a whole new level. Never read a love story so quick in my life. It was sweet and to the point... And I loved reading about Rhys and Lucien from another point. Glad their story brought Leander and Kerrigan together.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! I haven't read Rhys and Lucien's story, which did make me feel like I was missing some context, but it was incredibly cute and super readable. I honestly thought it was the best condensed coming out story I've read in a while and the drama felt proportional to the length.

[Deena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was cute, but definitely a spoiler for the first book in the series (not that knowing that would have stopped me, and I may have been warned in the newsletter). Not sure about the writing; characters ok but not particularly original. Author might be better in a longer format.

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute little novella that added a bit more to Bet on Love and gave a precious little HEA to some deserving guys.

[Golden Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little story about Kerrigan & Leander. Best friends, one crush and one straight guy realizing his feelings. Fun story with a glimpse of Rhys and Luci beginning.

[Ken Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story with the straight-to-gay trope doubled. Good characters, great romance.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Leander's and Kerrigan's book! I love they was they interact and I love the way the story ends. This book is fun. Sweet, fluffy, and hot. Enjoy ����

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short m/m romance story!

[Jozey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains: bestfriend to lovers, crush on his - straight-ish not so straight after all- bestfriend, short story

I love the writing style, the dynamic between the caracters, the fact we can watch back the argument which happen in book 1.

I remove one star because I would have preferred a most long version where I would have see the development of his affection for his friend, to be a spectator at his awakening, his feeling and his questioning.

But still, this book is full of love, fluffy and smoochy romantic scene. A pure joy to read.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serving Love, Good Bad Idea book 1.5 by Ariella Zoelle. I could have sworn I read the first book in this series, but I can’t find it anywhere in my list of books I read. I thought I liked the first book so much I got this one. Well this one was fun and fantastic! I love the characters! Leander & Kerrigan. I would love to read more about them and there friends.

Forgot I already read this story. It must have been a while ago. Was better the second time because I did read the first book this time. Loved them both! 4/19/23

[Lisa Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, sweet story. I love friends to lovers, and this one was perfect. It's part of the Good Bad Idea series, but can be read as a standalone. If you want a sweet novella, this is the one for you!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read: April 18, 2022
Second read: November 9, 2023
Third read: December 11, 2025