What do you think?
Rate this book
Easton Grammar #3
The Straight Game
Daniel and Tate.
Just friends.
100% straight.
And competitive as hell.
DANIEL
When I’m stuck in an unfamiliar city, attending maths lectures for my final high school exams, I resign myself to two days of boredom. That’s when I meet Tate. Something about his toffee-brown eyes and fearless attitude immediately draws me in and I quickly learn we have a lot in common:
1) We’re both from the same rural town.
2) We’re both staying at the same hotel.
3) We’re both extremely competitive.
I can’t say no to a competition, no matter whether it’s a swimming race or an intense match of truth or dare, no matter how much Tate makes my heart flutter. But as we spend the summer holidays together and our games get increasingly sexual, I’m forced to face the terrifying truth: I might like Tate more than a friend.
TATE
Somehow our competitions somehow turn R-rated. Honestly, I’m impressed Daniel’s brave enough to keep going, even when it means kissing and touching each other and taking our clothes off. But there are a lot of things about Daniel that are impressive — he’s kind, thoughtful, and absolutely gorgeous.
Not that I have feelings for him. I don’t. We’re just friends, and besides, I’m 100% straight. This thing we’re doing? It’s just a game. A game I intend to win.
The Straight Game is a slow burn M/M New Adult Romance with the strangers-to-friends-to-lovers trope. It can be read as a standalone.
Just friends.
100% straight.
And competitive as hell.
DANIEL
When I’m stuck in an unfamiliar city, attending maths lectures for my final high school exams, I resign myself to two days of boredom. That’s when I meet Tate. Something about his toffee-brown eyes and fearless attitude immediately draws me in and I quickly learn we have a lot in common:
1) We’re both from the same rural town.
2) We’re both staying at the same hotel.
3) We’re both extremely competitive.
I can’t say no to a competition, no matter whether it’s a swimming race or an intense match of truth or dare, no matter how much Tate makes my heart flutter. But as we spend the summer holidays together and our games get increasingly sexual, I’m forced to face the terrifying truth: I might like Tate more than a friend.
TATE
Somehow our competitions somehow turn R-rated. Honestly, I’m impressed Daniel’s brave enough to keep going, even when it means kissing and touching each other and taking our clothes off. But there are a lot of things about Daniel that are impressive — he’s kind, thoughtful, and absolutely gorgeous.
Not that I have feelings for him. I don’t. We’re just friends, and besides, I’m 100% straight. This thing we’re doing? It’s just a game. A game I intend to win.
The Straight Game is a slow burn M/M New Adult Romance with the strangers-to-friends-to-lovers trope. It can be read as a standalone.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2022
196 people are currently reading
686 people want to read
About the author
Milana Spencer
13 books168 followersMilana Spencer writes steamy slow burn MM romance.
She's in her early twenties and has an existential crisis every other week. She lives in Australia and loves matcha lattes, cats and to-do lists.
Her favourite tropes include oblivious characters, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and forced proximity.
Sign up to her email list via her website for latest updates about new books and giveaways!
Contact her via her website!
She's in her early twenties and has an existential crisis every other week. She lives in Australia and loves matcha lattes, cats and to-do lists.
Her favourite tropes include oblivious characters, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and forced proximity.
Sign up to her email list via her website for latest updates about new books and giveaways!
Contact her via her website!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 7, 2022
The positive:
- The story grabbed me from page one
- I loved Daniel and Tate as characters
- I really liked the way their friendship/relationship developed. It was super sweet at times
- All the side characters were really nice
- This was my first read by this author and I liked the writing
Less enjoyable:
- There was too much smut for what I expected to be a YA story
- After they got together, officially, the story fizzled out a bit, like the author didn't know what else to write about
- The ending was very abrupt
Thank you, Ivy, for bringing this book to my attention! I really enjoyed it. 😊
- The story grabbed me from page one
- I loved Daniel and Tate as characters
- I really liked the way their friendship/relationship developed. It was super sweet at times
- All the side characters were really nice
- This was my first read by this author and I liked the writing
Less enjoyable:
- There was too much smut for what I expected to be a YA story
- After they got together, officially, the story fizzled out a bit, like the author didn't know what else to write about
- The ending was very abrupt
Thank you, Ivy, for bringing this book to my attention! I really enjoyed it. 😊
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 29, 2022
Tate fishes out his phone and takes a few photographs of the sky. In my periphery, I see him turn the camera on me. I realize what he's doing a few seconds later, when it's too late and he's already put his phone away.
"Hey," I say.
He flashes me a smile that could melt ice. "I couldn't resist." He gazes out at the night. "It's beautiful."
"Yeah." It's all I can think of to say. We're still holding hands.
them: uses truth or dare as an excuse to kiss/make out with each other but they swear they're still "straight"
also them:
in other words,
okay but jokes aside, this one surprised me bc book one was cute but forgettable, i didn't like book two... but i found myself invested in/rooting for the mcs here?? the new year's scene will live in my head rent free ✨ but the photo booth scene, their theme park trip and the moment they finally became bfs were such cute, memorable scenes too!! 🥺
"Hey," I say.
He flashes me a smile that could melt ice. "I couldn't resist." He gazes out at the night. "It's beautiful."
"Yeah." It's all I can think of to say. We're still holding hands.
them: uses truth or dare as an excuse to kiss/make out with each other but they swear they're still "straight"
also them:
in other words,
okay but jokes aside, this one surprised me bc book one was cute but forgettable, i didn't like book two... but i found myself invested in/rooting for the mcs here?? the new year's scene will live in my head rent free ✨ but the photo booth scene, their theme park trip and the moment they finally became bfs were such cute, memorable scenes too!! 🥺
July 16, 2022
A low-key self-discovery story set in Australia with two high school boys who start out assuming they're straight, but can't resist pursuing their attraction to each other. The most appealing thing about it was how realistically rendered the MCs were. The least appealing thing about it was also how realistically rendered the MCs were.
Spending time in the company of two 18-year old boys who are (realistically) immature and often (realistically) jerks is not my idea of a fun time. But I kept being impressed by how true it felt. I was also impressed by the author's refusal to deliver the tired old generic story beats — like, now it's time for the gay panic — but did we get a gay panic? No we did not! Now it's time for the friend(s) to freak out — but did the friend(s) freak out? No they did not! Etc. It seemed like every time I expected the story to zig into a well-worn rut, it would zag and do its own thing instead. I found that very satisfying.
I intended to give it 4 stars, up until maybe 60%. And then things began to ring false for me. The sex scenes were... I don't know, they just read wrong. This could totally be a me thing. The vocabulary became "older," more stilted (we're getting all this in alternating 1st-person POV), no longer what I'd expect from boys their age. It made me wonder if the author felt awkward writing explicit sex scenes...? And once they'd figured out they were in love, their thoughts seemed excessively sappy. I don't know, like I said, it could just be me. But the appealing/unappealing realism that had powered my reading momentum fizzled out.
Still, it was worth my time to discover this new-to-me author, and I appreciated how the story mostly steered clear of clichés and manufactured drama.
Spending time in the company of two 18-year old boys who are (realistically) immature and often (realistically) jerks is not my idea of a fun time. But I kept being impressed by how true it felt. I was also impressed by the author's refusal to deliver the tired old generic story beats — like, now it's time for the gay panic — but did we get a gay panic? No we did not! Now it's time for the friend(s) to freak out — but did the friend(s) freak out? No they did not! Etc. It seemed like every time I expected the story to zig into a well-worn rut, it would zag and do its own thing instead. I found that very satisfying.
I intended to give it 4 stars, up until maybe 60%. And then things began to ring false for me. The sex scenes were... I don't know, they just read wrong. This could totally be a me thing. The vocabulary became "older," more stilted (we're getting all this in alternating 1st-person POV), no longer what I'd expect from boys their age. It made me wonder if the author felt awkward writing explicit sex scenes...? And once they'd figured out they were in love, their thoughts seemed excessively sappy. I don't know, like I said, it could just be me. But the appealing/unappealing realism that had powered my reading momentum fizzled out.
Still, it was worth my time to discover this new-to-me author, and I appreciated how the story mostly steered clear of clichés and manufactured drama.
October 31, 2025
Yup, that hit the spot juuuuust right.
This is one of those books that’s objectively not really that great when it comes to the quite simplistic writing but that still scratches an itch in your brain that you didn’t know needed scratching but it really really did so when its getting scratched its the most satisfying thing in the world. You know?
This was everything I didn’t know I needed and wanted and more and fit my mood absolutely perfectly. I was rooting, I was swooning, I had butterflies, I got horny, I got frustrated and then I swooned some more.
This found me exactly at the right time and I devoured the whole thing almost in one sitting. Also: I think playing gay chicken might be my new fav micro trope. Top notch entertainment. Will definitely reread at some point.
Reread 10/2025
I picked this one up to see if I’m still capable of feeling a 5 star read after quite a few misses and meh’s the past couple of weeks and YUP, sure am.
This was just as lovely, butterfly inducing, awkward, adorable, and an all around good time this second time around. Idk what it is about these two boys, but they get me EVERY DAMN TIME. I JUST LOVE THEM! Maybe one of the best strangers-to-friends-to-lovers out there for me.
Loved it. Again.
This is one of those books that’s objectively not really that great when it comes to the quite simplistic writing but that still scratches an itch in your brain that you didn’t know needed scratching but it really really did so when its getting scratched its the most satisfying thing in the world. You know?
This was everything I didn’t know I needed and wanted and more and fit my mood absolutely perfectly. I was rooting, I was swooning, I had butterflies, I got horny, I got frustrated and then I swooned some more.
This found me exactly at the right time and I devoured the whole thing almost in one sitting. Also: I think playing gay chicken might be my new fav micro trope. Top notch entertainment. Will definitely reread at some point.
Reread 10/2025
I picked this one up to see if I’m still capable of feeling a 5 star read after quite a few misses and meh’s the past couple of weeks and YUP, sure am.
This was just as lovely, butterfly inducing, awkward, adorable, and an all around good time this second time around. Idk what it is about these two boys, but they get me EVERY DAMN TIME. I JUST LOVE THEM! Maybe one of the best strangers-to-friends-to-lovers out there for me.
Loved it. Again.
June 29, 2022
Daniel & Tate’s story told in Survivor gifs
June 29, 2022
Milana really knows how to build a scene and build sexual tension.
This was cute how they start out exploring their attraction to each other through competition and games of Dare, I surrender……
Double gay awakening
Two strangers from the same town but different schools-friends-lovers
Aussie
Love supportive side characters
Low angst summer read
I think this series gets better with each book.
Can be read as stand-alone.
This was cute how they start out exploring their attraction to each other through competition and games of Dare, I surrender……
Double gay awakening
Two strangers from the same town but different schools-friends-lovers
Aussie
Love supportive side characters
Low angst summer read
I think this series gets better with each book.
Can be read as stand-alone.
February 12, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“Yeah, I think. I like you. I want you.
Please say you want me too.
Please say I’m not just your friend.”
What started off with some rather unsavory comments and juvenile antics eventually evolved into a gay awakening for both our respective protagonists that made me not so much regret that I gave The Straight Game a fighting chance. Everything is a game with newly best friends Daniel and Tate - from the senseless pranks to the silly teases to the ridiculous dares - until it's not. And when real feelings get involved, what should have been an awkward but teasing torture slowly starts to become something real - for the both of them. 💟
“Oh yeah. The game. “No, that doesn’t count,” I say. “I was just taking a breath—”
“But you still pulled away, which means I won.” He smiles triumphantly.
I suck in a breath as he leans over me, bringing his face close. He wets his lips. His pupils are so dilated that his eyes look black. “Rematch?” he murmurs.”
Well, one thing's for sure - this is a game they both definitely lost. 😂 But, I don't think either of them regretted it. 🥰 And I'm glad. I'm glad, because while I was seriously rolling my eyes and shaking my head at their childish behavior and borderline offensive comments at times, Daniel and Tate grew on me. They grew on me because of how openly honest they expressed that they were afraid of this new unchartered territory they were exploring together. 'I want to touch him. I want to touch him so much that I have to curl my hands against my legs so I don’t.' That hesitancy and vulnerability showed me that underneath their false bravado were the hearts of two young men who were at the stage of trying to understand a part of themselves they had never experienced before. 🤍🤍 And if it started off on such a silly note of daring each other for a kiss that eventually became something deeper and intimate - I say, let them come to terms with it - the way they want to.
“This doesn’t mean anything.
I slide my free hand up the front of his shirt and press my fingertips against the hard muscle.
It’s not that deep.
We don’t untangle our hands as we kiss. He tastes like himself, and I want more of it.
I want all of him.”
This unrealized potential of attraction that they could only act out with the person that they trusted is also something that is endearing, in itself. 🥹 The fact that they were able to find it with each other was a gift and an awakened realization for both of them. I enjoyed their inner thoughts, how scared they were at the possibility that they weren't as straight as they thought - how they couldn't fathom this sudden desire to kiss each other and if it was okay to feel this way. 'I just don’t know when that like changes from admiration for a stranger to liking someone as a friend to oh shit, I really like you.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 And yet, it was also sweet. It was sweet and sexy - some tender gentle kisses, followed by some very intense and passionate making out that just fit their personalities so very well.
It was fun to see how long they kept getting together under the guise of a game, till they eventually shed all their inner reservations. Daniel may have been the more flamboyant one, but that chip on his shoulder of his older brother gave him such a human side that I can see why Tate was drawn to him. 🥺 'I think I like you too much,” I whisper.' It was also nice to have a different perspective for Tate - how he had always sensed something different about himself, about why it never seemed to work with his previous girlfriends and meeting Daniel gave him that clarity he was searching for. I adored the photo booth scene; it was the cincher that made me realize that perhaps there was some good yet to come by sticking around. And Chapter 10 was just 🤌🏻❤️🔥🤌🏻 . So soft and so tenderly written - it's like the emotions become palpable to the touch for the reader. 🥹🥹
I appreciated that the author continued to have Easton Grammar play a part in the story - as a whole. It's in the little things that stand out - from where they first met to the continued future college prospects to the end of the year senior celebrations, it's nice to see that school spirit isn't entirely forgotten. 👍🏻 It doesn't take itself too seriously, but just seeing the little glimpses into how, despite the fact that they go to different schools, they still manage to end up in each other's social ponds was a nice touch. ☺️
“I’m so sorry. I know I hurt your feelings. I shouldn’t have lied, but I did. I panicked. Honestly, I’m still freaked out about it. About…this.” He gestures between us.
“You are?”
“I’ve never felt this way before. It’s scary, you know?”
I admit, I got a bit emotional when they openly stated their feelings for each other - something so sincere and affectionate that made me want to reach out and hug the both of them. 🥺 Which is funny, considering how at the start of the book, I seriously wanted to slap the back of their heads for their highly insensitive, not to mention inappropriate, and absurdly misogynistic comments! 🤦🏻♀️😅🤦🏻♀️ But, that's the thing about people - and books - they can surprise you; sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much. But seeing that being together gave both Daniel and Tate a sense of maturity and a level of commitment they had never felt before was probably the blessing in disguise neither of them knew they needed. 😊
“Yeah, I think. I like you. I want you.
Please say you want me too.
Please say I’m not just your friend.”
What started off with some rather unsavory comments and juvenile antics eventually evolved into a gay awakening for both our respective protagonists that made me not so much regret that I gave The Straight Game a fighting chance. Everything is a game with newly best friends Daniel and Tate - from the senseless pranks to the silly teases to the ridiculous dares - until it's not. And when real feelings get involved, what should have been an awkward but teasing torture slowly starts to become something real - for the both of them. 💟
“Oh yeah. The game. “No, that doesn’t count,” I say. “I was just taking a breath—”
“But you still pulled away, which means I won.” He smiles triumphantly.
I suck in a breath as he leans over me, bringing his face close. He wets his lips. His pupils are so dilated that his eyes look black. “Rematch?” he murmurs.”
Well, one thing's for sure - this is a game they both definitely lost. 😂 But, I don't think either of them regretted it. 🥰 And I'm glad. I'm glad, because while I was seriously rolling my eyes and shaking my head at their childish behavior and borderline offensive comments at times, Daniel and Tate grew on me. They grew on me because of how openly honest they expressed that they were afraid of this new unchartered territory they were exploring together. 'I want to touch him. I want to touch him so much that I have to curl my hands against my legs so I don’t.' That hesitancy and vulnerability showed me that underneath their false bravado were the hearts of two young men who were at the stage of trying to understand a part of themselves they had never experienced before. 🤍🤍 And if it started off on such a silly note of daring each other for a kiss that eventually became something deeper and intimate - I say, let them come to terms with it - the way they want to.
“This doesn’t mean anything.
I slide my free hand up the front of his shirt and press my fingertips against the hard muscle.
It’s not that deep.
We don’t untangle our hands as we kiss. He tastes like himself, and I want more of it.
I want all of him.”
This unrealized potential of attraction that they could only act out with the person that they trusted is also something that is endearing, in itself. 🥹 The fact that they were able to find it with each other was a gift and an awakened realization for both of them. I enjoyed their inner thoughts, how scared they were at the possibility that they weren't as straight as they thought - how they couldn't fathom this sudden desire to kiss each other and if it was okay to feel this way. 'I just don’t know when that like changes from admiration for a stranger to liking someone as a friend to oh shit, I really like you.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 And yet, it was also sweet. It was sweet and sexy - some tender gentle kisses, followed by some very intense and passionate making out that just fit their personalities so very well.
It was fun to see how long they kept getting together under the guise of a game, till they eventually shed all their inner reservations. Daniel may have been the more flamboyant one, but that chip on his shoulder of his older brother gave him such a human side that I can see why Tate was drawn to him. 🥺 'I think I like you too much,” I whisper.' It was also nice to have a different perspective for Tate - how he had always sensed something different about himself, about why it never seemed to work with his previous girlfriends and meeting Daniel gave him that clarity he was searching for. I adored the photo booth scene; it was the cincher that made me realize that perhaps there was some good yet to come by sticking around. And Chapter 10 was just 🤌🏻❤️🔥🤌🏻 . So soft and so tenderly written - it's like the emotions become palpable to the touch for the reader. 🥹🥹
I appreciated that the author continued to have Easton Grammar play a part in the story - as a whole. It's in the little things that stand out - from where they first met to the continued future college prospects to the end of the year senior celebrations, it's nice to see that school spirit isn't entirely forgotten. 👍🏻 It doesn't take itself too seriously, but just seeing the little glimpses into how, despite the fact that they go to different schools, they still manage to end up in each other's social ponds was a nice touch. ☺️
“I’m so sorry. I know I hurt your feelings. I shouldn’t have lied, but I did. I panicked. Honestly, I’m still freaked out about it. About…this.” He gestures between us.
“You are?”
“I’ve never felt this way before. It’s scary, you know?”
I admit, I got a bit emotional when they openly stated their feelings for each other - something so sincere and affectionate that made me want to reach out and hug the both of them. 🥺 Which is funny, considering how at the start of the book, I seriously wanted to slap the back of their heads for their highly insensitive, not to mention inappropriate, and absurdly misogynistic comments! 🤦🏻♀️😅🤦🏻♀️ But, that's the thing about people - and books - they can surprise you; sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much. But seeing that being together gave both Daniel and Tate a sense of maturity and a level of commitment they had never felt before was probably the blessing in disguise neither of them knew they needed. 😊
Read
July 18, 2022dnf @ 60%. not into this at all
July 4, 2022
“You look pretty,” Tate says. ...
“It’s Muck-Up Day for us,” I explain.
“You’re saying you don’t usually wear a dress to school?”
daniel and tate trying to convince themselves it's all just "a game of truth or dare." ha. ha. ha. mmmkay 😌😂
“It’s Muck-Up Day for us,” I explain.
“You’re saying you don’t usually wear a dress to school?”
daniel and tate trying to convince themselves it's all just "a game of truth or dare." ha. ha. ha. mmmkay 😌😂
July 26, 2022
This was so adorable and surprisingly really hot.
I loved their game of gay chicken. I loved their interactions. I loved all the teenager life scenes.
I smiled so much.
I love how their feelings were confused and all over the place, two teenagers figuring out life, friendship, and sex. And every time they freaked out and accidentally hurt each other’s feelings.
I just loved this.
(I did get a little bored in the last 20%, especially because there was a lot of sex)
I loved their game of gay chicken. I loved their interactions. I loved all the teenager life scenes.
I smiled so much.
I love how their feelings were confused and all over the place, two teenagers figuring out life, friendship, and sex. And every time they freaked out and accidentally hurt each other’s feelings.
I just loved this.
(I did get a little bored in the last 20%, especially because there was a lot of sex)
July 2, 2024
edit 7/2/24: i read it again💀 something bout a sweet first love🥺
edit 3/11/24: love me a couple of goofballs fr🤗🤗 upping from 4.5 stars to 5
original 10/19/23: ughhh they are so sweet and gentle with each other it’s adorable🥺🥺 this is so realistically written like teenagers finding themselves and falling in love for the first time, so it’s got all the sweetness and awkwardness of two people exploring something new like i was goofy smiling the whole time…..plus the concept of daring each other ???? i’m always gonna be sat!!!! i’m such a sucker for silly plot lines like that and ik i’ve got it BAD bc as soon as i finished, i wanted to start again🤭 4.5 stars😍
edit 3/11/24: love me a couple of goofballs fr🤗🤗 upping from 4.5 stars to 5
original 10/19/23: ughhh they are so sweet and gentle with each other it’s adorable🥺🥺 this is so realistically written like teenagers finding themselves and falling in love for the first time, so it’s got all the sweetness and awkwardness of two people exploring something new like i was goofy smiling the whole time…..plus the concept of daring each other ???? i’m always gonna be sat!!!! i’m such a sucker for silly plot lines like that and ik i’ve got it BAD bc as soon as i finished, i wanted to start again🤭 4.5 stars😍
January 5, 2025
This was such a fun and surprisingly sweet story about two supposedly straight guys who like each other so much that they invent a game to kiss and touch one another, all while spending all their free time together. Because, apparently, that’s just what you do when you’re straight and have a best friend! These two were truly living in their own little delulu land.
I really enjoyed how they met by chance not once but three times, and how their friendship naturally progressed over time.
The drama and miscommunication felt authentic for the age of the MCs, and their HEA was believable. My only wish is that we had an epilogue set in the future to see how their relationship evolves
I really enjoyed how they met by chance not once but three times, and how their friendship naturally progressed over time.
The drama and miscommunication felt authentic for the age of the MCs, and their HEA was believable. My only wish is that we had an epilogue set in the future to see how their relationship evolves
November 5, 2022
Low-key love the awkward energy transparent in every line of this book . or is it just me?
Also this fuckin cover y'all. It's fuckin optical illusion, I thought for the longest time it was two guys fucking but it's a gorgeous lad arching his sexy body. I AM SO BLIND.
Also this fuckin cover y'all. It's fuckin optical illusion, I thought for the longest time it was two guys fucking but it's a gorgeous lad arching his sexy body. I AM SO BLIND.
July 13, 2022
i absolutely adored this.
daniel and tate are my children and i will totally go scarlet witch in multiverse of madness to protect them.
sure there were a bit dumb sometimes, but they’re 18 and i think it perfectly fits their age.
the author did a wonderful job portraying them.
i fell in love with andy and i really wish we’ll have his book.
i wanted to give this 5 stars until i read the ending: it was super abrupt and no epilogue and it just left a bad feeling. such a shame.
daniel and tate are my children and i will totally go scarlet witch in multiverse of madness to protect them.
sure there were a bit dumb sometimes, but they’re 18 and i think it perfectly fits their age.
the author did a wonderful job portraying them.
i fell in love with andy and i really wish we’ll have his book.
i wanted to give this 5 stars until i read the ending: it was super abrupt and no epilogue and it just left a bad feeling. such a shame.
June 15, 2023
This was the cutest story about two boys who meet and fall in love, but somehow don’t realize they’re falling in love.
I really appreciated the author’s choice to make the obliviousness of the two MCs funny instead of serious. It made the book so enjoyable and I found myself smiling throughout most of the story. These two guys insist they’re straight and best friends and it’s just all sorts of hilarious.
I thought the dare trope would play into it more than it did, but the book actually relied more on the growing emotional connection between the two. It was surprisingly mature for what I thought I was getting and I was incredibly impressed with this story.
Add in some scorching hot sexual/gay/bi awakening scenes and a sugary sweet ending and this book was basically perfect!
I really appreciated the author’s choice to make the obliviousness of the two MCs funny instead of serious. It made the book so enjoyable and I found myself smiling throughout most of the story. These two guys insist they’re straight and best friends and it’s just all sorts of hilarious.
I thought the dare trope would play into it more than it did, but the book actually relied more on the growing emotional connection between the two. It was surprisingly mature for what I thought I was getting and I was incredibly impressed with this story.
Add in some scorching hot sexual/gay/bi awakening scenes and a sugary sweet ending and this book was basically perfect!
July 2, 2022
2.5 ⭐️
i’ve predicted it to be this way. i have issues with highschoolers and college students in books. their personalities are not really something i adore - with being so immature and stupid sometimes, so Tate and Daniel were just okay for me. the way they live their life, the way they think and behave, or speak to each other make sense (as a student in books) which simple means boring. there’s nothing special in here, except that i could read it perfectly fine and it’s not bad. the writing was good, just that the plot didn’t have the grab on me. and the tension was a bit weird for me. especially the first time they actually make themselves come, it came out of nowhere despite them doing the truth or dare game all the time. at some point, i felt like the truth or dare game was just forced and not because they were actually “competitive” as sold in the blurb idk 🤷🏻♀️ also, the friendship weren’t told in depth, no connection even while they were having this weird tension around them. and it was weird how fast they were on board with the whole sex (with penetration) and kiss thingy. and out of sudden, Daniel like Tate as more than a friend. i was like: huhh? overall, this book had potential, if it was more trope and plot focused, with excellent relationship development, then i’d enjoy this better (duh, obviously). i probably would forget everything about this book in a few days anyway. oh, one last thing, Tate is a dumb ass.
i don’t think i’ll try the others in the series, but as i said, the writing was okay and book #1 sounds interesting. this was friends to lovers btw, which was quite surprising i didn’t like it that much hahah. maybe the other books in the series with different trope will work out. we’ll see :/
i’ve predicted it to be this way. i have issues with highschoolers and college students in books. their personalities are not really something i adore - with being so immature and stupid sometimes, so Tate and Daniel were just okay for me. the way they live their life, the way they think and behave, or speak to each other make sense (as a student in books) which simple means boring. there’s nothing special in here, except that i could read it perfectly fine and it’s not bad. the writing was good, just that the plot didn’t have the grab on me. and the tension was a bit weird for me. especially the first time they actually make themselves come, it came out of nowhere despite them doing the truth or dare game all the time. at some point, i felt like the truth or dare game was just forced and not because they were actually “competitive” as sold in the blurb idk 🤷🏻♀️ also, the friendship weren’t told in depth, no connection even while they were having this weird tension around them. and it was weird how fast they were on board with the whole sex (with penetration) and kiss thingy. and out of sudden, Daniel like Tate as more than a friend. i was like: huhh? overall, this book had potential, if it was more trope and plot focused, with excellent relationship development, then i’d enjoy this better (duh, obviously). i probably would forget everything about this book in a few days anyway. oh, one last thing, Tate is a dumb ass.
i don’t think i’ll try the others in the series, but as i said, the writing was okay and book #1 sounds interesting. this was friends to lovers btw, which was quite surprising i didn’t like it that much hahah. maybe the other books in the series with different trope will work out. we’ll see :/
August 1, 2022
This was a cute summer read with some steamy scenes.
“I lift my chin and kiss him again. I don’t pay attention to how much time passes, I just kiss him as much as I can. A part of me is worried we’ll never play this game again, so I need to make the most of it now.”
“I lift my chin and kiss him again. I don’t pay attention to how much time passes, I just kiss him as much as I can. A part of me is worried we’ll never play this game again, so I need to make the most of it now.”
August 4, 2024
3.5 - This was a sweet coming of age romance between two friends that starts off as a truth or dare game. It had a bit of angst, some pining, and definitely some heat. I think this would’ve worked better as a novella though as the sub-plots didn’t really have enough weight to carry a full book in my opinion. I liked Tate and his brother’s sub-plot, but anything about them going to university was pretty bland. The spice was all really well written though 🫡 and ultimately I’m not mad about picking this one up.
June 4, 2024
4 stars
Very sweet. I found the characters very endearing, and enjoyed the coming of age/growing up themes.
I think the timeline was realistic (from September to the following February) and that them getting to know each other and growing close over that summer period was definitely believable. I especially liked their little blip together at Schoolies and thought the teenage antics were realistic.
This was quite low angst overall. I was expecting a bit more drama surrounding their families/friends .
A few things warranted more development though. It's never explained why Daniel thought that ? I gather it was supposed to show but I don't feel it was dealt with properly after the fact.
After enjoying A Tent for Two I went through Milana Spencer's other books and settled on this one as the only one that appealed. Based on the reviews on the others I don't think I'll be reading them, but I'm glad I picked this up and will definitely be following along any new releases.
Very sweet. I found the characters very endearing, and enjoyed the coming of age/growing up themes.
I think the timeline was realistic (from September to the following February) and that them getting to know each other and growing close over that summer period was definitely believable. I especially liked their little blip together at Schoolies and thought the teenage antics were realistic.
This was quite low angst overall. I was expecting a bit more drama surrounding their families/friends .
A few things warranted more development though. It's never explained why Daniel thought that ? I gather it was supposed to show but I don't feel it was dealt with properly after the fact.
After enjoying A Tent for Two I went through Milana Spencer's other books and settled on this one as the only one that appealed. Based on the reviews on the others I don't think I'll be reading them, but I'm glad I picked this up and will definitely be following along any new releases.
July 29, 2022
So the plot reminded me Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe in that not one but both of the characters fight their sexual attraction to each other. But they keep playing these games in which one dares the other to cross a line, and the lines become arrows pointing to each other's heart. They are both in denial about their mutual attraction until it's really impossible to be.
The humor between Tate and Daniel in the first half reveals their characters and endears the reader to each of these high school seniors. And the creative ways they keep upping the ante in games that lead to sexual discoveries will keep one reading.
I couldn't put it down!
The humor between Tate and Daniel in the first half reveals their characters and endears the reader to each of these high school seniors. And the creative ways they keep upping the ante in games that lead to sexual discoveries will keep one reading.
I couldn't put it down!
October 4, 2022
THE BLURB DOESN'T DO THIS BOOK JUSTICE.
It doesn't! I was tempted never to begin reading just because of it. But good reviews from trusted GR friends brought me to read this anyway, and I'm glad they did! This is by far the best contemporary romance I've read this year, from a new to me author as well! Incredible.
Compelling, credible characters, who genuinely talked and thought and felt like teenagers (!!), but written in a good, fluid, quite witty prose. A few spelling mistakes and typos, but I feel forgiving today.
But the thing I liked the most was the fact that every time I was feeling a huge, unnecessary drama coming, the plot found another way around it. It avoided the whole prefabricated drama kind of thing that's so typical of many romances especially those with teens MCs. It was refreshing. It was almost subversive. I will read more of Milana Spencer, in the meantime I will enjoy the rare feeling I get after I've read a good romance novel and I am all fuzzy inside.
bye now
It doesn't! I was tempted never to begin reading just because of it. But good reviews from trusted GR friends brought me to read this anyway, and I'm glad they did! This is by far the best contemporary romance I've read this year, from a new to me author as well! Incredible.
Compelling, credible characters, who genuinely talked and thought and felt like teenagers (!!), but written in a good, fluid, quite witty prose. A few spelling mistakes and typos, but I feel forgiving today.
But the thing I liked the most was the fact that every time I was feeling a huge, unnecessary drama coming, the plot found another way around it. It avoided the whole prefabricated drama kind of thing that's so typical of many romances especially those with teens MCs. It was refreshing. It was almost subversive. I will read more of Milana Spencer, in the meantime I will enjoy the rare feeling I get after I've read a good romance novel and I am all fuzzy inside.
bye now
dnf
June 28, 2022DNF - bit too slow paced for me. Got to Chapter 9 and not much has happened.
I'll leave this one unrated, as the issue is more to do with my personal preference/s, not the quality of the writing/story. Both characters are young sweet guys, this book would suit readers who like slow paced, coming of age MM romance. Book is set in Australia.
Read up to 27%. (78 of 277 pages)
I'll leave this one unrated, as the issue is more to do with my personal preference/s, not the quality of the writing/story. Both characters are young sweet guys, this book would suit readers who like slow paced, coming of age MM romance. Book is set in Australia.
Read up to 27%. (78 of 277 pages)
August 9, 2022
I enjoyed this quite a bit more than I was expecting to. It's a pretty straughtforward friends-to-lovers story featuring guys in their last year of high school. But the thing is, everyone in this book felt real to me. So often I read about teenagers who in no way talk or act like teenagers, it can be very obnoxious. In this book, I believed them. Daniel and Tate are both young, insecure and confused characters who are in the process of exploring themselves and it was great. Sweet, realistic, not a whole lot of angst. My favourite in this series.
January 14, 2024
3.5 An enjoyable slog! At one point I was sure that I had read well over 300 pages. Nope, the book has 285.
I found myself skimming the last two chapters and skipping over the sex scenes, which is rare for me, but there are a lot of sex scenes, maybe too many.
I gave these MCs a big pass with their huge amount of push pull and misunderstandings. I would remind myself that they are high schoolers, have had very little sex with girls and none with boys. That, combined with teenage immaturity, had me trying to relate more to what they were feeling. But, oh, how I wanted them to use their words to get past their brief breakups.
I could tell that the author put a lot of effort into the narrative as it was deeply detailed with a great deal of conversation and scene changes. The boys spent the summer going places outside of and inside their city when they weren’t fooling around in bed.
I liked the character of Daniel more than Tate. He was quieter and more thoughtful and didn’t lead with his mouth like Tate did. They were both nice guys, though. Their family interactions were well written.
The premise of a long series of dares covering up their own desires was interesting and entertaining. “I dare you to kiss me”, when they both want to. I could have done without, “I dare you to lick the toilet seat.” I don’t think there was a follow through on that one.
So, this was a dual POV YA with a whole lot of NSFW scenes, LOL.
The very ending of the story was endearing and charming. I will be remembering that goodbye.
I found myself skimming the last two chapters and skipping over the sex scenes, which is rare for me, but there are a lot of sex scenes, maybe too many.
I gave these MCs a big pass with their huge amount of push pull and misunderstandings. I would remind myself that they are high schoolers, have had very little sex with girls and none with boys. That, combined with teenage immaturity, had me trying to relate more to what they were feeling. But, oh, how I wanted them to use their words to get past their brief breakups.
I could tell that the author put a lot of effort into the narrative as it was deeply detailed with a great deal of conversation and scene changes. The boys spent the summer going places outside of and inside their city when they weren’t fooling around in bed.
I liked the character of Daniel more than Tate. He was quieter and more thoughtful and didn’t lead with his mouth like Tate did. They were both nice guys, though. Their family interactions were well written.
The premise of a long series of dares covering up their own desires was interesting and entertaining. “I dare you to kiss me”, when they both want to. I could have done without, “I dare you to lick the toilet seat.” I don’t think there was a follow through on that one.
So, this was a dual POV YA with a whole lot of NSFW scenes, LOL.
The very ending of the story was endearing and charming. I will be remembering that goodbye.
February 26, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a bit of a slow starter. You could be forgiven for writing this one off early because these two guys play the “it’s not gay if it’s a dare” dance for way, way, way longer than they should have. Almost pathetically so. But still, there was something oddly endearing about the way they are written. They feel very much like 18 year olds and, as such, make mistakes, say dumb shit and have a lot of growing to do. So the dares become somewhat of a cute plot device that gives them both a plausible excuse and a safety net to explore their growing feelings.
I grew bored during the last third and was skimming a bit but I was really glad these guys get a realistic HFN for their age. In saying that I’m not really a fan of YA, haven’t read any other books in the series and will probably stop at this one. So make of that what you will.
YMMV.
This was a bit of a slow starter. You could be forgiven for writing this one off early because these two guys play the “it’s not gay if it’s a dare” dance for way, way, way longer than they should have. Almost pathetically so. But still, there was something oddly endearing about the way they are written. They feel very much like 18 year olds and, as such, make mistakes, say dumb shit and have a lot of growing to do. So the dares become somewhat of a cute plot device that gives them both a plausible excuse and a safety net to explore their growing feelings.
I grew bored during the last third and was skimming a bit but I was really glad these guys get a realistic HFN for their age. In saying that I’m not really a fan of YA, haven’t read any other books in the series and will probably stop at this one. So make of that what you will.
YMMV.
August 23, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
This story was cute!
The first 100 pages were a little awkward and the characters were occasionally did/said things and were described in a way that made them sound like preteens rather than young adults which made me feel a little uncomfortable but overall, the story was cute and the relationship progression was nice.
My only other big issue was that the main characters weren’t extremely rounded and the side characters were pretty flat in general.
The relationship progression was my favorite part. Overall, nice, quick read.
This story was cute!
The first 100 pages were a little awkward and the characters were occasionally did/said things and were described in a way that made them sound like preteens rather than young adults which made me feel a little uncomfortable but overall, the story was cute and the relationship progression was nice.
My only other big issue was that the main characters weren’t extremely rounded and the side characters were pretty flat in general.
The relationship progression was my favorite part. Overall, nice, quick read.
October 24, 2022
Hah, those two. I loved them. It's not a revelatory book, but A for effort. Something worked for me here. There are a few spelling and meaning mistakes that should have been caught by an editor.
November 30, 2022
4.75* simply because it ended so abruptly. I would have liked to see them as a couple a few years into the future.
Other than that, I really liked this book. A cute friendship that blossomed into something more! I love that there wasn't really all that much conflict between them.
Other than that, I really liked this book. A cute friendship that blossomed into something more! I love that there wasn't really all that much conflict between them.
July 12, 2024
the plot may have been a little silly and juvenile but there is just something about milana spencer books that are absolutely addicting 😋😋
March 25, 2024
Another fave of mine of 2024 by Milana Spencer! This story was so cute and Tate and Daniel were absolutely adorable (and naughty) with each other. Can you believe it all started off with an intensive maths course they had to both do in Melbourne??
Then the truth or dare game started when they hung out in the hotel (because that’s where they were both staying. What a cute co-inky-dink!).
The games they played becomes increasingly sexual and they both start catching ✨feelings✨ but they dont want to admit it to each other because they’re “straight”.
Ughhh i did not want this to end and i wish there was an epilogue or short story on these cutie pies. I seriously love them so much. Milana creates such great characters and stories, i love her and i love her brain!
Then the truth or dare game started when they hung out in the hotel (because that’s where they were both staying. What a cute co-inky-dink!).
The games they played becomes increasingly sexual and they both start catching ✨feelings✨ but they dont want to admit it to each other because they’re “straight”.
Ughhh i did not want this to end and i wish there was an epilogue or short story on these cutie pies. I seriously love them so much. Milana creates such great characters and stories, i love her and i love her brain!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews