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The Same Old Love
Ben Hollister and Dillon Bard have been friends since they were miscast as stepbrothers in a family sitcom at the age of ten. Despite Ben being the by-the-book, straight-laced half of the pair, he was cast as the rule-breaking scamp Joey Bridges, while Dillon was the one who tried to keep a lid on his antics.
At sixteen, the show’s producers created Bridges and Bard, a country/boy band group to boost ratings. The group morphed into a real-world music career that ended after obsessed fans nearly assaulted Ben and Dillon during a tour. Ben quit the business and retired to a winery in Sonoma while Dillon continued to tour.
Five years later, Ben’s watching as Dillon spirals out of control. Every drunk party, every drug fueled orgy plays out on social media, and Ben wonders why no one sees how much trouble Dillon is in. Then Dillon shows up at the winery, drunk, stoned, with no memory of having made the LA to Sonoma drive. All the feelings Ben has been trying to run away from come barreling back to the surface as he makes a desperate attempt to forgive Dillon while pleading with the man he loves to get help before it’s too late.
At sixteen, the show’s producers created Bridges and Bard, a country/boy band group to boost ratings. The group morphed into a real-world music career that ended after obsessed fans nearly assaulted Ben and Dillon during a tour. Ben quit the business and retired to a winery in Sonoma while Dillon continued to tour.
Five years later, Ben’s watching as Dillon spirals out of control. Every drunk party, every drug fueled orgy plays out on social media, and Ben wonders why no one sees how much trouble Dillon is in. Then Dillon shows up at the winery, drunk, stoned, with no memory of having made the LA to Sonoma drive. All the feelings Ben has been trying to run away from come barreling back to the surface as he makes a desperate attempt to forgive Dillon while pleading with the man he loves to get help before it’s too late.
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Published June 6, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 14, 2024
3.5 This second chances novella was good, and the heat was better. I found Dillon’s hell bent on destruction lifestyle to be touching when he washes up at Ben’s vineyard.
I appreciated that they put the past aside quickly and just dove into the relief of seeing each other again.
Then, they worked on the ways of healing.
I appreciated that they put the past aside quickly and just dove into the relief of seeing each other again.
Then, they worked on the ways of healing.
April 4, 2024
4 stars
Second chance at love between a rockstar and his former bandmate.
Dillon and ben met at 10 years old when they were casting in a show about teenagers. At 16 they're pushed to form a band and after 2 years they have a huge success. Fans become invasive and Ben is not dealing well. One night they sneak out to celebrate their 23 birthday and they go to a gay bar, where they dance, have fun and kiss for the first time.
After that night, everything goes to hell, and after six months Ben leaves the group; when a photo of the two of them kissing is leaked, Dillon denies to be gay and stop answering Ben's calls and twxt.
The story starts after 5 years, Ben owns a successful winery and occasionally performs in a little bar, while Dillon is addicted to drugs and alcohol and lets his PA and his agent to manage his life.
I love how the author portrayed the hurt part: Ben's heart has been broken in multiple occasion by Dillon's action but he still loves him. Dillon is completely lost and he doesn't know how to go on, he misses Ben terribly and he regrets how things ended.
What didn't enthrall me was that things were resolved in one day: Dillon says he loves Ben and leaves for rehab the next day, just like that. Five years of hurt, distance, very wrong choices and it all ends in 24 hours.
Moreover, what happened next? The end is so very romantic but it's not enough.
Second chance at love between a rockstar and his former bandmate.
Dillon and ben met at 10 years old when they were casting in a show about teenagers. At 16 they're pushed to form a band and after 2 years they have a huge success. Fans become invasive and Ben is not dealing well. One night they sneak out to celebrate their 23 birthday and they go to a gay bar, where they dance, have fun and kiss for the first time.
After that night, everything goes to hell, and after six months Ben leaves the group; when a photo of the two of them kissing is leaked, Dillon denies to be gay and stop answering Ben's calls and twxt.
The story starts after 5 years, Ben owns a successful winery and occasionally performs in a little bar, while Dillon is addicted to drugs and alcohol and lets his PA and his agent to manage his life.
I love how the author portrayed the hurt part: Ben's heart has been broken in multiple occasion by Dillon's action but he still loves him. Dillon is completely lost and he doesn't know how to go on, he misses Ben terribly and he regrets how things ended.
What didn't enthrall me was that things were resolved in one day: Dillon says he loves Ben and leaves for rehab the next day, just like that. Five years of hurt, distance, very wrong choices and it all ends in 24 hours.
Moreover, what happened next? The end is so very romantic but it's not enough.
July 31, 2022
Rock star sort of second chance romance that I think tried to do too much in a short space. The addiction issue isn’t given the space it needs, but neither is it dealt with in a super harmful way. But had its moments; might try something longer by the author.
June 17, 2022
Was an okay little novella. I really didn't like Dillon though and I sort of wish the author had spent more time on the characters than backstory and talking about wine. I will still explore other books by this author.
June 11, 2022
Touching shorty story. My heart really went out to Ben and Dillon. I was really rooting for Dillon to stop being so self destructive and find his way back to Ben. Ending might have felt a bit rushed but I appreciated the journey along the way.
Available at Prolific Works.
Themes: dual POV, friends to lovers, second chances, addiction
Available at Prolific Works.
Themes: dual POV, friends to lovers, second chances, addiction
October 15, 2024
This is a quick, fun read (about an hour) about best friends who were in a band until they were spotted kissing one night. Dillon is famous and does what his manager says and lies about it all while Ben quits and goes away to,live a quiet but fruitful life.
Dillon is so lost in fame, party and drugs that he doesn’t know who he is anymore. He manages to find his way back to Ben and realises that is where he should be and puts in the work to get clean.
Dillon is so lost in fame, party and drugs that he doesn’t know who he is anymore. He manages to find his way back to Ben and realises that is where he should be and puts in the work to get clean.
August 4, 2022
A story of rising fame, riding the wave of celebrity, and crashing down on booze and drugs. Sad to read but Ben and Dillon's story is profound. A touching tale, an enjoyable read.
January 30, 2023
I wanted more backstory. I wanted them to hash things out. It just seemed like there was a lot not said?
June 16, 2024
Charming short story set in the world of contemporary music and the Sonoma wine country, Sinclair write a redemption tales of best friends finally getting back together.
December 28, 2025
This was a cute story. I wish the author would have written it as a full length novel as I would have like to see the part where the two characters meet again after 5 years a little more filled out.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews