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Twinkies & Beefcake
A jaw-dropping, coming-of-age tale about bullying, sex, addiction, redemption, and the longing for true love at any cost. Robby, a sharp-witted and posh London teenager, spends his days with his best friend Dee, sharing secrets and yearning for sex and love, while also dodging the torment of bullies from his elite prep-school. When he meets the man of his dreams, he falls fast. Maybe too fast. Hailing from the dregs of Manchester, and twelve years Robby’s senior, Vas is gorgeous and irresistible, and swears he’s equally smitten with Robby. But in the midst of their wild, sexual exploration of each other, the cameras come out, as do the drugs, and the booze. Soon, Robby is in over his addicted, porn-famous, and still yearning for love. Amid family tensions, trips to rehab, and finishing university, Robby’s past finally catches up to him when a bully from secondary re-enters his life and everything is exposed. Robby is forced to contend fully with the trauma of his adolescence so that he can find, and be with, his soulmate. Striving for happiness, inner-peace, and true love, Robby must decide if his sins can ever be overcome.
- GenresM M RomanceQueer
354 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2022
8 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
TH Forest
6 books41 followersI write heartfelt queer romance and coming of age stories. I have been an avid reader since age 4 and am currently obsessed with MM Romance :-) Book 3 of my Matt & Ollie series was released in April, and the book that started it all, Descendants of the Gods, the very first book I wrote, will be released later this year!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 8, 2025
I think my frustrations with our main character can be summed up by this quote from his sister:
"What the fuck is the matter with you? We grew up in the same house, same parents, same rules, and yet you are completely mental when it comes to men. There are like billions of men in the world, millions of them, gay, and yet you pick a pedophile and a bloody bully."
THAT PART.
(Special thanks to T.H. Forest for sending me a physical copy of TWINKIES & BEEFCAKE in exchange for an honest review. And I'm going to be 100% honest, so if you're reading this T.H. Forest, take my words with a grain of salt.)
Pride month continues with this taboo romance revolving around a twinky adolescent - Robin, and the men he forms rocky relationships with - Vas and Marcus. Marcus is a high school bully turned lover, and Vas is a terrible, tatted up, twenty-something that grooms Robby into filming porn. Super adorbs, right? Set in the UK and various countries, this story spans many years, ending with an older Robin that's fully married with kids. I'm a sucker for short chapters so this was easy to binge, despite the difficult topics covered. I'm admittedly not a fan of insta-love, so the Vas(eline) stuff was pretty hard to stomach...in every way.
Vas is a terrible guy and I didn't find any redeeming qualities about a 27 year old man going after a 15 year old, even if he thinks he's 16 or 17 - I'm not really about that in my romances, even if you have bulging muscles. 16 is the legal age in the UK, but I dunno...sounds questionable to me. CALL ME BY YOUR NAME was more romantic and filled with yearning, but this story was essentially kiddy corn and abuse for the first half of the book. I know it's a dark romance and that those events shape who Robby becomes, but I have a harder time reading about it when a fifteen or sixteen year old is involved. At least you see the aftermath of doing teen corn on someone in adulthood, and it isn't glamorized by the author.
I just had a hard time getting past the pedo vibes coming from the toxic Vas and his kink for underaged femme boys. Like, the man bought him a razor so he could shave his body hair like Troye Sivan. The poor boy spent hours Nair-ing his balls so that he looked like a hairless baby. Oof. He says that his dick is small and undeveloped compared to Vas'. Gross. He's so young that he refers to pecs as "man breasts". Like, do I need to call the cops Vassy? Also, that nickname gives me the ick. And the fact that Robby's parents are concerned, but somehow too chill about him dating their son, despite the age gap. That man wouldn't have been in a five foot radius of my child EVER again. Be so real.
And then there's Marcus. We love a bully that goes to therapy to grow, but I don't love the fact that Robin ultimately falls in love with his childhood aggressor. Once again, dark taboo romance, I just think I've gone to therapy for too long that I have a hard time finding any of this romantic and that's no diss to the author. I think Forest's writing flows and the pacing is great, I just don't like the subject matter. Although grammatically speaking, there was an absurd amount of parentheticals and some typos here and there, but I never like to punish my indie authors because I know how much work goes into self-publishing. There's also discussion of a tech app that kinda drops in out of nowhere and for a book predominantly set in the UK, there are so many American pop culture references.
There's also a moment where this dude's cock is described as being so large that he needs to feed his bottoms poppers, and then he huffs the entire bottle. Momma, that's what we call a DEAD twink. Also the phrase,"Ass to mouth committed" is crazy, but honestly kudos to you Forest for making me chuckle out loud. This book is certainly not for everyone, and even for the open-minded like myself, you might have a hard time finding the light in such a dark and heavy romance riddled with grooming, kiddy corn, bullying, drugs, addiction, eating disorders and more. There is a happy ending though, so some of you will be really happy about that.
I would be curious to read another book from Forest because she isn't a bad writer...this just wasn't for me. That said, this is for the readers that love tragic characters and difficult stories.
"What the fuck is the matter with you? We grew up in the same house, same parents, same rules, and yet you are completely mental when it comes to men. There are like billions of men in the world, millions of them, gay, and yet you pick a pedophile and a bloody bully."
THAT PART.
(Special thanks to T.H. Forest for sending me a physical copy of TWINKIES & BEEFCAKE in exchange for an honest review. And I'm going to be 100% honest, so if you're reading this T.H. Forest, take my words with a grain of salt.)
Pride month continues with this taboo romance revolving around a twinky adolescent - Robin, and the men he forms rocky relationships with - Vas and Marcus. Marcus is a high school bully turned lover, and Vas is a terrible, tatted up, twenty-something that grooms Robby into filming porn. Super adorbs, right? Set in the UK and various countries, this story spans many years, ending with an older Robin that's fully married with kids. I'm a sucker for short chapters so this was easy to binge, despite the difficult topics covered. I'm admittedly not a fan of insta-love, so the Vas(eline) stuff was pretty hard to stomach...in every way.
Vas is a terrible guy and I didn't find any redeeming qualities about a 27 year old man going after a 15 year old, even if he thinks he's 16 or 17 - I'm not really about that in my romances, even if you have bulging muscles. 16 is the legal age in the UK, but I dunno...sounds questionable to me. CALL ME BY YOUR NAME was more romantic and filled with yearning, but this story was essentially kiddy corn and abuse for the first half of the book. I know it's a dark romance and that those events shape who Robby becomes, but I have a harder time reading about it when a fifteen or sixteen year old is involved. At least you see the aftermath of doing teen corn on someone in adulthood, and it isn't glamorized by the author.
I just had a hard time getting past the pedo vibes coming from the toxic Vas and his kink for underaged femme boys. Like, the man bought him a razor so he could shave his body hair like Troye Sivan. The poor boy spent hours Nair-ing his balls so that he looked like a hairless baby. Oof. He says that his dick is small and undeveloped compared to Vas'. Gross. He's so young that he refers to pecs as "man breasts". Like, do I need to call the cops Vassy? Also, that nickname gives me the ick. And the fact that Robby's parents are concerned, but somehow too chill about him dating their son, despite the age gap. That man wouldn't have been in a five foot radius of my child EVER again. Be so real.
And then there's Marcus. We love a bully that goes to therapy to grow, but I don't love the fact that Robin ultimately falls in love with his childhood aggressor. Once again, dark taboo romance, I just think I've gone to therapy for too long that I have a hard time finding any of this romantic and that's no diss to the author. I think Forest's writing flows and the pacing is great, I just don't like the subject matter. Although grammatically speaking, there was an absurd amount of parentheticals and some typos here and there, but I never like to punish my indie authors because I know how much work goes into self-publishing. There's also discussion of a tech app that kinda drops in out of nowhere and for a book predominantly set in the UK, there are so many American pop culture references.
There's also a moment where this dude's cock is described as being so large that he needs to feed his bottoms poppers, and then he huffs the entire bottle. Momma, that's what we call a DEAD twink. Also the phrase,"Ass to mouth committed" is crazy, but honestly kudos to you Forest for making me chuckle out loud. This book is certainly not for everyone, and even for the open-minded like myself, you might have a hard time finding the light in such a dark and heavy romance riddled with grooming, kiddy corn, bullying, drugs, addiction, eating disorders and more. There is a happy ending though, so some of you will be really happy about that.
I would be curious to read another book from Forest because she isn't a bad writer...this just wasn't for me. That said, this is for the readers that love tragic characters and difficult stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
It took me a while to read this book and a while to write this review too because I wanted to make sure I did this book justice and there is a lot of heavy content to process. Definitely check your triggers before proceeding.
Let me begin by saying this isn't a romance book, it's a coming-of-age, fictional queer memoir. It follows 15-year-old Robby, who is groomed by an older man into a relationship that explores porn, child-exploitation, abuse and drug addiction. The book has a no-holds approach to broaching the life a child porn-star and the trauma that develops.
Throughout this book I became so connected to the main character, Robby, and his struggles. He is so young and not only trying to deal with his toxic relationship but also bullying, his friendships, his sexuality and his family. The more I got to know him, the more I wanted to keep reading.
I found this book so interesting because I found myself questioning Robin's reliability as a narrator and asking myself how his experiences changed his perception of the world. I was a little scared about how this book would progress but the plot twist had me absolutely floored, so make sure you stick around for it. This quickly turned from a book that I was unsure about in the beginning to one I couldn't put down.
"My only fear is that people might get the wrong idea, and maybe see me as the villain, but please, remember, I was a child"
Thank-you to the author for reaching out and providing me a copy to review.
Let me begin by saying this isn't a romance book, it's a coming-of-age, fictional queer memoir. It follows 15-year-old Robby, who is groomed by an older man into a relationship that explores porn, child-exploitation, abuse and drug addiction. The book has a no-holds approach to broaching the life a child porn-star and the trauma that develops.
Throughout this book I became so connected to the main character, Robby, and his struggles. He is so young and not only trying to deal with his toxic relationship but also bullying, his friendships, his sexuality and his family. The more I got to know him, the more I wanted to keep reading.
I found this book so interesting because I found myself questioning Robin's reliability as a narrator and asking myself how his experiences changed his perception of the world. I was a little scared about how this book would progress but the plot twist had me absolutely floored, so make sure you stick around for it. This quickly turned from a book that I was unsure about in the beginning to one I couldn't put down.
"My only fear is that people might get the wrong idea, and maybe see me as the villain, but please, remember, I was a child"
Thank-you to the author for reaching out and providing me a copy to review.
November 17, 2024
5 ⭐️
Well. This book is… well. It’s something. It’s a lot of things.
Mainly I think it’s really good. Refreshing. Feels real. The narrator (book is written in first PoV) is a teenage boy in the beginning and the first part (of three) of this story. And you feel like you’re in his head, living his life. His narration isn’t perfect and it isn’t very reliable. He’s very clever, traumatised and immature (as any 15yo ought to be). He leaves out a lot, circling back to some events much later, explaining them more, leaving readers minds blown and perspective on the story shifted. And he weaves his story masterfully and cleverly. The author did a great job writing this book. The story sucks you in, makes you feel uncomfortable, but enchanted.
This story isn’t for everyone. It has a lot of triggers, please check for them. But. If you don’t have any - give it a try.
I usually don’t have a problem reading stories exploring dark themes but it was hard for me to get into it. I almost left it at around 13%, knowing what’s coming and not being sure I’m up for it at that moment. But I was hooked and now, 24h later, after a night with little sleep (but lots of reading) I’m done with the story and sad about it. I don’t want to part with it. At all.
This is a compelling, yet difficult book. And I am really glad I stumbled upon it.
And I loved both the redemption arc for Marcus, several secondary characters and their relationships with Robin.
Well. This book is… well. It’s something. It’s a lot of things.
Mainly I think it’s really good. Refreshing. Feels real. The narrator (book is written in first PoV) is a teenage boy in the beginning and the first part (of three) of this story. And you feel like you’re in his head, living his life. His narration isn’t perfect and it isn’t very reliable. He’s very clever, traumatised and immature (as any 15yo ought to be). He leaves out a lot, circling back to some events much later, explaining them more, leaving readers minds blown and perspective on the story shifted. And he weaves his story masterfully and cleverly. The author did a great job writing this book. The story sucks you in, makes you feel uncomfortable, but enchanted.
This story isn’t for everyone. It has a lot of triggers, please check for them. But. If you don’t have any - give it a try.
I usually don’t have a problem reading stories exploring dark themes but it was hard for me to get into it. I almost left it at around 13%, knowing what’s coming and not being sure I’m up for it at that moment. But I was hooked and now, 24h later, after a night with little sleep (but lots of reading) I’m done with the story and sad about it. I don’t want to part with it. At all.
This is a compelling, yet difficult book. And I am really glad I stumbled upon it.
And I loved both the redemption arc for Marcus, several secondary characters and their relationships with Robin.
December 12, 2024
I feel like I’ve just read a 10 episode series. This was insanely packed from beginning to end. This was a superbily written book, traumatic, taboo themes, dark twists, and each uncomfortable note written with care and handled prudently.
The story starts off from a 15 year olds pov and you can absolutely tell in the writing style. The author writes as if a 15 year old is telling us. The immaturity, the ignorance, and the infatuation with Vas is very believable and hard to read at times. As a mam I was thinking ‘ no no no no no listen to Dee!’
It covers all emotions and at times the author even has Robby tell you in advance how you will feel and how he will disappoint you, yet reminding you that he was a child and children make mistakes.
His bad luck, for want of a better word, follows him into adulthood and he is tested time and again. The twist for me wasn’t so surprising, but nevertheless, made a great change in direction for the plot.
The language change as he gets older is handled brilliantly and handles the transition from naive child into a resilient, self- discovered, and intelligent adult who refuses to continually pay for the mistakes of a child.
The way the author goes back and forth, weaving in and out of different parts of the plot seamlessly, cleverly sucking you in and making you feel both uncomfortable and enchanted by Robby, and to a degree Marcus too.
It was so well written. I went into this without knowing anything and the blurb made me feel like it would just be another dark and sad story about child abuse and the lasting consequences of it. That’s not what this is about at all and at times you’ll laugh with Robby as much as you want to cry for him.
Really good and would recommend 😊
The story starts off from a 15 year olds pov and you can absolutely tell in the writing style. The author writes as if a 15 year old is telling us. The immaturity, the ignorance, and the infatuation with Vas is very believable and hard to read at times. As a mam I was thinking ‘ no no no no no listen to Dee!’
It covers all emotions and at times the author even has Robby tell you in advance how you will feel and how he will disappoint you, yet reminding you that he was a child and children make mistakes.
His bad luck, for want of a better word, follows him into adulthood and he is tested time and again. The twist for me wasn’t so surprising, but nevertheless, made a great change in direction for the plot.
The language change as he gets older is handled brilliantly and handles the transition from naive child into a resilient, self- discovered, and intelligent adult who refuses to continually pay for the mistakes of a child.
The way the author goes back and forth, weaving in and out of different parts of the plot seamlessly, cleverly sucking you in and making you feel both uncomfortable and enchanted by Robby, and to a degree Marcus too.
It was so well written. I went into this without knowing anything and the blurb made me feel like it would just be another dark and sad story about child abuse and the lasting consequences of it. That’s not what this is about at all and at times you’ll laugh with Robby as much as you want to cry for him.
Really good and would recommend 😊
December 12, 2024
Well, well, WELL!
I don’t post many reviews, who cares about my opinion, right?! But this book, this absolute gorgeous story deserves a GLOWING review and so much more..
I first came across this book on a book rec video, downloaded it to my Kindle and that is where she lay for a few weeks until I saw that the author (who is an angel who acknowledged and responded to my running commentary and ramblings whilst reading her book, yes, I fan girled at that, ssshhh, mind your business) was also making fantastic book rec videos.
Anyway, cut to 2 days later, I finished the book and the book finished me. 😩 The story, the characters, the writing all *chefs kiss*
I don’t and will not go into too much detail, just read it yourselves ok?! I would never steer any of you wrong!! If you love you some Felix and Jake (The Tragedy of Felix & Jake) maybe some Jude & Cass (Oleander).. Which happen to be 2 of my absolute all time favourite books READ THIS!! It will hurt, oh will it hurt but it’s worth it, no pain no gain right guys?!?
Actually. What I will say is..
Robby is an angel who needs to be protected at alllll costs. Vas is the devil, Marcus is a king and Robby’s Gran, The Countess is an absolute Queen who deserves all the titles and diamonds and tiaras!
Well done on a fantastic book T.H. You are a Queen, and I hope this books gets all the hype and support it deserves!
♾️ ⭐️ rating!
❤️❤️❤️
I don’t post many reviews, who cares about my opinion, right?! But this book, this absolute gorgeous story deserves a GLOWING review and so much more..
I first came across this book on a book rec video, downloaded it to my Kindle and that is where she lay for a few weeks until I saw that the author (who is an angel who acknowledged and responded to my running commentary and ramblings whilst reading her book, yes, I fan girled at that, ssshhh, mind your business) was also making fantastic book rec videos.
Anyway, cut to 2 days later, I finished the book and the book finished me. 😩 The story, the characters, the writing all *chefs kiss*
I don’t and will not go into too much detail, just read it yourselves ok?! I would never steer any of you wrong!! If you love you some Felix and Jake (The Tragedy of Felix & Jake) maybe some Jude & Cass (Oleander).. Which happen to be 2 of my absolute all time favourite books READ THIS!! It will hurt, oh will it hurt but it’s worth it, no pain no gain right guys?!?
Actually. What I will say is..
Robby is an angel who needs to be protected at alllll costs. Vas is the devil, Marcus is a king and Robby’s Gran, The Countess is an absolute Queen who deserves all the titles and diamonds and tiaras!
Well done on a fantastic book T.H. You are a Queen, and I hope this books gets all the hype and support it deserves!
♾️ ⭐️ rating!
❤️❤️❤️
December 31, 2024
I highly encourage people to read this book! I really enjoyed the fast pace of the first relationship that the main character was in…. until things start going wrong with that relationship. I wanted to scream at the main character and say “WHAT ARE YOU GETTING YOURSELF INTO!!?”. I felt like the author did a great job with the twists and bringing awareness with the issues Robby had faced. While at points I felt uncomfortable, I had to keep reading because I wanted to see the path Robby and his first boyfriend would take. I am very happy with the ending but also very intrigued with what the alternative ending could have been?! Definitely going to be reading more books by this author!
March 25, 2025
This was a great story!
This book felt like watching a friend go through everything you can imagine; first loves, bad decisions, and ultimately growing up. Robby is a very relatable character, and seeing him go through all the heartache and struggles was incredibly fun to read, and at times sad. All the MM scenes were so well crafted, and you were along for the ride..from semi closeted to out and proud. I highly recommend this book if you like Romance that is emotionally well written and raw with humor too. My gosh there's some hilarious wit that comes with the book. Just wonderful.
This book felt like watching a friend go through everything you can imagine; first loves, bad decisions, and ultimately growing up. Robby is a very relatable character, and seeing him go through all the heartache and struggles was incredibly fun to read, and at times sad. All the MM scenes were so well crafted, and you were along for the ride..from semi closeted to out and proud. I highly recommend this book if you like Romance that is emotionally well written and raw with humor too. My gosh there's some hilarious wit that comes with the book. Just wonderful.
March 27, 2025
3⭐
The prologue had way too many spoilers, which really took away from my reading experience, especially in the first part. I felt like I already knew what to expect, making it tough to bond with the characters.
The second part, which focused on Robby and his husband, felt like an afterthought. I would have enjoyed it more if their romantic and sexual relationship had been revealed from the start.
When authors keep important information hidden for too long, it can make me lose interest before I even reach those sections, and that’s exactly what happened in the second part.
Dee was the only character I found appealing at the beginning, and I was bummed when her character changed.
Just a heads up, offering to be a surrogate for someone you ghosted when they were at their lowest point is a bit odd.
Overall, it was just alright.
The prologue had way too many spoilers, which really took away from my reading experience, especially in the first part. I felt like I already knew what to expect, making it tough to bond with the characters.
The second part, which focused on Robby and his husband, felt like an afterthought. I would have enjoyed it more if their romantic and sexual relationship had been revealed from the start.
When authors keep important information hidden for too long, it can make me lose interest before I even reach those sections, and that’s exactly what happened in the second part.
Dee was the only character I found appealing at the beginning, and I was bummed when her character changed.
Just a heads up, offering to be a surrogate for someone you ghosted when they were at their lowest point is a bit odd.
Overall, it was just alright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2023
I love the book,the first part was written beautifully but was painful to read,because of what the MC went through but I enjoyed every part of the book.Good job to the author.
January 22, 2024
T.H. Forest's "Twinkies & Beefcake" offers readers a jaw-dropping, coming-of-age tale that delves into the intricate web of bullying, sex, addiction, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of true love. Set against the backdrop of posh London, this narrative follows the charismatic protagonist, Robby, as he embarks on a tumultuous journey through the highs and lows of life.
Robby, a sharp-witted Londoner, shares his days with his confidant, Dee, navigating the challenges of love and the relentless teasing from his pre-elite school peers. Forest's vivid storytelling immerses readers in Robby's world, creating a relatable and authentic backdrop for the unfolding drama.
The introduction of Vas, a compelling character from the dregs of Manchester, propels Robby into a whirlwind romance that unfolds at breakneck speed. The author skillfully captures the intensity of their connection, infusing the narrative with passion and desire. As their exploration of each other unfolds, so do the challenges, with cameras drugs and booze revealing the darker side of their relationship.
The novel takes a deep dive into the consequences of addiction as Robby finds himself in over his head, still yearning for the elusive true love he desperately seeks. Forest tackles the complexities of substance abuse with honesty, painting a stark picture of its impact on Robby's life.
Against a backdrop of family tensions, rehab stints, and the reemergence of a tormentor from Robby's past, "Twinkies & Beefcake" becomes a poignant exploration of redemption. The narrative skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery and resilience as Robby confronts the trauma of his adolescence to be with his soulmate.
Forest's writing is evocative, capturing the emotional nuances of Robby's journey with finesse. The novel's pacing keeps readers engaged, while the depth of character development adds layers of complexity to the narrative. "Twinkies & Beefcake" stands out as a riveting saga that resonates with readers, prompting reflection on the transformative power of love and the possibility of overcoming one's past.
Robby, a sharp-witted Londoner, shares his days with his confidant, Dee, navigating the challenges of love and the relentless teasing from his pre-elite school peers. Forest's vivid storytelling immerses readers in Robby's world, creating a relatable and authentic backdrop for the unfolding drama.
The introduction of Vas, a compelling character from the dregs of Manchester, propels Robby into a whirlwind romance that unfolds at breakneck speed. The author skillfully captures the intensity of their connection, infusing the narrative with passion and desire. As their exploration of each other unfolds, so do the challenges, with cameras drugs and booze revealing the darker side of their relationship.
The novel takes a deep dive into the consequences of addiction as Robby finds himself in over his head, still yearning for the elusive true love he desperately seeks. Forest tackles the complexities of substance abuse with honesty, painting a stark picture of its impact on Robby's life.
Against a backdrop of family tensions, rehab stints, and the reemergence of a tormentor from Robby's past, "Twinkies & Beefcake" becomes a poignant exploration of redemption. The narrative skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery and resilience as Robby confronts the trauma of his adolescence to be with his soulmate.
Forest's writing is evocative, capturing the emotional nuances of Robby's journey with finesse. The novel's pacing keeps readers engaged, while the depth of character development adds layers of complexity to the narrative. "Twinkies & Beefcake" stands out as a riveting saga that resonates with readers, prompting reflection on the transformative power of love and the possibility of overcoming one's past.
August 26, 2023
Twinkies and Beefcake
I was approached by the author with regards to reading and reviewing this book and it did not disappoint , as with all books I went in blindly without having any knowledge on the subject matter .
Now this book does come with trigger warnings so I knew it would contain sensitive topics - topics that as I read discovered were around , Grooming , bullying , sexual assault , pornography and several more.
Centred around the main character Robby , between the ages of 15-34 - looking at his relationships with his parents , siblings , best friend Dee and a newly found love interest in the mysterious Vas.
Robby a still in the closet impressionable gay young man encounters Vas when out at the shops with his best friend Dee, and this quickly escalated into something more , Robby who is thriving from the lavish attention shown to him by Vas is blind sighted to the manipulative monster Vas truly is as it’s a distraction from the usual bullying he receives because of his sexuality and feminine nature , Robby quickly becomes his puppet and will do anything to please him.
Becoming truly intoxicated by Vas, the next few years are led in a secret world of cohesive and abusive behaviour until Robby out grows Vas as he isn’t young enough anymore .The focus of the book shifts and becomes one of recovery and relapse and self loathing a journey into showing that even slowly people can recover from trauma .
As for Robby at aged 34 well you will need to read the book to see if he gets the happy ever after he so truly deserves .
A superbly written book with dark , traumatic and taboo subjects handled graciously and with care. Gripping storyline from start to finish and a plot twist I did not see coming ! I read this in one sitting and I felt all the emotions anger , joy , even crying with laughter . Highly recommend it !
Bravo 🙌
I was approached by the author with regards to reading and reviewing this book and it did not disappoint , as with all books I went in blindly without having any knowledge on the subject matter .
Now this book does come with trigger warnings so I knew it would contain sensitive topics - topics that as I read discovered were around , Grooming , bullying , sexual assault , pornography and several more.
Centred around the main character Robby , between the ages of 15-34 - looking at his relationships with his parents , siblings , best friend Dee and a newly found love interest in the mysterious Vas.
Robby a still in the closet impressionable gay young man encounters Vas when out at the shops with his best friend Dee, and this quickly escalated into something more , Robby who is thriving from the lavish attention shown to him by Vas is blind sighted to the manipulative monster Vas truly is as it’s a distraction from the usual bullying he receives because of his sexuality and feminine nature , Robby quickly becomes his puppet and will do anything to please him.
Becoming truly intoxicated by Vas, the next few years are led in a secret world of cohesive and abusive behaviour until Robby out grows Vas as he isn’t young enough anymore .The focus of the book shifts and becomes one of recovery and relapse and self loathing a journey into showing that even slowly people can recover from trauma .
As for Robby at aged 34 well you will need to read the book to see if he gets the happy ever after he so truly deserves .
A superbly written book with dark , traumatic and taboo subjects handled graciously and with care. Gripping storyline from start to finish and a plot twist I did not see coming ! I read this in one sitting and I felt all the emotions anger , joy , even crying with laughter . Highly recommend it !
Bravo 🙌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2023
It took my a while to finish this book, but not because it wasn’t good, because it was really good, important and beautiful (yes, i think it was) book. I just had to stop, because I was afraid, I won’t be able to take more.
This book is not that simple, because Robin isn’t simple. His sexuality might be a main trope of that book but it’s more than that. It’s his journey through life - really taugh if you ask me, and his choices that makes this book so special. We have everything here - bullying, age gap, sexual harrasment, forced proximity, addictions (alcohol and drugs) and more.
Twinkies&Beefcake talks about Robin’s life since he is 15. When he is constantly pushed and bulied by his peers at school. He is gay, but he did not came out yet, but his appearance is enough for the bullies to make his life miserable. This is when he meets Vas, and everything is slowly going to fall apart. Sometimes I think, that it was more like Stockholm syndrom, not love (obviously not from Vas’s side), but this relationship dragged Robbie down to the bottom.
Book is splitted in two parts, and the second one is more about Robin’s recovery. He finally meets someone, who may be the one, but will he? Well, their relationship is again series of ups and downs, but what is important for me, Robin at last gets his HEA. ❤️
Thank you again, T.H. Forest for providing me and ebook copy of Twinkies&Beefcake in exchange for my honest opinion.
5/5 ⭐️ for me.
This book is not that simple, because Robin isn’t simple. His sexuality might be a main trope of that book but it’s more than that. It’s his journey through life - really taugh if you ask me, and his choices that makes this book so special. We have everything here - bullying, age gap, sexual harrasment, forced proximity, addictions (alcohol and drugs) and more.
Twinkies&Beefcake talks about Robin’s life since he is 15. When he is constantly pushed and bulied by his peers at school. He is gay, but he did not came out yet, but his appearance is enough for the bullies to make his life miserable. This is when he meets Vas, and everything is slowly going to fall apart. Sometimes I think, that it was more like Stockholm syndrom, not love (obviously not from Vas’s side), but this relationship dragged Robbie down to the bottom.
Book is splitted in two parts, and the second one is more about Robin’s recovery. He finally meets someone, who may be the one, but will he? Well, their relationship is again series of ups and downs, but what is important for me, Robin at last gets his HEA. ❤️
Thank you again, T.H. Forest for providing me and ebook copy of Twinkies&Beefcake in exchange for my honest opinion.
5/5 ⭐️ for me.
April 4, 2025
Outrageous & Totally Unexpected MM Romance
I say unexpected because I did not think, nor suspect at any moment until it happened, that romance was where this one was going. I thought it was going to be a f*cked up yet wildly hilarious coming-of-age story. It was not. The twist is so unexpected; I felt it like a shock—eyebrows were literally raised, and my heart flipped. I like how T.H. Forest does this throughout—there’s no foreshadowing; you just get hit over the head with these sudden developments. It’s quite unique. Writing is detailed and funny (outrageously funny at times—you can feel the author having a good time), yet also poignant when needed. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend Faelan Cabral’s take on Robby (the narrator). Five wild, outrageous stars. *This review is deliberately vague on plot points because of all of the above, but in short, this is a coming-of-age about a gay, underage, aristocratic Brit who is coerced into porn and develops substance abuse problems because of that; he is then abused, discarded, goes into rehab, relapses… and I will stop there to avoid spoilers, but just add: for how dark all of that sounds, it is surprisingly upbeat.
I say unexpected because I did not think, nor suspect at any moment until it happened, that romance was where this one was going. I thought it was going to be a f*cked up yet wildly hilarious coming-of-age story. It was not. The twist is so unexpected; I felt it like a shock—eyebrows were literally raised, and my heart flipped. I like how T.H. Forest does this throughout—there’s no foreshadowing; you just get hit over the head with these sudden developments. It’s quite unique. Writing is detailed and funny (outrageously funny at times—you can feel the author having a good time), yet also poignant when needed. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend Faelan Cabral’s take on Robby (the narrator). Five wild, outrageous stars. *This review is deliberately vague on plot points because of all of the above, but in short, this is a coming-of-age about a gay, underage, aristocratic Brit who is coerced into porn and develops substance abuse problems because of that; he is then abused, discarded, goes into rehab, relapses… and I will stop there to avoid spoilers, but just add: for how dark all of that sounds, it is surprisingly upbeat.
Read
July 13, 2025This was an incredibly interesting read. It delved into some of the deeper questions about the darkness of human sexuality, questions like: why is attraction to adolescents so taboo, and can/how should it be distinguished from attraction to children? Can a relationship between an adolescent and an adult, e.g. the one in the book, ever be justified?
I enjoyed how the narrator’s omission of certain events (which were then circled back to) did add to the interest of the book.
I will say much of the dialogue and events were unrealistic, contrived, or displayed a certain lack of understanding about the world (especially when it comes to UK culture).
And that the class dynamics were handled in a very strange way—the working-class characters are not really humanized in this book, and it’s sort of a ‘rich-kid-stays-rich-yay!’ kind of ending.
Also the ending was quite abrupt and a bit of a weird note to end on.
I enjoyed how the narrator’s omission of certain events (which were then circled back to) did add to the interest of the book.
I will say much of the dialogue and events were unrealistic, contrived, or displayed a certain lack of understanding about the world (especially when it comes to UK culture).
And that the class dynamics were handled in a very strange way—the working-class characters are not really humanized in this book, and it’s sort of a ‘rich-kid-stays-rich-yay!’ kind of ending.
Also the ending was quite abrupt and a bit of a weird note to end on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2025
2 1/2 stars.
I did like how realistic Robby’s struggle was in a “one step forward two steps back” kind of way. I didn’t love how we got some pretty graphic sex scenes when it came to Vas and Robby’s toxic relationship, but by the time Robby and Marcus get together and fall in love and have such a loving relationship it’s pretty much fade to black.
I didn’t care for the trick of the author doubling back on the plot a few times and what felt like reinventing history for the sake of the plot. For example halfway through the book out of the blue we learn that all during school when Marcus was bullying Robby they actually messed around on a regular basis and had feelings for each other and shared a deep connection that they just didn’t understand. Rather than it being a juicy plot twist it felt contrived.
I did like how realistic Robby’s struggle was in a “one step forward two steps back” kind of way. I didn’t love how we got some pretty graphic sex scenes when it came to Vas and Robby’s toxic relationship, but by the time Robby and Marcus get together and fall in love and have such a loving relationship it’s pretty much fade to black.
I didn’t care for the trick of the author doubling back on the plot a few times and what felt like reinventing history for the sake of the plot. For example halfway through the book out of the blue we learn that all during school when Marcus was bullying Robby they actually messed around on a regular basis and had feelings for each other and shared a deep connection that they just didn’t understand. Rather than it being a juicy plot twist it felt contrived.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2023
I received a free copy of this book. I am providing an honest review.
Before I begin, I urge you to please read the content and trigger warnings for this book. This novel covers very sensitive topics, such as addiction, sexual assault, and pornography. Please take care of yourself while reading this novel.
The basics:
Twinkies & Beefcake follows Robby from the age of 15 to the age of 34. The book is split into two parts: the first portion focuses on Robby’s difficult past while the second portion is Robby accepting himself and meeting his eventual husband. In the first part, Robby is a closeted queer boy, often bullied at school for his feminine nature. By chance, he meets Vas. Vas is twelve years Robby’s senior, tattooed, and everything Robby could want. The duo start a secret relationship where Vas begins to film their sexual encounters. Robby doesn’t realize Vas has been posting those encounters online, but within a few months, Robby skyrockets to stardom in the porn industry. As the porn continues, Robby begins to develop an addiction to alcohol and substances. The relationship between the duo begins to rapidly deteriorate, while Robby struggles to manage his addiction and his interpersonal relationships. The second portion of the book focuses on Robby’s recovery, his acceptance of his past, and how he eventually meets his husband.
My thoughts:
Twinkies & Beefcake is a memoir-style coming of age story. In 350 pages, the novel opens a dialogue on a number of very heavy topics, like bullying, pornography, sexual assault, and addiction. This novel does an excellent job opening the door for larger conversations on these complicated topics. I feel Twinkies and Beefcake additionally did an excellent job portraying the anxiety, fear, and complications that come with growing up. I felt each of the characters were very layered and I really enjoyed the author’s prose.
In the end, I chose to give the novel three stars as I felt conflicted with some of the messaging behind Robby’s behavior.
Overall however, I did really enjoy a lot of aspects of this book. I would recommend Twinkies and Beefcake to readers searching for a unique coming-of-age story.
Before I begin, I urge you to please read the content and trigger warnings for this book. This novel covers very sensitive topics, such as addiction, sexual assault, and pornography. Please take care of yourself while reading this novel.
The basics:
Twinkies & Beefcake follows Robby from the age of 15 to the age of 34. The book is split into two parts: the first portion focuses on Robby’s difficult past while the second portion is Robby accepting himself and meeting his eventual husband. In the first part, Robby is a closeted queer boy, often bullied at school for his feminine nature. By chance, he meets Vas. Vas is twelve years Robby’s senior, tattooed, and everything Robby could want. The duo start a secret relationship where Vas begins to film their sexual encounters. Robby doesn’t realize Vas has been posting those encounters online, but within a few months, Robby skyrockets to stardom in the porn industry. As the porn continues, Robby begins to develop an addiction to alcohol and substances. The relationship between the duo begins to rapidly deteriorate, while Robby struggles to manage his addiction and his interpersonal relationships. The second portion of the book focuses on Robby’s recovery, his acceptance of his past, and how he eventually meets his husband.
My thoughts:
Twinkies & Beefcake is a memoir-style coming of age story. In 350 pages, the novel opens a dialogue on a number of very heavy topics, like bullying, pornography, sexual assault, and addiction. This novel does an excellent job opening the door for larger conversations on these complicated topics. I feel Twinkies and Beefcake additionally did an excellent job portraying the anxiety, fear, and complications that come with growing up. I felt each of the characters were very layered and I really enjoyed the author’s prose.
In the end, I chose to give the novel three stars as I felt conflicted with some of the messaging behind Robby’s behavior.
Overall however, I did really enjoy a lot of aspects of this book. I would recommend Twinkies and Beefcake to readers searching for a unique coming-of-age story.
March 15, 2023
T.H. Forest welcomes you into a world you knew existed but most have never ventured through. Filled to the brim with strong, age-appropriate prose and real, unforgettable characters, this book exemplifies the teen experience and how life can go sideways when you thought you were marching forward into your future. Gay, straight, old, young, closed and open - everyone deserves to read this book, enjoy the pithy experience and buy it for others who can handle the good, bad and ugly of life. Despite it’s rogue content, or because of it, I’m recommending this for my book club. The conversations it sparks will be life-altering.
September 24, 2023
I was sent this book to review and I really enjoyed it! It was hard to put down once I got into it. I will say the first half can be triggering so check the tw because it focuses on Robin’s abusive relationship with an older man who manipulated and groomed him. I loved the second half that focuses on Robin getting his life back together and finding real love. Parts def had my heart aching and tearing up, but the love that Robin finds is so beautiful and made me happy. Lastly, I did find that the ending was kind of abrupt and would’ve loved an epilogue or something to wrap it all up in a HEA.
February 22, 2025
I read this book because I did not have anything interesting to read. I was not prepared to love this book so much and the author’s writing. I am very picky about books written in the 1st person. Once I start find the narration to be cringe I do not hesitate to dnf a book. Time is too precious to waste it on a book who is not gonna satisfy your reader’s cravings lol.
I loved reading Robby’s pov albeit it was the only pov. I did not get a chance to be bored. I loved reading the different stages of Robby’s life. Such a refreshing book.
I loved reading Robby’s pov albeit it was the only pov. I did not get a chance to be bored. I loved reading the different stages of Robby’s life. Such a refreshing book.
Want to read
August 21, 2025(Cuz I liked the tragedy of Jake and Felix )
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