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Unrequited
Vic Bronsen has a problem. He's stuck in a rut, uninspired by his job, and in love with a man who has no clue. Thinking a change of scenery and company will do his aching heart some good, he goes off on a road trip with his best friend, only to find that the answers to his problems may have been right there in front of him all along.
127 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2009
8 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Roux
37 books4,975 followersAbigail Roux was born and raised in North Carolina. A past volleyball star who specializes in sarcasm and painful historical accuracy, she currently spends her time coaching high school volleyball and investigating the mysteries of single motherhood. Any spare time is spent living and dying with every Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers game of the year. Abigail has a daughter, Little Roux, who is the light of her life, a boxer, four rescued cats who play an ongoing live-action variation of 'Call of Duty' throughout the house, a certifiable extended family down the road, and a cast of thousands in her head.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 1, 2020
Sometimes you are just blinded with what was in front of you. Vic a lawyer, was hopelessly infatuated with Owen, a bailiff but always trying to keep himself in arms length not showing any sign of wanting more. When all he wanted was just loving someone who loves back.
Five years was long enough and he decided to give up. He went on a vacation with his best friend Shane, a judge who was always the ever supportive and amazing friend.
After a few encounters with the sands and water, laughters and nightmares, Vic came into a realisation that sometimes what he always wanted was just an arm reach away. So much longing spread throughout this book that it hits me in the guts.
If you are a huge fan of longing love, love in the 30s/40s age group, unrequited love, best friends to lovers, realisation comes late kind of theme, this is for you.
Five years was long enough and he decided to give up. He went on a vacation with his best friend Shane, a judge who was always the ever supportive and amazing friend.
After a few encounters with the sands and water, laughters and nightmares, Vic came into a realisation that sometimes what he always wanted was just an arm reach away. So much longing spread throughout this book that it hits me in the guts.
If you are a huge fan of longing love, love in the 30s/40s age group, unrequited love, best friends to lovers, realisation comes late kind of theme, this is for you.
March 22, 2013
2012 Review:
Oh yeah. Good stuff. Single perspective and fairly serious and not that long, but it had substance in some ineffable way. Sure, it was kind of reflective, but it also was subtle, poignant and sweet. The single perspective especially really worked for this story.
Aw. This made me happy, and how unusual is that for a story about unrequited love? Double, even. I dimly recall some reviewer taking issue with how this switch from one love to another would work, but to me it made perfect sense. It wasn’t overdone, it was tentative and a shift into something new, yet still made it clear where it would head. Hell, it was halfway there already, based on years of friendship.
So yeah. Good book. Really good.
I liked the fact that both Vic and Shane were older, too. That’s one thing about this author? Don’t get a sense of the usual romance types as far as body or age goes. And the age in this particular case felt real as well, not just an arbitrary number the author slapped her characters with.
Oh yeah. Good stuff. Single perspective and fairly serious and not that long, but it had substance in some ineffable way. Sure, it was kind of reflective, but it also was subtle, poignant and sweet. The single perspective especially really worked for this story.
Aw. This made me happy, and how unusual is that for a story about unrequited love? Double, even. I dimly recall some reviewer taking issue with how this switch from one love to another would work, but to me it made perfect sense. It wasn’t overdone, it was tentative and a shift into something new, yet still made it clear where it would head. Hell, it was halfway there already, based on years of friendship.
So yeah. Good book. Really good.
I liked the fact that both Vic and Shane were older, too. That’s one thing about this author? Don’t get a sense of the usual romance types as far as body or age goes. And the age in this particular case felt real as well, not just an arbitrary number the author slapped her characters with.
November 17, 2014
This was kind of weird. I don't really think I liked it that much. It just never made sense to me and I never felt connected or even wanted these two to figure their shit out.
Weird.
Weird.
May 22, 2011
2.5
Pros:
Shane is a very likable character who has been a great friend to Vic, the main character, while nursing a crush that the reader should suss out within seconds of meeting him.
Great description of environment.
Having two characters experiencing unrequited love was an interesting set up.
No serious conflict makes for a light read.
Cons:
Owen's character isn't fleshed out. He's not good or bad, he comes across as both clueless and conceited. ETA: Because of this, it's difficult to understand why Vic loves Owen enough to stick with him through 5 years and hold onto the unsupported belief that Owen will come around.
No serious conflict.
The main fight occurs between secondary characters Shane and Owen about Vic. All Vic had to do in this story was sit back and wait for those two to shout it out and then go with who was left standing. Would have liked to see him take a more active role, especially after all his angst about being caught between two men. Vic never got to have his big moment of taking control of his own life. He was scared at the beginning and scared at the end.
I believed that Shane and Vic were in love, so I didn't buy that Vic would still be so hesitant about having that talk with Shane without Owen first telling Vic that Vic loved Shane and Shane loved Vic.
Pros:
Shane is a very likable character who has been a great friend to Vic, the main character, while nursing a crush that the reader should suss out within seconds of meeting him.
Great description of environment.
Having two characters experiencing unrequited love was an interesting set up.
No serious conflict makes for a light read.
Cons:
Owen's character isn't fleshed out. He's not good or bad, he comes across as both clueless and conceited. ETA: Because of this, it's difficult to understand why Vic loves Owen enough to stick with him through 5 years and hold onto the unsupported belief that Owen will come around.
No serious conflict.
The main fight occurs between secondary characters Shane and Owen about Vic. All Vic had to do in this story was sit back and wait for those two to shout it out and then go with who was left standing. Would have liked to see him take a more active role, especially after all his angst about being caught between two men. Vic never got to have his big moment of taking control of his own life. He was scared at the beginning and scared at the end.
I believed that Shane and Vic were in love, so I didn't buy that Vic would still be so hesitant about having that talk with Shane without Owen first telling Vic that Vic loved Shane and Shane loved Vic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2013
Wow! this one really surprised me. I know it shouldn't since I have come to love most of Abigail's books but this one had it all. Amazing characters, emotions galore and the chemistry between Spencer and Vic? Well that was just the cherry on top!
I loved Vic! He very much wanted to find love and that meaningful connection to someone. It broke my heart when he longed for Owen to love him, but man oh man, how I loved it when he got that first inkling about Spencer. I was grinning like the fool I am and I didn't care that I was waiting my turn at at government office.
And Spencer? Pffft, adored him from the moment he was introduced. His humor, his loyalty and later his vulnerability just did me in. He loved Vic so much, but was such a good man that he wouldn't stand in the way of his happiness. My heart broke for him.
I loved it all from start to finish. From the uncertainty of the feeling's that surfaced to the tenderness of the first kiss all through the passion that was unleashed between these two, I loved everything about this story. Funny, sweet and sexy as hell Unrequited was everything I have come to expect from this author and more. Another winner for Abigail Roux!
I loved Vic! He very much wanted to find love and that meaningful connection to someone. It broke my heart when he longed for Owen to love him, but man oh man, how I loved it when he got that first inkling about Spencer. I was grinning like the fool I am and I didn't care that I was waiting my turn at at government office.
And Spencer? Pffft, adored him from the moment he was introduced. His humor, his loyalty and later his vulnerability just did me in. He loved Vic so much, but was such a good man that he wouldn't stand in the way of his happiness. My heart broke for him.
I loved it all from start to finish. From the uncertainty of the feeling's that surfaced to the tenderness of the first kiss all through the passion that was unleashed between these two, I loved everything about this story. Funny, sweet and sexy as hell Unrequited was everything I have come to expect from this author and more. Another winner for Abigail Roux!
February 6, 2017
4 Stars
December 27, 2014
I could have lived without the melodrama near the end. And what's up with the overuse of "as"??
February 19, 2019
I'm 90% sure I've written a review for this one, but now it appears as unread. Anyway, I remember a few things still, so that's good. I also remember not being awed by it, so 3 stars it is.
June 11, 2012
I really don't know how could I miss this gem of a romance. The story is warm the main developing romance between Vic and his best friend Shane, simply beautiful. I loved the friendship between them, their buddy interaction and so much more. This story left me with a warm satisfying feeling; a moment of love and happiness.
October 13, 2010
Cute, short, and sweet
September 25, 2015
Some sexy fun on the beach.
April 22, 2017
I've been meaning to read this for years, but I was worried this would be the one story by Abigail Roux that wasn't for me every time I read the title.
I'm not the sort of person that goes into a romance open for a UNhappy ending. I read romance and I want the package deal, Happy Ending non negotiable!
Finally after reading a couple other things by Roux that re-ignited my love for her works I found the courage to tackle this one and WOW I was not disappointed.
This is not my favorite short novel by the author, I still adore the Love Ahead duo so much more, but Unrequieted was a very nice, cute and satisfying story.
I appreciated that as per usual Roux deals with adult characters, it's just refreshing and, I feel, realistic to see love stories between different age groups and not just teen and 20-30ish couples.
I -nerd that I am- really liked that this time it was two professionals in the legal field (what I am a law student I regret everything but still).
I liked that the angst was not overtaking the plot and the narrating voice although not my favorite type of character (he was not the sarcastic strong lead even if he didn't lack humor at all and was a likable person for sure) never became annoying even when depressed. He was relatable and remained rational even in his most emotional moments.
As usual Abigail Roux writes sexual content with taste: it was sexy and never cringey or awkward.
Thanks for that cute Happy Ending, I cheered and went to sleep with a dorky smile!
I definitely would recommend it, Abigail Roux short works are always of high quality!
I'm not the sort of person that goes into a romance open for a UNhappy ending. I read romance and I want the package deal, Happy Ending non negotiable!
Finally after reading a couple other things by Roux that re-ignited my love for her works I found the courage to tackle this one and WOW I was not disappointed.
This is not my favorite short novel by the author, I still adore the Love Ahead duo so much more, but Unrequieted was a very nice, cute and satisfying story.
I appreciated that as per usual Roux deals with adult characters, it's just refreshing and, I feel, realistic to see love stories between different age groups and not just teen and 20-30ish couples.
I -nerd that I am- really liked that this time it was two professionals in the legal field (what I am a law student I regret everything but still).
I liked that the angst was not overtaking the plot and the narrating voice although not my favorite type of character (he was not the sarcastic strong lead even if he didn't lack humor at all and was a likable person for sure) never became annoying even when depressed. He was relatable and remained rational even in his most emotional moments.
As usual Abigail Roux writes sexual content with taste: it was sexy and never cringey or awkward.
Thanks for that cute Happy Ending, I cheered and went to sleep with a dorky smile!
I definitely would recommend it, Abigail Roux short works are always of high quality!
March 15, 2013
2.5 stars or 2 I don't even know
I didn't find this story romantic at all (Something I always look for in m/m). It's supposedly about a strong character, and I assume that refers to Vic. Yeah, I really didn't see him as such. If he was anything, I found him to be uninterested. For someone who wouldn't mind love he settles for too little, and then keeps at it for years simply because he doesn't have time for anything more meaningful, but then it turns out that he is in fact in love, but Owen doesn't feel the same, instead he's been treating him like a one night stand - for years.
I'm listing spoilers, because the more I think about this the more annoyed I am. So Vic is in love with Owen, but he's been keeping it quiet for years. Owen thinks Vic is someone worth loving, but he never knew Vic felt for him that way so he treated him pretty much like a booty call despite them being friends. Like seriously? You're friends, you don't treat friends that way even if you are friends with benefits per mutual agreement. And they are friends, they talk and joke around....Then there's Shane, who has been in love with Vic for years but he's been keeping it quiet as well and is more than willing to push Vic toward Owen despite thinking Owen is an ass. Oh, and guess what, Owen and Shane are friends too. God this book annoyed me. And I just decided on 2 stars
I didn't find this story romantic at all (Something I always look for in m/m). It's supposedly about a strong character, and I assume that refers to Vic. Yeah, I really didn't see him as such. If he was anything, I found him to be uninterested. For someone who wouldn't mind love he settles for too little, and then keeps at it for years simply because he doesn't have time for anything more meaningful, but then it turns out that he is in fact in love, but Owen doesn't feel the same, instead he's been treating him like a one night stand - for years.
I'm listing spoilers, because the more I think about this the more annoyed I am. So Vic is in love with Owen, but he's been keeping it quiet for years. Owen thinks Vic is someone worth loving, but he never knew Vic felt for him that way so he treated him pretty much like a booty call despite them being friends. Like seriously? You're friends, you don't treat friends that way even if you are friends with benefits per mutual agreement. And they are friends, they talk and joke around....Then there's Shane, who has been in love with Vic for years but he's been keeping it quiet as well and is more than willing to push Vic toward Owen despite thinking Owen is an ass. Oh, and guess what, Owen and Shane are friends too. God this book annoyed me. And I just decided on 2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2016
Although this one started out a bit slowly, Unrequited turned out to be a highly enjoyable read.
The MCs were great. Vic, the doormat, is a sweet man who loves (but is he in love with?) Owen and is a good friend to Shane. Owen--the young, who is totally clueless--is friend to and sometimes hooks up with Vic, and is also friends with Shane. Then there's Shane who knows how Vic feels, and he knows how Owen doesn't feel, but no one knows how he feels--yet.
Although it sounds complicated, it really isn't. It's a warm, cute story about love with and with out romance, about wanting and deserving a committed, long-term relationship--a partner in every sense of the word. It's about eyes being opened and dreams coming true. It is a very satisfying, fun read!
The MCs were great. Vic, the doormat, is a sweet man who loves (but is he in love with?) Owen and is a good friend to Shane. Owen--the young, who is totally clueless--is friend to and sometimes hooks up with Vic, and is also friends with Shane. Then there's Shane who knows how Vic feels, and he knows how Owen doesn't feel, but no one knows how he feels--yet.
Although it sounds complicated, it really isn't. It's a warm, cute story about love with and with out romance, about wanting and deserving a committed, long-term relationship--a partner in every sense of the word. It's about eyes being opened and dreams coming true. It is a very satisfying, fun read!
November 29, 2012
The first half of this book was slow and it was hard to get into. You meet Vic on page one and he spends the first ten or so pages mooning over a guy named Owen and the fact that the a/c went out in the court room.
In pops Shane, who is Vic's best friend. Vic and Shane go on a road trip which really only takes up a small portion of the story. Shane is in love with Vic, Vic is in love with Owen, Owen is clueless.
There was so much more that could have been done with the story, more angst, more drama, more something. It was good, but it left me wanting.
In pops Shane, who is Vic's best friend. Vic and Shane go on a road trip which really only takes up a small portion of the story. Shane is in love with Vic, Vic is in love with Owen, Owen is clueless.
There was so much more that could have been done with the story, more angst, more drama, more something. It was good, but it left me wanting.
April 16, 2011
This was a nice, light, romantic read.
I read a lot of M/M romance. I honestly prefer angsty, heartfelt stories, so I can't claim this as my favorite, but it was good for a lazy day where I just wanted to relax and not sob my eyes out.
It also is a very realistic story and I love that about Abigail Roux's writing.
I read a lot of M/M romance. I honestly prefer angsty, heartfelt stories, so I can't claim this as my favorite, but it was good for a lazy day where I just wanted to relax and not sob my eyes out.
It also is a very realistic story and I love that about Abigail Roux's writing.
June 26, 2012
Very cute, sweet story. Vic realizes he is continuing in a relationship where his love is not being returned, so he takes the opportunity to get away with a long-time friend. He realizes he has an opportunity to have a relationship with someone willing and able to reciprocate his feelings and needs. This was a very enjoyable, well written, easy read.
September 15, 2012
3.5 stars
A re-read for me; I believe I read when it first came out.
Vic is hopelessly in love with Owen, who has no clue. So Vic decides it's time to take a break from it all and goes on vacation with long time friend, Shane.
A nice read with no surprises and a romance that progresses nicely. And Shane is kinda funny. :)
A re-read for me; I believe I read when it first came out.
Vic is hopelessly in love with Owen, who has no clue. So Vic decides it's time to take a break from it all and goes on vacation with long time friend, Shane.
A nice read with no surprises and a romance that progresses nicely. And Shane is kinda funny. :)
March 19, 2014
Two stars with another half star because I love reading Abigail Roux stories. Light read with okay characters. No feeling as to why Vic kept being at Owen's beck and call. No emotional feeling there. Characters were not as complex as Roux usually writes. Cute story and unlike her other works, easily forgotten.
December 10, 2009
Some of the best dialogue I read all year, creating real men, in real relationships, that made this an absolute pleasure to read. Add in some of the hottest kisses I've read as well, and I couldn't give it less than five stars.
September 18, 2009
This one is standard Abigail Roux. Always well written in my opinion but has the added bonus of having some really hot kissing scenes. IMO
April 20, 2016
There is no question of what this book is and how it will end but Roux has such a good talent for writing life-like characters I was interested in what was going on, page alpha to omega.
April 1, 2016
-basic plot, amateurish writing style, one dimensional characters, short easy read, blueprint.
July 15, 2024
3 stars ⁀✮₊⋆.˚⟡
well that was a cute read🤭🥹
I want a man like Shane🤌🏻🥲
well that was a cute read🤭🥹
I want a man like Shane🤌🏻🥲
February 8, 2018
This a v short story about, you guessed it, unrequited love, although, turns out, it wasn't quite as unrequited. Anyway, it lacked the alpha v alpha factor typical of Abigail Roux (which I love) and was instead quite sweet and impossibly predictable. All in all, fell way short of my expectations :(
December 5, 2018
4.5 ⭐️
A really enjoyable read of not one but two men who have unrequited love, thankfully they straightened everything out. I wish the book was a two POV which lost half a star from me. I wouldn’t mind a sequel for Owen.
A really enjoyable read of not one but two men who have unrequited love, thankfully they straightened everything out. I wish the book was a two POV which lost half a star from me. I wouldn’t mind a sequel for Owen.
February 12, 2021
This is a sweet story. Not much to it really, but still sweet.
March 24, 2014
Vic Bronson (37 years old prosecutor) has been in love with Owen (a sheriffs deputy and bailiff) for about as long as he has been sleeping with him, which is five years. Owen is clueless to Vics feelings, and therefore treats him badly.
Vic is now coming to realize that he is not happy in his situation, and when his best friend Shane (a judge) offers a vacation in his beach house Vic gladly accepts.
A charming case of unrequited love, but maybe a bit to short. The characters weren't captivating enough to earn this book a higher rating.
Vic is now coming to realize that he is not happy in his situation, and when his best friend Shane (a judge) offers a vacation in his beach house Vic gladly accepts.
A charming case of unrequited love, but maybe a bit to short. The characters weren't captivating enough to earn this book a higher rating.
July 14, 2017
synopsis:
vic has been pining for owen for 5 years. they've had sex, but it hasn't developed into the relationship that vic wants, more like friends with benefits. vic gets fed up one day, and shane, who is friends with both of them and knows the situation, invites vic to go on a vacation with him. the two guys have a good time together, and vic finds himself thinking less and less of owen, and taking a first look at shane. then owen shows up, and vic has to decide exactly what, and who, he wants.
what i liked: in spite of how short the story was, it never felt as though you were missing part of the story, or that you had been plopped down in the middle of something and had no idea what the heck was going on. i liked the naturalness of the friendship between the three guys, and i liked the friendship growth between shane and vic. i also liked that vic could see exactly what he wanted, and that he never really hesitated.
what i didn't like: honestly? vic spent 5 years pining for the man without once mentioning that he might like to try out a relationship? *groan*
vic has been pining for owen for 5 years. they've had sex, but it hasn't developed into the relationship that vic wants, more like friends with benefits. vic gets fed up one day, and shane, who is friends with both of them and knows the situation, invites vic to go on a vacation with him. the two guys have a good time together, and vic finds himself thinking less and less of owen, and taking a first look at shane. then owen shows up, and vic has to decide exactly what, and who, he wants.
what i liked: in spite of how short the story was, it never felt as though you were missing part of the story, or that you had been plopped down in the middle of something and had no idea what the heck was going on. i liked the naturalness of the friendship between the three guys, and i liked the friendship growth between shane and vic. i also liked that vic could see exactly what he wanted, and that he never really hesitated.
what i didn't like: honestly? vic spent 5 years pining for the man without once mentioning that he might like to try out a relationship? *groan*
May 2, 2012
This is a very sweet but at times sad story of Vic, a prosecuting attorney who is having an unrequited love affair with Owen, a sheriff and bailiff, for the past 5 years. Vic, who has never told Owen how he felt, is tired of just being someone Owen uses whenever he needs to get laid. After complaining to his best friend Shane (and also Owen's friend) about his situation, he realizes he's more mad at himself for allowing Owen to use him then at Owen for doing the using. He decides he's done. Shane talks Vic into accompanying him on his planned 4 week vacation at his beach house on the coast of NC to get away and to get some perspective. From here, new feelings are realized and old feelings are put to bed.
Overall, this story is very well-written. However, it is a slow-burn which I found agonizing at times due to my impatience at wanting to get there. I felt like that kid in the backseat saying "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" But when it finally "got there" it was worth it.
Overall, this story is very well-written. However, it is a slow-burn which I found agonizing at times due to my impatience at wanting to get there. I felt like that kid in the backseat saying "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" But when it finally "got there" it was worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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