Lone and Lifeless

Worthless Boys #3

by Bailey Nicole

Ant

Six months ago, my girlfriend convinced me to have a threesome with another guy. Had it been anyone other than Jasper Langdon, the night probably wouldn’t have ended with fists and blood. But it just had to be him. He’s made himself scarce since then, but now we have a class together. Jasper infuriates me, but I can’t be around him without remembering that night—the way he looked at me and how my mind went impossibly still for the first time.

Jazz

I’m one step closer to getting out from underneath my father’s thumb for good. The tattoo apprenticeship I’ve worked so hard for is right in front of me, but everything is falling apart. One failed threesome inexplicably altered my friendship with Val, and now it’s driven me and my best friend, Damon, apart. With no one in my corner, my self-destructive streak is about to get a whole lot worse, and Antonio Cabrera is to blame.

Lone and Lifeless is book three in the Worthless Boys trilogy and is a NA hate-to-love M/M romance. It can be read as a standalone. Please read the content warning before beginning as there are themes that may be triggering to some readers.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, College, Contemporary, Found Family, LGBT

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2023

About the author

Bailey is an author who loves writing LGBTQ+ romance books.

They’d much rather write about fictional worlds and characters than themself, but they love interacting with their readers!

You can stalk Bailey here:

Instagram: @authorbaileynicole
https://www.instagram.com/authorbaile...

Facebook: Bailey Nicole
https://www.facebook.com/bailey.nicol...

Pinterest: @baileynicolereads
https://pin.it/uIJkzbv

Reviews

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 1 out of 5]

|| 1.0 star ||

I actually really like a well-developed “enemies to lovers” trope, but I definitely do not like the “I hate you but I’m going to lust after you anyway” trope. It’s so shallow and annoying.
This trope also makes every character seem beyond stupid and like their brains are just completely lust-addled. Besides, the protagonists here just had absolutely awful personalities and were just flat-out impossible to like. Jazz was even worse than Ant though; he was literally just the worst and most self-absorbed arsehole alive.
Lastly, this was simply not a love story; it was lust. Truly nothing more than lust. They had no connection whatsoever and were somehow sexually drawn to each other for no reason, while still hating each other. I’m really not interested in that. It was so boring, I eventually just couldn’t help but start skimming.


'Worthless Boys' series:
1. Cruel and Careless - 4.0 stars
2. High and Hopeless - 3.0 stars
3. Lone and Lifeless - 1.0 star

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Eres mío para siempre,” I say. “Start getting used to it.”
“Para siempre?” He asks, and his pronunciation isn’t half bad.
“It means forever.”

If there’s one author I can see myself giving five stars to forever and ever, it’s Bailey! Enemies to lovers but like…THEY ARE ACTUALLY ENEMIES. Sometimes in books the romantic pairing hate each other for no reason or it doesn’t feel like said reason holds enough weight. Not here! Plus, the transition is so seamless from them hating each other to having a deep understanding of each other to being in love. I was riveted, I couldn’t put this book down. For me, enemies to lovers really works the best when the characters see each other’s side of the story and work through their issues together instead of being like well you’re hot, so I’ll get over it!!! Let’s fuck! These guys build up so much trust and commitment to each other and it’s so rewarding to watch them start where they did and watch where they ended up. I love how much reassurance Antonio provides Jasper, he is so firm and fearless with how unconditional his love for Jasper truly is. Jazz isn’t a burden, no matter what he’s been taught to think. Jazz and Ant are fiercely protective and possessive of each other and the found family aspect in this series will always bring me so much joy. Brilliant writing and the Florida scenery is so alive. I can feel the crunch of the mangrove leaves beneath my feet and the humid mugginess on my skin.

The characters of this series go through struggles and hardships but they also go through a lot of healing and catharsis. I appreciate that romantic love being an auto-fix has never been the message of this series.

I’ve been looking forward to Ant and Jasper’s book for forever and to get it and it be this amazing???? Oh I’m so happy. Thank you, Bailey❤️

Anti-Curse by boygenius is the anthem for this series for me!!!

”I couldn’t run if I wanted to, beautiful. You’re my home.”

First read: April 19, 2023

Reread #1: March 14th, 2025 / I still love them so much!!! My heart is so full I feel like I’m floating 😭💕🥰

[Lilly [Hiatus due to School] · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And that’s how I fall asleep—with him wrapped all around me and buried deep inside of me. No loneliness or anxiety. Just Ant owning me."

Since meeting Ant and Jasper in the previous book, I have been anticipating their story! I missed the Worthless Boys and am happy to be back in this world! I was frustrated with the last enemies to lovers story I read but Lone and Lifeless has restored my faith in this trope.

Jazz and Ant had been casual acquaintances with an easy relationship as their closest friends were dating but that all changes when a threesome ends up bringing up some intense emotions between them.

Jazz has been dealing with a neglectful and abusive father. Art and tattooing are his life. He views Ant as a closeted religious homophobe due to a misunderstanding and a horrid past experience, so he's quick to paint Ant in the same light as that person.

Ant views Jazz as the ultimate slacker, with no goals, living off his parent's money, and never taking anything seriously. While he struggled with being the child of an immigrant who had to work so hard and lost so much and now balancing college and work. Seeing Jazz's casual attitude towards everything does nothing but enrage him. Now add the fact that Jazz has some messed up ideas of him…not good.

"One minute, I’m the reason for everything bad in the world, and the next, you want in my pants. You look at my lips constantly. Don’t think I can’t tell that you like how I smell. How I walk, talk, and act. You’re fucking lying to yourself,”

Misunderstandings fuel their hatred for one another, but at the same time, they can't deny the sexual attraction they have. They both assume things about the other due to assumptions or outward appearances and drive such a deep wedge between themselves. They're both stubborn and constantly on the defensive around one another.

I loved how they really got to know one another, laid out their vulnerabilities and all those assumptions started to dissipate such a sweet, sweet relationship started to bloom. Jazz, while so confident on the outside, is filled with insecurities and is starved for affection. He craves to be loved and held, and I love that Ant gives him what he needs. Ant is such a caretaker!! Despite his animosity towards Jazz, he still wanted to make sure he was okay. I loved these two so much.

The sex was so hot~ so many wonderful and steamy scenes. Their relationship starts out physical, but I love how there's so much intensity and emotion between them. The pet names too…it turned me into mush. It was the small things, like the holding, petting, and how they changed their contact names for one another that got me right in the heart.

I finally have a family. I’m not alone anymore, and Ant is in my arms.

I loved seeing Ben, Damon, Teddy, and Liam in this story! It was nice to see everyone together as close as ever. These boys have really grown on me.

Overall I loved Lone and Lifeless. I didn't think Ant and Jazz would win my heart like this but they did. Bailey Nicole has cemented themselves as one of my favourite authors. I got all the hurt boy, angsty, push and pull with a good dose of love, possessiveness, and codependency.

TWs for drugs/alcohol use, MFM scene, and physical violence

[~Nicole~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came for “My gf wants a threesome with her guy BF” (you know, “Just a bit obsessed”and “Top secret”vibes) and stayed for the enemies to lovers and hate sex.
Can we acknowledge this was a guilty pleasure and it shall not be mentioned again?? 🤪
The first part of the book was almost 5 ⭐️ because, I repeat, hate and sexual tension . The enemies to lovers trope was well done and believable (if a bit juvenile but hey, they’re 20 , they’re supposed to be addled-brained and horny) .
The second part of the book lowered the rating considerably because everybody and their mother was a drama queen and every issue was blown out of proportion (like Teddy’s dramatic and tearful moment and his bf’s tantrum because Ant missed his birthday or the VERY stupid (and expected)misunderstanding towards the end . It had a lot of emotions though and the guys were so good for each other.
The sex was 🔥 although up until 65-70% there was has hardly any sex, it was a hot slow burn..
So yes, I enjoyed this book because the guys are really hot when they hated each other and really cute and tender when they got over it. And that’s pretty unusual because I shouldn’t have loved it … books with college kids are not my cup of tea and also all the characters here are drinking too much (drunk driving several times) using drugs (only mentioned), smoke weed waaaaayy to much (on page) and cigarettes, fight in illegal fights etc. Its like wild wild west in that college town..
So it would be a 3.5 stars read but since I can’t give that I will round it up. 4 stars is too much and 3 is too little so I’m kind of frustrated. We need half stars!!!!

[Amina · Rating 4 out of 5]

✰ 4 stars ✰

“I didn’t realize that he feels just as deeply for me as I do him. We both help each other so much. How could I ever think we’d never get along when we compliment each other so well?”



I didn't very much enjoy the previous books of the Worthless Boys series, but Lone and Lifeless certainly surpassed my expectations. Nicole Bailey's writing was a lot smoother and the story had a lot more essence to it - if that makes any sense. 😀 Ant and Jazz's chemistry sizzled with all the right sparks of heated enemies to lovers that was sprinkled with so many more layers of feelings. It wasn't just about the sex - well, there was plenty of that. 😏 But, because they were already someone else's best friend in their own little found family, how they gravitated towards the other, how despite how much they denied it, they actually fit together so well, is what really made this such a worthwhile read.

I loved that the title defined their personalities so well! The 'lifeless' Antonio, balancing so many things at once - trying to maintain his job, complete his required schoolwork, give time to his friends, without ever understanding that he has to make time for himself. And 'lone' Jazz, talented and aspiring tattoo artist, who's shadowed by the pain of abandonment, brimming with the potential to be something and still be an absolute failure in the eyes of his father. How these two souls - broken in their own way - found their way to each other, through one misguided threesome - makes for such an interesting beginning to a beautiful and hard-earned relationship.

“I don’t understand how I can hate someone so much, be annoyed by every single thing they do or say and be turned on at the same damn time.”

The steady build-up to Ant and Jazz's explosive relationship was so very believable. Jazz continuously goading him, Ant vehemently denying him, Jazz falling apart in his own life, Ant struggling to find some peace of mind in his life - how these factors eventually brought them together, with Jazz at his doorstep, injured and sore, and just aching for a release, for an acceptance that what their lingering feelings for each other could be real, that it could be something if they just allowed it to happen and get it out of their system. *sighs*

“I knew he felt like being queer was something shameful, but it’s not. Being queer is liberating and innate. It’s brave. It’s being yourself in a world that wishes you don’t exist, and telling the world to fuck off because you’re not alone.”

It made me so sad - because as much as I felt bad for Ant and how he was a victim to Jazz's ceaseless taunts and advances, it was Jazz who my heart went out to. For all his bravado, all his pretense of having his life under control, that laid-back attitude, his heart and soul was so traumatized - whatever happened to him wasn't fair, how his father treated him was beyond cruel, so for him to finally find some inner semblance of acceptance with Ant - someone who sees him as he is, wouldn't he do anything to keep it? 🥺

“He wants to get under my skin, and I’m starting to realize that he already is. Jasper crosses my mind more than anyone else. It's been that way for a while.

That’s the thing about hate, I guess.”

The sex was hot - no question! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 So possessive, so much intense hate and unbridled passion and sexual exploration all around! Haha, once the gloves were off, they really went at it with each other - at every chance they could find! 😏 I'm kinda surprised at how wicked Ant was, considering Jazz was his first round with a guy! And Jazz, I never expected him to be so submissive, so wanting for affection, such a 180° to the bad boy vibe he carries, but how Ant is so willing to reassure him, tell him that he wants him for who he is and no other reason - so fiercely devoted in proving that to him - through his actions and his words. 🥺🥺

Their endearing nicknames in their phone messages (baby and beautiful were so especially cute 🩷), their gradual way of finally getting along and appreciating each other's company was such a natural progression, one built on trust and healing and over-all understanding that where they're actually coming from wasn't a place of hate, but of wanting to feel loved. 😍😍 And once they no longer resisted the attraction they felt for each other, how they grew as a couple, in front of their family and friends - they knew that it was all that really mattered.

“I love this. Love the way we can be aggressive with each other, but still soft at the end of it all. I think we crave it.”

One niggling problem I had with the story was the misunderstanding that caused the rift in their relationship - it felt a little forced for me and I didn't know if it was maybe the right way to go, considering how happily in love and in sync they had been in for awhile. But, after everything all worked out, I thought about it, and...in a way it did make sense. Because with that one catalyst alone, Ant and Jazz both realized the truth about themselves and how much they really cared for each other. 🥹🥹

“Eres mío para siempre - You're mine forever.”

“I couldn’t run if I wanted to, beautiful. You’re my home.”

And lastly - the 'worthless boys' - the beautiful and genuine friendship of this small found family - because, in my eyes - neither of them were worthless at all. 🤍🤍 How they cared for each other, looked out for each other, tried their damnedest to show the other that they have someone to lean on, not to shoulder their burdens alone, that each of them was capable of being in love, having someone to love - that even if not related by blood, they were more than friends, more like family, it warmed my heart more than anything else.

“When you don’t have a real family, the family you find has a lot of lost time to make up for. A lot of slack to pick up. And it’s more than worth it.

We’re our own family.”

🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[lakshmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it’s safe to assume that I have transitioned from ‘enemies to lovers’ to ‘friends to lovers’. I couldn’t stand this book when Jazz and Ant were fighting and when they couldn’t “stand each other”.

But when they FINALLY admitted their feelings? It felt like a completely different book. I loved it so much. It was gritty and raw and emotional and I genuinely enjoyed it

[Iman (hiatus)]

dead at 30%

not feeling it :( might pick up back later

[ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved coming back to these worthless boys I feel like I know so well. This time we get Antonio (Ben’s best friend) and Jasper’s (Damon’s best friend) story.

I’ve read so many sex scenes in books that they can start feeling robotic or I just skim them all together but the way Bailey writes that first scene with Ant and Jazz, you will feel like it’s your first time right along with Ant.
Jazz is hard to like in the beginning but you will understand why later so just give him a chance! Naughty boys need love too.
Unlike the first two books in the series, this is a slow burn so bring your patience.
Fans of ‘Showing up on the doorstep of your enemy because you have nowhere else to go’ will be very happy.
These are some lonely sad bois and their hatred for each other comes from their misunderstanding of the other.
All the warm feelings seeing Ben, Damon, Liam, and Teddy again all doing well.

CW:
MF sex scene
MFM sex scene
See inside book for more

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4.25 Stars

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 2 out of 5]

MM Romance

DNF @ 80% 😭😭

I’m obviously the unpopular opinion here but I just find this book really boring. The first book in this series is one of my all time guilty pleasures because despite it being a debut and having some issues I just adore both characters so much but unfortunately I just don’t feel the same about the rest of the books in the series. I rated book two high and I’m not sure why because I remember being quite disappointed. If I was a person who changed ratings I’d go lower it but for whatever reason at the time I reviewed it I rounded up and I have to respect my past self’s decision even if I don’t agree with it now. 🤷🏻‍♀️

My biggest issue with this book is just that I don’t give a fuck about the couple because I don’t feel like they have a connection. I’ve been told they both have been drawn to each other for a long time but I just don’t feel it. The first 30% of this book bored the hell out of me while it set up the storyline and I checked out somewhere along the way. I’ve been desperately trying to get back into it especially because this author can write some hot smut but I just don’t care enough to continue. Ant and Jasper’s backstories are just so damn familiar that I feel deja vu reading them and I guess I just hoped that there would be something new to reel me back in but it’s just not happening and I don’t feel like torturing myself any longer. 🤷🏻‍♀️

But what do I rate it? I don’t hate it, I just find it boring af so 2 stars?

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book in the series! I didnt really love the series, but I actually really liked this book. I love a enemy to lovers and this one was a fun read.

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2⭐

I am honestly conflicted about rating this book, because up until about 89%, this was going to be, surprisingly - and almost definitely - a 5⭐ book for me.

Yeah, can you believe it??

Both books in the series so far have been mediocre, at best, but I read them to get to Ant's book.

And I was not disappointed, this book is amazing, just what I expected and more.

The author really poured it all into this book, it had all the right elements with a sensible touch, it portrayed the love story between Ant and Jasper in a beautiful, captivating way , and to think how hard it is for an enemies-to-lovers book to really give you all the feels, well, this book did its job.



Here's what you can expect;

🔴 Enemies - to - lovers in a threesome - back to enemies - to lovers
🔵 Bi - awakening
🟣 Both MCs are pretty damn amazing
🟡 The story is definitely deeper, better than the rest in the series
🟢 Who hurt you?
🌶️ THE SPICE! (included cock-warming, a bit of oral asphyxiation)
🟠 Almost no drugs and parties included in this installment

This book is about Ant and Jasper's love journey; an unlikely match, but in the end, perfect, better than all the rest, the best book in the series and the couple with the most long-term potential .

Ant and Jasper met in senior year of high school, when the group started to hang out. They became more involved in each other's lives when Ben and Damon got together, since Ben is Ant's best friend and Damon is Jasper's.

So, this was my Jasper (and Ant is on the cover).


Since they had a threesome with a girl, everything went downhill, because that exact moment was the point of bi-awakening for Ant. He was completely straight, but was drawn to Jasper even before the threesome and because Jasper had some pretty horrible experiences with guys from the past, he decided Ant was like them and their energy goes from barely talking to each other, to completely hostile and volatile.

I was glad the author gave these guys the time for feelings or desires to grow, nothing was insta with this couple.



When they do finally get together, it's explosive, so, so sexy and hot, it'll melt your panties.

The spice here is UNBELIEVABLE , I loved it (yes, the kissing could have more tongues involved, but hey, that's just me).

Ant and Jasper were SO GOOD together, it was everything.

I re-read the sex scenes multiple times. Man, they were hot !



It's not just the sex though. It's also the personal dynamic, the emotional connection that was pretty powerful between them, they both needed that one person to make everything fall into place and they were just the perfect match for each other.

The amount of time they spent together, either in comfortable silence or just being intimate, eating together, sleeping together, just going through life together , I loved every single thing .



The side characters were present in the story, but not prevalent, it was just the right mix of everything, no drugs, no parties, just a group of friends being there for each other and living together.

So, why didn't I rate this higher?

The story definitely clicked all my boxes, just the right amount of animosity, great dialogues and emotional side to the MCs that I absolutely liked , but the conflict at 89% is what completely blew me away .

Ant was having occasional panic attacks and Jasper knew that. At that particular time Jasper was sussposed to be introduced as Ant's boyfriend to his mother and just before they took off, Ant had a severe panic attack.

Now, it could've been anything, it could've been a heart attack or really, any kind of medical emergency. What I absolutely did not like is that Jasper left Ant alone in front of his workplace, crumpled to the ground-breathing heavy-alone, just left him and drove away, simply because he thought Ant had chickened out.

Even if Ant would chicken out, you don't leave someone having a panic attack and clearly struggling, just lying on the floor . Do you??

I mean, really, people do that? I guess they do.

With everything that happened at this point and until the end, the book kind of lost its magic.
In the end it turned out Ant was rescuing Jasper, and not only that, Jasper went out again, drunk again, damaging his hand, hand being very valuable to him, since he's an aspiring tattoo artist.

It was terrible and ridiculous and as I said, the book lost its magic.

I still very much love Ant and Jasper, I would've loved if the epilogue would show us the couple further down the line, maybe living alone, working, buying a house.

These two had amazing potential and I'll always remember them.

I press our cheeks together and whisper in his ear, "I need you here. Always."
He swallows and gives a short nod in agreement.
"Then I'll stay."
I take a step back from him. "Can't believe you thought you had any other choice."
He grins. "Yeah. You're right. Don't know what I was thinking."

[♡ cal ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kinda okay. I wasn’t completely bored thank god. I didn’t live-laugh-love it. I don’t know what to say. Loved the first two books in this trilogy so I picked this one up.

[Mug · Rating 3 out of 5]

first of all, i ate up the threesome and the unresolved sexual tension that resulted…..now, the reason they both ended up pissed off at each other made me roll my eyes bc my boy jazz is making assumptions and jumping to conclusions in his mind like he’s competing for gold in the triple jump at the olympics….like sir, ever heard of communicating???

the answer is no, bc he jumps to his biggest conclusion yet, certainly world record shit, when he sees his boyfriend having a panic attack and immediately assumes it’s bc ant’s scared to come out to his mom and he’s gonna keep jazz a secret even tho:
1. he’s mid panic attack and can barely breathe, let alone talk &
2. every single indication is pointing otherwise, like ant told his friends y’all were dating and y’all hold hands in class and kiss in the parking lot in public

so what does jazz do?? helps his boyfriend thru his panic attack and then asks him what’s wrong certainly??? no, jazz immediately thinks that ant is just another reese, says “fuck you”, leaves IN THE MIDDLE of ant’s panic attack, decides to go to his friend danny’s party to blow off steam and ends up beating the absolute shit outta danny like glass bottle to his brain type shit, and then, as if that’s not good and destructive enough, punches the front door and fractures his fingers which he needs to tattoo and earn money since his dad kicked him out and he’s homeless and broke and also planning to drop out of college to focus on his tattooing career😭😭😭😭😭 brother, you just shitted on everything good you had going for you in an HOUR and for what???? ur boyfriend was having a panic attack bc he’s extremely exhausted, been chugging energy drinks like nobody’s business, felt his heartbeat going way too fast and panicked bc he thought he was having a heart attack like that one that killed his dead father……lord have mercy jazz was not nearly embarrassed enough😭😭😭

and back to the threesome, ant kissed you and let you jack him off until he came and then before his cum even dried on ur stomach, you pounced on him and told him he was homophobic bc you saw him wearing a cross necklace (which he wears bc it belongs to his dead father) like bruh ???? ur literally making shit up again !! and jazz continues to dislike ant bc he basically decided in his mind that ant is full of internalized homophobia and thinks liking men is something shameful…..like WHERE are u getting this from bro😭😭 jazz was literally ant’s bi-awakening, except ant didn’t even understand it himself but thank god for ben clocking it and giving it to him straight:

“So, a guy managed to seduce you, but you think you’re straight?”

umm hello🤣🤣🤣🤣 lmao get him ben!!!!

anyway jazz is an idiot and i wanted to choke him multiple times, but other than that he was alright. the intimacy is better than book 2 for sureeee but it was also missing a lil sum sum….sensuality maybe? i also found some of the dialogue a lil clunky, but again, better than book 2.

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Ant is my kind of filthy stars.



I didn’t think I was going to love these two. But I was wrong. Thank goodness. I freaking loved the, and Anthony was a filthy and pleasant surprise. I absolutely love him.

These two and their pent-up sexual chemistry. It’s a scorcher. After an event goes wrong, these two, six months later, can’t get along. That is putting its mildly. More hate and hate those attracted to each other.

Anthony is just living through the emotions of his daioynoofe and on a quick road to burnout. Jasper is hiding a secret and trying to make the most of life. While their friends care deeply for both of them, they can clearly see their tension.

The book started with a bang and then turned to a slow burn, yet still captivating. At times my heart broke for these two. Both are so lonely. What started as an intense physical connection turned emotional is just damn poetic. There is a lot of extra added detail. Which I for one enjoyed. Lone And Life my favorite book in the series. Don’t walk to the store, run and buy it.

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

reread July 2023

5/5 stars

I loved this book from start to finish. This was a 100 times better than the previous ones. Ant and Jazz were adorable.

“Eres mío para siempre,” I say. “Start getting used to it.” “Para siempre?” He asks, and his pronunciation isn’t half bad. “It means forever.”

I loved the simple things they did. Like call each other “baby” and “beautiful”. Especially when Jazz called Ant beautiful for the first time, I literally was kicking my feet. I also loved how they did their own things, but with others company. Like how Jazz would draw while Ant studied.

After a long pause, Jazz visibly relaxes and shuffles around til he’s laying down with his head in my lap with his feet hanging over the armrest of the short couch. The warm, heavy weight of him against me is comforting. It feels right. “Play with my hair,” he says. Something flutters in my stomach at his words. He’s not holding back anymore. I tangle my fingers through his dark, wavy hair and massage his scalp.

Also the way they from enemies to lovers. I was dead. It was done just perfectly. Sure there are some flaws, but do I care? no. Ant and Jazz made all of the mistakes go away.

”I don’t care how far you run or where life takes us—you will always be mine.” “I couldn’t run if I wanted to, beautiful. You’re my home.”

I don’t think I will ever get over this perfection. I could just quote this entire book.

I finally have a family. I’m not alone anymore, and Ant is in my arms.

[LifeReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I wanted it to be. I was so excited to see Jazz and Ant’s story, especially after the tease of them in Liam and Teddy’s book.

I wasn’t actually expecting to get so choked up in emotion, there were a couple of parts that really had my eyes welling up. Bailey really gets you with the emotion in this.

Jazz and Ant, they were so hard headed but endearing. This was a fantastic example of how I love an enemies to lovers story to be told. The hate at some points was palpable, but you also did get that hint of pure want and need. Bailey really balanced it so well, I felt needy for them.

By far this is the steamiest of the series and I was so fucking here for it. So hot, so intense, so damn dirty.

I’m not going to spoil it by going too far into what the characters go through or even who they are as as people as I enjoyed being surprised by the rawness of it. All I will say is it breaks your heart, but when they join together, it’s fucking magical.

So in a nutshell this book is emotional, edgy, steamy, hopeful and to be honest I think perfect. Jazz and Ant I think are my faves of this series. They have my heart.

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting so much better... Liam and Theo are still my favorite

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Crying, so emotional. It was so ducking good 💕 words cannot describe. This plus book two are utter perfection. I just need the audio now.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay..nothing drew my attention and I just really didn't care about the characters. At least the smut was hot asf though

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everything that followed that moment has been a storm of hatred and anger, but that doesn’t erase what happened and how it changed me. I can’t help the way my body reacts to him when I know it shouldn’t."

Lone and Lifeless is the third book in the Worthless Boys series by Bailey Nicole and whilst it can certainly be read as a standalone, I would strongly suggest you read the first two books in the series first, to get the full picture of this 'found 'family' series. Lone and Lifeless is Ant and Jasper's story and it's my favourite of the three so far 🖤.

If you like your MM romances with a heavy dose of hate to love, then this is the one for you! These boys struggle with each other from day one, even though you know the hatred and tension is coming from a place well below the brain....

There are several issues that may be hard to read for some, so do check out the author's comments before diving in.

That said, you'll totally adore this if you're into:

🌶️Enemies to lovers
🌶️First times
🌶️Bi-awakening
🌶️Found family
🌶️A good dose of angst
🌶️All the steam!

4-4.5 steamy, angsty stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don’t care how far you run or where life takes us – you will always be mine."

Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, First Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥

"If you fuck someone else, I’ll tear you apart. That’s a promise, beautiful."

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Overall Opinion
I love the Worthless Boys series so much and this one I think would have to be my favourite! I've been so excited for Jazz and Ant's story since we saw hints of them previously, and their story was so much more than I expected. The scene where Ant realises he mightn't be so straight after all was absolutely scorching hot, and every spicy scene after was full of fiery chemistry. These two made each other whole, before they were two broken boys, slowly falling apart, and this was their story to forming a beautiful heartwarming relationship. They went through so much, hating that they feel the way they do about each other, their happy ending was so well deserved. Overall this was my favourite read from this author, and I'm really looking forward to all their future books!

Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ Bi Awakening
❣️ Enemies to Lovers
❣️ Found Family
❣️ Angsty
❣️ All The Spice

Trigger and Content Warnings: A homophobic, verbally and physically abusive parent; homelessness, internalized homophobia (not from love interest), violence, marijuana use and references to past cocaine and narcotic use.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a book that's pure hatred to love.
It's my first book by this author and I feel it was well written.

....

"How can I hide that it's hard to even breathe when he's near me?"

"I've never been as happy as I've been these last few weeks with you, baby. You give me something to look forward to, something I didn't even know I was missing."

"I don't want my life to go back to the way it was before him now that I know how empty it was and how full it can be."

....

⚠️ potential spoilers below in tropes and triggers




Tropes:
Hate to love
Enemies to lovers
Found family
Misunderstood MCs
Fighting as foreplay
Gay for you/Bi awakening
Hurt/comfort
Versatile roles

Triggers:
Abusive parent
Violence
Childhood trauma
Abusive ex
Trauma
Panic attacks
Drug and alcohol use

[juli✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You’re not alone anymore, Jazz. I’m always here to help.”
“It’s only been a week.” He sighs.
“Eres mío para siempre,” I say. “Start getting used to it.”
“Para siempre?” He asks, and his pronunciation isn’t half bad.
“It means forever.”

not me randomly jumping into this series with book three 🫣

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received an advanced copy of Lone and Lifeless by Bailey Nicole and these are my honest thoughts**

”No matter what happens. I don’t care how far you run or where life takes us—you will always be mine.”

I have been sitting on this review for hours. Literal hours and honest to god I want to write this big compelling review of how this storyline was so unique and captivating, and how beautiful the writing is, and the absolute fucking growth of the author from book one to book three.

But my brain just keeps saying Holly just tell them how it made you feel. That’s the big one. The reason they should read it.

This series is just a big found family. The most beautiful book friend group I’ve ever seen. Ant and Jazz are no exception. Bailey does such an amazing job in this story of making you feel so in the heads of these boys that you feel their pain and their struggles and how much they fucking want each other. It’s powerful. It’s all encompassing. And it’s absolutely one of the most immersive reading experiences I’ve had.

I cannot say enough good things about this series. It’s so captivating because it’s so original. The angst is perfect. The tension is amazing.

Bailey has grown so much as an author and I’ve loved so much that I can say I’ve been here from the beginning of their journey.

I cannot wait for whatever they give us next.

⭐️4.5/5
🌶️4/5

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars audio
4 too many damned unnecessary sex scenes stars story

[Rielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threesome leads to bi-awakening and a very convincing enemies to lovers. So so good!

How have I not read this author? I’m so impressed. I’m a sucker for awakenings and threesomes leading to that so I’m definitely predisposed to like books like this, but the writing really made me love it. These characters were real and raw. Their problems were realistic and I felt invested in each of them. I think that’s what truly made the enemies to lovers part feel so real. They honestly seemed to hate each other and the miscommunication could have easily been frustrating, but it was handled in such and honest way that I bought it.

Everything about this book made me happy so that I could ignore the few things that did. Some things triggered and messed with my enjoyment, but I was will to let it go until the horrid 80% drama. Unnecessary and excessive. It bothered the hell out of me and made me fully take away a star. It didn’t ruin the book for me, but if it had been earlier I probably would have DNF’d.

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Enthralled Stars

😫🤌🤌 Best book ever, definitely reading it again!

MY NEW FAV AUTHOR BAILEY NICOLE 🫶😘
YOU HAVE A GIFT PLEASE NEVER STOP SHARING IT 🙏❤️‍🔥

My spidey senses are saying that maybe, maaayybe there will be a FF book for Mace & Valerie, and a MM one for Hawke and, and another for Zephyr, I know maybe I'm seeing things... or maybe and here me out!, an office romance between Zephyr & Hawke hehehehe I hope so🤞!!! I'm crazy...

More RTC

Worthless Boys Series:
1. Cruel And Careless - Ben & Damon's Story - 5,0 stars
2. High And Hopeless - Teddy & Liam's Story - 5,0 stars
3. Lone And Lifeless - Ant & Jazz's Story - 5,0 stars

[Jamie]

DNF @ 31%

I actually can’t stand jasper, and I high key feel like the author hates Ant, so DNF. Jasper is an actual piece of shit and I literally wanted him to drop off the face of the earth. He treated Ant so terribly and then would act like a victim. He was so entitled. Then to see he was low key mad that Damon was sober because Jasper still likes to party….just…. What an awful “friend” no wonder none of your friends invite you to hang out anymore. Also, someone who is homophonic is NOT going to have an entire friend group that’s gay. They’re just not, that’s not how homophobia works. Jasper made so many assumptions about Ant, while quite literally knowing NOTHING about him that it just boiled my blood

[readingwithmiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
4.25🌶️



Y’ALL! New Comfort Series Alert? Did I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! YES! It Was A TRUE Enemies To Lovers Where They Stopped Hating Each Other At 66%, ABSOLUTELY LOVE A TRUE ENEMIES TO LOVERS! I Also LOVE The Found Family And LOVE Antonio And Jasper And There Romance So Much With Every Fiber Of My Being, YES! I Cannot Wait To Start The Next Two Books, Off To Do It RN! HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ALL MM ROMANCE LOVERS, BTW Use The Audiobooks Because The Audiobook For This Was AMAZING! LOVE Bailey Nicole’s Writing SM! I CANNOT WAIT To Read More Books By Her💕💕💕💕