And Call Me in the Morning

And Call Me in the Morning #1

by Willa Okati

Genre: LGBT Erotic Contemporary

Take two, and call me in the morning.

Eli and Zane. Colleagues at work and close friends, though on the surface it's an unexpected friendship between an odd couple. While Zane took the "high school to college to med school" track, medicine is Eli's second career and the best choice he ever made. He has work that he loves, an extended second family of colleagues and friends, and Zane.

So why does everyone make such a big deal about the pair of them?

Yes, they spend a lot of time together. It doesn't mean they're a real couple. When teased about it one too many times by their colleagues, Zane challenges Eli to set the record straight with a kiss to prove there's absolutely no chemistry between them.

Neither expected a spark to ignite between them. More than a spark. Desire. Passion.

Zane wants to try getting up close and personal again to see if it was a one-time fluke or something more. Eli thinks he's too old to jump the fence now, but he can't say no to Zane and he doesn't want to.

Truth be told, Eli's not so sure they can set the record straight after all.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary, Gay For You, Gay, Erotica

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2010

About the author

Will Okati is made of many things: imagination, coffee, stray cat hairs, daydreams, more coffee, kitchen experimentation, a passion for winter weather, a little more coffee, a whole lot of flowering plants and a lifelong love of storytelling.

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

DOUBLE sexuality discovery story????



When I heard about the plot line for this book, I was all "MAMA LIKE." I mean, give me one gay newbie and I'm floating in heaven, but TWO and I'm practically reaching nirvana.

What can I say, I have a type. *Grins*

Plot-wise, I don't think this book is anything special. Nothing really happens. Sure, they talk about their jobs (nice going with the medical information, by the way, Willa Okati), and life in general, but there isn't much of a story arc.

But the sex?

*Purrrrrsssss*

I mean, I couldn't get enough. Literally, couldn't get enough. Every touch, every kiss, I was HANGING on these dudes like a howler monkey.

My one major complaint is that there is very little sexual tension build-up before the first kiss. In fact, going from platonic to macking on each other happened almost immediately into the story. I would have preferred some more time before, you know, to REALLY ratchet up the tension.

But you won't hear me whining much about this story.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars!!



I didn't really like this one as much as I was hoping to. Something about the writing, the story and the characters were off. I just never connected.

And maybe I don't like double gfy. One person's got to have a clue about how he feels.

Two clueless people....



.....annoying! They were so obviously in to each other it was ridiculous. Literally everyone saw it but them.



One of the things I like about gfy is the build-up. The discovery that you have feelings for someone you never expected. Then the exploring that comes a long with it.

I didn't get that with Zane and Eli. It was all too sudden. And Eli's attempts at being shocked and unsure just didn't feel real to me.

These two were 40+ years old but acted like they were 20.



Sadly, I skimmed the last 75%! That's not good.

Maybe it's just me???

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Time of death 60%

Damn! This has been on my tbr for years.

It's me not the book.

It all felt weird and sudden, no connection at all. I am told they are best friends and have a great chemistry but I didn't feel it. I felt like I was reading about two teenagers discovering their sexuality instead of two 40-something year old men.

It was sex scene, hospital mumble jumbles, colleagues telling them they look like a couple, you are not like a girl this, like a girl that. Ugh!!!

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read Jan. 2017 Just as fun as I remembered!

This review is from a re-read in March 2013. I originally read this book back in 2011 and loved it! It was my absolute favorite friends-to-lovers/gay-for-you book until I read Falling Into Place and it meet it's match.

MC's Eli and Zane are best friends and doctors working at the same hospital. After some irritating ribbing from mutual friends, they decide to share a kiss to see if their already extremely close relationship could also include romance. The kiss throws both of the straight men off guard at how powerful it is. The book follows these two lovely men through exploring this new relationship while trying to keep their friendship intact. It is fabulous and loving and heartwarming and you will absolutely fall in love with both stubborn ex-cop Eli and do-gooder Zane.

If you like friends-to-lovers, gay-for-you, first time sex between committed partners who have strong feelings for one another, romance, hot make-up sex, angst and, of course, a HEA, I can HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED And Call Me in the Morning.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Well I absolutely loved this one, but then again what's not to love, two straight hot doctors who've had a strong friendship for years. Till one day dared by friends to realize they share more than a friendship they decide to try a kiss....and holy shit what a kiss! there's no going back to being just best friends not from those fireworks.



Eli/Zane were both great guys, right away I felt their special bond and once they gave into their attraction it was pure hotness. I really liked how they took things slow taking in my mind how this was new territory for both of them. They go through ups and downs and doubts that were totally understandable. These guys weren't perfect but I liked that about them it made them feel real because before anything their friendship came first.



This book is told from Eli's POV and oh man! seeing him from doubting and being scared to lose his friendship with Zane to fighting for HIM sigh! I was so proud of him and blown away by how he proved his love to Zane.



I'm looking forward to reading book 2 and continuing the story of Eli/Zane and see what lies ahead for them.❤

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

BR with my Friends - Here


Zane and Eli are 2 mature docs, who have A LOT of chemistry and I realy liked they were friends first before they fall madly in love. I liked their friends Diana, Holly, Taye and Richie!! I also liked how things were wrapped up nice in the epilogue!!


A great friends-to-lovers story with hot-sex, romance, low drama and gay-for–you HEA!

A lovely pleasant read!!

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comfort reread 3/22/2020

Reread 8/20/2018 Still does it for me. Happy sigh

Re-read 7/20/2016
----------------
Read 10/26/2013

5-30-14. Quick re-read. I love this book. I've read it, at least, five times. I love that the main characters are friends and later in life. Love it!

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a cute read!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Real 5 GFY stars

Loved.

“Falling in love with his closest friend had never been something Eli planned to do with his life. Wasn't as if he could have stopped it, though.”

“What do you want?” he whispered. “Anything. All you have to do is ask.”

Zane and Eli are a couple that aren't a couple and yet they *have* been for years. The only thing missing was the sexual aspect of it. Friends first and not just friends, but best friends and then one day they try a kiss just to prove everyone wrong, and end up just proving that everything was right. And not just right - but the true love.

Loved that for me it felt real, loved both MCs are over 35, just loved it big time. Recommended sweet with a dash of angst GFY MM romance.

BR with my ladies here

[Smith Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet-and-sexy reality-based manlove. It doesn't blow your socks or rocks off but instead warms your heart in a subtle kind of way and it's the solid storytelling of Willa Okati that earned my ★4★ stars.

Or perhaps I'm just partial to the world of medicine with both MCs being docs, but I'd like to think it was due to the writer's masterful tone in blending their profession so skillfully into the story.

Two 40+year-old heterosexual men are best friends and professional colleagues in the world of healthcare and medicine. Eli's a former cop who changed career paths late in life and Zane comes from a life of wealth and privilege but has a burning need to provide for the less fortunate.

Drinks among friends and casual conversation plants innocuous suggestions..



..and triggers profound action and reaction that changes everything.

[Alona · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
BR with Mark.

What a great story!!
I enjoyed the hell of that, but can you blame me?
NO!







- Gay For You- Check!

-Double Gay For You- Check!

-Best Friends To Lovers- Check!

-Mature Intelligent Men-Check!

-Two Respected Doctors- Check!

-Good Writing- Check!

-Two HOT Men- Check!

-Perfect Balance of Angst-Story-Sex-Sweetness-Conversations- Check!

I would say- if these points pushes your buttons, READ IT!

Thank you Mark for pushing me into reading it with you!
It was as fun as ever!
Xox

[Camy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true gay for you, which I like. No one was gay but closeted before. The story was alright, good enough, a little chick-ish at times but workable.

The repetition of the phrase "they hissed when skin touched skin" was annoying and there could have been some more stamina with the sex but the showcase of what's important in life and the young gay couple friends were good elements in this story.

All in all, nice enough...but not wowing.

[Susan]

DNF at 30%

The writing is not my style. I was constantly confused.
I don’t like it when thoughts wander in the middle of a conversation. I kept losing track of what they were talking about.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for the friends to lover’s trope. It makes me swoon and lets me imagine the boys are kinda like my action figures I try to make kiss. Don’t judge me.

And Call Me in the Morning has been on my TBR list and owned for months. When I saw there was a sequel coming out I knew it was time to meet Eli and Zane and see what this whole deal was about.

The story is told exclusively through Eli’s POV and begins with him meeting Zane for brunch with friends. Both men are in their early 40’s (can I thank the author at least a dozen times for that alone?) and are doctors at Immaculate Grace Hospital. Their friends constantly tease them about being together so much and being more than friends. When the suggestion comes up that they don’t know if they could be more because they haven’t tried, the boys shrug it off and go about their meal.

But… Zane has other ideas and tells Eli that they should kiss just so they get it out of the way and can say they did and shut their friends up and *swoon* That first kiss? Oh yeah. The first kiss in any romance can make me melt but this on with long time friends opening themselves up to the unknown and the possibility of a new relationship with each other? Gah. Can someone hand me a fan? It’s getting hot in here?

Everywhere Eli turned, all roads led to Zane. It scared the fuck out of him, but despite all his protests, it didn’t scare him as much as he thought and that scared him most of all.

So, the boys fumble a bit with where they want to go form the kiss but ultimately they end up together. This was where it got really good because come on; two attractive men in their 40’s learning the ins and outs of gay sex with each other? It was pretty damn hot.

Now while the sexy time was indeed sexy, there were a few things that kept pulling me out of the story:

-This is told in Eli’s POV yet there were times I had to stop and read sentences over again because it felt like we switched into Zane’s POV. There were things Eli knew going on with Zane, in his head, there was no possible way he could have known.
-The boys are doctors yet Eli didn’t know what was given to Zane at one point when as a doctor it could/would have been known for the treatment or he would have asked. Right? As a concerned partner, I would have asked and wanted to know, you would think an actual doctor would too.
-Two words; hand sanitizer. I still shake my head at that bit. It took me out of that scene and I wanted to be IN that scene more than anything.

Aside from the few editing issues and what I mentioned, this was still a fun read. The boys had serious chemistry and I loved that they were friends first and knew so much about one another. I liked Holly and Diana and the rolls they played in the story. They are both good friends and good doctors. I adored Taye and Richie from the moment we meet them both at brunch and fell for them as well the more we got of their story.

The end of this was adorable, romantic and oh so fitting for Eli and Zane - I can’t wait to read the second book and catch up with the boys.

There was one advantage to being older when first trying this. No, two; appreciation of the journey and appreciating properly what he had. It was what he’d always wanted, even if he’d never known that.

3.5 stars

[Erin (PT) · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, the worst thing about Willa Okati's And Call Me In the Morning is that it's not a bad book. It just wasn't a book I really found good, either. The book suffers from the same problem I have with a lot of books in the romance genre, which is extreme predictability.

Not just that our intrepid star-crossed lovers will get their HEA (though I never really had a doubt about that) but even down to the finite, small details like the big anaphylactic shock crisis of Zane and the strawberries. Not only were all these elements introduced in the first third of the book (hello, Chekhov, my friend, we meet again!) but they were signaled, like a flag-man guiding down a jumbo jet. I felt like Okati was shouting, "LOOK HERE, LOOK HERE!" and the most surprising thing about the book, I think, was that Eli didn't take the job at Duke.

At the end of the day, what I like most, what's my greatest narrative kink is the way(s) in which a writer defies my expectations. At no point did I feel like I got that, here.

More than this, the predictability of the book was further weighed down by the lack of any significant conflict throughout the story. If you're going to do the two (ostensibly) straight boys fall for each other trope…

Look, this can go two basic ways that I can see; either there was a latent queerness in them that they realized/decided early on was societally and personally unacceptable and they buried it years ago, only to be brought out by this particular person at this particular time or, after decades of fairly contented heterosexuality, this burning beacon of awesomeness comes along to make you redefine your sexual identity to a different place on the bell curve than you thought. In either case, there's a journey there.

A journey that doesn't really happen in ACMitM, something I find more than a little unbelievable in a story about two men who are 40+years old. Zane is accepting of redefining their relationship from the start, without a visible qualm or second thought anywhere along the way. Zane's panic attack at the end is really more about self-esteem and his fear of being happy than his sudden sidestep into queerness.

Eli, who is, after all, the POV character through all the book's events, seems to have the requisite shaky nerves, but rather than taking us on an internal journey through Eli's qualms and fears and the breakdown of his masculinity as constructed, Okati instead forces Eli's positional shifts based entirely on external (and clichéd) events, like the need to stand up for Zane and himself to their bigoted coworkers or the aforementioned anaphylactic shock scare. Moreover, the need for Eli to 'get over it' feels like it's couched more in Eli's ability to hold hands with (or kiss) Zane in public than to go through a restructure of the person as whom he's always defined himself.

It feels even more damning in the lack of any real, dimensional secondary characters to help pull the slack. The only two women of the piece, Diana and [name:] are pretty much there to be the yentas for Zane and Eli. I can't think of a single moment in the story that they were part of that didn't somehow involve them enabling the relationship between Zane and Eli and I, at least, found their characters painted in too broad strokes to even be particularly interesting.

Taye and Richie largely seem to exist to be "the good gays"; Taye is Eli's mentor into the world of gayness and, other than almost killing Zane and bringing about the big "climax" of the story by doing so, Richie largely exists to be Taye's partner and show Eli that gays can, too, have loving relationships. I like them better than the women, if only for their willingness to be That Gay Guy and mentor Eli through his Gay Panic, but there's no more real substance to them than there is to Diana and .

Because the secondary characters feel so entirely functional—existing only to serve a particular plot function—the lack of internal journeys for Eli and Zane feels that much less convincing and that much less (again, for me) interesting. I just didn't care about this story, these guys, their friends. There was nothing there that engaged me on an emotional level and, though Okati's prose is perfectly workmanlike, it tells a great deal more than it shows, which is much less convincing.

Going back to the climax, the trouble there is the same trouble I have with a number of TV shows which is this: attempting to create dramatic tension by threatening to kill off one of the main character only works if the reader/watcher has reason to believe you'll follow through with the threat. JJ Abrams goes out of his way to not kill his characters, even when to not do so creates narrative absurdity and a break in the willing suspension of disbelief. Joss Whedon (and Eric Kripke, for that matter) are held in such terror by fandom because we all know, all too well, that they are more than willing to pull the trigger and will do so with glee.

Within the romance genre, the likelihood that the author will actually kill half of the couple they've spent these hundreds of pages to build is unlikely, in the extreme. And for quite reasonable reasons: people generally read romance to get their HEA. The stories where the protagonists die usually get classed in a different genre.

So while Zane nearly dying from the consumption of strawberries in his shake was supposed to be the huge, pivotal scene of the story, I found it's dramatic effect nearly nonexistent because of a) the long, telegraphing wind-up to get to that part and b) the fact that Zane dying would ruin the romance and there was still another 40 pages to go. Quite frankly, I had no expectation that Okati would pull the trigger, and thus it makes the entire wait to see if Zane will live or die rather flat.

While flawed, it is abundantly obvious to me that at least some of my issues with ACMitM are subjective and taste oriented, rather than an actual fault of the writing or construction process. And, at the end of the day, I feel as though it's an excellent example of a story that is written well enough but that still falls completely short, simply for not hitting the reader's preferred narrative kinks.

[Susan65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“And Call Me in The Morning” started out a little slowly for me, but just about a third of the way in I was hooked. I really enjoyed the slow way Eli and Zane handled the surprising relationship they found themselves in. It was always "together" and that is how they were successful in wading through the great unknown of a same-sex relationship, when they were both in their early forties...and believed they were both strictly heterosexual.

I was afraid at first that they would easily jump into sex, knowing exactly what to do, but fortunately it didn't happen that way. They got the kissing down first. Which I loved. And I also loved how Eli was at the beginning, too nervous to even look at Zane's body. It was cute and sweet and the love between them was so obvious. I want that.

The "incident" took me by surprise. I guess I should have expected it, but I didn't. How Eli handled seeing Zane hurt was so realistic. I can not imagine going through that. I saw this story as very realistic, emotion-wise, and recommend to all looking for a slow burn, but very loving and real gay-for-you.

[Jimmy Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two words: "LOVED IT"
I'm not entirely sure why ... it's that kind of all-around feeling you get when you can't really pinpoint any one thing that works or doesn't work.

Zane and Eli are a couple that aren't EXACTLY a couple in the strictest sense, and yet they *have* been for years. The only thing missing was the sexual aspect of it, and I think that's charming. Friends first - and not just friends, but GREAT friends at that - and then one day the hell with it, they try a kiss just to prove everyone wrong, and end up just proving that everything was right. And not just right - but SO right.

There is give and take, flashes of anger and moments of masculine insecurity that come out in frustrated bouts of 'not-talking-about-it-but-damnit-you-know-what-I'm-trying-to-say' spurts. After reading so many novels filled with nothing but crying boys and fly-away twinks, it was refreshing to run across this 'almost-but-no-quite-old' pair discovering things for the first time, with a crapload of life-experience [just not 'gay experience':] behind them. Which equates to VLB [very little bullshit:].

Has to go in my favorites. Period.

[Eli Easton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book an extra star for a true gay-for-you plotline. I enjoyed it and read through it quickly. At this point, having read so many excelled m/m romances this one just felt 'ok', nothing particularly special or sparkling about the writing. There was some attempt at wit in it, but it wasn't particularly witty (as opposed to a book like Shattered Glass or anything by Josh Lanyon). But it is a fun trope, a believable progression and the sex scenes were pretty steamy. The 'crisis' at the end, where Zane pushes Eli away, felt utterly manufactured as there was really no reason for it and the author had not set the character up that way. But overall a decent read.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a cute story. I really enjoyed the easy going nature of the Zane and Eli's friendship and banter. This continued on through their relationship as lovers. Even though this was a bit predictible, and the guys were acting a bit stupidly most especially at the end, it was quite enjoyable. I wasn't quite sure why if Zane had all this family money available, he didn't use it for the free clinic he so desparately wanted to remain open. I also liked how things were wrapped up nice and tidy in the epilogue.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and not complicated double GFY doctor story.

A few quibbles: annoying, interfering friends, dramatic OMG you almost died plot device, pitcher has issues with PDAs and bottom gets a bit emotional. While none of those things is particularly bad, taken together pushes it into Tropesville.

Nonetheless, pleasant read and relaxing.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous BR with my girls!!!

Review to come!

[UnusualChild{beppy} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eli was a policeman, and when he was looking at desk duty because he got injured on the job, he decided to become a doctor. He's been one now for a few years, and he loves his job. He also likes his co-workers, especially his best friend, Zane. Eli and Zane are so close that everyone thinks that they are dating, or pretends that they think that, anyway.
It's not true, because both Eli and Zane are straight, but one day, Zane suggests that they try a little experiment and kiss. When it blows up in their faces, they both have to come to terms with aspects of themselves that they never thought about before.

Here's my dilemma: while reading it, I could tell that the writing was good, and the characters were interesting, but I just didn't like the story, or care about what happened to the characters. I really, really wanted to rate it a 1 or 2 star, but there was nothing wrong with it. On the other hand, I absolutely couldn't rate it a 4 or 5 star, because if it weren't for a challenge, I would have dnf'd the book. So, I split the difference and went with 3 stars.
Eli had more issues than Zane with maybe being attracted to a guy, but he still took it fairly well, without a lot of angst and "how could this happen?". He didn't have issues with anyone else being gay either.
Their friends were well drawn, and I really liked the secondary gay couple, who was already established when we meet them. I actually want more of their backstory.
Zane and Eli's relationship built rather quickly, although they are both older, so they should have a better idea of what they want, and a more realistic idea of who they are. I liked that the angst in the story wasn't caused by gay bashers or haters, although there were a few of them, but by something else. There wasn't even really lack of communication, since Zane and Eli know everything about each other.
I honestly don't know why I didn't like the story. Sometimes, things just don't click between reader and writer, and I think that is the case here.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this very good m/m romance, two straight doctors, whose friends always tease them about being a couple, kiss each other just to prove there isn’t anything like that between them. Whoops. (And, as many others have mentioned, neither of the characters is described as looking as old as the guys on the cover look.)

[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I enjoyed reading this...but nearly four days after finishing it, I must admit I am a little foggy on exactly why. It wasn't a very angsty book, and there was a whole bunch of GFY floating around, so that was good, but there also seems to be not a lot that was strictly rememberable. I guess. I do remember getting fed up with both of them by the end, though, with the whole 'I want you, you want me, but we can't bloody well communicate worth a damn so we are going to implode in self-made melodrama' thing.

Also, being allergic to strawberries must suck. Or to any food, really. I mean, i'm not all that fond of the local flora around spring time, but at least I don't have to fear for my life if someone fucks up my food order. Plus, strawberries are yummy.

[Buggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, a sweet romance but I often had trouble discerning whose head I was in because the main characters voices were so similar. A great first kiss though and clever hook for the books romance. Lets prove to our friends that there's nothing between us, one little kiss won't mean or change anything, will it?

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about best friends falling in love. The men are older, have been through a lot in their lives and their slowly evolving relationship was fun to read. Low angst, at times very hot and entertaining throughout.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet story. I always like books where the MCs are a little older. It is so rare to find men in their 40s as MC in M/M romance. This also had an excellent supporting cast. Great little read.

[Cindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a big fan of friends to lovers stories. The fact that the two main characters are both older (early 40's) helped a lot when it came to making a decision on whether I wanted to read this. It started out good. Eli and Zane are best friends and have been for years. Eli is a former cop who was once treated for an on the job injury by Zane (a physician). They became friends. Eli left the force and went to medical school. Years later they both work at the same hospital. They are the best of friends... and both straight. Eli had been married before and Zane had a "thing" with a girl years earlier in Paris.

All of that was good.

The book starts out with Eli and Zane having brunch with colleagues at an upscale restaurant. These colleagues (and everyone else apparently) always assumed that there was more to Zane and Eli's relationship than just friendship. After the brunch, they decide to test it out once and for all and they kiss in the parking lot. So far, still good. I like the way all of that happened. After that? Not so much. As much as I enjoyed watching the two try to reconcile what they are feeling for each other, it simply fell flat to me. I felt like I was being TOLD what Zane and Eli were feeling. I didn't feel it. Just words on a screen, if that makes sense. I did not feel anything with the exception of seriously wanting to go ahead and finish the book. I know that sounds harsh and I hate even saying it but I'm being honest. I almost stopped reading about midway but I kept going because there are so many great reviews. I'm not saying it is not a good story. It is. But.... I just didn't feel it.

Also, some things I really don't understand. If Zane was so angry with Eli for contacting Yvonne (the girl from Paris) why had he (Zane) done his own research in regards to her on Eli's computer? That did not make sense to me. I am assuming that the free clinic did, in fact, close. Not mentioned though I guess that one is a no-brainer. What about Zane's family? There was quite a bit of talk about them in passing but no details were given at all. I kept waiting for a back story but it never happened. Not much about Eli's past either. He was a cop. He was married. That about sums it up.

I love Eli and Zane. While Eli was a little stiff (okay, A LOT of stiff), Zane was cute and he was funny. I love how he was eager to let the world know how he felt about Eli.

All of that was good but I still can't say that I got a feel for the story in general. Also, some of the wording seemed dated. I get that the main characters were in the early 40's but so am I and I don't talk like that.

This will not prevent me from reading more by this author. I've read too many raving reviews for me to not give another of her books a shot.

[Anna D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main characters are actually pretty lovable and many times their dedication and love for each other was very sweet and palpable, especially Eli because he is going through a difficult time of coming out of the closet. It’s both a personal and public struggle for him to accept who he is and announce that to the world. All the ingredients were here for a delicious coming out and passionate love story – however the construction and mixture of the ingredients were a little off. See below of what went awry IMO.

What bothered me:
1) The story was told only from Eli’s point of view. I think it would have been interesting to read Zane’s thoughts – he expresses some deeply emotional things that may have been better communicated to the readers from his point of view.
2) Eli and Zane are 43 and 41 years old, but they read like men in their 20’s – the way they talk, act, and think sound immature - especially in Eli’s case whose thoughts we’re privy to. He’s supposed to be an experienced ex-cop turned doctor and divorced but my gosh, many times he sounded like he’s just right out of college!
3) I get that they are supposed to be so connected that they understand each other so fully, but to make it so they “read” each other’s thoughts – literally, by answering the exact question posed in their thoughts - comes off so fictional and instead of making me think that they have a deep understanding of each other, it only served as a reminder that I’m reading a book and it pulls me out of their world – if that makes any sense. Thus creating an eye-rolling moment.
4) What was the point of mentioning Yvonne at all?
5) What happens in the end – Eli’s big gesture - felt forced and a quick wrap up to the story. I suppose I like my HEAs to feel more natural. To be fair, I will say that the ending wasn’t bad, it just isn’t what I prefer.
6) There’s a level on implausibility (in the plot, the characters, and the dialogue) that can’t be ignored. Maybe it’s in the disconnect between the characters and their actions, or the writing, or something I can’t quite put my finger on – but whatever it is, it dropped my interest in the story and the characters a little bit.

[Onyx · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am seriously underwhelmed and unimpressed with this book.

Admittedly, I am being harsh here because friends-to-lovers is my absolute favorite storyline and this is the worst realization of that trope I have ever read. The "experimental kiss" takes place in the very first chapter, eliminating any chance of a building romance. There is only more porn. A nervous kiss. Nervous handjob. Amateur blowjob. More first-time sex until the end of the book. It's boring and predicable.

I hated how the "friends" kept pushing them together. It was not cute. And although both men had been married to women before, neither one comes out as bisexual. The only time sexuality is discussed is when the resident gay friend guru throws out the term 'bi-curious' like a phase all closeted people go through. Bisexuality exists, thank you very much.

The existential crises were, again, boring and predictable, and came up conveniently in the course of their relationship. The writing was vacant, one dimensional and rough; the characters even more so. I felt nothing for them. The POV character (though it was hard to tell, sometimes) swore so much it was distracting. On top of that, there were lots of big words that clashed entirely with the characters and the narration. Throwing out words like 'aspersions cast', 'absconded with', and once, 'nary,' just rang false when the MC was 1) not verbose, and 2) prone to cursing all the time!

Jeez. I was not happy with And Call Me in the Morning. I never really believed they were friends and so I never fell for their love story. These are just bland run-of-the-mill characters having mediocre sex with an added side of fluff. Welcome to the fail shelf.