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jamieb_19's reviews
191 reviews
Friends with Benefits by Saxon James
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Friendly Fire by Saxon James
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Forbidden Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Getting Friendly by Saxon James
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was cute and very low angst. Auggie was funny. He was full of sass and could be a bit of a hot mess with his rambling and clumsiness. Leon probably would have been smart to run when Auggie came looking for an interview, but he was willing to take a chance on him - which meant a lot to Auggie. Despite Auggie not being Leon's usual type, Auggie grew on him, and it didn't take long for Leon to develop a soft spot for him. The romance was slow to develop, but they were sweet when they finally got together.
Perhaps not my favorite of the series, but it was still a cute, easy read. Honestly, the most unbelievable part was that Leon was so accomplished for only being 24yrs old. He came across as a much older character.
Perhaps not my favorite of the series, but it was still a cute, easy read. Honestly, the most unbelievable part was that Leon was so accomplished for only being 24yrs old. He came across as a much older character.
Fake Friends by Saxon James
Five years ago, Rowan and Circus had a falling out (a pretty massive one), after which Rowan promptly left town. Now he's back and hoping to get Circus to forgive him. But Circus isn't going to make it easy on him. He's also not going to let himself fall for Rowan again because it's clear that Rowan is still very much hiding who he really is. It's just too bad his heart didn't get the memo.
Oof, this one was fairly angsty! I gasped when I learned what happened between Rowan and Circus 5 years ago. I wasn't sure how you'd come back from something like that. But once you understand all Rowan's been dealing with his whole life, I could see why Circus would be willing to forgive him. Any hatred Circus had toward him would pale in comparison to the level of self-loathing Rowan had, anyway.
While I don't condone what Rowan did when they were in high school, my heart broke for him now. The internalized homophobia and the awful things he had to grow up listening to his family say about queer people would be hard for anyone to deal with. My heart broke for Circus, too; he was so lonely and wanted more than anything a family to love. I enjoyed seeing them find their way back to each other and seeing Rowan slowly accept himself and finally be brave enough to pursue something with the one guy he's always wanted.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“You’ve always been too good for me,” he mutters.
“Eh, I’m just a messy person falling for an equally messy person.”
Five years ago, Rowan and Circus had a falling out (a pretty massive one), after which Rowan promptly left town. Now he's back and hoping to get Circus to forgive him. But Circus isn't going to make it easy on him. He's also not going to let himself fall for Rowan again because it's clear that Rowan is still very much hiding who he really is. It's just too bad his heart didn't get the memo.
Oof, this one was fairly angsty! I gasped when I learned what happened between Rowan and Circus 5 years ago. I wasn't sure how you'd come back from something like that. But once you understand all Rowan's been dealing with his whole life, I could see why Circus would be willing to forgive him. Any hatred Circus had toward him would pale in comparison to the level of self-loathing Rowan had, anyway.
While I don't condone what Rowan did when they were in high school, my heart broke for him now. The internalized homophobia and the awful things he had to grow up listening to his family say about queer people would be hard for anyone to deal with. My heart broke for Circus, too; he was so lonely and wanted more than anything a family to love. I enjoyed seeing them find their way back to each other and seeing Rowan slowly accept himself and finally be brave enough to pursue something with the one guy he's always wanted.
10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love by Emmy Sanders
My original plan was to read the Elite 8 series before I read this book so I could meet Brad before reading his book. But after seeing so many friends reading and raving about it, I threw that plan out the window and dove in. I’m so glad I didn’t wait because I adored this book! It was just the perfect, lighthearted rom-com. There was virtually no angst and I laughed and swooned so much while reading it. It was silly and sexy and left me with happy tears and a huge smile on my face by the time I was done.
Brad!!! My beloved. We must protect this man at all costs. I completely see why everyone fell in love with him and wanted him to star in his own book. He was the sweetest, most big-hearted, genuine character I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. He may have been a himbo but he was also smart, thoughtful, driven, and fearless. Honestly, Joey never stood a chance against him. He just has the energy that draws people in and he’s so endearing that once you’re in his orbit, you never want to leave it.
The things that went through Brad’s head and the things that came out of his mouth cracked me up. The amount of double entendres in this book is seriously impressive and highly entertaining! I’m not sure what I enjoyed more, Brad saying all these things and having no idea how he came across or Brad’s inner dialogue when he finally started to hear it. The guy was a hoot and I highlighted so many things.
Joey was the perfect match for him. He was down bad for Brad from the get-go and was even willing to just be friends once he found out Brad was straight if it meant keeping him in his life. Fortunately for Joey, Brad undergoes the sweetest and funniest bi-awakening. I loved Brad discovering his attraction to Joey and Joey’s reaction when he learned that more than friends was an option for them. These two had the best chemistry. They were so sweet and open; I loved how well they understood each other and only wanted the best for one another. This book was plenty spicy with Brad learning the ropes of being with a man, but the spicy scenes even managed to be funny and endearing, staying true to these characters.
Honestly, I loved every single thing about this book. Joey and Brad will always hold a special place in my heart. I can see myself returning to their book whenever I need a dose of pure happiness. This book is 100% a feel-good, fluffy read and I could ramble about it forever. But rather than subjecting you to that, I’ll just say - if you need some good vibes, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book. Brad and Joey will have you covered!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I’ll be the best wingman Joey has ever had. Mark my words. By the time I’m through with him, he’ll be head over heels in love.
My original plan was to read the Elite 8 series before I read this book so I could meet Brad before reading his book. But after seeing so many friends reading and raving about it, I threw that plan out the window and dove in. I’m so glad I didn’t wait because I adored this book! It was just the perfect, lighthearted rom-com. There was virtually no angst and I laughed and swooned so much while reading it. It was silly and sexy and left me with happy tears and a huge smile on my face by the time I was done.
“I don’t have a perfect answer,” he says. “All I know is I understand cum gutters now because of you, and I’m pretty sure I’d like to test yours out if you’d let me.”
Brad!!! My beloved. We must protect this man at all costs. I completely see why everyone fell in love with him and wanted him to star in his own book. He was the sweetest, most big-hearted, genuine character I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. He may have been a himbo but he was also smart, thoughtful, driven, and fearless. Honestly, Joey never stood a chance against him. He just has the energy that draws people in and he’s so endearing that once you’re in his orbit, you never want to leave it.
The things that went through Brad’s head and the things that came out of his mouth cracked me up. The amount of double entendres in this book is seriously impressive and highly entertaining! I’m not sure what I enjoyed more, Brad saying all these things and having no idea how he came across or Brad’s inner dialogue when he finally started to hear it. The guy was a hoot and I highlighted so many things.
He’s everything I didn’t know I wanted, never thought I’d get, and can’t bear to let go of.
Joey was the perfect match for him. He was down bad for Brad from the get-go and was even willing to just be friends once he found out Brad was straight if it meant keeping him in his life. Fortunately for Joey, Brad undergoes the sweetest and funniest bi-awakening. I loved Brad discovering his attraction to Joey and Joey’s reaction when he learned that more than friends was an option for them. These two had the best chemistry. They were so sweet and open; I loved how well they understood each other and only wanted the best for one another. This book was plenty spicy with Brad learning the ropes of being with a man, but the spicy scenes even managed to be funny and endearing, staying true to these characters.
He’s the first. The first person I’ve fallen in love with.
If I’m lucky, he’ll be my last.
Honestly, I loved every single thing about this book. Joey and Brad will always hold a special place in my heart. I can see myself returning to their book whenever I need a dose of pure happiness. This book is 100% a feel-good, fluffy read and I could ramble about it forever. But rather than subjecting you to that, I’ll just say - if you need some good vibes, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book. Brad and Joey will have you covered!
I guess in the end, I really crushed this whole wingman thing, didn’t I? I found Joey his guy. The one who will love him for all he is and all he will be.
And, as it turns out, I found my person, too.
Just Friends by Saxon James
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Trying to make my way through the few Saxon James books I haven’t read yet so I decided to finally read this series. Tanner and Roo were very sweet together. I loved their friendship and how affectionate and open they were with each other. Which of course led to the entire town assuming they were dating, even back when there were in high school. I love when the people in the relationship are the last to know!
Tanner’s sexual awakening was fun to read. Roo knew he was in love with Tanner and wanted to be with him and Tanner loved Roo but didn’t realize the feelings were actually more than friendly. I’m glad he finally figured it out and it wasn’t a big issue for him.
Tanner and Roo were meant to be and I’m glad they finally got on the same page!
Tanner’s sexual awakening was fun to read. Roo knew he was in love with Tanner and wanted to be with him and Tanner loved Roo but didn’t realize the feelings were actually more than friendly. I’m glad he finally figured it out and it wasn’t a big issue for him.
Tanner and Roo were meant to be and I’m glad they finally got on the same page!
Cherry Picker by A.J. Truman
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
A sexy little romp and a nice intro to the upcoming Comebacks series!
Royal Scoundrel by Iggy Toma (Narrator), Alexander Cendese (Narrator), Saxon James
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I love Archie and Dash! I’m so glad Saxon gave us their story. This may only be a novella but it was packed with so much goodness. Archie and Dash were so cute together and this book was plenty spicy! I loved all the early 2000s references, especially since that was the time I was also in college. There was a bit of angst before we get to the sweetest ending. This was the perfect addition to the Frat Wars series!
The Embrace of Evergreen by Rayne Hawthorne, D.W. Michaels
Ethan had been in love once when he was a teenager but after things didn’t work out, he’s spent the years since chasing that feeling. But with every failed attempt he’s more and more convinced that there’s something broken inside him. Despite all that, he still harbors a kernel of hope that one day he’ll find love again.
Blue, on the other hand, has sworn off love and relationships completely after having had his heart broken time and again. Occasional hookups suit him just fine. But then he sees a cute guy in the coffee shop and finds himself looking for any excuse to spend time with him. The more they get to know each other, the more Blue begins to reconsider his stance on love and he’s just got to hope that this time is different than all the other times that left him hurt and alone.
This book got off to a bit of a slow start. Ethan and Blue didn’t even speak to one another until around the 25% mark. But once they did, things picked up for me. I enjoyed seeing their friendship form. They were so sweet together and Blue was so good to Ethan. The middle part of the book was just lovely as these two grew closer and fell in love. It was understandably a slow burn being that Ethan was demisexual. I enjoyed that part of his journey too. The poor guy spent so many years convinced that something was broken inside him but then Blue came in and helped him understand his sexuality and realize that the way he experienced attraction was completely normal.
The book gets quite angsty toward the end. I figured this would happen, given the threads that were carried over from the first book, but I was not expecting it to go over quite how it did. I won’t spoil anything but there was a different aspect that I wished had gotten more focus during this period. Sorry for being vague, but I think you can guess what I mean once you’ve read it. To that end - even though this is about a new couple, you’re going to want to read Beneath the Indigo Sky before you read this since there are overarching storylines that are best appreciated if you read them in order. I almost wish there had been a little more overlap (or maybe having it happen sooner so certain things could have been explored more).
Anyway, I’m curious to see where the story goes next in the last book of the series!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ethan is everything that I’ve avoided for years. He’s everything that’s dangerous and risky and terrifying with his perfectly muscled shoulders and eyes as green as deep wood ferns.
Ethan had been in love once when he was a teenager but after things didn’t work out, he’s spent the years since chasing that feeling. But with every failed attempt he’s more and more convinced that there’s something broken inside him. Despite all that, he still harbors a kernel of hope that one day he’ll find love again.
Blue, on the other hand, has sworn off love and relationships completely after having had his heart broken time and again. Occasional hookups suit him just fine. But then he sees a cute guy in the coffee shop and finds himself looking for any excuse to spend time with him. The more they get to know each other, the more Blue begins to reconsider his stance on love and he’s just got to hope that this time is different than all the other times that left him hurt and alone.
He makes me want to be happy. Not just existing, but deeply and truly happy.
This book got off to a bit of a slow start. Ethan and Blue didn’t even speak to one another until around the 25% mark. But once they did, things picked up for me. I enjoyed seeing their friendship form. They were so sweet together and Blue was so good to Ethan. The middle part of the book was just lovely as these two grew closer and fell in love. It was understandably a slow burn being that Ethan was demisexual. I enjoyed that part of his journey too. The poor guy spent so many years convinced that something was broken inside him but then Blue came in and helped him understand his sexuality and realize that the way he experienced attraction was completely normal.
The book gets quite angsty toward the end. I figured this would happen, given the threads that were carried over from the first book, but I was not expecting it to go over quite how it did. I won’t spoil anything but there was a different aspect that I wished had gotten more focus during this period. Sorry for being vague, but I think you can guess what I mean once you’ve read it. To that end - even though this is about a new couple, you’re going to want to read Beneath the Indigo Sky before you read this since there are overarching storylines that are best appreciated if you read them in order. I almost wish there had been a little more overlap (or maybe having it happen sooner so certain things could have been explored more).
Anyway, I’m curious to see where the story goes next in the last book of the series!
All the years I’ve spent searching and clinging to slowly fading hope have fallen away, and this is what I have been looking for all of my life.