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The Best Men #1
The Best Men
Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely team up for the first time in an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, irresistibly sexy standalone romance between the best man and the other best man!
In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a life-long penchant for protecting my baby sister. Still, that's no excuse to send ten drunk-texts on why her hasty marriage would be a mistake.
If only I had just texted my sister. But nope. I accidentally sent the message to her, her groom, and his super hot wingman.
I also used the phrase “super hot wingman,” so I’d like to die now.
Instead, I have to plan a wedding with the aforementioned hottie and share a too-small guesthouse in steamy Miami.
Three days in the sun with the cocky, charming former athlete who likes to push my buttons? Fine, two can play at that let’s-infuriate-each-other game.
Until Asher ups the stakes with one wildly sexy suggestion. A no-strings fling, then I go back to my single dad life in New York, and he returns to his star-studded one.
Sign me up.
But the more nights I spend with the other best man, the more I want days too, and that just can't happen. Especially when I find out the real reason why…
Contents Include: First times, a secret to-do list, champion-level flirting, fast cars, #eggplants, and two men who look good in formal wear.
In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a life-long penchant for protecting my baby sister. Still, that's no excuse to send ten drunk-texts on why her hasty marriage would be a mistake.
If only I had just texted my sister. But nope. I accidentally sent the message to her, her groom, and his super hot wingman.
I also used the phrase “super hot wingman,” so I’d like to die now.
Instead, I have to plan a wedding with the aforementioned hottie and share a too-small guesthouse in steamy Miami.
Three days in the sun with the cocky, charming former athlete who likes to push my buttons? Fine, two can play at that let’s-infuriate-each-other game.
Until Asher ups the stakes with one wildly sexy suggestion. A no-strings fling, then I go back to my single dad life in New York, and he returns to his star-studded one.
Sign me up.
But the more nights I spend with the other best man, the more I want days too, and that just can't happen. Especially when I find out the real reason why…
Contents Include: First times, a secret to-do list, champion-level flirting, fast cars, #eggplants, and two men who look good in formal wear.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2022
About the author
Sarina Bowen
96 books16.3k followers
Sarina Bowen is the twenty-four-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of three dozen books, including: the True North series, and Brooklyn Hockey. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. She's the author of The Ivy Years series, and more!
Are you looking for a friends-to-lovers story or maybe even a secret baby book? You can read a list of Sarina's books broken out by trope and style.
Need to know what's coming next ? Get all the latest news on Sarina's website, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a book or a deal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,092 reviews
March 17, 2022
Ugh, this kills me to say, but The Best Men was hard for me to finish.
I love Sarina Bowen, and I love when she writes MM romance, and I ADORE these narrators, so what went wrong? Well, first of all, the voices of the voice actors didn't fit the MCs. I thought the roles should have been switched, and it distracted me to no end. However, that wouldn't have been a huge issue if the book wasn't just so, well, boring.
Rich guy + numeric list sex + repeat.
I found it to be repetitive and unrealistic, but, worst of all, it just couldn't capture my attention. Maybe it's the effect of Lauren Blakely (who I've never read), but this book was just not my jam.
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January 9, 2022
The Best Men is by Lauren Blakely and Sarina Bowen. This is a MM Opposites attract, single dad, swoony, sexy, wonderful romance that has completely rocked my world. What happens when you put two authors that write amazing MM romance together? Magic! That’s what happens. I will attempt to write this review without repeatedly using the words swoony, or amazing, or butterflies over and over. But don’t hold your breath because those are some of my favorite words.
Mark Banks is a divorced, slightly angry, single father to his adorable six year old daughter. He is a buttoned up, polo shirt wearing, spread sheet loving man that spends his days working in the financial trading world and his nights devoted to his daughter. Mark’s younger sister, Hannah is getting married very soon in Miami and Mark is her best man, along with a second best man, the best friend of Hannah’s fiancé. A man who never fails to get his hackles up and also gives him plenty of content for his fantasies.
Asher St. James is an ex-professional soccer player and current professional photographer. The first time he met Mark, sparks flew, both the good kind, and the opposite kind. Now Mark and Asher are going to be stuck in a small guest house together in Miami, getting everything ready for the wedding before the bride and groom arrive. It doesn’t take long for those sparks to turn into more and an agreement is made. A short fling, just while they are in Miami. Then, it’s over and they go back to their real lives.
Mark has a spread sheet with lots and lots of items he’d like to check off and Asher is just the man to help him with it. Mark surprises Asher in every way. He has a whole different side to himself that no one else ever gets to see. He’s a dirty talking, sexy, fearless man who loves every challenge thrown at him. And Asher, who thinks he is destined to live the single life, who thinks he has nothing to offer to a relationship, is everything that Mark could ever dream of. Together, these two are perfection.
This book! These two! Their banter was delicious. I smiled so much. Their love language was hilarious. Their chemistry was an inferno. This was one of those weeks where real life got in the way of my reading life. But I can guarantee you that even when I couldn’t read, I was thinking about these two. Watching them fall for each other was beautiful and fun and just so wonderful. My stomach was honestly constantly full of butterflies.
This is a low angst, sexy, banter filled bunch of swoony deliciousness that you don’t want to miss. I feel like I’m rambling here so I’ll close with a thank you to these two authors for brightening up my world with these amazing characters. I can’t wait to see what you do next.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Mark Banks is a divorced, slightly angry, single father to his adorable six year old daughter. He is a buttoned up, polo shirt wearing, spread sheet loving man that spends his days working in the financial trading world and his nights devoted to his daughter. Mark’s younger sister, Hannah is getting married very soon in Miami and Mark is her best man, along with a second best man, the best friend of Hannah’s fiancé. A man who never fails to get his hackles up and also gives him plenty of content for his fantasies.
Asher St. James is an ex-professional soccer player and current professional photographer. The first time he met Mark, sparks flew, both the good kind, and the opposite kind. Now Mark and Asher are going to be stuck in a small guest house together in Miami, getting everything ready for the wedding before the bride and groom arrive. It doesn’t take long for those sparks to turn into more and an agreement is made. A short fling, just while they are in Miami. Then, it’s over and they go back to their real lives.
Mark has a spread sheet with lots and lots of items he’d like to check off and Asher is just the man to help him with it. Mark surprises Asher in every way. He has a whole different side to himself that no one else ever gets to see. He’s a dirty talking, sexy, fearless man who loves every challenge thrown at him. And Asher, who thinks he is destined to live the single life, who thinks he has nothing to offer to a relationship, is everything that Mark could ever dream of. Together, these two are perfection.
This book! These two! Their banter was delicious. I smiled so much. Their love language was hilarious. Their chemistry was an inferno. This was one of those weeks where real life got in the way of my reading life. But I can guarantee you that even when I couldn’t read, I was thinking about these two. Watching them fall for each other was beautiful and fun and just so wonderful. My stomach was honestly constantly full of butterflies.
This is a low angst, sexy, banter filled bunch of swoony deliciousness that you don’t want to miss. I feel like I’m rambling here so I’ll close with a thank you to these two authors for brightening up my world with these amazing characters. I can’t wait to see what you do next.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
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January 19, 2022Wow, readers! Thank you for making The Best Men a bestseller! Lauren and I are so grateful!
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January 28, 2022
a very cute and fluffy read. nothing that special or memorable though. i also think that this was a little too long tbh. it could have been like a hundred pages shorter imo. it just dragged for me in a couple of spots. but this was a mostly enjoyable read overall. very easy to consume.
January 5, 2022
The Best Men by L. Blakely and S. Bowen is a mm romance of its finest. A story well thought out, a plottwist that had me want for more, a storyline and writing, unputdownable.
Asher is a photographer/event planner, ex-soccer star.
Mark is a divorced dad, a banker and he has his life mapped out, loves plans, you get the picture.
These men are so so different from each other, they could be from different worlds. But their attraction, phew, sizzling- just saying.
And now they're paired up to organize sister/best friends wedding. Lean back and enjoy.
You know the thing when you start a new book and it's like coming home right from the start? As if knowing the characters already ? This is this book. TBM is one-click material for true. Annnd the prequel is free. I recommend this gem of a story, 5 stars.
Asher is a photographer/event planner, ex-soccer star.
Mark is a divorced dad, a banker and he has his life mapped out, loves plans, you get the picture.
These men are so so different from each other, they could be from different worlds. But their attraction, phew, sizzling- just saying.
And now they're paired up to organize sister/best friends wedding. Lean back and enjoy.
You know the thing when you start a new book and it's like coming home right from the start? As if knowing the characters already ? This is this book. TBM is one-click material for true. Annnd the prequel is free. I recommend this gem of a story, 5 stars.
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January 19, 2022Audiobook - 4 Stars
Story - dnf @50%
It's me not the book. My expectations were too high. 😖
I was eager to read the text but that fell flat. 😩😢😂😂
The characters and the writing is not interesting enough for me to continue.
I have read all this before and I know where it's heading.
Story - dnf @50%
It's me not the book. My expectations were too high. 😖
I was eager to read the text but that fell flat. 😩😢😂😂
The characters and the writing is not interesting enough for me to continue.
I have read all this before and I know where it's heading.
January 20, 2022
EDIT: I realized that my 2 stars is WAY too generous for this joke of a book. Changing my rating to 1. My poor audiobook didn't get played even a second before I returned it to Amazon -- as I was told that even Teddy and Jacob can't have this salvaged. 🤷♀️
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This was ok until around 30-ish%.
I skimmed through 60% of it...
Worst thing about this book is that it's mostly about the wedding + the foolish sister and the also-foolish-but-super-rich-husband-to-be, and less about the best men.
Other bad things: too repetitive, plot is way too predictable, story is thoughtless with barely there entertainment value (cheesy romcoms are nothing without consistent giggle-worthy moments imo), most of the characters are pretentious
Some more bad things (this reason is like extremely subjective though): if I wanted to see the words spreadsheet, banking, trading that much, I would have just opened my work laptop (considering that I took a vacation leave today to read this)
And another: what kind of couple wants to have a hurried wedding BUT THEN makes their best men do everything for them?!
I could go on forever. But I'll stop now as I don't wanna waste my time. Orz.
I still love Sarina Bowen with all my heart but I think it's time to accept the fact that Him was a fluke. Some of her works turned out to be 'just fine' or a 'nope' for me... only Him series totally worked so far (it will be my forever all-time favorite) and I accept that now. Meanwhile, I haven't finished any Lauren Blakely before, or maybe ever.
Edit: I just remembered that I also liked SB's The Understatement of the Year. And I have to say that I will still NEVER stop reading her M/M books until my last breath. 😂
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This was ok until around 30-ish%.
I skimmed through 60% of it...
Worst thing about this book is that it's mostly about the wedding + the foolish sister and the also-foolish-but-super-rich-husband-to-be, and less about the best men.
Other bad things: too repetitive, plot is way too predictable, story is thoughtless with barely there entertainment value (cheesy romcoms are nothing without consistent giggle-worthy moments imo), most of the characters are pretentious
Some more bad things (this reason is like extremely subjective though): if I wanted to see the words spreadsheet, banking, trading that much, I would have just opened my work laptop (considering that I took a vacation leave today to read this)
And another: what kind of couple wants to have a hurried wedding BUT THEN makes their best men do everything for them?!
I could go on forever. But I'll stop now as I don't wanna waste my time. Orz.
I still love Sarina Bowen with all my heart but I think it's time to accept the fact that Him was a fluke. Some of her works turned out to be 'just fine' or a 'nope' for me... only Him series totally worked so far (it will be my forever all-time favorite) and I accept that now. Meanwhile, I haven't finished any Lauren Blakely before, or maybe ever.
Edit: I just remembered that I also liked SB's The Understatement of the Year. And I have to say that I will still NEVER stop reading her M/M books until my last breath. 😂
January 23, 2022
very shallow and cheesy, which - no shade! - is exactly what i expect from a Sarina Bowen book. this review will have a few minor spoilers, so be aware of that!
my biggest gripe about this, aside from the cardboard cutout characters, is the complete lack of stakes and angst. this is a dual POV book, so we get to see what both Mark and Asher are constantly thinking and it takes all the tension out of the ‘i like him so much, but he doesn’t feel the same uwu :(‘ monologues we -constantly- get from both of these guys. look, i get romance books are fairly formulaic - and that’s part of their charm and why i love them so much! - but you can’t really play the misunderstood feelings/unspoken attraction thing when we know they both feel the same way, imo! it just doesn’t work and feels like a bunch of filler.
speaking of filler, honestly this book could be condensed into probably half its current length and you wouldn’t miss anything. there is just waaaaay too much superfluous bullshit in this. the scene with Flip’s parents, for example? cutting that whole chapter would have affected nothing! it’s just there to be funny, i guess, but it didn’t make me laugh and that’s all that matters (to me anyway lmao). also, the whole subplot with Mark’s ex-wife was weird and not really resolved completely? that could’ve gone, too, without really changing much; Mark would’ve still had his big realization he needs to not ignore his own needs with the Valencia scene at the end.
i found the humor quite banal, too. the only way i could tell someone had made a joke most of the time was because another character would “howl with laughter”. yeah, okay. it just wasn’t very funny.
that’s not to say the whole book was awful, though. it was pretty cute at times, too. Mark and Asher were fairly superficial characters but there was just enough to keep me interested in their outcome. Rosie was pretty decently realized for a romance novel kid, too.
all in all, this was a decent read if you turn your brain off and just enjoy it for what it is. 3 stars.
my biggest gripe about this, aside from the cardboard cutout characters, is the complete lack of stakes and angst. this is a dual POV book, so we get to see what both Mark and Asher are constantly thinking and it takes all the tension out of the ‘i like him so much, but he doesn’t feel the same uwu :(‘ monologues we -constantly- get from both of these guys. look, i get romance books are fairly formulaic - and that’s part of their charm and why i love them so much! - but you can’t really play the misunderstood feelings/unspoken attraction thing when we know they both feel the same way, imo! it just doesn’t work and feels like a bunch of filler.
speaking of filler, honestly this book could be condensed into probably half its current length and you wouldn’t miss anything. there is just waaaaay too much superfluous bullshit in this. the scene with Flip’s parents, for example? cutting that whole chapter would have affected nothing! it’s just there to be funny, i guess, but it didn’t make me laugh and that’s all that matters (to me anyway lmao). also, the whole subplot with Mark’s ex-wife was weird and not really resolved completely? that could’ve gone, too, without really changing much; Mark would’ve still had his big realization he needs to not ignore his own needs with the Valencia scene at the end.
i found the humor quite banal, too. the only way i could tell someone had made a joke most of the time was because another character would “howl with laughter”. yeah, okay. it just wasn’t very funny.
that’s not to say the whole book was awful, though. it was pretty cute at times, too. Mark and Asher were fairly superficial characters but there was just enough to keep me interested in their outcome. Rosie was pretty decently realized for a romance novel kid, too.
all in all, this was a decent read if you turn your brain off and just enjoy it for what it is. 3 stars.
January 5, 2022
And that goes straight onto the Favourites Shelf!
You know sometimes you just want to read a book that entertains you without it being full of angsty drama or unnecessary complications just to drive up the "shock horror" point?
Well, this is that book. It's just fun. From the ridiculous drunken text messages Mark leaves in the group chat for his sister's wedding, to Asher's irrepressible nature, it's just joyous.
There is some tension, of course there is otherwise it'd be a one-note emotional experience, but they're all valid and come up as part of the narrative in an organic fashion which makes sense based on all we've seen of the two men.
Mark appears like he's a boring banker (although he'll be quick to point out he's a trader, a man who takes risks every day!) but he's anything but. There's a fire in him that's been waiting for free reign after he'd ended up stuck in a marriage that occured because his college girlfriend got pregnant.
Asher comes across as all surface only, he's a rich, successful former footballer (the right version with the round ball ⚽ 😉) and now has a career as a sought-after sports and leisure photographer. And even here things were "easy". Unlike the real world, Asher had no problem being a gay man playing in the Premier League.
I have to say, I'm not sure how much either author really knows about British or European Football as they seemed to mix up the two as being the same thing - Premier League = England's top clubs - not playing in Europe unless it's a cup competition so if Asher was playing at Barcelona at any time, he wasn't playing for an English club outside of a tournament 😁
Still, it doesn't detract from the overall story and it's more of a thing thrown in in passing for his background. He's not played for a while when the book begins.
So, as I said, he seems like he's a bit of a flyaway but he's hiding a lot of hurt. His last boyfriend basically left him the day he was going to ask him to move in and really damaged Asher's sense of worth.
From their less-than ideal first meeting - which is available free in the prequel Super Hot Wingman - through to the start of their HEA, both men grow closer and gain strength from the other.
The book is as equally swoony and warm-hearted as it is scorching hot, with insane intimacy and chemistry that bounces off the page. The sex scenes in this one are on fire when Mark finally lets go and Asher gets to bathe in all his nerdy focus.
With a strong setting and some great secondary characters, this book delivers on all fronts.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via Candy KANE PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
You know sometimes you just want to read a book that entertains you without it being full of angsty drama or unnecessary complications just to drive up the "shock horror" point?
Well, this is that book. It's just fun. From the ridiculous drunken text messages Mark leaves in the group chat for his sister's wedding, to Asher's irrepressible nature, it's just joyous.
There is some tension, of course there is otherwise it'd be a one-note emotional experience, but they're all valid and come up as part of the narrative in an organic fashion which makes sense based on all we've seen of the two men.
Mark appears like he's a boring banker (although he'll be quick to point out he's a trader, a man who takes risks every day!) but he's anything but. There's a fire in him that's been waiting for free reign after he'd ended up stuck in a marriage that occured because his college girlfriend got pregnant.
Asher comes across as all surface only, he's a rich, successful former footballer (the right version with the round ball ⚽ 😉) and now has a career as a sought-after sports and leisure photographer. And even here things were "easy". Unlike the real world, Asher had no problem being a gay man playing in the Premier League.
I have to say, I'm not sure how much either author really knows about British or European Football as they seemed to mix up the two as being the same thing - Premier League = England's top clubs - not playing in Europe unless it's a cup competition so if Asher was playing at Barcelona at any time, he wasn't playing for an English club outside of a tournament 😁
Still, it doesn't detract from the overall story and it's more of a thing thrown in in passing for his background. He's not played for a while when the book begins.
So, as I said, he seems like he's a bit of a flyaway but he's hiding a lot of hurt. His last boyfriend basically left him the day he was going to ask him to move in and really damaged Asher's sense of worth.
From their less-than ideal first meeting - which is available free in the prequel Super Hot Wingman - through to the start of their HEA, both men grow closer and gain strength from the other.
The book is as equally swoony and warm-hearted as it is scorching hot, with insane intimacy and chemistry that bounces off the page. The sex scenes in this one are on fire when Mark finally lets go and Asher gets to bathe in all his nerdy focus.
With a strong setting and some great secondary characters, this book delivers on all fronts.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via Candy KANE PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
February 16, 2022
3.5⭐
What I loved about this story the most were the main characters. Mark is a chess loving Wall Street banker/trader and a divorced single father who thinks math is hot and Asher is a laid-back ex professional soccer player turned globe-trotting photographer who loves fun. They had such a great banter going on, and the way their relationship went from complete opposites to wary acquaintances to friends to lovers... It was quite exciting to watch and it made for a sweet and cute romance. From there though (cca. 35%) it went a little bit downhill for me...
Most of the story revolved around the wedding (Mark's sister Hannah & Asher's BFF Flip), which made for funny moments, but on the other hand I found it quite dragging. I couldn't care less about Flip's parents for example. Nevertheless, overall it was steamy, entertaining and easy to read. It wasn't my favorite by Sarina Bowen but I still enjoyed it, especially the excellent beginning. (I haven't read that much by Lauren Blakely, so I can't judge here:).
What I loved about this story the most were the main characters. Mark is a chess loving Wall Street banker/trader and a divorced single father who thinks math is hot and Asher is a laid-back ex professional soccer player turned globe-trotting photographer who loves fun. They had such a great banter going on, and the way their relationship went from complete opposites to wary acquaintances to friends to lovers... It was quite exciting to watch and it made for a sweet and cute romance. From there though (cca. 35%) it went a little bit downhill for me...
Most of the story revolved around the wedding (Mark's sister Hannah & Asher's BFF Flip), which made for funny moments, but on the other hand I found it quite dragging. I couldn't care less about Flip's parents for example. Nevertheless, overall it was steamy, entertaining and easy to read. It wasn't my favorite by Sarina Bowen but I still enjoyed it, especially the excellent beginning. (I haven't read that much by Lauren Blakely, so I can't judge here:).
August 16, 2021
A no-strings fling with the other best man? Sign me up.
Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely team up for the first time in an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, irresistibly sexy standalone romance between the best man and the other best man!
✦ Amazon ➜ http://blkly.pub/TheBestMenKindle
✦ Apple ➜ http://blkly.pub/TheBestMenApple
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Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely team up for the first time in an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, irresistibly sexy standalone romance between the best man and the other best man!
✦ Amazon ➜ http://blkly.pub/TheBestMenKindle
✦ Apple ➜ http://blkly.pub/TheBestMenApple
✦ Nook ➜ http://blkly.pub/NookTheBestMen
✦ Kobo ➜ http://blkly.pub/KoboTheBestMen
✦ Google ➜ http://blkly.pub/TheBestMenGoogle
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for Lauren’s audio newsletter to receive news when this Teddy Hamilton-Jacob Morgan audiobook is available to order!
http://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio
[image error]
January 28, 2022
And then, shit hit the fan... WHY BABY JESUS!!! 😫😫😫
This had so many problems *sighs*.
The first 30% or so didn't seem that bad, I was getting sarcastic/we are doomed vibe Mark, so his character kept things interactive enough.
Then they traveled to Miami, and I couldn't distinguish between Mark and Asher, they became the same dude, with the bro attitude and energizer dicks.
They just fucked, over and over again, no character development, little plot, nothing interesting happening, no angst, no drama, no grump/sunshine shit because Mr Grumpy made a 180° degree change and became sunshine/try everything dude, ugh!
So what was this about? Boring, repetitive, many opportunities lost, disappointing.
I didn't have hopes until I read the short one and then they were smashed again.
Sarina, please, read HIM and US, remember your mindset then, you can do it!! 🤧🤧
This had so many problems *sighs*.
The first 30% or so didn't seem that bad, I was getting sarcastic/we are doomed vibe Mark, so his character kept things interactive enough.
Then they traveled to Miami, and I couldn't distinguish between Mark and Asher, they became the same dude, with the bro attitude and energizer dicks.
They just fucked, over and over again, no character development, little plot, nothing interesting happening, no angst, no drama, no grump/sunshine shit because Mr Grumpy made a 180° degree change and became sunshine/try everything dude, ugh!
So what was this about? Boring, repetitive, many opportunities lost, disappointing.
I didn't have hopes until I read the short one and then they were smashed again.
Sarina, please, read HIM and US, remember your mindset then, you can do it!! 🤧🤧
June 1, 2022
They certainly didn’t break the mold with this one but while it’s lacking in originality it makes up for with a vast array of colorful characters. At the center of which is our guys; Mark and Asher.
Mark is a straight laced Wall St. trader, newly divorced with a kiddo. Asher is his polar opposite; a globetrotting playboy, ex-pro soccer player turned photographer. And they’re the best men for the wedding of Mark’s sister and Ash’s best friend.
It starts with a bang in the form of a drunken text from Mark to his sister in which he rhapsodized that she’s making a mistake and how hot Asher is.
As the guys plan the perfect wedding thanks to Mark’s spreadsheets they go from barely sociable to undeniable lust for each other.
The wedding planning was entertaining leading up to some super hot sexcapades. But it didn’t really start getting good until hearts began to get involved.
Even though there was a few hiccups, the angst was fairly low. Overall these guys gave us an entertaining romance with lots of steam and plenty of sweet interludes.
Mark is a straight laced Wall St. trader, newly divorced with a kiddo. Asher is his polar opposite; a globetrotting playboy, ex-pro soccer player turned photographer. And they’re the best men for the wedding of Mark’s sister and Ash’s best friend.
It starts with a bang in the form of a drunken text from Mark to his sister in which he rhapsodized that she’s making a mistake and how hot Asher is.
As the guys plan the perfect wedding thanks to Mark’s spreadsheets they go from barely sociable to undeniable lust for each other.
The wedding planning was entertaining leading up to some super hot sexcapades. But it didn’t really start getting good until hearts began to get involved.
Even though there was a few hiccups, the angst was fairly low. Overall these guys gave us an entertaining romance with lots of steam and plenty of sweet interludes.
January 27, 2022
1.5⭐️
really liked the first 35% even though i had to double-check each chapter pov because i kept messing them up.
characters are opposites so why are their povs exactly the same. ugh. also didn't like how long this book was.
pacing was all over the place, skipping months and then weeks and idek what. i'm pretty sure if this book was 150 pages shorter, i would've liked it more.
really liked the first 35% even though i had to double-check each chapter pov because i kept messing them up.
characters are opposites so why are their povs exactly the same. ugh. also didn't like how long this book was.
pacing was all over the place, skipping months and then weeks and idek what. i'm pretty sure if this book was 150 pages shorter, i would've liked it more.
March 10, 2022
It started promising - I read the prequel, so the drunk texts were funny and I was excited to see how the aftermath would be. The beginning also felt good start of a rom-com.
UNFORTUNATELY, it turned out to be a VERY LONG AND BORING sex galore fest with the "bisexual virgin being taught sex" trope 🥱. Yes, it was TOO LONG, like 150-200 pages too long, because it didn't have any significant storyline, it didn't have any significant conflict, it didn't have any character development from the first page to the end
What can you develop with characters who are already rich/smart/successful/kind/handsome anyway? You know, the kind who is a VP at 27 years old and have a fantastic kid (and don't need help to raise the kid even if he works as a successful trader) OR the kind who jet-setting across Europe and can speak so many languages 🙄. And these two can memorize spreadsheet lists on top of their head and sprouting them in any moment?! WOW. Genius too.
And that's not to mention a total disregard of how ⚽ FOOTBALL ⚽ players or games are. I mean, a BULL 🐂 running into a football stadium in Barcelona? That's totally ridiculous!!! Or Asher's background of good PREMIERE LEAGUE striker with only 62 goals in 6 seasons? That's only 10+ goals average per season! Heck, even during pandemic season where matches were postponed, Harry Kane managed to score 23 goals! Why can't Asher be a good midfielder instead?
I skipped so many pages, probably why I could still finish it rather fast IMHO (yes Goodreads noted 4 days but I deliberately didn't read anything for 2 days because I was very, very sick, with a fever of 38.5 degrees Celcius).
Guess I have to go with the unimpressed camp for this book
UNFORTUNATELY, it turned out to be a VERY LONG AND BORING sex galore fest with the "bisexual virgin being taught sex" trope 🥱. Yes, it was TOO LONG, like 150-200 pages too long, because it didn't have any significant storyline, it didn't have any significant conflict, it didn't have any character development from the first page to the end
What can you develop with characters who are already rich/smart/successful/kind/handsome anyway? You know, the kind who is a VP at 27 years old and have a fantastic kid (and don't need help to raise the kid even if he works as a successful trader) OR the kind who jet-setting across Europe and can speak so many languages 🙄. And these two can memorize spreadsheet lists on top of their head and sprouting them in any moment?! WOW. Genius too.
And that's not to mention a total disregard of how ⚽ FOOTBALL ⚽ players or games are. I mean, a BULL 🐂 running into a football stadium in Barcelona? That's totally ridiculous!!! Or Asher's background of good PREMIERE LEAGUE striker with only 62 goals in 6 seasons? That's only 10+ goals average per season! Heck, even during pandemic season where matches were postponed, Harry Kane managed to score 23 goals! Why can't Asher be a good midfielder instead?
I skipped so many pages, probably why I could still finish it rather fast IMHO (yes Goodreads noted 4 days but I deliberately didn't read anything for 2 days because I was very, very sick, with a fever of 38.5 degrees Celcius).
Guess I have to go with the unimpressed camp for this book
January 22, 2022
dnf @ 46%.
I tried reading this so hard. I really did. But every time I tried to read a chapter I would fall asleep. Maybe I will come back to this one later but for now issa no from me. I am truly disappointed that I didn't like it. I was really excited for this one and I liked previous books by Sarina Bowen. Maybe I will return to this later...who knows? for now its a tragic goodbye.💔
I tried reading this so hard. I really did. But every time I tried to read a chapter I would fall asleep. Maybe I will come back to this one later but for now issa no from me. I am truly disappointed that I didn't like it. I was really excited for this one and I liked previous books by Sarina Bowen. Maybe I will return to this later...who knows? for now its a tragic goodbye.💔
January 16, 2023
***edit. My 'not rating' means I didn't care enough to leave one...but I did, so I've changed my mind. Certainly won't be taking this series any further, thank you very much!! ☹️***
Well...that really did happen 😕, and I just about made it to 50%. I must point out that Him and The Understatement of the Year are 2 of my all-time fave reads by Sarina BUT after all the hype and build-up, this is actually just a story about a bisexual virgin, a more than willing 'teacher', loads of sex, too much money, little credible storyline and some particularly stupid and quite frankly ridiculous and ignorant ideas about the game of ⚽️ football ⚽️ from 2 clueless American authors 🙄.
There were SO many things wrong with what was written about Asher St James's Premier League stint and his background as a whole [Swiss boarding school..really?? 🤣🤣 Most of our PL players still come from working class/blue collar backgrounds, and are taken into the clubs academy when they're young, sometimes aged 10 or even less. Yes, this is 'fictional' work, but PLEASE check your facts!!] and oh yes, **snarky voice-over ** I'm 💯% in agreement 🤨 that a BULL 🦬 could run onto the pitch during a football match against Barcelona...not, GINORMOUS eye roll, AND that a player would be brave/foolhardy enough to be out and proud in our caveman-driven football leagues. I may have pointed this out before in reviews for other ⚽️ football ⚽️-related stories, but the abuse from some of the more brainless and bigoted morons on the terraces [and some other players I've no doubt] would cripple him, so why do you think players only come out after they've retired?? They must understand the risks surely when they take up football as a career?
I've sent the audio back to Audible [some parts made me cringe, sorry Teddy and Jacob, and some of your pronunciations were WAAY off], the book has quite rightly gone back to Amazon for a refund. I can absolutely understand why I've never read a Lauren Blakely story...and probably won't ever again. Hugely disappointing.
Well...that really did happen 😕, and I just about made it to 50%. I must point out that Him and The Understatement of the Year are 2 of my all-time fave reads by Sarina BUT after all the hype and build-up, this is actually just a story about a bisexual virgin, a more than willing 'teacher', loads of sex, too much money, little credible storyline and some particularly stupid and quite frankly ridiculous and ignorant ideas about the game of ⚽️ football ⚽️ from 2 clueless American authors 🙄.
There were SO many things wrong with what was written about Asher St James's Premier League stint and his background as a whole [Swiss boarding school..really?? 🤣🤣 Most of our PL players still come from working class/blue collar backgrounds, and are taken into the clubs academy when they're young, sometimes aged 10 or even less. Yes, this is 'fictional' work, but PLEASE check your facts!!] and oh yes, **snarky voice-over ** I'm 💯% in agreement 🤨 that a BULL 🦬 could run onto the pitch during a football match against Barcelona...not, GINORMOUS eye roll, AND that a player would be brave/foolhardy enough to be out and proud in our caveman-driven football leagues. I may have pointed this out before in reviews for other ⚽️ football ⚽️-related stories, but the abuse from some of the more brainless and bigoted morons on the terraces [and some other players I've no doubt] would cripple him, so why do you think players only come out after they've retired?? They must understand the risks surely when they take up football as a career?
I've sent the audio back to Audible [some parts made me cringe, sorry Teddy and Jacob, and some of your pronunciations were WAAY off], the book has quite rightly gone back to Amazon for a refund. I can absolutely understand why I've never read a Lauren Blakely story...and probably won't ever again. Hugely disappointing.
January 24, 2022
Audiobook 5 stars
Story 3 stars
I was so excited to get my hands on this one, especially after reading the prequel and needing to know what the drunk texts said. For me, it just ended up being ok. The audiobook was fantastic with Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton and most likely helped me keep going.
I liked the story itself, and all the characters. The main problem for me was it just dragged, especially in the middle. I think if the book was a little shorter, without all the filler, it would have been a 4/5 star read.
Story 3 stars
I was so excited to get my hands on this one, especially after reading the prequel and needing to know what the drunk texts said. For me, it just ended up being ok. The audiobook was fantastic with Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton and most likely helped me keep going.
I liked the story itself, and all the characters. The main problem for me was it just dragged, especially in the middle. I think if the book was a little shorter, without all the filler, it would have been a 4/5 star read.
January 26, 2022
5 STARS!
There are so many things I adored about this book. From the forbidden-esque romance, to the drunk texts up front that had Mark groveling from the get-go, to the world class banter. This book was equal parts steamy and sweet and I could not get enough!
It has been years since I read either one of these authors. But from the moment I first came across the blurb for this book, I was intrigued. I loved the dynamic of two best men at a wedding, with the whole enemies-to-lovers vibe going. But then once I read the book, I realized it was SO MUCH BETTER!! Mark is a nerdy, single dad, finance guy who's a control freak and totally colors inside the lines ONLY! And Asher is an ex-Premier League soccer player who travels the world as a photographer now. They couldn't be more different.
So, I assumed from the blurb that this was going to be a super hot surface read about two frenemies hooking up during a wedding weekend and it was those things. But, it was also SO MUCH MORE!!! People, this book is up there with Heated Rivalry which is one of my top fave M/M reads ever!! This isn't a surface read at all. It had ALL THE FEELS!!
In addition to being a story about two men who are hot for each other sharing one hot weekend in Miami, it's also about long distance relationships, and once-in-a-lifetime love stories.
And the best part? There was no dumb drama, no fourth quarter misunderstandings.. just an epic romance and a fantastic book! The first three quarters or so takes place in Miami during their wedding weekend in June. And it was the perfect, fun read to cozy up with in the dead of January when we have 6 inches of snow on the ground right now. It was all hot sultry nights and beach, clubs, and OMG the steam!!
These two ere SCORCHING!! They had a kink spreadsheet.. and, let me tell you, I will never look at Excel the same way again! ;)
Loved it so much and I highly recommend this book to all lovers of M/M romance!
I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“You don't know me, asshole. You think I'm just an uptight banker. I could be anyone. I could be a guy who has always known he was bi, and couldn't wait to take that out for a test drive. But then he got his ungrateful college girlfriend pregnant and is now an overworked single dad who knows everything there is to know about Peppa Pig but who has been off the market so long he has no idea when he'll ever relieve some of this unbearable tension since he doesn't know how to find some willing, non-creepy single dude with good hygiene to sixty-nine.”
There are so many things I adored about this book. From the forbidden-esque romance, to the drunk texts up front that had Mark groveling from the get-go, to the world class banter. This book was equal parts steamy and sweet and I could not get enough!
It has been years since I read either one of these authors. But from the moment I first came across the blurb for this book, I was intrigued. I loved the dynamic of two best men at a wedding, with the whole enemies-to-lovers vibe going. But then once I read the book, I realized it was SO MUCH BETTER!! Mark is a nerdy, single dad, finance guy who's a control freak and totally colors inside the lines ONLY! And Asher is an ex-Premier League soccer player who travels the world as a photographer now. They couldn't be more different.
So, I assumed from the blurb that this was going to be a super hot surface read about two frenemies hooking up during a wedding weekend and it was those things. But, it was also SO MUCH MORE!!! People, this book is up there with Heated Rivalry which is one of my top fave M/M reads ever!! This isn't a surface read at all. It had ALL THE FEELS!!
Finally he’s here, and I’m pulling him into my arms. His bag hits the floor with a slap, and we kiss like we haven’t seen each other in a year instead of a month.
“I love you,” he says against my lips.
“I love you more.”
In addition to being a story about two men who are hot for each other sharing one hot weekend in Miami, it's also about long distance relationships, and once-in-a-lifetime love stories.
And the best part? There was no dumb drama, no fourth quarter misunderstandings.. just an epic romance and a fantastic book! The first three quarters or so takes place in Miami during their wedding weekend in June. And it was the perfect, fun read to cozy up with in the dead of January when we have 6 inches of snow on the ground right now. It was all hot sultry nights and beach, clubs, and OMG the steam!!
These two ere SCORCHING!! They had a kink spreadsheet.. and, let me tell you, I will never look at Excel the same way again! ;)
Loved it so much and I highly recommend this book to all lovers of M/M romance!
“Is this on your spreadsheet?”
“What?” I ask, still a little dazed from everything.
“Asking me to be your boyfriend?” he goads.
“You’re such an arrogant prick.”
“But now I’m your arrogant prick.”
I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2022
↠ Just exactly what you would expect from the dynamic duo - Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely.
♡🎀🎀♡
☆ Mark likes to do everything according to his plans. He doesn't like uncertainty neither does he enjoy surprises. So when his little sister Hannah announces that she's pregnant and is going to marry the guy she has been dating for only a few months - Mark doesn't take the news well. After going through a nasty divorce himself, his sister's decision to wed so sudden frustrates him, makes him anxious and afraid.
It's a good thing that Hannah's fiancee is an amazing guy. But come on! Who calls himself Flip even as an adult? So, Hannah and Flip prepares for a big fat wedding. Mark reluctantly agrees to be his sister's best friends. The grand preparations continue. Mark is ready to swallow down his discomfort and be finally happy for his sister. Then enters Flip's best friend, the other best men.
Asher, a flirtatious, charming , ex-athlete with a body like a Greek god. With his continuous teasing and cocky attitude, Asher trips Mark off his feet. Mark is irritated but also intensely attracted to Asher. Asher is a unannounced change in his life and Mark doesn't deal with changes well.
Oneday, frustrating by all these chaos, Mark drinks a little too much. He ends up sending lots of drunken suggestive messages to the "super hot wingman". Embarrassed to no extent, Mark wants to hide for the rest of his life from Asher. Instead, now he has to plan the entire wedding with him. Also has to stay three whole days in the beach, in Miami....Aforementioned hottie, three days in Miami, close proximity, it's torture. But good thing is that this torture shouldn't take too long to turn into a lot of fun.
♡🎀🎀♡
Mark Banks. Bi-sexual. A twenty seven years old divorced man. Single parent. Has a cute, sweet, daughter named Rosie. Closed off, determined, does not talk much and is a very organised person.
Mark is a total nerd. He loves mathematics. Works as a trader in a bank. And also makes spreadsheet for everything he does. I bet you would love the contents of those secret spreadsheets. 😉
By the way, this book does not stars the bi-awakening trope. Mark is open about his sexuality but doesn't like to announce it to everyone.
Asher. He was a professional soccer player and now is a top photographer of athletes and models.
Asher is cocky, slightly arrogant and hilarious. Messy, doesn't even know how to be organised. Asher is always getting late at everything and keeps losing his things. He is extroverted, social and very confident of himself.
Mark and Asher are polar opposites. But we all know opposites attract. Right?
The writing is really good. The narrative alternates between the two main characters. As the heroes are polar opposites, the narrative never does become confusing and the alternative dual pov works out perfectly.
I loved the humour in this book. "The Best Men" is both incredibly sexy and ridiculously funny. Each of the chapters has got specific title. And those hilarious title names literally cracked me up.
Mark and Asher are endearing characters. I personally enjoyed both of their arcs. I loved them as individuals and even more as a couple.
Their chemistry is electric. Not just physically but also emotionally and intellectually. The banter is absolutely amazing. Mark and Asher compliment each other perfectly. I loved the steady growth of their relationship. Of course they are hot together, but they are also adorable and funny together. I literally loved every single moment of reading about these two men. Ahem! The Best Men. And the fact that most of the part of the book is set by the beach, makes it even for amazing to read.
_______________________________________
☆ I received a complimentary sample of this book. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read it early.
♡🎀🎀♡
☆ Mark likes to do everything according to his plans. He doesn't like uncertainty neither does he enjoy surprises. So when his little sister Hannah announces that she's pregnant and is going to marry the guy she has been dating for only a few months - Mark doesn't take the news well. After going through a nasty divorce himself, his sister's decision to wed so sudden frustrates him, makes him anxious and afraid.
It's a good thing that Hannah's fiancee is an amazing guy. But come on! Who calls himself Flip even as an adult? So, Hannah and Flip prepares for a big fat wedding. Mark reluctantly agrees to be his sister's best friends. The grand preparations continue. Mark is ready to swallow down his discomfort and be finally happy for his sister. Then enters Flip's best friend, the other best men.
Asher, a flirtatious, charming , ex-athlete with a body like a Greek god. With his continuous teasing and cocky attitude, Asher trips Mark off his feet. Mark is irritated but also intensely attracted to Asher. Asher is a unannounced change in his life and Mark doesn't deal with changes well.
Oneday, frustrating by all these chaos, Mark drinks a little too much. He ends up sending lots of drunken suggestive messages to the "super hot wingman". Embarrassed to no extent, Mark wants to hide for the rest of his life from Asher. Instead, now he has to plan the entire wedding with him. Also has to stay three whole days in the beach, in Miami....Aforementioned hottie, three days in Miami, close proximity, it's torture. But good thing is that this torture shouldn't take too long to turn into a lot of fun.
♡🎀🎀♡
Mark Banks. Bi-sexual. A twenty seven years old divorced man. Single parent. Has a cute, sweet, daughter named Rosie. Closed off, determined, does not talk much and is a very organised person.
Mark is a total nerd. He loves mathematics. Works as a trader in a bank. And also makes spreadsheet for everything he does. I bet you would love the contents of those secret spreadsheets. 😉
By the way, this book does not stars the bi-awakening trope. Mark is open about his sexuality but doesn't like to announce it to everyone.
Asher. He was a professional soccer player and now is a top photographer of athletes and models.
Asher is cocky, slightly arrogant and hilarious. Messy, doesn't even know how to be organised. Asher is always getting late at everything and keeps losing his things. He is extroverted, social and very confident of himself.
Mark and Asher are polar opposites. But we all know opposites attract. Right?
The writing is really good. The narrative alternates between the two main characters. As the heroes are polar opposites, the narrative never does become confusing and the alternative dual pov works out perfectly.
I loved the humour in this book. "The Best Men" is both incredibly sexy and ridiculously funny. Each of the chapters has got specific title. And those hilarious title names literally cracked me up.
Mark and Asher are endearing characters. I personally enjoyed both of their arcs. I loved them as individuals and even more as a couple.
Their chemistry is electric. Not just physically but also emotionally and intellectually. The banter is absolutely amazing. Mark and Asher compliment each other perfectly. I loved the steady growth of their relationship. Of course they are hot together, but they are also adorable and funny together. I literally loved every single moment of reading about these two men. Ahem! The Best Men. And the fact that most of the part of the book is set by the beach, makes it even for amazing to read.
_______________________________________
☆ I received a complimentary sample of this book. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read it early.
January 27, 2022
Reviews were all over the place with this one but it worked for me.
Maybe it was good timing. Maybe it had to do with my mood. IDK.
It was entertaining.
It held my interest.
I laughed, a lot.
There wasn't really any dumb drama.
The sex was hot.
I liked both main characters.
I even liked Rosie.
And I especially liked Blackbeard, the cat.
Maybe it was good timing. Maybe it had to do with my mood. IDK.
It was entertaining.
It held my interest.
I laughed, a lot.
There wasn't really any dumb drama.
The sex was hot.
I liked both main characters.
I even liked Rosie.
And I especially liked Blackbeard, the cat.
January 20, 2022
3.50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
So…I enjoyed this 🤷🏻♀️ This book pretty much turned out to be exactly what I assumed it would - two unrealistically hot guys, who happen to be unrealistically wealthy, engaging in sex shenanigans. I already said it a few times, but this story is major no thoughts, just vibes. If anyone out there is looking for a meaningful story with nuanced characters, then my loves this will not be for you 😌
If you didn’t read the prequel, let me give you a quick run down: The story follows bisexual Mark, a nerdy but hot polo wearing freshly divorced single dad. At 27 Mark has a successful Wall Street job (LOL pls) and his 6 yr old daughter, and basically no life beyond that. Mark’s sister Hannah is marrying Flip, also unrealistically wealthy, and his best friend Asher is acting as Best Man in the wedding alongside Mark. Asher is a 30 yr old former pro athlete turned successful photographer (again…LOL pls) who is basically a gay, hot, rich, f-ckboy. Mark does not like Asher because re: rich f-ckboy, and Asher lives to needle Mark. Except of course they are both attracted to each other so cue sex shenanigans. And babes, that’s basically it! Two people stuck in the rut of their every day lives having fun and enjoying time with someone opposite of themselves. Along the lines ✨feelings✨ come in, and I think the story stays well in the confines of reality for this universe the characters are living in. All-in-all it’s a pretty cookie cutter romance, but for what the story was I didn’t mind it.
Obviously I closed my eyes to a lot of the OTT silliness in the story because too much thinking about the details is not recommended 😌 That said, I did have some side eye moments I couldn’t overlook. For one, the b-tchy ex-wife trope is one I could live to never see again. Two, I swear Rosie, Mark’s 6 yr old daughter, sounded like a regular adult. I don’t believe this was a case of “this child talks like an adult,” it felt more like they didn’t know how to convey a child’s voice. Anyway these are minor and the characters aren’t in the book all that much, but it still had me doing this —> 🤨😒 One last comment I’ll make is on the length. I don’t know if there was a particular part I would’ve cut out, but I do think the book could’ve been tighter. I didn’t get bored, but I do think some bits could’ve been shaved down or consolidated.
To wrap it up, if you’re looking for a brain cleanse book with hot sex and hot people, and minimal angst, this is for you.
So…I enjoyed this 🤷🏻♀️ This book pretty much turned out to be exactly what I assumed it would - two unrealistically hot guys, who happen to be unrealistically wealthy, engaging in sex shenanigans. I already said it a few times, but this story is major no thoughts, just vibes. If anyone out there is looking for a meaningful story with nuanced characters, then my loves this will not be for you 😌
If you didn’t read the prequel, let me give you a quick run down: The story follows bisexual Mark, a nerdy but hot polo wearing freshly divorced single dad. At 27 Mark has a successful Wall Street job (LOL pls) and his 6 yr old daughter, and basically no life beyond that. Mark’s sister Hannah is marrying Flip, also unrealistically wealthy, and his best friend Asher is acting as Best Man in the wedding alongside Mark. Asher is a 30 yr old former pro athlete turned successful photographer (again…LOL pls) who is basically a gay, hot, rich, f-ckboy. Mark does not like Asher because re: rich f-ckboy, and Asher lives to needle Mark. Except of course they are both attracted to each other so cue sex shenanigans. And babes, that’s basically it! Two people stuck in the rut of their every day lives having fun and enjoying time with someone opposite of themselves. Along the lines ✨feelings✨ come in, and I think the story stays well in the confines of reality for this universe the characters are living in. All-in-all it’s a pretty cookie cutter romance, but for what the story was I didn’t mind it.
Obviously I closed my eyes to a lot of the OTT silliness in the story because too much thinking about the details is not recommended 😌 That said, I did have some side eye moments I couldn’t overlook. For one, the b-tchy ex-wife trope is one I could live to never see again. Two, I swear Rosie, Mark’s 6 yr old daughter, sounded like a regular adult. I don’t believe this was a case of “this child talks like an adult,” it felt more like they didn’t know how to convey a child’s voice. Anyway these are minor and the characters aren’t in the book all that much, but it still had me doing this —> 🤨😒 One last comment I’ll make is on the length. I don’t know if there was a particular part I would’ve cut out, but I do think the book could’ve been tighter. I didn’t get bored, but I do think some bits could’ve been shaved down or consolidated.
To wrap it up, if you’re looking for a brain cleanse book with hot sex and hot people, and minimal angst, this is for you.
Read
January 19, 2022(my computer randomly went kaput about a few hours ago, and the boot device continues to not be found because apparently we’re playing hide-and-seek now, so apologies if i don’t get around to responding during this troubling time, the app can be awfully clunky 😵💫 i’ll be refraining from adding a rating for the time being as RL toys around with my poor & delicate soul 💀)
a fine enough casual afternoon read with its romcom vibes, and you heard correctly, practically zero angst on the premises! but in line with the often free and easy constitution of such stories, much was handled in a simple, surface-level fashion, with side plots brushed over or left unexplored and side characters coming off half-baked.
neither was i fully onboard with the fast-paced jumpstart to their relationship at first, but i grew to really like our two polar-opposite mcs (a nerdy, spreadsheet-loving single dad Wall Streeter and a “single, globetrotting, former-athlete-now-photographer”) nonetheless—the fun banter was there, their mutual obsession with a certain sexy period drama was frankly adorable, and their genuine desire to make things work between them heartwarming.
i might not have been particularly blown away, but the fact that i’m not actively questioning why i even read this in the first place is a good sign in my book considering my track record 🤣 i legit breathed a sigh of relief when i knew for sure SB wasn’t going to inject her customary formula of OTT insanity that often leaves me paralyzed with frustration & confusion. hallelujah! 🙌🏼
a fine enough casual afternoon read with its romcom vibes, and you heard correctly, practically zero angst on the premises! but in line with the often free and easy constitution of such stories, much was handled in a simple, surface-level fashion, with side plots brushed over or left unexplored and side characters coming off half-baked.
neither was i fully onboard with the fast-paced jumpstart to their relationship at first, but i grew to really like our two polar-opposite mcs (a nerdy, spreadsheet-loving single dad Wall Streeter and a “single, globetrotting, former-athlete-now-photographer”) nonetheless—the fun banter was there, their mutual obsession with a certain sexy period drama was frankly adorable, and their genuine desire to make things work between them heartwarming.
i might not have been particularly blown away, but the fact that i’m not actively questioning why i even read this in the first place is a good sign in my book considering my track record 🤣 i legit breathed a sigh of relief when i knew for sure SB wasn’t going to inject her customary formula of OTT insanity that often leaves me paralyzed with frustration & confusion. hallelujah! 🙌🏼
Want to read
January 19, 2022EDIT: I totally jinxed it guys. I wrote a proper review separately. I will forever love Sarina, she will forever be an auto-buy for me... but the books aren't going great so far 😅😭
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Original review Sep 2021: Any Sarina Bowen M/M romance is an auto-buy for me. Woohoo. So excited!
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Original review Sep 2021: Any Sarina Bowen M/M romance is an auto-buy for me. Woohoo. So excited!
January 22, 2022
I wasn't expecting much with this one after so many bland reviews but the starting made me think I'd picked up a whole other book. Then I got to the middle and I got it. The book could've been a lot shorter I think. The middle just dragged on and on and it kinda spoiled the excellent starting and ending.
Well, it was humorous at least.
Well, it was humorous at least.
Read
January 20, 2022So this started pretty good with the banter and the premise but halfway through this now and it kinda feels like it's trying to hard to be be funny, nerdy and sexy at the same time.
It could entirely be me.
It feels as if the burgeoning chemistry from the beginning died down amidst the wake of witticism. Overzealous story telling is a thing I guess?
It'll probably end on the DNF pile.
It could entirely be me.
It feels as if the burgeoning chemistry from the beginning died down amidst the wake of witticism. Overzealous story telling is a thing I guess?
It'll probably end on the DNF pile.
January 20, 2022
The Best Men is brimming with delicious banter, wit and sexiness.
Twenty-seven-year-old, single father Mark Banks spends his time working in finance and taking care of his six YO daughter. He loves lists, spread sheets and polo shirts and is the perfect man to help his younger sister get everything set up for her wedding in Miami along with the other best man, Asher St. James.
Asher is the groom’s best man. He’s an easy going ex-soccer player and now professional photographer who loves to party and loves to get a rise out of Mark every time he sees him. Now that they’ll be sharing a house while in Miami, the sparks between them turn to a molten hot fire they hope to quench in the few days before the wedding and then they’ll go their separate ways.
Mark and Asher are perfect for each other, although when the book starts Asher can’t really get a read on Mark while Mark can’t stand that he’s so attracted to a man that’s completely his opposite.
As the two must spend time together Mark surprises Ash with his fearlessness and determination along with his very sexy spread sheet. While Ash, thinking he doesn’t have much to offer in a real relationship is everything Mark never knew he needed.
I’ve always enjoyed Lauren’s sexy, flirty banter and The Best Men is spot on with its low angst, fun and engaging story.
The Best Men is a standalone romance by Lauren Blakely & Sabrina Bowen. It is an opposites attract, MM romance that is sexy and swoony. Told from two points of view with a happy ending. Tropes: single parent| opposites attract| mm | forced proximity
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3frZiZq
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Candi Kane PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
Twenty-seven-year-old, single father Mark Banks spends his time working in finance and taking care of his six YO daughter. He loves lists, spread sheets and polo shirts and is the perfect man to help his younger sister get everything set up for her wedding in Miami along with the other best man, Asher St. James.
Asher is the groom’s best man. He’s an easy going ex-soccer player and now professional photographer who loves to party and loves to get a rise out of Mark every time he sees him. Now that they’ll be sharing a house while in Miami, the sparks between them turn to a molten hot fire they hope to quench in the few days before the wedding and then they’ll go their separate ways.
Mark and Asher are perfect for each other, although when the book starts Asher can’t really get a read on Mark while Mark can’t stand that he’s so attracted to a man that’s completely his opposite.
As the two must spend time together Mark surprises Ash with his fearlessness and determination along with his very sexy spread sheet. While Ash, thinking he doesn’t have much to offer in a real relationship is everything Mark never knew he needed.
I’ve always enjoyed Lauren’s sexy, flirty banter and The Best Men is spot on with its low angst, fun and engaging story.
The Best Men is a standalone romance by Lauren Blakely & Sabrina Bowen. It is an opposites attract, MM romance that is sexy and swoony. Told from two points of view with a happy ending. Tropes: single parent| opposites attract| mm | forced proximity
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3frZiZq
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Candi Kane PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
October 15, 2022
The prequel set me up for disappointment truly, it was cute tho. lots of pages for just cute tho. also also i think they forgot to use sam smith's correct pronouns which are they/them so if anyone was unaware or something.
January 18, 2022
What a phenomenal author combination this is! Gah. I loved this so much!!
Following on from the prequel, Mark's sister is marrying Asher's best friend and they are the 'best men'. Mark drunkenly texts his VERY unreserved thoughts about the marriage, and the unfair perfection of the other best man. To not only his sister, but also her fiance, and yep. Also the best man.
There is subsequent forced proximity as they need to help prepare for the wedding, snappy banter, smoking hot chemistry and an agreement for some no strings attached fun.
I loved that Mark had no issues with his sexuality and boy was he all in with Asher! Their discovery of each other and how well they fit together and shamelessly mocked each other was so much fun. Asher was so sweet and Mark a wonderful sexy nerd. Those spreadsheets cracked me up.
This was a relatively low angst read. There's certainly some soul searching toward the end once the wedding is over bit nothing to dramatic.
This was just a terrific read. Loved it!!!
I think this author combo is going to be an autobuy for me
Following on from the prequel, Mark's sister is marrying Asher's best friend and they are the 'best men'. Mark drunkenly texts his VERY unreserved thoughts about the marriage, and the unfair perfection of the other best man. To not only his sister, but also her fiance, and yep. Also the best man.
There is subsequent forced proximity as they need to help prepare for the wedding, snappy banter, smoking hot chemistry and an agreement for some no strings attached fun.
I loved that Mark had no issues with his sexuality and boy was he all in with Asher! Their discovery of each other and how well they fit together and shamelessly mocked each other was so much fun. Asher was so sweet and Mark a wonderful sexy nerd. Those spreadsheets cracked me up.
This was a relatively low angst read. There's certainly some soul searching toward the end once the wedding is over bit nothing to dramatic.
This was just a terrific read. Loved it!!!
I think this author combo is going to be an autobuy for me
January 19, 2022
2.5 rounded up
I... really wanted to love this one, but I think I've come to the conclusion that Sarina Bowen's university-set MM romances tend to work better for me.
This was fine, but I never totally connected to the characters. Something about the writing here felt a little exhausting to me, a bit too... idk, self-aware, maybe? Like it was trying too hard. I've not read anything by Lauren Blakely before and that's not normally an issue I have with Bowen's work, so perhaps it was their influence? Who knows.
Both of the main characters are very wealthy and something about it rubbed me the wrong way several times. I think particularly because Mark--the finance guy who manages multi-million dollar trades--kept putting out these airs like he wasn't also filthy rich, and it just... did not compute for me.
There was also a very weird focus on a fictional "Webflix" series--Bridgerton but gayer, basically--and I cannot overstate how LITTLE I fucking cared about a fictional show within this already fictional world. It was bizarre.
I honestly could go on about all the little things that annoyed me here. I considered DNFing multiple times and basically the only reason I didn't was because I'd paid for the book LOL. And I mean, it wasn't *that* bad. There were parts I liked, but they kept getting overshadowed by the minor annoyances, and then the end got super mushy, and UGH, yeah. Mostly it's just disappointing because I usually really enjoyed Sarina Bowen's MM romances, but this is the second one in a row that didn't quite land and I'm bummed.
I... really wanted to love this one, but I think I've come to the conclusion that Sarina Bowen's university-set MM romances tend to work better for me.
This was fine, but I never totally connected to the characters. Something about the writing here felt a little exhausting to me, a bit too... idk, self-aware, maybe? Like it was trying too hard. I've not read anything by Lauren Blakely before and that's not normally an issue I have with Bowen's work, so perhaps it was their influence? Who knows.
Both of the main characters are very wealthy and something about it rubbed me the wrong way several times. I think particularly because Mark--the finance guy who manages multi-million dollar trades--kept putting out these airs like he wasn't also filthy rich, and it just... did not compute for me.
There was also a very weird focus on a fictional "Webflix" series--Bridgerton but gayer, basically--and I cannot overstate how LITTLE I fucking cared about a fictional show within this already fictional world. It was bizarre.
I honestly could go on about all the little things that annoyed me here. I considered DNFing multiple times and basically the only reason I didn't was because I'd paid for the book LOL. And I mean, it wasn't *that* bad. There were parts I liked, but they kept getting overshadowed by the minor annoyances, and then the end got super mushy, and UGH, yeah. Mostly it's just disappointing because I usually really enjoyed Sarina Bowen's MM romances, but this is the second one in a row that didn't quite land and I'm bummed.
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