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Why You? #1
Where Do I Start?
The ex best thing . . .
Fletcher Andrews never believed in promises. Or monogamy. Or love. When you’re tall and gorgeous, New York City is one big all-you-can-eat buffet of hot young actors, models, and baristas. Even when living happily with Roger, his sweet, sexy violinist boyfriend, Fletch can’t resist an occasional taste. Too bad you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s thrown you out for cheating with half the cast of Disney on Ice.
Two years and a chance meeting later, Fletch desperately wants Roger back. Roger’s new boyfriend, Jeff, will do anything to stop that from happening. But Fletch has a plan to make amends. And with a little help from friends, colleagues—even Roger’s Scottish terrier, Haggis—they might find that the love you don’t believe in can sweep you right off your feet . . .
Fletcher Andrews never believed in promises. Or monogamy. Or love. When you’re tall and gorgeous, New York City is one big all-you-can-eat buffet of hot young actors, models, and baristas. Even when living happily with Roger, his sweet, sexy violinist boyfriend, Fletch can’t resist an occasional taste. Too bad you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s thrown you out for cheating with half the cast of Disney on Ice.
Two years and a chance meeting later, Fletch desperately wants Roger back. Roger’s new boyfriend, Jeff, will do anything to stop that from happening. But Fletch has a plan to make amends. And with a little help from friends, colleagues—even Roger’s Scottish terrier, Haggis—they might find that the love you don’t believe in can sweep you right off your feet . . .
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2017
34 people are currently reading
922 people want to read
About the author
Chase Taylor Hackett
2 books145 followersChase Taylor Hackett was raised on a farm in the Midwest – far from his current home in New York City. His first novel—WHERE DO I START?— was published by Kensington Books.
While working on that book, he realized he had a character who was a total jerk, and he wondered what would happen if the jerk met a guy who had zero tolerance for jerks.
AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW… he’d written another novel, also available from Kensington, and pretty much everywhere else.
Chase lives in Manhattan with his partner Travis.
While working on that book, he realized he had a character who was a total jerk, and he wondered what would happen if the jerk met a guy who had zero tolerance for jerks.
AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW… he’d written another novel, also available from Kensington, and pretty much everywhere else.
Chase lives in Manhattan with his partner Travis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
October 4, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It's sweet and funny and so well written. I absolutely loved the writing style. The dialogues and the humor were just perfect.
I liked Fletcher and Roger as main characters. Both are great in their own way. And I loved Roger's best friend Tommy. He is so adorable.
********
Re-read 9/2021: I enjoyed it just as much as the first time I read it.
I'd just like to add a few things for anyone interested in reading it, more as a forewarning. I'll put them under the spoiler tag:
I liked Fletcher and Roger as main characters. Both are great in their own way. And I loved Roger's best friend Tommy. He is so adorable.
********
Re-read 9/2021: I enjoyed it just as much as the first time I read it.
I'd just like to add a few things for anyone interested in reading it, more as a forewarning. I'll put them under the spoiler tag:
February 9, 2018
Okay, confession time.
After reading the blurb way back when, I had sworn off reading this book. As in, "fuck cheaters, rot in hell, good riddance, poof be gone, Bye, Felicia" sworn off.
Then I read book 2 and had to re-evaluate that stance.
Mainly because of Tommy, who was hilarious in book 2 and best friends with the MC in this story, soooo...
Yay, more Tommy time, right? His flirting attempts to get a certain hot, Latin Starbucks barista to notice him in this book were just too cute for words.
(Much like this shameless Scottish terrier "Haggis" gif. #SorryNotSorry) ;- )
Well, I got the Tommy fix that I'd hoped for, but also got a very sweet, touching story about learning from your mistakes and living with the sincerest regret that you'd hurt a very special person. An important person. Possibly "the" most important person you've ever had the amazing good fortune to meet.
I really loved this book, just not quite as much as book 2, mainly because both of the MC's in book 2 could teach a damn Master Class on Snark and Banter. And those two things are my freaking crack cocaine wrapped in a chocolate-glazed cronut. No exaggeration there, guys, hand to God.
Don't get me wrong, though. This story was still especially funny, but it also felt a bit more serious. After all, you don't just laugh your way past the love of your life sleeping his way through all of Manhattan and half of the outlying boroughs. And you're likely to hold those he slept with after you tossed him to the curb against him, too. Infidelity leaves a taste in your mouth worse than black licorice. PS, nasty, gross, ick, eww, and no. Same thing here.
As with the second book, this one also contains zero sexy times, which was fine with me. I didn't feel that anything was missing sans smut.
However, what I did feel in conspicuous absence was the underlying reason as to *why* Fletch felt the overwhelming need to cheat behind Roger's back. Repeatedly. Ad nauseam.
They were otherwise happy together, so I would have truly liked a full, detailed reasoning as to why the man-whoring was such a pressing need for Fletch. Because the man seriously had zero will power.
If dick was chocolate cake, dude would've weighed 800 pounds if he weighed an ounce by the time Roger rightfully fast tracked his ass to the curb.
Yet right from the beginning, I found myself rooting for Fletch, because sluttery aside, he was a great guy and I wanted he and Roger to work beyond their past history. To be happy together, again.
I liked that this story didn't pull any punches. It called a spade a spade and moved on to sift through the big, ugly wreckage, with the MC's (cough-Fletch-cough) admitting their faults and working to be better.
My favorite part of the story was toward the end, where "Jeffrey" from book 2, Roger's current boyfriend (and fuckwit extraordinaire), did a truly dick hole thing, at which point Roger was steadfast in his defense of Fletch. That simple act forced him to re-evaluate all of his past hurt and current assumptions about Fletch. Then truly decide what he wanted from his life. And who he wanted to spend it with. And I loved that.
I'd highly recommend this book for any fans of second chance romances and rate it at around 4.5 stars.
* PS: I NEED Tommy's book like freaking crack cocaine wrapped in a chocolate-glazed cronut.
Just sayin'... :- P
June 8, 2019
Where Do I Start,indeed??
I'm not going to bother much.
Well, I might go into hiding because it seems just about everyone liked this ( maybe I'm just getting grumpy..)
But this just came across as juvenile.The eye rolling was epic and it's probably all down to the chaotic start(which I had to go back and read again-never a good sign) and I really disliked Fletcher.
I'm not going to bother much.
Well, I might go into hiding because it seems just about everyone liked this ( maybe I'm just getting grumpy..)
But this just came across as juvenile.The eye rolling was epic and it's probably all down to the chaotic start(which I had to go back and read again-never a good sign) and I really disliked Fletcher.
October 20, 2017
3 Stars!
There are quite of few people shying away from this story because the subject of cheating this book has. But I want to make it clear that there is no cheating present in this book. It happened. As in past tense. These men are not together in the beginning nor in the middle of this book. This story is about a guy realizing what he had and accepting the responsibility of hurting someone he cared for more than he was willing to admit. He has this epiphany when he see's his ex after 2 years. He spends the entire book, and I do mean the entire book, trying to make a mends and in the end, win him back.
This is a new to me author. At the beginning the writing threw me off a bit but eventually it worked itself out. I struggled a bit but once I hit about the 25-30% mark things picked up and I became interested in how Fletch would redeem himself and win Roger back.
Fletch has a pretty sad past. He doesn't dwell on it. He doesn't particularly like talking about it either. He's fine. He's always fine. And you would believe it because he's such an upbeat happy person. I found him to be a pretty lonely character though. Fletch doesn't have many people in his life besides his best friend Marco. A friend who saved him from the streets as a teenager. They've also shared lovers and a bed on occasion. But Fletcher has shared a bed with many and that is the problem and what cost him his relationship with Roger.
Roger is the complete opposite of Fletch. He comes from a wealthy family, went to a prestigious college, is a lawyer, and is shy. He was completely thrown off by Fletch being attracted to him. Things moved fast between them. There was no talk of love though. This isn't a intsa love tale. No, it took both of these men the entire book to come to that conclusion.
I liked both characters. I loved Roger's best friend, Tommy. Roger's dog, Haggis was cute. Fletch was hard to not like. He was funny and charming. He did some extreme things to get Roger back and it was sweet. BUT the men didn't have that great of chemistry. I think this falls on the fact that there few intimate moments between them. Oh, and that there was zero sex which is ironic considering Fletch was made out to be such a man-whore. I don't mind books that have no sex in them but I felt like this book needed it. That it would have helped made these men feel more believable as a couple. There was some really sweet moments between them, just not enough.
In the end I did enjoy the book. I am hoping both Marco and Tommy get a book. I would definitely read them. But I see it's going to be about Roger's horrible ex Jeffrey and I am not sure about that..
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I was given an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
There are quite of few people shying away from this story because the subject of cheating this book has. But I want to make it clear that there is no cheating present in this book. It happened. As in past tense. These men are not together in the beginning nor in the middle of this book. This story is about a guy realizing what he had and accepting the responsibility of hurting someone he cared for more than he was willing to admit. He has this epiphany when he see's his ex after 2 years. He spends the entire book, and I do mean the entire book, trying to make a mends and in the end, win him back.
This is a new to me author. At the beginning the writing threw me off a bit but eventually it worked itself out. I struggled a bit but once I hit about the 25-30% mark things picked up and I became interested in how Fletch would redeem himself and win Roger back.
Fletch has a pretty sad past. He doesn't dwell on it. He doesn't particularly like talking about it either. He's fine. He's always fine. And you would believe it because he's such an upbeat happy person. I found him to be a pretty lonely character though. Fletch doesn't have many people in his life besides his best friend Marco. A friend who saved him from the streets as a teenager. They've also shared lovers and a bed on occasion. But Fletcher has shared a bed with many and that is the problem and what cost him his relationship with Roger.
Roger is the complete opposite of Fletch. He comes from a wealthy family, went to a prestigious college, is a lawyer, and is shy. He was completely thrown off by Fletch being attracted to him. Things moved fast between them. There was no talk of love though. This isn't a intsa love tale. No, it took both of these men the entire book to come to that conclusion.
I liked both characters. I loved Roger's best friend, Tommy. Roger's dog, Haggis was cute. Fletch was hard to not like. He was funny and charming. He did some extreme things to get Roger back and it was sweet. BUT the men didn't have that great of chemistry. I think this falls on the fact that there few intimate moments between them. Oh, and that there was zero sex which is ironic considering Fletch was made out to be such a man-whore. I don't mind books that have no sex in them but I felt like this book needed it. That it would have helped made these men feel more believable as a couple. There was some really sweet moments between them, just not enough.
In the end I did enjoy the book. I am hoping both Marco and Tommy get a book. I would definitely read them. But I see it's going to be about Roger's horrible ex Jeffrey and I am not sure about that..
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I was given an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
August 25, 2019
4.25 stars
Ummmm! Uh-Huh!
I have no idea what to write. I can't believe how this one did a 360 on me, it went from a DNF to me being hooked. Maybe it is because this story portrays some of this generation relationships. The writing is so 2020 and it got me interested.
The characters are real and complex, i just wish we got to know more about Fletch. I think the author just scratched the surface. Roger needed some wake up whooping, other than that, He was good. Tommy gets a medal. Haggis gets a belly rub.
Ummmm! Uh-Huh!
I have no idea what to write. I can't believe how this one did a 360 on me, it went from a DNF to me being hooked. Maybe it is because this story portrays some of this generation relationships. The writing is so 2020 and it got me interested.
The characters are real and complex, i just wish we got to know more about Fletch. I think the author just scratched the surface. Roger needed some wake up whooping, other than that, He was good. Tommy gets a medal. Haggis gets a belly rub.
July 29, 2019
I adored this.
Maybe I'll eventually be able to write a coherent review -- in the meantime, have some heart-eyes:
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Or take a look at these great reviews by Jess and Ulysses Dietz, which are way more articulate than anything I'm capable of right now.
Oops, here come more heart-eyes -- sorry, can't help myself:
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Maybe I'll eventually be able to write a coherent review -- in the meantime, have some heart-eyes:
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Or take a look at these great reviews by Jess and Ulysses Dietz, which are way more articulate than anything I'm capable of right now.
Oops, here come more heart-eyes -- sorry, can't help myself:
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
September 11, 2022
3.5 Hearts
I admit that the premise of this book might not appeal to everyone, and I’m kinda surprised myself that I chose to read this. For unknown reasons, I was apparently intrigued by how a guy, who has made some unforgivable mistakes, wins back the love of his life.
Now to put it out there, Fletch is definitely a piece of work. He knows he’s very good looking and is not shy, nor above using said looks, to skew things in his favor. However, I want to clarify that there’s not really a malicious bone in his body. Fletch is fun, spontaneous, very carefree, and at the same time, when he was with Roger, he was kind and thoughtful and they just clicked. So why the cheating?? It really is quite the conundrum, but things slowly come to light as this story unravels, and though I don’t excuse his behavior at all, I can totally see why Fletch is the type of person he was and is. When he meets up with Roger a couple years later, harsh reality smacks him in the face, making Fletch realize his mistake and just how much he wants to win Roger back.
Roger is understandably still hurt. In his ignorant bliss, his time with Fletch stands out as his happiest, but he can’t fathom ever forgiving him, let alone taking him back. Regardless, it’s a moot issue since he’s perfectly content with his boyfriend Jeff, and in comparison to Fletch, Jeff’s stable, responsible, and trustworthy. Little does poor Roger know that Jeff is far from the polished, put together person that he presents. As Fletch wheedles his way back into Roger’s life, it produces some interesting revelations, and Roger has to wonder if his planned life trajectory is really something that he wants, including what he currently has.
Was this perfect? No. At times this was quite verbose and there was an overuse of nicknames that drove me a bit bonkers… but it grew on me. Fletch grew on me…
I will say 99.9% of the time, cheating is a hard limit for me, but somehow Hackett made me change my mind, and I found myself actually rooting for Fletch to win. One slowly comes to see the complexity of the man with plenty of faults and baggage, who wants desperately to move beyond his origins and grab onto the one exceptional person who made him the happiest he’d ever been in his entire life. Fletch’s charm is just that - charming. One can’t not like him despite his past deplorable behavior. I think that says something about Hackett’s ability to successfully change the reader’s, and Roger’s, mind.
So, this is technically a story about redeeming a cheating cad. It’s a story about opposites attract and second chances. I implore you to not give up on the rough beginning. As things are revealed, and how Fletch and Roger slowly re-enter each other's lives more and more, this really turned into a sweet, fun, funny (sadly, no smex) romance that had me speeding on through and ultimately, cheering Fletch on to get his guy. I had my reservations, thinking I had temporary insanity choosing this trope, but as the sequel is about Roger’s dumped asshat of a boyfriend Jeff, I really don’t have any more doubts that Hackett can change my mind for that as well.
An impressive debut for a tough topic.
Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
I admit that the premise of this book might not appeal to everyone, and I’m kinda surprised myself that I chose to read this. For unknown reasons, I was apparently intrigued by how a guy, who has made some unforgivable mistakes, wins back the love of his life.
Now to put it out there, Fletch is definitely a piece of work. He knows he’s very good looking and is not shy, nor above using said looks, to skew things in his favor. However, I want to clarify that there’s not really a malicious bone in his body. Fletch is fun, spontaneous, very carefree, and at the same time, when he was with Roger, he was kind and thoughtful and they just clicked. So why the cheating?? It really is quite the conundrum, but things slowly come to light as this story unravels, and though I don’t excuse his behavior at all, I can totally see why Fletch is the type of person he was and is. When he meets up with Roger a couple years later, harsh reality smacks him in the face, making Fletch realize his mistake and just how much he wants to win Roger back.
Roger is understandably still hurt. In his ignorant bliss, his time with Fletch stands out as his happiest, but he can’t fathom ever forgiving him, let alone taking him back. Regardless, it’s a moot issue since he’s perfectly content with his boyfriend Jeff, and in comparison to Fletch, Jeff’s stable, responsible, and trustworthy. Little does poor Roger know that Jeff is far from the polished, put together person that he presents. As Fletch wheedles his way back into Roger’s life, it produces some interesting revelations, and Roger has to wonder if his planned life trajectory is really something that he wants, including what he currently has.
Was this perfect? No. At times this was quite verbose and there was an overuse of nicknames that drove me a bit bonkers… but it grew on me. Fletch grew on me…
I will say 99.9% of the time, cheating is a hard limit for me, but somehow Hackett made me change my mind, and I found myself actually rooting for Fletch to win. One slowly comes to see the complexity of the man with plenty of faults and baggage, who wants desperately to move beyond his origins and grab onto the one exceptional person who made him the happiest he’d ever been in his entire life. Fletch’s charm is just that - charming. One can’t not like him despite his past deplorable behavior. I think that says something about Hackett’s ability to successfully change the reader’s, and Roger’s, mind.
So, this is technically a story about redeeming a cheating cad. It’s a story about opposites attract and second chances. I implore you to not give up on the rough beginning. As things are revealed, and how Fletch and Roger slowly re-enter each other's lives more and more, this really turned into a sweet, fun, funny (sadly, no smex) romance that had me speeding on through and ultimately, cheering Fletch on to get his guy. I had my reservations, thinking I had temporary insanity choosing this trope, but as the sequel is about Roger’s dumped asshat of a boyfriend Jeff, I really don’t have any more doubts that Hackett can change my mind for that as well.
An impressive debut for a tough topic.
Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
October 17, 2017
5 BIG stars and more. What a great read, it kept me in its spell The way of writing was so uplifting
It was warm, endearing, fluffy, emotional and witty.
The most lovely MC's in their own way...
The story tells from 'the here and now' and switches smoothly to what had happened and what they wished, written in the most captivating way. Both MC's will give a view from their perspective...
Fletch has a 'terrible' attitude but...you will love him...he is just so ....immature ...and more
Roger has a 'terrible' attitude but....you will love him...he is just so ....mature.... and more
Together they are perfect and so not....
Roger a lawyer and a wonderful violinist. Shy and introvert....and....with a lovely dog Haggis
Fletch, a Haggis lover, was kind, sparkling, always good humoured and not monogamous, not before, during and after his relationship with Roger....
Roger was angry when he finds out...threw Fletch out and was left devastated...
After two years they meet again....Fletch is struck and 'seen the light' and wants Roger back...
As sweet and easygoing Roger is, taking back Fletch is not an option...
Roger has a boyfriend Jeff-rey......Fletch is determined and has a creative mind...
"Was there suddenly a part of my miserable, undereducated, oversexed, juvenile-delinquent brain that was actually entertaining monogamy as a possibility?"
The constant self reflections, the clarifying thoughts were just fabulous...
"How good in bed could I possibly be that somebody would risk their life to chase me across Broadway against traffic"
Dear wise best friend Tommy realized some true things about how Roger and Fletch feel about each other and the reason why they don't say things!
I love Tommy and so hope there will be a story for him <3
And then.... some shit happened.....I cried...it broke my heart...
Fletch....o..Fletch..he is just wonderful...and flawed...and honest...yes honest...and Roger was such a fantastic flawed emotional cry guy....I loved them both hard
It's amazingly dynamic and very very lovable, not one line was boring. There were so many lines playing with... my heart...my laugh... and my (blurred) eyes
The developing was tremendously good done....it was so good!
An absolute mustread!! Highly recommended!
Kindly received an ARC from publisher through Netgalley
It was warm, endearing, fluffy, emotional and witty.
The most lovely MC's in their own way...
The story tells from 'the here and now' and switches smoothly to what had happened and what they wished, written in the most captivating way. Both MC's will give a view from their perspective...
Fletch has a 'terrible' attitude but...you will love him...he is just so ....immature ...and more
Roger has a 'terrible' attitude but....you will love him...he is just so ....mature.... and more
Together they are perfect and so not....
Roger a lawyer and a wonderful violinist. Shy and introvert....and....with a lovely dog Haggis
Fletch, a Haggis lover, was kind, sparkling, always good humoured and not monogamous, not before, during and after his relationship with Roger....
Roger was angry when he finds out...threw Fletch out and was left devastated...
After two years they meet again....Fletch is struck and 'seen the light' and wants Roger back...
As sweet and easygoing Roger is, taking back Fletch is not an option...
Roger has a boyfriend Jeff-rey......Fletch is determined and has a creative mind...
"Was there suddenly a part of my miserable, undereducated, oversexed, juvenile-delinquent brain that was actually entertaining monogamy as a possibility?"
The constant self reflections, the clarifying thoughts were just fabulous...
"How good in bed could I possibly be that somebody would risk their life to chase me across Broadway against traffic"
Dear wise best friend Tommy realized some true things about how Roger and Fletch feel about each other and the reason why they don't say things!
I love Tommy and so hope there will be a story for him <3
And then.... some shit happened.....I cried...it broke my heart...
Fletch....o..Fletch..he is just wonderful...and flawed...and honest...yes honest...and Roger was such a fantastic flawed emotional cry guy....I loved them both hard
It's amazingly dynamic and very very lovable, not one line was boring. There were so many lines playing with... my heart...my laugh... and my (blurred) eyes
The developing was tremendously good done....it was so good!
An absolute mustread!! Highly recommended!
Kindly received an ARC from publisher through Netgalley
May 14, 2019
Wow! This was awesome. My first 5 star non-YA M/M romance of since Box 1663 last year.
[Edit: I just ordered a paper copy, how's that for an endorsement. :]
Fletcher is fucking hilarious, and I'm going to be a bit of the odd one out and say Roger was unreasonable. But, adorable nonetheless, and the violin is special to me, making violinist pretty much my only acceptable choice for musician characters.
You might notice from the dates on my updates, this took me 2 months to get through, and I'm going to chalk that up to bad timing. I didn't dislike the beginning, but it didn't grab me either, and after getting to the 20% mark, I set it aside. I think I just wasn't in the right headspace for comic-romance. When I did pick it back up again yesterday I finished it in two sittings, and the only reason it wasn't one is that sadly I do have to go to work sometimes.
I've already bought the follow up, though I can't imagine how the author is going to make the shit-waffle Jeff(rey) sympathetic. But I'd have bought it anyway just out of gratitude for this one. Here's hoping Hackett puts out a few more so I can throw more money at him. :)
Highly recommended.
[Edit: I just ordered a paper copy, how's that for an endorsement. :]
Fletcher is fucking hilarious, and I'm going to be a bit of the odd one out and say Roger was unreasonable. But, adorable nonetheless, and the violin is special to me, making violinist pretty much my only acceptable choice for musician characters.
You might notice from the dates on my updates, this took me 2 months to get through, and I'm going to chalk that up to bad timing. I didn't dislike the beginning, but it didn't grab me either, and after getting to the 20% mark, I set it aside. I think I just wasn't in the right headspace for comic-romance. When I did pick it back up again yesterday I finished it in two sittings, and the only reason it wasn't one is that sadly I do have to go to work sometimes.
I've already bought the follow up, though I can't imagine how the author is going to make the shit-waffle Jeff(rey) sympathetic. But I'd have bought it anyway just out of gratitude for this one. Here's hoping Hackett puts out a few more so I can throw more money at him. :)
Highly recommended.
June 16, 2019
3.5 stars
Something weird happened.
Something weirder than me reading a second-chance romance where one MC had cheated on the other.
Weirder than me liking the cheater MC, who talks like he never got out of his teen phase (not a plus for me, not a plus at all), before he did anything to redeem himself.
Weirder than me liking the cheater MC more before he started doing anything to redeem himself than after, although at that point we definitely entered “weird” territory.
Something weirder than all of the above, but all of the above did happen anyway.
What was really weird was that I was ready to DNF at around 30%, but for some inexplicable reason I didn’t and, surprise, it turned around.
(I lied. I know exactly why I kept reading. I had already written half a rant in my head and I was really, really looking forward to it, but I wanted to be fair, and I thought I owed the book at least a last chance before using its review as a cheap therapy exercise. If books could laugh, this one would be rolling on the floor cackling at me)
The book started well, in spite of myself.
I don’t know how else to explain it, because I wasn’t supposed to like anything at the beginning of this book. I should have hated everything, from the premise to the cheater’s voice, but I didn’t. It was working surprisingly well for me.
Until the new boyfriend made his first appearance and...he was a walking clichè. How original.
I’m not sure if the problem was that I was expecting something less over-abused in romances, since the book had surprised me until then, or if it really was that bad. I’m leaning toward the latter, because that was the one single thing I couldn’t get over throughout the entire story, even after I started enjoying it again, and I’m still convinced it was a cheap shot. But since I ended up liking the rest a lot, I kept my rant under control and under spoiler.
It really disappointed me coming in a book and from an author that until then had managed to make me like what I wasn’t supposed to like. Not only until then, but after. Nothing in this story was particularly original taken by itself, but everything was put together in a refreshing way, with some really nice surprises () and only one bad exception (see rant above).
Up to and including the vapid, or not-so-vapid, best friend. I did love Tommy. Even though I usually don’t like getting other characters’ POVs, Tommy’s POV was used in the perfect way in this book, and I really hope he’ll get his story.
I hoped the next book would be about him, but apparently it's Jeff’s story. Which I’ll read, eventually, because I might have been on the verge of giving up on this book because of him, but I’ve learned my lesson with this author. I’ll give it a try, I’ll probably give it two tries, if I really have to.
Something weird happened.
Something weirder than me reading a second-chance romance where one MC had cheated on the other.
Weirder than me liking the cheater MC, who talks like he never got out of his teen phase (not a plus for me, not a plus at all), before he did anything to redeem himself.
Weirder than me liking the cheater MC more before he started doing anything to redeem himself than after, although at that point we definitely entered “weird” territory.
Something weirder than all of the above, but all of the above did happen anyway.
What was really weird was that I was ready to DNF at around 30%, but for some inexplicable reason I didn’t and, surprise, it turned around.
(I lied. I know exactly why I kept reading. I had already written half a rant in my head and I was really, really looking forward to it, but I wanted to be fair, and I thought I owed the book at least a last chance before using its review as a cheap therapy exercise. If books could laugh, this one would be rolling on the floor cackling at me)
The book started well, in spite of myself.
I don’t know how else to explain it, because I wasn’t supposed to like anything at the beginning of this book. I should have hated everything, from the premise to the cheater’s voice, but I didn’t. It was working surprisingly well for me.
Until the new boyfriend made his first appearance and...he was a walking clichè. How original.
I’m not sure if the problem was that I was expecting something less over-abused in romances, since the book had surprised me until then, or if it really was that bad. I’m leaning toward the latter, because that was the one single thing I couldn’t get over throughout the entire story, even after I started enjoying it again, and I’m still convinced it was a cheap shot. But since I ended up liking the rest a lot, I kept my rant under control and under spoiler.
It really disappointed me coming in a book and from an author that until then had managed to make me like what I wasn’t supposed to like. Not only until then, but after. Nothing in this story was particularly original taken by itself, but everything was put together in a refreshing way, with some really nice surprises () and only one bad exception (see rant above).
Up to and including the vapid, or not-so-vapid, best friend. I did love Tommy. Even though I usually don’t like getting other characters’ POVs, Tommy’s POV was used in the perfect way in this book, and I really hope he’ll get his story.
I hoped the next book would be about him, but apparently it's Jeff’s story. Which I’ll read, eventually, because I might have been on the verge of giving up on this book because of him, but I’ve learned my lesson with this author. I’ll give it a try, I’ll probably give it two tries, if I really have to.
June 2, 2018
Where Do I Start?
By Chase Taylor Hackett
By Lyrical Press, Kensington Publishing Corp., 2017
Five stars
I do speak twenty-something. The problem is, I speak twenty-something from the 1970s. The dialect has changed rather a lot in the last 40 years. I could neither speak nor write this way today, and it made me quite envious. I do, however, understand the language, and it made me laugh.
I loved every minute of this book, although I was a little worried at first. Chase Taylor Hackett (real? pseudonym? We’ll never know) is a very good writer. He has a light touch and a sparkling sense of humor that keeps this romance moving quickly while at the same time hitting hard on those things that make us feel deep in our hearts. He is literate (there’s even a grammar joke that plays a rather pivotal role, and it made me want to cheer) and he manages to dance around cultural stereotypes with surprising delicacy.
Fletcher Andrews and Roger Prescott have a history. An unhappy history. Fletch is a self-made man, after a fashion, and is one of those gilded youths whom everyone wants to be or be with. He is, however, both less and more than he appears. Roger Prescott, on the other hand, is exactly what he seems to be in every way. He is a reluctant lawyer and a passionate violinist. He is an uber-WASP, romantic, and shy and wants only to find his happiness and settle down. Fletch once appeared to be the unlikely answer to Roger’s impossible dream.
Well, that didn’t go so well.
There is a lot that is familiar from other gay romances in this book. This genre is, after all, dependent on tropes that define it as a literary form, but can, in clumsy hands, limit its potential. Hackett has the hands of a virtuoso, and thus takes this trope-filled formula into fresh and endearing places.
At the core of this tale is an issue central to all human relationships, but particularly potent for gay men since time immemorial (i.e. ever since we were allowed to imagine ourselves as valid humans who deserved love): fidelity and monogamy. Having survived with one man at my side for over 42 years, I have some perspective on this, and of course we each bring our own experience to every book we read.
Fletch doesn’t believe in love or in relationships or in promises. Roger believes in all three to the very core of his adorable nerdy being. Each of these young men has their reasons, and, truth be told, neither of them is wrong. Monogamy is, as a certain part of the gay community will tell you loudly and at every possible opportunity, unnatural and impossible. Another part of that same community will remind you patiently that, with humans, nothing is natural anymore. The idea of fidelity and monogamy is a cultural construct, and it has been constructed for a reason.
Some people are naturally monogamous (genetic, cultural, who cares?); others are not. The genius of the human mind is the ability to adapt to circumstances. However, all things being equal, all things are never equal. The human mind is a bizarrely complex thing and is consistent only in its constant failure to function in a logical way. This is the dilemma that forms the central barrier in “Where Do I Start?”
Dan Savage would hate this book. I, therefore, shall take the other part, and declare my love for it. The good thing about the world of gay culture is that it offers plenty of nourishment for differing points of view, unlike, say, Hollywood.
I’ve already bought the second book by Chase Taylor Hackett, because this first book made me a promise. We’ll see if Hackett can be faithful to that promise.
By Chase Taylor Hackett
By Lyrical Press, Kensington Publishing Corp., 2017
Five stars
I do speak twenty-something. The problem is, I speak twenty-something from the 1970s. The dialect has changed rather a lot in the last 40 years. I could neither speak nor write this way today, and it made me quite envious. I do, however, understand the language, and it made me laugh.
I loved every minute of this book, although I was a little worried at first. Chase Taylor Hackett (real? pseudonym? We’ll never know) is a very good writer. He has a light touch and a sparkling sense of humor that keeps this romance moving quickly while at the same time hitting hard on those things that make us feel deep in our hearts. He is literate (there’s even a grammar joke that plays a rather pivotal role, and it made me want to cheer) and he manages to dance around cultural stereotypes with surprising delicacy.
Fletcher Andrews and Roger Prescott have a history. An unhappy history. Fletch is a self-made man, after a fashion, and is one of those gilded youths whom everyone wants to be or be with. He is, however, both less and more than he appears. Roger Prescott, on the other hand, is exactly what he seems to be in every way. He is a reluctant lawyer and a passionate violinist. He is an uber-WASP, romantic, and shy and wants only to find his happiness and settle down. Fletch once appeared to be the unlikely answer to Roger’s impossible dream.
Well, that didn’t go so well.
There is a lot that is familiar from other gay romances in this book. This genre is, after all, dependent on tropes that define it as a literary form, but can, in clumsy hands, limit its potential. Hackett has the hands of a virtuoso, and thus takes this trope-filled formula into fresh and endearing places.
At the core of this tale is an issue central to all human relationships, but particularly potent for gay men since time immemorial (i.e. ever since we were allowed to imagine ourselves as valid humans who deserved love): fidelity and monogamy. Having survived with one man at my side for over 42 years, I have some perspective on this, and of course we each bring our own experience to every book we read.
Fletch doesn’t believe in love or in relationships or in promises. Roger believes in all three to the very core of his adorable nerdy being. Each of these young men has their reasons, and, truth be told, neither of them is wrong. Monogamy is, as a certain part of the gay community will tell you loudly and at every possible opportunity, unnatural and impossible. Another part of that same community will remind you patiently that, with humans, nothing is natural anymore. The idea of fidelity and monogamy is a cultural construct, and it has been constructed for a reason.
Some people are naturally monogamous (genetic, cultural, who cares?); others are not. The genius of the human mind is the ability to adapt to circumstances. However, all things being equal, all things are never equal. The human mind is a bizarrely complex thing and is consistent only in its constant failure to function in a logical way. This is the dilemma that forms the central barrier in “Where Do I Start?”
Dan Savage would hate this book. I, therefore, shall take the other part, and declare my love for it. The good thing about the world of gay culture is that it offers plenty of nourishment for differing points of view, unlike, say, Hollywood.
I’ve already bought the second book by Chase Taylor Hackett, because this first book made me a promise. We’ll see if Hackett can be faithful to that promise.
September 9, 2019
I loved everything about this - the flawed, well-written characters that grow and change, the drama, the humor, the way the characters interacted with each other... it's an almost perfect RomCom.
Caveat: I loved everything about this -- except the punctuation. One question mark is enough and one exclamation mark is usually one too many. Amirite??!!??!!!
Caveat: I loved everything about this -- except the punctuation. One question mark is enough and one exclamation mark is usually one too many. Amirite??!!??!!!
October 19, 2024
5 stars
Fourth time reading and still funny with all the feels.
I'm loving this author! Lots and lots of emotion in this second chance love story.
Fourth time reading and still funny with all the feels.
I'm loving this author! Lots and lots of emotion in this second chance love story.
August 22, 2019
Man-oh-man, the DNF urge had me in the first half, I'm not gonna lie.
I couldn't stand any of these assholes and kept grumbling at Roger to grow a bloody spine and drop-kick Fletch down the window.
It's mostly Tommy's "fault" I didn't DNF in the first half.
I've gotta say, Fletch and Roger may have landed some jokes in their POVs but Tommy? Man, Tommy was a spitfire. Every time he said something he had me howling and wanting more and more of him.
And this way, the other two dumbasses started growing on me as well.
My friends were right, this is a damn fine story and I fully recommend it.
But prepare the gloves, you'll want to French slap the hell out of the MCs in the first half.
I couldn't stand any of these assholes and kept grumbling at Roger to grow a bloody spine and drop-kick Fletch down the window.
It's mostly Tommy's "fault" I didn't DNF in the first half.
I've gotta say, Fletch and Roger may have landed some jokes in their POVs but Tommy? Man, Tommy was a spitfire. Every time he said something he had me howling and wanting more and more of him.
And this way, the other two dumbasses started growing on me as well.
My friends were right, this is a damn fine story and I fully recommend it.
But prepare the gloves, you'll want to French slap the hell out of the MCs in the first half.
August 24, 2017
Where do I start??? Well I'll start by saying this book was fucking boring as hell and 3X longer than it needed to be. By the time I was 30% through, I was literally thinking I was close to the end.... and then I made the mistake of checking the page number. *facepalm*
Aside from the characters talking and thinking like they were living in the 60's, the dialogue was plain, flat and full of orchestra terms that bore me to tears. I hated Fletcher and his immature nature. He seemed more like a jealous puppy whose bone was stolen by a bigger better dog. He even reminded me of a dog with all the ass kissing he did trying to win Roger back, like showing off his knowledge of orchestra language *yawn!*, stalking Roger's place of work and showing up uninvited at his house, paying off Roger's dog-walker in order to quit so that he can forcefully squeeze himself back in Roger's life. Actually, calling Fletcher a dog is an insult to all dogs; he makes me think of a nasty weasel and that's about it. This guy was a creep!
Roger was a spineless adult and I never could stomach those kind of characters, and his personality was so flat! There was NOTHING standing out about him, he's an utterly forgettable character.
So I gave up by the time I got to the 40% mark, because NOTHING happened other than Fletcher and Roger's current boyfriend constantly whipping out their dicks to see who's got the bigger one. OK, so not exactly, but you get my meaning. There isn't even any chemistry to speak of between the men (any of them!!!). There was more chemistry between the dog and Roger's violin!
Usually I can hate on a book as much as I want, but there's always something positive that I liked about it! I didn't like anything about this book, anything at all! I tried and wanted to like it because the blurb sounded so good, but alas, it happens. Nothing against the author, but this writing style isn't for me.
Aside from the characters talking and thinking like they were living in the 60's, the dialogue was plain, flat and full of orchestra terms that bore me to tears. I hated Fletcher and his immature nature. He seemed more like a jealous puppy whose bone was stolen by a bigger better dog. He even reminded me of a dog with all the ass kissing he did trying to win Roger back, like showing off his knowledge of orchestra language *yawn!*, stalking Roger's place of work and showing up uninvited at his house, paying off Roger's dog-walker in order to quit so that he can forcefully squeeze himself back in Roger's life. Actually, calling Fletcher a dog is an insult to all dogs; he makes me think of a nasty weasel and that's about it. This guy was a creep!
Roger was a spineless adult and I never could stomach those kind of characters, and his personality was so flat! There was NOTHING standing out about him, he's an utterly forgettable character.
So I gave up by the time I got to the 40% mark, because NOTHING happened other than Fletcher and Roger's current boyfriend constantly whipping out their dicks to see who's got the bigger one. OK, so not exactly, but you get my meaning. There isn't even any chemistry to speak of between the men (any of them!!!). There was more chemistry between the dog and Roger's violin!
Usually I can hate on a book as much as I want, but there's always something positive that I liked about it! I didn't like anything about this book, anything at all! I tried and wanted to like it because the blurb sounded so good, but alas, it happens. Nothing against the author, but this writing style isn't for me.
![Profile Image for annob [on hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1674812294i%2F68231680._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 24, 2018
I liked this one. It was written with humour, yet felt introspective and calm. I liked both main and side characters and how they all had unique personalities with different 'voices'. Adored the snarky verbal battles between , and was charmed by Roger and his emotional vulnerability while being torn between highly conflicting loyalties.
The plot, which centres around the topic of infidelity and the consequences for all parties involved, felt fresh. It's so common in romance to avoid the topic altogether, so I appreciated it being dealt with head on here. It's a low steam, plenty of flirting kind of romance and although I wouldn't have minded the main pair to get intimate on page, the lack of explicit lovemaking scenes fit the tone of the story.
The epilogue felt a bit tacked on at the end, but by then the book and story of Fletch and Roger had long won me over. I enjoyed spending time with them, and look forward to read the sequel.
The plot, which centres around the topic of infidelity and the consequences for all parties involved, felt fresh. It's so common in romance to avoid the topic altogether, so I appreciated it being dealt with head on here. It's a low steam, plenty of flirting kind of romance and although I wouldn't have minded the main pair to get intimate on page, the lack of explicit lovemaking scenes fit the tone of the story.
The epilogue felt a bit tacked on at the end, but by then the book and story of Fletch and Roger had long won me over. I enjoyed spending time with them, and look forward to read the sequel.
September 18, 2019
As much as I enjoyed And The Next Thing You Know..., this one is even better.
It took me a year and a half to get to Where Do I Start, something about Jeff and Theo's story just totally gutted me. But turns out it's a good thing I read that one first, because after getting to know Jeff I might not have cared much to see him to find his happily-ever-after. Just kidding (but not really).
No, seriously, all the characters in this series are beautifully complex and really nicely developed and their stories are all interesting. Especially Tommy - I hope everyone has a little (or big) Tommy in their lives because we could all use a friend like him.
Truly marvelous story, Chase Taylor Hackett is wildly talented and I hope it's not long till he gives us some more!
It took me a year and a half to get to Where Do I Start, something about Jeff and Theo's story just totally gutted me. But turns out it's a good thing I read that one first, because after getting to know Jeff I might not have cared much to see him to find his happily-ever-after. Just kidding (but not really).
No, seriously, all the characters in this series are beautifully complex and really nicely developed and their stories are all interesting. Especially Tommy - I hope everyone has a little (or big) Tommy in their lives because we could all use a friend like him.
Truly marvelous story, Chase Taylor Hackett is wildly talented and I hope it's not long till he gives us some more!
July 21, 2019
It's a funny story. The book is funny, all right, but actually, I meant me trying to review this book :DDD because something weird happened here... I'm thinking about 3,5 stars rounded up to 5 stars! I know, right? It never happened to me before...
The first 30-35% - 1 star - I was bored, grossed. Cheating is not my pet-peeve but the book felt juvenile and like one big cliche. I really thought about DNF, but I was reminding myself about those all heart eyes emojis Teal added to their review and kept going, kept pushing ;) The opening scene at the opera was also interesting enough to give me hope.
And then this scene happened, Roger and Flecher playing violin together, and the rest was just... adorkable...
So, it's a triumph of execution over the concept, I guess.
The first 30-35% - 1 star - I was bored, grossed. Cheating is not my pet-peeve but the book felt juvenile and like one big cliche. I really thought about DNF, but I was reminding myself about those all heart eyes emojis Teal added to their review and kept going, kept pushing ;) The opening scene at the opera was also interesting enough to give me hope.
And then this scene happened, Roger and Flecher playing violin together, and the rest was just... adorkable...
So, it's a triumph of execution over the concept, I guess.
July 17, 2019
Fletcher is just the sweetest, quirkiest dudebro ever, with his adorkable 'Hey, Dweeb!" He is really like an excited puppy. Very charming and likeable.
The Dweeb is the absolute dorkiest with his freckles and curly mop of hair, playing on his Mittenwald. I could see how perfectly they fit together. Back then, and even 2 years later. Add the Haggis to the mix, and they're like this perfect little family, where the individuals aren't really so perfect. But together they're bomb! :) To me perfection in relationships isn't measured by education, achievements or social stand and money. To me it's all about the connection. And they have it by heaps.
The characters are well-rounded, with unique voices, they're absolutely not flat and not forgettable.
The dialogue is original, quirky and funny as hell, not boring or dull at all.
The description of musical stuff, about the orchestra and the different instruments were not overwhelming, it was explained quite simply, and it was understandable and even interesting (f-holes).
And I found the writing fabulous, not "just ok". Whoever said that probably read a different book than me.
The reason for the 4 star for me is the beginning. I can't really put my finger on why (first I just blamed my usual shitty Monday morning mood). I guess I just don't like to go backwards, though the best parts were when we got to see how they met, how Fletch invaded Roger's life. But I guess I just wanted to go forward with the story not back.
I had no problem with a sexless story, I didn't miss it, but I would've liked so much more kissing. :)
I recommend this book to those who like second chances, flawed characters and loads of humor.
PS: The only thing I don't understand yet is why Jeff the douche got to tell his story in the next installment and not Tommy or Marco.
February 26, 2025
Analysis of a former-cheater book. Spoilers.
Did I wind up liking this read? YES. So much! Thank you @Evelyn Bella once again for shoving me out of my comfort zone. Why did I like it? 1) Roger and 2) the refreshing fourth-wall-breaking voice and style. The characters are telling you, the reader, what happened after the fact, both in the present story and in flashbacks. At first it was weird, and the opening may put some off by making you think it’ll be told in this cliché stereotypical “gay New York man” voice, but that goes away fast, thank goodness, and my brain caught up with the fourth-wall style and I wound up loving that POV choice. The book is pure fun some of the time!
There are many delightful shows of caring from Fletch to Roger, such as Fletch helping Roger see what would make Roger happy (hint...it isn’t being a lawyer), showing how much he Sees Roger and appreciates who Roger truly is. Even though it’s all calculated to worm his way in and back in with Roger, the moments are heartwarming and special, and I could tell Fletch is sincere and truly does adore who Roger is; he likes that man and wants Roger to also see how special Roger is. I loved that. There are also strong scenes that show just how well Fletch and Roger complement each other and get each other as friends, share humor, share a love of music from different perspectives, how they support and appreciate who the other is as a person. Very lovely and a joy to read. Secondary characters are authentic; I particularly love Roger’s colleagues whom he plays in the quartet with, including his boss and Bob. I hope Bob and Janine do have a thing! Tommy the BFF is also a delight—and I loved his little mini-romance flirtation with a certain barista! Jeff is excruciatingly believable as the dickhead current boyfriend.
This book also put me in touch with a big part of why cheaters make me squirm with discomfort. This isn’t a one-time, truly-made-a-mistake cheating story. (Although...come to think of it, I’m not even sure *I* would be able to say it is *really* cheating, because there was never a discussion in the past about being exclusive, as far as I could tell?) It was clear from the fact that MC cheater Fletch (Broadway usher, odd jobs/opportunist) hid his escapades from the man he moved himself in with and treated like a king while still fucking other people on a...daily? weekly? basis, that he knew how much his screwing around would hurt MC Roger (lawyer, gifted violinist). And he chose to do it anyway. That was two years ago. And very early in the read, you get the flashback to the simple way Roger caught him, and it bloody well hurt.
The book tries to front that Fletch really did love Roger. It tries to front via Roger’s best friend, Tommy, that part of the reason he kept cheating and they fell apart was that they never discussed that they both loved each other, never admitted feelings. But here’s the thing.
Cheating has an emotional impact that resonates and can cause self-doubt and trauma forever, yes. But what no one ever talked about in this book (or in most books, actually? Why not, people?!) is the fact that a chronic cheater is also playing Russian roulette with the partner he “cares” about’s physical health. Go ahead and google “things condoms do not protect you from.” I’ll wait. Never mind, here’s the list: lice/crabs, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, and mpox.
So the fact that Fletch was living with Roger and being so nice to him, making him feel Seen for the first time, but exposing him to what sounds like a few hundred men’s unknown sexual statuses and hygiene practices WITHOUT Roger’s consent or knowledge, and the fact that that gross lack of care about Roger is never once on anyone’s radar or apologized for or in any way acknowledged as an issue, was one reason I didn’t find the situation tenable. Fletch was careless with this lovely, sincere man’s heart AND health and never thought a thing of it. Nor did anyone else. *scratcheshead*
We learn from Roger’s BFF Tommy, that the guy Roger dated before Fletch cheated on him. And, the repellent new boyfriend Jeff also cheated on Roger. Spoiler alert. WITH FLETCH. Seems Roger has a type. Poor Roger. I wish he could just be happy with his adorable dog Haggis and tell them all to fuck off. Alas. (Tommy, why are you rooting for a guy who played fast and loose with your bestie’s mental and physical health? I know personality-wise, Fletch and Roger are uber-compatible and work incredibly well together, and Fletch is way better for Roger on that front than dickhead Jeff, but...Jeff is a really, really low bar. So low you can’t even trip over it, let alone get a drink there.)
So basically, the HEA is, Fletch wins Roger back, gets this truly lovely sweet talented guy to spoil and live with and have worship him again, and Roger gets a man who decimated his trust, but who has every sincere intention of earning it back. He does get warm, caring Fletch to nurture and adore him; Fletch truly does have a wonderful, thoughtful service love language. I appreciated his efforts, calculated as they were. I didn’t think Fletch deserved a second chance with Roger, but....
Lucky for Fletch, love isn’t about what we deserve. It truly is unconditional. And as it turns out, Roger wants to give Fletch another chance. And I want Roger’s dreams to come true. ❤️ And, okay, okay...Fletch has his good points.
Fletch DID manage to convince me there at the very, VERY end that he really does love Roger and might actually stay faithful to him. Roger’s still going to trip over a former fuck buddy every few feet, but...they truly have a wonderful, believable chemistry as true friends as well as lovers. I don’t know how Roger’s going to just forget, every time Fletch touches him, that he also touched a gazillion other guys the same way, but, not my circus, not my monkey.
Bon chance, Roger and Fletch. I did enjoy reading your infuriating story quite a lot!
HEA. Second chance. Getting over cheating between MCs in the past, but, oddly, within the timeline of the book, it IS safe for me. Fletch does not, in fact, sleep with any other men in the present day, and even says No to...quite a few. Including his best friend and constant fuck buddy Marco, which...don’t get me started on Marco not listening to No right away. Let’s just...there’s not enough time.
THANK YOU @EVELYN! 🥰 I look forward to my next “out of the comfort zone” adventure. I might even be brave and rage-y enough for that youcouldmakealife cheater book.
Did I wind up liking this read? YES. So much! Thank you @Evelyn Bella once again for shoving me out of my comfort zone. Why did I like it? 1) Roger and 2) the refreshing fourth-wall-breaking voice and style. The characters are telling you, the reader, what happened after the fact, both in the present story and in flashbacks. At first it was weird, and the opening may put some off by making you think it’ll be told in this cliché stereotypical “gay New York man” voice, but that goes away fast, thank goodness, and my brain caught up with the fourth-wall style and I wound up loving that POV choice. The book is pure fun some of the time!
There are many delightful shows of caring from Fletch to Roger, such as Fletch helping Roger see what would make Roger happy (hint...it isn’t being a lawyer), showing how much he Sees Roger and appreciates who Roger truly is. Even though it’s all calculated to worm his way in and back in with Roger, the moments are heartwarming and special, and I could tell Fletch is sincere and truly does adore who Roger is; he likes that man and wants Roger to also see how special Roger is. I loved that. There are also strong scenes that show just how well Fletch and Roger complement each other and get each other as friends, share humor, share a love of music from different perspectives, how they support and appreciate who the other is as a person. Very lovely and a joy to read. Secondary characters are authentic; I particularly love Roger’s colleagues whom he plays in the quartet with, including his boss and Bob. I hope Bob and Janine do have a thing! Tommy the BFF is also a delight—and I loved his little mini-romance flirtation with a certain barista! Jeff is excruciatingly believable as the dickhead current boyfriend.
This book also put me in touch with a big part of why cheaters make me squirm with discomfort. This isn’t a one-time, truly-made-a-mistake cheating story. (Although...come to think of it, I’m not even sure *I* would be able to say it is *really* cheating, because there was never a discussion in the past about being exclusive, as far as I could tell?) It was clear from the fact that MC cheater Fletch (Broadway usher, odd jobs/opportunist) hid his escapades from the man he moved himself in with and treated like a king while still fucking other people on a...daily? weekly? basis, that he knew how much his screwing around would hurt MC Roger (lawyer, gifted violinist). And he chose to do it anyway. That was two years ago. And very early in the read, you get the flashback to the simple way Roger caught him, and it bloody well hurt.
The book tries to front that Fletch really did love Roger. It tries to front via Roger’s best friend, Tommy, that part of the reason he kept cheating and they fell apart was that they never discussed that they both loved each other, never admitted feelings. But here’s the thing.
Cheating has an emotional impact that resonates and can cause self-doubt and trauma forever, yes. But what no one ever talked about in this book (or in most books, actually? Why not, people?!) is the fact that a chronic cheater is also playing Russian roulette with the partner he “cares” about’s physical health. Go ahead and google “things condoms do not protect you from.” I’ll wait. Never mind, here’s the list: lice/crabs, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, and mpox.
So the fact that Fletch was living with Roger and being so nice to him, making him feel Seen for the first time, but exposing him to what sounds like a few hundred men’s unknown sexual statuses and hygiene practices WITHOUT Roger’s consent or knowledge, and the fact that that gross lack of care about Roger is never once on anyone’s radar or apologized for or in any way acknowledged as an issue, was one reason I didn’t find the situation tenable. Fletch was careless with this lovely, sincere man’s heart AND health and never thought a thing of it. Nor did anyone else. *scratcheshead*
We learn from Roger’s BFF Tommy, that the guy Roger dated before Fletch cheated on him. And, the repellent new boyfriend Jeff also cheated on Roger. Spoiler alert. WITH FLETCH. Seems Roger has a type. Poor Roger. I wish he could just be happy with his adorable dog Haggis and tell them all to fuck off. Alas. (Tommy, why are you rooting for a guy who played fast and loose with your bestie’s mental and physical health? I know personality-wise, Fletch and Roger are uber-compatible and work incredibly well together, and Fletch is way better for Roger on that front than dickhead Jeff, but...Jeff is a really, really low bar. So low you can’t even trip over it, let alone get a drink there.)
So basically, the HEA is, Fletch wins Roger back, gets this truly lovely sweet talented guy to spoil and live with and have worship him again, and Roger gets a man who decimated his trust, but who has every sincere intention of earning it back. He does get warm, caring Fletch to nurture and adore him; Fletch truly does have a wonderful, thoughtful service love language. I appreciated his efforts, calculated as they were. I didn’t think Fletch deserved a second chance with Roger, but....
Lucky for Fletch, love isn’t about what we deserve. It truly is unconditional. And as it turns out, Roger wants to give Fletch another chance. And I want Roger’s dreams to come true. ❤️ And, okay, okay...Fletch has his good points.
Fletch DID manage to convince me there at the very, VERY end that he really does love Roger and might actually stay faithful to him. Roger’s still going to trip over a former fuck buddy every few feet, but...they truly have a wonderful, believable chemistry as true friends as well as lovers. I don’t know how Roger’s going to just forget, every time Fletch touches him, that he also touched a gazillion other guys the same way, but, not my circus, not my monkey.
Bon chance, Roger and Fletch. I did enjoy reading your infuriating story quite a lot!
HEA. Second chance. Getting over cheating between MCs in the past, but, oddly, within the timeline of the book, it IS safe for me. Fletch does not, in fact, sleep with any other men in the present day, and even says No to...quite a few. Including his best friend and constant fuck buddy Marco, which...don’t get me started on Marco not listening to No right away. Let’s just...there’s not enough time.
THANK YOU @EVELYN! 🥰 I look forward to my next “out of the comfort zone” adventure. I might even be brave and rage-y enough for that youcouldmakealife cheater book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2017
A lot of reviewers won't like this one, but THEY ARE WRONG! IT'S GREAT!!!
I hate books about cheating because they make me feel sick, but I love books about cheating because they make me feel sick. A lot of romance readers immediately write off any book with even a hint of cheating, so it's a ballsy move to even mention the "c" word in contemporary romance. This book actually made me fall in love with the cheater, a character that I'm genetically predisposed to hate on principle (how many of us can say we love Jake Riordan, even after the fifth book? we might have forgiven him, but love? not so with my darling Fletcher! he took his punishment with an appropriate amount of shame and dignity, and I had completely forgiven him long before the end). This book was also gay, not MM Romance BWFW gay, but gay gay, and further, it was gay done great. The characters were totally likable and believable, and, especially with Fletcher and Tommy, they were FUNNY. I would absolutely love to hang around such a snappy and sassy group of guys, and add on to that all the drama flying around and I think I've found my heaven. Author, don't let the negative reviews get you down, I loved this book and I will for sure buy the next one.
I hate books about cheating because they make me feel sick, but I love books about cheating because they make me feel sick. A lot of romance readers immediately write off any book with even a hint of cheating, so it's a ballsy move to even mention the "c" word in contemporary romance. This book actually made me fall in love with the cheater, a character that I'm genetically predisposed to hate on principle (how many of us can say we love Jake Riordan, even after the fifth book? we might have forgiven him, but love? not so with my darling Fletcher! he took his punishment with an appropriate amount of shame and dignity, and I had completely forgiven him long before the end). This book was also gay, not MM Romance BWFW gay, but gay gay, and further, it was gay done great. The characters were totally likable and believable, and, especially with Fletcher and Tommy, they were FUNNY. I would absolutely love to hang around such a snappy and sassy group of guys, and add on to that all the drama flying around and I think I've found my heaven. Author, don't let the negative reviews get you down, I loved this book and I will for sure buy the next one.
June 5, 2019
I love it when an author can convince me of something I wouldn’t normally entertain in a million years. For example, the very idea that a cheater can be redeemed, deserves a second chance, and can become someone to root for.
Chase Taylor Hackett convinced me of all three and I really believe this is the mark of great writing.
I read this book in less than 24 hours because I truly couldn’t put it down. The story is often hilarious, and at times heartbreaking enough to bring me to tears more than once. The main characters are likeable and flawed and felt very real to me; the character of Fletch leapt right off the page from his vain and superficial first impressions, to his thoughtful, reflective and mature transformation to boyfriend material. A final look behind his facade of vanity and self-confidence at the end of the book was the perfect note to finish on.
Chase Taylor Hackett convinced me of all three and I really believe this is the mark of great writing.
I read this book in less than 24 hours because I truly couldn’t put it down. The story is often hilarious, and at times heartbreaking enough to bring me to tears more than once. The main characters are likeable and flawed and felt very real to me; the character of Fletch leapt right off the page from his vain and superficial first impressions, to his thoughtful, reflective and mature transformation to boyfriend material. A final look behind his facade of vanity and self-confidence at the end of the book was the perfect note to finish on.
December 3, 2019
I've had this on my kindle for awhile now... oh October of last year yikes. I have no idea why it took over a year to read this might have a lot to do with my tendency to keep buying books. I have a lot. D:
This book was hilarious, no steam but that's ok because I adored Fletch and Roger and was more invested in their relationship being mended. Haggis made me look up scotty dog videos on youtube. I am now of the opinion that Scottish Terriers are the greatest breed of dog ever.
Jeff-ery was wonderful to hate and I have the second book I can't wait to see if the author can make me like him. Either way sounds like Theo and Tommy will make him miserable and I'm all about it.
Speaking of Tommy... I hate multiple POV's in romance but I adored Tommy's POV! He had so much insight and humor and it was really nice seeing both Fletch and Roger from a third perspective. I think it was needed.
Also, I ship Tommy/Javi. *makes grabby hands*
This book was hilarious, no steam but that's ok because I adored Fletch and Roger and was more invested in their relationship being mended. Haggis made me look up scotty dog videos on youtube. I am now of the opinion that Scottish Terriers are the greatest breed of dog ever.
Jeff-ery was wonderful to hate and I have the second book I can't wait to see if the author can make me like him. Either way sounds like Theo and Tommy will make him miserable and I'm all about it.
Speaking of Tommy... I hate multiple POV's in romance but I adored Tommy's POV! He had so much insight and humor and it was really nice seeing both Fletch and Roger from a third perspective. I think it was needed.
Also, I ship Tommy/Javi. *makes grabby hands*
April 2, 2020
This book is beautifully written and totally entertaining. It was hard to believe that I was hoping the beautiful cheater (Fletcher) would will back Rogers’s heart, but I was. By the time the book was over I felt so at home with these characters that I hated leaving them. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is there is a lot of inner monologue. Although it didn’t bother me as much as it does in some books.
April 9, 2020
It took me a few chapters to get used to the writing style and to get into the story but then I absolutely loved it!
4.5 happy stars
4.5 happy stars
May 7, 2018
Out of the hundreds of LGBT romances I've read over the past few years, this one was the most refreshing by far. I only picked it up for a buck because I requested the sequel on NetGalley before realizing it was a sequel, and I didn't want to miss the backstory. It was one of the best chances I've taken all year with my reading list!
Fletch and Roger are two of the most flawed, human-disaster characters I've read in a romance in a long time, and I absolutely love them. And they have real flaws, not just cutesy romance flaws. Fletch might be male-model hot and charming and sweet, but he's also a big fat cheater, and a mooch, and an instigator. And Roger is adorable, angelic, and patient, but he's also terrible at his job, can't stick up for himself, and can't make a decision to save his life. On paper, they're terrible together. They won't work. But in reality, sometimes people like this get together and they make each other miserable, and then they fall hopelessly in love.
Everything about this book is easy and accessible and sharp and tight. It's practically PG save for some innuendo. Not even a fade-to-black. Yet the romantic tension between Fletch and Roger is off the charts. The ending is spot-on. Even the minor characters are pitch-perfect.
If I had a friend who read exclusively M/F romances and wanted to break into M/M, this would be my go-to transitional pick. It's a criminally overlooked modern M/M romance.
Fletch and Roger are two of the most flawed, human-disaster characters I've read in a romance in a long time, and I absolutely love them. And they have real flaws, not just cutesy romance flaws. Fletch might be male-model hot and charming and sweet, but he's also a big fat cheater, and a mooch, and an instigator. And Roger is adorable, angelic, and patient, but he's also terrible at his job, can't stick up for himself, and can't make a decision to save his life. On paper, they're terrible together. They won't work. But in reality, sometimes people like this get together and they make each other miserable, and then they fall hopelessly in love.
Everything about this book is easy and accessible and sharp and tight. It's practically PG save for some innuendo. Not even a fade-to-black. Yet the romantic tension between Fletch and Roger is off the charts. The ending is spot-on. Even the minor characters are pitch-perfect.
If I had a friend who read exclusively M/F romances and wanted to break into M/M, this would be my go-to transitional pick. It's a criminally overlooked modern M/M romance.
November 14, 2017
Estoy dudosa entre 3 y 4, me ha gustado bastante la historia y el autor consigue que desee un final feliz para los chicos y que empatizara mucho con Feltch pero el otro MC es plano y no me acaba de convencer el modo en que está narrado. Sin embargo, espero poder leer el segundo y los que vendrán.
Want to read
February 11, 2018Free at Kobo today, 2/11/18
February 9, 2018
~ 4.5 Stars ~
I didn’t immediately like this book. Which seems completely crazy to me now, after finishing it. But, in chapter one I was thinking, ‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?!?’ Because Fletcher Andrews is a hot mess, you guys. Like, the hottest and the messiest. BUT—by chapter three I was unashamedly head over heels for him. Fletch is gorgeous with a capital G, and ridiculously charming. He can talk his way into or out of any situation, and into literally anyone’s pants, which ended up being his downfall with his one and only boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, Roger. Chase Taylor Hackett’s Where Do I Start begins with Fletch running into Roger at the Met two years after things ended between them, and the rest of the book is basically Fletch courting Roger (even though Roger doesn’t even realize what’s happening at first) and trying to win him back (even though Fletch doesn’t even realize that’s what he’s doing at first).
One of the things I loved best about this book was Fletch’s admiration and respect for Roger. He was clearly in love with him from the beginning, even though he screwed things up so terribly the last time, and is initially so oblivious to his feelings and his motivations for stalking Roger presently. His remorse for hurting Roger in the past is never in doubt, and he attempts to make up for it in myriad ways. He is always so mindful of Roger’s needs and feelings, and takes extreme joy in pointing out Roger’s current boyfriend Jeff’s failings and careless disregard of Roger’s feelings. Often right in front of Jeff! Which is too funny. And, the way Fletch’s attention and admiration make Roger feel so special is awesome. I loved this passage from Roger’s POV when he was remembering a special moment with Fletch…
Fletch’s promiscuity is firmly in the past, but it takes Roger most of the book to believe it. I don’t blame him one bit for being so hesitant to let his ex back in; it was only fair that Fletch had to prove himself. And, watching him do that day after day, watching him fight for Roger, made me fall in love with him more with every chapter. Oh! And, I can’t forget his love for Roger’s dog! It may have well been Fletch’s love for Haggis—the dog, not the gross Scottish dish—that gives him the biggest shot at winning back Roger’s heart. Haggis was honestly like another main character!
And, speaking of the characters… They really were all fantastic. Even the one I’m sure every reader will love to hate, *cough* Jeff-Rey *cough*… He was a complete dickbag, sure, but I can’t deny that he was memorable. The majority of the characters were extremely well-developed and relatable. I loved Fletch [insert a billion hearty eyes emojis], obviously, and I adored Roger, but a very close runner-up for my favorite character was Roger’s best friend, Tommy. He is beyond fabulous, and I need his book in my life like yesterday. I’m so hoping that his story is in the works.
Hackett’s storytelling style is different, but in such a good way. It’s fast-paced and fun, with dialogue that is at times hilarious, and at other times very touching and insightful. There are inside jokes, and ongoing bits in the story that are fantastic, and work so well, like Fletch’s nickname for Roger, and my new favorite term, ‘f-hole.’ And, I loved the way he used the different POVs to move the story along and take us from how everything started between Fletch and Roger, to their current situation of finding their way back to each other. The narrative also jumps seamlessly from moments and dialogue that are absurdly funny, to moments that are so moving and heartfelt, like Fletch talking about his childhood, or Roger’s meeting with his dad—which was actually both touching and funny.
I truly loved reading this book, and can’t wait to read more from this author. The next book in the series just released this week, but one of the MCs is Jeff the dickbag! So, I might have to hold off for a minute. Ha! I’m still firmly on Team Fletcher, and hating Jeffrey with every fiber, so I’m not ready yet for the author to make me like him. But, I may get there yet. 😉 Subsequent books, though? I’m all in!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
I didn’t immediately like this book. Which seems completely crazy to me now, after finishing it. But, in chapter one I was thinking, ‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?!?’ Because Fletcher Andrews is a hot mess, you guys. Like, the hottest and the messiest. BUT—by chapter three I was unashamedly head over heels for him. Fletch is gorgeous with a capital G, and ridiculously charming. He can talk his way into or out of any situation, and into literally anyone’s pants, which ended up being his downfall with his one and only boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, Roger. Chase Taylor Hackett’s Where Do I Start begins with Fletch running into Roger at the Met two years after things ended between them, and the rest of the book is basically Fletch courting Roger (even though Roger doesn’t even realize what’s happening at first) and trying to win him back (even though Fletch doesn’t even realize that’s what he’s doing at first).
One of the things I loved best about this book was Fletch’s admiration and respect for Roger. He was clearly in love with him from the beginning, even though he screwed things up so terribly the last time, and is initially so oblivious to his feelings and his motivations for stalking Roger presently. His remorse for hurting Roger in the past is never in doubt, and he attempts to make up for it in myriad ways. He is always so mindful of Roger’s needs and feelings, and takes extreme joy in pointing out Roger’s current boyfriend Jeff’s failings and careless disregard of Roger’s feelings. Often right in front of Jeff! Which is too funny. And, the way Fletch’s attention and admiration make Roger feel so special is awesome. I loved this passage from Roger’s POV when he was remembering a special moment with Fletch…
May I tell you how earth-shaking it is to discover that somebody likes you, genuinely likes you, thinks you’re sexy, wants to spend time with you because you are exactly who you are?
…
I’ve mentioned enough how Fletch was this Adonis—and he was—but after that night, that was so irrelevant. I was hopelessly, blissfully, bark-at-the-moon crazy in love with him because he was the most beautiful guy I had ever met—and that had absolutely nothing to do with gorgeous eyes or a handsome smile.
Fletch’s promiscuity is firmly in the past, but it takes Roger most of the book to believe it. I don’t blame him one bit for being so hesitant to let his ex back in; it was only fair that Fletch had to prove himself. And, watching him do that day after day, watching him fight for Roger, made me fall in love with him more with every chapter. Oh! And, I can’t forget his love for Roger’s dog! It may have well been Fletch’s love for Haggis—the dog, not the gross Scottish dish—that gives him the biggest shot at winning back Roger’s heart. Haggis was honestly like another main character!
And, speaking of the characters… They really were all fantastic. Even the one I’m sure every reader will love to hate, *cough* Jeff-Rey *cough*… He was a complete dickbag, sure, but I can’t deny that he was memorable. The majority of the characters were extremely well-developed and relatable. I loved Fletch [insert a billion hearty eyes emojis], obviously, and I adored Roger, but a very close runner-up for my favorite character was Roger’s best friend, Tommy. He is beyond fabulous, and I need his book in my life like yesterday. I’m so hoping that his story is in the works.
Hackett’s storytelling style is different, but in such a good way. It’s fast-paced and fun, with dialogue that is at times hilarious, and at other times very touching and insightful. There are inside jokes, and ongoing bits in the story that are fantastic, and work so well, like Fletch’s nickname for Roger, and my new favorite term, ‘f-hole.’ And, I loved the way he used the different POVs to move the story along and take us from how everything started between Fletch and Roger, to their current situation of finding their way back to each other. The narrative also jumps seamlessly from moments and dialogue that are absurdly funny, to moments that are so moving and heartfelt, like Fletch talking about his childhood, or Roger’s meeting with his dad—which was actually both touching and funny.
I truly loved reading this book, and can’t wait to read more from this author. The next book in the series just released this week, but one of the MCs is Jeff the dickbag! So, I might have to hold off for a minute. Ha! I’m still firmly on Team Fletcher, and hating Jeffrey with every fiber, so I’m not ready yet for the author to make me like him. But, I may get there yet. 😉 Subsequent books, though? I’m all in!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
September 9, 2019
*4,5 stars*
What a fabulous book!
This new-to-me author totally made my day!
This second chance romance surprised me in the best way on various levels:
.) the writing style: we get a dual POV in the first person which is nothing new, but what’s different is how each character speaks directly to the reader as they tell their story. This works brilliantly here and made me feel so connected with both of them.
.) two really lovable MCs:
Roger:
I do have a huge soft spot for musicians, classical musicians in particular. So Roger and his violin seriously did it for me. I think I adored him as much as Fletcher when he went off on his lengthy talks about music. He is such a cutie, you just have to love him.
Fletcher
Fletcher has no education and money and mainly gets by on working as an usher in a theatre (I have no idea how he can live on that money). Despite his ‘manwhoring’ ways (unfortunately we never quite find out what causes this), his heart is definitely in the right place, and he is totally in tune with what Roger needs.
I loved how he showed so much potential for learning and the appreciation of music.
.) the way the author deals with the aftermath of cheating. It feels realistic and honest.
Roger is genuinely broken about what Fletcher did, and he finds it extremely difficult to trust him again. He doesn’t just ‘forgive and forget’, despite his attraction and feelings for the other guy, but tries to act sensibly.
Tbh I did not expect his actions towards the end at all. but I totally get where he is coming from.
Fletcher does not seem to have any concept what love and being in a relationship means. And he only recognizes that he has lost something precious two years after Roger breaks up with him. But after this epiphany he really does change his ways and thinking. What a lot of character development!
.) The sarcastic humour
Omg. This was precious. I really enjoyed myself here.
Best reason for breaking up with a boyfriend (after listing quite a few other things …)
If that weren’t enough, you went to school for nineteen years and still don’t understand how to use the accusative case! (What can I say, Roger, you are a man after my own heart!)
Or:
Message sent. Message received. Lieutenant Uhura couldn’t have done it better.
By this point Jeff turned back to the TV. Because you know how it is in the fast-paced, action-packed world of television golf, if you look away for even a second, God knows what you’ll miss.
(Jeff shows off saying he graduated 'summa cum laude' knowing Fletcher is undereducated). This is Fletcher's reaction)
"You know what I've learned about college boys, Jeff?
"What? Do tell."
"Summa cum laude - than others."
I could go on and on, but I hope you get the idea.
Excellent writing and a hell of a lot of fun!
This together with some great UST, some beautiful tender moments and I’m totally sold.
Tbh I would love a sequel – there is so much to explore.
Ahhhh, loads of questions.
Maybe some will be answered in book 2.
Can’t imagine how Jeff can possibly redeem himself!
Thanks Teal for putting this in my direction!
What a fabulous book!
This new-to-me author totally made my day!
This second chance romance surprised me in the best way on various levels:
.) the writing style: we get a dual POV in the first person which is nothing new, but what’s different is how each character speaks directly to the reader as they tell their story. This works brilliantly here and made me feel so connected with both of them.
.) two really lovable MCs:
Roger:
I do have a huge soft spot for musicians, classical musicians in particular. So Roger and his violin seriously did it for me. I think I adored him as much as Fletcher when he went off on his lengthy talks about music. He is such a cutie, you just have to love him.
Fletcher
Fletcher has no education and money and mainly gets by on working as an usher in a theatre (I have no idea how he can live on that money). Despite his ‘manwhoring’ ways (unfortunately we never quite find out what causes this), his heart is definitely in the right place, and he is totally in tune with what Roger needs.
I loved how he showed so much potential for learning and the appreciation of music.
.) the way the author deals with the aftermath of cheating. It feels realistic and honest.
Roger is genuinely broken about what Fletcher did, and he finds it extremely difficult to trust him again. He doesn’t just ‘forgive and forget’, despite his attraction and feelings for the other guy, but tries to act sensibly.
Tbh I did not expect his actions towards the end at all. but I totally get where he is coming from.
Fletcher does not seem to have any concept what love and being in a relationship means. And he only recognizes that he has lost something precious two years after Roger breaks up with him. But after this epiphany he really does change his ways and thinking. What a lot of character development!
.) The sarcastic humour
Omg. This was precious. I really enjoyed myself here.
Best reason for breaking up with a boyfriend (after listing quite a few other things …)
If that weren’t enough, you went to school for nineteen years and still don’t understand how to use the accusative case! (What can I say, Roger, you are a man after my own heart!)
Or:
Message sent. Message received. Lieutenant Uhura couldn’t have done it better.
By this point Jeff turned back to the TV. Because you know how it is in the fast-paced, action-packed world of television golf, if you look away for even a second, God knows what you’ll miss.
(Jeff shows off saying he graduated 'summa cum laude' knowing Fletcher is undereducated). This is Fletcher's reaction)
"You know what I've learned about college boys, Jeff?
"What? Do tell."
"Summa cum laude - than others."
I could go on and on, but I hope you get the idea.
Excellent writing and a hell of a lot of fun!
This together with some great UST, some beautiful tender moments and I’m totally sold.
Tbh I would love a sequel – there is so much to explore.
Ahhhh, loads of questions.
Maybe some will be answered in book 2.
Can’t imagine how Jeff can possibly redeem himself!
Thanks Teal for putting this in my direction!
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