There's Something About Ari (Bluewater Bay, #2) in Riptide Publishing

Dec 08, 2014 Molli B. rated it liked it

Shelves: part-of-a-series, genre-m-m, length-novella, 2014-shelved, 2015-read, format-epub, genre-new-adult

So torn about how to score this, but I'm going to say 3.5 rounded down to a 3.

I really enjoy LB Gregg's writing, and this was as well-written as all her other stuff, from a mechanics standpoint. But despite that and the good story elements, this book didn't entirely work for me. It left me unsatisfied and a little confused (about my feelings). It definitely could have been longer, which I don't think helps things [and now that I think about it, might be the root of the problems]--it was kind of ...more

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Nov 12, 2014 Jody rated it really liked it

Shelves: friends-to-lovers

Friends to lovers stories are one of my favorite themes and it's on full display here as readers witness the heartwarming yet heartbreaking journey to HEA between Ari and Buck. The quiet town of Bluewater Bay is getting noisier as Hollywood continues to invade in this second installment in the series that put a smile on my face and charmed me from the very first page to the last. It's not a perfect story though it kept me completely enthralled with its delightful main characters, a cast of color Friends to lovers stories are one of my favorite themes and it's on full display here as readers witness the heartwarming yet heartbreaking journey to HEA between Ari and Buck. The quiet town of Bluewater Bay is getting noisier as Hollywood continues to invade in this second installment in the series that put a smile on my face and charmed me from the very first page to the last. It's not a perfect story though it kept me completely enthralled with its delightful main characters, a cast of colorful and memorable secondary characters, and unrelenting sexual tension.

Buck was always thought of as the good boy and Ari the bad one with his hyperactivity and chaotic home life but they were a perfect match. From the moment he laid eyes on Ari, Buck sensed their connection and knew their friendship would be life-changing. From an early age Buck knew he was different and it isolated him but Ari never shied away from him and it drew Buck even closer to him. They shared many things but Buck's sexuality, and his unspoken feelings for Ari, along with Ari's unsafe home life wasn't among them and ultimately drove them apart. Five years later has them living lives they never expected with feelings just as complicated as before. The death of his mother kept Buck from going to college and put his writing career on the back burner as he stayed home to care for his brother. He's still a good boy but the grief at first led him to partying and sex with nameless men that he's now embarassed by. He's now completely reformed but his life is now lonely and boring with each day the same as the next. He seems lost and Ari's return gives him the jolt he needs to start living again. The time for what-ifs is over! I adored Buck and his unabashed opinions of himself. He's sweet and loyal and truly cares for his brother Charlie with interactions that are playful and sweet, realistic of brothers. I felt sympathetic for all the emotional burdens he's carried since his mother's death and happy he finally has someone to support him.

Ari went through a lot of turmoil growing up as his mother had mental problems and his hyperactivity led to drug addiction. He was spiraling downward after becoming homeless and betrayed Buck horribly when he left with nothing but a hasty note, but he's come back stronger and ready to admit his own feelings that he always kept well-hidden. Living next door to Buck provides lots of temptation and the sexual tension between them leaps off the page. Ari is utterly charming and sexy. I liked seeing him take charge and push Buck into moving forward with his dreams. He's a survivor and I wish we'd gotten a bigger picture into his life as he played a big part in Buck's life from the beginning.

The connection between Buck and Ari is intense as it teemed with sexual tension and all the pent-up feelings related to that. Their banter is realistic and heart-rending at times and helped immerse me in their verbal foreplay. Though their sexual encounters are few they're powerful for all the joy and promise of forever that they represent. They're a strong couple who got put through the emotional wringer with us along for the ride. The secondary characters were just as entertaining and memorable, particularly Charlie who was funny in an outspoken way and very loyal and caring like his brother. I'd definitely love to see more of him! This story kept me charmed from the first page but frustrated by a quickly wrapped-up conclusion that felt incomplete. This was another immensely satisfying addition to the Bluewater Bay series that has me excited to see what befalls the town next and reiterates Ms. Gregg's storytelling talent! ...more

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Jun 15, 2014 Liz (Bugetta) rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, m-m-romance, e-book, part-of-a-series

Great friends to lovers romance and I nice introduction to the Bluewater Bay world.

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Jun 14, 2014 Claudia the Night Owl rated it really liked it

Shelves: can-t-get-enough, actor-actress, famous-person, m-m, short-story-novella, contemporary

Ari has made it big as a movie star and is back in town not just for his role in Wolf's Landing but for the one person he left behind when he had to leave five years ago. But now he's come home at last and has no plans on leaving.

It's only been Buck and his brother ever since his mother died and his best friend ran off and now here he is waltzing right in like he never left. Buck's been in love with his best friend Ari for years and even Ari running off on him hasn't been enough to deter his lov ...more

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