Tropes: enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort, found family, failed one night stand, secret relationship
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: flip fuck, dick piercing, exhibitionism/public sex (not because they like performing in front of others, they just can't wait)
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: bad parents, former sex worker MC, stalker, some drug use references, minor character overdose in past
4.5 Stars
I was nervous to read this book because this author has been hit or miss for me. But this book worked for me. It was right up my alley.
Sebastian and Jesse have known each other since they were 8 years old and they are now 25. Sebastian is bi but not out, and Jesse is gay and out. They basically hated each other since they met, they never got along, they always tormented each other and fought whenever they interacted. They didn't deliberately seek each other out, but there lives were intertwined especially because their siblings have been dating since they were teens. Sebastian is close to Jesse's family.
Sebastian was a gangly nerd growing up but he is a singer and songwriter and he left town at 18 to make a living with his band. They've only seen each other occasionally since then. Sebastian isn't good with socializing and the pressures of his career, so he quits and comes to his hometown to work as a tattoo artist. Jesse is a mechanic, who until recently was also moonlighting as an illegal escort, mostly doing companionship stuff. He got into some debt and needed the extra cash but he's doing better now.
When they meet again, they pick right up on slinging insults, trash talking. They end up accidentally interacting more than they intended and fighting turns physical and they realize there is an underlying mutual attraction. Trading sexual barbs becomes another way to win between them, and they hook up. They mean it to be a one-time thing, but every so often they keep seeing each other at social events and whenever they spend more than a few moments together they end up hooking up. They go weeks at times without seeing each other, weeks between their hookups, but they can't resist when the other one is right in front of them. Every time they spend a little more time together they talk, and they share pieces of themselves and they get to know each other better and feelings develop. Their hookups are hot, their animosity lasts long enough to enjoy, it's not just an instant easy relationship.
I really liked the intense animosity between them. Their chemistry was great and I loved that they were strong enough characters to fight each other, they were equals. I liked the secret relationship element, I have a weakness for 'oops I can't stop hooking up with him and whoops now he's kind of the most important person to me accidentally'. And they kept snuggling and having tender touches after sex even while trying to stay prickly with each other. It was nice how connected their lives and families were, it made for some great opportunities to keep them connected, to build fondness, and there were some funny moments between the siblings.
Some notable moments:
"I wanted to see his face twist up in pleasure, wanted to hear him moan my name. I wanted to watch him submit and let me make him come, not because I wanted to give him pleasure per se, but more because I wanted to fuck with him."
I loved how he sighed with reluctant acceptance and said this. "“Let’s go.” “Huh?” I asked, his resigned tone knocking me free from my thoughts. “Either get your ass into the back room so we can finish this or walk away. Otherwise I’m gonna pull your dick out right here and give everyone a show.”"
This sibling moment was glorious. "“Everything is fine.” “Fine?” Adam spluttered. I nodded, keeping my customer service smile on and folded my hands on the table serenely. “I just saw your dick on your phone. That’s not fine.” “Ew.” Hannah wrinkled her nose. “Your fault for snooping,” I said pointedly. “But that wasn’t my dick.” “It wasn’t?” Adam looked relieved for about half a second, then his earlier horror returned. “Oh god!” He squeezed his eyes closed and shook his head. “Nope, not any better.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.