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Open Road
Angus has been with the same guy for ten years. When his boyfriend breaks up with him the night of his thirtieth birthday party and announces his engagement to a twenty-two-year-old less than ten hours later, Angus is… a mess. To put it lightly. He spends days in bed, drinks himself into a stupor every night, and ends up losing his job and his apartment. His best and oldest friend, Reece, decides it’s time for an intervention. And a change of scenery.
Reece and Angus take off on a buddy trip across the US. They don’t have much of a plan; they just start driving. It takes Angus a couple of days to do much more than grunt when Reece talks to him, but slowly he opens up. They drive, talk, heal, shout, drink a bit too much sometimes, dance, meet new friends… and somewhere between Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine, they fall in love.
Which was the last thing in the world Angus expected.
Reece and Angus take off on a buddy trip across the US. They don’t have much of a plan; they just start driving. It takes Angus a couple of days to do much more than grunt when Reece talks to him, but slowly he opens up. They drive, talk, heal, shout, drink a bit too much sometimes, dance, meet new friends… and somewhere between Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine, they fall in love.
Which was the last thing in the world Angus expected.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2016
29 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
M.J. O'Shea
86 books947 followersMJ O’Shea has never met a music festival, paintbrush, or
flower crown she can stay away from. She loves rainstorms
and a perfect cup of tea, beach days, music, bright colors, and
more than anything a cozy evening with a really great book.
She is from the Pacific Northwest. While she still lives there
and loves it, MJ has the heart of a wanderer. So she puts all
her dreams of far off places and extraordinary people in her
books.
Except for every once in a while when she does what all
travelers have to do on occasion… come home.
flower crown she can stay away from. She loves rainstorms
and a perfect cup of tea, beach days, music, bright colors, and
more than anything a cozy evening with a really great book.
She is from the Pacific Northwest. While she still lives there
and loves it, MJ has the heart of a wanderer. So she puts all
her dreams of far off places and extraordinary people in her
books.
Except for every once in a while when she does what all
travelers have to do on occasion… come home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 5, 2016
If you want a steamy love story, this book is not the one you are looking for.
To give you a hint, the first kiss comes at 72%. Strangely enough, I was never let down or bored. This is my O’Shea experience and so far I can say that she writes in a quite engaginly way.
Angus’s boyfriend, Brad, dumps him in his birthday party. Less than 24h after, it’s announced his engagement with a younger man. Angus can’t overcome this humilliation and pain and his broken heart is taking its toll on him. He loses his partner for 10 years, his job, and his apartment. He can’t get his head above water.
Reece, Angus’s BFF, decides it’s gone too far, so he rents a car and takes Angus far from the maddening crowd of Portland, and see what it takes them.
With each passing scene, with each change of scenery and each food taste, their bond reawakens and get stronger and stronger.
Until… maybe it’s not only friendship.
Despite the premise, there is no heavy angst here, but it was really smooth and entertaining. From atechnical honest POV, this novel seems taken out from a travels blog. I couldn’t bring myself to care when they narrate the experiences in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Indio, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Austin, New Orleans, Nashville, Washington DC, New York, Portland… in an almost tourist way. In fact I think these episodes are told in such a way that I could vividly imagine them in my head, and made me want to go on a trip to know these places in person. They were entertaining and insightful. They were perfect for the pace at which the the increasingly close relationship advances.
The love story is sweet. They are sweet. I could feel their BFF vibes, their trust in each other. Angus realizes they fit in such a way he is impressed he hadn’t noticed before. And I realized that, too.
I have twomajor problems, though:
-The ex, Brad, is too exaggerated to be real. He’s a bastard, yeah, but he sort of lives out of the reality. I almost expected him to put on a colorless raincoat and take an ax in his hands like Christian Bale in American Psycho. He sounds like a villain out of a fairy tale rather than a person of flesh and bone.
-The (un)gayness left me scratching my head in confusion. So is Reece homosexual or not? Straight and GFY? Or bisexual? Or gay in the closet? Is he straight and began fantasyzing with Angus and with time he developed a platonic devotion and then a sexual desire for Angus specifically or has he always been gay but somehow he managed to hide this from his BFF? Does Reece like girls at all? Or he dated boys and didn’t say anything to Angus? But then he’s not an expert in the gay sex area, so he was simply in the closet dating girls for the sake of appearances or he just wasn’t interested in any man in a sexual sense whatsoever? How come he never told Angus, not his devotion for him nor the attraction for any other man? How come they never discuss this issue when they lay the cards on the table? They trust each other since they were kids and share everything, right? So many questions that need an answer…
All in all, this was worthy of my time.
*****
***Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***
To give you a hint, the first kiss comes at 72%. Strangely enough, I was never let down or bored. This is my O’Shea experience and so far I can say that she writes in a quite engaginly way.
Angus’s boyfriend, Brad, dumps him in his birthday party. Less than 24h after, it’s announced his engagement with a younger man. Angus can’t overcome this humilliation and pain and his broken heart is taking its toll on him. He loses his partner for 10 years, his job, and his apartment. He can’t get his head above water.
Reece, Angus’s BFF, decides it’s gone too far, so he rents a car and takes Angus far from the maddening crowd of Portland, and see what it takes them.
With each passing scene, with each change of scenery and each food taste, their bond reawakens and get stronger and stronger.
Until… maybe it’s not only friendship.
Despite the premise, there is no heavy angst here, but it was really smooth and entertaining. From a
The love story is sweet. They are sweet. I could feel their BFF vibes, their trust in each other. Angus realizes they fit in such a way he is impressed he hadn’t noticed before. And I realized that, too.
I have two
-The ex, Brad, is too exaggerated to be real. He’s a bastard, yeah, but he sort of lives out of the reality. I almost expected him to put on a colorless raincoat and take an ax in his hands like Christian Bale in American Psycho. He sounds like a villain out of a fairy tale rather than a person of flesh and bone.
-The (un)gayness left me scratching my head in confusion. So is Reece homosexual or not? Straight and GFY? Or bisexual? Or gay in the closet? Is he straight and began fantasyzing with Angus and with time he developed a platonic devotion and then a sexual desire for Angus specifically or has he always been gay but somehow he managed to hide this from his BFF? Does Reece like girls at all? Or he dated boys and didn’t say anything to Angus? But then he’s not an expert in the gay sex area, so he was simply in the closet dating girls for the sake of appearances or he just wasn’t interested in any man in a sexual sense whatsoever? How come he never told Angus, not his devotion for him nor the attraction for any other man? How come they never discuss this issue when they lay the cards on the table? They trust each other since they were kids and share everything, right? So many questions that need an answer…
All in all, this was worthy of my time.
*****
***Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***
September 21, 2024
Goodness. That ended on such a great note! I have to admit I had my doubts initially. I was very wary. I hated how Angus was with his boyfriend Brad. I couldn’t believe he would suffer so long with such an awful-no-good asshat! If I was the type who DNF’d, I would’ve given it some serious thought.
But said break up does happen, and of course Angus is devastated and proceeds to dig himself at least 1000 feet past rock bottom. However there’s Reece. There’s always been Reece. Loyal, supportive bestie, who secretly doesn’t know what he wants more - to put the smack down on Brad or kiss Angus all over. He just knows he has to save his friend and whisks him away to heal.
Not overly smexy, but there was so much sweet, sweet lovin between these two as they changed from friends to lovers. I smiled, I melted. Yes, this was absolutely pure schmaltz. I even shed a few tears at the end. This was my first MJ O’Shea. It certainly won’t be my last.
But said break up does happen, and of course Angus is devastated and proceeds to dig himself at least 1000 feet past rock bottom. However there’s Reece. There’s always been Reece. Loyal, supportive bestie, who secretly doesn’t know what he wants more - to put the smack down on Brad or kiss Angus all over. He just knows he has to save his friend and whisks him away to heal.
Not overly smexy, but there was so much sweet, sweet lovin between these two as they changed from friends to lovers. I smiled, I melted. Yes, this was absolutely pure schmaltz. I even shed a few tears at the end. This was my first MJ O’Shea. It certainly won’t be my last.
July 21, 2016
Let’s go on a road trip!
What is it exactly that makes road trips so fun? Is it the great unknown or the endless possibilities? Or is it thrilling adventures and new beginnings? Perhaps it is simply leaving the past or something painful behind you?
I believe it is all of the above.
When Angus has the rug pulled out from under him he breaks but when he discovers it’s actually been thrown over his head, he shatters. He can’t pick himself back up. Not only did his boyfriend of more than a decade break up with him (and we shall award him with the jackass of all jackass awards for doing it on his birthday) but he announces his engagement before breakfast the following day.
Ouch. He has NO will to go on. He thinks he might want to live again at some point but he doesn’t see it anywhere in the near future. Actually, he’s sinking so fast he can’t even see his future.
He is stuck in a bad place and who better to pull him up than his best friend. He loves Reece with all his heart. Regardless, he still can barely function with his steady presence and watchful eye. When Reece drags Angus across the country he takes him exactly where he’s always wanted him, to the city of MINE and we’re lucky enough to hitch along for the exciting ride.
What's to like: The amazing trip they take from one coast to another. Haven’t you always wanted to toss a dart to a map of the U. S. of A. and allow the gods of fate to take you where ever they please? I have. Spin me in a circle and let me go! I enthusiastically tagged along on their random and exhilarating adventure. I’ve been lucky enough to see many of their city stops with my very own eyes. O’Shea did a stellar job highlighting key features in every place they visited and in doing so, I have several new additions to my ‘places I must go‘ list. Though it may have been unintentional, these two are superb travel guides….is there a sign up for their next trip?
What's to love: You might think, ugly splitsville and straight best friend does not sound like an appealing combination for a romance to blossom. And to top it off, Angus is a hot mess. Hang on a second, hit the cruise and stay with me. It didn’t take long and I found Ang a sweet and lovable hot mess with the most incredible best friend. Reece is assumed to be straight. Clearly, he is not and I think this revelation was handled beautifully. Angus is recovering from the disintegration of his life and once the dust settles and his eyes clear from the self-induced haze, he realizes he was off course for a long time. Sometimes we tell ourselves that we are happy and go to extreme lengths to prove it, only to discover we were wrong. Happiness is not a destination but the journey we take every day. Choose happiness and the sun will come out….eventually.
Beware of: Traumatic break up blues start this adventure off on a depressing note. Slightly unbalanced pace ends this adventure on a hasty note. Steam built until it was screaming hot but the timing did not allow for a great deal of burn. Despite all of this, I still think it’s a ride worth taking.
This book is for: Friends-to-lovers fans & O’Shea fans will definitely want hop on this beautiful boundless adventure…here, I’ll scoot over and I’ve got snacks! Ready?
Book UNfunk
What is it exactly that makes road trips so fun? Is it the great unknown or the endless possibilities? Or is it thrilling adventures and new beginnings? Perhaps it is simply leaving the past or something painful behind you?
I believe it is all of the above.
When Angus has the rug pulled out from under him he breaks but when he discovers it’s actually been thrown over his head, he shatters. He can’t pick himself back up. Not only did his boyfriend of more than a decade break up with him (and we shall award him with the jackass of all jackass awards for doing it on his birthday) but he announces his engagement before breakfast the following day.
Ouch. He has NO will to go on. He thinks he might want to live again at some point but he doesn’t see it anywhere in the near future. Actually, he’s sinking so fast he can’t even see his future.
He is stuck in a bad place and who better to pull him up than his best friend. He loves Reece with all his heart. Regardless, he still can barely function with his steady presence and watchful eye. When Reece drags Angus across the country he takes him exactly where he’s always wanted him, to the city of MINE and we’re lucky enough to hitch along for the exciting ride.
What's to like: The amazing trip they take from one coast to another. Haven’t you always wanted to toss a dart to a map of the U. S. of A. and allow the gods of fate to take you where ever they please? I have. Spin me in a circle and let me go! I enthusiastically tagged along on their random and exhilarating adventure. I’ve been lucky enough to see many of their city stops with my very own eyes. O’Shea did a stellar job highlighting key features in every place they visited and in doing so, I have several new additions to my ‘places I must go‘ list. Though it may have been unintentional, these two are superb travel guides….is there a sign up for their next trip?
What's to love: You might think, ugly splitsville and straight best friend does not sound like an appealing combination for a romance to blossom. And to top it off, Angus is a hot mess. Hang on a second, hit the cruise and stay with me. It didn’t take long and I found Ang a sweet and lovable hot mess with the most incredible best friend. Reece is assumed to be straight. Clearly, he is not and I think this revelation was handled beautifully. Angus is recovering from the disintegration of his life and once the dust settles and his eyes clear from the self-induced haze, he realizes he was off course for a long time. Sometimes we tell ourselves that we are happy and go to extreme lengths to prove it, only to discover we were wrong. Happiness is not a destination but the journey we take every day. Choose happiness and the sun will come out….eventually.
Beware of: Traumatic break up blues start this adventure off on a depressing note. Slightly unbalanced pace ends this adventure on a hasty note. Steam built until it was screaming hot but the timing did not allow for a great deal of burn. Despite all of this, I still think it’s a ride worth taking.
This book is for: Friends-to-lovers fans & O’Shea fans will definitely want hop on this beautiful boundless adventure…here, I’ll scoot over and I’ve got snacks! Ready?
Book UNfunk
August 22, 2016
4 Stars
In truth, this story and I got off to a really rocky start, but with patience (on my part) and some beautifully heart-warming storytelling (on O'Shea's part) I ended up loving this one.
In the beginning we meet Angus and Reece who are lifelong friends. Angus is gay and in a (ridiculously bad) decade long relationship with (douche-canoe) Brad. Reece is outwardly straight, but he has feelings for Angus, which he hides because of stupid boyfriend Brad. I hated Brad immediately. He is distant, demeaning and domineering to poor Angus. Everyone in Angus' life, most especially Reece, can see how bad Brad is for him, but Angus seems to be oblivious.
Soon enough, Brad proves to be the lowest of the low and breaks up with Angus at Angus' 30th birthday party, and if that wasn't enough, the next morning Brad announces his new engagement to a younger and hotter Angus lookalike. Seriously, the guy is douche-central and at this point in the story I was almost ready to throw in the towel because Angus spirals into a post-breakup depression that I'd usually sympathise with, but in this case I had a "get over it already" mentality, because Brad was a worthless shit and I was infuriated at Angus for even giving a shit.
Anyway...
Then the story got good. Reece shows up and whisks Angus away on a road trip with the aim of pulling Angus out of his mental and emotional slump. Through various cities and exciting new experiences, Angus slowly comes back to himself and starts to enjoy life again. As the States pass them by Angus and Reece grow even closer and suppressed feelings finally reveal themselves in a heart-melting fashion.
Once Angus got over his initial funk and all the Brad induced crap, I started to truly enjoy this for what it was: a beautiful friends-to-lovers story. The road trip backdrop was also pretty fricken great.
As usual, I really enjoyed O'Shea's writing quality and her ability to deliver another sweet MM romance featuring likeable MCs (Reece was a dream) and light angst. The ending made my heart happy and I couldn't ask for more than that.
In truth, this story and I got off to a really rocky start, but with patience (on my part) and some beautifully heart-warming storytelling (on O'Shea's part) I ended up loving this one.
In the beginning we meet Angus and Reece who are lifelong friends. Angus is gay and in a (ridiculously bad) decade long relationship with (douche-canoe) Brad. Reece is outwardly straight, but he has feelings for Angus, which he hides because of stupid boyfriend Brad. I hated Brad immediately. He is distant, demeaning and domineering to poor Angus. Everyone in Angus' life, most especially Reece, can see how bad Brad is for him, but Angus seems to be oblivious.
Soon enough, Brad proves to be the lowest of the low and breaks up with Angus at Angus' 30th birthday party, and if that wasn't enough, the next morning Brad announces his new engagement to a younger and hotter Angus lookalike. Seriously, the guy is douche-central and at this point in the story I was almost ready to throw in the towel because Angus spirals into a post-breakup depression that I'd usually sympathise with, but in this case I had a "get over it already" mentality, because Brad was a worthless shit and I was infuriated at Angus for even giving a shit.
Anyway...
Then the story got good. Reece shows up and whisks Angus away on a road trip with the aim of pulling Angus out of his mental and emotional slump. Through various cities and exciting new experiences, Angus slowly comes back to himself and starts to enjoy life again. As the States pass them by Angus and Reece grow even closer and suppressed feelings finally reveal themselves in a heart-melting fashion.
Once Angus got over his initial funk and all the Brad induced crap, I started to truly enjoy this for what it was: a beautiful friends-to-lovers story. The road trip backdrop was also pretty fricken great.
As usual, I really enjoyed O'Shea's writing quality and her ability to deliver another sweet MM romance featuring likeable MCs (Reece was a dream) and light angst. The ending made my heart happy and I couldn't ask for more than that.
March 12, 2017
Open Road is a light, fluffy, sweet story of two best friends who take an impromptu road trip from Portland (Oregon) to Portland (Maine) and discover some truths along the way. Reece and Angus grew up together and were inseparable for most of their early years ... until Angus met Brad ten years ago. Brad's the kind of boyfriend who alienates Angus from his friends, undermines his self-confidence, and dumps Angus on his birthday. Let's just say in the world of Crappy Boyfriends, he is the undisputed King.
Reece takes Angus on a short trip to San Francisco ... then to Coachella, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, New Orleans, Nashville, New York City, and Provincetown. The pace and style of this book is fun and interesting; I love how O'Shea gives us a flavor of each of the cities and how the ambiance of each location brings out another aspect of Reece and Angus.
When Reece and Angus finally consummate their reationship (at around 87%), it's a tender thing ... the sex between Reece and Angus is more sweet than steamy, but it fits the feel of the book.
I had just a few small quibbles about "Open Road" -
Okay, I realize that I've probably exceeded my quota for using the word "sweet" in this revew, but ... honestly:
I received an ARC of this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Reece takes Angus on a short trip to San Francisco ... then to Coachella, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, New Orleans, Nashville, New York City, and Provincetown. The pace and style of this book is fun and interesting; I love how O'Shea gives us a flavor of each of the cities and how the ambiance of each location brings out another aspect of Reece and Angus.
When Reece and Angus finally consummate their reationship (at around 87%), it's a tender thing ... the sex between Reece and Angus is more sweet than steamy, but it fits the feel of the book.
Angus was still a little shy when it came to their physical relationship. It was so new and so beautiful. It almost felt like he was holding a fragile piece of glass in his hands, full of sparkle and depth, swirls of colors, and an almost aching beauty. He was afraid to drop it, that it wasn’t strong enough yet not to break.
I had just a few small quibbles about "Open Road" -
Okay, I realize that I've probably exceeded my quota for using the word "sweet" in this revew, but ... honestly:
“But I would never do anything to jeopardize you and me unless I really thought something amazing could come out of it.”C'mon ... that's so darn sweet!
“Something amazing?”
Angus leaned in and gave Reece a long, slow kiss. “Yeah. I think you and I could be pretty amazing, don’t you?”
“I think we already are.”
I received an ARC of this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
January 12, 2017
This was fun!
I wasn’t too sure when I started this, because the boyfriend Brad was such an ass, I was questioning Angus’ sanity for being with him for 10 years.
But after the break-up and Angus’ break down, things started to look up.
This was a sweet best-friends-to-lovers story with no relationship angst. I really liked Reece and how he took care of Angus. I even liked Angus once he got past his ‘Brad depression.’
The road trip was fun, the guys were fun, and the sexy times were hot, although there weren’t that many.
Overall, a nice feel-good story.
I wasn’t too sure when I started this, because the boyfriend Brad was such an ass, I was questioning Angus’ sanity for being with him for 10 years.
But after the break-up and Angus’ break down, things started to look up.
This was a sweet best-friends-to-lovers story with no relationship angst. I really liked Reece and how he took care of Angus. I even liked Angus once he got past his ‘Brad depression.’
The road trip was fun, the guys were fun, and the sexy times were hot, although there weren’t that many.
Overall, a nice feel-good story.
February 4, 2017
Open Road is a dual POV New Adult story that begins with a devastating breakup leading to much wallowing, excessive drinking and a hell of a lot of self indulgence from Angus in the first part. Then best friend Reece (who secretly pines for Angus) comes to the rescue and take Angus on a (what ends up being a cross country) road trip and it switches to a best friends to lovers story in the second part. I far preferred the second part.
I hated the Brad character, and since we are only treated to seeing Brad's mean, discourteous and downright asshole behavior I honestly couldn't understand how Angus mourned the relationship so deeply. I think if I had been able to see Brad as less of a cartoon villain, it might have made Angus's spiral into depression more understandable.
Regardless, once the road trip starts I began to love the story. I loved how O'Shea makes each of the visited cities (Las Vegas, New Orleans, Nashville, and New York City to name a few) an integral part of Angus and Reece's exploration of their friendship and romance.
This is a very tender, slow burn romance with just a little angst once you get past the wallowing in the first part. I might even classify it as "fluffy".
“But I would never do anything to jeopardize you and me unless I really thought something amazing could come out of it.”
“Something amazing?”
Angus leaned in and gave Reece a long, slow kiss. “Yeah. I think you and I could be pretty amazing, don’t you?”
“I think we already are.”
For those who don't like a lot of sex in their romance novels, or are looking for only a light steam story, this fits that criteria well.
The narration has distinctive, separate character voices all done well with consistency...I just unfortunately did not like a single character voice Robbie D uses or his narration on the whole. I found some of his pronunciations frustrating, I didn't like the almost Thurston Howell III drawl for some characters, and I thought Angus sounded almost prepubescent, which was off-putting to say the least.
Overall, I wouldn't say the narration necessarily was bad, it just wasn't my cup of tea. I would definitely give Robbie D another try if he records in the future, but for the Open Road audiobook I'd absolutely recommend exercising caution before purchasing.
Audio copy of Open Road provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
July 27, 2016
4 stars
Low angst and friends to lovers plus a road trip that stops off in some of my favourite places!! This was light and the romance was very sweet with a nice slow burn. It did require some suspension of disbelief as friends to lovers romances often do when they've been friends since their single digit years! My one complaint is that the ex was awful in such an OTT way ... it was never clear why Angus would have fallen in love with him in the first place. This made me have a few doubts about Angus TBH. But, the last 30% or so made up for all of that ... and I was a very happy girl when these two friends finally got together.
Low angst and friends to lovers plus a road trip that stops off in some of my favourite places!! This was light and the romance was very sweet with a nice slow burn. It did require some suspension of disbelief as friends to lovers romances often do when they've been friends since their single digit years! My one complaint is that the ex was awful in such an OTT way ... it was never clear why Angus would have fallen in love with him in the first place. This made me have a few doubts about Angus TBH. But, the last 30% or so made up for all of that ... and I was a very happy girl when these two friends finally got together.
August 25, 2016
I would love books like this if it weren't for that one requirement: one of the main characters has to be a complete and total tool. Why was Angus with Brad for a friggin' decade? Can anyone answer that question? Because I sure as hell can't. Angus couldn't, either. And while I can understand a relationship like that lasting two to three years, 10 is a bit excessive. It made me not really like Angus, and that made me sad because I felt he was pathetic and not liking him was like feeling disdain for a particularly stupid puppy.
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August 8, 2016
Aaaahhhhhh.... I loved this story! It was sweet and romantic and easily devoured in one sitting! I mean, it has my all time favourite theme FRIENDS TO LOVERS...
... seriously, a friends to more theme melts my heart pretty much every time and this was a perfect example. Reece is the boy in the middle - clueless to his friends feelings and, really, to his own worth. Angus is the hero in my eyes, he is just the best friend to Reece, even though he's in love with him, even though Reece's boyfriend hates him, even though he would probably be better off just letting Reece alone. Angus was selfless but not a martyr; he wasn't smarmy or sickening he was just a loveable character. The perfect protag for this book.
Reece - well, I loved Reece in a different way. Reece was a mess. He had spent far too long listening to his arsehole boyfriend, Brad (now there's a character to love to hate), and believing that he wasn't good enough. When we saw him with Angus though, we saw the real Reece. The bit-of-a-slob-not-at-all-organised-heart-or-gold Reece. I wanted him and Angus together soooooo badly!
The story is mainly set during a road trip (go figure, huh) where neither man knows quite where they are going or how long they'll be gone. As they visit various places in the US, from Vegas to New Orleans to New York, their friendship bloomed into something more. I loved how the different places reflected the different moods of the characters and stages of the relationship. How there wasn't one quick easy fix for Reece's ills. How the two MC's were very different in many ways, but also very , very complementary. How the friendship blossomed; it wasn't a one-shag-cures-all scenario.
I would recommend this book for friends-to-more fans. I'd also just rec it generally; if you want a happy, lovely, comforting read, then this is a great choice.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIpwu...
I think 3-3.5 stars for this one. I'm an MJ O'Shea fan, but this one was little...off for me. I loved the idea, the best friends, car trip, figuring themselves out.
I really liked both characters, though I would have just like more.
I think that part of my issues were wrapped up in the fact that while they did all this traveling and sight seeing and what must have been an amazing trip, it was just lacking the details and the moments that would create the chemistry and intensity and emotional development. It felt a little flat, I needed more.
I enjoy the author and will continue to read from her.
I think 3-3.5 stars for this one. I'm an MJ O'Shea fan, but this one was little...off for me. I loved the idea, the best friends, car trip, figuring themselves out.
I really liked both characters, though I would have just like more.
I think that part of my issues were wrapped up in the fact that while they did all this traveling and sight seeing and what must have been an amazing trip, it was just lacking the details and the moments that would create the chemistry and intensity and emotional development. It felt a little flat, I needed more.
I enjoy the author and will continue to read from her.
August 2, 2016
Road Trip BR with Paul and Els!
Wow! This was such a wonderful book!
Although it starts on a sad note (Angus' boyfriend sucks donkeyballs), you can notice right off the bat the amazing connection between Angus and his best friend Reece and it pulls you in and you can't help but root for them after the first chapter.
What follows is an awesome road trip (and I have to say that this part of the book, with city and scenery descriptions ads a lovely note to the story) where Angus reconnects with its old self and starts seeing Reece as more than his wonderful golden "straight" best friend. And Reece.. oh Reece is such an amazing character.. beautiful, patient, loving and funny. And what I loved is that Reece never said he was straight, there's a passage there where he explains this that is both amusing and pretty awesome)! I want my own Reece when I grow up..or right now, right now is good :P
The romance between them is slow burn in the most exquisite way and their first kissing scene (long live Absinthe) is romantic, intense and arousing at the same time.
Thank you to my buddy readers, we have the best luck when it comes to road trip BRs!!
Wow! This was such a wonderful book!
Although it starts on a sad note (Angus' boyfriend sucks donkeyballs), you can notice right off the bat the amazing connection between Angus and his best friend Reece and it pulls you in and you can't help but root for them after the first chapter.
What follows is an awesome road trip (and I have to say that this part of the book, with city and scenery descriptions ads a lovely note to the story) where Angus reconnects with its old self and starts seeing Reece as more than his wonderful golden "straight" best friend. And Reece.. oh Reece is such an amazing character.. beautiful, patient, loving and funny. And what I loved is that Reece never said he was straight, there's a passage there where he explains this that is both amusing and pretty awesome)! I want my own Reece when I grow up..or right now, right now is good :P
The romance between them is slow burn in the most exquisite way and their first kissing scene (long live Absinthe) is romantic, intense and arousing at the same time.
Thank you to my buddy readers, we have the best luck when it comes to road trip BRs!!
July 26, 2016
Perhaps 4.5 stars
I liked it a lot. Thankfully the depressing part of the story wasn't too drawn out and from then on it was rather easy-going and entertaining. Perhaps a bit too easy-going?
Overall, it was a feel-good story.
I liked it a lot. Thankfully the depressing part of the story wasn't too drawn out and from then on it was rather easy-going and entertaining. Perhaps a bit too easy-going?
Overall, it was a feel-good story.
August 26, 2016
YAY, I really like this new trend in MM, and I'm hoping it will continue!
This trend, where the MC's are not over-the-top-ANGSTY and where the 'normal' crisis around 70-80% of the book is non-existent! (It gets too predictable and boring reading the same outline again and again -IMO).
The only reason that this is not a 5-star read for me is Angus as a character in the beginning. I had a really hard time liking him AND understanding why he would be in a relationship with Brad for so GODDAMN long, when his family, his friends and his BFF -Reece- hated him so much.
I get that you invest some time and parts of yourself in a relationship, but Angus being so hardheaded/blind/stupid in regards to his relationship with Brad, was hard to swallow.
Man, I was hoping it got better!
And it did, man did it get better!
So Angus has been with Brad for 10 years. Angus is a graphic designer and has an artists mind/soul/scatterbrained-ness (PHEW that was NOT a good word.) Brad is a perfectionist and is squeezing the life and soul out of Angus, and has been doing it for 10 years. Angus is a doormat in the beginning, and keeps holding on with an iron grip, even though he hates Brad's friends and is not a happy camper.
On Angus' 30th birthday, Brad breaks up with him, and the next day Brad announces his engagement to a 22 YO on social media.
UGH, what follows is a down-spiral of EPIC proportions for Angus, where he hides from his family and friends and drinks himself into a stupor for a few months.
Luckily Reece arrives on just the right day, and drags Angus of on a road trip around the states. (As a European: can you really drive that far in such a short amount of time?)
This road trip is written with heart and shows the development of Reece and Angus' relationship beautifully.
On this trip Angus finds himself again after 10 years in a toxic relationship, and Reece opens up and is finally being honest!
There is not a lot of smexy times, but what was, was HOT! This book is about friends and family and being true to yourself/finding yourself after loosing sight of what's important.
I loved the characters in this book (even Angus, after he got his head out of his ass) and Reece and Angus' family is AWESOME!
And
This book will be a definite feel-good, beautiful re-read for me!
This trend, where the MC's are not over-the-top-ANGSTY and where the 'normal' crisis around 70-80% of the book is non-existent! (It gets too predictable and boring reading the same outline again and again -IMO).
The only reason that this is not a 5-star read for me is Angus as a character in the beginning. I had a really hard time liking him AND understanding why he would be in a relationship with Brad for so GODDAMN long, when his family, his friends and his BFF -Reece- hated him so much.
I get that you invest some time and parts of yourself in a relationship, but Angus being so hardheaded/blind/stupid in regards to his relationship with Brad, was hard to swallow.
Man, I was hoping it got better!
And it did, man did it get better!
So Angus has been with Brad for 10 years. Angus is a graphic designer and has an artists mind/soul/scatterbrained-ness (PHEW that was NOT a good word.) Brad is a perfectionist and is squeezing the life and soul out of Angus, and has been doing it for 10 years. Angus is a doormat in the beginning, and keeps holding on with an iron grip, even though he hates Brad's friends and is not a happy camper.
On Angus' 30th birthday, Brad breaks up with him, and the next day Brad announces his engagement to a 22 YO on social media.
UGH, what follows is a down-spiral of EPIC proportions for Angus, where he hides from his family and friends and drinks himself into a stupor for a few months.
Luckily Reece arrives on just the right day, and drags Angus of on a road trip around the states. (As a European: can you really drive that far in such a short amount of time?)
This road trip is written with heart and shows the development of Reece and Angus' relationship beautifully.
On this trip Angus finds himself again after 10 years in a toxic relationship, and Reece opens up and is finally being honest!
There is not a lot of smexy times, but what was, was HOT! This book is about friends and family and being true to yourself/finding yourself after loosing sight of what's important.
I loved the characters in this book (even Angus, after he got his head out of his ass) and Reece and Angus' family is AWESOME!
And
This book will be a definite feel-good, beautiful re-read for me!
July 28, 2016
What a let down! This wasn't as good as I thought it would be. If I had to use one word to describe this book is would be dull. The romance is very, shit, dull really is the word that comes to mind. Not a lot of passion between these guys and I am not talking about non stop sex scenes or whatever. I am taking about lack of chemistry since the beginning. These guys kiss and then get up to go sightseeing like nothing just happened!
There is also a ton of sightseeing described here. So be ready to be taken on a trip. I was more interested in the interaction and development of the MCs relationship and less description of the places actually visited.
I expected more and I guess that was my mistake.
There is also a ton of sightseeing described here. So be ready to be taken on a trip. I was more interested in the interaction and development of the MCs relationship and less description of the places actually visited.
I expected more and I guess that was my mistake.
August 17, 2016
I didn't care for this book. Angus was a wimp. If your man hasn't fucked you in at least two months, get a fucking clue! What grown man is so needy and insecure when he's suppose to be this good looking guy? I didn't buy it. And it grated on my nerves every time Reece called Angus babe. What supposedly straight man does that? If that was the author's way of clueing us in on Reece being not so straight then she should have found a better way.
I had no interest in the plot whatsoever. I skimmed a whole bunch to get to the end and once the guys finally fucked around 88% it was an even more difficult struggle to finish. The chemistry just wasn't there for me.
I had no interest in the plot whatsoever. I skimmed a whole bunch to get to the end and once the guys finally fucked around 88% it was an even more difficult struggle to finish. The chemistry just wasn't there for me.
March 17, 2021
“What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh, no, it's curved like a road through mountains.” ~ Tennessee Williams
Angus and Reece have been friends nearly all their lives. They are almost like one person. Before their friendship has time to bloom into something more mature, Angus meets Brad who is possessive and jealous, sensing that there's a lot more to their relationship than meets the eye. Brad does whatever he can to separate them, but their friendship persists. Even though Reece has realized he loves Angus by this time, he also respects his friend's choice and backs off. However, when Brad breaks Angus’s heart, Reece is there to pick up the pieces, help heal his friend's spirit. Reece decides the best way to do that is to get Angus away from the situation. He and Angus set out on a road trip, not only of driving and sightseeing, but a journey on the road toward a new focus on life and love.
When the trip begins in almost total silence, with a sullen Angus, Reece worries that maybe this isn't the right choice to help Angus forgive himself and get beyond the humiliation and disgrace of being dumped after devoting ten years to a man who was never capable of loving him to start with. Reece wants to tell Angus how much he loves him, but he puts his best friend's healing process before any seeming selfish feelings of his own. Reece is doing what he's always done, being patient and supportive, putting Angus's feelings before his own. As the trip continues, Reece sees positive signs of the old Angus, the pre-Brad man, coming back and is hopefully optimistic. Reece's forbearance and wisdom is phenomenal. He knows Angus must go through a grieving process before he has any chance of getting his life together and being able to move on. Reece hopes he will move on toward loving him, but it will be enough if Angus can just get through this self-destructive, depressive state he is in.
The trip starts off to be only a week, but, as they visit more places, they think of others that they would love to see. Some of them, Angus has experienced with Brad but marvels at the difference between how things were with his ex and how they are with his best friend. It's not until Angus finally has an emotional meltdown of massive proportions that he begins to stop blaming himself and starts to truly let go of his past with Brad. After this, Angus's attitude begins to shift. He starts to entertain the idea that he not only loves Reece, but he's IN love with him; it's both scary and wonderful at the same time.
Angus and Reece's journey touched my heart in a profound way. I adored both characters from the start and truly hoped they would end up where they belonged - together. As friends they are phenomenal, but being lovers and partners made everything right with their world. It's sad, in a way, that it took them ten years to get to that point, but each one, especially Angus, had to reach the point where he was ready, while Reece showed him a love that few of us ever experience by waiting for him to reach that point. I enjoyed sharing the experiences they had during their trip and wished I could have been there as well—Vegas, Nashville, DC, New York, and other places. Even though I was reasonably sure they would end up together, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. If you like best-friends-to-lovers tales, road trips, visiting exciting places, and true love prevailing, you may enjoy this book. Thanks so much, MJ, for this touching and hopeful story!
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Angus and Reece have been friends nearly all their lives. They are almost like one person. Before their friendship has time to bloom into something more mature, Angus meets Brad who is possessive and jealous, sensing that there's a lot more to their relationship than meets the eye. Brad does whatever he can to separate them, but their friendship persists. Even though Reece has realized he loves Angus by this time, he also respects his friend's choice and backs off. However, when Brad breaks Angus’s heart, Reece is there to pick up the pieces, help heal his friend's spirit. Reece decides the best way to do that is to get Angus away from the situation. He and Angus set out on a road trip, not only of driving and sightseeing, but a journey on the road toward a new focus on life and love.
When the trip begins in almost total silence, with a sullen Angus, Reece worries that maybe this isn't the right choice to help Angus forgive himself and get beyond the humiliation and disgrace of being dumped after devoting ten years to a man who was never capable of loving him to start with. Reece wants to tell Angus how much he loves him, but he puts his best friend's healing process before any seeming selfish feelings of his own. Reece is doing what he's always done, being patient and supportive, putting Angus's feelings before his own. As the trip continues, Reece sees positive signs of the old Angus, the pre-Brad man, coming back and is hopefully optimistic. Reece's forbearance and wisdom is phenomenal. He knows Angus must go through a grieving process before he has any chance of getting his life together and being able to move on. Reece hopes he will move on toward loving him, but it will be enough if Angus can just get through this self-destructive, depressive state he is in.
The trip starts off to be only a week, but, as they visit more places, they think of others that they would love to see. Some of them, Angus has experienced with Brad but marvels at the difference between how things were with his ex and how they are with his best friend. It's not until Angus finally has an emotional meltdown of massive proportions that he begins to stop blaming himself and starts to truly let go of his past with Brad. After this, Angus's attitude begins to shift. He starts to entertain the idea that he not only loves Reece, but he's IN love with him; it's both scary and wonderful at the same time.
Angus and Reece's journey touched my heart in a profound way. I adored both characters from the start and truly hoped they would end up where they belonged - together. As friends they are phenomenal, but being lovers and partners made everything right with their world. It's sad, in a way, that it took them ten years to get to that point, but each one, especially Angus, had to reach the point where he was ready, while Reece showed him a love that few of us ever experience by waiting for him to reach that point. I enjoyed sharing the experiences they had during their trip and wished I could have been there as well—Vegas, Nashville, DC, New York, and other places. Even though I was reasonably sure they would end up together, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. If you like best-friends-to-lovers tales, road trips, visiting exciting places, and true love prevailing, you may enjoy this book. Thanks so much, MJ, for this touching and hopeful story!
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 24, 2016
Yes! All the stars for this amazing friends-to-lovers story.
This is a story about loss in many forms –loss of a partner, loss of direction, and loss of self. At the same time, it is a story about finding oneself once more and learning how to be happy with a different life plan.
Angus was left by his very controlling, unloving, bastard of a partner –I certainly did not miss the a$$hole. They had been together for almost 10 years. In that time, Angus learnt how to squish all the parts of himself that Brad did not like. He learnt how to adapt to Brad’s needs in the hopes of getting scraps of attention. He hid the majority of his interactions with Reece, Angus’ childhood friend, because a$$hole Brad was jealous, even though Reece was straight as far as Angus was concerned. So Brad left Angus for a younger guy and Angus was in shambles.
Cut the strings of the puppet and it’s helpless, right?
Angus entered this severely depressed phase –systematically losing control of every single thing in his life. And Reece decided that he had to step in. So they went on a road trip.
I freaking love road trips as catalysts for change. They symbolise the journey to healing in so many ways, and the author did a fantastic job of portraying that. On the road, Angus went from almost suicidal in his self-destructiveness, to apathetic, to angry, to timidly content, to gloriously happy and safe with Reece. The writing was absolutely stellar in showcasing the stages of grief and rebirth that Angus went through in discovering who he used to be before conforming to Brad’s way of things.
Reece was the epitome of the best friend you need in your time of crisis. His loyalty was unparalleled. He watched Angus closely but did not confine him in any way. He left Angus room to breathe and Angus slowly started living again. Their way to each other as lovers came really slowly and I appreciated that because I would not have much faith in the potential of their relationship otherwise. The intimate scenes came late as well and they were very loving and sweet.
I was rooting for those guys from the get go and the way the story unfurled was everything I was hoping for.
Highly recommend this to fans of friends-to-lovers and hurt/comfort.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. See this review on Gay Book Reviews.
This is a story about loss in many forms –loss of a partner, loss of direction, and loss of self. At the same time, it is a story about finding oneself once more and learning how to be happy with a different life plan.
Angus was left by his very controlling, unloving, bastard of a partner –I certainly did not miss the a$$hole. They had been together for almost 10 years. In that time, Angus learnt how to squish all the parts of himself that Brad did not like. He learnt how to adapt to Brad’s needs in the hopes of getting scraps of attention. He hid the majority of his interactions with Reece, Angus’ childhood friend, because a$$hole Brad was jealous, even though Reece was straight as far as Angus was concerned. So Brad left Angus for a younger guy and Angus was in shambles.
Cut the strings of the puppet and it’s helpless, right?
Angus entered this severely depressed phase –systematically losing control of every single thing in his life. And Reece decided that he had to step in. So they went on a road trip.
I freaking love road trips as catalysts for change. They symbolise the journey to healing in so many ways, and the author did a fantastic job of portraying that. On the road, Angus went from almost suicidal in his self-destructiveness, to apathetic, to angry, to timidly content, to gloriously happy and safe with Reece. The writing was absolutely stellar in showcasing the stages of grief and rebirth that Angus went through in discovering who he used to be before conforming to Brad’s way of things.
Reece was the epitome of the best friend you need in your time of crisis. His loyalty was unparalleled. He watched Angus closely but did not confine him in any way. He left Angus room to breathe and Angus slowly started living again. Their way to each other as lovers came really slowly and I appreciated that because I would not have much faith in the potential of their relationship otherwise. The intimate scenes came late as well and they were very loving and sweet.
I was rooting for those guys from the get go and the way the story unfurled was everything I was hoping for.
Highly recommend this to fans of friends-to-lovers and hurt/comfort.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. See this review on Gay Book Reviews.
July 20, 2016
“Open Road” is a sweet, “Friends to Lovers” story. After a devastating break up, two best friends venture on a cross- country road trip and fall in love. The book takes us through different cities giving us a taste of each city’s essence and culture, along with Reece and Angus discovering their “always-existing” Love for each other. I am a sucker for road trips and this book captured the perfect road trip “experience”. Angus and Reece meets new people while doing something spontaneous and with each leg of their journey they fall in love just a little bit more.
Angus and Reece have been best friends since they were six and they have been inseparable until Angus meets Brad ten years ago. On the day of the Angus’s thirtieth birthday, Brad dumps Angus unceremoniously for a younger guy and Angus is left devastated. After a couple of months of spiraling into depression, Reece decides to take his friend on an impromptu road trip to get him out of his funk. The two best friends travel from city to city and make up for all the lost time they have missed for 10 years because of asshole Brad. Angus realizes that he didn’t love Reece as a best friend or a brother but he is “in Love” with his best friend.
Reece and Angus were so in sync with each other that i found it a little strange that they did not figure out their love earlier. Even their families knew that they had something rare and beautiful. I liked both Reece and Angus and specially their easy transition from friends to lovers. Angus and Reece get together physically at the last part of their road trip and by the end of the story they made a very sweet couple.
All in all, if you are in for a great road trip experience with two best friends, who are clueless that they are soulmates (at least one of them is!!!) then give this book a try.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
Angus and Reece have been best friends since they were six and they have been inseparable until Angus meets Brad ten years ago. On the day of the Angus’s thirtieth birthday, Brad dumps Angus unceremoniously for a younger guy and Angus is left devastated. After a couple of months of spiraling into depression, Reece decides to take his friend on an impromptu road trip to get him out of his funk. The two best friends travel from city to city and make up for all the lost time they have missed for 10 years because of asshole Brad. Angus realizes that he didn’t love Reece as a best friend or a brother but he is “in Love” with his best friend.
Reece and Angus were so in sync with each other that i found it a little strange that they did not figure out their love earlier. Even their families knew that they had something rare and beautiful. I liked both Reece and Angus and specially their easy transition from friends to lovers. Angus and Reece get together physically at the last part of their road trip and by the end of the story they made a very sweet couple.
All in all, if you are in for a great road trip experience with two best friends, who are clueless that they are soulmates (at least one of them is!!!) then give this book a try.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
July 25, 2016
**copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review **
When Brad breaks up with Angus after 10 years together and announces his engagement to a 22 year old he's obviously been seeing behind Angus' back for some time, Angus goes off the deep end. He spends the next three months in bed crying and drinking to forget the pain. He ignores his responsibilities like work and paying the rent. He also dodges calls and texts from his family and friends, until his best friend, Reece, finally comes to rescue him.
Reece has been friends with Angus since they were in the single digits. Growing up together they have been joined at the hip almost all their lives, well, until Brad came along. Reece can see Brad for what he really is and hates the way he treats Angus, but he holds his tongue and doesn't speak his opinion most of the time to keep the peace between Angus and him.
Reece and Angus embark on a journey of self discovery. Leaving their home of Portland, Oregon, they make their way along the West Coast headed south. They stop in multiple cities and along the way and discover the person they were truly meant to be with has been right in front of them almost their entire lives.
I absolutely adored this book!!! I had my suspicions from the very first page. No straight guy I know would call another guy babe and be as touchy feely with them, as Reece was with Angus, no matter how good a friend they are. The way Reece felt about Angus was so blatantly obvious, but I loved the gradual progression the author used to take Angus and Reece from friends to lovers. It wasn't rushed and felt natural. I was impatient, but I think it happened at just the right time.
It's fitting that I loved this book, because this book is about love. Love that you could feel between Reece and Angus from almost their first scene together. As they traveled that love grows. The love Reece and Angus felt for one another came off the pages at you. They had an amazing chemistry and connection. When they finally do come together, it's magical.
I loved that I got to take this journey with Reece and Angus. Seeing all these cities through their eyes, especially my own hometown of New Orleans, was a really awesome experience. It was so detailed I felt I truly took this trip with them.
The is a well-written story packed with emotion, heartbreak, sweetness, adventure, laughter, healing, friendship, family, but most of all, love! It left me feeling the warm and fuzzies, and the only thing that could have made this book better was for there to be more of it. I didn't want it to end. Highly recommended!!
When Brad breaks up with Angus after 10 years together and announces his engagement to a 22 year old he's obviously been seeing behind Angus' back for some time, Angus goes off the deep end. He spends the next three months in bed crying and drinking to forget the pain. He ignores his responsibilities like work and paying the rent. He also dodges calls and texts from his family and friends, until his best friend, Reece, finally comes to rescue him.
Reece has been friends with Angus since they were in the single digits. Growing up together they have been joined at the hip almost all their lives, well, until Brad came along. Reece can see Brad for what he really is and hates the way he treats Angus, but he holds his tongue and doesn't speak his opinion most of the time to keep the peace between Angus and him.
Reece and Angus embark on a journey of self discovery. Leaving their home of Portland, Oregon, they make their way along the West Coast headed south. They stop in multiple cities and along the way and discover the person they were truly meant to be with has been right in front of them almost their entire lives.
I absolutely adored this book!!! I had my suspicions from the very first page. No straight guy I know would call another guy babe and be as touchy feely with them, as Reece was with Angus, no matter how good a friend they are. The way Reece felt about Angus was so blatantly obvious, but I loved the gradual progression the author used to take Angus and Reece from friends to lovers. It wasn't rushed and felt natural. I was impatient, but I think it happened at just the right time.
It's fitting that I loved this book, because this book is about love. Love that you could feel between Reece and Angus from almost their first scene together. As they traveled that love grows. The love Reece and Angus felt for one another came off the pages at you. They had an amazing chemistry and connection. When they finally do come together, it's magical.
I loved that I got to take this journey with Reece and Angus. Seeing all these cities through their eyes, especially my own hometown of New Orleans, was a really awesome experience. It was so detailed I felt I truly took this trip with them.
The is a well-written story packed with emotion, heartbreak, sweetness, adventure, laughter, healing, friendship, family, but most of all, love! It left me feeling the warm and fuzzies, and the only thing that could have made this book better was for there to be more of it. I didn't want it to end. Highly recommended!!
July 30, 2016
MJ used to be an auto-buy for me. Her books just always hit all the exact right notes for me. They were always pretty much perfect.
I still liked this book. But it didn't hit all those notes, unfortunately.
*It was actually maybe a little too smooshy for me. I like sweet and romantic, but I think this was too high on the sugar meter.
*Reece was a very bland character. I never connected with him, never understood why Angus was into him, etc. He was just sort of there.
*The road trip aspect of this book: So, the road trip was really what the book was about. The romance was kind of secondary. Which was fine. But I would say it was only about 75% successful. There were a lot of times where the descriptions of the places they visited and the people they met were interesting. But there were also a lot of times where it was like, "I don't care--can we move this along?" For example, there was a scene when they were in New Orleans where they stopped for lunch at some cafe and basically all that scene was about was that the guy who owned the cafe was hot and gay. So pointless. I can only assume that maybe that guy is a character from a previous book I never read? So Easter egg for people who liked that book, I guess, but I thought it was dumb. There were a lot of little things like that. And there was a LOT of "and then they went back to the hotel for a nap and a shower". I don't care about your nap, guys.
Bottom line: Pleasant, enjoyable little story but some skimming is required.
I still liked this book. But it didn't hit all those notes, unfortunately.
*It was actually maybe a little too smooshy for me. I like sweet and romantic, but I think this was too high on the sugar meter.
*Reece was a very bland character. I never connected with him, never understood why Angus was into him, etc. He was just sort of there.
*The road trip aspect of this book: So, the road trip was really what the book was about. The romance was kind of secondary. Which was fine. But I would say it was only about 75% successful. There were a lot of times where the descriptions of the places they visited and the people they met were interesting. But there were also a lot of times where it was like, "I don't care--can we move this along?" For example, there was a scene when they were in New Orleans where they stopped for lunch at some cafe and basically all that scene was about was that the guy who owned the cafe was hot and gay. So pointless. I can only assume that maybe that guy is a character from a previous book I never read? So Easter egg for people who liked that book, I guess, but I thought it was dumb. There were a lot of little things like that. And there was a LOT of "and then they went back to the hotel for a nap and a shower". I don't care about your nap, guys.
Bottom line: Pleasant, enjoyable little story but some skimming is required.
October 7, 2016
I didn't expect to love this, but having just finished this one last night, I have to admit that I really did! It should have been too sweet for me, it should have been too low-angst after the initial bit, it should have been lots of things that I don't normally love - but somehow it didn't matter as I read it with a smile growing bigger and bigger on my face and at the end I was grinning like an idiot! Clearly I'm going soft! But I think this was just what I needed to read right now.
I absolutely LOVE friends-to-lovers, especially friends that have known each other for years. So of course I had to read this. These guys are sooo incredibly sweet and perfect for each other. I loved the slow build up and development from friends to something more and the gradual awareness that came to Angus during the course of their road trip.
This was sweet and sexy (once they get their shit together), and had lots of feelz...so yeah, this was the best kind of friends to lovers. Big thumbs up! :D
I absolutely LOVE friends-to-lovers, especially friends that have known each other for years. So of course I had to read this. These guys are sooo incredibly sweet and perfect for each other. I loved the slow build up and development from friends to something more and the gradual awareness that came to Angus during the course of their road trip.
This was sweet and sexy (once they get their shit together), and had lots of feelz...so yeah, this was the best kind of friends to lovers. Big thumbs up! :D
February 20, 2017
Cute Story - not so cute audio
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
August 3, 2016
BR, August 1st with Paul and Sonia
*4,5 stars*
Review to come
July 20, 2016
Reeeeeeeeeece. <33333333 That's all. LOL
Full review coming to www.thenovelapproachreviews.com
Full review coming to www.thenovelapproachreviews.com
March 14, 2018
Due protagonisti adorabili e un bellissimo viaggio!!
Una grande amicizia che diventa amore! Questo libro mi è piaciuto tanto!
Mi è venuta voglia di partire subito per un viaggio on the road!
Una grande amicizia che diventa amore! Questo libro mi è piaciuto tanto!
Mi è venuta voglia di partire subito per un viaggio on the road!
June 26, 2022
Review to come.
This was just fine.
This was just fine.
July 25, 2016
Let's get this party started...
Ok, everyone grab a bottle and join the party and don't worry this is all in the blurb so we don't need to worry about spoiler tags here at Angus's birthday/pity party. And yes both parties are for Angus because seriously if anyone ever deserved to have a double and yes I mean party right now, we'll get to the drinks later.
You see, poor Angus has been living and loving the same guy for 10 years...seriously 10 years and do you know what said guy got him for his birthday? A truckload of grief that's right this guy showed up late for Angus's birthday party...no, not the pity party, he was the kick-off point for that because his birthday present for Angus was to dump him...right there during the party in front of all the guest he kicked Angus's butt to the proverbial curb and then he left because he needed to go change his Facebook status to engaged and you guessed it...it's not to Angus. Nope he's engaged to a 22 year old Angus wanna-be. He's one special dude and in case you haven't figured this out because when you ponder this for a moment you'll realize he was obviously cheating on Angus...yep, he's a jerk of the highest order.
And thus begins Angus's pity party. It's gonna last a while folks, so you might as well make yourselves comfy because this is going to last long enough to cost Angus his job and his apartment. Thankfully Angus still has best friend, Reece because it's around this time that Reece finally realizes that Angus isn't the ok guy he's claiming to be. So Reece steps in basically taking control of things because Angus is in no shape to be left in charge of doing the dishes much less getting his life back under control.
Being the good friend he is Reece does the one thing that any good friend would do. He makes Angus pack a bag and takes him on a road trip. Does this make sense to their families...no but it does to Reece the man who's spent the past ten years missing his friend because of course jerkface didn't like him.
Unfortunately Reece quickly begins to wonder if he's doing the right thing because Angus...well, he's just not the Angus that Reece knows and desperately wants back. It's sheer determination to get his friend back that keeps Reece moving.
As the days pass and they put miles and time between them and the mess that is Angus's life Reece begins to see little glimmers of hope that maybe his friend Angus is beginning to find himself again.
I loved this road trip. So many of the places that Reece and Angus went are places that I would love to visit and for a little bit of time I was right there with them riding along as they started out from their home in Portland, Oregon travelling down the coast and then heading inland to Las Vegas and across the southern states to make their way north again with a journey that ended in Portland, Maine. I actually sat down and googled a map of the United States and followed them on their journey.
The further Reece and Angus journeyed away from the place they called home the closer they got to each other again. Each of them discovering the truth in their hearts of who and what home really was for them.
Reece was finally able to admit how he felt and Angus was able to see what was in front of his eyes the whole time...Reece, the person who was always there for him and loved him no matter what. The fact that there was no big explosive over the top drama as their feeling came to light and they each admitted how they felt to each other, was for me perfect, these men have known each other most of their lives, they were best friends. It worked and they fit, I didn't need angst and drama to make this part good what I needed was what I got just a sweet romance with an epic ending...because Karma, she is a biotch. Yeah, you'll need to read the book to find out more about that because I'm not telling.
I love stories involving a road trip and this was just another example of one of my favorite quotes in action...
*************************
A copy of 'Open Roads' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Ok, everyone grab a bottle and join the party and don't worry this is all in the blurb so we don't need to worry about spoiler tags here at Angus's birthday/pity party. And yes both parties are for Angus because seriously if anyone ever deserved to have a double and yes I mean party right now, we'll get to the drinks later.
You see, poor Angus has been living and loving the same guy for 10 years...seriously 10 years and do you know what said guy got him for his birthday? A truckload of grief that's right this guy showed up late for Angus's birthday party...no, not the pity party, he was the kick-off point for that because his birthday present for Angus was to dump him...right there during the party in front of all the guest he kicked Angus's butt to the proverbial curb and then he left because he needed to go change his Facebook status to engaged and you guessed it...it's not to Angus. Nope he's engaged to a 22 year old Angus wanna-be. He's one special dude and in case you haven't figured this out because when you ponder this for a moment you'll realize he was obviously cheating on Angus...yep, he's a jerk of the highest order.
And thus begins Angus's pity party. It's gonna last a while folks, so you might as well make yourselves comfy because this is going to last long enough to cost Angus his job and his apartment. Thankfully Angus still has best friend, Reece because it's around this time that Reece finally realizes that Angus isn't the ok guy he's claiming to be. So Reece steps in basically taking control of things because Angus is in no shape to be left in charge of doing the dishes much less getting his life back under control.
Being the good friend he is Reece does the one thing that any good friend would do. He makes Angus pack a bag and takes him on a road trip. Does this make sense to their families...no but it does to Reece the man who's spent the past ten years missing his friend because of course jerkface didn't like him.
Unfortunately Reece quickly begins to wonder if he's doing the right thing because Angus...well, he's just not the Angus that Reece knows and desperately wants back. It's sheer determination to get his friend back that keeps Reece moving.
As the days pass and they put miles and time between them and the mess that is Angus's life Reece begins to see little glimmers of hope that maybe his friend Angus is beginning to find himself again.
I loved this road trip. So many of the places that Reece and Angus went are places that I would love to visit and for a little bit of time I was right there with them riding along as they started out from their home in Portland, Oregon travelling down the coast and then heading inland to Las Vegas and across the southern states to make their way north again with a journey that ended in Portland, Maine. I actually sat down and googled a map of the United States and followed them on their journey.
The further Reece and Angus journeyed away from the place they called home the closer they got to each other again. Each of them discovering the truth in their hearts of who and what home really was for them.
Reece was finally able to admit how he felt and Angus was able to see what was in front of his eyes the whole time...Reece, the person who was always there for him and loved him no matter what. The fact that there was no big explosive over the top drama as their feeling came to light and they each admitted how they felt to each other, was for me perfect, these men have known each other most of their lives, they were best friends. It worked and they fit, I didn't need angst and drama to make this part good what I needed was what I got just a sweet romance with an epic ending...because Karma, she is a biotch. Yeah, you'll need to read the book to find out more about that because I'm not telling.
I love stories involving a road trip and this was just another example of one of my favorite quotes in action...
Reading gives us someplace to go,So I took a road trip with a couple of hot guys this weekend, what did you all do?
when we have to stay where we are.
(Mason Cooley)
*************************
A copy of 'Open Roads' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2016
I think another reviewer put it quite succinctly for me...this is a deadly dull read, and when I think of some of the really good road trip stories I've read...books 1 & 2 of the In Focus series by Megan Erickson, KatD by Keira Andrews, ooh and If Only in my Dreams by the same author, Beta Test, Perfect Imperfections... this one pales into insignificance beside them. 3 stars at best.
I didn't pick up any special connection between Angus (what??) and Reece that would have foretold that they potentially could become a couple if things went south with Angus' long time Dick (definitely with a capital D) of a controlling boyfriend Brad. There were no longing looks from Reece thrown Angus' way, and let's not forget folks, Angus had been with Brad the Dick for 10 years and still had no guarantee that there was a future for the two of them. I would've thought that the way Brad behaved towards him would have clued him in to the fact that something was painfully wrong in their relationship, but apparently not. Angus was obviously blind to reality, and couldn't see what was going on right in front of his face. There was a lot of talk of eating too, mainly I suspect to disguise the fact that the storyline didn't have much going for it....such a disappointment, sorry.
I also think that the Dreamspinner Press editor that made such a mess of another recent read of mine (see my review for Time Waits) grabbed hold of this story too...there were weird phrases, repetitive words, grammar niggles and it just wasn't up to DsP's usual standard...or what used to be their standard. Example...'I guess we all have our taste' which I took to mean 'each to his own' or something similar. Come on DsP...you are better than this....
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