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Aster Valley #4
Thick as Thieves
Julian:
I've been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindgergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became... nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together.
And now there's no point. All is lost. He's gone and gotten engaged to his high-school sweetheart which means I have to grin and bear it while pretending to be the happy, supportive best man while he prepares to commit his life to a woman I can't even fault. She's great. We've all been friends forever. I know he'll be happy with Erin, just not... just not as happy as he could be with me.
Parker:
I'll admit. Sometimes I press the easy button. Like when Julian Thick had offered me half his sandwich back in grade school after noticing I didn't have any food. Or when I'd needed a date to homecoming in tenth grade and Erin told me she was it. Or when I'd used the one thing that came easy to me, skiing, to get my college tuition paid for. Or when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told it was time to marry and start a family...
But for the first time in my life I'm facing something that's not at all easy. It's my wedding weekend and I've just been left at the altar. Not only that, but when my best friend whisks me away to drown my sorrows in a snowy cabin in Aster Valley, I accidentally discover Julian's been keeping secrets. Big secrets.
The kind of secrets that lead to hot experimental kisses in front of a blazing fire, tentative physical exploration in a way I'd never imagined before, and the kind of intimate, true confessions I'd never even dreamed of between me and the one person who's always been my true home.
But after twenty-plus years of thinking of Jules as my friend without benefits, is it truly possible to change who we are to each other? There's no easy button this time, but I'm willing to do the work. I only wonder if Julian is ready to trust I really mean it.
I've been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindgergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became... nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together.
And now there's no point. All is lost. He's gone and gotten engaged to his high-school sweetheart which means I have to grin and bear it while pretending to be the happy, supportive best man while he prepares to commit his life to a woman I can't even fault. She's great. We've all been friends forever. I know he'll be happy with Erin, just not... just not as happy as he could be with me.
Parker:
I'll admit. Sometimes I press the easy button. Like when Julian Thick had offered me half his sandwich back in grade school after noticing I didn't have any food. Or when I'd needed a date to homecoming in tenth grade and Erin told me she was it. Or when I'd used the one thing that came easy to me, skiing, to get my college tuition paid for. Or when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told it was time to marry and start a family...
But for the first time in my life I'm facing something that's not at all easy. It's my wedding weekend and I've just been left at the altar. Not only that, but when my best friend whisks me away to drown my sorrows in a snowy cabin in Aster Valley, I accidentally discover Julian's been keeping secrets. Big secrets.
The kind of secrets that lead to hot experimental kisses in front of a blazing fire, tentative physical exploration in a way I'd never imagined before, and the kind of intimate, true confessions I'd never even dreamed of between me and the one person who's always been my true home.
But after twenty-plus years of thinking of Jules as my friend without benefits, is it truly possible to change who we are to each other? There's no easy button this time, but I'm willing to do the work. I only wonder if Julian is ready to trust I really mean it.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2022
About the author
Lucy Lennox
91 books3,884 followersI write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
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March 5, 2022
Thick as Thieves is book four in the Aster Valley series by Lucy Lennox. I’ve loved Aster Valley since the beginning and gotten attached to these characters. I have been so excited about Parker and Julian’s book but wasn’t prepared for the emotional punch these two would give me. They were amazing in every single way!
Julian Thick has had a great life. He has a wonderful supportive family, a great sister and a fabulous bunch of friends. He is a lawyer and works for his family’s business. Julian is gay and has always been open about it. Julian first met Parker when they were just kids. They’ve been best friends ever since. Parker didn’t have a great life like Julian did so Julian’s parents as well as the parents of his friends all stepped in to provide what Parker needed. Julian and Parker have been inseparable almost all their lives. The only problem is, that Julian has been in love with him for almost as long. And Parker is straight.
Parker Ellis’s life could have turned out so differently if he hadn’t had Julian’s parents and so many others in it to support him. Parker is a professional skier and after his competitive career ended, he now works as an instructor. Julian has always been his best everything. Pretty much the focus of his life. He thought marriage to Erin was the next step in his life, until she left him at the alter. Of course, Julian steps in and whisks him away to his cabin in Aster Valley to nurse his broken heart. Except it’s not all that broken, he’s more just embarrassed. He can’t help but to start to notice things that he hadn’t before about Julian. And then their friend lets a secret slip. Could it have been Julian all along? That he was more than just his best friend?
First, I previously had the impression that Parker was more of an airhead but that’s not the case at all. He’s the sweetest, kindest most perceptive man that ever existed. Watching these two together and how they cared for each other all their lives was the most beautiful thing and I’m not referring to anything that happened after they became a couple. I mean, that I loved the way they always touched, hugged, cuddled. Parker loved touch, craved it. I felt so bad for Julian’s poor heart all those years but he loved Parker so much that he gave him what he needed as his friend, never holding a thing back, even though t was breaking his heart. Once Parker’s feelings finally woke up, I loved the way he went about convincing Julian that he meant it. That he was all in.
Get ready for ALL…THE…SWOONS with this book. These two were everything I dreamed they would be. And of course, it’s always wonderful to visit with the characters from the previous books I love so much. I have been so in love with this series from the start and this book was just the icing on the cake.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Julian Thick has had a great life. He has a wonderful supportive family, a great sister and a fabulous bunch of friends. He is a lawyer and works for his family’s business. Julian is gay and has always been open about it. Julian first met Parker when they were just kids. They’ve been best friends ever since. Parker didn’t have a great life like Julian did so Julian’s parents as well as the parents of his friends all stepped in to provide what Parker needed. Julian and Parker have been inseparable almost all their lives. The only problem is, that Julian has been in love with him for almost as long. And Parker is straight.
Parker Ellis’s life could have turned out so differently if he hadn’t had Julian’s parents and so many others in it to support him. Parker is a professional skier and after his competitive career ended, he now works as an instructor. Julian has always been his best everything. Pretty much the focus of his life. He thought marriage to Erin was the next step in his life, until she left him at the alter. Of course, Julian steps in and whisks him away to his cabin in Aster Valley to nurse his broken heart. Except it’s not all that broken, he’s more just embarrassed. He can’t help but to start to notice things that he hadn’t before about Julian. And then their friend lets a secret slip. Could it have been Julian all along? That he was more than just his best friend?
First, I previously had the impression that Parker was more of an airhead but that’s not the case at all. He’s the sweetest, kindest most perceptive man that ever existed. Watching these two together and how they cared for each other all their lives was the most beautiful thing and I’m not referring to anything that happened after they became a couple. I mean, that I loved the way they always touched, hugged, cuddled. Parker loved touch, craved it. I felt so bad for Julian’s poor heart all those years but he loved Parker so much that he gave him what he needed as his friend, never holding a thing back, even though t was breaking his heart. Once Parker’s feelings finally woke up, I loved the way he went about convincing Julian that he meant it. That he was all in.
Get ready for ALL…THE…SWOONS with this book. These two were everything I dreamed they would be. And of course, it’s always wonderful to visit with the characters from the previous books I love so much. I have been so in love with this series from the start and this book was just the icing on the cake.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
March 8, 2022
~3.5~
Cluelessness, thy name is Parker. All those years cuddling your best friend, sleeping in the same bed, and you never once considered that maybe, just maybe, it's more than mere friendship?
And, Julian, you're not much better. Stop self-sabotaging and pushing Parker away. So Erin asked Parker to the prom before you were done with the sparkly poster. That's sad, too bad, but it was more than a decade ago. TEN. YEARS. of being a martyr, feeling sorry for yourself, and generally living in denial.
(Lord, give me strength to endure stupid boys.)
Fortunately, Erin leaves Parker at the altar and fucks off to Mexico with Julian's boyfriend.
And only then does Parker get a fucking clue and realize he wants Julian in every way.
*Cue carnal cravings and scenes of ravishment.*
Is Thick as Thieves a cute, accessible, BFFs-to-lovers story with almost no angst, steam aplenty, and a HEA?
YES!
Is it kind of predictable?
Also yes.
Two complaints:
Julian and Parker's voices weren't particularly distinct, and sometimes I would have to flip to the beginning of the chapter to remember who was narrating.
I wish Parker had left Erin instead of the other way around. He allowed her to use him for so long, that even his epiphany about wanting Julian was precipitated by HER decision, not his.
Also, Erin is NOT a good person. She's horribly spoiled, manipulative, impulsive, and selfish, and did not deserve Parker's (or Julian's) quick forgiveness. Am I the only one who hated Erin? Because I kind of wanted her to be kidnapped by the Sinaloa Cartel or something.
Cluelessness, thy name is Parker. All those years cuddling your best friend, sleeping in the same bed, and you never once considered that maybe, just maybe, it's more than mere friendship?
And, Julian, you're not much better. Stop self-sabotaging and pushing Parker away. So Erin asked Parker to the prom before you were done with the sparkly poster. That's sad, too bad, but it was more than a decade ago. TEN. YEARS. of being a martyr, feeling sorry for yourself, and generally living in denial.
(Lord, give me strength to endure stupid boys.)
Fortunately, Erin leaves Parker at the altar and fucks off to Mexico with Julian's boyfriend.
And only then does Parker get a fucking clue and realize he wants Julian in every way.
*Cue carnal cravings and scenes of ravishment.*
Is Thick as Thieves a cute, accessible, BFFs-to-lovers story with almost no angst, steam aplenty, and a HEA?
YES!
Is it kind of predictable?
Also yes.
Two complaints:
Julian and Parker's voices weren't particularly distinct, and sometimes I would have to flip to the beginning of the chapter to remember who was narrating.
I wish Parker had left Erin instead of the other way around. He allowed her to use him for so long, that even his epiphany about wanting Julian was precipitated by HER decision, not his.
Also, Erin is NOT a good person. She's horribly spoiled, manipulative, impulsive, and selfish, and did not deserve Parker's (or Julian's) quick forgiveness. Am I the only one who hated Erin? Because I kind of wanted her to be kidnapped by the Sinaloa Cartel or something.
August 13, 2023
[Reread 1: Nov 27-28, 2022]
I want a love like the kind Parker and Julian share, because man, it's not just a love to be envied, it's the kind of love that makes your heart tremble.
Also, Michael Dean's moans are straight up porn so I highly recommend you read it with the audiobook.
[Reread 2: April 12, 2022] I want my own parker 😣 oh and let's count how many rereads it takes before I change my rating to a 5 star 😀
[Reread 3: August 11, 2023] it's like traces of my childhood and youth is embedded in between the lines of this book.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I added this book on my tbr on May 17, 2022 and it's been a crime every day since to have only now read this on July 8, 2022.
4.5 stars✨⭐⭐✨ but I might rate it to 5 stars ⭐
God, this book y'all. You don't understand how ELATED I am. This is only the fucking fourth or fifth book of Lucy's I've tried, and Christ, I've really tried to read and like her books but man, none of them every CLICKED or gelled with me to want to continue. Heck, I tried the first book in this series last month and I couldn't even get into it.
Thank fuckity fuck fuck (yes, why thank you damn Eden Finley) that this book clicked with me. It not only clicked, I literally felt like this book HEALED me. Now, before I get trolled by my overdramatic-ness, I've been struggling with reading for the past few weeks (THANK YOU ETHAN AND JACK 😷) and although I've read a lot of books since, reading as a... routine? just loosing myself in a book has been hard because I keep getting deliberately distracted by every miniscule thing. I felt like with this book, Julien and Parker's story just captivated me from the damn prologue and I was unable to unglue myself from the book.
Anywayssssssssss, no one came here for my rant but let's talk about this book.
The rest of this series? Don't know about her, don't care about her, she doesn't exist. Lucy said she's been waiting and wanted this book to be the first book in the series and thank fuck she waited instead because, (yes, there might have been a lot of breadcrumbs of Parker and Julien throughout the series and if someone were to so kindly just give me the chapters of those moments) I don't have any interest to read the rest of the series.
I've been having a superior dumb shit luck with any friends to lovers romance lately, and what a joke to past Mariam because I've been enjoying enemies to lovers now, I kinda lost my... spark for friends to lovers in the past few months and *sigh* THIS, JULES AND PARKS, PEANUT AND MY FUCKING SHORTBREAD are EVERYTHING AND MORE. I WILL FUCKING SAVE THEM FROM THE NEGATIVITY IN THID WORLD. THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET AND UGK.
The best part of this book was THE LITTLE MOMENTS! a lot of them were sparkled by Parker which figures was my favorite character. He was so sweet, precious, fucking filthy and addictive and seductive, so kind and generous, GOD, IT'S A CRIME I CAN'T HUG HIM IN PERSON. Like fucking read this quote and tell me not to DIE.
This book was a true friends to lovers and it was everything superior and goodness in this world. The only crime this book did was END because I NEED MORE!
initial reactions: Good GOD. The power of a breathtaking book is too big for this world.
Also, Michael Dean's moans are straight up porn so I highly recommend you read it with the audiobook.
[Reread 2: April 12, 2022] I want my own parker 😣 oh and let's count how many rereads it takes before I change my rating to a 5 star 😀
[Reread 3: August 11, 2023] it's like traces of my childhood and youth is embedded in between the lines of this book.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“You and me, Jules. Always. The way it should be.”
I added this book on my tbr on May 17, 2022 and it's been a crime every day since to have only now read this on July 8, 2022.
4.5 stars✨⭐⭐✨ but I might rate it to 5 stars ⭐
God, this book y'all. You don't understand how ELATED I am. This is only the fucking fourth or fifth book of Lucy's I've tried, and Christ, I've really tried to read and like her books but man, none of them every CLICKED or gelled with me to want to continue. Heck, I tried the first book in this series last month and I couldn't even get into it.
Parker Ellis was awkward at the age of fourteen—tall and scrawny, all elbows and knees—but he was my awkward.
Thank fuckity fuck fuck (yes, why thank you damn Eden Finley) that this book clicked with me. It not only clicked, I literally felt like this book HEALED me. Now, before I get trolled by my overdramatic-ness, I've been struggling with reading for the past few weeks (THANK YOU ETHAN AND JACK 😷) and although I've read a lot of books since, reading as a... routine? just loosing myself in a book has been hard because I keep getting deliberately distracted by every miniscule thing. I felt like with this book, Julien and Parker's story just captivated me from the damn prologue and I was unable to unglue myself from the book.
“I like staying with you,” Parker admitted softly a few minutes later. “Everything’s better when I’m with you.”You make every single day fun, Parker. You make regular life an adventureSilence with Julian had always been comfortable. Being around him was, in some ways, like being alone, only… being alone with the best part of myself.
Anywayssssssssss, no one came here for my rant but let's talk about this book.
How many people who were presented with everything they’d always wanted had the strength to say, “Nah, I’m good”?
The rest of this series? Don't know about her, don't care about her, she doesn't exist. Lucy said she's been waiting and wanted this book to be the first book in the series and thank fuck she waited instead because, (yes, there might have been a lot of breadcrumbs of Parker and Julien throughout the series and if someone were to so kindly just give me the chapters of those moments) I don't have any interest to read the rest of the series.
“But even though Erin and I are getting married, you’ll always be my best friend. My other half. When we’re old and gray, it’s still gonna be you and me, Jules. Always. That’ll never change.”
My mouth opened and closed on a whole lot of nothing while Julian’s eyes bored into me.
“I’m sorry,” I breathed, reaching out to run fingers through his hair. It really did feel amazing to the touch. Nothing stressed me out more than Julian Thick being upset, and if he was upset at me? Worst thing ever.
I've been having a superior dumb shit luck with any friends to lovers romance lately, and what a joke to past Mariam because I've been enjoying enemies to lovers now, I kinda lost my... spark for friends to lovers in the past few months and *sigh* THIS, JULES AND PARKS, PEANUT AND MY FUCKING SHORTBREAD are EVERYTHING AND MORE. I WILL FUCKING SAVE THEM FROM THE NEGATIVITY IN THID WORLD. THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET AND UGK.
His bubble butt was calling my name, so I kicked him in it with my socked foot. “Feel sorry for me, bro.”
“Don’t call me that.”
I kicked him again. “Feel sorry for me, Peanut.”
“I hate you,” he muttered, swirling some olive oil into the pan.
“You love me.” I moved the piles of cut-up veggies over to his side of the kitchen before pressing a kiss to his cheek. “And thank god for that.”A life that didn’t have Parker Ellis in it every morning and night, making me smile, driving me crazy, grounding me in the constancy of his presence so that I could draw a deep breath… that was no kind of life at all.
Not for me.
“Parker Ellis has thought you personally hung the North Star since you were a first grader, and he’s steered his ship by you ever since. There was only ever the sexual attraction component that prevented you two from being the world’s most scorching couple, and from what Tiller said, Parks managed to wrap his head allllll the way around that little obstacle.”
The best part of this book was THE LITTLE MOMENTS! a lot of them were sparkled by Parker which figures was my favorite character. He was so sweet, precious, fucking filthy and addictive and seductive, so kind and generous, GOD, IT'S A CRIME I CAN'T HUG HIM IN PERSON. Like fucking read this quote and tell me not to DIE.
My love for Julian was also comforting and safe. Familiar. Easy. But Julian was comforting like the sound of my own thumping heart, like the sunrise after a long night that lets you know the world’s still turning. Without him in my life, I wouldn’t know how to be myself.
And he was more than that, too. He provoked me and challenged me. He made me want to be a better person. He quieted my mind when it was zipping in a million directions and kicked my ass when I needed it in a way I wouldn’t tolerate from anyone else. He was the guy standing in front of me, when the world was against me, and the guy right behind me when I was achieving my greatest accomplishments. He was up and down, both the thrill ride and the best friend in the seat next to mine, holding my hand while I rode it.
My everything.
This book was a true friends to lovers and it was everything superior and goodness in this world. The only crime this book did was END because I NEED MORE!
“You’re my comfort zone. You’re my stability. None of the rest matters. If I’m with you, I’m happy. Always have been.”
initial reactions: Good GOD. The power of a breathtaking book is too big for this world.
“Thank you for loving me,” I said softly. “You’re the greatest gift of my life.”
February 26, 2022
Loved!
This book brought all the feels! It's definitely my favourite in the Aster Valley series so far and one of my most favourite books from Lucy full stop.
There's something just really beautiful about a friendship which turns to the kind of unshakeable forever love that I am sure many people dream about and here we get that with Jules and Parker.
I won't go into the hows of the narrative, only to say that everything unfolded in a way which felt organic and authentic to me as I was reading it.
We've met both men before in the previous books but only in passing and we had a greater glimpse into Julian than Parker but I have to say, I fell for both men big time.
Jules has become the master of hiding his true feelings for Parker, while he's a jovial giant who not only thinks the best of everyone but wants to always be there for everyone. Which is how he's ended up almost getting married to a woman he loves, but isn't in love with.
I also very much appreciated that there's no bad villainous behaviour on the part of Erin either. She's not an evil woman, a horrible ex, she's just a confused and perhaps tad selfish young woman who doesn't really know what she wants from life.
With guest appearances from all the rest of the Aster Valley usual suspects, this really is a joyous reading experience and one that I couldn't put down.
It's as steaming hot as a Lucy read usually is too, perhaps more so as Parker is very much all in for exploring his growing sexual feelings for Julian 💗
Loved it! And don't forget to grab the free 12k novella which is linked at the end because you get another ridiculously sweet romance from a couple of the characters you meet here!
#ARC kindly received from the author via Social Butterfly PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
This book brought all the feels! It's definitely my favourite in the Aster Valley series so far and one of my most favourite books from Lucy full stop.
There's something just really beautiful about a friendship which turns to the kind of unshakeable forever love that I am sure many people dream about and here we get that with Jules and Parker.
I won't go into the hows of the narrative, only to say that everything unfolded in a way which felt organic and authentic to me as I was reading it.
We've met both men before in the previous books but only in passing and we had a greater glimpse into Julian than Parker but I have to say, I fell for both men big time.
Jules has become the master of hiding his true feelings for Parker, while he's a jovial giant who not only thinks the best of everyone but wants to always be there for everyone. Which is how he's ended up almost getting married to a woman he loves, but isn't in love with.
I also very much appreciated that there's no bad villainous behaviour on the part of Erin either. She's not an evil woman, a horrible ex, she's just a confused and perhaps tad selfish young woman who doesn't really know what she wants from life.
With guest appearances from all the rest of the Aster Valley usual suspects, this really is a joyous reading experience and one that I couldn't put down.
It's as steaming hot as a Lucy read usually is too, perhaps more so as Parker is very much all in for exploring his growing sexual feelings for Julian 💗
Loved it! And don't forget to grab the free 12k novella which is linked at the end because you get another ridiculously sweet romance from a couple of the characters you meet here!
#ARC kindly received from the author via Social Butterfly PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
November 1, 2022
I was really enjoying this and would have given five stars up to the 80% mark. The 80% conflict was frustrating and took me out of the whole book. Overall I still enjoyed it though. I will say while reading this book I couldn't help but feel like I've read another book with this exact same plot before - there is really nothing new or groundbreaking in this book but I still liked it overall. The whole series overall was very enjoyable!
March 23, 2022
This turned out to be a cute friends-to-lovers story. I liked that when Parker finally got a clue he was all in.
The one thing that annoyed me beyond all reason was Erin. Not because of what I thought I would find her annoying for (see my pre-read note below), but who would put up with her and her poor little rich girl, come help me whenever I call act. Why are they still friends with her? I really wanted to punch Julian when he
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I really enjoy this series so I'm going in even though the line in the blurb "when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told it was time to marry and start a family..." is making me cringe. *fingers crossed*
The one thing that annoyed me beyond all reason was Erin. Not because of what I thought I would find her annoying for (see my pre-read note below), but who would put up with her and her poor little rich girl, come help me whenever I call act. Why are they still friends with her? I really wanted to punch Julian when he
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I really enjoy this series so I'm going in even though the line in the blurb "when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told it was time to marry and start a family..." is making me cringe. *fingers crossed*
November 30, 2023
Reread/relisten-November 2022
Same rating as before, Parker such and innocent naive child haha and Julian you really got put through the ringer. The last chapter will always bring a smile to my face and the funny sexual innuendos all the guys come up with when Parker and Julian were figuring things out! Haha
3.5-4 stars-May 2022
Parker, my sweet naïve Parker! You are adorable and I just wanna hug you. And so glad Julian got that happily ever after!
The last chapter of this book was adorable! 🥰🥰
I will say Julian’s hesitancy while very much warranted, felt too long.. but that is because I was done with that part of the internal monologues haha
Overall one of my favorites in this series, and I feel like you could read this as a standalone.
Same rating as before, Parker such and innocent naive child haha and Julian you really got put through the ringer. The last chapter will always bring a smile to my face and the funny sexual innuendos all the guys come up with when Parker and Julian were figuring things out! Haha
3.5-4 stars-May 2022
Parker, my sweet naïve Parker! You are adorable and I just wanna hug you. And so glad Julian got that happily ever after!
The last chapter of this book was adorable! 🥰🥰
I will say Julian’s hesitancy while very much warranted, felt too long.. but that is because I was done with that part of the internal monologues haha
Overall one of my favorites in this series, and I feel like you could read this as a standalone.
March 2, 2022
⭐︎
4.5 "You and Me. In Love. Always" Stars!
⭐︎
This might possibly be my favorite of the series so far.
Right away, I felt the chemistry between Julian and Parker, the two who have been best friends since they were six years old.
Friends-to-lovers can always be a hit or a miss. You have to do it right. For me, this was done right.
Julian and Parker have always been close, closer than even best friends. But Parker has believed he was straight for the longest time, and so Julian thought that too.
When they were in middle school, Julian started to get feelings for Parker. When they were 14, Parker wrote a note 'You and me. Always' and declared it a binding contract.
And it always has been them. Except when they were 15/16, Julian wanted to ask Parker to the homecoming dance, but Julian's sister's friend Erin asked Parker first and Parker said yes.
Since then, Julian shoved down his feelings for his best friend for a good 15 years. He got to used to doing it that he can pass pretty well as just a best friend to Parker.
On Parker's end, he and Erin have been off and on since the end of high school, for years, and really they just go back to each other - or more Erin does, at least in later years - because it's comfortable and familiar and easy.
When they're going to get married at the start of this, the morning of the day, Erin leaves Parker at the alter.
Thing is, while Parker was surprised, he wasn't exactly shocked, and he ends up being more relieved than anything else. That should tell him all he needs to know.
When you get married, you should want to be with that person above all else. You shouldn't feel relieved when they leave you, jilted, on your wedding day. Hell, Julian is more upset about it all than Parker, because after all these years he sees them as always breaking up and getting back together again, and it'll always be Erin for Parker, so this just means that eventually they'll get back together and he'll have to go through the painful process of their wedding all over again.
Except...things are different this time. This might just be the straw that breaks the camels back.
Because when Julian takes Parker to Aster Valley to supposedly lick his wounds, things change between them.
Parker has always been jealous of every man Julian has been with or might be with. Parker also had it in his head he wasn't gay (because years ago he kissed Tiller to see if he was into guys and thought that would mean he'd be into Julian that way as well, and didn't feel anything, so he was scared to go there with Julian and potentially ruin their friendship if he wasn't int it) so he always told himself he felt that way about every man Julian was with because he was protective of him and didn't want him to get hurt.
Which is a nice lie to tell himself all those years...but being protective wouldn't mean driving away or trying to drive away or just wanting to drive away every man Julian came into contact that way. Protectiveness wouldn't make his blood boil, it wouldn't make him sick to his stomach thinking of Julian having sex with other men. Nope, that's just pure jealousy.
It just takes some words with Mikey and then Tiller for Parker's blinders to really start to come off.
And once Parker sees his feelings for Julian for what they truly are, and he processes that, he's basically all in.
It's actually Julian who is cautious and scared and not all the way in yet. Because once Parker tells him how he feels, Julian can hardly believe it. It's what he's always wanted, but....what if the fantasy is better than reality? What if reality is too hard and ruins everything? What if Parker is only doing this because of what happened with his wedding and he'd "come to his senses" when Erin came back?
It's up to Parker to prove to Julian that this is for him. He's finally seen what was in front of him this whole time.
Parker is most likely demisexual, and he never had that close of a connection with another guy other than Julian to feel attraction, and so thought he wasn't into guys at all. He had a connection with Erin, so felt attraction for her, and maybe just a few other women over the years. But that was it for Parker. And even then, nothing compared to Julian.
Once these two cross that line and kiss and more, the passion is there for Parker, more than he ever had for Erin or anyone else. Because he's so hopelessly in love with Julian that nothing else even compares.
The main events in this take place over just about a week of time, but these two have had a love story going for, well, almost their whole lives as best friends, so it never felt all that rushed once Parker realized his feelings, especially with Julian still being cautious till basically the end.
I did give this .5 stars off because the very ending of this was a little rushed, in my opinion. While it completely made sense for these two jump into a relationship and be so in love - they already were ages before the events of this story - I do think it was rushed for them to
Also, the lack of epilogue was something I wasn't a fan of. I'd have loved to see them settling into Aster Valley together and getting settled into their HEA and not to mention .
So I gave .5 stars off for that ending that was just too rushed. At least there wasn't an epilogue about the next couple? I guess small favors haha. But I wanted an epilogue about these two.
If the ending hadn't been rushed, this would have been perfect. Sometimes this author has her guys rush into stuff, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Their moving into a relationship this didn't feel rushed at all, but at the end it did.
But other than that niggle at the end, I did adore this installment so much. I just loved Julian and Parker's chemistry, I loved them together, and it just felt so natural once they became more than best friends.
I loved seeing the cameos by the other couples - mainly Tiller and Mikey, who had the biggest role in this from the previous couples, in some comical ways.
I actually don't know who the next book will be about - if we are getting a next book in this series - maybe Rocco who we met? (Who I think is a brother from the family of the MC from Alaska in this author's short story for the latest Charity Anthology) or it's someone completely different, I don't know.
But either way, I can't wait from more in this series (or a spin-off or what have you, whichever way his author goes with this).
I highly recommend this fourth installment, definitely two thumbs up from me! Loved it 😍
This might possibly be my favorite of the series so far.
Right away, I felt the chemistry between Julian and Parker, the two who have been best friends since they were six years old.
Friends-to-lovers can always be a hit or a miss. You have to do it right. For me, this was done right.
Julian and Parker have always been close, closer than even best friends. But Parker has believed he was straight for the longest time, and so Julian thought that too.
When they were in middle school, Julian started to get feelings for Parker. When they were 14, Parker wrote a note 'You and me. Always' and declared it a binding contract.
And it always has been them. Except when they were 15/16, Julian wanted to ask Parker to the homecoming dance, but Julian's sister's friend Erin asked Parker first and Parker said yes.
Since then, Julian shoved down his feelings for his best friend for a good 15 years. He got to used to doing it that he can pass pretty well as just a best friend to Parker.
On Parker's end, he and Erin have been off and on since the end of high school, for years, and really they just go back to each other - or more Erin does, at least in later years - because it's comfortable and familiar and easy.
When they're going to get married at the start of this, the morning of the day, Erin leaves Parker at the alter.
Thing is, while Parker was surprised, he wasn't exactly shocked, and he ends up being more relieved than anything else. That should tell him all he needs to know.
When you get married, you should want to be with that person above all else. You shouldn't feel relieved when they leave you, jilted, on your wedding day. Hell, Julian is more upset about it all than Parker, because after all these years he sees them as always breaking up and getting back together again, and it'll always be Erin for Parker, so this just means that eventually they'll get back together and he'll have to go through the painful process of their wedding all over again.
Except...things are different this time. This might just be the straw that breaks the camels back.
Because when Julian takes Parker to Aster Valley to supposedly lick his wounds, things change between them.
Parker has always been jealous of every man Julian has been with or might be with. Parker also had it in his head he wasn't gay (because years ago he kissed Tiller to see if he was into guys and thought that would mean he'd be into Julian that way as well, and didn't feel anything, so he was scared to go there with Julian and potentially ruin their friendship if he wasn't int it) so he always told himself he felt that way about every man Julian was with because he was protective of him and didn't want him to get hurt.
Which is a nice lie to tell himself all those years...but being protective wouldn't mean driving away or trying to drive away or just wanting to drive away every man Julian came into contact that way. Protectiveness wouldn't make his blood boil, it wouldn't make him sick to his stomach thinking of Julian having sex with other men. Nope, that's just pure jealousy.
It just takes some words with Mikey and then Tiller for Parker's blinders to really start to come off.
And once Parker sees his feelings for Julian for what they truly are, and he processes that, he's basically all in.
It's actually Julian who is cautious and scared and not all the way in yet. Because once Parker tells him how he feels, Julian can hardly believe it. It's what he's always wanted, but....what if the fantasy is better than reality? What if reality is too hard and ruins everything? What if Parker is only doing this because of what happened with his wedding and he'd "come to his senses" when Erin came back?
It's up to Parker to prove to Julian that this is for him. He's finally seen what was in front of him this whole time.
Parker is most likely demisexual, and he never had that close of a connection with another guy other than Julian to feel attraction, and so thought he wasn't into guys at all. He had a connection with Erin, so felt attraction for her, and maybe just a few other women over the years. But that was it for Parker. And even then, nothing compared to Julian.
Once these two cross that line and kiss and more, the passion is there for Parker, more than he ever had for Erin or anyone else. Because he's so hopelessly in love with Julian that nothing else even compares.
The main events in this take place over just about a week of time, but these two have had a love story going for, well, almost their whole lives as best friends, so it never felt all that rushed once Parker realized his feelings, especially with Julian still being cautious till basically the end.
I did give this .5 stars off because the very ending of this was a little rushed, in my opinion. While it completely made sense for these two jump into a relationship and be so in love - they already were ages before the events of this story - I do think it was rushed for them to
Also, the lack of epilogue was something I wasn't a fan of. I'd have loved to see them settling into Aster Valley together and getting settled into their HEA and not to mention .
So I gave .5 stars off for that ending that was just too rushed. At least there wasn't an epilogue about the next couple? I guess small favors haha. But I wanted an epilogue about these two.
If the ending hadn't been rushed, this would have been perfect. Sometimes this author has her guys rush into stuff, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Their moving into a relationship this didn't feel rushed at all, but at the end it did.
But other than that niggle at the end, I did adore this installment so much. I just loved Julian and Parker's chemistry, I loved them together, and it just felt so natural once they became more than best friends.
I loved seeing the cameos by the other couples - mainly Tiller and Mikey, who had the biggest role in this from the previous couples, in some comical ways.
I actually don't know who the next book will be about - if we are getting a next book in this series - maybe Rocco who we met? (Who I think is a brother from the family of the MC from Alaska in this author's short story for the latest Charity Anthology) or it's someone completely different, I don't know.
But either way, I can't wait from more in this series (or a spin-off or what have you, whichever way his author goes with this).
I highly recommend this fourth installment, definitely two thumbs up from me! Loved it 😍
March 3, 2022
Best friends to lovers. Unrequited love. Bi-awakening.
This was really cute. I don’t even mind that one MC was literally going to marry a woman at the start of this. The only reason he didn’t was because she left him at the altar. Damn. It adds a nice tension to everything and makes the other MC’s hesitancy make sense. It was a little over dramatic at times, but nothing I couldn’t handle. The scenes with the ex were bland, but I did see the necessity to have them and make things right between those characters because they were like family.
What really didn’t do it for me was the amount of page time all the friends got. Such many “helpful advice” conversations that just dragged. I know they’re supposed to move the plot forward, but it was all so basic and obvious. These conversations also took the heat out of scenes with the MCs because it often felt like others were pushing for the connection instead of the MCs coming to those decisions themselves. Or maybe I was just annoyed by then. Probably a combination of those two.
This was really cute. I don’t even mind that one MC was literally going to marry a woman at the start of this. The only reason he didn’t was because she left him at the altar. Damn. It adds a nice tension to everything and makes the other MC’s hesitancy make sense. It was a little over dramatic at times, but nothing I couldn’t handle. The scenes with the ex were bland, but I did see the necessity to have them and make things right between those characters because they were like family.
What really didn’t do it for me was the amount of page time all the friends got. Such many “helpful advice” conversations that just dragged. I know they’re supposed to move the plot forward, but it was all so basic and obvious. These conversations also took the heat out of scenes with the MCs because it often felt like others were pushing for the connection instead of the MCs coming to those decisions themselves. Or maybe I was just annoyed by then. Probably a combination of those two.
March 13, 2022
3.5 stars ⭐️ I liked this book more than I expected and it was way better than the last three books. That also counts as a win.
It was totally sweet and cute, and I loved both Julian and Parker. But the friendship was a bit unrealistic and I think that issue was only for me.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with a lot of skiing.
It was totally sweet and cute, and I loved both Julian and Parker. But the friendship was a bit unrealistic and I think that issue was only for me.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with a lot of skiing.
April 14, 2022
4/5 ★
3/5 🌶
Guh this is the kind of friends to lovers book that I love 🥹
And that ending was 🤌🏻 perf
3/5 🌶
Guh this is the kind of friends to lovers book that I love 🥹
And that ending was 🤌🏻 perf
July 1, 2023
3.75 stars
This was my first Lucy Lennox book. I am weird and started book 4 in a series! It wasn’t hard to follow but the guys from the previous 3 books all are present. Maybe one day I’ll read their books.
Was this corny? Yes. Was this over the top at times? Yes. There were things I disliked, the main one being Erin. She was not a good friend to anyone and she needed to go. The ending and proposal was eye rolling, I expected it and it fit with the story but my cynical self was thinking “give me a break!”
I liked the friendship between Julian and Parker though and how their story played out. I needed something that was light and didn’t require too much focus so this fit the bill!
This was my first Lucy Lennox book. I am weird and started book 4 in a series! It wasn’t hard to follow but the guys from the previous 3 books all are present. Maybe one day I’ll read their books.
Was this corny? Yes. Was this over the top at times? Yes. There were things I disliked, the main one being Erin. She was not a good friend to anyone and she needed to go. The ending and proposal was eye rolling, I expected it and it fit with the story but my cynical self was thinking “give me a break!”
I liked the friendship between Julian and Parker though and how their story played out. I needed something that was light and didn’t require too much focus so this fit the bill!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2022
You wanna read about true love? A gob-smacked bi-awakening with a healthy dose of intensely-written requited love?
Lucy Lennox saved the best for last!
First off: The depth of feeling, the soul-searing connection between Julian and Parker--I too was a "warm puddle of affection and highly turned-on goo," left rereading line after line. Julian and Parker are such fully realized characters, I am thrilled to have read their story and I don't think I will ever get over Julian and Parker.
My book boo, Keri, and I read this together. And I admit, we both actually stopped reading almost simultaneously because we wanted this deep burning story to last longer. Thick as Thieves is soooo incredibly perfect, I didn’t want it to end. The funniest sexiest men in all of Aster Valley, and there’s some stiff competition.
When I wasn’t wiping the drool off my kindle over the combustibly hot scenes, I was laughing out loud at the banter and original antics of all of my fave Aster Valley men. Lucy’s writing wit and her men’s swoon worthy charm, the seemingly effortless humor fill every page. Not to mention the heat between Jules and Parker could melt Aster Valley.
Unrequited love is a tricky trope, cause it can get repetitive, but not for Lennox, who builds a fantastic amount of sexual tension that leverages Parker’s awakening and Julian’s longing into a ten-star kindle-melting romance.
Parker is so charismatic, I loved his journey from devoted bestie to his best man’s debauched woke lover. Whew boy, and when he committed, he seriously committed! UNF!!!
And that’s only the love story. From the flirty, bendy BJ to rescue Dallas to the verrrrry willing to help out ;) Grindr stud Rocco Valetine (I can’t forget enlightened dude Nolan lol), to our fave stars Mickey’s euphoric code red, Tiller’s chill sexiness, plus Sam and Truman and their well-timed and hilariously snarky “state the obvious” moments, I was in stitches the entire time. Literally laughing out loud. I kept checking my kindle to make sure there was more and more to read. I could read these men all year.
The sweet moments slay too. These men are why we read romance. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ if I could give this perfect MM rom com 100 stars, I’d do it.
To Parker and Julian. Always. 🥰
—KC Caron
Lucy Lennox saved the best for last!
First off: The depth of feeling, the soul-searing connection between Julian and Parker--I too was a "warm puddle of affection and highly turned-on goo," left rereading line after line. Julian and Parker are such fully realized characters, I am thrilled to have read their story and I don't think I will ever get over Julian and Parker.
My book boo, Keri, and I read this together. And I admit, we both actually stopped reading almost simultaneously because we wanted this deep burning story to last longer. Thick as Thieves is soooo incredibly perfect, I didn’t want it to end. The funniest sexiest men in all of Aster Valley, and there’s some stiff competition.
When I wasn’t wiping the drool off my kindle over the combustibly hot scenes, I was laughing out loud at the banter and original antics of all of my fave Aster Valley men. Lucy’s writing wit and her men’s swoon worthy charm, the seemingly effortless humor fill every page. Not to mention the heat between Jules and Parker could melt Aster Valley.
Unrequited love is a tricky trope, cause it can get repetitive, but not for Lennox, who builds a fantastic amount of sexual tension that leverages Parker’s awakening and Julian’s longing into a ten-star kindle-melting romance.
Parker is so charismatic, I loved his journey from devoted bestie to his best man’s debauched woke lover. Whew boy, and when he committed, he seriously committed! UNF!!!
And that’s only the love story. From the flirty, bendy BJ to rescue Dallas to the verrrrry willing to help out ;) Grindr stud Rocco Valetine (I can’t forget enlightened dude Nolan lol), to our fave stars Mickey’s euphoric code red, Tiller’s chill sexiness, plus Sam and Truman and their well-timed and hilariously snarky “state the obvious” moments, I was in stitches the entire time. Literally laughing out loud. I kept checking my kindle to make sure there was more and more to read. I could read these men all year.
The sweet moments slay too. These men are why we read romance. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ if I could give this perfect MM rom com 100 stars, I’d do it.
To Parker and Julian. Always. 🥰
—KC Caron
March 5, 2022
I toggled between 4-5 stars for this, but I'm sticking with 5 because this book helped to pull me out of my dark and dreary. I live in Texas, folks, and this week the state that I was born and raised in has embarrassed me and made me feel sick to my stomach in a way I've never felt before. I am heeding the call to action, but the need for it made me want a good cuddle and this book wrapped me in its arms at the exact moment I needed it most.
I am always a little skeptical when faced with a childhood best friends-to-lovers romance. This trope requires a lot of backstory and some authors miss the mark, but that was not the case in this book. Julian and Parker's story started when they were kids. From the very first page it was obvious that the love they had for each other, even as young boys, was special. Nothing came between them. They were ride or die personified. But when Parker accepted a marriage proposal from his on/off girlfriend, Julian knew it was time to drown the last vestiges of the unrequited crush he'd been harboring for Parker since they were teenagers and prepare himself for a life as Parker's #2 person. And that was his plan until Parker got jilted on his way to the alter and everything changed.
Parker played the oblivious straight guy role perfectly. He came across as dense at times and needed not-so-subtle interventions from friends to force his eyes open, but once he was in, that dude was IN. What I liked the absolute most, though, was Julian's hesitancy. It would be easy to assume that after pining for someone most of your life, you'd jump at the chance to be with them if it was presented to you. But Julian was risking his entire heart and it made so much sense for him to be careful. I loved how cognizant Parker was of Julian's fears and how open Julian was about them. They navigated the fragile bridge between being friends and becoming boyfriends as mature adults and it warmed my heart.
Per usual in a Lucy Lennox book, there were fun side characters (most from previous books in the series but also some newcomers) and some funny hijinks. The steamy schmexy scenes were on point, but the tenderness between Julian and Parker was what gave me all of the butterflies. I have to admit that there was something I wanted from this story and didn't get and something I didn't need but got anyway, but overall I loved this book and think it's the best of the series. The bonus short story through the author's newsletter about an adorably sad panda finding his place in Aster Valley was also super cute. It was just really nice to live in this world of supportive and loving people for a little while. The real world is a scary place right now and I feel so lucky that there are authors writing these beautiful queer love stories that we can all escape to when everything else feels like it's going to shit.
I am always a little skeptical when faced with a childhood best friends-to-lovers romance. This trope requires a lot of backstory and some authors miss the mark, but that was not the case in this book. Julian and Parker's story started when they were kids. From the very first page it was obvious that the love they had for each other, even as young boys, was special. Nothing came between them. They were ride or die personified. But when Parker accepted a marriage proposal from his on/off girlfriend, Julian knew it was time to drown the last vestiges of the unrequited crush he'd been harboring for Parker since they were teenagers and prepare himself for a life as Parker's #2 person. And that was his plan until Parker got jilted on his way to the alter and everything changed.
Parker played the oblivious straight guy role perfectly. He came across as dense at times and needed not-so-subtle interventions from friends to force his eyes open, but once he was in, that dude was IN. What I liked the absolute most, though, was Julian's hesitancy. It would be easy to assume that after pining for someone most of your life, you'd jump at the chance to be with them if it was presented to you. But Julian was risking his entire heart and it made so much sense for him to be careful. I loved how cognizant Parker was of Julian's fears and how open Julian was about them. They navigated the fragile bridge between being friends and becoming boyfriends as mature adults and it warmed my heart.
Per usual in a Lucy Lennox book, there were fun side characters (most from previous books in the series but also some newcomers) and some funny hijinks. The steamy schmexy scenes were on point, but the tenderness between Julian and Parker was what gave me all of the butterflies. I have to admit that there was something I wanted from this story and didn't get and something I didn't need but got anyway, but overall I loved this book and think it's the best of the series. The bonus short story through the author's newsletter about an adorably sad panda finding his place in Aster Valley was also super cute. It was just really nice to live in this world of supportive and loving people for a little while. The real world is a scary place right now and I feel so lucky that there are authors writing these beautiful queer love stories that we can all escape to when everything else feels like it's going to shit.
March 14, 2022
BFFs from childhood, now in their 30s, they know each other like no one else. Julian is best man for Parker's wedding to Erin.
Julian is a Lawyer, dark hair, tattoos,
(cover) and his family treated Parker very well through life, because Parker's folks were disregarding, and ignoring him.
Parker, a ski instructor, who had parents who neglected him, He's tall,
with strawberry blonde hair, freckles and green eyes, plus he is fit and handsome.
These two men had sweet memories through the years, good and bad tales, and always had each other's backs. Julian knew he was gay at fourteen, and Parker stood by him.
We see the prep for the wedding and we hear their history, and then came the shock on the wedding day.
Parker then tags along with Julian to his hideaway cabin for rest and rehashing the events of Erin's big reveal. Parker feels relief.
Their friends are a good group, lots of talks took place, Parker discovers his inner most need, and that is his emotions and love for Julian, only Julian. GFY. He gets advice and suggestions, talks with Julian, skiing fun and hanging out, and then an intense conversation with a meaningful kiss.
It freaked Julian out, who had loved Parker for so long, and Julian's afraid its temporary or a rebound.
We get more inner thoughts, talks, and then the physical and primal sexy times, firsts for M/M sex for Parker. The hot sex got better each time, they are vers, including the deep emotions and passion.
It's a wonderful tale of life long friends who finally realize who their "one" is.
ENJOY !
=====
Julian is a Lawyer, dark hair, tattoos,
(cover) and his family treated Parker very well through life, because Parker's folks were disregarding, and ignoring him.
Parker, a ski instructor, who had parents who neglected him, He's tall,
with strawberry blonde hair, freckles and green eyes, plus he is fit and handsome.
These two men had sweet memories through the years, good and bad tales, and always had each other's backs. Julian knew he was gay at fourteen, and Parker stood by him.
We see the prep for the wedding and we hear their history, and then came the shock on the wedding day.
Parker then tags along with Julian to his hideaway cabin for rest and rehashing the events of Erin's big reveal. Parker feels relief.
Their friends are a good group, lots of talks took place, Parker discovers his inner most need, and that is his emotions and love for Julian, only Julian. GFY. He gets advice and suggestions, talks with Julian, skiing fun and hanging out, and then an intense conversation with a meaningful kiss.
It freaked Julian out, who had loved Parker for so long, and Julian's afraid its temporary or a rebound.
We get more inner thoughts, talks, and then the physical and primal sexy times, firsts for M/M sex for Parker. The hot sex got better each time, they are vers, including the deep emotions and passion.
It's a wonderful tale of life long friends who finally realize who their "one" is.
ENJOY !
=====
October 7, 2023
04/10/2023 re-read, i hate characters like Erin and especially the way she is presented here. If you just relay on the things we are shown, she is selfish asshole that is afraid of commitment and dont want to grow up. but then every character keeps saying and insisting she is nice and a good friend... where? when? how? noting of her redemption ark is shown. agh!
knocking down a star because of it.
--------
this was cute and fun. there was a lot of angst wich im a sucker for so that was a plus i just had one gripe with this and it watered down my enjoyment.
Erin was such a selfish asshole of a character i couldn't figured out why everyone was defending her and sticking up for her when everything she did was make everyone around her miserable just so she can "adventure".
The problem was that she was such a driving plot to the story that you cant forget her and enjoy everything else.
It/she bothered me.
knocking down a star because of it.
--------
this was cute and fun. there was a lot of angst wich im a sucker for so that was a plus i just had one gripe with this and it watered down my enjoyment.
Erin was such a selfish asshole of a character i couldn't figured out why everyone was defending her and sticking up for her when everything she did was make everyone around her miserable just so she can "adventure".
The problem was that she was such a driving plot to the story that you cant forget her and enjoy everything else.
It/she bothered me.
March 3, 2022
3.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sex, skiing, and sand 😎
Sex, skiing, and sand 😎
April 13, 2022
3.5 stars
Read this in one sitting and I'm glad for it. So happy this book gave me almost no angst and doubting because I needed something fluffy to read this week honestly. The demisexual representation also kind of saved me and I love Parker for that even though he was oblivious and dense as hell. Kind of relatable though cause I feel that would be me. Oops.
Was this predictable and too HEA? Yes, I do not care and I enjoyed it very much because of that. Give me all the fluff and people getting their shit together.
Read this in one sitting and I'm glad for it. So happy this book gave me almost no angst and doubting because I needed something fluffy to read this week honestly. The demisexual representation also kind of saved me and I love Parker for that even though he was oblivious and dense as hell. Kind of relatable though cause I feel that would be me. Oops.
Was this predictable and too HEA? Yes, I do not care and I enjoyed it very much because of that. Give me all the fluff and people getting their shit together.
March 2, 2022
Better than her last.
No angst or conflict, just friends
fucking and skiing.
No angst or conflict, just friends
fucking and skiing.
March 18, 2022
Full review to come but I liked this one much more than I thought I would.
February 28, 2022
SWOON! I started reading this book and wanted nothing more than to curl up with it and read all afternoon. Fortunately for me, I started it on a Friday night, so while I fell asleep with it in my hand, I did spend a big chunk of Saturday curled up under a blanket, lost in Aster Valley.
I'm in awe of Lucy Lennox's ability to take the tried-and-true straight-best-friend-to-lovers trope and make it read like it's brand new. My heart just melted through the whole book.
I loved Julian and Parker together and cheered for them the whole way. It was good to see the other Aster Vallians, too, of course, but nothing took away from the heat and emotion that built between Jules and Parker, and the joy of seeing them get their HEA.
I'm in awe of Lucy Lennox's ability to take the tried-and-true straight-best-friend-to-lovers trope and make it read like it's brand new. My heart just melted through the whole book.
I loved Julian and Parker together and cheered for them the whole way. It was good to see the other Aster Vallians, too, of course, but nothing took away from the heat and emotion that built between Jules and Parker, and the joy of seeing them get their HEA.
July 11, 2022
parker is described as broad shouldered and i truly believe that because that man carried the whole book on his back. that must hurt. he deserved better.
now, about julian. i just want to say “whiny ass”. that’s it.
not sorry but he literally whined for 9/10 of the book. he ruined it.
now, about julian. i just want to say “whiny ass”. that’s it.
not sorry but he literally whined for 9/10 of the book. he ruined it.
March 5, 2022
This was very cute and I enjoyed it a lot more than the 3rd in the series. I did keep mixing the MCs up for some reason and I could’ve done w a little more of Jules’ possessive side, but was also glad there was little angst in the way of the ex.
August 21, 2022
3.5
The only reason this book it’s not a five stars read it’s because of Erin…
that said I totally enjoy this book , it was so easy to read I was totally invest in the small town plus friends to lovers plus unrrequited its my go to trope cuz I absolutly LOVE ITTTT
The only reason this book it’s not a five stars read it’s because of Erin…
that said I totally enjoy this book , it was so easy to read I was totally invest in the small town plus friends to lovers plus unrrequited its my go to trope cuz I absolutly LOVE ITTTT
March 12, 2022
4 stars
glad parker pulled his head out his ass
glad parker pulled his head out his ass
February 28, 2022
Amazon / Amazon Worldwide
Julian just has to get through the wedding festivities before he can flee to Aster Valley and lick his wounds in private. His best friend, the man he's been in unrequited love with their whole lives, is marrying someone who's not him. So as long as Julian can just make it through the next few days, then he can go mope around by himself in his new home and figure out how to fall out of love with his very straight best friend, Parker. Except, things don't quite go as planned, and now Julian's got a whole new problem - being in very close proxmity with said bestie as Parker licks his own wounds given to him by the fiancée who just jilted him at the altar. Sigh...
Parker and his best friend have been a solid unit forever now. And now Julian's once again by his side as he figures out what to do with himself now that he's not getting married to his on/off other best friend, Erin. He's prepared to mope around but something happens, happened, to him when Erin dumped him - all he felt was...relief? Yeah, relief. Now he has to figure out why he's relieved. But more significantly, has to figure out what to do with his awakening realization that he's very attracted to, is very in love with, his best friend. Can he convince Julian that his feelings are real? That he's not going anywhere, not going to leave him when Erin inevitably wants to get back together?
Ah unrequited love - such an angsty trope, one that I love when it's handled the way Lucy handles it - with perfect pacing, building up believable feelings on both sides, giving each the right amount of confusion and questioning, and scorching hot chemistry. I absolutely fell in love with these two men. Julian with his super dirty ways in the bedroom as his every fantasy, both physical and emotional came true, and Parker with his gradual realization that he'd always been in love with Julian but didn't want to lose his home, his sense of belonging, by declaring it. Two guys couldn't be more perfect for each other than this pair of best friends turned much, much more, and it was beautiful, every single page.
ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.
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February 26, 2022
An incredible best friends-to-lovers romance that will have you falling head-over-heels for Parker and Jules. I wanted to devour this love story but savor it at the same time. The author writes romance with incredible love, intense emotion, and smokin' hot connections that leave you feeling giddy.
Julian has loved Parker his whole life. If only his best friend wasn't straight they would be the perfect match. Now he's the best man at Parker's wedding and he just needs to get through it so he can mourn the loss and work on not loving him.
Parker has always wanted stability. Craved it in fact. So when Erin was the girl that made his life easier and he could still have Julian as his number one, he was willing to settle. But settling was exactly what it would be once he realized his own truth.
This is a story of awakening. Realizing everything you have always wanted has been within your grasp the entire time. It's Parker's time to figure out that the love of his life may need a bit of convincing since it took him so long to open his eyes. It's beautiful, it's love, it's forever.
The author continues to bring us stories with characters I wish were my friends (except Erin - LOL) and happily ever afters that leave you smiling. Her books take you on a journey and I loved every single minute. Parker and Jules shared such a beautiful friendship that spanned decades. It took them through all the ups and downs but always at the core was their foundation of love. I absolutely loved their love for each other. I adore this world and I want more Aster Valley!
Julian has loved Parker his whole life. If only his best friend wasn't straight they would be the perfect match. Now he's the best man at Parker's wedding and he just needs to get through it so he can mourn the loss and work on not loving him.
Parker has always wanted stability. Craved it in fact. So when Erin was the girl that made his life easier and he could still have Julian as his number one, he was willing to settle. But settling was exactly what it would be once he realized his own truth.
This is a story of awakening. Realizing everything you have always wanted has been within your grasp the entire time. It's Parker's time to figure out that the love of his life may need a bit of convincing since it took him so long to open his eyes. It's beautiful, it's love, it's forever.
The author continues to bring us stories with characters I wish were my friends (except Erin - LOL) and happily ever afters that leave you smiling. Her books take you on a journey and I loved every single minute. Parker and Jules shared such a beautiful friendship that spanned decades. It took them through all the ups and downs but always at the core was their foundation of love. I absolutely loved their love for each other. I adore this world and I want more Aster Valley!
April 11, 2022
Loved it!! ❤️❤️ This was a GFY & BFFs to Lovers trope; And despite the fact that this trope has been done to death in MM books, it was still very romantic and beautiful. Parker and Julian are both likable MCs and their story is well- written and despite the GFY part, it did not seem contrived. It seemed quite genuine. Parker seemed like a pushover sometimes especially with Erin, but he stood up when it mattered.
I haven’t read books 2 & 3 of this series, but didn’t have any issues connecting, so I certainly recommend this book to be read as a standalone 🥰. 👍🏻👍🏻
I haven’t read books 2 & 3 of this series, but didn’t have any issues connecting, so I certainly recommend this book to be read as a standalone 🥰. 👍🏻👍🏻
May 31, 2022
Reread Count 1:
Still 5 stars, always 5 stars. Missed them so much!
Default Review:
This book DELIVERED! Full on sweetness with adorable MCs! This book is filled with love. So much love. Love, love and LOVE. I was hooked since the prologue. It started really well and I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed it so much !!!
This book were full on giving exactly what I’ve been wanting. The pace and the storyline was perfect. It started from before the wedding then move to Parker got left at the altar and then they discover each other’s secret and their secret crushes story and everything was just perfect! I enjoyed it so much!
I love the trope, it was so realistic and wasn’t rushed. The way Julian has always been so in love with his straight bestfriend since he was fourteen years old was told in depth and I didn’t have any doubts for his love. His sadness is something I could feel through my bones, I love it. And their love and affection they have towards each other was so realistic and heartwarming <3
I also love the way Parker was always so overprotective over his best friend even though he clearly didn’t notice his secret feelings for Julian. He’s adorable :3
When the “crush” story unfolds, their relationship started to develop really easily because of their history and how close they were and I didn’t think it was too easy or too fast. Again, perfect.
I also understand Julian’s curiousity and worries afterwards because of the way Parker and Erin’s on and off relationship in the past, I understand Julian’s curiousity and his worries about what’s going to happen next. It makes so much sense I don’t have to question anything! Everything about this book just makes sense and I love that the author manage to provide these details 😍
Because I enjoyed so much of their relationship development, I happen to enjoy the no-romance part too, especially with their friends and I love the side characters! Everything about this book is just giving~~ :)))
There was also this one favourite moment I was swooning like crazy! Parker fixed Julian helmet strap🫣😍 that was so cute!!! AAAAHHH MY JAW HURTS FROM SMILING TOO MUCH. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THESE TWO <3
Still 5 stars, always 5 stars. Missed them so much!
Default Review:
This book DELIVERED! Full on sweetness with adorable MCs! This book is filled with love. So much love. Love, love and LOVE. I was hooked since the prologue. It started really well and I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed it so much !!!
This book were full on giving exactly what I’ve been wanting. The pace and the storyline was perfect. It started from before the wedding then move to Parker got left at the altar and then they discover each other’s secret and their secret crushes story and everything was just perfect! I enjoyed it so much!
I love the trope, it was so realistic and wasn’t rushed. The way Julian has always been so in love with his straight bestfriend since he was fourteen years old was told in depth and I didn’t have any doubts for his love. His sadness is something I could feel through my bones, I love it. And their love and affection they have towards each other was so realistic and heartwarming <3
Over the years I took comfort knowing I was still his person—still the first one he told when he got a killer scholarship and wasn’t sure whether to take it, and the first person he called when he needed encouragement(…) I never doubted for a second that he was my person, too—the guy who rushed to my side when I was injured and sent me a joke every morning without fail during my most trying days in law school.
I also love the way Parker was always so overprotective over his best friend even though he clearly didn’t notice his secret feelings for Julian. He’s adorable :3
When the “crush” story unfolds, their relationship started to develop really easily because of their history and how close they were and I didn’t think it was too easy or too fast. Again, perfect.
I was a hot fucking mess, and if I’d been with anyone other than Julian, I probably would have felt humiliated. But I was with Julian. And that made all the difference.
I also understand Julian’s curiousity and worries afterwards because of the way Parker and Erin’s on and off relationship in the past, I understand Julian’s curiousity and his worries about what’s going to happen next. It makes so much sense I don’t have to question anything! Everything about this book just makes sense and I love that the author manage to provide these details 😍
Because I enjoyed so much of their relationship development, I happen to enjoy the no-romance part too, especially with their friends and I love the side characters! Everything about this book is just giving~~ :)))
There was also this one favourite moment I was swooning like crazy! Parker fixed Julian helmet strap🫣😍 that was so cute!!! AAAAHHH MY JAW HURTS FROM SMILING TOO MUCH. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THESE TWO <3
March 8, 2022
I'm looking at a 4.43 rating on GR as I sit down to throw some quick thoughts together re this book and am (once again) wondering what I missed that everyone else loved. I've read all of the Aster Valley stories except #3 and haven't much liked any of them, other than Winter Waites. I thought maybe I just needed to read one instead of listen (Michael Dean can be a bit...much) but that didn't seem to make any difference here.
I love the friends to lover trope bc when it's done well, it is fire and while this started strong and I was very hopeful, once the friend to lover line was crossed, it just petered out and died. Wasn't believable, wasn't hot (despite the straight to gay angle, another favorite trope), just wasn't engaging. What it was, was completely predictable. I couldn't remember what I read from one day to the next. And I constantly could not keep track of whose chapter I was reading, the MCs sounded completely interchangeable.
I also struggle with the "unreality" of Lucy Lennox's books, the way they don't ring true to real life. I don't have patience for that. The Grindr hook ups that kept randomly showing up, Parker answering the door completely naked proclaiming "we don't want to have sex with you" before checking to see who was there, the oddball Nolan character, and so on. I know the author is trying to inject humor into the story but it simply doesn't work for me.
I was also REALLY bothered by the oddly childlike, wildly obtuse Parker, who so, so, so very clearly had feelings for his best friend--for years--but somehow never saw it. Oh, and I hated Erin.
Bottom line, swing and a miss and I hope I can withstand the next tempting blurb of an LL romance and remember that she and I do not jibe.
I love the friends to lover trope bc when it's done well, it is fire and while this started strong and I was very hopeful, once the friend to lover line was crossed, it just petered out and died. Wasn't believable, wasn't hot (despite the straight to gay angle, another favorite trope), just wasn't engaging. What it was, was completely predictable. I couldn't remember what I read from one day to the next. And I constantly could not keep track of whose chapter I was reading, the MCs sounded completely interchangeable.
I also struggle with the "unreality" of Lucy Lennox's books, the way they don't ring true to real life. I don't have patience for that. The Grindr hook ups that kept randomly showing up, Parker answering the door completely naked proclaiming "we don't want to have sex with you" before checking to see who was there, the oddball Nolan character, and so on. I know the author is trying to inject humor into the story but it simply doesn't work for me.
I was also REALLY bothered by the oddly childlike, wildly obtuse Parker, who so, so, so very clearly had feelings for his best friend--for years--but somehow never saw it. Oh, and I hated Erin.
Bottom line, swing and a miss and I hope I can withstand the next tempting blurb of an LL romance and remember that she and I do not jibe.
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