Max is trying to become more open minded and accepting after making mistakes in his past that cost him his relationship with his brother. While at a gay bar, he meets Beau. Beau is welcoming, kind, and more than willing to show Max all the ins and outs of living as an out queer man. Beau's easy friendship and affection make Max reevaluate his own feelings and he starts to wonder if people can really change for the better. 

If you're familiar with the Cora Rose Unexpected universe, you'll know Max as one of Maggie's (Sem, #2) homophobic brothers. He realizes how much he and his family hurt Magnus and is trying to change so he can be apart of Maggie's life. Max is definitely not a PC guy, but you can tell he's trying to learn and evolve not only for his brother, but to just be a better person. Beau sees how earnest Max is and they quickly form a fun, endearing friendship. 

By Cora standards, it's a bit of a slow burn. Beau is with other people, living his life, which I think allows Max to feel more comfortable. Beau's naturally open and caring personality draws Max in, and he can't help but fall for him. He does struggle a bit with feeling more than friendship for Beau, but once Max starts to accept it he gets a little wild with the codependency in typical fun Cora fashion. Beau has a vague issue with commitment, but he cares deeply for Max and it doesn't deter Max in the least. There are so many adorable, steamy, and silly moments with these two. 

I liked the characters but I felt the story was a little anticlimactic. For some reason I just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, so the ending seemed to hit kind of suddenly. I do wish we got a little more of Max and Beau after the final chapter. I just felt like there was more of the story to be told. The epilogue is more of a little prequel for Matt's book, and it looks like it'll definitely be an entertaining read. 

Read if you like: 
• sexual awakening 
• friends to lovers  
• redemption arc 

•••••••••••••••••••••