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stephanie_inman 's review for:

Caulky by K.M. Neuhold
5.0

Ren and Cole are absolutely swoon worthy, both separately and together. I love the premise for this book.

Ren has gone through a break up. Cole has never had a relationship. They meet at a bar, and Ren is completely drunk, making him more open than usual, but it also stops Cole from hooking up with him. Still, Cole tells him that he's at that bar every Thursday night, and should Ren still be interested once he's sober, he'd be happy to see him again.

Fast forward a bit, and Ren is finally ready to get back out there, but he's done with relationships. He decides he wants to see if the hot guy he met months ago is still around. They meet, hookup and both consider it a one-off.

In a twist, Ren has decided to re-do his bathroom, and who should be the contractor? I mean, it's a romance, so of course it makes sense that it's Cole. Cole and Ren are attracted to one another, but neither are interested in a relationship, and since they have the client/contractor thing going, they know they can't even hook up.

During all of this, both sign up for an online meeting app. They now meet as Rebound and Caulky. Becoming friends, and there are just so many cute moments here. They decide not to meet in person, both of them enjoying their friendship, and afraid of ruining what they have.

Once Cole is done with Ren's bathroom, he still finds himself drawn to Ren, and they begin hooking up again, only this time it's regularly, just unspoken. They meet at the bar on Thursdays, neither ever asking for more than sex. Cole knows he's really attracted to Ren, but he also feels like he could be developing feelings for Rebound.

Both men are torn. They have feelings for their online friend, but they have the explosive chemistry with one another.

Ren is a tough one. He's been hurt and he's not as willing to get into a relationship. I love that Cole, once he decided what he wanted, was all in. I love that he said that he was never against relationships, he had just never met anyone he wanted one with. It was a refreshing change from the manwhore trope of man who never wants a relationship because (reasons) and then changes for said person. Instead, Cole was always open to relationships, he just never thought he would find himself in one. I love how romantic he was.

As for the supporting characters, Ollie, Stone and Everett. I have read the next two books in the series and will give reviews for them soon, but holy smokes, I just love these guys! I want them all to find their happiness! Especially poor Ollie!

All in all, this is just everything a book should be. Fun, sweet, romantic, and there are plenty of sexy times, if you're looking for those.