Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

Sorry in advance, I had a shocking amount of highlights for this book. Couldn’t pick only a couple.

“It kills you that I’m happy. How dare I be fat and walk down the street with a smile on my face. How dare an athletic guy find me sexy. How dare he want to be my boyfriend. […]”

This book is a lot of fun, well written, hot, and also touches on some really difficult topics. I thought it was done very well. I read this one a while back, but decided to listen to the audiobook as well (I love Iggy Toma). Some of this book hit me really hard, and the themes of fatphobia/shaming can be triggering as hell. It is beautifully written though, and I love how Julian’s issues with body image doesn’t magically dissappear just because he’s getting laid or someone is showing interest in him. It’s a slow and difficult road to realizing he is worthy of being loved, both by himself and others.

I couldn’t admit that I’d needed to drink alcohol to calm my nerves last night, because agreeing to lose your virginity to someone you were secretly in love with was a very nerve-racking proposition.

Definitely a book I recommend if you’re comfortable with the topics. And while it is a book containing serious topics and emotional moments, it’s also just a delightfully entertaining rom-com.

“Here’s what we’re going to do tonight. We’re going to turn off the lights and undress in the dark. We’ll be naked together, but I won’t be able to see you. Only touch you. Taste you.” […] “The candle will be on the nightstand. If you get to a point where you feel comfortable, light it.”

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Friends to lovers
Coworkers
Older virgin MC
Bisexual awakening
Fake dating
Sexual exploration
Themes of addiction (gambling)
Dirty talk

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Fatshaming
Gambling addict MC (no relapse)
Financial issues
Internalized fatphobia
Fatshaming parent
Themes of weight, food and body image issues
Explicit sexual content
Vomiting

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: Sort of, yes.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MC age: 30 and 34
Pages: 298

Truth was, there was something lost puppyish about Seamus even now. He was kind and loyal, without a mean bone in his body. Even if he wasn’t fit, even if his eyes weren’t impossibly blue, I’d still be hopelessly attracted to him.

“J, you do so much pining for this guy you could repopulate a forest,” Everett said.

You passed out in the bathroom. I was talking about your puking. I’ve never seen someone throw up that much, and I lived in a frathouse for two years.” Change of plans: run away screaming. “I thought your stomach was going to get ripped out of your mouth. I’m glad you’re still alive.”

I’d made a straight man moan. My face deserved to be carved onto Gay Mount Rushmore.

“Fuck yes. Dry fuck me, Seamus.” We laughed at the command. We really did sound like awkward teenagers. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of our parents walked in on us. “You like getting dry fucked? Are you a frottage slut?” I threw my head back, moaning and laughing. “Are you the star of Jim Henson’s new show Frottage Rock?” “That’s too far. You’re ruining my childhood,” I said.

Even when he had a painful dick up his ass, Julian still knew how to be eloquent and produce a beautiful metaphor. Respect.


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