I liked this enough, but it just fell kind of flat for me as the book went on. It was written well and had good characters, it just was a little slow. 

Aspen and Keene have been best friends since childhood. One dare in high school makes Keene start to question his sexuality. A few years later he admits this to Aspen, and Aspen volunteers to help Keene physically explore his sexuality. Because what can go wrong when you start hooking up with your best friend? 

I did like Aspen and Keene's relationship when they weren't worried about all the extra stuff. They had a solid friendship and the physical and more romantic side evolved really naturally between them. It was obvious they were always meant for something more than friendship, and I loved all their sweet tender moments together. 

What I didn't love was that the story was just kind of bland. Most of it was Aspen and Keene hooking up and developing feelings but not talking about it. It got a little repetitive and dragged out a lot longer than I felt it needed to. Then conflict was wrapped up quickly. It took months in the book, but we don't get any details on Aspen's "soul searching" or Keene getting over his anger. It just happens, and it made me feel kind of detached from it all. I loved that Keene put him in his place and didn't take him back immediately, but I wish we got more of what happened when they were apart. 

I like CE Ricci's writing and style, I think this was just a miss for me. I'm intrigued by her plans for a book about Avery, I love a good redemption arc. Looking forward to what she puts out next! 

Read if you like: 
• best friends to lovers 
• baseball
• bi-awakening