Isaac and Lane were 14 when their parents married. They hit it off and were best friends, but as Isaac figured out his sexuality he realized his feelings towards Lane weren't just a platonic love. A decade later, Lane comes back to Atlanta to repair their relationship after he and Isaac drifted apart after high school, but stumbles upon his own feelings. They have to make a choice between disappointing and losing their family, or finally giving into love. 

Oh poor Isaac, the pining! He's been in love with Lane since the start, and Lane had no clue - which made for a very interesting start. I loved them together, especially after seeing Lane with his ex. Despite being so different Isaac loves Lane exactly as he is and doesn't try to change him or complain about his oddities. Lane is the only person who truly understands Isaac and was there for him growing up. They have such a deep emotional connection that when they finally get together, it's some steamy chemistry. Despite the challenges they face, they stay strong in their love. 

This book is similar to the other in the series (Off Limits), as the characters have to choose between hurting their family and their love for one another. Even though I rated them the same I liked this plot a little better. It read really similarly though, where I was hooked in the beginning but the ending fell a little flat in comparison. That being said I did enjoy these as a good, shorter audiobook reread. A little angst, a little drama, but nothing too heavy. Having  read a good amount by the author, I would rate the series as mid Riley Hart books.

Read if you like: 
• forbidden romance - stepbrothers                      
• friends to lovers   
• opposites attract 

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 The amount of dialogue and talking about feelings in this book was crazy. It was good overall but just dragged a little because it was just the characters talking to each other and declaring all their feelings all the time, in between internal monologues about even more of their feelings. And not even about their romance, but more of just their family issues which took center stage - ahem Maddy, back down it ain't your story. 
I was super excited when the book started but there wasn't enough action to keep my attention. And just the dialogue itself with their conversations and confessing their emotions, it was a lot of really well put together dialogue and I'm convinced no one actually talks like that. It was a bit much for me. 
I wish they did more than message, cook dinner, and volunteer. The only interesting part was the one time they went out with Isaac and the beginning when Ryder came out to everyone. 
It was good, if kinda boring. Just not my speed I guess.


June 2024 Audiobook & Reread: 

Years after breaking off his marriage and coming out to his family, Ryder returns to Atlanta. He begins chatting with someone on a dating app, growing closer and closer to this mysterious man who seems perfect. Hutch has been dealing with family drama since he was a kid, always coming second to his sick sister and putting others first. When he meets someone on an app, he finally feels like he has something to himself for once. When identities are revealed their worlds are rocked, and they have to choose between loyalty and love. 

Ryder and Hutch are so perfect for each other, I don't know how they went their whole lives knowing each other and not realizing it. They are both so compassionate and sweet, and have no issue reaffirming their love for one another. Their lives seamlessly fit together with volunteering, cooking, and those everyday moments. When Hutch is struggling with his family, Ryder gives unwavering support. They have a really special relationship that you can tell will last. The beginning of this story and their romance was definitely my favorite part of the book. 

This book started out really strong for me. I loved the online dating bits, the angst, the reveal, but once they got together it did go a little downhill. It was a bit dialogue heavy - lots of talking about feelings and just too much of Maddy. I think it was better in the audiobook because I wrote in my original review that it was a lot for me and took away from the romance, but I didn't exactly feel the same way with listening to it. I actually bumped the rating up a star after the audiobook. It definitely had all the forbidden romance angst and I really did love Ryder and Hutch together. Can't wait to re-listen to Isaac's story next! 

Read if you like: 
• forbidden romance                     
• friends to lovers     
• online dating/anonymous app

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Lex is funny, but I lived for the Emery moments. These people are just all sorts of crazy. 
It was all around just okay. Probably my least favorite out of the series so far. I thought Lex would be a little more wild.

April 2024 reread & audiobook: 

Lex befriended a few older ladies at a nursing home and has taken them under his wing. When William, one of their grandson's, comes back into the picture, Lex is protective of his ladies and won't give them up. But William is nothing like what Lex expected, in the best of ways. When William moves back home after a work assignment and visits his grandma he's immediately caught in the whirlwind that is Lex. He's never felt these types of feelings before, and can't help but fall under Lex's spell. 

These two could not be more different on the surface, but underneath it all they are two guys with horrible pasts who find comfort and love with one another. There's the usual silly antics you expect from a Cora Rose book, but I thought Lex would be more crazy. I think William helped tame his wild side a bit, while Lex brought quiet, stoic William out of his shell.  Though they had a fast, instant connection, they were there for each other when things got hard and were such a good match. 

My favorite part were all the Emery moments, I loved seeing him and August being all cute. All these characters are just so wild and it's fun to read about them even after their stories are done. There are so many different directions the series can go next, so many characters left to find their own love!

Read if you like: 
• opposites attract 
• insta-feels    
• light hurt/comfort 

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All of these characters are crazy, you just gotta go with it. I'm pretty sure I've written that in my review for every book in this series. Love them all to death, but they are so over the top and extra. 
Elliot is the most dramatic and Luke is such a sweetie, but if some dude just started showing up and staying at my house after one day I would've thought he was just a homeless creeper honestly. Elliot at the end talking about Lex just coming and taking his stuff and letting him creep around made me laugh. Everyone is so weird, I like it

September 2023: 📚Reread & Audiobook 🎧

4⭐️ 3🌶️

Honestly, this was just delightful. Reading my first review makes me laugh out loud because I had the same thoughts this time around. Cora Rose always has wild characters and this is no exception. A fun audiobook with lots of laughing and cute moments.

Luke is such a sweetheart, he meets Elliot and he's like "Yeah he's mine now". Elliot annoyed me a little because he wouldn't open up and I didn't want him to hurt Luke, but after the conflict happened he had me laughing because he was the most dramatic. I loved their dynamic together because they were complete opposites but they still had such a sweet relationship, mostly because I think Luke is the best. 

I loved all the side characters too. Elliot's sisters were so meddling and supportive. We meet Lex, Emery's friend, again and he's just as crazy. But I'm glad he pushes into Elliot's life and Elliot has him as a friend. Excited to listen to his story next and see what shenanigans he gets up to. 

Read if you like: 
• grumpy/sunshine 
• age gap 
• sexual awakening

Emery is probably my favorite character of the series so far, deserves the whole world

When we saw Emery and August together in Sem, I did not at all get the vibe of his personality that we see in this book. I thought he was all dark and broody, getting drunk in a bar, but he's actually super talkative and almost bubbly, which was a weird adjustment to make in my mind. It jumped in kind of fast into their relationship, I feel like August's feelings on the road trip came out of nowhere. I just went with it, I feel like for this author you just have to go with the flow and don't question things too much.


April 2023: 📚Reread & Audiobook 🎧 

I love Emery so much and I still agree that he deserves the whole world! He's a sweet baby angel. I just wish that August would have gotten it together sooner and stopped overthinking everything. He absolutely adores Emery and I wanted him to just show the world! 

I would say I still think August's feelings were surprising at first, just because they both seemed so different than the when we met them in the last book. This book is hilarious and adorable, and still holds the title of my favorite of the series!

Read if you like: 
• opposites attract 
• hurt/comfort 
• neurodivergent rep

It was kinda weird but I liked it.

March 2023: 📚Reread & Audiobook 🎧 

This is my second read of Whit, and yeah it's still kinda weird and I still like it. It's one of my guilty pleasure series, a little over the top but quick and fun to read. Likable characters and enough plot to keep the story going. 

•minor spoilers• 

Caleb and his cuddles get me every time. He's such a golden retriever in every sense, but he's also just a good person. While Caleb is kind of a pushover, even more for Whit, I do like that he also calls him out when needed. He's absolutely perfect for grumpy ole Whit, as much as he tried to deny it. I wish we got more Whit POVs, but I also liked seeing Caleb chip away at his resolve. Whit and Aunt Del's relationship also warmed my heart, he deserves all the hugs and cuddles he gets! 

I call this series my guilty pleasure books - they're easy to read, have characters I like, and while they aren't the best thing I've ever read, they're super enjoyable. My only complaint is how quickly the resolution was wrapped up. I was actually a little impressed with the conflict scene, I don't remember it being that dramatic but I was hooked, and then after a chapter of sadness it was resolved pretty quickly. 

I really just started this series again because I want to read about Sem and Mag, they're so funny and I'm excited for their audiobook! 

Read if you like: 
• hurt/comfort 
• grumpy/sunshine  
• roommates