Book safety down below.

Man, this book was a pleasant surprise. I never thought it wouldn't be good, but I definitely have some personal hang-ups about books that start with a hookup or a friends with benefits situation. There's just something about the FWB trope that gives me so much anxiety, but the angst was honestly super low.

I think the best way for me to describe this book, is that it's an honest love story. It just felt easy and right, even through the hard parts. It felt natural and real. And good god, it's so nice to read about characters that are emotionally intelligent, honest with themselves and others, and that communicate like proper adults. It shouldn't be as much of a novelty as it is in the romance world, but it really is.

These guys weren't perfect, but they were secure enough in themselves to be vulnerable, and that can really go a long way, even when there's problems (of which there was very few). Tiago and Cas simply talked with each other the whole way. They had honest conversations about sex, friendships, expectations, etc. Of course there was some uncertainty when they realized they had feelings for each other, but even that was eventually communicated about, where as in other books, similar situations have been used to create a cheap plot line that does nothing but annoy the reader. It was wonderfully refreshing.

Another thing I appreciated was that the author showed us how good the MCs were for each other. We got to see them take care of each other in both little and big ways, which at times was very, very cute. Both characters felt like real people. They had some insecurities, and in other ways they were confident. For example, Tiago is a world famous supermodel and is constantly talked about for his looks, but he has severe dyslexia, which is a massive source of insecurity, and has been for over 30 years. Like real people (and onions), there were several different layers to their personalities (add Shrek picture here.)

One of the most interesting things in the book was Tiago's relationship with his twin brother, which was decidedly unhealthy, but evolved into something better during the book. They noticed, talked about and worked on something that didn't work anymore. Not without growing pains, but it wasn't used for cheap drama either.

There is one more thing I wan't to point out, and that is how they deal with and talk about a friend of theirs that passed away. About how people who die 'before their time' are often worshipped, no matter who they were, how they acted and what they were like when alive. They lost someone who was their friend, but he was also a bad person sometimes, and those two things can be hard to reconcile and come to terms with without feeling bad for thinking those things about a dead person. It was an interesting angle to include in the book, but I appreciated it.

I always struggle with giving books star ratings. I feel like a written review is able to tell so much more about any book. I guess I won't give it 5 stars, only because it lacked that something extra that makes me absolutely giddy about certain books, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.

Book safety! Spoilers ahead.

Spoiler

Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: Dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: Versatile. They switch on page.

TW/CW: mentions of death of a friend, mentions of car accident, facial scarring, dyslexia (and discrimination based on it), mentions of MC struggling with food and general discussions about eating disorders, explicit sexual content, side character is the victim of domestic abuse (not on page, but described in retelling), one MC was the victim of revenge porn

Tropes & tags

Spoiler

Age gap, model, handyman, silver fox, small town, learning disability, facial scarring, friends with benefits, fake relationship, paparazzi/news, twins, co-dependency, house renovation

Favorite quotes:

"'Did you go to school here? I don't recognize you.' I snorted. 'I don't mean to be rude, but you graduated before I was born.' He put a hand on his heart, pretending I'd shot him. 'Ouch.'"

"Where was a hole to swollow me when I needed one? Just a teensy tiny sinkhole, a very local one?"

"'Is it that strange that I find you hot? Or is it the age difference that's bothering you?' He frowned. 'Why would that bother me?' 'I don't know, maybe because you think it's creepy when a guy my age hits on you?' His mouth dropped open. 'You're hitting on me?' I chuckled. 'I'll take that as a hint that I need to work on my flirting game.'"

"And as flurries drifted down outside, visible in the moonlight that peaked between the clouds, I held my Cas and dared to dream of a future together, one where I could hold him like this many more nights. [...] One where we'd grow old together. Oh, how my heart ached."