5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Format: ebook

“I glanced over my shoulder at this man—this married man and my best friend’s dad—slipping his tongue inside my hole and moaning while he did it.”

What I was expecting: forbidden filth, angst, and secret rendezvous. What we got: that, but also such a beautiful and sweet romance with lots of hurt/comfort aspects.

I loved the equal power exchange between the mmc’s, which you don’t always get in an age gap trope. Abe provided a lot of support for Emery, but Emery also became Abe’s safe space in turn. It didn’t feel like Abe was holding all the cards in the relationship just because he was older. Emery was also very independent and grounded. They didn’t necessarily need each other but they complemented one another well.

The spice was nuclear. They did the forbidden trope justice. Their moments hidden away were so hot. And, please, the role-playing. I was obsessed.

The angst was not part of the relationship at all, but the moments where we did get it, it was rough. This book had me sobbing around 80%. I just love these characters so much and their HEA was hard-fought and deserved.

Tell me which Gianni Holmes book to read next!