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mells_view's review
3.0
Asher was messy, but I didn’t mind getting a little messy sometimes.
This read is a rollercoaster to say the least. I would say it’s a love triangle, but it really isn’t. Teddy has some secrets and they are big. Reggie missed his shot, and Asher is shooting his. It’s a bit angsty and a bit emotional. Sometimes I wasn’t a fan of the writing flow, but in the end I liked the plot/story so much that I forgave the flow and pacing. Definitely plan to check out book two and see how things pan out!!
This read is a rollercoaster to say the least. I would say it’s a love triangle, but it really isn’t. Teddy has some secrets and they are big. Reggie missed his shot, and Asher is shooting his. It’s a bit angsty and a bit emotional. Sometimes I wasn’t a fan of the writing flow, but in the end I liked the plot/story so much that I forgave the flow and pacing. Definitely plan to check out book two and see how things pan out!!
arkwen452's review against another edition
5.0
There were a lot of great things about this book, its honesty, the character growth, the love—and the sex, yet overall, I really liked that the characters were able to remind me of my self, my friends, and parts of college I forgot about.
With the fluidity perspective (which best emulates the social conducts today) on the complicated borders of intimacy and relationships, I found that I was able to enjoy the book and story even more.
Teddy’s character is a seductive, sassy, tough-as-nails, Afro-Latina who is always bluntly honest with the people in her life. Her character takes advantage of each moment, day and breath of freedom she is able to get due to her condition.
Really loved that Teddy doesn’t just talk about the things she wants to do or who she wants to be with and when she wants to be with them. Teddy’s character (unforgivingly, and rightly, so) takes action, fully exercising her right to be explorative and adventurous with her coitus ;-)
Enter, Asher. The tall, tattooed, pieced sk8ter-boy and just as promiscuously amped as Teddy. And let me just tell you, sparks will fly between these two…then the flames from those sparks will ignite and before you know it, you’ll be completely engulfed, but that’s okay. I guarantee you won’t even care that you’re on fire, you’ll just want more. (this analogy got away from me a bit, but who cares?! XD )
The level of intimacy, which grows between Teddy and Asher, in this book is only measured by the level of relatable honesty and authenticity that will make you really connect with these characters. The venerability and fear Teddy shares with the reader—and ultimately Asher (to an extent)—instantly grounds you to her character and it might make you rethink the small gifts of life we might take for granted everyday and it’s humbling.
On a completely random note, I also adored the fact that Teddy’s petite frame constantly came up in the narrative XD. I basically live with a step-stool by my side, so I completely understand her plight. And from the dialect to the parties and the jokes, it kind of felt like I was back in school XD ; I found myself thinking about friends from college (even high school) and how a lot of what happens in this book—the sex, drugs, booze—I experienced or witnessed happen in real life.
Furthermore, I liked watching the slight changes in Asher and Teddy’s characters, as they grew closer to one another, but not dependent on each other. The one thing I will say is that it was heart wrenching and dramatically exciting to see the slips in communication between Asher and Teddy cause such speed bumps in their relationship.
It was like reading a soap opera or watching a Korean drama (with way better character depth) where the two leads were so close to each other, but kept seeming to miss one another. Infusing their unique exuberance into this New Adult/Romance concept, [a:G.L. Tomas|14181072|G.L. Tomas|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1437843063p2/14181072.jpg] have created an emotionally gripping and raw story of life, love, sex, and friends with benefits with an unwavering level of honesty.
The angst level is strong with this one ☺ but Teddy and Asher worked well together as lovers and as friends, and I don’t know what is in store for them in the next book, but I’m so excited to find out.
With the fluidity perspective (which best emulates the social conducts today) on the complicated borders of intimacy and relationships, I found that I was able to enjoy the book and story even more.
Teddy’s character is a seductive, sassy, tough-as-nails, Afro-Latina who is always bluntly honest with the people in her life. Her character takes advantage of each moment, day and breath of freedom she is able to get due to her condition.
Spoiler
As someone who has lost two people to breast cancer in three and a half years, I whole heartedly understand Teddy’s “give no f**ks” attitude and determination to live her life by her own rules as the lymphoma lurks in the shadows, waiting to steal what little control and freedom she has in her life.Really loved that Teddy doesn’t just talk about the things she wants to do or who she wants to be with and when she wants to be with them. Teddy’s character (unforgivingly, and rightly, so) takes action, fully exercising her right to be explorative and adventurous with her coitus ;-)
Enter, Asher. The tall, tattooed, pieced sk8ter-boy and just as promiscuously amped as Teddy. And let me just tell you, sparks will fly between these two…then the flames from those sparks will ignite and before you know it, you’ll be completely engulfed, but that’s okay. I guarantee you won’t even care that you’re on fire, you’ll just want more. (this analogy got away from me a bit, but who cares?! XD )
The level of intimacy, which grows between Teddy and Asher, in this book is only measured by the level of relatable honesty and authenticity that will make you really connect with these characters. The venerability and fear Teddy shares with the reader—and ultimately Asher (to an extent)—instantly grounds you to her character and it might make you rethink the small gifts of life we might take for granted everyday and it’s humbling.
On a completely random note, I also adored the fact that Teddy’s petite frame constantly came up in the narrative XD. I basically live with a step-stool by my side, so I completely understand her plight. And from the dialect to the parties and the jokes, it kind of felt like I was back in school XD ; I found myself thinking about friends from college (even high school) and how a lot of what happens in this book—the sex, drugs, booze—I experienced or witnessed happen in real life.
Furthermore, I liked watching the slight changes in Asher and Teddy’s characters, as they grew closer to one another, but not dependent on each other. The one thing I will say is that it was heart wrenching and dramatically exciting to see the slips in communication between Asher and Teddy cause such speed bumps in their relationship.
It was like reading a soap opera or watching a Korean drama (with way better character depth) where the two leads were so close to each other, but kept seeming to miss one another. Infusing their unique exuberance into this New Adult/Romance concept, [a:G.L. Tomas|14181072|G.L. Tomas|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1437843063p2/14181072.jpg] have created an emotionally gripping and raw story of life, love, sex, and friends with benefits with an unwavering level of honesty.
The angst level is strong with this one ☺ but Teddy and Asher worked well together as lovers and as friends, and I don’t know what is in store for them in the next book, but I’m so excited to find out.
peachani's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Medical content
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
literaturesque's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good!! I loved the chemistry and banter between Teddy and Asher. G.L. Tomas did so well in portraying their romance and how well they worked together and why they were so good as friends and how it built up to be more. Especially in the little things, like how Asher showed interest in her hobbies, her books. He went out to buy from the same authors without being prompt, to see what she saw. How she trusted him enough to tell him the thing about her she hid from everyone else, and was slowly being able to lean on him. And bisexual love interests FTW!
Also, this story felt so real to me? Not to discount other romances as not being real, it just was almost as if I was reading a first account of a romance happening to someone around me, dialogue and all. The use of aave & certain southern dialect was done so well, which attributed to the realness I felt.
The (sort of) love triangle was frustrating because of course I love her with Asher but I could also understand her not wanting to just drop Reggie & his friendship.
I will be continuing to book two right away, I'm not done with these two yet.
Also, this story felt so real to me? Not to discount other romances as not being real, it just was almost as if I was reading a first account of a romance happening to someone around me, dialogue and all. The use of aave & certain southern dialect was done so well, which attributed to the realness I felt.
The (sort of) love triangle was frustrating because of course I love her with Asher but I could also understand her not wanting to just drop Reggie & his friendship.
I will be continuing to book two right away, I'm not done with these two yet.
veganmariposa's review against another edition
4.0
I seem to be having good luck as of late with romance novels. Another win on the book find! Out of all the romance novels I've read, this one is quite different. It's more of a new school younger "hipper" romance. It was a good different from what I'm used to. And honestly for once it wasn't a love triangle I hated. I sat down to read a few chapters then next thing I know it's 5hrs later and I'm closing the book. I couldn't put it down. I really liked Teddy and Asher. Even though I wasn't a fan of his friendship skills with Reggie. I'm a very loyalty driven person so this nagged at me. But hey it's a realistic show of how friends can be. The sex scenes were hot but not overly complicated. The only con I found in the book is how distant the characters seemed to each other at times. They didn't feel as close as they claimed. I liked how the book didn't skim over some of the unpleasant things that deals with Teddy's predicament. Which hit home having a family member with the same problem. The ending broke my heart. I can't leave it as such. I need to get my hands on the second book. I need for there to be a happy ending. Everything miraculously fixes. The great part about this book is the second book was released the same day as the first. That way there is no crazy waiting to get your hands on all the answers. If topics of drugs, mainly weed except for once, bothers you, I'd stay away. They do get high at pretty much every opportunity they can. It's basically what their relationships revolve around. But if that doesn't bother you I'd give this quick entertaining read a try.
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review
melgonzalez's review against another edition
4.0
"I had nightmares with hideous aliens, had nights worse than that one, had been told countless times I didn't respond well to treatments, but none of them put fear in me quite like the sight of a little white room."
It’s about two friends with benefits who are trying to figure out their relationship and their lives and all its complications. Mostly I liked this book. I love G.L. Tomas’ writing and the chemistry between the two main characters was incredible. Also, Teddy was afro-cubana and I loved that we got to see how her heritage intertwined in her every day life and personality and also seeing her dealing with her illness was interesting and heartbreaking. I just couldn’t stand Reggie and every time someone would mention him I would get super angry.
chaolwestfall's review against another edition
4.0
It's honestly refreshing to read New Adult books that are just completely different. Nothing about this was predictable to me, or had any of the usual NA cliches. I kept wondering which direction this novel would go in, and with that cliffhanger at the end I'm still confused as to what will happen next. Anyways, I need y'all to know I LOVE TEDDY AND I'M ROOTING FOR HER SHE GOT THIS!!