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The Nerd & the Ex-Con
I catfished my best friend’s Dad in prison.
But he'll never know, right?
Scott
For almost a decade, I've been the secret pen pal of a convict.
My best friend’s father.
All I wanted was to help bridge the gap between father and son.
But the innocent act soon turns into more.
Through our letters I am able to be the brave, confident guy I am in fact, not.
So what if I fibbed a little when I sent him a false photograph of me? And reinvented myself in those letters?
Afterall, what’s the harm when Griff will never be released from prison?
Griff
I spent two decades behind bars, but nothing could have prepared me for Scott.
When I get out on parole, I find the little liar is nothing like he portrayed.
But I’m not mad.
I prefer the hot, stuttering, mess that he is.
Beneath the glasses, braces, and fun size package, he is far from tame when it counts.
I just have one problem.
My relationship with Scottie might thwart my reconciliation with my son.
But how can I choose between them?
One’s my flesh and blood. The other is my heart and soul.
The Nerd & The Ex-Con is a stand-alone M/M romance novel by Gianni Holmes writing as Sage Abbott. Same spice. Less triggers.
But he'll never know, right?
Scott
For almost a decade, I've been the secret pen pal of a convict.
My best friend’s father.
All I wanted was to help bridge the gap between father and son.
But the innocent act soon turns into more.
Through our letters I am able to be the brave, confident guy I am in fact, not.
So what if I fibbed a little when I sent him a false photograph of me? And reinvented myself in those letters?
Afterall, what’s the harm when Griff will never be released from prison?
Griff
I spent two decades behind bars, but nothing could have prepared me for Scott.
When I get out on parole, I find the little liar is nothing like he portrayed.
But I’m not mad.
I prefer the hot, stuttering, mess that he is.
Beneath the glasses, braces, and fun size package, he is far from tame when it counts.
I just have one problem.
My relationship with Scottie might thwart my reconciliation with my son.
But how can I choose between them?
One’s my flesh and blood. The other is my heart and soul.
The Nerd & The Ex-Con is a stand-alone M/M romance novel by Gianni Holmes writing as Sage Abbott. Same spice. Less triggers.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
February 23, 2024
dnf 30%
I don't usually rate dnfs, but the way I was so excited to read it, only for it to end up being terrible
I don't usually rate dnfs, but the way I was so excited to read it, only for it to end up being terrible
February 9, 2024
this was bad but then dude decided to apologize to his abusive ex and i don’t even have a word to describe it
![Profile Image for Lilly [Hiatus due to School] .](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1663899589i/10381707._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
February 11, 2024
The Nerd & the Ex-Con was such a smutty and sweet read. I love stories with ex-cons, but add best friend’s dad trope to the mix? Hell yeah.
Scottie and Griff had an amazing and intense chemistry between them. I loved how they were total opposites but meshed well and perfectly completed one another. I was also a big fan of the size difference and the large age.
I also loved how shy and reserved Scottie was, but in private he allowed himself to be very sexual. Griff created a safe space for him to be open about his sexuality and preferences, never judging him for them. Scottie’s ex did a number on him physically and mentally and that played a role in the shame he carried regarding sex.
Griff was always ready to put Scottie’s needs first and even as a rough and aggressive person he knew when to back off and listen to Scottie. I loved the softness, protectiveness and obsession he had towards Scott.
The fact that we did not get a break up when things came to light was a plus! I was so glad. I loved how they stood firm and wanted to be together no matter what life threw at them.
Griff’s been in prison for almost 18 years for manslaughter, and because he went to prison for so long, he lost contact with his son. He never got to see him grow. In prison, he attempted to keep in contact with him via letters, but his son wanted nothing to do with him. He felt like his father left him behind which led to resentment and anger so I was glad they were able to mend their relationship.
Also the sex! I enjoyed all the steam this story brought and it was a lot.
Overall I enjoyed The Nerd & the Ex-Con, I am so curious about Griff’s boss, hoping he will get his own story.
Scottie and Griff had an amazing and intense chemistry between them. I loved how they were total opposites but meshed well and perfectly completed one another. I was also a big fan of the size difference and the large age.
I also loved how shy and reserved Scottie was, but in private he allowed himself to be very sexual. Griff created a safe space for him to be open about his sexuality and preferences, never judging him for them. Scottie’s ex did a number on him physically and mentally and that played a role in the shame he carried regarding sex.
Griff was always ready to put Scottie’s needs first and even as a rough and aggressive person he knew when to back off and listen to Scottie. I loved the softness, protectiveness and obsession he had towards Scott.
The fact that we did not get a break up when things came to light was a plus! I was so glad. I loved how they stood firm and wanted to be together no matter what life threw at them.
“You’re more than that to me, Griff. I like you a lot. I probably shouldn’t, but I do. You’re warm and protective. You let me be me, and it’s not awkward being with you at all. Most times.”
Griff’s been in prison for almost 18 years for manslaughter, and because he went to prison for so long, he lost contact with his son. He never got to see him grow. In prison, he attempted to keep in contact with him via letters, but his son wanted nothing to do with him. He felt like his father left him behind which led to resentment and anger so I was glad they were able to mend their relationship.
Also the sex! I enjoyed all the steam this story brought and it was a lot.
Overall I enjoyed The Nerd & the Ex-Con, I am so curious about Griff’s boss, hoping he will get his own story.
February 24, 2024
Oh, I loved this so much, I couldn't put it down.
Right away, Scottie and Griff had wonderful chemistry.
Griff has been away in prison for 17 or 18 years, on a life sentence, for murder. We later find out it's because he beat a man to death when he was drunk (and doesn't even remember why they started fighting, which...is really sad when you think about it. A lost life over something so inconsequential) and he gets out after all that time after appealing his case. (What he could appeal when he's guilty, I have no idea. Unless someone made some egregious error during his original trial and that's why. I guess how is not really important to the story).
Griff, we learn, grew up on the streets, so that tells us he's had a hard life, and around when he was 13, he joined a gang. Just the place to foster violence, and it's more understandable how that led to him killing someone.
But then there's Scottie, Griff's son's best friend. Griff's son, Jay, wants nothing to do with him. Not only because he's a murderer, but because of what he did, he's essentially abandoned him for most of his life. And with a junkie mother who died not long after Griff went away, Jay has essentially been alone - except for Scottie - his whole life.
Jay's POV is very understandable to me. He was about 7 or 8 when he went away, and probably what little he knew of his dad before then wasn't great, as he was involved in all sorts of criminal activity. On top of that, imagine having to reconcile the fact that your father is a murderer, that he killed someone by beating them to death.
But Scottie...he's different. He's sweet and kind and wanting to believe the best in people. At first, he messages Griff in prison to try to bridge the gap between father and son, and it just evolves to Scott and Griff exchanging letters over the years and getting to know each other through them over a 7 year period.
Scottie, having grown up being a nerd, being fairly short 5'2", having severe acne in high school and braces as an adult, and especially after having been in an abusive relationship, is very insecure, so he basically catfishes Griff in prison, thinking Griff will never get out (he wasn't supposed to) to see what he actually looks like.
But then Griff shows up on the porch of the house Scottie and Jay are sharing, and it all snowballs from there.
At first Scottie keeps Griff a secret from Jay, because he knows Jay wants nothing to do with him (and when Jay eventually finds out Griff is out of prison, he's proven to be right), but then Scottie and Griff get close in that time and soon after Jay finds out Griff is out of prison, Griff and Scottie start seeing each other.
But given Jay's reaction, they keep it a secret from him for awhile (although sometimes they're out in public and not subtle at all, and I wondered if on one of their dates, Jay would come across them.)
Their chemistry was just SO good and scorching. Their first sex scene together was SO good, like I felt it, the chemistry sizzling off the page. And I just felt the need to fan myself, it was so hot. I love love love when a sex scene can do that, especially because I find it so rare.
I also love big size differences when they come up, and this one didn't disappoint. Scottie is literally described as pint-sized, while Griff is somewhere over 6', has huge muscles, big hands, etc. He's even bigger than Jay, who grew up to be similar in size to his father. Scottie literally only goes up to Griff's chest, well below his chin.
I love that Griff could hurt Scottie, but would never dream of it. He can be a dangerous man, but he isn't with Scottie. Scottie is precious to him, and he'd protect him with his life. That's what I love most about size differences, I think. (Well, also the bigger being able to pick the other up so easily. It makes imagining sex against the wall that much sexier ;)).
There's also the age gap, with Griff being about 19 or so years older, and then the best friend's father element on top of all that - providing some forbidden element to it - just made it all the sexier. It really, combined together, made their chemistry off the charts to me.
I also really loved their romantic connection. Scottie gave Griff a second chance when no one else would. He gave Griff a connection to the outside world when he had no one. And Scott is such a sweet, adorable light to Griff's rough darkness, it makes sense that Griff, who was solidly straight before Scottie, would become attracted to him. And he's just unfailingly kind to him when everyone else has written him off.
Which, understandable. I don't know if I would give a second chance to a man who beat someone to death myself.
But, he gets out on parole, and that's his chance to show he's changed, he's done his time, he's faced consequences, and he's going to be a better man now.
Scottie sees that before anyone else, that he is a better man. Even if he pulls a knife on a date of Scottie's that's being a little too pushy...(which, Scottie can't help but find a little hot even though he knows it's wrong.) But he sees the goodness in him, and he can't help but be as drawn to Griff as Griff is to him.
Hell, Griff even gets out weeks before he tries to go see Jay, and he doesn't have sex with anyone. Before he went to jail, he slept with many women, but now they surprisingly don't do anything for him. Especially after he truly meets Scottie and starts to get to know him.
Also, Griff is this big, intimidating guy, but he treats Scottie so kindly, and is so soft with him. That means so much to Scottie after what he went through with an abusive ex.
Which, there is a part where I'm like "Scottie, what are you doing?" when he feels to need to apologize to his abusive ex for having kind of an "emotional affair" with Griff during their relationship, with his letters to him.
But a guy like David doesn't deserve any apology. If it wasn't that he used as an excuse to beat on Scottie, it would have been something else.
BUT, I guess it kind of made sense for Scottie's character. Because he is so unfailingly kind and wanting to see the good in people, and if he does wrong, he would want to own up to it. With someone who wasn't abusive, I'd say sure, it makes sense, they would deserve an apology.
But with this David guy, it just makes things worse, and puts him in more danger. Abusers won't take an apology to heart, they'll just use it against you to further abuse you. What David does after is evidence of that.
Part of me wanted a little more between Griff and Jay, a little more of their eventual reconciliation, but I ultimately felt how their storyline played out made sense. Jay was so opposed to reconciliation, it made sense that it took a lot to get him to even consider it. I'm just happy it all worked out in the end.
The epilogue was also wonderful and made me so happy. Scottie and Griff got to thrive in their HEA, and I couldn't have asked for anything better than what we got.
I can't wait for Griff's boss's story (who also claimed he was straight, but was with this guy, Tyler, in the epilogue) next. The tiny snippet we got of them made me insanely curious how they got together, so can't wait for that.
Onto the next! 😘
Right away, Scottie and Griff had wonderful chemistry.
Griff has been away in prison for 17 or 18 years, on a life sentence, for murder. We later find out it's because he beat a man to death when he was drunk (and doesn't even remember why they started fighting, which...is really sad when you think about it. A lost life over something so inconsequential) and he gets out after all that time after appealing his case. (What he could appeal when he's guilty, I have no idea. Unless someone made some egregious error during his original trial and that's why. I guess how is not really important to the story).
Griff, we learn, grew up on the streets, so that tells us he's had a hard life, and around when he was 13, he joined a gang. Just the place to foster violence, and it's more understandable how that led to him killing someone.
But then there's Scottie, Griff's son's best friend. Griff's son, Jay, wants nothing to do with him. Not only because he's a murderer, but because of what he did, he's essentially abandoned him for most of his life. And with a junkie mother who died not long after Griff went away, Jay has essentially been alone - except for Scottie - his whole life.
Jay's POV is very understandable to me. He was about 7 or 8 when he went away, and probably what little he knew of his dad before then wasn't great, as he was involved in all sorts of criminal activity. On top of that, imagine having to reconcile the fact that your father is a murderer, that he killed someone by beating them to death.
But Scottie...he's different. He's sweet and kind and wanting to believe the best in people. At first, he messages Griff in prison to try to bridge the gap between father and son, and it just evolves to Scott and Griff exchanging letters over the years and getting to know each other through them over a 7 year period.
Scottie, having grown up being a nerd, being fairly short 5'2", having severe acne in high school and braces as an adult, and especially after having been in an abusive relationship, is very insecure, so he basically catfishes Griff in prison, thinking Griff will never get out (he wasn't supposed to) to see what he actually looks like.
But then Griff shows up on the porch of the house Scottie and Jay are sharing, and it all snowballs from there.
At first Scottie keeps Griff a secret from Jay, because he knows Jay wants nothing to do with him (and when Jay eventually finds out Griff is out of prison, he's proven to be right), but then Scottie and Griff get close in that time and soon after Jay finds out Griff is out of prison, Griff and Scottie start seeing each other.
But given Jay's reaction, they keep it a secret from him for awhile (although sometimes they're out in public and not subtle at all, and I wondered if on one of their dates, Jay would come across them.)
Their chemistry was just SO good and scorching. Their first sex scene together was SO good, like I felt it, the chemistry sizzling off the page. And I just felt the need to fan myself, it was so hot. I love love love when a sex scene can do that, especially because I find it so rare.
I also love big size differences when they come up, and this one didn't disappoint. Scottie is literally described as pint-sized, while Griff is somewhere over 6', has huge muscles, big hands, etc. He's even bigger than Jay, who grew up to be similar in size to his father. Scottie literally only goes up to Griff's chest, well below his chin.
I love that Griff could hurt Scottie, but would never dream of it. He can be a dangerous man, but he isn't with Scottie. Scottie is precious to him, and he'd protect him with his life. That's what I love most about size differences, I think. (Well, also the bigger being able to pick the other up so easily. It makes imagining sex against the wall that much sexier ;)).
There's also the age gap, with Griff being about 19 or so years older, and then the best friend's father element on top of all that - providing some forbidden element to it - just made it all the sexier. It really, combined together, made their chemistry off the charts to me.
I also really loved their romantic connection. Scottie gave Griff a second chance when no one else would. He gave Griff a connection to the outside world when he had no one. And Scott is such a sweet, adorable light to Griff's rough darkness, it makes sense that Griff, who was solidly straight before Scottie, would become attracted to him. And he's just unfailingly kind to him when everyone else has written him off.
Which, understandable. I don't know if I would give a second chance to a man who beat someone to death myself.
But, he gets out on parole, and that's his chance to show he's changed, he's done his time, he's faced consequences, and he's going to be a better man now.
Scottie sees that before anyone else, that he is a better man. Even if he pulls a knife on a date of Scottie's that's being a little too pushy...(which, Scottie can't help but find a little hot even though he knows it's wrong.) But he sees the goodness in him, and he can't help but be as drawn to Griff as Griff is to him.
Hell, Griff even gets out weeks before he tries to go see Jay, and he doesn't have sex with anyone. Before he went to jail, he slept with many women, but now they surprisingly don't do anything for him. Especially after he truly meets Scottie and starts to get to know him.
Also, Griff is this big, intimidating guy, but he treats Scottie so kindly, and is so soft with him. That means so much to Scottie after what he went through with an abusive ex.
Which, there is a part where I'm like "Scottie, what are you doing?" when he feels to need to apologize to his abusive ex for having kind of an "emotional affair" with Griff during their relationship, with his letters to him.
But a guy like David doesn't deserve any apology. If it wasn't that he used as an excuse to beat on Scottie, it would have been something else.
BUT, I guess it kind of made sense for Scottie's character. Because he is so unfailingly kind and wanting to see the good in people, and if he does wrong, he would want to own up to it. With someone who wasn't abusive, I'd say sure, it makes sense, they would deserve an apology.
But with this David guy, it just makes things worse, and puts him in more danger. Abusers won't take an apology to heart, they'll just use it against you to further abuse you. What David does after is evidence of that.
Part of me wanted a little more between Griff and Jay, a little more of their eventual reconciliation, but I ultimately felt how their storyline played out made sense. Jay was so opposed to reconciliation, it made sense that it took a lot to get him to even consider it. I'm just happy it all worked out in the end.
The epilogue was also wonderful and made me so happy. Scottie and Griff got to thrive in their HEA, and I couldn't have asked for anything better than what we got.
I can't wait for Griff's boss's story (who also claimed he was straight, but was with this guy, Tyler, in the epilogue) next. The tiny snippet we got of them made me insanely curious how they got together, so can't wait for that.
Onto the next! 😘
February 6, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
Smutty & sweet was the overall vibe of The Nerd & the Ex-Con.
While I had a fun time, some aspects of Griff and Scott’s relationship pinged my red flag radar.
Which I guess makes sense, Griff isn’t meant to portray a perfect man, but a flawed man trying to better himself and atone for his mistakes. And we can definitely see the changes he makes throughout the story, which in turn made me fall for them, bit by bit.
The smut was great. I love a shy nerd on the streets, but a freak in the sheets. It didn’t feel completely genuine, more like a different person entering the bedroom, but it was still insanely hot. However, you cannot tease me with a DP scene and not show it. I feel robbed.
The hurt/comfort themes mixed with the forbidden aspect are such good tropes, and paired with Sage Abbott’s writing style made this read an entertaining and unstoppable (I kept forgetting to eat, whoops) read, despite my icks.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Physical and emotional abuse
- Physical and sexual harassment
- Attempted SA
- Themes of parental neglect and abandonment
- Size difference
- Opposites attract
- Age gap
- Best friend’s dad
- Queer awakening
- Mild somnophilia (wake up sex)
- Rough sex
- Voyeurism and public sex
- Strict top/bottom
- Panties
- Shurgging (had to google the term for it)
- Spit as lube
- Spanking
«Everything inside of me whispered two words. Ruin him.»
Smutty & sweet was the overall vibe of The Nerd & the Ex-Con.
While I had a fun time, some aspects of Griff and Scott’s relationship pinged my red flag radar.
Which I guess makes sense, Griff isn’t meant to portray a perfect man, but a flawed man trying to better himself and atone for his mistakes. And we can definitely see the changes he makes throughout the story, which in turn made me fall for them, bit by bit.
The smut was great. I love a shy nerd on the streets, but a freak in the sheets. It didn’t feel completely genuine, more like a different person entering the bedroom, but it was still insanely hot. However, you cannot tease me with a DP scene and not show it. I feel robbed.
The hurt/comfort themes mixed with the forbidden aspect are such good tropes, and paired with Sage Abbott’s writing style made this read an entertaining and unstoppable (I kept forgetting to eat, whoops) read, despite my icks.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Physical and emotional abuse
- Physical and sexual harassment
- Attempted SA
- Themes of parental neglect and abandonment
- Size difference
- Opposites attract
- Age gap
- Best friend’s dad
- Queer awakening
- Mild somnophilia (wake up sex)
- Rough sex
- Voyeurism and public sex
- Strict top/bottom
- Panties
- Shurgging (had to google the term for it)
- Spit as lube
- Spanking
July 8, 2024
The Nerd & the Ex-Con is a sweet age-gap forbidden romance between Scottie and his best friend's dad Griff. I love how sweet Scottie and Griff's dynamic is. Griff and Scottie are opposites in personality, which is why they complement one another so easily and make the added complication of Griff's son the only drawback to their amazing connection.
Overall I enjoyed this story. It has many steamy and heartfelt moments peppered throughout and you can see the beautiful connection and devotion between these two. I loved getting to see their story completed and their HEA is perfect!!!
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Overall I enjoyed this story. It has many steamy and heartfelt moments peppered throughout and you can see the beautiful connection and devotion between these two. I loved getting to see their story completed and their HEA is perfect!!!
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
February 29, 2024
This is oddly similar to class act,
The tropes, but the characters aren't, they are completely different.
I was having a fun time reading this except when the miscommunication and misunderstanding scenes happened, oddly enough all 5 of them about cheating,
Just to confirm it they didn't cheat, if they did I would dnf it immediately, but the reader and other mcs being tricked into one of the mc cheating on him is just lazy writing especially when it happens like 5 times in this book.
The tropes, but the characters aren't, they are completely different.
I was having a fun time reading this except when the miscommunication and misunderstanding scenes happened, oddly enough all 5 of them about cheating,
Just to confirm it they didn't cheat, if they did I would dnf it immediately, but the reader and other mcs being tricked into one of the mc cheating on him is just lazy writing especially when it happens like 5 times in this book.
July 4, 2024
I freaking loved this story! This was a serial on Gianni Holmes Patreon (published under Sage Abbott, another pen name of hers) I've been reading chapter by chapter, and I've loved every minute of it! I was so happy with how this turned out. Griff make some bad choices at a younger age and went to prison for years, missing out on raising his son, Jay. Jay wants nothing to do with Griff and never opens any of his letters he gets. Scottie is Jay's best friend. He opens a letter from Griff to Jay and starts replying to them, behind Jay's back. That's how Scottie and Griff start. When Griff unexpectedly gets out of jail years later, it puts Scottie in a predicament. Not only did he lie to Jay, but he told lots of fibs to Griff in his letters, never expecting to meet him in person. Griff wants to reconcile with his son and get to know the real Scottie, but Jay isn't having anything to do with Griff, and Scottie is keeping knowing Griff a secret, creating tension. Griff and Scottie have an undeniable chemistry that's off the charts hot, and they just get hotter as time goes on. Scottie is shy and nerdy, but is a total freak in the sheets, rocking Griffs world. I loved their journey to their HEA. I enjoyed them getting to know each other, falling in love, and dealing with their struggles. As always Gianni/Sage is amazing at her craft. She really knows how to captivate and keep my interest held with her amazing ability to tell a story. I definitely recommend this book, it was a lot of fun to read!
Just reread via audio, and it was awesome! Iggy Toma and Shannon Gunn gave a fantastic performance! They really brought Scotty and Griff to life, just loved it!
Just reread via audio, and it was awesome! Iggy Toma and Shannon Gunn gave a fantastic performance! They really brought Scotty and Griff to life, just loved it!
Read
February 4, 2024- best friend’s dad
- age gap, duh
- pen pals
- bi awakening
- forbidden
Scottie has been penpals with his best friend’s dad Griff, who has been in prison for the last two decades, never expecting him to get out or for the two of them to meet.
Imagine his shock when Griff shows up on his front porch wanting to reconnect with his son and realizes that Scottie may or may not have embellished a few details about himself.
Instead of being mad at Scottie, Griff finds himself very attracted to the small, nervous younger man than the one he portrayed in their emails. He’s never been into men before, but there’s something about Scottie he can’t resist.
I appear to be the minority when it comes to this, but The Nerd & the Ex-Con wasn’t a hit for me. I really wanted to love it because I’m a sucker for forbidden romances and this had a lot of drama on top of that too—which I normally love.
Idk what it was but I just didn’t vibe with the tone/writing style, which made me struggle, but overall I can’t say anything bad about it. It just wasn’t for me 🤷🏻♀️
- age gap, duh
- pen pals
- bi awakening
- forbidden
Scottie has been penpals with his best friend’s dad Griff, who has been in prison for the last two decades, never expecting him to get out or for the two of them to meet.
Imagine his shock when Griff shows up on his front porch wanting to reconnect with his son and realizes that Scottie may or may not have embellished a few details about himself.
Instead of being mad at Scottie, Griff finds himself very attracted to the small, nervous younger man than the one he portrayed in their emails. He’s never been into men before, but there’s something about Scottie he can’t resist.
I appear to be the minority when it comes to this, but The Nerd & the Ex-Con wasn’t a hit for me. I really wanted to love it because I’m a sucker for forbidden romances and this had a lot of drama on top of that too—which I normally love.
Idk what it was but I just didn’t vibe with the tone/writing style, which made me struggle, but overall I can’t say anything bad about it. It just wasn’t for me 🤷🏻♀️
August 26, 2024
Audio - 4 overal
Iggy T. 5 Stars
Shannon G - 3 Stars
Story - 3 Stars
Iggy T. 5 Stars
Shannon G - 3 Stars
Story - 3 Stars
April 23, 2024
On paper, this book should have checked all the marks for me, but execution, I was let down. While the book had a good level of steam, and there were parts that I did enjoy, there were a lot of issues throughout out.
One gripe with this book was the full-on stereotypical portrayal of "The Nerd" (Scott). He wears braces, he's meek and shy, and instead of swearing he uses phrases like "oh snickerdoodle." I found it cringy and annoying.
However, the biggest flaw in the book is when Scott, who was abused by his former partner, meets up with his abuser to apologize to HIS ABUSER. Like WTF? No. Just no.
One gripe with this book was the full-on stereotypical portrayal of "The Nerd" (Scott). He wears braces, he's meek and shy, and instead of swearing he uses phrases like "oh snickerdoodle." I found it cringy and annoying.
However, the biggest flaw in the book is when Scott, who was abused by his former partner, meets up with his abuser to apologize to HIS ABUSER. Like WTF? No. Just no.
February 16, 2024
Unfortunately The nerd and ex-con wasn’t for me, I found it very repetitive and frustrating especially when it came to Scott keeping everything from jay as well as him continuously pushing Jay to forgive his father.
Don’t get me wrong the first few chapters I enjoyed but it went downhill fast after that.
Don’t get me wrong the first few chapters I enjoyed but it went downhill fast after that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2024
This is going to be a DNF for me at 44%. I’m at the part where Scottie and Griff run into Scottie’s ex who is so abundantly evil with insults to Scottie that he is almost a caricature. I can’t see this scenario the way it is written being a happening thing.
It had me pausing in this fairly enjoyable book and I saw I was at 44%. I thought that I was coming to the end of the story. I don’t want to read more of this oddly shaped narrative.
I do like the characters. Scottie is funny and sweet. His euphemisms for cursing had me smiling. I thought it was different that he is very small bodied and there is more than one mention of him being feminized by past exes. He wears pretty panties and I thought that side of him could be explored more, but, at this almost halfway point, it hasn’t been.
Griffin is the usual hunk ex con, always an attractive cliché. He has an air of menace about him for this light story, I thought that was interesting, too, but not sure that I enjoyed it.
I would like to have known a lot more about the seven years of prison letters being exchanged.
It would have helped with relationship depth. That is a long time to have a regular letter exchange.
There is a lot of sex and it is well written.
This is an okay book for the reader who wants to hang in there.
I just checked and thirty-seven chapters plus epilogue is a lot.
That is why there is too much dragging out of the drama plot line and some scenarios seem to be repeated.
It had me pausing in this fairly enjoyable book and I saw I was at 44%. I thought that I was coming to the end of the story. I don’t want to read more of this oddly shaped narrative.
I do like the characters. Scottie is funny and sweet. His euphemisms for cursing had me smiling. I thought it was different that he is very small bodied and there is more than one mention of him being feminized by past exes. He wears pretty panties and I thought that side of him could be explored more, but, at this almost halfway point, it hasn’t been.
Griffin is the usual hunk ex con, always an attractive cliché. He has an air of menace about him for this light story, I thought that was interesting, too, but not sure that I enjoyed it.
I would like to have known a lot more about the seven years of prison letters being exchanged.
It would have helped with relationship depth. That is a long time to have a regular letter exchange.
There is a lot of sex and it is well written.
This is an okay book for the reader who wants to hang in there.
I just checked and thirty-seven chapters plus epilogue is a lot.
That is why there is too much dragging out of the drama plot line and some scenarios seem to be repeated.
February 7, 2024
Oh boy Scottie you are in trouble!!
“I have only one rule in this friendship, Scott. Don’t mention my father. Ever.“
He did worse than that… he wrote to his best friend's father, for years and years.
Now Griff is on parole, and on his doorstep. And maybe Scott may have passed a few lies in his letters… oops.
The title could also be The Liar and the Ex-Con, because the lies told, oh boy.
Without giving the story away, I can say the relationships were quite complicated.
Scott and Jay are best friends, Jay doesn’t know about Griff and Scott, and Scott doesn’t want to be without his best friend. But Griff means everything to him. Jay wants nothing to do with Griff.
There’s also a violent ex.
Let’s just say there’s enough stuff for a 95k book.
Altogether it was a light read, with sweetness and scorching encounters.
It was super entertaining, I read it in one (large) sit, reading alternately between bed, sofa, and chair and only to pause for lunch and dinner.
So yeah I think you can say it was a fascinating story, lol
“I have only one rule in this friendship, Scott. Don’t mention my father. Ever.“
He did worse than that… he wrote to his best friend's father, for years and years.
Now Griff is on parole, and on his doorstep. And maybe Scott may have passed a few lies in his letters… oops.
The title could also be The Liar and the Ex-Con, because the lies told, oh boy.
Without giving the story away, I can say the relationships were quite complicated.
Scott and Jay are best friends, Jay doesn’t know about Griff and Scott, and Scott doesn’t want to be without his best friend. But Griff means everything to him. Jay wants nothing to do with Griff.
There’s also a violent ex.
Let’s just say there’s enough stuff for a 95k book.
Altogether it was a light read, with sweetness and scorching encounters.
It was super entertaining, I read it in one (large) sit, reading alternately between bed, sofa, and chair and only to pause for lunch and dinner.
So yeah I think you can say it was a fascinating story, lol
March 29, 2024
An intriguing concept but lacking in execution.
September 14, 2024
For someone who really likes Gianni Holmes, this was a bit too vanilla for me. 😄 And too long!
It had one of my favourite things though - a convict who goes free and meets the guy he's been pen pals with. I like that.
This book was sweet and sexy, it was a quick read and I liked it, but I can't give it more than 3.75⭐ and I'll round it down. I think it was a bit too long and as much as I liked the main love story, it dragged on and went into illogical territory near the end, but I think it's worth reading.
🟡 Ex convict/son's best friend
🔵 Age gap - about 20 years 25/45
🟣 Instant chemistry, dating in secret, no 3rd act break up
🟢 Abusive ex that's very present in the story
🔵 Gay/Bi awakening
🌶️ Good smut; penetrative, no oral, some rimming, no prepping whatsoever (hello); t/b
So in short, Scottie is a 25 year old guy who lives with his best friend Jay, who's father's been in prison for about 20 years - for murder. Scottie kind of crosses the line and writes to Jay's father which becomes a 7 year long thing where they write to each other and grow pretty close.
When Griff, the convict, goes out for parole, he seeks out Scottie and finds out he's been lying about what he looks like but despite all of that, Griff likes the guy and they really don't take long to get together and start hooking up.
"If he thought an older guy was inappropriate for me, how would he react when he found out I specifically enjoyed licking his father’s popsicle?"
Their chemistry was on point, I liked how they got close and intimate while trying to navigate Griff's relationship to his estranged son. I appreciated the fact they didn't break up when Jay found out about it, but after that boiling point I think the story kind of started dragging out.
Scottie is a character that you either really like or you absolutely don't. I kind of didn't? I don't know, he did some ridiculous things when it comes to his best friend, not to mention his new relationship - Scottie's ex was given way too much importance and Scottie slowly started getting on my nerves for the really naive guy that he was.
First he was hiding his correspondence with Jay's dad, then he was hiding his relationship with him, in the end he was hiding meeting up with the ex. I can forget the first two but the last one just kind of takes the cake.
Griff and Scottie living together should've been the end of it, I think, I didn't need the whole adoption thing and 3 kids after being together for one year? Ouch, a bit too much. I'd much rather hear about them travelling, buying a house and living life.
I did maybe expect a little bit more from this author, but I'm interested in Jay's book now, if he has one.
It had one of my favourite things though - a convict who goes free and meets the guy he's been pen pals with. I like that.
This book was sweet and sexy, it was a quick read and I liked it, but I can't give it more than 3.75⭐ and I'll round it down. I think it was a bit too long and as much as I liked the main love story, it dragged on and went into illogical territory near the end, but I think it's worth reading.
🟡 Ex convict/son's best friend
🔵 Age gap - about 20 years 25/45
🟣 Instant chemistry, dating in secret, no 3rd act break up
🟢 Abusive ex that's very present in the story
🔵 Gay/Bi awakening
🌶️ Good smut; penetrative, no oral, some rimming, no prepping whatsoever (hello); t/b
So in short, Scottie is a 25 year old guy who lives with his best friend Jay, who's father's been in prison for about 20 years - for murder. Scottie kind of crosses the line and writes to Jay's father which becomes a 7 year long thing where they write to each other and grow pretty close.
When Griff, the convict, goes out for parole, he seeks out Scottie and finds out he's been lying about what he looks like but despite all of that, Griff likes the guy and they really don't take long to get together and start hooking up.
"If he thought an older guy was inappropriate for me, how would he react when he found out I specifically enjoyed licking his father’s popsicle?"
Their chemistry was on point, I liked how they got close and intimate while trying to navigate Griff's relationship to his estranged son. I appreciated the fact they didn't break up when Jay found out about it, but after that boiling point I think the story kind of started dragging out.
Scottie is a character that you either really like or you absolutely don't. I kind of didn't? I don't know, he did some ridiculous things when it comes to his best friend, not to mention his new relationship - Scottie's ex was given way too much importance and Scottie slowly started getting on my nerves for the really naive guy that he was.
First he was hiding his correspondence with Jay's dad, then he was hiding his relationship with him, in the end he was hiding meeting up with the ex. I can forget the first two but the last one just kind of takes the cake.
Griff and Scottie living together should've been the end of it, I think, I didn't need the whole adoption thing and 3 kids after being together for one year? Ouch, a bit too much. I'd much rather hear about them travelling, buying a house and living life.
I did maybe expect a little bit more from this author, but I'm interested in Jay's book now, if he has one.
February 8, 2024
3.5 stars
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Under the pen name Sage Abbott, Gianni Holmes brings us a new stand-alone MM romance with her quality steam just less triggers.
I really liked the set-up of this book. Scott reads his best friend's letter that was sent to him by his dad in prison. In hope of reconnecting them, he brings a 7-year-long pen pal relationship with his best friend's dad, Griff. At some point during their correspondence Scott starts to wrap the truth and portrays himself as the man he wishes he was. When Griff is released and shows up on his doorstep, both are surprised. When lies are forgiven, Griff gets to know the real Scott and likes what he sees. While the two get closer, his lies to his best friend keep building until they come to a head.
i really did like our main character, Griff and Scott. I liked their story and their relationship. The steam is quality too but for me personally every time Scott's braces were mentions it made me cringe and some of the dirty talk didn't flow right and were slightly icky to me.
Overall, The Nerd and the Ex Con was a mm romance with high steam, family drama, and forgiveness.
Read
September 17, 2024DNF. I just can’t go on. I started out really liking this, but it’s just making me upset. I don’t want to deal with Scottie’s abusive ex lover so I’m taping out. I checked other reviews (I wish I had before I bought it) and that convinced me to walk away. It’s got over a four point rating so I’m in the minority. This is the second time I read, or in this case tried to read, a book by Gianni Homes. I just don’t think that we’re compatible. 🤷♀️
February 14, 2024
this book was so so good, i couldn’t put it down. Griff and Scottie were so cute together and i loved every second of it. The push and pull and how dirty they both were just made me BLUSHHH
but the real question is, are we getting a Jarrod and Tyler book? you can’t just mention Jarrod being straight and then HIM HAVING A HUSBAND??? we need more details baby
but the real question is, are we getting a Jarrod and Tyler book? you can’t just mention Jarrod being straight and then HIM HAVING A HUSBAND??? we need more details baby
Read
February 25, 2024(DNF@5%) The story summary sounded quite interesting, but yeah, this is not my jam. In the words of the cool kids these days, I'm not vibing with the writing or either of the main characters. And life is just too short to force myself through (another) unreadable story just for the sake of curiosity.
February 11, 2024
3.5 za Scottie'go !!
March 1, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: best friend’s dad, size difference, sexual discovery
I’ve been really excited about this as the tropes and plot seemed very intriguing, and The Nerd & the Ex-Con ended up being a very enjoyable story!
Scottie and Griff had some excellent chemistry and I really liked their dynamic - they were opposites in a lot of way, but managed to easily complement each other. I liked their history as prison pen pals, and even if Scottie hadn’t been completely honest, they still knew things about one another and shared a connection.
I liked how nervous Scottie initially was around Griffin, and it was fun to see their... friendliness turn into more as Griffin found himself being attracted to Scottie. I felt very invested in their relationship, and the tension created from their secret relationship made things interesting. It definitely got steamy between them, and it was great to see how Scottie showed his more uninhibited and wild sides in those scenes.
There was a bit of angst thrown in, as Scottie and Griffin hid their relationship from Jay - Scottie’s best friend and Griffin’s son, but I didn’t find the family drama to be too much, and it was mostly a sweet and steamy read. There were a few aspects of the story that I struggled a bit with, but overall I found it to be a very enjoyable and entertaining story, and I loved the dynamic and chemistry between Scottie and Griffin!
-
Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy. These are my own honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: best friend’s dad, size difference, sexual discovery
I’ve been really excited about this as the tropes and plot seemed very intriguing, and The Nerd & the Ex-Con ended up being a very enjoyable story!
Scottie and Griff had some excellent chemistry and I really liked their dynamic - they were opposites in a lot of way, but managed to easily complement each other. I liked their history as prison pen pals, and even if Scottie hadn’t been completely honest, they still knew things about one another and shared a connection.
I liked how nervous Scottie initially was around Griffin, and it was fun to see their... friendliness turn into more as Griffin found himself being attracted to Scottie. I felt very invested in their relationship, and the tension created from their secret relationship made things interesting. It definitely got steamy between them, and it was great to see how Scottie showed his more uninhibited and wild sides in those scenes.
There was a bit of angst thrown in, as Scottie and Griffin hid their relationship from Jay - Scottie’s best friend and Griffin’s son, but I didn’t find the family drama to be too much, and it was mostly a sweet and steamy read. There were a few aspects of the story that I struggled a bit with, but overall I found it to be a very enjoyable and entertaining story, and I loved the dynamic and chemistry between Scottie and Griffin!
-
Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy. These are my own honest thoughts and opinions.
July 9, 2024
Dnf @ 30ish %. Should have read the reviews first.
February 12, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
The Nerd & the Ex-Con is an age gap, best-friend’s dad story featuring an ex-con and a geeky hero who is wild between the sheets. There were some elements here that I enjoyed and I think the writing is fine overall, but there were also places where I really struggled this one. On the plus side, I appreciated that we see Scott as a multi-dimensional character who is very reserved publicly (he uses exclamations like “Butterscotch!” and “Snickerdoodle” rather than swearing). But at the same time, he enjoys much more wild abandon in his sex life. I liked that we see Griff encourage Scott not to be embarrassed about his desires and Scott has a nice progression where he becomes more comfortable owning his sexuality. I also think it’s nice that the story doesn’t stigmatize Griff for his time in jail and he gets generally positive acceptance from folks. There are some sweet and playful moments between Scott and Griff and for folks who like a lot of sex content in their stories, there is plenty here to enjoy.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
The Nerd & the Ex-Con is an age gap, best-friend’s dad story featuring an ex-con and a geeky hero who is wild between the sheets. There were some elements here that I enjoyed and I think the writing is fine overall, but there were also places where I really struggled this one. On the plus side, I appreciated that we see Scott as a multi-dimensional character who is very reserved publicly (he uses exclamations like “Butterscotch!” and “Snickerdoodle” rather than swearing). But at the same time, he enjoys much more wild abandon in his sex life. I liked that we see Griff encourage Scott not to be embarrassed about his desires and Scott has a nice progression where he becomes more comfortable owning his sexuality. I also think it’s nice that the story doesn’t stigmatize Griff for his time in jail and he gets generally positive acceptance from folks. There are some sweet and playful moments between Scott and Griff and for folks who like a lot of sex content in their stories, there is plenty here to enjoy.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
February 12, 2024
3.5
Contained the tropes that I’ve always adored so it wasn’t hard to grab this one.
Enjoyed these two characters and how they fit so well together.
I wish we could have gotten a little more of the relationship growth between Griff and his son.
Definitely enjoyed the steam in this book, so darn HOT …🔥🔥
And while the story was enjoyable enough, I cannot help but feel it wasn’t this author’s best work.
Contained the tropes that I’ve always adored so it wasn’t hard to grab this one.
Enjoyed these two characters and how they fit so well together.
I wish we could have gotten a little more of the relationship growth between Griff and his son.
Definitely enjoyed the steam in this book, so darn HOT …🔥🔥
And while the story was enjoyable enough, I cannot help but feel it wasn’t this author’s best work.
February 1, 2024
5/5. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Content Warnings for book: Mentions of drug use and overdose, parental neglect, physical and sexual harassment (not between MCs), physical and emotional abuse (not between MCs), catfishing via letters, minor car accident
Kink: D/s dynamics, lace and lingerie, exhibitionism, light pain play, choking, orgasm denial, CNC, spanking, dirty talk, somnophilia
[This is an ARC review.]
You know the meme of “an anxious, quiet guy who unleashes filthy things when in bed?” — that’s Scottie, and it’s great here.
I really enjoyed the romance between Scott and Griff. It has all my favorite things — age gap, size difference, protectiveness, sweetness, hurt/comfort. Even when the two of them tried to stay apart, it never worked because they were meant to be. I loved how Griff was possessive, the way he really was able to figure Scottie out and all the “what are you looking at?” he said to nosy people made me laugh. Seriously, their relationship was great and reminded me why I read the books this author puts out.
I continue to love Holmes’ (Sage Abbott is a pen name for Gianni Holmes) writing. It’s evocative, wonderfully descriptive, and easily communicates emotion and the different between two POVs. I loved that date at the park, I could really imagine it in my mind! She also just writes a lot of my favorite types of pairings so that helps too!
For the other drama — Jay, David — there was certainly tension and even a few tears for me. I wanted for those who deserved it (David) to get knocked down and for Jay and Griff to repair their relationship. I felt it was realistic how Holmes depicted that journey between them throughout the book, as you can’t just blink and pretend everything is fixed. I was biting my nails at when Jay would realize Scottie was with Griff. This is where the majority of the angst comes from, but it’s not overwhelming. There was some drama I wanted to shake my kindle at but we got through it!
Also, can I hear more about Jarrod and Tyler??? Please and thank you!
Overall, I highly recommend this read!
Content Warnings for book: Mentions of drug use and overdose, parental neglect, physical and sexual harassment (not between MCs), physical and emotional abuse (not between MCs), catfishing via letters, minor car accident
Kink: D/s dynamics, lace and lingerie, exhibitionism, light pain play, choking, orgasm denial, CNC, spanking, dirty talk, somnophilia
[This is an ARC review.]
You know the meme of “an anxious, quiet guy who unleashes filthy things when in bed?” — that’s Scottie, and it’s great here.
I really enjoyed the romance between Scott and Griff. It has all my favorite things — age gap, size difference, protectiveness, sweetness, hurt/comfort. Even when the two of them tried to stay apart, it never worked because they were meant to be. I loved how Griff was possessive, the way he really was able to figure Scottie out and all the “what are you looking at?” he said to nosy people made me laugh. Seriously, their relationship was great and reminded me why I read the books this author puts out.
I continue to love Holmes’ (Sage Abbott is a pen name for Gianni Holmes) writing. It’s evocative, wonderfully descriptive, and easily communicates emotion and the different between two POVs. I loved that date at the park, I could really imagine it in my mind! She also just writes a lot of my favorite types of pairings so that helps too!
For the other drama — Jay, David — there was certainly tension and even a few tears for me. I wanted for those who deserved it (David) to get knocked down and for Jay and Griff to repair their relationship. I felt it was realistic how Holmes depicted that journey between them throughout the book, as you can’t just blink and pretend everything is fixed. I was biting my nails at when Jay would realize Scottie was with Griff. This is where the majority of the angst comes from, but it’s not overwhelming. There was some drama I wanted to shake my kindle at but we got through it!
Also, can I hear more about Jarrod and Tyler??? Please and thank you!
Overall, I highly recommend this read!
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 10, 2024DNF @ 17%. I think I will be adding Gianni Holmes/Sage Abbot to my Do Not Read(DNR) author shelf that I have yet to make 😂 I should’ve known this was not going to be for me, because I have DNFed a book by this author, under their other pen name that had the same premise. I did not realize that it was the same author writing under a new name. I really thought I was gonna like this book but there was just something about it that I did not like. I think a big part of it is how Scotty says he is Jay’s best friend yet he’s been keeping his giant secret for seven years. I don’t know just not in the mood for it or for this author anymore, I don’t think.
February 15, 2024
Torn on 3 or 4 stars so let’s go with 4 for now because I’m a sucker for a happy lil famfam. The beginning went from 0 to 100 so fast though I almost put this thing down for good, but in the end I was not mad that I didn’t. Was worth the ride in the end.
May 30, 2024
4 stars
This was my first book by this author and I have to say I enjoyed it.
Scott and Griff are the MCs, but this story involves Jay too and I liked how the author expressed everyone's feelings: Griff's attraction, love and appreciation towards Scott; Scott's happiness because he finally found somone who respected him and loved him the right way; their guilt towards Jay, Griff's because he ruined his life and Scott's because he kept hiding the truth from his best friend; Jay's rage and resentment towards his father and his disappointment and sense of betrayal towards Scott.
All their feelings are valid and I liked how the author gave importance to all of them (even if we don't get Jay's POV).
The sex scenes were very steamy, but I'm not very fond of sex n public spaces.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
The build up of Griff and Scott's relationship is skipped: we know that Scott reached out to his best friend's father but after that, the story jumps immediately to the day Griff shows up at their door. It would have been nice to know more.
The author kept changing the timeline and that was very frustrating: Griff says Scott wrote to him for 7 years, then for 10, then for 9, and finally for 7 years again; Griff says he has been in prison for 17 years, for 18 years and for 15 years.
Scott's decision to apologise to David wasn't the smartest decision and I think it was a little unbelievable that he decided to meet him safely in a public place, but then he parked his car in the underground parking garage.
The epilogue is very beautiful and I loved how they all became a loving family.
This was my first book by this author and I have to say I enjoyed it.
Scott and Griff are the MCs, but this story involves Jay too and I liked how the author expressed everyone's feelings: Griff's attraction, love and appreciation towards Scott; Scott's happiness because he finally found somone who respected him and loved him the right way; their guilt towards Jay, Griff's because he ruined his life and Scott's because he kept hiding the truth from his best friend; Jay's rage and resentment towards his father and his disappointment and sense of betrayal towards Scott.
All their feelings are valid and I liked how the author gave importance to all of them (even if we don't get Jay's POV).
The sex scenes were very steamy, but I'm not very fond of sex n public spaces.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
The build up of Griff and Scott's relationship is skipped: we know that Scott reached out to his best friend's father but after that, the story jumps immediately to the day Griff shows up at their door. It would have been nice to know more.
The author kept changing the timeline and that was very frustrating: Griff says Scott wrote to him for 7 years, then for 10, then for 9, and finally for 7 years again; Griff says he has been in prison for 17 years, for 18 years and for 15 years.
Scott's decision to apologise to David wasn't the smartest decision and I think it was a little unbelievable that he decided to meet him safely in a public place, but then he parked his car in the underground parking garage.
The epilogue is very beautiful and I loved how they all became a loving family.
Shelved as 'never-finished'
February 10, 2024DNF @66% pg247
I need to stop picking up books based on out of context quotes... I feel like I've already DNF more this year alone then I have in ages. But I was swept up with the concept and tropes, it started of interesting enough and the spicy scenes are great.
However I sadly couldn't get over the deception with his supposed best friend, it was constantly mentioned how important Jay is and yet there wasn't much attempt to stop thing between them. Also Griff wanting a relationship with his son but is sleeping with his best friend, continuing to try and lie even when Jay finds out.
Just found it hard to like Griff & Scottie outside of their steamy encounters, the attraction and maybe it's because awhile they've been speaking to each other for 8 years. Don't get to see the build up or those messages, so it felt lacking.
Also I think maybe the authors writing style doesn't work for me as been hit or miss, either loved or DNF what read from their other pen name - Gianni Holmes.
So it's very much a case of simply not for me and I'm slumping hard at the moment, finding anything to grab me so the fact I got this far in the read means it must have something gripping about it.
But I'm not invested in them and like they both knew it would hurt Jay, so Scottie getting upset and surprised like... Just very silly/simple in parts.
I need to stop picking up books based on out of context quotes... I feel like I've already DNF more this year alone then I have in ages. But I was swept up with the concept and tropes, it started of interesting enough and the spicy scenes are great.
However I sadly couldn't get over the deception with his supposed best friend, it was constantly mentioned how important Jay is and yet there wasn't much attempt to stop thing between them. Also Griff wanting a relationship with his son but is sleeping with his best friend, continuing to try and lie even when Jay finds out.
Just found it hard to like Griff & Scottie outside of their steamy encounters, the attraction and maybe it's because awhile they've been speaking to each other for 8 years. Don't get to see the build up or those messages, so it felt lacking.
Also I think maybe the authors writing style doesn't work for me as been hit or miss, either loved or DNF what read from their other pen name - Gianni Holmes.
So it's very much a case of simply not for me and I'm slumping hard at the moment, finding anything to grab me so the fact I got this far in the read means it must have something gripping about it.
But I'm not invested in them and like they both knew it would hurt Jay, so Scottie getting upset and surprised like... Just very silly/simple in parts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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