Series Review: Famous on the Internet books 1 and 2 by Alina Popescu
Blurb:
Fighting his relentless love for Trevor, the guy he was raised to consider his brother, has been Tristan’s mission in life.
To distance himself from Trevor, even after discovering they weren’t really related, he left for college at sixteen. Moving into the city, building a new life, and running an anonymous blog about what he considers sick, twisted feelings might make Tristan famous on the Internet, but it isn’t enough to get over his obsession. Every time he goes home, a quick glance at Trevor brings it all flooding back.
When commitment-phobe Trevor announces he’s got a serious boyfriend during one of Tristan’s rare visits home, the adoring kid brother will be forced to run once again. This time, however, Trevor doesn’t stand back and watch him leave.
Instead, he follows him, making it nigh on impossible for Tristan to keep his love a secret for much longer.
5 Stars
Poor Tristan is tormented by his incestuous feelings for his brother, who is actually his stepbrother. But he and Trevor have been raised together from Tristan's birth as siblings and weren't told until they were much older that they were not really related by blood. After graduating high school two years early, Tristan ran away from his family at the age of 16 to attend college and hasn't returned to their small town more than a couple of times a year when he's forced to. He avoids conversing with and as much contact with Trevor as possible. When he returns home for his mother's birthday celebration and is faced with watching Trevor with his new boyfriend, he is heartbroken and leaves for good, but Trevor is persistent and he follows Tristan back to New York.
My heart absolutely broke for both Tristan and Trevor. Although the story is told completely from Tristan's POV and Trevor's feelings are kept quiet vocally, they come through loud and clear in his actions and reactions to Tristan. Both men are tortured by wanting the other and not only thinking the other doesn't reciprocate their feelings, but in Tristan's case it's worse because he fears his family will believe him a deviant for his feelings and disown him.
While my heart definitely broke, Alina made sure to mend it in the end with the beautiful connection between Tristan and Trevor. The chemistry and sexual tension between them was off the charts and the love they felt for each other came off the pages of the book. I absolutely loved this story and my only regret is we didn't get more page time with Tristan and Trevor as a couple. Maybe Ms. Popescu will give them a novella, I mean Christmas is coming up, right?! *hint hint nudge nudge*
Very enjoyable and definitely recommendable!
*copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Blurb:
Famous travel blogger returns home to have his life thrown off balance by his high school crush.
Dante Sandford is at the top of his game. He’s paid to travel the world and share his spicy stories on his blog. He’s still young, gorgeous, and confident. When Dante’s high school reunion knocks on his door, he’s reminded of everything he’s lacking. More so when his old crush, Tommy Clancy, makes a pass at him. Or when the hot romance blows in Dante’s face because of his lifestyle.
Tommy has always been the hottest man in Riverbrook. Possibly the world. He’s stunning, smart, and the kindest soul Dante has ever known. He’s also read Dante’s blog along with all his steamy encounters. No wonder Tommy doesn’t trust Dante for anything more than a casual hookup.
Dante returns to hometown Riverbrook to face his past of bullying and feeling like a misfit. He instead ends up dealing with the reality of being a travel blogger: relationships are close to impossible. That won’t stop Dante from trying to convince Tommy his short-lived flings are not by design.
4 Stars
After not having the easiest high school experience, Dante left his small hometown of Riverbrook and never returned. He is now a successful travel blogger, traveling around the world and sharing his adventures with his many followers on social media. Returning for his high school reunion, he reconnects with his high school crush, Tommy. The two hook up, but things go sour the next day and Dante runs back to his apartment in New York.
This was a easy, fun and sexy read. Dante and Tommy were both likable and they had great chemistry. Although the author doesn't go into great detail, I loved Dante's career. It was fascinating and it sounds like it'd be a lot of fun to do.
The story is well-written and definitely much less angsty than the first story in this series. I thought the progression of Dante and Tommy's relationship moved a bit fast at first, but it eventually worked itself out. I loved Dante's best friends and fellow travel bloggers, Chris and Paul. They were funny and entertaining, as well as a great support system for Dante. This was a sweet little read, filled with high school reminiscing, laughter, fun travel and some steamy sexy times. Very recommendable!
*copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I'm just reading Travel & Spice now after finally getting around to reading Brotherly. I agree with the reviewer, particularly about Brotherly. She really made me feel for Tristan, so much that I was tearing up.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reviewing the series (so far)! I am glad you've enjoyed both books and hope you'll want to read the following ones in the story. Although, I am moving away from bloggers for a while and moving into more visual social media sites :D
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