Review Tour ~ Fling: A Nothing Serious Novel by Baylin Crow (Excerpt + Giveaway)
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Buy Link
Length: 275 pages approx.
Cover Design: Baylin Crow
Blurb
HAYDEN: I don't remember a time when I didn't love him.
The only guy I've ever wanted sees me as nothing more than the kid next door and his younger sister's best friend. But when Dean comes home after college graduation, things are different. I've grown up, and the way his golden-brown gaze scorches a path over my body tells me he's noticed. When he makes me an offer I should refuse, I'm caught between my feelings for him and logic screaming that this idea is doomed to end in heartbreak.
DEAN: I'm not interested in anything serious but I need to have him.
I plan on spending a few months at home relaxing before beginning my dream internship. What I don't count on is my little sister's best friend sending me for a loop. He should be off-limits, but the pull I feel toward him is too strong to ignore. When I come up with a solution to spend the summer together in secret, I'm sure I have it all figured out. I just need to work him out of my system.
It's supposed to be free of complications...a fling. By the end of summer, it's anything but simple.
4.5 Stars!
A great intro to this author. Sweet YA tale that ends in my kind of HEA. And, I think there's more of the series to come soon.
This was a lovely read, that whilst it's been done time and time again, never gets old if done well, and this is done pretty perfectly.
It does mirror the blurb and what I liked most about it is that it felt natural and as if you could see this happening IRL. I loved that there wasn't any faux angst for the sake of angst, that neither of the guys were the scoring points type, and that the sex scenes in this were a perfect mix of sweet, sexy, innocent and loving.
In addition to the leads, there was a pretty great supporting cast and hints of a romance for more than a couple of characters. Plus, hints of a past something-or-other shared by a couple of other characters, that I'm hoping will get explored in the next in this series. The only reason it loses a 0.5 Stars for me is that the ending could've been a little more icing-on-the-cake-with-a-cherry-on-top, but that's me being greedy as I liked the tale and the guys so much.
I'm a pretty tough reader and reviewer, but this book was nicely done without any tropes, without trying too hard to fit in with what's supposedly current in MM, and it felt organic. I really enjoyed it.
ARC courtesy of the author and SignalBoost Promotions, for my reading pleasure.
This was a lovely read, that whilst it's been done time and time again, never gets old if done well, and this is done pretty perfectly.
It does mirror the blurb and what I liked most about it is that it felt natural and as if you could see this happening IRL. I loved that there wasn't any faux angst for the sake of angst, that neither of the guys were the scoring points type, and that the sex scenes in this were a perfect mix of sweet, sexy, innocent and loving.
In addition to the leads, there was a pretty great supporting cast and hints of a romance for more than a couple of characters. Plus, hints of a past something-or-other shared by a couple of other characters, that I'm hoping will get explored in the next in this series. The only reason it loses a 0.5 Stars for me is that the ending could've been a little more icing-on-the-cake-with-a-cherry-on-top, but that's me being greedy as I liked the tale and the guys so much.
I'm a pretty tough reader and reviewer, but this book was nicely done without any tropes, without trying too hard to fit in with what's supposedly current in MM, and it felt organic. I really enjoyed it.
ARC courtesy of the author and SignalBoost Promotions, for my reading pleasure.
4.5 Stars
I really do love a best friend's brother, and unrequited love book, especially when you throw a first-time experience into the mix. This book covers quite a bit of ground between the two guys over a summer vacation, where Dean just finished college and Hayden is about to leave for college. There are all kinds of heat and sexy situations these guys get into in this book. The tension-filled lead up to the “no-strings romance” between Dean and Hayden is ridiculous in a super-hot slow burning way. And when they do get together it is off the charts smoking HOT.
Hayden is super cute in an adorably nerdy type way, who has been in love with his best friend’s older brother Dean for years. Dean is kind of a dumbass who swears he will never be in a relationship and will stay single forever. Hahaha. Little does he know that once he sees how grown up and HOT Hayden has become all bets are off. They really can’t get enough of each other and the only people they are fooling with their no-strings arrangement is themselves. Dean's sister was a little annoying to me being all up in their business, but I liked that even though Dean was her brother, she fully had Hayden’s back at all times. Dean's conflicted feelings are a little over the top but when you learn the reasoning behind it, it all starts to make some sense. I would also really like to see Levi and Nico get a book too. Please!! That would be awesome they were both cute secondary characters in this one.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
October 17 - My Book Filled Life, October 19 - Making It Happen, October 24 - Megan's Media Melange, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, October 26 - Mirrigold, Amy's MM Romance Reviews, Lillian Francis, BooksLaidBareBoys
Excerpt
The cool liquid slid down my parched throat as I downed every drop before refilling it. The second disappeared just as quickly and I set the empty glass in the sink. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I turned to go back upstairs. As I passed through the large foyer, a sound caught my attention and I froze. Keys jingled. Then the lock on the front door clicked once more and the door swung open revealing Dean with a large gym bag slung over his shoulder. He wasn’t supposed to be home until the next day and judging by his wide-eyed stare, he wasn’t expecting to run into me either.
“Hi,” I squeaked, while frozen in place.
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft snick before re-locking it. “If it wasn’t for the glasses and dark hair, I wouldn’t even recognize you.” He kept his voice low. I’d finally hit a major growth spurt over the last year and had put on enough weight that I didn’t resemble a beanpole. “What are you doing here in the middle of the night, Hayden?” His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Sleeping. I got up for a glass of water.” He paused and his lips flattened into a thin line so I hurried on. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow.”
“I decided to go ahead and make the drive and got a flat for my trouble. Otherwise, I would have been here earlier.” He said with a tired sigh. “It’s good and weird to see you.” His gaze scanned the length of my body and chills raced over my skin.
When I couldn’t find my voice, he adjusted the strap on his shoulder. “I’m beat so I’m going to head to bed. I’ll grab the rest of my things tomorrow.”
I nodded and followed behind him up the stairs. Halfway up, he glanced over his shoulder with a frown but kept going. “Aren’t you headed in the wrong direction?”
“No, I’m staying the night.” Didn’t I already say that? When I paused outside Reese’s room, Dean’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“You’re staying in Reese’s room? I mean, I always thought you two would end up together.”
Why would he think that? Reese had to have told him I came out earlier this year. “We’re not.”
If he heard me, he didn’t acknowledge what I said. “Does Mom know you’re having sleepovers though? Like in the same room?” He didn’t let me respond. Again. “And I’m assuming in the same bed.”
I couldn’t wrap my head around why he was worried. Dean continued his whispered rant, and without thinking, I stepped into his personal space and slapped my hand over his mouth.
The impulsive action seemed to startle us both. His eyes grew wide and he froze.
I couldn’t believe I’d just done that, but he wouldn’t listen. I held eye contact. “Shh.”
Dean didn’t remove my hand, and I wasn’t sure he’d let me finish if I moved it so I kept it there. “Reese and I aren’t together. I’m gay.” He cocked his head and seemed to study me. How could he not know? “She didn’t tell you?”
When he shook his head, I became aware of his soft lips against my palm. His breaths tickled the sensitive flesh and I realized my gaze had locked onto that connection. Clearing my throat, I ripped my hand away.
As I waited for his reaction, I pushed my glasses up my nose in a nervous tic I wished I could kick.
Dean’s gaze roamed the length of my body, making my breathing race in and out of my lungs. His gaze seemed to caress my skin causing butterflies to take flight in my stomach while long, tan fingers rubbed his squared chin. And unless I was imagining things, his pupils had dilated. “How did I not know?”
It was the same question I’d been asking myself. Their mom knew, so why hadn’t Reese told him? “I only came out this year and I don’t advertise it. But I don’t hide it either.”
Having no idea what he’d think, I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted my chin while repressing the desire to flee into Reese’s room.
“Calm down, I get it.” Dean held his hands up in surrender. Just as he opened his mouth to continue, a loud chime cut into our whispered conversation.
“Shit.” He scrambled to pull the phone from his pocket and silenced it. His gaze shot from one end of the hallway to the other as if searching for any sign of someone being woken up. Glancing down at the screen, he scowled.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my arms loosening and falling to my sides.
Dean’s gaze held mine, pausing long enough that I thought he wouldn’t answer my question.
He stood straight so I mimicked his posture. “Someone I used to date.” He grimaced as if the word left a sour taste in his mouth that rivaled the pit developing in my stomach. I didn’t want to hear this. “Well not date exactly. His name was Brady.” He cocked a brow with a shameless grin.
His words took a minute to process and even when it registered, my shock held me mute. Unfortunately it didn’t hinder my jaw from dropping.
“Oh.” Brilliant response, Hayden.
“Oh?” He snickered. “I guess my baby sister didn’t divulge my sordid secret either? Well, it seems we’ve both had a big year. Honestly, I wasn’t positive I was bi until a few years ago, but it turns out I have a thing for both.” He shrugged, pressed the side button on his phone, and then stuffed it back in his pocket. “This guy, he’s a clinger. I told him I wasn’t looking for anything serious, but I guess he refuses to accept it.”
Offering a weak smile, I attempted to hide the disappointment weighing me down. The blasé way he spoke about hookups made my chest ache. Dean hadn’t changed at all. Not that I’d expected him to or had a right to wish it. “The downside of playing the field,” I managed to make it sound like a joke.
He chuckled. “I guess. Well, I’m going to go…” He hitched his thumb over his back toward his room and turned to go. Rooted to the spot, I stared long after his door closed behind him.
Who am I? Well, I live in Texas where the heat and I don't get along. One day I hope to call Northeast USA home. I'm a wife and mother of 2 ridiculously cute kids. I have 2 dogs and 1 cat, the latter of which is a spoiled brat, but she's my spoiled brat. ❤
I fell in love with writing during elementary school with my first "bare book". And only within the last few years have I been able to try my hand at it as a career (which I have high hopes for btw!).
Spending the day under a fluffy blanket reading or writing away on my laptop with a mountain of coffee is my idea of time well spent. I get to live so many lives through books that I consider myself genuinely lucky to call myself an avid reader.
That's me in a nutshell. I hope I'm finding my place among like-minded people. ❤❤❤ And I hope you'll enjoy reading the stories I write.
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