4.5 Stars
I purchased this book the day it came out because it was co-authored by two of my faves for M/M and M/F romances. I decided to move it to the top of my TBR list, though, because I recently finished bingeing Schitt’s Creek and I was searching for something to fill the David Rose/Patrick Brewer-shaped hole in my heart. Did this novel do the trick? Not quite, although I think it’s going to be nearly impossible to fill those shoes (they <i>are</i> simply the best, after all) I did thoroughly enjoy this story! It was the perfect escape that provided many swoon-worthy and steamy moments. I devoured the book in just a few sittings.
I loved the setup for this one. Mark Banks - Mr. Play-It-Safe, recently divorced, single dad - is having a hard time accepting his baby sister’s recent engagement and pregnancy announcement. He’s spent his whole life looking out for her and he can’t shake the feeling that she’s headed toward disaster. The night before her engagement party, fueled by a bottle of single-malt scotch, he unleashes a string of drunken texts telling her exactly how he feels. The problem? He not only texted his sister but he accidentally replied to the thread that included her groom-to-be and his infuriatingly sexy wingman - where he actually used the term “super hot wingman” to describe the enigmatic Asher St. James. Mark turns up at the engagement party the next night, ready to eat crow and apologize. It’s here, however, where his sister and her fiancé name Mark and Asher as their best men and ask them to head to Miami ahead of their destination wedding to make sure everything is in order. Will these two be able to fight their mutual attraction when they’re forced to spend 3 nights together in a very small guesthouse in sultry, steamy Miami?
Mark and Asher were very much in the “enemies” category when we first met them. More so driven by Mark and his inconvenient attraction to Asher, the pro-soccer player turned photographer who lives a more lavish life than Mark and his Wall Street/single dad life. Asher’s “up for anything” attitude was a nice contrast to Mark’s buttoned-up existence. They played off one another well and I loved the way they sparred. Their chemistry was ridiculously hot, though, there was no shortage of bits that’ll make you a little hot around the collar. The story was relatively low angst but there were some spots that tugged at my heartstrings. I loved seeing these two men fall for one another.
As I mentioned, I was searching for something to fill the void left by the epicness that was Schitt’s Creek when I decided to read this. Reading this book helped a little but there was one similarity to Schitt’s Creek that I would like to point out because it’s one of the things that made that show so special - it made my heart happy to see the absence of homophobia in this book. Mark was bi-sexual and up until his relationship with Asher, he’d only really had relationships with women but his sexuality was never an issue for anyone and I loved that. I know it’s not the reality for many people but it is refreshing to read stories that support the fact that love is love, whatever shape or form it happens to come in. So, thank you Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely for that. And I hope that these authors decide to write together again because this book was a lot of fun!
P.S. I kind of went out of order and read this book before reading the prequel novella, Super Hot Wingman. I had forgotten about the novella until I saw it on my kindle when I was finished with The Best Men. If you wanted to see what led up to Mark’s drunken text rant, be sure to check that out! It’s a quick read and meant to be read ahead of this book but it was kind of fun to go back afterward to where it all started.
The Best Men
4.5 | 3,207 ratings
Price: 17.46
Last update: 09-07-2024
About this item
Top reviews from the United States
The Book Boyfriend Addict
Full of steam and swoon in this delightful M/M romance
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2022
Michelle
Loved Asher and Mark
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2023
Amanda Brooks
4.7 Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Vanessa Booked Up
5 DELICIOUS STARS!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2022
Vanessa Booked Up
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2022
It has been years since I read either one of these authors. But from the moment I first came across the blurb for this book, I was intrigued. I loved the dynamic of two best men at a wedding, with the whole enemies-to-lovers vibe going. But then once I read the book, I realized it was SO MUCH BETTER!! Mark is a nerdy, single dad, finance guy who's a control freak and totally colors inside the lines ONLY! And Asher is an ex-Premier League soccer player who travels the world as a photographer now. They couldn't be more different.
So, I assumed from the blurb that this was going to be a super hot surface read about two frenemies hooking up during a wedding weekend and it was those things. But, it was also SO MUCH MORE!!! People, this book is up there with Heated Rivalry which is one of my top fave M/M reads ever!! This isn't a surface read at all. It had ALL THE FEELS!!
Finally he’s here, and I’m pulling him into my arms. His bag hits the floor with a slap, and we kiss like we haven’t seen each other in a year instead of a month.
“I love you,” he says against my lips.
“I love you more.”
In addition to being a story about two men who are hot for each other sharing one hot weekend in Miami, it's also about long distance relationships, and once-in-a-lifetime love stories.
And the best part? There was no dumb drama, no fourth quarter misunderstandings.. just an epic romance and a fantastic book! The first three quarters or so takes place in Miami during their wedding weekend in June. And it was the perfect, fun read to cozy up with in the dead of January when we have 6 inches of snow on the ground right now. It was also hot sultry nights and beach, clubs, and OMG the steam!!
These two ere SCORCHING!! They had a kink spreadsheet.. and, let me tell you, I will never look at Excel the same way again! ;)
Loved it so much and I highly recommend this book to all lovers of M/M romance!
“Is this on your spreadsheet?”
“What?” I ask, still a little dazed from everything.
“Asking me to be your boyfriend?” he goads.
“You’re such an arrogant pr!@k.”
“But now I’m your arrogant pr!@k.”
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