Pretty Boy

The Beginning of Always #1.5

by E.M. Lindsey

One question: and Victor is ready to ask it.
One answer: and Oliver has been dying to give it.
One summer day: and that’s the start of their forever.

For Victor and Oliver, they’ve always known where they were going, it was just going to take them time to get there. Their story didn’t stop with The End. That was merely a pause.

Victor is ready to share the rest of his life with his angel, and Oliver is ready to call his pretty boy his husband. And even with a series of mishaps, injuries, wedding panic, and old friends returning, not a single thing can stop them from reaching that altar.

Nothing about them has ever been traditional, and that’s how it goes for Victor and Oliver’s Happily Ever After.

Pretty Boy is an epilogue novel with heavy swoon, a dollop of spice, a hint of angst, a sprinkle of sweet, found family, plenty of silk and lace, spring flowers, summer nights, and a future Oliver and Victor had only ever dreamed was possible.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Novella, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer, Disability

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2024

About the author

E.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.

EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.

Reviews

[patrícia · Rating 4 out of 5]

‼️‼️swoon fest‼️‼️

This novella is an extended epilogue of Halo—Victor and Oliver’s story—which means it’s pure swoon, lame fest from start to finish. Imagine Oliver going into a full wedding planning mood? Simple as that.I didn’t know I needed more, but I totally did🥰

But besides the swoon fest, we also get to see the other side of their relationship, we get to see Victor struggles with his disability, we see a completely different side of confident Oliver, with doubts and constant need of reassurance, and it makes this more real, not just a happy wedding epilogue! And let me tell you, they “ride” like all the time .🔥🥵

Victor took Oliver’s hand in his own, lifting it to his lips. He kissed the tip of each finger, then his palm, his wrist, his knuckles. He never once broke eye contact. “I am so in love with you, husband.”
Oliver almost fainted. The word hit him in the heart and sent blood rushing everywhere too fast. “Husband,” he murmured back. Not almost-husband, because Victor was already his in every sense of the word except on paper, and that was about to change.
“Let’s go, angel,” Victor said.
And then it was time.

While this book is about Victor and Oliver and marked as 1.5 in the series, a little warning about the reading order would have been nice—since it takes place after Book 2, because here Emil and Renzo are already a couple and engaged, but we haven’t actually read their story yet.

[Ellie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the perfect epilogue for Victor and Oliver 🥹 They’re still so much in love, I can’t. I swooned too many times! It was a sweet, cute, adorable and hawt 🔥 epilogue 🥰

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alls Well That ………

This is a fabulous follow up on Victor and Oliver’s relationship which began in ‘Halo’ and left us with them saying goodbye.

However, they were meant to be and so life was so good to them and they meet again on Oliver’s Graduation and the start of his life dream as a History Professor. Both of them have made huge changes in their lives and are just moving on. Would it be possible for them to move in the same direction? They are such good communicators that it seems like they just might have a chance together.

Despite Victor’s mobility issues these two sure make the sparks fly between them. Also Emil, Victor’s old friend appears again and finds hope for the future. Oliver is thrilled when two of his ‘brothers’ Miles and Juno contact him after a gap of 10 years since they shared a life together in Foster Homes. As always with E.M.Lindsey, his characters are always incapacitated to some degree and I’m sure Miles, who is deaf, is going to get a story of his own and Juno will surely resurface after his sudden urge to go ‘traveling’ for a while.

Yes so I’m hoping I don’t have to wait too long for that book. I’m always ready to read E.M. Lindsey’s books that always manage to create great MC characters despite their perceived flaws.

[Caz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, smexy epilogue to Halo that sees Oliver and Victor, more in love than ever, tying the knot (and shagging each other senseless quite a lot!) Interesting set up for a future book featuring two of Oliver's oldest friends.

[Ditte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wonderful follow up novella to Halo, set about 2 years later, and centers around Victor proposing and him and Oliver getting married.

It was so lovely to catch up with Oliver and Victor and see how their lives had merged. They're still so stupidly gone for each other and it made my heart so happy to see.

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 4 out of 5]

story of Victor and Oliver

This is an established couple romance, featuring Victor and Oliver, and is an epilogue short story, following on from book one in the Beginning Of Always series.

Victor and Oliver’s love story continues as they navigate mishaps, wedding chaos, and the return of old friends, determined to finally say “I do.”

This story was full of swoon, bit of spice, found family, and tender moments, it delivers their perfectly imperfect happily ever after and such wonderful follow up to their origin story in Halo.

Things to expect in this book are:
Epilogue short story
Linked to prev book
MM romance
Established couple
Age gap
MC in lingerie
Bit of spice
Wedding chaos
Found family
Calls him Pretty Boy
HEA

[J.E. Benoit · Rating 3 out of 5]

You stood there in a run-down parking lot under lights that lit you up like a halo, and I knew then my life would never be the same.

This was a sweet extended epilogue for Victor and Oliver from Halo. It follows them, a year or two into their relationship, as they plan to spend the rest of their lives together. It's very romantic, sexy, and heartwarming to see how in love they still are. There were a few moments that tugged at my heartstrings but for the most part, it was just fluff of these two men deeply in love.

ETA: I just finished Most of You, which I believe is set before this one time wise but there are so many inconsistencies between the timelines that I’m pretty confused now. Also, the epilogue of Most of You COMPLETELY contradicts what happened in this, which is kind of weird.

[audiobook_chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I really enjoyed reading Halo last year and i wanted more Oliver and Victor and seeing them get their forever was perfect . I just need to find out what’s going on with Juno and for Miles to get away from his toxic gf.

[Monikat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning epilogue to a stunning , romantic, sexy story. A wedding for the ages, a love forever. Absolutely loved it!

[Molly]

No rating because it's a novella - but I can't get over the inconsistencies.

At the end of Most of You, Oliver and Victor have their wedding reception at Camilla's house and Emil and Renzo get engaged. At the beginning of this, Emil and Renzo got engaged as they did but Oliver and Victor aren't married yet? I let it go how Renzo changed appearances from Halo to Most of You but this was too big of an inconsistency for me.

Then the last chapter felt like it was supposed to be the epilogue of Halo, not included in this novella. We just read about their wedding and meet Juno and Miles, and then Oliver repeats everything that happened and reintroduces us to his friends? With a few different details? It was just bad editing.

I did enjoy the story, but it kept bumming me out how Victor kept saying he couldn't keep up with Oliver forever. They seemed more insecure in this book, which is strange for a happily ever after. However, the proposal was really sweet and it makes me happy that they still have such a big love for one another!

[GreenwingReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a follow up to Halo, Victor and Oliver's love story. It's kind of like a very long epilogue and picks up after they have been together for two years and Oliver is teaching with Renzo. It also takes place after the events of Most of You. It's not crucial to have read Most of You before reading Pretty Boy, but it will make you appreciate Emil's character and his relationship with Victor much more.

I absolutely love Victor and Oliver. They have both endured a lot in their pasts and have had to overcome some trauma. This book was a great glimpse into their lives together and how they are navigating their relationship. It isn't all sunshine and roses, but they make it work and are absolutely perfect together. I loved that Oliver gets to be who he is with a man who adores him and supports all of his dreams. Victor finally has someone who sees him for the person he is and loves him wholeheartedly. I hope we get to see more of these two, as well as Renzo and Emil (we didn't get to see Renzo in this story, but he is mentioned).

This book also teased the stories of Oliver's friends, MIles and Juno. I look forward to those, especially Miles.

[The Secret Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance novella, MM
Tropes / tags: age gap, hurt / comfort, disability rep

Pretty Boy was a very sweet and swoony epilogue to Halo! As Halo was one of my favourite reads last year, it was a treat to get to spend more time with these characters and seeing them settled and happy together. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it!

I loved seeing Oliver and Victor again and how they were still completely gone for each other. There were still some insecurities from both of them; Victor was worried that his disability and age might be an issue for Oliver in the long run, and Oliver was worried he might be too needy for Victor and that he'd get tired of it. They were great at reassuring each other though, and it led to some very sweet hurt / comfort moments.

Pretty Boy was also an introduction to Juno and Miles, and I'm so excited for their stories. Miles seemed like a total sweetheart, while Juno seemed a little more prickly - and I have high hopes for some swoony hurt / comfort romances for both of them!

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Pretty Boy is book three in E.M. Lindsey’s excellent Beginning of Always series and serves as an extended epilogue to the first book, Halo. As a result, this story builds on Victor and Oliver’s journey and you are going to want to be familiar with their book to really enjoy this one. The story is a short novel, so it stands as a full book on its own, but it is also very much an extension of Halo. The book has much of the same tone as the first story, with this warmth and love and just a pure adoration these men have for one another. I appreciated that Lindsey didn’t try to shake things up for the men here.

I absolutely loved Halo and so I was thrilled for a chance to reconnect with Victor and Oliver. Fans of their story are surely going to want to following along with these men and see how happy they are together and watch their journey down the aisle.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victor is ready to propose, and Oliver has been waiting to say yes. One summer day becomes the beginning of their forever as they navigate mishaps, nerves, and returning friends on their way to the altar. Pretty Boy is an epilogue filled with swoon, sweetness, a touch of angst, found family, and the future they once only dreamed of.

A deeply emotional and satisfying conclusion to Victor and Oliver’s story. Their connection has always run hot and intense, but here it reaches a new depth — two men utterly obsessed with each other in a way that feels both consuming and beautifully mutual. I loved how the story let those emotions breathe, showing just how fiercely they choose one another. The supporting characters were woven in so naturally, adding warmth, humour, and grounding to the intensity of Victor and Oliver’s bond. Altogether, this finale delivers everything their journey promised: passion, vulnerability, and a hard‑won happily ever after that feels completely earned. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original story, 'Halo', was a stunning tale of loss, pain, and love, one of the best I've read. It was so lovely to read of these two men again and see their happy ever after, which they both deserved after their pain-filled lives. This is a 'age gap' 'gay for you' both of these I adore.
A joy to read, this author totally nailed it and I'm a little sad to leave Oliver and Victor, but considering Miles's sad story and Victor's caring about him after their late night talk, I was kind of hoping that it's an intro to another story set around Miles, and at the end of this the author confirmed it. Just maybe, hopefully, Victor and Oliver will appear again, a girl can hope and dream.

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
So perfect for Oliver and Victor, romantic, sweet and sexy.
It was so beautiful to see them a couple of years later, still very much in love and able to communicate their needs. Victor's health declined a bit and things for him can onl get worse because of his illness, but Oliver is there, right by his side, supporting him and loving him like he deserves.
I was happy to know people from Oliver's past too and now I need to catch up with the next books to read about Emil&Renzo and Juno&Pipers stories.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even when the happily ever after moment of a book feels solid, I never want that to be the end of the story. However, it's not easy to write an extended epilogue that introduces conflict without making me fear for the original HEA. Here, Lindsey delivers a stunning follow-up to two of their most unique characters that delivers enough conflict for an engaging story that only serves to bring Victor and Oliver closer together rather than drive a wedge between them. This novella is definitely worth reading for anyone who loved these characters the first time around.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful ending to Victor and Oliver's story

I loved Halo. It was such a special book about two special characters. E.M. always has the most wonderful disability rep in their books and Victor was so easy to love, especially after the events in the first chapters when he's unexpectedly alone through no fault of his own. Meeting Oliver was a blessing in disguise, one that changes both their lives beyond recognition.
I adored them in Halo and this was just the most lovely bonus. Victor and Oliver are more in love than ever and seeing their happy ever after was perfect.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect epilogue...this could not be included with the original book. E. picks up Victor and Oliver's story after they had been together a bit. Victor proposes, Oliver says yes, the wedding planning begins. This part of their story takes place over a school year. The wedding planning, nerves, jitters are intermingled amongst their daily lives, Oliver teaching, Victor finding his new passion, both dealing with the repercussions of Victor falling. We get visits with Emil and Renzo and meet Oliver's friends, Miles and Juno. And the wedding was perfect for our guys! This can not be read as a standalone, so just go read Halo and Most of You, you won't regret it!

[Dawn Siemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

HEA

Okay, this is more epilogue than story. There's a little stress over the proposal and wedding planning, but it doesn't really stand up as central conflict. You're reading this because you loved book 1 and want to see the guys get married.

This story also introduces some new characters that I expect to see in future books: Oliver's foster "brothers" Juno and Milo. Both guys have problems they aren't ready to accept help with.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do not read before book two. It definitely spoils things that are obvious, but it’s still disappointing. I don’t even want to keep reading the series. I just don’t like Emil enough to go on.

I loved the update on Victor and Oliver. I really loved their relationship and their story. But this epilogue kinda felt hijacked.

I appreciate how they both have come into their own futures and accepted who they are, how they are and accepted the same within each other

[Meagan (FranticVampireReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so soft and sweet and a perfect end to Victor and Oliver’s story. It’s also a perfect jumping off point for the rest of the series. I think the thing I liked the most about this novella was just how in love and obsessed with each other these two were. Even with all the stress and anxiety that came with them planning their wedding, they were still down so bad for the other. Pretty Boy is getting four out of five stars and I’m so excited for the rest of the series.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Victor and Oliver romance

Halo is one of my favorite EM Lindsey books so this extended epilogue/novella is icing on the cake. It’s so sexy, sweet, and romantic. I adore Victor and Oliver’s relationship. There even manages to be some angst with the secondary characters, so looking forward to their HEAs.

[Dani B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very sweet and swoony, but also just felt like a vehicle to introduce two new guys to write books about. Like where did they come from? They were never mentioned in the original book, and Oliver’s best friend from the original book was never mentioned here at all. It was a little confusing and frustrating. But Oliver and Victor themselves were great.

[Vintage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these two

What a lovely surprise that we get a follow up to one of my favorite stories from this author with a peek into their HEA and an renewed focus on two of Oliver’s friends, Miles and Juno, who look to be the focus of some upcoming stories their I’m impatient for already!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6 ⭐️

It’s not really its own story but an epilogue to halo. I enjoyed it just as much as their story but because it reads more like a long epilogue there isn’t much story telling.

[Hollyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️:5


Tropes:
🏷️MM Romance
🏷️Novella
🏷️Found Family


My Review:
Great ending to Oliver and Victors story. This is their wedding and wedding planning and new friends introduced. I liked this ending to the story.

[Liza Broadaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything I wanted jn an extended epilogue for Oliver and Victor! And E.M. Lindsey set us up for a few more books for this series!

[Verena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

[the.argumentative.bong · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really liked Halo, I didn't feel this really added anything to the story.
3.5⭐ (rounded off)