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The Jilted Exes' Club #2
The Marriage Policy
Donovan
What’s a little marriage of convenience between best friends?
I’ve always worked hard to keep the friendship line firmly in place when it comes to Eric. I’m gay, and he’s straight. We’re best friends and nothing more. But he’s my person, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. Which is why when I find out he’s struggling financially and doesn’t have medical insurance, I blurt out six friendship-altering words: I want you to marry me.
Eric
Donovan’s my best friend, the most important person in my life… And he wants to marry me.
Okay, so maybe I haven’t made the best decisions lately. I took a job with no health insurance and no guaranteed money, which was working out fine, if not for the whole getting-injured-and-fired thing. But Donovan has come up with a solution. Marriage. Living together. There’s a small chance we’re a tad codependent, but I always want to be with him, so signing a marriage license shouldn’t really change much. Until the kissing starts…and the touching…and the exploring… And all I know is, I want more. So much more from my husband.
Playing pretend with Donovan is the realest thing I’ve ever felt, and though divorce was the ultimate plan, I’m not sure I want this to end.
Content Warning: MC without medical insurance, discussion on the risks of not having medical insurance, discussion about losing a parent to cancer (in the past).
What’s a little marriage of convenience between best friends?
I’ve always worked hard to keep the friendship line firmly in place when it comes to Eric. I’m gay, and he’s straight. We’re best friends and nothing more. But he’s my person, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. Which is why when I find out he’s struggling financially and doesn’t have medical insurance, I blurt out six friendship-altering words: I want you to marry me.
Eric
Donovan’s my best friend, the most important person in my life… And he wants to marry me.
Okay, so maybe I haven’t made the best decisions lately. I took a job with no health insurance and no guaranteed money, which was working out fine, if not for the whole getting-injured-and-fired thing. But Donovan has come up with a solution. Marriage. Living together. There’s a small chance we’re a tad codependent, but I always want to be with him, so signing a marriage license shouldn’t really change much. Until the kissing starts…and the touching…and the exploring… And all I know is, I want more. So much more from my husband.
Playing pretend with Donovan is the realest thing I’ve ever felt, and though divorce was the ultimate plan, I’m not sure I want this to end.
Content Warning: MC without medical insurance, discussion on the risks of not having medical insurance, discussion about losing a parent to cancer (in the past).
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2025
599 people are currently reading
1151 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
116 books7,104 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
June 18, 2025
3.5
I think I would have enjoyed this more if they weren't both so oblivious to their actual feelings for almost the entire book. It felt like they finally accepted they were a real couple and the book ended.
These two both had serious self-esteem and self-worth issues, and they were performing acrobatics constantly to deny that they were ever going to be more than best friends. It got old pretty fast, and honestly Donovan not being sure what anything meant, but asking his friends repeatedly to explain it to him, instead of just asking Eric what the fuck was going on, was incredibly annoying!! They both kept harping on about how they know each other so well and can tell each other anything, yet when it came down to it they couldn't talk to each other all of a sudden because sex had entered the equation?
Frustrating!!!
I was more interested in the hints about Anthony and Mads maybe being a thing...
I think I would have enjoyed this more if they weren't both so oblivious to their actual feelings for almost the entire book. It felt like they finally accepted they were a real couple and the book ended.
These two both had serious self-esteem and self-worth issues, and they were performing acrobatics constantly to deny that they were ever going to be more than best friends. It got old pretty fast, and honestly Donovan not being sure what anything meant, but asking his friends repeatedly to explain it to him, instead of just asking Eric what the fuck was going on, was incredibly annoying!! They both kept harping on about how they know each other so well and can tell each other anything, yet when it came down to it they couldn't talk to each other all of a sudden because sex had entered the equation?
Frustrating!!!
I was more interested in the hints about Anthony and Mads maybe being a thing...
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September 10, 2025
The Marriage Policy is book two in The Jilted Exes’ Club by Riley Hart. I loved the first book in this series and was so excited for Donovan’s book. I love all three of these jilted exes, Hayes (book one,) Donovan and Anthony (book three.) This book was so swoony and sweet. I can’t wait for you to meet Eric, Donovan’s best friend, and so much more!
Donavan and Eric are now twenty eight years old. Donovan is gay and Eric is straight. They have been best friends since they were little kids. When they were young, Donovan had some severe health issues. To him, Eric was larger than life, always popular, always active and smiling. And no matter what, was always by Donovan’s side.
Now as adults, Donovan is doing much better and has become an ER Nurse. Eric is a landscaper. Eric’s heart is bigger than his common sense sometimes. He left a good, stable job with health insurance to help out a friend with a new business but no insurance. When he breaks his ankle playing basketball, of course, his now ex-friend/boss fires him!
With everything Donovan went through as a child, he can’t believe his closest friend doesn’t have insurance. The only thing he can think of to do to help is ask Eric to marry him. A marriage of convenience. So he can be insured. And Eric can move in with him since he can’t afford rent until his ankle heals and he can find a new job. Husbands of convenience, no problem, right?!
Donovan and Eric are super close, closer than a normal friendship. They are very touchy, feely, snuggly, finish each other’s sentences. After awhile, those touches start to affect them differently than they ever have and start to confuse Eric. But Eric has never been one to shy away from anything. He’s pretty sure he isn’t as straight as he thought he was and there is only one person he would ever want to explore these newfound feelings with. His best friend/husband.
Neither of these two felt like they deserved the other. I loved how hard Eric tried to do things for Donovan to help out. They were just so adorable together. Eric was like a curious puppy, never the least bit hesitant to jump right in and try something new. And try they did, and often. So now they are best friends/husbands with benefits? With each day that passes, though, they start to realize they feel more. Or maybe always have. They realize that they are the best versions of themselves when they are together, there to hold each other up. And that this marriage of convenience might just be the best thing to ever happen to them.
I adored these two. Eric made me smile so much. He is just such a happy guy. And I loved the way these two talked. The whole book made me happy. Now I can’t wait for the next book, Anthony’s story in Boyfriend Without Benefits.
Donavan and Eric are now twenty eight years old. Donovan is gay and Eric is straight. They have been best friends since they were little kids. When they were young, Donovan had some severe health issues. To him, Eric was larger than life, always popular, always active and smiling. And no matter what, was always by Donovan’s side.
Now as adults, Donovan is doing much better and has become an ER Nurse. Eric is a landscaper. Eric’s heart is bigger than his common sense sometimes. He left a good, stable job with health insurance to help out a friend with a new business but no insurance. When he breaks his ankle playing basketball, of course, his now ex-friend/boss fires him!
With everything Donovan went through as a child, he can’t believe his closest friend doesn’t have insurance. The only thing he can think of to do to help is ask Eric to marry him. A marriage of convenience. So he can be insured. And Eric can move in with him since he can’t afford rent until his ankle heals and he can find a new job. Husbands of convenience, no problem, right?!
Donovan and Eric are super close, closer than a normal friendship. They are very touchy, feely, snuggly, finish each other’s sentences. After awhile, those touches start to affect them differently than they ever have and start to confuse Eric. But Eric has never been one to shy away from anything. He’s pretty sure he isn’t as straight as he thought he was and there is only one person he would ever want to explore these newfound feelings with. His best friend/husband.
Neither of these two felt like they deserved the other. I loved how hard Eric tried to do things for Donovan to help out. They were just so adorable together. Eric was like a curious puppy, never the least bit hesitant to jump right in and try something new. And try they did, and often. So now they are best friends/husbands with benefits? With each day that passes, though, they start to realize they feel more. Or maybe always have. They realize that they are the best versions of themselves when they are together, there to hold each other up. And that this marriage of convenience might just be the best thing to ever happen to them.
I adored these two. Eric made me smile so much. He is just such a happy guy. And I loved the way these two talked. The whole book made me happy. Now I can’t wait for the next book, Anthony’s story in Boyfriend Without Benefits.
July 14, 2025
Aggressively ordinary. Not necessarily in a bad way. But not.....not in a bad way??? No idea if that makes sense.
We REALLY need half ratings.
We REALLY need half ratings.
June 16, 2025
DNF.
This was obnoxiously and ridiculously unrealistic. Repetitive and boring. The first book in this series felt the same but I chose not to rate or review it. I thought maybe this would be better. It wasn’t. I’m done with this series. Sorry🤷🏻♀️.
This was obnoxiously and ridiculously unrealistic. Repetitive and boring. The first book in this series felt the same but I chose not to rate or review it. I thought maybe this would be better. It wasn’t. I’m done with this series. Sorry🤷🏻♀️.
June 10, 2025
Well, there's idiots in love and then there's these two!
Riley Hart's The Marriage Policy is a genius idea well executed and sees two men who've been friends since they were teenagers end up in a kind of fake marriage for insurance purposes and not realising they've been in love half their lives.
Yeah, for me as person from the UK with free healthcare, I just can't get my head round that being a thing but there you go!
After the events of book one, the Jilted Exes have been getting together and there's a lovely friendship grown with Donovan, Hayes and Anthony, which also encapsulates Eric and a select group of people from the ice hockey team Hayes' boyfriend Ryder plays for.
Anyways, Donovan and Eric are just wonderful, they're both the other's person and have spent their lives taking care of the big and little things that life's thrown in their paths. From Donovan's illness which kept him bedridden for a long time, through Eric's dad dying and all points in between.
They admit they're co-dependent and that their friendship isn't conventional, but they can't see what everyone else does, that they're in a relationship and have been even since before the fake marriage.
There's lots of humour in this book, but it touches on serious subjects too, both the fallout of being one of the exes, as well as Eric's lack of confidence when it comes to his own career or whether he's smart enough.
It also becomes clear as the story goes on that Eric's likely demi-romantic, and Riley treats that with care as he starts to find his feet with his bisexuality and wants to explore fully why he's always had such a powerful emotional connection with the guy he thought was only his best friend.
There's also lots of sex and dirty talk in this book, at times I found it became slightly repetitive with the references to Eric calling Donovan husband or what he was wanting to do to/with him.
Having said that though, it's a me thing, it fits within their characters and with their personalities and Eric absolutely would be going all out to make sure his guy has the best sex he's ever had because that's just his nature - to make Donovan happy!
This was a relatively low angst second entry and I am very much looking forward to Anthony's book as it seems there's maybe something going on there with Ryder's teammate and he's hiding secrets about his family too.
#ARC kindly received from the author via The Author Agency, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Riley Hart's The Marriage Policy is a genius idea well executed and sees two men who've been friends since they were teenagers end up in a kind of fake marriage for insurance purposes and not realising they've been in love half their lives.
Yeah, for me as person from the UK with free healthcare, I just can't get my head round that being a thing but there you go!
After the events of book one, the Jilted Exes have been getting together and there's a lovely friendship grown with Donovan, Hayes and Anthony, which also encapsulates Eric and a select group of people from the ice hockey team Hayes' boyfriend Ryder plays for.
Anyways, Donovan and Eric are just wonderful, they're both the other's person and have spent their lives taking care of the big and little things that life's thrown in their paths. From Donovan's illness which kept him bedridden for a long time, through Eric's dad dying and all points in between.
They admit they're co-dependent and that their friendship isn't conventional, but they can't see what everyone else does, that they're in a relationship and have been even since before the fake marriage.
There's lots of humour in this book, but it touches on serious subjects too, both the fallout of being one of the exes, as well as Eric's lack of confidence when it comes to his own career or whether he's smart enough.
It also becomes clear as the story goes on that Eric's likely demi-romantic, and Riley treats that with care as he starts to find his feet with his bisexuality and wants to explore fully why he's always had such a powerful emotional connection with the guy he thought was only his best friend.
There's also lots of sex and dirty talk in this book, at times I found it became slightly repetitive with the references to Eric calling Donovan husband or what he was wanting to do to/with him.
Having said that though, it's a me thing, it fits within their characters and with their personalities and Eric absolutely would be going all out to make sure his guy has the best sex he's ever had because that's just his nature - to make Donovan happy!
This was a relatively low angst second entry and I am very much looking forward to Anthony's book as it seems there's maybe something going on there with Ryder's teammate and he's hiding secrets about his family too.
#ARC kindly received from the author via The Author Agency, I am voluntarily leaving a review
August 1, 2025
I’m such a fan of Riley Hart’s work, but this one didn’t quite land for me the way her others have. Donovan and Eric are sweet together, and there’s definitely charm in their dynamic, but the story asks for a level of suspension of disbelief that pulled me out more than I hoped it would. Some moments felt a little rushed or underdeveloped, and the humor didn’t always click for me the way it usually does in her books. That said, the couple still brought a few smiles, even if they might be the most oblivious idiots I’ve read in a while.
December 10, 2025
Desde que empieza el libro uno sabe qué va a pasar y cómo va a terminar... Entretenido pero y ya 🙂
July 5, 2025
3.5 stars
May 30, 2025
This was so adorable and I absolutely devoured it, the writing was incredible and I seriously couldn’t put it down. Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes to read, throw in forced proximity and marriage of convenience, I’m so here for it!! I loved this one and I’m already looking forward to Anthony’s story!
June 18, 2025
"He’s not in the living room or the kitchen, but when I look through the sliding glass door, I see him in the backyard. He’s got his knitting stuff out, his fingers going a million miles a minute. He absolutely does not have to be nervous about what we did, and I’ll make sure he’s not."
Such a cute and fluffy, low angst read from the fabulous Riley Hart, The Marriage Policy was just what I needed! Donovan and Eric were divine together.
What To Expect:
❣️MM romance
❣️Best friends to lovers
❣️Fake Marriage
❣️Bi-awakening
❣️Forced proximity
❣️Found family
❣️Steamy first times
❣️HEA
4 stars
Such a cute and fluffy, low angst read from the fabulous Riley Hart, The Marriage Policy was just what I needed! Donovan and Eric were divine together.
What To Expect:
❣️MM romance
❣️Best friends to lovers
❣️Fake Marriage
❣️Bi-awakening
❣️Forced proximity
❣️Found family
❣️Steamy first times
❣️HEA
4 stars
June 12, 2025
tough one. I got pretty bored around the 62% mark. It felt like the same sentences were repeated over and over again
June 11, 2025
This was a really enjoyable read especially if you’re looking for a quick, low angst M/M romance. That said, I couldn’t rate it higher because, in my opinion, it lacked depth and I did find it difficult to feel the real chemistry between these too.Is it toxic to say I kind of wish there had been a bit more conflict? Donovan and Eric were cute together, but honestly, it felt like they’d already been in a relationship forever.
But if you want a quick and fun friend to lovers romance this one might be for you!
June 11, 2025
unfortunately this was just really bland. not bad, exactly, just kind of boring. felt like i spent the entire book waiting for something interesting to happen and it just…didn’t.
June 16, 2025
This was the cutest most ridiculously romantic low angst book ever and I loved every second of it. Seriously this is like a warm hug, a rain day on the couch, fresh popcorn with extra butter and an orgasm all in one.
July 21, 2025
It was so cringy to read & the endless product placement of “jilted ex club” was ridiculous
June 7, 2025
The Marriage Policy is book two in the Jilted Exes’ Club. This best friends to lovers MM romance story is about Donovan and Eric.
We first met these two in book one of this series when Donovan, Hayes, and Anthony became friends after discovering they had been dating the same guy who cheated on them. I loved reading Hayes’ story, so I definitely was looking forward to Donovan’s story. Donovan and Eric have been best friends since their childhood. Donovan had health issues growing up, and it was amazing to see how Eric was so supportive. And now as adults, they are still so supportive of each other. Donovan is an ER nurse, and when Eric gets hurt and reveals he doesn’t have health insurance, Donovan steps in with a plan. They will get married so that Eric will be on Donovan’s insurance. Eric agrees and moves in with Donovan.
Donovan is gay and Eric has thought of himself as straight, but soon he discovers that may not be the case. It isn’t long before we see how the forced proximity starts to blur lines and change things between them. Although Donovan was hesitant, Eric was very easy going and felt comfortable with Donovan. Donovan and Eric had lived together before, so I am not sure why this time caused them to finally see each other differently. So for me I did struggle a little bit with their chemistry and attraction, but I will say that I did enjoy their spicy moments.
Donovan and Eric have been codependent and not quite aware of their true feelings for each other. And although their friends and parents might have seen it, it took Donovan and Eric some time to realize it. I enjoyed their story and I look forward to reading Anthony’s story next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
We first met these two in book one of this series when Donovan, Hayes, and Anthony became friends after discovering they had been dating the same guy who cheated on them. I loved reading Hayes’ story, so I definitely was looking forward to Donovan’s story. Donovan and Eric have been best friends since their childhood. Donovan had health issues growing up, and it was amazing to see how Eric was so supportive. And now as adults, they are still so supportive of each other. Donovan is an ER nurse, and when Eric gets hurt and reveals he doesn’t have health insurance, Donovan steps in with a plan. They will get married so that Eric will be on Donovan’s insurance. Eric agrees and moves in with Donovan.
Donovan is gay and Eric has thought of himself as straight, but soon he discovers that may not be the case. It isn’t long before we see how the forced proximity starts to blur lines and change things between them. Although Donovan was hesitant, Eric was very easy going and felt comfortable with Donovan. Donovan and Eric had lived together before, so I am not sure why this time caused them to finally see each other differently. So for me I did struggle a little bit with their chemistry and attraction, but I will say that I did enjoy their spicy moments.
Donovan and Eric have been codependent and not quite aware of their true feelings for each other. And although their friends and parents might have seen it, it took Donovan and Eric some time to realize it. I enjoyed their story and I look forward to reading Anthony’s story next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
June 6, 2025
The marriage policy is the story of lifelong codependent Bestfriends Eric & Donovan. Eric injurers himself & finds himself unemployed with no health insurance.Donovan to the rescue comes up with the idea to get married so Eric can be added to his health insurance.Something that starts as a quick solution to Eric's problems ends up being more,as the line of friendship & marriage blurs.Eric starts questioning his sexuality while Donovan starts questioning whether he has always had feelings for his bestfriend.The story is a sweet story of two bestfriends falling in love with each other.Low angst,funny, a slow burn & i love that all the characters from 'the jilted exes club' are constantly in this book.
Spice-🌶🌶.5
Spice-🌶🌶.5
May 30, 2025
Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Donovan and Eric
This is a really fun, adorable, steamy codependent best friends to lovers.
Eric gets injured, loses his job, and doesn't have health insurance. Donovan tells him to move in with him and suggests they get married so he can put him on his insurance. The forced proximity and marriage of convenience brings them even closer and blurs lines. Donovan has always been attracted to Eric, but Eric has always thought he was straight. It's a line neither of them has ever crossed or even thought about. Now that they are married and living together it's impossible for either of them to deny the attraction and chemistry. Eric is so easy going and 100% on moving forward while Donovan is hesitant and unsure of things because of the trauma from his last relationship. There is a little angst surrounding Donovan and his concerns because of his ex but overall, this is a very low angst and sweet story of two best friends realizing that they have always been each other's person.
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Donovan and Eric
This is a really fun, adorable, steamy codependent best friends to lovers.
Eric gets injured, loses his job, and doesn't have health insurance. Donovan tells him to move in with him and suggests they get married so he can put him on his insurance. The forced proximity and marriage of convenience brings them even closer and blurs lines. Donovan has always been attracted to Eric, but Eric has always thought he was straight. It's a line neither of them has ever crossed or even thought about. Now that they are married and living together it's impossible for either of them to deny the attraction and chemistry. Eric is so easy going and 100% on moving forward while Donovan is hesitant and unsure of things because of the trauma from his last relationship. There is a little angst surrounding Donovan and his concerns because of his ex but overall, this is a very low angst and sweet story of two best friends realizing that they have always been each other's person.
September 8, 2025
Good start, but hardly any conflict apart from them both realizing they're in love with each other since forever.
Thanks to the nice first couple of chapters, this is two starts, otherwise it would have been minus 2 stars.
Although I might down-grade it soon as I feel rather angry that I spent time reading this drivel instead of more worthy books on my tbr pile.
Well, seeing this book has a rating of almost 4 stars and so many of my fav books have problems reaching this high a rating inspite of being FAR SUPERIOR in quality but less fan base to rate everything just 5 stars, I've just reduced my rating.
A lot of potential but after they had got married and the "straight best friend" gets curious, it's just smut. And the plot is simply one guy wondering if all this giving into sex will ruin their friendship.
Dah.
Plus what is it with sooooo much emo talk. I have a hard time believing that guys would do that.
And on top of too much talking about nothing really, I had an increasingly hard time distinguishing between those two because by then it was nothing but far too many sex scenes (which I mainly skimmed - about 45 % of the book is smut and not even good smut).
Gosh what a disappointment.
And such an obvious setting up of book 3 with Anthony, the third jilted guy.
Yuk - just like Donovan here, how could a gorgeous out-and-proud gay DANCER who kind of owns his club have trouble making friends? Illogical if he has all the colleagues around his fingers.
And why have the jilted trio fallen for a guy who's nothing special?
I've read some older books by Riley Hart that were quite nice.
One also about best friends, one of whom realized he was gay and still managed to keep being friends with his straight friend. Who then stepped in - also in Vegas! - when the two grooms called it off at the last minute (amicably), married his bff and realized he might not be as straight when spending their honeymoon at a gay only resort.
This story felt like a recap, but a much less well executed one.
This one made me ANGRY that I'd spent time reading it - or skimming the last half.
I will certainly NOT rush to read anything new by Riley Hart anymore.
Thanks to the nice first couple of chapters, this is two starts, otherwise it would have been minus 2 stars.
Although I might down-grade it soon as I feel rather angry that I spent time reading this drivel instead of more worthy books on my tbr pile.
Well, seeing this book has a rating of almost 4 stars and so many of my fav books have problems reaching this high a rating inspite of being FAR SUPERIOR in quality but less fan base to rate everything just 5 stars, I've just reduced my rating.
A lot of potential but after they had got married and the "straight best friend" gets curious, it's just smut. And the plot is simply one guy wondering if all this giving into sex will ruin their friendship.
Dah.
Plus what is it with sooooo much emo talk. I have a hard time believing that guys would do that.
And on top of too much talking about nothing really, I had an increasingly hard time distinguishing between those two because by then it was nothing but far too many sex scenes (which I mainly skimmed - about 45 % of the book is smut and not even good smut).
Gosh what a disappointment.
And such an obvious setting up of book 3 with Anthony, the third jilted guy.
Yuk - just like Donovan here, how could a gorgeous out-and-proud gay DANCER who kind of owns his club have trouble making friends? Illogical if he has all the colleagues around his fingers.
And why have the jilted trio fallen for a guy who's nothing special?
I've read some older books by Riley Hart that were quite nice.
One also about best friends, one of whom realized he was gay and still managed to keep being friends with his straight friend. Who then stepped in - also in Vegas! - when the two grooms called it off at the last minute (amicably), married his bff and realized he might not be as straight when spending their honeymoon at a gay only resort.
This story felt like a recap, but a much less well executed one.
This one made me ANGRY that I'd spent time reading it - or skimming the last half.
I will certainly NOT rush to read anything new by Riley Hart anymore.
October 14, 2025
I read this super fast hahahah! It was perfect. If you like idiots to lovers who are best friends, a bi-awakening and tons of really cute, sweet and spicy moments- you’ll love this book. An easy, low-angst read, I enjoyed every moment of it!
June 17, 2025
2.5. Full of fluff. No conflict. No real plot. Two best friends (who are already in love with each other) get married in the first couple chapters and that’s pretty much it.
September 24, 2025
In a world of romance vibes I’ll always choose idiots to lovers 🥰🥰
Yet another winner from @rileyhartwrites for me. First of all - I have to shout out the fun premise of best friends who don’t realize they’re in love and basically a couple already… who get married for insurance reasons. It turns into exploring and *feelings* and oh my god what a TREAT.
I had a blast watching these two idiots fall for each other, and finally talk out their feelings. As with every Riley Hart book I’ve read so far, found family is always prevalent, friends support each other whole heartedly and call each other on their sh!t, and the spice is SPICIN’ 😮💨😮💨😮💨.
Some of those scenes were so incredibly *hot* and let me just say the first time they think of each other while they are taking care of business …. And the car scene. 🥵🥵🥵
Once again - incredible narration from @thevoiceoftimpaige and new to me narrator @evanparkernarrates. I fully enjoyed the audio and could not WAIT to get into my car and actually ended up laying in bed finishing the book. I felt like each of them really got the characters and they had great emotional beats.
I can’t wait for book 3!!
Yet another winner from @rileyhartwrites for me. First of all - I have to shout out the fun premise of best friends who don’t realize they’re in love and basically a couple already… who get married for insurance reasons. It turns into exploring and *feelings* and oh my god what a TREAT.
I had a blast watching these two idiots fall for each other, and finally talk out their feelings. As with every Riley Hart book I’ve read so far, found family is always prevalent, friends support each other whole heartedly and call each other on their sh!t, and the spice is SPICIN’ 😮💨😮💨😮💨.
Some of those scenes were so incredibly *hot* and let me just say the first time they think of each other while they are taking care of business …. And the car scene. 🥵🥵🥵
Once again - incredible narration from @thevoiceoftimpaige and new to me narrator @evanparkernarrates. I fully enjoyed the audio and could not WAIT to get into my car and actually ended up laying in bed finishing the book. I felt like each of them really got the characters and they had great emotional beats.
I can’t wait for book 3!!
June 4, 2025
"𝙳𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝙸'𝚖 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚘. 𝙷𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚒𝚖."
Donovan and Eric have to be the absolute sweetest friends to lovers romance ever. Probably because these two have basically been each other's person since they were just kids. Where one would go, the other follows and vice versa. Donovan wants to move away to go to college? Ok Eric's going with him. Eric needs to go the ER? Donovan is on his way. Their friendship was definitely closer than what's considered "normal" but neither of them would have it any other way. That's just how close they were.
I think every single person who met these two knew they were soulmates except for them. They did everything you would expect two people in a committed relationship would do except have sex. And once they DID add the sex in? Holy smokes. These two were so hot for one another you could feel the chemistry leap off the page. I never knew Eric could have such a dirty mouth. *fans self*
It took Eric and Donovan awhile, not to mention some helpful advice from the jilted exes, to finally open their eyes to the truth. I was happy that we never had to deal with a big freak out on Eric's part. He already knew he loved Donovan, now it was just more. I sincerely adored these two together and am so happy they finally saw what the world did. That they were just perfect for one another.
"𝙷𝚎'𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎...𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔."
Donovan and Eric have to be the absolute sweetest friends to lovers romance ever. Probably because these two have basically been each other's person since they were just kids. Where one would go, the other follows and vice versa. Donovan wants to move away to go to college? Ok Eric's going with him. Eric needs to go the ER? Donovan is on his way. Their friendship was definitely closer than what's considered "normal" but neither of them would have it any other way. That's just how close they were.
I think every single person who met these two knew they were soulmates except for them. They did everything you would expect two people in a committed relationship would do except have sex. And once they DID add the sex in? Holy smokes. These two were so hot for one another you could feel the chemistry leap off the page. I never knew Eric could have such a dirty mouth. *fans self*
It took Eric and Donovan awhile, not to mention some helpful advice from the jilted exes, to finally open their eyes to the truth. I was happy that we never had to deal with a big freak out on Eric's part. He already knew he loved Donovan, now it was just more. I sincerely adored these two together and am so happy they finally saw what the world did. That they were just perfect for one another.
"𝙷𝚎'𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎...𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔."
June 2, 2025
This is a sweet and spicy low angst idiot to lovers that was a fun quick read. Donovan and Eric have been best friends since they were kids and nothing could tear them apart. The chronic illness and all its financial and mental health repercussions are extremely well represented in the book. Even though Dono is in remission and is a capable ER RN he is still very much impacted by the health battle he fought through his formative years and it informs how he sees the world. Eric is truly a ball of sunshine and the best friend anyone could have but he doesn’t have the most confidence in himself.
When he gets hurt these two sort of land on a plan to have a fake marriage for insurance to cover Eric’s bills. But they start seeing each other differently and Eric has a bi awakening where he feels comfortable enough to experiment with Dono, which given their history obviously leads to all sorts of emotions getting tangled up and a few realisations are had. These two have always been so sweetly codependent and always in each others corners and everyone can see their relationship coming before they can hehehe.
I did have a bit of difficulty following the chemistry and transitions in the relationship but that might be a me thing - t did consider that Eric as a character is easy go with the flow and the ease with which he accepts and leans into the sudden attraction is very much in line with his character.
When he gets hurt these two sort of land on a plan to have a fake marriage for insurance to cover Eric’s bills. But they start seeing each other differently and Eric has a bi awakening where he feels comfortable enough to experiment with Dono, which given their history obviously leads to all sorts of emotions getting tangled up and a few realisations are had. These two have always been so sweetly codependent and always in each others corners and everyone can see their relationship coming before they can hehehe.
I did have a bit of difficulty following the chemistry and transitions in the relationship but that might be a me thing - t did consider that Eric as a character is easy go with the flow and the ease with which he accepts and leans into the sudden attraction is very much in line with his character.
June 6, 2025
In The Marriage Policy, Riley Hart crafts a delightful tale of two best friends whose deep bond evolves into something more profound. Eric and Donovan, both endearing in their own right, find themselves navigating the complexities of a marriage of convenience that feels anything but contrived.
Their dynamic is a beautiful exploration of how opposites not only attract but also complement each other. The evolution of their relationship is portrayed with sincerity and warmth, capturing the essence of two people who have always been each other's constants, FINALLY recognizing the love that's been there all along.
If you love romances that are low on angst but high on feelings, this one delivers in spades.
Tropes;
Best friends to lovers
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
Bi-awakening
mutual pining (but with a happy twist!)
Their dynamic is a beautiful exploration of how opposites not only attract but also complement each other. The evolution of their relationship is portrayed with sincerity and warmth, capturing the essence of two people who have always been each other's constants, FINALLY recognizing the love that's been there all along.
If you love romances that are low on angst but high on feelings, this one delivers in spades.
Tropes;
Best friends to lovers
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
Bi-awakening
mutual pining (but with a happy twist!)
July 25, 2025
Complete dumbasses to lovers, they were simply the most oblivious partners of all time.
I love childhood best friends to lovers, especially when one of them is bullied/chronically ill and the other just stuck by them whatever anyone said.
This got me right in the beginning and I couldn’t help myself but simply fall in love with these two and root for them!
I love childhood best friends to lovers, especially when one of them is bullied/chronically ill and the other just stuck by them whatever anyone said.
This got me right in the beginning and I couldn’t help myself but simply fall in love with these two and root for them!
June 21, 2025
4⭐️
3.5🌶️
Y’all, This Book Was SO Cute I Loved It So Much. Donovan And Eric Were Just SO Adorable And SO Perfect For Each Other And The Romance Was SO Freaking Perfect And It Gave Me So Many Butterflies. I HIGHLY Recommend This Book Y’all Especially If You Loved Pippin & Nacho By Courtney 💕🫶
3.5🌶️
Y’all, This Book Was SO Cute I Loved It So Much. Donovan And Eric Were Just SO Adorable And SO Perfect For Each Other And The Romance Was SO Freaking Perfect And It Gave Me So Many Butterflies. I HIGHLY Recommend This Book Y’all Especially If You Loved Pippin & Nacho By Courtney 💕🫶
June 2, 2025
Donovan + Eric
-mm romance
-marriage of convenience
-husbands with benefits
-friends to lovers
-bi awakening
-clueless mc
this was such a different f2l mm romance...cause donovan literally had compartmentalized his relationship with eric SO HARD, that he refused to believe he could ever have feelings for his "straight best friend" out of respect! & it was also lowkey hilarious that it was so different! haha they were cuteeee!!
-mm romance
-marriage of convenience
-husbands with benefits
-friends to lovers
-bi awakening
-clueless mc
this was such a different f2l mm romance...cause donovan literally had compartmentalized his relationship with eric SO HARD, that he refused to believe he could ever have feelings for his "straight best friend" out of respect! & it was also lowkey hilarious that it was so different! haha they were cuteeee!!
May 30, 2025
this was fun!! a quick and easy read! it was also my introduction to riley & i can definitely say i’m a fan!
i really do love an idiots to lovers book and that’s what donovan & eric were (complimentary). best friends who don’t realize they’re in love with each other but everyone around them does?? yes please! throw in the marriage of convenience and i’m soooo in
this was just a silly book with a lot of heart and i enjoyed every second of reading <3
thank you the author agency for the arc!!
i really do love an idiots to lovers book and that’s what donovan & eric were (complimentary). best friends who don’t realize they’re in love with each other but everyone around them does?? yes please! throw in the marriage of convenience and i’m soooo in
this was just a silly book with a lot of heart and i enjoyed every second of reading <3
thank you the author agency for the arc!!
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