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Wild Side #1
Gone for You
Oliver Hayes wears his heart on his sleeve, and his friends never let him forget it. Every Friday night spent at Wild Side, their favorite West Hollywood bar, Oliver’s lack of hookups becomes the hot topic. It’s not that he doesn’t want a good time. He just wants it to mean something, which is a lofty goal when he’s still pining after his childhood crush, Matt, who left ten years ago to start a new life in New York City.
Matt Daniels has always felt most at home seated at a piano. He might not have entirely fit in with his family and friends, but he was always able to find himself in music. Or at least he did before he gave up his dream a lifetime ago. Now, he has a successful modeling career and should be enjoying every second of it. Yet nothing feels right, and Matt fears he’s losing himself.
Just when Oliver decides to get over Matt for good, Matt waltzes back into LA. As Matt struggles to understand what he’s missing in his seemingly perfect life, he falls right back into leaning on Oliver for support. Things aren’t what they used to be between them, though. They tumble into bed together, and it’s hard not to continue ending up there. For the first time in years, Matt’s inspired to compose again, reigniting a spark he thought long extinguished.
But as always, Oliver can’t keep his heart in check, and soon Matt realizes he’s gone for Oliver too. The biggest question is, can he fully give himself to someone if he still hasn’t figured out how to love himself?
Matt Daniels has always felt most at home seated at a piano. He might not have entirely fit in with his family and friends, but he was always able to find himself in music. Or at least he did before he gave up his dream a lifetime ago. Now, he has a successful modeling career and should be enjoying every second of it. Yet nothing feels right, and Matt fears he’s losing himself.
Just when Oliver decides to get over Matt for good, Matt waltzes back into LA. As Matt struggles to understand what he’s missing in his seemingly perfect life, he falls right back into leaning on Oliver for support. Things aren’t what they used to be between them, though. They tumble into bed together, and it’s hard not to continue ending up there. For the first time in years, Matt’s inspired to compose again, reigniting a spark he thought long extinguished.
But as always, Oliver can’t keep his heart in check, and soon Matt realizes he’s gone for Oliver too. The biggest question is, can he fully give himself to someone if he still hasn’t figured out how to love himself?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2017
171 people are currently reading
1243 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 186 reviews
February 11, 2017
I didn't love this book quite as much as everyone else did. I'm a slut for the friends-to-lovers trope, but there was something about the MCs here that rubbed me the wrong way.
Oliver has been relegating himself to lonely, infrequent hook-ups because he's in love with his BFF Matt. That's kind of noble, romantic even, except it's been ten YEARS since Matt up and left Ollie behind.
Matt hates his life in New York. He's a model and everyone recognizes him and judges him on his looks. Um . . . yeah, people would PAY to have Matt's life, but he's miserable.
I honestly had little sympathy for Matt. He has loving parents (even if his dad is a little distant), a job that pays well, and good friends he mostly ignores. First-world problems, people. Seriously.
Also, and this is just a ME thing, I lived in L.A. for years and am decidedly not a fan. The characters in this book, not just Ollie and Matt, felt very superficial, like the city itself.
I would love to know how Ollie can afford a house in Laurel Canyon at the age of 28 on an author's salary. Maybe his parents paid the down payment, because a house that size with that view would easily cost a cool 2 to 3 million.
Usually, Riley Hart writes great sex, but considering that Matt and Ollie had been pining for each other for a decade, I expected an atomic explosion. That didn't quite happen.
The sexy scenes are hot, but I wanted a stronger emotional connection and more oomph and passion during the reunion scene. Instead, the book ends on a whimper, with a pretty weak epilogue.
Don't get me wrong. Gone for You is a cute story, with some tender and sexy moments. I liked Matt's parents, and I was happy that Matt found himself at last. But the book didn't wow me.
Oliver has been relegating himself to lonely, infrequent hook-ups because he's in love with his BFF Matt. That's kind of noble, romantic even, except it's been ten YEARS since Matt up and left Ollie behind.
Matt hates his life in New York. He's a model and everyone recognizes him and judges him on his looks. Um . . . yeah, people would PAY to have Matt's life, but he's miserable.
I honestly had little sympathy for Matt. He has loving parents (even if his dad is a little distant), a job that pays well, and good friends he mostly ignores. First-world problems, people. Seriously.
Also, and this is just a ME thing, I lived in L.A. for years and am decidedly not a fan. The characters in this book, not just Ollie and Matt, felt very superficial, like the city itself.
I would love to know how Ollie can afford a house in Laurel Canyon at the age of 28 on an author's salary. Maybe his parents paid the down payment, because a house that size with that view would easily cost a cool 2 to 3 million.
Usually, Riley Hart writes great sex, but considering that Matt and Ollie had been pining for each other for a decade, I expected an atomic explosion. That didn't quite happen.
The sexy scenes are hot, but I wanted a stronger emotional connection and more oomph and passion during the reunion scene. Instead, the book ends on a whimper, with a pretty weak epilogue.
Don't get me wrong. Gone for You is a cute story, with some tender and sexy moments. I liked Matt's parents, and I was happy that Matt found himself at last. But the book didn't wow me.
February 10, 2017
**** 4.5 Stars*****
I.Loved.It.
This story spoke to my heart.
Gone for You was a tad bit more angsty than I thought, but as I said to a friend, I am an angst junkie in denial. I don't want to read them, however, when I am in the middle of all the drama it feels so darn good.
The story sucked me in; I was completely involved and touched by both MC's.
They seemed total opposites in so many ways, especially affectively and in the way they were shaped to live their lives, yet they were perfect for each other.
This is a deal breaker to me in a story, the author’s ability to make two completely different personalities to mesh, making a relationship between these two people feel real, pumping the exact dose of drama into it in order to add depth without overdoing it. I think it was brilliantly done!
My only niggle and the reason I won't give it a full 5 Stars is that I found that at the end everything was sorted too easily, a bit rushed maybe? I don't know... Matty had it too easy.
This review has been posted at Dirty Books Obsession
I.Loved.It.
This story spoke to my heart.
Gone for You was a tad bit more angsty than I thought, but as I said to a friend, I am an angst junkie in denial. I don't want to read them, however, when I am in the middle of all the drama it feels so darn good.
The story sucked me in; I was completely involved and touched by both MC's.
They seemed total opposites in so many ways, especially affectively and in the way they were shaped to live their lives, yet they were perfect for each other.
This is a deal breaker to me in a story, the author’s ability to make two completely different personalities to mesh, making a relationship between these two people feel real, pumping the exact dose of drama into it in order to add depth without overdoing it. I think it was brilliantly done!
My only niggle and the reason I won't give it a full 5 Stars is that I found that at the end everything was sorted too easily, a bit rushed maybe? I don't know... Matty had it too easy.
This review has been posted at Dirty Books Obsession
February 10, 2017
Gone for You by Riley Hart is a beautiful best friends to lovers story. Matt and Oliver have been best friends for years and had plans to stay together after high school, but Matt tells Oliver at the last minute he has decided to move to New York to pursue his music career. Oliver was devastated not only because his best friend was moving away but because he's always been secretly in love with Matt.
Years pass, and although they stay in touch, it's not the same. Well, except one thing, and that's Oliver's feelings for his friend. Matt, now a successful model, is depressed. He's unhappy with his carrer, and his relationship has ended. His heart sends him back to the only place- or person- who he feels can help him heal: Oliver.
The two embark on a story of strength, healing, trust, and love.
My highlights:
-The characters. Each man was fleshed and had distinct voices. Oliver was the caregiver, the man that held their group together. Matt was complicated. There were different layers to him that needed to be unfolded to get to the core of Matt. One thing was sure Oliver would always be by his side.
-Relationship progression. I thought their friendship felt natural and their connection palpable throughout the book.
-Narrative. The story was told from a dual POV which I think was needed for this story to be told correctly.
-Angst. This story was at points heartbreaking. Matt is just sad and makes the story carry a melancholy feel. I felt Oliver's love and Matt's heavy heart. I love when you feel what the characters are.
-Intimate moments. They scenes between Oliver and Matt were exquisitely written. They were sensual and emotional.
-The end. After darkness came light. ♥
Riley Hart nailed this one. It's a touching book about friendships, family, and inner strength. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT 5 Stars.
ARC kindly provided by Riley Hart to Gay Book Reviews
February 16, 2017
Gone For You is book one in Riley Hart's new Wild Side Series. A Prequel was published in the anthology, It Was Always You, and is now available as an individual book, Dare You To. So, if you didn't read book 0.5 you can now purchase it and meet the men who hang out at Wild Side Bar in WeHo - that is who is featured in this new series. However, I did not read Dare You To and I was totally fine with reading this book and understood it all.
Gone For You, is a friends-to-Lovers story and the two MC are Oliver and Matt who you will surely fall in love with as quickly as I did. These two have been friends since their school years and are now into early adulthood, after college, learning adulting and building their lives. This is an emotional time of life no matter who you are as you branch out and spread your wings, but it can be even harder if you are afraid and if you for some reason can't reach the dreams you have always had. What can be even worse is watching someone you love suffer because they don't think they deserve more, and this is what we have with Oliver and Matt.
Oliver has always been a romantic who wore his heart on his sleeve. His heart has been battered and bruised due to years of loving his best friend Matt, but being afraid to go after him. So, when Matt calls Oliver one late night and asks if he can come stay with Oliver, that he needs to get away from New York, he needs his best friend. Oliver, says yes, of course - putting his own well-being to the side and doing whatever he can for the man he has loved for years. When Oliver see's his friend for the first time in over two years he is shocked by the changes and the wear his friend is displaying. He knows that something isn't right with Matt but as usual he doesn't pry and is a welcoming shelter for Matt.
Matt, he is a complicated man. He wants to be happy. He knows that music will make him happy; however, when he moved to NY after high school he didn't expect it to be so hard to chase his dreams. He really didn't expect to be working as a model now because his music dream wasn't attainable. He also never expected to be running to Ollie when his life was falling apart when his boyfriend and he just called it quits, when he felt so alone and defeated. Maybe Ollie was just what he needed and his friend was always willing to be the shoulder he needed.
Let me tell you - at this point of the story, I really, really had some confused feelings towards Matt. How could he be so blind to Ollie's feelings? How could he continue to use him, the man who he said was his best friend? I felt like Matt was the most selfish person in the world. But, never fear Riley makes it all work out - you just have to keep reading.
Matt and Ollie become pretty much inseparable once Matt is back in L.A. - he starts attending Friday nights at Wild Side, catches up with their other two friends Chase and Miles, and seemingly falls right back into place with Ollie. The only thing different is they are older and there is an attraction between them, that they are both tired of fighting. Things between these two quickly heat up - both of them stating they are good to let it just be sex.
It's no surprise then that when you add in all the emotional connections these two are making, the time they are spending together, and now add it hot as hell sex - feelings would develop. When Oliver walks in on Matt playing his heart out on the Piano, it is at that moment everything hits him. He wants Matt - he wants him now, he wants him tomorrow, he wants him forever.
When Matt tells him to make his dream a reality, Ollie pours everything he has into showing Matt how he feels - "This kiss was filled with years of want, years of need, years of denial." and when they come together, taking yet another step to bring them closer to each other than anyone ever has been, Ollie goes from having sex with Matt to making love with him. "He made love to Matt slowly--that was what he was doing, he realized. Oliver was making love to him, maybe he always had been and Matt had been too fucking chickenshit to admit it." When their perfect moment is over, Ollie decides he has waited long enough and he wants Matt for his own, for good. "He'd always known he loved Matt. Everyone had always known it but in that moment, he wondered how he'd ever breathed without him." It seems to be that Matt feels the exact same way, "You turn me inside out. I don't want to ever stop touching you." -- When Ollie asks's why they have to stop, Matt breaks Ollie's heart all over again.
"Oliver loved him, fucking loved him, and Matt just wanted to throw that away? Over a job he hated and a bullshit excuse? Couldn't he just want to try?" When Matt heads back to N.Y. Ollie does something he never thought he would do...he says goodbye and he lets him go. Can they get back to where they were, can they be more than friends and eventually have what Ollie has wanted all along - a relationship? You are going to have to read this story to find out!
5 "Gone For You" Stars - and I cannot wait to read Miles and Chance's stories! This is a great start to a new series that I highly recommend! Riley Hart delivers a perfect romance that gives all friends who harbor secret crushes, hope for a happily-ever-after.
Review Copy of Gone For You provided by Author, Riley Hart for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
Gone For You, is a friends-to-Lovers story and the two MC are Oliver and Matt who you will surely fall in love with as quickly as I did. These two have been friends since their school years and are now into early adulthood, after college, learning adulting and building their lives. This is an emotional time of life no matter who you are as you branch out and spread your wings, but it can be even harder if you are afraid and if you for some reason can't reach the dreams you have always had. What can be even worse is watching someone you love suffer because they don't think they deserve more, and this is what we have with Oliver and Matt.
Oliver has always been a romantic who wore his heart on his sleeve. His heart has been battered and bruised due to years of loving his best friend Matt, but being afraid to go after him. So, when Matt calls Oliver one late night and asks if he can come stay with Oliver, that he needs to get away from New York, he needs his best friend. Oliver, says yes, of course - putting his own well-being to the side and doing whatever he can for the man he has loved for years. When Oliver see's his friend for the first time in over two years he is shocked by the changes and the wear his friend is displaying. He knows that something isn't right with Matt but as usual he doesn't pry and is a welcoming shelter for Matt.
Matt, he is a complicated man. He wants to be happy. He knows that music will make him happy; however, when he moved to NY after high school he didn't expect it to be so hard to chase his dreams. He really didn't expect to be working as a model now because his music dream wasn't attainable. He also never expected to be running to Ollie when his life was falling apart when his boyfriend and he just called it quits, when he felt so alone and defeated. Maybe Ollie was just what he needed and his friend was always willing to be the shoulder he needed.
Let me tell you - at this point of the story, I really, really had some confused feelings towards Matt. How could he be so blind to Ollie's feelings? How could he continue to use him, the man who he said was his best friend? I felt like Matt was the most selfish person in the world. But, never fear Riley makes it all work out - you just have to keep reading.
Matt and Ollie become pretty much inseparable once Matt is back in L.A. - he starts attending Friday nights at Wild Side, catches up with their other two friends Chase and Miles, and seemingly falls right back into place with Ollie. The only thing different is they are older and there is an attraction between them, that they are both tired of fighting. Things between these two quickly heat up - both of them stating they are good to let it just be sex.
"I have to tell you, I've never had complaints before. I've made many a strong man scream with this ass. It should be considered a dangerous weapon." ... "Ride me, babe. Show me how you can work that ass. I want it. Christ, I fucking want it so much."
It's no surprise then that when you add in all the emotional connections these two are making, the time they are spending together, and now add it hot as hell sex - feelings would develop. When Oliver walks in on Matt playing his heart out on the Piano, it is at that moment everything hits him. He wants Matt - he wants him now, he wants him tomorrow, he wants him forever.
"I've always wanted to take you right here on this piano. I used to jerk off thinking about it every fucking day, bending you over it and owning your ass."
When Matt tells him to make his dream a reality, Ollie pours everything he has into showing Matt how he feels - "This kiss was filled with years of want, years of need, years of denial." and when they come together, taking yet another step to bring them closer to each other than anyone ever has been, Ollie goes from having sex with Matt to making love with him. "He made love to Matt slowly--that was what he was doing, he realized. Oliver was making love to him, maybe he always had been and Matt had been too fucking chickenshit to admit it." When their perfect moment is over, Ollie decides he has waited long enough and he wants Matt for his own, for good. "He'd always known he loved Matt. Everyone had always known it but in that moment, he wondered how he'd ever breathed without him." It seems to be that Matt feels the exact same way, "You turn me inside out. I don't want to ever stop touching you." -- When Ollie asks's why they have to stop, Matt breaks Ollie's heart all over again.
"Oliver loved him, fucking loved him, and Matt just wanted to throw that away? Over a job he hated and a bullshit excuse? Couldn't he just want to try?" When Matt heads back to N.Y. Ollie does something he never thought he would do...he says goodbye and he lets him go. Can they get back to where they were, can they be more than friends and eventually have what Ollie has wanted all along - a relationship? You are going to have to read this story to find out!
5 "Gone For You" Stars - and I cannot wait to read Miles and Chance's stories! This is a great start to a new series that I highly recommend! Riley Hart delivers a perfect romance that gives all friends who harbor secret crushes, hope for a happily-ever-after.
Review Copy of Gone For You provided by Author, Riley Hart for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
February 13, 2017
This one had a bit of a melancholy feel throughout most of the book.
And Matt was pretty tiring and frustrating at times which made it hard to connect with him.
Oliver was great though, maybe a little too great.
But overall a good read and I'm looking forward to Chance and Miles' books.
And Matt was pretty tiring and frustrating at times which made it hard to connect with him.
Oliver was great though, maybe a little too great.
But overall a good read and I'm looking forward to Chance and Miles' books.
February 13, 2017
RH is a go to author for me. Her books are always a satisfying read. But I had a hard time with this one. Matt just didn't do it for me. I was annoyed with him most of the time. I didn't like how selfish he was in his friendship with Ollie. He's quite self centered. He worries only about what he's feeling. I barely liked him by the end of the book. Ollie didn't do it for me either. I was annoyed by him as well on how he allowed himself to be a doormat to Matt's behavior. He never spoke up. He continued to let Matt walk all over him and only encouraged his behavior by keeping his mouth shut. But when he let all his built up frustrations fly I was like, FINALLY! I felt OK about him in the end.
I really enjoyed the friendships between Ollie, Chance, and Miles. The chemistry between the three of them was easy to feel coming off the pages. I just I could have felt that between Matt and Ollie.
Indifferent. That is how I felt most of the book. So many really loved these two while I was having a hard time liking them individually let alone together. The only one who made any kind of sense was Miles. He was by far the smartest of the bunch. I liked him a lot. I can't wait for his book. We didn't get much of who Chance is, but seeing how him and Miles seemed to be closer I think we will get more a feel of who is in Miles's book.
Happy reading, dolls! xx
March 4, 2017
Mellow. It's the word that popped into my head when I finished reading this one.
Oliver and Matt have been friends since childhood. Matt means more than friendship to Ollie, but Matt can't let himself be protected and provided for by the more affluent Ollie.
After high school graduation, Matt strikes out on his own to try to make his dreams come true. A ten year separation strains their friendship but never ends it. Ollie's heart won't let go. Matt loses himself before taking steps to find his path again and give his true self to Ollie.
I didn't like Matt a whole lot. I found him self-absorbed and maybe even a little selfish with respect to Ollie. Oliver was pretty damn near perfect. Too perfect? Maybe.
I thought the story wrapped up too quickly in a neat little bow. But it had never been high angst or drama. I guess I kept waiting for something big to happen. It didn't knock my socks off but was an enjoyable and easy story to read.
A solid 3 stars.
Oliver and Matt have been friends since childhood. Matt means more than friendship to Ollie, but Matt can't let himself be protected and provided for by the more affluent Ollie.
After high school graduation, Matt strikes out on his own to try to make his dreams come true. A ten year separation strains their friendship but never ends it. Ollie's heart won't let go. Matt loses himself before taking steps to find his path again and give his true self to Ollie.
I didn't like Matt a whole lot. I found him self-absorbed and maybe even a little selfish with respect to Ollie. Oliver was pretty damn near perfect. Too perfect? Maybe.
I thought the story wrapped up too quickly in a neat little bow. But it had never been high angst or drama. I guess I kept waiting for something big to happen. It didn't knock my socks off but was an enjoyable and easy story to read.
A solid 3 stars.
October 28, 2017
4 stars
Another great BR with my best friend, Sweets.
I'm a great fan of Riley Hart. I love all her books and this one is no different.
I'll admit it took me a while to warm up on Matt. I kind of blamed him for leaving and drifting away.
Ollie had such a big heart and he was a huge romantic. He didn't deserve to be pushed away, especially knowing how much he cared about Matt.
I liked Miles and Chance too, but Miles' brutal honesty was the best. Their friendship was so special. I kept thinking I'd like Miles to get his own story, so I can't wait to read Tied to You. At times I thought he's too protective of Ollie and suspected there was something more than friendship.
At first I didn't like Parker, Matt's ex, but at least he sensed there was something more between Ollie and Matt. He's the one who broke up with Matt and made him leave and find himself. And I appreciate this. They were better as friends.
I resented Matt because he was too determined to make in on his own, to demonstrate he is more, but he lost himself on the way. It's nothing wrong in working hard to achieve your goals, but not by paying such a high price. It broke my heart that he kept doing something he despised and made him sick. I just wanted him to realize how wrong it was and make a change.
Riley went for the slow burning here and it was all worth it in the end.
This was a great friends-to-lovers story with a sweet ending. Can't wait to dive into Tied to You.
Another great BR with my best friend, Sweets.
I'm a great fan of Riley Hart. I love all her books and this one is no different.
I'll admit it took me a while to warm up on Matt. I kind of blamed him for leaving and drifting away.
Ollie had such a big heart and he was a huge romantic. He didn't deserve to be pushed away, especially knowing how much he cared about Matt.
I liked Miles and Chance too, but Miles' brutal honesty was the best. Their friendship was so special. I kept thinking I'd like Miles to get his own story, so I can't wait to read Tied to You. At times I thought he's too protective of Ollie and suspected there was something more than friendship.
At first I didn't like Parker, Matt's ex, but at least he sensed there was something more between Ollie and Matt. He's the one who broke up with Matt and made him leave and find himself. And I appreciate this. They were better as friends.
I resented Matt because he was too determined to make in on his own, to demonstrate he is more, but he lost himself on the way. It's nothing wrong in working hard to achieve your goals, but not by paying such a high price. It broke my heart that he kept doing something he despised and made him sick. I just wanted him to realize how wrong it was and make a change.
Riley went for the slow burning here and it was all worth it in the end.
This was a great friends-to-lovers story with a sweet ending. Can't wait to dive into Tied to You.
February 7, 2017
2.5 rounded to 3 mehh stars.
I'm sorry to say this one was a mehh for me. I didn't fall for any of the MCs.
I didn't get Matt's self-flagellation. I didn't understand why he denied himself to be happy and make the guy he loved happy in the process.
Ollie holding the torch for 10 freaking years felt a little pathetic, rather than laudable.
I don't know, I pre-ordered this book. I wanted to like it so much but I didn't.
I generally love everything Riley Hart writes but this one was... boring.
Regarding the sexy times, they weren't even that awesome. One would say that after ten years of keeping everything inside things would go all atomic mushroom with these two... but no... it was more of a lonely firework in the sky.
Disappointed.
The preview of Miles book didn't tempt me to get the next book in the series either....
I'm sorry to say this one was a mehh for me. I didn't fall for any of the MCs.
I didn't get Matt's self-flagellation. I didn't understand why he denied himself to be happy and make the guy he loved happy in the process.
Ollie holding the torch for 10 freaking years felt a little pathetic, rather than laudable.
I don't know, I pre-ordered this book. I wanted to like it so much but I didn't.
I generally love everything Riley Hart writes but this one was... boring.
Regarding the sexy times, they weren't even that awesome. One would say that after ten years of keeping everything inside things would go all atomic mushroom with these two... but no... it was more of a lonely firework in the sky.
Disappointed.
The preview of Miles book didn't tempt me to get the next book in the series either....
March 15, 2017
I'm going to think on my rating for this book for a little while...right now I'm thinking 3.5-3.75 Stars
February 21, 2018
✮4.5 Stars✮
February 2, 2017
2 stars – Riley Hart has long been a favorite author of mine in the genre of M/M romance, so any time she has a book coming out, it’s automatically added to my must-read list. Because I’ve read and loved so much of her backlist, it pains me to say that Gone for You simply didn’t work for me.
The best-friends-to-lovers trope is something that usually works well for me. The circumstances here—one friend in love with the other before a ten-year separation, but even that isn’t enough to squash the feeling—aren’t what kept me from enjoying the book, nor was it the conflict in the book either. I just didn’t connect with the characters in the way I’m used to when I read this author’s books. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Matt is lost, having given up his dream and opting to pursue something he hates but is good at. Oliver still loves him, and being the fixer personality, he wants to help Matt however he can, even though his feelings for Matt are unrequited. Unfortunately, Matt and Oliver are stuck in this pattern for almost the entire novel. Other than the fact that they eventually start sleeping together, they stay in essentially the same spot as they were when the novel starts.
And because I never got to the point where I liked the characters, I was left with all sorts of time to focus on things about the plot and writing that I found bothersome. The biggest of these was the fact that there is so much repetition. I’m not just talking about Matt and Oliver essentially walking in place. I mean repetitive thoughts and statements throughout the book, often in the same paragraph. Instead of going toward understanding the characters—something I didn’t need, because I understood their plight fine, I just didn’t understand why the plot had to stick in the same spot for 85% of it—it gave me the impression that this novel should really have been a novella instead, and a short one at that. To be honest, I’m not sure which caused the other, my disliking the characters or being frustrated by the repetition.
I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve read by Riley Hart. I know that her writing style is typically fairly simple. She’s more about writing the story and giving the feelings than she is about big, beautiful words, but until Gone for You, I never had the impression that I was reading a book that was way too long for the story it contained, and that’s exactly what happened here. Hopefully, though, the next will be better. I certainly won’t be letting this one change my opinion of her books as a whole.
The author and/or publisher generously provided me a complimentary copy of Gone for You, and while it pains me that I didn't like it enough to give a positive review, this is my fair and honest opinion of the work.
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The best-friends-to-lovers trope is something that usually works well for me. The circumstances here—one friend in love with the other before a ten-year separation, but even that isn’t enough to squash the feeling—aren’t what kept me from enjoying the book, nor was it the conflict in the book either. I just didn’t connect with the characters in the way I’m used to when I read this author’s books. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Matt is lost, having given up his dream and opting to pursue something he hates but is good at. Oliver still loves him, and being the fixer personality, he wants to help Matt however he can, even though his feelings for Matt are unrequited. Unfortunately, Matt and Oliver are stuck in this pattern for almost the entire novel. Other than the fact that they eventually start sleeping together, they stay in essentially the same spot as they were when the novel starts.
And because I never got to the point where I liked the characters, I was left with all sorts of time to focus on things about the plot and writing that I found bothersome. The biggest of these was the fact that there is so much repetition. I’m not just talking about Matt and Oliver essentially walking in place. I mean repetitive thoughts and statements throughout the book, often in the same paragraph. Instead of going toward understanding the characters—something I didn’t need, because I understood their plight fine, I just didn’t understand why the plot had to stick in the same spot for 85% of it—it gave me the impression that this novel should really have been a novella instead, and a short one at that. To be honest, I’m not sure which caused the other, my disliking the characters or being frustrated by the repetition.
I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve read by Riley Hart. I know that her writing style is typically fairly simple. She’s more about writing the story and giving the feelings than she is about big, beautiful words, but until Gone for You, I never had the impression that I was reading a book that was way too long for the story it contained, and that’s exactly what happened here. Hopefully, though, the next will be better. I certainly won’t be letting this one change my opinion of her books as a whole.
The author and/or publisher generously provided me a complimentary copy of Gone for You, and while it pains me that I didn't like it enough to give a positive review, this is my fair and honest opinion of the work.
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March 21, 2017
*** 4.25 Stars ***
This was definitely a case of reading the right book at the right time; I connected with the story and the characters on a gut level that I really can't explain (but it probably had as much to do with what is going on in my personal and professional life as much as the actual words that were on the page). I might not have always understood where the characters were coming from (is anyone really as selfless as Ollie?!) or why the heck they didn't just get out of their own way and be happy (I'm looking at you, Matt), but Hart managed to create characters that seemed to leap off the page fully formed. But it was really that raw edge to their shared history - that unrequited love Oliver felt for his best friend that I wasn't sure Matt could ever return equally - that sunk its teeth into me and demanded that I become emotionally invested. And I was.
In the end, we get our HEA, and Oliver and Matt ride off into the sunset (or at least the dim lights of the Wild Side bar in WeHo), but the relationship still feels a little unbalanced. I'll always believe that Oliver loves Matt more, and that Matt has more to gain from their relationship, but somehow, in this context, I'm okay with that. It feels realistic.
This was definitely a case of reading the right book at the right time; I connected with the story and the characters on a gut level that I really can't explain (but it probably had as much to do with what is going on in my personal and professional life as much as the actual words that were on the page). I might not have always understood where the characters were coming from (is anyone really as selfless as Ollie?!) or why the heck they didn't just get out of their own way and be happy (I'm looking at you, Matt), but Hart managed to create characters that seemed to leap off the page fully formed. But it was really that raw edge to their shared history - that unrequited love Oliver felt for his best friend that I wasn't sure Matt could ever return equally - that sunk its teeth into me and demanded that I become emotionally invested. And I was.
In the end, we get our HEA, and Oliver and Matt ride off into the sunset (or at least the dim lights of the Wild Side bar in WeHo), but the relationship still feels a little unbalanced. I'll always believe that Oliver loves Matt more, and that Matt has more to gain from their relationship, but somehow, in this context, I'm okay with that. It feels realistic.
February 12, 2017
This was a solid read, I enjoyed it! I'm giving it 4 stars because there was nothing particularly outstanding that made me really love it, but it was good!
I was so frustrated with Matt, but I couldn't help feeling for him at the same time. And I feel like this book was definitely focused more on the romance (which I love!) more than the sex, because the sex scenes only had about a moderate amount of steam, I felt. Still hot, but not blow-my-mind hot. They were pretty standard sex scenes, if that makes sense? Except maybe the last one, which was hotter than all the rest, for sure.
But despite this, it was a quick, enjoyable read, I loved how quickly I burned through it, because it kept me in the story from page to page, and I was never really taken out of the story. So it was good, and I liked it a lot, and definitely recommend it :)
I was so frustrated with Matt, but I couldn't help feeling for him at the same time. And I feel like this book was definitely focused more on the romance (which I love!) more than the sex, because the sex scenes only had about a moderate amount of steam, I felt. Still hot, but not blow-my-mind hot. They were pretty standard sex scenes, if that makes sense? Except maybe the last one, which was hotter than all the rest, for sure.
But despite this, it was a quick, enjoyable read, I loved how quickly I burned through it, because it kept me in the story from page to page, and I was never really taken out of the story. So it was good, and I liked it a lot, and definitely recommend it :)
February 13, 2017
I'm so bummed that I did not like this one more. I just did not like Matt or Oliver. Oliver was a total doormat and Matt was an ungrateful jerk. I have higher hopes for Miles book which I will definitely be reading, because I love Riley Hart and that hasn't changed one bit.
May 22, 2017
Riley Hart slays it yet again in this new series
The way Riley Hart writes just perfectly speaks to me, I've not read anything of hers I've not enjoyed and this is no different.
She manages to take the everyday routine of life and falling in love, no matter what the age of the characters, and infuses it with a little bit of magic.
In this one we have a standard friends to lovers and sort of second chance romance but with Oliver and Matt she creates two stand out characters who feel utterly real.
I loved watching them bumping heads as Matt returned back to the boy he's always loved but never felt good enough for and Oliver grew to realise he had to let Matt fix himself and say goodbye to his life long love to give it the chance to bloom fully.
The way Riley Hart writes just perfectly speaks to me, I've not read anything of hers I've not enjoyed and this is no different.
She manages to take the everyday routine of life and falling in love, no matter what the age of the characters, and infuses it with a little bit of magic.
In this one we have a standard friends to lovers and sort of second chance romance but with Oliver and Matt she creates two stand out characters who feel utterly real.
I loved watching them bumping heads as Matt returned back to the boy he's always loved but never felt good enough for and Oliver grew to realise he had to let Matt fix himself and say goodbye to his life long love to give it the chance to bloom fully.
February 6, 2017
5 + Stars!!
Riley knocked the ball out of the park with Oliver and Matt's story. I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. Oliver is heartbroken when Matt decides that instead of sharing an apartment with Oliver for their freshman year of college, he is moving to New York to follow his dream of being a musical composer. Over the past 10 years, Matt has slowly pulled away from his L.A. friends. Now he's back in town for a much needed break and he crashes at Ollie's place. Oliver has always been in love with Matt. He's never been able to move on and holds on to the hope that someday Matt will realize he feels the same. Will this visit finally bring them together, or tear them apart for good?
This book was absolutely fabulous. My heart absolutely broke for both Oliver and Matt. They both had their own demons to face. While I sympathized with Oliver, I can completely empathize with Matt. I know what it's like to feel like you're not worthy of love. I wasn't sure if I wanted to give Matt a hug or a slap across the back of the head.
The story is well-written and flowed well. The chemistry between Oliver and Matt was out of this world, and the sex, was off the charts hot. I think Riley writes some of the hottest sex scenes I've ever read. This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and makes you feel. It's filled with angst, heartbreak, sadness, friendship and love. I can't wait for the next book in this series. Highly recommended!!
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement.*
Riley knocked the ball out of the park with Oliver and Matt's story. I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. Oliver is heartbroken when Matt decides that instead of sharing an apartment with Oliver for their freshman year of college, he is moving to New York to follow his dream of being a musical composer. Over the past 10 years, Matt has slowly pulled away from his L.A. friends. Now he's back in town for a much needed break and he crashes at Ollie's place. Oliver has always been in love with Matt. He's never been able to move on and holds on to the hope that someday Matt will realize he feels the same. Will this visit finally bring them together, or tear them apart for good?
This book was absolutely fabulous. My heart absolutely broke for both Oliver and Matt. They both had their own demons to face. While I sympathized with Oliver, I can completely empathize with Matt. I know what it's like to feel like you're not worthy of love. I wasn't sure if I wanted to give Matt a hug or a slap across the back of the head.
The story is well-written and flowed well. The chemistry between Oliver and Matt was out of this world, and the sex, was off the charts hot. I think Riley writes some of the hottest sex scenes I've ever read. This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and makes you feel. It's filled with angst, heartbreak, sadness, friendship and love. I can't wait for the next book in this series. Highly recommended!!
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement.*
February 12, 2020
Me ha gustado mucho, ellos son adorables, muy fan de los friends to lovers y ese personaje que se niega a creer todo lo que vale...
February 13, 2017
I'm looking forward to reading about Miles and Chance in the next books.
July 11, 2017
**3.5 stars**
Love the friends to lovers theme. I loved the MCs (Matt and Oliver) and their friends (Miles and Chance) who were almost MCs themselves. The four of them have been friends forever.
A lot of angst. A lot of why? why? why? can't you guys make it work out?? I wanted to give Matt a kick in the ass a few times. I guess I understood a bit of his doubts to some extent, but not to the extreme that it took him ten YEARS to figure his shit out. Ten YEARS to know he hated his job? hmmm. And then it took just ONE voice message to completely open his eyes? After ten years?
"That was life. Sometimes shortcuts presented themselves but other times, you had to take the long way home."
But Matt and Oliver are cute together. I think Chance is my favorite, though. Can't wait to read his book.
Love the friends to lovers theme. I loved the MCs (Matt and Oliver) and their friends (Miles and Chance) who were almost MCs themselves. The four of them have been friends forever.
A lot of angst. A lot of why? why? why? can't you guys make it work out?? I wanted to give Matt a kick in the ass a few times. I guess I understood a bit of his doubts to some extent, but not to the extreme that it took him ten YEARS to figure his shit out. Ten YEARS to know he hated his job? hmmm. And then it took just ONE voice message to completely open his eyes? After ten years?
"That was life. Sometimes shortcuts presented themselves but other times, you had to take the long way home."
But Matt and Oliver are cute together. I think Chance is my favorite, though. Can't wait to read his book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2017
Oliver and Matt have been best friends since childhood, and Oliver has always been in love with Matt. So when Matt, at the age of 18, completely unexpectedly tells his friend that he's leaving LA to find his way in New York, Oliver is devastated.
They are separated for the next ten years, but this doesn't change either Oliver's love or their friendship.
Parts of this book dragged, it was repetitive, the end felt rushed and Matt seemed like a selfish prick while Oliver was too good and patient to be true.
And yet the story sucked me in. I felt for both MCs, cried for them. In the end, for me, Matt was not this selfish prick, he was a complicated man, sad, lonely and depressed, caught in his head and a place in life from which he couldn't free himself for a long time.
4,5 stars
They are separated for the next ten years, but this doesn't change either Oliver's love or their friendship.
Parts of this book dragged, it was repetitive, the end felt rushed and Matt seemed like a selfish prick while Oliver was too good and patient to be true.
And yet the story sucked me in. I felt for both MCs, cried for them. In the end, for me, Matt was not this selfish prick, he was a complicated man, sad, lonely and depressed, caught in his head and a place in life from which he couldn't free himself for a long time.
4,5 stars
February 14, 2017
This was really good, but man, was Matt exhausting! I couldn't figure out what was so wrong with his life. So he didn't have the things his rich friends had growing up? So his room was small and cramped? Cry me a fucking river. He had two parents who loved him, treated him well, worked hard to give him what they could, and hey, at least he had a room of his own. He didn't have to share with two or even three people. He also seemed to have given up on his dreams a little too easily. A few years are nothing, especially in any kind of artsy field. We got no details whatsoever about what he tried, just that it didn't happen instantly, so he stopped. Hell, I'm not even sure what he was trying to do. Music? So, song writing, joining a band, becoming a star, rock,classical, jazz, country? Music, piano, composition, that's all the details we got. Then in the end he freaking fell into modeling, even though he hated it.
Ok,I'm getting ranty and I guess I should stop there.
What saved this for me was Ollie, and the close friendship all the guys here had. Hell, Matt was pretty sweet too, self esteem issues aside. They shared some really sweet moments, and I did like seeing them rebuild their friendship.
Ok,I'm getting ranty and I guess I should stop there.
What saved this for me was Ollie, and the close friendship all the guys here had. Hell, Matt was pretty sweet too, self esteem issues aside. They shared some really sweet moments, and I did like seeing them rebuild their friendship.
December 4, 2017
Here we go. This is the Riley Hart I know and love. Oliver and Matt have been best friends since they were young along with Chance and Miles, who are two very good supporting characters by the way. The four of them are tight but Ollie is the glue that holds them all together and he's totally in love with Matt.
Matt has some personal issues mostly with himself but they effect every aspect of his life including his friendship with Ollie.
Despite making life plans together for after school Matt changes the game and moves away putting distance between Ollie and himself geographically and emotionally.
10 years go by and Matt is just as miserable as he has ever been if not more. His relationship with Ollie is super distant and strained but when things hit a sort of rock bottom Ollie is the man he calls for the break he needs from his life.
When the boys are back together they fall right back into the comfortable norm of their relationship and it quickly becomes clear they both want each other as more than just friends. Things are not simple though because Matt is not ready, he's an emotional mess with a lot of internal baggage and hang ups. Ollie, his fixer, tries to be his hero but soon realizes with the help of friends that he can not go through life fixing everything for everyone and neglecting himself. Harsh words are said and that's what it takes for Matt to realize that if he wants to change his life and be happy he has to do it himself. It takes a time, therapy, and a lot of life changes for things to come together but in the end we get our HEA.
Bonus: we also get a glimpse of the next one in the series and it looks interesting as well. Good book, I enjoyed it and looking forward to the next one.
Matt has some personal issues mostly with himself but they effect every aspect of his life including his friendship with Ollie.
Despite making life plans together for after school Matt changes the game and moves away putting distance between Ollie and himself geographically and emotionally.
10 years go by and Matt is just as miserable as he has ever been if not more. His relationship with Ollie is super distant and strained but when things hit a sort of rock bottom Ollie is the man he calls for the break he needs from his life.
When the boys are back together they fall right back into the comfortable norm of their relationship and it quickly becomes clear they both want each other as more than just friends. Things are not simple though because Matt is not ready, he's an emotional mess with a lot of internal baggage and hang ups. Ollie, his fixer, tries to be his hero but soon realizes with the help of friends that he can not go through life fixing everything for everyone and neglecting himself. Harsh words are said and that's what it takes for Matt to realize that if he wants to change his life and be happy he has to do it himself. It takes a time, therapy, and a lot of life changes for things to come together but in the end we get our HEA.
Bonus: we also get a glimpse of the next one in the series and it looks interesting as well. Good book, I enjoyed it and looking forward to the next one.
February 11, 2017
Let me just say that at one point, I wanted to smack Matt upside the head!! Oh my goodness that guy was infuriating. But I get it. The man had some issues that he needed to face but good Lord, I wanted to shake him. But a terrific read. And loved the surprise hidden in the pages!! Great friendships between Oliver, Miles, Chance and Matt. They all met as teens in California. There was always something between Ollie and Matt but Matt left LA suddenly when he and Ollie were 18. He's stayed away. His life deteriorates and he returns to LA after approx. 10 years. You could feel the love between Ollie and Matt if they could just get out of each other's way. Themes of love, acceptance among friends, lovers and families are woven throughout the book. This a standalone. Book 2 appears to be about one of their friends - Miles so no cliffhangers in book 1. Looking forward to reading book 2.
February 6, 2017
Review by The Blogger Girls.
Oliver, Miles, Chance, and then Matt, have been friends since high school. Matt joined the group when he met Oliver while his mother worked for Oliver’s parents cleaning their house.
Oliver is just one of those almost too nice guys who is always trying to help everyone. He has had a mad crush on Matt from almost the very beginning, though he is resigned to the fact that he will forever remain in the best friend zone.
Matt is a rather dreary character in that he never felt he was good enough for anyone. He got by on his good looks, and when he was unable to make it in the Big Apple with his music, fell back on his looks to make a career modeling, something which he hates to do. But, he feels he doesn’t have anything else to offer and is stuck in a major rut. He also feels as though he lost his love of music. The one thing he can count on, and the very reason he left California to make it on his own, was his friendship with Oliver. As with everything else, he never felt he was good enough for Oliver. When he basically hits bottom with where he is in life, it is Oliver he goes back to. Matt is also dealing with some family issues as well to add to his already full plate.
Oliver is sweet, and it is easy to feel bad for Matt at the onset. However, it does get rather repetitive to see these two make it through most of the story without making any progress. It isn’t until very late in the story, when Oliver finally stands up and says enough, that things really improve. If only he had done that years ago! But, just as with life, no matter how many times his friends tried to talk to him about it or try to make him see, Oliver had to come to that decision on his own, which, in turn, forced Matt to do the same.
To be honest, I found Miles and Chance, Dare and Austin and their lives far more interesting or enticing. Miles the workaholic and Chance the anything goes gogo dancer, really need to be in the hotseat. Or how about getting the backstory on Dare, the owner of Wild Side and his partner, Austin? We get teasers on a few of those coming up next at the end of this book, and I already can’t wait to see how those play out!
So, while this was not my favorite Riley Hart story, it is a very promising start to a new series, one which I’m already looking forward to adding to my very full Riley Hart shelf.
October 28, 2017
I've been longing to start this book for some time. I loved Dare You To from the It Was Always You anthology and I've always been a big Riley fan. I've read almost every one of her books and thoroughly enjoyed them all. So, it's no huge surprise that this story captured my heart as well.
What a complicated past these two have shared. A bond formed as young boys evolves into a relationship riddled with joys, happiness, longing, sorrow, and hurt. One man so deeply in love he can't enjoy moving on as an adult. Another man so afraid to love even himself that he has isolated himself almost to the point that he loses himself as well. As you can imagine, the path to finding their HEA consists of gigantic potholes that threaten to consume them both. Until one man must say goodbye before the other one can learn to live.
The story is slow to develop. However, once these two collide, they share a passion that blazes hot and strong and very sexy. While their hearts refuse to be engaged, their bodies tell a whole different story. Ollie is sweet and tender and his deep affection is blatantly obvious. Matt needs Oliver to breathe. But long held fears continue to guide these MC's on an explosive collision course before the rubble settles and they can begin to rebuild.
In the end, tears will fall and hearts will warm and the sun will shine again for these two. I completely enjoyed this story and look forward to continuing with Riley's next installment and Mile's story...
What a complicated past these two have shared. A bond formed as young boys evolves into a relationship riddled with joys, happiness, longing, sorrow, and hurt. One man so deeply in love he can't enjoy moving on as an adult. Another man so afraid to love even himself that he has isolated himself almost to the point that he loses himself as well. As you can imagine, the path to finding their HEA consists of gigantic potholes that threaten to consume them both. Until one man must say goodbye before the other one can learn to live.
The story is slow to develop. However, once these two collide, they share a passion that blazes hot and strong and very sexy. While their hearts refuse to be engaged, their bodies tell a whole different story. Ollie is sweet and tender and his deep affection is blatantly obvious. Matt needs Oliver to breathe. But long held fears continue to guide these MC's on an explosive collision course before the rubble settles and they can begin to rebuild.
In the end, tears will fall and hearts will warm and the sun will shine again for these two. I completely enjoyed this story and look forward to continuing with Riley's next installment and Mile's story...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2017
Oliver and Matt have been best friends and have grown up together with their other two friends, Chase and Miles. But by the time they were eighteen, it was obvious that Oliver had a huge crush and strong feelings for Matt. But their lives underwent a big change as Matt left California to try to make his own way as a musician.
For ten years, Matt stayed in New York and found some success in modeling, while the other three stayed near LA and continued to be close. Matt's visits and communication became less and less. But Matt is now realizing that he is not enjoying his career, his life, his relationship, and is generally not happy. So he decides to return to California for a visit.
Oliver is the heart of their group. He is kind, loyal, protective, and a good friend. He has always had anything he ever wanted, except for Matt, and he has managed to follow his dreams of becoming a successful author. He is a bit uptight and is looking for a real relationship instead of being a playboy like some of his friends. Matt coming home shakes up their core group, because the others worry that Matt will hurt him.
Matt is struggling, lost, and empty. He has issues with self worth and not feeling good enough. He can put on a facade when he needs to, but underneath is anxious, unhappy, and floundering. He left to prove that he could make something of himself on his own, without Oliver always helping him, but he feels like a failure since he gave up his music. Oliver has been his anchor and sometimes savior who he alternately appreciates, resents, or is envious of. He does not like the rely on anyone. He tries to keep his emotions on lock down and puts distance between those that should be closest to him. He both needs Oliver, but also pushes him away.
Oliver has always seen the potential and best in Matt even when Matt cannot. He thinks Oliver just always wants to take care of him or fix him, but believes he is not good enough. Oliver and music were always his center, but he has let them both fall to the wayside.
As they get closer and eventually cross some boundaries, their secrets and issues keep coming more and more to light. They have a deep connection, history, and a bond that has never fully been broken. Their feelings are intense, confusing, and scary. But they are also able to analyze or push the other to get answers. But will raw honesty and hard truths help them or hurt them?
They both have issues they need to fix themselves if they want a chance at a balanced relationship. No matter how much they care, the other problems are not magically going to go away. But that will also involve admitting to and owning the real issues, and then finding the inner strength to do what needs to be done. They had their work cut out for them and could be quite frustrating with their communication issues and self doubt.
This was emotional, sweet, sexy, and had a dynamic group of friends with strong ties and a sense of camaraderie. I liked the side characters of the flashy, playboy, dancer, Chance, and the outspoken, workaholic defense attorney, Miles. They really cared about Oliver and were protective of him. They considered Matt a friend too, but were also wary and untrusting. And Matt did not always feel like he fully belonged due to circumstances and then distance. It was full of doubt, angst, insecurity, and fear.
I am looking forward to Miles' book. I am already excited about the sneak peek into his match since he is familiar. It was also fun to get a bit with Dare and Austin from the prequel Dare You To (It Was Always You) since Dare owns the Wild Side bar that the guys hang out in.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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For ten years, Matt stayed in New York and found some success in modeling, while the other three stayed near LA and continued to be close. Matt's visits and communication became less and less. But Matt is now realizing that he is not enjoying his career, his life, his relationship, and is generally not happy. So he decides to return to California for a visit.
Oliver is the heart of their group. He is kind, loyal, protective, and a good friend. He has always had anything he ever wanted, except for Matt, and he has managed to follow his dreams of becoming a successful author. He is a bit uptight and is looking for a real relationship instead of being a playboy like some of his friends. Matt coming home shakes up their core group, because the others worry that Matt will hurt him.
Matt is struggling, lost, and empty. He has issues with self worth and not feeling good enough. He can put on a facade when he needs to, but underneath is anxious, unhappy, and floundering. He left to prove that he could make something of himself on his own, without Oliver always helping him, but he feels like a failure since he gave up his music. Oliver has been his anchor and sometimes savior who he alternately appreciates, resents, or is envious of. He does not like the rely on anyone. He tries to keep his emotions on lock down and puts distance between those that should be closest to him. He both needs Oliver, but also pushes him away.
Oliver has always seen the potential and best in Matt even when Matt cannot. He thinks Oliver just always wants to take care of him or fix him, but believes he is not good enough. Oliver and music were always his center, but he has let them both fall to the wayside.
As they get closer and eventually cross some boundaries, their secrets and issues keep coming more and more to light. They have a deep connection, history, and a bond that has never fully been broken. Their feelings are intense, confusing, and scary. But they are also able to analyze or push the other to get answers. But will raw honesty and hard truths help them or hurt them?
They both have issues they need to fix themselves if they want a chance at a balanced relationship. No matter how much they care, the other problems are not magically going to go away. But that will also involve admitting to and owning the real issues, and then finding the inner strength to do what needs to be done. They had their work cut out for them and could be quite frustrating with their communication issues and self doubt.
This was emotional, sweet, sexy, and had a dynamic group of friends with strong ties and a sense of camaraderie. I liked the side characters of the flashy, playboy, dancer, Chance, and the outspoken, workaholic defense attorney, Miles. They really cared about Oliver and were protective of him. They considered Matt a friend too, but were also wary and untrusting. And Matt did not always feel like he fully belonged due to circumstances and then distance. It was full of doubt, angst, insecurity, and fear.
I am looking forward to Miles' book. I am already excited about the sneak peek into his match since he is familiar. It was also fun to get a bit with Dare and Austin from the prequel Dare You To (It Was Always You) since Dare owns the Wild Side bar that the guys hang out in.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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February 7, 2017
Book & Author: Gone for You by Riley Hart
Rating: 5 stars
Riley Hart has long been one of my favorite authors for the characters she writes and the emotions she puts into every page. Add to that the fact that Riley writes friends-to-lovers with so much heart and sexiness it’s hard not to love.
I fell in love with Ollie with his romantic nature, heart on his sleeve, good guy personality. To see someone, write a guy like that was refreshing and fun. He grabbed me right away, made me want for him to get his happy ending, made me cheer for him to get the guy, and made me want to defend his choices to his best friends. Ollie was a strong character but after years of having a crush on one of his best friends he was losing all hope, he knew moving on was what he needed to do. Matt moved away years ago, trying to find his own way to reach his dreams, so the happy ending being with the who Ollie wanted didn’t look likely.
Poor Matt broke my heart from the get go. It felt so lost and broken and in need of love, but he’s just so damn stubborn! He reminds me of someone I know in my family. They must stand on their own two feet, no leaning on anyone for help, and all failure lays completely at their feet. Matt is that guy, he loves Ollie, but he needs to push him away so he doesn’t come to the rescue. Matt pushes everyone away, because he doesn’t see his worth, he’s so blinded by what he sees that he is lacking that he can’t see what is right in front of him.
I know these guys are not typical “Riley” guys but she still wrote them with all the heart and hurt and happy and heat that she gives to all her guys. Watching the push and pull between them was never easy, the wanting for them to finally find that place together was fierce, needing for them to mend and heal the hurt gave me hope. Because I know the happy ending that they had coming was worth the wait, worth the heartbreak of watching Matt hurt himself and Ollie, worth the joys of when they were so in sync with each other. The time they realize that together they are stronger was worth it all.
And let’s not forget the sexy. Because Riley brought it in this book! I have so many lines and scenes of these two together in the bedroom, on the piano, every damn where that were so hot but had that emotion running through it that brought it up a notch. And Ollie, sweet loving Ollie, was oh my god in the bedroom! Fans people, you need fans! Add all of this, the heart and the heat and the laughter, to the amazing group she gave us in Ollie, Matt, Chance, and Miles and it’s a winner in my world.
Oh, and don’t forget that amazing little surprise she included in the book for her readers!
Rating: 5 stars
Riley Hart has long been one of my favorite authors for the characters she writes and the emotions she puts into every page. Add to that the fact that Riley writes friends-to-lovers with so much heart and sexiness it’s hard not to love.
I fell in love with Ollie with his romantic nature, heart on his sleeve, good guy personality. To see someone, write a guy like that was refreshing and fun. He grabbed me right away, made me want for him to get his happy ending, made me cheer for him to get the guy, and made me want to defend his choices to his best friends. Ollie was a strong character but after years of having a crush on one of his best friends he was losing all hope, he knew moving on was what he needed to do. Matt moved away years ago, trying to find his own way to reach his dreams, so the happy ending being with the who Ollie wanted didn’t look likely.
Poor Matt broke my heart from the get go. It felt so lost and broken and in need of love, but he’s just so damn stubborn! He reminds me of someone I know in my family. They must stand on their own two feet, no leaning on anyone for help, and all failure lays completely at their feet. Matt is that guy, he loves Ollie, but he needs to push him away so he doesn’t come to the rescue. Matt pushes everyone away, because he doesn’t see his worth, he’s so blinded by what he sees that he is lacking that he can’t see what is right in front of him.
It’s inside of you, swimming in the marrow of your bones.
Pumping through your heart. In each breath you take.
I know these guys are not typical “Riley” guys but she still wrote them with all the heart and hurt and happy and heat that she gives to all her guys. Watching the push and pull between them was never easy, the wanting for them to finally find that place together was fierce, needing for them to mend and heal the hurt gave me hope. Because I know the happy ending that they had coming was worth the wait, worth the heartbreak of watching Matt hurt himself and Ollie, worth the joys of when they were so in sync with each other. The time they realize that together they are stronger was worth it all.
He looked down, saw so fucking much emotion in Oliver’s eyes that it nearly took his breath. His pulse sped up and he nearly ran. Jesus, the way Oliver looked at him. It made Matt feel like he was someone else. Someone better. Someone he could never be. Oliver had always seen more in him than was there.
And let’s not forget the sexy. Because Riley brought it in this book! I have so many lines and scenes of these two together in the bedroom, on the piano, every damn where that were so hot but had that emotion running through it that brought it up a notch. And Ollie, sweet loving Ollie, was oh my god in the bedroom! Fans people, you need fans! Add all of this, the heart and the heat and the laughter, to the amazing group she gave us in Ollie, Matt, Chance, and Miles and it’s a winner in my world.
Oh, and don’t forget that amazing little surprise she included in the book for her readers!
February 10, 2017
4.5 Stars
What a nice surprise this was...of course...it is Riley Hart so you know it's gonna be good...but this one was even better than I was expecting.
Childhood friends to lovers with so much heart and devotion that you can't help but love these men to death. This story takes a good 50% of the book to kick into any sort of sexual relationship but honestly this worked for them and made you appreciate the relationship they did have on a different level. Once this got there it was off the charts with sexy times.
Oliver is just one of those people everyone wants and needs in their lives. The strong supportive friend who always has your back.
Matty is just a lost soul and while he loves his Oliver, he also needs to be able to learn to stand on his own. And he tries and tries. But it is only in his music where he can truly be himself and the man that Oliver has loved for so long.
“There you are.”
“You knew where I was,” he replied, and then, “sorry if I woke you.”
“That’s not what I meant. Earlier, during your shoot you had your walls so fucking high around you, I couldn’t see you. I looked for you, even afterward but you had your mask firmly in place. You do most of the time, don’t you, Matty? You’re always fucking wearing it but not when you play. That’s the only time you’re really you.”
While both men are in their late 20's this is almost a coming of age story for Matty as he struggles to find himself.
This book is filled with some very touching, sexy and possessive moments (which are some of my favorite).
"If you were mine, I’d burn the fucking world down before I let anyone else touch you.”
Phew! Riley can definitely get the heat going.
This one has very little angst as well which was nice. Even the little there was was absolutely necessary and showed the maturity needed to make this work long term.
Miles is up next and already I am in love with his character (plus there is a sneak peek to his story at the end of this) and hopefully we will get Chance's story eventually too.
What a nice surprise this was...of course...it is Riley Hart so you know it's gonna be good...but this one was even better than I was expecting.
Childhood friends to lovers with so much heart and devotion that you can't help but love these men to death. This story takes a good 50% of the book to kick into any sort of sexual relationship but honestly this worked for them and made you appreciate the relationship they did have on a different level. Once this got there it was off the charts with sexy times.
Oliver is just one of those people everyone wants and needs in their lives. The strong supportive friend who always has your back.
Matty is just a lost soul and while he loves his Oliver, he also needs to be able to learn to stand on his own. And he tries and tries. But it is only in his music where he can truly be himself and the man that Oliver has loved for so long.
“There you are.”
“You knew where I was,” he replied, and then, “sorry if I woke you.”
“That’s not what I meant. Earlier, during your shoot you had your walls so fucking high around you, I couldn’t see you. I looked for you, even afterward but you had your mask firmly in place. You do most of the time, don’t you, Matty? You’re always fucking wearing it but not when you play. That’s the only time you’re really you.”
While both men are in their late 20's this is almost a coming of age story for Matty as he struggles to find himself.
This book is filled with some very touching, sexy and possessive moments (which are some of my favorite).
"If you were mine, I’d burn the fucking world down before I let anyone else touch you.”
Phew! Riley can definitely get the heat going.
This one has very little angst as well which was nice. Even the little there was was absolutely necessary and showed the maturity needed to make this work long term.
Miles is up next and already I am in love with his character (plus there is a sneak peek to his story at the end of this) and hopefully we will get Chance's story eventually too.
February 18, 2017
“You’re music to me”
Oliver - such a sweetheart, with a heart of pure gold
“I think part of me wanted to make you proud.…I guess you always believed in me so much, you put yourself on the line for me so much, I wanted you to see it was worth it. I wanted you to know you didn’t put all that energy out in vain.”
Matt - In denial & Lost
I had a love-hate relationship with Matt through a lot of the story. I felt that we only really got to see him at the end, maybe if we had got more insight of the choices he makes throughout the book, he would have made more sense to me.
But don't misunderstand me, I still absolutely loved this friends to lovers romance, just felt that Matt was a little overlooked!
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