Life of Bliss (Love Life #2) by Erin McLellan

Jun 27, 2018 ☆ Todd rated it liked it

Fairly meh, so I'll keep this short.

While I liked both MC's, I wasn't a huge fan of the feeling of boredom that I had for a lot of the book.

It felt like I kept waiting for something exciting to happen -- other than even more "does he really care for me / I'm freaking out" internal monologues.

Plus, the story's premise of them hating one another, yeah, not so much. That wasn't remotely true and there was hardly any snark and banter to make me believe that they had *any* dislike for one another.

I s ...more

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Mar 01, 2018 Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mm, fake-relationship, too-hot-for-tv, 4-star, tickle-my-funny-bone

***4.5 Stars***

Frenemies to lovers + fake relationship + Oops we got married = I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK!

"I love you the way I always hoped love would feel. Will you stay married to me?"

If you're looking for a cute read that's filled with two adorable MC's, a great cast of secondary characters, a healthy does of steam, plenty of sweet moments and a sprinkling of laugh out loud zingers....this is the book for you!

If I hadn't had a busy weekend, I would have easily read this in one ...more

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Feb 24, 2018 BWT (Belen) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-fiction, gay-book-reviews, netgalley, 2018

ETA NOTE: Before you read I need to point out this review was originally for an ARC of Life of Bliss provided by Riptide Publishing in March 2018. Due to recent events the author received their rights back from Riptide and will be self-publishing the title. However, this review was written before the book was tied to Life on Pause as book 2 of the Love Life series. So while updates are being done to bring the cover and information up to date – my review was for the book when it was being markete ETA NOTE: Before you read I need to point out this review was originally for an ARC of Life of Bliss provided by Riptide Publishing in March 2018. Due to recent events the author received their rights back from Riptide and will be self-publishing the title. However, this review was written before the book was tied to Life on Pause as book 2 of the Love Life series. So while updates are being done to bring the cover and information up to date – my review was for the book when it was being marketed as a standalone. xxoo — Belen

For much of the beginning of Life of Bliss I felt like I was reading a story in which I'd missed another book where the characters were first introduced. It took me a long time to get over that feeling that I had missed something important, so it took longer than I would have liked to get into the story.

It turns out that there is another book before this one, called Life on Pause but Life of Bliss is not being marketed as book #2 in a series, but as a standalone and I cannot for the life of me understand why. It really doesn't stand alone IMO.

Let me try to recap as much as possible so you don't have the same problems I did?

Okay, so Rusty and Todd dated, but broke up. Rusty then got together with Niles, whose best friend is Victor. But Todd apparently tried to break Rusty and Niles up, which pissed off Victor. Todd and Victor have mad chemistry and end up hate-fucking. Niles and Rusty eventually get over their drama and get back together, Victor and Niles are still best friends, and Rusty and Todd remain exes but settle in as best friends and Todd even ends up becoming friends with Niles too.

Life of Bliss begins with Niles, Rusty, and Todd returning from vacation together. Whereas the three live in Bison Hills, Oklahoma, they fly into Oklahoma City and decide to grab dinner with Niles' best friend, Victor. Todd is happy about this because he hopes he can hook up with Victor again.

He scanned the dark, trendy restaurant until his eyes landed on the hottest man in Oklahoma: Victor Consuelos. Just being in the same room with him made Todd's blood blaze with lust and frustration and anger.

Apparently they've been having super-sekrit sexy times with no one the wiser because everyone thinks they sort of hate each other, but they really don't. In Victor's case he really likes Todd, but valiantly hides it behind sarcasm and snark.

His crush on Todd was incredibly inconvenient. For one, they hated each other.
Except they totally didn't. They only pretended to.

Victor and Todd have their hookup and spend the night together, a first for them, and Victor confesses he's upset for having to attend his sister's wedding and festivities without a date.

It was hard to woo other guys when you were carrying a torch for some fickle motherfucker you only saw when you visited your best friend, who lived hours away.

Todd agrees to go with Victor to his sister's wedding weekend and pretend to be Victor's boyfriend. They don't have to pretend too hard. After an epic case of day drinking leading to a hazily-remembered wedding the two decide rather quickly to stay married for the summer and see if they can make a go of it.

Without the biting words between them, what was left besides desire? It was simultaneously a relief and scary as hell.

There's some angst here as they also decide to keep their Marriage Arrangement, and any whiff of relationship between them, secret from their friends and family. There's some angst between Todd and his parents, which leads to a pretty explosive fight. And then there's the whole - what are they supposed to do once the summer of married bliss is over?

"I've liked you all along," he said, to push the point home.
"I've liked you all along too. Even when I didn't like you at all."

I might have liked the story more if it hadn't been for that off-kilter feeling like I had missed something hugely important at the beginning. As a result I just never really got into the story and had to struggle to finish it especially with all the secrets and angsty drama that came from it.

"I love you, Victor. I love you like there's lightning in my veins. I love you the way I always hoped love would feel."

Some drama and angst, quite a few sexy times, and a sweet HEA is what you'll find here.

Hopefully now that you have the details - and the information that you should probably read Life on Pause first - I hope you can enjoy the story more than I did.

Advanced Review Galley copy of Life of Bliss provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

This review will be cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews. ...more

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Nov 05, 2020 Gustaf rated it liked it

I loved the premise of this book. Waking up married is one of my favorite tropes and two frenemies waking up married? I'm onboard with that.

But, this book left me totally confused.
On one part I really liked it. I liked the story. I liked Todd and Victor. I liked all the side characters. Everything.
But I also found it boring at times. Too slow to hold my attention. I was so frustrated by Todd never being able to make a decision and Victor's dramatics.
So well yeah, confused.
I guess I can't do ...more

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Jun 21, 2018 ~Kristin~ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: already-on-kindle, boys-who-love-boys, enemies-to-lovers

4+ Stars
I love a good enemies to lovers story, throw in a fake relationship where real feelings grow and I am sold. I think the way this one plays out is very realistic, you could understand the fears both MCs were feeling. I really enjoyed this one and recommend it!

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Apr 08, 2018 Lost in a Book rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-books, boy-meets-boy-reviews, i-do-i-think

3.75 stars

Victoooooooooor!!! I had a serious case of excite finding out that Victor got his story. He was the highlight for me in book one and I had to get my hands on the sassy, hilarious, and fierce dancer. He didn’t disappoint.

Todd is a piano accompanist on summer break. We were introduced to Todd in book one as Rusty’s fickle ex. Todd and Victor were always biting each others head off and all that built up frustration led to “hate” sex. Don’t get too excited, the hate sex takes place off pag ...more

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Jul 08, 2018 Sandra rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-book-challenge, angst-and-drama, arc-publisher-direct, review-requested, flowers-and-chocolates, naughties, sucky-friends-are-sucky, contemporary, giggle-snorts, m-m-yeah-baby

I read this without realizing it was book 2 of a series, but that didn't really hurt my enjoyment of it.

Frenemies-to-lovers is a fabulous trope, and the author made fine use of it in here. However, that's not the only trope in here, because frenemies lead to fake boyfriends to oops, we got drunk married.

Victor and Todd hate each other, but love to hate-fuck each other when their friends/couple Rusty and Niles aren't looking, except they really don't, because Victor hides a massive crush on Tod I read this without realizing it was book 2 of a series, but that didn't really hurt my enjoyment of it.

Frenemies-to-lovers is a fabulous trope, and the author made fine use of it in here. However, that's not the only trope in here, because frenemies lead to fake boyfriends to oops, we got drunk married.

Victor and Todd hate each other, but love to hate-fuck each other when their friends/couple Rusty and Niles aren't looking, except they really don't, because Victor hides a massive crush on Todd behind his snarky sarcasm, and Todd only sort of hates Victor because of guilt and shame over almost screwing with Dusty and Niles' HEA (which apparently happened in book 1).

At the beginning of this book, Todd, Rusty, and Niles are coming back from vacation and stop over in OK City, before going home to small town Oklahoma. Victor lives in OK City, so they meet him for dinner. Todd is already counting the minutes until the end of dinner so he and Victor can sneak off for sexy times.

While coming down from the orgasmic high, and noticing a strange shift that seemed to have happened during sex, Victor tells Todd about attending his sister's upcoming wedding solo, and hating that, and somehow Todd agrees to be Victor's fake boyfriend at the wedding.

Alcohol comes into play, and they wake up the morning after the wedding married.

From there, the book turns into a bit of an angst-fest, with both men keeping the marriage secret while agreeing to see if they can make it work, Todd making up stories (lies) when Rusty and Niles inquire of his whereabouts, Victor wondering if this marriage will last the summer, and whether it should, Todd and Victor NOT talking about how they really feel, feelings getting hurt, Todd coming clean to his family, which is a bit... shall we say... rough, Victor feeling like giving up, and two men who love each other being almost too damn proud to confess their true feelings.

The writing is fabulous. There are one-line zinger that had me giggling, and some humorous moments, such as Victor's box of sex toys being labeled "important documents".

What I also really appreciated is that the author went beyond what could have become simply a rom-com and actually dug deeper into both characters. Todd especially suffers from a lack of confidence in his relationship skills, considering that he blew it with Rusty, and doesn't quite know how to navigate the waters between his feelings for Victor, his desire for something permanent, and his fears of screwing up again. Victor too isn't just all snark and sass, and there are worries keeping him up at night, specifically how to make enough money to keep paying rent, and whether his job will still exist after the summer.

So while there are giggles and snickers to be had, and while the sexy times are hawt, there is more to this story than just those. Add a sweet HEA, and you have yourself a fine romance. I had a grand time reading this book, even without knowing anything about these folks from the first book, and I think you would too.

** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. ** ...more

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Mar 15, 2018 CrabbyPatty rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, gaybookreviews, sinfullygoodblog, riptide-publishing, 2018-reads, mm-regular-guys

This title has a bit of a convoluted lineage. I initially received this book from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, for review, but understand that the author is now self-publishing the title, with a revised publication date of April 30, 2018. Also, the book was not initially identified as #2 in the Love Life series, and I suggest you read the first book in the series to get a better background on Todd and Victor.

So, anyhoo ... we first meet Todd in Life on Pause as Rusty's faithless ex. As Lif This title has a bit of a convoluted lineage. I initially received this book from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, for review, but understand that the author is now self-publishing the title, with a revised publication date of April 30, 2018. Also, the book was not initially identified as #2 in the Love Life series, and I suggest you read the first book in the series to get a better background on Todd and Victor.

So, anyhoo ... we first meet Todd in Life on Pause as Rusty's faithless ex. As Life of Bliss starts, Todd and Victor (Nile's BF) find themselves on the outside of Rusty and Niles' domestic bliss and act their parts as the respective BFFs who absolutely despise one another. Except ... they have been enemies-with-sexy-benefits for about six steamy sexy months.

Todd and Victor had a thorny relationship. Victor was horribly gorgeous, sarcastic, and infuriating . . . And Todd loved hate-fucking him.

Todd has NO confidence in his relationship skills (after breaking up with Rusty, AND the guy he left Rusty for) and tells himself he's content with what he and Victor share. For his part, "Victor’s Todd crush was the reason he didn’t have a date for his cousin’s wedding. It was hard to woo other guys when you were carrying a torch for some fickle motherfucker you only saw when you visited your best friend, who lived hours away."

Todd agrees to go with Victor to that family wedding, loves Victor's quirky family, much drinking ensues, and the two wake up married. So far, so good. But at this point, Victor and Todd pretty much seclude themselves from their family and friends and spend the summer living together, telling no one they are married. Todd also spend the summer agonizing over his marriage:

If this falls apart in six months, in a year, you’ll be even more alone. You’ll be completely isolated. If you allow yourself to connect with Victor’s family and friends, and then your relationship ends, it will hurt worse than it does now. It will hurt worse than it did with Rusty.

Todd's indecisiveness over the entire summer grows weary, IMHO and the pace of the book feels very slow at times due to the sameness of Todd's angst. Also limiting the "married by accident" trope by keeping it secret dulls some of the impact for me personally, since part of the fun is watching two unlikely mates working through their situation in front of equally parts horrified and supportive family and friends.

I really enjoy the initial set-up of the love/hate/married situation, and Victor and Todd's chemistry is ridiculously hawt, but Todd's unwillingness to make a decision stalled the story for me personally, as well as the secret marriage. I give Life of Bliss 3.5 stars, realizing that other readers may not feel the same!

Stop by my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews ...more

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May 12, 2018 Apolishedreader rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, mm, funny, enemies-to-lovers, arc, series, cover-love, forced-proximity

Possum nails!
(view spoiler)

Tropetastic loveliness here! Frenemies with benefits, fake relationship, forced proximity, accidental marriage with fabulous family (Vic's), great friendships, and banter. I loved so much about this book.
We met both Todd and Victor in Life on Pause. They were both endearing in their own ways in that book. Victor, being the best and supportive friend. Todd, wanting the best for his ex-boyfriend even if that ...more

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Feb 25, 2018 Mare SLiTsReaD Reviews rated it liked it · review of another edition

The pretend Husband/Wife trope is one of my fav's.

And its not as if this one was pretend per say, it was more like secretzzzzz.

(view spoiler)

I wont spoil anymore, I will say the book was ok. Passed my Saturday. The sex scenes were on point but the chemistry was not. Le Sigh.

Mare~Slitsread ...more

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Mar 15, 2018 Barb ~rede-2-read~ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, favorite-couples, read-2018, to-re-read, angst-a-lot, enemies-to-lovers, for-review, favorites

ARC provided by the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an impartial review.

I loved this story! In an enemies-to-lovers theme, Todd and Victor start off as men who love to hate one another. But here’s the rub: they really don’t. Or, at least Victor doesn’t hate Todd. He goes to great lengths to keep Todd from knowing how much he cares about him, and their sexy, snarky behavior lights up a room. Heaven forbid they’d get into a relationship! But they do.

These characters were engaging ri ARC provided by the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an impartial review.

I loved this story! In an enemies-to-lovers theme, Todd and Victor start off as men who love to hate one another. But here’s the rub: they really don’t. Or, at least Victor doesn’t hate Todd. He goes to great lengths to keep Todd from knowing how much he cares about him, and their sexy, snarky behavior lights up a room. Heaven forbid they’d get into a relationship! But they do.

These characters were engaging right from the beginning and by the time they were planning to head to Victor’s cousin’s wedding, I was caught up in their story. When they actually arrived at the wedding and were embraced by his huge family, I was convinced this one was a book I’d like. But then it got even better. Their behavior toward one another at the wedding was spell-binding. Both men got a bit tipsy even before the ceremony, so their words and gestures toward one another were more subconscious and definitely more sexy and endearing than either had planned for—the looks, the touches—ahh, so satisfying to this reader. They continued to drink and then to dance and then they woke up married. Somewhere along the way it made perfect sense to them to go into the quaint little wedding-oriented town and tie the knot. They even had matching silicone wedding bands. And lo and behold, when they awoke the morning after, Todd didn’t pack up and run. They decided they’d give it a try over the course of the summer. Todd was, after all, a teacher so had the summer off. And since Victor lived in Oklahoma City, not Bison Hills where their besties Niles and Rusty lived, they could get away with keeping it a secret until they made their decision.

Of course, the best laid plans and all that. Here’s the thing: their personalities were very different. Victor was an all-in, “here’s my heart on a platter” kind of guy, but Todd was “let’s test the water, no one has ever wanted me in their life for long so I shouldn’t make plans to stay” sort of man. Their first months were fine, and the author spent most of that time cementing my love for both characters. And then the cracks started to appear when Victor was faced with financial insecurity from loss of employment and Todd was faced with a decision to quit his job, relocate, and lose his circle of friends—friends that were more like family to him.

In fact, it took me a while before I realized the secondary characters, Niles and Rusty, were the MCs from Life on Pause. Todd and Victor only had cameo appearances in the first book so I just didn’t make the connection. To be honest, I not sure why this isn’t billed as a sequel, but it really does stand alone and reading book one first should have no impact on a reader’s enjoyment of this story. Long story short, it just doesn’t matter. This one is perfect as is.

I really enjoyed the way the author managed to engage me in their lives—both of them. I cried with them, laughed with them, and labored over their decisions with them. And then I shared their heartache. Thankfully, by the end I was able to share the joy as they made their final decision and started down the path to their HEA. Totally satisfying, fulfilling, enjoyable story! Very highly recommended.

...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Christi Snow rated it really liked it

My Review:
This is Erin McLellan's third release and this is the third book by Erin McLellan that I have thoroughly enjoyed. She truly writes just feel-good, fun-to-read, romantic books that I like to read.

In this one, we are re-introduced to two guys who were in her previous book, Life On Pause. Victor and Todd have been carrying on a secret affair. No one knows they've been sleeping together, mainly because they fight almost the entire time they're together, but a lot of that is a ruse...for t ...more

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Apr 20, 2018 Calila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-musician, read-to-review, m-m, series, romance, zzzzz-read-in-2018, ebook, contemporary, m-m-actor-dancer-model, duo

*A copy was provided by the author for free in exchange for an honest review*

I enjoyed this a lot more than the first book in there series. The dynamic was so much more believable and compelling. The characters weren't as frustrating, though they have their moments. Especially Todd, his reluctance to just accept trying to be a couple was irksome. But I loved how Victor just jumped in head first and was open to giving it a real shot. There is a BIG ANGST moment but it did feel overblown but I get ...more

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Jun 09, 2018 Alisa rated it liked it

Shelves: zz-2018, interracial-couple, netgalley, enemies-to-lovers, rock-stars-musicians-read, m-m-read, dancers, drunk-marriage

3.5 stars

I wasn't sure about this going in because I didn't like Todd in book one. When this starts we find out Todd and Victor has been having heated hate sex behind Rusty and Nile's backs. Over time they've both come to care about the other but they're too vulnerable to admit it to each other. A trip to a family wedding on Vic's side opens new doors to them and their relationship takes on a serious nature.

I thought this was an entertaining, easy read. Todd's kind of an idiot for much of it but ...more

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Apr 06, 2018 haletostilinski rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-romance, romance, no-cheating, secret-relatoinship, happy-ending

3.25 stars!

So, I was really excited to read this one. Because the blurb hinted at a whole love/hate thing (there wasn't, really) or even enemies to lovers (there really wasn't). And then the whole wake up married after getting drunk trope? Sign me up!

But..it didn't quite work for me. I really liked Victor and Todd together, they had good chemistry and they did make me smile like a loon at the end with their sweetness and just how much they loved each other.

I wanted to give this book 4 stars, I ...more

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Jun 06, 2018 Joyfully Jay rated it really liked it

Shelves: jay

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Life of Bliss is the second book in the Love Life series and a follow up to McLellan’s Life on Pause. That is Rusty and Niles’ book and we meet Todd and Victor there as the guys’ best friends. In that first story, we do see the guys at odds and bickering with one another, but I don’t think you need to have read that book to enjoy this as their relationship development really occurs here.

I enjoyed Todd and Victor individually, as well as their dynamic together in A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Life of Bliss is the second book in the Love Life series and a follow up to McLellan’s Life on Pause. That is Rusty and Niles’ book and we meet Todd and Victor there as the guys’ best friends. In that first story, we do see the guys at odds and bickering with one another, but I don’t think you need to have read that book to enjoy this as their relationship development really occurs here.

I enjoyed Todd and Victor individually, as well as their dynamic together in that first book, and so I was excited to get their story here. Despite the bickering that is the foundation of their relationship, they are both sweet guys and they are likable together. I particularly enjoyed Victor and his large and close family. I think the set up here is entertaining and story is a nice balance of fun, sexy, and romantic and it’s a nice easy read.

I do think that the set up offered some potential that wasn’t fully realized here, however, and the story suffered from being a little bit bland. The set up gives us enemies to lovers, a fake boyfriend scenario, and a secret marriage they are keeping hidden from even their best friends. There should have been a lot of tension and excitement and conflict here, but all the rough edges are pretty smoothed away. Although these guys have been having hate sex for months, by the time this story opens, it is clear to us (and to them) that they aren’t really enemies. In fact, Victor can admit to himself that he has feelings for Todd. So while their bickering adds a little spice to their love life, they are pretty much already quite friendly when the story opens and we don’t see much of that frenemies dynamic. Not much really comes out of the fake relationship or the secret marriage either, other than the guys realizing how much they like one another. Even the fact that they are keeping this all a secret from their best friends (including the fact that Todd has been living in another city for months and no one notices) doesn’t really materialize into anything. So I think there is some unrealized potential here and it makes the story a little bit flat.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

...more

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Jul 03, 2018 Rachel marked it as to-read

Shelves: m-m-contemporary-romance, enemies-to-lovers, promotional, own-to-read

7/3/18 99c TODAY only!

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Bliss-Lov... ...more

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May 01, 2018 Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs, mm, hea-hfn, hot-as-hell, mm-na, series, 2018-reads, enemies-to-lovers

4 Stars

I think this is mostly a case of it's not you, it’s me, or rather, it wasn’t the story, it was me. I wanted Victor and Todd’s story, even asked for it at the end of my review for Life On Pause, book one in this series, which definitely has to be read before reading this book, or you’ll be completely lost. I read it and even after re-reading my review of book one, I still felt a little lost in the beginning.

I was interested in Todd and Victor’s story when I met them in Life On Pause, but ...more

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May 02, 2018 HEChapter -Tina J rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbt-gay, sexy-contemporary, pov-third-person, read-in-2018

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

⚠ #REVIEW ⚠
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
I love this cover, it's what attracted me to the book in the first place. The two happy men, the bright and bold title font. It was eye-catching and appealing. The synopsis sounded like it would be a fun read, too.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person
Immediately, you catch a "Taming of the Shrew" vibe and later, one line, felt like it was straight from "10 Things I Hate About You" (Ledger/Stiles). Luckily, I ...more

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Apr 02, 2018 Roberta Blablanski rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-for-review, series, absolute-favorites, mm, re-read, the-cutest-of-the-cute, fake-relationship

Stories don't get any sweeter than this. Victor and Todd are perfect for each other even if they initially fight it. They don't hold back with the snarky comments that fuel their passion for one another. I immediately loved Victor from Life on Pause, with his bright personality and penchant for gifting sex toys. I had my misgivings about Todd but he more than redeemed himself.

"I've liked you all along too. Even when I didn't like you at all."

The author takes frenemies to lovers (Todd refers to V Stories don't get any sweeter than this. Victor and Todd are perfect for each other even if they initially fight it. They don't hold back with the snarky comments that fuel their passion for one another. I immediately loved Victor from Life on Pause, with his bright personality and penchant for gifting sex toys. I had my misgivings about Todd but he more than redeemed himself.

"I've liked you all along too. Even when I didn't like you at all."

The author takes frenemies to lovers (Todd refers to Victor as "Cutie McFuckFace".), fake boyfriends, and accidental marriage to the next level. Usually with fake boyfriends, there's a long, drawn-out lead-in but this story jumps right into it without hesitation, and it works. Boy, does it work. The circumstances leading up to the fake relationship seem believable and fit the personalities of the characters.

Of course, lots of alcohol is involved.

"Wine made him want to slow dance and make out."

(Same, Victor. Same.)

We all know alcohol lowers inhibitions. Pair that with "Eureka Springs--Wedding Capital of the South," and it's inevitable that these two would get married.

The morning after is a big shock, of course, but the fun and sexy times don't stop. The author hits the reader with hilarious tidbits here and there (Victor's sex toy box labeled "Important Documents" comes to mind.) while not taking away from the characters' struggles to accept their feelings and make their relationship work. They recognize in each other the things they are missing in life that the other can provide: Todd's desire to belong, and Victor's need for love and companionship.

And the chemistry...oh, man. These two are HOT. I'm shocked my Kindle didn't burst into flames.

Without getting too heavy and preachy, the author's analysis of marriage transcends sexuality. Marriage can be complicated even in the most ideal situations. Throw in opposite personalities (Victor with his Lisa Frank shirt, and Todd with his button up, preppy look is pretty much the epitome of how different these two are.) and you've got lots of mess to sift through. There's no doubt throughout the story that Victor and Todd are meant for each other. They just take the long way to get to that realization.

This story is sweet (sticky notes!), funny ("I'm a sweet motherfucker."), and romantic (Todd's dedication to getting Victor's overly complicated Starbucks order correct). What more can a reader ask for?

**Advance copy provided by author for honest review.** ...more

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May 05, 2018 Ash rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm, arc, omg-review, poc, favorites-2018

4.5 stars

This book has everything. Frenemies-to-lovers, fake boyfriends, wake-up-married, all wrapped up in a sexy feels-palooza. I really enjoyed this book. Head's up, it's not *necessarily* required to read the first book in the series (Life on Pause), but I heavily recommend it. Victor and Todd play a substantial role in that book and a lot of extra background would be missed if you skip it.

Both the MCs in this book, Todd and Victor, were so dynamic to read (even if I wanted to knock some sen 4.5 stars

This book has everything. Frenemies-to-lovers, fake boyfriends, wake-up-married, all wrapped up in a sexy feels-palooza. I really enjoyed this book. Head's up, it's not *necessarily* required to read the first book in the series (Life on Pause), but I heavily recommend it. Victor and Todd play a substantial role in that book and a lot of extra background would be missed if you skip it.

Both the MCs in this book, Todd and Victor, were so dynamic to read (even if I wanted to knock some sense into them for at least 3/4 of the book). Todd is a little lost. He yearns for a community and a social circle, but the one he has (family and friends of his ex, Rusty) feels fragile and not entirely his. He doesn't think he's cut out for relationships; he's always thinking "what if." He's basically going through life feeling numb, until Victor enters the picture. Victor has an awesome family and great friends. He's doing what he loves, even if he has to work a lot of jobs to make ends meet. He's been hooking up with his frenemy that he actually has strong feelings for and hides because he doesn't think Todd feels the same way.

They both have a lot to work through. Aside from their whole woke-up-as-husbands-one-morning thing, life throws a lot of obstacles at them that they're having to navigate at the same time. I really appreciated that the whole picture was the story, not just the romance. It incorporates a lot of elements I love about friends-to-lovers stories, in that these two already know each other but have so many other sides to them that they have yet to discover. It was absolutely adorable watching them fall in love, the sweet things they did for each other, and, yes, the sizzling chemistry they shared. There's a good bit of angst here; it isn't all sunshine and daisies, and that gave the story just enough bite to balance out the sweet and steamy.

One thing I've continuously noticed in this author's books is her skill for showing family dynamics, and Life of Bliss is no exception. We have both sides of the spectrum here; Todd's relationship with his family is strained and distant, while Victor's family is tight-knit and supportive. Both dynamics are done really well and bring a lot to the story and add extra dimension to the characters. This is definitely a strength of Erin McLellan's.

All in all, I really liked this story and definitely recommend it. Check out Life on Pause first and get the full Bison Hills experience.

An advance copy of this book was received for review on OMGReads. ...more

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Feb 25, 2018 Dísir rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: easily-forgettable, indifferent-shrugs, skimmed-through, contemporary-romance, netgalley, arc, smutty, m-m

I had the uncanny feeling the moment I got into the first few pages of ‘Life of Bliss’ that I was reading about a protagonist who’d been a secondary character in another previous story that I’d missed out. It wasn’t a feeling I could shake off so easily, though that might have also accounted for why I couldn’t exactly quite get a grasp on both the main characters until I was solidly halfway through it.

Todd and Victor’s backstory come to light in bits and pieces, where they find themselves as fr I had the uncanny feeling the moment I got into the first few pages of ‘Life of Bliss’ that I was reading about a protagonist who’d been a secondary character in another previous story that I’d missed out. It wasn’t a feeling I could shake off so easily, though that might have also accounted for why I couldn’t exactly quite get a grasp on both the main characters until I was solidly halfway through it.

Todd and Victor’s backstory come to light in bits and pieces, where they find themselves as frenemies (a pretend-hate kind of situation) where snark and snippy comebacks not only form the basis for their prelude to sex but also serve as a defence mechanism to keep each other from coming too close. But somehow weddings and the aftermath drive people crazy, or at least, as far as Todd and Victor are concerned, throw them off the cliff and into the deep end where they move, in the space of a few drunken hours into uncharted territory.

Inner monologues both prove that Todd and Victor have mistaken ideas about how they see each other, but it was frustrating to read about how these mistaken perceptions weren’t corrected because both seemed contented instead to mull over them than talk it out like adults. The result is a rather prolonged period of the 'status quo' that both try to keep (it obviously works as well as as one can expect) in a cycle that strains their relationship as their their own doubts and insecurities are left to fester. Still, I liked Victor for his own way of showing the kind of courage that it takes to keep a relationship that he slid into somewhat accidentally, though thought much less of Todd for being the way who simply couldn’t stay a course to commit to.

‘Life of Bliss’ didn’t present any big surprises for me; I expected and got what I thought would really come out of Todd/Victor’s relationship, from the conflict, the blow-up to the resolution. There were parts though, where I was bored and skimmed and couldn't quite get myself very interested in the numerous sex scenes. In all, this was a middling read which I’d wished could have been a better one.

*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley ...more

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Apr 25, 2018 The_Book_Queen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, kindle, contemporary, first-time-with-this-author, romance, 3-and-a-half-stars, arc-copy, hero-of-color, own, netgalley

3 1/2 Stars!

Frenemies-with-benefits ➜ fake date needed for a wedding ➜ Shit! How'd WE end up married last night?!

I really liked this one! But it falls into that dreaded category of "I liked it but don't have much to say about it". Which is just as frustrating for me, the reviewer, as it is for you, the potential reader who wants to know whether you should pick this book up or not!

While I don't have much to add, I will still say yes, pick this one up. I think you'll enjoy this quick read.

There' ...more

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Apr 11, 2018 Cee Brown rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ღ

Dirty little secrets.

It was bad enough sneaking behind everyone's back to have their illicit affair. Then to play fake boyfriends just to appease Victor's family. But only one spoken sentence and two drunken men would have the misfortune to think: "Getting drunk-married in Arkansas might have been stupid. Staying married would be stupider."

The marriage arrangement.

So I liked this book, and though most of the secondary characters intrigued me, I can say I am ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, series, alternating-pov-s, lbgqtia, read-2019

I had read the author's new release - Natural Disaster - and didn't quite connect with the couple but liked the writing. Then I saw the teaser for this one at the end and knew I had to read it!

This was the kind of swoony, happy reading I was looking for. Frenemies to love, fake dating (after an accidental marriage). TBH – this was mostly sex (because they start out as f*ck buddies who hate each other) but each time they were together they peeled away another layer of love and vulnerability so ea ...more

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Mar 18, 2020 Tinnean rated it really liked it

Victor was a sweetie. Todd--I get he was insecure, but I swear I wanted to smack him sometimes, especially after they promised to talk things out but then HE DIDN'T!

Having said that, once I got over holding my breath waiting for the other shoe to drop, I really did enjoy it. :-D ...more

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Jun 05, 2019 Kobie rated it it was amazing

Applause. ..finally, a m/m romance with men on PrEP. And I'm embarrassed to admit I learned a new word. ..enby.

Book is well written and MC'S lovable. ...more

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Jun 04, 2018 ConM rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-romance, 2018

Loved Victor.

Todd’s indecision was unattractive. I nearly felt Victor deserved better. But Todd finally got a grip, dnd the epilogue was great.

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Feb 27, 2018 Carol (bookish_notes) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars, read-in-2018, favorites

This review is also posted on my blog.

I feel like all I want to say about this book is that the characters are super precious and that everyone should GO READ IT. Because this is a book that makes me smile and makes me happy. I loved read it, and everyone should check out this book and Life on Pause! <3

This story is a standalone, but I feel like you do get a better sense of who Todd and Victor are from their intro in the first book. This book is an enemies-to-lovers story with a fake boyfriend A This review is also posted on my blog.

I feel like all I want to say about this book is that the characters are super precious and that everyone should GO READ IT. Because this is a book that makes me smile and makes me happy. I loved read it, and everyone should check out this book and Life on Pause! <3

This story is a standalone, but I feel like you do get a better sense of who Todd and Victor are from their intro in the first book. This book is an enemies-to-lovers story with a fake boyfriend AND impromptu marriage trope!

Todd is a former high school football player who now plays the piano for the middle and high school choral groups. His ex, Rusty, is the choir's music director, and got his own HEA in book one. They get along well, Todd even friends with Rusty's boyfriend, Niles. Victor is Niles best friend, and had previously spent his days working on a cruise ship.

The story starts off with the Todd, Rusty, and Niles getting back from a vacation in Cancun and Victor meeting up with the trio for dinner. It's really fun to watch Todd and Victor snark at each other in front of Rusty and Niles when you know it's all just foreplay.

Todd and Victor had a thorny relationship. Victor was horribly gorgeous, sarcastic, and infuriating...And Todd loved hate-fucking him.

This book is really just all the FEELS as we see Todd and Victor trying to navigate through a relationship-that-wasn't-a-real-relationship-but-now-it-sorta-is. Victor doesn't live in Bison Hills with Niles, Rusty, and Todd, so the relationship starts off as a long-distance friends-with-benefits, at best. With Todd on summer vacation, and Victor in need of a date to a wedding, Todd decides that he'll be Victors' fake boyfriend.

What makes this even better? THEY STAY IN A TREE HOUSE RESORT. Their room is also a honeymoon suite with an outdoor shower. I don't know how you can top THAT kind of living with a fake boyfriend you have a crush on. Honestly, this book is adorable and sexy, and deserves all the love!

This book is ridiculously sweet, even with the angst of navigating their relationship.

This boyfriend thing was getting easier. Maybe too easy. They were either taking it too far or deserved a Daytime Emmy.

***Thanks to Riptide Publishing for providing me an ARC on NetGalley*** ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Alex (HEABookNerd) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, couple-mm, favorite-couples, lgbtq-rep, genre-romance-contemporary, 2018, enemies, fling-temporary, genre-romance, rating-4-stars-really-enjoyable

Series: Love Life #2
Rating: 4 stars - really enjoyable

He loved Todd. Like full-blown, glitter-in-his-brain, hearts-in-his-eyes, bleed-for-him love. It sucked.

Life of Bliss is a trope-y love fest filled with enemies to lovers, fake dating, drunken marriages, secret relationships, and a fling. At first, I worried it would all be too much but Erin McLellan does a wonderful job weaving all the parts together. I was quickly sucked into the story and fell in love with both characters, especially V Series: Love Life #2
Rating: 4 stars - really enjoyable

He loved Todd. Like full-blown, glitter-in-his-brain, hearts-in-his-eyes, bleed-for-him love. It sucked.

Life of Bliss is a trope-y love fest filled with enemies to lovers, fake dating, drunken marriages, secret relationships, and a fling. At first, I worried it would all be too much but Erin McLellan does a wonderful job weaving all the parts together. I was quickly sucked into the story and fell in love with both characters, especially Victor. He was confident in all parts of his life except when it came to Todd and then he just let their chemistry take over. And boy were these two on fire together! Initially, sex is all they have between them but as they spend more time getting to know each other they realize how much they love spending time together.

I do wish that Victor had shared his feelings with Todd sooner because most of their problems stemmed from a lack of communication. As far as Todd was concerned, they were just having fun and if they were serious then Todd knows he would have to give up a lot to move to Oklahoma City to be with Victor. This, of course, puts Todd into a tailspin which results in him accidentally hurting Victor when he can't express how he really feels. Todd clearly struggles with his worry over making the wrong decision so instead, he makes no decisions. This was definitely frustrating as the book went on because I wanted them to be happy! But it's not all on Todd, because Victor is so worried about losing Todd that he avoids talking about their future. While all that's going on though, Todd and Victor start to fall in love and they were so cute together. I especially loved their sticky notes to each other, it was so adorable!

I also really enjoyed Victor's family, they were so much fun, and how they welcome Todd at the wedding was so sweet. Todd's relationship with his parents is rough so he likes the support he finds in the Consuelos family. I would have gladly had more of them in the book! I also about died after reading the epilogue, it was so sweet and the perfect ending to the story.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ...more

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