What do you think?
Rate this book
Close Proximity #2
Charlie Sunshine
Sometimes love is a lot closer to home than you think.
Charlie Burroughs can’t keep a man. All he wants is a good relationship like the ones he sees his friends having, but none of the men he picks ever work out. Despite him trying to be the perfect boyfriend, the men are either threatened by his looks or his epilepsy or a combination of the two. It’s lucky that he has his best friend Misha to turn to. The two of them are closer than peas in a pod and fiercely loyal to each other. He can’t imagine his life without Misha in it.
Misha Lebedinsky is the complete opposite of his best friend. Being the support system for his mum and twin sisters leaves Misha with neither the time nor the inclination for a relationship. Quick and frequent hook-ups are his favourite means of communication and any other pesky emotional needs he has are met by Charlie, who he’s devoted to. He lives a life of happy compartmentalization with no intention of ever changing.
All of this changes when the two best friends move in together. Being in close proximity means that they suddenly start to see each other in a very different light. But Charlie struggles when his drive to be the perfect partner clashes with the fact that he’s in love with a man who knows every little thing about him. And even if he can get past that, can a relationship ever work with a man who’d need a dictionary to tell him what love means?
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a love story about a sunny librarian who has relationship written all over him and a cynical banker who doesn’t even have it in his blurb.
This is the second book in the Close Proximity series but it can be read as a standalone.
Charlie Burroughs can’t keep a man. All he wants is a good relationship like the ones he sees his friends having, but none of the men he picks ever work out. Despite him trying to be the perfect boyfriend, the men are either threatened by his looks or his epilepsy or a combination of the two. It’s lucky that he has his best friend Misha to turn to. The two of them are closer than peas in a pod and fiercely loyal to each other. He can’t imagine his life without Misha in it.
Misha Lebedinsky is the complete opposite of his best friend. Being the support system for his mum and twin sisters leaves Misha with neither the time nor the inclination for a relationship. Quick and frequent hook-ups are his favourite means of communication and any other pesky emotional needs he has are met by Charlie, who he’s devoted to. He lives a life of happy compartmentalization with no intention of ever changing.
All of this changes when the two best friends move in together. Being in close proximity means that they suddenly start to see each other in a very different light. But Charlie struggles when his drive to be the perfect partner clashes with the fact that he’s in love with a man who knows every little thing about him. And even if he can get past that, can a relationship ever work with a man who’d need a dictionary to tell him what love means?
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a love story about a sunny librarian who has relationship written all over him and a cynical banker who doesn’t even have it in his blurb.
This is the second book in the Close Proximity series but it can be read as a standalone.
250 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2020
About the author
Lily Morton
66 books2,885 followersLily is a bestselling gay romance author.
She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven't had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.
She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?
Her latest release is French Fancy which is the second book in the bestselling Model Agency series.
https://getbook.at/FrenchFancy
You can keep up with Lily's latest releases and read the exclusive short stories '3 Dates' and ‘Playground Games’ by subscribing to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/LilyMorton-Newsletter
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/SnarkSquad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000...
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lilymortonauthor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/LilyAuthor
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/lily-morton
She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven't had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.
She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?
Her latest release is French Fancy which is the second book in the bestselling Model Agency series.
https://getbook.at/FrenchFancy
You can keep up with Lily's latest releases and read the exclusive short stories '3 Dates' and ‘Playground Games’ by subscribing to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/LilyMorton-Newsletter
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/SnarkSquad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000...
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lilymortonauthor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/LilyAuthor
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/lily-morton
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews
April 15, 2020
Charlie Sunshine rivals Gideon and Deal Maker as my favorite Lily Morton book of all time. It’s not my fault I can’t pick just one. Morton writes such lovable characters, I can’t help but fall in love with each and every one.
Misha and Charlie are no exception. Total opposites in many ways (Misha is cynical, grumpy, and a love-em-and-leave-em kind of guy, while Charlie is patient, quick to smile and soothe, and all about monogamy), these two have been besties since they were kids, through thick and thin, including the death of Misha’s dad and Charlie’s epilepsy diagnosis following a freak accident.
It’s only when Charlie moves in with Misha that they begin to see each other in a new light, namely through a haze of lust.
I loved absolutely everything about this story:
~ BANTER (but of course!)
~ British popular culture references (some of which went right over my head, but I wouldn’t have it any other way because I dig that Morton writes British boys who sound … you know, actually fucking British and not like Americans in disguise)
~ slow burn (everyone but Misha and Charlie knows their passion has been years in the making; there were bets, many, many bets, as to when they’d succumb to their mutual attraction)
~ STEAM (*hands over a fan* you’ll need it, I promise)
~ hurt/comfort aspect (Charlie’s “sunshine” nickname fits him well; he’s sweet and amicable, the very opposite of the dour-faced librarian stereotype. Charlie doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone so when his “turns”—Charlie’s euphemism for seizures—become more frequent, he tries to grin and bear it)
~ low-key jealousy (possessive Misha is all kinds of hot!)
~ the best friends & family (I adored all the secondary characters, especially Charlie’s dads)
~ HEA (so, so much YES—all the sun and stars for the epilogue)
~ LMAO moments (and there are many, the standouts being Misha crashing Charlie’s bookclub and Misha’s friend Doug “claiming” Charlie as his one and only)
READ THIS BOOK, then go listen to the Sunshine song and dance! We all need a good dose of happy right about now.
Misha and Charlie are no exception. Total opposites in many ways (Misha is cynical, grumpy, and a love-em-and-leave-em kind of guy, while Charlie is patient, quick to smile and soothe, and all about monogamy), these two have been besties since they were kids, through thick and thin, including the death of Misha’s dad and Charlie’s epilepsy diagnosis following a freak accident.
It’s only when Charlie moves in with Misha that they begin to see each other in a new light, namely through a haze of lust.
I loved absolutely everything about this story:
~ BANTER (but of course!)
~ British popular culture references (some of which went right over my head, but I wouldn’t have it any other way because I dig that Morton writes British boys who sound … you know, actually fucking British and not like Americans in disguise)
~ slow burn (everyone but Misha and Charlie knows their passion has been years in the making; there were bets, many, many bets, as to when they’d succumb to their mutual attraction)
~ STEAM (*hands over a fan* you’ll need it, I promise)
~ hurt/comfort aspect (Charlie’s “sunshine” nickname fits him well; he’s sweet and amicable, the very opposite of the dour-faced librarian stereotype. Charlie doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone so when his “turns”—Charlie’s euphemism for seizures—become more frequent, he tries to grin and bear it)
~ low-key jealousy (possessive Misha is all kinds of hot!)
~ the best friends & family (I adored all the secondary characters, especially Charlie’s dads)
~ HEA (so, so much YES—all the sun and stars for the epilogue)
~ LMAO moments (and there are many, the standouts being Misha crashing Charlie’s bookclub and Misha’s friend Doug “claiming” Charlie as his one and only)
READ THIS BOOK, then go listen to the Sunshine song and dance! We all need a good dose of happy right about now.
February 9, 2022
“I don’t want the face you show to the rest of the world. I want the real Charlie with his very occasional grouchiness. I want the man that no one else sees. That’s my reward in our relationship. The ability to see you unvarnished.”
Oh Lily, I knew I couldn’t give up on you.
This was everything I love in a (childhood) best friends to lovers story and more.
April 24, 2020
Typically, the awesome combination of slow burn and best friends to lovers tropes are my catnip, but for some reason, I couldn't deeply connect with Charlie in this story. : (
Yes, I liked him and he was a nice guy, but for me, there as just too much "sunshine" and not enough "real" Charlie to more fully know him and form that critical bone-deep connection.
[Charlie, but with my preferred shorter hair, heh...]
As a librarian, constantly trying to be seen as upbeat, shiny, and cheerful, he sadly came across as a fairly vanilla version of a people pleaser. Even when -- or maybe especially when -- his life was being derailed by his increasingly-frequent epileptic seizures. I fully admit this was just my own impression, so take that with a grain of salt.
Then in the bedroom, Charlie was suddenly this long-haired sex kitten in cherry-red lace panties, which is about as far out of my wheelhouse as you can get, so that huge contrast definitely didn't help me understand him on the level that I'd wanted.
Misha I got though. Probably because, even if he didn't run around with his emotions bubbling out of every available pore, what you saw was precisely what you got, so I connected with every aspect of his character right from the get go.
My very favorite parts of the book were those where Misha reluctantly, oh so reluctantly, saw his feelings for his best friend of twenty years change into something "more".
My life has been filled with a lot of laughter and many men. Many, many men. I never believed in the love songs and books which told of one great love. I happily dismissed that as advertising crap designed to sell flowers and chocolates. And maybe it was for me, until one day I really looked at the person who was my best friend and I finally got my head out of my arse and realized that he was so much more.But with my relative ambivalence toward Charlie as an MC, this story unfortunately didn't work nearly as well for me as pretty much *any* of the books from either Lily's "Finding Home" or "Mixed Messages" series'.
The steam was pretty high here, and the angst was for the most part kept to manageable levels, but I did think that the last bit of insecurity-inspired melodrama felt slightly reaching, and I would've been more than fine if it had been entirely excluded.
As for inclusions, I was thrilled to see more of Jesse, Zeb, and Felix (from book 1) and look forward to reading the next story in the series.
I'd rate this one at around 3.25 *could-have-totalllllllllllly-done-without-the-lacy-panties* stars.
-----------------------------------------------
This book is *FREE* with Kindle Unlimited membership.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
-----------------------------------------------
June 28, 2020
In my opinion, this is how you write a good friends-to-lovers story.
The pacing was just right. I love that the author let us get to know the characters really well and experience their friendship before anything happened between them. It felt more natural and made me care about them even more.
I loved Misha and Charlie. Well, maybe Charlie just a bit more, because how can you not? He is the sweetest. And I really liked how his condition was handled here.
Misha and Charlie are completely different, but it's pretty obvious right from the beginning how perfect they are for each other, especially in the way Misha treats Charlie. I liked everything about their friendship and how it developed into more. And that epilogue? Just perfect.
The pacing was just right. I love that the author let us get to know the characters really well and experience their friendship before anything happened between them. It felt more natural and made me care about them even more.
I loved Misha and Charlie. Well, maybe Charlie just a bit more, because how can you not? He is the sweetest. And I really liked how his condition was handled here.
Misha and Charlie are completely different, but it's pretty obvious right from the beginning how perfect they are for each other, especially in the way Misha treats Charlie. I liked everything about their friendship and how it developed into more. And that epilogue? Just perfect.
April 24, 2020
One of Lily's best yet imho, filled with her trademark sense of snarky humour and brilliantly British.
I'd also just like to stake my claim here and now for Mischa in the highly unlikely event of Charlie ever letting him go 😁
As someone who has a friend who lost their son aged just 15 because of epilepsy, I was very pleased to see Lily treat the condition with all the seriousness it deserves.
There was no messing about with how dangerous it could be to ignore the triggers which could cause 'a turn' as Charlie called them and the fallout from him skipping his reviews was handled with tact and respect.
Charlie's epilepsy was just one facet of his beautifully crafted character though and I loved how Lily made him so much more.
But in Micha I think she hit the jackpot in creating a partner who was the perfect fit, someone who had known Charlie since before he developed the condition and who never treated him any differently.
This book was just what I needed to read, a parcel of the sunshine which features in the title and in Charlie wonderful nature, tempered by some of Misha's little storm clouds to stop it becoming cloying.
Now bring on Felix and Max!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I'd also just like to stake my claim here and now for Mischa in the highly unlikely event of Charlie ever letting him go 😁
As someone who has a friend who lost their son aged just 15 because of epilepsy, I was very pleased to see Lily treat the condition with all the seriousness it deserves.
There was no messing about with how dangerous it could be to ignore the triggers which could cause 'a turn' as Charlie called them and the fallout from him skipping his reviews was handled with tact and respect.
Charlie's epilepsy was just one facet of his beautifully crafted character though and I loved how Lily made him so much more.
But in Micha I think she hit the jackpot in creating a partner who was the perfect fit, someone who had known Charlie since before he developed the condition and who never treated him any differently.
This book was just what I needed to read, a parcel of the sunshine which features in the title and in Charlie wonderful nature, tempered by some of Misha's little storm clouds to stop it becoming cloying.
Now bring on Felix and Max!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
January 15, 2022
Re-read January 2022
I've read this 5 times now. I guess you can say this is one of my favorite Lily Morton's...
----------------------------------------------
I’m not always a fan of Lily Morton’s books, but I can honestly say that I really liked this.
I loved how these guys were scared, but still talked things out, even though they didn’t want to at times. And instead of making those moments feel difficult and uncomfortable, Lily Morton made them light and funny.
And that’s what I liked the most about this book. The humor felt subtle at times and more outspoken in other parts, but it didn’t feel like a forced slap-stick kind of book, which it really wasn’t. It made me so happy that even though these guys were afraid and insecure a lot of the time, they didn’t run away from each other.
I also really loved the hurt/comfort in this when Charlie was struggling with his epilepsy and Misha took care of him. Misha was so dedicated to Charlie, it was amazing. Even when they were ‘only’ best friends.
Overall this was an amazing friends-to-lovers story which had a lovely slow burn, hot sexy times, and so many feelz it made me a happy camper.
I've read this 5 times now. I guess you can say this is one of my favorite Lily Morton's...
----------------------------------------------
I’m not always a fan of Lily Morton’s books, but I can honestly say that I really liked this.
I loved how these guys were scared, but still talked things out, even though they didn’t want to at times. And instead of making those moments feel difficult and uncomfortable, Lily Morton made them light and funny.
And that’s what I liked the most about this book. The humor felt subtle at times and more outspoken in other parts, but it didn’t feel like a forced slap-stick kind of book, which it really wasn’t. It made me so happy that even though these guys were afraid and insecure a lot of the time, they didn’t run away from each other.
I also really loved the hurt/comfort in this when Charlie was struggling with his epilepsy and Misha took care of him. Misha was so dedicated to Charlie, it was amazing. Even when they were ‘only’ best friends.
Overall this was an amazing friends-to-lovers story which had a lovely slow burn, hot sexy times, and so many feelz it made me a happy camper.
April 26, 2020
Not my favourite Lily Morton book, at all. I struggled with how oblivious two grown men could actually be, add to that Charlie's head in the sand approach to his illness and I'm afraid my eyes hurt at times from the rolling.
There was just something missing for me with this one ... IDK. I wanted to love it, but didn't though I didn't hate it either. It was just kinda meh. I did love how protective Misha was of Charlie, but again I just wish he had extracted his head out of his backside sooner.
I usually pay no attention to the cover of a book, it never figures in my decision whether to read it or not, but honestly I wanted to skip this one because of that cover. If it wasn't a LM book I would have given it a miss.
3.5 stars
There was just something missing for me with this one ... IDK. I wanted to love it, but didn't though I didn't hate it either. It was just kinda meh. I did love how protective Misha was of Charlie, but again I just wish he had extracted his head out of his backside sooner.
I usually pay no attention to the cover of a book, it never figures in my decision whether to read it or not, but honestly I wanted to skip this one because of that cover. If it wasn't a LM book I would have given it a miss.
3.5 stars
May 3, 2022
Audiobook - 4 stars
Story - 3.75 stars
Story - 3.75 stars
September 19, 2020
***Reread 9/17/20-9/18/20. Normally it would be too soon for a reread but since I did a reread of, “Best Man,” I had to read this one again too!***
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars
Pure loveliness. This book was was just what I needed right now. 😍
This book you guys... THIS. BOOK.
A little disclaimer. I might be biased because I tend to love all of Lily Morton's books. She's one of my one-click, go to authors. If she published her grocery list, I'd probably read it.
However, some of her books I have loved more than others. "Charlie Sunshine," is one of those. This is book two in her, "Close Proximity," series which started with Best Man. While it can definitely be enjoyed on its own, you'd be missing out by skipping, "Best Man." Although it's a slippery slope because, in my opinion, "Best Man," is better if you've read Gideon, which is book three in her, "Finding Home," series. I could keep going. Many of her series are loosely connected. I'll keep it simple. All of her books can absolutely be read and loved individually but you'd get a little something extra if you read them all.
"Charlie Sunshine," is the story of Charlie and Misha. If you did read, "Best Man," you'll remember that Charlie was the roommate of Jesse from that book. Misha is Charlie's best friend. I love the friends to lovers trope and Lily Morton excels at it. Charlie and Misha were perfection. I loved seeing them slowly fall for each other and I loved how everyone else knew they were meant to be, long before they did. It's a slow burn but I expect that from Morton and it fit with the story and the characters. I'd say the angst was fairly low and didn't feel manufactured. There was lots of snark and humor. 🥰
This book was a treat and I know it's one I'll come back to and reread. I am ready for Felix and Max's book now please Ms. Lily!
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars
Pure loveliness. This book was was just what I needed right now. 😍
This book you guys... THIS. BOOK.
A little disclaimer. I might be biased because I tend to love all of Lily Morton's books. She's one of my one-click, go to authors. If she published her grocery list, I'd probably read it.
However, some of her books I have loved more than others. "Charlie Sunshine," is one of those. This is book two in her, "Close Proximity," series which started with Best Man. While it can definitely be enjoyed on its own, you'd be missing out by skipping, "Best Man." Although it's a slippery slope because, in my opinion, "Best Man," is better if you've read Gideon, which is book three in her, "Finding Home," series. I could keep going. Many of her series are loosely connected. I'll keep it simple. All of her books can absolutely be read and loved individually but you'd get a little something extra if you read them all.
"Charlie Sunshine," is the story of Charlie and Misha. If you did read, "Best Man," you'll remember that Charlie was the roommate of Jesse from that book. Misha is Charlie's best friend. I love the friends to lovers trope and Lily Morton excels at it. Charlie and Misha were perfection. I loved seeing them slowly fall for each other and I loved how everyone else knew they were meant to be, long before they did. It's a slow burn but I expect that from Morton and it fit with the story and the characters. I'd say the angst was fairly low and didn't feel manufactured. There was lots of snark and humor. 🥰
This book was a treat and I know it's one I'll come back to and reread. I am ready for Felix and Max's book now please Ms. Lily!
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.**
April 24, 2020
3.5 Stars!
I'll round up. I did enjoy this one, though it's not my favorite Lily Morton.
Weirdly I thought there was too much banter and snark. Every single character and conversation was snarky. Which I do like, but it was a bit OTT at times.
I really liked Charlie and Misha. Charlie was never too sunshiney for me. And Misha was perfection. But lord almighty were they BLIND. I just wanted to smack them both upside the head.
That really bugged me. Surely they weren't that dense? For that long?
A slow build is nice. But there's slow. And there's sloooooooooooow. This was a bit more of the later.
Still a nice addition to the series, which I think fans will enjoy. And while it wasn't my favorite, I liked it and would recommend.
I'll round up. I did enjoy this one, though it's not my favorite Lily Morton.
Weirdly I thought there was too much banter and snark. Every single character and conversation was snarky. Which I do like, but it was a bit OTT at times.
I really liked Charlie and Misha. Charlie was never too sunshiney for me. And Misha was perfection. But lord almighty were they BLIND. I just wanted to smack them both upside the head.
That really bugged me. Surely they weren't that dense? For that long?
A slow build is nice. But there's slow. And there's sloooooooooooow. This was a bit more of the later.
Still a nice addition to the series, which I think fans will enjoy. And while it wasn't my favorite, I liked it and would recommend.
May 19, 2020
3.5 Liked-it-but-did-not-love-it Stars!💕 I typically love LM's books, but this one underwhelmed me. I had a hard time believing that after years of such close friendship and intimacy both Charlie and Misha were shocked that they were attracted to one another 😳. The kind of co-dependent lives they had, I'm surprised they hadn't ever hooked up when they were younger🙄.
Nevertheless, I do love friends-to-lovers trope, so I enjoyed the back and forth, the humor and the sass, even the unreasonable jealousy and possessiveness. I even related to Charlie's helplessness dealing with a disease that has no cure and can only be managed but not controlled 😢. And that's where I felt that there was a missed opportunity to make the emotional connection with the reader; how he got there? I would have loved to read a little about his journey from how a sudden accident changed his entire life. One cannot go from grief and despair into a sunny disposition overnight, or without the help from a "friend" 😉💕 or family. This was all skimmed over and I felt cheated. I also didn't understand why Misha only did "hook-ups". With so many role models of loving relationships around him, why wouldn't he want something like that for himself?
However, I don't want my review to be all bad, because it wasn't bad; it was just not as good as Ms. Morton's other books 😬. I did enjoy the humor, wit, steam, fun side characters and the overall "englishness" 😍 of the story.. which is the main attraction (at least for me) in all her books. 💘
Highly recommended to all her fans 👍👍 As I look forward to the next one in the series.. 🤩
Nevertheless, I do love friends-to-lovers trope, so I enjoyed the back and forth, the humor and the sass, even the unreasonable jealousy and possessiveness. I even related to Charlie's helplessness dealing with a disease that has no cure and can only be managed but not controlled 😢. And that's where I felt that there was a missed opportunity to make the emotional connection with the reader; how he got there? I would have loved to read a little about his journey from how a sudden accident changed his entire life. One cannot go from grief and despair into a sunny disposition overnight, or without the help from a "friend" 😉💕 or family. This was all skimmed over and I felt cheated. I also didn't understand why Misha only did "hook-ups". With so many role models of loving relationships around him, why wouldn't he want something like that for himself?
However, I don't want my review to be all bad, because it wasn't bad; it was just not as good as Ms. Morton's other books 😬. I did enjoy the humor, wit, steam, fun side characters and the overall "englishness" 😍 of the story.. which is the main attraction (at least for me) in all her books. 💘
Highly recommended to all her fans 👍👍 As I look forward to the next one in the series.. 🤩
August 24, 2022
*4.5 stars*
One of my favorites by the author. Despite the cover.
One of my favorites by the author. Despite the cover.
April 27, 2020
I enjoyed this.
Charlie Sunshine's definitely got the trademark Lily Morton banter I love (very clever and funny as always. I have no idea how she comes up with such fabulously hilarious lines again and again!) and the 'best friends-to-lovers' romance ticked a lot of my boxes – a nice bit of pining, some insecurities and a very pleasant sizzle.
There’s also the ‘serious’ part about Charlie’s epilepsy which adds some gravitas, although I didn’t find it particularly angsty , and I’m sure it wasn’t meant to, either!
Both MCs are amiable guys and it was great fun watching them gradually realize that they have had a lot more than friendship going all along. I liked how they sort their issues and fall-outs in an undramatic, ‘normal’ way.
And yet, I somehow wasn’t as emotionally involved here as for example with Oz and his story.
Don’t get me wrong - this is solid entertaining writing, but I don’t feel I really got to know these guys as much as I'd liked. I would have loved to find out more about Charlie's kink, which -what a shame -just featured on the side, or why he feels compelled to be 'sunny' all the time for everyone.
As for that cover – nope. Sorry, that’s not Charlie. It is tbh, pretty awful. Charlie is supposedly so gorgeous that people look at him twice in passing virtually every time!
I have no idea how much input authors have what goes on the outside of their books, but somebody somewhere was totally deluded when they put that there.
I would recommend to check out Miss Morton’s Pinterest board which shows clearly how she sees Charlie!
Still – this is a light and very enjoyable read! Something to cheer you up in these weird times.
4 stars for the stellar humour.
Charlie Sunshine's definitely got the trademark Lily Morton banter I love (very clever and funny as always. I have no idea how she comes up with such fabulously hilarious lines again and again!) and the 'best friends-to-lovers' romance ticked a lot of my boxes – a nice bit of pining, some insecurities and a very pleasant sizzle.
There’s also the ‘serious’ part about Charlie’s epilepsy which adds some gravitas, although I didn’t find it particularly angsty , and I’m sure it wasn’t meant to, either!
Both MCs are amiable guys and it was great fun watching them gradually realize that they have had a lot more than friendship going all along. I liked how they sort their issues and fall-outs in an undramatic, ‘normal’ way.
And yet, I somehow wasn’t as emotionally involved here as for example with Oz and his story.
Don’t get me wrong - this is solid entertaining writing, but I don’t feel I really got to know these guys as much as I'd liked. I would have loved to find out more about Charlie's kink, which -what a shame -just featured on the side, or why he feels compelled to be 'sunny' all the time for everyone.
As for that cover – nope. Sorry, that’s not Charlie. It is tbh, pretty awful. Charlie is supposedly so gorgeous that people look at him twice in passing virtually every time!
I have no idea how much input authors have what goes on the outside of their books, but somebody somewhere was totally deluded when they put that there.
I would recommend to check out Miss Morton’s Pinterest board which shows clearly how she sees Charlie!
Still – this is a light and very enjoyable read! Something to cheer you up in these weird times.
4 stars for the stellar humour.
Want to read
September 6, 2020Price drop to $0.99 at Amazon US, 9/6/20!
September 2, 2020
A lovely tale of love in London, about two best friends who finally get the message, and realize they are already loving each other.
Beautiful Charlie is a Librarian, long dirty blonde hair
and blue eyes, plus he's Epileptic, who has bad luck with dating, and depends on the folks around him.
In particular, his best friend, Misha, a Banker,
dark haired and handsome, who dotes on Charlie, caring for him at every chance he gets.
Their long relationship means they truly understand each other, and respect and love each other as friends, until they finally see the "in-love" they both have fought to repel, because they didn't want to ruin the friendship.
This gives us details of their pasts, lots of snarky, fresh banter, and funny moments. Their sassy friends are fun, too.
Their first time together for sex is explosive and off-the-charts fabulous.
We get to watch the evolution of our guys relationship, and it's a fantastic tale. I loved Misha's sweet devotion to Charlie, and Charlie's positive attitude in life, but also we see his sadness from the Epilepsy that costs him so much. The epilogue one year later, is a sweet one.
A terrific friends to lovers tale.
ENJOY !
========
Beautiful Charlie is a Librarian, long dirty blonde hair
and blue eyes, plus he's Epileptic, who has bad luck with dating, and depends on the folks around him.
In particular, his best friend, Misha, a Banker,
dark haired and handsome, who dotes on Charlie, caring for him at every chance he gets.
Their long relationship means they truly understand each other, and respect and love each other as friends, until they finally see the "in-love" they both have fought to repel, because they didn't want to ruin the friendship.
This gives us details of their pasts, lots of snarky, fresh banter, and funny moments. Their sassy friends are fun, too.
Their first time together for sex is explosive and off-the-charts fabulous.
We get to watch the evolution of our guys relationship, and it's a fantastic tale. I loved Misha's sweet devotion to Charlie, and Charlie's positive attitude in life, but also we see his sadness from the Epilepsy that costs him so much. The epilogue one year later, is a sweet one.
A terrific friends to lovers tale.
ENJOY !
========
July 31, 2022
When done well, best friends to lovers can be so so good.
And Lily knocks it out of the park here! *home run cheer*
I loved Charlie AND Misha.
Put them together and you have double the pleasure.
Butttt, they don't quite see it.
Until circumstances have them living together.
Suddenly, they see how well they fit.
Seamless.
But uncertainty and fear of risking it all hang over them. Fortunately, ignored attraction surges to the forefront. They are HOT for one another. But they are also funny, caring, and delightful.
Charlie never minded letting his guard down with Misha his best friend.
But Misha his boyfriend? That brings fresh feelings to the table.
I loved connecting with old friends and can't wait for more of this spectacular series.
Bravo, bravo!!
*4.5 bright-n-brilliant stars*
And Lily knocks it out of the park here! *home run cheer*
I loved Charlie AND Misha.
Put them together and you have double the pleasure.
Butttt, they don't quite see it.
Until circumstances have them living together.
Suddenly, they see how well they fit.
Seamless.
But uncertainty and fear of risking it all hang over them. Fortunately, ignored attraction surges to the forefront. They are HOT for one another. But they are also funny, caring, and delightful.
Charlie never minded letting his guard down with Misha his best friend.
But Misha his boyfriend? That brings fresh feelings to the table.
I loved connecting with old friends and can't wait for more of this spectacular series.
Bravo, bravo!!
*4.5 bright-n-brilliant stars*
April 23, 2020
I absolutely adored this.
We met Charlie in the last book about Jesse, and we knew Charlie as a sweet, always seemingly sunny in disposition, extremely gorgeous guy.
His best friend of 20 years is Misha, who is seemingly the opposite of Charlie. He's a little bit more surly, he doesn't do relationships, and Charlie is a serial monogamist, although Charlie's boyfriends are never that great.
When Jesse moves in with Zed, Charlie, who works at a library, can't afford the apartment on his own and moves in with Misha, and long ignored attraction and feelings come rising the surface the longer they're around each other.
And when Charlie, who has epilepsy from a bad fall a few years prior, seems to be ignore his worsening amount of seizures, Misha is the one to step up and take care of Charlie where Charlie's asshole boyfriend doesn't.
They are both understandably scared to start something, as they've been best friends for so long and they're the most important people to each other....but that's precisely why they work, as no one could share their hearts because their hearts belong to each other.
When they do finally give into their simmering sexual tension and chemistry, it's electric, and they can't get enough - and I couldn't get enough. Whew were these two hot together. Morton usually writes the hottest sex scenes and that didn't change in this book.
They had a small hiccup here or there, but they handled it well and there was no unnecessary melodrama or miscommunication, which I appreciated. These boys worked it out, and their HEA was the sweetest thing. I always love Morton's epilogues, they're always so great and I love going into the future to see how these men are thriving together.
Now I'm super curious about Felix and Max, who I believe will be the third couple in this series. If Max cheated on Felix, though, I don't know how that's going to work out. Unless it was a "it's not clear if we're exclusive" thing but there were definite feelings that got hurt anyway type of thing, which I sooo can't wait for more. But if it was definite cheating...I don't know if I'll like it. But we'll see! We still don't know exactly what happened as Felix, for whatever reason, still won't say to anyone. Idk why, as I feel most people rant and rave about their ex. *sigh* oh well, guess we'll find out in the next book. Second chance at love is one of my favorite tropes, after all (unless it was cheating.)
Definitely recommend this. I absolutely loved it. Two massive thumbs up from me! <3
We met Charlie in the last book about Jesse, and we knew Charlie as a sweet, always seemingly sunny in disposition, extremely gorgeous guy.
His best friend of 20 years is Misha, who is seemingly the opposite of Charlie. He's a little bit more surly, he doesn't do relationships, and Charlie is a serial monogamist, although Charlie's boyfriends are never that great.
When Jesse moves in with Zed, Charlie, who works at a library, can't afford the apartment on his own and moves in with Misha, and long ignored attraction and feelings come rising the surface the longer they're around each other.
And when Charlie, who has epilepsy from a bad fall a few years prior, seems to be ignore his worsening amount of seizures, Misha is the one to step up and take care of Charlie where Charlie's asshole boyfriend doesn't.
They are both understandably scared to start something, as they've been best friends for so long and they're the most important people to each other....but that's precisely why they work, as no one could share their hearts because their hearts belong to each other.
When they do finally give into their simmering sexual tension and chemistry, it's electric, and they can't get enough - and I couldn't get enough. Whew were these two hot together. Morton usually writes the hottest sex scenes and that didn't change in this book.
They had a small hiccup here or there, but they handled it well and there was no unnecessary melodrama or miscommunication, which I appreciated. These boys worked it out, and their HEA was the sweetest thing. I always love Morton's epilogues, they're always so great and I love going into the future to see how these men are thriving together.
Now I'm super curious about Felix and Max, who I believe will be the third couple in this series. If Max cheated on Felix, though, I don't know how that's going to work out. Unless it was a "it's not clear if we're exclusive" thing but there were definite feelings that got hurt anyway type of thing, which I sooo can't wait for more. But if it was definite cheating...I don't know if I'll like it. But we'll see! We still don't know exactly what happened as Felix, for whatever reason, still won't say to anyone. Idk why, as I feel most people rant and rave about their ex. *sigh* oh well, guess we'll find out in the next book. Second chance at love is one of my favorite tropes, after all (unless it was cheating.)
Definitely recommend this. I absolutely loved it. Two massive thumbs up from me! <3
April 29, 2020
De lo mejor que he leído de la autora. Un libro bonito, romántico, divertido y muy entretenido. Además, friends to lovers. No se puede pedir más.
April 22, 2020
Reviewed on April 17, 2020
Snarky. Sexy. Stupendous. Slow burn
To me, Charlie Sunshine has the perfect blend of snark and tongue in cheek banter, steam, humour , friendship and love.
If it was a wine blend, I would say is Pol Roger Brut Champagne or/and a Dom Pérignon Champagne.
There's so much to enjoy about this well crafted/researched, contemporary, vibrant, humorous, sweet and hot AF, MM romance story.
Charlie and Misha the MC; the strong cast of secondary characters; the plotlines, narrative and it's HEA ending.
I especially adore the MCs as individuals and as a couple. Also, love Misha, Charlie and their families in sync attitude and view towards Charlie medical condition ; is a part of him but it doesn't defines him.
This book made me laugh out loud, left me feeling positive, light-hearted and happy. Not an easy thing to do nowadays; being in quarantine and all.
Will Re-read: Big Yes!
Recommend: Yes , in a New York minute!
#BooksILove #ReadOn2020 #CharlieSunshine #LilyMorton #GRR #Amazon
Snarky. Sexy. Stupendous. Slow burn
To me, Charlie Sunshine has the perfect blend of snark and tongue in cheek banter, steam, humour , friendship and love.
If it was a wine blend, I would say is Pol Roger Brut Champagne or/and a Dom Pérignon Champagne.
There's so much to enjoy about this well crafted/researched, contemporary, vibrant, humorous, sweet and hot AF, MM romance story.
Charlie and Misha the MC; the strong cast of secondary characters; the plotlines, narrative and it's HEA ending.
I especially adore the MCs as individuals and as a couple. Also, love Misha, Charlie and their families in sync attitude and view towards Charlie medical condition ; is a part of him but it doesn't defines him.
This book made me laugh out loud, left me feeling positive, light-hearted and happy. Not an easy thing to do nowadays; being in quarantine and all.
Will Re-read: Big Yes!
Recommend: Yes , in a New York minute!
#BooksILove #ReadOn2020 #CharlieSunshine #LilyMorton #GRR #Amazon
April 24, 2020
3 Stars? 3.5 Stars?
It was sweet, and it had Lily Morton's signature banter, but it didn't live up to the expectations in my head.
-There were parts in the book that felt like the story was dragging.
-Was Charlie maybe too perfect?
-And while I love a good slow burn in friends to lovers' story, I started to get frustrated by them not seeing what was right in front of them.
The real star of this book was Misha. I loved everything about his character, and he was the reason I finished the book.
I'm going with 3.25 Stars.
It was sweet, and it had Lily Morton's signature banter, but it didn't live up to the expectations in my head.
-There were parts in the book that felt like the story was dragging.
-Was Charlie maybe too perfect?
-And while I love a good slow burn in friends to lovers' story, I started to get frustrated by them not seeing what was right in front of them.
The real star of this book was Misha. I loved everything about his character, and he was the reason I finished the book.
I'm going with 3.25 Stars.
June 11, 2020
3.5 rounded down. There are moments where I’m smiling, but not laughing. The fast-paced snarky banter is always fun... until it gets boring. If the whole book is that with nothing else as contrast, it becomes monotonous. Simple plot that isn’t even really complicated by Charlie’s epilepsy. Friends to lovers. The end.
April 21, 2020
This book brings so much sunshine in my cloudy days for being stay at home forever (Covid-19 sucks, big time!). Charlie and Misha are perfect for each other, definitely a match made in heaven.
I read all Lily Morton's book, loved it all, but Charlie Sunshine held a special place in my heart like Deal Maker did.
Charlie isn't perfect, he has something that he and his best friend since 6 years old, "a turn". Misha on the other hand, is always perfect like a hot cross bun. Handsome, rich, easy to like, just...perfect. He's also a perfect best friend for Charlie, caring and always put Charlie first.
But being never in love, never jad a relationship, he's not a so perfect kind of boyfriend.
Misha and Charlie, in my opinion, loved each other since they were babies, but they didn't want to lose each other for a relationship that includes sex and responsibilities.
So yeah, they had to get through some opinion and pushed from some friends and families to realized that they belongs to each other right from the start.
This book is wonderful, and I know Charlie and Misha will stay a very long time in my heart.
Highly recommended!
PS. Oh, did I mentioned this book is freaking sexy? I don't usually rooting for sex scenes, but this time, Charlie and Misha broke my rules!
Go figure!
I read all Lily Morton's book, loved it all, but Charlie Sunshine held a special place in my heart like Deal Maker did.
Charlie isn't perfect, he has something that he and his best friend since 6 years old, "a turn". Misha on the other hand, is always perfect like a hot cross bun. Handsome, rich, easy to like, just...perfect. He's also a perfect best friend for Charlie, caring and always put Charlie first.
But being never in love, never jad a relationship, he's not a so perfect kind of boyfriend.
Misha and Charlie, in my opinion, loved each other since they were babies, but they didn't want to lose each other for a relationship that includes sex and responsibilities.
So yeah, they had to get through some opinion and pushed from some friends and families to realized that they belongs to each other right from the start.
This book is wonderful, and I know Charlie and Misha will stay a very long time in my heart.
Highly recommended!
PS. Oh, did I mentioned this book is freaking sexy? I don't usually rooting for sex scenes, but this time, Charlie and Misha broke my rules!
Go figure!
April 25, 2020
This was my eleventh Lily Morton novel, her books are romantic comedies which I enjoy but I am sad to say that Charlie Sunshine bored me.
I felt no connection with Charlie and Misha and their chemistry was non existent for me and there was far too much verbal diarrhoea, their conversations was strange at times.
I skimmed the last 40% just to find out how it ended, I am going to read the short story to find out how it happens.
I felt no connection with Charlie and Misha and their chemistry was non existent for me and there was far too much verbal diarrhoea, their conversations was strange at times.
I skimmed the last 40% just to find out how it ended, I am going to read the short story to find out how it happens.
March 18, 2022
I had a hunch when we met Charlie in Best Man he'd have a great story, and he does! What an absolute sweetheart... There's nobody more deserving of a happily ever after than Charlie Sunshine. And thankfully Lily Morton spares most of the angst in this one. It's beautifully paced, and hits all the right notes.
Misha is a great guy, and I loved the life-long besties angle. The two families are filled with interesting characters, and I could have listened to their banter for hours.
This romance is just as lovely as I knew it would be...
Audio perfectly performed Joel Leslie.
an audiobook copy of Charlie Sunshine was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
Misha is a great guy, and I loved the life-long besties angle. The two families are filled with interesting characters, and I could have listened to their banter for hours.
This romance is just as lovely as I knew it would be...
Audio perfectly performed Joel Leslie.
an audiobook copy of Charlie Sunshine was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
April 22, 2020
More of a 3.5.
It’s my favorite best friends to lovers trope combined with Lily’s signature snark and banter, so I had a lot of fun reading this book. And Charlie’s rants about the importance of libraries were perfect too. I guess I just don’t feel that much of an attachment to this series as much as to the author’s previous series which are my absolute favorites. It’s still quite sweet and entertaining and I’ll obviously be reading the next book too.
It’s my favorite best friends to lovers trope combined with Lily’s signature snark and banter, so I had a lot of fun reading this book. And Charlie’s rants about the importance of libraries were perfect too. I guess I just don’t feel that much of an attachment to this series as much as to the author’s previous series which are my absolute favorites. It’s still quite sweet and entertaining and I’ll obviously be reading the next book too.
April 28, 2020
3.5 🌟‘a sweet best friends to lovers 😍
May 24, 2020
This was adorable... loved Charlie, loved Misha and totally enjoyed the sweet vibe in this story. A feel good best friends to lovers ❤️
April 24, 2020
I have really loved reading most of Lily's books and find her humor is exactly perfect for me. I love that although most of her characters have the same level of snark, they still have individual personalities which are usually pretty lovely. Of course, this book was no exception, Charlie was a doll and maybe just a little too perfect but I would love to have a friend like him in my life. Misha may be a manwhore but he is the perfect best friend especially for Charlie.
There wasn't too much angst and I loved the banter but being an American and a little older some it flew straight over my head. Which I am fine with, I certainly don't expect every book to conform to what I know. I actually do enjoy looking up some of the words and references that I am unfamiliar with. It makes me feel more worldly. LOL
Good job, Mrs. Morton. I can't wait for your next one!
There wasn't too much angst and I loved the banter but being an American and a little older some it flew straight over my head. Which I am fine with, I certainly don't expect every book to conform to what I know. I actually do enjoy looking up some of the words and references that I am unfamiliar with. It makes me feel more worldly. LOL
Good job, Mrs. Morton. I can't wait for your next one!
November 16, 2020
This was a pretty simple concept, the best friends that everyone knows should be together even if the two themselves are totally oblivious. I did enjoy this story, it was low angst all told, but admittedly I'm kinda waiting for the next book more than anything. I need Felix's story!
I liked Charlie and Misha as a couple, their relationship is really strong. I loved how Misha was always determined to take care of Charlie. He is practical about Charlie's condition and doesn't let it affect anything. He's always going to care and be there even when all he thinks is that Charlie is his best friend. The building sexual tension between them was nice, I was definitely waiting for it to break.
All that being said I did struggle a little with the differentiation between these two at times. Sometimes it wasn't as clear as I would have liked to clearly know whose head you were in. Their voices were just a little similar.
Still I did like this story and was cheering for these two to figure things out together. And now on to Felix, yay!
I liked Charlie and Misha as a couple, their relationship is really strong. I loved how Misha was always determined to take care of Charlie. He is practical about Charlie's condition and doesn't let it affect anything. He's always going to care and be there even when all he thinks is that Charlie is his best friend. The building sexual tension between them was nice, I was definitely waiting for it to break.
All that being said I did struggle a little with the differentiation between these two at times. Sometimes it wasn't as clear as I would have liked to clearly know whose head you were in. Their voices were just a little similar.
Still I did like this story and was cheering for these two to figure things out together. And now on to Felix, yay!
April 23, 2020
While I have always read for pleasure, it wasn't until I found Goodreads and from here some people on it, and from them some genres that I probably would not have discovered, that my reading romance again. In the 6 (ish) years a lot has changed for me because of this.
For a while I read nothing really but m/m romance, but that got quite samey, and then there were the issues ( fakers and liars) and the personal attacks.
So now I read a little more broadly, but within romance, and specifically m/m there are a handful of writers who I will always read. One of these is Lily Morton.
Lily writes books that are reliably upbeat, funny without being irritating, British without being cliche, and romantic without being cloying. They are undoubtedly formulaic, but there is enough difference in the mix to keep me engaged.
Charlie Sunshine is a happy, comforting book that left me smiling and satisfied.
For a while I read nothing really but m/m romance, but that got quite samey, and then there were the issues ( fakers and liars) and the personal attacks.
So now I read a little more broadly, but within romance, and specifically m/m there are a handful of writers who I will always read. One of these is Lily Morton.
Lily writes books that are reliably upbeat, funny without being irritating, British without being cliche, and romantic without being cloying. They are undoubtedly formulaic, but there is enough difference in the mix to keep me engaged.
Charlie Sunshine is a happy, comforting book that left me smiling and satisfied.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews