It's Complicated

Fake Boyfriend #3.5

by Eden Finley

Available in the Fake Boyfriend Breakaways collection

Max has been in love with his childhood best friend, Ash, for years. The reason he has kept it a secret is because Ash also happens to be Max’s brother’s ex-boyfriend. Complicated doesn’t begin to explain their relationship.

Best read after Deke in the Fake Boyfriend universe.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Queer, Novella, LGBT, Contemporary

114 pages, ebook

First published September 26, 2019

About the author

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are mostly full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.

She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.

Reviews

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 2 out of 5]

|| 1.5 stars ||

I am just going to be blunt and say outright that this novella was a whole bunch of nothing. It's honestly some sort of talent on itself to be able to turn a premise so right up my alley into a novella I am this incredibly disinterested in. Yet, this novella somehow manages. I could have genuinely not cared or felt any less.

I am trying to come up with other words to describe this novella other than simply "nothing", but I am finding it to be rather difficult. I mean.. This plot? It gave nothing. These characters? They gave nothing. Their romance? NOTHING. It was so devastatingly boring and meaningless. Absolutely no aspect of this novella was well-developed and everything that happened was so freaking.... NOTHINGGGG.

For two people who have apparently been secretly in love since like forever, Ash and Max have the most dry emotions toward each other imaginable. A sack of potatoes has more feelings than these two, honest to God. Especially Ash.. Damn, that dude had no personality whatsoever. I would have figured he would show his love towards Max a bit more, but not even his inner thoughts showed much care or affection towards the guy. So utterly disappointing.

If I'm being honest, there was only one character in this novella who peaked my interest and it was one of the side-characters: Jordan. He was Ash's ex-boyfriend who had/has a crush on Max. I actually think this novella would have been a hell of a lot better if it had focused on Max and Jordan and have them get together. I mean, they had more chemistry during their one scene together than Max and Ash had this entire novella.

Long story short, this was a complete waste of time and I would recommend it to exactly no one. Literally, there is no point. The read is not enjoyable and the pay-off could not possibly leave me any more cold. Nope. Nope. Nope. SKIP.


UPDATE: Jordan got his own story in the 'Famous' series with the book Encore. That book will not make a lot of sense if you don't read the rest of the series first though, so I would recommend reading all of them if you're interested in reading Jordan's story. I do have to say that, in my opinion, it wasn't that great of a book, so if the series as a whole doesn't peak your interest, I wouldn't sit through them all just to get to Encore.


'Fake Boyfriend' series:
1. Fake Out - 5.0 stars
2. Trick Play - 3.5 stars
3. Deke - 4.0 stars
4. Blindsided - 3.5 stars
5. Hat Trick - 4.5 stars
6. Final Play - 2.5 stars

Novellas:
2.5. Rebound - 2.5 stars
3.5. It's Complicated - 1.5 stars

Spin-off 'Famous' series:
1. Pop Star - 3.5 stars
2. Spotlight - 3.0 stars
3. Fandom - 3.0 stars
4. Encore - 2.5 stars

Other Eden Finley books:
‘CU Hockey’ series - var. ratings
‘Cash Me Outside’ series - var. ratings
‘Mike Bravo Ops’ series - var. ratings
‘Puckboys’ series - var. ratings

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I was a fan of this one. I've never cared for Ash. This little novella didn't change my mind on that. Max, I guess I had a hard time understanding why he was so overly upset about Ollie and Ash breaking up. Sure this explains it, but I'm not sure I buy it.

Not to mention, Ollie and Lennon are really happy together. Like, want to be together for the rest of their lives. Please explain to me why he's even slightly upset/weirded out/has a problem with Max and Ash being together. I felt like this was really overplayed. Of course, Max and Ollie are brothers. But geez, Ollie talked about how he catered to Ash and bent to Ash their whole relationship. He should be happy he isn't in his life like that anymore.

This one didn't really work for me.

[Dre · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate Ash. Wasn’t a fan in Deke, and he only got worse in this one. Honestly, I felt like he just liked whichever brother liked him. Dunno… seems messed up to have a thing for Max forever but then agree to go out with his brother cuz you could have him.

[raccoon reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kind of wonder why this was even written? It feels like an outline. A draft. A forced commitment. Something was missing. The side character Jordan was way more interesting than anyone else.

[iveth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, Max deserved better. I don’t care about Ash at all.

[Tina ♥ Bookaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nett für zwischendurch, mehr aber auch nicht, aber ist auch bei einer Kurzgeschichte nicht zu erwarten. Leider etwas zu viel unnötiges Drama und ganz greifen konnte ich die beiden auch nicht.

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 Stars.
Steam: 5 out of 10.
Triggers: None
Love Triangle: No
Cheating: No
HEA: Yes

Another short story from the fake Boyfriend world.

Ash and Max pined for each other for so long, it was cute!

I mean, it's not deep, it's not amazing, it's a short, but cute story

[kaye taz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️/5
Format: audiobook
Narration: 🎤🎤/5

Deke was my very first book of the Sadenverse so I’ve always had a soft spot for Ollie and Lennon, and the tension between Max and Ash in their book has kept me curious for almost a year.

I was so excited to finally see what was up with them but… this was… no.

First of all, I hate when a book is marketed best friends to lovers (even more so childhood best friends) and THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO FUCKING TALK TO EACH ORHER?! Like, what do you mean they have been best friends their whole lives and Max doesn’t even know Ash is bi?

And then even when they finally admit their feelings for each other, my sweet boy Ollie is made out to be some kind of petty villain who would keep them from being happy together. I hate character assassinations of characters I already love.

The whole thing gave me the ick. They had no chemistry at all. Half the time they weren’t even talking. And for being a novella, this seemed to draaaaag. The two stars I gave this story go to Ollie, Lennon (and I actually did love the fact that they all still call him Clark) and Mama Strömberg. None for Ash and Max at all.

Naw. Next question.

[S a n d r a · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Ok, I’m not gonna lie: Ash didn’t interest me that much. But Max? Dayum. He’s the reason why I read this in the first place. That, and wanting to know how Ollie would take his brother and his Ex ending up together.

I didn’t read this the previous times I read this series, and I’m not sure why. If something makes you want (and need) to know what will be of Ash and Max is Max’s attitude towards Ollie. In Deke we see a very pissed off Max. He’s mad at Ollie for breaking his best friend’s heart, and he's torn between supporting his brother and his friend, but it’s obvious there’s something more. It’s obvious since that first scene in Deke where Ollie and Lennon (aka Clark) are faking a relationship and then Max comes and makes a scene.

Isn’t Max straight? All the Strömbergs seem to think so, but we readers know better and here we get our answer: when and how he fell in love with Ash and why he didn’t say something.

Theirs is a difficult situation, a “wrong place, wrong time” kind of situation. It’s heartbreaking thinking about it, how both loved each other but life happened. It’s kind of realistic, in a way, too.

Ash, even after reading this story, keeps not intriguing me much. Maybe if we had seen more of him and Ollie when they were together, when they were in love, it could have helped, and maybe I’m too biased by my never ending love for Lennon, but the fact remains.

I liked Max and Ash’s story well enough, though. Mostly due to the problem of Max wanting to date his brother’s Ex, and the awkwardness that’s gonna rise in the family.

I was intrigued by how things would go between them and I was not disappointed. I loved Ollie’s and Max’s talks, and also seeing Lennon and Ash being uncomfortable around each other but making an effort. And, of course, the Strömbergs and their hilariousness!!

No, this won’t be one of my favorite couples, ever, but it’s a nice addition to Deke and seeing Ollie and Lennon again is always a pleasure (also, we get a peek at Justin, a future MC in a spinoff series, and that’s another plus!!).

[Khanique McDaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not complicated so much as selfless - on Max's part anyway.

The thing is, I loved the beginning of this novel and the friendship that they have. Even though we know what was coming from the last dinner Ollie's parents threw.

I was sold on the friendship and maybe they needed more pages because many aspects of Ash's life seems incomplete and I could not understand his quest for love when his parents seem to put him before even their own beliefs.

Outside of that, Ash needed a break. Like maybe six months to a year, to gather his thoughts and focus on himself. The transition to lovers was just too quick for all he had going on.

When I first met Max, I thought he was emo and tortured and not just because he wanted to date his best friend. He seemed angry all the time because with every scene he showed some level of aggression.

Surprisingly, his character either did a 360 or Max the brother is different from Max the best friend. I liked him more than I did Ash and I will repeat... Ash is not ready for a relationship.

Once again, we got two different versions of coming out and Jordan reminds me of Noah. I would definitely read a Jordan book!

It could be me but I find Ash to be selfish and whiny. As such, I never cared much for him and it got worse as we progressed.

I didn't care for the sex either. It was too quick for all Max must have been feeling and despite their friendship, I would have loved to see some intimate relationship building.

I would have also like to see Ash put someone, ANYONE, before himself and fight for the man he supposedly wanted for over 20 years.

Maybe I have found my first Eden Finley character that I don't like... In my defence, I came for the tats.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of Breakaways anthology.

3.5 stars. Repetitive, and would have been solved by some simple communication with Ollie. I do really like them as a pairing, and the tattoo stuff was cool.

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

What you'll get:
Friends to Lovers
There be tattoos here
Gay and bisexual rep

Setting: New Jersey & Massachusetts

Nope. This was absolutely not it. I kind of forgot how much I hate Ollie's family. They throw coming out parties that the characters don't even want without even a conversation to see if the character is ready. It just takes the choice out of their hands and I don't love it. I do like how supportive the family is but it just makes me cringe with this family.

I felt like Jordan and Max had more chemistry than Max and Ash. I kind of wish I hadn't read this.

[Angeween · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8/5
Hated ash

[Gnome Patronus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a little conflicted about this one. If I had read it as a standalone novella, completely separate from the rest of the series, I probably would’ve loved it. For the length of the story, it had everything: a whirlwind pace, the “wrong place, wrong time” trope, childhood crushes that grow into love, forbidden romance with a brother’s ex, and a chaotic, over-the-top family dynamic. All of that together made for such a fun, spicy, and quick read.

But I didn’t read this as a standalone—I read it in order, right after Deke. In that book, we already met Ash and Max, and their personalities in Deke just don’t line up with how they came across in this novella. I get that maybe it’s because Deke showed them from someone else’s perspective, and seeing their story through their own eyes is naturally going to feel different. But even so, I didn’t connect with them the way I’ve connected with the other characters in the series.

It’s not a bad novella by any means—it’s fun and hits all the right beats—but for me, it didn’t quite hit.

[Sara | sara.reads.too.much · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - I liked it!

I am so happy that Ash got his own HEA even if this book was way different from the rest, it was still so fun to read!! This book is the definition of It's complicated but I love Max and Ash's story and the pining and the years they've always like each other!! It basically qualifies as a forbidden romance too which I love! It was a sweet novella that was enough in my opinion for Ash and Max and I can't wait to see more of them in the next book!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been a 5 star. But I don't particularly love the little epilogue wrap ups/confessions of undying love 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Cristiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Marlobo ♥ epilogues · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything in this short story felt forced and uncomfortable.

[Gaby Fernández · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ☆

Siempre me encanta ver cómo personajes que no son los elegidos en un libro, terminan siéndolo y consiguiendo su amor en otro.

Es un recordatorio de que somos los correctos para la persona indicada.

Y Max y Ash lo eran todo el uno para el otro. Por siempre y para siempre.

Aunque, reconozco que me costó un poco conectarme con ellos. Al final, no lo he hecho al cien por cien.

Perooo... sigo amando todo lo que tiene que ver con esta serie.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was reading Max and Ash, their interactions in the Deke book, I didn't come to like them, and in their books, less so. I feel like all the attitude they had together in book three, spoiled their story.

I didn't connect with them at all, it doesn't make my top at all. Max I felt was rude, a guy who didn't care about his family(which also gets tiring), and went after the brother's ex-boyfriend, literally. The chaos of making the decision whether to be with Ash or not was boring. I feel like the story of the two of them is left over.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the English version but it was really good.Please love your best friend, it is scary but so worth it.

this book is about letting go cause you love someone and want the best for them, when Jax lets Ash go cause he has started a thing with his brother despite loving him.(Heart crushing moment) but when Ollie lets go of the 'bro-code' cause his brother is in love ,heart mended.
It makes you feel no matter what or how long you wait,if its real it will work out.

[Never Stop Reading or Dreaming · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings. This made me not like Ollie as much. The connection between Ollie and ash is now so in your face. I really liked Ollie in his book. I even marked it as my most loved but now I’m gonna remove that shelf.

This really put a weird taste in my mouth.

[Tanja Gierling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vor ein paar Tagen gab es von mir eine Buchbesprechung zu dem Buch "Deke - Was sich liebt, das checkt sich". Dabei handelt es sich quasi um die Vorgeschichte zu diesem Buch.
"It's complicated - Liebe leicht gemacht " ist wie oben erwähnt eine Begleitgeschichte zu Ollies und Lennons Geschichte und erzählt die Geschichte von Ash, Ollies Ex, und Max, Ollies Bruder. Klingt kompliziert? Ist es auch ein bisschen.

Max ist der ältere Bruder von Ollie und seit Collegezeiten in seinen besten Freund verschossen. Und heterosexuell...zumindest gab es bisher nur Frauen an seiner Seite.
Ash ist besagter bester Freund, ist allerdings viele Jahre mit Ollie zusammen gewesen und hat keine Ahnung von den Gefühlen von Max.
Ja....die Ausgangslage ist denkbar kompliziert und ein Garant für Gefühlschaos. Und genau das bekommt man als Leser hier auch.

Bereits in "Deke" hat man ein paar Vibes zwischen Max und Ash gespürt. Diese hier jetzt zu erleben hat viel Spaß gemacht aber man hat auch sehr mitgelitten. Sich in den Ex seines Bruders zu verlieben, der gleichzeitig auch der beste Freund ist stelle ich mir wahnsinnig aufwühlend vor. Es gibt ja so ungeschriebene Gesetze, dass man sich nicht an den oder die Ex seiner Geschwister ranmacht. Was aber tun wenn dieser Wunsch geradezu übermächtig wird?

Ich finde es sehr gut, dass man diesem Konflikt zwischen Max und Ollie hier viel Raum gegeben hat. Denn wenn der eigene Bruder jahrelang mit dem Mann zusammen war, in dem man sich verliebt hat, bringt das nicht nur Schwierigkeiten für das neue Paar sondern eben auch für den Ex und auch für die Familie. Tatsächlich hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass die Geschichte noch länger gewesen wäre. Die Idee hinter Max' und Ashs Geschichte hätte einfach einen vollen Roman verdient gehabt...zumal ich beide Männer wirklich toll finde. Aber dass eigentliche Nebenfiguren "nur" eine Novelle bekommen, kann ich natürlich auch verstehen.

Bereits in "Deke" hat mir Ash sehr leid getan. Man hatte immer wieder das Gefühl, dass Lennon an Ollies Seite das bekommen hat, was Ash immer wollte. Den Ex glücklich an der Seite eines anderen zu erleben ist nie einfach, vor allem wenn der das Happy End bekommt, das man sich jahrelang gewünscht hat. Ich finde mit "It's complicated - Liebe leicht gemacht " wurde der perfekte Spagat geschafft, dass man Ash nicht mehr als Opfer der Umstände wahrnimmt, sondern dass auch er ein Happy End bekommt und zwar genau mit dem Mann, der es vermutlich schon all die Jahre hätte sein sollen. Für mich eine besondere kleine Annekdote ist die Diskussion um das Tattoo von Ollie und Ash. Ollies Ansage an Ash hat mich tatsächlich verzückt laut seufzen lassen und ich kann sie nur zu 100% unterschreiben. Ich liebe diese Stelle in dem Buch.

Das Cover passt perfekt zu den anderen Covern der vorherigen Bände. Der Stil ist der Gleiche. Da die Paarung hier aber nichts mit Sport zu tun hat, ist der Typ vom Cover, passend zu den Jobs von Max und Ash, einfach ein tätowierter Hottie.
Auch bei dieser Novelle ist der Schreibstil von Eden Finley unverkennbar. Die Übersetzung von Anne Hügel finde ich sehr gelungen und auch wenn die Novelle deutlich kürzer ist als die "normalen" Bücher.

Mir hat die Geschichte von Max und Ash gut gefallen. Sie hätte wie erwähnt gerne etwas länger sein dürfen, vor allem weil ich Familie Strömberg so mag. Eine tolle Ergänzung zu der Geschichte von Ollie und Lennon, die man unbedingt gelesen haben sollte vor diesem Buch.

Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung.

LG Tanja

[Yuura-Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max ist seit Jahren in seinen besten Freund Ash verliebt. Doch dieser ist mit seinem Bruder zusammen, also ist er ein absolutes Tabu. Was er nicht ahnt, Ash empfindet schon viele Jahre etwas für ihn. Kaum trennt sich Ash von Max´Bruder, sieht Max seine Chance, wenn da nicht schon wieder ein Neuer wäre.

Max und Ash sind mir schon in “Deke – Was sich liebt, das checkt sich” aufgefallen und ich hatte gehofft, dass es zu den beiden noch eine Geschichte geben wird. Und tadaa, da ist sie. Ich fand es erst schade, dass es nur eine Kurzgeschichte ist, da wir aber schon einiges von den beiden in der Geschichte rund um Ollie und Lennon gelesen habe, passte es eigentlich ziemlich gut. Man sollte unbedingt die dazugehörige Vorgeschichte lesen, da man in dieser schon an einigen Stellen etwas ahnen kann, dass da mehr zwischen den beiden ist, als nur einfache Freundschaft.

Schon seit Jahren ineinander verliebt, da sie aber beide nicht ihre Freundschaft riskieren und den Anderen nicht verlieren wollen, behalten sie ihr Geheimnis lieber für sich. Max gibt lieber weiter vor, heterosexuell zu sein und Ash sucht sich nach der Trennung von Ollie lieber irgendwen neues, um nicht allein zu sein. So weit so gut. Komplizierter geht es wohl nicht mehr oder vielleicht doch?!
Hier an dieser Stelle bin ich ein wenig zwiegespalten. Ash tat mir in der Vorgeschichte schon leid. Lennon hat das bekommen, was er sich die ganze Zeit über gewünscht hatte und dann den Ex auch noch so glücklich zu sehen, ist natürlich nicht einfach. Dass er hier nun nochmal seine eigene Happy End Geschichte bekommt, ist natürlich besonders schön zu lesen, da er auch in “Deke – was sich liebt, das checkt sich” nicht als der “böse” Ex dargestellt worden ist.
Auf der einen Seite finde ich es wirklich schön, dass im Bezug auf Ollie da nochmal ein Konflikt ensteht, da man so merkt, dass Ash Ollie doch sehr am Herzen lag. Auch die Diskussion um das Partnertattoo von Ash und Ollie war eine wirklich bewegende Stelle in dem Buch. Den beiden also Ash und Max hätte ich sogar einen ganzen Roman gegönnt.
Auf der anderen Seite wirkte die ganze Sache rund um Ollie und die entstehende Beziehung zwischen Max und Ash, als würde man die Geschichte unnötig in die Länge ziehen wollen. Denn nach der Trennung von Ollie und Ash, hat Ollie an sich kein Recht mehr, sich in die Beziehungswahl seines Ex und seines Bruder einzumischen. Es ist doch schön, wenn Ash endlich nach all den Jahren mit seiner Jugendliebe zusammen kommt und endlich glücklich ist, das was sich doch auch Ollie im Grunde wünscht.
Doch letztendlich wäre es auch schade, wenn es für Ollie einfach ok wäre, dass sein Bruder mit seinem Ex zusammen kommt, denn das würde bedeutet, dass Ash Ollie eigentlich ziemlich egal ist. Allerdings hätte ich es schön gefunden, dann noch etwas seitens Ollie zu lesen, als Ash noch mit Taylor zusammen war. Es ist auf jeden Fall eine Geschichte mit vielen Irrungen, Wirrungen und ganz viel Gefühlschaos.

Ich bin so oder so sehr froh, dass die beiden noch ihr eigenes kleines Buch bekommen haben, denn in der Vorgeschichte gab es so viele Andeutungen und Anzeichen, dass da irgendwas zwischen den beiden los ist, umso schöner, dann noch lesen zu können, wie auch die beiden zu ihrem wohlverdienten Glück finden.

[Stephanie Oldeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another cute novella in the Fake Boyfriends universe. Max and Ash have been best friends for years and both have, at different times, had to fight feelings for the other. Months after Ash and Max's brother Ollie broke up, Max knows that going after Ash is a big no no. But when Ash walks in on him kissing another guy, it sets their friendship and the potential for more on fire. Forced to acknowledge their feelings out loud and forced to face the music when it comes to Ollie, Max and Ash have to decide if fighting for forever is worth the risk.

This was cute. As much as I didn't really like Ash in Deke, I didn't mind him here. He honestly got the short end of the stick when it came to boyfriends. First Ollie wasn't ready to come out, and then Taylor just wanted him for the convenience. I felt kind of bad for him, but I still didn't like how he tried to manipulate Ollie in Deke. Max was cool. I liked that he respected his relationship with his brother and that he wasn't as sneaky with his feelings as he thought he was. I thought he was brave for confronting Ollie, and I was glad to see them get a happily ever after.

My favorite part was definitely the confrontation with Ollie though. I thought it was well done to show that, even when we've moved on, feelings still can linger. I liked that Lennon was supportive and didn't feel insecure about Ollie's reluctance to give Max and Ash his blessing. He was good comic relief and kept the brothers from duking it out.

Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma never disappoint. This was a quick read, but it didn't blow me away. 4/5 stars.

[Nath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

To be honest, I didn’t like Ash in Deke, and I had a bit of a hard time with Max as well. Unlike other readers, I grew a bit fonder of Ash in this novella.

I still don’t like how he couldn’t understand Ollie, but I do understand his point of view. All he wanted was love. He wanted love from Max, and ye, that’s unhealthy that he sought it in Ollie, but I guess that was his way of copping with loving someone who was supposedly unattainable because he was straight. At the end of the day, Ash and Ollie simply weren’t made for one another. Ash was made for Max and it took time for them to accomplish this.

So the novella was okay to read. It was pretty frustrating through their hesitation to get together and I didn’t like how the author managed to make Ollie sound somewhat bitchy in the way he reacted to his brother loving his ex. I understand the reasons behind his hang up, and it’s rather well explained, but thank goodness it didn’t last and in the end, he was the mature and down to earth one about the situation.

Characters:

Max: Ollie’s big brother in the Stromberg family, tattoo artist

Ash: Ollie’s ex after 4 years together, also Max’ friend and business partner. Had a crush on Max since he was 11.

Relationship: two bottom with one becoming a top

Angst/frustration: medium

End: okay HFN

Series
Fake boyfriend series
1/ Fake Out: Maddox and Damon. 4.5 stars
2/ Trick Play: Matt and Noah. 4 stars
2.5/ Rebound: Aron and Wyatt. 2.5 stars
3/ Deke: Ollie and Lennon. 4 stars
3.5/ It’s Complicated: Ash and Max. 3 stars
4/ Blindsided: Miller and Talon
4.5/ Winning You
5/ Hat Trick: Soren and Jet
Final Play

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ash has loved Max since forever, but with Max being straight he knew nothing could ever happen. And when Max got his first serious girlfriend in college, he knew he had to move on. That's when his eyes finally opened to Ollie, Max's brother. But years have passed and Ollie and Ash are over and Ash is in a new relationship. One that comes crumbling down when he realizes he doesn't love this new man. And when he comes home, he finds Max kissing their old friend Jordan. A guy. Ash has never been so lost. For Max, it took him a while to realize that his feelings for Ash were more than friendship. It was in college he realizes that he was in love with Ash but as he tried to gather his courage to tell him, Ash announces him and Ollie are together. Their timing just never seems to work out right. Especially when Ash walks in on him kissing Jordan to see if his attraction was to Ash or guys in general. Cue another bad timing situation. But with it comes revelations. That they both have feelings for the other but having something between them can't happen. Max won't betray Ollie no matter his feelings for Ash. But what if Ollie would be okay with it? What if they can be together? Max is ready to fight for Ash. Something he should have done a long time ago. I was so curious about this story because like the title says, it's complicated. But a lesson that when you find the one you are meant to be with, you fight for them with all you have.

[Ana Laura Coronel Blanes · Rating 3 out of 5]

>Romance.
>LGBT+.
>Childhood best friends to lovers.
3.5⭐️

Max Strömberg y Ash Carmichael han sido amigos casi toda su vida. Y han pasado los últimos años enamorados del otro. Incluso cuando Ash comenzó a salir con Ollie porque pensaba que su mejor amigo era hetetosexual y no tenía chances. Resulta que Max estaba teniendo una crisis con sus crecientes sentimientos románticos por su mejor amigo de la infancia y nunca pudo decirselo porque este había empezado a salir con su hermano menor y no quería entrometerse.

Todo el drama se centró en como reaccionaría Ollie a que su hermano y su ex se juntaran. Si bien le molestaba, no podía negarse a la relación ni tampoco decir que si, porque si "les daba el visto bueno" iba a quedar como que su relación con Ash nunca fue tan importante para él. Y si Ollie encontró a Lennon y es feliz, su ex también se merece eso.

Lo divertidas que deben ser esas reuniones familiares de los Strömberg.

En cuanto a Jordan (el ex de Ash que estaba enamorado de Max), descubrí que tiene su propia historia en la serie Famous, lo que me pone feliz porque unas pocas líneas y con un par de escenas ya tenía mi atención.

[Meow · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

"𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓."

I don't like Max at all and I think he's stupid as hell. Also Ollie's reaction to Max and Ash's relationship was extremely weird and I feel bad for his boyfriend because why the fuck does Ollie act like he's still in love with Ash. The whole dynamic between them is so weird and I hated it. Like why is Ollie's boyfriend not mad about how Ollie is clearly not over Ash, lol.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒙 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒍𝒅. 𝑰'𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓. 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔, 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎.

I already went on a whole rant about the Stromberg's mother in the last book of the series so I'm not gonna say anything other than the fact that I hate that woman so much and she's so obnoxious. When I read her name on the page I instantly rolled my eyes. "Us Stromberg's put the fun in dysfunction" ... umm and the crowd goes mild. If THAT is a dysfunctional family then I'd hate to know what mine is considered.

𝑰'𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆'𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅'𝒔

Tbh this whole series is boring and borderline ass.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

«My life with Ash is everything to me, even if I don’t get to touch him. I’d rather take what we have than have nothing at all.»

«Most of my tats were done by Ash, but no one knows the chunk of my heart that’s been marked as his for years.»

«What I want to do is throw Ash against the nearest surface and show him how much I’ve wanted him for six years.»

«I want Max to be mine.»

«My heart’s been beating a rhythm that keeps repeating Ash’s name.»

«Ash and Ollie never belonged together.
Ash belongs to me.
And I need to fight for him the way he deserves to be fought for.»

«“You’re kissing me.”
Max chuckles. “No shit.”
“You. Max. My Max.”
He nods. “Your Max. Your everything, if you’ll let me.”»

«It’s his eyes that hold the true beauty that is Max Strömberg.»

«“I want to take care of you. Love you. Claim you and make you mine.”»

«““How in the world did you get to be so perfect?”
He grins. “Easy. I was made to be yours.”»

«“I’m here, Ash,” I whisper. “Always here.”
“Kiss me?” he asks, and his voice cracks.
“Forever and ever.”»

«Max is mine, and I am his.
Forever and ever.»