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Third Time Lucky #1
Third Time Lucky
Trust didn’t always go both ways, and Grady Donehue learned that the hard way. He hadn’t learned better after the first betrayal, but he wasn’t going to make the same mistake a third time. Striking up a strange friendship with the equally strange—and straight—soldier, Lake, who had sunshine in his eyes? Grady could do that. He could even handle helping Lake figure out he might not be so straight after all, in a very hands-on way. But falling in love? No, thanks.
Lake McKenna has spent his whole life absolutely confident in who he is and what he wants. Even when the picture-perfect future he’d always envisioned seemed further away than ever, none of his plans included another man. But the more time Lake spends with his new friend: grumpy and sneaky-sexy detective, Grady, the more he thinks that maybe what he really needs is something different to what he always imagined.
Neither man was prepared for the other, but Lake is nothing if not flexible. Doubt isn’t part of his make-up. He knows how much more incredible they could be together; if only Grady could see it too. Grady has to decide if Lake is worth risking his heart again, and whether he’s brave enough to see if it really is third time lucky.
Third Time Lucky is an 80,000-word MM romance. It is a bi-awakening, friends to lovers romance with low angst and high feels. It is set in the Chain Reaction universe but can be read as a standalone.
Lake McKenna has spent his whole life absolutely confident in who he is and what he wants. Even when the picture-perfect future he’d always envisioned seemed further away than ever, none of his plans included another man. But the more time Lake spends with his new friend: grumpy and sneaky-sexy detective, Grady, the more he thinks that maybe what he really needs is something different to what he always imagined.
Neither man was prepared for the other, but Lake is nothing if not flexible. Doubt isn’t part of his make-up. He knows how much more incredible they could be together; if only Grady could see it too. Grady has to decide if Lake is worth risking his heart again, and whether he’s brave enough to see if it really is third time lucky.
Third Time Lucky is an 80,000-word MM romance. It is a bi-awakening, friends to lovers romance with low angst and high feels. It is set in the Chain Reaction universe but can be read as a standalone.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2023
88 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Aurora Crane
15 books132 followersAurora Crane is an Australian author who loves to write romance with a healthy serving of banter, snark and all the swoon.
Her books are a mix of MM and MM+. She loves to write men in suits, sprawling universes with a plethora of side characters, and an abundance of steamy situations.
You can find all her links here: https://linktr.ee/auroracrane
Her books are a mix of MM and MM+. She loves to write men in suits, sprawling universes with a plethora of side characters, and an abundance of steamy situations.
You can find all her links here: https://linktr.ee/auroracrane
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
February 10, 2023
GUSHING ALERT!!! 🤩🤩🤩 (and mild spoilers)
Grumpy/sunshine ✅
Protective MC ✅
Smut ✅
Friends to lovers✅
Oblivious sunshine MC ✅
The bottomest bottom that ever bottomed ✅
I had no idea who this author was and I was hesitant to read the book because new authors are risky and let’s be honest, 70% of the new books are porn without plot or they have amateurish writing and cardboard unoriginal characters . With that in mind I went to check if I’d read anything by them and I noticed I had indeed read Waking under the mistletoe and I remembered I quite liked it and that I lamented it wasn’t longer. So I dived into this one and Gosh I LOVED it !!!!!! 😍😍Grady and Lake are everything!!!!!! I couldn’t put id down. Unfortunately it has flaws too and I will mention them first to get them out of the way and proceed with the gushing.
* First of all this could have been an easy 5 stars but the author ruined it by adding so many side characters and so many dialogues irrelevant to our story, so much banter among them that I started to skip. I understand, the author created a world with all these characters related and connected and bla bla but I just DIDN’T CARE about them. I don’t care about the brother and his boyfriends or about the police partner and his boyfriends or about the foster kid or Lake’s colleagues etc. I DON’T CARE. So I skipped a lot - I would have edited the crap out if this book (cool pun,lol ) . Also, I hate it when every single one of the characters in a series/universe is gay.
*Secondly, Lake was amazing but if you want to enjoy this book you have to suspend a bit your disbelief. Lake was a military pilot but I really really find it hard to imagine him as such when he was like a word-vomiting, scattered brain golden retriever with ADHD.
Also , he’s 31 years old and (I repeat) an army pilot …He CAN’T be that bloody OBLIVIOUS!!! Straight men don’t share a bed with other guys almost every night. Don’t enjoy kissing another guys etc
*Third , the book also has one of my pet peeves and it annoyed me: when one of the MC keeps insisting that the other MC is straight when the other MC tells you 100 times he isn’t (oh, and he loves the butt sex ) 🙄
*And fourth , I didn’t like the epilogue with that unnecessary and forced proposal when before the epilogue Grady hadn’t even said “I love you”. And suddenly it’s three months later and Grady says the L word for the first time while he proposes in a totally cheesy way. I could have done much much better with the HFN ending rather than witnessing that awkward epilogue.
That’s it. I’m done complaining. Let’s get to the goodies.
GUSHING ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤩😍
Grady and Lake , Lake and Grady , OMG I freaking LOVED them !!!!!! From the first sentence they exchanged they were amazing together. The meet cute , their friendship, Grady’s grumpiness, Lake’s “golden retriever” character. I loved everything about them!! And I don’t even like the grumpy/sunshine trope because usually the grumpy is not that grumpy and the sunshine is to….chirpy lol.
So , Grady is a police detective. He recently got his heart broken when his bf of 2 years cheated on him. He’s grumpy, distrustful, sarcastic and broody. At a New Years party he meets (against his grumpy will) Lake, who is a pilot in the army and who is so endearing, God I loved him.
Let me give you an example. Lake offers to make Grady a drink and Grady asks what are his qualifications for it . And Lakes answers this :
“And what qualifications do you have?” “Well, I’m an Army pilot,” Lake said. He stood up straighter. “A major to be exact. Got my wings at nineteen; I’m well versed in all manner of vehicles—ground and air—but I specialise with the S70 Black Hawk, the ARH Tiger, the CH-47F Chinook and the MRH90 Taipan. I prefer the Hawk personally; they’re smoother. I know first aid, Morse code, aerodynamics, and even some meteorology. But basically, if it has an engine, I can drive or fly it.” Grady blinked. Uh. “I meant for making me a drink.” “Oh. Well, that probably makes more sense. I did wonder why I was suddenly in a job interview.”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 He’s adorable.
And so they start a friendship. Well , actually Lake forces his way into Grady’s life. And Gah, the tenderness, Grady’s aloofness and protectiveness . Lake is smitten with Grady while he doesn’t get that he’s in love .. Everything worked here. The writing is good, the characters are well flashed out , the slow burn delicious..It really is an EXCELLENT friends to lovers book.
And poor Grady, he couldn’t make himself to trust Lake completely, though. He had been burned twice before and he was so afraid Lake would realize he didn’t “wanna” be gay anymore and leave him (although Lake was bisexual or even pan and the author should have stressed this more). And all this while Lake was literally gagging FOR and WITH cock lol. He was the bottomest bottom to ever bottom , I swear. He was crazy about Grady’s cock. Absolutely crazy. He was crazy about Grady period!! And maaan, the sex is 🔥🔥🔥🔥. It has a bit of angst because Grady is thorn between his love for Lake and his fear while Lake is trying to make him see how much he loves him. He was so brave , so decided that Grady was what he wanted and he fought for him. 🥹🥹🥹
This book shouldn’t be underrated or go by unnoticed because I’m sure you guys would love it. I recommend it . 4 stars only because of the above-mentioned flaws and because all those side characters with their dialogue abundance pissed me off but I will check this author’s work more frequently in the future.
Grumpy/sunshine ✅
Protective MC ✅
Smut ✅
Friends to lovers✅
Oblivious sunshine MC ✅
The bottomest bottom that ever bottomed ✅
I had no idea who this author was and I was hesitant to read the book because new authors are risky and let’s be honest, 70% of the new books are porn without plot or they have amateurish writing and cardboard unoriginal characters . With that in mind I went to check if I’d read anything by them and I noticed I had indeed read Waking under the mistletoe and I remembered I quite liked it and that I lamented it wasn’t longer. So I dived into this one and Gosh I LOVED it !!!!!! 😍😍Grady and Lake are everything!!!!!! I couldn’t put id down. Unfortunately it has flaws too and I will mention them first to get them out of the way and proceed with the gushing.
* First of all this could have been an easy 5 stars but the author ruined it by adding so many side characters and so many dialogues irrelevant to our story, so much banter among them that I started to skip. I understand, the author created a world with all these characters related and connected and bla bla but I just DIDN’T CARE about them. I don’t care about the brother and his boyfriends or about the police partner and his boyfriends or about the foster kid or Lake’s colleagues etc. I DON’T CARE. So I skipped a lot - I would have edited the crap out if this book (cool pun,lol ) . Also, I hate it when every single one of the characters in a series/universe is gay.
*Secondly, Lake was amazing but if you want to enjoy this book you have to suspend a bit your disbelief. Lake was a military pilot but I really really find it hard to imagine him as such when he was like a word-vomiting, scattered brain golden retriever with ADHD.
Also , he’s 31 years old and (I repeat) an army pilot …He CAN’T be that bloody OBLIVIOUS!!! Straight men don’t share a bed with other guys almost every night. Don’t enjoy kissing another guys etc
*Third , the book also has one of my pet peeves and it annoyed me: when one of the MC keeps insisting that the other MC is straight when the other MC tells you 100 times he isn’t (oh, and he loves the butt sex ) 🙄
*And fourth , I didn’t like the epilogue with that unnecessary and forced proposal when before the epilogue Grady hadn’t even said “I love you”. And suddenly it’s three months later and Grady says the L word for the first time while he proposes in a totally cheesy way. I could have done much much better with the HFN ending rather than witnessing that awkward epilogue.
That’s it. I’m done complaining. Let’s get to the goodies.
GUSHING ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤩😍
Grady and Lake , Lake and Grady , OMG I freaking LOVED them !!!!!! From the first sentence they exchanged they were amazing together. The meet cute , their friendship, Grady’s grumpiness, Lake’s “golden retriever” character. I loved everything about them!! And I don’t even like the grumpy/sunshine trope because usually the grumpy is not that grumpy and the sunshine is to….chirpy lol.
So , Grady is a police detective. He recently got his heart broken when his bf of 2 years cheated on him. He’s grumpy, distrustful, sarcastic and broody. At a New Years party he meets (against his grumpy will) Lake, who is a pilot in the army and who is so endearing, God I loved him.
Let me give you an example. Lake offers to make Grady a drink and Grady asks what are his qualifications for it . And Lakes answers this :
“And what qualifications do you have?” “Well, I’m an Army pilot,” Lake said. He stood up straighter. “A major to be exact. Got my wings at nineteen; I’m well versed in all manner of vehicles—ground and air—but I specialise with the S70 Black Hawk, the ARH Tiger, the CH-47F Chinook and the MRH90 Taipan. I prefer the Hawk personally; they’re smoother. I know first aid, Morse code, aerodynamics, and even some meteorology. But basically, if it has an engine, I can drive or fly it.” Grady blinked. Uh. “I meant for making me a drink.” “Oh. Well, that probably makes more sense. I did wonder why I was suddenly in a job interview.”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 He’s adorable.
And so they start a friendship. Well , actually Lake forces his way into Grady’s life. And Gah, the tenderness, Grady’s aloofness and protectiveness . Lake is smitten with Grady while he doesn’t get that he’s in love .. Everything worked here. The writing is good, the characters are well flashed out , the slow burn delicious..It really is an EXCELLENT friends to lovers book.
And poor Grady, he couldn’t make himself to trust Lake completely, though. He had been burned twice before and he was so afraid Lake would realize he didn’t “wanna” be gay anymore and leave him (although Lake was bisexual or even pan and the author should have stressed this more). And all this while Lake was literally gagging FOR and WITH cock lol. He was the bottomest bottom to ever bottom , I swear. He was crazy about Grady’s cock. Absolutely crazy. He was crazy about Grady period!! And maaan, the sex is 🔥🔥🔥🔥. It has a bit of angst because Grady is thorn between his love for Lake and his fear while Lake is trying to make him see how much he loves him. He was so brave , so decided that Grady was what he wanted and he fought for him. 🥹🥹🥹
This book shouldn’t be underrated or go by unnoticed because I’m sure you guys would love it. I recommend it . 4 stars only because of the above-mentioned flaws and because all those side characters with their dialogue abundance pissed me off but I will check this author’s work more frequently in the future.
March 29, 2023
It was the sweetest nothingness ever, the perfect romcom😌
Grumpy-Sunshine
Bi awakening- loosing the butt VCard
No angst
Funny dialogues
Hot and well written smut parts
Overall a very light and enjoyable book with feels and great communication between the characters, it was freeing.
Lake has the bubbliest bubble butt, and as strong verbal filter as a 5 years old, and the best pilot in the world.
Grady is huge and grumpy and detective and can’t say no to Lake.
Everyone is gay, all the army buddies, brothers, the whole police department and every side characters🤣 it was funny and really angst free.
After several heavy books and emotional burn outs this was a balm for my soul. Highly recommend when you in the need of cheering up!
Thank you MJ to recommend this book to me, it was a winner!!💜💜
Grumpy-Sunshine
Bi awakening- loosing the butt VCard
No angst
Funny dialogues
Hot and well written smut parts
Overall a very light and enjoyable book with feels and great communication between the characters, it was freeing.
Lake has the bubbliest bubble butt, and as strong verbal filter as a 5 years old, and the best pilot in the world.
Grady is huge and grumpy and detective and can’t say no to Lake.
Everyone is gay, all the army buddies, brothers, the whole police department and every side characters🤣 it was funny and really angst free.
After several heavy books and emotional burn outs this was a balm for my soul. Highly recommend when you in the need of cheering up!
Thank you MJ to recommend this book to me, it was a winner!!💜💜
May 17, 2023
5 Stars!! Absolutely Loved it!! ❤️❤️❤️ OMG!! This was such a wonderful surprise of a book for me.. it had a bunch of tropes; grumpy-sunshine, friends to lovers and GFY.. but all the tropes were handled just the way they should be… 👏🏻👏🏻
I loved both Grady and Lake.. 😍😍 But Lake is now on my fav MC shelf💕 He was the perfect package.. effervescent personality, straightforward, sensitive, funny and sexy.. he could have had anyone but he wanted Grady.. grumpy, broody, reclusive and gay Grady.. 😉 What started as a last minute New Years kiss.. became so much more.. 🥰
Highly recommended to all fans of m/m romance who love the grumpy sunshine, friends to lovers, GFY trope.. 👍🏻👍🏻
I loved both Grady and Lake.. 😍😍 But Lake is now on my fav MC shelf💕 He was the perfect package.. effervescent personality, straightforward, sensitive, funny and sexy.. he could have had anyone but he wanted Grady.. grumpy, broody, reclusive and gay Grady.. 😉 What started as a last minute New Years kiss.. became so much more.. 🥰
Highly recommended to all fans of m/m romance who love the grumpy sunshine, friends to lovers, GFY trope.. 👍🏻👍🏻
June 6, 2023
The grumpiest grump meets the sunniest sunshine - perfect ingredients for a wonderful, sweet romcom ❤️
The grump is Grady, a cop who’s been twice burned in his relationships. And he meets the irresistible sunshine that is Lake, an army pilot.
"How can you tell,” Lake said out loud as he typed on his phone, “if a guy is broody?” He paused. “Oh. Whoops. There are a lot of baby websites here. They think I mean broody, like ‘ready for kids.’ Google needs a context bar.”
Firstly: the setting is Australia, so we didn’t get the often grim and very patriotic vibe the same book would have if it was set in the United States, and military and police work aren’t the focus here. No bloody crimes to solve, no terrorist attacks or dicey rescue missions - just 2 very different guys in their early thirties, one of them (Lake) straight - and a love story that’s made for a romcom movie. There’s not much drama going on, just Grady being a bit stubborn until he gives in to the tornado that is Lake.
I loved the third-person-pov here, because I loved being able to see what’s going on in their respective minds at the same time. And let me tell you - if you don’t fall in love with Lake, I’m not sure we can be friends (we do, but you’d be wrong 😂).
“What kind of underwear are you wearing?” He braced one hand on the doorframe as he stared at him with a facial expression that Lake was used to seeing on most people: utter confusion. “They’re cheesy Road Runner ones with ‘meep meep’ written right over my dick,” Lake told him.
But I digress. To make it short: it’s a pick-me-up, not perfect because it’s a bit drawn-out around 75-85% without much happening (too many side characters that don’t really add to the story, doing irrelevant things like cooking together or just being…there), but it’s sweet, funny and even has a three legged puppy in it - definitely a book to brighten your day 🥰
The grump is Grady, a cop who’s been twice burned in his relationships. And he meets the irresistible sunshine that is Lake, an army pilot.
"How can you tell,” Lake said out loud as he typed on his phone, “if a guy is broody?” He paused. “Oh. Whoops. There are a lot of baby websites here. They think I mean broody, like ‘ready for kids.’ Google needs a context bar.”
Firstly: the setting is Australia, so we didn’t get the often grim and very patriotic vibe the same book would have if it was set in the United States, and military and police work aren’t the focus here. No bloody crimes to solve, no terrorist attacks or dicey rescue missions - just 2 very different guys in their early thirties, one of them (Lake) straight - and a love story that’s made for a romcom movie. There’s not much drama going on, just Grady being a bit stubborn until he gives in to the tornado that is Lake.
I loved the third-person-pov here, because I loved being able to see what’s going on in their respective minds at the same time. And let me tell you - if you don’t fall in love with Lake, I’m not sure we can be friends (we do, but you’d be wrong 😂).
“What kind of underwear are you wearing?” He braced one hand on the doorframe as he stared at him with a facial expression that Lake was used to seeing on most people: utter confusion. “They’re cheesy Road Runner ones with ‘meep meep’ written right over my dick,” Lake told him.
But I digress. To make it short: it’s a pick-me-up, not perfect because it’s a bit drawn-out around 75-85% without much happening (too many side characters that don’t really add to the story, doing irrelevant things like cooking together or just being…there), but it’s sweet, funny and even has a three legged puppy in it - definitely a book to brighten your day 🥰
November 21, 2023
HOLY!!!!!!!😍 ACTUAL!!!!!!!😍 FUCK!!!!!!!!😍 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! prepare to be SICK of me!!!!!!!
“‘It just feels big when I’m there by myself. Even with the TV on, the silence gets to me. I like your house.’ [Lake] shrugged. ‘It’s small, and cosy, and it has you in it.’ ……. ‘I like your house, Lake,’ Grady said patiently. ‘And you shouldn’t have to feel like you can’t be there.’ ‘I—what? You like my house?’ ‘Well, yeah. It’s big, and it’s inviting, and it has you in it.’ He paused and then turned to Lake with a grin that had Lake’s mouth going dry. ‘And it has more than one bed. Just in case.’ ‘All of my spare beds are being fumigated,’ Lake said, hoping he didn’t sound as desperate as he felt.”
lmaoo i’m in love🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭😩😩😩😩😩😩😩🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
“‘It’s so good,’ Lake mumbled. ‘Why is it so good? I can’t get enough. I want it all the time. I dream about sitting on your cock while I’m flying a Hawk.’”
i’m literally in limbo rn, i can’t move
“‘I want to cut it off and carry it around with me,’ Lake said, his mouth open on a silent gasp. ‘Make a butt plug out of it. Have it inside me every second.’”
i’ve been staring at the ceiling for 3 hours
“‘Oh God. Yes. Fuck. Don’t stop,’ Lake gasped. ‘I can’t stand it when you stop. I want you to fuck me, just like this, all the time.’”
i’m literally drowning
“He was greedy. He wanted to touch and see.”
“He was so fucking turned on he didn’t even know what to do with himself.”
“He couldn’t explain how much he needed it”
“He wanted to be under Grady forever, be fucked like this all the time.”
“‘It’s mine,’ he continued, still sounding incredibly drunk. ‘My dick. For me.’”
i’m floating on a cloud in a cockslut heaven
“It was like they’d both been possessed. He took one look at Lake, and he had to touch him, fuck him, leave his scent on him.”
“Whatever they’d agreed to, Grady didn’t care, because he needed to be the first. He wouldn’t give anyone else the opportunity to have this. It belonged to him.”
“He wanted to consume Lake, wanted to wrap around his soul and own it.”
i’m unable process and move forward, i need 3 weeks recovery time………no seriously, i need to be HOSPITALIZED for overdosing on shaking, whimpering, embarrassingly needy, desperate, begging, thirsty cumsluts drunk on cock……i’m literally sick to my stomach it’s soooooo fucking good i can’t BREATHE!!!!!!!!!!! like i need a ventilator stat bc wheewwwww😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨 a bitch is feeling faint as fuck!!!!!!😩 i have not been capable of rational thought for hours, these two mfs have scrambled my brains like wtf……this book has been blessed by something holy…..the levels of cockslutery in this book ??????? asinine and probably illegal bc my veins have been buzzing nonstop…..i literally feel weak in the knees y’all like this shit HIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
like friends to lovers (my beloved🫶), grumpy/sunshine to the max, can’t keep their hands off each other EVER, would probably trade oxygen just to barely touch each other’s left pinkies, like how am i expected to be sane rn ??????? plssssssss i need to be put down bc i will not ever be shutting the fuck up about these lovelies ever…….so sick and fucking twisted that i can’t experience this masterpiece for the first time again😭😭
lake is like the sweetest, most sincere himbo ever and grady is the most indulgent grump……fuckkkk and the way they treat each other is just so soft and sweet and lovely…
“Lake’s heart burst with happiness, and he couldn’t have stopped smiling if his life depended on it”……”Maybe holding hands wasn’t that big a deal, but it had felt like a big deal to Lake. He loved any experience that involved having his hands anywhere near Grady and vice versa.”
do you hear that????? that’s me screaming into the abyss🥺🥺🥺🥺😩😩😩😩😩
“He was so fucking deep that Lake was surprised he couldn’t feel him in his chest, in his throat. ‘Did you feel yourself?’ Lake gasped out as Grady let his lips go. His finger dug into Grady’s back as Grady pushed up. ‘What?’ ‘Your dick went up the back of my throat. Did you feel it?’ Grady stared at him for a second before bursting into laughter. ‘I can’t tell what’s more terrifying: that I’m not sure if you’re being serious, or the fact that I’m still hard.’”
lmfaooooo like my dear obsessed cuties, my absolutely helpless pleading messes🫶🫶🫶
“Lake loved everything about it. He loved being filled by Grady’s big dick, of being so thoroughly manhandled that he had no choice but to take it. He’d never experienced anything like it, and he couldn’t get enough. Now he could have it whenever he wanted, without the fear that there was some kind of time limit to how long he could have it.”
i’m foaming at the mouth so bad, i need a fucking rabies shot…..
and holy shit this parallel???
“Grady gave out his heart, and no one ever kept it.”
“‘If you would just trust me, I would take care of it, Grady.’”
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP……this book was sooo good to the point that i fear for my next read…..my heart literally grew three sizes today grinch style lmaoo
btw shoutout to nicole (i wish i knew how to tag you) thank you for writing the most enticing review of this book🫶🫶
“‘It just feels big when I’m there by myself. Even with the TV on, the silence gets to me. I like your house.’ [Lake] shrugged. ‘It’s small, and cosy, and it has you in it.’ ……. ‘I like your house, Lake,’ Grady said patiently. ‘And you shouldn’t have to feel like you can’t be there.’ ‘I—what? You like my house?’ ‘Well, yeah. It’s big, and it’s inviting, and it has you in it.’ He paused and then turned to Lake with a grin that had Lake’s mouth going dry. ‘And it has more than one bed. Just in case.’ ‘All of my spare beds are being fumigated,’ Lake said, hoping he didn’t sound as desperate as he felt.”
lmaoo i’m in love🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭😩😩😩😩😩😩😩🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
“‘It’s so good,’ Lake mumbled. ‘Why is it so good? I can’t get enough. I want it all the time. I dream about sitting on your cock while I’m flying a Hawk.’”
i’m literally in limbo rn, i can’t move
“‘I want to cut it off and carry it around with me,’ Lake said, his mouth open on a silent gasp. ‘Make a butt plug out of it. Have it inside me every second.’”
i’ve been staring at the ceiling for 3 hours
“‘Oh God. Yes. Fuck. Don’t stop,’ Lake gasped. ‘I can’t stand it when you stop. I want you to fuck me, just like this, all the time.’”
i’m literally drowning
“He was greedy. He wanted to touch and see.”
“He was so fucking turned on he didn’t even know what to do with himself.”
“He couldn’t explain how much he needed it”
“He wanted to be under Grady forever, be fucked like this all the time.”
“‘It’s mine,’ he continued, still sounding incredibly drunk. ‘My dick. For me.’”
i’m floating on a cloud in a cockslut heaven
“It was like they’d both been possessed. He took one look at Lake, and he had to touch him, fuck him, leave his scent on him.”
“Whatever they’d agreed to, Grady didn’t care, because he needed to be the first. He wouldn’t give anyone else the opportunity to have this. It belonged to him.”
“He wanted to consume Lake, wanted to wrap around his soul and own it.”
i’m unable process and move forward, i need 3 weeks recovery time………no seriously, i need to be HOSPITALIZED for overdosing on shaking, whimpering, embarrassingly needy, desperate, begging, thirsty cumsluts drunk on cock……i’m literally sick to my stomach it’s soooooo fucking good i can’t BREATHE!!!!!!!!!!! like i need a ventilator stat bc wheewwwww😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨 a bitch is feeling faint as fuck!!!!!!😩 i have not been capable of rational thought for hours, these two mfs have scrambled my brains like wtf……this book has been blessed by something holy…..the levels of cockslutery in this book ??????? asinine and probably illegal bc my veins have been buzzing nonstop…..i literally feel weak in the knees y’all like this shit HIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
like friends to lovers (my beloved🫶), grumpy/sunshine to the max, can’t keep their hands off each other EVER, would probably trade oxygen just to barely touch each other’s left pinkies, like how am i expected to be sane rn ??????? plssssssss i need to be put down bc i will not ever be shutting the fuck up about these lovelies ever…….so sick and fucking twisted that i can’t experience this masterpiece for the first time again😭😭
lake is like the sweetest, most sincere himbo ever and grady is the most indulgent grump……fuckkkk and the way they treat each other is just so soft and sweet and lovely…
“Lake’s heart burst with happiness, and he couldn’t have stopped smiling if his life depended on it”……”Maybe holding hands wasn’t that big a deal, but it had felt like a big deal to Lake. He loved any experience that involved having his hands anywhere near Grady and vice versa.”
do you hear that????? that’s me screaming into the abyss🥺🥺🥺🥺😩😩😩😩😩
“He was so fucking deep that Lake was surprised he couldn’t feel him in his chest, in his throat. ‘Did you feel yourself?’ Lake gasped out as Grady let his lips go. His finger dug into Grady’s back as Grady pushed up. ‘What?’ ‘Your dick went up the back of my throat. Did you feel it?’ Grady stared at him for a second before bursting into laughter. ‘I can’t tell what’s more terrifying: that I’m not sure if you’re being serious, or the fact that I’m still hard.’”
lmfaooooo like my dear obsessed cuties, my absolutely helpless pleading messes🫶🫶🫶
“Lake loved everything about it. He loved being filled by Grady’s big dick, of being so thoroughly manhandled that he had no choice but to take it. He’d never experienced anything like it, and he couldn’t get enough. Now he could have it whenever he wanted, without the fear that there was some kind of time limit to how long he could have it.”
i’m foaming at the mouth so bad, i need a fucking rabies shot…..
and holy shit this parallel???
“Grady gave out his heart, and no one ever kept it.”
“‘If you would just trust me, I would take care of it, Grady.’”
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP……this book was sooo good to the point that i fear for my next read…..my heart literally grew three sizes today grinch style lmaoo
btw shoutout to nicole (i wish i knew how to tag you) thank you for writing the most enticing review of this book🫶🫶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
This is one of the sweetest stories I've read in a while. I fell in love with both Grady and Lake, the MCs, from the first chapter. The way they met had me hooked and I just couldn't stop reading.
Grady is a detective who has been burnt twice by previous partners and he's not looking for a relationship, but then Lake, a soldier, just imposes himself in Grady's life. Because Lake decides they must be friends. The situations when they were together were sweet and funny, and the way they started off as friends made their relationship very real and special.
Lake is pure sunshine and I loved how he accepted he wasn't as straight as he thought. Even though it's not openly mentioned I believe Lake is demisexual, because as he says several times in the book, he needs to feel that connection to their partners. Grady is reluctant and it's understandable, he doesn't want to be a toy for a curious-straight gay to play with.
This is a low angst story, with grumpy/sunshine characters, and a very realistic relationship between two people that just connect from the moment they meet, the evolution of their friendship and how they become best friends had me sighing and smiling. I absolutely loved how Lake accepted he liked Grady despite him being a guy and Lake's lack of filter when speaking out his mind was hilarious, he just blurted anything that crossed his mind so, how could Grady resist him? I laughed so much with him because for a while he was so clueless about what was going on between them both. But I loved how Lake gave himself completely to Grady when he understood his feelings.
This is such a beautiful book that will stay one of my favourites for a long time. Slow burn, bi-awakening, friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, funny banter and very well written. It has it all to be a great book.
Grady is a detective who has been burnt twice by previous partners and he's not looking for a relationship, but then Lake, a soldier, just imposes himself in Grady's life. Because Lake decides they must be friends. The situations when they were together were sweet and funny, and the way they started off as friends made their relationship very real and special.
Lake is pure sunshine and I loved how he accepted he wasn't as straight as he thought. Even though it's not openly mentioned I believe Lake is demisexual, because as he says several times in the book, he needs to feel that connection to their partners. Grady is reluctant and it's understandable, he doesn't want to be a toy for a curious-straight gay to play with.
This is a low angst story, with grumpy/sunshine characters, and a very realistic relationship between two people that just connect from the moment they meet, the evolution of their friendship and how they become best friends had me sighing and smiling. I absolutely loved how Lake accepted he liked Grady despite him being a guy and Lake's lack of filter when speaking out his mind was hilarious, he just blurted anything that crossed his mind so, how could Grady resist him? I laughed so much with him because for a while he was so clueless about what was going on between them both. But I loved how Lake gave himself completely to Grady when he understood his feelings.
This is such a beautiful book that will stay one of my favourites for a long time. Slow burn, bi-awakening, friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, funny banter and very well written. It has it all to be a great book.
February 8, 2023
4.5 stars
June 1, 2023
3.5 stars - Cute, cute, cute! It's too bad that this author mostly writes poly romances because I really liked their writing and thought this book was super sweet. Lake was such a fun and adorable character and I loved how open and honest he was with Grady. Grady came across as a jaded grump, but he was actually a soft, kind caretaker who had been hurt deeply in the past. There were lots of swoon-worthy moments in this book and tons of cuddles. I thought it was a perfect blend of friendship, intimacy and steam.
As other reviewers have already mentioned, there was an abundance of side characters from other books who took up too much page time and cluttered my brain with names that didn't matter to me. There were also a few side plots that served no purpose and mostly fizzled out without much resolution. And I could have done without the epilogue because it didn't feel necessary or true to what I knew about Grady's past. But aside from all of that, I really liked Grady and Lake's story. It was a nice, quiet romance that made me smile and helped take the edge off some of the more angsty stuff I've been reading lately.
As other reviewers have already mentioned, there was an abundance of side characters from other books who took up too much page time and cluttered my brain with names that didn't matter to me. There were also a few side plots that served no purpose and mostly fizzled out without much resolution. And I could have done without the epilogue because it didn't feel necessary or true to what I knew about Grady's past. But aside from all of that, I really liked Grady and Lake's story. It was a nice, quiet romance that made me smile and helped take the edge off some of the more angsty stuff I've been reading lately.
June 11, 2023
I don’t even know where to start with this one. This was such an absolutely delightful read. There were so many witty and bantery moments that I was not expecting to be hit in the feels as hard as I was.
This book was truly grumpy/sunshine perfection, which is one of all time favorite tropes. Grady and Lake’s first to last interactions were so perfect - both their personalities were so well developed throughout the book.
“When you aren’t with me, all I can think about is you. And when you are with me, all I want to do is touch you. Being near you feels like I can breathe, like I’m alive and here and real.”
I have FORTY HIGHLIGHTS for this book which I think is a new record for me. There were so many moments that made my heart flutter. Grady is rightfully cautious about pursuing anything that resembles a relationship with Lake, but Lake is just so good for Grady and he’s so upfront about what he wants. I really enjoyed this book - Grady and Lake have definitely secured a spot in my most favorite couples.
This book was truly grumpy/sunshine perfection, which is one of all time favorite tropes. Grady and Lake’s first to last interactions were so perfect - both their personalities were so well developed throughout the book.
“When you aren’t with me, all I can think about is you. And when you are with me, all I want to do is touch you. Being near you feels like I can breathe, like I’m alive and here and real.”
I have FORTY HIGHLIGHTS for this book which I think is a new record for me. There were so many moments that made my heart flutter. Grady is rightfully cautious about pursuing anything that resembles a relationship with Lake, but Lake is just so good for Grady and he’s so upfront about what he wants. I really enjoyed this book - Grady and Lake have definitely secured a spot in my most favorite couples.
July 12, 2023
I’m turning into such an old cynic. I didn’t even read the whole epilogue because it was too sickly sweet!!
The bulk of the book was ok but I’m so bored of cliches- must change my reading habits around or I’m going to become an old book grinch- and I’ve only just turned 40 so it seems premature!!!
Any recommendations anyone?
The bulk of the book was ok but I’m so bored of cliches- must change my reading habits around or I’m going to become an old book grinch- and I’ve only just turned 40 so it seems premature!!!
Any recommendations anyone?
December 10, 2023
It was okay. I can’t quite explain it, but the writing didn’t flow and it made it hard to fully immerse myself. It was pretty hot, but there were just so many sex scenes that it got boring. At least it wasn’t as boring as the amount of page time all the side characters got. There were so many! I swear at least a third of this book was filled with pointless dialogue from people I did not care about.
March 6, 2024
Not to out myself as a smut enthusiast but they made such a huge deal about Lake's butt that I expected it to feature more prominently than it did during the sex scenes.
This was the perfect blend of sweet and angsty. Lake's the perfect golden retriever energy MC and Grady..... well. It's Lake's world, and he's just living in it- in a good way.
This was the perfect blend of sweet and angsty. Lake's the perfect golden retriever energy MC and Grady..... well. It's Lake's world, and he's just living in it- in a good way.
December 10, 2024
I think this was only my second Aurora Crane but damn the way they write insta feels works for me! Set in Australia, this had some Alessandra Hazard meets Sophia Soames feels. Characters just slide into each others lives the way they were always meant to.
Recommend even if the second half was very sex heavy which I found a bit of a shame after the lovely cozy build up. I read this without reading all the other books in this universe before and it worked fine!
NSFW infos
- 30 year old grump cop (only tops)
- 31 year old sunshine military aviator (thought he was straight bottoms and becomes a total “power bottom” - alluded to but never outright said: demisexual, undiagnosed ADHD)
Recommend even if the second half was very sex heavy which I found a bit of a shame after the lovely cozy build up. I read this without reading all the other books in this universe before and it worked fine!
NSFW infos
- 30 year old grump cop (only tops)
- 31 year old sunshine military aviator (thought he was straight bottoms and becomes a total “power bottom” - alluded to but never outright said: demisexual, undiagnosed ADHD)
August 5, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. Solid 3.75.
Gray has had it rough. His first relationship ended in being stood up at the alter. His second cheated on him. He's given up on relationships altogether. Then along comes Lake. Persistent, sunshiney Lake. And Gray's life is turned upside down. Gray's got it back. For a straight boy.
Lake is trying to give his little brother and his best friends some space as they navigate their new relationship. But he's not a solitary kinda guy. Hanging out with Gray is unexpectedly pleasant, despite Gray's grumpy exterior. He's confused at first by his feeling for Gray, he's always been straight, and thinking of a man 'in that way' is foreign to him. But as time goes on he decides he wants to explore a relationship with Gray. Despite the man's vehement protests.
These MCs are very well characterized. This story is a great example of grumpy/sunshine, gay4u, emerging demisexuality. I love how Lake just goes with it. And is unbothered with trying to label his feelings towards Gray.
Gray has had it rough. His first relationship ended in being stood up at the alter. His second cheated on him. He's given up on relationships altogether. Then along comes Lake. Persistent, sunshiney Lake. And Gray's life is turned upside down. Gray's got it back. For a straight boy.
Lake is trying to give his little brother and his best friends some space as they navigate their new relationship. But he's not a solitary kinda guy. Hanging out with Gray is unexpectedly pleasant, despite Gray's grumpy exterior. He's confused at first by his feeling for Gray, he's always been straight, and thinking of a man 'in that way' is foreign to him. But as time goes on he decides he wants to explore a relationship with Gray. Despite the man's vehement protests.
These MCs are very well characterized. This story is a great example of grumpy/sunshine, gay4u, emerging demisexuality. I love how Lake just goes with it. And is unbothered with trying to label his feelings towards Gray.
June 25, 2025
The cutest!
There are a lot of funny moments.
There are definitely too many people to remember. Names were being thrown, and I had no idea who who was who lol
Set in Australia.
There are a lot of funny moments.
There are definitely too many people to remember. Names were being thrown, and I had no idea who who was who lol
Set in Australia.
February 1, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Third Time Lucky is part of Aurora Crane’s Chain Reaction universe. It is billed as a standalone, and I think it mostly works as one. Those who read Catalyst might recognize Grady as Quinn’s police partner. Quinn plays a minor role as a side character here and there is some mention of the rest of the quad, but this one stands apart easily from that book. Lake is Avery’s brother and Zach and Felix’s best friends from Two Soldiers for Christmas and all three men appear here. I think this story ties more closely to that book, as not only do the guys play a role as side characters, but the fallout from them getting together is something that affects Lake here. His brother is now dating his best friends, which leaves Lake a little adrift as he tries to give them space, and that clearly plays a role in how quickly his friendship with Grady develops. So being familiar with that story will help here, though it is all explained. I also think having some familiarity with this world overall helps to give some larger context, as there are things referenced that will have more meaning if you have read the other books, such as why Grady doesn’t like Quinn’s boyfriend, Sebastian.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Third Time Lucky is part of Aurora Crane’s Chain Reaction universe. It is billed as a standalone, and I think it mostly works as one. Those who read Catalyst might recognize Grady as Quinn’s police partner. Quinn plays a minor role as a side character here and there is some mention of the rest of the quad, but this one stands apart easily from that book. Lake is Avery’s brother and Zach and Felix’s best friends from Two Soldiers for Christmas and all three men appear here. I think this story ties more closely to that book, as not only do the guys play a role as side characters, but the fallout from them getting together is something that affects Lake here. His brother is now dating his best friends, which leaves Lake a little adrift as he tries to give them space, and that clearly plays a role in how quickly his friendship with Grady develops. So being familiar with that story will help here, though it is all explained. I also think having some familiarity with this world overall helps to give some larger context, as there are things referenced that will have more meaning if you have read the other books, such as why Grady doesn’t like Quinn’s boyfriend, Sebastian.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
January 29, 2023
This book had me hooked from the beginning. It is low angst but does make your heart ache at times. There are sweet and tender moments, much humor, and steam to perfectly balance it all out.
Grady and Lake are complete opposites but fit perfectly together like puzzle pieces, and are beautiful ones all the pieces fall into place. Grady is a sarcastic grump with trust issues, he has not been lucky with love. Lake is ray of sunshine (but not annoying) who says what he is thinking, no brain to mouth filter, and dances to his own tune. This keeps Grady on his toes 😂 . The stuff that came out his mouth had me cracking up.
We first get to see their friendship develop, because Lake decided that they were going to be friends and Grady was kinda left with no choice, lol. And as they become closer, Lake begins to realize that his feelings might not be so "friendly". Love that there is no drama and not dragged out (yes...no...yes...I have romantic feeling for my friend of the same sex but I've only loved women). And this fit perfectly with Lake's personality, like previously mentioned...he dances to his own tune. Grady however is hesitant to take a chance, he does not need another broken heart. But Lake is too hard to resist. And we begin to see Grady's wall begin to crumble, Lake chipping away little by little with each smile, each insane but hilarious word and action.
I really did love the MCs, they weren't perfect but definitely perfect for each other. And it wasn't just a friends to lovers, grump/sunshine trope but much more. It was also a journey of self-discoveries, learning to trust, and mending of a broken heart. A sweet emotional steamy story with some heart aching moments, but not high angst or dragged out drama. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Grady and Lake are complete opposites but fit perfectly together like puzzle pieces, and are beautiful ones all the pieces fall into place. Grady is a sarcastic grump with trust issues, he has not been lucky with love. Lake is ray of sunshine (but not annoying) who says what he is thinking, no brain to mouth filter, and dances to his own tune. This keeps Grady on his toes 😂 . The stuff that came out his mouth had me cracking up.
We first get to see their friendship develop, because Lake decided that they were going to be friends and Grady was kinda left with no choice, lol. And as they become closer, Lake begins to realize that his feelings might not be so "friendly". Love that there is no drama and not dragged out (yes...no...yes...I have romantic feeling for my friend of the same sex but I've only loved women). And this fit perfectly with Lake's personality, like previously mentioned...he dances to his own tune. Grady however is hesitant to take a chance, he does not need another broken heart. But Lake is too hard to resist. And we begin to see Grady's wall begin to crumble, Lake chipping away little by little with each smile, each insane but hilarious word and action.
I really did love the MCs, they weren't perfect but definitely perfect for each other. And it wasn't just a friends to lovers, grump/sunshine trope but much more. It was also a journey of self-discoveries, learning to trust, and mending of a broken heart. A sweet emotional steamy story with some heart aching moments, but not high angst or dragged out drama. I can't wait to read more from this author.
February 19, 2023
Very cute, heartfelt grumpy/sunshine story. Lake was adorable and likable but also sort of ridiculous. I was equally charmed and exasperated by him. I loved Grady. He was understandably guarded and I felt his frustration and angst as he struggled to protect his heart by containing his feelings for Lake. Their bumpy road was realistically done and it definitely pulled at my heartstrings. This was a new-to-me author and I am very interested in checking out her other stuff. Sounds like she has some poly stories in her backlist. Those are always up my alley--if done right--and I’m hopeful that I'd enjoy her approach.
February 12, 2025
This was really good. I appreciate that these characters feel like adults, and their communication is great, even when they disagree. I feel like Lake's character changed a bit, though. He was definitely more masc at the beginning of the book, and became less as it went on, which is a bit confusing since he's in the military so changing his personality is a bit weird. And the book emphasized Grady's size and strength more as the book went on... Kind of a weird heteronormative emphasis, it felt like as their relationship progressed, they became more stereotypical. But the characters still have a lot of depth and feel real.
February 1, 2023
4.5 Stars
I adored the relationship that was struck up between Lake and Grady through an unexpected new years kiss. Both these guys were so likeable and while Grady was a bit gruff and Lake was sunshiny, they worked well together as friends and then as lovers. It amused me that Lake thought there was nothing odd about his friendship with Grady, and while Grady did think it a bit odd, he didn't want it to change so said nothing.
I enjoyed the lack of angst, though I was slightly worried that the author might take me that route, she didn't. I'm not usually a fan of slow burn and low heat, but I really loved the way Lake and Grady grew their friendship into something special before things take a more intimate and romantic turn. It really was impossible for Grady not to like Lake, he was like an eager puppy in the way he decided they were going to be best friends and he wanted to spend all his time with him. The whole thing was written so well that I didn't want to put it down while also not wanting the story to end.
I am going to need to read the novel where Lake's brother gets his two men as that relationship had some big impacts on Lake even though he was happy for them. A change in friendship because the other person meets someone is often tough, but for Lake it was his friend and his brother.
I hope to see more of Grady and Lake in future books by Aurora Crane.
I adored the relationship that was struck up between Lake and Grady through an unexpected new years kiss. Both these guys were so likeable and while Grady was a bit gruff and Lake was sunshiny, they worked well together as friends and then as lovers. It amused me that Lake thought there was nothing odd about his friendship with Grady, and while Grady did think it a bit odd, he didn't want it to change so said nothing.
I enjoyed the lack of angst, though I was slightly worried that the author might take me that route, she didn't. I'm not usually a fan of slow burn and low heat, but I really loved the way Lake and Grady grew their friendship into something special before things take a more intimate and romantic turn. It really was impossible for Grady not to like Lake, he was like an eager puppy in the way he decided they were going to be best friends and he wanted to spend all his time with him. The whole thing was written so well that I didn't want to put it down while also not wanting the story to end.
I am going to need to read the novel where Lake's brother gets his two men as that relationship had some big impacts on Lake even though he was happy for them. A change in friendship because the other person meets someone is often tough, but for Lake it was his friend and his brother.
I hope to see more of Grady and Lake in future books by Aurora Crane.
January 4, 2025
I really enjoyed the slow-burn bi-awakening, but there want much more to this story than the romance. It would have been great to have a secondary plot or other challenges for the main characters to deal with.
Apart from the main romance, this book was mostly visiting with other characters from the authors’ books, with all those characters weighing in on the new relationship, and all of this was pretty tedious actually.
Apart from the main romance, this book was mostly visiting with other characters from the authors’ books, with all those characters weighing in on the new relationship, and all of this was pretty tedious actually.
January 27, 2023
I will admit to being one of those readers who read one of the authors' books, then read the author's entire library. To be fair, the author only has four books under their belt, not including this one, but all those made an incredible impact on me.
This one, in particular, is at the top of my favorites list. Grady and Lake are the Grumpy and Sunshine troupe on steroids, and I am here for it. Grady and Lake meet at a New Year's eve party and have an awkward, but memorable kiss. Lake, who is supposedly straight, enjoys it more than he thought he would and proceeds to insert himself into Grady's life. They become fast friends and soon realize they mean more to each other than just friends. Grady has been burned by relationships before, and he resists until Lake breaks down his walls and shows Grady that he deserves all the love.
Also, Lake is a golden retriever personified!
This one, in particular, is at the top of my favorites list. Grady and Lake are the Grumpy and Sunshine troupe on steroids, and I am here for it. Grady and Lake meet at a New Year's eve party and have an awkward, but memorable kiss. Lake, who is supposedly straight, enjoys it more than he thought he would and proceeds to insert himself into Grady's life. They become fast friends and soon realize they mean more to each other than just friends. Grady has been burned by relationships before, and he resists until Lake breaks down his walls and shows Grady that he deserves all the love.
Also, Lake is a golden retriever personified!
January 28, 2023
4.5 stars. The MCs were really well written and the plots felt very realistic. Both MCs were extremely different but fit together beautifully. A very enjoyable read without much angst or drama, lovely when looking for something not too heavy and really very sweet. Will definitely be rereading this one.
January 24, 2023
It’s going to be supremely difficult not to have the entirety of this review just be a Lake appreciation post— I am head over heels in love with this ridiculously sunshiney, loud, oblivious, sweet, scarily competent in most things and just *not* in others (seriously, no cooking) human being and I want only good things for him. I love how he and Grady fit together, and how well Grady’s grumpy heart-of-gold shtick works with Lane’s extroverted sweetness, and how very beautifully they compliment each other. It should not be as adorable as it is, watching them go from friends to boyfriends (despite Grady’s denial and Lake’s obliviousness, these two are dating practically from the moment they meet). There’s a touch of angst because Grady’s been burned before, but mostly this is all sweetness and heat (and, for those familiar with the author’s other works, some cameos from familiar faces). Well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
June 5, 2023
The world-building nerd in me loves when authors write multiple stories in the same universe, even if the characters and events can stand alone. This is my third visit to this low-key shared world, and I thoroughly enjoy the sprawling connections of friendship and family that link the characters. And though the previous books were poly romances, this unexpected love story between Gray and Lake proves Crane is more than able to craft an equally compelling story with only two characters in a relationship and no overt external plot.
Though I’d met each of these heroes in previous books, I did not immediately connect them as a romantic possibility (even without the explicit knowledge of Lake identifying as straight). However, I knew I was in for a ride with Lake by page 2 and that I was in trouble for starting the book 10 minutes before I had to leave for an appointment. Lake drew me in immediately, and he more than worked as a delightful foil to Grady’s sharper edges. Sometimes I find the grumpy/sunshine trope to be contrived, but Crane layers enough other elements into these men’s personalities that here it drew me in.
For the first half of the book, Crane spends as much time developing the solid friendship between Lake and Grady as most authors do with a romance. Following Grady as he melted for Lake was compelling, and this book proves that initial low heat doesn’t mean it can’t also fulfill the requirements of slow burn. I knew that the eventual fall-out would break both my and Grady’s hearts, but Crane takes a last-minute turn that avoids too much drawn-out angst.
I’m a fan of “bi-awaking” books mostly because I like stories about someone finding their person, no matter what form that person takes. However, I’m more than over the “bi-panic” that tends to accompany the trope, so Lake’s evolution as a character was both refreshing and delightful. It’s never directly identified, but I think Lake also makes for an excellent representation of potential demisexuality based on what he shares about past relationship experiences.
While I not-so-patiently wait for more in two series Crane is currently developing, this was a lovely and enjoyable story. Hot and emotional in all the right ways without dipping into overwrought territory. Readers who don’t necessarily enjoy poly romances should check out the love story between Grady and Lake so that they don’t miss out on writing by this wonderful author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Though I’d met each of these heroes in previous books, I did not immediately connect them as a romantic possibility (even without the explicit knowledge of Lake identifying as straight). However, I knew I was in for a ride with Lake by page 2 and that I was in trouble for starting the book 10 minutes before I had to leave for an appointment. Lake drew me in immediately, and he more than worked as a delightful foil to Grady’s sharper edges. Sometimes I find the grumpy/sunshine trope to be contrived, but Crane layers enough other elements into these men’s personalities that here it drew me in.
For the first half of the book, Crane spends as much time developing the solid friendship between Lake and Grady as most authors do with a romance. Following Grady as he melted for Lake was compelling, and this book proves that initial low heat doesn’t mean it can’t also fulfill the requirements of slow burn. I knew that the eventual fall-out would break both my and Grady’s hearts, but Crane takes a last-minute turn that avoids too much drawn-out angst.
I’m a fan of “bi-awaking” books mostly because I like stories about someone finding their person, no matter what form that person takes. However, I’m more than over the “bi-panic” that tends to accompany the trope, so Lake’s evolution as a character was both refreshing and delightful. It’s never directly identified, but I think Lake also makes for an excellent representation of potential demisexuality based on what he shares about past relationship experiences.
While I not-so-patiently wait for more in two series Crane is currently developing, this was a lovely and enjoyable story. Hot and emotional in all the right ways without dipping into overwrought territory. Readers who don’t necessarily enjoy poly romances should check out the love story between Grady and Lake so that they don’t miss out on writing by this wonderful author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
November 1, 2024
I am really having the worst streak of bad luck in MM romance recently 😭😭
For the first half or so, this was better than the other books I've read, and it was because it was a slow burn. Truly two guys getting to know each other and become fast best friends, and the chemistry was there. But that first kiss of them in the first couple of chapters should have been a warning... a "straight" guy kissing the hell out, with tongue and all, with the gay man, only because it was "tradition in NYE" 😭
If that kiss didn't happen, it would have been better because it would have seemed that Lake was pansexual.. except he was a demi it seems?
So when Lake realizes he has the hots for Grady, he acts immediately on it and then it turns into a porn fest 😞Lake turns into a cock-addict, they are practically a couple.. except that Grady, after being cheated on twice, does not want to get hurt again and want to keep being friends only...
Except they can't keep their hands from each other and after taking a "break" of a couple of hours, they continue being lovers, doing it a couple of times this hour, a couple of times, after an hour, etc etc. And Grady kept going on "but you weren't gay days ago.." which 🙄 And of course, the whole "I don't want to get hurt again" which is understandable, but the "you cannot promise me this will work out" which ??? No one can promise that, not even if Lake was "gay from the start".
I've read that Lake was adorable but, ehh. So-so, I get the puppy/sunshine and grumpy thing, but Lake was supposedly a soldier which 🧐 . And all these guys loved to meddle into the other guys' love life 🧐
And I dislike all the other characters. Another case of "everyone is gay". Except worst. I see this author likes to write polymory, which for me is a big NO. There is a throuple, and then a quartet, and 🫠 no thank you. Fine for people that likes it, but in a book, not for me.
For the first half or so, this was better than the other books I've read, and it was because it was a slow burn. Truly two guys getting to know each other and become fast best friends, and the chemistry was there. But that first kiss of them in the first couple of chapters should have been a warning... a "straight" guy kissing the hell out, with tongue and all, with the gay man, only because it was "tradition in NYE" 😭
If that kiss didn't happen, it would have been better because it would have seemed that Lake was pansexual.. except he was a demi it seems?
So when Lake realizes he has the hots for Grady, he acts immediately on it and then it turns into a porn fest 😞Lake turns into a cock-addict, they are practically a couple.. except that Grady, after being cheated on twice, does not want to get hurt again and want to keep being friends only...
Except they can't keep their hands from each other and after taking a "break" of a couple of hours, they continue being lovers, doing it a couple of times this hour, a couple of times, after an hour, etc etc. And Grady kept going on "but you weren't gay days ago.." which 🙄 And of course, the whole "I don't want to get hurt again" which is understandable, but the "you cannot promise me this will work out" which ??? No one can promise that, not even if Lake was "gay from the start".
I've read that Lake was adorable but, ehh. So-so, I get the puppy/sunshine and grumpy thing, but Lake was supposedly a soldier which 🧐 . And all these guys loved to meddle into the other guys' love life 🧐
And I dislike all the other characters. Another case of "everyone is gay". Except worst. I see this author likes to write polymory, which for me is a big NO. There is a throuple, and then a quartet, and 🫠 no thank you. Fine for people that likes it, but in a book, not for me.
February 3, 2023
Low angst grumpy/sunshine romance
This is part of a series, however, having not read the previous books, I didn't feel like I was missing out. It's quite a low angst story, about two guys who are feeling a bit dismal and lonely, and meet one another at just the right time. Lake is straight, and is happy to find a friend in Grady, who is gay. I thought that this was going to be a GFY story, but following the narrative I would say that Lake comes across as demi/pansexual, rather than initially straight. I enjoyed the development of the guys relationship, and could understand why they were both a little tentative about the whole thing. It's well written, and catches the mindset of both Lake and Grady early on in the book. An entertaining read.
This is part of a series, however, having not read the previous books, I didn't feel like I was missing out. It's quite a low angst story, about two guys who are feeling a bit dismal and lonely, and meet one another at just the right time. Lake is straight, and is happy to find a friend in Grady, who is gay. I thought that this was going to be a GFY story, but following the narrative I would say that Lake comes across as demi/pansexual, rather than initially straight. I enjoyed the development of the guys relationship, and could understand why they were both a little tentative about the whole thing. It's well written, and catches the mindset of both Lake and Grady early on in the book. An entertaining read.
September 5, 2023
These MC’s were epic - I laughed so much and got swept away by their relationship build which was great. However the relentless appearance of poly romance relationships of the side characters overtook the book. We get it ok- you wrote other books that feature these people. I loathe it when authors overuse previous characters which happened here is spades. If you skim those parts (about a third of the book) this was a fun read and would have scored higher.
February 7, 2023
After finding this author and reading catalyst i am seriously a big fan
I cannot say this is my favorite and it took me a while to get into things
but i absolutely love the men in these books, the chemistry the writing the stories
It is an auto read for me when i see a new book pop up from Aurora Crane!
I cannot say this is my favorite and it took me a while to get into things
but i absolutely love the men in these books, the chemistry the writing the stories
It is an auto read for me when i see a new book pop up from Aurora Crane!
March 15, 2023
I didn't enjoy the writing style, 3 stars is more than I would normally give for a book like this. These characters talked like frat buddies, the phrases are long and I literally got bored with conversations during them. I love humor in a book but the characters here didn't know how to speak if not jokingly .
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