Crossing Arizona: State of Us, Book 2

Ever since Xed followed Matty home like a little lost duck in fourth grade they've been each other's other half, partner in crime, ride or die. You never see one without the other, they even share Matty's bed every night so Xed can escape his abusive home life. They've never been separated before, that is until Matty announces that he and his crazy on again/off again girlfriend will be moving away with their daughter, Hannah, as soon as college is over when Matty joins the NFL, leaving Xed behind, heartbroken and lonely. This is a story of second chances after life altering decisions/mistakes. This book is heavy. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey, jumping back and forth from past to present events to help show you these two characters fully and all their personal struggles. Bree Wiley is an author that writes fragile, broken, and truly flawed characters. They felt so real and I found myself crying, raging, and laughing right along side them as I read their story. This book has a HARD fought HEA but it was sooooooo worth all the tears. Seriously, have tissues within reach. I lost track of how many times I cried. "Crossing Arizona" was an incredible read. Xed and Matty deserve the world, and I can't wait for more books set in this universe. Check it out if you enjoy: * Black cat/golden retriever MCs * First times * Demi/ace rep * Addiction/recovery rep * Mental health rep * Second chances * Girl dads * Friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers *…

4.5 Stars I loved Xed and Matty’s story so much. Two best friends who have loved each other from the beginning but are afraid to let the world know. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions with so much angst and pining. Their love is so sweet in the beginning but over the years it has become sometimes ugly and hurtful. Matty makes some bad choices when he thinks he is trying to do what’s best for his daughter. (cue Toxic baby Momma who I wanted to throat punch). All Xed wants is for Matty to CHOOSE HIM! To be more than just best friends who cuddle and kiss, to be his everything! They’re always drawn back to each other but they’re never on the same page. It’s a journey of healing, self love, and a hard fought HEA with some heavy topics but so worth the read.

Best friends-Platonic Soul Mates-Lovers-Strangers-Frayed edges This story was a WHOLE journey x2. We got a hint of Xed and Matty's relationship in book 1 and saw the heartbreak seeping through the cracks but we didn't FEEL it. Yet. Well I friggin FELT it ight. Grab your tissues and prepare for the trauma backstory when it comes to Xed and how he became Matty's ducky. These two REALLY struggled through their entire story and you constantly had to wonder if they would break each other and not be able to come back together. Now, pretty please check the triggers on this book before you read it. It deals with a lot of heavy topics for the characters and those around them. They really got dealt a bad hand in life, but they also wouldn't have pulled themselves together if they hadn't. Xed has a lot of mental health, self harm and self worth problems. The situation with falling in love with his best friend lifted him up regularly, but ultimately..... secrets ripped and tore them apart. The main villain in this book finally comes forward and makes you hate them, because they are a nasty and selfish individual. Matty being the gentle giant he is, is constantly manipulated and cornered and it broke my heart. His secrets tore his relationship with Xed to pieces. These damaged girl dads really fought for the win in their story. So much backstory is revealed and interwoven with book 1 that a lot of things become SO clear finally. So much emotional baggage is left at our feet between…

My god has Bree Wiley done it! A beautiful gut wrenching story that leaves your heart breaking but in the end gives us the HEA we need and want. Matty and Xed’s relationship was one in a million and can’t be compared to see them fall apart had me sobbing yet seeing Matty for for Xed had me crying happy tears. A must read MM that’ll alter your whole life!

I do enjoy this author’s writing style. The characters are all well defined and I liked the flashbacks to tell the full story. I love a good best friends to lovers story. There are two real nasty female characters in this book so that made it difficult to read but the positive relationships with Matty’s mom and sister helped ease the female role damage. I didn’t like the way all the side characters were portrayed in this addition. They were too idiotic in this book.