I picked it up for the gay romance hallmark movie vibes, and ended up loving it for the way the author describes finding yourself from the shadow of your families traumas. Satisfying ending! I really liked the older (mid 30s) protagonist too, feels like a lot of authors limit romance to your 20s.
C
Chicago gay romance reader
August 13, 2025
Verified Purchase
Sweet and tart apple-related romance
Loved the premise and the writing in particular. I did get a bit tired of being on Will’s head all the time. A lot of repetition of themes. And while Morrison is a skilled writer, some sections dragged. Casey, other than being hot and resourceful, is a cypher til too late in the book. My main thought going forward is that Morrison should cut down on the internal (and spoken) monologues and go for more interaction and plot (maybe bring Selma in sooner?). Overall, though, a pleasant read and I will look forward to reading more from this author.
H
Hannah
September 18, 2025
Verified Purchase
To start with the positive: the enemies to lovers trope was done really well. After all hurt people, hurt people right? In the end i really liked them together.
Now the negative: It was a 3rd person narrator who only followed Will. There was a lot of words for little development. No on page smut...fade to black.
I was would have like more details about Will's childhood, to empathize more with his experience, understand him more.
While i gave the book 3 stars, I feel like I have a handful of people I could recommend this to, who would easily give it 4 or 5 stars.
Hallmark but make it queer and unique
This was the perfect read for Pride Month. It is charming and gives a Hallmark vibe in the best possible way.
Congratulations to Dylan Morrison for this wonderful book.
I’m not the biggest fan of long chapters but it is not a deal breaker.
There isn't one way to describe this book and it's energy it gives the emotions it can bring out in the reader, but I think Dylan Morrison did what he set out to do and wrote a book many young gay men can relate to or at least in a way realize sometimes we got to do what we got to do in our own way and fashion.
