Sweetest Hate (Guys Next Door #2) by Baylin Crow

 

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Kellan—Messing around with Arsen is like playing with fire and I can't help but crave the burn.

The day I met my best friend's new stepbrother I fell into hate with the moody jerk. The feeling is mutual. I loathe him and unfortunately want him in equal measures. At least he seems to be suffering the same undeniable pull. He infuriates me. He's crawled under my skin.

Arsen has the ability to ruin me for anyone else, and I want to let him.

A mix-up during a trip to the lake puts us in an inconvenient situation where we end up sharing a room. Worse, once we get home, I'm left unable to escape him. He's right next door and impossible to ignore.

As we spend time together, I'm forced to realize there's so much more to him than I expected. I thought I had feelings for my best friend, but Arsen has me questioning everything I know about love.

It's the sweetest hate, or maybe it's something else entirely.

Sweetest Hate is the second book in the Guys Next Door series and can be read as a standalone. It's about two guys who may not hate each other as much as they thought. Maybe it's the opposite. Maybe they can teach each other exactly how to love.

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

The Sweetest Hate is the second book in Baylin Crow's Guys Next Door series. This one is definitely not your typical brother's best friend romance. 

This one is a tough read for me. There's so much hatred between Arsen and his stepbrother. And I struggled with it a lot. As in, enough to ruin this book for me. 

But, damn, in the end, I adore this story. Unfortunately, it took me way too long to get to that point. For the longest time, I was just annoyed by these men and all the hatred surrounding them.

Overall, it's a tale that explores thinking one's in love versus actually being in love. I love all the moments where the differences are illustrated. It's all well done. I just wish everything prior to this was easier to read. 

In the end, the love the two have is everything you'd want. They both think of the other before themselves. They both want the other to succeed and be happy. If I had enjoyed the first half of this book more, I would be raving about this story. 

But, again, I can't rave about this one. The end left me furious about how things are wrapped up with Arsen's stepbrother. Honestly, I just wanted to scream. I needed better for all these people.

I love most of Baylin Crow's books, but the Sweetest Hate is just okay in my opinion. It's a tough read that is missing something in my opinion. The main couple is ultimately fabulous, but everything leading up to their ending, and surrounding their relationship, left me frustrated.

The Faker Rulebook by Baylin Crow

 

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The Faker Rulebook: A perfect guide to a successful fake relationship with your straight best friend.

Noah—Rook Oliveira stumbled into my life when I was eleven years old.

Being the scrawny new kid at school with a mouth full of braces, I never expected to become unlikely best friends with the most popular boy in seventh grade.

At eighteen, I gathered the courage to tell him I was gay and admitted I'd never kissed a guy. He offered to be my first. Straight or not, that kiss had burned with nearly tangible fire and tattooed the moment on my heart.

I've spent the last four years trying to forget it.

Now we're seniors in college, and I've learned why secret relationships are a bad idea.

My brother is getting married, and my cheating ex is the best man. Honestly, Rook is more upset about it than I am. He comes up with this crazy plan to be my fake boyfriend for the week of the wedding.

If we're doing this, then we need to set some rules. Between fake kisses and sharing a bed, things could get messy. Because I'm in love with my best friend—and he has no idea.

The rules are simple. I never expected Rook to be the one that started breaking them.

The Faker Rulebook is a high steam, low angst standalone novel.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

The Faker Rulebook is a fabulous sports romance by Baylin Crow. With sports romances being my all time favorite, I was super excited for this book. Luckily it was everything I was hoping it would be!

I love this one from the start. Best friends, one kiss, and many years later. Ohhh...I love it. 

After one kiss when young, the story fast forwards to senior year of college.  Noah's newly single and everyone's joking about them being a couple. With Noah having to see his cheating ex again at a family wedding, Rook insists they attend as a fake couple. Cue the fake relationship that leads to more. 

Again...ohhhh. Love it!

I adore how close the men are, staying inseparable through all the years. They are each other's other half, despite Rook never realizing it. I love following their journey from friends to lovers. 

Everything about this book if perfect for me. I love a good sexual awakening tale and this one is pure delight. There are moments of pure want and need. There's so damn much emotion - pain, fear, and anxiety. And just when I'm becoming overwhelmed with the emotions, they make me laugh with banter, sass, and more banter. 

Take note that overall, this is a sweet, feel-good read. The tension is high at times between the characters, but never with the outside. There is no fear of coming out as an athlete. There is no fear of being friends with a gay nerd. None of that is there. Instead, this is a story of the way these two best friends come together to be more. 

The Faker Rulebook is an awesome friends to lovers romance. I love all of this Baylin Crow gem. I love these men and the ending is adorable, leaving me smiling. I could read this fluffy romance over and over. 

Stripped Love (Guys Next Door #1) by Baylin Crow

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Phoenix—I never intended to become a stripper.

Two years ago I was in Nashville chasing the songwriter dream. Sleepless nights between day jobs were spent writing rock ballads and trying to make a name for myself.

That all changed with one phone call that forced me to return to Atlanta.

Needing consistent income to pay the mountain of debt I'd come home to, I traded stripping my soul for stripping my clothes.

Then Archer West comes crashing into my VIP room, tempting me to break all of my rules.

I want him—bad.

What I don't count on is finding him living right next door for the summer. Inexperienced and with a creative drive that rivals my own, he stirs the lyrics in me once again.

Now I crave more than his body. Archer West has quickly become my unexpected muse.

A tattooed stripper and introverted college student collide in the first book of the steamy standalone romance series Guys Next Door. Each book is loosely tied so that each can be read individually.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Ohh.. Baylin Crow's Stripped Love starts off hot, with a steamy lap dance scene. What follows is a great neighbors romance.

Archer has never been immediately attracted to anyone, male or female. Until he sees the stripper who gives him the lap dance of his life. Phoenix is a stripper who always dreamed of creating music. Unfortunately, his dreams died when his mother died, and he's left responsible for her debt. 

This is chance encounter turns to neighbors turns to love story. The chemistry is off the charts for these two, with the reader along for the ride. There are first times, lots of exploring, and plenty of steam. 

But it's the emotional relationship that is my favorite. Both men truly help the other to discover who they are and what they want from life. For Archer, Phoenix is the first man he's ever been attracted to. And for Phoenix, Archer is the first man he's ever broken his hands-off rules for. 

The writing is great, told in alternating pov. Each man is well developed and their storyline is great. There are some delightful secondary characters who add to the fun. Of course, there are also some secondary characters who try to cause trouble.

Stripped Love is a low angst, fun read. This Baylin Crow series is off to a great start, and I can't wait for more. Archer and Phoenix are a great couple who will leave you happy to have met them. 

Recovered Fumble (Sugar Land Saints #3) by Baylin Crow

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Blurb

Rendon: Nash is football royalty in this town and has an ego to match.

We met at a party--the last place I wanted to be. Full of confident swagger, the campus playboy approached me. It was hard to believe he was interested in me, but he was. Interested in hooking up, that is.

When things ended before they really even began, we agreed once the semester started it'd be best to keep our distance from each other. But I'm the only one holding up my end of the deal.

He thinks he can just waltz back into my life, turn on the charm and have me with a simple snap of his fingers. He can't.

Nash: Rendon is off-limits but I want him anyway.

With dreams of going pro depending on my current season, I know I should have stayed away from him. Hooking up with a teammate's younger brother was asking for trouble.

It's been months since I've seen him and the moment I set eyes on him my already cracked resolve crumbles to dust. That small taste of him I had isn't enough. It will never be enough.

Now that he's back on campus to stay, I plan on picking up where we left off... Except now he says he doesn't want me.

Rendon may be a virgin but Nash is the one who has no clue what he's doing.

Recovered Fumble is the third book in the Sugar Land Saints series and the first full-length novel. It's a story about opposites with undeniable chemistry, a well-rounded education and the love of football.

Review 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Baylin Crow's Sugar Land Saints series is a riveting sports romance series. The third book, Recovered Fumble is a great addition to the series. College. All I need to read is those two words to get me interested in a book. Luckily for me, this entire series is wonderful and Recovered Fumble happens to be a brother's best friend romance. Awww, my favorite trope!

When Nash meets Shaw's younger brother, Rendon, the sparks fly. Damn, The reader is treated to a fun and flirty relationship, as the two navigate their way through their feelings, as well as dealing with Shaw's anger about them getting together. I love Nash and Rendon together. They are adorable together and are clearly in sync.

Rendon's a virgin, totally inexperienced with boys. This not only makes for some great first times, but also for some fantastic hesitation and doubts. And holy hotness!

These books have a great group of friends, making everything even more interesting. Now the third book in the series, we already know some of these men well, including Nash who was introduced prior to this book. Definitely check out Quarterback Sneak and Broken Play.

If you enjoy sports romances, you need to read Recovered Fumble. This Baylin Crowe story is fun and sexy, leaving the reader happy throughout.

Broken Play (Sugar Land Saints #2) by Baylin Crow

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Blurb

We're friends, teammates—and we hook up. Often.

Shaw: He's intense and the heat of his stare is hot enough to set fires.

The first time we got together, it was a spontaneous earth-shattering moment. I wanted more. So, of course I popped the question.

“Yours or mine for round two?” That’s where the trouble began. We agreed on an exclusive, no strings arrangement. When one of us is ready to walk away, we'll still be friends. Perfect, right?

He's not exactly a people person—understatement of the year—but I've seen the real him and he's so much more than the broody loner others see him as.

But the brilliant plan backfired. I accidentally caught feelings.

Bishop: He could be my game-changer but there's a problem.

He put a dent in my armor when he decided I needed a friend. Then he managed to crawl under my skin—and between my sheets.

He's the one person in the world I trust, and he's mine, for as long as this lasts. But I think I messed up and likely lost him for good.

The role in my family's company I've been groomed for my entire life competes with my growing feelings for him. Turns out I can't have them both.

What a terrible time to realize he means more to me than just a friend and convenient hookup.


Being friends with benefits is the perfect arrangement until someone falls in love.

Broken Play is a story about finding that one person that gets you, choosing your own future and the love of football. 

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Broken Play, the second book in Baylin Crow's Sugar Land Saints series is a great sports romance. If you follow my reviews, you know I am always thrilled to read about athletes falling in love. Although it can probably be read as a standalone, you'll enjoy it more if you've read Quarterback Sneak. 

Shaw and Bishop are two friends who have been fuck buddies for a while. They both clearly love one another and want more, but Bishop is closeted.

Awww, Shaw and Bishop. I love these two men and their messy relationship. I love them as friends and I love them as a couple. In the bedroom, Bishop likes to dominate a little, which just adds to the steam, as Shaw is a little bit of a troublemaker.

Bishop is from a rich, homophobic family. His father is controlling and this leaves Bishop with a huge dilemma. Overall the family drama is well done, as it's there, but it isn't overly angsty.

There's a forced, arranged marriage plot, which although a classic plot device, is nicely changed up a little in this one. But then, out of nowhere, things are changed up again, which completely threw me. I was waiting for an explanation or a conversation at least. But nothing.

Broken Play is another good friends to lovers romance, as these friends with benefits figure out a way to become more. Oh, and yes it's a re-read, as I have already read it twice. 

Quarterback Sneak (Sugar Land Saints #1) by Baylin Crow

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Blurb

The boundaries of our friendship are tested and lines are crossed.

RUSH: I’m in love with my best friend.

There wasn’t an exact moment when I fell for him. It was something that grew and evolved over time. He loves me back, but it’ll never be more than platonic. It can’t be because he’s straight.

Then one night he kissed me and left me with more questions than answers. The very next morning my trust was shattered by a family secret. I’d been lied to my whole life. He was by my side through it all, offering support when I needed it most.

How can I risk losing a friendship that held me together when I was falling apart?

TORIN: He friend-zoned me.

Four years ago, I gathered enough courage to kiss my best friend. What I’d hoped would be a pivotal moment that would start a new kind of relationship between us was over before it began. His world was upended, so I put my feelings aside and stepped back into my role as a friend he could count on.

He wasn’t ready then, but now it’s time to find out if he’s willing to take a chance on us being something more.

We’ve been friends, roommates and teammates, but I want him, body and heart.

Quarterback Sneak is a low angst, high steam novella about childhood friends, trust and football.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

As I'm a sucker for athletes falling in love, I really enjoyed Quarterback Sneak by Baylin Crow. As an added bonus, the athlete in question doesn't just fall in love; he falls in love with his best friend.

Rush is bisexual and has secretly been in love with his former best friend, Toren. The two were childhood best friends and college roommates. Their story is fast and short, glossing over a lot of details, but it still manages to weave a wonderful romance. 

I love these two guys. Rush's struggle with just being friends is realistic, and Toren's sexual awakening is well done. Their love is one that stems from having  lifetime of knowing each other, and being completely loyal to one another.

Quarterback Sneak is a fun sports romance. Baylin Crow rushes this story, adding in only a little depth, but it's still an enjoyable story. It definitely had me gripped, and delighted in their emotional journey towards love.

As I'm a sucker for athletes falling in love, I really enjoyed Quarterback Sneak by Baylin Crow. As an added bonus, the athlete in question doesn't just fall in love; he falls in love with his best friend.

Rush is bisexual and has secretly been in love with his former best friend, Toren. The two were childhood best friends and college roommates. Their story is fast and short, glossing over a lot of details, but it still manages to weave a wonderful romance.

I love these two guys. Rush's struggle with just being friends is realistic, and Toren's sexual awakening is well done. Their love is one that stems from having lifetime of knowing each other, and being completely loyal to one another.

Quarterback Sneak is a fun sports romance. Baylin Crow rushes this story, adding in only a little depth, but it's still an enjoyable story. It definitely had me gripped, and delighted in their emotional journey towards love. As I'm a sucker for athletes falling in love, I really enjoyed Quarterback Sneak by Baylin Crow. As an added bonus, the athlete in question doesn't just fall in love; he falls in love with his best friend.

Rush is bisexual and has secretly been in love with his former best friend, Toren. The two were childhood best friends and college roommates. Their story is fast and short, glossing over a lot of details, but it still manages to weave a wonderful romance.

I love these two guys. Rush's struggle with just being friends is realistic, and Toren's sexual awakening is well done. Their love is one that stems from having lifetime of knowing each other, and being completely loyal to one another.

Quarterback Sneak is a fun sports romance. Baylin Crow rushes this story, adding in only a little depth, but it's still an enjoyable story. It definitely had me gripped, and delighted in their emotional journey towards love.