A fake relationship can’t fix a broken heart … right?
I’ve been in love with my best friend, Eli, forever, and I was all set to confess my feelings … until he showed up at my birthday party with someone else. I would have died on the spot if Rome hadn’t pulled me close, kissed me, and told everyone we’d secretly been dating for months. Except we’re not boyfriends. And until that night we’d never … we’d never even kissed.
When my family finds out about our supposed relationship, we have to play along. Spending time with Rome is easy and fun. And our fake kisses are hot enough to set my body on fire.
Could it be real with Rome? I don’t want to screw up our friendship, but his touch makes me want more. I waited too long before, and I can’t risk losing Rome. Not when what I feel is so much stronger than I ever expected.
So how can we make this fake relationship real? And how do we make it last forever?
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I was given a free audio copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.
4.5 stars
First of all I am not a fan of the cover. It almost made me pass on this story cause to me it gives off an ominous vibe which is completely irrelavent to this books trope.
Grady has been in love with Eli secretly since school. He wants to finally confess his love at his birthday party. Eli unfortunately chooses that time to abnounce he’s engaged leaving Grady shocked and heartbroken. So to save face Rome kisses him and tells his family and friends they have been dating for months. Rome has been secretly in love with Grady for 20 years and hopes maybe now he can win him over.
This can be read as a standalone. I have only read book 6 before this one. I enjoyed that one but this one was alot better.
This was a sweet read that I will definitely listen to again and definitely recommend. I’ll be sure to read the rest of the series.
Narrator 4 stars
Narrator had a pleasant reading voice. He did a great performance and expressed the emotions well. I did have to speed up the pace a little and I do wish the voices were a little more distinct among the characters but overall I enjoyed it.
I’m reviewing the audio edition. I really enjoyed this story. It’s more than a friends to. This is about three guys that have known each other a long time and while one guy is insufferable, Eli, Gray has been infatuated with him about forever. Eli is so self centered that even though he knows about Grady’s feelings he stays focused on him first always. Rome the third friend has been focused on Grady just about as long. While Rome saves Grady an embarrassing situation, it doesn’t take long for Grady and Rome to have to address what is between them. I love triangle stories where I can enjoy the ones that get together. The narrator, Austin Jay does a great job at bring these characters to life. I was given a copy from GRR and this is my opinion.
Ali Lyda is the new name for me to look for! I’ve had the privilege of reviewing a half-dozen books: motorcycle clubs, the mob, tattoo parlors–all books I would never consider reading and never for one moment thought I would enjoy! But Ali Lyda alone or paired is simply magical! The Caldwell Brothers series is what I would call ‘real-life’ M/M romance. No urban fantasy, paranormal adventure, shifter, magical stuff I normally go for. But it didn’t make this story less interesting! I couldn’t believe how fast I got drawn into the story of Grady and Rome–two long-term friends who are in a beautifully awful love-triangle. The writers Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda did an awesome job not drawing out the agony as it were. They allowed the characters to move forward at a place without too much frustration on the part of the reader! They didn’t rely on the common tricks some writers employ to lengthen the story by generating more angst. They were a couple of points in the book that the character spent time considering an action that would be bad but managed to make a good decision anyway. The truly frustrating behavior he engaged in was what took place in the past and not part of the current story. Well done!
Simply Crazy….
by and1515
I’m simply crazy about this book it’s outrageously delicious and so charming. Everyone deserves to celebrate special occasions with the people who mean the most and Grady has been waiting for the one person who he thought he felt something for him but Rome saw what was about to happen and just couldn’t stand to see him get hurt so he steps up in a big way.
Eli was supposed to be Grady’s friend but to me he’s just a plan evil dude who struts around like a crowing rooster slamming him at every turn.
So what started off as a sham turned into something else that one never expected and the other could only dream.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a friends to lovers, fake relationship love story between long-time friends Grady and Rome. While Rome always had secret feelings for Grady, it took Grady a bit longer to realize his feelings for Rome were true and real and that he wanted a future with him. These two men did get their happily ever after with a nice lead way to the next book in the series.
Love Lessons by authors Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda is the third book in the Brotherly Love series. This book is written in dual POV and it really works for this storyline. You do not have to read any other books in this series to get this storyline at all. I loved that since this is my first book in this series.
Grady has the nick name of Gray. He is a kind, sensitive soul. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He doesn’t know that everyone knows he has a crush on his best friend Eli, but they do. When Eli comes to Gray’s birthday engaged to another man, Gray is crushed.
Rome is protective, strong, and willing to do anything for those he loves. He sees the pain his best friend Gray is in. He doesn’t hesitate he pretends they are dating to save Gray. Rome is a powerful man; he is a CEO and knows how to play with the big boys. All he has ever wanted was Gray to see him, to really see that he loves him.
The more time they spend together the more the natural chemistry these two have shines through. I loved them as a couple. They just need to learn to trust each other. I loved watching their love bloom and I cannot wait for more from this series in the future.
Five Shooting Stars
This story was a fun story with interesting MCs and some side characters you wanted to punch in the face 😀 I really like this series and the ever – expanding family.
I only have one “but” about the story – the transition from friends to lovers felt a bit rushed – I get that they know each other a long time, but I felt the authors made too big of a shortcut in this case. It was a good story though, worth reading for sure.
I thought Love Lessons was a super sweet love story. I love the Fake Boyfriend story especially with best friends. I haven’t read the rest of the series, but I had no problem following along. I thought bringing in all the Caldwell brothers and their zaniness was nice. Rome and Grady were hot and sexy and I loved how their story developed. I definitely recommend this book.
Grady and Rome
In short, Grady wants to tell Eli he is it for him when Eli introduces his fiancé Benji.
To save Grady for humiliation Rome kisses Grady before the eyes of many friends and family and asks him if it’s a good time to announce their relationship.
A fake relationship turns into a real one.
Jealousy, hurt, lies, distrust and a lot of other emotions are passing the revue.
I wish I liked this story more. While it should be about Grady and Rome, every time there was the very annoying Eli with a lot of noise.
I had trouble with the character Eli. It wasn’t a convincing one. The situations were awkward and out of proportion. He had a too big role in this story, it was incoherent and he didn’t even deserve that.
Because of the way Eli stood in this story I didn’t get involved how I like to be.
The hurt comfort pieces between Grady and Rome were well done. I loved those parts.
On one end, you have a friend who has been in love with his best friend for the longest time, but it seems the best friend is oblivious or just stringing the other one along, taking advantage of the fact knowing his best friend will love him and will always be there for him.
Another long-time friend who has been secretly in-love with his childhood friend ever since but decided to hide how he feels ever since. But now he has to save his love from being humiliated.
Two people who had been in love with someone for too many years. Unrequited or just afraid of losing a friendship built up for many years. Grady and Rome are perfect for each other. I love how Rome tries to save the love of his life from a heartbreaking situation. This series always makes me feel so much love between family, friends and lovers! Perfect!
Grady had Eli as the bestie he’d crushed on since they were kids. Eli’s very unwelcome birthday present to Grady was his introduction to Eli’s new fiancé. Happy fracking birthday- what a jerk!
Rome does his best to keep the sad off Grady’s face – and. a so called fake romance begins – sadly too real for poor Rome
A series of crazy things follow as they work to sort the crazy and get on with crazy real
Wild romance
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.