It was complicated, it was also just the beginning.
A decision.
A simple choice.
There is always that one moment in life where things could have been different. That one moment where you could have chosen a path that would lead you down a certain road.
A different life.
It was easier to pretend that we were still best friends, and that she was my girl and I was her boy.
Pretending was better …
Pretending was better than knowing the truth…
I. Ruined. Us.
I had her.
I lost her.
I love her.
All I did was complicate us.
Standalone series. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Strong language and sexual content, not intended for readers under 18.
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This book wrecked me…. and I mean, ab-so-lute-ly wrecked me!! I could not tear myself away from it. As much as my heart ripped apart, as much as I wanted to smack Lucas with a brick, I hoped he would get a clue, and even practically begged for him to realize Alex was his forever. This story was worth every tear I shed, every knot in my stomach, and every joyful ache in my heart.
Complicate Me was my first book by M. Robinson, and that was all that it took. i am a fan for life. i discovered the Good Ol’ Boys series when Crave Me kept popping up on my recommend list on Amazon, and discovered that it was the 4th book in a standalone series. i purchased all of Robinson’s books after reading the reviews that i read, and i was not disappointed.
Complicate Me is the story of Alex (Half-Pint) and Lucas. Their story was one that started when they were younger and follows them through their adolescence, teen and then through their adult years. The story is one that takes you through their friendship and their wanting more, but Lucas not being able to bring himself to admit that he loves Alex more than just as a friend.
You are also introduced to the rest of the Good Ol’ Boys; Dylan, Jacob and Austin, that play a part of the in Alex’s life. They are there for all the heartache and ups and downs in teach others lives.
Robinson takes through a life time of heartache that you think that there is no chance that these two people will ever be able to find their way back to one another. But, then once you think that you will be crying your eyes out because these two people couldn’t get their lives together and realize that they are what each other needs in life, she puts your heart back together again.
3.75
Spanish & English Opinion
ESP ::
Este tipo de historias de amigos que se aman pero son “Star-crossed lovers” me encantan. Tienen mucha angustia y momentos muy tristes pero es una tortura que disfruto.
Alex y Lucas tienen una historia llena de muchas complicaciones. Muchos momentos me encantaron pero no amo que sean tan detalladas las escenas con otros personajes… me gusta mucho que la heroína no se quede esperando al tipo (que generalmente no se frena) pero aún cuando son cosas que se saben, no me encanta saber con detalle que no están el uno con el otro. En especial si se aman.
El HEA está hermoso y el final es excelente. ¡Me encantan todos “los boys”!
ENG ::
This Star-crossed lovers stories have something that attracts me. It’s a torture I enjoy. Alex and Lucas have many emotional, difficult and swoony moments and I really loved them.
However, I couldn’t grade it with more because I just don’t love to read detailed scenes of the main characters with other people. I love that the heroine didn’t wait for the guy that usually goes around, but knowing they love each other and reading their detailed encounters with OM/OW is not my favorite thing.
The HEA was worth it and the ending was WOW! I love the other boys. I need their stories!
Holy slow burn, emotional mess of a romance. Best friends to lovers…whew this book took a lot out of me. The angst and emotions really take a toll. The story is incredible and one I am kicking myself for waiting so long to read. If you haven’t started this series get on it. I feel a binge and emotional hangover starting.
• •
: Complicate Me
: The Good Ol’ Boys #1
: M. Robinson
: 3.5/5
There were things I loved about this book, but also some stuff that I just did not like. The book did complicate me, because I was so torn between giving it 3.5 or 4 stars. I ended up giving it 3.5 stars because I just couldn’t connect with the characters like I hoped I would. I did really care about their story and I definitely felt the emotions. I think M. Robinson is a great writer and I actually loved the second book in this series, so maybe I also just had way too high hopes for this one. This book was one hell of a roller coaster emotionally, but it was pretty predictable and it took too long for them to get together personally. It was also more towards the end of the book that I started to like it more and more. Overall, it was a good read, just not what I expected. I think this book is perfect for those who love a slowwwwburn romance!
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
Alexandra and the Half Pint group story was sweet. Lucas was the one who Alex felt more connected, as they grow up they both face different situations where Alex gets hurt but their friendship is deep, but still things weren’t easy, so many situations kept them apart. Overall the story plotline is overdone, I have read similar ones, even from the same author, and while I do like this kind of story, this one felt a bit underdeveloped. I understand this story was first published a while back and was on the first ones the author wrote. Still, I like her mafia and darker romances more. There are some trigger warnings for some readers, I do not have any regarding this story so my review has nothing to do with any of it, I simply review the story and how it made me feel while reading it. If you like friends-to-lovers stories give it a go.
This is an honest review for an arc received.
Alexandra (aka Half-Pint/Alex) Collins and Lucas (aka Bo) Ryder have been best friends since she was born. According to their parents, Lucas loved “his girl” even when she was still in her mother’s womb. They’ve grown up together, and Alex always tries to keep up with “her boys.” Lucas, Jacob, Austin & Dylan have always protected Alex. They also treated her like one of their own, a little sister. But no one can deny the pull and connection that Alex and Lucas have with each other.
This book follows Alex and Lucas’ journey from childhood, through teenage years and into adulthood. It’s their journey, and it was a beautifully told story. You see all of their trials and tribulations, heartache and happiness. It is sometimes heartbreaking to sees how Lucas treats Alex. Alex is stronger than she looks. Although her heart breaks everytime she see what Lucas is doing. Alex grew as a person throughout this book and it was wonderful to see. Lucas goes through typical stages of growing up. He never realizes the hurt he causes Alex until later on in his life.
5 amazing stars! M. Robinson’s story of self-discovery, self-reflection and growth was heartwarming. You felt every emotion that she portrayed through this story. Love, anger, sadness, devastation and loss you feel it ALL! How amazing and heartbreaking is it to know that you’ve found your soulmate at such a young age? But you had to go through hell just to be together.
Oh my word, what can I say about this book. Epic!! I absolutely loved every single page and I am emotionally drained! I’ve hated having to put this book down over the past two days just to do very basic things like sleep (a little) and feed my kids! Everything else has had to wait.
I love three things when reading a book: the first is an unpredictable story line, lots of twists and turns in a plot! Got that. The second is characters that you get to know and understand and have a reason for being in the book and seeing those characters develop and grow as the pages are turned. Yeah got that too. Thirdly and possibly most important to me is a story that makes you feel. Whether it be an emotional tear your heart of of your chest story so you cannot breathe, or one that makes me cry to the point of sobbing, or even angst when you can see the story line going in a direction that you don’t want it to. Well yes, this book absolutely made me feel!!
I can honestly say that I need to jump straight into the second book in this series. This is the first book by this author that I have read and it certainly won’t be the last. I may take the rest of the day to get myself pulled together because I am expecting to not want to put the next book down too.
So so so much angst, frustration, drama, hurt, secrets, forbidden love, betrayal and all the other elements that make a stand out story!!! I keep thinking of this quote from Bad Boys II, “Now that’s how you shoot.” For M. Robinson it keeps running through my head as “Now that’s how you write a book!!”
I found myself screaming at my kindle, on the edge of my seat with worry, and just at a loss for words, sometimes screaming HOW COULD YOU DO/SAY THAT???? TAKE IT BACK!! TAKE IT BACK RIGHT NOW!!
I immediately started the 2nd book in the series and have had little sleep. I must read all the stories!!
New Favorite book !!!
IT WAS COMPLICATED. IT WAS MESSY. IT WAS US.
5 Half-pint stars. 5 You’re my brown-eyed girl stars. 5 The good o’l boy stars. 5 everything happens for a reason stars. In fact all the stars go to this book!.
I loved it!, it wasn’t just the way I was pulled into the lives of Alex (aka half pint) and Lucas (aka Bo), it wasn’t just the fact this was a childhood friends to lovers story which is my guilty pleasure & one of my favorite sub-genres and it wasn’t the fact it took me through every emotion I could possible have, IT WAS EVERYTHING!
The bond between Alex and the boys was heartwarming, the special bond between the 6-year-old Alex and the 10-year-old Lucas even more special and it never changed even after fall outs and the arguments, the hurts and the upsets, she was still his brown-eyed girl and he was her Bo
“We would always be linked, we were destined to be soul mates”
Alex’s parents were close they all had a bond and all 5 of the kids grew up together, all the boys treated Alex like a little sister, until she wasn’t little anymore, the boys started seeing girls and although they still loved and protected her, one of them remained her constant and that was Lucas.
The heartache and angst I felt for Alex when she saw her Bo with other girls in the teenage years and the pain they caused each other as the years went on just to please other people was heartbreaking.
This is a story from childhood to adulthood, you are taken on the ups and downs, the highs and lows the happy and sad times and the complicated.
I have loved every book I have picked up by M Robinson and this book has been on my kindle that long I actually thought I had read it, I was like WHAT how did that happen? so once I started, of course, I couldn’t put it down.
I feel like I have been through the ringer with this one but oh how happy I was at the end. I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the boy’s journeys and how their story’s turn out.
Told in dual pov’s and leads to a very rewarding and glorious ending.
A hurricane of cluster f*d up events
Gees what a roller coaster ride that was !! It was cluster f* after cluster f* of situations that meant half pint and bo were kept from their true destiny of them together .
I loved this book . The chemistry between Lucas and arc was strong and evident and had me rooting for them the whole time . Lucy’s stuffed up over and over again and I was almost convinced the ending would go another way .
I loved the slow burn , the tension , the friendship , (friendships)
The supporting characters were all as charismatic as each other and I can’t wait to read more on this series !!! Really loved it !
This book i will have to admit will go into one of the books i will never forget and there are not a lot in that list
This book just had it all it had, heartbreak, angst, there were times i wanted to pick my kindle and punch it this just had it all this story. It’s been a while since a book has had been in bed longer than i should and a book that kept me awake way past my bed time bud I just didn’t want to put it down
I have been told for years to read this book and i could kick myself for not reading this sooner, but i am so glad i did, I read two of M Robisnons books earlier this year and I am so angry with my self that I hadn’t picked up one her books before that.
Lucas and Alexandra’s story is so feisty but was one i wasn’t putting down in a hurry, i am usually not a fan of going back in time but from reading the prologue you just knew that you needed to go where this story started and you could fall in the love with all the characters. I loved Lucas wanted to junk punch him a few times and get his head out of his butt but really towards the end you knew you couldn’t love anyone more. Alexandra i did love her character and the way she was with the boys it was a true to form coming of age story especially for Alexandra.
These two characters go through so much but what a journey and I really do love M Robinsons writing and how in moment she really had me.
The connection that Alexandra had with all the boys made it so special and I loved how they were so protective except for certain parts. Each one of these boys were so special and I am hanging to read the next books.
Massive 5 stars for this one and I am so excited to read them all
All the feels! Cried so much!
Holy Rollercoaster!
Wow! I feel like I held my breath the whole time reading and just now could let it out!
I loved, I yelled, I cried and omg I yelled some more. This book had angst that you could feel pouring out and love and a friendship like no other. I absolutely loved this book!
I’ve read this series a few times. It’s my go to when I need something angsty and emotional. It breaks your heart again and again and makes you want to cry as your stomach drops and chest aches. I’ve never wanted someone to have a happily ever after more than Bo and Half Pint. As hard as it was, I love their journey and the Good Ole Boys!
I do things differently sometimes and that’s what happened with this series. My first read was actually the third one in this series, Undo Me, but just now I’ve read the first one. I know it’s unusual but then again, you can read these as standalones and I could still follow, that’s so great about this. I have to say I didn’t totally fall in love with this story, definitely not in the beginning, but it grew on me. I enjoyed Alex and Lucas’ story though but sometimes I felt a bit disconnected although I had tears in my eyes at some moments and really felt how Alex and the boys have that connection that is so deep rooted, you can’t help but fall in love with all these boys and girl 🙂 I don’t know how this author does it sometimes and M. Robinson really has become one of my favorite authors! I still look forward to reading the next one and I already know I need to hold on to my seat for another rollercoaster ride, like this one was…
Alex has known the boys ever since she was a baby and she doesn’t feel like a girl, she feels like one of the boys. The bond she has with them is something no one else could ever understand! But her and Lucas share something so special that you can’t help but want them together but you can’t control friendship and a love even if you tried.
They have their obstacles to overcome in the years that go by and they’ll get hurt by one another. And in the end, both Alex and Lucas will go through a lot and they’ll have to decide whether or not they finally will be together in every way of the word, or not…
This book came highly recommended and after reading the blurb I was good to go. What can I say, apart from WOW! I was sucked in from the very first page! I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s a compelling coming of age romance. It has angst, drama, romance and a love triangle.
M. Robinson takes us on a journey that spans two decades. The is set around 4 boys Jacob, Dylan, Austin and Lucas (aka Bo) and 1 girl, Alex (aka Half pint) who is a couple of years younger. They are all really close friends and Alex desperately tries to be one of the boys, by dressing like them and trying to take part in all of the boys games, she hates being reminded that ‘she’s just a girl’. The boys would protect her and look out for her at all costs, she is treated like their little sister. She’s always had a very special bond with Lucas, they are like soul mates. As the characters grow and turn into teenagers / young adults, they get lost in the swirls of teenage angst and one drama as they grow and take on life’s experiences and their love for each other begins to be challenged and they grow apart as their lives take different paths.
The story and the style of writing was well written and put together. I read this book in a day. I was lost in this book from the very first page. The angst and feelings that the author brought out of me was over whelming. The story flowed, everything just seemed to fit and fall in to place naturally. I just wanted Lucas and Alex to get their shit together.
This book will stay with me and I will definitely want to read it again. Whilst this book is a stand alone, each of the other books in The Good Ol Boys series centres around one of the other boys in the group. I can’t wait to get sucked into the next book. This series is going to be responsible for pulling all nighters!!
Every time I read a book by M.Robinson I know is going to be a long ride of twist and turns and I love it..
you’re never going to see where her stories go and Complicate Me is not the exception.
This is the beginning of the Good Ol’ boys the story of Lucas and Alexandra.
“I loved you then, I love you now, I’ll love you always.”
Lucas and Alexandra knew each other since they were just kids since she was in her mother’s belly.. their families were so close and tight. they did everything together as well as with the other boys: Austin, Jacob, and Dylan.. their mothers even knew they were going to be together, that they love each other but they didn’t want to push or say anything as they thought what was best for them was to live and grow.. but life had another plan for them..
“Since I was a kid you’ve been the first and last thing I have thought about every day of my life. I know everything about you, your eyes, your smile, your laugh, your sassy spitfire personality, taking no shit from anyone, including me. I lie awake every night missing you, there’s this huge hole in my heart where you used to be, and I don’t care because it reminds me of you. It doesn’t matter where I go, where I’m at, or whom I’m with, you’re with me. I love every single thing about you. I love you because I need you. I love you because there is no me without you. I love you because I can’t stop loving you, and I would be lying if I said I had tried.”
Lucas kept fighting his feelings for Alexandra, the pressure between his parents, her parents, and the boys was very strong and he thought he didn’t want to ruin the best thing they had, their friendship.. but still Alexandra knew that it was more than a simple friendship… she felt the strong connection they had, she knew his feelings, emotions, she knew him better than himself.. but Lucas kept hurting her and making so many mistakes making things impossible for them to be together..
“You’re a good girl, Alexandra. That’s what makes you my Half-Pint. You’re the calm to my storm. It’s always been that way, You’re my refuge.”
Lucas was a strong hero but he constantly made mistakes when it came to Dani, he really was fighting so many demons inside of him, he wanted to be with her but he felt like everything was against them, including their parents.. so many years and mistakes later life will show them how wrong they were, they were meant to be together since the beginning but they were not ready to know that..
“I’m sorry that I ever made you cry, I’m sorry for all the pain I inflicted on your perfect heart. I’m sorry for ever making you feel like I didn’t belong to you. I’ve been yours for every second, of every day for the last twenty-six years. I’m sorry for every shitty thing I have ever done or said to you. I hate myself for it. You never deserved it. I can’t apologize to you enough. I’m so fucking sorry for everything,”
Alexandra was a very beautiful strong heroine, she was fighting to have an identity outside of the boys, at time she felt like she been a follower all of her life and she wanted to find her identity.. but her love for Lucas and the Boys always made her stop and think twice about where she wanted to go..
“The feelings I had, what he provoked and stirred within me, what he always did to me. No one could ever explain or understand what it was. How it happened. No one else could do this. It was only Lucas. Always Lucas. Not one other soul had this pull. On me. On him. On us.”
Cole is another important character in this story, someone who will confuse you a lot, his intentions seems good and genuine and you may even fall in love at time with him.. but the more you get into his character and his story, the more you see there is more than what we see.. his family and roots are what made him this way.. and still don’t know if he was good or bad.. some situations will make him seem not as good as he wanted to be.. as I said he is a very important character in Lucas and Alex story, someone who can bring down their love..
You’re also going to meet so many great characters like Lily and Stacy, Alexandras and Lucas parents all of them have great input in this love story..
Definitely a great beginning of this series.. I really love M.robinson writing and I can’t wait to start Jacob and Lilly story!!
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The Beautifully told story of friends, adventure, young love, heartbreak and the complicated journey of everlasting love.
Alexandria a.k.a. Half Pint and Lucas is that story that will engulf you from the beginning and not set you free until you the reader have experienced every emotional wave that is humanly possible. Alex and Lucas are childhood friends. Alex has the love of her parents but has never experienced sibling love until her boys envelope her and become her world. Lucas has always had a special place in his heart for Alex his brown eyed girl. He will do anything in his power to keep her safe. The friends soon become of age, the boys before Alex and the struggle ensues. Lucas is taken back how Alex begins to grow into her self and he struggles with the new and strange feelings that he begins to feel for her. He begins to feel as though they are wrong and will complicate their beautiful friendship.
Our Lucas is a strong, handsome, brooding young man that is never at a loss for young willing woman falling at his feet. His unsettling feelings begin to cloud his judgment and that begins a journey of poor decisions that are front and center for the young loving Alex to witness. Alex soon realizes that each indiscretion beats her down, weakens her will and takes a piece of her heart.
Alex soon realizes that Lucas may never see her as the strong , sexy confident woman she is becoming and her only choice is to cut the ties. She can no longer stay and watch Lucas come undone be close to what she cannot have as her own.
The friends travel full circle and soon realize that not only is it difficult to find yourself but also to find your way back to the people you love and that love and cherish you.
I am so excited for this new series and I cannot wait to see the rest of the wonderful cast of characters have their story told!
Loved it!
Michele McMullen