Dex Crawford is the fixer, the one his friends turn to when there is a problem, the one who always has a solution. But his friends are barely there for him, and when they forget his fortieth birthday, Dex decides to drink away his disappointment.That’s how he ends up with Luke, the laid-back alpha tattoo artist who hasn’t had a one-night stand in years but is ready to settle down for life.Dex: … life.
Dex: Happiness is overrated, and I don’t need a man to complete me. Finding someone who has my back and takes care of me is optional, and Luke Gritt is not an option. The way I see it, he’s only a complication.
Luke: One-night stand? No thanks. Friends-with-benefits relationship? Tricky, especially with an insanely hot, three-piece-suit, uptight, grumpy man who lights up around me. If opposites attract, Dex and I collide.
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Dex is a lawyer and takes care of his friends and family. He ends up in a bar drinking by himself when everyone forgets his birthday. Luke is a tattooed farm guy that ends up spending the night with Dex. The two have sizzling chemistry and the sex is HOT between them. Can Dex let his past go to have a relationship with Luke? A stunning read the I recommend.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
Dex wakes up the morning after his birthday that he spent alone and forgotten, hung over and confused. His room smells like a hook up but has no evidence of one. Until he goes to work and his memories come flooding back when he finds a cake on his desk. That is when he realizes that he hooked up with the happy go lucky tattoo artist Luke. Thus a friends with benefits relationship begins even though Luke knows it will only end with heartache. Dex is such a control freak that he thinks that he can have all the fun, ride this out and say goodbye when it is over with no emotions. But we all know how that works.
I am not sure how I feel about this one. Dex was a giant jerk and he didn’t really seem to change throughout the entire book. Luke was a fun loving and care free guy who didn’t want to settle for less but knew deep down that he was in love with Dex. Dex was dumb and I wanted to throat punch him way too much. His insistence that he was needed and he had to do everything for all of his friends and family was over the top annoying. I was told this was a stand alone and I wouldn’t need to read the previous books but I feel like that is wrong. I felt so lost and confused with all of the conversations about the side characters and I felt like I was missing a big chunk of their story. I wanted to love these boys but Dex kind of ruined it for me. He was a jerk too much of the time and I didn’t/couldn’t see the justification for it. I liked Luke a lot but he seemed weak with all of his choices that he made. I liked that he didn’t know how to completely walk away from from Dex but at the same time it was frustrating because he should have walked away so many times.
I enjoyed this story because it was different form a lot of the stories but the mains but seemed kind of weak and I didn’t totally connect with either of them. I didn’t hate them but I didn’t connect.
Ah, Dextyn and Luke, how you have completely taken over my heart. Often and Suddenly is an incredible read. It was a steamy read that was also very poignant.
The book deals with themes such as addiction, mental health, homophobia and grief, and it was done sensitively.
I loved Dex and Luke together. They were a huge cluster-mess, but I loved their chemistry. There was always something in their path, but it made them grow into stronger people, and I adored that. And my heart broke for poor Dex. Such a strong and considerate human being.
Luke, Luke, Luke… Luke Gritt melted my heart. He was loyal and sweet and I loved that he brought out the vulnerable side of Dex. Such a sweetheart.
WARNING: It is VERRRRY steamy. Please keep a fan near you at all times, or maybe just jump into the shower every five minutes. Whatever works for you. LOL.
Often and Suddenly was a brilliant read. It was addictive, steamy, emotional and brilliant. I loved the characters (well, mainly most of them) and I wish Dex and Luke the best. A definite recommendation!
Finally getting Dex and Luke’s story!
Obviously this isn’t my first read of Gabrielle’s as I have read the first two books in this series. BUT I will say this is my first MM read. I was going in with an open mind as I wasn’t sure what I was to expect from it.
I will say that I loved it, it was very tasteful and to get the storyline of these two totally different guys was amazing! I loved how different they were but how they just fit together like a puzzle piece.
Luke was the calm to Dex’s stressful life. Dex wasn’t looking for a relationship, those are not his thing! But he wasn’t expecting Luke to come into his life and turn it upside down.
Luke, the lovable big tattoo’d bear! I loved him in book 2, yes you get a little of him in book 1 but he was so good in the second book. I had so happy when he got with Dex! I knew he was what Dex needed to help him see that he needed someone in his life to care for him.
I was very pleased with this one. I am happy I read it and went in with an open mind. I will read anything Gabrielle G. writes.
If you are like me and haven’t read MM but are interested in giving it a try, pick this one!! You won’t be disappointed!
5⃣
This book left me speechless. I finished it over 7 hours ago and my emotions are all over the place! Trying to come up with words to describe this beautifully written book and doing it justice, well let’s just say I can’t, this book was perfection! Dex is everything I thought he would be but SO MUCH MORE! He is sexy, bullish, controlling and so broken. So, exquisitely broken. The love he has for his family and friends is so deep you will never reach the bottom. His emotions that he never shows are just as deep. He deserves more than he realizes and Luke sees his worth. Luke is EVERYTHING! He is all kinds of sexy, loving, easy-going and most importantly patient. His patience for Dex seems to know no bounds even when he knows his heart can and will get broken. Luke and Dex together are pure magic! They just complete each other like two halves of a puzzle. Gabrielle G has once again proven she knows how to write and bring all of the feelings to life. This book has you feeling everything, the good, the bad and the ugly. But it is so worth the journey! Do not miss this beautiful love story!
This twisted, emotional tale of Dex and his journey to happiness will grab your attention from the first word. This book will be one you will not be able to put down. It will make you fall in love with all this is Dex and Luke.
Gabrielle G. You have blown me away with the story of Dex and Luke. I was emotionallly inverses with Dex. The way she made him – hard, unavailable, sexy, and the most unselfish person ever just extended his character from the precious books. I was in awe of Dex and all he has gone through. His story is so sad and it hits you hard why he is the way he is. Gabrielle G. has created a world of real, broken people who have been through a lot and deserve a second chance.
The way she writes this M/M Book was epic. I don’t read a lot of MM books, but this one totally got my attention and kept it. The details, difference POVs, situations, secondary characters was amazing. She has a masterpiece that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. You will feel anything from laughter, anger, sadness, admiration and everything in between.
Dex, Luke, Ian, Julie, Asher, Virginia and Ryan are back and crazier and more outspoken than ever. They are a tight knit group (for the most part) and Dex is the glue that holds the group tother. When life happens, Dex gets the support he needs from those he loves. It is a tale of Dex learning to let go and love. It is a beautiful story that will make you smile by the end.
Dex & Luke
I have to admit I was beginning to be in a runt after reading books with too many similar situations and to not hinder on my views I decided to skip some books and read Often & Suddenly I needed a cleanse, to read something different and once again Gabrielle did not disappoint me.
This story is so much more than romance!
Dex is the problem solver he has lived most of his life with guilt and has taken upon himself to be the fixer! He fixes everyone’s issues and his issues are kept in a secure box for no one to deal with not even himself. Until one night changes his whole life and he’s left with more questions than answers.
Luke the handsome tattoo artist who is determined to not forget the amazing night he had and has become determined on making sure Dex’s questions of that night are all answered.
Dex is in unknown territories when he finally decides to take a leap and learn more about Luke. The problem is Dex has his own baggage of issues that he needs to come to terms with in his life. In order to accept the love, he needs to learn how to be able to give it and give it to the one and only person who understands him for who he is and doesn’t judge him.
When you find that true person that sees all your colors, all your negatives and all your positives and stays determined to bring them to light to you and just wants to love you above all! That’s Luke! You will want your Luke after reading Often & Suddenly.
The chemistry between Luke and Dex is on . The relationship that is built between these two is absolutely incredible.
M/M Romance written beautifully!
Most of you who have been following my blog know I have become a bit of an M/M fanatic. Most people have the misconception that if you read M/M, it’s for the sex. Hell, most people think if you read romance, it’s for the sex. Don’t get me wrong; the sex scenes are hot, but that’s not why I read romance or M/M. Down to my bones, I am hopelessly romantic. I yearn for the story between two people where you find out what brings them together, what pulls them apart and when a well-written scene gives you so many butterflies they seem to want to burst from your fingertips. So with M/M it’s even more than that, the dynamic between two male characters falling in love intrigues me and when written with not just affection but respect for the characters the book can melt me.
Gabrielle G.’s perspective of M/M romance in her new release Often & Suddenly might be a different look for someone who hasn’t read a lot of M/M romance. She digs into the soul of her characters and gives you not just the beautiful parts of these two men falling in love but all the ugly as well.
I want to recommend to anyone who hasn’t read the first two books in this series that you do so before reading Often & Suddenly. The first two books are not only excellent, but they will help to set up the story for Dex and Luke. I feel you will have a better connection and understanding to the characters if you do.
Dex Crawford and Luke Gritt couldn’t be more different. Dex is an uptight control freak lawyer who feels he has to fix all problems that his family or friends find themselves in. Luke, on the other hand, is a laid back, upstate New York farm boy turned L.A. tattoo shop owner who lives his life without worry. Their friendship started more as acquaintances both having been thrust together through mutual friends. Slowly and almost unbeknownst to them their quasi friendship moves to true companionship where Dex realizes Luke doesn’t need him to fix anything for him.
The road to together isn’t one easily traveled for Dex and Luke, but Gab does a fantastic job of putting all their baggage out there in a way that has you rooting for them even before you might want to. Dex is easily my favorite male character to date. To put it bluntly, he’s a dick. No beating around the bush, no sparring your feelings, and it’s all utterly him. Yes, Dex has his own set of issues, and he pushes away anyone that could be a potential life partner, he is just a dick. And I absolutely loved him. If Dex seems like the worlds biggest asshole, Luke is the best friend you always wanted. He’s caring and helpful, loves his family and close friends but isn’t afraid to tell you when you’re an idiot. And when you throw the two of them together, you not only get high heat chemistry but they make sense in the most perfect way.
Gabrielle G’s books are a breath of fresh air in the romance world and Often & Suddenly was no different. She isn’t afraid to write about the topics we sometimes want to hide from and always shows us the beauty of fighting your way out.
5 STARS
“I like it deep, I like it rough, and I like it as a one-night stand.”
Gabrielle G. has written a fabulous M/M romance that is incredibly heartwarming with lovable characters. Often & Suddenly is Book 3 in the Angels and Sunshine Series, it can be read as a standalone.
We see Dex quite a bit in the first two books of the series and he is one of the lead male characters in this book. In the previous books, he has a no nonsense attitude that makes him appear rough and unfeeling. But in Often & Suddenly you see another side to him, the one he keeps hidden and private, the vulnerability, the guilt and the compelling need to help solve all his loved ones problems. You don’t realize that he carries the weight of his friends and family ‘s problems on his shoulders.
“The Dex I see isn’t this cold, heartless asshole you know, Jules. I see a guy who would always do anything for his friends. I see someone who always thinks of himself last. I heard him laugh. I saw him being sweet. I saw him vulnerable. He’s not what he seems to be. He’s overprotective of the people he loves, and I think he believes if he’s not there for us, we won’t love him. His dark sense of humor, his workaholism, his uptight tendencies, it all melts away when he’s with me. He’s it for me. I just wish I were it for him too.”
The other lead male character is Luke. Upon first impression you would think they are polar opposites, where Luke is a laid back tattoo artist to Dex’s uptight entertainment transactions lawyer. With the obvious chemistry between them, Luke and Dex make it work and find a way to overcome and love all of their differences. I adored how Luke is not afraid to express his feelings and how he helps Dex in his journey to communicate and do the same.
I recommend reading this moving, highly enjoyable and truly satisfying book. This book from author Gabrielle G. is an EPIC read. Often & Suddenly will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Love this quote. Totally words to remember!
“The expert at anything was once a beginner.”
~ Thank you to the author for generously providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love Luke & Dex! Gabrielle hooks you from the very start. I could not stop reading. Yes, Often & Suddenly is a M/M romance but let me tell you, while I was reading I was so consumed by the story it was an afterthought that the story was M/M. Gabrielle did such a phenomenal job writing this book.
Luke, the bearded tattoo artist with a giant heart, who is hot AF! He’s a relationship kind of guy and makes no apologies for it. Dex is the uptight lawyer, who’s afraid of commitment. These two men couldn’t be more opposite, but completely hot together. The chemistry they have is amazing. The push and pull of their relationship, and watching it grow as you read was fantastic.
I could not put this book down, I read it in one sitting! I had to know what would happen next. Every single character in this story brought something to the table.
This is the third book in the Angels and Sunshine series, and the first book I have read. However, there is nothing that will stop me from going back and reading the first two! I am forever a fan of Gabrielle!! If you love M/M books or aren’t sure your a fan this book is perfect for you!
This book hooked me from the first page. I literally read it in 24 hours! I loved so much about Luke and Dex. I loved their banter, their chemistry and finally the way they compliment each another. I’m almost sad that I’m finished the story, I think I need to go back and read book 1!
Often & Suddenly
This m/m book by Gabrielle G was so sweet and heartfelt. Dex and Luke are polar opposites but fit together like a puzzle piece. Their characters had undeniable chemistry and just fit so well together despite their noticeable differences. This is my first m/m book and I enjoyed every minute of it. I have followed this series from book 1 so I was always curious about Dex’s character. This book can be read as a standalone and the first 2 books don’t need to be read to follow Dex and Luke’s story. Although, I highly recommend them because I really enjoyed them and they are super good!
I love how this book and series is so much more than just the love story between the two main characters. These characters become more than just people in a book. It’s reality and can hit close to home. This book had me in the feels. I loved Dex’s journey to find a place where he felt whole, happy and finally putting himself first. Luke was the support Dex needed to get to that place despite all the pushing away he did throughout the book. I connected with the pair as I felt I was in the story with them. I felt all their ups and downs, the push and pull, the hot and cold and especially their love.
If you are looking for a book that is heartfelt, put you in the feels and great characters then I highly recommend this one! If you haven’t read an m/m book because you are unsure I suggest taking that leap and reading Often & Suddenly as it is not about two males falling in love but two individuals finding who their heart beats for.
This story wasn’t what i was expecting but I’m glad as it was so much more. I was secretly rooting for Dex and Luke in the previous books and i am so relived they found each other, this story touched on such real life emotions at points i was crying! They say opposites attract and in the case of Dex & Luke they were made for each other another fantastic story that I’m so glad to of been able to enjoy!
I’m usually not a fan of M/M books, but I trusted Gabrielle and am more than happy I did.
This book is a beautiful story about Dex and Luke, that we’ve already met in the first two books.
Dex the three-piece-suit, uptight, grumpy and hilarious control freak and Luke the most laid-back alpha tattoo artist in the group of famous and rich Hollywood stars. Two personalities that can never be on the same level, or can’t they?
Like in all Gabrielle’s books, you’re from the first page full in the story. You’re introduced to Dex “normal ” behavior and his hilarious thoughts and plots
His self-induced misery, trauma and past that he has never really overcame.
He tries to compensates his past in sorting out other people’s problems or like he likes to call his friends, the Scooby-Doo gang problems
Luke on the other hand is the epitome of calm and peace.
He don’t dwell on the past and lives in the moment, at least until he interacts with Dex .
This is a beautiful, emotional, hot as hell , but also funny story about two people that fight for each other and against their insecurities and find the ultimate purpose in their lives. A emotional rollercoaster between not only two men, but also a group of people, that are more like family members than friends.
I loved and enjoyed this book so much, that I’ve read until 3 a.m. and couldn’t work properly the next day
Yeah, Gabrielle I really needed Dex yesterday, to rescue me from my misery