Ryan isn’t looking for a relationship with a guy–and Johnny isn’t looking for a relationship at all.Ryan’s always been attracted to tall, leggy blondes–normally of the female variety. When Johnny catches his eye at a party, Ryan’s interest is piqued even though he’s never been with a guy before. The attraction is mutual, and the amazing night that follows opens Ryan’s eyes to his bisexuality.… his bisexuality.
Experience has taught Johnny that love hurts. Staying single is safer, and there’s no need for complicated relationships when hooking up is easy. When he moves in next door to Ryan, they’re both interested in picking up where they left off, and it seems like an ideal arrangement: convenient, mutually satisfying, and with no strings attached.
Despite their best intentions to keep things casual, they develop an emotional connection alongside the physical one. Both begin to want more from the relationship but are afraid to admit it. If they’re going to work things out, they need to start being honest–first with themselves, and then with each other.
Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.
more
4 Stars!
Ryan is straight or so he thinks until he’s attracted to Johnny. Johnny is all for experimenting with Ryan and what was supposed to be a one-night-stand, quickly turns into a no-strings-attached arrangement. Only Ryan starts wanting more and Johnny is still set in not having a relationship, or is he?
While I liked Ryan and Johnny individually, there were so many times in which I would’ve wanted to shake some sense into them or knock their heads together, whatever worked best, LOL. It was obvious they had chemistry and that things were changing between them, but they didn’t talk much, so that, of course, led to some miscommunication.
The audiobook was good, Hamish Long has a great voice and is really good in scenes where several characters interact, making it easy for the listener to differentiate between them.
Overall, I think I wanted a bit more balance between the sex scenes and having them together in other settings. Still, it was an engaging listen and I enjoyed it, so I have no trouble recommending it.
I’ve always loved the Housemates series but I have to admit that the first two are my absolute favourites. So I don’t really know if it’s down to my age or not but…I find both main characters to be quite immature. Although there is plenty of heat in bed and it’s great to read of bi-awakening, they don’t communicate well, they are almost dishonest with each other and I really don’t see them as long term. On the positive side, I love this author’s writing style and the uncompromising Britishness of his books.
The narration by Hamish Long is as excellent always. He picks up the youthfulness of the housemates and brings them to life.
Audio review:
Story – 5
Performance – 5
Overall – 5
Loved it before, love it even more now.
It’s been over two years since I first read Pretty in Pink. It was actually among the first 5 books I ever read by Jay Northcote. I loved it then and the fantastic audio performance by Hamish Long made it even better for me. He has become one of my favorite narrators, due mostly to the fantastic job he’s done on several books by Jay Northcote.
Other than my comments above about the audiobook, I don’t think there is much more that I can say that I didn’t put in my original review of the e-book from February 2018 (see below).
I’ve read a few other books by Jay Northcote and enjoyed them all but this is the first one I’ve read in the Housemates series. Pretty in Pink can totally be read as a standalone but now I really want to go back and read the rest of this series.
When Ryan first catches sight of Johnny at a party he thinks he’s a woman. Although Ryan has only ever dated women something about Johnny keeps his attention and he can’t resist approaching him.
After Ryan and Johnny hookup Ryan has to admit, if only to himself, that he’s sexually attracted to men and woman; but he has a bit of a difficult time dealing with coming out.
Neither Ryan or Johnny is looking for a relationship so they agree to be friends-with-benefits. The problem is that they don’t communicate with each other and neither realizes that their feelings towards each other have changed.
One part of this story twisted me up a bit. I understand why it was necessary but it was still a bit difficult to read. Nevertheless, my enjoyment of the story wasn’t diminished at all. A couple of times I just wanted to shout at these two and say TALK to each other!
All-in-all the story engaged my emotions and totally held my interest throughout; a sure sign for me that the book is a hit. Another great thing is the epilogue. I absolutely love epilogues and thoroughly enjoyed the one for Pretty in Pink. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (Posting on August 30, 2020.)
I have been thinking about this series a lot and what I found is I love the way Jay lays out each relationship and shows us the reader a new side of understanding.
Ryan’s awakening of his sexual orientation is a beautiful thing. He isn’t always confident (who I ask is?), he questions himself a lot. But here is what I love he still goes for it.
Johnny is so understanding (for the most part) he gets that not everyone knows exactly what they like right away. I liked that he didn’t put pressure on Ryan and that he does go with the flow. Maybe that is because he was hurt in the past. But it shaped who he is now and how he deals with situations.
I hate that they hurt because they didn’t communicate but that in the end they worked it out.
I truly love, love and this is just another reason to fall in love with more characters.
Hamish Long is top NOTCH! I love his voice so freaking much. More Hamish please.
Listened on Audible
There’s something honest and special about Jay Northcote books. I always feel that I know his characters, as they are so true to life.
Hamish Long as always gives the book life, I love his accents and he has a beautiful reading voice, clear and precise always a pleasure.
If your unsure about reading Jay’s books these books are perfect Romances with HEA.