My best friend made damn sure I knew the rules. His sister was strictly off limits.UNTIL NOW.KALIGrowing up it was always the three of us. Me, my twin brother, Kyle, and our best friend, Aiden. We were inseparable all the way through high school.Did I picture myself with Aiden from the first moment I laid eyes on him back when we were eight? Hell. Yes. I fell in love with his soul that day. But … Hell. Yes. I fell in love with his soul that day. But he was always more Kyle’s friend than mine. And Kyle made damn sure we both know the rules.
I was strictly off limits. Forever.
But now Kyle is gone. Dead from a freak accident. And Aiden is still here. Looking hot as hell in his grown-up body. Looking sexy AF with those tattoos all over his muscular chest. Sad and in need of comfort. Just like me.
AIDEN
Every time Kyle caught me lusting after his twin sister, Kali, he reminded me of the rule. “You were my friend first.”
If you want to get technical about it, I was Kali’s friend first, not Kyle’s. But that’s not how he saw it. One rule. That’s all we had between us. Just one. Stay away from my sister.
All these years I’ve honored that. I never broke his trust. Until now. Because he’s dead. He left us. And being with Kali is the only thing that makes the pain go away.
I want Kali. I want to marry her, and have kids with her, and keep her in my bed forever.
But I want Kyle’s blessing too. And that’s something I’ll never get.
Pretty Thing is new sexy, brother’s-best-friend romance filled with tender moments, second chances, and steamy love scenes that will make you sigh with happiness when you turn the last page!
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I love when Authors step out of their “norm” to bring the readers something they can relate to on a more emotional level. Pretty Thing handles some pretty deep topics that had me reaching for the tissues more than once.
This story is full of sweet times, some laughs and some scenes that will get ya steamy!! Truly a feel good book!!!
All The Feels!!! Loss, love, grief, happiness, and life – that’s what Pretty Thing brings us with Kali and Aiden. Kyle dies, but he leaves behind a legacy in the most clever way, and Aiden knows – Kali is off limits; she always has been. Now seeing each other again, Aiden and Kali suddenly find themselves unable to ignore the passion and chemistry that has always been lurking in the background, but suddenly, it’s all so real, and boy, do they light up the pages with their heat! I loved their angst and their sweet love. And God bless Clyde, I love that man! This was a heartfelt, tear jerking romance with all the emotions so deeply felt in all the right places!
This book is so good. This book had me from the first page all the way to the last page. It takes you on a emotional roller coaster. It had me in tears. The three trio always did things together until one day one went one way and the other two stayed together. Kali and Aiden loved one another since they were a little child. Reading how they grew apart and than came back to one another. Highly recommend this book.
Enjoyed the story of Aiden, Kali and Kyle. I have to include Kyle because he is the reason there is a story. Even though it was Kyle that brought them together, Aiden and Kali were so loyal to him they almost missed out figuring out there true feelings. He left them something that really helped them work through there feelings of responsibility and guilt. Very original story.
Oh, I don’t even know where to start with this review. I guess first is to warn you not to read this in public unless you want people to ask you if you are okay. You will cry. No doubt about it.
It is no secret since it is in the blurb that Kyle is dead. He leaves behind his twin, Kali, and his best friend Aiden.
Even though Aiden met Kali first he has been told that he was Kyle’s friend first. A.K.A Stay away from his sister.
Even though Kyle has passed on, he still has a voice in this book. He has a stronger voice with Aiden and Kali. Aiden has a harder time dealing with that guilt than Kali does.
We see these two beautifully broken hearts come together and try to heal the other. To try to come to terms with the attraction they have had toward each other since they were 8 years old.
We see Aiden’s mini breakdown and how he is trying to get through life without his best friend by his side.
We see a woman that has left herself behind when she moved 2 hours from home. Without Kyle, Aiden helps her find the girl she lost years ago and he helps her come back to herself.
If you think this book is all sad and somber, it is not. There are lots of laughter and oh, so very steamy sex scenes.
There is a crossover from another of JA Huss’s books that I am not going to spoil, but you truly will want to read this book for the crossover alone.
The words Heartbreakingly Beautiful came to in my mind over and over as I read this book. I think that is a perfect way to describe this book. It is Heartbreakingly Beautiful in the purest form of love.
An amazing story about friends that turns into lovers. Three friends in Kali Kyle which are twins and Aiden. Of course Kali is forbidden but tragic takes place. What happens with Aiden and Kali. A must read for sure by Julie.
OMG, my Kindle is all wet from my tears…but it does end well. This highly emotional story begins right after Kyle’s death, with his best friend and our Hero, Aiden, and our heroine, Kali, who is also Kyle’s twin sister, trying to cope with the loss of their best friend. They all grew up together, but Aiden and Kali have always held strong feelings for one another, but never acted on them because of Kyle. On the surface this is a best friend’s sister trope, but what happens when you can’t convince the best friend that you’ll do right by his sister, because he’s no longer around? The author does a wonderful job of conveying the characters’ depth of grief, sense of obligation, and the steps toward moving on. This story also stays true to plot twists this author likes to throw at readers, but instead of casting doubt, the twist brings closure and peace. Ah, JA Huss, you got me real good with this one. Loved it!
Be prepared…I read through teary eyes in lots of passages in this book and often tissues were needed.
Pretty Thing starts out in sadness and remembrance but moves towards light and happiness as this love story unfolds. Two people chasing grief and the loss of a brother and a best friend finally acknowledge their buried feelings for one another. Aiden, Kali and Kyle formed their friendship at age eight and it lasted throughout their lives even though they drifted apart. After Kyle’s death he reaches out to them from beyond not only in voice messages but with eerie little signs that are only relevant to Aiden and Kali and in this way he finally gives them a peaceful acceptance of his death and the freedom to love.
Amazing book!!
Twins Kali and Kyle, had been best friends with Aiden since they were 8 years old. Kali and Aiden had a crush on each other since those early days, but Kyle had made it clear, “You were my friend first” and his sister was off limits to Aiden. But, it’s not 3 friends any more, Kyle died in a freak accident, and now it’s Kali and Aiden, and the ‘forbidden’ thing between them.
This is a wonderful, heart wrenching, story of loss and grief, of going against a best friend/brother’s wishes, a story of guilt and loyalty. Oh my I cried! I felt the loss of Kyle, the deep sadness. There’s none of the typical JA Huss twists, but nonetheless I was still drawn into this story, and felt for the characters. I loved this book!
I think J.A Huss is going soft on us. LOL!!!
I am a huge fan of Huss. I have read almost all of her books except the Junco series. And she hasn’t written anything like Pretty Thing. This book for me had more of a real contemporary feel to it then any of her other books. And I loved every word.
This story will take you on a journey of loss, pain, love, and the struggles of loyalty. This book was such an emotional read. Something I’m not used to by Huss. But it was beautifully written. There were so many elements that tied this story together. Things that I don’t want to mention because I don’t want to give anything away. It is definitely a must read.
Great steamy romance with twists and turns you will never see coming.
Oh, such a pretty, pretty thing, weaved around an emotionally charged, moving storyline and magnetic characters, one that put me through a downpour of emotions!
Between the tragedy, reconnection, forgiveness, finding self, humor and sizzling connection mixed with frustration Aiden and Kali’s journey back to one another had me hugging throw pillows while Ms. Huss’s words wrapped itself around me in a fictitious bear hug!
Looking for a read that feels like a romance? I highly suggest checking ‘Pretty Thing’ out for yourself!
I cannot wait to reread this one!
Pretty Thing was absolutely heart warming and heart breaking all in one. Kali and Kyle are twins and Aiden is their best friend. After an accident leaves Kali without her twin and Aiden without his best friend and business partner these two gravity towards each other. They always had feelings for each other but they never wanted to mess up their friendship. Aiden and Kali hook up after Kyle’s funreal and she disappears the next morning. Kali comes back for the reading of Kyle’s will and they decide to give each other a chance. At the reading of the will they discover the before Kyle dies he has left them voicemails through an app called dead notes. Between Aiden and Kyle it was always “you were my friend first” which kept Aiden’s love for Kali hidden . When Aiden final listens Kyle’s message which ends with Kyle’s “you were my friend first” he runs away from Kali. What happens next? I highly recommend reading this book it is absolutely amazing.
3.5 stars
I was quite surprised by Pretty Thing, as it is quite different from other books by Huss. This book was sweet, it was longing, and it was filled with romance. There was no darkness (not that I always want darkness, but I was still surprised!) and I had a little trouble connecting with the characters, Kali and Aiden.
There was a lot to enjoy in Pretty Thing, because of the history between the characters, and the reason why they found each other after years apart. When they were children and teenagers, they were together all the time, until Kali left for college and stayed in the city.
I think it’s nice that the author is branching out – and I will have a different set of expectations when I read her next story 🙂
The writing was solid, and the dual point of view worked well.
This book had me in tears and laughing at the same time.
This is the story of the love we only found ones in a life time. Real soulmates.
It was heartbreaking the way it all started but they finally admitted their feelings at it was beautiful to see.
I could feel the love they had for one and other.
Her brother was the best brother anyone could ask for
J.A. Huss is definitely a very versatile writer. I truly believe there is absolutely nothing she cannot write. In Pretty Thing we get something different and I absolutely loved it! It was sweet, emotional and captivated me from the start. Kyle, his sister Kali and Aiden have been friends since they were kids. Kyle and Aiden were best friends and had only one rule, Kali was off limits to Aiden. And he always honored that promise, until now.
Kali and Aiden have lost Kyle unexpectedly and are lost without him. Broken hearted and full of grief, they find solace in each other. I could feel every emotion they felt throughout the story. There was so much push and pull between Kali and Aiden. They both felt so much more for the other but struggled with what that meant with Kyle gone. Kali has always wanted Aiden, but Aiden feels it is a betrayal to his friend. Could they grab onto each other before it was too late?
I absolutely loved Pretty Thing by J.A. Huss. What a beautiful story that was touching, emotional, sweet and fun. I could not stop reading once I started. As always, you can never go wrong when you pick up a book by this amazing author. This is a must-read and one I highly recommend!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Goosebumps and palpitations. Tears those won’t stop. An aching sensation in my chest and avalanche of emotions in my heart. And that almost sums up my reaction to Pretty Thing
by JA Huss. This was simple brilliance from a genius author.
On surface Pretty Thing is a brother’s best friend romance. The similarity ends there. Aiden and Kali are lonely, angry, sad and desolate after Kyle, Kali’s twin brother and Aiden’s best friend is suddenly gone. Years have passed to create a rift between them. But they need each other now. This story is not only about a couple. It is like a love story with three persons from an entirely different angle. Aiden is struggling with the burden of his best friend’s death, own guilt, insecurity and his uncontrollable attraction to Kali. Kali is fighting with her distance with family, feeling for Aiden and the pain of losing half of her soul. And JA Huss took me through everything. The layers , the depth of emotions and the effect of the story on me is something only JA Huss can do every time.
JA Huss gave the familiar story her own original spin. It felt so real yet unreal at some times. It was just beautifully written. She went into unimaginable depth into the feelings of Aiden and Kali. She dug deeper and deeper till I lost myself in the darkness. And then she rescued me with miraculous hope. The pain of loss, the shame, the denial, the harsh reality and the soulnumbing love were brought to life with JA Huss’s extraordinary writing. A component of mystical afterlife is lurking through the story. You can interpret them in your own way.
Some stories need to be read to feel how mindblowing they are. Reviews are inconsequential. I can gurantee it will be the best kind of adventure for you.
Received ARC for Honest Review
This was a heartbreakingly beautiful love story. I absolutely loved it from the first to the last page. While it had sad moments, watching these two come together was simply beautiful.
Julie Huss brings a wonderfully touching and heartfelt story to Pretty Thing. It brought all the feels and had me reading through my tears. When the loss of a loved one effects the best friend and the sister, who do they turn to for comfort and understanding?
Kali and Aiden share a soul deep connection and when Kyle, Kail’s twin and Aiden’s best friend dies suddenly life as they know it changes forever. Kyle always had rules for Aiden about his sister, but now that he is gone who enforces those rules. Stuck in a limbo of the love for Kali and the loss of his best friend, they navigate this new territory with the utmost care. Kyle although is physical presence is no longer there he leaves something unique and special to be found and cherished by those left behind.
A departure from Huss’ fantastical twisty reads, she does not disappoint with this new contemporary romance.