BFF: Best Friend's Father

Love ❤️ love

Omg bff was so good. It was so well written, I can’t wait for the next book. Seriously it went by so fast. I would definitely recommend this book👍 Michael Pauley as usual was amazing 😉

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Taboo never looked so good

Where to start? I love Devon McCormack and his books narrated by Michael Pauley are my favourites. May/December romances don’t bother me – I recently read a book where there was 40 years’ difference between the two men – but I do see where Mr. McCormack’s book is pushing the limits. In the heterosexual world, ‘best friend’s dad’ as a trope has been around for a while. This book is different from those, and not just because the two main characters are men.

Jesse is a smart young man who has been convinced by his best friend Ty to take a break and head to Mexico. They are staying at Ty’s dad’s condo and aren’t expecting company. When Ty’s dad, Eric, shows up, there are ripples. First, Eric’s relationship with Ty is rough. Jesse’s loyalties are torn because he understands why Ty is angry with Eric, but he’s also empathetic with Eric that the rift was not his fault. Sometimes, Jesse is the most mature man in the condo.

Jesse and Ty are 23. Eric is 42. From the beginning, Jesse and Eric know that if Ty discovers the relationship they’re forging, he will be hurt. That is not enough to stop them from moving forward with their relationship.

This isn’t a ‘taboo’ book in the purest sense of the word, but it does raise ethical issues. And, as I suspect Mr. McCormack wanted, I did feel bad for Ty. Yes, he can be immature, obnoxious, and mean to his father, purposely calling him ‘Eric’ instead of ‘Dad’, but Eric could certainly put in a greater effort. He’s doing ‘cool’ things, hoping Ty will warm up to him, but after 6 years, it’s clear the hands-off approach isn’t working. A particularly poignant exchange between father and son hits Eric hard as Ty reveals a bit of how Eric’s parenting technique is lacking. Eric is left reeling, but it’s Jesse he turns to for confirmation and validation of Ty’s comments. This is further proof of the dysfunction between father and son.

I love that Jesse has the maturity to see the rift between father and son and tries to encourage both to bridge the gap. Those efforts are constantly undermined when he hops into bed with Eric at every possible opportunity (and a few other locations as well because, let’s be honest, why be in a tropical locale and not have sex in the beautiful country?) My loyalties swayed, making this book more of an emotional investment than I had planned.

That is a good thing. I like when books push me out of my comfort zone and force me to examine my own reactions to a particular situation. Eric says to Jesse that it’s “more important to know weaknesses than strengths.” Now, that could be interpreted as a businessman scoping out a rival’s frailties in order to strike effectively, or it could be a man who knows why he’s never had a lasting deep and fulfilling relationship because he’s never let anyone see his weaknesses, his vulnerabilities.

Jesse is often more mature and empathetic than many 23-year-old guys, but his own history informs that. He’s known pain and rejection. When Eric needs him most, Jesse is there. Words mean a lot, and Jesse uses them well, but his actions go a long way as well. Not leaving. Doing research. Even just being willing to cuddle and comfort. Those are powerful things and made me adore Jesse all the more.

The book is dual point-of-view and I prefer that because I can see the situation through both men’s eyes.

Finally – and last but not least – Michael Pauley. I was going to try to not gush at the narrator of the book, but I can’t help it. I have listened to dozens of his books and he always manages to give each character something unique. Although Jesse is the character with less power (at least at the beginning), Michael’s voice for him was strong. Jesse might be new to same-sex relationships, but he knows what he wants, and Mr. Pauley portrays that need and desire. And the sex scenes? Well, there are LOTS of them and Mr. Pauley handles each one brilliantly. My only complaint is that the women (Dana and Mandy) come off as dippy. To be sure, most of this is Devon’s writing, but Michael’s interpretation of them doesn’t help. There is nothing wrong with women who enjoy sex. They don’t necessarily have to come across as vapid. Devon (and Michael) redeem themselves with Allison. She has depth and intelligence and is portrayed as such. As Eric’s friend, she helps him admit his real feelings for Jesse.

To be clear – this book does not end on a cliffhanger per se. Jesse and Eric are together. But, there are a large number of unresolved issues and I have it on good authority that Book 2 is being written at this very moment. I won’t pressure the artistic process, but I will say I am waiting in anticipation. So, this is a great listen with more to come. And I might even forgive Jesse for not knowing who Kate Bush is. Kids these days…

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

EMOTIONALLY INTENSE AND BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY

Wow. That's all I could say throughout most of this story. The intense eroticism literally caught me by surprise and took me on a crazy ride all the way to the bitter end of this amazing love story. I was totally captivated by these two from the very beginning. The combination of the narration along with the dialogue and the dynamic between Jesse and Eric reeled in my heart totally and completely. I did not expect the storyline to be as good as it was, but it was definitely worth the credit that's for sure. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of these taboo lovers' story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

to be continued:(

I hate when they don't finish the story. good story, leaves you hanging. boo hiss.

Great book! I could not stop listening.

Great listen, could not stop listening. It had me from start to finish. can't wait to start book 2.

Amazing book and performance

I had read this book previously and thought it was very good. Hearing it as an audiobook however added a whole new dimension to the story for me. This book is definitely hot, but there is so much more to it than that. Hearing the emotions in Michael Pauley's voice as he narrated just pointed up the struggles and growth that both of the main characters go through as the story progresses.

The attraction between Eric and Jesse is evident from day one, and even though it's wrong, it's easy to see that these two men belong together. As time goes on and they develop more than just a relationship between the sheets, you can feel how much they need each other. Characters are well developed, and as Michael narrates the story, you really feel as though each character is talking to you, telling his story.
I would definitely recommend this book and am getting ready to listen to the sequel. Great work by the author and narrator!

Hot and emotional. Perfect narrator

I loved this story. It was hot and well written. In a lot of gay romance books, there's always some big fight that could easily be avoided with simple communication. I hate that. This book didn't have that and it was very refreshing. The sex scenes were hot, made even hotter by the narrators voice and performance. You can hear the raw need in his delivery.

💚💙💚💙💚💙

Love this story love the chemistry between these two men. So very sexy:) Micheal Pauley never disappoints

Hot, heart touching, comforting!!!

With such passion and love between the two most out of this worlds characters. Two people fall in love with some uncontrollably difficult decisions. I can’t wait to see what comes next...

Do not eat Wendy's Chili before anal sex!

First of all kudos to Devin McCormick for always giving us emotionally filled stories. I won't get to much into the details but you can definitely tell as the story progresses there's something holding one of the MCs back emotionally and physically. the were parts in the reading when I felt like the two MCs were in the wrong but than there were other parts where I was like "well they're all adults".
And of course as always Michael Pauley does a stellar job with the voices.
if you want a book that's a little bit heavier than your used to with this genre then definitely get this one.
And yes, the sex scenes are hot! hopefully Michael Pauley when they narrate the next book in the series because it does end with a major cliffhanger.
also you will die laughing when they get to Wendy's and they start talking about chili ;-).