His Heart Knows by Riley Long

His Heart Knows is a super sweet, low angst short story about two best friends falling in love. Sawyer is a lawyer from an affluent family and has been best friends with Axel since they were in their teens. Axel has been in love with Sawyer for almost as long as they have been friends but keeps this to himself as he’s knows Sawyer is straight.

From the blurb:

People fall in love with their best friends all the time. But for me, the circumstances of this unrequited attraction are even more agonizing.

I am gay.

My best friend, Sawyer, is not.

Since we were fifteen, I've harbored this torturous crush. Now, as we both enter our thirties, it seems time to resign myself to the fact that nothing is going to come of it. Ever.

Or so I thought…

One night, a bottle of gin and a little uncharacteristic self-pity were all the inspiration I needed to launch into a ramble about being alone because I’m bad at everything - even kissing. Determined to prove me wrong, Sawyer decided to shut me up with a kiss.

I know he meant for it to be innocent.

Turns out it was anything but.

Sparks flew as we unlocked a side of Sawyer he never knew existed. Now, more than anything, he wants me by his side forever. But this realization comes with its own set of obstacles. Can we learn to lean on each other as we build a future together? Or will the stresses of our day to day lives tear us apart?


Reds Book Reads Review:

I loved the premise of this book and this book did have a lot of really good points for me but it did also have a few continuity issues. I loved how both Sawyer and Axel were determined not to ruin their friendship and how much they stood up for each other if there were any issues or conflicts. There were some continuity issues though which while slightly distracting, did not deter too much from the overall story.

Rating: 4 Stars


Jacquie's Review:

Loved the steamy parts and the relationship Sawyer and Axel had, their friendship was a great basis for something more. Like Reds experience, a couple things niggled but my enjoyment wasn't diminished too much and I was pretty well entertained.
Overall, His Heart Knows is a cute, quick read.

Rating: 4 Stars


Heather's Review:

Sawyer and Axel were sweet, steamy and low angst once they got together.  The besties to lovers trope was well done and the blips didn't take me too far out of the story.  This was a quick read and is perfect for an afternoon or weekend where you need a low stress, sweet read.

Rating: 4 Stars


Jacqueleen's Review:

This was quick and cute read. It's a story of lifelong best friends and unrequited love.

Axel is gay and has been in love with Sawyer most of their lives. The problem with that is Sawyer identifies as straight so he knows in his heart he doesn't stand a chance. That all changes with a single kiss.

I loved how Sawyer didn't have this big gay freak out. He already knew he loved spending all his time with Axel, this was just adding intimacy into the mix. Axel was, understandably, skeptical at first. His biggest dream was coming true, but he was also scared about risking their friendship and possibly losing Sawyer. It didn't matter though, because in the end Sawyer just kept on proving what Axel meant to him. He showed Axel with actions, not just words. Even when the two came up against hurdles, they did it together and that's exactly how they ended up with their adorable HEA.

Rating: 3.75 rounded to 4

His Heart Knows is currently available in e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription


And check out an excerpt and a giveaway as part of the release blitz: