A story about coming to terms with loss, acknowledging that you need help, and trying to become a better person. Angel read Bad at Being Good.
From the blurb:
No one is good all of the time. Especially me.
Six years ago, I promised my friend Kellan that I’d never mess around with his little brother. I accepted it. I didn’t regret it, and I didn’t think twice about it. Milo Sterling—the good student, perfect son, and promising dancer—was off limits.
But that was before.
Before we went away to college. Before Kellan died. Before I flunked out of school.
Now, I’m back home, and Milo’s different. He’s quieter and colder, no longer a boy but a man. And that hurt in his eyes? I put it there the night I failed to save Kellan's life. I have a lot to make up for. Falling for Milo, no matter how much I want him, would be one more thing to add to my list.
But promises are meant to be broken, and if there’s one thing I’m bad at, it’s being good.
Bad at Being Good is a best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend (dual POV) M/M romance featuring hurt/comfort, found family, coping with grief, and—of course—a happily ever after. Readers are advised to check the Author’s Note for content sensitivities.
Angel's Review:
This book floored me in so many ways. This book brought up a lot of emotions for me, it was realistic and the profound grief these characters were going through really struck a cord. People who have lost loved ones will be able to relate to these characters in a very profound way.
This book is incredibly realistic to the point where it doesn't feel like fiction. It feels like it's the true story of someone's life, even though it might not be. Benji's character was difficult for me to warm up to, primarily cause it was made very clear how much he loves to smoke weed, and that came up in several pages, and I just don't particularly love that about Benji's character. But! I was able to look past that and really grow accustomed to his character. I really appreciated how the author wrote about all of the characters mentioned in this book. All of them made mistakes. They all messed up. They all had a lot to learn and growing to do. And the character growth and development was very well written and incorporated very well.
Benji and Milo are so good together and they are trying to be there for one another and to hold the other up when they need it. Which is really beautiful. The shock of Kellan's true cause of death was a nice touch, and I think that surprise factor was incorporated quite decently. I enjoyed watching these two men learn more about the other, and reading about how they both grew as individuals but also how they grew together as well.
Overall, a very poignant story that I really enjoyed reading.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
SNik's Review:
Standalone. Best friend's brother. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
Losing his best friend has put Benji in a downward spiral, he has been “kindly” asked to leave college, and now he is back home taking care of his mother and is unable to stay away from Milo, the boy he promised he would never pursue.
After his brother’s death, Milo ended up ghosted by Benji. He thought they were friends too, and he has always loved Benji, so he jumps at the chance to forgive Benji to have him back in his life.
This story was less angsty than expected. Benji and Milo share their grief and honor Kellan’s memory while letting their feelings for each other grow.
Both Benji and Milo were likable, honest and mature, and their shared time together, although quick, was sweet with plenty of spice.
This book had almost a second chance feel to it for Benji and Milo, and had some interesting background for the characters with respect to their family lives and relationships, and a really hopeful HEA for them.
Rating: 4.25 Stars
Reedkaye's Review:
This book touched me on so many levels. Friends enjoy being teens looking forward to the next chapter of their lives when something goes terribly wrong.
Milo has had a crush on his brother's best friend Benji forever when things go wrong. Forward a little time and Benji finds himself getting asked to sort of leave college for pulling stupid stunts. After he gets home, he has plenty to deal with. The issues with his parents are enough to break anyone.
Milo can’t believe Benji is home and decides he needs to address his feelings about Benji. His family life has been in turmoil since the incident with his older brother.
There are so many layers to this story, and each could have been a story on its own. The secondary characters play such a big part in the past and current lives of the MC. I found all the characters so realistic and well described. This is one story that just tore at my emotions.
Rating: 5 Stars
KjnRose's Review:
This is the first book I've read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. I love best friend's brother/brother's best friend trope and this was done really well. It's a hurt/comfort read about Benji and Milo. I was happy to go through this journey to their HEA.
Rating: 5 Stars
Bad at Being Good is available to buy in ebook and paperback formats.
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