The Official Description:A fast-paced, sexy romance in the woods that will make Smokey Bear come running.
Jax fled his small hometown eight years ago to make it big in LA. His music career took off and he hasn’t been back to see his childhood best friend Emmett–his first, unrequited love–since. No man has lived up to that first love, though Jax has certainly tried.
When he finally gets a vacation, Jax decides to put his playboy ways behind him, surprise Emmett with a visit, and finally lay his feelings on the line. But Emmett has a few surprises up his sleeve, too–including one big secret. Emmett is a virgin.
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Just the facts: MM romance, friends to lovers, angst, confusion
A surprise trip home after eight years… is a bit of a shock between best friends who both have feelings for one another. – Kinzie Things
My thoughts bit: Lost in the Florist is a novella by Riley Long and Marie Cole. It’s an enjoyable read, a bit angsty with a peppering of humor between friends. The plot is revealed in dual POVs and this certainly makes these two men more frustrating!
Emmett has been in love with his best friend Jax for a long time, but he hasn’t said anything. Emmett lives in a small town and isn’t even sure it would be safe for him to come outlet alone what effect it would have on his friendships it’s Jax. Part of the reason he’s questioning that is because Jax hasn’t actually seen him in person for 8 years.
I think that this friends to lovers type of format is well-loved and this one is well-written. The characters are well developed for such a short novella. And they’re pretty complex characters too. I’m almost sad that this wasn’t fleshed out into a longer novel.
The authors take on some pretty intense issues. One of the characters is dealing with alcoholism and I appreciated the way that the author captured the “moment to moment” nature of trying to stay sober. It’s not an on/off thing… and emotional circumstances, old playgrounds, and old friends can certainly make sobriety a challenge.
The authors also address the idea of family in a few ways. It can be difficult when someone has an aging parent or grandparent because of the necessity to be around to provide them with support. If you’re young, what does that mean for your own life? Do you put everything you were doing on hold? Maybe. I’m sure there are multiple answers to that question… and the one depicted in this book is just one of them.
The chemistry between the two characters is great … even when they’re arguing. They get so caught up in their emotions at times that they’re leaping to conclusions all over the place and making things a lot harder for themselves. Of course, in the context of the book. that’s pretty entertaining. There’s a bit of angst… but it’s still believable.
What the book lacks in length, it makes up for in characterization. I enjoyed it.
Things You May Want To Know: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of. In this book: (SPOILERS) depictions of alcoholic, depictions of an extremely intoxicated person, homophobia, homophobic speech, use of the word “cum”, a character comes very close to relapsing, constant lack of communication between two main characters
To celebrate the release of Lost in the Florist, we are giving 2 lucky winners the chance to win an e-copy of Lost in the Florist and an e-book of their choice from Riley Long’s published backlist.
Enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a5714/?
About authors:
About Riley:
Riley Long is a wife and mother living a quiet life in Virginia, with her husband, son, and one goofy pit bull. She passes her evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television). For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs. She likes things with silly acronyms. The craziest thing Riley has ever done involves whipped cream and hugs. Riley writes sweet and sexy romance, with a special place in her heart for hipsters and musicians.
Connect with Riley:
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/riley-long
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13515411.Riley_Long
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01578N1BO
Twitter: https://twitter.com/writerrileylong
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/writerrileylong/boards/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerrileylong/
Website: https://rileylongwrites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterRileyLong/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RileysReaders
https://www.facebook.com/rileylongwrites
About Marie:
Marie Cole is the author of the contemporary romance #JustFriends Series. Lost in the Florist is her very first boy/boy romance and she’s super excited to be stepping into the m/m arena beside her writer bestie, Riley Long.
She is currently living in Virginia, is a self-professed Kwave addict, Karaoke Queen, and social binge drinker. When she’s not writing she’s taking photos of everything from her fluffy cat Dustpan to birds conversing on her porch. She loves to show them off on her Instagram account.
Connect with Marie:
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/marie-cole
Goodreads: goodreads.com/mariecolebooks
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Marie-Cole/e/B00RZXSYBC
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mariecolebooks
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mariecolebooks/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/mariecolebooks
Website: www.mariecolebooks.com
Kinzie Things 