Review Tour: Not Just Friends by Jay Northcote

31 October of 2018 by ButtonsMom2003

Reviewer's Rating: 5

5.0Overall score

Not Just Friends By Jay Northcote

Genre: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM

Released: October 5, 2018

Publisher: Jaybird Press

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @Black Jazz Design

Synopsis

Is it worth risking a friendship for a chance at love?

Leaving home to go to university is an exciting phase in anyone’s life. One that’s full of new places, new friends, and new experiences. But Lewis isn’t prepared for the sudden and intense crush he develops on his out-and-proud flatmate, Max, because Lewis had always assumed he was straight.

Max starts dating another guy, and Lewis’s jealousy at seeing them together forces him to confront his growing attraction. When Max’s relationship goes awry, Lewis is the one to comfort him and one thing leads to another. After a night together, Lewis is devastated that Max wants to go back to being just friends.

Lewis tries his best to move on and their friendship survives, but the feelings he has for Max don’t go away. He faces other challenges as he deals with coming out to his parents, and needs Max’s support more than ever. But Lewis isn’t the only one who’s conflicted. When Max finally admits he cares for Lewis too, Lewis must decide whether he dares risk his heart again on being more than just friends.

Please note that although this edition has been re-edited for publication, there is no new or additional content.

Review

Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003

A sweet story about first love.

There’s just something about stories about young love that I really enjoy and Not Just Friends is one that I enjoyed very, very much.

Lewis is in his first year at university and is sharing a flat with 4 other fellows. As they sit around getting to know each other one of them, Max, reveals that he’s gay. Lewis find himself more and more attracted to Max. Eventually Lewis realizes that even though he had a girlfriend he never felt the same attraction to her as he does to Max. When Max begins seeing another guy Lewis’s jealousy becomes difficult for him to control and he admits that he’s not straight like he always thought. He also understands better why he felt jealous when his best mate back home got a girlfriend.

I love how this story reveals what it must be like to attend university in the UK. One of the things I like most about reading Jay Northcote’s books is how much I learn about a culture that is different from the U.S. I enjoy learning the different terminology and slang and I’m grateful that my e-reader allows me to easily look up unfamiliar words and phrases. ?

As Lewis navigates all the new things that go with being away from home for the first time he also comes to terms with his sexuality. Just when he thinks that things are going well with Max something changes. There are also changes happening back home and at times it all seems a bit much to deal with.

This was a really sweet story about young love, with a bit of hot, sexy stuff added to the mix. When things finally click for Lewis and Max I cried happy tears for them. I loved this story!

♥♥♥♥♥

O Factor: Spicy

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Follow The Tour

October 5 – Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, Gay Book Reviews, October 8 – Book Corner Reviews, Mikku-chan, October 10 – Cupcakes & Bookshelves, October 15 – Bonkers About Books, V’s Reads, My Book Filled Life, October 22 – Making It Happen, Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings, October 31 BooksLaidBareBoys, Valerie Ullmer, Xtreme Delusions, Lillian Francis, Bayou Book Junkie

About Author

Jay Northcote

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

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