S. M. James is a new-to-me author. I’ve read that her #lovehim series can be read in any order but she also has a suggested order. If you want to read the books about individual couples in order then this Facebook post (http://bit.ly/2Tc2rCi) might be of interest. For example, before I read For What It’s Worth, I read Thanks in Advance which is about Rory and Justin before Rory is with Micah. I’m really glad that I did that because it really helped me understand Rory and Justin better.

For What It’s Worth was such a compelling story. I don’t typically read YA (young adult) books, actually maybe no MM ones before this, but I do enjoy NA (new adult). Having said that, I will now be reading the rest of the books in this series! [Note: If you’re confused about the difference between YA and NA, like I was at one time, here’s a link to what seems to be a good explanation: https://www.swoonreads.com/blog/ask-an-editor-young-adult-vs-new-adult/.]

While the idea of a polyamory relationship among high school age kids might turn some people off, I found it intriguing. S. M. James did a fantastic job with this story and totally made me believe in Rory, Micah and Justin and how their relationship can work long-term. Justin is such a special person; with his social anxiety issues, I think it’s beautiful how Rory and Micah completed and helped him.

I believe that the author created a story that is respectful of the characters desire to be together and allowed them to explore with each other how the poly relationship can/will work between them. I like how we are left with the feeling that they will always be together.

I am now anxious to read the other books in this series. If only my TBRL (to be read list) wasn’t so long. 😊

Reviews for S.M. James

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Justin pretends to shudder. At least, I think he’s pretending. “Kill me now.”

“Nah, you’re way too pretty to kill.”

Those mismatched eyes meet mine and we’re just a pair of awkward losers staring at what we can’t have. I should probably take my words back and make out like ha ha jokes but I’m not joking. I spent way too many late nights thinking about that face … before Micah, of course.

Justin being here serves to remind me that the world is a fucking big place.

We switch off the TV and I scoot closer, craving him like fucking air and I still can’t work out exactly why. “You’ll be totally fine. Just be yourself. You won Micah over easy enough, and me, and Ari.”

He scrunches up his little nose. “Sure, my friendship group has grown to three, what an achievement.”

“Excuse me Mr. Sarcasm, but how long was that group at one for?”

Justin doesn’t answer, just screws his lips up to the side like he gets my point.

“Exactly. A fucking long time. And now you’ve tripled that number in just a few short months, like are you kidding? You’re on a roll, you charismatic piece of shit.” The name calling comes naturally to me, and at first I worry Justin won’t take it in the affectionate way I mean, but he cracks a smile that brings up those little dimples on either side of his chin and damn I want to touch them. “Plus Ruby and Grace think you’re the cutest thing ever.”

Justin shakes his head like he doesn’t believe a word coming from my mouth but he’s still smiling. “Just Alexis to go then.”

“With how much I talk about you she already thinks you’re best friends so there’s nothing to worry about there.”

“Talking about me, hey?” He’s leaning against the back of the couch, head tilted toward me. The teasing that flickers across his face is just beautiful. His hazel eye is on this side and I love how he looks slightly different depending on which side I look at him from.

“When I got back from Australia, Alexis literally banned your name from conversations.”

His lips twitch. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not. She was allowed to punch me every time I said it.”

“How many bruises did you get?”

“All down both arms.” I smirk. “Totally worth it.”

A laugh hiccups from him and he opens his mouth to say something, then stops.

“No, no.” I lean in closer. “You’re not allowed to over think, remember? Whatever you were going to say, say it.”

That gorgeous tint starts to rise on his cheeks as he swallows.

“Say it or I’ll tickle you.” I’m totally lying, but I wish I wasn’t. Every time he’s around I’m itching to get my hands on him and if that means tickling him like we’re in middle school, I’ll fucking do it. But what I won’t do is make him uncomfortable.

He buries his face into his hands. “Now you’ve made it into a thing.”

“And I’ll keep making it into a bigger thing until you tell me.” The fact he’s avoiding it just makes me even more curious. And once I get my mind stuck on something, I’ve got to know.

His hazel eye peeks out at me. “I was just going to say …” His side expands as he takes a deep breath. “That if I had any friends, they would have banned your name too.” His face disappears into his hands again, but he can’t hide how his neck goes all read. “See? Dumb.”

I slide closer, until I cross that invisible barrier he keeps locked in place and lean down so my face is near his. “Justin?”

“What?”

“Look at me.”

He hesitates a second before he lifts his face, sucking in a sharp breath when he realizes how close I am. Something skitters across my chest as he pins me with his rare eye contact. I’m barely aware of my lips moving until I hear my own words.

“Nothing you ever say is dumb.”

#lovehim Series

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