Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and out-for-you/bi-awakening is another. Spanish Siesta combines those two tropes with forced proximity/only one bed to create a really great story.

Matt asks his best friend, Kieran, to be his plus-one for his sister’s wedding. They have been besties since they were young. Matt was always protective of Kieran when they were young. They’ve grown apart a bit since Matt went of to university and Kieran stayed back to help his mom run her B&B.

On the flight to the wedding venue, the flight attendant flirts outrageously with Kieran and Matt doesn’t like it one bit but he’s not sure why. Then they get to the hotel and there’s a different problem. Matt’s original reservation was for a room with a single bed because his plus-one was supposed to be his girlfriend; then she broke up with him. He was sure that he changed the reservation once he knew that Kieran would be coming with him instead. Of course, the hotel is full so no other rooms are available.

This book made me laugh and cry and everything in between. It’s such a great friends-to-lovers story. I love CF White’s writing and Spanish Siesta is no exception. I’ve said this before… the only thing that ever makes CF’s writing better is when Piers Ryman performs the audiobook. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of it and I loved it!

There was a nice little twist in the story that I sort of saw coming but it was still a bit shocking when it happened. I thought it was a very nice touch to add to the story. Note that while Flying Into Love is a series the books are each standalones, connected only by the theme of “flying into love.”

Reviews for C F White

Reviews for Piers Ryman

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“Shit.” Matt grabbed Kieran by the arm, and shoved him back into the elevator, slamming his hand on any old button.

“What the fuck, Matt?”

The elevator shunted and they both had to grab the handrail running along the lift.

“It’s going down!” Kieran widened his eyes. “How is it going down?”

Matt didn’t say anything. His heart thumped and the foggy wooziness from the alcohol he thought hadn’t affected him crept up to make his head spin. The doors opened into a dark space. A basement, maybe? A cleaning closet. He’d hit the sodding service call button.

Kieran reached out to hit the G but Matt grabbed his arm, preventing him then yanked them both out and into darkness.

“What the—”

Matt slapped a hand over Kieran’s mouth, “Shhh!”

The elevator doors closed, the lift moving up, surrounding them in silence. Kieran stared at him, eyes widening. Matt drifted his hand from Kieran’s mouth but held a finger to his lips.

“What the fuck?” Kieran mouthed.

Matt stepped farther into the dark space, checking the surroundings. He breathed a sigh of relief when he discovered they were alone then turned back to face Kieran.

“Why have you shoved me in a fucking broom cupboard?”

Matt’s chest rose with the force of his inhalation. He tried to calm his thrashing heart. His invasive thoughts. His fear. His nerves. He couldn’t find any words. How could he explain? What would he say when he didn’t understand any of this himself? Rationality drowned by his thumping pulse, he closed his eyes to try to steady his breathing.

“Matt?” Kieran’s voice was distant but calming. “Matt, you okay?” He placed his palm to his forehead. “Is it sunstroke?”

Matt opened his eyes at the gentle touch, at the warm breath trickling onto his skin, at the unwavering concern in shaking lips.

Matt shook his head.

Kieran lowered his hand but Matt grabbed his wrist.

“Matt? You’re scaring the fuck out of me.”

“You think I ain’t scaring myself right now?”

“Why?” Kieran’s question was shrouded by his sharp swallow.

“Because I don’t know, Kier. I don’t know what’s happening.” He squeezed desperate fingers around Kieran’s wrist, glancing down to the swirls of his tribal tattoo and his breath hitched. “What’s happening to me?”

“Too much sangria?”

Matt pursed his lip, shaking his head.

“Too much sun?”

Matt shook his head.

“You drank the tap water?”

Matt hefted out an exasperated sigh.

“Then, you’re gonna have to tell me.” Kieran licked his lips. “Because I’m all out of ideas.”

Matt rubbed his thumb along the underside of Kieran’s wrist, eyes down, not able to look at Kieran as he contemplated what he should do. What he needed to do. What he was so desperate to do that it consumed his every breath.

“Matt—”

Matt cut off Kieran’s words with a kiss.

Kieran didn’t respond. He stood there, eyes wide as if he couldn’t believe what was happening. Frozen. Stunned. Accepting Matt’s lips on his. Shit. It was wrong. This was wrong. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Fears confirmed, Matt pulled away, sinking back against the wall, telling his thumping heart he was sorry.

Kieran didn’t move. He didn’t breathe either.

Then, he closed his eyes to exhale the words, “You better not be fucking with me.”

Matt met his gaze through the shadowy darkness. “Give me half a chance.” It had meant to be a light-hearted joke. Something to lift the mood. It came out wrong though and Kieran reached for the lift call button.

Matt held out his hand. “Don’t.” He hung his head. “Please don’t. I got this far. I might need help for the next step.”

Kieran dropped his hand away. Then, after several awkward moments of silence, he said, “You kissed me.”

“Yup.”

“You put your lips on mine.”

“Yup.”

“You…were going to put your tongue in my mouth.”

“Are you a fucking snog pundit? Do you commentate all your kisses in the dark?”

“No, Matt!” Kieran raked a hand through his hair. “Just the ones that come from my best fucking mate.” He slapped Matt’s chest. “My straight best mate.”

“I don’t recall ever saying I was straight.”

“You don’t have to, Matt. It’s implied in your heterosexual relationships.”

Matt cocked his head. “Bit last season, there, Kier.”

“I’m going to choke you with bog roll in a minute.”

“Bog roll?”

“We’re in a fucking closet!” Kieran flapped his hands at shelves and shelves of toilet paper and cleaning products. “Which is so damn ironic, I can’t deal.”

Flying Into Love Series

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