Unspoken Rules

By: Penny Fox

Narrated by: Gabriel McKnight

I wasn't supposed to have him. But now I can't let him go.

Bryson:I shouldn't want him. Not when he's my best friend's father. Not when one mistake could destroy the only friendship I can't afford to lose.

But one look from Cole shatters every line I swore I wouldn't cross. He sees me in ways no one else ever has—like I matter. Like I'm his. Giving in will cost me everything. So why do I keep coming back for more?

Cole: I should stay away. I built a life around protecting my son and my business. Risking it all for Bryson is reckless and wrong. But the moment he walks into my life again, I'm addicted. I can't stop touching him, even though each stolen kiss drags us closer to the truth that could ruin us both.

We're playing a dangerous game, pretending we can keep this secret. But secrets never stay buried. And when the truth comes out, it won't just destroy us...it'll destroy everything.

Contains mature themes.

©2024 Penny Fox (P)2024 Tantor Media

Painful to read

I normally don't feel the need to write scathing reviews. I might not LOVE a book, but it's rare for me to dislike one so passionately. This feels like it was written by a cis-het woman who decided to wake up one day and write an MM romance, with no actual knowledge of queer love, relationship dynamics, or MM sex (zero prep on a virgin? Umm, no, just no!) I switched from general romance to queer romance to avoid books like this.

The audiobook is THIRTEEN (13) HOURS. Let me sum up the first 10.5 hours of it so you don't have to wonder:
Bryson: "I'm a horrible person. I'm ugly. Nobody likes me, but I like Cole. He's so hot. But he's my best friends dad"
Cole: "Bryson, s$%# my d*#@."
Bryson: "I think I love Cole, but he's my best friend's dad."
Cole: "Bryson, s$%# my d*#@."
Bryson: "Cole loves me! I'm so happy! Too bad I can't tell my best friend who is his son. Meh!"
Cole: "Bryson, s$%# my d*#@."

Sprinkle in WAYYY too many descriptors (I don't even get descriptions like this in sci-fi books where I WANT more descriptions) and endless characters that don't further the plot at all, and that is the book.

You don't root for anyone in this book, let alone their relationship. They're both childish, selfish, and insufferable. How you can have a book this long, without the reader even getting somewhat invested in a couple is truly a feat.