Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: The Best Men
AUTHOR: Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely
PUBLISHER: Troliver Books
LENGTH: 377 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 18, 2022
BLURB:
In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a life-long penchant for protecting my baby sister. Still, that’s no excuse to send ten drunk-texts on why her hasty marriage would be a mistake.
If only I had just texted my sister. But nope. I accidentally sent the message to her, her groom, and his super hot wingman. I also used the phrase “super hot wingman,” so I’d like to die now.
Instead, I have to plan a wedding with the aforementioned hottie and share a too-small guesthouse in steamy Miami. Three days in the sun with the cocky, charming former athlete who likes to push my buttons? Fine, two can play at that let’s-infuriate-each-other game.
Until Asher ups the stakes with one wildly sexy suggestion. A no-strings fling, then I go back to my single dad life in New York, and he returns to his star-studded one.
Sign me up.
But the more nights I spend with the other best man, the more I want days too, and that just can’t happen. Especially when I find out the real reason why…
Contents Include: First times, a secret to-do list, champion-level flirting, fast cars, #eggplants, and two men who look good in formal wear.
REVIEW:
Announcing a new release in the Marvel Cinematic Universe:
Superhot Wingman versus Captain Filthy Mind, coming in a theater near you.
Well. The Best Men is a super sexy, immensely humorous, utterly adorable romance between opposites Mark Banks and Asher St. James. They are slated to be the best men in the wedding of Mark’s sister, Hannah, and Asher’s best friend, Flip. Not only are they asked to be there during the destination wedding in Miami, Hannah requests that they fly to the venue for a few days in advance to help with the wedding preparations. Together. Alone.
“Florida man erupts from sexual frustration, leaving behind only a pair of Andrew Christian underwear and one testicle.”
The problem is, Flip and his French family come from a different world of wealth and connections in high flying Manhattan society. Mark and Hannah grew up in a middle-class family in suburban Ohio, and the differences couldn’t be starker. Mark thinks Hannah and Flip are moving too fast – unexpectedly pregnant and engaged in just a few months after meeting. Having recently ended his own shotgun marriage, he worries about Hannah getting hurt. The problem is, he makes his negative feelings crystal clear in a series of hilarious but ill-fated drunken texts meant for Hannah only, but instead sent in a group text including Flip and Asher. Pass the salt for that foot in mouth, please. (The set up for this scene occurs in the short story prequel Super Hot Wingman – free on Amazon – which I feel is imperative to read first.) His scotch-fueled rantings about the impending wedding are joined by commentary about super hot Asher’s stupid lips, floofy hair, and perfectly sculpted abs.
So now with Mark’s embarrassment at an all-time high, and Asher dying to know if the other best man is completely straight, they’re off for five days in the Florida heat with only each other as company. Mark is a buttoned-up, financial nerd and divorced father of six-year-old Rosie. He’s the antithesis of all things Asher, a former pro-athlete and fashion photographer. Asher is bold, passionate, and sexy, the life of the party. One is grounded, the other spontaneous. Deep down, however, Asher is insecure and lonely. An ex-boyfriend left him feeling like he’s a hot mess not cut out for a relationship. Mark, meanwhile, knows he could never catch the eye of an accomplished, confident man like Asher. Despite Mark’s snarky attitude, it soon becomes obvious there’s mutual attraction.
* This book could’ve been aptly named The Spreadsheet. *
Asher is horrified by Mark’s love of math and need for organization until he discovers his spreadsheets. Or more specifically, the sex spreadsheet – Mark’s very adventurous, optimistic, sexual to-do list that garners Asher’s devout attention.
“You use spreadsheets a lot, right? For any kind of list?”
I shrug indifferently. My poker face is tight.
Asher’s gaze drops to my throat, and I gulp. “Banks. You mentioned a list of things you’d like to do to me. Do you keep it on a spreadsheet?” The corners of his mouth twitch.
“Spreadsheets are very convenient,” I mutter.
After his dissatisfying, six-year marriage to a woman fizzled, Mark created the spreadsheet in an effort to organize his fantasies of all the ways he could find pleasure with a man. Mark has always known he’s bisexual but never had the chance to fully act on it before getting his ex-wife pregnant. (It seems both Hannah and Mark missed the sex-ed condom and banana demonstration in middle school.)
So, Asher propositions Mark with a plan: five days of no strings, harmless vacation fun tackling the sex spreadsheet. He never expects Mark to let down his guard and have so much fun, but fun they have working through each cell – one, two, three at a time. Mmm 2A, ahh 43F, ungh 69C! All kinds of things – in bed, the pool, the shower, the Porsche, the ocean… And the kisses! Lots of kisses. Toe curling kisses. So many sensual kisses. Asher considers it a privilege and a pleasure to take Mark’s gay virginity.
This book is so much more than just sex, though. I’m not a fan of too much sex in a book. I want a fully developed story, layered characters, humor, and romance. The Best Men has all of that, including a very romantic storyline in which Asher and Mark truly care for each other and slowly, but surely, fall in love. The dialogue is witty, with tension-filled snark soon turning into sexy, zingy banter (sorry, I’m declaring that a word). Their companionship becomes easy and comfortable and the relationship develops naturally. We’re shown the affection and romance, not just the scrumptious sexy times.
The last chapter before the epilogue is everything. My only complaint – from this epilogue loving girl – is that this book didn’t follow Lauren Blakely’s trademark multiple epilogue formula. Oh well, I can’t have everything. The lone epilogue is full of feels and delivers a fantastic happily ever after for Asher and Mark. I highly recommend this hot, heartwarming novel.
In conclusion, I have to share this meme I love:
Do your best man.
Do your best, man.
Use a comma, save a wedding.
RATING: 
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