Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: All Inclusive

SERIES:  California Crush, Book 2

AUTHOR: Mia Monroe

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 229 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2022

BLURB: 

My best friend is the man of my dreams, but is there any chance I could be his?

My best friend is gorgeous. No, really. Like can’t take your eyes off him gorgeous. He’s also sweet, a little shy, and yet has a crowd of men clamoring to share his bed. I envy him in that way, while my desire for him grows.

What’s holding me back from making my move besides endangering my closest friendship? My pitiful lack of experience. Even if he was interested in me, how could I possibly compete with the men he’s dated before?

But when one of our coworkers plants an idea that’s too good to pass up, I’ll find out if we’re only meant to be friends or if our relationship can be All Inclusive.

All Inclusive is a best friends to lovers, mutual pining, opposites attract romance starring a shy but popular ginger-haired angel and his outgoing but inexperienced bestie. It is book 2 in the California Crush series, featuring tan lines, thick thighs, and plenty of hot guys. Book your vacation and meet the men of Hillcrest Hideaway.

REVIEW:  

Mia Monroe continues her California Crush series with All Inclusive, or as I like to call it, “Two Charmingly Oblivious Besties in Love”.  You could slot this title right into the definition of “sweet, fluffy, no-angst romance”.  It’s a light read with endearing characters, mutual pining, and UST for days.  

Milo and Archer are two best friends who are so completely in love that everyone can see it.  Even Milo and Archer see it … at times … well, they think they see it … actually, they doubt they see it … nope, they definitely don’t see it.  🤣  That line of thinking – they see a sign of interest but then talk themselves out of believing it – is pretty much what these two sweet, adorable fools do for the majority of the book.  They want each other desperately but are so scared of losing their friendship that they refuse to acknowledge the reality of the strong attraction and pull between them.  

Last year, Asher’s entire family died due to carbon monoxide poisoning while on a family vacation.  Now, Asher’s whole world centers on Milo’s friendship and the support of the Hillcrest Hideaway found family.  Understandably, Asher’s scared to put that in jeopardy.  Milo’s hesitation is not as desperate but similarly fathomable.

Their friends and coworkers have to invoke juvenile methods like engaging Milo and Archer in a carefully orchestrated game of Spin the Bottle and suggesting/helping them act as a “Secret Admirer”/ “Secret Crush” to express their feelings without giving themselves away until they are ready to share their feelings face to face.

Ms. Monroe gives Milo and Asher a complexity that intrigued me, especially when juxtaposed against the relatively straightforward best friends to lovers storyline. Milo is generally confident and outgoing.  Yet, he becomes timid and insecure concerning his feelings for Archer and engaging in any steamy times with him, mainly because Milo’s a virgin.  In contrast, Asher is a fair-skinned, ginger-haired, innocent-looking, prone-to-blushing sweetie pie who is generally reserved, even timid.  Yet, he easily takes command in close quarters (especially the bedroom) with Milo.  In these dynamic role reversals, Ms. Monroe highlights how Milo and Archer balance each other out.  Their tight bond and deep trust enable them to draw out the sides of themselves that they keep hidden from others. 

All Inclusive contains romance, swoony declarations, humor, a heartwarming found family dynamic in the Hillcrest Hideaway crew, and of course, a very satisfying HEA. Surprisingly, it’s pretty light on the steamy content.  However, I think it fits given the context of the story.

As a reader who adores Ms. Monroe’s Tattoos & Temptation series as well as her Friendship & Desire series, I was elated by Ms. Monroe’s easter eggs from Marry Me’s Jude and Briar and Dirty Forty’s Dom and Zach.  I’m not giving away what they are.  Read the book, and you’ll find them. They’re awesome. 😉

I recommend All Inclusive as a quick, easy, feel-good, smile-inducing read.  Ms. Monroe tees up the next story, Do Not Disturb, especially in the last chapter which is told from London’s point of view. I’m interested in seeing how the relationship between London and Charles plays out.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

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