Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Platonic Rulebook

SERIES:  Divorced Men’s Club #2

AUTHOR:   Saxon James

PUBLISHER:  May Books

LENGTH:  274 pages

RELEASE DATE:  June 15, 2022

BLURB:

Griff:
Walking away from my marriage was my idea of a fresh start.
My kid is in college, my ex-wife and I are on good terms … but being single in my forties is a world different to being single in my teens.
I’m thankful for my best friend, Heath. He’s got my back like he always does and is ready to take me out and show me how the bachelor life is done.
He was never supposed to show me literally.
After we wake up in bed together, I can’t stop looking at him differently, and one thing becomes abundantly clear.
I talk a big talk about wanting to be single, but my platonic rule book has gone out the window.

Heath:
When my best friend comes to me for help post-divorce, I’m only too happy to impart my wisdom to him.
After all, Griffin isn’t my type, but even I can tell he’s a complete lumbersnack. Good with his hands, kind eyes, and a killer smile. All the guys and gals are gonna eat him alive.
But the more time we spend together, the less “not my type” he becomes. I’m the one who can’t get enough of him.
Neither of us is interested in a relationship, so what’s a little fun between friends?
We both know the score.

REVIEW:

Platonic Rulebook is a sweet and fun story that I enjoyed more than its predecessor. Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tries and it plays out wonderfully here. The longer the two men have been friends, the more I like it because of all the history they have. In this case, Griff and Heath have been besties since high school and know each other inside and out. Well, maybe not inside yet!

Griff is a member of the unofficial Divorced Men’s Club support group for guys starting over. They meet at a bar and commiserate. Griff and his wife, Puppy, are married in name only; they co-own a hotel and are still good friends living together platonically for the post year for the sake of their son, David. Now that David’s left for his first year of college, the divorce will be finalized.

So Griff is bisexual and looking forward to being with a man for the first time. His friends, including Heath, convince him to go hookup at a bar. Hookups are perfect, Heath thinks, because there are no strings or expectations. It isn’t until later he determines he can’t see sex as just physical without an emotional connection – one night stand are not for him. As Griff prepares for his first night out, though, Heath is finding him irresistible and can’t stop thinking about sex with his best friend. I loved his humorous, desperate internal monologue where he admits to himself he’s jealous. Heath has always been happy alone – fulfilled without the urge to find “the one”. But now, maybe Griff is the one.

The guys eventually face their feelings for each other and son fall into bed. They have platonic rules, though: “Rule number eight-fucking-hundred: no asking Heath to touch me again.” Above all, they want to keep their friendship intact.

“We got it out of our system at least. No more flirting.”

“Right. That’s exactly what this was.” But fuck, if he took me back to bed right now, I’d be moaning his name in minutes. Dammit, no. My cock needs to get the memo that we’re one and done.

Once in bed isn’t enough for either of them. They have a deep need for each other and they struggle in the awkward aftermath to get back to just BFF. Can they really step away from an electric connection in bed? Complications with Poppy and David add to the conflict.

I loved these men together. They’re adorable! Unlike some friends to lovers books, both men were content as friends and neither had ever been interested in the other romantically. For the first time, they were both single and found themselves mutually attracted. Even without the sex, they are perfect together. After so many years of friendship, they truly listen to each other, they’re loyal, completely honest, and transparent. They care deeply. It’s just a matter of adding romance and intimacy to their relationship.

The other characters as depth to the narrative. Griff’s family add to his mental conflict. The Divorced Men’s Club guys – Payne, Orson, and OTT Art – add to the humor. I particularly enjoyed their text conversations.

All in all, Saxon James packs lots of great feels in this sweet story. I highly recommend it.

RATING: 

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