Reviewed by Larissa
TITLE: Platonic Rulebook
SERIES: Divorced Men’s Club, Book 2
AUTHOR: Saxon James
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: May Books
LENGTH: 7 hours and 2 minutes
RELEASE DATE: July 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 40s 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 picks up where Roommate Arrangement leaves off. This second book in Saxon James’ Divorced Men’s Club series features glimpses of Roommate Arrangement’s Payne, the newest member of the Divorced Men’s Club or “DMC”, and his beau Beau (sorry I couldn’t resist 🤣). James deftly weaves the snapshots of Payne and Beau’s HEA into the experience of the DMC found family, which includes Griffin. But Platonic Rulebook shifts into an entirely different type of story than Roommate Arrangement.
Unlike Payne, whose divorce was unexpected and humiliating, Griff’s divorce has been in the works for well over a year. He and his soon-to-be ex-wife Poppy have been separated for some time, but agreed to keep the demise of their marriage from their only son Felix until he leaves for college. The college drop-off is the scene we are met with as the story opens, with Griff now realizing the next chapter of his life is starting … and he doesn’t have a clue what to do with it.
Heath is Griff’s best friend of almost 25 years, having been through thick and thin together since high school. Heath, Griff, and Poppy have been running a motel-turned-resort that they basically built from the ground up. But Poppy has decided this is a new start for her as well, and abruptly pulls back from her role as de facto manager, leaving Griff – who’s useless with office work – and Heath scrambling. Heath, for his part, is being pulled in two directions – the need to be with his mom after the recent death of his father, and the need to be with Griff. Griff wins out though, especially as he begins to buckle under the stress and strain of exploring his bisexuality when he’s only ever been with Poppy, trying to prevent himself from falling too quickly into another relationship as he did with Poppy, and floundering under the weight of running the motel without Poppy.
The common thread in this series so far is men navigating new aspects of their lives post-divorce. In both books, the men (Payne in Roommate Arrangement and Griff in Platonic Rulebook) find an unexpected attraction for men they’ve known for a very long time. For Griff, it’s particularly complicated because he needs Heath like the air he breathes, even without any non-platonic activities or attraction. Heath is Griff’s port in the storm, his rock, his steadfast partner and his support in everything.
James is an expert at organic relationship development and we see that happen here between Griff and Heath. The scene where they finally give in to their attraction is scorching hot, but not just because of the sexual content. It’s because James layers the steamy times with palpable emotional connection. I found both Heath and Griff to be endearing, but I had a particular soft spot for Heath, who always puts everyone else first, yet thinks he’s being selfish when he just wants Griff to be his. The HEA for these two is superb.
I do think James could capitalize on the DMC text threads more. They are certainly funny and show the unwavering friendship and support of the group of men. She pulls the threads on the relationships by showing Griff interact with them separately, IRL, as well. But the interactions and text conversations are so short that we don’t get to revel in the dynamic of this colorful group, and that’s a missed opportunity in my opinion.
Nick J. Russo continues his narration of this series on the Platonic Rulebook audiobook. Again, he does a terrific job. His even, steady delivery works well on this title. He embraces the character’s emotions, delivering the textures and nuances through thoughtful, accurate inflection work. The voices are distinct and consistently delivered, although the pacing could have used some variation. On the whole, though, Russo is easy on the ears and rounds out a very enjoyable, sweet, sexy romance with a vocal performance that’s absorbing and immersive. Platonic Rulebook is an audiobook I heartily recommend.
RATING: 
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