Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Never Have I Evan

SERIES:  Games We Play, Book 1

AUTHOR:  D.J. Jamison

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH: 360 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 7, 2022

BLURB:

Never Have I Ev… Wait, what was the question again?!

What happens when an ill-advised party game makes it obvious I’ve still got my V-card?

Embarrassment. A lot of embarrassment.

Especially when the sexy, older guy at the party who witnessed the whole thing turns out to be someone I have to see every week. Not to mention my best friend’s cousin.

He’s not only straight, but way out of my league.

It’s going to be so awkward for both us.

Or awesome…if his protective nature and flirty attempts to teach me how to date lead to the kind of tutoring that lives in my fantasies. But how likely is that to happen? I’m not known as the sweet, naive one among for my friends for nothing.

I’m probably imagining those looks he throws my way. Probably projecting my own want onto his expression.

But…what if I’m not?

Never Have I Evan features an inexperienced, shy tech geek, an assistant football coach who oozes confidence, a town full of quirky, nosy residents, and sexual awakening and discovery themes!

REVIEW:

Like all DJ Jamison stories I have read, Never Have I Evan is a low-angst, sweet treat with humor and some heat.  I really loved both Dawson and Evan.  Jamison creates well-drawn, complex characters that are completely endearing in their own ways. The nerd/jock trope plays out well here.  Dawson and Evan aren’t stereotyped, but their differences are highlighted, which makes the way they come together and support each other notable and believable.  

I’m particularly partial to Evan’s adorable awkwardness.  He has that combo of super-smarts with some social skills deficiencies that make you want to hug him for his naivete, pure spirit, and honest directness.  What you see is what you get with Evan, and what Dawson gets in Evan is a true gift, which he recognizes … eventually.  

Dawson’s bisexual/pansexual awakening is not the focal point of this story. Rather, it revolves around the friends-with-benefits, sexual experimentation Dawson and Evan get up to under the guise of playing a game, specifically Never Have I Ever, to accomplish all of the sexual activities neither of them has engaged in before.  Evan is a virgin, but this is virgin territory for Dawson too, and despite some confusion and trepidation, he embraces it.  For all of Evan’s shyness and inexperience, he shows an adventurish, bold side when he is alone with Dawson.  I loved how Jamison shows both aspects of Evan’s personality.

The portrayal of Dawson’s ex-girlfriend felt caricaturish, but the remainder of the quirky, small-town residents felt real and amused me, as intended. The theme of fitting in, starting over, and finding a found family where you least expect it resonates strongly here, and Jamison spins out an engrossing, flirty, fun, low-angst story around it. The storyline is absorbing and I was completely invested in this couple.  All in all, Never Have I Evan is another super-enjoyable DJ Jamison read with a heartwarming HEA that I highly recommend.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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