Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Until You

AUTHOR: Briar Prescott

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 323 pageds

RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2023

BLURB:

I’m the first one to tell you I have issues.

Trust issues.

Family issues.

Probably a few others I haven’t discovered yet. Which is why I prefer to keep my life as simple and uncomplicated as possible.

Until him.

Blake McAdams barrels into my life and refuses to leave. He’s relentlessly optimistic, sexy as hell, annoyingly persistent, and… wants to be friends? Because… he thinks I’m interesting?

Yeah, I’ll pass. Thanks.

Only, somehow, we end up doing just that.

And then that friendship evolves into something more, and suddenly, I find myself navigating a completely foreign territory: a relationship.

But Blake has his own issues, and once those clash with mine my simple and uncomplicated life? Turns into anything but.

REVIEW:   

“I have never seen a smile stop the world. Until you.”

I loved this book! So much!! I know it’s only May but I can guarantee it will be on my Top Ten list of 2023.

Until You starts as a gentle, unassuming romance between two men whose childhoods left them both damaged. Have a tissue box handy, though, as Prescott delivers a fair bit of angst as the story unfolds. It ripped me apart, breaking my heart in the best of ways before reaching a fabulous happy ending. As Blake says, “The highs have been well fucking worth the lowest of lows.”

Jude and Blake meet at a house party when they get locked out on the roof together. Their flirty banter is top notch, here and throughout the book; it delivers the considerable dry humor that Briar Prescott utilizes so effectively. They go their separate ways – much to Jude’s disappointment – but end up meeting again because of a serendipitous situation. They’re oddly in tune with each other, but Blake friendzones Jude. He never gives up on that friendship, though, keeping in touch with fun, silly, random texts. It’s like divine intervention sent him to enrich Jude’s life and be the friend Jude didn’t know he needed.

Jude usually hides behind a carefully constructed brick wall, maintaining mostly superficial relationships. He’s been alone and lonely for years. But he can’t – doesn’t know how to – trust people, knowing they’ll always let him down. He’s afraid to invest anything into relationships, whether romantic or platonic. He’s so afraid of commitment he only works temporary jobs. He knows he has to change, however, if he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life alone.

Blake is just the person to fill that void. Jude feels comfortable talking about himself and his family, things he doesn’t want to share with anyone, but the words just seem to spill from his mouth – without his permission – when he’s in Blake’s presence. He finds himself wanting to be more for Blake, to be enough.

“I love you more than I’m afraid.”

Blake, with his positive attitude and happiness, brings Jude peace. He fills the deafening silence that smothers Jude. Blake never gives up on his friendship with him. We eventually learn that Jude fills an emptiness in Blake, too. But things go awry and the angst cranks up before they reach their HEA. Sharing the pain of their pasts brings them closer.

I loved Jude and absolutely adored Blake. They are destined for each other, two magnets pulling them together. Their first time together intimately is intense. Hot.

Until You is nearly perfect – sweet, sad, romantic, heartbreaking, and fun. It’s very well written, as all of Prescott’s books are, but this one surpasses them all. It’s a truly special book.

“Blake hides his face in my neck and clutches me so tightly I can barely breathe, but I don’t mind. How can I? I’m finally home.”

RATING:

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