Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Left on Read
SERIES: Crimson Club
AUTHOR: Willow Dixon
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 331 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 7, 2024
BLURB:
Using a dating app to find someone willing to sell their tools for cheap might be unconventional, but it wasn’t like I was having any luck finding my person on them. I’m about to give up on my search for love, and tools, when Hayden messages me.
Not only is my stolen-tool problem solved, but it turns out he’s a great guy, and we quickly become friends. But the more time we spend together, the more I notice something between us. Something that doesn’t just feel like friendship.
Something that makes me want more. Makes me want him.
Watching Hayden lose control is everything. So is knowing he can’t stay away from me, either.
River and Hayden’s story is a friends to lovers, bi-awakening romance. You can expect voyeurism, tons of heat, lots of dirty talk, and all the feels as these two clueless guys navigate the line between besties and boyfriends. It is the fourth standalone in the exciting new Crimson Club series but can be read as a standalone.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the fourth book in this series. It does contain spoilers for previous books but can be read as a standalone. I would recommend reading Best Served Cold to understand the dynamics between River and his twin Zane.
River is always beating himself up for what he perceives as being a screw up. He and his mirror twin brother Zane have NOT had an easy life. They’ve lost their parents, were screwed over by their remaining family and have been on their own for some time. They work construction during and day and strip and dance on the weekends to make ends meet. When their tools get stolen, he looks to replace them without revealing the theft to Zane. He goes about replacing the tools in a rather unconventional way – advertising on a dating app 🙂
Hayden has had a terrible time with guys. He has been used by guys in the past and then dumped too many times. He has no expectations and when the gorgeous River shows up to buy his unused tools after some chats on a dating app, well they end up chatting more. River is so happy about the deal that Hayden makes him for the tools that he wants to do something nice for him. So he helps him fins some shelves and then install them. They end up chatting more and spending time together. But then Hayden makes a move – because they did meet on a dating app – and River is shocked. But not in a bad way. More in a “huh, so I am attracted to guys” way. Turns out he really is attracted to his new friend 😉
Hayden thought they were on dates the whole time. River is a most likely neurodivergent – he doesn’t necessarily pick up on social cues. He has trouble focusing and reading, etc. He is a talented artist and he is a great dancer and athlete, but he thinks he’s just too much for most people based on his history. He hasn’t connected with anybody like he has with Hayden in a very very long time. So they they agree to a friends with benefits deal – even though of course that really isn’t what either of them really want. Hayden wants to protect himself from what he sees is the inevitable breakup when River realizes he can do much better than Hayden. River doesn’t want to lose his new best friend who seems to do more than just put up with him.
It’s takes a straight talk from outside their relationship for these two to get their act together. Between River’s found family and Hayden’s best friend Ryan, they realize that this hasn’t been a FwB relationship for months 🙂
This was a very intense story at various times. Both Hayden and River had enough baggage to fill and airline trolley! Between their family issues and their difficulty with past ‘relationships’ they are starting out with no tools or experience in how to navigate whatever it is they are doing. They are so afraid of screwing things up even though for different reasons. River is intense in his feelings but his intensity has been a deal breaker in the past so he tries very hard not to “show his hand” as it were. Hayden has such self-esteem issues that he is absolutely certain that River will get bored with him and move on – and Hayden’s had enough of being used and left. It take some well-meaning intervention to get them to both see what is in front of them and understand that they need to be honest – with themselves and each other. I really loved how they finally were able to be truly vulnerable and admit their love. I was really rooting for them and wanted them to wake up and admit their feelings – which they did in the best possible way. Lovely characters and a perfect HEA for them. Recommended.
RATING: 
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