Reviewed by Cheryl K

TITLE: Friends Like Them

SERIES: Redemption Ridge #4

AUTHOR: Aimee Nicole Walker

PUBLISHER: Chasing Rainbows Press LLC

LENGTH: 241 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024

BLURB:

Owen Doyle’s rough beginnings taught him not to form attachments, yet he’s drawn to Tyler Booth like a magnet. Their relationship has blossomed from strangers to the best friends, with each twist in the journey weaving their connection tighter. But Owen has a six-year secret that’s become unbearably painful to keep. As the seams of his resistance fray, Owen will lean into a new mentoring opportunity to keep from ruining the best thing in his life.

Tyler will never regret going to jail and getting sober because meeting Owen saved his life and taught him how to trust again. Their inseparable bond has earned much teasing over the years, but Tyler doesn’t recognize himself without Owen. When he senses a yawning chasm between them, he’ll turn to mutual friends for help. Their well-meaning advice opens Tyler’s eyes to unexplored possibilities and will snap missing puzzle pieces into place.

Some hopes are too big to stifle, and some truths are too big to ignore. A photo booth, smoking-hot kisses, and honest revelations will take Owen and Tyler’s intimacy to a whole new level. But before they can achieve their happily ever after, they must unload the baggage from their pasts. Will the road to discovery guide them to the necessary healing, or are the guys destined for the highway to heartache?

Friends Like Them is book four in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Friends Like Them contains mature themes and is intended for adults.

REVIEW:

Disclaimer- Friends Like Him is the fourth book in the Redemption Ridge Series. This series is not a stand-alone and needs to be read in order. Characters from the previous three books are mentioned and a multi book story arc makes it incredibly important to read the first three books.

The world building is so good in this series.  From the beginning of this series, you could see the writing on the wall for Owen and Tyler.  The friends to lover’s trope are so much fun.  There is very little angst involved and it just pulls at the heart strings.

The character development is this book is beautifully done. Aimee takes established best friends and deepens the relationship. It might have taken a swift kick, but these two finally get there.  I’ve been rooting for these two to pull their collective heads out, since book one.

“Oh no. Oh no,” Hope murmured. “I’ve really done it this time.” She cupped Tyler’s face and stared into his eyes. “I’m so sorry. Everything is going to be okay. Breathe, Tyler.”

He took one small breath, then another.

“That’s it, honey. A little deeper next time. You’re doing great,” Hope said when he complied. “Now, longer this time.” She snorted and rolled her eyes. “It sounds like I’m trying to coach you on how to have sex.”

Tyler choked, and Hope winced.

“Christ, I’m really making a mess of things,” she said. “I swear to the goddess that I can have an appropriate conversation.”

Even though our main characters have been put through the wringer, they have come out the other side better for the experiences.  This one was very low angst and felt like a love letter for these two.  Owen and Tyler deserved and got their happy ever after in this book and their redemption.

I enthusiastically recommend this book.  You all know the drill – run to your favorite eBook purchasing site and grab up this book and series.  I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

RATING:

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