Reviewed by Ro

TITLE: Tongue Tied

SERIES: Franklin U 2 #6

AUTHOR: Christina Lee

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 255 pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 12, 2024

BLURB:

AUSTIN
Dex has always been my best friend, so it’s no surprise that we attend Franklin U together. We’re complete opposites. Dex is charismatic and outgoing. Me? Let’s just say I wish I could infuse some of his confidence into my veins. Making friends is hard enough, but trying to meet guys, even with Dex’s help? I’m useless. Maybe it’s because Dex is all about hooking up, but I want my first time to be straight out of the pages of the romance novels I read.

DEX
After a string of mishaps, I swore off helping Austin land guys. But when he asks me to show him the ropes with practice sessions, I get the feeling he’s desperate. Our dates are pretend, so why am I getting so into them? I want to make Austin happy, but the line between friendship and something more is getting really damned blurry. The fluttery feeling, that electric energy every time we touch…it’s addicting. I’m getting overprotective, not only of my time with Austin, but with douchebags who might break his heart.

Eventually, the pretending has to end so Austin can strike out on his own. But how do I tell him I’m not ready to let him go, when every attempt at confessing leaves me tongue-tied?

REVIEW: 

This is book six of the Franklin U 2 series and focuses on two best friends, Austin and Dex. They have been besties since middle school and until now have roomed together at Franklin U. Dex, the extroverted political science major, has been invited to live in the Poli house with other political science activists. Austin is the head-always-in-a-book introvert who is sad Dex is moving but a great friend who won’t hold Dex back. They have always complemented each other. “Austin has hermit tendencies. Not that I’m his keeper”, but I am practically the organizer of his social calendar.” That is true, but Austin is the one who keeps Dex on point when he overbooks his calendar. The yin to yang.

Dex is the hookup king, Austin is the virgin. Austin wants to be romanced like the characters in the books he reads. Unfortunately, he’s had people who “…called him a prude and ghosted him” as well as the one who …kept comparing their bodies and tried convincing him to join him for workout sessions. It was an offhanded way to call him out of shape…”  Austin also gets extremely flustered when he’s near a cute guy. So it’s difficult.

They both come from divorced families, but where Austin’s mom found a great guy to marry, a stepdad Austin loves, Dex’s mom goes from loser to loser. So, it is no surprise that Dex does not put stock in relationships. Well, other than the best friend he has with Austin.

In an attempt to help Austin break out of his shyness, Dex has thrown him into situations with cute guys. The problem is Austin is still flustered, so it tends not to end well. Sometimes, as in the case of Brandon, it is not clear that Austin is inviting, so he ends up doubly hurt because not only does the guy not want him, but he wants Dex instead. “But really, it’s my fault for allowing myself to believe that someone might show up for me.” I felt so badly for him and totally understood when Austin finally has enough, “But maybe instead of springing stuff on me, give me a heads up?”

One amazing character is Kael, the trans guy who is Austin’s new roommate. He is a good listener, supports Austin, and wants the best for him, and while he could never take Dex’s place, he is a great new friend.

They end up doing a fake date scenario, so that Austin can practice being out with cute guys. Of course, we know where this is going – feelings start to get in the way. I admit, for a while I wanted to shake both of them but especially Dex. And then things happen, like his mom showing up after yet another loser dumps her, and you really understand his fear.

Even though the back and forth internal dialogue sometimes got a little tedious, I liked the story and I didn’t feel like the misunderstandings were out of place, but something that could really happen. I was pulling for these two, especially Austin!

RATING:

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