The Best Men: Volume 1

5 star review of The Best Men (The Best Men #1) by Sarina Bowen & Lauren Blakely Having read numerous books by both Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely, I couldn’t wait to dive in to their first collaboration together. This book was everything that I expected and so much more. This was a wonderfully written MM story that drew me in and held me captive from the first chapter until the last. The characters were wonderful and engaging and I have no idea who wrote what or where one author stopped and the other took over, such was the seamlessness of their writing. The chemistry between them sizzled from the start and their banter had me laughing out loud on a number of occasions. This was such a fun, entertaining story that ticked all the boxes for me. Add in the drunken texts that Mark sends not only to his sister, her fiancee but the other best man Asher and you just know that this story is going to be epic. Of course the story is not without some tension and angst, but it is not the sole focus of the story line. Mark as a single father to his daughter Rosie, has issues and Asher, despite his outward carefree ways has been hurt in the past which has done more damage than anyone knows. Mark and Asher could not be more different and yet these two totally work well together. They made a wonderful couple, supportive of one another and caring. For me they are both totally swoon worthy and I loved the growth they both made throughout the story.

Audio Review This book has so much to offer. First there is the banter between our two best men, then there is the attraction that is undeniable, then there is the buildup and the explosion and then the love. What a great love story with all the feels in between. This is the first collaboration between Lauren Blakely and Sarina Bowen but I hope it will not be the last. These two best selling authors have blown this book away. Pun intended. When Mark first meets Asher they are total opposites in every way except our uptight Mark with his spreadsheets and polo shirts and his dad life is extremely attracted to Asher and his floofy hair and jet setting ways. Mark has just come out of a divorce and isn't looking for anything but he can't tap down his attraction for this fun loving man. When they are thrown together to make sure his sisters wedding is perfect, they each find something they didn't know they were looking for. I really loved Mark and enjoyed watching him give up control and finally go for what made him happy. Asher is so much fun and someone you would want to hang out with but deep down he has insecurities as well and together they both learn to love. Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton are just perfect narrating this book. Jacob is always able to bring the fun and heat and Teddy fits Marks characters with his in charge and uptight ways. They were great and I loved listening to both of them. I loved how this books shows us that love is love and to find your happy. It's okay to be a rule follower and in control in parts of your life but you also have to find the balance and let go at times to find your happily ever after. I highly recommend this book. There is a prequel to this book that shows how they meet called Superhot Wingman. Grab it to read first if you want the back story.

Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely are a match made in MM romance heaven. They blended their styles and their own particular magic so seamlessly that one would think they’ve been doing it for years. And hopefully they’ll do it again sometime. I’m not above begging. I loved listening to The Best Men. It’s such a great listen. It’s definitely worth a credit, or to get it whispersyncd if you have the ebook. Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton are always great together. The best part is that they fit Asher and Mark to a T. Their performance is outstanding. It’s one of those books you could listen to many times and I highly recommend getting it in audio. I loved Mark and Asher. They’re so different and yet perfect for each other. Mark is a Wall Street trader, a recently divorced single dad, and all proper… except he has this hidden dirty spreadsheet. Asher is openly gay, charming, cocky, and cover model gorgeous. He’s an ex jock and a successful photographer. The geek and the jock. But they’re both alphas in their own way. They have stong personalities and are evenly matched. They give each other a run for their money when they butt heads. The story begins with a drunk texting incident that left Mark a bit exposed regarding his not-so kind feelings toward his sister’s hasty wedding… and the other best man. He then has to fly to Miami a few days before the wedding with Asher to ensure everything goes according to plan. When they’re in Miami, Mark and Asher have to share this mansion’s small guesthouse and work together. And while they’re busy completing wedding related chores and giving each other grief, they find a balance and start to get to know each other. The dynamic between them is so entertaining. The banter, the snark, the double entendres, they’re so on point and hilarious. The inner dialogue and the situations they find themselves in make the tension and the attraction between them feel so real and intense. Their chemistry is off the charts, and liable to set the guesthouse they’re forced to share on fire. And if they are amazing as enemies, they are adorable as lovers. I loved everything about The Best Men. It is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, opposites attract love story, and it is outstanding. It’s extremely funny, deeply emotional, and deliciously steamy. It’s 100 percent unputdownable. I highly recommend it.