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Moonlighters #2
Our Favorite Songs
Restless and disillusioned with his life, Aiden McCarstle is ready for a night out at The Moonlight Café with his best friend Penelope: one night to not think about how much he hates grad school, to watch queer people make fools of themselves singing karaoke. A simple, reliable escape.
But when it’s not Penelope who walks through the door at Moonie’s, but the high school nemesis Aiden hasn’t seen in five years—well, things get a little more complicated.
For Kai Andrews, moving back home after his mother’s death has been harder and lonelier than he anticipated. And running into McCarstle again? That had certainly never been in his plans. But he deserves a night out, away from the responsibilities and grief that have been weighing him down. Sure, it appears McCarstle still hates his guts, for reasons Kai has never quite understood. But maybe, with a decent dose of pop music and Moonie’s magic, Kai can finally, finally make Aiden smile. Just this once. Just for tonight.
As a surprising, intimate night at Moonie’s brings Aiden and Kai closer together, a winter storm moves in. And what was meant to be a simple night out turns into over 24 hours of being snowed in together. Through confessions, memories, and games of Boggle, Aiden and Kai have to figure out if this unexpected second chance at connection was merely a temporary interlude—or if they can each come out better on the other side of the storm.
But when it’s not Penelope who walks through the door at Moonie’s, but the high school nemesis Aiden hasn’t seen in five years—well, things get a little more complicated.
For Kai Andrews, moving back home after his mother’s death has been harder and lonelier than he anticipated. And running into McCarstle again? That had certainly never been in his plans. But he deserves a night out, away from the responsibilities and grief that have been weighing him down. Sure, it appears McCarstle still hates his guts, for reasons Kai has never quite understood. But maybe, with a decent dose of pop music and Moonie’s magic, Kai can finally, finally make Aiden smile. Just this once. Just for tonight.
As a surprising, intimate night at Moonie’s brings Aiden and Kai closer together, a winter storm moves in. And what was meant to be a simple night out turns into over 24 hours of being snowed in together. Through confessions, memories, and games of Boggle, Aiden and Kai have to figure out if this unexpected second chance at connection was merely a temporary interlude—or if they can each come out better on the other side of the storm.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2021
About the author
Anita Kelly
10 books1,264 followersHi there! I'm a lover of romance of all stripes, and a writer of queer contemporary HEAs, including a forthcoming three-book series published by Forever. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my wife, our kiddo, a cat who loves me a little too much sometimes, and a three-legged dog who's a real dummy with a heart of gold. I love tea and frequently eat too much ice cream and hate myself a little afterwards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
November 25, 2021
to say i'm impressed by how much heart and character work was put into this short novella would be a huge understatement. in less than 150 pages, Anita Kelly introduced two wonderful, complex, and fleshed-out characters, gave them each interesting personalities and rich histories - both together and individually - and made me care about both of these guys so, so much that my chest was aching throughout most of the book. for me to connect with characters so quickly and so wholly is not exactly an easy task, honestly... i'm such a picky reader and sometimes the smallest details can ruin a read for me nn. but oh my god did i love every second - every word - of this novella.
this is my first time reading Anita Kelly, so i really had no idea going into this if their writing style would align with my tastes or not, but, oh man, it was ultimately a -perfect- fit. i felt like this was written specifically for me, for my tastes, and it made reading this book such a wonderful experience that i didn't want to end! reading this was such a nice surprise after a string of disappointing and mediocre reads lately. five stars!!!
this is my first time reading Anita Kelly, so i really had no idea going into this if their writing style would align with my tastes or not, but, oh man, it was ultimately a -perfect- fit. i felt like this was written specifically for me, for my tastes, and it made reading this book such a wonderful experience that i didn't want to end! reading this was such a nice surprise after a string of disappointing and mediocre reads lately. five stars!!!
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March 31, 2023Second in the charming novella series. This is a sweet story of poetry geek and football star at high school, now grown up. Kai is happy as a welder, coming to terms with his bisexuality, recently lost a parent. Aiden is secure in his sexuality but his working life (poet/MFA) is a frustrating mess of uncertainty. Aiden is still carrying around some residual high school bitterness towards Kai for being popular, secure and sporty, whereas Kai is a big Dulux dog of a man who's realised he was kind of crushing on Aiden the whole time. Aiden is a tad of a jerk at points, but we believe he's learning and that's the important part. It's all very sweet and warm but with enough difficulty so it's never cloying.
September 2, 2021
PERFECTION.
This is what ALL novellas should be like. There's something so cozy and comforting about Anita Kelly's writing. I could get lost in it forever and the way she writes characters is just so beautiful. I loved my adorable little dorks, Kai and Aiden. They were soft, lovely, and just a bit angsty with each other. While both were precious, I related more to Aiden and his situation. I may or may not have cried at a certain passage describing his feelings towards life/grad school because it hit me right in the chest.
Also, there's flirting via karaoke and I did not know that that was possible. AND THE SAM & LILY CAMEO!!
Anyways, read this novella for a heart-soaring experience!
Content notes: on-page sex, loss of parent to brain cancer (off-page), grief, loss of a pet (off-page)
January 7, 2023
Everything about this book is an absolute winner and 100% checked all of my boxes. a combination of the winter, holiday vibes that tickle my brain, the childhood enemies who liked each other but didn't understand their queerness to understand what it was that they were feeling that made me screech my head off, the queer swifties that made me giggle, the queer people MY age dealing with shit I deal with that I related to, and of course, the absolute damn DELIGHT of the more,,,,spicy scenes in the book that just made me feel like I was loosing my goddamned mind. For a short novella, it completely sucked me in and infused itself into my heart. Y'all GOTTA get your hands on this one because it absolutely blew me away.
October 3, 2021
I simply adored Kai and Aiden! This novella was so cute and sweet and heartwarming! It’s steamy at times, but also incredibly intimate and personal and tender.
I usually write fairly long reviews but I can be brief about this story: JUST READ IT! You won’t be disappointed, I promise!
I usually write fairly long reviews but I can be brief about this story: JUST READ IT! You won’t be disappointed, I promise!
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 17, 2022I don't say it very often, so you can probably trust me when I say, "It's not the book, it's me."
What we have here (up to the point where I stopped) is an evening of karaoke. Which is something I know nothing about, I think it sounds horrifyingly cringe-worthy, and I don't know any of the songs that are presumably being used to communicate things about the MCs. I toughed it out to 25% because there was no reason not to — the writing was fine, the characters were interesting enough, *and* I really liked how one MC's thoughts about his belated discovery of his bisexuality were being handled.
But — I just can't connect with the musical side of things, which is pretty much the entire plot so far. Would I give this new-to-me-author another chance? Yes. But this isn't the right book for me.
What we have here (up to the point where I stopped) is an evening of karaoke. Which is something I know nothing about, I think it sounds horrifyingly cringe-worthy, and I don't know any of the songs that are presumably being used to communicate things about the MCs. I toughed it out to 25% because there was no reason not to — the writing was fine, the characters were interesting enough, *and* I really liked how one MC's thoughts about his belated discovery of his bisexuality were being handled.
But — I just can't connect with the musical side of things, which is pretty much the entire plot so far. Would I give this new-to-me-author another chance? Yes. But this isn't the right book for me.
April 12, 2024
5 stars for the second book in the series, too!
This is shaping up to become a wonderful - all time favorites - feel good - series 💕.
I love Anita Kelly's writing style, their amazing queer characters, the beautiful storylines.
This was the second novella in the series, tied only very loosely to the first installment and could be easily read as a standalone.
Aidan and Kai are such loveable and genuine feeling characters, I just wanted to hug and cuddle them.
Like the first book this, too, covers a short period of time, one snowy weekend and then one afternoon 2 weeks later.
Few authors are able to make me feel this connected with the MCs in a short story. I usually need longer to get a feeling for the story and the people in it.
This is shaping up to become a wonderful - all time favorites - feel good - series 💕.
I love Anita Kelly's writing style, their amazing queer characters, the beautiful storylines.
This was the second novella in the series, tied only very loosely to the first installment and could be easily read as a standalone.
Aidan and Kai are such loveable and genuine feeling characters, I just wanted to hug and cuddle them.
Like the first book this, too, covers a short period of time, one snowy weekend and then one afternoon 2 weeks later.
Few authors are able to make me feel this connected with the MCs in a short story. I usually need longer to get a feeling for the story and the people in it.
![Profile Image for Kati *☆･ﾟ [a bit distracted atm].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1725374710i/144158876._UY200_CR36,0,200,200_.jpg)
June 12, 2022
4.25**** stars
It really amazes me how some people (not only authors) are able to say so much with only a few words. [Unlike me who always needs a lot of words to say the simplest things or sometimes nothing at all. *lol]
Anyways. This was such an adorable little story -- that got surprisingly hot and deep in topic considering how sweet it all started.
*********
So. What happens when instead of your best friend your high school nemesis/crush meets you at your favorite (karaoke)bar? You fall in love, apperently.
And what happens when you play a little game where each of you choose the next songs for the other to sing on stage? You learn things about them you never knew before. Maybe even that they had a little crush on you, too.
And what happens when you’re suddenly snowed in and spend two nights and a whole day together? You maybe fuck it up bad.
But maybe. Maybe. You get a chance to make it right. ♡
*********
What I like about novellas in general, and this one was no exception, is that the story starts right away. Not much, if any prelude, no building up to a certain point -- you get right into it.
This really was a sweet little snack of a love story and I enjoyed it very much.
It really amazes me how some people (not only authors) are able to say so much with only a few words. [Unlike me who always needs a lot of words to say the simplest things or sometimes nothing at all. *lol]
Anyways. This was such an adorable little story -- that got surprisingly hot and deep in topic considering how sweet it all started.
*********
So. What happens when instead of your best friend your high school nemesis/crush meets you at your favorite (karaoke)bar? You fall in love, apperently.
Maybe that was why I was so angry at him all the time in high school, … because his smiles were always directed at other people. And I wanted them all for me.
And what happens when you play a little game where each of you choose the next songs for the other to sing on stage? You learn things about them you never knew before. Maybe even that they had a little crush on you, too.
"I want you in all the ways.“ Same, McCarstle. God. Fucking same.
And what happens when you’re suddenly snowed in and spend two nights and a whole day together? You maybe fuck it up bad.
But maybe. Maybe. You get a chance to make it right. ♡
*********
What I like about novellas in general, and this one was no exception, is that the story starts right away. Not much, if any prelude, no building up to a certain point -- you get right into it.
This really was a sweet little snack of a love story and I enjoyed it very much.
Maybe I needed to learn that doing a thing because you’re scared of doing anything else is likely never going to be the right choice.
August 14, 2021
Content Notes:
Might write a longer review later but I recommend OUR FAVORITE SONGS — I just preordered the ebook despite reading an arc. Occasional angst + grief discussions + mutual-past-crushes in high school + opposites attract (jock/nerd) + snowed-in m/m romance. Looooved the ties/BDSM-lite sex scenes.
I am super impressed at how complete/satisfying this novella felt. I am notoriously bitchy about holiday novellas because I love them so. It is my firm belief that they are difficult to execute and it’s hard to find good ones (this is a good one). It's honestly more wintry than Christmas-y; both characters celebrate Christmas, but the novella is entirely set weeks before the holiday (sooo... Christmas-centric? Or maybe winter-centric? Snow is important, lol. The actual holiday is not).
Excited to read Anita Kelly’s Forever debut in 2022; I only have positive things to say about their Moonlighters novellas (which is saying a lot considering I don’t even like karaoke!). The first one is fluffier/gentler, the second is angstier (still joyful and romantic, but rougher edges). Totally different tones, which means that Anita Kelly can write well across a wide range.
(Not gonna lie, the Swiftie in me screamed at a certain scene in this novella. Let’s interpret it as a Red (Taylor’s Version) Easter egg. 🧣🎶)
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Might write a longer review later but I recommend OUR FAVORITE SONGS — I just preordered the ebook despite reading an arc. Occasional angst + grief discussions + mutual-past-crushes in high school + opposites attract (jock/nerd) + snowed-in m/m romance. Looooved the ties/BDSM-lite sex scenes.
I am super impressed at how complete/satisfying this novella felt. I am notoriously bitchy about holiday novellas because I love them so. It is my firm belief that they are difficult to execute and it’s hard to find good ones (this is a good one). It's honestly more wintry than Christmas-y; both characters celebrate Christmas, but the novella is entirely set weeks before the holiday (sooo... Christmas-centric? Or maybe winter-centric? Snow is important, lol. The actual holiday is not).
Excited to read Anita Kelly’s Forever debut in 2022; I only have positive things to say about their Moonlighters novellas (which is saying a lot considering I don’t even like karaoke!). The first one is fluffier/gentler, the second is angstier (still joyful and romantic, but rougher edges). Totally different tones, which means that Anita Kelly can write well across a wide range.
(Not gonna lie, the Swiftie in me screamed at a certain scene in this novella. Let’s interpret it as a Red (Taylor’s Version) Easter egg. 🧣🎶)
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2021
DRC provided directly by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Representation: gay protagonist, bisexual protagonist.
Content Warning: depression, mentions of death, mentions of cancer, grief.
Our Favorite Songs by Anita Kelly is the second incredible novella in the Moonlighters series (I am yet to read the first one, but if it is even half as good as this one, I know I will love that too), a tear-jerking romance between two beautiful souls who meet again years after high school ended in the renowned queer karaoke bar Moonie’s, by will of a very head-strong common friend.
I will put it simply: I LOVED IT. I loved Aiden and Kai. I loved how emotional intimacy and raw carnality alternated in the narration; and I wish so very much that Anita will continue their story in a full-length novel sometime in the future, but I know that not all wishes become reality and I am happy that at least this short beautiful and emotional novella exists.
Also, while I am sad that the Moonlighters series will end once the bartender novella is out next year, I cannot wait to read it and Anita’s extremely intriguing debut Love & Other Disasters.
Representation: gay protagonist, bisexual protagonist.
Content Warning: depression, mentions of death, mentions of cancer, grief.
Our Favorite Songs by Anita Kelly is the second incredible novella in the Moonlighters series (I am yet to read the first one, but if it is even half as good as this one, I know I will love that too), a tear-jerking romance between two beautiful souls who meet again years after high school ended in the renowned queer karaoke bar Moonie’s, by will of a very head-strong common friend.
I will put it simply: I LOVED IT. I loved Aiden and Kai. I loved how emotional intimacy and raw carnality alternated in the narration; and I wish so very much that Anita will continue their story in a full-length novel sometime in the future, but I know that not all wishes become reality and I am happy that at least this short beautiful and emotional novella exists.
Also, while I am sad that the Moonlighters series will end once the bartender novella is out next year, I cannot wait to read it and Anita’s extremely intriguing debut Love & Other Disasters.
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March 26, 2023This book is the best thing that happened to me this week. It’s wild to think that a month ago I hadn’t read anything by Anita Kelly and now I only have one of their books left because I’m inhaling them so fast.
Random list of things I loved:
- Aiden is a POET and a SWIFTIE (“On the way home, I wrote a poem…”)
- So much angst
- So much snow
- ELO
- I don’t even know. Everything. All of it.
Random list of things I loved:
- Aiden is a POET and a SWIFTIE (“On the way home, I wrote a poem…”)
- So much angst
- So much snow
- ELO
- I don’t even know. Everything. All of it.
December 8, 2021
I've been really enjoying this novella series! I think I liked this a little less than the first book, but it was still really good!
August 14, 2021
*Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in return for an honest review. We are mutuals on social media and interact fairly regularly.*
I adored Anita’s debut novella Sing Anyway and it set my expectations of Our Favourite Songs pretty high - they were more than met. Their writing is *on fire* right now, in all the ways.
Aiden McCarstle and Kai Andrews haven’t seen each other since high school, except vicariously through the social media posts of their mutual friend Penelope. When Pen sneakily invites them both to the same karaoke night at Moonies, and then can’t make it herself, they’re left stranded in each other’s company. Aiden is a reluctant grad student, a poet and a frustrated dreamer at a loss for how to be happy; Kai is a metalworker, a high school soccer star who is grieving after the death of his mom. He’s sad but not in the same existential way. Aiden is gay, Kai is recently out as bi, and they think they dislike each other - or at least are so different as to never understand each other - but oh how wrong they are. A freak snowstorm leaves them stranded in each other’s company for 24 hours and gives them the time and space to reconsider their feelings.
This is a beautifully written story, told from Aiden and Kai’s alternating points of view, with careful focus on their internal lives. The structure and the setting open up spaces - Moonies, Kai’s snowed-in apartment - for things to be said and felt and acted upon that wouldn’t (couldn’t) otherwise happen. Like Sing Anyway, it’s about the magic of that first night of connection with another person but, also like SA, it uses that short time as a refraction point, to dig deep into the character’s most difficult, painful uncertainties. It feels so deep, even though it’s so short - and it really hurts in places, even while it’s also joyful. And it finds time to be very very hot amidst that, with the sex doing heavy emotional lifting. I highlighted *a lot* of passages.
I also really appreciated how Our Favourite Songs dealt with Kai’s bisexuality, including his reappraisal of his oblivious high school years (been there), his rip-the-band-aid off approach to coming out (over and over) and the way he deals with the (almost inevitable) personal questions that follow. I liked how the book centred his experience as a bi man, and avoided so many of the pitfalls of bi-rep in romance - including the ‘I realise I’m bi because of you’ trap that I’ve read too many times. There is a moment of biphobia from Aiden that hit me in the gut - I thought it was handled pretty well but if I had one niggle with the book it’s that I wanted him to acknowledge it a bit more for what it was and learn to do better.
A highly recommended series, and I can’t wait for the butch bartender’s book in spring 2022!
CWs: death of mom from brain cancer (off page, before story starts), death of dog (off page, before story starts); biphobia.
I adored Anita’s debut novella Sing Anyway and it set my expectations of Our Favourite Songs pretty high - they were more than met. Their writing is *on fire* right now, in all the ways.
Aiden McCarstle and Kai Andrews haven’t seen each other since high school, except vicariously through the social media posts of their mutual friend Penelope. When Pen sneakily invites them both to the same karaoke night at Moonies, and then can’t make it herself, they’re left stranded in each other’s company. Aiden is a reluctant grad student, a poet and a frustrated dreamer at a loss for how to be happy; Kai is a metalworker, a high school soccer star who is grieving after the death of his mom. He’s sad but not in the same existential way. Aiden is gay, Kai is recently out as bi, and they think they dislike each other - or at least are so different as to never understand each other - but oh how wrong they are. A freak snowstorm leaves them stranded in each other’s company for 24 hours and gives them the time and space to reconsider their feelings.
This is a beautifully written story, told from Aiden and Kai’s alternating points of view, with careful focus on their internal lives. The structure and the setting open up spaces - Moonies, Kai’s snowed-in apartment - for things to be said and felt and acted upon that wouldn’t (couldn’t) otherwise happen. Like Sing Anyway, it’s about the magic of that first night of connection with another person but, also like SA, it uses that short time as a refraction point, to dig deep into the character’s most difficult, painful uncertainties. It feels so deep, even though it’s so short - and it really hurts in places, even while it’s also joyful. And it finds time to be very very hot amidst that, with the sex doing heavy emotional lifting. I highlighted *a lot* of passages.
I also really appreciated how Our Favourite Songs dealt with Kai’s bisexuality, including his reappraisal of his oblivious high school years (been there), his rip-the-band-aid off approach to coming out (over and over) and the way he deals with the (almost inevitable) personal questions that follow. I liked how the book centred his experience as a bi man, and avoided so many of the pitfalls of bi-rep in romance - including the ‘I realise I’m bi because of you’ trap that I’ve read too many times. There is a moment of biphobia from Aiden that hit me in the gut - I thought it was handled pretty well but if I had one niggle with the book it’s that I wanted him to acknowledge it a bit more for what it was and learn to do better.
A highly recommended series, and I can’t wait for the butch bartender’s book in spring 2022!
CWs: death of mom from brain cancer (off page, before story starts), death of dog (off page, before story starts); biphobia.
October 26, 2023
The first half of this book was so, so good.
September 23, 2021
Rep: bi mc, gay mc
CWs: death of a parent, animal death
CWs: death of a parent, animal death
Read
June 1, 2021This is the second novella in my Moonlighters series, and it's a bit angstier than the first one, and also a decent amount snowier, as it's also my attempt at a holiday/winter novella. More info soon!
May 25, 2022
Kai met him on the second step. Took McCarstle’s face in his hands.
And swallowed his smile whole.
That's such a cute last line to an even cuter story.
And swallowed his smile whole.
That's such a cute last line to an even cuter story.
June 30, 2022
Well, that was adorable. I'm really glad that I had this hanging around cuz as soon as I finished sing anyway, I knew that I needed to read the rest of this cute little novella series.
I think that I liked this one as much as the first one but in a different way. This one felt more emotionally complex and soft and vulnerable where's the first one felt a little bit bolder in all of the emotions. This one is going to softly sweep you off your feet and make you wish for a snow day with your high school nemesis where all of a sudden You don't dislike each other as much as you may be thought you did and instead spend the day with some steamy activities but also a lot of quiet vulnerable moments.
Bisexual MC, gay MC
I think that I liked this one as much as the first one but in a different way. This one felt more emotionally complex and soft and vulnerable where's the first one felt a little bit bolder in all of the emotions. This one is going to softly sweep you off your feet and make you wish for a snow day with your high school nemesis where all of a sudden You don't dislike each other as much as you may be thought you did and instead spend the day with some steamy activities but also a lot of quiet vulnerable moments.
Bisexual MC, gay MC
March 26, 2022
Review to come.
December 13, 2021
A refreshing, well-written novella about two former high-schoolers who share a common friend and not much else . . . oh yeah, except their mutual, hidden sexual desire!
I liked the realism of calling each other sometimes by last names, sometimes by first names.
I liked the build up to their lust, creatively staged through karaoke songs.
I liked the way things play out in a snow storm.
I liked the the way their lust played out in the bedroom during the two-day snow storm.
I liked that a nerd and jock could share a horny hostility.
I did not like how their mutual friend Penelope, who had gone to the bother of setting them up, was treated like a tool, which made the two guys seem like royal dicks.
I liked the realism of calling each other sometimes by last names, sometimes by first names.
I liked the build up to their lust, creatively staged through karaoke songs.
I liked the way things play out in a snow storm.
I liked the the way their lust played out in the bedroom during the two-day snow storm.
I liked that a nerd and jock could share a horny hostility.
I did not like how their mutual friend Penelope, who had gone to the bother of setting them up, was treated like a tool, which made the two guys seem like royal dicks.
March 22, 2023
“I’d learned grief never was ideal. Never did make much sense. It hit you when you least expected it, but when you most expected it, too. It was always sort of there. You just didn’t have control over when it got loud.”
I adored Our Favorite Songs by Anita Kelly!! What an amazing novella. Loved everything about it. Kai and Aiden were magical and I wanted more. If you are looking for a quick, sweet, and sexy read, then I recommend this!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥
I adored Our Favorite Songs by Anita Kelly!! What an amazing novella. Loved everything about it. Kai and Aiden were magical and I wanted more. If you are looking for a quick, sweet, and sexy read, then I recommend this!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥
December 13, 2021
1,5 *
I want to preface this by saying that there’s nothing inherently wrong with this book(unlike some of the other books I’ve rated 1 or 2 stars.…. not naming any names). I just didn’t have a lot of fun reading this, so that’s where the rating comes from – it is purely based on my personal enjoyment. If you think you’d like this type of story, I’d actually still recommend it!
I personally disliked this book for 2 reasons:
1) I don’t feel like the story was well written.
2) This book just wasn’t for me.
I’m aware that this is technically book #2 in a series. However, I’m pretty sure you didn’t need to read book #1 to fully understand this one; maybe I’m wrong though, and reading the previous installment would’ve made this story feel more structured. Idk 😕
The premise of the book is actually kind of cute: 2 guys who had a crush on each other in school meet again years later and actually fall in love. Unfortunately, though, I don’t feel like it was well executed. The story started off really abruptly. The characters were immediately falling in love even though they hadn’t seen each other in half a decade (and previously, in school, they had never even talked! They were basically strangers!). It felt jarring, how quickly they fell in love – 10% in and they were already feeling ~the butterflies~. Even though they *technically* knew each other already, it honestly felt like love at first sight, which I 🔥hate with a passion🔥. Besides, their previous “crushes” on each other were basically just them thinking the other was cute. Kai kind of had more to go off of – he thought Aiden was cute, but also smart and interesting for writing poetry. Aiden, I’m pretty sure, just thought Kai was hot 😐. I feel like the author didn’t do a good job showing their past crush, so the relationship felt rushed, and instead of feeling like they’re rekindling their romance, it just seems like they fell in love with a stranger in 3 minutes.
Additionally, it’s constantly mentioned that they “hated each other” and were “high school nemesis”, and I straight up never understood why. Also, this “hatred” is literally never shown in any way, shape or form. It’s just said a bunch of times in the first half of the book that they were ~nemesis~ and that’s it. I’m so sick and tired of this trope – it’s super overused and it’s always so poorly done 🙄🤦🏻♀️. Plus: in other books the authors at least *try* to give some bullshit reason for the characters to hate each other and show them fighting and being petty. In this book, though, the author didn’t even try lol 😅. Didn’t explain it, didn’t show them hating each other… they literally got along instantly (and then immediately fell in love) despite being practically strangers. The enemies-to-lovers didn’t even need to be there lmaoooo.
I did think the characters’ individual stories were kind of interesting, but I ended up not caring much about them because the *insta-love whiplash* made me not like the characters that much lol.
Now for the 2nd reason I didn’t like this book: it just wasn’t for me, and I wish I had realized it before reading it. Basically, there’s a lot of explicit sexual content, which is something I’m personally not the biggest fan of, and it was more difficult to read because I didn’t like their relationship and wasn’t feeling the love between them.
If you like NSFW stuff, you might enjoy this – there’s some sub/dom shit, they tie each other up and everything lol. For me, though, it was way too much. I’m too much of a prude to like this asdfkjdjfkjfg 😅. The writing didn’t help, either: “His tongue pressed down the side of my neck, and nnrrrgghhh, that felt good.” I NEVER want to see nnrrrgghhh written in a book EVER AGAIN 😭😭😭. “Kai’s lips (…) full, erotic little pillows.” GOD NOOOOOOO 🤢💀. “God. Yes. Uuunnnngggggghhhhh good.” Goodbye y’all. 🪦
I also didn’t like that the characters interrupted cute or meaningful conversations to go have sex. It always felt so jarring. They’d be talking about some important shit and then literally say something like: “Anyhoo, let’s get back to fucking.”. It happened multiple times, and I just wasn’t a fan of it.
Something I also didn’t enjoy was Kai’s “big declaration” (???) (basically Aiden asks why Kai wants to fuck him and Kai monologues about why he likes Aiden). He just starts psychoanalyzing Aiden (saying things like “you only show who you are sometimes. Like you’re scared of it.” BITCH how do you know that???? You don’t know this man!!! Y’all met 3 hours ago 😭😭😭). And he ends that monologue with “I bet when you fuck, you let yourself be like that. So that’s why I want to fuck you.”……….. Listen. I know that that’s just him answering Aiden’s question… but holy fuck. Imagine a whole “““love””” declaration ending with “that’s why I want to fuck you” instead of “that’s why I like you” ajskhfjkd. I just wish the author had written it differently. It was so weird to read lmao 😅
Obviously there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of this. It just isn’t for me. I did enjoy, though, that the characters gave explicit consent multiple times in the book! Hell yeah!! More of that, please! Also appreciate the trigger warnings at the start.
I want to preface this by saying that there’s nothing inherently wrong with this book
I personally disliked this book for 2 reasons:
1) I don’t feel like the story was well written.
2) This book just wasn’t for me.
I’m aware that this is technically book #2 in a series. However, I’m pretty sure you didn’t need to read book #1 to fully understand this one; maybe I’m wrong though, and reading the previous installment would’ve made this story feel more structured. Idk 😕
The premise of the book is actually kind of cute: 2 guys who had a crush on each other in school meet again years later and actually fall in love. Unfortunately, though, I don’t feel like it was well executed. The story started off really abruptly. The characters were immediately falling in love even though they hadn’t seen each other in half a decade (and previously, in school, they had never even talked! They were basically strangers!). It felt jarring, how quickly they fell in love – 10% in and they were already feeling ~the butterflies~. Even though they *technically* knew each other already, it honestly felt like love at first sight, which I 🔥hate with a passion🔥. Besides, their previous “crushes” on each other were basically just them thinking the other was cute. Kai kind of had more to go off of – he thought Aiden was cute, but also smart and interesting for writing poetry. Aiden, I’m pretty sure, just thought Kai was hot 😐. I feel like the author didn’t do a good job showing their past crush, so the relationship felt rushed, and instead of feeling like they’re rekindling their romance, it just seems like they fell in love with a stranger in 3 minutes.
Additionally, it’s constantly mentioned that they “hated each other” and were “high school nemesis”, and I straight up never understood why. Also, this “hatred” is literally never shown in any way, shape or form. It’s just said a bunch of times in the first half of the book that they were ~nemesis~ and that’s it. I’m so sick and tired of this trope – it’s super overused and it’s always so poorly done 🙄🤦🏻♀️. Plus: in other books the authors at least *try* to give some bullshit reason for the characters to hate each other and show them fighting and being petty. In this book, though, the author didn’t even try lol 😅. Didn’t explain it, didn’t show them hating each other… they literally got along instantly (and then immediately fell in love) despite being practically strangers. The enemies-to-lovers didn’t even need to be there lmaoooo.
I did think the characters’ individual stories were kind of interesting, but I ended up not caring much about them because the *insta-love whiplash* made me not like the characters that much lol.
Now for the 2nd reason I didn’t like this book: it just wasn’t for me, and I wish I had realized it before reading it. Basically, there’s a lot of explicit sexual content, which is something I’m personally not the biggest fan of, and it was more difficult to read because I didn’t like their relationship and wasn’t feeling the love between them.
If you like NSFW stuff, you might enjoy this – there’s some sub/dom shit, they tie each other up and everything lol. For me, though, it was way too much. I’m too much of a prude to like this asdfkjdjfkjfg 😅. The writing didn’t help, either: “His tongue pressed down the side of my neck, and nnrrrgghhh, that felt good.” I NEVER want to see nnrrrgghhh written in a book EVER AGAIN 😭😭😭. “Kai’s lips (…) full, erotic little pillows.” GOD NOOOOOOO 🤢💀. “God. Yes. Uuunnnngggggghhhhh good.” Goodbye y’all. 🪦
I also didn’t like that the characters interrupted cute or meaningful conversations to go have sex. It always felt so jarring. They’d be talking about some important shit and then literally say something like: “Anyhoo, let’s get back to fucking.”. It happened multiple times, and I just wasn’t a fan of it.
Something I also didn’t enjoy was Kai’s “big declaration” (???) (basically Aiden asks why Kai wants to fuck him and Kai monologues about why he likes Aiden). He just starts psychoanalyzing Aiden (saying things like “you only show who you are sometimes. Like you’re scared of it.” BITCH how do you know that???? You don’t know this man!!! Y’all met 3 hours ago 😭😭😭). And he ends that monologue with “I bet when you fuck, you let yourself be like that. So that’s why I want to fuck you.”……….. Listen. I know that that’s just him answering Aiden’s question… but holy fuck. Imagine a whole “““love””” declaration ending with “that’s why I want to fuck you” instead of “that’s why I like you” ajskhfjkd. I just wish the author had written it differently. It was so weird to read lmao 😅
Obviously there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of this. It just isn’t for me. I did enjoy, though, that the characters gave explicit consent multiple times in the book! Hell yeah!! More of that, please! Also appreciate the trigger warnings at the start.
May 21, 2024
This one’s definitely my second fave from the series, hate to love and high school crush just always gets me. Also snowed in? All the good tropes!
This was very cute and surprisingly steamy for such a short novella!
I loved that there was a little more of a personal story for these two, which gave a little more context and background info.
I love that Anita now writes full length stories tho 🥰
This was very cute and surprisingly steamy for such a short novella!
I loved that there was a little more of a personal story for these two, which gave a little more context and background info.
I love that Anita now writes full length stories tho 🥰
November 11, 2021
My gosh, this was a soft, sweet, tender romance and I just adored Aiden and Kai so so much. The way these two fools thought the other one disliked them and yet, they both actually liked each other. And then Aiden acting like a jerk at the end and then coming to his senses and reaching out to Kai….gahh. I loved this book. I just really love this author’s voice a lot.
June 7, 2022
healthy escapism
January 14, 2024
I just love everything Anita Kelly writes. Aiden and Kai are just so good and I loved this.
January 9, 2024
it wasn't that bad, but it wasn't too good either, okayish read tbh
August 12, 2021
Disclaimer: I received a free eARC from the author. My reviews are always my honest opinions.
Relationship disclosure: I am mutuals with the author on social media and interact periodically.
I really fucking loved Sing Anyway, so when Anita Kelly started talking about their next Moonlighters novella I was instantly on board. A queer angstfest with a bisexual lumberjack/welder? UMM. Yes, please! Anita's writing style just seems to do it for me, you know? This is a gentle sort of angst, a hopeful melancholy (if that can be a thing).
Aiden and Kai reconnect via a mutual friend years after their initial acquaintance in high school. This novella maintains a great balance between characters remembering who they were then and who they are now; also with the super uncomfortable process of shedding that skin without forgetting where you came from. I also love to see how different writers take on the idea of memory vs. truth when characters re-meet each other after several years. I think Aiden is supposed to be the star of the show insomuch as there is one in a dual POV romance...he's grappling with so much that's central to his identity and future in a way that's very relatable for anyone who has ever questioned their purpose/place. But Kai stole the show for me. His joy, his openness, his compassion give Aiden the soft landing he needs to learn how to pick himself up and move toward something better. Plus, muscles and Henleys.
I don't often include quotes in my reviews, but this one struck me so strongly I want to offer it as incentive if for some reason you're still on the fence:
You don't have to have read Sing Anyway to enjoy Our Favorite Songs, but I wholeheartedly recommend both!
Overall rating: 5
Hannah Angst Scale™ rating: 3.25
Content notes: parental death from brain cancer, brief reference to self-harm, character comes out as bisexual to high school friends (they are accepting), on page alcohol use, on page sex, snowstorm
Relationship disclosure: I am mutuals with the author on social media and interact periodically.
I really fucking loved Sing Anyway, so when Anita Kelly started talking about their next Moonlighters novella I was instantly on board. A queer angstfest with a bisexual lumberjack/welder? UMM. Yes, please! Anita's writing style just seems to do it for me, you know? This is a gentle sort of angst, a hopeful melancholy (if that can be a thing).
Aiden and Kai reconnect via a mutual friend years after their initial acquaintance in high school. This novella maintains a great balance between characters remembering who they were then and who they are now; also with the super uncomfortable process of shedding that skin without forgetting where you came from. I also love to see how different writers take on the idea of memory vs. truth when characters re-meet each other after several years. I think Aiden is supposed to be the star of the show insomuch as there is one in a dual POV romance...he's grappling with so much that's central to his identity and future in a way that's very relatable for anyone who has ever questioned their purpose/place. But Kai stole the show for me. His joy, his openness, his compassion give Aiden the soft landing he needs to learn how to pick himself up and move toward something better. Plus, muscles and Henleys.
I don't often include quotes in my reviews, but this one struck me so strongly I want to offer it as incentive if for some reason you're still on the fence:
You don't have to have read Sing Anyway to enjoy Our Favorite Songs, but I wholeheartedly recommend both!
Overall rating: 5
Hannah Angst Scale™ rating: 3.25
Content notes: parental death from brain cancer, brief reference to self-harm, character comes out as bisexual to high school friends (they are accepting), on page alcohol use, on page sex, snowstorm
July 12, 2023
#1 sing anyway ★★★★★
#2 our favorite songs ★☆☆☆☆
#3 wherever is your heart ★☆☆☆☆
i hated aiden from the beginning for being a rude, childish wet blanket, but then he does something so unnecessary, out of the blue, cruel, and biphobic (the biphobia was so jarring and unexpected, maybe add that to your list of content warnings next time) towards the end that made me actively root against the romance. and rooting for the romance is kind of the point, so big nope.
content/trigger warnings; death of mother from cancer mentioned, self-harm mentioned, queerphobia, biphobia, grief, alcohol consumption, ableism, kissing, pet death mentioned, blizzard, explicit sexual content,
rep; kai (mc) is bisexual. aiden (mc) is gay.
there’s also a lot of refusing to communicate and be honest and upfront from one character which ends up unnecessarily hurting the other, which is also in the first novella in this series, but at least that one had two likable mcs, a romance worth rooting for, and a lot of charm and heart.
#2 our favorite songs ★☆☆☆☆
#3 wherever is your heart ★☆☆☆☆
i hated aiden from the beginning for being a rude, childish wet blanket, but then he does something so unnecessary, out of the blue, cruel, and biphobic (the biphobia was so jarring and unexpected, maybe add that to your list of content warnings next time) towards the end that made me actively root against the romance. and rooting for the romance is kind of the point, so big nope.
content/trigger warnings; death of mother from cancer mentioned, self-harm mentioned, queerphobia, biphobia, grief, alcohol consumption, ableism, kissing, pet death mentioned, blizzard, explicit sexual content,
rep; kai (mc) is bisexual. aiden (mc) is gay.
there’s also a lot of refusing to communicate and be honest and upfront from one character which ends up unnecessarily hurting the other, which is also in the first novella in this series, but at least that one had two likable mcs, a romance worth rooting for, and a lot of charm and heart.
July 17, 2024
Slightly steamier than the first book - which means that I skipped some pages of the sex scenes because, you know, I'm that reader in romance that don't mind less sex scenes - but the whole novella, despite it being short and only happened in the span of couple of days, still impressed me.
Because wow, the conversation and emotional exchange between these two... SO DELICIOUS to read. Okay, maybe more Kai rather than Aiden - Aiden at times still closed himself off to Kai, even when Kai had showed Aiden that he really saw Aiden and I was highly annoyed with Aiden for his disappearing third act... but yes, the rest was good!
And the karaoke scenes were gold, really. I didn't know some of the songs they mentioned... but that's what Youtube is for 😄
Because wow, the conversation and emotional exchange between these two... SO DELICIOUS to read. Okay, maybe more Kai rather than Aiden - Aiden at times still closed himself off to Kai, even when Kai had showed Aiden that he really saw Aiden and I was highly annoyed with Aiden for his disappearing third act... but yes, the rest was good!
And the karaoke scenes were gold, really. I didn't know some of the songs they mentioned... but that's what Youtube is for 😄
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