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The Gay Best Friend
He's always been the token gay best friend. Now, stuck between a warring bride and groom hurtling toward their one perfect day, he's finally ready to focus on something new: himself.
Domenic Marino has become an expert at code-switching between the hypermasculine and ultrafeminine worlds of his two soon-to-be-wed best friends. But this summer―reeling from his own failed engagement and tasked with attending their bachelor and bachelorette parties―he's anxious over having to play both sides.
The pressure is on. The bride wants Dom to keep things clean. The groom wants Dom to "let loose" with the guys. And Dom just wants to get out of this whole mess with his friendships intact.
But once the rowdy groomsmen show up at the beach house―including a surprise visit from the groom's old frat brother, handsome and charming PGA star Bucky Graham―chaos (and unexpected romance) quickly ensues. By the time Dom returns for the bachelorette party, he's accumulated a laundry list of secrets that threaten to destroy everything―from the wedding, to Bucky's career, to the one thing Dom hasn't been paying nearly enough attention to lately: his own life.
Domenic Marino has become an expert at code-switching between the hypermasculine and ultrafeminine worlds of his two soon-to-be-wed best friends. But this summer―reeling from his own failed engagement and tasked with attending their bachelor and bachelorette parties―he's anxious over having to play both sides.
The pressure is on. The bride wants Dom to keep things clean. The groom wants Dom to "let loose" with the guys. And Dom just wants to get out of this whole mess with his friendships intact.
But once the rowdy groomsmen show up at the beach house―including a surprise visit from the groom's old frat brother, handsome and charming PGA star Bucky Graham―chaos (and unexpected romance) quickly ensues. By the time Dom returns for the bachelorette party, he's accumulated a laundry list of secrets that threaten to destroy everything―from the wedding, to Bucky's career, to the one thing Dom hasn't been paying nearly enough attention to lately: his own life.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 572 reviews
May 14, 2023
Everything Elizabeth Everett said (read her review because it is perfection)!!!
Seriously, though, this book is too delightful for words. I think I DM'd the author WHILE I was reading that it should be marketed as "Emily Henry BUT GAY" and I still stand by that. I devoured it on a plane (the day Midnights released so it's all just a pastel haze of happiness for me) back in October, and I still think about Dominic ALL. THE. TIME.
Not only did DiDomizio create a multifaceted, relatable main character (flawed in the very best ways), but he dragged a magic wand over the entire cast and made them utterly unforgettable. (The book sent me down a rabbit hole of searching archives of ESPN- The Body Issue, so be warned. ;)
It delivered all the emotions, but my favorite thing about this book is that it is a TRUE rom-com. I cackled and snorted (much to the presumed discomfort of the man seated beside me on the plane) and delighted in the cringe-filled (see umbrella stand) race to the happy ending.
TO quote Kathleen Kelly (You've Got Mail), "Read it. I know you'll love it."
Seriously, though, this book is too delightful for words. I think I DM'd the author WHILE I was reading that it should be marketed as "Emily Henry BUT GAY" and I still stand by that. I devoured it on a plane (the day Midnights released so it's all just a pastel haze of happiness for me) back in October, and I still think about Dominic ALL. THE. TIME.
Not only did DiDomizio create a multifaceted, relatable main character (flawed in the very best ways), but he dragged a magic wand over the entire cast and made them utterly unforgettable. (The book sent me down a rabbit hole of searching archives of ESPN- The Body Issue, so be warned. ;)
It delivered all the emotions, but my favorite thing about this book is that it is a TRUE rom-com. I cackled and snorted (much to the presumed discomfort of the man seated beside me on the plane) and delighted in the cringe-filled (see umbrella stand) race to the happy ending.
TO quote Kathleen Kelly (You've Got Mail), "Read it. I know you'll love it."
May 30, 2023
Adored this one!!! The Gay Best Friend has hints from The Charm Offensive and Red White and Royal Blue, but the book that comes to mind the most is First Time for Everything.
Recently single, thirty-year-old gay Domenic (Dom) is an anxious mess and stuck between his best friends, the hypermasculine Patrick and his fiancé, the ultrafeminine Kate. When Kate asks Dom to protect Patrick from doing stupid things at his bachelor party, and Dom arrives at Kate’s bachelorette party with a bunch of secrets, his life is spiraling out of control.
The Gay Best Friend is incredibly heartwarming, captivating, and witty. Funny and almost cringe-worthy moments alternate with wonderful conversations, especially between Dom and Bucky. Because of this, the story is far more layered than you’d assume when you start reading the book. Even though Dom feels trapped, his friendship to both Patrick and Kate is so precious and this story is Dom’s personal journey to his true self. Throughout the story, I wanted to tell him desperately that he should start loving himself and doesn’t have to feel less than Patrick. I simply loved the book and Dom. In the end, I was surprised that I even liked Ted and fully agreed with the message he gave Dom. I can’t wait to read more by Nicolas Didomizio!
I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Recently single, thirty-year-old gay Domenic (Dom) is an anxious mess and stuck between his best friends, the hypermasculine Patrick and his fiancé, the ultrafeminine Kate. When Kate asks Dom to protect Patrick from doing stupid things at his bachelor party, and Dom arrives at Kate’s bachelorette party with a bunch of secrets, his life is spiraling out of control.
The Gay Best Friend is incredibly heartwarming, captivating, and witty. Funny and almost cringe-worthy moments alternate with wonderful conversations, especially between Dom and Bucky. Because of this, the story is far more layered than you’d assume when you start reading the book. Even though Dom feels trapped, his friendship to both Patrick and Kate is so precious and this story is Dom’s personal journey to his true self. Throughout the story, I wanted to tell him desperately that he should start loving himself and doesn’t have to feel less than Patrick. I simply loved the book and Dom. In the end, I was surprised that I even liked Ted and fully agreed with the message he gave Dom. I can’t wait to read more by Nicolas Didomizio!
I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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January 27, 2023
welcome to 202-Queer 🌈✨, the year where i only read queer books 🌈✨
i received an arc via edelweiss which, as you can undoubtedly see, did not influence my opinion of this book in any way, shape or form - oopsie woopsie doopsie
there isn't anything wrong with this book and i'm sure it will find it's target audience but that definitely wasn't me.
i found the first twenty percent of the story uneventfully boring. it picked up after that but that unfortunately didn't save it for me.
the "laugh-out-loud" humour was cringe at both the best and worst of times and i found the MC to be insufferable. sure, characters don't have to be likeable to have merit but i just can't take that much idiocy and lack of self-respect.
there were some very meaningful and deeply touching conversations between the MC and the LI as well as the MC and his friends but they only provided a temporary relief from the otherwise unbearable mess of a story and especially unbearable mess of (main) character(s)
the writing was decent and engaging though so if you don't suffer from hating-99%-of-romcoms-syndrome as i do and find annoying people funny, i'm sure you'll have a field day
i received an arc via edelweiss which, as you can undoubtedly see, did not influence my opinion of this book in any way, shape or form - oopsie woopsie doopsie
there isn't anything wrong with this book and i'm sure it will find it's target audience but that definitely wasn't me.
i found the first twenty percent of the story uneventfully boring. it picked up after that but that unfortunately didn't save it for me.
the "laugh-out-loud" humour was cringe at both the best and worst of times and i found the MC to be insufferable. sure, characters don't have to be likeable to have merit but i just can't take that much idiocy and lack of self-respect.
there were some very meaningful and deeply touching conversations between the MC and the LI as well as the MC and his friends but they only provided a temporary relief from the otherwise unbearable mess of a story and especially unbearable mess of (main) character(s)
the writing was decent and engaging though so if you don't suffer from hating-99%-of-romcoms-syndrome as i do and find annoying people funny, i'm sure you'll have a field day
June 13, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ SUCH A FUN SUMMER READ!!!! and it was so messy. i ate it up.
i wish it focused more on the main couple, rather than the side characters because i didn’t like them :)
but i had a great time! will be reading more by this author!!!
i wish it focused more on the main couple, rather than the side characters because i didn’t like them :)
but i had a great time! will be reading more by this author!!!
December 7, 2022
I would like to begin by saying that if the world was ending and there was probably only ONE book you could read before it, I would easily pick this one and ask you to do the same. And hey, I am not exaggerating even one bit. I am in absolute awe of how incredible this book was and how it engrossed me so much that I had to take a half day off from work just because I couldn't stop thinking about it. No kidding.
The Gay Best-Friend, what an appropriate title for a book that is about a gay protagonist who finds himself torn between his two best friends who happen to be getting married and he has to keep up with both the groom and bride whilst also trying to get over his own breakup with his fiancé and an unexpected lover that may or may not tear down everything he holds so dear to him. In retrospect, this book is about so much more than what I have tried to sum up in a line.
So while I will be recording myself and restarting my BookTube just to share more detailed thoughts about this book, I have to share a few things in no particular order that absolutely had me gushing, laughing, and at times, even tearing up while reading this.
1. I have been a huge sucker to find stories of LGBTQ+ men with straight men as friends or with a bromance angle. It is something that I, as an out and proud bi guy have always struggled with. Hence, much like most things, I look at art, books, and movies to both find inspiration and fill the hole of what I never had. This book touched my heart with its genuine, extremely layered, and nuanced friendship between the 'gay with humble beginnings MC' and his 'straight rich childhood best friend'. To some, it may sound a little cliché, and you know what, maybe it is. But that's not the point. The fact that friendships like that between Dom and Patrick exist and that it goes far beyond what meets the eye to an outsider is enough to begin a conversation about how this is probably one of the few books that I have read in my lifetime that has been able to do it and do it so well. Not to forget the fact that how you deal with the trials and tribulations life throws at you with something as fundamental as being straight or not and the consequences it brings forth has been portrayed so realistically and beautifully that I cannot sing enough praises.
2. The complexity in the undertone that is very skillfully woven into the narrative about being a person who deals with anxiety and overthinking is authentic to a point where at times I almost felt that I was not reading about Dom but an extension of me. I often wonder what makes a character special or just someone whom you would grow to care and root for, and this book has just put things in perspective for me. It is the little things. It's how you react when you are faced with something that you don't want to be dealing with but you have no way out so you muster whatever you have inside you, including chugging some alcohol if it's available, and you do you. It's about the thoughtfulness behind how you tend to respond and react to people who you love and care about. It's about being there for your friend and family in both little and big ways and a hundred other things that you would come to see if you read this book.
3. I absolutely cannot not speak about the impeccable romance and chemistry between the MC and the love interest. It had me on my toes right from the start. From enemies-t0-lovers, forced proximity, jock and nerd, forbidden love, to 'falling in for the celebrity' - IT HAS IT ALL and HOW!!!! Oh my god, I still reeling from what I just read! Very early on in this book, I had this strange little feeling, a feeling that I have longed to feel for some time considering this year hasn't been great for me in terms of how many books I have read or the kind of books I have read, and this is a feeling - a warm, happy, and almost trippy just by reading a story - hasn't happened since Casey McQusiton's Red White and Royal Blue or Kevin Van Whye's Date Me Bryson Keller. These two books are my absolute all-time favorite reads. Hell, I even have a 'history, huh?' tattoo on my forearm. But this book right here, in my very real, uncut, and raw honesty is probably the better of these two. I am not saying this because I just got off reading it right now but simply because, in totality, this book and the story it tells has far more layers, plots, themes, and topics that it touches upon, and how sensitively and thoughtfully it touches upon them is what matters in the end.
Okay so now this anyway a little too long of a review so I'll end it here for now by saying that please wait for my YouTube review where I would go gaga about this book in much more depth and tell you 10 more reasons why YOU SHOULD DROP EVERYTHING AND READ THIS LIKE RGHT NOW.
Thank you Sourcebooks and Penguin Random House India and Southeast Asia for giving me a chance to read this book as early as this. I am grateful. A big thank you to the author - Nicolas DiDomizio, for writing this thoughtful, well-crafted, and heartwarming story, I couldn't get enough. I had a lovely time reading this as I am an addict who needed to get off by finishing it as quickly as I did (and I am naturally a slow reader) and for all the beautiful emotions that you were able to stir within me by sharing this story with all of us. Take a big ass bow!
The Gay Best-Friend, what an appropriate title for a book that is about a gay protagonist who finds himself torn between his two best friends who happen to be getting married and he has to keep up with both the groom and bride whilst also trying to get over his own breakup with his fiancé and an unexpected lover that may or may not tear down everything he holds so dear to him. In retrospect, this book is about so much more than what I have tried to sum up in a line.
So while I will be recording myself and restarting my BookTube just to share more detailed thoughts about this book, I have to share a few things in no particular order that absolutely had me gushing, laughing, and at times, even tearing up while reading this.
1. I have been a huge sucker to find stories of LGBTQ+ men with straight men as friends or with a bromance angle. It is something that I, as an out and proud bi guy have always struggled with. Hence, much like most things, I look at art, books, and movies to both find inspiration and fill the hole of what I never had. This book touched my heart with its genuine, extremely layered, and nuanced friendship between the 'gay with humble beginnings MC' and his 'straight rich childhood best friend'. To some, it may sound a little cliché, and you know what, maybe it is. But that's not the point. The fact that friendships like that between Dom and Patrick exist and that it goes far beyond what meets the eye to an outsider is enough to begin a conversation about how this is probably one of the few books that I have read in my lifetime that has been able to do it and do it so well. Not to forget the fact that how you deal with the trials and tribulations life throws at you with something as fundamental as being straight or not and the consequences it brings forth has been portrayed so realistically and beautifully that I cannot sing enough praises.
2. The complexity in the undertone that is very skillfully woven into the narrative about being a person who deals with anxiety and overthinking is authentic to a point where at times I almost felt that I was not reading about Dom but an extension of me. I often wonder what makes a character special or just someone whom you would grow to care and root for, and this book has just put things in perspective for me. It is the little things. It's how you react when you are faced with something that you don't want to be dealing with but you have no way out so you muster whatever you have inside you, including chugging some alcohol if it's available, and you do you. It's about the thoughtfulness behind how you tend to respond and react to people who you love and care about. It's about being there for your friend and family in both little and big ways and a hundred other things that you would come to see if you read this book.
3. I absolutely cannot not speak about the impeccable romance and chemistry between the MC and the love interest. It had me on my toes right from the start. From enemies-t0-lovers, forced proximity, jock and nerd, forbidden love, to 'falling in for the celebrity' - IT HAS IT ALL and HOW!!!! Oh my god, I still reeling from what I just read! Very early on in this book, I had this strange little feeling, a feeling that I have longed to feel for some time considering this year hasn't been great for me in terms of how many books I have read or the kind of books I have read, and this is a feeling - a warm, happy, and almost trippy just by reading a story - hasn't happened since Casey McQusiton's Red White and Royal Blue or Kevin Van Whye's Date Me Bryson Keller. These two books are my absolute all-time favorite reads. Hell, I even have a 'history, huh?' tattoo on my forearm. But this book right here, in my very real, uncut, and raw honesty is probably the better of these two. I am not saying this because I just got off reading it right now but simply because, in totality, this book and the story it tells has far more layers, plots, themes, and topics that it touches upon, and how sensitively and thoughtfully it touches upon them is what matters in the end.
Okay so now this anyway a little too long of a review so I'll end it here for now by saying that please wait for my YouTube review where I would go gaga about this book in much more depth and tell you 10 more reasons why YOU SHOULD DROP EVERYTHING AND READ THIS LIKE RGHT NOW.
Thank you Sourcebooks and Penguin Random House India and Southeast Asia for giving me a chance to read this book as early as this. I am grateful. A big thank you to the author - Nicolas DiDomizio, for writing this thoughtful, well-crafted, and heartwarming story, I couldn't get enough. I had a lovely time reading this as I am an addict who needed to get off by finishing it as quickly as I did (and I am naturally a slow reader) and for all the beautiful emotions that you were able to stir within me by sharing this story with all of us. Take a big ass bow!
June 11, 2023
2.5*
I'm like, so mad.
More to come tomorrow because it's 2 fucking am and I can't.
Okay, it's the next day and I feel like I'm going to be able to put my thoughts together and write a (hopefully) semi-coherent review about the first and only book I've read in ONE SINGULAR day, in my entire life.
Seriously, I picked it up at 10:30 am and I finished it at 2 am, on the same day.
What the actual fuck?
I'll start off with the pros because while yes, I did rate it 2.5 stars, there are still some pros in the mix:
. I don't know what the author put in this book (crack cocaine), because I literally couldn't stop reading it.
And trust me, I've tried to put it down but my body was like nah nah, you're going to keep reading it until it's finished, baby.
This book, or maybe it's the writing style, idk, is addictive as fuck.
. This might not seem like a pro, but to me it kind of is, but this book is very fucking unhinged.
And by unhinged, I mean UNHINGED in all capitals.
It was crazy and unhinged (yes, again, shut up) and addictive and wild and just so fucking absurd, I couldn't leave it alone.
. The humor and the pop culture references, while some may believe it's sort of outdated and cringy, was absolutely phenomenal, in my not so humble opinion.
The author's humor and references and metaphors and just everything was top notch and it had me cackling throughout the entire reading experience.
. Even though I believe these people should not be friends, I did like how the author got all three of them to admit to their wrongdoings and kinda sorta fix their cracked relationships.
Like, that scene was a bit therapeutic to me, because this book was genuinely driving me crazy, both in the good way and the bad one, and that scene managed to soothe the headache that was forming by the time I got to it lol.
. This will be going in both the pros AND the cons section: there's not a single likeable character in this book and I do not know whether it was intentional or not.
Off to the cons:
. I'll start by saying that I genuinely did not think that any of the characters introduced in this book are likeable.
Dom, our main character, is so fucking insufferable and whiny and irritating and just grates on your nerves, in a way, and I just could NOT with him.
Throughout the entire book, motherfucker just whines and complains about everything, from his poor upbringing to being unable to compete with Patrick and be on the same level as him, to even blaming it on his fucking friend when it's entirely his fault because he's put himself in that situation.
What infuriates me is that I can understand where he's coming from, but he's spent so much time in this book just making himself sound like the most unlikeable gay I've ever encountered, that there are zero redeeming qualities to him.
He's also such a people pleaser and such a doormat, that of course he's easily manipulated into getting in the middle of his bestfriends's relationship.
. Now, as for the other three, Patrick, Kate and Bucky, genuinely, not one of them is even remotely likeable.
Patrick is an entitled rich boy who always gets what he wants, and he just lies to his fiancé and manipulates his alleged bestfriend to keep his secrets for him.
Kate just balatantly uses Dom for her schemes and throws him in the middle of her (many) issues with her fiancé.
Bucky has to be one of the absolute worst "love interests" I've ever encountered. Extremely closeted, which I 100% understand, who uses Dom for sex before ghosting him and then proceeds to manipulate doormat Dom for the entirety of the second half of the book, before convincing him to get into a lust based fuckbuddy situation that has no future.
I strongly, strongly disliked Bucky and one of my biggest issues with this book is how Dom never had the balls to realize that even he deserves better than that and just continues to pursue the whole thing.
. So Dom and Bucky have TWO conversations and a round of oral sex, and apparently that's enough for Dom to become obsessed with Bucky (which is understandable, at least) and for Bucky to "fall in love" with Dom... While the first part is understandable, you're really trying to tell me that the gaslighter fell in love with Dom after having had TWO conversations with him in this book?
Child, please.
. Spoiler, but if it weren't for Bucky getting outed, Dom and him would've never gotten together and to me, that's the worst possible solution for these two bitches to get together.
. Dom's friendship with Kate and Patrick should've ended by the end of this book, but it didn't, so it's a negative for me.
Like, these people absolutely should not be friends and you cannot tell me otherwise.
Overall, this one is very tricky for me.
The rating is low, obviously, but I can't say that I don't recommend it, because it was a complusively addictive and unhinged journey that I did enjoy, for the most part, so I'll say that I do recommend it but proceed with caution, because it may drive your asses crazy like it did mine.
I'm like, so mad.
More to come tomorrow because it's 2 fucking am and I can't.
Okay, it's the next day and I feel like I'm going to be able to put my thoughts together and write a (hopefully) semi-coherent review about the first and only book I've read in ONE SINGULAR day, in my entire life.
Seriously, I picked it up at 10:30 am and I finished it at 2 am, on the same day.
What the actual fuck?
I'll start off with the pros because while yes, I did rate it 2.5 stars, there are still some pros in the mix:
. I don't know what the author put in this book (crack cocaine), because I literally couldn't stop reading it.
And trust me, I've tried to put it down but my body was like nah nah, you're going to keep reading it until it's finished, baby.
This book, or maybe it's the writing style, idk, is addictive as fuck.
. This might not seem like a pro, but to me it kind of is, but this book is very fucking unhinged.
And by unhinged, I mean UNHINGED in all capitals.
It was crazy and unhinged (yes, again, shut up) and addictive and wild and just so fucking absurd, I couldn't leave it alone.
. The humor and the pop culture references, while some may believe it's sort of outdated and cringy, was absolutely phenomenal, in my not so humble opinion.
The author's humor and references and metaphors and just everything was top notch and it had me cackling throughout the entire reading experience.
. Even though I believe these people should not be friends, I did like how the author got all three of them to admit to their wrongdoings and kinda sorta fix their cracked relationships.
Like, that scene was a bit therapeutic to me, because this book was genuinely driving me crazy, both in the good way and the bad one, and that scene managed to soothe the headache that was forming by the time I got to it lol.
. This will be going in both the pros AND the cons section: there's not a single likeable character in this book and I do not know whether it was intentional or not.
Off to the cons:
. I'll start by saying that I genuinely did not think that any of the characters introduced in this book are likeable.
Dom, our main character, is so fucking insufferable and whiny and irritating and just grates on your nerves, in a way, and I just could NOT with him.
Throughout the entire book, motherfucker just whines and complains about everything, from his poor upbringing to being unable to compete with Patrick and be on the same level as him, to even blaming it on his fucking friend when it's entirely his fault because he's put himself in that situation.
What infuriates me is that I can understand where he's coming from, but he's spent so much time in this book just making himself sound like the most unlikeable gay I've ever encountered, that there are zero redeeming qualities to him.
He's also such a people pleaser and such a doormat, that of course he's easily manipulated into getting in the middle of his bestfriends's relationship.
. Now, as for the other three, Patrick, Kate and Bucky, genuinely, not one of them is even remotely likeable.
Patrick is an entitled rich boy who always gets what he wants, and he just lies to his fiancé and manipulates his alleged bestfriend to keep his secrets for him.
Kate just balatantly uses Dom for her schemes and throws him in the middle of her (many) issues with her fiancé.
Bucky has to be one of the absolute worst "love interests" I've ever encountered. Extremely closeted, which I 100% understand, who uses Dom for sex before ghosting him and then proceeds to manipulate doormat Dom for the entirety of the second half of the book, before convincing him to get into a lust based fuckbuddy situation that has no future.
I strongly, strongly disliked Bucky and one of my biggest issues with this book is how Dom never had the balls to realize that even he deserves better than that and just continues to pursue the whole thing.
. So Dom and Bucky have TWO conversations and a round of oral sex, and apparently that's enough for Dom to become obsessed with Bucky (which is understandable, at least) and for Bucky to "fall in love" with Dom... While the first part is understandable, you're really trying to tell me that the gaslighter fell in love with Dom after having had TWO conversations with him in this book?
Child, please.
. Spoiler, but if it weren't for Bucky getting outed, Dom and him would've never gotten together and to me, that's the worst possible solution for these two bitches to get together.
. Dom's friendship with Kate and Patrick should've ended by the end of this book, but it didn't, so it's a negative for me.
Like, these people absolutely should not be friends and you cannot tell me otherwise.
Overall, this one is very tricky for me.
The rating is low, obviously, but I can't say that I don't recommend it, because it was a complusively addictive and unhinged journey that I did enjoy, for the most part, so I'll say that I do recommend it but proceed with caution, because it may drive your asses crazy like it did mine.
June 2, 2023
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
“'Son, worryin’ only gives small things big shadows.’ You can’t control what everyone else does out there. So just get out on that course and do your thing.”
I know it's called The Gay Best Friend, but there were so many aspects to Domenic Marino's personality that resonated so very much with me. That as much as it was a chaotic, emotionally-strung, and very messy depiction of how friendships can be wrecked over one summer, Dom's voice through Nicolas DiDomizio's skillful prose - while often times, a bit annoying - was so very much real, and honest, to a fault.
It's not easy being stuck between two best friends - having to take sides - deciding which secret is easy to reveal over the other - who to protect from the lies - how to behave differently with each group - all the while, trying to balance his own emotional levels of a wedding break-up and the potential for a blossoming romance.
“There’s something special about being able to float between their two worlds so seamlessly—indulging both the hypermasculine and ultrafeminine sides of myself. It wasn’t until this summer—when they each expected my allegiance to fall expressly on one side—that I started to resent
it so much.”
There were times when I wanted to shake Dom and tell him to snap out of it and behave in a sensible fashion - there were moments when his behavior and comments irritated me and I felt compelled to see him as the bad guy. And there were the scenes where I saw myself in him that made me realize why I was being so affected by him - how much I have this innate desire to be a 'people pleaser', to want to avoid conflict at all cost, to preserve friendships without hurting the other. 😔
All those self-deprecating comments, that feeling of not seeing your own self-worth, not seeing himself at the same level as his rich friends, not being able to have his ideal romantic ending - I really have to commend the author for bringing out so much versatility to his personality. 👍🏻
“Why do I have to be the kind of man who—instead of accepting casual sex for what it is— involuntarily scribbles hearts on his mental composition book?
Then again, this wasn’t just an anonymous hookup. It was a transformative moment of passion with the unlikeliest of partners.”
As much as I enjoyed Dom and Bucky's the steady way in which their relationship progressed - my heart did go out to Dom. He really did have bad luck with romance - so very jaded by his past that he just never could find a guy who would openly love him and accept him, as he was. Bucky was - I liked him, but I still didn't like how he treated Dom - it took courage to do what he eventually did, but I didn't like that Dom would just succumb to his demands, simply because he craved love and attention - even if he was attracted to him.
I'm glad towards the end, Dom realized that he could still love someone and love himself, too. 🥺 And funnily enough, for a story that didn't shy away from having plenty of lewd and provocative dialogue, the romance was relatively fade to black; which I guess, the author was trying to keep it as tame as possible, compared to all the overly outlandish displays of everything else was happening. 🙄
“Thanks so much for everything. I know this was a bitch of a summer. But I love you and I’m so glad you’re here today.”
All the side characters were so loud and energetic and full of life - that it felt like a group of friends who had gathered together to celebrate the wedding between their friends. Kate, Patrick, Bucky, even Ted had their share of making me want to yell at them to back off from Dom and quit blaming him for everything - literally making him to be the scapegoat for everything that was going wrong, but I felt so relieved that it worked out well in the end.
The balance between both groups with Dom, acting not as a buffer, but someone who could have a hand in 'the best of both worlds' was so lively portrayed, even if it it did affect him the way that it did. It just read so real - it was so believable to see them experience the highs and lows of the truths that come out right before a big step in their lives and finding a way to find a balance that works well for everyone. 🫂✨
“Hearts don’t think. I’d say this thing between you and me is proof of that.”
It was only three months, but inadvertently, Dom made each of them brought a change to their lives - perhaps, for the better, but mostly, to be honest with themselves. 🙏🏻 And for Dom to understand that his own happiness, his own life should matter to - that he is worth their time and friendship - that he has a lot to offer without trying to live up to what other people expect of him.
There were a few moments in the beginning, when I really considered bowing out of the read - there was too much of the behavior of Dom's friends at Patrick's bachelor party that unnerved me and Kate being so pushy and demanding with Dom, pestering him for more information, just grated on me. But, this was friendship - as chaotic it was - there was the undercurrent of friendship present in the writing that made me hopeful that things would work out well in a relatable believable way. And it may not have been perfect - but I appreciated how honest and real this book felt, how you could just care for Dom - even with all his own personal misgivings. 💕
“'Son, worryin’ only gives small things big shadows.’ You can’t control what everyone else does out there. So just get out on that course and do your thing.”
I know it's called The Gay Best Friend, but there were so many aspects to Domenic Marino's personality that resonated so very much with me. That as much as it was a chaotic, emotionally-strung, and very messy depiction of how friendships can be wrecked over one summer, Dom's voice through Nicolas DiDomizio's skillful prose - while often times, a bit annoying - was so very much real, and honest, to a fault.
It's not easy being stuck between two best friends - having to take sides - deciding which secret is easy to reveal over the other - who to protect from the lies - how to behave differently with each group - all the while, trying to balance his own emotional levels of a wedding break-up and the potential for a blossoming romance.
“There’s something special about being able to float between their two worlds so seamlessly—indulging both the hypermasculine and ultrafeminine sides of myself. It wasn’t until this summer—when they each expected my allegiance to fall expressly on one side—that I started to resent
it so much.”
There were times when I wanted to shake Dom and tell him to snap out of it and behave in a sensible fashion - there were moments when his behavior and comments irritated me and I felt compelled to see him as the bad guy. And there were the scenes where I saw myself in him that made me realize why I was being so affected by him - how much I have this innate desire to be a 'people pleaser', to want to avoid conflict at all cost, to preserve friendships without hurting the other. 😔
All those self-deprecating comments, that feeling of not seeing your own self-worth, not seeing himself at the same level as his rich friends, not being able to have his ideal romantic ending - I really have to commend the author for bringing out so much versatility to his personality. 👍🏻
“Why do I have to be the kind of man who—instead of accepting casual sex for what it is— involuntarily scribbles hearts on his mental composition book?
Then again, this wasn’t just an anonymous hookup. It was a transformative moment of passion with the unlikeliest of partners.”
As much as I enjoyed Dom and Bucky's the steady way in which their relationship progressed - my heart did go out to Dom. He really did have bad luck with romance - so very jaded by his past that he just never could find a guy who would openly love him and accept him, as he was. Bucky was - I liked him, but I still didn't like how he treated Dom - it took courage to do what he eventually did, but I didn't like that Dom would just succumb to his demands, simply because he craved love and attention - even if he was attracted to him.
I'm glad towards the end, Dom realized that he could still love someone and love himself, too. 🥺 And funnily enough, for a story that didn't shy away from having plenty of lewd and provocative dialogue, the romance was relatively fade to black; which I guess, the author was trying to keep it as tame as possible, compared to all the overly outlandish displays of everything else was happening. 🙄
“Thanks so much for everything. I know this was a bitch of a summer. But I love you and I’m so glad you’re here today.”
All the side characters were so loud and energetic and full of life - that it felt like a group of friends who had gathered together to celebrate the wedding between their friends. Kate, Patrick, Bucky, even Ted had their share of making me want to yell at them to back off from Dom and quit blaming him for everything - literally making him to be the scapegoat for everything that was going wrong, but I felt so relieved that it worked out well in the end.
The balance between both groups with Dom, acting not as a buffer, but someone who could have a hand in 'the best of both worlds' was so lively portrayed, even if it it did affect him the way that it did. It just read so real - it was so believable to see them experience the highs and lows of the truths that come out right before a big step in their lives and finding a way to find a balance that works well for everyone. 🫂✨
“Hearts don’t think. I’d say this thing between you and me is proof of that.”
It was only three months, but inadvertently, Dom made each of them brought a change to their lives - perhaps, for the better, but mostly, to be honest with themselves. 🙏🏻 And for Dom to understand that his own happiness, his own life should matter to - that he is worth their time and friendship - that he has a lot to offer without trying to live up to what other people expect of him.
There were a few moments in the beginning, when I really considered bowing out of the read - there was too much of the behavior of Dom's friends at Patrick's bachelor party that unnerved me and Kate being so pushy and demanding with Dom, pestering him for more information, just grated on me. But, this was friendship - as chaotic it was - there was the undercurrent of friendship present in the writing that made me hopeful that things would work out well in a relatable believable way. And it may not have been perfect - but I appreciated how honest and real this book felt, how you could just care for Dom - even with all his own personal misgivings. 💕
August 22, 2023
Okay so my review game has been pretty much non existent for over a year now, but I can't leave this book without a review. Because I'm pretty sure this is going to be one of my favorite books of the year... If not the favorite book of the year.
As I'm mainly a romance reader I wasn't too sure about starting this knowing after having read some reviews that the romance takes the backseat. It does. Did I wish there was more? Absolutely. Did I wish Dominic and Bucky got a HEA instead of a HFN, yes I did and Nicolas DiDomizio - if you read this, I would not be unhappy if you ever decide to give these guys another go, just saying. I'm being greedy.
What this book did though was grabbing me by the tale of friendship and what queer people have to do to fit in, in a society not made for us to do just that. With extremely well thought out characters and scenarios DiDomizio managed to make it relatable not only for me but I think many, many people out there. Not only that, it's also really funny. I laughed and I cried and then I laughed and cried a little again. I wish this book would've existed ten years ago but I'm happy it does exist now.
The Gay Best Friend is going straight to my "Can I reread this straight away" shelf, for sure.
As I'm mainly a romance reader I wasn't too sure about starting this knowing after having read some reviews that the romance takes the backseat. It does. Did I wish there was more? Absolutely. Did I wish Dominic and Bucky got a HEA instead of a HFN, yes I did and Nicolas DiDomizio - if you read this, I would not be unhappy if you ever decide to give these guys another go, just saying. I'm being greedy.
What this book did though was grabbing me by the tale of friendship and what queer people have to do to fit in, in a society not made for us to do just that. With extremely well thought out characters and scenarios DiDomizio managed to make it relatable not only for me but I think many, many people out there. Not only that, it's also really funny. I laughed and I cried and then I laughed and cried a little again. I wish this book would've existed ten years ago but I'm happy it does exist now.
The Gay Best Friend is going straight to my "Can I reread this straight away" shelf, for sure.
May 25, 2023
This was a quick and enjoyable read, but I never fully fell in love with it. I did think that the plot about a gay man feeling torn between his straight best friends, Patrick & Kate, and the way he expresses himself around them to be interesting. Having the story be centered around Dom attending both their bachelor and bachelorette trips added a lot of messy intrigue to the story. There’s also a romance subplot within the book, but I found that to be a bit underdeveloped.
I feel like this could’ve been a stronger book if it was even more focused on Dom’s feelings towards his friends, the struggles of feeling caught between the two of them, the idea of him being the token gay friend, and his ambition to live a certain life based on the status of other people. I liked the idea of the romance, but I didn’t really feel the chemistry between Dom and Bucky. Also, where the romance ends up felt super rushed to me. It introduced plot points but then never fully explored their ramifications.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like this could’ve been a stronger book if it was even more focused on Dom’s feelings towards his friends, the struggles of feeling caught between the two of them, the idea of him being the token gay friend, and his ambition to live a certain life based on the status of other people. I liked the idea of the romance, but I didn’t really feel the chemistry between Dom and Bucky. Also, where the romance ends up felt super rushed to me. It introduced plot points but then never fully explored their ramifications.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2023
This book was so freaking clever and witty and funny I can’t even. I laughed so much.
The main character is a gay guy dealing with a lot of normal gay issues and I love how this book tackles some of those issues that a lot of people tend to ignore.
I was skeptical about the romance at first but in the end I thought it was cute. A story we don’t often get about a famous jock coming out in his thirties.
I definitely will recommend this book to everyone I love it so much.
PSA TO ALL THE HUSSY’S RATING THIS BOOK LOW: if your issue is an “unlikeable MC” and he’s literally just gay and dealing with the hand he’s been delt? Check your homophobia babes. Barf.
The main character is a gay guy dealing with a lot of normal gay issues and I love how this book tackles some of those issues that a lot of people tend to ignore.
I was skeptical about the romance at first but in the end I thought it was cute. A story we don’t often get about a famous jock coming out in his thirties.
I definitely will recommend this book to everyone I love it so much.
PSA TO ALL THE HUSSY’S RATING THIS BOOK LOW: if your issue is an “unlikeable MC” and he’s literally just gay and dealing with the hand he’s been delt? Check your homophobia babes. Barf.
May 27, 2023
Kudos to whoever wrote the ad copy for The Gay Best Friend, because that person picked up on all the potential of DiDomizio's premise: Dom, a gay man from a working-class family, is trapped by his own friendships and aspirations into acting bro-ey with the bros and best-girlfriendy with the straight woman friend, and into becoming a lawyer (class aspirations!) and abandoning the piano, to which his heart belongs. Just before The Gay Best Friend begins, this carefully constructed life has begun to implode: Dom's fiance calls off their wedding.
I don't get the feeling that the author wrote this as a potboiler but rather because the story was close to his heart, and I wish he had had the benefit of significant structural editing and line editing. A strong line editor would have saved him from wince-producers like "eyebrows ... in a bubbling rage" and eyes "narrow[ing] to a desperate squint," and might have pointed out problems like the exchange between Kate and Dom in which he speaks of her and her friends as a coven. She takes offense at the implication that they're witches, which she calls misogynistic, except that ... the idea that "witch" is an insult is in itself misogynistic, no? But these are details.
It's on the level of structure and characterization that things fall apart. Both the straight (and "straight") men at the opening bachelor party, organized by Dom for his childhood best friend, Patrick, are utterly awful, which may or may not be unrealistic but made it so unpleasant to spend time with them that I started to lose sympathy with Dom for being such a doormat. This may be partly the narrator's fault: he really leans into the bro-speak, and a different reading of the men's dialogue might come off less toxic.
But I loathed Kate, too. She pressures Dom to report on Patrick's bachelor-party activities, lets him know that he was Patrick's second choice of best man, and hounds him into revealing the details of his drunken hookup with one of the men at the party, despite Dom's clearly expressed reluctance.
I do see that the point of both sets of characters -- the bachelor-party crew, and Kate and her friends -- is precisely that Dom is subverting his own well-being to the project of pleasing them, but they have no apparent redeeming traits. Patrick defended Dom when they were kids -- well, that was then, this is now, and right now he seems to be a lying douchebro. Kate apologizes for some of her behavior toward Dom -- well, yeah, but her behavior is so abominable that it's hard to take the apology seriously. By an hour into the audiobook I just wanted to kick Dom in the pants for wasting his life on these people.
Two other points.
1. The other men at the party have hired strippers, one of whom bullies Dom first into letting her give him a lap dance (and who gropes him, noting that he's not hard) and then into licking off her whipped-cream bikini (he's worried about whipped cream staining the rug in the fancy beach house where the party's being held). You know where I'm going with this: it's sexual assault. Yes, it's another instance of Dom as a doormat, yes, the point is he's being ridiculous about a rug that is none of his responsibility, but no one is obliged to be a paragon of assertiveness in order to avoid being pushed into a sexual encounter he doesn't want. The episode is played for laughs but it's excruciating.
2. When Dom and Bucky have sex they discuss Bucky's sexuality -- he's in denial, of course. But what he's in denial about is being "gay." Er. Sure, he might be a Kinsey 6 who's been faking it completely up to this point in his life, but how come bisexuality doesn't cross either of their minds as an option? This conversation struck me as such a throwback to the 1970s, when the party line was that bisexuals didn't exist and people calling themselves bisexual were just on their way out of the closet.
I stopped listening at about 45%, so for all I know some or all of the issues I describe were resolved by the book's end (does Dom dump his awful "friends"? does Bucky come out as pan?). But you really have to give your audience something to hang on to in situations as cringey and outright poisonous as these. I just couldn't find that something here.
Thanks to Dreamscape and NetGalley for the audio ARC.
I don't get the feeling that the author wrote this as a potboiler but rather because the story was close to his heart, and I wish he had had the benefit of significant structural editing and line editing. A strong line editor would have saved him from wince-producers like "eyebrows ... in a bubbling rage" and eyes "narrow[ing] to a desperate squint," and might have pointed out problems like the exchange between Kate and Dom in which he speaks of her and her friends as a coven. She takes offense at the implication that they're witches, which she calls misogynistic, except that ... the idea that "witch" is an insult is in itself misogynistic, no? But these are details.
It's on the level of structure and characterization that things fall apart. Both the straight (and "straight") men at the opening bachelor party, organized by Dom for his childhood best friend, Patrick, are utterly awful, which may or may not be unrealistic but made it so unpleasant to spend time with them that I started to lose sympathy with Dom for being such a doormat. This may be partly the narrator's fault: he really leans into the bro-speak, and a different reading of the men's dialogue might come off less toxic.
But I loathed Kate, too. She pressures Dom to report on Patrick's bachelor-party activities, lets him know that he was Patrick's second choice of best man, and hounds him into revealing the details of his drunken hookup with one of the men at the party, despite Dom's clearly expressed reluctance.
I do see that the point of both sets of characters -- the bachelor-party crew, and Kate and her friends -- is precisely that Dom is subverting his own well-being to the project of pleasing them, but they have no apparent redeeming traits. Patrick defended Dom when they were kids -- well, that was then, this is now, and right now he seems to be a lying douchebro. Kate apologizes for some of her behavior toward Dom -- well, yeah, but her behavior is so abominable that it's hard to take the apology seriously. By an hour into the audiobook I just wanted to kick Dom in the pants for wasting his life on these people.
Two other points.
1. The other men at the party have hired strippers, one of whom bullies Dom first into letting her give him a lap dance (and who gropes him, noting that he's not hard) and then into licking off her whipped-cream bikini (he's worried about whipped cream staining the rug in the fancy beach house where the party's being held). You know where I'm going with this: it's sexual assault. Yes, it's another instance of Dom as a doormat, yes, the point is he's being ridiculous about a rug that is none of his responsibility, but no one is obliged to be a paragon of assertiveness in order to avoid being pushed into a sexual encounter he doesn't want. The episode is played for laughs but it's excruciating.
2. When Dom and Bucky have sex they discuss Bucky's sexuality -- he's in denial, of course. But what he's in denial about is being "gay." Er. Sure, he might be a Kinsey 6 who's been faking it completely up to this point in his life, but how come bisexuality doesn't cross either of their minds as an option? This conversation struck me as such a throwback to the 1970s, when the party line was that bisexuals didn't exist and people calling themselves bisexual were just on their way out of the closet.
I stopped listening at about 45%, so for all I know some or all of the issues I describe were resolved by the book's end (does Dom dump his awful "friends"? does Bucky come out as pan?). But you really have to give your audience something to hang on to in situations as cringey and outright poisonous as these. I just couldn't find that something here.
Thanks to Dreamscape and NetGalley for the audio ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2023
THE GAY BEST FRIEND by Nicolas DiDomizio deserves a place on your keeper shelf for one scene involving whipped cream alone. (IYKYK) However, this book is more than a romcom and an entertaining read.
“He's always been the token gay best friend. Now, stuck between a warring bride and groom hurtling toward their one perfect day, he's finally ready to focus on something new: himself.”
The blurb leads you to believe the book is light and fun, and it is truly fun, but DiDomizio’s compelling plot and terrific voice also creates a deeper story about friendship, self-love, and growing up. I wouldn’t call it a coming-of-age, but there are certain points in the narrative where we see the main character, Domenic Marino, come to some conclusions about life in general and his life that should have been realized a lot earlier. However, Dom spent a lot of his teens and early twenties with his eyes on what everyone else had, rather than taking care of himself. This isn’t unique to gay men, but DiDomizio gives us an insight into why Dom and other men like him hold unattainable ideals about love and masculinity long after they should be let go.
I laughed (and cringed) a lot during this book, but I also finished it wanting to recommend it to some of the people in my life who are going through what Dom went through, or at least are headed that way. Three months since I finished and I’m still thinking about Dom and the lens through which he and other LGBTQ+ young adults see the world and the choices they make because of that. DiDomizio is a very funny, exceptionally talented author and the literary world needs to keep their eyes on him.
“He's always been the token gay best friend. Now, stuck between a warring bride and groom hurtling toward their one perfect day, he's finally ready to focus on something new: himself.”
The blurb leads you to believe the book is light and fun, and it is truly fun, but DiDomizio’s compelling plot and terrific voice also creates a deeper story about friendship, self-love, and growing up. I wouldn’t call it a coming-of-age, but there are certain points in the narrative where we see the main character, Domenic Marino, come to some conclusions about life in general and his life that should have been realized a lot earlier. However, Dom spent a lot of his teens and early twenties with his eyes on what everyone else had, rather than taking care of himself. This isn’t unique to gay men, but DiDomizio gives us an insight into why Dom and other men like him hold unattainable ideals about love and masculinity long after they should be let go.
I laughed (and cringed) a lot during this book, but I also finished it wanting to recommend it to some of the people in my life who are going through what Dom went through, or at least are headed that way. Three months since I finished and I’m still thinking about Dom and the lens through which he and other LGBTQ+ young adults see the world and the choices they make because of that. DiDomizio is a very funny, exceptionally talented author and the literary world needs to keep their eyes on him.
March 16, 2024
I’m going to be honest here, I did not enjoy this until the 80% mark. This was kind of a train wreck. The first red flag was the bride’s trust issues, if I were the friend, I would have told her to cancel the wedding.
I wanted more romance and less best friends.
Also, please don’t get audiobook, narrator did a bad job with Buckys voice and that killed the mood.
Dom was a bit dramatic at times, lots of unresolved issues and I would have loved to see a focus on him more than the friendship.
I think the friend couple needed therapy, not a marriage but that’s just me.
I wanted more romance and less best friends.
Also, please don’t get audiobook, narrator did a bad job with Buckys voice and that killed the mood.
Dom was a bit dramatic at times, lots of unresolved issues and I would have loved to see a focus on him more than the friendship.
I think the friend couple needed therapy, not a marriage but that’s just me.
May 28, 2023
Oh my gosh, literally laugh out loud funny! I'm so thrilled to have stumbled up on this inredible new author, Nicolas DiDomizio, The Gay Best Friend is spectacular! DiDomizio has one other book listed on Goodreads, Burn It All Down and I'm going to purchase it immediately.
Told completely from Dom's point of view, we follow his journey from his own engagment breaking up, to the bachelor party of his bestie, to the bridesmaid party of his other bestie, and finally to the conclusion (which I'm not going to talk about, lest I spoil anything here!!!). Trust me when I say I have never laughed (and gasped) out loud so many times in one single book in ages.
Beautifully developed characters, a completely original story, and several amazing messages, The Gay Best Friend is an absolute treasure.
If you have the option, and are a fan of audiobooks, definitely go for the audio version... Daniel Henning's performance is spectacular! Henning completely gets these characters and delivers an absolutely flawless performance. Five huge stars!
thank you to Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley, for providing an audiobook copy of The Gay Best Friend, all opinions are my own and this is my honest review
Told completely from Dom's point of view, we follow his journey from his own engagment breaking up, to the bachelor party of his bestie, to the bridesmaid party of his other bestie, and finally to the conclusion (which I'm not going to talk about, lest I spoil anything here!!!). Trust me when I say I have never laughed (and gasped) out loud so many times in one single book in ages.
Beautifully developed characters, a completely original story, and several amazing messages, The Gay Best Friend is an absolute treasure.
If you have the option, and are a fan of audiobooks, definitely go for the audio version... Daniel Henning's performance is spectacular! Henning completely gets these characters and delivers an absolutely flawless performance. Five huge stars!
thank you to Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley, for providing an audiobook copy of The Gay Best Friend, all opinions are my own and this is my honest review
July 31, 2024
”Here's an interesting difference between most straight women and gay men: although both species are romantically attracted to men, their feelings toward the primary male appendage are often in total opposition. For lots of women I know, penises are simultaneously a mystery and a joke-something you might get pleasure out of (if—and this is a big if-it's properly used), but otherwise they're just these unremarkable nuisances.
For gay men, penises themselves are a huge part of the package (pun also intended! It's just too easy) when it comes to sexual attraction. It's like when Kitty's kitty...was in my face and Greeny was like, "Man, this is the best view in the world." That's how I feel about a good penis! Which is why it would never occur to me to completely desexualize them and turn them into disembodied party favors.”
This is an actual published passage, in an actual published book, written by someone who got paid for it, approved by an editor who was also paid, on real life shelves you can get. That’s right. This. A tangent about how gay men enjoy dick in a far more profound and erotic way than straight women could ever imagine.
The Gay Best Friend is a review I’ve been putting off for months because this book legitimately pisses me off, but I've gotta get this off my chest. It’s a book for the most annoying white cisgay twink you know who has no other queer friends because he is actively the problem. The cishets can keep him.
This is a romance novel that follows Dominic, he just got broken up with by his fiance. He’s the token friend of these two straight people, Kate and Patrick, who are engaged. He is invited to their bachelor and bachelorette parties, showing him code switching between masculine and feminine worlds, not fully belonging to either.
The commentary doesn’t work for two reasons, one is that the characters are way too flat to go into nuance and the other is that the commentary is just flat out bizarre. On the bachelor party, I can’t deeply judge given I don’t spend a lot of time willingly around awful cishet men. I did find the take that gay men seek validation from straight men doubly so because of being men and straight strange. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I'm not aware of it happening of ever having felt that myself as a gay man, but different people experience different things so take this critique with a grain of salt.
Other than that, the bachelor party is just blatantly homophobic and caricatures of straight men which would be really funny if the point of this was to flatten cishet characters like how queer characters often get flattened, but that would require the few queer characters be well written.
During the party, they get some strippers who sexually assault Dom, this was played off as hijinks which was weird. Also lead to a very half-assed commentary on sex work with just “some people like it some people don’t” and was one of the most blatant instances of this book’s misogyny.
The book constantly waves off Dom’s blatant misogyny, almost as if it’s in an oppression Olympics between gay men and straight women, brushing off misogyny and only taking homophobia seriously. Dom only values women if they’re people like Lady Gaga or Mariah Carey, he goes on about divas and talks about appreciating the strippers being empowered in their sexuality, but he is unable to value women as people. His misogyny is one that I’ve seen among many gay men, that of viewing women as only entertainment. It’s still objectifying if you view women as valuable only for your own entertainment instead of as people.
This is also why the commentary especially falls apart at the bachelorette party. By and large, Kate’s friends aren’t problematic, they aren’t even homophobic, at least not as blatantly as Patrick’s friends. Sure, Dom feels isolated, but it’s not the girls’ fault, it’s his for having no queer community. Also the bachelorette party is where we get the penis monologue from above.
The only other important queer character is the love interest, Bucky, who Dom is a bit biphobic towards (“he’s probably as gay as I am!” wtf would make him “less” gay???) and is also outed by Dom. There was also a drag queen who he is antagonistic towards, which is just fucking gross like put some respect on drag! Even as far as a book about cisgay men it falls flat when it's so singularly focused on one character representing The Gays.
Now I’m not someone who moralizes everything I read, I understand bad characters can make good protagonists. I also firmly believe that queer people should have problematic characters and that issues such as misogyny in the LGBTQ+ should be discussed. Dom could work in the right context, but this is not it. His issues are not presented as flaws or even neutrally, they are passed off as thoughtful takes and humor. The narrative very much wants the reader on Dom’s side with how it’s presented, making the whole thing pointless at best and outright disrespectful at worst.
On top of the mess that is this book’s commentary and characters, it’s just not well written. The romance is pretty flat, these characters would definitely get divorced. The plot is flimsy. The prose is too simplistic and also peppered with bad takes. This is one of those books I’m shocked was even published. There are so many better books about gay men and queer people in general that are way more worth it than this.
TWs: homophobia, misogyny, sexual assault, biphobia.
For gay men, penises themselves are a huge part of the package (pun also intended! It's just too easy) when it comes to sexual attraction. It's like when Kitty's kitty...was in my face and Greeny was like, "Man, this is the best view in the world." That's how I feel about a good penis! Which is why it would never occur to me to completely desexualize them and turn them into disembodied party favors.”
This is an actual published passage, in an actual published book, written by someone who got paid for it, approved by an editor who was also paid, on real life shelves you can get. That’s right. This. A tangent about how gay men enjoy dick in a far more profound and erotic way than straight women could ever imagine.
The Gay Best Friend is a review I’ve been putting off for months because this book legitimately pisses me off, but I've gotta get this off my chest. It’s a book for the most annoying white cisgay twink you know who has no other queer friends because he is actively the problem. The cishets can keep him.
This is a romance novel that follows Dominic, he just got broken up with by his fiance. He’s the token friend of these two straight people, Kate and Patrick, who are engaged. He is invited to their bachelor and bachelorette parties, showing him code switching between masculine and feminine worlds, not fully belonging to either.
The commentary doesn’t work for two reasons, one is that the characters are way too flat to go into nuance and the other is that the commentary is just flat out bizarre. On the bachelor party, I can’t deeply judge given I don’t spend a lot of time willingly around awful cishet men. I did find the take that gay men seek validation from straight men doubly so because of being men and straight strange. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I'm not aware of it happening of ever having felt that myself as a gay man, but different people experience different things so take this critique with a grain of salt.
Other than that, the bachelor party is just blatantly homophobic and caricatures of straight men which would be really funny if the point of this was to flatten cishet characters like how queer characters often get flattened, but that would require the few queer characters be well written.
During the party, they get some strippers who sexually assault Dom, this was played off as hijinks which was weird. Also lead to a very half-assed commentary on sex work with just “some people like it some people don’t” and was one of the most blatant instances of this book’s misogyny.
The book constantly waves off Dom’s blatant misogyny, almost as if it’s in an oppression Olympics between gay men and straight women, brushing off misogyny and only taking homophobia seriously. Dom only values women if they’re people like Lady Gaga or Mariah Carey, he goes on about divas and talks about appreciating the strippers being empowered in their sexuality, but he is unable to value women as people. His misogyny is one that I’ve seen among many gay men, that of viewing women as only entertainment. It’s still objectifying if you view women as valuable only for your own entertainment instead of as people.
This is also why the commentary especially falls apart at the bachelorette party. By and large, Kate’s friends aren’t problematic, they aren’t even homophobic, at least not as blatantly as Patrick’s friends. Sure, Dom feels isolated, but it’s not the girls’ fault, it’s his for having no queer community. Also the bachelorette party is where we get the penis monologue from above.
The only other important queer character is the love interest, Bucky, who Dom is a bit biphobic towards (“he’s probably as gay as I am!” wtf would make him “less” gay???) and is also outed by Dom. There was also a drag queen who he is antagonistic towards, which is just fucking gross like put some respect on drag! Even as far as a book about cisgay men it falls flat when it's so singularly focused on one character representing The Gays.
Now I’m not someone who moralizes everything I read, I understand bad characters can make good protagonists. I also firmly believe that queer people should have problematic characters and that issues such as misogyny in the LGBTQ+ should be discussed. Dom could work in the right context, but this is not it. His issues are not presented as flaws or even neutrally, they are passed off as thoughtful takes and humor. The narrative very much wants the reader on Dom’s side with how it’s presented, making the whole thing pointless at best and outright disrespectful at worst.
On top of the mess that is this book’s commentary and characters, it’s just not well written. The romance is pretty flat, these characters would definitely get divorced. The plot is flimsy. The prose is too simplistic and also peppered with bad takes. This is one of those books I’m shocked was even published. There are so many better books about gay men and queer people in general that are way more worth it than this.
TWs: homophobia, misogyny, sexual assault, biphobia.
May 23, 2023
I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy this. It has a pretty cute premise and a nice summer setting that would be great for a beach read. Unfortunately, I think I disliked almost every character, Dom most of all.
Dom is caught between his two best friends who are also a couple about to be married. He doesn't know how to stand up for himself and enforce boundaries, so he tries to give both of his friends what they want until everything crashes down. Dom is also perpetually the victim and his 'poor me' attitude got old quickly.
The romance between Dom and Bucky lacked chemistry for me and I just couldn't root for them. Dom outed Bucky multiple times (even though Bucky was clear that he didn't want people to know) and Bucky treated Dom like a dirty little secret. They both should have ended up with other people.
I did like that Patrick and Kate had a realistic relationship that included constantly being a work in progress and learning to communicate their needs. Individually, they each had some issues to work on, but overall they were pretty good friends to Dom and I wanted them to have a happy marriage.
The narrator was okay, but his voice for Bucky was unappealing.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the copy
Dom is caught between his two best friends who are also a couple about to be married. He doesn't know how to stand up for himself and enforce boundaries, so he tries to give both of his friends what they want until everything crashes down. Dom is also perpetually the victim and his 'poor me' attitude got old quickly.
The romance between Dom and Bucky lacked chemistry for me and I just couldn't root for them. Dom outed Bucky multiple times (even though Bucky was clear that he didn't want people to know) and Bucky treated Dom like a dirty little secret. They both should have ended up with other people.
I did like that Patrick and Kate had a realistic relationship that included constantly being a work in progress and learning to communicate their needs. Individually, they each had some issues to work on, but overall they were pretty good friends to Dom and I wanted them to have a happy marriage.
The narrator was okay, but his voice for Bucky was unappealing.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the copy
June 5, 2024
2024 06 05:
Domenic is still a character you want to slap, to hug, and to invite for brunch with mimosas.
2023 07 08:
Visų pirma, nesuprantu, kodėl man patinka skaityti knygas apie vestuves, kai pati jų niekada nenorėjau, apie jas nesvajojau ir saviškių nešvenčiau, bei visada visada žiūrėdama filmus ar skaitydama knygas vartau akis iš to "ypatingos dienos" sureikšminimo, tragedijos kūrimo dėl neįtikusios gėlių spalvos ar torto, ceremonijos repeticijos ar dar velniasžinko. Bet vat kažkodėl toliau žiūriu ir skaitau, o čia tokia "vestuvinė" knyga, kad vestuviškesnės ir būti negali, nes siužetą sudaro šie trys įvykiai: bernvakaris, mergvakaris ir tikrosios vestuvės.
Pagrindiniui veikėjui Domenic, kuris ką tik atšaukė savo ilgai planuotas vestuves, tenka dalyvauti savo geriausių draugų vestuvėse vyriausiuoju pabroliu ir padėti jas organizuojant. Suklausiau per dieną - kiek daug visko padariau, negalėjau atsitraukti, nes čia tokie emocijų kalneliai. Pykau ant draugų, kad naudojasi Domenic: viena, kad pašnipinėtų sužadėtinį, kitas, kad pridengtų jo "paskutinius pasispardymus", jaunikio draugai išvis paskutiniai šūdžiai, pykau ir ant pačio Domenic'o, kad toks "people pleaser" ir negali pasakyti "ne", ir mačiau jame daug savęs. Verkiau, kai jam skaudino širdį ir pykau, kad leidžia taip elgtis su savimi. Apimdavo svetimos gėdos jausmas, kai Domenic pakliūdavo į eilinę nejaukią situaciją, kai tekdavo meluoti ir išsisukinėti, ar kai alkoholiui atlaisvinus liežuvį prasprūsdavo visos saugotos paslaptys.
Romantinės linijos man buvo per mažai, ten liko per daug neišspręstų dalykų, kad patikėčiau laiminga pabaiga, dėl to knyga negaus 5*, bet draugystės aspektai nagrinėjami labai giliai ir iš įdomios perspektyvos. Beje, įgarsinta puikiai, nors įgarsintojas tik vienas.
Domenic is still a character you want to slap, to hug, and to invite for brunch with mimosas.
2023 07 08:
Visų pirma, nesuprantu, kodėl man patinka skaityti knygas apie vestuves, kai pati jų niekada nenorėjau, apie jas nesvajojau ir saviškių nešvenčiau, bei visada visada žiūrėdama filmus ar skaitydama knygas vartau akis iš to "ypatingos dienos" sureikšminimo, tragedijos kūrimo dėl neįtikusios gėlių spalvos ar torto, ceremonijos repeticijos ar dar velniasžinko. Bet vat kažkodėl toliau žiūriu ir skaitau, o čia tokia "vestuvinė" knyga, kad vestuviškesnės ir būti negali, nes siužetą sudaro šie trys įvykiai: bernvakaris, mergvakaris ir tikrosios vestuvės.
Pagrindiniui veikėjui Domenic, kuris ką tik atšaukė savo ilgai planuotas vestuves, tenka dalyvauti savo geriausių draugų vestuvėse vyriausiuoju pabroliu ir padėti jas organizuojant. Suklausiau per dieną - kiek daug visko padariau, negalėjau atsitraukti, nes čia tokie emocijų kalneliai. Pykau ant draugų, kad naudojasi Domenic: viena, kad pašnipinėtų sužadėtinį, kitas, kad pridengtų jo "paskutinius pasispardymus", jaunikio draugai išvis paskutiniai šūdžiai, pykau ir ant pačio Domenic'o, kad toks "people pleaser" ir negali pasakyti "ne", ir mačiau jame daug savęs. Verkiau, kai jam skaudino širdį ir pykau, kad leidžia taip elgtis su savimi. Apimdavo svetimos gėdos jausmas, kai Domenic pakliūdavo į eilinę nejaukią situaciją, kai tekdavo meluoti ir išsisukinėti, ar kai alkoholiui atlaisvinus liežuvį prasprūsdavo visos saugotos paslaptys.
Romantinės linijos man buvo per mažai, ten liko per daug neišspręstų dalykų, kad patikėčiau laiminga pabaiga, dėl to knyga negaus 5*, bet draugystės aspektai nagrinėjami labai giliai ir iš įdomios perspektyvos. Beje, įgarsinta puikiai, nors įgarsintojas tik vienas.
June 21, 2024
“The Gay Best Friend” is cute if not ridiculous at times. It centers around a GBF stuck in the middle of his two best friends, Patrick and Kate, as he attends their respective bachelor/bachelorette parties and is “forced” to keep secrets. Oh yeah, he just ended his engagement — perfect timing for love and all that.
See, the story moves at a brisk pace (yay) and is very readable (double yay) but be prepared to have some suspension of belief (meh) as these characters — though likable — struggle to communicate with one another in a way that 30 year olds would. So much of the tension and conflict are due to poor communication. Dom, our MC, could have saved himself and his friends lots of trouble if he just COMMUNICATES how he feels.
While it’s a story of a friend trying to be there for others, there’s also a romance storyline here featuring a closeted athlete. But, don’t get too excited, it’s not very sexual (sexy, sure) as many of their acts happen off page so you’ll just have to use your imagination.
The GBF is enjoyable despite these issues - there’s a great message in here - you just have to be OK with some childish moments.
See, the story moves at a brisk pace (yay) and is very readable (double yay) but be prepared to have some suspension of belief (meh) as these characters — though likable — struggle to communicate with one another in a way that 30 year olds would. So much of the tension and conflict are due to poor communication. Dom, our MC, could have saved himself and his friends lots of trouble if he just COMMUNICATES how he feels.
While it’s a story of a friend trying to be there for others, there’s also a romance storyline here featuring a closeted athlete. But, don’t get too excited, it’s not very sexual (sexy, sure) as many of their acts happen off page so you’ll just have to use your imagination.
The GBF is enjoyable despite these issues - there’s a great message in here - you just have to be OK with some childish moments.
January 26, 2023
YES YES YES! This was a complete knockout of a book with so much heart and humor, while being impossible to put down. The plot/concept of this book could very well be the best I’ve ever read. It managed to be fabulously over-the-top while remaining entirely believable. I adored Dom as the main character and so much of his personal journey resonated with me. I’ve always said that there have been two parts to my coming out: 1) coming to terms with my queerness and 2) battling the preconceived expectations I placed on myself to fit in. I felt like this book really honed in on that second part, with the gay best friend cliche being explored beautifully.
Dom’s two best friends are marrying each other. Despite all the turmoil in his life (a recently failed engagement, a job he hates, etc.) he has a role to play at their respective pre-wedding parties: the gay best friend. On the one hand, he has to navigate the masculine world of Patrick’s former fraternity brothers, while experiencing a budding, forbidden fling with celebrity golfer, Bucky Graham. And on the other hand, he needs to assume the role of token gay at Kate’s bachelorette party. Not to mention most of the bridesmaids are significant others of the groomsmen, and Dom may have an extensive list of secrets. As one would expect, things get MESSY, and Dom finds himself in the center of it all.
To me, the strength of this book lies in Dom’s personal journey. Homeboy is going THROUGH it after his failed engagement, which only adds to the burden he carries by comparing his life to Patrick’s. The combination of alcohol, secrets, and a forbidden romance is a recipe for disaster, and the author did a fantastic job with these continuous conflicts while never losing sight of this deeply personal journey amidst the chaos. Not only that, but the humor in this book was top notch, and the entertainment value was through the roof. People may not understand this, but I genuinely felt the vibes were comparable to an iconic 2000s MTV/VH1 reality show. If Flavor of Love season 2 is my comfort reality TV show, “The Gay Best Friend” is now its book counterpart.
There’s literally everything in this book: messiness, pettiness, romance (with all the tropes), heartbreak, *gay* shenanigans, and SO. MUCH. DRAMA. This is a story about battling perceived societal expectations, embracing the chaos, and what it means to truly live for only yourself. It’s about relishing in the power of true friendships, tearing down emotional walls, and the ultimate strive for fulfillment. Reading this book was such a delight, and I know many people are going to love it just as much as I did.
Dom’s two best friends are marrying each other. Despite all the turmoil in his life (a recently failed engagement, a job he hates, etc.) he has a role to play at their respective pre-wedding parties: the gay best friend. On the one hand, he has to navigate the masculine world of Patrick’s former fraternity brothers, while experiencing a budding, forbidden fling with celebrity golfer, Bucky Graham. And on the other hand, he needs to assume the role of token gay at Kate’s bachelorette party. Not to mention most of the bridesmaids are significant others of the groomsmen, and Dom may have an extensive list of secrets. As one would expect, things get MESSY, and Dom finds himself in the center of it all.
To me, the strength of this book lies in Dom’s personal journey. Homeboy is going THROUGH it after his failed engagement, which only adds to the burden he carries by comparing his life to Patrick’s. The combination of alcohol, secrets, and a forbidden romance is a recipe for disaster, and the author did a fantastic job with these continuous conflicts while never losing sight of this deeply personal journey amidst the chaos. Not only that, but the humor in this book was top notch, and the entertainment value was through the roof. People may not understand this, but I genuinely felt the vibes were comparable to an iconic 2000s MTV/VH1 reality show. If Flavor of Love season 2 is my comfort reality TV show, “The Gay Best Friend” is now its book counterpart.
There’s literally everything in this book: messiness, pettiness, romance (with all the tropes), heartbreak, *gay* shenanigans, and SO. MUCH. DRAMA. This is a story about battling perceived societal expectations, embracing the chaos, and what it means to truly live for only yourself. It’s about relishing in the power of true friendships, tearing down emotional walls, and the ultimate strive for fulfillment. Reading this book was such a delight, and I know many people are going to love it just as much as I did.
May 19, 2023
Trigger Warnings: Break-up, past coming out, alcohol, classism, fatphobia, bullying, violence, cursing, gun, strippers, homophobia, sex, drugs/doping, masturbation, nudity, gambling, infidelity, fighting, drunk driving/DUI, internalized homophobia, outing
Representation: Gay
The Gay Best Friend is an adult contemporary about Domenic Marino, who has become an expert at code-switching between the hypermasculine and ultrafeminine worlds of his two soon-to-be-wed best friends. After experiencing his own failed engagement and tasked with attending their bachelor and bachelorette parties, Domenic is anxious over having to play both sides.
The pressure is on. The bride wants Dom to keep things clean. The groom wants Dom to "let loose" with the guys. And Dom just wants to get out of this whole mess with his friendships intact. Once the rowdy groomsmen show up at the beach house, including a surprise visit from the groom's old frat brother, handsome and charming PGA star Bucky Graham, chaos (and unexpected romance) quickly ensues. By the time Dom returns for the bachelorette party, he's accumulated a laundry list of secrets that threaten to destroy everything—from the wedding, to Bucky's career, to the one thing Dom hasn't been paying nearly enough attention to lately: his own life.
This ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The ALC was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an entertaining book! Although it takes place to the months leading up to a wedding, the romance is not the main theme. A perfect adult contemporary! This book is written in a fun and light way, but the author also balances it with a deeper analysis of self. The main character spends a lot of time blaming others for his problem, but comes full circle in growth and acceptance. I thought the book itself was a very funny read and perfect now that summer is almost here! This is going to be the next great beach read!
Representation: Gay
The Gay Best Friend is an adult contemporary about Domenic Marino, who has become an expert at code-switching between the hypermasculine and ultrafeminine worlds of his two soon-to-be-wed best friends. After experiencing his own failed engagement and tasked with attending their bachelor and bachelorette parties, Domenic is anxious over having to play both sides.
The pressure is on. The bride wants Dom to keep things clean. The groom wants Dom to "let loose" with the guys. And Dom just wants to get out of this whole mess with his friendships intact. Once the rowdy groomsmen show up at the beach house, including a surprise visit from the groom's old frat brother, handsome and charming PGA star Bucky Graham, chaos (and unexpected romance) quickly ensues. By the time Dom returns for the bachelorette party, he's accumulated a laundry list of secrets that threaten to destroy everything—from the wedding, to Bucky's career, to the one thing Dom hasn't been paying nearly enough attention to lately: his own life.
This ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The ALC was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an entertaining book! Although it takes place to the months leading up to a wedding, the romance is not the main theme. A perfect adult contemporary! This book is written in a fun and light way, but the author also balances it with a deeper analysis of self. The main character spends a lot of time blaming others for his problem, but comes full circle in growth and acceptance. I thought the book itself was a very funny read and perfect now that summer is almost here! This is going to be the next great beach read!
February 7, 2024
This book was really pure genius. I found it hilarious and chaotic to an extent I've rarely read before. All of the characters were so relatable and realistic, which lead them all to be unlikeable at various points during the story. But that's what I enjoyed the most, because bad decisions were made by everyone throughout and yet you still managed to like everyone by the end because this is what real people do.
The book spans a summer where a recently single gay man attends both the stag and hen parties of his best friends. Attempting to navigate what to tell the other friend after each party leads to very difficult situations and some hilarity. And amongst all this there is a story of coming out and how the desperation to keep our reality secret and cause upset for ourselves as well as those around us.
I was given advanced access to the audio of this book by the publisher via Netgalley. I was extremely happy that the narrator turned out to be Daniel Henning, who narrated TJ Klune's 'The House in the Cerulean Sea'. He is really an excellent narrator and perfectly encapsulates all of the characters.
The book spans a summer where a recently single gay man attends both the stag and hen parties of his best friends. Attempting to navigate what to tell the other friend after each party leads to very difficult situations and some hilarity. And amongst all this there is a story of coming out and how the desperation to keep our reality secret and cause upset for ourselves as well as those around us.
I was given advanced access to the audio of this book by the publisher via Netgalley. I was extremely happy that the narrator turned out to be Daniel Henning, who narrated TJ Klune's 'The House in the Cerulean Sea'. He is really an excellent narrator and perfectly encapsulates all of the characters.
June 14, 2023
Dominic is best friends with Patrick and Kate, and is best man for their upcoming wedding. Thus, he is participating in both of the traditions of the Bachelor and Bachelorette weekends.
Dom's own engagement was recently called off, and at the guys event he is reacquainted with friend-of-a-friend, pro golf star Bucky Graham.
Seems Bucky's straight man persona is for show, and sparks between he and Dom become apparent.
Dom's own engagement was recently called off, and at the guys event he is reacquainted with friend-of-a-friend, pro golf star Bucky Graham.
Seems Bucky's straight man persona is for show, and sparks between he and Dom become apparent.
Want to read
January 21, 2023A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
August 16, 2023
Dom really went THROUGH IT in this book.
But omg I laughed and winced and cringed and gasped and it was a great time. Highly recommend.
But omg I laughed and winced and cringed and gasped and it was a great time. Highly recommend.
June 18, 2024
I’ve only been to like, one, maybe two weddings, both when I was much younger. So, basically, I remember nothing. This book simultaneously made me really want to attend one, and never be involved with the planning process of one ever.
I am sure that I could rank this quite high up there as one of the messiest things I’ve read (in a good way- we LIVE for mess). The dynamics between Dom and Kate and her group vs Dom and Patrick and his group were such great fun. The spectacle! The secrets! The drama! Very entertaining and a good time.
Amidst all that though is also a very touching story of finding yourself, of discovering who you are as an individual. And not just once, but realistically, multiple times over throughout life. The ever changing reality of the self was well developed and defined.
The romance was perhaps the one thing holding this back from being entirely perfect. I just did not enjoy how it wrapped up, but oh well!
Overall, a funny, light read that I greatly enjoyed!
I am sure that I could rank this quite high up there as one of the messiest things I’ve read (in a good way- we LIVE for mess). The dynamics between Dom and Kate and her group vs Dom and Patrick and his group were such great fun. The spectacle! The secrets! The drama! Very entertaining and a good time.
Amidst all that though is also a very touching story of finding yourself, of discovering who you are as an individual. And not just once, but realistically, multiple times over throughout life. The ever changing reality of the self was well developed and defined.
The romance was perhaps the one thing holding this back from being entirely perfect. I just did not enjoy how it wrapped up, but oh well!
Overall, a funny, light read that I greatly enjoyed!
May 16, 2023
Content Warning: Homophobia, internalized homophobia, hate speech, and excessive alcohol use.
50% in and I am so frustrated with the lack of maturity of these supposed 30’s professionals. Like seriously, this is not how adults moving into their 30’s act! It’s TOO over the top and comes across as shallow for all involved.
There are several problematic issues with this book, including the character's actions, and the way situations are handled. It wasn't a terrible story but the characters were not likeable much of the time and there is very little growth through the story which is something I look for. Overall, it is not the best representation of an LGBTQ character or their journey. The casual appearance of Lobster Man- Mario was the best part of the entire book but he was a blip in an otherwise horrid bunch. Okay, maybe horrid is harsh, the best friends Kate and Patrick are initially horrid but redeem themselves toward the end when they begin to communicate like adults.
I found the main character Domenic to lack self-respect so much that it was hard to read!
Narrator Daniel Henning did a decent job with most of the narration but I despised the way he spoke for Bucky. That voice was terrible to listen to and sounded more like a 3-pack-a-day-80 year-old-hillbilly was trying to speak around a wad of chewing gum. Not at all the voice of a professional that Bucky had become. Fine give the character a little twang but sheesh it was almost unintelligible in places.
Many thanks to author Nicolas DiDomizio, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
50% in and I am so frustrated with the lack of maturity of these supposed 30’s professionals. Like seriously, this is not how adults moving into their 30’s act! It’s TOO over the top and comes across as shallow for all involved.
There are several problematic issues with this book, including the character's actions, and the way situations are handled. It wasn't a terrible story but the characters were not likeable much of the time and there is very little growth through the story which is something I look for. Overall, it is not the best representation of an LGBTQ character or their journey. The casual appearance of Lobster Man- Mario was the best part of the entire book but he was a blip in an otherwise horrid bunch. Okay, maybe horrid is harsh, the best friends Kate and Patrick are initially horrid but redeem themselves toward the end when they begin to communicate like adults.
I found the main character Domenic to lack self-respect so much that it was hard to read!
Narrator Daniel Henning did a decent job with most of the narration but I despised the way he spoke for Bucky. That voice was terrible to listen to and sounded more like a 3-pack-a-day-80 year-old-hillbilly was trying to speak around a wad of chewing gum. Not at all the voice of a professional that Bucky had become. Fine give the character a little twang but sheesh it was almost unintelligible in places.
Many thanks to author Nicolas DiDomizio, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
May 22, 2023
I have mixed feelings on this one.
Dominic is the childhood best friend of Patrick and has since become best friends in adulthood with Patrick’s fiancé, Kate.
Dominic is immediately put in the middle of Patrick and Kate’s trust and communication issues at the beginning of the story at Patrick’s bachelor party. Kate asks Dom to report back on anything and everything, especially if it’s nefarious and Patrick asks Dom to not report the nefarious ongoings back to Kate. All of this is happening after Dom and his fiancé have broken up and no one has really bothered to check in too much with him. The situations Dom is put in by the other characters are stressful, immature and essentially impossible to come out unscathed.
All the while Dom is grieving his prior relationship, hooking up with someone new who is on the down low and trying to find joy in his life, as his job is draining him. I felt a lot of empathy for Dom but then became frustrated when he (albeit both times accidentally) outed his closeted love interest.
Suffice it to say the characters in this book are MESSY and certainly need quite a bit of therapy.
I did enjoy the message of Dom finding himself and his own identity and an identity as just someone’s best friend and not specifically their gay best friend.
3 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I gave the audio version (not yet available to review on Goodreads) 3.5 stars due to Daniel Henning’s excellent narration.
Dominic is the childhood best friend of Patrick and has since become best friends in adulthood with Patrick’s fiancé, Kate.
Dominic is immediately put in the middle of Patrick and Kate’s trust and communication issues at the beginning of the story at Patrick’s bachelor party. Kate asks Dom to report back on anything and everything, especially if it’s nefarious and Patrick asks Dom to not report the nefarious ongoings back to Kate. All of this is happening after Dom and his fiancé have broken up and no one has really bothered to check in too much with him. The situations Dom is put in by the other characters are stressful, immature and essentially impossible to come out unscathed.
All the while Dom is grieving his prior relationship, hooking up with someone new who is on the down low and trying to find joy in his life, as his job is draining him. I felt a lot of empathy for Dom but then became frustrated when he (albeit both times accidentally) outed his closeted love interest.
Suffice it to say the characters in this book are MESSY and certainly need quite a bit of therapy.
I did enjoy the message of Dom finding himself and his own identity and an identity as just someone’s best friend and not specifically their gay best friend.
3 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I gave the audio version (not yet available to review on Goodreads) 3.5 stars due to Daniel Henning’s excellent narration.
May 26, 2024
The Gay Best Friend provides sassy quips, hard truths, and heartwarming moments. This book offers a unique perspective of what a balancing act being viewed as the token gay bestie really is.
Domenic (Dom) is newly single, canceling his wedding, and the best man to his frat-bro childhood best friend Patrick, and his fiancéé, the Vogue beauty guru Kate. Caught in a tough situation – promising Kate that nothing will happen at Patrick’s bachelor party, and promising Patrick that he won’t tell Kate anything that does happen at the bachelor party is the perfect recipe for a boiling pot of tea, and no one to spill it with.
I think this book is the perfect bundle of the straight-gay best friend dynamic, drama, some self-realization type of moments, character growth, and romance (thank you for the tropes). I laughed at some moments and slammed the cover of my kindle shut at others. I truly think this book has a scenario for every reader to connect with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing an advance copy of this book for me to enjoy. As always, this book was read and reviewed voluntarily, and the above opinions are entirely my own.
Domenic (Dom) is newly single, canceling his wedding, and the best man to his frat-bro childhood best friend Patrick, and his fiancéé, the Vogue beauty guru Kate. Caught in a tough situation – promising Kate that nothing will happen at Patrick’s bachelor party, and promising Patrick that he won’t tell Kate anything that does happen at the bachelor party is the perfect recipe for a boiling pot of tea, and no one to spill it with.
I think this book is the perfect bundle of the straight-gay best friend dynamic, drama, some self-realization type of moments, character growth, and romance (thank you for the tropes). I laughed at some moments and slammed the cover of my kindle shut at others. I truly think this book has a scenario for every reader to connect with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing an advance copy of this book for me to enjoy. As always, this book was read and reviewed voluntarily, and the above opinions are entirely my own.
May 19, 2023
This was decent. The MC was a little whiny which is always hard to take in an adult character.
The story is fun, the side characters are interesting and for the most part this is really good.
MUCH funny one liners to be found in here.
The constant whiny/self pity was off putting, I wish Domenic had been able to see their own hiccups and missteps instead of focusing on the poor me poor me bits. I think he would have been able to handle more of what came at him if he had focused internally instead of how "wronged" he had been by others.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my DRC.
The story is fun, the side characters are interesting and for the most part this is really good.
MUCH funny one liners to be found in here.
The constant whiny/self pity was off putting, I wish Domenic had been able to see their own hiccups and missteps instead of focusing on the poor me poor me bits. I think he would have been able to handle more of what came at him if he had focused internally instead of how "wronged" he had been by others.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my DRC.
August 24, 2023
The Gay Best Friend by Nicolas DiDomizio
If you love messy bitches™ this is the book for you. Nicholas DiDomizio has written the perfect G.B.F. wedding book. Domenic Marino is in the wedding party for both of his best friends and attending both the bachelor and bachelorette parties in the wake of his wedding being called off. Dom has always felt like he has had to switch between being hyperfeminine with the bride and a bros bro with the groom. When things go awry at the bachelor party with Kitty (a stripper with a heart of gold and an absolute scene stealer in the book) Dom is stuck in the middle and keeping secrets.
Then there’s the whole fact that Southern charm personified pro golf player Bucky (the groom's other best bro) might not be quite as straight as we initially thought.
I had a blast and a half reading this book! Nicolas’s writer's voice shines in this book and he found a great balance between batshit hijinks and diving into some of the complexities of being a queer person in friend groups that you feel like you have to tweak yourself to fit into. I was truly ready to deck some of the side characters for the shit that they pulled on Dom but they represented the messiness of being an adult so well.
thank you SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you love messy bitches™ this is the book for you. Nicholas DiDomizio has written the perfect G.B.F. wedding book. Domenic Marino is in the wedding party for both of his best friends and attending both the bachelor and bachelorette parties in the wake of his wedding being called off. Dom has always felt like he has had to switch between being hyperfeminine with the bride and a bros bro with the groom. When things go awry at the bachelor party with Kitty (a stripper with a heart of gold and an absolute scene stealer in the book) Dom is stuck in the middle and keeping secrets.
Then there’s the whole fact that Southern charm personified pro golf player Bucky (the groom's other best bro) might not be quite as straight as we initially thought.
I had a blast and a half reading this book! Nicolas’s writer's voice shines in this book and he found a great balance between batshit hijinks and diving into some of the complexities of being a queer person in friend groups that you feel like you have to tweak yourself to fit into. I was truly ready to deck some of the side characters for the shit that they pulled on Dom but they represented the messiness of being an adult so well.
thank you SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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