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Divorced Men's Club #2
Platonic Rulebook
Griff:
Walking away from my marriage was my idea of a fresh start.
My kid is in college, my ex-wife and I are on good terms … but being single in my forties is a world different to being single in my teens.
I’m thankful for my best friend, Heath. He’s got my back like he always does and is ready to take me out and show me how the bachelor life is done.
He was never supposed to show me literally.
After we wake up in bed together, I can’t stop looking at him differently, and one thing becomes abundantly clear.
I talk a big talk about wanting to be single, but my platonic rule book has gone out the window.
Heath:
When my best friend comes to me for help post-divorce, I’m only too happy to impart my wisdom to him.
After all, Griffin isn’t my type, but even I can tell he’s a complete lumbersnack. Good with his hands, kind eyes, and a killer smile. All the guys and gals are gonna eat him alive.
But the more time we spend together, the less “not my type” he becomes. I’m the one who can’t get enough of him.
Neither of us is interested in a relationship, so what’s a little fun between friends?
We both know the score.
Walking away from my marriage was my idea of a fresh start.
My kid is in college, my ex-wife and I are on good terms … but being single in my forties is a world different to being single in my teens.
I’m thankful for my best friend, Heath. He’s got my back like he always does and is ready to take me out and show me how the bachelor life is done.
He was never supposed to show me literally.
After we wake up in bed together, I can’t stop looking at him differently, and one thing becomes abundantly clear.
I talk a big talk about wanting to be single, but my platonic rule book has gone out the window.
Heath:
When my best friend comes to me for help post-divorce, I’m only too happy to impart my wisdom to him.
After all, Griffin isn’t my type, but even I can tell he’s a complete lumbersnack. Good with his hands, kind eyes, and a killer smile. All the guys and gals are gonna eat him alive.
But the more time we spend together, the less “not my type” he becomes. I’m the one who can’t get enough of him.
Neither of us is interested in a relationship, so what’s a little fun between friends?
We both know the score.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2022
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July 21, 2022DNF @ 35%
If I have to read one more word about Poppy, I'm going to have an aneurysm.
There is nothing hot or romantic about mentioning the ex-wife one thousand times in the first few chapters.
Let me make this very clear: I don't give a flying fuck about Poppy or her achievements or her relationship with Griff.
If I never hear about Poppy again, it will be too soon.
No ex should get this much page time in a romance novel. WTF, seriously?
Not for me, no rating.
If I have to read one more word about Poppy, I'm going to have an aneurysm.
There is nothing hot or romantic about mentioning the ex-wife one thousand times in the first few chapters.
Let me make this very clear: I don't give a flying fuck about Poppy or her achievements or her relationship with Griff.
If I never hear about Poppy again, it will be too soon.
No ex should get this much page time in a romance novel. WTF, seriously?
Not for me, no rating.
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August 10, 2022
Platonic Rulebook is book two in the Divorced Men’s Club series by Saxon James. This can be read as a complete stand alone but I completely adored book one in this series, Roommate Arrangement. I’ve been so excited about this book and it was even better than I hoped it would be.
Griff is forty three years old. He is bi sexual but has only ever been with his wife. They knew their marriage had run it’s course. They were co-owners of Magnolia Ridge, a resort that they purchased and rebuilt from the ground up. And they raised their son who has just left for college. Which is when they chose to split, after their son had left home.
It’s been a full year since Griff has had sex! A full year since he and his wife agreed on their plan to split. Now that he is single, he’s ready to get out there. His best friend tells him he needs some no strings sex, one night stands only. Griff has never done that before so it’s a good thing his best friend is there to be his wing man. Only things didn’t go quite as planned!
Heath and Griff have been best friends forever. They are inseparable. Even after Griff got married to Poppy, Heath hung out at their house, is god-father to their son. He also works for Magnolia Ridge. He’s been there since they started the business. Now that Griff and Poppy have split, Heath is ready to be there for his best friend to help him into this new phase of his life. But, a funny thing begins to happen. Thinking of any other man touching Griff sets his heart rate into overdrive. And why does Griff suddenly look so sexy?
“When I’m kissing him, the world makes sense. When I’m kissing him, my heart feels full.”
I can’t say enough how much I loved these two. Their friendship was everything to the both of them. They were each other’s person. Heath had never been in a relationship. And once Griff became single, he understood why. It had been Griff all along. The chemistry between these two was crazy! I have to admit, even though Griff and Poppy’s split was friendly, I didn’t care for her much. I didn’t like the way she just dumped everything on Griff and Heath, leaving them in a tailspin. But as I said, through it all, Heath is by his side.
Don’t even get me started on the swooniest of swoony epilogues. These two just made my heart so happy. Now I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in the series, Budding Attraction. I have no idea who the characters will be. But I want to mention that I am particularly intrigued by their friend, Orson. I already am a little bit in love with him. So I have my fingers crossed it might be him!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Griff is forty three years old. He is bi sexual but has only ever been with his wife. They knew their marriage had run it’s course. They were co-owners of Magnolia Ridge, a resort that they purchased and rebuilt from the ground up. And they raised their son who has just left for college. Which is when they chose to split, after their son had left home.
It’s been a full year since Griff has had sex! A full year since he and his wife agreed on their plan to split. Now that he is single, he’s ready to get out there. His best friend tells him he needs some no strings sex, one night stands only. Griff has never done that before so it’s a good thing his best friend is there to be his wing man. Only things didn’t go quite as planned!
Heath and Griff have been best friends forever. They are inseparable. Even after Griff got married to Poppy, Heath hung out at their house, is god-father to their son. He also works for Magnolia Ridge. He’s been there since they started the business. Now that Griff and Poppy have split, Heath is ready to be there for his best friend to help him into this new phase of his life. But, a funny thing begins to happen. Thinking of any other man touching Griff sets his heart rate into overdrive. And why does Griff suddenly look so sexy?
“When I’m kissing him, the world makes sense. When I’m kissing him, my heart feels full.”
I can’t say enough how much I loved these two. Their friendship was everything to the both of them. They were each other’s person. Heath had never been in a relationship. And once Griff became single, he understood why. It had been Griff all along. The chemistry between these two was crazy! I have to admit, even though Griff and Poppy’s split was friendly, I didn’t care for her much. I didn’t like the way she just dumped everything on Griff and Heath, leaving them in a tailspin. But as I said, through it all, Heath is by his side.
Don’t even get me started on the swooniest of swoony epilogues. These two just made my heart so happy. Now I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in the series, Budding Attraction. I have no idea who the characters will be. But I want to mention that I am particularly intrigued by their friend, Orson. I already am a little bit in love with him. So I have my fingers crossed it might be him!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
August 13, 2022
Falling in love wasn’t in the rules…
Griff’s marriage has perished long ago, now there are only two parents left waiting for their kid to go to college so they can move on. Griff has been looking forward to enjoying being single but, after spending all his life with his first love, he’s scared he’s going to fall for his first one-night stand instead. He needs rules, and Heath is a professional in the game.
Heath only cares about two things: his mom, whom he promised he was going to take care of, and his best friend Griff. The problem is that his mom lives in another city, and he’ll need to say goodbye at his dream job in Griff’s hotel. Moving away from his other half is not ideal, but he is running out of options. Especially because Griff is getting a divorce and needs him more than ever. It doesn’t help that they are starting to see each other as something more than platonic…
This romance is a slow burn to savor chapter by chapter, caring about the characters emotions and letting things progress at a steady pace that screams real. It’s the kind of story you’ll find boring if you are not engaging with the characters but, if you do, you’ll understand every one of their emotions. The author starts showing you how beautiful their friendship is, how they always put the other’s happiness before their own. I wanted to die every time Heath called him ‘my Griff’ and gave him flowers because they made him relax. I loved their small moments, their connection, their harmless flirting so much that, even if there was no more than friendship, I’d read the entire book with a smile on my face. But there’ll be more…
When I’m kissing him, the world makes sense. When I’m kissing him, my heart feels full.
When they start to realize they have more than friendship desires for the other, you’ll be torn with their fear. What if it destroys something as powerful as the bond they shared? What if it’s better? There was a scene where Heath’s desperation was so raw that I felt myself close to tears when he whispered ‘we are okay, right?’. You see both are confused, it’s not the right moment, they can hurt Griff’s ex-wife and son, yet they can’t help to keep falling more and more every time they are together.
He reaches up to tug my ear. I love you, his expression says.
‘I love you too.’
Griff’s tendency to get anxious about everything, to think about everything two hundred times and keep feeling guilty made me want to give him an entire garden of flowers, while Heath kept putting him first, always taking care of his feelings with the care of a lover. The only critique I have is that it was kind of convenient that they are both catching feelings at the same time after over two decades of friendship, but it was something easy to overlook. Their love story might not have been an explosion of insta-love, but it’s one of those you are reading and can’t help but envy, because all the small moments shared together were precious and you don’t need any epilogue to know they’ll be happy ever after.
He’s… the kind of gorgeous that makes me smile without thought. He’s stability. Being around him settles all of me, even if we’re not doing anything. I love the moments we joke around and flirt, but sometimes the quiet moments between us are even better.
Maybe those things aren’t what people look for in a relationship. Maybe those things are seen as boring or don’t have the exciting edge of the epic romances that sweep people off their feet.
But to me, those things are perfection.
Because they're us.
When we’re together, I feel whole.
Thank you so much Vanna for convincing me to read it with your amazing review!! It had the intimacy and the slow burn I’m always looking for in a best friends to lovers 😍
Griff’s marriage has perished long ago, now there are only two parents left waiting for their kid to go to college so they can move on. Griff has been looking forward to enjoying being single but, after spending all his life with his first love, he’s scared he’s going to fall for his first one-night stand instead. He needs rules, and Heath is a professional in the game.
Heath only cares about two things: his mom, whom he promised he was going to take care of, and his best friend Griff. The problem is that his mom lives in another city, and he’ll need to say goodbye at his dream job in Griff’s hotel. Moving away from his other half is not ideal, but he is running out of options. Especially because Griff is getting a divorce and needs him more than ever. It doesn’t help that they are starting to see each other as something more than platonic…
This romance is a slow burn to savor chapter by chapter, caring about the characters emotions and letting things progress at a steady pace that screams real. It’s the kind of story you’ll find boring if you are not engaging with the characters but, if you do, you’ll understand every one of their emotions. The author starts showing you how beautiful their friendship is, how they always put the other’s happiness before their own. I wanted to die every time Heath called him ‘my Griff’ and gave him flowers because they made him relax. I loved their small moments, their connection, their harmless flirting so much that, even if there was no more than friendship, I’d read the entire book with a smile on my face. But there’ll be more…
When I’m kissing him, the world makes sense. When I’m kissing him, my heart feels full.
When they start to realize they have more than friendship desires for the other, you’ll be torn with their fear. What if it destroys something as powerful as the bond they shared? What if it’s better? There was a scene where Heath’s desperation was so raw that I felt myself close to tears when he whispered ‘we are okay, right?’. You see both are confused, it’s not the right moment, they can hurt Griff’s ex-wife and son, yet they can’t help to keep falling more and more every time they are together.
He reaches up to tug my ear. I love you, his expression says.
‘I love you too.’
Griff’s tendency to get anxious about everything, to think about everything two hundred times and keep feeling guilty made me want to give him an entire garden of flowers, while Heath kept putting him first, always taking care of his feelings with the care of a lover. The only critique I have is that it was kind of convenient that they are both catching feelings at the same time after over two decades of friendship, but it was something easy to overlook. Their love story might not have been an explosion of insta-love, but it’s one of those you are reading and can’t help but envy, because all the small moments shared together were precious and you don’t need any epilogue to know they’ll be happy ever after.
He’s… the kind of gorgeous that makes me smile without thought. He’s stability. Being around him settles all of me, even if we’re not doing anything. I love the moments we joke around and flirt, but sometimes the quiet moments between us are even better.
Maybe those things aren’t what people look for in a relationship. Maybe those things are seen as boring or don’t have the exciting edge of the epic romances that sweep people off their feet.
But to me, those things are perfection.
Because they're us.
When we’re together, I feel whole.
Thank you so much Vanna for convincing me to read it with your amazing review!! It had the intimacy and the slow burn I’m always looking for in a best friends to lovers 😍
June 18, 2022
boring. bye
September 4, 2022
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***
Griff and Heath are best friends who have an undeniable chemistry that ignites once they are tasked with a construction project on a motel they both own and as they spend an abundance of time together their natural chemistry with one another increases.
Griff is recently separated and finds himself having feelings for his best friend, Heath which leads to such a sweet and heartwarming romance between the two that moves quickly as both acknowledge they both have shared feelings due to their great friendship foundation that lays for such a sweet romance.
Overall I loved reading this story and seeing the fun antics between Heath and Griff as they navigate the subtle changes to their dynamic as they begin to embark on a new journey they never knew they wanted.
Griff and Heath are best friends who have an undeniable chemistry that ignites once they are tasked with a construction project on a motel they both own and as they spend an abundance of time together their natural chemistry with one another increases.
Griff is recently separated and finds himself having feelings for his best friend, Heath which leads to such a sweet and heartwarming romance between the two that moves quickly as both acknowledge they both have shared feelings due to their great friendship foundation that lays for such a sweet romance.
Overall I loved reading this story and seeing the fun antics between Heath and Griff as they navigate the subtle changes to their dynamic as they begin to embark on a new journey they never knew they wanted.
September 8, 2022
3.5 Stars
I really liked newly single Griff and I loved his playboy best-friend Heath. Their friends-to-lovers relationship was authentic and hella steamy, proving seemingly easy to add hot sex and emotional intimacy to their lifetime of friendship.
Their romantic relationship progressed effortlessly across the story, making it all too easy to believe these childhood friends, and now adult co-workers, would find a new level of love and attraction in their already super solid relationship, especially considering this was the first time Griff had been single since marrying young.
I loved the care and unwavering support these two constantly expressed towards one another. They were seemingly very different in personality and skill sets, particularly in relation to how they ran the inn they both worked (and in Griff’s case, owned), but their differences complemented each other perfectly, making all facets of their relationship stronger.
Romance aside, I wasn’t keen on the way the plot had Griff and Heath having to hide their evolving feelings because of the decisions Griff and his (soon to be official) ex-wife, Poppy, had previously made, regarding the end of their relationship and how/when to tell their college-aged son, Felix.
This whole set-up, with Griff and Poppy being separated for over a year but not telling their kid, because, reasons, just didn’t ring true for me. My problem was mostly that Felix was already 18 when this story commenced, so all the “we need to do what’s best for Felix” arguments just felt silly. Then again, once Felix finally appeared on page, his OTT, dramatic nature, made it clear why all these adults were worried about his reactions.
Thankfully, the tension in this story, with Griff and Heath’s build towards telling Poppy and Felix they were together and in love, actually didn’t result in as much drama as I feared it would. The most angsty part, in truth, was simply being in Griff’s head as he worried about the repercussions of his new feelings for Heath, which always came from a place of carrying for his family, so I couldn’t rightly complain too much.
I enjoyed this story for the most part, but I feel it wasn’t quite as strong as the first story (Roommate Arrangement). I still like the premise of the series and most certainly look forward to the next two sequels, because Orson, especially, seems like my kind of guy!
I really liked newly single Griff and I loved his playboy best-friend Heath. Their friends-to-lovers relationship was authentic and hella steamy, proving seemingly easy to add hot sex and emotional intimacy to their lifetime of friendship.
Their romantic relationship progressed effortlessly across the story, making it all too easy to believe these childhood friends, and now adult co-workers, would find a new level of love and attraction in their already super solid relationship, especially considering this was the first time Griff had been single since marrying young.
I loved the care and unwavering support these two constantly expressed towards one another. They were seemingly very different in personality and skill sets, particularly in relation to how they ran the inn they both worked (and in Griff’s case, owned), but their differences complemented each other perfectly, making all facets of their relationship stronger.
Romance aside, I wasn’t keen on the way the plot had Griff and Heath having to hide their evolving feelings because of the decisions Griff and his (soon to be official) ex-wife, Poppy, had previously made, regarding the end of their relationship and how/when to tell their college-aged son, Felix.
This whole set-up, with Griff and Poppy being separated for over a year but not telling their kid, because, reasons, just didn’t ring true for me. My problem was mostly that Felix was already 18 when this story commenced, so all the “we need to do what’s best for Felix” arguments just felt silly. Then again, once Felix finally appeared on page, his OTT, dramatic nature, made it clear why all these adults were worried about his reactions.
Thankfully, the tension in this story, with Griff and Heath’s build towards telling Poppy and Felix they were together and in love, actually didn’t result in as much drama as I feared it would. The most angsty part, in truth, was simply being in Griff’s head as he worried about the repercussions of his new feelings for Heath, which always came from a place of carrying for his family, so I couldn’t rightly complain too much.
I enjoyed this story for the most part, but I feel it wasn’t quite as strong as the first story (Roommate Arrangement). I still like the premise of the series and most certainly look forward to the next two sequels, because Orson, especially, seems like my kind of guy!
June 16, 2022
[3.25] is this my first time reading friends-to-lovers without pining intensified by years of unrequited love?? interesting spin on one of my favorite tropes, though i have to admit i much rather prefer it with because forest-of-pine-trees level of pining is usually my bottom line 😋
this later in life romance had its fair share of sweet moments and gestures that brought out Griff and Heath's lovely bond (the ear tug and mind reading 🥺), but the transition from fully platonic to more felt a little on the bland side, i never quite caught on to their romantic spark. i'll still happily pair the two off together because they genuinely care for and bring the best out of each other, but i wish more of their limited time together (because work and the divorce and his son take up a lot of brain space) was allocated to interactions outside the bedroom. sexytimes can come later lol.
that being said, i knew what was in store from the description, and while this didn't entirely work for me, i loved book 1 so.... different strokes for different folks!!
(also love the nod to Franklin University, i can't wait!!)
this later in life romance had its fair share of sweet moments and gestures that brought out Griff and Heath's lovely bond (the ear tug and mind reading 🥺), but the transition from fully platonic to more felt a little on the bland side, i never quite caught on to their romantic spark. i'll still happily pair the two off together because they genuinely care for and bring the best out of each other, but i wish more of their limited time together (because work and the divorce and his son take up a lot of brain space) was allocated to interactions outside the bedroom. sexytimes can come later lol.
that being said, i knew what was in store from the description, and while this didn't entirely work for me, i loved book 1 so.... different strokes for different folks!!
(also love the nod to Franklin University, i can't wait!!)
June 19, 2022
Nothing new.
May 31, 2022
What a fantastic addition to this low angst and amusing series from Saxon James.
There're few things I love better when it comes to romance than a friends to lovers narrative because the feelings and the love is already there.
Taking that step into the unknown when you have a friendship at stake is one of the hardest struggles in changing the nature of a relationship and Saxon nails the fears perfectly.
There's no sudden realisation here, both men have always known the other was an attractive and good hearted person.
It's more that once Griffin's son has gone away to college and his wife's moved out - an amicable split which had actually occurred 12 months previously - there're fewer obstacles in the way.
Heath and Griff's friendship is as solid as they come, so them sliding into a sexual exploration works perfectly.
The humour comes from their determination that things need to be kept platonic when it's clear to see they're utterly perfect for each other.
I also very much appreciated that Griff's ex-wife Poppy is a solid and supportive figure too and not some harridan.
Can't wait to see who's up next! I'm putting feelers out for Orsen and Ford 😁
#ARC kindly received from the author via ForewordPR in return for an honest and unbiased review.
There're few things I love better when it comes to romance than a friends to lovers narrative because the feelings and the love is already there.
Taking that step into the unknown when you have a friendship at stake is one of the hardest struggles in changing the nature of a relationship and Saxon nails the fears perfectly.
There's no sudden realisation here, both men have always known the other was an attractive and good hearted person.
It's more that once Griffin's son has gone away to college and his wife's moved out - an amicable split which had actually occurred 12 months previously - there're fewer obstacles in the way.
Heath and Griff's friendship is as solid as they come, so them sliding into a sexual exploration works perfectly.
The humour comes from their determination that things need to be kept platonic when it's clear to see they're utterly perfect for each other.
I also very much appreciated that Griff's ex-wife Poppy is a solid and supportive figure too and not some harridan.
Can't wait to see who's up next! I'm putting feelers out for Orsen and Ford 😁
#ARC kindly received from the author via ForewordPR in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 16, 2022
* 4.5 stars *
I devoured this book. Once I started reading I didn't even notice how fast I turned the pages. It's a decent sized book but I flew through it. The plot was interesting and engaging, the words flowed easily and the main characters had great chemistry.
My favorite part of this story was the fact that Griff and Heath were friends for years and there were no hidden feelings or secret pining between them prior to them starting to fool around together. Friends-to-lovers is one of my go-to tropes but most of the time it's tied with one or both of the friends harboring a secret crush or being secretly in love with the other. I'm not complaining, but it was refreshing to read a story were they started as genuinely platonic friends with no romantic feelings from either side.
Once they started noticing each other though, that was another story! They had a banter going on and they were almost daring the other to take the next step. They were bold with their words but they both hesitated to cross the friendship line. It was understandable as there were so many things they had to consider, plus they were afraid of ruining or negatively affecting their friendship.
Griff and Heath made sense together. They cared about each other, were friends first, knew each other inside out, tried to bring out the best of the other and supported each other. I liked the lack a drama in the story. The focus was on the relationship and how the people around them took the news. It was also on new beginnings and finding yourself again. Griff was starting a new chapter in his life and Heath was at a crossroads, trying to decide what his future would look like.
There are many side characters and most of them either have a story already or they're getting a story in the future. I can't decide which of the remaining single members of the DMC I want to get the story of first. They both sound like they'd be a blast to read, and I'm excited to read both of them.
~ I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. ~
I devoured this book. Once I started reading I didn't even notice how fast I turned the pages. It's a decent sized book but I flew through it. The plot was interesting and engaging, the words flowed easily and the main characters had great chemistry.
My favorite part of this story was the fact that Griff and Heath were friends for years and there were no hidden feelings or secret pining between them prior to them starting to fool around together. Friends-to-lovers is one of my go-to tropes but most of the time it's tied with one or both of the friends harboring a secret crush or being secretly in love with the other. I'm not complaining, but it was refreshing to read a story were they started as genuinely platonic friends with no romantic feelings from either side.
Once they started noticing each other though, that was another story! They had a banter going on and they were almost daring the other to take the next step. They were bold with their words but they both hesitated to cross the friendship line. It was understandable as there were so many things they had to consider, plus they were afraid of ruining or negatively affecting their friendship.
Griff and Heath made sense together. They cared about each other, were friends first, knew each other inside out, tried to bring out the best of the other and supported each other. I liked the lack a drama in the story. The focus was on the relationship and how the people around them took the news. It was also on new beginnings and finding yourself again. Griff was starting a new chapter in his life and Heath was at a crossroads, trying to decide what his future would look like.
There are many side characters and most of them either have a story already or they're getting a story in the future. I can't decide which of the remaining single members of the DMC I want to get the story of first. They both sound like they'd be a blast to read, and I'm excited to read both of them.
~ I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. ~
Shelved as 'dnf'
August 10, 2022DNF @ 44%
This just didn’t work for me. They already seemed like a couple from the start. The H1 that was getting divorced was grating with his insecurities. I get it! It’s a big change, but come on! Put on your big girl panties and do what you gotta do (especially because it was amicable)! I didn’t feel any development of feelings, any conflict over potentially crossing the line in their friendship (other than a few mentions of how it’s probably not a good idea), and the aftermath of their hookup was just plain cringey.
It could be just a me thing because many others liked this, but it just wasn’t for me.
This just didn’t work for me. They already seemed like a couple from the start. The H1 that was getting divorced was grating with his insecurities. I get it! It’s a big change, but come on! Put on your big girl panties and do what you gotta do (especially because it was amicable)! I didn’t feel any development of feelings, any conflict over potentially crossing the line in their friendship (other than a few mentions of how it’s probably not a good idea), and the aftermath of their hookup was just plain cringey.
It could be just a me thing because many others liked this, but it just wasn’t for me.
July 14, 2022
4.5 Loved it Stars!! ❤️ 😍 I'm surprised by how much I really loved this book. I had postponed starting this book so many times because the premise didn't seem really appealing to me despite the friends-to-lovers trope. But I ran out of excuses and finally picked it up.. ..and it was superbly well-written. I thought that I would find 2 middle-aged men who have been best friends for decades, finally falling in love... kinda boring; but OMG 😱I was blown away by their slow simmering heat, the flirtatious banter and the tension of the "will-they", "won't they" and "when". 🔥🔥
Griff and Heath have been best friends for their entire lives and despite the fact that it has always been platonic, it feels that they have already been in a relationship; it was just a matter of time when that physical barrier would fall. The impetus in their case was Griff finally separating from his wife and moving out from their home. Closeness doesn't even describe Heath and Griff's relationship; they can read each others minds !! 😍 So despite all the doubts and fears, their platonic rulebook falls apart and they become friends-with-benefits. And is it even surprising that they develop feelings pretty instantaneously 😍 But what about Griff's family? and the business that Heath helps him run? Can they have it all? 🤩
I loved this book and would highly recommend it all.👍 👍 I read the first book in the series a while back, but it is not essential to read that one first (they are loosely connected). The story is about deep friendships, family, love and has lots of humor, steam, sizzle and a well-deserved HEA. 💕
Griff and Heath have been best friends for their entire lives and despite the fact that it has always been platonic, it feels that they have already been in a relationship; it was just a matter of time when that physical barrier would fall. The impetus in their case was Griff finally separating from his wife and moving out from their home. Closeness doesn't even describe Heath and Griff's relationship; they can read each others minds !! 😍 So despite all the doubts and fears, their platonic rulebook falls apart and they become friends-with-benefits. And is it even surprising that they develop feelings pretty instantaneously 😍 But what about Griff's family? and the business that Heath helps him run? Can they have it all? 🤩
I loved this book and would highly recommend it all.👍 👍 I read the first book in the series a while back, but it is not essential to read that one first (they are loosely connected). The story is about deep friendships, family, love and has lots of humor, steam, sizzle and a well-deserved HEA. 💕
July 14, 2022
I know I said I wouldn't read this book. I really had no plans to continue with this series. But ended up doing it anyway because as I've confessed several times before- "best friends to lovers" is my guilty pleasure....
This book was sweet and wholesome. A very relaxing romance to read, perfect for the mood i was in. I actually appreciated the twist on the best friends to lovers trope where neither of them has spent years pining for the other. The way things evolve felt quite believable and organic, and I generally enjoyed the characters and their connection, but there wasn't any real tension or conflict. It just felt pretty undramatic. I won't say it was boring but maybe a little more drama would have been better. "Plantonic Rulebook" was just a typical Saxon James book. Nothing new, nothing unique. It was the kind of story you'll read and think _"Deja vu! I've read it before..."
This book was sweet and wholesome. A very relaxing romance to read, perfect for the mood i was in. I actually appreciated the twist on the best friends to lovers trope where neither of them has spent years pining for the other. The way things evolve felt quite believable and organic, and I generally enjoyed the characters and their connection, but there wasn't any real tension or conflict. It just felt pretty undramatic. I won't say it was boring but maybe a little more drama would have been better. "Plantonic Rulebook" was just a typical Saxon James book. Nothing new, nothing unique. It was the kind of story you'll read and think _"Deja vu! I've read it before..."
May 15, 2023
"Love is love, dude, and you're going to hurt no matter how you play it."
Saxon James has done it again with Platonic Rulebook, which is book 2 in her Divorced Men's Club series; all inter-linked but can be read and enjoyed as standalones (but why would you when you can read them all?!) This is Heath and Griff's story.
Griff is recently divorced after a long marriage to his high school sweetheart and Heath is his gay best friend, his ride or die, who helps him through his sense of loss and always has his back in business, and in life. And slowly, they come to realise that their friendship has gradually become something much, much more....
This isn't a story of unrequited love, about one (gay) friend pining for the other (straight) friend for years, and nor is it a traditional 'second chance' romance, but it sure is a cute as hell love story nonetheless!
If you love:
❣️Bi-awakening
❣️Best friends to lovers
❣️Low angst
❣️Steamy AF scenes
❣️Older MCs
❣️Banter
Then you are gonna LOVE Platonic Rulebook ❣️
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saxon James has done it again with Platonic Rulebook, which is book 2 in her Divorced Men's Club series; all inter-linked but can be read and enjoyed as standalones (but why would you when you can read them all?!) This is Heath and Griff's story.
Griff is recently divorced after a long marriage to his high school sweetheart and Heath is his gay best friend, his ride or die, who helps him through his sense of loss and always has his back in business, and in life. And slowly, they come to realise that their friendship has gradually become something much, much more....
This isn't a story of unrequited love, about one (gay) friend pining for the other (straight) friend for years, and nor is it a traditional 'second chance' romance, but it sure is a cute as hell love story nonetheless!
If you love:
❣️Bi-awakening
❣️Best friends to lovers
❣️Low angst
❣️Steamy AF scenes
❣️Older MCs
❣️Banter
Then you are gonna LOVE Platonic Rulebook ❣️
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 17, 2022
This was perfectly fine, and made for a decent bedtime read, but it was just a little... bland. In theory, I actually appreciated the twist on the best friends to lovers trope where neither of them has spent years pining for the other. The way things evolve felt quite believable and organic, and I generally enjoyed the characters and their connection, but there was just no real sense of tension at all. We're presented with stuff that's supposed to be tension--Griff's recently separated & hasn't told the kid or his ex about his new relationship and is worried about their reactions and Heath has been considering moving to a new city & taking a different job to be closer to his ailing mother. But the way these "obstacles" are presented makes it clear from the start that they are very easily resolved. The job thing is a non-issue as the author keeps bringing it up and then immediately having Heath say he doesn't want it--I was really confused as to why it kept showing up in the story because it was always incredibly clear that Heath wasn't going to take it and it felt like a very forced bit of non-tension. The wife & kid are clearly good people and were never going to be a major obstacle beyond a bit of awkwardness. This was a perfectly nice story, but I didn't really feel any sense of stakes or feel strongly about either character. By no means bad, but just a little uninspired.
June 19, 2022
I’ll be honest I skipped a lot of the text between dialogue. I wouldn’t say this was a bad story but it just seem to be a rinse and repeat of all is SJ’s recent works.
There’s always an Event™ that the characters plan at the start, which is when we can expect them to get together for the first time. There is always a Problem™ or two, and we can see the solution from the start and are just waiting for the characters to figure it out too. There is also always an Issue™ that temporarily keeps the couple from being together/going public. The characters personalities are also so similar, and you could honestly just change the names of the characters in the sex scenes from the last four books and you wouldn’t even notice a difference.
Heath and Griff were cute together but the change from platonic to romance soulmates was way too quick, so quick that one page theyre just physically attracted to each other and then next they can’t imagine life without each other. Neither of them every think how weird it is to go from platonic love to romantic love (or maybe I just missed it on account of my page skipping) but if I suddenly fell in love with my best friend of 20 years I’d at least have to think about how strange it was once or twice.
I am still gonna keep reading SJ’s books and I’m really looking forward to Art and Joey’s eventual story (and maybe Felix’s too?) because I feel like their personalities will offer a bit of a change from the usual.
There’s always an Event™ that the characters plan at the start, which is when we can expect them to get together for the first time. There is always a Problem™ or two, and we can see the solution from the start and are just waiting for the characters to figure it out too. There is also always an Issue™ that temporarily keeps the couple from being together/going public. The characters personalities are also so similar, and you could honestly just change the names of the characters in the sex scenes from the last four books and you wouldn’t even notice a difference.
Heath and Griff were cute together but the change from platonic to romance soulmates was way too quick, so quick that one page theyre just physically attracted to each other and then next they can’t imagine life without each other. Neither of them every think how weird it is to go from platonic love to romantic love (or maybe I just missed it on account of my page skipping) but if I suddenly fell in love with my best friend of 20 years I’d at least have to think about how strange it was once or twice.
I am still gonna keep reading SJ’s books and I’m really looking forward to Art and Joey’s eventual story (and maybe Felix’s too?) because I feel like their personalities will offer a bit of a change from the usual.
![Profile Image for Madigan Likes to Read [is watching hockey].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1669773554i/66230405._UY200_CR50,0,200,200_.jpg)
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 29, 2022DNF. No rating.
This is really gross.
The author has failed to explain to me why these two men that know each other so well and are very attracted to each other won’t act on it. The author doesn’t push the friend angle and wanting to preserve the friendship as an explanation. And even though Heath doesn’t do relationships, the author doesn’t push that angle as a reason not to pursue something with Griff either. So, instead, I’ve listened to over 10 chapters of these guys wanting each other, and telling each other that they are attracted to each other with no progress to advance the plot/relationship.
And here’s where it’s gross. Griff isn’t into hookups but Heath is shoving the idea that Griff HAS TO hookup down his throat, as if hooking up is required of men immediately upon the decision to divorce. And Griff is going along with it for reasons the author has failed to convey to the reader.
And this “platonic rulebook” is bullshit. Yes, it’s ok to hookup. No names, no numbers. Fine. But that’s not Griff’s style. But he goes along with it because Heath shoves it down his throat. No names, no numbers is fine for some and not for others, and that’s ok. But Heath treats it like a requirement. And it’s gross.
And having arrived at chapter 11 with no romance in sight, just pages and pages of Griff’s insecurities and no desire to hookup but forcing himself to consider it and plan for it anyway, I’m done.
RIP divorced men’s club.
This is really gross.
The author has failed to explain to me why these two men that know each other so well and are very attracted to each other won’t act on it. The author doesn’t push the friend angle and wanting to preserve the friendship as an explanation. And even though Heath doesn’t do relationships, the author doesn’t push that angle as a reason not to pursue something with Griff either. So, instead, I’ve listened to over 10 chapters of these guys wanting each other, and telling each other that they are attracted to each other with no progress to advance the plot/relationship.
And here’s where it’s gross. Griff isn’t into hookups but Heath is shoving the idea that Griff HAS TO hookup down his throat, as if hooking up is required of men immediately upon the decision to divorce. And Griff is going along with it for reasons the author has failed to convey to the reader.
And this “platonic rulebook” is bullshit. Yes, it’s ok to hookup. No names, no numbers. Fine. But that’s not Griff’s style. But he goes along with it because Heath shoves it down his throat. No names, no numbers is fine for some and not for others, and that’s ok. But Heath treats it like a requirement. And it’s gross.
And having arrived at chapter 11 with no romance in sight, just pages and pages of Griff’s insecurities and no desire to hookup but forcing himself to consider it and plan for it anyway, I’m done.
RIP divorced men’s club.
April 15, 2023
I love everything saxon James writes but divorced mens club might be their best series yet…. I think being older i relate to the characters being older as well . Their conflicts are more relatable .
These characters are lovable and i cant wait to read the next story. Heath & Griff keeping best friends to lovers ALIVE
Low angst
Edit: i miss them
These characters are lovable and i cant wait to read the next story. Heath & Griff keeping best friends to lovers ALIVE
Low angst
Edit: i miss them
July 5, 2022
I wish I could say I loved this book but I didn't.
The two stars are basically only for Griff and Heath's friendship, the DMC club and Art. That's it. I didn't like anything else in this book. And that's the reason I won't write a detailed review. I don't want it to turn into a review where I explain everything I didn't like.
I'm sad I didn't enjoy this book since I loved the first one. They can't be all a winner though. And I'm happy to see that some friends loved this one a lot! ❤️
P.S. I'm still excited for the next book, can't wait to see Orsen and Ford's story!!! Even though I really, really want Art and Joey's book!!! I loved Art from book one and I'm a little bit obsessed with him! Also, I don't know how I feel about Felix's book honestly, my impression of him in this book wasn't a good one.
The two stars are basically only for Griff and Heath's friendship, the DMC club and Art. That's it. I didn't like anything else in this book. And that's the reason I won't write a detailed review. I don't want it to turn into a review where I explain everything I didn't like.
I'm sad I didn't enjoy this book since I loved the first one. They can't be all a winner though. And I'm happy to see that some friends loved this one a lot! ❤️
P.S. I'm still excited for the next book, can't wait to see Orsen and Ford's story!!! Even though I really, really want Art and Joey's book!!! I loved Art from book one and I'm a little bit obsessed with him! Also, I don't know how I feel about Felix's book honestly, my impression of him in this book wasn't a good one.
June 26, 2022
3,75 rounded up…
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥹
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
Newly divorced bi guy Griff, a member of the Divorced Mens Club (the base premise of the series), wants to get out there and spread his bi wings, after 20 years in a comfortable marriage. His best mate Heath wants to help him get back out to casual connections, and says he’s trying to stop Griff’s pattern of getting into a relationship with everyone he connects with. Until he realises he doesn’t want Griff to be with anyone but himself.
Swoon: It was a quick transition between best friends to sex to love, and the swoon factor suffered a little. I think the guilt around telling Griff’s ex-wife & son, which was mentioned during every intimate scene, didn’t help.
Angst: This might be the case of personal experiences colouring my review, but I found the angst around Griff’s divorce, hiding the break-up from his son Felix, putting himself out there again, and the drama around hiding his feelings about Heath from his ex and his son quite angsty for a usual Saxon James read.
Steam: HOT. As always. And 10 points for the super-sexy docking scene 😏😳
Plot: Flowed well, fairly predictable except for the twist with the son. Hoping to see Felix again later in the series because I enjoyed his character arc!
LOLs: Always love the snark and banter in Saxon’s books and this was no exception! Particularly love the group chat text threads from the Divorced Men’s Club members!
Follow me under the same name on Instagram, Facebook & Bookbub for more review, new release & MM book content!
💗💜💙💚💛🧡❤️
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥹
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
Newly divorced bi guy Griff, a member of the Divorced Mens Club (the base premise of the series), wants to get out there and spread his bi wings, after 20 years in a comfortable marriage. His best mate Heath wants to help him get back out to casual connections, and says he’s trying to stop Griff’s pattern of getting into a relationship with everyone he connects with. Until he realises he doesn’t want Griff to be with anyone but himself.
Swoon: It was a quick transition between best friends to sex to love, and the swoon factor suffered a little. I think the guilt around telling Griff’s ex-wife & son, which was mentioned during every intimate scene, didn’t help.
Angst: This might be the case of personal experiences colouring my review, but I found the angst around Griff’s divorce, hiding the break-up from his son Felix, putting himself out there again, and the drama around hiding his feelings about Heath from his ex and his son quite angsty for a usual Saxon James read.
Steam: HOT. As always. And 10 points for the super-sexy docking scene 😏😳
Plot: Flowed well, fairly predictable except for the twist with the son. Hoping to see Felix again later in the series because I enjoyed his character arc!
LOLs: Always love the snark and banter in Saxon’s books and this was no exception! Particularly love the group chat text threads from the Divorced Men’s Club members!
Follow me under the same name on Instagram, Facebook & Bookbub for more review, new release & MM book content!
💗💜💙💚💛🧡❤️
June 25, 2022
This was absolutely delightful, I adored it so much.
This second installment in this series focuses on Griff and Heath, who are 43 now, and have been best friends since high school, so almost a lifetime.
For 25 of the years they'd been friends, Griff had been with Poppy - or more 24 years, but the last year was them putting up appearances for their kid, Felix, who had one more year of high school before he went off to college.
But now Felix has gone off to college, and when he comes back to visit soon, they're going to tell him of their divorce.
Until then, Griff and Poppy are settling into the single life, and Griff, after 20 years of being in a marriage, and 25 of being with the same person - the only person he's ever been with - has a learning curve to get through, of how to live on his own and be on his own.
It's not that he misses Poppy, he just has a hard time adjusting to doing everything on his own now, and living his life for himself for the first time in so many years.
Heath is Griff's best friend, and has never left Griff's side as his best friend. He even works at the resort that Griff and Poppy started together many years ago.
Now with the divorce, Poppy is leaving the resort and leaving it to Griff, who doesn't do well at the running of the place. He's better at the maintenance portion of it. Heath is practically running it himself as Poppy transitions out of working there. He and Griff compliment each other well on who is better at which part of running the business.
And now that Griff is all on his own, and no longer with Poppy, something starts to change between Griff and Heath.
Heath says a few times that he was never attracted to Griff before, except for a very minor crush that was there and gone in high school, buttt I think he was lying to himself.
To me it's hard to believe you can be as close as Griff and Heath were, for 27 years - maybe even more - and just all the sudden fall in love so quickly after Griff becomes officially single again. It literally only takes a few weeks for them to start falling for each other.
So to me, even though Heath was in denial about it, I think there were feelings there back when they were in high school, but these two both didn't realize it - and Heath probably squashed his crush because I bet he thought Griff was straight at the time - and then Griff fell for Poppy and they were together since he was 18.
I'm sure right away Heath just pushed any thought about Griff that way to the back of his mind once they got together, and also once he got to know Poppy and come to like her, doubly didn't think about it. And of course Griff would be too busy with Poppy and all that to think of Heath that way too.
But the minute they're both free and clear, the attraction emerges and it doesn't take long for these two platonic BFF's to not be so platonic anymore.
I think it's like...these two men are very loyal and would never want to hurt anyone, and probably forced themselves to not think of each other that way for so long that they just...didn't for so long. But once they were free to do it, they did.
Heath never settled down, and was always for casual flings and one-night-stands than for relationships. Which makes me feel, again, that he preferred relationship that way because the one he was in love with was right there, and he couldn't have him. Heath thinks things along those lines later in the book anyway. Like how he never wanted a relationship before Griff, but it was so easy to want it and fall into it with him...because he was already the one for him, the man he has loved and would love forever.
I loved their chemistry, it just felt so natural. They were so sweet together too, and you really felt the depth of their love for each other, platonic or not. They really are the best of friends, and they do so much for each other, and care so deeply, that falling in love wasn't hard for them to do. And again, strictly platonic best friends are great too, but these two were never just strictly that, I think. They just never let themselves think of more.
I mean, Heath came to help Griff out at the resort and just never left, because he would do anything for him. Griff can't even think of a life without Heath in it, and doesn't want Heath to leave the resort, ever, if he doesn't want to.
I'm sure platonic BFF's would help out their friend, no problem, but to stay at that job for 20 years for them? I dunno if even strictly platonic BFF's would do that for each other.
Heath even has an job opportunity somewhere else, that's even better paying, and he doesn't want it. Even though it could mean being closer to his mother, who lost his father the year before and who Heath wants to be closer to. He'd rather stay and keep Griff than leave and lose him. If that isn't romance, I dunno what is.
And it isn't like that isn't what Heath truly wants. He only contemplates the other job because of his mom, not because he truly wants it. Also Griff never asks that of him, to stay of him wanting to leave, because it's never a question for Heath, not really.
I just adored this so much. My only real niggle is the epilogue, which went way too fast for my liking, and I don't like that we didn't get to actually see Heath and Griff's wedding. I really wish authors would actually include the wedding in their books. But it wasn't big enough of a deal for me to give anything off of my rating.
I also like how well Poppy was written. She was complex, she was human. She made mistakes and said the wrong thing sometimes and it was clear why she and Griff weren't right for each other, but she was never made out to be a villain. Heath got frustrated at her, but when he talked it out with her, they were able to get to a better place. She had her faults but she was also overall a kind person who was happy for Griff and Heath and was ready to move on in her life.
It was so nice to see her be so human, so complex. She annoyed me a few times in this as well, but I also liked her at other times. I was happy she wasn't just a bitter ex-wife character who was easy to hate. There was no reason for it, because she and Griff mutually came to the decision to end it. I'm glad this author didn't lean into that trope a lot of MM books have of female characters - or even exes in general. It can happen with male exes too (as we saw in the first book with Payne's ex who was just a grade-A asshole), but I feel like more often than not female characters get the shaft and I love to see when they don't.
(And not that they can't be the 'villains' in these stories, I just like when they're well rounded and not one-dimensional, even when they are the villains in the story. And when they don't have to be the villain, I love when they're not portrayed as one.)
Anywho, I digress.
Griff and Heath were prefect for each other. Their chemistry was so well done, their sex scenes were pretty hot and scorching, and their romance was just perfect. I never doubted the love they had for each other.
A definite win in my book. This is shaping up to be a wonderful series, and I can't wait for the next book in this series (which I'm assuming is about Art and Joey? It better be ;)).
My Ratings for the Divorced Men's Club Series:
🔆 Making Him Mine: 3 stars (my review)
🔆 Roommate Arrangement: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 Platonic Rulebook: 5 stars
This second installment in this series focuses on Griff and Heath, who are 43 now, and have been best friends since high school, so almost a lifetime.
For 25 of the years they'd been friends, Griff had been with Poppy - or more 24 years, but the last year was them putting up appearances for their kid, Felix, who had one more year of high school before he went off to college.
But now Felix has gone off to college, and when he comes back to visit soon, they're going to tell him of their divorce.
Until then, Griff and Poppy are settling into the single life, and Griff, after 20 years of being in a marriage, and 25 of being with the same person - the only person he's ever been with - has a learning curve to get through, of how to live on his own and be on his own.
It's not that he misses Poppy, he just has a hard time adjusting to doing everything on his own now, and living his life for himself for the first time in so many years.
Heath is Griff's best friend, and has never left Griff's side as his best friend. He even works at the resort that Griff and Poppy started together many years ago.
Now with the divorce, Poppy is leaving the resort and leaving it to Griff, who doesn't do well at the running of the place. He's better at the maintenance portion of it. Heath is practically running it himself as Poppy transitions out of working there. He and Griff compliment each other well on who is better at which part of running the business.
And now that Griff is all on his own, and no longer with Poppy, something starts to change between Griff and Heath.
Heath says a few times that he was never attracted to Griff before, except for a very minor crush that was there and gone in high school, buttt I think he was lying to himself.
To me it's hard to believe you can be as close as Griff and Heath were, for 27 years - maybe even more - and just all the sudden fall in love so quickly after Griff becomes officially single again. It literally only takes a few weeks for them to start falling for each other.
So to me, even though Heath was in denial about it, I think there were feelings there back when they were in high school, but these two both didn't realize it - and Heath probably squashed his crush because I bet he thought Griff was straight at the time - and then Griff fell for Poppy and they were together since he was 18.
I'm sure right away Heath just pushed any thought about Griff that way to the back of his mind once they got together, and also once he got to know Poppy and come to like her, doubly didn't think about it. And of course Griff would be too busy with Poppy and all that to think of Heath that way too.
But the minute they're both free and clear, the attraction emerges and it doesn't take long for these two platonic BFF's to not be so platonic anymore.
I think it's like...these two men are very loyal and would never want to hurt anyone, and probably forced themselves to not think of each other that way for so long that they just...didn't for so long. But once they were free to do it, they did.
Heath never settled down, and was always for casual flings and one-night-stands than for relationships. Which makes me feel, again, that he preferred relationship that way because the one he was in love with was right there, and he couldn't have him. Heath thinks things along those lines later in the book anyway. Like how he never wanted a relationship before Griff, but it was so easy to want it and fall into it with him...because he was already the one for him, the man he has loved and would love forever.
I loved their chemistry, it just felt so natural. They were so sweet together too, and you really felt the depth of their love for each other, platonic or not. They really are the best of friends, and they do so much for each other, and care so deeply, that falling in love wasn't hard for them to do. And again, strictly platonic best friends are great too, but these two were never just strictly that, I think. They just never let themselves think of more.
I mean, Heath came to help Griff out at the resort and just never left, because he would do anything for him. Griff can't even think of a life without Heath in it, and doesn't want Heath to leave the resort, ever, if he doesn't want to.
I'm sure platonic BFF's would help out their friend, no problem, but to stay at that job for 20 years for them? I dunno if even strictly platonic BFF's would do that for each other.
Heath even has an job opportunity somewhere else, that's even better paying, and he doesn't want it. Even though it could mean being closer to his mother, who lost his father the year before and who Heath wants to be closer to. He'd rather stay and keep Griff than leave and lose him. If that isn't romance, I dunno what is.
And it isn't like that isn't what Heath truly wants. He only contemplates the other job because of his mom, not because he truly wants it. Also Griff never asks that of him, to stay of him wanting to leave, because it's never a question for Heath, not really.
I just adored this so much. My only real niggle is the epilogue, which went way too fast for my liking, and I don't like that we didn't get to actually see Heath and Griff's wedding. I really wish authors would actually include the wedding in their books. But it wasn't big enough of a deal for me to give anything off of my rating.
I also like how well Poppy was written. She was complex, she was human. She made mistakes and said the wrong thing sometimes and it was clear why she and Griff weren't right for each other, but she was never made out to be a villain. Heath got frustrated at her, but when he talked it out with her, they were able to get to a better place. She had her faults but she was also overall a kind person who was happy for Griff and Heath and was ready to move on in her life.
It was so nice to see her be so human, so complex. She annoyed me a few times in this as well, but I also liked her at other times. I was happy she wasn't just a bitter ex-wife character who was easy to hate. There was no reason for it, because she and Griff mutually came to the decision to end it. I'm glad this author didn't lean into that trope a lot of MM books have of female characters - or even exes in general. It can happen with male exes too (as we saw in the first book with Payne's ex who was just a grade-A asshole), but I feel like more often than not female characters get the shaft and I love to see when they don't.
(And not that they can't be the 'villains' in these stories, I just like when they're well rounded and not one-dimensional, even when they are the villains in the story. And when they don't have to be the villain, I love when they're not portrayed as one.)
Anywho, I digress.
Griff and Heath were prefect for each other. Their chemistry was so well done, their sex scenes were pretty hot and scorching, and their romance was just perfect. I never doubted the love they had for each other.
A definite win in my book. This is shaping up to be a wonderful series, and I can't wait for the next book in this series (which I'm assuming is about Art and Joey? It better be ;)).
My Ratings for the Divorced Men's Club Series:
🔆 Making Him Mine: 3 stars (my review)
🔆 Roommate Arrangement: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 Platonic Rulebook: 5 stars
June 18, 2022
Nothing new from James.
Except docking. That was new.
Rinse and fucking repeat.
I took away a star and added a rant after thinking about this all night.
Maybe I’m too cynical, but I feel like James and Eden Finley (both together and separately) are just cranking out crap to make money. I mean, yes, a gal’s gotta eat, but this is starting to feel gross. Cookie-cutter characters, copy-and-paste plots, and sex that doesn’t show (or even tell) us anything, but just tries to be “hot.” The docking in this one was … weird. All the focus on how one of them (the uncut bi one; can’t remember their names—Garth?) had to stay “half chubbed” and the other one was moaning and wailing about how hot it was and how good it was… like, I wouldn’t have enjoyed that sex even if I had a penis, if I couldn’t get into it or ruin it, or if my partner wasn’t into it all the way. And Uncut Bi Garth was described as being constantly hard and horny? Where’s his “steel rod” when he’s actually fucking his boyfriend?
Also, why is he uncut? I’m roughly the MCs’ age, and I’ve had sex with like 106 men, and ALL of them were circumcised. When I was at college, I had a party where the ONE uncircumcised guy (Venezuelan) showed us his dick because basically no one had seen one before. I mean, that’s anecdotal, I know, but US men generally get cut. Especially the ones born in the 70s.
Which brings me to another point. They write solely about US characters in order to appeal to US markets, even though they’re both Australian. I just finished Awfully Ambrose, and wasn’t put off by the Aussie-ness of that book. They even did a little glossary. Ditto NR Walker (lovedTallowwood, and that’s specifically about Australian indgeneity). And Jay Hogan’s NZ stories—I’m actually dreading Strut being set in the US. I love reading about different places, and authors writing real locations. I don’t need 2 Australian women trying to channel American alpha males in generic small towns or college campuses or fake hockey teams or made-up “African” countries.
Finally, they’re all about their (multiple) FB groups. Clearly, given the initial ratings of their books, it’s an effective marketing strategy. And a gal’s gotta pay rent. And buy shoes. But it just feels like a desperate ploy/shallow strategy to boost their numbers. If your work sucks, all the likes in the world can’t save you.
Also, Iris was racist.
I’m disgusted by these two and won’t read them again.
Except docking. That was new.
Rinse and fucking repeat.
I took away a star and added a rant after thinking about this all night.
Maybe I’m too cynical, but I feel like James and Eden Finley (both together and separately) are just cranking out crap to make money. I mean, yes, a gal’s gotta eat, but this is starting to feel gross. Cookie-cutter characters, copy-and-paste plots, and sex that doesn’t show (or even tell) us anything, but just tries to be “hot.” The docking in this one was … weird. All the focus on how one of them (the uncut bi one; can’t remember their names—Garth?) had to stay “half chubbed” and the other one was moaning and wailing about how hot it was and how good it was… like, I wouldn’t have enjoyed that sex even if I had a penis, if I couldn’t get into it or ruin it, or if my partner wasn’t into it all the way. And Uncut Bi Garth was described as being constantly hard and horny? Where’s his “steel rod” when he’s actually fucking his boyfriend?
Also, why is he uncut? I’m roughly the MCs’ age, and I’ve had sex with like 106 men, and ALL of them were circumcised. When I was at college, I had a party where the ONE uncircumcised guy (Venezuelan) showed us his dick because basically no one had seen one before. I mean, that’s anecdotal, I know, but US men generally get cut. Especially the ones born in the 70s.
Which brings me to another point. They write solely about US characters in order to appeal to US markets, even though they’re both Australian. I just finished Awfully Ambrose, and wasn’t put off by the Aussie-ness of that book. They even did a little glossary. Ditto NR Walker (lovedTallowwood, and that’s specifically about Australian indgeneity). And Jay Hogan’s NZ stories—I’m actually dreading Strut being set in the US. I love reading about different places, and authors writing real locations. I don’t need 2 Australian women trying to channel American alpha males in generic small towns or college campuses or fake hockey teams or made-up “African” countries.
Finally, they’re all about their (multiple) FB groups. Clearly, given the initial ratings of their books, it’s an effective marketing strategy. And a gal’s gotta pay rent. And buy shoes. But it just feels like a desperate ploy/shallow strategy to boost their numbers. If your work sucks, all the likes in the world can’t save you.
Also, Iris was racist.
I’m disgusted by these two and won’t read them again.
June 16, 2022
3.75 ⭐️
the tension, flirts and hotness were immaculate! friends to lovers without the pining trope is not exactly my cuppa, but this was good. kept me reading all the way through. Griff and Heath were platonic friends before they’ve established their love, but I think there wasn’t any depth to how their romantic relationship developed. the friendship was portrayed so perfectly, but once they realize they’re in love, it wasn’t giving. it was a lot of hot sex, I’m okay with that, but from a strong platonic relationship like that, i need more of their connection romantically. more feelings please. also, the last part was rushed, predictable, and easy but still, i enjoyed every moment in this. anyway, this series is getting so swoony and cute. i want Art’s story now please! AND ORDAN’S. IS THERE ANY PINING IN THIS SERIES ???
the tension, flirts and hotness were immaculate! friends to lovers without the pining trope is not exactly my cuppa, but this was good. kept me reading all the way through. Griff and Heath were platonic friends before they’ve established their love, but I think there wasn’t any depth to how their romantic relationship developed. the friendship was portrayed so perfectly, but once they realize they’re in love, it wasn’t giving. it was a lot of hot sex, I’m okay with that, but from a strong platonic relationship like that, i need more of their connection romantically. more feelings please. also, the last part was rushed, predictable, and easy but still, i enjoyed every moment in this. anyway, this series is getting so swoony and cute. i want Art’s story now please! AND ORDAN’S. IS THERE ANY PINING IN THIS SERIES ???
November 6, 2022
reread:
i didn’t like this as much as the first time🥲
original review:
saxon james did it again.
and she’ll probably do it again and again.
sure, heath is an amazing character, but the real star here is griff.
i would 100% sacrifice my life for him. not joking.
i didn’t like this as much as the first time🥲
original review:
saxon james did it again.
and she’ll probably do it again and again.
sure, heath is an amazing character, but the real star here is griff.
i would 100% sacrifice my life for him. not joking.
January 1, 2023
3.75⭐️
I liked this story a lot. Griff & Heath are super likable, however I needed more character depth to fully connect. Still enjoying the DMC chats…hope to hear more from them in the next book!
I liked this story a lot. Griff & Heath are super likable, however I needed more character depth to fully connect. Still enjoying the DMC chats…hope to hear more from them in the next book!
April 30, 2023
- divorced
- best friends to lovers
- older MCs
When I originally read this back in October I only picked it up because of Felix and Marshall’s story in the Franklin U series.
Griff and Heath aren't my favorite DMC love story, and I still stand by that, but I liked their story a little more the second time around. It’s such a sweet best friends to lovers romance about two idiots who don’t realize they’ve been in love with each for years lol
It’s cute 🤷🏻♀️
- best friends to lovers
- older MCs
When I originally read this back in October I only picked it up because of Felix and Marshall’s story in the Franklin U series.
Griff and Heath aren't my favorite DMC love story, and I still stand by that, but I liked their story a little more the second time around. It’s such a sweet best friends to lovers romance about two idiots who don’t realize they’ve been in love with each for years lol
It’s cute 🤷🏻♀️
June 1, 2022
Platonic Rulebook is a low angst, steamy best friends to lovers romance. Heath and Griff were just perfect together. As life long friends they knew all each others secrets. They were at ease with one another. When Griff is finalizing his amicable divorce it's Heath who's there for him. Heath who encourages him to get back out there. And then it's Heath whom Griff is starting to see in a whole new light. Thankfully, Griff's new self revelation about his attraction to his best friend isn't one sided. Heath is feeling the pull as well. All that tension leads to both men ending up in bed together. Heath figured he'd be by Griff's side as he got back on the horse, he just didn't think that horse was gonna be him.
Though both Griff and Heath personally want to see where this new thing goes, there are other circumstances they need to consider. Although Griff and his wife have been separated for over a year, they waited to officially divorce once their son left for college. Heath has been a part of both Griff's wife and sons lives since the start. How is it going to look if they start dating? Would either of them even accept it? Griff can't lose his family, but he also doesn't want to lose Heath. Rock meet hard place.
I was happy with how things turned out in the end. In fact, I don't think things could have turned out any better...or sweeter. There were also some really funny moments that I couldn't stop laughing at like when Heath walked in on Griff in flagrante in his own kitchen.
"Coffee?" I ask...I turn to grab a cup, hoping if I ignore that I'm naked, he will too.
"Of Course. You know I like caffeine and a view."
As usually I loved all the DMC guys and their group chats. I have 2 different couples on my mind that I think could be future books, though I have no idea who's book is next. Both couples books could include some form of bi awakening and that trope is my kryptonite.
Though both Griff and Heath personally want to see where this new thing goes, there are other circumstances they need to consider. Although Griff and his wife have been separated for over a year, they waited to officially divorce once their son left for college. Heath has been a part of both Griff's wife and sons lives since the start. How is it going to look if they start dating? Would either of them even accept it? Griff can't lose his family, but he also doesn't want to lose Heath. Rock meet hard place.
I was happy with how things turned out in the end. In fact, I don't think things could have turned out any better...or sweeter. There were also some really funny moments that I couldn't stop laughing at like when Heath walked in on Griff in flagrante in his own kitchen.
"Coffee?" I ask...I turn to grab a cup, hoping if I ignore that I'm naked, he will too.
"Of Course. You know I like caffeine and a view."
As usually I loved all the DMC guys and their group chats. I have 2 different couples on my mind that I think could be future books, though I have no idea who's book is next. Both couples books could include some form of bi awakening and that trope is my kryptonite.
June 29, 2022
Liked both MCs and their relationships, steamy scenes.
The first part dragged- took me more than a week to get through first 50% of the book.
Hiding the divorce from 18 year old doesn't make any sense. The reasons MCs thought they can't be together didn't ring true, especially since everything was resolved in one chapter. Job offer was another manufacturered attempt for drama.
The first part dragged- took me more than a week to get through first 50% of the book.
Hiding the divorce from 18 year old doesn't make any sense. The reasons MCs thought they can't be together didn't ring true, especially since everything was resolved in one chapter. Job offer was another manufacturered attempt for drama.
December 19, 2023
Full RTC but omg I hated a lot about this book -_-
UPDATE:
May I present to you, a rundown of my evolution through this book....
25% I love that this series isn’t centered solely around young people. I really relate to Griff's self-consciousness about his midlife appearance and body. It’s hard to get out there after a long relationship and you wonder is anybody even gonna find me attractive? 💙
48% I’m sorry… but who doesn’t tell their college age kid they’re bi? He’s totally freaking out bc he never told Felix and now he’s with a guy. SIR. Wtf? What century are you living in?
Yes I’m judging a book character at 6 am in the morning. 😒
80% I hate Poppy. I just KNOW the author is going to keep painting her in a positive light but Come On!! She doesn’t do any of the work but still gets her ENTIRE share of the profits of the hotel. She forces Griff to lie to Felix about their divorce FOR A YEAR. And she constantly judges and puts Griff down. Fuuuuuck that noise. And she forced Heath into a management role without a pay increase. Biiiitch please.
82.0% Prepare for yelling: THEY DIDNT TELL FELIX HE WAS BI BECAUSE THEY DIDNT WANT TO CONFUSE HIM BECAUSE GRIFF WAS MARRIED TO A WOMAN?! Wtf kind of bullshit is this. I’m ready to yeet this book across the room. I don’t know if I should hate the author or the characters more. Or both. Fucking bi-erasure gd bull shit.
100% done. If you could throw an audiobook, I would. Even a fabulous narrator couldn't save this book. I haven't been this disappointed in a book in a long time. I expected more from Saxon James. Some of her most recent works within the Puckboys series has some helpful and interesting fact based queer statistics. It felt like they did some research before exploring those characters. But this one? I feel like it kinda fails the bi community and for that I hate it. One star for the narrator, one star because I finished it. But I'm taking a break from Saxon and Finley for a few minutes 😑
UPDATE:
May I present to you, a rundown of my evolution through this book....
25% I love that this series isn’t centered solely around young people. I really relate to Griff's self-consciousness about his midlife appearance and body. It’s hard to get out there after a long relationship and you wonder is anybody even gonna find me attractive? 💙
48% I’m sorry… but who doesn’t tell their college age kid they’re bi? He’s totally freaking out bc he never told Felix and now he’s with a guy. SIR. Wtf? What century are you living in?
Yes I’m judging a book character at 6 am in the morning. 😒
80% I hate Poppy. I just KNOW the author is going to keep painting her in a positive light but Come On!! She doesn’t do any of the work but still gets her ENTIRE share of the profits of the hotel. She forces Griff to lie to Felix about their divorce FOR A YEAR. And she constantly judges and puts Griff down. Fuuuuuck that noise. And she forced Heath into a management role without a pay increase. Biiiitch please.
82.0% Prepare for yelling: THEY DIDNT TELL FELIX HE WAS BI BECAUSE THEY DIDNT WANT TO CONFUSE HIM BECAUSE GRIFF WAS MARRIED TO A WOMAN?! Wtf kind of bullshit is this. I’m ready to yeet this book across the room. I don’t know if I should hate the author or the characters more. Or both. Fucking bi-erasure gd bull shit.
100% done. If you could throw an audiobook, I would. Even a fabulous narrator couldn't save this book. I haven't been this disappointed in a book in a long time. I expected more from Saxon James. Some of her most recent works within the Puckboys series has some helpful and interesting fact based queer statistics. It felt like they did some research before exploring those characters. But this one? I feel like it kinda fails the bi community and for that I hate it. One star for the narrator, one star because I finished it. But I'm taking a break from Saxon and Finley for a few minutes 😑
Read
February 1, 2024Audio: 5 Stars, Nick J Russo you are one of the greats! (Audio on Everand)
Book: DNF @22%
I just wasn't feeling it with these two like I have with the other men in the Divorced Men's Club haha so instead of pushing through like I would do in the past, I am just moving on!
It was a lot of Heath pushing Griff to hook up, Griff not wanting to hook up, and then they both are saying they find the other hot because they are horny and their in a dry spell... haha it got annoying and old kinda fast haha
Book: DNF @22%
I just wasn't feeling it with these two like I have with the other men in the Divorced Men's Club haha so instead of pushing through like I would do in the past, I am just moving on!
It was a lot of Heath pushing Griff to hook up, Griff not wanting to hook up, and then they both are saying they find the other hot because they are horny and their in a dry spell... haha it got annoying and old kinda fast haha
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