Brody & Nick: A steamy, marriage-of-convenience, friends-to-lovers, M/M romance

4 1/2 STARS A.D. Ellis takes the reader on an emotional journey filled with low angst and lots of steam where two friends Body and Nick decide to opt for a marriage of convenience to get lower housing rates through Brodys specialized service in the army and to get him off base for the remaining year left before he goes back to college, and Nicks remaining year in college before he graduates and pursues his dream. Brody has a lot of emotional baggage regarding his past with his family coming out and choices they made regarding his studies leading him to join the army as an out and proud gay young man. Brody and Nicks paths crossed when he dated Nicks roommate briefly and when he deployed they became fast texting/sexting friends which led to the decision of a marriage of convenience to get Brody off base and save money.. As all stories go regarding this trope it always leads to someone or both getting hurt in the process as feelings always do develop in such a close proximity of living together in a no strings attached relationship! What happens after their year agreement expires? Do they go their separate ways as friends or do they both want more? Will the interference of a broody sassy southern mother and their best friend Addie help or worsen the situation? It really was an emotional journey that showcases that the devotion and help from family and friends is always warranted. Stubbornness and selfish pride can lead to bad decisions! I felt the emotional pain of the characters and laughed and cried with them throughout their journey! This is a book I can definitely recommend! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is a passionate romance that starts off with friends helping friends that develops and grows into something more. Brody and Nick had a previous relationship, but needing help with a place to stay they find more than just convenience. Brody and Nick's story is easy read with characters you can't help but to like and warm your heart. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

4.5 This is a low angst love story of a marriage of convenience turned into a HEA. Brody is entering his final year in the army and is itching to live off base; however, in order to do this, he has to be married. One small thing, he is not married. No problem though he has a fix-he will propose to the roommate of his ex boyfriend with whom he has been sexting while deployed. Nick, the roommate of the ex, is also looking for an opportunity to get away from his housing situation. Looks like we have a win-win. Nick is scheduled to graduate at the end of the year and Brody only has a year left in the army. They will both save money with this arrangement then go their separate ways at the end of the year. The fly in this perfect ointment is Brody's homophobic C.O. The C.O. threatens to have charges brought against Brody id he is able to get proof that this is a sham marriage. Well not that means they have to up their game and start to act like a real couple outside of the bedroom. The "forced" public intimacy soon begins to feel more and more natural and then ceases to feel like role playing. The majority of the story is very low angst, but toward the end the MCs reach a crossroads in their relationships and a choice must be made. This conflict forces the hand of the MCs to determine if they will chose to continue on their love path or go with their prearranged split. What I liked: • Alternating 1st person POV • HEA • Military • Instalove What I found confounding • I found it hard to image how Nick had two jobs, went to school, and still had time to be in a relationship. Then at the end, he had three full-time jobs and a relationship? When did he sleep? • The end seemed rushed to a sugary sweet conclusion. • Very little interaction with the outside world beside Brody’s bf Addie I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.