Title: My Mate Jack
Series: Heated Beat, #1
Author: Garrett Leigh
Genre: New Adult Romance
Length: Novella (104 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 10th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Aerin
Blurb: Will Barter’s been in love with his best mate Jack for as long as he can remember. They’ve shared everything: love, life, laughs, even Will’s first kiss. But Jack’s straight, and Will’s long-buried infatuation means nothing until their last summer together draws to a close.
Then one night, everything changes, but with Will bound for university in Leeds, and Jack for his dream DJ job in Ibiza, there’s no time to explore their blurred lines. Before long all that’s left are secrets, lies, and misunderstandings.
In the months that follow, anger, and hurt overshadow fifteen years of friendship, and Will must dig deep, to remember Jack is his mate… his best mate, and nothing matters more than that, right?
ISBN: 9781632164988
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5781
Review: Despite of the few issues I’ve had with this book, I couldn’t put it down. I adore Garrett Leigh. I liked every single book she’s written so far. My Mate Jack is no different, the friends to lovers team is my favorite by far. Add to that the British terms and phrases and I was sold.
Will and Jack have known each other before their teen years, have always been best mates and had each others’ backs. Jack is the first person Will came out to and he supported him unconditionally. Will has a secret crush on Jack that he will never admit to for fear of destroying their precious friendship. Will and Jack experiment together a few times, first a kiss, then something more, but Jack is not gay and never will be.
Fast forward a few years and Will and Jack each go their own way in life: Will to Uni and Jack to Ibiza to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a famous D.J. They keep in touch through sporadic emails and text messages but their relationship has cooled a lot. It frustrated me to no end because you could tell they still care about each other, but I guess when life gets in the way, there’s nothing to do but live it.
Eventually Jack and Will get together again, they visit each other but things between them are tense. Will is still very much in love with Jack and Jack is still as clueless as ever. And if you think that’s not dramatic enough, there is family drama, unresolved issues, and jealous boyfriends as well.
The guys do get their happy ending (at least for now) but Jack is still not gay; he’s not straight either. Jack simply likes Will and nobody else will do, and I absolutely loved that about him.
What annoyed me was the lack of communication between characters. All the drama and heartbreak could’ve been avoided if Will and Jack talked through their confusion and mixed feelings. And the length of time between their emails got me very mad. I do understand they were busy but you should still make time to exchange emails with your best mate. They were both acting twatish and I wanted to whack them upside the head.
I can’t wait for the next book because we’re going to see how they handle their relationship now that they live together. Recommended for those who love friends-to-lovers and gay-for-you stories.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *