Him: 1

This was my first Sarina Bowen book that blew my mind. Friends-to-lovers, sports romance, how they re-unite. leaving butterflies in your stomach.. Must read Novel or have it in your bookshelf.

Loved it... Just a calm quick book about love... The epilogue made me teary♥️Looking forward to the next one..

If have a tendency to give it thousand of stars than I definitely gonna give it.this novel is truelyyyy exceptional novel. M in love with James canning and Ryan Wesley. Every chapter of this book gives me pleasurely excitement. This novel is definitely worth for this price.it truely touched my heart.i just love it😘

This book is almost 400 pages long. And never once did I feel bored or anything like that! Surprise! The characters are so well etched out. Friends to lovers trobe well done. And never in my life I would love a sports romance (other than the Fence graphic novel series, of course!).Even the side characters are really good. They are so real.It's the writing I guess. I laughed out loud now and then, then cried because things got too cute and too emotional or just too sad thinking they would not end up together. But heck! My life is blessed!Homophobia and lgbtq issues are handled really well.The family vibes is really strong.But it's the romance that made me really happy. Both Jamie and Wes are so real.Damn, my freaking heart.The first half is so-so but it's the second half that got my heart and my tear glands.It feels like Christmas having read this.I don't regret reading this one. Thank you to all my reader buddies here who recommended this!I freaking love Jamie and Wes!

I'm going to be reviewing in a hurry for this one because there's a sequel that follows the same characters (even though this was a complete novel) and I want to know what it's about and if it's one that I'll be reading. But I'm not allowed to read anything about that novel before I review this one. So here goes nothing...This is the story of Jamie and Ryan. They were best friends for six years, meeting every year at a hockey camp, until something happened which crossed the line of 'just friends'. This caused Ryan, who was in love with his straight best friend, Jamie, to cut him out of his life. Now, four years later, they meet again at a tournament. Ryan is still hung up on Jamie, who may not be as straight as they'd assumed.Obviously, sparks fly and all that. There's a lot of flirting and a lot of (HOT!) sex. But what's surprising is that there's also a whole lot of friendship; because Wes (aka Ryan) and Jamie were friends first and foremost. And that friendship meant a lot to them both.So even as we venture into the realm of romance, there are many fun times when they both just joke around and connect. They love, trust, and care about each other, and it's absolutely wonderful to see their relationship. Jamie, Wes and their relationship were the highlight of the novel, as they should be, and consistently engaging. I was very invested in them. That's actually one of the reasons I'm so wary about the sequel. This is such a complete and finished story for me, and I'm not sure I want to risk ruining the perfect way things are at the end.That aside, the writing was great, as I've come to expect from Elle Kennedy. And I think I might have to check out more stuff by Sarina Bowen as well. The story was brilliant. This isn't a small book (took me 7 hours) but it's all worth it.Another thing I loved was how the LGBT angle was handled. We've seen many books about the struggles of coming out but this was a different take. It delved into acceptance of oneself and the long term backlash of what happens after you come out. Even if you're accepted by your friends, there are so many situations when you have to be careful, when you might feel unsafe from those who "disagree" with your sexuality. It's a very mature take. Neither Jamie nor Wes are kids. Their worries extend to how their professional lives will be impacted. I loved the direction the authors chose and how they represented it.Overall, this is a wonderful, enjoyable, heart-warming and just... an awesome book. I highly, highly recommend reading it.

O wow, Elle and Sarina are yet to disappoint! This is the first book in the “Him” series and as has been happening recently with me, I read the second book first 🤣. Thank God it did not make a difference!Jamie and Ryan were childhood friends. “Were” in the sense Jamie could not figure out what went wrong all those years ago that Ryan became incommunicado! Granted that things got a little strange on the last night of hockey camp but that was all a joke made in a drunken stupor, so what the hell went wrong? Ryan blames himself because he feels that he coerced - a very straight Jamie, doing something which he would never have otherwise done. So when the opportunity arises at the national hockey championship he makes up his mind to apologize to Jamie for his foolishness all those years ago. But as soon as he sees Jamie again, all of the feelings he had buried deep within himself come flooding back and he realizes he has never stopped loving him.No wonder best friends to lovers is my favorite trope! I absolutely loved Jamie and Ryan. They are simply made for each other. Their chemistry is off the charts and smut was oh so steamy and I mean way steamy🥵! I love how Jamie is so practical and down to earth and he never hesitates or questions his choices, his likes, or his preferences. He keeps his mind open and does not get easily worked up. Ryan's good looks aren't the only thing that caught my attention, but also the depth of his character and the struggles he goes through as he grapples with the negative comments about his sexual preference. It was a powerful moment when Jamie, who is straight and has never had to deal with such comments, starts to understand the weight of them as he explores his own sexuality. It's a subtle reminder that things that are taken for granted when you're straight become a struggle when you're gay, and I have to give props to Elle and Sarina for tackling this topic in a sensitive but honest way.🙌Emotional, steamy and romantic read. Absolutely recommend!

One of the fastest reading experience I’ve ever had ❤️

I don’t know how many people have told me I NEEDED to read this book and I’m very happy I decided to do a buddy read of it with my bestie Sabrina. I love how the authors brought Jamie and Wes’ friendship back with the box that represented a big part of their bond from when they were younger. It was so innocent but represented what they meant to each other at the same time, how they took the time to send each other ridiculous and meaningful gifts. Bi-awakening fueled by jealousy is my kryptonite and it was perfect in this book. I loved how Wes was slowly discovery that his feelings for his best friend never went away and how Jamie was slowly realizing that he wanted Wes in return. Their story was very sweet and exactly what I expected from a hockey romance. I look forward to reading the second book Us, and seeing where their love story brings them next.

"Him" by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy is a captivating, steamy romance that explores the rekindling of a deep friendship and the discovery of love between two former best friends, Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley. This novel delves into their emotional journey, from unresolved feelings and regrets to a passionate summer that challenges their perceptions of themselves and each other.Bowen and Kennedy's seamless co-writing creates an engaging and fluid narrative. The characters are well-developed, with Jamie's confusion and Wes's longing vividly portrayed. The chemistry between them is electric, making their intimate moments both tender and sizzling.While the plot is straightforward with minimal angst, the focus on emotional growth and connection is compelling. Fans of M/M romance will find Him a delightful read, and those new to the genre will be drawn in by its heartfelt and sensual storytelling. Highly recommended for its warmth, humor, and heat.

Funny, sexy, heartbreaking and heartwarming!*****Rating: 5 starsSteam: 3 flamesGenre: MM / Sports / Friends to Lovers / GFY*****HIM, is an MM Hockey Sports Romance. Jamie and Ryan have been going to hockey summer camp for years and they are best friends. Until one fateful night when a crazy bet was made, double dares were issued, and the words "let's watch some porn" were uttered. That night changed Ryan and Jamie's friendship forever. Ryan went radio silent and Jamie never understood why he lost his friend.4 years later; Ryan and Jamie are about to run into each other again when their college hockey teams both make it to the final four.Ryan is the adrenaline junky, always testing boundaries, and the guy that will always come up with the really bad ideas. He has also figured out that he is gay and in love with his straight friend Jamie. He has carried the guilt of that fateful night for 4 years and knows he has to apologize to Jamie.Jamie, calm, cool and collected. Has never understood why he lost his best friend after one crazy night. Will he finally get the answers he is looking for when he finally faces his old friend?Good heavens these two. Ryan broke my heart and Jamie warmed my heart. I had a stupid grin most of the time because these two and their shenanigans were funny. Jamie's confusion and finally acceptance towards his newly discovered sexuality was both funny (the way he tested his theory), beautiful and natural. I fell for Jamie hard.Ryan, trying to do the right thing by his friend, makes many mistakes. Geez, does Ryan make mistakes. What I enjoyed about this book is the level of communication between the characters. Once they get over the 4-year hiatus, they both decide not to hold anything in, and that open and honest dialog was wonderful. No unnecessary angst just to further a story. HIM, is just a beautifully funny and wonderful friend to lover romance!I loved the characters, steam, and humor throughout the book! HIM had a storyline that was both realistic and heartwarming. To put it simply, HIM was just a fantastic book, one I will recommend to all my friends that are fans of this genre.

50% sex25% hockey25% Wes and Jamie being afraid to tell each other “I love you”