REVIEW: Taken by Kate Sherwood

Title: Taken
in Don’t Read in the Closet Volume Four anthology
Author: Kate Sherwood
Genre: Contemporary / Gay Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

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Blurb

I’ve known him for ages.

Forever, really. Or, at least since the first day of kindergarten, when he stole my Lego’s, then shared his cookies with me when he realized he’d made me cry.

He was my best friend. The first person I came out to. He’s the guy I gave my virginity to. The guy who taught me to fuck. The guy who taught me to be safe. He doesn’t know it, but he’s also the guy who taught me to make love.

I’m the guy he goes home with when there’s no better prospect at the club.

It was never supposed to be serious. I knew that, I even wanted that. I’m the one who broke the rules…

* This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Read in the Closet event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
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My Review

A heartwarming best-friends-to-lovers story! I was about to quit reading this anthology (Don’t Read in the Closet: Volume Four) but saw this story and I decided to give it a chance. And I’m so happy I did so because it was wonderful.

Tristan and Cody are best friends from childhood and fuck buddies for years, but only when they are not in a relationship with someone else. Cody realizes he is in love with Tristan and wants more, something serious and meaningful. Only he is sure Tristan would never want this thing between them to go past friendship, so he ends them.

Simple and kind of obvious storyline, some jealousy drama, a control freak and violent new (soon ex) boyfriend, and a sweet happy ending. I loved the caps – too bad I can’t talk about them because that would be spoiler…

Maybe I loved it so much just because I’ve read so many shitty stories right before this. Apart from the plot being a bit predictable and the story being too short, I can’t come up with any serious shortcomings.