Brother's-Best-Friend Romance

'Secret Admirer' features Benji, an art student just starting college, and Ace, the best friend of Benji's brother Jeremy. Since Jeremy isn't around to watch over his younger brother, he has tasked Ace with the job. Ace accidentally becomes Benji's secret admirer. After some angsting over each other, they get together.

I'm not much of an angst fan, so the beginning of the book gets me a little frustrated. Benji and Ace have feelings for one another, but are absolutely convinced the other guy can't possibly feel the same. And then they proceed to not talk to each other about their feelings. When Ace finally gathers the courage to tell Benji how he feels, I like the story more. Their dates are adorable and the sex scenes are loving. Overall, it's a good story.

I liked Darcy Stark's narration for the most part. The dialogue is performed very well. The exposition sometimes has an overly formal feel that didn't seem to suit Jamison's story.

I received a free review copy of this audiobook and in exchange have written this voluntary honest opinion.

Recommended.

3 people found this helpful

A Breezy, Frictionless, Sweet-as-sugar romance

The impending fall off democracy got you down? you couldn't ask for a better little escape than this novel. It's all sweetness and gumdrops. Usually I dislike sappy love stories, but this one gets it right. You can understand why the leads care for each other.

The reader was excellent. I'd have taken off a half star if I had that option because his Ace was often way too poetic in tone, but that's really a small complaint. I'd listen to another of his work, no question.

Adorable Romance

Great friends to lovers/brothers best friend romance. These guys were so sweet together and the personal issues they dealt with were spot on.

Sweet story

I loved Benji and Ace! Who doesn't love it when the nerd hooks up with the cool kid? And when it's your brother's best friend that just added more sweet to the pot. I loved how Ace was so into Benji from the very beginning. He thought he was just cheering up his best friend's brother but deep down always wanted him for himself. Another great read from DJ! Keep them coming!

It’s all those little things that became love

A very sweet and heartwarming story! I have definitely become an admirer for “secret admirer”.

Ace has always thought he was straight. Until he found that Benji needed someone to take care of him and raise his self-esteem. A human mind is so complex yet so simple at times. It was like a whole new world was opened up for Ace when he found himself being attracted to Benji. Not only that, he found that he has been interested in little Benji, his best friend’s little brother for quite a long time already without even knowing himself. Benji needs someone to love and protect him and Ace desperately wanted to be that someone. Where can you find a more prefect match?

Realistic, sweet, charming and full with all-good feels. I love everything about this book. No doubt, various kinds of OFY, GFY tropes are very popular with gay romance genre but this book was truly unique and charming. We not only learn about Ace’s self-discovery and acceptance but also witnessed the true blossoming of little Benji. These two are truly too sweet together. I loved all those little gifts. And my! Darcy Stark did a terrific job with the narration. I have always loved his performances but I think this one outshined all of his previous works I have listened before. Can’t recommend enough. Don’t hesitate and just listen! I guarantee this one is very credit-worthy! ❤️

5 It’s all those little things that became love stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Audio rating

Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Benji and Ace were the cutest college boys!

I loved this story when it came out originally, and listening to the audio allowed me to slow down and really savor this cute, fluffy romance. Because both characters are college-aged, their story had a youthful innocence about it that I really loved. Benji is the little brother, the one who's had a years-long, hopeless crush on his brother's straight best friend. Ace is the brother's best friend, who's always seen Benji as someone to look after but is slowly realizing his feelings run much deeper than that. The secret admirer gifts start as a way for Ace to make Benji smile, but over time they turn into an expression of his deepening feelings and desires. Watching Ace and Benji clumsily, shyly come together was adorable. Predictably, Benji was completely in the dark about Ace's feelings even when everyone around them could see what was going on. My heart absolutely melted when these two finally opened up to each other. Their kisses and hesitant first times were sweet and sexy to read about. I wasn't blown away by the depth of emotions in this book, but these are college boys in love so I wasn't expecting anything different. Some immaturity and overreactions made sense for how young these guys are. I'm glad there weren't any big blowups when family and friends found out about their relationship--the angst wouldn't have fit with the overall fluffiness of this story. 

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

I was given a free copy.Giving honest review.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook.
I am leaving an honest and unbiased review.

I honestly loved this low angst,friends to lovers book.

The two characters,Benji and Ace were adorable.

I really liked the secret admirer angle too.

In closing,I highly recommend this audiobook.

Great narrator too.

Sweet Romance

This is a really sweet romance with a great storyline and wonderful characters. The story is very well written and flows smoothly. The narrator does a really great job of portraying all of the characters and interpreting the story. Benji and Ace are a great pairing. They have chemistry and I really like that they are such good friends before becoming involved. Benji has had a crush on Ace for a while but was too afraid to do anything about it because Ace is his brother's best friend and he felt that Ace saw him as a little brother and nothing more. By the same token, Ace felt that Benji saw him as a big brother and was also his best friend's brother! I really like that everything seemed to progress seamlessly and with little angst. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

3.5 stars- Sweet, uncomplicated romance

Secret Admirer was a sweet, long-angst romance. I liked the plot and thought it was a good approach to the best friend’s brother trope. I also really liked the inclusion of the bi-awakening plotline. While there was tension exposing the relationship to the big brother, for the most part the romance felt easy with as much heat as it had gentle moments.

Ace and Benji’s familiar bond was immediately apparent, which made the move to something more smooth. While this wasn’t novel per say, I did like the way the author developed Ace’s feelings for Benji- it felt seamless yet believable. I also really enjoyed that the dual point-of-view allowed Ace’s intent to be obvious. It was a nice change of pace to have the typical hot frat boy unsure but wanting to pursue the “dorky” art student. Both characters were pretty well developed as individuals, especially as Ace dealt with his family and decided to come out to his friends and family. That said, I couldn’t help but wish the chemistry between Ace and Benji was a little more strong and palpable. As much as I enjoy an easy romance, I needed something to drive my interest and connection to the story and that lagged a bit once they had become a couple.

The narrator for Secret Admirer was new to me but his uncomplicated delivery that matched the story’s tone well. I was easily able to follow along with the dialogue and point-of-view changes, and would definitely be open to listening for more from this narrator. Although there was a little emotion missing from the narrator’s delivery and I wanted a little more hook for the second part of the book, Secret Admirer made for a nice listen I’d recommend to readers looking for a straight forward romance with minimal drama and conflict.

*ACX code received via Gay Romance Reviews. The author, PA, and narrator had no influence over this review*

Loved It!

I really enjoyed this feel good college/best friends brother romance by DJ Jamison. I love Benji and Ace's story and how naturally their relationship progresses. This sweet story flowed beautifully.
Darcy Stark does such an amazing job with the narration. He brings the characters to life and adds just the right touch to this story.