Ahreluth
Hooked
I really enjoyed this. It's a relatively short read, but it packs a lot of warmth, chemistry, and emotion into a novella.
Cal and Archie worked for me almost immediately. Archie is awkward in a way that feels genuine rather than exaggerated, while Cal is confident and successful without ever tipping over into arrogance. Their chemistry is obvious from the start, but what I enjoyed most was watching Cal slowly try to figure Archie out as the story unfolded.
There aren't huge twists or dramatic plot turns, but there was enough tension to keep me invested. I also really liked the supporting cast, who felt like actual people rather than set decoration and added something meaningful to the story.
What stuck with me most were the quieter moments. There's a scene where Archie is lying awake listening to a ticking radiator, and for some reason that tiny detail perfectly captured the feeling of wanting something and not being able to stop thinking about it, as well as embody London, and the building and world that Archie lives in.
More than anything, though, this was exactly the kind of story I needed right now. It's warm, romantic, hopeful, and left me feeling like maybe anything's possible. I even felt a little better about the world than I did when I started! If you're looking for an M/M romance you can finish in an afternoon and walk away from with a smile, I'd definitely recommend it.
I really enjoyed this. It's a relatively short read, but it packs a lot of warmth, chemistry, and emotion into a novella.
Cal and Archie worked for me almost immediately. Archie is awkward in a way that feels genuine rather than exaggerated, while Cal is confident and successful without ever tipping over into arrogance. Their chemistry is obvious from the start, but what I enjoyed most was watching Cal slowly try to figure Archie out as the story unfolded.
There aren't huge twists or dramatic plot turns, but there was enough tension to keep me invested. I also really liked the supporting cast, who felt like actual people rather than set decoration and added something meaningful to the story.
What stuck with me most were the quieter moments. There's a scene where Archie is lying awake listening to a ticking radiator, and for some reason that tiny detail perfectly captured the feeling of wanting something and not being able to stop thinking about it, as well as embody London, and the building and world that Archie lives in.
More than anything, though, this was exactly the kind of story I needed right now. It's warm, romantic, hopeful, and left me feeling like maybe anything's possible. I even felt a little better about the world than I did when I started! If you're looking for an M/M romance you can finish in an afternoon and walk away from with a smile, I'd definitely recommend it.