It Takes Two to Tumble

Reread in October 2024

Listened to the audiobook this time around - mostly using it as a relaxing listen right before bed. And I have to say, I like the narrator a lot. He's really talented with different voices and never sounds bad.


Reread in April 2021

I think I enjoyed this more the second time around - would probably give it five stars instead of just four. It seems like my problem the first time was that Ben and Philip are ... mild. They aren't the sorts to have passionate falling outs or passionate love confessions. As a whole, they behave as responsible adults that are a little confused about the adulting aspect but are excellent at faking it. For me, their romance is best seen in the quiet, small moments: holding hands, drawing strength from one another, honesty, the revelation that they are attracted to men before the revelation that they are attracted to one another.

Their romance is quiet, soft and - most wonderfully - there is no misunderstandings between them. (I really cannot wait to continue this series with Hartley's story and then with Martin's.)


Original Review

Absolutely lovely book. Ben is a total sweetheart, Philip, even considering my rather poor first impression, is wonderful. One of my favorite things about this book though was the talk and attention given non-traditional relationships and how difficult - even now, much less back then - they can be to name. One of the very secondary characters had been involved in a poly relationship and that is just about the most wonderful thing for me to hear. (Also, I'm pretty sure Philip has dyslexia and I love it when romances do things like that.) On the other hand, something just kept me from giving this a full five stars. I think it was twofold, actually: the main characters took a while before I started really caring about them and, besides the romance and the related issues, there's really no plot. I'm not used to that and it didn't work as well for me as it could have. (I am very excited to hear that the next book in the series is Hartley's as he totally stole my attention (and my heart) during his scenes.)