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Review

4 ‘I LOVE YOU, OLIVER!’ stars

I have been eagerly anticipating Lola and Oliver’s story since I met them in the first book of this series. As a bonus, I love a great friends-to-lovers story, and this one had all of the build-up, feels and hotness that I was hoping for. I loved it!

Lola and Oliver, along with their friends, married each other one crazy night in Vegas. They were the only ones who didn’t consummate their union, and quickly and sensibly annulled the marriage. While their friends have found their HEAs after their Vegas weddings, Lola and Oliver have avoided the romantic route, instead becoming the best of friends – sharing their hopes and dreams and intertwining their lives to the point that they are rarely apart.

They are both proud and self-declared geeks and share a lot in common. Oliver has recently opened his own comic book store, while Lola has achieved huge success with the publication of her very first graphic novel, which is soon to become a major motion picture. Life is crazy for her, but she has Oliver by her side – being a sounding board, a retreat when she needs it, and a shoulder to lean on like always.

“You’re like my blanket fort.”
“I’ve been called worse things,” I tell her.

Of course, deep down, they both have feelings for each other, but neither of them have acted on it. Lola has issues with relationships, and neither of them want to risk ruining the amazing friendship that they have. So instead, they sit on their emotions which grow more and more intense by the day until it’s blaringly obvious to both of them and it’s only a matter of time before one of them cracks.

He surprises me, cupping my face and bending to press his lips to my cheek. It’s far too close to my mouth to be innocent, but not actually touching my lips. It doesn’t quite count as a kiss. Does it?

There’s a carcass composed entirely of sexual tension lying abandoned on the couch. I wonder if she can see it, too.

The UST between these two is epic! And more than just lust, there is an emotional connection between them that is beautiful to see. With the book written in dual POV we get to see every single thought, every wish, every fantasy, and it builds the chemistry brilliantly! And soon they start to test limits and ‘just friends’ becomes a thing of the past.

“I’ve never been good at romantic relationship. I want to be … but it scares me.”
“I know.” He says, bending to press a kiss against my temple. One of his hands slides up my back into the hair at the back of my head. “But I just want you. I don’t need easy or perfect. I don’t need to rush anything.”
And there, laid out so bare and easily between us, it is. 

OMG, Oliver! I love him so much! He’s a good guy, the kind of guy that every girl needs in her life, and once that first barrier is crossed, he’s incredibly open and honest with Lola. He knows that she has some issues, but he’s gentle and patient with her while holding nothing of himself back from her, and he soon proves to be an incredible romantic.

“When I met you, I didn’t think you were the kind of girl I’d fall for … Then you were the kind of girl I’d fall for … And then you were the girl I was falling for.”

“I don’t have a choice but to want to do this, Lola. I’m in love with you.”

He’s also hotter than all hell, when the sexy time comes it is So. Freaking. Hot!!! Incredibly passionate with lots of dirty talk, and heaps of emotion which makes it all very intense. Just… damn!

Their coming together seems easy and natural, and as a couple they are amazing! But it’s not all happy times. Things get a bit angsty as real life intrudes on their developing romance, and there are some freak out moments and times when I wanted to get slappy with certain characters. I have seen other reviews where people are annoyed at how everything went down, but I thought it was explained well, and I could understand the situation – even though things do get blown out of proportion. But it’s resolved, and all ends beautifully, and I was left with a big smile on my face.

I’m really happy that we got to see so much of the other characters in the series. Mia and Ansel, Harlow and Finn, London, and especially Not Joe add brilliantly to the story. The way these characters interact is fantastic, and their antics and banter had me laughing out loud.

I really enjoyed this book. Funny, romantic, and so, so sexy, it’s everything that I love about Christina Lauren. I’m eagerly awaiting London’s book up next.

4 stars.

Audiobook note – the audio for this book is fantastic!
Although it must be said, Oliver is Australian (as am I) and I stand by my belief that nobody can fake an Aussie accent. Shayna Thibodeaux makes a good effort, although comes off sounding South African half of the time, but Steve West is English! Not Australian… ENGLISH!! There is a difference! No matter, it’s a good attempt, and better than others I’ve heard, and it certainly didn’t impinge on my love of the story.

 

The Wild Seasons series