Sweetest Hate (a Guys Next Door series)

I first read (and fell in love) with Baylin Crow's books way back in February. I didn't remember much of "Stripped Love" from ten months ago (the first novel in her Guy Next Door series), but this series is loosely connected anyway and Phoenix was only mentioned in passing. Anyway, the second novel is titled "Sweetest Hate."

["Kellan—Messing around with Arsen is like playing with fire and I can't help but crave the burn.

The day I met my best friend's new stepbrother I fell into hate with the moody jerk. The feeling is mutual. I loathe him and unfortunately want him in equal measures. At least he seems to be suffering the same undeniable pull. He infuriates me. He's crawled under my skin.

Arsen has the ability to ruin me for anyone else, and I want to let him.

A mix-up during a trip to the lake puts us in an inconvenient situation where we end up sharing a room. Worse, once we get home, I'm left unable to escape him. He's right next door and impossible to ignore.

As we spend time together, I'm forced to realize there's so much more to him than I expected. I thought I had feelings for my best friend, but Arsen has me questioning everything I know about love.

It's the sweetest hate, or maybe it's something else entirely.

It's about two guys who may not hate each other as much as they thought. Maybe it's the opposite. Maybe they can teach each other exactly how to love."]

I wasn't going to copy and paste that last part. But you know what, it pretty much covered the entire theme of the book (besides the steamy hate-sex and whatnot). Loving someone inspite of not being taught how to, let alone how to love yourself, and trusting that that other person will be on that journey with you.

Arsen was a grump. Okay, he was an ass. For a lot of it. But his life had been hard and he didn't expect Kellan to be so...well, Kellan.
Kellan wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine. But he was pretty damn close. He knew love, was taught about healthy relationships from his parents, but that didn't mean he was ready for one himself (or ready to trust that Arsen might be up for more than just bickering and dirty talk).

I kind of loved them. Like I always do. They made each other happier. And, when they got over their own egos, they fell in love so damn easily and quickly. *Heart eyes*

Gotta go and read some more! Trying to catch up on a few of my TBR piles during my birthday-week-vaca. See ya!

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