Love Lessons

Caldwell Brothers, Book 3

By: Aiden Bates, Ali Lyda

Narrated by: Austin Jay

Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

A fake relationship can’t fix a broken heart...right?

I’ve been in love with my best friend, Eli, forever, and I was all set to confess my feelings...until he showed up at my birthday party with someone else. I would have died on the spot if Rome hadn’t pulled me close, kissed me, and told everyone we’d secretly been dating for months. Except we’re not boyfriends. And until that night we’d never even kissed.

When my family finds out about our supposed relationship, we have to play along. Spending time with Rome is easy and fun. And our fake kisses are hot enough to set my body on fire.

Could it be real with Rome? I don’t want to screw up our friendship, but his touch makes me want more. I waited too long before, and I can’t risk losing Rome. Not when what I feel is so much stronger than I ever expected.

So how can we make this fake relationship real? And how do we make it last forever?

©2020 Special Fiction Books (P)2021 Special Fiction Books

Loved this one

I was given a free audio copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.

4.5 stars

Grady has been in love with Eli secretly since school. He wants to finally confess his love at his birthday party. Eli unfortunately chooses that time to abnounce he's engaged leaving Grady shocked and heartbroken. So to save face Rome kisses him and tells his family and friends they have been dating for months. Rome has been secretly in love with Grady for 20 years and hopes maybe now he can win him over.

This can be read as a standalone. I have only read book 6 before this one. I enjoyed that one but this one was alot better.

This was a sweet read that I will definitely listen to again and definitely recommend. I'll be sure to read the rest of the series.

Narrator had a pleasant reading voice. He did a great performance and expressed the emotions well. I did have to speed up the pace a little and I do wish the voices were a little more distinct among the characters but overall I enjoyed it.

A good book

Fake relationship tropes are some of my favorite books when well done. I enjoyed this book but some of the character interactions got on my nerves. Someone seriously needed to punch Eli for being a selfish @#$ but I was glad to finally see some remorse from him at the end of the book. Gray and Rome are a good couple and I did enjoy the book. This is a good example of honesty and communication go a long way! The narrator has a nice voice too.

Grady and Rome

Grady has been in love with Eli for years, when Eli shows up at Grady's birthday party with another man and announces their engagement, Rome steps in and says that he and Grady are a couple. They decide to take date to keep up the ruse, but Some has been in love with Grady for years. They have their ups and downs but finished with a great ending. Love Austin Jay's narration

In love with my best friend

Third book of the series so far. Love the Caldwell family! Grady is in love with his best friend Eli, Rome is in love with his best friend Grady, Grady depends on Rome to have his back always, Eli is a jerk. Thankfully Grady gets hit with the reality stick where Eli is concerned and Rome steps in to claim his man. I just love Grady and Rome together, they fit. Eli needs to grow up and become a useful human being. Throw in the rest of the Caldwell family and you have another hit!

Love or just a crush?

This was a friends to lovers story filled with complications. A loves B, who crushes on C, who has an attitude and is playing everyone. I enjoyed listening to this, though certain behaviors and actions by the characters got on my nerves. The narration was good and suited the story well enough. A good story, even as a stand-alone, since this was my first from the Caldwell brothers.

Good story

I really liked this story and the characters, I loved that what message of this story even more, such a warm and positive ending to something that could have gone in the opposite direction.

A sweet fake dating friends to lovers romance!

I absolutely love this series!

This was one of my favorites and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I loved this friends to lovers, low angst fake dating romance.

Rome and Grady made an amazing couple and I was rooting for them from the start.

The narration was fairly enjoyable and an easy listen.

I loved it so much and it isn't a paranormal book!

Ali Lyda is the new name for me to look for! I've had the privilege of reviewing a half-dozen books: motorcycle clubs, the mob, tattoo parlors--all books I would never consider reading and never for one moment thought I would enjoy! But Ali Lyda alone or paired is simply magical! The Caldwell Brothers series is what I would call 'real-life' M/M romance. No urban fantasy, paranormal adventure, shifter, magical stuff I normally go for. But it didn't make this story less interesting! I couldn't believe how fast I got drawn into the story of Grady and Rome--two long-term friends who are in a beautifully awful love-triangle. The writers Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda did an awesome job not drawing out the agony as it were. They allowed the characters to move forward at a place without too much frustration on the part of the reader! They didn't rely on the common tricks some writers employ to lengthen the story by generating more angst. They were a couple of points in the book that the character spent time considering an action that would be bad but managed to make a good decision anyway. The truly frustrating behavior he engaged in was what took place in the past and not part of the current story. Well done!

Grady Caldwell's Fake-Boyfriends Romance

Grady has loved Eli since their boarding-school days. At his 32nd birthday celebration, Grady has mustered the courage to tell Eli about his feelings, but his plans are crushed when Eli arrives with Benji in tow and an engagement announcement. Rome swoops in to save Grady by pretending to be Grady's boyfriend. Can the two best friends maintain their fake relationship through family dinners and double dates, or will it turn into something more?

This book demonstrates the reason I've read many Ali Lyda and Aiden Bates novels. The authors, either singly or in collaboration, get the characters interacting early in the story. The men get to know one another, discuss mundane things and have sweet little dates. You know, like regular people do. I like the feeling that these guys could be living in my town and just down the street. And, except for sometimes adding a bit of internal angst near the end of their books, there's no overwrought drama and emotion. If you like your romances told in this fashion, then you'll find this book and the entire 'Caldwell Brothers' series enjoyable, satisfying reads.

I've listened to several Austin Jay narrations too. I like his performances quite a lot. He tailors his delivery appropriately to each story's emotional level.

'Love Lessons' is an audiobook that I requested as a free review copy. I've provided this voluntary opinion after having received and listened to it.

Recommended.

Not bad

This is a personal preference issue. I didn't like the narrator's voice, but it grew on me. I also would like different voices used for the characters. Like I said, this part is a personal preference issue and not against the story or the narrator's job.

I liked the story and I have enjoyed reading this book and the series.