2.5 Stars

Um, don’t mind me over here. In the corner. Hiding. In my box of shame.

I so wanted to love this. I really did.

Hackett wowed me with [book:Where Do I Start?|34818807] in how he made me fall for Fletch, and I was all ready to be bowled over to do the same with douchecanoe Jeffrey. In a way I did. The guy actually grows a heart, moves beyond his self involved inclinations, all because he falls for someone who he wants to be better for. Luckily, Jeffrey finds that in Theo.

Oh Theo. Overall, I can see and understand where this guy is coming from, but there were just too many instances where his thought processes made me cringe uncomfortably, and to me, bordered on pure spite and childishness. If one ever ran hot and cold in extreme, Theo is that epitome, and I actually felt sorry for Jeffrey despite the many instances where he deserved Theo’s wrath.

This goes above and beyond enemies to lovers, as Jeffrey and Theo go all out to push each other’s buttons again and again and again. Now, while highly entertaining, this just did not appeal to what I want and need in a romance. So I can see why all the readers out there loved this hard, but in comparison to the first book this lacked the sweet sweet charm that I reveled in and so wanted from this. I just couldn’t ever relax as I waited for the other shoe to drop on the next crazy drama that was going to come, and come it did. These two truly deserved each other.

Many many points to Hackett for great writing, humor, and eschewing typical romance tropes and expectations. This has all the smart snarky banter with the ultimate in one upmanship that any avid reader could want. I just needed a more solid reason to root for these two, wanting way more lovey dovey (not to mention some smexy smexy) and less hateful mean animosity. Perhaps bff-to-all Tommy, will find his HEA and be the icing on the cake!

And the Next Thing You Know by Chase Taylor Hackett was a difficult novel for me to review for a couple of reasons. However, I must be fair in saying that none of those reasons actually had to do with this author’s writing style or his ability to tell a fascinating story. If I were to reduce this review to simple nuts and bolts and remove any emotional overtones, I would tell you that this was a very funny, poignant, and romantic book. I definitely felt that the style of using different points of view to head up each chapter was refreshing and quite easy to follow. It actually allowed me to get a bird’s eye view of the inner thinking of all of the main characters in this novel. It also allows readers to feel more in step with the emotional chaos that can often come from learning how to love someone you thought was your worst enemy. While there were occasionally a few repetitive paragraphs, seeing the same scenario from the other person’s point of view never weighed down the action or the pace of the story. Rather, it allowed me to understand more fully how each moment in the journey impacted both of the main characters.

Now, realizing that this was the second installment in a new series by this author, I did feel this book could be read as a standalone. In fact, given that the first book, Where Do I Start, painted Jeffrey in a pretty poor light, I’m rather glad I didn’t read it before reading this one. Make no mistake about it, we are immediately reminded in this novel that Jeffrey is not a good guy. He is pompous, narcissistic, rather cutthroat when it comes to business, and all in all, a pretty flawed person. But it’s not only his assumptions and prejudices that mark this relationship as an almost dead end from the beginning.

Jeffrey’s best friend, Rebecca, has a little brother and he is a hot mess. The only thing small about Theo is his stature; it’s certainly not his personality or his temper. If his fiery red hair isn’t a dead giveaway, then the sarcasm that drips endlessly and easily from his tongue should be. Flat on his luck and sleeping on his sister’s sofa, Theo begins a temp job at the same law firm his sister works for as an associate. If that isn’t hateful enough for Theo, who is a starving songwriter trying to catch a break on Broadway, working in such close proximity to Jeffrey makes the job almost unbearable.

Not only is his professional life in limbo, but Theo’s boyfriend, Madison, is off producing an off off off-Broadway musical. After a trip to see Madison goes south, Theo makes his way back home to Rebecca‘s apartment only to find that she has given his spot on the couch to the smarmy Jeffrey whose apartment is being renovated. What happens from this point on in the story can only best be described as the development of one of the funniest and almost painful romantic comedies. We watch, at times in horror and at times with the biggest smile on our faces, as Jeffrey and Theo tangle yet again and again and fall head over heels in love.

I mentioned “in horror “because there were times when Theo was absolutely brutal in his treatment of Jeffrey. This is one of the elements of the story that made it hard to review. Again, this may all have been mitigated by how Jeffrey acted in the first novel in this series, so take what I’m about to say with a grain of salt, particularly if you read the first book. However, even if Jeffrey was a complete ass in the first book and deserved to be treated as such, there were times when Theo’s behavior made me cringe. In fact, I will go as far to say that I had to put the book down a few times during the first half because I really didn’t like Theo at all. Theo was mean. I know that sounds silly, but it really is true. And the real problem here was that I didn’t feel there was any real basis for how very nasty Theo was to Jeffrey.

It’s as if the author decided that Jeffrey should be raked over the coals for his behavior and yet there were many hints in the story that Jeffrey was abused as a child and even as an adult by his father. Not only was he verbally abused, being called stupid among other things, but there were a few references to the fact that his father hit him. Given that information, Jeffrey became a character who should have gained our sympathy and who appeared to have reasons for turning out to be the jackass he was at the beginning of the novel. When you stack this up against Theo, who wholeheartedly went after every flaw Jeffrey had, it became really easy to dislike Theo. Yes, you could put it down to his being younger and to his being rather self-centered, but it still made it difficult for me to like and appreciate the character.

See? This was a tough book for me—primarily because I truly think Chase Taylor Hackett is a gifted writer. I honestly think I may have been a bit oversensitive when it came to how Jeffrey was treated. And to be truthful, there is the fact that what I might not like, others might find incredibly humorous because Theo did make me laugh. When his antics weren’t deliberately mean spirited, the way he thought and moved through his life with brutal honesty and “take no prisoners “attitude was really refreshing. Plus, when these two guys finally let themselves admit they were falling for each other, this story just became pure romance gold.

So, what’s the take away here? Despite my misgivings, And the Next Thing You Know by Chase Taylor Hackett is refreshingly funny, cleverly crafted, fast-paced, and romantic. If you enjoy the enemies to lovers trope then this novel is definitely one I recommend. I truly think this story is going to impact its audience in a variety of ways, but the real takeaway here is there is no doubt that this author has some excellent writing chops and I will definitely be reading his work again.

I loved this book! Super cute. Will recommend for sure! This book was exactly what I didn't know I was looking for!

I had a difficult time connecting with the characters in this book. I think the humor was a bit over the top for my taste. There were no glaring issues with the story, but just not my cup of tea.

So probably a 3.5. It wasn’t the best writing I’ve ever read. And it was almost unbearable for the first little bit. Both of the main characters weren’t the most likable at first. But the further you got into the story the more tolerable they got and the more you were rooting for them. So, not a terrible read, but not great either. I would love a book about Tommy and Swithin though, not gonna lie. I wish they had gotten more page time.

I got off to a bad start with the MC's of this book. I didn't care for either of them for the first third of the book. While Jeffrey was probably the bigger jerk, Theo got on my last nerve. I was actually thinking about dnf'ing the book when things started to pick up for me. I'm not sure what happened, I just found myself interested in what was going to happen and how they would ever get past their issues and get together.

Overall I ended up enjoying this but the two MC's were too abrasive and mean to each other for me to love it. The do get over all that and express their true love but...it was a rocky road getting there. I liked it enough that I'll try something else by this author.

**ARC provided through Netgalley**

~ 3.5 Stars ~

Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite angsty tropes. Something about reading a story with two individuals who have such intense dislike for each other that then blossoms into a romance just gets me right in the feels. And the Next Thing You Know… revolves around Jeffrey (not Jeff, thank you very much) and Theo (do not call him little). It alternates between each of their perspectives, with an occasional secondary character POV. Each change was clearly identified at the beginning of the chapter, which I really appreciated. The characters were all fully dimensional and fleshed out, so it was easy to know whose viewpoint I was reading from. The author created such individuality, with quirks and ways of thinking and processing being so vastly different that it made the characters more realistic and easily identifiable, which is definitely a huge plus.

Jeffrey and Theo meet each other, and it’s hate at first sight. Theo is Jeffrey’s best friend’s little brother, and they are thrown into each other’s orbits. Their relationship gradually develops while they are busy yelling and fighting, purposely trying to annoy the other, being outright mean, and just generally disagreeing with each other. There is a lot of back and forth and banter as they circle around one another.

When I first began reading, I was extremely unsure if this was my cuppa. It wasn’t connecting with me at all, and I was really worried how I was going to continue on since I was struggling hard to get through each page. Why? My best guess is the hectic nature of the thoughts and the overall narration. The inner monologue gave me a bit of whiplash. Adding into the equation the periodic instances where they were essentially speaking directly to the reader, it was not looking good. Also, I had an immediate and intense dislike, bordering on hate, for both Jeffrey and Theo. For reasons…. BUT!!!!! Something happened. I’m not positive when, exactly, but at some point my complete and utter contempt for Jeffrey and Theo turned into…well, not adoration for them, and I can’t say I began to really like them, but they became interesting, and I started finding humor in their interactions. I found myself cracking up at their complete obliviousness to their feelings. Seriously, they were two of the most clueless characters I had ever read. Instead of them being frustrating, they became amusing. Instead of not understanding how the two of them could ever end up together, I started seeing exactly why they should be together.

Jeffrey was a pompous, egotistical jerk the majority of the book. Theo was brash and immature, with a temper that straddled—and sometimes crossed—the line of physical and emotional abuse when he lashed out. When they were in the same room, they were explosive. At first, I didn’t get their slowly building romance; then I began to comprehend how they challenged each other in a way no one ever had before. They pushed each other’s buttons and pushed boundaries, and then I realized (much like they did, eventually) that they were sort of perfect together. Rebecca, Theo’s sister, sums it up pretty nicely:

“You’re both really smart and at the same time total idiots. And you both occasionally feel compelled to be mind-boggling a**holes. Match made in heaven.”

This book has the ‘enemies’ part down pat. Oh boy, the two of them were a whole other level of adversary than I have ever read. The ‘to’ part of the trope is expressed via their slowly emerging feelings, since despite their criticism of each another, and their meanness, they find themselves constantly wanting to be near each other, even if it is just to yell and fight. What you won’t find is much of a focus is the ‘lovers’ part. Though we know they get up to some sexy times, none of it is on page. Nada. None. Zip. There are kisses, there are cuddles, and even holding hands. But that is about all the reader gets, and the rest is alluded to. I don’t mind that one little bit, but that may be a make-or-break requirement for some readers.

Despite this being the second book in a series, I took a couple reviewers’ word for it that this book could be read as a standalone, and I would have to agree. It seems Jeffrey’s backstory involving his broken heart can be found in Where Do I Start?, but there was enough information given that I don’t feel I really missed out on anything.

And the Next Thing You Know… is a different style of enemies-to-lovers story which focuses on the enemies more so than the lovers part of the equation. Despite its flaws and that it took a little while for me to get invested in the story, I ended up enjoying it. I say give it a shot and stick with it. Even if at first you find yourself unsure, you may just be surprised.

And the next Thing You Know...(Why You?) by Chase Taylor Hackett. This is Jeffrey Bornic and Theo McPherson’s story.

At times I laughed so much. You just never knew what Theo was going to say or do. You would never put Jeffrey and Theo together. They go together like oil and water but for some reason they work.

The story was a little too long for me but the banter between Jeffrey and Theo kept me interested in the story. The ending pulled everything together for me.

This is a MM romance. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

"And the next thing you know…" est le second roman de Chase Taylor Hackett et le deuxième tome de la série "Why not ?". Et si je ne savais pas à quoi m’attendre avec ce livre, j’ai plutôt été agréablement surprise ! La couv’ est toute mignonne et le résumé fort prometteur, je me suis donc dit : pouquoi pas le tenter ? Et le fait de ne pas avoir lu le premier opus ne m'a absolument pas gênée.

Inutile de décrire l'intrigue, deux hommes que tout oppose et qui déteste tout ce que représente l'autre vont bien être obligés de se côtoyer pour leur plus grand désespoir.
Nous avons donc là un véritable enemies-to-lovers car les deux héros ne peuvent pas s’empêcher de se comporter comme chien et chat, ils ont bien du mal à se supporter sans s’écharper pendant une très grande partie du roman.

Jeffrey et Theo sont deux anti-héros, ils ne sont pas forcément attachants, ne sont pas beaux comme des dieux et sont loin d’être parfaits, mais finalement c’est assez rafraîchissant. Theo est un artiste qui écrit des chansons, un vrai chat sauvage celui-là, alors que Jeff est un avocat condescendant et arrogant qui ne vit que pour son boulot. Je me suis régalée de leurs prises de bec et de ce petit côté puéril que chacun a l’art de faire ressortir chez l’autre. Leurs manières de sales gosses m’ont parfois exaspérée et certains de leurs propos m’ont fait lever les yeux au ciel. Et oui ! à plusieurs reprises, j’avais envie de leur botter le derrière tant certaines de leurs remarques ou actes sont juste horripilantes (non mais sérieux les gars ???) . Malgré tout, ils m’ont fait rire avec leur excès, leurs introspection et j’ai jubilé de les observer recevoir la meilleure des punitions : celle de tomber imperceptiblement amoureux, bien malgré eux.
Le récit nous offre plusieurs narrateurs à la 1ère personne, Theo et Jeff évidemment mais pas que, et j’avoue que j’ai bien aimé cet aspect. D’ailleurs, les personnages secondaires sont sympathiques, j’ai adoré Tommy et la sœur de Theo a suscité ma plus grande admiration (supporter les deux zigotos sous son toit est un véritable exploit).

Ce livre ne contient aucune scène olé-olé, nos deux petits sont de grands timides qui s’ébattent loin de nos yeux pervers. Plus sérieusement, cela ne me pose absolument aucun problème même si je n’aurais pas été contre un beau baiser de cinéma, les bisous sur la joue ou le front c'est très chou mais avec la langue c'est pas mal non plus ! D’autant plus que j’ai raffolé de ces quelques moments partagés plus tendres, où ils oublient qu’ils sont censés se détester. Les petites attentions et gestes d’affection n’en sont que plus marquants, Jeff m’a fait fondre à plusieurs reprises tant cela contraste avec les airs qu’il se donne !

Bref un roman MM différent et qui tranche avec ce que j’ai l’habitude de lire tant par la dynamique du couple que par la tonalité du récit ! Le 1er tome m’attend sagement dans ma liseuse et je suis très curieuse de découvrir l’histoire de Robert, l’ex de Jeff.

Jeffrey, in his suit and moving up the corporate ladder doesn't like his best friend's brother Theo, who is artsy and down on his luck. They constantly bump heads and now not only do they work in the same office, they are both camped out on the same sofa. Lots of fun.

We meet a very different Jeffery here than the one in Book 1 and I loved it. He began as his usual ass self and all but I always knew there was more to him than just being an arrogant, overbearing character and I'm so glad this book showed it. It also showed that he had a good heart hidden underneath all of that and also that he deserved his HEA. Even if it was to be paired with the crazy Tasmanian devil hellcat that was Theo.

Theo,Theo,Theo. Where do I even presume to begin with Theo? I will say this much first: though he made me laugh with his snark, wit and saucy comebacks(his texts with Madison anyone?🤣), I never truly really warmed up to him like I did Jeff.

Why you may ask? Well its quite simple really. Theo was immature. I mean really, REALLY immature.He was such a rude, chaos-inducing, unrepentant, self-absorbed brat in my humble opinion.He always had to get his way. And who throws a real life ear-splitting, foot-kicking tantrum at age 24? Theo that's who.

Whenever he didn't get his way, or things went contrary to how he wanted them to, cue the mean petty actions and vicious verbal attacks. I don't know whether those actions were as a result of the weird complex he had concerning his stature or if was simply the immaturity I mentioned earlier.

I WILL admit that in the last big standoff with Jeff, Theo was 100% justified. However, I couldn't help but notice that it wasn't as dramatic as any of his earlier fits in the book. My conclusion therefore was that, our dear Theo loved to be the center of attention earlier and it was only that time that he was genuinely understandably heartbroken.

As you may have inferred from the blurb, from the get go these two were at each other's throats poking, pinching, kicking(Theo), teasing, humiliating(also Theo) just to come out on top. The banter from these clashes? Golden. Trés Golden. I could't stop laughing/sniggering/smirking all throughout.

To best describe the relationship these two had, I would like to call upon the wise words of Theo's sister Rebecca who summed it up perfectly:
"..."You're both really smart and at the same time total idiots. And you both occasionally feel compelled to be mind-boggling assholes. Match made in heaven." "

Now I cannot possibly finish this review without mentioning the light in my darkness, the water in my desert, the apple of my eye, the sugar in my tea... TOMMY.

Tommy was a scene-stealer anytime he came on page. With the perfect balance of intellect, sass and fabulosity all rolled into one twinky package, Tommy further cemented his place as my favourite character in this series.

PSA: I need that Tommy book and I need it yesterday Mr. Chase Taylor Hackett! I believe in you!! *makes grabby hands*

It wasn't awful, but I also feel like it didn't live up to it's potential. It could have been so great, but the writing style leans toward telling more than showing and the characters are all a bit over dramatic.

This was a fun opposite attract story, while I liked Theo a lot, I'm kinda have some issues with Jeff.
I liked the whole story, but some 'physical jokes' was kinda too much. I wish the author reconsider the physical jokes about fat, bald, ugly whatever, it's just wasn't right.
I really wanted to give this one more stars, but I don't know, it was funny and hilarious even, but there's something's missing.
Sure I liked Theo and Jeff's relationship ended well, and Jeff finally realized that Theo is all he needed in his life. This was somehow, enjoyable, I laugh a lot, and I was entertained. By Theo. And Tommy. The twink united. Jeff, well, he's at least redeemable in the end.

I haven't cringed or crackled so hard reading a book as I did for this title. At first glance, Jeffery and Theo seem like oil and water, but as time passes (and hi-jinks occur) you realize that sometimes opposites really do attract. If you're looking for sexy times you'll be disappointed--it's only alluded too. Overall a very solid read!

Entertaining, passionate, and laugh-out-loud funny!

And The Next Thing You Know … is a charming enemies-to-more romance featuring the quirky, fun-loving Theo who’s determined not to fall for any slick, pompous lawyers, and Jeffery the sexy, arrogant suit who may just find everything he wants and needs in the one man he least expected.

The characters are bold, amusing, and supportive. The writing style is a unique mixture of inner monologues and narration. And the plot sweeps you away into a push-pull storyline filled with tension, humor, witty banter, shameless flirting, friendship, heartbreak, and love.

And The Next Thing You Know … is a lighthearted, enjoyable read, and even though there are no sex scenes at all in this novel, which I usually love, I have to admit that in this case less is more and the palpable chemistry and attraction is more than enough.

And The Next Thing You Know … is the first novel I’ve read by Hackett and even though it’s the second novel in the Why You? Series and can be read as a standalone I would suggest you check out Where Do I Start? (Book #1) first.

This was freaking AWESOME!!!!

I didn't like Jeffrey (don't call him Jeff) in the first book in this series, because he came across as a pompous ass, and I don't usually have time for the arrogant, cocky, snobby, hot-shot attorney kind of person.

But this book was delicious fun - I had a blast watching Jeffrey get cut to size by Theo.

Let me set the stage, okay?

Jeffrey is best friends and co-workers with Rebecca who is Theo's older sister. This is important information. Theo is currently occupying his sister's fold-out couch, because his douchey sort of boyfriend has maybe found greener pastures.

First scene, Jeffrey, still smarting from the break-up (how dare Roger leave him for Fletcher, the reformed cheater), is supposed to meet Rebecca in a restaurant for lunch and instead finds Theo at the table. Presuming that Rebecca is trying to set him up, Jeffrey informs Theo that, sadly, he's not interested in dating right now, because *sniffles* that break-up is still hurting him, but please don't take it personally, Theo, because surely you're fabulous, really.

Theo, having no idea what Jeffrey is going on about, immediately makes mince-meat of the self-important prick who presumes to know anything about anything.

And thus, their hate-ship is born.

The book is chockful of snark and sarcasm, and the witty back and forth between Jeffrey and Theo had me in stitches. And yet, even through my giggles, I could see a vulnerability in both of them, something they would categorically deny if asked, but simmering just beneath the surface. For all his pompousness, Jeffrey was really hurt by Roger choosing Fletcher, and for all his bravado at 5'6" and skinny, Theo was just hiding behind a mask constructed of his cutting remarks. Jeffrey is also not as cold and calculating as he likes to portray himself, even if Theo doesn't quite see it right away. That thing with the red shoelaces though - total win. And that was only icing on the Jeffrey-is-really-a-marshmallow cake. Because, see, Jeffrey doesn't even realize it himself for a long time - the super cool and collected at all times go-getter lawyer - that's a mask too.

Shenanigans - this book had them. Snappy dialogue, self-deprecating humor, a brilliant use of the enemies-to-lovers trope, this was everything I had hoped for and more.

Still, it's not all snark and banter aka foreplay here. Jeffrey does a crappy thing, and he knows it's a crappy thing, and he doesn't say anything about that crappy thing, even when he should have, and then it comes back to bite him in the ass. Hard. And it's the end of the Theo and Jeffrey comedy of errors.

Well, no, not really, of course, since this is a romance, after all. When Jeffrey realizes the crappy thing was really super crappy and had some really crappy consequences, he actually for once in his life puts someone else first, no matter the consequences to himself. And Jeffrey, spoiled, rich, arrogant little boy Jeffrey grows up and becomes a real man.

Theo too has some growing up to do. He has to learn that being short isn't the same as being helpless, but that sometimes it's okay to lean on others and let them help you. It doesn't make you a lesser person.

I will warn you though - this book isn't politically correct or sensitive to unkind language. The author didn't pull any punches, but also succeeded in making the characters feel more realistic this way. Because, let's face it, we all have unkind thoughts towards others on occasion, that's just human nature.

Additionally, and this is not an issue for me but may be for other readers, there is no on-page steam. While Jeffrey and Theo get it on eventually, those scenes are completely fade-to-black and mentioned only in transition to the next scene. There is plenty of chemistry though, and I had no difficulty believing that their bedroom exploits were as explosive as their hate-ship in the beginning.

The old adage is true after all - there is but a thin line between love and hate, and the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Neither MC, despite their protestations, was indifferent to the other, and they went easily from hate to love, without meaning to, without realizing it at first, and without having planned for it. And in the process found in each other exactly that which they never knew they always wanted.

Brilliant!

I LOVED this book. Highly recommended.

Profuse Gushing Alert!

I loved this story so freaking hard. Period.

Once "Jeffrey" (not Jeff) met Theo for lunch with Jeffrey's best friend, Rebecca, Theo's sister, then immediately proceeded to nip any of Theo's thoughts of future "dates" in the bud, I was sold. That shit was pure comic genius.

“... I’ve just come off a pretty bad break-up,” I said with a touch of melancholy in my voice, a carefully practiced sadness in the eyes, “and I’m simply not ready to jump into a relationship or dating or anything right now, okay? I know, I’m probably just too sensitive.” There was a noise from the other side of the table—it was almost, not quite, a snort. “But please, no hard feelings, all right, Theo?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way! You’re clearly a great guy—fabulous really—and honestly, it’s just a question of lousy timing. It’s totally my loss.”

Fabulous really! <-- *snort* Yes, I fucking died then and there, guys.

So, as you might imagine, as the story began, Jeffrey" had a very high opinion of himself, and Theo loved nothing more than putting a bitch in their place. Stat.

This story was so rife with snark and banter, as these two polar opposites sparred off against one another, it was such a delight to witness, so I was all in right from the start.

Then you have Tommy, Jeff's ex-boyfriend's best friend, who just happened to be working at Jeff's law firm now. When Tommy and Theo, aka Twinks United, got together, Jeff seriously had to watch his back. Which was awesome to see the confident, arrogant, prick of an attorney brought down so handily.

I loved Tommy so much that I've pretty much decide that I *must* go back and read book 1, which I'd previously decided to skip. Tommy was an amazing supporting character and made me laugh so hard.

Snark and banter (cough-flirting-cough) aside, the main drama in the story came from a truly terrible thing that Jeff did behind Rebecca's back to further his career, plus Jeff wasn't out to his very conservative family.

When Jeff's awful deed was discovered by Theo, that was THE END of the Jeff & Theo show. Permanently. Maybe. Okay, for a while. This is a romance, after all. ;- )

The story definitely included a good number of genuine feels. Like the red shoe laces. *GAH* I loved that scene so hard and may or may not have swooned just an itty bit. Allegedly.

One thing that the book did not have, though, was on-page steam. Those scenes were entirely glossed over; however, while I would have undoubtedly enjoyed them, I didn't ultimately feel that they were necessary for the story to feel complete.

There was one 'almost' cheating scene, where Jeff was in feeling denial and had told Theo that he had "no interest" in them sleeping together again, which did piss me off. But, of course, Theo being Theo showed up and put the kibosh on that little Grindr "meat and greet" so hard. It was a funny scene, but made me think much less of Jeff, at least for a while.

For the SJW types out there, I must also mention that the MC's weren't the most sensitive when it came to referring to others as fat, ugly, old, balding, girly, and the like. I didn't find including those particular derogatory words added *anything* to the story, instead, they made me cringe when I saw them on-page. So just a warning, there before buying this book.

The story ends with Theo and Jeff happily together, exclusively, and planning their future, so I really enjoyed it. Tommy also got a final chapter, with his romantic future looking decidedly up, so yay for that, too.

While the story was not perfect, it was pretty damned perfect for me, so I'd rate it at around 4.5 stars.

Such a delicious romantic comedy to read, I want to walk around the street distributing copies to everyone who passes by.

Ambitious Jeffrey has had a terrible year and now he needs to go through a hell of a reformation in his apartment, which was meant for when he and his ex-boyfriend moved together to conquer the world. Now alone, he's also temporarily homeless when he meets his best friend's younger brother. Theo has his love life going well, even though his thing with Madison is not well defined yet, but his career is non-existent now he got fired once again thanks to his bad temper. Frightened he'll have to go back to farmer boy days, he accepts the secretary job his sister found him in exchange for sleeping on her couch for a while. He had no idea he'd have to divide it with Jeff the jerk; it seems impossible to comply with his sister's request to be nice to her friend if jerks are what Theo hates the most.

This was funny, this was lovely. I'd say it was the book I needed to read, actually. It's been a while since I last read an actual rom-com instead of sappy romances with forced conflicts right out an afternoon soap opera.

I enjoyed the characters as well. I wasn't in love with the main couple but their interaction was great fun. And I really believed Jeffrey was very handsome. Sometimes it's hard to agree even if it's something more about imagination than anything else, but yes, Jeffrey did sound like the golden boy who had everything going for him. Talking about it, the best part was how the author manages to build this persona while the whole book is about everything going downhill for him in a very sadistic way all readers love. One of my favorite scenes illustrates this: Jeffrey all into the IT guy and the IT guy will barely acknowledge him in the room, hilarious!

And this LGBT read is actually written by a male writer. It's funnily rare to get a rom-com written by men. Moreover, a book with a strong female character. Rebecca, Theo's sister, was my favorite of all here. She's really amazing, wow! You don't see it so easily, a man writing a female character so well.

But every book has a downside and this one had a terrible flaw: it was too long. You get to the middle feeling it's already been enough. And it had been, indeed. The second half was nice to read because it gave more depth to everyone involved, it's not just a romance anymore. Theo and Jeffrey need to know whether their thing goes beyond hormones. I feel some conflicts there were a little forced, though. It was far from getting boring but the book would have felt much better with a few parts out. Jeffrey himself acts weirdly many times, changing his mind out of nowhere. As I was saying, it was rather forced.

Still, it's one of the best male/male books I've ever read. Such an amusing approach of the dividing-the-same-bed cliché! I recommend it to anyone into romantic comedies.

What a fantastically talented new author! I can't wait to see what Chase Taylor Hackett comes up with next. The characters were so beautifully developed and I loved watching them emerge throughout the story. The chemistry between Jeffrey and Theo was so realistic, this was the perfect enemies to lovers story.

Seriously, I found myself laughing out loud (embarrassingly often) at all the clever situations Hackett contrives for these guys. Amazingly fresh and creative, I truly couldn't guess what would happen next and it was a blast.

Also, I've gotta say, as a NYC resident it is so much fun to read stories that take place here and it's clear Hackett enjoys this unique place as much as I do. As a transplant from Minnesota I could completely identify with Theo - we mid-westerners really do smile and talk to strangers and most New Yorkers are very welcoming and receptive when it happens. That brunch scene, the description of the tables basically on top of each other and all six diners having a conversation...! Some of the most interesting people I've met have been just waiting on line or riding on trains.

I've got to go back and read Where Do I Start?, I'm sure it's fabulous. Clearly you can read And the next Thing You Know . . . as a stand-alone since I just did, or read them out of order as I shall.

Huge kudos to Chase Taylor Hackett, great job!

Jeffrey, as it turns out, actually can be a pretty good guy - at least when it comes to the people he really cares about (even if there aren't a lot of those). I loved how Theo always kept him on his toes - and vice versa. The banter between Jeffrey and Theo was without a doubt the best part of the book.