I want to say that if this book had had a double point of view, not a very large one, with some pages inside Andres' head... it would have been a perfect five stars for me
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But it is the story of Bastian, trying to find the dating scene in an adorable apartment and with friends who are part of a very close-knit family.
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When he moves to that small apartment in Boystown, he falls in love with the possibility, with all the things that can start happening in his life and finding someone to share it with, even though things may not turn out so well.
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But after all, he is not alone and can always count on his childhood best friend Andres.
Or so he believes until after his last failed relationship he remembers him the pact they made when he came out of the closet, that if he didn't find anyone then he was going to marry him.
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When Bastian is the only one who laughs, Andres tells him that it depends on him, but with the idea already in his head it is impossible not to notice the relationship that both have could be the beginning of something more.
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This is a sweet, spicy and fun slow burn friends to lovers that I really enjoyed reading, and I can’t wait to read more history from this writer
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Thanks to C. K. Carmichael for give me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

Boystown Heartbreakers is a charming debut by KC Carmichael. This friends-to-lovers romance is centered around childhood friends Andres and Bastian, who start a tentative relationship after Bastian has yet another heartbreak. Both characters are nicely-drawn (Andres is a delight; Bastian wrestles with doubts and insecurities in a realistic way).

I'm finding myself completely over the third act breakup/big miscommunication, which definitely colored my enjoyment of Boystown Heartbreakers. YMMV and there's certainly a lot to like here. The Chicago setting was very vivid and it's hard not to root for likable characters even if the plot that surrounds them is frustration.

Maybe 3.25 stars?

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the review copy.

At this point, I couldn't really get invested in Boystown Heartbreakers. I wanted to love it, but it was just okay. Maybe I will try reading it again another time to see if I like it more.

Boystown Heartbreakers by KC Carmichael
April 23, 2024

Now who doesn’t love a best friends to lovers arc?

Bastian Russo and Andres Wood have been best friends for twenty five years, and Bastian has been unlucky in love for over half that time. Bastian’s latest heartbreak triggers Andres to proposition him and asks him to give Andres the good ole dating try.

Boystown Heartbreakers is the perfect romance for those who prefer low angst and vivid descriptions of the story locations, which is Chicago in this case. This book is the ultimate slow burn, but luckily for us readers, the slow burn occurs before the book even begins. The off page slow burn gives readers the satisfaction of first experiences with minimal heartbreak, ironic considering the title.

This book manages to subvert the third act breakup while still focusing on real world fights and insecurities that all relationships face in the beginning. The reader gets to go along for the ride with Bastian while he takes risks in his career and love life and experience the fears that come with the unexpected but welcomed changes.

This book will be sure to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the (long cold Chicago) winter.

#netgalley #boystownheartbreakers #risingactionpublishing

Boystown Heartbreakers is predictable...and yet very likable. Author KC Carmichael does a good job of unveiling the events that lead our two lovers together. The Chicago background is interesting, as is the hair salon setting.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

The story was cute, but wasn't overall anything too exciting. I loved Andres as a character, but I liked Bastian less and less as the storyline went along. I understand the concept of having self-esteem issues, but his character just grated at me.

3.25⭐️

Boystown heartbreakers is the story about Bastian and Andres, best friends since they were 5 years old.
After way too many breakups Andres asks Bastian to date him. For Bastian this is too good to be true and that’s when the story really begins. Will they break up at three quarters? Will they find each other again? Off course they will!
Boystown heartbreakers is een amicable queer romance novel. The story is predictable, but that’s what I love about these books. What I missed was a surprise. A surprise in the plot, some deepening in the characters or anything else.
But still, this book was worth reading. If you’re looking for something easy in between, this is your pick.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc.

The story was cute, I enjoyed the characters. I'd rate it 3.5 out of 5. I requested this book via NetGalley because I was looking for a new romance to read and I liked the cover, but had never heard of the author before. I would check out more books from this author in the future

I couldn’t get into this, not sure why.. just didn’t give me anything interesting. :/

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book for a honest review.

I very much enjoyed this sweet little story. The book had just the right amount of humor and angst. There were of course times I wanted to slap both Bastian and Andres to knock some sense into them but at the same I also wanted to hug them both. They both definitely had some issues and had hard time admitting what the cure was. Would definitely recommend reading this book.

Boystown Heartbreakers follows childhood best friends to lovers. Bastian is a hair stylist and Andres is a successful restaurant owner. Andres is written as a perfect character, really no flaws. My problem with this book was Bastian. He drove me nuts. He couldn’t imagine why Andres would want to be with him (honestly, me either) and it feels like he was trying to mess things up. I also hate the miscommunication trope and the point of tension here could have been avoided with one conversation.

The supporting characters and vibes of this book are fun. I enjoyed the setting, I just didn’t enjoy Bastian.

What a SWOON! Bastian's love life had been an ever-growing list of heartbreaks when his best friend and platonic soulmate Andres decides to take him up on their childhood pact that if they were both single in there thirties that they could just marry each other. When Andres wants to be more than just friends Bastian found himself in quite the dilemma. Can Bastian risk is the relationship with his best friend just to add him to his list of heartbreakers? Could Andres have been the perfect match for him all along? For Bastian and Andres, maybe all the risk is worth the reward in this swoon worthy romance from KC Carmichael.

This was a treat to read. You can really see the passion Carmichael has for the characters and the setting. Only a local could bring Chicago to life through words so vibrantly. And only someone who as lived the life herself, could give such a depth to Bastian and his journey and experiences in the world of hairstyling.

Thank you to KC Carmichael and Rising Action Publishing for sending me this advance copy. I look forward to reading all the great things KC Carmichael has in the future.

This was a pleasant read. It took a little bit to get into the book and get to know the characters, but once you were in it was so easy to read and kept you with it through to the end. It's your typical plot layout complete with third act break up, but that doesn't necessarily detract from the book.

I think the only thing that knocked it down a star was... I kinda agree with Bastian! I don't want to add in any spoilers so I'll leave it at that.

Well written, and a good debut novel.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book for a honest review

I really enjoyed reading ‘BoysTown Heartbreakers’ and I would highly recommend it

I liked the MCs and they had good chemistry.

Rating 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Boystown Heartbreaker
KC Carmichael

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Perfect forever!

In my first read from this author we get Bastian and Andres love story. Best friends that could be so much more if Bastian would just trust Andres to be the person he’s always known he could be to him. The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: Chicago hairstylist Bastian Russo has only three things to his name: a pair of $1,200 shears, a Boystown studio apartment, and a list of men’s names written on his closet wall. His constant worry that he’s not good enough and his chronic inability to trust are what leaves him heartbroken time and again.
After he adds the latest name, he turns to his best friend, Andres Wood, for solace. But instead of treating Bastian to dinner, drinks, and the usual effortless banter, Andres makes an interesting suggestion: that Bastian should get over the breakup by dating … Andres.
Sure, Andres is successful and attractive, but he also knows everything there is to know about Bastian including what an insecure pain in the ass he is. Meanwhile, everyone in Bastian’s life, from his mother to his co-workers, thinks he’s an idiot for not having dated Andres already. So, what could go wrong

Everything.

Now Bastian has to sort out his inadequacy and trust issues to prove he’s worthy of transitioning from Andres’ best friend to his lover. Otherwise, it’s a matter of time before one or both of them end up on Bastian’s list of Boystown Heartbreakers.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

I can already tell this is going to be a profoundly unpopular opinion since most reviewers seemed to not like this book but I loved it. I loved the easiness of Andrew and Bastian’s relationship. I loved how they got together. I loved how they went so naturally from best friends to lovers. I loved Bastian’s understandable hang ups and I loved how it caused miscommunications. I loved the third act break up even. I guess most readers hate them but I love them when they make sense for a character or relationship, it worked here for me. It felt realistic and reflective of real life. I get so damn bored reading the same easy crap over and over. Maybe it’s my age but misunderstandings happen in real life so I like seeing them in fiction, seeing couples over come them.

Bastian was very easy to relate to and love. He can’t keep a boyfriend and his ex’s all suck. It seems out of the blue when his life long best friend suggests they commit to a childhood promise to date if they’re still single by a certain age. Bastian was believably oblivious to Andres and well I would’ve been too because the man is dreamy. He was almost too perfect but I still loved him.

I loved the group of friends in this book. They were supportive and funny and well rounded. I loved the salon back drop! I never knew I needed a book set in a salon. But now I love it.

I think KC is a very promising author and I’ll gladly read their next book. I hope I love it as much as their debut. Why four stars? Paragraphs have a size limit and they were maxed out in this book. Editors, I don’t want to read three pages long paragraphs. It’s bad form. Also, while I loved the delicious third act break up, I didn’t love a certain thing being admitted during the break up. It sullied it a bit for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a story about Bastian, a 30 year old hairdresser who has dated tons but can't seem to keep any of the men he's dated. The book starts with him being dumped (again). His lifelong best friend Andres, is successful, handsome, smart and everything that Bastian feels like he, himself, is not. So he is shocked with Andres proposes that they take their friendship to a new level. I was pretty annoyed at first because for over half the book Andres is literally doing everything for Bastian. Every compliment starts with Andres. Every talk about emotions starts with Andres. And all the sweet things Andres does for Bastian is next level. He goes well of his way to do nice things for Bastian. And Bastian is this there, and doubting why Andres is doing all this. He is sure this relationship will blow up and ruin his friendship with Andres. Anyway no spoilers but I wasn't too pleased with Bastian for a long while. I will say that the book turned itself into a page turner for the last third of the novel. It was nice seeing Bastian change his way of thinking. The book was written well and I will read more from this author in the future.

Boystown Heartbreakers unfolds the romantic journey of Bastian Russo, a man crushed by a series of love misfortunes that lead to a growing list of heartbreakers written on his closet wall and a lack of self-esteem in romantic relationships. On the sidelines stands Andres Wood, Bastian's steadfast best friend, ready to mend the shattered pieces. However, this time Andres reminds Bastian of a childhood memory – a pact to be together if Bastian remains unlucky in love. Can they overcome the fear of jeopardizing their friendship and embrace the inevitable union everyone else seems to foresee?

I thoroughly enjoyed this read! It brought on all the motions but most notably frustration directed at Bastian! He is self-centered and dramatic while Andres was self-assured and steady. This friends to lovers gave opposites attract. I had a physical reaction to the third act break up; I knew it was coming but I still didn’t want it— I was rooting so hard for Andres!

I saw BoysTown Heartbreakers somewhere on Instagram and requested it on NetGalley right away. I want to start out by saying that I was not wrong to do so!
Bastian and Andres have been friends since they were five. Bastian has been unlucky in love and Andres plays the field. Apparently, there is a reason Andres hasn't settled down.
Andres is super swoony and any guy or girl would be lucky to have this man see them as the center of his whole word. These two had David and Patrick from Schitt’s Creek vibes and I was there for it! Like David, Bastian had a long road to travel in believing he was worthy of love and Carmichael did an amazing job with this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

such a sweet, lovely story! it took me some time to get into and it annoyed me with the lil miscommunication thing at the end. i also didn't feel as connected to one of the mcs - bastian. but despite all that i enjoyed how cute this romcom was. such a pleasure to read. the connection between the mcs was slowly developed and grew into something so much more powerful and i loved seeing it happen. fun!