The adorable cover had me swooning, and it was just as sweet of a story as I hoped too.

I loved the romance between hairstylist Bastian and BFF Andre which develops when they decide to give dating a try.

I loved the audio narration and would recommend this format!

*many thanks to Dreamscape and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Boystown Heartbreakers is cute, poignant, and hopeful. Bastain fell into an unfortunate cycle of feeling like he wasn't good enough for the life he always wanted. Andres has quietly loved him. As a listener I wanted to tell at Bastain to get out of your own way and just live your best life. It to some work, but I've he opened himself up. It's a wonderful love story

K.C. Carmichael's Boystown Heartbreakers is a sweet friends to lovers MM romance. Set in Chicago, Carmichael rounds out the tale with loads of charming scenes that fans of this wonderful city will enjoy.

The audio version of Boystown Heartbreakers is nicely performed by Pete Cross.

I loved this book. I love a MM romance. i love a cutesy romance. I want so many more like this! i think if i had more books like this i would have been able to accept my sexuality earlier

This review is for the audio version of KC Carmichael's Boystown Heartbreakers, performed by Pete Cross.

First, the book—a contemporary, lifelong-friends-to-lovers, low-steam debut romance that I quite enjoyed. I found both Bastian and Andres to be likable, and even though I usually groan about miscommunication and third-act break-ups, I found both to be almost necessary in this novel. I'm still surprised by how on board I was with Bastian's struggles with self-worth and Andres's move toward self-preservation, both of which (of course) paved the way for their ultimate and much-deserved HEA.

Next, the audio—Pete Cross's performance added style and nuance to this single-perspective narrative and enhanced my enjoyment. He managed to convey Bastian's personality without needless gimmicks or over-emoting. I will for sure seek out more audiobooks by this narrator.

If you're looking for a feel-good romance to distract you from the realities of the world, Boystown Heartbreakers will deliver, regardless of whether you choose the print or the audio version. Both are winners.

This was such a cute and fun friends to lovers romance.
I absolutely adored Bastian, he is so adorable. He is so over the top, but down to earth, and I love his energy. He is frustrating, but you absolutely love him to pieces.
I adored the friendship between Bastian & Andres, they have amazing chemistry, they have fun quirky dates, they love and support each other. This was full of friendships, self reflection, fun, family, love and hope.
I had such a wonderful adventure with these two. The narration was perfect.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a surprisingly good M/M romance with friends to lovers, with some spice and an emotional roller-coaster. Bastian, a 30 year old hairstylist has had enough heartbreaks to last a long time and fill up his wardrobe list. While reeling from his most recent heartbreak, Andres his best friend since forever (finally) asks him out. Bastian who has had a crush on this one permanent person in his life reels out of bounds from this suggestion, for one he cannot loose Andres and two, he is not good at being friends with his Ex's (if things go wrong). But Hotshot Entrepreneur and restaurateur Andres is nothing if not persistent, slowly but steadily he is here to prove to Bastian that his best bet at 'happily ever after' has been in front of him all this while.

This was the first time that a 3rd act breakup and miscommunication made sense. It made sense because it finally made Bastian grow up and see the error in his ways and actually make an effort for Andres. The way the love story came around, the emotions and everything in between was conveyed so well. The narrator added to the charm of the entire story. One thing I enjoyed is you can see how the author had a good hold over the ins and outs of the hair industry and salon business, which was a welcome part of the story.

Over all really enjoyed it, I think this book perfect for people looking for M/M romance with low spice and a good emotional arc.

*I received a physical arc from the publisher, and the audiobook version on Netgalley*

I am very late to reviewing this (I received the physical arc months ago) but when I tried reading it back in March, I don’t think my brain wanted me to read a cute fluffy (and slightly spicy) achillean romance, but I’m so glad my brain said yes this time (with the audiobook)!!

This was such a cute childhood friends to lovers story. Bastien is such a sweet and caring MC who sometimes overthinks, but don’t we all sometimes overthink? I mean, at least I do! And I loved reading about Bastien and Andres.

Andres, Bastien’s best friend since they were 5, was also such a caring character. I loved him, and when will it be my turn to have someone like Andres?? I’m waiting… (not so) patiently.

The story itself was super cute. As for the spice, on a scale of 1 (not very spicy) to 5 (really spicy), I’d rate this a 2. The romance is much more focused on Bastien and Andres finally giving a shot at a romantic relationship. And I loved it. I think the spice was perfect for the two of them.

I highly recommend this if you’re looking for a sweet romance between childhood friends! And the audiobook was absolutely phenomenal!!

First I want to thank Dreamscape Media for providing me the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bastian, hairstylist, has not had the best luck with finding the right man and has listed the men's names on a wall in his closet continuing the tradition of his studio apartment. After the last heartbreak his best friend Andres, restauranter, suggest Bastian should date him and they can see where it goes. As Bastian warms up to the idea after Andres takes him to dinner, picks him up from work, etc. he is always worried something is going to go wrong and he will lose Andres forever.

What I Loved:
- Salon ladies, the ladies that Bastian works with at the salon are so much fun and even through they are hard on him they always want what's best even if its uncomfortable
- Andres, I would love to date a man like this as he is considerate, caring, fun, sexy, and everything in between and the way he cares for Bastian is just swoon worthy
- Bastian's studio, he has a studio in Boystown in Chicago with a closet and even through he should have left previously I can understand why he stays for the closet alone
- Heartbreak list, in this closet all of the men who lived there have written the names of the men who broke their hearts and Bastian has made his own additions prompting Andres to step up
- Audiobook quality, I devoured this book cause it was so fun and easy to listen to and all the characters and overall quality of the narration of audiobook I didn't want to stop listening

This was a sweet friends to lovers romance that I just loved listening to. There were many times in the book where I wanted to shake Bastian and tell him to get his head out of the sand and look at the amazing man in front of him but in the end they figured it out and its all I could ask for. If you are looking for a fun quick romance with lots of amazing locations throughout Chicago and a great cast of characters I would absolutely recommend this book.

This is lovely, perfectly silly, yet so real romance. I love both characters, i love their mistakes, and i love the way they fix them. It is so good to see such good character development, and i love a good story about finding your way in life.

The narrator did great, i barely even noticed i was actively listening, it felt like i wasbjust visualizing the whole story in brain.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Boystown Heartbreakers was so freaking cute. Filled with some cliches here and there, but I still enjoyed the heck out of it. In this, you will meet Bastian and Andres. These two have been besties since they were 5 years old.

Bastian has had horrible luck in the love department. Sure, he might be self-sabotaging these things but maybe if they weren't being so suspicious he wouldn't need to do anything. The last guy definitely surprised him with the breakup because it was right before he was going to meet his parents!

Then there's Andres. Sure, Bastians coworkers stir up that these two have feelings for one another all the time. He just always says there's nothing there and that they are just friends. Well, they were until they weren't. Dipping toes over the line of friendship was completely fun for these two. It just goes to show that Andres truly did like him - flaws and all.

In the end, we get some drama but lots of romance. I'm very happy with how things ended even if I didn't like the entire journey (aka the drama). I will definitely be on the lookout for another one of K.C.'s books!

I read this during Pride month and absolutely loved it. While I explicitly focus on Queer and LGBTQIA+ books during Pride month, don't forget to read queer all year.

M/M Friends to lovers
Andres suggests to Bastian that they should be in a relationship after Bastian adds another name to his Boystown Heartbreaker list.
Good representation to mental illness and self doubt
I actually ended up liking how the list ending up playing a role in the story at the end
Very good book

This was cute! I don't have any big feelings about it - like, nothing that happens here makes me super annoyed, but at the same time there's nothing that really stands out to make this a new favourite. I liked both characters, and I think the focus on Bastian's career as a hair-dresser was interesting. I like Andres as a love interest, and friends-to-lovers is a genre I love. I also thought the third-act conflict and Bastian's self-reflection was good.

But, none of the emotions really hit me hard. The mutual pining wasn't really grabbing me (plus mutual pining works SO much better with dual POV). Unfortunely the romance plot miscommunication could have been avoided from the very beginning if Andres had just worded his dating proposition better from the get-go (again, dual POV would have helped with knowing WHY Andres went for this option). The only thing that got me really heated was Bastian's boss being a huge jerk.

It's not a bad book though! It's a nice fluffy romance that's a good palate cleanser kind of a book - like, something I'd recommend reading if you just finished a book you absolutely hated, or a book that was really intense and you want something more mellow next.

The audiobook narrator did do a great job - I'm a big fan of Michael Crouch

A calm, light-hearted romance about two childhood friends who decide to take a chance on a relationship together. This is exactly the kind of book to pick up if you're looking for a comforting read where nothing bad happens. There was little spice and only a small modicum of drama, but the story was a fluffy love story and very easy to read.

Friends to lovers done right! I laughed a lot, and there was soooo many cute moments :D
Sweet, sassy and spicy!

Post on IG 22 of July

3.5⭐

"Boystown Heartbreakers" by K. C. Carmichael is a contemporary romance set in Chicago’s vibrant Boystown neighborhood.Centered around hairstylist Bastian and his best friend, Andres.

Bastian, grappling with insecurities and a string of failed relationships, confides in Andres after another breakup. However, their friendship takes an unexpected turn when Andres suggests they start dating to help Bastian move on.

What I liked most about the book was how easy it was to read and the well-executed friends-to-lovers trope. The character growth was pretty good, especially for Bastian, as he faces his fears of inadequacy and learns to trust himself and others.
The ending was my favorite part, tying up the emotional arcs neatly.

However, there were a few aspects that I didn't love. Bastian’s jealousy at times felt over the top and could have been toned down to make his character more relatable. Additionally, the lack of communication between the main male characters was annoying.
Overall, "Boystown Heartbreakers" is a pleasant read for fans of LGBTQ+ romance, offering a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery and the complexities of transitioning from friends to lovers.


Thanks NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one hit middle of the road for me. Childhood friends to lovers is usually the only friends to lovers I enjoy but I just didn’t feel it on this one. I was missing the spark between Andres and Bastian, it never really showed up. The third act breakup.. ugh. Miscommunication and so much jealousy. I also wish there was more explanation on the “Boystown” part of the book.
The ending was cute and I enjoyed seeing their growth. Just wishing for more in this MM friends to lovers romance.

Thank You NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC . I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was kicking my feet and giggling thru most of the book. The narrator Pete Cross did a phenomenal job, the emotions really came thru with each character, felt like you really got to know each one.

The title should have given me a clue that there would be trouble in this book.
After yet another unexpected breakup and another name added to the list of the Boystown Heartbreakers, Bastian's best friend suggests they try dating.
Bastian is very in secure, though. He feels as a hairstylist in his thirties with a long history of failed relationships, dating Andres who has never seemed interested in any relationships beyond a couple of dates and is successful and popular and widely admired would only endanger the friendship he has cherished since childhood. And of course the insecurity, paired with two differently time consuming jobs makes dating difficult and it seems like his fear of failure will become self-fulfilling prophecy.
The story is one about the bravery of risking it all for a chance of happiness and taking charge of one's life.