Thank you Rising Action and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Such a swoony story! Bastian has found himself unlucky in love his list of names ever growing on the wall of his closet started by a previous tenet. But that’s about to change with Ryan, they’ve been together for a while and things are going well. Until they aren’t and Bastian has to add another name to the list. Work long hours for an ungrateful boss and not always caring clients at a salon he doesn’t have much time to find a new prospect. His world is rocked though when his lifetime best friend suggests the two of the give dating a go. Andres has been a solid presence in his life since he was little if things didn’t work out it would kill Bastian. But all his friends and his family would love to see them together. Can Bastian open his heart to the risk? Could their friendship survive the heartbreak Bastian is sure would come? Or could this be different? Both Bastian and Andres are sweet, caring, and so adorable! I think many readers will be able to relate to Bastian and his insecurities, I know I did! A friend to lovers romance that had me unable to put it down! Hoping for the best but waiting for the other shoe to drop! Heartwarming and full of love, perfect for romance readers! Can’t wait to read it again!

Omg super cute. I love Bastian and Andres!

It does have the miscommunication trope, so if thats not your thing I'm warning you now.

Friends to lovers
Miscommunication

I feel like it was a coming of age story for 30 year Olds. Bastian still had so much growing to do, and Andres was the man for the job

This was a thoroughly enjoyable (best) friends to lovers romance! There were realistic personal problems, and you can really tell that the author has experience in the kind of job Bastian has. I always love it when you have these little details that come from personal experience and give a book an extra layer of immersiveness!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!

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

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.

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.📚💕

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.