The Book Boyfriend Addict

I was most comfortable fading into the background, but Lucas made me want to stick my toe into the spotlight.

Arlo is about two seconds from an anxiety-induced spiral when he and his best friend/roommate are laid off from their jobs right before Christmas. Rather than letting that happen, they use the time off to plan a vacation for the other one. This is how he finds himself on a plane to Dahlia Springs, Oregon for some R&R. He’s also been dared to introduce himself to the side of his family who doesn’t even know he exists.

With the dare hanging over his head, Arlo’s keeping a tenuous grasp on his anxiety. On his first day in town, an unfortunate mishap with some hot sauce has his handsome server, Lucas, coming to his rescue. Throughout his week in town, Lucas becomes an invaluable support for Arlo. He understands him like not many people do and helps Arlo find the courage to come clean with his newfound family members. It may be fast but the bond between Lucas and Arlo comes naturally. As the end of his vacation approaches, Arlo isn’t sure how he’ll be able to leave and give up the man he’s quickly falling for.

I never expected to meet Arlo, but now it was hard to imagine my life without him. How could that happen so quickly?

Sometimes you pick up a book and vibe with a character right from the start and you know that you’re going to love it. That was me with Arlo. He was anxious, introverted, and shy and I saw so much of myself in him. I could appreciate his hesitancy and fears about stepping outside his comfort zone because I’ve been in his shoes plenty of times. As an introverted person, finding people who know when to push you and know when to let you retreat is invaluable. Arlo had that in Keaton, his best friend, and couldn’t believe his luck to find that again when he met Lucas.

From the get-go, Lucas recognized Arlo’s anxiety and was so kind and patient with him. And it made my little introverted heart sing at how wonderful he was for Arlo. He wanted Arlo to thrive in Dahlia Springs, even if he might not be staying long-term, and he walked that line of being supportive while also gently nudging Arlo to see what could lie beyond his comfort zone so perfectly.

Lucas came across as self-assured and confident but he had some insecurities plaguing him too and I loved seeing Arlo return the favor of supporting him whenever he needed it. These two were perfect for one another. This story is very low angst but the longing from both of them for their budding relationship to not have an expiration date will tug at your heartstrings.

In addition to watching Lucas and Arlo falling in love, we also go to see Arlo falling in love with the town and his new family members. I loved seeing him blossom in this town and build a relationship with his family, even as he was still working up the courage to tell them who he was. It was all so sweet and brought tears to my eyes a few times.

So many things about this story just worked perfectly for me! The rest of the Dahlia Springs books were already on my TBR but I’m going to be moving them up the list. For now, I will go read Keaton’s story to see what he got up to on the trip Arlo sent him on – I can’t wait!

The life I wanted was so close. A family I could see regularly. A bookstore I loved and could spend time in. A town that had welcomed me as one of its own. A man I was falling in love with.

But was I brave enough to make it happen?