Erryn reviews the audiobook version ‘BFF (Best Friend’s Father Claimed) by Devon McCormack. The ebook was published May 7, 2018 and is 290 pages.The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Michael Pauley, released by Treycore Films LLC on June 5, 2018 and is 8 hrs and 15 mins long.
Erryn – why I read this book: I loved Book 1 and snapped up Book 2. I needed to find out how this story is continuing. (Oh, and again, one of the hottest covers I have ever seen.)
Eric:
I f–ked up. Not in a small way, either.
When I met my son’s best friend, the attraction was instantaneous. Jesse Morgan is charming, witty, and hot as sin. He might be young, but he’s wise beyond his years. And damn, what he can do to me with something as simple as his touch or one glance from those chestnut colored eyes.
Hard as I tried, I couldn’t keep my greedy hands off him, and once I had a taste, I needed more.
He awakens a fire within me unlike anything I’ve experienced with another guy. He stirs a hot lust that makes it difficult for me to spend time with him without tearing his clothes off and giving him the pleasure he deserves.
It’s more than that, though.
He makes me believe in something I’d given up on: love.
I love him. I want him to claim me, body and soul.
And messed up as it might sound, the man who destroyed what remained of my estranged relationship with my son might be the very man who can help save it.
Yes, I made one of the biggest mistakes in my life by starting down this path, but as far as mistakes go, Jesse Morgan is a pretty damn amazing one.
*This audiobook contains the same triggers as the first installment of this series, BFF: Best Friend’s Father.
Book Links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Erryn’s Review:
Before I listened to this book, I went back and listened to ‘BFF’ again. I think I loved it even more the second time. There was something vaguely taboo about Jesse dating his best friend Ty’s father, Eric. That being said, if a relationship moves beyond just hot sex, then it is worth fighting for. Even when Eric told Jesse about his horrific past and said, “I’m broken”, Jesse was there for him.
The last scene of BFF was Jesse and Eric speaking with Ty. At first I thought Ty’s reaction was an overreaction, but, after long reflection – and putting myself in his position – I could see why Ty was so devastated. The person he trusted most in the world – Jesse – has held a secret from him and while Ty has been trying to sort out his relationship with his father, Jesse has slipped in and now it’s the two of them against one. I don’t blame him for having stormed out.
‘’BFF2: Claimed, begins with Eric in Jesse’s arms as the younger man provides comfort. Eric’s revelation at the end of ‘BFF’ broke my heart, and if you’ve read the synopsis and trigger warning, you can probably figure out the demons Eric fights on a regular basis. Jesse, however, is undeterred. He says to Eric:
“It destroys me…that you’re sitting here next to me and you don’t understand you’re worth fighting for. I’m here because that’s how amazing of a person you are. Although, in some ways, I get it because I remember being in that shelter, talking to Stan and Charlotte, realizing they were considering adopting me. I couldn’t understand how I could add any value to their life, but now I get that I do and they have never made me feel that it’s different than that. Eric, if there’s anything I plan on doing it’s showing you the value you bring to my life. I’m not just talking about the big dick you have either…you’re a special guy, Eric, and I am happy to get to be the persona to help you figure that out.”
This might be very mature for a twenty-two-year-old, but Jesse’s own past forced him to grow up quickly. In this book, I finally got to meet Charlotte and Stan, the amazing people who walked into an orphanage and chose Jesse, the gawky, awkward child. Not a perfect little baby, like everyone else chose. It eased his pain of being ‘abandoned’ and, as someone who was adopted as an infant, I understood his creating stories in his mind to try to explain why his parents just chose not to keep him. Jesse worries about admitting to his parents that he is dating Ty’s father, but I had high hopes. If they didn’t care that Jesse was gay, and they only wanted his happiness, there was every chance they might accept Eric’s new position in Jesse’s life.
There are two distinct plots in this book and although both were powerful, I think, in the end, I was disappointed there wasn’t an intersection of the two. I think that it would have made for a very powerful scene.
That being said, I enjoyed how Jesse, Eric, and Tyler tried to work out their new dynamics. I think all three men surprised me at different times.
The true heart of this story is Eric’s quest to heal. His goal – as far as he is concerned – is to bottom for Jesse. In the previous book, in his innocence, Jesse had expressed an interest. He didn’t even know he was bi until he met Eric, and he had enjoyed sex with his ex-girlfriend, so his curiosity was logical. Without knowing Eric’s history, though, he created a barrier in the relationship. Eric believes if he can’t bottom for Jesse, he will lose the young man. In some ways, Eric’s maturity stopped that horrible day when he was sixteen and sometimes, to my annoyance, he regresses, treating Jesse badly – not trusting Jesse’s love. Jesse is tolerant and patient, but even he can only take so much. I swear he is the most patient young man I have ever met. But I think his love for Eric was real and not just the need to have someone in his life.
The situation comes to a head with Eric tries to just power through his fears once again. He hurls out some cruel accusations, coming from a dark place. Jesse doesn’t take the bait, but I wondered if this was the beginning of the end. Eric claimed “I’m a fighter…I disregard my insecurities”. Jesse, terrified of a repeat, says “it’s too soon”.
Talk about breaking my heart – for both of them.
In the end, reconciliation is encouraged from a very unexpected source, just proving the bonds of love – all forms of love – are powerful.
I loved that I got my happy ending, of course. What I loved even more was that things were not wrapped up with a pretty bow. This book tackled some tough issues, but made it clear there were no easy solutions.
That being said, some of the therapy suggestions did amuse me. I love Michael Pauley and I think he is one of the best narrators out there. My faith was affirmed during the scene where Eric and Jesse are doing ‘mindful yoga’. Eric’s inner monologue was funny enough, but Michael’s voice for the yoga instructor with a high voice was fabulous. I laughed out loud.
There were two more special nuggets I truly enjoyed – the scene in Jesse’s office and the concept of affirmative consent. You’ll just have to listen to the book to find out what I mean.
Erryn’s Rating:
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 4.75/5 Stars
Rainbow Gold Reviews 
I wasn’t sure about the subject matter of this series, but your reviews have made me curious. Thanks for sharing.
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