Book 816: Better Be True (Harrison Campus #3) – Andy Gallo and Anyta Sunday

Nico finally gets his turn! Nico, Isaiah’s over-the-top flamboyant roommate from Better Have Heart, is dumped by a hyper-masculine frat boy because of his over-the-top personality, so when Luke, another sporty masculine frat boy needs a roommate (literally same room) for the summer he hesitates, but realizes it’s his only option.

Needless to say, there’s only one bed and so they’re forced to share and continuing sharing through a series of unfortunate air mattress delivery attempts.

This book, like so many in the MM Romance genre hinges on lack of communication. When Nico and Luke meet up Nico is still his flamboyant self with lots of color and attitude, but when they get together to drive to their new apartment in the city, he’s wearing khaki cargo shorts (bleh) and a plain t-shirt. Luke knows something is wrong but can’t (and doesn’t for way too long) figure it out.

Luke was wrapped around him. Luke had crossed the Rubicon and invaded Rome. And judging how far into the middle of the mattress Nico had rolled, Rome had welcomed the incursion. (132)

Nico and Luke spend most of the book being domestic AF because Luke is avoiding his ex at his summer internship and Nico has done most of the wedding planning he’s needed to do pretty quickly. They then pretend date for various functions and eventually fall in love with an adorable happily flamboyant ever after.

Nico’s family and Luke’s coworkers were great minor characters in that they really fleshed out the story, but I honestly can’t remember any of their names. Nico’s nonna was wonderfully over-interested grandmotherly and it just worked perfectly.

‘Ti amo tantissimo,’ Nico said, pulling back for air. Luke kissed him again.
‘Whatever you said sounded sexy as fuck.’
Nico swallowed hard. (181)

The sex scenes were believable, if you take out the part that they waited as long as they did! Gallo and Sunday had them walk the walk on being verse characters (bonus) and when and how they did it wasn’t exactly what you would assume based on stereotypes. These weren’t quite as rushed as the first two books, but they still didn’t luxuriate in them as some authors do.

The big bad of the story, Luke’s ex, was also kind of underwhelming. I mean what he did was horrible and honestly Gallo and Sunday could’ve dragged it out a bit longer to build the pressure/intensity (i.e. the adorable coming to the rescue/coming out scene in Better Be Sure). The ex got his just comeuppance and Luke’s disheartening thoughts that he was going to lose his internship and any chance at a job offer was really well written.

Recommendation: Honestly, I’m a little underwhelmed. The series seems to have plateaued. I’m not sure if it’s the characters or the story, but for the most part it was just meh for me. The ending and epilogue saved the book I feel. It wasn’t anything super revelatory but the series of events was just aww-inducing which is all you can ask for from these.

Opening Line: “Elisa: Need to speak to you ASAP. Emergency!!!!”

Closing Line: “Luke caressed Nico’s face. This was happening. They were happening. ‘Together?’ Nico kissed him. ‘Together.'” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)