BFF: Best Friend's Father

By: Devon McCormack

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Jesse:

A beach vacay with my best bud since college seems like the perfect opportunity to relax, catch some rays, and enjoy a couple of nights on the town. When I find a girl who's eager to mess around with me, I figure I've got it made.

Then, I meet the intense, hot-as-hell, tattooed Eric Westright, who wrecks my world...in the best possible way.

He awakens something within me - something that's always been here, but that's never pulled so powerfully...not until I looked into those solemn blue eyes and felt the red-hot spark of his touch.

There's something about this chemistry that's so intoxicating, and the more I get to know him, the harder it becomes for me to resist these impulses that overtake me - that leave me wanting him to show me what it feels like to have a man inside me.

I know he's fighting too. It's so wrong, but every kiss, every caress, every stroke feels so right. We shouldn't act on these urges, but we can't help ourselves.

First he claims my body, then he claims my heart.

And before I know it, I'm in too deep with my best friend's father....

BFF is a steamy romance, but one of the main characters has a painful past that may act as a trigger for some people.

©2018 Devon McCormack (P)2018 Devon McCormack

Emotionally Torn

What an amazing start to this series. Beat Friends , a Father and secrets that could break bonds. This beautifully written story introduces Jessie and Eric and we down an emotional roller coaster . Trigger warning ( Rape) but told a tastefully as possibly could . I can’t wait to dive into book 2 …

Taboo never looked so good

Where to start? I love Devon McCormack and his books narrated by Michael Pauley are my favourites. May/December romances don’t bother me – I recently read a book where there was 40 years’ difference between the two men – but I do see where Mr. McCormack’s book is pushing the limits. In the heterosexual world, ‘best friend’s dad’ as a trope has been around for a while. This book is different from those, and not just because the two main characters are men.

Jesse is a smart young man who has been convinced by his best friend Ty to take a break and head to Mexico. They are staying at Ty’s dad’s condo and aren’t expecting company. When Ty’s dad, Eric, shows up, there are ripples. First, Eric’s relationship with Ty is rough. Jesse’s loyalties are torn because he understands why Ty is angry with Eric, but he’s also empathetic with Eric that the rift was not his fault. Sometimes, Jesse is the most mature man in the condo.

Jesse and Ty are 23. Eric is 42. From the beginning, Jesse and Eric know that if Ty discovers the relationship they’re forging, he will be hurt. That is not enough to stop them from moving forward with their relationship.

This isn’t a ‘taboo’ book in the purest sense of the word, but it does raise ethical issues. And, as I suspect Mr. McCormack wanted, I did feel bad for Ty. Yes, he can be immature, obnoxious, and mean to his father, purposely calling him ‘Eric’ instead of ‘Dad’, but Eric could certainly put in a greater effort. He’s doing ‘cool’ things, hoping Ty will warm up to him, but after 6 years, it’s clear the hands-off approach isn’t working. A particularly poignant exchange between father and son hits Eric hard as Ty reveals a bit of how Eric’s parenting technique is lacking. Eric is left reeling, but it’s Jesse he turns to for confirmation and validation of Ty’s comments. This is further proof of the dysfunction between father and son.

I love that Jesse has the maturity to see the rift between father and son and tries to encourage both to bridge the gap. Those efforts are constantly undermined when he hops into bed with Eric at every possible opportunity (and a few other locations as well because, let’s be honest, why be in a tropical locale and not have sex in the beautiful country?) My loyalties swayed, making this book more of an emotional investment than I had planned.

That is a good thing. I like when books push me out of my comfort zone and force me to examine my own reactions to a particular situation. Eric says to Jesse that it’s “more important to know weaknesses than strengths.” Now, that could be interpreted as a businessman scoping out a rival’s frailties in order to strike effectively, or it could be a man who knows why he’s never had a lasting deep and fulfilling relationship because he’s never let anyone see his weaknesses, his vulnerabilities.

Jesse is often more mature and empathetic than many 23-year-old guys, but his own history informs that. He’s known pain and rejection. When Eric needs him most, Jesse is there. Words mean a lot, and Jesse uses them well, but his actions go a long way as well. Not leaving. Doing research. Even just being willing to cuddle and comfort. Those are powerful things and made me adore Jesse all the more.

The book is dual point-of-view and I prefer that because I can see the situation through both men’s eyes.

Finally – and last but not least – Michael Pauley. I was going to try to not gush at the narrator of the book, but I can’t help it. I have listened to dozens of his books and he always manages to give each character something unique. Although Jesse is the character with less power (at least at the beginning), Michael’s voice for him was strong. Jesse might be new to same-sex relationships, but he knows what he wants, and Mr. Pauley portrays that need and desire. And the sex scenes? Well, there are LOTS of them and Mr. Pauley handles each one brilliantly. My only complaint is that the women (Dana and Mandy) come off as dippy. To be sure, most of this is Devon’s writing, but Michael’s interpretation of them doesn’t help. There is nothing wrong with women who enjoy sex. They don’t necessarily have to come across as vapid. Devon (and Michael) redeem themselves with Allison. She has depth and intelligence and is portrayed as such. As Eric’s friend, she helps him admit his real feelings for Jesse.

To be clear – this book does not end on a cliffhanger per se. Jesse and Eric are together. But, there are a large number of unresolved issues and I have it on good authority that Book 2 is being written at this very moment. I won’t pressure the artistic process, but I will say I am waiting in anticipation. So, this is a great listen with more to come. And I might even forgive Jesse for not knowing who Kate Bush is. Kids these days…

to be continued:(

I hate when they don't finish the story. good story, leaves you hanging. boo hiss.

this is Part One

A lot of people are REALLY going to like this book!

That being said, I would have given it a higher rating if
1. there were WAY less repetitive whingeing about how the MCs getting together was wrong and/or would harm the son/BFF Ty
2. I wouldn't quite call this a cliffhanger, but it definitely stops part way through the story (w/ a HFN)
3. Michael Pauley is a great narrator, but for this book I found his voice mannerisms heavy handed (fyi I'm super picky from prolific listening - #Audicted)

There should be a trigger warning for this book but the issue is telegraphed by one of the MCs pretty early in the book and its not really addressed until the end. So, if its a trigger for you, you'll likely recognize whats up early on & be able to decide if you want to continue.

Hot and Steamy!

Was up half the night because I could not stop listening! Another great book from this wonderful author. Going right into the second in this series! Highly recommend.

Love ❤️ love

Omg bff was so good. It was so well written, I can’t wait for the next book. Seriously it went by so fast. I would definitely recommend this book👍 Michael Pauley as usual was amazing 😉

A very hot book

I so loved the way the book started out that was so hot but then when I got to the end I wanted to what happened to Eric if he got the help he needed but wouldn't find out what happens until book 2. So when book 2 came out I re-listen to book one and now this is my third time listening to this book because book 3 just came out.

Eric & Jesse

Swoon! I loved Eric and Jesse. When this audio came up, I grabbed it immediately. In fact, i believe this is my second listen as I write this. Michael Dean did a fantastic job of being Eric and Jesse to life for me. He did such an amazing job through some super emotional moments, and the super hot sexy times. I absolutely love the Best Friend’s Father dynamic and as usual, Devon did not disappoint. First times is one of my favorites, and this was a fantastic telling of Jesse having his first experiences with a man. While something he had always known the back of his mind, he didn’t expect to move forward with those feelings with his best friend Ty’s Dad while on vacation. While initially it was agreed it would just be a vacation fling, they both learned quite quickly there was more to it than just super hot sex. As their relationship developed, and they faced some real emotional challenges, it became apparent they could no longer keep Jesse’s best friend and Eric’s son, Ty, in the dark. The ending is just going to grab you by your heart strings.

Excellent story but a cliffhanger

Michael Dean is, as ever, brilliant. I wish I'd known going into the story that its not a full HEA. Maybe that's somewhere in the description, but I missed it if so. I still recommend the book, just be aware.

Amazing book and performance

I had read this book previously and thought it was very good. Hearing it as an audiobook however added a whole new dimension to the story for me. This book is definitely hot, but there is so much more to it than that. Hearing the emotions in Michael Pauley's voice as he narrated just pointed up the struggles and growth that both of the main characters go through as the story progresses.

The attraction between Eric and Jesse is evident from day one, and even though it's wrong, it's easy to see that these two men belong together. As time goes on and they develop more than just a relationship between the sheets, you can feel how much they need each other. Characters are well developed, and as Michael narrates the story, you really feel as though each character is talking to you, telling his story.
I would definitely recommend this book and am getting ready to listen to the sequel. Great work by the author and narrator!