I'm So (Not) Over You

By: Kosoko Jackson

Narrated by: Timothy Bell Reese

"Shine[s] with a beautiful, blooming sense of wonder.”—New York Times Book Review

A 2023 LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD WINNER!

One of...
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A chance to rewrite their ending is worth the risk in this swoony romantic comedy from Kosoko Jackson.

It’s been months since aspiring journalist Kian Andrews has heard from his ex-boyfriend, Hudson Rivers, but an urgent text has them meeting at a café. Maybe Hudson wants to profusely apologize for the breakup. Or confess his undying love. . . But no, Hudson has a favor to ask—he wants Kian to pretend to be his boyfriend while his parents are in town, and Kian reluctantly agrees.

The dinner doesn’t go exactly as planned, and suddenly Kian is Hudson’s plus one to Georgia’s wedding of the season. Hudson comes from a wealthy family where reputation is everything, and he really can’t afford another mistake. If Kian goes, he’ll help Hudson preserve appearances and get the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in media. This could be the big career break Kian needs.

But their fake relationship is starting to feel like it might be more than a means to an end, and it’s time for both men to fact-check their feelings.

©2022 Kosoko Jackson (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Jackson’s experience in young adult literature shows in this book’s close point of view and its depiction of a character on the brink of something transformative...Kian and Hudson are hot messes and they make terrible decisions—but they make less terrible decisions together, and the parts when they’re in sync shine with a beautiful, blooming sense of wonder.”—New York Times Book Review

"With beautifully drawn themes of family ties, foundational friendships, and the importance of choosing a love that makes us better, stronger, and happier, here is the queer rom com the genre has been waiting years for! As tender and unflinching as it is uproarious and joyful, Kosoko Jackson’s I’m So (Not) Over You is, quite simply—a spectacularly satisfying read."—Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate Equation

"A snappy, sizzling, downright delightful book from Jackson, a welcome and fresh new voice in rom-coms."—Julia Whelan, author of My Oxford Year

Great love story!

Very romantic and refreshing. It was a great pleasure to hear a gay romance novel where being gay was not the storyline. Just a love story of 2 hearts trying to find a connection. ¡Bravo!

Is there a sequel coming?

I listen to this, and kudos to the narrator who brought the story to life, even though the story itself was fantasy like yet realistic, because we all know someone who is a Kian…

I am now a fan

this is the first time reading from. this author. I loved every minute of this book. the narration was top notch. I wanna know what's happens next.

A great second chance LGBTQ romance!

This was a sweet second chance romance - a couple reunited in a fake relationship because one didn’t have the heart to tell his parents they’d split… just to end up having to spend more than one dinner together when the parents invite them to attend a huge family wedding together… and as expected, the forced proximity in the reunion has them remembering the good times.

I enjoyed the banter and the friendships they had with each other and the side characters and their siblings. I don’t know why the average ratings are so low!

Narration was also quite good. I would definitely recommend this one. If you’re looking for a great LGBTQ, BIPOC and male romance author (quite a unicorn!), Kosoko Jackson wrote a great book here with I’m So Not Over You!

Perfect for the #23for23 challenge.

Unique & Entertaining

Kian and Hudson's story is funny and sweet as well as complicated. The combination of fake dating, the possibility of a second chance, a Black family that's part of the top 1% of the Southern elite, and fun pop culture references make this queer romance unique and entertaining. I wish we had learned more about Kian and Hudson's first chance at love. Their backstory is a missing critical piece of their story.

I loved the secondary characters! Kian's best friend Divya, Hudson's sister Olivia, and Grandma Rivers added so much to this story.

Timothy Bell Reese's narration is solid, but his southern accent isn't. A southern accent could have complemented the story to perfection if done well. Leaving out the southern accent would have been better since it was distracting.

Wow

I cannot express the in depth love of social commentary mixed with romance and sexual consent that makes this book such a great read. I stayed up way too late last night to listen to a book I have already read once. That’s how great it is

Kian deserves better.

First, let me say that I loved the performance of the audiobook. Timothy Bell Reese is amazing and I could listen to him all day.

Now for the story. Brace yourself for a rant.
I really wanted to love this story. I stopped listening out of frustration a few times and kept coming back to it, hoping it would get better. The premise was cute and I really do like the author. He was very funny and had great pop culture references. His descriptions were hilarious (though a little long at times). I absolutely ADORED Kian. Hudson and his stuck up family on the other hand...not so much. Kian spoke his mind but wasn't rude about it. He was sweet, kind, compassionate, and honest. He did not deserve to be treated by Hudson and the other characters the way that he was. Somehow, anytime Kian spoke his mind and told Hudson or anyone else something that was hard to hear, he ended up apologizing, even though he was right! His best friend, family, and Hudson all made him apologize for things he shouldn't have apologized for. He was treated horribly by Hudson and yet Kian apologized for it! Yet, NO ONE ever sincerely apologized to him. He got two, very weak apologies that were basically, "I'm sorry I treated you horribly, but this is how I am and you'll just have to deal with it."

Hudson broke up with him (we never do find out why) and then comes out of the blue to ask for a major favor 3 months later. The timeline of their friends-to -lovers-to-exes relationship was hard to follow. Anyway, Kian should have run like he was on fire! Hudson mocks him, laughs at him, and gaslights him at every turn. He does very little that I found redeeming. Kian's love for Hudson was evident and borderline obsessive. Even though he claims to have never stopped loving Kian, I didn't really get any sense from Hudson that he actually ever loved Kian. All he seems to want to do is control Kian's behavior and change him. He thinks Kian will impress his parents (very unclear why, since they don't get along), but constantly tries to control how Kian acts. Every step forward in their relationship was the result of Kian's actions. We see Kian grow as a character, though he keeps making the same mistakes (i.e. not cutting ties with Hudson). Hudson is a wreck, keeps secrets, and actually takes steps back in his personal development until he is....you guessed it, rescued by Kian again! Hudson is a liar and a user. I was disappointed in Kian that he jumped back in so quickly without any indication that things would be different or explanation for the break up in the first place. Kian barely even got an apology. Hudson owes Kian big time and still Kian has to go to him at the eleventh hour because it's just too hard for Hudson to get his act together. The HFN at the end of this book seems very tenuous and temporary to me. I like to think Kian woke up, dropped Hudson like the rotten, overpriced jerk he is, and found someone who deserves him.

escape

It was a good love story that allowed you to escape your day's long drive and emotions.

Main character

I hated the main character. He was a mouthy little thing. Hudson is too good for him. I wish I could meet a Hudson rivers 😩😩

Another great story!

This author was new to me, and I so enjoyed Mr. Jackson's most recent book, A Dash of Salt and Pepper, that I turned right around and listened to this story. I enjoyed this one just as much. It's a second-chance romance with delightful, well-developed characters. The narration by Timothy Bell Reese was excellent and brought the humor in the story to life. I highly recommend this book.