Review: New Eyes by T.K. Paige

Title: New Eyes

Author: T.K. Paige

Length: 68 Pages

Category: Contemporary

At a Glance: Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back and read something that just leaves a happy feeling, and this story did just that.

Reviewed By: Lindsey

Blurb: Sometimes, all it takes to find what you need is to look closely at what has been there all along.

Roommates Jed and Doyle have been best friends since meeting in college. They have supported each other through all their ups and downs. Now that they’ve graduated and are starting new jobs, they have no intention of letting that change anything. Doyle is everything Jed isn’t—smart, cute and active at the LGBT center. Jed has always looked out for his friend and been there for him. They have plans and an amazing friendship, everything planned out to the smallest degree.

Any changes could make it all go off the rails. So why can’t Jed get over how annoying he finds Doyle’s ex, turned friend, who seems to be around way too often? Why can’t he stop noticing Doyle in new ways?

If Jed doesn’t take a risk, he could miss what’s been there all along.

Review: Sometimes I find myself looking for something that is quick and a sweet, with very little angst and delivers a happy feeling, and this shorter novella did the job.

Jed is a likable character, and it’s obvious to the reader his feelings for Doyle go deeper than friendship. Though apparent to the reader (and mostly everyone else), self-denial runs deep with Jed, and he has firmly stuck his best friend into the friendship zone and is blind to what his feelings actually mean. Doyle was sweet, but because the story is told from Jed’s POV, and is on the shorter side, we don’t get a lot of page time with him. Instead, we get to know Doyle through Jed’s perspective, and understand why he cares so deeply. Their interactions were sweet and humorous at times, keeping the feel of the story on the lighthearted side and not all that angsty.

Shorter stories often don’t have a lot of time for development of characters beyond the MCs, but I will say I was surprised by Cam’s role within the story, and give props to the author for keeping him from becoming predictable, giving a new spin on this friends-to-lovers trope.

If you are looking for a book filled with a lot of angst and sexy times, I don’t think this book will be one to meet that need. I’ll admit if I was in a different state of mind, I may not have found this story as pleasant as I did today. There was nothing really shocking or earthshattering that happened; in my opinion, it falls on the more mellow side. But, I read it at the perfect time for me, on a dreary day where I am emotionally exhausted and really don’t have the mental capacity to take on a story that has too much going on. Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back and read something that just leaves a happy feeling, and this story did just that. I have to say I quite enjoyed Jed’s journey to self-realization, and watching him finally see Doyle with new eyes.

You can buy New Eyes here:
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