Title: Where Do I Start?
Series: Why You?: Book One
Author: Chase Taylor Hackett
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Length: 264 Pages
Category: Contemporary
At a Glance: I truly loved reading this book, and can’t wait to read more from this author.
Reviewed By: Jules
Blurb: The ex best thing . . .
Fletcher Andrews never believed in promises. Or monogamy. Or love. When you’re tall and gorgeous, New York City is one big all-you-can-eat buffet of hot young actors, models, and baristas. Even when living happily with Roger, his sweet, sexy violinist boyfriend, Fletch can’t resist an occasional taste. Too bad you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s thrown you out for cheating with half the cast of Disney on Ice.
Two years and a chance meeting later, Fletch desperately wants Roger back. Roger’s new boyfriend, Jeff, will do anything to stop that from happening. But Fletch has a plan to make amends. And with a little help from friends, colleagues—even Roger’s Scottish terrier, Haggis—they might find that the love you don’t believe in can sweep you right off your feet . . .
Review: I didn’t immediately like this book. Which seems completely crazy to me now, after finishing it. But, in chapter one I was thinking, ‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?!?’ Because Fletcher Andrews is a hot mess, you guys. Like, the hottest and the messiest. BUT—by chapter three I was unashamedly head over heels for him. Fletch is gorgeous with a capital G, and ridiculously charming. He can talk his way into or out of any situation, and into literally anyone’s pants, which ended up being his downfall with his one and only boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, Roger. Chase Taylor Hackett’s Where Do I Start begins with Fletch running into Roger at the Met two years after things ended between them, and the rest of the book is basically Fletch courting Roger (even though Roger doesn’t even realize what’s happening at first) and trying to win him back (even though Fletch doesn’t even realize that’s what he’s doing at first).
One of the things I loved best about this book was Fletch’s admiration and respect for Roger. He was clearly in love with him from the beginning, even though he screwed things up so terribly the last time, and is initially so oblivious to his feelings and his motivations for stalking Roger presently. His remorse for hurting Roger in the past is never in doubt, and he attempts to make up for it in myriad ways. He is always so mindful of Roger’s needs and feelings, and takes extreme joy in pointing out Roger’s current boyfriend Jeff’s failings and careless disregard of Roger’s feelings. Often right in front of Jeff! Which is too funny. And, the way Fletch’s attention and admiration make Roger feel so special is awesome. I loved this passage from Roger’s POV when he was remembering a special moment with Fletch…
May I tell you how earth-shaking it is to discover that somebody likes you, genuinely likes you, thinks you’re sexy, wants to spend time with you because you are exactly who you are?
…
I’ve mentioned enough how Fletch was this Adonis—and he was—but after that night, that was so irrelevant. I was hopelessly, blissfully, bark-at-the-moon crazy in love with him because he was the most beautiful guy I had ever met—and that had absolutely nothing to do with gorgeous eyes or a handsome smile.
Fletch’s promiscuity is firmly in the past, but it takes Roger most of the book to believe it. I don’t blame him one bit for being so hesitant to let his ex back in; it was only fair that Fletch had to prove himself. And, watching him do that day after day, watching him fight for Roger, made me fall in love with him more with every chapter. Oh! And, I can’t forget his love for Roger’s dog! It may have well been Fletch’s love for Haggis—the dog, not the gross Scottish dish—that gives him the biggest shot at winning back Roger’s heart. Haggis was honestly like another main character!
And, speaking of the characters… They really were all fantastic. Even the one I’m sure every reader will love to hate, *cough* Jeff-Rey *cough*… He was a complete dickbag, sure, but I can’t deny that he was memorable. The majority of the characters were extremely well-developed and relatable. I loved Fletch [insert a billion hearty eyes emojis], obviously, and I adored Roger, but a very close runner-up for my favorite character was Roger’s best friend, Tommy. He is beyond fabulous, and I need his book in my life like yesterday. I’m so hoping that his story is in the works.
Hackett’s storytelling style is different, but in such a good way. It’s fast-paced and fun, with dialogue that is at times hilarious, and at other times very touching and insightful. There are inside jokes, and ongoing bits in the story that are fantastic, and work so well, like Fletch’s nickname for Roger, and my new favorite term, ‘f-hole.’ And, I loved the way he used the different POVs to move the story along and take us from how everything started between Fletch and Roger, to their current situation of finding their way back to each other. The narrative also jumps seamlessly from moments and dialogue that are absurdly funny, to moments that are so moving and heartfelt, like Fletch talking about his childhood, or Roger’s meeting with his dad—which was actually both touching and funny.
I truly loved reading this book, and can’t wait to read more from this author. The next book in the series just released this week, but one of the MCs is Jeff the dickbag! So, I might have to hold off for a minute. Ha! I’m still firmly on Team Fletcher, and hating Jeffrey with every fiber, so I’m not ready yet for the author to make me like him. But, I may get there yet. 😉 Subsequent books, though? I’m all in!
You can buy Where Do I Start? here:
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