Book: Meltdown by Jillian D. Wray
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4.5/5
ARC REVIEW
Meltdown by @jillian_wray_author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)
I felt the friendship between Damon and Liam in my bones — and that foundation is everything. These are lifelong best friends who choose each other above all else, long before romance and sex enter the picture. Their bond is built on loyalty, trust, and mutual admiration, which makes the shift from friendship to something more feel inevitable instead of rushed.
My heart broke for Damon in the first half of the book. He’s spent more than half his life quietly longing for Liam, terrified that telling the truth will destroy the one relationship he can’t live without. Thirteen years of loving someone who thinks you’re just their best friend? Brutal. I wanted to shake him and yell, “Just tell him already!” It made the second half that much sweeter once he finally chose honesty.
I loved the way Liam’s bisexual awakening was handled. It felt grounded and authentic — especially with his golden retriever energy. He doesn’t suddenly “fall” for Damon; he simply gives himself permission to examine what’s already there through a new lens. And once he does? He’s all in. Watching him shift from ride-or-die best friend to intentionally planning a future with Damon was incredibly satisfying.
This is the first book in the Ricochet Ridge series, and I’ll absolutely be back. We got a peek at Vox, and I am already bracing myself for his forbidden romance with his coach.
Thank you to @theauthoragency for providing an ARC!
For fans of: 👬 Best Friends to Lovers | ♾️ It’s Always Been You | 💙 Bisexual Awakening | 🌤️ Grumpy x Sunshine | 🌈 MM Romance | 🏔️ Vacation Romance | 🧬 Family Drama | 🔥 F*ck It Moment
Meltdown #JillianDWray #RicochetRidge #MMRomance #BestFriendsToLovers #BisexualAwakening #ItsAlwaysBeenYou #GrumpySunshine #QueerRomance #ARCReview