Open Road by M.J. O'Shea

Angus has been with the same guy for ten years. When his boyfriend breaks up with him the night of his thirtieth birthday party and announces his engagement to a twenty-two-year-old less than ten hours later, Angus is… a mess. To put it lightly. He spends days in bed, drinks himself into a stupor every night, and ends up losing his job and his apartment. His best and oldest friend, Reece, decides it’s time for an intervention. And a change of scenery.

Reece and Angus take off on a buddy trip across the US. They don’t have much of a plan; they just start driving. It takes Angus a couple of days to do much more than grunt when Reece talks to him, but slowly he opens up. They drive, talk, heal, shout, drink a bit too much sometimes, dance, meet new friends… and somewhere between Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine, they fall in love.

Which was the last thing in the world Angus expected.

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Dreamspinner  Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This friends to lovers story made me feel happy. And hopeful. And all gooey inside. This book captures true friendship beautifully in a gay for you, friends to lovers story that feels honest and believable.

This is the story of Angus, dumped by his partner of ten years at his thirtieth birthday party. And it is the story of Reece, the lifelong best friend who picks up the pieces when Angus hits rock bottom. Together, the men take off from their lives on a spontaneous road trip across America.

Versions of this story have been told before, but the power of this book lies in the exquisite characterisation and the sweetness of the friendship between Reece and Angus. While this story starts in a very dark place, much of this story is fun, almost playful as Angus rediscovers himself and the friendship starts to evolve.

Like all very good romance, this story explores themes beyond attraction and love. Thirty is a frightening milestone, especially for Angus, and his reflections on life both before and beyond thirty are thought provoking.

The connection between Angus and Reece is very slow to build. The chemistry between the two men is wonderful, but there is more tease than steam in this story. This is a very special book and I absolutely loved it.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I just loved this book. When Angus and his boyfriend of 10 years break up, the aftermath is exactly how I pictured it would be in real life. The devastation, the days in bed, the drinking, etc. When Angus and Reece go on a trip across country and do so many things together you can’t help but want them to be together and for Angus to open his eyes and see what has always been right there in front of him. My only wish was the book was a little longer so we saw more of them after they came back and to see the relationship grow even more. Great feel good book.

Characters: Well written
Sex: Yes
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: No
Genre: M/M Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes

M.J. O’SHEA has never met a music festival, paintbrush, or flower crown she can stay away from. She loves rainstorms and a perfect cup of tea, beach days, music, bright colors, and more than anything a cozy evening with a really great book.

She is from the Pacific Northwest. While she lives there still and loves it, M.J. has the heart of a wanderer. So she puts all her dreams of far-off places and extraordinary people in her books.

Except for every once in a while when she does what all travelers have to do on occasion… come home.

Connect with M.J.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Open Road by M.J. O'Shea to read and review.