Rating: 5🌈
From the moment I met this intriguing couple I wanted their story. Over the course of this wonderful series, we get just enough of each character as they’ve interacted with the core group of men that have formed the foundation of this series to get a great sense of what they look like and who they are.
There’s the tall, elegant goth owner of Winchester & Sons Funeral Directors, Laurence “Laurie” Winchester. He’s quiet but has a strong presence. Wears black but stylish clothing and with makeup to match. His best friend/closest companion of over 4 years is a someone who lives with him, works with him, doing the makeup on the clients, but also has interesting side businesses.
That’s Theo (he,they), small , beautifully femme, with painful abuse in his past, both from exes and from family rejection. His love of exotic taxidermy is as well known as his streaming gaming Twitch and MyFans porn channels. Both of which have helped him become more the person he is today. Brighter than the sun, loyal, a bit bratty and incredibly brave.
Of all the fascinating individuals Novak has created for the series, Theo and Laurie have to be both my favorites as well as the most compelling.
With Theo, there is a clear picture of past disturbing events in his life but the author is subtle about the details. We know the origins and the effects that they have on Theo, and that’s enough. Laurie, too, has some parental issues, but nothing on the level that Theo has been subjected to. While on the surface, they may have little in common, together they match.
I love the way Novak unsettles their established relationship with one statement by a friend that sets off a real exploration of who and what they really are to each other. This is helped by heartfelt discussions with members of their found family of friends. Each from the prior stories in the series who help bring clarity to their feelings about their relationship.
Japanese bondage rope play or shibari is a big element here and a excellently integrated one. Novak introduces it into the storyline and their dynamic slowly and then builds it as an important part of their relationship, letting us see how impactful it is to both men in their roles. Such a sexy, well written aspect of this romance and novel, one I loved.
Healing and reconnecting has always been a deeply rooted theme of this series. Whether it’s reconnecting with your roots and the land of the vivid world of Heather Bay or the inner world conflicts that the characters are dealing, Novak’s has them rediscovering their own unique identities and finding their own way to a future with a partner. Each through wonderful journeys we’ve been a part of.
So it’s no small surprise that a big chunk of Theo’s discarded past arrives in this finale. Read the book, enjoy every moment of this aspect of the story as I did.
All the characters gather round as well as several others from Theo’s MyFan channel. I really hope Novak has a plan for them down the line as they are such an enjoyable sexy group of men.
Heather Bay is going down as one of my favorite contemporary romance series, one that ended with a 5 star couple. I truly felt as though I knew this remarkable seaside town and its inhabitants. I’ll miss having more stories so it’s going on my to be reread list, long as it is.
That gorgeous cover is definitely delicious.
This series and this book are must reads! Check them out in the order they are written!
Heather Bay series :
✓ Like I Pictured #0.5
✓ Like I Promised #1
✓ Like I Wished #2
✓ Like I Needed #3
✓ Like I Pretended #4
✓ Like I Wanted #5 – series finale
Buy Link:
Like I Wanted (Heather Bay Book 5)
Blurb:
Roommates. Best friends. Boyfriends?
Theo and Laurie have been best friends for six years but despite doing everything together, they’ve never been anything more than best friends and roommates.
Then someone calls them boyfriends and upends their neat little world.
As the pair struggle to put a lid on their feelings, a random email from Theo’s brother throws him even further off balance and all Laurie can do is offer a niche form of stress relief. But Laurie’s support doesn’t stop at rope garters. Once the two of them fall into bed, it’s clear things will never be the same between them.
Now, Theo and Laurie must finally address the feelings they’ve tried to hide from and figure out if they really are just friends, or if there’s always been something more between them. Can they give each other everything they ever wanted?
Like I Wanted is a steamy best friends to lovers contemporary MM romance featuring a femme boy who loves zombie horror and weird taxidermy, a goth with a secret love of shibari, interfering adult entertainers, a vicar who takes no shit, and a quest for guinea pigs.
It is the fifth and final novel in the Heather Bay series and is best enjoyed as part of the series.
Please note that one of the MCs is involved in adult entertainment and chooses to remain working in the industry, with the full consent of his partner, once they’re in a relationship. For more information, please see the internal Author’s Note.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 
