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Marley Valentine

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Ache Kindle Edition

by Marley Valentine (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

2,698 ratings

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From USA Today bestselling author Marley Valentine comes an all new emotional, friends-to lovers gay romance standalone.

I couldn’t tell you when I fell in love with Gael Herrera, but I wish I knew how to make it stop.

Falling in love with a straight man is a rookie mistake. But falling in love with my soon-to-be-married-to-a-woman best friend is nothing but heartache.

Through all the years, and all the men I’ve fooled around with, he’s always been at the back of my mind. An unrequited crush I wish I could shake. A dream that was never going to come true.

When I whisk him off to a surprise bachelor party weekend in Vegas, I surrender to the idea that this is an opportunity for me to finally let go of my feelings for him and say goodbye.

But after a heated exchange and an even hotter kiss, everything I thought I knew about our friendship changed.

Maybe I had it wrong. Maybe, after all this time, we were more than best friends. Maybe, just maybe, he felt it too.

From the Publisher

BLACK RECTANGLE WITH MEN EMBRACING AND TEXT

	Kindle	Paperback	Audiobook	Special Edition Paperback	Special Edition Hardcover
	Buying Options		Buying Options
Customer Reviews	2,698	2,698	2,698	—	2,698
Price	$5.99	$16.99	$0.00	$16.99	$25.99
Ways to Enjoy Ache	Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited	Original Ache Cover	Narrated by Teddy Hamilton, Gomez Pugh and Emma Wilder	Special Edition in Paperback	Special Edition in Hardcover

I couldn’t tell you when I fell in love with Gael Herrera, but I wish I knew how to make it stop.

Falling in love with a straight man is a rookie mistake. But falling in love with my soon-to-be-married-to-a-woman best friend is nothing but heartache.

But after a heated exchange and an even hotter kiss, everything I thought I knew about our friendship changed. Maybe I had it wrong. Maybe, after all this time, we were more than best friends. Maybe, just maybe, he felt it too.

IF YOU LOVE ACHE IF YOU LOVE

Friends-To-Lovers
Pining
Angsty Plot Twist
Latinx Representation

Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★ I am not new to the emotional pull Marley writes in her stories. I am not new to the havoc she plays on my heart. Yet every single time it slaps me in the face and leaves me speechless! Every. Time - OMGReads

★★★★★ This is a story of acceptance, it's forbidden and it flirts with heartache and heartbreakthat had me teetering on the edge of my seat. - Your Favorite Book Bag

★★★★★ This story was so heartfelt and it will stay with me for a long time. One of the most beautiful love stories I've read. - Late Knight Luna Reads

★★★★★ Ache is, hands down, one of the best romances I've had the pleasure of reading this year. - Dog-Eared Daydreams

★★★★★ Marley Valentine took my heart and just squeezed tight. She shocked me, made me cry, broke me down and put me back together, all in one story. - jpbooklife

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08RGWVH7Q
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 22, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1.9 MB
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 284 pages
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #59,463 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #162 in Bisexual Erotica
- #215 in Gay Erotica
- #2,587 in Erotic Literature & Fiction

Customer Reviews:
2,698 ratings

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Marley Valentine

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Living in Sydney, Australia with her family, Marley Valentine is a USA Today bestselling author and a former social worker who uses her past experiences to write real life, emotional and heartfelt contemporary romance.

She enjoys mixing it up with both M/F and M/M Romance incorporating all forms of life, lust and love as her characters embark on their journey to their happily ever after.

When she’s not busy writing her own stories, she spends most of her time immersed in the words of her favourite authors.

Marley enjoys interacting with her readers so please feel free to reach out to her via Facebook, Instagram, email and/or subscribe to her newsletter.

STALK MARLEY:

Website: https://www.marleyvbooks.com

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/MarleyVNL

Audio Newsletter: https://bit.ly/MarleyVAudio

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2VuYfg8

Instagram: http://bit.ly/MVBooksIG

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MarleyTwitter

BookBub: http://bit.ly/MVBookBub

Amazon: http://bit.ly/MarleyV

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/MVGoodreads

Customer reviews

2,698 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an emotionally satisfying journey with a well-balanced mix of pining and longing. The writing is wonderfully crafted, with one customer noting how perfectly the characters' reactions are portrayed, and they appreciate the beautiful, steamy romance. Customers love the characters and find the story entertaining, with one review highlighting the strong bond between the two male leads. The book receives positive feedback for its humor, with one customer noting how the supporting cast adds to the entertainment value. The pacing receives mixed reactions from customers.

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Heartwarming story Readability Writing quality Beauty Character development Heat level Humor Pacing

93 customers mention "Heartwarming story"85 positive8 negative

Customers find this book emotionally satisfying, describing it as a beautifully well-done friends-to-lovers story that balances sweet moments with angst.

"Spoiler **** Another beautiful story. The only thing is I didn't like how they were "sorta cheating" in Vegas...." Read more

"...Everything could go wrong. Ache is poignant, heartbreaking, funny, sweet, and oh-so-sexy. I loved every minute; I could not put it down!..." Read more

"Captivating, Beautiful, and Emotional...." Read more

"I loved this story. It had the perfect amount of shocking and emotional intrigue that keep you binge reading the story!..." Read more

48 customers mention "Readability"48 positive0 negative

Customers find the book extremely wonderful to watch and read, with one customer describing it as mesmerizing.

"...Loved this book." Read more

"...I also thought the third-person POV was a nice touch. A good read." Read more

"...again, great book I really loved the story and the characters." Read more

"Great book.. I don’t like to recap you need to read it to see how you feel. Low angst, happy feels" Read more

26 customers mention "Writing quality"26 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it easy to read and wonderfully crafted, with one customer noting how perfectly the characters' reactions are portrayed.

"...They were just so welcoming & supportive. Ache was beautifully written & it hurt so good! I didn't want to stop reading it...." Read more

"...Easy to read and it sucks you in from page 1! LOVED the characters. I don’t typically read MM romance so that was a nice change too!..." Read more

"...Instead, it is a complex, emotionally satisfying journey that makes you fall in love with the guys and leaves you wanting more." Read more

"Marley Valentine’s writing is emotional and beautiful. Her words have a way of consuming me...." Read more

19 customers mention "Beauty"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one review noting its classy presentation and another describing it as sexy.

"Marley Valentine’s writing is emotional and beautiful. Her words have a way of consuming me...." Read more

"Beautiful Read..." Read more

"...There was some cheating involved but it was done is such a classy way. This was a good book. Highly recommend" Read more

"...But when it’s not, it’s lovely and sweet and steamy and joyful." Read more

16 customers mention "Character development"16 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the honesty in their feelings.

"...While never terribly long, you form such strong connections to her characters and feel like you truly know them and are rooting for them...." Read more

"...I’ll start with the positive: Jordan and Gael are lovely characters...." Read more

"...Easy to read and it sucks you in from page 1! LOVED the characters. I don’t typically read MM romance so that was a nice change too!..." Read more

"...The bond between the two men is strong...." Read more

8 customers mention "Heat level"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the heat level of the book, describing it as very hot and steamy.

"...But when it’s not, it’s lovely and sweet and steamy and joyful." Read more

"...Conclusion: This is a short , very hot , fast read ; that I sort of - kind of - not really like but definitely do not love and know won't read..." Read more

"...The love scenes in Vegas?? Smoking hot, burning up the sheets sexy!..." Read more

"...It’s beautifully written, emotional, scorching hot, and worth every moment of heart ache." Read more

8 customers mention "Humor"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with several mentioning they laugh while reading, and one customer noting how the supporting cast adds to the entertainment value.

"...It was lovely to see Julian not just in a cameo, but as a real friend to Gael and Jordan, offering support and advice...." Read more

"...happiness together was celebrated not only by them, but by a wonderful group of people they surrounded themselves with...." Read more

"...Gael and Jordan's story is full of family, love, heartbreak and hope...." Read more

"...Valentine uses words to paint pictures that will have you gasping, laughing, and crying, and a whole lot of other emotions that lead from light,..." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book.

"...She shocked me, made me cry, broke me down and put me back together, all in one story. I can't tell you enough how much I loved this book...." Read more

"...Possible triggers for sensitive readers involving cheating. Ratings falls between a 3 and a 3.25 stars" Read more

"...many ways, but so extremely wonderful to watch and read how well it all came together. It’s an absolute read and will be a re-read for me again." Read more

"...WARNING: This book has cheating Yes it does have cheating which for me is a non issue when reading...." Read more

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Jennifer
Angsty MM romance
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

I've met Gael and Jordan in a few of Valentine's books, but I didn't realize until recently that they had their own story. Needing something angsty after a week of fluffy reads, I knew just who to turn to.

They've been best friends forever, Gael's family took Jordan in when he came out and he's been part of the family ever since. Jordan's always been in love with Gael, but Gael is engaged to a woman. A bachelor party has feelings being revealed but then tragedy strikes.

I'll tell you, Marley Valentine has a gift for drawing you in so quickly to the heartache of her stories. While never terribly long, you form such strong connections to her characters and feel like you truly know them and are rooting for them. I hurt with these two, I fell in love with them, and hurt all over again. Another great story from Valentine!

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Amanda Brooks
3.5 Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Summary: Gael and Jordan have been bffs since they were six. They’ve been in love with each other probably since that was a thing they could understand and feel. But except for one kiss when they were 21 years old, they’ve never acted on their feelings. Jordan, too damaged by having been rejected by his parents, can’t believe that Gael (who is probably heteroflexible or bi, but has always presented as straight) could really love him and want to be with him, so he rejected the idea of being together—convinced Gael that it was just a momentary thing. Ten years later, their friendship and deep bond are intact, but both men are unhappy because all they want is to be together. Except their unwillingness to talk about “that kiss,” means they have entangled themselves with other people and now Gael is engaged to be married.

Review:3.5 Stars—It’s an interesting twist on the friends-to-lovers trope to have both men know they love each other but still unwilling to acknowledge it. Okay, Jordan has convinced himself that Gael doesn’t love him “like that,” but Gael knows damn well that the feeling is mutual but has stubbornly refused to be the first one to say anything.

I’ll start with the positive: Jordan and Gael are lovely characters. They are kind and generous and devoted to each other and to their family and friends. Even when Jordan is being kind of a jerk to his friend with benefits Frankie, he feels bad and apologizes. I like that Gael recognizes the love and desire Jordan thinks he’s hiding—if they are as close as they claim, it makes sense that Gael would be able to read Jordan like that.

I love Frankie. I’m really glad he gets his own story. He’s such a good friend to Jordan. And I also love that this is a shared world with Valentine’s Without You and we get to see Julian and Deacon. It was lovely to see Julian not just in a cameo, but as a real friend to Gael and Jordan, offering support and advice.

What I didn’t love: This isn’t specific to this book, but I hate when lack of communication and/or willingness to be vulnerable leads to the lovers being separated for years at a time. It breaks my heart to think of the ten extra years Jordan and Gael could have had. I know they appreciate it more this way, and they wouldn’t be the same, yada yada, but the romantic in me just hates it anyway.

There’s a mid story twist that I didn’t love. If you don’t mind spoilers, read to the end for my full thoughts on it.

***Spoiler Alert***
This book has helped me realize that I’m not a fan of the amnesia trope. All it does is just extend the conflict, setting things back to the beginning. And that’s just annoying. I did like that though Gael couldn’t remember what happened when they were in Las Vegas, he had still been changed by what happened so that he had a deep understanding that things were not right even if he couldn’t remember what had changed and why things weren’t right anymore. I also liked that he wasn’t willing to be gaslighted that it was just his amnesia and concussion that were what was wrong.

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Diana
wow
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
All the feels with this book!!!

Best friends, too forever is my kryptonite and Marley delivered on all counts with this book!

There is heartbreak and pining and so much love.

This definitely is more serious than I typically read as far as missing the banter, snark and shenanigans that I normally gravitate towards but i’m so glad I finally read it.

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W.F.
Miscommunication Galore
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
If you were to Google the word Miscommunication , you'll find that according to the Merriam Webster dictionary , Mis·com·mu·ni·ca·tion is failure to communicate clearly.

And that folks is the entire foundation and plotline of Ache.

A friends to lovers , melodramatic and steamy MM romance of Gael and Jordan. Two 30 something years old , "joined by the hip", best friends since childhood, who love each other " more than friends , " for the last 10+ years . Yet , are incapable to have a honest and frank conversation about how they feel about each other , until the eve of Gael wedding to a woman.

A convoluted plot , with three POV told story , from Jordan and Gael (the MCs) and from Elena (Gael's fiancee) were the heroes with not a single obstacle for them to be together but their own lack of courage or is it smarts? Hee and Haw their way to a HEA ending.

Conclusion:
This is a short , very hot , fast read ; that I sort of - kind of - not really like but definitely do not love and know won't read it again.
Possible triggers for sensitive readers involving cheating.

Ratings falls between a 3 and a 3.25 stars

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27 people found this helpful

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Olivia Pace
Devoured it!
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
"For so long" — my voice is hoarse and thick, the words on my tongue waiting a lifetime to come out-"I have learned to love you from afar, and I'm begging you please, please let me love you up close."

Oh the angst 🥹 This was my first read by this author and I could not put it down! Easy to read and it sucks you in from page 1! LOVED the characters. I don’t typically read MM romance so that was a nice change too! This is a standalone but it does have cameos from a previous standalone so you may want to read Without You and What We Broke first!

I will definitely be checking out more from this author!

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Vania
So beautiful!
Reviewed in Italy on June 30, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

This book broke my heart and put it back together in the best possible way!
As the title suggests, I ACHED for Jordan, for Gael, and even for Elena, and for their situation and circumstances which seemed impossible at times. But underneath the ache, the impossibility, the difficulties, underneath it all, is the strength of a love impossible to ignore, impossible to break, and great as the whole world!

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RENATA RODRIGUES
Two words: heartbreakingly precious!
Reviewed in Germany on June 24, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I’ve been anxiously waiting for this book’s release because I am a huge fan of the “best friends to lovers” aaand the “not so straight as I thought” tropes, and this story delivered it perfectly.

Jordan was in love with his best friend Gael for as long as he could remember, but had to put a stop to those feelings because his friend was going to get married—to a woman. Ah the irony of life..

There is that saying that one would wholeheartedly do anything for someone they love, even if that meant to be unhappy themselves. Like when you love someone you put their priorities before your own.
That is what Jordan did in this book, and it was clear that he genuinely wanted Gael to be happy, with or without him.
I loved how strong their friendship was, so they could keep those bonds even though someone was getting a broken heart in the process.

“𝙷𝚎’𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚋𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚎. 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐.“

That was, until they had a heated conversation, where they realized that maybe there was more to that relationship than they first thought. Those feelings were hidden since a long time, and after the doors to the past were opened, they couldn’t go back.

I loved how Gael accepted those feelings when they were transpiring. There was no drama of how and what was happening between them. They just gave in and enjoyed the moment.

Jordan and Gael as a couple worked out sooo well in my opinion. Their friendship background helped, but i think it was much more than that. Their love for each other overflowed, and that was so clear for the reader every time they looked at each other since the first pages of the book. Their chemistry was also amazing to read, probably because they were already best friends, so when they got together it felt believable and natural— like when you find the missing piece of a puzzle.

The plot twist was unexpected but fit so perfectly to the story it had me sobbing. That literal ache you feel when life just happens and threatens to take all your happiness away. Oh my heart.. I just wanted to hug these characters and say that everything was going to be fine.

I could easily read 300 pages more of this book, these characters were incredible, and I loved to see Deacon and Julian (characters from Without You) in this story as well.

This was a fun, emotional read—with a HEA. It made me feel heartbroken in several moments but it also made me believe how love can heal anything and how destiny is already fated, you can try to go another way, but what’s yours will always find you.

Ache couldn’t get less than 5 stars from me, I loved every second of the book and couldn’t put it down.

PS.: The author warns for triggers at the beginning of the book, so I think it’s important to repeat it in my review as well.
⚠︎ There is an off the page miscarriage, but it’s not graphic or detailed.
⚠︎ And of course there is the cheating factor that both heroes get together when he is still engaged to be married.
But all those things are written tastefully, and aren’t in any way offensive, so I think that should never be a reason for someone not to read the book.

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Sadhna Kujur
Love is love
Reviewed in India on June 26, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
My first Marley Valentine read, and it's was mind-blowing. Totally in love with the story and romance. The book was so romantic and with some best dialogues.

This is not just an unrequited love story, be ready because it's more than that. Thank you for the dual pov which makes it easy to understand the MCs and their insecurities and their feelings.

The book is in a layer that opens up with almost every chapter and kind of shocks you with mystery hidden.

Jordan is in love with his best friend Gael who is getting married soon. Jordan is funny and handsome and spends his money giving expensive gifts to Gael's family. That's is one of his way of showing his love and admiration for Gael's family.

Gael is a good man, a perfect man who takes care of others and love selflessly. He has always been there for Jordan in his dark days in his struggle.

This book is a true example of love is love.
I wish I could say more about the characters without giving out their actual story.

***“I love you,” I breathe out. “I have loved you on the days you told me I couldn’t. I have loved you on the days that I shouldn’t. And I will love you for all the days to come.”***

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Dawn Barrell
Heartbreaking and Uplifting Love Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
A beautifully written story about best friends who love each other but owing to misunderstandings spend years denying their feelings. Jason has been in love with his straight best friend Gael forever and has to stand by and pretend to be happy as he gets engaged and the wedding nears.

Gael has been keeping a secret of his own, he has always loved Jason. Ten years ago he kissed him but after being rejected has tried to move on with his life.

Jason arranges a surprise bachelor party for Gael and whisks him and his two brothers in law off to Vegas, it’s his way of having a few last days with Gael before putting his feelings to one side forever but things never turn out quite the way you expect.

This book was both heartbreaking and uplifting with a twist I didn’t see coming and the author poured all Jason’s pain and Gael’s anger and frustration out onto the pages beautifully.

I loved the surprise guests at the bachelor party and also the bonus chapter giving us a lovely HEA. I’m hoping that Frankie is next in line for the HEA he is so desperate for.

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Joshua
❤️
Reviewed in Mexico on December 4, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Me encantó! Otra autora que se agrega a mi lista de romances M/M. Es un libro emocional y nuevamente me doy cuenta que no soy fan de los triángulos amorosos, pero creo que la autora lo manejó muy bien y no sufrí tanto jeje.
Gael y Jordan son mejores amigos pero siempre se han tenido sentimientos el uno a otro que por años lo han ocultado, las cosas se complican cuando Gael se va a casar y Jordan decide regalarle un viaje a las Vegas para que vayan Gael, Julian, Deacon y Jordan. Aquí es cuando la cosa se pone intensa y no pueden aguantar más lo que sienten.
Lo recomiendo mucho!!

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I couldn’t tell you when I fell in love with Gael Herrera, but I wish I knew how to make it stop.

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Prepare to run the gamut of emotions in this heart stopping romance!

Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Angsty MM romance

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 Stars

5.0 out of 5 stars wow

3.0 out of 5 stars Miscommunication Galore

4.0 out of 5 stars Devoured it!

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars So beautiful!

5.0 out of 5 stars Two words: heartbreakingly precious!

5.0 out of 5 stars Love is love

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and Uplifting Love Story

5.0 out of 5 stars ❤️

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Angsty MM romance

3.5 Stars

wow

Miscommunication Galore

Devoured it!

So beautiful!

Two words: heartbreakingly precious!

Love is love

Heartbreaking and Uplifting Love Story

❤️