Oh I love this book! I know it’ll be one of my favorite rereads, too. I have fallen in love with 5 of this author’s books, and now 6. She writes in a way that just pulls you in, and takes you on an adventure of romance that melts your heart. I think that’s what I love most about A M Johnson’s writing, the romance. You can just feel the characters falling in love, seeing the big and the smallest things that they touch the others hearts with. Heavy sigh.....
Chris has been noticing and crushing on quiet Aiden for two whole years, ever since he first saw him their freshman year. Chris is handsome and popular, but incredibly shy when he sees Aiden every day at the same study desk on the third floor. He makes a point to always get water refills from that water fountain, just so he can see Aiden again, always trying to find a way to approach him without looking like an idiot. The few times he almost made it to him to break the ice, something happens to stop him. Or he just clams up and/or loses his nerve, or the opportune moment. Aiden studies every moment of the entire day, not because he’s a brainy student, but because he isn’t. He’s on scholarships to pay for his college and is Pre-Med, so must get good grades in order to keep his scholarships. No way to cover costs otherwise. He’s trying to become a doctor, psychiatrist actually, in order to have a lucrative career. He has been the caretaker in the family of he and his father since he was 15, when his mother ran off with another man to Switzerland, leaving his father in shambles. And him motherless. His father started drinking and never could really stop. He is constantly starting new jobs only to lose them the same way, his drinking. Keeps saying he’s done, quitting drinking and then is all excited when he gets new job, but of course he loses that one too. This is Aiden’s driving force, to help his Dad, pay his bills and get him real help.
Chris and Aiden finally accidentally meet, twice, and Chris at last knows the name of who he’s been calling “Science Guy” for 2 years. So happy and more infatuated than ever, Chris finally asks Aiden to have a drink with him. Aiden doesn’t have a spare minute in his days for anything at all, but is instantly and strongly attracted to Chris and surprises himself by saying he will have coffee with him. That’s all Chris needs, and he is thrilled. This begins the beautiful story of two sweet, intelligent guys who you get to see falling in love with humor, and a shared love of music. Both play guitar and like the same bands. I loved every single page of this very moving story. And bonus was excellent editing! No typos, wrong or missing words, which seems like I’m seeing more and more of lately. This just takes me out of the stories and ruins the flow for me. Just sloppy, and rushed. I love all of A M Johnson’s stories. They grab you by the heartstrings and take you on a journey. And leave you with warm fuzzies, without any saccharine mushy crap. And always professionally proofread, no distractions pulling you out of the story. Witnessing two lone souls find each other and fall in love is a trip you can take again and again; some rereads never get old. I highly recommend this very touching story.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“And for the record,” I said, brushing my thumb over his lips. “My life… I started living it when I met you.”Highlighted by 455 Kindle readers- Hope that next time, he’d look up from his textbook, finally see me, and maybe want to know me too.Highlighted by 350 Kindle readers
- He wasn’t my science guy anymore. He had a name. He’d become tangible and I wasn’t about to walk away from that.Highlighted by 302 Kindle readers
About the author
A simple love story but nothing extra-ordinary
Well, unfortunately this won't be my favourite of the Franklin U series. This was my first book from the author and to be honest the style didn't catch my attention. The Glow Up is a simple love story between two college boys. It does not have any interesting tropes, it's sweet in its simple, very much ordinary self. Two boys, Chris and Aiden, one crushing from afar on the other, have their awkward meet-cute in a massage session. After that, fate decides to push them together and they begin their sweet journey towards their forever. Chris is a nice guy with a huge heart and Aiden is the broody one with a lot of baggage. And Chris decides to help him find himself and escape his prison he created for himself in doing a degree he doesn't enjoy. The musical aspect of the story was cute and powerful, I loved how they connected through songs and playing the guitar together. However, it really was too simple and I was bored halfway through because of the lack of any kind of angst. And because the plot was kinda flat it felt like more smut than an actual full on interesting read. Which is not a bad thing, I just don't enjoy these types of books. The last 15% of the book I actually found interesting but it was not enough to make up for the previous 85%. I had times when I though I'm going to just put this book down and start something new. Overall, it was an ordinary college love story with very little angst and very much heat. If you just want a sweet romance without much of anything heavy, this one's for you.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
- Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
Well, unfortunately this won't be my favourite of the Franklin U series. This was my first book from the author and to be honest the style didn't catch my attention.
A simple love story but nothing extra-ordinary
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
The Glow Up is a simple love story between two college boys. It does not have any interesting tropes, it's sweet in its simple, very much ordinary self.
Two boys, Chris and Aiden, one crushing from afar on the other, have their awkward meet-cute in a massage session.
After that, fate decides to push them together and they begin their sweet journey towards their forever.
Chris is a nice guy with a huge heart and Aiden is the broody one with a lot of baggage. And Chris decides to help him find himself and escape his prison he created for himself in doing a degree he doesn't enjoy.
The musical aspect of the story was cute and powerful, I loved how they connected through songs and playing the guitar together.
However, it really was too simple and I was bored halfway through because of the lack of any kind of angst. And because the plot was kinda flat it felt like more smut than an actual full on interesting read. Which is not a bad thing, I just don't enjoy these types of books.
The last 15% of the book I actually found interesting but it was not enough to make up for the previous 85%. I had times when I though I'm going to just put this book down and start something new.
Overall, it was an ordinary college love story with very little angst and very much heat. If you just want a sweet romance without much of anything heavy, this one's for you.
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Top reviews from other countries
- SandraReviewed in Spain on June 19, 2023
Sweet and real romance about college boys falling in love
- Wide Eyes, Big Ears!Reviewed in Australia on November 16, 2024
Sweet, chilled guy soothes uptight pre-med student!
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