Marc Jillson & The Gazebo (Love Inscribed #2) by Anyta Sunday

From Goodreads:

Want true, heart-throbbing romance? Put down the Cheetos, and stop being a jackass.

The question is, can I do it?

I’ve been an epic dick to my friends, my uncle. Him.

Travis Hunter. Photographer, econ-student, paraplegic. Can I redeem myself? Apologize? Make a fresh start?

Hunter seems to think so. Even roped me into saving his favorite gazebo from the bulldozers.

The confidence of this man amazes me. He’s no bullshit where I’m all bullshit. I throw up walls where he knocks them down.

He’s beautiful, too. Strong arms inked with hummingbirds, a wide teasing mouth, and blue eyes that read me like an open book.

He looks at me, and I look away.

These shivery feelings I have for Hunter? They can’t happen. I don’t deserve him.

Where did I put those Cheetos?

I found this while checking my email as Anyta Sunday announced that this book was free in celebration of the release of the audiobook. 

My wish. To stand up for my sadly neglected principles. To say the words that drummed an insistent beat in my veins. To prove I still had some moral fiber. — Marc Jillson

🌹Reasons to Bump This Up Your TBR

Hunter and Marc

Hunter is hands-down my favorite character. He’s fun and enjoyable to be around. In fact, I want to be his friend! His optimism and bravery radiate on the page. The cover really does capture Hunter’s energy. 

While I do love Hunter, Marc is not so far behind. By now, I’ve already read the first book, and he is an absolute jerk back then. But he tries so hard to rebuild the bridges he had burned, and it makes me want to cheer him on.

The two of them make a lovely pairing as they understand each other well. I love how Hunter is Marc’s safe space. Like Marc is full of shit and all of his defenses are up, but Hunter remained patient and understanding with him. It’s the same when it comes to Hunter as Marc sees and appreciates who Hunter really is.

The slow-burn romance

Well okay, this is Anyta Sunday’s forte, but they’re mostly hit or miss for me. This one, though, is just lovely. Just the right pacing, the perfect amount of romance, angst, and steam. 

The gazebo symbol is lovely.

It is Hunter’s wish to maybe he could find his own happy ending too. But more than that, it is also like Marc’s way to correct his mistakes, to rebuild the bridges he burned in the past year, to make up to a lot of people, and I guess, to forgive himself and allow himself to move on and be beautiful again like the gazebo.

The other romances

I’m mostly neutral for side romances, but I couldn’t help but root for the other ones in here. That ending is just chef’s kiss. It may have turned me into a puddle of goo.

“Jesus. It nearly eats you and you still want to save it?”

I felt his eyes shift from the wreck inside to me. The hairs on my nape prickled.

“It needs tender loving care,” he said. “Strengthen the foundation and I’m certain its beauty will prevail.”

🥀Reasons to Bump This Down On Your TBR

The only negative side that I could think of is the fact that you have to read the previous book to be able to understand this. I couldn’t understand the regret or Marc’s shock when he learned that he was interacting with Hunter, of all people. It felt like I was dropped in the middle of the hot mess that was Marc.

So word of advice first thing things: don’t be like me and read the first book before coming here.

I just wish that Hunter has a POV too because there are times when it feels like I’ve missed Marc and Hunter’s dynamic. We get snippets of their gaming chats, but it’s never clear why Hunter is so chill with this new Marc.

Verdict

I love everything about this but should have really read book 1 first.

Have you read this book? If not, do you plan on reading this? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!