Genre: Gay Contemporary Romance Heat Level: 3 Word Count: 32, 550 ISBN: 978-0-3695-0725-9 Editor: Lisa Petrocelli Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Awkwardly Yours, Sincerley Autism by Penelope Rivers

Heat Level 3
$3.99
SKU 978-0-3695-0725-9
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Twenty-five-year old Oliver has known his best friend, Corey, and his autistic brother, Amos, his whole life. He thought he had his friendship with Amos all figured out, but when Amos confesses and kisses him, he realizes his feelings run far deeper. Oliver must learn how to change how he sees disability… and find love in the process.

Be Warned: m/m sex

 

Excerpt:

Normally, Oliver slept in Corey’s room on nights when he didn’t want to drive home, but two more of his buddies were too drunk to drive, so he’d been moved to a sleeping bag in Amos’s room. Oliver preferred sleeping in Amos’s room anyway. Corey snored like he was sawing logs with a chain saw. Amos snored too, but not nearly as much.

Still feeling a bit tipsy, Oliver sat on Amos’s bed as the guy pulled out a pair of flannel pajama bottoms for him to borrow. Since Oliver had come right from the restaurant, he hadn’t brought his stuff with him. Thankfully, the three of them were all pretty much trim, muscular guys, so it really wasn’t a problem. Amos tossed him the flannel bottoms and pulled out clothes for himself.

“I’m going to the bathroom to change.” Amos held a grey t-shirt and a pair of black sweatpants.

As Amos headed for the door, Oliver stood up but wobbled. He held out his hands to steady himself, but in the end it didn’t matter. Amos was by his side, steadying him with his warm, big hands. Looking up, Oliver found himself swallowing and wondering why it always felt like Amos knew what he was doing. Even if he wasn’t looking in his face, he had his eye on him.

Oliver waited for Amos to let him go, but it didn’t happen. Instead Amos surprised him. He dragged his eyes up from his shoes and met Oliver’s gaze. Suddenly, Oliver felt as though he’d drunk a ton of fizzy colas and the carbonation was making his stomach go crazy. The silence was filled by the sound of his own heart, pounding hard against his chest in a beat all its own.

With shaking hands, Amos leaned forward and captured his mouth. Lips joined with lips. Amos kissed him sloppily but with more passion than anyone else had ever kissed him before. Amos’s hands wrapped around his back, pulling him close while steadying him at the same time. For a moment Oliver was reminded of that day all those years ago with the wasps, except this was different. This was… His eyes flew open.

This was wrong.

“Stop.” Oliver shoved him away.

The two of them were locked in a battle of eyes. Amos’s cheeks and lips were red after their embrace, and his chest rose and fell as he panted. His lips remained parted, and Oliver wondered whether the taste of chocolate was just his taste. Oliver wanted to know what it felt like to have his tongue in Amos’s mouth and hated himself for even thinking about it.

Amos regained his composure and held up his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Shocked, Oliver ran a hand through his hair. “What is this? Why did you…”

It took Amos several seconds for him to respond. In the end, his back stiffened and he ground his teeth as if Oliver was pulling out organs and not words. “I’m in love with you. I have been since we were kids.”

 

Product Reviews

Score: 4 out of 5 (based on 16 ratings)
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4/5
Neurodivergent does not mean less
Written by Janice W on 14th Jan 2023

Oliver, his best friend Corey, and Corey's autistic brother Amos have been friends forever. One Amos kisses Oliver and confesses his long-time feelings for him, which makes Oliver stop and think about the possibilities of perhaps feeling something back for Amos. When other knowledge about Oliver comes to light, the two young men deal with things as they come, gradually coming to realize how much they mean to each other and how well they balance each other out. I enjoyed reading this book about two neurodivergent individuals falling in love. Having a son living with autism, I have experienced some of the highs and lows of someone living with that condition. And I have seen first hand how much love a neurodivergent person has to offer. The author deals with Amos' autism in an authentic way. I loved watching the MC's fall in love.

4/5
Interesting story
Written by DProsh807 on 1st Jan 2023

This was an interesting read and I appreciated that the author chose main characters that often don’t have representation in other books. It was a short novella and I would have loved to read more of their story and wished it was longer. Amos and Oliver have an interesting back story. Amos is the little brother of Cody, Oliver’s best friend. Cody is resentful of the attention that Amos gets from their mother and is often mean and spiteful towards him. As kids, Amos tags along and Oliver tends to look out for him since he tends to get bullied in school. When the timeline jumps, Cody still lashes out at his brother and Oliver and Amos have a unique bond. The evolution of their relationship and the twists they take with discoveries about Oliver and the backlash they face regarding their relationship is an interesting one. While the book touches on Amos and his autism, the book focuses a good deal on Oliver and his mental health journey. I love the role Amos takes as his safe space.

5/5
Amos and Oliver
Written by Lillah C on 1st Jan 2023

Holy tearjerker I cannot even begin to explain how good this book is, and yet I will try my best. This book has Drama but with that said there needs to be a TRIGGER WARNING. There is on page self harm. If that doesn’t trigger you please grab this book. I do believe if you are triggered by self harm you CAN skip the self harm part it’s very obvious that it’s coming and you really can understand the rest of the story without it. It is a fantastic story about discovery and learning about themselves. Longtime friends to lovers, best friends brother. ***spoiler alert do to trigger warning*** One of the main characters has an emerging schizophrenic disorder with voices that convinced him to cut himself including his wrists.

5/5
Great book.
Written by Elaine G on 1st Jan 2023

Awkwardly Yours, Sincerely Autism is a sweet romantic, book. Amos is autistic and has been in love with Oliver forever. Corey is best friends with Amos's brother. Oliver is attracted to Amos but doesn't act because of his friendship. The book had my attention from start to finish. Amos feels like everyone can't get past his autism and treats him like a child. The book also touches on mental issues and how Oliver copes with them and Amos is so attentive to his needs. The characters are likeable and the book has a great flow and these two get their happily ever after.

5/5
Oliver, Amos and Corey
Written by Ddee2 on 1st Jan 2023

Oliver has been best friends with Corey most of his life. He has also been friends with Corey’s autistic brother, Amos. Corey often had to grudgingly bring Amos with them wherever they went, and he often teased him or treated him as being less intelligent. Oliver saw that there was more to Amos than Corey saw and would often protect him and act as a friend as they grew older. One day, when all 3 were adults, Amos kissed Oliver out of the blue. Oliver was totally surprised and rebuffed Amos, not comfortable because he was straight, but he also found he could not get that kiss out of his mind. As time went by, he found himself drawn more and more to Amos. At the same time Oliver was having some personal issues he was dealing with. He tried to talk to Corey about it, but it wasn’t very successful, so he eventually told Amos and Amos listened and took him seriously. As Oliver tries to adjust to his growing feelings for Amos, he also has some decisions to make that will impact his life in more ways than one. The personal issues Oliver was dealing with came as a total surprise, and I am still puzzling over that. I appreciated the stance that the book takes regarding autism. Amos was presented in a positive way. Autism does not mean a lack of intelligence or lack of awareness of the way others treat them, nor does it mean that there can’t be areas of great capability, compassion, understanding, and many other character traits. Granted there is a wide range on the spectrum, but I feel Amos was honestly and compassionately portrayed as an autistic adult, able to function successfully in the world. Good book to maybe increase awareness of a diagnosis still not often understood today.

4/5
Good read
Written by Laura C on 1st Jan 2023

Amos and Oliver have been best friends for years. After hiding how he really feels about Oliver, Amos decides it’s time to take a chance and act on his feelings. It’s not until Oliver receives some unexpected news that he starts to see Amos in a completely new light. Feelings deepen quickly as their relationship strengthens. Will Amos and Oliver have the courage to stand strong and fight for their relationship?

4/5
Autism doesn't mean dumb
Written by Kwallywoman on 1st Jan 2023

Two people who have been friends forever. Amos has high functioning autism. His brother doesn't like him and doesn't want him around. Oliver is his brothers friend. He doesn't mind Amos handing around. In fact several years later, Amos help him figure out some things that are happening in his life. Can he be what Amos wants him to be? Good read. A little slow for me, but still good

4/5
Oliver and Amos
Written by Luvreading on 1st Jan 2023

Wasn't sure how this story was going to unfold and I have to admit that I was not only intrigued but drawn in to this story about Oliver and Amos and how they made their way over time to their ever after. Oliver was best friends with Amos' older brother Corey and Corey's resentment of Amos because he needed a bit more understanding and care was well written. Oliver always had a soft spot for Amos and at first it seemed to be that way just because he was a good person. As the story progresses it turns out that he feelings for Amos are more complex and deeper than he realized. And in the end, it is not just Oliver caring for Amos, it was also Oliver needing care from Amos with some of his own mental health issues. These two, once they found their way over a very long time, were a good balance for one another.

4/5
Enjoyable quick read
Written by Rani on 1st Jan 2023

This was an enjoyable quick read that I wish was a little longer. Oliver and Amos had known each other for a long time and their relationship worked really well once they got through the issues that held them back.

4/5
I really like the connection Oliver and Amos had
Written by Anne H on 1st Jan 2023

I really like the connection Oliver and Amos had With the relationship between these two. I really liked it and understanding the struggles that Oliver was going through and how he didn’t realise what he had been feeling for Amos over the years. And how he stuck up for him against his brother. That part of the story I really really didn’t get was with the title being awkwardly yours sincerely autism I expected more on Amos life coping with Autism. I found the title of this book very misleading. But I really did like the connection that these two guys had and the heartache for Oliver knowing that it was his best friends brother. But I thought Corey was a jerk. I will definitely read another book by this author.

5/5
Loved It
Written by Nina D on 1st Jan 2023

I loved this book. I thought it was such a beautiful romance. It was really nice that one of the couple was Amos, who has autism. And I liked that Oliver, the other of the couple, has some mental health issues of his own. So I thought the relationship was lovely in the way these two men were there for each other, supported each other, and loved each other. The depiction of these conditions felt very realistic and well written. This story is also about family. A wonderful read. 5 stars.

4/5
Oliver & Amos
Written by DLB2572 on 19th Dec 2022

This is a new to author so I wasn't sure what to expect but the premise drew me in. What I got was a good story that I enjoyed a lot.

5/5
What a sweet read.
Written by Mary S on 19th Dec 2022

What a sweet read this one was. Oliver and Amos were so sweet together even though they had so much against them, they fought for what they wanted and they couldn’t be more happier then what they found together.

4/5
Good plot
Written by Ula on 19th Dec 2022

I enjoy stories with interesting characters. The story definitely Has them. MEN with issues. Lots of emotions flying around. Love the Autism twist. Great reality. Really worth reading.

4/5
Interesting Story
Written by Romantic888 on 19th Dec 2022

3 ½ starts - I enjoyed reading the journey to HEA for Amos who is autistic and Oliver who is his best friend and the best friend of Amos’ older brother Corey. Amos has loved Oliver for many years and finally acts on his feelings. While I love that Oliver eventually returns his feelings, I was disappointed that he did so only after his own mental illness came to light. There was not much about autism beyond the initial description and Corey’s mention of it. That said, I enjoyed the sweet relationship between Amos and Oliver and their chemistry is strong. Hopefully, Corey will get his own story where his character matures and he finds his HEA.

5/5
An All the Feels Gem!
Written by K-Me on 30th Nov 2022

This book was a surprising little gem! The way this is written from Oliver's POV really connects you to him and his mental illness. I felt like I was going through all the thoughts, feelings and experiences with him. I felt his fear and frustration. I had not even known this was going to be an element to this story. Amos his best friend's little brother is the most genuinely sweet and innocent guy, and his autism does not define him. I was all hearts for these two and they had a hard-fought happy ending. Wonderful chemistry with just right amount of sweet steaminess that fit these two perfectly.

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