Cover Image: Made For You

Made For You

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I love reading about age gap relationships and this was just perfect. The chemistry between the main characters was beautiful. I enjoyed their slow burn romance and their happy ending made me happy too. This is a great book about love and family. And I also learned a few things about birds. What more can I ask for :) Five stars!

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted this book to be be amazing. The cover drew me in, I read the blurb and I knew I wanted to read it. I got about 60% in and just couldn’t finish unfortunately.

I found the characters childish, the way Ben talked and interacted with Milo was just too much for me. The slow burn was a bit too slow for me and I never got to the romance part before I put the book down for good.

Was this review helpful?

Ben is raising his brother Milo. When Milo is having trouble at school, Ben goes to the school and runs into Milo's teacher, Jack, who ends up helping them fix up their family home in exchange for living there. Jack and Ben have an instant connection and their romance is adorable. I was also pleasantly surprised that the story took place in New Zealand. I would highly recommend this book, especially for those interested in LGBTQ romance without too many cliches.

Was this review helpful?

This was a wonderful story. Ben is just trying to do the best he can raising his younger brother Milo after their parents death. Jack is the wood shop teacher who teaches Milo in his classroom. This is about the trial and tribulations of these three characters from beginning to end and everything in between.

Was this review helpful?

This guy. How did I ever not have him in my life?

This was my first Anyta Sunday read, and I immediately can recognize why her work is so well-loved, because this was an absolutely precious slow-burn and I loved these characters to no end. Ben is such a soft little sweetheart, Jack is so wholesome and caring, and Milo — bless his little reckless heart, this kid deserves nothing but good days ahead of him.

I’ve never read a romance story that featured a kid this heavily, but Ben’s little brother Milo is definitely front-and-center in the whole tale, and I enjoyed that a lot. He offers a little bit of drama and tension, but mostly, he allows for a syrupy sweet family bond forming between the three of them. As a parent, nothing meant more to me in the entire story than when Jack finally accepts how much he wants to play a role in Milo’s upbringing and to be there for the kid, no matter what.

There’s a lot of angst in this story and it’s a really healthy, pure depiction of an age gap romance (Ben’s 24 and Jack’s 39), so if you’re a fan of either of those elements, this is definitely going to be the book for you. This was also probably the least steamy m/m romance I’ve ever read: it’s definitely there in the end and there are a lot of jokes made throughout the whole thing, but if you like your slow burns to truly feel slow, this one’s for you.

Finally, I loved how real and authentic these characters felt! They bicker, they argue, they joke, they make up stupid nicknames for each other and play board games and go on legitimate family outings. It’s not all drama and tension; there’s a lot of domestic scenery going on that’s so fun and soothing. This was just a really solid, comforting read and I can’t wait to pick up another Anyta Sunday title.

Thank you so much to the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Antra Sunday pulled it off. These characters are dealing with serious life issues. Ben and Milo have lost their parents. Ben(24) is tasked with the huge responsibility of raising his 11 yr old brother. Jack(39) is Milo’s teacher. I love an age gap and there was great chemistry between Ben and Jack. Milo’s is funny and smart and has an attitude which adds much to the story. Ben’s flirting and Jack trying to be the responsible one makes this a slow burn. This book has difficult life issues but is also light. The family and home that these characters formed make my heart smile.

Was this review helpful?

Anyta Sunday I don't like you (laughs) wow this novel put me through a emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, cried and at one point I got mad while reading it. This was a fast pace read. I'd never read any of Anyta Sundays books before, I was really impressed. Definitely going back to check out her past works.

Was this review helpful?

Slow burn romance. Great beach book read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Was this review helpful?

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Anyta Sunday through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

I am a huge fan of Anyta Sunday's work! I have read and enjoyed the Signs of Love series and other of her books, as well. I am familiar with her writing and really enjoy the way she approaches contemporary romance.

This story follows two main characters, Ben and Jack. Ben is in his mid-twenties and is the primary caregiver for his 11-year-old brother Milo after a car accident killed their parents. He is also in the process of selling his childhood home after the memories of the loss his family prove to be too much for him. Jack is in his late-thirties and is a woodwork teacher at Milo's school. Jack is on the look for a temporary renovation project to occupy his time while he waits for his dream home to come on the market.

This is the prefect setup for an adorable romance!

I love romances that have family aspects. This is what I really enjoy about Anyta Sunday's books; the fact that it's not just about sex, it's about love and family and futures.

Was this review helpful?

Made for You was a sweet romance between a single "dad" and his son's teacher. Set in New Zealand it wellll take you through every emotion before you're finished with it.

Was this review helpful?

This is a wonderful, sweet slow burn romance, and it was just what I was looking for! The story follows Ben and his younger brother Milo (who he is caring for after their parents died in a car crash) and Jack, Milo’s woodworking teacher, who runs a business as well renovating homes. Ben wants to renovate their home and move, so Milo asks Jack to help them out. Then, of course, Jack and Ben meet, and the rest is history.

I was really ready for a true slow burn romance, and this was perfect. Their relationship takes actual time to develop, which I *LOVE* to see. We always know that the two want to go further than they do, but for reasons they keep it slow. I also appreciated that the angst in this book wasn’t so much related to some sort of misunderstanding, but from real situations in their lives that seemed really relatable to me. They had good communication, and dealt with things as they came up like adults, and I really liked that.

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Made for you is my first novel by Anyta Sunday and I loved it. It's a slow-burn romance. I really loved Jack and Ben together. Can't wait to read more by this author.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you, NetGalley and the author for the chance to read this book!

Title: Made For You
Author: Anyta Sunday
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: M/M romance
TW: grief, death of parents (car crash, past), some instances of homophobia (past).

I have been meaning to pick up some work by Anyta Sunday for a while now, so when I saw "Made For You" on NetGalley I knew it was the perfect opportunity!

This book was so fast-paced, as soon as I started, I couldn't stop. Normally, I try and write out as many notes as possible when I read ARCs, for reference, but I was so engrossed in Ben & Jack's story I hardly made any!

Set in New Zealand, this dual perspective contemporary romance focuses on Ben and Jack. Ben is a twenty-something, gay, Fanta obsessed bird lover. After his parents die in a car crash, he is suddenly the caretaker of his 11-year-old brother, Milo. Struggling to stay afloat, he meets Jack, one of Milo's teachers, and they form a relationship.

I laughed, I cried, this book literally drained me of all emotion (in a good way). I can't wait to pick up more by this author in the future!

Was this review helpful?

This author is very hit or miss forme (I've discovered that I cannot read her US-based stories because of authenticity issues), but Made For You was a definite hit (it was set Down Under). A charming read with very easy-to-love characters (yes, even the difficult teen), I will probably forget this story by next week, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. If you're looking for a sweet romance, I would definitely recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I think Anyta Sunday dose it so well! this is my second book i've read of her and i keep smiling all throughout the book. i loved this one I adored Milo, jack and Ben and i was like "oh come on!" a while, and then "awf!" and kind of had heart-emoji eyes if that's even possible. So freaking cute, slow burn but so worth it!

Was this review helpful?

This was absolutely adorable. Milo and Jack felt like real people struggling to make a family out of difficult circumstances (and despite Jack's desperate attempts to stay away). Beautiful and touching.

Was this review helpful?

4.25 slow burn stars

Made for you was just a wonderful follow-up to Taboo for You. Anyta Sunday really did it again.

Oy! The feels on this one! I could practically feel the anxiety and love pouring through Ben. I loved how Jack always just accepted who Ben was and what he was going through and supported him. And Milo, oh Milo, so so good.

I don't know where to really begin here, I'm gushing, I'm melting...

Ben was in a pretty impossible place. He was raising his younger brother after the sudden death of his parents. Ben, barely an adult, is struggling with trying to raise an 11-year-old, maintain a job, and everything he's doing makes him feel like he's failing. Jack is stuck living in his most recent remodel that he just sold to his ex and his new partner while looking for his next remodel and it's slowly killing him with all the sweetness. A sudden meeting at parent-teacher night starts them both down a path they never saw coming.

I am not usually a fan of a huge age gap, ( I can't really say why) but this one works. Jack never treats Ben like a kid or says things that are derogatory. Ben makes a few comments but they are only playful. When it works, it just works.

I am absolutely thrilled with this series and cannot wait for more. (Please let there be more!!) I highly recommend for those looking for a slow burn with crazy bird facts, awkward social interactions, and weird soda addictions that make you melt into a puddle of goo.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this generously provided ARC!

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful sweet book that’s NOT your typical MM romance! Add the hilarious humor of an adolescent and you have the makings of a beautiful, intricate love story.

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet and wholesome novel that will appeal to fans of slow-burn romance and those who enjoy renovation and flipping houses. I appreciated that one of the main focuses of the story was on Ben and his brother Milo, who find themselves orphaned after a tragic accident claims their parents' lives. Ben is struggling to raise Milo on his own while dealing with his own trauma, and this set up the premise nicely while also highlighting important relationships in the book outside of the romance between Ben and Jack. When Ben meets Jack, one of Milo's teachers at school, the attraction and chemistry is palpable, but I didn't really buy the delayed romance between them, especially after Jack moved in. Their reasons for holding off on a relationship felt a bit thin, and the ending was a bit predictable; the conflict never delved beyond surface level. But overall this will be a comfortable read for most readers looking for some sweet romance and good feelings.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first Anyta Sunday book and it won't be my last. I loved it. I loved the banter between the characters. This story was great.

Ben is responsible for taking care of his little brother but he's struggling doing it right. However, his love for his brother Milo is obvious and what is helping their relationship survive.

Jack is Milo's teacher and ends up Ben's life line to help him keep his head above water with Milo and learning how to adult properly.

I loved the Banter between characters. And here are some of my favorites.

"Ben, you can be honest with me."
"In that case, shove me against this wall and suck-"
"Not that honest."


"We're about to have an uncomfortably direct conversation, aren't we?" I ask.
"All part of the adult gig."

Milo whirls a panicked face on me. "Mr. Woodpecker," he whines. "You broke my money machine."

Ben and Jack were a slow burn which made it so much better. Often slow can get drawn out but their evolution was the perfect pace.

"Are you saying you're dating Benjamin McCormick?"
"I'm saying I'm in love with Benjamin McCormick."

Now that I have to read Made For you now I need to read book 1 Taboo for you to get Sam and Luke's back story, I can't wait for more from this author and this series.

Was this review helpful?