The 12 Days of Hipster

The 12 Days of Hipster is Book 2 in The Avona Tales series where we learn more about Tyler. Tyler, Crowley and Averell are all sharing a small apartment. Crowley and Averell are a big part of this book, so I would definitely recommend reading the series in the appropriate order.

Tyler is every personification of hipster that anyone has ever thought of, but he refuses to add gay or bisexual to that cliche. He's insulted that he's just seen as hipster and nothing else, but he works hard at being this stereotype. Tyler hates to be labeled, though there isn't a person that he knows or sees that he doesn't immediately label. And he HATES his twin. Every person that comes in contact with Tyler is labeled and found wanting. David is attracted to Tyler, but Tyler refuses to get to know him because he's already labeled him a dumb jock.

David doesn't have time in his life for his attraction to Tyler. He's busy trying to impress his father and spends all him time running the store his father put him in charge of. He wants to make a success of the store to prove to his father he can do it, and then wants to hire someone to run it for him. Once given the chance, he works hard to prove to Tyler that he's more than a label.

I didn't like Tyler in Book 1 and that didn't change much throughout this book. I did feel sorry for him, especially when we learned what he's done to get his father's approval. David was a great guy, really likable and I wanted him to get his HEA! This book was not solely their story though. There were four POV's included, and this was just as much a HEA conclusion for Crowley and Averell as it was for Tyler and David. I loved Crowley and Averell but I would have liked a little more to make me like Tyler, too.

Rating: 4.0 stars

5 Stars!

One of the funniest books I've read all year, I am in love with 12 Days of Hipster and, honestly, I was sad to see it end.

Tyler Lang hates to be called a hipster. So what if he only drinks microbrews, listens to indie music live or on vinyl, wears skinny jeans, suspenders and infinity scarves? It's cool and it's him. So, of course, it was an accident when he accepted a date with "Jock" David Griffith. For one thing, Tyler isn't gay (or at least he doesn't think he is) but more importantly, he doesn't do "Jock", no pun intended. One kiss from the football playing "Wall of Muscle" has Tyler making a hasty retreat down the fire escape, leaving David confused and a bit angry.

David Griffith doesn't exactly fit the label Tyler seems to want to plaster him with. He may have played football and loves sports but does that really make him a "Jock"? After all, he may like to watch a game but that isn't all he's about. He has a Masters, runs a successful Organic Market and works hard for everything in his life. And would a stereotypical jock really want a snarky hipster who felt insulted for receiving a Target gift card for Christmas?

A year after the disastrous date, David and Tyler find themselves thrown together once more. It seems that fate may be conspiring against Tyler and proving that the Hipster and the Jock might just be perfect for one another. Tyler has to finally get past the labels and realize that people can't be shoved into tiny little boxes all the time. His fear of change is keeping him from experiencing something wonderful, not only with David but with his twin brother, Averell, as well.

Wow! This book is hilarious, cute, sweet and heartwarming. There were a few moments that brought tears to my eyes but more than anything I found myself smiling and laughing out loud. I actually had people questioning my sanity as I laughed out loud in the middle of the grocery store while listening to my Kindle read the book to me (I didn't care, though, because nothing was going to ruin the high I got from reading about Tyler and David).

Tyler is so lovable, his snarky attitude combined with his vulnerability is so endearing I wanted to climb in my kindle and demand we be friends. He was funny even if he didn't know it and beyond anything else, he was loyal almost to a fault. Loyal to friends, to family and even to those who didn't deserve his loyalty. And above everything else I loved about him, it was the way he was with David. Yes, he could be mean at first, but overall, he treasured David. He made mistakes, some more annoying than others but he had a heart of gold.

David, lovable David. He is the absolute best. I wish I was Tyler so I could have David love me. He's smart, hardworking, funny and sweet. He's romantic and up for trying new things. More than anything, though, he really truly cares about Tyler and has a way of handling him better than even Tyler's own twin brother. He has patience that most would not have when dealing with Tyler's antics but that's what makes them so perfect for one another.

There are a whole slew of great characters in this book. Tyler's twin brother Rell and Rell's boyfriend Crowley (both are the MC's from the previous book Bowl Full of Cherries). Tyler's cousin Sondra who is a bit different but interesting. And even Eric, David's best friend and a huge P.I.T.A.

I really hope there will be more books in this series. I'd love to catch up with Tyler and David, Rell and Crowly. And see how both couples are doing. I'd also love to see some sort of restitution to Tyler from his good for nothing father (a story I don't want to spoil by giving details). So after all my ramblings all I have left to say is: you have to read this book. I highly recommend it and Raine O'Tierney.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*