The Story
BEST MEN synopsis from the publisher
BESTT MEN by Sidney Karger
When two best men in a wedding party fall for each other, they realize love isn’t a piece of cake in this hilarious and heartfelt romantic comedy debut by screenwriter Sidney Karger.
Max Moody thought he had everything figured out. He’s trying to live his best life in New York City and has the best friend a gay guy could ask for: Paige. She and Max grew up next door to each other in the suburbs of Chicago. She can light up any party. She finishes his sentences. She’s always a reliable splunch (they don’t like to use the word brunch) partner. But then Max’s whole world is turned upside down when Paige suddenly announces some huge news: she’s engaged and wants Max to be her man of honor. Max was always the romantic one who imagined he would get married before the unpredictable Paige and is shocked to hear she’s ready to settle down. But it turns out there’s not just one new man in Paige’s life–there are two.
There’s the groom, Austin, who’s a perfectly nice guy. Then there’s his charming, fun and ridiculously handsome gay younger brother, Chasten, who is Austin’s best man. As Paige’s wedding draws closer, Max, the introverted Midwesterner, and Chasten, the social butterfly East Coaster, realize they’re like oil and water. Yet they still have to figure out how to coexist in Paige’s life while not making her wedding festivities all about them. But can the tiny romantic spark between these two very different guys transform their best man supporting roles into the leading best men in each other’s lives?
My Review: Best Men
I liked the idea that is Best Men. Where the Man-of-Honor falls for the Best Man. I’m already hooked by this pitch for a story.
Sadly, Karger’s version falls short in a couple of ways. First, for me, none of the characters are likeable. Paige, the bride and BFF of our MC, is pretentious and annoyingly indecisive, while Max, our MC, felt at times like a doormat and third wheel, having me wonder why is he even friends with Paige in the first place?
Next, there’s the enemies to lovers trope playing between Max and Austin. Their first encounter was embarrassingly awkward, and Austin was more of a surface character, never breaking ground, where readers find the depths of who he really is.
The story, overall, is a patchwork of drunken parties with very little character development.
Honestly, I found myself wanting to reach the end, hoping Max skips out on the wedding, and finds his own little piece of happiness with some other character we only meet towards the very end.
I actually would have been completely okay with that.
This one wasn’t for me…
Happy Reading ~ Cece
RATING: 
– Adequately Inked
Publication Details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Source & Format | Review Posted Online |
| 2-May-23 | 978-0593439487 | 368 | Berkley | Adult | NetGalley, Digital ARC | November 25, 2022 |
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Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
