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Weekday Weirdos #2
Sober Dope & Sundays
WHEN ZERO WILLPOWER MEETS AN IRON WILL...Who goes to rehab eight times? Gage does. As a recovering addict fresh out of rehab, moving back in with his mom and starting over in his hometown isn't part of his life goals, but Gage needs all the support he can get. Lost and a little unsure of himself, Gage meets his new sponsor. A sponsor whose son is the perfect sober companion. But companionship isn't all these two find...
Content with who he is, Alexei isn't looking for anyone to save him. No stranger to the ups and downs of addiction, Alexei is comfortable with his life. Confident and resilient, he's learned to cope with trauma in his own healthy way, but that doesn't make him boring. Far from it. He may not need an army like Gage does, but he knows how to keep things interesting. Especially when he believes in true love and his soulmate just walked into town in the body of a sexy, shady smoker. The audacity of fate, right?!
What happens when zero willpower meets an iron will?
Gage and Alexei know they shouldn't fall for each other, but when destiny intervenes, well, let's just say... you can't fight soulmateship.
Sober Dope & Sundays is part of the Weekday Weirdos series and does not need to be read in order. It is a small town, opposites attract, meant-to-be MM romance.
Content with who he is, Alexei isn't looking for anyone to save him. No stranger to the ups and downs of addiction, Alexei is comfortable with his life. Confident and resilient, he's learned to cope with trauma in his own healthy way, but that doesn't make him boring. Far from it. He may not need an army like Gage does, but he knows how to keep things interesting. Especially when he believes in true love and his soulmate just walked into town in the body of a sexy, shady smoker. The audacity of fate, right?!
What happens when zero willpower meets an iron will?
Gage and Alexei know they shouldn't fall for each other, but when destiny intervenes, well, let's just say... you can't fight soulmateship.
Sober Dope & Sundays is part of the Weekday Weirdos series and does not need to be read in order. It is a small town, opposites attract, meant-to-be MM romance.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2024
About the author
Nordika Night
15 books1,087 followersOpenness. Acceptance. Tolerance. Respect.
Nordika is a coffee-addicted Canadian with a love of the outdoors and the fictional worlds inside books.
Reading is a joy, writing is an adventure, and together, they are an addiction.
Writing mostly MM romance with all the banter, bullish!t and boys!
Working in multiple genres and tropes, Nordika has lots more to come.
Follow on IG: nordikanightauthor
Nordika is a coffee-addicted Canadian with a love of the outdoors and the fictional worlds inside books.
Reading is a joy, writing is an adventure, and together, they are an addiction.
Writing mostly MM romance with all the banter, bullish!t and boys!
Working in multiple genres and tropes, Nordika has lots more to come.
Follow on IG: nordikanightauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
August 24, 2024
"Everything in life has risks. Just gotta find the ones worth taking."
Gage Rossum just got out of rehab.
8th time's the charm.
Moving back to his hometown. Living with his mom.
This time he wants to make it stick.
He finds a sponsor with the perfect sober companion - his son.
Alexei Kopacek.
Alexei doesn't need anyone to save him.
But he does believe in true love and soulmates.
And his soulmate might have just walked right into town.
Who can fight fate right?
"Normal is boring. What even is normal?"
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💙🧡
"What happens when zero willpower meets an iron will?"
Nordika Night really came out here and said prepare yourselves because this book is just THAT good. Did I cry? Of course. Did I DM Nordika Night when I cried? Of course. Did I absolutely fall in love with these characters? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY. And trust me it was so hard not to. Gage and Alexei come from the same world but their experiences are different. The outcome of them is different because of everything they went through and I think that is what really makes this story that much more special.💙
"You're my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug."
Gage fresh out of his 8th time in rehab and Alexei just getting on good ground with his recovering father. Addiction has impacted them both and I loved seeing Nordika Night's take on addiction and the hurt and outcome that can happen. Alexei and Gage's relationship is a special one that I feel like only Nordika Night could do it justice and she absolutely does with this well written masterpiece about sobriety, addiction, recovery, true love, and soulmates. This series just keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait to see what else is in store 🧡
"He's Alexei. There's no better explanation."
"He better start believing in soulmates soon."
I loved making the playist for this book and these boys and so I hope you love it too 😇😇
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5pq... )
🎶 "Nice To Meet Ya" - Niall Horan
🎶 "What's The Time Where You Are?" - Troye Sivan
🎶 "Play With Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎶 "Rain" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Waste.mp3" - Pr0d_marz
🎶 "Two Men in Love" - The Irrepressibles
🎶 "Cigarette" - Shaya Zamora
🎶 "I'm so tired…" - Lauv, Troye Sivan
🎶 "Moth To A Flame" - Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd
🎶 "Sober" - Tom MacDonald, Madchild, Nova Rockafeller
🎶 "High Enough" - K. Flay
🎶 "You Found Me" - The Fray
🎶 "Sober" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Dancing With The Devil" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎶 "I'm trying" - Alexander Stewart
🎶 "Something Wild" - Lindsey Stirling, Andrew McMahon
🎶 "sugar honey ice & tea" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "The Exit" - Conan Gray
🎶 "Stay With Me" - You Me At Six
🎶 "Walk Away" - FAIDLESS
🎶 "Monsters" - All Time Low, blackbear
🎶 "The Worst In Me" - Bad Omens
🎶 "Into You" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "Somebody Save Me" - Eminem, Jelly Roll
🎶 "Orange Juice" - Noah Kahan
🎶 "Growing Sideways" - Noah Kahan
🎶 "SKIN OF MY TEETH" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Eyes Wide Open" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "Soulmate" - Chanin
🎶 "Leave a Light On" - Tom Walker
🎶 "Skin and Bones" - David Kushner
🎶 "I'm Still Standing" - Elton John
🎶 "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - The Beatles
🎶 "Dancing On My Own" - Arkells
🎶 "Addicted To Love" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "Shatter" - Maggie Rogers
🎶 "Panic Room - Acoustic" - Au/Ra
🎶 "Tongue Ties" - GROUPLOVE
🎶 "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" - Kelly Clarkson
🎶 "Tongue Tied" - Marshmello, YUNGBLUD, blackbear
🎶 "Electric Love" - BORNS
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "All For Us" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎶 "Architect" - Livingston
🎶 "Gravedigger" - Livingston
🎶 "Hercules" - Livingston
🎶 "Half Life" - Livingston
🎶 "Control" - Zoe Wees
🎶 "Strings" - Shawn Mendes
🎶 "Last Man Standing" - Livingston
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "Sober" - Ekoh
🎶 "Tattoos" - Renee Rapp
🎶 "Slow It Down" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Forever and a Day" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Bones" - MOD SUN
🎶 "sun to me" - mgk
🎶 "Nervous" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "A Lannister Always Pays His Debts" - Raminn Djawadi
🎶 "The Imitation Game" - Alexandre Desplat, London Symphony Orchestra
🎶 "Rue's Whistle" - Tom Snively
🎶 "Moon" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Forever & Always" - Written by Wolves, Becks
🎶 "Mind Over Matter" - Young the Giant
🎶 "Colors - Stripped" - Halsey
🎶 "Greedy" - Fame on Fire
🎶 "I Want It All" - Bonnie McKee
🎶 "Messed Up" - Once Monsters
🎶 "Way Down We Go - Slowed Down" - Kaleo
🎶 "Hold Me While You Wait" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Love The Hell Out Of You" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "dancing in the kitchen" -LANY
🎶 "I Like Me Better" - Lauv
🎶 "Francesca" - Hozier
🎶 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan
🎶 "Never Say Never" - The Fray
🎶 "Sunday Morning" - Maroon 5
🎶 "Sunday Crossword" - J. Maya
🎶 "In My Blood" - Shawn Mendes
Now, Nordika Night can write smut like it is nobody's business and I just wanted to let you in on a little sneak peek 😜😜
"Oh, yeah. You like that, don't you? Knew you'd be greedy."
"You know how long I've wanted to perform for you, Gage? Let me have the spotlight."
"I knew you'd beg. Just didn't think it's be for me to stop."
☕ Tropes ☕
🍪 Opposites Attract
🍪 Addiction/Recovery
🍪 Soulmates
🍪 Neurodivergent Rep.
🍪 Support Systems
🍪 Neighbours
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C-sHwuOSG...
Gage Rossum just got out of rehab.
8th time's the charm.
Moving back to his hometown. Living with his mom.
This time he wants to make it stick.
He finds a sponsor with the perfect sober companion - his son.
Alexei Kopacek.
Alexei doesn't need anyone to save him.
But he does believe in true love and soulmates.
And his soulmate might have just walked right into town.
Who can fight fate right?
"Normal is boring. What even is normal?"
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💙🧡
"What happens when zero willpower meets an iron will?"
Nordika Night really came out here and said prepare yourselves because this book is just THAT good. Did I cry? Of course. Did I DM Nordika Night when I cried? Of course. Did I absolutely fall in love with these characters? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY. And trust me it was so hard not to. Gage and Alexei come from the same world but their experiences are different. The outcome of them is different because of everything they went through and I think that is what really makes this story that much more special.💙
"You're my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug."
Gage fresh out of his 8th time in rehab and Alexei just getting on good ground with his recovering father. Addiction has impacted them both and I loved seeing Nordika Night's take on addiction and the hurt and outcome that can happen. Alexei and Gage's relationship is a special one that I feel like only Nordika Night could do it justice and she absolutely does with this well written masterpiece about sobriety, addiction, recovery, true love, and soulmates. This series just keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait to see what else is in store 🧡
"He's Alexei. There's no better explanation."
"He better start believing in soulmates soon."
I loved making the playist for this book and these boys and so I hope you love it too 😇😇
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5pq... )
🎶 "Nice To Meet Ya" - Niall Horan
🎶 "What's The Time Where You Are?" - Troye Sivan
🎶 "Play With Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎶 "Rain" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Waste.mp3" - Pr0d_marz
🎶 "Two Men in Love" - The Irrepressibles
🎶 "Cigarette" - Shaya Zamora
🎶 "I'm so tired…" - Lauv, Troye Sivan
🎶 "Moth To A Flame" - Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd
🎶 "Sober" - Tom MacDonald, Madchild, Nova Rockafeller
🎶 "High Enough" - K. Flay
🎶 "You Found Me" - The Fray
🎶 "Sober" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Dancing With The Devil" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎶 "I'm trying" - Alexander Stewart
🎶 "Something Wild" - Lindsey Stirling, Andrew McMahon
🎶 "sugar honey ice & tea" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "The Exit" - Conan Gray
🎶 "Stay With Me" - You Me At Six
🎶 "Walk Away" - FAIDLESS
🎶 "Monsters" - All Time Low, blackbear
🎶 "The Worst In Me" - Bad Omens
🎶 "Into You" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "Somebody Save Me" - Eminem, Jelly Roll
🎶 "Orange Juice" - Noah Kahan
🎶 "Growing Sideways" - Noah Kahan
🎶 "SKIN OF MY TEETH" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Eyes Wide Open" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "Soulmate" - Chanin
🎶 "Leave a Light On" - Tom Walker
🎶 "Skin and Bones" - David Kushner
🎶 "I'm Still Standing" - Elton John
🎶 "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - The Beatles
🎶 "Dancing On My Own" - Arkells
🎶 "Addicted To Love" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "Shatter" - Maggie Rogers
🎶 "Panic Room - Acoustic" - Au/Ra
🎶 "Tongue Ties" - GROUPLOVE
🎶 "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" - Kelly Clarkson
🎶 "Tongue Tied" - Marshmello, YUNGBLUD, blackbear
🎶 "Electric Love" - BORNS
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "All For Us" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎶 "Architect" - Livingston
🎶 "Gravedigger" - Livingston
🎶 "Hercules" - Livingston
🎶 "Half Life" - Livingston
🎶 "Control" - Zoe Wees
🎶 "Strings" - Shawn Mendes
🎶 "Last Man Standing" - Livingston
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "Sober" - Ekoh
🎶 "Tattoos" - Renee Rapp
🎶 "Slow It Down" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Forever and a Day" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Bones" - MOD SUN
🎶 "sun to me" - mgk
🎶 "Nervous" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "A Lannister Always Pays His Debts" - Raminn Djawadi
🎶 "The Imitation Game" - Alexandre Desplat, London Symphony Orchestra
🎶 "Rue's Whistle" - Tom Snively
🎶 "Moon" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Forever & Always" - Written by Wolves, Becks
🎶 "Mind Over Matter" - Young the Giant
🎶 "Colors - Stripped" - Halsey
🎶 "Greedy" - Fame on Fire
🎶 "I Want It All" - Bonnie McKee
🎶 "Messed Up" - Once Monsters
🎶 "Way Down We Go - Slowed Down" - Kaleo
🎶 "Hold Me While You Wait" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Love The Hell Out Of You" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "dancing in the kitchen" -LANY
🎶 "I Like Me Better" - Lauv
🎶 "Francesca" - Hozier
🎶 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan
🎶 "Never Say Never" - The Fray
🎶 "Sunday Morning" - Maroon 5
🎶 "Sunday Crossword" - J. Maya
🎶 "In My Blood" - Shawn Mendes
Now, Nordika Night can write smut like it is nobody's business and I just wanted to let you in on a little sneak peek 😜😜
"Oh, yeah. You like that, don't you? Knew you'd be greedy."
"You know how long I've wanted to perform for you, Gage? Let me have the spotlight."
"I knew you'd beg. Just didn't think it's be for me to stop."
☕ Tropes ☕
🍪 Opposites Attract
🍪 Addiction/Recovery
🍪 Soulmates
🍪 Neurodivergent Rep.
🍪 Support Systems
🍪 Neighbours
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C-sHwuOSG...
September 9, 2024
I've been finding it increasingly difficult to express how much I love a book, and I loved this book, so here are some spoilers without context to convince you to read and love this story with these adorable weirdos:
-An addict and a neurotic son of an addict go into a dinner 💥
-Fried meats 🥩 and eggs 🍳
-Sugar is overrated 🍬
-Midnight tea 🫖
-Forging swords ⚔️
-100 cookies 🍪
-Making old things new again🗜️
-Arousal Journal 📓
-Fedoras and orange hoodies 🎩 🧡
-Icy blue and Black🩵🖤
-Quilting 🧶 🪡
-Kissing is intimate 💋
-Murder room but different 🛠️
-Rebuilding a falling-down mansion is good therapy 🏰
-Toe nails polish 💅
-Alyosha* 🫠
-Right is left & Left is right 😍
-Soulmates like romeo and fucking Juliette romantic af shit 💘
-3, 2,2,2… 1 hang up 📱
-Flashing Morse code in daylight 🤦🏻♀️🔦
-Driving lessons 🚙
-Detergent and tobacco🚬 🧴
-Washing whites🧼
-Sharing showers, but to get dirty🚿
-Slow-moving boyfriend ♾️
-Intimacy is the new black 👨❤️💋👨
-Surprise birthday 🧁
-Every touch is a volcano 🌋
-Scarf just to be fashion 🧣
-I want to watch you come 🪦 I’m dead at this point
-A Lannister always pays his debts 👅 🍆💦
-“Welcome intruder” ☕️
-Wonderful Portuguese neighbors🇵🇹
-Vagina knowledge 🤓
-Healing.Crying.Healing.More Crying.More Healing. ❤️🩹
-I’m a person 🧡
-Meet you halfway 🫶
-First kiss comes with snot and a lot of drool 🥲
-I think you are lacking in vitamin me 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
-What the fuck, nipples?! 🥵
-Ass play is always fair game 🍑
-Get bossy with me because I can’t wait to get bossy with you.🫡
-trifecta of perfection: finger.mouth.towel.👆👄🏳️
-Bathroom sex 🛀
-The mother's pain💔❤️🩹
-Instant-lust but long-drawn-out romance🫂
-Courting into our soulmateship🙇🏻♂️
-Filthy talk and tempting God🔥🙏
-On your knees, soulmate🧎🏻
-Beauty& Beast library vibes📚
-Flirting with the forging master 🗡️
-The man in the mirror 🪞❤️🔥
-Defiling Antiques A+G=<3
-The end *swooning*
*The name Alyosha is a boy's name meaning "defender". Russian diminutive of Alexei <3
This is what I like about Nordika's characters, they are so fresh and satisfying to read, even with huge amounts of shity life, trauma, neurosis, addictions, bad reputations or nasty temperament. They are ridiculous and I love them 🩵🖤🧡
I received this eArc from Nordika and this is my sincere praise!
-An addict and a neurotic son of an addict go into a dinner 💥
-Fried meats 🥩 and eggs 🍳
-Sugar is overrated 🍬
-Midnight tea 🫖
-Forging swords ⚔️
-100 cookies 🍪
-Making old things new again🗜️
-Arousal Journal 📓
-Fedoras and orange hoodies 🎩 🧡
-Icy blue and Black🩵🖤
-Quilting 🧶 🪡
-Kissing is intimate 💋
-Murder room but different 🛠️
-Rebuilding a falling-down mansion is good therapy 🏰
-Toe nails polish 💅
-Alyosha* 🫠
-Right is left & Left is right 😍
-Soulmates like romeo and fucking Juliette romantic af shit 💘
-3, 2,2,2… 1 hang up 📱
-Flashing Morse code in daylight 🤦🏻♀️🔦
-Driving lessons 🚙
-Detergent and tobacco🚬 🧴
-Washing whites🧼
-Sharing showers, but to get dirty🚿
-Slow-moving boyfriend ♾️
-Intimacy is the new black 👨❤️💋👨
-Surprise birthday 🧁
-Every touch is a volcano 🌋
-Scarf just to be fashion 🧣
-I want to watch you come 🪦 I’m dead at this point
-A Lannister always pays his debts 👅 🍆💦
-“Welcome intruder” ☕️
-Wonderful Portuguese neighbors🇵🇹
-Vagina knowledge 🤓
-Healing.Crying.Healing.More Crying.More Healing. ❤️🩹
-I’m a person 🧡
-Meet you halfway 🫶
-First kiss comes with snot and a lot of drool 🥲
-I think you are lacking in vitamin me 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
-What the fuck, nipples?! 🥵
-Ass play is always fair game 🍑
-Get bossy with me because I can’t wait to get bossy with you.🫡
-trifecta of perfection: finger.mouth.towel.👆👄🏳️
-Bathroom sex 🛀
-The mother's pain💔❤️🩹
-Instant-lust but long-drawn-out romance🫂
-Courting into our soulmateship🙇🏻♂️
-Filthy talk and tempting God🔥🙏
-On your knees, soulmate🧎🏻
-Beauty& Beast library vibes📚
-Flirting with the forging master 🗡️
-The man in the mirror 🪞❤️🔥
-Defiling Antiques A+G=<3
-The end *swooning*
*The name Alyosha is a boy's name meaning "defender". Russian diminutive of Alexei <3
This is what I like about Nordika's characters, they are so fresh and satisfying to read, even with huge amounts of shity life, trauma, neurosis, addictions, bad reputations or nasty temperament. They are ridiculous and I love them 🩵🖤🧡
I received this eArc from Nordika and this is my sincere praise!
August 15, 2024
I love, love, LOVE Alexei and Gage!!!!
I don't even think I can really describe what it is about them that I loved so much, but they just made me feel so happy and positive throughout this entire book and I kinda wish they were real people because Alexei reminds me of myself in the way that he's a difficult person to be friends with.
Gage is so self-aware and his determination is so strong. He is genuinely such a loveable character, and seeing him face struggles and challenges to his sobriety made me love him more. I was cheering him on and the way he comes to realise that he's not defined by addiction, but that he's a person first and foremost.... I kept tearing up because it felt so rewarding to follow his journey! I like that this was a more positive take on addiction recovery and there's a good dose of humour throughout as well as the more emotional side, because there is a tendency to only see the dark, depressing side of recovery and addiction, but it is true that people can recover and that there can be positivity in their journey to get there. I loved Gage's family too, and the support he gets from them and his neighbours was just heartwarming for me - although I did want to shout at Nick and Cole....
Alexei is now my idol. I absolutely loved him and his iron will. The way he knows exactly what he wants and who he is, but also doesn't really know who he is yet.... loved him! It was so good to see a character who knows their self-worth and will not let anyone diminish that or make him question himself in any way. I love how to the point he is, I love how he goes after his interests, and I loved his communicating with mugs - something I'd love to do but I think all of mine would be too passive aggressive or sarcastic at this point in my life 😂😂😂
I'm also now weirdly curious about quilting...
I love Nordika Night's imagination and her character and plot development - I don't think there's a book of hers yet that I haven't immediately loved within the first couple of chapters. Can't wait for the next book!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Nordika Night, and this is my honest review
I don't even think I can really describe what it is about them that I loved so much, but they just made me feel so happy and positive throughout this entire book and I kinda wish they were real people because Alexei reminds me of myself in the way that he's a difficult person to be friends with.
Gage is so self-aware and his determination is so strong. He is genuinely such a loveable character, and seeing him face struggles and challenges to his sobriety made me love him more. I was cheering him on and the way he comes to realise that he's not defined by addiction, but that he's a person first and foremost.... I kept tearing up because it felt so rewarding to follow his journey! I like that this was a more positive take on addiction recovery and there's a good dose of humour throughout as well as the more emotional side, because there is a tendency to only see the dark, depressing side of recovery and addiction, but it is true that people can recover and that there can be positivity in their journey to get there. I loved Gage's family too, and the support he gets from them and his neighbours was just heartwarming for me - although I did want to shout at Nick and Cole....
Alexei is now my idol. I absolutely loved him and his iron will. The way he knows exactly what he wants and who he is, but also doesn't really know who he is yet.... loved him! It was so good to see a character who knows their self-worth and will not let anyone diminish that or make him question himself in any way. I love how to the point he is, I love how he goes after his interests, and I loved his communicating with mugs - something I'd love to do but I think all of mine would be too passive aggressive or sarcastic at this point in my life 😂😂😂
I'm also now weirdly curious about quilting...
I love Nordika Night's imagination and her character and plot development - I don't think there's a book of hers yet that I haven't immediately loved within the first couple of chapters. Can't wait for the next book!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Nordika Night, and this is my honest review
August 26, 2024
I don’t think I’ve cried so many happy tears while reading before…I felt every single emotion while completely devouring this book.
Gage is an addict and after many failed attempts of being sober he finally thinks that the 8th time might be his lucky number. He goes back home to live with his family and finds himself a sponsor and a safety net in the form of Nathan.
Nathan introduces Gage to his son, Alexei and the two of them become fast friends and although both are attracted to each other, Gage doesn’t trust himself to not get addicted to Alexei, repeat past mistakes or even ruin him in the process.
I’m trying very hard to put my thoughts into words here.
I’ve never been a person with a substance disorder but I’ve had friends who were. I can’t speak from experience but as an observer, the addiction representation was so well done. The highs, the lows, the urges, the control (or lack of it)…I felt all of it. Every single raw emotion.
The therapy aspect…oh how I loved the therapy. Gage and Alexei were falling in love but they worked hard to be in a healthy relationship. The constant communication, founding healthy coping mechanisms, the openness and thoughtfulness from both parties…it was everything.
Alexei was adorable in all his neurotic rambling and the way he always read and gauged Gage’s moods was my favourite thing ever. To be loved, is to be known. They truly were absolutely perfectly matched and their soulmateship was breathtaking.
Did I cry during every spicy scene? Yes…yes I did because while the spice was hot, it was so much more than that. It was the trust between them, the raw emotions Gage was experiencing, the palpable love and the sheer need for them to be skin on skin.
The found family…Gage’s momma. That beautiful soul that went through so much but still loved her child unconditionally. Mariane and the rest of the ladies that quilted and how good they were to Gage. Nathan…Nathan who was always there for anything and everything. I love Nathan so much it hurts! Basically everyone that made Gage feel like a person again!
And f*ck you Paul…
I can keep going on and on about this book. The ADHD rep, the addiction rep, the therapy and mental health rep, the soft love, the beautiful characters…just read this book
Gage is an addict and after many failed attempts of being sober he finally thinks that the 8th time might be his lucky number. He goes back home to live with his family and finds himself a sponsor and a safety net in the form of Nathan.
Nathan introduces Gage to his son, Alexei and the two of them become fast friends and although both are attracted to each other, Gage doesn’t trust himself to not get addicted to Alexei, repeat past mistakes or even ruin him in the process.
I’m trying very hard to put my thoughts into words here.
I’ve never been a person with a substance disorder but I’ve had friends who were. I can’t speak from experience but as an observer, the addiction representation was so well done. The highs, the lows, the urges, the control (or lack of it)…I felt all of it. Every single raw emotion.
The therapy aspect…oh how I loved the therapy. Gage and Alexei were falling in love but they worked hard to be in a healthy relationship. The constant communication, founding healthy coping mechanisms, the openness and thoughtfulness from both parties…it was everything.
Alexei was adorable in all his neurotic rambling and the way he always read and gauged Gage’s moods was my favourite thing ever. To be loved, is to be known. They truly were absolutely perfectly matched and their soulmateship was breathtaking.
Did I cry during every spicy scene? Yes…yes I did because while the spice was hot, it was so much more than that. It was the trust between them, the raw emotions Gage was experiencing, the palpable love and the sheer need for them to be skin on skin.
The found family…Gage’s momma. That beautiful soul that went through so much but still loved her child unconditionally. Mariane and the rest of the ladies that quilted and how good they were to Gage. Nathan…Nathan who was always there for anything and everything. I love Nathan so much it hurts! Basically everyone that made Gage feel like a person again!
And f*ck you Paul…
I can keep going on and on about this book. The ADHD rep, the addiction rep, the therapy and mental health rep, the soft love, the beautiful characters…just read this book
November 5, 2024
Sober Dope & Sundays is an emotional story focusing on health, sobriety, and recovery. Gage and Alexei have a fascinating dynamic full of surprises while offering continuous support for one another. Their journey together is heartwarming and shows that with the power of will and determination goals can be achieved and hardships can be overcome. This is a beautiful emotional love story that I could not get enough of.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
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September 11, 2024
dnf 68% in
I’m technically dnf’ing this I guess. I think this is more of an ”it’s not the book, it’s me” situation than anything, but I really think the book could have ended 68% in. It felt like enough of an hea for me. I skimmed the later chapters and from what I saw, the rest of the book was pretty much about the mc’s being in love, together and figuring their shit out. Should be cute right? It is if you care about the couple and if the author can keep you entertained.
I really enjoyed Red Flags & Tuesdays but I didn’t feel much for this one. I really liked Gage and I mostly kept reading because of him and his family. He can do better then Alexi, sorry, not sorry. Loved Nathan though!🤭
I guess Alexi was supposed to come across as different and quirky? He was boring and a bit unlikable to me. If I got a dollar for every time he needed to remind Gage or us that he’s weird, different, can’t be persuaded or changed by anyone ….💸🛩️🌍. Then you also give the character a shit ton of neurodivergent traits and say: “Are you neurodivergent? On the spectrum?”
“No. I was tested. I’m just weird.” ”No he’s not autistic, just weird” What does that even mean?? He’s weird but not weird enough to be autistic? I’m sure that’s not what the author had in mind lol but as someone with autism, I don’t know how else to take it🤚🏻💀
I don’t have the right kind of first- or second hand experience to know for sure, but I think the addiction reps were handled well. It seemed like the author really put effort, thought and research into creating Gage’s character, representing his issues, conflicts, thought processes and desires.
2.75 stars
I’m technically dnf’ing this I guess. I think this is more of an ”it’s not the book, it’s me” situation than anything, but I really think the book could have ended 68% in. It felt like enough of an hea for me. I skimmed the later chapters and from what I saw, the rest of the book was pretty much about the mc’s being in love, together and figuring their shit out. Should be cute right? It is if you care about the couple and if the author can keep you entertained.
I really enjoyed Red Flags & Tuesdays but I didn’t feel much for this one. I really liked Gage and I mostly kept reading because of him and his family. He can do better then Alexi, sorry, not sorry. Loved Nathan though!🤭
I guess Alexi was supposed to come across as different and quirky? He was boring and a bit unlikable to me. If I got a dollar for every time he needed to remind Gage or us that he’s weird, different, can’t be persuaded or changed by anyone ….💸🛩️🌍. Then you also give the character a shit ton of neurodivergent traits and say: “Are you neurodivergent? On the spectrum?”
“No. I was tested. I’m just weird.” ”No he’s not autistic, just weird” What does that even mean?? He’s weird but not weird enough to be autistic? I’m sure that’s not what the author had in mind lol but as someone with autism, I don’t know how else to take it🤚🏻💀
I don’t have the right kind of first- or second hand experience to know for sure, but I think the addiction reps were handled well. It seemed like the author really put effort, thought and research into creating Gage’s character, representing his issues, conflicts, thought processes and desires.
2.75 stars
August 19, 2024
I've really tried to organise my thoughts because this take on addiction recovery has touched my little sober soul. It has taken me a few days after finishing it and I'm still not over how utterly hopeful and full of love and good weird feelings this book is. Recovery is most certainly not linear and not everyone makes it, but how Nordika Knight has managed to portray the ups and downs without making it some kind of torture porn or ott drama was healing for me. The way Gage explains his struggle and how he needs to find better ways to cope and live, to find a desire to cling to life in a positive healthy way is something all of us people in recovery know and strive for. How Alexei holds space for him to find them was brilliantly done. There's no magic cure relationship here, just someone to be there for Gage and to let him figure out what he needs without taking over. The support net Gage finds in his family and Nathan was beautiful too. I loved how Alexei had also someone to appreciate his weirdness and his anal retentive tendencies without attempting to change him.
Another take I loved was the sex/intimacy between these two. No rushing, not defining sex just by penetration, building up their feelings, the amount of consent and respect and gentleness. It was PERFECT.
Look, I don't want to spoil the whole book by telling you all the brilliant moments, but you need to read this, even if you haven't struggled with addiction or known anyone who does/did, this book talks about finding your way after being lost and finding a love that suits you. And I love it. Even more because we are portrayed as human beings beyond our struggles 💜💙
Another take I loved was the sex/intimacy between these two. No rushing, not defining sex just by penetration, building up their feelings, the amount of consent and respect and gentleness. It was PERFECT.
Look, I don't want to spoil the whole book by telling you all the brilliant moments, but you need to read this, even if you haven't struggled with addiction or known anyone who does/did, this book talks about finding your way after being lost and finding a love that suits you. And I love it. Even more because we are portrayed as human beings beyond our struggles 💜💙
September 1, 2024
I loved this book! I don't think I've ever read a story centered around a character who was recovering from addiction that was more positive and hopeful than this one. Gage and Alexei made my face hurt. They were so cute, sweet and funny and I loved the way they communicated in such an open and honest way. In the end, I wanted to be friends with all of the characters and get invited to all of the things and have my very own Alexei approved mug.
I'm really enjoying this series so far. I love the quirky ideas this author has and the way they add depth and humor to the story and the characters. I can't wait to see what day of the week we get next!
I'm really enjoying this series so far. I love the quirky ideas this author has and the way they add depth and humor to the story and the characters. I can't wait to see what day of the week we get next!
August 29, 2024
"I don’t know how to have a friend," Gage admits, finally putting me at ease. I like it when other people feel awkward because it makes me feel less alone in my awkwardness. Quirks like company, I guess.
Sober Dope & Sundays is book 2 in the fabulous Nordika Night's Weekday Weirdos series. Like the first book in the series, Red Flags & Tuesdays, Sober Dope & Sundays was an unexpectedly quirky, funny and enchanting read, particularly given its dark-themed subject matter (addiction, recovery, relapse, mental health rep, amongst more).
Nordika Night handles the subject matter so beautifully, you can't help but get sucked into the journey these two amazing characters are on.
I totally adored Gage and Alexei. Gage literally WOULD NOT GIVE UP and Alexei was his brightness and strength, without giving up his own identity.
Although this book has dark themes, it's not a dark book; there's so much positivity and support to draw on, with the best parents (on both sides) and the best 'found family' support that you could wish for.
It's absolutely a romance, but it's not smutty or really spicy in any way; whilst the boys both fall quickly, they fall deeply in friendship and soulmateship first, and take baby steps with the intimacy.
What To Expect:
🧡MM romance
🩵Opposites attract
🧡Addiction/relapse/recovery
🩵Neurodivergent/mental health rep
🧡Dark themes
🩵Friends to lovers
🧡Soul mates
🩵Found family
🧡HEA
5 stars (of course - it's a Nordika Night book!)
Sober Dope & Sundays is book 2 in the fabulous Nordika Night's Weekday Weirdos series. Like the first book in the series, Red Flags & Tuesdays, Sober Dope & Sundays was an unexpectedly quirky, funny and enchanting read, particularly given its dark-themed subject matter (addiction, recovery, relapse, mental health rep, amongst more).
Nordika Night handles the subject matter so beautifully, you can't help but get sucked into the journey these two amazing characters are on.
I totally adored Gage and Alexei. Gage literally WOULD NOT GIVE UP and Alexei was his brightness and strength, without giving up his own identity.
Although this book has dark themes, it's not a dark book; there's so much positivity and support to draw on, with the best parents (on both sides) and the best 'found family' support that you could wish for.
It's absolutely a romance, but it's not smutty or really spicy in any way; whilst the boys both fall quickly, they fall deeply in friendship and soulmateship first, and take baby steps with the intimacy.
What To Expect:
🧡MM romance
🩵Opposites attract
🧡Addiction/relapse/recovery
🩵Neurodivergent/mental health rep
🧡Dark themes
🩵Friends to lovers
🧡Soul mates
🩵Found family
🧡HEA
5 stars (of course - it's a Nordika Night book!)
September 11, 2024
EVERY freakin' star!!!
(Dear God ...
please make more stars?!?)
Wouldn't change a single word! If you read this and don't love it ... or at least like it very much ... we can't be friends.🤨 Just jokin' ... maybe? ... not really. 😏
This one created (AND checked) boxes I never knew I had ... like the "recovering addict" thing and the coffee mug thing (yeah, apparently that's a thing!). I've always loved the idea of restoring an old house, but I think this is the first time I've read a book with that as a major plot device and I LOVED every bit of that shit! Just SO much to love with this one ... I could go on and on. This was one of the rare books where I was seriously battling to restrain myself from highlighting and posting literally every single paragraph (and some of you may think I did! 😳). It was a struggle ... but I didn't wanna go to jail.😬
Please read this book! 🥴
(Dear God ...
please make more stars?!?)
Wouldn't change a single word! If you read this and don't love it ... or at least like it very much ... we can't be friends.🤨 Just jokin' ... maybe? ... not really. 😏
This one created (AND checked) boxes I never knew I had ... like the "recovering addict" thing and the coffee mug thing (yeah, apparently that's a thing!). I've always loved the idea of restoring an old house, but I think this is the first time I've read a book with that as a major plot device and I LOVED every bit of that shit! Just SO much to love with this one ... I could go on and on. This was one of the rare books where I was seriously battling to restrain myself from highlighting and posting literally every single paragraph (and some of you may think I did! 😳). It was a struggle ... but I didn't wanna go to jail.😬
Please read this book! 🥴
September 16, 2024
Wow. That was INCREDIBLE. So moving, interesting, intense, scary, hopeful, funny, educating, sexy, nuanced and full of all the love. It was incredible to get a (I presume) somewhat authentic look into a recovering addicts brain, while simultaneously learning about the trauma that comes with being an addicts child. But even though these are some heavy topics, the tone of the story is positive, optimistic.
Gage and Alexei were everything. Individually but more so together. They were so different and complex and complicated and wholesome in their own weird way and I couldn’t have loved them more if I tried. I don’t even know what my fave part of the book was, here are a few.
The soulmateship
The open and honest conversations
The renovation
The quilting
The black and blue and sunset orange
The 3.000 cookies
The 2am family tea parties
The mugs
The forging
The ‚no-flirting-tax‘
The steam, Jeeeez, the steam 🥵
The worshipping
The journaling
The slow, slow self acceptance and self love
The healing
The KISS
The A+G=<3
The ‚I’m a person‘
The epilogue
All the stars for this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gage and Alexei were everything. Individually but more so together. They were so different and complex and complicated and wholesome in their own weird way and I couldn’t have loved them more if I tried. I don’t even know what my fave part of the book was, here are a few.
The soulmateship
The open and honest conversations
The renovation
The quilting
The black and blue and sunset orange
The 3.000 cookies
The 2am family tea parties
The mugs
The forging
The ‚no-flirting-tax‘
The steam, Jeeeez, the steam 🥵
The worshipping
The journaling
The slow, slow self acceptance and self love
The healing
The KISS
The A+G=<3
The ‚I’m a person‘
The epilogue
All the stars for this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 29, 2024
This is book two in the Weekday Weirdos series but can be read as a complete standalone.
Gage is fresh out of rehab and is returning to his hometown for the first time in years. He's living with his mom, he's attending meetings, he's got a sponsor...and his sponsor's son, Alexei, is the opposite of Gage in every way.👀
Addiction meets iron will in this one, and sparks an Instalove that's everything Gage needs on his road to recovery.❤️🩹 At times Alexei felt a little TOO perfect, always saying and doing the right thing at the right time, but both of these guys are quirky and cute and they fell HARD for one another!🥰 You'll find a lot of Nordika's signature "weird" and funny banter in what is overall a very serious book. The topic of addiction is handled with intricate care that I'm not sure I've ever read before, and yet it manages to be very low angst. It did feel like *I* was the one in therapy for most of the book, and I would have liked to have seen a little more tension in the relationship. From the moment they met, it was pretty smooth sailing between Gage and Alexei, and it lacked the push and pull that I loved in the first book of the series and in her other works.
This series of self-proclaimed weirdos is shaping up to be unique for sure, and I'm excited for the next day of the week!
If you're looking for a book that's primarily about overcoming addiction with a lot of fried meats and a little romance sprinkled on top, this book is for you.🩷
Read if you like:
• Friends To Lovers
• Instalove
• Opposites Attract
.
.
*I received a free advanced copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
Gage is fresh out of rehab and is returning to his hometown for the first time in years. He's living with his mom, he's attending meetings, he's got a sponsor...and his sponsor's son, Alexei, is the opposite of Gage in every way.👀
Addiction meets iron will in this one, and sparks an Instalove that's everything Gage needs on his road to recovery.❤️🩹 At times Alexei felt a little TOO perfect, always saying and doing the right thing at the right time, but both of these guys are quirky and cute and they fell HARD for one another!🥰 You'll find a lot of Nordika's signature "weird" and funny banter in what is overall a very serious book. The topic of addiction is handled with intricate care that I'm not sure I've ever read before, and yet it manages to be very low angst. It did feel like *I* was the one in therapy for most of the book, and I would have liked to have seen a little more tension in the relationship. From the moment they met, it was pretty smooth sailing between Gage and Alexei, and it lacked the push and pull that I loved in the first book of the series and in her other works.
This series of self-proclaimed weirdos is shaping up to be unique for sure, and I'm excited for the next day of the week!
If you're looking for a book that's primarily about overcoming addiction with a lot of fried meats and a little romance sprinkled on top, this book is for you.🩷
Read if you like:
• Friends To Lovers
• Instalove
• Opposites Attract
.
.
*I received a free advanced copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
August 19, 2024
~ ranting: 4,5 ☆
~ spice: 2 🌶
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sober Dope & Sundays coming on august 23th.
Nordika never fails to amaze me, I swear this woman has super powers hidden somewhere because every single time she delivers a book I make it my whole personality for a month? a year? I dunno. Like there's no way I won't be obsessed, because I definitely will...
Nordika has the ability to create book characters that resonate with us, and I feel a little bit understood when they feel or think in a way I can very much relate, even if it's for different reasons, but yeah.
Gage and Alexei were everything. Gage journey and Alexei helping him no matter what. The unconditional love, the soulmateship thing, the hobbies, the found family!!, even the neighbors (there's a portuguese one and I literally screamed because hEY ME TOO!), ohh and dave the forging instructor... and literally everything else, this book is really beautiful while dealing with so many issues.
I can't wait for the next book in the series, I know I'll love it regardless lol.
“My point is, as much as it elates me that you’re my sober dope, you’re so much more than that. You're complicated and intriguing. You’re hypocritical and snarky. You’re a judgemental dick with the biggest heart and the most intense eye contact. You’re weird, I’m weird, and we’re weirder together. You’re my soulmate, and saying I love you doesn’t feel like enough. But I do, Alexei. I just really love ya. I love you.”
~ spice: 2 🌶
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sober Dope & Sundays coming on august 23th.
Nordika never fails to amaze me, I swear this woman has super powers hidden somewhere because every single time she delivers a book I make it my whole personality for a month? a year? I dunno. Like there's no way I won't be obsessed, because I definitely will...
Nordika has the ability to create book characters that resonate with us, and I feel a little bit understood when they feel or think in a way I can very much relate, even if it's for different reasons, but yeah.
Gage and Alexei were everything. Gage journey and Alexei helping him no matter what. The unconditional love, the soulmateship thing, the hobbies, the found family!!, even the neighbors (there's a portuguese one and I literally screamed because hEY ME TOO!), ohh and dave the forging instructor... and literally everything else, this book is really beautiful while dealing with so many issues.
I can't wait for the next book in the series, I know I'll love it regardless lol.
“My point is, as much as it elates me that you’re my sober dope, you’re so much more than that. You're complicated and intriguing. You’re hypocritical and snarky. You’re a judgemental dick with the biggest heart and the most intense eye contact. You’re weird, I’m weird, and we’re weirder together. You’re my soulmate, and saying I love you doesn’t feel like enough. But I do, Alexei. I just really love ya. I love you.”
September 5, 2024
This was so so good, I loved it!
It was so refreshing reading a story about addiction that didn't either go too heavy into it and make it very dark, but also didn't gloss over it either and make it seem like kicking addiction is at all easy.
Gage is an addict of many things. Most notably drugs. But also alcohol, stealing things, and sex - apparently, but not quite.
He's been to rehab 8 times (although this makes it seem like that's kind of unusual? I thought it was pretty normal to go to rehab a lot for some people?) and this time, he wants to make it stick. He voluntarily stayed in rehab this last time for a whole year, after he stole a coffee and drugs from the barista to relapse after 8 months of sobriety.
He's only had one sponsor, and his second one is Nathan, who has been sober for 8 years, and his son, Alexei or Alex is there as well, and he and Nathan have been building back a relationship for those years he's been sober, since he was high for the first 17 years of his life.
And Alex and Gage form almost an instant connection. And it comes across, too. I was feeling it from the jump, and the more scenes they had, the more I felt it.
Alex isn't an addict, but he does have trauma from his dad (and mother, who has been dead for some time now) being an addict growing up. So he's very vigilant about what he puts in his body. Even with food, he's a bit cautious because he wants to take of his body by eating healthy most of the time. His trauma has caused him to be perhaps too cautious in ways his father, and Gage, were very much not.
And he has a very strong iron will, very strong control over himself, which Gage has lacked for a long time and is learning to gain. In a way, they balance each other out. Alex assures Gage he won't suck him into bad habits or break him, because he won't let Gage do that. And he truly never lets his iron control slip, not really. And Gage does teach Alex to let go a bit, in some ways. To have some cookies here and there, and that having fun doesn't have to mean losing control.
Gage's story was so compelling. With addiction stories, it can be quite hard to read because addiction is a hard thing for people to go through, and the people in their life especially. And sometimes addiction is never kicked, or ends in the worst way possible, and it's very heartbreaking.
But this didn't lean to heavily into the worst parts of addiction. It more a story about being on the other side of addiction. Being solidly sober for a long time, but still struggling with it day after day. They say you never stop being an addict, and that's true.
Gage may be one year sober, but he craves drugs almost constantly, and he has to go to meetings, see Nathan, go to a therapist (who is there to deal with his 'sex addiction' at first but is more than that too), to get through his days, at least at first. It helps to have his family, too - his mother and his three younger brothers - and have them there to support him.
And as this goes on, Gage gains Alexei too. And as he is put through the real test of staying sober in the real world, he learns how to continue to stay sober even when he's put through tests.
It's not to say this isn't dark at times, or touch to read. But it's more about Gage having already been through the worst of addiction, and this is the recovery. This is...how does one continue to stay sober once they're out in the real world?
Alex is a breath of fresh air for Gage. He's quirky and sweet and strong. He blushes but also won't take any bullshit. He's been through living with someone in his life with addiction already. He's a little bit hardened to it and all it entails. He's experienced in it.
This says there isn't too much of a focus on penetrative sex, and that is true. But it doesn't really matter that we only get one full penetrative sex scene, because we got quite a bit of other stuff between them that's just as sexy and fun to read.
Because when Gage was on drugs, he was seemingly a sex addict, so he's working through that and they're taking things slow. They work up to penetrative sex, but also it isn't the be all, end all for them.
This was just such a well done story about recovery after addiction, and how to stay sober, but that sometimes one may falter and will definitely have those urges and fantasies of doing it, even as they're determined not to do it.
Gage has one real close call, but I think he needed it in order to see that he could do it. He could ultimately resist even when it's right in front of him.
I don't care what the narrative said, I was as pissed as Alexei at the twins. Like...I know Gage's addiction is ultimately his problem and no one else's, but still...doing drugs in the house he's staying at, and knowing you have a higher probability of becoming addicted to? It was just so reckless and I hadn't forgiven them as easily as the characters in the story did. What an moronic thing to do.
Hopefully they learned their lesson. They seemed to, at least.
And man, I was a bit bummed that Nathan turned out to be straight 😭 Or at least just dating a woman who he seemed really into. I wanted him to have a story to, I really liked him. Wouldn't have minded him and Dave, the hot welding teacher, being a thing haha. But oh well, we can't have them all. If David has a romance with some other guy, though...I wouldn't be opposed 😉
Can't wait for the next day of the week book. We've got 5 more days, so 5 more books to look forward to.
Onto the next! 😘
My Ratings for the Weekday Weirdos Series:
✨ Red Flags & Tuesdays: 4 stars (my review)
✨ Sober Dope & Sundays: 5 stars
It was so refreshing reading a story about addiction that didn't either go too heavy into it and make it very dark, but also didn't gloss over it either and make it seem like kicking addiction is at all easy.
Gage is an addict of many things. Most notably drugs. But also alcohol, stealing things, and sex - apparently, but not quite.
He's been to rehab 8 times (although this makes it seem like that's kind of unusual? I thought it was pretty normal to go to rehab a lot for some people?) and this time, he wants to make it stick. He voluntarily stayed in rehab this last time for a whole year, after he stole a coffee and drugs from the barista to relapse after 8 months of sobriety.
He's only had one sponsor, and his second one is Nathan, who has been sober for 8 years, and his son, Alexei or Alex is there as well, and he and Nathan have been building back a relationship for those years he's been sober, since he was high for the first 17 years of his life.
And Alex and Gage form almost an instant connection. And it comes across, too. I was feeling it from the jump, and the more scenes they had, the more I felt it.
Alex isn't an addict, but he does have trauma from his dad (and mother, who has been dead for some time now) being an addict growing up. So he's very vigilant about what he puts in his body. Even with food, he's a bit cautious because he wants to take of his body by eating healthy most of the time. His trauma has caused him to be perhaps too cautious in ways his father, and Gage, were very much not.
And he has a very strong iron will, very strong control over himself, which Gage has lacked for a long time and is learning to gain. In a way, they balance each other out. Alex assures Gage he won't suck him into bad habits or break him, because he won't let Gage do that. And he truly never lets his iron control slip, not really. And Gage does teach Alex to let go a bit, in some ways. To have some cookies here and there, and that having fun doesn't have to mean losing control.
Gage's story was so compelling. With addiction stories, it can be quite hard to read because addiction is a hard thing for people to go through, and the people in their life especially. And sometimes addiction is never kicked, or ends in the worst way possible, and it's very heartbreaking.
But this didn't lean to heavily into the worst parts of addiction. It more a story about being on the other side of addiction. Being solidly sober for a long time, but still struggling with it day after day. They say you never stop being an addict, and that's true.
Gage may be one year sober, but he craves drugs almost constantly, and he has to go to meetings, see Nathan, go to a therapist (who is there to deal with his 'sex addiction' at first but is more than that too), to get through his days, at least at first. It helps to have his family, too - his mother and his three younger brothers - and have them there to support him.
And as this goes on, Gage gains Alexei too. And as he is put through the real test of staying sober in the real world, he learns how to continue to stay sober even when he's put through tests.
It's not to say this isn't dark at times, or touch to read. But it's more about Gage having already been through the worst of addiction, and this is the recovery. This is...how does one continue to stay sober once they're out in the real world?
Alex is a breath of fresh air for Gage. He's quirky and sweet and strong. He blushes but also won't take any bullshit. He's been through living with someone in his life with addiction already. He's a little bit hardened to it and all it entails. He's experienced in it.
This says there isn't too much of a focus on penetrative sex, and that is true. But it doesn't really matter that we only get one full penetrative sex scene, because we got quite a bit of other stuff between them that's just as sexy and fun to read.
Because when Gage was on drugs, he was seemingly a sex addict, so he's working through that and they're taking things slow. They work up to penetrative sex, but also it isn't the be all, end all for them.
This was just such a well done story about recovery after addiction, and how to stay sober, but that sometimes one may falter and will definitely have those urges and fantasies of doing it, even as they're determined not to do it.
Gage has one real close call, but I think he needed it in order to see that he could do it. He could ultimately resist even when it's right in front of him.
I don't care what the narrative said, I was as pissed as Alexei at the twins. Like...I know Gage's addiction is ultimately his problem and no one else's, but still...doing drugs in the house he's staying at, and knowing you have a higher probability of becoming addicted to? It was just so reckless and I hadn't forgiven them as easily as the characters in the story did. What an moronic thing to do.
Hopefully they learned their lesson. They seemed to, at least.
And man, I was a bit bummed that Nathan turned out to be straight 😭 Or at least just dating a woman who he seemed really into. I wanted him to have a story to, I really liked him. Wouldn't have minded him and Dave, the hot welding teacher, being a thing haha. But oh well, we can't have them all. If David has a romance with some other guy, though...I wouldn't be opposed 😉
Can't wait for the next day of the week book. We've got 5 more days, so 5 more books to look forward to.
Onto the next! 😘
My Ratings for the Weekday Weirdos Series:
✨ Red Flags & Tuesdays: 4 stars (my review)
✨ Sober Dope & Sundays: 5 stars
September 2, 2024
5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️/5
Format: ebook
“‘You’re my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug. And instead of you being a substance or a thing I can overindulge in or abuse, you’re the best kind of dope because you tell me when to stop.’”
Aw gosh, this book gave me all the feels. It was an emotional rollercoaster through the lives of two people touched by addiction.
Alexei is a special kind of person, because after being neglected by two addicts, and losing one to an overdose, I cannot fathom it being easy to intentionally get involved with another addict. But it’s impossible not to love Gage.
Let me start by saying every single character, except Paul, in this story was amazing. Gage’s mom and brothers, the older ladies who knit, the Portuguese neighbor, the sex shop owners, Alexei’s cool as shit dad; they were all so lovable and added so much to the book. Yes, we have Gage and Alexei’s beautiful love story, but every chapter was a good time because there were always great vibes in the background.
Alexei has to be related to Atticus St. James in some way because they are the same person, slightly different font. Which I love, because they’re exactly my favorite type of character. I was obsessed with his weirdness and his distaste for social norms. He was the exact right kind of person to ground an unstable, addicted-to-everything Gage. I just loved how Alexei had all the self-control in the world except when it came to Gage, and Gage has absolutely no self-control but found it when it came to Alexei.
While the story kind of reads as insta-love/lust, this book is definitely more of a slowburn in that Gage has to be super careful he doesn’t become addicted to Alexei and their relationship as well. Alexei also knows his worth and won’t accept anything but Gage’s absolute all.
This series is everything. Nordika Night blew me away with yet another book and two more characters who I am going to love with my entire being for the rest of my life. Thank you for your service yet again, queen.
Spice: 🌶️/5
Format: ebook
“‘You’re my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug. And instead of you being a substance or a thing I can overindulge in or abuse, you’re the best kind of dope because you tell me when to stop.’”
Aw gosh, this book gave me all the feels. It was an emotional rollercoaster through the lives of two people touched by addiction.
Alexei is a special kind of person, because after being neglected by two addicts, and losing one to an overdose, I cannot fathom it being easy to intentionally get involved with another addict. But it’s impossible not to love Gage.
Let me start by saying every single character, except Paul, in this story was amazing. Gage’s mom and brothers, the older ladies who knit, the Portuguese neighbor, the sex shop owners, Alexei’s cool as shit dad; they were all so lovable and added so much to the book. Yes, we have Gage and Alexei’s beautiful love story, but every chapter was a good time because there were always great vibes in the background.
Alexei has to be related to Atticus St. James in some way because they are the same person, slightly different font. Which I love, because they’re exactly my favorite type of character. I was obsessed with his weirdness and his distaste for social norms. He was the exact right kind of person to ground an unstable, addicted-to-everything Gage. I just loved how Alexei had all the self-control in the world except when it came to Gage, and Gage has absolutely no self-control but found it when it came to Alexei.
While the story kind of reads as insta-love/lust, this book is definitely more of a slowburn in that Gage has to be super careful he doesn’t become addicted to Alexei and their relationship as well. Alexei also knows his worth and won’t accept anything but Gage’s absolute all.
This series is everything. Nordika Night blew me away with yet another book and two more characters who I am going to love with my entire being for the rest of my life. Thank you for your service yet again, queen.
August 28, 2024
I really adored Red Flags & Tuesdays, so honestly, I’m a little bit underwhelmed with this one, although it was still a cute story.
I really enjoyed the neurodiversity rep in this book, as well as the way Gage’s various addictions were handled. It felt very personal and well-researched, and I think that the correlation between neurodiversity and addiction really isn’t given adequate attention in society, so props to Nordika for that. Both of the characters were quirky and likeable, and I loved how well they communicated with each other.
Having said that, the story as a whole just felt very disjointed and repetitive to me. I didn’t understand how Gage and Alexei came to be a couple, and everything felt somehow sudden and drawn out at the same time. I felt like I was reading the same conversations and thoughts over and over again, and the book lost my interest at several points. I also don’t feel that we really got to know Alexei, as most of the story was focused on Gage.
Overall, this was a decent book and I loved some parts of it, but as a whole it didn’t really hold my interest.
I really enjoyed the neurodiversity rep in this book, as well as the way Gage’s various addictions were handled. It felt very personal and well-researched, and I think that the correlation between neurodiversity and addiction really isn’t given adequate attention in society, so props to Nordika for that. Both of the characters were quirky and likeable, and I loved how well they communicated with each other.
Having said that, the story as a whole just felt very disjointed and repetitive to me. I didn’t understand how Gage and Alexei came to be a couple, and everything felt somehow sudden and drawn out at the same time. I felt like I was reading the same conversations and thoughts over and over again, and the book lost my interest at several points. I also don’t feel that we really got to know Alexei, as most of the story was focused on Gage.
Overall, this was a decent book and I loved some parts of it, but as a whole it didn’t really hold my interest.
August 16, 2024
tldr; this book was everything. Everyone needs to experience the greatness that is this book. Read it. Then reread it. Again and again, forever and ever, amen.
Beware of your TW if you are triggered by addiction/recovery and the things that entails.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Can I go back and scrub this from my brain so I can read it again for the first time? Please?? This was absolutely incredible. Amazing. Quite a masterpiece, if we're being honest. I love everything that Nordika writes, but this book has got to be my number 1 favorite book of all time now. I devoured it in less than 24 hours. I made myself take a break and go to bed at 2am when I got 91% through simply because I didn't want the book to end and needed to prolong my happy fluffy feelings from this book. I was in a huge reading slump/rut and this book made me remember exactly why I love reading and especially why I love MM.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Nordika did such an amazing job creating these quirky characters and depicted recovery in such a real, yet beautiful way. I love that she focused on the positive - how people can make it out of addiction and get to the other side. Not to say they don't struggle - as Gage obviously did struggle - but that overall, life gets better, even with the struggles. If a pill-popping, sex-addicted, klepto junkie can get sober after 8 trips to rehab, what's to say someone else can't? Watching Gage grow his self-worth and stock his toolbox with all of his resources was so heartwarming. I am so grateful we got to experience Gage's therapy sessions with Natalie and see him develop a new understanding of his sex addiction. Watching him employ the tools she suggested, seeing how he grows his emotional intelligence, and getting to witness him build his self-awareness with her help (and Alexei's) makes me so happy - seeing a therapist/client relationship depicted in such a real, positive light is everything. And getting to read about AA/NA in the realistic way Nordika portrayed was so great. The bond between Nathan and Gage went beyond sponsor/sponsee and I loved that they had a friendship as well, and Nathan could also fill a sort of fatherly role for Gage.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
And speaking of families, I LOVED the bond Gage rebuilt with his family. His mom reminded me of Mama Dare, just a bit, especially with the midnight teas. While I am still extremely angry at the twins, I was so proud of the family for opening up, being real and vulnerable with each other, and working their shit out. What family does that??! Definitely not mine. But that is family goals right there. Gosh, and to see Alexei and Nathan's relationship continue to build and evolve was just so pure and beautiful. I was in awe of the emotional intelligence and strength of will that Alexei possessed, yet he and his dad were putting in the work to strengthen their relationship. I loved the outcome of their situation and how much their bond had flourished by the end of the book. And Nathan's bonus chapter was just the perfect icing on top of the cake that I didn't even know I needed (even though Alexei would argue that no one needs icing or cake).
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Oh, but you came here to hear about Gage and Alexei's relationship, didn't you??
While their relationship buildup was the swooniest, most adorable, quirky thing I have ever experienced - I want to reiterate that this book is about so much more than that. We see the real, gritty side to recovery, to neurodivergence/ADHD, and yet also the good in both. We see family relationships restored and revamped. We see an entire quirky neighborhood come together to build the weirdest, most wholesome community of quilters, weapon forgers, hog riders, and cookie enthusiasts that just love to eat some Portuguese food, even if it does contain fried meats. And it is...everything.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Okay, but real talk, can slow-moving boyfriends entering a soulmateship get any cuter than a neurotic rambler and a neurodivergent recovering addict? Any more wholesome than these two soulmates, brought together by Fate herself? Alexei's patience and iron-clad will was just the perfect juxtaposition to Gage's impulsive neediness and growth. The way they were so devoted and infatuated while supporting each other throughout their friendship (definitely no flirting 😉) gave me all the feel-good butterflies. I loved that while Gage did hog a lot of the attention/time, he still made sure to check in with Alexei and made sure that his needs were being met. And Gage was so swoony and thoughtful and just so supportive with going all-in for Alexei's passion for making old things new. He gave Alexei the most personal and thoughtful gifts, and I respect that hardcore because gift giving is one of my love languages. Their absolute infatuation with each other was the most wholesome, swoony, and heartwarming thing to experience.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
So, you want to know about the smut?? With Nordika's warning that penetrative sex is not the main focus, I was a little worried there wasn't going to be much smut at all. But goodness, I was thankfully wrong. Who needs p in the b sex when there are so many other, extremely hot and intimate things you can do??? God, the butterflies I got during this book. Alexei was so patient with Gage through his journey of overcoming his sex addiction, and was so incredibly supportive with helping Gage check in and become more self-aware. And what is sexier than self-awareness? Their intimacy and absolutely scorching sexual tension was just... 🫦 Ugh, you just need to read the book! Now!! Do it!
Beware of your TW if you are triggered by addiction/recovery and the things that entails.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Can I go back and scrub this from my brain so I can read it again for the first time? Please?? This was absolutely incredible. Amazing. Quite a masterpiece, if we're being honest. I love everything that Nordika writes, but this book has got to be my number 1 favorite book of all time now. I devoured it in less than 24 hours. I made myself take a break and go to bed at 2am when I got 91% through simply because I didn't want the book to end and needed to prolong my happy fluffy feelings from this book. I was in a huge reading slump/rut and this book made me remember exactly why I love reading and especially why I love MM.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Nordika did such an amazing job creating these quirky characters and depicted recovery in such a real, yet beautiful way. I love that she focused on the positive - how people can make it out of addiction and get to the other side. Not to say they don't struggle - as Gage obviously did struggle - but that overall, life gets better, even with the struggles. If a pill-popping, sex-addicted, klepto junkie can get sober after 8 trips to rehab, what's to say someone else can't? Watching Gage grow his self-worth and stock his toolbox with all of his resources was so heartwarming. I am so grateful we got to experience Gage's therapy sessions with Natalie and see him develop a new understanding of his sex addiction. Watching him employ the tools she suggested, seeing how he grows his emotional intelligence, and getting to witness him build his self-awareness with her help (and Alexei's) makes me so happy - seeing a therapist/client relationship depicted in such a real, positive light is everything. And getting to read about AA/NA in the realistic way Nordika portrayed was so great. The bond between Nathan and Gage went beyond sponsor/sponsee and I loved that they had a friendship as well, and Nathan could also fill a sort of fatherly role for Gage.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
And speaking of families, I LOVED the bond Gage rebuilt with his family. His mom reminded me of Mama Dare, just a bit, especially with the midnight teas. While I am still extremely angry at the twins, I was so proud of the family for opening up, being real and vulnerable with each other, and working their shit out. What family does that??! Definitely not mine. But that is family goals right there. Gosh, and to see Alexei and Nathan's relationship continue to build and evolve was just so pure and beautiful. I was in awe of the emotional intelligence and strength of will that Alexei possessed, yet he and his dad were putting in the work to strengthen their relationship. I loved the outcome of their situation and how much their bond had flourished by the end of the book. And Nathan's bonus chapter was just the perfect icing on top of the cake that I didn't even know I needed (even though Alexei would argue that no one needs icing or cake).
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Oh, but you came here to hear about Gage and Alexei's relationship, didn't you??
While their relationship buildup was the swooniest, most adorable, quirky thing I have ever experienced - I want to reiterate that this book is about so much more than that. We see the real, gritty side to recovery, to neurodivergence/ADHD, and yet also the good in both. We see family relationships restored and revamped. We see an entire quirky neighborhood come together to build the weirdest, most wholesome community of quilters, weapon forgers, hog riders, and cookie enthusiasts that just love to eat some Portuguese food, even if it does contain fried meats. And it is...everything.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
Okay, but real talk, can slow-moving boyfriends entering a soulmateship get any cuter than a neurotic rambler and a neurodivergent recovering addict? Any more wholesome than these two soulmates, brought together by Fate herself? Alexei's patience and iron-clad will was just the perfect juxtaposition to Gage's impulsive neediness and growth. The way they were so devoted and infatuated while supporting each other throughout their friendship (definitely no flirting 😉) gave me all the feel-good butterflies. I loved that while Gage did hog a lot of the attention/time, he still made sure to check in with Alexei and made sure that his needs were being met. And Gage was so swoony and thoughtful and just so supportive with going all-in for Alexei's passion for making old things new. He gave Alexei the most personal and thoughtful gifts, and I respect that hardcore because gift giving is one of my love languages. Their absolute infatuation with each other was the most wholesome, swoony, and heartwarming thing to experience.
🩵🧡🩵🧡🩵🧡
So, you want to know about the smut?? With Nordika's warning that penetrative sex is not the main focus, I was a little worried there wasn't going to be much smut at all. But goodness, I was thankfully wrong. Who needs p in the b sex when there are so many other, extremely hot and intimate things you can do??? God, the butterflies I got during this book. Alexei was so patient with Gage through his journey of overcoming his sex addiction, and was so incredibly supportive with helping Gage check in and become more self-aware. And what is sexier than self-awareness? Their intimacy and absolutely scorching sexual tension was just... 🫦 Ugh, you just need to read the book! Now!! Do it!
August 25, 2024
I don’t even know where to begin?
Gage was wonderful self aware and honest with himself. A lot of people, substance abusers are self aware but lie to themselves. I know because after finishing this book I think I’m one. I’m addicted to a lot of things, sugar, mmbooks, social media. And even though I’m self aware I lie to myself; just one more cookie, one more chapter before I sleep and ten more minutes of scrolling before I go back to an assignment. That was not Gage, but after 8 stints in rehab and a strong desire to be sober. He had to be. I’m glad, he broke things off with Paul, I’m happy he got the closure on that relationship he didn’t know he needed and most of all I’m glad he went for coffee with Nathan. Because that’s when it started it all.
Alexei, where to even begin….let me gather my thoughts because I just finished the book and came straight here. But I want the review to be perfect so I’ll be back.
All the stars to this book
Gage was wonderful self aware and honest with himself. A lot of people, substance abusers are self aware but lie to themselves. I know because after finishing this book I think I’m one. I’m addicted to a lot of things, sugar, mmbooks, social media. And even though I’m self aware I lie to myself; just one more cookie, one more chapter before I sleep and ten more minutes of scrolling before I go back to an assignment. That was not Gage, but after 8 stints in rehab and a strong desire to be sober. He had to be. I’m glad, he broke things off with Paul, I’m happy he got the closure on that relationship he didn’t know he needed and most of all I’m glad he went for coffee with Nathan. Because that’s when it started it all.
Alexei, where to even begin….let me gather my thoughts because I just finished the book and came straight here. But I want the review to be perfect so I’ll be back.
All the stars to this book
September 6, 2024
Nordika Night can do no wrong. Whether she's writing a dark story like Alter Arlo, Little Demon in the Details, or her delicious boys from Garron Park... everything she writes is just perfectly done.
Sober Dope & Sundays features the most perfect couple: Alexie and Gage. These two are so amazing together. The banter was perfect and Alexie was BRILLIANT! I loved his strong willed self and how he handles and takes care of himself first and foremost. The connection Gage and Alexie have is 100% believable and was handled with such care during the entire story keeping Gage's recovery front and center.
Loved the family dynamic of the Rossom clan. Gage's mom is amazing and a total MVP!
Nathan's character is super special and I loved the relationship he kept between himself and Gage. He handled Gage so well and then the relationship he had with his son... omg my heart! I loved their relationship and how Alexie dating Gage opened up his eyes to how amazing his father is and how far he's come in his life.
Sober Dope & Sundays features the most perfect couple: Alexie and Gage. These two are so amazing together. The banter was perfect and Alexie was BRILLIANT! I loved his strong willed self and how he handles and takes care of himself first and foremost. The connection Gage and Alexie have is 100% believable and was handled with such care during the entire story keeping Gage's recovery front and center.
Loved the family dynamic of the Rossom clan. Gage's mom is amazing and a total MVP!
Nathan's character is super special and I loved the relationship he kept between himself and Gage. He handled Gage so well and then the relationship he had with his son... omg my heart! I loved their relationship and how Alexie dating Gage opened up his eyes to how amazing his father is and how far he's come in his life.
September 24, 2024
*Full Review*
I just want to start off by saying how much I love the Weekday Weirdos series. I can't wait to see where this goes & continue to fall in love with amazing characters that Nordika writes. I was very excited to have found this to be dual POV too.
As the release approached we were told Sober Dope Sundays will more so show the hopeful side of recovery and I found it very refreshing especially with reading alot of dark romance lately. I usually go into books blind and accept whatever given to me no problem. Good or bad. And I can say this story of Gage and Alexei was written just so beautifully.
Let's just say also soon as I was introduced to Alexei I absolutely LOVED HIM. Giving Gage shit right away (not for long) . These two together might really be my favorite. I love the banter, the tension that was obviously but Gage showed restraint and it was just urghhh.(that's a happy urghhh) The Mugs. The stickers. Nathan. The neighbours. The community feeling of it. I literally just loved it all. The Mug scene definitely had me crying BAD.
"Alexei makes me feel alight. Humming with currents of electricity. Lit up like a fucking heart monitor. Loud and beeping and obvious as fuck."
"Gage Rossum is my soulmate. I just need to be patient until he figures it out."
Vibes ;
💙Boys who ramble
🧡Opposites Attract
💙Just some vibes
🧡Hopeful side of recovery
💙Neurotic rambler & artsy neurodivergent
🧡Sexy Voicemails
I just want to start off by saying how much I love the Weekday Weirdos series. I can't wait to see where this goes & continue to fall in love with amazing characters that Nordika writes. I was very excited to have found this to be dual POV too.
As the release approached we were told Sober Dope Sundays will more so show the hopeful side of recovery and I found it very refreshing especially with reading alot of dark romance lately. I usually go into books blind and accept whatever given to me no problem. Good or bad. And I can say this story of Gage and Alexei was written just so beautifully.
Let's just say also soon as I was introduced to Alexei I absolutely LOVED HIM. Giving Gage shit right away (not for long) . These two together might really be my favorite. I love the banter, the tension that was obviously but Gage showed restraint and it was just urghhh.(that's a happy urghhh) The Mugs. The stickers. Nathan. The neighbours. The community feeling of it. I literally just loved it all. The Mug scene definitely had me crying BAD.
"Alexei makes me feel alight. Humming with currents of electricity. Lit up like a fucking heart monitor. Loud and beeping and obvious as fuck."
"Gage Rossum is my soulmate. I just need to be patient until he figures it out."
Vibes ;
💙Boys who ramble
🧡Opposites Attract
💙Just some vibes
🧡Hopeful side of recovery
💙Neurotic rambler & artsy neurodivergent
🧡Sexy Voicemails
August 28, 2024
4⭐️ This was sweet, weird, and eccentric. I loved parts of the book but not others.
The descriptions, emotions, and stages of addiction and recovery were so well done. Gage’s cycles of cravings, guilt, and healing were all so realistic. The romance was cute and low-angst. Alexei’s optimism and determination felt like a perfect match for Gage.
But the therapy talk just got a bit excessive for me. It was tedious to wade through all the internal monologuing at times, that on top of the actual therapy appointments on page. It just felt like the characters over-analyzing every little detail and it was exhausting to read.
The descriptions, emotions, and stages of addiction and recovery were so well done. Gage’s cycles of cravings, guilt, and healing were all so realistic. The romance was cute and low-angst. Alexei’s optimism and determination felt like a perfect match for Gage.
But the therapy talk just got a bit excessive for me. It was tedious to wade through all the internal monologuing at times, that on top of the actual therapy appointments on page. It just felt like the characters over-analyzing every little detail and it was exhausting to read.
October 9, 2024
I absolutely loved Alexei. I just devoured this book and it definitely was an emotional one.
Read
October 5, 2024I’m not going to add my rating to Goodreads because I went into this book knowing I don’t like books about addicts and it didn’t change my mind. I wouldn’t have read this except I fucking LOVED the first one in the series and was hoping for another winner.
I think the author did a fantastic job and there’s a lot to like here. There isn’t as much toxic obsessiveness as there was in book one but it is a very sweet story. Gage even acknowledges multiple times that his recovery is taking up too much space and gives Alex the stage. It’s so well done.
The characters are fully fleshed out humans, the banter is fantastic, I laughed a ton. These characters are handled with so much care and love I can tell they really meant a lot to the author.
I just really don’t like stories about addicts though. There’s enough of them in my family, and it always takes front and center spot to the romance in books. I prefer romance to be front and center.
I think the author did a fantastic job and there’s a lot to like here. There isn’t as much toxic obsessiveness as there was in book one but it is a very sweet story. Gage even acknowledges multiple times that his recovery is taking up too much space and gives Alex the stage. It’s so well done.
The characters are fully fleshed out humans, the banter is fantastic, I laughed a ton. These characters are handled with so much care and love I can tell they really meant a lot to the author.
I just really don’t like stories about addicts though. There’s enough of them in my family, and it always takes front and center spot to the romance in books. I prefer romance to be front and center.
August 19, 2024
sober dope + sundays was epic. nordika just never seems to fail us, no matter what the release is, i want it. this is book two from the week day weirdos series and i just think this whole series is due to be unreal! i’m loving it so much already and we’ve only read two days of the week so far, wtaf is next eeeeeee.
ok so gage and alexei were just lovely, together, separate, whatever - just lovely. the way their relationship starts you think it’s potentially gonna be doomed like your sober sponsor’s son? is that a bright idea? you’d think no but gawd these two were doing the absolute most to keep a healthy, stable relationship, like they did everything right! the clear communication, the zero tolerance for bs, the therapy sessions, the slow moving ‘boyfriend’ conversation 😭😭😭 like they were doing it all so right, it was actually really refreshing to read if i’m honest.
gage’s journey was inspiring and you can’t help but feel proud of a fictional character but here i am, clapping for sweetheart gage who wanted to do the right thing for himself and his family.
alexei, my baby. i know this book wasn’t solely about him but i couldn’t help but adore him too. i am a sucker for chaotic internal thoughts and alexei’s brain is structured very much like mine, totally straight faced and chill but carnage and chaos are going on up there. he was unapologetically himself, he was straight forward, blunt, outspoken and oh so wise.
he and gage really were soulmates and i enjoyed their relationship so effing much.
i enjoyed the found family neighbours, the portuguese family, the sewing ladies, the couple who own the sex shop lmao and especially nathan, the dad who went from okay dad to worlds best dad, well deserved. the epilogue made me feel whole by the end of the book <333
finishing off this review with my favourite line of the book. this quote has always resonated with me so i did feel a lil emosh when i read it because it’s something i have always been taught to live by “𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢, 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙚𝙞.” :)
4.5 stars -arc review-
ok so gage and alexei were just lovely, together, separate, whatever - just lovely. the way their relationship starts you think it’s potentially gonna be doomed like your sober sponsor’s son? is that a bright idea? you’d think no but gawd these two were doing the absolute most to keep a healthy, stable relationship, like they did everything right! the clear communication, the zero tolerance for bs, the therapy sessions, the slow moving ‘boyfriend’ conversation 😭😭😭 like they were doing it all so right, it was actually really refreshing to read if i’m honest.
gage’s journey was inspiring and you can’t help but feel proud of a fictional character but here i am, clapping for sweetheart gage who wanted to do the right thing for himself and his family.
alexei, my baby. i know this book wasn’t solely about him but i couldn’t help but adore him too. i am a sucker for chaotic internal thoughts and alexei’s brain is structured very much like mine, totally straight faced and chill but carnage and chaos are going on up there. he was unapologetically himself, he was straight forward, blunt, outspoken and oh so wise.
he and gage really were soulmates and i enjoyed their relationship so effing much.
i enjoyed the found family neighbours, the portuguese family, the sewing ladies, the couple who own the sex shop lmao and especially nathan, the dad who went from okay dad to worlds best dad, well deserved. the epilogue made me feel whole by the end of the book <333
finishing off this review with my favourite line of the book. this quote has always resonated with me so i did feel a lil emosh when i read it because it’s something i have always been taught to live by “𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢, 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙚𝙞.” :)
4.5 stars -arc review-
August 25, 2024
arc review
well aren’t these two just the sweetest soulmates ever 🥹
“𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡.” 𝙄 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢. “𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙂𝙖𝙜𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖.”
there’s nothing i love more than seeing addiction rep done well. nordika did such an incredible job with gage and his struggles with addiction.
even though their story began after gage had finished his time in rehab, you could still feel the raw emotion and daily struggles of navigating his new life outside of the cycle he had been stuck in for so many years.
with gage back in his home town to continue beating his addictions, things only get better when his sponsor introduces him to his son, alexei. alexei is everything gage never knew he needed. his sober dope 🥹
“𝙉𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘, 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚, 𝙜𝙖𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮. 𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩.”
alexei has an iron will, the complete opposite to gage. he spent years of his life with his father battling drug addictions and lives life knowing he will never become addicted to anything.
i love love love the way his brain works, he is chaotic, rambly, blunt and loves so so hard.
as soon as alexei meets gage he instantly knows they are soulmates, even if the coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, orange wearing man is not who he expected himself to end up with. it was meant to be.
𝙂𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙢 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚. 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩.
everything about this book was so well done, the mental health rep, the adhd rep,the addiction rep, THERAPY!!! we love to see it!
i’m obsessed with these two and their love/soulmateship. <3
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚, 𝙂𝙖𝙜𝙚?”
well aren’t these two just the sweetest soulmates ever 🥹
“𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡.” 𝙄 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢. “𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙂𝙖𝙜𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖.”
there’s nothing i love more than seeing addiction rep done well. nordika did such an incredible job with gage and his struggles with addiction.
even though their story began after gage had finished his time in rehab, you could still feel the raw emotion and daily struggles of navigating his new life outside of the cycle he had been stuck in for so many years.
with gage back in his home town to continue beating his addictions, things only get better when his sponsor introduces him to his son, alexei. alexei is everything gage never knew he needed. his sober dope 🥹
“𝙉𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘, 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚, 𝙜𝙖𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮. 𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩.”
alexei has an iron will, the complete opposite to gage. he spent years of his life with his father battling drug addictions and lives life knowing he will never become addicted to anything.
i love love love the way his brain works, he is chaotic, rambly, blunt and loves so so hard.
as soon as alexei meets gage he instantly knows they are soulmates, even if the coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, orange wearing man is not who he expected himself to end up with. it was meant to be.
𝙂𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙢 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚. 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩.
everything about this book was so well done, the mental health rep, the adhd rep,the addiction rep, THERAPY!!! we love to see it!
i’m obsessed with these two and their love/soulmateship. <3
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚, 𝙂𝙖𝙜𝙚?”
October 29, 2024
This was so good, so so so good. I think about this book and I can't not smile (and cry). 5 'soulmates' stars
I just can't get enough of Gage and Alexei's soulmateship! They were just perfection; Gage with his addictions and his heartbreaking but also hearthealing healing journey and Alexei with his neurotic rambling, awkwardness and love for restorations and weird cute mugs and oh, also Gage. Their support for each other is everything. The angst and protectiveness and just absolute soulmate level love and adoration was utter perfection.
“High me had high dope. Drunk me had drunk dope. Now I need to find my sober dope. You’re my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug. And instead of you being a substance or a thing I can overindulge in or abuse, you’re the best kind of dope because you tell me when to stop.”
Nordika dealt the details of addiction, recovery, struggle and personal healing and growth with such positivity and delicacy that you can't help but fall in love with these characters and laugh and cry with them. I swear she put some crack shit (pun intended) in it that made me addicted af (again) to the whole story and characters that i had the dopiest (yeah, pun intended) smile on my face after finishing it.
P.S. where to find myself a soulmate who rambles a lot and gives me cute af mugs??
I just can't get enough of Gage and Alexei's soulmateship! They were just perfection; Gage with his addictions and his heartbreaking but also hearthealing healing journey and Alexei with his neurotic rambling, awkwardness and love for restorations and weird cute mugs and oh, also Gage. Their support for each other is everything. The angst and protectiveness and just absolute soulmate level love and adoration was utter perfection.
“High me had high dope. Drunk me had drunk dope. Now I need to find my sober dope. You’re my sober dope, Alexei. My feel-good drug. And instead of you being a substance or a thing I can overindulge in or abuse, you’re the best kind of dope because you tell me when to stop.”
Nordika dealt the details of addiction, recovery, struggle and personal healing and growth with such positivity and delicacy that you can't help but fall in love with these characters and laugh and cry with them. I swear she put some crack shit (pun intended) in it that made me addicted af (again) to the whole story and characters that i had the dopiest (yeah, pun intended) smile on my face after finishing it.
P.S. where to find myself a soulmate who rambles a lot and gives me cute af mugs??
August 23, 2024
All of the stars. Literally all of them.
This book felt so personal to me. Well, Gage did. I’ve never had a character whose journey in addiction and recovery resonated with me as much as his. I don’t have enough good words to say about how powerful his HOPEFULNESS and DETERMINATION to maintain his sobriety were. Even on the worst days. Thank you for sharing him with me 😭
Sweet, neurotic, rambling Alexei. Gah this boy was EVERYTHING. And exactly what Gage needed. His random spiels had me cackling. And the level of support and understanding, and even tough love, that he showed Gage was beautiful to see.
This book and these characters have so quickly become new favorites of mine. I’m sorry I’m lacking in quotes, but I was so absorbed in their story that I just forgot. I will get them on my reread 😂
I have to mention how much I love Alexei’s and Nathan’s relationship! And Nathan’s relationship/sponsorship with Gage! Also, Gage’s Mom and brothers 🥹 his quilting ladies, the Portuguese neighbors, the whole found family.
I’m sorry this is all a bit chaotic. I gave myself a few days but I’m still all over the place and in my feelings about this beautiful book. So I’m done for now. Go grab this book! I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Read if you like
🩵 boys who ramble
☕️ the hopeful side of recovery
🩵 moving back home
☕️ opposites attract
🩵 neurotic rambler & artsy neurodivergent
☕️ awesome mom
🩵 awkward and sturdy dad
☕️ fried meats are our friends
🩵 Alexei has an iron will
☕️ Gage does not
🩵 cool neighbors
☕️ soulmateship
🩵 blunt talkers and sarcasm
This book felt so personal to me. Well, Gage did. I’ve never had a character whose journey in addiction and recovery resonated with me as much as his. I don’t have enough good words to say about how powerful his HOPEFULNESS and DETERMINATION to maintain his sobriety were. Even on the worst days. Thank you for sharing him with me 😭
Sweet, neurotic, rambling Alexei. Gah this boy was EVERYTHING. And exactly what Gage needed. His random spiels had me cackling. And the level of support and understanding, and even tough love, that he showed Gage was beautiful to see.
This book and these characters have so quickly become new favorites of mine. I’m sorry I’m lacking in quotes, but I was so absorbed in their story that I just forgot. I will get them on my reread 😂
I have to mention how much I love Alexei’s and Nathan’s relationship! And Nathan’s relationship/sponsorship with Gage! Also, Gage’s Mom and brothers 🥹 his quilting ladies, the Portuguese neighbors, the whole found family.
I’m sorry this is all a bit chaotic. I gave myself a few days but I’m still all over the place and in my feelings about this beautiful book. So I’m done for now. Go grab this book! I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Read if you like
🩵 boys who ramble
☕️ the hopeful side of recovery
🩵 moving back home
☕️ opposites attract
🩵 neurotic rambler & artsy neurodivergent
☕️ awesome mom
🩵 awkward and sturdy dad
☕️ fried meats are our friends
🩵 Alexei has an iron will
☕️ Gage does not
🩵 cool neighbors
☕️ soulmateship
🩵 blunt talkers and sarcasm
August 23, 2024
How can you not believe in soulmates after reading this book?
I absolutely adored Gage and Alexei’s story. It is so much more than just a romance, this book is about finding yourself and fighting for yourself but mostly realising that you don’t have to fight alone.
Gage’s struggles broke me to pieces, it felt raw and real and hurt so much. I loved fighting with him and learning all the ways he can heal. And Alexei was perfectly weird, the type of character you can’t help but fall in love with from the start (just like Gage did).
I broke in tears at the “The End”, happy tears that prove just how much this book affected me.
I absolutely adored Gage and Alexei’s story. It is so much more than just a romance, this book is about finding yourself and fighting for yourself but mostly realising that you don’t have to fight alone.
Gage’s struggles broke me to pieces, it felt raw and real and hurt so much. I loved fighting with him and learning all the ways he can heal. And Alexei was perfectly weird, the type of character you can’t help but fall in love with from the start (just like Gage did).
I broke in tears at the “The End”, happy tears that prove just how much this book affected me.
August 26, 2024
OMG I LOVED IT!!
These weirdos are growing up on me for sure - I adore each of them, their uniqueness is something else. And this book - oh, the irony! - was so addictive! Loved all the therapy it contained, addiction exploration, and, most of all, the COMMUNICATION. It was on another level.
I giggled, I laughed, I even cried a little... Gah, Alexei and Gage are special for sure!
These weirdos are growing up on me for sure - I adore each of them, their uniqueness is something else. And this book - oh, the irony! - was so addictive! Loved all the therapy it contained, addiction exploration, and, most of all, the COMMUNICATION. It was on another level.
I giggled, I laughed, I even cried a little... Gah, Alexei and Gage are special for sure!
August 26, 2024
4.5 stars
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