REVIEW: Anything But Love by AE Jensen & Courtney W Dixon (The Cannon Beach Boys #2)

ANYTHING BUT LOVE

The Cannon Beach Boys - Book Two

by AE Jensen & Courtney W. Dixon

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Review

Terrific story. Emotional, poking at a bruise kind of story. An almost enemies to lovers romance. When Wes meets his hero, a competitive runner who disappeared for years, reappearing as a coach.

Jett is still raw from his lost career and the end of his relationship with his father. Clawing his way back to a life that feels like it’s functioning. Only to stumble upon Wes, a talkative, effusive fan.

They feel a bit like oil and water, but they can’t stay away. And even though Jett keeps trying to reinforce his walls, Wes is persistent, and waits him out.

Lots of great character development, and two men who feel real and raw.

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Synopsis

Let me in… or walk away before you ruin me.

Wes

I’ve spent my life chasing a good time; no strings, no complications, and no heartbreak. Now that I have a stable job as a physical therapist at the university, I’m ready to look for a deeper connection. Then in walks Jared “Jett” Cordier; former Olympic golden boy, track legend… and the guy I used to watch like he was untouchable. Turns out, he’s closed off, broody, and about as welcoming as a slammed door.

But somewhere between late nights and arguments that burn a little too hot, something shifts and lines blur. One heated moment turns into another, and suddenly we’re involved in something that looks a lot like friends-with-benefits. It’s supposed to stay easy, but nothing about Jett feels casual.

Jett

I had everything once. Then I lost it all—my athletic career, my relationship, my dad.

Starting over as an assistant coach is my do-over. It’s supposed to be simple: keep my head down and do my job. Then comes Wes; too loud, too charming… too much. I’m trying desperately not to be sucked in and to keep him at arm’s length. But in the end, I let him in just enough to get a taste and forget what it feels like to be falling apart.

The more time I spend with Wes, the harder it is to pretend this is nothing. I can feel my walls crumbling, and I’m afraid. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to risk everything again.

Anything But Love is a high-heat MM, opposites attract, friends-with-benefits, hurt/comfort romance. Get ready for an emotional ride when a notorious playboy collides with his guarded hero and has to decide if love is worth the risk.

About AE Jensen

A.E. Jensen is an avid devourer of everything MM romance. She’s a 100% ally of the LGBTQA+ community. Also an active bookstagrammar on instagram (@anjalovesbooks), she loves posting about her favorite books and authors and share book recommendations with her friends.

She has recently taken the dive into the deep end and is publishing her first novel Home, Then shortly. She loves her boys & men broken and flawed which makes it all the sweeter when they get a second chance at life & love.

When she’s not reading, writing or posting, she is to be found at home in Denmark with her hubby, kids and a small gang of animals.

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About Courtney W. Dixon

Courtney W. Dixon loves to write erotic romance. She writes both m/f and m/m stories all in one series to add a variety to her characters. Though there are erotic elements to her stories, they are rich with relationship growth. Even those enemies to lovers, a favorite of hers. Her characters are filled with deep POVs with trouble pasts, full of depth and emotion. She tries to give them complexity and growth as their stories move. And her favorite is to break her main characters down to lift them back up in order to give them their HEA's.

Courtney is also a mixed media artist who's primarily been focused on writing lately. You can find her working in Central Texas with her husband, two boys and two crazy dogs, none of whom know how to knock on a door while she's working.

Where to find them: