4.5 stars. It's not often - in fact, it's incredibly rare - for a book to make my heart ache. Especially when it makes my heart ache as often as it ma4.5 stars. It's not often - in fact, it's incredibly rare - for a book to make my heart ache. Especially when it makes my heart ache as often as it makes me smile. One of those ridiculous, dopey, "please don't let anyone come into the room right now" smiles.
Anyway, this was one of those books. It has flaws, and it won't work for everyone. But for me? It was pretty close to perfect. Gavin's summarization of his first encounter with Oliver's family is an apt description of the characters, and their love story, and the book itself: intense, sweet, funny, weird.
And look, Roy Kent is one of my *favorite* TV boyfriends so I'm simply incapable of being unbiased here ...more
Very cute. Not as silly as other Eden Finley stories that I've read. But truthfully, the silliness doesn't bother me as long as it's not ov3.5 stars.
Very cute. Not as silly as other Eden Finley stories that I've read. But truthfully, the silliness doesn't bother me as long as it's not overdone and includes heat and angst, which Finley's stories typically do. Bonus points, as always, for two sexy athletes satisfying my current sports romance obsession preference!...more
Having read, and quite enjoyed, Lauren Blakely's and K.D. Casey's individually written m/m baseball romances, I naturally also enjoyed this 3.5 stars.
Having read, and quite enjoyed, Lauren Blakely's and K.D. Casey's individually written m/m baseball romances, I naturally also enjoyed this co-written novella. Buuut, I can't help but think that I would enjoy a co-written novel even more!
Dirty Steal begins lightly and rather cheekily, with two shortstops from opposing teams, Adam and Derek, indulging in a hook-up both steamy and promising. Timing is not on their side, however - at least not until Adam is traded to Derek's team. As the men become teammates and temporary roommates, their mutual attraction and connection tease and tempt.
There is a fine amount of substance for a short story: solid presence of the sport, appearances by intriguing teammates, Jewish representation through Adam, nicely increasing feels and even nicer steam. Alas, only so much can be done with limited pages. While I appreciated the story for what it was, I'm still rooting for a longer book from these two authors....more
3.5 stars. Despite being a pretty casual sports fan, I've gotten really into sports romance in recent months. And weirdly, stories in which the sport 3.5 stars. Despite being a pretty casual sports fan, I've gotten really into sports romance in recent months. And weirdly, stories in which the sport features prominently are my catnip. Reading sports romance for the sports when you're not a huge sports fan? Yes, totally weird!
Rookie Move was a fun, sexy, perfectly serviceable story. The sports aspect was not heavy, but it was visible enough. The tropes at play - a secret, forbidden relationship between hotshot football rookie, Garrett, and his older brother's best friend/team quarterback, Ramsey - are definitely not new. But since I'm pretty much in love with said tropes, no complaints here!
Still, I wanted something extra, both from the characters and their relationship. Ramsey and his evolving feelings were more fleshed out than Garrett, but so much of the story played out on the surface. As such, I missed the deeper pining, angst, and general emotional development.
Garrett's brother, Houston, was intriguing, and my curiosity for his story is piqued. Overall, an enjoyable start to the series....more
When I saw that Lauren Blakely wrote another m/m sports romance, I got a major case of grabby hands! The subgenre has been a consistent winner for me.When I saw that Lauren Blakely wrote another m/m sports romance, I got a major case of grabby hands! The subgenre has been a consistent winner for me. Moreover, as someone who is still new to Blakely's work, I find it reliably fun, sweet and sexy; stories that uplift, rather than exhaust. And, as I told a Goodsreads friend in a rant, I was particularly impressed after reading an interview in which Blakely discussed her father's story and her commitment to authenticity, including ensuring that she has gay men as beta readers (something that many other authors should consider, too).
Reminiscent of her Men of Summer baseball romance series, yet still distinct, The Boyfriend Comeback features a secret, forbidden romance between two quarterbacks, rookie Beck and five-year-veteran Jason. Since the men play for two different San Francisco-based teams, a natural rivalry exists, but it didn't feel insurmountable. The steam was on-point, the banter was fun, and the depictions of grief and anxiety rang true and poignant. Major props for once again having a MMC undergo therapy!
A few moments were cheesy, and I wanted a bit more angst (I'm admittedly glad that Blakely doesn't go overboard with angst, but a vengeful ex making a bit of trouble could be fun now and then). Really, my biggest complaint was that I sometimes needed a flowchart to understand the various relationships between main and side characters, and which characters and pairings already had or would be getting their own books. Fortunately, none of these characters' presence felt intrusive. Instead, I was intrigued and wanted to read more. But, as someone who prefers to read in order, I felt somewhat torn.
Overall, a promising start to a new m/m series!...more
Anne Boleyn's Ghost
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