Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway: TOTALLY GEEKED by Becca Jackson (Love in Play #2)

Totally Geeked
By Becca Jackson

Love In Play Series, Book 2

Harrison’s love life is a parade of fun, flirty encounters thanks to every dating app you can imagine, but nothing sticks. Finally, sick of the endless cycle of Friday night hookups, he hits uninstall on the apps and challenges the universe to show him that he deserves someone better.

What he didn’t expect was the universe throwing him a curveball in the form of his best friend’s younger brother. Despite being best friends with Gordon for years, he’s never actually met his siblings and even half-joked they didn’t exist.

But there they are, at a party at Gordon’s place, and one brother, Arlo, is seriously hard to ignore. He’s nothing like Gordon. Quiet, adorable, and totally off-limits… which sucks. But when Harrison spots an opportunity to help him steady his nerves on his children’s book tour, he jumps at the chance to get to know him better, because spending time with him feels like the most right thing he’s done in forever.

The more time they spend together, the less Harrison can imagine being with anyone else. But going after what he wants means betraying his best friend. Can he find the courage to catch life’s most unexpected pitches?

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Excerpt: When Harry met Arlo

While Noah was a ball of energy at the outset, Arlo clutches a book against his front with his casted hand like it could somehow create a barrier between him and everything else in the world. 

“I’m Harrison, but my friends call me Harry,” I say, and he turns toward me. His big gorgeous blue eyes lock on mine and my stomach does a weird spinny thing. I really should have eaten before I came. 

“Hi,” he almost whispers, pulling his hand free of his brother and using it to tuck his red hair behind his ears. He really doesn’t look much like Gordon at all, not like Noah. They both have the same flame red hair, sure. But Arlo’s is long, and hangs loosely around his face like a curtain he can hide behind, it contrasts beautifully with his porcelain skin and bright blue eyes and I find myself unable to look away.

Carra's Review

I just loved Arlo so much, he is my favorite type of character—one of those guys who are shy and reserved, so sweet and seemingly innocent…but then turn out to be such naughty ones in private once they find their person.  This is absolutely Arlo!

As for Harrison, he’s that player and hookup king who finally realizes he wants more.  He initially is just helping Arlo out getting to (and through) his first author signing, but that winds up turning into all of his author events, leading first to a great friendship and then eventually  to more.

These two are wonderful together, and once Arlo gets comfortable they get pretty spicy together as well.  I really enjoyed seeing him come out of his shell, and not just with Harrison.

This is considered a sports romance, with that sport being Banana Ball.  I’d never heard of this, so at first I thought it was something the author had made up.  There is not a lot of description of it in the book, though as the second book of the series I could have missed an explanation if it was given in book one.  Since I haven’t read the first book yet, I think this one would have benefited with a quick overview of exactly what Banana Ball is.

With a great cast of characters and plenty of opportunities for more books in the series, I’m looking forward to more of these characters getting their own happily-ever-afters.  Totally Geeked was a solid 4-star read for me, and is a story I’d recommend to any M/M romance fan.  There’s not a heavy emphasis on the sports aspect, things are more relationship-centered, so even if you’re not a sports person you’ll still enjoy Arlo and Harrison’s tale.  This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Totally Geeked, Becca is giving away a $20 Amazon Voucher!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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About the Author

Becca Jackson writes MM romance that delivers heart, heat, and happily ever afters for some totally adorkable and fabulous guys.

Becca’s books have all your favorites, small-town romances, bi-awakenings, sports, friends to lovers, and enemies to lovers too, but no matter the trope that takes your fancy, you’ll always find a happily ever after.

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New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: TOTALLY GEEKED by Becca Jackson (Love In Play #2)

Totally Geeked
By Becca Jackson

Love In Play Series, Book 2

Harrison’s love life is a parade of fun, flirty encounters thanks to every dating app you can imagine, but nothing sticks. Finally, sick of the endless cycle of Friday night hookups, he hits uninstall on the apps and challenges the universe to show him that he deserves someone better.

What he didn’t expect was the universe throwing him a curveball in the form of his best friend’s younger brother. Despite being best friends with Gordon for years, he’s never actually met his siblings and even half-joked they didn’t exist.

But there they are, at a party at Gordon’s place, and one brother, Arlo, is seriously hard to ignore. He’s nothing like Gordon. Quiet, adorable, and totally off-limits… which sucks. But when Harrison spots an opportunity to help him steady his nerves on his children’s book tour, he jumps at the chance to get to know him better, because spending time with him feels like the most right thing he’s done in forever.

The more time they spend together, the less Harrison can imagine being with anyone else. But going after what he wants means betraying his best friend. Can he find the courage to catch life’s most unexpected pitches?

Universal Link

Add to Goodreads

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Excerpt: When Harry met Arlo

While Noah was a ball of energy at the outset, Arlo clutches a book against his front with his casted hand like it could somehow create a barrier between him and everything else in the world. 

“I’m Harrison, but my friends call me Harry,” I say, and he turns toward me. His big gorgeous blue eyes lock on mine and my stomach does a weird spinny thing. I really should have eaten before I came. 

“Hi,” he almost whispers, pulling his hand free of his brother and using it to tuck his red hair behind his ears. He really doesn’t look much like Gordon at all, not like Noah. They both have the same flame red hair, sure. But Arlo’s is long, and hangs loosely around his face like a curtain he can hide behind, it contrasts beautifully with his porcelain skin and bright blue eyes and I find myself unable to look away.

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Totally Geeked, Becca is giving away a $20 Amazon Voucher!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

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About the Author

Becca Jackson writes MM romance that delivers heart, heat, and happily ever afters for some totally adorkable and fabulous guys.

Becca’s books have all your favorites, small-town romances, bi-awakenings, sports, friends to lovers, and enemies to lovers too, but no matter the trope that takes your fancy, you’ll always find a happily ever after.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: TOTALLY GEEKED by Becca Jackson (Love In Play #2)

Totally Geeked
By Becca Jackson

Coming May 29th

Love In Play Series, Book 2

Harrison’s love life is a parade of fun, flirty encounters thanks to every dating app you can imagine, but nothing sticks. Finally, sick of the endless cycle of Friday night hookups, he hits uninstall on the apps and challenges the universe to show him that he deserves someone better.

What he didn’t expect was the universe throwing him a curveball in the form of his best friend’s younger brother. Despite being best friends with Gordon for years, he’s never actually met his siblings and even half-joked they didn’t exist.

But there they are, at a party at Gordon’s place, and one brother, Arlo, is seriously hard to ignore. He’s nothing like Gordon. Quiet, adorable, and totally off-limits… which sucks. But when Harrison spots an opportunity to help him steady his nerves on his children’s book tour, he jumps at the chance to get to know him better, because spending time with him feels like the most right thing he’s done in forever.

The more time they spend together, the less Harrison can imagine being with anyone else. But going after what he wants means betraying his best friend. Can he find the courage to catch life’s most unexpected pitches?

Pre-Order Universal Link

Add to Goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the cover reveal of Totally Geeked, we are giving away 2 advanced e-copies of the upcoming release!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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About the Author

Becca Jackson writes MM romance that delivers heart, heat, and happily ever afters for some totally adorkable and fabulous guys.

Becca’s books have all your favorites, small-town romances, bi-awakenings, sports, friends to lovers, and enemies to lovers too, but no matter the trope that takes your fancy, you’ll always find a happily ever after.

Instagram - TikTok - Facebook - Facebook Group - Website - Reader Group/Newsletter

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New Release-Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway: BAD AT BEING GOOD by A.L. Morrow

Bad at Being Good

by A.L. Morrow

Publisher: SourGirl Books

Cover Artist: Morningstar Ashley Designs

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Genre: Contemporary M/M romance, new adult

Tropes: brother’s best friend, friends to lovers, first love, bad boy

Themes: coping with grief, forgiveness, hurt/comfort, found family

Heat Rating: 4 flames  

Length:  73 000 words

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads  |  BookBub

Available on Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, B&N, and Smashwords

Universal Buy Link

No one is good all of the time. Especially me.

Blurb

Six years ago, I promised my friend Kellan that I’d never mess around with his little brother. I accepted it. I didn’t regret it, and I didn’t think twice about it. Milo Sterling—the good student, perfect son, and promising dancer—was off limits.

But that was before.

Before we went away to college. Before Kellan died. Before I flunked out of school.

Now, I’m back home, and Milo’s different. He’s quieter and colder, no longer a boy but a man. And that hurt in his eyes? I put it there the night I failed to save Kellan. I have a lot to make up for. Falling for Milo, no matter how much I want him, would be one more thing to add to my list.

But promises are meant to be broken, and if there’s one thing I’m bad at, it’s being good.

Bad at Being Good is a best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend (dual POV) M/M romance featuring hurt/comfort, found family, coping with grief, and—of course—a happily ever after. Readers are advised to check the Author’s Note for content sensitivities.

Excerpt 

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

I ignore the next person who tries to talk to me, exactly like I did the last. Dad’s eyes bore into me. When there’s a break in the people approaching, he steps closer and leans over my shoulder.

“Milo, stand up,” he scolds. “These people are here to support us. Snubbing them is rude.”

Mom comes between us immediately. She places her hand on Dad’s arm, but her gaze is warm when it turns toward me. “David, leave him alone. He’s going through enough right now. He shouldn’t have to worry about other people, too.”

At least Mom gets it.

Dad frowns but stands straight again. Sighing, he looks out across the church.

Then, he scowls.

“I can’t believe that piece of sh*t showed up.”

I glance over my shoulder in the direction of his stare, and I see him.

“Benji?” I whisper.

Our eyes lock, and I can barely breathe.

He came. I texted him the other night to make sure he knew about the arrangements, but he never replied. Still, he’s here, standing way in the back where people light votive candles. His hands are shoved in his pockets. He’s dressed in black. And although he’ll always be my idea of gorgeous, right now he looks like hell. Gauze is stuffed up his nostrils, and a bandage covers his nose. His bottom lip is split, and he’s got stitches by his hairline and bruises on his cheeks. My dad really did a number on him.

“How did he even find out about the service?” Dad grumbles.

Because I told him. I knew you wouldn’t, so I did.

“David, let it go. He was Kellan’s best friend. He has every right to be here.” Mom hooks her arm through Dad’s and takes his hand, holding him back before we have a repeat performance of their fight in the ER.

But she doesn’t stop me.

I’m on my feet, making my way to the back of the church before the next note on the organ plays. Unfortunately, Benji moves just as quickly. He beelines toward the door, knowing he’s been spotted.

“Benji, wait!” I call.

Dad’s voice echoes behind me. “Milo, get back here. They’re about to start. Milo!”

F*ck that. Kellan would want Benji to feel welcome. He’d want him to know he doesn’t blame him for what happened. He’d want him to be all right.

And you know what? I want that, too.

I move faster, jogging down the aisle, taking off after him, but he has too much of a head start. The door to the church swings open. He almost knocks over one of Kellan’s former coaches, but he doesn’t excuse himself or stop.

“Benji!”

I know he can hear me. I know he saw me. If only he would hold still for a second and give me a chance to explain, to apologize for my dad …

I follow him through the front door and make it down the front steps of the church in time to watch his Range Rover pull out of the parking lot.

“Benji …”

No, he can’t go. He can’t leave me here. I have too much to say.

He needs to know it’s not his fault.

He needs to know I love him—that I’m in love with him.

But he’s gone.

Carra's Review

These poor characters have been through a horrible tragedy. They are still grieving, but both have endured, though each at a cost. There are a lot of emotions to unpack here, and much of the story is serious with each of them still dealing with the fallout of what happened. But there are also bright spots as they work through things, and a touch of snark with Milo’s best friend.

Milo is at the end of high school (note—he is 18, so technically an adult), ready to move on and hopefully continue his dance career. His father is not a fan of that idea though, and there is friction between them on this topic. Milo has been into Benji for a long time, though as the best friend of Milo’s older brother Kellan, Benji had promised to stay away and not start anything with him.

Benji is really not as bad as you might think. Sure, he got up to the usual antics guys get up to as they’re growing up…but once his best friend Kellan dies he does become a bit self-destructive. He blames himself, and it doesn’t help that Milo and Kellan’s father blames him as well. When he comes back home, Milo’s presence seems to settle him, though Benji still has his moments. He also has his own issues at home with his mother, but it’s good to see how much he cares for her.

There’s plenty for them both to work through, and some frustrating—and later surprising—interactions with Milo’s father. I’d say this is is medium angst, but in the end I was very satisfied with how everything worked out. There was consistent casual use of marijuana, which is entirely not my thing, and I felt like it was a crutch that Benji was relying on, though I understand other readers will not have an issue with it.

Bad at Being Good was a solid 4-star read for me, and I’d recommend it for any M/M romance fans, especially if you like the best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend trope. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language, casual drug use (marijuana), and sexual content.

About the Author 

USA Today bestselling author A.L. Morrow enjoys dreaming up steamy scenes and spectacular settings—often along with a touch of magic or myth. She believes that love is love and likes reading and writing various genres of romance.

In her downtime (what’s that?), A finds delight in scouring for secondhand designer fashions. She briefly lived in a haunted mansion, once took a flight to visit Scotland for a day, and is prone to meeting minor celebrities in random hotel elevators. She resides in the eastern US.

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New Release-Review & Excerpt: TAKE THE PLUNGE by Colette Davison - Includes Giveaway!

Take the Plunge

Author and Publisher: Colette Davison

Cover Artist: Morningstar Ashley Designs

Release Date: June 22, 2023

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Forced proximity, best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend, friends to lovers, bisexual exploration

Themes: Learning to trust

Heat Rating:  3.5 - 4 flames

Length: 65 000 words

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

One weekend could lead to forever if Jett can take the plunge.

Blurb

Jett didn’t expect to spend the weekend trapped in a remote holiday house with his best friend’s brother. As they try to pass the time, Kian’s bright enthusiasm starts to break through Jett’s gruff defences. When Kian offers to help Jett explore his desires with no strings attached, everything changes.

Fooling around when your heart isn’t on the line is one thing, but when the weekend ends, neither man wants their casual arrangement to end. Past betrayal has made Jett wary of trusting anyone, but even though Kian’s patience seems to be never-ending, Jett knows it’s only a matter of time before ‘no strings’ turns into ‘goodbye’.

Can Jett look past his fear and make the man who’s claimed his heart his?

Take the Plunge is a standalone contemporary M/M romance where a jaded man with a permanent storm cloud over his head falls for a sunshiny optimist. There’s forced proximity, an interfering best friend, swoony moonlight swimming, bi-sexual exploration, and lots of first times.

Excerpt

My head is f*cking killing me. My mouth feels like it’s been stuffed full of mothballs. I’m lying on my right side, and that arm is numb. A click echoes through the house. Was that someone closing a door? I wipe my left hand over my face and open my eyes. It’s too dark to see anything.

What the f*ck happened last night?

Something whines. Door hinges?

Oh, right. I’m at Rufus’s holiday home in the middle of nowhere. Okay, so it’s not actually his. The house belongs to his granddad, but Rufus is allowed to use it when his granddad isn’t here fishing. The front door hinges have needed oiling for as long as I’ve been coming up here with Rufus and his family.

When we were kids, his family invited me here for a week every summer. Rufus, his younger brother, Kian, and I would go wandering for hours, exploring the woods, chasing each other through meadows of long grass and flowers, and sitting by the lake with our legs dangling in the water. I have lots of good memories of this tiny corner of Scotland.

But reminiscing won’t solve the mystery of my aching head.

The door closes. It’s either the middle of the night or so early the sun hasn’t come up yet, so I’m unsure who’s going where.

I, Rufus, Kian, and some of our friends are here for a weekend of drinking and lazing around. Well, they can laze around. I have work to do as soon as I find some paracetamol and a gallon of water to shift this headache.

A car engine turns on. What the f*ck? Tyres crunch over gravel, and then it gets quieter. I try to turn towards the window, but something pulls against my right wrist. Someone groans. I try to move my arm again. Clink. Rattle. Something hard but also soft circles my wrist. What. The. Actual. F*ck?

I twist and flail around, groping for a lamp or a light switch. My neck clicks, and my back aches with the effort. Another groan, a little louder than before. I skid my fingers over a piece of paper before finding a bedside lamp. I flick it on. A golden glow fills the room, and I shut my eyes against the harsh light.

Another groan. “Well, that’s bright.”

Hold up. I recognise that voice.

My right wrist is tugged to the side. Clink.

“Huh,” the voice says.

I rub my eyes and prie them open. I’m lying face-to-face with Kian. Our right hands lie on the pillow between us. Pink fur circles our wrists.

“Huh,” Kian repeats. He lifts his wrist, pulling mine with him. “This must be someone’s idea of a joke.” He kneads his forehead with his fingertips. “So this is what a hangover feels like. I don’t recommend it.”

“Too late.”

“That sucks for us both.” He yawns and closes his eyes.

“Who the f*ck would do this?”

Kian shrugs. “Probably Rufus. He never matured past sixteen.”

I sit, dragging Kian upright with me. “Where’s the key?”

Kian tugs me down again. “We can look for it after we’ve slept off these hangovers. Rufus will have it.”

I grunt. “I don’t want to go back to sleep. I want to get these damn things off. What the f*ck are they anyway?”

“Handcuffs.”

“I can see that.”

“Why’d you ask, then?”

“Why are they pink? And furry?”

Carra's Review

Sweet yet incredibly hot and sexy, this is a story of exploration and self-discovery for Jett.  I love that it is best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend, it’s always one of my favorite setups.  With how the two of them wound up stranded together, it also took some concern away as I knew I didn’t have to worry about the meddling brother/best friend having an issue with them.

Jett actually handled his newfound attraction for Kian quite well given that he’d only ever been with women previously.  My concern was more for Kian since he was the one whose heart was really laid bare, even if Jett wasn’t aware of that fact.  The one thing that was glaringly obvious about their arrangement?  The two of them together physically were scorching hot.  There’s no lack of chemistry here, in fact you’ll see just the opposite.

Even with Kian’s concern that Jett would likely walk away in the end, the angst level wasn’t that high relatively speaking (or it didn’t seem so to me, and I’m not a fan of a lot of angst).  Plus both had great support from friends and family, so that was one less thing to have hanging over their heads.

I thought this story was a great read and it’s getting 4.5 stars from me.  I’d absolutely recommend this to any M/M romance fan, even more so if this particular trope is your jam.  This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

About the Author

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

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New Release-Review & Excerpt: THE STAR by Beth Bolden (Charleston Condors #1)

The Star

(Charleston Condors Book 1)

Author and Publisher: Beth Bolden

Cover Artist: The Book Brander Boutique

Release Date: June 7, 2023

Genre: Contemporary MM sports romance

Tropes: Best friend’s little brother, bisexual awakening, roommates-to-lovers

Themes: Unconditional support, brotherly/familial love, team-as-found-family

Heat Rating:  4 flames    

Length: 107 000 words

It is the first book in a new series, which is a spinoff of the Miami Piranhas, but reading those is not necessary before starting this series.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Blurb

Tight end Landry Banks knows the score when he signs with the Charleston Condors in a rebuilding year.

New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.

But one rule hasn’t changed: Don’t hook up with your best friend’s little brother.

Rookie quarterback Riley Flynn knows what it takes to make it in the NFL. He’s in Charleston to prove himself—to the world and to his teammates, but mostly to his older brother, who’s never believed he could be a star.

The last thing he expects is for his brother’s best friend Landry to welcome him with open arms and an offer to become roommates.

Riley’s always believed Landry was straight—but the way Landry keeps checking him out leaves him suddenly unsure. And Landry’s hot looks certainly don’t help squash the crush he’s always had on his brother’s best friend.

Revisiting his teenage crush isn't part of the plan. But as he and Landry fall into a rhythm of thrilling plays on the field and sizzling tension off it, there's no denying their connection.
 
Riley isn’t willing to trade becoming the next big NFL superstar for love. But with a man like Landry Banks waiting to catch anything he throws at him, maybe he can have both.

Excerpt

“How many years do you and Aidan have between you?” Landry answered Riley’s question by asking one of his own.

Riley leaned against the counter, clearly at home with a knife in his hand. Even a big shiny chef’s knife. If Landry tried to use that, he’d probably accidentally cut off a finger. At the very least, an emergency room trip would’ve been in his future. But not Riley. And more than anything else, that confirmed what Riley had just claimed.

They didn’t know each other very well, despite the fact Aidan had been his best friend forever.

“Almost eight years,” Riley said. “So yeah, when I wasn’t the annoying little brother anymore, you guys were gone and busy with your own lives. I get it.” He shot Landry a look. Were his eyes full of heat, or was that just Landry’s currently overactive imagination? “I guess we’re gonna be making up for lost time now.”

Landry swallowed hard. “Guess we are.”

“Don’t sound like I’m gonna march you down to the cliff and push you right off,” Riley said, laughing. “I promise it won’t hurt too much to get to know me.”

Oh, it wouldn’t hurt at all.

What was going to hurt the most was keeping his hands off.

“Is that what all the boys say to you?” Landry teased before he could reel the words back.

Riley fluttered his eyelashes. God, he was temptation incarnate. “The girls, too. I don’t discriminate, baby.”

“Right.” Landry wanted to say, me too, as long as the guys look like you, but he didn’t because what if this wasn’t what this was? What if he was wrong?

Then there was the fact he knew enough about coming out that it wasn’t necessarily right to do it just because he enjoyed flirting so much with Riley—and wanted him to keep doing it.

“Though,” Riley said, shooting him another look from underneath those killer lashes, “I do tend to prefer the boys, so you’re not entirely wrong.”

Landry swallowed hard. “Is that…is that a thing? Can that be a thing? A preference even if you’re bisexual?”

“Of course it can. Sexuality is a pretty fluid thing when it comes down to it. Surely I don’t have to tell you that.” Riley had gone back to chopping lettuce, like their conversation wasn’t sending shockwaves through Landry.

He means: surely, your brothers explained that to you. Not that you personally are…well…fluid.

But maybe he was. More than he’d ever imagined he was.

“Logan and Levi are less on the fluid side of things,” Landry explained.

“Ah yes, your brothers. The ones who would’ve apparently found me irresistible.” Riley grinned.

They wouldn’t be the only ones.

Landry flushed. The way Riley was looking at him with those gorgeous eyes, like he could see right through him, down to the place where he was questioning everything, and unlike Landry, it was like he knew exactly what all this meant.

Even if he couldn’t possibly.

“Don’t tell me that isn’t normal for you,” Landry said, trying to equal Riley’s casual approach to the subject of just how fucking hot he was.

But Riley just shrugged. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t love it if, every once in a while, people saw you as more than a pair of pecs and a head of blond hair? I kinda liked it better when I was that scrawny kid nobody paid attention to.”

Even if Landry ignored how he looked, giving his looks the barest attention in the mirror every morning, he knew people still watched him. Approached him. Felt like they deserved a piece of him.

“Yeah, I get that,” Landry said quietly.

Now, suddenly, it was hard to see Riley as just his abs and his biceps and those dreamy eyes.

Carra's Review

If there is one thing I’ve come to expect from this author, it’s a sold sports romance story told with just the right balance of sports and love.  Here in The Star, I get the added bonus of best friend’s brother, plus friends-to-lovers, plus a bisexual awakening as well—so all around I was really enjoying myself.

It’s sometimes hard to get out of an older sibling’s shadow, especially when they’re a huge sports star.  Riley finally gets his own chance to shine when he’s signed by the Condors…the fact that he’ll now be playing on the same team as his teenage crush?  That’s not a distraction at all.  No, really—he’s actually very focused on succeeding as the starting quarterback.  Just so happens he’s good enough to also up his flirting game while staying with said crush, who is also his brother’s best friend.

Landry…yeah, he’s never questioned his sexuality before; never had any reason to do so.  But then his best friend’s all-grown-up little brother sparks an interest, and well…you know how these things go, right?  Things progress quickly, but still with a natural feel and Landry is remarkably self-aware and able to easily process his feelings.  

This means for the most part the angst level of this story is relatively low, with a small buildup of anxiety at the anticipation of how Riley’s brother will react—which oh, by-the-way gets coupled with their teams playing each other (I love matchups like this!).  The cast of supporting characters is pretty strong, and very accepting of Landry and Riley’s relationship.  Like this author’s previous sports romance series, there is an LGBT+ acceptance among the majority of characters which might not necessarily match what conventional wisdom would have you believe is reality in professional sports, but honestly it makes for a less stressful read for me.  

And just to keep you on your toes, there’s an unexpected bit of a dramatic twist thrown in involving one of their teammates that I didn’t see coming.  Not sure if it will figure into any other stories down the road, but it was one of those *gasp* moments of “OMG, no he didn’t!”.

The Star was a great start to another promising M/M sports romance series, and was a 4.5-star read for me.  Landry and Riley make a great couple (and a HOT one too!), and there are several supporting characters with plenty of potential for their own stories to come…I can’t wait for more!

About the Author 

A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She has published over forty novels and novellas.

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