His Favorite Player (Portland Piranhas #1) by Alie Nolan

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Blurb

Ryan has been living a lie his entire life in fear of losing his NFL career, because of who he is behind the lie. Football is all he’s ever wanted, the thing he loves most in the world—until he meets a gorgeous man in a bar, with bleached-blond hair, a sexy British accent, and a Piranhas hat, who changes everything.

Alec doesn’t understand American football—why would he? The cute stranger in the bar doesn’t need to know that though. What starts as a simple white lie about his favorite NFL player, turns into so much more.

Living in a new city, thousands of miles from his home town, the last thing Alec expects is to be swept up into a secret romance with one of the Portland Piranhas’ biggest stars, but is falling in love enough for Ryan to risk losing his career by coming out? Is it enough for Alec to go back in the closet until Ryan retires?

His Favorite Player is a 43K word MM romance that includes nosy families, food fights, and secret relationships.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦. Ryan has been living a lie his entire life in fear of losing his NFL career, because of who he is behind the lie. Football is all he’s ever wanted, the thing he loves most in the world—until he meets a gorgeous man in a bar, with bleached-blond hair, a sexy British accent, and a Piranhas hat, who changes everything.

Alec doesn’t understand American football—why would he? The cute stranger in the bar doesn’t need to know that though. What starts as a simple white lie about his favorite NFL player, turns into so much more.

Living in a new city, thousands of miles from his home town, the last thing Alec expects is to be swept up into a secret romance with one of the Portland Piranhas’ biggest stars, but is falling in love enough for Ryan to risk losing his career by coming out? Is it enough for Alec to go back in the closet until Ryan retires?

His Favorite Player is a 43K word MM romance that includes nosy families, food fights, and secret relationships.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦.

Ryan has been living a lie his entire life in fear of losing his NFL career, because of who he is behind the lie. Football is all he’s ever wanted, the thing he loves most in the world—until he meets a gorgeous man in a bar, with bleached-blond hair, a sexy British accent, and a Piranhas hat, who changes everything.

Alec doesn’t understand American football—why would he? The cute stranger in the bar doesn’t need to know that though. What starts as a simple white lie about his favorite NFL player, turns into so much more.

Living in a new city, thousands of miles from his home town, the last thing Alec expects is to be swept up into a secret romance with one of the Portland Piranhas’ biggest stars, but is falling in love enough for Ryan to risk losing his career by coming out? Is it enough for Alec to go back in the closet until Ryan retires?

This is the first book in the Portland Piranhas series, but can be read as a standalone.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

I was so damn excited about this Portland Piranhas series by Alie Nolan. The first book, His Favorite Player, hooked me from the start and I couldn't put it down. 

It has athletes, regular folk, and just a small amount of sports moments. I love it. Absolutely love it. 

It starts in a fun way, as Alec doesn't know who Ryan is when they meet. Ryan's a closeted NFL player who's too afraid to ever even hook up, but he's super intrigued by the makeup wearing Alec. 

The tale is full of romance, as Ryan struggles with his fear of coming out. It's definitely full of some heat and spice, as the two start getting involved. They are wonderful together, naturally fitting into one another's lives, and the sex just makes it better. 

One of my favorite storylines is that of a closeted athlete struggling with coming out. This book is just that. There's angst, but it's only a little. I never felt heartbroken by their struggles, but I was definitely rivited by them. 
The writing is fantastic, as the author manages to capture the readers' attention despite it being a shorter story with only a little character development. That slight development is more than enough to please the reader, keeping them invested in the relationship. Told in alternating 1st person pov, I was hooked. 

I can't recommend His Favorite Player enough. It's perfect when you're in the mood for a fun, fast-paced sports romance. And now I am super excited to read about more of the team's players!

Break Through by CF Whitie

Amazon

Break Through is a follow up to Kick Off, in The District Line series.

At the end of Kick Off, Jay and Seb have one last night together. Jay and Seb are now living in different countries. Both men are still thinking of each other as the one that got away and unable to move on with their lives.

When Jay does manage to visit Seb at his NY office, they have a wonderful night together. But Jay leaves the next morning. Again. The same as he did at the end of Kick Off. Seb realizes that he needs to fight for Jay. He wants a relationship with Jay. If he can just convince Jay, they can figure out the logistics later.

Jay is still in the closet, unable to come out to the soccer world. And Seb has been working for his father, thinking he has no choice. They each will need to make sacrifices if they want to be together.

Break Through is a wonderful follow up to Kick Off. I was upset with the ending of Kick Off. But this follow-up makes the whole story so endearing. I love watching Jay and Seb fight for the man they love. I found that both men were well written and compliment each other well.

Kick Off by CF White

Amazon

Blurb:

What happens when opposite sides of the track collide?

East Londoner Jay Ruttman has only ever wanted one thing― to be a professional footballer. But after a disastrous brawl on the pitch gets him released from his pro-Academy, he has to follow plan B and enrolls as university Sports Scholar. Head down, train hard and get scouted is his motto. Until he crashes into the man who might just shoot his dreams out of the park.

Kensington elite Sebastian (Seb) Saunders has only ever wanted one thing―to be a rock star. But his father has other plans for him, including taking the helm of his multimillion-pound new business venture across the pond. Live it up, chase the dream and rock out for as long as he can is his mantra. Until he crashes into the man who might just rock his world off its scale.

Jay and Seb live at opposite ends of London’s District Line, separated by wealth, status, family traditions and their own life-long dreams. This startling and gritty contemporary romance series sees them both having to overcome barriers, face fears and beat rejection to fight for the love they need to achieve it all.

NOTE: This is a revised edition of the previously self-published The District Line by C F White in 2016. This version has gone through major edits, including character name changes and new chapters, yet the overall story remains the same.



REVIEW:

Kick Off left me so sad, and angry with the ending. Until I realized that the story continues in the next  book, The Break Through. 

By itself, Kick Off is a really good book, with a sad ending. I like Jay and Seb. They are not a likely match, but they are good together. They have a  lot of issues to get through if they want to stay together. 

This book contains a whole lot of ongoing issues. The struggle to be openly gay in a macho sport. Trying to live your life on your own terms instead of your parent's terms. And intense pressure from your parents.

Jay is planning on going to school while trying to get another chance at playing professional football. Seb is trying to make a name for his band.  When they meet, both men suddenly have to make room in their lives for something else, romance. And decision need to be made - chase your dream, or chase love. 

Overall, Kick Off is a great book. It left me raw and gutted. I experienced a whole range of emotions while reading it. What makes a book good v/s great? Does a book need a happy ending to be great? Probably not. And this book does what a great book should do - takes you on a journey, makes you understand why the characters are making the choices that they are making, and having you feel every emotion that they are feeling. We might be left unhappy in the end, but that is life. But, along the way, this book gripped me and played with my heart-strings. 

That said, there is a Book two, The Break Through, so all will be redeemed. I repeat, their story does not end in this book.  And for that, I am thrilled.

If you haven't read Kick Off yet, check it out!

Scar by Baylin Crow

Amazon

Blurb:

A closed-off bartender. An outgoing college athlete. Sparks fly...but will anyone win this battle of wills?BEARD: Oh, I want him. But it's too risky.

My past isn't pretty. After a disastrous incident nearly destroyed me, I rose from the ashes to reclaim my life. I may not be happy, but I'm comfortable. And I'll never let anyone get close enough to hurt me again. But then six feet of pure temptation walks through the doors of my bar...repeatedly...for a year. I've done a good job of ignoring the sexy college soccer player, until the night his teammates leave him stranded and intoxicated, forcing me to offer him shelter. Now I can't shake the persistent man.

SOCCER: I play to win. But he's more than a game.

As a forward, it's my job to score points. Too bad I haven't been able to do that with the local green-eyed bartender. I haven't been subtle about my attraction, and Beard's interest shines through his gruff exterior...whether he chooses to admit it or not. When my well-meaning teammates intervene, using questionable tactics, and leave me at Beard's mercy, it's time to make my move.

When past hurts threaten to destroy their chance at happiness, is it time for Soccer to push forward to reach his ultimate goal...or has he made a play destined for mutual heartbreak?

This is a standalone novella.

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REVIEW:

I loved Scar!   What a wonderful story.  This is the second book by Baylin Crow, and if future books are as good as this, I will be thrilled!

Beard is working at his bar and hates when the college soccer team goes in.  Why?  Because of the hot player he calls Soccer. Beard is definitely attracted to him, but just can't take the risk.

Soccer cannot stop wanting Beard. When he teammates set him up to be left with Beard, Beard has no choice but to take care of him for the night. And they start talking more. Soccer can tell that Beard is attracted to him too. He just needs to break down his walls.

I love Beard. He is just such a great character. He moved to town to live with his grandfather after he was attacked for being gay. When his grandfather died, he left his bar to Beard. Beard is a hard-working, loving guy, who is unfortunately, scared to open himself up to love or taking the risk of being outed again. He is simply existing instead of living. 

And Soccer. I love Soccer. Just such an adorable guy. He has great friends, and is a great friend. He is caring, understanding, and won't take no for an answer. He falls in love with Beard and it's that love that brings Beard back to living.

Scar is a slow burn love story. And it is so well written. It has a broken character who finds true love despite his flaws. Watching Beard overcome his past and finally risking his heart again is beautiful. They are a very hot and passionate couple. It is also a story of creating your own family when your family cannot accept you as you are. Honestly, Beard's parents are just awful, despicable people.

One of my favorite things about Scar is that Baylin Crow uses the nicknames throughout the whole book. And, when their real names are mentioned at the end, it actually comes as a surprise. It is difficult to think of them as anything other than Beard and Soccer.

 Scar had me captured from the first chapter.  It is one that I just couldn't put down. I am thrilled to have discovered Baylin Crow and can't wait to see what she writes next!

Makeup Monday - Guyliner by J Leigh Bailey

Amazon

First of all, there's not much hotter than a guy in guyliner.  Add in that he's a soccer player?  Woo Hoo, holy hotness!

First we have Graham, who is a soccer player who wears eyeliner.
He is brave, strong and loyal.
He has gone through a lot but is determined to be true to himself.

And we have Connor, who is a baseball player, who happens to be struggling with his sexuality, as well as this father's expectations.

The relationship was very sweet.
When Connor first sees Graham and is attracted to him, he doesn't want to let himself be associated with Graham.   He can't handle people thinking he is gay by association.

It takes a while, but Connor starts to realize what his main priorities should be.  He has been so worried about coming out and what that would mean for his future.  The struggle and change in him are so real.

It is a very sweet coming of age story.  (If you are looking for graphic sex scenes, you have the wrong book.)  Two young many facing many of the challenges of being gay. You will see their struggles, their fear, and their courage along the way.  The story is honest and real and was very touching for me.