Matched By My Rival (Thrust Into Love #2) by D.J. Jamison

 

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Simon Prentiss: ex-football star, bitter rival, and...falling for the enemy?

I hate my teammate, Parker Reed.
I hate that he makes me work so hard for my position on the field.
Hate how he always smiles. How easily he shows me up when I'm injured.

Most of all, I hate that he made me lose my temper.

Next thing I know, football is gone.
My scholarship is gone.
I'm nearly gone, too.

With help, I manage to stay in school for my final semester.
At least without football, I can explore a new side to myself.
See where my attraction to guys takes me without fear of it affecting my future.

I didn't see it coming. The cosmic joke.
The sweet, patient guy on the hookup app?
The one who makes me burn with the desire to have him?

Yeah, it's Parker.

Our chemistry is off the charts, no matter how much I resent him.
Holding a grudge against him is impossible.
But when he wants to walk away from everything I lost, can I accept it?

If I don't, I'll lose him too--and that can't happen.
Because I don't hate Parker Reed.
I think I love him.

Matched By My Rival is an enemies-to-lovers, jock rivals romance. It's Book 2 of the Thrust Into Love series but can be read as a standalone.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Oh man, I love this book. DJ Jamison's Matched By My Rival is a wonderful sports romance. The second book in the Thrust Into Love series, it's easily read as a standalone. 

It has college athletes, which is my favorite thing. 

Simon and Parker are rivals, both on the field, and with a girl. Yikes. Great set up to the fun. 

They start chatting online, as Simon wants to explore his bisexual curiosity. Of course, he has no idea he's chatting with Parker.

The bisexual awakening is fabulous, with a lot of heartfelt moments. The closeted issue is great, as Simon is of course closeted, as most athletes are. 

The sex is super hot. Yes, no surprise there. But damn! These two are smoking as they explore first times and try not to get caught. 

I enjoy the overall theme of trying to decide how to move forward after one's life changes track. It's a tough pill for Spencer when he's kicked off the football team. I appreciate the way the author handles his emotions about this. 

And then there's Parker, who's deciding his future as well. He hates that he has to be closeted as a football player, but he knows he wants something else for himself. 

It's a wonderful reminder that one has to live their life for themselves. One has to do what's best for themselves, and not follow the pressure from others. 

Matched By My Rival is a riveting enemies to lovers romance. I absolutely loved every moment of this coming out, bisexual exploration tale by DJ Jamison. It's perfectly emotional, sweet, and sexy.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales

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Blurb

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless in this boy-meets-boy spin on Grease

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

“Only Mostly Devastated is the kind of book I wish existed when my kids were younger—a charming, funny, laugh-out-loud teen romance that reminds all readers love comes in a multitude of flavors, and they are ALL sweet.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times–bestselling author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light

“A delightful, heartwarming, heartrending story about family, love, friendship, and living your most authentic life. I couldn't put it down.” —New York Times–bestselling author Sandhya Menon

Will Tavares is the dream summer fling—he’s fun, affectionate, kind—but just when Ollie thinks he’s found his Happily Ever After, summer vacation ends and Will stops texting Ollie back. Now Ollie is one prince short of his fairytale ending, and to complicate the fairytale further, a family emergency sees Ollie uprooted and enrolled at a new school across the country. Which he minds a little less when he realizes it’s the same school Will goes to…except Ollie finds that the sweet, comfortably queer guy he knew from summer isn’t the same one attending Collinswood High. This Will is a class clown, closeted—and, to be honest, a bit of a jerk.

Ollie has no intention of pining after a guy who clearly isn’t ready for a relationship, especially since this new, bro-y jock version of Will seems to go from hot to cold every other week. But then Will starts “coincidentally” popping up in every area of Ollie’s life, from music class to the lunch table, and Ollie finds his resolve weakening.

The last time he gave Will his heart, Will handed it back to him trampled and battered. Ollie would have to be an idiot to trust him with it again.

Right? Right.

~~~
"Only Mostly Devastated [is] an instant hit and Sophie Gonzales one YA author to watch.” —Julia Lynn Rubin, author of Burro Hills

Review 

My Rating - 5+ Stars!

Only Mostly Devastated is a remarkable young adult romance. This Sophie Gonzales novel needs to be made into a movie. Now!

Will and Ollie are two boys who meet during the summer. In a surprise move, they are suddenly in school together come fall, setting them up for some intense and confusing feelings. 

Will's a closeted jock while Ollie is out and proud, making for a fantastic tale of a closeted teenager struggling with coming out while denying the boy who truly want to be with. 

There are many secondary characters who add immensely to the story. And oh lordy, the storyline about Ollie's aunt is devastating. Let's just say, if cancer is a trigger for you, avoid this one!

As for the writing, yes, it is great. The characters fully come to life, and the emotions jump off the pages. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Seriously, I cannot praise Only Mostly Devastated enough. If you are a fan of YA, this Sophie Gonzales novel is a must read! 

Completely Scared (DiverCity Book 2) by Kamisa Cole

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Blurb

As an up-and-coming football star and business major I don’t have time for girls. Even less do I have time to fantasize over my absolutely male roommate Cam.

Still, I find myself at DiverCity more often than not, studying at the bar just so I can maybe get a glimpse at the way he moves and smiles.
He’s so different here.
Free.
Handsome.
Tempting.

At home? That’s a whole different story.
Nightmares.
Fear.
Avoidance.
And I want to read every page, know every thing about him, so when I’m asked to help out the bar with some business advice? I’m right there no matter how much I don’t have the time, because the one thing I want more than a career is Cam...and now he’ll know that, too.

DiverCity—Seattle’s hottest bar—invites you to a place where love is love is love.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Kamisa Cole's Completely Scared, the second book in the DiverCity series, is a tough one for me to review. The writing isn't my favorite. I can't even figure out why; it just isn't. But I really enjoyed the story.

This is a roommates romance between River and Cam. River's a football player who can't help but to be attracted to his obviously gay roommate. And yes, this is the first guy he's been attracted to.

There's a lot of depth to this tale. It starts with a sexual assault scene, so be aware. It's not an explicit read, but it's a tough one. 

After that, River's sexual awakenness is wonderful. The author does a terrific job taking him through his feelings. River and Cam are super cute together, and make for a fun couple. There are lots of first times that are super sexy. The flirting and confusion makes for a good read. 

Overall, Completely Scared is a riveting book. Kamisa Cole's story development is good, and her characters even better. This story of deciding on one's future is well worth a read.

Beautiful Temptation (So This is Christmas #2) by Christina Lee

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Blurb

Blair Anderson only thinks of Caden Bell as his best friend’s younger brother, a straight-laced jock still dating his high-school sweetheart. They are as different as night and day. Caden has always considered Blair an enigma, the way he lights up every room with his self-confidence and perfectly sculpted cheekbones. But since childhood they’ve drifted worlds apart. Life as an international model isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, so when Blair escapes to his best friend’s beach house for some R&R, he’s shocked to discover Caden had the same idea. Apparently, he called it quits with his girlfriend and was looking for a little alone time too. Instead of rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets to stay, they decide to share the house and keep out of each other’s way. Easier said than done. As they reconnect, Blair is captivated by Caden’s bald honesty. And Caden realizes that Blair isn’t a mystery—he’s genuine and funny and still utterly gorgeous.

Seeing Blair in a new light short-circuits Caden’s brain, and before he knows it, he’s confiding in Blair about his bi-curiosity. Blair couldn’t be more taken aback as advice turns to solace, then ignites into an intense spark neither man anticipated. Blair had done and seen it all, so what could it hurt to help Caden experience some new things?

After all, it’s only a holiday hookup.
Until it’s not.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Christina Lee's Beautiful Temptation is a feel-good Christmas romance. Blair and Caden end up sharing a place over the holidays, resulting in a developing romance between the men. Their history isn't friendly, as their high school years found them distance and in different crowds. It's a fun holiday hookup romance. Damn, I love these guys. Blair and Caden are complete opposites. One a jock, the other a model. To say that their life experiences are vastly different is an understatement. Despite being a short story, I found both men and their relationship to be well developed. The food issues resonated with me on a large scale. Knowing people who suffer like this, I find this aspect to be extremely well written, and a tough thing to read. I seriously love Beautiful Temptation. I am a sucker for a good best friend's brother romance and this one is spectacular. It's a perfect combination of best friend's brother and hookup turning into more. Add in the addition of all the holiday feels and it has all the makings of a heart-warming read.

Geeked (Matchmakers #2) by Declan Rhodes

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Blurb

From the outside, self-described computer programming geek Blake Moss is a straight, happy-go-lucky partner in the rising gay matchmaking company, Match Made. On the inside, the facade he’s built since a traumatic breakup nearly a decade ago is starting to crack.

Hunter Schultz, former football jock, is still licking his wounds only months after walking out on his incompatible boyfriend, Robert. Devotion to his job as head of the city’s LGBTQ+ youth center helps him make it through the rough patches.

The CinderFella charity auction sponsored by Match Made and benefiting the youth center brings Blake and Hunter together in an unexpected way. After a last-minute confession from Blake, his boss, Daniel, buys him a date with Hunter.

Blake is terrified, and Hunter is intrigued by the quirky man who’s fascinated by old dance music and science fiction TV. Against all expectations, the future looks like it might be bright until Robert’s jealousy intervenes, and Blake’s anxiety flares.

Geeked is a 53,000-word gay romance. It’s the second book in the Matchmakers series. The book includes steamy scenes, dancing ducks, disco, and cheesy sci-fi, plus a guaranteed happy ending.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Geeked is another fun book in Declan Rhodes' Matchmakers series. The second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Blake and Hunter meet at a charity auction run by Match Made. Hunter's a hot, athletic looking bachelor who's on auction. Blake's a computer nerd whose friend bids on the impressive looking Hunter on Blake's behalf. A jock and a nerd? Yes please!

What follows is a fun opposites attract romance. Blake and Hunter are cute together and I enjoy Blake's struggle with his confidence. Blake knows he's a geek and can't understand why Hunter would even want to go on one date with him, let alone see him more. 

I love these two individually and together. Poor Blake has been stuck in the closet and forced out due to the actions of his friend. It's all entertaining and heartwarming. And, damn, Hunter's backstory, including his motivation for his career, are touching. Of course, there are wonderful secondary characters who add greatly to the story.

Their story includes a pushy ex and a long battle with Hunter's insecurities. There's some sweet humor, and I adore the issues with the matchmaker program. In addition, there's a great aspect of family in this book, as both men have to deal with family issues. I love both of these storylines and enjoyed the development throughout.

Overall, Geeked is a sweet romance and I love this Declan Rhodes series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Want Me (Extracurricular Activities #1-7) by Neve Wilder

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Blurb

18,000 words of angsty behavior, aggressive/enthusiastic/messy sex, a tender moment or two, and an ugly ass turkey centerpiece.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

lf the cover doesn't draw you in, the storyline will. Neve Wilder's Want Me is one of the hottest books I've ever read. 

The opening scene is ultra steamy, continuing for a long time. Seriously, this is erotica at it's best. Honestly, with the first scene being so long and intense, I wasn't sure how much of their story would involves sex versus sex with a storyline. Luckily, in addition to the absolutely panty melting moments, we get an amazing storyline, full of emotions and romance. 

This is a stellar tale of a bu-curious man starting up a secret relationship with his bisexual roommate. It involves sneaking around and roommate issues. It also involves misunderstandings, fears, and uncertainties. Two roommates, Nate and Eric get off on exhibitionism and voyeurism, intense and spectacular edging, and some hot rimming. They are beyond sizzling together and I fell in love with both men, as they're great characters, who are even better together. 

To say this story is hot is an understatement. And lucky for us, they're also fun together as they navigate their way through their developing relationship.

Want Me's an exceptional coming of age, GFY college romance. Neve Wilder delights in this stellar tale of questioning one's sexuality. Take note, be careful where are you when you read this one. But definitely read this one. You won't regret it!