College Boys by Daisy Harris

College Boys (Men of Holsum College, #1)

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, m/m
Series: Men of Holsum College #1
Reviewed by Anne
113 pages
 
Chris is a soccer playing college jock.  After his mom’s death he needs a little more personal space and ends up moving from his dorm full of jocks into a dorm with a private room.  As it turns out, he’s moved right next door to Peter, an openly gay student.  Also, did I mention, the walls are paper thin and provide provide vision privacy only?  Chris and Peter had met once before, and they end up becoming friends through the wall.  The thing is, Peter is very attracted to Chris, though he’d never act on his attaction because of Chris’ hetero-jock status.  Chris has always thought of himself as heterosexual, and his attraction to Peter takes him by surprise.  Where they take it from there is just awesome!
This is an incredible read!  I gobbled it up in one day and was enjoying it so much I didn’t stop to leave myself notes.  That’s a sign of a really good book for me!  The scenes in this book where Peter and Christ talk through the wall are so sweet.  The moments where Christ starts being honest with himself about his feelings for Peter, and the doubts he has were heart-wrenching.  The writing was just exquisite!

Yes, the ending was over the top happy with unicorns pooping rainbows and all that, but it’s ok.  They both seem a little young and the relationship a little new for the ending, but that’s an issue for me for any book with young characters.

I’ve not been a fan of college aged (would this be considered New Adult?) books, but this one really worked for me. I’ll be looking for more by Daisy Harris!

Flirting With Disaster by Ruthie Knox

Flirting with Disaster (Camelot, #3)

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Camelot #3
Reviewed by Kay

A security specialist computer geek, a recently divorced hometown girl, an aging in the closet rock star, an ex-military overprotective brother, and a precocious toddler. These are just some of the endearing characters you get in this novel. Sean is a former geek turned security specialist who has come back to his hometown to settle his estranged mother’s estate. Katie is a divorcee whose ex husband took their life savings and abandoned her. Judah is a rock star that’s gay but hasn’t come out yet and who has a stalker.

This is a great little read about the things we can and can’t change about ourselves and the choices we make because of that. It’s also about two different love stories, each that will touch your heart.  Sean and Katie have known each other since high school and have crushed on each other that long also. When they face what they feel, there a some pretty good fireworks. And when Judah finally confronts his orientation, you feel it too. Sean was so embarrassed by his stuttering and Katie’s not really noticing was precious.

I had a hard time when I started reading this but I’m glad I finished it. My lack of focus had nothing to do with the book not being good though. Everyone should read this book. In closing, I’ll leave you with my favorite thought in the book. It comes from Sean: He picked her up. Picked her up and carried her, as if she were Scarlett O’Hara and he were Rhett Butler, if Rhett had been the kind of guy to go down on Scarlett in a doorway. Which, let’s be honest, he probably was.

Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton

Thrown by a Curve (Play by Play, #5)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Play-by-Play #5
Reviewed by Kay

First, let me tell you a little bit about this book and then I’ll let you know what I thought of it.

Alicia Riley is a sports medicine therapist who gets assigned to Garrett Scott’s rehab case after his failed improvement after a possible career ending injury. Being a Riley gives her some insight because she has a pro football playing brother and cousin. She also has a baseball playing cousin and her female cousin is married to a pro hockey player. To say she has grown-up around sports is an understatement.

Garrett Scott is the star starting pitcher for the St. Louis Rivers who has been rehabbing after his injury. He decides he wants Alicia in on his rehab after she basically calls him out on his not trying hard enough. He likes her spunk and forthrightness.

This novel totally redeemed the series for after the last book which I did not enjoy very much. I was shocked by that because I LOVE Jaci Burton books. I get giddy when she has a new book coming out. I liked both of these characters even though Alicia was a bit boring here and there. I did like her attitude and approach to Garrett. Garrett’s thoughts regarding family were a bit over the top for me. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.