Reviews by Tammy and Kim

HOME ICE

by Saxon James

Release Date: June 25, 2026

Genre: MM Hockey Romance Standalone

Tropes: Best friends to strangers to lovers, single dad, small town, youth hockey coach x NHL player, surprise (secret) kid, it’s always been you
Goodreads

Amazon

TAI

Ten years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life.

When Hawke left for the NHL and my hockey dreams went up in smoke, I ghosted my best and longest friend. It made sense at the time, but there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t missed him.

So when we run into each other again, and his only response is “Do I know you?”, I know I deserve it. But I refuse to let one mistake keep us apart forever. Especially when he has bigger problems, and I’m in a position to help him

JENSEN

All I wanted this offseason was to spend my time relaxing—not getting an emergency phone call from Mom to come home. My hometown is full of too many memories of me and Tai so I avoid returning there as much as I can.

But now I have one more memory to add to the list: my high school girlfriend.

And the kid we apparently had together.

Kasen hates me and thinks I abandoned them, and my only way to get to him is through his coach. My ex-best friend. The friend that has been impossible to forget. No matter how much I’ve tried.

NHL hockey player Jensen Hawke is suddenly spending his summer back in his hometown after getting some interesting news. He just found out he has a 14-year-old son and is now in line for custody. Coming home also means running into his ex-best friend Tai Barrett, who ghosted him without explanation a decade ago.

Jensen is lost, overwhelmed, and not sure what to do about any of it. But a tentative reconnection with Tai and airing of their past and explanations help them to start to rebuild. Jensen is trying to connect with his son while also trying to figure out what this means for their lives. Jensen has been living the life of a hockey star, with no major responsibilities, so this is a whole new world for him.

And Tai has stayed home, taking care of his dad, working hard on his coaching and is rooted in the small community. He hasn't been living a full life, and was resentful for a time because he had to give up his dreams and build new ones. He’s kind, loyal, hard-working, and caring, but he also has anxiety and guilt. regret, and negative thoughts hiding under his positive facade.

I loved Jensen and Tai together. It was obvious that they shared so much in their past and that they were both hurt by the loss of their friendship. I loved seeing them start to be there for each other again. Together, they just have this natural witty rapport, and they develop a new chemistry and start acting on the attraction that as confused teens they were afraid to ever entertain. I loved seeing them reconnect as friends and emotionally, but also start to explore intimacy, their changing dynamic, be vulnerable, and provide support. But Jensen is only supposed to be home for the summer. He has an NHL career, and Tai and his son don’t want to go anywhere.

This deep and meaningful connection and understanding of each other is rooted in their past, but built upon in their present as they’ve grown into being new people. I also enjoyed both of their relationships with Jensen's son, Kaysen, and the development of their whole story. The found family and finding home component is really strong in this story.

This is a rekindled best friends to lovers, hurt-comfort, surprise dad, hockey player and local hockey coach story. There are no simple and easy fixes for these two, but I loved that they were willing to fight for what they found again and try to figure out how everybody could get what they needed as best they could. It was just a very heartfelt story with plenty of feels and spice, but also family moments too.

Saxon James

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

Promotion support provided by Foreword PR & Marketing | Romance Book Publicity & Launch Marketing for romance authors

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Tell Me Lies

Irish Rogues #6
Katie Ashley
Amazon
June 10, 2026

A forbidden love, brother’s bride romance, where one sacrifice binds them, and one secret could destroy them.

Leandro

From the moment I met Drea Caruso, I knew she would ruin me. The problem was she was never meant to be mine. She was promised to my brother in an arranged marriage meant to unite our families. I tried to keep my distance, tried to ignore the way she looked at me like I was the only man in the room. But Drea was impossible to forget. Then everything changed the night of the wedding. When my brother chose another woman, and chaos broke loose, I stepped in and took his place. I told myself it was for family, for loyalty. But the truth is, I wanted her. More than I’ve ever wanted anything. Now Drea is my wife, my temptation, and the one I can’t afford to lose control over.

Drea

Leandro Neretti was my future brother-in-law, the man I wasn’t supposed to notice, let alone want. But from the very beginning, he was the one who saw me, the one who cared when no one else did. My life was never my own, bound by an arranged marriage and a father who demanded obedience. One mistake cost a man his life, and left me with a secret I can never reveal. By the time I stood at the altar, it was Leo, not his brother, waiting for me. And somehow, the man I was never meant to love became the only one I couldn’t let go. But my future was already built on lies. As our marriage grows stronger, so does the secret that could bring it all crashing down.

Drea Caruso tried rebelling against her Philadelphia Mafia Boss father and paid the price. So now she is supposed to do what he says and marry the man he has chosen for her alliance, Raphael Neretti of the New York Mafia.

Drea and Leo's initial meeting was kind of an inappropriate meet-cute in a tenuous situation, but the reaction was strong. And any other interactions they had just seem to have this natural rapport, banter, and zing of attraction that they can’t deny. But the problem is, they need to deny it because it’s a forbidden attraction. Drea Caruso is the future bride of Leo's Capo brother. Their marriage has been arranged for a year. It doesn’t matter that his brother is in love with somebody else, there is a contract.

Leo never thought he would find a woman who would fascinate him enough to care. He can’t get her out of his mind. He’s always been a womanizer, but Drea is strong, and she challenges him, and he likes her feistiness and fire. She’s always supposed to be the demure, submissive mafia princess, and neither of them really wants that in real life.

So it’s a complex situation with mafia family ties involved, feelings that aren’t supposed to be there, and obligations. I really loved Leo and Andrea together because they just had this chemistry and banter that just seemed effortless. They knew what they wanted and what they didn’t want, but some of the choices were out of their control.

My heart broke not only for Leo and Drea, but also for Rafe and Maeve. We’ve known about some of the stuff going on from previous books, but this is the first time we’re getting it through Leo and Drea's points of view. And especially seeing Leo, who was never attached to any woman before, feel like he’s finally found someone and know that that person is completely off-limits is so hard. And neither of them wants to hurt anyone, but they’re also being hurt themselves just by the circumstances.

And then there’s the secret, unresolved feelings, the jealousy, the guilt, and generally feeling bad because the situation is also hurting people that they care about. And Leo has always seemed so unaffected and funny, but there’s a deeper side to him, and we get to see that as he struggles with this. Drea struggles too because she doesn’t want to be the cause of anyone’s pain, and her hope of happiness is completely out of her control and run by the patriarchy of the mafia. And there’s a real fear component about what her unhinged father might do to get his way.

There are secrets in the background and some lies. And the fact that it’s in the mafia world with the possibility of real consequences adds to the intensity of the situation. But I loved Leo and Drea together. They just brought out the best in each other, and I loved their sense of humor, their chemistry, and their compatibility. I hurt for them when they felt like it was impossible, and I worried about them until everything was laid bare and throughout all the events that followed.

Even though we know from other books some of their situation, we didn’t know all of this story. It kept me interested in their story and invested in them as a real couple, not just a manufactured mafia alliance. In this situation, they managed to manipulate some things to get what they wanted, but it was still complicated, messy, and part of a dangerous world with threats around them.

Poison and Wine

Irish Rogues #1
Goodreads

Amazon
Our 4.5 to 5 star reviews

Tropes:

Arranged Marriage
Enemies to Lovers
Virgin FMC(He kidnaps her from a convent!)
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and Die
Possessive MMC

Caterina

As the only daughter of a formidable capo, my existence unfolded within the confines of a gilded cage. At eighteen, I would become a pawn in the intricate game of power, destined to be wed to a high-ranking member of my father’s regime. My fate oscillated between my father's grasp and that of my future husband. Fleeing was not an option; they would track me down relentlessly. In an act of both self-preservation and rebellion, I sought refuge in a local convent—the sole sanctuary untouched by the shadows of the mafia. Yet, before I could take my final vows, the devil himself knocked at my door — a devastatingly handsome blonde-haired, blue-eyed rogue. With an Irish accent that sent shivers down my spine, he declared me his future wife. No one had touched me; no one would. But despite my aversion to a forced marriage, an irresistible attraction brewed between us— for he was both poison and wine.

Callum

When I abducted a nun, my expectations were simple—she'd be submissive, pliable, the ideal mafia wife. Little did I imagine that the fiery brunette would wield a mouth and body I craved, both in and out of the bedroom. She was a means to an end—a marriage forged out of convenience, a strategic alliance with an enemy family to solidify our standing in the underworld. Tradition dictated that I claim her, yet the last thing I'd do is coerce her. She won't be forced. I promised she would beg me to take her, and anyone who dared to touch her would die. For she was mine and mine alone.

In the unforgiving realm of the underworld, brace yourself for an electrifying romance pulsating with danger and desire.

Dust to Dust
Irish Rogues #2

Goodreads
Amazon

Our 5 star reviews

Quinn

After barely dodging death from a car bomb, I shut out everyone but my mafia brothers. With a scarred face and body, I became an even more ruthless enforcer, cruelty and darkness radiating from my ravaged soul. Until a petite goddess with an innocent spirit swayed her hips on my stage, forcing me to let her audition for a dancer at my club. Though I expected her to balk at my marred appearance, I'm shocked to find her eager to touch and seduce me, willing to indulge my monster's cravings if it secures the job.

Isla is everything I'm not—sweet, fragile, and loving. A blinding ray of light in my dark and desolate world. When she is kidnapped from my club, I could demolish anything in my path to hunt down the animal who took her and to reclaim the only brightness left in my world. But even if I rescue her, can a broken enforcer with anger issues be what she needs?

Isla

After losing my parents, I clung to the light inside, determined not to succumb to darkness. But with a sister to support and education to pay for, I’m forced to parlay my years of competitive dance for a controversial career as an exotic dancer. At the club owned by the ruthless Irish mafia, I cross paths with the physically imposing owner. Though his hardened edges and dangerous aura should have frightened me, I found myself instantly magnetized, helplessly enthralled by his raw, rugged power. Against my better judgment, attraction simmered under my skin, a craving I knew would spell trouble.

Quinn is everything I'm not—brave, courageous, and strong. Every day I try and chisel away at his hardened veneer—to crumble the walls around him, dust to dust. Deep down, I know he is capable of giving love. When I'm abducted from the shadows of the club's parking lot, I pray nightly for Quinn to rescue me. But even if he storms the gates of hell to bring me back, how can I ever survive in his world?

In the merciless underworld, brace yourself for a tempestuous romance pulsating with red-hot danger and forbidden desire.

Fix You

Katie Ashley

Goodreads

Amazon

Our 4.5 to 5 star reviews

Raphael

From the moment I became the head of my family, hands stained with my father's blood, I knew my path was set—a marriage arranged for power, not love. But that all changed the night I met Maeve Kavanaugh. One glance and I was lost. She’s everything I never knew I wanted, yet she’s also the one woman I can’t have. My duty to my family should come first, but every moment I’m near her, I crave the impossible—a life where I can follow my heart instead of my obligations. Maeve is my greatest temptation, and in our world, temptation can be fatal.

Maeve

Raphael Neretti was never meant to be my forever. He was supposed to be a brief escape, a fiery passion in the midst of chaos. But the man who saw beyond my broken pieces became my lifeline, and now I’m caught in a web of love and danger that threatens to destroy us both. I ran from the mafia’s darkness knowing about his arranged marriage, but when Rafe found me, I couldn’t resist the pull between us. Now, as shadows close in, I realize our love might be the most dangerous secret of all.

In this explosive tale of passion and power, love is a dangerous game—and only the strongest will survive.

Safe and Sound

Book 4 of the Irish Rogues

Goodreads

Amazon

Kim's 4.5 to 5 star review

Ava

Four years ago, I thought I had escaped the dangerous allure of Dare Kavanaugh, a man with a gaze that could ignite flames. That night when he swooped in and saved me from danger on the dance floor at one of his co-owned clubs, it was supposed to be just a casual fling. Our passionate weekend left me breathless, but the revelation of his ties to the Irish mafia sent me running. I vowed never to see him again, but fate had other plans. Now, with an unhinged ex on my tail, and when restraining orders did nothing to stop him, I was forced to seek Dare's help—the only person who could protect me. Seeing Dare again awakened my buried feelings. But even if I trusted him with my life, I feared unveiling the secret that I'd kept from him would fuel his hatred for me.

Dare

For four years, Ava's memory lingered like a haunting melody. So when she showed up at my club asking for help, my first instinct was anger that she had kept her distance all this time. But hearing about her stalker ex, I knew I had to keep her safe, even if it meant separating my personal feelings. After unexpectedly dropping by her house, I discovered a revelation that shattered my world—our little rendezvous had left more than just sparks. To safeguard my newfound family, I had no choice but to marry Ava, binding her to the protection of the Irish mafia.

As alliances shift and enemies close in, will our forced union become the key to our salvation, or will it lead to our ultimate destruction?

In the third installment of this gripping mafia series, secrets unravel, passions ignite, and the thin line between love and loyalty will be tested like never before.

Beautiful Trauma

The Irish Rogues #5
Goodreads

Amazon
Kim's 5 star review

KELLAN

I’m not built like the other Kavanaugh brothers. In a world ruled by violence and blood, I’ve always led with my heart. My compassion often led to my downfall like when a stunning blonde needed saving at my club. It wasn’t just her beauty that captured my attention. Her vulnerability spoke to the protector within me. Of course, the seduction that followed was only a ruse. Despite her devious actions, I couldn’t get her or the night we shared together out of my mind. When I find she’s in danger, I can’t help but risk everything to save her. But rescuing her comes at a price that has repercussions not only for me, but for my family.

MILA

As the daughter of a Bratva pahkan’s “second” family, I’ve always been made to feel second best. My beauty has often been used as a pawn in my father’s business schemes. His latest order was to infiltrate the Irish mafia by seducing one of the Kavanaugh brothers. I never expected a handsome, golden boy who was impossibly built, but with a soft voice and kind eyes. I didn’t expect to like him. But the greatest surprise was finding such a caring heart residing in his chest. I never imagined after duping him that he would once again come to my rescue. Just as I started falling for him, fate drove us apart. To protect me, he’ll walk into a war. But love born from lies and violence doesn't always last. Especially when the truth comes back with a vengeance. And this time, it won’t miss.

In the fiery fifth instalment of this dark mafia romance series, blood ties are broken, loyalties shattered, and a love born in betrayal may be the only thing strong enough to survive the war that follows.

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Three Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She's written rockers, bikers, billionaires, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her rescue mutts, Belle and Nova, and her cats, Mama Kitty, Joe, and Jake. She has a slight obsession with The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.

She holds a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education and spent fourteen years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes.

Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers.

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Thunder Struck
Book #4 in the Toronto Thunder series
Beth Bolden
Release Date: June 22, 2026

Amazon

Available on: Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, paperback (model & discreet), and audio narrated by Darcy Stark (est early July)

Tropes: bisexual awakening, stepbrother romance, forbidden romance, forced proximity, opposites attract, teammate x teammate

When Lane realizes he’s attracted to his straight stepbro, he’s absolutely thunderstruck . . .

It’s not the worst day of Lane’s life when his team, the Toronto Thunder, drafts his baby stepbro, Trevor, but it’s close.

No. The worst day was when his mom married Trevor’s dad. Trevor’s just too good, too naïve, too sheltered. Too hot.

Lane might claim he wants nothing to do with him, but that’s the worst delusion of all. He’s always wanted everything to do with Trevor. Even when they have zero in common. Even when Trevor’s always been on the straight and narrow. Literally.

Lane’s the total opposite. He’s walked—and danced and sashayed—to the beat of his own drum, forever. Mentoring Trevor now that they’re on the same team? Sounds like his idea of hell—and heaven, too. There’s a reason their teammates call them the demon twins.

But with the final few games of the season and the Thunders’ playoff run looming, Lane’s self-control is weaker than ever. Especially when Trevor confesses that he’s been thinking about it, too.

Suggesting Trevor experiment with their mutual attraction would be a terrible idea, but Lane’s had worse, and that’s never stopped him before.

And when it becomes way more than just sex? When Trevor becomes the first guy he wants to see in the mornings and the last thing before he goes to bed at night? When they’re so completely entangled together that he couldn’t get free, even if he wanted to?

That’s a special kind of thunder.

We’ve known during the series that there’s been some major tension between Lane and his stepbrother Trevor. They are nicknamed "The Demon Twins" by the team due to their tension and snarking. But we never knew the extent of their story until now.

Lane's always been kind of the grumpy, guarded, prickly one, while Trevor is the sunshine, sweet, oblivious one. But I loved seeing under Lane's armor and just realizing how long and how hard it’s been for him to curb his attraction and feelings for his stepbrother. He avoided him as much as possible for years, but now they are on the same pro team and in close quarters. And there has always been some hero worship from Trevor to Lane.

Bless Trevor, he's a golden retriever, and he’s a little clueless. He’s always thought he was straight, but now he’s starting to question a little bit, and the person who comes out to is his stepbrother Lane. So now there’s a big elephant in the room, and Lane is shocked to realize that maybe the impossible may actually be a little bit possible.

And Trevor needs the acceptance and support in this confusing time. So the only logical explanation is of course, for Lane to offer to allow Trevor to experiment with him.

But will Lane's heart be able to handle it if he’s just a test subject for the guy that he has been crushing on for years? He guarded himself due to guilt and shame, and now there is a fear of getting this and losing it. But Trevor is good about pushing him and breaking down his walls.

I loved seeing their shift in dynamics as they began to be more vulnerable and trust, even when they are not sure about what exactly they are doing and what it all means. And their situation has other potential complications due to their family and team. But I loved them together.

This is a secret longtime crush, off-limits, grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, stepbrother and teammates, bi-awakening romance. And of course you’ve got a team of both nosy and supportive players who want to weigh in and push them along and make sure that the team doesn’t suffer for any issues. I am really enjoying this series and am looking forward to more.

Perfect Storm

Book #1 in the Toronto Thunder series

On Amazon & Kindle Unlimited

Kim's 4 star review

Available on: Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and audio narrated by Darcy Stark (est November)

Tropes: sexual discovery, best friend’s little brother, hookup pact, roommates to friends to lovers

When the sexy little brother of Aidan’s best friend suggests a hookup pact, it's the perfect storm for a bi-awakening . . .

Toronto Thunder quarterback Aidan Flynn always believed he was straight, until his close friend and favorite wide receiver signs with a team across the country. Distance opens his eyes and unlocks a desire he can’t deny. Even if his feelings aren’t returned, Aidan still wants to learn more about this part of himself.

Frustrated and a little heartbroken, the last thing he expects is for his crappy mood to get called out by his best friend’s little brother. Or for Levi to offer, on one drunken night, a pact: if Aidan never gets together with his guy, Levi will show him everything he’s been missing—and wanting—in bed.

It’s a stupid promise, fueled by booze and heartbreak, and Aidan expects that Levi will never call him on it.

Except Levi does. He shows up at Aidan’s house in Toronto less than two months later, not only willing to fulfill his side of the pact, but now signed to the Thunder as Aidan’s new right tackle. Aidan assumes it’ll be easy to get rid of him, but Levi is charming and persistent, and he not only ends up living in Aidan’s house, but sleeping in Aidan’s bed.

It’s easy and fun and the best hookup Aidan’s ever had in his whole life. It’s so good, in fact, Aidan starts to experience feelings he believed were long gone, traded away with his friend. Maybe with Levi in his life, love isn’t such a lost cause, after all.

They’re great on the field and between the sheets. But when Aidan’s past returns, he must decide whether Levi also has a place in his heart.

Stealing His Thunder
Book #2 in the Toronto Thunder series

Amazon
Kim's 4 star review

Available on: Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and audio narrated by Darcy Stark (est February)

Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, veteran x rookie, opposites attract, age gap (ten years), redemption arc

Can rookie Cam’s sunshine steal veteran Dawson’s thunder?

Kicker Dawson Hall is ready to leave his past in the dust. His last season was catastrophically bad, with the distraction of his divorce and discovering that his father-in-law wasn’t managing his money—he was stealing it, instead.

He signs with the Toronto Thunder, poised for his redemption arc, but he’s grumpy and frustrated he has to undertake one at all. He should be better than this. He is better than this.

The new rookie punter’s hero worship might be just another annoyance, but Cameron Green is sweet and kind and more than a little naïve. He’s a country boy suddenly dumped amongst all the skyscrapers, with no idea of how the real world can chew him up and spit him out. It’s practically Dawson’s duty to mentor him and if Dawson soaks up a little of his sunshine, too?

Well, nobody could blame him for that. Not after the year’s he’s just had.

But when Dawson starts craving more and more of Cam, his crush dangerously teetering into passion kind of territory, he’s forced to not just confront his own past, full of disappointment and distrust, but his future, too.

He wants his redemption, and that perfect vision of a season feels just within reach. But it turns out he doesn’t just want Cam for single season—even if it’s everything he believed he wanted—he wants Cam for every season.

Hell or High Water
Book #3 in the Toronto Thunder series

Amazon
Kim's 4.5-5 star review

Tropes: fake relationship, enemies to lovers, football player x hockey player, bad boy settles down

Come hell or high water, Nate’s gonna be Ramsey’s perfect (fake) boyfriend . . .

The night Nate Bishop met Ramsey Andresen, he didn’t know who he was.

Didn’t know he was a hockey player. Didn’t know he’d be sticking around in Toronto. Most definitely didn’t know they’d hook up and Ramsey would walk right out of his life. Leaving him aching for more and hating that he can’t forget him.

They meet again at a Thunder team party and Nate’s not only shocked by Ramsey’s presence, but the way he acts like he belongs. He’s gorgeous and perfect and unobtainable, his existence rubbing Nate’s face into everything he can’t have.

He knows his teammates aren’t happy they don’t get along. But the last thing Nate expects is for Ramsey to suggest a plan to get them off their backs.

Not a fake friendship, but a fake situationship.

As they spend more time together—at first a necessity because of the charade, and then because they can’t stay away from each other—Nate starts to learn more about Ramsey’s secrets.

And each shadowy corner that Nate shines light into makes him like Ramsey even more. Until like slides easily into love, and fake becomes something real. Something precious. When they shatter the illusion, can they face the reality that they want each other, completely and forever, after playing pretend for so long?

Beth Bolden

Website | Facebook | Instagram |

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. 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’s published twenty novels and six short stories.

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The Comeback King

Necessary Roughness #1
Riley Hart
June 17, 2026

Amazon

Goodreads

Sports Romance

Big Feels

Secret Relationship

Forbidden Relationship

Brother's ex-boyfriend/ex-boyfriend's brother

Pining

Lucas

To my dad, Hunter King is a football prodigy destined for greatness.

The son he always wanted.

To me, Hunter King is the guy I’ve loved most of my life.

The guy who happens to be my dead brother’s boyfriend.

We were kids when Hunter came into our lives—the boy with the skill my brother didn’t have and the drive I lacked. The one who was always kind to me, who cared about my photography when to my dad, it was a hobby, not worth anyone’s time.

Looking at the world through the lens of my camera is the only thing I’ve ever wanted.

Other than Hunter King.

Hunter

I would be nothing without the Blakes. Coach Blake nurtured my football talent from high school through college and now professionally. For all intents and purposes, he was my father. And when I started dating his son Ellis, it felt like I truly became part of the family.

But since Ellis died, nothing feels right anymore—not even the game I’ve always loved.

Until Lucas walks back into my life.

With each lingering touch, I feel sensation returning. Every kiss breathes air into my lungs. And for the first time in three years, it feels like my heart starts beating again.

But with every embrace, I’m betraying Ellis’s memory. The media, my team, Coach Blake will all condemn me. I’ll no longer be their Comeback King. I’ll be the man who is sleeping with his dead boyfriend’s brother.

Yet none of it is enough to make me stop.

Hunter King was pseudo-adopted by a family when he was in high school. He was a football prodigy, and the father was the coach who encouraged him and treated him like a son. He became best friends and eventually fell in love with one of the sons, Ellis, and had a beautiful relationship until he passed away.

NowHunter’s a professional football player, but he’s been struggling for several years since his boyfriend's death. But now his late boyfriend’s younger brother, Lucas, is also in LA.

Lucas never really fit in with the family. He didn’t like football, even though he was good at it, so it created a wedge between him and his father. He’s a creative and loves photography and art, and has opened his own gallery in LA. He used to have a big crush on his brother's boyfriend too. But now they’re living in the same city and are crossing paths, and even though they weren’t very close when they were younger, they’re starting to develop a tenuous friendship and reaching out to each other.

They’re very different people, but they shared a lot of history with family members. But somehow, now they’re connecting on the level that they never did before. They are both hurting and have a unique ability to understand what the other is going through. They both have some self-worth issues, even though they’re both really good at what they do. There’s an understanding that they might never have been good enough because Ellis was always seen as perfect. And Hunter really needs an anchor at this time because he’s just been kind of lost since the loss of Ellis, and it is affecting even his career. And Lucas is not a substitute, but he at least understands. But there are a lot of confusing emotions, guilt, and conflict due to their shared past.

I loved their dynamic and banter, and they had great chemistry. Together, they spark and start to find joy in living again and start to build their own little world in their hidden bubble. But they know that their relationship would be salacious gossip for the outside world and their families.

This is a forbidden, secret relationship. late-brother's-boyfriend, hurt-comfort, second-chance-friends-to-lovers romance about a football player and an artist. It is witty, snarky, emotional, steamy, and inspiring. I am interested in the next book with two characters that will make an unlikely match.

Riley Hart

Riley Hart’s love of all things romance shines brightly in everything she writes. Her primary focus is Male/Male romance but under various pen names, her prose has touched practically every part of the spectrum of love and relationships. The common theme that ties them all together is stories told from the heart.

A hopeless romantic herself, Riley is a lover of character-driven plots, many with flawed and relatable characters. She strives to create stories that readers can not only fall in love with, but also see themselves in. Real characters and real love blended together equal the ultimate Riley Hart experience.

When Riley isn’t creating her next story, you can find her reading, traveling, or dreaming about reading or traveling, and spending time with her two perfectly snarky kids, and one swoon-inducing husband.

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