Like You've Nothing Left to Prove

            

Title: Like You've Nothing Left to Prove

Series: Breakaway #2

Author: E.L. Massey

Publisher: NineStar Press, March 14, 2023

Pages: 317

Genre: LGBT NA Romance

As the headline-stealing captain of the Houston Hell Hounds, nineteen-year-old Alexander Price has one goal: the Stanley Cup. He’s got the talent. He’s got the drive. But he’s also got an anxiety disorder and his therapist on speed dial. And, oh yeah, he’s gay. And he’s not willing to hide it anymore.

At eighteen, figure skater Elijah Rodriguez has already had his Olympic dreams crushed by an accident that left him with a seizure disorder and an existential crisis. Now a popular vlogger and freshman in college, Eli is trying to figure out what his new future will look like. Which is a little difficult because, oh yeah, he’s dating Alexander Price.

Eli and Alex are happy. It’s sort of a new state of being for both of them. But Eli is out, Alex isn’t, and their very visible “friendship” is already raising eyebrows. They have a plan: Alex will make their relationship public at the end of the season, hopefully with a Stanley Cup in tow. But what happens when that plan is derailed by an overzealous fan who outs them—right before the Hell Hounds’ playoff run?

The second hand anxiety is so real in this book. Coming out books always have some aspect of that, and this one is rampant. 

But looking at it, I can't imagine doing all of the work of figuring out your sexuality and coming to terms with it and accepting it. Being happy with it and ready to tell everyone how happy you are, and then still feeling the need to remain in the closet. I know that that's a very privileged place to see things from. Arguably, Alex is in a very privileged place to be ready to come out, just wanting to remain in the closet until he wins the Stanley freaking Cup. But it still sounds just as claustrophobic as any closet can be. 

And then the nightmare of being outed before you're good and ready? Just revisiting it for this review is giving me some third hand anxiety? I was lucky enough to come out on my own terms, but this is still nightmare fuel. And yet, I love this team so much. They're just the cutest group of puppies who love each other in a very wholesome way.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Teach Me to Sin

            

Title: Teach Me to Sin

Series: Water, Air, Earth, Fire #4

Author: Riley Nash

Publisher: Riley Nash Books, August 14, 2023

Pages: 368

Genre: LGBT Contemporary Romance

Three wrongs can't make a right.

I’ve spent six years building a life that isn’t defined by my father’s sins—a beautiful girlfriend, a thriving nonprofit, safe dreams that won’t get me into trouble. Someone with my family’s reputation can’t step out of line without drawing attention, and they definitely can’t coach professional swimmers.

My carefully controlled world starts to unravel on my summer vacation, when a mysterious boy catches my eye. He’s intoxicating, beautiful, and an incredible swimmer. His body makes me question everything about my sexuality, and his talent makes me desperate to become his coach. Too bad the only lawyer who will help me navigate the PR nightmare of opening a coaching program happens to be a rude, self-absorbed, sexy-as-sin older man who doesn’t even like me. I shouldn’t want either of them, but my mixed up heart wants both.

When one explosive moment in an empty locker room ties all three of us together, we start down a path we can’t turn back from, even as my past threatens to destroy my future. We weren’t supposed to be more than a single night’s mistake. I can’t do anything to threaten my life’s work. But I’m not sure I can live without them, either.

Breaking free from the past has a cost for all three of us, but I don’t know if we can afford to pay it.

This series is so compelling. I couldn't stop reading it once I got started, but boy are these men toxic as heck. For each other, for themselves. What a mess. But the kind you can't look away from!

I must say. These three brought us right back to the toxic roots of this series. Books 2 and 3 led us into approaching healthy territories, but never fear. The smut is dirty and just this side of almost too much. 

I do love these guys. They are a whole mess and they are perfect for each other. And it really was the perfect ending for this series. 

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

The Husbands

            

Title: The Husbands

Author: Holly Gramazio

Publisher: Vintage, April 2, 2024

Pages: 344

Genre: Humorous Fiction

When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There’s only one problem—she’s not married. She’s never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they’ve been together for years.

As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can’t remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a lightbulb, how do you know you’ve taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living?

What a ride. Lauren learned a lot. She learned a lot about herself and a lot about relationships and other people. I learned a lot about it too. And not all of it is very flattering or glamorous. Even if I really enjoyed this book. 

It starts out a bit like a nightmare. You get home from a night out with friends, and are greeted by your husband. Who you have never met before. Then he goes into the attic for something, and is gone. Only to be replaced by a new husband, and new paint on the walls, and the altered memories of all of your friends and family. Rinse. Repeat. 

We get a few scares and a few bores and a few rom-com montages of relationships. Lauren learns all about the things she doesn't like, and the things she can't abide in a relationship. She sees what happens when someone you aren't ready to leave you goes into the attic, and then she meets a man who climbs out of a different attic every time he climbs into one. 

This is such a funny look at dating app culture. How some women change their whole lives to fit around men they've just met, and how some men just disappear with barely any prompting. I won't give it all away, but the ending was very interesting. It's certainly not one I saw coming. 

Ratings

Stars: 4.5/5

Spice: 1/5