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