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Reckless Love #1
Risky
Taryn:
My life in the NFL is a dream. Paid to play ball, to hang out with my team, to travel all across the country. I have everything I ever hoped for.
Except the guts to come out.
When my boyfriend gets tired of hiding in the closet and walks out on me, I make an easy decision: no more dating until I’m through with football. These are the best years of my career, and there’s no telling when retirement will hit. Head down. Focus. No regrets.
And then I wake up from a drunken night out with the team to find a new number in my phone. A Friend.
He doesn’t know who I am and I don’t know who he is, and having someone to talk to anonymously is freeing. He’s funny and a total flirt. The first name on my phone when I wake and the last person I speak to before I fall asleep at night.
He’s also the man I’m falling for.
I want to meet him, but that means revealing who I am, and as much as I want to trust him, it’s still risky. Risky he’ll out me. Risky someone will see us together.
I promised myself no more dating for this reason.
But he makes me want to take the risk.
(This title was previously published as Bet on Me as part of the Love's A Gamble series. No content has been changed within the book.)
My life in the NFL is a dream. Paid to play ball, to hang out with my team, to travel all across the country. I have everything I ever hoped for.
Except the guts to come out.
When my boyfriend gets tired of hiding in the closet and walks out on me, I make an easy decision: no more dating until I’m through with football. These are the best years of my career, and there’s no telling when retirement will hit. Head down. Focus. No regrets.
And then I wake up from a drunken night out with the team to find a new number in my phone. A Friend.
He doesn’t know who I am and I don’t know who he is, and having someone to talk to anonymously is freeing. He’s funny and a total flirt. The first name on my phone when I wake and the last person I speak to before I fall asleep at night.
He’s also the man I’m falling for.
I want to meet him, but that means revealing who I am, and as much as I want to trust him, it’s still risky. Risky he’ll out me. Risky someone will see us together.
I promised myself no more dating for this reason.
But he makes me want to take the risk.
(This title was previously published as Bet on Me as part of the Love's A Gamble series. No content has been changed within the book.)
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2020
266 people are currently reading
1439 people want to read
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January 30, 2020
Bet on Me is book one in the Love’s a Gamble series by Saxon James. This is my very first book by Saxon and I LOVED IT! This is a M/M sports romance, with my favorite insta-spark and also some surprising suspense. All of this together makes a big win-win!
Taryn Adderson is a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Sharks. His life is his football career. Taryn has been in a six year relationship with Liam, a man he thought he was in love with. But Taryn has never come out to his team. He’s convinced it would end his career. So Liam was always a secret. The relationship fell apart and Taryn decides to completely focus back on football. But that all changes when in a drunken haze, he comes face to face with Elliot.
Elliot Schultz spent his childhood always wanting for the basic necessities of life. Now as an adult, he has a plan. He will make as much money as he can to insure he has a solid nest egg, then find a better job, a legal one. Because his current job isn’t exactly legal. He’s a professional bookie.
The night Elliot first met Taryn, he didn’t realize who he was. Only that he loved the sound of his voice. And he seemed like he needed a friend. Elliot has never been in a relationship. He only does hook ups. All his focus needs to be on making money.
I loved how these two got to know each other, still not knowing who the other is, just talking. Through every conversation, that initial connection is present and grows stronger. And when they see each other again, sparks fly.
These two are hotter than hot. And what was supposed to be a one night stand becomes two. But what happens when they finally realize who each other is, a famous professional football player and a bookie. They have to walk away don’t they? Not only is Taryn in the closet, having a relationship with a bookie could risk everything. But what they feel for each other is too strong, the risk worth taking.
I loved this book. I loved Taryn and Elliot. Together they burned up the pages. But it was so much more than that. They were both men who didn’t even realize they were searching for what the other offered. They found a peace together, a connection neither ever imagined. Then everything is again threatened as things take a surprising suspenseful turn that had me flipping the pages as fast as I could. I literally could not stop reading until I knew how everything worked out.
These two completely stole my heart. This was such a wonderful book and I most definitely want to read more by this author.
“I thought I had it all planned. But I never planned for you.”
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Taryn Adderson is a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Sharks. His life is his football career. Taryn has been in a six year relationship with Liam, a man he thought he was in love with. But Taryn has never come out to his team. He’s convinced it would end his career. So Liam was always a secret. The relationship fell apart and Taryn decides to completely focus back on football. But that all changes when in a drunken haze, he comes face to face with Elliot.
Elliot Schultz spent his childhood always wanting for the basic necessities of life. Now as an adult, he has a plan. He will make as much money as he can to insure he has a solid nest egg, then find a better job, a legal one. Because his current job isn’t exactly legal. He’s a professional bookie.
The night Elliot first met Taryn, he didn’t realize who he was. Only that he loved the sound of his voice. And he seemed like he needed a friend. Elliot has never been in a relationship. He only does hook ups. All his focus needs to be on making money.
I loved how these two got to know each other, still not knowing who the other is, just talking. Through every conversation, that initial connection is present and grows stronger. And when they see each other again, sparks fly.
These two are hotter than hot. And what was supposed to be a one night stand becomes two. But what happens when they finally realize who each other is, a famous professional football player and a bookie. They have to walk away don’t they? Not only is Taryn in the closet, having a relationship with a bookie could risk everything. But what they feel for each other is too strong, the risk worth taking.
I loved this book. I loved Taryn and Elliot. Together they burned up the pages. But it was so much more than that. They were both men who didn’t even realize they were searching for what the other offered. They found a peace together, a connection neither ever imagined. Then everything is again threatened as things take a surprising suspenseful turn that had me flipping the pages as fast as I could. I literally could not stop reading until I knew how everything worked out.
These two completely stole my heart. This was such a wonderful book and I most definitely want to read more by this author.
“I thought I had it all planned. But I never planned for you.”
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
August 20, 2020
This one was just ok for me. I picked it up because I really enjoyed Power Plays & Straight A's . SJ is a new author to me but I like sports romance.
However, I just couldn't really connect to the two MCs. I didn't like Taryn much in the beginning. The mystery plot was a bit ridiculous. And the book was just too long. It just never held my interest.
Could also be a timing thing as school started back and I have a lot less time to read and a lot of other things to worry about.
However, I just couldn't really connect to the two MCs. I didn't like Taryn much in the beginning. The mystery plot was a bit ridiculous. And the book was just too long. It just never held my interest.
Could also be a timing thing as school started back and I have a lot less time to read and a lot of other things to worry about.
April 6, 2020
Like it. Didn’t love it. A solid three stars for me.
Pros:
-Sweet and sexy!
-Likable main characters.
-Enjoyable secondary characters who are begging for their own books.
-Solid writing.
Cons:
-Became a tad repetitive.
-Felt a bit too long.
-The drama at the end didn’t click with the rest of the book and the resolution was underwhelming.
Would I read future books in this series or other books by this author? Yes.
Pros:
-Sweet and sexy!
-Likable main characters.
-Enjoyable secondary characters who are begging for their own books.
-Solid writing.
Cons:
-Became a tad repetitive.
-Felt a bit too long.
-The drama at the end didn’t click with the rest of the book and the resolution was underwhelming.
Would I read future books in this series or other books by this author? Yes.
November 7, 2020
RTC - + 18- M / M
This book is kind of superficial, I didn't feel connection between the characters, the main character spent more than 50% of the book still talking about his ex, I think this book was supposed to be about when a re-bound after a relationship becomes something serious but whenever I felt something about the main characters the other one started talking about his ex.
Rating: 2 Stars.
Steam: 6 out of 10.
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
This book is kind of superficial, I didn't feel connection between the characters, the main character spent more than 50% of the book still talking about his ex, I think this book was supposed to be about when a re-bound after a relationship becomes something serious but whenever I felt something about the main characters the other one started talking about his ex.
Rating: 2 Stars.
Steam: 6 out of 10.
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
December 9, 2021
2 stars.
I didn't really care for any of these characters and the whole coming out thing got a little preachy.
I didn't really care for any of these characters and the whole coming out thing got a little preachy.
July 7, 2020
Safe and sound
Two men hiding from the world find each other while finding love. What are you willing to give up for love? I enjoyed the banter between these two. I loved the push and pull and I love watching them get their HEA. The writing was great the smexy was hawt an the side character both have books I’m excited to read
Two men hiding from the world find each other while finding love. What are you willing to give up for love? I enjoyed the banter between these two. I loved the push and pull and I love watching them get their HEA. The writing was great the smexy was hawt an the side character both have books I’m excited to read
January 26, 2020
When Taryn loses his boyfriend because of his devotion to his football career, he's devastated. But a chance meeting with a man who knows Taryn needs a confidante, leads them to something neither had seen coming. But anything they start needs to be kept quiet, not just because Taryn's a pro football player, but because Elliot's career isn't exactly one for inclusivity and openness either. Illegal careers rarely are...
I loved Bet on Me. It's heartfelt and sweet and Taryn and Elliot are a wonderful couple. There's some suspense, lots of lovin', and it's perfectly written.
ARC via Foreword PR & Marketing for an honest review.
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January 27, 2020
This was my first Saxon James book. Overall it was pretty good. I was sucked in from the very first page. But there were a couple of things in this book that kept me from fully giving this book 5 stars. One of the things is just a pet peeve of mine in books.
Right away I could tell their was more to Rainer’s character. I was kinda lost when he was talking about Ibiza and Colton. I just felt something was missing. And... I was right! When I looked up this authors other books. Good Times and Tan Lines is Rainer’s novella.
I hate feeling lost in books. I wish something was said about this other book. Because now I know how things go for Rainer and Colton.
Is this book going to be part of the Love’s a Gamble series? I mean... I think it should considering how Rainer is a big part of this book. And it should definitely say in this book 2nd in a series. So people can just read the novella first then read this book.
Moving on from all that.
I loved Elliot’s character. Just everything about him, I loved. His laid back personality. He had a sense of humor. I loved how he met Taryn!
I loved how they just didn’t jump into things. They talked and got to know each other.
And when they finally got together! It was good!
Taryn took me a minute to fully like him. I liked that he was all in with Elliot. He wanted to shout it out to everyone that he was with him. That he did care about anything to be with him.
The bookie thing. I wasn’t fully into it. It just seemed like it was missing something for me. I definitely didn’t like what happened to Elliot. I just thought it was a little too much.
Overall... this was a good read. And I’ll be checking out Rainer’s novella. See how it all started.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
(This same review is on my blog Goodreads account.)
Right away I could tell their was more to Rainer’s character. I was kinda lost when he was talking about Ibiza and Colton. I just felt something was missing. And... I was right! When I looked up this authors other books. Good Times and Tan Lines is Rainer’s novella.
I hate feeling lost in books. I wish something was said about this other book. Because now I know how things go for Rainer and Colton.
Is this book going to be part of the Love’s a Gamble series? I mean... I think it should considering how Rainer is a big part of this book. And it should definitely say in this book 2nd in a series. So people can just read the novella first then read this book.
Moving on from all that.
I loved Elliot’s character. Just everything about him, I loved. His laid back personality. He had a sense of humor. I loved how he met Taryn!
I loved how they just didn’t jump into things. They talked and got to know each other.
And when they finally got together! It was good!
Taryn took me a minute to fully like him. I liked that he was all in with Elliot. He wanted to shout it out to everyone that he was with him. That he did care about anything to be with him.
The bookie thing. I wasn’t fully into it. It just seemed like it was missing something for me. I definitely didn’t like what happened to Elliot. I just thought it was a little too much.
Overall... this was a good read. And I’ll be checking out Rainer’s novella. See how it all started.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
(This same review is on my blog Goodreads account.)
April 3, 2022
i already hated elliot and taryn is tolerable. how did it got weird and became mysterious/thriller at the 75% of the book? so weird. feels like a set up and a cliche f/m book. too bad i like the author's work with the previous sports romance with eden finley.
January 18, 2021
I picked this up after I read Power Plays and Straight A's which was a collaboration between Saxon James and Eden Finley and I loved it.
This one not so much. It was loooooooong. I felt every page of this and not in a good way! The story, simply put, was stagnant, and Taryn and Elliot's chemistry got lost in it and drowned by the end of it.
I'll try Rainer's story next which is short and decide where I go with this author then.
This one not so much. It was loooooooong. I felt every page of this and not in a good way! The story, simply put, was stagnant, and Taryn and Elliot's chemistry got lost in it and drowned by the end of it.
I'll try Rainer's story next which is short and decide where I go with this author then.
October 9, 2023
I did like this, but the mystery and suspense felt a little over the top to me. I would have liked less of that and more moments with secondary characters. I thought we’d see more of Liam, Zane, and Rainer. I thought we’d see Taryn’s family, especially since he said he was close to them, but we never saw them. I would have liked more of Taryn and Elliot’s feelings as well. For example, Elliot was thinking about how he loved Taryn but then it wasn’t even talked about until close to the end of the book.
The relationships outside of the main one were lackluster. Taryn roomed with Zane and said he was a best friend at one point I think, but he never had a conversation with Zane about being gay. The rest of the team found out before Zane. Elliot met up a few times with Rainer, but for that being his only friend, they didn’t spend as much time together as I expected. Partially could be due to Rainer wanting to go back to Ibiza for Colton, but also just felt like they didn’t put much effort into their friendship.
At the end of the book, it said Zane and Liam would be the couple for the second book in the series. I called that earlier on. Zane seemed interested in Liam since he made some comment about him not being around anymore and also suspected Taryn was gay it seemed when Elliot was like “I’m sure he made us” when they were throwing the football around. So when he told Taryn and Elliot he was bi, I was 99.9% sure. I can’t wait to see what happens with them since Liam seemed like a nice guy and I liked what I’ve seen of Zane. Probably give this 3.5 out of 5 stars, but rounding down.
The relationships outside of the main one were lackluster. Taryn roomed with Zane and said he was a best friend at one point I think, but he never had a conversation with Zane about being gay. The rest of the team found out before Zane. Elliot met up a few times with Rainer, but for that being his only friend, they didn’t spend as much time together as I expected. Partially could be due to Rainer wanting to go back to Ibiza for Colton, but also just felt like they didn’t put much effort into their friendship.
At the end of the book, it said Zane and Liam would be the couple for the second book in the series. I called that earlier on. Zane seemed interested in Liam since he made some comment about him not being around anymore and also suspected Taryn was gay it seemed when Elliot was like “I’m sure he made us” when they were throwing the football around. So when he told Taryn and Elliot he was bi, I was 99.9% sure. I can’t wait to see what happens with them since Liam seemed like a nice guy and I liked what I’ve seen of Zane. Probably give this 3.5 out of 5 stars, but rounding down.
April 20, 2022
4 / 4.5 stars
“Are you sure you’re not bi?” a voice from the back calls. “Positive.” “But… but… boobs!”
Um... how had I not read this book yet??
This book only came onto my radar maybe two months ago when I was looking through Saxon James' works and I saw this and was like, 'Hold up. She has a whole duology that I haven't read yet??' and immediately added it to my TBR, but I only just got around to reading it and boy am I glad that I did!
Taryn is a professional football player, and the novel begins with the ending of his relationship with Liam, his (ex)boyfriend of six years. While Liam was fine to be stuffed back into the closet when Taryn went pro, he came to realise that that wasn't the life he wanted for himself, and the love him and Taryn shared had become more platonic than romantic.
So! Taryn's on his own. For now. Until he gets drunk enough in New Jersey and meets Elliot in the men's bathroom of a random pub, gets his number, flirts enough for Elliot to realise he's gay, and then promptly forgets all about him until he finds a new contact in his phone named A Friend and an unsent message that sober Taryn definitely would've regretted.
Seeing these two guys come together despite everything that should've kept them apart was so heartwarming! But also, this book definitely took some turns I wasn't expecting! It's definitely not your standard athletes, coming-out romance.
I would definitely recommend this and also book two which I haven't finished just yet but am about 60% of the way through and LOVING! (PS: It's Liam's book. And I'm so happy.)
“Are you sure you’re not bi?” a voice from the back calls. “Positive.” “But… but… boobs!”
Um... how had I not read this book yet??
This book only came onto my radar maybe two months ago when I was looking through Saxon James' works and I saw this and was like, 'Hold up. She has a whole duology that I haven't read yet??' and immediately added it to my TBR, but I only just got around to reading it and boy am I glad that I did!
Taryn is a professional football player, and the novel begins with the ending of his relationship with Liam, his (ex)boyfriend of six years. While Liam was fine to be stuffed back into the closet when Taryn went pro, he came to realise that that wasn't the life he wanted for himself, and the love him and Taryn shared had become more platonic than romantic.
So! Taryn's on his own. For now. Until he gets drunk enough in New Jersey and meets Elliot in the men's bathroom of a random pub, gets his number, flirts enough for Elliot to realise he's gay, and then promptly forgets all about him until he finds a new contact in his phone named A Friend and an unsent message that sober Taryn definitely would've regretted.
Seeing these two guys come together despite everything that should've kept them apart was so heartwarming! But also, this book definitely took some turns I wasn't expecting! It's definitely not your standard athletes, coming-out romance.
I would definitely recommend this and also book two which I haven't finished just yet but am about 60% of the way through and LOVING! (PS: It's Liam's book. And I'm so happy.)
August 19, 2020
A Fantastic Read!!
Swoon. I loved Taryn and Elliot. I love a good closeted athlete story, and this one totally delivered. I was immediately drawn into their story. My heart ached for Taryn, trying to drown his loneliness of being a closeted athlete in drinks with teammates. If not for those “celebratory” drinks, he may not have met Elliot. I loved the way they met. I was so there for their flirty texts and phone calls. I loved their chemistry and developing relationship. It felt so natural and genuine. Each of them were so invested before they even knew it. While they tried to stay apart as their jobs did not mesh, that draw was already too strong for each of them. I really enjoyed the underlying storyline of Elliott’s job. It was A twist I should have seen coming, but didn’t! This was a fantastic read, and Saxon is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. I devoured this read, and I’m eager to pick up the next in this series to see if Liam gets his own HEA.
Swoon. I loved Taryn and Elliot. I love a good closeted athlete story, and this one totally delivered. I was immediately drawn into their story. My heart ached for Taryn, trying to drown his loneliness of being a closeted athlete in drinks with teammates. If not for those “celebratory” drinks, he may not have met Elliot. I loved the way they met. I was so there for their flirty texts and phone calls. I loved their chemistry and developing relationship. It felt so natural and genuine. Each of them were so invested before they even knew it. While they tried to stay apart as their jobs did not mesh, that draw was already too strong for each of them. I really enjoyed the underlying storyline of Elliott’s job. It was A twist I should have seen coming, but didn’t! This was a fantastic read, and Saxon is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. I devoured this read, and I’m eager to pick up the next in this series to see if Liam gets his own HEA.
January 27, 2020
Saxon James is a new-to-me author, so I didn’t know what to expect. But boy, am I glad I discovered this author. They wrote an excellent story, taking the well-known trope of a closeted pro athlete and adding a bit of mystery and danger, which resulted in a fascinating and captivating love story that’s not your cookie-cutter sports romance. Right from the start, I was hooked.
Taryn (love the name) and Elliot are interesting and well-developed characters that are not cardboard figures but real-life men. The first is an NFL player, the latter a bookmaker, so not really men who could or should get involved. And that’s the crux of the story. Not the fact that Taryn is not out to his team, but the issue of probable meshing careers is the difficult hurdle to overcome. They are well aware of this and do their best not to give in to their attraction. It gives us a lovely slow-burn romance that moves steadily forward at a good pace. Their chemistry is undeniable, shown through witty dialogue, sexy texts, and hot sex.
About halfway the events became more angsty than I expected, but they fit the story. I was sitting on the edge of my stool, with beating heart, not liking where the author took me, but at the same time trusting that it would turn out all right. And it did, sort of.
The book has a good cast of secondary characters, even though not all of them are equally likable.
I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more from Saxon James.
Taryn (love the name) and Elliot are interesting and well-developed characters that are not cardboard figures but real-life men. The first is an NFL player, the latter a bookmaker, so not really men who could or should get involved. And that’s the crux of the story. Not the fact that Taryn is not out to his team, but the issue of probable meshing careers is the difficult hurdle to overcome. They are well aware of this and do their best not to give in to their attraction. It gives us a lovely slow-burn romance that moves steadily forward at a good pace. Their chemistry is undeniable, shown through witty dialogue, sexy texts, and hot sex.
About halfway the events became more angsty than I expected, but they fit the story. I was sitting on the edge of my stool, with beating heart, not liking where the author took me, but at the same time trusting that it would turn out all right. And it did, sort of.
The book has a good cast of secondary characters, even though not all of them are equally likable.
I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more from Saxon James.
January 25, 2020
Bet on me by Saxon James was my first book by this author.
The book is about Taryn, a closeted football player. When the book begins his boyfriend of 6 years breaks up with him. A month and a half later he is really drunk when he meets Elliot. The flirty texts start and they meet up for a night. Taryn wants more but then Elliot drops a bomb, he is a bookie.
I loved the writing and the story very much. Taryn and Elliot are amazing together. I hope we get Cooper Zane's story next.
The book is about Taryn, a closeted football player. When the book begins his boyfriend of 6 years breaks up with him. A month and a half later he is really drunk when he meets Elliot. The flirty texts start and they meet up for a night. Taryn wants more but then Elliot drops a bomb, he is a bookie.
I loved the writing and the story very much. Taryn and Elliot are amazing together. I hope we get Cooper Zane's story next.
September 15, 2020
3.5
Even though I really enjoyed this, I will admit it was a tad bit too long. I liked Taryn and Elliott as characters and as a couple but I feel like they both could've used some extra oomph to their characters. The whole mystery subplot was interesting; it didn't feel forced or out of place but it could've been woven into the main plot just a smidge more in the first half.
Even though I really enjoyed this, I will admit it was a tad bit too long. I liked Taryn and Elliott as characters and as a couple but I feel like they both could've used some extra oomph to their characters. The whole mystery subplot was interesting; it didn't feel forced or out of place but it could've been woven into the main plot just a smidge more in the first half.
January 29, 2020
This was my first book by Saxon James, but it definitely will not be the last. Taryn and Elliot have immediate conflict and chemistry, but it's not contrived. I found myself rooting for their success from the early chapters.
Well written, great character development, a believable relationship arc, and hot.
Well written, great character development, a believable relationship arc, and hot.
May 7, 2024
This book fell flat for me, which is hard for me to say since the author is one of my all time favs. Had some good parts, so giving it a 3⭐️, but not reread material for me.
May 19, 2022
Could have been better
Writing is good, story was interesting but it seems like the illegal bookie issue would have been a way bigger deal than how it was represented. Had issues with several other details. If you’re going to throw a suspense element in, you’ve got to make it feel authentic. This missed the mark. Almost quit around halfway because it was dragging but it picked up after that, even though much of it didn’t make much sense. Some gratuitous violence on page for nothing but shock value.
Writing is good, story was interesting but it seems like the illegal bookie issue would have been a way bigger deal than how it was represented. Had issues with several other details. If you’re going to throw a suspense element in, you’ve got to make it feel authentic. This missed the mark. Almost quit around halfway because it was dragging but it picked up after that, even though much of it didn’t make much sense. Some gratuitous violence on page for nothing but shock value.
January 28, 2021
this story was not what I was expecting yet I really really liked it!!! the characters were super fun and felt very real, the plot was interesting and it got me hooked until the end. a nice read!!!!!
January 22, 2024
WOW. Just WOW.
When i started this book I though it was going to be just like all of Saxons other books and while it was still on brand for her this book was also nothing like all her other works but in a good way. This ended up being NOTHING like I expected and I couldn’t put it down.
We meet Taryn who is a professional football player and has been in the closet ever since he started his career. He’s just recently single after breaking up with his ex boyfriend since college and feeling lonely and not knowing where to go. Elliot is a bookie who doesn’t have any family and few friends. He’s trying to save up for his future and has no plans for a boyfriend or to settle down.
The book starts off with Taryn and Liam ending their relationship. They have both been in a relationship for several years and have decided that it needs to come to an end and for the both of them to go their separate ways, that their relationship was no longer working. This leaves Taryn feeling adrift and quite lonely which leaves him drinking a heavy amount to help with that and cope with losing the person that has always been there for him. One night after winning a game Taryn and his team decides to celebrate at a bar and one thing leads to another and he ends up drunk in the bathroom and thats where Elliot comes in and these two paths cross.
I absolutely love the way these two meet. It was definitely a meet cute and the way that it all went down inside a bars bathroom was just so much fun. Taryn was so drunk he had no memories of the night when he wakes up the next day. Elliot wasn’t wearing his glasses so he couldn’t get a good look at Taryns face. Elliot was so sweet with Taryn not pushing for anything more since he knew that Taryn was way to drunk to do anything that night. Also never pushing to confirm rather or not he was gay. He notice that he wasn’t in a good place and was probably struggling from something so he decides to give him his phone number if he ever needed a friend.
I loved that in the very beginning these two talked over the phone for a little bit before they ever decided to meet up in person. I really enjoyed the progression. It felt real and never felt like they were moving too fast. It took time for them to grow their trust with each other.
Once Elliot realized who Taryn really was he knew it would be good for both of their careers to try to put distance between themselves but of course Taryn wouldn’t make it easy for neither of them. There was just an instant connection and attraction between the two of them from the very beginning and it was hard to let go.
I loved the build up between being friends to friends with benefits and eventually becoming more and deciding to be in a relationship. It wasn’t easy and it took a lot of time for them to figure out what they wanted and being together was exactly what they both wanted and needed. And they were willing to do whatever to make it work.
I’ve never read a book with a plot between a football player and a bookie. It was such a new experience and I was wondering the WHOLE time how in the hell are these two going to make it work. I think Saxon did such a wonderful job in setting up the plot of the book with Elliot being a bookie and the struggle that will come from it and boy was there struggles! It took turns I NEVER saw coming and it was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. I liked how everything turned out even though I felt bad that Taryn and Elliot had to go through some terrible things but I’m so happy that they came through stronger and better in the end.
Taryn is such a sweetheart and never gave up on Elliot and was there with him every step of the way and the same goes for Elliot with Taryn, he was willing to make sacrifices and take risks to make their relationship work long term cause neither of them wanted to lost the other.
You would think Liam would be a bigger problem in the very beginning but to my surprise never was. I usually hate the exes in most books but from the beginning I never hated or dislike Liam. I got the vibe from him that he genuinely cared for Taryn and knew they wouldn’t the right person for each other. He still wanted to be friends with Taryn since they started out that way and just wanted him happy. I also loved that Taryn never hide Liam or their time together. Elliot knew everything from the very beginning and I loved that Taryn made sure he knew that it was him he wanted and not Liam.
This review is already way too long but I just had so many things to say about this book and can’t wait to come back to this over the years and see my original thoughts.
This book was so amazing and so good and nothing I expected and I really hope Saxon does more books like this cause the girl can write and I really loved the plot. It had be wondering up til the end. So happy my boys got their happy ending and can be left alone in peace. I loved all the characters and can’t wait to dive into Zane and Liam book next cause these boys deserve all the happiness after everything they went through. I would definitely recommend this book and just go in blind and I promise you wouldn’t be disappointed.
When i started this book I though it was going to be just like all of Saxons other books and while it was still on brand for her this book was also nothing like all her other works but in a good way. This ended up being NOTHING like I expected and I couldn’t put it down.
We meet Taryn who is a professional football player and has been in the closet ever since he started his career. He’s just recently single after breaking up with his ex boyfriend since college and feeling lonely and not knowing where to go. Elliot is a bookie who doesn’t have any family and few friends. He’s trying to save up for his future and has no plans for a boyfriend or to settle down.
The book starts off with Taryn and Liam ending their relationship. They have both been in a relationship for several years and have decided that it needs to come to an end and for the both of them to go their separate ways, that their relationship was no longer working. This leaves Taryn feeling adrift and quite lonely which leaves him drinking a heavy amount to help with that and cope with losing the person that has always been there for him. One night after winning a game Taryn and his team decides to celebrate at a bar and one thing leads to another and he ends up drunk in the bathroom and thats where Elliot comes in and these two paths cross.
I absolutely love the way these two meet. It was definitely a meet cute and the way that it all went down inside a bars bathroom was just so much fun. Taryn was so drunk he had no memories of the night when he wakes up the next day. Elliot wasn’t wearing his glasses so he couldn’t get a good look at Taryns face. Elliot was so sweet with Taryn not pushing for anything more since he knew that Taryn was way to drunk to do anything that night. Also never pushing to confirm rather or not he was gay. He notice that he wasn’t in a good place and was probably struggling from something so he decides to give him his phone number if he ever needed a friend.
I loved that in the very beginning these two talked over the phone for a little bit before they ever decided to meet up in person. I really enjoyed the progression. It felt real and never felt like they were moving too fast. It took time for them to grow their trust with each other.
Once Elliot realized who Taryn really was he knew it would be good for both of their careers to try to put distance between themselves but of course Taryn wouldn’t make it easy for neither of them. There was just an instant connection and attraction between the two of them from the very beginning and it was hard to let go.
I loved the build up between being friends to friends with benefits and eventually becoming more and deciding to be in a relationship. It wasn’t easy and it took a lot of time for them to figure out what they wanted and being together was exactly what they both wanted and needed. And they were willing to do whatever to make it work.
I’ve never read a book with a plot between a football player and a bookie. It was such a new experience and I was wondering the WHOLE time how in the hell are these two going to make it work. I think Saxon did such a wonderful job in setting up the plot of the book with Elliot being a bookie and the struggle that will come from it and boy was there struggles! It took turns I NEVER saw coming and it was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. I liked how everything turned out even though I felt bad that Taryn and Elliot had to go through some terrible things but I’m so happy that they came through stronger and better in the end.
Taryn is such a sweetheart and never gave up on Elliot and was there with him every step of the way and the same goes for Elliot with Taryn, he was willing to make sacrifices and take risks to make their relationship work long term cause neither of them wanted to lost the other.
You would think Liam would be a bigger problem in the very beginning but to my surprise never was. I usually hate the exes in most books but from the beginning I never hated or dislike Liam. I got the vibe from him that he genuinely cared for Taryn and knew they wouldn’t the right person for each other. He still wanted to be friends with Taryn since they started out that way and just wanted him happy. I also loved that Taryn never hide Liam or their time together. Elliot knew everything from the very beginning and I loved that Taryn made sure he knew that it was him he wanted and not Liam.
This review is already way too long but I just had so many things to say about this book and can’t wait to come back to this over the years and see my original thoughts.
This book was so amazing and so good and nothing I expected and I really hope Saxon does more books like this cause the girl can write and I really loved the plot. It had be wondering up til the end. So happy my boys got their happy ending and can be left alone in peace. I loved all the characters and can’t wait to dive into Zane and Liam book next cause these boys deserve all the happiness after everything they went through. I would definitely recommend this book and just go in blind and I promise you wouldn’t be disappointed.
February 17, 2023
Well I did not like this book very much. It follows a closeted gay football player and a bookie who fall in love. It starts out cutsey, quickly abandons the emotional stakes set up, and suddenly throws in a character being kidnapped a tortured at around 75-85% of the way into the book. We deal with the emotional stakes of all of this exactly never.
I really hated the way this author talks about coming out. It is very focused on coming out for someone else and on that person being worthy of the inconvenience being out will have on your life. It is just so divorced from how queer people engage with the idea of coming out. At one point in the novel the football player and his ex boyfriend have this exchange:“I wasn’t special enough, even after six years. And that’s okay. I’m not trying to guilt you for it because it is what it is. I just want you to be happy.” I just hated the way this author tied coming out to the worthiness of a romantic partner over and over again. It mostly served to make me dislike the football player character
The characterization of both her main characters is so poor. Which obviously translates to her secondary characters being just whatever they need to be for the plot without worrying about them needing to be either consistent or interesting. She did try for some nuance in the main characters but I really do not think that she did well at all. I would not accuse this author of competence in any facet of novel writing. The writing is repetitive and the two point of view characters are legitimately hard to tell apart despite being said to be so different.
The way this author uses violence as a flirting tactic is so messed up. When the couple are like making out or something one of them thinks this: "There is zero doubt in my mind if I got too rough, he’d knock me on my ass." And later in the book this is an exchange that's meant to be flirty:
Using threats of violence as a fun flirty exchange would make me uncomfortable in any book, but knowing that violence in queer relationships is already not taken seriously and seeing an author I am presuming is straight make light of that is really messed up. If real life football players largely are not made to face consequences for intimate partner violence (or other domestic violence). So that is two levels on which I felt this was incredibly wild to include. It is not romantic to threaten your partner, and this is a wild way to talk about a community you are not a part of.
The plot is meandering and poorly done as well. She has some hints that the bookie character is in over his head but they are very mild until about 65% of the way into this book when it suddenly abandons all the other emotional stakes and makes the characters just drop any previous concerns they had for no discernible reason and suddenly decides to do very bad romantic suspense. She never gives the characters tim to actually deal with the consequences of the literal torture one of them goes through and wrapps up the plot in such a hurry at the end. I just do not think she balanced this story well in any aspect.
I am headed back to the people who gave me good queer contemporary romance recommendations, I shall not be swayed to just scroll KU and read something at random.
I really hated the way this author talks about coming out. It is very focused on coming out for someone else and on that person being worthy of the inconvenience being out will have on your life. It is just so divorced from how queer people engage with the idea of coming out. At one point in the novel the football player and his ex boyfriend have this exchange:“I wasn’t special enough, even after six years. And that’s okay. I’m not trying to guilt you for it because it is what it is. I just want you to be happy.” I just hated the way this author tied coming out to the worthiness of a romantic partner over and over again. It mostly served to make me dislike the football player character
The characterization of both her main characters is so poor. Which obviously translates to her secondary characters being just whatever they need to be for the plot without worrying about them needing to be either consistent or interesting. She did try for some nuance in the main characters but I really do not think that she did well at all. I would not accuse this author of competence in any facet of novel writing. The writing is repetitive and the two point of view characters are legitimately hard to tell apart despite being said to be so different.
The way this author uses violence as a flirting tactic is so messed up. When the couple are like making out or something one of them thinks this: "There is zero doubt in my mind if I got too rough, he’d knock me on my ass." And later in the book this is an exchange that's meant to be flirty:
“Sure you don’t want to cancel?” I ask, giving him an out.
“Fuck no.”
“What if I wanted to cancel?”
“Then I’d kick your ass.” There’s no hesitation in his response which makes me feel instantly better.
Using threats of violence as a fun flirty exchange would make me uncomfortable in any book, but knowing that violence in queer relationships is already not taken seriously and seeing an author I am presuming is straight make light of that is really messed up. If real life football players largely are not made to face consequences for intimate partner violence (or other domestic violence). So that is two levels on which I felt this was incredibly wild to include. It is not romantic to threaten your partner, and this is a wild way to talk about a community you are not a part of.
The plot is meandering and poorly done as well. She has some hints that the bookie character is in over his head but they are very mild until about 65% of the way into this book when it suddenly abandons all the other emotional stakes and makes the characters just drop any previous concerns they had for no discernible reason and suddenly decides to do very bad romantic suspense. She never gives the characters tim to actually deal with the consequences of the literal torture one of them goes through and wrapps up the plot in such a hurry at the end. I just do not think she balanced this story well in any aspect.
I am headed back to the people who gave me good queer contemporary romance recommendations, I shall not be swayed to just scroll KU and read something at random.
August 20, 2023
Elliott + Taryn = SOOOOOOOOOOO SWEET!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2024
old post reposted
Not sure how I skipped an entire series by Saxon James. At. All. Let's remedy that. Here's the first official book to Saxon's "Reckless Love" series, titled "Risky."
(Also, was anyone going to tell me I spend two years spelling Saxon's name wrong?)
["My life in the NFL is a dream. Paid to play ball, to hang out with my team, to travel all across the country. I have everything I ever hoped for.
Except the guts to come out.
When my boyfriend gets tired of hiding in the closet and walks out on me, I make an easy decision: no more dating until I’m through with football. These are the best years of my career, and there’s no telling when retirement will hit. Head down. Focus. No regrets.
And then I wake up from a drunken night out with the team to find a new number in my phone. A Friend.
He doesn’t know who I am and I don’t know who he is, and having someone to talk to anonymously is freeing. He’s funny and a total flirt. The first name on my phone when I wake and the last person I speak to before I fall asleep at night.
He’s also the man I’m falling for.
I want to meet him, but that means revealing who I am, and as much as I want to trust him, it’s still risky. Risky he’ll out me. Risky someone will see us together.
I promised myself no more dating for this reason.
But he makes me want to take the risk."]
"Risky" was previous published as "Bet On Me" and part of a series previous titled Love's A Gamble (let's go with that being the reason I missed this book/series...). Elliott is Rainer's (prologue book) best friend.
This book!!!! D: I was smiling and laughing like a right idiot the entire time! Okay, not the entire time; there was a lot of sobbing and not-breathing. They were so sweet and perfect for each other and it was easy! Okay, so it was far from easy, for soooooo many reasons, but holy. shit. This book!! These men!! The love!! D:
#denial #risky #tempting #recklesslove #recklessloveseries #saxonjames #goodtimesandtanlines #betonme #callingyourbluff #lovesagamble #lovesagambleseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Not sure how I skipped an entire series by Saxon James. At. All. Let's remedy that. Here's the first official book to Saxon's "Reckless Love" series, titled "Risky."
(Also, was anyone going to tell me I spend two years spelling Saxon's name wrong?)
["My life in the NFL is a dream. Paid to play ball, to hang out with my team, to travel all across the country. I have everything I ever hoped for.
Except the guts to come out.
When my boyfriend gets tired of hiding in the closet and walks out on me, I make an easy decision: no more dating until I’m through with football. These are the best years of my career, and there’s no telling when retirement will hit. Head down. Focus. No regrets.
And then I wake up from a drunken night out with the team to find a new number in my phone. A Friend.
He doesn’t know who I am and I don’t know who he is, and having someone to talk to anonymously is freeing. He’s funny and a total flirt. The first name on my phone when I wake and the last person I speak to before I fall asleep at night.
He’s also the man I’m falling for.
I want to meet him, but that means revealing who I am, and as much as I want to trust him, it’s still risky. Risky he’ll out me. Risky someone will see us together.
I promised myself no more dating for this reason.
But he makes me want to take the risk."]
"Risky" was previous published as "Bet On Me" and part of a series previous titled Love's A Gamble (let's go with that being the reason I missed this book/series...). Elliott is Rainer's (prologue book) best friend.
This book!!!! D: I was smiling and laughing like a right idiot the entire time! Okay, not the entire time; there was a lot of sobbing and not-breathing. They were so sweet and perfect for each other and it was easy! Okay, so it was far from easy, for soooooo many reasons, but holy. shit. This book!! These men!! The love!! D:
#denial #risky #tempting #recklesslove #recklessloveseries #saxonjames #goodtimesandtanlines #betonme #callingyourbluff #lovesagamble #lovesagambleseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
February 6, 2020
Saxon James is a completely new author to me. And I must admit, I chose this read because of the hunk of a man on the cover. I mean, look at those pecs and shoulders! Sure, the level of drool-worthiness of the cover model might be a somewhat subpar way of choosing my reading. But luckily it worked out this time since Bet on Me was pretty awesome.
I really liked this story. I don’t know what it is about hot, gay athletes meeting the love of their life which eventually leads to them coming out that I find so captivating. But in my book, that trope never gets old.
Taryn and Elliot are very different characters, but it works. Taryn is the sweetest guy looking for someone to share his life with while Elliot tries to keep their relationship strictly physical so as not to get hurt. It’s beautifully described how these very different men grow to love each other.
There’s two very distinct parts in this story. The first half of the book is a slow-paced description of a tentative relationship growing more serious. In the second part, the story picks up pace when Elliot’s illegal bookmaking gets him in serious trouble. The turn the story took when that happened had me literally gasping in shock, so that was great writing by James. However, the final resolution of it all was perhaps a little too simple. An easy out that left me a bit unsatisfied as a reader. Also, Elliot’s healing capabilities felt a bit magical which I’m sure wasn’t the intent.
There aren’t that many side-characters in Bet on Me, but the ones who are there I would have loved to read more about. Elliot’s bestie Rainer will get his own book, Good Times and Tan Lines, but I’d much rather read about Taryn’s friend Zane. Hopefully he’ll be up next after that.
The smut-factor of Bet on Me is pretty average for an M/M read. There are some hot nudy scenes, but nothing to get too worked up about. The story is more of a romance in that aspect. But don’t let that discourage you 😉 this is still a great story for all man-lovers.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blo...
I really liked this story. I don’t know what it is about hot, gay athletes meeting the love of their life which eventually leads to them coming out that I find so captivating. But in my book, that trope never gets old.
Taryn and Elliot are very different characters, but it works. Taryn is the sweetest guy looking for someone to share his life with while Elliot tries to keep their relationship strictly physical so as not to get hurt. It’s beautifully described how these very different men grow to love each other.
There’s two very distinct parts in this story. The first half of the book is a slow-paced description of a tentative relationship growing more serious. In the second part, the story picks up pace when Elliot’s illegal bookmaking gets him in serious trouble. The turn the story took when that happened had me literally gasping in shock, so that was great writing by James. However, the final resolution of it all was perhaps a little too simple. An easy out that left me a bit unsatisfied as a reader. Also, Elliot’s healing capabilities felt a bit magical which I’m sure wasn’t the intent.
There aren’t that many side-characters in Bet on Me, but the ones who are there I would have loved to read more about. Elliot’s bestie Rainer will get his own book, Good Times and Tan Lines, but I’d much rather read about Taryn’s friend Zane. Hopefully he’ll be up next after that.
The smut-factor of Bet on Me is pretty average for an M/M read. There are some hot nudy scenes, but nothing to get too worked up about. The story is more of a romance in that aspect. But don’t let that discourage you 😉 this is still a great story for all man-lovers.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blo...
January 27, 2020
This was my first Saxon James book. Overall it was pretty good. I was sucked in from the very first page. But there were a couple of things in this book that kept me from fully giving this book 5 stars. One of the things is just a pet peeve of mine in books.
Right away I could tell their was more to Rainer’s character. I was kinda lost when he was talking about Ibiza and Colton. I just felt something was missing. And... I was right! When I looked up this authors other books. Good Times and Tan Lines is Rainer’s novella.
I hate feeling lost in books. I wish something was said about this other book. Because now I know how things go for Rainer and Colton.
Is this book going to be part of the Love’s a Gamble series? I mean... I think it should considering how Rainer is a big part of this book. And it should definitely say in this book 2nd in a series. So people can just read the novella first then read this book.
Moving on from all that.
I loved Elliot’s character. Just everything about him, I loved. His laid back personality. He had a sense of humor. I loved how he met Taryn!
I loved how they just didn’t jump into things. They talked and got to know each other.
And when they finally got together! It was good!
Taryn took me a minute to fully like him. I liked that he was all in with Elliot. He wanted to shout it out to everyone that he was with him. That he did care about anything to be with him.
The bookie thing. I wasn’t fully into it. It just seemed like it was missing something for me. I definitely didn’t like what happened to Elliot. I just thought it was a little too much.
Overall... this was a good read. And I’ll be checking out Rainer’s novella. See how it all started.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
Right away I could tell their was more to Rainer’s character. I was kinda lost when he was talking about Ibiza and Colton. I just felt something was missing. And... I was right! When I looked up this authors other books. Good Times and Tan Lines is Rainer’s novella.
I hate feeling lost in books. I wish something was said about this other book. Because now I know how things go for Rainer and Colton.
Is this book going to be part of the Love’s a Gamble series? I mean... I think it should considering how Rainer is a big part of this book. And it should definitely say in this book 2nd in a series. So people can just read the novella first then read this book.
Moving on from all that.
I loved Elliot’s character. Just everything about him, I loved. His laid back personality. He had a sense of humor. I loved how he met Taryn!
I loved how they just didn’t jump into things. They talked and got to know each other.
And when they finally got together! It was good!
Taryn took me a minute to fully like him. I liked that he was all in with Elliot. He wanted to shout it out to everyone that he was with him. That he did care about anything to be with him.
The bookie thing. I wasn’t fully into it. It just seemed like it was missing something for me. I definitely didn’t like what happened to Elliot. I just thought it was a little too much.
Overall... this was a good read. And I’ll be checking out Rainer’s novella. See how it all started.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
January 27, 2020
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4
A thrilling, exciting, and sexy tale that goes beyond the NFL star and the man that changes his world…
I really loved this story. Taryn and Elliot were brilliant together! While opposites and challenges from their jobs caused trouble, their dynamic was hot, sweet, and lovable. I loved the edge of thrill, suspense, and danger at every turn kept me hooked and needing to know what would happen next!
I found Taryn surprisingly open and trusting for such a closeted character. His care, love, and worry for Elliot was wonderful to see and unfold and just proves that when the right person comes along, it’s not hard to face your fears to keep them. Elliot was a unique character. I don’t feel like I’ve read anyone like him before. He’s driven, smart but not nerdy or sporty, he’s just Elliot. His dynamic with Taryn was hot from the start and grow into so much more. His job is somewhat dangerous and I was floored when Saxon actually included such violence towards a main character in a shady situation. It added a great level of authenticity to the overall story and proved she’s not me4ssing around with her characters!
Saxon’s writing was a breeze to read and I was caught up in the lust, attraction, and danger from the start. An awesome story that’s SO much more than a sports romance!!! I really can't wait for more in this series and loved so many of the secondary characters I really hope we get their stories soon!! A highly recommended read!!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚!
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4
A thrilling, exciting, and sexy tale that goes beyond the NFL star and the man that changes his world…
I really loved this story. Taryn and Elliot were brilliant together! While opposites and challenges from their jobs caused trouble, their dynamic was hot, sweet, and lovable. I loved the edge of thrill, suspense, and danger at every turn kept me hooked and needing to know what would happen next!
I found Taryn surprisingly open and trusting for such a closeted character. His care, love, and worry for Elliot was wonderful to see and unfold and just proves that when the right person comes along, it’s not hard to face your fears to keep them. Elliot was a unique character. I don’t feel like I’ve read anyone like him before. He’s driven, smart but not nerdy or sporty, he’s just Elliot. His dynamic with Taryn was hot from the start and grow into so much more. His job is somewhat dangerous and I was floored when Saxon actually included such violence towards a main character in a shady situation. It added a great level of authenticity to the overall story and proved she’s not me4ssing around with her characters!
Saxon’s writing was a breeze to read and I was caught up in the lust, attraction, and danger from the start. An awesome story that’s SO much more than a sports romance!!! I really can't wait for more in this series and loved so many of the secondary characters I really hope we get their stories soon!! A highly recommended read!!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚!
November 7, 2021
A new author for me. This story stars a closeted gay man (Tayrn) and an out-and-proud gay man named Eliot.
In the beginning, these two had amazing chemistry. I liked their interactions. Their flirty texts were highly enjoyable and cute. And when they However, mid-way through the book, I felt these two never moved past that. Their relationship was the start of something great, but I couldn't get over the fact that
Things were resolved WAY too quickly. But either way, I still liked this book. An easy read about two unlikely characters ending up together. 3.75 stars.
In the beginning, these two had amazing chemistry. I liked their interactions. Their flirty texts were highly enjoyable and cute. And when they However, mid-way through the book, I felt these two never moved past that. Their relationship was the start of something great, but I couldn't get over the fact that
Things were resolved WAY too quickly. But either way, I still liked this book. An easy read about two unlikely characters ending up together. 3.75 stars.
November 30, 2022
3.5 stars. Saxon James is reliably good and this book kept me engaged. That said, the characters could have used a little more development. Plot: Taryn is a closeted NFL player who just broke up with a long term boyfriend. Elliott is a bookie, looking to make a heap of money before moving on to a more legit lifestyle. The two meet in a bar one night, but neither one realizes what the other does for a living. When they eventually meet up and fall for each other it gets complicated.
Here's the deal. The bones of this book were great. I liked the idea of an athlete falling for a bookie. I liked the subplot of who might be fixing games. I liked the characters. But I didn't LOVE any of it. Everything need more. For example, Taryn was with his boyfriend for six frigging years, but they obviously weren't in love anymore. He was also clearly unwilling to come out for the boyfriend, which he viewed as an unacceptable risk to his career. But then he meets Elliott, whose career as a bookie is a HUGE threat and he's all "yeah, we're good." I get that he likes Elliott, but why the 180? Just love? It didn't make sense to me why all of a sudden Taryn's good with a guy who is literally getting kneecapped and involved in potentially fixing games for Taryn's team. As for Elliott, you get a smidge of backstory that he grew up poor so making money is important to him. But there's no real development of him other than that. I mean, the banter is good between the MCs, but I never fully invested in them. Same for the game fixing subplot. It ramps up right at the end and then the resolution feels half-baked and kind of unrealistic. In any event, this book was good but not great.
Here's the deal. The bones of this book were great. I liked the idea of an athlete falling for a bookie. I liked the subplot of who might be fixing games. I liked the characters. But I didn't LOVE any of it. Everything need more. For example, Taryn was with his boyfriend for six frigging years, but they obviously weren't in love anymore. He was also clearly unwilling to come out for the boyfriend, which he viewed as an unacceptable risk to his career. But then he meets Elliott, whose career as a bookie is a HUGE threat and he's all "yeah, we're good." I get that he likes Elliott, but why the 180? Just love? It didn't make sense to me why all of a sudden Taryn's good with a guy who is literally getting kneecapped and involved in potentially fixing games for Taryn's team. As for Elliott, you get a smidge of backstory that he grew up poor so making money is important to him. But there's no real development of him other than that. I mean, the banter is good between the MCs, but I never fully invested in them. Same for the game fixing subplot. It ramps up right at the end and then the resolution feels half-baked and kind of unrealistic. In any event, this book was good but not great.
January 25, 2023
4.4-4.5/5 ⭐💜
another Saxon James story that directly appealed to my soul. i picked this up primarily to read something familiar (sports romance) with some unfamiliarity (bookie MC) sprinkled in and that's exactly what i got with a near-flawless execution. it was kind of insta-love which i am not a fan of but that trope was well-complemented by the implicit complications of their careers directly clashing. i mean, a bookie who takes bets on football players dating a football player himself? it sounded like a fun disaster waiting to happen. which is exactly what we received, thank you.
i loved how their blurry first interaction in the men's bathroom developed into them talking over the phone and texting, the bond growing stronger and them learning each other naturally, without them knowing each other's identity. and i loved when that identity was revealed, and their careers flashed up between them, they took a step back to reassess too. but their coming back together had an inevitability to it too, and i loved that.
the best part was the arc for Elliot, how perennially allergic to relationships Elliot, who was so determined to label his and Taryn's hookups as no-strings-attached, ultimately plunged willingly into the relationship. i LOVED how Elliot, pragmatic, logical, Elliot slowly gave way to his emotions, burning a path through his pragmatism. like that ALWAYS drives me feral!
and of course, there was the closeted player part that Saxon James wrung all the feels out of. i adored Taryn for taking his time to be ready for his coming out, to brave that step knowing the homophobia and backlash that'd follow, because he didn't want Elliot to be his dirty secret. i loved how it was reiterated that even tho Elliot was the catalyst to this step, Taryn ultimately took it because he was finally ready himself.
but even apart from the romance, what made it more appealing to me was Elliot's job, the mystery surrounding game fixing, that was unfoiled with sufficient intrigue, the threats he received for diving too deep into the wrong end to unfoil the said mystery.
what ultimately happened to him was excruciating and i didn't actually think it'd happen, but we got the abrupt-break-up-to-save-someone, and getting-worried-and-taking-care-of-the-other out of it, which was enough to tide me over with how well it was all written.
another Saxon James story that directly appealed to my soul. i picked this up primarily to read something familiar (sports romance) with some unfamiliarity (bookie MC) sprinkled in and that's exactly what i got with a near-flawless execution. it was kind of insta-love which i am not a fan of but that trope was well-complemented by the implicit complications of their careers directly clashing. i mean, a bookie who takes bets on football players dating a football player himself? it sounded like a fun disaster waiting to happen. which is exactly what we received, thank you.
i loved how their blurry first interaction in the men's bathroom developed into them talking over the phone and texting, the bond growing stronger and them learning each other naturally, without them knowing each other's identity. and i loved when that identity was revealed, and their careers flashed up between them, they took a step back to reassess too. but their coming back together had an inevitability to it too, and i loved that.
the best part was the arc for Elliot, how perennially allergic to relationships Elliot, who was so determined to label his and Taryn's hookups as no-strings-attached, ultimately plunged willingly into the relationship. i LOVED how Elliot, pragmatic, logical, Elliot slowly gave way to his emotions, burning a path through his pragmatism. like that ALWAYS drives me feral!
and of course, there was the closeted player part that Saxon James wrung all the feels out of. i adored Taryn for taking his time to be ready for his coming out, to brave that step knowing the homophobia and backlash that'd follow, because he didn't want Elliot to be his dirty secret. i loved how it was reiterated that even tho Elliot was the catalyst to this step, Taryn ultimately took it because he was finally ready himself.
but even apart from the romance, what made it more appealing to me was Elliot's job, the mystery surrounding game fixing, that was unfoiled with sufficient intrigue, the threats he received for diving too deep into the wrong end to unfoil the said mystery.
what ultimately happened to him was excruciating and i didn't actually think it'd happen, but we got the abrupt-break-up-to-save-someone, and getting-worried-and-taking-care-of-the-other out of it, which was enough to tide me over with how well it was all written.
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