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For Puck's Sake #1
Shiver
A touch so intimate, a kiss so deep…
Egon Wolf is on a hockey scholarship but failing at everything else. Knowing he’s going to lose his ride if he doesn’t get his academic act together, he seeks out a tutor.
Rakesh Aahnu is a dual major and dangerous when bored. What he enjoys more than anything is the challenge of making straight men fall for him before walking away. Just because he can.
But both Egon and Rakesh are about to discover that life has a way of throwing you in the sin-bin when you least expect it.
And when faced with an unfamiliar play?
All you can do is shiver.
***
This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.
Egon Wolf is on a hockey scholarship but failing at everything else. Knowing he’s going to lose his ride if he doesn’t get his academic act together, he seeks out a tutor.
Rakesh Aahnu is a dual major and dangerous when bored. What he enjoys more than anything is the challenge of making straight men fall for him before walking away. Just because he can.
But both Egon and Rakesh are about to discover that life has a way of throwing you in the sin-bin when you least expect it.
And when faced with an unfamiliar play?
All you can do is shiver.
***
This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2023
1138 people are currently reading
3983 people want to read
About the author
Crea Reitan
116 books1,133 followersCrea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. When she can't fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center - and utterly swoon-worthy! Don't ask her how many book boyfriends she has...
When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don't even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!
When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don't even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 645 reviews
June 13, 2023
Ok, I think a lot of ppl will like this. Haven’t heard of this author before and wanted to try this book. It’s ..not bad, the writing needs a little bit more editing but it was ok.
We have a douchy, toppy, gay nerd and a gentle giant (too child-like sometimes) straight hockey player jock. The nerdy guy is an asshole who likes to seduce straight guys (excuse me while I do this 🙄-I was surprised he managed to get away without a single punch in the face) and while he tutors this sweet jock he manages to seduce him and yada yada they fall in love. There’s a melodramatic break up at about 70% with a side of angst and then all the sappiness in the world with a side of “growl growl you’re mine”. The end . Not my kind of book but if you like douchy nerds, gentle submissive giants, smut and sappiness and OTT protective MCs this is your book. 2,5 stars from me.
We have a douchy, toppy, gay nerd and a gentle giant (too child-like sometimes) straight hockey player jock. The nerdy guy is an asshole who likes to seduce straight guys (excuse me while I do this 🙄-I was surprised he managed to get away without a single punch in the face) and while he tutors this sweet jock he manages to seduce him and yada yada they fall in love. There’s a melodramatic break up at about 70% with a side of angst and then all the sappiness in the world with a side of “growl growl you’re mine”. The end . Not my kind of book but if you like douchy nerds, gentle submissive giants, smut and sappiness and OTT protective MCs this is your book. 2,5 stars from me.
June 13, 2023
✰ 4.5 stars ✰
🩵 hockey romance
🤍 needy sub jock x hot dom nerd
🩵 hella praise kink & "good boy" 😩
🤍 student/tutor
🩵 hurt/comfort
🤍 spicyyyy with 🍆 warming *cough* 👀
🩵 commitment phobe that gets whipped real fast
🤍 co-dependency & possessiveness
🩵 OTT but in a good way (in my opinion)
when i saw that this was nerd/jock but with a twist on the power dynamics that you don't normally see in nerd/jock books, i had to read it. usually the jock is the player but that's not the case here (which i actually loved). i was a lil hesitant in the beginning because of Rakesh's (the hot nerd) intentions. Rakesh is the player, pretty much all of his thoughts in the beginning of the book were sexual. he purposely seeks out straight guys (specifically athletes) to "turn them gay" and it's all a game to him. but don't worry, he whips himself into shape real fast for Egon and he gets oh so whipped. he doesn't have the best intentions, but he is not out to hurt anyone emotionally, he just wants to hook up and move on and he makes the known to who he's with. so at least there was that (lol). but still, his character gets much better as the story goes on and i really ended up loving him. I adored Egon, he was so so sweet and precious. he's not your typical jock. he was a big needy teddy bear, very sensitive and vulnerable, but with a big heart and needed someone to take care of him. 🥺
there was so many moments like this. i loved how Rakesh quickly realized he was in trouble because he couldn't stop himself from falling in love with Egon. his boundaries and limits went quickly out the door when it came to Egon. if Egon needed anything, he would immediately drop everything and there was nothing he could do to stop himself. their relationship passed into some co-dependency territory. there were some moments in this that reminded me of Raven and Clint from Bad Wrong Things by CP Harris. it's definitely not close to the intensity of that book but it def gave me some similar subtle vibes. they quite literally could not live without each other. there was no Egon or Rakesh, it will always be Egon and Rakesh. the neediness was so so good as well. Egon needed to be taken care of, he's clingy and thrives on praise and Rakesh loved giving that to him. he loved being needed by Egon. their dynamic was so 😍
and the possessiveness? omg. top tier 🤤
the hurt/comfort and angst hit hard in this one too. it wasn't high angst or anything like that, but i did cry during the book. my heart broke for Egon 💔 he deserves the world and to be protected at all costs. the tropes were perfect and this is a book I'd definitely revisit in the future for rereads. Rakesh and Egon stole my heart, made me cry, broke my heart, and then put it back together. this is the first book is a series of interconnected standalones (9 books in total). the next book is MMM, so that will be interesting 👀
For Puck's Sake series (so far)
book 1 - Shiver - 4.5 stars
book 2 - Starting Line - tbr
❝Because you’re the sun that I’m orbiting around. I will love you until the stars stop burning. You aren’t just my world, Egon Wolf. You’re my entire universe.❞ — Rakesh ♡
❝If I’m the universe, you’re everything in it. You can’t have a universe without the stars and the moons and planets and asteroids.❞ He waved a hand. ❝You complete me. You make me whole. And when you take all those things away, I’m fucking empty.❞ — Egon ♡
🩵 hockey romance
🤍 needy sub jock x hot dom nerd
🩵 hella praise kink & "good boy" 😩
🤍 student/tutor
🩵 hurt/comfort
🤍 spicyyyy with 🍆 warming *cough* 👀
🩵 commitment phobe that gets whipped real fast
🤍 co-dependency & possessiveness
🩵 OTT but in a good way (in my opinion)
when i saw that this was nerd/jock but with a twist on the power dynamics that you don't normally see in nerd/jock books, i had to read it. usually the jock is the player but that's not the case here (which i actually loved). i was a lil hesitant in the beginning because of Rakesh's (the hot nerd) intentions. Rakesh is the player, pretty much all of his thoughts in the beginning of the book were sexual. he purposely seeks out straight guys (specifically athletes) to "turn them gay" and it's all a game to him. but don't worry, he whips himself into shape real fast for Egon and he gets oh so whipped. he doesn't have the best intentions, but he is not out to hurt anyone emotionally, he just wants to hook up and move on and he makes the known to who he's with. so at least there was that (lol). but still, his character gets much better as the story goes on and i really ended up loving him. I adored Egon, he was so so sweet and precious. he's not your typical jock. he was a big needy teddy bear, very sensitive and vulnerable, but with a big heart and needed someone to take care of him. 🥺
❝Will you hold me all night?❞
The vulnerability in his voice cracks something in my chest. Like he just slammed a sledgehammer into my sternum. I suck in a breath before putting my weight more fully on top of him, pressing him between me and the bed. ❝All night, Egon. I’m not going anywhere.❞
I’m in so much trouble.
❝Can I stay here tonight?❞i—💀 Rakesh barely even tried lmaooo (but we love that).
No. No! Tell him no. Fuck me, tell him no, goddamn it.
❝Yes.❞
there was so many moments like this. i loved how Rakesh quickly realized he was in trouble because he couldn't stop himself from falling in love with Egon. his boundaries and limits went quickly out the door when it came to Egon. if Egon needed anything, he would immediately drop everything and there was nothing he could do to stop himself. their relationship passed into some co-dependency territory. there were some moments in this that reminded me of Raven and Clint from Bad Wrong Things by CP Harris. it's definitely not close to the intensity of that book but it def gave me some similar subtle vibes. they quite literally could not live without each other. there was no Egon or Rakesh, it will always be Egon and Rakesh. the neediness was so so good as well. Egon needed to be taken care of, he's clingy and thrives on praise and Rakesh loved giving that to him. he loved being needed by Egon. their dynamic was so 😍
I want to take care of him. The fact that he needs me to only feeds into some weird hidden desire that I didn’t know I had. I’m gripping my fork so tight my knuckles are white, just so I don’t reach for him again.
and the possessiveness? omg. top tier 🤤
❝Who do you belong to, Egon?❞ I can’t stop myself from asking.
His grin is wide. He blinks, his eyes focusing on me when he answers. ❝You. Only you, Rakesh.❞
❝Good,❞ I grunt. ❝Don’t let anyone else touch you.❞
the hurt/comfort and angst hit hard in this one too. it wasn't high angst or anything like that, but i did cry during the book. my heart broke for Egon 💔 he deserves the world and to be protected at all costs. the tropes were perfect and this is a book I'd definitely revisit in the future for rereads. Rakesh and Egon stole my heart, made me cry, broke my heart, and then put it back together. this is the first book is a series of interconnected standalones (9 books in total). the next book is MMM, so that will be interesting 👀
For Puck's Sake series (so far)
book 1 - Shiver - 4.5 stars
book 2 - Starting Line - tbr
July 12, 2023
❝ Maybe it shouldn't have been so easy to forgive him. Maybe I should have made him beg or something. But all I wanted was to be with him again. He's my person. The person that makes me whole. That makes everything okay. ❞
gagged! this was really good. the only thing that i didn't really vibed with was how the 'bad guy' wasn't actually a bad guy. and i think that was a missed opportunity to make this book even greater. 4 stars because i think both mcs, rake and egon, equally carried the story. gave major black cat and golden retriever energy. usually in my reads its one character carrying the other but definitely not in this one. also, a lot of swoony and dramatic moments. excited for the next one!
![Profile Image for Lilly [Hiatus due to School] .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1663899589i%2F10381707._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 14, 2023
“You’re the sun that I’m orbiting around. I will love you until the stars stop burning. You aren’t just my world, Egon Wolf. You’re my entire universe.”
While Shiver is a Nerd x Jock romance, we get a bit of a subversion of the usual trope, which was nice to see. Rakesh, the nerd, is an intelligent, cocky, arrogant, out-and-proud gay man who doesn’t do attachments or relationships. Boredom leads him to sexually conquest men who are “straight” and dropping them after getting them hooked on him.
Egon is an honest, sweet and loveable jock. He’s on a scholarship playing hockey but is struggling with his coursework; he’s failing, jeopardising his scholarship. His coach connects him with Rakesh for tutoring, and soon things sort of spiral. He starts to fall off his tutor, and Rakesh starts to question his own feelings
The possessiveness and protectiveness.
I’m weak for characters who want to own/ be claimed by their lovers. Rakesh possessiveness of Egon is *chef kiss*
The way he defends and stands up for him is also beautiful. Egon has self-confidence issues that stem from his upbringing, so seeing Rakesh get angry on his behalf and stand up to his cheating girlfriend was wonderful to read.
Egon’s Submission.
I loved how submissive Egon was, especially in bed. Rakesh is an asshole, but he also really took care of Egon. The way he fed, held, and praised him…. It was all too cute. He anticipated all of Egon’s needs and made sure to remind him how proud he was.
What I didn't like -- I’m not crazy about the commitment-phobe falling in love for the first time, losing their mind and then hurting the person they love trope. That happens here. I felt so bad for Egon, especially since he's really fell for Rakesh and opened up to him so much. He’s so submissive, sweet, and himbo-like that seeing him in pain, heartbroken and hurt was not good for my heart.
Rakesh has borderline misogynistic thoughts about women. He acknowledged it like I'm glad he's self-aware but it still left a bad taste.
Rakesh comes to his senses and realizes the damage he's done to Egon and makes it up to him. The love confession and everything that follows is very OTT but I liked it. Egon takes Rakesh back easily, but that boy was so far gone for him.
Overall I really enjoyed Shiver. Crea Reitan is a new to me author (this is their first MM book) and I think they did a really good job. Looking forward to the next book! There's going to be 9 books in this series, I do wonder if it's going to be all MM/MM+
While Shiver is a Nerd x Jock romance, we get a bit of a subversion of the usual trope, which was nice to see. Rakesh, the nerd, is an intelligent, cocky, arrogant, out-and-proud gay man who doesn’t do attachments or relationships. Boredom leads him to sexually conquest men who are “straight” and dropping them after getting them hooked on him.
“Messing with athletes is always one of my favourite activities. They are so set in their masculinity that they barely even acknowledge when they’re turned on until their boner is basically poking their eyes out. Their freakouts after our hookups are worth recording.”
Egon is an honest, sweet and loveable jock. He’s on a scholarship playing hockey but is struggling with his coursework; he’s failing, jeopardising his scholarship. His coach connects him with Rakesh for tutoring, and soon things sort of spiral. He starts to fall off his tutor, and Rakesh starts to question his own feelings
The possessiveness and protectiveness.
I’m weak for characters who want to own/ be claimed by their lovers. Rakesh possessiveness of Egon is *chef kiss*
“I want to take care of him. The fact that he needs me only feeds into some weird hidden desire that I didn’t know I had. I’m gripping my fork so tight my knuckles are white, just so I don’t reach for him again.”
“I make sure he understands whose mouth this is. Whose body is this? Who does he fucking belong to? There’s only one person allowed to touch him, and that’s me.”
“Who do you belong to, Egon?” I can’t stop myself from asking. His grin is wide. He blinks, his eyes focusing on me when he answers. “You. Only you, Rakesh.”
The way he defends and stands up for him is also beautiful. Egon has self-confidence issues that stem from his upbringing, so seeing Rakesh get angry on his behalf and stand up to his cheating girlfriend was wonderful to read.
Egon’s Submission.
I loved how submissive Egon was, especially in bed. Rakesh is an asshole, but he also really took care of Egon. The way he fed, held, and praised him…. It was all too cute. He anticipated all of Egon’s needs and made sure to remind him how proud he was.
“I liked being held down,” he admits in a whisper. “Being at your mercy. When you touch me.”
“The only thing I can hear is Rake telling me how good I feel. How smart I am. How proud he is of me. For passing my classes. For winning my game. For taking his dick like I was made for it. For enjoying this. For not coming yet.”
What I didn't like -- I’m not crazy about the commitment-phobe falling in love for the first time, losing their mind and then hurting the person they love trope. That happens here. I felt so bad for Egon, especially since he's really fell for Rakesh and opened up to him so much. He’s so submissive, sweet, and himbo-like that seeing him in pain, heartbroken and hurt was not good for my heart.
“More than anything, I need him to take me in his arms and hug me. To make it all go away. To tell me what I did wrong so I can never do it again. I need him to heal all the broken pieces of my heart.”
Rakesh has borderline misogynistic thoughts about women. He acknowledged it like I'm glad he's self-aware but it still left a bad taste.
Rakesh comes to his senses and realizes the damage he's done to Egon and makes it up to him. The love confession and everything that follows is very OTT but I liked it. Egon takes Rakesh back easily, but that boy was so far gone for him.
“The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can hold you down and fuck my husband until he’s screaming like a banshee. Then I’m going to watch my cum drip from his sexy little hole.”
Overall I really enjoyed Shiver. Crea Reitan is a new to me author (this is their first MM book) and I think they did a really good job. Looking forward to the next book! There's going to be 9 books in this series, I do wonder if it's going to be all MM/MM+
July 15, 2023
Rake and Egon are such a great couple. I enjoy how different they are not just in personality, but how they interact with one another. Rake is a playboy with no intention of a serious relationship. Egon is a sweet athlete who is looking for someone he can feel safe with. Together they have explosive chemistry and care so deeply for one another.
I love all of the cuddles and how intimate both Rake and Egon eventually are with one another. Their devotion and protection for one another create such a unique and special bond that only becomes more powerful once their feelings are finally revealed.
This was a great story with amazing characters that I completely fell head over heels for. Cannot wait for the next entry.
I love all of the cuddles and how intimate both Rake and Egon eventually are with one another. Their devotion and protection for one another create such a unique and special bond that only becomes more powerful once their feelings are finally revealed.
This was a great story with amazing characters that I completely fell head over heels for. Cannot wait for the next entry.
June 19, 2023
I think I picked this up for the vibes but I ended up really hating the MC. Rakesh initially was intellectual and was a genius and I thought yay but we’re immediately introduced to his asshole and arrogant side from his inner monologues. It wasn’t an appealing arrogant either, it’s dialogues that make you roll your eyes.
Eagan was just a baby the entire book. Cute. Vulnerable and couldn’t function without Rake. I mean, some parts of the book were fun but others were barely tolerable. I say go into it for fun and don’t take much of it seriously
Eagan was just a baby the entire book. Cute. Vulnerable and couldn’t function without Rake. I mean, some parts of the book were fun but others were barely tolerable. I say go into it for fun and don’t take much of it seriously
December 22, 2024
DNF @ 8%
I may or may not come back to this book but for fucks sake, Rake has nothing on his mind but fucking and its his only personality trait so far. His dick as fucking twitched so many God damn times, Im afraid he might have a problem, like seizures or some shit. I cant be bothered to read this shit, even though I paid money for the audiobook, thank Christ it was on sale. I may or may not come back to this shit, but for now its a big fat no fucking thank you, I'll keep my braincells.
I may or may not come back to this book but for fucks sake, Rake has nothing on his mind but fucking and its his only personality trait so far. His dick as fucking twitched so many God damn times, Im afraid he might have a problem, like seizures or some shit. I cant be bothered to read this shit, even though I paid money for the audiobook, thank Christ it was on sale. I may or may not come back to this shit, but for now its a big fat no fucking thank you, I'll keep my braincells.
February 17, 2024
Actual rating 🤷🤷.5 / 5 'I don't even know' stars
Spice rating 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Don't know what to rate this really. It was comforting, hot as hell, but also had elements that had me cringe hard.
Whenever c💦m is called 'juice', i can't. You stop it right now.
[...] I bring my fingers between my lips and suck off his juice.
No. Ew.
First of all, there were markedly too many details of the character of Rakesh that made me hate him, hate him, hate him. He is your standard issue F-boy, who made it a mission to seduce straight guys for sport. As soon as they got a taste of him and all the goodness a man like him could provide, he ghosted.
[...] I'm going to fuck with them physically and mentally. But not emotionally. I don't want to break them in that way. I want to corrupt the world, one straight man at a time, and show them that sexuality isn't just black and white. There's a whole fucking gray area that's far larger than either side.
Ridiculous. And you think, well, he must have been hurt before and now he has closed himself off from making a real connection, right? So wrong.
[...] Contrary to how it might appear, I haven't been hurt in any way. I've never allowed myself to be vulnerable enough with anyone to explain my aversion to relationships. The only pattern I've noticed in my desires is that if sex is too easy to get, it's boring.
What an upstanding specimen of humanity, this one. And i do get it, this was done to emphasize the contrast between Rake (fitting, huh) being with others and him being with Egon. Egon is special, and Rake just sheds all his fucked up beliefs for him. Not easily, but he does.
Second, this book had too many hockey and science details which were unnecessary: Egon is a semi-clever jock and Rake is a nerd with two masters degrees, no need to intersperse the writing with terms particular to their characters, we get it. Oh, and the editing was ATROCIOUS. I will never understand why we just accept the fact that editing is skipped over? There were grammar errors, typo's and what seemed like entirely wrong words used in sentences that got lost in an autocorrect frenzy.
Third, dat 3rd act break up. Oh man, i knew going in this one was going to get angsty around the 65% mark, and it sure did. And it didn't disappoint. I was reeling for Egon. He was so hurt, i think it pulled on the young adult heartstrings of mine (from back in the day), when you are faced with having to deal with your unrequited love. This delivered.
[...] I think the doctor knew that i was just a pathetic piece of shit suffering from being dumped. - accurate representation of what that's like.
However, having said all that, there were bits of the writing, the plot and the character development that i loved.
[...] "You pass your midterms - all of them - and i'll fuck you all damn night, Egon. You won't even rembemer your name when I'm done," I promise, my voice low and husky.
He grins, nodding. "Should have used that for motivation a long time ago, Rakesh."
♨️ Excuse the fuck out of me, sir, this is a new approach to teaching and I am here for it (but don't think it will be allowed IRL, someone who's still in college let me know). ♨️
There wasn't nearly enough grovelling to fix the fuck up that Rake was. I needed more from Egon - more resistance, instead:
[...] I hold him so tight. Trying to prevent myself from falling. Or floating away. Maybe drowning.
Otherwise, happy happy reading 🪭
Spice rating 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Don't know what to rate this really. It was comforting, hot as hell, but also had elements that had me cringe hard.
Whenever c💦m is called 'juice', i can't. You stop it right now.
[...] I bring my fingers between my lips and suck off his juice.
No. Ew.
First of all, there were markedly too many details of the character of Rakesh that made me hate him, hate him, hate him. He is your standard issue F-boy, who made it a mission to seduce straight guys for sport. As soon as they got a taste of him and all the goodness a man like him could provide, he ghosted.
[...] I'm going to fuck with them physically and mentally. But not emotionally. I don't want to break them in that way. I want to corrupt the world, one straight man at a time, and show them that sexuality isn't just black and white. There's a whole fucking gray area that's far larger than either side.
Ridiculous. And you think, well, he must have been hurt before and now he has closed himself off from making a real connection, right? So wrong.
[...] Contrary to how it might appear, I haven't been hurt in any way. I've never allowed myself to be vulnerable enough with anyone to explain my aversion to relationships. The only pattern I've noticed in my desires is that if sex is too easy to get, it's boring.
What an upstanding specimen of humanity, this one. And i do get it, this was done to emphasize the contrast between Rake (fitting, huh) being with others and him being with Egon. Egon is special, and Rake just sheds all his fucked up beliefs for him. Not easily, but he does.
Second, this book had too many hockey and science details which were unnecessary: Egon is a semi-clever jock and Rake is a nerd with two masters degrees, no need to intersperse the writing with terms particular to their characters, we get it. Oh, and the editing was ATROCIOUS. I will never understand why we just accept the fact that editing is skipped over? There were grammar errors, typo's and what seemed like entirely wrong words used in sentences that got lost in an autocorrect frenzy.
Third, dat 3rd act break up. Oh man, i knew going in this one was going to get angsty around the 65% mark, and it sure did. And it didn't disappoint. I was reeling for Egon. He was so hurt, i think it pulled on the young adult heartstrings of mine (from back in the day), when you are faced with having to deal with your unrequited love. This delivered.
[...] I think the doctor knew that i was just a pathetic piece of shit suffering from being dumped. - accurate representation of what that's like.
However, having said all that, there were bits of the writing, the plot and the character development that i loved.
[...] "You pass your midterms - all of them - and i'll fuck you all damn night, Egon. You won't even rembemer your name when I'm done," I promise, my voice low and husky.
He grins, nodding. "Should have used that for motivation a long time ago, Rakesh."
♨️ Excuse the fuck out of me, sir, this is a new approach to teaching and I am here for it (but don't think it will be allowed IRL, someone who's still in college let me know). ♨️
There wasn't nearly enough grovelling to fix the fuck up that Rake was. I needed more from Egon - more resistance, instead:
[...] I hold him so tight. Trying to prevent myself from falling. Or floating away. Maybe drowning.
Otherwise, happy happy reading 🪭
June 19, 2023
This book was quite literally terrible. The writing? Atrocious. The tropes? I mean a third act breakup and miscommunication all in one? *gag* The characters? Meh. I didn’t really care what happened because we literally never got to know them apart from they had sex. Which is cool but the only thing this book had going for it was that is was smutty and you could tell that was all this author really cared about when writing her first mm romance.
Honestly this book felt like one giant fetish for the author to live out and we don’t fetishize queer relationships here. Also there were so many harmful stereotypes. Just. No. Fuck all the way off with that.
Will I rec this? No. No I won’t.
Wow who am I leaving a negative review. We don’t know her. We don’t do this.
Honestly this book felt like one giant fetish for the author to live out and we don’t fetishize queer relationships here. Also there were so many harmful stereotypes. Just. No. Fuck all the way off with that.
Will I rec this? No. No I won’t.
Wow who am I leaving a negative review. We don’t know her. We don’t do this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2024
uhm... don't know about this one. The audio was fine, about the story I have mixed feeling. I was bored a lot and expected something more intense/different.
January 17, 2024
reread Jan. 2024
4.5/5 stars
I love this book. God the twist in the dynamic to the characters. I loved Rakesh and Egon. They complement each other so well. I love how Rake holds Egon and comforts him every single time. When Egon was freaking out, Rake was always there to help him. And I love how Egon was able to make Rake become more than an empty shell of a person. They just warmed my heart. The tattoo was so sickeningly sweet.
4.5/5 stars
“If I’m the universe, you’re everything in it. You can’t have a universe without the stars and the moons and planets and asteroids. You complete me. You make me whole. And when you take all those things away, I’m fucking empty.”
I love this book. God the twist in the dynamic to the characters. I loved Rakesh and Egon. They complement each other so well. I love how Rake holds Egon and comforts him every single time. When Egon was freaking out, Rake was always there to help him. And I love how Egon was able to make Rake become more than an empty shell of a person. They just warmed my heart. The tattoo was so sickeningly sweet.
“Because you’re the sun that I’m orbiting around. I will love you until the stars stop burning. You aren’t just my world, Egon Wolf. You’re my entire universe.”
Read
May 30, 2023DNF @ 13% - I’m disappointed. This is a concept I love but it’s too wordy and the MC is an asshole and not in the ‘good fictional character asshole’ way.
July 27, 2023
⭐️ 2.5 stars ⭐️
Pretty standard, fun but not exceptional college sports romance.
The relationship between the characters was different and surprising - the jock submitting completely was definitely hot.
I also enjoyed the needy vs caretaker dynamic.
That is, unfortunately, where the list of things I liked about this book ends.
The characters had no backstory and barely any personality. Other than one being a jock and one being a tutor, we know almost nothing about them.
The sexuality awakening and exploration was very fast-paced, but also many scenes ended up being fade to black and the whole story is on a continuous time jump.
Let’s get to my main issue — the third act breakup. Usually, it’s the previously straight character that initiates the breakup for various issues, so I was pleasantly surprised that it was the other way around here.
Rake’s reasons, though, are completely non-sensical and the whole breakup portion is just heartbreakingly and unnecessarily sad.
Personally, I think this needed more character development and more actual interactions between the characters on page.
It had a great start and potential, but I didn’t feel anything for the MCs while reading this.
CW and tropes:
↠ tutor vs jock
↠ gay awakening
↠ praise kink
↠ strict top/bottom (jock is the bottom)
↠ needy MC vs caretaker MC
POV: 1st person, dual
Pretty standard, fun but not exceptional college sports romance.
The relationship between the characters was different and surprising - the jock submitting completely was definitely hot.
I also enjoyed the needy vs caretaker dynamic.
“When he gives me praise my mouth salivates. My gaze blurs for a second. And a deliciously frightening shiver races down my spine. It makes me… want.”
That is, unfortunately, where the list of things I liked about this book ends.
The characters had no backstory and barely any personality. Other than one being a jock and one being a tutor, we know almost nothing about them.
The sexuality awakening and exploration was very fast-paced, but also many scenes ended up being fade to black and the whole story is on a continuous time jump.
”My chest hurts. Breathing hurts. Everything hurts. I think I love him. But he doesn’t love me. And now I’m broken beyond repair.”
Let’s get to my main issue — the third act breakup. Usually, it’s the previously straight character that initiates the breakup for various issues, so I was pleasantly surprised that it was the other way around here.
Rake’s reasons, though, are completely non-sensical and the whole breakup portion is just heartbreakingly and unnecessarily sad.
Personally, I think this needed more character development and more actual interactions between the characters on page.
It had a great start and potential, but I didn’t feel anything for the MCs while reading this.
CW and tropes:
↠ tutor vs jock
↠ gay awakening
↠ praise kink
↠ strict top/bottom (jock is the bottom)
↠ needy MC vs caretaker MC
POV: 1st person, dual
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
⭐️ 4.5/5 – Angst-ridden, praise-starved chaos with the softest Golden Retriever jock you’ll ever meet
🌶 4/5 – Slow-burn steam that explodes into pure possessive heat
Shiver by Crea Reitan had me straight-up spiraling from page one. This MM hockey romance served some of my most favorite tropes:
✔️ Jock submissive bottom (with the biggest softest Golden Retriever energy) 🐶
✔️ Smaller dominant top (with the emotionally constipated black cat vibes) 🐈⬛️
✔️ Hurt/comfort, praise kink, and that delicious mix of codependency and caretaking that turned my insides to mush. ❤️🔥🫠
Egon is my precious, needy, clingy, sweet, panicky baby boy. The way he craves praise and affection had me screaming into my pillow. He’s got this big strong body but the most fragile soft heart that just wants to be loved and taken care of, and every time he doubted himself, I wanted to grab him and never let go. 😭
And Rake? Fucking hell. He gave me whiplash. On the outside, he's so damn confident—he tells Egon all the right things: "I'm here, let me take care of you." He's calm, in control, doting. But inside? This man is a full-blown panic attack in slow motion. He's having internal meltdowns every time Egon gets a little too close, emotionally sprinting in the opposite direction while still holding Egon's hand. Like bro, you can't be feeding my boy chicken and acting like a husband while planning your exit route in your head. 😤
That third act breakup at 60%? KILLED. ME. DEAD. I ugly cried. Egon’s spiral of self-blame and heartbreak felt too real. I couldn’t breathe. I hated Rake. I wanted vengeance. I wanted blood. And then?? NO GROVELING?! EXCUSE ME? I was robbed. I needed this man on his knees sobbing, but he just... showed up and acted better 😑 like no bro, bring the fucking drama if you’re gonna destroy my heart like that. 😒
Still... the payoff? The HEA? So fucking worth it. That ending put every cracked piece of my heart back in place and kissed it better. This story hurt me and healed me and I’m still emotionally hungover in the best way. 💔🤗✨️
If you're like me—weak for big needy subs and emotionally constipated dom tops with angst that punches you in the face—read this immediately. Just bring tissues and a stress ball. 🤧
-
Quotes:
"Rakesh?"
"Yes?"
"Can I stay here tonight?"
No. No! Tell him no. Fuck me, tell him no, goddamn it.
"Yes."
-
"It's alright. Whatever you've been through, I'm here now. I'll never let anyone hurt you."
But I hold him to me and continue to tell him that I'll protect him. Though I'm not sure who will protect him from me.
-
“Who do you belong to, Egon?”
“You. Only you, Rakesh.”
“Good. Don’t let anyone else touch you.”
-
"Uh, uh. You're just going to sit on my dick. Keep it nice and warm and ready. All you're allowed to do is eat the fucking pizza."
-
Does he know I am driving myself up a wall with this? Does he know I am fucking panicking? Thinking the worst things? Questioning everything?
Does he care?
-
“Because you’re the sun that I’m orbiting around. I will love you until the stars stop burning. You aren’t just my world, Egon Wolf. You’re my entire universe.”
-
"If I'm the universe, you're everything in it. You can't have a universe without the stars and the moons and planets and asteroids." He waved a hand. "You complete me. You make me whole. And when you take all those things away, I'm fucking empty."
-
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🏒 MM, strict roles
🏒 Rakesh Aahnu aka Rake 23yo and Egon Wolf
🏒 Rake: Dual major student, teacher's assistant
🏒 Egon: Full-ride scholarship student, college hockey defenseman
🏒 Rake: Top, dominant, well-toned body, black hair, dark eyes, 6ft/183cm, 170pounds/77kg, tatted-up
🏒 Egon: Bottom, submissive, 200pounds/90kg, 6ft2/188cm, muscular, gray eyes, short cropped hair
Genre and tropes:
🏒 MM hockey romance
🏒 Nerd x Jock (subverted)
🏒 D/s dynamic
🏒 Smaller dominant top
🏒 Commitment-phobe player "nerd"
🏒 Hot nerd
🏒 Black cat vibes top
🏒 Golden retriever jock
🏒 Cheating ex-girlfriend as plot catalyst
🏒 J/P protective MCs
🏒 Mine mine mine
🏒 Codependency
🏒 Separation anxiety
🏒 Bi-awakening
🏒 First times
🏒 Hurt/comfort
🏒 Opposites attract
🏒 Rake got a hockey stick and puck tattoo
🏒 Pet names: Baby
Safety info:
🏒 Angst: High
🏒 OW/OM drama: Egon's ex-girlfriend
🏒 Cheating/sharing: No
🏒 Third act breakup: Yes, a fucking agonizing one 😭💔
🏒 Ending: HEA 🥹
🏒 Epilogue: No
🏒 POV: Dual, 1st person
🏒 Series structure: Interconnected standalone
Spice and kinks:
Praise (good boy), D/s dynamic, handjobs, cum play, cum on face, pushes cum into (mouth), dirty talk, orgasm control, edging, blowjobs, finger fucking, frotting, semi-public sex (in the office with the door unlocked), fisting, cock warming (while eating), rimming, tounge fucking, snowballing, bareback
CW/TW:
Misogyny, anxiety, meltdown, depression, hospitalization due to severe dehydration and starvation, abandonment issues
🌶 4/5 – Slow-burn steam that explodes into pure possessive heat
Shiver by Crea Reitan had me straight-up spiraling from page one. This MM hockey romance served some of my most favorite tropes:
✔️ Jock submissive bottom (with the biggest softest Golden Retriever energy) 🐶
✔️ Smaller dominant top (with the emotionally constipated black cat vibes) 🐈⬛️
✔️ Hurt/comfort, praise kink, and that delicious mix of codependency and caretaking that turned my insides to mush. ❤️🔥🫠
Egon is my precious, needy, clingy, sweet, panicky baby boy. The way he craves praise and affection had me screaming into my pillow. He’s got this big strong body but the most fragile soft heart that just wants to be loved and taken care of, and every time he doubted himself, I wanted to grab him and never let go. 😭
And Rake? Fucking hell. He gave me whiplash. On the outside, he's so damn confident—he tells Egon all the right things: "I'm here, let me take care of you." He's calm, in control, doting. But inside? This man is a full-blown panic attack in slow motion. He's having internal meltdowns every time Egon gets a little too close, emotionally sprinting in the opposite direction while still holding Egon's hand. Like bro, you can't be feeding my boy chicken and acting like a husband while planning your exit route in your head. 😤
That third act breakup at 60%? KILLED. ME. DEAD. I ugly cried. Egon’s spiral of self-blame and heartbreak felt too real. I couldn’t breathe. I hated Rake. I wanted vengeance. I wanted blood. And then?? NO GROVELING?! EXCUSE ME? I was robbed. I needed this man on his knees sobbing, but he just... showed up and acted better 😑 like no bro, bring the fucking drama if you’re gonna destroy my heart like that. 😒
Still... the payoff? The HEA? So fucking worth it. That ending put every cracked piece of my heart back in place and kissed it better. This story hurt me and healed me and I’m still emotionally hungover in the best way. 💔🤗✨️
If you're like me—weak for big needy subs and emotionally constipated dom tops with angst that punches you in the face—read this immediately. Just bring tissues and a stress ball. 🤧
-
Quotes:
"Rakesh?"
"Yes?"
"Can I stay here tonight?"
No. No! Tell him no. Fuck me, tell him no, goddamn it.
"Yes."
-
"It's alright. Whatever you've been through, I'm here now. I'll never let anyone hurt you."
But I hold him to me and continue to tell him that I'll protect him. Though I'm not sure who will protect him from me.
-
“Who do you belong to, Egon?”
“You. Only you, Rakesh.”
“Good. Don’t let anyone else touch you.”
-
"Uh, uh. You're just going to sit on my dick. Keep it nice and warm and ready. All you're allowed to do is eat the fucking pizza."
-
Does he know I am driving myself up a wall with this? Does he know I am fucking panicking? Thinking the worst things? Questioning everything?
Does he care?
-
“Because you’re the sun that I’m orbiting around. I will love you until the stars stop burning. You aren’t just my world, Egon Wolf. You’re my entire universe.”
-
"If I'm the universe, you're everything in it. You can't have a universe without the stars and the moons and planets and asteroids." He waved a hand. "You complete me. You make me whole. And when you take all those things away, I'm fucking empty."
-
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🏒 MM, strict roles
🏒 Rakesh Aahnu aka Rake 23yo and Egon Wolf
🏒 Rake: Dual major student, teacher's assistant
🏒 Egon: Full-ride scholarship student, college hockey defenseman
🏒 Rake: Top, dominant, well-toned body, black hair, dark eyes, 6ft/183cm, 170pounds/77kg, tatted-up
🏒 Egon: Bottom, submissive, 200pounds/90kg, 6ft2/188cm, muscular, gray eyes, short cropped hair
Genre and tropes:
🏒 MM hockey romance
🏒 Nerd x Jock (subverted)
🏒 D/s dynamic
🏒 Smaller dominant top
🏒 Commitment-phobe player "nerd"
🏒 Hot nerd
🏒 Black cat vibes top
🏒 Golden retriever jock
🏒 Cheating ex-girlfriend as plot catalyst
🏒 J/P protective MCs
🏒 Mine mine mine
🏒 Codependency
🏒 Separation anxiety
🏒 Bi-awakening
🏒 First times
🏒 Hurt/comfort
🏒 Opposites attract
🏒 Rake got a hockey stick and puck tattoo
🏒 Pet names: Baby
Safety info:
🏒 Angst: High
🏒 OW/OM drama: Egon's ex-girlfriend
🏒 Cheating/sharing: No
🏒 Third act breakup: Yes, a fucking agonizing one 😭💔
🏒 Ending: HEA 🥹
🏒 Epilogue: No
🏒 POV: Dual, 1st person
🏒 Series structure: Interconnected standalone
Spice and kinks:
Praise (good boy), D/s dynamic, handjobs, cum play, cum on face, pushes cum into (mouth), dirty talk, orgasm control, edging, blowjobs, finger fucking, frotting, semi-public sex (in the office with the door unlocked), fisting, cock warming (while eating), rimming, tounge fucking, snowballing, bareback
CW/TW:
Misogyny, anxiety, meltdown, depression, hospitalization due to severe dehydration and starvation, abandonment issues
July 12, 2023
DNF about 45%? Dunno how I lasted this long tbh 😂
Well, this is vile? I mean, not the book per se, but the MC totally is. He's totally a predator. Also, he's a dick. His whole purpose and personality trait is that he doesn't ask for nothing, he doesn't beg, he's god's gift to mankind, so irresistible that every man walking his path, straight or gay, would immediately feel the need to suck his dick. If he finds resistance, he will enter a weird strategy of "seduction" in which he will totally emotionally manipulate a guy until he can easily slip into their pants. He knows he leaves them confused and often brokenhearted, and he doesn't care.
If that doesn't give you weird Ted Bundy-esque vibes then I don't know what would.
Egon is sweet. He starts off as a normal, albeit overwhelmed, college athlete. As soon as he gets into a sexual relationship with Rake, tho, he becomes childish, clingy, needy, and just... weird. The whole vibe was weird. Too weird. The sex was terrible and cringy, and reading it left a huge icky feeling on my skin, like I'd just read a fetishization fantasy I wasn't supposed to read.
Women are HORRIBLY portrayed here, a disgusting, misogynistic portrayal. The MC is a horrible misogynist as well, ofc. He absolutely says out loud he finds women repulsive.
So yeah. NOPE.
Please delete this book from the universe
Well, this is vile? I mean, not the book per se, but the MC totally is. He's totally a predator. Also, he's a dick. His whole purpose and personality trait is that he doesn't ask for nothing, he doesn't beg, he's god's gift to mankind, so irresistible that every man walking his path, straight or gay, would immediately feel the need to suck his dick. If he finds resistance, he will enter a weird strategy of "seduction" in which he will totally emotionally manipulate a guy until he can easily slip into their pants. He knows he leaves them confused and often brokenhearted, and he doesn't care.
If that doesn't give you weird Ted Bundy-esque vibes then I don't know what would.
Egon is sweet. He starts off as a normal, albeit overwhelmed, college athlete. As soon as he gets into a sexual relationship with Rake, tho, he becomes childish, clingy, needy, and just... weird. The whole vibe was weird. Too weird. The sex was terrible and cringy, and reading it left a huge icky feeling on my skin, like I'd just read a fetishization fantasy I wasn't supposed to read.
Women are HORRIBLY portrayed here, a disgusting, misogynistic portrayal. The MC is a horrible misogynist as well, ofc. He absolutely says out loud he finds women repulsive.
So yeah. NOPE.
Please delete this book from the universe
August 27, 2024
Reminded me of watching Eastenders in the early 2000's in all honesty! The amount of melodrama..... (PSA - don't waste time watching Eastenders these days, it's depressing AF)
This was weirdly so entertaining to me 😂 It was like a car crash that you just can't look away from and I'm actually a little in awe because of it.
Rakesh's personality of being an arrogant, inconsiderate twatwaffle really came across whenever it was his POV - I didn't like him, but I did like that I knew it was his POV. I would have liked to know a bit more about him though, because we know he's a genius and likes to mess with straight or 'straight' men with no regards to the damage he potentially causes, and he clearly enjoys being in a Daddy type role for Egon, but other than that he falls a little flat. He has one friend that is mentioned, and a couple of colleagues, but he essentially doesn't do anything but work and take care of Egon. He was for sure entertaining to read, but he did feel like there was something missing.
Egon.... this guy!! I actually cried for him when he was going through it BUT I wanted to know why he reacted that way, not just that he did. What happened to Egon for him to have such low self-worth? Like the guy buries his head in the sand about his cheating girlfriend, and he loses his temper with his teammates whenever they literally tell him the truth. I would have liked to know what had happened to him previously for him to feel like no one wanted him, and for rejection from Rakesh to cause such an adverse reaction in him. If there had been more detail on this, then I think I actually could have rated higher. I did feel his emotional ups and downs come across in his POV, but there was too much missing from his backstory. Like his parents are barely mentioned until suddenly they are and they're hateful, homophobic people - it just felt like a puzzle piece that was jammed into the wrong place and needed more detail. I did like how he didn't really question the fact that he was attracted to Rakesh though, and I liked how cuddly they were when it was good times - very cute and I think that's what kept me reading.
I also felt like the sex scenes were unrealistic? I mean, I'm Ace AF so I don't have all that much experience to call on, but three days of continuous anal sex just sounds extremely fucking painful to me! I wanted to throw Egon an icepack and a donut cushion and I couldn't even fathom how he was still moving afterwards, let alone playing hockey.... I mean I feel like that was inaccurate?? Also the first time Egon has anal sex he pretty much gets Rakesh's entire hand up there first.... that just sounds so ouch to me 😂😂😂 I legit kept flinching in sympathy!!
Despite all that though, I am weirdly intrigued and I just want to read more of this series!!! If you like completely ridiculous, unrealistic and melodramatic stories with huge plot holes and missing character info that rivals even the cheesiest of soap operas, then I think this could be for you!!
This was weirdly so entertaining to me 😂 It was like a car crash that you just can't look away from and I'm actually a little in awe because of it.
Rakesh's personality of being an arrogant, inconsiderate twatwaffle really came across whenever it was his POV - I didn't like him, but I did like that I knew it was his POV. I would have liked to know a bit more about him though, because we know he's a genius and likes to mess with straight or 'straight' men with no regards to the damage he potentially causes, and he clearly enjoys being in a Daddy type role for Egon, but other than that he falls a little flat. He has one friend that is mentioned, and a couple of colleagues, but he essentially doesn't do anything but work and take care of Egon. He was for sure entertaining to read, but he did feel like there was something missing.
Egon.... this guy!! I actually cried for him when he was going through it BUT I wanted to know why he reacted that way, not just that he did. What happened to Egon for him to have such low self-worth? Like the guy buries his head in the sand about his cheating girlfriend, and he loses his temper with his teammates whenever they literally tell him the truth. I would have liked to know what had happened to him previously for him to feel like no one wanted him, and for rejection from Rakesh to cause such an adverse reaction in him. If there had been more detail on this, then I think I actually could have rated higher. I did feel his emotional ups and downs come across in his POV, but there was too much missing from his backstory. Like his parents are barely mentioned until suddenly they are and they're hateful, homophobic people - it just felt like a puzzle piece that was jammed into the wrong place and needed more detail. I did like how he didn't really question the fact that he was attracted to Rakesh though, and I liked how cuddly they were when it was good times - very cute and I think that's what kept me reading.
I also felt like the sex scenes were unrealistic? I mean, I'm Ace AF so I don't have all that much experience to call on, but three days of continuous anal sex just sounds extremely fucking painful to me! I wanted to throw Egon an icepack and a donut cushion and I couldn't even fathom how he was still moving afterwards, let alone playing hockey.... I mean I feel like that was inaccurate?? Also the first time Egon has anal sex he pretty much gets Rakesh's entire hand up there first.... that just sounds so ouch to me 😂😂😂 I legit kept flinching in sympathy!!
Despite all that though, I am weirdly intrigued and I just want to read more of this series!!! If you like completely ridiculous, unrealistic and melodramatic stories with huge plot holes and missing character info that rivals even the cheesiest of soap operas, then I think this could be for you!!
December 12, 2023
His grin does something to me. My stomach flips. [...] What the actual fuck? Nobody's smile garners a reaction from me.
4.5 ⭐️ Alright, alright, I finally understand the hype for this book. In the beginning, I wasn't sure I'd like it because I didn't like Rakesh's attitude and inner monologue. But he grew on me, just like his icy heart melted for Egon.
Rakesh, a grad student and TA, is emotionally unavailable and likes to challenge himself by seducing straight jocks. His uncle coaches the hockey team and when one of his players risks failing his classes, he gives him Rakesh's number. That's how Rakesh ends up tutoring Egon and does miracles for his grades with his strict study schedule. While Rakesh's end goal is to bed Egon and discard him after the semester is over, he ends up liking his company and can't help himself when it comes to taking care of Egon's needs. He likes being in charge, and Egon enjoys not having to think about his schedule, training, eating, etc. Rakesh's praise does something to him, and Egon starts developing feelings for his tutor the more they spend time together. Rakesh does like Egon as well and feels possessive... but he can't let himself feel things. He's convinced he's unreliable and incapable of loving someone, of being what Egon needs.
But I just stare at him instead. Wondering when this is going to get old. When am I going to need to hurt him? [...] Maybe I don't need to hurt him. Maybe I can keep going for a while longer.
I really loved this book! There were a few niggles here and there, and the characters were a bit over the top at some point, but it didn't stop me from enjoying Egon and Rakesh's story. Their connection and chemistry was wonderful. I was a big fan of how Rakesh took care of Egon, how he took care of everything. How he praised him and encouraged him. You could just see how Rakesh managed to take the weight off of Egon's shoulders and allowed him to reach his potential.
With my hand around his neck, I pull him back so he's arched, and I can place my mouth at his ear. "Good boy," I murmur, and he shivers, moaning.
There's also Rakesh's possessiveness, which totally worked in this book. I liked how he was always there and how he showed everyone Egon was his without confirming anything. He accompanied him to class, walked with him to the arena, went to his games, etc. Rakesh didn't like how attached he'd become, yet he couldn't stop himself.
A warmth spreads through my chest as I stare at him. He's mine. That's fucking horrifying.
I wasn't a big fan of the unavoidable drama that occurred... but like Egon, I was quick to forgive. I just wanted to see them happy and in love together. These boys were intense in every aspect of their relationship, but I was there for it ♡
Clearly we skipped like 8,000 steps and just went straight for gold.
4.5 ⭐️ Alright, alright, I finally understand the hype for this book. In the beginning, I wasn't sure I'd like it because I didn't like Rakesh's attitude and inner monologue. But he grew on me, just like his icy heart melted for Egon.
Rakesh, a grad student and TA, is emotionally unavailable and likes to challenge himself by seducing straight jocks. His uncle coaches the hockey team and when one of his players risks failing his classes, he gives him Rakesh's number. That's how Rakesh ends up tutoring Egon and does miracles for his grades with his strict study schedule. While Rakesh's end goal is to bed Egon and discard him after the semester is over, he ends up liking his company and can't help himself when it comes to taking care of Egon's needs. He likes being in charge, and Egon enjoys not having to think about his schedule, training, eating, etc. Rakesh's praise does something to him, and Egon starts developing feelings for his tutor the more they spend time together. Rakesh does like Egon as well and feels possessive... but he can't let himself feel things. He's convinced he's unreliable and incapable of loving someone, of being what Egon needs.
But I just stare at him instead. Wondering when this is going to get old. When am I going to need to hurt him? [...] Maybe I don't need to hurt him. Maybe I can keep going for a while longer.
I really loved this book! There were a few niggles here and there, and the characters were a bit over the top at some point, but it didn't stop me from enjoying Egon and Rakesh's story. Their connection and chemistry was wonderful. I was a big fan of how Rakesh took care of Egon, how he took care of everything. How he praised him and encouraged him. You could just see how Rakesh managed to take the weight off of Egon's shoulders and allowed him to reach his potential.
With my hand around his neck, I pull him back so he's arched, and I can place my mouth at his ear. "Good boy," I murmur, and he shivers, moaning.
There's also Rakesh's possessiveness, which totally worked in this book. I liked how he was always there and how he showed everyone Egon was his without confirming anything. He accompanied him to class, walked with him to the arena, went to his games, etc. Rakesh didn't like how attached he'd become, yet he couldn't stop himself.
A warmth spreads through my chest as I stare at him. He's mine. That's fucking horrifying.
I wasn't a big fan of the unavoidable drama that occurred... but like Egon, I was quick to forgive. I just wanted to see them happy and in love together. These boys were intense in every aspect of their relationship, but I was there for it ♡
Clearly we skipped like 8,000 steps and just went straight for gold.
June 4, 2023
Dropped 15%
Rakesh is disgusting, period. I understand that when we read MM, we're used to see a lot of talk about dick and other sexual things, but this book is unbearable.
Egon is trying to save his grades, to keep his scholarship, and the only thing that Rakesh is capable of focusing is how he will make Egon suck him or do any other thing he want.
The way he not respect Egon or any person at all, just believing that because he wants you should do it, for tucking sake, is he a kid or a grow ass man?
And I have to say, I stopped because Egon was super happy for his improvement on one class, until that moment they hadn't any chemistry and the author made Rakesh thinks "oh he was to happy that I would make him suck my cock as a gift".
SO DISGUSTING.
Sex isn't a problem, it's a natural thing, but when you make everything about the character only focus in how he thinks that everyone wants and should have sex with him, is gross and to disrespectful.
In a nutshell, Egon is really sweet and I would love to read more about him. But Rakesh acts and thinks like a creepy man that you should keep distance.
Rakesh is disgusting, period. I understand that when we read MM, we're used to see a lot of talk about dick and other sexual things, but this book is unbearable.
Egon is trying to save his grades, to keep his scholarship, and the only thing that Rakesh is capable of focusing is how he will make Egon suck him or do any other thing he want.
The way he not respect Egon or any person at all, just believing that because he wants you should do it, for tucking sake, is he a kid or a grow ass man?
And I have to say, I stopped because Egon was super happy for his improvement on one class, until that moment they hadn't any chemistry and the author made Rakesh thinks "oh he was to happy that I would make him suck my cock as a gift".
SO DISGUSTING.
Sex isn't a problem, it's a natural thing, but when you make everything about the character only focus in how he thinks that everyone wants and should have sex with him, is gross and to disrespectful.
In a nutshell, Egon is really sweet and I would love to read more about him. But Rakesh acts and thinks like a creepy man that you should keep distance.
April 9, 2024
3 ✨ Meh very sappy, maybe a little too sappy for me but still enjoyed.
June 17, 2023
A hopeful start that went downhill super fast... With all due respect to the author, this book was...not good at all, even a bit problematic.
*spoilers below*
-A "genius" gay dude who likes to seduce straight men, take their virginities & ditch them.
-A needy hockey player who is failing all of his classes.
-So many hugs/cuddles between straight & gay dudes. Like, really, in what universe?
-Alpha behavior is always a red flag. Especially if a dude is straight & you're his tutor, holding him possessively in front of his friends when he's not out is straight up weird.
-Together for like a week, then the break-up & both of the men behave like it's the end of the world. Starving because the other person didn't tell you to eat/fed you is insane. I haven't seen such dramatic ("depressive") behavior for ages.
-Tattoo to remind yourself of the guy you fucked & dumped is always a good idea!
-Got back together after a month & decided it's a good idea to get married almost right away.
-Everyone is super happy & understanding of you coming out as bi & getting married.
-Have I mentioned the genius tutor dude is hella rich & never mentioned it before the marriage?
-Miraculously passing all the classes & graduating.
The 1 star is for the sex scenes which were actually hot. Everything else was insane and I honestly don't know why I didn't DNF this book.
*spoilers below*
-A "genius" gay dude who likes to seduce straight men, take their virginities & ditch them.
-A needy hockey player who is failing all of his classes.
-So many hugs/cuddles between straight & gay dudes. Like, really, in what universe?
-Alpha behavior is always a red flag. Especially if a dude is straight & you're his tutor, holding him possessively in front of his friends when he's not out is straight up weird.
-Together for like a week, then the break-up & both of the men behave like it's the end of the world. Starving because the other person didn't tell you to eat/fed you is insane. I haven't seen such dramatic ("depressive") behavior for ages.
-Tattoo to remind yourself of the guy you fucked & dumped is always a good idea!
-Got back together after a month & decided it's a good idea to get married almost right away.
-Everyone is super happy & understanding of you coming out as bi & getting married.
-Have I mentioned the genius tutor dude is hella rich & never mentioned it before the marriage?
-Miraculously passing all the classes & graduating.
The 1 star is for the sex scenes which were actually hot. Everything else was insane and I honestly don't know why I didn't DNF this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
I was in the mood for a spicy jock/nerd biawakening romance with a bit of a size and age difference and this book kinda just fell in my lap. It was exactly what I wanted to read with a morally grey(ish) character that stole my heart. The tropes lined up perfectly with what I was craving as a mood reader but went beyond the formulaic tropey books that are everywhere right now. The characters had depth and there were some unexpected plot elements that I really loved. And the sex was HOT! 🥵🥵
I've enjoyed other books from this author but Shiver is one of my favourites so far... now I'm off to read the rest of the series!
I've enjoyed other books from this author but Shiver is one of my favourites so far... now I'm off to read the rest of the series!
May 24, 2024
I am confusion 😕 😅
This book was weird.
I didn't like how one of the MCs wth the weird name thought about women.
I didn't even like this character for most of the book.
The Bi-awakening was *blink and you miss it*
...
A weird book that made me feel weird 😆
This book was weird.
I didn't like how one of the MCs wth the weird name thought about women.
I didn't even like this character for most of the book.
The Bi-awakening was *blink and you miss it*
...
A weird book that made me feel weird 😆
September 13, 2023
“Men Writing Women” is well documented and discussed online. Now let’s discuss “Women Writing Men.” Particularly, “Women Writing Gay Men.” Because wow, if I read another line about how a penis was sentient and apparently thought for itself, I was going to throw my Kindle. As a gay man, Crea Reitan’s first venture into MM “romance” makes me incredibly uncomfortable due to the clear fetishization of an entire marginalized community and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and tropes. I do not recommend this book and would encourage readers to stay away from this author. Spoilers below.
This book isn’t poorly written per se, but it doesn’t stand out as anything special. It follows the “rules” of the genre to deliver a run-of-the-mill story. It’s erotic fiction with hockey. You have all the standard tropes, toxic romance, and “satisfying” endings you could want. But as a queer book? It’s evident the author only sees gay men as vehicles for her sexual fantasies and is writing for other straight women who also don’t think of us as more than masturbation material. In today’s climate, writing like this and then getting mad at queer men for calling you out is a bold choice.
Even though the author follows several gay (at least queer presenting) OnlyFans models on Twitter, it’s clear she doesn’t interact with the gay community in any significant way, because any gay AMAB person could tell you that we can’t just have spontaneous sex for hours, days, weeks at a time, especially after eating meals that can mess up the gut. Unless one partner is a trans individual with an AFAB body, it’s just not happening. I don’t care if it breaks romantic/sexual immersion to have a character run to the bathroom for a half hour before engaging in sex, it’s gotta happen. There’s a lot more problems with the “representation” of queer people that we will get to soon.
Rakesh is a gay man of color who preys on straight men for sex. In the first few pages, we learn how he is a rampant misogynist (he spends time judging women’s bodies to determine if they are conventionally attractive) and a predator of men he finds attractive (mostly straight men). “I want to corrupt the world, one straight man at a time…” (pg 103). He doesn’t like sleeping with other gay men because they are “too easy” and he likes a challenge. The only other gay man in the story is a guy who also likes to sleep around. There is no other mention of queer culture or people. Enter Egon, a college hockey player who needs a tutor to help him pass his classes to stay on the hockey team. Rakesh reluctantly helps and starts to fall for the grey-eyed, innocent Egon. Yes, this story is about a gay man of color preying on a straight, white man.
Egon’s girlfriend is constantly cheating on him and when Egon finds out, he is driven into Rakesh’s arms and the story rushes forward from there. Reitan uses incredibly misogynistic writing to describe most of the women in this work, particularly this girlfriend. She is an aggressive person with no boundaries who likes to grope men (much like Reitan herself when she decided to step into MM romance). The first time Egon and Rakesh have penetrative sex, there is no prep, Rakesh basically fists him, and then they have sex. Reitan writes these sex scenes like Rakesh was a straight man and Egon is a straight cis woman. This isn’t gay, this is a straight person’s interpretation of gay sex, and it’s bad. As the story progresses, the two become incredibly codependent on each other. We get to witness a toxic relationship that will eventually be rewarded. Rakesh realizes he’s fallen for Egon and cuts him off. Egon falls into a deep depression and needs to be hospitalized. The two do end up together again and by the end of the book, elope. Tada.
Most mm romance (i.e. erotic fiction) is written by and for straight, cis women. That is a problem. Queer stories and themes are being poorly represented by these authors and other women who read this will internalize it. It also leads to women fetishizing gay men. We have a problem with straight women going to gay bars, invading gay spaces and assaulting us. Reitan wrote a work where you could substitute Egon with a woman, and it would still work. I don’t care if tropes and generalization are what makes this genre work. If you are going to write outside your experience, you fucking do it right. Works like this, works that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and don’t accurately address the queer experience? We don’t appreciate them. Our lives are not for your consumption.
This author clearly doesn’t care about input from queer men, as seen by her behavior on TikTok and how in her acknowledgments, only women, no men, are thanked. Stay away from Crea Reitan.
This book isn’t poorly written per se, but it doesn’t stand out as anything special. It follows the “rules” of the genre to deliver a run-of-the-mill story. It’s erotic fiction with hockey. You have all the standard tropes, toxic romance, and “satisfying” endings you could want. But as a queer book? It’s evident the author only sees gay men as vehicles for her sexual fantasies and is writing for other straight women who also don’t think of us as more than masturbation material. In today’s climate, writing like this and then getting mad at queer men for calling you out is a bold choice.
Even though the author follows several gay (at least queer presenting) OnlyFans models on Twitter, it’s clear she doesn’t interact with the gay community in any significant way, because any gay AMAB person could tell you that we can’t just have spontaneous sex for hours, days, weeks at a time, especially after eating meals that can mess up the gut. Unless one partner is a trans individual with an AFAB body, it’s just not happening. I don’t care if it breaks romantic/sexual immersion to have a character run to the bathroom for a half hour before engaging in sex, it’s gotta happen. There’s a lot more problems with the “representation” of queer people that we will get to soon.
Rakesh is a gay man of color who preys on straight men for sex. In the first few pages, we learn how he is a rampant misogynist (he spends time judging women’s bodies to determine if they are conventionally attractive) and a predator of men he finds attractive (mostly straight men). “I want to corrupt the world, one straight man at a time…” (pg 103). He doesn’t like sleeping with other gay men because they are “too easy” and he likes a challenge. The only other gay man in the story is a guy who also likes to sleep around. There is no other mention of queer culture or people. Enter Egon, a college hockey player who needs a tutor to help him pass his classes to stay on the hockey team. Rakesh reluctantly helps and starts to fall for the grey-eyed, innocent Egon. Yes, this story is about a gay man of color preying on a straight, white man.
Egon’s girlfriend is constantly cheating on him and when Egon finds out, he is driven into Rakesh’s arms and the story rushes forward from there. Reitan uses incredibly misogynistic writing to describe most of the women in this work, particularly this girlfriend. She is an aggressive person with no boundaries who likes to grope men (much like Reitan herself when she decided to step into MM romance). The first time Egon and Rakesh have penetrative sex, there is no prep, Rakesh basically fists him, and then they have sex. Reitan writes these sex scenes like Rakesh was a straight man and Egon is a straight cis woman. This isn’t gay, this is a straight person’s interpretation of gay sex, and it’s bad. As the story progresses, the two become incredibly codependent on each other. We get to witness a toxic relationship that will eventually be rewarded. Rakesh realizes he’s fallen for Egon and cuts him off. Egon falls into a deep depression and needs to be hospitalized. The two do end up together again and by the end of the book, elope. Tada.
Most mm romance (i.e. erotic fiction) is written by and for straight, cis women. That is a problem. Queer stories and themes are being poorly represented by these authors and other women who read this will internalize it. It also leads to women fetishizing gay men. We have a problem with straight women going to gay bars, invading gay spaces and assaulting us. Reitan wrote a work where you could substitute Egon with a woman, and it would still work. I don’t care if tropes and generalization are what makes this genre work. If you are going to write outside your experience, you fucking do it right. Works like this, works that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and don’t accurately address the queer experience? We don’t appreciate them. Our lives are not for your consumption.
This author clearly doesn’t care about input from queer men, as seen by her behavior on TikTok and how in her acknowledgments, only women, no men, are thanked. Stay away from Crea Reitan.
January 10, 2025
4.5 stars! this was so cute!!!!!
June 10, 2023
Seemed good in theory
DNF.
that is why the 2 star rating. Bisexual awakening is one of my favorite tropes, but this book is not doing it for me. I even skipped ahead to see if the book would get better, but no such luck.
Possible Spoilers -------------------------------------
Egon is way too needy and lacks self-worth. He lets himself go by not taking care of himself and ends up in the hospital. Dramatic much??? Coach and friends rally for him, but he loses all interest in what was once the most important thing for him. Meanwhile, his internal monolog is exhausting. What did I do wrong? Why wasn't I enough? Blah blah blah
Seriously, this reads more like a teenager than a 20-something college man.
I honestly don't get what all the 4 and 5 star ratings are about. I'm only giving it 2 stars, and that's bc I want to be fair to the author. But I will not be finishing this book. I won't even comment on Rake because I want to be done with this review.
There are very few authors who get co-dependency right. This book missed the mark by far.
DNF.
that is why the 2 star rating. Bisexual awakening is one of my favorite tropes, but this book is not doing it for me. I even skipped ahead to see if the book would get better, but no such luck.
Possible Spoilers -------------------------------------
Egon is way too needy and lacks self-worth. He lets himself go by not taking care of himself and ends up in the hospital. Dramatic much??? Coach and friends rally for him, but he loses all interest in what was once the most important thing for him. Meanwhile, his internal monolog is exhausting. What did I do wrong? Why wasn't I enough? Blah blah blah
Seriously, this reads more like a teenager than a 20-something college man.
I honestly don't get what all the 4 and 5 star ratings are about. I'm only giving it 2 stars, and that's bc I want to be fair to the author. But I will not be finishing this book. I won't even comment on Rake because I want to be done with this review.
There are very few authors who get co-dependency right. This book missed the mark by far.
July 13, 2023
Tropes: jock/nerd, rich/poor
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: light dominance/submission, c*** warming, care taking kink (but not Daddy kink)
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: depression, homophobia, bad parents, college hockey, codependency
Rakesh is a player and a nerd. He's 23 years old, 1,000% gay, and doing a masters and PhD at the same time. To me, he seems a bit of a sociopath or neurodivergent. At one moment, he literally researches how to respond in a human/supportive way because he doesn't know how. He also has no social graces, he puts no effort into maintaining any social connections. He gets bored very easily. His sexuality came so easy to him that hooking up was just too easy, so he made a game to seduce straight men, the more challenging to seduce the better. He meets Egon because Egon needs tutoring.
Egon is about 21ish, he's in his third year of college, playing hockey in college, doing poorly in school and needing to maintain his grades to keep his athletic scholarship. He thinks he's straight. His parents are homophobic. He falls for Rakesh, who is always there for him, taking care of him.
I had some conflicted feelings about this book. On one hand, the tension between these characters, the smut, the unable to stop themselves from falling in love and how that other person completed them / fit them so well was top tier. I'm a sucker for the obsessive/possessive love. I liked the quick marriage too, once they were in it they were in it.
But on the other hand, some things were over the top dramatic and not believable. Like, I know Rakesh is super smart, but he is doing a masters and PhD at the same time and being a TA, yet he has all the time in the world to devote himself to helping Egon with his courses? And Egon is doing horrible in courses that are necessary for the science-based career he wants, and he shows no aptitude or pleasure in his courses? His career's not looking good for him! The codependency was also too much, because at some point Egon had to adult, have some independence and not be completely reliant on Rakesh. I wanted to ding the stars because of things like that but I was a sucker for the things that were top tier.
I liked that this book flipped the tropes a little bit and had the nerd be the player and the dominant partner. I liked that this book's epilogue showed them a bit more settled into their future together.
Some notable moments:
I love that he wants Egon in his life permanently. "I’ve come to the conclusion that I want to keep this friendship when all is said and done. And I also want to fuck him. The problem is, I don’t know how to do both. Logically, I need to choose one or the other."
Aw, his pain "My chest hurts. Breathing hurts. Everything hurts. I think I love him. But he doesn’t love me."
"Egon Wolf, I will make you my husband tomorrow if you’re not careful with where you’re going with this. I already told you, you’re mine. I will never let you go now. So, we can get married now, next week, next year—I don’t care. Makes no difference to me. You’re mine."
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: light dominance/submission, c*** warming, care taking kink (but not Daddy kink)
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: depression, homophobia, bad parents, college hockey, codependency
Rakesh is a player and a nerd. He's 23 years old, 1,000% gay, and doing a masters and PhD at the same time. To me, he seems a bit of a sociopath or neurodivergent. At one moment, he literally researches how to respond in a human/supportive way because he doesn't know how. He also has no social graces, he puts no effort into maintaining any social connections. He gets bored very easily. His sexuality came so easy to him that hooking up was just too easy, so he made a game to seduce straight men, the more challenging to seduce the better. He meets Egon because Egon needs tutoring.
Egon is about 21ish, he's in his third year of college, playing hockey in college, doing poorly in school and needing to maintain his grades to keep his athletic scholarship. He thinks he's straight. His parents are homophobic. He falls for Rakesh, who is always there for him, taking care of him.
I had some conflicted feelings about this book. On one hand, the tension between these characters, the smut, the unable to stop themselves from falling in love and how that other person completed them / fit them so well was top tier. I'm a sucker for the obsessive/possessive love. I liked the quick marriage too, once they were in it they were in it.
But on the other hand, some things were over the top dramatic and not believable. Like, I know Rakesh is super smart, but he is doing a masters and PhD at the same time and being a TA, yet he has all the time in the world to devote himself to helping Egon with his courses? And Egon is doing horrible in courses that are necessary for the science-based career he wants, and he shows no aptitude or pleasure in his courses? His career's not looking good for him! The codependency was also too much, because at some point Egon had to adult, have some independence and not be completely reliant on Rakesh. I wanted to ding the stars because of things like that but I was a sucker for the things that were top tier.
I liked that this book flipped the tropes a little bit and had the nerd be the player and the dominant partner. I liked that this book's epilogue showed them a bit more settled into their future together.
Some notable moments:
I love that he wants Egon in his life permanently. "I’ve come to the conclusion that I want to keep this friendship when all is said and done. And I also want to fuck him. The problem is, I don’t know how to do both. Logically, I need to choose one or the other."
Aw, his pain "My chest hurts. Breathing hurts. Everything hurts. I think I love him. But he doesn’t love me."
"Egon Wolf, I will make you my husband tomorrow if you’re not careful with where you’re going with this. I already told you, you’re mine. I will never let you go now. So, we can get married now, next week, next year—I don’t care. Makes no difference to me. You’re mine."
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
DNF 73% .. I can’t believe I made it this far willingly .. nobody forced me so I either have a high pain tolerance or zero self respect .. I don’t know why I put myself through this while I knew very early on that this book was just not .. really really really not for me .. to be polite ..
You know what i like ? Co-dependancy , spice , toxicity and bi-awakening .. so why didn’t I like this book AT ALL ?
Let’s start ..
First of all this book is problematic, it’s disrespectful for both women and gay men then the characters .. WTF ! We meet Rake and I hated him very early , when I say early it’s like a few pages .. he is disgusted by women and can’t tell if a woman is attractive, because apparently being gay is being nonobjective and blind .. when he thinks about a woman he thinks « eww » and his skin crawls .. and to add at to this nice portrait , he only wants to sleep with straight men because gay men are easy and eager so it’s boring ..
*swoon*
but you know what ? He was my « favorite » character… because he meets the most weak MMC ever and started the most toxic and cringy relationship I have ever read ..
Egon ? OMG .. he wasn’t a bad guy , he was a good guy a good needy, crying , easy , eager , pushover man .. it was NOT sexy .. it was annoying .. I’m surprised my eyes are not stuck at the back of my head with how much I rolled them .. the guy is so far in the submissive category that he doesn’t want to choose his food , he can’t physically function by himself..
The bi-awakening ? better be reading it fast because he was straight and then he wasn’t in the blink of the eye .. just like that 👍 and of course his skin crawls too now with women because you know .. 🤨
The off-page timeline disconnected me a lot .. days and weeks pass with just monologue thoughts to know what happened..
The eternal 80% breakup at 60% .. this one ladies and gentlemen.. i normally like this breakup , it usually gives somes angst , drama , and yummy groveling .. I got none of that .. I got a ghosting because you know *Rake didn’t want to fall in love …* and Egon who couldn’t handle the breakup ended up .. listen carefully.. DEHYDRATED in the hospital because he stopped eating and drinking ! He stopped living , playing hockey , stopped EVERYTHING, and just looked at his phone lying on his bed .. yep .. And suddenly after 1 month , our boyfriend of the year who ghosted him , came back at one of this hockey games , saw him struggling, felt bad , knocked on the plexiglass window, told him he would be here after the game .. aaaaaand Egon started living and playing again … just like that .. I stopped there .. I read enough ..
The sex was mostly just Egon who discovered his prostate and got a lot of orgasms ..
You know what i like ? Co-dependancy , spice , toxicity and bi-awakening .. so why didn’t I like this book AT ALL ?
Let’s start ..
First of all this book is problematic, it’s disrespectful for both women and gay men then the characters .. WTF ! We meet Rake and I hated him very early , when I say early it’s like a few pages .. he is disgusted by women and can’t tell if a woman is attractive, because apparently being gay is being nonobjective and blind .. when he thinks about a woman he thinks « eww » and his skin crawls .. and to add at to this nice portrait , he only wants to sleep with straight men because gay men are easy and eager so it’s boring ..
*swoon*
but you know what ? He was my « favorite » character… because he meets the most weak MMC ever and started the most toxic and cringy relationship I have ever read ..
Egon ? OMG .. he wasn’t a bad guy , he was a good guy a good needy, crying , easy , eager , pushover man .. it was NOT sexy .. it was annoying .. I’m surprised my eyes are not stuck at the back of my head with how much I rolled them .. the guy is so far in the submissive category that he doesn’t want to choose his food , he can’t physically function by himself..
The bi-awakening ? better be reading it fast because he was straight and then he wasn’t in the blink of the eye .. just like that 👍 and of course his skin crawls too now with women because you know .. 🤨
The off-page timeline disconnected me a lot .. days and weeks pass with just monologue thoughts to know what happened..
The eternal 80% breakup at 60% .. this one ladies and gentlemen.. i normally like this breakup , it usually gives somes angst , drama , and yummy groveling .. I got none of that .. I got a ghosting because you know *Rake didn’t want to fall in love …* and Egon who couldn’t handle the breakup ended up .. listen carefully.. DEHYDRATED in the hospital because he stopped eating and drinking ! He stopped living , playing hockey , stopped EVERYTHING, and just looked at his phone lying on his bed .. yep .. And suddenly after 1 month , our boyfriend of the year who ghosted him , came back at one of this hockey games , saw him struggling, felt bad , knocked on the plexiglass window, told him he would be here after the game .. aaaaaand Egon started living and playing again … just like that .. I stopped there .. I read enough ..
The sex was mostly just Egon who discovered his prostate and got a lot of orgasms ..
June 11, 2023
I do not think I can describe the way I loved Egon and Rake but I will try. When I started this book I was worried/interested in Rake because he was giving morally grey character vibes. He wanted go get with a straight guy, have sex and then leave because he was bored. But then he met Egon and everything changed. He slowly began to change and fall in love Egon and soon he saw with himself with Egon for the rest of his life. Egon was perfect. He is different then the usual jock, he was very vulnerable, sensitive and just full of love and trust for Rake. His journey in understanding his feelings was unique and unquestioning really. These two are very infatuated with each other and they really can not go with. Their love runs deep. At one point for a month they seperate became Rake gets scared and breaks Egons heart. While they do get back together, this event pulls thems back into their universe and deepens their bond. I loved so much about this book. Their love, their sex, the way the feel about each other. Just the way they describe how much they loved each other had me in a fucking chokehold throughout the book. It was just beautiful and this made it to my top favorites of 2023. I do not think this book will be for everyone but I think it is a solid book to read. I need book 2 immediately.
Read
June 9, 2023DNF 10%
Wow Rakesh is an asshole and the writing is awful.Rakesh obsession with sex and his way of reducing men to sex objects is 95% of his personality apparently. Also his obsession about hitting on straight guys sounds stalkerish.
Egon sounds like sweetheart. He is really struggling but all Rakesh does is thinking how to get him into bed and being creepy al, the time.
Yes, that was all in the first 10%. Didn’t feel like continuing.
This author is an international bestselling author?
Wow Rakesh is an asshole and the writing is awful.Rakesh obsession with sex and his way of reducing men to sex objects is 95% of his personality apparently. Also his obsession about hitting on straight guys sounds stalkerish.
Egon sounds like sweetheart. He is really struggling but all Rakesh does is thinking how to get him into bed and being creepy al, the time.
Yes, that was all in the first 10%. Didn’t feel like continuing.
This author is an international bestselling author?
January 10, 2025
1st time reading this author, this book was a mixed bag for me.
I really enjoyed the writing and storytelling present in the novel, it was engaging and I will definitely read more books written by this author in the future. I liked how the "nerd" in the story was the more dominant MC, with the "jock" being more of a sunshine submissive character.
However, I had a big issue with MC1 (the "nerd") he wasn't a likeable character. At all. His whole personality consisted of one terrible trait after another. Smug about his intelligence and looks? Check. Hates women? Check. Favorite hobby of wrecking straight guys psyches? Check. Selfish? Check.
And some of this would have been ok at the start - but it never really gets redeemed. In fact I think it compounds into the third act breakup which is done without a good reason and just seems very cruel of MC1.
Even by the end of the book their relationship felt very unbalanced.
MC2 was not as bad but I think in the author's quest to show he was submissive to MC1 she overshot it and made him weak.
As a side note - it stretched reality that
I really enjoyed the writing and storytelling present in the novel, it was engaging and I will definitely read more books written by this author in the future. I liked how the "nerd" in the story was the more dominant MC, with the "jock" being more of a sunshine submissive character.
However, I had a big issue with MC1 (the "nerd") he wasn't a likeable character. At all. His whole personality consisted of one terrible trait after another. Smug about his intelligence and looks? Check. Hates women? Check. Favorite hobby of wrecking straight guys psyches? Check. Selfish? Check.
And some of this would have been ok at the start - but it never really gets redeemed. In fact I think it compounds into the third act breakup which is done without a good reason and just seems very cruel of MC1.
Even by the end of the book their relationship felt very unbalanced.
MC2 was not as bad but I think in the author's quest to show he was submissive to MC1 she overshot it and made him weak.
As a side note - it stretched reality that
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