Stretch Goals and Sweethearts

Sweetheart Escapes

by C.D. Rachels

(Evan)
My life revolves around the practice of yoga and finding my inner peace. The only person who doesn’t fit into that equation is my annoying co-worker Buzz Wolfstein. We share spaces at work, and he drives me up the wall with his obnoxiously cheerful, loud, and abrasive presence.
Do I care that his cocky jock vibe is totally my type? Do I dwell on the sizzling tension we share every time we butt heads? Do I actually enjoy our bickering?
Absolutely not.
I’d be insane to get caught up in him. Hopefully this blind date getaway can get my mind off of my workplace nemesis. Once I hop on this plane, I’ll be on my way to paradise, leaving Buzz far, far away.

(Buzz)
My life revolves around doing right by my son. Working my jobs, being a mentor for boxing students, and coordinating parent duty with my ex leaves me running in circles nonstop.
Can you blame me for indulging in some immature antics with the new hot guy at work? Evan has it out for me, but all that does it draw me closer to him. I look forward to teasing him, and there’s no way he can deny how flirty our chemistry is.
What is it about him that makes me crave more? Evan has me wanting to pursue someone for the first time in years, but he insists we’re only frenemies. Between the stolen glances and heated moments in the locker room, I know something special is growing between us.
At the same time, I have a blind date getaway to go on. Three days of warmth and fun await me, but when I meet my anonymous bachelor, I see… Evan?!

“Stretch Goals and Sweethearts” is an enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract MM romance. It is a part of the Sweetheart Escapes multi-author series. It can be read as a standalone, but why not grab them all?

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Sports, LGBT, Contemporary, Romance

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2023

About the author

CD Rachels has been coming up with stories since he was little. At first it was all about superheroes and pocket monsters, but his genre of choice has expanded since puberty.

He’s been consuming young adult gay fiction since he was a teen, but within the past five years moved up to the big leagues of gay adult romance. In 2020 during quarantine, he burned through more male/male romance books than he ever had in the previous 29 years combined.

He lives in New York City with the love of his life and is a nurse by trade. When he’s not reading and writing, he’s playing board games and practicing music. He is honored to become a self-published author, and if you’re reading this, your support means so much to him that it’s giving him a tingly feeling (in a good way).

Reviews

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted something sweet to read on my weekend, so I started this! Ok, It was more salty due to banters at 1st, but I thoroughly enjoyed it & the sweet when it came. Enjoyed the #ARC & read it within 5hrs! Evan & Buzz were amazing 😁.

A enemies-to-lovers MM romance where the grumpy (only to his close ones!) Yoga Instructor Evan Ho falls for his flirty co-worker Boxing Coach Buzz who's a single dad too.

Their story is banterful as the friendly Buzz annoys Evan, & when they & we find out why...their shimmering attraction explodes! They get to explore it more when they realise they're eachother's blind date at Nerd Con. Spending time together, B finally breaks E's wall 😁.

There's push/pull as they get back to real life tho as they both, most B, has responsibilities. But soon it becomes difficult to deny what they both want! (That was some kinky milking at end 🤭.)

I really liked their workplace buddies, Buzz's ex & kid Simon, Evan's fam are sweet. Simon a fellow bookworm like Evan (worked in B's favor 😂). Loved the HEA.

Story ratings:

POV: 1st person, DUAL POV
1) The Characters: 5/5
2) Top 3 feels: Flirty, "Do it!", *Yes*
3) Story enjoyment: 5/5
4) Creativity & Conflicts: 4.5/5
5) World build: 4.6/5
6) Relationship: 5/5
7) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
8) Levels: Cute+Sweet: 4/5
Angst: 3/5
Dark: 1/5
9) Writing style & pace: 4.7/5
10) Grammar: 4.9/5

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buzz and Evan ❤️

4 Stars ⭐️

✅Enemies to Lovers
✅Grumpy/Sunshine

I adored Buzz and Evan, they were so freaking clueless!!! The push and pull between these two was so much fun, such delicious foreplay and neither knew. Once those sparks flew, they flew 🔥 and the road to love was inevitable. This book was a lot of fun to read, the characters were great, the story great, the relationship build great and the side support from family and friends in this book added to much to this romance. I would definitely recommend this story, it will leave you with a smile on your face...guaranteed!

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Elizabeth D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t quite get into these characters as much as I wanted, and I think it was in part because I found them a bit too un-self-aware or un-situationally aware. I guess there was a fair bit of “pigtail-pulling” from Buzz and even Evan as they snarked at one another at work, but it seemed excessive to me that Buzz couldn’t realise after a half-dozen times disturbing the entire yoga class that it would be more polite and respectful to just wait until the class was over (not just towards Evan but towards the whole class).

Evan’s initial reaction to Buzz is grounded in misunderstanding and childhood trauma, so maybe it makes sense that it’s not totally rational. But once that is resolved, Evan firmly maintains that he must have “someone who brings him peace” as a partner. Despite not seeming to have had a partner like that before. Nor having tried Buzz as a partner. Despite enjoying himself with whatever it is they’re doing and not seeming to be experiencing any negative consequences of the “chaos” (?) or whatever it is that Buzz is supposedly bringing. He picked a narrative and stuck with it stubbornly and in the face of reality, and I found that frustrating to read.

I enjoyed when they actually spent time together, finding shared likes at NerdCon, watching films, meeting family (mostly good, lol), chatting about books with Simon…. I just wanted them to look at what was in front of them sooner and realise that they did have time for it and that it was an entirely positive outcome. I liked the supportive gym members, Evan’s family, and Simone’s big love of books.

I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.

[Jen (Fae_Princess_in_Space) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet, low-angst, high-spice read from king of queer contemporary romance CD Rachels!

Quick-tempered Evan Ho is a yoga instructor who is clinging to his calming zen by the skin of his teeth. He teaches yoga to relax and keep calm, but his temper is severely tested on the regular by his infuriating coworker, boxing coach Buzz Wolfstein. Buzz is loud, annoying and seems to always be interrupting Evan’s classes. Plus super hot; so how is that even fair?

Buzz is juggling everything all at once - he works two jobs and is a single parent to 9-year-old Simon. He can’t help but be fascinated by the attractive yoga teacher who he always seems to be accidentally pissing off… but it’s never gonna happen. Evan actively loathes him; even if Buzz secretly finds that totally hot. His ex, close friend and mother of his son, Michaela, tries to help Buzz find love by signing him up for a blind date at Nerd Con - Buzz loves all things geeky, but when he realises his blind date is none other than Evan Ho, he realises that he might be even more interested in the yoga teacher than he ever thought possible, especially as they share a lot of similar interests!

This was a really lovely book and I loved the push-pull relationship between Buzz and Evan as they worked out their feelings for one another. Plus Buzz’s son Simon was an absolute hoot!

Perfect for fans of:
✨ Workplace enemies to lovers
✨ Grumpy vs sunshine
✨ All things Comicon!
✨ Single dad
✨ Diverse bipoc rep
✨ Own voices writing

[Kat Moreid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The banter between the two Evan and Buzz hooked me. I love good banter.

Evan's whole 'Buzz is a jerk and my enemy' is based on a misconception but he's reluctant to let go of his opinion. Evan is a bit stuck in his life. He had trouble with anger in his youth and to avoid anger, he avoids life and conflict of all kinds. He has his family and yoga but no real friends or a boyfriend. Buzz lights a fire in Evan but Evan has to decide whether he's brave enough to start living.

Buzz is in a similar place to Evan. He's so busy co-parenting while working two jobs, he has no life. He's existing and has forgotten about himself. Buzz's baby mama's dad has a real problem with him, Buzz bites his tongue for the most part (like Evan, avoiding conflict). I'm curious about the baby mama's reaction to the father/grandfather's behavior. That was never addressed. I did wonder if she ever talked to him about his antagonism, I have to assume she must have considering her closeness with Buzz.

I'd read this book just for the banter and the emotions in these two scenes: the nerd con with Evan's hero confrontation and the grandfather confrontation. Everyone needs someone willing to stand up for them.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan is a yoga instructor at a gym, where Buzz, his coworker, keeps disrupting his class. Buzz is well meaning, but kind of chaotic, with his busy life working two jobs and coparenting his son.

They bicker like a couple, but when it turns out they’re at the same Nerd Con event, they realize they have a lot in common, and bickering turns into a fling.

They agree it’s temporary, but both want more, especially when Evan connects so well so Buzz’ son, Simon, about books.

They finally admit their feelings for each other when they stop avoiding the reality, and even see each other through some challenges with Simon’s grandparents.

Very funny first third of this book, and then dorky but cute. I love the things these two relate about, and that they also complement each other in ways they don’t see until they stop arguing long enough to look closer.

I received this ARC for free, and am writing my honest review in thanks for this fun read.

[Leigh Gaskill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has a promising premise, with Evan and Buzz sharing space in a gym to teach their classes and Evan being annoyed at his attraction to Buzz (among other things) and funneling that into their ‘flirty banter’ and ‘sizzling tension’. Honestly for me, Evan was insufferable for the first 1/3 of the book until they resolve the real issue Evan has against Buzz. Then the rest of the book frustrated me with Evan making excuses for why he couldn’t be with Buzz (which were flimsy) and Buzz going along with them because what choice did he really have? And the excuse I hated the most was that Buzz was too busy as a father to also have a boyfriend. I think this just fed into the whole miscommunication trope thing going on, but it read the wrong way to me. Once they got over themselves (90% Evan here honestly) it was nice, but we are talking like 3 chapters from the end.

I received a free copy from GRR in exchange for my honest review.

[Tanya Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan and Buzz are at loggerheads from the start. Buzz is like a large, clumsy puppy, always up to making a friend, and Evan is obsessed with marinating his inner peace. Truthfully, Buzz was annoying; he would barge into Evan's yoga class and interrupt the calming atmosphere without remorse. He would say sorry then do again the next day. Really, how hard is it to sit in the breakroom, set an alarm on your phone for two minutes after the yoga class ended then walk slowly to the shared room giving the class time to leave. Hea, we needed the conflict.
When Buzz and Evan end up on a three-day blind date for Nerd Con in Miami, they find they have more in common than they would ever have believed. After they came back, they couldn't stay apart and the how is it possible, Buzz's son Simon has more in common with Evan that either Buzz or Michaela. Mellow, peace-loving Evan will be pivotal in brokering family harmony.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan finds Buzz annoying. Buzz finds Evan's standoffishness a challenge and he likes yanking his chain when he can. But they also find one another attractive. If there was not interest, neither would bother being aware of or bothered by the other. When circumstances land them in a space where they realize how much they have in common they have to start rethinking their relationship. Is there an instant meeting of the minds when they start to see one another differently? No and I appreciated the author giving them time to work towards getting to know one another and learning different ways of dealing with one another. Habits don't break that quickly. I did want to smack these two several times and there was humor as they made their way to their ever after which I also appreciated. But a truer story of opposites attracting could not have been written.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

FROM FRENEMIES TO VACATION FLING TO SO MUCH MORE!

Co workers Buzz a boxing coach and Evan a yoga instructor are so attracted to each who but will rather tease and antagonise each other then become friendly until they both go on a blind date weekend to Nerd Con Florida….

This is where their journey to finding inner peace and happiness begins but it is not a smooth one as they have a few obstacles to overcome with each other and themselves…

I enjoyed the premise of the book and storyline but felt a little bit disconnected from the main characters 60% of the book in otherwise an enjoyable read with a bit of push and pull from them while they can’t keep their hands of each other until they see the forest for the trees!

I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

**First Time Reader**

I jumped on this because I absolutely LOVE enemies to lovers. So glad I read this. Buzz and Evan had so much sexual tension, their verbal battles were no doubt foreplay. So when they went on that blind date, that was like icing on the cake...so good. I love how both were in denial but couldn't help but catch feelings. I also love all the love and support they got from family and friends...yeah there was one douche canoe but nothing so bad to keep up drama and be too angsty...Everything worked out so well with a very satisfying and wonderful HEA. I absolutely LOVED that epilogue...It's what keeps me coming back to romances...5STARS!!!!!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story of two guys that share an office but get on one another’s nerves but have chemistry that keeps pulling them together, Evan just wants a peaceful life whereas Buzz has so much happening flirting and irrational Buzz is his only fun. Each is looking forward to blind date and even though the reader knows they will be they blind day you keep reading as you are engaged and know the book will be fun. Like many friend/enemies appearance are not often what they seem and they learn that on their date. I particularly enjoyed that after the date they still had issues to overcome. There was a time that I was not sure I was gonna like them as individuals but loved them as a couple better. A fun read. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story

This was a fun story. I enjoyed how Evan and buzz got on each others nerves at work. And the chemistry between these two was off the charts. Evan is calm and peaceful, constantly keeping his temper hidden. Buzz is playful and friendly, but works hard to provide a good life for his son. They were both surprised to learn they are each others blind date for a comic convention weekend. They put their differences aside and enjoy the weekend becoming tentative friends. I love how Buzz's son Simon was the link that finally pushed Evan and Buzz together. I liked how they spent time with each other and how their relationship grew. Not only was this a fun story, it had sweetness, high heat, and a little heartache when things got a little tough. A definite reread!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan and Buzz both use space at DogTower fitness, one for yoga classes and one for boxing classes and Buzz irritates Evan all the time while Buzz is enraptured by Evan's beauty. Then both end up as each other's blind date for a weekend for charity. They are so attracted yet try to resist until they give in to the sexy times and then try to resist in their repetitive cycle. Both obviously should be together but can't seem to figure that out. Buzz's on is a jewel as is his ex. Evan's brother and sister are a hoot. I loved them as a couple and Buzz is the sweetest guy. I received a copy of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly let
Me say I got this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is me leaving my honest review.
I did enjoy the banter between them but boy did I want to bang their heads together, you could feel the sexual tension between them from the very beginning of this book. I’ll be honest and say it took we a while to like Evan. But I liked Buzz straight away. A single dad working two jobs to provide a good life for his son Simon. And he Co-parents with his ex so well. She actually pays half of the ticket for the blind date. She wanted him to be happy.
The passion they share is off the charts. A nice read

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like pulling pigtails. Evan and Buzz share a vision problem where they can't see what is right before their eyes. They act like 13 year olds and don't understand why there is such friction. They work together and miscommunicate in the most basic way and not sharing their truths. They each have a blind date weekend planned thinking they will get a chance away from tensions in their work and private lives. Then they find out they are each other's blind date. Totally fun, funny and exasperating. I spent time wishing I could reach into the book and shake these guys. Fun read, surely this can't be what dating is now about? Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! Evan, a yoga instructor, tries to live a calm and peaceful life. Buzz, the boxing coach keeps disturbing him. Buzz is busy with two jobs and a young son and doesn't think he has time for romance. But he does think Evan is cute. Buzz gets talked into a blind date for a fun weekend by his bestie. Turns out his blind date is Evan! During the weekend they find out that they have a lot in common. But this is only for the weekend. Except they keep finding reasons to see each other when they come back. This book is sweet, romantic and fun.

[Theodore · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 16%

Evan was so unlikable, I just had to stop. Yeah, Buzz was being a little inconsiderate by coming in early and leaving a little later, but the way Evan reacted your think he shit in his cereal or something. I needed something redeemable about him because his entire character being based on impatience and a hidden past "anger" wasn't enough to convince me that he was worth romancing.

Buzz was on the borderline of being unlikable with him explicitly goading Evan on, but him being a bit of a himbo gives him a small pass.

[Jvles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two coworkers who constantly annoy each other are sent on a blind date together and discover that they actually have a lot in common. The characters are a little flat, the steam level is quite low although the tension is high almost from the start. The storyline flattens in the middle before picking up again towards the end. This is an easy, sweet read with fun bickering but I feel like more could have been done with this story.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frenemies and coworkers Evan and Buzz are constantly in each other’s way. But that doesn’t change the fact that they’re both a little drawn to the other. Then they find themselves on a blind date vacation to a comic book convention, learning how truly compatible they are. When they return home, it’s not all smooth sailing, with the lack of communication and dancing around each other. But damn, their chemistry was red hot and so worth the wait. I’m just glad that the ex-girlfriend wasn’t the bad guy this time around, as seems to be in so many books. But I thoroughly enjoyed this story, reading it almost all in one sitting. The nerdiness is always wonderful.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stretch Goals and Sweethearts was a quick read for me, but that doesn't mean that I didn't want to shake the characters repeatedly - they were clueless. For me, I continued so that I could see them finally putting it all together but for some I can see where this book might get frustrating.

Other things I really liked were the family dynamics (good and bad) and the way Evan connected with Buzz's son.

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Buzz and Evan are complete opposites, they are perfect. Even their names make them seem unmatched. There is more to Buzz than Even ever thought. I loved how Evan came to the defense of Buzz. He was superman cool, even if he didn't trust himself for doing it. The blurb tells of the storyline but the dynamic of this story is so much more than I expected, I really enjoyed reading this book! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The MCs were really enjoyable and their "dislike" for each other in the first part was very amusing. The next part was sometimes a bit frustrating as they seemed determined not to try a little communication and less assumptions which could have saved them a lot of stress. I particularly liked Evan's reactions to Walter. It was refreshing to have a book with jocks with no homophobia to be found anywhere.

[Marharyta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asian Yogi 🧘🏻

💕 This was a new author for me and I chose this book to read for Asian Heritage Month. Let me tell you. I loved every bit of it. Evan Ho may be a gorgeous Asian yogi, but he’s also a complex character with a very specific vision for his future. He knows what he wants and thinks he knows what he needs. But sometimes what we need isn’t what we expected.
I love single dads and Buzz did not disappoint. He’s a lovely character. Happy, hard working, with a great relationship with both his son and his son’s mother. A dedicated mentor to his boxing students. So why does Evan hate him so much?
Their blind date weekend was sweet and nerdy and full of heat. But what happens on vacation stay on vacation, right? Not when you have what these two obviously have. So why do they keep fighting it? I love it when couples keep fighting that pull but everything in the universe keeps throwing them back together.

[Jo Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to give this a 3.5 star but have to give 4 stars. I can normally read a book in 48 hours but this one took me 5 days. Did I dislike it - no, did I connect with it - no, and there lays my issues. The main characters were both a tad insufferable and I just wanted them to get over themselves. It did improve as the book progressed otherwise, I would never have finished it.

[T Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice enemies to much more friendly terms romance. I liked the characters very much. Their love story definitely had its struggles but it also had surprises and sweetness. The mild drama was an added strength to the story. The ending was lovely and just full of happiness. I liked the book and enjoyed the reading. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The push and pull between Buzz and Evan was amazing....both so oblivious to the chemistry they are both feeling. They had so much sexual tension, their verbal battles were no doubt foreplay.
Stretch Goals and Sweethearts is fun, sweet, silly, and full of heart and heat.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, reading it almost all in one sitting.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites do attract and irritation can be over come when you get to know a person, at least it's true for Evan and Buzz. This was a sweet story, a little slow to start but entertaining overall. Evan was a little too annoying at the beginning but he mellowed along the way and I was happy he ended up with Buzz in the end.

[Destiny Unlocked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from an amazing author

When I seen who the author was I had to read this. Every one of their books leaves me happy and content. This one was no different. The characters weren't amazing not just the main characters. Story line was well done and had good flow. Recommend this to anyone.

[Janet (iamltr) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well...

This was an ok read and I'm not gonna lie, I was hoping for more.

I mean, the whole frenemy, single dad, co-workers, and blind date could have been so much fun, but alas, I disliked Even from the get go and Buzz was not the brightest crayon in the box.

I did like the epilogue though.