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On the Track #2
The Hotshot vs. The Reporter
Royal
I’m the hotshot—both on and off the track. I know how to work the crowd and show off. And I’m good at it.
I’ve had to become very effective at putting on a show.
But my agent is not a fan of my over-the-top antics. So she did something I still can’t believe . . .
She called in the press—the media. Specifically, the reporter who hates everything I stand for. And now, he’s tasked with showing the world a different side of me.
Yeah . . . Good luck with that.
Soren
I’m a sports reporter, but I’m so much more than that.
My social media following has allowed me to be more. To do more. To try and help my corner of the world do better and be better.
I believe in accountability. I believe in integrity. And that sports professionals are obligated to be a moral compass to their fans.
I’m loud and outspoken about that point. Maybe more so with Royal Dutton—the loudmouth, crude racer with absolutely no morals.
And now, I’m supposed to find the redeeming side of him. I took this job to find something deeper within him. The good guy inside.
Yeah . . . This is going to be impossible.
I’m the hotshot—both on and off the track. I know how to work the crowd and show off. And I’m good at it.
I’ve had to become very effective at putting on a show.
But my agent is not a fan of my over-the-top antics. So she did something I still can’t believe . . .
She called in the press—the media. Specifically, the reporter who hates everything I stand for. And now, he’s tasked with showing the world a different side of me.
Yeah . . . Good luck with that.
Soren
I’m a sports reporter, but I’m so much more than that.
My social media following has allowed me to be more. To do more. To try and help my corner of the world do better and be better.
I believe in accountability. I believe in integrity. And that sports professionals are obligated to be a moral compass to their fans.
I’m loud and outspoken about that point. Maybe more so with Royal Dutton—the loudmouth, crude racer with absolutely no morals.
And now, I’m supposed to find the redeeming side of him. I took this job to find something deeper within him. The good guy inside.
Yeah . . . This is going to be impossible.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2023
77 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Dykes
95 books2,545 followersNicole Dykes is a wife and a professional assistant/mom to two gorgeous girls. Currently residing in Kansas, she’s a lover of coffee, Kansas City Chiefs, and all things romance.
She's found her passion in writing M/M romance because love is love is love. Some popular works include Hostile, The Spark of Hope Series, and The Kensley Panthers Series!
Email at nicoledykes_author@yahoo.com
Or visit my website at Www.authornicoledykes.com
She's found her passion in writing M/M romance because love is love is love. Some popular works include Hostile, The Spark of Hope Series, and The Kensley Panthers Series!
Email at nicoledykes_author@yahoo.com
Or visit my website at Www.authornicoledykes.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
October 28, 2023
this is so cute! nicole always writes the most heartwarming stories. she has this power to make me love all the characters, doesn’t matter if i’m interested in them or not.
soren and royal are so perfect for each other and i loved their story, but it felt too short. i needed at least another 50 pages.
i’m so excited for the next one!!!
i read an ARC and this is my honest review
soren and royal are so perfect for each other and i loved their story, but it felt too short. i needed at least another 50 pages.
i’m so excited for the next one!!!
i read an ARC and this is my honest review
November 3, 2023
I’m convenience Nicole Dykes is a writing genius. I’ve been in the worst book slump and she keeps bringing me out of it. I’m loving reading her On The Track series.
🌶️MM Romance
🌶️Dual POV
🌶️Bi-awakening
🌶️Racer/Reporter
🌶️Grumpy/Grumpy
🌶️Forced Proximity
We first met Royal in book one, he is Axel’s best friend/brother. He is known as the hotshot, broody and doesn’t care about how people perceive him.
Soren is a well known reporter, he is known for being honest and direct about his stories. When Royals agent, Jenny, pulls Soren in to try to repair Royal’s image things seem hopeless. Can this reporter find a “softer side” to this broody man?
These two go from enemies to somewhat civil to lovers. Their connection was undeniable, and beautiful. This book brings all the heat and spicy moments. I love their “naked rule” and the moments spent in bathtubs.
I love how Nicole wrote Royal, there was never a freakout or anything on his part. He realizes he is attracted to and wants Soren, after thinking he was straight his whole life. He just pushes forward with acceptance and gives Soren all of him.
Beautifully written and amazing character development. We got to hear from most of/if not all the characters from book one. I am so excited for Cooper’s story next. 🩵
Thank you GRR for this ARC, this is my honest opinion.
🌶️MM Romance
🌶️Dual POV
🌶️Bi-awakening
🌶️Racer/Reporter
🌶️Grumpy/Grumpy
🌶️Forced Proximity
We first met Royal in book one, he is Axel’s best friend/brother. He is known as the hotshot, broody and doesn’t care about how people perceive him.
Soren is a well known reporter, he is known for being honest and direct about his stories. When Royals agent, Jenny, pulls Soren in to try to repair Royal’s image things seem hopeless. Can this reporter find a “softer side” to this broody man?
These two go from enemies to somewhat civil to lovers. Their connection was undeniable, and beautiful. This book brings all the heat and spicy moments. I love their “naked rule” and the moments spent in bathtubs.
I love how Nicole wrote Royal, there was never a freakout or anything on his part. He realizes he is attracted to and wants Soren, after thinking he was straight his whole life. He just pushes forward with acceptance and gives Soren all of him.
Beautifully written and amazing character development. We got to hear from most of/if not all the characters from book one. I am so excited for Cooper’s story next. 🩵
Thank you GRR for this ARC, this is my honest opinion.
July 8, 2024
The Hotshot vs The Reporter is fun and low angst opposites attract romance between racer Royal and journalist Soren. They are forced to work together and during their forced time together they soon realize they don't actually hate one another after all. They both are surprised and taken with their newfound crush on one another, which leads to a great forbidden romance that is both entertaining and heartfelt.
Overall I really enjoyed these two characters and watching their dynamic grow and change. They are so much fun together and I loved seeing their relationship blossom into something so sweet and endearing. Looking forward to the next entry!
*** I review a complimentary copy of this story.***
Overall I really enjoyed these two characters and watching their dynamic grow and change. They are so much fun together and I loved seeing their relationship blossom into something so sweet and endearing. Looking forward to the next entry!
*** I review a complimentary copy of this story.***
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November 4, 2023
MM Romance
Racing and Reporting
3 Stars ⭐️
I like this series! The books are short and fast paced which makes them quite easy reads and while some of the characters appear superficial due to the length, there is just enough there to interest me. That may not sound positive but for me it is because I usually struggle with this author. I always like her books at the start but as time goes on I lose interest or there are time jumps or some other ridiculous plot that will kill the story for me but these are not long enough to be drawn out and annoying and I’ve enjoyed both books in this series so far. And I love that there are mm sports romances away from hockey, football and baseball because they all blur together after awhile.
This book is a gay for you, bi-awakening of sorts although Royal never really defined himself and I liked that. Royal is known as the hotshot racer and his image is a real problem so his agent hires a blogger, Soren, to find the good and relay it back to his followers. The problem is that Soren despises everything Royal appears to stand for and is certain he will never find a redeeming quality. 😂🥰 This was fast paced and even though it only took 3? days for Soren to uncover who Royal really is and for them to fall for each other, it had just enough depth and backstory to keep me reading. I loved catching up with Axel and Sebastian from the previous book since Royal is Axel’s best friend. Royal had a really sad backstory but I liked how it was done and I loved that once Soren was in, he was Royal’s fiercest protector. Their chemistry made the sex scenes quite emotional and hot. Definitely a great book to read in-between longer angstier reads and I’m really looking forward to Cooper’s book next.
Oh but…It’s PHOENIX, AZ not PHEONIX. I dont know why but this drove me crazy 😂
Racing and Reporting
3 Stars ⭐️
I like this series! The books are short and fast paced which makes them quite easy reads and while some of the characters appear superficial due to the length, there is just enough there to interest me. That may not sound positive but for me it is because I usually struggle with this author. I always like her books at the start but as time goes on I lose interest or there are time jumps or some other ridiculous plot that will kill the story for me but these are not long enough to be drawn out and annoying and I’ve enjoyed both books in this series so far. And I love that there are mm sports romances away from hockey, football and baseball because they all blur together after awhile.
This book is a gay for you, bi-awakening of sorts although Royal never really defined himself and I liked that. Royal is known as the hotshot racer and his image is a real problem so his agent hires a blogger, Soren, to find the good and relay it back to his followers. The problem is that Soren despises everything Royal appears to stand for and is certain he will never find a redeeming quality. 😂🥰 This was fast paced and even though it only took 3? days for Soren to uncover who Royal really is and for them to fall for each other, it had just enough depth and backstory to keep me reading. I loved catching up with Axel and Sebastian from the previous book since Royal is Axel’s best friend. Royal had a really sad backstory but I liked how it was done and I loved that once Soren was in, he was Royal’s fiercest protector. Their chemistry made the sex scenes quite emotional and hot. Definitely a great book to read in-between longer angstier reads and I’m really looking forward to Cooper’s book next.
Oh but…It’s PHOENIX, AZ not PHEONIX. I dont know why but this drove me crazy 😂
March 30, 2024
This is a very Hallmark-ish type of story, cute, adorable and fun. Very insta love and quite enjoyable. I liked both main characters a lot, they had really good chemistry and I liked that Royal accepted his bi-awakening with open heart ❤️
October 26, 2023
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted to hear. All I’ve ever needed.
Someone to just love me for me. Someone to let me have weak moments.”
ARC Review~
Hotshot racer Royal Dutton plays his role very well. Too well maybe and now his image is suffering because no one wants to support the villain if he’s a jerk and nothing else. Tasked with showing the world a softer side is the reporter who seemingly hates him, Soren Adams. It seems like an impossible job but Soren sees right through Royal and their connection is undeniable.
Perfectly lovely and sweet. Zero angst 💖 Nicole writes contemporary romance that maybe isn’t completely realistic but it’s the reality I want to live in. Her books always fill me with warm, happy feelings and hope.
I loved all the tender moments, cameos from the previous book, all the pets, and of course the passionate spice. Things moved fast but I didn’t feel like it was too fast for the characters it was just effortless once they gave in to their feelings 🥰
“You’re a fighter, my boy.”
Someone to just love me for me. Someone to let me have weak moments.”
ARC Review~
Hotshot racer Royal Dutton plays his role very well. Too well maybe and now his image is suffering because no one wants to support the villain if he’s a jerk and nothing else. Tasked with showing the world a softer side is the reporter who seemingly hates him, Soren Adams. It seems like an impossible job but Soren sees right through Royal and their connection is undeniable.
Perfectly lovely and sweet. Zero angst 💖 Nicole writes contemporary romance that maybe isn’t completely realistic but it’s the reality I want to live in. Her books always fill me with warm, happy feelings and hope.
I loved all the tender moments, cameos from the previous book, all the pets, and of course the passionate spice. Things moved fast but I didn’t feel like it was too fast for the characters it was just effortless once they gave in to their feelings 🥰
“You’re a fighter, my boy.”
October 23, 2023
"That's all I've ever wanted to hear. All I've ever needed.
Someone to just love me for me. Someone to let me have weak moments.
I found it in Soren.
And I'm never letting him go."
Royal's story was not what I expected and that was one of the things I loved most about this book. Everyone knows him as the cocky hotshot of the racing world, and he is those things, but he's also so much more. He's a man with intense abandonment issues. A man who has fought for everything he has since he was just a little boy. A man who feels alone even when surrounded by fans. It was this man that eventually captured Soren's heart.
"Damn, I really did want him to stay.
Which means it's a really good idea to let him go."
Every time Royal put himself down it made me so sad for him. A lot of those times were to himself, in his head, and I kept wanting to yell at Soren when he would come at Royal with one of his snarky comments. I wanted to tell Soren to look at him. Take a step back from your judgement and really look beyond the surface. Royal was man who was hurting. I forgave Soren though. Once he realized who Royal truly was behind the mask, he realized his mistake, and did everything he could to own up to it.
The two of them together were super sweet. They were also super steamy too! Once they got together they couldn't keep their hands off each other! Royal made it very clear that even though he'd never been with a man he had no qualms with getting down and dirty with Soren. I liked that about him. No big gay freakout in sight. Poor Soren spent some time waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he needn't have worried. Being with Soren was the happiest Royal had ever been in his life and there was no way he was letting his man get away.
The next book in the series is The Pro vs The Fan and I need it ASAP because Maverick was someone who definitely intrigued me from book 1. He's also a pretty quiet guy so the fact that his love interest is such a bubbly delight is going to make for a fun match. Can't wait!!
Someone to just love me for me. Someone to let me have weak moments.
I found it in Soren.
And I'm never letting him go."
Royal's story was not what I expected and that was one of the things I loved most about this book. Everyone knows him as the cocky hotshot of the racing world, and he is those things, but he's also so much more. He's a man with intense abandonment issues. A man who has fought for everything he has since he was just a little boy. A man who feels alone even when surrounded by fans. It was this man that eventually captured Soren's heart.
"Damn, I really did want him to stay.
Which means it's a really good idea to let him go."
Every time Royal put himself down it made me so sad for him. A lot of those times were to himself, in his head, and I kept wanting to yell at Soren when he would come at Royal with one of his snarky comments. I wanted to tell Soren to look at him. Take a step back from your judgement and really look beyond the surface. Royal was man who was hurting. I forgave Soren though. Once he realized who Royal truly was behind the mask, he realized his mistake, and did everything he could to own up to it.
The two of them together were super sweet. They were also super steamy too! Once they got together they couldn't keep their hands off each other! Royal made it very clear that even though he'd never been with a man he had no qualms with getting down and dirty with Soren. I liked that about him. No big gay freakout in sight. Poor Soren spent some time waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he needn't have worried. Being with Soren was the happiest Royal had ever been in his life and there was no way he was letting his man get away.
The next book in the series is The Pro vs The Fan and I need it ASAP because Maverick was someone who definitely intrigued me from book 1. He's also a pretty quiet guy so the fact that his love interest is such a bubbly delight is going to make for a fun match. Can't wait!!
March 15, 2024
“𝘿𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙞𝙩, 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙩.”
“𝙆𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩?”
“𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙩.”
The Hotshot vs The Reporter is the second book in the On the Track series and features the “villain” of the racing world, Royal, and the popular reporter, Soren, who’s known for not liking him. AT ALL. Royal’s agent warns him that people no longer want the villain so it’s time to clean up his reputation. What better way than to hire the one man who openly hates him to find any redeeming qualities he may have?
Nicole did an amazing job with the animosity in the beginning. Royal was locked up tight and angry. Soren was dead set in his hatred and didn’t think Royal had a softer side. But as these two were forced to spend time together, they realized how deeply they connected and Royal began questioning his sexuality. It was well thought out!
And the smexy times were great! I love when a guy discovers his sexuality and embraces it. And Soren was so protective of Royal and everything he was. They had the absolute sweetest romance once they got together and I just fell for them both.
And lemme just mention, I’m SO READY for Maverick and Cooper’s story! That whole grumpy/sunshine vibe is addictive!
“𝙆𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩?”
“𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙩.”
The Hotshot vs The Reporter is the second book in the On the Track series and features the “villain” of the racing world, Royal, and the popular reporter, Soren, who’s known for not liking him. AT ALL. Royal’s agent warns him that people no longer want the villain so it’s time to clean up his reputation. What better way than to hire the one man who openly hates him to find any redeeming qualities he may have?
Nicole did an amazing job with the animosity in the beginning. Royal was locked up tight and angry. Soren was dead set in his hatred and didn’t think Royal had a softer side. But as these two were forced to spend time together, they realized how deeply they connected and Royal began questioning his sexuality. It was well thought out!
And the smexy times were great! I love when a guy discovers his sexuality and embraces it. And Soren was so protective of Royal and everything he was. They had the absolute sweetest romance once they got together and I just fell for them both.
And lemme just mention, I’m SO READY for Maverick and Cooper’s story! That whole grumpy/sunshine vibe is addictive!
March 9, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ This was a hot, low angst read. Took me a while to get into but I enjoyed it in the end. I love this little racer universe that the series is based around. I love Jenny as a side character, I find her energy hilarious. Although, I didn’t feel overly connected to either MC I still found elements of them that I liked. Overall a quick, fun read.
January 9, 2024
Another installment with great characters, yet the author again made some questionable choices pertaining to the events in the story. Several things weren't believable, so I'm going to rate this book again with 3.75⭐, but rounding it down.
It's a shame Goodreads doesn't have the option of rating in-between, so you have to either round it up or down, which is not an accurate or just rating system at all.
🟢 Racer / reporter
🔵 Straight / gay
🟣 Bi-awakening
🟡 Size difference
🌶️ Great spice; t/b
🟠 Insta feelings, not believable
First of all let me give you a new Soren, because based on what's written the Soren in my mind looked completely different than that one on the cover.
Royal is Axel's best friend and a guy he met as a teen when they were both foster kids. Royal has a pretty sad life story to tell and there's a reason he's as cocky and hard-headed as he is. But since that attitude is making his career suffer, his agent makes him work closely with a known sports reporter Soren, who literally hates the guy.
Soren doesn't like Royal, he's publicly very verbal about it, but since he's getting paid to write a story about him and help him get to a more positive side of the media who's usually not so inclined to like him, he's trying to make it work by following Soren around and talking to him.
Soren quickly realises there's so much more to Royal and to tell you the truth Royal is definitely my favourite character in this series so far. He's a fantastic guy, emotional, deep, strong and mature. He really impressed me and I'm so mad I can't rate his story higher, because the potential was definitely there.
This is Royal... Yeah, the bathtub scene did it for me. 😊
Royal's bi-awakening came literally out of nowhere. He was completely straight without even thinking about any guys prior to kissing Soren - which is fine - but that means there has to be a little tension or at least something between them. Something to make that doubt in his sexuality happen, just a little bit. But Royal just kissed Soren out of the blue and it was even more ridiculous since he's very held back and shows he wants nothing to do with Soren or the interviews. It was almost like he didn't know what to do, so he randomly kissed him.
When they eventually dive into a really hot, sexy secret situationship, the story started picking up, it was getting sooo good, but then two weeks in Royal suddenly loves Soren. Are you kidding me? Loves?? Just killed the vibe, really.
The story does somehow come to a satisfying end, again with an epic coming out and declaring to the world who's your boyfriend. It's getting kind of old. It's almost like the same formula as the first installment. The story needed less animals and more of Soren and Royal, but with a different relationship development.
Soren and Royal were definitely more likeable and memorable than Axel and Sebastian, they had this emotionally strong and deep connection, they went into the deep end and I really, really liked that. It made their sex even better, because the spice was delicious, it was, I loved it. Fantastic spice. For Royal to never have touched a man - ever - he sure knew what he was doing. It was hot!
I think this author has really good ideas but inserts some things into these stories that don't make sense, they really don't fit and what could potentially be really good, turns out mediocre. And I've found this with the rest of her series too.
I like reading her books and I still vividly remember all the stories and characters, but it doesn't go beyond 3.5* for me.
I honestly hope Maverick's story will be better. It needs an edge, less cheesiness and definitely more tension. Well, considering it's with Cooper I'm not sure about the tension, but I'm keeping an open mind.
May 26, 2024
2.5 stars, but I'm rounding down because I HATE eleventh hour drama and this short novel just had to go and do that. Anyway, this felt like a write-by-numbers book about a dickish NASCAR driver and the sports journalist who is hired to make him look like less of an asshole. It was okay. Some bits were entertaining. I have big issues with the lightning speed at which everything happens, though. It feels like they spend hardly any time together at all before they are declaring undying love. It was a bit much, and honestly felt a bit like a disaster waiting to happen. What actually needed to happen is that Royal, the race car driver, needed to go to therapy. But they just end up having lots of sex, and apparently that solves everything.
December 6, 2024
Really enjoyed getting to know Royal better! His backstory was interesting and had a lot of details to it and the way he gradually opened up to Soren was so cute.
Soren didn't really get as much of a look in though, we barely get to know anything about his backstory or his family at all so it did make the book feel unbalanced and heavily skewered towards us getting to know Royal.
I did like all of the Axel and Sebastian content though because I loved their book.
Soren didn't really get as much of a look in though, we barely get to know anything about his backstory or his family at all so it did make the book feel unbalanced and heavily skewered towards us getting to know Royal.
I did like all of the Axel and Sebastian content though because I loved their book.
November 5, 2023
Royal and Soren ❤️
4 Stars ⭐️
I can always get into a good enemies to lovers read and this one got me hooked from the get go. I was curious about Royal from the first book and his back story was all the answer I needed for his attitude to make sense, I adored how Soren slowly broke down his icy exterior to expose his soft and squishy center ❤️ proving to him that he was everything worth staying for. This author also gave justice to Royal's Bi- awakening with little to no major drama, meaning this relationship happened organically, from a tentative friendship to so much more. The story was sweet and all kinds of sexy plus the need for speed, can't wait to see what's next in store for the very well written side characters...bring it on!! I most definitely recommend.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
4 Stars ⭐️
I can always get into a good enemies to lovers read and this one got me hooked from the get go. I was curious about Royal from the first book and his back story was all the answer I needed for his attitude to make sense, I adored how Soren slowly broke down his icy exterior to expose his soft and squishy center ❤️ proving to him that he was everything worth staying for. This author also gave justice to Royal's Bi- awakening with little to no major drama, meaning this relationship happened organically, from a tentative friendship to so much more. The story was sweet and all kinds of sexy plus the need for speed, can't wait to see what's next in store for the very well written side characters...bring it on!! I most definitely recommend.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
November 1, 2023
cute!!
These two are so adorable together. This was a feel good nice romance and I can’t wait for coopers story! I love this book I highly recommend this and the author of course is amazing every damn time !!
20 highlights for me
“I’ve never been this clingy in my life. Hell, I fought most of my life to never depend on anyone again, and here I am—needing another person more than I need my next breath.”
These two are so adorable together. This was a feel good nice romance and I can’t wait for coopers story! I love this book I highly recommend this and the author of course is amazing every damn time !!
20 highlights for me
“I’ve never been this clingy in my life. Hell, I fought most of my life to never depend on anyone again, and here I am—needing another person more than I need my next breath.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
As a motorsports fan, I was kind of excited about the whole you know loud and aggressive as hell driver with reporter kind of romance. But I feel like this book didn't really give me what I expected. I did like Royal, I think him was the reason I enjoyed the book. He is an interesting character and I think his background makes things more sensible when it comes to his character.
Romance was so rushed when we actually got to them getting closer. Feel like it could've been better if things went slower, it might be why I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. While their dynamic is interesting feel like there was lot more potential that weren't written.
Overall I would say it was an average book, if you are looking for a queer motorsport romance it might get your interest.
I received a review copy for free from Gay Romance Reviews, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you for the free copy! :)
Romance was so rushed when we actually got to them getting closer. Feel like it could've been better if things went slower, it might be why I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. While their dynamic is interesting feel like there was lot more potential that weren't written.
Overall I would say it was an average book, if you are looking for a queer motorsport romance it might get your interest.
I received a review copy for free from Gay Romance Reviews, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you for the free copy! :)
October 30, 2023
Tropes: found family
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3.75/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: foster kids, sick kids, cancer
4.5 stars, a lovely short book
Soren is 25, openly gay, a freelance sports reporter and social media influencer. He's dated a closeted athlete in the past and been burned. He's been critical of Royal in his articles.
Royal is somewhere in his 20s. He's only ever been with women, but he's attracted to Soren when he meets him. Royal is the type of person that doesn't want to put a label on himself, which is a bit refreshing, I like that mentality, I wish more people IRL saw sexuality the way he does. Royal is a hotshot racer. He's known for being cocky, confident, an a******. He's very closed off and doesn't talk to the media and he doesn't talk about things that are personal to him. He's gotten himself into a really bad reputation as a result.
But we learn in the book that Royal has reasons for being the way that he is. He's actually very vulnerable emotionally and his outer presence is about protecting himself and dealing with his traumatic complexes.
Royal's agent hires Soren to run some pieces on him, in hopes to rehabilitate Royal's image. Royal is at risk of losing his career because people just dislike him, they aren't rooting for him.
Royal continues his closed off act with Soren for a while. But he's attracted to him, and he likes him. They get to know each other and spend more time with each other, they start hooking up. And it quickly turns into more. And slowly Royal starts opening up. If you're waiting for a moment where Royal opens up to the public about his history and wins them all over to his side, that doesn't happen in this book. Royal stays true to himself and doesn't open up to the public. I'm ok with that, it makes sense for him, though it would have felt satisfying for the public to learn more about Royal.
I liked this book! I love a prickly, grumpy character and Royal was great at that. I loved the type of person that Royal was, he gave zero f****. He didn't want or need to explain himself to anyone. He doesn't get caught up in labels, he doesn't care what other people think about him being with a man. I loved that Royal was vulnerable and soft on the inside but was very discriminating about showing others who he is. I really enjoyed the moments where Royal was genuinely happy. It was sweet when we would see him smile and at other times just reach for Soren or show his animals love. He wasn't sharing that with everyone, so it just made it so genuine and made it mean more.
Soren was a good guy too. He'd been through his own s***. He was a very supportive partner to Royal. He never violated Royal's privacy for the sake of a story. He was a compassionate vault of Royal's secrets and Royal was his priority.
One criticism, page 109 - they are gooey and exchanging I love yous a little too early. They still haven't fully opened up to each other, so it seems a little early for them to be so open with the I love yous but not with the stuff they've dealt with in the past.
I'm looking forward to Cooper's story. It's adorable how he's magic and convinces everyone to adopt pets. He basically smiles at someone and the next thing they know they're adopting a pet.
Some notable moments:
F*** yes. I love Jenny! "Her eyes meet mine, cold and downright terrifying. I wonder for a moment if Jenny is going to throat-punch me right here on the track."
Famous last words! "I think about the man who slams into other cars on purpose. Who hits on any woman in his vicinity. Who swears like a sailor on camera and flips off the fans who boo him. Who gets into fistfights on the regular. There’s no way to make him likable. Not. Going. To. Happen."
"“Did you talk about it with him? After you kissed? Did he kiss you back?” My body heats, thinking about how he kissed me back, but I try like hell to shake it off. “He did. But I kind of stopped it and then told him it was only because I was horny.” He stares at me for a long time, looking at me like I’m an idiot—which, yeah—that was pretty damn idiotic. “That tracks.”"
*FYI about steam: 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.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3.75/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: foster kids, sick kids, cancer
4.5 stars, a lovely short book
Soren is 25, openly gay, a freelance sports reporter and social media influencer. He's dated a closeted athlete in the past and been burned. He's been critical of Royal in his articles.
Royal is somewhere in his 20s. He's only ever been with women, but he's attracted to Soren when he meets him. Royal is the type of person that doesn't want to put a label on himself, which is a bit refreshing, I like that mentality, I wish more people IRL saw sexuality the way he does. Royal is a hotshot racer. He's known for being cocky, confident, an a******. He's very closed off and doesn't talk to the media and he doesn't talk about things that are personal to him. He's gotten himself into a really bad reputation as a result.
But we learn in the book that Royal has reasons for being the way that he is. He's actually very vulnerable emotionally and his outer presence is about protecting himself and dealing with his traumatic complexes.
Royal's agent hires Soren to run some pieces on him, in hopes to rehabilitate Royal's image. Royal is at risk of losing his career because people just dislike him, they aren't rooting for him.
Royal continues his closed off act with Soren for a while. But he's attracted to him, and he likes him. They get to know each other and spend more time with each other, they start hooking up. And it quickly turns into more. And slowly Royal starts opening up. If you're waiting for a moment where Royal opens up to the public about his history and wins them all over to his side, that doesn't happen in this book. Royal stays true to himself and doesn't open up to the public. I'm ok with that, it makes sense for him, though it would have felt satisfying for the public to learn more about Royal.
I liked this book! I love a prickly, grumpy character and Royal was great at that. I loved the type of person that Royal was, he gave zero f****. He didn't want or need to explain himself to anyone. He doesn't get caught up in labels, he doesn't care what other people think about him being with a man. I loved that Royal was vulnerable and soft on the inside but was very discriminating about showing others who he is. I really enjoyed the moments where Royal was genuinely happy. It was sweet when we would see him smile and at other times just reach for Soren or show his animals love. He wasn't sharing that with everyone, so it just made it so genuine and made it mean more.
Soren was a good guy too. He'd been through his own s***. He was a very supportive partner to Royal. He never violated Royal's privacy for the sake of a story. He was a compassionate vault of Royal's secrets and Royal was his priority.
One criticism, page 109 - they are gooey and exchanging I love yous a little too early. They still haven't fully opened up to each other, so it seems a little early for them to be so open with the I love yous but not with the stuff they've dealt with in the past.
I'm looking forward to Cooper's story. It's adorable how he's magic and convinces everyone to adopt pets. He basically smiles at someone and the next thing they know they're adopting a pet.
Some notable moments:
F*** yes. I love Jenny! "Her eyes meet mine, cold and downright terrifying. I wonder for a moment if Jenny is going to throat-punch me right here on the track."
Famous last words! "I think about the man who slams into other cars on purpose. Who hits on any woman in his vicinity. Who swears like a sailor on camera and flips off the fans who boo him. Who gets into fistfights on the regular. There’s no way to make him likable. Not. Going. To. Happen."
"“Did you talk about it with him? After you kissed? Did he kiss you back?” My body heats, thinking about how he kissed me back, but I try like hell to shake it off. “He did. But I kind of stopped it and then told him it was only because I was horny.” He stares at me for a long time, looking at me like I’m an idiot—which, yeah—that was pretty damn idiotic. “That tracks.”"
*FYI about steam: 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.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2023
Everything this author writes is too politically correct for my taste. It starts to get boring and repetitive pretty quickly.
April 4, 2024
One thing about Nicole Dykes is that they will write a fun and light (?) romantic book that gives you all the feels you needed. This was so good. The instalove is realistic idk. I liked it just like the previous book. There were no unnecessary dramas and the book was enough to keep me going until the end.
October 29, 2023
ARC kinldy provided for the author in exchange for an honest review
I love each and every one of the books I have read by this author, and I love how with each one she gives me the most beautiful, moving stories and the way in which her characters always steal my heart! and of course The Hotshot VS The Reporter was no exception because Royal & Soren exceeded my expectations.
In the first book of the series Royal seemed to be a fun, womanizer, reckless man who gets carried away by his emotions, and in part he is, but in THVSTR we see that there is much more behind his complicated attitude: I don't want to say too much because it is better to experience it throughout the book, but I can say that it broke my heart to read the whole story of his past. I really liked reading more about his friendship with Axel, how much they mean to each other and the strong bond that unites them, but definitely my favorite part of Royal was reading him finally finding the place where he feels safe and can be himself.
Soren is a new character in the series, the reporter in charge of giving a positive light to Royal's image, the racer he can't stand. One of the things I loved most about Soren was the firmness of his values, his ideals and his morals and how he always tries to give the best example to the people around him, he also has a sensitive heart, is kind, understanding and knows how to see the real Royal, support and love him.
This love story is one of the most interesting that Nicole Dykes has written: with two grumpy guys who can't stand each other and are forced to work together. They don't have a simple beginning, but their feelings for each other change quickly and neither of them can ignore their attraction for each other, and I loved reading them knowing their true personalities, confiding in each other about their painful pasts and being the sweetest couple in the series, until now.
🏁Royal: 4.5/5
🏁Soren: 5/5
🏁Plot: 5/5
🏁Love story: 5/5
🏁Secondary characters: 5/5
🏁Universe: 5/5
🏁Cover: 3.5/5
🌶️: 2/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Amo todos y cada uno de los libros que he leído de esta autora, y me encanta como con cada uno me da las historias más hermosas, conmovedoras y la manera en la que sus personajes siempre me roban el corazón! y claro que The Hotshot VS The Reporter no fue la excepción pues Royal & Soren superaron mis expectativas.
En el primer libro de la serie Royal parecía ser un hombre divertido, mujeriego, imprudente y que se deja llevar por sus emociones, y en parte lo es, pero en THVSTR vemos que hay mucho más detrás de su actitud complicada: no quiero decir mucho porque es mejor experimentarlo a lo largo del libro, pero si puedo decir que me rompió el corazón leer toda la historia de su pasado. Me gustó mucho leer más de su amistad con Axel, lo mucho que significan el uno para el otro y el vinculo tan fuerte que los une, pero definitivamente mi parte favorita de Royal fue leerlo encontrar por fin el lugar en el que se siente seguro y puede ser él mismo.
Soren es un personaje nuevo en la serie, el reportero encargado de darle un toque positivo a la imagen de Royal, el corredor al que no puede soportar. Una de las cosas que más amé de Soren fue la firmeza de sus valores, sus ideales y su moral y como siempre trata de dar el mejor ejemplo a las personas a su alrededor, también tiene un corazón sensible, es amable, comprensivo y sabe ver al verdadero Royal, apoyarlo y amarlo.
Esta historia de amor es una de las más interesantes que Nicole Dykes ha escrito: con dos chicos gruñones que no se soportan y se ven forzados a trabajar juntos. No tienen un inicio sencillo, pero sus sentimientos por el otro cambian rápidamente y ninguno de los dos puede ignorar su atracción por el otro, y me encantó leerlos conociendo sus verdaderas personalidades, confiándose sus pasados dolorosos y siendo la pareja más dulce de la serie, hasta ahora.
🏁Royal: 4.5/5
🏁Soren: 5/5
🏁Trama: 5/5
🏁Historia de amor: 5/5
🏁Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏁Universo: 5/5
🏁Portada: 3.5/5
🌶️: 2/5
I love each and every one of the books I have read by this author, and I love how with each one she gives me the most beautiful, moving stories and the way in which her characters always steal my heart! and of course The Hotshot VS The Reporter was no exception because Royal & Soren exceeded my expectations.
In the first book of the series Royal seemed to be a fun, womanizer, reckless man who gets carried away by his emotions, and in part he is, but in THVSTR we see that there is much more behind his complicated attitude: I don't want to say too much because it is better to experience it throughout the book, but I can say that it broke my heart to read the whole story of his past. I really liked reading more about his friendship with Axel, how much they mean to each other and the strong bond that unites them, but definitely my favorite part of Royal was reading him finally finding the place where he feels safe and can be himself.
Soren is a new character in the series, the reporter in charge of giving a positive light to Royal's image, the racer he can't stand. One of the things I loved most about Soren was the firmness of his values, his ideals and his morals and how he always tries to give the best example to the people around him, he also has a sensitive heart, is kind, understanding and knows how to see the real Royal, support and love him.
This love story is one of the most interesting that Nicole Dykes has written: with two grumpy guys who can't stand each other and are forced to work together. They don't have a simple beginning, but their feelings for each other change quickly and neither of them can ignore their attraction for each other, and I loved reading them knowing their true personalities, confiding in each other about their painful pasts and being the sweetest couple in the series, until now.
🏁Royal: 4.5/5
🏁Soren: 5/5
🏁Plot: 5/5
🏁Love story: 5/5
🏁Secondary characters: 5/5
🏁Universe: 5/5
🏁Cover: 3.5/5
🌶️: 2/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Amo todos y cada uno de los libros que he leído de esta autora, y me encanta como con cada uno me da las historias más hermosas, conmovedoras y la manera en la que sus personajes siempre me roban el corazón! y claro que The Hotshot VS The Reporter no fue la excepción pues Royal & Soren superaron mis expectativas.
En el primer libro de la serie Royal parecía ser un hombre divertido, mujeriego, imprudente y que se deja llevar por sus emociones, y en parte lo es, pero en THVSTR vemos que hay mucho más detrás de su actitud complicada: no quiero decir mucho porque es mejor experimentarlo a lo largo del libro, pero si puedo decir que me rompió el corazón leer toda la historia de su pasado. Me gustó mucho leer más de su amistad con Axel, lo mucho que significan el uno para el otro y el vinculo tan fuerte que los une, pero definitivamente mi parte favorita de Royal fue leerlo encontrar por fin el lugar en el que se siente seguro y puede ser él mismo.
Soren es un personaje nuevo en la serie, el reportero encargado de darle un toque positivo a la imagen de Royal, el corredor al que no puede soportar. Una de las cosas que más amé de Soren fue la firmeza de sus valores, sus ideales y su moral y como siempre trata de dar el mejor ejemplo a las personas a su alrededor, también tiene un corazón sensible, es amable, comprensivo y sabe ver al verdadero Royal, apoyarlo y amarlo.
Esta historia de amor es una de las más interesantes que Nicole Dykes ha escrito: con dos chicos gruñones que no se soportan y se ven forzados a trabajar juntos. No tienen un inicio sencillo, pero sus sentimientos por el otro cambian rápidamente y ninguno de los dos puede ignorar su atracción por el otro, y me encantó leerlos conociendo sus verdaderas personalidades, confiándose sus pasados dolorosos y siendo la pareja más dulce de la serie, hasta ahora.
🏁Royal: 4.5/5
🏁Soren: 5/5
🏁Trama: 5/5
🏁Historia de amor: 5/5
🏁Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏁Universo: 5/5
🏁Portada: 3.5/5
🌶️: 2/5
August 9, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, sport, MM
Tropes / tags: opposites attract, sexual discovery, hurt / comfort
The Hotshot vs. The Reporter was a sweet and fast-paced story, full of tender and vulnerable moments between the characters. I really adored these two and how things developed between them!
Royal, our Hotshot racer, might have been a little too good at playing his role at the tracks, but it was easy to see that there was a lot more to him than what people saw. I loved the way we got to know him and how his story fell into place throughout the story. Soren was great with him and I adored their little naked rule.
The connection between Royal and Soren was there from the start, even if both men were a bit reluctant to acknowledge their attraction to each other. Even though it was the first time Royal felt this kind of attraction to a man, he was fast to accept it and mostly just went with it.
Overall, this was another very sweet and heartwarming story with great characters. I’m really enjoying the world and characters so far in this series, and I’m very curious about Maverick’s story!
-
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, sport, MM
Tropes / tags: opposites attract, sexual discovery, hurt / comfort
The Hotshot vs. The Reporter was a sweet and fast-paced story, full of tender and vulnerable moments between the characters. I really adored these two and how things developed between them!
Royal, our Hotshot racer, might have been a little too good at playing his role at the tracks, but it was easy to see that there was a lot more to him than what people saw. I loved the way we got to know him and how his story fell into place throughout the story. Soren was great with him and I adored their little naked rule.
The connection between Royal and Soren was there from the start, even if both men were a bit reluctant to acknowledge their attraction to each other. Even though it was the first time Royal felt this kind of attraction to a man, he was fast to accept it and mostly just went with it.
Overall, this was another very sweet and heartwarming story with great characters. I’m really enjoying the world and characters so far in this series, and I’m very curious about Maverick’s story!
-
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 31, 2023
I've never read a bad Nicole Dykes book.
Such a perfect little shot.
Hit the spot just right.
Such a perfect little shot.
Hit the spot just right.
November 5, 2023
3.5/5 stars
February 21, 2024
⭐️: 9/10 🌶️: 3/5 😭: 1/5 🤣: 1/5
Tropes:
🏁 Dislike to love
🏎️ Close proximity
🏁 Gay for you
🏎️ Sport romance (NASCAR racer)
“I know, without a doubt, falling for him any slower is completely and totally impossible. Because I’ve already fallen.”
(ESP) Una historia súper bella, muy divertida que a la vez logra estrujarnos el corazón.
Royal es el chico malo de la pista al que todo el mundo odia pero salvo su círculo íntimo nadie se tomó nunca el trabajo de conocerlo. Soren será el periodista encargado de descubrir que esconde detrás de esa fachada. Obviamente lo conseguirá y además caerá rendido de amor 🤣
Son preciosos juntos y disfruté mucho de leerlos (a ellos y sus mascotas!).
(ENG) Beautiful and funny story that manages to tug at our heartstrings at the same time.
Royal is the bad boy of the track that everyone hates, but no one except his inner circle has ever bothered to get to know him. Soren will be the journalist in charge of finding out what he is hiding behind this facade. He will obviously succeed and also fall head over heels in love.
They are adorable together and I really enjoyed reading about them (and their pets!).
Tropes:
🏁 Dislike to love
🏎️ Close proximity
🏁 Gay for you
🏎️ Sport romance (NASCAR racer)
“I know, without a doubt, falling for him any slower is completely and totally impossible. Because I’ve already fallen.”
(ESP) Una historia súper bella, muy divertida que a la vez logra estrujarnos el corazón.
Royal es el chico malo de la pista al que todo el mundo odia pero salvo su círculo íntimo nadie se tomó nunca el trabajo de conocerlo. Soren será el periodista encargado de descubrir que esconde detrás de esa fachada. Obviamente lo conseguirá y además caerá rendido de amor 🤣
Son preciosos juntos y disfruté mucho de leerlos (a ellos y sus mascotas!).
(ENG) Beautiful and funny story that manages to tug at our heartstrings at the same time.
Royal is the bad boy of the track that everyone hates, but no one except his inner circle has ever bothered to get to know him. Soren will be the journalist in charge of finding out what he is hiding behind this facade. He will obviously succeed and also fall head over heels in love.
They are adorable together and I really enjoyed reading about them (and their pets!).
May 4, 2024
When Royal showed up in The Pretty Boy Vs. The Bad Boy I was convinced he was a jerk with a heart of gold. But I didn't expect him to fall like a ton of bricks for Soren. Royal fell in love like he races, all in and full speed ahead! I loved that Royal's conflict was unique, with no addiction or anything illegal hiding in his past. I love the community that these men are building and I am excited to read more
February 19, 2024
The Hotshot VS The Reporter is book two in the On The Track series and it was so good. I already loved Royal from book one, but getting his backstory made me love him even more. Soren and Royal were perfect for each other. This was a low angst, GFY, hurt/comfort story with all the feels. I can’t wait for Maverick’s book.
November 14, 2023
The Hotshot vs. The Reporter is the second book in the On The Track series by Nicole Dykes.
Tropes:
🏁 enemies to lovers
🏁 sports romance
Nicole knows how to bring the heat and witty banter. She also always has these bad boy types that end up being really sweet and emotional underneath it all and never fails to have us swooning.
•
Royal Dutton is reckless, arrogant, and known throughout the NASCAR world as “The Hotshot”. He refuses to believe that his career is also in jeopardy. So when his agent suggests the idea of having a reporter follow him around, he says no.
Royal doesn’t want someone following him around all the time. For years, he’s had to be confident and cocky, and has shoved down the sad, broken boy that nobody ever wanted. To make matters worse, the reporter his agent wants to hire hates Royal’s guts. The feeling is mutual since he always seems to target Royal.
When Soren is asked to follow Royal around and write a few “feel good” pieces on the driver, he’s surprised. He detests everything the man stands for, on and off the track.
As the two spend more and more time together, Royal slowly starts dropping the facade he puts on for everyone else. The person everyone else sees except those that are close to him. Soren discovers a man that enjoys bumper cars but hates roller coasters, and loves his dogs.
When Royal realizes that he’s attracted to Soren, he jumps head first. Soren is shocked that Royal seems so okay with being with a man for the first time, but he’s also excited since he’s been harboring a crush on the driver.
*we received an arc, all opinions are our own*
Tropes:
🏁 enemies to lovers
🏁 sports romance
Nicole knows how to bring the heat and witty banter. She also always has these bad boy types that end up being really sweet and emotional underneath it all and never fails to have us swooning.
•
Royal Dutton is reckless, arrogant, and known throughout the NASCAR world as “The Hotshot”. He refuses to believe that his career is also in jeopardy. So when his agent suggests the idea of having a reporter follow him around, he says no.
Royal doesn’t want someone following him around all the time. For years, he’s had to be confident and cocky, and has shoved down the sad, broken boy that nobody ever wanted. To make matters worse, the reporter his agent wants to hire hates Royal’s guts. The feeling is mutual since he always seems to target Royal.
When Soren is asked to follow Royal around and write a few “feel good” pieces on the driver, he’s surprised. He detests everything the man stands for, on and off the track.
As the two spend more and more time together, Royal slowly starts dropping the facade he puts on for everyone else. The person everyone else sees except those that are close to him. Soren discovers a man that enjoys bumper cars but hates roller coasters, and loves his dogs.
When Royal realizes that he’s attracted to Soren, he jumps head first. Soren is shocked that Royal seems so okay with being with a man for the first time, but he’s also excited since he’s been harboring a crush on the driver.
*we received an arc, all opinions are our own*
October 27, 2023
4.5 stars
I have always enjoyed reading Nicole's books and this book was no different from the others, it had that Nicole charm that I adore so much. This book was a fun, fluffy read with a touch of some tough topics which I have always loved when I have read her books.
We met Royal in the first book of this series, he is "The Hotshot" and a cocky racer but he is so much more than what he shows to the world, and damn I loved Royal so much, his character had been hurt in the past and he has abandonment issues and his past story made my heart hurt.
Whereas Soren is "The Reporter" who is famous for his blogs about racers and he hates everything that Royal depicts i.e toxic masculinity, his behaviour, blah blah blah. But now The Badass Agent Jenny has appointed him to make Royal's reputation better and show his real side.
I liked Royal & Soren's chemistry, I liked how Royal was all-in from the start even when he didn't want to put a label on his sexuality. And I also liked how Soren got protective and started caring about Royal once he got to know the real him. I adored Royal and Axel's friendship and was so glad they were there for each other and Royal found a family who loved and cared for him.
I am looking forward to Cooper & Maverick's story because I like Cooper's character so much and by the glimpses we got of him & Maverick in this book, I can feel something is brewing between them, I can't wait to read their book.
* I received an ARC copy from Chaotic Creative Services and this is my honest review *
I have always enjoyed reading Nicole's books and this book was no different from the others, it had that Nicole charm that I adore so much. This book was a fun, fluffy read with a touch of some tough topics which I have always loved when I have read her books.
We met Royal in the first book of this series, he is "The Hotshot" and a cocky racer but he is so much more than what he shows to the world, and damn I loved Royal so much, his character had been hurt in the past and he has abandonment issues and his past story made my heart hurt.
Whereas Soren is "The Reporter" who is famous for his blogs about racers and he hates everything that Royal depicts i.e toxic masculinity, his behaviour, blah blah blah. But now The Badass Agent Jenny has appointed him to make Royal's reputation better and show his real side.
I liked Royal & Soren's chemistry, I liked how Royal was all-in from the start even when he didn't want to put a label on his sexuality. And I also liked how Soren got protective and started caring about Royal once he got to know the real him. I adored Royal and Axel's friendship and was so glad they were there for each other and Royal found a family who loved and cared for him.
I am looking forward to Cooper & Maverick's story because I like Cooper's character so much and by the glimpses we got of him & Maverick in this book, I can feel something is brewing between them, I can't wait to read their book.
* I received an ARC copy from Chaotic Creative Services and this is my honest review *
October 20, 2023
Royal's career is starting to decline, so his agent hires a reporter to find a way to humanize him and make him relatable to the fans again. Only problem is that Royal and Soren can't stand each other. Soren has been vocal about not liking Royal's hotshot persona- he thinks he's a reckless dick on the track. Royal has some serious self-esteem issues and just wants to be loved as he is, without the mask he forces himself to put on for the press. He's terrified to lose his career, but even more scared of letting anyone know the real him. Soren becomes his safe place, but will Royal be able to let down his guard when everyone he's ever loved has left him?
The book is a quick, relatively fluffy read that I enjoyed. Anyone who has felt like they aren't enough or are unloveable will be able to relate to Royal right away. There's also a biawakening trope (Royal has never been attracted to men before Soren) which was very well done. For two guys who have faced a lot of adversity in their pasts (no spoilers!), I did think they were both very quick to move past it and trust each other. They also get past their dislike of each other very rapidly, which I was ok with because they're both likeable guys, but it wasn't the most satisfying E2L book I've ever read.
My favourite parts of the book was the trips to the animal shelter- I'm excited for Cooper's book!
Rating: 3.75
Angst: 1/5
Steam: 3/5
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
The book is a quick, relatively fluffy read that I enjoyed. Anyone who has felt like they aren't enough or are unloveable will be able to relate to Royal right away. There's also a biawakening trope (Royal has never been attracted to men before Soren) which was very well done. For two guys who have faced a lot of adversity in their pasts (no spoilers!), I did think they were both very quick to move past it and trust each other. They also get past their dislike of each other very rapidly, which I was ok with because they're both likeable guys, but it wasn't the most satisfying E2L book I've ever read.
My favourite parts of the book was the trips to the animal shelter- I'm excited for Cooper's book!
Rating: 3.75
Angst: 1/5
Steam: 3/5
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
October 24, 2023
I love Nicole's worlds and how the people inhabiting them are flawed people who have to get over actual issues to find their true happiness and their people. I love her found families. I love her loosely interconnected series. I always leave her books feeling a little bit better and like I just spent time with friends.
But that all being said - I was in love with Royal and Soren from the get go. I liked Royal from the 'Pretty Boy and the Bad Boy' - give me a chaotic BFF any day of the week. (*eyes Oakley from the Kensley Series*) I loved how they both had things to get over and work through. I loved the journey that they went on alone and together. I thought it was fantastic.
There are also furry friends in this series - I love athletes with furry family members. I can't wait for Cooper to finally get his story told.
Also - keep your eyes out for self-care moments. We all need them. Especially when you are a Hotshot and you are trying to figure yourself out.
I loved this story, I loved these guys, and I can't recommend you read this book enough. Come join this group of friends in Kansas City - it's so much fun!
But that all being said - I was in love with Royal and Soren from the get go. I liked Royal from the 'Pretty Boy and the Bad Boy' - give me a chaotic BFF any day of the week. (*eyes Oakley from the Kensley Series*) I loved how they both had things to get over and work through. I loved the journey that they went on alone and together. I thought it was fantastic.
There are also furry friends in this series - I love athletes with furry family members. I can't wait for Cooper to finally get his story told.
Also - keep your eyes out for self-care moments. We all need them. Especially when you are a Hotshot and you are trying to figure yourself out.
I loved this story, I loved these guys, and I can't recommend you read this book enough. Come join this group of friends in Kansas City - it's so much fun!
October 22, 2023
I think one of my favorite things about Nicole's writing is the stories are fast but never rushed. I never feel like I'm missing anything from the story and this one is no exception.
Royal is the hotshot. His background is why he is the way he is. His fears control a lot of his reasons why. So when he's forced to have Soren in his life, he wants to retaliate.
He very organically opens himself up and allows himself to see Soren for who he is. When he has his "ah-hah" moment, he doesn't fear what it means for him, or is racing. He listens to his heart fully and embraces his feelings.
Their relationship is sweet and doesn't shy on the harder topics of Royal's life. Soren listens, accepts, and shows he can be trusted. I loved their story so much. This series is getting better with each book. I cannot wait for book three.
Royal is the hotshot. His background is why he is the way he is. His fears control a lot of his reasons why. So when he's forced to have Soren in his life, he wants to retaliate.
He very organically opens himself up and allows himself to see Soren for who he is. When he has his "ah-hah" moment, he doesn't fear what it means for him, or is racing. He listens to his heart fully and embraces his feelings.
Their relationship is sweet and doesn't shy on the harder topics of Royal's life. Soren listens, accepts, and shows he can be trusted. I loved their story so much. This series is getting better with each book. I cannot wait for book three.
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