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Games #4
Rush
This new adult, male/male romance will capture the audience who fell in love with Nyrae Dawn's Games Trilogy.
Brandon Chase has always defined himself by one football. He loves the game, but struggles with his attraction for his best friend Alec Andrews. Alec thinks it'll work out as long as they're together, but Brandon can't choose between their feelings and his fear of losing his spot on the team. Rather than deal with it, he tells Alec goodbye.
A year and a half later, Alec has finally moved on with his life until he finds out Brandon's been hurt. Unable to deny his feelings for Brandon, Alec offers to help him train for his senior year and push for the NFL draft.
But as they spend the summer together, the two can't deny their attraction--the rush they feel when they're together is even stronger now and neither wants to walk away. Can Alec come out to his family, and Brandon come to terms with being a gay football player? Either way, there'll be consequences both have to be ready to face.
Approx. 70, 000 words.
Brandon Chase has always defined himself by one football. He loves the game, but struggles with his attraction for his best friend Alec Andrews. Alec thinks it'll work out as long as they're together, but Brandon can't choose between their feelings and his fear of losing his spot on the team. Rather than deal with it, he tells Alec goodbye.
A year and a half later, Alec has finally moved on with his life until he finds out Brandon's been hurt. Unable to deny his feelings for Brandon, Alec offers to help him train for his senior year and push for the NFL draft.
But as they spend the summer together, the two can't deny their attraction--the rush they feel when they're together is even stronger now and neither wants to walk away. Can Alec come out to his family, and Brandon come to terms with being a gay football player? Either way, there'll be consequences both have to be ready to face.
Approx. 70, 000 words.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
38 people are currently reading
1887 people want to read
About the author
Nyrae Dawn
33 books3,912 followersI am a compulsive reader and writer who loves YA fiction.
I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.
I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.
I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.
I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
April 9, 2014
5 Stars!
Nyrae Dawn is an author I absolutely adore. I love all her stuff. She has such a knack for writing from the male point of view. Last year when I heard she was writing an m/m book I was thrilled. I had high hopes and she didn’t let me down- this book was fantastic.
Rush is the story of two college guys, Brandon and Alec. Brandon and Alec have been friends for years, but they’ve both treaded the line of ‘more’. They care about each other, they’re attracted to each other, they like to kiss each other, but neither one is really ready to admit their feelings to the outside world.
Alec is an only child and has grown up with a prejudice and homophobic father. He doesn’t know what coming out would do to his parents or how they would react. Brandon is a college football player on his way to the NFL. What would the guys in the locker room think if they knew he was gay?
Alec is ready. If Brandon is willing to be with him, out in the open, he’s ready to come out. Brand just can’t. Not now. Maybe not ever.
Summer only lasts so long. Will Brandon ever be ready to come out to the world? Will Alec be able to handle being a secret. Just being Brand’s friend to everyone else? It broke my heart that these guys felt they had to hide their love from anyone. People should be free to love anyone they chose. I hate judgmental assholes. Everyone deserves love and happiness, no matter who they find that from.
Alec and Brand. I loved these boys. Alec stole my heart from the very beginning. It took me a little longer to love Brandon that way, but I did. They were beautiful together. Their relationship was something truly special.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, and touched my heart. The story was captivating, the characters were lovable and I enjoyed every page. Nyrae’s writing was amazing as always. For those of you who have never read M/M, this would be the perfect book to start with. It’s got some steam-, but it’s a little on the light side. It’s more of a love story than anything. Brand and Alec’s journey was beautiful. It’s one you won’t want to miss out on!!!
*ARC kindly provided by Forever, Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
“How can loving someone be wrong?”
Nyrae Dawn is an author I absolutely adore. I love all her stuff. She has such a knack for writing from the male point of view. Last year when I heard she was writing an m/m book I was thrilled. I had high hopes and she didn’t let me down- this book was fantastic.
Rush is the story of two college guys, Brandon and Alec. Brandon and Alec have been friends for years, but they’ve both treaded the line of ‘more’. They care about each other, they’re attracted to each other, they like to kiss each other, but neither one is really ready to admit their feelings to the outside world.
Alec is an only child and has grown up with a prejudice and homophobic father. He doesn’t know what coming out would do to his parents or how they would react. Brandon is a college football player on his way to the NFL. What would the guys in the locker room think if they knew he was gay?
Alec is ready. If Brandon is willing to be with him, out in the open, he’s ready to come out. Brand just can’t. Not now. Maybe not ever.
“I want to be strong. Why the fuck can’t I be stronger?”
"Coming out would be like being cut open all the time, everyone seeing what's inside me. It's showing parts of me that people will judge me for and maybe even hate me for."
Brandon and Alec’s friendship is strained, for years they are out of each others life. Alec is heartbroken, Brand is fighting with himself constantly. But something big brings them back together for the summer. A summer for a second chance?We’ve talked about everything and nothing too. Nothing big, and everything small but the conversation has hardly stopped the whole time. We’ve always been like that. I wonder if it’s because we keep one of the most important pieces of ourselves quiet from the world, so we can’t help but want to talk about everything when we’re together.
"Nothing I've ever had feels as right as you."
Summer only lasts so long. Will Brandon ever be ready to come out to the world? Will Alec be able to handle being a secret. Just being Brand’s friend to everyone else? It broke my heart that these guys felt they had to hide their love from anyone. People should be free to love anyone they chose. I hate judgmental assholes. Everyone deserves love and happiness, no matter who they find that from.
"Don't we deserve to have what we want like everyone else does? After everything we've been through, don't we deserve it more?"
Alec and Brand. I loved these boys. Alec stole my heart from the very beginning. It took me a little longer to love Brandon that way, but I did. They were beautiful together. Their relationship was something truly special.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, and touched my heart. The story was captivating, the characters were lovable and I enjoyed every page. Nyrae’s writing was amazing as always. For those of you who have never read M/M, this would be the perfect book to start with. It’s got some steam-, but it’s a little on the light side. It’s more of a love story than anything. Brand and Alec’s journey was beautiful. It’s one you won’t want to miss out on!!!
*ARC kindly provided by Forever, Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
April 4, 2014
4.5--Coming Out--Stars!
Apparently this book is about characters that were introuduced in Four Summers, which I did not read. But now I kind of want to because I was thinking I would have liked to get more of Alec and Brandon's past relationship....when they first meet and fall in love.
However, I loved Alec and Brandon's story in Rush. It broke my heart what these two boys went through. To protect their feelings, their friends, their families. Sacrificing their own happiness for others.
Alec and Brandon met when Brandon's family started spending summers in Lakeland Village, Virginia. It started out as a friendship, bonding over their love of football and turned in to a young love. A new love. A love that they believed was wrong, but that felt so right.
They only ever had their summers. Brandon plays football in Ohio and Alec attends community college near Lakeland Village. Brandon believes that football is all he is. There's Brandon the football player, that pretends to be straight...
...and the real Brandon, the one that's gay, that only truly feels like himself when he's with Alec. But Brandon doesn't believe he can ever be what Alec needs and deserves. He can never give himself to Alec fully...he doesn't believe he can have football and Alec.
But Brandon does. He walks away. He pushes away the only thing that feels right. He tries to move on. Pretends to be Brandon the football player. Alec tries to move on too. He's more open about being gay. He tries to have other relationships. But no one feels like Brandon.
An accident brings Alec back in to Brandon's life. A second chance for Brandon and Alec to make things right. To go after what they want, what they deserve. To be proud of the love they have for each other.
Will Brandon and Alec finally put their love first? Show the world that there's nothing wrong with being gay? That they deserve as much as happiness as everyone else? That nothing in life is worth having without each other?
Oh this story....
It just hit me in all the right spots. I wanted so badly for Brandon and Alec to get their HEA. I felt like I went through everything with them. The pain of separation, the anxiety of coming out, the heartbreak from people's reactions, the butterflies at their first touches, the panty melting sexual tension and above all else their love for each other. Truly a heart-warming story of two people struggling against a love that society says is wrong but feels so right.
ARC kindly provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Apparently this book is about characters that were introuduced in Four Summers, which I did not read. But now I kind of want to because I was thinking I would have liked to get more of Alec and Brandon's past relationship....when they first meet and fall in love.
However, I loved Alec and Brandon's story in Rush. It broke my heart what these two boys went through. To protect their feelings, their friends, their families. Sacrificing their own happiness for others.
Alec and Brandon met when Brandon's family started spending summers in Lakeland Village, Virginia. It started out as a friendship, bonding over their love of football and turned in to a young love. A new love. A love that they believed was wrong, but that felt so right.
"No matter what anyone thinks, it doesn't feel wrong. It feels better. He makes me better."
They only ever had their summers. Brandon plays football in Ohio and Alec attends community college near Lakeland Village. Brandon believes that football is all he is. There's Brandon the football player, that pretends to be straight...
"Coming out would be like being cut open all the time, everyone seeing what's inside me. It's showing parts of me that people will judge me for and maybe even hate me for."
...and the real Brandon, the one that's gay, that only truly feels like himself when he's with Alec. But Brandon doesn't believe he can ever be what Alec needs and deserves. He can never give himself to Alec fully...he doesn't believe he can have football and Alec.
"I'm not strong enough to be with him, but can't handle walking away either."
But Brandon does. He walks away. He pushes away the only thing that feels right. He tries to move on. Pretends to be Brandon the football player. Alec tries to move on too. He's more open about being gay. He tries to have other relationships. But no one feels like Brandon.
An accident brings Alec back in to Brandon's life. A second chance for Brandon and Alec to make things right. To go after what they want, what they deserve. To be proud of the love they have for each other.
"Don't we deserve to have what we want like everyone else does? After everything we've been through, don't we deserve it more?"
Will Brandon and Alec finally put their love first? Show the world that there's nothing wrong with being gay? That they deserve as much as happiness as everyone else? That nothing in life is worth having without each other?
"Fuck the world. We don't need anyone else. Just this right here. Just us."
Oh this story....
It just hit me in all the right spots. I wanted so badly for Brandon and Alec to get their HEA. I felt like I went through everything with them. The pain of separation, the anxiety of coming out, the heartbreak from people's reactions, the butterflies at their first touches, the panty melting sexual tension and above all else their love for each other. Truly a heart-warming story of two people struggling against a love that society says is wrong but feels so right.
"And being with him is worth everything we've had to go through."
ARC kindly provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 7, 2014
Chicks with Dicks Alert!
The voices of the MCs were so interchangeable, I sort of got lost in this trite and forgettable story. There was a lot of push/pull, very little steam (this read very much like YA), and a lot of whining/self-flagellation on Brandon’s part.
I didn’t like Brand; I didn’t get what Alec saw in him. This was chit-lit disguised as M/M; these men acted like teenage girls, deliriously pining for one another and keeping their dicks hidden, just in case.
I’ve read these same themes (closeted athletes, friends to lovers, out for you, etc.) done better in other books.
The voices of the MCs were so interchangeable, I sort of got lost in this trite and forgettable story. There was a lot of push/pull, very little steam (this read very much like YA), and a lot of whining/self-flagellation on Brandon’s part.
I didn’t like Brand; I didn’t get what Alec saw in him. This was chit-lit disguised as M/M; these men acted like teenage girls, deliriously pining for one another and keeping their dicks hidden, just in case.
I’ve read these same themes (closeted athletes, friends to lovers, out for you, etc.) done better in other books.
June 30, 2014
♥♥♥ 3 STARS ♥♥♥
Well, after seeing so many of my friends love this, I became excited to read this and love it too. However, that was not the case for me. It wasn't completely bad for me, I did enjoy some parts but I did not love it. I found it a bit hard to like Brandon until he was finally doing something right. Then Alec became all weird, it was like they switched personalities. I didn't get it and they seemed too similar at times that you couldn't tell them apart.
I don't really have too much to say about this book. Some things Brandon did in the beginning annoyed me, and then some things Alec did in the last part annoyed me too. I think the whole, "Should we or shouldn't we" thing that kept going back in forth is what got old very quick for me. I got the whole hiding their relationship thing, but it happened for most of the book which is what I didn't like.
The steam was quite low and was surprised by how long it took them to do anything with each other. I felt like everything that happened took way to long to occur. There were a few moments I did enjoy that were sweet, funny and emotional. But, it wasn't enough for me to love it. The story was quite predictable and I just wanted to see their relationship to bloom between them more.
Overall, I thought it was an alright read. I would recommend this one to people who are looking for their first m/m book to read.
Read
September 12, 2013This book is full of raw emotion, and I'm so proud of Nyrae for writing it. Her passion shows on every page. I could feel the fear and frustration of Alec and Brandon, and that deep human desire to be accepted and treated fairly. Heartfelt and powerful. A beautiful love story.
<3 <3 <3
<3 <3 <3
April 8, 2014
I was so wrong.
I don't typically read M/M stories. It's just not a genre that I've ever sought out, or had much interest in reading. I'm a woman, so obviously I felt as though I'd connect more with females in fiction. But I love Nyrae Dawn. I've read every single story she's published and I haven't found a single one that I could not connect with on so many levels. So I knew before going in that if there was an author who could connect me to a M/M storyline, it'd be her. I was so wrong about so many things. This isn't a story about two men. It's just a story about two people. It's about love, love that should not be boxed in, or labeled, or classified. At the end of the day, love is just love and this book could not have illustrated that any better.
Rush is the story of Alec and Brandon. Two amazing, beautiful, flawed characters trying to figure themselves out. In true Nyrae Dawn fashion, this is the story of two people, both fighting their own demons, as well as navigating their way in a very unstable, shaky relationship. But Rush is more... it's Alec and Brandon's struggle with who they are as individuals, as men, as sons, as friends, as lovers, as students. It's everything. In some ways, I feel like I connected more with Brandon and Alec's characters than I ever could with this author's female characters in previous books. I was so wrong in my thinking that I wouldn't. These characters certainly opened my eyes to things I was incredibly naïve about before. Written in alternating points of view, the reader is allowed a complete, intense look into both of these characters, their internal and external struggles, their individual personalities. I was anxious and angst-ridden the entire book through. I always felt righteous in my belief system. I've always been vocal about my opinions, that everyone should be free to love whoever they want, and those that don't agree will just have to deal with it. I looked at the world through my rose colored glasses, wondering what the big deal was, why people couldn't just be who they are and not care what anyone else thought. I easily assumed that eventually close-minded individuals would have no choice but to open their minds, because the rest of us were leaving them in the dust with their bigoted opinions. But I was wrong. I never really considered what it must be like to have to open yourself up and admit who you are, like Brandon and Alec did in this story. It's not easy. It's a torturous, suffocating feeling that this author crafted perfectly in this book.
"You can't understand because you haven't experienced it. It's easy for people to say when they haven't lived it." -Alec
If you ask me, this might be Nyrae Dawn's most perfect story. Perfect in it's realness. Perfect in the way it reaches inside the reader and never lets go. Perfect in the way she crafted these characters, and brings you inside their pain, their joy, their struggles, their victories, their strength and their fear. I was wrong to look at this story as a M/M love story. Perhaps for classification purposes, this story has to be labeled, but if the reader takes anything away from this story, it should be that we don't need those labels. Books might, but people do not. It's just a love story. It's a love story about two people just trying to figure it all out. Unfortunately and unfairly, these characters face obstacles that most of us can never imagine. But we all have faced something. Rush might be the literal story of two gay men struggling with coming out and making their relationship work in spite of those barriers. But the reader doesn't have to be a gay man to understand what it feels like to struggle with who they are, what they want, who they love and how it feels to not be accepted for who they are. We're all the same.
I don't typically read M/M stories. It's just not a genre that I've ever sought out, or had much interest in reading. I'm a woman, so obviously I felt as though I'd connect more with females in fiction. But I love Nyrae Dawn. I've read every single story she's published and I haven't found a single one that I could not connect with on so many levels. So I knew before going in that if there was an author who could connect me to a M/M storyline, it'd be her. I was so wrong about so many things. This isn't a story about two men. It's just a story about two people. It's about love, love that should not be boxed in, or labeled, or classified. At the end of the day, love is just love and this book could not have illustrated that any better.
Rush is the story of Alec and Brandon. Two amazing, beautiful, flawed characters trying to figure themselves out. In true Nyrae Dawn fashion, this is the story of two people, both fighting their own demons, as well as navigating their way in a very unstable, shaky relationship. But Rush is more... it's Alec and Brandon's struggle with who they are as individuals, as men, as sons, as friends, as lovers, as students. It's everything. In some ways, I feel like I connected more with Brandon and Alec's characters than I ever could with this author's female characters in previous books. I was so wrong in my thinking that I wouldn't. These characters certainly opened my eyes to things I was incredibly naïve about before. Written in alternating points of view, the reader is allowed a complete, intense look into both of these characters, their internal and external struggles, their individual personalities. I was anxious and angst-ridden the entire book through. I always felt righteous in my belief system. I've always been vocal about my opinions, that everyone should be free to love whoever they want, and those that don't agree will just have to deal with it. I looked at the world through my rose colored glasses, wondering what the big deal was, why people couldn't just be who they are and not care what anyone else thought. I easily assumed that eventually close-minded individuals would have no choice but to open their minds, because the rest of us were leaving them in the dust with their bigoted opinions. But I was wrong. I never really considered what it must be like to have to open yourself up and admit who you are, like Brandon and Alec did in this story. It's not easy. It's a torturous, suffocating feeling that this author crafted perfectly in this book.
"You can't understand because you haven't experienced it. It's easy for people to say when they haven't lived it." -Alec
If you ask me, this might be Nyrae Dawn's most perfect story. Perfect in it's realness. Perfect in the way it reaches inside the reader and never lets go. Perfect in the way she crafted these characters, and brings you inside their pain, their joy, their struggles, their victories, their strength and their fear. I was wrong to look at this story as a M/M love story. Perhaps for classification purposes, this story has to be labeled, but if the reader takes anything away from this story, it should be that we don't need those labels. Books might, but people do not. It's just a love story. It's a love story about two people just trying to figure it all out. Unfortunately and unfairly, these characters face obstacles that most of us can never imagine. But we all have faced something. Rush might be the literal story of two gay men struggling with coming out and making their relationship work in spite of those barriers. But the reader doesn't have to be a gay man to understand what it feels like to struggle with who they are, what they want, who they love and how it feels to not be accepted for who they are. We're all the same.
August 6, 2016
How can loving someone be wrong?
Brandon and Alec have a bit of history. They're both in college but met several years ago during summer vacation at their family cabins. They shared summer after summer growing a strong friendship, playing football, secretly meeting in their private place in the woods. In time, both Brandon and Alec realized these feelings are stronger than simple guys hanging out. They're gay but both are firmly in the closet. Especially Brandon who has high hopes of making it in the NFL. Gays in the locker room won't be well taken. So Brandon walks away...
Alec was willing to come out for Brandon, but had his heart broken when his best friend walked out of his life. He's moved on, attending community college, being open regarding his sexuality but no guy holds a candle to Brandon. So when the phone call comes in with Brandon's phone number on it, he's surprised. Brandon, however, hangs up. Call it self preservation, Alec doesn't call him back. Then the call comes from his best friend saying there's been an accident and Brandon needs him. Their story begins again...
This book was an endearing story of two young men stuck in the closet but painfully in love with each other. It's filled with that angsty tug of war between making themselves happy at the expense of hurting their love ones...and potentially Brandon losing his career in football. It's a constant weighing of risks and benefits. Brandon's family will love him no matter what, but Alec's dad is a true bigot. He knows it'll end up being a choice. Either Brandon or his dad...and if Brandon refuses to come out of the closet for his team, is it fair? He's risking it all for a person who won't totally come out.
I've never read anything from this author and I was impressed. As an arc, the writing was still perfect, character development suburb, making the reader feel the torturous tug between love of family and romantic love. It's rated NA and scenes are sexy but it's not near as steamy as MM can sometimes be. It's a perfect MM book for a first time reader of this genre or if steam isn't an issue. It was more romantic than steamy.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
And I thank you!
Advanced copy received by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
April 7, 2014
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Kara's Review:
I love m/m books! A year ago - I am not sure I could have said that. ...but after reading a few - I am a follower now. The love with two men - well it can be HOT. and Sweet. and Real.
RUSH When Alec punch Brandon in the prologue I was hooked. I knew that this book was going to be the story I needed. Watching Brand and Alec through Ms Dawns eyes - it really put me in a place to feel compassion towards others. Everyone is fighting a battle we don't see...
I connected to the characters right away. All of the supporting characters too! I felt invested in the book - I love that feeling! and how can you not love it with words like this:
This is a MILD m/m book by the many that are out there. The sex scenes were HOT - but short (too short in my book!). Nyrae Dawn did an awesome job in this story. I really hope her fans and new readers pick this one up! This story deserves to be read.
Thank you to Nyrae for telling it.
*ARC kindly provided by Forever, Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Kara's Review:
I love m/m books! A year ago - I am not sure I could have said that. ...but after reading a few - I am a follower now. The love with two men - well it can be HOT. and Sweet. and Real.
RUSH When Alec punch Brandon in the prologue I was hooked. I knew that this book was going to be the story I needed. Watching Brand and Alec through Ms Dawns eyes - it really put me in a place to feel compassion towards others. Everyone is fighting a battle we don't see...
We've talked about everything and nothing too. Nothing big, and everything small but the conversation has hardly stopped the whole time. We've always been like that. I wonder if it's because we keep one of the most important pieces of ourselves quiet from the world, so we can't help but want to talk about everything when we're together.
It's like there's this war always going on inside me and from day to day I'm not sure which one will win- honesty or fear.
I connected to the characters right away. All of the supporting characters too! I felt invested in the book - I love that feeling! and how can you not love it with words like this:
Loving Alec has helped me decide who I want to be. That's all I ever had to do, was decide who that was. It's always been my choice.
This is a MILD m/m book by the many that are out there. The sex scenes were HOT - but short (too short in my book!). Nyrae Dawn did an awesome job in this story. I really hope her fans and new readers pick this one up! This story deserves to be read.
Thank you to Nyrae for telling it.
*ARC kindly provided by Forever, Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Want to read
March 31, 2014Um, I have to try this!
June 9, 2014
3 Stars! A shaky start, but ended on a good note.
I love this author! Love, love, love her, but this was not her best effort. I don't know if it was because this was her first foray into this genre, or if she was a little unclear about how to move the story forward, but the writing didn't flow as well as it normally does...or at least that's how it read for me, mostly in the first half. But, then somewhere along the way she found her footing and it was all good.
What I did enjoy, is that both the guys in this book, Brandon and Alec, "came out" at the same time and they also experienced so many firsts together. They were both dealing with their own issues and so apprehensive about what the fallout would be when they opened themselves up to the outside world. Brandon is a star football player at college, and Alec is the friend he left behind, but the one who comes to take care of him in his time of need when tragedy strikes. Alec's father is critical of him and Alec is always trying to prove his worthiness. In the grand scheme of things I believed that he loved his son, but was harsh in his approach.
Where the author really shined was in showing us both sides of how parents, family and friends react when they find out their children, siblings and friends are gay. Needless to say, I would wish that anyone who is dealing with these circumstances (*I hate even saying that...circumstances, because it should never have to be a circumstance, it should just BE, if you know what I mean. It is what it is and no one should ever have to be judged or criticized over their sexuality. Okay...moving on*), would have the people and parents in their lives that one of these characters had, and never ever have to deal with the cruel and heartbreaking response that the other character did. While you could feel one character's relief, you could feel the other's heartache and this is where the Nyrae Dawn I know and love came through...in making her readers feel, and even though I didn't get this throughout the read, I felt it in these pivotal and poignant moments.
A big plus in the storyline and 2 notable secondary characters were Charlie and Nate. Charlie is Alec's best friend and Nate is Brandon's brother, and they are dating each other. Both very supportive and a great addition to the read. Now I have to go seek out Four Summers and read about when their relationship began!
So, while the book wasn't perfect, it did have some really fantastic realistic moments. Like I said, a tough start, but a great ending, and certainly worth checking out. I know what this author is capable of, so maybe I'm just being overly critical. I really hope that Nyrae Dawn will continue to write in this genre, she has such talent and the potential is definitely there.
*Just a side note* I loved that this story came out around the time that Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL draft, was picked up by the Rams. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKwsq.... If that doesn't bring you to tears...well I just don't know. BRAVO Rams and congratulations Michael Sam!!
*A copy of the book was provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing)to Swept Away By Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
August 14, 2013
So fantastic.
I've been begging her to let me be her first reader for this book, and even in draft one I was smiling and swooning and tearing up.
There is so much to love here.
SO MUCH.
I love it when an author's passion for their characters' story comes through and it definitely did here.
Awesome story. Amazing characters.
I've been begging her to let me be her first reader for this book, and even in draft one I was smiling and swooning and tearing up.
There is so much to love here.
SO MUCH.
I love it when an author's passion for their characters' story comes through and it definitely did here.
Awesome story. Amazing characters.
April 8, 2014
***ARC kindly provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
This was the first book I've read by Nyrae Dawn and it won't be my last! I love M/M romance and this one did not disappoint! The build up of the characters was perfect, I fell a little harder for Alec than I did Brand though, there is just something I really liked about Alec.
Rush is a M/M romance where the two men are in love but haven't come out to many people so they hide their feelings. And we all know what happens when you hide feelings...things usually blow up. And that's exactly what happens to Brand and Alec.
They spend some time apart, but they are never far from each others minds. And then something happens to Brand and out of weakness he calls Alec, and Alec runs to him. And guess what? Brand pushes him away AGAIN! With the help of his brother and his best friend he gets the extra push he needs to go after Alec.
This is where we get the beautiful romance between the 2 men who love each other but are afraid of the fall out of what being gay will do to them. Especially Brand, since he plays football. We get some heart to heart moments that make me fall even harder for Alec for being so strong and going after what he wants.
I've never cried while reading a M/M romance but I cried during this one. There is a scene involving Brandon and his father and it broke my heart to see Brandon so heart-broken. That scene was hard to get through because I couldn't stop crying for this man who just wanted to love somebody!
So if you love reading the male/male romance and are looking for a great story this is the book for you!
Oh and one more thing....the first time they get sexual is FUCKING SEXY! Holy smokes my panties melted into a big ole puddle with that scene!
This was the first book I've read by Nyrae Dawn and it won't be my last! I love M/M romance and this one did not disappoint! The build up of the characters was perfect, I fell a little harder for Alec than I did Brand though, there is just something I really liked about Alec.
Rush is a M/M romance where the two men are in love but haven't come out to many people so they hide their feelings. And we all know what happens when you hide feelings...things usually blow up. And that's exactly what happens to Brand and Alec.
They spend some time apart, but they are never far from each others minds. And then something happens to Brand and out of weakness he calls Alec, and Alec runs to him. And guess what? Brand pushes him away AGAIN! With the help of his brother and his best friend he gets the extra push he needs to go after Alec.
This is where we get the beautiful romance between the 2 men who love each other but are afraid of the fall out of what being gay will do to them. Especially Brand, since he plays football. We get some heart to heart moments that make me fall even harder for Alec for being so strong and going after what he wants.
I've never cried while reading a M/M romance but I cried during this one. There is a scene involving Brandon and his father and it broke my heart to see Brandon so heart-broken. That scene was hard to get through because I couldn't stop crying for this man who just wanted to love somebody!
So if you love reading the male/male romance and are looking for a great story this is the book for you!
Oh and one more thing....the first time they get sexual is FUCKING SEXY! Holy smokes my panties melted into a big ole puddle with that scene!
May 8, 2014
This book is a spin off from Nyrae Dawn's Four Summers. After I read that book I contacted Nyrae in a message expressing my appreciation for her creation of gay characters that felt like real people instead of the cliched gay characters that often populate contemporary fiction. I have friends and family that are gay so this is something that is important to me. Alec and Brandon had an authenticity that is hard to find and I really appreciated her care in crafting them. When she let me know she was writing their story I was excited and also a little nervous.
I will admit to some trepidation before picking up this book. The cover seems to hint at an emphasis on steam. I always have mixed feeling about New Adult literature because it seems that it has come to mean that the steam and physical relationship between characters take precedence over the emotional connection. This always leaves me feeling a bit let down. I can't buy into a relationship having lasting ability if it is built mostly on lust. I don't mind some steam but it is often built up so that it overwhelms the emotional aspects as well as taking away from the plot. I am very happy to report that this is not the case for Rush. Yes, there is a lot of steam. It did not, however overwhelm or take away from the other elements. It actually complemented it.
That leads me to the second concern I had before beginning. I have never read a m/m romance. I was worried that by a straight woman reading it that it would feel almost exploitative, like a guy peeping to watch two girls having sex. We know how that is many guy's fantasy so somehow I worried that it would feel like that for me to read about m/m romance. I can't say for other books that have been written but for this book I am happy to report that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
What works so well is the emotional and soul deep connection Nyrae creates between these two young men. I believed whole heartedly in their love. The lust never overshadows that, rather acts as a complement which is so rare in NA for me. It also highlights so much of what straight people take for granted in our relationships. The worries, fears and challenges for these two pulled at my heart. It is so authentic and heartfelt. I want to give examples but I think this is something best experienced by reading the book. It will make you think. Everything felt completely authentic and genuine. Even the sex scenes didn’t feel gratuitous but added to the sense of love, discovery and growth.
Another thing Nyrae excels at is writing complex characters with good traits and flaws. She gets better with each of her books at letting us see the truth, for better or worse, in her characters. They flub up, they excel. They make bad and good decisions, they make selfish or uninformed choices and other times they are very selfless and caring. Sometimes they redeem themselves, or even partially so, and sometimes they do not. You’ll find those things all very true in this book.
This book is going on my list of best New Adult books of all time and is one of the best books period that I’ve read in 2014. And this is coming for someone who thinks NA is okay, can be occasionally great, but has found most New Adult to be not her favorite.
I will admit to some trepidation before picking up this book. The cover seems to hint at an emphasis on steam. I always have mixed feeling about New Adult literature because it seems that it has come to mean that the steam and physical relationship between characters take precedence over the emotional connection. This always leaves me feeling a bit let down. I can't buy into a relationship having lasting ability if it is built mostly on lust. I don't mind some steam but it is often built up so that it overwhelms the emotional aspects as well as taking away from the plot. I am very happy to report that this is not the case for Rush. Yes, there is a lot of steam. It did not, however overwhelm or take away from the other elements. It actually complemented it.
That leads me to the second concern I had before beginning. I have never read a m/m romance. I was worried that by a straight woman reading it that it would feel almost exploitative, like a guy peeping to watch two girls having sex. We know how that is many guy's fantasy so somehow I worried that it would feel like that for me to read about m/m romance. I can't say for other books that have been written but for this book I am happy to report that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
What works so well is the emotional and soul deep connection Nyrae creates between these two young men. I believed whole heartedly in their love. The lust never overshadows that, rather acts as a complement which is so rare in NA for me. It also highlights so much of what straight people take for granted in our relationships. The worries, fears and challenges for these two pulled at my heart. It is so authentic and heartfelt. I want to give examples but I think this is something best experienced by reading the book. It will make you think. Everything felt completely authentic and genuine. Even the sex scenes didn’t feel gratuitous but added to the sense of love, discovery and growth.
Another thing Nyrae excels at is writing complex characters with good traits and flaws. She gets better with each of her books at letting us see the truth, for better or worse, in her characters. They flub up, they excel. They make bad and good decisions, they make selfish or uninformed choices and other times they are very selfless and caring. Sometimes they redeem themselves, or even partially so, and sometimes they do not. You’ll find those things all very true in this book.
This book is going on my list of best New Adult books of all time and is one of the best books period that I’ve read in 2014. And this is coming for someone who thinks NA is okay, can be occasionally great, but has found most New Adult to be not her favorite.
January 1, 2023
LOVED IT!!! What a great book. I'm pretty much a fan girl for most anything Nyrae writes anyway, but when I heard she was branching into M/M I was a little weary. I had no reason to be. What a sweet ride that was. I loved both guys.
I definitely recommend for people who are just starting out in the M/M genre. It wasn't heavy on the steam, but it wasn't pure vanilla either.
I definitely recommend for people who are just starting out in the M/M genre. It wasn't heavy on the steam, but it wasn't pure vanilla either.
June 10, 2015
My Thoughts:
Rush, by Nyrae Dawn, is the first M/M romance that I have ever read. I decided that I wanted to read this book for a few reasons. First off, I am a huge Nyrae Dawn fan, and have enjoyed every book that she has written. I follow Ms. Dawn, and was excited and intrigued, every time she would share her excitement for Rush, her favorite quotes, and teasers with her fans. Also, someone that is near and dear to my heart, recently came out to me, and I felt by reading this story, I would be showing them my support, as well as, getting to understand on a deeper level everything that they had gone through, and were continuing to go through, as they learned how to accept themselves, and take a chance by being honest with the people that they are closest to.
Rush, was an excellent, and very emotional read for me. Right away, I came to care about the main characters Alec and Brandon. Alec and Brandon had been best friends since their teenage years. Brandon was a very talented football star, who someday hoped to make it to the pro's. The only thing Brandon ever thought that he was good at was football. His father was a professor, and his brother Nate was really book smart, just like their father. Brandon had struggled in school due to Dyslexia, and defined himself first and foremost, as a football player. The more time Alec and Brandon spent with each other every summer, the more they realized that they were attracted to one another. They experimented a little bit with one another as teenagers. Alec and Brandon dealt with their feelings very differently. Alec realized that he loved Brandon, and wanted to be with him. He was willing to come out to his friends and family for Brandon; even though he knew he would probably be rejected by his parents. His father was very ignorant, prejudice, and homophobic. Brandon on the other hand dealt with a lot of guilt, shame, and denial. He was not willing to be honest, because he feared rejection from his family, friends, and team mates. The two go their separate ways, when Brandon tells Alec he can't be with him.
Alec is heartbroken, but so is Brandon. They both lose their best friend when they leave each other, and feel like they are living a lie, by pretending to be straight. The only people that know the truth are Brandon's brother Nate, and Alec's best friend, Charlotte (Charlie,) who are in a serious relationship. Charlie accidentally walked in on them, and that's how she found out. Nate and Charlie are very accepting, and just want Brandon and Alec to be happy. Brandon and Alec haven't spoken to one another for a year and a half, when Charlie calls Alec to let him know that Brandon was in a serious accident, and almost died. Brandon won't talk to any of his friends or family, won't eat, and is in a very deep depression. Charlie asks Alec to come see Brandon, and talk to him. Alec goes to visit Brandon, and the two quickly realize that they never stopped loving one another. Pretty soon Alec has gotten Brandon being more positive and acting more like himself. Brandon decides to move to where Alec, Nate, and Charlie are all staying for the summer. Alec offers to help Brandon train to get ready for his senior year in college football. Soon, things get more complicated when the two begin living together as "room mates," and get to experience what it feels like to be in a normal relationship. They are both tired of hiding their relationship, and who they are. However, they have both agreed to part ways after the six weeks of summer have come to an end. What happens when neither one are ready to say goodbye, but Brandon is not ready to come out of the closet, and Alec can't go on living a lie anymore?
Rush was an excellent story! It felt very realistic to me, and I came to care very deeply for Alec and Brandon. I sympathized with their struggle, and put myself in their shoes. It would be horrible and exhausting to have to deny yourself your feelings, the person you loved, and pretend you were something that you are not. I found myself being angry at the injustice, prejudice, ignorance, and maliciousness in our society. I was extremely angry at Alec's family, and couldn't understand how anyone could treat their child so horribly! I was surprised at how emotional this story made me. It made me experience a wide variety of feelings.
When it gets down to it, Rush is a story about two people learning how to accept themselves for who they are, and realizing that being happy is a choice. It is also a romance. A beautiful love story, about two people that shared a special friendship, and could be themselves around each other. It was about two people that understood one another, and loved the other deeply and passionately.
My Rating:
I give Rush, by Nyrae Dawn, 5 Fantastic, Transcendent, Romantic, Passionate, and "Learning to Love Yourself" Filled Stars!
My Favorite Quotes:
"Coming out would be like being cut open all the time, everyone seeing what's inside me. It's showing sides of me that people will judge me for and maybe even hate me for." (eARC, Loc. 135)
~Alec
"That doesn't matter. How far from home you go means nothing. A person can run to the other side of the world but it doesn't mean shit if they're the same person when they get there as they were when they left. You might not have gone far from home but inside you've traveled a whole hell of a lot further than most people...farther than me." (eARC, Loc. 1071)
~Brandon
"I can't imagine my life without him. Loving Alex helped me decide who I want to be. That's all I ever had to do, was decide who that was. It's always been my choice. (eARC, Loc. 3302)
~Brandon
*To Read More Book Reviews, Visit A Bookish Escape at http://www.abookishescape.com
Rush, by Nyrae Dawn, is the first M/M romance that I have ever read. I decided that I wanted to read this book for a few reasons. First off, I am a huge Nyrae Dawn fan, and have enjoyed every book that she has written. I follow Ms. Dawn, and was excited and intrigued, every time she would share her excitement for Rush, her favorite quotes, and teasers with her fans. Also, someone that is near and dear to my heart, recently came out to me, and I felt by reading this story, I would be showing them my support, as well as, getting to understand on a deeper level everything that they had gone through, and were continuing to go through, as they learned how to accept themselves, and take a chance by being honest with the people that they are closest to.
Rush, was an excellent, and very emotional read for me. Right away, I came to care about the main characters Alec and Brandon. Alec and Brandon had been best friends since their teenage years. Brandon was a very talented football star, who someday hoped to make it to the pro's. The only thing Brandon ever thought that he was good at was football. His father was a professor, and his brother Nate was really book smart, just like their father. Brandon had struggled in school due to Dyslexia, and defined himself first and foremost, as a football player. The more time Alec and Brandon spent with each other every summer, the more they realized that they were attracted to one another. They experimented a little bit with one another as teenagers. Alec and Brandon dealt with their feelings very differently. Alec realized that he loved Brandon, and wanted to be with him. He was willing to come out to his friends and family for Brandon; even though he knew he would probably be rejected by his parents. His father was very ignorant, prejudice, and homophobic. Brandon on the other hand dealt with a lot of guilt, shame, and denial. He was not willing to be honest, because he feared rejection from his family, friends, and team mates. The two go their separate ways, when Brandon tells Alec he can't be with him.
Alec is heartbroken, but so is Brandon. They both lose their best friend when they leave each other, and feel like they are living a lie, by pretending to be straight. The only people that know the truth are Brandon's brother Nate, and Alec's best friend, Charlotte (Charlie,) who are in a serious relationship. Charlie accidentally walked in on them, and that's how she found out. Nate and Charlie are very accepting, and just want Brandon and Alec to be happy. Brandon and Alec haven't spoken to one another for a year and a half, when Charlie calls Alec to let him know that Brandon was in a serious accident, and almost died. Brandon won't talk to any of his friends or family, won't eat, and is in a very deep depression. Charlie asks Alec to come see Brandon, and talk to him. Alec goes to visit Brandon, and the two quickly realize that they never stopped loving one another. Pretty soon Alec has gotten Brandon being more positive and acting more like himself. Brandon decides to move to where Alec, Nate, and Charlie are all staying for the summer. Alec offers to help Brandon train to get ready for his senior year in college football. Soon, things get more complicated when the two begin living together as "room mates," and get to experience what it feels like to be in a normal relationship. They are both tired of hiding their relationship, and who they are. However, they have both agreed to part ways after the six weeks of summer have come to an end. What happens when neither one are ready to say goodbye, but Brandon is not ready to come out of the closet, and Alec can't go on living a lie anymore?
Rush was an excellent story! It felt very realistic to me, and I came to care very deeply for Alec and Brandon. I sympathized with their struggle, and put myself in their shoes. It would be horrible and exhausting to have to deny yourself your feelings, the person you loved, and pretend you were something that you are not. I found myself being angry at the injustice, prejudice, ignorance, and maliciousness in our society. I was extremely angry at Alec's family, and couldn't understand how anyone could treat their child so horribly! I was surprised at how emotional this story made me. It made me experience a wide variety of feelings.
When it gets down to it, Rush is a story about two people learning how to accept themselves for who they are, and realizing that being happy is a choice. It is also a romance. A beautiful love story, about two people that shared a special friendship, and could be themselves around each other. It was about two people that understood one another, and loved the other deeply and passionately.
My Rating:
I give Rush, by Nyrae Dawn, 5 Fantastic, Transcendent, Romantic, Passionate, and "Learning to Love Yourself" Filled Stars!
My Favorite Quotes:
"Coming out would be like being cut open all the time, everyone seeing what's inside me. It's showing sides of me that people will judge me for and maybe even hate me for." (eARC, Loc. 135)
~Alec
"That doesn't matter. How far from home you go means nothing. A person can run to the other side of the world but it doesn't mean shit if they're the same person when they get there as they were when they left. You might not have gone far from home but inside you've traveled a whole hell of a lot further than most people...farther than me." (eARC, Loc. 1071)
~Brandon
"I can't imagine my life without him. Loving Alex helped me decide who I want to be. That's all I ever had to do, was decide who that was. It's always been my choice. (eARC, Loc. 3302)
~Brandon
*To Read More Book Reviews, Visit A Bookish Escape at http://www.abookishescape.com
April 20, 2014
I am a big fan of Charade by Nyrae Dawn and when I found out she was writing an M/M romance, I was seriously excited.
Rush is Brandon and Alec’s story. They met when they were teenagers, spending several summers together and maintaining a friendship from a distance. Neither has come out and after years of keeping their feelings (and kissing) a secret, Brandon decides to end all contact with Alec and focus on his football career.
Brandon loves football, it’s his dream to make it to the NFL and that’s where he’s heading if all things go according to plan. Even though that’s what he wants, it is also keeping him from being who he really is so he resents it at the same time. When he gets into a bad accident, Alec is there for him even after a year and a half of not talking.
The two can’t fight the connection and pull they have toward one another so they decide not to. They are going to enjoy the time they have over the summer and Alec is going to help Brandon get back in shape before he has to return to school for football season.
Brandon and Alec continue to struggle hiding their relationship from everyone, especially Alec’s prejudice dad. It takes a toll on them both, the constant hiding and covering for each other. It’s emotionally draining and puts a strain on their relationship when one is ready to come out and the other isn’t.
I really liked Alec, he’s much more open from the beginning about his feelings. It took me longer, but I did eventually like Brandon too and it was good to see how much he grows throughout the story. I rooting for these two the whole time and I loved how they were learning things as they went, but together – both in and out of the bedroom.
This book is a pretty quick read, it’s mostly sweet but does have the tougher parts with the constant struggle both guys are dealing with. Even though I enjoyed it for the most part, I can’t say I was blown away. A lot of the story seemed repetitive and I think I just wanted more from it. The conversations seemed kind of generic and I was really wishing for a bit more depth.
I would recommend this for M/M newbies (which I am). It’s definitely new adult and there’s a big theme about finding and loving yourself. The characters in this book are introduced in Four Summers, but I didn’t read that before reading Rush and was just fine.
3.5 stars
ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Quotes subject to change.
Rush is Brandon and Alec’s story. They met when they were teenagers, spending several summers together and maintaining a friendship from a distance. Neither has come out and after years of keeping their feelings (and kissing) a secret, Brandon decides to end all contact with Alec and focus on his football career.
I slide my hand down to the back of his neck, fisting it there, and wonder what the fuck is so wrong with feeling like this. With holding him like this and having someone who knows you in ways you’re too afraid to admit to yourself.
Brandon loves football, it’s his dream to make it to the NFL and that’s where he’s heading if all things go according to plan. Even though that’s what he wants, it is also keeping him from being who he really is so he resents it at the same time. When he gets into a bad accident, Alec is there for him even after a year and a half of not talking.
“When they fixed my heart, I wish they would have fixed me. Made it so I wasn’t so weak.”
The two can’t fight the connection and pull they have toward one another so they decide not to. They are going to enjoy the time they have over the summer and Alec is going to help Brandon get back in shape before he has to return to school for football season.
“I’ve always loved him, but that doesn’t change how things are. We’re just gonna chill. We both want to spend these last few weeks together and then we’re going to end it for good.”
Brandon and Alec continue to struggle hiding their relationship from everyone, especially Alec’s prejudice dad. It takes a toll on them both, the constant hiding and covering for each other. It’s emotionally draining and puts a strain on their relationship when one is ready to come out and the other isn’t.
“All I can think about is how real this all is now… and how much losing it is going to hurt.”
I really liked Alec, he’s much more open from the beginning about his feelings. It took me longer, but I did eventually like Brandon too and it was good to see how much he grows throughout the story. I rooting for these two the whole time and I loved how they were learning things as they went, but together – both in and out of the bedroom.
“This is all that matters, okay? Fuck the world. We don’t need anyone else. Just this right here. Just us.”
“Just us,” I repeat. Hoping like hell it’ll continue to be enough.
This book is a pretty quick read, it’s mostly sweet but does have the tougher parts with the constant struggle both guys are dealing with. Even though I enjoyed it for the most part, I can’t say I was blown away. A lot of the story seemed repetitive and I think I just wanted more from it. The conversations seemed kind of generic and I was really wishing for a bit more depth.
I would recommend this for M/M newbies (which I am). It’s definitely new adult and there’s a big theme about finding and loving yourself. The characters in this book are introduced in Four Summers, but I didn’t read that before reading Rush and was just fine.
“Nothing I’ve ever had feels as right as you.”
3.5 stars
ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Quotes subject to change.
February 21, 2016
2.5 stars
If I’m going to read contemporary romance, M/M is my genre of choice. Pair that with the fact that this was from Nyrae Dawn who wrote the Games trilogy (which I adored,) and it’s safe to say I went into Rush wanting so much to love it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all I’d hoped it would be. It was high angst all the way through, which, when done well, can make for an excellent story. Here it was very repetitive and too much to take at times. I did like both Brandon and Alec, which makes sense seeing as there was nothing to distinguish them from each other. They were so interchangeable I often forgot whose POV I was reading. I think the biggest fail in this book for me was Alec. As I said, I liked his character, but he was short-changed. Aside from Brand, he had very little going on in his life and no direction. Everything revolved around Brandon; it just wasn’t enough for me, and made his character seem very one-dimensional. I wish he, like Brandon, had a goal he was working to achieve. Too much was resolved with candid conversations that didn’t seem indicative of the characters because of the fears they carried inside of them and how private they were. Also, when it came to the sex scenes, I didn’t feel like the payout was worth it. Sex between Brandon and Alec was preceded by years of foreplay and buildup, and the scenes were just shy of fade to black – though admittedly this is a personal preference and may work for you. I like explicit!
I didn’t feel that this story had enough going on outside of Brandon and Alec pining for each other. It was missing something I can’t quite put my finger on, and for that reason I was unable to really enjoy this friends to lovers story.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
If I’m going to read contemporary romance, M/M is my genre of choice. Pair that with the fact that this was from Nyrae Dawn who wrote the Games trilogy (which I adored,) and it’s safe to say I went into Rush wanting so much to love it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all I’d hoped it would be. It was high angst all the way through, which, when done well, can make for an excellent story. Here it was very repetitive and too much to take at times. I did like both Brandon and Alec, which makes sense seeing as there was nothing to distinguish them from each other. They were so interchangeable I often forgot whose POV I was reading. I think the biggest fail in this book for me was Alec. As I said, I liked his character, but he was short-changed. Aside from Brand, he had very little going on in his life and no direction. Everything revolved around Brandon; it just wasn’t enough for me, and made his character seem very one-dimensional. I wish he, like Brandon, had a goal he was working to achieve. Too much was resolved with candid conversations that didn’t seem indicative of the characters because of the fears they carried inside of them and how private they were. Also, when it came to the sex scenes, I didn’t feel like the payout was worth it. Sex between Brandon and Alec was preceded by years of foreplay and buildup, and the scenes were just shy of fade to black – though admittedly this is a personal preference and may work for you. I like explicit!
I didn’t feel that this story had enough going on outside of Brandon and Alec pining for each other. It was missing something I can’t quite put my finger on, and for that reason I was unable to really enjoy this friends to lovers story.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
April 3, 2014
I was sooooooo excited to get approved for this arc on Netgalley. They usually deny me for all the good ones, but for whatever reason, I got approved!!! And just in time to cure me from a book hangover I had from my last read.
I met Alec and Brandon in Four Summers. Then she announced this spin off book and I'm so glad she did. Alec and Brandon needed to tell their story.
Rush gives us alternating POV between Alec and Brandon - LOVE THIS STYLE!!!
Nyrae's writing is amazing. She did such a good job capturing the male POV for both of them.
I have a friend who is a lesbian and she struggled so much in finding herself. She tried to fight it, kept making drastic changes in her life - changed her religion, got a bunch of tattoos, moved to the other side of the country, then converted back to her original religion and got all the tattoos removed. She was struggling with her sense of self, just like these boys did. But when she came out, it just made perfect sense and then everything else in her life fell into place.
Alec and Brandon tried to fight it. They tried to be "normal." But what is normal anyways??
"Nothing I've ever had feels as right as you."
They couldn't forget each other and I wanted so much for them to have a HEA.
They faced so many obstacles. Family, friends, football.
This book had my stomach in knots. Talk about ANGST. I laughed. I cried. I lusted - damn the sexy scenes were HOTTTT!! I felt all emotions while reading this book.
I was also happy to see that Charlie and Alec remained friends - love Charlie & Nate!!
Thank you, Nyrae for this emotional, heart wrenching story. I loved every minute of it!!!
I met Alec and Brandon in Four Summers. Then she announced this spin off book and I'm so glad she did. Alec and Brandon needed to tell their story.
Rush gives us alternating POV between Alec and Brandon - LOVE THIS STYLE!!!
Nyrae's writing is amazing. She did such a good job capturing the male POV for both of them.
I have a friend who is a lesbian and she struggled so much in finding herself. She tried to fight it, kept making drastic changes in her life - changed her religion, got a bunch of tattoos, moved to the other side of the country, then converted back to her original religion and got all the tattoos removed. She was struggling with her sense of self, just like these boys did. But when she came out, it just made perfect sense and then everything else in her life fell into place.
Alec and Brandon tried to fight it. They tried to be "normal." But what is normal anyways??
"Nothing I've ever had feels as right as you."
They couldn't forget each other and I wanted so much for them to have a HEA.
They faced so many obstacles. Family, friends, football.
This book had my stomach in knots. Talk about ANGST. I laughed. I cried. I lusted - damn the sexy scenes were HOTTTT!! I felt all emotions while reading this book.
I was also happy to see that Charlie and Alec remained friends - love Charlie & Nate!!
Thank you, Nyrae for this emotional, heart wrenching story. I loved every minute of it!!!
April 24, 2016
Alec and Brandon… Sigh!
The whole time I was reading this book, I just wanted to wrap both of them up in a blanket and swaddle them. They were both so vulnerable and I wanted to protect them from all of the obstacles they had to face in order to be together.
This was a lovely story. My first Nyrae Dawn book and it won’t be my last. I love her style of writing. She had me drawn into Alec and Brandon’s story from the beginning and I devoured the book. Reading through other reviews, I see that there is a prequel of sorts,
that I can’t wait to read!
The whole time I was reading this book, I just wanted to wrap both of them up in a blanket and swaddle them. They were both so vulnerable and I wanted to protect them from all of the obstacles they had to face in order to be together.
This was a lovely story. My first Nyrae Dawn book and it won’t be my last. I love her style of writing. She had me drawn into Alec and Brandon’s story from the beginning and I devoured the book. Reading through other reviews, I see that there is a prequel of sorts,
that I can’t wait to read!
August 14, 2015
I loved this book, friends to lovers, young MM, a voyage of discovery for the both of them. This was more a YA MM which is a first for me. Fade to black scenes but the emotional punch behind them really hits you hard. Both of these boys have to come to terms with their feelings, both have to take that step of coming out to their family so that they can live the life that they dream of. Both have to evaluate their priorities and their dreams as love takes over.
It was a beautiful read and one that I couldn't put down. I was totally captivated by their story.
(full review to come)
It was a beautiful read and one that I couldn't put down. I was totally captivated by their story.
(full review to come)
May 11, 2014
Review to follow.
July 6, 2014
I did enjoy this book. I'm giving it 4 stars because I feel like I was missing parts of the story. I didn't have the connection to the characters like I would have liked. This book felt like a sequel to a series and I just felt I was missing key parts throughout. Certain areas felt skimmed over, like the reader should have just known the history or background to the main characters and even the secondary characters.
After reading the book I did some investigative work and found out that the secondary characters had their own book. So before reading this book, I think it would enhance your reading experience of Rush by reading another of Dawn's book entitled Four Summers. Nate & Charlie play an integral role in Rush, as do their parents and I just felt a little disconnected from everyone, which affected my overall thoughts on this book. So again, reading Four Summers first will introduce you to all the characters featured in this amazing story of self discovery.
Don't get me wrong, I love Nyrae Dawn and this was a fantastic story of two young men struggling with their sexuality. But the story could have been that much better if I felt more of a connection and had more of a background to all of the characters.
Happy reading!!
After reading the book I did some investigative work and found out that the secondary characters had their own book. So before reading this book, I think it would enhance your reading experience of Rush by reading another of Dawn's book entitled Four Summers. Nate & Charlie play an integral role in Rush, as do their parents and I just felt a little disconnected from everyone, which affected my overall thoughts on this book. So again, reading Four Summers first will introduce you to all the characters featured in this amazing story of self discovery.
Don't get me wrong, I love Nyrae Dawn and this was a fantastic story of two young men struggling with their sexuality. But the story could have been that much better if I felt more of a connection and had more of a background to all of the characters.
Happy reading!!
May 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this story from Nyrae Dawn.
The story is about Brandon and Alec. Alec has never quite got over Brandon walking away from him last summer. So when Brandon has an accident and reaches out to Alec he can’t help but go to Brandon. Brandon decides to spend the summer with Alec. As they begin to spend time together they re-connect and realise that they belong together. However Alec has to think about how to come out to his parents and Brandon being a football player worries how his team mates will react to him being gay.
This was a fairly quick read but I really enjoyed it. I loved the connection between Brandon and Alec. The story is well written and it flows really well. It was told from both Alec’s and Brandon’s POV which really helped to understand their emotions and actions. There were some really great scenes between Brandon and his parents which were fairly emotional.
Overall a great sweet romance read which you will love if you are a fan of m/m stories.
I received an ARC copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The story is about Brandon and Alec. Alec has never quite got over Brandon walking away from him last summer. So when Brandon has an accident and reaches out to Alec he can’t help but go to Brandon. Brandon decides to spend the summer with Alec. As they begin to spend time together they re-connect and realise that they belong together. However Alec has to think about how to come out to his parents and Brandon being a football player worries how his team mates will react to him being gay.
This was a fairly quick read but I really enjoyed it. I loved the connection between Brandon and Alec. The story is well written and it flows really well. It was told from both Alec’s and Brandon’s POV which really helped to understand their emotions and actions. There were some really great scenes between Brandon and his parents which were fairly emotional.
Overall a great sweet romance read which you will love if you are a fan of m/m stories.
I received an ARC copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 11, 2013
I adored this book and this couple. SO honored to have gotten to beta read this emotional journey between two college athletes struggling to come to terms with who they are to each other and to themselves. Definitely a must-read.
Read
July 25, 2016DNF 1/4 way through. Reads too much as a straight woman's fantasy of what two gay men would be like together. Written more as a straight romance geared to grab straight female readers into trying M/M romance.
Read
August 4, 2014
The football in this was an afterthought. DNF
May 26, 2014
Actual rating- 3.5
I loved Nyrae Dawn's What a Boy Wants, What a Boy Needs and Measuring Up. Those are books I read when I was completely into Young Adult and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of them. I, however, no matter how big a fan of Nyrae's I became after that, didn't read any other books by the author. But once I got to know that her latest book, Rush, was a male/ male romance, I just knew I had to read it. And while I realised I missed out on Nyrae's simple and sweet writing, I didn't really enjoy the story as much as I was looking forward to enjoying it.
Rush is the story of Alec and Brandon, who have been gay for as long as they know and they've been friends for a long time. When they first meet, sparks fly, but it's never a bed of roses. They know how difficult it is to survive in a world where anything outside of "normal" is taken as something that's bad, horrible and disgusting. They know how disappointed in them their respective families will be and how much Brandon, the football star's career will be affected by coming out of the closet.
What I did like about Rush was the relationship between our two heroes. Alec and Brandon made for a very sweet and sensible couple, who cared deeply for each other and were at their best only when they were together. The chemistry between them was nice and hot. The few aspects that didn't sit quite well with me were the time Brandon took to accept that it's guys he likes. At the beginning, it frustrated me to no end when he kept pushing Alec aside. But to balance that out, Alec was a determined and practical person, who put Brandon first no matter what and who was the reason why the two came together. The huge difference between both their families gives two points of views on the breaking of the big news. While Brandon's side of the story was very sweet, Alec's side seemed more real and impacting.
Overall, Rush wasn't a bad read at all. It was really good, in fact. It's just that I've read a lot of LGBT books and they've blown me away. In a way, I expected Rush to do the same. But now that I think of it, the whole theme on which Rush is based is different and taking into consideration that context, it was a very cute and compelling read that was good in its own way. Nyrae Dawn writes really well, although the typos could have seen better editing. Anyway, the author has written a nice, contemporary M/M romance that takes up the good and the bad side of things and in this day and age, we need more books like this.
I loved Nyrae Dawn's What a Boy Wants, What a Boy Needs and Measuring Up. Those are books I read when I was completely into Young Adult and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of them. I, however, no matter how big a fan of Nyrae's I became after that, didn't read any other books by the author. But once I got to know that her latest book, Rush, was a male/ male romance, I just knew I had to read it. And while I realised I missed out on Nyrae's simple and sweet writing, I didn't really enjoy the story as much as I was looking forward to enjoying it.
Rush is the story of Alec and Brandon, who have been gay for as long as they know and they've been friends for a long time. When they first meet, sparks fly, but it's never a bed of roses. They know how difficult it is to survive in a world where anything outside of "normal" is taken as something that's bad, horrible and disgusting. They know how disappointed in them their respective families will be and how much Brandon, the football star's career will be affected by coming out of the closet.
What I did like about Rush was the relationship between our two heroes. Alec and Brandon made for a very sweet and sensible couple, who cared deeply for each other and were at their best only when they were together. The chemistry between them was nice and hot. The few aspects that didn't sit quite well with me were the time Brandon took to accept that it's guys he likes. At the beginning, it frustrated me to no end when he kept pushing Alec aside. But to balance that out, Alec was a determined and practical person, who put Brandon first no matter what and who was the reason why the two came together. The huge difference between both their families gives two points of views on the breaking of the big news. While Brandon's side of the story was very sweet, Alec's side seemed more real and impacting.
Overall, Rush wasn't a bad read at all. It was really good, in fact. It's just that I've read a lot of LGBT books and they've blown me away. In a way, I expected Rush to do the same. But now that I think of it, the whole theme on which Rush is based is different and taking into consideration that context, it was a very cute and compelling read that was good in its own way. Nyrae Dawn writes really well, although the typos could have seen better editing. Anyway, the author has written a nice, contemporary M/M romance that takes up the good and the bad side of things and in this day and age, we need more books like this.
May 6, 2014
It's been two days since I've finished Rush, and my heart is still fluttering and I have butterflies in my stomach. I can not shake this story out of my head, so much so, that I read it for a second time within 24 hours.
I honestly did not know what to expect from this book, but I had nothing to worry about as Ms. Dawn knocked another one out of the park. There is no one who can write from the male point of view better than she can. She is a master at creating angsty and emotionally charged stories. I find that there is not a lot of external dialogue in her story-telling. She tells so much through a touch or a look between two characters. A lot of it is internal dialogue as the main characters struggle with their internal battles.
Rush is no different from her other New Adult books, the only difference is that the relationship is between two college age men. Brandon and Alec meet when they are around thirteen/fourteen, while Brandon and his family summer down in Virginia at the lakeside resort owned by Alec's father. As they spend time together over the summers, they fall in love.
Brandon is now a star college football player with aspirations to be drafted by the NFL. He is not only terrified of what his teammates will think of him, but he feels that he will be disappointing his family. Alec, on the other hand, has had a difficult relationship with his father, who would NEVER be accepting of his son being gay. The internal battle is that they just want to be together, out in the open, like any other couple, but they are scared.
"I want to be happy. I just...I want to just be. That probably doesn't make any fucking sense but...I want to be normal." A deep breath leaves my lungs. "With him."
I fell in love with Brandon and Alec, and the struggles that they faced with being together and coming out to their family and friends brought me to tears, both happy and sad.
The tension that I felt waiting for them to let go and just be together took my breath away. So many times I had to force myself not to skip ahead in the book to find out what happens between them. I am glad I waited it out though because it was so well worth the trip.
I truly hope that Ms. Dawn will write more in this genre. There's no doubt that this is a Best of 2014 for me.
An ARC was kindly provided by the Author for an honest review.
Review posted at Love Between the Sheets
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I honestly did not know what to expect from this book, but I had nothing to worry about as Ms. Dawn knocked another one out of the park. There is no one who can write from the male point of view better than she can. She is a master at creating angsty and emotionally charged stories. I find that there is not a lot of external dialogue in her story-telling. She tells so much through a touch or a look between two characters. A lot of it is internal dialogue as the main characters struggle with their internal battles.
Rush is no different from her other New Adult books, the only difference is that the relationship is between two college age men. Brandon and Alec meet when they are around thirteen/fourteen, while Brandon and his family summer down in Virginia at the lakeside resort owned by Alec's father. As they spend time together over the summers, they fall in love.
Brandon is now a star college football player with aspirations to be drafted by the NFL. He is not only terrified of what his teammates will think of him, but he feels that he will be disappointing his family. Alec, on the other hand, has had a difficult relationship with his father, who would NEVER be accepting of his son being gay. The internal battle is that they just want to be together, out in the open, like any other couple, but they are scared.
"I want to be happy. I just...I want to just be. That probably doesn't make any fucking sense but...I want to be normal." A deep breath leaves my lungs. "With him."
I fell in love with Brandon and Alec, and the struggles that they faced with being together and coming out to their family and friends brought me to tears, both happy and sad.
The tension that I felt waiting for them to let go and just be together took my breath away. So many times I had to force myself not to skip ahead in the book to find out what happens between them. I am glad I waited it out though because it was so well worth the trip.
I truly hope that Ms. Dawn will write more in this genre. There's no doubt that this is a Best of 2014 for me.
An ARC was kindly provided by the Author for an honest review.
Review posted at Love Between the Sheets
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March 31, 2016
4 Accepting Stars!!
"Nothing I've ever had feels as right as you." - Brandon <---I think that's my favorite line from the entire book.
Wow..once again, beautiful! I have read a lot of M/M lately, but I feel like this book really did an exceptional job of showing how hard it can be to be a gay man in today's cruel society. Brandon and Alec fight to prove that it really is ok to love who you love.. Against society, family, and the sports world. So heartfelt and emotional. I teared up a couple of times.
A repeated summer romance that stuck, and neither could walk away. Suddenly they both became the one person that the other always turned to...each other's rock. They tried to ignore their true feelings...tried to walk away and pretend....but can they?
"Don't we deserve to have what we want like everyone else does? After everything we've been through, don't we deserve it more?"
Sounds like I have a new author to stalk! I have been blown away by Dawn's writing and her range in both of these books.
Didn't love it quite as much as Four Summers, but you really can't compare the two. They're completely different books..which is a good thing. Great read! One thing I will say is that I know it is advertised as a stand-alone but I really think you need to read Four Summers first to get the characters' entire story. I loved them both! This is also more of a light-hearted, coming of age M/M. There is definitely some hot, steamy sex...but, this isn't really what defines this book at all.
"...I wonder how this can be wrong. How feeling comfortable with him, how belonging with another person can cause so much pain and anger."
"Nothing I've ever had feels as right as you." - Brandon <---I think that's my favorite line from the entire book.
Wow..once again, beautiful! I have read a lot of M/M lately, but I feel like this book really did an exceptional job of showing how hard it can be to be a gay man in today's cruel society. Brandon and Alec fight to prove that it really is ok to love who you love.. Against society, family, and the sports world. So heartfelt and emotional. I teared up a couple of times.
A repeated summer romance that stuck, and neither could walk away. Suddenly they both became the one person that the other always turned to...each other's rock. They tried to ignore their true feelings...tried to walk away and pretend....but can they?
"Don't we deserve to have what we want like everyone else does? After everything we've been through, don't we deserve it more?"
Sounds like I have a new author to stalk! I have been blown away by Dawn's writing and her range in both of these books.
Didn't love it quite as much as Four Summers, but you really can't compare the two. They're completely different books..which is a good thing. Great read! One thing I will say is that I know it is advertised as a stand-alone but I really think you need to read Four Summers first to get the characters' entire story. I loved them both! This is also more of a light-hearted, coming of age M/M. There is definitely some hot, steamy sex...but, this isn't really what defines this book at all.
"...I wonder how this can be wrong. How feeling comfortable with him, how belonging with another person can cause so much pain and anger."
July 19, 2015
This is one of the books that I will forever hold dearly in my heart. This was very timely and personal that I had to stop reading many times because I was already hysterically sobbing as I tried to relate things happening to Brandon and Alec in the book to my own life... It felt real to me. The fear really is there. They always tell you it gets better but the journey is still painfully agonizing. Coming out has been an oppressing issue to me ever since I tried to accept who I truly am this year. It's not that I fear I would be kicked out of my loved ones' life if I did come out. It's the fear that I would be looked at as someone different, as someone sub-human (which I know I'm not). But this book has helped me a lot in my decision to finally choose to be free and earn the right to be happy. I'm going to finally do it and I thank this book for giving me the courage to deserve what I've been already paying more than enough my whole life.
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