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CalPac Crew #4
Settling the Score
A CalPac Crew Novel
Stuart Cochrane and Philip Sundstrom make an unlikely pair. Philip’s brother, Brad, can’t imagine his brother with another man, let alone with the coxswain he razzed throughout his college rowing career. But somehow they settle into a relationship that works as Philip helps Stuart navigate the pressures of deciding between medical school and competing for a spot on the national rowing team. In turn, Stuart helps Philip with his problems at work, where he’s faced with a rebellious board of directors.
Yet soon enough, the pressures take their toll. Stuart comes to resent the easy way Philip spends money, while Philip worries about Stuart’s time commitments. He’ll do anything to come to the rescue, including spending his money to grease the rails for Stuart, but Stuart resents the rich so much it drives a wedge between them.
Then Stuart finds himself facing the greatest crisis of his life. There’s only one person he can turn to—but Philip has his own demons to battle in the form of his board trying to frame him for their own unethical actions. Will Philip be able to aid Stuart while he extricates himself from his board’s trap, or will his divided attention cost them both everything that matters?
Stuart Cochrane and Philip Sundstrom make an unlikely pair. Philip’s brother, Brad, can’t imagine his brother with another man, let alone with the coxswain he razzed throughout his college rowing career. But somehow they settle into a relationship that works as Philip helps Stuart navigate the pressures of deciding between medical school and competing for a spot on the national rowing team. In turn, Stuart helps Philip with his problems at work, where he’s faced with a rebellious board of directors.
Yet soon enough, the pressures take their toll. Stuart comes to resent the easy way Philip spends money, while Philip worries about Stuart’s time commitments. He’ll do anything to come to the rescue, including spending his money to grease the rails for Stuart, but Stuart resents the rich so much it drives a wedge between them.
Then Stuart finds himself facing the greatest crisis of his life. There’s only one person he can turn to—but Philip has his own demons to battle in the form of his board trying to frame him for their own unethical actions. Will Philip be able to aid Stuart while he extricates himself from his board’s trap, or will his divided attention cost them both everything that matters?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 6, 2014
3.5~4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I must say I’m quite delighted to have started this New Year with such a nicely written book. I enjoyed every line of this story, but most of all I fell in love with the writing itself. The underlying wittiness and peculiar humor made it a heck of a ride, and gave me such a great time.
This story is a part of a series that I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t read before. However, it’s easily read as a standalone. The only problem I faced was, or rather is the fact that I want to go grab all the books of the series now and inhale them...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I must say I’m quite delighted to have started this New Year with such a nicely written book. I enjoyed every line of this story, but most of all I fell in love with the writing itself. The underlying wittiness and peculiar humor made it a heck of a ride, and gave me such a great time.
This story is a part of a series that I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t read before. However, it’s easily read as a standalone. The only problem I faced was, or rather is the fact that I want to go grab all the books of the series now and inhale them...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
December 31, 2020
This is the fourth book in a series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. We have met both of these characters in previous books, but this is their story.
Philip Sundstrom is the eldest of the Sundstrom brothers, with Brad being the younger. Brad was the MC of the second book in this series, and we have seen him in the other stories as well. Philip was the enigmatic brother who seemed kowtowed to their domineering and homophobic father, but we are now seeing the truth behind that facade.
Philip was the beleaguered son, "learning" the business of Sundstrom while really being shut out of any and every real decision, but Philip played a long game, acquiring knowledge and allies as he awaited his shady father's downfall. It happened to come at the cost of Brad's boyfriend, Drew, who was bashed by Daddy's cronies. Philip found out and had his abusive, snaky father incarcerated--and he also got full ownership of the company, in the process. Philip wants to root out the board members who were loyal to his dad--and might be actively sabotaging his CEO position--and he's also mature enough he wants a secure relationship instead of rattling around his big, empty childhood home. Unfortunately, his long-term girlfriend hadn't got the memo that they were exclusive, and that was the end of that. Philip is bisexual, not that he's made any overtures to a man in a long time. That's why it's a bit shocking that he's so turned on by the ginger bagger at the specialty grocer, Stuart.
Stuart Cochrane has just graduated college from CalPac University and is due to matriculate into medical school at UC-Davis in August. He shares an apartment with his boyfriend and a fellow crew member, Jeremy, whose highborn English mother has been an unpleasant advent in his life. Stuart grew up in rural Pennsylvania, with parents who take "Jesus Freak" as a badge of honor. He literally ran away to Sacramento to attend college on the scholarship for crew, where he was a champion coxswain. Stuart is diminutive in size, but not opinion or voice, and he's quite tired of Jeremy's callous and wasteful immaturity. Being nearly destitute has trained Stuart to be incredibly frugal, and shun charity. So, when Jeremy makes an ultimatum that would cost him thousands, Stuart is happy to see him head off for England on a summer break that ends their relationship. And, that's when he meets Philip.
Philip is a fixer, but while he has money he is sensible about it--for the most part. And he's sensitive enough to Stuart's pride that he doesn't try to press his financial advantage, at least at first. They end up dating, which causes a little conflagration as Philip comes out, but much less than one might expect. The book is set in the time period around 2013 when marriage equality was still a fight in the courts, and not the rule of the country at large. Stuart has never really considered being married, because it hasn't been accessible to him as such, and he's still young with big plans for his career. Meanwhile, Philip is going all in on Stuart, and on the people he suspects of conniving against his leadership at work. There are several issues at risk, including a development that seems to have been built in an area rife with toxic waste. The legal ramifications are high, and as all of this is percolating to a head Stuart's phobia of wealth and privilege get stuck with. He's prideful to a dangerous and self-destructive degree, but once Philip arrives--thanks to mutual friends who reach out--Stuart is more than sorry for his earlier scorn. These guys are so used to being on their own it's hard to lean on one another, but Stuart has need to lean more frequently, and this bring shim shame. He'd already had a pretty low self-esteem thanks to his parents, but his money struggles only reveal the deep-seated class prejudices Stuart has. And, what he has to get over if he's going to salvage what is left of his battered family.
I really enjoyed this story, though I felt it kind of took a long time to get to the larger action moments. What I mean is, Philip was investigating his board in June, and doesn't resolve anything there until January--despite constant machinations and discovery of damning evidence. Over the nearly 6 months of their acquaintance Stuart's growing loathing of financial security seems excessive and childish. He has no capacity to manage his exponential debts, and hates that Philip is not only able, but willing, to wipe it all away just to ensure Stuart isn't burdened. Every one of Stuart's friends tell him he's being unreasonable and childish--and he's also considering this himself--but he cannot stop turning into a giant ridiculous brat when Philip pays for these rare and extenuating extravagances. It was almost pathological, honestly, and I was overjoyed that he FINALLY got down from his high horse in time to save his family and his relationship.
This is the fourth story in the series, but there is plenty of detail to fill-in any gaps for readers picking it up out of sequence. It will be a bit of a spoiler though, if one wants to go back in time, as the previous love stories have some level of exposure in this book. I'm always a little thrown by the deep references I encounter in this series, considering how well-read that I am, but it's always fun to learn a new 78-point Scrabble word, or two. The younger characters read as way older, and sometimes Philip and Stuart read as way younger--but it was fun that they acknowledged this as demonstration of their infatuation. There are some dark moments, and the death of several secondary characters leading up to the final crisis. In all, I'd read on if another book comes out.
Philip Sundstrom is the eldest of the Sundstrom brothers, with Brad being the younger. Brad was the MC of the second book in this series, and we have seen him in the other stories as well. Philip was the enigmatic brother who seemed kowtowed to their domineering and homophobic father, but we are now seeing the truth behind that facade.
Philip was the beleaguered son, "learning" the business of Sundstrom while really being shut out of any and every real decision, but Philip played a long game, acquiring knowledge and allies as he awaited his shady father's downfall. It happened to come at the cost of Brad's boyfriend, Drew, who was bashed by Daddy's cronies. Philip found out and had his abusive, snaky father incarcerated--and he also got full ownership of the company, in the process. Philip wants to root out the board members who were loyal to his dad--and might be actively sabotaging his CEO position--and he's also mature enough he wants a secure relationship instead of rattling around his big, empty childhood home. Unfortunately, his long-term girlfriend hadn't got the memo that they were exclusive, and that was the end of that. Philip is bisexual, not that he's made any overtures to a man in a long time. That's why it's a bit shocking that he's so turned on by the ginger bagger at the specialty grocer, Stuart.
Stuart Cochrane has just graduated college from CalPac University and is due to matriculate into medical school at UC-Davis in August. He shares an apartment with his boyfriend and a fellow crew member, Jeremy, whose highborn English mother has been an unpleasant advent in his life. Stuart grew up in rural Pennsylvania, with parents who take "Jesus Freak" as a badge of honor. He literally ran away to Sacramento to attend college on the scholarship for crew, where he was a champion coxswain. Stuart is diminutive in size, but not opinion or voice, and he's quite tired of Jeremy's callous and wasteful immaturity. Being nearly destitute has trained Stuart to be incredibly frugal, and shun charity. So, when Jeremy makes an ultimatum that would cost him thousands, Stuart is happy to see him head off for England on a summer break that ends their relationship. And, that's when he meets Philip.
Philip is a fixer, but while he has money he is sensible about it--for the most part. And he's sensitive enough to Stuart's pride that he doesn't try to press his financial advantage, at least at first. They end up dating, which causes a little conflagration as Philip comes out, but much less than one might expect. The book is set in the time period around 2013 when marriage equality was still a fight in the courts, and not the rule of the country at large. Stuart has never really considered being married, because it hasn't been accessible to him as such, and he's still young with big plans for his career. Meanwhile, Philip is going all in on Stuart, and on the people he suspects of conniving against his leadership at work. There are several issues at risk, including a development that seems to have been built in an area rife with toxic waste. The legal ramifications are high, and as all of this is percolating to a head Stuart's phobia of wealth and privilege get stuck with. He's prideful to a dangerous and self-destructive degree, but once Philip arrives--thanks to mutual friends who reach out--Stuart is more than sorry for his earlier scorn. These guys are so used to being on their own it's hard to lean on one another, but Stuart has need to lean more frequently, and this bring shim shame. He'd already had a pretty low self-esteem thanks to his parents, but his money struggles only reveal the deep-seated class prejudices Stuart has. And, what he has to get over if he's going to salvage what is left of his battered family.
I really enjoyed this story, though I felt it kind of took a long time to get to the larger action moments. What I mean is, Philip was investigating his board in June, and doesn't resolve anything there until January--despite constant machinations and discovery of damning evidence. Over the nearly 6 months of their acquaintance Stuart's growing loathing of financial security seems excessive and childish. He has no capacity to manage his exponential debts, and hates that Philip is not only able, but willing, to wipe it all away just to ensure Stuart isn't burdened. Every one of Stuart's friends tell him he's being unreasonable and childish--and he's also considering this himself--but he cannot stop turning into a giant ridiculous brat when Philip pays for these rare and extenuating extravagances. It was almost pathological, honestly, and I was overjoyed that he FINALLY got down from his high horse in time to save his family and his relationship.
This is the fourth story in the series, but there is plenty of detail to fill-in any gaps for readers picking it up out of sequence. It will be a bit of a spoiler though, if one wants to go back in time, as the previous love stories have some level of exposure in this book. I'm always a little thrown by the deep references I encounter in this series, considering how well-read that I am, but it's always fun to learn a new 78-point Scrabble word, or two. The younger characters read as way older, and sometimes Philip and Stuart read as way younger--but it was fun that they acknowledged this as demonstration of their infatuation. There are some dark moments, and the death of several secondary characters leading up to the final crisis. In all, I'd read on if another book comes out.
February 17, 2014
I really liked the writing. I didn't know what to make of the cover until almost the end, and I had no idea throughout about the little boy on the cover. Stuart drove me batty a lot of the time with his stupid hang-up, and Philip was more forgiving than I would have been.
Full review soon on Booklikes and my blog.
Full review soon on Booklikes and my blog.
January 28, 2021
This fourth book in the series was a disappointment for me. I was glad to finally get "Stuart's story", but it just really didn't fit with the CalPac Crew theme. Sure other characters were mentioned, especially with MC Phillip being (previous MC) Brad's brother, but the linking (of the stories) felt forced. I felt like C. Koehler was fighting with the story he wrote, versus the one he wanted to tell, versus the series.
Most of the early part of the book is Phillip's story and the family business. Phillip and his personal issues coincide with taking over the family legacy. Stuart is more of a side story. And speaking of Stuart, we never get much of his Cox'n role or closure on an offer he receives.
The last part of the book was a great story in itself. I think I would have preferred Koehler to have just focused on that. I felt all this build up with the Sundstrom business and then the author just kind of switched to a different story.
One good scene with 'the Crew' in the water would have benefitted the book greatly.
Will we find out what happens with Phillip and Stuart and their sudden life changing situation? I guess only time will tell.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.
Most of the early part of the book is Phillip's story and the family business. Phillip and his personal issues coincide with taking over the family legacy. Stuart is more of a side story. And speaking of Stuart, we never get much of his Cox'n role or closure on an offer he receives.
The last part of the book was a great story in itself. I think I would have preferred Koehler to have just focused on that. I felt all this build up with the Sundstrom business and then the author just kind of switched to a different story.
One good scene with 'the Crew' in the water would have benefitted the book greatly.
Will we find out what happens with Phillip and Stuart and their sudden life changing situation? I guess only time will tell.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.
April 9, 2016
“Yep, the rowing mafia comes through again."
I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and I was more than pleased with this latest addition to the CalPac catalog. And not just because we finally get to see Stuart fight his way to his own HEA. While it took me a few pages to get back into the groove of things, and dredge up a few memories of who exactly was who, and who did what to whom, once it all started to come back, I was locked happily into the story.
Philip Sundstrom (brother of Brad, the protag of Tipping the Balance) is one of my favorite characters. He starts off this book basically tricking his father (who, may I say, is a right bastard) into signing over full and total control of SunHo. It may have been underhanded. It may have been tricksy. But dear gods, was it fun to watch that rat bastard get his comeuppance. Jail was not enough for that loser. And everything seems to be going well for Philip…till he finds out his girlfriend has been less than monogamous, that his board is about as dirty as his old man, and that his father may have gotten the last laugh when it came to, as Brad so deridingly called it, the Suburban Graveyard.
Meanwhile Stuart Cochrane is coming to the realization that having a rich boyfriend sucks. Jonathan, despite his lovely English accent, comes with a badgering mother, a lack of self-discipline, and about as much understanding of living ‘poor’ as Stuart knows about being tall. Which is none whatsoever. When Jonathan sails to wetter climes for the summer, and they break off what had been a lukewarm relationship at best, Stuart is ready to work, relax, and prepare himself for the exhausting madhouse that will be Med School.
Then a chance encounter at a grocery store, leads to first, second, and third looks between Philip and Stuart. And even if it means driving all the way to Davis to do his grocery shopping, Philip keeps going back, desperate to see the short, ginger-haired man with an ass that makes him salivate and a smile that makes him weak in the knees. Stuart might not trust Philip’s money, and Philip has no clue how to deal with the chaos of a med-school lover, but neither one can stay away from each other–-so they simply don’t bother to try.
Like I said, this is probably one of my favorite books out of this series. I loved Philip. He is strong and sneaky, but also lonely. He finds so much happiness when he stumbles upon Stuart, and I can’t help but cheer him on as he tries to pin the coxswain down. And it is going to take an awful lot of pinning to do it, because Stuart seems to have a pathological dislike of men with money. Or maybe it is just money in general. He grew up poor–-mostly because his super-conservative/bat-shit crazy parents felt that money was evil and that anything not directly related to the work of God was Satan’s tool-–so he has had to struggle to get where he is. When he sees Jonathan, and later Philip simply throwing money at the problem, he freaks. And gets seriously pissed. These two have such a battle playing in the background of almost every interaction, and I loved watching Stuart unbend, and Philip unwind. They make each other so happy, even if they have to be down-right boneheaded before they walk over a cliff into their HEA.
The whole sub plot of Philip’s work was so much fun to read. I love watching men try to outsmart each other. And it was entertaining to see just how quickly Philip’s day could go from bad to nuclear. I did wish that we got more of a kick out of the Philip/Winch battle. We kept hearing tangentially what Winch was doing to foil Philip’s bid to not end up either kicked out of his own company, or sharing a cell with dear ol’ dad, but I think there should have been one final push-back, near the end to help push the climax that last bit higher. I do understand, though, that it could have seriously overbalanced the whole issue with Stuart’s family, so maybe it would have been one thing to much for the story to handle at that point.
And, just saying, that ending, with Stuart’s sister? Yeah, that was a kick to the gut. Just…damn.
Would have liked Stuart to be less of a pig-headed ass, for Philip to have one last hurrah at Winch’s egotistical ass, and well, not to have my heart caved in and gutted by Valerie…but I really loved this story. It seemed to flow so well. And let’s just say that despite my best intentions I was buried under covers and cats, straight through the night, reading this story because I just couldn’t stop. It hooked me and never let me go. I don’t know if there is another book planned for this series, but I sure do hope so. They are really great, and a good re-read on a cold, wet, windy day. 4.5 stars.
On a side note…reading a book set in a city I live in is just plain odd. I kept going “I’ve been there!” and “I totally know that place!” I admit that this may be one of my guilty favorites about this series, the fact that I so get this people cause they are right smack in the middle of my world. Well, the city limits, anyways. You wouldn’t catch me out on the river unless there was a tube and a bottle of beer involved.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
January 12, 2014
There may not be a right time to meet the perfect someone, but there's definitely a wrong one. Philip Sundstrom, whose father is in prison and whose company is facing a takeover, and Stuart Cochrane, just graduated from college and about to enter medical school, come together at what might be the wrong time in both their lives. But love overrides all outside forces.
When Philip finds out his girlfriend of three years whom he thought he would marry hasn't been faithful to him, he's stunned. Since he's bisexual and dreams of having sex with men, he decides to see if his dreams could possibly come true.
Meanwhile, Stuart, the coxswain in Koehler's CalPac Crew series of college rowers, is being pressured by his boyfriend/roommate to defer going to med school and spend a year in England. Not able to persuade his boyfriend that med school is his lifelong dream, Stuart breaks up with him and moves out.
Accidentally meeting at the grocery store where Stuart works, he and Philip hit it off and start dating. But both men have complications in their lives that could keep them apart. And dealing with those problems makes up the bulk of the story.
Both Stuart and Philip are interesting people who are neither all good or all bad. In fact, their human foibles are what make them more than cardboard cutouts. Both have family issues: Stuart was raised by fundamentalist parents who threw him out of the house when he told them he was gay. Philip's father had his other son's gay boyfriend brutally beaten nearly to death.
Read the rest of my review at The Romance Reviews: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
When Philip finds out his girlfriend of three years whom he thought he would marry hasn't been faithful to him, he's stunned. Since he's bisexual and dreams of having sex with men, he decides to see if his dreams could possibly come true.
Meanwhile, Stuart, the coxswain in Koehler's CalPac Crew series of college rowers, is being pressured by his boyfriend/roommate to defer going to med school and spend a year in England. Not able to persuade his boyfriend that med school is his lifelong dream, Stuart breaks up with him and moves out.
Accidentally meeting at the grocery store where Stuart works, he and Philip hit it off and start dating. But both men have complications in their lives that could keep them apart. And dealing with those problems makes up the bulk of the story.
Both Stuart and Philip are interesting people who are neither all good or all bad. In fact, their human foibles are what make them more than cardboard cutouts. Both have family issues: Stuart was raised by fundamentalist parents who threw him out of the house when he told them he was gay. Philip's father had his other son's gay boyfriend brutally beaten nearly to death.
Read the rest of my review at The Romance Reviews: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
January 24, 2014
Stuart has always been the smallest guy in the crowd. Not surprising since he hangs out with a bunch of rowers. He doesn’t have much money, and he has to work hard for everything he has. Stuart has just graduated from college and is getting ready to start Medical School. The very last thing he needs in his life is any complications. So, of course that is exactly what he gets with Philip Sundstrom.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
April 12, 2014
The budding romance for Stuart seen at the end of the second CalPac book seems to have hit the end point. Anyway Stuart is focused on starting medical school. Phillip is trying to rebuild his company after dealing with his father. But a chance meeting gets the love ball rolling. But Stuart hates dealing with other people's money and buts the break on things. But a crisis sometimes has a way of reshaping reality and sometimes love is all you've got.
March 26, 2014
Becky: 5 Sweet Peas for Settling the Score by Christopher Koehler Cover: Paul Richmond http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
June 15, 2015
Great book! Good to see other characters from the other books in the series pop up in this one.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews