The Retreat

New York Gods #2

by J.R. Gray, Andi Jaxon

I’ll do anything not to marry the girl my parents want me to.
Including marrying her brother in a drunken panic.
I’m not gay, but I can fake it long enough to get our parents off my back, right?
Cue hiding out for the next two years, but nothing is that simple, because I’m offered a spot on the US National team.
Now we have to fake it for the entire world as the poster boys of gay fencers while Colin makes me doubt everything I think I am.
I’m not prepared for all the ways I depend on Colin. Or the place he’s filling in my life.
But I can’t keep this up.
I’m slipping on a national stage.
And he’s going to press every button until I snap, ruining this for us both.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Forced Proximity, Contemporary

344 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2024

About the author

When not staying up all night writing, J.R. Gray can be found at the gym where it's half assumed he is a permanent resident to fulfill his self-inflicted masochism. A dominant and a pilot, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. He frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns and conversations, to jot down notes or plot bunnies. Commas are the bane of his existence even though it's been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder. If Gray wasn't writing…well, that's not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave, insanity or both. The idea of haunting has always appealed to him. J.R. Gray is genderqueer and prefers he/him pronouns.

Reviews

[Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sweet innocent man, you have no idea what you've just done."

He can't marry her.
Owen Godfrey cannot marry Cassandra Covington.
No matter how much his parent want him to.
That's when Colin Covington steps in.
Cassandra' brother. He wants to save her from this marriage.
So one night later, please welcome Mr. and Mr. Godfrey.
It was only supposed to get Owen out of marrying Colin's sister.
But it is so much more than that.
And now that he is fencing for the USA national team.
All eyes and cameras are on him.
On them.
And Colin just can't help but push his buttons.

"Don't worry, husband. I'll make sure all the attention is on me."

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💙💙

"I clearly turn you on at least a little. Don't fucking deny it."

I remember when I first read "On Guard" and that little excerpt at the end made me go absolutely FERAL for Owen and Colin's story!! And when this landed on my kindle I was absolutely ECSTATIC!! (Cue fireworks) 🎇🎇
Owen and Colin's relationship in this story is filled with pure emotions and chemistry which I absolutely loved! Also Oliver being annoyed every second made me CACKLE which I adored 🤣🤣
And side note but as someone who has personal experience with some of the mental health rep in this book I cannot that the authors enough for writing it in - trust me it means the world 💫

"You aren't in control, princess."

Owen and Colin together make my heart so happy. You can see the transition in both of them as they get closer and closer together and what it means for each of them separately and as a couple. Their banter is amazing, Colin wanting to annoy Oliver every chance he gets is hilarious and the way Colin takes care of Owen and Owen's journey with himself honestly made me sob thank you very much!! I love Colin and Owen and Oliver and Isaac and this whole group makes this book such a fun read!! 💙💙

"Anything you say, daddy."

Now this playlist is a long one but I am not going to apologize because the songs almost literally were flowing through me so sorry not sorry 😇😇

(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2fA... )

🎵 "American Money" - BORNS
🎵 "Cherry" - FLETHER, Hayley Kiyoko
🎵 "Waking Up In Vegas" - Katy Perry
🎵 "Vegas" - Doja Cat
🎵 "Colors" - Halsey
🎵 "Color (Remix)" - Todrick Hall, wiidope, Jeeve
🎵 "BREATHING UNDERWATER" - Hot Milk
🎵 "underwater" - Mackenzie Arromba
🎵 "Natural" - THE DRIVER ERA
🎵 "play pretend" - margo
🎵 "BLUE" - Billie Eilish
🎵 "idontwannabeyouanymore" - Billie Eilish
🎵 "You" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "I Want To" - Rosenfeld
🎵 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎵 "Greedy" - Fame on Fire
🎵 "As They Bloom" - Unlike Pluto
🎵 "Fake Happy" - Paramore
🎵 "They Don't Know About Us" - One Direction
🎵 "Just Like a Pill" - P!nk
🎵 "Fall" - Palisades
🎵 "Dirtier Thoughts" - Nation Haven
🎵 "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" - My Chemical Romance
🎵 "Panic Room" - Au/Ra
🎵 "we can't be friends (wait for your love)" - Ariana Grande
🎵 "Waste.mp3" - pr0d_marz
🎵 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan
🎵 "Share Your Address" - Ben platt
🎵 "Pink Pony Club" - Jonathan Young
🎵 "BABYDOLL (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "madhouse" - Nessa Barrett
🎵 "Hate Me" - The Word Alive
🎵 "dying on the inside" - Nessa Barrett
🎵 "Silence" - Marshmello, Khalid
🎵 "Cake By The Ocean" - DNCE
🎵 "BRAT" - Chrissy Chlapecka
🎵 "Toothbrush" - DNCE
🎵 "Music For a Sushi Restaurant" - Harry Styles
🎵 "doomsday" - Lizzy McAlpine
🎵 "The Pretender" - Lewis Capaldi
🎵 "Not OK" - Robert Grace
🎵 "Just Pretend" - Bad Omens
🎵 "worthless" - eli.
🎵 "Skeletons" - New Years Day
🎵 "Going Under" - Evanescence
🎵 "strawberry lipstick" - YUNGBLUD
🎵 "R U Mine?" - Arctic Monkeys
🎵 "Buttons" - The Pussycat Dolls
🎵 "I like the way you kiss me - burnt" - Artemas
🎵 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎵 "Crazy In Love" - Eden Project
🎵 "Cologne" - SM6
🎵 "Maybe This Time" - Jessie Buckley
🎵 "Church - Remix" - Fall Out Boy, nothing,nowhere, jay vee
🎵 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎵 "Runaway Baby" - Bruno Mars
🎵 "Half a Man" - Dean Lewis
🎵 "Take Me To The Pilot" - Ben Platt
🎵 "Meddle About" - Chase Atlantic
🎵 "Beg" - Aryia
🎵 "Beggin'" - Maneskin
🎵 "I Sent My Therapist To Therapy" - Alex Benjamin
🎵 "Bed Chem" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎵 "happy ending - acoustic" - Bailey Spinn
🎵 "needy" - Ariana Grande
🎵 "Can You Feel My Heart" - MOTHICA
🎵 "Hold Me While You Wait" - Lewis Capaldi
🎵 "Love The Hell Out Of You" - Lewis Capaldi
🎵 "Taste" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "the boy is mine" - Ariana Grande
🎵 "butterflies" - GAYLE
🎵 "Kickstart My Heart" - Motley Crue
🎵 "I Feel You" - Depeche Mode
🎵 "Shameless" - Camila Cabello
🎵 "Right Here" - Ashes Remain
🎵 "Rain" - Sleep Token
🎵 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎵 "We Are Broken" - Paramore
🎵 "Shivers" - No Resolve
🎵 "Bring Me To Life" - Evanescence
🎵 "Talking Body" - Tove Lo
🎵 "Kiss It Better" - Rihanna
🎵 "Once In A Lifetime" - All Time Low
🎵 "Private Show" - Little Mix
🎵 "Make Me Feel" - Elvis Drew
🎵 "Nobody Hates You" - JESSIA
🎵 "Not Afraid Anymore" - Halsey
🎵 "Utopia" - Neoni
🎵 "LOSER" - Neoni
🎵 "Nothing Else Matters" - Miley Cyrus
🎵 "Fallin' (Adrenaline)" - Why Don't We
🎵 "Lens" - Bilmuri
🎵 "I'm yours sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "favorite" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "Carry You Home" - Alex Warren
🎵 "Die Alone" - FINNEAS
🎵 "imagine" - Ben Platt
🎵 "Crowded Room" - Meghan Trainor
🎵 "Last Man Standing" - Livingston

And the spice… OMG…. (blushing internally and externally) 🌶️🌶️🌶️

"Are you going to come for me so quickly? I've barely done anything."

"You're being such a good boy for me, princess."

"Come, little whore. Show me how much you like being used."

"Hold your cheeks. I want to see what's mine."

🤺 Tropes 🤺

💊 MM Romance
💊 Billionaire Romance
💊 Marriage of Convenience
💊 Sports Romance (Fencing)
💊 Mental Health Rep

Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C_QEaekgs...

[melancholy_reader [hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

what the fuck did I just read? and why I ate this shit up?

my brain is rotten.

[Mug · Rating 1 out of 5]

curiosity really does kill💀

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25**** stars


Fabulous. Another OTT book in the series with ridiculous drama, I ate up like chocolate chip cookies. Hot chocolate chip cookies!

I’m a professional brat at this point. Pissing people off is as easy as breathing.

So happy to see there is at least one more book coming.

⇢ But what’s again with the unaddressed barebacking? *sigh

***********
New York Gods Series

Book 1 - On Guard - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - The Retreat - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - The Penalty - release 04/25

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Retreat is an entertaining slow slow-burn arranged marriage that I could not get enough of. I appreciated the time taken to develop a bond and real connection between Owen and Colin. They have great chemistry, but due to Owen's barrier he is slower to warm up to Colin's antics and obvious attraction to him. Together they agree to work to make their marriage work and quickly feelings grow, deepen, and become something neither were expecting.

At first, I was a little hesitant in how these two would eventually fall for one another, but as their strong progressed I was pleasantly amazed at the level of devotion and primal need these two had for one another. I loved Owen's growth and eventual obsession with everything Colin related, also his primal need to protect and claim what he deems his was also very entertaining to see.

Overall this was a great story that had many surprises and great moments of levity. These two were a lot of fun and I enjoyed being back in this world. Cannot wait to see what happens next!!!

** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[Tonya ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no expectations when it came to reading this & then I end up reading it in one day.

I absolutely adored both Colin and Owen. I like how Colin could bring out a different side of Owen & how Owen loved and accepted Colin for who he was. I love a man who loves his man for who he is and doesn't try to change them. I love how they were friends first then lovers, it felt very special and fitting for them. I definitely teared up a couple of times while reading, especially in the begginning.

The spice in this was HOT 🔥 I love the banter between these two as well as their texts (one of my fav micro tropes)

***This book hit even better the second time around, again I absolutely ADORE Colin & Owen 🤎

[Monikat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thoughts, many, many thoughts. I've written them down in my private notes. I'll just say I wanted to like this more. But it was messy. So much bothered me, so much felt copy pasted out of the blue. So much felt like filler to prolong the storytelling.

[Emna]

I was fighting the fucking urge not to throw up .
No rating

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one so much! This was everything I wanted and more from Owen and Colin’s story. I devoured this book in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. These two are complete opposites, yet they fit together so perfectly. I will definitely be rereading this one!

[Kaity · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio: 5 stars for Tim Paige (Owen) and 5 stars for Kirt Grave (Collin)

Book: 1 ish stars DNF @62%

What a way to start the year with a DNF! Haha

I was trying to finish this book, but honestly I couldn’t continue. I wonder if I would have had different feelings if I read book one. But I think you don’t need to because there wasn’t a lot that made sense in this book! Hahaha

I think the relationship between Collin and Owen didn’t flow. Like one moment they didn’t like each and then a few paragraphs later they are joking and getting alone.

Idk don’t think this is for me.

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, this was definitely better than the first book AND had pretty big potential to make it.

It felt like two writing styles were clashing though, first one trying to add depth and substance to the story, main characters were actually more fleshed out than in the first installment -- and then the second one that adds that ridiculousness and terrible humour that inevitably tanks the whole thing.

2.75 - 3⭐ from me, but I'll say I did like this couple much more and am happy with the way things ended.

🟣 Fake, drunken Vegas wedding
🔵 Gay/pansexual
🟡 Age gap 20/23
🟢 Forced proximity
🟠 Palpable chemistry
❗ Depression, anxiety, mental illness, abusive family
🌶️ Good smut, intense; oral, penetrative; dirty talk was pretty damn good; t/b

I liked Owen so much more than Oliver. Oliver is really a dickhead, he's an obnoxious character that constantly invades Owen's privacy even at 23 years old. It's understandable considering their past, but Oliver downright infantilizes Owen and his mental issues are stagnant because of that.

Colin is a vibrant, energetic twink who's lonely and wants to be cared for, so when he finds himself being married to a very presumably straight Owen, they're both navigating toxic families and their lives together, becoming friends and eventually lovers.

I think that progression was very believable, they were good together and anyone who's ever been depressed can relate to a lot of what Owen was going through -- except for the very understanding and accepting Colin. That's harder to get by in the real world, but I very much appreciated their relationship.

“I know what craving a toaster bath is like, and I know what numb is like. My doctor keeps telling me numb is better, but I’m not so sure. Toaster bath is at least electrifying.”



A bit of miscommunication at the end but gets resolved with the brutal final conflict that finally cements Owen and Colin's marriage. I honestly very much liked this couple. They were so good for each other. The sex was pretty amazing too. A lot of it and descriptive, Owen had a bit of a personality change but it was only during sex, so it worked.

Nothing more to say other than the storytelling is what doesn't bring these very good ideas to full fruition. I'm hoping the authors drop a lot of the ridiculousness and just give us a raw, deep, amazing story in the next installment.

My two cents here -- I love humour but I think these books just need a lot of polishing. Characters need more developed scenes on-page, drop the ott factor because it's terrible and just add more depth to everything.

[Tami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really struggled to finish this💀

[gabireadsromance · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh. the potential was there but the delivery? lacking.

i love that so many loved this one but it was not for me. the grammatical errors alone…random switching of pov in the middle of the chapter, zero concept of time, switching from one thing to another, owen’s personality switch 5 seconds in…need i go on?

i loved on guard so much, i truly don’t remember the writing being that much of an issue when i read it…

this had all the makings - like alllll my fav tropes. fake husbands, possessiveness, super hot, and of course the classic, “who did this to you?” but the execution plummeted with all the above mentioned issues.

when the story lacks proper editing and consistent writing, im unable to enjoy it. i liked the overall premise of the book but i am disappointed to say the least in the final product.

read at your own risk.

signed, a girl who can usually rate a book high based on vibes but simply cannot do it on this one. 😭

[peoniesandmm · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m melting… 🫠
i ate up every second of this. frothing at the mouth. salivating. drooling. in love <3

[yaishin · Rating 4 out of 5]

much better than the first one.

[Steph (Teacups & Tropes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After book one in the NYG series, I was surprised that Owen was getting a book. While I loved his character in the first book, I was wondering how on earth Andi and JR were going to make him into his own standalone main character. But they managed to do it and they managed to pair him with Colin - who I absolutely adore! (He's just so bratty and unapologetically himself and I love that).

This was a super quick read, so if you're looking for something fast to pick-up, I would definitely recommend this one!

However, there were some things that I just couldn't stop focusing on. There was a dramatic shift in Owen's character. In the beginning, he was very reserved and standoffish. Owen has depression and anxiety, so that makes sense. But there were A LOT of suicide jokes and at some point it kind of made me uncomfy. He also hides under a chaise lounge? Idk if someone has a really tall chaise but human people cannot fit under those normally. Not to mention, I don't believe someone could start getting frisky under one either. And the chaise was mentioned SO MUCH?! Like... I just had to laugh every time it was brought up because it was so ridiculous.

But I had a relatively good time with this one and would definitely recommend as a palette cleanser. Colin is a bratty brat and Oliver's commentary is HILARIOUS. So, if you read this one, ENJOY. <3

[areadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

eeeeee i love them i love them i love them i love them. i didn’t think they could top oliver + isaac but as i think of them now I just can’t get my head around my love for owen.

owen’s character and personality was so well created and written i couldn’t fault him. the way he really went from needing to be cared for which colin handled so well which in turn taught owen to fend for himself and finally have a reason to be his better self, urgh i ate it uppppp.

the amount of my husband moments in this had me biting my damn fist and then you go and drop a princess pet name and i was flooooored. like istg gtfo. i couldn’t. they were h-o-t.

i loved the fierceness and protectiveness we witnessed from both husbands and i just couldn’t believe how much i truly loved a fake dating/fake married trope (when done so well) it fucking works.

owen + colin stan <3333

[Sona · Rating 5 out of 5]

After two back-to-back books that just didn’t click, I was craving a comfort read — something that would give me that ache-in-the-chest kind of warmth. And honestly, The Retreat surprised me in all the best ways. I went in hesitant because of the mixed reviews and because I wasn’t sure how the dynamic between Owen and Colin would even work. But oh, it worked. It so worked.

There was something raw and beautifully offbeat about them — both so different, both hard to understand, both quietly fighting their own battles. Owen’s mind is a storm — a man crushed under family expectations and depression, and Colin is insecure with the belief that he’s somehow “too much” or “not enough.”


And oh my god, the shift in Owen once he’s with Colin? I wasn’t ready. This quiet, withdrawn man suddenly turns into pure heat. A dominant force. That calm, heavy energy he carries? Gone. With Colin, he’s wild — sharp, teasing, filthy so so filthy in the best way. It’s that kind of dirty that makes you stop reading for a second just to breathe. And knowing this is the same man who once called intimacy “sticky,” who’d sworn off ever wanting it again? Watching him completely light up around Colin was everything. It wasn’t just attraction — it was like every piece of himself that had been numb suddenly woke up and wanted, and it was glorious.

One of the most powerful, heart-melting parts for me was every time Owen retreated under the chaise — lost in his depression, in that heavy, suffocating place inside his mind — Colin didn’t try to pull him out. He would just join him there. He’d lie beside him and played it off as a normal thing being his usual fun and bratty self till Owen was over whatever was dragging him down.

And Owen loved every part of Colin and who he was.
His sass, his crop tops, his neediness. He was also so protective and possessive of him 🫠

I don’t even know how to describe it better — it’s that kind of book that makes you sigh and clutch your heart and whisper, “this is it.” Two people becoming the best versions of themselves because they found someone who finally saw them, fully and truly.

I didn’t just like The Retreat — I loved it. It’s soft and broken and beautiful. It’s exactly what I needed when I picked it up.

[Paulina | bitofabookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh, did I inhale this book :D I definitely loved this one, much more than the first one (this came a little bit as a shock to me, because I'm always very fond of the 1st books in the series).

Fake relationship aspect and broken boys will be forever my favorite, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised at all that The Retreat was a treat to read hehe. While I didn't remember Colin from the first book (sorry), I was super excited to know more about Owen. He was very intriguing character in On Guard and I'm glad we were able to see him as the main focus in this one.

No one has ever cared if they hurt me.

Both Owen and Colin are interesting characters on their own and it was nice to witness them growing into themselves. Owen's internal struggles, anxiety and pressure he felt were portrayed really well, as well as Colin's need to feel important and needed. My heart broke for both guys, because oh boy do they have issues. But despite being quite opposites in dealing with them, Colin and Owen fit like no other. I loved how they were here for each other, even in the beginning. Owen's possessive streaks warmed my heart. But also their friendship and communicating when it was necessary.

It was a really nice read about growth and finding your own person. I have a feeling I will come back to this one someday.

[Laura Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Retreat is book two in the New York Gods series. This MM romance story is about Owen and Colin.

We first met these boys in On Guard, which is book one in the series. Owen is Oliver’s twin brother, and Colin is Isaac’s friend. Owen and Colin’s parents have an arrangement for Owen to marry Colin’s teenage sister. Owen and Colin are both against it, so they take matters in their own hands and marry each other. Although Owen isn’t gay, he plans to fake it long enough to get their parents off their backs. Owen and Colin start living together, and soon their fake relationship starts to turn into something real.

My heart went out to these two broken boys. Owen has anxiety and depression. He always had Oliver to take care of him, but he doesn’t want to rely on him anymore since Oliver married Isaac. Owen doesn’t want to become a burden to Colin, but Colin doesn’t feel that way. Colin needs to feel needed. He is lonely but it is easier if he pushes people away than if they leave him. Colin wants someone to show him he is worth it and love him for him. I loved how Owen and Colin were there for each other. It made me happy to see them fall for one another, but it made me sad that they both were so scared of losing each other.

Owen and Colin were so incredibly hot together. Some of my favorite scenes were when Owen was possessive and when he became dominant. I definitely loved the spice, but I also enjoyed their sweet moments. There were times that had me laughing, while there were other times that had me choked up and crying. Thank goodness these boys had each other, and I loved that we got more of Oliver and Isaac. It was fun to see Colin get Oliver riled up, but also nice to see Oliver finally consider Colin family in the end.

Watching Owen and Colin support each other and seeing them grow as individuals and as a couple was so beautiful. The epilogue was amazing and just what I needed. I loved Owen and Colin, and their love story was the perfect addition to this incredible series.

I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Hemmel M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried 25% but my annoyance kept me from enjoying the romance. I persevered through the over the top mother, and luckily she took a back seat. But then the over the top brother stepped up. How he micromanages Owen's life is impossible and the weird thing is: he marries, drops Owen, and expects Colin to step up without warning, instruction or explanation.
The narration was fine but could be done with more distinct voices.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very slow burn this one, but 100% worth it. What starts as a marriage of convenience to stop their families gross antics leads to a really strong bond as they grow from reluctant acquaintances to absolute soulmates. Owen was a joy to read, the anxiety riddled twin of Oliver from book one, had so much growth and Colin was just a laugh a minute. The mental health rep was done well with a touch of humour and banter. It keeps you guessing how these two will ever find love at the end but the obsessed with each other vibes by the end were fantastic!

[Rozanna's fantasy romance & smut corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

reread 2025

owen and his depression broke my heart

but I loved them together collin was epic. i tought the ending confrontation was way out of left field and o.t.t it had me sobbing 😭 . their chemistry was fire 🔥 and I've seen way to many lack luster sexy scenes scenes lately but andi jaxon does not disappoint. damn

read this somewhere in 2020.

[❀ Jess ( Semi hiatus )]

Self note: Apparently " little whore" is used during sex, that's not for me.

[Notagingerninja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Colin and Owen
The 2nd book in the series, and it was slightly more entertaining than the 1st. The banter between Colin and Owen was comical, and extra entertaining when Colin was tormenting Oliver, which pushed the rating from 3.5 to 4⭐️

[Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

these characters were intense and real

loved this steamy story

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Princess Stars ⭐ | 5 🌶️
Read: 25/11/2024 (🎉BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!!)

What to expect from this book? 🤔
🫶 MM Adult College Sport Romance 🫣 🥵🤌
🤺 Fencing Teammates
🤺 Woke Up Married
🤺 Fake Husband
🤺 Forced Roommates
🤺 Possessiveness & Jealousy
🤺 Dirty Talk
🤺 Rough Sex
🤺 Degradation Kink
🤺 “Princess”
🤺 Hurt/Comfort
🤺 ADHD Rep
🤺 Bisexual Awakening
🤺 Co-dependent Twins
🤺 Found Family
🤺 HEA

Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Series: New York Gods #2
Format: Ebook
POV: 1st Person - Dual POV
Plot: 5/5

Main Characters:
5/5 - Owen, 20s, he/him, billionaire, plays on the fencing college team.
5/5 – Colin, 20s, he/him, petname: Princess, plays on the fencing college team.
Side Characters: 5/5
Steam Level: 5/5
Romance: High Focus
Favorite character? BOTH
Humor: Low Focus
Angst: Medium Focus
Cheating? No
The Ending: 5/5
HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger: HEA

This is my 2nd book by Andi Jaxon & J.R. Gray.
Enjoyment: 5/5

New York Gods Series:
1. On Guard - Isaac & Oliver's Story - 5,0 stars
2. The Retreat - 5,0 stars
3. The Penalty - Rhys & Teddy's Story
Expected 08/10/2025 :
4. The Substitute


!! I don't equate fiction stories to real life. It's a matter of personal taste and what you are willing or want to tolerate in the books you read. We all have different opinions and preferences when it comes to the kind of books we enjoy, so it's important to respect and remember that it's just a book!!

Hope this review was helpful.
Click Here For: My StoryGraph Review|My Bookbub Review|

Where To Find My Reviews: GOODREADS|STORYGRAPH|BOOKBUB|
My Socials: LINKTR.EE|INSTAGRAM|BLUESKY|TIKTOK|FACEBOOK|TUMBLR|AO3|

[Library_of_a_Trashpanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to go back to this universe! And who better to continue it with Owen, Oliver’s Twin.

Colin was an absolute favorite of mine in On Guard and I love him with Owen. I relate to Owen as I too struggle with depression and anxiety, so to see someone represented like he is warms my heart. The way Colin seamlessly takes care of him while also letting him live and make his own choices was beautiful.

Owen really comes into himself and helps teach Colin what love can be like and what it’s like to be able to be loved for who he is. No matter what they thought was going to happy with a fake marriage, they both won in the end.

Getting to see Oliver and Issac was also a bonus. Getting to see the love there and how they are still so hung up with each other was a cherry on top for sure.

The spice is so freaking good. I have a soft spot for Owen calling Colin ‘Princess’. Ugh I just absolutely melted. I am now going to not so patiently wait for the next book, I love this universe and the characters.

[Miss S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑠𝘩 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑.”

I fell in love with Owen and Colin in the first book of this series, so I was beyond excited when I finally got to read their story. It exceeded all of my expectations, and I have so much love for these two broken men.

This book is big on mental health rep, and following Owen's progress was my favorite part of the book, really. It's shown in the first book, how much Owen depends on his twin brother, Oliver, and this book shows how Owen breaks free from that. He experienced happiness for the first time in his life, and it was amazing to read.

Owen and Colin... What started out as a drunken maybe mistake marriage of convenience turned into something much more. They're both experiencing something new, to have someone in their corner, and they form a really beautiful friendship as they try to make their marriage work in the eyes of the public.

"𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥."

But, they're both broken with different kinds of family traumas which makes them both vulnerable, especially when feelings slowly make an appearance.

Their story was absolutely wholesome, despite minor miscommunication issues, but it was mostly because we're dealing with two very stubborn men who both believed love was not meant for them.

And the spice? 🥵 Owen has a lot of first time experiences and he discovers a side of himself he was unaware of. He's deliciously possessive, bossy, fond of nicknames and likes it a bit rough 😏

“𝑌𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝘩 𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑏𝑜𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒, 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠.”

❥ Dual POV
❥ MM Romance
❥ Mental Health Rep
❥ Queer Awakening
❥ Slow Burn
❥ Marriage of Convenience
❥ Sports Romance (Fencing)
❥ Billionaires

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Read the full review on my blog here with edits and quotes.

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

I am utterly obsessed with this series. Like, are these books the greatest literature ever written? No. Is the plot completely batshit insane? Yes. Are these characters total whack jobs with no concept of anything ‘normal’? Yes, of course. Would I read these books over and over and over forever? Hell yes.

This one is a lot more angst filled that book one imo. It follows Owen, Oliver’s anxious, depressed twin brother and Colin, Isaac’s chaos gremlin best friend. As someone who suffers with anxiety and bouts of depression, I just loved Owen’s character. I can’t say it was a particularly realistic representation (in my opinion at least) but the authors absolutely captured the vibes of sheer misery and decision paralysis that often sent Owen into depressive spirals.

Colin was also amazing; a chaotic nightmare who is estranged from his family and uses sex as a replacement for friendship and love, he’s just manic enough to balance out Owen’s ennui. He also absolutely loves winding up Oliver, and I really enjoyed the scenes with Oliver and Isaac as well.

Owen and Colin end up accidentally married in Vegas after getting wasted together, deciding it was the best way to get Colin’s family to stop trying to marry his little sister to Owen. Determined to keep Colin’s sister safe, they agree to pretend to be happily married for 2 years.

It’s very black cat x golden retriever coded, which is just my favourite trope honestly. There is a fair bit of miscommunication around their relationship and its boundaries, which each convinced they were going to leave the other once their two years was up, but it definitely fit their characters.

The discussions around Owen’s sexuality were interesting - he says he is straight, but hates sex, but also isn’t ace. I enjoyed the evolution of his own understanding of his sexuality that Colin brings out in him, and why it wasn’t necessarily the sex, but the emotional triggers, that make him enjoy it (I read him as demisexual, although it’s not specifically said in the book).

Overall I just loved it and I’m excited for book three!