Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
It's all fun and games until someone puts his heart out. After being outed to his hockey team and then changing schools, Jock figures he’s due for something good—like the sex he missed out on in the closet. Toby, the hot grad student he meets at a frat party, seems like a great place to start, and their night together is an awesome introduction to the fine art of hooking up. Toby’s heart takes a bruising after the near-perfect experience with Jock leads to . . . nothing. He’s been left on the outside as his friends pair up into blissful coupledom, and he’s in danger of never completing (or starting) his thesis. Can’t something go right? Then Toby’s coerced into chaperoning a Theta Alpha Gamma trip to France. Not that he’s complaining. What better place to finish his thesis and get over that frat boy? Except Jock’s outing is leaked to the press, turning him into an unwilling gay rights martyr, and he decides France would be a great escape, too. It’s a break from reality for both guys, but they soon find their connection is as real as it gets.

310 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2014

10 people are currently reading
562 people want to read

About the author

Anne Tenino

22 books669 followers
Catalyzed by her discovery of LGBTQ romance, Anne Tenino left the lucrative fields of art history, non-profit fundraising, and domestic engineering (in that order) to follow her dream of become a starving romance author. For good or ill, her snarky, silly, quasi-British sense of humor came along for the ride.

Anne applies her particular blend of romance, comedy, and gay protagonists to contemporary, scifi, and paranormal tales. Her works have won many awards; her novel, Frat Boy and Toppy, is frequently referred to as a gay romance classic; she’s been featured in RT Book Reviews magazine; she holds the position of VP of Programming at her local RWA chapter; and she’s achieved bestseller status on Amazon’s gay romance list.

Born and raised in Oregon, Anne now lives in Portland with her family, who have all taken a sacred oath never to read her books. When not crocheting genitalia, growing tomatoes, driving teenagers around, or cooking something obscure, she can be found at her computer, procrastinating. Possibly while also lying on the couch, eating bon-bons.


Check out what Anne’s up to now by visiting her site. http://annetenino.com



Links:

Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...

Riptide:
http://www.riptidepublishing.com/auth...

Chicks & Dicks:
http://chicksndicks.blogspot.com

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/AnneTenino

Goodreads profile:
http://www.goodreads.com/annetenino

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
116 (16%)
4 stars
331 (47%)
3 stars
199 (28%)
2 stars
39 (5%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~.
3,604 reviews1,142 followers
August 6, 2016
This book:



Let me explain.

I have enjoyed the Theta Alpha Gamma series. Tenino's books are always a nice blend of humor and steam. But this latest installment was a little clunky and awkward.

It doesn't quite work as a standalone; there is too big a focus on other couples in the series, and most of the background information about Jock, one of the MCs, was presented in book 3 (Collin's story).

There were funny bits in this book, but chunks of it read like a scripted sitcom. The side plot involving "beer terrorism" and the subsequent drama in Provence, France (where the frat boys are studying abroad for the summer with Toby as their resident adviser) verged on nonsensical. I still have no idea what actually happened. There was a potential setup for the next book with a conflict/attraction between frat brothers Noah and Turbo, and a weird side plot involving Danny and his new French love interest.

While I liked Toby in the other books, he was a little whiny and insecure here, and Jock was, at the beginning at least, irritating and immature. He had all these hangups, and he was a moody bastard. And the comments he made to Toby about bottoming? Seriously, Jock:

There was also the matter of Jock's race. A couple passages led me to believe that Jock was black or perhaps biracial (in one, he mentions that Toby's cock was dark "for a white boy's"), but he's described as having blue eyes, which is unusual but certainly possible (and hot as fuck). However, we're never given a good visual of Jock (or Toby for that matter, although I think that's meant to be Toby on the cover), and I was floundering trying to picture them. I want to see the MCs in my head, damn it!

That being said, Brad and Sebastian made a couple appearances here, and they're my favorite couple of this series, so that was nice. Jock really came into his own toward the end of the book, and Toby and Jock had some sweet, tender, steamy moments. Jock was all possessive and growly and dominant in bed, which was sexy.

This is a light read and would make a good beach-side addition, with a margarita on the side.


I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Heather K (dentist in my spare time).
4,111 reviews6,767 followers
April 28, 2014
I'm always the first to admit that I'm an Anne Tenino fan-girl. I have read nearly everything that she has written and love her blend of sweet and sexy. I do! Her stuff is light, silly, romantic, fun, and truthful. I really couldn't ask for more. However, this one... I struggled with it a bit.

My main issues with this book have nothing to do with the relationship between the MCs and everything to do with, well, everything else. The whole set up for this book- the TAG boys in Provence, the "beer terrorism", the frat-boy antics- they all struck the wrong note for me. It felt very forced, very outside the realm of reality. I honestly never understood the beer terrorism thing (were we supposed to??) and the whole concept of the college sending the boys to this remote location with no real lesson plan or anything felt so off for me. Usually, I love the banter between the frat boys, but in this story I couldn't quite get on board with the humor. (Sad face, because I usually love the humor in this series).

What I ended up liking a lot was the main couple. I understood Jock, more than most readers I think. I got that even though he was out, he has a hard time showing affection for Toby. I actually had similar experiences with men. There is something very vulnerable about showing that you care for someone in front of other people, more so than just the sexual act. Even though Jock was out and everyone knew he was gay, it was another thing for them to know that he was involved with someone and I understood that.

I liked the dynamic between Toby and Jock and I thought that their sex scenes were both hot and romantic. They were a nice couple and I enjoyed every part of the story that had them together, discovering their relationship.

Back to my issues- I think there was something off with the length and the pacing of this one. I had trouble getting into the groove of the story, much more than I usually do with one of Anne Tenino's works. I think that the plot got too muddled and detracted from the relationship with the main couple.

I will give the author props for accurately showing a bisexual character. Nicely done.

I hear that this book will be the last in the TAG series and, though I'm sad to see it go, I'm excited to focus on something else (hopefully the Romancelandia series- pretty please!!!!).

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for Vanessa North.
Author 42 books522 followers
April 21, 2014
First, this is the most romantic book Anne Tenino has written since Too Stupid to Live.

Second, it is far and away the best my favorite book in the TAG series.

The plot is full of silly frat boy antics that had me laughing so hard my son asked what was so funny, and we got to spend a lot of time with the TAG brothers.

The romance, from the very first meeting, was full of tension not entirely of the sexual variety. A lot of the conflict and the tension between the two main characters came from being in that stage of life when everything is strange and you're an adult but you don't feel quite like one yet. Jock and Toby worked together on their individual issues in a way that made them really seem to actually work together. It was lovely.

I don't think it could be read as a standalone, but I wish I could recommend it that way, because I found it completely enchanting.

Editing to add some only slightly spoilery commentary about a secondary character behind a spoiler tag:


Profile Image for Sandra .
1,989 reviews347 followers
April 12, 2014
Anne Tenino's books never fail to make me giggle, and none more so than the TAG series. This was no different. Loved the antics and shenanigans, really liked the romance despite Jock being a bit of an ass for a lot of it.

Full review on Booklikes and my blog.
Profile Image for Chris, the Dalek King.
1,168 reviews154 followers
May 4, 2016
“Seriously, you have to keep an eye on these guys. The potential for asshattery among them is exponential. You can’t imagine.”

Well…if that doesn’t sum up the boys from Theta Alpha Gamma, I don’t know what does.

Toby is not a TAG. He’s a history grad student, trying to finish his master’s thesis. Well, if your definition of trying involves pointedly not thinking about/writing it and generally ignoring all approaching deadlines. And there is nothing better to fuel procrastination than falling smitten with the virginal ex-hockey jock, Jock. Too bad the smit seems to be one sided, and after a stellar fuck, Jock flees from Toby, and apparently into the pants of any man who is willing to offer up their ass. Toby shouldn’t be depressed that a one-night-stand left him so alone and wanting. Shouldn’t want another chance with Jock. Shouldn’t want what all his friends have gotten, but what he can’t seem to find. After all, what is love when you have an advisor breathing down the back of your neck, and a tepid desire to finish your master’s. You know, that resident-advisor position in France is starting to look rather good. Even if it comes with a bunch of fratbros.

Jock may have only been a TAG brother a short time, but that doesn’t make him any less family to the crazy fratbros. So when he is outed, publicly and irrevocably, they do what they do best: circle the (beer) wagons and offer him an escape route from the insanity that his life has taken and into a trip to Provence, France, for the semester, to study at the university’s satellite campus. While he is a little leery of having to spend a semester, in a foreign country, with some of the craziest of TAG’s crazies, 16 weeks free from having to dodge reporters sounds like heaven. And maybe surrounded by all that French-ness he might get the balls to make (another) move on Toby. This time without the 3am fuck and dash.

Neither of them planned on just how insane the boys of Theta Alpha Gamma could be. Or what havoc they could unleash on poor unsuspecting France.

Lord help and save me from Theta Alpha Gamma, for they are sure to be the death of me. If one can die from laughing that is. I honestly don’t know how Toby was able to spend so many weeks in close proximity to these guys, and not end up with a constant headache from banging his head against a desk, a wall…or Jock’s rock-hard abs. They are all like little children who have access to all the alcohol and sweets they could ever wish for. And while I am opposed to giving alcohol to children (and, truthfully, opposed to children, in general), these guys just made me love this story. It was just so much fun reading about their antics. Some of my favorite parts of Sweet Young Thang were when these guys tried to unleash their sensitively-trained asses on the unsuspecting public, and this book was all that fun/insanity times a hundred. There were some points where I had to set my laptop aside and just bury my head in my pillow and just let the laughs work themselves out of me. I’m pretty sure my grandparents think I have finally lost (what is left of) it…what with the cackling at 2am.

The whole thing with Jock’s coming out was really nice (for us, if not him). It wasn’t just one gesture or one action, but a series of decisions that, while sometimes probably poorly made, led to him being able to come to grips with who he is. I liked how everything wasn’t quite as simple as I thought it was when the whole situation with the photo was introduced in SYT. And I totally got Jock’s reaction to all those people trying to make him become something he couldn’t see himself as, especially given the context of what led to that whole photo debacle. Being a poster boy for the pro gay-athlete fight isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
“I don’t want to be the pioneer!” Jock exploded, his jaw unclenching violently, getting in his brother’s face. “The first gay guy who plays? He’ll be a fucking token, Tank. Nothing will matter except that he’s gay—not talent or leadership or personality or anything. He’ll just be the first faggot to go pro!…I want to fuck whoever I want to fuck, and no one has the right to tell me I can’t do it, and I want people to think it’s normal. I’m not a cause, I’m a good player who happens to like dick!”

Wanting to be more than a poster boy, more than a figurehead, is not all that unrealistic a desire. But I really loved that Jock started to see that his poster-boy status gave him something real to do, and real people to touch and change. And it also showed Toby a way to live his life that wasn’t just for his family, and his mother’s, expectations.

Honestly I just loved the love story here. It was angsty and sweet, and full of enough complications that I never quite knew if Jock was going to pull his head out of his fine posterior or if Toby was going to get over his whole ‘vacation-shirt’ idiocy. Jock’s whole “I don’t wanna be the girl” issue was handled really well. Even if it took him a ridiculously long time to come to the conclusion he was being a douchbag. A douchebag is a douchebag is a douchebag…and you, my dear Jock, were being a Grade-A douche. But he was enough of a grownup to realize it, at least. The slow build up, the angst, the will-they, for the love of all that is French and tongue involved, just-kiss-already! was perfect for this story. And it was balanced rather nicely against the fratbro antics.

The one complaint I have with this book is that it took about three chapters for me to figure out what they hell was happening. Or, more like, when it was happening. This story starts about halfway thru the events of Sweet Young Thang, at the party where Sebastian apologizes to Collin, and it took me a ridiculously long time to place it. In fact I had to put this book down and go back and reread SYT (not that that was a hardship, since I love that book). Most of this book does not deal with the events of SYT (with the exception of the anti-beer-terrorists shenanigans) and was an easy read by about chapter four, but that beginning just threw me a bit, even after having just read SYT. There was a lot going on in those first few chapters and I just had to push thru it. It was worth it though.

This has to be my favorite book of the series (though it is a very close competition). I just really loved this story. And not just because Jock was an ex-hockey player (giving me a perfect excuse to brag that my Sharks just whooped the Kings again in game two with a tremendous 7-2 win), and not just because I love reading books that are set overseas (even if I kept having flashbacks of the nightmare that was my French language classes in uni). These boys of TAG kept me laughing, and Jock and Toby kept me hot under the collar. These complication-laden, angst filled, love stories are my favorite–-especially when they are surrounded by hilarious insanity. Jock and Toby are totally imperfect, but totally perfect for each other. This book was everything I wanted it to be-–even if Danny threw me for a lovely loop with his insane fall into love.

But, after all, it wouldn’t have been a trip to TAG if someone didn’t fall madly and completely in love.

4.5 stars


This was a review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
 photo lovebytesmannew_zps1777cde9.jpg
Profile Image for Maygirl7.
824 reviews58 followers
February 20, 2016
Reread 2/20/16. After forgetting I already read it. It was a strange experience reading this the second time. It took a while to realize I read it before. I could remember where the story was going but not how it got there. I think I skimmed it the first time and this time actually slowed down enough this time to actually read. Much better the second time. The second part in France is a lot better than when they were at Calapooya. Though the stupid frat boy antics are getting tired. Time to move on, Anne.

Original review:
2.5 stars. This was pretty silly and through the first half the attraction between the MCs was all stated and not demonstrated. Fortunately the connection between them became more felt once they got to France. It did make me laugh a few times but there was a lot more eye rolling.
Profile Image for Tina.
255 reviews92 followers
May 1, 2014
Poster Boy is the fifth book in the Theta Alpha Gamma series from Anne Tenino. TAG is a fraternity with an open door policy for gay members. We kind of met Jock close to the end of the third book, Sweet Young Thang when his brother, who is a member of TAG, mentioned that Jock had been outed to his hockey team and was leaving his current college to come live with them at the temporary TAG house. The original TAG house was blown up in Sweet Young Thang. What can I say, it’s an exciting series!
Jock arrives at TAG and is humiliated to find out that everyone already know he’s gay. He barely knows it himself and his brother has told the entire membership of the frat and it spread like a fifty-five year old out of shape former athlete’s ass on a bar stool. This doesn’t stop Jock from being ready to fully experience college life as a gay man. He meets Toby, a graduate student, at the first party he attends. Their night together is a perfect introduction to the art of the one night stand for Jock. He takes this information and skill and runs with it.
Toby is a little older than Jock. His friends are surrounding him with coupled bliss and he wants the same for himself. He didn’t think his night with Jock was a one-time thing at the time. He is interested in way more and hurt when he finds out how Jock is using the skills he learned during his night with Toby. The distraction of Jock’s disinterest and the couples everywhere is making it impossible for Toby to concentrate and complete his Master’s thesis. He is consistently missing deadlines and is out of excuses.
As a way to earn a little extra time to complete his Thesis, he is persuaded to chaperone a three-month TAG trip to France. All he needs to do is get the six students to school and back to the boarding house each day and keep them out of any trouble that would embarrass the university. He has a good portion of the day to himself. He sees it as a good opportunity to distance himself from Jock and get down to the task at hand.
Unfortunately, the photo which was used to out Jock to his hockey team is leaked to an on-line gay tabloid. Because there were NHL teams interested in recruiting him, the photo soon makes it to mainstream sports publications and talk shows. To get away from the demands coming at him from every direction, Jock decides at the last minute to go along with his fraternity brothers to France.
The wrench in both Toby’s and Jock’s plans is their feelings. Once they are away and in a much smaller group, it becomes clear that their feelings extend far beyond a one night stand. Toby, as the chaperone, is staying in a tiny little cottage. The French word for the house he inhabits translates into the English word “shed”. It is cozy and intimate. The TAG guys are in one of the most romantic places on Earth.
Since their History professor isn’t taking them to see the sights, Toby takes it upon himself to do this, to expose them to some of the history they took this trip to learn about. These activities frequently put the group in the van driving from one historical site to another. The TAG brothers have decided to maneuver so that Jock is always riding shotgun while Toby drives. Evidently their mutual attraction hasn’t gone unnoticed. With these surroundings and the forced proximity how can they not get together? The question is whether or not they will be able to withstand all the hurdles life puts in their way, including re-entering real life. Toby and Jock grow very close while staying in paradise, and it is great to see the other frat brothers, straight, gay or somewhere in between, supporting their brother and chaperone.
It wouldn’t be realistic if six college aged men were in a foreign country and managed to stay out of trouble though. At a pivotal point in Toby and Jock’s budding relationship, that trouble comes to a head in the form of busted down doors. Let’s just say it involves copious quantities of beer and the public use of the word “terrorist”. With worldwide awareness of terrorism rightfully at an all-time high, one must be careful of throwing that word around! Je vous recommande fortement de lire ce livre.
Profile Image for Barb ~rede-2-read~.
3,771 reviews113 followers
October 12, 2014
This story just didn't hit any buttons for me. I didn't connect to the story, though I should have because I've been following these frat boys through four previous books. But this time, with the far-fetched beer terrorism topic, no, just no. The chemistry wasn't there for me, and even the chemistry with the MCs, though sometimes it seemed on, more often I didn't feel like they were truly a couple, both emotionally and spiritually.

Jock returns as the hockey player who achieved notoriety when the picture of him on his knees sucking down his boyfriend went viral. Toby, a friend of Brad and Sebastian, and usually a player, seems smitten with Jock and after they hook up for Josh's first time, when Josh goes on his way, Toby is actually disappointed. He felt a connection that Josh apparently didn't want to pursue.

All the guys end up in Provence, France, for a special course in their next semester and Toby, still trying to finish his thesis, is given a chance to continue his work if he agrees to be their resident advisor. It's there that he and Josh finally connect though it's never simple and Josh is still hovering over the question of whether or not he can ever bottom. Some of the other guys get into trouble with each other, or in the town, and one of the guys has a fling with the older woman who owns the property their staying on.

To be honest, I felt like a lot of the story was just filler. It didn't flow smoothly and I wasn't interested in half of what went on, especially the boys antics with practice for anti-beer terrorist attacks. To top it off, I didn't really feel the connection between the MCs and when the pages exceeded 300, I was really ready for it to be done. That's too bad because I enjoyed the other stories in the series. Just not this one. I'm still giving it 3 stars on the premise that it's part of a series I enjoy by an author I usually enjoy so I really don't want to mark it two stars here but I'd rate it 2.5 stars of enjoyment factor for me.
Profile Image for Bitchie.
1,464 reviews75 followers
April 26, 2014
My least favorite in this series so far. It wasn't BAD, it just took me way too long to warm up to Jock, and I thought the beer terrorist thing took up way too much time.

I didn't really get Jock and his issues. He wanted to be out, to the point that he let someone take a picture of him in a compromising position, but then he spent so much time NOT wanting to be seen doing anything "Gay", it just confused me. Avoiding the media and all the attention that came after the picture was out, I got that, but even before the pic got out, he was weird about it. And his ideas about getting fucked making him "the girl", that was odd too.

I really liked Toby though, and once Jock relaxed a bit, I liked him too, I just thought it took too long to get to that point.

I've heard some say this was the last book in this series, but if it is, I'm going to be VERY upset, because the author spent a lot of time teasing a GFY thing between Noah and Turbo. Noah having the hots for a straight guy that went nowhere would have been an ok subplot, but Turbo showed too much interest and jealousy when Noah went home with a girl for that plot to go nowhere, so it better be addressed in another book.

And the fratbros? Are there any dumber guys, anywhere? It seems like they progressively get dumber as the series goes, I just don't remember them being this stupid in other books.
Profile Image for Shirley Frances.
1,798 reviews119 followers
July 30, 2016
Rumor is that this is the last book in the Theta Alpha Gamma series and if so, I'm sad to have it end. But what a way to go--I loved it!

There were many things I was curious about when I finished Good Boy , the previous book in the series. I wanted to know more about Jock and was looking forward to who was going to be paired up next. However, I didn't think Jock's story would be the next one nor that he would be paired with Toby, so you could say that I was surprised when I found out it was.

Once again, Anne Tenino didn't disappoint. She brought about her trademark humor laced with sweet and tender moments and a cast of characters straight out of a loony bin. I admit that the frat boys and their antics came to be too much at times, but in the big scheme of things it fit.

I loved Toby. I appreciated the fact that I got to see another side of him. Truthfully, my first impression of him was not the best. I thought he lacked depth, but Anne Tenino made sure to prove me wrong with every turn of the page (or tap of the tablet!). His personality, his actions and his sweet side coupled with the emotions that Jock's struggles brought about more than made up for some of the confusion I felt over the events that took place in Provence.

Now Jock was a whole other matter altogether. For the first-half of the story, I could not stand him. I understood his need to explore his sexuality and his fears over being 'out' in the open, but some of his thoughts were too much for me to accept. Thankfully, Anne Tenino brought about some of his best traits to the surface. If not for that, I don't think my enjoyment and acceptance of this pairing would have been was it was.

As for a connection, I have to say that it was slow in coming. At least for me it was. Sure, they had great chemistry but it it wasn't enough for me to put my reservations aside. It wasn't until well past the half-way mark, once they were in Provence, that I got to see the potential for their connection to grow. And grow it did! It was a treat to see Jock and Toby growing as individuals. I enjoyed watching how Jock came to accept not only his sexuality as a whole, but the emotions, needs and desires Toby brought out in him. Likewise, I loved how Toby stood for what he wanted--personally and romantically.

As a follower of the series, I have to say that this particular story should not be read as a stand alone. Although it focuses mainly on Jock and Toby's story, some of the content deals with events that happened before. So I encourage you to at least read the previous installment, that way you get to experience first-hand what the frat boys are going through, plus you'll get to meet the different characters han0 which will help you understand why they are a special bunch.

All in all, a funny, sweet yet at times exasperating read.

*I received a copy of this title in exchange of my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 104 books771 followers
May 6, 2014
This fifth volume set in the world of the TAG frat boys was just as funny yet touching as the first four. It is the story of Jock, Tank’s little brother who got kicked off his hockey team when someone outed him, and Toby, a grad student who was a secondary character in some of the previous books. The two of them certainly have their issues cut out for them, both individually and as a couple. Add the setting of the sometimes hilariously ridiculous world that is TAG, and complications and drama are bound to ensue. Interestingly, there was just as much internal agonizing and touching romance as fun and games in this book, making for an interesting combination of emotions that kept me on my toes.

Jock, quite honestly, is a bit of an idiot at the beginning. Granted, he is only nineteen, is still trying to deal with recently having been outed, and just wants to have fun. His lack of sensitivity toward Toby adds to his internal issues and he spends a long time agonizing over what it means for him to be gay. As a result he has more neuroses and issues than some people twice his age. His learning curve is slow and steady initially, until he finally gets it—gets himself and what he really wants—and then look out, Toby!

Toby may be only a few years older than the frat boys he ends up supervising, no, advising, in France, but he is a whole lot more mature. For one thing, even though he doesn’t really want to admit it, he is looking for a permanent partner. He wants to be part of a couple, just like all his friends, and he was hoping Jock might be the right man for him. For another, his worries are around his thesis and what to do after college, where “the frat boys” are worried about someone blackmailing them over beer. And that leads to a whole other and very imaginative plot twist which had me laughing and worried in turn. But Toby is a nice guy and very patient, and while I loved watching him struggle to figure out Jock, I also rooted for him to be successful.

If you enjoy the world of the frat boys and all their confusion about how to be “sensitive” toward their gay brothers, if you’re curious how a pretty mature grad student deals with falling for one of those frat boys, and if you’re looking for a read that is as entertaining (and sometimes sarcastic) as it is sweet, then you will probably like this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Riptide Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Rachel.
325 reviews33 followers
April 20, 2014
Okay, Anne Tenino is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. For some reason, her writing, stories, characters, something, makes me overlook the things that usually irritate me.

Poster Boy is the fourth installment in the TAG series. This is Jock and Toby's story. I was really excited to read about Jock. I liked him a lot from the previous book. However, while I did enjoy reading, this one did not quite live up to my expectations. So far, this is probably my least favorite of the series.

The plot required me to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. Most of what happens, outside of the relationship, just doesn't make sense. The boys doing their beer terrorism, going to Provence, and other plot items that happen there.

Fortunately, the relationship story arc is up to Tenino's usual quality. This is what kept me reading. I love the two characters' interactions and the lovely sweet story of the pair. The balance of drama was very well executed. There was enough to keep the story moving, but it was not overdone. There also seems to be a nice set up for the next pairing, which I'm really very excited to read about.

If you have not read the previous books in the series, the plot will not make any sense at all. I don't recommend reading this book without reading at least the Brad and Collin's stories. If you are a fan of the series, this is a decent installment, but not up to the quality of the other three.

All in all, I'm glad I read it, and I am looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,903 reviews115 followers
August 22, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed and one I imagine I'll re read. There two of her other books I re read, kinda like a comfort read. While there were elements that felt a little clunky and awkward, for the most part I loved the writing and particularly the characterisation of Jock. It is important to note I do have a love of bara comics, and he reminded me so much of the burly pec tastic guys. Kinda growly and surly too. Loved it!

I think the author ticks all the right boxes for me.
Re read August 2014. Liked.
Profile Image for AliciaJ.
1,333 reviews113 followers
July 18, 2014
My favorite in this series will always be Frat Boy and Toppy, but this one is a damn close second! I laughed so hard I nearly fell over. Those fratboys are just too damn funny. As for Jock and Toby, they were perfect. I was totally caught up in their developing relationship and the struggles they worked through. I'm bummed that this is the final story though. I was hoping we'd get a story for Noah too.

Profile Image for Becky Condit.
2,377 reviews66 followers
May 23, 2014
Tootsie reviews Poster Boy by Anne Tenino

http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...

REVIEW: Want a fun and enjoyable read? That’s what you will get with Anne Tenino’s newest release in the Theta Alpha Gamma series, Poster Boy. For those of you not familiar with the series, this is the fifth book, in the line-up. I don’t think it is mandatory that you read every book, in the series, to get the full enjoyment of this one. However, there is an incredible back story that leads up to this one, with lots of details and events that you would be missing out on. There are past characters that make an appearance, more than once, in Poster Boy, which IMO, add much enjoyment to this story. The author done an amazing job with the timeline, merging this release into the ongoing plot, never missing a beat, giving you a smooth transition.

The story opens up with the guys at a party, which is very appropriate considering these are college boys in a fraternity, with Toby and Sebastian, in the kitchen, mainly observing. Toby is supposed to be working on his thesis, but he can’t seem to get in the groove to get anything accomplished. He feels a little left out since it seems all of his friends are now in relationships, even Collin, who he had a “friends with benefits” relationship. Things are about to change though since Tank’s little brother, Jock, has now joined the fraternity. Everyone knows Jock is gay since he was kicked off his college hockey team, for that very reason, and came to TAG.

Toby, sex extraordinaire, needs to get his life together. He has no motivation to finish his thesis for his Master’s, he’s going to have to ask his parents for more money in order to stay and finish, if he doesn’t get kicked out first. An opportunity opens up for him to supervise some of the TAG boys on a trip to France. This will be perfect for him as it gives him a roof over his head, food, and some extra time to complete his school project. After a one-night stand with Jock, he feels even worse, when Jock pays him no attention. This trip could not come at a better time. What will happen when he finds out Jock is coming also? The one person he was trying to put some distance between, will be in close surroundings with him, for three months.

Poor Jock, he’s had a rough time lately. He got kicked off his hockey team after he was ousted by a video on-line showing him in an awkward situation with another guy, on his knees. If that wasn’t bad enough, his brother Tank, has broken confidentiality, and told all of the TAG members. Just when things were starting to quiet down, the video reappears and everyone at his new fraternity, has now seen, as well. Sounds like the perfect time to take a school trip to France for a few months, hopefully, when he gets back, everyone will have forgotten or, at least, moved to a new topic. There is just one problem – Toby. Jock knows that Toby has experience when it comes to sex. Something that Jock has very little of, and quite frankly, he is scared to death that Toby will want him to bottom. So to avoid the issue, he avoids Toby. Once the trip gets underway, Toby and Jock, can’t stay away from each other. They are good together as long as Jock can keep taking the lead. The rest of the group, on the trip, adds much excitement, as well. They are a great bunch of guys who get into a little mischief, pulling Toby in with them. What will happen if Toby gets kicked out of school? What about the other guys in the group? It is a very entertaining three months, with lots of hanky-panky, a few surprises that you will not expect, new friendships and close bonds are formed

This is a long story, with many different situations and new developments, always occurring. The author moved the plot forward showing much character growth and maturity. The story never felt weighed down, due to the length. I prefer the longer books as they allow you time to get to know your cast of characters, become part of them, without skipping relevant pieces, and continues to move ahead. Ms. Tenino has done all of those things and more. You will find yourself very invested with the guys and the shenanigans they get themselves into, and before you know it, you are approaching the end. This story has many amazing side characters that kept the story very interesting and funny. There will be surprises that you don’t expect and I think the author has left the storyline open enough that if more books were to follow, there will be many different and interesting characters to pick from. If you have not read the TAG series, I would recommend it to anyone who likes to laugh, loves humor, likes a little mystery and suspense, and loves college age boys getting into mischief. Above all, there are some amazing relationships built with the Theta Alpha Gamma boys.
Profile Image for Therese.
602 reviews8 followers
July 7, 2014
*3.5*

Oh la la, eez that la baguette I see? Yes indeed!
Wow, the frat boys take a trip to France, and yes, it is exactly as hysterical as one could possibly imagine…
I was laughing out loud at many occasions, some maybe not as appropriate as others…

And the frat brothers continue to be very endearing, I love their confused sense of justice and fighting for what is right (obviously against the beer-terrorists).
I especially felt tender towards Tank, the huge dude whose brother Jock recently joined the TAG. Tank was so sweet (yes Tank!), and the best older brother ever…“ „‚I’m just looking out for my little brother‘, Tank said quietly“. He had me at this line. And well, he might not be Jock’s idea of an ideal brother

And this book generally contains a lot of (IMO) funny descriptions, like“ Noah had his tongue clamped between his teeth, typing carefully into his phone, thumbs so huge and stubby it looked like he was trying to text via chicken wings. Ricky was doing wheelies, and Danny was throwing peanuts at Julian […]“. I can see them in front of me, les petites fous.

The romance between Jock and Toby is given time to grow.
I also liked the fact that anal penetration caused a bit of a problem for once.

However, most of the things that I really liked in this book, was also a part of why I did not like it as much as the last one.
Maybe I'm biased, since Colin and Eric is actually my favorite couple in this series (sorry Seb&Brad), so there was a lot to live up to.
With Toby and Jock, there just seemed to be so many obstacles, emotionally and physically. It took them a long time to get properly together, which is actually realistic, considering Jock’s age, and they talked about sex do’s and don’ts, which is also realistic. But somehow, it ended up taking away a bit of the romance, which has always been center in the rest of the series. (And maybe Jock just never seemed to me as into Toby as Toby was into him (or Eric into Colin:-P).)
Whereas the romantic relationship was „tainted“ with realism, the rest wasn’t. Which of course made it very slap-stick funny, but at the same time added to the feeling that J & T played second fiddle in their own book, behind the „Frat boys go wild in France“, Noah& Turbo’s ongoings, and the over all travel-book feeling.

And hysterical, did I mention it was hysterical (in all senses of the word…).

But still, it was a very enjoyable read, which I had a hard time putting down!

To Danny I wish Bonne Chance, and to Noah and Turbo I say Au Revoir (I hope at least….This can’t seriously be the last book, can it??)
Profile Image for Anne Dirty Girls' Good Books.
436 reviews11 followers
April 23, 2014
Jock (yes, that's his name) has recently transferred to Calapooya (college) after being horrifically outed as gay and kicked off the hockey team. His big brother, Tank is a member of the Theta Alpha Gamma (TAG) fraternity and Jock becomes a member, too. He's still feeling a lot of anger and shame about how things went down at his previous college, and he's also feeling a little lost about being openly gay. However, he's looking forward to getting the hang of this hooking up thing now that he's not trying to hide anything. That's easier in theory than it is in practice, and he's still not had that first encounter he's looking for. So, seeing Toby, who is known for sleeping around, and ridiculously attractive to Jock seems like a situation meant to be.

For his part, Toby is surrounded by happily committed couples and is starting to think maybe it's time for him to look for something more permanent. Jock pushes all the right buttons for him and he's hoping to actually get to know the guy before having sex. However, when one thing leads to another, he's happy to proceed straight to sex with Jock. This leaves his feelings pretty bruised, though, when Jock thanks him for a great experience and walks out the door looking for other guys to hook up with. Toby understands, but was hoping for more. The two of them manage to avoid each other pretty well until circumstances push them together on a semester abroad in France, where Toby is basically an RA and Jock is one of the TAG students he's supervising.

I loved this book and I didn't want to put it down! It's really funny, but the issues Jock is facing are real and given the weight they deserve. Once I was done and thought about it, I realized there were things that should have bothered me, but really didn't. The biggest issue is that Jock is young - young enough to need a fake ID at a bar - and Toby is not. Toby is a grad student working on his masters thesis. Jock is also just barely out of the closet and Toby has been out for years. It didn't bother me while I was reading it, though. Other than his new sexual freedom, Jock comes off as pretty mature. I also felt like the ending really addressed this age difference and resolved any issues I might have had.

Besides the humor, my favorite part of the book was how Jock and Toby actually talk to each other. Their road isn't smooth, but they acknowledge hurting each other when it happens and they work to fix things together. That was a joy to read. Their relationship is sweet and hot, and the background of the hilariously immature TAG brothers kept me smiling and rolling my eyes through the whole book. Seriously, it's hard to explain how funny this story is! Beer terrorists. Testicle poems. Toby feeling like a babysitter for a bunch of fratbros. A very unexpected May/December romance. (Actually, that was more sweet than funny.) I highly recommend this book, and it's going on my Best of 2014 list!

I can't wait for the next book in the series, and I'm hoping it will be about Turbo, one of the TAG brothers they are all sure is straight, but seemed a little confused to me. Here's hoping for more TAG fun soon. In the mean time I'm checking out Anne Tenino's backlist!
Profile Image for Shirley .
1,944 reviews58 followers
April 22, 2014
I received Poster Boy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have to admit that I’m kind of sad about finishing this book. I’ve kind of enjoyed my time with these Theta Alpha Gamma boys since they were first introduced in Frat Boy & Toppy. Anne Tenino’s characters are smart, funny and so much more than I expected. It’s bittersweet saying goodbye to them in the last book in the series, but I have to admit, she couldn’t have ended on a better note than Poster Boy.

Toby has been around since the series began, but Jock just showed up at the end of the last full length book, Sweet Young Thang. He’s the little brother of one of the boys in the frat house and Toby’s attracted to him as soon as they meet. Turns out the feeling is mutual, but nothing’s ever that easy. Jock has a lot to come to terms with and Toby gives him the time and space he needs… to an extent.

I’m really glad that Toby got his HEA in Poster Boy. I ended up liking him a lot more than I expected when the series began and it was kind of fitting that the series came full circle with his story. There were some pretty serious aspects to this one, but it was all laced with the fun and wit that readers of Anne Tenino have come to expect. Toby turned into an unexpected ‘den father’ to the overly sensitive crew of frat boys. These guys stumbled over themselves trying to be as ‘politicly correct’ and sensitive as possible, but most of the time they were totally clueless. Their attempts and Toby’s reaction were as heart warming as they were comical….

Noah’s face fell. “Isn’t that a little harsh? I mean, the internet told me most straight guys will actually…”
“Porn is not reality!”
Noah scrunched up his forehead. “But I read it on Facebook.”
Toby grabbed Noah’s biceps, making the dude pay close attention. “Facebook is not reality, either. Anything that glows, chimes, chips, pings, or rings to get your attention? Not a reliable source of information.”


… it just made me love them even more. *sigh*

So yes, Poster Boy marks the end of a fun ride. I suppose I can’t complain too much because Theta Alpha Gamma started out as a trilogy and ended up being a five book series. I guess we have the frat boys to thank for begging to have their story continue. ;) It’s sad to see their story end, but I can’t wait to see what Anne Tenino has in store for readers next.
Profile Image for Julia ♥Duncan♥.
360 reviews24 followers
October 30, 2014
I'm not squeeing with joy over this quite as much as I did over Frat Boy and Toppy or Sweet Young Thang, but it still brought a big smile to my face. As usual with this series, I found it lighthearted, adorable, and hilarious. Toby and Jock were super cute together. There's lots of warm fuzzies and sweetness of the kind that might give you a toothache if you're prone to them. I love happy books so this was right up my alley.

I didn't love the beer terrorists plot and some of the other side plots in France. They were silly and ok, I'll admit it, I laughed a bunch, but it made the whole book seem rather implausible. I had to turn off the reality meter and just roll with it, which was fun, but not really my favorite thing to do when reading. I loved Frat Boy and Toppy because I could imagine that happening right now at a small college in Oregon. This book, I just can't imagine actually happening. I just couldn't take it seriously, although it didn't bother me that much, since the book didn't really seem to take itself that seriously either. It was great for the laughs, I just like to feel like the characters are real people, and I didn't really feel that way about the fratbro side characters.

I liked Toby and Jock a lot. They did feel really realistic to me, and I liked the way they both changed throughout the book. I thought Jock was avoiding Toby for a bit too much of the book after they first hooked up and I got a little bit tired of his lack of progress on his relationship fears, but whenever they were together they fit really well and once they got together for good I was happy. I liked that they seemed to make each other better people.

I'm sad that this is supposedly the "final" book in the series. I've been enjoying them so much, I'm not ready for it to be over.
Profile Image for Romancing the Book.
4,420 reviews221 followers
July 21, 2014
Reviewed by Marissa
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Poster Boy is the fifth in the TAG (Theta Alpha Gamma) series – if you include the short freebie Good Boy. I love that Toby, former roommate to Sebastian, got his own romance. In the first book (Frat Boy and Toppy), Toby came off as one of those people that just blends into their surroundings – not much to him other than being Sebastian’s roommate. By Poster Boy, he’s come into his own and has developed into quite the Lothario. In fact, Jock is warned that Toby is a player and doesn’t get serious about anyone.

Jock is new at being gay, having his closet blown wide open when he was just poking his toe out to test the waters, so to speak. He’s had to leave his old college and his hockey life (trust me, Oregon is not that big on hockey) and move to his big brother’s fraternity – which he resents. Jock is likeable but he has a lot of issues he has to deal with including anger and his new-found discovery that it’s easier than he thought to pick up strange gay men in bars for one-night stands. Then there’s his attraction to Toby…

The TAG boys were especially amusing in this book, announcing the formation of a Beer Terrorist Response Team and conducting their training while on spring studies in Provence. I laughed so hard as I pictured them running maneuvers around old castles and hiding in bushes to spy on Jock and Toby.

I always look forward to Anne Tenino’s writing and the men at Calapooya College. Having lived in Oregon for many years, I like to imagine the college as being near to where I was. I can picture the scenery, the TAG House, and the local dive bar where they like to drown their sorrows.

I can’t say this is my favorite TAG book (that still belongs to FBAT) but it is definitely a good story. There were a few missing elements, like who started the TAG House fire and why, which I’m hoping will be cleared up in the next book. But the main reasons I like Tenino’s books is all here – lots of mushy romance and hot sex – and beermageddon.
Profile Image for Deanna.
2,747 reviews66 followers
May 8, 2014
Do not read this if you have not read others in series.

I enjoyed this book but something kept me from loving it. I did not laugh as much with this one as I have the others. The antics in France seemed off and not off in a good way.

I like Toby. He had a great amount of patience with the fratboys and with Jock. I would have liked to have been shown (not told) more of his relationship with his family. Why does he feel so compelled to complete his MA? I wanted more of his relationship with his twin. He fell for Jock very quickly and changed his whole life style. Was Jock worth it?

I got irritated with Jock. OK at first he was unsure about gay sex. I understood that. He was uneasy about PDAs. Okay, many people are. He was a top. Okay, but he knew nothing else. He had so much angst about being a bottom. On and on and on. I found it hard (excuse me) to believe the reason for that picture being taken. Not a realistic act. Of course he is only 19 so that could excuse some of his original actions, but not after so long with Toby. I certainly understood Toby's hesitation for a "forever" with Jock because of Jock's age. Made sense based on Jock's actions.

Danny stepped forward as an interesting character in this book. Nick should have his own book. Most of the fratboys actions were based on too much testosterone and too little brains mixed with lots of unbelievability. I hope they had more book smarts than life smarts. The dialogue that was funny in the previous books seemed a repeat in this one.

I had a problem with the epilogue. It was a year later and Jock still had some problems. I did like where Toby was a year later. Also Danny.

A light book that was still fun. I would read Nick's story if the author decided to add a new book to this series. I know she has said this is the last but this book seemed to leave her an opening for another.
Profile Image for Vanessa theJeepDiva.
1,257 reviews118 followers
April 21, 2014
Don’t let it ever be said that the boy of TAG won’t keep you laughing. That is one of the many things I have loved about Anne Tenino’s Theta Alpha Gamma series. Poster Boy begins towards the end of Sweet Young Thang and a few of the Good Boy happenings are mentioned at the beginning of Poster Boy. That being said I think one could easily pick up this book without having rea d the others in the series and not be confused.
Jock is the newest TAG member. Overall he is just feeling kind of meh over the whole frat life. The constant scrutiny he feels he gets from all angles. He became a member due to his older brother Tank’s demands. Tank is one of the things in Jock’s life that he is none too happy with. His outing by others is the main reason to some of his less than stellar feelings.
Everyone has a type they are attracted to. Jock is Toby’s type. The attraction is there. The attraction that is there is something that is nearly tangible. Toby also knows that Jock is not in too goo d of a place at the moment so he does the mature thing and lets that attraction simmer on the back burner and waits for a better time to pursue it.
What better time and place than France. Anne has taken her crazy fratbros to EuroTAG where they will cause just as much havoc, be overly sensitive to issues that do not require any sensitivity, then they well dance on the precipice of beermageddon. They will do all of this while playing matchmaker, studying the mating rituals of the French, taming the Grand High Cougar of Provence, all while two unlikely men fall in love. All of this makes for an incredibly enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Paisley.
467 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2014
4.25 stars
Having read all of the other books in the “Theta Alpha Gamma” series I was very excited when I heard that Poster Boy was being released. I couldn’t wait to read about what those TAG boys would get into next.

Read my more extended review at Prism Book Alliance

I think that readers need to have read some of the other books in this series to fully appreciate all of the characters and their hijinks. There are some established couples as well as some crazy story-lines that really need explaining in order to get them. Otherwise, I think the circumstances behind our heroes meeting and their coming together would feel a bit forced.

Fans of this series will need to understand that it is a bit different from the other TAG books but it is very enjoyable. I think that Anne Tenino is an amazing author. She can write sweet romance, kick ass science fiction, sizzling hot sex scenes, as well as create characters with loving and endearing hearts. But most of all I enjoy her sense of humor, because I love to read with a smile on my face!
Profile Image for Alisa.
1,897 reviews201 followers
April 30, 2016
The magic was back for me in this book. I loved book one Frat Boy & Toppy and their follow up novella but books 2 & 3 were just ok for me. This one though was almost as good as the first one. I loved Toby and Jock together. I loved the slow burn of their relationship and the time and talking that went into Jock's issues with bottoming. I thought they were both sweet and hot together. The frat boys are really idiots but I couldn't help but laugh at much of what they did. As Toby said "Planned by a bunch of straight yet sensitive frat boys in dubious possession of subpar intelligence" There were some good lol lines in this book. Toby turned out to be one of my favorite characters in this enire series. I really liked him. Parts of this story were a little over the top (like the whole police thing) BUT I loved Toby and Jock together so much that I didn't care. They made my heart happy.
Profile Image for Shelby.
3,381 reviews93 followers
August 11, 2019
So this book does go a little over the top for me, but yet I still found myself amused by the absurdity of the frat boy antics. Beer terrorists and all. Honestly silly as it may be the thing that knocked this book down a little for me was really the Danny side story. It felt completely out of context and believability. Everything else could be chocked up to frat boy craziness so I'd just smirk at it superiorily. Yeah, that's probably a made up word, but oh well.

Still I liked how patient Toby was with Jock. I mean there were times I wanted to smack him in the back of his head and tell him to get over himself, but Toby was all calm and let him figure things out in his own time. I enjoyed France as the backdrop for this story too. Made for a slightly different feel to this book than the others, but at the same time we got plenty of collegiate level humor too.

One of my favorite of the series for sure.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,416 reviews142 followers
March 29, 2016
I liked this book (for the most part), but not as much as the other books in the series. I had been interested in both Jock and Toby for much of the TAG series and was excited to see them fall in love with each other. While I enjoyed the courtship element, I became a little bored about halfway through their story. I'm not sure if it was the change of setting from the college campus to Provence, but I found myself losing interest in the story and this couple. I did find the other frat boys like Danny, Jules, Noah, and Turbo funny though their antics seemed a bit over the top for my personal taste. All in all, this was a decent installment, but not as good as I was expecting.

I received a free e-ARC of this book from Riptide Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Pjm12.
2,043 reviews41 followers
August 31, 2016
I did enjoy Toby and Jock's story. I thought Jock's worries about were reasonable given his immaturity and up-bringing. I thought the discussions he and Toby had on it showed honesty eventually!!

The trip to France was a nice change. The fratbros were simultaneously annoying and hysterical. I liked the backstory with Noah and Turbo, but I wasn't sure what to make of Danny's plotime.

Great scenes with Brad and Sebastian, little bit of Collin (although I went off and read bits of 'Sweet Young Thing' in the middle of this one, so I might be confusing them.

I love this series, so this author can do no wrong in my eyes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.