What do you think?
Rate this book
See You at the Finish Line
Their only path to victory is each other . . .
George and Lucas can't stand each other - which makes it awkward being on the same Cambridge University rowing team. The uber-charming, womanising George got parachuted into Cambridge from America for his sporting prowess, despite his subpar grades, whereas Lucas worked for everything he's got - which sadly doesn't include a boyfriend. When George is told that this year he'll have to sit his exams fair and square, Lucas agrees to help him study - in exchange for help in wooing his crush, Amir.
Together, they embark on a journey to seduce, cheat, and beat their way to the top. They face rivals within their own squad, cutthroat competitors at Oxford, and their own annoyance with each other. But as they get closer, they find that they actually make a great duo. Will Lucas and George help their rowing team beat their arch rivals in a centuries-old feud? Will George manage to pass his fiendishly hard exams? Will Lucas finally work up the courage to ask Amir out? And what will Lucas and George do when they realise that what they really want is each other - even if that means changing their lives forever.
For readers of Red, White and Royal Blue and fans of Heated Rivalry, See You at the Finish Line is a LGBTQ+ romance with a love story that will warm your heart.
George and Lucas can't stand each other - which makes it awkward being on the same Cambridge University rowing team. The uber-charming, womanising George got parachuted into Cambridge from America for his sporting prowess, despite his subpar grades, whereas Lucas worked for everything he's got - which sadly doesn't include a boyfriend. When George is told that this year he'll have to sit his exams fair and square, Lucas agrees to help him study - in exchange for help in wooing his crush, Amir.
Together, they embark on a journey to seduce, cheat, and beat their way to the top. They face rivals within their own squad, cutthroat competitors at Oxford, and their own annoyance with each other. But as they get closer, they find that they actually make a great duo. Will Lucas and George help their rowing team beat their arch rivals in a centuries-old feud? Will George manage to pass his fiendishly hard exams? Will Lucas finally work up the courage to ask Amir out? And what will Lucas and George do when they realise that what they really want is each other - even if that means changing their lives forever.
For readers of Red, White and Royal Blue and fans of Heated Rivalry, See You at the Finish Line is a LGBTQ+ romance with a love story that will warm your heart.
332 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2025
About the author
Zac Hammett
2 books218 followersZac Hammett is an author of romantic comedies. His debut novel, See You At The Finish Line, was heralded as “a triumph” by Publishers Weekly and “unputdownable” by Kirkus Reviews. His second novel, International Relations, will follow in 2026.
He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.
He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.
His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.
He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.
He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.
His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 662 reviews
Did Not Finish
July 28, 2025Dropped at 30%.
I sadly couldn’t connect with either MC or the setup of their relationship.
Lucas was just plain unlikeable up until that point and George was so dumb, it gave me hardcore second hand embarrassment. It’s a ✨choice✨ to put a jock himbo of that calibre in a university of Cambridge setting.
I maybe could have warmed up to them but what eventually made me decide to dnf was realising that the onslaught of George’s quite explicit OP action wouldn’t be letting up anytime soon - and that the story would mostly focus on Lucas getting together with his crush first - who isn’t George lol
Just not vibing with this one 🤷♀️
I sadly couldn’t connect with either MC or the setup of their relationship.
Lucas was just plain unlikeable up until that point and George was so dumb, it gave me hardcore second hand embarrassment. It’s a ✨choice✨ to put a jock himbo of that calibre in a university of Cambridge setting.
I maybe could have warmed up to them but what eventually made me decide to dnf was realising that the onslaught of George’s quite explicit OP action wouldn’t be letting up anytime soon - and that the story would mostly focus on Lucas getting together with his crush first - who isn’t George lol
Just not vibing with this one 🤷♀️
Read
December 28, 2025This is not a very good book, but I still liked it a lot.
I liked it in spite of many things. First, it’s a bunch of stuff I’m not typically drawn to or actively dislike. A college setting. Younger characters (early 20s). Sports (although having rowed crew myself, this is one of the few sports that I have a passing interest in). Pretty low spice — both the number of scenes (which is essentially one) and the detail (which is limited, but admittedly accomplishes a lot more than some authors do with many more scenes and explicit detail). Harry Potter references (in 2025).
After having read it, there are even more issues. Principally: 1) it fails to deliver on the promise of its premise and 2) its central conceit is absurdly poorly executed.
What’s the premise of this book? It’s an enemies-to-lovers sports romance. What is it *actually*? A friends-to-lovers academic romance. Lucas and George aren’t enemies, really, at the beginning of the book, they just don’t really get along. And their brief stint as actual rivals is short-lived. The beating heart of the book is about academics at Cambridge. Strange.
That leads into the central conceit: cheating. Not romantic cheating (although that does happen in this book, not between the MMCs) but academic cheating. The character motivations, growth, and the main obstacle are all related to Lucas helping George cheat on his end of year exams at Cambridge. And it does not work at all. The big event that occurs barely even makes sense.
So why did I like it?
1) The characters, particularly Lucas, are compelling, despite being plopped down into a mediocre story. Some people may not enjoy him because he’s drawn to be prickly and hard to like, but I felt a kinship with him.
2) The pacing. The broader structure of the book is a bit strange, but the chapter-to-chapter and scene-to-scene pacing was good. The story moves with energy.
3) The specific details about queer male relationships. George teaching Lucas about cleaning up for and relaxing into anal sex (with another person). Photos “awaiting approval” on Grindr. George liking that he and Lucas discuss sex logistics because it makes him feel like more than a “porn robot”.
Thinking about point 3, See You at the Finish Line feels like a book written in spite. That Hammett was fed up with MM romance stories that didn’t reflect his experiences. That some jerk once said to him “if you want to see that in MM romance, YOU write it” and so he did. And I respect the hell out of that approach.
I liked it in spite of many things. First, it’s a bunch of stuff I’m not typically drawn to or actively dislike. A college setting. Younger characters (early 20s). Sports (although having rowed crew myself, this is one of the few sports that I have a passing interest in). Pretty low spice — both the number of scenes (which is essentially one) and the detail (which is limited, but admittedly accomplishes a lot more than some authors do with many more scenes and explicit detail). Harry Potter references (in 2025).
After having read it, there are even more issues. Principally: 1) it fails to deliver on the promise of its premise and 2) its central conceit is absurdly poorly executed.
What’s the premise of this book? It’s an enemies-to-lovers sports romance. What is it *actually*? A friends-to-lovers academic romance. Lucas and George aren’t enemies, really, at the beginning of the book, they just don’t really get along. And their brief stint as actual rivals is short-lived. The beating heart of the book is about academics at Cambridge. Strange.
That leads into the central conceit: cheating. Not romantic cheating (although that does happen in this book, not between the MMCs) but academic cheating. The character motivations, growth, and the main obstacle are all related to Lucas helping George cheat on his end of year exams at Cambridge. And it does not work at all. The big event that occurs barely even makes sense.
So why did I like it?
1) The characters, particularly Lucas, are compelling, despite being plopped down into a mediocre story. Some people may not enjoy him because he’s drawn to be prickly and hard to like, but I felt a kinship with him.
2) The pacing. The broader structure of the book is a bit strange, but the chapter-to-chapter and scene-to-scene pacing was good. The story moves with energy.
3) The specific details about queer male relationships. George teaching Lucas about cleaning up for and relaxing into anal sex (with another person). Photos “awaiting approval” on Grindr. George liking that he and Lucas discuss sex logistics because it makes him feel like more than a “porn robot”.
Thinking about point 3, See You at the Finish Line feels like a book written in spite. That Hammett was fed up with MM romance stories that didn’t reflect his experiences. That some jerk once said to him “if you want to see that in MM romance, YOU write it” and so he did. And I respect the hell out of that approach.
May 31, 2025
George and Lucas are on the same rowing team, and they hate each other. George is a great athlete and a womanizer, but he struggles with academics. Lucas is a top student but inexperienced when it comes to wooing—and he really likes Amir. So the two guys decide to help each other out.
Honestly, it’s hard to share my thoughts and feelings without giving away spoilers. Unfortunately, the book turned out to be not what I expected. There were quite a few things I didn’t like. Generally speaking, I don’t enjoy it when the main characters date or sleep with other people.
There’s also a lot of dialogue in the book, and I personally missed more details and descriptions. The ending felt a bit rushed to me.
However, I did like George—it was sad to see how everyone only focused on his handsome face, and body, underestimating him as a person.
Not bad for a debut, but this book just wasn’t for me.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ sports romance
✓ LGBTQ+ rep
✓ enemies to lovers
✓ forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando (Slowburn) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Honestly, it’s hard to share my thoughts and feelings without giving away spoilers. Unfortunately, the book turned out to be not what I expected. There were quite a few things I didn’t like. Generally speaking, I don’t enjoy it when the main characters date or sleep with other people.
There’s also a lot of dialogue in the book, and I personally missed more details and descriptions. The ending felt a bit rushed to me.
However, I did like George—it was sad to see how everyone only focused on his handsome face, and body, underestimating him as a person.
Not bad for a debut, but this book just wasn’t for me.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ sports romance
✓ LGBTQ+ rep
✓ enemies to lovers
✓ forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando (Slowburn) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read
February 23, 2025Well, that was quick. DNF after 22%.
Okay, first of all, I’m sorry. My previous read was a gem and might have influenced my reading journey. So, basically, there’s nothing wrong with this story. The thing is, though, the part I read didn’t feel groundbreaking or unique or anything like that. Except for the rowing, it felt like it was done a thousand times before. It was okay, nothing more, nothing less, and I was bored. So, I decided to DNF. Please check out other reviews if you want to read this one.
Follow me on Instagram
Okay, first of all, I’m sorry. My previous read was a gem and might have influenced my reading journey. So, basically, there’s nothing wrong with this story. The thing is, though, the part I read didn’t feel groundbreaking or unique or anything like that. Except for the rowing, it felt like it was done a thousand times before. It was okay, nothing more, nothing less, and I was bored. So, I decided to DNF. Please check out other reviews if you want to read this one.
Follow me on Instagram
October 24, 2025
I’m going to be honest here… well, I always am. I know nothing about rowing. There! I said it. But I think that’s what drew me to this story. I picked it up with the intent to read a sports romance about a sport I’m not a big fan of. I’m gonna be honest again… if it isn’t for the sexy men in cute tight outfits, I wouldn’t like sports at all… and I know nothing about any sportsball gamers at all.🤷🏻♂️
See You at the Finish Line gave all of the British banter, as well as a bit of rivals to friends to lovers, with that last one taking a large portion of the book to finally get to. I’d say the majority of it was spent with one of them helping the other land a completely different guy and then subsequently him dating that guy. Hell! It felt like the straight himbo jock finally realized he might like boys and it was almost too late… but I need to backtrack.
We have Lucas. He has good grades and a fiery personality. Then we have George. He is the traditional jock who hasn’t spent enough time studying or passing classes. To get through their last year at college, they need eachother. Lucas wants to get with his crush, this posh guy named Amir, while George needs helps getting his grades and test scores up. But becoming friends and literally falling in love (but neither of them realized it until it was almost too late) wasn’t part of the plan.
I finished this thinking about how different this is to all of the sports romance books that I’ve read. Not just because I’ve never read one about rowing before, but because for 90% of the book, they weren’t in any kind of relationship. It took THAT long for them to get together. Yes, sexy stuff happens before then, but not much between the two of them. It just felt so fresh. It also felt more like it should be categorized as fiction that also has some romance in it. But who am I?
This is definitely worth picking up!!
See You at the Finish Line gave all of the British banter, as well as a bit of rivals to friends to lovers, with that last one taking a large portion of the book to finally get to. I’d say the majority of it was spent with one of them helping the other land a completely different guy and then subsequently him dating that guy. Hell! It felt like the straight himbo jock finally realized he might like boys and it was almost too late… but I need to backtrack.
We have Lucas. He has good grades and a fiery personality. Then we have George. He is the traditional jock who hasn’t spent enough time studying or passing classes. To get through their last year at college, they need eachother. Lucas wants to get with his crush, this posh guy named Amir, while George needs helps getting his grades and test scores up. But becoming friends and literally falling in love (but neither of them realized it until it was almost too late) wasn’t part of the plan.
I finished this thinking about how different this is to all of the sports romance books that I’ve read. Not just because I’ve never read one about rowing before, but because for 90% of the book, they weren’t in any kind of relationship. It took THAT long for them to get together. Yes, sexy stuff happens before then, but not much between the two of them. It just felt so fresh. It also felt more like it should be categorized as fiction that also has some romance in it. But who am I?
This is definitely worth picking up!!
won-t-read-bc-nopes
July 29, 2025Just a reminder—because lookit that adorable cover!—it's not one that's safe for me to read, per reviewer I trust, this one is full of OP action on page/dating other people and not focused on the two MCs for a while. Nope for me.
April 22, 2025
OH MY GOD A ROWING ROMANCE?! This was so cute! I went in with super high expectations and it definitely met them all.
Lucas is the cox (he steers the boat) of the Cambridge University Blues boat (the Uni rowing club), while George is the stroke seat (the guy up front who drives the speed of the crew). After a cataclysmic race, both are forced to defend their place in the boat and, in George’s case, this means actually passing his exams on his own merit. Thank goodness Lucas is top of their year. If only he didn’t hate him. Fortunately, George also has something Lucas needs: advice on how to seduce a man.
Read if you like:
🩵 Forced proximity
🩵 ‘You teach me, I’ll teach you’ trope
🩵 Grumpy sunshine
🩵 Opposites attract
As a former rower, I was beside myself with joy when I saw this was a Cambridge rowing romance. For me, I loved all the rowing scenes and the nods to Cambridge. Being able to picture locations as I read the book made it super special for me.
But that’s not the only reason I liked it. Even if you’re not a rower or cantab surely you can appreciate a sweet funny romance about hot men in lycra. It’s really witty and I totally appreciated the opposites attract chemistry between Lucas and George.
This book is out 8 May and I highly recommend you go check it out!
Lucas is the cox (he steers the boat) of the Cambridge University Blues boat (the Uni rowing club), while George is the stroke seat (the guy up front who drives the speed of the crew). After a cataclysmic race, both are forced to defend their place in the boat and, in George’s case, this means actually passing his exams on his own merit. Thank goodness Lucas is top of their year. If only he didn’t hate him. Fortunately, George also has something Lucas needs: advice on how to seduce a man.
Read if you like:
🩵 Forced proximity
🩵 ‘You teach me, I’ll teach you’ trope
🩵 Grumpy sunshine
🩵 Opposites attract
As a former rower, I was beside myself with joy when I saw this was a Cambridge rowing romance. For me, I loved all the rowing scenes and the nods to Cambridge. Being able to picture locations as I read the book made it super special for me.
But that’s not the only reason I liked it. Even if you’re not a rower or cantab surely you can appreciate a sweet funny romance about hot men in lycra. It’s really witty and I totally appreciated the opposites attract chemistry between Lucas and George.
This book is out 8 May and I highly recommend you go check it out!
October 8, 2025
I'm gonna be honest this was hot garbage and made me feel insane. Our two leads were just insufferable as main characters, Lucas especially. George is supposed to be not very book smart but somehow the writing has made him have the intellect of a toddler. This man is incapable of reading social situations (just shouting out random things during a college lecture) or even understanding his own emotions, and I'm supposed to believe this man is at least 22. I hate a dumb jock but I could have dealt with that if not for the nightmare that is Lucas. The way that he goes behind George's back to help him cheat on his finals is insane. At this point in the story George has verbalized that he's insecure about not being very smart but he wants to work hard and pass his classes on his own merit. Lucas taking that away from him and getting him expelled from school is unforgivable for me. It would take an insane amount of groveling to fix his mistake and Lucas did not follow through.
The pacing of the plot is also so strange. Having the expulsion as a third act conflict and then proceeding to have a time jump to the next school year is wild. These boys were on rival teams and had actual tension for about two chapters. It just felt like the plot was aimless and didn't know quite how to get to the author's desired point.
Also Amir deserved better!
The pacing of the plot is also so strange. Having the expulsion as a third act conflict and then proceeding to have a time jump to the next school year is wild. These boys were on rival teams and had actual tension for about two chapters. It just felt like the plot was aimless and didn't know quite how to get to the author's desired point.
Also Amir deserved better!
May 5, 2025
I wrote this book! Thank you so much to everyone leaving thoughtful reviews, no matter what you thought of it
May 27, 2025
Student drama, college shenanigans, a lot of Britishness and an adorable love story!
See You At The Finish Line is more friends-to-lovers than enemies-to-lovers, but the heart of the story doesn't change: it's sweet and sassy and dramatic!
The Cambridge vs Oxford boat race is one of these bizarre British things that you hear about but don't get how bizarre they are unless you dive deep into the rabbit hole.
The author does a great job to show the absurdity of the posh British society, without devolving to stereotypes "rich guys are bad guys". It is somehow part of ordinary university life in these prestigious universities!
Lucas and George are very distinct characters, the definition of opposites attract: George is a super handsome athlete who is well, a bit silly, projects confidence and charm. Lucas is an overthinking neurotic short demon with self esteem issues in the dating department, a star student who, quoting him, "found his calling screaming at jocks".
They complement each other perfectly, and after you get through the first pages you are going to love them while wanting to shout at them.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
See You At The Finish Line is more friends-to-lovers than enemies-to-lovers, but the heart of the story doesn't change: it's sweet and sassy and dramatic!
The Cambridge vs Oxford boat race is one of these bizarre British things that you hear about but don't get how bizarre they are unless you dive deep into the rabbit hole.
The author does a great job to show the absurdity of the posh British society, without devolving to stereotypes "rich guys are bad guys". It is somehow part of ordinary university life in these prestigious universities!
Lucas and George are very distinct characters, the definition of opposites attract: George is a super handsome athlete who is well, a bit silly, projects confidence and charm. Lucas is an overthinking neurotic short demon with self esteem issues in the dating department, a star student who, quoting him, "found his calling screaming at jocks".
They complement each other perfectly, and after you get through the first pages you are going to love them while wanting to shout at them.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
October 15, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
1.5/5 🌶️
April 30, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
I'm a bit unsure what to make of this (and since I can't really grasp my thoughts, this might be a bit spoilery) - it was definitely different from what I was expecting. I expected a classic romance, but in my eyes it's not really a romance if it takes them 300 pages to finally get their shit together and it's also not feeling like much pining/a slowburn. The relationship obviously also didn't get deep on the last 30 pages. And overall, that's definitely okay, that's just not what I was expecting and also not how the book was marketed. For example, a classic romance in my eyes doesn't feature the MCs having sex with others on page before they get together, and especially doesn't feature a relationship between one MC and another MC literally for a longer time than the main relationship the book is about. So it's more a dual POV coming of age story with different problems to overcome, all in front of the plotpoint of rowing and the Cambridge/Oxford rivalry, which does lead to a HEA for a couple, but that doesn't make it a romance. I think I really would have liked it better if the advertisement was done more clearly.
I also wanted to throw the book at the nearest wall not just once, because the MCs did some really stupid things I wanted to yeall at them about. This is also why I didn't really love the characters, not even towards the ending.
The rowing part is also actually something I really liked! It seemed quite realistic and was featured more than the sport in your standard sports romance.
I also have some things that bugged me besides my expectations and that fulfilment:
cheating (the MCs with each other, not on each other)
cheating in an academic setting
no prep for sex
I'm a bit unsure what to make of this (and since I can't really grasp my thoughts, this might be a bit spoilery) - it was definitely different from what I was expecting. I expected a classic romance, but in my eyes it's not really a romance if it takes them 300 pages to finally get their shit together and it's also not feeling like much pining/a slowburn. The relationship obviously also didn't get deep on the last 30 pages. And overall, that's definitely okay, that's just not what I was expecting and also not how the book was marketed. For example, a classic romance in my eyes doesn't feature the MCs having sex with others on page before they get together, and especially doesn't feature a relationship between one MC and another MC literally for a longer time than the main relationship the book is about. So it's more a dual POV coming of age story with different problems to overcome, all in front of the plotpoint of rowing and the Cambridge/Oxford rivalry, which does lead to a HEA for a couple, but that doesn't make it a romance. I think I really would have liked it better if the advertisement was done more clearly.
I also wanted to throw the book at the nearest wall not just once, because the MCs did some really stupid things I wanted to yeall at them about. This is also why I didn't really love the characters, not even towards the ending.
The rowing part is also actually something I really liked! It seemed quite realistic and was featured more than the sport in your standard sports romance.
I also have some things that bugged me besides my expectations and that fulfilment:
cheating (the MCs with each other, not on each other)
cheating in an academic setting
no prep for sex
July 27, 2025
Lucas is the classic straight-A student, while George is the classic American jock. They’re forced to collaborate as teammates for Cambridge University’s rowing team, where Lucas is the coxswain and George is the stroke (yes those are both terms I learned from this book). After a mishap, George has to prove himself not only on the water but in the classroom. While Lucas is used to commanding George on the course, he agrees to tutor George in their coursework in exchange for George’s help getting the attention of Lucas’s crush. But desperate times call for desperate measures, including Lucas plotting to help George cheat on exams so he can stay on the team. But as exam week approaches and tensions are high, will they be swept off course or swept off their feet by each other?
To start, I loved this book. I’m entering my #SportsRomance era, and bonus points if it’s (unapologetically) queer. I’ve seen many comparisons to #RedWhiteAndRoyalBlue, and I have to say this lives up to that comparison: #EnemiesToLovers, British-American forbidden romance, bi awakening, and so many more. The only downside was that I didn’t love how much academic cheating played a major role; it helps to drive some key plot points, but at times it felt a bit excessive. That said, I’d read it again in a heartbeat. It’s a cinematic debut novel, and I can’t wait to read anything Zac Hammett puts out next!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Zando Projects/Slowburn for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you love:
🐴 the polo scene in RWRB
🇬🇧 saying “proper banter”
🤓 equal parts nerdy and sporty flirting
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
To start, I loved this book. I’m entering my #SportsRomance era, and bonus points if it’s (unapologetically) queer. I’ve seen many comparisons to #RedWhiteAndRoyalBlue, and I have to say this lives up to that comparison: #EnemiesToLovers, British-American forbidden romance, bi awakening, and so many more. The only downside was that I didn’t love how much academic cheating played a major role; it helps to drive some key plot points, but at times it felt a bit excessive. That said, I’d read it again in a heartbeat. It’s a cinematic debut novel, and I can’t wait to read anything Zac Hammett puts out next!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Zando Projects/Slowburn for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you love:
🐴 the polo scene in RWRB
🇬🇧 saying “proper banter”
🤓 equal parts nerdy and sporty flirting
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
January 30, 2026
I tried, I really did, but I couldn't look past the copious amounts of academic malpractice that the entire premise was built on. The romance was also far too quick, and most of it off-page, for me to get invested in it lol
June 8, 2026
Gosh were these boys dense at times, and I feel like some things were resolved faster than I anticipated, but I really enjoyed their love story. I'm glad they both finally came around and figured it out.
October 9, 2026
Cute story. I didn’t like it much at first, but it grew on me
December 27, 2025
4.75 / 5 ⭐️
This is one of those books where an Own Voices author really shines for me but it doesn't stick as closely with some of conventions of the MM romance genre so it might not be for everyone. Up front, it's really not an enemies-to-lovers and more friends/classmates-to-lovers with a strong forced proximity due to both academics and sports. But overall I loved how integrated the sports and academics were in the plot. A lot of the characterization was grounded in reality; both Lucas and George's struggle with aspects of their self worth were really well written. There were still lots of fun moments of romance whimsy, and for me had a a great balance of realism and fun. Overall, recommend as a sports romance that's not one of the typical sports!
I have a lot of thoughts about the aspects that are divergent from the median MM sports romance, see big thought dump below.
Firstly, there's a lots of detailed sports talk, at least more than typically seen in the sports romance genre. Did I know anything about competitive rowing? No. But did I feel like I experienced the sport as an integral part of the story? Yes, and I loved that. This is firmly in the sports romance side as opposed to a romance with athletes as a main character.
This book toes the line of closed and open door romance. It's got more detailed descriptions of the characters thoughts and body parts, but the most of the actual sex scenes are written like the door was just cracked open. It's more risqué than the expected closed door descriptions, but leaves fancy of spicy romance wanting more. Yet another aspect that defies the typical expectation for new adult romance to be more spicy. Some of my favourite MM romance books are at this spice level and I think it leads to a story that focuses more on the plot and characters as opposed to the smut.
I think this book tips more onto the realistic side and has less romance whimsy than other books in this genre. Part of this is the authenticity of the character's thoughts. There's something so niche and accurate about the way queer men write about gay MCs thoughts. Reading books like this and feeling my own internal dialogue reflected onto the page is why I cherish many Own Voices authors even when more lowly rated by the community. I'm also a big fan of less-than-ideal romance endings grounded in reality. Sometimes, too much romance whimsy doesn't feel justified compared to the emotional journeys the characters go through. This is one of those books where I could imagine the perfect ending but that didn't happen and it felt more fitting that it didn't.
Anyways, this is one of those books that's clearly stuck with me cause of how many thoughts I still have about it!
This is one of those books where an Own Voices author really shines for me but it doesn't stick as closely with some of conventions of the MM romance genre so it might not be for everyone. Up front, it's really not an enemies-to-lovers and more friends/classmates-to-lovers with a strong forced proximity due to both academics and sports. But overall I loved how integrated the sports and academics were in the plot. A lot of the characterization was grounded in reality; both Lucas and George's struggle with aspects of their self worth were really well written. There were still lots of fun moments of romance whimsy, and for me had a a great balance of realism and fun. Overall, recommend as a sports romance that's not one of the typical sports!
I have a lot of thoughts about the aspects that are divergent from the median MM sports romance, see big thought dump below.
Firstly, there's a lots of detailed sports talk, at least more than typically seen in the sports romance genre. Did I know anything about competitive rowing? No. But did I feel like I experienced the sport as an integral part of the story? Yes, and I loved that. This is firmly in the sports romance side as opposed to a romance with athletes as a main character.
This book toes the line of closed and open door romance. It's got more detailed descriptions of the characters thoughts and body parts, but the most of the actual sex scenes are written like the door was just cracked open. It's more risqué than the expected closed door descriptions, but leaves fancy of spicy romance wanting more. Yet another aspect that defies the typical expectation for new adult romance to be more spicy. Some of my favourite MM romance books are at this spice level and I think it leads to a story that focuses more on the plot and characters as opposed to the smut.
I think this book tips more onto the realistic side and has less romance whimsy than other books in this genre. Part of this is the authenticity of the character's thoughts. There's something so niche and accurate about the way queer men write about gay MCs thoughts. Reading books like this and feeling my own internal dialogue reflected onto the page is why I cherish many Own Voices authors even when more lowly rated by the community. I'm also a big fan of less-than-ideal romance endings grounded in reality. Sometimes, too much romance whimsy doesn't feel justified compared to the emotional journeys the characters go through. This is one of those books where I could imagine the perfect ending but that didn't happen and it felt more fitting that it didn't.
Anyways, this is one of those books that's clearly stuck with me cause of how many thoughts I still have about it!
September 5, 2025
ZAC’S DEBUT NOVEL?! Yeah what a ride! From Bisexual American to Gay British Lad, I happily cast Tom Holland and Kit Connor for some reason in my brain even though they’re both British. Hahahaha! Anyways, Zac made the spicyness just the right amount for what feels like a YA? New adult? I don’t know, but the vibes were great! I love the rollercoaster of the drama between the two. Moments felt high stakes but we were met with TLC after. I really enjoyed it and so proud of ZAC. This was such a stellar debut novel. More GAY BOOKS!
June 18, 2025
Read this just before rowing bumps - felt very apt.
Pleasantly surprised at how accurate the description of the Cambridge system was - clearly written someone who knows it well. Although the punt heist did raise an eyebrow.
I don’t know if being a Cambridge student made my like the book more or less than the average person - but it is a really charming and funny book.
Cambridge students beware however - the description of angst around exams and results may cause some distress.
Pleasantly surprised at how accurate the description of the Cambridge system was - clearly written someone who knows it well. Although the punt heist did raise an eyebrow.
I don’t know if being a Cambridge student made my like the book more or less than the average person - but it is a really charming and funny book.
Cambridge students beware however - the description of angst around exams and results may cause some distress.
February 7, 2026
This book was not great. Love rowing. Love romance. Love queer fiction. Did not love this. But also why did George have to be quite so dumb??
January 9, 2026
First book of 2026, and definitely a great way to start out! I really enjoyed this book and absolutely adored George as a character. Highly recommend!
Did Not Finish
July 27, 2026I spent several summers in Cambridge, staying on campus at one of the colleges. They were formative years for me and I still feel a longing for it that is soul-deep. So it takes a lot for me to set this book aside when I love the setting so much.
But I’m struggling with:
— the lack of chemistry between the two MMCs thus far
— how dumb/unaware the one MMC is made out to be, especially in this context
— how that same character was admitted to Cambridge and coasted academically for 3 years with literally no effort. Not low effort, not with a learning impediment, etc. Just with a huge amount of athletic privilege and golden retriever obliviousness.
— the central plot, which involves the retriever helping the grump get another guy and the grump helping the retriever cheat on his exams.
I just can’t. As much as I enjoy the descriptions of punting and the river and the bridges and the porters and the colleges, so far the setting is the only thing that doesn’t make me cringe. And in glancing at other reviews, it seems to take a long, long time for anything even remotely real to spark between these two.
DNF after 2 hours on audio. *kicks curb*
But I’m struggling with:
— the lack of chemistry between the two MMCs thus far
— how dumb/unaware the one MMC is made out to be, especially in this context
— how that same character was admitted to Cambridge and coasted academically for 3 years with literally no effort. Not low effort, not with a learning impediment, etc. Just with a huge amount of athletic privilege and golden retriever obliviousness.
— the central plot, which involves the retriever helping the grump get another guy and the grump helping the retriever cheat on his exams.
I just can’t. As much as I enjoy the descriptions of punting and the river and the bridges and the porters and the colleges, so far the setting is the only thing that doesn’t make me cringe. And in glancing at other reviews, it seems to take a long, long time for anything even remotely real to spark between these two.
DNF after 2 hours on audio. *kicks curb*
Read
September 28, 2026I must have checked this book out no less than a dozen times since my library got a copy so the fact that I finally actually read the thing might actually be the most impressive part of the whole experience.
On the whole I do think that this was fine. A lot of what didn't work for me is just because I do like a sports romance and there were times here where it felt like neither of our leads really cared about the sport? Like we could have swapped out them being on the same rowing team with almost any other club an it might've had the same impact? There were times were it also read more like a YA novel? Maybe it's just the setting and how that played in, but it didn't really read as an Adult romance to me a lot of the time.
I will also say I didn't really love how the secondary love interest was handled. That might actually be the greatest sin of all. I don't think it was written maliciously; there are a lot of romances where as part of the plot one of the characters is interested in someone that isn't actually the endgame and things play out similarly to how they did here. It's just that there was something about how the POC Lucas was interested in for most of the book was painted as this boring and sexless person juxtaposed against George, the endgame white love interest, left a truly bad taste in my mouth. In some ways it paralleled the sexism conversation that played out in the end of the novel, but at least there Hammett seamed to be taking that on intentionally?
I would read from Hammett again, because overall I did enjoy myself, I just am not in any rush to experience their next novel.
On the whole I do think that this was fine. A lot of what didn't work for me is just because I do like a sports romance and there were times here where it felt like neither of our leads really cared about the sport? Like we could have swapped out them being on the same rowing team with almost any other club an it might've had the same impact? There were times were it also read more like a YA novel? Maybe it's just the setting and how that played in, but it didn't really read as an Adult romance to me a lot of the time.
I will also say I didn't really love how the secondary love interest was handled. That might actually be the greatest sin of all. I don't think it was written maliciously; there are a lot of romances where as part of the plot one of the characters is interested in someone that isn't actually the endgame and things play out similarly to how they did here. It's just that there was something about how the POC Lucas was interested in for most of the book was painted as this boring and sexless person juxtaposed against George, the endgame white love interest, left a truly bad taste in my mouth. In some ways it paralleled the sexism conversation that played out in the end of the novel, but at least there Hammett seamed to be taking that on intentionally?
I would read from Hammett again, because overall I did enjoy myself, I just am not in any rush to experience their next novel.
January 6, 2026
*2.5 stars
I'm not sure I can pinpoint exactly what went wrong for me here, but here's some of my ideas.
- It reads as very generic, especially for the first 25% or so.
- Enemies-to-lovers isn't necessarily my thing, so while I went in expecting rivals-to-lovers, which I'm okay with, they were actually fairly nasty to each other at the start, which I don't enjoy
- I think the climax, where one does something to/for the other (iykyk), is unforgiveable, and I couldn't get on board, regardless of his intentions
- Neither character is all that likeable or distinct, and everyone sort of blended together
- This book is confused as to its audience, and it's unsure if it wants to be YA, Adult, or blaze a trail in New Adult
This review is coming off as really negative, and I honestly don't feel that negative of emotions to it (in fact, I feel really disappointingly neutral), so I'll end with one final thought. If you are really interested in rowing and dying for a college-aged m/m rowing romance, pick this up, and I think you'll like it alright; if you're just looking for a good romance, I'd recommend many books before this one.
I'm not sure I can pinpoint exactly what went wrong for me here, but here's some of my ideas.
- It reads as very generic, especially for the first 25% or so.
- Enemies-to-lovers isn't necessarily my thing, so while I went in expecting rivals-to-lovers, which I'm okay with, they were actually fairly nasty to each other at the start, which I don't enjoy
- I think the climax, where one does something to/for the other (iykyk), is unforgiveable, and I couldn't get on board, regardless of his intentions
- Neither character is all that likeable or distinct, and everyone sort of blended together
- This book is confused as to its audience, and it's unsure if it wants to be YA, Adult, or blaze a trail in New Adult
This review is coming off as really negative, and I honestly don't feel that negative of emotions to it (in fact, I feel really disappointingly neutral), so I'll end with one final thought. If you are really interested in rowing and dying for a college-aged m/m rowing romance, pick this up, and I think you'll like it alright; if you're just looking for a good romance, I'd recommend many books before this one.
June 5, 2025
This is okay in the fuzzy but predictable kind of way! I’m just happy to read some gay romance story
Did Not Finish
September 14, 2025Dnf @20%
September 27, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
What a disappointment this was.
George & Lucas were enemies for no other reason than Lucas, and everyone else at Cambridge, was an intellectual elitist to him. George was the star of the rowing team, but, I guess because he was a hot, albeit dumb, American they just couldn’t have any respect towards him.
Lucas is an insufferable twat from start to finish with zero character development
The only likable character in this meandering book was George. He deserved better than every interaction he had with everyone and everything in this book. Lucas underestimated him, his family ignored him, women used him, his agent whored him out, he seriously had no real friends. It was depressing. I wish he left them all behind forever.
The romance was beyond lackluster and then completely forced. All of a sudden these two are making out and George is confused with his sexuality. But Lucas is still obsessed with Amir, a guy he’s been secretly pining for, and then he and Amir go on to have a relationship. Why am I reading about our lead with another person for the majority of the book….
90% of this book is Lucas lusting after Amir and being in the dullest of dull relationships with him. And then George is pining away for Lucas and I honestly don’t know why. There was zero chemistry between these two. We have more scenes of these two having sex with other people (ON PAGE!!!) then we do with our two leads having sex together.
Then the last 10% hits -
The betrayal stings because Lucas never actually believed in George.
There were these awkward time jumps.
A weird reality show.
A super rushed reunion where Lucas walks out after they finally get together.
A punch to the head landing George in the hospital.
The most lackluster love declaration.
None of George’s dreams ever come true.
And then a random threesome thrown in the epilogue.
Like wtf was this book?
What a disappointment this was.
George & Lucas were enemies for no other reason than Lucas, and everyone else at Cambridge, was an intellectual elitist to him. George was the star of the rowing team, but, I guess because he was a hot, albeit dumb, American they just couldn’t have any respect towards him.
Lucas is an insufferable twat from start to finish with zero character development
The only likable character in this meandering book was George. He deserved better than every interaction he had with everyone and everything in this book. Lucas underestimated him, his family ignored him, women used him, his agent whored him out, he seriously had no real friends. It was depressing. I wish he left them all behind forever.
The romance was beyond lackluster and then completely forced. All of a sudden these two are making out and George is confused with his sexuality. But Lucas is still obsessed with Amir, a guy he’s been secretly pining for, and then he and Amir go on to have a relationship. Why am I reading about our lead with another person for the majority of the book….
90% of this book is Lucas lusting after Amir and being in the dullest of dull relationships with him. And then George is pining away for Lucas and I honestly don’t know why. There was zero chemistry between these two. We have more scenes of these two having sex with other people (ON PAGE!!!) then we do with our two leads having sex together.
Then the last 10% hits -
The betrayal stings because Lucas never actually believed in George.
There were these awkward time jumps.
A weird reality show.
A super rushed reunion where Lucas walks out after they finally get together.
A punch to the head landing George in the hospital.
The most lackluster love declaration.
None of George’s dreams ever come true.
And then a random threesome thrown in the epilogue.
Like wtf was this book?
August 24, 2026
Unfortunately this was not the good quality romance I was looking for.
George and Lucas were both a bit boring and just not very likeable. I found George's naivety quite annoying and Lucas definitely had a victim complex. It also felt like the book was trying to make a point about intellectualism but I just don't think a uni teaching complex economic concepts is intellectualism, I think maybe that's just economics? Loved the Tilly running gag though, lowkey it gets one star more for that.
George and Lucas were both a bit boring and just not very likeable. I found George's naivety quite annoying and Lucas definitely had a victim complex. It also felt like the book was trying to make a point about intellectualism but I just don't think a uni teaching complex economic concepts is intellectualism, I think maybe that's just economics? Loved the Tilly running gag though, lowkey it gets one star more for that.
August 8, 2026
2.5 rounded up. Not bad. That’s the best thing I could say about it.
March 12, 2025
Oh my, what a cute enemy’s to lovers romance story between two Cambridge rowing teammates. George was the fast rower and model while Lucas was the Cambridge cox. Lucas disliked George because he got special academic treatment due to being an amazing rower. They strike a deal when it was brought out in the open that George got special privileges from Cambridge and now had to take the exams on his own merit. Lucas would help him study for the final exams, and George would help Lucas seduce his long-time crush, Amir. What I loved was George. George was great from the beginning. He was sincere, kind, honest, and sweet to everyone. I actually felt bad for Amir. He was so kind to Lucas. And no clue why Lucas had a crush on him. Lucas was a bit of a pain early on. He had many misconceptions of George. He did redeem himself along the way. Together they formed a special friendship that lend to love. The slow burn of their love story was really good. I absolutely loved it. They were incredible together as a couple. The ending was amazing. Overall, it was a great and lovely debut from the author. Looking forward to their next book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 662 reviews