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Sporting Chance
Sometimes keeping hold of love is just as hard as finding it.
Dan and Iestyn are looking for romance. A school trip, a love of history, a wedding, a tango, the game of chess, and their friends and family all help the two men to realise that they’ve finally found true love with each other.
Iestyn thinks that he’s completely ordinary and that Dan is the only out and currently gay rugby player anywhere. Being gay can be difficult enough. Being famous also has its problems. But being gay, famous and a sportsman can make finding love complicated. So when Dan Morgan meets Iestyn Jones and gives him his phone number, their road ahead has more than a few bumps to overcome.
Will Iestyn and Dan overcome the obstacles thrown in their paths? Or will fame destroy their lives as well as their love?
Dan and Iestyn are looking for romance. A school trip, a love of history, a wedding, a tango, the game of chess, and their friends and family all help the two men to realise that they’ve finally found true love with each other.
Iestyn thinks that he’s completely ordinary and that Dan is the only out and currently gay rugby player anywhere. Being gay can be difficult enough. Being famous also has its problems. But being gay, famous and a sportsman can make finding love complicated. So when Dan Morgan meets Iestyn Jones and gives him his phone number, their road ahead has more than a few bumps to overcome.
Will Iestyn and Dan overcome the obstacles thrown in their paths? Or will fame destroy their lives as well as their love?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2014
8 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Milne
30 books37 followersOriginally from South Wales, Alexa has lived for over thirty years in the North West of England. Now retired, after a long career in teaching, she devotes her time to her obsessions.
Alexa began writing when her favourite character was killed in her favourite show. After producing a lot of fanfiction she ventured into original writing.
She is currently owned by a mad cat and spends her time writing about the men in her head, watching her favourite television programmes and usually crying over her favourite football team.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 4, 2015
This story had a lot of potential, but I found the writing a bit choppy. Plus, I felt like there was more "telling me than showing me". It was a cute story at least.
Oh well.
Overall, 2.5 Stars.
Oh well.
Overall, 2.5 Stars.
November 7, 2014
This is a debut novel and I thought the author had a great feel for characters and dialogue. It's a slow burn romance as the men get to know each other and fall in love. It’s set in Wales which was a unique place for me to read about compared to my other reads and I liked that. Iestyn (Yes-tyn) is a teacher and Dan is a well know rugby player who is one of the few out professional athletes.
I thought the MC’s had great chemistry together and I enjoyed the friendships they had with others as well as Iestyn’s family dynamics quite a bit. I was really into this read until the drama with the photograph came out. It was just a bit too out of sync with the majority of the read, that’s just my feeling on it though.
I was disappointed in Dan’s reaction to the reveals especially after their lovely little holiday and it weakened the relationship for me. I felt for Iestyn during all the drama and he didn’t deserve all the things that happened to him. I loved these men together so it was heart breaking to see it all fall apart.
There’s a bit of time jump and some shenanigans as Iestyn works to get Dan to back by making Dan work for it. That sounds odd but when you read about it it makes sense. I also liked the twist with Dan’s ex Aron because I expected to dislike him but I didn’t and I’m looking forward to his story.
All in all this was a read I enjoyed but I’d say the build up more than the dramatic end is what resonated most for me. The last quarter of the book just didn't work for me, with too many issues and some kink thrown into the mix that didn't mesh well, it dragged the read down in my rating. I did like the author’s style though which felt natural and had great flow because this was an easy and fun read for the most part. I’m putting them on my radar and I’ll definitely be checking out their next book.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I thought the MC’s had great chemistry together and I enjoyed the friendships they had with others as well as Iestyn’s family dynamics quite a bit. I was really into this read until the drama with the photograph came out. It was just a bit too out of sync with the majority of the read, that’s just my feeling on it though.
I was disappointed in Dan’s reaction to the reveals especially after their lovely little holiday and it weakened the relationship for me. I felt for Iestyn during all the drama and he didn’t deserve all the things that happened to him. I loved these men together so it was heart breaking to see it all fall apart.
There’s a bit of time jump and some shenanigans as Iestyn works to get Dan to back by making Dan work for it. That sounds odd but when you read about it it makes sense. I also liked the twist with Dan’s ex Aron because I expected to dislike him but I didn’t and I’m looking forward to his story.
All in all this was a read I enjoyed but I’d say the build up more than the dramatic end is what resonated most for me. The last quarter of the book just didn't work for me, with too many issues and some kink thrown into the mix that didn't mesh well, it dragged the read down in my rating. I did like the author’s style though which felt natural and had great flow because this was an easy and fun read for the most part. I’m putting them on my radar and I’ll definitely be checking out their next book.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
November 5, 2014
Original Blog Post:eARC Review: Sporting Chance by Alexa Milne
Ho Ho! This was a huge, HUGE! surprise!
According to the author bio at the beginning of this read, this is the first novel for author Alexa Milne. As a first novel, this was a success for me!
This is the story of impossible dreams that do come true, if those who dream do something about what they envision their lives to be and allow no hurdle bar their way to success.
As a gay man, it is almost impossible to make it big in sports, especially such a rough sport like rugby. Dan Morgan is a huge captain and he runs through his opponents like a brick wall on wheels. His sheer perseverance and support from the people he loved when he first started out helped spur him to success. Success is not so cool with relationships, however, and soon Dan realizes that being successful in the sport he loved may not necessarily equate to success in boyfriend relationships. Reeling from an unexpected and painful breakup with his long time boyfriend, he meets and falls hard for Iestyn Jones.
Iestyn (pronunciation: Yestin = yeah, I looked it up. If you want to hear it, click HERE) is a history teacher and thankfully his co-workers and students have accepted his openness. His love for history crossed over very well to his students and so is considered a beloved teacher by them. When he falls on his butt at the foot of a six-foot-six hunky hulky rugby player, he never thought he would get a second glance nor get asked out on a date. Will he be given the sporting chance to even think of a happily ever after?
What could have been a simple fairy-tale plot soon becomes a heartbreakingly real one after the two men fall in love. What should have been easy, soon became a tug of war between career, the paparazzi and choices made under pressure. What should have been a simple love story, soon became a fight for the right to love.
The way the author wrote this, she set the stage of a beautiful love affair that soon would soon turn sour because circumstances did not give the men the chance to live their lives. Intrusion into the private lives of the famous ruins lives and yet it continues because of greed. How the two men finally get their chance to finally have their happily ever after is a beautiful journey that was both heartbreaking and sweet.
This, I cannot but help love and recommend to all romance lovers - especailly those who love the sport.
Note: Copy furnished by Totally Bound for an honest review.
Ho Ho! This was a huge, HUGE! surprise!
According to the author bio at the beginning of this read, this is the first novel for author Alexa Milne. As a first novel, this was a success for me!
This is the story of impossible dreams that do come true, if those who dream do something about what they envision their lives to be and allow no hurdle bar their way to success.
As a gay man, it is almost impossible to make it big in sports, especially such a rough sport like rugby. Dan Morgan is a huge captain and he runs through his opponents like a brick wall on wheels. His sheer perseverance and support from the people he loved when he first started out helped spur him to success. Success is not so cool with relationships, however, and soon Dan realizes that being successful in the sport he loved may not necessarily equate to success in boyfriend relationships. Reeling from an unexpected and painful breakup with his long time boyfriend, he meets and falls hard for Iestyn Jones.
Iestyn (pronunciation: Yestin = yeah, I looked it up. If you want to hear it, click HERE) is a history teacher and thankfully his co-workers and students have accepted his openness. His love for history crossed over very well to his students and so is considered a beloved teacher by them. When he falls on his butt at the foot of a six-foot-six hunky hulky rugby player, he never thought he would get a second glance nor get asked out on a date. Will he be given the sporting chance to even think of a happily ever after?
What could have been a simple fairy-tale plot soon becomes a heartbreakingly real one after the two men fall in love. What should have been easy, soon became a tug of war between career, the paparazzi and choices made under pressure. What should have been a simple love story, soon became a fight for the right to love.
The way the author wrote this, she set the stage of a beautiful love affair that soon would soon turn sour because circumstances did not give the men the chance to live their lives. Intrusion into the private lives of the famous ruins lives and yet it continues because of greed. How the two men finally get their chance to finally have their happily ever after is a beautiful journey that was both heartbreaking and sweet.
This, I cannot but help love and recommend to all romance lovers - especailly those who love the sport.
Note: Copy furnished by Totally Bound for an honest review.
October 15, 2017
Kooky and Kinky and "Kute"
Iestyn (a Welsh name) and Dan meet early and then often as they can in this fishes-out-of-water romance set in today's Wales. Iestyn is a 34-year-old openly gay schoolteacher (high school level), and 24-year-old Dan the best pro rugby player in Wales, and one of the best in the world--and also openly gay. How they meet is too cute for words, and how they carry on after that is very sweet and kooky, and eventually sour and kinky.
That last sentence may seem to be totally conflicted, and in a sense it I. That's because this book, first from the author published three years ago, has a sharp set of supporting characters, some of which are kooky and kinky, and a wonderfully developed romance that is cute and eventually steamy --but star crossed in potential.
There are a few slow parts in this one, most of which happen when Iestyn's friends take over some of the scenarios that are linchpins in the narrative. Though we get a good deal of perspective from Dan's side, this book is mostly about Iestyn (foreground on the cover), and a wonderful character he starts out as, and turns out to be.
There are twists and turns here that are to be expected, and some vicious occurrences involving the notorious British press. But in the end we have a totally kooky and kinky "klimax" to a rather lovely romance.
Iestyn (a Welsh name) and Dan meet early and then often as they can in this fishes-out-of-water romance set in today's Wales. Iestyn is a 34-year-old openly gay schoolteacher (high school level), and 24-year-old Dan the best pro rugby player in Wales, and one of the best in the world--and also openly gay. How they meet is too cute for words, and how they carry on after that is very sweet and kooky, and eventually sour and kinky.
That last sentence may seem to be totally conflicted, and in a sense it I. That's because this book, first from the author published three years ago, has a sharp set of supporting characters, some of which are kooky and kinky, and a wonderfully developed romance that is cute and eventually steamy --but star crossed in potential.
There are a few slow parts in this one, most of which happen when Iestyn's friends take over some of the scenarios that are linchpins in the narrative. Though we get a good deal of perspective from Dan's side, this book is mostly about Iestyn (foreground on the cover), and a wonderful character he starts out as, and turns out to be.
There are twists and turns here that are to be expected, and some vicious occurrences involving the notorious British press. But in the end we have a totally kooky and kinky "klimax" to a rather lovely romance.
June 17, 2019
Very good read
This is a new-to-me author and she recommended this because I was looking for books with rugby. What a great recommendation with Iestyn and Dan‘s characters grabbing my interest and even tugged at my emotions. Momentum was slow at first but it did build up a solid foundation for later events. When Dan messes up and hurts Iestyn, I was actually near tears. When I can identify so strongly with a fictional figure, it just makes any wobbles in the narrative meaningless. Really glad I read this and I’ll be checking the authors backlist.
This is a new-to-me author and she recommended this because I was looking for books with rugby. What a great recommendation with Iestyn and Dan‘s characters grabbing my interest and even tugged at my emotions. Momentum was slow at first but it did build up a solid foundation for later events. When Dan messes up and hurts Iestyn, I was actually near tears. When I can identify so strongly with a fictional figure, it just makes any wobbles in the narrative meaningless. Really glad I read this and I’ll be checking the authors backlist.
March 23, 2015
5 star review by Tammy
Sporting Chance is Alexa Milne’s first book, I sincerely hope it’s not her last!
The story is about Iestyn (Yest-in) Jones a much loved history teacher whose co-workers and pupils have accepted his openness and Dan Morgan the only openly gay rugby player anywhere. They meet when Iestyn falls at Dan’s feet in the middle of showing his class how he can skate backwards whilst on a school trip. Considering Dan has always had a ‘thing’ for teachers he can’t help but give Iestyn his phone number after helping him up.
Dan has had only one relationship in which his ex left him, as a result Iestyn isn’t confident he’s not a rebound affair because to him, he’s not exactly model material while Dan is gorgeous, so they take their time getting to know each other. Luckily Iestyn’s friends and family are very supportive when they meet Dan, his team mates and friends. Everything has fallen into place for both Dan and Iestyn, they’ve fallen deeply in love, Dan has the captaincy of the Welsh Rugby team for the Six Nations, and several of their mutual friends have started relationships of their own. Unfortunately, just as everything falls into place, someone outs their relationship to the newspapers before anyone is ready. Neither Dan, nor Iestyn are prepared for the fallout that follows and what should have been a fairy-tale love story is destroyed by pressure from Dan’s rugby club, the paparazzi and Iestyn’s bosses at school.
The entire story is filled with all the ups and downs of any normal new relationship, then you have the added complication of being a famous, gay rugby player and the realization that just because people don’t say anything it doesn’t mean they accept you. Thankfully, with the help of his friends, Iestyn decides to fight for his right to love.
I would definitely recommend this book to all rugby loving, romance lovers!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Sporting Chance is Alexa Milne’s first book, I sincerely hope it’s not her last!
The story is about Iestyn (Yest-in) Jones a much loved history teacher whose co-workers and pupils have accepted his openness and Dan Morgan the only openly gay rugby player anywhere. They meet when Iestyn falls at Dan’s feet in the middle of showing his class how he can skate backwards whilst on a school trip. Considering Dan has always had a ‘thing’ for teachers he can’t help but give Iestyn his phone number after helping him up.
Dan has had only one relationship in which his ex left him, as a result Iestyn isn’t confident he’s not a rebound affair because to him, he’s not exactly model material while Dan is gorgeous, so they take their time getting to know each other. Luckily Iestyn’s friends and family are very supportive when they meet Dan, his team mates and friends. Everything has fallen into place for both Dan and Iestyn, they’ve fallen deeply in love, Dan has the captaincy of the Welsh Rugby team for the Six Nations, and several of their mutual friends have started relationships of their own. Unfortunately, just as everything falls into place, someone outs their relationship to the newspapers before anyone is ready. Neither Dan, nor Iestyn are prepared for the fallout that follows and what should have been a fairy-tale love story is destroyed by pressure from Dan’s rugby club, the paparazzi and Iestyn’s bosses at school.
The entire story is filled with all the ups and downs of any normal new relationship, then you have the added complication of being a famous, gay rugby player and the realization that just because people don’t say anything it doesn’t mean they accept you. Thankfully, with the help of his friends, Iestyn decides to fight for his right to love.
I would definitely recommend this book to all rugby loving, romance lovers!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
December 18, 2014
This was just fantastic. LOVED the characters, loved the writing, and the build up and also the realness to their relationship, including the middle part that I did not like haha, but loved the ending!
Want to read
June 8, 2015Oh yeah! I just won a signed copy of this. Happy dance!
September 15, 2019
This book was a nice sweet romance with a little angst. The characters were good and the story line believable. I would love to see a book for Sian and Kate but I don't think that'll happen. I felt the romance could have been built up a little more in places.
Read
October 6, 2014Just adding this to my shelves as it is available for early download Friday, 10th October.
Dan and Iestyn are looking for romance. A school trip, a love of history, a wedding, a tango, the game of chess, and their friends and family all help the two men to realise that they’ve finally found true love with each other.
Iestyn thinks that he’s completely ordinary and that Dan is the only out and currently gay rugby player anywhere. Being gay can be difficult enough. Being famous also has its problems. But being gay, famous and a sportsman can make finding love complicated. So when Dan Morgan meets Iestyn Jones and gives him his phone number, their road ahead has more than a few bumps to overcome.
Will Iestyn and Dan overcome the obstacles thrown in their paths? Or will fame destroy their lives as well as their love?
Dan and Iestyn are looking for romance. A school trip, a love of history, a wedding, a tango, the game of chess, and their friends and family all help the two men to realise that they’ve finally found true love with each other.
Iestyn thinks that he’s completely ordinary and that Dan is the only out and currently gay rugby player anywhere. Being gay can be difficult enough. Being famous also has its problems. But being gay, famous and a sportsman can make finding love complicated. So when Dan Morgan meets Iestyn Jones and gives him his phone number, their road ahead has more than a few bumps to overcome.
Will Iestyn and Dan overcome the obstacles thrown in their paths? Or will fame destroy their lives as well as their love?
February 8, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed the balance of romance and realism in this wonderful story set in Cardiff. The meeting between rugby star and future Welsh captain Dan Morgan and Iestyn, a secondary school history teacher was very sweet as was their burgeoning romance.
The supporting cast of friends and family was vibrant and warm and really added to the charming central couple, who were so well-characterised. Both men are openly gay and Dan, who has been in a previous long-term relationship, is aware that making his new relationship public will need careful handling but has no real fears.
The sensationalist press has other ideas, and I thought that the cynical scandalmongering and the impact on our couple was both very realistic and thoughtfully handled.
This was a touching and beautifully written story with great characters that all sports romance fans, and indeed, romance fans should enjoy. Being Welsh and a rugby fan, this was an extra special one for me!
The supporting cast of friends and family was vibrant and warm and really added to the charming central couple, who were so well-characterised. Both men are openly gay and Dan, who has been in a previous long-term relationship, is aware that making his new relationship public will need careful handling but has no real fears.
The sensationalist press has other ideas, and I thought that the cynical scandalmongering and the impact on our couple was both very realistic and thoughtfully handled.
This was a touching and beautifully written story with great characters that all sports romance fans, and indeed, romance fans should enjoy. Being Welsh and a rugby fan, this was an extra special one for me!
October 14, 2018
4.5 *
November 16, 2018
A secondary teacher and a rugby star fall in love, and troubles. Solutions are the conflicts.
November 5, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
There is a meet-cute scenario to start off with, but Iestyn is on a school field trip. Dan gives Iestyn his card in front of all of the students and there is a brief conversation with the students and Iestyn talking about Iestyn’s dating life which struck me as inappropriate. Not to mention that Iestyn goes into the story of his birth at this very first accidental meeting.
Moving on from there, we see Iestyn as the one all of his friends come and talk to, yet they come down pretty hard on him. From criticizing his looks and his clothes, to discussing that they don’t know what Dan could possibly see in Iestyn. The largest hurdle is the incredible amount of detail in the story that does not have to do with the MCs. There are a number of secondary characters and side stories that are offered at times in painstaking detail. From Iestyn’s family home, to his relatives, to the schedule of Christmas Day, to the relationships of his friends, there are pages of details. There is a death and we are invited to the table for the discussion with the funeral director. Dan and Iestyn’s first date is somewhat awkward and Dan’s internal dialogue offers full details on a comparison of Iestyn to Dan’s ex.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
There is a meet-cute scenario to start off with, but Iestyn is on a school field trip. Dan gives Iestyn his card in front of all of the students and there is a brief conversation with the students and Iestyn talking about Iestyn’s dating life which struck me as inappropriate. Not to mention that Iestyn goes into the story of his birth at this very first accidental meeting.
Moving on from there, we see Iestyn as the one all of his friends come and talk to, yet they come down pretty hard on him. From criticizing his looks and his clothes, to discussing that they don’t know what Dan could possibly see in Iestyn. The largest hurdle is the incredible amount of detail in the story that does not have to do with the MCs. There are a number of secondary characters and side stories that are offered at times in painstaking detail. From Iestyn’s family home, to his relatives, to the schedule of Christmas Day, to the relationships of his friends, there are pages of details. There is a death and we are invited to the table for the discussion with the funeral director. Dan and Iestyn’s first date is somewhat awkward and Dan’s internal dialogue offers full details on a comparison of Iestyn to Dan’s ex.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
September 17, 2017
I bought this for the rugby - go Wales! Whilst it wasn't actually about Rugby in itself (more the two men) I did enjoy the background events surrounding the six nations.
I enjoyed Iestyn and Dan - both out in their careers but both suffering under intense scrutiny. And Dan in particular having to bow to the pressure of his position.
I liked the support cast and Iestyn's family. His Dad's funeral being a perfect example of when celebrity stops you from being where you should be for fear of overshadowing the event.
I would like to see two guys, one in a kilt, performing the tango - can just imagine!
A pacy read, yes some areas could be tighter but I liked it!
17.9.17 reread : pacy read, still really liked it - rugby and kilts, what's not to love!
I enjoyed Iestyn and Dan - both out in their careers but both suffering under intense scrutiny. And Dan in particular having to bow to the pressure of his position.
I liked the support cast and Iestyn's family. His Dad's funeral being a perfect example of when celebrity stops you from being where you should be for fear of overshadowing the event.
I would like to see two guys, one in a kilt, performing the tango - can just imagine!
A pacy read, yes some areas could be tighter but I liked it!
17.9.17 reread : pacy read, still really liked it - rugby and kilts, what's not to love!
September 29, 2015
Although this is Alexa's debut it is actually the second of her books I have read.
I enjoyed this book - a slow burner, it takes its time and we get to see Iestyn and Dan fall in love. We see Welsh Rugby star Dan's world collide with that of Iestyn, a history teacher at a Secondary School in Cardiff. And we see what can happen once the tabloid press show an interest in you.
I like sports romances and this is a good one.
I enjoyed this book - a slow burner, it takes its time and we get to see Iestyn and Dan fall in love. We see Welsh Rugby star Dan's world collide with that of Iestyn, a history teacher at a Secondary School in Cardiff. And we see what can happen once the tabloid press show an interest in you.
I like sports romances and this is a good one.
February 5, 2016
Reviewed by Brandilyn for Prism Book Alliance. I spent about 65% of Sporting Chance by Alexa Milne with one opinion of the book. I will admit that opinion was not the most favorable. However, as I finished the book, though I did find a number of flaws, I had changed my overall perception of the story. Find the whole review at http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
January 6, 2015
Meh... The story started out okay but lost momentum early on. There were a few inconsistencies that left me confused, and I didn't like the MC's relationship dynamic. I especially didn't like the ending scene ; it soooo wasn't sexy.
May 5, 2015
3.5 I'm a rugby fan, so this pulled me in pretty quick. But I'm also a little more salt than sugar and this was more on the sweet side than not. Great first book though. This will be an author to watch.
Oh, and .25 for the "fat, geeky myopic character with a bag over his head". I loved that.
Oh, and .25 for the "fat, geeky myopic character with a bag over his head". I loved that.
March 26, 2016
Well worth reading. Even more impressive from a first-time writer.
November 19, 2014
Review to come on The Novel Approach
April 1, 2016
3.5 stars
August 5, 2016
Terrific story. I LOVED it! Great plot, wonderful characters, lovely amount of angst, and a few little twists here and there.
December 16, 2014
The corset at the end lost this book a star! Up until then...fabulous.
Read
August 1, 2016I no longer review in genres I write because conflict of interest
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews