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Toronto Thunder #1
Perfect Storm
When the sexy little brother of Aidan’s best friend suggests a hookup pact, it's the perfect storm for a bi-awakening . . .
Toronto Thunder quarterback Aidan Flynn always believed he was straight, until his close friend and favorite wide receiver signs with a team across the country. Distance opens his eyes and unlocks a desire he can’t deny. Even if his feelings aren’t returned, Aidan still wants to learn more about this part of himself.
Frustrated and a little heartbroken, the last thing he expects is for his crappy mood to get called out by his best friend’s little brother. Or for Levi to offer, on one drunken night, a pact: if Aidan never gets together with his guy, Levi will show him everything he’s been missing—and wanting—in bed.
It’s a stupid promise, fueled by booze and heartbreak, and Aidan expects that Levi will never call him on it.
Except Levi does. He shows up at Aidan’s house in Toronto less than two months later, not only willing to fulfill his side of the pact, but now signed to the Thunder as Aidan’s new right tackle. Aidan assumes it’ll be easy to get rid of him, but Levi is charming and persistent, and he not only ends up living in Aidan’s house, but sleeping in Aidan’s bed.
It’s easy and fun and the best hookup Aidan’s ever had in his whole life. It’s so good, in fact, Aidan starts to experience feelings he believed were long gone, traded away with his friend. Maybe with Levi in his life, love isn’t such a lost cause, after all.
They’re great on the field and between the sheets. But when Aidan’s past returns, he must decide whether Levi also has a place in his heart.
Toronto Thunder quarterback Aidan Flynn always believed he was straight, until his close friend and favorite wide receiver signs with a team across the country. Distance opens his eyes and unlocks a desire he can’t deny. Even if his feelings aren’t returned, Aidan still wants to learn more about this part of himself.
Frustrated and a little heartbroken, the last thing he expects is for his crappy mood to get called out by his best friend’s little brother. Or for Levi to offer, on one drunken night, a pact: if Aidan never gets together with his guy, Levi will show him everything he’s been missing—and wanting—in bed.
It’s a stupid promise, fueled by booze and heartbreak, and Aidan expects that Levi will never call him on it.
Except Levi does. He shows up at Aidan’s house in Toronto less than two months later, not only willing to fulfill his side of the pact, but now signed to the Thunder as Aidan’s new right tackle. Aidan assumes it’ll be easy to get rid of him, but Levi is charming and persistent, and he not only ends up living in Aidan’s house, but sleeping in Aidan’s bed.
It’s easy and fun and the best hookup Aidan’s ever had in his whole life. It’s so good, in fact, Aidan starts to experience feelings he believed were long gone, traded away with his friend. Maybe with Levi in his life, love isn’t such a lost cause, after all.
They’re great on the field and between the sheets. But when Aidan’s past returns, he must decide whether Levi also has a place in his heart.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2025
392 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
78 books693 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
October 21, 2025
So happy to be back in Beth's sports world! I never see American Football books anywhere anymore, it's always hockey, so I was excited to dive into this new series and it was a perfect start.
I love how uptight and prudish Aidan is, I was giggling at him so much! Levi is just such a dude and the way he calls Aidan bro because it flusters him was sweet and hilarious.
Aidan and Levi are total opposites but they balance each other so well. Levi is so laid back he's practically horizontal (unless you mention Mo 😂) and he helps remove the stick from Aidan's arse. Aidan has been hurt and finds it really hard to express his feelings now, but he somehow settles Levi's more wild side and they're just adorable together.
Also I totally squealed like a fan girl when Ramsey popped up and I cannot wait to get his story finally!!! It was also fun to see the Barnes brothers from Beth's next hockey series get a mention too - I swear I'm going to need a bigger bookcase 😂
I love how uptight and prudish Aidan is, I was giggling at him so much! Levi is just such a dude and the way he calls Aidan bro because it flusters him was sweet and hilarious.
Aidan and Levi are total opposites but they balance each other so well. Levi is so laid back he's practically horizontal (unless you mention Mo 😂) and he helps remove the stick from Aidan's arse. Aidan has been hurt and finds it really hard to express his feelings now, but he somehow settles Levi's more wild side and they're just adorable together.
Also I totally squealed like a fan girl when Ramsey popped up and I cannot wait to get his story finally!!! It was also fun to see the Barnes brothers from Beth's next hockey series get a mention too - I swear I'm going to need a bigger bookcase 😂
February 18, 2026
Tropes: forced proximity, roommates, best friend's brother, kind of friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine
Feels: 1.25/5
Steam*: 2/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: bad parents, MC with heartbreak/pining over minor character, demisexual MC
Cheating between MCs: No... But kind of borderline emotional cheating
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: Yes. At the start of the book, Aidan was in love with his friend and former teammate Mo. He tells him, and gets rejected because Mo doesn't feel the same. 2 months later, he starts something with Levi. Almost every time they have sex, Aidan thinks about Mo (not in a yearning way, but a what if/comparison of feelings way). Then Mo comes back in the picture, saying maybe they should give it a go. Aidan considers it seriously (emotional cheating). It's only at about 86% that Aidan finally chooses Levi over Mo.
2.75 stars
Aidan (33) has always identified as straight, but 3 years ago his friend and teammate Mo moved to another team, and he's realized that he misses Mo more than just as a friend, he comes to the realization he was in love with him. He finally confesses his feelings to Mo, but gets turned down. Aidan's best friend and brother are dating. They are all hanging out, and the best friend's little brother Levi (mid to late twenties) talks to Aidan and draws the story out of him. They make a pact that if in a year, Aidan still wants to explore his sexuality, then they will hook up. But Levi doesn't want to hook up with Aidan now while he still has Mo on his mind and in his heart.
2 months later, Levi gets traded to Aidan's team and ends up crashing at Aidan's place because he needs somewhere to stay. The sexual tension comes to a head with them, and they start hooking up. Aidan swears that Mo is not who he's thinking of. (He might want Levi sexually, but he's totally thinking about Mo far too much. Levi would not be okay with it if he realized how much he thinks of Mo). They continue building their on field camaraderie, getting in sync, while getting more lusty for each other and enjoying each other's company at Aidan's place. But then Mo comes back to the team and Aidan has to make some decisions.
I didn't love this book. The pervasive other person drama was just too much, it invaded every element of the developing connection between Aidan and Levi. The MMCs seemed friendly and like they had fun in bed, but they didn't seem in love to me.
I don't really want to spend much time on this review, so I'm just going to copy and paste some of the notes I added while reading.
- At 54%, the mmc's are having sex. And Aidan comments on how it's really good sex, and Levi mentally thinks to himself, meh I've had better. I don't know why the author felt it was necessary to say something like this. It just wrecks the moment when an MC is comparing sex between the MCs negatively to sex he's had with other people. Seriously?!
- At 56%, Aidan is thinking of Mo while having sex with Levi. I'm done with hearing about Mo and how in love with him Aidan is / was. I hate that he's thinking about him as he's having sex with Levi. He said he wasn't going to do that and he is. That was the hard line for Levi, he was clear with Aidan that he wouldn't have sex with him if he was thinking of Mo. Aidan basically is lying to him throughout the book in order to get laid. And he doesn't even realize it, and the author glazes over it and normalizes it.
- I'm not going to list every time Aidan thought of Mo. But at 59%, again it was bothering me that Aidan kept thinking about Mo. Enough is enough! And then we were 76% in and Aidan is still constantly thinking about Mo when having sex with Levi. Grrrr.
- At 83%, Aidan temporarily stops having sex with Levi after Mo comes back and wants to give their relationship a try. He doesn't tell Levi why. He just avoids sex. I consider this almost cheating. Aidan not having sex with Levi because he can't bring himself to, because he is thinking about getting together with Mo? That's emotional cheating.
- At 85%, Aidan lies to Levi, he wants him to leave so that Aidan can secretly call his brother and get advice about whether Aidan should leave Levi to get together with Mo. This is ugly behavior.
- Even after Aidan chooses Levi, he is so concerned about Mo's feelings and making things right with Mo. Aidan never suffers any consequences. Levi has one moment of jealousy, and then he just is "cool" with everything because Aidan chose him so he won right? Ugly. I would have walked away from Aidan.
Some notable moments: I think it's telling the only moment I highlighted as liking was between two random minor characters...
"“We’re gonna get killed,” Cam whispered behind him. “Our organs harvested. That happens in big cities, right?” “Rook, I promise you, I’m gonna personally make sure your organs stay unharvested,” Dawson murmured back."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 1.25/5
Steam*: 2/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: bad parents, MC with heartbreak/pining over minor character, demisexual MC
Cheating between MCs: No... But kind of borderline emotional cheating
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: Yes. At the start of the book, Aidan was in love with his friend and former teammate Mo. He tells him, and gets rejected because Mo doesn't feel the same. 2 months later, he starts something with Levi. Almost every time they have sex, Aidan thinks about Mo (not in a yearning way, but a what if/comparison of feelings way). Then Mo comes back in the picture, saying maybe they should give it a go. Aidan considers it seriously (emotional cheating). It's only at about 86% that Aidan finally chooses Levi over Mo.
2.75 stars
Aidan (33) has always identified as straight, but 3 years ago his friend and teammate Mo moved to another team, and he's realized that he misses Mo more than just as a friend, he comes to the realization he was in love with him. He finally confesses his feelings to Mo, but gets turned down. Aidan's best friend and brother are dating. They are all hanging out, and the best friend's little brother Levi (mid to late twenties) talks to Aidan and draws the story out of him. They make a pact that if in a year, Aidan still wants to explore his sexuality, then they will hook up. But Levi doesn't want to hook up with Aidan now while he still has Mo on his mind and in his heart.
2 months later, Levi gets traded to Aidan's team and ends up crashing at Aidan's place because he needs somewhere to stay. The sexual tension comes to a head with them, and they start hooking up. Aidan swears that Mo is not who he's thinking of. (He might want Levi sexually, but he's totally thinking about Mo far too much. Levi would not be okay with it if he realized how much he thinks of Mo). They continue building their on field camaraderie, getting in sync, while getting more lusty for each other and enjoying each other's company at Aidan's place. But then Mo comes back to the team and Aidan has to make some decisions.
I didn't love this book. The pervasive other person drama was just too much, it invaded every element of the developing connection between Aidan and Levi. The MMCs seemed friendly and like they had fun in bed, but they didn't seem in love to me.
I don't really want to spend much time on this review, so I'm just going to copy and paste some of the notes I added while reading.
- At 54%, the mmc's are having sex. And Aidan comments on how it's really good sex, and Levi mentally thinks to himself, meh I've had better. I don't know why the author felt it was necessary to say something like this. It just wrecks the moment when an MC is comparing sex between the MCs negatively to sex he's had with other people. Seriously?!
- At 56%, Aidan is thinking of Mo while having sex with Levi. I'm done with hearing about Mo and how in love with him Aidan is / was. I hate that he's thinking about him as he's having sex with Levi. He said he wasn't going to do that and he is. That was the hard line for Levi, he was clear with Aidan that he wouldn't have sex with him if he was thinking of Mo. Aidan basically is lying to him throughout the book in order to get laid. And he doesn't even realize it, and the author glazes over it and normalizes it.
- I'm not going to list every time Aidan thought of Mo. But at 59%, again it was bothering me that Aidan kept thinking about Mo. Enough is enough! And then we were 76% in and Aidan is still constantly thinking about Mo when having sex with Levi. Grrrr.
- At 83%, Aidan temporarily stops having sex with Levi after Mo comes back and wants to give their relationship a try. He doesn't tell Levi why. He just avoids sex. I consider this almost cheating. Aidan not having sex with Levi because he can't bring himself to, because he is thinking about getting together with Mo? That's emotional cheating.
- At 85%, Aidan lies to Levi, he wants him to leave so that Aidan can secretly call his brother and get advice about whether Aidan should leave Levi to get together with Mo. This is ugly behavior.
- Even after Aidan chooses Levi, he is so concerned about Mo's feelings and making things right with Mo. Aidan never suffers any consequences. Levi has one moment of jealousy, and then he just is "cool" with everything because Aidan chose him so he won right? Ugly. I would have walked away from Aidan.
Some notable moments: I think it's telling the only moment I highlighted as liking was between two random minor characters...
"“We’re gonna get killed,” Cam whispered behind him. “Our organs harvested. That happens in big cities, right?” “Rook, I promise you, I’m gonna personally make sure your organs stay unharvested,” Dawson murmured back."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
Beth writes some of the best American Football romances imho and this one is a great opener for her new Toronto Thunder series.
It's also a great tie in with her previous Condors, Piranhas and Riptide romances directly, as well as the Portland U series too, as it involves both a Flynn brother and a Banks brother, Aiden and Levi respectively.
Both brothers appear as secondary characters in The Star and Playing the Player as their brothers fall in love with each other in the first one and the other Banks brother gets his HEA in the latter.
This one's a bit different though as it focuses more of the narrative on Aiden's struggles, not only with realising he's not straight, but also losing the guy who was his best friend and main play receiver on the Thunder, when he's transferred to another team.
An unhappy declaration of love which isn't reciprocated sees him brooding when irrepressible youngest Banks brother Levi notices something's up.
A few slugs of whisky later (it's Scotch Beth there's no E!), he's agreeing to a sex pact in 12 months when Levi will teach him all he knows about getting it on with a man.
However, this doesn't turn into that type of comedy. Instead we're given a wonderfully quiet and quite introspective man learning how to open up and drop the impossibly high standards he's set for himself after Levi turns up as the Thunder's new offensive tackle and in Aiden's guest room.
I loved a lot of this narrative, it's a sweet, sexy and gentle romance without massive drama, the tension is low key and mainly down to Aiden's own fears as he's approaching the end of his career and facing the thoughts of what happens next.
It only failed to hit the 5* for me because I wanted more of them together once they'd admitted their love and that they were together in a relationship.
We get loads of them working things out, loads of American Football on page, which I'll never say no to, and plenty of emotions, so I'm hoping that there will be more of them out and happy in the rest of the series' stories.
Otherwise, loved that this is another Flynn falling for another Banks and all the crazy that comes along with teammates being together, being high profile sportsmen and the intricacies of changing room dynamics.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow ARC reviews, I am voluntarily leaving a review
It's also a great tie in with her previous Condors, Piranhas and Riptide romances directly, as well as the Portland U series too, as it involves both a Flynn brother and a Banks brother, Aiden and Levi respectively.
Both brothers appear as secondary characters in The Star and Playing the Player as their brothers fall in love with each other in the first one and the other Banks brother gets his HEA in the latter.
This one's a bit different though as it focuses more of the narrative on Aiden's struggles, not only with realising he's not straight, but also losing the guy who was his best friend and main play receiver on the Thunder, when he's transferred to another team.
An unhappy declaration of love which isn't reciprocated sees him brooding when irrepressible youngest Banks brother Levi notices something's up.
A few slugs of whisky later (it's Scotch Beth there's no E!), he's agreeing to a sex pact in 12 months when Levi will teach him all he knows about getting it on with a man.
However, this doesn't turn into that type of comedy. Instead we're given a wonderfully quiet and quite introspective man learning how to open up and drop the impossibly high standards he's set for himself after Levi turns up as the Thunder's new offensive tackle and in Aiden's guest room.
I loved a lot of this narrative, it's a sweet, sexy and gentle romance without massive drama, the tension is low key and mainly down to Aiden's own fears as he's approaching the end of his career and facing the thoughts of what happens next.
It only failed to hit the 5* for me because I wanted more of them together once they'd admitted their love and that they were together in a relationship.
We get loads of them working things out, loads of American Football on page, which I'll never say no to, and plenty of emotions, so I'm hoping that there will be more of them out and happy in the rest of the series' stories.
Otherwise, loved that this is another Flynn falling for another Banks and all the crazy that comes along with teammates being together, being high profile sportsmen and the intricacies of changing room dynamics.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow ARC reviews, I am voluntarily leaving a review
October 28, 2025
A MM Football romance with a sex pact between brothers-in-law (kinda) who end up as teammates/roomies. It has opposites attract, size difference, age gap (~6-7yrs) & a bit of OM drama!
This starts up new series. I'd been so hyped, I grabbed the #ARC. Aidan left quite an impact, tho I hadn't remembered Levi specifically, But I loved these 2! I adore the style of this cover 😍.
Aidan Flynn is QB1, the golden man of Football. He's self-righteous with dry humour, pro focused... & bad at managing his emotions 😅 (+ boring? *gasp*). He's got his bi-awakening & 1st rejection 🥺.
Levi Banks is "manically cheerful", he's chill, a delight & observant. He's gay & does hookups as not yet found someone he wanna be forever with...
A+L are ridiculous in their own ways lol, pain in the ass or dumb 😂, kinda entertaining. I thought we'd've to wait a dang year (as secret sex pact) BUT phew not. L loves annoying him 😁. I applaud L's patience for waiting for Aidan while he wrestled with mind 😅. It gave slowburn vibes at start, but ends up moderately paced!
I thought Levi was changing Ai, to be chill, but L liked his quirks (& A liked L's 🤭) too. That's sweet. The tension's hot af, I love me a vers couple 🥵. I also think Aidan maybe Demi/gray (tho no labels said). I loved seeing them rock eachother's worlds.
As blurb says, it starts with Aidan in love with someone else... so things get complicated. There's OM/Love triangle elements, which I abhor, it's minimal but enough, & made me cry 😭. It was going Lowish angst, but jumped it to moderate for me 🙈. L+A's feelings were obvious, just fears got in the way 😩. But we all know who wins 😉.
L+A are so cute together, I love that we got few ch with them officially as couple too. The friendships were sweet, we got plenty of Riley & Landry, so awesome. I'm excited to continue this series!
P.s. Also, Wes, hello? What the f happened with Marcus? 😭 I need me a 2nd chance romance! &, Ramsey?? I thought he'd get a hockey Beau but guess not. Is it Nate? 🤔
Story Ratings:
POV: 3rd person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Yeah! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥺😯🤭😅😳😁😏😩😂😍🥵🥰😳😭🙃🤔🥺🙌😍🥳❤️🏈
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Fun: 4.25/5
Angst: 3/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.6/5
7) Plot arc: (Football, sex pact & Love) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
This starts up new series. I'd been so hyped, I grabbed the #ARC. Aidan left quite an impact, tho I hadn't remembered Levi specifically, But I loved these 2! I adore the style of this cover 😍.
Aidan Flynn is QB1, the golden man of Football. He's self-righteous with dry humour, pro focused... & bad at managing his emotions 😅 (+ boring? *gasp*). He's got his bi-awakening & 1st rejection 🥺.
Levi Banks is "manically cheerful", he's chill, a delight & observant. He's gay & does hookups as not yet found someone he wanna be forever with...
A+L are ridiculous in their own ways lol, pain in the ass or dumb 😂, kinda entertaining. I thought we'd've to wait a dang year (as secret sex pact) BUT phew not. L loves annoying him 😁. I applaud L's patience for waiting for Aidan while he wrestled with mind 😅. It gave slowburn vibes at start, but ends up moderately paced!
I thought Levi was changing Ai, to be chill, but L liked his quirks (& A liked L's 🤭) too. That's sweet. The tension's hot af, I love me a vers couple 🥵. I also think Aidan maybe Demi/gray (tho no labels said). I loved seeing them rock eachother's worlds.
As blurb says, it starts with Aidan in love with someone else... so things get complicated. There's OM/Love triangle elements, which I abhor, it's minimal but enough, & made me cry 😭. It was going Lowish angst, but jumped it to moderate for me 🙈. L+A's feelings were obvious, just fears got in the way 😩. But we all know who wins 😉.
L+A are so cute together, I love that we got few ch with them officially as couple too. The friendships were sweet, we got plenty of Riley & Landry, so awesome. I'm excited to continue this series!
P.s. Also, Wes, hello? What the f happened with Marcus? 😭 I need me a 2nd chance romance! &, Ramsey?? I thought he'd get a hockey Beau but guess not. Is it Nate? 🤔
Story Ratings:
POV: 3rd person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Yeah! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥺😯🤭😅😳😁😏😩😂😍🥵🥰😳😭🙃🤔🥺🙌😍🥳❤️🏈
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Fun: 4.25/5
Angst: 3/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.6/5
7) Plot arc: (Football, sex pact & Love) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
December 20, 2025
5 stars for the narration, 3.5 for the story
Beth Bolden’s new Toronto Thunder series switches sports from hockey to football (i.e, American Football, not real footie!), and the first book, Perfect Storm, features star quarterback Aidan Flynn, older brother of Riley, one of the leads in The Star – which I listened to recently. The events of this story take place around three years later, and Aidan has been working hard to repair his somewhat fractious relationship with his brother; his overprotectiveness and insistence that Riley should give up his dream of an NFL spot caused a lot of problems between them, but they’re on a much better footing by the time Perfect Storm begins.
When Perfect Storm opens, Aiden is nursing a broken heart and would prefer to have been able to nurse it alone at his remote cabin in Michigan, but Riley and Landry have just arrived to stay for a week together with the youngest Banks brother, Levi, who is trouble with a capital T. Aiden, who only recently realised he was in love with his best friend Mo (three years after Mo was traded to a different team) wants to wallow in misery after he finally worked up the courage to tell Mo how he felt and was rejected – but instead has to ‘entertain’ Levi, given that Landry and Riley are wrapped up in each other. Levi is generous, funny, perceptive, and unapologetically himself, and it doesn’t take him long to work out that all is not well with Aiden and to coax the truth out of him. Levi is a good listener – the news that Aiden isn’t straight comes as a (very welcome) shock - and when Aiden explains that he’s worried about how this new discovery about himself will affect him going forward, Levi can’t resist teasing him a little, and then making him an offer he knows he really shouldn’t. He says that if Mo is still not an option in a year and Aiden still wants to give sex with a man a try, then Levi will happily volunteer to satisfy his curiosity. He’s not sure which of them is more surprised when Aiden says yes.
While the sex pact (as they call it) gets the ball rolling, I was pleased to discover that it’s not the focus of the story, because just weeks after Aiden and Levi agree to it, Levi is unexpectedly traded to Aiden’s football team, the Toronto Thunder and, of course, Aiden agrees to Landry’s request that he lets Levi live with him while he finds his feet (just as Aiden had asked Landry to do for Riley when he got signed by Landry’s team). From there, the relationship develops into a friendship with some nicely charged underlying sexual tension, then it becomes a roomies-with-benefits thing, with Aiden surprised to discover how much he enjoys Levi and his new reality. But it’s not all plain sailing; while Levi is out and proud, Aiden is still uncertain about his sexuality and isn’t sure he wants to be out - at least not yet – and there’s always the niggling throught hovering around at the back of Levi’s mind that he doesn’t want to be second-best to Mo. Added to this, Aiden is one of those characters who piles pressure onto himself like there’s no tomorrow; he’s become incredibly self-critical, so he has to embark on a fairly steep learning curve in order to learn how to let himself be more open with people and to not set such ridiculously high standards for himself. I think that might have been my favourite aspect of the story actually – watching this quiet, introspective man coming out of his shell and learning how to share his burdens with someone. I also liked watching Levi coming into his own; his previous team had never really used him to his full potential, but with the Thunder he finally gets the chance to prove what an exceptionally good player he is.
There are a few downsides, though. For one thing, there are just too many characters mentioned or on the page. I get that the author sets her various sports romance series in a shared world, but what with revisiting previous characters and setting up the characters whose stories are up next… (and even in her next hockey series!) it was just too much, with the exception of Ramsey from the Portland Evergreens series, who I’m always happy to see. But having so many mentions and cameos interrupts the flow of the story and takes too much time away from the leads.
Then there’s Mo. He’s important to the story insofar as he’s the cause of Aiden’s bi-awakening, but that should have been it. Instead, he hangs around like a spectre at the feast over Aiden and Levi’s romance because he’s mentioned endlessly and then present (after he’s traded back to the Thunder) for the last twenty percent of the story. Okay, so this injects a nice little kernel of drama and angst into the story and forces Aiden to re-evaluate his relationships with Mo and Levi – but that Aiden is actually torn between being with Mo (who has said he’s not queer, but that he might be into it with Aiden, or something like that) and Levi, who has shown Aiden over and over again that he loves him and that he’s all-in if that’s what Aiden wants – is just crazy. I can understand that Mo represents a kind of ideal to Aiden, especially given that Aiden is probably demisexual (Levi picks up on that), doesn’t do casual sex and hasn’t had a real long-term relationship, so the intense feelings he had for Mo were scary and very new – but that this happens after Aiden and Levi are sharing a bed regularly and are a couple in every way but name made me want to smack Aiden upside the head and tell him not to be such an idiot.
Finally – I get that Levi’s constant use of “bro” when talking to Aiden is done partly because Levi knows it winds Aiden up. But it got really old really quickly and I wish it had been toned down.
The narration is well-paced, strongly characterised and clearly differentiated (there are a lot of secondary characters in this one, and he finds different voices for all of them) – as I’ve come to expect from Darcy Stark, who does a fabulous job of characterising Levi as this big, good-humoured, straight-talking guy. The smile that’s always in his voice made me smile and whatever accent he uses (it sounds “southern” to my British ears, but I’m no expert on US accents) is applied consistently. He’s also very good at conveying Aiden’s buttoned-up-ness; there’s always a deliberate edge of tension in his speech in the earlier stages of the book, and I liked that I could hear him starting to unwind as he started to fall for Levi.
Despite the issues I mentioned, I did like Aiden and Levi individually and as a couple and I enjoyed their romance. Together, they each provide something the other badly needs and their opposite personality types balance each other out nicely. I also really liked the way we’re shown that Aiden has worked hard on repairing his relationship with Riley and that things between them are so much better than they were. But – and I’m saying this a lot about this author’s books – it needed some judicious pruning and tightening up; the audiobook is over thirteen hours long and while I’d happily listen to Darcy Stark read the phone book, there were certainly some places in Perfect Storm where things are a bit too drawn out.
Beth Bolden’s new Toronto Thunder series switches sports from hockey to football (i.e, American Football, not real footie!), and the first book, Perfect Storm, features star quarterback Aidan Flynn, older brother of Riley, one of the leads in The Star – which I listened to recently. The events of this story take place around three years later, and Aidan has been working hard to repair his somewhat fractious relationship with his brother; his overprotectiveness and insistence that Riley should give up his dream of an NFL spot caused a lot of problems between them, but they’re on a much better footing by the time Perfect Storm begins.
When Perfect Storm opens, Aiden is nursing a broken heart and would prefer to have been able to nurse it alone at his remote cabin in Michigan, but Riley and Landry have just arrived to stay for a week together with the youngest Banks brother, Levi, who is trouble with a capital T. Aiden, who only recently realised he was in love with his best friend Mo (three years after Mo was traded to a different team) wants to wallow in misery after he finally worked up the courage to tell Mo how he felt and was rejected – but instead has to ‘entertain’ Levi, given that Landry and Riley are wrapped up in each other. Levi is generous, funny, perceptive, and unapologetically himself, and it doesn’t take him long to work out that all is not well with Aiden and to coax the truth out of him. Levi is a good listener – the news that Aiden isn’t straight comes as a (very welcome) shock - and when Aiden explains that he’s worried about how this new discovery about himself will affect him going forward, Levi can’t resist teasing him a little, and then making him an offer he knows he really shouldn’t. He says that if Mo is still not an option in a year and Aiden still wants to give sex with a man a try, then Levi will happily volunteer to satisfy his curiosity. He’s not sure which of them is more surprised when Aiden says yes.
While the sex pact (as they call it) gets the ball rolling, I was pleased to discover that it’s not the focus of the story, because just weeks after Aiden and Levi agree to it, Levi is unexpectedly traded to Aiden’s football team, the Toronto Thunder and, of course, Aiden agrees to Landry’s request that he lets Levi live with him while he finds his feet (just as Aiden had asked Landry to do for Riley when he got signed by Landry’s team). From there, the relationship develops into a friendship with some nicely charged underlying sexual tension, then it becomes a roomies-with-benefits thing, with Aiden surprised to discover how much he enjoys Levi and his new reality. But it’s not all plain sailing; while Levi is out and proud, Aiden is still uncertain about his sexuality and isn’t sure he wants to be out - at least not yet – and there’s always the niggling throught hovering around at the back of Levi’s mind that he doesn’t want to be second-best to Mo. Added to this, Aiden is one of those characters who piles pressure onto himself like there’s no tomorrow; he’s become incredibly self-critical, so he has to embark on a fairly steep learning curve in order to learn how to let himself be more open with people and to not set such ridiculously high standards for himself. I think that might have been my favourite aspect of the story actually – watching this quiet, introspective man coming out of his shell and learning how to share his burdens with someone. I also liked watching Levi coming into his own; his previous team had never really used him to his full potential, but with the Thunder he finally gets the chance to prove what an exceptionally good player he is.
There are a few downsides, though. For one thing, there are just too many characters mentioned or on the page. I get that the author sets her various sports romance series in a shared world, but what with revisiting previous characters and setting up the characters whose stories are up next… (and even in her next hockey series!) it was just too much, with the exception of Ramsey from the Portland Evergreens series, who I’m always happy to see. But having so many mentions and cameos interrupts the flow of the story and takes too much time away from the leads.
Then there’s Mo. He’s important to the story insofar as he’s the cause of Aiden’s bi-awakening, but that should have been it. Instead, he hangs around like a spectre at the feast over Aiden and Levi’s romance because he’s mentioned endlessly and then present (after he’s traded back to the Thunder) for the last twenty percent of the story. Okay, so this injects a nice little kernel of drama and angst into the story and forces Aiden to re-evaluate his relationships with Mo and Levi – but that Aiden is actually torn between being with Mo (who has said he’s not queer, but that he might be into it with Aiden, or something like that) and Levi, who has shown Aiden over and over again that he loves him and that he’s all-in if that’s what Aiden wants – is just crazy. I can understand that Mo represents a kind of ideal to Aiden, especially given that Aiden is probably demisexual (Levi picks up on that), doesn’t do casual sex and hasn’t had a real long-term relationship, so the intense feelings he had for Mo were scary and very new – but that this happens after Aiden and Levi are sharing a bed regularly and are a couple in every way but name made me want to smack Aiden upside the head and tell him not to be such an idiot.
Finally – I get that Levi’s constant use of “bro” when talking to Aiden is done partly because Levi knows it winds Aiden up. But it got really old really quickly and I wish it had been toned down.
The narration is well-paced, strongly characterised and clearly differentiated (there are a lot of secondary characters in this one, and he finds different voices for all of them) – as I’ve come to expect from Darcy Stark, who does a fabulous job of characterising Levi as this big, good-humoured, straight-talking guy. The smile that’s always in his voice made me smile and whatever accent he uses (it sounds “southern” to my British ears, but I’m no expert on US accents) is applied consistently. He’s also very good at conveying Aiden’s buttoned-up-ness; there’s always a deliberate edge of tension in his speech in the earlier stages of the book, and I liked that I could hear him starting to unwind as he started to fall for Levi.
Despite the issues I mentioned, I did like Aiden and Levi individually and as a couple and I enjoyed their romance. Together, they each provide something the other badly needs and their opposite personality types balance each other out nicely. I also really liked the way we’re shown that Aiden has worked hard on repairing his relationship with Riley and that things between them are so much better than they were. But – and I’m saying this a lot about this author’s books – it needed some judicious pruning and tightening up; the audiobook is over thirteen hours long and while I’d happily listen to Darcy Stark read the phone book, there were certainly some places in Perfect Storm where things are a bit too drawn out.
December 30, 2025
This book was jam packed in football, football speak, team talk, bro dudes and a blooming love story.
I enjoyed the love story and got a glimpse of all the stories to come in the series. It's going to be good.
Be prepared for a very chatty book while meeting all the key players.
Levi and Aidan took their time, step by step exploring each other. Personally, I had an issue with Aidan being conflicted about who to choose, I mean, Levi was right there, it didn't sit well with me. But all's well that ends well 😉
I enjoyed the love story and got a glimpse of all the stories to come in the series. It's going to be good.
Be prepared for a very chatty book while meeting all the key players.
Levi and Aidan took their time, step by step exploring each other. Personally, I had an issue with Aidan being conflicted about who to choose, I mean, Levi was right there, it didn't sit well with me. But all's well that ends well 😉
November 18, 2025
DNF @ 35%
Too many names and not enough focus given to the main MCs in the first chapter made out very very hard to actually tell what was going on and what I should be focusing on vs what was side character garnish. Who the hell gives a fuck that Riley and Landry were in a relationship and actively having sex when I didn't even know what the hell was going on with Aidan? Apparently he was closeted to everyone except he confessed feelings for a guy and no one knew or heard about it? Why not show that scene instead of one where the spotlight was shared between three other people?
Same thing again when Levi moves in with Aidan and suddenly we get a bunch if their teammates + backstories instead of focusing on the tension/dynamic between the MCs. What happened to Levi saying he wasn't going to let Aidan avoid their attraction? He literally never tackled it head on and instead started the impromptu party instead of having that discussion.
Levi's constant usage of the word "bro" really took me out of the romance. It wasn't funny or endearing, it was just awkward and made me want to DNF every time he used it.
I did DNF after I realized that I had read 135 pages with nearly as many named characters (exaggerating, but there really were too many) and next to zero actual romance. It's not a slow burn of neither of the MCs actually do anything. One step forward, one step back, or no steps forward but steamy attraction scenes NEED to exist by this story had basically zero past the first kiss that happened on page 46. So between pages 46 and 136, we get like two scenes where Levi gets physically close to Aidan and the rest isn just random side character BS telling us why every single one of them was going to be or already was an MC for their own book.
TL;DR: Too many named characters and was boring with next to zero actual romance or movement towards a romance. 1.5 stars rounded up.
Too many names and not enough focus given to the main MCs in the first chapter made out very very hard to actually tell what was going on and what I should be focusing on vs what was side character garnish. Who the hell gives a fuck that Riley and Landry were in a relationship and actively having sex when I didn't even know what the hell was going on with Aidan? Apparently he was closeted to everyone except he confessed feelings for a guy and no one knew or heard about it? Why not show that scene instead of one where the spotlight was shared between three other people?
Same thing again when Levi moves in with Aidan and suddenly we get a bunch if their teammates + backstories instead of focusing on the tension/dynamic between the MCs. What happened to Levi saying he wasn't going to let Aidan avoid their attraction? He literally never tackled it head on and instead started the impromptu party instead of having that discussion.
Levi's constant usage of the word "bro" really took me out of the romance. It wasn't funny or endearing, it was just awkward and made me want to DNF every time he used it.
I did DNF after I realized that I had read 135 pages with nearly as many named characters (exaggerating, but there really were too many) and next to zero actual romance. It's not a slow burn of neither of the MCs actually do anything. One step forward, one step back, or no steps forward but steamy attraction scenes NEED to exist by this story had basically zero past the first kiss that happened on page 46. So between pages 46 and 136, we get like two scenes where Levi gets physically close to Aidan and the rest isn just random side character BS telling us why every single one of them was going to be or already was an MC for their own book.
TL;DR: Too many named characters and was boring with next to zero actual romance or movement towards a romance. 1.5 stars rounded up.
October 25, 2025
3 stars
This book starts a new series by Beth Bolden and features two football players who become teammates and lovers.
Aidan is the QB for the Toronto Thunder, he's recently realised he wasn't straight when he understood his feelings for his best friend and former teammate, Mo, were more than platonic. But Mo doesn't share the same feelings and Aidan, sad and depressed, goes to spend time in his cabin.
He's joined soon after by his little brother Riley, his boyfriend Landry (who's Aidan close friend) and Landry's brother Levi.
Levi and Aidan get close during their stay and spend a little time together. Levi senses that something is wrong with Aidan and pushes him to open up. After a drunken night, the two of them kiss. Levi is very much interested in Aidan, he's been for a long time but he never thought he had a chance. But before acting on it, he needs for Aidan to get over his feelings for Mo.
So they make a pact that they'll have sex the year after, if Aidan still hasn't had any kind of experience with guys.
They couldn't imagine that, in a matter of weeks, Levi would have become Aiden's teammate.
Levi also moves into Aidan's house and they're forced to try very hard to keep their emotions to themselves.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
There are way too many characters in this book. They're almost all connected with the author's other books and I really struggled with all their names, their partners' and the role they played. Some scenes were overwhelming.
There are also a lot of details about football strategies.
Lastly, I get that Aidan has been in love with Mo and that he's part of his sexual awakening. But Mo is always mentioned or thought of, even before they have their first time, and honestly he felt like a ghost between Aidan and Levi. I honestly wished Aidan acknowledged his own feelings for Levi sooner, his emotions after the conversation he had with Mo at 82% of the book felt very unfair to Levi in my opinion.
I liked very much that the development of their relationship is very slow. Levi is very respectful of Aidan and he never goes beyond the innocent flirting, he never pushes him.
Overall a nice story, next will be about Dawson, I can't wait for him to have his HEA with Cam after all he went through with his divorce.
I received an ARC of this book from Neon Rainbow and this is my honest review.
This book starts a new series by Beth Bolden and features two football players who become teammates and lovers.
Aidan is the QB for the Toronto Thunder, he's recently realised he wasn't straight when he understood his feelings for his best friend and former teammate, Mo, were more than platonic. But Mo doesn't share the same feelings and Aidan, sad and depressed, goes to spend time in his cabin.
He's joined soon after by his little brother Riley, his boyfriend Landry (who's Aidan close friend) and Landry's brother Levi.
Levi and Aidan get close during their stay and spend a little time together. Levi senses that something is wrong with Aidan and pushes him to open up. After a drunken night, the two of them kiss. Levi is very much interested in Aidan, he's been for a long time but he never thought he had a chance. But before acting on it, he needs for Aidan to get over his feelings for Mo.
So they make a pact that they'll have sex the year after, if Aidan still hasn't had any kind of experience with guys.
They couldn't imagine that, in a matter of weeks, Levi would have become Aiden's teammate.
Levi also moves into Aidan's house and they're forced to try very hard to keep their emotions to themselves.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
There are way too many characters in this book. They're almost all connected with the author's other books and I really struggled with all their names, their partners' and the role they played. Some scenes were overwhelming.
There are also a lot of details about football strategies.
Lastly, I get that Aidan has been in love with Mo and that he's part of his sexual awakening. But Mo is always mentioned or thought of, even before they have their first time, and honestly he felt like a ghost between Aidan and Levi. I honestly wished Aidan acknowledged his own feelings for Levi sooner, his emotions after the conversation he had with Mo at 82% of the book felt very unfair to Levi in my opinion.
I liked very much that the development of their relationship is very slow. Levi is very respectful of Aidan and he never goes beyond the innocent flirting, he never pushes him.
Overall a nice story, next will be about Dawson, I can't wait for him to have his HEA with Cam after all he went through with his divorce.
I received an ARC of this book from Neon Rainbow and this is my honest review.
October 21, 2025
“It’s a sex pact, bro,” Levi said matter-of-factly. “We gotta high-five to seal the deal.” “Are you fucking joking?”
Aidan had a coffee machine, but it was kind of shitty drip coffee, and he couldn’t care less about it because he was apparently insane and “above caffeine” and “his body was a temple.” Whatever. Moments like that made Levi wonder why he was so hung up on the guy.
Aidan did what he did best: physically perform. Hips moving like pistons, Levi squirming on his dick. Maybe it shouldn’t have been so good, but it was. Life-changing, really. There was a point where Aidan thought he might’ve blacked right out, the sheer feeling of rightness pushing out everything but the pleasure and the man underneath him.
Riley had told him he was Aidan Flynn, and he was. He wasn’t going to let his stupid guy go, no matter how ridiculous he was being.
This was some how sweet and silly and extremely spicy all at once and quite a lot note swoony than one would expect with all the Bros floating around.
Beth Bolden has a phenomenal way with sports romance and this was a good one.
I adored Levi - I want to be Levi when I grow up.. which who knows will happen when 🙄. And Aidan was adorable, quite relatable all put together at his day job of being a star NFL qb but quite a bit of character growth in his downtime.
These two were low angst goodness and the found family made this book a warm hug
Definitely go read it 🥰
October 28, 2025
4.0 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
- american football players
- brother's best friend x best friend's brother (it kinda looks complicated but it isn't)
- grumpy x sunshine
just a feel good romance you read on a slow sunday afternoon
- american football players
- brother's best friend x best friend's brother (it kinda looks complicated but it isn't)
- grumpy x sunshine
just a feel good romance you read on a slow sunday afternoon
October 21, 2025
More football romance from Beth Bolden? Yes, please! I’m excited for an all new team and an eight book series that promises plenty of action on and off the field. Kicking it off with her trademark forced proximity and a bit of slow burn, I found Aidan and Levi’s story to be fairly low angst and low stakes with a sweet connection and tons of emotional growth.
If you’re new to the Beth Bolden universe, never fear - one of the best things about Beth is that no matter how interconnected her greater sports universe gets, she always starts you off from a place where you can enjoy all of the characters and stories regardless of when you jump in.
If you have read some of Beth’s previous books, however, you’ll recognize some familiar faces from both her football and hockey series. There’s also a whole new cast of characters, and like most first books in a series, this one spends plenty of time setting everything in motion before getting down to the business at hand. Namely Aidan’s broken heart and sexual awakening which is 100% complicated by one Levi Banks unexpectedly signing with the Toronto Thunder.
In hindsight, another Flynn-Banks connection seems inevitable. Levi & Aidan have been in each other’s orbits a long time, so it isn’t surprising they’d have the opportunity to become something more. What’s surprising is how it happens - one particularly vulnerable conversation and a secret sex pact that set them on a course neither anticipates.
I definitely feel like Levi is exactly the right guy for Aidan - someone to get him out of his head, who’s loyal and devoted. Aidan’s all quiet intensity, big brother energy while Levi’s more optimistic and carefree, and they balance each other out. It’s fun to watch them navigate the uncertainty of their situation, even if I was a little frustrated with their lack of communication at times, particularly later in the book when things begin to heat up and emotions run high.
If you’re looking for a sports romance or to get invested in a new team, I definitely recommend this one. There are plenty of players and potential pairings that caught my attention, and I’m eager for more!
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
If you’re new to the Beth Bolden universe, never fear - one of the best things about Beth is that no matter how interconnected her greater sports universe gets, she always starts you off from a place where you can enjoy all of the characters and stories regardless of when you jump in.
If you have read some of Beth’s previous books, however, you’ll recognize some familiar faces from both her football and hockey series. There’s also a whole new cast of characters, and like most first books in a series, this one spends plenty of time setting everything in motion before getting down to the business at hand. Namely Aidan’s broken heart and sexual awakening which is 100% complicated by one Levi Banks unexpectedly signing with the Toronto Thunder.
In hindsight, another Flynn-Banks connection seems inevitable. Levi & Aidan have been in each other’s orbits a long time, so it isn’t surprising they’d have the opportunity to become something more. What’s surprising is how it happens - one particularly vulnerable conversation and a secret sex pact that set them on a course neither anticipates.
I definitely feel like Levi is exactly the right guy for Aidan - someone to get him out of his head, who’s loyal and devoted. Aidan’s all quiet intensity, big brother energy while Levi’s more optimistic and carefree, and they balance each other out. It’s fun to watch them navigate the uncertainty of their situation, even if I was a little frustrated with their lack of communication at times, particularly later in the book when things begin to heat up and emotions run high.
If you’re looking for a sports romance or to get invested in a new team, I definitely recommend this one. There are plenty of players and potential pairings that caught my attention, and I’m eager for more!
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
December 3, 2025
5⭐️ narration
3⭐️ story
I really wanted to love this one because I haven’t read a non-hockey sports romance in a really long time and usually enjoy Beth’s books, but despite the excellent audiobook narration I fear that this book really suffered from a few problems:
1. There are WAY too many character names being dropped at all times. This is especially evident as it is written in 3rd person POV, so the use of pronouns instead of names is very limited. I realize this is the first book in a new series so we do need to meet a new cast of characters (aka teammates) throughout the story, but I don’t think we really needed to have dozens of Beth’s characters past, present, and future named dropped constantly. It makes the flow of the story completely dishointed as you are then trying to remember who all these people are, and it just takes too much focus away from the main couple.
2. Mo. His existence outside of the initial plot set up of Aidan being in love with him for 3 years then having been rejected by him the month before the story starts is where his presence should’ve ended. But instead he lingers like a spectre that is basically a third-wheel to Aidan and Levi’s romance story. He is mentioned (and present) nearly to the very end of the story- to the point where Aidan is like “do I still love Mo or do I love Levi?” AT 85% INTO THE BOOK?? WTF?! If you want me to believe that an MC loves another MC in just 3 months, after he thinks he’s loved someone else for the last 3 years, by 85% in the book he shouldn’t be questioning it himself!!!!!
3. Too much football. If you don’t watch or know about football, there will be whole chapters filled with lingo that make no sense to you.
I think all 3 of these things could’ve been fixed with some cutthroat editing (the audiobook is 13 hours long)
All that being said, when we did actually get one-on-one scenes and interactions between Aidan and Levi, they were fantastic!!! It made me just wish that we got even more time of them together, especially as they were living together & in forced proximity.
*I received an ALC copy of this audiobook, all opinions are my own*
3⭐️ story
I really wanted to love this one because I haven’t read a non-hockey sports romance in a really long time and usually enjoy Beth’s books, but despite the excellent audiobook narration I fear that this book really suffered from a few problems:
1. There are WAY too many character names being dropped at all times. This is especially evident as it is written in 3rd person POV, so the use of pronouns instead of names is very limited. I realize this is the first book in a new series so we do need to meet a new cast of characters (aka teammates) throughout the story, but I don’t think we really needed to have dozens of Beth’s characters past, present, and future named dropped constantly. It makes the flow of the story completely dishointed as you are then trying to remember who all these people are, and it just takes too much focus away from the main couple.
2. Mo. His existence outside of the initial plot set up of Aidan being in love with him for 3 years then having been rejected by him the month before the story starts is where his presence should’ve ended. But instead he lingers like a spectre that is basically a third-wheel to Aidan and Levi’s romance story. He is mentioned (and present) nearly to the very end of the story- to the point where Aidan is like “do I still love Mo or do I love Levi?” AT 85% INTO THE BOOK?? WTF?! If you want me to believe that an MC loves another MC in just 3 months, after he thinks he’s loved someone else for the last 3 years, by 85% in the book he shouldn’t be questioning it himself!!!!!
3. Too much football. If you don’t watch or know about football, there will be whole chapters filled with lingo that make no sense to you.
I think all 3 of these things could’ve been fixed with some cutthroat editing (the audiobook is 13 hours long)
All that being said, when we did actually get one-on-one scenes and interactions between Aidan and Levi, they were fantastic!!! It made me just wish that we got even more time of them together, especially as they were living together & in forced proximity.
*I received an ALC copy of this audiobook, all opinions are my own*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2025
Beth really does know how to write heartwarming sports romance and I enjoyed this.
NHL player Aiden always thought he was straight but have been having feelings for his best friend who got transferred to another team. He finally picks up the courage to tell him about his feelings but it doesn't go well. He escapes to his cabin where his friends turn up. His best friend's brother Levi flirts with him and they make a pact that if they are both single in a year they'll sleep together. Not long after Levi gets transferred to Toronto and moves in with Aiden. It takes a bit of adjusting living together but it's clear they are attracted to each other and start exploring together. When Aiden's friend gets transferred back to Toronto it forces Aiden and Levi to reevaluate their feelings especially since Aiden's friend thinks he wants to be with him. This was a great story.
NHL player Aiden always thought he was straight but have been having feelings for his best friend who got transferred to another team. He finally picks up the courage to tell him about his feelings but it doesn't go well. He escapes to his cabin where his friends turn up. His best friend's brother Levi flirts with him and they make a pact that if they are both single in a year they'll sleep together. Not long after Levi gets transferred to Toronto and moves in with Aiden. It takes a bit of adjusting living together but it's clear they are attracted to each other and start exploring together. When Aiden's friend gets transferred back to Toronto it forces Aiden and Levi to reevaluate their feelings especially since Aiden's friend thinks he wants to be with him. This was a great story.
October 23, 2025
This was a fun palette cleanser of a book. If you love Beth’s world you can’t help but love this. Full disclosure I was distracted but I honestly loved these two. A sex pact, becoming teammates who live together to being all the spicy togetherness you want! These two will make you smile and bang your head against the wall but it’s all worth to see their HEA…not to mention Landry’s reaction to finding out! lol!!
October 21, 2025
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is so good, I was craving Aidan's book since the beginning of the Flynn/Banks characters but this was even better.
I adore Aiden and Levi but Levi...swoons
They are amazing together and the rest of both families are still close...
This is a great beginning of a new series
This book is so good, I was craving Aidan's book since the beginning of the Flynn/Banks characters but this was even better.
I adore Aiden and Levi but Levi...swoons
They are amazing together and the rest of both families are still close...
This is a great beginning of a new series
Read
October 21, 2025Weird to invent a Toronto NFL team but okay.
October 22, 2025
A new Beth Bolden series? Yes please? I love her sports series so much and I knew this one would be amazing. Perfect Storm by Beth Bolden is book 1 in the Toronto Thunder series. Aidan Flynn is a famous and talented quarterback. But he is nursing a broken heart after admitting to his best friend and teammate that he was in love with him. However, the teammate did not reciprocate. Over the summer, he and Liam (another football player who is friends with the Flynn family) make a pact that if Aidan is still feeling this way next summer they will have sex. The timeline is moved up when Liam is traded to Aidan’s team. I loved these two so much. The tension was there from the very beginning and it was funny to watch Aidan fight his feelings for the younger man. Of course, I loved the cast of characters and I may have screamed when Ramsey made his appearance. I loved that guy in the Portland Evergreens series and I am dying for his story. Is it going to be with Wes? Or someone new? I don’t even care. I love him so much! As always, once I start a Beth book, I devour it in one sitting. They are so romantic, sweet, and only slightly angsty. I cannot wait to read the next one!
I received an ARC from the author and Neon Rainbow Arc Reviews for my honest review.
I received an ARC from the author and Neon Rainbow Arc Reviews for my honest review.
November 23, 2025
I didn’t think Aidan, the main character was believable as much as the author painfully tried to make him. The other character Levi, was believable and enjoyable to read about. I struggled to understand why everyone was slobbering over Aidan. There was very little description of Aidan that would indicate that he is ‘hot’ even though he is described that way several times. At least we know Levi is a very big NFL tackle with huge thighs that Aidan drools over.
October 23, 2025
I’m sorry I could not get past “bro”
October 22, 2025
PERFECT STORM
By Beth Bolden
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is available NOW on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited!
www.amazon.com/B0FJ48NY5K
This is a 382-page Slow Paced, Opposites Attract, Brother’s Best Friend, Teammates/ Workplace, Secret MM Romance. This is the 1st book in the TORONTO THUNDER series, which is a part of Beth Bolden’s Extended Football Universe, but can be read as a standalone.
Written in 3rd person POV, the plot begins by revisiting the first couple from the Charleston Condors Series, Landry and Riley, visiting Riley’s brother Aidan at his summer house during the football season break. Aidan is sulking with a broken heart because he took the brave step to be honest about his feelings to a former teammate only to be let down easy. Levi, Landry’s brother, tagged along on this visit and knew something was up and pried it out of Aidan, which led to a sex pact to try to help Aidan move on and look a year into the future. But when Levi gets traded to the Thunder, their whole timeline sex pact plan gets zapped.
The characters are developed fully. You don’t need to read any of the other books as she revisits enough details to show the whole picture without flooding the novel in unnecessary plots. Aidan had a big part in THE STAR, book 1 of the Charleston Condors so if you read that before you start this, you will get the full emotional tension between the brothers and the drama is caused when Riley started playing pro. Both Aidan and Levi are driven individuals just on different wave lengths. Aidan is more uptight while Levi is loose. They compliment each other by evening out the other’s personalities without fully changing the person that they are. It a little bit of a rough process because verbal communication wasn’t their strong suit and mt most disliked trope. Showing emotion sometimes isn’t enough to get your point across.
This isn’t my first football season with Beth Bolden. I have read 2 out of 3 of the completed series (out of order, I might add). She is one of the rare authors that writes in the 3rd person instead of alternating chapter 1st person, which always takes a minute to get used to switching my brain to grasping. The thing about Beth’s writing is that the first book is always a bit slow on the uptake and hard to get into. It’s because even though this is a heavily established universe, which now seems to be colliding with her hockey universe too (more on that below), she always has to introduce or reintroduce new and established characters and check in on old timelines/developments while creating a new series with new plots and get them mingling together. Like multiple storms colliding. For me personally, I always have to push through the start, but it comes with so much reward for the rest of the series. Beth also likes to concentrate more on emotional connection and building relationships with heart instead of heat. That doesn’t mean the spice is nonexistent, though. 2.5/5🌶. The scenes themselves are very quick and to the point with no tease or drawn-out detail. Even with the plot being based on a sex pact and thinking that this would be a heavy plot point, she reroutes the play for the reader, so they don’t get tackled by heavy heat all the time by showing the emotions behind the actions instead.
The ensemble is pretty extensive. Like I said before, above, she already has a lot of terf laid. Bringing characters in like Riley & Landry (Condors), Logan & Dylan (Piranhas), and even Alec, a sports agent, connecting this book all the way back to the beginning (Riptide). Then, introducing a whole new football team and starting to build their characterizations and relationships. She does really phenomenal plotting and dialogue. Without knowing her plan, I already see what teammates are going to be getting their own story by the easter eggs she has planted. She even went one step further by combining her hockey universe! She has a new series in the works that she has teased by name dropping them and how they will be connected (Hockey Bros). She also brought in Ramsey, an injured hockey player, to tease us with a cross-over novel.
It did take me a while to get into this novel, and it was a slow read for me, but the meaning behind it, once I caught what she was throwing, really tackled me hard. No matter who you are or what you aspire to be in life, have confidence in knowing who you are and fight for your own worth. Take initiative and manifest your future. AND COMMUNICATE!!!
💜Happy Reading🫶
By Beth Bolden
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is available NOW on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited!
www.amazon.com/B0FJ48NY5K
This is a 382-page Slow Paced, Opposites Attract, Brother’s Best Friend, Teammates/ Workplace, Secret MM Romance. This is the 1st book in the TORONTO THUNDER series, which is a part of Beth Bolden’s Extended Football Universe, but can be read as a standalone.
Written in 3rd person POV, the plot begins by revisiting the first couple from the Charleston Condors Series, Landry and Riley, visiting Riley’s brother Aidan at his summer house during the football season break. Aidan is sulking with a broken heart because he took the brave step to be honest about his feelings to a former teammate only to be let down easy. Levi, Landry’s brother, tagged along on this visit and knew something was up and pried it out of Aidan, which led to a sex pact to try to help Aidan move on and look a year into the future. But when Levi gets traded to the Thunder, their whole timeline sex pact plan gets zapped.
The characters are developed fully. You don’t need to read any of the other books as she revisits enough details to show the whole picture without flooding the novel in unnecessary plots. Aidan had a big part in THE STAR, book 1 of the Charleston Condors so if you read that before you start this, you will get the full emotional tension between the brothers and the drama is caused when Riley started playing pro. Both Aidan and Levi are driven individuals just on different wave lengths. Aidan is more uptight while Levi is loose. They compliment each other by evening out the other’s personalities without fully changing the person that they are. It a little bit of a rough process because verbal communication wasn’t their strong suit and mt most disliked trope. Showing emotion sometimes isn’t enough to get your point across.
This isn’t my first football season with Beth Bolden. I have read 2 out of 3 of the completed series (out of order, I might add). She is one of the rare authors that writes in the 3rd person instead of alternating chapter 1st person, which always takes a minute to get used to switching my brain to grasping. The thing about Beth’s writing is that the first book is always a bit slow on the uptake and hard to get into. It’s because even though this is a heavily established universe, which now seems to be colliding with her hockey universe too (more on that below), she always has to introduce or reintroduce new and established characters and check in on old timelines/developments while creating a new series with new plots and get them mingling together. Like multiple storms colliding. For me personally, I always have to push through the start, but it comes with so much reward for the rest of the series. Beth also likes to concentrate more on emotional connection and building relationships with heart instead of heat. That doesn’t mean the spice is nonexistent, though. 2.5/5🌶. The scenes themselves are very quick and to the point with no tease or drawn-out detail. Even with the plot being based on a sex pact and thinking that this would be a heavy plot point, she reroutes the play for the reader, so they don’t get tackled by heavy heat all the time by showing the emotions behind the actions instead.
The ensemble is pretty extensive. Like I said before, above, she already has a lot of terf laid. Bringing characters in like Riley & Landry (Condors), Logan & Dylan (Piranhas), and even Alec, a sports agent, connecting this book all the way back to the beginning (Riptide). Then, introducing a whole new football team and starting to build their characterizations and relationships. She does really phenomenal plotting and dialogue. Without knowing her plan, I already see what teammates are going to be getting their own story by the easter eggs she has planted. She even went one step further by combining her hockey universe! She has a new series in the works that she has teased by name dropping them and how they will be connected (Hockey Bros). She also brought in Ramsey, an injured hockey player, to tease us with a cross-over novel.
It did take me a while to get into this novel, and it was a slow read for me, but the meaning behind it, once I caught what she was throwing, really tackled me hard. No matter who you are or what you aspire to be in life, have confidence in knowing who you are and fight for your own worth. Take initiative and manifest your future. AND COMMUNICATE!!!
💜Happy Reading🫶
October 11, 2025
Copy received via Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
Another Flynn/Banks "collaboration"? Yes please!
Now, I know absolutely nothing about NFL, but I know I like Beth's storytelling of the players.
Our leading men Aiden and Levi have been in the periphery of the storyline in books in the Condor's world, being the brothers of Riley and Landry.
When Aiden is heartbroken over unrequited love, Levi is the last person who he expects to turn to.
Enter a sex pact, feelings that move from familial to romantic, and we are given an at times awkard but also exciting and beautiful relationship.
Of course it is not all plain sailing, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We sometmes need that push to realise what we really want, and it is definitely what our Aiden needed.
And it is more than just about "ooooh gay football players". It is a quiet, introspective tale of Aiden becoming the man he is at the end of the book. He has a lot of personal change and growth as the story progresses.
I will say though, it is a bit of an incestual kind of group, with brothers and best friends getting together with their brothers etc etc haha. But not in a creepy eeeew way!
I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to more in the Thunder series in the future.
Copy received via Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
Another Flynn/Banks "collaboration"? Yes please!
Now, I know absolutely nothing about NFL, but I know I like Beth's storytelling of the players.
Our leading men Aiden and Levi have been in the periphery of the storyline in books in the Condor's world, being the brothers of Riley and Landry.
When Aiden is heartbroken over unrequited love, Levi is the last person who he expects to turn to.
Enter a sex pact, feelings that move from familial to romantic, and we are given an at times awkard but also exciting and beautiful relationship.
Of course it is not all plain sailing, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We sometmes need that push to realise what we really want, and it is definitely what our Aiden needed.
And it is more than just about "ooooh gay football players". It is a quiet, introspective tale of Aiden becoming the man he is at the end of the book. He has a lot of personal change and growth as the story progresses.
I will say though, it is a bit of an incestual kind of group, with brothers and best friends getting together with their brothers etc etc haha. But not in a creepy eeeew way!
I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to more in the Thunder series in the future.
Another Flynn/Banks "collaboration"? Yes please!
Now, I know absolutely nothing about NFL, but I know I like Beth's storytelling of the players.
Our leading men Aiden and Levi have been in the periphery of the storyline in books in the Condor's world, being the brothers of Riley and Landry.
When Aiden is heartbroken over unrequited love, Levi is the last person who he expects to turn to.
Enter a sex pact, feelings that move from familial to romantic, and we are given an at times awkard but also exciting and beautiful relationship.
Of course it is not all plain sailing, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We sometmes need that push to realise what we really want, and it is definitely what our Aiden needed.
And it is more than just about "ooooh gay football players". It is a quiet, introspective tale of Aiden becoming the man he is at the end of the book. He has a lot of personal change and growth as the story progresses.
I will say though, it is a bit of an incestual kind of group, with brothers and best friends getting together with their brothers etc etc haha. But not in a creepy eeeew way!
I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to more in the Thunder series in the future.
Copy received via Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
Another Flynn/Banks "collaboration"? Yes please!
Now, I know absolutely nothing about NFL, but I know I like Beth's storytelling of the players.
Our leading men Aiden and Levi have been in the periphery of the storyline in books in the Condor's world, being the brothers of Riley and Landry.
When Aiden is heartbroken over unrequited love, Levi is the last person who he expects to turn to.
Enter a sex pact, feelings that move from familial to romantic, and we are given an at times awkard but also exciting and beautiful relationship.
Of course it is not all plain sailing, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We sometmes need that push to realise what we really want, and it is definitely what our Aiden needed.
And it is more than just about "ooooh gay football players". It is a quiet, introspective tale of Aiden becoming the man he is at the end of the book. He has a lot of personal change and growth as the story progresses.
I will say though, it is a bit of an incestual kind of group, with brothers and best friends getting together with their brothers etc etc haha. But not in a creepy eeeew way!
I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to more in the Thunder series in the future.
October 19, 2025
This is a new spinoff in Beth Holden‘s football universe, so there are plenty of cameos as well as a whole new team to focus on, the Toronto Thunder. This was my first book in her football series, so it took me a little bit to get everybody straight, but it’s aupposed to be able to be read as a standalone.
Aidan Flynn is an older brother and Levi Banks is a younger brother. And their brothers are in a romantic relationship together, and their families are intertwined with all of the brothers being friends. Aidan has always identified as straight; however, he’s recently had to bi-awakening and caught feelings for a former teammate who did not reciprocate.
So on a recent boys' weekend, Levi is trying to figure out why Aidan is sad, and they end up connecting on a more personal level that turns into a hot kiss. And they also struck a deal to maybe explore more in the future. Levi is gay and more experienced, even though he’s younger, easy-going, and kind of the life of the party. Aidan is more serious, and this whole bi-awakening is new for him. So Levi offers to be his guide into the physicality of boy love to help him...but wants to give him time to get over his recent heartbreak.
But neither of them realizes that in just a few short months, everything will change. Teammates, roommates, close proximity, and a whole bunch of sexual tension. What could possibly go wrong?
There is a lot of Bro-mance with the Romance in this one. There are a lot of side characters between the teammates, brothers, friends, and even hockey guys(I have read the hockey books, so I recognized those names). But I have to admit that it was a lot at first. But I liked it when it got down to more Levi and Aidan alone.
Aidan's journey of bi-awakening is definitely not a straight line. There are potholes, detours, and surprises along the way. He goes from trying to deal with unresolved feelings and disappointment to surprisingly finding himself enjoying his new reality, but there are a lot of moving parts and messy feelings. They say to get over somebody, get under somebody else, but Aidan didn’t expect that somebody else to be someone who brings light and fun to his life. But they also have to navigate intertwined lives and make sure the past is still in the past, and that it’s not just a fling but something with a possible future.
*******ARC With Pinterest and Instagram Added to above
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Aidan Flynn is an older brother and Levi Banks is a younger brother. And their brothers are in a romantic relationship together, and their families are intertwined with all of the brothers being friends. Aidan has always identified as straight; however, he’s recently had to bi-awakening and caught feelings for a former teammate who did not reciprocate.
So on a recent boys' weekend, Levi is trying to figure out why Aidan is sad, and they end up connecting on a more personal level that turns into a hot kiss. And they also struck a deal to maybe explore more in the future. Levi is gay and more experienced, even though he’s younger, easy-going, and kind of the life of the party. Aidan is more serious, and this whole bi-awakening is new for him. So Levi offers to be his guide into the physicality of boy love to help him...but wants to give him time to get over his recent heartbreak.
But neither of them realizes that in just a few short months, everything will change. Teammates, roommates, close proximity, and a whole bunch of sexual tension. What could possibly go wrong?
There is a lot of Bro-mance with the Romance in this one. There are a lot of side characters between the teammates, brothers, friends, and even hockey guys(I have read the hockey books, so I recognized those names). But I have to admit that it was a lot at first. But I liked it when it got down to more Levi and Aidan alone.
Aidan's journey of bi-awakening is definitely not a straight line. There are potholes, detours, and surprises along the way. He goes from trying to deal with unresolved feelings and disappointment to surprisingly finding himself enjoying his new reality, but there are a lot of moving parts and messy feelings. They say to get over somebody, get under somebody else, but Aidan didn’t expect that somebody else to be someone who brings light and fun to his life. But they also have to navigate intertwined lives and make sure the past is still in the past, and that it’s not just a fling but something with a possible future.
*******ARC With Pinterest and Instagram Added to above
October 20, 2025
PERFECT STORM is the first book in the Toronto Thunder series. It is within the same universe as the authors other football books.
Aiden Flynn always assumed he was straight but when his best friend and teammate gets traded to another team. Aiden started to question himself that maybe he was more into Mo than just being a best friend. He gathered all his courage and told Mo just what he was feeling and Mo politely told him he wasn't into him like that. Now Aiden finds himself in his Michigan house heartbroken with his brother, Riley, his boyfriend and Aiden's best friend, Landry and Landry's brother, Levi. All Aiden wants is to be alone and wallow in those feelings but Levi notices and isn't having it. Pushing Aiden to tell him what's going on. After a bunch of whiskey Levi finally breaks Aiden down and he confesses everything. Levi being the fun loving guy he is suggests that if in a year Aiden still wants to experiment with a man they'll hook up...a sex pact if you will. Aiden of course is freaking out over this when he wakes up but manages to remain calm and somehow have the best kiss of his life with Levi. Just when Aiden is ready to tell Levi forget the year Levi has to leave to work out his contract issues. Aiden can't stop thinking about Levi and even sends a flirty text letting him know he's still into it but finds out that not only has Levi been traded to the Thunder, Landry asks Aiden if Levi can stay at his house in Toronto until he can find a place.
Levi and Aiden have a great amount of sexual tension but Levi lets Aiden set the pace. The longer they are around each other the stronger those feelings become. When they finally give in their chemistry is amazing together. They can't get enough of each other. Levi is sleeping in Aiden's bed and doing ridiculously dirty things to each other when Aiden gets a shock and finds out not only is his best friend reaching out after Aiden's embarrassing admission but he also has been traded back to the Thunder. Will Aiden continue what he has going with Levi or will he give Mo a chance when Mo admits maybe he spoke to soon and there could be something there?
I was so invested in these characters and of course I loved seeing past characters. But with how in control and stoic Aiden was in the other books his demeanor took by surprise in this one. I didn't expect him to be so wishy washy and indecisive. But I love how him and Levi just fit from the beginning. I can't wait for what's next in this series!
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for Neon Rainbow.
Aiden Flynn always assumed he was straight but when his best friend and teammate gets traded to another team. Aiden started to question himself that maybe he was more into Mo than just being a best friend. He gathered all his courage and told Mo just what he was feeling and Mo politely told him he wasn't into him like that. Now Aiden finds himself in his Michigan house heartbroken with his brother, Riley, his boyfriend and Aiden's best friend, Landry and Landry's brother, Levi. All Aiden wants is to be alone and wallow in those feelings but Levi notices and isn't having it. Pushing Aiden to tell him what's going on. After a bunch of whiskey Levi finally breaks Aiden down and he confesses everything. Levi being the fun loving guy he is suggests that if in a year Aiden still wants to experiment with a man they'll hook up...a sex pact if you will. Aiden of course is freaking out over this when he wakes up but manages to remain calm and somehow have the best kiss of his life with Levi. Just when Aiden is ready to tell Levi forget the year Levi has to leave to work out his contract issues. Aiden can't stop thinking about Levi and even sends a flirty text letting him know he's still into it but finds out that not only has Levi been traded to the Thunder, Landry asks Aiden if Levi can stay at his house in Toronto until he can find a place.
Levi and Aiden have a great amount of sexual tension but Levi lets Aiden set the pace. The longer they are around each other the stronger those feelings become. When they finally give in their chemistry is amazing together. They can't get enough of each other. Levi is sleeping in Aiden's bed and doing ridiculously dirty things to each other when Aiden gets a shock and finds out not only is his best friend reaching out after Aiden's embarrassing admission but he also has been traded back to the Thunder. Will Aiden continue what he has going with Levi or will he give Mo a chance when Mo admits maybe he spoke to soon and there could be something there?
I was so invested in these characters and of course I loved seeing past characters. But with how in control and stoic Aiden was in the other books his demeanor took by surprise in this one. I didn't expect him to be so wishy washy and indecisive. But I love how him and Levi just fit from the beginning. I can't wait for what's next in this series!
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for Neon Rainbow.
December 6, 2025
The narration on this is good and the whole way through I was thinking it would be a solid 4. Unfortunately this has something I'm seeing a lot of recently-- bad and harmful acespec rep. I was enjoying it until it brought up Aiden being demisexual or gray ace. A quote from the book:
“But also, I thought you might be gray or demi, too.”
“What’s that?” [...]
“Like, to be interested sexually in someone, your emotions have to be engaged first. And you’ve never had a serious relationship, right? Only hookups?”
“I guess. Yeah.”
I mean, seriously? Does nobody else see the contradiction here? The clue is in the name, demiSEXUAL. It means you only experience *sexual* attraction when you know a person well and have a connection to them. Demisexual people, generally speaking, would not have hookups with strangers because there's nothing in it for them. All the demi folks I know would be disgusted at the very thought. The only exception would be if they are extremely messed up or compensating for something, and there's no suggestion of that here.
I would potentially believe Aiden is demiromantic, meaning he doesn't experience romantic attraction until he knows someone well, but even then he transfers his affections to Levi far too quickly. Unfortunately this is indicative of a far greater problem than simply getting a word wrong. This kind of message is harmful and confusing to people who may be questioning if they are acespec, as well as triggering to people who already identify that way, and authors have a responsibility to do research and use sensitivity readers and get things right for the sake of an already marginalised minority. The blurb mentions a biawakening but the book seems to be leaning into bierasure, as Aiden is so utterly blown away by sex with Levi that he thinks he might be gay until Levi suggests the demisexual thing. What the hell is wrong with a biawakening, for Christ's sake? Recently there seems to have been a whole slew of new books with bad and inaccurate acespec rep just to show that the MC has met 'the one'. Or 'the two' in this case, as he has a crush on another guy before Levi. I don't know if that's what is going on in this book, but recently it feels very much like acespec identities are being co-opted to write the GFY trope under another name. I used to love demi or ace rep, to see my identity on page, but it's been misused and misappropriated so many times in recent months it makes me feel sick to see it in promo, and I am not happy to have this kind of bad rep sprung on me at circa 75% of a really long book.
“But also, I thought you might be gray or demi, too.”
“What’s that?” [...]
“Like, to be interested sexually in someone, your emotions have to be engaged first. And you’ve never had a serious relationship, right? Only hookups?”
“I guess. Yeah.”
I mean, seriously? Does nobody else see the contradiction here? The clue is in the name, demiSEXUAL. It means you only experience *sexual* attraction when you know a person well and have a connection to them. Demisexual people, generally speaking, would not have hookups with strangers because there's nothing in it for them. All the demi folks I know would be disgusted at the very thought. The only exception would be if they are extremely messed up or compensating for something, and there's no suggestion of that here.
I would potentially believe Aiden is demiromantic, meaning he doesn't experience romantic attraction until he knows someone well, but even then he transfers his affections to Levi far too quickly. Unfortunately this is indicative of a far greater problem than simply getting a word wrong. This kind of message is harmful and confusing to people who may be questioning if they are acespec, as well as triggering to people who already identify that way, and authors have a responsibility to do research and use sensitivity readers and get things right for the sake of an already marginalised minority. The blurb mentions a biawakening but the book seems to be leaning into bierasure, as Aiden is so utterly blown away by sex with Levi that he thinks he might be gay until Levi suggests the demisexual thing. What the hell is wrong with a biawakening, for Christ's sake? Recently there seems to have been a whole slew of new books with bad and inaccurate acespec rep just to show that the MC has met 'the one'. Or 'the two' in this case, as he has a crush on another guy before Levi. I don't know if that's what is going on in this book, but recently it feels very much like acespec identities are being co-opted to write the GFY trope under another name. I used to love demi or ace rep, to see my identity on page, but it's been misused and misappropriated so many times in recent months it makes me feel sick to see it in promo, and I am not happy to have this kind of bad rep sprung on me at circa 75% of a really long book.
October 19, 2025
MY OPINION: It’s not a secret that I am a Beth Bolden fan, and this book didn’t let me down. This is the first of a new series, and I am completely there for it.
Unsure where to start with this one because there is a lot to say. To begin with, I love this book. I can’t even put my finger on why, other than it’s good, really good. One of the few books in this genre that isn’t written in dual POV, not first person, it’s third person (I hope I am not saying this wrong), which gives a unique perspective throughout the story.
The MCs in this book are charming in their own ways. There is a total grumpy/sunshine vibe, even though we find out that the grumpy one isn’t all that grumpy. These two are acquaintances, mostly friends, because Levi is the best friend's little brother. No drama there because this situation had already gone the other way (Aidan’s little brother was with his best friend).
The book starts with a heartbroken Aiden and a perceptive Levi, where a little more than a casual friendship evolves. When they end up on the same NFL team, sharing a house, things develop. The two circle each other, and feelings sneak up on them. Neither are relationship guys, and Aiden thought he was straight. Ultimately, they find a path to each other.
There is a lot of football in this book, plenty of on-field action, discussion of positions (not the spicy kind), and plays. Both men are wonderful in their own ways, which kept me reading and wanting to go back and see what happened. We see cameos from other books (which I love), and I rooted for them to figure things out; I wanted more even if they didn’t. There is plenty of spice, which is graphic but not excessive, that scratches that itch and gives you a feeling for how the identity realization is working.
If you like Beth Bolden, you will love this book, of course. If you aren’t familiar with her writing, this is a great start. And if you want a fantastic book with a great friend group, a great love story, and a feel-good happily ever after, this falls into that nicely. Put this on your TBR at the top; you won’t regret it.
Unsure where to start with this one because there is a lot to say. To begin with, I love this book. I can’t even put my finger on why, other than it’s good, really good. One of the few books in this genre that isn’t written in dual POV, not first person, it’s third person (I hope I am not saying this wrong), which gives a unique perspective throughout the story.
The MCs in this book are charming in their own ways. There is a total grumpy/sunshine vibe, even though we find out that the grumpy one isn’t all that grumpy. These two are acquaintances, mostly friends, because Levi is the best friend's little brother. No drama there because this situation had already gone the other way (Aidan’s little brother was with his best friend).
The book starts with a heartbroken Aiden and a perceptive Levi, where a little more than a casual friendship evolves. When they end up on the same NFL team, sharing a house, things develop. The two circle each other, and feelings sneak up on them. Neither are relationship guys, and Aiden thought he was straight. Ultimately, they find a path to each other.
There is a lot of football in this book, plenty of on-field action, discussion of positions (not the spicy kind), and plays. Both men are wonderful in their own ways, which kept me reading and wanting to go back and see what happened. We see cameos from other books (which I love), and I rooted for them to figure things out; I wanted more even if they didn’t. There is plenty of spice, which is graphic but not excessive, that scratches that itch and gives you a feeling for how the identity realization is working.
If you like Beth Bolden, you will love this book, of course. If you aren’t familiar with her writing, this is a great start. And if you want a fantastic book with a great friend group, a great love story, and a feel-good happily ever after, this falls into that nicely. Put this on your TBR at the top; you won’t regret it.
October 22, 2025
4.5 stars!!!!
God, Beth Bolden you’ve done it AGAIN.
Man, I absolutely adored Aidan and Levi so, so much. The way they were absolutely perfect for each other, the way Levi never let Aidan think less of himself. Ugh they were so so sweet.
When I found Aidan was finally getting his book, I did not expect him and Levi to be the focus of it but boy I’m so happy they were and I really loved the yearning, the way Aidan was falling for Levi even though he wasn’t realizing it.
“Because it was a guy, sure, that was part of it. But it was more than that, too. It was Levi. And he never wanted to forget it was Levi.”
Like Aidan, LOOK AT WHAT YOURE THINKING!!!!!
And even Levi was down bad!!!
“…got you,” Aidan repeated, dark blue eyes intent and serious, and Levi had the insane and wild realization that he’d follow this man anywhere. Onto any football field. Into any sexual exploration he was even remotely into. Into the depths of hell. Aidan only needed to say they had to go, and Levi would go.”
These stupid romantic football bros who fell into bed and fell into love without realizing it.
I really loved the communication between them even with all the uncertainty lingering here and there. You knew they both wanted each other, but they were so afraid of showing their real feelings and the way they finally did was just so them :’)
I’m so excited for book two!!
ALSO RAMSEY MY BELOVED THE WAY I GOT SO HAPPY TO SEE HIM. Hate that he’s going through what he’s going through right now with his post concussion syndrome and I’m so excited that book three is going to be about him finally, I’ve been waiting what feels like YEARS for his story. I’m intrigued to see who he’s going to be paired up considering when we see him in this story there was a certain somebody who wasn’t liking him, but either way I’m stoked bc it means Ramsey is finally getting his happily ever after soon!!! (Also ONCE AGAIN, Ramsey at the scene of the crime: walking in on the couples hooking up)
Beth Bolden you are literally top 5 of my auto buy/auto read author. I’m so stoked for the rest of this series.
God, Beth Bolden you’ve done it AGAIN.
Man, I absolutely adored Aidan and Levi so, so much. The way they were absolutely perfect for each other, the way Levi never let Aidan think less of himself. Ugh they were so so sweet.
When I found Aidan was finally getting his book, I did not expect him and Levi to be the focus of it but boy I’m so happy they were and I really loved the yearning, the way Aidan was falling for Levi even though he wasn’t realizing it.
“Because it was a guy, sure, that was part of it. But it was more than that, too. It was Levi. And he never wanted to forget it was Levi.”
Like Aidan, LOOK AT WHAT YOURE THINKING!!!!!
And even Levi was down bad!!!
“…got you,” Aidan repeated, dark blue eyes intent and serious, and Levi had the insane and wild realization that he’d follow this man anywhere. Onto any football field. Into any sexual exploration he was even remotely into. Into the depths of hell. Aidan only needed to say they had to go, and Levi would go.”
These stupid romantic football bros who fell into bed and fell into love without realizing it.
I really loved the communication between them even with all the uncertainty lingering here and there. You knew they both wanted each other, but they were so afraid of showing their real feelings and the way they finally did was just so them :’)
I’m so excited for book two!!
ALSO RAMSEY MY BELOVED THE WAY I GOT SO HAPPY TO SEE HIM. Hate that he’s going through what he’s going through right now with his post concussion syndrome and I’m so excited that book three is going to be about him finally, I’ve been waiting what feels like YEARS for his story. I’m intrigued to see who he’s going to be paired up considering when we see him in this story there was a certain somebody who wasn’t liking him, but either way I’m stoked bc it means Ramsey is finally getting his happily ever after soon!!! (Also ONCE AGAIN, Ramsey at the scene of the crime: walking in on the couples hooking up)
Beth Bolden you are literally top 5 of my auto buy/auto read author. I’m so stoked for the rest of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2025
New Review! Perfect Storm (Toronto Thunder #1) by @bethboldenauthor as narrated by Darcy Stark
I’ll just say this very loudly. When I found out that there was an entire football series by Beth set IN Canada I was f*cking BESIDE myself with excitement!
So truly you cannot go wrong by starting this series. Plus both the MMCs are SO FREAKING STELLAR
Okay so we have Aidan the QB1 of Toronto hosting a LITERAL pity party at his summer cottage in Michigan with his RL brother the QB1 of the Condors, Riley Flynn and his BF Landry Banks (TE for the Condors) and his lil bro (who isn’t so lil in RL) who plays right tackle for Seattle.
While Riley and Landry are all 😍 together, Levi notices how miserable Aidan is and has him spill the beans. Turns out he had a Longterm crush on his former receiver, told him how he felt and it was not reciprocated WOMP WOMP
Now Aidan has outed himself, AND feels like he’ll never hook up with a dude and feel good about himself ever again.
Levi the got dang weirdo that he is, makes him agree to a Seggs pact that if Aidan hasn’t hooked up with anyone in a year, he’ll be his first and give him experience with a guy… judgement free.
Well, fugg him sideways cause now aidan is thinking about possibilities with the giant seggsy himbo, Levi.
But he’s drunk and sad and that’s not a good time to hookup, but they could flirt…. And ooops they kissed; and it was… great??!
Before Aidan can explore anything more at the cottage Levi has to bail and then his life goes back to TO. Except a month later he gets a call. Levi’s been traded. To TO. Which is bad. Cause he hadn’t stopped thinking about Levi.
And Landry is sending him to live with Aidan. WHICH IS WORSE. And Aidan is going to be totally normal about this.
Except Levi crashes into his home looking like a snack, bigger than life and crushing on Aidan hard. HE IS ONLY HUMAN.
Of course Aidan c*cks it up the only way he can. By being grumpy and uncertain but Levi is the bratty flirty gymbo who sees right through that act. Together their story is perfect and so sweet and seggsy.
Phenomenal series starter
5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll just say this very loudly. When I found out that there was an entire football series by Beth set IN Canada I was f*cking BESIDE myself with excitement!
So truly you cannot go wrong by starting this series. Plus both the MMCs are SO FREAKING STELLAR
Okay so we have Aidan the QB1 of Toronto hosting a LITERAL pity party at his summer cottage in Michigan with his RL brother the QB1 of the Condors, Riley Flynn and his BF Landry Banks (TE for the Condors) and his lil bro (who isn’t so lil in RL) who plays right tackle for Seattle.
While Riley and Landry are all 😍 together, Levi notices how miserable Aidan is and has him spill the beans. Turns out he had a Longterm crush on his former receiver, told him how he felt and it was not reciprocated WOMP WOMP
Now Aidan has outed himself, AND feels like he’ll never hook up with a dude and feel good about himself ever again.
Levi the got dang weirdo that he is, makes him agree to a Seggs pact that if Aidan hasn’t hooked up with anyone in a year, he’ll be his first and give him experience with a guy… judgement free.
Well, fugg him sideways cause now aidan is thinking about possibilities with the giant seggsy himbo, Levi.
But he’s drunk and sad and that’s not a good time to hookup, but they could flirt…. And ooops they kissed; and it was… great??!
Before Aidan can explore anything more at the cottage Levi has to bail and then his life goes back to TO. Except a month later he gets a call. Levi’s been traded. To TO. Which is bad. Cause he hadn’t stopped thinking about Levi.
And Landry is sending him to live with Aidan. WHICH IS WORSE. And Aidan is going to be totally normal about this.
Except Levi crashes into his home looking like a snack, bigger than life and crushing on Aidan hard. HE IS ONLY HUMAN.
Of course Aidan c*cks it up the only way he can. By being grumpy and uncertain but Levi is the bratty flirty gymbo who sees right through that act. Together their story is perfect and so sweet and seggsy.
Phenomenal series starter
5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 17, 2025
**4.5**
I love getting to read Beth Bolden's books. They flow so well and I find that I just enjoy them from start to finish.
Having just told his best friend that he's in love with him and being kindly turned down, it's no surprise that Aiden is drinking his sorrows. Wanting to know what's up, Levi is all about asking questions and getting to the bottom of it. Finding out Aiden isn't straight is quite the shock, but so is him agreeing to a sex pact to come into effect in 1 year.
Three months later sees Levi turning up at Aidan's home to stay as he has just joined Aiden's team in Toronto, and Levi's brother, and Aiden's best friend, Landry, offered up Aiden's spare room. Chemistry is not something that these two struggle with. Words, especially for Aiden, is what seems to be the trouble, in saying what they actually mean/feel. Not something that usually happens to Levi, being the outgoing, confident man he is, but he's well aware that just three months ago he was completely in love with his best friend.
These two together are perfect for an entertaining read. Levi knows exactly how to get a rise out of Aiden, in a positive way, and get him out of his head with all of the worrying and overthinking he does. From his time looking after his brother Riley, the Condor's QB, he has internalised a lot of things that could have or did go wrong and doesn't see anything positive about himself, unless it's football. Levi is determined to change that, and he's very good at it. They especially work well together when it comes to any *ahem* antics. Aiden feels safe and confident enough to be open and happy in what they are doing whilst Levi is falling quickly.
What a great start to a new series! It's also great to read so many previous MC's from the other series/teams. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the team and their stories.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
I love getting to read Beth Bolden's books. They flow so well and I find that I just enjoy them from start to finish.
Having just told his best friend that he's in love with him and being kindly turned down, it's no surprise that Aiden is drinking his sorrows. Wanting to know what's up, Levi is all about asking questions and getting to the bottom of it. Finding out Aiden isn't straight is quite the shock, but so is him agreeing to a sex pact to come into effect in 1 year.
Three months later sees Levi turning up at Aidan's home to stay as he has just joined Aiden's team in Toronto, and Levi's brother, and Aiden's best friend, Landry, offered up Aiden's spare room. Chemistry is not something that these two struggle with. Words, especially for Aiden, is what seems to be the trouble, in saying what they actually mean/feel. Not something that usually happens to Levi, being the outgoing, confident man he is, but he's well aware that just three months ago he was completely in love with his best friend.
These two together are perfect for an entertaining read. Levi knows exactly how to get a rise out of Aiden, in a positive way, and get him out of his head with all of the worrying and overthinking he does. From his time looking after his brother Riley, the Condor's QB, he has internalised a lot of things that could have or did go wrong and doesn't see anything positive about himself, unless it's football. Levi is determined to change that, and he's very good at it. They especially work well together when it comes to any *ahem* antics. Aiden feels safe and confident enough to be open and happy in what they are doing whilst Levi is falling quickly.
What a great start to a new series! It's also great to read so many previous MC's from the other series/teams. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the team and their stories.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
October 20, 2025
Now that I live in an ocean of societal angst, I need gentle, sweet love. Beth Bolden’s “Perfect Storm” perfectly hits the spot.
Star quarterback Aiden, who’s already struggling to stay on top of his game as a more seasoned pro, has just realized he might be gay. He confesses his love for bestie, Mo, a former teammate who is straight. In the aftermath of rejection, Aiden’s brother, brother’s boyfriend, plus boyfriend’s younger brother, Levi, all football players as well, crash Aiden’s summer home for support, though they don’t know why Aiden is down.
In a drunken state, Aiden confess to Levi and they make a pact to have sex in a year if Aiden hasn’t found another relationship to provide experience. The pact is sealed with a memorable kiss. Then, oh, no. Levi is traded to Aiden’s team and Aiden is asked to house his “brother-in-law” until Levi finds his own place!
Ms. Bolden’s pacing feels like real romance. Many novels build to an arc which resolves in a Happily Ever After. But real love is a series of difficulties which can break a couple or help them build trust. Here, each obstacle they face demonstrates how easy-going Levi worms through Aiden’s tight control. It’s a lesson for the lovelorn … how to pull back and give someone space to mature. Equally, Aiden inspires Levi to fight for his own desires.
Aiden and Levi are likeable, warm-hearted men, who encourage the best from others. It was pure pleasure to see the world through their contrasting visions.
All the way through, these guys sizzle. Their snark and gaming is as potent as their chemistry.
Ms. Bolden can turn a phrase, like when she calls post-coital thought “coherency sluggish!” Smooth language allows their story to unfold easily, a lazy stream that meets currents. Yet, despite Levi and Aiden’s many challenges, “Perfect Storm” didn’t really feel that stormy. I felt floaty and transported throughout.
Star quarterback Aiden, who’s already struggling to stay on top of his game as a more seasoned pro, has just realized he might be gay. He confesses his love for bestie, Mo, a former teammate who is straight. In the aftermath of rejection, Aiden’s brother, brother’s boyfriend, plus boyfriend’s younger brother, Levi, all football players as well, crash Aiden’s summer home for support, though they don’t know why Aiden is down.
In a drunken state, Aiden confess to Levi and they make a pact to have sex in a year if Aiden hasn’t found another relationship to provide experience. The pact is sealed with a memorable kiss. Then, oh, no. Levi is traded to Aiden’s team and Aiden is asked to house his “brother-in-law” until Levi finds his own place!
Ms. Bolden’s pacing feels like real romance. Many novels build to an arc which resolves in a Happily Ever After. But real love is a series of difficulties which can break a couple or help them build trust. Here, each obstacle they face demonstrates how easy-going Levi worms through Aiden’s tight control. It’s a lesson for the lovelorn … how to pull back and give someone space to mature. Equally, Aiden inspires Levi to fight for his own desires.
Aiden and Levi are likeable, warm-hearted men, who encourage the best from others. It was pure pleasure to see the world through their contrasting visions.
All the way through, these guys sizzle. Their snark and gaming is as potent as their chemistry.
Ms. Bolden can turn a phrase, like when she calls post-coital thought “coherency sluggish!” Smooth language allows their story to unfold easily, a lazy stream that meets currents. Yet, despite Levi and Aiden’s many challenges, “Perfect Storm” didn’t really feel that stormy. I felt floaty and transported throughout.
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