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Dibs
From USA Today bestselling authors Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams comes a MM forced proximity friends to lovers romance with on-the-road secret hook-ups.
Sometimes, an unexpected night can change everything ...
It’s said that college is where you try things and eventually find yourself. Chase Matthewson hadn’t expected to experiment with his roommate and fellow teammate, Gage Statler, but a drunken night at a party led them to the same bed. Before either of them could wrap their heads around what happened, Gage suffered a devastating injury and left college.
With no closure, the two put that night behind them and never spoke of it or to each other again. They both moved on, married women, and started families. Chase lived out his dream of playing professional baseball while Gage found different ways to fulfill his passion for the sport.
Years later, both men find themselves divorced, focused on fatherhood, and not looking for another long-term relationship. But what they don’t know is that the past is about to bring them together.
Gage starts coaching Chase’s son’s travel ball team, forcing the former roommates to come face to face and finally acknowledge their secret hookup. When the team moms joke about calling dibs on the hot coach, Chase wants to tell them he called dibs first.
Sometimes, an unexpected night can change everything ...
It’s said that college is where you try things and eventually find yourself. Chase Matthewson hadn’t expected to experiment with his roommate and fellow teammate, Gage Statler, but a drunken night at a party led them to the same bed. Before either of them could wrap their heads around what happened, Gage suffered a devastating injury and left college.
With no closure, the two put that night behind them and never spoke of it or to each other again. They both moved on, married women, and started families. Chase lived out his dream of playing professional baseball while Gage found different ways to fulfill his passion for the sport.
Years later, both men find themselves divorced, focused on fatherhood, and not looking for another long-term relationship. But what they don’t know is that the past is about to bring them together.
Gage starts coaching Chase’s son’s travel ball team, forcing the former roommates to come face to face and finally acknowledge their secret hookup. When the team moms joke about calling dibs on the hot coach, Chase wants to tell them he called dibs first.
206 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2022
598 people are currently reading
3141 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Knight
78 books3,018 followersKimberly Knight is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives in the Central Valley of California with her loving husband, who is a great research assistant, and young daughter, who keeps Kimberly on her toes. Kimberly writes in a variety of genres, including romantic suspense, contemporary romance, erotic romance, and paranormal romance. Her books will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and fall in love before she throws you curve balls you never see coming.
When Kimberly isn’t writing, you can find her watching her favorite reality TV shows, including cooking competitions, binge-watching true crime documentaries, and going to San Francisco Giants games. She’s also a two-time desmoid tumor/cancer fighter, which has made her stronger and an inspiration to her fans.
When Kimberly isn’t writing, you can find her watching her favorite reality TV shows, including cooking competitions, binge-watching true crime documentaries, and going to San Francisco Giants games. She’s also a two-time desmoid tumor/cancer fighter, which has made her stronger and an inspiration to her fans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
February 1, 2023
This review was updated as I went. Like a live read lol.
5%... I want to DNF already 🤣
7%... “By the way, I remember everything,” Chase said." Saying that to him after seeing him for the first time in 17 years is not at all creepy 😐
10%... insert eye roll
15%.. “Because I’m still fucking horny,” he said as he adjusted his junk. “I could help you with that.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying."
No preamble, no nothing. Very believable. I mean... how is that remotely believable? Where is the buildup, the attraction?
30%... "There was no reason for her to touch him, and I wondered if I was mad because I didn’t want Heather touching anyone else or if I didn’t want someone else touching Chase."
Because obviously a drunken blowjob 17 years ago makes you possesive of someone and you imprint on him like a werewolf. You're not Jacob my dude.
40%.. What's with the weird time jumps? They just traded blowjobs after 17 years and now we're on another day?
45% Let's insert the homophobic character because that's not at all a cliché. Ugh...spare me.
47%... Butt stuff is happening and it reads like an MF sex scene lol 🥴
Throwing in the towel at 50%
I can't do it anymore.
Sorry T but that's my limit 🤣
This book was frankly terrible. Weak writing, weaker plot, even weaker characters who are frankly too shallow to be even called characters.
And yes let's all please add the homophobic prick amd the nasty female ex because that's all that makes a book great. Smh.
Can we PLEASE move on from the clichés? This is ridiculous.
5%... I want to DNF already 🤣
7%... “By the way, I remember everything,” Chase said." Saying that to him after seeing him for the first time in 17 years is not at all creepy 😐
10%... insert eye roll
15%.. “Because I’m still fucking horny,” he said as he adjusted his junk. “I could help you with that.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying."
No preamble, no nothing. Very believable. I mean... how is that remotely believable? Where is the buildup, the attraction?
30%... "There was no reason for her to touch him, and I wondered if I was mad because I didn’t want Heather touching anyone else or if I didn’t want someone else touching Chase."
Because obviously a drunken blowjob 17 years ago makes you possesive of someone and you imprint on him like a werewolf. You're not Jacob my dude.
40%.. What's with the weird time jumps? They just traded blowjobs after 17 years and now we're on another day?
45% Let's insert the homophobic character because that's not at all a cliché. Ugh...spare me.
47%... Butt stuff is happening and it reads like an MF sex scene lol 🥴
Throwing in the towel at 50%
I can't do it anymore.
Sorry T but that's my limit 🤣
This book was frankly terrible. Weak writing, weaker plot, even weaker characters who are frankly too shallow to be even called characters.
And yes let's all please add the homophobic prick amd the nasty female ex because that's all that makes a book great. Smh.
Can we PLEASE move on from the clichés? This is ridiculous.
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 23, 2022
ALL THE STARS!!!
Dibs is a stand alone MM sports romance by Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams. I read these two for the first time when I read their Off The Field Duet and fell madly in love. So, I’ve been waiting impatiently for this book. The two characters in the duet, Aron and Drew, are mentioned in this book and make a couple of appearances but if you haven’t read it, it will not affect your enjoyment of this at all! It completely can stand alone. And before moving on, I need to mention the cover! Because wow! Just WOW!
Chase Matthewson has been playing professional baseball for twelve years and is retiring. He is divorced and has two great kids, an eleven year old son and a seven year old daughter. Chase has a wonderful relationship with his ex-wife. They are now good friends and co-parents. Chase is moving back to California and is excited about being a bigger part of his children’s lives, even hoping to help out with his son’s baseball team. Little did he know that the coach was someone from his past, someone he’s never been able to forget.
Gage Statler had dreams of playing pro ball but a college injury ended those dreams. Now he is a high school teacher and coaches his son’s baseball team. Gage is divorced but he and his wife can barely be in each other’s presence. He has two great sons. Both of these men are now thirty five years old.
Gage and Chase had been college freshman roommates and best friends. They both had baseball scholarships. There was one night after a considerable amount of alcohol that they took their friendship further and it was a night that rocked both of their worlds! But the very next day, their lives were changed when Gage was injured and left college. They never thought they’d see each other again, until seventeen years later, fate brought them back into each other’s lives. Both divorced, their sons are best friends, and both are single. Neither ever forgot that night all those years ago and seeing each other again, it brought it right back to them. Are they attracted to one another? Is it something they want to pursue?
What I loved about these two...EVERYTHING!! This book deserves more than five stars. These two were so open with each other. They discussed their feelings, they communicated with each other. They supported each other. Any drama in their lives came from the outside. They stood by each other without fail every step of the way. I adored them. I swooned so much. I felt the same way when I read the duet I previously mentioned. These two authors write THE BEST MM romance. I just can’t say that enough times. I hope with all my heart that there will be more coming in the future and if there is, sign me up!!!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Dibs is a stand alone MM sports romance by Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams. I read these two for the first time when I read their Off The Field Duet and fell madly in love. So, I’ve been waiting impatiently for this book. The two characters in the duet, Aron and Drew, are mentioned in this book and make a couple of appearances but if you haven’t read it, it will not affect your enjoyment of this at all! It completely can stand alone. And before moving on, I need to mention the cover! Because wow! Just WOW!
Chase Matthewson has been playing professional baseball for twelve years and is retiring. He is divorced and has two great kids, an eleven year old son and a seven year old daughter. Chase has a wonderful relationship with his ex-wife. They are now good friends and co-parents. Chase is moving back to California and is excited about being a bigger part of his children’s lives, even hoping to help out with his son’s baseball team. Little did he know that the coach was someone from his past, someone he’s never been able to forget.
Gage Statler had dreams of playing pro ball but a college injury ended those dreams. Now he is a high school teacher and coaches his son’s baseball team. Gage is divorced but he and his wife can barely be in each other’s presence. He has two great sons. Both of these men are now thirty five years old.
Gage and Chase had been college freshman roommates and best friends. They both had baseball scholarships. There was one night after a considerable amount of alcohol that they took their friendship further and it was a night that rocked both of their worlds! But the very next day, their lives were changed when Gage was injured and left college. They never thought they’d see each other again, until seventeen years later, fate brought them back into each other’s lives. Both divorced, their sons are best friends, and both are single. Neither ever forgot that night all those years ago and seeing each other again, it brought it right back to them. Are they attracted to one another? Is it something they want to pursue?
What I loved about these two...EVERYTHING!! This book deserves more than five stars. These two were so open with each other. They discussed their feelings, they communicated with each other. They supported each other. Any drama in their lives came from the outside. They stood by each other without fail every step of the way. I adored them. I swooned so much. I felt the same way when I read the duet I previously mentioned. These two authors write THE BEST MM romance. I just can’t say that enough times. I hope with all my heart that there will be more coming in the future and if there is, sign me up!!!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
January 11, 2023
And the second review of the year is a negative one unfortunately ; 2,5 stars for a book I had very high hopes for. I was so excited for this release and couldn’t wait to read it because the blurb sounded almost perfect . My favorite trope in the whole world is that of married “straight” guy (or divorced) who falls for another “straight” dude (If we could go back , The rebuilding year, Faith and fidelity etc) so I thought “Finally, another book with this trope!”(they’re so very rare lately). Well, it was disappointing. It’s not enough to have the imagination to create a story, you also need to know how to use the words to transmit your story, to transmit the emotions you intended, the passion, something that didn’t happen here. The writing is dry and emotionless , the author presents the events in a very matter-of-fact way. I’ve read a lot of books lately and I became very particular about the way a book is written. A beautiful prose will always raise a book in my eyes . It’s hard to convey in writing the feelings you as a writer have for the characters and their story or to make the reader feel the chemistry between the two MCs , that’s why I think a more passionate, lyrical narration can go a long way in making the reader fall in love with the characters and their love story.
Apart from the flavorless writing I also found some actions in the book very childish and eye-rolling, like how all the women (and I mean ALL of them , didn’t matter if they were married or not ) wanted them, flirted with them ,wetting their panties at the sight of them 🙄
The sex scenes were ok, I guess, though the anal sex came out of the blue and kind of fast for 2 mostly straight guys .
There’s really nothing more I can add..Two guys who shared some nooky moments one night in college meet again 17 years later, both divorced, they dance around that night for some months while meeting at play dates with their kids and then they start dating . A rushed “I love you”and everything went smoothly till the end . Fin. As I said, all very straightforward and dry and it left me pouting and disappointed lol
Apart from the flavorless writing I also found some actions in the book very childish and eye-rolling, like how all the women (and I mean ALL of them , didn’t matter if they were married or not ) wanted them, flirted with them ,wetting their panties at the sight of them 🙄
The sex scenes were ok, I guess, though the anal sex came out of the blue and kind of fast for 2 mostly straight guys .
There’s really nothing more I can add..Two guys who shared some nooky moments one night in college meet again 17 years later, both divorced, they dance around that night for some months while meeting at play dates with their kids and then they start dating . A rushed “I love you”and everything went smoothly till the end . Fin. As I said, all very straightforward and dry and it left me pouting and disappointed lol
December 26, 2022
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Dibs is a great second-chance romance between college roommates who had one steamy encounter, but were forced apart due to unexpected events. Now over ten years later they finally have another chance at something. What follows is an emotional, complicated romance that I fully enjoyed, and loved seeing this hard-won HEA.
Dibs is a second-chance romance between college roommates who reunite after over ten years. Chase is a recently retired baseball player, who is shocked to discover his college roommate, Gage, is his son's baseball coach. They haven't spoken for ten years, but after a steamy encounter, there is still some lingering tension between the two.
I enjoyed how Gage and Chase attempted to have a platonic friendship, but their chemistry and feelings prove too intense to ignore, and start a relationship. Gage and Chase are so swoony and head over heels for one another. This was my favorite part of the story because it offered a great balance from the heavier aspects of the story, which mostly dealt with their families.
Overall Dibs is a great story that has many sweet moments that balance out the more difficult aspects of two divorced fathers trying to find some sense of normalcy with their complicated lives.
Dibs is a great second-chance romance between college roommates who had one steamy encounter, but were forced apart due to unexpected events. Now over ten years later they finally have another chance at something. What follows is an emotional, complicated romance that I fully enjoyed, and loved seeing this hard-won HEA.
Dibs is a second-chance romance between college roommates who reunite after over ten years. Chase is a recently retired baseball player, who is shocked to discover his college roommate, Gage, is his son's baseball coach. They haven't spoken for ten years, but after a steamy encounter, there is still some lingering tension between the two.
I enjoyed how Gage and Chase attempted to have a platonic friendship, but their chemistry and feelings prove too intense to ignore, and start a relationship. Gage and Chase are so swoony and head over heels for one another. This was my favorite part of the story because it offered a great balance from the heavier aspects of the story, which mostly dealt with their families.
Overall Dibs is a great story that has many sweet moments that balance out the more difficult aspects of two divorced fathers trying to find some sense of normalcy with their complicated lives.
January 7, 2023
Sweet mother of god, this is a perfect example of when MF writers need to stay away from MM.
First of all, almost every single female character is a cheater or has a wandering eye. The villain female trope is TIRED. Please leave your internalized misogyny out of MM.
Also, these dudes turn to alcohol CONSTANTLY to deal with the stress of their supposed feelings. Like… 🚩🚩🚩🚩
The writing is positively boring. The characters are boring. I just… don’t care.
But then we get to the sex. Hey… guess what. You can’t just stick a dick into a virgin asshole with no prep. It’s not a vagina. Stop watching gay porn for sex references and do some actual research.
Also most of it was fade to black and what wasn’t was boring af. Like… 😖
I really wanted to quit at 50% but for some reason kept reading. I want those hours of my life back, please.
First of all, almost every single female character is a cheater or has a wandering eye. The villain female trope is TIRED. Please leave your internalized misogyny out of MM.
Also, these dudes turn to alcohol CONSTANTLY to deal with the stress of their supposed feelings. Like… 🚩🚩🚩🚩
The writing is positively boring. The characters are boring. I just… don’t care.
But then we get to the sex. Hey… guess what. You can’t just stick a dick into a virgin asshole with no prep. It’s not a vagina. Stop watching gay porn for sex references and do some actual research.
Also most of it was fade to black and what wasn’t was boring af. Like… 😖
I really wanted to quit at 50% but for some reason kept reading. I want those hours of my life back, please.
dnf
January 5, 2023time of death: 18%
this is written like a bad fan fiction. i won’t elaborate.
this is written like a bad fan fiction. i won’t elaborate.
January 23, 2023
it is giving... nothing. i wish i could say it was mid but nah. it was way way below that. mf authors writing mm romances like this one? i kinda get it now.
February 12, 2025
dropped @40%
Well, the story wasn’t bad at all but I didn’t like the storytelling. The chapters felt chopped off and kinda jumpy and unrelated instead of a continuation from the previous one.
I can guess where the rest of the story is going so I won’t bother any longer. I only wanted to read this as kind of a prequel to After Hours Lecture anyways. I hope the writing there is more to my taste.
Well, the story wasn’t bad at all but I didn’t like the storytelling. The chapters felt chopped off and kinda jumpy and unrelated instead of a continuation from the previous one.
I can guess where the rest of the story is going so I won’t bother any longer. I only wanted to read this as kind of a prequel to After Hours Lecture anyways. I hope the writing there is more to my taste.
December 21, 2022
5 Stars
It’s been a while since I picked up a book that I just couldn’t make myself put down, but that was definitely the case with Dibs.
I loved both Gage and Chase. I’ll be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about this book because sometimes when you have a romance that features children, they can often become the focus of the story. Tyler, Jase, Cammie, and Dylan were all very much a part of the book, but their presence added to the story, rather than taking over it or becoming a disruption.
For the most part, the story was well-written, with my chief criticisms being that, at times, the transitions from one scene to the next felt kind of abrupt and unfinished. The other thing, and it’s just my personal preference, I would have liked the sexy times to be drawn out a bit more. They were a tad bit rushed.
Other than those couple of things, I thought the writing, including the collaboration, was well done. The story was enjoyable and I especially loved the pacing of the relationship.
I loved that Chase and Gage spent so much time as a couple. Too often authors keep you hanging until the last few chapters and you don’t get to know or enjoy their characters as a committed couple.
Honestly, this is probably at the top of my favorites list of the year. A little more fleshing out of some of the scenes, and a bit more sexy-times, and it would have been a damned near perfect read.
I really loved and enjoyed this story and I can’t recommend it enough!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
It’s been a while since I picked up a book that I just couldn’t make myself put down, but that was definitely the case with Dibs.
I loved both Gage and Chase. I’ll be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about this book because sometimes when you have a romance that features children, they can often become the focus of the story. Tyler, Jase, Cammie, and Dylan were all very much a part of the book, but their presence added to the story, rather than taking over it or becoming a disruption.
For the most part, the story was well-written, with my chief criticisms being that, at times, the transitions from one scene to the next felt kind of abrupt and unfinished. The other thing, and it’s just my personal preference, I would have liked the sexy times to be drawn out a bit more. They were a tad bit rushed.
Other than those couple of things, I thought the writing, including the collaboration, was well done. The story was enjoyable and I especially loved the pacing of the relationship.
I loved that Chase and Gage spent so much time as a couple. Too often authors keep you hanging until the last few chapters and you don’t get to know or enjoy their characters as a committed couple.
Honestly, this is probably at the top of my favorites list of the year. A little more fleshing out of some of the scenes, and a bit more sexy-times, and it would have been a damned near perfect read.
I really loved and enjoyed this story and I can’t recommend it enough!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
January 10, 2023
Overall pretty disappointed in this book. There was quite a bit of hype for it on various platforms like TikTok and Facebook but I’m fairly certain this is both authors’ first time writing MM romance. The writing itself is well done but my concerns come over how women are portrayed in the book, lack of knowledge of anatomy, and general descriptors.
Jamie is really the only woman with any redeeming qualities and she has no page time. It’s regularly just all the other “flirtatious, cheating women” that get more development.
Look, you don’t have to be male or gay to know that certain body parts don’t just expand because someone is turned on. PLEASE do some research before just writing scenes…that was cringey and honestly I hurt reading it.
Finally, we get that Chase drives a Lexus but I have no clue what he looks like other than he’s a baseball player, blue eyes and 35. Gage has tats and is muscular?
Overall, don’t recommend. There are much better authors out there without the obviously massive marketing budget these two had to push it.
Jamie is really the only woman with any redeeming qualities and she has no page time. It’s regularly just all the other “flirtatious, cheating women” that get more development.
Look, you don’t have to be male or gay to know that certain body parts don’t just expand because someone is turned on. PLEASE do some research before just writing scenes…that was cringey and honestly I hurt reading it.
Finally, we get that Chase drives a Lexus but I have no clue what he looks like other than he’s a baseball player, blue eyes and 35. Gage has tats and is muscular?
Overall, don’t recommend. There are much better authors out there without the obviously massive marketing budget these two had to push it.
February 28, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
So that was super cute!
Back in college Chase and Gage were roommates. They shared a night where they blurred some lines and neither one of them ever forgot. The next day Gage tore his ACL and went home without a word to Chase.
17 years later Chase has retired from the MLB to spend more time with his kids. That’s wren he discovers Gage is his son’s baseball coach.
A bit of a slow-burn, I wouldn’t say there was a ton of smut but what you got was pretty hot and needy. But what it lacked in steam it made up with so much cute. I loved that both men had kids and how close they became.
I also enjoyed that you got to see two sides of divorced couples. Chase and his ex had a dream friendship where they were equally awesome parents. While Gage’s ex was a nightmare, especially when she started dating Chase’s homophobic old teammate. But it made for some awesome drama.
For me this included way too much detail. I don’t need to know everything they cooked or what they did that day that’s not pertinent to the storyline. You could replace all that with a little more emotional interaction between these two men.
Overall it was so sweet and pretty darn entertaining.
🌶️🌶️
So that was super cute!
Back in college Chase and Gage were roommates. They shared a night where they blurred some lines and neither one of them ever forgot. The next day Gage tore his ACL and went home without a word to Chase.
17 years later Chase has retired from the MLB to spend more time with his kids. That’s wren he discovers Gage is his son’s baseball coach.
A bit of a slow-burn, I wouldn’t say there was a ton of smut but what you got was pretty hot and needy. But what it lacked in steam it made up with so much cute. I loved that both men had kids and how close they became.
I also enjoyed that you got to see two sides of divorced couples. Chase and his ex had a dream friendship where they were equally awesome parents. While Gage’s ex was a nightmare, especially when she started dating Chase’s homophobic old teammate. But it made for some awesome drama.
For me this included way too much detail. I don’t need to know everything they cooked or what they did that day that’s not pertinent to the storyline. You could replace all that with a little more emotional interaction between these two men.
Overall it was so sweet and pretty darn entertaining.
January 12, 2023
DNF 10%
I rarely star a DNF but this book is being hyped so much in the MM Romance community and i really don't understand why.
The writing style was unpleasant to read. Clunky and stilted. The characters were bland. There was no attraction at all. If MF romance authors want to start writing MM romance, they should do their research. MM s*x with no prep? Ugh. (I read about that one, obv. It wasn't in the first 10%)
And the names, OMG. Why would you call them Chase&Jace&James&Gage???
I cringed when one of the MC’s approaches a person and says: ’Well, here I am, what are your other two wishes?’ What a douche canoe.
I rarely star a DNF but this book is being hyped so much in the MM Romance community and i really don't understand why.
The writing style was unpleasant to read. Clunky and stilted. The characters were bland. There was no attraction at all. If MF romance authors want to start writing MM romance, they should do their research. MM s*x with no prep? Ugh. (I read about that one, obv. It wasn't in the first 10%)
And the names, OMG. Why would you call them Chase&Jace&James&Gage???
I cringed when one of the MC’s approaches a person and says: ’Well, here I am, what are your other two wishes?’ What a douche canoe.
January 7, 2023
WHERE WAS THE PREP?
July 13, 2023
NO.
No. 2.5⭐
This wasn't it.
This is Chase Matthewson's story, the former captain of the baseball team in Traded/Outed duet.
If you're reading this without any context, you should absolutely read the Traded/Outed first.
If you remember, Chase Matthewson finds out in the above mentioned duet that Aron and Drew are together and tells them he's bisexual, because he's had a sexual experience with his roommate in college.
In this book that roommate, Gage, comes back into Chase's life as his kids' baseball coach.
🟢 The development of their love story was just awful. Yes it was, awful.
They went from having a minor experience in college while they were roommates for not even a year, to now Matthewson making a bigger deal of it than it actually was.
I would understand if they were friends for years or if they had more than a quick drunken BJ, but it made no sense, honestly.
"It feels right." We were so in sync I could finish his sentence.
Oh, give me a break. 🙄
🌶️ The spice wasn't entertaining, it wasn't interesting and I was thinking ok, they don't really have a good foundation here, but if they at least now had amazing sex, that would save the whole thing, but they didn't, not really.
Some of it was also FTB, so I absolutely didn't enjoy it.
After the first time fooling around with each other, we get this;
"I need you to know this isn't just a casual thing for me. I want to be with you, and see if a relationship between us can go somewhere."
"I think there is definitely a connection between US. Something that is deeper than just sex. And I want to see where it goes."
This was just once fooling around after 17 years of not seeing or thinking about each other, but hey, what do I know.
"But let's stay in our own little bubble for a little while longer because sneaking into your bedroom makes me rock hard."
Tell me you're a woman writing this book without telling me you're a woman writing this book. This is what a woman would think or say. Not men. It killed the whole story for me reading their cringe dialogues.
It's interesting, because in Traded/Outed the authors really got the dialogues right, but in this book they absolutely haven't.
🔵 Now, at 35, they were both dads and kids were involved and I had no problem with that, but the whole plot was that, the kids.
Kids, kids, kids.
I don't like single dad stories, but fine, it is what it is, and because of the kids, Chase and Gage lost important page time .
I did like the characters mentioned in these connected books and Tyler, Gage's son gets his own book in After Hours Lectures and I'll be reading that one too, and hopefully it's much better than this.
December 26, 2022
Absolutely fantastic! I couldn’t wait for this book to release. After meeting Chase in a previous book and seeing his acceptance of loving who you love I knew his book would be great. Meeting Gage just added to my excitement. One of my favorite genres to read is a gay romance, and this one was everything. Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams make a great duo, and now I need more! Who’s up next???
January 5, 2023
DNF’d at 47% - I was hoping this would be a nice ‘it’s ok’ book that would keep me interested enough to see me through to the weekend when I save the books that I’m really looking forward to.
Unfortunately, I struggled through quick changing scenes, shallow characters (including multiple sex hungry female characters) and zero sexual chemistry between the MCs but had to DNF when we got to the ridiculous sex scene (zero prep for a guy that’s never had sex with a man, and it was all over in a paragraph 🫣)
If you’re new to MM romance there are so many better books out there.
Unfortunately, I struggled through quick changing scenes, shallow characters (including multiple sex hungry female characters) and zero sexual chemistry between the MCs but had to DNF when we got to the ridiculous sex scene (zero prep for a guy that’s never had sex with a man, and it was all over in a paragraph 🫣)
If you’re new to MM romance there are so many better books out there.
December 24, 2022
Once I started, I couldn’t stop reading. “Dibs” is a sweet, steamy and heartfelt MM romance that is the total package.
Chase Mathewson is newly retired from the MLB and is able to spend more time with his kids. That includes a weekend little league game and there he runs into his old college roommate, Gage Statler. The two were close until an injury ended his college baseball career. However, the two have an interesting night that years later is still on both of their minds.
I loved Chase and Gage from the beginning and they were amazing. I loved their connection and they started out again as friends even though that chemistry was there and brewing. The communication was spot on and low drama between them. That was so refreshing and one of my favorite things about them. I love that they’re a later coming out couple who always knew in the back of their minds that they were waiting for each other. The forbidden touches leading up to the steamy times were delicious. I loved the ending and hope we get more from them in the future.
Chase Mathewson is newly retired from the MLB and is able to spend more time with his kids. That includes a weekend little league game and there he runs into his old college roommate, Gage Statler. The two were close until an injury ended his college baseball career. However, the two have an interesting night that years later is still on both of their minds.
I loved Chase and Gage from the beginning and they were amazing. I loved their connection and they started out again as friends even though that chemistry was there and brewing. The communication was spot on and low drama between them. That was so refreshing and one of my favorite things about them. I love that they’re a later coming out couple who always knew in the back of their minds that they were waiting for each other. The forbidden touches leading up to the steamy times were delicious. I loved the ending and hope we get more from them in the future.
did-not-finish
January 14, 2023DNF @ 17%
Yikes. This is bad.
Yikes. This is bad.
June 10, 2023
Unmotivated,
unclear bi-awakening.
Read better books next.
unclear bi-awakening.
Read better books next.
June 2, 2023
College is supposed to be the time you experiment, right? But what happens when it's with your best friend/roommate, and you're supposed to be too drunk to remember? You act like it never happened and hope things go back to normal. But after a life-altering injury, things fall apart before Gage and Chase are able to talk about it and get closer.
Fast forward years later, and Chase is finishing up his last season as a member of the Colorado Rockies. He's excited to spend more time with his family after his retirement, and this includes accompanying his son to his travel ball tournaments. But when he gets there, he's in for a shock. The coach? The same man he shared a dorm room with in college, and the man he experimented with and never got closer. With nowhere to go and no time like the present, Chase is determined to talk with Gage about it, but it might end in a way neither man ever thought possible.
To be honest, I've always been drawn to this cover but never got around to reading it. I finally was in the mood to pick it up, and I absolutely loved it. For the longest time, I thought it was going to be a single dad and his son's baseball coach, but I didn't know the dad was an ex-MLB player. Chase and Gage were so sweet, and I'm a huge sucker for a good friends-to-lovers story.
Fast forward years later, and Chase is finishing up his last season as a member of the Colorado Rockies. He's excited to spend more time with his family after his retirement, and this includes accompanying his son to his travel ball tournaments. But when he gets there, he's in for a shock. The coach? The same man he shared a dorm room with in college, and the man he experimented with and never got closer. With nowhere to go and no time like the present, Chase is determined to talk with Gage about it, but it might end in a way neither man ever thought possible.
To be honest, I've always been drawn to this cover but never got around to reading it. I finally was in the mood to pick it up, and I absolutely loved it. For the longest time, I thought it was going to be a single dad and his son's baseball coach, but I didn't know the dad was an ex-MLB player. Chase and Gage were so sweet, and I'm a huge sucker for a good friends-to-lovers story.
January 4, 2024
WOW!!! I thoroughly enjoyed Chase and Gage's story. It is a touching second romance that had my heart all a twitter. Chase and Gage were roommates in college but only got one night together before tragedy stuck. A night neither one has ever forgotten.
Now retired, Chase returns to Southern California where he shares custody of his two children with Jamie. After years of being a part time dad; he can finally become involved with is son's baseball team. He can't wait to meet the coach his son won't stop talking about. Seeing the coach, who just happens to be his old roommate, stirs up all kinds of memories.
There is a chemistry between them that needs to be explored. The dating of another man is new to both of them making for some amazing reading. So many feelings. Their growing romance brought me such happiness. Their relationship is an inspiration that I honestly could not get enough of. Dibs is a wonderful reminder that it doesn't matter who you love. It only matters that you do love.
Now retired, Chase returns to Southern California where he shares custody of his two children with Jamie. After years of being a part time dad; he can finally become involved with is son's baseball team. He can't wait to meet the coach his son won't stop talking about. Seeing the coach, who just happens to be his old roommate, stirs up all kinds of memories.
There is a chemistry between them that needs to be explored. The dating of another man is new to both of them making for some amazing reading. So many feelings. Their growing romance brought me such happiness. Their relationship is an inspiration that I honestly could not get enough of. Dibs is a wonderful reminder that it doesn't matter who you love. It only matters that you do love.
December 31, 2024
I have been looking forward to this book ever since I first read the blurb a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I found the storyline lacking passion and flow in many scenes, which is unfortunate as the plot had promise.
August 19, 2023
I wanted to like this book based on the premise but it is just not well written. At all. Was truly dragging my feet to the finish line
January 7, 2023
This is a brand-new author for us, and we really loved our first book by them. This was one of those feel good romances that was heartfelt filled with real emotions and at times the plot was a bit messy but, that is what life is all about right?
Loved Gage and Chase as a couple, and loved their communication skills with one another. We loved that the story had that second chance feel to it. We also love the fact that neither Gage nor Chase were looking for love, but, it found them. One night long ago but, not forgotten, and it was just by chance these two old roommates met again after so many years had passed.
Overall, we just loved this read the sexiness and realness of the story both Gage and Chase's kids were awesome, and we loved the relationship Chase still had with his ex. But, most of all, we loved how this couple dealt with the challenges before them and that they included their kids in the decision-making, where they always put their kids first in every decision they made. Awesome story that touched our heart. And a shout-out to Jamie, she was the bomb, her kids and Chase were lucky to have her as part of their lives. And awesome mom and friend as well.
Loved Gage and Chase as a couple, and loved their communication skills with one another. We loved that the story had that second chance feel to it. We also love the fact that neither Gage nor Chase were looking for love, but, it found them. One night long ago but, not forgotten, and it was just by chance these two old roommates met again after so many years had passed.
Overall, we just loved this read the sexiness and realness of the story both Gage and Chase's kids were awesome, and we loved the relationship Chase still had with his ex. But, most of all, we loved how this couple dealt with the challenges before them and that they included their kids in the decision-making, where they always put their kids first in every decision they made. Awesome story that touched our heart. And a shout-out to Jamie, she was the bomb, her kids and Chase were lucky to have her as part of their lives. And awesome mom and friend as well.
December 5, 2023
Ah! Blended families ate adorable.
August 27, 2023
So disappointed in this one I just going to drop my unfiltered thoughts I noted as I read:
Flashback past their first time to gather was unnecessary IMO. We already knew an injury ended Gage relationship. It add nothing to the story
Gawd why do it seems mm writers hate women.
First present day sex scene…that’s it. A real blink and you will miss it moment.
Fade to black…not a fan. At 44% I don’t feel like we got one good hot sex scene to be fading to black. Also since these are first times it would be nice to get more description.
First time anal and no prep what so ever!!
Where is the chemistry??
This book started sprinting going downhill for me when the sex started. Just no.
Too much of their relationship is happening often page.
Housing hunting and coming out to the parents - it would have been nice to see that. Also would have love to see more of the blend family including Jamie.
—
I seeing that this is the authors first mm book and it shows. It was one of my most anticipated reads to close out 2022 and was a major let down.
Flashback past their first time to gather was unnecessary IMO. We already knew an injury ended Gage relationship. It add nothing to the story
Gawd why do it seems mm writers hate women.
First present day sex scene…that’s it. A real blink and you will miss it moment.
Fade to black…not a fan. At 44% I don’t feel like we got one good hot sex scene to be fading to black. Also since these are first times it would be nice to get more description.
First time anal and no prep what so ever!!
Where is the chemistry??
This book started sprinting going downhill for me when the sex started. Just no.
Too much of their relationship is happening often page.
Housing hunting and coming out to the parents - it would have been nice to see that. Also would have love to see more of the blend family including Jamie.
—
I seeing that this is the authors first mm book and it shows. It was one of my most anticipated reads to close out 2022 and was a major let down.
January 5, 2023
i really wanted to love this book, especially because i had seen it recommended by so many people in some of the groups i’m in, but i just couldn’t connect with it.
December 31, 2022
I had an early copy. This review has been edited after publication.
Chase and Gage had one random night in college when they were roommates because both struck out (see what I did there?) with girls at a party and then never saw each other again, which is hard enough to believe because texting, coach responding to check in, Gage had a dorm room full of stuff etc. 17 years later they're coaching their kids baseball team and talk a little before falling into bed with each other, even though neither of them has been interested in another guy in all that time. I think maybe I'm used to more angst and taking about feelings and descriptions of feelings and working up to sex with m/m stories and this book didn't have that. It almost seemed clinical or maybe it was that the book didn't factor sex in as an important part of the story? I don't know exactly. There were a few "fade to black" scenes and there wasn't as much detail or prep as I'm used to. Also completely unbelievable is a single parent of two kids with a nice house near the beach with a teacher's salary lol.
I love that Chase and Jamie are co-parenting so well even though they are divorced. I think some things need to be written as examples for others to follow, like how asking for consent or a quick conversation about birth control or preventing STIs can be modeled and potentially carried over to real life. In this case, it's great to see families being open and supportive of each other.
Overall, I did like the story. It's my first book by the authors but there are characters from another book that are mentioned, and I'm interested to go back and see if I get the same vibe from those books. This book can be read as a standalone.
Chase and Gage had one random night in college when they were roommates because both struck out (see what I did there?) with girls at a party and then never saw each other again, which is hard enough to believe because texting, coach responding to check in, Gage had a dorm room full of stuff etc. 17 years later they're coaching their kids baseball team and talk a little before falling into bed with each other, even though neither of them has been interested in another guy in all that time. I think maybe I'm used to more angst and taking about feelings and descriptions of feelings and working up to sex with m/m stories and this book didn't have that. It almost seemed clinical or maybe it was that the book didn't factor sex in as an important part of the story? I don't know exactly. There were a few "fade to black" scenes and there wasn't as much detail or prep as I'm used to. Also completely unbelievable is a single parent of two kids with a nice house near the beach with a teacher's salary lol.
I love that Chase and Jamie are co-parenting so well even though they are divorced. I think some things need to be written as examples for others to follow, like how asking for consent or a quick conversation about birth control or preventing STIs can be modeled and potentially carried over to real life. In this case, it's great to see families being open and supportive of each other.
Overall, I did like the story. It's my first book by the authors but there are characters from another book that are mentioned, and I'm interested to go back and see if I get the same vibe from those books. This book can be read as a standalone.
January 23, 2023
I came across this book on Facebook and the synopsis was interesting and the comments were right this was a really good book. Chase Matthewson and Gage Statler were college roommates and they both on the baseball team. While drinking they decide to experiment. Gage gets hurt and leaves school fast forward 18 years. Chase has had a good career in the major league he retires and moves to San Diego to be close to his kids. As also had a good life he is a travel baseball coach to his son Dylan and his best friend Jase who is Chase's son. I really liked this book these two reconnect and begin hanging out and they decide to pick up were they left off. These two get hot and heavy quickly. I really liked Chase's ex wife Jamie they had a good relationship but Gate's ex Lisa I wanted to slap her she was rude and inconsiderate and she hurt her sons. I really liked how they were careful with their relationship and putting their kids first. This was my first time reading these authors. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading more from both of these authors.
December 31, 2022
So freaking cute !!! Loved this story of Chase and Gage! I love the back story and how they came back together. Their kids are amazing and Chase ex wife is wonderful. They are really a blended loving family. Thank you Kimberly and Rachel for letting me read this story.
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