Pumped

Gymbos #2

by K.M. Neuhold

Blurb

I’m just a nerd, standing in front of a bench press, asking it not to humiliate me in front of my gym crush

I’ve never walked into a gym on purpose in my life, and I’m not sure which part is more shocking, the massive beefcake who immediately challenges me to arm wrestle or the fact that I kind of want to come back.

I spent years of my life refusing to lift anything heavier than a textbook, and it shows. I never expected that coming to the gym and bulking up would give me more gender euphoria than all the T shots in the world.

The crush I’m developing on my Golden Retriever of a personal trainer, Butch, though? Yeah, I should have seen that one coming.

Butch is a guy’s guy. Jockstraps, armpit licking, Sweat enthusiast… what could he possibly find exciting about a scrawny, book-ish nerd like me?

I’m just going to try not to drool on him too hard while he helps me get pumped. And I’m for sure not going to do anything stupid like falling in love with him…

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Transgender, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Sports, Queer

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2026

About the author

K.M.Neuhold has long since been a romance junkie. When she’s not writing she’s reading or spending time snuggling with her husky or her husband. She fell in love with M/M romance last year and hasn’t been able to turn back. There’s nothing she loves more than love in all its forms.

Reviews

[Florence . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen i’ve now read this book THREE times in 6 months, need I say more?

*****

5 “I’ve never needed anyone to try to impress me. I just want someone to see me and want me.” stars

Mini-Blurb: Percy is trying to go to a new bakery in his city when he accidently stumbles into a gym. A very hot gym bro, Butch, asks him to arm wrestle. From there they keep doing everything to spend more and more time together.

I read this book twice in two weeks, I might be a little obsessed and that’s all right with me.

You look at me like I hung the moon, and it makes me feel a hundred feet tall. I love you and I love the person I am with you.”

This book might just be the sweetest, swooniest book I will read all year, every interactions between these two main characters made my heart flutter. When I talk about loving sweet romances between two characters that bound over the course of the book and we get to see them fall in love more and more through all of the moments that they spend together and this book was just the perfect example of it. I just could not get enough of seeing their interactions and the way they were around with each other. I love when characters meet and then they’re instantly obsessed with each other and just trying to find ways to spend more time together and this book was just such a fun example of this.

This book was such a perfect mix of laugh out loud humor and the sweetest most romantic moments known to men and I loved it so much.

”I’m fucking wild about you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, and I didn’t think I’d like it, feeling so out of control and fucking vulnerable. But with you, I do.”

Also, I have a talent for crying at extremely low angst books when I feel for the characters and get attached to them and I just wanna see them be happy. I cried for about half of this book due to how much I just wanted both of these guys to be happy and feeling secure and at peace and this includes every time these characters were happy, because it was such a lovely sight to see.

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think i need at least 1000 books in this series.
these gymbos with hearts bigger than their impressive biceps will be the death of me.

[Vanessa GLP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, sweet, beautiful book, Butch is golden💫

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

No one his size should look that fucking cute when they smile. He has to be at least six-five, and probably two-fifty of almost pure muscle. He should be intimidating, not cute.

Gymbro himbos are always a blast.
Pumped was an unserious, low angst, sweet romance between bookish nerd Percy and buff personal trainer Butch.
I loved the trans rep and the easy acceptance, the confidence Percy gained by the end, the found family, and the light fluffy tone of the book.

“That’s right, take it, baby. You were fucking made to ride my dick.”

And the delicious spice, of course. Butch is very much a ‘worship his partner’ kind of guy, and I’m here for it.
I needed a funny sweet read, and I think this hit the spot quite nicely.

“How could I not fall in love with you, Butch, when you look at me the way you do? When you see me the way you do?”

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Dysmorphia and body insecurity
- Trans MC
- Size difference
- Top/bottom
- Frotting/grinding
- Sweat kink
- Rimming
- Shower sex

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty decent and cute. But nothing is more annoying to me than one guy spending the whole book thinking “I’m probably not good enough for him” while the other guy spends the whole book thinking “I’m probably not good enough for him” like smh. They are with you so they obviously like you and think you’re enough. It is so annoying to me and went on way too long.

[Courtenay (ceelovesbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Why do books about Gymbos end up giving me so many damn FEELINGS?! 😭 this series has me in a serious chokehold.

Percy walks into a gym called Sweat, he’s never been in a gym before in his life. Why is he there you ask? Well, he was actually looking for Sweet, the bakery across the street. If that isn’t enough, he is immediately challenged to an arm wrestle by a beautiful, blonde himbo, Butch.

But the nerd x jock trope is only a thing in romance novels right? Well lucky for us, yes 😅

These two were so much fun! Butch’s job is to get Percy into shape, help him reach his goals, and absolutelyNOT fall in love with him. Percy’s job is to let Butch push him to his limits and live a little bit. And again, absolutely NOT fall in love with the man that is way out of his league.

These two really helped one another grow, experience life to its fullest, and hold each other up when they needed. Butch wants to be a man deserving of Percy, and Percy wants to be a man confident enough to go after what he wants.

The transmasc rep in this book was phenomenal, beautiful, and I learned so much about Percy as the book went on. The way Butch dealt with something so sensitive to Percy was EVERYTHING. Just call him the consent king. These two were sweet, hot, and everything I knew I could expect from this author and this series. I’m blown away.

I can’t wait for book 3!

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my GOD this was so sweet. To be seen and loved for you who are. Ugh. Five stars.

[Emily H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

I liked this! Loved the trans rep, loved the characters, just didn’t vibe with the story overall as much as I wanted to.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After accidentally walking into the gym instead of the bakery he was looking for, Percy finds himself roped into joining Sweat and getting trained by the friendly beefcake, Butch.

The unlikely pair instantly hit it off, and sparks fly as they get to know each other in and out of the gym.

This series is definitely solidifying itself as one of my new favorites, especially after how sweet Percy and Butch’s story was.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- arm wrestle meet cute
- himbo trainer + nerdy PhD student
- transmasc rep
- opposites attract
- size difference
- found family
- only one tent
- sweat worship

[Lizzy (reviewsshewrote) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so sweet 😭

[Karina Liebiedieva]

7/10 Мені здається, я щиро хочу піти до спортзалу, бо ці качки мотивують і це єдина причина, чому я взялась читати другу частину, ахаха
Насправді тут важлива тема трансгендерності підіймається і мені подобається їх компашка дурна. Проте ✨їбуться✨ тут теж занадто багато головні герої, які для мене все одно якось не до кінця розкриті, чи шо

[Jana Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to shake both MCs at certain points, but still enjoyable.

A few things to expect from Pumped:
- jock / nerd
- size difference
- trans rep
- low-angst
- masc overload (sweat-licking, armpit nuzzling, ball sniffing, chest bumps, etc.)

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ Ready for more gymbos?

I LOOOOOVED this book so much. Between Jacked and Pumped, definitely this book is my fave of the two. But tbh this series is so fun and I'm more than ready for more books because they all sound incredible. You have a fan, reader in me KM Neuhold, I'LL BE THERE 💪

Pumped has the biggest himbo ever in Butch, a gym trainer who is so happy all the time. He meets Percy when Percy accidentally enters the gym instead of the bakery in front lmao. Butch somehow manages to make him come back and sign up for training classes. These two are dummies in love and even though there's lots of miscommunication at the beginning, it's that type of miscommunication that I don't mind at all. They think the other won't ever be interested, so they can never trust what the other means or does, you know? But what they don't know is that both of them are so into each other!!

If you're looking for a very low on the angst, gymbos, nerd x gym rat dynamic, romance, definitely check this out right away!!

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 5 out of 5]

story of Percy and Butch

This is a gym crush / opposites attract to more rom com, featuring Percy and Butch, and is book two in the Gymbos series.

Percy is a bookish gym newbie who discovers that lifting weights gives him unexpected confidence, gender euphoria, and a strong desire to keep coming back. Falling for his energetic personal trainer, Butch, was definitely not part of the plan, but it’s happening anyway.

This story is a sweet, low angst romance that balances humour, vulnerability, and heart in the best way. Percy’s journey into strength training is deeply relatable, while his growing crush on Butch delivers Golden Retriever charm, gentle heat, and a slow-burn connection that feels earned and tender rather than rushed. I loved it.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM rom com
Opposites attract
Nerd x Himbo
Client x trainer
Size difference
Arm wrestle meet-cute
Both crushing hard
Sweat worship
Trans rep
Light online stalking
Camping / only one tent
Spicy times
First times
Marking
Calls him Rocky
Found family
HEA

[369Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
The second book in this series is just as delightful as the first!
Percy is a nerdy grad student, who accidentally gets talked into taking some PT lessons from Butch. Butch is exactly the kind of guy you think he is: tall, buff, himbo 😂 The two need to work past their insecurities to be together!

This book has:
-trans man rep!
-jock x nerd but make them fully adults
-a big dude with a sweat-licking k*nk
-nosy friends
-getting over insecurities

This book is fully focused on the characters’ relationship, which means there’s not much driving the plot. It’s very low-stakes and chill. I found the characters to be really sweet, and did really enjoy their story. Was there a whole lot of substance? Not really. But it was very cute, and the characters are all loveable. 😍 I loved that we got more diverse queer representation in this book.

I’ll definitely be reading this whole series as it comes out!

[Boys From The Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book was sweet and I devoured it. Well written, low angst, great characters. I think we all need a gymbo in our lives.
I’m looking forward to more from this series

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

RTC

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This ended up being pretty good in the end 🥰

I struggled a bit with Percy and his refusal to communicate in the first part of the book, but after I buckled in I ended up enjoying the ride ^^

Small TW: as a physically disabled person it was a bit triggering when they kept saying things like : "you control your body it doesn't control you!" / "you tell your body what to do!". I know it was meant as motivation and I don't think the author wrote it maliciously, but this sentiment was repeated multiple times throughout the book and in my case it took me out of it and made me feel a bit crappy so I wanted to put in a slight trigger warning.

[Candice Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars.
Okay, I went into this worried because I didn’t like the first book however this was a completely different experience for me.
I loved Percy and Butch together. Their relationship was sweet and their chemistry was 🔥. I loved how Percy came into himself and Butch was a constant cheerleader.
I am looking forward to continuing this series.

[Wissal · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ 2 stars —
DNF at 59%

At first, this book was genuinely really good. I went in knowing it had a gym-bro vibe—which usually isn’t my thing—but I pushed past that because I was excited to read about a trans MMC and see how the romance would develop. For a while, it was honestly shaping up to be a five-star read.

I also want to say this upfront: I do prefer stories where a trans MMC or FMC is paired with someone who’s bisexual, pansexual, or also trans. A lot of trans people have talked about this online—how dating bi/pan or trans partners can feel safer and more comfortable—and that made sense me. That said, I was completely fine with Butch being gay. That was never the issue. The trans representation itself was actually one of the strongest parts of the book.

The problem?

The sweat.

So. Much. Sweat.

This is already why I usually avoid gym-bro books, but I was willing to deal with it because normally, characters shower before doing stuff with each other.
In this book? No. It was sweat on sweat on sweat. Armpits. Licking sweat. Tasting sweat. Constantly. I swear my brain convinced me I could smell the book through my phone—like a gym bag filled with damp clothes that had been marinating for a month, mixed with a forgotten protein shaker that’s turned into some kind of blue-cheese biohazard. Socks. Cheese. Men. Balls. Something that smelled like piss. Absolutely monstrous.

I tried to ignore it. I really did. I started skimming. Skipping. Pushing through because I cared about Percy and Butch and the trans rep. But the moment Percy said he wanted to taste Butch’s sweat—and Butch suggested his armpit as the “good stuff”—I was done. I refuse. I simply cannot with this smelly ass book.

After the gym, you take a shower. You scrub with an African net sponge. Antibacterial soap. You use deodorant. You do not put your face in someone’s armpit. I don’t care how in love you are. I don’t care how horny you are. If we’re at the gym, don’t touch me, don’t kiss me, don’t breathe near me. Sweat is not sexy. It’s disgusting.

I was so put off that I genuinely felt nauseous, and that’s when I knew I couldn’t continue.

That said, I’m not giving this book one star—and that’s only because I appreciated the trans representation. I liked Butch as a character. I liked Percy. I liked how accepting and affirming the story was in that regard. If I hated it entirely, it would’ve been one star (or zero, if that were an option). But the representation mattered, and I won’t ignore that.

Still, the sweat fixation was everywhere, nonstop, and impossible to overlook.

So: 2 stars.
Good rep. Decent characters.
But absolutely ruined by the BO.

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sweet but romances about gym bros are gonna be added to the list of books I’m not interested in, along with rock stars.

I was actually thinking I might read the next book if it’s about Fender. But it’s not. The next book is about Callan. 😞

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet romance, nice friendships. I had to look a few things up and learned some things about gender affirming surgeries. I appreciated the trans rep and the authors intent behind it (per the Author’s Note). My interest waned a little at the end.

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirt Graves does it again, he brings these loveable men to life with his beautiful voice. He shows the vulnerability of both men and their growth as they allow themselves to believe they deserve that happiness. As yo be expected with a great narrator you never lose whose pov or voice you are kn and are easily able to follow the flow of the story without losing your place.

Percy and Butch are your perfect little nerd jock opposites attract pure joy romance. Butch one of the trainers at Sweat encourages Percy who accidentally walks into the gym vs Sweet the bakery across the street. These two have an immediately sweet adorkable banter that just draws you in. Butch becomes his trainer in his fitness journey to seeing working out is not only good for your body but for your confidence. the slower pace to intimacy of these two was not something you always see from KM and I frigging adored it. Percy needed the confidence as someone who recently fully transitioned to be comfortable in his body to be able to take that next step to intimacy. Butch needed to see just because hes not book smart doesn't mean hes not smart in other aspects of his life. These two just bring so much joy along with the rest of the trainers of Sweat in their encouragement at being your true self and just plain having fun in their lives.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Story Has Heart

Dee’s Grade: A+

This book gave me the swoons. Butch and Percy both had their insecurities that could have easily kept them apart. They both kept fighting the voice in their heads telling them lies. Most importantly they both became brave enough to talk to each and grow together. The story is low angst and has the humor KM is know for. It also has heart.

[Nastena Totskaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Я прочитала і скажу мені сподобалося, я думала коли брала читати що зовсім про них по іншому, в голові вони були іншими зовсім. А тут вони прямо аааа я не можу, наскільки круто тут показано як люди переживають коли змінюють себе. Буч ти булочка з варенням , він настільки добрий і сонячний що я чесно в шоці. Наскільки він підтримував і показував Рокі що він прекрасний, що він зможе що в нього все вийде. Рокі сподобалося що він став себе любити і навіть похід до роздягальні і в душ це прям круто. В цій частині більше емоційно а матюхні і їх слова аха я обожнюю. Но мене знову тривожить це любов до поту і пах ахаа вибачте не розумію 😂. Спайсі сцени гарячі , но мінус оце піт , вибачте 😅

[Madam Ra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book! We have our golden retriever gybmo Butch and sweet nerdy Percy finding love, acceptance and belonging in each other. We have a beautiful trans rep, I am not an expert, not even a perth, but I do love to read about people falling in love. Percy was in a journey to reinvent himself, build courage and confidence and Butch helped him with that with so much kindness and support, it was really really good to read this positive and uplifting story.

[Erica Testa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this start to finish on a long flight and enjoyed the heck out of it! K.M. Neuhold writes books that are just insanely bingeable. Both heroes were so utterly likeable and their romance happened so organically, it was just a lovely little romance. Trans joy makes my heart happy and watching Percy come into his own over the course of the book alongside his sweet golden retriever boyfriend was just totally joy inducing.

[Kim B · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!! This was a fun, low stress read! Both Butch (gymbro) and Percy (PhD student aka "the nerd" - and trans) are seriously the cutest! Both characters lack confidence and have some serious doubts about being "good enough" for each other, but ultimately communicate like adults and voila! Fun, light hearted read with a sweet happy ending!

[Caroline Forrester · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[... · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total feel-good read. I really love it when there isn't any relationship angst in a romance 🥰