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, Contemporary, LGBT, 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

[Vanessa GLP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, sweet, beautiful book, Butch is golden💫

[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.

[Florence . · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[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.

[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

[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.

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

this was so sweet 😭

[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!

[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.)

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[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.

[♥ 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.

[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.

[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.

[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 🥰

[Ren Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eurgh, this was so freaking sweet, I loved Percy and Butch so much.

[Yuli Atta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I needed after multiple crime fiction books.
The question is, what's next?

[Jenny (In an HR fog with no return date 🥺) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute read about two beautiful men who are opposites and made each other better in the best ways. If you’re looking for a warm hug, this is it.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. I really liked how Butch handled Percy's truth and how they were both very open with each other, at least after they both figured out that they liked each other. Before that it was borderline unbearable with all the assumptions being made. Overall a good read. I am thoroughly invested in Fender now, but I guess we'll have to wait until after Callan's book. I can guess that AJ's brother will play a significant role for Fender.

[Gloria Burd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️Cute read! Feels like the perfect palette cleanser book if you’ve just come off something heavy. Jock/nerd himbo (gymbo lol) all the lovable side characters made appearances too. Felt like there wasn’t much conflict which is why this would be good for when you need a light spicy read.

[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.

[Bookstagramtea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This purports to be a simple, sweet, nerd plus jock romance, with a trans rep. But actually is a story of self love and support.

For me, this wasn't on par with K M Neuhold's Four Bears, Ink Slingers, or Big Bull series', as far as love stories go. The story on this probably deserves three stars for it's romance - it's sweet and predictable, though very one sided - but I admire the author's research and she clearly did her homework on trans and dysmorphia, and translated this in a very accessible, relatable way and she truly deserves an extra star for how she did that.

This story in particular was very exterior focused. There are immediate identifiable reasons for that - it's set in a gym, and physical attributes, adaptions and hang ups are obviously present with the trans rep and this being the first exploration of Percy's with another person and the body he always felt he should have. Whilst this is clearly a focus, I did miss the psychological side. It's touched upon at times with the changing room and initial very short term nerves their first time, in Percy, and a notion of brains Vs brawn is broached with Butch, but this could have gone so much deeper with this rep and it's very much kept surface level. KM does normally offer more insight and interaction between both characters needs, where in this everything is very much focussed on Percy. So much so, that when fears are shared between the two, no comfort is offered and I felt there were a lot of missed opportunities where we could learn about Butch.

We never learn any background on either family, and I could write on a postage stamp what we know about Butch - he was not good at school, doesn't seem to have friends who don't work at the gym, despite his missed clientele, and we know of nothing he does outside of the Gymbos. In the same way, there's a lack of exploration of feelings that aren't physical, and this isn't normal for KMs work and I think it would be detrimental to any new reader of KM's to not acknowledge that.

This book is not a romantic love story between a couple, for me, but a lovely story of self. A representation of how committing to your own self can increase your confidence and help you achieve more than you ever considered you were capable of.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet low angst positive happy story. I just love these two - individually and together.

Butch ❤️ Percy

Percy is a grad student at the local university who mistakenly walks into Sweat gym and meets Butch. Butch challenges him to a good natured arm wrestle and after a trip to the bakery (which is where Percy was intending to go lol ) Percy ends up agreeing to a temporary gym membership w Butch as his trainer.

It is the story of this initial spark turning into more and them each realizing that opposites do attract and they are each perfect for the other.

- Butch is an incredibly endearing man with lots of muscles and a pure gentle encouraging heart. He is taken a Percy (“Rocky”) immediately. He is insecure about not having a college education and is concerned that he’s not smart enough for him.
- Percy is a nerdy professor type who at the beginning of the story feels a bit insecure about his body and if he’s masculine enough for Butch. He’s also recently completed his transition to a man and is concerned that he won’t be “enough” physically for Butch.
- No third act breakup; low angst
- So much gentle sweetness w each other and positive support. These each stand up for the other and are their cheerleader.
- Communication - These two have their insecurities but they are each very emotionally mature and talk things out.
- No OM. Neither is a virgin, but Butch is the first man for Percy since his operation.
- Spice - Starts w sweet kisses and then picks up steam. The body positivity is everything. It’s handled so beautifully.
- Best bits - the camping trip and first kiss, the gym scenes when Butch is so encouraging, when Butch goes out w Percy and his ‘friends’ and Percy defends him when they’re rude without hesitation.
- Dual POV; living together at end w promise of the future.

“You saw me, the real me, before I even fully did. 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?”

“Same, baby. You see depths to me that I didn’t think were there. You look at me like I hung the moon, and it makes me feel a hundred feet tall.”

I loved them! 🏳️‍⚧️❤️🥰

[Ishika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐❤

This series......its soo good. Just a bit too much on smut. But otherwise its pretty cool. I loveeeee the friend group especially Fender. I love reading their banter. I cracked up so hard each time Fender was in the scene. And the way people keep on adding whenever a conversation takes place in the gym without the mmcs even knowing that others were listening them😂

Butch was so so sweet and caring and I loved how he kept on encouraging Percy till the very end. Loved it loved it loved it totally.

I really wish I get Juno's book as well because they seem quite interesting to read about and obviously they deserve the world.


===================================


I'd rather meet someone organically, like we both reach for the same dumbbell and when our eyes meet, we already know it's on. You know, the usual way people meet😂😂


===================================


"Come on."

"Paperwork," the guy sitting behind the desk calls out. He's as big as Butch, with a slightly rounder stomach, dark hair, and a vintage Ghostbusters T-shirt stretched across his massive torso.

"This is Silas," Butch says, leading me over to the desk. "He has a weird fetish for paperwork. Not that I'm kink shaming."😂


===================================


"Shoot, did I get the time wrong? It's Friday, right?" I start to open up the text where Fender sent me the info, but he puts his hand over my phone screen.

"You're fine, Rocky. It was my mistake actually. Silly me, I forgot my birthday isn't until February. Oops." An impish grin flickers on his face. He grabs my forearm and tugs me inside before I can protest. "You should hang out though. I'm on my way out, and I'm sure Butch would love the company."


===================================


I found the books of Ezra, Dre and Xeno. Its called Bro Split. That's an accomplishment for me😅 I need Fender's book ASAP