Two Dumb Jocks

Dumb Jock #5

by Jeff Erno

Dumb Book Five

Rejected by his family for coming out, Bryan Helverson boards a plane for Tampa, Florida, where he plans to attend college. Brett and Jeff's family embrace him when he arrives, and his new "brothers," Adam and Trevor, help him assimilate into the community.


While playing tennis with Trevor at the country club, Bryan meets aspiring pro tennis player Greg Lewis. But after a few minutes it's easy to see the arrogant jock is not on Bryan's menu, and he quickly dismisses the man. Forgetting he ever met Greg is not an option, though, when Bryan is hired as a waiter at the country club's restaurant, and Greg is assigned to train him. Unexpected romance blossoms just as Bryan discovers one of Greg's ex-boyfriends also works at the restaurant.


Greg is not the person Bryan first took him for, though. His true ambition is to become a doctor. And as their romance grows serious, Bryan discovers Greg's mom suffers from the same debilitating depression that plagues Bryan. Unfortunately, just as Bryan is making giant strides with managing his depression, Greg's ex—as manipulative as he is abusive—takes a battered Bryan back to point A and threatens to destroy his relationship with Greg.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Contemporary, Gay, College, Abuse, Romance

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2014

About the author

Jeff Erno currently lives in southern Michigan. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management and human resources. Jeff began writing stories in the late 1990's and initially posted them to a free online amateur website. The positive feedback he received from readers encouraged him to continue, and this eventually led to the publication of his first novel, Dumb Jock. Erno has subsequently published several other novels.

His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.

Reviews

[Trisha Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also check out my review on Greedy Bug Book Reviews.

Two Dumb Jocks is the fifth book in the Dumb Jock series. A series that I happen to love to pieces. It’s one of the first m/m series’ and Dumb Jock, the first book, was the second m/m book I read.

So I was really excited when I saw that this book was coming out, but I will admit to being nervous about the main character. I wasn’t a fan of him in the last book, but the blurb did sound really good. And it didn’t disappoint me really, but it’s not my favorite in the series either. Two Dumb Jocks is a bit more of a mature YA/NA book than the others. It’s also a bit more explicit than the others in the series, which is why I found it to be a bit more of a mature YA.

This book follows Bryan. He’s living with Jeff and Brett and their son, Adam, and his boyfriend, Trevor. He’s dealing with depression and trying to build himself up after having a really hard time. Luckily, he has Jeff and Brett (the couple from book one) who are helping him out.

He meets Greg, and at first he doesn’t think much of him, but after they begin working together, that soon changes. The relationship goes at a nice pace and I did think they were a nice couple. I just didn’t connect to them as a couple as much as the others in the previous books. And that’s totally on me, not the book. Plus, the romance, like in the first book, isn’t the main focus in the book. At least that’s the way it was for me. It was more about Bryan, and him recovering and learning to accept and love himself because he really doesn’t in the beginning. It’s also about him making connections with people and finding a new family in Jeff and Brett and their family.

Like other books, there is a bad guy. Well, three bad guys actually, and it’s definitely the darkest in that sense. I’m not kidding when I say that it really is difficult to read, and not because it’s explicit or anything. It just the type of book that really makes you feel for a character, and that’s huge for me since I wasn’t a big fan of Bryan in the beginning. And it’s not like I wasn’t expecting something bad to happen, because I was. But that definitely did not cross my mind.

Overall, I am really glad I did read this book. It’s definitely different from the other books in the series, which isn’t a bad thing. It really makes you connect with the MC, Bryan, and it does cover a pretty serious subject, depression. So it’s nice to read a book that covers something like that, and that appears to cover it well. I would definitely say you should read this if you’re a fan of the series. But it might not be good for you if you can’t handle rape, even non-explicit rape, in your books.

This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[John Sontag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Erno's "Dumb Jocks" series gets a fitting addition here with the pairing of two young men, both jocks, and a terrific story. Bryan is outed in his hometown and discarded by hi family. Luckily, Brett and Jeff open their doors and hearts to him.

You see, Bryan is suffering from severe depression. After a thwarted suicide attempt, Bryan shows all of the classis symptoms of this disorder. Depression afflicts millions of people, many LGBT teens. Jeff, in his unmistakable style, gives this problem careful handling in this very true to life story. I can honestly say that Bryan's feelings, emotions and actions are accurately portrayed. He certainly had me in tears, hitting so close to home

With the help of his two adopted dads, his boyfriend, Greg, he follows his path. Painful as it may seem, he has the full support of many people in his life. It is sad to say that many suffering from clinical severe depression go without the support that Bryan finds. Greg also comes across as a giving, sharing, and sacrificing character.

While the subject matter can be troubling, this entry has its share of laughs, loves, and triumphs that make this series a rewarding and continuing satisfying read. Although this entry lacks some of the outrageous humor of the previous entries, it makes up for it in spades by tackling a severe and emotional problem realistically and honestly.

This is a "must read" for all followers of the series, and it also is the same for some new readers who might find some answers here to their own situations.

Definitely, a MUST READ!

[Djenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this story 4 stars for how the author dealt with the topic of depression. I have a relative who struggles with it and the topic was handled very well. But the whole assault scene and fallout, I give only 2 stars. The characters of the attackers did not lead me to believe they would do what they did. Also, the recovery of Bryan was too swift for me. And frankly, I wanted to see those men pay. Literally pay. And Greg's undercover mission didn't seem believable to me. It was a risk that I could only see ending up a mess for him.

Once again I have been blindsided by an assault in this author's book. Rape and molestation was the number one reason I stopped watching crime dramas, Dirty Harry movies and most 80's crime movies. I like the HEA, but does it have to be like Lifetime movie where the protagonist gets stomped on so hard that the ending seems like a release grim purgatory?

[Cbernard3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One more to go and they have all been winners...the stuff that dreams are made of.

[T.M. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth and final book in a series that really should be read in order.

Bryan Helverson suffers from a severe form of depression that is only compounded by his parents ostracizing him because he is gay. On his road to self discovery he made a few mistakes along the way (hence, why you have to read the series in order) but he’s gotten away from his religious fanatic parents, and hopes to build in new life in Tampa with the help of Brett and Jeff (and you’ll know who Brett and Jeff are if you’ve read the series).

Bryan is pretty athletic, he loves basketball, so once he arrives in Tampa he decides to try his hand at Tennis. That is when he first meets Greg. Another jock, Greg is gorgeous but conceited, or so Bryan thinks. When he finds a job and winds up working with Greg, getting to know him better, he realizes his first assumption was wrong. Greg Lewis is truly a nice, decent guy at heart. When his father died, his mother took it pretty hard as she suffers from depression like Bryan does, and Greg has stuck by her side getting her the best care possible. As a result he has decided he wants to be a doctor when he graduates. He is very assured and head strong, the kind of guy that goes after what he wants. And what he wants now is Bryan. But he is also a kind soul... generous, loving and patient, which is exactly what Bryan needs.

Bryan’s own worst enemy is himself though. Because of his past and his demons, his emotions are a wreck. He goes from happy go lucky to sad panda at the drop of a hat, but Greg is ever present and patient with him, even when he tries to push him away. Right about the time that it looks like Bryan may have a hold of his emotions, making some leadway with his depression, Greg’s jealous ex does something so extreme in an attempt to damage the relationship between Bryan and Greg, that it may send Bryan over the edge for good.

The book was a roller coaster of emotions, especially with Bipolar Bryan. I wasn’t even joking about his mood swings, the door to them should be on hinges as wide as it swings! But that is the reality of the disease that Bryan has to live with every day. I loved the sessions with his therapist and how we saw a different side of Bryan there. Also, how he had to learn the hard way that just because he felt better and had a better grasp of his emotions, moods and life didn’t mean he could stop his medications. The consequences were dire. Kudos to Erno for doing the research for this story and making sure every little detail was accurate, it added depth and reality to the story.

I feel though that the synopsis should include a trigger warning. There is a brief rape scene, dealt with in the content of the story more so as Bryan is having to tell the man he loves what happened, which broke my heart. But none the less, it has to be mentioned. There is a lot of love woven into the darker aspects as well though. Bryan is surrounded by it, even if he doesn’t always realize it, or constantly questions it, it is there. Erno did a bang up job of taking a previously hated character and explaining his machinations and turning him into someone you could not only like, but relate to.

The passion and romance between Bryan and Greg is pretty intense, they definitely steam up the pages a time or two. But there is drama and just the right amount of angst as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I was taken aback by the severity of Ian’s actions, but everything was pretty well balanced by the end. I’d recommend this series. It starts out on the YA end of the genre and as the books progress, so does the sexual aspect. But the characters are all growing up, so it makes sense that the situations they face would be more mature. Just remember to read the books in order.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

[The Novel Approach · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Two Dumb Jocks is written from the point of view of Bryan, a freshman at The University of Tampa. He’s been rejected by his biological parents, who couldn’t accept his sexuality, and is ‘adopted’ by two gay men, Brett and Jeff. Bryan is inserted into an immediate family–his friend Trevor, and Trevor’s boyfriend Adam, also living in the house (Adam is Brett and Jeff’s actual son). Suffering from depression, Bryan sees a therapist, Hank, though is resistant to the sessions and to taking medication. When he starts working at the Country Club where Brett and Jeff belong, he meets Greg and is initially put off by what seems to be arrogance in the handsome young tennis pro. Bryan soon learns his initial impression was wrong, however, and starts a relationship with Greg. As their relationship grows, Bryan is plagued by self-doubt and insecurity, which ultimately lands him in a horrifying situation. Although supported by his new family and Greg, Bryan must fight to work past his own demons in order to unlock the ability to see himself as others do.

I’ve read several stories by Jeff Erno and have always enjoyed them for the depth of his character development and the intricacy of the plot line, but his story fell short of my expectations. True to form, there is an innocence to his characters, a coming-of-age feel which is both refreshing and heartwarming. Bryan certainly has growing up to do, and he’s placed in several situations where he’s forced to examine himself. His reactions and emotions, totally understandable based on his experiences, provide a window into what it is like for a young man, new to discovering himself, as he reconciles who he knows himself to be with the experiences life placed before him.

Greg is utterly lovable. He comes off as arrogant at first, but as the story unfolds and we learn more about him, the fact he’s so involved in the LGBT community and so well-adjusted makes him all that much more admirable. The cast of side characters are delightful as well, each possessing their own unique personalities, adding depth to the story and to Bryan’s life.

Where the story fell short for me was in the quantity of issues raised and Bryan’s immature reactions to the things that happen to him. The book tackled multiple heavy issues: depression, rejection, self-doubt, and most disturbingly, violence. At each step along the way, Bryan’s reactions seem extreme, his conclusions about the motivations of others a leap from what the situation calls for, yet this is not positioned within the framework of his depression well enough to compensate for the sense of self-pity we consistently experience through his eyes. Whenever he questioned why someone like Greg would want him, I found myself wondering the same thing.

For me, this story would have been better served by picking one issue and going deeper with it. Had the depression line been followed, we could experience how Bryan almost loses everything, until he finally accepts that he needs help and can live happily by accepting the benefits of counseling and medication. Had the violence issue taken center stage, we could have seen Bryan growing and healing, only to be set back by an act of hatred. There were many different storylines which could have emerged. In the end, I felt this one didn’t really touch on any of them to a degree that satisfied me. The result was I didn’t feel deeply enough for the main character and therefore, Two Dumb Jocks didn’t touch my heart the way other books by this talented author have.

[Lori S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite there. I like this series, all of the books I have read (except the first and Dumb Jock, the Musical, which I have yet to read ) have been highly enjoyable and nice coming of age/terms and coming out stories. This one, however, not so much.

The premise is pretty thin - Bryan, the main character of this particular story, is dealing with his parents' rejection, starting a new life in Florida away from Michigan, starting college and finding a new boyfriend, as well as dealing with the his depression, you'd think he would be feeling overwhelmed.

Yet, I never once got the sense that the character, much less the author, ever really dealt with any of the pressure he's under in this story. I'm no expert on depression (clinical or otherwise), but I would have expected Bryan to do something far more self destructive in the course of the story than stop taking his medication and run away from his boyfriend after a fight. What does happen subsequent to his running away is very bad (he's kidnapped, raped, abused, beaten and violated by a secondary character, his boyfriend and one other), but again there's no real sense the characters actually dealing with the fall out of the event. We're told that Bryan is dealing with it, but we're never shown how he's dealing with things.

I will say I did get upset along with Bryan when he opens what he hopes is a gift from his parents that turns out to be another form of rejection it's a book full of religious pamphlets on "curing" homosexuality and a Bible (and made me want to do something to the pair of them - though even pry bars don't work on the closed/small minded types).

Greg, Bryan's boyfriend, is supportive and sweet (to the point of almost being saccharine), Brett & Jeff are there for background support as are the other kids/young men from previous books, but they're just window dressing really. We never get a real sense of Greg's character, beyond the fact that he loves his mother (who also suffers from depression), and he plays a very competitive game of tennis. And that's it for Greg.

All in all a pleasant, light, story about a guy starting to find his way in the world in spite of the setbacks he's suffered, but ultimately, one empty of any real substance.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Set-Up For Series Finale

Picking up from where Dumb Jocks--The Musical left off, this one follows Bryan, best friend of Evan from the previous book, who has been basically banished by his family in Boyne City, Michigan, to the Tampa home of Jeff and Brett, who began the whole Dumb Jocks series in the 1980s. There he interacts with most of the characters from the other books.

This is a psychological study of Bryan for the most part, even though it gets more heavily into his relationship with Greg, a tennis player and, eventually, co-worker and lover who brings stability and perspective to Bryan's life.

However, like all the Dumb Jocks books, this tale has its moments of angst and even violence, as well as an undercurrent of the importance of family, and how that can be defined. Troubled Bryan is perhaps the least stable of author Erno's central characters, but in the end he may be the one you remember the most. This is supposed to be the next-to-last in the series, and there is no doubt that the finale will be very special, indeed, if it is anything like this one.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all the Dumb Jock books by Jeff Erno, and this was no exception. In Two Dumb Jocks, we learn about Bryan, whom we first met in Dumb Jock the Musical. Having finally admitted who he is, Bryan is rejected by his family, and ends up living with Jeff and Brett, from the original Dumb Jock. Bryan faces many challenges - finding employment, depression, love, and thugs. In spite of Bryan's behavior in the previous book, I came to care about him a lot in Two Dumb Jocks. I was not surprised, as Jeff Erno has a way of making me care for his characters.

[Trace Hagemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Jeff Emo

Two Dumb Jocks is an excellent addition to the Dumb Jock series. This books follows the relationship between Bryan and Greg. At times the book is tender and others it is brutal, but it never disappoints. We also get to catch up with old friends from the previous books. I can't recommend this series enough.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth in the series that is always satisfying for me...generations of male couples being normal human beings. This introduces us to a new character that "joins the family". Hard phycological issues dealt with exceptionally well.

[Martijn Hartman-maatman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthy addition to the Dumb Jock series. Two jocks fall in love and have to come to terms with their feelings for each other. Combined with some trouble and even a rape, the story is very interesting.

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Elci · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book in the Two Dumb Jock series! Such a great series!