How to Be Gay By Valentine's Day

PCU Frat #3

by Sarah Jayne

GAVIN

Growing up in small-town Idaho, nobody told me liking guys was an option. Church on Sundays, football on Fridays, and girls on your arm at homecoming, that was the script. But here on the West Coast, watching my best friend all loved up with his boyfriend, I'm suddenly noticing things like how the barista's forearms flex when he makes coffee.

I need a tutor, someone out and proud who can teach me the basics. Someone who knows the ropes, who won't judge me for being twenty-three and clueless about my own damn sexuality.

SEBASTIAN

Medical school requires ridiculous courses that have nothing to do with saving lives. Organic chemistry? Easy. Public speaking? Kill me now. My professor insists I need a tutor, and the guy he sends? Six-foot-four of pure muscle with the IQ of a golden retriever. He wants to make a deal. He'll guarantee I pass this nightmare class if I teach him how to be gay.

How to be gay. Like, there's a handbook, but my entire future depends on not vomiting during presentations, so fine. What's the worst that could happen?

A sunshine/grumpy MM romance featuring one confused golden retriever jock, one stressed future doctor, meddling frat brothers, and homophobic parents who really should've called first. HEA guaranteed.

Genres: Fiction, Gay, M M Romance, LGBT

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2026

Reviews

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Gavin is the most genuinely written character, I loved everything about him and his actions had me loving him even more. The characters are fantastic and the frat brothers are as endearing as they were in the first 2 books. This sweet, steamy, rom com is an excellent read. I can’t wait for the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amy Lynn Southern]

DNF, too slow and the storyline doesn’t do it for me. I can tell it’s a fast-paced romance without any real conflicts. I was really hoping for a goofy romance, but it gives bland sitcom vibes.

[Barbara Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

MCs: Gavin & Sebastian

This MM college-aged/new adult rom-com was touching, totally hot, and absolutely hilarious 💖

Having read the series, I was already acquainted with one of the MCs, Gavin—a total golden retriever who’s determined to explore his sexuality 🐶🌈. Enter Sebastian, a feisty pre-med student, and sparks fly . Their story is equal parts adorable and spicy 🌶️💞. Despite all the humor, one MC is hiding some dark secrets, and the pairing faces real challenges and some genuinely hard-hitting moments along the way.

If familial homophobia or abandonment are triggering topics for you, this may not be the right read. While the overall tone stays light, there are moments that are emotionally tough—but the subject matter is handled thoughtfully and with respect 🤍.

Final shout-out for the cover—this has to be one of the most attractive, sweetest covers I’ve ever seen 😍📘. Love it. Pick up the book; the contents do not disappoint. Sarah Jayne nails it again with this third installment in the PCU Frat series 👏✨.

Please note: I received an advanced copy ahead of publication. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review and truly appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to read and review this book 💕.

✨ Tropes ✨
🏈 MM Sports Romance
🏈 MM Football Romance
😌 Jock with Bottom Vibes
📚 Jock / Nerd Pairing
🐶 Golden Retriever × Grump
🌱 Baby Gay
🤍 Found Family
🎓 New Adult / College

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was funny, entertaining, interesting, and I enjoyed the smart jock, and the crushing of stereotypical and preconceived notions. My only problem is that I actually liked Haru and JP better, and want to read their books. Yes, what Gavin is trying to do in his frat, with inclusion, and how he reads people like open books is great, and Sebastian’s story is fascinating, and you root for him when he’s struggling with his family; also, each chapter title is priceless and amusing, and so spot on! Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the MCs as much as with secondary characters, so it took the enjoyment out of it a bit. But I liked the previous books, and I’m hoping there are more, specially if I get to see more of Haru and JP. I seriously have no idea why I absolutely adore them, but they’re so cute and awkward and adorable… I just loved them! So yes, 3.5 stars, because it’s a great story, and I loved the premise, but it’s like movies that you love but the actors don’t quite fit, great movie but not quite right actors. This felt the same for me. But I’ll read the next ones, because the writing is good and the premises of all the books are fantastic so far.

[Bookstagramtea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and funny

I really enjoyed this! It started a little slow and the bucket full of friends named in the first half was a little full on and confusing, but by the end of the book some of the friends names were sticking and I loved the diversity they added, and the banter.
This book surprised me. Since the author had written three novels associated with holiday seasons, I had expected this to be quite gimmicky and pretty fluffy, to be honest. I liked the tropes and was sent it as a rec and thought I'd give it a go. It was so much more! It had depth and complexity, friendship and longevity, and the communication was epic. Yes please! More people should knap those they love to speak to them! Communication makes this for me and it was great. Enjoyed so much that I'm going to go read the other two books and also find out what's coming next from this author.

[Alia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and it was fun. I enjoyed. Seb/Doc and Gavin are great. Have is the epitome of a golden retriever. He’s kind, thoughtful and just an all around likeable character. Seb/Doc is the black cat to Gavin’s sunshine, however he does speak up and is not always so grumpy. I love how Doc has Gavin’s back, always. He’s the small un-intimidating man that will fight for Gavin and defend him at all costs. The other characters made this so much fun. I look forward to seeing what happens with them and who they pair up with! I have not read the 2 previous ions in the series, but I will go back and read the them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Fen'Harel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a perfect example of a light-hearted romcom that was also able to tap into some darker themes such as homophobia and domestic abuse.
Seb was adorable, with his need to colour code everything and his desire to become a doctor. I loved the back story he was given, especially with the fear of being rejected by a loving family.
This is the opposite of Gavin who, while also adorable, has an unloving family but he still fears the rejection of them as well.
This book really covers the idea of found family, the fear or losing others due to choices (including a university decision), and the way people can make mistakes and be forgiven.
I really liked these two together and I'm happy they found each other

[Sara Irons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin and Sebastian are adorable. As the frat house changes around all of the characters, Gavin is starting to understand that life is so much different than he was taught growing up.

Sebastian is very much a nerd, but sweet as pie. He has a difficult time with understanding human communication. But with Gavin as his tutor he begins to learn more about what life has to offer.

The characters are done very well and the world building is wonderful. There are some steamy parts so I recommend an 18+ rating.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebastian wants to be a Doctor. He's a brainiac about all his classes, except psychology is too subjective for him and he needs a tutor. The tutor turns out to be my favorite golden retriever, Gavin, the jock from the frat in earlier books from this series. Gavin is questioning his own sexuality so they trade helping each other while they fall for each other. I loved Seb's gang of nerds as they fangirl over Gavin, study the phenomenon that is "SeVin" and rhapsodize over Gavin's sweatpants. It's sweet, and funny, and endearing, and steamy. I loved this one! I received a copy of this through BookSirens and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feral cat x golden retriever

Sebastian is very much a nerd but he's having difficulty with psychology and understanding people's interactions.
Gavin is a very sweet jock who's been taught to be a "man's man".
They strike a deal, you help each other out, Gavin will teach Sebastian about people and Sebastian will introduce Gavin to the gay community.
This is especially important because Gavin is beginning to question his sexuality.
I loved these two together, they were cute and steamy together.
I really enjoyed the found family aspect and Sebastian's group of friends shipping them.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gavin was my favorite from the start. He's a loveable & all around nice guy. Gavin & Sebastian meet one day in the library. Sebastian a pre med student thinks Gavin is your typical "dumb jock" & just lets it go. Sebastian is then told by one of his professors he needs a tutor to better his social skills. Who better than Gavin. They strike a deal, Gavin tutors him in social skills, Sebastian tutors him on how to be gay. There is lots of cute banter, zero to low angst, & a HEA. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters in this series and the friendships. It was even better with Sebastian’s friends than the frat and I look forward to reading the new series about them.

This book had sensitive and strong characters who were emotionally available. I loved Gavin and that his character got more depth than previously expected.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heidi Marshburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem right here is a book worth your time! Gavin and Sebastian's journey was so much fun! This book was hilarious and full of great banter. It also dealt with some very heavy and raw topics.
I picked this up because I found it on a random search trying to find books that fit into a book club challenge. What I got was a refreshing, well written and so enjoyable read!!

Highly recommend!

[Nifer Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐3🌶️ ARC Dual POV First Person
Sebastian and Gavin
A sweet and funny story, loved both guys and each of their found families. Seb's family chat was hilarious.
CW for homophobia/slurs

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read!

Absolutely fantastic book. I’ve loved all three books in this series, a good blend of romance and coming to terms with sexuality. I can’t wait for the next on

[Crystal Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much!

I loved this sooo much! Squealed, giggled and swooned the entire book! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Laura Acelecia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4
It was cute. The frat stuff was kind of annoying, but overall it was sweet.

[Laurie Kleveland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept for this was really sweet and the characters themselves were absolutely adorable. But they lacked a little depth for me and parts of the book really had me hooked and other parts just dragged for me. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.

[Amanda Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin is the most cinnamon roll character you will ever meet, and Sebastian has the biggest black cat energy.

This story is a cute read about finding yourself and having a crush and doing anything you can to get them to give you attention.

Gavin still learning who he is asks Sebastian for help and both end up enjoying each others company a bit to much.

Great for a quick sweet read