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The Advantage #1
Try Line Hearts
Lucas Byrne has built his life on control.
Captain of his country’s rugby team. Relentless on the pitch. Disciplined off it. He knows how to carry pressure, how to lead men into collision, how to keep every want neatly folded away where it can’t cost him everything he’s worked for.
Elijah Kaine is a problem.
Too talented. Too open. Too easy with laughter and touch and the kind of attention Byrne has spent years convincing himself he doesn’t need. Kaine plays like he has nothing to lose—and looks at Byrne like he already knows the truth he refuses to name.
They’re supposed to be teammates.
They’re definitely not supposed to want each other.
What starts as friction turns into something sharper. Something electric. Glances held too long. Hands brushing in cramped spaces. Nights where the line between discipline and desire wears dangerously thin. Byrne knows the risks—his career, his reputation, the world that expects him to be one thing and one thing only.
But Kaine isn’t asking for promises.
He’s asking for honesty.
And for Byrne, that might be the most dangerous thing of all.
Set against the brutal intensity of professional rugby, this is an emotionally charged MM sports romance about truth, restraint, and the terrifying freedom of wanting more—on the pitch, and in the dark, when no one else is watching.
Sometimes the hardest opponent isn’t across the line.
It’s the future you’re finally brave enough to imagine. (18+ Heat Level)
Captain of his country’s rugby team. Relentless on the pitch. Disciplined off it. He knows how to carry pressure, how to lead men into collision, how to keep every want neatly folded away where it can’t cost him everything he’s worked for.
Elijah Kaine is a problem.
Too talented. Too open. Too easy with laughter and touch and the kind of attention Byrne has spent years convincing himself he doesn’t need. Kaine plays like he has nothing to lose—and looks at Byrne like he already knows the truth he refuses to name.
They’re supposed to be teammates.
They’re definitely not supposed to want each other.
What starts as friction turns into something sharper. Something electric. Glances held too long. Hands brushing in cramped spaces. Nights where the line between discipline and desire wears dangerously thin. Byrne knows the risks—his career, his reputation, the world that expects him to be one thing and one thing only.
But Kaine isn’t asking for promises.
He’s asking for honesty.
And for Byrne, that might be the most dangerous thing of all.
Set against the brutal intensity of professional rugby, this is an emotionally charged MM sports romance about truth, restraint, and the terrifying freedom of wanting more—on the pitch, and in the dark, when no one else is watching.
Sometimes the hardest opponent isn’t across the line.
It’s the future you’re finally brave enough to imagine. (18+ Heat Level)
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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January 4, 2026Oh, my heartstrings!
Eli and Lucas. Boy, did they put me through the ringer! This book had me chuckling, crying, angry, crying some more, and then smiling so big! I want to be one of Eli's aunts for sure! What a fun, loving, and fun-loving family! Lucas is the type of character that made me turn to my husband and say, "I know he's a fictional character, but he is exactly why I enrolled in college in my late 40s to become a sports psychologist!"
This was my first read from this author and it won't be the last!! So much emotion, great knowledge of rugby, and amazing character development!! I love when an author can describe something so vividly that I don't feel like I need to look up a picture of what they are describing. Well done!
Eli and Lucas. Boy, did they put me through the ringer! This book had me chuckling, crying, angry, crying some more, and then smiling so big! I want to be one of Eli's aunts for sure! What a fun, loving, and fun-loving family! Lucas is the type of character that made me turn to my husband and say, "I know he's a fictional character, but he is exactly why I enrolled in college in my late 40s to become a sports psychologist!"
This was my first read from this author and it won't be the last!! So much emotion, great knowledge of rugby, and amazing character development!! I love when an author can describe something so vividly that I don't feel like I need to look up a picture of what they are describing. Well done!
July 18, 2026
cutest thing i have EVER read.
March 29, 2026
“Alexa, play I’ll Believe in Anything by Wolf Parade.”
I really enjoyed this book! Even though Lucas was the main character, Eli was my favorite. I wish we had more of his POV throughout the book. I also appreciated Lucas’ struggles with his identity and his family, and would have liked to see that explored more! In my opinion, we only got a taste of the tension between his family’s religious beliefs and his queer identity. I would have liked a little more commentary on that, but that’s just me!
I really enjoyed this book! Even though Lucas was the main character, Eli was my favorite. I wish we had more of his POV throughout the book. I also appreciated Lucas’ struggles with his identity and his family, and would have liked to see that explored more! In my opinion, we only got a taste of the tension between his family’s religious beliefs and his queer identity. I would have liked a little more commentary on that, but that’s just me!
June 22, 2026
Captivating from the start
This book sucked me in from the beginning. I felt like I was part of the process with the team. Then the story starts building with our Captain and Kaine. I couldn't put this book down. And I absolutely loved Maeve and her witty banter and keeping the guys in line.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. I felt like I was part of the process with the team. Then the story starts building with our Captain and Kaine. I couldn't put this book down. And I absolutely loved Maeve and her witty banter and keeping the guys in line.
January 20, 2026
OMG
I absolutely loved this story. The characters were real. I could feel Eli's heart literally break and mine broke a little with his. I thought Lucas would never pull his head out his rear. Great book, I would definitely recommend.
I absolutely loved this story. The characters were real. I could feel Eli's heart literally break and mine broke a little with his. I thought Lucas would never pull his head out his rear. Great book, I would definitely recommend.
June 18, 2026
Does the sun ever shine
It rained. Like, all the time. Sounds grey and miserable. It isn't. A beautiful story, high in angst. Athletes who can not love whoever is heartbreaking. Well worth the read.
It rained. Like, all the time. Sounds grey and miserable. It isn't. A beautiful story, high in angst. Athletes who can not love whoever is heartbreaking. Well worth the read.
January 10, 2026
V.K. Alenko's writing is so poetic. Beautiful story with beautiful characters. Loved everything about it!
January 26, 2026
Daww!! My heart melted! I loved the writing! Very good book!
January 26, 2026
3.5/5
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. It was a quick read, but really packed an emotional punch!
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. It was a quick read, but really packed an emotional punch!
June 24, 2026
Beautiful story, couldn’t put it down. Really good story. Recommend.
May 26, 2026
Nice story with authentic characters. Nothing challenging about how the story line plays out. My first rugby book so looking forward to reading more.
March 11, 2026
Finally, an MM Romance that takes its characters seriously. Rugby with heat.
As the book industry floods with MM sports related romance novels, few actually stand out. This novel is one of the standouts.
The novel, of course, contains spicy scenes, but they add to the story as opposed to becoming the story. We don't wait for character development between descriptive text forcing us to know how hungry the characters are for each other. Instead, we receive tension and build up, making those romantic scenes a reward as opposed to an obligation.
The writing style of this book surprised me several times. At one point I felt anxious and tense, as did the character, only to realize that the text structure had changed, reinforcing the claustrophobic feelings the main character was experiencing. I then realized that formatting changes happened subtly throughout the book based on which character's perspective we were in. The changes are not glaringly obvious, but once you realize what the author has done, it is a delight knowing the author was able to convey something to the reader without the use of direct narration. It is unique in my experiences with authors and I found it refreshing.
Our characters, Lucas and Elijah, are likeable and provide reality centered actions and thoughts. Things don't happen easy for these men whether it be by their own decision making or by things outside of their control. I never felt like these characters were stepping into fantasy, but instead remaining grounded, believable, and relatable.
The location changes were also very fun. We aren't stuck in one city or even country, allowing each unique background to help build the character interactions and their development from beginning to end. We revisit some locations, but they never feel repetitive due to Lucas, Elijah, and their supporting cast evolving and interacting with the environment differently as they change their own perspectives.
For the Spice Cravers out there, know that this book is not page after page of intimate scenes, but the scenes that do exist are deliciously described and still remain intimate without stepping into immorality or triggering environments. There is consent. There is control without demeaning. There is give and take between the characters to meet their needs in that moment. And none of it feels forced or disregarding of a character's worth.
In conclusions, if you are searching for your next grounded, well written, slow burn, delectably spicy romance, I implore you to take a journey into the world of rugby in the Advantage series beginning with Try Line Hearts... but be prepared, because the story doesn't stop there.
As the book industry floods with MM sports related romance novels, few actually stand out. This novel is one of the standouts.
The novel, of course, contains spicy scenes, but they add to the story as opposed to becoming the story. We don't wait for character development between descriptive text forcing us to know how hungry the characters are for each other. Instead, we receive tension and build up, making those romantic scenes a reward as opposed to an obligation.
The writing style of this book surprised me several times. At one point I felt anxious and tense, as did the character, only to realize that the text structure had changed, reinforcing the claustrophobic feelings the main character was experiencing. I then realized that formatting changes happened subtly throughout the book based on which character's perspective we were in. The changes are not glaringly obvious, but once you realize what the author has done, it is a delight knowing the author was able to convey something to the reader without the use of direct narration. It is unique in my experiences with authors and I found it refreshing.
Our characters, Lucas and Elijah, are likeable and provide reality centered actions and thoughts. Things don't happen easy for these men whether it be by their own decision making or by things outside of their control. I never felt like these characters were stepping into fantasy, but instead remaining grounded, believable, and relatable.
The location changes were also very fun. We aren't stuck in one city or even country, allowing each unique background to help build the character interactions and their development from beginning to end. We revisit some locations, but they never feel repetitive due to Lucas, Elijah, and their supporting cast evolving and interacting with the environment differently as they change their own perspectives.
For the Spice Cravers out there, know that this book is not page after page of intimate scenes, but the scenes that do exist are deliciously described and still remain intimate without stepping into immorality or triggering environments. There is consent. There is control without demeaning. There is give and take between the characters to meet their needs in that moment. And none of it feels forced or disregarding of a character's worth.
In conclusions, if you are searching for your next grounded, well written, slow burn, delectably spicy romance, I implore you to take a journey into the world of rugby in the Advantage series beginning with Try Line Hearts... but be prepared, because the story doesn't stop there.
July 11, 2026
I really wanted to like this but a few a things about this book really bugged me.
To start with the good - despite being American, this author seems to know a fair amount about rugby. For the most part, the rugby part of this is well done.
And while the writing style isn't for everyone, I did appreciate that this author has a distinctive voice and does some interesting things with description and sentence structure.
On to the issues. The main issue for me is that we really don't get a lot of backstory or explanation on either character, so it's hard to understand their motivations. There is one side character (Lucas' friend), but otherwise the characters have no exterior life.... well except for the insertion of Eli's huge family at the 3/4 mark with no explanation.
The POV choice is also a strange one. Most of the book is told in third person from Lucas' POV. And it would be great if we stuck with that. However, we occasionally get flashes of Eli's POV... but not enough to understand who Eli is or what his motivations are. It seems like a big miss to never explain how he ended up on the Irish team, or anything about his Maori heritage, or how he feels being so far from home, etc.
The plot arc is also a bit strange. The characters get together within the first half, then immediately launch into the third act conflict at the 60ish% mark. We don't ever see them really enjoy each other. The timeline is also very confusing.
The story also repeats moments from both POVs, which felt unnecessary - that space could have been used to give us a better understanding of who those characters are!
I see on the author's website that they are a frequent poster on AO3. I think that might explain this book. Perhaps it's fanfic with the serial numbers filed off. In that case, the reader would know who these characters are supposed to be and why they act the way they do and would explain why the author hasn't fleshed them out. No shade to fanfic writers - I love AO3. However, I think this one needed a bit more work before being published on its own.
Anyway, 2.5 stars overall
To start with the good - despite being American, this author seems to know a fair amount about rugby. For the most part, the rugby part of this is well done.
And while the writing style isn't for everyone, I did appreciate that this author has a distinctive voice and does some interesting things with description and sentence structure.
On to the issues. The main issue for me is that we really don't get a lot of backstory or explanation on either character, so it's hard to understand their motivations. There is one side character (Lucas' friend), but otherwise the characters have no exterior life.... well except for the insertion of Eli's huge family at the 3/4 mark with no explanation.
The POV choice is also a strange one. Most of the book is told in third person from Lucas' POV. And it would be great if we stuck with that. However, we occasionally get flashes of Eli's POV... but not enough to understand who Eli is or what his motivations are. It seems like a big miss to never explain how he ended up on the Irish team, or anything about his Maori heritage, or how he feels being so far from home, etc.
The plot arc is also a bit strange. The characters get together within the first half, then immediately launch into the third act conflict at the 60ish% mark. We don't ever see them really enjoy each other. The timeline is also very confusing.
The story also repeats moments from both POVs, which felt unnecessary - that space could have been used to give us a better understanding of who those characters are!
I see on the author's website that they are a frequent poster on AO3. I think that might explain this book. Perhaps it's fanfic with the serial numbers filed off. In that case, the reader would know who these characters are supposed to be and why they act the way they do and would explain why the author hasn't fleshed them out. No shade to fanfic writers - I love AO3. However, I think this one needed a bit more work before being published on its own.
Anyway, 2.5 stars overall
February 7, 2026
🖤📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖🖤
Try Line Hearts by V.K. Alenko
This isn’t just a sports romance.
It’s a full-on reckoning baby!!
Try Line Hearts is what happens when you build your entire identity on control, discipline, rules, silence and then someone comes crashing in and quietly wrecks all of it by showing you that surviving is not the same thing as living.
Lucas doesn’t just play rugby. This man is rugby. He’s the captain, the leader, the guy everyone leans on while he keeps himself locked down tight. His strength is quiet, rigid, and honestly kind of suffocating. He believes if he keeps his heart closed, he’ll stay safe. (Been here many times Lucas I feel ya🖤)
And then… Eli😍
Eli is warm like the sun. He’s risky like John Bender in The Breakfast Club (one of my 80’s heart throbs). Eli says things out loud. He’s everything Lucas has trained himself not to be, and that’s exactly why being around him feels so dangerous.
This book understands something that to most is painfully real: the biggest risks aren’t taken on the field they’re taken in the moments you let yourself be seen.
It also hurts in the quiet ways. In the longing. In the fear of wanting more. In that awful, honest question of who you are when you strip away expectations, titles, and the version of yourself you built to keep everyone else comfortable.
What I loved most? No one is saved. Love isn’t a rescue here. it’s a choice!!! A shaky, terrifying, heart-first decision to step into truth even when it costs you certainty.
Try Line Hearts is about finding your identity through risk. About choosing yourself. About realizing that love doesn’t make you weaker it makes you real!
This book broke me open in all the best ways 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TryLineHearts #Bookstagram #MMRomance #SportsRomance #QueerReads #EmotionalReads #BookReview #ReadQueer #LoveIsRisk #HealingHurts #RomanceBooks
Try Line Hearts by V.K. Alenko
This isn’t just a sports romance.
It’s a full-on reckoning baby!!
Try Line Hearts is what happens when you build your entire identity on control, discipline, rules, silence and then someone comes crashing in and quietly wrecks all of it by showing you that surviving is not the same thing as living.
Lucas doesn’t just play rugby. This man is rugby. He’s the captain, the leader, the guy everyone leans on while he keeps himself locked down tight. His strength is quiet, rigid, and honestly kind of suffocating. He believes if he keeps his heart closed, he’ll stay safe. (Been here many times Lucas I feel ya🖤)
And then… Eli😍
Eli is warm like the sun. He’s risky like John Bender in The Breakfast Club (one of my 80’s heart throbs). Eli says things out loud. He’s everything Lucas has trained himself not to be, and that’s exactly why being around him feels so dangerous.
This book understands something that to most is painfully real: the biggest risks aren’t taken on the field they’re taken in the moments you let yourself be seen.
It also hurts in the quiet ways. In the longing. In the fear of wanting more. In that awful, honest question of who you are when you strip away expectations, titles, and the version of yourself you built to keep everyone else comfortable.
What I loved most? No one is saved. Love isn’t a rescue here. it’s a choice!!! A shaky, terrifying, heart-first decision to step into truth even when it costs you certainty.
Try Line Hearts is about finding your identity through risk. About choosing yourself. About realizing that love doesn’t make you weaker it makes you real!
This book broke me open in all the best ways 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TryLineHearts #Bookstagram #MMRomance #SportsRomance #QueerReads #EmotionalReads #BookReview #ReadQueer #LoveIsRisk #HealingHurts #RomanceBooks
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2026
Overall this was a good book but I think there were three main factors that stopped it from being a great book.
1. there's no sense of time span in this book which impacts the pacing and makes it hard to understand the evolution of the characters' relationship. It feels like it's over a matter of weeks but really I think it's supposed to be months but it's impossible to tell.
2. the POVs in this book are written in an interesting way. For the most part you can tell whose POV you're in, but it does tend to switch - sometimes mid-paragraph - and it can be confusing.
3. The descriptors in this book are really repetitive. It's like the author is going more for prose rather than tightening up the editing. And I think if more time had been spent on factors like clarity of timeline/pace, and more depth of character vs the way a room smells, this really could have been a fantastic book.
This was my first read from the author and overall I did enjoy it and I would check out other works. I just feel like there were some pretty obvious misses in the writing style that affected the impact of the story.
1. there's no sense of time span in this book which impacts the pacing and makes it hard to understand the evolution of the characters' relationship. It feels like it's over a matter of weeks but really I think it's supposed to be months but it's impossible to tell.
2. the POVs in this book are written in an interesting way. For the most part you can tell whose POV you're in, but it does tend to switch - sometimes mid-paragraph - and it can be confusing.
3. The descriptors in this book are really repetitive. It's like the author is going more for prose rather than tightening up the editing. And I think if more time had been spent on factors like clarity of timeline/pace, and more depth of character vs the way a room smells, this really could have been a fantastic book.
This was my first read from the author and overall I did enjoy it and I would check out other works. I just feel like there were some pretty obvious misses in the writing style that affected the impact of the story.
May 20, 2026
Nuanced, mature, finely crafted. Loved it from the first word to the last. Read it in two days. Couldn't put it down. So glad my greedy book dragon was in control when I attended a little book fair in Tacoma a couple of weeks ago and urged me to purchase the whole series. I've already started book two. Thank you, sir, for the lovely conversation at the book fair--but mostly, thank you for sharing your talent so that the rest of us can disappear into you beautifully wrought stories. I'm a fan for life.
July 6, 2026
It was cute.
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