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I almost do: Part 1 of Evan and Noah's story
Not yet published
Expected 27 Feb 26NOAH
I always thought I was born for skiing—speed, slopes, and glory. Not scandal.
Then, right before my World Cup debut, bam. A video that was never supposed to exist leaks to my competition.
Coming out wasn’t in my race plan. Now I’m dodging comments left and right, and the kind of locker-room whispers that cut colder than the snow follows me everywhere.
And just when I think I might actually survive this, he storms back into my life.
Evan.
Standing there in the Norwegian’s team jacket, looking even better than I remembered.
The one slope I can’t seem to conquer? My own damn heart.
EVAN
Skiing is what I am.
I eat, sleep, and dream racing. Nothing can distract me from making this my best season yet. Nothing.
Except maybe the guy I had one night with years ago—an incredible, can’t-stop-thinking-about-it night.
The guy who just joined the ski circuit.
The guy with a very scandalous video making the rounds.
Noah.
The guy I have to stay away from. For my PR. To keep my focus. Hell, to keep my sanity.
And I know I can do that. I almost do.
Only, the more I try to keep my distance, the more his stupid, perfect smile pulls me right back to him.
I Almost Do is the first part of Evan and Noah's story and ends with a cliffhanger.
I always thought I was born for skiing—speed, slopes, and glory. Not scandal.
Then, right before my World Cup debut, bam. A video that was never supposed to exist leaks to my competition.
Coming out wasn’t in my race plan. Now I’m dodging comments left and right, and the kind of locker-room whispers that cut colder than the snow follows me everywhere.
And just when I think I might actually survive this, he storms back into my life.
Evan.
Standing there in the Norwegian’s team jacket, looking even better than I remembered.
The one slope I can’t seem to conquer? My own damn heart.
EVAN
Skiing is what I am.
I eat, sleep, and dream racing. Nothing can distract me from making this my best season yet. Nothing.
Except maybe the guy I had one night with years ago—an incredible, can’t-stop-thinking-about-it night.
The guy who just joined the ski circuit.
The guy with a very scandalous video making the rounds.
Noah.
The guy I have to stay away from. For my PR. To keep my focus. Hell, to keep my sanity.
And I know I can do that. I almost do.
Only, the more I try to keep my distance, the more his stupid, perfect smile pulls me right back to him.
I Almost Do is the first part of Evan and Noah's story and ends with a cliffhanger.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 27, 2026
4 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 3, 2026
Thank you so much to Nora Norell for an ARC of I Almost Do.
I had some mixed feelings about this one but ultimately enjoyed it. The story follows Evan and Noah, who are elite Skiers, through their racing season and their, mostly, hook up based relationship. Noah is out, while Evan is very definitely not which leads to some extra complications. This book is the first of two for this couple and does end on a cliffhanger. Whether this was necessary or not will depend on the next book I guess.
This is Nora Norell’s first novel and that does show, particularly in the first quarter of the book. After that I feel the writing generally improves a lot and I really started to like both MMCs and enjoy the relationship between them, and I would definitely like to read the rest of their story. It felt like we were just getting into the meat of the story when it ended quite abruptly.
There is a lot of homophobia in the book, both internalised and from others. I felt the use of the unpleasant Luca as an almost cartoon villain for the vast majority of the slurs was a bit over the top and that more generalised homophobia (intentional and unintentional) from the teams around them would have perhaps been more realistic. I also would have enjoyed more time with the side characters to get to know them more, they felt a bit cut and paste at times.
Ultimately I did enjoy this, and raced through it. I think it will be a perfect read for any winter sports withdrawals you may have after Milan Cortina 2026 finishes.
I had some mixed feelings about this one but ultimately enjoyed it. The story follows Evan and Noah, who are elite Skiers, through their racing season and their, mostly, hook up based relationship. Noah is out, while Evan is very definitely not which leads to some extra complications. This book is the first of two for this couple and does end on a cliffhanger. Whether this was necessary or not will depend on the next book I guess.
This is Nora Norell’s first novel and that does show, particularly in the first quarter of the book. After that I feel the writing generally improves a lot and I really started to like both MMCs and enjoy the relationship between them, and I would definitely like to read the rest of their story. It felt like we were just getting into the meat of the story when it ended quite abruptly.
There is a lot of homophobia in the book, both internalised and from others. I felt the use of the unpleasant Luca as an almost cartoon villain for the vast majority of the slurs was a bit over the top and that more generalised homophobia (intentional and unintentional) from the teams around them would have perhaps been more realistic. I also would have enjoyed more time with the side characters to get to know them more, they felt a bit cut and paste at times.
Ultimately I did enjoy this, and raced through it. I think it will be a perfect read for any winter sports withdrawals you may have after Milan Cortina 2026 finishes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I Almost Do
By Nora Norell
4 ⭐️
I received the ARC for this book and I had a wonderful time reading it. I love a MM sports romance, especially if it’s a niche sport. As a keen skier and someone who enjoys watching the alpine events whenever I can, this was perfect.
The dynamic between Noah and Evan was filled with angst and yearning in the best possible way. I love them together even when they were making me roll my eyes. I also really liked many of the side characters.
My biggest issue was that the villain of the piece almost felt a bit too over the top at times although I am aware I have no personal experience in this area so maybe it is completely accurate.
I need the second book to be released yesterday after that ending because I can’t wait to read what happens next.
By Nora Norell
4 ⭐️
I received the ARC for this book and I had a wonderful time reading it. I love a MM sports romance, especially if it’s a niche sport. As a keen skier and someone who enjoys watching the alpine events whenever I can, this was perfect.
The dynamic between Noah and Evan was filled with angst and yearning in the best possible way. I love them together even when they were making me roll my eyes. I also really liked many of the side characters.
My biggest issue was that the villain of the piece almost felt a bit too over the top at times although I am aware I have no personal experience in this area so maybe it is completely accurate.
I need the second book to be released yesterday after that ending because I can’t wait to read what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Norwegian Evan and Canadian Noah are competitive alpine skiers, who also happen to be gay. Noah was outed as a sex tape that someone recorded of him and another guy was released, while Evan hasn’t come out yet. In last year’s season after celebrating and having a few drinks, Evan and Noah end up in an alley kissing. Fast forward to this season, they are both on the World Cup circuit. Evan and Noah end up romantically involved but Evan has to decide if staying closeted for his career, or risking it is the right decision. This is book one of the series and ends in a serious cliffhanger. It’s a must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Secret relationship
Past hookup to lovers
MM sports Romance
Forced Proximity
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Secret relationship
Past hookup to lovers
MM sports Romance
Forced Proximity
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance reader copy received from author
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.
I enjoy every moment of it. Both of the MC are beautifully written. They’re not perfect, they each got their issues and it’s charming to see their dynamic grow. Despite being a book about skiing, the author puts enough information about the sport to be able to follow even if you don’t know the behind of athletic skiing without making it overwhelming.
The spicy scenes are also very well done. I already can’t wait to read what will happen to Evan and Noah in the sequel.
Thank you so much Nora Norell for this ARC. It was a pleasure to read your novel.
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.
I enjoy every moment of it. Both of the MC are beautifully written. They’re not perfect, they each got their issues and it’s charming to see their dynamic grow. Despite being a book about skiing, the author puts enough information about the sport to be able to follow even if you don’t know the behind of athletic skiing without making it overwhelming.
The spicy scenes are also very well done. I already can’t wait to read what will happen to Evan and Noah in the sequel.
Thank you so much Nora Norell for this ARC. It was a pleasure to read your novel.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was very happy to get an ARC of I Almost Do. It was my first experience reading about competitive skiing and with the Winter Olympics about to begin it was perfect timing.
Noah is adorable and you really feel the pressure he's under. I felt for him in the moments of bullying/ homophobia.
Evan I feel like I know less about but maybe in part 2 his voice will be clearer.
Their relationship is fun to read as it develops and the spice scenes are 🔥, especially the last one.
The ending killed me and I was tearing up at 'He's afraid of heights'. I will definitely read part 2.
Noah is adorable and you really feel the pressure he's under. I felt for him in the moments of bullying/ homophobia.
Evan I feel like I know less about but maybe in part 2 his voice will be clearer.
Their relationship is fun to read as it develops and the spice scenes are 🔥, especially the last one.
The ending killed me and I was tearing up at 'He's afraid of heights'. I will definitely read part 2.
Review of advance copy
I applied to be an ARC reader for this novel via BookSirens.
Great premise and there was a lot of chemistry between Noah and Evan but I'm not sure it was for me.
I’m not a prude and didn’t hate it, but the sex scenes pulled me out of the story. For me, more emotional depth would have allowed the romance arc to develop further.
If you love high-heat romance and man on man steamy sex scenes this will probably land better for you than it did for me.
Great premise and there was a lot of chemistry between Noah and Evan but I'm not sure it was for me.
I’m not a prude and didn’t hate it, but the sex scenes pulled me out of the story. For me, more emotional depth would have allowed the romance arc to develop further.
If you love high-heat romance and man on man steamy sex scenes this will probably land better for you than it did for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. I have been in such a slump the last couple of months and it almost felt unfair to start this one while in such a weird headspace, but I am SO SO glad I did. The angst, the yearn, was everything I look for. These boys are both such green flags, battling their own issues, but finding their way. I can't wait to see how their story continues to unfold.
February 3, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an Arc of I Almost Do. Noah and Evan’s story was fantastic and I can’t wait to read book 2! It was nice to read a sports romance about a sport you don’t see too much of. Nora is. Fantastic Author and I can’t wait to read more from them!❤️
February 18, 2026
I liked the the relationship between Noah and Evan. That slow burn with the angst and yearning had me me moving through the pages.
I did not like the villain character they were a bit over the top and it took away a lot of what I liked about the book. I really tried to see last, but there was a lot.
That being said it was a pretty decent read and I am looking forward to the next book to see where Noah and Evans story goes.
**This book ends in a cliffhanger so you have been warned.
I did not like the villain character they were a bit over the top and it took away a lot of what I liked about the book. I really tried to see last, but there was a lot.
That being said it was a pretty decent read and I am looking forward to the next book to see where Noah and Evans story goes.
**This book ends in a cliffhanger so you have been warned.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews