Standard Deviation

by Harry Applebottom

Percy Daniels is anxiety in human form—quiet, guarded, and barely holding his life together one breath at a time. Peer tutoring is his first real job, and he needs it to work. No mistakes. No drama. No getting attached.

Kyle Monroe is Kestrel University’s golden wide confident, loud, and one bad stats grade away from losing everything he’s built. He needs a tutor. What he doesn’t expect is Percy—sharp, blunt, and painfully easy to want.

Their dynamic is a mess from the Kyle pushes too close without meaning to. Percy pulls back even when he’s aching to stay. Every session turns into something charged—late-night gaming matches, too-honest texts, and the slow, terrifying realization that this isn’t just chemistry… it’s connection.

But wanting each other is the easy part.

Letting it be real—out loud, in daylight, with all the fear and history they carry—that’s the hard variable. And when anxiety and pressure spike, one wrong move could send them both drifting.

Standard Deviation is a tender, spicy MM college romance about messy growth, anxious hearts, and choosing love anyway.

261 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2026

About the author

Harry Applebottom is a hopeful romantic and a gay erotic romance author here to unabashedly satiate and titillate your inner carnal desires with lots of steam, heart, and love. Harry's works range from short stories and novellas to full-length novels of various subgenres, where every ending ends with a happy one.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so gorgeous. It’s a hard read; it’s not a comfy, smooshy, cuteness overload kind of book. It’s raw and emotional. It made me cry for Percy and smile for him too.

Their relationship was so lovely but built like a puzzle that needed to be put together as they moved along. Navigating anxiety, depression, and some serious overthinking caused by previous trauma.

In the end, they decide to be honest with each other, and their love grows, and it’s gorgeous. I loved this story. I had a lot going on, and I was so irritated I couldn’t just sit down and read it all off the trot!

Definitely give this a try.


………………………………………………………….
I got an ARC from Book Sirens, and this is my honest review.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am struggling with where to begin with this one. It is rare that a book feels comforting while breaking your heart and putting it back together all at once. This is absolutely that book.

At the core, this story is about being scared but doing it anyway. About restraint and release. Hope, and the way it can feel like chaos to a life built around disappointment.

I fell in love with these characters hard and fast. Kyle pretends he is living his best life to mask how lonely and hurt he feels all the time. Percy is one really bad day away from his last day ever.

There is something so raw and real in how the author writes these two. Characters that feel real, whose struggles and thoughts carry visceral weight. Two boys that are so very very similar in the way they see themselves, but who handle life completely differently. One makes himself, his persona, bigger in an attempt to feel... something. Anything. The other makes himself as small as possible to avoid feeling at all. It's how they have adapted to carry on. Both desperate for a soft place to land, someone to truly SEE them, but too scared of the risk involved in being vulnerable, of wanting out loud.

There are parts of the story that seem repetitive and drawn out, but even that, which would be annoying in any other story, feels necessary. Because that is exactly how it feels when your head gets in the way of your heart. When your mind replays the same lies to keep you leashed to the perceived safety and comfort of numbness, of loneliness.

I will be coming back to this one again and again.

(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.)

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standard Deviation by Harry Applebottom is a very emotional story of two men, one who is popular and loud but just wants to loved for himself without conditions and the other who was bullied and has drawn into himself thinking no one would want him and how they found what they needed in each other and fell in love. Kyle Monroe was a football player at Kestral University and was liked and popular. When he was in high school, he fell for Andrew who he thought loved him but in the end turned out to be controlling and made their love conditional and made him do things before he was ready. They only lasted a couple of months before Andrew found someone else, but what he did to Kyle continued to constantly play in his head. When he went to college, he reinvented himself with a new body and team and was confident and loud. But he never let his feelings get involved with anyone because he felt he would be hurt again. He was on a scholarship and in order to keep it he had to get good grades. Unfortunately he was failing statistics – it just didn’t make sense or stay in his head, and he often drifted when he was supposed to be studying. So he signed up for tutoring and his tutor was Percy Daniels. Percy lived with his mother and older brother who worked very hard to get the money for him to attend college. He had been badly bullied in high school and usually stayed to himself, not getting to know anyone, going to class, and then home to study. He was very smart and in order to help out he became a tutor. When they met Kyle thought Percy would make fun of him and think he was dumb and Percy believed that Kyle would look down on him just as everyone else had. But those things didn’t happen. Kyle was open and kind and wanted to learn and Percy was very helpful and showed him how to work the problems without thinking badly about him and also tied them to football and helped him not to drift. As time went on and they got to know each other better Kyle got to see Percy’s tells and Percy was seeing the real Kyle, not the one he showed others. They then bonded even more over video games, particularly Tekken and they started playing it together having lots of fun, first over the phone and then in Kyle’s dorm room where Percy is ruthless and wins. They talk more and it comes out that Percy has never been with anyone and they share his first kiss which leads to more. Then something happens with his brother, Mark, that makes him not feel safe at home because Mark can be unpredictable. Kyle immediately sees his anguish and suggests they only be together only in public, be safe, and keep it simple. He is upset when Percy agrees but does not want to be like Andrew and be controlling so he lets it be. But both of them can’t keep each other off their minds, checking for texts that never come, and eventually Kyle tells him it would be better if he got another tutor. He is anguished when Percy again agrees. Their separation goes on for several weeks and is made worse when Percy almost does something that could ruin his life but his Mark finds him and they talk and he says he will try to be a better brother so he’s not so alone. With Kyle, Percy has slowly started being brave and trying new things and he joins the campus gaming club and makes a few friends which is something he never had before. He’s showing up and being present and because of this maybe he will get to have a life. Kyle finally can’t stand it anymore and watches him at a contest and then they talk. Kyle apologizes for leaving his tutoring and says he thought Percy wanted out and didn’t want him enough to change it. Percy said it felt like he was throwing him away and didn’t know if he was allowed to text because people didn’t want him without it costing something. They both missed each other and establish some rules with Kyle saying he won’t disappear and Percy saying he’ll ask for what he wants and that starts a new beginning for them that leads to them both growing and showing how much they mattered to each other and finally to their confession of love. Kyle is choosing Percy and Percy is showing up for him and it is becoming real. I really enjoyed this story. It is very emotional and when they broke up I couldn’t stop reading to find out how they would get back together. Percy was so alone and really had no one he could talk to or rely on, and the bullying had really taken a tole on him. He was afraid to ask for what he wanted. Kyle was friendly and outgoing, but Andrew had done a number on him making him think he wasn’t worth choosing. He really wanted to show up for Percy yet was aware of Percy’s limits and feelings but he was also scared of being too controlling like Andrew was. Luckily, after being apart, they were able to find their way back to each other because they knew they belonged together. Percy’s family and Kyle’s friends also play a part in the story and help them overcome being scared. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like emotional stories involving a bullied man who starts to move forward, a football player who needs help with schoolwork and learning that he is worth choosing, and how they find their way together through playing a video game and fall in love.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Percy and Kyle really did have to struggle and suffer to get through all the stuff that they were harbouring inside themselves. Kyle a star of the college Football Team worked hard for the admiration and adoration of all his college mates both on and off the team all because he needed to feel wanted. He had suffered mental abuse in a recent relationship and was struggling to maintain his scholarship benefits because he’s failing his Maths Classes. His Head Coach has suggested he enrol on a Math Tutoring Course to get his grades up before the end of semester, or else…..

Percy is top of his class at Maths and is a registered Tutor in order to earn money to help out at home. He is a recluse, like a prisoner in his home, because he is so scared of the outside world. Yet he locks himself in his room as soon as he return from college because he doesn’t want to have to deal with his older brother Mark who he is afraid of, or his mother who doesn’t seem to have time because of her work shifts. He has always felt unwanted, useless and unlovable.

So when these two ‘needy souls’ meet for the first time at a Tutoring session in the Library, something stirs in both, unrecognised, but after a few twice weekly sessions, they both want something from each other but are so scared to move forward.

Their road forward was extremely rocky, Kyle’s pride and Percy’s lack of self love certainly does them no favours. Percy is in a very dark place. We get a lot of their individual ‘internal conversations and thoughts’ and I felt like smacking each of them for their stubbornness. Especially when individually, they are such really nice guys and brought out the best in each other when they were working as Tutor and Tutee.

I truly engaged with this pair in their struggle, which kept me turning the pages until I saw it was well past my bedtime, but I didn’t want to stop so I pulled an all nighter until I got MY HE. I loved the cover of this because the look in their eyes catches perfectly the feelings between Kyle in his team hoodie and Percy in his role as the shy Tutor.

This author, Harry Applebottom always lives up to his ‘About This Author’ description. His books are always very romantic yet unafraid to show the hard parts of his characters lives and the struggles they go through to survive their unhappy pasts. The books are also very diverse, never stuck in a formulaic trope rut, judging from the several ones I’ve read so far.

I always grab an opportunity to receive an ARC of his when I see a new book release coming up. a ‘Standard Deviation’ is an ARC I received and I am leaving my unbiased review here voluntarily.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Standard Deviation – Harry Applebottom

When I say I devoured this book, I mean I DEVOURed it. I stayed up all night reading, cried more than once, laughed out loud, and immediately wished it was longer—even though it’s already a solid-length book that somehow never drags.

Let me be very clear up front: do not go into this expecting a light, fluffy romance. This is hurt/comfort, angst-heavy, emotionally messy, slow-burn goodness. And I loved every painful second of it.

Kyle and Percy are both sad boys in very different ways, and that’s exactly why the slow burn works—even when it hurts. Percy is anxiety personified, just barely keeping it together, while Kyle is the golden football star with pressure coming at him from every angle. Their connection builds quietly and awkwardly: tutoring sessions, late-night gaming, texts that mean too much, feelings neither of them feels ready to admit out loud.

The middle of this book? Pure angst. I’ll admit I wanted them to stop staying away from each other sooner—but it made sense. Their self-esteem issues, fear, and internal battles felt painfully realistic. This isn’t a neat love story. It’s messy and tender and earned, and when they finally choose each other, it hits so much harder because of everything they’ve carried to get there.

My heart broke more than once, especially with Percy’s storyline. Please, please read the trigger warnings—bullying (not between the MCs) and suicidal thoughts/ideation are present. Nothing is acted on, but there is one scene that could be very triggering.

Kyle and Percy are perfect for each other in that quiet, grounding way where they don’t fix each other—but they make surviving feel a little less heavy. I would’ve loved more family backstory from Kyle’s side, but getting more depth from Percy’s world made everything click emotionally.

Also… Jaime and Tyler? I would absolutely read another book centered on either of them. Just saying.

This book wrecked me in the best way. Messy, sweet, angsty, and completely worth the emotional investment. I would lose sleep over it again without hesitation.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an emotional read.
I don’t know where to start.
Percy is a very quiet timid man who has been bullied most of his life even from his older brother Mark. In their house every penny counts usually with his mum working double shifts to keep them afloat. So Percy starts to be a tutor to bring in extra money and this is where he meets Kyle.
Kyle is vibrant and a happy American football star. He can’t go anywhere without people knowing his name or people sending him private DMS to spend time with him. The only thing that threw Kyle was the fact that he had just got out of a very bad relationship. Where now he’s second-guesses everything he does. He never wanted to put anybody in the same position that he had been in. His ex had forced him to reveal that he was gay to his family before Kyle was ready. Kyle‘s family is very religious and still struggle with his sexuality. But they are there for him including his system Maddie.But his grades are not brilliant and his coach is already getting on his case about bringing those grades up and this is how he needs Percy.
Kyle was completely thrown by Percy he was a very good tutor but he was very attracted to him. He didn’t even know if Percy was gay but he lost all interest in hook ups. And noticed that Percy was very precise in everything he did the work that he had ready for Kyle to pencil positions. So really a lot of this book and you get it from both points of view. Kyle does bring Percy out of his shell. But what I found throughout this book is communication is so important. Because both of these men feel like they are not good enough for the other. It’s quite a hard book to read when they have been so hurt. But what I really enjoyed about this book is how patient Kyle was for Percy. Percy is a virgin never been kissed very timid to begin with about what he wanted. That Kyle just brings out the best in Percy. And every time Percy laughed it just made my heart sing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember my first book by this amazing author. I got it completely by accident, and feel in love with it. Then I found another one, and thought, why not? The first one I read was great. And then… I fell in love even more! And now, I just read them all! And this one, man, if this is your first book by Harry Applebottom l hold on to your horses, because you’ll be blown away. For more seasoned readers, you’ll find the usual amazing characters, realistic situations, characters that you want to meet in real life, MCs that you want to hug and protect, and situations that’ll make you tear up and outright cry your eyes out. But even the most delicate and painful situations are treated kindly, with love, not overworked or just used for shock value, but to make you realize that these horrible things happen, and how people deal with them, and can eventually find peace and comfort. Percy’s mental health is so well portrayed, pervasive and obvious to the reader, because it’s an integral part of Percy, but seeing him get better, improve little by little, it’s beautiful. And Kyle, with his own issues treated with as much care as Percy’s… I just loved it! And yes, I’ve been a Peer Tutor, and it reminded me so much of what I went through (except the falling in love part). This is a slice of life, beautiful, deep, with the good, the bad, and the ugly equally portrayed, equally valuable, equally important, because the characters could be any 2 college students anywhere, and they nobody has the perfect charmed life, and this shows us that even in the darkest times, we can find love and comfort and connection. Amazing story, as usual, I highly recommend it (just have tissues handy), very realistic, and full of hope. Loved it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A HARD EARNED LOVE STORY FULL OF HEART!💕

This was no insta love story about two characters who fall all over each other with heavy flirting and smiles- no

It was a very intense, angsty story about two total opposites who have a couple of things in common-
Both are lonely…
Both want to be seen…
Both love gaming…

Player on and off the field out and proud wide receiver for Kestrel University- Kyle Monroe is in need of a tutor to pass and this is where Percy Daniels turns Kyle’s perfect life upside down…

“Nerdy bottoms were his weakness.”

Yes their story did get repetitive at their most vulnerable pinnacle time of their lives however it was depicted for a reason, to showcase their stubbornness, proudness and insecurities regarding their feelings towards each other…

PRIDE COMES TO A FALL…

I loved how Kyle always checked in with Percy before he did anything with him- consent is King!

Percy’s personal growth was heartwarming to see and inspiring to experience!

Kyle was a true golden retriever- protective, lovable and caring for his traumatised anxiety ridden nerd!

I’m still trying to figure out if Percy is somewhere on the spectrum as his mannerisms pointed subtly to it and his brother Marc was far too protective of him… treating him like a twelve year old…

I loved their journey although it was not easy as they had a lot of emotional growing up to do but it was a sweet, poignant and very engaging read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DJ McCready · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

This book deals with a wide reeceiver football star at his college and a sensitive und insecure tutor in statistics. This the title fits both sty, statistics and the two MCs,

Kyle the football player has a sensitive side to him and has been hurt by being pushed too quickly to come out to his parents by a former boyfriend who then walked away. He reecognizes that his tutor is also sensitive and check in with him regularly until he gains confidence enough to be comfortable in his own mind - initially his body reacted but his mind saw things differently. There is also a tremendous difference in the two familues. Percy's brother Mark terrorizes Percy although it become clear Mark cares but just has never learned to communicate his concern in an appropriate way. Percey's family is poor and Percy also feels that makes him unworthy. Kyle on the other hand comes with a loud sister but parents with a skill at being correct at work and other functions but have difficulty being open with feelings.

The writing is good, The HEA happens. There are some minor skips noted - Mark asjed Percy to phone when he was late or stayed over night but that did not happen in the book. Kyle gets his B and Percy learns from Kyle that being himself is OK.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of this author (i say this a lot whenever i review their books) and mainly it's because they're one of the few who actually write about things that are real with real emotions. This book being one of those.
I loved the connection between Percy and Kyle as the story progresses. Kyle, a football player, comes from a very religious family and was forced by a former partner to come out to his family before he was able to understand it himself. When Percy, his tutor, comes along, he's a bit cautious because when you're attracted to someone like Kyle was to Percy, it's a bit difficult when you're not sure about the other person. Percy, on the other hand, is like an exposed nerve. He has been through so much in his life that your heart just breaks for him.
I cried through this book. I wanted to take both of them, especially Percy, and wrap them in a blanket and give them hot cocoa. I wanted to hug them both and never let them go.
And this is not like those books where they fix each each other and then they ride of into the sunset. They know things aren't perfect, but they make it work anyway, the best that they can.
I definitely recommend this and I suggest you bring some tissues with you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Max C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Applebottom's Standard Deviation was a great read. Trigger warnings for mental illness, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, spiraling thoughts and, negative self image. If any of these topics would be difficult or send you spiraling think twice before reading. The world is a cruel place and while we would never say some of the things we tell ourselves we can be horrible to our selves. So be kind. Reach out if you need help. The world would be a darker place without you.
That being said I really loved this story! Percy and Kyle are really just the cutest. I like that even though it was a jock and nerd, tutor and student romantic gay story it felt like it wasn't a total cliche. I liked when authors create messy, real, loveable characters. I liked that even the somewhat heavy subject matter at times they didn't seem plastic. I liked that the family members of the characters made an effort they might not have been perfect but they were making an effort and I thought that it was a fantastic story. The spicy parts were great. I really enjoyed this book and I hope that you give it a read.

I received this as an advanced readers copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Karen T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story delivers another wonderfully heartfelt read from Harry Applebottom, centering on Kyle, a college athlete, and Percy, the quiet tutor who unexpectedly changes his life. What begins as a simple academic arrangement slowly deepens into something far more meaningful, however it’s shaped by fears and self-doubt for both of them. The emotional tension keeps you hooked as both struggle to lower their defenses even when the chance for happiness is right in front of them.

There’s something about Harry Applebottom’s writing that grips you. It’s raw, powerful, and feels utterly real. The scene with Percy and his brother Mark with the knife was so intense and emotional, it was absolutely heartbreaking!

Watching Percy and Kyle grow, learn to trust, and slowly let go of the doubts that hold them back makes the payoff deeply satisfying. The result is a tender, moving story that lingers long after the final page. I absolutely loved it.

4.5⭐️ /5

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so tender. Readers need to be aware that the suicidal ideation is a prominent theme throughout the first half, so if that is a trigger I recommend skipping this one. It really starts out heavy, but the relationship with these two characters is so sweet, slow, and consent is the foremost theme in all of their interactions. The relationship begins as a tutoring arrangment but there is never any animosity that the football player has with his tutor or any gay awakening, and I appreciated that a lot. It is hurt/comfort done really tenderly and the relationship, I found, was pretty appropriate for college-aged MCs, maybe a bit more reflexive than you'd expect but I liked that. I've already recommended it to a friend who I know will enjoy it.

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

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Percy and Kyle share many things even when they're unaware of them. Kyle needs help with his Stats course to maintain his position on the team at college. Percy needs the extra income that tutoring provides to help his family. Kyle is afraid of becoming like his ex, pushing and controlling. Percy is afraid that he's too much and not enough at the same time. Percy is just what Kyle needs and just maybe Kyle is what Percy needs too. Getting to the point where they understand and see each other takes some time as each deals with their fears and anxieties. Don't drift.

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

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC and so glad I picked it up. I usually don’t read angsty books, and this is FULL of angst, but because this was a Harry Applebottom book, I knew it would be good. This book takes you to a place in college many of us feel familiar with, be it social anxiety, depression, thoughts better left unsaid , and a feeling of not belonging. For Kyle and Percy this book really sets the tone of learning that it’s ok to want what you want, to love and be loved without consequences and stipulations and to know that the other person will always be there. I could not put this book down. It put me through the emotional wringer, it it is so worth it!!

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle and Percy are both lonely and scared. Kyle is the football star, he needs validation and attention to try and be seen. Percy is lonely, scared and instead of wanting any attention he makes himself small and hides from the world. This book broke my heart, shattered me to pieces and slowly built it all back. It took no time for these characters to become so close to my heart. I can’t express how much I loved this book. It’s one of those books that will stay with me and I will need to read again. This is an excellent read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Percy is a nerd, depressed, feeling not long for this world, insecure and a tutor to Kyle. Kyle's a jock with his own insecurities but understanding, compassionate and attracted to Percy. It's a fragile, dance on tiptoes relationship with so many hesitancies and angst filled moments, it is a hard book to read. It's depressing with the lack of self worth both have experienced but the material, emotionally and tastefully written gives you hope for them. It's a study in maturing with all the emotions, slow burn but steamy and romantic. I received a copy of this through BookSirens and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry is back with another great book! I really couldn't put this book down and read way too late in the night. Percy and Kyle's story was sweet but heartbreaking too. Percy and Kyle have backgrounds that have hurt them and made them have issues. That being said, I feel as thought these two are stronger than they think they are. I felt a lot of feelings in this book and I can't wait to see what Harry has in store for us next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was not exactly what I was expecting. It was a good read but it was not an easy one. It was complex like the emotions that the characters were navigating as they worked their way through. Both Kyle and Percy come into this story with baggage, some of it quite heavy. And they spend time, like so many people trying to move forward while still trying to overcome those past scars. This story pulled me in and held on until it was done. And I am glad that it did. Well written and worth reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standard Deviation is a tender, spicy college romance with real emotional depth. Percy’s anxiety feels raw and authentic, and watching him slowly open up to confident, unexpectedly soft Kyle is both heartwarming and achingly real.

Their push-and-pull dynamic, late-night vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry make this more than just a campus love story—it’s about choosing love even when it’s terrifying. Sweet, messy, and deeply human.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Harry Applebottom story. Kyle is a wide receiver at college and is told to get a tutor for stats. Percy is assigned as his tutor but has not come out of the closet yet, unlike Kyle who was coerced into telling his parents. Their HEA has a lot of misunderstandings, learning to communicate and to overcome a lot of mental conditioning This book is a must-read.


I received this book free via Booksirens and leave this review voluntarily

[Rashidatu Balorbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very wholesome and heartwarming novel. Kyle and Percy were too cute. They had me squealing and kicking my feet a lot of times. I just wish they had been upfront with each other in the middle part of the book because it would have saved them the unnecessary break which didn’t just hurt them but was hurting me too😭. All in all a very good one. Was worth every minute read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advanced copy provided for free by BookSirens.

This could have been so much better. The nerd/jock trope is usually a favourite of mine but this one falls flat. There’s a silly miscommunication and freak out break up that lasts for pages upon pages upon pages. And then there’s the constant monologuing. The constant repetition of “am I too needy” and “am I pushing too hard” in literally every interaction.

The steam was ok. That about it.

[T.J. Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, heart wrecking story about two young men try to navigate the world. Percy is the quite one struggles with extreme anxiety and self doubt. Kyle is a jock who has a scared past due to being gay.

The two never expected their tutoring sessions to turn into a heated romance. Can they navigate their new relationship or will the drift?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trace Dial · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful book made me cry for days. Percy’s journey resonated with me, as I’ve walked those paths countless times.

It’s about everyone who’s ever questioned themselves, felt worthless, or lost their way. This book is for you, me, and everyone at some point.

Harry Applebottom’s extraordinary gift reaches every lost soul.

I loved it.

Trace Dial.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Standard Deviation is a tender, spicy MM college romance about messy growth, anxious hearts, and choosing love anyway.'

The characters were so very appealing and likeable and perfect together. Plot was well written and developed. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Percy, quiet, introverted & has extremely low esteem. He decides to become a tutor thinking this may be the way to maybe make friends or at least get out of his head. Kyle, the popular football player, who is hiding his emotional baggage. Both trying to forget their unhappy pasts. It was enjoyable watching them grow with each other & themselves individually. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sara Irons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story will tug at your heart strings. It's very emotional with past trauma to both MCs. It's difficult to move forward when the past keeps dragging you back. There are moments that grip you and moments that make you smile.

The characters are very well done and the world building is wonderful. I very much enjoyed the story. There are some steamy parts and for that reason I recommend an 18+ rating.

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

[Patti Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Good Story to Read!! Percy is a Tutor who is trying to meet people and have new friends. Kyle is a Football star in need of some help. The love and devotion that shines through as they find their way is a wonderful experience. Will they each find what they are looking for in the end??? This Story is a real page turner and hard to put down at times.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story. I only wish they would have had the courage to just reach out to the other instead of going round in circles in theirs heads. But I get it. The longer you feel you arent good enough, the more you believe it.
They both got what they wanted in the end, and both are learning what it means to be loved and accepted.


I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.