Below the Belt

Golden Boys #1

by Marlowe Kent

Barnaby Fitznorman-Bicester is a marquess, an Olympic eventer, and the childhood best friend of the King of the United Kingdom, who has given him a sovereign command to get comprehensively shagged in the Olympic Village.

Barnaby just wants to win a gold medal and go home.

Lex Murphy is a two-time gold medallist heavyweight boxer from Barking with a cologne deal and a running bet with his mates that he can pull the frostiest man in the Village. He's identified Barnaby as his target. His target has responded by putting on headphones and fleeing on a treadmill.

Lex has never, in his entire career, chosen the easier fight. Barnaby has never let anyone close enough to land a hit.

The smart move would be to keep it physical. Spend a few weeks together in the Village, then head back to their own worlds—Barnaby to his horses, Lex to his title fights. That way, there'll be no complications, no tabloids, and no one gets hurt.

They're not going to make the smart move.

Features:

- Opposites attract
- Grumpy/Sunshine (where sunshine could knock you unconscious with his right hook)
- He falls first, loudly, in a Tokyo 7-Eleven
- Messy first time.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Romance, LGBT

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

Originally from the UK, Marlowe Kent writes M/M romance from Melbourne, Australia, a city she's deeply in love with.

By day she works as a corporate IT product manager, which is as unglamorous as people imagine and then some. At least she can work from home most days, and the office snacks are top notch when she can't.

Writing is how she escapes it. Reading is how she escapes the writing when it's not going well. Reorganising her Obsidian vault for the fourteenth time and coding up a new dashboard is how she escapes both, while convincing herself it still counts as working on her books.

She lives with two gorgeous dogs who get more compliments than she does, and has strong feelings about Melbourne's cafés and the correct ratio of plot to filth.

Her favourite character so far is Barnaby from Below the Belt. Because he's such a horseboy.

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

Below the Belt is one of my top reads for 2026, but I will not be starring my review due to concerns with possible use of AI.

He loved being the thing Barnaby Fitznorman-Bicester couldn’t predict.

This book is really fantastic 🥲. I love how each word seems specifically chosen to deliver maximum humour, charm and impact. The characters are all well rounded and the plot is so wonderfully detailed yet well-paced that I didn't want to put the book down! I love the British wit and endearing emotional constipation, and the way Barnaby's family is believably aristocratic. Marlowe really captured all the little details that make a book special! I also adore the way the MCs are complete opposites but were adorable together from the second they first met (when Lex told Barns to get his "stick arms out of the fucking way before they snap" while trying to retrieve his enormous trunk of a suitcase). I love Barnaby's friendship with James and Vidal and so many, many things other about it.

I’m going to kiss you, Barnaby.” He said it plainly, the way he might announce that he was going to cross the road. “I’m telling you this now, because you’re not the sort of person who reacts well to surprises. I’m going to put my hand on the back of your stupidly long neck, and I’m going to kiss you.”

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to really enjoy how great it was because the author uses AI in her covers and marketing and I couldn't help but wonder if AI was used in writing the book itself. I'll be the first to admit that it's hypocritical since I grabbed the ARC of this book because I loved the cover 😓. I think it's stunning, and didn't clock it as AI at first. I also want to be very clear that while there are valid reasons (AI cover, AI used in promo materials, rapid publishing schedule, banned from several MM social media groups for AI use) to suspect that AI may have been used to help write the book, I have no actual proof of that. So here you can read me gush about how great this book is, while also acknowledging that it might be problematic. I personally have some mixed feelings about AI but I think it's important to disclose when it's used so readers can make informed decisions about what they want to read or skip.

He liked Barnaby’s ridiculous palate, and the way his ears went pink when he was caught off guard. Most of all, he liked the elegance of Barnaby’s insults, which were meanly specific in the way that only someone who really liked you bothered to be.

If the possibility of AI content doesn't bother you, this book is 5+ stars. If it does, then I suggest reading something else, even if just for the cover and promo materials.

The distance between where he was and where he wanted to be had never felt so precisely, agonisingly narrow.

Rating: stars
Angst: 3.5/5
Steam: 4/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Rachael Hamilton]

I came into this blind based on a friend's recommendation that this was a top read for her this year. I can definitely see why. This was a different take on sports romance given the nobility aspect intertwined as well.

The highlight of the book is definitely the relationship dynamic. The dry, snarky dialogue kept me giggling the whole time. Lex's patience with Barnaby's noble stiffness is very sweet. I liked the way Barnaby was really open to wanting more, but just needing a little help to get there.

My only criticism is during the first physical encounter. There was a moment where Barnaby was clearly uncomfortable, and Lex's response was to hurry up and finish himself rather than stop all together. While Lex was caring overall and never pressured him, that specific scene felt slightly off putting.

The book is incredibly sweet, swoony, and a unique take if you haven’t read any nobility romance like I hadn’t.

Also, I am currently Googling if there is actually a dildo glass blower in Murano, Italy because I just visited this island last week, and I am devastated I missed this potential souvenir. 😂

[AngstLover-Jing]

I dug this book out of my friend @Elizabeth's READ list —what a gem! I finished it in one sitting. This is my first time reading this author; how could I have missed a local Melbourne author? (Although this story doesn't take place Down Under...)

Lex and Barnaby meet at the Tokyo Olympics, and after a bit of a disastrous start, Lex slowly wins over Barnaby's body and heart. Later on, Lex pays the price for his initial stupidity, but in the end, Barnaby forgives him, and the two finally come together.

The book hooked me from the very first page with its snarky, proud sense of humor, and just like Lex, I fell head over heels for the noble and resilient Barnaby. All those tender, pining moments they shared made my heart skip a beat.

While I totally get that Barnaby's character arc is all about learning to freely open himself up, it still really broke my heart to see him suffer during sex early on. Honestly, if Lex had at least offered to switch positions—even if the story ultimately went down the exact same route—it would have earned him some extra points from me.

Apart from the humor, the pacing of this story is crisp and seamless, totally free of those tedious, lengthy internal monologues—I enjoyed every single second of it.

If there's one thing I felt was lacking, it's that while Lex's boxing background is thoroughly showcased, Barnaby's equestrian side is barely featured at all—it would've been so much better if they had balanced that out. Also, Barnaby's charity riding stable should've been foreshadowed earlier in the story instead of just randomly popping up out of nowhere toward the end. So, 4.5⭐️ is my final rating.

*Some thoughts regarding AI-generated cover

Before talking about the cover, I'd like to talk about the content. As a non-native English speaker, I can't precisely tell from the phrasing whether the content was AI-generated or not. However, AI-generated stuff always has this compulsive habit of packing in massive amounts of details—whether relevant or not—making it super wordy. This story doesn't have that tendency.

Sometimes sketchy AI-generated stories go all out with flowery, OTT descriptions of scenery, but their character dialogue is painfully immature. This story doesn't do that either—the dialogue is actually witty and culturally relevant.

At the same time, there's no clear evidence to suggest the content is AI-generated.

As for the cover, though—it's obviously AI-generated. But honestly, it's not just this author, nor is it exclusive to MM romance. The reality right now is that there are tons of AI-generated covers out there, especially among new indie authors.

I completely get their practical constraints: until a book can bring in a decent income, shelling out hundreds or even a thousand bucks to commission a model shoot can genuinely be a struggle. All those model fees, photographer & studio fees, licensing & buyout fees, book cover design fees...So I totally get why there are so many premade covers and AI-generated covers out there now.

However, authors shouldn't underestimate the growing anger and backlash against AI right now. Pushing it too far will only erode trust, and by the time you realize it, it'll be too late.

[Nic Violante-Cakir]

WARNING: SUSPECTED AI USE IN THE WRITING

I am terrible at spotting AI, but I want to note that many readers suspect this of being (at least partially) written with AI. The cover art seemed off to me, especially Barnaby's hand. I cannot definitively prove anything! But please proceed with caution. Regardless, my review stands.

I truly struggled to rate this book because there are aspects of it that are fantastic, but there are also some infuriating shortcomings. If you'd asked me for my rating three quarters of the way in, I would have given it five stars despite the minor qualms I'd had.The ending is truly what wrecked things for me though, which makes it all the more disappointing.

The writing is sharp, and truly very funny, with a clear tone and style. It is painfully British, so be prepared if you're not used to that. You will likely be googling a lot. Much of the narrative is well constructed and sets itself up to fulfill its promises, and in most ways it does so...at least at the start.

While there is moderate character growth, it isn't enough to be compelling. It's woven in so subtly that it almost doesn't register until the character suddenly does something unexpected. The relationship between the main characters suffers much of the same fate.

What was intended to be a friends with benefits situation almost immediately becomes a relationship with no acknowledgement. Their arrangement is mentioned once when it is established, again when Barnaby explains it to friends, and then completely abandoned.

The couple never speak about what exists between them. I don't know if it's because of their British sensibilities, or just a product of bad writing. Either way, it makes the ending feel unearned.

The are many small conflicts throughout the work that get sorted along the way, but the most significant conflict is not resolved in a satisfactory manner. There are no conversations between the couple about what transpired beyond an apology and money being used to gloss everything over.

I don't understand how that was meant to have the emotional impact that it was clearly aiming for, or why Barnaby would forgive Lex because of it. The charity isn't shown to be important enough or significant enough to Barnaby that a donation to it would be met with such a response. Either way, it reads like rich people throwing money at a problem to fix it which feels as shallow as it sounds.

There were quite a few moments where it felt like I was missing something, as though there were a scene or chapter I'd somehow not read. Details, like Barnaby knowing Lex's mom, came out of nowhere. There were also established details that were virtually abandoned.

Also, during the intimate scenes at the manor house, the constant emphasis placed on them being in Barnaby's childhood bedroom during moments that were explicitly sexual seems a very odd choice. It made me deeply uncomfortable and completely ruined the heat of those scenes.

When I first picked this story up, I had this uncanny feeling like I'd read it before. It felt like a firstprince fanfic. While the characters do remind me of several from Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, they are an AU version of them. It was initially part of the appeal, as that is my favorite book. But where McQuiston's story is full of heart and depth, this story is decidedly not.

This was a bizarre experience and now I don't know how to feel. I hate that I can't tell bad human writing from AI slop writing. Either way, skip this book.

[Allison]

I recieved a copy of the book via BookSirens in trade for an honest and fair review
Story: 4/5
Spice: Medium (# of scenes, details)
Characters: 4/5
-ˏˋ⋆⋆ˊˎ-
Overall reco:
It could have had another chapter. Honestly. It could have. I could have had just like 1 little tiny extra chapter that wasn't a JAMS letter. *sigh*
I picked this book from the ARC list on BookSirens 1000% because of the cover, then I read the blurb and thought it was interesting and since I'm in such a reading slump I figured it would be a fun change of pace. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. I was surprised by the 3rd person, and then a little annoyed that the chapters didn't call out when we switched POV but I got used to it.
The characters sold me on the book. I really didn't like Lex at first. He did grow on me. He grew on me even more in last quarter of the book, which is usually when I get really annoyed at that trope, but this time it just made me like him. I immediately fell in love with Barns. I'm already planning on reading the next book just in case he pops in.

(Other Notes: Spice)
I wanted specifically to call out the spice of this because it was different. Not like big blue aliens different but different. Without giving too much away the spice is presented differently. There are.. challenges around it. It makes the spice feel very real and while not "super omg" descriptive like some of my favorite authors, I really liked how the story around the spice happened and how it was presented. I think this is the reason I liked the book so much. How this was presented and handed felt authentic and made me really love them.

[Guenifer]

I enjoyed it. It was the humor and the little things: the snacks, the faded wardrobe of the duke. I also enjoyed the difficulty on the sex matter at the beginning.The confidence in the writing was a plus. The plot is pretty standard and the hiccup towards the end is a bit forced and annoying but the MCs are lovely.

[Sandy Kay]

Really it’s 1 star due to Lex, but, I have to give it 2 because the friendships and much of the secondary characters and the UK part of the setting and atmosphere in this story were utterly wonderful.

This is a story about two seemingly opposite men, one a champion boxer/regular guy (commoner) (Lex), one a champion equestrian/aristocrate (marquess) (Barnaby), meeting at the Olympics in Japan and being awkwardly annoyed/fascinated by each other in turn. So much fun seeing their prickly encounters, Lex approaching Barnaby and Barnaby being flustered and running away but intrigued! They are both top of their sport and things go well on that front.

However. There are several truly epic fails with this book:

--Lex is an utter wanker. He thinks it is hilarious to go to the Olympics and play the “Tally” game one of his friends created on the way over, in which they rank fellow athletes by how difficult they might be to seduce/fuck, and get points for doing so! A running tally, and of course the prickly intriguing Barnaby becomes Lex's #1 "get" and is much discussed in dehumanizing terms. This is toxic masculinity at its worst. This is why “promising young men” get away with rape in American courts. Dehumanizing people into disposable sex targets and laughing about it with buddies. And the buddies aren’t ever held accountable by the way, only MC Lex the boxer answers for their despicable behavior. NO ONE else, as far as this book is concerned. Darius and Mike (Lex’s great boxing pal “friends”), and other male athletes who joined in, who???

--Unhealthy and 💩ty approach to sex. The message in this book is that only fully penetrative sex is acceptable to have a viable MM relationship. It. Was. GROSS. And even worse, when the virginal (pretty sure, or, one un-notable encounter many years ago) Barnaby struggles to take the 9-inch dick of Lex the absolute dick, Lex never reassures him they can do other things. No, knowing he’s hurting Barnaby, he tells him to stick with it, don’t worry, I won’t hurt you, it’ll get better blah blah blah. And NEVER OFFERS TO BOTTOM. There’s no info on whether he has/does, apparently there’s only ONE option for these two for penetrative sex no matter how painful and awkward and uncomfortable it is for Barnaby. And other ways of having sex might be okay but still they have to have penetrative sex or they just cannot be a real Thing. And Lex even thinks, as he’s fucking the clearly in pain and trying to bear it Barnaby for the first time, what a terrible shag he is. Grossness indeed. 🤮🤮🤮

(That said, I DID like that the sex/intimacy was authentic! Nothing was "romance lens" perfect, it was real, raw, awkward well described physically as far as I could tell. I appreciate that part of it. Just not the attitude about it. The developments and how they kept trying was so real.)

--Taking a picture of a lover while he’s asleep without consent (and of course posting it to the Tally forum with a disgusting note of triumph!) Doesn’t matter that Lex tried to undo it. That he’s the kind of person who could do it was truly despicable. This isn’t an immature teen kid who’s still trying to impress his buddies (though he might as well be). This is a mature (debatable) professional athlete at the very top of his game with sponsorships and people counting on him, representing his country in the Olympics.

--The choice not to make it clear whether Lex had “bagged” anyone else before he “bagged” Baranby. Other targets are listed when it all comes out but it’s unclear if he had sex with them, and the lack of clarity made me even more furious. At least clear that up.

--Ending the book with Lex buying Barnaby’s affections back. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? I have nothing more to say except that was out of all the potential endings, that choice was the least satisfying possibility.

--Equally frustrating, ending the book with Barnaby making the grand gesture that mattered. (Sorry Lex, all your millions? You can suck it. Glad you helped the right cause, but, that's all you got? F off.)

--And ending the book with like 2 pages of that reunion, NO further info apart from a letter in someone else’s point of view to “assure” us all was well and forgiven (not by me folks! Not. By. Me.) Jail for that terrible choice.

--Less egregious, but, the story focused only on Lex getting to know and be welcomed by Barnaby’s family. Apparently Barnaby meets Lex’s mother sometime off page, because she knows him at the end, but, we don’t see them meet on page, we don’t see Barnaby going to Lex’s childhood home or anything. (Just his gym, where L’s two “friends” who also participated in the gross Tally game have the audacity to welcome Barnaby to the gym and interact with him as if they did nothing wrong either.) That was a hole in the book.

--Also, the only thing Japanese about the Olympic experience was the snack food Lex and Barnaby shared. Those moments were so wonderful. But. Why bother setting that part of the story in Japan?

For me, the only acceptable ending for this book—and you must know how infuriated I was because *I* am saying this—would be Barnaby walking away and recovering with his true friends and falling in love again with someone else who would never treat him like a game after time to recover from this sheer heartbreak in a book 2 in which Lex remains totally miserable having lost all his money and having to move forward and do better with someone else. Because this behavior is not okay, never was okay, and never will be okay, and yeah sure, he’s oh, so very sorry and now loves Barnaby, but, the fact that he’s the kind of person who thought that was okay? Is not okay. The fact that our society still enables men to act this way is not okay.

Now, why did I read the entire book? Why might you want to?

The EMOTIONS. Holy gods this is my book crack, a martyr hero who is a wonderful, layered, prickly, wary person with a strong moral code, who gradually opens up and blossoms for his man, loves his horse and his dog, and has some of the most delightful friendships I’ve read. Yes, he’s a rich privileged aristocrat. Yes, his two BFFs are the king of England and his cousin, the prince of a made-up country. Do those two come through for Barnaby, first by accepting and making Barns’s romantic choice—Lex—one of them and supporting their romance with open arms (before they find out the truth), and then by having his back unconditionally (along with B’s wonderful little brother Perry, and of course B’s parents) when the ranking chart Lex and his friends created to choose who to try to fuck is made public, intimate picture of Barnaby and all.

They were GREAT! And Florence the dog is too, she can’t help not understanding what Lex did and still liking him. We forgive her.

That bleak moment, when Barnaby learns the truth...god. SO well done. And this man does not cave. Does not give Lex the time of day. Turns to friends who truly love him. Works through it with support from the right people. I loved that for him, and I loved their advice.

Being in this rich privileged world is just fun escapism. And it was so authentic! I loved Barnaby and his family and friends. They are privileged, yes, but also working with special needs kids to do equine therapy, and so much good work for the communities (I know it’s idealized, that is the fun of a romantic fiction. No pedophiles in Barnaby's or King James’s families, promise.)

And the boxing felt authentic! Despite my disdain for Lex, his dedication to his training is admirable and he is excellent at what he does professionally. I still think boxing is an foolish thing to do because of the brain damage, but, in fiction, loved that element.

I was less impressed with the horse side of sports. Was not convinced by the presentation of the eventing at the Olympics or the way Barnaby talked about Meridian (his horse) and eventing/dressage/show jumping, and it was kept very minimal, which was suspicious. Not credible.

Anyway, if only Lex’s initial actions had been handled differently. If only his apology tour—which was really good!—and the reuinion had had a stronger resolution (I did love someone…slapping him in the face…! Ha ha).

HEA. Boxer and equestrian Olympics contendors romance. Aristocrat (marquess) and commoner. Conflict is one making a bet that he’ll fuck the other. Unknown if there was OM/OW action (Lex is bi) at the Olympics before Lex “bagged” Barnaby (☠️☠️). Not recommended, but also not not recommended, because I could not stop reading. The tension and conflict SANG. And HURT so good. Sing it, John Cougar Mellencamp.

[Viki]

What a freaking win! What a book!!! What a STORY!!!

First, let me gush. This was just sooo great, okay? At a certain point, I thought the word "brilliant" and I don't use that word lightly or often but I can get emotional from time to time and this one made GRIN (not just smile, though that happened a lot too) and even cry a few tears. That's rare.

I wouldn't know where to start... if I do this chronologically, we'd be here for way too long so let me word vomit a bit: Lex was a masterpiece, with just enough questionable fashion choices and sticking his spit-covered fingers into stranger's ears he felt real and solid and... relatable feels wrong for me, let's say likable. Complex - good but flawed. Barns, ditto, he was uptight (aka more relatable to my own character), with just enough warmth and insecurities to make him a work of art. The plot really cinched it and went in unexpected directions, always a plus after all the books I read. The Olympics was more of a starting point, albeit a very important one. It proved that two characters don't need to be in the same... life or line, to be able to continue whatever they started thousand miles away.

The language flowed. The side character shined. On one memorable, hopefully not spoiler-y occasion, there was a little brother who did something other characters would make annoying but he just really made work. That was really a theme. Everyone likes laughing, right, but my humour can get... particular so finding a book that makes me actually laugh at silly antics? Pure gold. Pun intended. Jams and Vidal were more examples of this. Barns' parents, gosh, they were posh and I actually liked them from their very introduction. They felt like what they were supposed to - members of an aristocracy in a land that still kind of respects those things, expecially if you have a mansion to go with it, but still people, still human and still parents, just of the fancy kind.

The pacing, the slow-burn, the transitions and the time jumps... I was just really happy with so much of what happened here. I want to stress that again - it was amazing. There is one but that kind of has a few finer points, so let's see if I can put this together somewhat coherently.

It all started with the author's speech at the very beginning. Either I am biased against all "Notes" and "Author's Words" or everyone just sounds too defensive in them for what can often seem like no reason. This one was a politely worded "if you don't like messy sex, skip Chapter 9" with some hints of "this is what real sex looks like you naive little thing"... I am sensitive, what can I say. And when author's don't trust their work to speak for itself and feel the need to warn their readers instead of trusting them? This wouldn't even make it to a proper content warning, I feel like. Or maybe it's just me that gets defensive back

The scene that unfolded in Chapter 9, now that you know it exists and even the author, doesn't consider it spoiler, let me tell you, it was more than okay. I have seen sex scene that were supposed to be weird and uncomfortable and other things, instead of making you hot and bothered, and this one was just a bit soft and vulnerable. The only thing I "minded" was that they went through with it. Lex is such a nice guy so I expected him to do the ABSOLUTELY BASIC thing to ask of any character or I guess even a person (though I know there are some terrible people out there) is to say, ok, how about some BJ's? Even the sex-typical books (of the gay sort) like to repeat the phrase "not everyone likes penetrative sex". 99% of the characters do but the sentiment is very present. So when Lex, while patient and kind, realised the problem and he decided to go through with it anyway, to the end, I mean... that was what bothered me.

Unfortunately, that part can be blamed on the big... controversy? Ick? From the first part (Olympics) of the book - the bet. Basically, there is a competition on who can "score" the hardest "lays" of the athletes. It's as macho BS as it sounds, but I wasn't as bothered as I could be about the thing until he did the penetration part - which could be chalked up to the Bet and to the Plot because, even as he did it, I knew this was going to come back and bite him. And looking back, it also had one other thing I didn't like - it felt out of character.

The scoreboard is the thing that stupid jocks and toxic masculinity people do. Lex was written as a thoughtful men who knows what it means to be poor, has a good work ethic, cares about people and helping his community, takes care of his loving mum, he is sociable and good with fans, he is considerate and just generally someone who would not do something like this. We see just how invested and interested he is in Barns as a person, not just a target, very quickly, so the way he is almost "forced" into that narrative... I am not saying it could never happen. I am saying this part made me see (remmeber) there is a person who wrote this and decided to make this plot point and the point you feel the author's hand in a book, the book has lost... something.

Then the entire middle of the book happened and I got lost in all the glorious things that happened to my new guys and I wasn't thinking about the bet or any of the first part BS. Which is, of course, when the Third Act came knocking.

I am not going to spoiler anything, I will only say this is the one (ever? in a long time) that felt like this was right. This wasn't a 3rd act break-up, this was a natural part of the plot, this was karma and accountability. I felt sorry for Barns (with him, really, said tears happened around this time) because I knew Lex did something bad and that it doesn't erase the fact he is a great guy who made Barns' life better and lossing him for all the right reasons would hurt and taking him back would hurt and he will do it because everyone makes mistakes and a good relationship is about working on them. Like, it was wrong but also, he regretted it 10 minutes after doing it and they were practically strangers - becoming friends but still strangers. Not to mention Barns focused on "bagged it" and not on his friends' teasing "you are so gone for this guy" which would show him that even by the rules of the Betting game, Lex seemed to be catching feelings and he said the crass things before he got to know Barns and was accused of getting attached after said couch dates.

So I am already reaching for book 2 and I have high hopes it will be awesome, at least as awesome as this and this is four stars but I will say that if that Bet mess and all the acompanying events were handled differently, I'd go for those elusive 5 stars.

[Nathalie Mariaud]

📚✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📚

Lex Murphy, heavyweight Olympic boxing champion, arrives in Tokyo determined to win his second gold medal in a row 🥊🏅

But between competitions, another game is taking place among the athletes: *The Tally* — a challenge where every conquest earns points depending on nationality, sport, difficulty level… and reputation 👀

Barnaby Fitznorman-Bicester is an English eventing rider, a blond aristocrat, and the Marquess of Ashworth. Ordered by his best friend — the King himself — to finally loosen up and enjoy the Olympics, Barns unexpectedly becomes one of the highest-value targets in the Tally after catching Lex’s attention.

What starts as attraction slowly turns into something much deeper.

I absolutely loved watching these two characters discover each other’s worlds. Lex takes Barns to bizarre Japanese TV shows and convenience-store food adventures, while Barns introduces Lex to the elegance of the equestrian world — and somehow manages to surprise him by enjoying every strange Japanese snack Lex can find 😅

What really made this book stand out for me is how their relationship is built on patience, respect, and emotional intimacy rather than just physical attraction. Their bond grows naturally as they slowly learn how to fit into each other’s lives.

There’s also a beautiful balance between humor and emotional depth throughout the story.

I’ll admit their first intimate scene didn’t work for me at all and felt genuinely uncomfortable to read because the consent felt unclear. But beyond that moment, I truly loved the connection between them.

✨ A touching, funny, and deeply emotional MM romance about opening up, and fit into each other’s worlds without losing yourself.

🌶️ Spice included — mostly slow burn, except for one scene.

#ARCReview #Bookstagram #MMRomance #SportsRomance #OlympicsRomance #SlowBurnRomance #QueerBooks

📚✨ AVIS ARC ✨📚

Lex Murphy, champion olympique poids lourds de boxe, arrive à Tokyo avec un seul objectif : décrocher une deuxième médaille d’or consécutive 🥊🏅

Mais entre deux compétitions, les athlètes participent aussi à un tout autre jeu : *The Tally*, un système où chaque conquête rapporte des points selon la nationalité, le sport pratiqué, la difficulté… et la réputation 👀

Barnaby Fitznorman-Bicester est un cavalier anglais de concours complet, blond, élégant et accessoirement marquis. Son meilleur ami — le Roi lui-même — lui ordonne de profiter un peu des Jeux et d’enfin “s’amuser”.

Et quand Lex s’intéresse à lui, Barns devient immédiatement une cible de très haute valeur dans le Tally.

Ce qui commence comme une attirance évolue pourtant vers quelque chose de bien plus profond ❤️

J’ai adoré voir ces deux personnages découvrir les univers l’un de l’autre. Lex initie Barns à des émissions japonaises complètement absurdes et des découvertes culinaires improbables, tandis que Barns lui ouvre les portes du monde équestre… tout en réussissant l’exploit d’avaler tous les snacks étranges que Lex lui fait goûter 😅

Ce que j’ai surtout aimé dans ce livre, c’est que leur relation repose avant tout sur le respect, la patience et la connexion émotionnelle, plus que sur l’aspect physique. Leur lien se construit progressivement et naturellement.

Le roman mélange très bien humour et émotions intenses.

Je dois cependant avouer que leur première scène intime m’a mise mal à l’aise : le consentement m’a semblé flou. Par la suite l’écoute est omniprésente.

✨ Une romance MM touchante, drôle et pleine d’émotions, où deux mondes se mêlent doucement, avec une aristocratie plus ouverte que dans la vie réelle !

🌶️ Du spice ici, mais principalement en slow burn — sauf une scène.

#AvisLecture #ARCReview #BookstagramFR #RomanceMM #RomanceSportive #SlowBurn #LectureRomance

[Anna Richland]

A beautiful book about a heavy weight boxing champ who learns how to handle a skittish equestrian very gently, and they fall in love despite their differences.

I signed up to review a free ARC for this book because it had the Tokyo Summer Olympics in it. My family had tickets, but spectators were cancelled b/c of the pandemic. This was the only book I'd ever seen with that setting, and I had to have it ... I am SO HAPPY I signed up for this review. Below the Belt was a fabulous book!

First off, the Tokyo / Games setting was superb. I've been to Japan many times and the 7/11 snacks, that was perfectly done. I'm the type of person who sometimes carries an emergency onigiri in my purse if I'm planning ahead, and when Barns muttered 'onigiri' at one point, I was a mess. An utter mess.

The meet awkward in the airport baggage claim - loved it. Both Lex and Bash were so well-defined in that scene.

And the bad thing that happens - it's going to be obvious from the very beginning, like da-da-da-da ominous music hanging over Lex's head as soon as you read the stupid thing he and his mates are getting up to with the sex points tally score. You know immediately that it's going to come out. I wondered how Marlowe was going to make the reveal hit hard when the reader has known since the beginning that of course it's going to be revealed. Oh, I was not disappointed. I was in fact floored and devastated. It is handled perfectly. So well done. How did I feel so flattened by something that wasn't even a surprise? A good writer, that's how.

The writer tags this as "messy first times" trope, but I wouldn't really call it that - it's beyond awkward first time, into actually bad and uncomfortable territory. But they have become such good friends, and they're trying so hard. Bash wants this to work, Lex just wants Bash, and to be clear, it's all consensual, it just ... doesn't work. And Lex does everything he can, and he grows as a person in ways that help Bash relax and trust, and slowly, so slowly and tenderly, he and Bash figure things out. It was slow, it was sweet, and it was so, so emotional.

And there's still that ominous background da-da-da-da tapping in my head as I'm devouring this book, because the darn sex points tally sheet is out there. And we all know it.

I stayed up until 2 am to finish this on the day I started, read it again, and then immediately read That Telling Moment and as much of Marlowe's free website stories as I could. I think you will too.

Disclosure: I had a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was the first ARC I've ever signed up for, mainly because I'm an author too and I don't feel comfortable committing to do reviews for other romance authors. What if I actually had to meet someone whose book I reviewed? That would be awkward, and I would talk too much and it would be funny but probably in a bad way and so no, I don't review ARCs or usually romances. I normally limit my reviews to non-romance books. But I'm really glad I did this one.

(And yes, I do agree with the other reviewer that I wondered how Lex's mum knew Bash, and how he got her number when he makes the phone call? I suspected a scene of Bash meeting her got cut along the way, and I would have liked to see that.).

[Mayami]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5, Rounded up to 5⭐️.

Not a lot of books have you sucked in within the pre-chapter, but this one did! Within the first 3 pages, I’m gone. I’m laughing and know for damn sure I’m going to like this book. It’s another one where the writing is just superb! It flows really great, giving enough details about each MC and the scope of both of their worlds, and the 2 mains fit well with each other.

At first, you think of Lex as kind, sweet. Then “asshat” just comes railing into you when you least expect it. But…. after, he’s still this sweetheart who is kind and accommodating so now you’re just conflicted. You feel that Lex could never actually be that callous and insensitive and we see their bond start to bloom. THEN!!!! We’re right back to asshat and a half.

I appreciated how Barns registered boxing, almost like a dance dressed up as violence. It’s not just rushing forward and trying to land punches. There’s a game plan, a thought-out strategy. Assessing and calculating are necessary. His line for Lex, he’s the most extraordinary person I know and he doesn’t know it because he is too busy being loud. That was so great and on point! Barnaby’s affection slips out when he doesn’t mean it to. So sweet! Though they definitely had chemistry, there were a FEW times where I felt their bond was more friendship and platonic, which could be due to them thinking there was no future, being incompatible and it would eventually end but still wanting to be sure they remain friends. They eventually settled into something that was comfortable for both of them, and you feel it in the book.

Little additions I liked were him and Meridian are almost mirrors of each other. Stubborn, determined, uncomfortable with affection. Also the parents being supportive and loving. We don’t get that in alot of books with royals/aristocrats. Jams was surprising. I really liked his relationship with Bash and that he loves him wholeheartedly. Threatening Lex with the “shovel talk” got a good laugh out of me.

The part near the end is so aggravating and hurtful. The talk that Vidal had with Lex was absolutely perfect though. “You’ve taken a man who was brave enough to want something, and taught him that wanting is dangerous”. That line encapsulates so much of what this book is. You’ve taken a man who was brave enough to be himself, to love, to trust, to hope, and made him regret it. The harm that careless actions can cause even if you weren’t aiming to hurt.

Overall, it’s a good book. It’s not anything too deep that strains your emotions, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good read. I was invested the whole time, I really liked all the characters! It’s sweet, funny, a tiny bit of angst and conflict, and some well written spicy scenes. Only thing I would have liked better is to have first person POVs, just to be able to get inside their heads better but that is only a personal preference. Will recommend this once it comes out and waiting for Vidal’s book!

🌶️🌶️🌶️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

-size difference
-bossy/aloof black cat x golden retriever
-royal x commoner vibes
-opposites attract
-olympians

[Ana Georgieva]

Review of Advance copy received by Author. I was given this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just start by saying - I was not ready for this book to end when it did. This is simply not enough of either Lex or Barns!

I had a very vague idea of what I was walking into with this story and still turned out to be woefully unprepared. The amount of laughing, kicking my feet and going back to read the same lines over and over again because they were just THAT GOOD was, frankly, worrisome… in the best possible way!

This book took my breath away. The writing was sharp. Every word felt specifically selected to deliver the best kind of punch. The humour!! It was truly spectacular. Witty, sassy, using connections and comparisons that floored me every single time. So, so, so good!!

All the characters in this were so well-built too. And I’m not talking about the Mains only. Or even Jams and Vidal (both of whom I’m already obsessed with). From Sharon the agent and Malik to coach to the Duke and Benton - each and every character was ALIVE, perfectly three-dimensional and beautifully, beautifully developed. Somehow, with just a few sentences, and I already felt like I knew every new person being introduced. I’m calling this dark magic writing.

Really, everything I say about this book will be too little. And I haven’t even touched on Barnaby and Lex… oh my god! Those two! I was obsessed from their very first (very awkward) meeting at the Tokyo airport, through the slow, tentative way they grew closer in the Olympics village. Then back on UK soil is where we saw them grow into each other, take those little steps to accommodate the presence of the other in their lives. Really, any love story where the King of England is playing matchmaker has to be guaranteed a HEA. And this one here was so deserved!

Lex is simultaneously the most flawed and most perfect boyfriend. Barnaby is the most neurotic mess yet loves with a kind of fierce determination that you can’t help but admire. Together they make a love that should be close to impossible work. Because they never stop working at it! I think this is the thing I loved the most about this book. Yes, there’s heat and attraction, yes, there’s humour and connection, yes, there’s a HEA, but nothing just fell into their laps. Every single step of that relationship was deliberate. Both Lex and Barns worked hard - together and alone. And there’s nothing more satisfying than a real, earned HEA.

This is easily a 6 star, god-tier book for me. I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the chance to read an advance copy of this story and Marlowe Kent is now on my instant-buy list. Every book - I’m there. I’ve already talked the ear off of all of my MM reader friends, telling them they have to jump on this as soon as the 19th hits. I can’t wait for people to discover the book and to start talking about it so I can share my enthusiasm. That’s all I get until the second book… that and inevitable re-reads.

[Sara Jane]

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

Full review now. Sorry I like to give new authors leeway with books but this one I couldn't do.

After a second (skim) read. I can definitely see why people think AI.
What the fuck did I just read? Here's my honest review. Barnaby was a snobby, closed up, and possibly repressed? His friends demanded he get laid while he was away at the Olympics. 😳🙄

Lex was a douchebag boxer, who slept his way through people for a tally with his friends. He wore tacky track suits and annoyed me.

They meet at the airport when Barnaby has a hard time getting his gigantic old timey suitcase off the turnstile. Lex walks up behind AND TELLS HIM TO GET HIS WEAK ARMS OUT OF THE WAY SO THAT HE CAN GET THE SUIT CASE OFF.

After a short exchange, Barnaby obviously takes offense and walks away.
They meet again at the gym when Lex corrects the way that Barns is trying to work out. Again Barns walks away.

At that point, Lex sees Barnaby is a great challenge, and his friend group tags him as a elite 100 point score if he fucks him. Oh yeah did I mention they had a running tally of their conquests.

Lex eventually worms his way into Barnaby's good graces and they fuck. It was painful and awkward for Barnaby, being his first time actually getting penetrated. He tries to move away several times but Lex coaxes him and assures him that he is safe with him. Lex then proceeds to painfully fuck Barnaby.
But don't worry Lex said even with the terrible sex he still like liked Barns. (Quotes below)

There were cute moments when Lex was worming his way into Barns life.
Eating inconvenient store snacks, late night movies but it wasnt enough for me to forgive the first time.

They eventually work though everything and tried sex again and it was awkward. But dont worry Barns bf comes to the rescue and gives him a glass dildo to help prep things along.

Eventually, the story breaks about the big tally bet Lex had going on, and Barnaby is embarrassed and breaks things off. Lex is extremely apologetic because they've already shared. I love yous and it's all ruined. Barnaby is depressed for weeks, works at his horse barn. Lex apologizes to him, Barnaby accepts, but they stay broken up.

Eventually, Barnaby's horse farm gets a four million, three hundred and twenty five thousand quid donation from an anonymous donor. Because Barns is clueless, his friends inform him that the only person the anonymous donor could have been was Lex.
With that amount of money, Lex is forgiven, and Barnaby shows up to his boxing match and takes him back.

“I gave up four million, three hundred and twenty-five thousand quid for this kiss,” Lex said grinning against Barnaby’s mouth. “Worth it.”

HEAVY SCENE SPOILERS:


QUOTE from Lex's thoughts DURING their first time
💥"Barnaby was gorgeous, funny, clever, brilliant company. And a fucking terrible shag."

LEX fucked him and kept going knowing it was hurting Barns. It wasn't working he just worried about getting himself off at the end. Lex's thoughts were acknowledging Barns being terrified, stiff, and in pain but refused to stop.

Scenes from first time:
💥💥💥
“Touch yourself,” Lex said.
Barnaby didn’t move. “Barns. Play with yourself. Let me see what you like.”
“I don’t—” Barnaby’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “I don’t do that.”
Lex paused mid-stroke. “You don’t wank?”
Barnaby’s eyes shifted. “I have self-control. And I certainly wouldn’t make a habit of doing it around people.”
Szqrg The evasion was obvious. Barnaby clearly wanted to imply he was above it all, too refined for something so base, but couldn’t quite commit to the lie.
“I’m not people. I’m about to be balls-deep in you. Touch your cock, Barnaby.”
“Don’t be so crass.” Barnaby’s jaw tightened, and he stayed exactly where he was, hands fisted in the sheets, staring at the ceiling.
Lex bit back a grin. This was not the moment to trigger indignation from Barnaby, who was so easy to goad into a reaction. But he should have expected this inhibition. Barnaby had probably only ever had it on with other toffs, with their weird shared traditions. Maybe they fucked through holes in sheets, or needed to don bleached white calf leather gloves before taking someone’s knob in hand. Fair enough. He’d train him out of it.

💥💥💥
“Look at me,” Lex said. “Barnaby. Look at me.” Barnaby’s eyes opened.
They were wide and grey and overwhelmed. “You’re all right,” Lex said. “You’re all good with me.” He pushed in another inch.
Barnaby made a strangled sound and twisted sideways, pulling away so that Lex’s cock almost completely withdrew. “It’s too much,” Barnaby said. His voice was tight, strained. “Lex, it’s—”
“I know. I know. We’ll stop. Just breathe for a second.” Lex stayed exactly where he was, barely inside, giving Barnaby time to adjust. His own cock was screaming at him, every nerve ending demanding he just push, but he gritted his teeth and waited.
“All right,” Barnaby said after a moment. “All right. Try again.”

💥💥💥
He gave him another minute, then started to move in slow, shallow thrusts, just enough to ease the friction. Barnaby’s hips shifted beneath him, but in the wrong direction. Lex tried to adjust, angling his hips to hit that spot he’d found with his fingers, but Barnaby was moving all wrong. His timing was off, his rhythm non-existent, and when Lex tried to guide him with a hand on his hip Barnaby just went still. Completely still. Lying there like a plank of wood while Lex moved above him.
“Barns,” Lex said. “Come on, mate. Move with me.”

💥💥💥
by bit, inch by inch, stopping every time Barnaby’s breath caught or his body tensed, until finally, finally, Lex was fully seated. Barnaby’s thighs were shaking. His face was flushed, his eyes glassy, and he looked terrified.
“You’re all right,” Lex said, and kissed him again. “You’re all right, Barns.”

THEN KEEPS GOING

💥💥💥
Barnaby’s breathing changed. It became a fraction slower, a fraction deeper and for about three seconds Lex thought he was getting somewhere. Then Barnaby’s spine locked again, and the rhythm died before it had properly started.

💥💥💥
"He picked up the pace, chasing his own release now because there was no point pretending this was working for either of them. Barnaby was silent beneath him, his body tense, and when Lex finally came it was more relief than pleasure. He pulled out, stripped off the condom, and dropped it into the bin by the bed.
Barnaby was still on his hands and knees, breathing hard. Lex reached around, wrapped his hand around Barnaby’s cock, and stroked him off with quick, efficient movements. Barnaby came with a choked sound, spilling over Lex’s hand, and then collapsed forward onto the mattress.
“You all right?” Lex asked.
“Yes,” Barnaby said. His voice was muffled by the pillow. “Fine. That was—fine. Thank you.”
Lex opened his mouth, then said, like an absolute pillock, “Thank you, too.”
They both went silent. The awkwardness hung between them like a bad smell.

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

[Sandy]

This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but the cover, the blurb, and the reviews already posted made me believe it'd be worth the read. And it was! Absolutely. So, thank you to BookSirens and the author for an early copy of the book. What follows are my thoughts immediately upon completing the book.

First, the cover is PERFECT! It's what first drew me in. Luckily, the perfection doesn't stop there. Yes, the spice is SUPER spicy, but the story and the characters are what make this book a winner. I love Barnaby. He's adorably neurotic, which I can relate to personally. (I also love the relationship he has with his two best friends. They're a hoot!)

I love the meet-cute between Barnaby and Lex. What I like a lot about this book is that it has realism where we don't normally see it in today's romance books. Lex starts out as a character who is not altogether likable. He grows on you (the reader), as his character grows, to the point where despite his past mistakes, you're rooting for this guy to not lose. Also, Barnaby and Lex's first time is perfectly imperfect. That alone made me fall for both guys, right there.

This story was a surprise to me because while I thought I would like it, I didn't know I was going to love it quite as much as I do. It's a wonderfully sweet and swoony love story. I highly recommend it.

[Jine]

This is my first book by this author and ooooh it won’t be my last! I loved this story it’s a story of two boys from vastly different worlds Barnaby and lex who are both at the Olympics
Barnaby for horses and lex is a championship boxer
Lex and his friends have this competition on who can sleep with who for points and because Barnaby is a different kind of guy closed off kind of cold he’s worth a lot of points but what lex didn’t count on is falling for the man!
What ensues is a hilarious story of their friendship and more than friendship relationship
Barnaby is friends with the king and he makes them both ambassadors so Barnaby can’t run and flee from his feelings for lex
What I loved so much was how patient lex was with Barnaby because he wasn’t used to doing this a certain way sexually he didn’t get frustrated or mad they just took things at Barnabys pace
I knew the moment that stupid group chat and spreadsheet was mentioned it was gonna rear its ugly head and it did in the worst way which made me cry but the over 4 million donation and the show up in Las Vegas made up for it
I really enjoyed their friendship and relationship ips and downs and I liked how all of his friends and family just accepted lex even though he was from a different background
The last line the I spent over 4 million for a kiss worth it swooooon!

[Liana]

The story I didn’t know I needed 😍

There’s not a huge amount of MM books out there with a fighter MC let alone an Equestrian rider MC but when you add in the Olympic factor as well then this book is a rarity indeed.

I read this book in less than a day! I simply couldn’t put it down, it held me enraptured the whole way through. The chemistry, the spice, the angst, the humour, it all came together to tell one hell of a story about two complete opposites who are both exactly what the other one never knew they needed.

One of the tropes listed is ‘messy first time’ and I didn’t really know what to expect with that. The author surprised me though with how she wrote their first time and how realistic it was. This book stands out as one in a million because of it and I applaud the author for choosing to write it the way she did because it added depth to the MC’s personalities and their relationship with how they handled the situation and it just makes this book that much more of a standout.

The side characters (King James and Vidal) are absolutely priceless and I loved how they stirred up Barnaby out of love while also having his back when needed, the mark of true friendship and I CANNOT WAIT for both of their books!!

This was the first book I read by this author and will definitely be checking out their other books 👏 😍

[Cristina]

I'm in my SPORTS phase, and although I prefer hockey, I felt like a change of pace.

That said, I can say this book is hilarious, tender, and full of spark. The chemistry between Barnaby and Lex is irresistible: two completely different men who, step by step, build something real, well-crafted, and deeply sweet. The humor is brilliantly integrated, and the secondary characters are fantastic… James and Vidal, I'm talking about you! 😂

I would have liked more depth in their pasts and fewer descriptions of settings, but the story as a whole is charming, moving, and very entertaining. The romance is brilliantly developed, and the steamy scenes are *chef kiss*.

This is a book you read with a constant smile and that leaves you wanting more of this couple and this universe.

It's the first book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last.

I read an advance copy, but these opinions are my own and mine alone.

[Env1ous]

I found this book to fun cute if not a little predictable. Barns and Lex were both great characters and I enjoyed getting to see theor stories. However I will say that I do wish we had a little more actual character background to go on rather than having to take their decisions at face value. Their different upbringings are one thing, but I feel like a lot of character building was left out and the tertiary characters weren't as important or fleshed out as they could have been. So while I did enjoy the story and the overall ending, I wish there was a bit more insight. I do want to see where things go from here though, as I understand that there are to be more books in this series and I will definitely be looking out for them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review of my own violation and greatly appreciate this opportunity.

[Irene Rojas]

I really enjoyed this book. The story is well told and infused with a great sense of humour; from the first moment, I can´t put it down. First time with this author, and I want to read more of his work. It revolves around two elite athletes participating in the Olympic Games, opposites that attract.
Barnaby is a polished aristocrat, always well-composed, with a strong sense of responsibility. His two closest friends are a delight, and the dynamic between the three of them adds a lot of fun to the story. As part of the UK Olympic delegation in equestrianism, he is determined to win an Olympic medal.
Lex, on the other hand, is a heavyweight boxer with an Olympic gold and the intention of winning his second medal; With a successful sports career, always looking on the positive side of life, his growth arc is fabulous.
I received an ARC, and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Hiawatha Rosemond]

Lex and Barnaby were an unexpected, perfect match! Lex was unapologetically himself, in his Gucci tracksuit with LV luggage. Barnaby was proper and polished, always composed and disciplined. Together, they stepped outside of their comfort zones to learn and grow.

As side characters go, it doesn’t get better than James and Vidal! Both were witty in different ways. Both loved Barnaby unconditionally. They were kind and caring but also unintentionally hilarious!


This story of two men, two Olympic medalists, from two very different worlds, was a perfect balance of growth, emotion, and strength. Will a bet that turned into more be the beginning or the end for Lex and Barnaby? I couldn’t put this book down and I’m convinced you’ll feel the same!

[Elif]

ARE YOU MAD!!!?? IT IS SOOOO GOOOOODDD. Öncelikle hiçbir beklentim olmadan okudum ve beni çok şaşırttı. Gerçekten iyi yazılmış, duyguları insana iyi anlatan, çok eğlenceli, komik bir kurgu. Umarım profesyonel bir yayinevi seni keşfeder sevgili yazar🙏🏻


Genelde kitaplarda sosyal medya yorumları, mesajları okumayı sevmem ama bu kitaptakiler beni çok güldürdü. Hele o fanfic ve okunan sahne o kadar komikti ki ahahaha Duygular güzel işlenmiş, toplumsal destek harikaydı, aile desteği de öyle. Daha uzun olmasını isterdim. Tek itirazım bu. Hüznü, hayal kırıklığı insana güzel anlatan bir kitap ayrıca.

O mesajların sorun olacağını okurken tahmin etmiştim. Ne büyük hata!! Yine de güzel toparlandı. Barışma süreçlerini biraz daha okumak isterdim.

[Laurie Kleveland]

4.5! I flew through this. I loved how the characters met and how their relationship progressed. They were so cute and I loved the "messy first time" I'm a sucker for those realistic moments. There were a few moments here and there that I didn't really love but overall this book was a fun read. I do wish there had been a little more on the olympics though!
The ending was so sweet. I just wanted like maybe one more chapter where there's some cute stuff between them in the aftermath of it all. I just love those little closure moments but how it ended was still fine. Dramatic for sure!
I have a feeling Vidal's book is going to be a RIDE.

[Marie MARIONETTE]

This is the reason why I love Booktok and the opportunities that comes within.

I didn’t want to put the book down.

The plot and the flow of the story was wonderful.

From Barnaby being cold and distant to him loving fully.
From Lex being a player with a bet & goal to becoming the one who loved first and hard.

Those nights on the couch trying Japanese snack
The patience Lex had when it came to their sexual intercourse
The banter between every characters

Ok Lex did a grand gesture to show that his love was real and deep and non transactional but I would have like a bit more of grovel & yearning.

But now I am just being picky.
I am definitely recommending this book!

[Jaime]

I really enjoyed this! Which is amazing cause I’ve been in one hell of a reading slump.
Lex does something that made me dislike him at the beginning but we got past it.
I enjoyed these two together, along with Barn’s friends. Lex’s friends I didn’t enjoy so much.
I also like the random funny parts. Got a couple of highlighted parts from my read through.

The only thing that lowered the score for me was that, shortly after the Olympics ended, I felt like a lot was left out for their relationship building. I wanted more.

And I don’t love their bonus scene where they went on vacation with V and J.

[Linda]

It started as a bet. Lex Murphy, gold medallist heavyweight boxer & Barnaby an aristocrat & Olympic equestrian rider. Lex & his friends have a scorecard on who they will "shag" at the Olympics. Barnaby is politely told by friends to get "shagged" while you're there. They both set out to do just this, but with complications, they fall in love. There is low angst, unhappy first time, media scandal but overall a good book. Rumor has it people believe this may be AI because the author used it for the cover (which personally I think most authors do) but overall this was a good book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DJ DIXXXON]

If you like a book containing two men from opposite sides of the tracks that keep you enthralled at every turn this is the book for you. At times one is bound to feel all range of emotions and the writer truly delivers a story worth reading and makes one wanna read more of their work. I would highly recommend this for anyone who loves reading m/m literature with a tinge of erotica. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Inka]

Absolutely adored this book! I received an advanced copy from the author, after reading the blurb and that got me hooked, so naturally had to have the book asap. As a former equestrian it was so nice to read a book where the hors has an attitude and is not some dreamlike barbie horse. This book will go to my re-reading list.

P.s. Also devoured few other books from the same author after reading this:)

[Wilmarie]

I'm so happy to that i was approved to be an ARC reader for this book. This book isn't a book that I would normally pick up on my own, but it is full of tropes that I have been trying to get into. I'm so glad that I took a chance on this book, it definitely inspired me to pick up more books that are similar to it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cori]

I think this might be the first MM book ive read that actively talks about intimacy struggles and I loved it. Barnaby and Lex have a somewhat strenuous relationship from the start but the ups and downs were made that much better with the detail the author put into this book. I really liked the way they got to their HEA.

[Rayna Skulnik]

So happy to have been approved to be a ARC reader. This book hit so many of my favorite tropes in the best way. Not ti mention characters so fleshed out its like watching a very “cheeky” movie. I cannot wait for more people to read this amazing book and to see more from the author