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Mannies & Mouthguards: A Sweet & Spicy Rugby MM Romance
A widowed rugby captain. His best friend’s little brother. One chaotic puppy. And a house that hasn’t felt like home in three years.
Fox
I’ve spent three years keeping everything together. My daughter, my career, my late wife’s memory. I don’t need help, and I definitely don’t need Maverick’s younger brother moving into my guest suite with his lavender hand cream and his quiet way of making my five-year-old laugh harder than she has since her mom died. Jamie Miller was supposed to be temporary. A favor for a favor. Room and board in exchange for watching Elaine while my sister’s away. But he’s braiding my daughter’s hair, and he’s making me feel things I swore I’d never feel again. The last person I loved that much was taken from me by a drunk driver. I’m not sure I can survive it twice.
Jamie
I was supposed to be finishing my thesis. Instead, I’m living in a stone-and-cedar mansion with a stoic, stupidly gorgeous rugby star who won’t look me in the eye, a five-year-old who has already decided I’m her newest bestie, and an eight-pound Cavapoo puppy who is on a quest to personally destroy every pair of shoes I own. Fox Thorne is grieving, guarded, and completely off-limits. He’s also my brother’s best friend, which means if I mess this up, I lose more than a place to live. But every time he lets his guard down, every time he laughs, every time his daughter calls me Jamie-man and reaches for my hand, I fall a little further into a life I never planned on wanting this badly.
Mannies & Mouthguards is a spicy M/M sports romance about a man who built a fortress out of grief and the one person who walks straight through the door. With a scene-stealing puppy, a five-year-old artist-in-training, and a love story that will wreck you before it puts you back together, this is the second standalone novel in the Spicy Sports Romance series.
CONTENT NOTES
This book contains references to the off-page death of a spouse (car accident caused by a drunk driver), grief and loss, a child who does not remember her deceased parent, and explicit M/M sexual content. Intended for readers 18+.
Second Shots is a series of standalones and can be read in any order.
Fox
I’ve spent three years keeping everything together. My daughter, my career, my late wife’s memory. I don’t need help, and I definitely don’t need Maverick’s younger brother moving into my guest suite with his lavender hand cream and his quiet way of making my five-year-old laugh harder than she has since her mom died. Jamie Miller was supposed to be temporary. A favor for a favor. Room and board in exchange for watching Elaine while my sister’s away. But he’s braiding my daughter’s hair, and he’s making me feel things I swore I’d never feel again. The last person I loved that much was taken from me by a drunk driver. I’m not sure I can survive it twice.
Jamie
I was supposed to be finishing my thesis. Instead, I’m living in a stone-and-cedar mansion with a stoic, stupidly gorgeous rugby star who won’t look me in the eye, a five-year-old who has already decided I’m her newest bestie, and an eight-pound Cavapoo puppy who is on a quest to personally destroy every pair of shoes I own. Fox Thorne is grieving, guarded, and completely off-limits. He’s also my brother’s best friend, which means if I mess this up, I lose more than a place to live. But every time he lets his guard down, every time he laughs, every time his daughter calls me Jamie-man and reaches for my hand, I fall a little further into a life I never planned on wanting this badly.
Mannies & Mouthguards is a spicy M/M sports romance about a man who built a fortress out of grief and the one person who walks straight through the door. With a scene-stealing puppy, a five-year-old artist-in-training, and a love story that will wreck you before it puts you back together, this is the second standalone novel in the Spicy Sports Romance series.
CONTENT NOTES
This book contains references to the off-page death of a spouse (car accident caused by a drunk driver), grief and loss, a child who does not remember her deceased parent, and explicit M/M sexual content. Intended for readers 18+.
Second Shots is a series of standalones and can be read in any order.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 13, 2026
2.5 stars
This was better than the first book. Not by much, but by enough. The burn was still a bit glacial in pace but at least it was there.
There are, however, a lot of the same issues as the first book.
1. A lot of things still happen off of the page and I don’t really understand why. Especially when certain things get called back later in the book. There are times when I read a couple of pages back to see if I missed something only to realize that something that was said to have happened never actually did happen on the page.
2. The dialogues in this sometimes hard to read. The flow of it is just off, and I think that the author is hiding behind the MCs being quiet or horrible communicators.
3. I’m assuming that the author’s note from the last book about not everything being accurate in terms of the sports related things also applies to this. There were certain details like Mav being able to see Fox during his ice bath even when Mav wasn’t playing or Mav not knowing the rookies even though he got traded just a few weeks before the start of the novel were odd. Anyways, very minor complaint but still there.
Again, overall, there was an improvement from the first book. Barely, but it was enough that it was worth mentioning.
This was better than the first book. Not by much, but by enough. The burn was still a bit glacial in pace but at least it was there.
There are, however, a lot of the same issues as the first book.
1. A lot of things still happen off of the page and I don’t really understand why. Especially when certain things get called back later in the book. There are times when I read a couple of pages back to see if I missed something only to realize that something that was said to have happened never actually did happen on the page.
2. The dialogues in this sometimes hard to read. The flow of it is just off, and I think that the author is hiding behind the MCs being quiet or horrible communicators.
3. I’m assuming that the author’s note from the last book about not everything being accurate in terms of the sports related things also applies to this. There were certain details like Mav being able to see Fox during his ice bath even when Mav wasn’t playing or Mav not knowing the rookies even though he got traded just a few weeks before the start of the novel were odd. Anyways, very minor complaint but still there.
Again, overall, there was an improvement from the first book. Barely, but it was enough that it was worth mentioning.
September 6, 2026
It is a book dealing with somewhat heavier themes, such as grief.
The characters are well-developed.
The book has depth, but I also felt it was a bit disjointed.
Because it is so long, I sometimes struggled to keep reading. The author was unable to hold my interest at times, making it a struggle to continue.
That being said, the two MCs are beautifully described, as is the journey they must take to find each other.
The characters are well-developed.
The book has depth, but I also felt it was a bit disjointed.
Because it is so long, I sometimes struggled to keep reading. The author was unable to hold my interest at times, making it a struggle to continue.
That being said, the two MCs are beautifully described, as is the journey they must take to find each other.
August 13, 2026
While I enjoyed the characters and was looking forward to this story, the writing ended up feeling really disjointed at random times throughout that would take me out of the story each time.
August 21, 2026
Couldn't get into it. I got half way through and they still seemed indifferent to each other. The book isn't a slow burn, it's a glacial crawl without any warmth.
August 1, 2026
I enjoyed Mannies & Mouthguards. It’s an emotional M/M sports romance that beautifully balances grief, healing, humour, and heartfelt family moments. Fox’s journey after losing his wife three years ago and learning to love again felt genuine, while Jamie’s patience, kindness, and unwavering support made him impossible not to love. The bond between Jamie and Fox’s daughter was incredibly sweet, adding warmth and heart to the story. The chemistry between Fox and Jamie develops naturally, and watching Fox slowly lower his walls and embrace the possibility of a new future was beautiful to see. This was a touching, engaging story with memorable characters, plenty of emotional depth, and a well-earned happily-ever-after.
July 31, 2026
4.25 stars. Fox was still barely coping with his rugby career and daughter after the loss of his wife three years before. Jamie, youngest brother of Fox's friend, had nowhere to live while finishing his masters, and as Fox needed childcare Jamie moved in. This gave ample opportunity for both men to work on some much needed healing for all of them. The naughty puppy's antics were great, as were the people around them.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
August 16, 2026
ARC review
This is a slow burn romance and a bit longer than my usual preferred length. The author is also new to me. I am pleasantly surprised by this read. It's well written and kept my interest from the first page. Even if it's over 400 pages I read it in no time. Parallel to the love story there is a lot of grief that one of the mc's has to work through. I love watching Jamie and Fox falling in love. There is also a big messy family, a sweet little girl and a troublemaker puppy contributing to this story. All in all a very solid, interesting and sweet read that I recommend.
This is a slow burn romance and a bit longer than my usual preferred length. The author is also new to me. I am pleasantly surprised by this read. It's well written and kept my interest from the first page. Even if it's over 400 pages I read it in no time. Parallel to the love story there is a lot of grief that one of the mc's has to work through. I love watching Jamie and Fox falling in love. There is also a big messy family, a sweet little girl and a troublemaker puppy contributing to this story. All in all a very solid, interesting and sweet read that I recommend.
September 11, 2026
Okay, this was so cute while also making my heartache. This is my second read by this author, and I really enjoyed this one. It's equal parts sweet and spicy. I found it to be a little more angsty and emotional. Jaime and Fox's slow-burn build-up felt natural. I liked their dynamic and the bond Jamie made with Fox's daughter Elaine was sweet.
Tropes:
Rugby
Manny
Best friend's little brother
Widow
Bi-awakening
Gay for you
Dual POV
Check TW
Tropes:
Rugby
Manny
Best friend's little brother
Widow
Bi-awakening
Gay for you
Dual POV
Check TW
August 12, 2026
Mannies and Mouthguards is the second book in the Second Shots series and can be read as a standalone. This is a best friends brother, single dad, second chance at love, hurt/comfort read about Jamie and Fox. This was another really good book in the series, with a nice storyline and great characters. I can't wait to see what comes next.
August 2, 2026
Confusing
I don’t know if it’s just me, but the book seemed choppy. People weren’t explained and often the background would change without really explaining it. The overall story was great, but I just felt like it could have done more.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but the book seemed choppy. People weren’t explained and often the background would change without really explaining it. The overall story was great, but I just felt like it could have done more.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews