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Varsity Heat Crew #4
Hold the Line
They made a secret relationship, one day at a time. They didn't plan on the whole country watching.
Varsity Heat Crew is a bingeable MM college sports romance series following one couple across multiple books—high-stakes rivalry, slow-burn obsession, explosive chemistry, and emotional payoffs that keep readers turning pages.
Three books of fighting it. Three books of denial, rage, and a want so sharp it left marks.
Now Alex and Liam have finally given in—secretly, desperately, with everything to lose.
The timing couldn't be worse.
The Head of the Charles. The biggest race in American rowing. National media. Olympic-level scouts. Thousands of spectators lining the bridges. And Alex and Liam—the rivals everyone's watching—have to climb into the same boat, row three miles in perfect sync, and pretend the way they breathe together means nothing.
Fake the hatred in public. Fall apart in private. Don't let anyone see.
But someone already has.
Hold the Line is the book where the secret relationship hits a wall—where stolen hours get shorter, anonymous threats get closer, and the distance between who they are and who they're pretending to be becomes unbearable.
And where one race—one finish line—changes everything. Just not the way they expected.
This is the installment readers have been waiting for. The tension breaks. The stakes go national. And the cliffhanger will wreck you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I physically could not stop reading."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Charles race scene had me holding my breath."
Perfect for fans of obsessive rivals-to-lovers MM romance with real emotional depth, devastating chemistry, and stakes that actually matter.
Each book in the series delivers a complete emotional arc while pulling you irresistibly into the next chapter of Alex and Liam's story.
This new adult contemporary romance is intentionally written to be fast, immersive, and bingeable—a prestige-style college sports drama designed for readers who love deep connection, escalating stakes, and a couple worth following to the end.
Varsity Heat Crew is a bingeable MM college sports romance series following one couple across multiple books—high-stakes rivalry, slow-burn obsession, explosive chemistry, and emotional payoffs that keep readers turning pages.
Three books of fighting it. Three books of denial, rage, and a want so sharp it left marks.
Now Alex and Liam have finally given in—secretly, desperately, with everything to lose.
The timing couldn't be worse.
The Head of the Charles. The biggest race in American rowing. National media. Olympic-level scouts. Thousands of spectators lining the bridges. And Alex and Liam—the rivals everyone's watching—have to climb into the same boat, row three miles in perfect sync, and pretend the way they breathe together means nothing.
Fake the hatred in public. Fall apart in private. Don't let anyone see.
But someone already has.
Hold the Line is the book where the secret relationship hits a wall—where stolen hours get shorter, anonymous threats get closer, and the distance between who they are and who they're pretending to be becomes unbearable.
And where one race—one finish line—changes everything. Just not the way they expected.
This is the installment readers have been waiting for. The tension breaks. The stakes go national. And the cliffhanger will wreck you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I physically could not stop reading."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Charles race scene had me holding my breath."
Perfect for fans of obsessive rivals-to-lovers MM romance with real emotional depth, devastating chemistry, and stakes that actually matter.
Each book in the series delivers a complete emotional arc while pulling you irresistibly into the next chapter of Alex and Liam's story.
This new adult contemporary romance is intentionally written to be fast, immersive, and bingeable—a prestige-style college sports drama designed for readers who love deep connection, escalating stakes, and a couple worth following to the end.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2026
About the author
Dylan Joseph
15 books39 followersGrab your free copy of Before the Rivalry at dylanjoseph.co/vhc
Dylan Joseph writes the kind of MM romance that lingers long after the last page—slow-burn connections, emotional depth, open door spice, and moments of raw vulnerability. His stories invite readers into worlds where love feels both magical and deeply human, where every glance, touch, and conversation matters.
When he’s not writing, Dylan loves gardening, exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, and spending time with his partner, Ben, and three dogs, Oak, Bear, and Mopsy.
If you believe love stories should stir your heart, spark your imagination, and take you somewhere extraordinary, you’ll feel right at home in Dylan Joseph’s world.
All inquiries for podcast appearances, video shows, and speaking can be sent to dylan@dylanjoseph.co
Dylan Joseph writes the kind of MM romance that lingers long after the last page—slow-burn connections, emotional depth, open door spice, and moments of raw vulnerability. His stories invite readers into worlds where love feels both magical and deeply human, where every glance, touch, and conversation matters.
When he’s not writing, Dylan loves gardening, exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, and spending time with his partner, Ben, and three dogs, Oak, Bear, and Mopsy.
If you believe love stories should stir your heart, spark your imagination, and take you somewhere extraordinary, you’ll feel right at home in Dylan Joseph’s world.
All inquiries for podcast appearances, video shows, and speaking can be sent to dylan@dylanjoseph.co
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 29, 2026
The Power of Teamwork and Perseverance
I just finished reading Varsity Heat Crew - Hold The Line, Book #4 by Dylan Joseph, and I’m truly inspired. The story of Liam Moore, a scholarship rower at Riverside State University, and Alex Harrington, the golden boy and Kingswell legacy rower, rowing together again captures the essence of teamwork and passion. Their reunion on the water feels like flying—effortless and powerful.
Emily’s return added complexity, stirring emotions and challenges that made their journey even more compelling. The highlight was the Head of the Charles race, a grueling three-mile sprint down Boston’s Charles River—the biggest head race in the nation. Liam and Alex were chosen to compete as doubles, proving their dedication and skill.
What resonated most was the timeless language of rowing: Catch. Drive. Finish. Recovery. The rhythm that never lies and that started everything—reminding us that true strength lies in unity and perseverance.
Book 4 continues with the same intensity and surprises as the previous installment. I can’t wait to see where the story goes in Book 5!
Let’s keep this spirit as we push forward—there’s nothing we can’t achieve when we row together.
I just finished reading Varsity Heat Crew - Hold The Line, Book #4 by Dylan Joseph, and I’m truly inspired. The story of Liam Moore, a scholarship rower at Riverside State University, and Alex Harrington, the golden boy and Kingswell legacy rower, rowing together again captures the essence of teamwork and passion. Their reunion on the water feels like flying—effortless and powerful.
Emily’s return added complexity, stirring emotions and challenges that made their journey even more compelling. The highlight was the Head of the Charles race, a grueling three-mile sprint down Boston’s Charles River—the biggest head race in the nation. Liam and Alex were chosen to compete as doubles, proving their dedication and skill.
What resonated most was the timeless language of rowing: Catch. Drive. Finish. Recovery. The rhythm that never lies and that started everything—reminding us that true strength lies in unity and perseverance.
Book 4 continues with the same intensity and surprises as the previous installment. I can’t wait to see where the story goes in Book 5!
Let’s keep this spirit as we push forward—there’s nothing we can’t achieve when we row together.
May 2, 2026
So this is an ongoing series? There’s progress but still too slow for my liking. I think this will be my last read in this series (if anything new comes up). Now you decide to throw Emily in the mix for a cliffhanger? Ha? Funny. I’m done.
June 22, 2026
I've read the series and only reviewing the last book. There is only books 1-3 series to rate and doesn't include this book.
I give books 1-4 a total of 3.5 stars rounded up. It started strong. I like these messy, obsessed guys who can't let themselves have what they want. This all comes with a ton of drama, class difference and expectations. That is absolutely my cup of tea. Each book ends on a cliffhanger.
It read a lot like fanfic to me, which is not a bad thing, and I could tell this series was written fast and with a lot of passion. One thing I saw in fanfic are never ending series that the author would eventually move on from before the story is wrapped up. I fear that may happen here. Additionally, there are writing inconsistencies between the books, weird sentences, misspellings and grammar errors but not enough to be distracting.
The story is definitely a page turner, albeit repetitive (book 2 started with the ending chapters of book 1) and book 4 had some copy/paste sentences. Both MCs need to tackle deep issues and they are held accountable by the people they hurt along the way. I would have loved their internal dialogue to have some more depth and some really pointed uniqueness between each character. Sometimes, they felt like the same person.
By the time I got to book 4, I was looking forward to the resolution and about 30% in I realized that I would not get that. The end is another cliffhanger. Each book deals with one issue at a time so there may be many more books because I can think of at least three to four unresolved dramas that Alex and Liam need to tackle. These guys need a break! Which brings me back to wondering if the author knows how to end the series.
Personally, I think it could be shorter because a lot of the drama and behaviors are repetitive through each story that it becomes the same book over and over. I had trouble understanding Alex and Liam's chemistry and that's in part to their lack of consistent communication and their constant drama. I would have loved more sneaking out to see each other, deeper conversation and possibly one of their BFFs getting to meet the other.
There is a prequel released now and I really wish the series started with that instead of circling back to it later. It could have been woven in to the books as well so we felt like we were back at Brackett Lake with them instead of little memories. I think it would have really served the romance better to be bought in and heartbroken from their first summer together.
Not sure if I will continue the series if more books are released. Still on the fence because I do want them to get their HEA.
Heads up to some readers who may not like this: Liam has a gf and there is MF spice and cheating. I actually didn't hate how the GF was written (hard to find a woman written in good light in any romance) and she's def a victim in all this. The way all parties are handling love is very age appropriate for them. I think the way the author tackles both guys finding their messy pathway to being honest with themselves is done well.
I give books 1-4 a total of 3.5 stars rounded up. It started strong. I like these messy, obsessed guys who can't let themselves have what they want. This all comes with a ton of drama, class difference and expectations. That is absolutely my cup of tea. Each book ends on a cliffhanger.
It read a lot like fanfic to me, which is not a bad thing, and I could tell this series was written fast and with a lot of passion. One thing I saw in fanfic are never ending series that the author would eventually move on from before the story is wrapped up. I fear that may happen here. Additionally, there are writing inconsistencies between the books, weird sentences, misspellings and grammar errors but not enough to be distracting.
The story is definitely a page turner, albeit repetitive (book 2 started with the ending chapters of book 1) and book 4 had some copy/paste sentences. Both MCs need to tackle deep issues and they are held accountable by the people they hurt along the way. I would have loved their internal dialogue to have some more depth and some really pointed uniqueness between each character. Sometimes, they felt like the same person.
By the time I got to book 4, I was looking forward to the resolution and about 30% in I realized that I would not get that. The end is another cliffhanger. Each book deals with one issue at a time so there may be many more books because I can think of at least three to four unresolved dramas that Alex and Liam need to tackle. These guys need a break! Which brings me back to wondering if the author knows how to end the series.
Personally, I think it could be shorter because a lot of the drama and behaviors are repetitive through each story that it becomes the same book over and over. I had trouble understanding Alex and Liam's chemistry and that's in part to their lack of consistent communication and their constant drama. I would have loved more sneaking out to see each other, deeper conversation and possibly one of their BFFs getting to meet the other.
There is a prequel released now and I really wish the series started with that instead of circling back to it later. It could have been woven in to the books as well so we felt like we were back at Brackett Lake with them instead of little memories. I think it would have really served the romance better to be bought in and heartbroken from their first summer together.
Not sure if I will continue the series if more books are released. Still on the fence because I do want them to get their HEA.
Heads up to some readers who may not like this: Liam has a gf and there is MF spice and cheating. I actually didn't hate how the GF was written (hard to find a woman written in good light in any romance) and she's def a victim in all this. The way all parties are handling love is very age appropriate for them. I think the way the author tackles both guys finding their messy pathway to being honest with themselves is done well.
April 20, 2026
Dylan Joseph’s ‘Varsity Crew’ has been the monthly highlight ever since this series came out, and ‘Hold The Line’ made my day.
I don’t know anything about rowing and I’ll happily admit that, so having an m/m NA romance centred around this sport is as fascinating as it is exciting.
Book 4 is very much like its predecessor though, with higher stakes and more public scrutiny, and a rinse and repeat of the mistakes made in the past. With more layers stripped bare, the boys are still grappling with their comfort-zone emotions: Liam uses anger as his shield because he still cannot admit what he is and want he can be while Alex’s spiralling, late-stage reactionary behaviour is denial and destruction—all of which provide for more angsty reading as they head for bigger things they can both barely envision. Yet with each personal fight they have to conquer, each race becomes more twinned with their identities somehow, just as the basic mechanics of rowing always, always help reset the foundation of their relationship.
I’m still rooting for them nonetheless—I can't wait to see how the scholarship-holding underdog and the poor rich kid can find even more footing with each other, get some allies and row beyond the recurring tropes of same-bed-type proximity and self-identity that’s defined much of the series so far.
That said, seeing how serialised these books are, I do keep thinking there has to be much more than this holding pattern that both Liam and Alex are in—more dramatic character growth arcs, more loose ends tied up while the taut, racing dynamics remain for the rest of their college career and beyond. There’s so much potential for them (and for the whole series arc), but I wonder how far we’ll be reading about them until they’re firmly set in their HEA. Honestly, I can’t wait for book 5, just as I’m nervous about not getting those progressive turning points while still retaining that sense of satisfaction at the end of every instalment.
And there’s quite a bit of precedent for it: too many tv series that have been saturating our screens in the last decade have stretched their narratives from great to badly unrecognisable, falling into the same pattern where stories are drawn out for drama’s sake where the current episode feels no further than 3 steps from the beginning, until cynical burnout and fatigue set in. Fingers crossed that this series doesn’t head that into that trap as it’s so promising right now.
I don’t know anything about rowing and I’ll happily admit that, so having an m/m NA romance centred around this sport is as fascinating as it is exciting.
Book 4 is very much like its predecessor though, with higher stakes and more public scrutiny, and a rinse and repeat of the mistakes made in the past. With more layers stripped bare, the boys are still grappling with their comfort-zone emotions: Liam uses anger as his shield because he still cannot admit what he is and want he can be while Alex’s spiralling, late-stage reactionary behaviour is denial and destruction—all of which provide for more angsty reading as they head for bigger things they can both barely envision. Yet with each personal fight they have to conquer, each race becomes more twinned with their identities somehow, just as the basic mechanics of rowing always, always help reset the foundation of their relationship.
I’m still rooting for them nonetheless—I can't wait to see how the scholarship-holding underdog and the poor rich kid can find even more footing with each other, get some allies and row beyond the recurring tropes of same-bed-type proximity and self-identity that’s defined much of the series so far.
That said, seeing how serialised these books are, I do keep thinking there has to be much more than this holding pattern that both Liam and Alex are in—more dramatic character growth arcs, more loose ends tied up while the taut, racing dynamics remain for the rest of their college career and beyond. There’s so much potential for them (and for the whole series arc), but I wonder how far we’ll be reading about them until they’re firmly set in their HEA. Honestly, I can’t wait for book 5, just as I’m nervous about not getting those progressive turning points while still retaining that sense of satisfaction at the end of every instalment.
And there’s quite a bit of precedent for it: too many tv series that have been saturating our screens in the last decade have stretched their narratives from great to badly unrecognisable, falling into the same pattern where stories are drawn out for drama’s sake where the current episode feels no further than 3 steps from the beginning, until cynical burnout and fatigue set in. Fingers crossed that this series doesn’t head that into that trap as it’s so promising right now.
July 10, 2026
More tension, more rowing success
Spoilers ahead so don’t read if you don’t want to be clued in ahead of time.
There’s more tension in the relationship between Alex and Liam. Liam can’t make the moves he needs to and ends up really pissing off Emily when she catches them together so now the woman scorned is a threat. The anonymous texted is back with a picture and more veiled threats. Liam reacts in anger,Alex gets drunk. Liam rescues him and takes care of him. Alex makes a pass then passes out. Then I the morning instigates a fight where he says awful things. Liam should just leave his ass in the dust but of course they still have to row together (which goes horribly as you can imagine) plus he can’t cut the cord. They have a come to Jesus discussion and things gradually improve and so does the rowing. The big race day comes and there are very good things and there’s Alex’s father. My word he’s an awful person. The book ends with Emily showing up wanting to finally talk. That’s not ominous at all.
Spoilers ahead so don’t read if you don’t want to be clued in ahead of time.
There’s more tension in the relationship between Alex and Liam. Liam can’t make the moves he needs to and ends up really pissing off Emily when she catches them together so now the woman scorned is a threat. The anonymous texted is back with a picture and more veiled threats. Liam reacts in anger,Alex gets drunk. Liam rescues him and takes care of him. Alex makes a pass then passes out. Then I the morning instigates a fight where he says awful things. Liam should just leave his ass in the dust but of course they still have to row together (which goes horribly as you can imagine) plus he can’t cut the cord. They have a come to Jesus discussion and things gradually improve and so does the rowing. The big race day comes and there are very good things and there’s Alex’s father. My word he’s an awful person. The book ends with Emily showing up wanting to finally talk. That’s not ominous at all.
April 17, 2026
This series is only getting better as it goes! Can’t wait to see what happens with Liam and Alex - hopefully not another fight/breakup scenario. Good for Noah and Ethan, also, for telling some hard truths to our protagonists about one-sided friendships. Also, I have to say that I’m really enjoying the rowing aspect of this sports romance, as that’s not one I’ve encountered before. Looking forward to reading more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2026
I’m honestly over the Emily situation at this point. I hope the next book doesn’t bring more drama around it, because I feel like that storyline has already served its purpose. I’d much rather see the focus shift toward their relationship, their growth, and how they move forward together without circling back to the same conflict.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I was left wanting a little more emotional progression and less unresolved tension caused by outside drama.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I was left wanting a little more emotional progression and less unresolved tension caused by outside drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2026
Tense, moving, satisfying, exciting for a rowing story
These two had had their ups and downs through these books. They weathered the storms and came out more mature and confidently in love. I loved this story.
These two had had their ups and downs through these books. They weathered the storms and came out more mature and confidently in love. I loved this story.
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April 26, 2026good story good read
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews