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Hard Count: Book One of The Piper Ashton Saga
Football consumed Piper Ashton.
Every snap, every route, every victory was a masterclass in control.
Until Noah Reyes.
Piper’s rival quarterback, who smiled like sin and threw like a freight train.
Noah was the one player who could make Piper’s perfect world crack wide open with nothing but a wink across the line of scrimmage.
An obsession, so all-consuming, that two of the league’s most watched men began making the kind of mess that could end careers, reputations and their lives.
The truth is, Piper’s life was never really his to begin with. It belongs to a powerful billionaire who has spent years pulling every string in his life, and that man doesn’t share.
One championship.
One forbidden, toxic obsession.
One secret that could burn the entire league to the ground.
This isn’t a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance.
This is raw, filthy, addictive MM dark romance.
LET THE GAY FOOTBALL SEX OPERA BEGIN.
But first… a warning.
Hard Count is an unapologetically dark MM romance. It contains explicit sexual content, psychological abuse, coercive control, homophobia, eating disorders, trauma, gun violence, coarse language, and other disturbing themes. If you’re looking for a lighthearted sports romance, this isn’t it.
Every snap, every route, every victory was a masterclass in control.
Until Noah Reyes.
Piper’s rival quarterback, who smiled like sin and threw like a freight train.
Noah was the one player who could make Piper’s perfect world crack wide open with nothing but a wink across the line of scrimmage.
An obsession, so all-consuming, that two of the league’s most watched men began making the kind of mess that could end careers, reputations and their lives.
The truth is, Piper’s life was never really his to begin with. It belongs to a powerful billionaire who has spent years pulling every string in his life, and that man doesn’t share.
One championship.
One forbidden, toxic obsession.
One secret that could burn the entire league to the ground.
This isn’t a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance.
This is raw, filthy, addictive MM dark romance.
LET THE GAY FOOTBALL SEX OPERA BEGIN.
But first… a warning.
Hard Count is an unapologetically dark MM romance. It contains explicit sexual content, psychological abuse, coercive control, homophobia, eating disorders, trauma, gun violence, coarse language, and other disturbing themes. If you’re looking for a lighthearted sports romance, this isn’t it.
- GenresSports RomanceRomance
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2026
About the author
Lucas Malone
1 book3 followersLucas Malone writes glossy novels that feel like Thelma & Louise put the keys in their 1966 Ford Thunderbird and, instead of driving off a cliff, drove straight into a power plant across the street from a Birkin factory.
When he isn’t writing, he’s watching far too many movies, watching football, and pretending to live a normal life collecting material for the continuing Piper Ashton Saga.
He has a particular weakness for Paul Verhoeven movies and attractive people making terrible decisions. Preferably while carrying a large balance on their black AMEX card.
When he isn’t writing, he’s watching far too many movies, watching football, and pretending to live a normal life collecting material for the continuing Piper Ashton Saga.
He has a particular weakness for Paul Verhoeven movies and attractive people making terrible decisions. Preferably while carrying a large balance on their black AMEX card.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 2, 2026
I am emotionally traumatized LOL
When this book started it said it was gonna be like a soap opera but just with a lot of difficult material annnnd it delivered on that
This is the story of Piper and Noah both are football players and after a game they become rivals or the media wants them as rivals but when their first game is over Noah winks at piper and it’s over
They are put up for a commercial where they are oiled up putting them as rivals but during the commercial everything changes they go in a bathroom together and end up kissing
Normally you would just have to be careful and keep it under wraps but piper is connected to a giant dbag who’s basically evil
Jayson funded pipers career he was there when he was younger and painted himself as a saviour and someone who could help him but turns out Jayson’s help comes with strings he gets paid but he has to do disgusting things with Jayson and his rich friends
Reading those parts when he was being passed around to his friends honestly broke my heart that’s where I cried the hardest
So when Piper is getting to close to Noah Jayson notices and makes him do things again and he tries to protect Noah to keep him at arms length but they want each other they do separate for a while and that’s another thing that made me cry like just let them be
One of their last times together piper broke down and told Noah what was happening
Jayson wanted piper to sign a new clause basically telling Jayson that he would obey and if he had a relationship with Noah he would owe the irs 140 million!
Noah and Piper have hilarious and fantastic managers in this I mean it’s one of the things that made me smile and laugh
Viv stepping in to protect piper was everything
She was notified that pictures that were taken by Jayson were gonna be leaked and they did that’s when Jayson paid Piper a visit let him know he owned him and how mad he was that Noah tried to steal him but finally and I mean finally Piper stood up to him shot a chandelier and told him to get out!
Viv whisked him away to keep him safe while they build the case against Jayson he was going to Iceland! So when he got on the plane and a weird playlist was playing he didn’t know Noah was on the plane waiting for him! I cried again LOL
It’s not all doom and gloom I mean Noah creates weird sex playlists LOL Piper talks to Joan in his head who’s based off of Joan Rivers
They have plenty of steamy scenes but the best is the last one they flip and Piper is the one who’s taking and not taking it and we get I love yous in the most Noah and Piper way!
I absolutely cannnnnot wait for book 2 because I need to see more of Piper and Noah annnnnd see Jayson in jail or dead or maimed or thrown off a cliff!
When this book started it said it was gonna be like a soap opera but just with a lot of difficult material annnnd it delivered on that
This is the story of Piper and Noah both are football players and after a game they become rivals or the media wants them as rivals but when their first game is over Noah winks at piper and it’s over
They are put up for a commercial where they are oiled up putting them as rivals but during the commercial everything changes they go in a bathroom together and end up kissing
Normally you would just have to be careful and keep it under wraps but piper is connected to a giant dbag who’s basically evil
Jayson funded pipers career he was there when he was younger and painted himself as a saviour and someone who could help him but turns out Jayson’s help comes with strings he gets paid but he has to do disgusting things with Jayson and his rich friends
Reading those parts when he was being passed around to his friends honestly broke my heart that’s where I cried the hardest
So when Piper is getting to close to Noah Jayson notices and makes him do things again and he tries to protect Noah to keep him at arms length but they want each other they do separate for a while and that’s another thing that made me cry like just let them be
One of their last times together piper broke down and told Noah what was happening
Jayson wanted piper to sign a new clause basically telling Jayson that he would obey and if he had a relationship with Noah he would owe the irs 140 million!
Noah and Piper have hilarious and fantastic managers in this I mean it’s one of the things that made me smile and laugh
Viv stepping in to protect piper was everything
She was notified that pictures that were taken by Jayson were gonna be leaked and they did that’s when Jayson paid Piper a visit let him know he owned him and how mad he was that Noah tried to steal him but finally and I mean finally Piper stood up to him shot a chandelier and told him to get out!
Viv whisked him away to keep him safe while they build the case against Jayson he was going to Iceland! So when he got on the plane and a weird playlist was playing he didn’t know Noah was on the plane waiting for him! I cried again LOL
It’s not all doom and gloom I mean Noah creates weird sex playlists LOL Piper talks to Joan in his head who’s based off of Joan Rivers
They have plenty of steamy scenes but the best is the last one they flip and Piper is the one who’s taking and not taking it and we get I love yous in the most Noah and Piper way!
I absolutely cannnnnot wait for book 2 because I need to see more of Piper and Noah annnnnd see Jayson in jail or dead or maimed or thrown off a cliff!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2026
Thank you to Lucas Malone and NetGalley for this E-Arc. All opinions are my own.
The best way I can describe Hard Count was as the author describes a gay football soap opera. We focus on Piper, one of the top quarterbacks in the league and after being on top for so long, he’s cracking. He’s on a billionaire’s shortening leash, has had a troubled upbringing and is just going through the motions. Then he meets Noah- his rival quarterback. The industry plays it off as a rivalry, behind closed doors feelings start to develop.
To be clear I liked the premise of the book. It was different and I do believe some trigger warnings should be heeded (I am unsure if they are present in the final publishing of the book- I read an e-ARC, so please check your version). There is some dark subject matter that is touched on here, and with all the recent news breaking about certain files I would heed the caution to the extent needed for your mental health.
Overall, the book delivers in one liners, quips, fun side characters with a nice dash of heart. I liked the characters and felt that friendships/relationships were interesting. I particularly would love to read an entire series on Carmen and Viviene if possible-they were my favorites. It is part of a saga, so the book does end in a cliffhanger and is very much Piper at the end.
My biggest dislike of this book is the narration jumps. I’m not quite sure sometimes who’s narrating as it can jump between Noah and Piper from one sentence to the next. It can be disorienting and I had to read a few chapters to make sure I got the correct context. It could be that I’m simply not used to this author’s writing style, but it did break up the book for me and took me out of it. We also have a lot of surface level players hinting at the deeper issues and I’m not sure it that’s part of the set up or if it was to give some light drama backdrop.
I think this book was interesting. It really did read like a soap opera that my grandmother would watch growing up- needless to say she was delighted when I told her about this book. The football was well done, and I could imagine the game well. In particular, the last game between the two was masterful in its description and I felt soaked to the bone. This book would be a good time for someone who wants a quick gay football romp that is setting up for hopefully a satisfying payoff in subsequent books.
The best way I can describe Hard Count was as the author describes a gay football soap opera. We focus on Piper, one of the top quarterbacks in the league and after being on top for so long, he’s cracking. He’s on a billionaire’s shortening leash, has had a troubled upbringing and is just going through the motions. Then he meets Noah- his rival quarterback. The industry plays it off as a rivalry, behind closed doors feelings start to develop.
To be clear I liked the premise of the book. It was different and I do believe some trigger warnings should be heeded (I am unsure if they are present in the final publishing of the book- I read an e-ARC, so please check your version). There is some dark subject matter that is touched on here, and with all the recent news breaking about certain files I would heed the caution to the extent needed for your mental health.
Overall, the book delivers in one liners, quips, fun side characters with a nice dash of heart. I liked the characters and felt that friendships/relationships were interesting. I particularly would love to read an entire series on Carmen and Viviene if possible-they were my favorites. It is part of a saga, so the book does end in a cliffhanger and is very much Piper at the end.
My biggest dislike of this book is the narration jumps. I’m not quite sure sometimes who’s narrating as it can jump between Noah and Piper from one sentence to the next. It can be disorienting and I had to read a few chapters to make sure I got the correct context. It could be that I’m simply not used to this author’s writing style, but it did break up the book for me and took me out of it. We also have a lot of surface level players hinting at the deeper issues and I’m not sure it that’s part of the set up or if it was to give some light drama backdrop.
I think this book was interesting. It really did read like a soap opera that my grandmother would watch growing up- needless to say she was delighted when I told her about this book. The football was well done, and I could imagine the game well. In particular, the last game between the two was masterful in its description and I felt soaked to the bone. This book would be a good time for someone who wants a quick gay football romp that is setting up for hopefully a satisfying payoff in subsequent books.
July 16, 2026
“Gay football sex opera” is how Lucas Malone describes his book. That’s really helpful, although I’d add “soap opera” into the mix to help you understand what you’re getting. This book cannot be taken too seriously if you want the right mindset before diving in.
Hard Count centers around Piper Ashton, a football star with terrible parents and a billionaire backer who’s trapped him in a terrible contract that Piper unfortunately did not read. Noah Reyes is a rival football player. Piper and Noah form a loose relationship in secret, while Piper is basically passed around in a powerful sex ring by his billionaire backer.
The good:
Loved the foreward, usually those are boring and I skip them. It helped to set the tone for 80s over the top big hair dramatic romance. If that didn’t give enough of a setting warning, Piper’s inner voice being Joan Rivers is probably a clue. Or maybe that’s just the millennial in me.
There are sports romances with a lot of sports on page, and there are sports romances where it’s like, “Adam is a quarterback!” and zero sports action sequences actually exist on page. Hard Count is the first one, opening with two chapters back to back on the field, and introducing us to both our main characters.
What didn’t mesh for me:
The writing style occasionally feels a bit stilted. There’s a real lack of contractions that makes it feel stiff. A pass through an editor could really help polish this.
It’s got fanfic vibes. The sex scenes can be a bit hilarious at times. Like when a character coming was described as like a Nerf Super Soaker gun. If the author hadn’t warned that this was a bit satirical instead of straight faced serious romance, I would have been a bit more worried.
Who I think will like this:
MM romance readers who like soapy dramatic romances
Sports romance fans
Anyone who grew up watching soap operas
Fans of angst and melodrama
Thank you to Lucas Malone and NetGalley for the ARC!
Hard Count centers around Piper Ashton, a football star with terrible parents and a billionaire backer who’s trapped him in a terrible contract that Piper unfortunately did not read. Noah Reyes is a rival football player. Piper and Noah form a loose relationship in secret, while Piper is basically passed around in a powerful sex ring by his billionaire backer.
The good:
Loved the foreward, usually those are boring and I skip them. It helped to set the tone for 80s over the top big hair dramatic romance. If that didn’t give enough of a setting warning, Piper’s inner voice being Joan Rivers is probably a clue. Or maybe that’s just the millennial in me.
There are sports romances with a lot of sports on page, and there are sports romances where it’s like, “Adam is a quarterback!” and zero sports action sequences actually exist on page. Hard Count is the first one, opening with two chapters back to back on the field, and introducing us to both our main characters.
What didn’t mesh for me:
The writing style occasionally feels a bit stilted. There’s a real lack of contractions that makes it feel stiff. A pass through an editor could really help polish this.
It’s got fanfic vibes. The sex scenes can be a bit hilarious at times. Like when a character coming was described as like a Nerf Super Soaker gun. If the author hadn’t warned that this was a bit satirical instead of straight faced serious romance, I would have been a bit more worried.
Who I think will like this:
MM romance readers who like soapy dramatic romances
Sports romance fans
Anyone who grew up watching soap operas
Fans of angst and melodrama
Thank you to Lucas Malone and NetGalley for the ARC!
July 29, 2026
he first time Piper Ashton saw Noah Reyes was from the other sideline. Reyes, the Seattle Quarterback, had been staring at him and had the guts to wink and turn away, Piper was always controlled on the field and off. He played like a machine, firing the perfect pass almost every time. Noah Reyes played, reckless and loose. They drove each other crazy. When they met on the field after the game, Noah whispered to Piper to come to his hotel room. They had a sex-filled night together and Piper walked away in the morning.
Piper Ashton had no freedom. He was owned by a tech billionaire, sold when he was a teen by his parents who signed on the contract as managers. Piper got 10 million every year, his mother got expensive toys and multiple rehabs paid for out of Piper’s account and his father get a one-way ticket off a cliff on the Pacific Coast Highway. For his 10 million, Piper got to play great football, but when the games were over, he was required to fly wherever Jayson wanted him so he could be paraded around and used by his very rich friends. This had been Pipers life for 10 years and Jayson was not about to let anything get in the way of that, especially not Noah Reyes.
This novel is unapologetically dark but the trigger warnings are well noted. If you can get around all that, this is a great novel. But there are some bright spots. Vivienne and Carmen are Piper and Noah’s agents respectively and those two ladies are a hoot. FYI: the boys do get their Happy for Now and there is more to come! Yes to all the stars. I received an advanced coy from Gay Romance Reviews
Piper Ashton had no freedom. He was owned by a tech billionaire, sold when he was a teen by his parents who signed on the contract as managers. Piper got 10 million every year, his mother got expensive toys and multiple rehabs paid for out of Piper’s account and his father get a one-way ticket off a cliff on the Pacific Coast Highway. For his 10 million, Piper got to play great football, but when the games were over, he was required to fly wherever Jayson wanted him so he could be paraded around and used by his very rich friends. This had been Pipers life for 10 years and Jayson was not about to let anything get in the way of that, especially not Noah Reyes.
This novel is unapologetically dark but the trigger warnings are well noted. If you can get around all that, this is a great novel. But there are some bright spots. Vivienne and Carmen are Piper and Noah’s agents respectively and those two ladies are a hoot. FYI: the boys do get their Happy for Now and there is more to come! Yes to all the stars. I received an advanced coy from Gay Romance Reviews
July 29, 2026
Review for (The Piper Ashton Saga-1) Hart Count by Lucas Malone
Trigger/Tropes
Alcohol use
Psychological Manipulation
Coercive control
Homophobia
Panic attacks along with anxiety
Eating disorder
Gun violence
Explicit sexual content
Toxic relationships
trauma
This book had some things that I lived through myself. I had an eating disorder/panic attacks/anxiety. I look for stories like this so I can see if they get a happy ending. I waited years to get mine, so I love it when an author writes stories with these true-life traumas/disorders. This story has Piper, who loves his football. He had things you need in a game down pat till Noah walked into his life. I love a good rival romance/story. Noah, who is hot as crap, which should be illegal. Piper hates that Noah can change his life in the game and out. All he has to do is give a wink and smile, and he has you, which Piper hates. I love a good story where two men have the heat they do but also have the angst because they are each alpha types. They each can cause each other to fall apart in the game with how well they can play. I have to say Lucas Malone can write a good story full of angst and heat, along with emotions; like, I love his stories. This book I couldn't put down till I read the last page. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Nicole Harvey
Trigger/Tropes
Alcohol use
Psychological Manipulation
Coercive control
Homophobia
Panic attacks along with anxiety
Eating disorder
Gun violence
Explicit sexual content
Toxic relationships
trauma
This book had some things that I lived through myself. I had an eating disorder/panic attacks/anxiety. I look for stories like this so I can see if they get a happy ending. I waited years to get mine, so I love it when an author writes stories with these true-life traumas/disorders. This story has Piper, who loves his football. He had things you need in a game down pat till Noah walked into his life. I love a good rival romance/story. Noah, who is hot as crap, which should be illegal. Piper hates that Noah can change his life in the game and out. All he has to do is give a wink and smile, and he has you, which Piper hates. I love a good story where two men have the heat they do but also have the angst because they are each alpha types. They each can cause each other to fall apart in the game with how well they can play. I have to say Lucas Malone can write a good story full of angst and heat, along with emotions; like, I love his stories. This book I couldn't put down till I read the last page. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Nicole Harvey
July 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of Hard Count by Lucas Malone.
This book consumed me. I read the first half before bed and couldn’t sleep because I could not stop thinking about it! I finished the 2nd half as soon as I woke up. This is a dark romance so check trigger warnings. It is not my first dark romance by any means but it really hit me hard. Piper’s story is absolutely horrific, it was hard to read certain parts. That said I couldn’t put it down.
The MMCs Piper and Noah are quarterbacks in the NFL. The media plays them up as rivals but they only are so on the field. Both of these guys were so likable. They both had a lot going on outside of their professional lives, Piper more so than Noah. But they both were genuinely good guys. Their relationship was very insta love without any real depth. Hopefully that will be more developed in the next book.
The side characters were also great! Tank and Darius were such supportive friends and Vivienne and Carmen were hilarious and badass.
The story doesn’t end on a complete cliffhanger but nothing is resolved by the end of the book so I will be not so patiently waiting for the next one.
4.25⭐️
This book consumed me. I read the first half before bed and couldn’t sleep because I could not stop thinking about it! I finished the 2nd half as soon as I woke up. This is a dark romance so check trigger warnings. It is not my first dark romance by any means but it really hit me hard. Piper’s story is absolutely horrific, it was hard to read certain parts. That said I couldn’t put it down.
The MMCs Piper and Noah are quarterbacks in the NFL. The media plays them up as rivals but they only are so on the field. Both of these guys were so likable. They both had a lot going on outside of their professional lives, Piper more so than Noah. But they both were genuinely good guys. Their relationship was very insta love without any real depth. Hopefully that will be more developed in the next book.
The side characters were also great! Tank and Darius were such supportive friends and Vivienne and Carmen were hilarious and badass.
The story doesn’t end on a complete cliffhanger but nothing is resolved by the end of the book so I will be not so patiently waiting for the next one.
4.25⭐️
July 20, 2026
This was a quick read and exactly what I wanted while reading on the beach. The plot kept me interested and I thought it had a lot of potential. Unfortunately I don’t think the characters or the romance were developed enough to really make it work.
I never felt like I got to know Piper or Noah beyond the surface, especially Noah. We didn’t spend much time seeing them actually build a relationship. They met, hooked up, and suddenly they were calling each other boyfriends. I wanted more conversations, more moments of them interacting and being with each other and overall more emotional depth. The romance definitely felt like it took a backseat to the rest of the plot.
The writing also could have used another round of editing. There were a few grammatical and spelling errors that pulled me out of the story and some of the sentence structure felt awkward. Overall, I think the story and characters had a lot of promise but they needed more development to really reach their full potential.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I never felt like I got to know Piper or Noah beyond the surface, especially Noah. We didn’t spend much time seeing them actually build a relationship. They met, hooked up, and suddenly they were calling each other boyfriends. I wanted more conversations, more moments of them interacting and being with each other and overall more emotional depth. The romance definitely felt like it took a backseat to the rest of the plot.
The writing also could have used another round of editing. There were a few grammatical and spelling errors that pulled me out of the story and some of the sentence structure felt awkward. Overall, I think the story and characters had a lot of promise but they needed more development to really reach their full potential.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2026
THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THIS ARC.
disclaimer this review is based on the unedited arc, not the edited one so this rating might have changed.
This book was very easy to read and was overall a fun time. It did keep me engaged throughout and i did love the whole mystery, Jayson aspect of the whole book. Its something I've ever read before and it lept me on my toes and made me wanna keep reading.
however it did take a bit to get into because at some points it just felt like a bunch of scenes put together there wasnt any cohesion at some points. I also felt as though the football talk was a bit too much, especially for someone who doesnt live in America i didnt know half of what they were talking about and it ended up confusing me alot throughout the book.
I also felt at for 30 year olds the characters spoke like they were 18, the slang that they used took me out of the story a bit because 30 year olds I know do not talk like that but the depth that we got from Piper was amazing and I love how Noah never gave up on him. Viv was also a great addition to this book she was so ride or die and it showed through the pages how much she loves Piper.
disclaimer this review is based on the unedited arc, not the edited one so this rating might have changed.
This book was very easy to read and was overall a fun time. It did keep me engaged throughout and i did love the whole mystery, Jayson aspect of the whole book. Its something I've ever read before and it lept me on my toes and made me wanna keep reading.
however it did take a bit to get into because at some points it just felt like a bunch of scenes put together there wasnt any cohesion at some points. I also felt as though the football talk was a bit too much, especially for someone who doesnt live in America i didnt know half of what they were talking about and it ended up confusing me alot throughout the book.
I also felt at for 30 year olds the characters spoke like they were 18, the slang that they used took me out of the story a bit because 30 year olds I know do not talk like that but the depth that we got from Piper was amazing and I love how Noah never gave up on him. Viv was also a great addition to this book she was so ride or die and it showed through the pages how much she loves Piper.
July 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for sending me this ARC!
3.25 stars rounded down to 3
The premise of this book drew me in, but the writing and its lack of flow kinda kept me from fully enjoying it. The things I really liked were how angsty this book felt, that there was ACTUAL football described on the page (which is not very common for sports romances, surprisingly), the romance wasn’t the whole plot because there was a lot going on with both MMCs (especially Piper), and the side characters added so much to the book. The things I didn’t enjoy were that sometimes it was hard to tell which piece of dialogue belonged to which character (which could definitely be fixed with some editing), and there were a few points where the conversations felt very stilted and didn’t belong in the story. I do wish there was a bit more on the romance side, because it felt a bit rushed. Overall, this was an okay book, but it needs a bit more flow from the writing for me to fully enjoy.
3.25 stars rounded down to 3
The premise of this book drew me in, but the writing and its lack of flow kinda kept me from fully enjoying it. The things I really liked were how angsty this book felt, that there was ACTUAL football described on the page (which is not very common for sports romances, surprisingly), the romance wasn’t the whole plot because there was a lot going on with both MMCs (especially Piper), and the side characters added so much to the book. The things I didn’t enjoy were that sometimes it was hard to tell which piece of dialogue belonged to which character (which could definitely be fixed with some editing), and there were a few points where the conversations felt very stilted and didn’t belong in the story. I do wish there was a bit more on the romance side, because it felt a bit rushed. Overall, this was an okay book, but it needs a bit more flow from the writing for me to fully enjoy.
July 28, 2026
Absolutely loved this book. I know this isn't the best out there, its far from it,but i was just in the mood for something like this and it was right time. The characters are interesting.
Spoiler below :
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I probably shouldn't say this but I found the scenes between piper and the billionaire very sexy for some reason. Pls dont kill me but it was just a weird day when this book found me. The almost g*ngbang scene was very hot and I would have loved to read a detailed version.
Now dont get me wrong, I know what happened with piper was abhorrent and all ppl involved should be jailed and his situation doesn't seem very far from reality given what we know with the epstein files and stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a realty of one or more sports stars, male or female and its wrong and the ppl involved should all be jailed.
All in all, I liked the book, its not the best but it was like a soap opera for me and very helpful to pass time. I would look forward to anything the author writes in this universe.
Spoiler below :
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.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
I probably shouldn't say this but I found the scenes between piper and the billionaire very sexy for some reason. Pls dont kill me but it was just a weird day when this book found me. The almost g*ngbang scene was very hot and I would have loved to read a detailed version.
Now dont get me wrong, I know what happened with piper was abhorrent and all ppl involved should be jailed and his situation doesn't seem very far from reality given what we know with the epstein files and stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a realty of one or more sports stars, male or female and its wrong and the ppl involved should all be jailed.
All in all, I liked the book, its not the best but it was like a soap opera for me and very helpful to pass time. I would look forward to anything the author writes in this universe.
July 21, 2026
First let me say, please do not start reading this in the late evening. You won't get any sleep that night because you won't be able to stop reading once you start.
The world building grabs you from the start and refuses to let you go. The characters are amazing, even the evil ones are done well.
Piper's life has been anything but easy. The abuse he suffers keeps him from happiness. When Noah comes into his life he is a breath of fresh air. One he doesn't think he deserves. But Noah isn't taking no for an answer.
I very much enjoyed reading this story even though there were a few parts that were hard to read. But without reading them you wouldn't understand why Piper is the way he is.
There are some steamy parts so therefore this is an 18+ read. Please read all trigger warnings before proceeding.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world building grabs you from the start and refuses to let you go. The characters are amazing, even the evil ones are done well.
Piper's life has been anything but easy. The abuse he suffers keeps him from happiness. When Noah comes into his life he is a breath of fresh air. One he doesn't think he deserves. But Noah isn't taking no for an answer.
I very much enjoyed reading this story even though there were a few parts that were hard to read. But without reading them you wouldn't understand why Piper is the way he is.
There are some steamy parts so therefore this is an 18+ read. Please read all trigger warnings before proceeding.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 9, 2026
Premise was really good but ahh, I wish this was more intense and nasty and angsty and more in the face on the feelings, pining, mental trauma etc. This could have been deliciously dark and dirty but alas. There were quite a few characters in this book that have a significant content on page so it kind of pulled away from the MCs and their story. Although there were many smut scenes in number, they progressively become short (tbh they are not too long even in the beginning). The act almost sounds mechanical as we progress thro the story.
TW/CW: There is an on page sexual exploitation/blackmail of one MC by others (again, this is also told in a sort of mechanical way so I am glad THIS was kept short).
A good attempt for debut book (I am sorry if I got my facts wrong here). I would love to read more of this author if they succeed in bringing more to the story.
TW/CW: There is an on page sexual exploitation/blackmail of one MC by others (again, this is also told in a sort of mechanical way so I am glad THIS was kept short).
A good attempt for debut book (I am sorry if I got my facts wrong here). I would love to read more of this author if they succeed in bringing more to the story.
July 14, 2026
I received an ARC of this book but all thoughts are my own.
I will write a proper review once I’ve processed my trauma
3.5 stars rounded up.
I liked the premise of this book but I spent a lot of the book confused by the passing of time. I felt the courtship was like the scene in ‘He’s just not that into you’ when the gay men are explaining to Connor that they just need to hold eye contact to know it’s on. It was very emotionless in that regard.
In say that, I was hooked from the beginning and will be reading the rest of this saga - I just hope that the lack of emotions was more Piper’s trauma response and I will be able to understand and follow the emotions in the next books now he’s got a tad more freedom.
Edited to add: Vivienne and Carmen gave me so much life and I would read countless spinoffs about them.
I will write a proper review once I’ve processed my trauma
3.5 stars rounded up.
I liked the premise of this book but I spent a lot of the book confused by the passing of time. I felt the courtship was like the scene in ‘He’s just not that into you’ when the gay men are explaining to Connor that they just need to hold eye contact to know it’s on. It was very emotionless in that regard.
In say that, I was hooked from the beginning and will be reading the rest of this saga - I just hope that the lack of emotions was more Piper’s trauma response and I will be able to understand and follow the emotions in the next books now he’s got a tad more freedom.
Edited to add: Vivienne and Carmen gave me so much life and I would read countless spinoffs about them.
July 23, 2026
This was a pretty good book. The combination of football, rivalry, and romance made for a fun read, and I especially liked Piper and Noah as individual characters. Piper's storyline was definitely the highlight for me, and I also loved the side characters (specifically Vivienne and Carmen).
That said, I wish the romance had been developed a little more. It felt rushed at times, and I wanted more scenes of Piper and Noah getting to know each other so I could really root for them as a couple. I also found myself a little confused by the narration occasionally, as it wasn't always clear whose perspective I was reading. Overall, I still had a good time with this book. It was an entertaining, quick read - 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Lucas Malone and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.
That said, I wish the romance had been developed a little more. It felt rushed at times, and I wanted more scenes of Piper and Noah getting to know each other so I could really root for them as a couple. I also found myself a little confused by the narration occasionally, as it wasn't always clear whose perspective I was reading. Overall, I still had a good time with this book. It was an entertaining, quick read - 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Lucas Malone and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.
July 6, 2026
Ok so I was an ARC Reader for this book and it is certainly a wild ride!
Let me get the negative out of the way because there’s so much to love here. The writing is a bit… wooden. He doesn’t use very many contractions, so the writing feels more formal than is needed. BUT this is Lucas Malone’s first book. I’m sure he will settle into a more relaxed voice as he gains experience and confidence.
As for the story itself: WOW. I’m usually pretty good at scoping out the plot by the middle to end of act 1, but this had me on my toes the whole way through. The MC is put through a lot of trauma in this book, so please check trigger warnings before reading!
CW/TW: note: these scenarios are NOT with the love interest. Sexual and Financial abuse, graphic coerced sex, degradation
Let me get the negative out of the way because there’s so much to love here. The writing is a bit… wooden. He doesn’t use very many contractions, so the writing feels more formal than is needed. BUT this is Lucas Malone’s first book. I’m sure he will settle into a more relaxed voice as he gains experience and confidence.
As for the story itself: WOW. I’m usually pretty good at scoping out the plot by the middle to end of act 1, but this had me on my toes the whole way through. The MC is put through a lot of trauma in this book, so please check trigger warnings before reading!
CW/TW: note: these scenarios are NOT with the love interest. Sexual and Financial abuse, graphic coerced sex, degradation
July 19, 2026
I really, really wanted to like this book and I really did love parts of it.. The base storyline is extremely dark but intriguing, the characters are interesting and the Carmen/Vivienne bits are hilarious and camp. But the football parts threw me off. (Mostly because I'm an huge football fan.) The story struggles from a lack of continuity and needs more fact checking. (The team that defers gets the ball to start the second half... Football season goes through Christmas... Games take significantly longer than 2 hours etc...)
There are over 30 song names//artists dropped in this story and yet the one that was stuck in my head most of it was Christina Aguilera's "Dirty."
Thanks to NetGalley for the EARC.
There are over 30 song names//artists dropped in this story and yet the one that was stuck in my head most of it was Christina Aguilera's "Dirty."
Thanks to NetGalley for the EARC.
July 15, 2026
If Heated Rivalry took a turned a really dark turned you would have ended up here.
First of all, you should really check for thrigher warning. I have read a lot of dark romance, but still had to put the book down after some of the scenes.
This is not a literary master piece by any chance, it has some problem with the composition, but that what we are here for.
I really loved the funny cute relationship between the MMCs, it felt light and happy in a rather sad and heartbreaking story. Overall it has a balance between wanting to cry out loud and swooning over the silly banter.
It manage to give a finale where I am satisfied with the end of book 1 but still can't wait to get to book 2.
First of all, you should really check for thrigher warning. I have read a lot of dark romance, but still had to put the book down after some of the scenes.
This is not a literary master piece by any chance, it has some problem with the composition, but that what we are here for.
I really loved the funny cute relationship between the MMCs, it felt light and happy in a rather sad and heartbreaking story. Overall it has a balance between wanting to cry out loud and swooning over the silly banter.
It manage to give a finale where I am satisfied with the end of book 1 but still can't wait to get to book 2.
July 16, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!
This book sucked me in right from the first page. It really is a dark romance that reminded me of my fave sports MM books combined with my fave mafia / dark MM books. Mind blown no one has done this cross over before.. and I want more!
Although the writing style sometimes felt a bit clunky, I liked the voice and characterization and I think I will be following Lucas as he continues to write MM. I really had loved both Piper and Noah, although Piper had such a special place in my heart as their lives unravelled on the page.
Counting down for book 2 (note this is a HFN ending!) ✨
This book sucked me in right from the first page. It really is a dark romance that reminded me of my fave sports MM books combined with my fave mafia / dark MM books. Mind blown no one has done this cross over before.. and I want more!
Although the writing style sometimes felt a bit clunky, I liked the voice and characterization and I think I will be following Lucas as he continues to write MM. I really had loved both Piper and Noah, although Piper had such a special place in my heart as their lives unravelled on the page.
Counting down for book 2 (note this is a HFN ending!) ✨
July 31, 2026
OMG I feel like I waited for this book forever. This is book one in the piper Ashton saga. I'm going to tell you what it did not disappoint.
Piper Ashton and Noah Reyes were just a match I so totally loved together. I just loved how they were together. It was just a really really good book. I don't think I laughed so hard at the end of reading a blurb and all my life. When it said, "LET THE GAY FOOTBALL SEX OPERA BEGIN." Because if that ain't the truth about this book I don't know what is.
Lucas Malone really outdid themselves with this book. Knocked this book completely out of the park. I cannot wait to see how the rest of the saga continues.
Piper Ashton and Noah Reyes were just a match I so totally loved together. I just loved how they were together. It was just a really really good book. I don't think I laughed so hard at the end of reading a blurb and all my life. When it said, "LET THE GAY FOOTBALL SEX OPERA BEGIN." Because if that ain't the truth about this book I don't know what is.
Lucas Malone really outdid themselves with this book. Knocked this book completely out of the park. I cannot wait to see how the rest of the saga continues.
July 31, 2026
An intense, addictive read that blends dark romance with high-stakes football and plenty of emotional turmoil. Piper and Noah's chemistry is undeniable from the moment they meet, and their relationship is messy, passionate, and impossible to look away from.
What really stood out for me was Piper's heartbreaking struggle for control over his own life, making it easy to root for him as he fights for something that's truly his. The suspense, emotional depth, and unforgettable side characters kept me turning the pages, and I can't wait to see where the series goes next. Be sure to check the content warnings before diving in.
What really stood out for me was Piper's heartbreaking struggle for control over his own life, making it easy to root for him as he fights for something that's truly his. The suspense, emotional depth, and unforgettable side characters kept me turning the pages, and I can't wait to see where the series goes next. Be sure to check the content warnings before diving in.
July 18, 2026
Unlike a few of the other reviews, I loved this book. It was what it says it was..a soap opera book about football. It was over the top just like a soap. Piper and Noah are rival quarterbacks who develop a secret relationship that if discovered would have serious consequences on so many levels. First and foremost is the billionaire who "owns' Piper and uses him a s sex play toy among him and his friends. I was engaged and laughed at some places when sex scenes were described and will admit I am ready for book two as I know it will step things up.
July 28, 2026
“Gay Football Sex Opera” is how this is described at the beginning of the book and it upheld that title. A fun read with lots of darker elements. Rivals to romance as professional footballers. Tension, romance, insane bedroom scenes, and a lot of trauma give this a unique edge.
The flow of the story was what kept me at three stars. It felt choppy and like each scene didn’t flow into each other well. Even the wording throughout felt very scripted and wasn’t as smooth flowing as I would have liked.
The flow of the story was what kept me at three stars. It felt choppy and like each scene didn’t flow into each other well. Even the wording throughout felt very scripted and wasn’t as smooth flowing as I would have liked.
July 10, 2026
For a debut novel, it is a good attempt, but I didn't connect with this book.
The main characters were overshadowed by the other characters in this book, preventing them from coming into their own.
And the story struck me as too businesslike, causing me to miss the emotion.
Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC
The main characters were overshadowed by the other characters in this book, preventing them from coming into their own.
And the story struck me as too businesslike, causing me to miss the emotion.
Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC
July 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc. I rate this book 4 stars and 5 chili peppers for spice. I really liked the plot of this book and am excited to hopefully read the conclusion because it left off on a cliff hanger. I’m not really a fan of insta love but I was able to look past it as I got invested pretty quickly.
July 12, 2026
Hard Count is the first book in the Piper Ashton Saga and the debut book by Lucas Malone. This book was decent, especially for a debut, but I can definitely see a lot of room for improvement. I am hopeful for the next book and will be looking forward to it.
July 15, 2026
2.5 stars
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
A short and spicy read but it just wasn’t my favorite. There is some pretty heavy subject matter within this and the way it was written made me a tad uncomfortable.
Also the dialogue within it just felt a bit off to me.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
A short and spicy read but it just wasn’t my favorite. There is some pretty heavy subject matter within this and the way it was written made me a tad uncomfortable.
Also the dialogue within it just felt a bit off to me.
July 17, 2026
For a debut novella, it was an okay story. The story idea was good, but a number of scenes were a bit too much. I couldn't place who said what in some of the dialogue, and there were also conversations that added no value. I give this book 3.5 ⭐️
July 30, 2026
I DNFd at 50%.
Two stars because I can absolutely see what the author was trying to do, but the writing just felt so stilted. It isn’t really flow well, the relationship moved far too quickly and Jayson was gross. The best parts were Joan and Vivienne.
Two stars because I can absolutely see what the author was trying to do, but the writing just felt so stilted. It isn’t really flow well, the relationship moved far too quickly and Jayson was gross. The best parts were Joan and Vivienne.
July 17, 2026
Short and spicy. Something about this just didn’t work for me.
July 27, 2026
This was a fun read!!!
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