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Past The Whistle
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26On the mat, forty seconds is nothing. In his hands, it changes everything.
Alex Carter doesn’t lose well. He especially doesn’t lose to Daniel Morgan — Australian, controlled, unbothered by anything Alex throws at him. The loss he could live with. He can’t stop thinking about the forty seconds Morgan held him down and didn’t let go.
Daniel Morgan keeps clean records. Match data, training logs, everything accounted for. He can’t account for the twelve seconds that became forty, or why an American’s phone number is still in his wallet.
Now a league is paying them to be rivals — three cities, same bracket, cameras on all of it. What happens in the hotel rooms after isn’t on any schedule, and neither of them can afford for anyone to find out.
If they both keep winning, they meet in the final.
An explicit MM rivals-to-lovers sports romance. Book 1.
Alex Carter doesn’t lose well. He especially doesn’t lose to Daniel Morgan — Australian, controlled, unbothered by anything Alex throws at him. The loss he could live with. He can’t stop thinking about the forty seconds Morgan held him down and didn’t let go.
Daniel Morgan keeps clean records. Match data, training logs, everything accounted for. He can’t account for the twelve seconds that became forty, or why an American’s phone number is still in his wallet.
Now a league is paying them to be rivals — three cities, same bracket, cameras on all of it. What happens in the hotel rooms after isn’t on any schedule, and neither of them can afford for anyone to find out.
If they both keep winning, they meet in the final.
An explicit MM rivals-to-lovers sports romance. Book 1.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Lorraine H.
1 book3 followersLorraine H. is an Australian author of MM romance. She writes slow burn with high heat: long build-ups, real tension, and payoff that's worth the wait.
Her debut, Past the Whistle, is a rivals-to-lovers sports romance set in professional wrestling. Marked by Fire is a historical romance set in colonial New South Wales, about a guide who recognises the man he's been hired to escort. Her third book, currently in progress, is set among rival motorcycle clubs in Melbourne, 2001. Each opens its own series.
More at lorraineh.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this eARC 💫
Past the Whistle was an enjoyable read, and I'm glad I picked it up. Alex and Daniel's story had some really lovely moments that made me smile, and I especially enjoyed seeing the way they looked out for each other. There were things I wished had worked a little better for me, but overall, I had a good time reading this book. This is the first book in the series and it ends with a happy-for-now ending, with the couple's story to be continued in the next book.
Main tropes:
Rivals to Lovers
MM Romance (M/M)
Wrestling Romance
Secret Hookups
Closeted Characters
Long-Distance Relationship
Mutual Attraction
High Heat / Explicit Romance
Dual POV
I loved that the chapters had names. It's such a small detail, but I always appreciate it when authors do this. It adds something extra to the reading experience, and I find it really nice to see😅
The cover is so gorgeous. I absolutely love it, and it definitely deserves appreciation.
I loved how Alex felt comfortable enough to ask Daniel for help, and Daniel immediately knew what to ask and how to guide him. The way they looked out for each other, even in little moments like these, was so good to see. I loved that Alex felt he could turn to Daniel, and Daniel was right there, ready to help him figure things out. It's these little moments of care and understanding that make a relationship feel special to me.
The hospital scenes and everything that followed them were some of the moments that stood out to me. I really enjoyed seeing that part of their story unfold, and it was lovely to see these characters in those situations.
Also, Alex and Javi's conversation after Alex told him where he was staying was hilarious. I genuinely enjoyed that interaction. Their conversation had me smiling.
Seeing Alex feel comfortable enough to turn to Daniel was lovely, and I appreciated getting to see that side of him.
One thing that didn't quite work for me was the point of view. I usually prefer reading books written in first person, so the third-person narration wasn't entirely my preference. This is more of a personal reading preference than a criticism of the book itself, but I think I would have connected with the characters a little more if the story had been written in first person.
The writing style also didn't completely work for me. However, there were still several moments between Alex and Daniel that I genuinely enjoyed, and I appreciated the little things that made their relationship special.
Overall, it was a good read and I enjoyed it😘
The thumb at his pulse point, the fingers tightening around his wrist. That wasn't technique. He'd been grabbed by a hundred guys on a hundred mats and none of them had checked his fucking pulse.
"Don't be slow tomorrow."
"Don't be loud tomorrow night.”
Past the Whistle was an enjoyable read, and I'm glad I picked it up. Alex and Daniel's story had some really lovely moments that made me smile, and I especially enjoyed seeing the way they looked out for each other. There were things I wished had worked a little better for me, but overall, I had a good time reading this book. This is the first book in the series and it ends with a happy-for-now ending, with the couple's story to be continued in the next book.
Main tropes:
Rivals to Lovers
MM Romance (M/M)
Wrestling Romance
Secret Hookups
Closeted Characters
Long-Distance Relationship
Mutual Attraction
High Heat / Explicit Romance
Dual POV
I loved that the chapters had names. It's such a small detail, but I always appreciate it when authors do this. It adds something extra to the reading experience, and I find it really nice to see😅
The cover is so gorgeous. I absolutely love it, and it definitely deserves appreciation.
I loved how Alex felt comfortable enough to ask Daniel for help, and Daniel immediately knew what to ask and how to guide him. The way they looked out for each other, even in little moments like these, was so good to see. I loved that Alex felt he could turn to Daniel, and Daniel was right there, ready to help him figure things out. It's these little moments of care and understanding that make a relationship feel special to me.
The hospital scenes and everything that followed them were some of the moments that stood out to me. I really enjoyed seeing that part of their story unfold, and it was lovely to see these characters in those situations.
Also, Alex and Javi's conversation after Alex told him where he was staying was hilarious. I genuinely enjoyed that interaction. Their conversation had me smiling.
Seeing Alex feel comfortable enough to turn to Daniel was lovely, and I appreciated getting to see that side of him.
One thing that didn't quite work for me was the point of view. I usually prefer reading books written in first person, so the third-person narration wasn't entirely my preference. This is more of a personal reading preference than a criticism of the book itself, but I think I would have connected with the characters a little more if the story had been written in first person.
The writing style also didn't completely work for me. However, there were still several moments between Alex and Daniel that I genuinely enjoyed, and I appreciated the little things that made their relationship special.
Overall, it was a good read and I enjoyed it😘
The thumb at his pulse point, the fingers tightening around his wrist. That wasn't technique. He'd been grabbed by a hundred guys on a hundred mats and none of them had checked his fucking pulse.
"Don't be slow tomorrow."
"Don't be loud tomorrow night.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU, NetGalley and Lorraine H., for this ARC.
I had three days off work, and the moment I got all I needed to do out of my hands, I lay on my bed, and my e-reader hasn´t known hours of peace. I read. Read. Read. Obsessed much? Yeah.
Cause this book... oh, this book was surreal to me... It held me onto the mat harder than those 40 seconds in the first chapters. And let me tell you... The most yearning 40 seconds ever.
I NEED THE 2ND BOOK. This one isn´t out yet, but I need the 2nd one so much, just like I need to breathe. And if the 2nd book was this good as a debut, imagine the 2nd one.
Tho, I believe nothing will consume as much as this book did. Finished it in two days, and it didn´t feel like enough, and somehow, time is not equal to the need I had (have) for this book cause if I didn´t need sleep, this book would be done the first night.
This was more than 430 pages of yearning. Of desire and need. Of physical reactions so clear and emotions so translucent and yet unspoken. The moment when they just kiss, slow and with no second intentions, at Daniel's house, in his bed, is constantly taking me out.
I am in love with their love, and I cannot wait to see them live together and even reach marriage.
I just don´t give this book 5 stars cause the writing was hard to get into at first, and even way past through it, I had to reread some paragraphs to understand who was talking/thinking and who was the narrator since it switched constantly in the same chapter. The constant repetition of names instead of pronouns was a bit annoying and too much. And even tho I love sports stories (I am an AFTG fan), the narration of the matches was too much, and it made the book awfully long even tho it´s not that long. Also, I felt like I knew a lot about Daniel as a person but not that much about Alex. It reached a point where it was just them as sex partners and lust, and I feel like it needed more individuality before. I wanted to know them outside of that bubble.
Independently of this, I WANT THE SECOND BOOK.
I had three days off work, and the moment I got all I needed to do out of my hands, I lay on my bed, and my e-reader hasn´t known hours of peace. I read. Read. Read. Obsessed much? Yeah.
Cause this book... oh, this book was surreal to me... It held me onto the mat harder than those 40 seconds in the first chapters. And let me tell you... The most yearning 40 seconds ever.
I NEED THE 2ND BOOK. This one isn´t out yet, but I need the 2nd one so much, just like I need to breathe. And if the 2nd book was this good as a debut, imagine the 2nd one.
Tho, I believe nothing will consume as much as this book did. Finished it in two days, and it didn´t feel like enough, and somehow, time is not equal to the need I had (have) for this book cause if I didn´t need sleep, this book would be done the first night.
This was more than 430 pages of yearning. Of desire and need. Of physical reactions so clear and emotions so translucent and yet unspoken. The moment when they just kiss, slow and with no second intentions, at Daniel's house, in his bed, is constantly taking me out.
I am in love with their love, and I cannot wait to see them live together and even reach marriage.
I just don´t give this book 5 stars cause the writing was hard to get into at first, and even way past through it, I had to reread some paragraphs to understand who was talking/thinking and who was the narrator since it switched constantly in the same chapter. The constant repetition of names instead of pronouns was a bit annoying and too much. And even tho I love sports stories (I am an AFTG fan), the narration of the matches was too much, and it made the book awfully long even tho it´s not that long. Also, I felt like I knew a lot about Daniel as a person but not that much about Alex. It reached a point where it was just them as sex partners and lust, and I feel like it needed more individuality before. I wanted to know them outside of that bubble.
Independently of this, I WANT THE SECOND BOOK.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me. I think my main issue was the writing style. The frequent use of short sentences, abrupt dialogue and repeated use of the word ‘and’ made parts of the book quite difficult to read. The perspective also shifted quite quickly, often without clear indicators, which meant I found myself having to reread large chunks just to work out what was happening. This may have been a case of the writing style not clicking with me personally, but I found the wrestling scenes particularly difficult to follow.
Without giving too much away, I thought the chapters from Tokyo through to Bathurst were the standout parts of the book. Unfortunately, the rest of the story seemed to lean far too heavily on repetitive spicy scenes, often at the expense of the actual plot and the development of meaningful connections between the characters.
If you’re reading primarily for the spice, this might be one for you. Personally, though, I thought the story had an interesting premise, but the execution left me wanting more.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me. I think my main issue was the writing style. The frequent use of short sentences, abrupt dialogue and repeated use of the word ‘and’ made parts of the book quite difficult to read. The perspective also shifted quite quickly, often without clear indicators, which meant I found myself having to reread large chunks just to work out what was happening. This may have been a case of the writing style not clicking with me personally, but I found the wrestling scenes particularly difficult to follow.
Without giving too much away, I thought the chapters from Tokyo through to Bathurst were the standout parts of the book. Unfortunately, the rest of the story seemed to lean far too heavily on repetitive spicy scenes, often at the expense of the actual plot and the development of meaningful connections between the characters.
If you’re reading primarily for the spice, this might be one for you. Personally, though, I thought the story had an interesting premise, but the execution left me wanting more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Past the whistle book review:
•Firstly I want to start by saying thank you to NetGalley and Lorraine H for letting me read this early.
Now for the review:
•I’ll start off with the characters:I was obsessed with Daniel, which I usually am obsessed with the quieter broodier types if I’m being honest. He reminded me a bit of Mike from Outlier, who I loved, except less mouthy and more closed off. Alex was a treat. He was exactly what I expected without being boring or too predictable. Overall, I just adored them together
Together their chemistry was off the charts. At first it felt sudden and fast, but the more the book went on the more their dynamic just made sense.
•As far as plot went, there wasn’t much of one, aside from these two characters constantly trying to figure out when they’d see each other again. They were cute honestly and the plot didn’t need to exist anyway. I would’ve liked to see more of their dynamic outside of their situationship, family life etc. You get a bit of Daniel’s life and his friends, which I loved. I loved the whole sports vibe and coaches and training, the matches and all that. I always love reading a book based around a sport I know less about bc it makes me want to learn about it. I’m a sports girly, so it’s just always a plus. Over all I just loved the characters dynamics. I loved how the book was split into different parts and I loved the middle part the most.
•Let me get down to the nitty gritty here… this book is spicy. It’s veryyyy spicy. The actual spice is like your standard thing, nothing kinky, but it’s spicy and it’s hot and it’s kinda cute also. I mean, we get there pretty early on in the book. So, if you’re interested in that, then don’t worry, it’s there!
•critiques:
The only real issue I had with the book was that the timing was a bit weird. Especially in the beginning. One paragraph would be one moment and then next paragraph would be hours later. It’s rly just the author’s writing style, which I don’t mind but it was just a bit confusing in the beginning but once I got used to it, it was fine. The writing actually somehow got better through the book and the more I read the more I found myself enjoying it.
Another random thing is that everyone & everything was very blunt in this book. The sentence and dialogue were short and blunt and to the point. It’s not something I hated, just something I wanted to point out. Overall the author just has an interesting writing style and I’m curious to see read it in a different book with different characters and settings.
•Final Thought:
I read this in three days, and if I would’ve started on a weekend I would’ve read it in one day. I wanted more and more. It reminded me a lot of when I read the ARC for In Your Court, except the dynamics were completely different and the writing, although similar, gave me a completely different vibe. However, if you liked In Your Court, then you’d love this! Highly recommend over all. If you’re into this kind of thing, then definitely pick this up on November 17th. Happy Reading!!!
•Firstly I want to start by saying thank you to NetGalley and Lorraine H for letting me read this early.
Now for the review:
•I’ll start off with the characters:I was obsessed with Daniel, which I usually am obsessed with the quieter broodier types if I’m being honest. He reminded me a bit of Mike from Outlier, who I loved, except less mouthy and more closed off. Alex was a treat. He was exactly what I expected without being boring or too predictable. Overall, I just adored them together
Together their chemistry was off the charts. At first it felt sudden and fast, but the more the book went on the more their dynamic just made sense.
•As far as plot went, there wasn’t much of one, aside from these two characters constantly trying to figure out when they’d see each other again. They were cute honestly and the plot didn’t need to exist anyway. I would’ve liked to see more of their dynamic outside of their situationship, family life etc. You get a bit of Daniel’s life and his friends, which I loved. I loved the whole sports vibe and coaches and training, the matches and all that. I always love reading a book based around a sport I know less about bc it makes me want to learn about it. I’m a sports girly, so it’s just always a plus. Over all I just loved the characters dynamics. I loved how the book was split into different parts and I loved the middle part the most.
•Let me get down to the nitty gritty here… this book is spicy. It’s veryyyy spicy. The actual spice is like your standard thing, nothing kinky, but it’s spicy and it’s hot and it’s kinda cute also. I mean, we get there pretty early on in the book. So, if you’re interested in that, then don’t worry, it’s there!
•critiques:
The only real issue I had with the book was that the timing was a bit weird. Especially in the beginning. One paragraph would be one moment and then next paragraph would be hours later. It’s rly just the author’s writing style, which I don’t mind but it was just a bit confusing in the beginning but once I got used to it, it was fine. The writing actually somehow got better through the book and the more I read the more I found myself enjoying it.
Another random thing is that everyone & everything was very blunt in this book. The sentence and dialogue were short and blunt and to the point. It’s not something I hated, just something I wanted to point out. Overall the author just has an interesting writing style and I’m curious to see read it in a different book with different characters and settings.
•Final Thought:
I read this in three days, and if I would’ve started on a weekend I would’ve read it in one day. I wanted more and more. It reminded me a lot of when I read the ARC for In Your Court, except the dynamics were completely different and the writing, although similar, gave me a completely different vibe. However, if you liked In Your Court, then you’d love this! Highly recommend over all. If you’re into this kind of thing, then definitely pick this up on November 17th. Happy Reading!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lorraine. Lorraine. Lorraine.
Oh, my dear Lorraine.
Thank you for this.
Normally, I’m a one and done romance reader, but knowing that this is the start of a series makes me VERY, VERY happy because this is exactly the kind of couple someone like me would want to read about again and again. Alex Carter and Daniel Morgan feel real. There are no histrionics or over-the-top bullshit. No dumb ass third act break-up. There is no insta-love here, just really potent lust and curiosity that gradually builds over time until something else accompanies those feelings - something scary (to some 😏 ) but more enduring. Its opposites attract but in ways that complement. I really liked the way the author wrote about the magnetism between our couple. IRL, sometimes we’re drawn to ppl for reasons we struggle to articulate. “Past the Whistle” captures that well.
If you go into this, like me, knowing absolutely fuck-all about amateur or Olympic wrestling that’s fine because, apparently, this wrestling league isn’t even real - but it FEELS real! As I was reading, I ABSOLUTELY felt like I was learning about wrestling outside of WWE theater. And, in that regard, this is sports romance in the truest sense. These guys are wrestlers first and foremost and wrestling is just as important to this story as the romance is.
SO! Great pacing - requires patience, but that’s fine. After all, we’re here for a story. Great structure - I enjoyed following the guys along the international wrestling circuit and watching the relationship progress alongside career milestones. The characterization also worked for me. Also REALLY love the cover. The only problem I ran in to, and it was something that came up throughout the book, was the prose. Specifically, there were many syntax choices that puzzled me as well as instances of repetitive phrasing. As a result, while I was generally able to understand the overall gist of what was going on, I often found myself stopping and rereading certain descriptions or pieces of dialogue and questioning what they meant. I suspect that at least 65% of the disconnect is the fact that I am not Australian. I wonder if, perhaps, this is an instance of an author writing the way they speak. Anyway, absolutely NONE of this will keep me from either continuing the Alex/Daniel series whenever the sequel is available or reading the author’s other work once THAT is available. Just think it’s important to be honest about the totality of one’s reading experience.
Eternal gratitude to Lorraine H, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book ahead of publication! “Past the Whistle” publishes on November 17, 2026.
Oh, my dear Lorraine.
Thank you for this.
Normally, I’m a one and done romance reader, but knowing that this is the start of a series makes me VERY, VERY happy because this is exactly the kind of couple someone like me would want to read about again and again. Alex Carter and Daniel Morgan feel real. There are no histrionics or over-the-top bullshit. No dumb ass third act break-up. There is no insta-love here, just really potent lust and curiosity that gradually builds over time until something else accompanies those feelings - something scary (to some 😏 ) but more enduring. Its opposites attract but in ways that complement. I really liked the way the author wrote about the magnetism between our couple. IRL, sometimes we’re drawn to ppl for reasons we struggle to articulate. “Past the Whistle” captures that well.
If you go into this, like me, knowing absolutely fuck-all about amateur or Olympic wrestling that’s fine because, apparently, this wrestling league isn’t even real - but it FEELS real! As I was reading, I ABSOLUTELY felt like I was learning about wrestling outside of WWE theater. And, in that regard, this is sports romance in the truest sense. These guys are wrestlers first and foremost and wrestling is just as important to this story as the romance is.
SO! Great pacing - requires patience, but that’s fine. After all, we’re here for a story. Great structure - I enjoyed following the guys along the international wrestling circuit and watching the relationship progress alongside career milestones. The characterization also worked for me. Also REALLY love the cover. The only problem I ran in to, and it was something that came up throughout the book, was the prose. Specifically, there were many syntax choices that puzzled me as well as instances of repetitive phrasing. As a result, while I was generally able to understand the overall gist of what was going on, I often found myself stopping and rereading certain descriptions or pieces of dialogue and questioning what they meant. I suspect that at least 65% of the disconnect is the fact that I am not Australian. I wonder if, perhaps, this is an instance of an author writing the way they speak. Anyway, absolutely NONE of this will keep me from either continuing the Alex/Daniel series whenever the sequel is available or reading the author’s other work once THAT is available. Just think it’s important to be honest about the totality of one’s reading experience.
Eternal gratitude to Lorraine H, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book ahead of publication! “Past the Whistle” publishes on November 17, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF @ 18%
I did not want to DNF this book this early, but I just couldn't force myself to continue reading.
My main issue with it is its writing, which I absolutely disliked.
At first the sentences were mainly choppy and simple, without showing any of the characters' emotions and feelings. This made me feel like I was a robot while reading. Even the dialogue was written like that, which made it feel completely unnatural for me. I remember asking myself whether the book had a problem with commas.
After a while, the writing took on a different style. The sentences started to become longer and every information was dumped and described in them, with little to no pauses, while still failing to make me feel anything.
I don't understand the point of that choice because it did not add anything to the story, but rather made me more disconnected with the characters, leaving me all confused and annoyed.
Another reason why I did not like this was the lack of emotions, which, considering this is a romance book, is very important to me. I also didn't feel the build up of the main characters' relationship.
Although I understand that they knew each other prior to the events of the book, I still think at least a little background and context was needed, even this early into the story.
At one point I thought I was reading a sequel or I was missing something.
I don't know, but to me it just seemed like the book was rushing to the spicy parts, and it forgot to prioritize the characters and the overall story.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I did not want to DNF this book this early, but I just couldn't force myself to continue reading.
My main issue with it is its writing, which I absolutely disliked.
At first the sentences were mainly choppy and simple, without showing any of the characters' emotions and feelings. This made me feel like I was a robot while reading. Even the dialogue was written like that, which made it feel completely unnatural for me. I remember asking myself whether the book had a problem with commas.
After a while, the writing took on a different style. The sentences started to become longer and every information was dumped and described in them, with little to no pauses, while still failing to make me feel anything.
I don't understand the point of that choice because it did not add anything to the story, but rather made me more disconnected with the characters, leaving me all confused and annoyed.
Another reason why I did not like this was the lack of emotions, which, considering this is a romance book, is very important to me. I also didn't feel the build up of the main characters' relationship.
Although I understand that they knew each other prior to the events of the book, I still think at least a little background and context was needed, even this early into the story.
At one point I thought I was reading a sequel or I was missing something.
I don't know, but to me it just seemed like the book was rushing to the spicy parts, and it forgot to prioritize the characters and the overall story.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sultry. Sexy. Spicy. That sums up this book perfectly.
The tension, the romance, and the spice in this book were sooooo good. This book jumped straight into the storyline and just kept going. There wasn’t a single moment where I felt like I wanted things to speed up or where I got bored and put the book down. I was GLUED to these pages.
Lorraine’s writing style is super unique. I liked it quite a bit, and it was such a nice change from the standard writing style I’ve been reading lately. There’s a level of detail to her writing that I’ve never really seen before. She paints such a vivid picture, and it was ridiculously easy to get lost in their world.
The progression of Alex and Daniel’s relationship felt so real. I genuinely felt like an outsider watching these two come to terms with their feelings and fall hard for one another. Every second of it was so freaking beautiful.
Also, props to Lorraine for being the first author I’ve ever read who ended a sex scene only for the very next scene to have them literally back in bed having sex again. 🤣💀
This book moved me. I am so completely in love with it. Book one ends on a perfect HFN, but my gawwwwwd, I need more of them. This is one of those times where I’m genuinely grateful there’s a book two because I am NOT READY TO BE DONE WITH ALEX AND DANIEL.
Thank you Lorraine and NetGalley for the absolute privilege to ARC this book.
Title - Past The Whistle
Author - Lorraine H
Star rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy Rating - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall - Autistic Allie Approved ✅
The tension, the romance, and the spice in this book were sooooo good. This book jumped straight into the storyline and just kept going. There wasn’t a single moment where I felt like I wanted things to speed up or where I got bored and put the book down. I was GLUED to these pages.
Lorraine’s writing style is super unique. I liked it quite a bit, and it was such a nice change from the standard writing style I’ve been reading lately. There’s a level of detail to her writing that I’ve never really seen before. She paints such a vivid picture, and it was ridiculously easy to get lost in their world.
The progression of Alex and Daniel’s relationship felt so real. I genuinely felt like an outsider watching these two come to terms with their feelings and fall hard for one another. Every second of it was so freaking beautiful.
Also, props to Lorraine for being the first author I’ve ever read who ended a sex scene only for the very next scene to have them literally back in bed having sex again. 🤣💀
This book moved me. I am so completely in love with it. Book one ends on a perfect HFN, but my gawwwwwd, I need more of them. This is one of those times where I’m genuinely grateful there’s a book two because I am NOT READY TO BE DONE WITH ALEX AND DANIEL.
Thank you Lorraine and NetGalley for the absolute privilege to ARC this book.
Title - Past The Whistle
Author - Lorraine H
Star rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy Rating - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall - Autistic Allie Approved ✅
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I love finding different sports romances! Alex Carter has a goal of being the best wrestler, his only problem is Daniel Morgan. He hates losing but he did lose the world final to Daniel. Only he’s more confused then anything. Daniel held him for longer then he needed to and caressed his wrist. Why? And why can’t he stop thinking about Daniel’s touch? Daniel is a world champion, everything he does is for a reason. He tells people that what happened with Alex was on purpose but why can’t he seem to keep his hands off him. Then they have sex and that should be it but he still keeps Alex’s number with him. And he can’t stop thinking about what Alex can do to him. Then they are offered a lot of money to go on tour and face each other, a purposeful rivalry. Daniel doesn’t want to but it means being near Alex. On the mat the can have their hands all over each other, but everything else is secret. Alex’s family can never know and Daniel has nobody to tell. But what’s more important to them winning or the love they are both beginning to feel? I very much enjoyed Lorraine H’s story! It’s filled with passion, tension, sexiness, and it’s spicy!! I enjoyed both Alex and Daniel and how their relationship develops over time. I was hooked to this one and their love had me flipping the pages! Charming, sweet, and gave plenty of warm and fuzzies! So excited for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An MM sports romance between two closeted wrestlers: the world champion and the man he beat? You had me at romance.
I don't know what to say about Past The Whistle that isn't just unhinged screaming and nonsense words. And I need you to know that's not frustration; it's the complete opposite. This book overwhelmed me so entirely that coherent language has temporarily left the building.
I could not tell you a single thing about wrestling, even having finished the book, and I genuinely do not care. I understood none of the terms, and it didn't matter, because the heart of this story is the stunning, all-consuming relationship between Alex and Daniel, and it swept me away completely. I CANNOT GET OVER IT.
The writing style is bare minimum, and it is utterly, perfectly devastating. No flowery language, nothing poetic, just the least possible words, every sentence stripped back, every line leaving me teetering on an edge. It drove me crazy in the best way.
I'm done for. These boys stole my heart, my mind, and my sanity, and I will do whatever it takes to get the next book the moment it exists.
Past The Whistle is a book I want to read again for the first time. I'll love it on the second and third read, but oh, I wish I could have the first time back. It has me completely twisted up.
I don't know what to say about Past The Whistle that isn't just unhinged screaming and nonsense words. And I need you to know that's not frustration; it's the complete opposite. This book overwhelmed me so entirely that coherent language has temporarily left the building.
I could not tell you a single thing about wrestling, even having finished the book, and I genuinely do not care. I understood none of the terms, and it didn't matter, because the heart of this story is the stunning, all-consuming relationship between Alex and Daniel, and it swept me away completely. I CANNOT GET OVER IT.
The writing style is bare minimum, and it is utterly, perfectly devastating. No flowery language, nothing poetic, just the least possible words, every sentence stripped back, every line leaving me teetering on an edge. It drove me crazy in the best way.
I'm done for. These boys stole my heart, my mind, and my sanity, and I will do whatever it takes to get the next book the moment it exists.
Past The Whistle is a book I want to read again for the first time. I'll love it on the second and third read, but oh, I wish I could have the first time back. It has me completely twisted up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Past the Whistle is a slow burn MM sports romance between Alex and Daniel, the current world champion and the guy he beat, who are both closeted and very much trying to keep whatever is happening between them under control. I loved how quiet this romance is.
I really appreciated how much the wrestling actually matters to the story. It’s not just there because the author needed a unique setting for the romance. You get the matches, the travelling, the pressure, the whole world around being a professional wrestler.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, and you need to be okay with that because these two take their sweet time. But I actually loved it here. Their relationship doesn’t immediately turn into OMG WE ARE SOULMATES. It starts with attraction and curiosity and a lot of that “why am I so damn drawn to you” energy and then slowly becomes something deeper. There was something really satisfying about watching the relationship gradually shift into something more.
I’m completely in love with these two. Book one ends on a solid happy for now, and I’m so glad there will be a second book.
Tropes
- Slow Burn
- Rivals to Lovers
- High Heat
- Secret Relationship
- Aussie x American
- Forced Proximity
- Athletes
I really appreciated how much the wrestling actually matters to the story. It’s not just there because the author needed a unique setting for the romance. You get the matches, the travelling, the pressure, the whole world around being a professional wrestler.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, and you need to be okay with that because these two take their sweet time. But I actually loved it here. Their relationship doesn’t immediately turn into OMG WE ARE SOULMATES. It starts with attraction and curiosity and a lot of that “why am I so damn drawn to you” energy and then slowly becomes something deeper. There was something really satisfying about watching the relationship gradually shift into something more.
I’m completely in love with these two. Book one ends on a solid happy for now, and I’m so glad there will be a second book.
Tropes
- Slow Burn
- Rivals to Lovers
- High Heat
- Secret Relationship
- Aussie x American
- Forced Proximity
- Athletes
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to netgalley for providing this ARC!
i had so much fun with this one. the premise really intrigued me going into it - rival wrestlers? absolutely. and it did not disappoint!!
i really liked both our characters, they were very easy to root for—both individually and together. i loved their dynamic and chemistry, the way they bounced off each other felt really natural and was so enjoyable to read. daniel, specifically, was such an endearing character to follow.
the whole competing against each other aspect was a very interesting dynamic, and i really enjoyed the way the author did it.
i do wish our side characters had been fleshed out a bit more - they felt very surface level and not like they brought much to the story. their coaches, kenji and webb, blurred together for me at times. hopefully we get a bit more of that in the next book!
the writing style took me a bit to get used to, as it felt almost clunky and disjointed at times, but i actually thought it ended up working pretty well for the story.
overall i just had a really fun time with this one, and i’ll definitely be continuing the series! also very excited to see what the author writes next.
i’d absolutely recommend this if you like an MM rivals-to-lovers sports romance.
i had so much fun with this one. the premise really intrigued me going into it - rival wrestlers? absolutely. and it did not disappoint!!
i really liked both our characters, they were very easy to root for—both individually and together. i loved their dynamic and chemistry, the way they bounced off each other felt really natural and was so enjoyable to read. daniel, specifically, was such an endearing character to follow.
the whole competing against each other aspect was a very interesting dynamic, and i really enjoyed the way the author did it.
i do wish our side characters had been fleshed out a bit more - they felt very surface level and not like they brought much to the story. their coaches, kenji and webb, blurred together for me at times. hopefully we get a bit more of that in the next book!
the writing style took me a bit to get used to, as it felt almost clunky and disjointed at times, but i actually thought it ended up working pretty well for the story.
overall i just had a really fun time with this one, and i’ll definitely be continuing the series! also very excited to see what the author writes next.
i’d absolutely recommend this if you like an MM rivals-to-lovers sports romance.
Review of advance copy
DNF at 37%. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.
The setup is a strong one: two closeted wrestlers, a world champion and the man he beat, thrown together as league rivals, with a moment on the mat that hints at real tenderness. The chemistry between Alex and Daniel is undeniable, and the steamy scenes are well written.
Unfortunately, the book never gave me the emotional connection I was looking for. By 37%, the story had settled into a repeating pattern of wrestling matches followed by secret hookups in a new city, and the encounters didn't seem to change anything between the characters. The tone is serious throughout, with very little humor or levity to break it up, and the wrestling scenes took up a lot of page time without adding to the relationship. It felt much longer than the percentage suggested.
I wanted the slow build of intimacy underneath the heat, and I didn't find it in the portion I read. Readers who prefer a heavier, more serious tone and are happy with a physical connection leading the way may enjoy this more than I did.
The setup is a strong one: two closeted wrestlers, a world champion and the man he beat, thrown together as league rivals, with a moment on the mat that hints at real tenderness. The chemistry between Alex and Daniel is undeniable, and the steamy scenes are well written.
Unfortunately, the book never gave me the emotional connection I was looking for. By 37%, the story had settled into a repeating pattern of wrestling matches followed by secret hookups in a new city, and the encounters didn't seem to change anything between the characters. The tone is serious throughout, with very little humor or levity to break it up, and the wrestling scenes took up a lot of page time without adding to the relationship. It felt much longer than the percentage suggested.
I wanted the slow build of intimacy underneath the heat, and I didn't find it in the portion I read. Readers who prefer a heavier, more serious tone and are happy with a physical connection leading the way may enjoy this more than I did.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to love this one and while I do think it had potential, it definitely could have been great and just wasn't, which was disappointing. First of all, GORGEOUS cover. That's what drew me in in the first place!
If I'm being honest, I think this was trying a little too hard to be Heated Rivalry, with the secret hookups, the rivalry between two athletes, and LOTS of spice. I get the ambition, but Heated Rivalry was lightning in a bottle, and this just fell short.
The writing felt choppy and disjointed, and I really wanted more depth to Alex and Daniel's relationship so I could actually root for them and care about them. But I felt like it was mostly hookups and smut, and not really a romance until the very end and by that time, I was not really invested in them and did not care the way I wished I did.
I'm sad because I LOVE MM sports romances but it just was not great. I am hoping for more from this author in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lorraine H., and Victory Editing for the eARC of this book.
If I'm being honest, I think this was trying a little too hard to be Heated Rivalry, with the secret hookups, the rivalry between two athletes, and LOTS of spice. I get the ambition, but Heated Rivalry was lightning in a bottle, and this just fell short.
The writing felt choppy and disjointed, and I really wanted more depth to Alex and Daniel's relationship so I could actually root for them and care about them. But I felt like it was mostly hookups and smut, and not really a romance until the very end and by that time, I was not really invested in them and did not care the way I wished I did.
I'm sad because I LOVE MM sports romances but it just was not great. I am hoping for more from this author in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lorraine H., and Victory Editing for the eARC of this book.
October 10, 2026
I would like to start off by saying that despite wrestling for one year in middle school, I know absolutely NOTHING about wrestling other than what the singlet looks like. So I was a little lost during actual wrestling scenes because I have no idea what any of the moves are. Despite that, I found the book enjoyable. There's not much explanation on why Alex and Daniel are drawn to each other at first but they have a certain chemistry that didn't feel forced and I thought their character's made since together. My main issues with the book are that Daniel is pretty monosyllabic in his dialog, though the author updated the story after I read it so this may have been changed. I also didn't care for the background characters, other than maybe Alex's coach. They were pretty one dimensional, even Daniel's best friend who get the most amount of page space. Lastly, I could have used more at the end. I know this is the first in a series so I expect we will be getting more about how they make the relationship work but it felt a little abrupt to stop the story where it did. I will definitely read the next installment though.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an eARC from Netgalley.
It's nice to see a new sport getting a romantic storyline. This was also the most sport-heavy sports romance I think I've ever read, which was really cool too. I learned a lot about the world of competitive wrestling. Not everyone will vibe with the choppy writing style but it didn't bother me that much. It definitely seemed like Daniel is just not a guy who says a lot, and Alex could only fill in so much.
I'm not sure where the tension was supposed to be with the outside world. There were a lot of hints and questions from friends/colleagues but the MCs never had any introspective feelings about what it meant to them. It just wasn't very emotional in the end, so that left the Olympics/after climax a bit flat. My other issues were with editing - mixing up airports, dialogue going to the wrong person, etc.
Also, no one ever checked their shoes for spiders.
It's nice to see a new sport getting a romantic storyline. This was also the most sport-heavy sports romance I think I've ever read, which was really cool too. I learned a lot about the world of competitive wrestling. Not everyone will vibe with the choppy writing style but it didn't bother me that much. It definitely seemed like Daniel is just not a guy who says a lot, and Alex could only fill in so much.
I'm not sure where the tension was supposed to be with the outside world. There were a lot of hints and questions from friends/colleagues but the MCs never had any introspective feelings about what it meant to them. It just wasn't very emotional in the end, so that left the Olympics/after climax a bit flat. My other issues were with editing - mixing up airports, dialogue going to the wrong person, etc.
Also, no one ever checked their shoes for spiders.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was mostly good! Here’s what I enjoyed the most:
-Learning about the sport. I knew nothing about it, and this book had me searching for the difference between Greco and Freestyle.
-How straightforward Alex is and that he goes after what he wants. We love a secure king.
-The back and forth between their POVs. This gave me more insight to their feelings and thoughts.
-The sexual tension between Alex and Daniel was fire.
What I think could have been better:
-Daniel’s reticence or past is barely explained. Maybe we get his background in the second book, but this made this story sort of incomplete to me. They’re both in the same situation, and yet, Daniel barely talks. It made it seem like Alex was begging.
-The similarities to Heated Rivalry. Many scenes were basically the same.
-They often don’t finish their sentences because the other interrupts. It was mildly annoying.
Overall, I did enjoy it, and I will read book 2 when it comes out.
-Learning about the sport. I knew nothing about it, and this book had me searching for the difference between Greco and Freestyle.
-How straightforward Alex is and that he goes after what he wants. We love a secure king.
-The back and forth between their POVs. This gave me more insight to their feelings and thoughts.
-The sexual tension between Alex and Daniel was fire.
What I think could have been better:
-Daniel’s reticence or past is barely explained. Maybe we get his background in the second book, but this made this story sort of incomplete to me. They’re both in the same situation, and yet, Daniel barely talks. It made it seem like Alex was begging.
-The similarities to Heated Rivalry. Many scenes were basically the same.
-They often don’t finish their sentences because the other interrupts. It was mildly annoying.
Overall, I did enjoy it, and I will read book 2 when it comes out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story is beautiful. Loved the pacing and how it was structured and it read like a very good fan fiction. And I mean that in the best way possible! Loved the length of it because we got to spend more time in Alex and Daniel's heads and I appreciate how it all came together in the end.
My only gripe is with the stylistic choices. I'm not a big fan of choppy sentences and sometimes I had a hard time following grammatically, if that makes sense. However, all of that doesn't take away from the story and boy am I looking forward to the next one! I would love more angst because that's what I like reading but the yearning was great in this first book and I can't wait to see how Daniel and Alex navigate the next stage in their relationship.
All in all, it was a great read!
Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!
My only gripe is with the stylistic choices. I'm not a big fan of choppy sentences and sometimes I had a hard time following grammatically, if that makes sense. However, all of that doesn't take away from the story and boy am I looking forward to the next one! I would love more angst because that's what I like reading but the yearning was great in this first book and I can't wait to see how Daniel and Alex navigate the next stage in their relationship.
All in all, it was a great read!
Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!
October 11, 2026
I really enjoyed Past the Whistle! The rivals-to-lovers dynamic between Alex and Daniel had plenty of tension, and the wrestling setting made for an interesting change from the usual sports romances. I knew nothing about wrestling going in and probably still know nothing now but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.
I loved the slow build up of Alex and Daniel’s relationship, the attraction and chemistry may have been there from the start but the real feelings take time to develop and be acknowledged, it felt very real to me. The distance and time between when they were able to see each other added to the dynamic of their relationship.
Lorraine’s writing style is quite distinct but once I got into the book I was loving it and I can’t wait to see where the relationship between these two boys goes next.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I loved the slow build up of Alex and Daniel’s relationship, the attraction and chemistry may have been there from the start but the real feelings take time to develop and be acknowledged, it felt very real to me. The distance and time between when they were able to see each other added to the dynamic of their relationship.
Lorraine’s writing style is quite distinct but once I got into the book I was loving it and I can’t wait to see where the relationship between these two boys goes next.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought I was going to read sports smut, but I was given erotic art literature. Lorraine H is a new-to-me author, and this book has a slightly different narrative structure than most other MM sports romances, but it doesn't really bother me. I always thought wrestling is a very homo erotic sport compared to most, and this book has reaffirmed my belief. Based on other reviews, it seems the writing is not everyone's cup of tea, but to me it is very, very intimate. I was savoring each line during the whole reading. It is definitely hot hot hot, but sexiness is not the only thing it has going for. Even in the beginning, it is apparent that this is more than just lust. The third-person POV means the writing is very all seeing god view; if you can get over the unreality of that POV, the book is a wonderful journey.
October 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Lorraine H. for this advance copy.
The premise of this book is really cool.
I’ve never read a wrestling MM romance before, so I found the wrestling subplot pretty interesting (if a little confusing at times, but that’s a me problem, as I don’t know much about the sport).
I struggled with the first quarter of the book, as I was trying to get into the flow of the story but kept getting tripped up over whose POV I was in. It took me a while to work out who was who in my head, as Daniel and Alex’s internal voices weren’t that different.
That said, I did find myself constantly wanting to pick this book up to see what Alex and Daniel were up to.
If you’re after a spicy sports rivals romance, definitely give this one a go.
Note: I have since received an updated version of this ARC, which I have not read.
The premise of this book is really cool.
I’ve never read a wrestling MM romance before, so I found the wrestling subplot pretty interesting (if a little confusing at times, but that’s a me problem, as I don’t know much about the sport).
I struggled with the first quarter of the book, as I was trying to get into the flow of the story but kept getting tripped up over whose POV I was in. It took me a while to work out who was who in my head, as Daniel and Alex’s internal voices weren’t that different.
That said, I did find myself constantly wanting to pick this book up to see what Alex and Daniel were up to.
If you’re after a spicy sports rivals romance, definitely give this one a go.
Note: I have since received an updated version of this ARC, which I have not read.
Review of advance copy
ARC received through Pen Pinery. Review left voluntarily.
I have always enjoyed a rivals to lovers romance and this one was worth the read. I was fully invested in Daniel and Alex’s story and developing relationship from their first time meeting on the mat to the HFN. They were drawn to each other from the outset and what started off as opportunistic hook ups quickly turned into something more for both of them. The book was written in third person which is fine by me. The writing style took a bit of time for me to get my head around. There were a lot of short sentences and the dialogue was similar with a lot of one word answers. There was also limited inner monologue with the characters’ story shown more through their actions. Regardless, they were sweet together and I will be keeping an eye out for book 2 to see where that leads them!
I have always enjoyed a rivals to lovers romance and this one was worth the read. I was fully invested in Daniel and Alex’s story and developing relationship from their first time meeting on the mat to the HFN. They were drawn to each other from the outset and what started off as opportunistic hook ups quickly turned into something more for both of them. The book was written in third person which is fine by me. The writing style took a bit of time for me to get my head around. There were a lot of short sentences and the dialogue was similar with a lot of one word answers. There was also limited inner monologue with the characters’ story shown more through their actions. Regardless, they were sweet together and I will be keeping an eye out for book 2 to see where that leads them!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There's nothing technically wrong with the story, but it was technical in every part of it. They sounded robotic when talking to each other, and there were too many and not enough descriptions of wrestling. Which is funny bc it's a mm romance of two wrestlers. Too many descriptions of the technical stuff, and not enough of the emotions.
The about the author page makes me understand that she's writing how she is, and that's cool, but maybe don't write romance. Maybe try sci-fi or something where being dry is expected.
I generally love sports romances, but I won't be looking for future books from her. This one disappointed me so badly.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The about the author page makes me understand that she's writing how she is, and that's cool, but maybe don't write romance. Maybe try sci-fi or something where being dry is expected.
I generally love sports romances, but I won't be looking for future books from her. This one disappointed me so badly.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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October 15, 2026Before I say anything else, I just wanna say thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to have this arc. But unfortunately, I dnf’d at 30%. I really wanted to enjoy this book because it seemed very similar to the rivalry and I thought being in the wrestling world would just add another layer to the story and the homoeroticism. Unfortunately, I found these characters to be extremely bland to the point where there was no characterization, and I couldn’t even remember who was who. I felt like the plot centric scenes were not the best written and would almost jump to a different scene very corrupt. I’ll also say that the sex scenes are very well written and we’re very enjoyable and I had debated finishing reading the book for those scenes, but it just wasn’t worth it to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC! 🥹🫶🏻
🖤 MM wrestling romance
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 Rivals to lovers
🖤 Spicy
First, the good things: I absolutely love the cover and this had such an interesting premise! And since I love MM romance, I was really excited for Alex & Daniel's story 🔥
But unfortunately I couldn't connect with the writing style. 🥺 I wasn't able to read it naturally and the flow just wasn't there.
Another problem was that the story was lacking emotional depth and connection for me.
That said, this book just didn't work for me, but it doesn't mean it won't work for you 🫶🏻
⭐ Rating: 3 stars
🖤 MM wrestling romance
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 Rivals to lovers
🖤 Spicy
First, the good things: I absolutely love the cover and this had such an interesting premise! And since I love MM romance, I was really excited for Alex & Daniel's story 🔥
But unfortunately I couldn't connect with the writing style. 🥺 I wasn't able to read it naturally and the flow just wasn't there.
Another problem was that the story was lacking emotional depth and connection for me.
That said, this book just didn't work for me, but it doesn't mean it won't work for you 🫶🏻
⭐ Rating: 3 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A steamy MM sports romance packed with chemistry and tension between two rival wrestlers. I thoroughly enjoyed Alex and Daniel's dynamic and how their initial attraction gradually develops into something more.
My only critique lies in the writing style. The prose didn't always flow naturally, and the phrasing (as well as certain plot points) felt somewhat repetitive. This kept me from fully loving the book.
Ultimately, the romance itself was great, even if the writing wasn't my personal cup of tea. I can definitely see the appeal for fans of the genre.
My only critique lies in the writing style. The prose didn't always flow naturally, and the phrasing (as well as certain plot points) felt somewhat repetitive. This kept me from fully loving the book.
Ultimately, the romance itself was great, even if the writing wasn't my personal cup of tea. I can definitely see the appeal for fans of the genre.
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