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Back Outside Edge
Stefan Petryk is figure skating’s golden boy, but after a disastrous performance when it counted most, he’s falling apart under the pressure to redeem himself. When he’s forced to room with a rival at Worlds, he’s certain the break in routine will be the end of everything.
Except… Evan Marquez is charming, patient, and the best artistic skater in the world. Stefan wants to spend more time with him, rituals be damned. Get to know him, learn how he moves the way he does. Stefan’s always assumed he was straight, but everything about Evan appeals to him.
If Evan wants him in return, what will he do? He can’t have a relationship, not with the pressures on his time and energy. He certainly can’t have one with a man. He’s under constant media scrutiny. His sponsors would probably drop him, his fans might hate him.
It’s best for everyone if he just focuses on his skating. Does what he’s supposed to do. Pushes back his feelings like he always does.
But how can he, when Evan is right there all the time?
Except… Evan Marquez is charming, patient, and the best artistic skater in the world. Stefan wants to spend more time with him, rituals be damned. Get to know him, learn how he moves the way he does. Stefan’s always assumed he was straight, but everything about Evan appeals to him.
If Evan wants him in return, what will he do? He can’t have a relationship, not with the pressures on his time and energy. He certainly can’t have one with a man. He’s under constant media scrutiny. His sponsors would probably drop him, his fans might hate him.
It’s best for everyone if he just focuses on his skating. Does what he’s supposed to do. Pushes back his feelings like he always does.
But how can he, when Evan is right there all the time?
- GenresM M Romance
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2026
About the author
Baz Navarre
1 book1 followerBaz Navarre writes spicy MM Figure Skater Romance. Since he loves MM Romance and figure skating, why not put them together and get the best of both worlds? He lives in Northern California with two cats and many, many plants.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Synopsis:
Stefan has a routine that he can’t compromise on if he’s expected to perform at his best. That routine definitely doesn’t include a smiley roomate. But as he and Evan grow closer at Worlds, Stefan realizes that shaking up his routine can be incredible.
❤️ M/M Sports Romance
🧡 Figure Skating
💛 Rivals to Lovers
💚 Queer Awakening
💙 Secret Relationship
💜 Long Distance
Highlights:
- Stefan is a cat dad
- Researching a partner's kinks
- “I’m proud of you”
Recommend?
Yes! This is a wonderfully done debut novel from Baz. It’s romantic and heartfelt and real. Definitely worth a read!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
"Back Outside Edge" by Baz Navarre is an MM rivals to lovers romance between two figure skaters. It follows Stefan and Evan as they go from reluctant roommates at Worlds to friends and eventually something more. But a relationship isn't easy, it means months apart, keeping secrets, and when disaster strikes, it threatens to tear them apart.
Ratings:
Overall: 4.5/5 - This book is so good. I struggled a bit to decide between 4 and 5. Because I really fell in love with this story but there were also some things I didn't love. Neither option seemed fair to my gut so I'm going with 4.5.
Spice Quantity: 2/5 Peppers - I'm estimating about 20% of this book is spice based on vibes.
Spice Quality: 5/5 - The spice is super detailed and there were moments that had me blushing and feeling like I was right there with them.
Plot: 4/5 -
Storyline: I really loved the storyline. I loved that the characters struggle with not only the external antagonists, but internal ones as well. I loved the slow build of their relationship and I loved how amazing the pacing was. I felt like the plot just kept coming and it never felt too slow or like it was rushed.
Characters: They're so great. I really liked that they felt like 24 year olds, which means they were figuring out what they wanted out of life, they were messing up (with consequences), and they were mature enough to grow from each mistake.
Writing Style: This is where the book lost some of its shine for me. The writing felt a bit choppy at the beginning and it wasn't until about 1/5 of the way into it that it seemed to smooth out for me and I really got sucked in enough to start loving the storyline. But this is usually a me thing, not a book thing.
Conclusion: - It's a well done story that doesn't require a lot of skating knowledge to fall into. It has great characters, plenty of angst, but also some really heartfelt emotional moments too. It's definitely a book I'd recommend to a friend and I'd definitely read more from this author in the future.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
If you enjoyed this review, please follow me over on Instagram: @rainbow.reviews.mm
I share reviews with half-decent graphics, new release promos, and reading updates.
*I did receive a free ARC of this book. However, this review is 100% voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.*
Stefan has a routine that he can’t compromise on if he’s expected to perform at his best. That routine definitely doesn’t include a smiley roomate. But as he and Evan grow closer at Worlds, Stefan realizes that shaking up his routine can be incredible.
❤️ M/M Sports Romance
🧡 Figure Skating
💛 Rivals to Lovers
💚 Queer Awakening
💙 Secret Relationship
💜 Long Distance
Highlights:
- Stefan is a cat dad
- Researching a partner's kinks
- “I’m proud of you”
Recommend?
Yes! This is a wonderfully done debut novel from Baz. It’s romantic and heartfelt and real. Definitely worth a read!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
"Back Outside Edge" by Baz Navarre is an MM rivals to lovers romance between two figure skaters. It follows Stefan and Evan as they go from reluctant roommates at Worlds to friends and eventually something more. But a relationship isn't easy, it means months apart, keeping secrets, and when disaster strikes, it threatens to tear them apart.
Ratings:
Overall: 4.5/5 - This book is so good. I struggled a bit to decide between 4 and 5. Because I really fell in love with this story but there were also some things I didn't love. Neither option seemed fair to my gut so I'm going with 4.5.
Spice Quantity: 2/5 Peppers - I'm estimating about 20% of this book is spice based on vibes.
Spice Quality: 5/5 - The spice is super detailed and there were moments that had me blushing and feeling like I was right there with them.
Plot: 4/5 -
Storyline: I really loved the storyline. I loved that the characters struggle with not only the external antagonists, but internal ones as well. I loved the slow build of their relationship and I loved how amazing the pacing was. I felt like the plot just kept coming and it never felt too slow or like it was rushed.
Characters: They're so great. I really liked that they felt like 24 year olds, which means they were figuring out what they wanted out of life, they were messing up (with consequences), and they were mature enough to grow from each mistake.
Writing Style: This is where the book lost some of its shine for me. The writing felt a bit choppy at the beginning and it wasn't until about 1/5 of the way into it that it seemed to smooth out for me and I really got sucked in enough to start loving the storyline. But this is usually a me thing, not a book thing.
Conclusion: - It's a well done story that doesn't require a lot of skating knowledge to fall into. It has great characters, plenty of angst, but also some really heartfelt emotional moments too. It's definitely a book I'd recommend to a friend and I'd definitely read more from this author in the future.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
If you enjoyed this review, please follow me over on Instagram: @rainbow.reviews.mm
I share reviews with half-decent graphics, new release promos, and reading updates.
*I did receive a free ARC of this book. However, this review is 100% voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.*
Did Not Finish
September 19, 2026DNF @ 64% - Not for me.
October 7, 2026
A fun read, espcially for anyone who enjoys rivals to lovers and sports romances.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews